They had served in various minecraft prior to WW-ll and were quite proud of this special field of endeavor. And, as a result, this organization of minecraft sailors was formed. Many of these men had served in the old fourstacker destroyers that had been converted to DMs and DMSs. Some had served in the coastal and yard minesweepers, and yet, others had been on the larger minelayers of the fleet.
Members use a portion of their expense of attending for tax purposes.
Available through the NMA small stores are such items as baseball caps sporting the red white and blue minesweeping logo, replicas of WW-ll mine patch, which the enlisted men wore so proudly on their shoulders, bumper stickers, also with the red, white and blue logo and others items related to the mine specialty. THE NEXT ONE IS AT SAN JOSE,CA IN 2000. Various share-based mine facilities, depots and schools. Past Conventions have been held in San Antonio, Colorado Springs, Des Moines. Omaha, Louisville, Reno, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Scottsdale, San Diego, Hilton Head Island, SC and Appleton, Wisconsin.