New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
DMAVA Highlights Archives

Dmva Highlights

 

DMVA Weekly Highlights
17 January 2003
Joint Chief of Staff, COL (Ret) Michael B. Smith

Current DMVA Highlights


  1. FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICES CLOSED ON MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2003, IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

  2. THE ADJUTANT GENERAL PRESENTED A STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING TO DMVA EMPLOYEES.

  3. RECOGNITION AND THANKS TO COL ALAN BUNTING AND THE MEMBERS OF THE 177TH FIGHTER WING, NJ AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

  4. CLASS 18 OF THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD CHALLENGE YOUTH PROGRAM WILL BEGIN ON 9 MARCH 2003.

  5. LtCol RONALD ALFORS AND THE 108TH COMPTROLLER ORGANIZATION ARE HONORED AS WINNERS OF THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND COMPTROLLER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR FOR FY 2002.

  6. NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLYMAN JOSEPH AZZOLINA AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN MARY PREVITE VISITED THE DEPARTMENT'S NEW HOMELAND SECURITY/CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.

  7. CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT CRAIG CZARNECKI HONORED BY THE DETECTIVE ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

  8. 2003 ARMED SERVICES YMCA ART CONTEST DEADLINE APPROACHES.

  9. 448 TROOPERS OF THE 5/117TH CAVALRY SQUADRON REPORT TO FT. DIX, NEW JERSEY.

  10. 20 JANUARY 2003 IS THE DEADLINE FOR ORDERING DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS. THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS HOCKEY GAME ON 30 JANUARY 2003.

  11. MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (MOAA) WILL GIVE $1,000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO RANDOMLY SELECTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MILITARY PEOPLE, INCLUDING RESERVISTS.

  12. ARMY KNOWLEDGE ONLINE - DO YOU HAVE AN ARMY KNOWLEDGE ONLINE (AKO) ACCOUNT?

  13. NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD WELCOMES ITS NEWEST WARRANT OFFICER.

  14. 2003 SOLDIER/NCO OF THE YEAR COMPETITION RESULTS.

  15. ARMORY HAPPENINGS - CHECK TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU.

  16. STATE EMPLOYEE OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT FORMS DISTRIBUTED.

  17. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, VIETNAM SERVICE, AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED.

  18. SAFETY TIP - REFUEL SAFELY BY STOPPING STATIC ELECTRICITY BUILD-UP.

  19. 177th FIGHTER WING TAKES TO THE SKIES OVER PHILADELPHIA'S VETERANS STADIUM.

  20. WORDS OF WISDOM.
* * * * * *
  1. FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICES CLOSED ON MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2003 IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., pastor and civil rights leader who advocated nonviolent protest in the fight to secure the human and civil rights of all Americans. In 1963 Dr. King helped organize the March on Washington, an assembly of more than 200,000 protestors. The march influenced the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. That same year, Dr. King was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. He broadened his advocacy to address the plight of the poor of all races and to oppose the Vietnam War. In 1968, while in Memphis, Tennessee to support a sanitation worker strike, Dr. King was assassinated. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated the third Monday in January a federal legal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.

  2.  
  3. THE ADJUTANT GENERAL PRESENTED A STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING TO DMVA EMPLOYEES at the Central Office facility in Lawrenceville and to the employees at the Headquarters Building at Fort Dix on Friday, 17 January 2003. BG Rieth reviewed the year's highlights and accomplishments of the NJ Army and Air National Guard, the employees who serve our state's veterans community, and the support staff who make it all possible. TAG expressed his gratitude for the teamwork that has made our Department one that we can all be proud of.

  4.  
  5. RECOGNITION AND THANKS TO COL ALAN J. BUNTING AND THE MEMBERS OF THE 177TH FIGHTER WING, NJ AIR NATIONAL GUARD who responded rapidly to the scene of a major water main break at the Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland with emergency heaters to ensure continuity of heat to the veteran residents of Unit One. This reinforces TAG's emphatic statement that we at DMVA are truly one Department. Well Done!

  6.  
  7. CLASS 18 OF THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD CHALLENGE YOUTH PROGRAM WILL BEGIN ON 9 MARCH 2003. The ChalleNGe Youth Program is a 17-month military style program (22-week rigorous residential phase and a 12-month post-residential phase) located at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The program is geared for youth who are high school dropouts 16 ½ to 18 years old. The goal of this program is to give students a second chance at life through education, (GED curriculum), life skills, leadership training and employment training. ChalleNGe is not a traditional "boot camp" environment. Placement Test dates are scheduled for 25 January and 15 February 2003 at 9:00 a.m., Building 5402, 1st Street, Fort Dix, NJ 08640. If you are aware of anyone who might be interested in attending, please have him or her contact Mr. Donald Alexander at 609-562-0577 or at e-mail address Donald.Alexander@njchallenge.com.

