Military Advocate Weekly Update
October 6, 2019
Good Sunday afternoon to everyone. I am back again with this week’s update on happenings around the state last week in Missouri’s military and defense sector, a report on what I have been doing to support the sector, and my work plans for the week ahead.
2020-2022 Military & Defense Strategic Plan
During last Monday’s meeting of the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission (MMPEC), members gave tentative approval to the draft of a biennial (2 year) strategic plan that will guide state actions to protect our military bases and defense agencies and support our state’s defense businesses.
The “2020-2022 Missouri Military and Defense Strategic Plan” is MMPEC’s response to a provision in law that requires the Commission to create a plan that serves as policy direction for the Governor, General Assembly and others in state government. In addition to protecting and enhancing Missouri’s military assets, the law also directs MMPEC to put in place strategies to counter an anticipated Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round, which could threaten the existence of our military installations.
The draft plan was developed in response to input received during a Virtual Town Hall meeting in July and an analysis of plans from competing states. In order to gain further review of the plan, the Office of Military Advocate, on behalf of MMPEC, is inviting public comments about the proposed plan until 5 p.m. on October 18, 2019.
To submit written comments about the draft strategic plan, email Joe Driskill, Missouri's Military Advocate, at Joe.driskill@ded.mo.gov
The full draft strategic plan can be accessed and downloaded from the following site: DRAFT Strategic Plan
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)
I had the pleasure last week to attend a State Council meeting of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3). The State Council, of which I am a member, is the body overseeing Missouri’s participation in the Compact, which is an agreement among all the state that deals with the challenges of military children and their frequent relocations. It provides for uniform treatment as military children transfer between public school districts in member states.
Missouri and the other 49 states that are Compact members appoint the members of the council to be responsible for enacting rules to implement the Compact in their states. Students who are covered by the Compact include:
- Active duty members of the uniformed services, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders (Title 10);
- Members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year;
- Members who die on active duty, for a period of one year after death;
- Uniformed members of the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and United States;
- Public Health Services (USPHS)
Missouri’s Council Chair and Primary Point of Contact for military families is: Dr. Brian Henry, Superintendent, Waynesville R-VI School District, 200 Fleetwood Drive,Waynesville, MO, 65583; bhenry@waynesville.k12.mo.us, ph 573.842.2097
Army Maneuver Support Center 20th Anniversary Celebration
Last Friday evening I had the distinct honor of attending a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the US Army’s Maneuver Support Center of Excellence at Fort Leonard Wood, led by the Commanding General of Fort Leonard Wood, Major General Donna Martin.
The US Army’s Military Police School and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Schools were moved to Fort Leonard Wood from Fort McClellan, Alabama and became operational in 1999. They joined the US Army Engineer School, which had moved to Missouri in 1988. The Army formed the Maneuver Support Center to coordinate training and capability development among the schools and add synergy to the overall missions of the schools—supporting and enhancing the freedom of maneuver of the US Army.
The Center later was designated as a Center of Excellence by the Army. In Fiscal Year 2020, the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence or MSCoE expects to train more than 80,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coastguardsmen.
Week ahead
This week I will be in St. Louis several days attending the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) Geospatial Gateway Forum 2019 that is bringing geospatial industry and government experts from across the country to discuss challenges related to collecting and analyzing geospatial intelligence. The focus on St. Louis is due to the construction of a new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) campus in north St. Louis and a combined federal, state, and local effort to support the growth of the industry around the new facility. I will also be attending the Department of Economic Development’s Aero and Auto Supplier Showcase where Boeing and companies representing its supply chain will be meeting.
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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