News For Your Views
Soldiers
prepping for deployment, employers come to visit
Solders
of the 102nd Cavalry, headquartered in Westfield
with companies in Dover,
West Orange and Hackettstown, along with Company D 250th
Brigade Support Battalion of the West Orange armory,
will be visited by their employers and civic leaders
tomorrow at Fort
Dix.
The Soldiers
are preparing to deploy as part of the New Jersey Army
National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in
June 2008. They are at the Joint Training and Training Development
Center at Fort Dix
going through the Soldier Readiness Processing.
Employers
will include the Cherry Hill Fire Department, New Jersey
Department of Labor, Hamburg
school district, Health Care Association of NJ and businesses
located in Turnersville, Philadelphia
and Camden. Also attending will be Congressmen Steve Rothman
and Albo Sires; Assembly members Jack Connors and Linda
Greenstein and Paterson Mayor Joey Torres.
Previous
visitors to Soldiers processing through the SRP include
Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez and Congressman
Rob Andrews.
This summer
more than 3,000 New Jersey Citizen-Soldiers will mobilize
in support of the Global War on Terrorism in the largest
deployment since World War II.
Scholarships
for military spouses now available
The National
Military Family Association's Joanne Holbrook Patton
Military Spouse Scholarships are awarded to spouses
of uniformed services members (active duty, National
Guard and Reserve, retirees and survivors) to obtain
professional certification or to attend post secondary
or graduate school. Scholarships range in amount from
$500-1,000, and the number awarded each year varies
depending on funding. Scholarship funds may be used
for tuition, fees and school room and board.
Scholarship
selection is based on completion of some survey questions
that will help NMFA advocate for education changes on
your behalf, short-answer questions and an essay question
that will help us get to know you better. To be considered,
applications must be completed by midnight
March 15, 2008. To apply, go to: Click here.
Scholarships
available for military children
Two scholarships
are available for military dependents: Scholarship for
Military Children Program and Army Emergency Relief
Scholarship Program.
To be eligible
for either scholarship, the applicants must be under
23 years old, unmarried, enrolled in DEERS and must
be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate
program at an accredited college or university in the
fall of 2008.
Details
for the Scholarship for Military Children can be found
at www.military scholar.org. The deadline for this scholarship is Feb.
20.
The AER
Scholarship deadline is March 1.
Details about this scholarship can be found at
www.aerhq.org.
Look for
Guardlife on Web
The New
Jersey National Guard magazine Guardlife (volume
33, number 4) is now available on the World Wide Web.
Guardlife magazine is available in a user friendly on-line web version
at the following address: http://www.nj.gov/military/publications/
guardlife/volume33no4/. The "Hometown Team" magazine provides up to date
information on the happenings within the New Jersey
Army and Air National Guard. For all the current news
on our Soldiers and Airmen, take a look at the new issue
today. To view past issues of Guardlife magazine online you can visit http://www.nj.gov/military/publications/.
Pancake
breakfast slated for April 13
The National
Guard State Family Readiness Council, American Legion
post 414 and the Lawrence Township Lions Club are proudly
sponsoring a "Support the Troops Pancake Breakfast"
with all proceeds going to support the Soldiers and
families of the New Jersey National Guard State Family
Readiness Council. For tickets or additional information,
please call 609-771-4143, 609-882-2675 or 609-989-9162.
Date: Sunday,
April 13, 2008
Time: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Place: National Guard Armory
151
Eggert Crossing Road
Lawrenceville,
NJ
Price: $7 for adults and $5 for children under
10 years old.
Note: Tax-free donations can be sent to:
National
Guard State Family Readiness Council
PO
Box 5692
Trenton, NJ 08638-0692
Vets Journal now on the DMAVA Web site
The New Jersey Veterans Journal, Winter 2007 edition
is now available on the World Wide Web in a user friendly
online version at the following web address: http://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/journal/winter2007/index.html
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.
McGuire
ITT office has discounted tickets to Six Flags
The ITT
Office at McGuire Air Force Base currently has 2008
Season passes to Six Flags Great Adventure for a discounted
price. For additional information contact the
ITT Office at the BX/PX Mall at McGuire at 609-754-6032/-3737
or e-mail ittoffice@verizon.net.
3-Park Pass - $115.00 (no tax) (Good at Six Flags Great
Adventure, Hurricane Harbor & Wild Safari)
2-Park Pass - $83.00 (no tax) (Good at Six Flags Great
Adventure, & Wild Safari)
*Ages 4 an older are the same
price*
Come purchase
your season pass before prices go up. The prices remain
at the lowest price until Feb. 29, 2008.
Journal
available for military children
Health Net
Federal Services released My
Life, a Kid's Journal, designed for military children
whose parent or loved one is deployed. The journal is
meant to serve as a keepsake for the child or as a gift
to their special person who is deployed once it's completed.
To obtain copies for military children living in the
TRICARE North Region, e-mail your request to mailto:HNFS_Communications@healthnet.com. Those living outside the North Region can download
the journal from the Health Net Federal Services website.
Space A
rules have changed
Dependents
of service members who have been deployed for 120 days
or longer will now find it easier to travel on Space
Available military flights (Space-A). Due to a change
in policy effective Dec. 6, 2007, military families
no longer need to be accompanied by their service member
when traveling Space-A regardless of where they are
based. Prior to the change, military dependents could
only travel unaccompanied from an overseas location
to the family's home of record within the continental
United
States or within an
overseas theater of operation. Additionally, they were
limited to one round trip during the military sponsor's
deployment period. Under the new policy, family
members may now travel unlimited times during the deployment
when seats are available. However, family members planning
to use Space-A transportation will need a verification
letter from the military sponsor's commander confirming
the service member's deployment. In addition, an eligible
parent or legal guardian must accompany family members
under age 18. For more information regarding the
Space-A travel program, please visit the Air Mobility
Command website at http://www.amc.af.mil/.
Spouses
eligible for H&R Block course
Military
spouses are eligible to receive a full scholarship for
an H&R Block Income Tax course. The program does
not require any previous training and it is open to
active duty and reserve military spouses. For complete
details and program information, contact your local
H&R Block office at 1-888-412-7880 or http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/planning/tax_courses/index.html
For Your Calendar
Fundraiser
being held for scholarship to honor late NJ Guardsman
From
the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike
Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Sgt. Anthony
D. LaSelva from New Jersey's
Co D/250th BSB was among the 4,000 troops from the Minnesota
National Guard's 1-34th Infantry Division who left Camp
Shelby, Miss., on March 16, 2006 to deploy to Iraq. His unit was scheduled
to stay a year. LaSelva was one of the New
Jersey soldiers ordered in January 2007
to remain in the Iraq for an
additional 125 days. The 21-year-old New Jersey Army
National Guard sergeant survived 15 months in Iraq
only to perish less than three months after returning
home. LaSelva was killed in a motorcycle accident
on Sept. 13, 2007.
As a tribute
to Sgt. LaSelva for not only serving our country, but
also for touching the lives of so many with his passion
and kindness, his friends and family have decided
to organize a fundraiser in his honor. All of
the proceeds will be donated to Washington
Township High
School to form a scholarship
in his name: The Sgt. Anthony D. LaSelva Memorial Fund.
Anything that anyone can do to help with the fundraiser
would be greatly appreciated. There will be a
Chinese Auction at the event so they are in need of
things to fill the baskets, whether it is a gift certificate
or merchandise. All donations are tax deductible.
Any questions or concerns, contact Malorie Mullen at
856-364-5646. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, 6-10 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center, 315 Greentree Road, Turnersville NJ 08012. Tickets are $25 in advance,
$30 at the door.
Military Training,
Schools, Opportunities
RTS-Maintenance
offers training to Army Guard members
The Regional
Training Site-Maintenance provides maintenance and logistics
education under The Total Army School System. The RTSM
is a subordinate unit to the 254th Regiment RTI. It
utilizes automated and current force modernization equipment
systems to support Active, Reserve and National Guard
soldiers. As a fully accredited schoolhouse it offers
military occupational skill classification, additional
skill identifiers, sustainment and transition training.
Its charge is to provide instruction to non-commissioned
officers under the non-commissioned officer education
system. The mission
supports the enabling of Armed Forces Components to
mobilize for wartime mission requirements. The overall
unit mission helps to support the "Warrior"
during the current operational environment and undertake
critical missions to win the fight.
Schoolhouse: Regional Training Site-Maintenance
Location
of training: Building 3601, Technology
Drive, Fort Dix,
N.J.
School Code:
967
Unit Phone:
609-562-0566/0568
RTSM (NJ)
Team Home Site: https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/468201 (Army
Knowledge Online (AKO) password required)
v
ULLS-G - 1 week
- 40 hour course:
The Unit
Level Logistics System-Ground (ULLS-G) course helps
units track scheduled and completed services. The ULLS-G
program can give you a service schedule by vehicle,
list equipment capabilities, create work orders and
forecast maintenance services.
ULLS-G is the commander's tool for maintenance
management.
v
091-ASIH8 (63B) Wheeled - 2 weeks - 80 hour course:
The course
helps students to safely and correctly use/operate wheeled
vehicle recovery systems and equipment.
Instruction on specialized rigging and recovery
wheeled vehicle techniques is given throughout the course.
