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.

SMS Scott Dellinger 34th Citizen-Servicemember

Photo: SMS Dellinger reflects after receiving Scott Citizen-Airman Award. Courtesy Flavia Hulsey, WRMC.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC) joins Tuesday with the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma in presenting the 34th Howard O. Scott Citizen-Servicemember of the Year Award.

ACU (America’s Credit Union) is sponsoring the annual award for the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee selection of an outstanding individual who is a member of the National Guard or a Reserve unit; a person who is an exemplary volunteer in the community.  Additionally, the recipient must be professional in civilian and military occupations and a resident of Tacoma-Pierce County.

This is the 34th Anniversary presentation of the Howard O. Scott Citizen-Servicemember of the Year Award – this year to a Citizen-Airman: Marshall “Scott” Dellinger II.

Senior Master Sergeant “Scott” Dellinger, assigned to the 446^th Airlift Wing, serves as examiner loadmaster in the Standardization and Evaluation Office and superintendent of the 728^th Airlift Squadron loadmaster section.

He was loadmaster superintendent for Operation DEEP FREEZE for the past eight years.  He has 5,500 flying hours including 340 combat hours.  He averages 120 days annually training other airmen and supporting operational missions around the world.

Senior Master Sergeant Dellinger is a 17-year resident of Lakewood, and has served with the Kent Fire Department for 17 years. He’s been a captain since 2010. As a firefighter he has earned the GEICO Military Service Award.

For his community, he has volunteered for the Puget Sound Pipes and Drums (formerly the Pierce County Pipes and Drums) as a bagpiper for two years, performing for many special or solemn occasions in the community.

Scott Dellinger has been a member of the organizing committee for the Daffodil Festival for two years, as float director since 2014 and committee member since 2009, working coordinating float entrants, support for VIP guests and ensuring 400 military personnel and 74 parade units were included.. And he and his wife Susan also help chaperon the Festival Royalty.

With all of his activities and tireless devotion to making his community a better place for children and adults alike, Marshall Dellinger’s compassion, commitment and community impact as a Captain in the Kent Fire Department, dedicated service in the Air Force Reserve and a volunteer makes him deserving of the Citizen-Airman of the Year Award!

Firefighter and Senior Master Sergeant Dellinger, from all of us, thank you for your service and your service to your nation and your support to your community and your nation.

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. 

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The 446th Airlift Wing, the sole Air Force Reserve flying unit in Washington state has selected Col. Gerry Signorelli to be its vice commander, effective April 6.

Military Affairs Forum Welcomes New CO

Military Affairs Committee

Date & Time:  Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  La Quinta Inn | 1425 E. 27th St. | Tacoma 98421
Register: REGISTER HERE.
Event Sponsor:

The event fee will be complimentary for invited Military Personnel who reserve with Janice Hutchins, (253) 683-4882





AGENDA Items:

WELCOME THE NEW CO AND LEARN HIS LEADERSHIP PLANS
Col. Scott McLaughlin, Commander, 446th AW, JBLM


The 446th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, is the state's only flying Air Force Reserve wing. He is responsible for the organization, training, equipage and worldwide readiness of a combined Reserve and civilian wing of nearly 2,100 people at JBLM, McChord Field. The 446th Airlift Wing flies and supports the C-17 Globemaster III weapons system. Under Colonel McLaughlin’s command, Air Force reservists are capable of deploying anywhere in the world, 365 days a year for training, humanitarian efforts or combat.


ARMY COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION
Roel A van der Lugt, Director of Military Affairs & Senior Policy Advisor Office of Congressman Denny Heck & Tiffany Speir, Program Manager, South Sound Military & Communities Partnership

We had a great success, but what did we accomplish?  Roel and Tiffany will share with you the communities’ achievements at the Army Listening Session, what are the next steps and when will we know?


UPCOMING MEETING
April 21, (11:45 am – 1:15 pm, La Quinta Inn & Suites) Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year.
AMC RODEO  
The AMC Rodeo returns again to host site JBLM-McChord Field in August, 2015.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
C-9 Blog, the Chamber’s military-community blog which focuses on the armed forces and civilian relationships, with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest.
Veteran & Business Service, at its Facebook page, works with businesses to seek the "Veteran Advantage," promoting, encouraging and facilitating Veteran employment across the business community.

Veterans, thank you for your service

Thank you for your service.

