The NJ National Guard Civil Support Team (CST) is now hiring.

New Jersey’s National Guard Civil Support Team (Heavy) has been approved. The 22 AGR positions are now being advertised with an Opening Date of 12 March and a Closing Date of 13 April 2004. There are 18 Army National Guard and 4 Air National Guard positions. All positions (except the Commander) are advertised either ARNG or ANG. Once selected, you are locked into that position for a period of three years. Detailed descriptions of the positions can be found on DMVA’s website at:
http://www.state.nj.us/military/vacancy/index.html

DMVA’s Veteran Service Officers (VSO) net $45 million in FY ’03.

Through their hard work and diligence on behalf of New Jersey’s veterans, our VSOs successfully established 3,460 claims resulting in 5,110 financial awards totaling $45,081,007. Fantastic Job! Congratulations to our VSOs and their staff. The following is a breakdown by office.

Office	Claims	Awards	Amount
Asbury Park	198	335	$2,996,644
Atlantic City	174	385	$3,961,771
Brick	321	271	$2,818,641
Thorofare	350	438	$2,494,701
Dover	25	31	$246,210
Elizabeth	199	460	$3,166,000
Hackensack	208	167	$4,668,230
Jersey City	189	325	$2,325,810
Mt. Laurel	110	216	$1,230,000
New Brunswick	537	436	$3,140,000
Newton	169	287	$1,533,000
Paterson	219	533	$3,025,000
Port Murray	201	596	$4,950,000
Trenton	208	294	$5,575,000
Vineland	352	336	$1,950,000
TOTALS	3460	5110	$45,081,007

WANTED: One Full-time Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Employee.

One dynamic, dedicated individual is needed to work for the NJ Joint Force Headquarters J-1 (Personnel). The successful candidate will provide the ESGR Committee operation with continuity, coordination, and support. This is a contracted position. Annual salary is $52,000. This job announcement closes on 2 April 2004 at 1700 hours. Send resume to: tetaylor@mpscrc.com. Full details are found at:
www.state.nj.us/military/vacancy/Technician/ESGR_AD_NJ.htm.

Sunshine Foundation’s “Operation Dreamlift” – application deadline nears.

The Mercer County Sunshine Foundation’s Operation Dreamlift, which provides the opportunity for children with serious illnesses or disabilities to spend an entire day at Walt Disney World, will take off from the NJ National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility located at Mercer County Airport. DMVA has been allocated space on the plane for children and chaperones. Final applications must be made by 2 April 2004 for seats still available for this year’s flight. If anyone knows of a child who might qualify, contact the office of the Deputy Adjutant General at 609-530-7033.

Veterans to be honored at upcoming Medal Ceremonies.

The following ceremonies have been scheduled to honor our State’s veterans.

31 Mar, 11 am	Distinguished Service & Meritorious Service Medals	Morristown Armory 430 Jockey Hollow Road Morristown, NJ
16 Apr	Distinguished Service & Meritorious Service Medals (for Residents of the Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland)	Veterans Memorial Home Vineland, New Jersey
29 Apr, 11 a.m.	Distinguished Service & Meritorious Service Medals	Toms River Elks 600 Washington Street Toms River, NJ

Family Appreciation Day set for August 21, 2004.

“DMVA Families – Come One, Come All. Come have a great day at the Jersey Shore.” This year, NJ National Guard members and their families and state/federal employees of DMVA and their families are invited to a Family Appreciation Day on August 21, 2004. This special event will be held on our beautiful beach and grounds at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt. The day will begin with the Youth Camp Closing Ceremony and will include carnival rides and amusements, fireworks, beach activities, entertainment, and much more for the entire family. Mark the date on your calendar, and watch Highlights for more details.

Health Services Office, J1-DPCS-HS, is busy assisting soldiers and their families in preparation for mobilization.

As our soldiers continue to deploy worldwide from the New Jersey Army National Guard, we as a command strive to achieve the best possible Medical/Dental benefits available before they depart. Current Mobilization Exercises continue to put excessive workloads on individual unit readiness, while concentrating on current missions. The Health Services office has proposed new strategies to alleviate confusion with individual units on medical/dental benefits. Prior to each individual unit’s scheduled Mobilization Exercises that are held at Sea Girt, Health Services travels to each unit during drill weekends to brief the TDG soldiers about their benefits. This reduces the overload of information that soldiers obtain at Sea Girt during the MOBEX, and provides them with the opportunity for early enrollment in the TRICARE Reserve Dental Program (TDP) prior to reporting at the MOBEX. Briefings are on the following:

* Healthcare Benefits for Reserve Component Members and their families on active duty for more than 30 days.

* TRICARE Reserve Dental program (TDP)

* Newly announced TRICARE Temporary Reserve Health Care Program

* Transitional Health Care Benefits

* Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)

* Uniformed Services Family Health Plan overview of benefits

* Mobilization Dental Readiness requirements (IAW AR Bulletin #40, Dental Treatment Procedures)

New Jersey National Guard Youth Camp Information.

