Phoenix MEPS Hosts ACES 2019

By Louis B. Wiseman

The Arizona Career Exploration Summit, known as ACES, was held April 18 at the Phoenix Military Entrance Processing Station.

The event addressed the value of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Career Exploration Program in Arizona high schools. Principals, educators and counselors from 40 Arizona schools attended.

Arizona Sen. Martha McSally; Stephanie Miller, Department of Defense director of military accession policy; Marine Corps Col. Richard Brady, commander of Western Sector, United States Military Entrance Processing Command; Dr. Shannon Salyer, national program director of ASVAB CEP; Dr. Joseph Cuffari, Arizona policy advisor for Military and Veteran Affairs representing Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Dickerson, Phoenix MEPS commander; and leaders of USMEPCOM's 7th Battalion also attended.

Arizona Sen. Martha McSally addresses Arizona educators about her experiences as young adult trying to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up before eventually pursuing her dream of being a fighter pilot.

Dr. Joseph Cuffari, Arizona policy advisor for Military and Veteran Affairs, delivers remarks on behalf of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey.

Stephanie Miller, Department of Defense director of military accession policy, delivers remarks at the Arizona Career Exploration Summit.

Senator McSally meets  USO volunteers in the Phoenix MEPS.

Senator McSally greets Patricia Thompson, a human resources assistant at the Phoenix MEPS, during the senator's tour of the MEPS.

Senator McSally views the Phoenix MEPS ceremony room and learns the history of the room's dedication in honor of Army Spc. Lori Piestewa, the first female Native American killed in combat.

The ACES 2019 group photo.