If you have been part of the military community for a bit then you know there are many flaws to our installations and the services they provide. When we think of quality of life for our service members and their families, some things automatically come to mind. For many it is childcare, better on-base healthcare options, safe and adequate housing, efficient installation family support, and the list goes on. Establishing and overseeing different aspects of an installation that supports its tenants is key to creating a much better and ready force. When we have great oversight of these initiatives, our community thrives.
Whether you are a single service member living in the barracks, a veteran needing services on base, an active duty member seeking childcare or a family dealing with housing management, it is important to know that you have rights and are deserving of quality services.
Town Hall meetings within our military installations not only allow leaders to engage with military members and their families but it is a way to help them support the troops they lead by making sure everyone has a safe and secure environment while on the installation.
Leaders should truly use this opportunity to create connection and understanding, and demonstrate accountability. Leading from the front means being involved, showing commitment and staying proactive in addressing challenges.
If you have ever lived on base or used any resources on an installation then you know much needs to be improved. At times joining a town hall is needed to let your concerns be heard, engage with leadership about possible solutions and stay informed.
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend your base town hall meetings:
- Let your voice be heard. If you have ever filed an ICE (Interactive Customer Evaluation) complaint without resolve, if you have ever thought something in the community needed improvement, if you have ever dealt with issues with base amenities…this is the time to share your concerns. This setting will give you a direct opportunity to discuss issues affecting you and likely others. We often tend to complain about the ways things are in our community but unless you voice your opinions and hardships, no one knows something is affecting you.
- There is power in numbers. Influence and change can come when in numbers. Going to a town hall meeting to share concerns and noticing that there are other people there talking about the same issue is eye-opening and can create waves of change. A group of individuals seeking the best interest of the community is important. We can all agree that there are areas within our military community that do not need specific criteria and cause our dissatisfaction and this is an outlet for improvement.
- Accountability. Many town hall meetings invite the agencies that support installations. Housing, MWR, Child Development Centers, Military & Family Support Centers, and more. What better way to hold these organizations accountable than sharing your concerns and asking questions directly to their directors and management? How many times have you tried getting in touch with a supervisor at the base clinic? How many times have you called housing for an issue without help or answers? This is the time to hold them accountable while military leadership is also there. Having direct feedback can be beneficial; both leaders and citizens are committed to the community’s well-being.
- Public Record. Town Hall meetings are recorded. Any questions shared during the meeting should be documented as a way to be referred to later. Keeping these meetings and the public’s concerns documented can help track problems to be solved. This also aids in keeping leaders accountable and following through on their commitments. The discussion, questions and concerns shared, information presented and more should be easily accessible afterward for everyone in the community to have. You can use this information to further push an issue that has not been resolved.
- Understand how decision-making works. Attending a town hall meeting can help you understand how certain services on an installation are prioritized. This includes but is not limited to budgeting for housing landscape, MWR pool hours, issues with more security on base, wanting more speed bumps in neighborhoods…This can help you understand the factors involved when it comes to resolving issues. From the presentation of issues to consensus building and follow-up, the process is important and worth involvement.
If you have never attended a town hall meeting on your installation before and you live on base or use services on base, then this is your reminder to be an advocate for your military community. It is your civic duty and responsibility to voice your concerns. This is the time to speak up and ask the command leadership about the status of the installation, the services available for military families and help shape the direction of your military community.