The Purpose of the Swift Boat Sailors Association is to promote the common good and general welfare of personnel who manned or support U.S. Navy PCFs, defined as Patrol Craft Fast or Swift Boats, assigned to Coastal Squadron ONE during the United States involvement in Vietnam between 1965 and 1973 and to preserve the history of the Navy PCFs and the veterans who manned or supported Navy PCFs during that time period.
Normally every January or early February SBSA Membership statements are sent out and this coming year, Calendar Year 2018, we are introducing and offering a new SBSA Lifetime Membership. Some of the benefits of paying for a Lifetime Membership include:
-Never paying annual dues again
-Protected from future dues increases
-Convenient program for those who move around during the year – for you Snow Birds who don’t receive your statements
– A commitment of support to the SBSA
There are two categories of membership in the SBSA, Active Membership and Associate Membership. Here is a breakdown of the two:
Active Membership
-All persons who served in Boat Squadron ONE (BOATRON ONE); Coastal Squadron ONE (COSRON ONE), Costal Divisions 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16; and any other PCF units stationed in the Republic of Vietnam.
-Personnel assigned to units in support of BOATRON ONE; PCF and Boat Divisions 101, 103, 103, 104, and 105; Coastal Squadron ONE and Coastal Divisions 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 1nd 16. This includes officers and men assigned to repair ships, Naval Support Activities, APLs and United States Coast Guard Units that directly supported Swift Boats.
-Personnel assigned to stateside units, including the Naval Inshore Operations Training Center (NIOTC) that trained crewmembers for duty on Swift Boats.
-Family members of persons who qualify for membership under above paragraphs.
Associate Membership – Associate Membership in the Association is open to all persons who do not qualify for Active Membership and whose application for membership is approved by the Association Board of Directors.
Here’s the new Membership Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2018:
Category of Membership Amount
Annual Renewable Dues (Active & Associate Membership) $25.00
Associate Lifetime Membership (All Age Groups) $100.00 (updated)
Active Lifetime Membership (Age 61 – 70) $175.00
Active Lifetime Membership (Age 71 – 80) $125.00
Active Lifetime Membership (Age 81 and Older) $100.00
If you compare the fees of SBSA Lifetime Membership to other Veterans Organizations you will see you pay a substantially lower fee then the rest of them. The American Legion charges the highest Lifetime Membership fees that range from $815 down to $429. We can’t compete with those organizations that send out monthly magazines but we do keep you informed throughout the year with newsletters and have a reunion every other year in different geographic locations within the United States.
If you would like pay for the new SBSA Lifetime Membership Dues now you can send your check or money order payable to SBSA, and mailing to the SBSA Treasurer at the following address (don’t forget to include your name and address on the check):
SBSA
P.O. Box 6281
Norfolk, VA 23508-0281
If you don’t get your SBSA dues statement by February 2018, please contact the SBSA Treasurer at sbsatreasurer13@gmail.com