The Army put its promise into practice as
nearly 300 troops from the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat
Team (IBCT) underwent pre-mobilization medical processing
at the Fort Dix
Joint Readiness
Center.
Approximately
3,100 Soldiers - including a total of 2,600 from the
Garden State
- are set to deploy with the 50th IBCT this summer.
They will be tasked with security forces and detainee
operations missions in Iraq.
Conducting
such processing during pre-mobilization preparations
comes as a result of a policy issued earlier this
year that limits Reserve Component mobilizations to
no more than one year, inclusive of time spent at
the mobilization station, in-theater, and at the demobilization
station.
To meet
this timeline, units are now required to accomplish
certain tasks formerly completed at mobilization stations
while still in a pre-mobilization, Reserve Component
status.
Soldiers
help Albania prepare for NATO
This past fall, Soldiers of the 2-113th
Infantry Battalion, participated in back-to-back multi-national
training exercises in Albania. The New
Jersey Army National Guard
Soldiers joined 1,100 military personnel from 23 countries
participating in the Cooperative Longbow 07 (COLW
07) and Cooperative Lancer 07 (COLR 07) exercises.
Beyond assessing
capabilities and interoperability, soldiers from all
nations agree that many important lessons were learned
and shared during both exercises.
The friendliness and openness of the soldiers
in sharing information and training techniques was
instrumental in the lesson exchange.
One of the
key lessons learned by all was differences in the
role of NCOs in various countries. "Other countries
do not leverage the chain of command the same way
as the U.S.,"
said 1st Lt. Jason Cornell, 2-113th Infantry.
Even with
nearly two-dozen nations cooperating, communicating,
training, and exchanging cultures, two simple messages
convey the importance of this experience, and the
lessons learned here. "This type of international
training must be continuous," said Capt. Nicholas
Calenicoff, C Company Commander, 2-113th Infantry. "You can take the best of training from every
nation and put it together," added Spc. Peter J. Ashwell,
2-113th Infantry.
Russo receives
top reserve award
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Russo, who
serves as the Mobility Officer for the New
Jersey Army National Guard's (NJARNG)
Joint Forces Headquarters-New Jersey (JFHQ-NJ) became the recipient of the Reserve Component
Transportation Corps Regimental Warrant Officer of
the Year award for 2006.
The prestigious
award was for Thomas's service as a major player in
the movement of a division worth of equipment and
personnel to Iraq and back in support of the
Global War on Terrorism.
His accomplishments
included direct movement control support to the NJARNG,
Fort Dix,
Fort Monmouth,
and Picatinny Arsenal. Additional support was provided
to Army Reserve units stationed in New
Jersey, and the Defense Movement Coordinators
in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, Connecticut,
and Rhode
Island.
Russo also
acted as the direct liaison with New Jersey Department
of Transportation and New Jersey State Police to ensure
that convoys where not interfered with, due to weapons
mounted on vehicles, while traveling county and state
roads.
The award
he received is national in scope.
Candidates from all 54 states and territories
were judged not only on their military accomplishments,
but also their community service.
While no
one knows what the future holds, it is safe to assume
that equipment will get where it needs to be, as Russo
continues to keep the NJARNG moving.
Wings continue
Vineland
visit
Seventeen Airmen from the 177th Fighter
Wing and the 108th Air Refueling Wing visited the
Vineland Veterans'
Memorial Home for the Annual Holiday
"Songfest" on Dec. 19.
The Wings
have been visiting the Home for more than seven years.
They were
joined by more than 50 fourth graders from the Seaview School
in Linwood, who in the words of one vocally-challenged
Airman, "Will help drown-out our voices."
Upon arrival,
Airmen and 4th graders were issued candy canes and
holiday greeting cards, assigned to groups and sent
out to spread cheer to the residents.
Congregating
in cafeterias, day rooms, as well as serenading individuals
in their rooms (those residents that are bed-ridden),
the carolers passed out cards and candy canes, sang
holiday songs and chatted with the residents.
