Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Mission
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Ready To Serve ★ Proud To Have Served
The mission of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is to provide trained and ready forces prepared for rapid response to a wide range of civil and military operations, while providing exemplary services to citizens and Veterans of New Jersey.
Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Help Veterans More Easily Obtain Nursing Licensure While Addressing Critical Health Care Shortages
Additional Bill Signed Into Law Honors Veterans’ Sacrifices by Covering Burial Costs for More Veterans
March 10, 2023
TRENTON –As part of the Murphy Administration’s ongoing efforts to support veterans and their families throughout New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy today signed two bills into law to ease the path for veterans with certain medical training to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and to expand eligibility for veterans with limited incomes to have their funerals covered by the government.
“It is our duty as a State and as a society to support the veterans who have selflessly served in defense of our country,” said Governor Murphy. “These new laws will allow us to honor their sacrifices and ease the burden on their families by expanding eligibility for funeral costs that are covered by county governments. Additionally, we are making it easier for other veterans to obtain civilian employment as licensed practical nurses by recognizing the medical training they received during their time in the military, which will also help bolster our statewide health care system.”
“The first bill relieves a burden on low-income families who seek to preserve the memory of their loved one’s life and service to our country,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.“The second piece of legislation is great news for the medical professionals within our services who are looking to apply their valuable skills outside the military.”
New Jersey National Guard Pioneered the End of Segregation
Although history credits President Harry Truman with desegregating America’s military, the truth is that racial integration had already arrived in New Jersey, thanks to a governor and National Guard leaders who had stubbornly insisted on equality in their forces.
In the space of four months, from November 1947 to February 1948, the New Jersey National Guard changed history.
The story begins at a time when the New Jersey National Guard was growing.
World War II had been over for more than a year and the New Jersey National Guard was recruiting new members to fill the recently created 50th Armored Division. The National Guard Bureau, which fell under the War Department, had authorized New Jersey to organize the 372nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery group. Because integration did not yet exist in the military, the 372nd would reflect the United States Army’s policy toward Blacks – the unit was to be composed entirely of Black Soldiers.
And this is where the story would have ended except for one event. Read the rest of the story.
Dates in History
July 1917
The NJ National Guard assembled at Sea Girt for World War I duty, and then traveled to Camp McClellan, Alabama. Most NJ National Guard units were assigned to the 29th Division, which was organized at McClellan. The old NJ state identified units were reorganized and given new federal numerical designations, including the 113th and 114th Infantry Regiments, which still exist in the state’s National Guard.
January 1957
The New Jersey National Guard ceased to be an all-male organization when the first women soldiers in its history, two nurses, Captain Frances R. Comstock and 1st Lieutenant Lucille Valentino of Paterson, were sworn in as members of the 114th Mobile Surgical Hospital.
June 2009
The New Jersey Army National Guard closed its largest combat deployment since World War II - the 2,900 soldiers of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team served 10 months in Iraq - with a parade and celebration in downtown Trenton, NJ.
The Adjutant General
Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou, D.O.
Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou, D.O., is the Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Brigadier General Hou commands the more than 8,400 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard. She leads, directs, and manages the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in the execution of federal and state missions. In addition, she manages all state veterans’ programs, commissions, and facilities in New Jersey.
Prior to being selected by Governor Philip Murphy on October 18, 2020, Brigadier General Hou served as the Assistant Commissioner for Operations, Deputy Adjutant General (DAG) for New Jersey.
In addition to her responsibilities with DMAVA, Dr. Hou is an active Brigadier General in the New Jersey National Guard. In 2018 she became the first Joint Surgeon of the New Jersey National Guard, overseeing medical readiness and medical personnel statewide.
Previously, Dr. Hou served in the dual roles of commander of the Medical Command and the State Surgeon. In those capacities, she was responsible for the medical and dental readiness of more than 6,000 soldiers.
