Friday, April 30, 2010

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Navy Reserve Capt. Kelvin N. Dixon has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Dixon is currently serving as deputy reserve commander, Navy Region Northwest, Everett, Wash.

Invisible Wounds of War

Over the next few months, the Greater Puget Sound area will be welcoming home thousands of Soldiers returning from deployments, joining the Washington National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers who have returned in the past year.

For some of these Soldiers and Families it is a first deployment, while for others it is yet another multiple time in Service to our country abroad. Deployments are a challenging time for both Soldiers and Families. And upon return, navigating through changes and recognizing potential impacts upon the well-being of an individual and Family can sometimes be difficult to address.

Over 1.6 million men and women have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to date. Almost half of those Service Members are married, and almost half have dependent children--the majority 5 years old and younger.

Army OneSource announces a community outreach program, supported by the U.S. Army, to raise awareness of the unique challenges of Military life on our Service Members and their Families, and to address the growing demand for behavioral health and well-being services.

In today’s unique combat situation--where there is no front line and constant vigilance must be maintained on the ground, where individuals are serving as many as four deployments that are longer in duration than in the past, and where Service Members and Families are asked to give more because of our all-volunteer Military--we’re learning that “The wounds of war are not limited to the battlefield.”

Army OneSource has launched a formal campaign to encourage civilian health, behavioral health and well-being providers to complete an online course in the series titled, “Treating the Invisible Wounds of War.”

This series of courses was designed to help primary care physicians, case workers, mental health providers and other professionals - who may see a veteran or family member on an unrelated issue - develop a better understanding of the culture in which Service Members and Veterans, as well as their families, live and work. The courses also provide best practices for identifying, assessing, and treating behavioral health problems that result from the trauma of war.

In addition to better supporting Service Members, those who complete the course will:
  • receive a poster to display in their offices inviting Service Members and their Families to talk to a health professional about any troubling symptoms,
  • receive a Certificate of Completion suitable for framing, and
  • be eligible for Continuing Education credit.
To arrange for a customized, online complimentary educational campaign in which your affiliates will earn continuing educational credits at NO CHARGE please contact: Rachel Turner-Bensen, Community Support Coordinator – Washington, 360/271-6940

Military Roster Published for 2010

Being distributed to the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's membership and community contacts is the new 2010 Military Impacts, containing articles on military civic volunteerism, economic impacts and a roster of the region's military leadership.

All you Chamber members will be receiving a printed copy as an insert in today's Calendar mailing.  For all others, you may download your copy here

The Chamber will distribute copies of the 2010 Military Impacts in the community at special, mililtary related-events, starting with the Citizen-Soldier of the Year event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Joseph P. Aucoin has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral. Aucoin is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, Wash.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) James F. Caldwell Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral. Caldwell is currently serving as commander, Submarine Group Nine, Silverdale, Wash.

Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark D. Guadagnini has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral. Guadagnini is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, Everett, Wash.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Noteworthies With a Local Link

The chief of staff, Army announced today the following assignment:

Brig. Gen. Lloyd Miles, director, Iraq Training and Advisory Team-Army, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, to deputy commanding general, I Corps and Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Evergreen Fleet Cruise 2010

You and your special guest (spouse, significant other, associate) are cordially invited to host the Chamber’s annual Evergreen Fleet Cruise, June 16, sponsored by the Joint Base Financial Alliance, a partnership between Harborstone Credit Union and America’s Credit Union.

The purpose of the Evergreen Fleet Cruise is to foster networking and community links between civilian and military leaders. The Cruise, presented by the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee, in collaboration with the Tacoma Yacht Club, is a cruise of Puget Sound aboard private yachts and a picnic at the Club’s Wollochet Bay Outstation.

This year will again feature a welcoming reception. The purpose of this reception is to afford participants an opportunity to meet in a comfortable atmosphere prior to beginning the Cruise by 10:00 a.m. The reception will be between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00.m. at the Tacoma Yacht Club. Arrival time at the reception is permitted to be variable. Yachts will depart by 10:00 a.m.

