Guardsman For Life Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2021 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2021 ISSUE

GUARDSMAN FOR LIFE A Newsletter for Retirees

MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS M. CARDEN THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF GEORGIA

Greetings National Guard Family, I hope this letter finds each of you having a great summer. Perhaps you have had the opportunity to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays in a more enjoyable manner this year. Take the time to enjoy your family because I know you missed many special events during your years of service.

We had the opportunity to host two Retiree Day Celebrations in May. One event was held at Clay National Guard Center in Marietta on May 11th and we had over 120 retirees and family members in attendance. Our second event was held on May 15th at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah with over 100 retirees and family members in attendance. We ask for your feedback about these events as we want to know how we can better serve you in the future. Among some of the ideas from these last events is the possibility of an event more central in the state. Please let us know if that is something you would like. Also, let us know what type of speakers and/or vendors would benefit you most as a retiree.

We are planning for our annual National Guard Birthday event on December 13th. This will be held at the Georgia National Guard Headquarters at Clay National Guard Center. More details will be published soon so plan to come help us celebrate the National Guard’s 385th Birthday.

Our goal with this newsletter is to maintain communication in order to keep you updated on the latest retiree information. In addition, we want you to know where you can get answers to any retirement related questions.

If you have specific retiree questions contact our Retirement Services Officers: ·Army - Mrs. Zulema Williams at ng.ga.gaarng.list.ngga-g1-retirements@mail.mil or (678) 596-5750 ·Air - MSgt Tyisha McNutt at tyisha.mcnutt@us.af.mil or (678) 569-5714 ·Air - TSgt Nicholas Coney at nicholas.coney@us.af.mil or (678) 569-5723 If you have records requests, contact: ·Army - Ms. Laquesha Harris, laquesha.s.harris2.ctr@mail.mil, or (678) 569-5395 ·Air - Contact the Air Wing you retired from Please share this letter with any retiree who may not have received it and ask them to reach out to us so that we may update their contact information. We remain very active on social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and FLICKR. Also, the Georgia Army National Guard has an app you can download through Google Play or the Apple Store.

As always, we appreciate your service to our state and nation. While you may no longer wear the uniform, you are an important part of the Guard family!

IN THIS ISSUE: Commanders' Corner Preparing Your Survivor Helpful Contact Info VA Welcome Kit 148th BSB Reunion 1996 Olympics And So Much More!

SEPTEMBER 2021 ISSUE

COMMANDERS' CORNER Written by Georgia Army & Air National Guard Commanders Patriots, It continues to be my honor in serving with each of the +11,000 Citizen Soldiers and family members of the Georgia Army National Guard. Your legacy continues to live on through your mentorship of those actively serving this great organization today!

The number one issue I continuously see for retirees is our challenge in communicating with our retired Guardsmen, surviving spouses, and their families. This newsletter is one small way we are trying to combat this challenge. With this, I encourage each of you to ensure that your current mailing and email addresses are updated in our systems of record, not only the DFAS myPay system but with our local systems within the Georgia Army National Guard as well.

Keeping the lines of communication open helps us to continue to provide you with first class service.

To update your DFAS contact information, simply log on to https://mypay.dfas.mil/#/ and verify your information today.

To update GAARNG contact information within our database, I ask you to send an email to Mrs. Zulema Williams at zulema.d.williams.civ@mail.mil.

Thank you for your continued service to our State and Nation!

Guardsman for Life!

BG Wilson

Georgia ANG Retirees, I would like to sincerely thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice to the state of Georgia and to our Nation. The Georgia Air National Guard is a better force today because of the contributions that you and your family made during your military career. In the uncertain times that we have experienced this past year, I am humbly amazed at the way the Georgia ANG stepped up to support our community.

Our Citizen Airmen faced a multitude of challenges in the domestic and international arenas over the past year and never wavered. When all eyes were turned to the state of Georgia to serve those in need, we answered the call. Airmen can be seen across the state and more recently beyond state lines in response to Hurricane Ida standing side by side with citizens of this great country for the greater good of the community.

As we reflect on the past and present while planning for the future, I would like to highlight several upcoming events that would be of interest to you. The first event marks the 128 ACCS 80th Anniversary to be held October 1, 2021 at Robins AFB. The second event hosted by the 165th Airlift Wing to be held October 12, 2021 in Savannah commemorates the wing’s history of 75 years serving in the GA ANG. I am proud to report the GA ANG continues to set the standard in innovation as we lean forward into cutting edge future missions for both the 116th Air Control Wing and the 165th Airlift Wing. Our current and emerging missions allows the GA ANG to continue hiring diversely qualified, dedicated, professional men and women into our ranks. I encourage you to “follow” the Georgia ANG Facebook page for details pertaining to events and employment opportunities.

Sincerely, Maj Gen Grabowski

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Participating services include USAJOBS (Office of Personnel Management) and Paycheck Protection Program (Small Business Administration). Visit the login.gov website for more information.

122ND LONG RANGE SURVEILLANCE UNIT HAS REUNION

by CPT Jason Goza On August 7th 2021, MAJ(R) Shilo Crane and former Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers, organized a reunion event for the former GAARNG’s Co H 121st LRS (ABN) (INF) company. The reunion was held at the 48th Brigade’s 3-121 armory in Cumming, GA. Over 200 former GAARNG Solders and family members attend the event. The event was organized to bring together former members of the unit for a day of fellowship, esprit de corps, and updated retiree information. The event was supported by donations, local businesses, and former GAARNG members.The day kicked off with family fun to included swimming, activities for the kids, and some static displays put on by the GAARNG Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Later that afternoon, the unit members heard from guest speaker, John Stryker “Tilt” Meyer, who is a former US Army Special Forces Vietnam veteran. Following the guest speaker, everyone enjoyed a catered meal and a raffle drawing for several items to include an AR-15 custom built rifle. The GAARNG G-1 provided an onsite ID card support team and handed out updated retiree benefit information to include updated contact information. The event concluded with a unit history slide show and a live band. The reunion was a successful event that was enjoyed by all and many members are looking to plan for an event next year.

SEPTEMBER 2021 ISSUE

GEORGIA GUARD INSURANCE TRUST PROVIDES INSURANCE TO RETIREES Written by BG (Ret) Thomas Blackstock The Georgia Guard Insurance Trust (GGIT) administrators the State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) program for Georgia National Guard members. If, upon leaving the Guard, you maintained a group term life insurance policy through the GGIT, and have continued to make the premium payments, you are covered by this policy until the end of its term. When a death occurs, we are committed to paying death benefits within 24 hours of receiving notification.

To all of you who have supported the GGIT in the past, or are continuing to support it now, we thank you. You are the reason we have been able to return all of the profits back to the Guard Member and its Associations.

Our primary effort each year is to provide educational scholarship assistance to Georgia Guard members, your children, and your grandchildren. In 2021 alone, $50,000 was given to deserving Guard families, and, over the lifetime of the program, scholarships

have

totaled

over

$861,000.The

scholarship

application can be found on our website, www.ggit.org, and the application period runs from 1 January to 1 April each year.

If you need to make a claim, or if you have any questions at all about your policy or the scholarship program, please feel free to contact us at 770-739-9651. We would be happy to hear from you!

148th Brigade Support Battalion Reunion

Are you a former “Wishmaster” of the 148th Brigade Support Battalion? If so, here is an opportunity to catch up with your former logisticians.

What: 148th Wing Ding When: Saturday, 16 October 2021 Where: Forsyth City Park Across the street from the National Guard Amory in Forsyth, Ga. Time: 10:00 - 16:00 hrs.

Hotdogs, sausage with all the trimmings, sodas & bottled water provided. Donations will be accepted.

POC is David Harper. Link to event is: 148th "Wing Ding"

Survivor Outreach Services

struggling to find important documents. To avoid this, Survivor

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Outreach recommends you put

1.MILITARY ONESOURCE 800-342-9647 https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ You and your family have access to Military OneSource for a full year after your retirement. There you can find career assistance, mental health counseling, financial counseling, and much more.

2.VA Vet Centers 1-877-927-8387 https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/ You and your loved ones have access to the Veterans Administration Vet Centers. Here you can work with counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma.

3.TAPS 800-959-8277 https://www.taps.org/ TAPS will provide additional grief support to your loved ones after your death. TAPS mission “Provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one.” There is no requirement regarding your service record or manner of death.

