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Document Sample
www.tnmilitary.org
www.facebook.com/
Vol. 2 Issue 7 April 2012
TNNATIONALGUARDJ9
As the Military and Family Readiness Operations -J9 Team enters into our second
year I’d like to take a minute to thank everyone for their dedication and loyalty
making our J9 Vision a reality. Service and Family members are more informed of
the programs and benefits that are available to them and how to access the
programs through the J9 team.
May is the Month of the Military Spouse - the Family Readiness Support Assistants
are planning events in all 3 grand divisions of Tennessee to present the Governors
Proclamation. We hope you can attend.
Silver Star Service Banner Day is recognized on 1 May across our nation as the day to
honor our Heroes. The Silver Star Families of America is dedicated to supporting and
assisting wounded, ill, injured and dying active duty, Veterans and their families of
ALL Branches of Service from ALL Wars. Their goal is to recognize the blood sacrifice
of wounded and those with injuries and illnesses originating in a warzone and
remember their efforts by honoring them with the Silver Star Service Banner.
Qualifications include: Purple Heart recipients, victims of friendly fire, those who
suffer from PTSD, Agent Orange effects and Gulf War syndrome. See their website
for additional information. http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/RequestSSBanner.html
Please reach out to your battle buddy and possibly a complete stranger to make a
positive impact in their life. God uses His people to help others. May God provide a
special blessing for you and your family.
COL Patricia Jones
Deputy Chief of Joint Staff,
Military and Family Readiness Operations
615-598-0948
patty.jones@us.army.mil
The J9 is designed to be a one-stop center for all Service Members, Veterans
and Families to receive information and support services. The main office is
located in Nashville, TN, with Family Assistance Centers throughout the state. The
J9 is responsible for Resiliency and Risk Reduction, Deployment Cycle Support,
Reintegration (Yellow Ribbon) Programs, Veterans Transition Assistance, Family
Programs, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Suicide Prevention, Chaplain
Support, Military Funeral Honors, Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve
(ESGR), Survivor Outreach Services, Director of Psychological Health, Military and
Family Life and Personal Financial counseling.
What are the goals of the J9 ?
1) To do everything we can to improve the life of our Service Members and their
families.
2) To be a one stop Service Support Center; make sure all leaders (internal and
external) understand the support and service J9 can provide or access.
3) Tie all our programs together into a Central Database.
3) Remove the stigma of seeking help.
4) Provide solutions that will reduce high stress and at-risk factors thus
promoting resiliency within our Guard family.
THE “ORIGINAL” Comprehensive Fitness Plan
In October 2009, the U.S. Army launched the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) program. CSF is designed to encompass a
holistic approach in building Soldier and Family resilience. The five components of CSF are Physical, Emotional, Social, Family, and
Spiritual. A few of the CSF delivery platforms include the Master Resilience Training program, the Global Assessment Tool, Warrior Fit
Camp, the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps’ Spiritual Fitness program and others. Life-changing results have and continue to show just how
effective the CSF approach can be. Testimonies from Soldiers and Family members alike reveal the dynamic impact of learning life-coping
skills and growing resilient through stressful times. However, with that being said, is the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program really
new?
To answer that question, let’s go to the Word of God, the Holy Bible. Ancient history reveals that Jewish tradition understood and
advocated comprehensive fitness. In the Christian faith, Jesus Christ was asked the question, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”
Jesus’ response mirrored Deuteronomy 6:4 with the “Great Commandment” as recorded in Mark 12:29-31. (Look very closely at the five
components of comprehensive fitness). Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30 AND YOU
SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART (emotional), AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL (spiritual), AND WITH ALL YOUR
MIND (mental), AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH (physical).’ 31 The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
(family or relational).’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (NASB – emphasis mine)
God had comprehensive fitness in mind from the very beginning! If God knew all about the holistic approach to fitness, perhaps
He knows something about resilience as well – just a thought. If you’re caught between the proverbial “rock and a hard place”, I
encourage you to open up the Scripture and be blessed. There is always hope!
JUST FOR LAUGHS
An atheist scientist came to God and said, "We've figured out how to make a man without you."
God said, "OK, let me see you do it."
So the atheist bent down to the ground and scooped up a handful. But God stopped him and said, "Oh, no you don't. Get your own dirt!"
J9 SUPPORT CHAPLAIN TEAM
WEST Middle East Southeast
CH (CPT) Russ Holcomb CH (1LT) Mickey Basham CH (1LT) Malcolm Rios CH (CPT) James Saunders
Mobile: 262.719.7218 Mobile: 615.347.9171 Mobile: 931.319.3880 Mobile: 423.582.0582
William.holcomb2@us.army.mil Mickey.basham@us.army.mil Malcolm.rios@us.army.mil james.a.saunders@us.army.mil
Soli Deo Gloria!
Mark
Full Time Support Chaplain
615-313-0746
mark.phillips11@us.army.mil
Strong Bonds
Registration for all Strong Bonds events is online at
www.strongbonds.org. Online event registration will be
available as soon as the venue contracts are finalized.
Strong Bonds for FAMILIES: 18-20 MAY, Kingsport
Strong Bonds for COUPLES: 15-17 JUN, Gatlinburg
Strong Bonds for SINGLES: 22-24 JUN, Gatlinburg
Strong Bonds for FAMILIES: 20-22 JUL, Nashville.
Strong Bonds for COUPLES: 10-12 AUG, Memphis
POC CH (MAJ) Mark Phillips at 615.517.0988 or
mark.phillips11@us.army.mil.
April is the Month of the Military Child! The TNNG Youth Program thinks every month is
the month of the military child, but April is nationally recognized as such, so in honor of
that we have some very exciting things going on in our program!
For the first time in recent history, the Governor of Tennessee, Governor Bill Haslam,
actually publicly signed a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military
Child. Not only did Gov. Haslam sign the proclamation, but the Tennessee Adjutant
General, the Youth Coordinators, and several members of the J9 and their children and
families actually got to be present for the signing, and have our photograph taken with
the Governor. What an honor and a fantastic way to put the spotlight on our Tennessee
National Guard families and children! Copies of the signed proclamation have been sent
out to each MACOM and we hope they will be on display their for the entire month of
April and beyond!
In other fun Youth Program news, we held our first annual Easter Egg Hunt in Smyrna
on Sunday, 1 April 2012. It was a huge success! Twenty five kids and their families found
SIX HUNDRED eggs in less than half an hour! The boy and girl in each age group, 0-5 and
6-12, who found the most eggs all received prizes- Easter baskets filled with toys and
candy. Every child got to take their candy filled eggs home as prizes though, and we
hope everyone had as much fun as we did!
Camp information has gone out! This year we are holding one camp at a new and
fantastic location, the Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greenville, TN. We are so excited about
the amazing things this facility has to offer, and we can't wait to see all of our loyal
campers, and as many new faces as possible, at camp this 22-28 July! We are in need of
Adult Volunteers and Junior Counselors to support the Youth Camp. We are also holding
Day Camps, one-day mini-camp experiences at the Lavinia, Smyrna, and Catoosa
Training Sites, for youth ages 5-12. Contact the Youth Coordinators for more information,
applications, or with any questions you have.
We thank you for your continuing support and we look forward to seeing you at all our
upcoming events!
Pink Palace Museum 12 May, Memphis TN
Junior Counselor Training 19 May, Smyrna Training Site, Bldg. 686
For more information or to sign up for any of these events, please contact the Youth
Coordinators, Paige Major at paige.parker2@us.army.mil and 615-707-0582, or
Here are a few pictures from the
Smyrna Egg Hunt and Wilderness at
the Smokies, the Chaplain led youth
Retreat. More photos can be found at
our FaceBook page.
www.facebook.com/
TNNATIONALGUARDJ9
Governor Bill Haslam signed the proclamation making April the Month of the
Military Child From L to R TAG Haston, CW4 Sanders, SGM Sanders, Joella
Sanders, Gov. Haslam, Ben Reed, Daniel Fullerton, LTC Reed, Tiffany Vaughan,
Paige Major, and SGT Walker. Photo credit Tsgt. Robin Olsen.
Page two of the Camper Information sheet continued on next page.
SOS support coordinator James "Russ" Maxey, HDS Chattanooga Branch
manager Jeromy Stroud, J9 Director Col. Patricia Jones, and Michael
Dresdner owner of HDS Vans and Mobility.
CHATTANOOGA, TN: On March 1, 2012, HDS VANS & MOBILITY was recognized by the Tennessee
Survivor Outreach Services for supporting surviving military families in the Chattanooga area. Colonel
Patricia Jones, Director of the Tennessee National Guard Military & Family Readiness Operations J9 and
James “Russ” Maxey, Army SOS Support Program Coordinator, presented a plaque to Michael
Dresdner and Jeromy Stroud, Managers of HDS VANS & MOBILITY.
The presented plaque read “With Sincere Appreciation To HDS Vans & Mobility. In Grateful Appreciation
for your generous monetary support and selfless service to the Surviving Military Families of our Fallen
Heroes. You consistently answer the call providing unparalleled support. Tennessee National Guard - J9
Survivor Outreach Services. Presented this the 1st day of March 2012.”
On November 16, 2011, Russ Maxey sent an email message requesting assistance to a surviving family
in desperate need of transportation. Michael Dresdner, owner of HDS VANS & MOBILITY, received the
message and contacted Jeromy Stroud, Branch Manager for the Chattanooga store, and asked if Jeromy
had any vehicles he acquired on trade from customers purchasing new wheelchair accessible vans.
Indeed, Jeromy had a vehicle. Within one week of the original request by email, the surviving family’s
transportation struggles were eased. HDS VANS & MOBILITY was honored to donate the vehicle to
help a surviving military family.
HDS VANS & MOBILITY sells and services wheelchair accessible vans, scooter lifts, turning automotive
seats, and high-tech driving aids. There is a store located in Chattanooga and one located in Nashville,
Tennessee.
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Support Coordinators: Russ Maxey (Middle & West TN)
615-313-0886, and Don Grindstaff (East TN) 423-467-2131
Resiliency, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention
(R3SP)
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ANIMALS COMMIT SUICIDE?
I was exploring around the internet looking for some interesting articles about suicide in order to have it written in the J-9 monthly
newsletter when I came across an interesting topic. The topic was about suicides among the animal population. I knew from having my
own pets that they all have their different personalities, but I never would have thought about any of my dogs committing suicide. All of
my dogs are rescue dogs and they ALL have what I consider “THEIR ISSUES”. They are all very lovable but they have their weird ways
about them. I have noticed that Patches, my Greyhound Shepherd mix, has separation issues. If you or any other member of the
household packs their bags and leave the house, she will go through a depression for about a week. She lays around being pitiful and
refuses to eat her meals. With that said, I don’t even know why I would have even questioned the theory that some dogs or animals have
had suicidal behavior or have committed the act.
