The American Association of State Troopers, Inc., (AAST) is a national fraternal organization composed of active and retired state troopers, highway patrol officers, and state police officers. AAST membership is voluntary and made on an individual basis. The Association is not a labor union or collective bargaining organization. AAST is managed solely by a member Board of Directors who volunteer their time to serve the Association. The Association's purposes specifically include development of strong bonds of nationwide trooper camaraderie, providing benefits for all state troopers, highway patrol officers, and state police officers, as well as their families, promotion of professional law enforcement training and educational opportunities, securing financial support to subsidize scholarship stipends for members' dependents, and involvement in public safety and consumer information campaigns. AAST was founded on the concept of nationwide trooper camaraderie. AAST fosters brotherhood and connects you to fellow troopers in your state and around the country. The quarterly Trooper Connection newsletter and AAST Facebook page connects you to your colleagues and your civilian supporters. AAST makes it a point to connect to our troopers’ families and local communities, too. Many Brotherhood Assistance gifts wherever possible are hand delivered by a trooper to the trooper or the trooper’s family. Public safety initiatives and involvement in charitable events further demonstrate AAST’s commitment to partnering with our members and their communities.