What is the difference between eligibility and membership in AAS?

• A. Membership is the active process of joining and participating.
• B. Eligibility refers to meeting basic criteria; membership is the active process of joining and participating.
• C. Membership is the ability to vote in detachment elections.
• D. Eligibility and membership are unrelated.

Answer: (B)

Eligibility is about meeting the basic criteria you must satisfy in order to be allowed to join AAS. Membership is the active process of joining and, once joined, actively participating in the organization. In other words, eligibility is the qualifications you must have, while membership is the actual status and ongoing involvement after you qualify. For AAS, you might be eligible by being an AFROTC cadet in good standing or a qualifying student at the detachment; once eligible, you pursue the joining steps, pay dues, attend meetings, and take part in service activities. As a member, you gain participation opportunities and voting rights in detachment elections, along with other duties and leadership possibilities. The other options mix up these ideas or reduce membership to a single right, which misses the broader meaning of belonging and contributing to the organization.