I stumbled upon an article that was published in Discovery News by Larry O'Hanlon on Wed Mar 10, 2010 04:34 AM ET that explained
some discoveries of animals of all sorts that kill themselves, what can be learned from that, and it showed that there is evidence of
human-like intentions that some animals have displayed. The article said the following:
“Whether it's a grieving dog, a depressed horse or even a whale mysteriously beaching itself, there is a long history of animals
behaving suicidal and that behavior that can help explain human suicide” says the newly published research.
The idea that animals could actually be very good models for human suicide started to take root in the 20th century, said Edmund
Ramsden, one of the authors of the study published in the latest issue of the journal Endeavour, along with Duncan Wilson of the
University of Manchester.
"You begin to challenge the definition of suicide. The body and mind are so damaged by stress and so it leads to self destruction. It's not
necessarily even a choice," Ramsden told Discovery News. "It becomes reversed, in a sense," said Ramsden. Animal and human
suicides are no longer seen as willful acts but as responses to conditions.
There are many stories of animal suicide dating back centuries. In 1845, for example, the Illustrated London News reported a "Singular
Case of Suicide" involving a "fine, handsome and valuable black dog, of the Newfoundland species." The dog had for days been acting
less lively than usual, but then was seen "to throw himself in the water and endeavor to sink by preserving perfect stillness of the legs
and feet."
The dog was rescued and tied up. But as soon as he was released he entered the water again and tried to sink himself. This occurred
several times until at last the dog appeared to tire and "by dint of keeping his head determinedly under water for a few minutes,
succeeded at last in obtaining his object, for when taken out this time he was indeed dead."
In the 19th century, animal suicides were often seen as acts of abuse, madness, love or loyalty -- the same causes then given for human
suicides. In earlier times, such qualities weren't assigned, but animals were still used to help define suicide.
"For (St.) Augustine and (Thomas) Aquinas it goes against natural law and so goes against God's law," Ramsden told Discovery News.
They called on the lack of suicide in Nature as proof that people should not kill themselves.
But Aquinas couldn't have been more wrong, says psychologist Thomas Joiner of Florida State University and author of the newly
published book "Myths of Suicide."
"It's incredible how actually pervasive it is in nature," said Joiner. Organisms of all sorts are known to self-destruct in one way or
another, usually in order to protect their relatives -- and so to save their genes. "If you take the statement: 'My death will be worth more
than my life,' that plays out in all sorts of organisms," said Joiner. "That calculation is the same, whether it's written in the genes or
English."
Pea aphids, for instance, when threatened by a lady bug can explode themselves, scattering and protecting their brethren and
sometimes even killing the lady bug. They are literally tiny suicide bombers, Joiner told Discovery News.
The big difference is that in modern humans that calculation can go wrong. There are some acts of suicide that do save lives. But most of
the millions or so human suicides each year worldwide benefit no one, Joiner explained. They are acts that perhaps used to serve a
purpose in early human societies, he said, but have lost their function in the modern world.
What that suicidal Newfoundland was telling us, then, is not so much that animals and humans think alike, but that it is, as Joiner said "...a
fatal consequence of biologically-based and extremely serious illness."
After reading this article, I came to the conclusion that my dog Patches is not suicidal nor is she a dog that would put her life on the line
to protect any of us. Patches is scared of storms, people she does not know, or anyone who comes to the door. She will bark a mean
bark until you enter the house. She then tucks her tail and runs. During storms, she low crawls under the bed and hides. Getting her
out from under the bed to get her in the storm shelter (my walk-in closet) with the other two dogs and cat is like asking to be sent to the
moon. It’s not going to happen. She will protect herself and the heck with everyone else. At least I know where she stands. She is
sensitive and gets depressed sometimes but she will always protect herself first.
MAJ Beth Nielsen, Suicide Prevention Program Manager (SPPM) and JFHQ Master Resilience
Coordinator (MRCA)
615-347-0816 or elizabeth.nielsen@us.army.mil
More R3SP information continued on next page.
