Guardlife -
Volume 31, No. 4
TAG's Message
Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth (center), The Adjutant
General of New Jersey, poses with members of the 108th Air Refueling
Wing during the unit's
deployment to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Photo courtesy
Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth.
Why do you stay
in the New Jersey National Guard? Some of us stay for a sense of
patriotism
and duty, others for the camaraderie, others for the
important mission we perform and others for the benefits
provided to New Jersey National Guard members. Remaining
or leaving the National Guard is a very personal
decision. Families, employers and the National Guard
culture shape the decision we make as individuals and
shape the decision our fellow unit members make. The State Family Readiness Council and ESGR personnel
are doing everything possible to improve the lives of
our Soldiers and their families. The National Guard culture
is an area I want all of you to focus your efforts.
You as an individual member or as a leader in the
Guard community impact on the National Guard culture
and the retention of members of our units! You must be part
of mission accomplishment in the retention fight.
Camaraderie is built one unit member at a time.
Do the
members of your unit look out for each other? What have
you done to make all members of the organization feel like
part of the team? This is the number one reason members
stay in the Guard. Make this better in your squadron,
section, platoon, battalion or wing and you will be helping
the retention fight.
Patriotism and a sense of duty compel members to
remain in the Guard. Make sure you and your units
recognize members for their outstanding performance and
let the community come to your activities and feel the
sense of Patriotism that lives in your units. What have you done
to recognize your members' patriotism and exceptional
duty performance? Every member of the Guard is a
living American Patriot and deserves the respect and
gratitude that comes with that honor.
The importance of the National Guard’s mission
can not be overstated. Your families, friends and neighbors are
counting on us to protect them from harm and to save their
lives in times of crisis. Each of us needs to devote our time
and effort toward preparing ourselves for Homeland Security
and other missions devoted to safety and protection of the
citizens of New Jersey. Are your personnel getting the
training and support they need? What are you doing to
make your personnel and unit ready?
Benefits are provided to Guard personnel because
of
the service we require from them. Are you aware of the
benefits of service? How have you helped your fellow
soldiers learn about or receive National Guard benefits? Are
your families aware of the benefits of service? Getting this
information to members and their families is critical to the
retention decision. Making sure all of our members have the
information to make informed decisions is everyone’s mission.
The New Jersey National Guard needs our trained and
experienced members to remain in the Guard to protect the
citizens of New Jersey and America. Each of us is tasked
with taking care of family issues, employer issues and
making sure that our National Guard culture fosters a
positive retention environment.
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