After almost three years of near-continuous growth, the Association of the U.S. Army is entering the new decade with more members than at any time in its history.

As of Dec. 18, the association’s membership stood at 179,369, which is well above the historical high of 165,534 set in 1985.

“When I arrived on the AUSA staff, our membership was just over 62,000. All of us in the Association of the United States Army are thrilled with the membership growth,” said retired Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion, AUSA’s vice president for Membership and Meetings. “It reflects our belief in the value of what we provide as the Army’s professional association.”

She continued, “More importantly, it expands our ability to do our mission better—to be a stronger, more comprehensive voice for the Army and greatly expand our support for soldiers.”

A program linking AUSA with like-minded military service organizations accounts for a large portion of the dramatic increase in membership.

This effort began in 2017, and the 14 organizations, known as association members, bring a combined 105,881 members to AUSA.

The newest association member, Redstone Federal Credit Union, helped AUSA achieve the record-breaking number. The credit union operates 24 branches across North Alabama and Central Tennessee.

AUSA has also been joined by the U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association, The ROCKS Inc., the Army Aviation Association of America, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, the Civil Affairs Association, the Army Spouses’ Club of the Greater Washington Area, the Army Strategist Association, the Association of Quartermasters, the National Infantry Association, the Patriot Project, the U.S. Army Officer Candidate Schools Alumni Association, the U.S. Field Artillery Association and the U.S. Army Ranger Association.

For more information about the associations, click here.

Of AUSA’s 57,109 individual members, 15,194—more than one-quarter—are life members.

The association also has 10,148 National Partner memberships and 6,231 Community Partner memberships.

“It takes a team,” McQuistion said. “I’m proud to say we have a tremendous team of full-time professional staff, an extensive volunteer network in our regions and chapters, wonderful partners in industry, and a network of like-minded associations who have all made this possible.”