What is
a few years younger than the Mayflower Compact (1620);
a lot older than the Declaration of Independence (1776)
and U.S. Constitution (1787); predates the U.S. Army,
Navy and Marine Corps by 139 years; and is 311 years
older than the Air Force?
Answer:
The National Guard, which turned 371 years young yesterday
on Dec. 13.
It all started
in 1636 when the General Court of the Massachusetts
Bay Colony, which functioned as the colony's legislature,
ordered existing militia companies from the towns surrounding
Boston
to form into three regiments: North, South and East.
While other
English colonies had individual towns with militia companies
before 1636, Massachusetts
was the first place in the New
World where the population was large enough
to justify organizing companies into regiments for command
and control.
From its
very beginnings, the United
States has been a militia
(Guard) nation. The existence of and need for the colonial
militia was ratified by the Founding Fathers in the
Constitution. Congress specifically defined those missions
the militia would be used for: "to Execute the
Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions."
Yet, even
as the National Guard has transformed many times, it
remains true to the Founder's intent of a citizens'
Army; and, for the last three generations, a citizens'
Air Force.
Future National
Guard generations will continue to employ all of the
modern technology at its disposal at home and abroad.
At the core, however, today's National Guard members
and yesterday's Minutemen remain the same person: citizens
with the conviction that their military service is required
to make their nation and communities a safer and better
place.
Flag finds
its way from Ohio
to France to Vietnam
to Iraq
to..
Commentary
by Staff Sgt. Harold Beard, 447th Expeditionary Security
Forces Squadron, Sather Air
Base, Iraq
I recently
received a piece of history in a care package from my
father-in-law, Walter Omiecinski.
Inside the
package, contained a 48 Star American Flag that was
first purchased by Mr. Omiecinski's parents in 1940.
The flag was first raised over Walter's boyhood home
in Ohio on Dec. 7,
1941 in honor of the fallen at Pearl
Harbor.
The flag
was then given to an uncle, Bernard Omiecinski, who
served as an U.S. Army sergeant during World War II.
Bernard Omiecinski took it with him to every post he
was assigned.
On Aug.
14, 1944, Sergeant Omiecinski was killed near St. Lo,
France shortly after the D-Day invasion. The flag, along
with his personal effect, were returned to the United
States and back in the care of
the Omiecinski family in Ohio.
In 1957,
the flag was given to Walter Omiecinski, my father-in-law.
Mr Omiecinski, a Green Beret during Vietnam,
and Purple Heart recipient, flew the flag at each post
he was assigned during the conflict.
In turn,
I flew the flag on Sather Air Base in Baghdad,
Iraq
on Dec. 7, 2007 - commemorating its 67th birthday. It
will be encased and displayed in a special place in
my New Jersey
home.
I hope to
pass it on to one of my children one day and they can
fly it at one of their military posts which may not
be long from now. My daughter, Courtney, recently graduated
from U.S. Air Force Basic Training, and is currently
attending technical school to become an intelligence
specialist.
Editor's
note: Staff Sgt. Beard is a member of the 108th Air
Refueling Wing, Security Forces Squadron and currently
deployed to Iraq.
Well, maybe
not Eagles in this case, but New Jersey Air National
Guard Fighting Falcon aircraft flew a four-ship flyover
of last Sunday's NFL game at Philadelphia between the
Eagles and the New York Giants. Appearing above the field at exactly the moment
that the last notes of the National Anthem were fading,
the 177th Fighter Wing F-16s provided the biggest thrill
of the game (at least for Eagles fans).
With fireworks erupting simultaneously at the
edges of the stadium, the crowd was treated to a precision
formation of Atlantic City Air Guard fighter jets screaming
overhead.
108th holds
Holiday Party for
members, family
The 108th
Air Refueling Wing gave the holiday season a great sendoff
during Sunday of their drill weekend.
On Dec. 9, the day started off with a deployment
line for the youth. Check-in, fitting for flak jackets, briefings,
weapons displays, and dog tags started off their "deployment."
