Fort Jackson Hosts a Retiree/Veteran Focus Group

Fort Jackson Customer Management Services hosted a Retiree/Veteran Focus Group on 20 May 08 at the Plans, Analysis, and Integration Office Conference Room. The purpose of the focus group was to discuss issues affecting Retirees and Veterans on Fort Jackson and in the surrounding community. The focus group is held annually as part of the Community FIRST Quarterly Issue Resolution Process. The Fort Jackson Deputy Garrison Commander, LTC Davidson opened the session and welcomed the Retirees and Veterans to the forum.

Listed below are a few of the issues that were surfaced and out-briefed by the Retirees and Veterans.

Issue: Emergency Preparedness Food Supply List

Scope: DECA does not currently provide a list of nutritious foods that could be stored for at least three months in the event of a widespread emergency. Without this list, individuals do not know what foods can be safely stored in order to prepare themselves in the case of such an event. If individuals had this list provided, they would be knowledgeable and could store these foods at home in order to sustain themselves for a period of time.

Recommendation: DECA provides a listing of nutritious foods that could be safely stored for at least 3 months and adequately advertise this listing.

Issue: Full-Time Veterans Affairs (VA) Representative

Scope: There are currently no provisions for a full-time Veterans Affairs (VA) Representative at Fort Jackson. Due to the influx of Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans, Warriors in Transition, and those retiring, there is not enough manpower to adequately serve these individuals in a timely manner. Without a full-time VA Rep on Fort Jackson, these Soldiers are not being adequately advised on their critical Veteran’s rights, thereby affecting their morale and quality of life.

Recommendation: Provide a full-time VA Representative at Fort Jackson.

Issue: Traffic Flow at Intersection of Strom Thurmond Boulevard and Magruder Avenue.

Scope: During graduations, holidays and other peak periods, traffic is congested at the intersection of Strom Thurmond Blvd and Magruder Ave. There is currently only one designated left turn lane from Magruder to Strom Thurmond when leaving the PX/Shoppette area. This creates a traffic back-up at the intersection that many times reaches all the way back to the PX entrance and stalls traffic for everyone utilizing the intersection.

Recommendation: Designate the center lane as a left-turn and forward lane, and mark appropriately.

These issues will be sent to the respective directorate/organization responsible for resolution to obtain a response. The issues and the responses are then published in the Fort Jackson Leader upon completion. These issues may be discussed during the Installation Action Council (IAC) on 5 June 08 and the community members are welcome to attend. The council meeting will be held in the Post Conference Room from 2-4pm.

You can view all issues submitted or submit a new issue through the Customer Management Services Web site, whether it affects you here at Fort Jackson or throughout the Army, your feedback is important. Submit your issues and recommendations online at http://www.jackson.army.mil/WellBeing/wellbeing.htm. Click on “Submit an Issue or Recommendation” or click on the AFAP Logo to submit your issue.

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