Department of Wisconsin

“Secretary Scocos has again been called to duty and I thank him and all of the members of our military from Wisconsin, including the Guard and Reserves, who are serving here and abroad for their hard work and patriotism,” Governor Doyle said. “Serving in our military is one of the greatest sacrifices our citizens can make. We are indebted to each of the service men, service women and their families for all that they are doing for the greater good of our country.”
“The men and women of our Armed Forces who have been called to serve in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – and around the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism – come from every part of our country and state and from every walk of life,” said Scocos. “I am honored to again have the opportunity to serve my nation in Iraq, and I will look forward to returning to continue serving the people of this great state in carrying out Wisconsin’s veterans programs, including the array of important new programs passed into law in the last few years by Governor Doyle and the Legislature.”

Data provided by the U.S. Department of Defense show more than 266,000 U.S. service members currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, with nearly one-fourth from the Reserve and National Guard.

Of the more than 1.7 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the percentage of Wisconsin Guard and Reserve members is even higher, at nearly 45 percent.
In accordance with uniformed service employment laws and the rules governing the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, WDVA’s Deputy Secretary serves as both Deputy Secretary and the department’s Acting Secretary in the Secretary’s absence.

Ken Black, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with 22 years of active duty military service with the U.S. Army, will become the agency’s second in command on August 1st, when he assumes duties as Deputy Secretary. WDVA’s Executive Assistant Anthony Hardie, a seven-year Army veteran with Gulf War and Somalia service, is the agency’s third in command. Neither Black nor Hardie have any remaining military service obligation.