Military Readiness for FY27: House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee

The House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee hearing centered on a critical decline in military readiness caused by aging equipment and maintenance backlogs. Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Garamendi voiced concerns regarding the cannibalization of aircraft and the dwindling availability of the Navy’s amphibious fleet and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The committee advocated for a strategic shift, moving away from prioritizing new procurement toward sustaining current assets throughout their service lives.

Military leaders provided updates on their respective branches:

• The Army noted it is meeting recruitment targets and replacing legacy platforms with modern systems like the XM30 and M1E3.

• The Navy exceeded its recruitment goals and is focusing on sailor retention by moving personnel from ships to shore-based housing.

• The Marine Corps highlighted its Barracks 2030 project and its third straight clean audit while advocating for more amphibious ships.

• The Air Force discussed training 1,500 pilots annually and its decision to pause KC-46 tanker acquisitions until technical issues are fixed.

A major point of contention was the lack of access to technical data, which prevents military personnel from repairing their own equipment. Ranking Member Garamendi criticized the reliance on private contractors for these repairs, framing it as a failure of the acquisition process. The subcommittee concluded by stating they will hold the Department of Defense accountable for making long-term maintenance a primary factor in all future equipment purchases.

More information on the state of readiness at Military Readiness for FY27

There Is Someone Who Needs It More Than Me

 By Alyssa Knoll

VA Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator

These are the words that often echo during outreach as I share resources available to Veterans in the community and through VA: “There is someone who needs it more than me.”

In truth, we need you. Increased engagement with VA benefits leads to more local resources for all Veterans. By helping yourself, you also help others — something Veterans understand deeply.

Several barriers prevent people from receiving needed mental health care. One major barrier — for both Veterans and non‑Veterans — is the belief that their issues aren’t severe enough to warrant help.

Other reasons Veterans may hesitate to seek mental health care include believing problems will improve on their own, doubting treatment effectiveness, or holding personal negative attitudes toward mental health. Stigma, particularly from military culture, can reinforce misconceptions about weakness or fears of being treated differently.

Those who do reach out often face practical challenges such as copayment costs, lack of health insurance, not knowing where to go, or transportation difficulties; especially in rural areas like ours.

Let’s work together to break down these barriers.

Service members and Veterans are at high risk for pain-related conditions. Studies have linked migraines, back pain and psychogenic pain to higher suicide risk. Maybe you’ve been struggling for a long time — telling yourself, “It will pass,” or enduring pain that never improves. Chronic pain doesn’t resolve on its own, and when it affects your functioning or mental health, it is serious enough to seek treatment.

When transportation is a barrier, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is one option for transportation to medical appointments. For other appointments, plan ahead with a buddy, rideshare and maybe add coffee or lunch to the outing. If you’ve had a positive experience seeking care, share it with a fellow Veteran to encourage them to do the same.

Town halls, coffee socials, resource events and Veteran service organizations offer opportunities to learn more about your symptoms and discover what might be causing them. These events also allow you to connect with others facing similar concerns or to meet subject matter experts who can help you better understand your situation.

Breaking down mental health stigma can feel daunting. The idea that seeking help is a sign of weakness comes from many parts of society. This is especially ingrained in military culture. As a therapist, every Veteran I’ve met who has faced their mental health concerns has been a champion. It takes strength to face your fears and work toward healing.

One way to reduce stigma is to share your story. If you or someone you know has benefited from a service, organization or treatment, consider sharing that experience with others who may be struggling.

Important Resources

• For mental health emergencies: Dial 988, then Press 1
• For medical emergencies: Dial 911
• For community resources in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin: Dial 211

Early Alert is a free service for all service members and Veterans. Sign up to receive weekly resources tailored to your needs.

Veterans who use VA services help all Veterans by increasing funding for additional programs. Please use your VA benefits.

VA Contact Information

• Enrollment and Eligibility: 906‑774‑3300, ext. 32810
• Urgent Care: 906‑774‑3300, ext. 34780
• Mental Health: 906‑774‑3300, ext. 32541
• Primary Care: 906‑774‑3300 (press 2, then press 2)
• DAV Transportation: 906‑774‑3300, ext. 32780

PACT Act Information

The PACT Act expands eligibility for Veterans exposed to toxins. To see the list of presumptive conditions related to specific locations and exposures, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/

To contact with your county Veteran Service Officer (VSO): Visit https://www.va.gov/iron-mountain-health-care/health-services/patient-advocates/, scroll to the bottom of the page, expand “Veteran Service Officers,” locate your county, and find your VSO’s phone number and email.

 

A Few Minutes a Day of Vigorous Exercise Can Have a Big Impact (Veteran Health)

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Fitness

Fitness and health make a meaningful difference in everyday life. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a high-powered executive, a veteran, a stay-at-home parent, working in the skilled trades, or currently unemployed—regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular and other chronic health conditions. Beyond physical benefits, it also supports mental health over the long term, improving how you think, process information, and handle challenges.

When your body is functioning well—receiving enough oxygen and maintaining good blood flow—your overall performance tends to improve, including cognitive function. This can contribute to clearer thinking and better decision-making. Even short bursts of daily vigorous activity can have a noticeable impact. That might be something simple like walking up stairs or more structured exercise like going to the gym.

