Since the terror attacks on September 11th, 2001 more and more citizen-soldiers from both the National Guard and Reserve have been involved in Homeland Defense and Homeland Security missions. 

According to Captain Robert Bryan, Assistant S-4, 50th Brigade, one of the people who helped put the training session together, “Given the wide variety of threats from conventional to chemical to biological to nuclear, it is more important now than ever before that our troops have the complete issue of necessary equipment for survival and effective functioning on the battlefield … wherever that battlefield may be located … and whenever we are deployed.”

Master Sergeant Israel “Izzy” Garcia, who works full-time as an NCO (non-commissioned officer) with the Brigade S-4 added, “Supply personnel assuming their duties for the first time needed a good basic foundation on procedures and systems; those who have been around for a while needed a tune-up on some of the new methods and some training on how to use newer computer software programs.”    

Instructors and facilitators from the United States Property and Fiscal Office (the federal agency responsible for all federal military equipment, supplies, and payroll in the National Guard inventory); Fort Dix Mobilization Readiness Command; 42nd Infantry Division G-4 (supply section), the higher headquarters for the 50th Brigade; and Property Book managers from every level of organization joined together with senior supply personnel from the 50th Brigade, to provide a comprehensive, extensive, and concentrated “how to” to the attendees.  

The course materials emphasized both property management and mobilization management.  In the event a unit is “mobilized”, they take 100% of their equipment with them.  Supply Sergeants and other supply personnel must ensure that they have sufficient quantities and sizes of uniforms, equipment, weapons, gas masks, rations, tents, sleeping bags, and other necessary equipment for each and every one of the soldiers in their unit.  The average “rucksack” / backpack weighs more than 60 lbs.  Standard issue items in addition to the items previously mentioned include the back pack itself, flack jacket/ vest, canteen, canteen cup, pistol belt, camel pack (water reservoir) load bearing equipment (ammo belt w/ suspender harness), ammo pouches, mosquito netting, shelter half, first aid kit, and MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat/ food rations).  All this and more in addition to the KEVLAR helmet and M-16A2 / A4 automatic rifle.

During weekend drills, two-week annual training periods, and other training activity, Supply Sergeants also are responsible for requisition, control, and distribution of ammunition, fuel, rations, billeting, and other areas of key logistical support.

Based upon the experiences and lessons learned from “Operation Desert Storm”, the effective ratio of transportation, logistics and support personnel to warriors on the battlefield is 5:1.  This means that every soldier serving on the front lines relies on the skill, professionalism, dedication, and expertise of 5 fellow soldiers for support; people performing non-combat functions from personnel to medical to supply to transportation services.  Regardless of the area of specific assignment (supply, transportation, personnel, etc.), every soldier, male or female, is first and foremost an infantryman with all the skills and training necessary to fight and survive on the battlefield. 

The 50th Brigade, the combat arm of the New Jersey Army National Guard, is under the command of Colonel Stephen Hines and is headquartered at the New Jersey National Guard’s Consolidated Army and Air National Guard Headquarters at Fort Dix.  The 50th Brigade is comprised of 5 battalions and two separate Companies:

1st Battalion 114th Infantry with units in Woodbury, Mount Holly, Burlington, and Atlantic City.
2nd Battalion 102nd Armor with units in Phillipsburg, West Orange, Somerset, Hackettstown, and Newton
2nd Battalion 113th Infantry with units in Riverdale, Jersey City, Newark, and    Woodbridge
3rd Battalion 112th Field Artillery with units in Morristown, Cherry Hill and Lawrenceville
5th Squadron 117th Cavalry with units in Vineland, West orange, and Woodstown, Dover
42nd MP Company and a Headquarters / Headquarters Company located at Fort Dix.

Following the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, in addition to performing other state and federal missions, troops from the 50th Brigade were mobilized to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts at ground zero; to provide additional security at the Hudson River Bridges and Tunnels; Newark International, Atlantic City International, and Trenton-Mercer Airports; and to enhance existing security at the state’s nuclear power facilities.