DCSS Superintendent Ken Dyer selected for Joint Civilian Orientation Conference

ALBANY — Dougherty County School System Superintendent Ken Dyer has been selected to participate in what is considered a prestigious Department of Defense program.

Dyer is among a select group chosen to engage with senior military officials and private sector business and community executives for the Secretary of Defense’s 2018 Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. As a JCOC participant, Dyer will spend June 10-16 at military installations, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. service members.

In addition to participating in tactical training exercises, he is expected to gain a better understanding of the roles and mission of the U.S. armed forces, their skills, capabilities and equipment employed in defense of the nation.

The JCOC program is directly linked to the Department of Defense initiative “This Is Your Military.” The goal of this initiative is to educate and accurately inform the public on the military’s relevance, innovativeness and how it is a force for good. It also seeks to introduce Americans to those who currently serve, and dispel common misconceptions about the military.

“I’m honored and humbled to be chosen for this opportunity,” Dyer said in a statement. “Building support for our military families is something that Colonel (James C.) Carroll (commanding officer at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany) and I both believe very strongly in. Having this chance to interact and build relationships with uniformed personnel across the country will provide a unique opportunity to further learn about the needs of military families and students so that we can better meet the academic and extracurricular needs of our Marine families who sacrifice so much to secure our freedoms.”

The objective of the JCOC public liaison program is to help bridge the growing military-civilian divide by:

— Educating and informing participants about the strength and readiness of the U.S. armed forces through personal observation of Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard operations;

— Providing a better understanding of the rewards of military service;

— Providing the American public opportunities to obtain a better understanding of national defense policies and programs through the eyes of leaders who have spent time with the military.

Carroll said there were many noteworthy leaders who were deserving of this opportunity, and several applications were sent up for consideration.

“On behalf of MCLB-Albany, we salute Mr. Ken Dyer on his selection for the upcoming JCOC,” the colonel said in a news release. “The quality of all the nominations considered reaffirms that business and academia continues to produce and promote leaders of the highest caliber. The relatively small number of opportunities available and the large number of eligible leaders combine to make JCOC selection an exceptionally competitive process.”

Some past local participants include Albany Technical College President Anthony Parker, former DCSS Superintendent Sally Whatley, former Lee County School System Superintendent Larry Walters and former Albany State University President Dr. Everette Freeman.

For more information on the JCOC program, visit www.jcoc.osd.mil.