<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>Story by Sgt. Jesse Houk, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A servicemember looks off into the unknown darkness, preparing for the mission ahead. Water spills to the ground as his comrades top off their hydration packs and check their equipment one last time. Squad leaders approach and brief their squads with the latest intelligence, moments before they depart. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Drilling and preparing for a mission is something everyone who puts on a uniform is familiar with. The military places a considerable amount of emphasis on making sure troops are equipped and informed. It is, in fact, essential to the successful completion of any mission. The Illinois National Guard is equally dedicated to informing and equipping its members with resources that help them navigate through their greatest mission, the mission of life.</font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> The National Guard Association of Illinois (NGAI), Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Reserve Officers Association, Air Force Association, Military Officers Association of America and Wounded Warrior Project are just a few of the many resources available to Illinois Guardsmen. The NGAI is one such organization that provides professional development and recognizes Soldiers and Airmen. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “We represent the Soldiers and Airmen in the state of Illinois to ensure that they are receiving proper benefits associated with being in the military,” said Col. Jon L. Boehning, from O’Fallon, commander of the Illinois National Guard’s 126th Air Wing Medical Group and NGAI president. “We (National Guard) have become such a big part of the national defense of the nation and of the state of Illinois that we need to make sure that people are getting the proper benefits associated with that service that they performed.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> One of the many initiatives of the NGAI is securing an endorsement of a state-sponsored life insurance program and adding entitlement payments for state active duty service that will benefit Illinois Guardsmen. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “NGAI is very important to all of our servicemembers and really to our families too because it’s one giant network,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Howard O. Robinson, of Olympia Fields, the Illinois National Guard’s senior enlisted adviser. “It’s our voice in Washington, D.C. It’s our voice to big Army. It’s what keeps us going. So I think it’s really important that all our service members are a part of these organizations.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> One weekend every year, NGAI brings together representatives from each wing and brigade throughout the state, as well as representatives from other organizations that support Illinois Guardsmen, such as the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “NGAI is the only organization that represents all of the National Guard; Airmen and Soldiers,” said retired Col. James A. Smith Jr., from Chatham, NGAUS Illinois vice president. “It’s your lobbying organization. It interfaces with anything and everybody out there that can affect the service of one of our service members and their families. That’s why it’s important that we join and support it because it’s your voice. It’s the only voice you have.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> These organizations are resources to Guardsmen, paving the way for benefits that otherwise might not be obtained. The more members they have, the stronger their voice can become. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “At this time, we have the fewest number of veterans serving in the legislature, both state and federal,” said retired Col. Michael Peck, from Wauconda, secretary of the Illinois chapter of the Reserve Officer Association (ROA). “As a result, the current members of the Illinois General Assembly and especially Congress know very little about the military and the role each of the services perform.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> The ROA has helped ensure servicemembers receive the appropriate benefits to compensate them for their years of service. “We review both state and federal legislation,” said Peck. “At the state level we assisted in legislation to eliminate the state income tax on drill pay, admission to the state veterans home for Guard and Reserve retirees and the state version of the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Act for state active duty.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> There are a number of organizations that support servicemembers. It’s important that each Guardsmen explore them and learn how they can benefit their lives. It’s a matter of being equipped and informed so servicemembers are prepared for the mission of life. </font></p></font></p> Military Associations Help Keep Illinois National Guard Members Informed
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A servicemember looks off into the unknown darkness, preparing for the mission ahead. Water spills to the ground as his comrades top off their hydration packs and check their equipment one last time. Squad leaders approach and brief their squads with the latest intelligence, moments before they depart.

