Military Affairs

The KC Chamber supports stable funding for the military Services at a level that maintains end Strength necessary to ensure our forces' readiness and lethality; efforts to increase the quality of life for Service members and their families, including more opportunities for spousal employment and better connection to jobs for those who transition out of the military; and investments in infrastructure and capacity at our region's installations and within the defense industrial base.

• Support reciprocity of professional licenses between the states for military spouses, including expedited issuances of new licenses;
• Ensure that K-12 schools that serve high percentages of military-connected students adopt rigorous academic standards and provide a well-rounded educational experience;
• Better align research and development efforts at Missouri’s universities with DOD’s modernization priorities; and,
• Support better state and regional efforts to identify and retain transitioning Service members by connecting them with jobs in the region and ensure access to educational and training benefits.

The KC Chamber supports stable funding for the military Services at a level that maintains end strength necessary to ensure our forces' readiness and lethality; efforts to increase the quality of life for Service members and their families, including more opportunities for spousal employment and better connection to jobs for those who transition out of the military; and investments in infrastructure and capacity at our region's installations and within the defense industrial base.

• Support reciprocity of professional licenses between the states for military spouses, including expedited issuances of new licenses;
• Ensure that K-12 schools that serve high percentages of military-connected students adopt rigorous academic standards and provide a well-rounded educational experience;
• Promote and advocate for the alignment of research and development efforts at Kansas universities with DOD’s modernization priorities; and,
• Support better state and regional efforts to identify and retain transitioning Service members by connecting them with jobs in the region and ensure access to educational and training benefits.

The KC Chamber supports stable funding for the Military Services at a level that provides appropriate force modernization, service end strengths, lethality and readiness to protect the Nation. The Chamber advocates for initiatives that increases the quality of life for Service members and their families, especially including and supporting more opportunities for spousal employment and better connection to jobs for those who transition out of the military. The chamber actively promotes investments in infrastructure and capacity at our region's installations and within the defense industrial base.

• Continuously advocate for Congress to ensure that Defense funding is passed on time to avoid continuous resolutions and at levels to secure our Military services overmatch capability:
  • Military End Strengths at 2.2 Million including Guard and Reserve Component of 900 thousand,
  • Increase in funding for University Research Initiatives that are aligned with DOD modernization priorities,
  • Increase investment in Cyber and Fleet modernization,
  • Support funding for maintaining and modernizing our nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, and protect the critical role of the Kansas City National Security Campus in that program,
  • Continuous budget support for increased quality and modernization of training and education venues; not mortgaged for capital equipment investments.
• Sustain Active, Guard and Reserve family readiness and transition programs:
  • Ensure Military Spouse reciprocity for all state licensed careers, including healthcare, law, education and other licenses,
  • KC Chamber actively supports all transition initiatives for separating military service members and continuously integrates them into all regional and state workforce development initiatives,
  • KC Chamber advocates for continued support and increased capacity for the US. Chamber/DOD Hiring our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program.
• Promote adequate funding and an efficient procurement process for planned military construction projects; including hospitals, housing, training facilities, munitions systems and utility infrastructure through the annual Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations;
• Advocate and support delivery of seamless medical care, applicable research to maintain currency and establishment of joint DOD/VA medical facilities in Missouri and Kansas to ensure accessible, timely and quality healthcare for our currently serving and their families and our Veterans;
• Advocate with Congress and Department of Defense for a formal agreement between the US Army and US Air Force that would enable Fort Riley to conduct Total Force, combined arms training at Smoky Hill Military Reservation, which is owned by the US Air Force and operated by the Kansas National Guard; and,
• Support the continued modernization and possible expansion of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.