Veterans Home Ownership Summit & Expo

Here is an “educational only” Veterans Homeownership Summit and Expo,that veterans may benefit from.

(Click on Image for a Larger View)

Military Appreciation Day in Kitsap

Military Appreciation Day in Kitsap County.

(Click on Image for a Larger and Complete View)

Preparing for the Army Community Listening Session

Purpose
The purpose of the January 21 Army Community Listening Session is twofold:
First, it is to explain the proposed Army downsizing and the factors it will consider in the decision.
Second, it is to listen to what the community has to say about the proposed 11,000 reduction of active duty and civilian contractors at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM.)

The Army is conducting these community listening sessions in order to provide communities an opportunity to provide input into the force downsizing decision process.  The Army is scheduled to announce its downsizing decisions by the end of summer 2015.

Army VIPs to attend listening session:  Lt. General Lanza (Commanding General, I Corps), Maj. General Ferrell (Commanding General, 7th Infantry Division), Maj. General Tempel (Chief of Army Dental Corps), Maj. General (RET) Jimmy Collins (CASA), Colonel Chuck Hodges (JBLM Joint Base Commander)

Agenda/Itinerary
09:45:  Arrive at McGavick Conference Center Ballroom at Clover Park Technical College
10:00:  Welcome and Introduction
• Dr. Lonnie L. Howard, the president of Clover Park Technical College
10:05:  Opening Remarks by LTG Lanza
10:15:  Community Listening Session Begins
12:00:  Community Listening Session Ends

Getting ready to Speak
When you arrive – sign up to speak if there is a sign up list
When you testify –
1.    Plan to speak for no more than 3 minutes
2.    Introduce yourself and state why the proposed downsizing concerns you in 1 sentence
3.    Talk about what you know about - explain how the downsizing would affect you, your family, your business, the region, the state, and/or JBLM itself.
a.    Do you represent a group or organization?  If so, which one and what does it do in relation to JBLM?
b.    Are you military-connected?  Are you active duty, a military spouse or a veteran?
c.    Do you work at or own a business that relies on JBLM for its revenue?  For its employees?
d.    Do you own or work at a business that is a contractor for JBLM?
e.    Do you know about why the Army should not reduce forces at JBLM because of the resources, assets, investments and modernization, mission readiness, location, etc. at the base?
f.     Do you know about the role the base plays in the region with surrounding communities?
g.    Do you know about the investments made by communities next to the base or the State of WA to support and improve transportation, education, health care, workforce transition services, and more for services members and their families?
h.    Finish your testimony with a final statement about why the Army should not downsize JBLM.  Thank the people listening for the opportunity to speak.
4.    If you have a letter to submit, turn it in at the end of your testimony.
5.    If you do not want to talk on the 21st but you have a letter to submit, make sure you turn it in at the listening session to Army representatives.
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!!!!

Some Background Facts:
-       In 2014, there were 42,155 active duty service members at JBLM.  There were 16,739 civilian employees and contractors.  There were 48,510 family members and 32,064 local retirees.  There were 294,727 retirees located in WA, OR, ID, and MT. 
-       In 2012, the revenue generated by JBLM in Washington was $6.1 billion dollars.
-       JBLM is the “7th largest city in the state.”  70% of active duty service members live off base - 60.9% live in greater Pierce County, 32.5% live in greater Thurston County, 0.3% live in greater King County.  
-       Of the over 1,500 Washington businesses that contract with the Department of Defense and JBLM, most are located in King County.  The Army did not consider the effects of downsizing at JBLM on King County.
-       JBLM is the top requested location by Soldiers in the continental US and Europe due to quality of life for service members and their families.
-       JBLM has set the national standard for the joint basing process.
-       JBLM has set the national standard for how to comply with the VOW Act and to prepare service members for transitioning out of service into employment and/or further education.
-       JBLM is one of the most modern installations in the country, having spent millions of public dollars on transportation, schools, barracks, and other infrastructure.  The region and the state have also invested heavily in infrastructure (roads, schools, health care and social services for families, etc.) to support the base and its service members.
-       JBLM is a power projection installation – it is unique due to its location and proximity to the Pacific as well as the co-location of Army and Air Force forces there.  “The Army remains committed to its strategic goals of having the capability to deploy its forces anywhere in the Pacific theater within a few days of notification.  These requirements guide the Army in selecting stationing locations that can support PACOM operations.”  (July 2008 SPEIS, Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment to Support Operations in the Pacific Theater (pg. 11)
-       Local, regional, and state leaders, governments, service organizations, businesses, and people have developed long standing and deep relationships with the base and its service members.

More background information is available here.

Courtesy RSVP here.   

ACU Awards Second Matching Grant

America’s Credit Union (ACU) was awarded a second 2014 Armed Forces Financial Network (AFFN) matching grant for the year as part of AFFN’s Military Community Support Program. The combined contribution was donated to RallyPoint6.

