NJYCA Class 55
| We are excited to share that on Monday, January 23, 2023 we welcomed our 55th Class to the NJ Youth ChalleNGe Academy.
The Mission of the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy (NJYCA), which is located at the NJ National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, is to train and mentor disengaged teenage youth so they become responsible and productive citizens of their community, state, and country. We will do so by providing unique transformational experiences through a highly disciplined 22-week residential program that integrates a quasi-military training environment, innovative academic offerings, and opportunities to further develop their physical, social, and intellectual abilities. In partnership with a mentor, they will receive continued guidance and support during their one-year post residential phase immediately following graduation.
On January 23rd, 63 Candidates (51 males and 12 females) walked through our doors and took the first steps to change their lives for the better.
During the residential phase of the program all cadets will be educated and trained in Eight Core Components. All cadets must demonstrate mastery in each of the following to successfully complete the program: Academic Excellence, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Health & Hygiene, Responsible Citizenship, Service to the Community, Leadership/Followership, and Physical Fitness.
For the next 22 weeks, Cadets will wake up at 5am and be in bed by 9pm. They will participate in military style physical fitness training as well as Drill & Ceremony exercises. They will be expected to maintain their living space and personal appearance to military standards. They will do all of this in a military style uniform and without cell phones or most of their personal items!
We wish Class 55 much luck over the next 5.5 months. We know each of these young men and women will be successful and we look forward to watching all 63 of them walk across the graduation stage on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Interested in following Class 55 on their Journey? Check out their website at njyca.org for links to their social media and subscription link to their newsletter - The Bridge.
Class 56 will begin on July 17, 2023. Know someone who is interested? The application process is now open. Refer to NJYCA Admissions to learn about the eligibility requirements as well as obtain the pre-application form. |
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Thank you for what you do every day in service to our Veterans, military personnel and their families.
We encourage you to share ideas, events and feedback. Please email our team at outreach@dmava.nj.gov.
Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou, D.O. The Adjutant General & Commissioner |
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DMAVA will have a Veterans Service Officer present |
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January 26, 2023 11:00am - 3:00pm
DMAVA VETERANS OUTREACH CAMPAIGN
Paramus Park Mall
Center Court
700 Paramus Park
Paramus, NJ 07652
DMAVA will have a Veterans Service Officer present to help and assist any Veteran or family member.
For more information contact the Veterans Benefits Bureau at vbb@dmava.nj.gov. |
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DMAVA will have a Veterans Service Officer present |
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February 6, 20235:30pm - 7:30pm
QUARTERLY WOMEN'S OPEN FORUM
Westfield Armory
500 Rahway Ave Westfield, NJ 07090
All New Jersey National Guard (Army & Air) Personnel & DMAVA Employees
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DMAVA & Community Calendar |
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We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often.
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New DCVA Vincent SolomenoEffective January 13, 2023, Vincent Solomeno assumed the duties and responsibilities as the acting Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs (DCVA)
Solomeno previously served as the Superintendent of the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, where he managed an installation and facilitated the training environment for the New Jersey National Guard, State Police, Department of Corrections, Division of Criminal Justice, and the Juvenile Justice Commission.
Prior to that, he served as Executive Officer to The Adjutant General and Commissioner of Military and Veterans Affairs. He is co-author of the 2019 Resource Guide for New Jersey Military, Veterans, and Families.
In a statement to the DMAVA workforce, Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou, D.O., the Adjutant General and Commissioner commented that "At a time when our priority is the welfare of the Veterans, Veterans Spouses, and Gold Star Families entrusted to our care, Vincent possesses the skills and experience to decisively meet that objective."
A U.S. Army Veteran, Solomeno is a Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Scranton. He commissioned as a Corps of Engineers Second Lieutenant in 2007. In 2010, he transferred to the New Jersey Army National Guard. In addition to his overseas service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he served on active duty during Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy, and as an operations officer for the National Guard’s statewide COVID-19 response. He currently holds the rank of Major and is the recipient of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.
