1 August 2003

Volume 2, Number 16

NJ Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs

BG Glenn K. Rieth

The Adjutant General

COL Maria F. Morgan

Deputy Adjutant General

COL Emil H. Philibosian

Deputy Commissioner for Veterans   Affairs

Contacting us is easy!

Office of the

Joint Chief of Staff

Col (Ret) Michael B. Smith

Mrs. Laura A. Branham

Phone:

(609) 530-6987

Fax: 

(609) 530-7109

Email:

branham@njdmava.state.nj.us

We're on the Web!

www.state.nj.us/military

Words of Wisdom.

"Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid."

.Albert Schweitzer

Mark your Calendar...

ESGR Annual Golf Outing

25 Sep 2003

Falcon Creek Golf Course

McGuire AFB

For more info,

Contact     

LTC Richard Fox at (609) 530-7019/7020.

In a ceremony held this afternoon at the Woodstown Armory, Governor James E. McGreevey signed two bills into law that will benefit members of the New Jersey National Guard.  The first increases the minimum per diem rate for Guard members on State Active Duty (SAD) to $100.  The second new law will establish health care coverage through the State employee health benefits program for immediate family members of National Guard personnel called to SAD for 30 or more days, if the SAD Guard members lose their employment-related health benefits coverage.  Members of the National Guard, Deputy Adjutant General, COL Maria Morgan, Senator Stephen M. Sweeney, Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Doug Fischer, as well as other legislative sponsors joined the Governor for the signing ceremony.

The NJ ESGR held its annual Bosslift on 30-31 July 2003.  This two-day Bosslift afforded 30 employers, supervisors, and business leaders an opportunity to observe members of the National Guard and Reserve performing annual training.  On Wednesday, the participants received a briefing and had an opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art Training and Training Tech Battle Lab at Fort Dix, and were later transported by helicopter from Fort Dix to the 177^th Fighter Wing Headquarters at Pomona.  The group toured Pomona and proceeded to the Warren Grove Gunnery Range, where they observed A10 aircraft conducting qualification training. The day ended with a dinner and award presentation ceremony at the Officers Club at McGuire Air Force Base.  Following breakfast at McGuire Air Force Base on Thursday morning, the participants received a briefing and air refueling demonstration courtesy of the 514^th Air Refueling Wing.  The Bosslift concluded with a tour of the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station.  Bosslift participants were given an opportunity to see the type and quality of military training and the leadership skills members of the National Guard and Reserve receive.

The Warrant Officer Corps celebrates the promotion of two new Chiefs to its ranks.  CW5 Al Curving, Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of the NJARNG announced two new recognitions in June:  CW2 Stanley M. Jakubowicz, MOS 153A Rotary Wing Aviator is a traditional drilling Guardsman (TDG) with the 5/117^th CAV.   CW2 Henrietta V. (Vickie) Sharp, MOS 420A Military Personnel Technician is a full time AGR with DPCS-OP.  Mr. Curving noted that promotion to CW2 is a milestone in the career of a Warrant Officer for several reasons.  It is a result of completion of MOS Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC), the conclusion of two years time in grade as a conditionally appointed WO1, and extends a Commission to the Warrant Officer.  Mr. Curving notes that there has never been a better time to become a Warrant Officer in the NJARNG.  Please extend your congratulations to the new Chiefs. 

An employment opportunity exists at the NJNG ChalleNGe Youth Program for a Math teacher.  If you are interested in working with teenagers and would like more information regarding this position, please contact COL (Ret) Kenneth Prossick at 609-562-0571.

On February 9, 2003, 108^th Operations Squadron Vice Commander, Lt Col Robert "Rory" R. Doolittle, was awarded the Bronze Star for having distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while engaged in ground operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Maj Gen Clark Martin, New Jersey Air National Guard Commander, presented the prestigious medal.  Stationed in Oman from December 2001 to March 2002, Lt Col Doolittle, a Maryland native, was assigned to the 405^th Expeditionary Wing.  While there, he "flawlessly organized the first-ever Air National Guard tanker unit under an Air Combat Command (Air Expeditionary Wing)."  According to his citation, not only did the Lieutenant Colonel develop all the policies and procedures to allow a seamless transition into the 405^th AEW, but his leadership also led to a 99.8 percent mission effectiveness rate.  Lt Col Doolittle commanded more than 300 personnel and his squadron provided more than 17 million pounds of fuel to combat aircraft.  And while  Lt Col Doolittle was very proud, he was also "quite surprised" when he found out the 405^th had awarded him the Bronze Star.  "It's something I'll never forget.  Even though I'm wearing it, if it weren't for the team effort and contributions of the men and women who were there, obviously I wouldn't be wearing that medal.  I am so proud of the men and women of the 108^th Air Refueling Wing."

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

Today is the 213^th day of 2003.  There are 152 days left in the year.  On this date:

®      In 1790, the first U.S. Census was completed showing a population of nearly 4 million people.

®      In 1876, Colorado was admitted as the 38^th state.

®      In 1936, Adolph Hitler presided over the opening of the Olympic Games.

®      In 1946, the Atomic Energy Commission was established.

®      In 1981, the rock music video channel, MTV, made its debut.

J            New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified as metropolitan areas.

J            New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline for Water Quality Control than any other seaboard state in the entire country.

J            New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.

J            New Jersey is a world leader in blueberry and cranberry production, and its tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.

J            New Jersey is a leading technology and industrial state, and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation.