1. Full Membership: All active duty, reserve, and retired U.S. Navy Chiefs, Senior Chiefs, and Master Chiefs are eligible for membership. 

2. Non-Cabinet Membership - All active duty, reserve, and retired enlisted service members from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force are eligible for membership with the following stipulations. 

(1) Must be in or advanced from pay grades E-7, E-8, or E-9 

(2) Not allowed to hold elected office except for Retired Affairs Coordinator, and may serve in committees. 

3. Spouse Membership: Surviving spouses of Lifetime Members and spouses of any active member are eligible for membership with the following stipulations:

(1) Must be sponsored by a Full Membership member.

(2) Do not participate in meetings and are not allowed to vote, hold office, or chair committees. 

(2) Invited to participate in social functions of the organization, provided custom and tradition do not bar them. They may assist on committees and participate in fund-raisers. 

(3) Spouses will retain their status as such until removed by the CPOA. 

4. Honorary Membership: The CPOA affords this membership to military and civilian personnel who have projected themselves as leaders of the highest caliber, or as outlined through Naval Customs and Traditions. Honorary membership is a privilege afforded by the Association to those who have served the association, and as such, must be voted upon by the CPOA. A three quarters majority vote at a General Assembly is required to afford honorary membership with the following stipulations:

(1) Honorary members do not participate in meetings and are not allowed to vote, hold office, or chair committees. 

(2) Honorary Members are invited to participate in social functions of the organization, provided custom and tradition do not bar them. They may assist on committees and participate in fund-raisers. 

(3) Honorary members will retain their status as such until removed by the CPOA. 

Section 2 - Dues 

1. Payment of dues will be the primary means of net income. 

2. The treasurer will notify members of dues status upon request. 

3. Dues shall be $10 dollars per week, $130 for first year, and $100 per calendar year after. Initial dues include a 12-ounce mug (or more) with up to 25 characters of personalization, a coin, and a shirt. Any advanced dues will be placed on hold if a member deploys for greater than three months and notifies the treasurer prior to deploying via email.

4. All members may become Lifetime Members by paying an initial sum of $400 dollars in dues within the first initial year of membership or after four full years of membership dues are paid. Lifetime members are eligible to receive a 15-ounce mug (or likeness) with gold rim with up to 25 characters of personalization, a coin, and a shirt.

5. Any member that successfully completes an executive committee position for one year will become a lifetime member and receive a gift from the executive committee not to exceed $100 in value.  

6. Payment may be made via credit card, NFCU Bank Transfer, or cash. When payment is made in cash the receipt will be annotated "PAID CASH." 

7. Honorary and Lifetime Members are not required to pay dues. 

Section 3 – Loss of Membership 

1. Any full-membership or non-cabinet member that fails to pay the required dues will automatically lose membership. No member is expected to pay past dues to regain membership.

2. Any person that acts in a behavior that brings discredit to THE CUTLASS will be recommended for a forced loss of membership. A forced loss of membership requires three quarters vote during a General Assembly meeting. Any person that has a forced loss of membership will have advanced dues donated to the CPOA Scholarship Fund. Any member that has a forced loss of membership requires three quarters vote during a General Assembly meeting to regain membership.