Washington, D.C. - Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02), Lead Republican of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the House Veteran's Affairs Committee, held a field hearing today at Enterprise Community College focused on the challenges of transitioning between military and civilian life. He discussed the importance reviewing the transition assistance program to see what works and what doesn’t, but also the significance of being flexible in tailoring the transition to the individual service member’s needs. Click here for video of Moore's opening statement. 

Witnesses for the hearing, titled "Ensuring a Successful Military to Civilian Transition for Servicemembers in Southern Alabama," were Mr. Kerry Cornelius, Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) Supervisor at the Alabama Department of Labor, Ms. Tammy Johnson, Legislative Chairman, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Alabama, and Mr. Tom Ferguson, Commander, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 9.

Excerpts from Moore's opening statement:

“One of my top priorities as ranking member of this subcommittee is to ensure that service members transition from the military into civilian life and make successful transitions. I firmly believe that we can get this transition right so that these service members are employed with good healthcare and benefits.

"By doing so, we can mitigate many of the challenges that some veterans face later in life and continue to give back to those who have served our country. The first step is to continue to review the transition assistance program that is provided to these servicemembers before they leave the military and see what is and isn't working. No two service members have had the same life experiences or career in the military, and we should do what we can to help personalize the transition services and provide them to meet their needs.

"Most importantly, we are here today to listen. I am pleased that we have a panel of witnesses with us today to talk about the transition from the perspectives of South Alabamians. Our panelists don't do the work they do for money or fame, but to help fellow veterans. I want to thank the panelists that are here today and I look forward to the discussions."

Original source can be found here.