SSG Leo Gruba Named 37th Anderson Military Citizen Awardee

(l to r) Serena Gruba, SSG Leo Gruba and Amber Young, ACU

The recipient of the John Anderson Award for Military Citizen of the Year is Staff Sergeant Leo Gruba.

SSG Gruba’s efforts are focused on different fronts. In 2014, he was selected by his command to participate in a PBS two-hour special, which allowed the audience to see the inside of the file of a military member.  He and his family allowed cameras and strangers into their personal lives to record the joys, tears and challenges that define military families everywhere.

SSG Gruba is a member of American Legion Post 53 in DuPont.  These last two years, he helped with their annual scholarship program for soldiers, valued at thousands of dollars.

As a member of the Association of the United States Army, SSG Gruba worked an estimated 60 hours for Operation Turkey Drop and Ham Grenade for donated gifts during the holidays to active, Guard and Reserve families.

SSG Gruba also devoted an estimated 100 hours for time and mentorship at Clhoe Clark Elementary PTA where he serves as Vice President. He is responsible for fundraisers and school events for students and families.

He volunteers time at the Fisher House, which provides a “home away from home” for families with patients at Madigan Army Medical Center.  Similarly, he is the liaison  between his command and the Family Readiness Group, geared toward strengthening the Army Family Concept.

As a member of the DuPont Historical Society, he volunteered about 60 hours to plan the movement of the Society’s property from JBLM to the museum.

And, he is the Wolf Den Leader of pack 472, Boy Scouts of American, volunteering abut 100 hours.

He belongs to the Patriots Athletic League, volunteering as machine pitch and tee ball coach; as a Lion’s Club member he has worked on several projects in DuPont, including their I-5 “Adopt a Highway” clean-up project.

This past summer, SSG Gruba worked with DuPont businesses to collect and distribute comfort items to firefighters and National Guardsmen assisting in the complex wildfires throughout Washington.

Currently, he is working with the American Legion to organize a “Veterans Walk” this December in DuPont.

SSG Gruba is an excellent selection for the John H. Anderson Military-Citizen of the Year Award.  The many hours he has donated to our community will be appreciated for years to come.

About the Award

The Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber's presentation of the John H. Anderson Military Citizen of the Year Award to the outstanding military was begun to commemorate the civic contributions by our resident military personnel. 

About John H. Anderson

John H. Anderson served as Tacoma’s mayor in the early to mid-1950s. He was also a past Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board of Directors, as well as a successful local businessman.  

About the Award Sponsor

America’s Credit Union has been serving the military here at Joint base Lewis McChord (JBLM) since 1954; ACU has been active in creating a community that is aware of soldiers needs and able to serve our military who give so much for all of us. The Award was presented by Amber Young, ACU.

WA Service Member for Life Two

Washington State Service Member for Life Transition Summit

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 - 9:00am to Thursday, September 24, 2015 - 4:00pm
Hiring Our Heroes
Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
WA 98433 United States

See map: Google Maps

Join us at the Washington State Service Member for Life Transition Summit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

This three-day summit brings together key federal and state agencies, influential military leaders, innovators in the business and employer community, and local community leaders with transitioning service members, veterans, and their families.

This summit features participation by and speakers from the Washington State government including the Washington State Department of Commerce, The Office of Governor Jay Inslee, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Labor' Veteran Employment and Training Service, the Joint Services Support-Washington National Guard, the U.S. Army's Soldier for Life and Installation Management Command, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Camo 2 Commerce, the U.S. Department of Defense's Transition to Veterans Program Office, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, the Washington State Military Transition Council, and local chambers of commerce, as well as the launch of the Onward to Opportunity program.

The three-day transition summit will feature seminars, roundtables, panel events, recruiter training, and facilitated discussions focused on improving competitive employment for service members, veterans, and military spouses in addition to networking opportunities for all involved.

• Day 1 is for senior leaders including companies and employers, senior military leaders (O-3/E-6 or above), local support organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development groups, CEOs and regional support organizations.
• Day 2 will focus on Transitioning Service Members, Family Members, National Guard and Reserve Members and Veterans looking for employment.
• Day 3 will bring together job seekers, employers, and other leaders and culminate in a hiring fair, college and apprenticeship fair, and small business fair.

This summit is held with support from Starbucks, Capital One, First Data, and Camo2Commerce.
Employers: Learn how to make the most of these Transition Summits here.

REGISTRATION
? Job Seekers, Employers, and Service Organizations: Click here to register.

Why register? Job seekers can upload their resumes to be viewed by employers ahead of the event.

For general questions about Hiring Our Heroes, please visit our FAQ page or email us.

Future of the Army Public Meeting

Commissioners will conduct a public meeting to hear comments pertinent to the mission of the National Commission on the Future of the Army (NCFA.)

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2015
Time:  3:00 – 5:00 pm
ADDRESS: Red Lion Hotel Conference Room, Red Lion Hotel – Tacoma, 8402 S. Hosmer Street, Tacoma WA

Commissioners:
SMA Raymond F. Chandler
HON Thomas R. Lamont
LTG Jack C. Stultz

NCFA Mission
In light of the projected security environment, conduct a comprehensive study of the roles and structure of the Army, and policy assumptions related to the size and force mixture of the Army, in order to:

1. Make an assessment of the size and force mixture of the active component of the Army and the reserve components of the Army.
2. Make recommendations on the modifications, if any, of the structure of the Army related to current and anticipated mission requirements for the Army at acceptable levels of national risk and in a manner consistent with available resources and anticipated future resources.
3. Make an assessment of proposed AH-64 transfers from Army National Guard to the Regular Army.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Registration: Individuals and entities who wish to attend the public hearing and meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2015 are encouraged to register for the event with the DFO using the electronic mail and facsimile contact information found in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 4 CONTACT section below. The communication should include the registrant’s full name, title, affiliation or employer, email address, day time phone number. This information will assist the Commission in contacting individuals should it decide to do so at a later date. If applicable, include written comments and a request to speak during the oral comment session. (Oral comment requests must be accompanied by a summary of your presentation.)

Registrations and written comments should be typed.

Oral Comments: In addition to written statements, one hour and forty minutes will be reserved for individuals or interest groups to address the Commission on September 24, 2015. Those interested in presenting oral comments to the Commission must summarize their oral statement in writing and submit with their registration. The Commission’s staff will assign time to oral commentors at the meeting; no more than five minutes each for individuals. While requests to make an oral presentation to the Commission will be honored on a first come, first served basis, other opportunities for oral comments will be provided at future meetings.

Written Comments:  The public or interested organizations may submit written comments to the Commission in response to the stated agenda of the open and/or closed meeting or the Commission’s mission. The Designated Federal Officer (DFO) will review all submitted written statements. Written comments should be submitted to Mr. Donald Tison, DFO, via facsimile or electronic mail, the preferred modes of submission. Each page of the comment must include the author’s name, title or affiliation, address, and daytime phone number. All comments received before Wednesday, September 23, 2015, will be provided to the Commission before the September 24, 2015, meeting. Comments received after Wednesday, September 23, 2015, will be provided to the Commission before its next meeting. All contact information may be found in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below.

TO REGISTER AND FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Don Tison, Designated Federal Officer, National Commission on the Future of the Army, 700 Army Pentagon, Room 3E406, Washington, DC 20310–0700, Email: dfo.public@ncfa.ncr.gov  Desk (703) 692–9099. Facsimile (703) 697–8242.

The Commission is tasked to submit a report, containing a comprehensive study and recommendations, by February 1, 2016 to the President of the United States and the Congressional defense committees. The report will contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions it may consider appropriate in light of the results of the study. The comprehensive study of the structure of the Army will determine whether, and how, the structure should be modified to best fulfill current and anticipated mission requirements for the Army in a manner consistent with available resources

Background of the National Commission of the Future of the Army  (http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/)
Purpose: The National Commission on the Future of the Army was established by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Pub. L. 113-291). The Commission will submit a report containing a comprehensive study and recommendations by February 1, 2016 to the President and Congress of the United States.

Overview: The Commission will examine the structure of the Army and policy assumptions related to the size and force mixture of the Army in order to make an assessment of the size and force structure of the Army's active and reserve components. The Commission will make recommendations on modifications, if any, to the structure of the Army related based on current and anticipated mission requirements, acceptable levels of national risk, in a manner consistent with available resources, and anticipated future resources. In accordance with legislation, the Commission will specifically examine the transfer of Army National Guard AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the Army National Guard to the Regular Army.

