Guard News - The National Guard

My wife saved my life
August 25, 2009 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Walking with my surgeon from the exam room to his office to schedule my impending surgery, I told him it was my wife’s concern about an unsightly mole on my back that sent me to a... MORE

Blog offers support to military families
August 25, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Defense Department has launched a blog called "Family Matters" that is dedicated to providing resources and support to military families.The blog – which can be found at... MORE

Group finds foster homes for deployed troops' pets
August 21, 2009 — CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind - Many programs help military members' families during a deployment, but what about their four-legged friends?Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet, a... MORE

Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet, a nonprofit volunteer group, arranges foster care for the pets of deploying servicemembers.

Arizona forms coalition for military families
August 21, 2009 — PHOENIX - More than 100 representatives from military, state and local governments and various sectors of the community met at the Arizona National Guard State Headquarters for the first meeting of... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. Hugo E. Salazar, the adjutant general and commanding general of the Arizona National Guard, standing left, discusses the aspects of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families with Arizona state senator Jack Harper, center, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance Community Relations Director Anne Wendell, right, during the inaugural meeting held in Phoenix, on Aug. 19, 2009.

Yellow Ribbon Program provides support services
August 19, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Yellow Ribbon Program is "off and running," said the program's deputy executive director, James "Scotty" Scott.The program's goal is to prepare servicemembers and their families... MORE

Quick hire of military spouses starts in September
August 17, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - Under a personnel rule that takes effect next month, some military spouses, including spouses of activated National Guard members, could be quickly hired for federal jobs without... MORE

More Guardmembers getting their health insurance through TRICARE Reserve Select
August 13, 2009 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Many of the estimated millions of Americans without health insurance are that way because they can’t afford the premiums. It’s a dilemma that Guardmembers don’t have to face because... MORE

'Family Matters' blog offers support to military families
August 10, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - American Forces Press Service has launched a military blog called "Family Matters" dedicated to helping military families deal with the challenges and situations unique to a... MORE

Louisiana Guard helps children 'Stay on Track'
August 10, 2009 — MONROE, La. - Fancy helicopters, high tech gadgets and a law enforcement background are most people’s perception of the Louisiana National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force.But for a select few... MORE

Louisiana Air National Guard Master Sgt. David A. Quintero of Destrehan, La., 159th Fighter Squadron weapons specialist, talks with students from Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy in Jefferson, La., during a tour of the Louisiana National Guard’s New Orleans Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse, La., April 23, 2009. The students were invited to visit the facility for their hard work and involvement in the Stay on Track program, which is sponsored by the LANG’s Counterdrug Program.

Joan Orr Spouse Award open for nominations
July 28, 2009 — RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - Air Force members can now submit nominations for their spouse as the 2010 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year. The period of the award runs Jan. 1 - Dec. 31,... MORE

DoD committed to supporting Guardmembers, families
July 27, 2009 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The Department of Defense is committed to supporting Guard and Reserve members and their families through policies that maintain strong family programs and innovative efforts, such as... MORE

Officials raise awareness of special needs programs
July 23, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - Pentagon officials want all military families with special needs to be enrolled in the Defense Department's Exceptional Family Member program.Though more than 90,000 military... MORE

Sisterhood of the Travelling BDUs
July 23, 2009 — SAN DIEGO - Two California teenagers are honoring National Guard parents, who have had to pack up their BDUs and travel to overseas locations or natural disasters at home, in a project they have named... MORE

Moranda Hern, 17, and Kaylei Deakin, 16, discuss their experiences as daughters of California National Guardsmen during the Adjutant General's Symposium on Family Readiness in Burlingame, Calif., earlier this year. The two girls plan to hold a conference for the daughters of California Guardsmen next year.

Respite Care Offers Families Valuable Rest
July 17, 2009 — ALEXANDRIA, Va. - For Army families who are responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities, the Exceptional Family Member Program Respite Care Program provides a temporary rest period for... MORE

Heartwarming film pays tribute to Maine troop greeters
July 16, 2009 — NEW YORK CITY - Military personnel and families will want to see the theatrical release of a new independent film running July 17-23 here at the IFC Center in Manhattan. The movie is also for... MORE

Florida spouses deploy together for Iraq mission
July 10, 2009 — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - When Pfc. Joseph James deploys this month, he won't have to say goodbye to his wife Samantha - she will be beside him throughout the year-long mission to Iraq.The James, both... MORE

Pfcs. Samantha and Joseph James of the 1218th Transportation Company pose for a photo outside of the unit's armory in West Palm Beach, Fla., July 1, 2009. The James' are one of the three married couples - all truck drivers - who are deploying with the unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Air Force assists with adoption expenses
July 7, 2009 — RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - With thousands of children available for adoption in the U.S. alone, and with adoption fees that can reach well into the thousands of dollars, the Air Force is helping... MORE

Kids encouraged to participate in disaster preparedness
June 26, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - Hurricane season is underway, and families need to be prepared."Now is the time to make your plan if you don't have one, or rehearse your old plan," said Jim Platt, deputy director... MORE

Youth Camp connects Missouri Guard kids from across the state
June 26, 2009 — ST LOUIS, Mo. - In its third year, the Missouri National Guard State Family Program’s Youth Camp brought together nearly 50 kids ages 10 to 17 from across the state to enjoy three days of team... MORE

From left to right: Lane Schmidt, of Sullivan, Morgan Brooks, of O'Fallon and Ashley Anderson, of Columbia, race for first place in the four-legged relay during a youth camp held by the Missouri National Guard.

Web site to open sign-ups for post-9/11 GI Bill transfers
June 24, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - It's official. The Defense Department signed off yesterday on policies and procedures servicemembers will use to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses or... MORE

Maine Guard Airmen Exercise Rapid-Response Communications Skills

Louisiana Guard Hosts International Interrogation Competition to Build Readiness

Air Reserve Component Test Center Marks Milestone With F-35 Test Force at Eglin AFB

Texas Guard Members Bolster Border Patrol Efforts along Rio Grande

Washington Army Guard Soldiers Participate in Norwegian Foot March