With a mission statement that states "We've got your back," a Rally Point/6 office has opened in Lakewood ready to help transitioning military in the next step of their careers.

Whether you're a veteran looking for a new job as you leave the military, or wanting to pursue college or a tech school, or if you're just needing help with medical needs or finding housing for your family, Rally Point/6, with it's wide network, can help.

Calling itself a one-stop resource center for transitioning military, Rally Point/6 is the state's first nonprofit organization of its kind.

"Rally Point/6 is standing ready to provide opportunities for connections and a smooth path ahead," said Anne Sprute, Rally Point/6 founder and CEO.

Rally Point/6, with computer stations, meeting rooms, classrooms, kitchen, Starbuck Coffee kiosk and a kid-drop center for military families in a handsome, modern environment, is at 9881 Bridgeport Way. It's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sprute, a former CW4 helicopter pilot, said the timing to open a resource center like this is perfect because of the downsizing the military will be going through in the next couple of years.

"We anticipate between 14,000 and 15,000 service members and their families will relocate here annually from duty stations around the world through the year 2016," Sprute said. "These service members will require resources to make a smooth transition and reintegrate fully into their communities."

Each client is paired with a "scout," who follows the client's progress, making sure it's seemless and orderly.

Rally Point/6, which opened Feb. 20, has partnered with community volunteers, retired military and military families.

Pat McCarthy, a Pierce County executive, said the arrival of Rally Point/6 is well timed.

"Given the number of service members transitioning into Pierce County over the next few years, Rally Point/6 is a key resource for building veteran support networks among businesses and non-profits," McCarthy said. "It gives efficient and effective assistance to veterans and their families joining our communities."

Sprute, teaming with citizen leaders and veterans, raised $1 million in about six months to start the resource center. The Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation provided the initial funding that pledged $1 million in matching funds donated by the community.

Rally Point/6 is funded by federal and private money.

John Caulfield, the Lakewood city manger, said supporting a resource center to help transitioning military is just another way of saying thank you for your service.

"The sacrifices that service members and their families make on a daily basis are remarkable," Caulfield said. "A center like Rally Point/6 shows how much our community is committed to helping and meeting the needs of our transitioning military. Anne is doing a wonderful thing for our military community."

Caulfield gives the resource center a double thumbs up, calling it an investment in the community's future.

"We welcome RP/6 with open arms," he said. "These transitioning young veterans and their families have the potential to become the bedrock of our South Sound communities in the future. Helping them succeed will produce our next generation of strong families, community volunteers, civic and business leaders."

In support of that pledge, the Schultz Family Foundation said, "While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning."