Fleet Reserve Association Oral History Project 

Our Centennial Oral History Project was a 12-month project that launched in 2023 and collected more than 5,000 oral histories. Many of the stories were printed in a commemorative book. It was a success as we reconnected with over 1,075 members renewed their membership.  We appreciate the participation of so many Shipmates in the project and thank you for sharing your stories. With the commemorative book your memories will live on for future generations.

The 2025 Project

Shipmates have a story, and the Fleet Reserve Association wants to hear yours. That’s why we’ve decided to embark on a new project called Shipmate Memories an FRA Oral History Project to collect the stories of Shipmates like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact your sea service had on your lives and who you are today. Every year we don’t capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today!

Have You Moved?

As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to your fellow shipmates. PCI will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved, switched from a landline to a mobile phone, changed your email address and inadvertently lost touch with your Branch or fellow service members.

Your Story

So what story will you tell?

  • Tell me about one of your most remarkable or significant experiences from your time in the service.
  • Some of the members we’ve spoken with have told stories about personal and professional connections they’ve made, either in the military or through FRA. Is there one person in particular who was a major influence on you?
  • What does your service mean to you?
  • What inspired you to join the military?
  • Did a special event during your time in service have a profound impact on your life?
  • Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment during your services?
  • Have connections you made with fellow shipmates turned into lifelong friendships?
  • Were you on base or deployment during a historical moment?
  • Is military / Sea Service a family legacy?

 

PCI Partnership

With our limited resources, we’d never be able to tackle a project like this. By partnering with PCI, we’re able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into our oral history book that we can share with all Shipmates and their families. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

Do I Have to Buy Something?

No. This project is being done at NO COST to the FRA. The project is completely funded by the Shipmates who choose to purchase the Oral History Project book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other FRA branded merchandise such as a pullover, as well as renew your FRA membership if it lapsed.  You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the Oral History book. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing shipmates and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.

What’s Next?

Soon you will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first of its kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our Shipmates. The PCI team will collect stories until September 4th, 2026. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in late spring 2027.

We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you regarding your memories of your time in services

What to Look For

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the FRA, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Memories.

  

Below is an example of an email you will receive in your inbox. Once you receive the email, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your memories. If you do not receive it, please take this opportunity to call PCI at 1-800-982-1590 and update your contact information so we can stay connected.



Frequently Asked Questions by Members

    1. I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about Fleet Reserve Association. Tell me more about the project.
    We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for Fleet Reserve Association. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at Fleet Reserve Association and how the organization helped to shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.

    2. Does Fleet Reserve Association benefit from this at all?
    Yes, in a few different ways:
    • Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage members
    • Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our organization
    • Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our organization

    3. How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?
    PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. 

    4. I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How can I do this?
    •     If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at Fleet Reserve Association. Your story will be recorded, and the sound clip provided to Fleet Reserve Association at the conclusion of the project. 
    • If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story. 
    • If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated Fleet Reserve Association update line at 1-855-348-1906. 
    • If you are living internationally or are unable to call the update line, please email PCIservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

    5. How can I participate if I am Deaf/Hard of Hearing?
    If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

    6. Can I choose what information prints in the publication?
    The only information that is included in the publication is your name, highest rank, and branch of service, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your member record for the organization. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before 09/04/2026 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / PCIservice@publishingconcepts.com. 

    7. I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share. 
    You can call back at any time before 9/4/2026 to share your story.

    8. I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?
    You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption. 

    If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

    9. Can anyone purchase a book?
    The Fleet Reserve Association Oral History Publication is available for sale only to Fleet Reserve Association members.

    10. When will I receive my book?
    The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in March 2026, the books will be distributed in March 2027.

    11. I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?
    Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.

    12. How does this help the FRA? 
    The 2023 project helped verified 23,322 mailing addresses and updated 1,828. Verified 8,505 phone numbers and updated 14,889 home
    phone numbers. Verified 16 cell phone numbers and added 12,167 new cell numbers. They verified 16,054 email
    addresses and added 4,882 new email addresses. This has helped us stay connected with more members. 

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