National Guard Association of CT Retiree Newsletter ( 15 May 24 Edition/MAJ (RET) Perry) #24-10

May 14, 2024 | Army

                                 

 

Bulletin 24 – 10  (15 MAY 2024 Edition)

 

                 

 

Top News Stories:


California Guard, U.S. Forest Service Train on Aerial Firefighting
April 29, 2024 
A military C-130J aircraft discharges a pressurized water stream from the rear of the aircraft over a green marshland with a creek affixed against a light blue sky.

Air Guard Leaders Host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
April 29, 2024 
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Micheal A. Loh, director, Air National Guard (ANG), speaks about the ANG’s role in implementing changes for Great Power Competition during the 2024 Wing Leader Conference (WLC), Henderson, Nevada, April 24, 2024.

Guard, Partner Nations Collaborate at State Partnership Program Conference
April 26, 2024 
Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, addressed the attendees virtually at the State Partnership Program conference.

North Carolina, North Dakota, Maine Honored for State Partnerships
April 25, 2024 
(Left to right) Brig. Gen. Timothy Bower, Brig. Gen, Vice Director Vice for Strategy, Policy, Plans, and International Affairs, National Guard Bureau, Brig. Gen. Sergiu Cirimpei, Deputy Chief of Defense of the Moldovan Army, Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, North Carolina Adjutant General, Elanie Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Capt. Kory Dearie, North Carolina National Guard, State Partnership Coordinator, Lt. Col. Valeriu Burusciuc, Moldovan Army State Partnership Program Director, Col. Michael Marciniak, Director of Plans and Programs, Maj. Michael Sterling, North Carolina National Guard State Partnership Program Director and Col. Scott Humphrey, Chief, International Affairs, NGB.

Oregon Guard Sharpens Combat Skills Before Deployment
April 24, 2024 
A fire team from the Oregon National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team fires at targets while conducting a squad live-fire exercise at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho April 19, 2024. The intensive range tested Soldiers' abilities to maneuver under simulated combat conditions with pop-up targets and live ammunition.

Alaska Army Guard, Marine Corps Enhance Aviation Tactics
April 24, 2024 
Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Sara Becker, a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter crew chief assigned to 207th Aviation Troop Command, scans the area while waiting for passengers during the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-24 at a forward arming and refueling point near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., April 8, 2024. The training iteration marked the first time that conventional U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk aircrews participated in the highly competitive and rigorous joint training course that integrates all Marine aviation assets, ground forces, command and control systems, logistics and air defense.

Guard Chief Visits Pennsylvania Guard, Aviation Training Site
April 23, 2024 
Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, met with Pennsylvania National Guard leaders and members of the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site during a visit to Fort Indiantown Gap April 22, 2024.

 

CONNECTICUT VETERANS BULLETIN – Page 2 – Information by Connecticut Veterans for Connecticut Veterans. (ctvetsbulletin.org)

v1-cvbs-weekly-connecticut-veterans-calendar-publication-saturday-16-march-2024-1.pdf (menlosecurity.com)

 

Behavioral Health Resources:

Connecticut National Guard > Resources > Behavioral Health (ng.mil)

In crisis? Need help? Call 1 (800) 273-8255 and press 1

Contact a Connecticut National Guard Specialist

Ms. Susan Tobenkin, LCSW
Behavioral Health Specialist
(860) 830-8991
susan.e.tobenkin.civ@army.mil
Mr. Michael Dutko, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
(860) 946-9810
michael.t.dutko.civ@army.mil
Mr. Peter Doria, LCSW
Behavioral Health Specialist
(860) 655-0296
peter.e.doria.civ@army.mil
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The Next Generation USID military spouse ID card

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America the Beautiful Passes

 

Armed Forces Recreation Centers/Hotels & Resorts

 

 

American Forces Travel Program

 

 

   

 

 

 

Survivor Benefits Newsletter and Link

DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter Fall2023

Download entire newsletter HERE:

 

 

   

 

 

DFAS Retiree Newsletter & Benefits News + Link

Still most recent edition

Download entire newsletter HERE: DFAS Retiree Newsletter December 2023  – Still most recent edition

 

 

   

 

Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members, and their families!

Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members and their families – VA News

 

 

 

   

Our Community Salutes of Connecticut 2024 High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony

Download Here:

2024 Ceremony Invite – Connecticut Our Community Salutes of Connecticut

 

 

NGACT Golf Invitational May 20th, 2024

 

 

     

 

 

Connecticut Guardian

 

The newest edition of the Connecticut Guardian is now available online at:  CG_2024_01.pdf (ng.mil)

 

   

CT JEEP 500

** Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new initiative to encourage state residents to join the Connecticut National Guard.

 

 

DOWNLOAD JEEP FLYER HERE:  JEEP Flyer

 

The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (CT JEEP 500). Each CTNG Guard Member (except for those members (and their relatives) who are assigned/attached to the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion), CTNG Retiree and CT Militia Member is eligible to become a Recruiting Assistant (RA). An RA who enrolls a lead in CT JEEP 500 will receive an allowance of $1,000 for each lead who enlists in the CTNG. Leads enlisting into a priority vacancy received additional $500.

 

     

 

 

Army Echoes Now Available

Current edition: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/echoes/latest.pdf

Army Echoes is the Army’s official newsletter for Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses. This month’s featured articles include:

  • The Army Chief of Staff Retired Soldier Council’s historic meeting
  • Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Update
  • The VA disability rating and its full arsenal of benefits
  • Gray Area Retired Soldier and ready for retired pay?
  • Managing your retired pay allotments
  • Use your military benefits for a great vacation
  • Take advantage of your FEDVIP enrollment period

To contact the Army Echoes editor, send an email to ArmyEchoes@army.mil.

 

   

 

US Military Recreation Facilities (Excerpted from the “Stephanie at Poppin’ Smoke” newsletter) If you want a fun vacation that won’t break the bank, don’t forget that you can use your benefits to stay in military recreational lodging. Here are 17 ideas to get you started with your planning.

 

   

 

2024 Calendar of Events

30 May 2024  Pop’s Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Lane, Milford
27 Jun 2024    The Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme
25 Jul 2024      Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St,  Middletown
29 Aug 2024   Pop’s Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Lane, Milford
26 Sep 2024   The Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme
24 Oct 2024   Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St,  Middletown
21 Nov 2024    Pop’s Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Lane, Milford
19 Dec 2024    The Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme

 

   

 

 

The National Guard Association of CT State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI)

  • Up to $1,000,000 coverage available*
  • Members covered in combat
  • Covered 24/365
  • Most valid claims paid within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of proof of loss
  • All military occupations covered
  • Spouse and Children coverage available
  • Coverage does not end and rates DO NOT go up just because you separate from the National Guard
  • SSLI can be payroll deducted from drill check or AGR payroll
  • All SSLI group plans cover members while serving in the Connecticut National Guard including deployment

For coverage details including eligibility, benefits, rates, exclusions, limitations and renewal provisions please contact the plan administrator tollfree at 800-633-8333.

National Guard Association of Connecticut State Sponsored Life Insurance is provided under group life insurance policies issued to the Militia Insurance Trust (MIT). The

Guardian group life policy and the Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA) 10, 15 and 20 year level term life policies are underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: SSLI FLYER

 

 

   

 

Honor Flight Connecticut

 

                 

A Hub of the National Honor Flight Network

Honor Flight CT recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to see THEIR memorials at no cost. Current priority is chronological by conflict (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) with special consideration given to terminally ill veterans from all wars. Guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience.

Please note: Veterans are only eligible once for the Honor Flight experience.

Your information MUST be exactly as it appears on your ID For Airline Travel (License, Passport, Govt ID):

DOWNLOAD THE HONOR FLIGHT APPLICATION HERE:Honor Flight – HFCT Vet App

Please submit this form to:

Honor Flight Connecticut

c/o Amy Casey

26 Copperstone Lane

Madison, CT 06443