Then they loaded into buses and were driven to
the flightline where they got the opportunity to tour
a KC-135R Stratotanker and a fire engine. Both pieces of equipment had operators on
hand to give briefings, answer questions and assist
the youngster to climb around in their explorations.
Meanwhile,
members of the 108th attended a Commander's Call where
they honored unit members who recently returned from
deployments to Iraq. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth addressed the assembled
Airmen and a number of awards were given out.
Finally,
everyone gathered together for a meal, Santa Claus and
presents, visiting with each other and a large screen
view of the Eagles vs. the Giants football game.
Veterans
Haven gets two more cars for residents
From the
desk of Robert Sauselein, Superintendent of Veterans
Haven
Boggs Auto
Rebuilders has a contest every year in which they have
people submit a letter stating how owning a vehicle
would change their life. This is the third year
that residents from Veterans Haven have submitted letters.
We were fortunate this year, because Alfred Wilson Sr.
a resident at Veterans Haven was selected by their committee.
Wilson was given a 1997
Cadillac Seville on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Boggs
also paid for a year of car insurance, gave Wilson a
$100 gas gift card, and three $25 gift cards -
one for Outback Steak House, one for Red Lobster and
one for Kohl's Department store.
On Wednesday,
Dec. 13, during their council meeting the Borough of
Sea Girt presented me with the title and keys for a
1997 SUV Lexus they were donating to one of our residents.
This was a made possible because of retired Lt. Col.
Mark Clemmensen, the former superintendent of the National
Guard Training Center at Sea Girt, now the Council President
of Sea Girt Borough.
On behalf
of the residents and staff of Veterans Haven I would
like to extend our gratitude to both Boggs Auto Rebuilders
and the Borough of Sea Girt.
Portal IM
service allows Airmen, friends, family to connect
by Staff
Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, Secretary of the Air Force Public
Affairs
WASHINGTON
(AFPN) -- Friends and family members can keep in touch
with Airmen anywhere in the world through an instant
messaging program available through the Air Force Portal.
Every Airman
is permitted up to five guest users through the Friends
and Family Instant Messaging service, which works "24
hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,"
said Lt. Col. David Gindhart, the Global Combat Support
Systems program director.
"It's
an important morale tool for deployed Airmen, their
friends and family, allowing them to stay connected,
no matter where in the world they are," Colonel
Gindhart said. "All Airmen need to do is create
an account for their loved ones and they can chat whenever
they have access to the Web without jeopardizing Air
Force network security."
To register
a guest, follow these steps:
-- Log into
the Air Force Portal
-- In the
upper right hand corner, click on the My Profile tab
-- Then
click on the Manage FFIM tab
-- Click
on Add an Account
-- Fill
out the required information (name, e-mail address)
and read the user policy
-- Click
on Register
Two e-mails
will then be sent automatically to the friend or family
member's address. The first contains the individual's
username; the second will be a temporary password. The
guest then has 24 hours to log into the portal and create
their own unique password, which they'll use from that
point on.
More than
20,000 guests are registered in the FFIM program, and
more than 1,000 guests per week use the service, Colonel
Gindhart said.
"One
Airman's mother wrote in, thanking us for providing
this service,"
Colonel
Gindhart said. "While her son was deployed, she
was able to chat with him online, giving her peace of
mind that her son was safe. I have a hundred other quotes
just like this -- we are honored to provide this service,
especially during holiday deployments."
In addition,
Colonel Gindhart said the GCSS staff hopes to expand
the Air Force's IM service and offer features comparable
with commercial IM providers, like photo sharing and
even video teleconferencing.
State Employees'
Toy Drive
looking for toys, gifts
The New
Jersey State Employees Toy Drive will run through Dec.
17. The toys and gifts will be distributed to children
under the supervision of the Department of Children
and Families, Division of Youth and Family Services.
Gifts are needed for all age groups, the greatest need
each year is for children ages 10-17 years old. Gifts
should be new and unwrapped. A suggested list is provided
for age appropriate gifts.
