SPI Insights

A new report by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission recommends investments in renewable energy, infrastructure improvements, new technology, and public-private partnerships at the state’s 15 military installations.

The Texas Military Value Task Force 2021 Report identifies strengths and opportunities to grow current missions and bring in new missions, as well as other strategies to increase the military value of those installations. To gather input and information for the report, commission members met virtually with military commanders and command staff from October to February 2021.

Commissioners’ overall recommendations for the military in Texas were to support funding for the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant and encourage economic partnerships between the U.S. Department of Defense, private sector, and academia.

The commission advised the Texas military installations to encourage the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and energy providers to work with them to ensure energy resiliency and maintain operations during and post-disasters. Such efforts would focus on energy resiliency with redundant, back up, or prioritization to restore services, possibly through the use of micro grids.

Commissioners recommended that Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) create a statewide cyber alliance to include industry and academic partners and seek additional cybersecurity civil-military missions.

Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston was encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship and medical innovation partnerships with the community and throughout Texas. Additional 5G infrastructure was recommended as well.

The report promoted allowing small businesses to showcase their technologies at Army Futures Command, similar to the Air Force’s innovation arm, AFWERX, and Defense Innovation Unit programs.

Expansion of 5G technology was among the report’s recommendations for Fort Hood, Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, and Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph AFB.