Resiliency, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention
(R3SP)
Prevention, Response, and Outreach (PRO)
Resiliency, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention
When most people think about substance abuse they think of marijuana or meth, few think of alcohol. The Army Substance
Abuse Program has put out the following information in regards to Alcohol Abuse:
You may have a drinking problem if you:
Can never stick to “just one” drink
Feel guilty or ashamed about your drinking
Lie to others or hide your drinking habits
Have friends or family members who are worried about your drinking
Need to drink in order to relax or feel better
Ever “black out” or forget what you did while you were drinking
Regularly drink more than you intended to
Definitions Related to Drinking:
Binge Drinking: Having five or more drinks on a single occasion at least once in the past 30 days
Responsible Drinking: Drinking in a way that does not adversely affect an individual’s ability to fulfill their legal,
morale, or social obligations nor does it negatively impact their health, job performance, or quality of life
Responsible drinking habits vary from person to person; biology, sociology, and genealogy all play a role in
what is considered responsible drinking
Due to medical conditions or dependence issues some individuals must abstain from alcohol to be considered
a responsible drinker
Knowing what is low risk is easy as 0 1 2 3
Low Risk Drinking Guidelines:
Zero quantity and zero frequency, people who abstain have no alcohol-related problems
For those who do drink, having more than one drink in one hour increases risk for injuries and other impairment
problems
Health problems are more common for people who average more than two drinks per day
Research shows that people who have more than three drinks on any day are more likely to experience some alcohol
related impairment or health problem
One Standard Drink is defined as: 5 oz of wine (12 percent alcohol), 1.5 oz of 80-proof distilled spirits or 12 oz of regular
beer
Results of Irresponsible Drinking:
Driving under the influence (DUI)
Hangover
Loss of Control
Reduced work quality and performance
Injury
Problems with friends and family
Health related problems
Spouse / Child abuse
Blackouts
Death
Drinking Tips:
Eat before and during drinking
Before you celebrate … Designate. Identify a responsible driver or use public transportation
Don’t chug your drinks; drink slowly and make your drinks last
Alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
Remember the word HALT, don’t drink if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired
CW2 Parry Hazen
R3SP - Substance Abuse Prevention Program
615-313-0543
Parry.c.hazen@us.army.mil
More R3SP information continued on next page.
Resiliency, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention (R3SP) information continued from last page.
Resilience and Aging
Imagine an older population of individuals who remain active and functional into their later
years, living in their own homes and engaging with their local communities for as long as reasonably
possible. Imagine a future where the public perception about getting old is not a steady decline into
sickness, functional disability, loneliness, and dependence.
In my case, I do not have to imagine it because I am experiencing it with my mother who just
turned 90 years old and does exactly that. How can this be possible? If you asked her, she would
answer, coincidently, with what is one of the foundations of the Army Resilience Program. “My
personal resilience is sustained through continued meaningful contributions to society and the social
engagement I maintain. I also engage in volunteer work and I teach art and crafts in my local senior
center.”
Everyone experiences various types of loss as they age, which results in increasing stress. In
addition to functional decline, many face pain, weakness, fatigue, sleep problems, depression,
anxiety, memory deficits, hearing loss, visual impairment, isolation, physical and mental illnesses, and
personal or financial loss as they age. The question is, how can some individuals combat the reality of
aging and win?
“Resilience” has been identified as a quality that can be fostered or strengthened to help seniors cope
with adversity in aging and achieve greater happiness. Resilience might even be one factor to explain
why some individuals live as long as 90 years and still look forward to live many more. Factors that
help create, strengthen, and sustain physical and emotional resilience include: proper nutrition,
regular physical exercise, emotional support, hope and optimism, close social ties, engaging in
nature, volunteerism, and satisfying work life.
So when soldiers and family members participate in resilience workshops or lectures, they are
not just learning how to bounce back from the Army life’s stressors; they are also learning how to live
a healthier, longer life.
WO1 Irene E. Hernandez
Master Resilience Trainer, J-9
irene.hernandez2@us.army.mil
(615) 313-0880
(865) 806-7276
What is the TAA program?
The purpose of the Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) program is to provide a professional in each
state/territory (some states have two TAAs) to serve as the statewide point of contact to assist Service
Members in accessing Veterans Affairs benefits and healthcare services. Each TAA also provides
assistance in obtaining entitlements through the TRICARE Military Health System and access to
community resources. The TAA initiative started in May 2005 when the National Guard Bureau (NGB)
signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The TAA program
is staffed by 60 contract positions and two federal technicians.
What we can do for you:
We help you navigate through the vast myriad of benefits and entitlements in the DoD and VA system.
We take the time to assist you and not toss you into the “800 number desert!” We will educate you so
you will understand the benefits you have earned, such as:
· Guard entitlements and access for healthcare in both the DoD and VA medical facilities.
· TRICARE benefits while you are on active duty and when you return as an OIF/OEF Veteran.
· Important deadlines that require your action while still on active duty and as a Veteran so you do not
miss these time sensitive opportunities.
· Dental care programs (time-sensitive benefit).
· Referral for counseling services for you and your family that will not affect your career.
· Referral for possible compensation for injuries or illness sustained in OEF and OIF.
· Insurance information such as SGLI, TSGLI, FSGLI.
· Rehabilitative care management needed to help you return to a normal lifestyle.
· Assistance with job search and connection with ESGR for rights of employment.
· Assistance in connecting you to the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veterans Services
Organizations to file disability claims.
· Assistance in the event of financial hardship, healthcare issues, or unemployment needs.
· Assistance with locating your medical records, DD 214s and other needed documents.
Mike Goodrich
Transition Assistance Advisor
Phone:615-517-0967
Charles.goodrich@us.army.mil
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
This is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). To show support of the Sexual Assault Prevention &
Response (SAPR) program, General McKinley, Lt. Gen. Ingram (DARNG), Lt. Gen. Wyatt (DANG) and
Chief Master Sgt. Jelinski-HalI (Senior Enlisted Leader NGB) have filmed individual public service
announcements to raise awareness for sexual assault prevention and response and to the DOD Safe
Helpline.
