(PITTSBURGH) April 20, 2012   Mayor Luke Ravenstahl this Sunday will be one of 40 business and community leaders from across the country participating in the week-long Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. The program aims to increase leaders' public understanding of national defense by enabling participants to directly observe and engage with U.S. Military. Pittsburgh’s history with the program dates back to JCOC 11, which was devoted entirely to Mayors of key cities as a result of a letter from Mayor David Lawrence to President Harry Truman.

“I am very excited and honored to take part in this prestigious program," Ravenstahl said. “Many Pittsburgh residents are veterans or are currently serving in the military, and I'm anxious to learn more about the jobs that they have done and continue to do to protect our great city and nation."

“We very much look forward to meeting Mayor Ravenstahl from the great City of Pittsburgh, and introducing him to his United States Military,” said Rose-Ann Lynch, JCOC director. “We hope to acquaint him with our Nation’s defense programs, and provide him with a sound understanding of the challenges faced by our men and women in uniform and by the families who support them, both on and off the battlefield.”

The program runs twice a year and is managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. JCOC is the oldest existing DOD outreach program having been held more than 81 times since its inception in 1948. 

"The more educated citizens  become on the role of government, the more likely they are to become active stakeholders," Ravenstahl said. "It’s for this reason that we have created programs like the Civic Leadership Academy, which help the public better understand the role of City government."