The Wings
raised more than $1,500 in donations and pledges. This was spent on the Vineland Home's Wish
List, which included everything from greeting cards,
candy canes, slipper socks, cookies, back scratchers,
to men's cologne gift sets and ladies perfume gift
sets; magnifying glasses, large print puzzle books,
hand lotion, small photo albums, hair brushes, nail
polish kits and lip balm.
Truly, big
gifts come in small packages.
The History
of the New
Jersey National Guard
The National Guard of The United States
In 1903
the Federal government finally recognized the military
forces of the several states.
The Dick Bill of that year and of 1908 increased
Federal aid and provided for the detail of Regular
Army officers as instructors.
However, it was the National Defense Act of
1916 which established the Guard as a component of
the Army. Its
mission was to train and be ready for service in the
United States Army in times of war and national emergency
and within the State when ordered by the Governor.
That same
year, 1916, while training at Sea Girt, the President
called out the National Guard tar service on the Mexican
Border.
New Jersey troops again
were among the first to respond to the President's
call with the 1st New Jersey Brigade, (consisting
of the 1st, 4th and 5th N.J. Regiments), two batteries
of artillery and three troops of cavalry. An additional battery of artillery was later
organized and ordered for service.
After patrolling
along the border until fall, they returned to New Jersey and were mustered out of Federal
service. Although
they saw no active combat service on the Mexican Border,
the Guardsmen benefited greatly from the strenuous
training. It was the prelude to World War I.
"Over There"
On March
25, 1917, prior to the Declaration of War against
Germany, the 1st New
Jersey Brigade was called for duty guarding plants,
bridges, railroads and other public works.
Later orders mobilized the remainder of the
National Guard and authorized the formation of several
new units. In
July 1917 orders were received to entrain for Camp
McClellan, Alabama,
where training in earnest for the World War commenced.
The story
of the New Jersey National Guard in World War I is
the story of the 29th Division (Blue and Gray).
The 29th
Division was formed in October l917 from the National
Guard units primarily from Maryland,
Virginia, New
Jersey and the District of Columbia. The New
Jersey contributions consisted
of the 112th Artillery, 114th Infantry, 113th Infantry,
104th Engineer, 119th Medical and the 102nd
Cavalry.
After ten
months of intensive training at Camp
McClellan,
the division moved to Camp Stuart, Virginia,
and Camp
Upton,, New York, for embarkation overseas. Embarking in June 1918, it was shortly thereafter
in the front lines in Alsace,
subsequently, moving northwest of Verdun
to participate in the great Mouse Argonne offensive.
On the night
of October 8-9, the 113th and 114th Infantry regiments
moved across the Meuse
River and launched their attack. They remained in the lines until October 27.
Reduced
in strength by more than one-third, having faced forces
from at least six enemy divisions, having advanced
more than seven kilometers and captured 2,500 prisoners,
the Blue and Gray Division was relieved and sent to
a rest area. The
morning of November 11, Armistice Day, found the Division
on the march to join the Second American Army for
its planned attack on Metz.
Upon termination
of hostilities the division moved to a training area
and later embarked for its home stations.
The New Jersey units were demobilized at Camp Dix, New Jersey
during May and June 1919.
AUSA and
117th Cavalry Association sponsor Patton author
The Northern
New Jersey Chapter 1502 of the Association of the
United States Army and the 117th Cavalry
Association will host Kevin M. Hymel author of the
book; Patton's Photographs: War As He Saw It, at a
joint meeting of the two organizations on Feb. 1,
7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Room, Westfield New Jersey
National Guard Armory, 500 Rahway Avenue, Westfield.
Kevin M.
Hymel, an associate editor for Army Magazine and the
research director for WWII History and Military Heritage
Magazines, discovered while researching an article
on General George S. Patton, photo albums produced
by Patton during World War II of the battlefields
of North Africa, Sicily
and continental Europe.
LIMITED
SEATING AVAILABLE!
Please call
Col Plechner at 732-549-1535 to reserve your seat
by Jan. 25.
Military Training,
Schools, Opportunities
254th Regiment
announces upcoming courses
Here are
the 254th Regiment courses that are on the calendar. When using ATRRS, the school code is 1004.
Inactive Duty Training
(IDT) Courses:
The Army Instructor Training Course, (TAITC)
April 5-June 7, 2008 - 12 openings
Basic NCO Course, (BNCOC)
April 5-Sept. 7, 2008 - 48 openings
Pre WARRIOR Leadership Course (3 weekends)
Jan. 5-6, 2008
Feb. 2-3, 2008
March 1-2, 2008
Officer Candidate School (OCS)
begins March 1, 2008
Active Duty Training (ADT) Courses:
68W Combat Medic Training Course Sustainmen
Feb. 4-13, 2008 - 32 openings
***NEW ON ATRRS, Combat Lifesaver Course (CLC-06)
Jan. 8-10, 2008
Jan. 15-17, 2008
Jan. 22-24, 2008
Jan. 29-31, 2008
Feb. 5-7, 2008
Feb. 11-13, 2008
Feb. 19-21, 2008
13D10 MOS-T FA Tactical Data System Specialist
March 15-29, 2008 - 12 openings
13F10 MOS-T Fire Support Specialist
March 15-22, 2008 - 18 openings
31B10 MOS-T Military Police
March 8-22, 2008 - 20 openings
88M10 MOS-T Motor Transport Operator
March 15-29, 2008 - 16 openings
Company Level Command Team Course (for new Commanders & their
1SGs)
April 12-13, 2008 - 60 openings
11B10 MOS-T Infantryman
May 3-17, 2008 - 34 openings
11B40 Infantryman ANCOC
June 7-21, 2008 - 31 openings
If you have any questions, contact
Master Sgt. Gary Davidson, 732-974-5912 or gary.davidson@nj.ngb.army.mil.
Honorable Mention
Better Business
Bureau partners with Air Force
The Air
Force began an official partnership with the Council
of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) recently. The partnership
encourages Airmen and their families to use the bureau's
free programs, services and materials.
The BBB
Air Force Line website aimed specifically at its Air
Force audience. The site includes BBB products and
services such as reliability reports on businesses
and charities, consumer tips and alerts, and a link
to file complaints. The site also includes news items
of particular interest to military consumers. Through
the website, Airmen may sign up for a monthly newsletter
that contains a regular "scam alert" feature.
Visit http://www.bbb.org/airforce for more information.
Affordable
TRICARE benefit for drilling National Guard members
The John
Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2007 (P.L. 109-364), enhanced the TRICARE Reserve
Select (TRS) health plan. Under this new TRS health plan, effective
October 1, 2007, certain members of the Selected Reserve
may qualify for health care coverage under TRS at
$81 for single coverage and $253 for family coverage.
Selected Reserve members who are enrolled or
eligible to enroll in a health benefit plan under
chapter 89 of title 5 U.S.C. Federal Employees Health
Benefit Program (FEHBP), IRR and ING Soldiers are
excluded from purchasing TRS.
Soldiers
currently enrolled in the three tier TRS program must
have transitioned to the new program by Sept. 30,
2007. For more
information or to enroll contact your state representative
listed on http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit, select the "benefits update" link
for the Tricare Reserve Select information page.
N.J. licenses,
registration extended for deployed troops
New Jerseyans who are active
duty military, including the National Guard and military reserves, serving in the war on terrorism, are eligible
for automatic extensions of a valid driver license,
registration or inspection expiration dates. Go to
www.nj.gov/mvc/ for more information.
NJDMAVA
committed to work areas free from violence
The New
Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
is committed to maintaining the work environment free
from all forms of violence, in accordance with State
of New Jersey Executive Order No. 49 and the State
of New Jersey Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
Statement dated Sept. 1, 1997. The Department is committed to maintaining
a strict policy that prohibits act of violence, harassment,
or intimidation in any form, including verbal, written,
physical, or any conduct that may be construed detrimental
to the workplace environment. This policy addresses violent acts by employees
as describes procedures and training to be followed
for the prevention of, and response to, these acts.
