Civil Support Team (CST) Conducted a Training Exercise

13 April 2012 » By Maine Army National Guard

Augusta, Maine

The Maine National Guard, Civil Support Team (CST) conducted a training exercise at the old Cony High School in Augusta, Maine.

The 11th Civil Support Team, Maine National Guard’s mission is to rapidly deploy in assisting local first-responders in determining the nature of a chemical or biological attack, provide medical and technical advice, and pave the way for the identification and arrival of follow-on state and federal military response assets. The unit provides initial advice to assist first responders in the detection process.

The 11th Civil Support Team is comprised of 22 full-time personnel from the Maine Army and Air National Guard. The structure of the unit is divided into six sections: command, operations, communications, administration/logistics, medical/analytical, and survey. Each unit deploys within 3 hours of notification to an incident site using its specialized equipment and vehicles.

Guard Members Sought for Construction Industry Apprenticeship Programs

10 April 2012 » By Troy M. Gipps, Employment Specialist, MPSC

In the past, when the need for skilled labor arose many construction firms would draw workers away from other companies with offers of higher wages or enhanced benefits, but four years of poor economic conditions and an aging workforce has significantly depleted the industry’s labor force. In order to meet future labor needs, firms are now refocusing their efforts on training their future workforce and with the momentum of an economic turnaround building, now is a great time for job seekers to consider a career in the construction industry.

For Guard members without prior construction experience one of the best ways to learn a trade is through participation in registered apprenticeship programs. Such programs provide a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction provided under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade professional in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship training programs generally last from two to five years, depending on the complexity of the trade, and Guard members eligible for GI Bill benefits can collect generous monthly benefit payments in addition to their regular full-time wages.

Locating apprenticeship programs can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, an innovative training program was started recently by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts (ABCMA) to serve as an apprentice labor pool for its member companies. ABCMA’s Merit Apprenticeship Program (MAP) is a coalition of merit shop contractors that have joined together to train individuals interested in pursuing careers in the construction trades. The term “merit” refers to the elite of the open shop sector of the construction industry.

ABCMA is part of a national association consisting of 75 chapters representing 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms with nearly two million employees. ABCMA’s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry. ABCMA is the largest construction trade association in Massachusetts, representing over 425 local general contractor, subcontractor, supplier and associate companies. These companies employ more than 24,000 workers across the state.

New England-based Guard members who do not live within commuting distance of Massachusetts should check www.abc.org to locate an ABC Chapter in their area. There are five ABC Chapters in our region.

All applicants to ABCMA’s MAP labor pool must meet the basic eligibility requirements, attend an informational meeting, complete an application and sit for an interview and evaluation.

MAP employs a fair and equitable selection process and maintains trade-specific ranking lists of qualified candidates. When apprenticeship openings become available, construction firms that comprise the MAP employer pool select candidates from the appropriate ranking list and closest regional labor pool. MAP operates eight regional labor pools based in the following counties: Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Plymouth, Bristol, Worcester, Norfolk and Hampden. MAP candidates can also contact MAP companies directly to inquire about vacancies. Candidates are removed from the ranking list when they secure employment.

“Guard members make excellent candidates for the MAP labor pool,” said John Rich, Director of Workforce Development for ABCMA. “Our companies need physically and mentally fit individuals who have the discipline to show up to work on time and the drive to complete multi-year training programs. Veterans typically possess these qualities.”

Guard members interested in learning more about the Merit Apprenticeship Program and careers in the construction industry should contact the Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts at (781) 273-0123,  Maine Chapter (207) 623-4500  or visit them online at www.abcma.org.

Gold Star Wives Day

03 April 2012 » By Maine Army National Guard

April 5, 2011, is designated as "Gold Star Wives Day"

Whereas the Senate honors the sacrifices made by the spouses and families of the fallen members of the Armed Forces of the United States;

Whereas the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. represents the spouses and families of the members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who have died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability;

Whereas the primary mission of the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is to provide services, support, and friendship to the spouses of the fallen members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States;

Whereas, in 1945, the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. was organized with the help of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt to as sist the families left behind by the fallen members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States;

Whereas the first meeting of the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. was held on April 5, 1945;

Whereas April 5, 2011, marks the 66th anniversary of the first meeting of the Gold Star Wives of America;

Whereas the members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States bear the burden of protecting freedom for the United States; and Whereas the sacrifices of the families of the fallen members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States should never be forgotten.