Membership: The Commission consists of eight Commissioners; four appointed by Congress and four appointed by the President. The Commissioners will use their decades of public service and expertise in national and international security policy and strategy, military forces capability, force structure, organization, and employment, and reserve forces policy to provide recommendations that will strengthen the future Army.

The Beast Mode Flies Again

Be careful what you wish for. You asked for it; the Beast will rise again!

Your Air Force Reserve and 446th Airlift Wing give you the Subway Beast Mode Challenge, Aug. 15, 2015 at Dirtfish Rally School in Snoqualmie.

Like last year, the Challenge will be composed of a 3.5-mile mud-ridden obstacle course - with 12 football-themed trials of hills, blockades, water, and sludge, created to trigger one's inner Beast Mode.

Airmen from the 446th have begun assembling teams. However, individuals can register solo or on teams.

Department of Defense ID card holders, to include Reserve, [Air] National Guard, and active-duty service members [from all branches], civilian employees, contractors, retirees, and families, can take advantage of the Reserve's $5 discount on registration by entering the "JBLM" promotion code when they sign up HERE.

The Challenge also rewards its participants with live entertainment, Beast Mode contests throughout the day, photo booths, festival activities, and more.

Air Force Reserve recruiters will also be on hand to address Reserve-targeted questions and concerns.

Event proceeds go to the Fam 1st Family Foundation, created by San Francisco 49ers Joshua Johnson, and the Seahawks' own Marshawn Lynch, to keep underprivileged youth on a positive path.

For additional information, please contact the 446th Airlift Wing Recruiting Office at (253) 982-3501, or go HERE.

Hiring Event Focuses on Spouses

The focus is military spouses of Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Vets and Gold Star Spouses for a hiring event on Whidbey Island.  Service members are also welcome.

Register info here or call 202-463-5807.

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Chamber Joins Career Day for Vets

The Chamber encourages Vets and transitioning service members to come to the April ACAP Career Day and Prep Career Day.

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Silverdale Military Appreciation Day

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TSA Precheck At More Than 100 Airports

As the result of the ongoing partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will officially extend tomorrow TSA Precheck expedited screening benefits to all U.S. Armed Forces service members.

Service members, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard will be able to enjoy the benefits of this expedited screening program at more than 100 participating airports when flying on nine major U.S. airlines.

If a service member has entered their DoD identification number correctly in a flight reservation, they will be permitted access to TSA Precheck lanes. The expedited screening will allow service members to keep their footwear on as well as light outerwear, laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on in select screening lanes. More than 30 million passengers have experienced TSA Precheck since it launched in October 2011.

DoD has worked closely with service members worldwide to inform them of the process of updating current and/or future reservations along with their airline profiles to include their DoD identification number. That ID number will be used as their Known Traveler Number, and enables TSA to expand the program to all airports offering TSA Precheck. Previously, members of the U.S. Armed Forces could utilize TSA Precheck lanes at 10 domestic airports by presenting their Common Access Card (CAC).

"Expanding the TSA Precheck screening benefits is great news for our service members, and is a tangible sign of this nation's gratitude for the men and women who serve this nation bravely each and every day," said Mary Snavely-Dixon, director, Defense Manpower Data Center. "We will continue to work with the Transportation Security Administration to help expand this program further."

"TSA is grateful to the brave men and women in uniform who continue to serve our nation with honor and distinction," said TSA Deputy Administrator John W. Halinski, a 25-year Marine Corps veteran. "Providing TSA Precheck expedited screening while on travel is the least we can do for the members of our military."

TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport. No individual will be guaranteed expedited screening. Travelers can check the TSA Precheck Participating Airports page for information on locations of active TSA Precheck lanes.

Further information on TSA Precheck for military members can be found at www.TSA.gov and www.defensetravel.dod.mil.

MCRMC Holds Tacoma, WA. Public Hearing

Members of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission will hold a public hearing and Town Hall Meeting on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington, December 12-13, 2013.

The Commissioners will hear testimony from witnesses on matters surrounding the programs that compensate the members of our Unformed Services and that therefore support the long-term health of the All-Volunteer Force.

Congress' National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 established a nine member Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission. The Commission's task is to review the military compensation and retirement programs and make recommendations for their modernization to the President and Congress in the Spring of 2014.

