Committee Spotlight: Joint Military Affairs Committee

BY TYLER MICIK

The Joint Military Affairs Committee (JMAC) brings the business community and the Delaware National Guard together to connect and support our service members and their families through events like the annual Francis D. Vavala National Guard Youth Golf Tournament and the State of the Guard Address.

In February, the JMAC held its annual State of the Guard event at the Delaware National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in New Castle. Brigadier General Michael J. Karwatka, director of the joint staff for the Delaware National Guard, provided a briefing on its current missions, operations, and personnel. Attendees also had the chance to learn about the Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force and view capability demonstrations and equipment used by the task force. The task force’s mission is to support the detection, interdiction, disruption, and curtailment of drug trafficking activities and drug use through the application of military-unique skills and resources.

An annual highlight of the event is the presentation of the Warrior Friendly Business Award. It is presented to two businesses each year. This year’s honorees were Dover Federal Credit Union and Chesapeake Utilities, who are doing extraordinary work to support our military members. On behalf of the State Chamber, congratulations to both organizations!

Many of our members at the State Chamber prioritize hiring veterans because they learn durable skills that are transferable from their military to civilian careers—making them highly valuable, especially during a time when employers are struggling to find top talent. Does your business support our military members and their families? Does it prioritize hiring active-duty members and veterans? If so, we hope you’ll join the JMAC and consider applying for next year’s Warrior Friendly Business Award! To learn more, contact me at tmicik@dscc.com.