I only made Major in the USAF, and was only a Staff officer for a few months (OpsPlans, 22d Bomb Wing), but I have an idea which needs to be Staffed at the highest levels to become a Plan.
President Trump, my Commander-in-Chief, will you get your JCS on this?
"Stand-Down" is not a new idea, it's been done locally for at least 30 years that I know of, but it's too limited. Here's how it needs to work and who it needs to reach:
On most of our active-duty military bases, and some Reserve bases as well, there are usually barracks/messing facilities sitting under-utilized or empty. There are Medical capabilities going unused. the Military has to have this extra capacity in case of sudden mission-requirements.
What if @POTUS ordered the Military (all branches) to develop a two-week "Stand-Down" program and transport in the homeless veterans to participate in it? During the shorter-weekend-only Stand-Downs offered locally, a local Reserve Unit usually sets up a small "tent-city" and basic clean-up, spiff-up and meal service is provided to homeless Veterans. There is usually VA contact available at those. It's a great idea, but it's missing a few major elements to pull it into a major success story:
1. A program like this needs more time, not just two days.
2. A program like this needs to be able to use permanent, modern facilities.
3. A program like this shouldn't be a "one and done" thing, it needs to be offered year-around, until all the homeless veterans are given the opportunity to participate.
4. If my 'net research is accurate, there are just over 40,000 homeless veterans on our streets. Ten would be too many.
There are 420 active-duty military installations, so if half of them were to start up my "Stand-Down" program, they would only have to host 200 homeless veterans in a year to get the mission accomplished. Easy-peasy, as they say in the South.
Why hasn't this been done, Mr Trump, sir?
Hopefully, only because nobody brought it up.....
Merle
Posted by: Merle | August 24, 2019 at 20:08