In 2023, military spouse unemployment was at nearly 21%, according to the DOD. But an Army-developed app may soon connect military spouses with on-base and nearby employment opportunities, along with childcare resources – two major challenges that military families say are major issues for married service members.

For those who are frequent attendees of Garrison-led town halls, you might have noticed a different vibe on Nov. 7. Instead of the usual Quarterly Housing Town Hall, which focused mostly on housing and neighborhood issues, the Garrison Command Team decided to rebrand the event as a Community Town Hall, opening the door to all Department of Defense employees, single Soldiers, and retirees in the surrounding community to share their thoughts and ask questions of the command team during the 90-minute event.

Dozens of veterans, family members, supporters and Fort Belvoir leaders gathered Thursday to express gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans. Hosted at the Cold War Memorial on the base's Long Parade Field, the invocation was performed by Chaplain Maj. Marlon Brown, and Col. Joseph Messina, the garrison’s commander, presented the opening remarks.

With a resident population of close to 23,000, it is important that Service members and their Families here have a direct line of communication to the garrison command team to report housing related problems. Meet Sandra Davis, Fort Belvoir Garrison’s housing Ombudsman. As Ombudsman, Davis advocates on behalf of the installation’s tenants with both the garrison directorates and the privatized housing partner who run the Villages at Belvoir. She reports daily to the garrison command team, briefing issues ranging from delayed routine maintenance requests, displaced Families, and major housing incidents. She is also adept at conflict resolution and mediation, an important requirement for an ombudsman.

Lt. Amani Simpson-Stokes wears several hats for the Fort Belvoir Police Department. One of her favorites is that of Community Relations Liaison where she serves as a direct point of contact between the police department and the larger community on post. Whether Simpson-Stokes is meeting with Belvoir’s residents, village mayors, or the numerous local businesses concerned about emergency services, interacting with people is the key to her success.