RD42 - Virginia Military Advisory Council 2015 Annual Report


Executive Summary:
The Virginia Military Advisory Council (VMAC) was created as an advisory council to maintain a cooperative and constructive relationship between the Commonwealth and the leadership of the Armed Forces of the United States and the military commanders of such Armed Forces stationed in the Commonwealth, as well as to encourage regular communication on continued military facility viability and encourage the exploration of privatization opportunities and issues affecting preparedness, public safety, and security.

In 2015, the VMAC was composed of forty (40) individuals representing military, legislators, private partners, and executive leadership from the Commonwealth. The Council was led by the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, John C. Harvey, Jr. The House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia each appointed members to serve on the VMAC during 2015. Governor Terence R. McAuliffe appointed five (5) individuals, including the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and three (3) appointments, all with significant backgrounds dealing with the military and the quality of life for military families. Through the normal rotation of installation commanders there were twelve (12) new members in 2015. Additionally, there were two (2) new commands added to the VMAC, Center for Initial Military Training of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School. Although these commands are not new to Virginia, these commanding officers chose to participate with the VMAC along with their peers.

Under the leadership of the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the focus of the VMAC in 2015 was on continuing efforts to make the Commonwealth of Virginia the most military friendly state in the Nation. As the military drawdowns its forces, Virginia has taken steps to find employment for those service-members and families who are leaving active duty in order to keep this valuable resource within the Commonwealth. As illustrated below, one will have a better understanding of what Virginia is doing for our military.