Defense Credit Union Council board members kicked off ayear-long 50^th anniversary celebration Feb. 24 whileattending the DCUC's Defense Issues Conference in Washington,D.C.

Formed in 1963 and established as a separate and distinct tradeassociation from CUNA, the DCUC serves as the primary liaison tothe Pentagon for credit unions operating on military basesworldwide.

“Back in the '60s, credit unions serving the military came tothe realization that their needs and challenges were unique whencompared to their counterparts outside of the military gate,” saidArty Arteaga, president/CEO.

“Defense credit unions served a very mobile membership whileothers, a fixed membership, defined by their special employmentgroups,” Arteaga said. “Also, since defense credit unions wereoperating on Department of Defense military installations, theywere subject to DOD policies governing those installations.”

The anniversary celebration will continue in April during DCUC'ssponsorship of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom's 10-mile sisterracefor troops deployed overseas. The race, with benefits theChildren's Miracle Network, is slated to be held in Kuwait on April7, the same day it takes place in the nation's capital.

Arteaga recalled one of the very first accomplishments of thisnew trade association, convincing the Department of Defense todevelop and publish a regulation for credit unions.

“We had credit unions operating on military bases as farback as 1928,” he said. “They needed logistical support from theDepartment of Defense, as well as assistance in the ways theydelivered their financial services. In my opinion, helping the DODto establish those specific regulations outlining how credit unionsoperate on bases was a pivotal moment for the association.”

During the past 50 years, the DCUC grew to where today theassociation and its CEO of 13 years are a frequent and welcomedguest at the Pentagon, often seen knocking on its office doors.

“I work very closely with the Pentagon; we're their partners atthe national level and our members are their partners at theinstallation level,” Arteaga said.

While Arteaga is quick to cite the assistance of the DCUC'ssister associations, he confidently asserts that there is only onetrade association that delves deeply into the Department of Defenseissues affecting on-base credit unions.

“I always say we are 10 miles deep in terms of DOD issues andour sister trades are 10 miles deep on national issues … we're theonly niche trade association that is expert in all matterssurrounding credit unions on military bases, and given the numberof credit unions on military bases supporting our troops, DODcivilians and their respective families, there's still a great needfor that expertise.”