By
1st Lt. Susan Cook
The
57th Troop Command softball team, the Renegades, are currently
0-2. Their record is a bit deceiving. In the first game of the season the Renegades
faced off against Wildcats, the champions from last season. The final score was 9-16.
For
the second game of the season, the Renegades played FCI.
They defeated the Renegades by 2 runs with a final score
of 9-11. Every
year FCI puts together a pretty solid team. The Renegades are off to a slow start but
they are just beginning. Ask the other MSC; how are their
teams doing? GO TC!
TAG's
Combat Match results
The
results of The Adjutant General's Combat Matches held
on June 22-24 at Fort Dix
for the members of the New Jersey Army and Air Guard are:
Team
Results - score is in parentheses.
Precision
Combat Rifle
1. 108th ARW (800)
2. A TRP 102nd CAV (707)
3. 2/113th (681)
Combat
Service Pistol
1. 108th ARW (670)
2. A Co. 2/104th CAC (632)
3. 102nd CAV (574)
Combat
Pistol (EIC)
1. 108th ARW (449)
2. AVN BNs (combined team) (375)
3. A Co. 2/104th CAC (345)
Overall
Team
1. 108th ARW
2. 102nd CAV
3. A Co. 2/104th CAC
Individual
results
Precision
Combat Rifle
1.
Maj. Ken Kurtz, 108th ARW
(213)
2.
1st Lt. Benjamin Stoner, G/250th
BSB/112th Fires FSC (208)
3.
Tech. Sgt. Donald Smith, 108th
ARW (198)
Combat
Service Pistol
1.
Tech. Sgt. Donald Smith (196)
2.
Sgt. 1st Class Andrzej Ropel,
A Co 2-113th Inf. (179)
3.
1st Lt. Benjamin Stoner (178)
Combat
Pistol (EIC)
1.
Tech. Sgt. Donald Smith (136)
2.
Lt. Col. Andrew Kuhtik, 108th
ARW (124)
3.
Tie - Master Sgt. James Johnson,
227th SOF/108th ARW (109)
and Sgt. Donald Seymour, A Co 2/104th Avn GSAB
(109)
Consultations
on State Differed Compensation Plan for state workers
From
the desk of Paul Serdiuk, Training Coordinator
Due
to the overwhelming demand for information regarding employee's
New Jersey State Deferred Compensation plan, an additional
date for the representative to meet with state employees
regarding the administration of the Prudential Financial
administered State Deferred Compensation Plan has been
scheduled.
Mike
McConnell, from Prudential Financial, will be at DMAVA
Central Office on July 27, 2007, in Conference Room A,
to discuss individual employee's State Differed Compensation
Program.
We
are scheduling 30 minute one-on-one consultations with
Mike starting at 9:30 a.m.-noon and 12:30-3 p.m. Contact
Paul Serdiuk at 609-530-6878 to reserve a time slot.
Pre-retirement
seminars slated for AGR, technicians
From
the desk of Lorraine Jamison, Human Resource Development
Specialist
HRO
is sponsoring two retirement seminars on Fort
Dix
at the JT2DC in August. The
technician pre-retirement planning seminar is Aug. 21-22.
The AGR pre-retirement planning seminar is scheduled for
Aug. 23.
These
seminars are important step in planning for your future. For more information, call Lorraine Jamison
at 609-562-0874 or e-mail lorraine.jamison@us.army.mil.
Gov.
Corzine hosting picnic for returning Soldiers, families
Governor
Jon S. Corzine is hosting a picnic for the returning Soldiers
and family members of Troop C/5-117th RSTA , Company D/250th
BSB, 50th PSB, 250th PSD and the ANA-ETT.
The picnic will take place on July 28, noon-4 p.m.
at the governor's mansion, Drumthwacket. Parking will be available at Bristol Meyer
Squibb, Route 206, Princeton. The shuttle bus will start taking on passengers
at 11:30 a.m. Attire
is appropriate picnic casual.
To
make a reservation, call the State Family Program Office
at 609-562-0739.
