Senior Military and Civilian Leaders Gather in Support of Military Children

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter, and the nation's top military leaders -- including 18^th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey -- will meet here this week to support the nation's youngest heroes: children of military service members and veterans.

Carter, senior military officers, and leaders from education and industry are featured participants at the 17th annual Military Child Education Coalition National Training Seminar, a training event and expo designed to address the growing, long-term needs of children whose parents are members of the U.S. Armed Forces or recent veterans.

Studies show nearly four million children have at least one parent who is a recent veteran or is currently serving in the military, a life that can include extraordinary stress including frequent transfers to new cities or towns, saying goodbye to one or both parents on repeated deployments, both for combat or training, managing a parent who returns from a combat zone mentally or physically injured, or coping with news that a parent won't come home.

Those adult-level situations can come early: 78 percent of military kids are age 11 or younger, and nearly 40 percent have directly experienced the nation's overseas wars. Along with senior U.S. government officials, the MCEC National Training Seminar includes sessions with leading experts in education, health and early childhood development, and military children describing their own challenges -- and triumphs. The MCEC Expo features vendors showcasing innovative products and services geared toward childhood success.

Registration information is online at Military Child Education Coalition, www.militarychild.org/NTS.

ABOUT THE MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION
Founded in 1998, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit leadership and advocacy organization focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for America's 4 million military and veteran-connected children affected by mobility, family separation and transition. For more information visit www.MilitaryChild.org

SOURCE Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)

Related Links

http://www.MilitaryChild.org