History of JAFOWL

JAFOWL is a special event unique to the National Capital Region. Originally known as "Joint Armed Forces Officers Wives Luncheon," JAFOWL is now the Joint Armed Forces Of Washington Luncheon. JAFOWL is closely connected to our own NOSCDC.

In June 1977, a board member of our predecessor organization, Naval Officers Wives Club, contacted Art Buchwald’s office to ask if he would speak at our monthly luncheon. Answering the telephone himself, Mr. Buchwald declined, saying that he received too many requests from military wives clubs. When asked, "What if all five of the clubs sponsored a joint luncheon?" he said he would accept the invitation. The Navy board immediately reached out to the other military clubs and all agreed it was a great idea! Thus, Mr. Buchwald was the first of a very impressive list of JAFOWL speakers and the luncheon became an annual event with a "must attend" reputation within the organizations.

The local spouse clubs from the five military services formed a coordinating committee to arrange this annual event with the purpose of promoting “jointness” by providing an opportunity to meet other armed forces spouses in a social setting. The JAFOWL committee consists of the presidents of those clubs along with a club representative and they hold planning meetings throughout the year with the various luncheon responsibilities rotating annually.

Attendance of JAFOWL is exclusive to members of Marine Officers' Spouses' Club of Washington, D.C., Naval Officers' Spouses' Club of Washington, D.C., Air Force Officers' Spouses' Club of Washington, D.C., Coast Guard Spouses' Club of Washington, D.C., and Army Spouses' Club of Greater Washington Area. If you are interested in attending JAFOWL and qualify for NOSCDC membership, simply join NOSCDC and register for JAFOWL on the advertised date.