Farewell
dinner for Command Chief Ortu of 108th ARW
Come
say your goodbyes to Command Chief Master Sgt. Joe Ortu
of the 108th Air Refueling Wing on Aug. 4, at the Community
Center, McGuire Air Force Base. Cocktail hour with a cash
bar begins at 5 p.m. and the spaghetti buffet will begin
serving at 6 p.m.
Cost
for the dinner is $15 per person for E-5 and below and
civilians; $20 for E-6 and above.
"Uniform" for the evening is civilian casual.
Members
of the 108th ARW can sign up with their duty section Chief
Master Sgt., others can RSVP by calling 609-754-3683 or
e-mail 108ARWCCE@njmcgu.ang.af.mil.
Youth
trip to Camp May
zoo, lighthouse on Aug. 23
Family
Programs is conducting a youth trip to Cape
May zoo and lighthouse on Aug. 23 for youths,
ages 8-15. Cost is $5 per child for the T-shirts
The
Family Programs staff is renting a charter bus for the
day and taking 35 children and 10 staff members as chaperones.
There will be two pick-up and drop-off points -
Fort Dix
Reserve Center
on Route 68 at 7:15 a.m./5:15 p.m. and the Hammonton Armory
at 8:30 a.m./4:30 p.m.
Reservations
can be made by calling Amanda Balas, State Youth Coordinator,
at 609-562-0742 or by e-mail at Amanda.balas@us.army.mil.
They will be taken on a first come, first serve basis
and children of deployed service members have priority.
Military
Family Day at Six Flags on Aug. 21
Bring
the family to Family Appreciation Day at Six Flags, Great
Adventure, Jackson, on Aug. 27.
The park opens at 10:30 a.m. and the discounted
tickets cost $20 per person, children under 3 have free
admittance. Parking
will cost $15 per car.
Tickets
includes all the rides and the safari. Tickets can
be purchased at JFHQ', Family Program's Office (see Marie
or Amanda) or at any Family Assistance
Center.
For further information, please contact the Family Program
Office at marie.durling@nj.ngb.army.mil
or amanda.balas@us.army.mil.
This is a one-day ticket only not a season pass.
This offer is available to all New Jersey National Guard
soldiers, airmen and DMAVA State and Federal civilian employees.
VSOs
helping veterans receive benefits
From
the desk of William Devereaux, Program Coordinator
The
Middlesex/Somerset counties Veterans Service Office assisted
a widow in receiving Dependent Indemnity Compensation
benefits on her first husband who died in WWII.
DIC is the payment made to a surviving spouse of a deceased
service connected disabled veteran. The claim started
in 2005. She received approximately $17,000 in retroactive
payments.
Joseph
Battito, who is the VSO for the Middlesex/Somerset office,
also assisted a veteran with 100 percent service connected
disability to receive an additional $1,000 a month in
benefits, plus a special housing grant and $14,000 in
retroactive benefits.
Military
golfers have chance to win $10,000
Hey
all you military golfers - here is a contest for you!
On
August 11, at Greely Field, Fort
Monmouth,
at 1 p.m., the 2007 Military Long Drive Championship is
being held. Take your best shot and you could win $10,000.
You can win an all-expense paid trip, luxury hotel,
premier golf outings and play in a pro-am event in Mesquite, Nevada.
For
rules and information, or to register, call 732-532-8404
or visit www.armymwrgolf.com.
From
the office of J1-HRO
The
tentative 2007 open season dates for Federal Employee
Health Benefit (FEHB) are Nov. 12-Dec. 10, 2007
During
the annual FEHB open season, anyone eligible to participate
in the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program may change
health plans or options, cancel or suspend their FEHB
enrollment, and request plan brochures and information.
You
can find information at www.opm.gove/insure/
or Air Guard federal technicians can all Carmen Fattore
at 609-562-0887 and Army Guard technicians can call Jacquelyn
Bertrand at 609-562-0866.
State
workers should look for changes in upcoming paychecks
From
the HR office, Lawrenceville
On
pay period 14 with a check date of July 13, the number
of days in the fiscal year for twelve month employees
increases from 260 days in Fiscal Year 2007 to 261 days
in Fiscal Year 2008. For this reason, your biweekly
gross wages may decrease slightly even though your annual
salary has remained the same. For ten month employees,
the number of days in Fiscal Year 2008 remains at 216
and, therefore, will not change the calculation of your
biweekly salary.
