eangus - Patriot Hills of NY

Transcription

EANGUS
New Patriot
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
The Military Coalition
(TMC) members join
forces to speak as one
voice on Capitol Hill.
turn to Page 26 ➞
Winter 2009
Photo by Steve Barrett
Vol. 29, No. 4
EANGUS New Patriot
3133 Mt.Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Alexandria, VA
Permit 934
EANGUS
Inside | winter ’09
President
CSM (Ret) A. Frank Lever III
8
EANGUS Welcomes New
Legislative Director
Diane M. Zumatto
Treasurer
9
Congress 101
Past President
11
Sources and Types
of Legislation
12
Lobbying at the
Grassroots Level
Chairman
13
EANGUS Resolutions
Directors
23
The Vice President's
Residence and Office
Area II
24
The True Value of Your
EANGUS Membership
25
Out of Many, One
Vice President
CMSgt (Ret) Roger A. Hagan
Secretary
CMSgt (Ret) Doug Simpson
CSM John F. Helbert
CMSgt (Ret) Edwin B. Brown
Executive Director
MSG (Ret) Michael P. Cline
Area I
SFC Debbi Newton (CT)
CSM (Ret) Claude P. Imagna (NY)
TSgt Daniel B. Reilly (CT)
Chairman
SFC (Ret) Joseph C. Wade (VA)
Directors
MSgt David A. Mowry (Ret) (T-10)
MSG Robert Lainhart (KY)
Area III
Regular Features
Chairman
3
From the EANGUS President
Directors
4
Vice President’s Message
CSM (Ret) James A. Rains Jr. (FL)
TSgt Karen EB Acree (FL)
CSM (Ret) Don A. Wood (AL)
Area IV
Chairman
5Auxiliary President’s Message
6
From Your Executive Director
SFC (Ret) Max Miller (KS)
Directors
SGT Mireya O. Cruz (TX)
CMSgt John M. Harris (LA)
Area V
Chairman
SMSgt Brad Thomas (IA)
Directors
CMSgt Jesse Wayland (Ret) (IL)
SGM Michael W. Stafford (IN)
Area VI
Chairman
MSG Brad M. Howell (UT)
Directors
CMSgt Kenneth D. Gray (NV)
MSG Helen “Scotti” E. Zahn (CO)
Area VII
Chairman
CMSgt Daniel Siekawitch (AK)
Directors
SGM Kathryn L. Arizo (HI)
CMSgt Jim Hotaling (WA)
New Patriot
Winter 2009
EANGUS Publication Staff
MANAGING EDITOR: Michael P. Cline, 3133 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305
PUBLISHER: Enlisted Association of the National Guard
PRINTER: FNP Printing and Publishing, 351 Ballenger Center Drive, Frederick, MD 21703
PUBLICATIONS CHAIR: TSgt John R. Oldham (AR)
EDITOR: Dian Cline
THE NEW PATRIOT is published by the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United
States, 3133 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305. 800-234-EANG
COMMENTS, articles and state associations news should be forwarded to: editor@eangus.org or to
New Patriot Magazine Editor, 3133 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305. Photos may be provided
as jpegs or traditional color prints labeled on the back.
ADVERTISING: Contact the National Office for rates. Individuals wishing to sell advertising at the
existing EANGUS rates will be paid 15% commission upon full payment of the ad. Subscription rate
is $9.00 per year and checks should be made payable to the New Patriot Magazine and mailed to
New Patriot Magazine, 3133 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305.
THE NEW PATRIOT MAGAZINE is published for all members for the Enlisted Association of
the National Guard of the United States. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of
the United States Army or Air Force, the National Guard of the United States or official EANGUS
positions unless so stated.
www.eangus.org
From the EANGUS President…
CSM (Ret) Frank Lever
President
I recently wrote a letter to each State President
and gave them a fact sheet outlining the steps that
EANGUS has taken to meet the projected revenue
for 2010. If you want to review these steps, contact
your State President for the information.
E
llen and I wish each of you a
Merry Christmas and a Happy
and Prosperous New Year. During
this Holiday season, we all need to give
thanks for the joys of freedom that we
enjoy daily. Keep all of our service members in your thoughts and prayers as they
serve to protect these freedoms that we
hold so dear.
This year has challenged all of us with
a declining economy, record unemployment rates, and the Iraqi and Afghani Wars.
EANGUS has faced its challenges also. As
we come to the end of 2009 the Executive
Council has made some tough decisions to
ensure that EANGUS remains within the
budget without using monies from the Restricted Reserve Account. These decisions
will also set the foundation for 2010. We
have gained membership in 2009, grown a
significant Corporate Partnership Program
and increased the number of exhibitors at
our National Conference. All of these increases have resulted in increases in revenue for those programs but not enough
to offset the expenses.
NEED A RIDE? • MilitaryRideShare.com
A
s we draw closer to the Holiday travel season for Service Members and their
families, I wanted to remind you to utilize MilitaryRideShare.com when you make
your travel plans.
This free service will assist you in finding other military members heading in the
same direction you are so you can ride home together and save some green.
And since your odds of finding the ride you’re looking for increases with every
new user, send a link to all your friends! Who knows, maybe your roommate will be
able to offer a ride to someone who may not have been able to get home otherwise.
Or maybe your neighbor is able to bring home a young service
member who just returned from deployment and hasn’t seen
his/her family yet.
Thanks again for your service to the Best country in
the World!
Humbly at your service,
Jen Schmidt-McGillis
Founder of www.MilitaryRideShare.com 
CSM (Ret) Frank Lever
I recently wrote a letter to each State
President and gave them a fact sheet outlining the steps that EANGUS has taken
to meet the projected revenue for 2010. If
you want to review these steps, contact
your State President for the information.
We reduced the National Office staff by
three positions which will impact membership services. We will have a staff of
four at our National Office consisting
of the Executive Director, Chief of Staff,
Legislative Director, and the Accountant.
The Chief of Staff will dedicate his time
to Membership Services but we will not
provide the same level of services to our
members and State Associations as we
have in the past. We have also reduced
the number of Executive Council meetings from quarterly to semi-annual. We
will schedule our next meeting at the
Site Visit in St. Louis, MO on May 1416, 2010.
Our legislative efforts have produced some major successes. I would
recommend you read the Legislative
Director’s report in this issue for those
successes. We will continue to work
Capitol Hill on behalf of our Soldiers,
Airmen, Retirees and Families.
Again, have a safe Holiday season.
Consider including the family of a deployed service member in your holiday
festivities. And thank a veteran this wonderful time of the year.
Ellen and Frank Lever 
Winter 2009
New Patriot
CMSgt (Ret) Roger Hagan
Vice President
I
wish our EANGUS Family a great
Holiday Season and an even better
2010. I hope this letter finds you all
in good health and celebrating the reason for the season. Here in Montana,
winter is a time for parkas, snow shovels and windshield ice scrapers. While
we were in sunny Savannah for our
Executive Council Meeting in October,
the mercury dropped to 5º above zero
in Montana. When your President Lever
heard that news he swore he would never visit Big Sky Country in the wintertime.
Northerners do have to be hardy to live
year round in our varied climes but we
learn to adapt and overcome.
I have heard some say that passing
a dues increase in 2009 would not have
made any difference in our financial situation for 2010 as the increase would not
have affected our coffers until 2011. That
is a correct statement. However, a 2011
dues increase would have given your
leaders the flexibility to plan for the future, possibly using some reserve funds
to get us through 2010 knowing we could
expect greater revenue flow in 2011. Having to cut back on services to the states,
while a very important issue, is not what
hurts the most. The most detrimental affect of our hard decisions is putting our
employees through the roller coaster ride
…a 2011 dues increase would have given your
leaders the flexibility to plan for the future,
possibly using some reserve funds to get us
through 2010 knowing we could expect greater
revenue flow in 2011.
EANGUS has had a reputation of
‘adapting and overcoming’ for more than
37 years. And these past few months have
been no exception. As your State Presidents can attest by the letter they received
from President Lever in early November,
EANGUS has once again addressed a difficult financial situation head on. Your
elected Area Directors and Chairs, appointed Finance Committee and Executive
Officers worked hard to insure the security
of EANGUS during these times of financial challenge. My hat is off to all of our
Executive Council team for making hard
decisions and carrying the message back
to their area states. A special recognition is
extended to the Finance Committee, led by
Past President Delano Kerby.
New Patriot
Winter 2009
of not knowing if their job is secure or
on the chopping block. And even more
disheartening is that we have to make
these decisions close to the Holidays. Putting a human face to the impacts of our
necessary decisions brings the reality of
our situation into full view. If we continue to operate that ‘roller coaster’ we may
not be able to retain or get a qualified,
dedicated staff. Since EANGUS is in the
business of influencing persons to support our causes, the human aspect of our
operation is arguably the most important
tool we have. We must be ever mindful of
the stability and security of our EANGUS
full-time team in Alexandria.
We continue to keep the EANGUS
name in front of National Guard Leader-
CMSgt (Ret) Roger Hagan
ship at every opportunity. In September
I was able to attend the NGAUS Conference at Nashville, TN as an exhibitor for
one of my civilian clients. While there, I
joined your EANGUS Team in promoting
our organization to the officer leaders of
the several states.
Prior to the October Executive Council meeting in Savannah, MSG Scott Evans, your EANGUS Conference Operations Manager, and I traveled to St Louis,
MO and Charleston, WV to relook the
facilities and hotels for EANGUS 2010
and 2011 respectively. MSG Evans is doing a wonderful job for EANGUS and the
upcoming conferences are on track and
looking good.
It is not too early to make plans to attend the EANGUS Site Visit and President’s
Workshop to be held in St Louis, 14-16
May 2010. By the time you read this article you should be able to register for the
Site Visit/Workshop and reserve your hotel
room on-line at the EANGUS Website.
In November, I had the opportunity
to address the ANG Enlisted Leadership
Symposium at Grapevine, Texas. Over
800 enlisted Air Guard Airmen attended
this forum. Thanks to Command Chief
Muncy, ANG CCM, we were given the
opportunity to address the group, focusing on the value of belonging to a
TO Page 8 ➞
Auxiliary President’s Message
Vivian Dean Taylor
EANGUS Auxiliary President
Grassroots Efforts Essential!
Grassroots legislative efforts are not
just important, they are essential to securing the benefits and equipment necessary
to the modern National Guard. I’ve overheard folks say, “They don’t really pay me
any attention.” The “they” these folks refer
to are the lawmakers. Their statement is
inaccurate and even dangerous for it often
leads to non-involvement in the legislative
process. For too long, many people have
been slackers in contacting their Senators
and Congressman on issues of importance
to them. We must all be involved citizens.
“The squeaky wheel gets the oil” doesn’t
just apply to the squeaky wheel! Ask your
Senators and Congressman if e-mails, letters, faxes, phone calls, and visits from their
constituents really make a difference and
you will receive a resounding, “Yes!” from
every one of them.
Response to CALL 09-23 is a good example of how quickly your efforts can lead
Auxiliary Original
Side by Side, We Stand with Pride
T
he recent NEW PATRIOT announced the 2010 Conference
will be held in St. Louis. You
might be interested in the origin of
the Auxiliary Motto. It started way
back in the 60’s or perhaps it was
early 70’s when the State of Missouri was looking for a motto. Our
own Josephine Delia submitted her
idea which was adopted by the MoNGA Auxiliary. Some time later it was
then adopted by the National. Side
by Side, We Stand with Pride is a
Missouri original.