This marks our eighth annual National Sexual Awareness Month with this year’s theme “It’s Time… To
Talk About It – Connect. Respect. Prevent Sexual Violence.” Our Adjutant General, Major General Terry
M. Haston is encouraging each of you in our Guard family to join us in on the conversation on how we
can connect and respect one another to prevent sexual violence. “Our mission not only involves national
defense, but the defense and safety of our Soldiers and Airmen. Sexual harassment and sexual assault
affects everyone, male and female, can occur at any time, and is not limited to the work place. Sexual
assault degrades our mission readiness and is fundamentally at odds with the responsibility of the men and
women in uniform to treat all people with dignity and respect.” MG Terry M. Haston
Here are a few local community events going on in the Middle Tennessee area and are open to the
public.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
The Nashville Sexual Assault Center is hosting their annual ‘Walk in Their Shoes’ 5K Walk / Run. It will
be held at the Metro Center, 101 French Landing Drive. Registration is at 0730. Run begins at 0900 and
Walk begins at 0930. There will be goody bags for the first 300 people who register. Also, there will be
music, refreshments, entertainment and activities for children. You can register online at SACenter.org
or call 615-259-9055 (NLT 20 April) or you can register the day of the event (21 April). Cost to
pre-register is $15 per walker and $20 per runner. Cost to register the day of the event is $20 per
walker and $25 per runner. Walk in Their Shoes began 10 years ago as a walk down Lindsley Avenue
with less than 100 people. There are now more than 1000 participants from throughout Middle
Tennessee taking part.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
3rd Annual Bowl Over Sexual Assault. Location is at Lanes, Trains & Automobiles. This is hosted by the
Domestic Violence Program. There will be a silent auction and door prizes. You must pre-register for
this event. For tickets call 615-896-7377 or email: tpirtle@dvpshelter.org.
The Sexual Assault Center Counseling & Education in Nashville, TN has great resources on how to
prevent and respond to sexual assault.
The DOD Safe Helpline PSA video by LTG William E. Ingram, Jr., the Director, Army National Guard can
be found here. http://www.ng.mil/mp/default.aspx?vid=1094
JFHQ SARC Maj. Theodore D. Webb 615-313-0994 (office) or 615-347-9372 (cell)
Alternate JFHQ SARC Marlene Mansberry 615-313-0949 (office) or 615-504-5241
Norm Naylor discusses importance of USERRA Susan Kyle drives home a point about interview
with new members during March’s new member techniques with new ESGR members.
training.
NASHVILLE, TN. – Seventeen new Tennessee ESGR committee members participated in an orientation
and training session March 31st to learn more about the total mission of the ESGR, and its changing role.
Susan Kyle and Norm Naylor skillfully engaged the participants in applied methods to involve the
volunteers and expand the ESGR message. In addition they discussed techniques of presenting
employer awards and how to open dialog about open jobs in the company after the presentation.
The un-employment rate among the National Guard members statewide is 25%, and in some
geographical areas, it’s much higher. Tennessee’s ESGR Committee has successfully implemented
employment workshops focused on providing Guardsmen and Reservists tools to develop a resume,
actively search for a job and effectively conducting themselves during an interview. These three-day
workshops are offered at no cost to the veteran and usually include a job fair attended by local
companies who are currently hiring.
In the past few years employers have become disillusioned with continuous deployments that drain their
employee work pool for a year at a time. It’s important for ESGR volunteers to inform employers about
the relevancy of their employees who serve in the military. Additionally it’s important they understand
the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA), and the employment
protection it provides.
“The Department of Defense formed the ESGR in 1972, as the draft came to an end, and the all-voluntary
military force began,” said Carl Lambert, TN State Chair. The reserve component (National Guard and
Reserves) became increasing significant as more active military resources transitioned to the reserve
component.
Last year Tennessee ESGR volunteers were very busy. They briefed more than 3,600 employers, 16,000
Guard and Reserve members, and presented 835 Patriotic Employer Awards. Gary Tregaskis said,
“Today’s training was excellent, and it’s great to finally put faces with names of volunteers I’ve talked
with on the phone.” For more information on ESGR call the TN ESGR office at 615-313-0752
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS
** FREE **
UPCOMING EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS
8-10 MAY – KNOXVILLE
16-18 MAY – CHATTANOOGA
6-8 JUNE - DYERSBURG
11-13 JULY – SMYRNA
12-14 SEPTEMBER – JACKSON
At the workshop, you can expect to:
Create a Resume, or update your existing one!
Learn Effective Job Search techniques.
Gain Successful Interviewing Skills.
Learn to convert military skills sets to civilian terminology.
Meet, and interview with, DOL Career Center representatives.
YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO ATTEND.
To pre-register, call the TN ESGR office at 615-313-0752.
These events are open to all service members, spouses and veterans.
The 6-8 March ESGR-sponsored Employment Assistance Workshop in Millington, TN, was
the 22nd since August 2010 and by far the largest. A total of 93 Service Members, Spouses,
and Veterans registered. A Job Fair held on the afternoon of the 8th was attended by 38
employers and 270 job seekers. Feedback from employers included, "We could clearly tell
the difference in the job seekers who attended the workshop from those who did not. They
looked us in the eye, had a firm handshake, and spoke with confidence."
Total number of EAW attendees to date is approaching 600.
Linda Lewis, Humana Military/Tricare South Re-
gional Manager pictured with Gloria Hawthorne,
Family Assistance Specialist.