As
of July 7, Executive Branch employees covered under labor
agreements with the CWA, AFSCME, and IPFTE, and employees
not covered by a labor agreement, are required to contribute
1.5 percent of their annual base salary for health and/or
prescription drug coverage under the State Health Benefits
Program. Employees affected by this agreement will
see the new deduction beginning with pay period 15 and
a check date of July 27.
Effective
July 7, for all members of the PERS and TPAF retirement
systems employed by the Executive and Legislative Branch
of State Government, the pension deduction will increase
from 5 percent to 5.5 percent of compensation. Employees
affected by this change will see the increased deduction
beginning with pay period 15, and a check date of July
27.
New
TSP account numbers being issued to make accounts more
secure
From
the office of J1-HRO
Be
on the lookout in late fall for a mailing from the Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP) with your new TSP account number.
This account number will replace your Social Security
number as your primary ID for your TSP account.
You will need to use your account number when filling
in TSP forms. You
will use it with your TSP password when entering the Account
Access section of the TSP Web site.
You will use it with your TSP Personal Identification
Number (PIN) to gain access to your account through the
ThriftLine. If you send the TSP loan payments from your
own funds, you will need to include your account number
on the loan coupon that accompanies your check or provide
it to your on-line bill-paying service if you have one.
Substituting this randomly selected account number
for your Social Security number will make your TSP transactions
more secure. We
at the TSP are doing all we can to protect the security
of your personal information.
The rest is up to you.
Be careful about giving out your account number,
and don't write it down where it can be seen by others
who should not have access to it.
Tax-free
rules for deployed service members, families
From the Military Officers Association of America
Military pay received while deployed in a combat
zone or other qualifying hazardous duty area is tax-free.
But what specific rules apply? Here's a quick refresher
course, which summarizes how you can take advantage of
these savings opportunities.
All pay received (including base pay, special pays,
and bonuses) is income tax-free up to the maximum enlisted
pay rate of $6,381.90 per month, plus imminent danger
pay.
Reenlistment bonuses received during a qualifying deployment
month also are tax-free. Be aware, however, if a reenlistment
bonus is taken in installment payments instead of a lump-sum,
installment payments received after leaving the combat
zone are not tax-free.
Thrift Saving Plan (TSP) contributions made while
in a combat zone are not taxed on withdrawal or distribution.
Due to the Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities
(HERO) Act of 2006, servicemembers who were deployed in
a combat zone or other qualifying hazardous duty area
have up until May 28, 2009, to make IRA contributions
for tax years 2004 and 2005. If the servicemember qualifies
for a deductible traditional IRA, this can result in a
tax refund for contributions made. For those under 50,
the IRA contribution limits are $3,000 for 2004 and $4,000
for 2005. For those over 50, the limits are $3,500 and
$4,500, respectively. You will need to file Form 1040X,
Amended Tax Return, to claim any benefit. For more information,
visit www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161175,00.html.
TRICARE
dental coverage; enroll today
From
the office of J1-HRO
Did
you know..... Your patriotism ENTITLES
you to dental coverage. The TRICARE dental program
is affordable and comprehensive.
It's
the ONLY dental insurance plan sponsored by the Department
of Defense for:
v
National Guard and Reserve Members
v
National Guard and Reserve Family Members
v
Active Duty Family Members
Enroll
today to claim the dental benefits you've earned and experience
the service you and your family deserve.
Call 800-866-8499 or visit www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com
for more information.
Safety
message: cell phone usage and driving a vehicle
From
the desk of Sgt. Maj. Nick Kampf, NJARNG Safety and Occupational
Health
This
is a safety warning that should be practiced 24/7/365.
This is one of the top four causes of privately-owned-vehicle
accidents.
Vehicle
operators on a DoD installation and operators of government-owned
vehicles will not use cell phones unless the vehicle is
safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device.
