News & Updates

NGAMA DC Trip Is Timely

Meetings With Congress Held

Occasionally a member of NGAMA will ask, why should I pay Association dues and what has NGAUS and NGAMA done for me. We try to explain that your Association advocates for members of the National Guard and fights for modern equipment, better personnel benefits and new facilities. Now you can add that NGAMA also fights for jobs! During a recent trip to Washington, DC to meet with members of Congress, the Senior Leadership of NGAMA was fighting the Air Force’s proposal to cut jobs in the Massachusetts National Guard.

On March 20 and 21, NGAMA met with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation. Meetings were held with Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown and Congressman Capuano, Frank, Keating, Lynch, Markey, Neal, Olver, Tierney and Tsongas. Congressman McGovern was detained so we met with his Chief of Staff.

The discussions with the Congressman primarily centered on the Massachusetts Air Guard cuts. We also discussed two priority MIL-CON projects. A Barnes ANG Base Aircraft Maintenance Hangar renovation project and a proposed Regional Training Institute (RTI) project at Camp Edwards were reviewed at the meetings. We also briefed the Congressman on the success and future development of the Massachusetts National Guard developed Homeland Security Institute.

NGAUS priorities including Early Retirement Credits, mental health programs, Veterans status legislation, equipment modernization and other personnel initiatives were discussed with the lawmakers. Finally, we thanked each member of the delegation for passage of the Guard Empowerment Act and creating a permanent seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

During our meetings we received an enthusiastic response from the Massachusetts delegation. With the Air Guard cuts just recently being proposed, it was agreed that all parties will need to be in close communications throughout this difficult budget process. NGAMA will strive to keep its members informed of any new developments and we ask for your continued support, including your responses to the “Write to Congress” Legislative Alerts.

Thanks To You NGB Chief Gets Seat on Joint Chiefs

Thanks to the legislative efforts of NGAMA and the other members of NGAUS, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau is now a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley became a member of the Joint Chiefs on December 31, when President Barack Obama signed into law the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act which included this language.

The language that gives the Chief the boost in status in the Pentagon was the primary focus of the NGAUS and NGAMA legislative efforts in 2011. NGAMA members responded to Legislative Alerts and contacted their members of Congress urging the passage of the legislation.  The victory was hard fought. Every member of the Joint Chief s testified against the change before the Senate Armed Services Committee. But our coordinated effort prevailed.

“The Guard finally has a seat at the table,” said retired Maj. Gen. Gus L. Hargett Jr., the president of NGAUS. “This does not mean the Pentagon culture with all of its historic biases against the Guard will evolve overnight. After all, this is a move every member of the Joint Chiefs opposed.

“But at least now, the Guard will have a voice among the president’s military advisors, one that can’t be ignored or excluded from the discussion. It’s a huge victory for the Guard. More importantly, it could be a catalyst for the type of change needed to defend the nation in the tough fiscal environment ahead.”

The legislation also requires that National Guard general officers be considered for command of the Army North and Air Force North.

Thank you to all our members who responded to the Legislative Alert. Your efforts proves the strength of our organizations and our ability to get things done in Congress. Happy New Year!

National Guard Association of Massachusetts Sponsors Officer Professional Development Staff Tour

Story by Lt. Col. James Sahady and Capt. Brett Walker, Massachusetts National Guard

 

WASHINGTON – Thirty-one company grade officers from the Massachusetts National Guard participated in a unique officer professional development opportunity in Washington, D.C. this past September made possible, in part, through sponsorship by the National Guard Association of Massachusetts (NGAMA).

An assortment of promising officers from both the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the Massachusetts Army National Guard were selected to travel to the nation’s capital to witness firsthand the hierarchy of institutions their missions support and interact with some of the military’s most senior leaders. The sites visited included headquarters establishments such as the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, the National Guard Bureau, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Guard Memorial Building, the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Army and Air National Guard Readiness Centers.

The event began with a business breakfast at the Grand Hyatt Hotel with opening remarks from Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter, The Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard. “This is the first such event by the Massachusetts National Guard and gives you, as a future key leader, an overview and insight into the inner workings of the strategic levels of our nations’ defense infrastructure,” said Carter.

