Visit the WA Emergency Ops Center

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Freedom Award Nominations URL

WA Ranks 7th in Defense Receipts

A two-volume DoD report on 2014 military spending reveals Fairfax County, VA, is the top recipient for defense dollars, raking in $19.1 billion on contracts and money earned by uniformed and civilian workers. Rounding out the top five are San Diego County, CA; Tarrant County, TX; Los Angeles County, CA, and Santa Clara County, CA.

The report shows why states fight so hard for military bases and business. On average, states received $8.2 billion in defense spending. Virginia received $54.7 billion, making up 11.8 percent of the state’s gross domestic product.

Read the report: Part 1 and Part 2 .

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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.

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.

Army Commission Announces Chairman, Vice Chair

Retired Army Gen. Carter Ham, who most recently served as commander of U.S. Africa Command, will lead the National Commission on the Future of the U.S. Army, the commission announced last week.

Thomas Lamont, who served as assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs from 2009 to 2013, will be the panel’s vice chair.

The commission, created by the fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill, will assess the structure and size of the Army, determine the proper force mixture of the active and reserve components, and conduct policy analysis to document how policies affect mission requirements, according to a press release. Its findings are due Feb. 1, 2016.

The commission will need to settle the dispute over transferring the National Guard’s AH-64 Apaches helicopters to the active Army as well as tackle the long-troubled relationship between all three components of the Army, John Goheen, spokesman for the National Guard Association of the United States, told Breaking Defense.

“They have a lot to see and a lot of decisions to make before they can write the report,” Goheen said. “They’ve a fairly narrow window to meet that 1 February deadline,” he said.

The remaining six members of the commission, appointed by either President Obama or leaders of the Armed Services committees, are:
• Larry Ellis, president and CEO of VetConnexx, a retired general who commanded Army Forces Command from 2001 to 2004;
• Kathleen Hicks, director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former director for policy planning at the office of the undersecretary of defense for policy;
• Jack Stultz, a retired lieutenant general who was commanding general of Army Reserve Command from 2006 to 2012.
• J.D. Thurman, a retired general who served as the commander of U.S. Forces Korea and previously served as commander of Army Forces Command;
• Raymond Chandler, served as sergeant major of the Army until January 2015; and
• Robert Hale, former Pentagon comptroller who now is Booz Allen Hamilton’s public policy representative.

SBA Renews Funding for Pacific Northwest Veteran Business Outreach Center

The SBA announced funding in the total grant amount of $3.8 million for 14 Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs), including the continuation of the VBOC in Seattle, which covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

The extended funding will enable the VBOC to counsel, train, and provide assistance, comprehensive business assessment and mentoring to veteran and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs, in addition to Reserve Component, National Guard and transitioning service members interested in starting or expanding a  small business.

A key responsibility of the VBOCs is to support transitioning service members as they embark on post-military service careers that often include small business ownership and other forms of self-employment.

During 2014 alone, the VBOC in Seattle served 831 clients, assisted with 185 business startups, and helped create or maintain 309 jobs.

A portion of the funding will be used to cover costs associated with coordinating, delivering, and conducting outreach to increase participation in the entrepreneurship track of the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Transition Assistance Program (TAP), known as Boots to Business, on military installations in the continental United States and its territories. VBOCs are directed by the Small Business Act to participate in the DOD’s Transition Assistance Program.

Each year the SBA helps more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and reservists start and grow their small businesses.

To learn more about additional opportunities for veterans available through the SBA, visit HERE.

To connect with the local VBOC, click HERE, call (206) 324-4330 x122 or e-mail HERE.

Citizen-Servicemember Award's Featured Speaker

Citizen-Servicemember of 2015

34^th anniversary presentation

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC) will join with the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma in presenting the 34^th annual Howard O. Scott Citizen-Servicemember.

