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DMA Military Newsletter | April 1, 2026 |
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| Ready to serve ★ military.nj.gov |
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 | Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays and Brig. Gen. Arthur C. Roscoe Jr. met with legislators at the State House in Trenton, NJ on March 23, 2026. |
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Enhancing Readiness through Partnerships |
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with New Jersey legislators at the State House in Trenton alongside Brig. Gen. Arthur Roscoe. These engagements are an important way we ensure our Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian teammates have what they need to succeed.
Our conversations focused on priorities that matter to the force and to the people of New Jersey. Readiness remains our core mission. That means ensuring our units are trained, equipped, and prepared to respond whenever called whether here at home or in support of federal missions. It also means maintaining strong relationships with our state partners, whose support is essential to sustaining that readiness.
Our discussions addressed both today’s requirements and the challenges ahead. Continued investment in our people, our facilities, and our capabilities ensures we remain a reliable and professional organization that New Jersey can depend on.
At the same time, we remain closely connected to our personnel deployed overseas. They continue to represent this organization with the highest level of professionalism. We will stay engaged, informed, and committed to supporting them and their families in every way possible. Thank you for all that you do each day to uphold our standards and strengthen this organization. |
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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. |
| View Full Calendar |
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DMA Month in Review Video |
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Governor Sherrill Visits Soldier & Family Readiness Group Family Fun Day
On March 21 2026, Governor Mikie Sherrill and First Gentleman Jason Hedberg joined Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays to meet with family members of deployed New Jersey National Guard service members at the Bordentown Armory.
The meeting took place during the NJ Department of Military Affairs Soldier & Family Readiness Group Family Fun Day. View Images |
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Commanders CallBrig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays held a Commander’s Call with retired senior leaders at the National Guard Armory in Bordentown, NJ on March 18, 2026.
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 | 177th Fighter Wing
On March 26, 2026, two F-16 pilots from the 177th Fighter Wing performed a flyover for the Philadelphia Phillies home opener at Citizens Bank Park, and nailed the timing. Nice work Jersey Devils! |
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SSgt Justin KahillDuring the March Unit Training Assembly, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Justin Kahill was awarded the Purple Heart, a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving in combat, due to enemy actions.
Kahill was wounded while serving as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, during a deployment to CENTCOM from March to November 2024. Thank you Staff Sgt. Kahill, for your sacrifice and service to this country. |
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 | TSgt Ashton Alicea
Technical Sergeant Ashton Alicea, a top recruiter for the New Jersey Air National Guard, was inducted into the Century Club after enlisting his 100th recruit. |
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SR Anthony MakuskieHuge congratulations to Seaman Recruit Anthony Makuskie who is currently enrolled as a Cadet in the NJ Youth ChalleNGe Academy!
On March 25, 2026, he officially swore into the United States Navy.
His commitment, discipline, and perseverance have led him to this incredible milestone. We are proud to have been part of his journey and can’t wait to see all he accomplishes as he serves our country. |
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NGTC Policies For 2026 Are Now AvailableThe National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, NJ has posted the Beach Parking Pass Policy, Billeting Policy and RV Site Policy for 2026.
Get all the information on our website at NGTC MWR Facilities. |
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 | Dan Dennis
CFMOPlease join us in congratulating Dan Dennis from the Construction and Facilities Management Office for being named DMA’s Employee of the Quarter. Well done, Dan! |
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Katherine Rumberger
Assistant to the DAG
Katherine Rumberger has recently joined DMA as Assistant to the Deputy Adjutant General, bringing more than 26 years of military service experience and a distinguished track record in leadership, logistics, and mission readiness.
Rumberger comes from a proud military family, as her husband, father, and grandfather all served. Inspired by their legacy, she enlisted at the age of 17 and spent six years as an enlisted Soldier before commissioning through Officer Candidate School in 2004. During her 26-year military career, she progressed through multiple leadership roles, including positions in the G4 logistics directorate and critical operational assignments.
Her career is highlighted by seven years as a Surface Maintenance Manager; a position she holds as her favorite role. In this position she oversaw 11 facilities and several hundred personnel, ensuring all equipment-maintained deployment-readiness standards, including vehicles, weapons, and night vision systems.
Prior to her break from service, Rumberger served as Assistant Chief of Staff. She also deployed to Iraq from 2008 to 2009 as the S4 (Supply Officer) for the 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, where she directed logistics operations in support of the mission’s success.
After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Rumberger took a two-year break to focus on raising her two daughters. Now, driven by her desire to be part of something bigger than herself, she has joined DMA to continue serving the military mission in a new capacity.
The fuel that fires Rumberger is her commitment to mission-focused work and deep appreciation for team dynamics. She thrives in fast-paced, mission-oriented environments where she can support Soldiers and contribute to organizational success. Her philosophy is that “the good days outweigh the bad days”, reflecting her resilient, positive approach to challenges.