Consistency matters. If you spend much of your day sitting, try breaking it up with short periods of movement. For example, doing five minutes of activity each hour—such as push-ups, sit-ups, yoga, Tai Chi, dancing, or any activity you enjoy—can add up. Over an eight- or nine-hour day, that totals about 40–45 minutes of exercise, which is comparable to a typical gym session.

The key is to integrate movement into your routine in a way that works for you. Small, consistent efforts throughout the day can lead to significant benefits over time.

Volume vs intensity of physical activity and risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular chronic diseases

• Higher total physical activity volume was associated with approximately 20–40% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to low activity levels.
• Individuals who incorporated vigorous-intensity activity showed an additional ~10–20% reduction in cardiovascular risk beyond moderate activity alone.
• Short bouts of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA), lasting 1–2 minutes, were linked to up to ~30% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
• Participants engaging in higher-intensity activity had about a 15–25% lower risk of non-cardiovascular chronic diseases, including metabolic conditions.
• Dose–response relationships indicated that even small increases in activity (e.g., 10–15 additional minutes per day) produced measurable reductions in disease risk.

Wei, J., et al. (2026). Volume vs intensity of physical activity and risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular chronic diseases. European Heart Journal. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag168

Send Us Your Best Photo-Open to All Escanaba Amvets Club Members!

We’re putting together a fun post featuring some of our members’ best photos, and we’d love for you to be part of it. If you’d like your photo shared on our webpage, please send us one of your favorites—whether it’s from your travels, a sunset, a winter scene, your pet, your car, or any moment you’re proud of.

This is all about celebrating our community and having a little fun together. We’re looking forward to seeing what you share!

Photo collection closes Monday the 13th midnight. We will post your first name and your photo at https://www.escanabaamvets.org/

Send your best photo to escanabaamvets@gmail.com

Why Veterans Are Among the Most Valuable Employees

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If you have an 
opening for veterans
send a message to the 
right. 

Veterans are among the most employable candidates available in the market. Military service instills a level of discipline and structure that is difficult to replicate in other environments. From a young age, service members learn to master themselves, and as they progress, they develop strong leadership skills and professional competencies.

It is not uncommon for young service members to manage multi-million-dollar equipment and lead entire teams. These responsibilities are made possible through rigorous training and a deeply ingrained sense of teamwork, where individual performance is directly tied to collective outcomes. Leadership development is a core component of military life, shaping both new recruits and seasoned personnel.

Employers can benefit greatly from this talent pool by actively recruiting veterans, including those recently transitioning to civilian life. Partnering with local veterans’ organizations and professional groups can be an effective way to identify candidates and create pathways for hiring and advancement.

Even simple outreach efforts—such as sending an email or sharing job postings with veteran organizations—can significantly improve recruitment efforts. By tapping into this network, organizations can build on the valuable skills veterans already possess while strengthening their workforce with disciplined, experienced, and team-oriented professionals. 

If you have a veteran employment opportunity please send me a message with the information to the right and we can post it. Amvets Post #123 serves the local community, is open 4-6pm everyday and has bands on most weekends 7 to 11pm. 

Developing Attributes of the Leader: From Military Service to the Civilian Workforce

• The article examines how leadership skills developed in military contexts can transfer effectively to civilian organizations, emphasizing adaptability and structured training.
• It highlights the importance of continuous learning and development frameworks (such as leadership development models) in building effective leaders.
• Collaboration between human resource development (HRD) and human resource management (HRM) is identified as critical for aligning leadership training with organizational goals.
• Creating inclusive organizational cultures and support systems (e.g., employee resource groups) enhances leadership effectiveness and workforce engagement.
• The study emphasizes feedback loops, skills assessments, and strategic alignment as key mechanisms for improving leadership development outcomes.

Henderson, L. R. (2024). Developing attributes of the leader: From military service to the civilian workforce. Advances in Developing Human Resources. https://doi.org/10.1177/15234223231212444

George Sailer and William Sjoquest Jam at Amvets April 3rd, 2026

George Sailer and William Sjoquist jammed at Amvets Post #123 over the weekend. Great music and fun crowd! Thanks George Sailer Band

George Sailer FB

William Sjoquist FB William said he likes playing at Amvets. 😊

Music is usually offered at Amvets most Fridays and Saturdays 7pm to 11pm. 

The club is open 4 to 6PM all week. If you are interested in playing please contact the club. 

Amvets Auxiliary Bakes Cookies for the Veteran Center and Coffee Social (Wednesdays 8 AM)

 

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AMVET Post #123 continues to support veterans and strengthen community engagement through volunteer service and charitable efforts. The Ladies Auxiliary contributes by baking cookies for the Escanaba Veteran Center’s 8 a.m. coffee and social. They provide these cookies on the third Wednesday of March, April, and May. Each batch reflects their time, care, and appreciation for those who have served.

Consider joining AMVETS Post 123, your local veterans’ social organization. The post is typically open daily from 4 to 6 p.m., with live bands most weekends from 7 to 11 p.m. Membership is available to veterans, as well as their children and grandchildren. Amvets is open 4 to 6 pm everyday and bands start at 7 pm on most Fridays and Saturdays.

Morning Coffee Call at the Veteran Center
Wednesday mornings 8:00 - 10:00
Enjoy coffee and fellowship with other Veterans.
Staff will be on hand to offer information and answer questions.
Call 906-233-0244 for more information.

Link to Page