NCNGA Weekly Guardsman for November 21, 2019

Posted on: November 20, 2019 November 21, 2019
Author: ncngaweekly

November 21st, 2019

IN THIS EDITION:

Task Force Spartan’s armored brigade combat teams conduct transfer of authority ceremony DVIDS
Tarheel Retiree Homecoming 2019 – Still Time to Register NCNGA
Thank You Katie Westbrooks NCNGA
Registration is now available for convention 2020 in Charlotte NCNGA
Ron Bogle appointed by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper as the new National Chair NCNGA
Member portal is up and running! NCNGA
Mentors Needed in the Raleigh Area NCNGA
Students celebrate Veterans Day with guest speakers The Dispatch
2020 Disney Discounts NCNGA
Walgreens HERO Program NCNGA
New NGAUS Rates! NCNGA
Do you have an event at your unit or with your Family Support Group and need some help raising funds? NCNGA
November 21st — Today in Guard History National Guard

Task Force Spartan’s armored brigade combat teams conduct transfer of authority ceremony DVIDS

Two armored brigade combat teams deployed in the Middle East for Operation Spartan Shield opened and closed chapters in their histories by conducting a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Nov. 18, 2019.

The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, cased their colors to symbolize they were mission complete, as the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard, unfurled their brigade colors to demonstrate they accepted the rotational brigade combat team mission to support the 38th Infantry Division’s Task Force Spartan.

During the ceremony, the commander of Task Force Spartan, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Ellis, 38th Infantry Division commanding general of the Indiana National Guard, commended the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s “Iron Brigade” Soldiers for their superb performance since assuming authority of the mission in March 2019.

“To the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, in everything you were asked to do, you executed with strength, dedication and honor,” said Ellis. “As you depart, know that we are proud of you and we appreciate your service, and although you leave, you will always be in our thoughts.”

Over the course of the “Iron Brigade’s” deployment for Operation Spartan Shield, the Soldiers conducted operations in twenty-three locations and eight countries throughout the Middle East, culminating in the multi-national exercise, Eager Lion in Jordan.

FOR: Army and Air National Guard Retirees

DATE: Friday, December 13, 2019

EVENT REGISTRATION: 0900-1000 HRS

LOCATION: Joint Force Headquarters, 1636 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607

$15 Registration includes Mission updates, benefits seminar, various information stations, luncheon, social time, and a celebration of the National Guard’s 383rd Birthday. For registration information click here.

Thank You Katie Westbrooks NCNGA

Join your Association in thanking Katie Westbrooks for her commitment and service to the Soldiers, Airmen, Retirees, and Families of the North Carolina National Guard. It is with sadness and well-wishes that Association announces that she is accepting an exceptional opportunity for her and her family in the upcoming months. Katie’s exceptional attitude and commitment to the North Carolina National Guard is unequaled. She has been the key driver behind our great magazine, website changes, increases in member benefits, and many other efforts within the Association. She has accepted a position that is much closer to home and will allow her to spend more time with her two young boys and husband. On any given day, she spends up to 3 hours on the road.

She will be staying with the Association through the Tarheel Homecoming on the 13th of December and don’t be surprised if you see her at our annual convention in 2020.

I would ask that you wish her well and the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Larry Coleman

Executive Director

North Carolina National Guard Association

Registration is now available for convention 2020 in Charlotte NCNGA

Convention and Combined Ball registration is now open here. The North Carolina National Guard Association (NCNGA) and Convention Committee are proud to announce this year’s 59th Annual Convention will be hosted at the Sheraton Le Meridian Complex in Charlotte, NC March 27-28th. The North Carolina National Guard Combined ball is being hosted following the Convention on the evening of the 28th. The NCNGA Educational Foundation will hold a golf tournament and Reverse Drawing on March 26th. All Association business sessions that require voting will occur on Saturday prior to lunch.

Ron Bogle appointed by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper as the new National Chair NCNGA

ARLINGTON, Va. – Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper has appointed retired North Carolina Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Bogle as the National Chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. ESGR’s National Chair is an official Department of Defense volunteer position.

Bogle will take an oath of office and be sworn in as the National Chair during ESGR’s annual National Leadership Meeting in November. The position carries a three-year term. Having served as the State Chair of the North Carolina ESGR Committee and Vice Chair of Operations for the National ESGR Board of Directors, Bogle will provide the leadership and vision for a team of more than 3,700 dedicated volunteers spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

James Stewart, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, praised the appointment, noting, “Mr. Bogle comes to us with a wealth of experience in the employer community and supporting military families. His leadership and management expertise are a tremendous asset for the Department of Defense.”

