Professional military organizations offer a slew of opportunities to put your business in position to receive positive recognition and increase sales. In addition to the members of the military associations who work within the industry in some capacity, you will have opportunities to meet and get to know other professional military organizations for defense members, including those businesses and government agencies that do business with military orgs.

Affiliation with military non-profit organizations provides lobbying and networking opportunities that can be immensely helpful to your own business interests while you support the industry. Membership in military associations often means access to information and contacts that can be important to your own company. Regional professional military organizations offer even more opportunities to network with local business and military leaders in your community. Approach your membership in military orgs. from a variety of perspectives.

1. Expand your network through professional military organizations

2. Support the industry by participating in military non-profit organizations

3. Stay informed with military professional organization publications

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop business contacts in military organizations

Non-profit military organizations hold regular meetings, seminars and conventions for members and interested parties. At military professional organization events, as well as through various committees in which you can participate, you will have many occasions to socialize and network with other business people who support and work within the military organizations for defense. The business leaders you meet could offer a number of trade opportunities for you and your company.

I recommend: The Fleet Reserve Association supports the interest of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard through meetings, recognitions and lobbying efforts. A United States military organization with a broader coverage that includes families of all seven branches of the military is the National Military Family Association.

Demonstrate your interest by joining military organizations

If you want to do business with military personnel and those who serve the military, you will want to show your support while building relationships with national and local leaders in the industry. You often can do this best by participating in professional military organizations with both your presence and your financial support.

I recommend: The Military Officers Association of America is a professional armed forces association that offers members discounts, news and opportunities to help military families. The USO has always encouraged community involvement in serving those who serve the country.

Keep your company in the loop with publications from military associations

While you may not have time to participate in a trade group or volunteer on a committee, you can take advantage of membership in professional military associations through the myriad publications they put out. By keeping up with the reports and news in the industry, you can pick and choose which events will be most beneficial for you to attend while keeping updated on changes or news that affects military organizations.

I recommend: You can register as a member for updates as well as take advantage of a number of other publications put out by the National Guard Association of the United States. Read Army Magazine and other publications from the Association of the United States Army.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join a fundraising or public relations committee in military non-profit organizations to develop closer relationships with others who could prove helpful to your business.