 
<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>By Col. Christopher Lawson, "Wise Guy 6" Commander BEST A11 </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> We arrived on Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan, home to Task Force White Eagle (TF WE), in early April. Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A10 "Blackjack" welcomed our team with the warmest of smiles and brotherly hugs glad we had arrived. Eager to transfer authority and return home to enjoy the comforts of family, friends and Illini football, A10 lowered their Illinois flag and A11 “Wise Guys” proudly raised our Illinois flag. To our surprise, Col. Michael Zerbonia's team constructed a tribute to all past BEST teams in Ditka's Den, a conference room on FOB Ghazni, that has the picture and personnel roster of every team to ever serve in Afghanistan. This wall is a suitable tribute and should be displayed in Illinois at the end of the mission. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Zerbonia's team set us up for success as we entered the last "fighting season" for traditional coalition forces. We have been quite busy with insurgents and Taliban ramping up for the summer as they try to deny freedom of movement on the major supply routes and prevent locals from enjoying the freedoms of democracy. The insurgents and Taliban kill innocent Afghans, raid their homes, steal their food and belongings as they victimize the very people they profess to free and protect. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Fortunately for us, we have great Afghan patriots working with our coalition advisors and they are taking it to the enemy every day, coordinating combat enablers and having tremendous success. We are engaged by the enemy everyday in the Ghazni province and much to the insurgents’ horror; Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) and TF WE are defeating their attacks while supporting operations and adding value to the providence through governance operations. Our successes are the result of effective training and equipping efforts within the Afghan National Army and Uniformed Police, and a unity of effort of all forces in our area of responsibility. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Brig. Gen. Marek Sokolowski is the commanding general of Task Force White Eagle, which is comprised of the 25th Air Calvary Brigade, 21st Mountain Brigade (both from Polish Land Forces) and the Joint Force Headquarters of the Illinois National Guard. His guidance to TF WE was to create a unity of effort among all coalition forces on FOB Ghazni to create effects in gathering intelligence, exploiting opportunities, assisting Afghan Security Forces and Governance personnel in operations and development. Sokolowski’s first priority has always remained protecting our force and providing life support and emergency medical services. This will be executed while supporting the largest retrograde operation since Operation New Dawn in Iraq when Iraqi Freedom drew to a close. </font></p></font></p> The Best Tradition Continues
We arrived on Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan, home to Task Force White Eagle (TF WE), in early April. Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A10 "Blackjack" welcomed our team with the warmest of smiles and brotherly hugs glad we had arrived. Eager to transfer authority and return home to enjoy the comforts of family, friends and Illini football, A10 lowered their Illinois flag and A11 “Wise Guys” proudly raised our Illinois flag. To our surprise, Col. Michael Zerbonia's team constructed a tribute to all past BEST teams in Ditka's Den, a conference room on FOB Ghazni, that has the picture and personnel roster of every team to ever serve in Afghanistan. This wall is a suitable tribute and should be displayed in Illinois at the end of the mission.

 
<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) office held a Sexual Assault Awareness Resource Fair April 24 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> The fair acknowledged sexual assault issues within the military community and supplementary practices that can be incorporated into military standards, said 1st Lt. Alanna Casey of Naperville, acting SAPR coordinator with the Illinois National Guard. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “Sexual assault is a crime and it will not be tolerated in any form in the Illinois National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. William Cobetto of Springfield, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Illinois National Guard. “As an organization we will work together to eliminate it from our ranks and create a safe environment for every Airmen, Soldier and civilian serving the Illinois National Guard.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Casey said through awareness training and the fair, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians get a better understanding of the reporting process, warning signs and the affects of sexual assault and harassment in their units. With this awareness, servicemembers can aid in the elimination and prevention of sexual assault in the military. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “We’re using this day to tell how the National Guard, Air and Army, is working to eliminate sexual assault from the Guard and how we can continue to prevent sexual assault in the Guard,” said Casey. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Along with the Illinois National Guard’s SAPR program, the resource fair brought various civilian agencies and organizations to educate servicemembers about the numerous resources available in their community, said Casey. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “Being a National Guard Soldier, we’re civilians and Soldiers at the same time,” said Casey. “We understand we might not have all the resources in the Guard, but we can work with our community resources to make sure anyone who needs help can get it.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA): Growing Strong Center-Decatur office, Springfield Prairie Sexual Assault Center and the Champaign Sexual Assault Office represented sexual assault response organizations in the central Illinois area. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Casey said the combined efforts of ICASA and the Illinois National Guard’s SAPR program, ensures aid is always available in their local area. </font></p></font></p> Sexual Assault Prevention, Response Offices Educate Illinois National Guardsmen
SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) office held a Sexual Assault Awareness Resource Fair April 24 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