Sad to say that Jo is no longer with
us, but there are now at least 30 widows in the St. Louis area who were
quite active “in the good old days.” We
all find it difficult to travel, walking the
big conference centers discourage us
from attending -- BUT -- we have our
fond memories of past Natl. Conferences, the places we went, the
friends we made -- and our support
to the Natl. Guard Association.
Even in retirement we must remain active and aware of current
actions/legislation regarding the
military benefits accorded to the Reserve Component. A network of Retirees throughout Missouri has been
quite active through the MoNGA. I
personally am a volunteer of a Widowed Support Program sponsored by
the Chaplaincy at Ft. Leonard Wood,
Missouri. It serves all branches of
services, AC and RC. Their district
covers about 4-5 states. I serve a
large St. Charles County area (just
across the Missouri River from St.
Louis County). Our monthly luncheon has about 25 widows of retirees and there are meetings like this
springing up throughout the District.
It is very rewarding to talk to a new
widow and offer her moral support
TO Page 6 ➞
Vivian Dean Taylor
to results in Congress. Those kinds of results
are repeated through the year as you take
time to get involved.
Your Auxiliary is involved. The EANGUS Auxiliary Legislative Committee Chairman, Connie Myers, stays in contact with
legislative chairmen throughout the nation,
encouraging them to answer the CALLs as
they come out from EANGUS. I also forward
the CALLs to those on my distribution list
as soon as they come from EANGUS. Each
year, Auxiliary members report tens of thousands of contacts with national legislators
and there are probably many more never reported. Jerry and I have made more than 125
contacts and received over 35 responses just
in the couple of months since Conference. It
really is as easy as a click of the mouse. You
can stay abreast of what EANGUS/Auxiliary
members are working on legislatively by visiting the EANGUS website on a regular basis
(www.eangus.org).
If you need specific help on responding to an issue, please contact Connie Myers at constance.myers@ang.af.mil or Vivian Taylor at vividean@aol.com or call the
Auxiliary’s toll-free number 1.800.230.8221.
We stand ready to help—we want and need
your participation! Legislative participation
is definitely a way to BLOOM Where You
Are Planted.
Side by Side We Stand With Pride
Vivian Taylor, President
EANGUS Auxiliary 
Winter 2009
New Patriot
From Your Executive Director
700 Billion to
Bail out Banks -
1 Year
3 Billion for
Cash for Clunkers -
3 weeks
1 Trillion dollars for
Health Care -
1 year
2.1 Billion over 10 years for
Early Retirement
Retroactivity
from 9-11 to Jan 08 -
NOTHING.
N
eedless to say it was a very frustrating day when the House
Armed Services committee staff
informed us they could not find off-sets
for the 2.1 Billion over 10 year cost for the
early retirement provision dating back to
9-11-01.
Their emphasis was on con-current
receipt and extending it, which by the way
didn’t happen either. The House bowed
to the Senate just as the Senate bowed to
the House on the Retro Activity Bill.
EANGUS and other organizations of
the Guard and Reserve Committee of The
Military Coalition continue to push members to co-sponsor the bill HR 208 in the
House which has 118 Co-sponsors and 831
in the Senate which has 27 Co-sponsors.
It is basically is going nowhere unless we can get the Leadership in Congress to wave the pay-go rule. How do
we do this? It’s called grass-roots support. It’s called taking the time to contact
your membership’ offices in D.C. and in
their home districts and let them know
that this is an important issue to you.
We have a recent report from Cap
New Patriot
Winter 2009
Wiz, the program that EANGUS uses to
write The Call. Of the two alerts sent out
by EANGUS only 673 members responded. Only 70 letters and 2335 emails went
sent to Congress.
The National Office Legislative Department sent out over two thousand letters on this issue alone. This may sound
like a lot but there have been more than
300,000 National Guard members mobilized since 9-11. EANGUS maintains a
database with over 45,000 members and
also the Auxiliary Database
MSG (Ret) Michael P. Cline
THE QUESTION IS - DO YOU REALLY
WANT IT AND ARE YOU WILLING
TO GET INVOLVED?
What’s wrong with this picture? Are
we spending valuable resources on an issue that apparently has little support for
the people intended?
Congress will never give something if
the visibility is not high enough or there
is no cost involved. Unlike some organizations with large Political Pack money Enlisted Association of the National
Guard’ strength comes from its ability to
raise a ground swell in Grass roots but
the reports prove that even our grass
roots program is wavering.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO
ABOUT IT? IF WE LOOSE A BENEFIT
OR EQUIPMENT OR A GUARD UNIT
AND YOU DID NOTHING TO HELP
PREVENT IT THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO
DO IS LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO SEE
WHO LET YOU DOWN.
My words are intended to be harsh
and I hope they excite you into standing
on your own two feet and taking the time to
write a letter - Not an email but a real letter
using paper, pen and a 44 cent stamp. We
even have letters available for each issue. Just
log onto HYPERLINK “http://www.eangus.
org” www.eangus.org. Just copy them and
TO Page 8 ➞
Auxiliary Original
Side by Side, We Stand with Pride
from page 5
-- making sure she is aware of the
benefits provided by her husband’s
military service. It never ceases to
amaze me as to the complacency
encountered and thus comes the reward of providing her with sources
for benefits and information. The
Auxiliary should make every effort to
educate the spouses -- they need to
be involved, not only to support the
military but to protect their future.
Mickey Lancaster
1701 Elm St.
St. Charles, MO 63301
Home ph: 636-947-4527
e-mail: bigred39@att.net 
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EANGUS Welcomes New Legislative Director
Diane M. Zumatto
M
Board of Realtors, the National Federation
s. Zumatto, a native New Yorker
of Independent Business, Saint Martin’s
and the daughter of immigrant
College, The James Monroe Museum, and
parents decided to follow in her
most recently the Friends of the Wilderness
family’s footsteps by joining the military. She
Battlefield. Diane’s non-profit experience is
has numerous relatives, including her faextremely well-rounded as she has varither, who served in the U. S. Navy, Army,
ously served in both staff and volunteer
and Marine Corps. Ms. Zumatto is a former
positions including as a board member
WAC, was married to a CW4 aviator in the
and consultant.
Washington Army National Guard, and is
After receiving her B.A. in Historic
the mother of four children. Both her oldest
(Intelligence Analyst) and youngest (Military
Preservation from the University of Mary
EANGUS
Band Musician - Bass) sons are currently on
Washington, in 2005, Diane decided to diLegislative
Director
active duty with the U. S. Army.
versify her experience by spending some
Diane M. Zumatto
Diane has many years of non-profit
time in the ‘for-profit’ community. Realizexperience having worked over the years
ing that her creativity, energy, and passion
for: the American Museum of Natural History, Washington
were not being effectively challenged, she left Verizon WireState Association of Fire Chiefs, the Tacoma-Pierce County
less to join us here at EANGUS. 
From Your
Executive Director
from page 4
from page 6
professional military organization such
as EANGUS. The attendees were from
all 50 states, the territories and the District of Columbia. While most were State
or Wing CCM’s or other senior NCO’s,
many young enlisted members, such
as Airman of the Year winners, were in
attendance. EANGUS sponsored an exhibit table and that table was ably staffed
by CSM (Ret) Don Wood and his lovely
wife Judy. They had tremendous success
in selling and renewing memberships
for EANGUS. Thanks Don and Judy for
your great help.
Finally, we are soliciting states to bid
to host conferences for EANGUS 2013,
2014, and 2015. If your state is interested, please contact Claude Imagna, Time
and Place Committee Chair. His e-mail is:
cpi1938@verizon.net.
Dorrie and I wish you a Happy New
Year and hope your Holiday Season is/
was a great one with lots of family and
fun traditions.
In closing, remember to think of the
safety of you and your family in everything you do. With the hustle and bustle
of this time of year, it is easy to become
complacent about the hazards we confront every day. Plan your activities with
an eye on safety. Take care all. God Bless
You and God Bless America. 
Kudos to…
During the ELS conference in Dallas, Texas,
2–6 November 2009,
Don and Judy Wood recruited a total of 48 members.
If you need help, ask the Pros!
New Patriot
Winter 2009
mail them to your representatives.
Let your members in the House and
Senate know what you think. When your
members of Congress are back in the
District make an appointment to go see
them take a group with you. Get media
involved. It’s not hard. You just have
to be willing to fight for what you want.
That’s why our Association exists!
You as a soldier or Airmen, family member or Retiree had little to say about the more
than 700 Billion dollar bailout given to banks
that made bad decisions. You didn’t have a
say so on the 3 Billion dollars spent on Cash
of Clunkers that was spent in less than three
weeks, nor did you have input regarding the
almost Trillion dollars Congress is about to
spend on health care. But you do have a
voice when you Vote next year. You need
to let your members of Congress know that
you vote and you will be watching their actions on these issues.
THE QUESTION IS - DO YOU REALLY
WANT IT AND ARE YOU WILLING TO
GET INVOLVED? 
Capitol Hill Happenings
Congress 101
Introduction
Article 1 of the Constitution stratifies
Congress’ legislative powers, as well as, its
organization. Both a Senate and a House
of Representatives are chosen through the
election process. Each state elects two senators to serve six-year terms; with 1/3 of
them being elected every two years.
The number of seats available in the
House of Representatives for each state
to fill is determined by the federal census.
Congressional district boundaries are established by each state’s legislature and each representative
serves a two-year term.
A Congress, initially
comes together in January,
lasts for two years and is
divided into a first and
second session. National
elections for Senate
and House seats
are held in
N ove m b e r
of even-
numbered years. If necessary, Special elections may be held throughout the year in
order to fill vacancies created by the demise
or resignation of any legislators.
The Vice President, who belongs to
no standing committees and has minimal
powers, presides over the Senate and only
votes when it becomes necessary to break
a tie. The Speaker, who presides over the
House is always a person with strong legislative and political power and is elected by
a majority of its members.
Congress, which is an assembly of
535 representatives (100 Senators and 435
House Members), has various powers including: writing federal laws; declaring
war; approving treaties; regulating commerce (interstate and foreign); establishing taxes; minting and appropriating
money; approving judicial and top
federal agency appointments; investigating matters of public concern;
monitoring federal programs and
agencies; and impeaching federal officials (including the
President and Vice President). Additionally, with a
two-thirds majority vote
in each chamber, Congress can override a
presidential veto.
Congressional Leadership:
House of Representatives
Speaker of the House - second only
to the Vice President in line of succession
to the Presidency, is not only the presiding officer in the House of Representatives,
but is also the leader of the majority party.
The Speaker has administrative control
over most House operations including:
the legislative agenda; committee appointments; committee deadlines; and legislative referrals to committees.
House Majority Leader - serves as
an assistant to the Speaker scheduling legislation for the floor, taking into account
policy importance as well as political timing. The Majority Leader, working under
the direction of the Speaker, serves as: the
party spokesman during floor debate; the
lead legislative and political strategist; a
mediator during political disputes; and the
prime negotiator with the minority party.
