About Us


  • The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) consists of 15 chapters.
  • VCOC Members also serve in leadership positions on Virginia boards, commissions and councils and other veterans' organizations, such as
  • Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Reserve Organization of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  • VCOC is one of the 25 Veterans Service Organizations serving on the Virginia Joint Leadership Council (JLC), which pursues state legislation beneficial to veterans.
  • VCOC works in Virginia to further the goals of national MOAA and the local chapters. By charter, MOAA and affiliated councils and chapters are nonpartisan.
  • VCOC meets quarterly, with our schedule presented below. A Chapter "VCOC Rep" is designated by each affiliated chapter. The chapter President, VCOC Representative, Legislative Representative, and other interested leaders of VCOC MOAA are all welcome at VCOC meetings and events.
  • On an annual basis, VCOC particpates in three legislative events. First, Advocacy at the annual Virginia General Assembly in Richmond. Second, MOAA National Advocacy in Action in DC. Finally, the annual VCOC Congressional Appreciation Luncheon.

  • With the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic, Advocacy may be virtual versus inperson, with the annual VCOC Congressional Appreciation Luncheon subject to cancellation or rescheduling.

  • MOAA Policy Statement on Mileage Supplement for Council Presidents
  • View MOAA Policy Statement on Mileage Supplement for Council Presidents here: Guidelines

  • VCOC Budget Guidelines
  • View the VCOC budget guidelines here: Budget

  • VCOC Travel Reimbursement Request

  • View the VCOC Travel and Reimbursement Request here: Reimbursement VCOC Awards Guidelines View the VCOC Awards guidelines here: Awards VCOC By Laws View the VCOC By Laws, 21 October 2022 Revision, here : VCOC By Laws
  • MOAA Council and Chapter Policies and Procedures View the updated MOAA Council and Chapter Policies and Procedures Guide, here: Councils and Chapters Council Crier VCOC publishes a quartely newsletter, posted on this website under the Crier Newsletter.
  • VCOC Goals and Objectives The overall VCOC goals and objectives are as follows:

  • Improve legislative effectiveness, national and state

  • Improve recruiting - members and leaders. What is in it for the member?
  • Active public affairs - seeking to how we communicate internally and externally with all members, irrespective of generation. 

  • Improve vitality and excellence of chapters
VCOC Strategic Plan In accordance with the MOAA Strategic Plan 2022-2026, MOAA Council and Chapter Policies and Procedures Guide and VCOC By Laws dated 15 October 2015, the VCOC Strategic Plan was approved by majority vote at the VCOC Executive Committee Meeting on 31 October 2021. View here: VCOC Strategic Plan 2022-2024.

History and Selected Accomplishments

  • Formed in November 1975 at Ft Lee
  • Richmond (1959), Hampton Roads (1959), Central VA (1971), and Southside (1971) - 1st Chapter Members
  • Held 3 Day Biennial Conventions in 1980’s and 1990’s
  • VCOC Congressional Luncheon - 1986
  • Establishment of VCOC Legislative Committee - 1988
  • Recommended Establishment of Coalition of Military Veterans Organizations -1989
  • Recommended Funding of a Veterans Home and Cemetery - 1989
  • VCOC Storming of General Assembly - 1996
  • Funding and Construction of the Richmond and Salem Veterans Care Centers
  • Funding for VA National Guard Family Support Centers
  • Funding and Construction of 2 Military Cemeteries (Suffolk and Amelia) + 1 New Cemetery in Southwest VA
  • Initial Funding of Wounded Warrior Mental Health Program
  • Interstate Compact on Education for Military Children
  • In State Tuition for Non-Resident Military Children
  • Funding for the VA War Memorial Education Center
  • One of Key VA Veterans Organizations to Advocate Formation of VA Dept of Veterans Services - 2002
  • Recommended the Creation of a Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations within Dept of Veterans Services – 2002.
  • In 2022, instrumental in unanimous passage of House Bill 957 which grants local governments the authority to provide some property tax relief to the spouses of fallen soldiers, sponsored by Del. Kathy Tran, D-West Springfield.
  • In 2022, instrumental in passage of reducing state income taxes for Virginia’s Military and Veteran Community. SB 528 patroned by Senator Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania and HB 1128, patroned by Delegate John McGuire, R-Goochland, creates a state income tax deduction for military retirement income for veterans age 55 and older at a phased in rate of $10,000 in taxable year 2022, $20,000 in taxable year 2023, $30,000 in taxable year 2024, and up to $40,000 in taxable year 2025.

VCOC Leadership

Officers and Committee Chairs Roster 2024-2026 Officers President Col Diana Kupchella, USAF (Ret), vze2mjj7@verizon.net First Vice President (Public Affairs, Webmaster, Newsletter Editor) Vacant Second Vice President (Membership Chair) CDR John Prevar, USN (Ret), 703-340-9587, jeprevar@gmail.com Third Vice President (Legislative Chair) COL Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), 703-223-2211, zoomeruw@gmail.com Treasurer MAJ Sherry Ferki, USA (Ret), navmedarmynurse@gmail.com Secretary: Vacant
Immediate Past President: CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), mvng288@aol.com
 Committee Chairs Chaplain: LTC Ken Ruppar, (USA) Ret, 804-639-0179, kenruppar@yahoo.com Surviving Spouse Liaison:MAJ Sherry Ferki, USA (Ret), 757-630-5608, navmedarmynurse@gmail.com TOPS Liaison Officer: Vacant Legal Counselor: COL Vince Cammarata, USA (Ret), 804-338-8975, vince@silverstar.pro Membership and Chapter Affairs: CDR John Prevar, USN (Ret), 703-340-9587, jeprevar@gmail.com Legislative Committee: COL Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), 703-223-2211, zoomeruw@gmail.com Public Affairs, Webmaster, Newsletter Editor: Vacant VCOC Representative to Joint Leadership Council:COL Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), 703-223-2211, zoomeruw@gmail.com VCOC Alternate to Joint Leadership Council: LtCol John Down , USAF (Ret), 434-286-8878, johndown9846@hotmail.com Nominations Committee:CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), mvng288@aol.com Honorary Members Mr. Steve Hornsby, 2021 Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), 2023 CW4 Jay Garbus, USA (Ret), 2023

VCOC Meeting Schedule

2024 Joint Leadership Council Day: January 18, Virginia General Assembly, Richmond, Va. First Quarter Meeting: January 18, Virtual meeting . Second Quarter Meeting: April, date and location TBD. Third Quarter Meeting: July, date and location TBD. Fourth Quarter Meeting: October, date and location TBD.
Virginia Council of Chapters
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