Toys can
be dropped off at the drop off boxes that were used
for the annual coat drive located in various locations.
For Central Office the drop off box is located in the
central lobby.
If you have
any questions, contact Paul Serdiuk, coordinator at
609-530-6878. He can supply you with gift suggestion
lists for the children.
Military Training,
Schools, Opportunities
254th Regiment
announces upcoming courses
Here are
the 254th Regiment courses that are on the calendar. When using ATRRS, the school code is 1004.
Inactive Duty Training
(IDT) Courses:
The Army Instructor Training Course, (TAITC)
April 5-June 7, 2008 - 12 openings
Basic NCO Course, (BNCOC)
April 5-Sept. 7, 2008 - 48 openings
Pre WARRIOR Leadership Course (3 weekends)
Jan. 5-6, 2008
Feb. 2-3, 2008
March 1-2, 2008
Officer Candidate School (OCS)
begins March 1, 2008
Active Duty Training (ADT) Courses:
68W Combat Medic Training Course Sustainmen
Feb. 4-13, 2008 - 32 openings
***NEW ON ATRRS, Combat Lifesaver Course (CLC-06)
11 classes
Dec. 4-6, 2007
Dec. 11-13, 2007
Dec. 18-20, 2007
Jan. 2-4, 2008
Jan. 8-10, 2008
Jan. 15-17, 2008
Jan. 22-24, 2008
Jan. 29-31, 2008
Feb. 5-7, 2008
Feb. 11-13, 2008
Feb. 19-21, 2008
13D10 MOS-T FA Tactical Data System Specialist
March 15-29, 2008 - 12 openings
13F10 MOS-T Fire Support Specialist
March 15-22, 2008 - 18 openings
31B10 MOS-T Military Police
March 8-22, 2008 - 20 openings
88M10 MOS-T Motor Transport Operator
March 15-29, 2008 - 16 openings
Company Level Command Team Course (for new Commanders & their
1SGs)
April 12-13, 2008 - 60 openings
11B10 MOS-T Infantryman
May 3-17, 2008 - 34 openings
11B40 Infantryman ANCOC
June 7-21, 2008 - 31 openings
If you have any questions, contact
Master Sgt. Gary Davidson, 732-974-5912 or gary.davidson@nj.ngb.army.mil.
MRSA seminar
to be given by NJ Dept. of Health at Lawrenceville
"Let's
Talk About MRSA" - Media reports in the fall of
2007 raised public awareness of skin infections that
were resistant to anti-biotic caused by MRSA (Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus). What exactly is
MRSA? Who is at risk? How is it treated?
What can you do to protect yourself? These questions
and more will be answered in this timely seminar.
A representative
from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services will be in Conference Room A, Central Office,
on Friday, Dec. 20, 10-11 a.m., to give a presentation
on MRSA with a question and answer session after the
presentation.
Seating
is limited, so please contact Paul Serdiuk at 609-530-6878,
or Serdiuk@njdmava.state.nj.us to reserve a seat.
Bush declares
holiday for federal workers on Dec. 24
President George W. Bush signed an Executive
Order on Thursday, Dec. 6 that closes all executive
branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government
and excuses their employees from duty on Monday, Dec.
24. Certain offices
and installations may remain open and employees must
report to duty for reasons of national security or defense
or other public need.
Honorable Mention
Better Business
Bureau partners with Air Force
The Air
Force began an official partnership with the Council
of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) recently. The partnership
encourages Airmen and their families to use the bureau's
free programs, services and materials.
The BBB
Air Force Line website aimed specifically at its Air
Force audience. The site includes BBB products and services
such as reliability reports on businesses and charities,
consumer tips and alerts, and a link to file complaints.
The site also includes news items of particular interest
to military consumers. Through the website, Airmen may
sign up for a monthly newsletter that contains a regular
"scam alert" feature. Visit http://www.bbb.org/airforce for more information.
