Guardlife Volume 31 - No. 6 |
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By Command Sgt. Maj. Jerome Jenkins, 50th Brigade The past couple of years
have been very busy and a
exciting time for the Soldiers It is no secret that the Brigade Soldiers were deployed in many areas of operations from Iraq to the Sinai Peninsula and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. We currently have Soldiers from the 112th Field Artillery in Germany and Italy who will have missed a second holiday season as they answer our nations call to duty. These Soldiers are doing an outstanding job safe guarding our military communities in Europe. Soon elements of our newest formation will be joining Operation Iraqi Freedom, as the transformed troop of the 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry became the 117th Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition for their mobilization. In September, the NJNG was called upon to assist to our great nation and the citizens of New Orleans in their time of need. The Katrina mission was an example of teamwork and jointness as the Army and Air worked together to assist our fellow Americans in the Gulf region. Although there have been many highs and
lows,
our Soldiers and Airmen continue to stay on course.
Throughout this period, I was fortunate to be able
to visit many of the Brigade units and witness a significant growth in
our Soldiers,
more specifically, corporals,
specialists and their front line
leaders. Senior NCOs have
done an outstanding job preparing
our junior enlisted members
to function individually, or as a
part of a team. In many cases
these Soldiers can take charge
in the absence of their leaders.
I witnessed NCOs like Staff
Sgt. Winston Ouckama provide
specific guidance to his Soldiers Having the necessary guidance is just the first step. Personal responsibility is just as important. Whether it is signing-up for correspondence courses or making sure that paperwork has been submitted for enrollment in a residence course, Soldiers must follow-up and follow-through with their plans. Soldiers and Airmen must take
charge of their career path. Guard
members should be taking advantage
of the education benefits
our state offers us. Earning a
degree ultimately benefits you in
uniform, in the workplace and in the community. Institutional knowledge, proper use of the evaluation systems and intense training on various platforms will assist us in this process. However, individual guidance, along with care and concern at all levels will provide a foundation to reinforce the process. |
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© 2006
- NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
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