The "Above and Beyond Award" was presented to Mrs. Linda Lewis, Humana Military/Tricare South Regional
Manager, at her office in Knoxville, TN on 29 March 2012 by Gloria Hawthorne/Family Assistance Specialist who
nominated Mrs. Lewis for this prestigious Award. Recently it was learned that due to budget constraints the
Knoxville office was closed on 30 March 2012. The "Above and Beyond Award" is given in limited numbers by
state and territory ESGR committees. It recognizes employers at the state and local level who have gone above
and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their
employees.
Mrs. Lewis has supported the Armed Forces in all branches of service, military retirees, and their family members
for the past 10 years. She has truly gone above and beyond in her efforts on behalf of our military to resolve any
and all issues brought to her attention. She has participated in briefings at our units and to the Retired Officers
Association on multiple occasions throughout the years.
She is beloved by all who know her and will be greatly missed by everyone who benefited from her expertise and
personal contact. Words are never enough to tell of her character and strength just what she has meant to all of
us. Her devotion to duty is unmatched by any other.
Gloria Hawthorne is one of three Family Assistance Specialists located in the eastern area of Tennessee. Her
office is located in Johnson City at the Joint Force Reserve Center. Family Assistance Specialist’s are responsible
for helping all military and their families during time of need or a question that needs answered such as Tricare/
DEERS. Legal, Crisis Intervention, Financial, ID Card, and local/national Community Information. For a list of all
Family Assistance Centers look us up at www.tnmilitary.org and click on Family Assistance or call John Patterson
at 615-707-0580.
John Patterson
Family Assistance Coordinator
615-707-0580
John.patterson20@us.army.mil
Left to Right – Family Assistance Specialist Debbie Morris, Soldiers Wife Mrs. G. Mitchell, Staff Sgt. Logan, Col. B. Mitchell
Family Assistance Knows No Boundaries
When a Soldier is injured in combat, there is normally a support system to assist them and their family through the tough times. When a
Soldier is injured during training, sometimes that support system is hundreds of miles away and unable to assist.
In March 2012, Colonel Bernard Mitchell, of the Virgin Islands National Guard, was conducting live-fire training at Camp McCain Training
Center in Grenada, Miss. During the live fire, Col. Mitchell was wounded in the right leg. He was evacuated to Memphis Regional Hospital.
The “MED,” as it is known in Memphis, was chosen because of its nationally recognized trauma center and its proximity to the accident site.
Col. Mitchell’s unit returned to the Virgin Islands a couple of days after the accident, and even though his family flew to Memphis to be with
him, their support system was hundreds of miles away.
Within just a few days, a Family Assistance Specialist from the Virgin Islands contacted the Tennessee National Guard Family Assistance
Coordinator in Memphis, Debbie Morris, for assistance. Col. Mitchell’s family would need help in everything from necessary paperwork to
finding a place for the family to stay during his recovery.
Morris immediately went to work on making sure the family understood everything that was going on and secured quarters with Fisher House
funding the same day the wife arrived.
Unfortunately, the damage to Col. Mitchell’s leg was too extensive and doctors were unable to save it. Losing a limb is traumatic under any
circumstances, and any assistance in understanding and coping is critical.
Again, Tennessee Family Assistance personnel sprang into action and contacted Staff Sergeant Russell Logan, an Airman with the Tennessee
Air National Guard to come and talk to the newly injured soldier. SSgt Logan had recently lost his leg in a land mine incident in Afghanistan.
His visit and the sharing of his own experience went a long way in helping begin the recovery process for Col. Mitchell. During the visit,
Mitchell and SSgt Logan became “Battle Buddies” and Logan plans to continue visiting until the colonel leaves for a Warrior Training Unit to
assist in his recovery.
The Tennessee Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Max Haston, made a surprise visit to meet with the Col. Mitchell and his wife. “Even though this
was a tragic accident, I believe this Soldier and family will remember Tennessee, and the help and hospitality they received, for years to
come,” Haston said.
John Patterson, Joint Force Headquarters-Tennessee Family Assistance Coordinator, said Mitchell and his family were definitely in need of
some help. “Col. Mitchell and his wife were in dire need of assistance,” Patterson explained. Remember, they were in a strange place, far from
home and their loved ones. Even though the Mitchell had his unit as an initial support group, his unit had to leave only a few days after the incident,
leaving no one but the local Family Assistance team to support the Soldier and family,” Patterson said. “We like to think that sometimes it’s “J-9 to
the rescue” and I can tell you, if there is a situation, I fully believe Tennessee is the best in the nation to get it under control; we’ve had a lot of
practice. We use all the local community support outlets and get all the assets of the J-9 involved.” (The Military Family Readiness Operations
Department, designated “J-9” in Tennessee, combines all Soldier Readiness functions under one umbrella.)
“I want to commend Debbie Morris, on what a great job she has done and is doing. She is the person designated as command and control for this
family, and that’s a big task, Patterson added.”
Debbie Morris is one of two Tennessee National Guard Family Assistance Specialists located in the Memphis area. Her office is located in the
Army National Guard Armory at 2610 E Holmes Rd.
Family Assistance Specialists are responsible for helping all military and their families during time of need and answer questions concerning
TRICARE/DEERS, Legal, Crisis Intervention, Financial, ID card, and local/national Community Information. For a list of all nine Family
Assistance Centers persons should go to www.tnmilitary.org and click on Family Assistance, or call FAC Coordinator John Patterson at
615-707-0580.
