www.ri.ng.mil
Rhode Island National Guard
The Ocean State Guardian
Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Spring 2011
Commander’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Pre-deployment ceremony held for MEDEVAC unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Air Show Sword of Excellence awarded Col. Gallogly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mountain warfare Soldier exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Governor of Rhode Island and the Captain General of the Rhode Island National Guard
The Honorable Donald L. Carcieri The Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard
Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray Assistant Adjutant General for Army and Deputy Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard
Brig. Gen. Brian W. Goodwin Commander, Joint Force Headquarters, Rhode Island National Guard
Col. Marcus Jannitto Assistant Adjutant General for Air Rhode Island National Guard
Brig. Gen. Paul L. Ayers Managing Editor State Public Affairs Officer
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Pg. 12
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143d Airlift Wing works on operational readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1207th FSC & 103rd FA in Kuwait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 A rare sight: C-130J Rhode Island fly-by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Air Guard/Army Guard hockey game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 “Amazing Chemical Race” adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 R.I. National Guard Soldiers support military values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Social media growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 ESGR helps protect rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lt. Col. Denis Riel
Did you know...? The Rhode Island Guard in World War I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Public Affairs Specialists
Guardsmen learn chainsaw use, maintenance and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Sgt. Megan Burmeister Sgt. Peter Ramaglia Public Affairs Office (401) 275-4038
The Ocean State Guardian “Flashback” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE • (401) 275-4038 • ngristaffpao@ng.army.mil
ON THE COVER
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ngristaffpao@ng.army.mil Bob Ulin Publisher Justin Ritter Graphic Designer
Cover Composed by Sgt. Peter Ramaglia, Public Affairs Specialist
Marie Lundstrom Editor Chris Kersbergen Darrell George Advertising Sales
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The Ocean State Guardian is published by AQP Publishing, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the Rhode Island National Guard, under written contract with the Rhode Island National Guard. This Rhode Island National Guard magazine is an authorized publication for employees and military members of the Rhode Island National Guard. Contents of this publication are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the state of Rhode Island, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or the Rhode Island National Guard. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the state of Rhode
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Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray, Adjutant General, Commanding General, Rhode Island National Guard
More than 5,500 men and women of the Rhode Island National Guard, Army and Air, all volunteers, have been mobilized since September 11, 2001, many of them multiple times. The Guard has deployed not just in Iraq and Afghanistan but all over the globe, including, the Horn of Africa, Guantanamo, Kuwait, and South America. At the same time, the Guard is conducting defensive operations on the home front, supporting the security requirements of the states, responding to catastrophes and disasters, securing airports, providing border security, fighting fires, and staging search-and-rescue and counternarcotics missions, including the Spring floods and hurricane Earl of this past year. These achievements and this service have not come without cost in hardship and heartbreak. Twenty four Rhode Island service men and women, including four from the Rhode Island National Guard, have made the ultimate sacrifice over the past ten years. Scholars and policy makers have determined that we, the United States, have entered into a period “persistent conflict.” What that means is that unlike the period of the Cold War during which there were relatively few regional wars and a focus on a single potential for a major conflict, nuclear war; there now exists the potential for frequent regional
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strife around the world. Notice the word “conflict” as opposed to “war.” The distinction is significant. In an era of persistent conflict, the full spectrum of possibilities exists. Conflict may include war, such as we have seen in Iraq and Afghanistan, to political unrest, such as we are seeing in Egypt. In either event, the United States and its military will potentially play a major roll. The National Guard, both Army and Air, will likely continue, now that they have truly become an “operational” force, to be called upon for deployments in support of the full spectrum of contingencies that the Unites States may be called upon to engage or respond to. It makes sense for a number of reasons. In the past almost ten years since the beginning of the Global War on Terror, both the Army and Air National Guard have been modernized and equipped for relevance. Both have demonstrated the value of their civilian acquired skills as a multiplier when added to the stability phase of engagement. Both have demonstrated the warrior ethos and capability to be effective in combat. Both have demonstrated within Army Force Generation and the Air Expeditionary Force the capacity to mobilize and deploy as a portion of the total force requirement.
So what does this mean for the Rhode Island National Guard? At face value, it clearly means that our operations tempo will continue to demand that Soldier’s and Airmen are well trained, well equipped, and well lead for the next rotation and deployment, wherever that may and for whatever mission that may be. Along with an operational force comes opportunity and challenges. Opportunity for career progression, employment and benefits, to utilize the skills trained for, and to go and see distant places. Challenges such as spouse and family separation, the risk that comes with being in harm’s way, and strained employer/employee relations exist. All of which demands a partnership between the service member, the family, the employer, the State, the National Guard, the Congress, and many others who have responsibility and involvement. In the past almost ten years now, we have grown a network of resources, supported by the base budget of the services, to ensure that the needs of our service members and their families are met. It is not lost on Congress or the senior leaders of the Services that the primary reason our nation has been able to sustain this “long war,” is because of our service members and their families. Their commitment and resilience have made it possible for us to continue to defend our nation’s values and the cause of freedom around the globe. Consequently, even in these difficult economic and budget times, the commitment to sustain programs that support our service members is solid. In closing, your commitment to service is matched by our commitment to ensure you are the best trained, equipped, lead, and supported force this nation and the world has ever seen. Thanks for what you do today and for what you will do again in the future.
Commander’s Column Once again I find myself saying thank you in appreciation of all you have accomplished over the past several months. As we head into the third quarter of this fiscal/ training year, our readiness posture has never been better because of all the hard work accomplished by everyone in every facet of this organization and its operations. This hard work has placed us in an excellent position. With the deployments that have taken place to date [103rd FA Bn, Co F 1/126th Avn, 43d MP Bde, and A/182d Inf Co], recruiting and retention play a critical role in allowing the Rhode Island Army National Guard the ability to support both our federal and state missions. This winter has gone down in the Rhode Island history books as one of the worst on record. Numerous snow storms required the activation of the State Emergency Operations center as well as the RING Joint Operations Center. This, in turn, required the commands to man the armories throughout these events on a stand-by status, thus ensuring that the safety of the citizens of this great state was never in jeopardy. Throughout it all we never lost focus.
While ensuring the safety of the citizens, we continued to prepare Soldiers and their families for pending deployments. We ensured that all requirements were met and that every Soldier was well prepared to carry out their respective federal mission while further ensuring that their families were well cared for and had the information necessary to assist them throughout these extremely difficult times. Again, I would like to thank everyone—Soldiers, families and employers—for their exceptional hard work and dedication during these past few months, ensuring that the Rhode Island Army National Guard remains a vibrant, relevant and ready force. Your dedication, devotion and loyalty are tremendous, and I look forward to serving alongside each and every one of you in the future. Brig. Gen. Brian Goodwin Assistant Adjutant General for Army and Deputy Commanding General, Rhode Island National Guard
Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Pre-deployment ceremony held for MEDEVAC unit
By Army Staff Sgt. William Andrews 110th Public Affairs Detachment Photos: Army Sgt. Peter Ramaglia, 110th Public Affairs Detachment
A pre-deployment ceremony was held on Jan. 8, 2011, for F Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation (MEDEVAC) at the Air Aviation Support Facilty on Quonset Air National Guard Base. F Company is deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with an anticipated return in January 2012. This will be the first deployment for some of the Soldiers, while many others deployed in support of both Operation Noble Eagle in 2003 or Iraq in 2005 as part of the Global War on Terror. In Operation Noble Eagle the unit fulfilled a support mission for active duty Army bases in the southeastern area of the United States. F Company, then the 249th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) flying UH-1 Hueys, provided support for the active duty forces so units equipped with the 4
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UH-60s could go forward in support of the war effort. The Rhode Island unit will join their two detachments from Delaware and Wyoming and, as a complete unit, will field 155 personnel and 15 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. They will support ground combat operations and move civilian personnel as directed by the ground operations commander. The Soldiers and helicopters of F Company will play an essential role in the success of ground operations in Afghanistan. The rough terrain often makes helicopters the only option for transporting personnel and supplies. The unit’s Black Hawk helicopters are capable of carrying an entire 11-person, fully-equipped infantry squad, transporting them in most weather conditions, faster than in predecessor systems.
Air Show Sword of Excellence awarded to Col. Gallogly By Air Force Msgt. Janeen Miller 143rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Col. Lawrence Gallogly, commander of the 143d Airlift Wing, was presented with the International Council of Air Shows Sword of Excellence at the ICAS Conference Chairman’s Banquet held Dec. 8, 2010, in recognition of his outstanding service and contributions to the air show community. Since 1981, the International Council of Air Shows Sword of Excellence has been synonymous with air show excellence. Given each year to recognize outstanding service and personal contributions to the air show industry, the Sword is widely considered to be the single highest honor an individual air show professional can receive. Over the last 28 years, 35 different Sword recipients have been honored for their leadership, service, innovation, vision, commitment and selfless contributions to the air show business. The award was created in 1981 to recognize the highest levels of achievement in the air show world. Since then, the stature and visibility of the ICAS Sword of Excellence have increased as the list of past recipients has grown. The single common characteristic of these air show performers, event organizers, military representatives, government officials and air show industry activists is their selfless commitment to improving and contributing not just to their own air show businesses, but to the entire air show industry. Gallogly was recognized for his two decades of work in creating and building the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show at Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown. During that time the event has raised more than $1.5 million for Hasbro Children’s Hospital and hundreds of thousands for other local charities. It has developed a reputation as the top military air show in the United States and one of the top three air shows of any kind in North America. Gallogly has also served eight years on the ICAS board of directors and was selected by his peers to serve a one-year term as chairman of the board during a difficult and turbulent period of transition for the organization. 6
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Col. Gallogly and his wife Liz
From left, Col. Lawrence Gallogly’s wife Liz, Gallogly, Dan McLaren, owner of Mach 1 Productions and newly appointed chairman of the ICAS board of directors, and his wife Martina.