Please plan to add this page to your legacy binder so your loved ones know to reach out to your Retirement Services Officer first for benefits, and then SOS for additional resources in their time of grief.

together a binder with all of your important Military and civilian

BY CLAY RAGSDALE

records. Below is a list of

In 2009, the Army established the

documents to compile. You can

Survivor Outreach Services

also use the QR code (next page)

(SOS) program to demonstrate

to access the Veterans

the Army’s commitment to

Administration’s Planning Your

Families of the Fallen by

Legacy Packet.

providing support and standardized services for Active, Reserve and Army National Guard Families. After the death of a Soldier, the SOS program connects Survivors with people who can help cope with their loss, answer questions concerning benefits and put them in touch with other Survivors. The program uses a holistic and multi-agency

Get in Touch With Georgia Survivor Outreach Services:

South Georgia Families Melissa McKenzie 478-284-2766 melissa.n.mckenzie.ctr@mail.mil

Middle Georgia Families

approach to deliver services to

Clay Ragsdale

Survivors and Families of all Army

678-358-9231

components across the nation.

clay.g.ragsdale.ctr@mail.mil

Plan your Legacy: As you finalize your retirement, it is important that you prepare your family for your eventual death.

Many times, loved ones are left

North Georgia Families Catherine Ragsdale 478-284-2757 catherine.e.ragsdale.ctr@mail.mil

Department of Veterans Affairs Planning Your Legacy: VA Survivors and Burials Benefits Kit Access it here:

GEORGIA GUARD CREDIT UNION IS HERE TO SERVE YOU

BY MAJ (RET) MARK THOMPSON

With a unique understanding of the needs our Georgia National Guard members expect, we would like to invite you to become a member of the GGCU. We offer free online account access, online check ordering, direct deposit, payroll deduction, personal and secured loans at competitive rates, and multiple types of accounts offering options to fit your banking requirements.

Founded specifically to serve the banking needs of our Soldiers and Airmen, we have over 24 years of partnership with those that serve our country. Give us a call at 478-741-4428 or email us at mymoney@ggcu.org today.

REPORTING THE DEATH OF A RETIRED SOLDIER

By MAJ Aaron Holt

Whether your Soldier is a Gray Area Retiree or is receiving full retirement benefits, you need to contact the Department of the Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division (CMAOD) by calling (800) 626-3317. CMAOD will need begin the case file and will provide you the nearest case manager to ensure your benefits are transferred and properly documented.When you call CMAOD, you will need the following information: • Full name • Social security number and/or service number • Retired rank • Retirement date • Date and place of birth • Date and place of death • Disability Rating • Copy of death certificate (if received) • Circumstances surrounding the death • Next of Kin (NOK) information • Marriage Certificate Gray Area Retirees: CMAOD will verify your Soldier is still a Gray Area Retiree and alert Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) and you will be directed to the state Retirement Services Officer (RSO) for assistance in transitioning available benefits. The state RSO will assist you with obtaining a Casualty Assistance Officer to assist in coordinating Military Funeral Honors and getting a new ID card.

Your new ID card will ensure any future benefits are registered under your social security number and not your Soldier’s social security number.

Full Retirees: CMAOD will verify that your Soldier was receiving full retirement pay and benefits.

Once they confirm, they will alert Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) of the passing to stop retired pay and initiate the survivor benefits process. Your case will be directed to your local Casualty Assistance Center (CAC) that is closest to your home of residence. Once the CAC receives your case, they will assign a Casualty Assistance Officer to assist in the transition of benefits.

VA WELCOME KIT: A HANDY NAVIGATION AL TOOL

The product is specifically designed to make it easier for service members, veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors to understand the many different benefits and services offered

by VA. “Veterans remain at the center of every decision we make. It is the responsibility of every [VA] employee to deliver exceptional outcomes and MIKE GALLOUCIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VA’S BENEFIT experiences,” said Secretary EXPERIENCE DIRECTORATE McDonough. “Our individual and Veterans oftentimes receive organizational commitment to information about the Department of delivering exceptional experiences in Veterans Affairs in a fragmented way. our service delivery continues.” The VA This can create confusion and a Welcome Kit provides pertinent disjointed experience for veterans and information and helps overcome the their families as they attempt to natural apprehension most people understand and access VA’s many experience when interacting with a different services and benefits. The VA large, complex organization like VA for has produced the VA Welcome Kit to the first time. It is written in an easyspecifically address this challenge. to-understand and concise manner and Since assuming his current duties on includes information on popular VA Feb. 8, 2021, Secretary of Veterans benefits, including applying for VA Affairs Denis R. McDonough has added healthcare, a disability rating, education customer experience (CX) principles to benefits, etc.