House Majority Whip - working with
a team of members acting as assistants,
keeps party leadership informed on how
majority members plan to vote on upcoming legislation and responds to leadership
requests for head counts on specific legislation. The Whip also acts as a kind of
political cheerleader by encouraging discipline and unity within the party, by keeping members apprised of the floor schedule
and timing of votes, and by persuading
disloyal members to vote the party line.
House Minority Leader - serves as
the minority party’s prime spokesperson
during floor debates and in negotiations
with the leadership of the majority party
as well as the White House. The party’s
legislative and political responses to the
majority’s initiatives are planned by the
Minority Leader, who also leads the process of assigning party members to variTO Page 10 ➞
Winter 2009
New Patriot
Sources and Types of Legislation
W
hile only members of Congress
can introduce legislation, the
ideas behind a specific piece of
legislation or the actual written document
may be generated from any number of
sources including: constituents, trade associations, lobbies, legislator interest, or
even the Administration. Legislation can
come in a variety of forms including: Bills,
Joint Resolutions, Concurrent Resolutions,
or House/Senate Resolutions.
Types of Legislation
Bills - which are identified by the
initials of the introducing chamber and
a number, must be passed in identical form by both houses before being
signed into law by the President. A bill is
the primary vehicle used by Congress to
enact laws. There are two kinds of bills public (affects the public in general) and
private (affects a specified individual or
private entity rather than the general
population);
Joint Resolutions - generally used
in special circumstances - purposes other
than general legislation; similar to a Bill
in that it must be passed by both houses
before being signed into law by the President. Unlike a bill, however, when enacted
into law it retains its original title rather
than being called an act;
Concurrent Resolutions - like bills
and joint resolutions, this form of legislation must be passed by both houses,
but since it is not sent to the President, it
does not become law. This type of resolution deals with the internal operations of
Congress and is generally used to express
facts, principles, opinions, and purposes
of both houses;
House or Senate (aka Simple)
Resolutions - used for other than general legislations these resolutions establish
policies or procedures strictly within the
chamber that passes them. This type of
legislation is not forwarded to the other
chamber or the President. 
Legislative
Process
The chief function of the EANGUS Legislative Committee is to prioritize all the resolutions after they
come from the Resolutions Committee at the National Conference. It is
important to note that each state can
have two representatives, one Army
and one Air, who can sit on this
committee.
The legislative process comprises
a number of steps to get resolutions
ready for the committee before the
National Conference. They are put
into eight categories: Personnel, Readiness, Education, Medical, Counter-Drug,
Employer Support Reserve, Veteran
/Retiree and Equipment. At the conclusion of deliberations and review
TO Page 11 ➞
Congress 101
from page 9
ous committees and conference negotiations with the Senate.
House Minority Whip - performs the
same functions as the Majority Whip but
for the minority party.
Congressional Leadership:
Senate
Senate Majority Leader - serves as
the leader of the majority party within the
Senate and, in conjunction with the Senate Minority Leader, is responsible for establishing the Senate’s legislative schedule,
including having the authority to adjourn
and recess each session as well as decid-
10
New Patriot
Winter 2009
ing which legislation gets brought to the
floor for consideration. In addition, consulting with the Speaker of the House, the
Senate Majority Leader assists in arranging
joint sessions/events and on ceremonial
occasions, represents the Senate by hosting
special events and welcoming dignitaries.
Senate Majority Whip - performs
similar duties in the Senate as the House
Majority Whip does in the House; may
also be called upon to substitute for either
the Majority or Minority Leader as necessary on the Senate floor.
Senate Minority Leader - serves as
the chief spokesman on both the Sen-
ate floor and to the world-at-large. The
Senate Minority Leader maintains a close
working relationship with the Majority
Leader, negotiating legislative and procedural agreements on behalf of his party.
Working with party colleagues the Minority Leader defines and prioritizes party
TO Page 11 ➞
Congress 101
Legislative Process
from page 10
from page 10
by the Legislative Committee,
the resolutions are prioritized
chronologically in order of importance. I.e., most important to
be considered as Number One,
Number Two and so on.
Once the Legislative Committee has completed this process a report is given to the delegates at the General Assembly
of the National Conference. This
prioritized list gives the National
Office the guidance to support
these issues as they come up on
The Hill. The National Office has
the latitude to support Number
Three if it becomes Number One
on The Hill.
Another important legislative process during the year is
the Legislative Workshop that
is held in Washington, DC. The
workshop’s function is to assist
our members in understanding how the legislative process
works on Capitol Hill and to
provide background information and the tools needed to be
able to discuss matters intelligently when going to The Hill.
This is also the time when those
attending are given their opportunity to be heard. This workshop stresses the importance of
having a strong state legislative
committee that will work their
state and national issues.
“The Call” is an alert that
lets our members know to contact their representative(s) in
DC about an issue that is taking place on Capitol Hill. It is
important that we answer “The
Calls” as they come out in order
to have an impact to get or save
a benefit.
Go to the EANGUS Web
Site and click on legislation and
then click on “The Call” and you
will find all of the “The Calls” listed. All the information is already
completed and all you need to
do is put in your personal information and hit the send button.
If you do not feel the verbiage is
what you want, then write your
own letter in the same space.
James A. Rains, Jr.
Legislative Committee
Chair,
EANGUS 
“The Call” is an alert that lets
our members know to contact
their representative(s) in DC
about an issue that is taking
place on Capitol Hill.
policy seeking to introduce them into the Senate’s
legislative agenda. The Minority Leader also performs
duties similar to those performed by the House Minority Leader.
Senate Minority Whip - is the principal assistant to
the Minority Leader and performs duties similar to those
performed by the Senate Majority Whip.
Congressional Staff Positions
The two major categories of Congressional staff
are: personal (an individual works for a specific legislator) or committee (an individual works for all members of a specific committee).
Personal Staff - each legislative representative
maintains multiple offices both in their home state/
congressional district and on Capitol Hill. It is at the
Washington, D.C. office that the bulk of legislative activity takes place, while state/district offices primarily deal
with constituent issues. Staff sizes vary to some extent,
but House members are limited to a total of not more
than 18 full-time and 4 part-time staff. Unlike their
colleagues in the House, Senators are not limited as to
how many personal staffers they may employ. Personal
staff positions may include: Chief of Staff; Legislative
Director, Legislative Assistant, Press Secretary, Scheduler,
Personal Assistant, Office Manager, Receptionist, State
Office Director, etc. Since much of a legislator’s work is
delegated to his/her staff, these individuals carry great
responsibility and authority. Always be sure to treat
these individuals with the appropriate level of respect.
Committee Staff - since no two committees are
alike, the size of their staffs vary depending on appropriations and on each committees’ specific needs.
These staffers are hired/fired by either the chairman or
ranking member of each committee and are generally
split along political party lines. While the majority staff
handles the bulk of the committees activities (running
hearings and drafting bills) the minority staff, which is
generally smaller, has its own responsibilities as well.
Committee staffers may possess a high level of expertise and education. Committee staff also may hold a
variety of positions similar to the personal staff. These
folks are the true workhorses in the legislative process
and should be accorded the utmost respect. 
Winter 2009
New Patriot
11
What it Means & How it’s Done
Lobbying at the Grassroots Level
Lobbying, which is authorized by the
First Amendment to the Constitution, is
essentially the right and responsibility of
any citizen or group of like-minded citizens to petition elected officials for assistance and/or provide them with specific
data with the intention of influencing the
passage or defeat of any legislation. Generally, the term ‘grassroots’ refers to the
direct communication with elected officials, at a basic or fundamental level,
which is undertaken by ordinary individuals to impact laws or legislation in
a positive or negative fashion. This approach cuts right to the chase and does
not utilize the experience or expertise of a
professional lobbyist.
Individuals wanting to take a proactive approach to issues of interest or
concern should be willing to represent
themselves by becoming their own
personal grassroots lobbyist. A person needs to be willing to put in the
time and energy necessary to achieve
their desired outcomes. Anyone hoping to be effective at grassroots lobbying, whether local, regional, state, or
national, needs to be comfortable with,
and committed to, these three general
areas:
voting
If an individual does not understand
and actively participate in the election
process they are not ready for any other
form of lobbying;
civics 101
If an individual doesn’t at least understand how Congress is set up, how it operates, and how its actions affect each one of
12
New Patriot
Winter 2009
us they are not ready to become involved
in lobbying at any level; and finally
gestion. Another option is to outline both
your short and long term goals;
elected official contact
5
With the first two areas well in hand
individuals are ready to personally share
their views with their elected officials,
ask for further clarification on an issue,
or request support for or against a specific issue. There are numerous ways to
contact elected officials including: office
visit, letter (mailed or faxed), phone call,
or email.
Regardless of which method of
communication is chosen it is important that the:
1
message be concise - remember the rule
‘less is more’;
2
individual identifies him-/herself - constituents will not be ignored. However, unidentified communications will likely be disposed
of without action or consideration;
3
request be specific rather than general
- if an individual communicates in a
vague or unclear manner elected officials will be left to wonder what is really
wanted of them;
4
requests be prioritized - outline top priorities or make only a single request/sug-
communication offers assistance - an individual with expertise on an issue or just
one who’s passionate, should be willing to
assist the elected official in bringing about
the desired outcome; and
6
communication be courteous and respectful - Rudeness will only make them not
want to consider your request.
Other points to keep in mind when
communicating with elected officials: be
patient; be willing to follow-up; always be
honest; never bad-mouth any opponents;
try to fairly represent the arguments of any
opponents while demonstrating a stronger
counter-argument; determine the appropriate level of government that you need
to communicate with based on the issue
(don’t contact a national official if the issue
is a local one).
Ask which method of communication the
elected official prefers (don’t request a personal
meeting if a letter or phone call will do).
If a personal meeting is scheduled, be
on time or better yet arrive early. It never
hurts to send a ‘Thank You’ note following
a face-to-face meeting with an elected official or a staff member. Always ask for a
response to any form of communication.
Refrain from using acronyms - spell
things out. Perhaps most important - be
prepared (know the details - have the
facts and figures ready; know the pros
and cons). 
2009 E ANGUS
Resolutions
Introduction:
Today’s National Guard is a vital
component of U.S. Army and Air
Force operations both at home and
overseas, providing an extensive
range of functions wherever it’s
missions takes it. Each segment of
our National Guard, Army and Air,
is faced with mission specific needs
in order to maintain its ability to
effectively and seamlessly function
alongside the active component.
The Army Guard is struggling with
massive equipment shortfalls, while
the Air Guard is burdened with fleets
of antiquated aircraft. Further, both
the Army and Air National Guard are
working under outdated health care,
compensation, and benefits packages
which are not commensurate with
its ever growing role in our national
security.
Background:
As an organized group of likeminded individuals we can try to
make positive changes to correct
these types of concerns by deciding
which issues should be pursued. This
is where our legislative resolutions
come in. These resolutions serve
an essential function for this
organization - they help to focus the
energy and ideas of our members,
while simultaneously informing our
legislative staff where to expend
their resources and sending a strong
message to our congressional leaders
about where we stand.
Whether our NG/R members
are putting their lives on the line in
support of contingency operations
overseas or assisting their neighbors
in times of emergency here at home,
these resolutions look out for their best
interests and benefit.
