Civic leaders learn about wounded warriors, family issues

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Richard A. Williams, Jr.
  • Air Force Public Affairs Agency
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) --  Civic leaders from 32 states and Guam were briefed on wounded warrior care and support to military families during the Air Force Chief of Staff's Civic Leader Program annual conference here recently.

The Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program's membership is composed of respected community leaders nominated by the Air Force major commands, the National Guard Bureau and Headquarters Air Force.

These unpaid advisors, who met for the annual conference Jan. 30-Feb. 2, provide unfiltered feedback from their communities and invaluable insight on local public opinion to Air Force leaders, officials said.

Army Col. David Sutherland from the Joint Staff told the attendees how local communities are supporting veteran reintegration, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz's wife Suzie spoke to the leaders about supporting military families and wounded warriors.

"America does a wonderful job supporting its wounded warriors, but more can always be done to support not only those who have been injured but all men and women serving in uniform and their families," she said.

Representatives from various support agencies and programs were also on hand to speak with civic leaders and give insight on how communities can help assist service members and their families.

Participants in a small support organization fair included representatives from Air Force Aid Society, Armed Services YMCA, Operation Homefront, Fisher House and Joining Forces.

Schwartz said the two issues most brought up when she talks with families about the challenges of military life are spouse employment and children's education.

To address the difficulties faced by spouses of military members seeking employment, the Department of Defense established the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.

"It is an avenue to help and provide the tools for spouses to find their own jobs with things like resume assistance," Schwartz said during her briefing.

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for the Military Children -- an agreement between states that seeks to ease key educational transition issues encountered by military families -- is helping to address children's education concerns, she said.

"No one is asking for special treatment for military children," Schwartz said. "We just want to ensure that military children have a fair shot at a good education."