Ercel "Chappie" Webb Education Act (JROTC Enhanced Mission)

Greeting of the Day!

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to conduct an abbreviated leader's recon, and it had appeared that this proposal to begin to address the sharp learning losses precipitated by the COVID-19 Pandemic Response might meet a favorable reception. For decades, we have attempted to eliminate the persistent achievement gap that most adversely impacts students of color, only exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. And, as schools reopened, we began to face new challenges, highlighted in the newspapers even in Virginia's most educated municipality, the County of Arlington. Opioid overdoses, chronic absenteeism and little progress in repairing a learning loss experts suggest may take over a decade to repair, in reality, eclipse for the 92% of kids in Arlington who want to go to college the 0.23% of students who, today, want to be addressed by their preferred personal pronouns or participate in what only amounts to extracurricular activities.

Over 70 years ago, a most progressive Supreme Court, in a case brought by Thurgood Marshal, had pronounced that "education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments". And, marking the anniversary of that landmark decision we resisted for five years in Arlington, President Biden said that decision was about who we are, like three hallowed words that reverently dictate the same, giving us hope, when there is little cause for hope, giving us courage, when strength fails, and faith, when there is little cause for faith. "In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education", and "[s]uch an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms", said Chief Justice Earl Warren.

I'd love to get together with you to discuss his proposal to enhance JROTC, started by President Kennedy, to meet this moment of crisis in education, and I want to thank Senator Kaine's staff for connecting us with his Armed Services Committtee staffer to work through this project that I know is an important component in education for Senator Kaine. Early brainstorming, I know that my former Batallion Commander, LTG Jodie Daniels, had recently retired as the OCAR, and I believe she is still in the Joint Base Myer/Henderson Hall area, and may be ideal and available to assist on rallying the troops and circling the wagons on this worthy cause. I'm hoping we might be able to assemble a task force to draft this bill, and do the "whip" work my godfather, former UNCF President Bill Gray, III, used to do. However, between this week and next week, I'd like the chance, when at your convenience, just to have a quick meet and greet to introduce ourselves to one another and discuss any early concerns or recommendations before moving forward. Please let me know what times work best for you, because as a retiree, I have nothing but time, and am flexible.

Thanks, so much, again, and let's do this. Rangers lead the way!

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Major Mike Webb

M​AJ, USAR (Retired)

You can't save the world if you are NEVER born!