What kinds of issues are outlined
here? Anything and everything that is
important to G/R members including:
health care and medical, reenlistment
bonuses, military/disability pay,
educational benefits, equipment needs,
and retirement issues, etc. Essentially,
this list of resolutions is a list of critical
requirements designed to support the
myriad of needs of our G/R members.
EANGUS RESOLUTION 09-01
PERTAINING TO: Increasing the
Authorized User Base for Military
OneSource
BACKGROUND: Authorization to use
Military OneSource was granted to help
ease the transition from military life to
civilian life. Medically retired personnel
do not always know within six months
what their questions or needs are or
will be as they are often dealing with
the physical and/or emotional needs of
their condition, sudden retirement and
families. Granting access to Military
OneSource for three years would
greatly decrease their anxiety while at
the same time increase their potential
for finding resources they need when
they need them.
RECOMMENDATION: That EANGUS
urges DoD to increase the authorized
access to Military OneSource for
medically retired personnel from six
months to three years.
PERTAINING TO: TRICARE for ‘Grey
Area” Retirees
BACKGROUND: ‘Grey Area’ retirees
are those traditional members of
the National Guard and Reserves
who retire after 20 or more years
of service but are not eligible for
many of their benefits, including
TRICARE, until they reach the age
of 60. Many times upon retirement,
the Guardsman or Reservist does not
have any health insurance, or if he/
she does, it may not be adequate.
urges DoD and Congress to allow
‘Grey Area’ Retirees access to
TRICARE at the full premium for such
coverage until they reach the age of
60 and become eligible for TRICARE
for Life coverage.
PERTAINING TO: Elimination of Basic
Allowance for Housing II (BAH-II)
BACKGROUND: Active Duty
personnel receive the full BAH,
while National Guardsmen and
Reservists on active duty for 30 days
or less receive the reduced BAH-II.
Many times these Guardsmen and
Reservists are attending schools or
are doing short tours away from
their homes, families and regular
full-time employment, often earning
less money. At the same time, they
still have to pay their mortgages or
rent while also paying for housing
at their temporary duty station.
Having a reduced BAH in addition
to a reduced income can create a
financial hardship for the service
member. In the past few years BAHII allowance was reduced from 179
days of active duty to 139 days of
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Winter 2009
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13
EANGUS Resolutions
from page 13
active duty and further to 30 days or
less of active duty. Now is the time to
eliminate it altogether.
urges DoD and Congress to eliminate
BAH-II.
PERTAINING TO: Funding for the Joint
Cargo Aircraft (JCA)
BACKGROUND: On June 11th, 53
adjutants general urges the leadership
of the House and Senate Armed
Services Committees to reject the
DoD eleventh-hour decision to slash
the JCA program and to terminate it as
a joint program.
The JCA program would provide a
critical capability to state emergency
management and homeland security. The original program was a positive
solution to a critical problem, and
was welcome news for the Army
National Guard looking to replace
the aging C-23 Sherpa, to conduct
time-sensitive mission critical supply
for Operations Iraqi and Enduring
Freedom. It was also a way ahead for
Air National Guard units seeking new
missions as a result of the 2005 Base
Realignment and Closure (BRAC).
In recent years, the National
Guard has been asked to play a larger
role in homeland defense and disaster
recovery, and the JCA is a critical
tool for fulfilling these missions. Whether responding to wind and ice
storms, hurricanes, or a large scale
terrorist incident, the National Guard
needs the JCA for timely delivery of
personnel and emergency supplies
to areas that would otherwise be
inaccessible. Army and Air Guard
cargo aircraft are used in almost every
“solution” in planning scenarios to
provide timely airlift during combat
and natural or manmade disaster
situations. RECOMMENDATION: That EANGUS
urges Congress to support full funding
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New Patriot
Winter 2009
of the JCA, and to keep the program
joint as originally validated and
approved. EANGUS RESOLUTION 09-05
PERTAINING TO: Tax Credits For
Employers of National Guard Members
and for Self-Employed Members
BACKGROUND: An estimated 41 percent
of mobilized National Guard members
face a reduction in pay while on active
duty. Although some employers have
made up the difference in pay and
some even pay full salaries to mobilized
employees, most cannot afford to offer
such generous benefits.
Some employers cannot
economically replace deployed National
Guard employees during periods of
deployment. Self employed National
Guard members can be ruinously hit by
deployment.
Offering tax credits to both
employers of National Guard members
and to self-employed Guard members
would reward these patriotic Americans
and inspire greater support of all
members of the Guard in the workplace.
RECOMMENDATION: EANGUS
recommends that the Congress provide
tax credits to employers of National
Guard members and to self-employed
members of the National Guard.
PERTAINING TO: Adequate Funding
To Resource Enhanced Security
Requirements Directed By Chief Of Staff
U.S. Air Force
BACKGROUND: Following the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001,
the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
(CSAF) directed the implementation
of enhanced installations security
procedures. These procedures
necessitated an increase in manning to
comply with revised installation security
requirements. Rather than increasing
permanent full-time authorizations, a
program called Air Reserve Component
Volunteers (ARCV) was created,
allowing Air Reserve Component
(ARC) security forces to augment
permanent security forces at both
Active Duty and Air National Guard
(ANG) installations. At the onset, this
program was funded by the Active
Component through Fiscal Year (FY)
2005 and for approximately the first
half of FY06.
A Department of Air Force
decision in FY06 directed that
funding of these positions at ANG
bases was an ANG cost and therefore
the Active Component would no
longer resource those security
requirements. As a result, the
ANG funded the balance of FY06.
However, the ANG could no longer
fund this program resulting in its
termination within the ANG as of the
end of FY06. However, the Active
Component continues to fund ARC
volunteers that augment Active Duty
bases.
The volunteers who augment
security functions at Active Duty
bases include traditional Guardsmen
who willingly accept this duty. The
irony is that traditional Guardsmen
are augmenting security forces at
Active Duty bases while ANG bases
can no longer fund these same
personnel to meet security measures
as directed by CSAF. Concurrently,
the pool of available manpower
at ANG bases to support security
requirements is decreasing as the
ANG continues to deploy personnel
in record numbers to support the
Global War on Terror (GWOT),
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
recommends that the National Guard
Bureau, the Departments of the Air
Force and Army, and the Department
of Defense urge the Congress to
support requisite resourcing to the
TO Page 16 ➞
EXCELLENCE
COMMITMENT
TEAMWORK
SERVICE
PRIDE
Humana Military is proud
to support the National
Guard and Reserve.
For excellent customer service in TRICARE’s South Region,
visit our Web site at www.humana-military.com or call our
dedicated NG/R line at 1-877-298-3408.
www.humana-military.com
EANGUS Resolutions
from page 14
National Guard Bureau with Air
National Guard (ANG) security
personnel in support of security
measures as directed by Chief of Staff
Air Force (CSAF).
PERTAINING TO: Air National Guard
Grade Leveling
BACKGROUND: The Air Force has
proposed leveling of all E-6 through
E-9 pay grades to mirror current
Air Force manning levels for that
particular type of unit. This would
cause a reduction in progression
and retention of Air National Guard
personnel by severely restricting
promotions.
RECOMMENDATION: EANGUS urges
the Department of Defense and the
United States Air Force to allow
the Air National Guard to maintain
its current increased percentage
authorizations to maintain the
retention and progression of Air
National Guardsman.
PERTAINING TO: Space Available
Travel for Spouses of Traditional
Guardsman
BACKGROUND: Deployment and
training cycle demands continue
to remain at a phenomenal rate.
Traditional Guardsmen have
continued to answer the call
willingly and without prejudice to
family, school, and employment
issues. This would be a small
gratuitous gesture without significant
budgetary issues.
urges the Department of Defense
to amend the current Air Mobility
Command (AMC) Space Available
rules and allow spouses of
traditional Guardsman to travel
on Air Mobility aircraft in the
appropriate status category.
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Winter 2009
PERTAINING TO: Receipt of Military Pay
and Disability Pay
BACKGROUND: Currently an individual
is forced to sign a waiver to forfeit
either the VA disability compensation or
military pay.
urges Congress and the VA to allow
individuals to receive their VA
disability compensation in addition to
military pay.
PERTAINING TO: The Issuing of Rapid
Fielding Initiative to Non-Brigade
Combat Teams Units Training for
Deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom
(OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom
(OEF)
RECOMMENDATION: To insure readiness
of Army National Guard (ARNG) NonBrigade Combat Teams (B), EANGUS
urges Congress to Provide funding
and additional contras to ensure all
Soldiers in the Army National Guard
(ARNG) have the current Rapid Fielding
Initiative (RFI) issued to Soldiers; this
will allow Soldier to properly train and
accomplish all pre-mobilization tasks.
PERTAINING TO: Providing Fair
Compensation for Completing Distance
Learning Requirements
RECOMMENDATION: To ensure fairness
for Army National Guard (ARNG)
personnel, EANGUS urges Congress
and DoD to provide funding for the
following:
A. Mandate that soldiers receive one
day’s pay as compensation for every eight hours of completed distance learning coursework.
B. Ensure that the Army budget provides full funding to compensate
Soldiers for completion of distance
learning requirements.
PERTAINING TO: Amending Title 10
USC to Reduce the Age at Which
a Reserve Component Member is
Eligible to Receive Retirement Pay
RECOMMENDATIONS: To reduce the
age when a retired member of the
Reserve Component (RC) is eligible
to receive military retirement pay by
one year for every two years served
after twenty good years of service.
PERTAINING TO: State Command
Chief Master Sergeant (State CCM)
Full-Time Position
BACKGROUND: The State Command
Chief Master Sergeant (CCM)
position is currently a traditional
Guardsman position requiring more
than 200 days a year in performance
of assigned duties. The State CCM
duties are equally as important as
the duties of the State Command
Sergeant Major (CSM). However,
the CSM position is currently a full
time duty position whereas the State
CCM position is not. Because of the
duty requirements some states have
already recognized the necessity of
implementing and funding a full time
State CCM.
urges the United States Congress, the
Department of the Air Force and the
National Guard Bureau to make the
State Command Chief Master Sergeant
a full time technician or AGR position
and provide authorization and funding
for this position.
PERTAINING TO: Military Technician
Reenlistment Bonuses
BACKGROUND: According to United
States Code, Military Technician
Guardsmen who are serving on a Title
10 mobilization should receive the
same pay, allowance, and benefits
EANGUS Resolutions
from page 16
as Title 10 Active Duty Soldiers.
NGB recently released a policy
authorizing Military Technicians
a reenlistment bonus when their
ETS occurs during deployment in
support of OIF or OEF. This policy
was not retroactive to Military
Technicians who deployed prior
to the policy effective date. This
policy is an attempt to provide fair
and equitable treatment for Military
Technician Guardsmen, although
it only applies to an extremely
small percentage of Guardsmen.
This policy leaves out a significant
number of Military Technician
Guardsmen who should be equally
compensated for their dedicated
service. Military Technicians deserve
equity in compensation to the same
degree as their active and traditional
Guardsmen counterparts. Due to
inequalities such as this, a number
of senior Guardsmen are completing
25 years and retiring from the
Military Technician Force.
urges the United States Congress
to enact Military Technician
reenlistment bonus legislation,
which is fair and equitable for both
Military Technicians and traditional
Guardsmen as compared to active
component service members.
PERTAINING TO: Active Guard
Reserve (AGR) Reenlistment Bonuses
BACKGROUND: According to
Title 10 USC Title 7, Title 32 AGR
Guardsmen should receive the same
pay, allowance, and benefits as Title
10 Active Duty Soldiers. NGB has
released a policy authorizing AGR’s
a reenlistment bonus when their ETS
occurs during deployment in support
of OIF or OEF. This policy was not
retroactive to AGR Guardsmen who
deployed prior to the policy effective
date. This policy is an attempt to
provide fair and equitable treatment
for Title 32 AGR Guardsmen although
it only applies to an extremely small
percentage of Guardsmen. This policy
leaves out a significant number of
Guardsmen who should be equally
compensated for their dedicated
service. Title 32 AGR’s deserve equity
in compensation to the same degree
as their active duty and traditional
Guardsmen counterparts. AGR’s
frequently hold multiple positions
and have additional duties to support
their units administratively, logistically
and operationally. A number of senior
Guardsmen are completing 20 years
and retiring from the AGR force due to
inequalities, which exist between Title
32 and Title 10 Service.
urges the United States Congress
to enact AGR reenlistment bonus
legislation which is fair and equitable
for both Title 32 AGR’s and traditional
Guardsmen as compared to active
component service members.
PERTAINING TO: Military Retirement
Credit for Certain Service by National
Guard Members performed while in a
State Active Duty Status in support of
Ongoing Security Missions following
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the city
of New Orleans.
BACKGROUND: Guardsmen responding
to Hurricane Katrina were placed in a
Title 32 status, specifically to address
the issue of pay and benefits. Although
that funding ran out, National Guard
members remained in the city to support
the New Orleans Police Department for
more than three years, except they were
supported with state funds and placed
in a state active duty status. While the
pay remained the same, their state active
duty status made them ineligible to
receive federal military retirement credit,
not because of the duties that they were
performing, but because the source of
the funding changed.
In fashion similar to the measures
taken by the State of New York in
2005, the recommendation is for
Congress to enact a bill, similar to
H.R. 2499, that enables the service
of a member of the National Guard
to be deemed service creditable
under section 12732(a)(2)(A)(i) of
title 10, United States Code.
urges Congress to provide members
of the National Guard who served
in a Federal disaster areas in
response to Hurricane Katrina, and
who served under State duty so
that they could immediately assist
in the response effort should have
that service counted as Federal
active duty for purposes of military
retirement credit under section
12732(a)(2)(A)(i) of title 10, United
States Code.
ISSUE: Free Overseas Mailing/
Shipping for Families of Deployed
Military Members
BACKGROUND: Representatives
Kathy Castor and Gus Bilirakis have
already committed to co-sponsoring a
bill that would achieve this goal. They
must get the support of the remainder
of their colleagues, particularly
those in the Senate. Families and
organizations attempting to ship
goods to our military have discovered
that the cost can be onerous. That
should not be a factor in our attempts
to make their lives more bearable
in the most trying circumstances.
Keep in mind that the members
of Congress enjoy the right of free
mailing, called “franking” privileges.
It is only proper that our fighting men
and women who are in harm’s way
be granted the same rights.
urges Congress to allow for the free
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17
EANGUS Resolutions
from page 17
mailing of letters and packages to
our military personnel in the Iraq and
Afghanistan theaters of operation.
ISSUE: GRAP for ANG Technician and
Active Guard and Reserve Members
BACKGROUND: Current law prohibits
full time Air National Guard AGR and
Federal Technicians from participating
in the GRAP program due to the
fact that they are already a federal
employee and the dual compensation
clause prevents them from performing
two federal tasks for compensation
and the same time.
However, after duty hours and
on weekends, those same personnel
should be able to perform the duties
of the GRAP program on a part –time
basis without interfering with their
full-time positions.
urges NGB to change the contra
between the ANG and Docupak
to allow ANG AGR and Federal
Technicians to participate in the
GRAP program.
ISSUE: Relating to Congressional
Funding for the National Guard Youth
Challenge Program
BACKGROUND: The National Guard
Youth “ChalleNGe” Program was
founded in 1993 to provide troubled
youths who are deemed to be most
“at-risk”, an opportunity to improve
their potential for a successful
and productive life. A voluntary
- preventive program, the National
Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program
(NGYCP) helps young people
improve their life skills, education
levels and employment potential.
Sixteen to eighteen year-old male
and female high school dropouts are
eligible to apply for the 17-month
program, which includes a 5-month
residential phase followed by a 12-
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Winter 2009
month mentoring phase administered by
professionals who emphasize discipline,
education, and life skills.
The National Guard Youth
“ChalleNGe” Program is authorized
and funded through the Department
of Defense on a cost-share basis with
participating states. The National
Guard Bureau (NGB) is responsible for
management and oversight of the 33
ChalleNGe programs that, to date, have
graduated more than 81,000 cadets.
Our nation is in danger of losing
a generation of our youth to crime
and delinquency. Nearly 33 million
young Americans do not have a high
school degree. Each year, more than
a million of our youth drop out of
school and slip between the cracks.
The majority will end up incarcerated,
unemployed, underemployed, or on
federal assistance. Today, 30% of high
school dropouts are unemployed and
24% are on welfare. Over their lifetime,
they could lose an estimated $900,000
in wages. An astonishing 68% of the
prison population is made up of high
school dropouts. As a nation, we must
address this crisis.
Although millions of dollars each
year are spent on programs to reduce
juvenile crime and delinquency, little
has been done to offer educational
opportunities that will PREVENT youth
from entering a life of crime. NGYCP
is preventive rather than remedial,
focusing on educating at-risk youth and
becoming involved with them before
crime becomes a lifestyle.
The ChalleNGe program continues
to be fiscally competitive with other
federal, state, and private programs
with a mission to help disadvantaged
youth. Empirical evidence shows the
ChalleNGe program to be the most
cost-effective intervention program
reviewed to date for achievement in
addressing the needs of at-risk youth.
RECOMMENDATION: To ensure the
vitality and expansion of the National
Guard Youth Challenge Program,
EANGUS urges Congress to provide
an increase in funding for the
National Guard Youth ChalleNGe
Program
ISSUE: Relating to the National Guard
Counter Drug Program End Strength
and Counterdrug Schools
BACKGROUND: The Counterdrug
Task Force Programs across the
nation are experiencing tremendous
shortfalls in their budgets, resulting
in many supported agencies being
denied National Guard support.
As the Guardsmen get promoted
and as the military receives pay
raises, the level of funding for
the Counterdrug Program should
grow proportionally in order to
meet those new obligations. Many
states have resorted to “Line Item”
processes through their Senators and
Representatives in order to acquire
the necessary level of funding for
their states, however, with the
new Administration’s resistance to
Line Item funding requests, many
programs may have no other choice
but to discontinue operations.
RECOMMENDATION: To strengthen
the National Guard Counterdrug
Program, EANGUS urges Congress to
do the following:
A. Increase the National Guard
Counterdrug Program average
end-strength to a minimum of
2,763 authorizations in accordance with Presidential Budget
Decision (PBD) #095, dated
11 December 2001, and urges
the congressionally approved
maximum authorization of
4,000 Guardsmen.
B. Funding the FY10 National
Guard State Plans Presidential
Budget now and in the future
to maintain the required end
strength for the counterdrug
program.
EANGUS Resolutions
from page 18
C. Authorize and appropriate
funds in excess of the President’s Budget (PB) proposal
to meet the Department of
Defense (DOD) validated requirements of each of the five
National Guard counterdrug
schools.
D. Issue a policy statement to the
Administration that the counterdrug schools should be
fully funded in the PB without
having to depend on Congress
to bridge the shortfall.
PERTAINING TO: National Guard /
Reserve Respite Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND: The requirements
for support services for citizensoldiers have escalated. Increasing
rates for suicide, divorce, spousal
abuse, child neglect, drug and
alcohol abuse, reckless driving,
sleep deprivation, night traumas and
depression are plaguing our Guard
and Reserve and their families.
In New York State alone there
are 58 armories across the state,
but these armories do not have the
ways, means or resources to meet
the requirements. National Guard
and Reserve members and family
members are suffering from the
effects of eight years of multiple
call ups and deployments with
resulting casualties, severe injuries,
and significant case levels of Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder/Syndrome
and Traumatic Brain Injury.
The National Guard and Reserve
rely solely on limited Active Duty
resources, Veterans Administration
Hospitals, Medical Centers, and
Veterans Outreach Clinics to relieve
some of the tremendous stress
placed on them and their families.
These programs and facilities are
simply not enough. Nor do they
have the capabilities of taking care
of the ever changing needs of our
military families. Citizen-Soldiers do
not live on military base or post, they
reintegrate back into society the day
they get home from war.
Although reliance on the Guard
remains at historic levels for both
Federal and State missions, the National
Guard and Reserve does not have a
customized facility for the care and
welfare of veteran citizen-soldiers and
their families for transition, reintegration
and therapeutic healing. The National
Guard and Reserve have no physical
infrastructure(s) to sustain their needs.
The construction and operation of a
Respite Center of Excellence will meet
this need. Patriot Hills of New York,
once constructed, will then serve as the
role model for the establishment of this
type facility to serve Veterans and their
families in centralized locations across
the United States.
RECOMMENDATION: EANGUS of New
York recommends to EANGUS to
actively engage the Congress to:
• Support the strategic plan for a
“Respite Center of Excellence” for
National Guard and Reserve members that address the transition, reintegration and therapeutic healing
of veterans and their families.
• Support the pilot project of a national respite facility to ensure a
successful transition from all federal missions and deployments back
to the local community as healthy
and productive citizens.
• Support funding for the Northeast
pilot program, Patriot Hills of New
York for returning Guard and Reserve personnel to utilize our facility for therapy and convalescence
for our veterans and their families
and recreational opportunities for
family members.
PERTAINING TO: The Inequities between
Active duty components and the
National Guard/Reserve concerning
Space Available travel
BACKGROUND: The Space Available
(Space A) travel regulations place
unnecessary restrictions on the use
of Space A travel by National Guard
and Reserve members.
Active component member’s use
of Space A travel is not equitable
to that of Guard and Reserve
Counterparts. National Guard and
Reserve members are only permitted
by Space A travel regulations to travel
to CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam,
Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.
supports action to eliminate
all destination and dependent
restrictions for Space A travel
between Active Components,
National Guard, and Reserves.
PERTAINING TO: Surviving
dependents and ID cards
BACKGROUND: If the Guardsman
served less than 18 years and was
not federally activated within the
previous year in support of an
expeditionary mission, under current
regulation, the dependants of a
peacetime deceased Guardsman
must relinquish their dependant
identification. When membership
of the National Guard continues to
reenlist beyond their first full term
of enlistment, they are making a
career choice to defend their nation
and state until such a time to retire.
Dependants come to rely on simple
benefits that come with holding a
dependant ID, to include but not
limited to Commissary, MWR, BX/PX
privileges, etc.
supports legislation that would
change regulations requiring
dependants to relinquish their
dependant IDs during the untimely
TO Page 20 ➞
Winter 2009
New Patriot
19
EANGUS Resolutions
from page 19
peacetime death of the National
Guard member. If the deceased Guard
member served one day beyond
the initial first full term enlistment
or more in the National Guard, a
change in regulation would allow the
surviving dependants to retain their
dependant ID until such time they
would no longer be considered a
surviving dependant by law.
