Supporting our San Diego Military

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), is joined by Air Force veteran and author Robert Owens to chat about Owens' book, Beyond Average. Balmert discusses the annual SDMAC Achievement Awards, and recent articles by Union-Tribune military reporter, Andrew Dyer.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, is joined by Tony Teravainen, CEO of Support The Enlisted Project (STEP), and Laura White, STEP's Director of Development and Community Engagement, to discuss STEP's mission to build financial self-sufficiency among military and veteran families facing financial hardship. Teravainen and White talk about how STEP is adjusting to COVID-19 and how the community can support military families during these tumultuous times.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, is joined by Andrew Dyer, Military Reporter from The San Diego Union-Tribune, to chat about SDMAC’s partnership with the Rady School of Management to produce the 2020 San Diego Military Economic Impact Study (SDMEIS). The military is by far the largest economic cluster in the San Diego Region, doubling the economic impact of the number two cluster: Travel and entertainment. Balmert and Dyer discuss the latest military news of the region.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, is joined by Andrew Dyer, Military Reporter from The San Diego Union-Tribune, to chat about the efforts of Navy hospital ships, such as the San Diego-based USS Mercy, to support hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. Balmert and Dyer discuss the latest news emanating from the USS Theodore Roosevelt, along with the status of upcoming SDMAC events.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, is joined by Andrew Dyer, Military Reporter from The San Diego Union-Tribune, discuss Dyer’s front page story in yesterday’s newspaper describing the challenges facing the military in balancing national security with COVID-19 issues.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, talks about the Council’s top priorities in the era of COVID-19.

Andrew Dyer, Military Reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, talks about the impact the COVID-19 virus has had on the San Diego military.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), talks about his trip to Sacramento to advocate for military spouse employment. Balmert chats about the March 18 SDMAC Breakfast, featuring Eric Greupner, President of Business Operations for the San Diego Padres.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), talks about the West Coast’s Premier Naval Conference – WEST 2020 – which hosted today’s SDMAC Breakfast, featuring the Honorable Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

Charles Parisi, a Co-Founder with Asymmetrical Evolution, talks about his organization’s vision to support the Department of Defense’s National Defense Education Program for STEM outreach through their emerging The Curiosity Mission. Parisi is joined by Robert Baizer, a former colleague of Parisi’s on the School of Entrepreneurship and Technology Board of Directors.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council (SDMAC), is joined by Saundra Cima, a volunteer for Honor Flight San Diego, to talk about Honor Flight’s mission and its 10th Anniversary Celebration slated for Saturday, March 7 at the Del Mar Hilton. Balmert discusses upcoming SDMAC events.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council (SDMAC), is joined by Andrew Dyer, military reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, to talk about his path to becoming a journalist covering the military in the nation’s largest military port: San Diego.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council (SDMAC), talks about upcoming SDMAC Breakfast on March 3 that will be held in conjunction with the country’s largest maritime conference: WEST 2020 at the Convention Center.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council (SDMAC), is joined by Tom Caughlan, President of the SDMAC Foundation, to discuss academic scholarships awarded by the Foundation to veterans attending local colleges. Balmert talks about upcoming SDMAC Breakfast events, including the March 3 breakfast that will be held during the WEST 2020 conference at the Convention Center.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council (SDMAC), talks about the upcoming SDMAC Breakfast, featuring RADM Peter Gautier, Eleventh District Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, Balmert chats about the front page story in The San Diego Union-Tribune discussing the more than $2 billion economic boon the region will realize as there aircraft carriers will be home ported in San Diego within the year

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council (SDMAC), is joined by Andrew Dyer, Military Reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, to talk about aircraft carrier movements to San Diego, and the F-35 fighter jets coming to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Balmert and Dyer discuss increased security at local military bases due to the recent events in the Middle East, along with the January 22 SDMAC Breakfast.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council (SDMAC), chats about the appearance of RADM Peter Gautier, Eleventh District Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, at the January 22 SDMAC Breakfast. Balmert recaps 2019 SDMAC success stories.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council, is joined by Union-Tribune Military Reporter Andrew Dyer to discuss the top military stories in the region.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council, is joined by Union-Tribune Military Reporter Andrew Dyer to discuss the recent case involving Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher along with the human smuggling charges of marines at Camp Pendleton. Balmert chats about the December 18 SDMAC Breakfast featuring San Diego State University President, Dr. Adela de la Torre, where five scholarships will be awarded to veterans attending local colleges.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council, discusses the SDAC Foundation’s awarding of academic scholarships to five military veterans attending local colleges. Balmert talks about the December 18 SDMAC Breakfast featuring San Diego State University President, Dr. Adela de la Torre.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Council, discusses SDMAC’s December 18 Breakfast featuring San Diego State University President, Dr. Adela de la Torre. Balmert chats about 2020 keynote speakers and results from major 2019 SDMAC initiatives.

