National Guard's Senior Officer Elevated to Joint Chiefs of Staff
04 January 2012 » By SSG Jim Greenhill of National Guard Bureau
National Guard's Senior Officer Elevated to Joint Chiefs of Staff
December 31, 2011 - With the stroke of a pen, the same month the nation's oldest military institution celebrated its 375th birthday, President Barack Obama today signed legislation that includes a provision adding the CNGB to the Joint Chiefs.
The provision - part of the fiscal year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act - ushers in a change some National Guard historians have called the most significant development since the Militia Act of 1903 codified the modern day dual-status structure of the Guard.
"We are grateful for the efforts the executive and legislative bodies have gone to in placing the chief of the National Guard Bureau on the Joint Chiefs of Staff," said Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau.
"We look forward to working alongside the other Joint Chiefs to provide our nation's senior leaders with a fuller picture of the non-federalized National Guard as it serves in support of homeland defense and civil support missions," McKinley said.
The provision is part of an annual federal law that has for the last half-century specified the Defense Department budget.
The 2012 NDAA authorizes $670 billion in spending for Defense Department programs and Energy Department nuclear weapons programs.
Other provisions of the bill that affect the National Guard include re-establishing the position of vice-chief of the National Guard Bureau at the three-star level while rescinding the two-star position of director of the NGB's joint staff.
The bill also requires that National Guard general officers be considered for command of Army North and Air Force North and authorizes funding for the National Guard State Partnership Program.
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Only American Soldiers
Operation Iraqi Freedom / New Dawn
20 December 2011 » By U.S. Army Chief of Staff
They [Soldiers] will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held
high. One of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the
American military will come to an end. Iraq's future will be in the hands
of its people. America's war in Iraq will be over.
—President Obama, 14 December 2011
The magnitude of what this Nation and our Soldiers have accomplished in
Iraq is unprecedented. We have never been more proud of our Army – our
Soldiers, Civilians and our Families. You freed over twenty-five million
people from tyranny and given hope when hope was forsaken. Our Army
provided new opportunity for the people of Iraq. No other Army in the
world could have accomplished what you have done - Only American Soldiers.
Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, our Soldiers
embodied physical and mental toughness and courage under fire. Over the
past eight years, the quality of our Soldiers has stood in stark
contrast to the desert sands. Just as the WWII generation defeated
tyranny across the globe, a new generation - galvanized by the attacks
of September 11th - bravely defeated tyranny once again. Even during the
darkest days in Iraq, our Soldiers never wavered in the face of growing
doubt. They continued to risk life and limb for a cause larger than
themselves. For their heroic action, they received nearly 9,000 awards
for valor including two Medals of Honor, 16 Distinguished Services
Crosses, and 408 Silver Stars.
We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, our Wounded
Warriors, our Gold Star Families, and all of our loved ones who have
been touched by the horror of war. Their sacrifices have given meaning
to our values and ideals. For that, we thank them. A grateful Nation
will always remember, respect, and appreciate these heroes as the Next
Greatest Generation.
We are extremely proud of all of our Soldiers, Civilians, and Families.
Our Army has once again proved that it is America's Force of Decisive
Action. Thank you for a job well done. Army Strong!
//Original Signed//
Raymond F. Chandler III
Sergeant Major of the Army
//Original Signed//
Raymond T. Odierno
General, United States Army Chief of Staff
//Original Signed//
John M. McHugh
Secretary of the Army
Department of Defense Agency Recognizes
Northern Maine Community College
Elite Seven Seals Award
20 December 2011 » By Jason Parent - (207) 768-2808
Gregory Small, executive director, Maine Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (left), speaks about NMCC's support of the military and the reasons the College was selected to receive the elite Seven Seals Award during a surprise presentation during the annual NMCC Employee Holiday gathering on December 20. The award was presented to NMCC President Timothy Crowley (center) by Brigadier General Brent Boyles (right), who serves as assistant adjutant general – Army, Maine National Guard.
[photo courtesy of NMCC]
Aroostook County - The efforts of Northern Maine Community College and its employees to support the U.S. military, specifically the efforts of national guardsmen and women, were recognized today in a surprise ceremony for employees attending the annual campus holiday gathering.
The elite Seven Seals Award is the only Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) award that bridges both the employer and the ESGR volunteer recognition awards program. The award was presented by ESGR and Maine Army National Guard officials to NMCC President Timothy Crowley before the College's 100 employees and several family members and friends of the College who gathered for the annual Holiday luncheon.
"We work closely with employers across the nation so men and women have good, gainful employment when they come back from training and deployment," said Gregory Small, executive director, Maine committee of ESGR. "NMCC is an excellent example of the best of the best in this regard."
The ESGR, which selects Seven Seals Award recipients, is a branch of the Department of Defense that was originally created to promote cooperation between Reserve and National Guard military members and civilian employers. The Seven Seals Award is the highest award given by the ESGR, and was created to publically recognize American employers who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to employees and families of those that have been called to serve in the armed forces.
Presenting the award to Crowley, along with Small, was Brigadier General Brent Boyles, who serves as assistant adjutant general – Army, Maine National Guard. Boyles, who lives and works in central Aroostook County, spoke about NMCC's strong reputation in the region of being supportive of both the military and local community.
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