Monday, April 29, 2013

Military Logistics

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Noteworthies with a Local Link


The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert announced today the assignment of:

Rear Adm. Troy M. Shoemaker, will be assigned as commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Va.  Shoemaker is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, Wash

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Army "Listening Session" Report

Here is a link to the presentation LTG Robert Brown gave to community leaders this morning about force structure changes (potential loss of up to 8,000 soldiers, inclusive of a 4,000 person Stryker Brigade - SBCT) expected to impact the Army this summer. The PowerPoint presentation is found under the "4/18/13 JBLM Briefing" subhead.

LTG Brown announced he would accept comments until May 1 to share with higher command.  For comments, contact:

David G. Johnson
Colonel, US Army
Director, I Corps Public Affairs
Office:  253.477.0161
Email: Address

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Chamber Honors 32nd Citizen-Soldier

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber presented the 2013 Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year Award to Washington Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Stephen Ryan.

PHOTO (l. to r.): Amy Tiemeyer, America’s Credit Union (ACU), Award Sponsor and Cathy Ryan, spouse of SSG Stephen Ryan, Award recipient, who is TDY.

SSG Ryan is a valued NCO who has served the Washing- ton Army National Guard with distinction for more than 12 years.  He is highly regarded in the maintenance community as one of the best practitioners of the Standard Army Maintenance System Enhanced (SAMS-E).  SSG Ryan has performed flawlessly in any position he has held throughout his illustrious career.  His off duty work with the 951st Maintenance Company’s Family Readiness Program is a tribute to his dedication to his unit and fellow Soldiers.  He continues to volunteer and give his personal time to the men and women of the 951st as a leader and mentor of our citizen Soldiers.

For the last six years SSG Ryan has volunteered numerous hours with Pierce County Friends and Athletes (PCFA), one of the largest independent Special Olympics programs in the state.  The organization provides spiritual, social, educational and athletic opportunities for developmentally disabled youth and adults in an inclusive environment where activities are designed to be share with loving, non-disabled friends.  He has assisted with the bowling and track and field events in preparation for the Washington State Special Olympics.

SSG Ryan is the head usher at Lakewood New Hope Community Church where he spent a year as a board member.  He has been a leader in small group study as well as an active participant in the men’s ministry.  SSG Ryan and his wife, Cathy, assist members of their church with the care of a child with Down syndrome and a young man with multiple mental conditions.

In October 2011, after Pierce County Shuttle suspended its handicap rides to JBLM, SSG Ryan stepped in and continues to give a ride to a wheelchair-bound employee of Waller Hall. Without SSG Ryan’s help, the employee would not have a way to get to and from work.

Whether SSG Ryan is serving as a loyal member of the Washington National Guard in uniform, or as an active, caring and giving member of the Pierce County community, SSG Ryan’s
compassion, commitment and community impact and beyond makes him deserving of the Citizen-Soldier of the Year Award.

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

About Howard O. Scott
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. 


Army Listens to Community About Drawdown

Tomorrow, April 18, at 10 a.m., Army officials are conducting a listening session to solicit comments from community leaders and other residents about the potential economic impacts of the planned drawdown.

Data from communities — about plans for a new highway linking to the post, for example — are an important consideration, Cathy Kropp, a spokeswoman for Army Environmental Command has said in other forums.

When: 18 April 10 a.m. until noon.

Where: Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 exit 116 (Mounts Road) (click on image for a larger view)


From I-5 (Heading North) take exit #116. Turn left when you reach the end of the off ramp. Cross the overpass, and the Golf Course is on the right.

From I-5 (Heading South) take exit #116. At the end of the off ramp turn right, the Eagles Pride Golf Course is on the right.

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AN OPEN INVITATION.

The Army plans to determine by the end of the summer the locations that would lose brigade combat teams and additional personnel as the service carries out its plan to trim its active-duty end strength by 72,000 soldiers by fiscal 2020.

