 Military Advocate Weekly Update
June 30, 2019
Good Sunday afternoon! As I do regularly, I am writing to give you my update on happenings around Missouri’s military and defense sector during the past week, and let you know what I will be doing during the week ahead. Because I missed last weekend’s installment, this will by my first column since June 16. As such, I have several issues to report.
Virtual Town Hall
I am happy to report that last Wednesday’s kickoff of our Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission (MMPEC) Virtual Town Hall meeting went very well. We had stakeholders from across the state on the initial WebEx call and I think we were able to explain in some detail why we are using this method to gather information and how it will work. In lieu of regional meetings like the ones we held in late 2016, we have chosen to utilize a specially designed website as the place to have a virtual “discussion” about the issues that are important for updating our existing 2-year Military/Defense Strategy Plan. This new biennial plan is required by law and the commission is committed to completing a 2019-2020 version this summer.
The Virtual Town Hall consists of a 2-week period of time during which participants are able to access a special website to register their opinions regarding MMPEC priorities. Registration is required, but responses to the questions will be anonymous.
For those who would like to express their opinions, you can register and participate at the following address: After the webinar, follow these steps to access the virtual town hall: mmpec.mindmixer.com.
SES Installation
I was pleased and honored to be invited to witness the Senior Executive Service (SES) induction ceremony for Gregg Thompson, COL USA (ret), to be the Deputy to the Commanding General at Fort Leonard Wood. Thompson is the former chief of staff of the US Army War College and former Chief of the Capability Development and Integration Directorate (CDID) at Fort Leonard Wood. In his role as DtCG, he the senior civilian on Fort Leonard Wood and is in charge of the Maneuver Support Center in the absence of the Commanding General, MG Donna Martin. Mr. Thompson is an excellent pick for the position and I look forward to many opportunities to work closely with him and his management team.
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)
I was happy to be able to attend the MIC3 meeting in Jefferson City to discuss progress in Missouri schools in implementing the provisions of the compact that governs actions among all states in the country. The commission oversees compliance with the national compact in Missouri with the aim of making the transfer of military-connected children from state to state and district to district as easy and uniform as possible. The compact addresses key issues such as: eligibility, enrollment, placement and graduation. The compact requires each state to have a commission to serve as a governance structure and there are authorized enforcement and compliance mechanisms. To find out more, visit the Compact website at: MIC3.
Missouri Military Communities Reinvestment Program:
I met last week with a team of specialists from the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) to discuss implementation of the Missouri Military Community Reinvestment Program (MMCRP), which will be administered by DED, in cooperation with MMPEC. The program, passed in 2018 and funded this year, will provide matching grants to assist military communities in supporting and sustaining their installations, to encourage communities to initiate coordinated response programs and action plans in advance of federal government realignment and closure decisions, and to support community efforts to attract new or expanded military missions.
DED and MMPEC are preparing to invite public comments on the administration of the program and jointly develop and establish procedures for implementation of the program. DED will evaluate each application and make recommendations to MMPEC, which will approve or reject any recommended application. Grants will not exceed $300,000 per year per grantee and no more than two grants may be made in each congressional district each year. Grant actions are expected at MMPEC's September meeting.
Whiteman AFB leadership meeting
I was pleased to be able to meet recently with Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB. The 509th is the host unit at Whiteman and is responsible (along with the 13st Bomb Wing of the MONG) for flying and maintaining our nation’s B-2 fleet. Also present at the meeting were Col. Seth Graham, 509th Vice Commander, and Col. Chris Callis, Commander of the 509th Mission Support Group. Col Schreiner became the 509th Commander early May.
The meeting was an opportunity for me to brief Col Schreiner on the state’s role in advocating for the military and defense sector in Missouri and specifically for WAFB. I was also able to learn about Col Schreiner’s priorities for the base, and particularly for its relationships with the surrounding communities and the state. WAFB is supported very well by communities in the region and I am proud that my office--on behalf of the state--can be part of that support network.
Week ahead
The holiday-shortened week ahead will be mainly focused on urging participation in the MMPEC Virtual Town Hall meeting, and some preparatory work for my presentation next week to the Missouri Veterans Commission’s “Veteran Innovation Task Force” (or VITF), when it meets in Poplar Bluff on July 10. The VITF work group I lead is focused on ways to keep more transitioning Service members and their families in the state after they leave the military. I also have several calls related to my service as president of the Association of Defense Communities.
I wish everyone a very happy and safe Independence Day!
Until next time, I welcome your feedback on the work I am doing on behalf of our military and defense sector.
(Joe.Driskill@ded.mo.gov)
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