VA’s longstanding “I CARE” (Integrity, The VA Welcome Kit highlights key Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and VA benefits and services available that Excellence) core values. can positively impact quality of life and In support of the Secretary’s intent, explains how and where to go to access the VA’s Veterans Experience Office those benefits and services. The VA (VEO) under the direction of Chief Welcome Kit also includes handy oneExperience Officer John W. Boerstler, page (front and back) Quick Start produces the VA Welcome Kit each year Guides (QSGs) focused on specific and distributes it in conjunction with topics of interest to service members, Veterans Day.

veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors validated through empirical and anecdotal field research. The Welcome Kit is regularly updated online as new information becomes available.

Within VA, the Benefits Experience (BX) Directorate is assigned responsibility for producing the VA Welcome Kit. BX is a diverse, dedicated, and effective team comprised of veterans (including several Retired Soldiers and four combat veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom) and other highly qualified men and women with many years of VA experience in different service lines. BX personnel routinely interact with veterans and family members virtually and at different venues and relies on those interactions and field research when developing content for, and identifying ways to improve, the Welcome Kit. The VA Welcome Kit can be downloaded and printed directly from the website https://www.va.gov/welcomekit. General feedback and suggestions on ways VA can improve the Welcome Kit can be sent directly to vawelcomekit@va.gov.

A YouTube video on the Welcome Kit can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/DZvITWcWutE.

List of Important Family Documents  Birth Certificates (For All Family Members)  Marriage Certificates (Present and All Previous)  Divorce Decree (Present and All Previous)  Social Security Cards (For All Family Members)

Preparing Your Survivor

By Patty Cruz, Army Survivor Benefit Plan Program Manager

When you made the decision to provide the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage for your loved one you may or may not have discussed it with them. Whether you did or not, take the next step to have a conversation about how they will claim that benefit and what they might need after you die. It can be difficult but not as difficult as it will be for your survivor to navigate without you. Prepare a folder or binder (physical or electronic) that contains all the important documents that they will need when the time comes. Take a look at the following link to a useful checklist to start your folder/binder: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/static/Post/Retired_Sol dier_Casualty_Assistance_Checklist.pdf In the event of your death, your survivor will need to report your death to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to stop your retired pay to prevent overpayment. Your survivor can report your death using the ask DFAS online form or by calling the Customer Care Center at (800) 321-1080. Once your death is reported, your survivor can then claim your Arrears of Pay and SBP annuity. Please see the link below for more detailed instructions on the DFAS website: https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/survivors/Retiree-Death/ DFAS has some helpful tools to assist your survivor through this process to include a Form Wizard for the DD Form 2656–7 Verification for Survivor Annuity, the checklist of required forms, links to the required forms, and “How To” checklists and videos.

The following webpage will provide more detailed instructions for the SBP annuity claim: https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/survivors/ApplySBP/ Lastly, you should also let your survivor know that an Army Retirement Services Officer (RSO) is always available to assist.

Contact information for the Army RSOs is located in this newsletter and on the following page: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/rso?maps=all

 Copy of Driver’s License  Copy of Military ID Cards  Immigration Documents / Naturalization Papers  Adoption / Custody Documents  Will and Deeds of Trust  Living Will  Copies of Deeds, Mortgages, Rental Contracts, etc.  Vehicle/Boat/RV Title and Registration  Insurance Policies (Life, Home, Vehicle, etc.) to include SGLV (Service members' Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate)  Income Tax Records (Past Three Years)  Documents Referring to Bank Accounts, Loans, Securities, etc.  References to Safe Deposit Boxes  References to Outstanding Debt  Copy of DD 214 / DA 1569  Copies of NGB Form 22 and NGB Form 23  Power of Attorney  DD 93 (Emergency Data)

LEGACY

Written by 165th Airlift Wing We began our proud history seventy-five years ago this October at Travis Field here in Savannah. Our Airmen have supported every U.S. conflict and responded to countless natural disasters at home.

This illustration serves to honor everyone who has served and contributed to the 165th Airlift Wing and our operations - ultimately creating our legacy of “World’s Best Airlift - America’s Best Team."

EXCITING NEWS

Written by 116th Air Control Wing

Calling all current and past members of our organization. Mark your calendars and join the 116th Air Control Wing on Facebook Live on October 1-2, 2021 for the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron and the dedication ceremony of the new F-4 Phantom II static display.

The 128th ACCS originally activated as the 128th Operations Squadron in May 1941.