In addition to his Bachelor of Science from the University of Scranton, Solomeno earned his Master of Arts from the University of Amsterdam. He is the recipient of the prestigious Truman Scholarship and Fulbright Fellowship.
Solomeno is a life member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Guard Association of the United States. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the American Legion Jersey Boys State Program and the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association. |
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MLK Day of Service
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General of New Jersey (second from right), Senator Joseph Vitale, Chair, Senate Health Committee (third from right), Senator Joseph Cryan, Chair, Senate Military And Veteran Affairs Committee (second from left) and Vincent Solomeno, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs (left) visited the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home in Edison, New Jersey and met with residents during a Martin Luther King Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023.
The New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus and the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland also held a day of service in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The special observances were designed to inspire reflection on the spirit of volunteerism and service to others in the wake of King’s legacy. Participants included homes’ leadership, staff, and residents along with leaders from Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans and Vietnam Veterans of America.
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Hoist TrainingNew Jersey National Guard crew chiefs, with the 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, partner with our 1-171st General Support Aviation Battalion (MEDEVAC) to conduct hoist training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Jan. 5, 2023.
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Florida Bound | F-16 Fighting Falcons took off last week from the 177th Fighter Wing to travel to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., to participate in the Weapons System Evaluation Program, where they will test air-to-air, live-fire weapons.
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Join Our Team |
100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses up to $20,000
Student Loan Repayment |
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New AssignmentOn January 11, 2023, the headquarters staff at the Lawrenceville campus said “goodbye” to Maj. Gyasi Mann as he will be taking on a new role as the Bilateral Affairs Officer for the Cyprus State Partnership Program. |
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Suicide Prevention
WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.
This expansion of care will help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to Veterans in times of crisis. It will also increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA. Read Full News Release |
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New Airborne Hazards and Open Pit Registry Data
Recently, VA launched a new webpage that shows the number of Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) participants by state and congressional district.
The current webpage contains breakouts as of Sept. 12, 2022, for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five other jurisdictions (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, United States Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands). The data will be updated biannually.
Section 808(b)(2) of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) requires VA to make information public about the number of participants in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) by State and congressional district.
Learn more about the PACT Act.
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Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Proposed Open Season
Congress provided for a Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The SBP Open Season began on December 23, 2022 and ends on January 1, 2024.
The SBP Open Season allows for retirees receiving retired pay, eligible members, or former members awaiting retired pay who are currently NOT enrolled in SBP or RCSBP (Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) to enroll.
The SBP Open Season also allows eligible members and former members who are currently enrolled in either SBP or RCSBP to permanently discontinue their SBP coverage.
Learn More |
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Scholarships for Military Children
Children of military families can now apply for one of the 500 Defense Commissary Agency $2,000 scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created to recognize the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.
The deadline to submit an online application is Feb. 15, 2023.
Learn More |
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Schedule Your PACT Act Event
If your Veterans Service Office, university/college or community organization would like to host the VA New Jersey Health Care System (VANJHCS), they will bring the information, screeners and staff to you and your Veterans. Contact them at VANJHCSCommsTeam@va.gov to schedule your PACT Act event. |
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New National Parks PassA new lifetime pass for National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands, called America the Beautiful.
This new lifetime pass for Gold Star Families & Veterans is being offered to demonstrate the country's immense gratitude and respect for those who have served and defended our country.
The Interagency Military Pass has been part of the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series since 2012. On December 27, 2021, President Biden signed into law S. 1605 “The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022” (NDAA). Section 641 of the NDAA makes Gold Star families and Veterans eligible for lifetime passes to federal recreational lands.
Learn More at VA News |
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 | VA Life
Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) provides guaranteed acceptance whole life coverage of up to $40,000 to Veterans with service-connected disabilities. Lesser amounts are available in increments of $10,000. Under this plan, the elected coverage takes effect two years after enrollment as long as premiums are paid during the two-year period.