Affordable
TRICARE benefit for drilling National Guard members
The John
Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2007 (P.L. 109-364), enhanced the TRICARE Reserve
Select (TRS) health plan. Under this new TRS health plan, effective
October 1, 2007, certain members of the Selected Reserve
may qualify for health care coverage under TRS at $81
for single coverage and $253 for family coverage.
Selected Reserve members who are enrolled or
eligible to enroll in a health benefit plan under chapter
89 of title 5 U.S.C. Federal Employees Health Benefit
Program (FEHBP), IRR and ING Soldiers are excluded from
purchasing TRS.
Soldiers
currently enrolled in the three tier TRS program must
have transitioned to the new program by Sept. 30, 2007.
For more information or to enroll contact your
state representative listed on
http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit, select the "benefits update" link
for the Tricare Reserve Select information page.
N.J. licenses,
registration extended for deployed troops
New Jerseyans who are active
duty military, including the National Guard and military reserves, serving in the war on terrorism, are eligible
for automatic extensions of a valid driver license,
registration or inspection expiration dates. Go to www.nj.gov/mvc/ for more information.
DMAVA Suggestion
program alive and well
The DMAVA
Suggestion Program is still in effect and the Suggestion
Box is located in the cafeteria on the center column
wall.
You can
find the suggestion form at www.nj.gov/military; click on Blank Forms. Unsigned
suggestions may/or may not be answered, depending on
their importance. Unsigned suggestions, if they
warrant a response, will be answered at Town Hall Meetings.
All signed suggestions will receive
a response from Col. Alan Bunting, TAG-SEA.
If you have
any questions regarding this program, call Renee McGuire,
609-530-6983.
Free downloadable
CD available for military
By Samantha
L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service
Just in
time for the holidays, 13 major recording artists have
created a musical "Thank You" for the troops.
"CD for
the Troops" will be available for anyone with a valid
military identification card to download at no cost
from the Army and Air Force Exchange service Web site,
www.aafes.com, beginning Nov. 17.
Musicians
such as Billy Joel, Brooks & Dunn, the Goo Goo Dolls,
Jewel, Josh Groban, Los Lonely Boys, Melissa Ethridge,
the Neville Brothers, Sarah McLachlan, the Lt. Dan Band,
Montgomery Gentry, the Fray and Five for Fighting contributed
to the project.
John Ondrasik,
the singer-songwriter who performs under the stage name
"five for fighting," spearheaded the project.
Ondrasik is a staunch support of America's service members. He hopes the downloadable version of the CD
will be available on the AAFES Web site through April.
Hard copies of the CD will be sent to troops in theater,
military hospitals and Fisher Houses. Onderasik hopes
the music "inspires, motivates, provides and avenue
for reflection or simply distracts you from a mission
few can imagine, much less undertake."
"If anything,
let each tune be a small piece of home to carry you
forward," he said. "Thank you for all you do, and feel
free to shoot me an e-mail with requests for 'CD for
the Troops II.'"
Guard, Reserve
members, families encouraged to nominate employers
The Department
of Defense will open the nomination season for the 2008
Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
on Nov. 1, 2007. National Guard and Reserve members
and their families are eligible and encouraged to nominate
employers who have gone above and beyond in their support
of military employees. Nominations will be accepted
at www.esgr.mil from Nov. 1, 2007 to Jan. 21, 2008.
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
is the U.S.
government's highest recognition given to outstanding
employers.
For questions
regarding the nomination process, please contact New
Jersey ESGR at 609-562-0156.
Discounts
offered for State employees
Are you
a state employee looking to save a few $$$?
Visit www.state.nj.us/personnel/discounts/index.htm and you can find a number of businesses who
offer discounts to New
Jersey state employees.
From amusement parks to fitness to computer to
phones and lots of other discounts between, you will
find many ways to save money. For more information,
please contact Cindy Leese at cindy.leese@njdmava.state.nj.us
or call 609-530-7056.
ReserveAid gives support to families of deployed
service members
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj.
Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Reserve Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
committed to providing financial support to the families
of Reserve Service Members called to active duty in
all five branches of the Armed Forces. Reserve Aid makes
unrestricted, need based grants to military families
who have a Reserve service member on full-time deployment
to a combat zone or homeland security position. Their goal
is to alleviate the emotional and financial burdens
placed on the men and women called to serve our country
by supporting their families at home. For additional
information and application procedures go to: http://www.reserveaid.org
2-1-1 - new statewide number for assistance
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj.
Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Need help? Dial 2-1-1: You
can find everything from basic needs like food, housing
and healthcare to legal services, drug treatment, job
assistance, childcare, mental health services, transportation,
financial assistance, municipal programs and much more.
The 2-1-1service is a new statewide number for New Jersey residents. It connects people
with the resources they need to solve problems.
It is free and confidential.
FRG volunteers: track your time
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
Here is a friendly reminder to all Family Readiness
Group volunteers. First of all we would like to thank
each and every one of you personally for your time and
dedication to our troops and their families. If
you have not already done so we would appreciate it
if you would take a few minutes each day, week or month
to go into the Volunteer Tracking System on guardfamily.org and insert
the precious time that you have committed to making
our Family Program the best! This is a way for
the Family Program and the senior leadership to see
who is helping out in their Guard communities and to
award those who go the extra mile.
253rd FRG meeting is scheduled for Jan. 30
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance Specialist
The 253rd Transportation Company's Family Readiness
Group has their next meeting scheduled for Jan. 30,
2008, at 7 p.m. The
meeting will be held at the Cape May Court House Armory.
Position openings in Family Programs
There are several contractor positions open in
Family Programs.
Family Assistant
Center Coordinator - 2 openings
Locations: Jersey
City and Morristown
General Duties: Serve as liaison between NJNG members, family
members, the local community and the State Family Programs
Director. Provide
assistance to family members of deployed service members
to include referral service, resource assistance/management,
Family Readiness Group training and moral support .
Must also be able to develop working relationships
with state and local agencies, military, government
and social services agencies, business and civic organizations
that are willing to offer assistance and provide services
in support of National Guard members and their families.
Family
Readiness Assistant - 1 opening
Location: Joint Force Headquarters, Ft. Dix
General Duties: Assist the State Family Programs Director
in developing and maintaining Family Readiness Groups
(FRG) throughout NJ.
Train FRG committee members on overall conduct
to include regulatory guidelines, limitations, duties
and responsibilities.
Serve as a liaison between Rear Detachments,
military points of contact and volunteers.
Resumes should be submitted no later than Dec.
28 to:
NJ Army National Guard
JFHQ-NJ, Attn:
Family Programs, CPT Glatz
3650 Saylor's Pond Road
Fort
Dix, NJ 08640
For more information call Capt. Amy Glatz, State
Family Programs Director at 609-562-0668.
Identity theft and your child
With all the talk of identity theft, one group
has been completely forgotten: your children.
In 2004, more than 400,000 children were identity
theft victims; double the number from 2003.
So how is this possible? Simple, children
are registered for social security numbers almost immediately
after being born. Because they have no history,
their records are the perfect opportunity for abuse
by identity thieves.
Here are some simple steps to prevent this from
happening:
v
Discuss with your child about the importance of keeping
their information private and never share that information
with strangers.
v
Watch the mail for offers from credit card companies
or bills with their name on them; report any suspicious
activity to credit bureaus.
For more information on identity theft; go to
www.ftc.gov/credit.
Photography contest for military youths
From the desk of Amanda Balas, State Youth
Coordinator
Operation Military Kids project in New Jersey is sponsoring
a photo contest. The
theme is "Families in the Military." Any youth of a
military family in any branch of the service, including
active duty, National Guard and Reserves is eligible
to enter.
The age categories for entries are grades 2-5,
grades 6-8 and grades 9-12.
Photos can be black and white or color and can
be in digital or 35mm format.
Photos must be taken by the youth and should
capture a unique moment or setting their family life
or in their community that means something special to
them. They will
be judged on originality and creativity. First and second places will be awarded in
each age category.
Contact Amanda Balas, N.J. National Guard State
Youth Coordinator, for entry forms and more information
at 609-562-0742 or Amanda.balas@us.army.mil. Deadline
for submissions is Jan. 14, 2008.
Army Information Line: 1-800-833-6622
The Army Information Line (1-800-833-6622) is
designed to help all Soldiers and their Family members
whether they are deployed; stationed stateside or overseas;
are brand new to the Army; or are 30 year veterans.
In addition to The Army Information Line, Army
Well-Being's Army Families Online Web site www.ArmyFamiliesOnline.org recently
welcomed its 2-millionth visitor this year.
The Army Information Line also celebrates its
25-year existence of providing information and referral
services to those Soldiers and Family members.
Support for military children of deployed and
injured Guard members
From the desk of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, Family Assistance specialist
Our Military
Kids (OMK) provides tangible support to the children
of deployed and severely injured National Guard and
Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment
activities and tutoring that nurture and sustain the
children during the time a parent is away in service
to our country. OMK grants are made to honor the sacrifices
military parents make and to ensure that the children
have access to activities and support that help the
children better cope with challenges arising during
a parent's deployment or injury recovery. For additional
information go to www.ourmilitarykids.org
N.J.
State
Family Readiness Council offers Family Grants Program
The New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness
Council has expanded its Family Grants Program to include
an additional grant. There are now two levels
of Family Grants; TIER I is the $2,500 grant that has
been in place for the past couple of years. The
TIER II opens family grants to New Jersey Army and Air
National Guard non-deployed service members who were
on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes,
floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive
days. Service members meeting these criteria are
eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up
to $1,500. Applications are available at all New
Jersey Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance
Centers.
Program offers assistance to spouses of deployed
military
The Deployed Military Spouses Assistance Program
provides direct assistance and referrals to existing
programs for spouses of deployed military personnel
(active duty, reserve and National Guard) who face unusual
financial and emotional stress as a result of the deployments.
Applicants should contact Fawn Mutschler at 609-543-6200
ext. 325 or wocmilitarygrant@ymca-bc.org to obtain
an application. In addition to the completed application
form, applicants will also need to submit the following
documentation: LES/paystub for applicant and spouse;
statement of Financial Need (i.e. reason for applying
and how the grant will help); bill or pricing of expenditure
as well as any other supporting information the applicant
feels may be helpful. Additional information can be
found at: www.state.nj.us/dca/dow/depmilspouseasst.shtml
Travel Help, Ideas
Armed Forces Vacation Club offers affordable
lodging
The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a "space
available" program offering Department of Defense
affiliated personnel affordable condominium vacations
at over 3,500 resorts around the world. Visit http://www.afvclub.com/ for more
information.
Shades of Green offers Disney for military
Now that the summer is almost over, thoughts
of how to spend next summer or your next vacation week,
can start to pop into your mind.
"Can we go someplace better or different, nearer
or farther from home, all without breaking the bank?"
One place to consider if Florida
is one of your next vacation places is Shades of Green
in Orlando. Minutes
from the Disney attractions, this resort is also close
to golf, dining and other Florida
attractions.
Their web site, www.shadesofgreen.org can give
you tours of their rooms and family suites, the local
attractions and other amenities that are offered by
the resort. The
rates are reasonable and will be a opportunity to visit
Orlando with your family.
Visit West Point,
take in the Ike Hall theater
Are you looking for a different place to visit
to find history, food and performances of a good variety? Think about visiting the United States Military
Academy.
While there you can tour the historic grounds,
find lodging and meals, go to the visitor center where
you can purchase something to remember your visit and
then enjoy live entertainment at the second-largest
theater in New
York - the Eisenhower Hall theatre.
The list of upcoming entertainment includes stage
productions of musicals and plays, ballet, and music
- orchestra, jazz and individual performers.
Three performances in September included acrobats,
opera and a comedian.
Individual ticket prices range from approximately
$25-50 for most performances.
The post is open to civilians; everyone 16 and
older must present photo ID.
Find out more information about Eisenhower Hall
at http://www.ikehall.com/. To find out more about the United States Military Academy,
visit http://www.usma.edu/.
Scholarship, Education News
Commissary agency offers scholarships for 2008
The Defense Commissary Agency's 2008 Scholarships
for Military Children are now available in commissaries
worldwide. The $1,500 scholarships are for children
of active-duty and retired military, as well as children
of Guard and reserve servicemembers. Applicants must
be must plan to attend an accredited college or university
full time in the fall of 2008. The deadline to apply
is Feb. 20, 2008. At least one scholarship will be awarded at every
commissary location with qualified candidates. Applications
and further eligibility requirements are available in
commissaries and online at http://www.commissaries.com or at http://www.military
scholar.org.
American Legion offers scholarships, booklet
on their Web site
The American Legion has scholarship information
on their Web site - www.legion.org - including
the 152-page booklet, Need
a Lift, which is a complete financial aid reference
guide for veterans, family members and the American
Legion family. When
you get on the site, click on "Scholarship Information"
in the "Useful Links" block.
Association News
Enlisted Association wants YOU!
By retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hughes, EANG-NJ
The Enlisted Association National Guard-New Jersey
is off to a good start for 2008 as we have realigned
all the committees and filled both the Executive Council
and Committees with a cross section of Army and Air,
uniformed and retirees, and several junior NCOs.
Everyone appears to be enthused and pledges to
support the Association in all its efforts. All we need now is for you to get on board
as a member and bring your fellow soldiers and airmen
with you.
We have many challenges facing us over the next
few years whether it is another round of base closures
via the Base Realignment Commission (BRAC), reduction
in TRICARE benefits, reduction in troop strength, attempts
to maintain the retirement age at 60, etc. We need a powerful voice to put our message
across to the State and Federal Legislators and this
can only be accomplished through a strong membership
in our State Association (EANG-NJ) and the National
Association (EANGUS).
The new membership year starts on 1 January 2008
and we need your help in making our Association grow. We encourage all enlisted soldiers and airmen
to join the Association as Active Members and also welcome
all officers, warrant officers, federal, and state employees
to join as Associate Members.
Applications for membership can be obtained from
our website www.eang-nj.org.
NGANJ group life insurance available to members
Are you covered by the NGANJ Group Life Insurance
Program? As a
member of either the Officers or the Enlisted Association,
you are entitled to enroll in your Association Life
Insurance Program. This
special program provides from $5,000 to $50,000 of Life
Insurance for you, "round the clock".
Premiums range from as little as $2 per month
and may be payroll-deducted from your drill check.
Family coverage is also available at low rates
designed for you as a member of the New Jersey Army
and Air National Guard.
Think of it!!
No aviation exclusions...No hazardous duty restrictions...No
war clauses.No checks to write. Dependent coverage includes spouses and all
children. Information
can be obtained by contacting retired CWO Jack Petrosilli
at 609-530-6843, or retired Brig. Gen. Robert S.
Dutko Sr. at 609-273-1004.
Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling retired
Col. Frank L. Carlone, Program Coordinator at 732-249-8335.
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of
New Jersey
The Enlisted Association is seeking members to
help give our state a larger voice.
The Association speaks on legislative issues
that benefit military members and families. The association
works at the Federal & State level on all important
issues. Visit the web site EANG-NJ.org, click on Become a Member for the application and find out more about what
the association does.
Web site provides support to separating military
members
TurboTAP (Transition Assistance Program) is an easy to use, interactive
Web portal that provides life-long support to separating
military service members (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve)
and their families. It is a single source starting point
for accessing key resources available for servicemembers
transitioning out of the military at any point in their
military career. Resources
include Department of Defense, Department of Labor,
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Education,
Small Business Administration, the National Veterans
Corporation and the National Guard Bureau. For
more information go to www.TurboTAP.org or email
TAPHelp@military-inc.com.
N.J.
