Table of Contents
· TAG's Message
· CSM Message
· 108th Passes First Year Mark in NETTF
· Band of Brothers - and Sisters
· 177th CE Deploys to RAF Mildenhall
· Cavalry MOUTs up at Fort Knox
· 21st CST Go For Hot Zone
· Operation Whirlwind
· Chaplain Beats the Devil out of Soldiers
· News Guard Families Can Use

· Short Rounds
· Army and Air Enlisted Promotions
· Farewell to Brig. Gen. Bell
· Family Assistance Centers & Family Readiness Centers
· Guardlife Information

Guardlife - Volume 31, No. 4

Short Rounds
Compiled by the Guardlife Staff

108th Holds Family Day

Click to enlargeAn Airman and future pilot examine the controls of KC-135E stratotanker during the 108th Air Refueling Wing's annual Family Day July 17. Photo by Staff Sgt. Barbara Harbison, 108ARW/PA.

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Reflecting Pond Dedicated

Click to enlargeOn Aug 14, Col. James Grant (right), Commander, Joint Training and Training Development Center (JT2DC), Fort Dix; unveils a monument marker for a Reflecting Pond, along with Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth (second from right), Brig. Gen. Frank R. Carlini (second from left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Richard S. Adkins, Jr (left). The Reflecting Pond is a tribute to JT2DC deployed Soldiers and their families. Photo by Staff Sgt. David Moore, 444MPAD.

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Recruiter Wins Chief’s Challenge

Click to enlargeA 108th Air Refueling Wing Airman was selected as a winner of the National Guard Bureau’s Chief’s Challenge on June 20. Master Sgt. Joseph Ramirez recruited 20 people to win the award, competing against recruiters from across the country. He was joined by 63 recruiters that also won the challenge. Ramirez spent the Fourth of July weekend in Washington, D.C., where he participated in a joint awards breakfast followed by a trip to Fort McNair, where Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, addressed the attendees and their families at a special barbecue honoring the awardees. During the dinner, Lt. Gen. Blum chatted informally with the attendees and their families. To qualify for the award, a recruiter needed to recruit 18 people between Feb. 1 and June 15.

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Congratulations To The Grads

United States Army War College
· Col. Frank Dulfer
· Col. Mike Shute

Sergeant Major Academy
· Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Wright
· Sgt. Maj. Anthony Cahill
· Sgt. Maj. Timothy Marvian
· Sgt. Maj. Frank Sippel

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Units Get New Commanders

Click to enlargeLt. Col. Walter Alvarado (right) receives the 50th Personnel Services Battalion Guidon from Col. John DiNapoli (left), Commander, 57th Troop Command during a change of command ceremony on May 1 in Lawrenceville. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stephenson, NJDMAVA/PA.

Click to enlargeLeft to right, Maj. John E. Langston, Col. Frank Caruso, Commander, 50th Brigade, and incoming commander Lt. Col. Nicholas Chimienti stand at attention during the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Change of Command ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Riverdale August 7. Photo by Spc. Nick Young, 444 MPAD.

Click to enlargeLt. Col. Tommie Bellamy (left), outgoing commander, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry, Col. Frank Caruso (center) and Lt. Col. Robert Jarvis (right), new battalion commander, review the troops during the Change of Command Ceremony at Mount Holly June 10. Photo courtesy 1-114 Infantry.

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Youth Camp A Success

Click to enlargeJunior Volunteer Christine Palumbo instructs Camper Zachary Traver during the 11th annual New Jersey National Guard Youth Camp at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt July 17-23. 113 campers along with 100 volunteers participated in this year's camp. The camp serves the children and grandchildren of active and retired NJNG members and NJDMAVA employees. Photo courtesy NJNG Youth Camp.

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NJARNG Opens Vineland Storefront

Click to enlargeOn July 18 the New Jersey Army National Guard opened a new “Storefront” Recruiting Office in Vineland. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, along with local officals cut the ribbon. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

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Freedom Salutes Honor Soldiers

Click to enlargeSpc. Angelo Martinez, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry, presents his family with recognition items during one of four Freedom Salutes honoring the Battalion at armories in Jersey City, Newark, Riverdale and Woodbridge August 7. The Campaign is designed to recognize Army National Guard Soldiers, their families and employers who supported them. Photo by Sgt. Shawn Morris, 444th MPAD.

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TAG Presents Award

Click to enlargeMaj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth (left) poses with Master Sgt. Miguel A. Perez (right) after presenting him with a Meritorious Service Medal during the quarterly Recruiting and Retention Command meeting held in Atlantic City July 6. Photo courtesy Recruiting and Retention Command.

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Students Raise Money For Soldiers

Click to enlargeMarie Durling (left), Fundraiser Chairperson for the General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) Auxiliary, receives a donation of more than $1,000 to purchase calling cards for deployed New Jersey National Guardsmen from Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) students Christina Keenan (center) and Kathleen Beatty (right). The students recently completed their service project “Only a Call Away,” which raised the money for the troops. The project was started by students Caitlin Fazzio and Heather Duffield with help from Instructor Theresa Kerney. Photo courtesy GSAB Auxiliary.

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OCS Commissions 25 Second Lieutenants

Click to enlargeOn June 26, 25 New Jersey Army National Guard Officer Candidates were commissioned as second lieutenants. The ceremony was held at the New Jersey National Guard Training Center Sea Girt. The candidates belonged to Officer Candidate School Class Number 48 assigned to the 254th Combat Arms Regiment. The new officers will serve in every New Jersey Army National Guard command. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA.

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Flag Adds Color To Desert

Click to enlargeNo matter where you go, the Stars and Stripes always seems to brighten up a place, as demonstrated by four members of the 250th Signal Battalion. Left to right: Sgt.Dale McTighe, Spc. Michael Hale, Master Sgt. Mario Gulla and Capt. Joe Pipas proudly display our nation's colors. Photo courtesy Headquarters and Headquarters Company 250th Signal Battalion.

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Children Receive Toys

Click to enlargeRecently Maureen Turak, a NJDMAVA employee, mailed 50th Main Support Battalion Soldiers a shipment of toys to give to Iraqi children during their visits to perform medical assessments. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mickey McGuire (back, left), and Lt. Col. John Nunn (back, right), Executive Officer, Division Support Command, pose with some Iraqi children and their new toys. Photo courtesy Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mickey McGuire, 50MSB.