Gen. Craig McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau next spoke to the young officers on the importance their role is in the National Guard. “I’d like to commend the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for bringing a wonderful young group of officers to learn about Washington D.C. and how it shapes and influences their lives as members of the Guard and commend Maj. Gen. Carter for being a great leader in helping me do the business of the National Guard and look forward to making this a yearly event,” said McKinley.

Speakers that followed during the breakfast included, Lt. Gen. Harry “Bud” Wyatt, Director of the Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Peter Aylward, (Massachusetts) Special Assistant to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Brig. Gen. Dan Nelan, Operational Support Assistant to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

At the Pentagon, Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard Matters, briefed the Mass. Guard officers and gave them the opportunity to ask important questions about the military and the Guard.

“I've been in the military just under 15 years and this was one of the most rewarding events that I have [been involved with],” said 1st Lt. Jason Ruth, a company grade officer.

Some of the participants, such as Capt. Stephanie Francis, praised the mission’s broadening of her knowledge of the Guard’s decision-making process, while 1st Lt. Randy Mendoza appreciated the chance to learn about Air Guard operations.

“The professional development trip to DC was an amazing experience. I am especially grateful to have had the chance to see what we do in Massachusetts and how it fits into the "larger picture" of current issues, policies, and politics,” said Capt. Molly Alesch. “It was also gratifying to meet and spend time with my peers and future leaders of the Massachusetts National Guard, an opportunity not often presented due to the geographical nature of our currents jobs and missions,” said Alesch.

At the National Guard Memorial Building, National Guard Association of the United States key leadership, including Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett (Ret.), President of NGAUS, as well as senior leaders and members of Massachusetts’s Congressional and Senatorial delegation gave an in-depth legislative briefing to all participants present.

NGAMA Receives NGAUS Most Improved Membership Award

At the recent 2011 NGAUS Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, NGAMA was recognized as the state with the Most Improved Membership. The award was presented to NGAMA during the Conference Business session. At the Conference registration deadline in July, NGAMA's membership had soared to 80%, a 17 point increase from the previous year. Throughout the fall we continued to collect 2011 dues as NGAMA began to approach the mid 80% level. We hope our 2012 Membership Drive will continue this success as we look at approaching the 90% threshold. Congratulations to President Dan Knight, Membership Chairmen Nick Macsata and the members of the Membership Team!

Congresswoman Tsongas Receives NGAUS Award

Massachusetts Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas was recently presented with the NGUAS Charles Dick Medal of Merit. The presentation was made by MG Joseph Carter, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, LTC David Hencke, President of NGAMA and Pete Duffy, Legislative Director of NGAUS.

In her role as a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Tsongas has made a number of important long lasting contributions to the Guard. She has become increasing recognized as a leader in the areas of light weight body armour, improved quality of and access to military health care-especially for members of the National Guard and Reserves, increased awareness of and attention to traumatic brain injury and sexual assault prevention and treatment.

Congresswoman Tsongas worked with her colleagues to provide funding for the relocation and construction of a modern Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) for the Massachusetts National Guard at Hanscom Field.
The Charles Dick Medal of Merit was established in 1988 and is designed to recognize the contributions to the National Guard by elected representatives to legislative bodies at the state and national levels.

The medal is named in honor of Major General Charles Dick, President of the National Guard Association of the United States from 1902 to 1909, a Major General in the Ohio National Guard, a Congressman and later a Senator. Dick was responsible for the passage of the Dick Acts of 1903 and 1908 that established the foundation of the modern National Guard.

Massachusetts National Guard Soldier Elected to U.S. Senate

By Army Maj. James Sahady, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs
MILFORD, Mass. – Lt. Col. Scott P. Brown, a member of the Massachusetts National Guard, was elected to the U.S. Senate for Massachusetts in a special election on Jan. 19, 2010. Brown, a 30-year member of the Guard, currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Brown initially enlisted as an infantryman and later received his commission as an officer.  Brown is currently assigned to the Judge Advocate Corps and serves as the chief of trial defense for the Massachusetts National Guard. 

He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in organizing the National Guard to quickly support homeland security following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.  Brown has deployed to support missions in Kazakhstan and Paraguay.  He has also completed Airborne School and been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.  Brown and his wife, Gail Huff, have two daughters, Ayla and Arianna, both college students. They reside in Wrentham.

Hear about our recent Washington, DC Legislative Brief

Legislative Brief