TMC Morale Welfare and Recreation, Military Construction and Base Realignment and Closure
2012 Legislative Goals

Guiding Principle: The Military Coalition (TMC) believes MWR and Family Support/Readiness Programs support a strong national defense as well as contribute to a high quality of life for military beneficiaries (defined as active and Guard and Reserve members, retirees, veterans, survivors, and their families). MWR and family support programs and services should be fully funded in baseline budgets, accessible, and receive timely funding.

Goals:

• Prevent attempts to consolidate the Exchange and Commissary systems. (Joint Goal with TMC Personnel, Compensation and Commissary Committee)
• Sustain necessary appropriated funds to support the Exchange and Commissary. (Joint Goal with TMC Personnel, Compensation and Commissary Committee)
• Educate Congress, DoD, the military services and beneficiaries on the following: the value of MWR, Family Support/Readiness, the Yellow Ribbon Programs, and the need to sustain programs and funding in the future year defense budgets and base operating accounts.
• Direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide a report to Congress on all DoD and Service MWR Category A, B, and C Programs and Family Support/Readiness (Quality of Life [QoL] Programs), including the Yellow Ribbon Program. The report should include:
  
  • A current listing of individual program funding levels by category—actual program expenditures vs. program requirement;
  • An assessment of the effectiveness of each program including program standards and metrics;
  • A list of recommended changes to policy, including revisions in the current category program listings to more accurately support current war-time mission requirements and meet the needs of the 21st Century all-volunteer force.
• Advocate for recreational and alternative therapy programs that promote psychological health and well-being of wounded warriors, servicemembers and their families. The programs should include MWR, fitness, and other quality of life programs and infrastructure.
• Direct DoD to conduct periodic MWR surveys and ensure funding is programmed in the budget. Surveys are to provide policy and program decision-makers necessary information to prioritize programs relevant to mission accomplishment and valued by beneficiaries.

Military Construction (Milcon)
Guiding Principle: TMC believes Milcon Programs, including the modernization and recapitalization of these programs are critical elements to maintaining force, unit, and family readiness. These programs need immediate attention to meet current requirements and address future changes needed to maintain and sustain at 21st Century military force both CONUS and OCONUS. DoD and Services strategic plans for quality of life infrastructure should be agile and allow for increased capability for changing mission requirements to include expansion, surge and reduction in operation capacity.

Goals:

• Support military construction projects that modernize or replace infrastructure to meet changing personnel and operational deployment requirements, including:
  • defense schools;
  • bachelor and family housing to include special attention to troops returning from deployment or overseas assignments, especially single servicemembers;
  • other traditional QoL program facilities; and,
  • child development centers (CDCs) and youth centers.
• Encourage full funding of all military quality of life infrastructure repair and maintenance accounts to reduce backlogs and to provide for safe, well-maintained facilities and housing units. Proper maintenance and repair of infrastructure is fiscally responsible and saves money in the long-term.
• Support a Health Facilities Program that modernizes or replaces Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and supports a high quality, patient-centered health care delivery capability and capacity for all eligible beneficiaries.
• Advocate for MWR, Milcon, military housing, and family support construction policies and projects that improve access for persons with disabilities.

DoD/Military Services Transformation - Overseas Rebasing and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) – Continue to review the impact of BRAC and transformation initiatives on MWR and quality of life programs and services, as well as meeting beneficiary needs.

Milcon Issues to Monitor: