Guard News - The National Guard

Maryland governor visits educator training program
November 12, 2009 — TIMONIUM, Md. - Gov. Martin O’Malley along with Maryland Superintendant of School Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick and Army Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland today demonstrated their... MORE

Alabama kids reach out to Alabama military kids
November 12, 2009 — MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The deployment of a Soldier affects no one more than a child. Children of the brave men and women, who protect the liberties and freedoms of the United States of American often... MORE

Madelyn Dassel, 11, and Bethany Pate, 11, both of Millbrook, Ala., write thank you cards for a military child from Alabama. Madelyn and Bethany took time to make the cards while visiting an Autauga County Supporting Military Families booth at this year's Autauga County Fair held in Prattville, Ala,. Their cards will be placed inside Hero Packs and given to a military child at a Yellow Ribbon program event.

Virginia Guard hosts workshop for military kids
November 10, 2009 — RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia National Guard hosted a workshop here Oct. 28 to address the unique challenges facing children with loved ones serving in the U.S. military.The workshop was conducted in... MORE

DoD officials aim to improve families' lives
November 5, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Military families make tremendous sacrifices in support of the nation and deserve recognition as well as the best programs and policies the Defense Department can deliver, a defense... MORE

Guard offers information through Joint Services Support portal
November 5, 2009 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard Bureau has put the finishing touches on a new Joint Services Support (JSS) portal developed to help Guardsmen and their family members get information on an... MORE

The National Guard Bureau has put the finishing touches on a new Joint Services Support (JSS) portal, located at www.jointservicessupport.org. It was developed to help Guardmembers and their family members to get information on an abundance of assistance and support programs. The new portal provides easy access to programs at the state and units including the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), National Guard Family Program, Psychological Health Program, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and Warrior Support Program.

Pentagon sends H1N1 vaccine to Central Command area
November 5, 2009 — WASHINGTON - U.S. Central Command has received half of the vaccine needed to inoculate its forces against the H1N1 virus, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today. The vaccines arrived in... MORE

Like body armor, flu vaccine aims to protect troops
November 4, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Like protective equipment issued to troops downrange, the H1N1 flu vaccine is a measure the Defense Department is taking to safeguard U.S. military forces, a defense official said. "We... MORE

DoD experts to answer H1N1 questions online
November 3, 2009 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - The Military Health System will host a Web-based, town hall-style meeting Nov. 10 from 3 to 4 p.m., EST to respond to questions about H1N1 influenza. Military members, their... MORE

DoD receives first H1N1 vaccine shipments
November 3, 2009 — WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has started receiving H1N1 vaccines and will begin distributing doses in the coming weeks. The Health and Human Services Department is distributing the vaccines,... MORE

Tricare announces H1N1 immunization policy
November 3, 2009 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Immunizations against the H1N1 virus will soon be available, and people are eager to take precautions. Tricare Prime, Standard and Extra beneficiaries can get their shots from... MORE

Postal service announces holiday mailing guidelines
October 29, 2009 — BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - U.S. Postal Service officials have announced recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to U.S. servicemembers serving in Afghanistan and other overseas... MORE

Members of 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery of the Colorado Army National Guard unload mail from a vehicle filled with many packages and letters from home Sept. 10, 2009 at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. (Photo by

Red Cross to distribute holiday cards
October 26, 2009 — WASHINGTON - The American Red Cross again will sponsor a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers, veterans and their families in the... MORE

Reintegration not just for Soldiers
October 22, 2009 — ELGIN, Ill. - While my friends were outside playing in the colorful leaves on Oct. 10, I was here going through the Illinois National Guard’s Children’s Reintegration program. The program is part of... MORE

Indiana Guard unit builds, maintains strong relationships
October 20, 2009 — AL ASAD AIRBASE, Iraq - Sgt. Jamie Raulston and Staff Sgt. Shilo Raulston met in 2003 during their first deployment to Camp Atterbury, Ind., where they provided transportation support for mobilizing... MORE

Staff Sgt. Shilo Raulston, the unit movement officer, stands proudly with his spouse, Sgt. Jamie Raulston, the assistant supply sergeant, as she was promoted in February while deployed in Iraq. They are one of 10 married couples, who are members of the 138th Quartermaster Support Company of the Indiana Army National Guard.

Army of one family: Father never dreamed kids would follow suit
October 19, 2009 — CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind. - It's not uncommon to find Soldiers who have made the commitment to lifelong Army service; from officers to enlisted, walking the military career... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Chow, a personnelist with the 205th Infantry Brigade at Camp Atterbury, Ind., holds up a photo of his children, who all currently serve in the Indiana Army National Guard. Pictured (left to right) in the photo are 1st Lt. Petrina Chow, 28, Officer Candidate Philemon Chow, 26, and Spc. Philip Chow, 22.

North Dakota children honor deployed parents with yellow ribbons
October 16, 2009 — BISMARCK, N.D. - Children of Bismarck’s Centennial Elementary School, whose parents are deployed with the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR-12), teamed up with cub scouts Oct. 9... MORE

Centennial first grade teacher Beth Kocis instructs children on the best way to tie yellow ribbons at the homes of Soldiers deployed with the North Dakota Army National Guard's KFOR-12 contingent. Kocis was responsible for organizing the event. Sydney Murphy, whose father Capt. Dan Murphy is one of the Soldiers honored, is simulating a tree.

Air Force launches updated Key Spouse program
October 13, 2009 — WASHINGTON - As part of the July 2009-July 2010 Year of the Air Force Family initiative, the service's senior leaders have announced the launch of a revised and standardized Key Spouse program.Paula... MORE

Yellow Ribbon Program continues to expand beyond Minnesota
October 13, 2009 — WASHINGTON - An Army National Guard program is credited with helping tens of thousands of Soldiers and their families cope better with deployment in the two years since it started in Minnesota.Sgt... MORE

Master Sgt. Jody Courts briefs the support staff for a reintegration event for members of the 34th Infantry Division held in Bloomington, Minn., September 2007. Over 1,000 Soldiers and family members there attended a 30-Day Reintegration event, which reconnects Soldiers and families with service providers through workshops and round-robin stations. The Minnesota National Guard is credited with starting the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Soldiers read with families from across the world
October 13, 2009 — JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - While Soldiers and their families must adjust daily routines during times of deployments, the United Service Organization here ensures one beloved routine can stay the... MORE

Capt. Kevin Leslie, left, and Capt. Richard Uggen, both of the Indiana Army National Guard, fill out paperwork, Aug. 12, 2009 before they read books to their children back home. With United Through Reading, deployed Soldiers with Task Force 38 are able to record themselves reading a book and send the book with the recording home to their families.

DoD works to end domestic violence
October 8, 2009 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Defense Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for military families, the director of the department's Family Advocacy Program said in observance of... MORE

Maryland, Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Emerge as Region II’s Best Warriors

National Guard Spouse Highlights Strength of Family Support During Maine Visit

Virginia National Guard Team Trains for Disaster Response

D.C. Air Guard Makes Improvements at Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Maine Guard Airmen Exercise Rapid-Response Communications Skills