The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his wife will kick off the Military Child Education Coalition’s 16th National Training Seminar here tomorrow.
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and his wife, Deanie, will set the tone of the seminar at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The theme of the seminar is “Keeping the Promise … for the Sake of the Child.”
The Dempseys have a deep understanding of the unique needs of military children, having raised three children during tours of duty around the world.
Their opening remarks will begin the two-day event, which will feature lectures, panel discussions and hands-on lessons geared toward professionals involved with the education of military-connected children.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan will speak to the group July 30. He will be joined by Navy Adm. Michelle Howard, the vice chief of naval operations, and Army Gen. Frank Grass, the chief of the National Guard Bureau.
The seminar will feature a number of issues that educators, parents and children need to deal with. For example, Dr. Stephen Cozza, a retired colonel, will discuss post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury in military families.
The seminar also feature training on eating well, exercise and how to communicate with teens. Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bergmann will speak on treating depression in teens and preventing suicides.
Other experts will speak about military moves and making sure parents and children can address the challenges of new schools and new friends. Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, will wrap up the seminar July 30.
The DoD News broadcast channel and the Defense.gov website will provide coverage of selected events, as will the Defense Department and DoD News social media outlets.
(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @garamoneDoDNews)