Wounded Warrior Presented with a Quilt of Valor
Left to Right: Ms. Pat Hickok, Capt. Robert Woods, and Col. Jones presenting Ms. Hickok with a Coin of
Col. Patty Jones, J-9 Director Excellence
There are so many programs that have been created to support our service members and families
due to actions of OEF/OIF/and OND. The FAS was recently contacted by one of them, is called
Quilts of Valor. Their Mission statement is to “Cover ALL combat service members and veterans
touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor (QOV). This Foundation is not about
politics. It's about people”. Last month the Family Assistance Coordinator, John Patterson was
contacted by Deanna Fullerton, the FRSA of 30th Troup Command. Dianna informed him that the
QOV was looking for a combat wounded soldier. Several months ago Mr. Patterson had crossed
paths with a Title 10 Combat Wounded Soldier, CPT Robert Woods, and thought of him when asked
to come up with a name. As have so many of our service men and women, he has endured much
hardship. On March 16, 2012, at 1000 hours, CPT Woods was presented a beautiful Quilt
hand-made by Ms. Pat Hickok from Tullahoma, TN, which took her months to complete. The
presentation was conducted at, the J-9 conference room with many in attendance.
Presentation of the Quilt of Valor
Changing of the Guard
This month we say goodbye to two great
innovators of Tennessee Military Funeral
Honors. These two individuals brought the
program from a vision to the high standards
that other states model their programs after.
Col (ret) Donnie Koonce started the Military
Funeral Honors program in May 2003. With
his vast experience as a Colonel in the
Tennessee National Guard, he has taken the
program from performing a handful of
funerals a month, to averaging over 500
military funerals every month. Colonel
Koonce’s great success comes from his
attention to detail and a great understanding
of taking care of our nation’s greatest
treasure, the men and women of the Armed
Forces who have given their lives for the
freedom we enjoy. Due to Colonel Koonce’s
great success, he will be moving to a position
overseeing the entire National Guard Military
Funeral Honors across the nation.
CSM Bill Marley joined the Military Funeral
Honors program in 2005 as the program’s
Did you Know? NCOIC. Through his tenure with Military
Funeral Honors, he has successfully overseen
From time to time we get calls and emails about the care and training of all soldiers and
what speech is used at the presentation of the participants in every dimension of the
folded flag to the next of kin. program. CSM Marley has been known as a
great mentor to many soldiers and many
As directed in the MFH SOP & FM 3-21.5: times has been referred to as “my guard
daddy.” CSM Marley’s attention to detail and
“Sir/Ma’am, this flag is presented his uncanny ability with interpersonal skills
has brought the Military Funeral Honors to the
on behalf of a grateful nation as prestigious level that the nation looks to for
guidance and direction. Always wanting to
an expression of appreciation for help soldiers, Bill will be moving into
the honorable and faithful service retirement and a new job with the J9 helping
soldiers better prepare themselves for the
rendered by your loved one.” civilian marketplace.
Donnie and Bill, you will be greatly missed in
the Tennessee Military Funeral Honors, and we
wish you the best in all of your new challenges.
SFC Detwiler
Military Funeral Honors NCOIC
615-355-3603
Richard.detwiler@us.army.mil
Your benefits. Your community. Your safety net.
Welcome to the NEW Joint Services Support home page! Our new look makes it easier for you to get around our site – but
we’ve gotten much more than a facelift! Within the new JSS, you’ll find more information for your daily life, better tools, and
easier access to all the valuable resources and services you deserve as a member of the National Guard community. Get
logged in and access all the benefits of the JSS system today!
JSS System - Upgraded!
Since the initial launch of the Joint Services Support (JSS) system in 2009, the JSS team has received tremendous feedback
from our users across the nation. As a result, we are pleased to inform you that the JSS system has undergone a significant
redesign effort. The redesign includes a new look, usability improvements, an enhanced Resource Finder tool and several
functionality upgrades!
Rest assured no changes to the web address, login information or data have been made. All information (user accounts,
events, etc.) remains intact.
We thank you for your patronage and look forward to your continued feedback!
http://www.jointservicessupport.org/
COL Marianne Watson, ARNG G1, spearheaded the development of the ARNG G1 Personnel Gateway to serve as the
approved source of current and official information for Soldiers, HR Professionals, Families, Veterans, Retirees, and
Partners of the ARNG. During its development, approximately 1,500 ARNG Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) were interviewed
to develop the content present at the launch of the Gateway. The material on the Gateway has been vetted and approved
through personal interviews, focus groups, and conference workshops.
The Gateway creates a cross-cutting, customer focused platform by linking programs, policies, and processes across the
ARNG Personnel Community. It also allows other components such as the Active Component and the Army Reserve to
leverage this tool to care for ARNG Soldiers while on Contingency Operations. All are encouraged to submit lessons
learned and provide feedback for this site to help the ARNG provide the best information available for our Citizen Soldiers,
Families, Veterans, Retirees, Partners, and HR Professionals. https://g1arng.army.pentagon.mil/Pages/welcome.aspx
The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a website for connecting wounded warriors, Service Members, Veterans, and
their families with those who support them.
It provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and
community reintegration. Visitors can find information on a variety of topics including benefits & compensation, education
& training, employment, family & caregiver support, health, homeless assistance, housing, transportation & travel and other
services & resources. For help on how to find resources on the site, visit the How to Use this Site section of the NRD.
