Jeremy Hilton, 2012 Military Spouse of the Year Supplemental Materials

List of Specific Accomplishments

Sought out/provided briefings to Armed Services Committee professional staffers on initiatives

for military families impacted by a disability; his numerous legislative ideas were included in the

2011 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

o Sec. 582 details initiatives for enhancements of community support for military families

with special needs.

o Sec. 586 incorporates suggested benefit enhancements for military dependent children

with special education needs.

o At his urging, GAO ordered to assess DoD's capabilities to serve military children

w/disabilities in DoDEA schools and Child Development Centers.

o Currently coordinating legislative response to Survivor Benefit Plan amendment in 2012

NDAA.

Answered White House request; met with First & Second Lady to provide comments on Joining

Forces initiative/Presidential Directive No. 9, "Strengthening Our Military Families"--focused

attention on unmet requirements, need for oversight and follow-up.

Sought out by the National Council on Disability (NCD) for expertise on military disability issues;

provided substantial feedback which was incorporated into the final report on USMC

Exceptional Family Member Program (http://www.ncd.gov/publications/2011/Nov282011).

Briefed Congressional Military Family Caucus on EFMP needs in January 2010.

1 of 15 military spouses hand-selected to be a member of the prestigious 2010-2011 MOAA

Spouse Advisory Council.

o Lobbied for military families during MOAA's "Storming the Hill" event; highlighted

military pay/benefits issues

o Educated/coordinated legislative efforts with MOAA Government Relations on the

issues related to military families

Subject matter expert: Called upon by GAO to educate them on issues surrounding report

ordered by Congress.

Personally invited by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force's wife, Mrs. Schwartz, to brief EFMP

issues at the 3-Star Spouse Conference.

Briefed at national level COPAA conference (http://www.copaa.org/) to lawyers & advocates

who represent children/families on special education issues--provided critical understanding of

unique impact of being a military family

Coordinated with House & Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension professional staffers on

special education, Medicaid, and long term disability issues that impact military families--

ongoing effort to provide regulatory guidance/potential legislative solutions.

Drafted disability-related questions for the 2011 Blue Star Family military survey; 1st time ever

that disability concerns were included in survey--results will be presented to President Obama &

Congressional leadership

Authored 2009 DoD IG complaint on Air Force EFMP issues; coordinated with 15 other parents

to sign and provide input to IG. Results (attached) led Air Force to hiring 35 EFMP coordinators

and providing additional, much needed family support.

Authored “The Military Child and Special Education”, a critical look at the unique issues of

military children who need to access special education (attached)

Initiated and coordinated media efforts on two separate occasions and brought issues to light:

o http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-

dyn/content/article/2009/12/27/AR2009122702058.html?nav=emailpage

o http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/07/airforce_needs_071010w/

Helps 100's of military families annually on issues related to specific family situations

Leads charismatic grass roots effort to connect & inform military parents of children with special

needs; trains parents to effectively advocate for their families while inspiring them to expand

their advocacy for other military families

Diligently working on 2nd Master's degree from George Washington University; earned

cumulative GPA of 4.0

Created 2nd Field Investigations Squadron Key Spouse Facebook Group; established conduit for

family members to connect.

Produced "Creating Access for All" video series; continues to guide churches starting a new

disability ministry (www.creatingaccessforall.org)

Selflessly contributes in the church community; volunteers at McLean Bible Church children's

Sunday school