See Departmental Directive number 230.80 for more
information.
DMAVA Suggestion
program alive and well
The DMAVA
Suggestion Program is still in effect and the Suggestion
Box is located in the cafeteria on the center column
wall.
You can
find the suggestion form at www.nj.gov/military; click on Blank Forms. Unsigned
suggestions may/or may not be answered, depending
on their importance. Unsigned suggestions, if
they warrant a response, will be answered at Town
Hall Meetings. All signed suggestions
will receive a response from Col. Alan Bunting, TAG-SEA.
If you have
any questions regarding this program, call Renee McGuire,
609-530-6983.
Freedom
Award deadline Jan. 21
The Department
of Defense nomination season for the 2008 Secretary
of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award will close
Jan. 21.
The Secretary
of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the U.S. government's
highest recognition given to outstanding employers.
National
Guard and Reserve members and their families are eligible
and encouraged to nominate employers who have gone
above and beyond in their support of military employees.
Nominations will be accepted at www.esgr.mil until
Jan. 21.
For questions
regarding the nomination process, please contact New
Jersey ESGR at 609-562-0156.
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
Family Assistance
Center Realignment
Co B/250th
BSB (Bordentown) is now serviced by the Lawrenceville
FAC at (609) 671-6681
Co D/250th BSB is now serviced by the Jersey City
FAC at (201) 915-3589
Co E/250th BSB (Vineland)
is now serviced by the Woodbury FAC (856) 251-6893
Troop C/5-117 RSTA is now serviced by the Woodbury
FAC at (856) 251-6893
The Pomona Family
Assistance
Center will
continue to have responsibility for the families from
units assigned to the following armories: Atlantic
City, Cape May Court House,
Hammonton and Tuckerton.
ReserveAid gives support to families of deployed
service members
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj.
Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Reserve Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
committed to providing financial support to the families
of Reserve Service Members called to active duty in
all five branches of the Armed Forces. Reserve Aid
makes unrestricted, need based grants to military
families who have a Reserve service member on full-time
deployment to a combat zone or homeland security position.
Their goal is to alleviate the emotional and
financial burdens placed on the men and women called
to serve our country by supporting their families
at home. For additional information and application
procedures go to: http://www.reserveaid.org
GI Mail Offers Safer Way to Stay in Touch
Global Internet Mail is a personal e-mail program
available to all servicemembers that can be used from
any computer with Internet access, including government
systems. GI mail is also available to spouses who
are registered in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment
Reporting System. While official government
e-mail accounts are the most secure form of e-mail
communication, messages sent between GI Mail accounts
are more secure than those sent between public e-mail
accounts. For more information about GI Mail
and how to get an account, visit www.gimail.af.mil/,
or read the Air Force Print News story at www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123075003
2-1-1 - new statewide number for assistance
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj.
Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Need help? Dial 2-1-1: You
can find everything from basic needs like food, housing
and healthcare to legal services, drug treatment,
job assistance, childcare, mental health services,
transportation, financial assistance, municipal programs
and much more. The 2-1-1service is a new statewide
number for New Jersey residents. It connects people
with the resources they need to solve problems.
It is free and confidential.
FRG volunteers: track your time
From the
desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike
Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Here is a friendly reminder to all Family Readiness
Group volunteers. First of all we would like to thank
each and every one of you personally for your time
and dedication to our troops and their families.
If you have not already done so we would appreciate
it if you would take a few minutes each day, week
or month to go into the Volunteer Tracking System
on guardfamily.org and insert
the precious time that you have committed to making
our Family Program the best! This is a way for
the Family Program and the senior leadership to see
who is helping out in their Guard communities and
to award those who go the extra mile.
253rd FRG meeting is scheduled for Jan. 30
From the
desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike
Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
The 253rd Transportation Company's Family Readiness
Group has their next meeting scheduled for Jan. 30,
2008, at 7 p.m. The
meeting will be held at the Cape May Court House Armory.