Jim Bedinger, a charter member of the San Diego Military Advisory Council and a decorated POW during the Vietnam War, discusses his book, Patriot, Prisoner, Survivor: An American Family at War.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of SDMAC, chats about the recent Fleet Week and Veterans Day events in San Diego.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of SDMAC, is joined Nicole Shina, Special Programs Assistant for the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), and Norm Johnson, a Korean War veteran, to talk about SDCOE’s “Operation Recognition” program that retroactively issues high school diplomas to WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War vets, such as Johnson. Johnson chats about his book, Four Planes Started, Two Finished. Monica Ball, an UPLIFT Board Member, chats about her organization’s mission and it’s Star-Spangled Tribute, slated for Friday, November 15 at the Admiral Kidd Club.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of SDMAC, is joined RADM Mac McLaughlin, USN (Ret.), President & CEO of the USS Midway Museum, and Bill Loeber, Program Manager for Vets Community Connections (VCC), to talk about the positive impact their organizations provide veterans and their families in San Diego County. McLaughlin chats about the Midway Museum as a thriving community asset, while Loeber discusses VCC’s mission to assist veterans, active duty personnel and their families successfully integrate into their communities.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of SDMAC, is joined by Ron Stark, President of the San Diego Veterans Coalition, and Kim Mitchell, President & CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego, to discuss how their respective organizations provide much-needed support to the hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families that reside in San Diego County.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, is joined by Captain (Ret.) Dale Dye, an American actor and decorated Vietnam War marine, to talk about Dye’s Wounded Warriors organization that specializes in portraying realistic military action in Hollywood films. Dye will the keynote speaker at the Saturday, November 2 Veterans Program at the annual Union-Tribune “Successful Aging Expo” on Saturday, November 2. Balmert is joined by Jenn Jordan and Rachael Medlin of The Rosie Network to discuss the Network’s mission to build stronger military families through the development of entrepreneurial programs.

Mark Ballmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council and Andrew Dyer, Military Reporter for the Union Tribune, discuss the tremendous and growing impact of the military on the San Diego region. From civilian jobs and stationed soldiers to housing and NAVWAR, San Diego continues to capture military and defense industry investments. They also talk about the Miramar Air Show, the largest military air show in the United States, a source of great pride for San Diego and the military.

Christina Harner, Program Manager for Courage to Call, a program of Mental Health Systems, talks about her organization’s mission to improve mental wellness for Veterans, Active Duty and Reservists. Harner is joined by Mark Balmert, Executive Director of SDMAC, to discuss the October 10 rollout of the annual San Diego Military Economic Impact Study and the October 23 SDMAC Breakfast. Both Balmert and Harner chat about their organizations’ involvement in the November 2, Union-Tribune “Successful Aging Expo” Veterans Program.

Larry Blumberg, Executive Director of Fleek Week San Diego, discusses an array of new events that will highlight San Diego’s annual Fleet Week activities, slated to run from November 4 to 12.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, is joined by Andrew Dyer, Union-Tribune Military Reporter, to talk about Dyer’s story about the command triad of SEAL Team 7 being relieved of duty due to loss of confidence after platoon kicked out of Iraq. Dyer chats about other to military news story.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, talks about the September 18 SDMAC Breakfast that will feature Garry Bonelli, Chairman of the San Diego Port Commission, as the keynote speaker. Acting Assistant Secretary of Navy Lucian Niemeyer will follow Bonelli as the keynote speaker at the October 23 SDMAC Breakfast.

Earl Wederbrook, Past President of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, discusses encroachment issues and how it could compromise the ability for the military to train in our region. Wederbrook talks about the housing shortage for incoming military personnel and effects of younger active duty members and their families. Wederbrook then chats about highlights from last week’s SDMAC Breakfast keynote speaker.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council, discusses his organization’s involvement in an FBI symposium on the growing number of cyber attacks to businesses that work with our military. Balmert talks about the recent California Summit in California.

Terry Magee, Past President of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) and current SDMAC Board member, talks about the affordable housing and day care challenges the facing the 20,000 service men and women who will be coming to our region between now and 2025. Magee discusses the 2019 San Diego Military Economic Impact Study that will roll out on October 10.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), is joined by Andrew Dyer, military reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, to discuss Dyer’s high profile military coverage, including the recent trial of Navy Seal Ed Gallagher.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses the August SDMAC Breakfast featuring MAJGEN Castellvi, Commander of the 1st Marine Division, and upcoming California Military Summit.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses highlights from the July 17 SDMAC Breakfast featuring RADM Cedric Pringle, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3. Balmert is joined by Joshua Philipp, a Senior Investigative Reporter for The Epoch Times, to chat about China’s efforts to reach global dominance through subversive means.

Mark Balmert, Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), discusses upcoming SDMAC Breakfast speakers on July 21 and August 21; and the October rollout of the annual SDMAC-sponsored San Diego Military Economic Impact Study that will highlight the economic footprint of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, formerly known as SPAWAR.