Leadership from Fort Detrick attended the Fort Detrick Alliance Annual Appreciation Dinner on Jan. 29 in Walkersville, Maryland.

The Fort Detrick Alliance is a non-profit organization facilitating "communication and understanding between federal agencies at Fort Detrick and the community at large."

Maj. Gen. Barbara R. Holcomb, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick commander, provided the keynote address for the dinner.

"This year is the 75th birthday of Fort Detrick, which was originally called Camp Detrick as it officially became a military installation in 1943 from Detrick Airfield, so it's been a part of this community for a long time," said Holcomb to the audience. "As I was preparing tonight's remarks, I noted that the Fort Detrick Alliance was founded 15 years ago, and it's been these last 15 years that has really forged a strong relationship of growth and opportunity between Fort Detrick, Frederick County and the City of Frederick."

Holcomb noted two programs that highlight the importance of community partnerships – the Army Community Partnership Program and the Military Corps Career Connect Program, or C3. The Army Community Partnership Program is achieved through professionally-facilitated forums that encourage collaboration between installations and communities. The process will help create efficiencies, save money, improve services for Soldiers and families, and enhance mission readiness.

According to Holcomb, Fort Detrick recently signed on to this Army-wide program and plans are underway to start this process through a series of four meetings with the community.

The C3 Program launched last June in the state of Maryland. The program, which is federally funded, provides career planning, coaching and job preparation for transitioning Service Members, recently separated veterans, and their spouses. The C3 Program has committed to the Department of Labor that over the two year grant period that they will have an 87 percent placement rate. Since its start date, the C3 Program has assisted nearly 270 transitioning Service Members, active duty spouses, and recently separated veterans throughout Maryland.

"As these Service Members, veterans and spouses find careers, Frederick becomes their home and there is a ripple effect in our community and local economy. As their roots grow deeper, the neighborhoods and schools will support them, and they will also feel the benefits of this alliance. [The Fort Detrick Alliance] efforts run deep and have a positive impact on Frederick residents. As you continue to get the word out about how important Fort Detrick is to our national security and to the health and wellbeing of our Service Members and the American people, more opportunities are created within the community and county," said Holcomb.

Other leadership in attendance at the dinner included Fort Detrick U.S. Army Garrison Commander Col. Scott Halter and Fort Detrick Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Anthony Taylor who provided the invocation.