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DMA Military Newsletter | March 4, 2026 |
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| Ready to serve ★ military.nj.gov |
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Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays briefs senior leaders of the NJ Army National Guard on February 21, 2026. |
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Focus on People |
My core responsibility as The Adjutant General is to ensure our force is ready for any mission. True readiness, however, is not built on equipment and training alone. It is forged in the strength of our people, the quality of our leaders, and the stability of our families. This is why I am committed to a holistic vision for the health of our force - one where investing in professional development and supporting our families are one and the same mission.
Recently, I had the opportunity to put this philosophy into action, gathering our Army National Guard officers, warrant officers, and senior NCOs for a series of professional development discussions.
We didn't just talk about tactics and readiness metrics. We focused on the character of our leadership. We discussed the adaptability and accountability required to lead in a complex world, emphasizing that a leader's greatest responsibility is the stewardship of our most valuable asset: our people. Every dollar and every hour we invest in making a better leader is a direct investment in the health and morale of the Soldiers and Airmen they lead.
This focus on people is paramount because we know that service is a family commitment. As many of our own serve in the Middle East, their dedication to duty is matched only by the quiet strength of their families back home. My message to you - our service members and families - is that this support system is the bedrock of our operational strength. Ensuring you have the resources, support, and recognition you deserve is not a secondary effort; it is a primary component of our readiness. A service member can only be fully mission-focused when they know their family is cared for.
Whether you are training here in New Jersey, supporting one of DMA's core missions, or are deployed thousands of miles from home, you are part of a single team. Our readiness is a direct reflection of our disciplined leadership, our mutual trust, and our unwavering commitment to one another and to our families.
Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and for being a vital part of our community. |
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As always, thank you for staying connected to DMA.
We invite you to share ideas, events and feedback. Please email our team at outreach@dma.nj.gov.
Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays
Adjutant General & Commissioner |
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Community Calendar |
New events are added to the calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
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DMA Month in Review Video |
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Adjutant General Professional Conference Brig. Gen. Yvonne Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, hosted a series of New Jersey Army National Guard professional development discussions at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ on February 21, 2026.
NJARNG officers, warrant officers, and senior noncommissioned officers attended the conference to foster camaraderie and strengthen professionalism across the force.
The session provided leaders at multiple levels with practical insights while reinforcing the importance of adaptability and mission focused leadership in today’s changing operational environment. View Images |
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Recruit Sustainment ProgramUnder the watchful eye of their Drill Instructors, recruits with the New Jersey Army National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program conducted weekend drill in West Orange, NJ on February 28, 2026.
The Recruit Sustainment Program is designed to introduce new recruits to the fundamentals of the U.S. Army before they leave for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. View Images |
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108th Civil Engineer SquadronA huge shoutout to the incredible team from the 108th CES! Sixteen of our finest braved Blizzard 2026, working over 800 hours in just three days to clear the way for our mission at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
From runways to roads and parking lots, they did it all. Let's give a big round of applause to them and our building managers for keeping everyone safe! |
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Brig Gen Derek RouttU.S. Air Force Colonel Derek B. Routt, Assistant Adjutant General - Air / Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, was promoted to Brigadier General at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ on February 20, 2026.
Routt advises The Adjutant General on all matters relating to the Air National Guard and is responsible for aligning state and federal missions supporting the well-being, preparedness, and operational effectiveness of over 2,400 New Jersey Air Guardsmen.
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 | CSM John Hicks
U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major John R. Hicks assumed responsibility as the State Command Sergeant Major during a ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, NJ on February 20, 2026.
During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Leonard relinquished his responsibilities as senior enlisted leader to Hicks.
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 | SGT Seth Cohen
Sergeant Seth Cohen of the New Jersey National Guard Recruiting & Retention Battalion has been named the 1st Place winner of the 2025 Keith L. Ware Award in Category A: Soldier Communicator of the Year.
This recognition highlights SGT Cohen’s exceptional dedication to telling the New Jersey National Guard’s story, his commitment to excellence in public communication, and his ability to engage and inspire communities across New Jersey.
His work reflects the highest standards of professionalism and represents the state and the force with distinction.
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 | SGT Katherine Valdivieso
Sergeant Katherine Valdivieso, originally from Lodi, NJ, attended Lodi High School and completed some of her college credits at Rutgers University in Newark. She is continuing her education at Thomas Edison State University.
Valdivieso joined the military in 2018 at 17 years old through the Split Training Option, which allowed her to complete basic training after her junior year and her advanced individual training after her senior year.
“I chose to serve because I wanted to fully embrace the opportunities this country has provided and to challenge myself to grow beyond my comfort zone,” said Valdivieso. “The Army has given me structure, purpose, and a platform to build a future through discipline and service. Becoming a mother has deepened that purpose. Everything I do now is to build a legacy that my son can be proud of and to show him that discipline, resilience, and faith can take you anywhere.”
Valdivieso’s long-term goal in the military is to continue developing as a leader and ultimately complete a full career in service. She wants to mentor and shape the next generation of Soldiers, just as her leaders once invested in her.
Currently deployed to the U.S. CENTCOM area of operation, Valdivieso serves as a supply sergeant and is responsible for the accountability and management of more than $30 million of military equipment in support of mission operations and life support. Her role directly contributes to operational readiness and ensures that Soldiers have what they need to accomplish the mission safely and effectively.
“The experiences during this deployment has shaped me into a stronger leader, a more patient teammate, and a more dedicated mother,” said Valdivieso. |
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 | Retirement / Transition Seminars
These seminars are held quarterly at the Bordentown Armory. They benefit service members who are near retirement or transitioning to the “Gray Area” waiting to apply for their pension.