Army Listening Session on Forces Realignment


All community businesses and partners are invited to attend a Listening Session on the Army's future force structure and the potential impact on our local community.

Who: Community & JBLM/I Corps

What: Community Listening Session on the Army's future force structure changes

When: 18 April 10 a.m. until noon.

Where: Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 exit 116 (Mounts Road)

Why: To address the Army force structure realignment process and receive input from the community

Questions?  Please contact David G. Johnson Colonel, US Army Director, I Corps Public Affairs Office: 253.477.0161

Consider this an open invitation.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Honoring Patriots on Patriots' Day

Let us remember that patriots come in all ages and at innocent moments.

Governor Jay Inslee has directed that flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff beginning today, April 16, as per President Obama’s proclamation as a mark of respect for the victims of yesterday’s tragic events in Boston, Mass.

Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset/close of business on Saturday, April 20. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Noteworthies with a Local Connection

The chief of staff, Air Force announced today the assignment of Brig. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, who has been selected for the rank of major general, director, joint integration, Directorate of Operational Capability Requirements, deputy chief of staff, operations, plans and requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to deputy chief of staff, operations, Joint Forces Command Headquarters, Brunssum, Netherlands.

MG (sel.) Martinez is a former CO, 62nd AW, then McChord AFB, now JBLM-McChord Field.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

CIC's DOD Budget Proposal

President Barack Obama today sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $526.6 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund defense programs in the base budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014. 

The FY 2014 request does yet not include a detailed budget for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).  Decisions regarding force levels in Afghanistan were delayed until February of this year to provide commanders time to assess wartime needs fully.  A separate OCO request is being prepared and will be submitted to Congress in the coming weeks.

Highlights of the proposed DoD budget are outlined here.

For more information and to view the entire FY 2014 budget proposal, please visit here  and download the "FY 2014 Budget Request Overview Book."  Budget-related transcripts will be available later today here.

The Department of Defense released a document today summarizing decisions made in support of the fiscal year 2014 President's Budget submission.

The document, "Defense Budget Priorities and Choices -- Fiscal Year 2014," is available here.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Fisher House to the Rescue

My name is SSgt Christopher Rangel United States Marine Corps. I am a active duty Marine with over 11 years of service to the nation. I am an infantry platoon sergeant. I am also a Purple Heart recipient from wounds I received in Afghanistan. I'm contacting you for help about possibly becoming a part of charity and fundraiser that I have started over the last 5 weeks: Workingforveterans.com

Since all this buzz has started, it has been a whirlwind and I can't idly standby and not use all of this for some good. I decided that I wanted to raise awareness and support the local Fisher House in Tacoma located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. I am doing this by helping others understand what they do for our veterans and their families and fundraising for the Fisher House Foundation.

What Fisher House provides is a home that allows a wounded member of our armed forces to live in with their family as they go through their medical treatment. It is a nonprofit and at no cost of the family that lives in the houses. They are sustained through donations like the money I'm working to raise at this time.

In the last 30 days I have raised nearly $6,300 dollars on my own. I have made more emails to random people than I've ever done in my life and with all this "fame" I'm trying to raise $15,000 through donations. I am not looking to break anyone's bank account and I'm not trying to empty peoples wallets. What I am trying to do is raise awareness in our young men and women's lives who need our help. I'm doing this with a positive community outreach and donations.

Workingforveterans.com has been founded as a focal point for my efforts to raise money and help our the Fisher House Foundation. With every dollar we raise we are one step closer to my $15,000 dollar goal. Having the support of community means a lot to me in this endeavor.

Our Website Link where anyone can donate and get more information.

http://workingforveterans.com/

Facebook Group Link.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/527670013945123/

Guest Blogger:  SSgt. Christopher Rangel

Monday, April 1, 2013

Vets, Military & Spouses Hiring Academy

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Please see attached flyer with instructions on how to register or click here to be directed to the registration site.