Please refer to the enclosed invitation for more information. The Chamber wishes to have all participants confirmed by June 2nd. Please consider Gary Brackett, at 253/627-2175, your contact about this project.


Double click on image for larger view.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Citizen-Soldier of the Year Event Announced

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC) will join with the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma in presenting the 29th annual Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year.

The Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year is a premier MAC event recognizing the civic contributions of our Citizen-Soldiers (Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen). Please come and help us with this celebration and this recognition.

Host: Kiwanis Club of Tacoma
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 4, 11:45 a.m – 1:15 p.m.
Place: Pacific Grill Events Center, 1530 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 98402
Price: Luncheon choices with a range of prices.
RSVP: DUE 12 noon, May 3. (Monday)
Register: Monique Shields, 253.627.2175 or online.

KEYNOTE: MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

Col. Jerome Penner, III Commander, Madigan Army Medical Center.


Col. Penner is confirmed as speaker to current events at MAMC, new programming and services or changes recently happened or anticipated.

With a military beneficiary population encompassing a six-state region, Madigan Army Medical Center continues to be one of the busiest hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. Occupying more than 120 acres of land, this four-building structure is located at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, WA.

There are approximately 160,000 Soldiers, family members and military retirees residing in Madigan's 40-mile catchment area. Madigan's phenomenal health care mission is executed by nearly 4,000 staff members, which include hundreds of civilian and military doctors, nurses, residents, interns and fellows.

Please help acknowledge our thanks to our citizen-soldiers by attending this event.

The award is sponsored by TriWest Healthcare Alliance

Each year, the Citizen-Soldier Award memorializes Howard Scott who grew up in Tacoma and served the nation when called upon during World War II- as part of America's Greatest Generation. He returned to succeed as a banker in Tacoma - giving of his time to community service organizations, believing and enjoying this in his belief that doing so is one's responsibility.

P.S.: If you wish to be a member of the Selection Panel, call Gary Brackett at 253-627-2175 immediately or by email. The Selection Panel meeting Monday, April 26, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Chamber offices, 950 Pacific Ave., Ste. 300, Tacoma 98402.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOB Award Announced
A new award category honoring “veteran-owned businesses” has been added to the Chamber’s annual Spotlight! On Business Awards. This annual event, held June 22, showcases the accomplishments and civic contributions Pierce County businesses make to our community. Nominations may be submitted to the Chamber year ‘round. For more information, contact Judy Singley at the Chamber, 253.627.2175.

The Chamber’s newest blog: C-9 Blog, focuses on the armed forces and civilian relationships, with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. Please visit and subscribe to this free information source.
CALENDAR
Evergreen Fleet Cruise June 16

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tanker Turmoil

Yesterday, EADS/Airbus, the French-based aerospace company, declared they would enter the competition. We now have a clear contest between Boeing and EADS/Airbus as to who supplies America's next Tanker.

EADS North American Chairman Ralph Crosby also told reporters that "it doesn't matter what your readers think" about this competition. We believe what you think matters a lot. You have an opportunity to send a message to Congress that it DOES matter what you and your family and friends think.

In the last several days, nearly 8,000 people signed up on TheRealAmericanTankers. You can make a difference today by forwarding this blog and encouraging them to sign the online petition in support of a Boeing designed and built Tanker.

Can you help get to 20,000 supporters by the end of this week?

Friday, April 16, 2010

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignment:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Samuel Perez Jr. will be assigned as commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, Wash. Perez is currently serving as deputy commander, Joint Interagency Task Force, U.S. Southern Command, Key West, Fla.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Noteworthies With a Local Link

The Chief of Staff, Army announced today the following assignment:

Brig. Gen. Peter C. Bayer Jr., chief of staff, I Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash., to director of strategy, plans and policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Tanker Competition Flames Up

EADS, following Wednesday’s announcement that it will bid on America’s next tanker, the KC-X, today formed a strategic partnership with United Aircraft, Russia’s state-owned company.