NJARNG
Education Office hosting open house for Roger Williams
U
From
the Education Office, New
Jersey Army National Guard
The
New Jersey Army National Guard Education Office is hosting
an open house for Roger Williams University
on July 25 at 6 p.m., in the main conference room at Joint
force Headquarters, 3650
Saylors Pond Road, Fort
Dix, N.J.
The
School of Continuing Studies at RWU offers six
distance learning bachelor degrees. College credit is
awarded for military training and experience, civilian
or military certifications and licenses and prior college
attendance. RWU
may accept up to 90 credits for military , transfer and
other experiences toward your degree.
All
National Guard members, spouses, veterans and NJNG civilian
employees are welcome and offered the reduced military
tuition rate.
On
July 26, Dean John Stout from RWU will be available to
meet with potential students from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Contact him at 800-458-7144, ext. 3530.
For more information, call the N.J. Army National
Guard education office at 609-562-0654.
AKO
has help to create sites for FRG members
From
the AKO newsletter
Did
you know you can create a site on AKO for all the family
members of the soldiers in your unit? Did you know
you can have AKO help you populate - and even maintain
- your virtual family member group as soldiers move in
and out of your unit? It's easy - all you need to
know is your unit's Unit Identification Code (UIC), the
six digit code that uniquely identifies every unit in
the Army!
If
you are willing to put in about ten minutes of work, you
can get a group on AKO that contains every family member
related to a soldier within your unit. FRG Leaders
- request an FRG group now! Review the AKO Rules-Based Groups policy and get started today! (Make sure
to include your unit's UIC and the fact that the group
is for the unit's family members when you make your request.)
TSP
is 20 years old and still helping government employees,
military
From
the office of J1-HRO
This
year, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is celebrating its
20th birthday as the largest retirement savings plan of
its kind - with more than 3.7 million participants and
assets of approximately $225 billion.
Since 1987, the TSP has changed a lot.
We've introduced four new funds and the L (Lifecycle)
Funds, moved from a monthly to a daily valued plan, and
brought the uniformed services on board.
We've eliminated contribution restrictions (except
for the IRS limits!), and participants continue to increase
the amount they're saving for retirement. On average, we receive $1.6 billion in contributions
each month. Age
now has its advantages, too, with the introduction of
the age 50 and over catch-up contributions.
Benefits and services also have been added (like
the general purpose loans and the toll-free number for
the ThriftLine). While
participation and assets have been going up, the TSP's
expense ratio has been going down - so you're saving even
more!
"Veterans
Journal" has online version for its readers
From
the desk of David S. Snedeker, Chief Information Officer
The
New Jersey "Veterans
Journal" Summer 2007 edition is now available on the world
wide web in a user friendly on-line version at the following
web address: http://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/journal/summer2007/index.html
The
Veterans Journal is intended to serve New
Jersey's veterans, their families,
friends, and concerned individuals and groups. The journal
provides up-to-date information on veterans' events, news,
entitlements and services. Take a look at the new edition
today.
Tickets
to preview of "Hairspray" available
From
the USO of Metropolitan New
York
In
appreciation of your service, you and your family are
cordially invited to attend a special preview of "HAIRSPRAY"
by the USO of Metropolitan New York and New Line Cinema
on Tuesday, July 17 at the Regal E-Walk Theater, 247 W.
42nd St. (at 8th Ave).
"HAIRSPRAY"
is directed by Adam Shankman, produced by Craig Zadan
and Neil Meron (Chicago), and stars John
Travolta, Queen Latifah, and Michelle Pfeiffer. The movie will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Please
RSVP no later than 4 p.m., Monday, July 16 by calling
212-695-5590 ext. 226 and advise us of the number of dependents
you will be bringing. We look forward to sharing this special event
with you and your family.
NGB
looking for Soldiers to participate in All-American
Bowl activities
From
the National Guard Bureau, Public Affairs Office
There
is an excellent opportunity for 20 Soldiers to participate
in the Army's All-American Bowl festivities in San
Antonio, Texas,
Jan. 1-6, 2008. The Army teams up high schools' greatest football
athletes with members of its "Heroes" program. As a hero, you will have the opportunity to
participate in a multitude of game-week festivities, interact
with tomorrow's generation, and enjoy America's
greatest sport on earth.