 
<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois National Guard’s 129th Regional Training Institute’s (RTI) Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Springfield has produced leaders for decades, taking and pushing enlisted Soldiers to their limits to hone their physical and mental strength. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> One of the last tasks that test the Soldiers physical strength is the 10-mile road march. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> OCS candidates completed a 10-mile road march through the winding roads of Oak Ridge Cemetery Springfield April 21. Wearing a pack weighing a minimum of 35 pounds, candidates had three hours to complete the march. Officer Candidate Doreen Misiorek of Springfield said the terrain was steep and hilly, but the surroundings helped keep her focused. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “The trail was scenic and historic so it took your mind off it a bit,” said Misiorek. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Road marches require mental determination and intestinal fortitude to complete, said Capt. Kenneth Allison of Dunlap, platoon trainer with the OCS program. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “The 10-mile road march is the capstone leading those candidates from phase two into phase three as they become closer to being an officer,” said Allison. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Following the road march, the roughly 30 candidates walked among the tombs and headstones in Oak Ridge and gathered around the final resting place of Maj. Gen. Isham Haynie, the 13th Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard January 1865 to March 1869. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “Maj. Gen. Haynie was a decorated veteran of the Civil War. Badly injured in the Battle of Shiloh he lead his men and fought on,” said Col. Tom Weiss of Sherman, the commander of the 129th. “Haynie was one of the men who stood at President Abraham Lincoln’s bedside the night he was shot at the Ford’s Theater. Haynie was also among the men who escorted Lincoln’s body back to Illinois from Washington.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Weiss said Haynie embodied the traits of a National Guard officer as a decorated veteran, lawyer and Illinois statesmen serving the people of Illinois. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “Maj. Gen. Haynie’s life serves as an example of leadership for these OCS candidates,” said Weiss. “He is an important figure in Illinois’ history and in the history of the Illinois National Guard.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Weiss said Haynie’s story is now used to teach the candidates examples of leadership and prepare them for future choices. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “This is part of a refocused emphasis of teaching our candidates about the Illinois National Guard’s history and past leaders,” said Weiss. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Misiorek said along with Haynie’s grave, other monuments like the Tomb of Abraham Lincoln added to significance of learning about being leader in Illinois National Guard. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “It was a touching moment, we just accomplished a long march and learned about great Illinois Militia leaders,” said Misiorek. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Allison said Haynie’s story and the road march allowed the candidates to understand what they are physically capable of and what they can do when pushed to their limits. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> “I think they learned what it’s like to physically test themselves and know how they may need to go past their limits,” said Allison. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> Traditionally candidates have attended battle staff rides, visiting Civil War battlefields and learn about decisions made nearly 150 years ago. Places like Oak Ridge, with its many tombs and monuments, allows Soldiers to march among the history of Illinois as well as its past civilian leaders, military heroes and the people of the community. </font></p></font></p> Illinois Guard Officer Candidates Learn About Leadership From Beyond The Grave
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois National Guard’s 129th Regional Training Institute’s (RTI) Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Springfield has produced leaders for decades, taking and pushing enlisted Soldiers to their limits to hone their physical and mental strength.

 
<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>We are always ready to help our neighbors, protect our state, and defend our nation as an operational and strategic Army asset.</font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> As we continue to support combat operations while simultaneously making the transition to a peace time Army, it is evident we have transformed to support an increase in joint operational missions. As we move forward the way ahead will require a more open and flexible approach to how we generate and support training functions that sustain readiness.</font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> While we prepare for future operations, we need to reset the warrant officer cohort without regressing and losing what we have gained. Our focus will be on individual and unit readiness while continuing the professionalism and research within our technical specialty.</font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> In the theme of readiness, I also want to take an opportunity to thank commanders and noncommissioned officers at all levels for collaborating and developing good NCO leaders to become warrant officers within our ranks. Although it may be difficult to give up a good NCO leader, the future benefits to the individual, the unit, and the Illinois National Guard are long term.</font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> As warrant officers, our relevance is determined by our individual and collective ability to think, lead, and contribute our unique skill to support the Illinois National Guard for any mission at any level.</font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'> We as warrant officers have had a great success rate that is only made possible through each of your individual contributions and sacrifices to support the mission at the local and global level.</font></p></font></p> Sustain Readiness With Open Approach

 
12345