The National Guard and the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games SEPTEMBER 2020, ISSUE 3

By MAJ William Carraway, Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

On July 19, 1996, the opening ceremony of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta welcomed more than 10,000 athletes from nearly 200 nations. Nearly 14,000 National Guardsmen from 47 states supported the Olympic games in the largest National Guard peacetime support mission of the 20th Century. National Guardsmen worked with civilian volunteers as well as State and Federal agencies supporting Olympic events from the Tennessee border to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Securing the Games Preparations began shortly after the International Olympic Commission announced the awarding of the Olympic Games to Atlanta in September 1990.

Initial plans called for the activation of 2,000 to 3,000 Georgia Guardsmen and assignment of 8,000 Army Soldiers to bolster civilian security efforts; however, the Department of Defense General Counsel ruled that the use of active military personnel in security roles might violate the Posse Comitatus Act which limits the use of federal military forces in law enforcement activities. The security gap would ultimately be filled by the National Guard and its Citizen Soldiers and Airmen.

Initially, National Guard personnel were to be mobilized in state active-duty status; however, due to myriad state laws, NGB authorized the use of annual training status which cleared the way for all participating states to equally fund their assigned units.

Under the direction of Maj. Gen. William P. Bland, Georgia’s Adjutant General, The Georgia National Guard established two task forces: TF Centennial Guard and TF 165.

TF Centennial Guard Aviation support, equipment and facility use, liaison and venue security were key mission elements of TF Centennial, commanded by Ga. ARNG Col. Robert Hughes. TF Centennial Guard established military venue officers to liaise with law enforcement and augment venue security. Base support officers helped coordinate support for National Guard personnel from other state who would provide critical support to security operations. Over the course of the Olympic Games, more than 11,000 National Guard personnel were assigned to TF Centennial with a peak strength of 7,000.

National Guard aviation assets were key to TF Centennial Guard. Guard aviators provided aerial reconnaissance to help coordinate traffic flow on the ground and stood ready to provide medical evacuation in the event of an emergency. Aviators from Arizona, Indiana, New Mexico and Tennessee joined Georgia Guardsmen in flying more than 600 mission hours in 22 aircraft, in addition to 700 hours in the days preceding the Games.

ONLINE TRENDS

In addition to the federal missions, TF Centennial Guard

Department of Defense Support

fielded two missions at the direction of the Governor of Georgia. These state active-duty missions were Team Hotel and TF 121.

Team Hotel was a 275-member special unit of Georgia Guardsmen tasked to secure the Olympic Village from July 1 to August 5, 1996. Team Hotel was comprised of Company H, 121st Infantry Regiment, Long Range Surveillance Unit;

The National Guard Bureau coordinated personnel and equipment resources for the Centennial Olympic Games that were beyond Georgia’s capability. A primary contributor was the 38th Infantry Division with units from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Major. Gen. Robert Mitchell, commander of the 38th Infantry Division recalled the Olympic mission.

“The real value of (the Olympics mission) was the

178th Military Police Company and the 190th MP Company.

Following the bombing of Centennial Olympic Park, TF 121 was established to augment security at Olympic venues across the state. The task force was composed of more than

performance of the individual Guardsmen,” said Mitchell. “Each was a true ambassador of goodwill representative of the games.”

The U.S. Army Forces Command established a joint task

450 Georgia Guardsmen of the 48th Infantry Brigade, recently returned from a Fort Irwin National Training Center mobilization. Units of the 1st Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment with units based in Winder, Gainesville, Covington, Lawrenceville, Eaton and Milledgeville were supplemented by cavalry scouts of the Griffin-based Troop E, 108th Cavalry and received training at the Georgia State Patrol Training Center in Forsyth, Ga. They performed security operations in conjunction with Soldiers of the Indiana National Guard operating metal detectors and staffing baggage check stations.

TF 165 Task Force 165 was commanded by Georgia Air National

force to coordinate all federal support to the Olympic Games by the Department of Defense. Commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert Hicks, Joint Task Force Olympics received and approved support requests, provided support to ten base camps and assisted in the transportation of military personnel from base camps to Olympic venues. The JTFO tasked the Army’s 24th Corps Support Group to convert an abandoned Delta Airlines hangar into a main billeting area for Guardsmen.

More than 4,000 Guardsmen and other Military personnel stayed at the facility throughout the games.

Major General Hicks praised the efforts of the National Guard at the end of Olympic support operations.

“All National Guard members performed superbly,” said

Guard Col. Steve Westgate, commander of the 165th Airlift Wing. In addition to providing military support for Olympic events in the Savannah vicinity, TF 165 established satellite communication networks in support of events statewide.

