CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Jessica L. (Garfola) Wright, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, visited voting assistance staff members from the Camp Pendleton voting office today during her tour of the installation.

“She wanted to familiarize herself with the Marine Corps and Camp Pendleton,” said Jimmie Hoskins, the Marine Corps Installations-West installation voting assistant officer. “She wanted to see a working Marine Corps installation voting office.”

Secretary Wright is the senior policy advisor to the Secretary of Defense on recruitment, career development, pay and benefits for 1.4 million active duty military personnel, 1.3 million Guard and Reserve personnel, 680,000 Department of Defense civilians, and is responsible for overseeing the overall state of military readiness.

Wright spoke with Cpl. Krishaun Lavalais, installation voter assistance officer staff member, who explained services the voting office has to offer to Marines and sailors aboard the base.

“I think the voting program is really important, and though sometimes we are quiet about it, there are periods of time where voting takes center stage and we need someone to make sure that we are allowing service members an opportunity,” said Wright.

The Voting Office aboard Camp Pendleton helps service members and their dependents register and vote .They can provide assistance with the registration process on fvap.gov or attaining a hard copy. The voting office also facilitates free postage to those casting ballots or registering.

Wright also met with key leadership from I Marine Expeditionary Force headquarters to discuss topics such as suicide prevention and sexual assault prevention and response and visited the Wounded Warrior Battalion and Hope and Care Center.

For more information about voting please contact:
MCI-West IVAO at (760) 725-5312