The NRD is a partnership among the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The information contained within
the NRD is from federal, state and local government agencies; Veterans service and benefit organizations; non-profit and
community-based organizations; academic institutions and professional associations that provide assistance to wounded
warriors and their families.
www.nationalresourcedirectory.com
One of the easiest ways to get help is by dialing 2-1-1, Tennessee’s community
services help line. When you call, you’ll get a real person, one who is trained to
help you sort out your needs, and then give you phone numbers and addresses of
the closest places where you can get help. 2-1-1 has a database of more than
10,000 health and human services programs, cross-referenced for all sorts of
keywords. So don’t worry if you don’t know what type of service you need or the
name of an agency — just talk with the specialist at the other end of the line and
she or he can help you find what you need. All calls are free and completely
confidential. Hours vary by location.
http://tn211.mycommunitypt.com/
Guard Your Buddy is a joint effort by the Tennessee National Guard, The Jason
Foundation, Inc., and E4 Health to give the men, women, and families in the
Tennessee National Guard constant access to critical life resources, on-demand
counseling, and on-call suicide prevention.
The Guard Your Buddy project is designed to enhance the excellent resources
already in place for the Tennessee National Guard.
Our Mission
The Guard Your Buddy program is a community driven communication/
engagement platform that brings all Guard members, particularly the at-risk
Guard Members, in contact with on-demand resources and support with the
main goal of preventing suicide.
COL Patricia Jones LTC Jim Reed SGM Barbara Sanders
J9 Director Deputy Director Senior Enlisted Leader
Phone: 615-598-0948 Phone: 615-598-0968 Phone: 615-478-8294
SSG Michelle Tacker Joy Scott Fran Barker
Budget Analyst SR. Family Readiness Support State Volunteer Coord.
Phone: 615-306-2013 Phone: 313-0757 423-580-7822
John V. Patterson Paige Major Tiffany Vaughan
FAC Coordinator State Youth Coordinator State Youth Coordinator
Phone: 615-707-0580 Phone: 615-707-0582 Phone: 615-313-0547
Military OneSource CH Mark Phillips Amy Powell
Phone: 1-800-342-9647 Fulltime Support Chaplain Personal Financial Counselor
Phone: 615-517-0988 Phone: 615-598-6496
Mike Goodrich Debbie Rutland -Red Cross Russ Maxey
Transition Assistance Advisor Phone: 615-207-8125 Survivor Outreach Services
Phone: 615-517-0967 615-250-4297 Phone: 615-278-4810
Marvin Wells Donald Grindstaff
Fred Sullivan
ESGR Survivor Outreach Services
Honor Guard Coord
Phone: 615-210-2704 Phone: 423-328-6894
Phone: 615-267-6210
MAJ Beth Nielsen Resilience,
Lynda Nagim Darryl Leis
Risk Reduction, and Suicide
Military and Family Life Military and Family Life
Prevention
Consultant Consultant
Phone: 615-927-1362
Phone: 615-772-3154 Phone: 615-427-8776
MAJ Theodore Webb
Noel Riley-Philpo CSM Bill Marley
Sexual Assault Response
Director of Psychological Health Job Connection Education
Phone: 615-347-9372
Phone: 615-574-3933 Phone 615-428-6438
Tennessee Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Contacts
MAJ Wade Reed SFC Michael Loyd
615-313-0687 615-313-0689
Tennessee Air Guard Contacts
Betty Gaskins Sherri Weathers Steve Latham Karen Baker
Phone: 901-291-7125 Phone: 615-660-8012 Phone: 895-985-3107 Phone: 615-693-9446
164th Wing FC 118th Wing FC 134th Wing FC Air Yellow Ribbon
Elizabeth Arnold Jorge Ramirez Beverly Taylor
Director of Psychological Health Director of Psychological Health Director of Psychological Health
134th Air Wing 164th Air Wing 118th Air Wing
Phone: 865-985-4017 Phone: 901-291-7158 Phone: 615-456-3089
Patterson, John FAS Coord Nashville 615-707-0580
Black, Kenneth FAS Jackson 731-988-8908
Bullock, Larry R FAS Smyrna 615-707-0581
Cowley, Rita FAS Gordonsville 615-946-2262
Goins, Jerry FAS Louisville 865-253-2747
Hawthorne, Gloria FAS Gray 423-930-0748
Lee, Shirley FAS Millington 901-570-2731
Mayberry, Joe W. FAS Columbia 931-797-1475
McHugh, Kim FAS Knoxville 865-202-6338
Morris, Debbie FAS Memphis 901-463-0204
O'Steen, Scott FAS Chattanooga 423-305-4062
Rabideau, Gene FAS Smyrna 615-663-8958
Russell, Dorothy FAS Smyrna 615-663-8369
Barbee, Larry FRSA Brownsville 731-780-0876
Fullerton, Deanna FRSA Tullahoma 615-542-2914
Holland, Joe FRSA Maryville 865-771-1961
Holland, Terressa FRSA Athens 865-719-8044
Moon, Dennis L FRSA Dresden 731-225-2672
Long, Eddie FRSA Dyersburg
Thomas, Lonnie FRSA Knoxville 865-804-9505
Scott, Joy FRSA JFHQ Nashville 731-336-0190
FAS (Family Assistance Specialist)
