NCNGA Weekly Guardsman for January 21, 2021
January 21, 2021
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IN THIS EDITION:
Austin Emphasizes Importance of Civilian Control as Defense Secretary AF Mag
105 Engineer Battalion Soldiers assist with the 59th Presidential Inauguration DVIDS
NCNGA Annual Convention Going Virtual NCNGA
NC National Guard soldiers help with the 59th Presidential Inauguration ABC12
To Speed Up COVID-19 Vaccinations, North Carolina Is Turning To The National Guard WUNC
NCNG supports local health departments during COVID-19 vaccinations US Army
January 21st — Today in Guard History National Guard
Austin Emphasizes Importance of Civilian Control as Defense Secretary AF Mag
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary.
Austin spent 40 years in the military before retiring in 2016 as a four-star general, which means he is still within the seven-year cooling off period required for former military officers to serve in the top Defense Department job, requiring a waiver from both the House and Senate for confirmation.
“If confirmed, I will carry out the mission of the Department of Defense, always with the goal to deter war and ensure our nation’s security,” Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “And I would not be here asking for your support if I felt that I was unable or unwilling to question people with whom I once served, in operations I once led, or [if I was] too afraid to speak my mind to you or the President. I was a general and a Soldier, and I’m proud of that. But today I appear before you as a citizen, the son of a postal worker and a homemaker from Thomasville, Ga., and I’m proud of that too.”
105 Engineer Battalion Soldiers assist with the 59th Presidential Inauguration DVIDS
Capt. Jonathan Dunlap, 2nd Lt. Matthew Vanfossno, and 2nd Lt. Jay Sexton with the North Carolina Army National Guard, familiarize themselves with the D.C. Metro area, Jan. 19, 2021, in order to relay to their troops what to expect when they are on duty for the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication, and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Abraham Morlu)
NCNGA Annual Convention Going Virtual NCNGA
The North Carolina National Guard Association Annual Convention scheduled for March 12-13 is going virtual. Details will be published as soon as possible. If you have any questions please contact us at info@ncnga.org or at 919-851-3390
NC National Guard soldiers help with the 59th Presidential Inauguration ABC12
WASHINGTON, DC — At least 25,000 National Guard men and women are conducting security, communication and logistical missions to support federal and District authorities for the 59th Presidential Inauguration, including soldiers with the North Carolina National Guard 105th Engineer Battalion based in Raeford.
To Speed Up COVID-19 Vaccinations, North Carolina Is Turning To The National Guard WUNC
On a recent day, the parking lot at Pasquotank High School in Elizabeth City, N.C. was transformed into a kind of vaccine freeway, with four lanes of cars bearing drivers and passengers getting COVID-19 inoculations.
And several of those administering the shots were in camouflage.
President-Elect Joe Biden says he’s going to activate National Guard troops to help with the nation’s lagging COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
But North Carolina is among more than a dozen states that have already beaten him to it. Gov. Roy Cooper has used National Guard troops from the beginning of the pandemic for things like running testing sites and food banks. Now he’s begun calling up even more citizen soldiers to boost the vaccination effort.
Initially, two small teams were sent to Forsyth County and two to the northeast corner of the state. Guard officials say there will be 250 troops helping within the next two weeks. That includes up to 20 vaccination teams, plus more soldiers to help with the planning, logistics and administrative work of running the vaccination clinics.
They’re already making a difference.
NCNG supports local health departments during COVID-19 vaccinations US Army
WINSTON SALEM, N.C. –Soldiers assigned to the North Carolina National Guard’s 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade began augmenting the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Forsyth County of Public Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Jan. 12, 2021.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper activated the NCNG to provide vaccination support to local health providers. Forsyth County has two NCNG Strike Teams consisting of six Soldiers each.
Army Staff Sgt. Stacie Tindle oversaw one strike team, consisting of two medics and four administrative support assistants. She said the team will be in place for as long as they are needed.
“We’re here every day,” said Tindle, a medic assigned to Headquarters Company, 130th MEB. “We greet the customers out front and make sure they are in the system for their appointment. Citizens are so excited to be able to come and begin this process knowing they will have protection from COVID-19.”
January 21st — Today in Guard History National Guard
1903
Washington, DC – The Militia Act sponsored by Ohio Congressman Charles Dick is enacted. It was benchmark legislation that repealed the outdated Militia Act of 1792. With its passage the modern National Guard, as part of the federal reserve, was born. The Guard now had to meet stricter federal requirement for training and equipment, though now the government paid most of the bills. The Guard’s officer corps would be required to be “federally recognized”-certified as to physical, professional and moral standards. Its enlisted personnel would also have to obtain higher standards than under the old militia period. All ranks would get pay and allowances for their attendance at a five day summer encampment. Eventually, federal monies for all training periods, annual and drill would be added as well as monies for armory construction and maintenance. Many aspects of “Guard service” as it is understood today date from the passage of the Dick Act of 1903.
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