Here
are the requirements.
To volunteer, you must be:
v
OIF/OEF Soldier
v
Recipient of the Silver Star and/or Bronze Star with V
device and/or Purple Heart or higher medal
v
Able to go TDY in San Antonio, Texas,
Jan. 1-6, 2008
v
Willing to participate in media interviews for hometown
news
You
will tell your story of your experiences in the military,
not answer questions about Army policies, etc.
You will receive media training beforehand and
USAAC will cover all direct costs (lodging, transportation,
per diem, shipping of special equipment). Mandays must
be obtained from respective commands.
Last
year, 88 Active, Guard and Reserve Soldiers were honored
at game-week festivities. See pictures here: http://www.army.mil/-slideshows/2007/03/14/2254-army-all-american-bowl-soldier-heroes-2007/
Job
assistance for military spouses, retirees, injured military
From
the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike
Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Re/Max
in conjunction with the US Department of Defense Military
Spouse Employment Initiative launched Operation Re/Max
in 2006 to help mentor interested military members and
their family members in a career in real estate.
Interested military spouses, retirees and injured soldiers
can obtain detailed Operation Re/Max information at http://www.remax.com/inside_remax/become_an_agent/new_to_
real_estate/index.aspx
or contact operation remax@remax.net or 1-800-826-7720.
Programs
assist injured service members
By
Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON,
July 5, 2007 - Servicemembers who've suffered serious
injuries resulting from their wartime service can get
financial help thanks to two congressionally legislated
programs, a senior U.S.
military officer said July 3.
Congress
established the Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance
program in 2005 in response to the experiences of some
former and current military members who found themselves
financially strapped after they suffered severe injuries
during the war against terrorism. Coverage applies to
active-duty and reserve-component members.
"This
program provides up to $100,000 per event, depending on
(the type of) injury," Army Col. John Sackett, a
disability compensation expert with U.S. Army Human Resources
Command in Alexandria, Va., said during a telephone interview
with online journalists and "bloggers."
All
servicemembers covered under the Servicemembers Group
Life Insurance program, whether active duty, reserve or
National Guard, were enrolled for TSGLI coverage on Dec.
1, 2005.
To
date, the Army has paid out a total of more than $130
million under TSGLI, Sackett said.
The
TSGLI benefit has both retroactive and prospective aspects,
Sackett said. The benefit is provided retroactively for
servicemembers who suffered severe combat-zone-related
injuries between Oct. 7, 2001, and Dec. 1, 2005, he said.
The prospective aspect, he added, applies to servicemembers
with injuries received "any time, anywhere"
from Dec. 1, 2005, forward.
Currently,
TSGLI doesn't offer compensation for veterans who've developed
post-traumatic stress disorder as the result of battlefield
service, Sackett said. "TSGLI hasn't allowed for
that loss at this point in time," Sackett said. But,
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working to
include other types of injuries, including PTSD, under
TSGLI program coverage, he said.
Yet,
military veterans who suffer from combat-zone-related
PTSD may be eligible for financial aid under the Combat-Related
Special Compensation program, which became effective June
1, 2003, said Sackett, who is chief of the CRSC and TSGLI
divisions at U.S. Army Human Resources Command.
The
CRSC program provides compensation for eligible retired
veterans with combat-related injuries who have 20 years
of military service and have received a U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs disability rating of 10 to 100 percent,
Sackett said.
Sackett
said the military is considering asking for congressional
legislation that would enable medically retired servicemembers
discharged under Chapter 61 to receive compensation for
PTSD. There's also military interest in petitioning Congress
for authority to provide compensation assistance to servicemembers
with PTSD who have between one and 19 years of military
service.
For Your Calendar
Traveling
Vietnam Wall in Long Branch July 26-29
The
city of Long Branch will host the
traveling Vietnam Wall, "The Wall that Heals," July 26-29. During the opening ceremony, retired Col.
Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner for NJDMAVA will
be one of the speakers.
The
Wall that Heals has been traveling around America,
Canada
and Ireland for
more than 10 years. Along
with the ½ scale replica of the monument in Washington,
D.C., a traveling
museum and information center completes the exhibit.