PERTAINING TO: Support of the
Structure and Equipment Issues
Endorsed by the National Guard
Association (NGAUS) and the
Adjutants General Association
(AGAUS) that Contribute to the
Accomplishment of the Purposes and
Goals of EANGUS of the National
Guard (EANGUS)
BACKGROUND: EANGUS is
dedicated to promoting the status,
welfare, and professionalism of
the men and women of the Army and
Air National Guard. Our goal is to
provide quality, motivated, professional
soldiers, airmen, noncommissioned
officers to the National Guard. Our
primary focus is to accomplish our
purpose and goals in the best interest
of the National Guard Enlisted Force.
Issues of force structure, missions, and
effective equipment to accomplish
those missions are more appropriately
addressed by NGAUS and AGAUS.
continues to pledge support to those
NGAUS and AGAUS initiatives that
contribute to the accomplishment of the
EANGUS purpose and goals.
PERTAINING TO: Appreciation for the
Hospitality and Efforts by the State of
Minnesota, the City of Rochester and
the Minnesota National Guard Enlisted
Association and Auxiliary
BACKGROUND: The 38th General
Conference of EANGUS of the
National Guard met in Rochester,
Minnesota from 9 through 12 August
2009. The city of Rochester and the
Minnesota National Guard Enlisted
Association and Auxiliary acted as
gracious hosts and hostesses to their
fellow National Guard members,
their spouses and guests. The
tireless efforts and dedication of the
Rochester Conference Committee
made significant contributions to
ensure a most successful General
Conference.
commends the State of Minnesota,
the city of Rochester, the Minnesota
National Guard Enlisted Association
and the Auxiliary for the support
they have given and outstanding
hospitality they have extended to
make the 38th General Conference
most successful and memorable.
2007 Resolutions Reaffirmed for One Year
All resolutions approved by the EANGUS Delegate body are affirmed for a period of two years.
The following 2007 EANGUS RESOLUTIONs are reaffirmed for one additional year
or until satisfactory resolution of the issue.
07-01 Relating to Full-Time Manning for the Army
National Guard
07-02 Relating to the Inequitable Treatment of
Guard and Reserve Personnel while in a
Temporary Duty Status (TDY)
07-04 Relating to Amending Title 10, USC which
would reduce From 60 to 55 the age at which
a Reserve Component Member may begin
receiving Retirement Pay
07-05 Relating to a Department Of Defense
requirement for Annual Dental Examinations
07-06 Related To Locating C-130 International
Student Training at the 189th Airlift Wing,
ANG, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas
07-07 Current Health Care and Dental Care
Benefits Made Permanent for Members of the
National Guard and Reserve Component
07-10 Relating to the Future of the Air National Guard
20
New Patriot
Winter 2009
07-11 Relating To Simplified Dividends for Air National
Guard Bases from Army and Air Force Exhange
Service Operations on those Bases
07-13 The Definition And Allocation Of Missions And
Resources In Support Of 21st Century National
Guard Missions
07-14 Compensation and Incentive Pay To Members of
the National Guard
07-15 Civilian Employment for National Guard
Members and Their Families
07-16 The Definition of “Veteran” To Include All
National Guardsmen with 20 Years or more of
service and All Dual Status Military Technicians
serving during Defined Times of War
07-19 Employment Protection for the Family of
Wounded Service Members
07-20 Increase in Family Service Group Life Insurance
(FSGLI) Benefit 
9.75 in.
7.25 in.
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INSURANCE RATES
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COMPETITION.
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options. 4To qualify for the discount, the vehicle must not be driven and must be stored in a secure location. Other restrictions apply. 5Check with your current carrier on
any fees or penalties associated with canceling your current policy.
Eligibility restrictions apply to purchase of property and casualty insurance. Eligibility may change based on factors such as marital status, rank or military status.
Applicants must meet underwriting guidelines. Automobile insurance provided by United Services Automobile Association, USAA Casualty Insurance Company, USAA General
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casualty insurance companies. © 2009 USAA. 91887-0509
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
What’s In It For Me?
by Frank Yoakum
Two haunting questions
to mob, the 180 day mark was
the legislation in January 2007, when Virthat the leaders of any mema good first step. This gives our
ginia Senator Jim Webb first took office and
bership based organization
Guard members another 90
introduced the bill as one of his first acts. Yes,
face. And coming up with good
days to prepare, and another
other associations jumped on board, helped
answers can sometimes be just
90 days for their families to be
rewrite the legislation and support it. But
as haunting.
covered. It’s a great benefit, and
EANGUS was there at the beginning, and
What about EANGUS?
EANGUS was there to reenEANGUS is still there working on the techWhat has EANGUS done for
ergize the efforts begun in the
nical changes needed for Guard members.
you lately? And what’s in it for
110th Congress on behalf of our
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is worth well over
Frank Yoakum
you? A lot.
Guard members and families.
$25,000 to each Guard member that takes
SGM (ret)
Let’s examine the 2010 NaThanks to EANGUS, mediadvantage of this benefit.
tional Defense Authorization Act, signed
cal care for gray area retirees is now law.
So what has EANGUS done for you
into law Wednesday afternoon, October
EANGUS worked with lawmakers and
lately? What’s in it for you? A lot. Much
28, 2009.
other associations to bring the issue to the
more than what you pay for your yearly
Thanks to EANGUS, stop loss payattention of lawmakers and committee staff
dues. Is it worth being an EANGUS memments are now being made to thousands
and won their support. Now, in law, gray
ber? You bet! 
who were extended beyond their enlistarea retirees can
ment dates at the rate of $500 per month
purchase TRICARE
or any portion of a month. What did
medical
coverage
EANGUS do? EANGUS was at the press
for themselves and
conference announcing the legislation in
their families, and
May 2008 with Senator Frank Lautenberg
have continuity of
(D-NJ) and Representative Betty Sutton (Dcare from the date
OH). EANGUS continued to provide supthey retire until they
port for the legislation until it became law.
reach age 60, when
What’s in it for you? If you were caught
TRICARE (without a
in stop loss, and over 80,000 were for an
premium) kicks in.
Phone: 800-584-7481 ext 247
P.O. Box 424, Winchester, IN 47394
Fax: 765-584-3419
www.silvertownemint.com
sales@silvertownemint.com
average of 8 months each, it means cash in
The Post-9/11
AMERICANMADEANDHANDPAINTED
CUSTOM MINTING PRICING
DISCOUNT PRICE SCHEDULE
your pocket of $4,000.
GI Bill kicked off in
Discountsextendedtomenandwomenservingournationin:
EXTENDED TO SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SERVANTS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL
Thanks to EANGUS, payment for
August 2009, just
Per coin pricing, all prices the same regardless of quantity
Military•LawEnforcement•FireandRescueUnits
No
Minimum Orders Required
Strike & Trim (Dog tags & shapes)
time spent deployed and eligible for the
before our National
1 1/2"*
1 3/4"*
1 7/8" *
Small
Medium
Large
Post-Deployment/Mobilization
Respite
Conference in RochBRASS
$1.55 $1.70 $2.05 $2.20
$2.05 $2.20
$1.80 $1.95
$2.50 $2.65
$3.25 $3.40
NICKEL SILVER
$2.00 $2.15 $2.50 $2.65
$2.50 $2.65
$2.25 $2.40
$3.00 $3.15
$3.75 $3.90
Handpaintedwithdurable
CraftedIn:
COPPER
$1.80 $1.95 $2.30•
$2.45
$2.30 $2.45
$2.00 $2.15
$2.75 $2.90
$3.50 $3.65
Absence at the rate of $200 per day. With
ester, Minnesota.
**.999 FINE SILVER, Spot +
$2.50
$2.50
$2.50
epoxyfinish
**.9999 FINE GOLD, Spot +
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
.999FineSilver
over 4,000 Guard members affected by this
Thanks to EAN*EXTENDED LOOP FOR USE WITH NECK RIBBON, KEY CHAINS, ETC. ADDITIONAL $.25
**SPOT IS THE CURRENT MARKET PRICE OF THE
METAL,
DETERMINED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE
Customizeddiesforyour
24KtGold1 1/2" (39mm) Coins are One•Troy
Ounce of Silver or Gold
so far, and who knows how many in the
GUS, educational
1 3/4" and 1 7/8"are Twospecificneeds
Troy Ounces of Silver
future, it puts cash in their pockets. FourBronzecoin is hand enameled
benefits have been
ENAMELING-Each
COINING DIES
•Hundredsofstockdiesavailable
SPOT ONLY-PER COLOR
$0.70 per color
One side of coin
$300.00
UP TO THREE
COLORS
$2.00
Both sides of coin
$550.00
teen days respite absence times $200 per
NickelSilver
revised and those
atnocharge,visitourwebsiteto
ADDITIONAL COLORS
$0.75 each
For portrait dies or dies of unusually
FULL COLOR (90+% COVERED)-ADD
$0.15 per side
high detail, please call for a quote.
day is $2,800 real cash. The issue seemed
attending college or
Copper
Visit our website to view a large
RINGS-PER SIDE-ADD
$0.15 per side viewthelargeselection
CLEAR COAT-PER SIDE
$0.75 per side
selection of dies available for use at
to die at the end of the 110th Congress, but
other schools may
no charge. www.silvertownemint.com
Normal
Double Rope Other Information:
EANGUS reenergized it in December 2008,
take advantage of DIAMOND CUT P.O.Box424,Winchester,Indiana47394
Cut
turn around time to have
EDGES
Broad Cut
Rope Cut
SINGLE SIDE
$1.25
$1.25
$1.75
custom dies engraved is 3 to 4 weeks.
and now it is law.
BOTH SIDES
$1.75
$1.75
$1.75
Once dies are completed product will
the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
www.silvertownemint.com
be shipped in a week to 10 days.
Enameled pieces require an additional
SERIAL
&
EDGE
NUMBERING
$0.10
Per
digit
$.30
Minimum
Thanks to EANGUS, medical and
Email:mintsales@silvertowne.com
What did EANGUS NAME ENGRAVING
$0.10 Per letter $1.00 Minimum
3 to 4 weeks.
ENGRAVING
$0.75 Name, Rank & Date
Phone:800-788-7481ext247•Fax:765-584-3419
dental care has been extended from 90 to
do? EANGUS was at PROMOTION COIN
Holds
Holds 1 3/4"
AND OTHER PRODUCTS
1 1/2"
or 1 7/8"
180 days prior to mobilization. Although
the initial press con- PACKAGING
NOMINIMUMORDERS
CAPSULE
$0.50
$0.75
CARDBOARD BOX (Includes capsule)
$1.50
$2.00
EANGUS was pushing for one year prior
ference introducing HINGED STEEL VELOUR BOX (Includes capsule)
$2.90
$4.50
Shiny Antique
Shiny Antique
Shiny Antique
Shiny Antique
Shiny Antique
Shiny Antique
*price subject to change for those coins with extremely high detail.