MyArmyBenefits Website - the single source for
all Army Benefits
MyArmyBenefits at http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
is the official Army benefits resource for active-duty,
Guard and reserve Soldiers, family members and retirees.
Active-duty Soldiers with AKO accounts can access
personalized reports on the survivor, disability,
and retirement benefits through MyArmyBenefits.
Position openings in Family Programs
Family Programs has several contractor positions
open.
Family Assistant
Center Coordinator - 2 openings
Locations: Jersey
City and Morristown
General Duties: Serve as liaison between NJNG members, family
members, the local community and the State Family
Programs Director. Provide assistance to family members of deployed
service members to include referral service, resource
assistance/management, Family Readiness Group training
and moral support .
Must also be able to develop working relationships
with state and local agencies, military, government
and social services agencies, business and civic organizations
that are willing to offer assistance and provide services
in support of National Guard members and their families.
Family
Readiness Assistant - 1 opening
Location: Joint Force Headquarters, Ft. Dix
General Duties: Assist the State Family Programs Director
in developing and maintaining Family Readiness Groups
(FRG) throughout NJ.
Train FRG committee members on overall conduct
to include regulatory guidelines, limitations, duties
and responsibilities.
Serve as a liaison between Rear Detachments,
military points of contact and volunteers.
Resumes should be submitted no later than Dec.
28 to:
NJ Army National Guard
JFHQ-NJ, Attn:
Family Programs, CPT Glatz
3650 Saylor's Pond Road
Fort
Dix, NJ 08640
For more information call Capt. Amy Glatz, State
Family Programs Director at 609-562-0668.
Photography contest for military youths
From the desk of Amanda Balas, State Youth
Coordinator
Operation Military Kids project in New Jersey is sponsoring
a photo contest. The
theme is "Families in the Military." Any youth of
a military family in any branch of the service, including
active duty, National Guard and Reserves is eligible
to enter.
The age categories for entries are grades 2-5,
grades 6-8 and grades 9-12.
Photos can be black and white or color and
can be in digital or 35mm format.
Photos must be taken by the youth and should
capture a unique moment or setting their family life
or in their community that means something special
to them. They
will be judged on originality and creativity. First and second places will be awarded in
each age category.
Contact Amanda Balas, N.J. National Guard State
Youth Coordinator, for entry forms and more information
at 609-562-0742 or Amanda.balas@us.army.mil. Deadline
for submissions is Jan. 14, 2008.
Army Information Line: 1-800-833-6622
The Army Information Line (1-800-833-6622) is
designed to help all Soldiers and their Family members
whether they are deployed; stationed stateside or
overseas; are brand new to the Army; or are 30 year
veterans.
In addition to The Army Information Line, Army
Well-Being's Army Families Online Web site www.ArmyFamiliesOnline.org recently
welcomed its 2-millionth visitor this year.
The Army Information Line also celebrates its
25-year existence of providing information and referral
services to those Soldiers and Family members.
Support for military children of deployed and
injured Guard members
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance specialist
Our Military
Kids (OMK) provides tangible support to the
children of deployed and severely injured National
Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants
for enrichment activities and tutoring that nurture
and sustain the children during the time a parent
is away in service to our country. OMK grants are
made to honor the sacrifices military parents make
and to ensure that the children have access to activities
and support that help the children better cope with
challenges arising during a parent's deployment or
injury recovery. For additional information go to
www.ourmilitarykids.org
N.J.
State
Family Readiness Council offers Family Grants Program
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.
Program offers assistance to spouses of deployed
military
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
Harlem Globetrotters:
Magic as Ever 2008 World Tour
Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. (Presidents' Day) Izod Center
Tickets Prices: $37, $24; Special Military Price:
$15
The world famous Harlem Globetrotters return
to the Izod
Center with an exciting new show of basketball
tricks, hilarious comedy and fun for the entire family.
Groups receive a special invitation to Globetrotter University - a youth-oriented, character
education/physical fitness program presented by Harlem
Globetrotter players.