(L to R): Amy Tiemeyer ACU’s Military Relations Liaison, Kenneth Leonard ACU’s President/CEO, Doug Pfeffer Director of External Relations, and Christian Seymour Triage/Scout for RallyPoint/6 

Since ACU’s beginning in 1954 they have been an active part of the credit union community. America’s Credit Union has participated in the AFFN Matching Grant Program for the past three consecutive years, and collectively our organizations have contributed $12,000 to our US Service Members and their families through this unique partnership in giving. Ken Leonard, ACU President/CEO, said “Sincere collaboration and support is the best way to impact both our members and our growing veteran community.” 

About RallyPoint/6
RallyPoint/6 was established a Coordinated Network unique to Washington State Service Members, Veterans and Military Families. RP/6 currently includes more than 70 partner providers from public, private and independent sectors working together through the auspices of a Community Convening Location “One-stop-Shop” to connect resources and deliver services to veterans and military families in more efficient, effective, positive ways. RallyPoint/6 is Committed to developing a unique answer to better-serving its veteran families by designing a collaborative solution while remaining mindful of the unique characteristics and needs of veterans, military families and the community of service providers.  For more information on RallyPoint/6 or 9881 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, Washington 98499. 

About Armed Forces Network (AFFN)

An Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Network founded in 1985, co-owned by The Defense Credit Union Council and the Association of Military Banks of America, serving over 352 defense credit unions and military banks, 93 million card holders, at over 500,000 ATMs and 2 million merchant/retail locations globally. To learn more about AFFN, please visit here. 

About America’s Credit Union (ACU)
Providing financial services to thousands of military personnel and their families for over 61 years. For more information about ACU visit here.

 

Invitation to the Army's Community Listening Session

(Click on Image for a Larger & Complete View)

Fellowship for Opportunity & Success

Local companies are welcoming heroes of the Heroes Corporate Fellowship program, a partnership between Joint Base Lewis-McCord (JBLM) and Hiring Our Heroes (HOH)/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

The Corporate Fellows program is a result of the Transition Summit held at JBLM in October 2014. The Veteran & Business Service via the Chamber partnership with WorkForce Central, was deeply involved in the planning and implementation of the Summit through supporting the collaborative employment initiatives (one being the Corporate Fellows Program) which have resulted from the energy of the Summit.

The Corporate Fellows program provides separating service members who already have a degree and some years of military experience opportunities to connect with a corporate sponsor, become more familiar with the civilian work place, step into the vernacular of civilian society, and build key relationships that will lead to a meaningful civilian career and successful transition.

The Corporate Fellows program participants are soon-to-separate service members enrolled in the Camo2Commerce Program, vetted through a competitive interview event and do a 3-month project for a corporate sponsor. The participating service members continue to receive their military salary and are released from military activities to pursue the fellowship. Many of the participants will have an opportunity to interview for a position with the corporate sponsor for whom they have completed the 3-month project. It is a win-win for everyone involved and provides a critical “leg up” for separating service members as they transition to civilian life.

The individuals chosen by the Chamber will be doing projects aimed at evaluating the impact and effectiveness of the Veteran & Business Service activity and supporting various general development activities of the Chamber.

Opportunity with Alliance Northwest

Opportunities to be a sponsor or exhibitor for the Alliance Northwest B2G Conference.

(Click on Image for a larger and complete view)

Two States of Mind on MJ

The legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington has not contributed to an increase in the drug’s use at two of the Army’s largest installations, officials have concluded.

The rate of positive drug tests for marijuana among soldiers at Fort Carson and Joint Base Lewis-McChord dropped since the two states legalized recreational marijuana, reported the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Marijuana use remains illegal under military code, and marijuana possession remains a federal crime.

Veteran Networking Event

(Click on Image for a large and complete view)

Why the Army Community Listening Session?

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

Date:  Wednesday, Jan. 14,
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  La Quinta Inn | 1425 E. 27th St. | 98421
Register: Online here.

Forum Sponsor:

AGENDA

WHY THE ARMY COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION?
Col. Charles Hodges, Joint Base Commander

The Army is performing a series of nation-side community listening sessions in every community (here: Jan. 21, time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, at The McGavick Conference Center, Clover Park Tech College in Lakewood) as a follow-on to its earlier environmental assessment for the 2020 Forces Realignment/Reduction. Community members have the opportunity to tell the Army about issues not covered in this year's SPEA process and the local business and personal impacts from any local forces reduction of military and civilian jobs.

The Army will be considering:
    Quantitative & Qualitative Factors
        - Military Value
            * Training
            * Power Projection
            * Well-being
            * Mission Expansion
        - Strategic Considerations
        - Cost Efficiencies
        - Readiness Impact
        - Mission Command
        - Statutory Requirements
        - Feasibility
        - Environmental & Socioeconomic Impacts
        - Community Input (impacts to your business, access to veteran services, commitments of JBLM to the community, local governments financial infrastructure built for JBLM as a growth base, etc.)

AMC RODEO   
The AMC Rodeo returns again to host site JBLM-McChord Field in 2015.


UPCOMING MEETING
JANUARY 21, 10 AM – 12 NOON, ARMY COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION, McGAVICK CONFERENCE CENTER, CLOVER PARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

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.