The Scott Citizen-Servicemember of the Year is a premier MAC event recognizing the civic contributions of our Citizen-Servicemembers (Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen of the National Guard and Reserve). 

          Award Sponsor: 

Please come and help us with this celebration and this recognition.

FEATURED SPEAKER

CAPT James A. Thralls, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Navy, Chief Operating Officer, Puget Sound Military Health System

In his current assignment as the Chief Operating Officer, Puget Sound Military Health System, his office coordinates the healthcare collaboration across the Puget Sound Federal Healthcare Partners.    

Previously he served as the Director, Aurora Operations, TRICARE Regional Office – West in Aurora, Colorado in support of the West Region Managed Care Support Contract from 2010-2012

Host:  Kiwanis Club of Tacoma

Date & Time:  Tuesday, April 21, 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Place:  La Quinta Inn, 1425 E. 27^th St., Tacoma 98421

Entrée  --  $18.00
Payment to be made at the door. Register to insure adequate seating.

RSVP:  DUE 12 noon, April 17. (Friday)

Register Online Here

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

Howard O. Scott

Each year, the Citizen-Servicemember 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. 

Veterans, thank you for your service

Thank you for your service.

Job & Resource Fair in King County

Job & Resource Fair for Veterans, National Guard, Reserve and Family Members:

For more info, contact Rich Garmong or 206-205-3218.

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WNG's Oso Landslide Response at Military Forum

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM
Military Affairs Committee




Date & Time: WEDNESDAY, May 14, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place: La Quinta Inn, 1425 E. 27th St., Tacoma 98421
Price:  $15.00 pre-paid
          $20.00 walk-ins/at the door
Information: Janice Hutchins, (253) 627.2175 X100
RSVP:  DUE 12 noon, May 12 (Monday) ?
REGISTER HERE!  (to be linked)

FORUM SPONSOR: 






The Military Affairs Forum works to enhance communication and opportunities between the civilian community and defense installations.

“WNG’s Oso Landslide Response and Domestic Ops”

 BG Turner is the Assistant Adjutant General - Army and Commander of the 6,200 Soldiers of the Washington Army National Guard.  He and his team will brief on the Washington National Guard's role in Domestic Operations and the National Guard response and effort for the Oso landslide.


Brigadier General Wallace Turner
Assistant Adjutant General - Army
Commander of the Washington Army National Guard




COL Gregg Allan
Chief of Staff of the Washington Army National Guard

LTC Curt Simonson
G3 Operations Officer
Washington Army National Guard

CPT Joseph Siemandel
Public Affairs Officer
Washington National Guard

FUTURE EVENT:
June 18, with Tacoma Yacht Club, Evergreen Fleet Cruise (RSVP Deadline:  June 13, 2014)

Cong. Adam Smith at Citizen-Soldier Event

 Citizen-Soldier of the Year
33rd anniversary presentation

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC) will join with the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma in presenting the 33rd annual Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year. The Sponsor is America's Credit Union (ACU).

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/National Guard and Reserve).  Please come and help us with this celebration and this recognition.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Congressman Adam Smith
Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee


In the coming months, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) will consider the annual National Defense Authorizing Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015. Congressman Adam Smith, the Ranking Member on HASC, will provide an update on the issues currently before the Committee as well as answer any questions you may have on current events.



Host:  Kiwanis Club of Tacoma
Date & Time:  Tuesday, April 15, 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Place:  La Quinta Inn, 1425 E. 27th St., Tacoma 98421
Entrée  --              $15.00
Payment to be made at the door. Register to insure adequate seating.
RSVP:  DUE 12 noon, April 11. (Friday)
Register Online Here

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

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. 

Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year Award

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee will join with the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma in presenting the annual Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year Award.
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.

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). We encourage you to attend and celebration this recognition.

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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MAF - February 12

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s
Military Affairs Forum

Sponsored by GTM Transformations, LLC

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee will renew our organization's pledge with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for employment advocacy of prospective employees or employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserves.  We will have a renewal pledge signing during the morning event.