In addition, there will be a brief team history,
a skills demonstration, and question and answer session.
If you have any questions, please call 201-460-4370.
Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Finding
Nemo
January 18-20 & 23-27 at the Izod Center
Ticket Prices: $27.50, $22.50, $15.00
Military Prices: $17.50 for lower level & $12.50 for upper
level
All orders must be sent via fax or email ONLY
and the deadline for orders is Tuesday, January 22,
2008 @ 3pm. If you have any questions, please call201-460-4370.
Travel Help, Ideas
Armed Forces Vacation Club offers affordable
lodging
The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a "space
available" program offering Department of Defense
affiliated personnel affordable condominium vacations
at over 3,500 resorts around the world. Visit http://www.afvclub.com/ for more
information.
Shades of Green offers Disney for military
Now that the summer is almost over, thoughts
of how to spend next summer or your next vacation
week, can start to pop into your mind.
"Can we go someplace better or different, nearer
or farther from home, all without breaking the bank?"
One place to consider if Florida
is one of your next vacation places is Shades of Green
in Orlando. Minutes
from the Disney attractions, this resort is also close
to golf, dining and other Florida
attractions.
Their web site, www.shadesofgreen.org can give
you tours of their rooms and family suites, the local
attractions and other amenities that are offered by
the resort. The
rates are reasonable and will be a opportunity to
visit Orlando with your family.
Scholarship, Education News
Commissary agency offers scholarships for 2008
The Defense Commissary Agency's 2008 Scholarships
for Military Children are now available in commissaries
worldwide. The $1,500 scholarships are for children
of active-duty and retired military, as well as children
of Guard and reserve servicemembers. Applicants must
be must plan to attend an accredited college or university
full time in the fall of 2008. The
deadline is Feb.
20. At least one scholarship will be awarded at
every commissary location with qualified candidates.
Applications and further eligibility requirements
are available in commissaries and online at www.commissaries.com or at www.military
scholar.org.
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, family members and the American
Legion family. When
you get on the site, click on "Scholarship Information"
in the "Useful Links" block.
Association News
Enlisted Association wants YOU!
By retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, EANG-NJ
The Enlisted Association National Guard-New Jersey
is off to a good start for 2008 as we have realigned
all the committees and filled both the Executive Council
and Committees with a cross section of Army and Air,
uniformed and retirees, and several junior NCOs. Everyone appears to be enthused and pledges
to support the Association in all its efforts. All we need now is for you to get on board
as a member and bring your fellow soldiers and airmen
with you.
We have many challenges facing us over the next
few years whether it is another round of base closures
via the Base Realignment Commission (BRAC), reduction
in TRICARE benefits, reduction in troop strength,
attempts to maintain the retirement age at 60, etc. We need a powerful voice to put our message
across to the State and Federal Legislators and this
can only be accomplished through a strong membership
in our State Association (EANG-NJ) and the National
Association (EANGUS).
The new membership year starts on 1 January 2008
and we need your help in making our Association grow. We encourage all enlisted soldiers and airmen
to join the Association as Active Members and also
welcome all officers, warrant officers, federal, and
state employees to join as Associate Members.
Applications for membership can be obtained
from our website www.eang-nj.org.
NGANJ group life insurance available to members
Are you covered by the NGANJ Group Life Insurance
Program? As
a member of either the Officers or the Enlisted Association,
you are entitled to enroll in your Association Life
Insurance Program.
This special program provides from $5,000 to
$50,000 of Life Insurance for you, "round the clock".
Premiums range from as little as $2 per month
and may be payroll-deducted from your drill check.
Family coverage is also available at low rates
designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army
and Air National Guard.
Think of it!!
No aviation exclusions...No hazardous duty
restrictions...No war clauses.No checks to write. Dependent coverage includes spouses and all
children. Information
can be obtained by contacting retired CWO Jack Petrosilli
at 609-530-6843, or retired Brig. Gen. Robert S.
Dutko Sr. at 609-273-1004.
Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling
retired Col. Frank L. Carlone, Program Coordinator
at 732-249-8335.
Web site provides support to separating military
members
TurboTAP (Transition Assistance Program) is an easy to use, interactive
Web portal that provides life-long support to separating
military service members (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve)
and their families. It is a single source starting
point for accessing key resources available for servicemembers
transitioning out of the military at any point in
their military career.
Resources include Department of Defense, Department
of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department
of Education, Small Business Administration, the National
Veterans Corporation and the National Guard Bureau.
For more information go to www.TurboTAP.org or email
TAPHelp@military-inc.com.
N.J.
Militia
Museum
conducting Retiree Oral History Program
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey
has put together a National Guard Veteran Retiree
Oral History Program. In the past, the NJNG
has not conducted oral exit interviews of commanders,
full-time personnel, and retirees to preserve history.
The museum is going to institute a volunteer program
to try to catch up. If
you wish to participate, contact the museum at 732-974-5966.
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 careers
in the building and construction industry. The program seeks to help military members
find a career in one of 15 affiliated trades, such
as electrical workers, carpenters and painters.
They 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
online at www.njbctc.org/h2h or contact at 732-499-7295
or at H2H@njbctc.org.
Vet Career Connect helps military members find
jobs
Vet Career Connect is a program designed to connect
military service members with New
Jersey employers. Vet Career
Connect matches veteran's specific abilities, drives
and interests with jobs requiring those specific abilities.
Participants complete a Caliper Profile, which
is an on-line self assessment. They will receive an
Individual Developmental Guide outlining personal
motivators and areas of developmental opportunity.
Participants will then have the opportunity to place
the results of the Caliper Profile, their resume and
military achievements onto a database which will be
viewed by New Jersey-based companies who have indicated
a strong interest in employing veterans.
Vet Career Connect program is available at no
cost to service members. In order to participate in
this program, or if you have additional questions
please email or call Barbara
Foos, Project Administrator, at 609-524-1228
or bfoos@calipercorp.com.
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:
January 8,9, 2008 |
Woodbridge
Center |
February 5, 6, 7 |
Moorestown Mall |
March 3*, 4, 5 |
Paramus
Park
Shopping Center |
April 1, 2, 3 |
Voorhees
Town
Center |
May 6*, 7, 8 |
Ocean County Mall |
*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on these
dates. The
kiosk will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The kiosk will also be in place at the Wildwood Convention Center for three state conventions.
v
June 5-6, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. - Elks State
Convention
v
June 11-13, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. - American Legion
State
Convention
v
June 18-20, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. - VFW State
Convention
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.
Jan. 19,
1 p.m. - The U.S. Air Force in the Battle
of Khe Sanh, an oral-history presentation by N.J.
Vietnam Veteran, ret. Maj. Gen. Clark W. Martin, U.S.
Air Force.
Feb. 2,
1 p.m. -
In the Navy in Vietnam, an oral history presentation
by N.J. Vietnam Veteran and Monmouth University President,
ret. Vice Adm. Paul G. Gaffney II, U.S. Navy.
Mar. 1,
1 p.m. - American Vietnam Veterans Who Wouldn't Come
Home, an oral-history discussion about American
ex-patriots recently encountered on a trip to Thailand
by Steve Lonegan, Mayor of Bogota, N.J.
Apr. 12, 1 p.m. - We Were There:
Voices of African American Veterans, from World War
II to the War in Iraq, a book
discussion by the author, Yvonne Latty.
May 7, 11 a.m. - New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Remembrance Day
Ceremony at the Memorial.
May 17, 1 p.m. - On the Road to
Recovery, an oral-history discussion by NJ Vietnam-Era
veteran Bishop Fred Rubin about his service tending
wounded G.I.s in the Army hospital in Hawaii during the Vietnam
War.
May 26, 11 a.m. - Memorial Day
Ceremony at the N.J. Vietnam
Veterans' Memorial.
====================
For further information call 1-800-648-VETS or
visit www.njvvmf.org.