22
New Patriot
Winter 2009
SPLIT RING KEY CHAIN (requires extended loop)
NECK RIBBONS AND RIBBON DRAPES FOR MEDALS (requires extended loop or special capsule)
VELOUR DRAWSTRING POUCH
ACRYLIC DISPLAY EASEL
Other packaging available, please contact us for details
American Made, American Quality
Buy direct from SilverTowne Mint! All coins are minted and enameled at our mint in Indiana, by American workers!
$1.00
$0.75
$0.75
$0.35
Located on the grounds of the United
States Naval Observatory (USNO), the
white 19th Century house at Number
One Observatory Circle in northwestern
Washington, D.C., was built in 1893.
Originally intended for the superintendent of the USNO, the house was
so lovely that in 1923, the chief of
naval operations kicked out the superintendent so he could move in
himself. Historically, Vice Presidents
and their families lived in their own
homes, but the cost of securing these
private residences grew substantially
over the years. Finally, in 1974, Congress agreed to refurbish the house at
the Naval Observatory as a home for
the Vice President.
The Vice President's Residence and Office
Three years passed before any Vice
President actually lived at Number One
Observatory Circle. Vice President Gerald
Ford acceded to the Presidency before he
could use the home, and his Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller, only used it for
entertaining. Walter Mondale was the first
Vice President to move into the home. It
has since been home to the families of
Vice Presidents Bush, Quayle, Gore, and
Cheney. Vice President and Dr. Biden currently reside there.
Vice Presidents have welcomed
countless guests to the residence, including foreign leaders and dignitaries. Still,
the Naval Observatory has continued to
operate. Scientists observe the sun, moon,
planets and selected stars, determine and
precisely measure the time, and publish
astronomical data needed for accurate
navigation.
The Vice President’s
Ceremonial Office
In addition to the Vice President’s Office in the West Wing, the Vice President
and his staff maintain a set of offices in
the Eisenhower Executive Office Building
(EEOB), located next to the West Wing on
the White House premises. This office,
called the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office, served as the Navy Secretary’s Office
when the EEOB housed the State, Navy
and War Departments. Today, the Vice
President uses the office for meetings and
press interviews.
Sixteen Secretaries of the Navy worked
here between 1879 and 1921. From 1921
until 1947, General John Pershing occupied the room as Army Chief of Staff
and Chairman of the Battle Monuments
Commission. Pershing’s occupancy of the
office was interrupted only once during
these 26 years, when President Hoover
was forced to relocate his offices following a Christmas Eve fire in the West Wing
in 1929. Since 1960, it has been occupied
by every Vice President except for Hubert Humphrey, who used a room on the
floor below. Since its restoration in the
1980s, it has been considered a ceremonial office.
William McPherson, a well-known
Boston decorator and painter, designed
the room. Its walls and ceiling were decorated with ornamental stenciling and allegorical symbols of the Navy Department,
hand painted in typical Victorian colors.
The floor is made of mahogany, white
maple and cherry, and the two fireplaces
are original Belgian black marble.
The room’s chandeliers are replicas
of the turn-of-the-century gasoliers that
formerly adorned the room. These historic
fixtures were equipped for both gas and
electric power -- with the gas globes on
top and the electric lights below.
There are several items of note in the
room, but the most interesting may be the
Vice-President’s Desk. This desk is part of
the White House collection and was first
used by Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. Several Presidents have chosen to use this desk,
including Presidents Taft, Wilson, Harding,
Coolidge, Hoover, and Eisenhower. It was
placed in storage from December of 1929
until 1945, when it was selected by President Truman. Vice President Johnson and
each subsequent Vice President has used
the desk. The inside of the top drawer has
been signed by the various users since the
1940s.
A bust of Christopher Columbus -one of the few original items on display
-- was exhibited in the Secretary’s office
between 1898 and 1924. It was removed
from the Spanish Cruiser Christabal Colom
by the crew of the USS Montgomery after
the battle of Santiago in July 1898. 
Winter 2009
New Patriot
23
The True Value of Your EANGUS Membership
If you have ever doubted the value of your
EANGUS Membership, be advised that with each
year our legislative muscle grows stronger. This
year EANGUS received invitations from both the
President and the Vice President to attend special
Veteran’s Day observances.
The President’s invitation was for a breakfast
reception held at the White House while the Vice
President’s invitation was for a luncheon held at
the Vice President’s residence. While the President
Above, Diane Zumatto and
Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary
of Veteran’s Affairs, were
among the guests at
the luncheon hosted
by Vice President
and Mrs. Biden.
Vice President Biden and
EANGUS Legislative Director
Diane M. Zumatto pause for
a photo during Veteran’s Day
observances held at the
Vice President’s residence.
24
New Patriot
Winter 2009
made no formal remarks during his morning reception, he and Mrs. Obama, as well as both of
the Bidens, personally greeted and spoke with
each attendee.
Following a public observance at Arlington
Cemetery attended by the President and Vice
President Biden, guests were hosted to a luncheon at the Vice President’s home. Special
guests included Mr. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary,
U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Mrs. L.
Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary, Public &
Intergovernmental Affairs, U. S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. 
EANGUS “We Care For America” Foundation
supporting the National Guard Soldiers and Airmen
Emergency Relief Program.
Combined Federal
Campaign Code
11859
The EANGUS “We Care For America” Foundation provides Scholarships, Awards,
Patriotism Awareness, Veterans Against Drugs Program and Emergency Relief for
National Guard Members and families. Administrative Cost: 0.90% of budget.
Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Denise
Jelinski-Hall, the new senior enlisted
leader assigned to the Office of the
Chief, National Guard Bureau, is seen
at the 2009 Joint Senior Leadership
Conference at the Gaylord National
Hotel and Convention Center in
National Harbor, Md., on Nov. 19,
2009, moments after Air Force
Gen. Craig McKinley announced
her appointment. The third senior
enlisted leader to the CNGB, JelinskiHall is the first Air Guard member
and the first woman to fill the role.
(U.S. Army photo by
Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill) (Released)
EANGUS 2010 Legislative Workshop
7-11 March 2010
Hampton Inn • Alexandria - Old Town/South
Alexandria, VA
Arrive: 7 March 2010
Hotel Reservation
$142.00 per night
Depart: 11 March 2010
Registration Fee $80.00
Includes lunch and Ice Breaker
Go to www.eangus.org to register for workshop.
Call the Hampton Inn: 703-329-1400
★
★
Want to help National Guard Soldiers and Airmen for free?
Just a click of a button, we all use search engines daily on computers here’s a chance
to actually benefit National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and families.
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered
search engine that donates half its advertising
revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would
any search engine, get quality search results from
Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping
mall which donates up to 37% of each purchase to
EANGUS “We Care For America”! Hundreds of
great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best
Buy, eBay, Macy’s and Barnes & Noble have teamed
up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting EANGUS.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure
to enter “EANGUS We Care For America Foundation” as the charity you want to support. And, be sure
to spread the word! You can easily load the GoodSearch Bar to your Web browser.
We need your help so we can continue to help our National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
It costs nothing but a click on your computer to use the GoodSearch.com search engine.
★
★
Winter 2009
New Patriot
25
Out Of
Many,
One
By Donna Budjenska
The Military Coalition (TMC), of which MOAA is a founding member, comprises more than 30 military and veterans’ organizations that have yoked their individual membership bases,
offering great strength in numbers. Such strength has yielded
key victories in the fight to preserve and enhance your earned
benefits. n As an MOAA member, you already know you have
a powerful ally in the fight to preserve your earned military
benefits. But did you know that since 1985, you’ve had even
more than MOAA in your corner? That’s when MOAA became
a founding member of TMC, a group of military, veterans’, and
uniformed services organizations that banded together to pursue common goals..
Numbering 34 organizations today, TMC represents 5.5
million members and their families, making it a strong advocate
indeed. It is so strong, in fact, that Military Update syndicated
columnist Tom Philpott has said, “It may be the most formidable lobbying force ever to fight on behalf of servicemembers,
retirees, and families.”
TMC advocacy has contributed to significant wins for the
military community, most recently the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which
took effect Aug. 1. This education assistance plan has attractive
benefits that the Montgomery GI Bill lacks, such as covering all
in-state college tuition and offering a book stipend, a living allowance, and transferability privileges.
To gain an appreciation of how doggedly the coalition pursued these victories, check in with Col. Bob Norton, USA-Ret., a
deputy director of MOAA’s Government Relations Department.
“TMC established a veterans’ committee in 1998,” says Norton,
who has served as this committee’s cochair since its inception.
“From its beginning, the committee began advocating for a better GI Bill to match the benefit with the rising cost of education.
TMC became involved in the specific Post-9/11 GI Bill as soon
as Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) introduced the first version of his bill,
S. 22, in January 2007,” Norton says.
Norton’s experience with the GI Bill is hard to match. When he
was still on active duty he worked implementation of the Reserve
Montgomery GI Bill. His knowledge base goes back at least 20
years. And his colleagues both at MOAA and within TMC likewise
bring their own breadth and depth of wisdom and experience.
Tapping into this range of experience was exactly what
leaders of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
were after. Founded in 2004, IAVA joined TMC in 2008 “because
we are stronger together,” says Sgt. Patrick Campbell, ARNG,
IAVA’s chief legislative counsel. “When I first started this job, I
tried reading through the National Defense Authorization Act
TO Page 27 ➞
The representatives of the organizations that belong to TMC are:
1. Casey Coane, AUSN; 2. Steve Sandy, NERA; 3. Vern Leubecker,
MCRA; 4. Bob Jackson, VFW; 5. Patrick Nixon, ALA; 6. Bob Evans,
NOBC; 7. Herb Rosenbleeth, JWV; 8. Michael Dunn, AFA; 9. Jerry
Farrell, COAUSPHS; 10. Dick Schneider, NCOA; 11. Patrick Campbell, IAVA; 12. Ed Swift, CWOAUSCG; 13. Bill Matz Jr., NAUS; 14.
Doc McCauslin, AFSA; 15. Gary Pollitt, MCA; 16. Steve Mirick,
AMSUS; 17. Pete Hill, USAWOA; 18. Deirdre Parke Holleman,
TREA; 19. Harry Bendorf, AAAA; 20. Rosalyn Knapp, AFWOA;
21. Vivianne Wersel, GSW; 22. Bill Loper, AUSA; 23. Elizabeth
Cochran, ROA; 24. Mike Hoyt, MOPH; 25. Mary Scott, NMFA; 26.
Fred Sanford, SMCAF; 27. Don Mucheck, FRA; 28. Joe Barnes (cochair), FRA; 29. Mike Cline (president), EANGUS; 30. Steve Strobridge (cochair), MOAA; 31. Norb Ryan Jr., MOAA. Not available
for photo were representatives of AMVETS, MCL, NGAUS, REA, and
CPOA. For the full names of TMC member organizations, go to www.
themilitarycoalition.org/members.htm.
Cover photo by Steve Barrett
26
New Patriot
Winter 2009
The Military
Coalition has
eight committees
that meet once
a month.
Out of Many, One
from page 26
(NDAA) by myself, and I could not make
heads or tails of the over 500 pages of legislation, until someone in the coalition sent
me the summary one of the committees
created.”
