Joint Base San Antonio leaders came together March 21 and 22 for two Community Connection events to inform and field questions from those who work, live and train at the joint base.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Russell D. Driggers, JBSA and 502nd Air Base Wing commander, opened each event, held at JBSA-Randolph and JBSA-Lackland respectively, with an update on key JBSA issues, giving insight on topics including improvements to base child development centers, roads and gates; safety and security; infrastructure repairs; and communication systems, including a planned digital application.
“We haven’t had a community forum like this in a while, so we’ve made communication its own line of effort,” Driggers said. “We’re really looking for this to inform us about concerns in each community so that we can take those concerns and track those solutions to completion.”
The Community Connection events were broadcast live on the joint base’s Facebook page to more than 2,000 viewers to ensure all members of JBSA could attend, from their offices, living rooms or listen in during their commutes.
Following the general’s opening remarks, his wife, Janet Driggers, spoke about spouse support programs, and representatives from JBSA helping agencies gave updates and initiatives available to community members.
“I decided to make a JBSA Thrive Team,” she said. “We’ve banded together and our mission is to connect: to connect the spouses with the resources. Social media doesn’t always cut it, especially with our younger spouses who may not even know what the Military and Family Readiness Center is. There are resources here and they’re ready to help. They’re just underused, because people may not know about it.
“This is by spouses for spouses. We’re not funded, we’re volunteers and this is where our hearts are – helping spouses.”
The events concluded with questions and comments from the audience, both in person and digitally. Those questions and their responses from subject matter experts can be found at https://www.jbsa.mil/Information/Community-Connection/.