WS Chronicle

In above photo: USMC Major General (ret.) Cornell Wilson Jr. (File Photo)

The man who was over 81,000 Marines and civilians is now over a new Cabinet-level department and says the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is committed to veterans.

USMC Major General (ret.) Cornell Wilson Jr.  was sworn in last month as secretary of the state’s new Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Wilson has been Gov. Pat McCrory’s Military Affairs advisor since October 2013. He now has a cabinet-level position that leads the new department that serves the military and veterans.  Wilson served in the Marine Corps from 1972 to 2010, climbing in rank until he became Commanding General of U.S. Marine Forces, Southern Command, which covers the Caribbean and South America.

He oversaw a $1.5 billion budget and 81,000 Marines and civilians.

Wilson said the new department, which has about 100 employees on staff, demonstrates the state’s commitment to veterans.

“It all says a lot about North Carolina,” he said. “We’re serious about our military, serious about our veterans.”

The department serves a sizable population. North Carolina has the fourth largest military presence in the country with 100,000 active duty military personnel, along with those serving in the National Guard and Reserves. The state has almost 800,000 veterans, giving it the nation’s eighth largest veterans population.

Wilson said the  department will work to resolve issues involving military bases and their surrounding communities. For example, it will try to ensure windmills or tall buildings don’t impede the flight paths around military bases, interfering with their ability to train. He said North Carolina did well in the latest Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process and wants to make sure bases continue to perform well so they won’t be considered for closure in any future rounds of BRAC.

“We think we’re in pretty good shape in North Carolina, but we still want to make sure we do everything we can to improve the military value of the installations, so if a BRAC does come around, we’re in good shape,” he said.

The existing Veterans Affairs division is now under the new department. NC4Vets, as the state’s veterans affairs is known, provides services and referrals to veterans, such as helping them with their federal Veterans Affairs claims. It also provides a comprehensive guide of veterans resources available online and in print.

Wilson said North Carolina has made strides to help veterans, including offering in-state college tuition to veterans. The state also implemented a pilot program, NC Military Pipeline, to help those transitioning from military to civilian life find jobs. The state is offering them training, job search assistance and letting them count their military experience toward civilian jobs.

“There are employers looking to hire veterans but they’re not quite  sure how to do it, so we put programs in place to bridge that gap,” he said.

Wilson said the department will be working with the American Legion and other veterans organizations to find and solve veterans issues.

Those who need assistance from the state’s Veterans Affairs division can call 844-NC4-VETS or visit nc4vets.com.