Military Advocate Weekly Update
February 21, 2021
Good afternoon from Jefferson City on this warm(er) Sunday in mid-February! I am sure most would agree that the rising temperatures are a welcomed development, but I know our farmers and ranchers are now dealing with the hardship opposite of snow and ice—deep mud.
I have not written for two weeks, after spending a wonderful snowy last weekend at Missouri’s Big Cedar Lodge. My wife convinced me that Valentine’s Day was not the best time to write my column!
That said, the following is my weekly attempt to give you an update on issues I think are important in Missouri’s military and defense sector, and to let you know about how I am involved in those and other issues on behalf of the state of Missouri. I am proud to note that we are welcoming a number of new readers who have been added in the past few days.
Latest from DC
As I have reported in previous weeks, our consultant team and I are continuing to focus on the changes occurring in Washington, DC as the Biden administration places new people in Pentagon positions that are important to military interests in Missouri. As they begin their jobs, it is critical that we let these new leaders know how much we support our military forces and defense industries in Missouri, and how much we desire to attract more in the future using all the tools at our disposal. We are not being bashful in that outreach.
It is also critical that Missouri’s members of Congress serve on committees that have direct control over legislation and spending decisions for our armed forces. The great news is that we have an excellent group of legislators who are supporting our military.
I wrote two weeks ago that the U.S. House had organized its committees and Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler was named ranking member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. She also serves on the Sea Power and Projection Forces Subcommittee, along with Missouri Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6). The subcommittee is particularly important for Boeing Defense in St. Louis, which makes F/A-18 Super Hornets for the Navy.
Because of the 50-50 split in partisan membership of the Senate, it took until February 12 for the body to adopt its rules and announce its committee members. Fortunately for Missouri, Senator Roy Blunt was again named a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and its Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator Blunt is also ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley was appointed to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, serving also on the AirLand Subcommittee (jurisdiction over Army planning and operations policy and programs; and Air Force planning and operations policy and programs); Subcommittee on Personnel (jurisdiction over Military and DOD civilian personnel policies; end strengths for military personnel; military personnel compensation and benefits; military health care; and military nominations); and Subcommittee on Seapower (jurisdiction over Navy planning and operations policy and programs and Marine Corps planning and operations policy and programs.
Strategic Deterrent Coalition (SDC)
Last week I had the pleasure of participating in a virtual meeting the Strategic Deterrent Coalition (SDC), on which I serve as member of the Board of Regents, which provides advice to the organization. The SDC is national nonprofit organization that was formed to support the nation’s Nuclear Triad by providing educational information to decision makers on the importance maintaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent to protect our national security.
A retired banker who lives in California, Missouri, Joe Scallorns, is the President of SDC and a founding member. Mr. Scallorns is Air Force Civic Leader (Emeritus) and a Civic Leader of Air Force Global Strike Command, and an active supporter of Whiteman Air Force Base. I am proud to say that I work closely with Mr. Scallorns on Air Force issues—particularly related to Whiteman Air Force Base—and I am honored to add our support to the SDC’s work.
Meeting with the Army IMCOM Commander
Last Friday I participated in a virtual meeting with Lieutenant General Douglas Gabram, commander of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) to discuss the state’s involvement with and support of Fort Leonard Wood and the communities that surround it. The meeting was arranged by Dorsey Newcomb, Executive Director of the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP). Also on the call was former Secretary of the Army Jim McHugh, whose organization is working to support SOP’s efforts, and COL Jeffrey Paine, Garrison Commander at Fort Leonard Wood. The SOP team and I underscored our support for Fort Leonard Wood, especially related to building better quality of life for Service members and families there.
St. Louis Area Working Group (SLAWG)
Last week our team also attended a meeting of the St. Louis Areas Working Group (SLAWG), which meets monthly in the St. Louis region. As I have reported previously, the SLAWG is a group of business, civic and governmental leaders that is focused on supporting the formation of a “geo-ecosystem” in St. Louis, which is aimed at improving geographic literacy, integrating STEM courses and introducing geospatial curriculum in local schools, and helping to grow the workforce. Dr. Tara Mott, Account Manager for ESRI’s NGA business, is co-chair of the SLAWG and organized a great meeting.
Meeting with the Missouri National Guard
Last Thursday marked another coordination meeting with the Missouri National Guard’s leadership team. Mike Dubois, our lead consultant from KBS, and I meet on a regular basis with the Adjutant General and his team to determine how we can best support the MONG’s priorities. We have a particular focus on helping to communicate to our Congressional delegation the Guard’s needs, especially related to Military Construction (MILCON), and a host of personnel funding issues. We are very happy to be able to support their work, especially helping plot a good strategy for funding in Washington, DC.
Week ahead
During the week ahead (among other responsibilities) I plan to provide a briefing for the Missouri House Veterans Committee regarding work of the Office of the Military Advocate; participate in a virtual community update meeting given by Brigadier General Jim Bonner, the Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) Commanding General; participate in a discussion of 5G technology at FLW; take part in a virtual Black History Month Celebration organized by the State of Missouri; and attend a Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee 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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