We are dedicated to consistent civic-military engagement to promote steadfast support of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the community through education, advocacy, connections and friendship.

In 2009, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was established as recommended by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. (This was the BRAC that resulted in the closure of Fort Monmouth in Eatontown, NJ just miles northeast of JBMDL) Congressional legislation ordered the consolidation of McGuire AFB, Fort Dix and Naval Air Station Lakehurst, which were adjoining, but separate military installations.

The merger established Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as the only Tri Service Joint Base in the nation, while eleven other joint bases were formed with two branches of the armed services. Spanning across Burlington and Ocean Counties in central NJ, this mega installation is home to Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, along with over 80 mission partners.

The Ocean County Military Support Committee was created by a group of Ocean County business and local government leaders who responded in unity to the outreach from Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst. These dedicated patriots were – and still are -passionate about military support and civic gratitude. The founders joined forces in 2013 to establish a nonprofit that would strive to fulfill the needs of our military neighbors, while building trusted bonds and advocacy to protect the installation from a fate similar to Fort Monmouth.

After two years of gathering influencers and sharing the vision, the Ocean County Military Support Committee celebrated its official launch in September of 2015. Enthusiasm from the JBMDL leadership along with some generous sponsors, fueled the mission for the OCMSC, and the org gained recognition and participation very quickly. With pride in the power of engagement, the OCMSC created Civic-Military “Meet and Greets”, which began in small local venues and evolved into unforgettable experiences. These events brought Commanders and spouses together with regional leaders while enjoying the vibrant and unique attractions here in the NJ Shore region. Events like “Meet and Greet at the Vineyard” and “Six Flags Grape Adventure and Safari” along with a picnic during Military Appreciation Night at the BlueClaws and a sunset cruise and fireworks on a fishing boat along our Ocean County shore. To educate and generate more interest in supporting the Joint Base, the OCMSC worked in partnership with the 87th Public Affairs Office to promote and host base tours which provide invaluable face-to-face experience with the missions, activities and people of JBMDL.

The OCMSC also focused on the Spouses and families of the JBMDL community, donating funds to support the Spouses’ Club initiatives along with base orgs such as the Exceptional Families, Hearts Apart, Navy Relief, Chief Petty Officers Club, Navy Lakehurst Historical Society, 99th RSC Army reserves, 514th AMW Air Force Reserves, Military Family Services, the 87th FSS Summer Concerts & Family Picnics and the Power in the Pines Air Show which dazzles 300,000 attendees every two years. The OCMSC was also proud to support the NJ Navy Ball and the Air Force Ball as annual sponsors.

After five years of growth, new ideas and initiatives and many unforgettable moments, the OCMSC realized that it had outgrown its name. With expanding participation from private and public influencers across the State, along with recognition from Air Mobility Command and military leadership across the country, the Ocean County Military Support Committee Board of Directors agreed that it was time for the organization’s name to more accurately represent its scope of work.

In 2021, the Ocean County Military Support Committee officially dissolved. The Board of Directors of the OCMSC immediately carried the momentum forward and stood up the new Military Support Alliance of New Jersey.