  8.  
  9. LtCol RONALD ALFORS AND THE 108TH COMPTROLLER ORGANIZATION ARE HONORED AS WINNERS OF THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND COMPTROLLER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR FOR FY 2002 in an announcement by Col Virginia Kelly, Air National Guard Comptroller. Competition was keen and a record number of nominations were submitted. The award will be presented on 4 February 2003 at a formal Awards Luncheon to be held during the FY 03 Air National Guard Comptrollers Conference, 4-6 February 2003, at the Double Tree Hotel, Arlington, VA. Congratulations on an outstanding job!

  10.  
  11. NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLYMAN JOSEPH AZZOLINA AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN MARY PREVITE VISITED THE DEPARTMENT'S NEW HOMELAND SECURITY/CENTER OF EXCELLENCE during the past week. They toured our new state-of-the-art facility and met with BG Rieth and Col Morgan to discuss military and veterans issues.

  12.  
  13. CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT CRAIG CZARNECKI HONORED BY THE DETECTIVE ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT. CMSgt Czarnecki, currently assigned to Headquarters, New Jersey Air National Guard, continues to try to make a difference for some of the survivors of September 11, 2001. Chief Czarnecki witnessed the carnage of Ground Zero while assisting with "Light Carts" to light up the immediate area around the fallen buildings. After being assigned to NJANG Headquarters, he met First Lieutenant Andrew Mattson, a traditional Guardsman and a member of The New York City Police Department. Lieutenant Mattson and Chief Czarnecki found a way to help survivors by soliciting donations for the NYPD Widow and Orphans Fund. Their product was a slide show of photos of the destruction taken after September 11. The funds collected by Chief Czarnecki were turned in and matched by a financial organization in New York for a total of over $1,000. For his efforts, Chief Czarnecki was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Detectives Endowment Association of the New York City Police Department by Major General Clark Martin, Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, and 1Lt Andrew Mattson.

  14.  
  15. 2003 ARMED SERVICES YMCA ART CONTEST'S DEADLINE APPROACHES. Elementary school artists of military families have until January 27 to enter the 2003 Armed Services YMCA Art Contest and earn a chance to win a $500 US Savings Bond. The annual talent hunt is open to kindergartners through sixth graders of active and reserve-component military families in all the services, including the Coast Guard. Winners are selected from each service and are awarded a $500 bond. Runners-up receive a $100 bond. Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilian's children may enter in an honorary category for a $100 bond. Winners' artwork will be judged on the theme, "My Military Family" and will be featured on the Military Family Month 2003 poster. For more information, visit the Armed Services YMCA web site at www.asymca.org or call (703) 313-9600.

  16.  
  17. 448 TROOPERS OF THE 5/117TH CAVALRY SQUADRON REPORT TO FT. DIX, NEW JERSEY to conduct a 5-day Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) exercise in preparation for their federal activation for the Air Force Base security mission. They have been tasked to support McGuire AFB and the Atlantic City International Airport NJ Air National Guard Base at Pomona. HQ STARC personnel are supporting this 5-day exercise, ensuring the 5/117th CAV soldiers are ready for deployment. The 5/117th CAV mission will begin in February 2003 and will last initially for one year. Good luck to all of the soldiers that will deploy, we know they will represent the NJ Army National Guard proudly.

  18.  
  19. 20 JANUARY 2003 IS THE DEADLINE FOR ORDERING DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS. THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS HOCKEY GAME ON 30 JANUARY 2003. If you are interested in obtaining tickets, contact SMSgt Dave Whalen, 108th Air Refueling Wing, at 609-754-3616.

  20. MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (MOAA) WILL GIVE $1,000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO RANDOMLY SELECTED SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MILITARY PEOPLE, INCLUDING RESERVISTS. Formerly known as The Retired Officers Association, the MOAA will honor 100 college-bound or current undergraduate students with individual $1,000 scholarship grants for the 2003-2004 school year. The association's scholarship program is part of an ongoing effort to assist young people from military families. Deadline to complete the online application is March 1st. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.moaa.org/Education/2003.

  21.  
  22. ARMY KNOWLEDGE ONLINE - DO YOU HAVE AN ARMY KNOWLEDGE ONLINE (AKO) ACCOUNT? If you do, then you are familiar with the Army's portal and capabilities that are being expanded every day for access to Army information resources from any Internet connected computer. One of the first resources that everyone can use is the e-mail service. If you use it as your primary e-mail address, it means contact listings don't have to change when you move or change assignments, providing a great way to stay connected with people. Army dependents are eligible for guest accounts, making communicating with deployed soldiers convenient and secure. Go to www.us.army.mil to check out AKO and create an account.