Students conduct towing and winching of wheel
vehicles to include self-recovery. A mini-field training
exercise is part of the course. Note: E5s and below receive an Additional
Skill Identifier (ASI) of H8.
E6 and above receive a Certificate of Training
and cannot be awarded the H8 ASI.
The student must possess a current Civilian and
Military Driver's License.
v
131-F13 Small Group Instructor Course - 1 week - 40
hour course:
This course
is for personnel assigned as instructors or to improve
instructional techniques. The one week intense course
focuses on learning the basic techniques of monitoring,
questioning and facilitating small group discussions
in a military setting.
Emphasis is placed on presenting issues and finding
solutions using the small class setting.
The students will learn effective use of written,
verbal and management techniques to improve public speaking
and presentation skills.
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
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. 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
State Health
Benefits Program has new plans
The New
Jersey State Health Benefits Program will provide active
and retired members with new medical plans effective
April 1, 2008.
The SHBP
is offering two types of medical plans, a Preferred
Provider Organization and Health Maintenance Organizations.
Several options are available under each plan.
Information can be found at the following web
site about the plans, co-pays, costs, and directories:
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp.htm. You
can also contact your benefits counselor at DMAVA HRD
- Lisa Dandrea, 609-530-6888 or e-mail lisa.dandrea@njdmava.state.nj.us.
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
Oct. 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.
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
Picatinny Arsenal Egg Hunt, March 8
The Picatinny Arsenal invites all National Guard
families along with the Picatinny community to the Annual
Egg Hunt held on March 8, 1:30-3 p.m. at the Teen
Center.
Come out for an afternoon of fun and laughter.
There will be games, prizes, egg hunt, arts and
crafts and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
The day is for children 11 and under. Attendees are asked to bring their own basket.
To reserve your spot, please call 973-724-5555/7183.
The Teen
Center
is located in building 3228, next to the community center.
The egg hunt starts at 1:30 sharp; hunters are asked
to arrive early.
Family deployment briefs scheduled
From the desk of Amanda Balas, New Jersey National Guard
Youth Coordinator
The following is the Family Deployment Briefing
Schedule presented by the Family Programs Office at
various armories throughout New
Jersey. Any family member that is interested in learning
more about important information, who to contact and
ways to cope through this upcoming deployment are welcomed
to attend ANY of the briefs, no matter where the Soldier's
home station is located, as all the information will
be the same at every brief.
Children, ages three and up, are welcome to attend
too! For more information, please contact your
local Family
Assistance Center
by calling 1-888-859-0352.
DATE ARMORY
START TIME
Feb. 4 Toms
River 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 9 Westfield 9:30 a.m.
Feb. 23
Port Murray 9:30 a.m.
Feb. 24
West Orange
1:30 p.m.
March 1 Lawrenceville 1:30 p.m.
March 2 Morristown
1:30 p.m.
March 8 Riverdale 9:30 a.m.
March 9 Woodbridge
1:30 p.m.
March 15 Jersey City
9:30 a.m.
March 20 Teaneck
6:30 p.m.
April 3 Cherry Hill 6:30 p.m.
May 4 Woodbury
9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Order a complimentary Blue Star Flag to show
your family's service
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj.
Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
The Blue Star Flag first appeared in 1917, when
Capt. Robert L. Queissner, who had two sons serving
on the front line, designed it as a tribute to their
dedication and service. He proudly displayed this
flag in the front window of his home and the flag quickly
became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.
Also known as a Service Flag, the blue star stands for
hope and pride. Order a complimentary Blue Star
Flag to honor your loved ones in the service by visiting:
http://www.grantham.edu/promo/freebluestar.php.
Family Assistance
Center Realignment
Co B/250th
Brigade Support Battalion (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 Reconnaissance Surveillance Target Acquisition
(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.
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.
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
Company Offers Appliances to Returning Veterans
or Deployed Service Members at Low Cost
The company Top Line Appliances, along with the
General Electric and Whirlpool Corporation would like
to offer returning disabled vets or deployed soldier's/airmen
with families (spouses only) who are suffering
a hardship due to the deployment with GE or Whirlpool
appliances at little, reduced or no cost.
They would deliver the appliances at no charge
within a 30 mile radius of their business; the rest
of New Jersey would be $25 to cover fuel cost
and driver's time. The appliances can be picked up at
the warehouse in Roselle. Cost will be dependent
upon what is needed and the ability of the veteran to
pay. Top Line wants to do their part for those who need
help.
For more information, contact: Your local FAC
Coordinator or Marie Durling in the State Family Program's
Office at 609-562-0739. Applicants must be able
to validate their requests.
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
(at Meadowlands)
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.
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:
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.
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.