THE
ARMED FORCES
OPTOMETRIC
SOCIETY

A SOCIETY DEVOTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF ALL ASPECTS OF OPTOMETRIC CARE WITHIN THE FEDERAL SERVICES, THE RESERVES AND THE NATIONAL GUARD




AFOS is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1970. Its objectives are to advance, improve, and enhance the eye care provided to designated federal services' health care beneficiaries by optometrists in federal service; to provide a forum for these optometrists; to improve the art and science of the practice of optometry and to elevate the standards of the practice. In 1986 the constitution was amended to allow membership for optometrists working for the Veterans Administration or Federal Civil Service.


FOUNDERS
Colonel Billy C. Green, MSC, USA
Colonel Floyd M. Morris, USAF, BSC
Captain Aldo Bartolomei, MSC, USN
Captain Donald E. Still, MSC, USN
H. E. "Tony" Mahlman, DOS

MEMBERSHIP

Active members must be serving as an optometry officer on active duty in one of the uniformed services or be a full time employee of the VA or Federal Civil Service as an optometrist. Active members are strongly encouraged to join the American Optometric Association (AOA) through AFOS.

Associate members are optometrists retired from one of the uniformed services, present or past members in the active or inactive Reserves, present or past members in the National Guard, or who have previously served in one of the uniformed services, or optometrists who are part-time employees of either the Department of Veteran Affairs or Federal Civil Service.

Student members must be attending a full time course of study at one of the accredited schools or colleges of optometry.

Life members. Any member that has been a member for a minimum of ten (10) years, a member in good standing at time of retirement, and is receiving retired pay from the Federal Government as an optometrist may apply for Life membership. In addition, any member that is retiring from the Reserves or National Guard with a minimum of twenty (20) years service who has been a member for a minimum of ten (10) years, is a member in good standing at time of retirement, may apply for Life membership and will not be required to wait until receiving retired pay at age sixty.

Partial Practice members: An optometrist who works twenty (20) or fewer hours per week in compensated optometrically related activities will be eligible for partial practice membership. The optometrist will practice only in a federal facility and those practicing in any compensated capacity outside a federal facility will not be eligible for membership in this category. The optometrist will certify his or her exclusive federal practice on the membership application and is responsible for notifying the AFOS Executive Director immediately if their status changes. Partial Practice members are eligible to join the AOA as Partial Practice members. AFOS and AOA dues are 50% of an Active Member's dues.


NEWSLETTER
Mailed quarterly to all members. Reports on areas of concern to Federal Service optometrists. Contains a report from each Section Chief and lists the continuing education courses available as well as abstracts prepared by the AFOS Continuing Education Committee. Serves as a forum for members to voice their opinions on current issues relating to Federal Service Optometry.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
AFOS arranges for and conducts two continuing education programs each year. Most education is certified by the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE).

YOUR VOICE
AFOS speaks on behalf of federal service optometry to ensure that its' views and interests are represented in departmental and legislative actions affecting optometry.

PARTICIPATION

For full time members of the federal services, AFOS is considered a state association by the American Optometric Association (AOA), which allows you to join the largest organization serving organized optometry in the country. Members are encouraged to actively participate in AFOS and the AOA; to attend AFOS meetings and functions, the AOA Annual Congress and other optometric meetings. They are encouraged to submit case reports or other items of interest for publication in the newsletter. They are also encouraged to serve on the Executive Council and committees of the Society and to participate in projects developed by AFOS.


AWARDS

OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR
Presented for significant contributions to the advancement of AFOS and Optometry.


JUNIOR OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR

Presented for significant contributions to the advancement of AFOS and Optometry.

ORION
The highest honor the society can bestow is a public tribute in recognition for contributing to the advancement of optometry in the federal services for the good of mankind.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
This governing body is composed of the officers (President, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Immediate Past President) and seven members-at-large elected from the membership.


EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Communicates with the Federal Government on matters affecting federal service optometrists and the care they provide.

Maintains liaison with the AOA, the colleges of optometry and all other optometric groups.

Publishes the newsletter, web page, provides services to the members, and maintains the membership records.

MEETINGS
The annual meeting is held in conjunction with the Southern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO) in Atlanta, GA in the spring.

The Federal Service Optometry (FSO) meeting is usually held each fall and is in conjunction with the American Academy of Optometry meeting.


CLICK HERE TO PAY DUES
 

AFOS EXECUTIVE OFFICE
904 Vista Grande St
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Phone: (805) 226-8292

e-mail: execdir@afos2020.org

  Application Form

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