For IAVA, joining TMC brought “the
benefit of wisdom that comes from years
of experience,” Campbell says. “The issues
surrounding topics like TRICARE fees date
back decades, and I appreciate having
members of the coalition who can truly
explain the issue. I also like all the diverse
perspectives that help raise good issues.
[After reading the TMC’s NDAA summary,]
I realized then that by working together
we could focus our energies and achieve
a greater outcome for servicemembers and
veterans of all generations.”
College Cheer
The outcome of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is
great indeed. With college education costs
remaining high despite an economic downturn, the new bill’s provisions could be key
to military families’ ability to attend college.
Being able to transfer the benefits
equally to his two sons, Cody, a high
school sophomore, and Jacob, a sixthgrader, made applying for Post-9/11 Bill
eligibility a no-brainer for Col. Eric Chase,
USMC, a member of MOAA’s Active Duty,
National Guard, and Reserve Advisory
Committee. A dawning realization of the
projected costs of college prompted him to
take a close look at the new bill.
“A gentleman at a class I was taking
said he never thought he would be able to
afford a new car every year — until he started paying college tuition for his daughter!”
Chase says. “Likewise, a colleague at work
is sending his son off to college [this] year,
and he’s telling me it’ll be [more than]
$80,000 over four years, minimum. That’s
when it hit me that I needed to get serious
about saving, and that’s why the Post-9/11
GI Bill is such a tremendous benefit. … It’s
a good-news story for a lot of people.”
On the Same Team
Working in tandem to reach shared
goals on behalf of America’s servicemembers is TMC’s hallmark, and it’s how the
consortium began. After first banding together in the mid-1980s to fight the GrammRudman-Hollings deficit reduction law, the
coalition formalized in 1986. Each member
organization has at least one representative
assigned to one of eight legislative standing committees: Guard and Reserve; health
care; military construction/morale, welfare
and recreation/exchanges; military personnel, compensation, and commissaries; retired affairs; survivor programs; taxes and
social security; and veterans. Temporary
committees address issues that fall outside
the purview of the standing committees.
Each of these committees reviews, debates, and recommends to the “body of the
whole” issues for TMC to champion, explains Norton. Goals are proposed each fall
and ratified in December before the start
of the next session or next Congress. Each
member organization’s own goals are not
obviated, and a member group can elect
to have its name removed from specific
correspondence or testimony. Generally,
the majority vote rules, but if five or more
TO Page 28 ➞
Winter 2009
New Patriot
27
Out of Many, One
from page 27
members oppose a coalition action or position, it’s tabled.
MOAA handles most of the administrative support and communication of the
coalition, Norton says. One officer organization and one NCO organization cochair
the TMC; currently, elected cochairs are
MOAA Direcor of Government Relations
Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret., and Fleet
Reserve Association National Executive Director Master Chief Joe Barnes, USN-Ret.
“TMC members each are separate
and have their own mission, membership requirements, and focus,”
Barnes says. “Each of the 34 comes
together with amazing synergy and
power of collectivity, which complements the effectiveness of the individual organizations. The coalition has had a significant impact on
enactment on a broad range of pay
and benefits across the seven uniformed services. The Post-9/11 GI
Bill is just the most recent example
of that work.”
Valuable Players
“The coalition provides a forum for us
to educate Congress and the public,” Strobridge says. “The challenge is to highlight
an inequity [and] make them understand
what the shortfall is. Then it’s a matter of
getting House and Senate champions will-
ing to stand up and talk about the importance of fixing the inequity.”
Strobridge explains that Webb, although a relatively new Democratic senator, carries a lot of weight in Congress.
When Webb first introduced the new GI
Bill, his colleagues liked the idea but wrote
it off as too expensive. “Webb kept pounding it and emphasized that today’s military
is today’s ‘greatest generation,’ ” Strobridge
says. “He beat that drum in tandem with
the associations in TMC. It created a tidal
wave of support. You have to reach a critical mass of support.”
TMC’s amassed influence also has become a valuable resource for legislators,
says Master Sgt. Mike Cline, ARNG-Ret.,
executive director of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United
States and TMC president. “There are lots
of coalitions around. In my opinion, none
has the power TMC [has],” he says. “For
Capitol Hill it’s almost like one-stop shopping. We cover the issues. When the Hill
wants someone to testify on military issues, they come to TMC.”
Latest Victory
Campbell contends TMC was crucial
to the new GI Bill win. “Having the coalition’s support presented a united front that
even the White House and DoD could not
undermine,” Campbell says. “Also, the tech-
Update: 2010 Military
Retirement COLA
Each year military retirement pay is adjusted to
meet the increased cost of living. This Cost-of-LivingAdjustment (COLA) varies from year to year based on
the previous year’s Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The CPI dipped below 4 percent in the first two
quarters of FY2009 and was still in negative numbers
at the end of the fiscal year. Due to the negative CPI
in FY2009 there will likely be no COLA increase for
military retirees in 2010. 
28
New Patriot
Winter 2009
nical expertise from groups like the VFW
and MOAA made it possible to successfully draft a $62 billion piece of legislation
that will send millions of veterans and their
families to college.”
Norton’s ongoing role in the process
of getting the Post-9/11 GI Bill passed gave
him “a satisfying moment to my career,” he
says. “When it cleared the House [in June
2008] it was an amazing day for me, after
having been working on it for more than
10 years. It has a big effect on thousands
and thousands of troops.”
But winning a big battle doesn’t signify
the end of the war. “Once Congress gets into
belt-tightening mode, watch out. Many in
Congress and the Pentagon think military
people are too expensive,” Strobridge says.
“As long as [America is] at war, there’s empathy for the military. But with the economy
in trouble and deficits rising dramatically,
that could change in a hurry.”
Clearly, TMC’s mission remains as relevant now as ever.
—Donna Budjenska is a former member of
MOAA’s editorial staff and an active duty Army
spouse. She contributes to the Faces of MOAA column each month.
For more information:
Want to know what TMC has done
for you? Visit www.themilitarycoalition.
org/legislative08.htm to read about TMC’s
legislative accomplishments in 2008. 
EANGUS Executive Director
MSG (Ret) Michael P. Cline was recently
elected to his fourth term as President of
The Military Coalition.
Before serving as president, Cline
was TMC co-chair for eight years.
Five Ways to Help (or Hurt) Your Credit Score
Getting the best interest rate on a loan comes down to
one important number: Your credit score.
What Is It?
A credit score is a three-digit number generally ranging from 300 - 850. The higher your score, the
better credit risk lenders think you are. And that means you’ll pay lower interest rates on loans. That
number can go up and down based on the way you handle your financial commitments.
What Helps
1.
Making Timely Payments
The best way to improve or maintain
What Hurts
Opening Too Many New Accounts
If you have been managing credit for only a
good credit is to pay your bills on time.
short time, new accounts lower your average ac-
Payment history affects about 35% of your
count age (how old the account is). That will have
score.
a greater effect on your score than if you don’t
have a lot of credit information.
2.
Knowing the Score
Check your credit report annually. One
out of every four credit reports contains a
Closing Old, Unused Credit Card Accounts to
Up Your Score
A card that you’ve held for a few years is better for
serious error that could stop you from get-
your score than one you’ve just obtained. Just don’t
ting the best terms on a loan. At annualcre-
use them. You can slowly close them over time.
ditreport.com, the reports are available for
free once a year.
3.
Developing a Credit History
If you don’t have a credit card, get one
Signing Up for Retailers’ Incentives
Your score is affected by the number of times
and use it responsibly so credit bureaus can
credit card companies request your credit report. It
begin to track your payment history. Sim-
can look like you are desperate for credit, not that
ply charging $20 a month and paying it off
you just want 10% off on your jeans.
each month over six to eight months will
help establish good credit.
4.
Not Maxing Out
Keep credit balances at 30% or below of
your total credit limit. Maxing out available
credit will reflect poorly on your score.
Opening Credit Card Accounts for Better Credit Mix
It probably won’t raise your score. The ideal
mix is between secured loans, such as home or car
loans, and unsecured loans like credit cards.
5.
Mixing It Up
Lenders like to see that you can manage
Shopping for a Loan for Too Long
A score distinguishes between shopping for a
different types of debt, from major credit
specific type of loan and a search for new credit
cards like Visa and MasterCard, to depart-
lines, in part by the length of time over which credit
ment store cards and installment loans,
inquiries from lenders take place. Compare rates, but
such as a car loan.
try to pick a loan within, say, a two-week period.
Continued on Page 30 ➞
Winter 2009
New Patriot
29
Five Ways to Help (or Hurt) Your Credit Score
from page 29
Have You Checked Your Credit Lately?
By law, you are entitled to at least one free credit report annually. This is different from your
credit score. The credit-reporting agencies that offer your credit report free also offer online
resources for ordering copies of your credit score — but most charge a fee for that additional
information. For details, contact the agencies directly:
Experian
TransUnion
1-888-397-3742
1-800-916-8800
Equifax
1-800-685-1111
Best Practices for Credit Monitoring
Knowing your credit activity is key to managing your credit and protecting yourself from fraud and ID
theft. CreditCheck Monitoring is a great way to help you easily review and monitor your credit online.
As a USAA member, you get a low, member-only price that includes these great benefits:
•Receive E-mail alerts of critical changes to your
Experian credit file.
•Receive unlimited access to your Experian Credit Report
and Score so you can make sure everything is current
and accurate.
•Get a real-time look at your PLUS Score and understand
how lenders may view your credit.
•Detect potential errors that may appear within your credit
report, as well as unauthorized activity that may be a
sign of fraud.
The Historian Committee
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no
matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the
Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.
—George Washington
T
his Historian Committee is currently working three projects on
behalf of EANGUS.
The first project is the Historical Interviews Project, and it has resulted
in the video documentation of 12 EANGUS members. Volume 1 of this DVD
set was created and distributed at the
National Conference, and we are searching for members to include in Volume II
which will be distributed in St. Louis.
The guidelines to become an interviewee are very simple. If you were involved
in the 1970 with EANGUS’s forming or
30
New Patriot
Winter 2009
growth, and have a story to tell, then we
want to interview you. As always, we
are looking for photos and memorabilia of EANGUS during that time period
as well.
The second project is the
Founders and Pioneers Project, and
we are looking for names of EANGUS members who were involved in
the years leading up to the creation of
EANGUS and who were involved at a
national level between 1970 and 1974.
For this project, all we need are names,
the member’s state of affiliation, and a
brief write up on what they did at the
national level. Those names will be included in a display and presented to
EANGUS in St. Louis at the National
Conference. Currently, we have well
over 100 names on the list.
The third project is the ongoing
EANGUS Roll Call Memorial Book. This
book contains the names of EANGUS
members who have passed from each
state, and has not been updated since
1980. It was started by the South Dakota
National Guard Enlisted Association. It
is an honor for the Historian Committee
to take responsibility for its care. Anyone with knowledge of the passing of an
EANGUS member is encouraged to send
a notification to CMSgt John Harris or
the National Office. Chief Harris can be
reached at john.harris1@bellsouth.net or
by calling 504-388-5423. 
Every day, the men and women
of the National Guard stand
vigilant in service to our country
and communities. At Boeing,
we’re proud to stand with
them in their vital mission.
9.75 in.
7.25 in.
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1

eangus - Patriot Hills of NY

Transcription

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