Florida’s Great Northwest Showcases Military Talent
Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) has launched a new marketing campaign, Military Talent: Mission-Ready Veterans, Business-Ready Results, highlighting the strength of Northwest Florida’s veteran and transitioning service member workforce.
The initiative is based on a University of West Florida Haas Center study, now available through FGNW’s Military Talent Dashboard, which is designed as a key tool for economic development and business recruitment. Funded by a Florida Commerce Defense Reinvestment Grant, the dashboard offers comprehensive data on the region’s military-to-civilian pipeline.
The study found that about 5,200 service members transition out of Northwest Florida’s military installations each year, nearly 60% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and close to half plan to stay in the area. This positions the region as a prime location for businesses seeking highly skilled, disciplined professionals.
The dashboard is already supporting recruitment efforts across the 13-county region, helping FGNW attract high-skill, high-wage jobs. Over the past five years, the group has contributed to more than 1,400 announced positions. More information is available at www.FGNWTalent.com.
Technology Boosts Hurlburt Medical Readiness
At Hurlburt Field, advanced medical technology is helping the 1st Special Operations Wing (1 SOW) keep Airmen ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
The wing’s laboratory now uses GeneXpert, a molecular analyzer that dramatically reduces diagnostic turnaround time. Previously, samples were sent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio or nearby Eglin, with results sometimes taking a week. The new system delivers results in hours, even when processing more than 150 samples a day.
Upgrades to chemistry analyzers have also improved accuracy and efficiency, while the implementation of MHS GENESIS—the Department of Defense’s electronic health record system—ensures seamless access to integrated medical and dental records across all military branches.
These advancements cut down on wait times and allow service members to return to duty quickly, strengthening the wing’s “Anytime, Anyplace” promise. Medical leaders emphasize that investing in technology not only enhances care but also helps Airmen remain mission-ready.
New Dorms Expand Housing at Eglin
Eglin Air Force Base marked the opening of two new dormitories with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 23, a major step toward providing modern, no-cost housing for junior enlisted Airmen.
Buildings 820 and 822 add 288 living spaces, raising Eglin’s total dorm capacity to 853. Each dorm features 36 suites with 144 rooms, offering private furnished bedrooms, a full-sized bed, desk, chair, refrigerator, kitchen, and washer/dryer combo.
The new facilities were built to meet the evolving needs of today’s Airmen, providing comfort and functionality in a community-focused setting. Leaders noted the importance of quality housing in allowing young service members to focus on their mission, while Airmen expressed pride in moving into what they described as “top-tier” living spaces.
Eglin’s housing expansion reflects a broader effort across the Air Force to invest in infrastructure that supports readiness and quality of life.