Seminars start at 0900 hours and end at approximately 1230 hours. Several vendors are in attendance. Tricare and US Family Health Plan also brief.
Please use the Registration Form to learn more and register for these seminars. - 7 March 2026
- 24 June 2026
- 19 September 2026
- 9 December 2026
Retirees can stay informed by subscribing to The Next Checkpoint newsletter. |
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Jennifer Glazewski Executive Secretary
Jennifer joined the New Jersey Department of Military Affairs in 2019, initially as a part-time employee, after learning about an opening through a colleague. Her connection to the department is deeply personal. Her father served in the New Jersey Army National Guard, attended Officer Candidate School, and later worked for the department - a legacy of service that continues to inspire her work today.
Within the department, Jennifer oversees service medals and medal ceremonies, a role she finds especially fulfilling as she witnesses the appreciation veterans have for long-overdue recognition.
Since the departmental transition, she has led the transfer of the awards system to DMA and continues to take on additional responsibilities, including museum liaison support and upcoming ID card coordination.
While the transition has brought significant changes in a short amount of time, Jennifer continues to use her experience to keep the organization moving forward.
Jennifer remains committed to the department because she values serving those who serve our country and their families. For her, this job is a continuation of her family’s commitment to service and a daily opportunity to make a lasting impact. |
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Aim High: Detachment 485 Is Named Air Force ROTC Team of the Year Mike Lucas | Rutgers.edu | February 24, 2026
The Ravens of Rutgers University-New Brunswick are soaring - and top brass have taken notice.
Detachment 485 has been named the 2025 Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps Team of the Year. The designation comes from the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, where the Department of the Air Force’s top accessions officers oversee Headquarters Air Force ROTC, Officer Training School and Junior ROTC programs worldwide.
It is the first time the detachment, known as the Ravens, has been awarded the honor, which unit leaders described as “the highest echelon of recognition” within the Air Force ROTC organization.
Ahead of the Holm Center distinction, Detachment 485 was named the 2025 Air Force ROTC Northeast Region Team of the Year. It is the second time the unit has earned the award – which recognizes the combined excellence of cadre, staff and cadets in leadership, education and service - following its first win in 2020.
Read Full Story |
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US Air Force Major Beverly Huber of Pedricktown, NJ after leaving the last airplane full of troops from Vietnam in 1973. Major Huber told the press that she was "very pleased to be the last American lady out of Vietnam." |
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March 9, 1968 | Rutgers ROTC graduate 1st Lieutenant Jack Jacobs, advisor to a South Vietnamese infantry unit, helped save 14 American and Vietnamese soldiers under heavy enemy fire. Jacobs was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions that day. |
March 10, 1865 | The 40th New Jersey Infantry Regiment was officially mustered into service during the final months of the Civil War. It was the last regiment raised by New Jersey for the war. The regiment fought their first and last battle during the Union victory in the Third Battle of Petersburg on April 2, 1865. |
March 12, 1822 |
Timothy Webster was born in Newhaven, England. Webster emigrated with his family to Princeton, New Jersey, at the age of eight and lived there until he became a Pinkerton agency detective in 1853. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he served as a Union spy but was discovered, tried, convicted and hanged in Richmond in 1862, the first American executed as a spy since Nathan Hale. |
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March 20, 1874 |
The Washington Association of New Jersey was formed to oversee the preservation and maintenance of the Ford Mansion, George Washington’s Morristown headquarters, recently purchased at auction by a group of prominent local citizens. | March 21, 1778 |
Loyalist raiders under Colonel John Simcoe massacred New Jersey militiamen, inadvertently killing a Loyalist judge in the process, in a night bayonet attack at Hancock’s Bridge. | March 21, 1967 |
Ramsey-born U.S. Army Master Sergeant Charles Ernest Hosking Jr. of the Fifth Special Forces Group was mortally wounded attempting to capture a Viet Cong sniper. The enemy soldier pulled the pin on a hand grenade, and Hosking grabbed him, taking the full force of the blast and saving his comrades. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. Hosking is buried in Ridgewood. |
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COL Christine HaycockIn 1952, Colonel Christine Haycock became the first woman officer to serve as a physician in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Following the Korean War, she became the first woman to hold a major command in New Jersey, with responsibility for the Army’s 322nd General Hospital.
The image above is from her display case at the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey in Lawrenceville. |
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 | CPT Eleanor Grace Alexander
Eleanor Grace Alexander joined the Army Nurse Corps in May 1967, and attained the rank of Captain. After finishing her basic training at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Houston, she was placed at the 85th Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon, Vietnam in June 1967.
Alexander was killed on November 30, 1967. She was with twenty-six other people in a transport plane that crashed three miles south of their duty station.
She is the only woman from New Jersey killed in action. The town of River Vale has dedicated a park in her honor.
NJVVMF Biography |
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 | SFC Shereka Danzy
In 2017, Sergeant First Class Shereka Danzy became the first female New Jersey Army National Guard Soldier to graduate from the prestigious U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. |
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We Are Hiring!At the New Jersey Department of Military Affairs we take our work in support of Servicemembers and their families very seriously. The Department provides valuable services and can offer rewarding career opportunities to members of the public.
In addition, we have job openings for members of our military to serve in AGR and Federal Technician roles.
Subscribe to the MilVets Jobs Bulletin to stay updated on job openings.
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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, please visit our website at military.nj.gov to get contact information. |
| Contact DMA |
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Please email us at outreach@dma.nj.gov with feedback and comments regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please email us your proposal. |
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military.nj.gov NJ Department of Military Affairs 101 Eggerts Crossing Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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Disclaimer: The appearance of any non-DMA information or hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the products or services on the part of the NJ Department of Military Affairs. |
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