SAVANNAH, Ga. - With the sharp rap of a gavel, the 37th annual meeting of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States convened Aug. 18 at the Savannah International Trade and Conference Center.
The four-day conference was an opportunity for the association's leaders and delegates to meet and discuss current issues facing the National Guard's enlisted members.
Attendance at EANGUS's annual conference has been growing.
"We have a 20 percent greater attendance at this conference than last year," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Doug Simpson, secretary for the association, who added that this year's conference, with just over 2,000 attendees, was the largest in EANGUS's nearly 40-year history.
One of the reasons is that the conference allows not only a dialogue among the association's delegates, but the chance for attendees to speak with the senior enlisted leaders of the National Guard.
"It's relieving," said Spc. Rebecca Bell, a health care specialist with New York's 466th Area Support Medical Company, referring to the ability to have her question about treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder discussed by Command Sgt. Maj. John Gipe, sergeant major of the Army National Guard, and other senior enlisted leaders. "By coming here I know that our higher-ups know what's going on at our level. There aren't a lot of specialists that can say they know that for sure."
And being at the conference allowed Bell, who served a year in Iraq working in a troop medical center in Talil and other places, the chance to hear from those same senior leaders on changes that affect those in the Guard.
"Many of the programs they've instituted are working," said Bell, referring specifically to medical treatment and mental health programs. "There's ways to make them better, but what's in place is working. It's good to hear the changes, and I feel relieved knowing that I could tell them that what is in place is working."
Some of those changes have been a result of EANGUS interacting with members of Congress. One of the association's main objectives is informing the Senate and House of Representatives about issues facing the enlisted force of the Army and Air National Guard.
The behind-the-scenes work undertaken by the association, its delegates and committee members in deciding what issues to press Congress on is largely a volunteer effort.
"The delegates-and many may not be aware of this-are not on orders to attend this conference," said retired Command Sgt. Maj. A. Frank Lever III, president of EANGUS and former sergeant major of the Army National Guard. "That would be against the Joint Travel Regulations."
The annual meeting not only focused on EANGUS's resolutions to put before Congress, but also on the education of the NCOs and junior enlisted people the organization speaks for.
Professional development courses that focused on many issues facing the enlisted force were offered. Subjects ranged from physical training to family readiness programs and preparing for deployment. For many, the professional development courses were the highlight of the conference.
"The professional development has been interesting and helpful," said Bell. "I've learned a lot from being here."