The museum reports the history of the Vietnam War
Era and the interesting healing powers of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial. The information center gives visitors the
opportunity to learn about friends and loved ones lost
in the war.
The
"Wall" is open 24 hours a day during its stay.
N.J.
Korean War Commemoration Ceremony, July 27
The 2007 Korean War Commemoration
Ceremony will take place on July 27 at 11 a.m.
at the New Jersey Korean War Memorial, at Park Place/Boardwalk,
near Brighton Park,
Atlantic City. Hosted by the New Jersey Korean War Veterans
Association in cooperation with the Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs, it will be the 54th Anniversary
Commemoration Signing of the Korean War Armistice.
There will also be a presentation of the New Jersey
Korean War Commemorative Medal to local Korean combat
veterans.
Honorable Mention
Pilot
bonus program for Army to aid recruiting effort; reward
helpers
From
the desk of Cyndi McCoy, NJARNG Recruiting, Marketing
Representative
Every
Soldier a Recruiter (ESAR) is a pilot referral bonus program
of the Active, Reserve and National Guard components of
the Army that provides select Soldiers and retired members
of the U.S. Army the opportunity to assist with recruiting
efforts and rewards those efforts with referral bonuses
up to $2,000. For more information, contact NJARNG Marketing
Representative Cyndi McCoy at 609-672-6308.
Chance
to earn extra money for Guard members through G-RAP
From
the desk of Cyndi McCoy, NJARNG Recruiting, Marketing
Representative
Sign
up today and earn up to $2,000 for each new recruit who
enlists into the National Guard and reports to basic training.
The
Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) is a contracted
program designed for individuals who voluntarily apply
to become eligible to serve as a part-time Recruiting
Assistant (RA).
G-RAP
is available to Traditional Guard members and National
Guard retirees. This opportunity is open to both Army and
Air Guard members. For
more information, contact Cyndi McCoy at 609-672-6308,
NJARNG Marketing Representative.
New Jersey Helmets to Hardhats helps military
personnel find careers
The
New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council's
Helmets to Hardhats Program (NJ H2H) is designed to help
transitioning military personnel, National Guardsmen and
Reservists find the best careers in the building and construction
industry. Our program
seeks to honor and reward military service with a solid,
family-sustaining career in one of our 15 affiliated trades,
such as electrical workers, carpenters and painters.
We
work in cooperation with the national Helmets to Hardhats
program, adding a personal component to the program's
on-line services. NJ
H2H offers veterans preparation for successful application
to any of New
Jersey's registered apprenticeship
programs in the building and construction trades. Services
include career counseling, entrance test preparation and
referral to supportive services.
For
program registration and information, visit us online
at www.njbctc.org/h2h
or contact us at 732-499-7295 or at H2H@njbctc.org.
Honor
Guard program searching for people
Looking
for a way to serve and get some satisfaction at the same
time? The Honor Guard program is looking for members
of the Army and Air Guard to join the team to perform
honor guard duties at the funerals of veterans.
There is an initial eight hours of training for
all new enrollees, with on-going sustainment training.
As an honor guard member, you will receive a day
of pay for each day's mission, minimum of $50, and traditional
drilling Guard members receive a retirement point for
each day's duties.
If
you are interested in applying for the Honor Guard program,
call Retired Sgt. Maj. Ed Goetschius at 609-530-7090.
Discounts
offered for State employees
Are
you a state employee looking to save a few $$$?
Visit
www.state.nj.us/personnel/discounts/index.htm and you can find a number of businesses who
offer discounts to New
Jersey state employees.
From amusement parks to fitness to computer to
phones and lots of other discounts between, you will find
many ways to save money. For more information, please
contact Cindy Leese at cindy.leese@njdmava.state.nj.us
or call 609-530-7056.
For the Families
FRG looking for "web savvy" volunteer
The New Jersey National Guard Family
Readiness Council is looking for an IT or "web savvy"
individual to donate their services. Your talents are
needed to set up and maintain a Web site for the Family
Readiness Council. Anyone who is interested should call
Terry Dearden at 609-530-6893 to set up a meeting with
the members of the Council.