Outside of work, Rumberger is a self-described introvert who has learned to manage social interactions effectively. She values quiet time and enjoys unplugging from daily distractions. During her downtime, she finds balance and recharge through these peaceful pursuits. Rumberger is excited about the opportunity to work with her current team at the DMA.
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 | SSG Michael Schwenk
Public Affairs OfficeStaff Sergeant Michael Schwenk joined DMA in December 2019, coming from a strong military family; his father served as a Marine Corps machine gunner from 1980-1984, and his grandfather served in the Navy aboard the USS Wasp during the Korean War.
Schwenk enlisted in the Marine Corps during his junior year of high school and was shipped to boot camp shortly after graduating in 2011. He served four years of active duty with 2nd Radio Battalion at Camp Lejeune. After separating from service in 2015, he attended Brookdale Community College as a graphic design major, where he discovered his passion for photography.
In 2018, he returned to military service by joining the New Jersey Army National Guard as a 25V Combat Documentation and Production Specialist, graduating from the course in 2019. His passion for the work during monthly drills inspired him to pursue the full-time mission, ultimately leading him to DMA (formerly DMAVA).
During the COVID-19 pandemic response, a video he produced highlighting the NJ National Guard operations was shared by the President of the United States, boosting its reach from roughly 1,000 views to more than 150,000 overnight. Schwenk’s work has earned significant recognition over the years.
His photography has been featured on the cover of Military Appreciation Magazine, and his images have been selected five times as the centerfold in National Guard Magazine. He also has been chosen for the Army Photos of the Year (2024, 2025) and the Department of Defense Photos of the Year (2024). |
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 | Cadet Gomez
We are proud to recognize Cadet Gomez for earning the prestigious Executive Ranking at the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy.
Through exceptional leadership, unwavering hard work, and true dedication to the Academy’s mission, Cadet Gomez has set the standard for her peers. Her commitment to excellence, discipline, and personal growth has distinguished her as a leader among leaders. Notably, Cadet Gomez is the first Cadet in Class 61 to achieve Executive status - a testament to her drive, character, and determination.
Outstanding job, Cadet Gomez! |
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 | DMA Leadership Meets With Legislators
Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military Affairs, and Brig. Gen. Arthur C. Roscoe Jr., the Deputy Adjutant General of New Jersey, met with New Jersey Senators and members of the State Assembly at the State House in Trenton, NJ on March 23, 2026. View Images |
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Lunch Break Huge thanks to the incredible volunteers from the NJ Youth ChalleNGe Academy who rolled up their sleeves and helped us shovel what felt like mountains of snow this year!
Beyond the shoveling, it meant so much to have you spend time with us at Lunch Break. Your energy, teamwork and willingness to help made a big difference for our staff, guests and community.
Thank you for showing what service and community truly look like! Image and caption courtesy of Lunch Break. Lunch Break freely provides food, clothing, housing solutions, life skills & fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County & beyond. |
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 | New Jersey Fallen Heroes Memorial |
In Honor of all those from New Jersey who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom. In humble gratitude, we remember their sacrifice. |
Memorial Inscription "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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Officers of the 1st Separate Battalion in 1935. |
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| April 3, 1782 |
Loyalist raider and “Pine Robber” John Bacon was discovered by local militia in a tavern near Tuckerton and was killed in the subsequent fight. | April 3, 1865 |
The Twenty-second United States Colored Infantry, an African-American unit mostly composed of men from New Jersey, was one of the first Union army regiments to enter Richmond, as the Civil War began to draw to a close. | April 6, 1917 |
The United States declared war on Germany. In the ensuing weeks New Jersey National Guardsmen were mobilized at Sea Girt and sent to Camp McClellan, Alabama, where they became part of the Twenty-ninth Division before shipping out to France. |
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April 12, 1782 |
Loyalists took Patriot Captain Joshua Huddy, a prisoner in New York since his capture at Toms River, to Highlands, where they hanged him in retribution for the death of Loyalist Philip White, killed allegedly attempting to escape on his way to Freehold as a prisoner. Huddy’s lynching led to an international incident when George Washington ordered a British prisoner selected to hang in retribution. The retaliation execution never occurred. |
April 16, 1930 |
The New Jersey legislature passed Chapter 149, laws of 1930, authorizing the “authorization and equipment of a battalion of Negro infantry” at state expense, in response to the refusal of the federal government to establish an African American National Guard unit in the state within the context of an overall segregated military. The unit, the “First Separate Battalion,” began organizing in Newark and Atlantic City the following year. |
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 | Hurricane Irma
More than 130 New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers with the 253rd Transportation Company deployed from Cape May Courthouse to support the Florida National Guard in anticipation of Hurricane Irma on September 8, 2017. |
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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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