VCOC Legislative Mission

The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) is the coordinating organization for the Military Officers Association of America in Virginia. There are over 40,000 MOAA members in the Commonwealth and the VCOC provides the forum for the 12 MOAA chapters in Virginia to develop common policies and objectives. 

Just as MOAA members served in leadership roles on active duty, they continue to serve in leadership positions in veteran service organizations (VSOs), and on many Virginia boards and commissions that address veterans' issues. The VCOC benefits from this diverse experience as it works to support the needs and concerns of veterans throughout the Commonwealth and act as a proponent for uniformed services, retiree, survivor and veterans' issues at the state level. The VCOC holds a seat on the Joint Leadership Council of the Board for Veterans Services. This coalition of 23 veterans organizations is united to "speak with one voice" in promoting issues which support active-duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees, survivors and all veterans in the Commonwealth. 
Each year, VCOC actively advocates legislatively.  At the State Level, VCOC participates in the annual Joint Leadership Council Day in Richmond, and is a member of the Virginia Joint Leadership Council (JLC).  At the Federal Level, VCOC particpates in the annual MOAA National Advocacy in Action in Washington, D.C. 

The Joint Leadership Council of Veteran Services   
From the Virginia Department of Veterans Service Website: "The mission of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (the JLC) is to provide advice and assistance to the Governor, General Assembly and the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) on matters of concern to the veterans community and provides a conduit of information to and from the veterans service organizations on policy and legislation, pending and enacted, as well as information on existing services." 

The JLC is composed of one representative from each qualifying veterans service organization (VSO), to be appointed by the Governor, and the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services and the Chairman of the Board of Veterans Services and the Veterans Services Foundation or their designees, who shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members. LtCOL John Down, USAF (Ret) is the VCOC JLC representative, Col Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), is the JLC Alternate Representative.  

DVS Homepage, view here: DVS. 
JLC Homepage, view here:   JLC

In reminder, MOAA is exempt from federal taxation under Sec. 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.  As such, MOAA and its affiliates must avoid engaging in partisan political activities. View guidance here: MOAA Guidance on Partisan Political Activities

JLC 2026 Initiatives