The goal of the Commission's recommendations will be to ensure the long-term health of the All-Volunteer Force, provide for a high quality-of-life for the members of the Uniformed Forces and their families, and make sure that the compensation and retirement programs are financially sustainable.

The Commission recognizes the core of our national security is the men and women who choose to serve in our Uniformed Services. In turn, our government’s military compensation programs are central to the success of the Services’ efforts to recruit and retain service members. These beliefs will guide the important work the Commission will do in the coming months and shape the Country’s strategic choices for years to come.

The members of the Commission include: Mr. Alphonso Maldon, Jr. (Chairman), Congressman Stephen Buyer, Congressman Chris Carney, retired Army General Peter W. Chiarelli, retired Navy Admiral Edmund Giambastiani, Jr., Mr. Mike Higgins, Senator Bob Kerney, Senator Larry Pressler, and the Honorable Dov Zakheim.

Media interested in covering the event should contact Mr. Jamie Graybeal at (703) 692-2166 for additional details.

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2013
Location: Eagles Pride Clubhouse, JB Lewis-McChord
Mounts Road Southwest, DuPont, WA 98327, (253) 967-6522

8:00 am Media with availability Chairman Alphonso Maldon, Jr.
8:30 am Senior Commanders Panel
10:30 am Family Readiness Panel

Location: French Theater, JB Lewis-McChord
Pendleton Ave and N 2nd , Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433

6:30 pm Town Hall Meeting (Open to all service members, spouses, retirees, and general public)


Date: Friday, December 13, 2013
Location: Eagles Pride Clubhouse, JB Lewis-McChord – Public Access
Mounts Road Southwest, DuPont, WA 98327, (253) 967-6522

8:30 am Washington State Army National Guard, Air National Guard Panel
10:30 am Retention and Recruiting Panel

Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission
1101 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201
For more information contact Jamie Graybeal, (703) 692-2166 or james.graybeal@mcrmc.gov

New Date for Military Citizen Award Event

SAVE THE DATE

RESCHEDULE MILITARY CITIZEN OF YEAR AWARD EVENT

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

Military Affairs Committee
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

Date & Time:  Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Time, Place:    7:30 – 9am, To Be Confirmed

Event and Award Sponsor:

Cancel Previous Date, Time:  Tuesday, Nov. 26, 12 noon

AGENDA
1.    KEYNOTE Brig. Gen. John Cho, Commander, Western Regional Medical Command
2.    John Anderson Military Citizen of the Year Award
3.    Update on 2014 WA Legislative Issues by Mark San Souci, Regional Liaison NW, Defense Liaison Office

You may pre-register THIS LINK HERE
Options on this calendar page for you to add the event to your Outlook calendar and to received reminders via email

JBLM Software Engineer Academy Starts

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ACAP in July

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Boots2Work Selling Out Exhibitors Fast

Don’t miss out!

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Tables are available for the Boots2Work

$600 and $800 Bronze and Silver levels

1 Diamond Suite left

2 Platinum Suites left

WorkForce Central
and
Tacoma Rainiers
co-sponsoring the

Boots2Work Military Career Fair
Cheney Stadium 
Aug 28, 2013

Look who has signed up…

• Walmart (also a sponsor)
• Boeing
• General Plastics Mfg. Co
• MultiCare Health System
• TMX Aerospace/ThyssenKrupp Aerospace NA
• Aacres, WA LLC
• Clover Park Technical College
• Franciscan Health System
• Gordon Trucking Inc.
• Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
• Renton Technical College
• Swift Transportation
• Flagship Maritime
• Pacific Lutheran University
• ResCare HomeCare
• University of Phoenix
• USFHP

Have you reserved your place?  There is a maximum of 65 exhibitor spots.

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For questions or additional information,
please contact Linda Helenberg at 253-254-7651
or lhelenberg@workforce-central.org
or
Karen Miceli at kmiceli@workforce-central.org

Please feel free to pass this on to those inside, and outside, your company that might be interested in joining us!

Memorial Day Remembrance

I am honored and humbled as we use this holiday as a time for reflection and remember those who protect our freedoms. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and appreciation for the freedom we all share.

Memorial Day is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. 

As we gather with family and friends on Memorial Day, let us celebrate the blessings of our hard-won freedom and remember those who made it possible. I wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Transitioning or Vets Matching Jobs

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Vet Hiring Event Next Month

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