All Veterans age 80 or under with a VA disability rating of 0 to 100% are eligible for the VALife program and have no time limit to apply.
Learn More |
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PODCAST
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#VetResources
| Subscribe to #VetResources to receive a weekly newsletter from the VA for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. |
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Veteran Transitional Housing
Vetwork is proud to announce our partnership with Lacey United Methodist Church as we introduce our Veteran transitional housing program, Mount Zion!
At Mount Zion, Vetwork is able to provide a safe space for Veterans to lay their heads as they transition to a more secure housing situation through the VA or other programs. This is a first for us here in Ocean County and we have been very lucky to have such wonderful support from our friends at Lacey United Methodist Church and their parishioners.
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In Honor of all those from New Jersey who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In humble gratitude, we remember their sacrifice. |
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January 26, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Cpl Sean P. KellyU.S. Marine Corps Pitman, New Jersey |
January 31, 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom LCpl Harry R. Swain IVU.S. Marine Corps
Cumberland, New Jersey | February 1, 2011
Operation Enduring Freedom SPC Ryan A. Gartner
U.S. Army Dumont, New Jersey |
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February 3, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom
SGT Stephen R. ShermanU.S. Army Neptune, New Jersey |
February 3, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2LT Seth J. DvorinU.S. Army
East Brunswick, New Jersey | February 7, 2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom Cpl Thomas E. Saba
U.S. Marine Corps Toms River, New Jersey |
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"But on the battlefield their feet stood fast, and in an instant at the height of their fortune, they passed away from the scene, not of their fear, but of their glory."
~ Pericles |
| NJ Fallen Heroes Memorial |
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Kenneth FallsDesert Storm |
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Robert FerroneDesert Storm |
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Nurses sworn into the NJ National Guard in 1957 |
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January 25, 1844
| George Ashby was born in Burlington. Ashby, an African-American, served in the Forty-fifth United States Colored Infantry regiment during the Civil War from 1864 to 1865, rising from private to first sergeant. When he died in Allentown, on April 26, 1946, Ashby was the last surviving New Jersey Civil War veteran. |
January 25, 1942 |
Varanger, a Norwegian tanker sailing from Curacao to New York City with 12,750 tons of fuel oil, was torpedoed by a German submarine at 3:00 AM twenty-eight miles off Atlantic City. Hit by three torpedoes, Varanger split into three pieces, but all hands escaped in life boats. The crew was rescued by two fishing boats and brought to the US Coast Guard station at Sea Island Inlet, arriving there at 12:45 PM. |
January 29, 1957 | The New Jersey National Guard ceased to be an all-male organization when the first women soldiers in its history, two nurses, Captain Frances R. Comstock and 1st Lieutenant Lucille Valentino of Paterson, were sworn in as members of the 114th Mobile Surgical Hospital.
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January 29, 1833 |
Alexander Arsace Vandoni was born in Italy. Vandoni emigrated to America in 1841, eventually settling in Chatham as a self-employed broom maker. In 1862 he enlisted as a musician in the Twenty-seventh New Jersey Infantry. After campaigns in Virginia and Kentucky, Vandoni was discharged with his regiment in 1863, and returned to Chatham as one of a relatively small number of Italian-American Civil War veterans. He died on February 29, 1908 and is buried in Florham Park. |
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February 1, 1977 |
A British force skirmished with New Jersey militiamen at Drake’s Farm, near Springfield, as the “forage war” between the British seeking supplies in the countryside and the local militia heated up.
| February 1, 1865 |
New Jersey governor Joel Parker presented New Brunswick native Captain Charles Stewart Boggs with a presentation sword in recognition of Boggs’ heroic actions commanding the gunboat Varuna in the naval battles leading to the capture of New Orleans in April, 1862. Boggs sank six Confederate gunboats before his own ship began to sink, then ran Varuna into shore, tied her up to some trees and kept firing on the enemy.
