Meeting our military’s needs
One of the most pressing concerns raised by Col. Patrick Dierig, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, was the urgent need for certified childcare workers at Hurlburt Field’s child development centers. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing difficulties with Highway 98, which serves as the only east-west route for Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties.
Childcare availability remains a critical issue for military families in the region, particularly for personnel stationed at Hurlburt Field. For more than a year, leaders have emphasized the need for additional childcare providers in the area. However, this recent discussion placed a new focus on the need for certified childcare workers to support Hurlburt’s two child development centers. The absence of sufficient qualified workers is not just an inconvenience—it directly affects mission readiness.
Florida’s high schools place a strong emphasis on Career & Technical Education (CTE), offering students specialized training and industry certifications in various fields. However, of the 17 CTE program categories available in the state, none appear to offer childcare certification or credentialing programs. This gap presents an opportunity for local education systems to adapt and provide courses that could lead students to pursue careers in childcare, potentially benefiting both the military community and the civilian workforce.
For Col. Dierig, ensuring childcare availability is a matter of necessity. As a special operations base, Hurlburt Field personnel can be deployed on short notice, sometimes within a matter of hours. If that call comes in the middle of the night, parents serving in dual-military households need immediate access to childcare services that operate outside of traditional business hours. A childcare center on base must be capable of accommodating such emergencies, since off-base providers cannot be expected to open at 2:30 a.m. to meet this need. Without sufficient childcare staffing, military parents face serious challenges when responding to urgent deployment orders.
Another major concern for base leaders is Highway 98, which serves as the only major thoroughfare for personnel traveling between Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties. When accidents occur—especially fatal ones—the highway can be shut down for hours, severely limiting access to Hurlburt Field. In the event of a deployment order requiring immediate action, base personnel must have reliable access to their duty station, yet Highway 98’s unpredictability puts operational readiness at risk.
With no alternative routes available, finding a solution for Highway 98 remains a priority for military leaders and the local community. Infrastructure improvements, emergency detour plans, and expanded transportation options are potential areas for discussion. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between military officials, local government, and community stakeholders to ensure personnel can meet their mission requirements without unnecessary delays.
As a community we must make a plan to meet the needs of our military bases in our area. According to the West Florida Defense Alliance, in Northwest Florida alone, this military ecosystem generates over 182,000 jobs and $22 billion in economic impact. Santa Rosa and Escambia counties realize about a 40% share.