With almost half of our Nation’s military force residing in the National Guard and Reserve, Bogle will have a direct impact on these brave men and women and their civilian employers. “I am honored by my appointment as the National Chair for ESGR and excited to further employer support for the men and women in the National Guard and Reserve,” said Bogle. “I look forward to supporting ESGR’s cadre of volunteers and assisting ESGR’s Executive Director, in advancing our mission.”

Member Portal is up and Running! NCNGA

The November/December of the Tarheel Guardsman is now available through your member portal

Member portal is up and running. You can create your online account at www.ncnga.org . Once registered you can view your SSLI Benefit Information, EANGUS and NGAUS registration information, as well as other benefits that are available.

Beginning 1 January 2020 the Weekly Guardsman update will only be distributed to members of the Association. It will be sent to all classes of members to include Active Associate, Honorary, Special, Corporate, and Affiliate members, that have a current email on file with the Association. If you don’t receive weekly update the 1st week of January please contact us to update your records.

Mentors Needed in the Raleigh Area NCNGA

The 4-H National Mentoring Program: College Within Reach is proud to announce that NC State University has been selected to participate in the College Within Reach Program, which strives to help prepare military connected youth for college and career success.

As this program is getting underway, they are looking for qualified mentors to mentor youth in the local area. As educators, and teachers of aspiring educators, they would like to pass this information along to you in the hopes that you, a colleague, or a student that you know may be interested in participating in this rewarding program. Below, we have provided a program overview, how you can apply for the program, and links to the website and applications.

Program Overview:

This unique program focuses on building relationships and college and workforce preparedness for military-connected youth between the ages of 12-17. Participants are matched with individual mentors who guide the exploration of a myriad of college preparation and readiness activities. Mentors would meet with mentees for a minimum of 4 hours a month with goals of establishing meaningful relationships that aid the positive advancement of college and workforce readiness while also establishing networks of peers and professionals throughout the state of North Carolina.

The program operates on a 12-month calendar and open to youth aged 12-17 years old who have a military connection (mother, father, brother, sister etc). This is inclusive of all services (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard) and inclusive of all component status (active duty, guard, reserve, retired, or veteran). Lastly, but certainly important, the program is free to all participants!

Application Information:

We are currently accepting applications for mentors interested in joining the program. If you, or someone you know, may be interested in being a part of this program you can find more information at the College Within Reach website or by emailing us at collegewithinreachnc@ncsu.edu. We’ve attached a flyer that provides a bit more info as well as links and points of contact. Below you will find links for the Mentor, Site Liaison, and Mentee application.

Apply Here:

Mentor/Site Liaison Application
Mentee/Parent Registration

Further Contact:

Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions or would like additional information. We are more than happy to further discuss this program with you. You can reach us through email at collegewithinreachnc@ncsu.edu or by phone at 919.513.2703

2020 Disney Discounts NCNGA

Disney has extended deep military discounts on theme-park tickets at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, through 2020, with 2019 deals still in place until mid-December. The Military Promotional Tickets program offers multiday passes at discounted prices for service members (active, Guard and Reserve), retirees and their family members and spouses. For details, click here.
In addition, there is an Armed Forces Recreation Center hotel, Shades of Green, on the Disney property. Rates and other information is available here.

Students celebrate Veterans Day with guest speakers The Dispatch

Students at Davidson Charter Academy celebrated Veterans Day with two events, including guest speakers of current and retired military as well as receiving two new flags from N.C. Sen. Eddie Gallimore of the 29th District.

To celebrate Veterans Day, students sang patriotic songs and presented handmade American flags as gifts for the veterans who were present. Separate assemblies were held for kindergarten through second grade students and third through fifth grade students. Students also brought in donated items and handmade cards to send to currently deployed troops.

Retired Brigadier Gen. J.R. Gorham, of the N.C. Army National Guard spoke to students about concepts from his book, “Sharecropper’s Wisdom: Growing Today’s Leaders the Old Fashioned Way.”

U.S. Army Veteran Doug Berg, technology teacher at Davidson Charter Academy, invited Gorham to speak.

“The honor of having a veteran of his rank talk to elementary students speaks to who he is and what he stands for,” Berg said. “He is the highest caliber of role model for our students and I would have him back every year to continue to share his acumen.”

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