Militia Museum
conducting Retiree Oral History Program
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey
has put together a National Guard Veteran Retiree
Oral History Program. In the past, the NJNG has
not conducted oral exit interviews of commanders, full-time
personnel, and retirees to preserve history. The
museum is going to institute a volunteer program to
try to catch up. If
you wish to participate, contact the museum at 732-974-5966.
The New Jersey State Building and Construction
Trades Council's Helmets to Hardhats Program (NJ H2H)
is designed to help transitioning military personnel,
National Guardsmen and Reservists find the careers in
the building and construction industry. The program seeks to help military members
find a career in one of 15 affiliated trades, such as
electrical workers, carpenters and painters.
They work in cooperation with the national Helmets
to Hardhats program, adding a personal component to
the program's on-line services.
NJ H2H offers veterans preparation for successful
application to any of New Jersey's registered apprenticeship programs
in the building and construction trades. Services include
career counseling, entrance test preparation and referral
to supportive services.
For program registration and information, visit
online at www.njbctc.org/h2h or contact at 732-499-7295
or at H2H@njbctc.org.
Vet Career Connect helps military members find
jobs
Vet Career Connect is a program designed to connect
military service members with New
Jersey employers. Vet Career
Connect matches veteran's specific abilities, drives
and interests with jobs requiring those specific abilities.
Participants complete a Caliper Profile, which
is an on-line self assessment. They will receive an
Individual Developmental Guide outlining personal motivators
and areas of developmental opportunity. Participants
will then have the opportunity to place the results
of the Caliper Profile, their resume and military achievements
onto a database which will be viewed by New Jersey-based
companies who have indicated a strong interest in employing
veterans.
Vet Career Connect program is available at no
cost to service members. In order to participate in
this program, or if you have additional questions please
email or call Barbara Foos,
Project Administrator, at 609-524-1228 or bfoos@calipercorp.com.
DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues
The DMVA Veterans Outreach Campaign continues
with kiosk displays at selected malls throughout New Jersey. The schedule is as follows:
January 8,9, 2008 |
Woodbridge
Center |
February 5, 6, 7 |
Moorestown Mall |
March 3*, 4, 5 |
Paramus
Park
Shopping Center |
April 1, 2, 3 |
Voorhees
Town
Center |
May 6*, 7, 8 |
Ocean County Mall |
*Medal ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on these
dates. The kiosk
will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The kiosk will also be in place at the Wildwood Convention Center for three state conventions.
v
June 5-6, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. - Elks State
Convention
v
June 11-13, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. - American Legion
State
Convention
v
June 18-20, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. - VFW State
Convention
N.J. Vietnam
Veterans Memorial
N.J. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational
Center's
upcoming events:
=================
Free guided tours of the Memorial are offered
on the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1
p.m.
Jan. 19,
1 p.m. - The U.S. Air Force in the Battle
of Khe Sanh, an oral-history presentation by N.J. Vietnam
Veteran, ret. Maj. Gen. Clark W. Martin, U.S. Air Force.
Feb. 2,
1 p.m. -
In the Navy in Vietnam, an oral history presentation
by N.J. Vietnam Veteran and Monmouth University President,
ret. Vice Adm. Paul G. Gaffney II, U.S. Navy.
Mar. 1,
1 p.m. - American Vietnam Veterans Who Wouldn't Come
Home, an oral-history discussion about American
ex-patriots recently encountered on a trip to Thailand
by Steve Lonegan, Mayor of Bogota, N.J.
Apr. 12, 1 p.m. - We Were There:
Voices of African American Veterans, from World War
II to the War in Iraq, a book
discussion by the author, Yvonne Latty.
May 7, 11 a.m. - New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Remembrance Day
Ceremony at the Memorial.
May 17, 1 p.m. - On the Road to
Recovery, an oral-history discussion by NJ Vietnam-Era
veteran Bishop Fred Rubin about his service tending
wounded G.I.s in the Army hospital in Hawaii during the Vietnam
War.
May 26, 11 a.m. - Memorial Day
Ceremony at the N.J. Vietnam
Veterans' Memorial.
====================
For further information call 1-800-648-VETS or
visit www.njvvmf.org.