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February 3, 1943 |
The troop ship SSAT Dorchester, with 904 men aboard, was torpedoed off Greenland. Four chaplains - one Jewish, two Protestant and one Catholic - gave their lifejackets to soldiers, joined arms, said prayers and went down with the ship. There were 230 survivors. The Catholic chaplain, Father John Washington, born in Newark in 1908, was a graduate of Seton Hall University and Darlington Seminary and assigned to St. Stephen’s parish in Kearny when he enlisted in the Army. The chaplains were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. There is a monument to Father Washington at Saint Rose of Lima Church, his home parish, on Orange Street in Newark and another to all four chaplains at St. Stephen’s.
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RevolutionNJ's New Website
The RevolutionNJ website is now active! It launched on November 30th and will continue to add information and photos over time. The website will be the location for all things related to RevolutionNJ around the state. Check out the new website! |
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New Jersey Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal is a project of the New Jersey Historical Commission, Rutgers University Libraries, and Monmouth University.
The Journal publishes original scholarship on all aspects of NJ studies, including military history.
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Meritorious Service Medal
On January 16, 1969, President Johnson established the Meritorious Service Medal per Executive Order No. 11448. The Executive Order was amended by President Reagan per Executive Order 12312, dated 2 July 1981, to authorize award to members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations.
The MSM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969, normally, the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required for the Legion of Merit but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility.
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Staff Sergeant Keith Lee
Courtesy Story | 108th Wing Public Affairs | January 18, 2023
Staff Sgt. Keith Lee, an aircraft metals technology craftsman recently used his skills for the 108th Wing to save thousands of dollars to install a Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (Global ASNT) in its command post, Jan. 17, 2023.
The talented Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 108th Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J, took on this task with years of experience behind him.
While his aircraft fabrication skills were honed in the Guard, Lee’s construction talents were developed during his teenage years. In high school Lee designed his own 3-axis computerized numerical control milling machine which sparked his interest in fabrication, and ultimately led him to join the Air National Guard and to the 108th machine shop.
Read Full Story |
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COL (Ret.) Walter NallEffective January 13, 2023, Colonel (Ret.) Walter R. Nall transitioned out of his role as acting Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs (DCVA).
In addition to his service in the New Jersey Army National Guard, Colonel (Ret.) Nall is one of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ longest serving employees. Over the course of twenty-eight years, Walter provided leadership to the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy, Veterans Haven South, the Division of Veterans Services, and since 2020, as acting Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.
Nall is a U.S. Army Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
On a personal note, Brigadier General Hou stated that "Walter has been my battle buddy since before the start of my tenure. I will miss his intelligence, sense of humor, and commitment to our shared mission. I wish him and his wife Dorinda all the best upon his retirement."
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Veterans Service Offices |
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Request Military Records |
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Family Programs Office |
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Veterans Memorial Homes |
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NJ State Medals |
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Military Funeral Honors |
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Doyle Veterans Cemetery |
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We Are Hiring!
At the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs we take our work in support of Veterans, Servicemembers and their families very seriously. Whether supporting our Veterans with nursing care, transitional housing, or assisting them in navigating access to their Veteran benefits, the Department provides valuable services and can offer rewarding career opportunities to members of the public.
We also have opportunities in facilities management and program management. In addition, we have job openings for members of our military to serve in AGR and Federal Technician roles.
Stay updated on job openings by subscribing to our Jobs Bulletin.
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We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter and find it both educational and engaging. If you have questions about our department, our programs or your benefits, please visit our website at nj.gov/military to get contact information.
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| Contact DMAVA |
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We welcome feedback and comments from the public regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please email us your proposal. Contact the newsletter team at outreach@dmava.nj.gov.
To view previous editions of our newsletter, please visit the DMAVA archives.
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nj.gov/military NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
101 Eggert Crossing Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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Disclaimer: The appearance of any non-DMAVA information or hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the products or services on the part of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. |
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