  23.  
  24. NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WELCOMES ITS NEWEST WARRANT OFFICER. WO1 Jason M. Swingle was pinned by the State Comand Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) Al Curving on Friday, 10 January 2003, at graduation ceremonies held in Fort Rucker, Alabama. A real story in the value of persistence, SRA Swingle started his quest to become an Army Aviation Warrant Officer nearly three years ago following a chance meeting with CW4 Fred Menschner at a local 7-11 store. After being selected for the third time through an order of merit board process, the Air Guard's mission was finally able to authorize an inter-branch transfer to move Airman Swingle over to the Army Guard. Graduating from a very rigorous Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) with The Red Devils Class #2003-04, Mr. Swingle will now remain at Fort Rucker for nearly a year of Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) training. He will return to the 5/117th CAV of the NJ Army National Guard as an Army Aviator helicopter pilot.

  25.  
  26. 2003 SOLDIER/NCO OF THE YEAR COMPETITION RESULTS. A selection board convened on Saturday, 11 January 2003, at the State Area Command Headquarters (STARC) Building, Fort Dix, to select new Jersey's nominees for the Soldier/NCO of the Year program. This board selected those soldiers who will represent the New Jersey Army National Guard at the First Army Competition at Camp Rowland, Connecticut.
  27. Enlisted Soldiers (PV1-CPL) Unit
    SPC Christopher Nettleton  A Co 250 SIG BN 
    SPC Jose M. Perez 1st BN 150th AVN
    CPL Michael Traenkner C Co 1/114th INF
    SPC Maria E. Velez T3BL
     
    NCO (SGT-SFC)  
    SFC Steven Katkics  HHC 50th BDE 
    SFC Nester R. Smith T3BL
    SGT Johnathon M. Sodamin 1st BN 150th AVN
    SGT Daniel F. Yuill HHC DISCOM

    The winners who will represent New Jersey are SGT Johnathon Sodamin from the 1st Battalion 150th Aviation as the NCO and SPC Maria Maria Velez from the T3BL as the enlisted soldier. All of the soldiers who competed are to be congratulated for a job well done. These soldiers were selected as the best from their units and Major Commands.

  28. ARMORY HAPPENINGS - CHECK TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AN ARMORY NEAR YOU.

  29. 16-19 Jan Tool Show Cherry Hill Armory
    18-19 Jan Dog Show Vineland Armory
    19 Jan Emcee Sports Card & Comics Show Bordentown Armory
    16-20 Jan Home Design & Landscape Show Morristown Armory
    23-24 Jan Antique Show Morristown Armory
    23-26 Jan Tool Show Lawrenceville Armory
    25 Jan Medieval Festival Westfield Armory
    28 Jan - 2 Feb Tool Show Mount Holly
    23 Feb NASCAR Collectibles Show Bordentown Armory
    28 Feb Wrestling Atlantic City Armory
    7 Mar Tool Show Bordentown Armory
    4 Mar Tool Show Woodbridge Amory
    21-23 Mar Craft Show & Sale

    Home Design & Landscape Show

    Morristown Armory

    Westfield Armory

    30 Mar NASCAR Collectibles Show Bordentown Armory

     
  30. STATE EMPLOYEE OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT FORMS DISTRIBUTED. Every state employee should have received a memo and form from the DMVA Ethics Officer concerning Outside Employment with this week's pay statement. Every employee is required to complete and return the form, even if they do not have any other employment. The completed form should be given to your supervisor, who will also sign it and send it to your Director for signature. All signed forms are to be returned to LTC (Ret) Jack Dillie, DMVA Ethics Officer.

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  32. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, VIETNAM SERVICE, AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED.

  33.  
    16 Jan - 1100 hrs. Distinguished Service/

    Meritorious Service Medal

    Salem Community College (Theater)
    29 Jan - 1100 hrs Vietnam Service Medal Middlesex County College
    4 Feb -- 1000 & 1300 hrs. Distinguished Service/

    Meritorious Service Medals

    Toms River Elks Lodge

     
  34. SAFETY TIP - REFUEL SAFELY BY STOPPING STATIC ELECTRICITY BUILD-UP. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) reminds motorists of the importance of avoiding potential problems with static electricity at gas pumps. In many parts of the country, static electricity build-up is most likely to occur during the fall and winter months, when air is cool or cold and dry - the typical climate conditions for static electricity buildup. Static electricity builds up when a motorist exits or re-enters the vehicle during fueling. Upon returning to the vehicle fill pipe during or at the end of refueling, the motorist may experience a static discharge at the fill point, which may cause a flash fire or small sustained fire with gasoline refueling vapors. The most effective means by which a motorist can avoid static electricity problems at the gas pump is to stay outside the vehicle while refueling. In the rare event a motorist does experience a fire while refueling, it's important to remember to leave the nozzle in the fill pipe of your vehicle and back away from it. Immediately notify the station attendant to shut off all dispensing devices and pumps with emergency controls. Consumers can minimize these and other potential fueling hazards by following safe refueling practices.

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  36. 177th FIGHTER WING TAKES TO THE SKIES OVER PHILADELPHIA'S VETERANS STADIUM. Members of the NJ Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing will provide a fly over Veterans Stadium at the start of the Eagles League Championship Game on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

  37.  
  38. This week's Words of Wisdom come from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
  • "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."
  • "Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?"
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