It has also created a website to welcome new residents, such as military civilians, with information about schools, communities and state programs. The Military Assistance Council was established in 1994, by legislation and is composed of 16 members including top state officials and business leaders. The Council meets quarterly and serves as a forum to exchange ideas, share funding opportunities and address veterans assistance and transition issues, including Troops to Teachers. A subcouncil on base development reports on current issues relative to realignment and generally shares information on what's going on at the bases. The general goal is to enhance the viability of military installations and their roles and mission.
Staff are former military officers.
Local communities have military affairs and defense issues groups, generally located in Chambers of Commerce and county councils. A key issue is preventing encroaching development near military facilities. The Office is supportive of key military initiatives directed at outsourcing, privatization and commercialization. Texas Governor Bush established the Office of Defense Transition in 1995, which will become the Office of Defense Affairs. It serves as a clearinghouse for military affairs and as a central point of contact for defense drawdown activities.