Applications are being accepted for this year’s youth camp at the NJ National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, NJ from 15-21 August 2004. The Youth Camp helps children, ages 9 – 12, build new friendships, meet new people, understand the Guard and its mission, and experience life at a military camp. The cost is $100 per camper, and all activities are included. For more information or to download an application for camper, counselor, junior counselor, or to volunteer your services, log onto the NJNG Family Programs’ website: www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html or contact State Family Program Coordinator CW4 Ralph Cwieka at 609-562-0668.

Joint Force Headquarters Family Readiness says “Thank You! ”

The Joint Force Headquarters Family Readiness Group (FRG) would like to say “Thank You.” Due to the overwhelming response of donations from various organizations and soldiers, they have a new popcorn machine! The machine was purchased from Snappy Popcorn Company in Brita, Iowa and will be used for future family functions held within the Joint Force Headquarters. In addition, if anyone is interested in borrowing the machine, please contact FRG President Deanna Adkins at 609-265-5537 or FRG OIC Josephine Gray at 609-562-0865.

NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Vietnam Era Education Center’s upcoming event schedule.

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

27 Mar, 1 p.m.	“The Hidden History of the Antiwar Movement,” an Author Lecture Series presentation by Vietnam-era Veteran H. Bruce Franklin, author of Vietnam and other American Fantasies.
17 April, 1 p.m.	Chapter One: The Story of Vic Charles (a novel) – An Author Lecture Series presentation by Vietnam Veteran Bob Staranowicz at the Vietnam Era Educational Center.
7 May, 11 a.m.	New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Veterans ’ Memorial

Family Assistance is a phone call away – 1-888-859-0352

You can now dial one number to reach any New Jersey National Guard Family Assistance Center location in the State – 1-888-859-0352. Listed below are the points of contact at each Family Assistance Center.

Air National Guard 108th ARW – McGuire AFB 177th FW – Pomona	Tiffany Colby Joan Searfoss
Cape May	Mike Hughes
Fort Dix	Vacant
Jersey City	Vacant
Lawrenceville	Jane Hackbarth
Morristown	SGT Fortier
Somerset	Vacant
Teaneck	SFC Minnie Hiller
Toms River	CPT Kevin Williams
Woodbury	Heather Altman

Pentagon extends reservists’ health care coverage.

The Pentagon announced on 18 March 2004 that it would extend the Transitional Assistance Medical Program to allow reservists to keep their military health coverage for 180 days after they are demobilized. The fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act called for a number of experimental measures to support medical readiness and ensure that reservists are prepared for deployment. Under the legislation, reservists and their families will be eligible for the Defense Department’s Tricare health coverage as soon as they are alerted of their pending mobilization. The authorization act also extends the Tricare coverage to some reservists who have not been moved to active duty but do not have private health care. Officials are hopeful the moves could help recruitment and retention efforts. The measures are set to expire at the end of the calendar year, when lawmakers will determine if the rules should be extended. Defense officials said, however, that the experimental program might need to be extended before any decision is made.

National Guard Association of New Jersey plans Annual Golf Tournament.

The National Guard Association of New Jersey (NGANJ) proudly presents its sixteenth annual President’s Golf Tournament on Monday, June 7, 2004, with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. at the Falcon Creek Golf Course, McGuire AFB, New Jersey. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the scholarship fund. Donations for the event are $95 per person. Cost includes green fees, cart, refreshments, dinner, and door prizes. If you would like to attend dinner only at the McGuire AFB Officers’ Club, the cost is $35 per person. Checks should be made payable to NGANJ Scholarship Fund. For more information, please contact COL Kenneth J. Baker at 609-562-0527.

Armory Happenings – Check to see what’s happening at an Armory near you.

25-28 Mar	Antique Show	Morristown Armory
26-28 Mar	Quilt Show	Toms River Armory
28 Mar	Doll & Bear Show	Bordentown Armory
28 Mar	Circus	Cherry Hill Armory
31 Mar – 5 Apr	Piano Show and Sale	Cherry Hill Armory

Today in History…

Today is Friday, 26 March 2004 and the 86th day of the year. There are 281 days left in the year. On this day …

* 1804 – The territory of New Orleans was organized in the Louisiana Purchase.

* 1885 – Eastman Kodak produced the first commercial moving-picture film.

* 1937 – Spinach growers in Crystal City, Texas erected a statue of Popeye.

* 1943 – First woman receives Air Medal (US Army Nurse Elsie S. Ott)

* 1951 – U.S. Air Force flag approved. The flag included the coat of arms, 13 white stars and the Air Force seal on a blue background.

* 1953 – Dr. Jonas Salk announced a new vaccine that would prevent poliomyelitis.

* 1979 – Camp David Treaty was signed by Israel and Egypt that ended the 31-year state of war between the two countries.

* 1982 – Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in Washington, D.C. for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

* 1989 – First free elections in USSR: Boris Yeltsin wins.

Fun Facts…

* Holland is the only country with a national dog – the Keeshond.

* Honeybees are the only insects that create a form of food for humans.

* Texas is the only state that permits residents to cast an absentee ballot from space.

* Hawaii is the only U. S. state never to report a temperature of zero.

* “Q” is the only letter in the alphabet not appearing in the name of any state.

* Mosquitoes have 47 teeth.