AF Reserve Runs the Beast

The Air Force Reserve presents the Subway Beast Mode Challenge, Saturday, Sept. 6 at Meadowbrook Farm in Snoqualmie-North Bend. This 3.5-mile adventure run with 12 football-themed obstacles isn’t just about Seahawk’s explosive running back Marshawn Lynch breaking tackles, and stiff-arming defenders as he attacks the end zone …

Whether you sit at a desk, or are a world-class athlete everyone has an inner Beast Mode. This is your opportunity to come out and tear up an obstacle course meant to stop you from reaching the end zone! 

The Air Force Reserve is offering a $5-discount on registration for all current Department of the Defense identification card holders. To redeem the discount, visit BeastModeChallenge, select “register now,” join as individual (or even create a team!) click “enter promotional code” type AFR12 in the box, click “apply,” then enter the quantity in General Registration or Xfinity MVP Experience, and proceed  by selecting “register” (military ID will be required at packet pickup).

If you can’t make it, please don’t hesitate to tell your fellow service members and family, and don’t forget to give them the registration code for their AFR discount!

And you don’t have to be in the service to participate in the challenge!

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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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Reservist Named Chamber's Citizen-Airman

Photo (l.to r.): Amy Tiemeyer, ACU (Award Sponsor) and MSgt Lance Nelson.







It is the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s honor to present the 2014 Howard O. Scott Citizen-Airman of the Year Award to 446th Airlift Wing Master Sergeant Lance Nelson.

Master Sergeant Lance Nelson is a long-time loadmaster in the 729th Airlift Squadron, 446th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis McChord-McChord Field.  He is a flight leader in the squadron and manages training for his flight. He also is an employee of West Pierce Fire and Rescue as a firefighter and EMT. 

MSgt Nelson has volunteered for the West Pierce Fire and Rescue Public Education Team, teaching children in elementary schools fire prevention and life safety. He has in addition had a starring role in the Fire Prevention Week assemblies at various schools and has volunteered for the Read Across America Program where he has gone into classrooms to read to children.

MSgt Nelson is the current Evergreen Elementary School PTA President and has been a member of the PTA for the last seven years. He has been involved in fundraising for school camps and participated in movie nights, book fairs, bingo nights, popcorn sales, school beautification and many other PTA activities. He has volunteered in the classrooms as well, reading to children, and assisting teachers with classroom help. He also sits one-on-one with children in the classroom to help with instruction and testing.

MSgt Nelson was selected to sit on the Bethel School District Long Range Facilities Planning Team representing Evergreen Elementary School. On this team he works with community members to develop a list of projects to present to the school board for the next bond issue.

He is a sitting board member for Bethel Recreation Association, a non-profit organization that provided recreation athletics for the 17 elementary and six middle schools in the Bethel School District. He is involved with the implementation and development of the Standard Operating Procedures of the program and oversight of budget items.

MSgt. Nelson has also been an active volunteer coach for the Bethel Recreation Association, sometimes coaching up to two teams per season. He has coached basketball, football, soccer and baseball for the organization, spending countless hours developing practices and mentoring the youth on his teams. He also developed and organized a basketball clinic for the Bethel Recreation Association, volunteering his time and efforts to develop skills and abilities for young players.

MSgt. Nelson is an active Boy Scout dad, assisting his son in his progression through Scout programs. He crossed over with his son from Pack 679 to Troop 692 and is now active in troop campouts, fundraising, and meeting management. Currently, Nelson is setting up his training program to become a Troop Assistant Scoutmaster.

MSgt. Nelson has also been on his homeowners’ association board since its induction. He has served as secretary for the HOA and is currently the President. He has been involved in the beautification of the development and assists with maintaining rules and governance of the HOA.

With all of his activities and tireless devotion to making his community a better place for children and adults alike, Firefighter and Master Sergeant Nelson’s compassion, commitment and community impact in Pierce County and beyond makes him deserving of the Citizen-Airman of the Year Award.

“America's Credit Union (ACU) was excited to present this year’s citizen-soldier award. ACU has supported our area service members and their families since 1954, so it goes without saying that we would jump at the chance to honor such an exemplary citizen airman,” said Amy Tiemeyer, America’s Credit Union, (Award Sponsor).

About Howard O. Scott

Each year, the Citizen-Soldier (Airman) 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. 

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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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.