DEC Meetings

The DoWEA Winter DEC was conducted on January 8, 2026.

Hosted by Mr. Tim Dill, Assistant Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness. The agenda included topics that explained the integration of the 2025 DoWEA Blueprint and DoWEA missions and goals.

The four components and sub elements of the integration were presented as follows:

• Student Excellence:
  • Universal Prekindergarten Update
  • Advanced Academic Programs and Services in Middle Schools
  • America250
  • Family Readiness and Student Transitions
• School Excellence:
  • Overview of Teacher Leader Program
    • Teacher of the Year (Video)
  • Overview of School Leader Development Program
    • Principal of the Year (Video)
• Talent Excellence:
  • The SkillBridge program for transitioning Servicemembers
  • Teacher Hiring
• Organizational Excellence:
  • MILCON
  • Harnessing AI, Tech, and Data for Future-Ready Schools
  • Current Operations:
    • NDAA 26 (DoWEA areas of interest)
    • Force Posture Changes impacting Current Operations
    • Emergency Management Training

In addition to the Teacher and Principal of The Year videos, the DEC also featured a video from a long-standing partner in advancing DoWEA's mission, Dr. Cristin Hall.

Dr. Hall is Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies and Associate Professor, School Psychology Program at Penn State. She discussed the impact DoWEA's collective efforts have on readiness, retention, and the wellbeing of military families.

Other videos included interviews with DoWEA personnel evacuating Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during Hurricane Melissa, and a visit to Lejeune High School by the First Lady and Second Lady of the United States.

When staffing is complete, the Agenda and DEC Summary will be posted.