The National Guard State Family Readiness Council is a
nonprofit organization developed to assess and implement
solutions to challenges that our Guard families experience
during their Soldier's or Airman's deployment. One of
the functions of the council is to add support to the
Family Assistance Centers scattered throughout the state.
The council is accessible to individual families and other
military organizations. Financial support is provided
by the council to military activities through generous
donations and fundraising activities. Resource services
and emotional support are also available.
Youth Camp
Forms
Available
The thirteenth Annual New Jersey
National Guard Youth Camp will be held July
29 to Aug. 4 at the New Jersey National Guard Training
Center, Sea Girt.
Applications are available at:
www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html
Children, ages 9-13 are invited
to apply. The camp fee is still $100. Campers must be children, grandchildren or
legal dependents of an active or retired member of the
New Jersey National Guard.
A variety of volunteer positions are available.
For more information, call the Family Programs Office
at (609) 562-0668.
Deployed Military Spouses Assistance
Program Award
The Deployed Military Spouses Assistance
Program provides direct assistance and referrals to existing
programs for spouses of deployed military personnel (active
duty, reserve and National Guard) who face unusual financial
and emotional stress as a result of the deployments.
Applicants should contact Fawn
Mutschler at 609-543-6200 ext. 325 or wocmilitarygrant@ymca-bc.org
to obtain an application. In addition to the completed
application form, applicants will also need to submit
the following documentation: LES/paystub for applicant
and spouse; statement of Financial Need (i.e. reason for
applying and how the grant will help); bill or pricing
of expenditure as well as any other supporting information
the applicant feels may be helpful. Additional information
can be found at: www.state.nj.us/dca/dow/depmilspouseasst.shtml
Family Readiness Council offers Tier
I and II grants
The New Jersey National Guard State
Family Readiness Council has expanded its Family Grants
Program to include an additional grant. There are
now two levels of Family Grants; TIER I is the $2,500
grant that has been in place for the past couple of years.
The TIER II opens family grants to New Jersey Army and
Air National Guard non-deployed service members who were
on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes,
floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive
days. Service members meeting these criteria are
eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up to
$1,500. Applications are available at all New Jersey
Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers.
Sports and Entertainment
Baseball, food and supporting the
Fisher House Foundation
Come watch the Lakewood Blue Claws
play baseball, eat lots of hot dogs and hamburgers and
support the Fisher House Foundation all at the same time.
On Aug.
6, The Fort Monmouth chapter of the Association of
the United States Army is sponsoring a "Night at the Baseball
Park"
to salute disabled service members and their families.
For the cost of $20 for adults or $15 for children, you
can get all you can get all you can eat hot dogs and hamburgers.
Sponsors at various levels are also needed. To
make payment, reservations or for sponsorship, contact
Kit Roache at 732-380-9500 or kit.roace@gdc4s.com.
Proceeds from the night are being
donated to the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House
Foundation supports America's military
in their time of need; the Foundation provides "a
home away from home" that enables family members
to be close to a loved one (military member) at the most
stressful time -- during hospitalization for an illness,
disease or injury.
Trenton Vets Center, Trenton Thunder offer "cheap" seats
The Trenton
Vet Center
with support from our community partner, Trenton Thunder
Baseball, will sponsor baseball tickets at a special rate
for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard, separated,
and retired veterans. A regular $10 season ticket will be offered at $7 for veterans and family
members. The primary purpose of the program is to
allow veterans and their families an opportunity to experience
Trenton Thunder baseball due to their service and sacrifice
for our country. If you have questions, call Matt Petima, director
of ticket operations for the Trenton Thunder at 609-394-3300,
ext 1200 or the ticket box office at 609-394-3300.
Proof
of Veteran Status: Interested veterans
must have a picture I.D. and provide proof of their veteran
status by showing one of the following documents:
Military I.D.
card; Federal Department of Veteran Affairs medical I.D.
card; DD Form 214.
Here's to the Heroes provides a
single day's free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch
Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water
Country USA for the service member and as many as three
direct dependents.
Any active duty, active reserve,
ready reserve service member or Guard member is entitled
to free admission under the program. He or she need only
register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance
plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of
Defense photo ID.