Operation DEEP FREEZE- (Joint Task Force - Support Forces Antarctica)
Keynote: Chief Master Sergeant Masura

Chief Master Sergeant Masura is a Senior Loadmaster with the 97th Airlift Squadron, Air Force Reserve based at JBLM, McChord Field. CMSgt Masura is a ten year veteran of Operation Deep Freeze and one of the principle planners; a joint effort between the 62nd Airlift Wing and 446th Airlift Wing.The 62nd and 446th AWs are the only U.S. Air Force C-17 wings uniquely equipped to conduct missions to Antarctica. Annually, they support Operation Deep Freeze, which provides logistical support to the U.S. Antarctic Program. It is one of the most difficult U.S. military peacetime missions due to the rapid weather changes, relentless wind speeds and inhospitable conditions. ODF is usually only conducted each year from August to March.

PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY February 7, 2014
Date:  Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Time:  7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  Best Western Plus Tacoma Dome Hotel
            2611 East E Street
            Tacoma, WA 98421
Price:  $15 with RSVP

Click Here to Register

Information:  Brenna Johnson, or 253-682-1733

Working Capital Loans for Reservists

Small businesses that suffered economic losses when the owner or a key employee was called up to active duty military service may be eligible for low interest loans up to $2 million from U.S. Small Business Administration.

Hundreds of Washingtonians (reservists and National Guardsmen) served military duty in Afghanistan in recent years and many more in Iraq War activities before that. Their employers might have been impacted by the absence.

This loan program (MREIL is the identifier) cannot cover lost income or lost profits, but is available to help a company meet its ordinary and necessary operating expects that could have been met, except for the military duty interruption.

SBA funds cannot be used in lieu of regular commercial debt, to refinance long-term debt or to expand the business, and collateral is required, if available, for loans of more than $50,000. The interest rate is 4 percent and terms can extend up to 30 years.

Funding must be requested within a year of the reservist being discharged from active duty following the call-up. There is more detailed information and an application process at this link. 

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

Reemployment Rights of Returning Vets

Washington is a state whose citizens have been heavily involved in military service with Guard units called to active-duty.

Too, local citizens find the local military installations as home to Reserve units an attractive option for military service.

Employers sometimes do find themselves dealing with the reemployment rights of returning vets.

Today, KPLU features a story about advocacy for those reemployment rights.

To help employers better understand the reemployment rights of returning National Guard and Reservists, you may reference the ESGR site for assistance.

ESGR's Employer Appreciation Event

RSVP: Kathleen Wilcox or 253-512-8253 

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Nominations Open for Military-Citizen Award

Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen compose a vital part of our community.  The Chamber wishes to recognize, with the 35th annual presentation, the John Anderson Military-Citizen of the Year.

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee will make the selection of the honoree.  Presentation of the award, named for John Anderson, former Mayor of Tacoma and Chairman of the Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber, will be made November 7, 12 noon at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Tacoma No. 8.

You are requested to submit nominees for this award.  The guidelines are:

1)   An active-duty Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine.  Reservists and Guardsmen called to active duty are eligible.

2)  Residing in Tacoma or Pierce County

3)  Professional in military occupation

4)  An exemplary volunteer in the community

Nominations should be no longer than two pages, no photos.  While military professionalism is important, this is usually a given standard.  It is recommended that the nomination focus on the nominee's volunteerism in the community.  You are referenced to the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, which has been added to the list of awards and decorations that earn promotion points. 

The deadline for submitting nominations is Nov. 1.  Nominations may be delivered to the Chamber’s offices, forwarded by mail, email (gary.brackett@tacomachamber.org) or fax.  Your consideration of this request is appreciated.

Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber

950 Pacific Ave., Ste. 300

Tacoma, WA  98402

PO Box 1933

Tacoma, W  98401-1933

Fax: 253-579-7305