Leading the communications effort was the 283rd Communications Squadron along with personnel and equipment from the 117th Air Control Squadron and 224th Joint Communication Support Squadron.

The Ga, ANG’s Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah hosted 600 U.S. Coast Guard personnel who supported Olympic marina events. The CRTC and other base camps of TF 165 offered medical, transportation and laundry services 24 hours a day throughout the games.

Perhaps the greatest challenge faced by TF 165 was the approach of Hurricane Bertha which prompted the evacuation of personnel and athletes from the Olympic marina on July 10, 1996. Events were delayed two days until

Hicks. “The world focused on our country as the host of the Olympic Games, and it was the National Guard Soldier and Airmen who made it possible to host the largest peacetime event in history.”

the track of Hurricane Bertha carried it away from the Georgia Coast.

The Guard S ENational PTEMBER 2 0 2 0 ,Support I S S U E 1to the Centennial Olympic Games by the Numbers:

THE VOICE General • More than 30,000 personnel were assigned to security operations, including nearly 14,000 National Guardsmen from 47 states.

• National Guard missions ran from June 5 through August 25, 1996 and encompassed the Centennial Olympic Games as well as the Paralympic Games at 34 event locations.

Aviation • Approximately 500 National Guard aviation personnel participated in two separate aviation rotations totaling 40 days.

• Twenty-two National Guard aircraft flew a total of 1,300 hours prior to and during the Olympic Games.

• Air crews and equipment were provided by Georgia, Arizona, Indiana, New Mexico and Tennessee.

• Aviation units monitored traffic flow, observed route security, and were positioned to provide medical evacuation as needed.

Communications • A statewide commutations network was established and operated by the Georgia Air National Guard • The Emergency Operations Center maintained direct communication with military venue officers at all event locations and with base camp officers where Guardsmen were located.

• Multiple communications platforms were used for internal communication at venues due to wide variance of terrain and range requirements.

• Thirty-seven cell phones, 100 pagers and 464 hand-held radios were used on the ground.

Personnel • The Georgia National Guard was responsible for in-processing and credentialing National Guardsmen from 47 states.

• An Olympic database was created and maintained for the management of clothing issue, religious support and accountability.

The database tracked more than 13,000 National Guardsmen.

Logistics • Each Guardsman supporting the games required two sets of the Class B uniform.

• The Georgia National Guard’s United States Property and Fiscal Office received and issued more than 18,000 Class-B uniforms to National Guardsmen working venues during the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games.

Transportation • The Georgia National Guard established a transportation movement center at the in-processing center at Hartsfield Airport.

The center coordinated movement of troops from the airport to base camps and Olympic venues.

• More than 52,000 miles were logged in support of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games.

COPYRIGHT PORTAL TECH 2023

Helpful Contact Information for Retirees

BY MSG (RET) ZULEMA WILLIAMS

Human Resources Command (HRC) - 888-276-9472 - update address, report death, update beneficiary (death of spouse, new spouse, add dependent)

Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)- 1-800-321-1080 - pay questions

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - 1-800-827-1000 - assistance with VA claim/benefits

Tricare (East Region) - 1-800-444-5445 - Insurance questions

RAPIDS ID Card (DEERs) https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco - find a DEERS office near you - make appointment

Marietta ID Card Facility (DEERs) - 678-569-5368 - walk-ins only 0800-1500 hrs

MyPay https://mypay.dfas.mil - Monthly Retiree Account Statement (eRAS) - Tax Statement 1099R - change state and federal withholding

Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA)- 1-800-805-4603 https://www.ers.ga.gov/georgia-military-pension-fund - state pension

eBenefits https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits - VA claim status, VA payment history - VA benefit letter - apply for a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Archive Records: Laquesha Harris 678-569-5385 - request military documents

GAARNG Medical documents - Carmen Mont 678-569-9809 - request military medical documents

GAARNG Retirement Services Zulema Williams 678-569-5750 Email - ng.ga.gaarng.list.ngga-g1-retirements@mail.mil - gray area retiree questions - help submit retirement pay packets

GA ANG Military Retirement Pension Program MSgt Tyisha McNutt at tyisha.mcnutt@us.af.mil or 678-569-5714 TSgt Nicholas Coney at nicholas.coney@us.af.mil or 678-569-5723

COVID vaccine at VA https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ - All Veterans, their spouses and caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients