Q & A with Cmdr. Elvis T. Mikel

C&S: Military installations are generally considered to be major economic drivers for the communities they border. What do you see as the relationship between NSA Saratoga Springs and the surrounding community?

EM:  I place a great deal of importance on our relationship with the Saratoga area community.  The Navy realizes the tremendous impact it has on local economies, as well as the vital partnerships we have with community organizations and business that provide goods and services to support the missions of Navy commands in the Saratoga area. Annually, the Navy generates approximately $1.3 billion in direct, indirect and induced economic activity in the Saratoga area. We also have numerous relationships and partnerships that support sailors and their families in the area.

C&S: As more combat troops return to the United States in the coming years, as a military base, what type of impact do you anticipate feeling in terms of having waves of additional personnel on hand? 

EM: Due to the nature of the Navy commands in the Saratoga area, the impact of sailors serving in combat areas returning to the United States is less in the Saratoga area than if we were in an operational fleet concentration area. The primary Navy command in the Saratoga area is the Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, a training command that prepares young naval officers and enlisted sailors to operate and maintain Navy nuclear reactors aboard submarines and aircraft carriers.  Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs is well prepared to provide a broad spectrum of services through the Fleet and Family Readiness programs for any service member needing assistance, including Family Readiness (Fleet & Family Support Centers), Fleet Readiness (Child & Youth Programs and Morale, Welfare & Recreation) and Housing Services.

C&S: With some veterans presumably returning to civilian life here in New York, what role do you expect the state to play in helping those veterans find jobs that fit their skills? Do you believe the state has played enough of a role in the past with helping returning veterans find jobs?

EM: The state does a great job helping veterans with employment through their Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program specialists (DVOPs) and Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) located at Career One Stop Centers throughout the state. These positions are funded with a grant from the Department of Labor (DoL) via the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) to state departments of labor. DVOPs and LVERs exist solely to assist veterans [in finding] employment and employment-related services, focusing mainly on veterans with barriers. DVOPs are usually disabled veterans themselves. Along with the DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP)/ Goals, Plans and Success (GPS), service members returning to civilian life have a number of resources at their disposal to find employment that aligns to the skills they have gained in military service.

C&S: What are some of the difficulties of being in charge of a military installation at a time when the level of military funding has been a major point of debate for the federal government, as it has in recent years?

EM: With continued reductions in the Department of Defense budgets, we are continually working to become as efficient as possible to provide the best quality/best value programs and services to support the fleet, fighter and family. This makes our relationships and partnerships with the local communities even more important. Recruiting the community to help support service members is a vital part of ensuring that sailors can focus on their missions at hand with confidence that the family at home has the support they need.