Guardlife Vol. 27 No. 1

One of my goals as your Adjutant General is to keep you and your family informed about issues and programs with the potential to impact the New Jersey National Guard (NJNG). The success of the NJNG is rooted in teamwork and based on communication. We will make every effort possible to share information and provide direction and guidance as we prepare our National Guard forces for a “new of doing business.” I would like to take this opportunity to review our top three priorities for the New Jersey National Guard: Security, Readiness/Strength, and Integrity.

Security. The number one challenge for the American military is the protection of the homeland. In doing so, the United States and New Jersey remains fully committed to the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Since the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, NJNG personnel have participated extensively in OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE air and ground missions, OPERATION LIBERTY SHIELD, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Our role in homeland security has generated the high degree of confidence and reliance elected officials and the American public have placed the National Guard. Homeland Security missions include force and resource protection actions, counter-terrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and information security operations. In most cases, state emergencies are handled at the local level by civilian authorities such as police and first responders. In instances where the resources required to mitigate a disaster, manmade or natural, exceed the capabilities of local authorities, either the Governor or The AdjutantGeneral may call the NJNG to active duty. When you are mobilized for state active duty, you will be happy to know that the Governor has proposed legislation to increase the pay and add health benefits for members and their families when your duty exceeds 30 days. For all mobilized members, the Governor has also signed an Executive Order to implement additional benefits such as extensions for drivers’ licenses and registrations, job training, and half price tickets on New Jersey Transit, as just a few examples.

Readiness/Strength. Threats to world peace and the nation’s subsequent military needs have changed. National Guard members are performing duties and missions both at home and overseas locations. On an average, you are performing well above the traditional 39 days of service a year while balancing, in most cases, the demands of a family and civilian career. It is imperative that we maintain 100 percent strength to enable us to fully engage in readiness or security matters. Strength is the lynchpin for our continued success and, therefore, I challenge each and every one of you to become voice for our mission and for the Guard. We all play a role in recruiting and retaining members. We are transforming the way we do business; and, as we do, our families and civilian employers need to understand this change. More now than ever, the retention process must include families and employers. Our Department is fortunate to have available the services of our Employer Support to Guard and Reserve ESGR) volunteers should difficulties arise with employers over military duty obligations.

Integrity. As members of the military, we must adhere to standards in everything we do. Integrity is also the fair and consistent treatment of all members and honest execution of our policies, such as weight, physical fitness, military and civilian education, accountability and fraternization. But more than this, integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

Finally, I encourage you to submit ideas and inputs as we approach these new daunting tasks. I will make a conscious effort to share information about “hot button issues” when practical and provide the necessary guidance and direction as we prepare to face together an array of challenges in 2003 and beyond.

GLENN K. REITH
Brigadier General, NJARNG
The Adjutant General