11/02/2025
Merger Proposal of POVA and PRA
Message to Association Members and Survey Link
Preface. The Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Regiment faces difficult times. In 2019, the PSYOP Regimental Commandant position (Colonel) was downgraded to a Program Manager (Lieutenant Colonel). Over the past several years reorganizations of both Active and Reserve PSYOP forces have placed PSYOP units subordinate to or reporting to Special Forces and Civil Affairs commanders, rather than to a PSYOP chain-of-command. Currently US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) is discussing the possibility of creating an Information Warfare Branch, combining PSYOP branch, Functional Area 30 - Information Operations (IO), and Active-Duty Civil Affairs branch into composite units. Details to any formation of an Information Warfare Branch in the Reserve and/or National Guard are still to be determined or announced. It is vital now, more than ever that our community stands together and speaks with one voice to advocate for the best interests of our Soldiers, our specialty, and our Nation’s defense.
History. Our small regiment (5,000+ Soldiers) had three veteran’s organizations until recently: the PSYOP Association (POA, est. 1985), which concentrated on publications (Perspectives) and writing awards; the Psychological Operations Veterans Association (POVA, est. 1988), which has run outstanding reunions and publishes a newly invigorated Leaflet Drop publication; and the PSYOP Regimental Association (PRA, est. 2012), which funds the Regimental Awards and has Department of the Army (DA) approval as an affiliated association. Association merger discussions have been on-going since 2015, currently Neil Heupel, Larry Dietz, and Ed Burley are spearheading the ongoing efforts. In April 2021, the former POA merged into POVA, combining the strengths of both organizations into one.
Proposal. That POVA and PRA merge into a single entity representing both PSYOP Veterans and Regimental interests.
Conditions. An approval vote of a simple majority of the membership of both POVA and the PRA is necessary for the merger to occur. If the merger is approved by the members, the merger of the organizations would occur 90 days after ratification of the approval vote.
Details if the merger is approved:
1. Membership Status: Equivalent memberships carry-over until expiration of the existing membership period. A life member of either existing organization becomes a life member of the new organization; an annual member of either prior organization has valid membership until the expiration of that year. Other membership classifications such as annual, two year, etc. will be determined during the merger organization phase.
2. Organizational Officers: The POVA and PRA boards will merge for a 6-month period, with co-presidents, co-treasurers, etc. to facilitate merger activities and the maintenance of the nascent organization. A merger committee will work out the completion of the detailed aspects of the merger. At the end of the 6-month period, the new organization will conduct new elections, and create a board of trustees including immediate past officers to assist in guiding the new association.
3. Chapters: Existing chapters of both organizations will become chapters of the merger PSYOP association.
4. Organization Tax Status: Upon merger, the Officers will meet to decide on the future charitable non-profit organizational status that will best benefit the association. This may be an IRS standard charitable organization under § 501(c)(3) - POVA’s current status; or as a Veteran’s organization pursuant to § 501(c)(19) - PRA’s current status; or a combination of both (with a parent organization § 501(c)(19) and an activity branch organization allowing donors and sponsors under § 501(c)(3)). Determination of the organization’s tax status will be made no later than the end of the tax year following merger.
a. 501(c)(3) Status. A designation granted by the IRS to nonprofit organizations in the United States that are organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, or similar exempt purposes, and it allows these organizations to be exempt from federal income tax.
b. 501(c)(19) Status. A federal tax-exempt designation provided by the IRS specifically for veterans’ organizations in the United States.
5. Naming: A new name for the merger organization will be finalized at the same time as determination of the organizational tax status.
6. Voting: Indicate your vote below by clicking on the link below. Voting will remain open until 21 Nov 2025.
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