Scholarship, Education News
Free SAT/ACT Offer Extended
A group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL, and CFL football players
have announced they are extending their sponsorship of
the SAT/ACT training to all military families.
The sponsorship allows any military
person (active, Guard, reserve, or retired) to request
as many programs as they need for the students in their
lives. There is a secure website to confirm a person's
military status before directing the user to the software
order site. Logon
to::
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_0?current_id=20.20.100.30.0.0.0.0.0
Programs are shipped to domestic
U.S. addresses and APO
addresses. The
sponsorship covers the purchase price of $199 and the
family pays only the shipping and handling of $9.95.
American Legion offers scholarships,
booklet on their Web site
The American Legion has scholarship
information on their Web site - www.legion.org
- including the 152-page booklet, Need
a Lift, which is a complete financial aid reference
guide for veterans, veterans' dependents and members of
the American Legion family. When you get on the site, click on "Scholarship
Information" in the "Useful Links" block.
Association News
Enlisted Association of the National
Guard of New Jersey
Give our state a larger voice by
becoming a member of the Enlisted Association.
The increased numbers will help us speak on all
legislative issues that will benefit you and your families.
The association works hard for you at the Federal &
State level on all important issues. Visit the web site
EANG-NJ.org, click on Become a Member for the application and find out more about what
the association does.
Enlisted Association of NGNJ slated
for Oct. 5-6
The
34th annual conference of the Enlisted Association of
the National Guard of New Jersey will be held at the Radisson
Hotel, Valley
Forge, Penn.,
Oct. 5-6.
Proceeds
from this weekend event are spent directly on our membership. It is a nice feeling to know that for every
50/50 ticket and Chinese Auction ticket you buy helps
fund the scholarship program, allows junior enlisted to
attend the National Conference and supports legislative
actions for benefits and so much more.
Friday
night features "The American Game Show Challenge," which
is a series of fun trivia contests and physical challenges.
Saturday
is back to business for a bit, with a business meeting
and elections for the executive counsel.
The new Junior Enlisted Team is sponsoring the
Chinese Auction. Local attractions are abundant; register for
trips to Valley Forge and/or Longwood
Gardens. Saturday Night wraps up our conference with
our customary formal Military Ball.
There
are several package plans to fit your particular needs. If you have any questions, call retired Sgt.
Maj. Jerome Zebrowski at 609-214-6959 or e-mail at jcptfalc@aol.com
or Co-Chairman retired Sgt. Maj. Edward Goetschius at
609-965-1972 or e-mail at esgtmaj@comcast.net. Visit the association's web site at www.eang-nj.org
for additional information, updates and applications.
NGANJ's calendar for members in 2007
The National Guard Association
of New Jersey will be conducting the following event.
All members (active and retirees) are encouraged
to participate:
§
National
Guard Association of the United
States (NGAUS) 129th Conference - this conference will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico
from August 25-27,
2007. The New
Jersey delegation will be staying
at the Caribe Hilton (15 minutes from airport).
Our hotel is located on the beach, has a great
pool for the family and is located close to the convention
center (10 minutes). We
have reserved 30 rooms on a first come, first gets basis. Additional information and registration forms
will be coming out shortly.
If you are interested, please contact Capt. Jose
Maldonado.
§
NGANJ
Website - The above information is posted on the NGANJ
website. If you
need copies of the forms, specific contacts or additional
information, please go to the website at:
www.nganj.org.
Veterans Information
DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign
continues
The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign
continues with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout
New Jersey. The schedule is as follows:
August
8, 9, 10 |
Newport
Centre Mall |
September
12, 13*, 14 |
Livingston
Mall |
October
2, 3, 4 |
Deptford
Mall |
October
30*, 31, November 1 |
Brunswick
Square Mall |
November
27, 28, 29 |
Quaker
Bridge Mall |
*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30
a.m. on these dates.
The kiosk will be open from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m., July-Sept.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oct.
and Nov.
N.J. Vietnam
Veterans Memorial
N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and
Vietnam Era
Educational Center's
upcoming events:
=================
Free guided tours of the Memorial are offered on the first
Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.