From left, Chief Master Sgt. Gary Austin, Air Show maintenance/flightline operations; Brig. Gen. (Select) Marcus Jannitto, Joint Force Headquarters commander; Col. Larry Gallogly, 143d Airlift Wing commander; Lt. Col. Arthur Floru, 143d Operations Group commander/Air Show business director; Col. Robert Germani Jr., 143d AW vice commander/ Air Show director; and Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, Air Show mulitmedia director
Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Mountain warfare Soldier exchange
Story and photos by Army Sgt. Megan Burmeister
The air was crisp, clear and chilly Nov. 19, 2010, and the water was freezing. The Fort Wetherill State Park was almost empty that morning, with only a few dedicated dog walkers and some of the Soldiers from Rhode Island’s A Co., 1/182nd IN. This was the capstone exercise in a weeklong Soldier exchange between the Rhode Island National Guard and the Republic of Kazakhstan. Soldiers from both places were going to “attack” Fort Wetherill from the sea, climbing the rock face to reach the fort itself.
Sgt. 1st Class Allen Towle works with a Kazakhstani Soldier to make it over the most difficult part of the ascent.
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Staff Sgt. Jeff Barlow, NCOIC of the exercise, explains the rules of the exercise to the Kazakhstani Soldiers before beginning the assault on Fort Wetherill. (Right) A Kazakhstani Soldier covers the last few feet before completing the ascent up Fort Wetherill, Jamestown, R.I. (Left) Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray discusses how the exchange is going with the delegation commander, Maj. Askhat Abduvaitov, as 1st Lt. Michael White looks on.
The ten Kazakhstani Soldiers and the Soldiers of the 182nd launched their inflatable Zodiac boats into the bay, landed on the rocks around Fort Wetherill, then ascended the rock face that juts into the Atlantic Ocean. Once at the top, the Kazakhstani Soldiers used paint ball guns to take over the location from other members of the 182nd acting as opposing forces. Maj. Askhat Abduvaitov, commander of Mountain Battalion of Regional Command “South,” expressed his pleasure at being able to come and learn with the Soldiers of the Rhode Island National Guard. “The experience has been wonderful. We have learned many things and already plan on taking the lessons back home with us. We hope that you have learned as much from us,” he said. The Kazakhstani Soldiers returned home on Nov. 21 after a trip to Wal-Mart.
Soldiers of A Co., 1/182nd IN, and the Kazakhstani Soldiers stand together for a group photo before starting the final exercise of the weeklong exchange.
Staff Sgt. Jason Roberts stands with a member of the Kazakhstan delegation.
Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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143d Airlift Wing
works on operational readiness By Air Force Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
In November 2010 approximately 50 members of the 143d Airlift Wing ew to Volk Field, Wis., for an Operational Readiness Training Program exercise. The ORTP is designed to train teams in Command and Control, basic Ability to Survive and Operate skills, individual and team skills, and leadership through a series of hands-on and table top exercises. ORTP is divided into four parts, each for a speciďŹ c group of teams. The 143d joined the 136th Airlift Wing from Fort Worth, Texas for this ORTP. 10
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Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Soldiers with CET 15, 3/197th FA, gather for a photograph at K Crossing, Dec. 30, after completing a six-day long haul up into the heart of Iraq. From left, kneeling, Spc. Alex Montanez, Sgt. Henry Joly, Sgt. Patrick Morgan, Spc. Mark Braden, Spc. Allen Burrell, and Staff Sgt. Joseph Martin. From left, standing, 1st Lt. Elias Nogueras, Spc. Shane Skinner, Spc. Hans Measley, Spc. William Reilly, Spc. Charles Enos, Spc. Steven Burns, Sgt. Adam Coyle, Staff Sgt. Luis Lubo, Sgt. Carlos Saez, Sgt. Juan Ocampo, and Spc. Daniel Hinkley.
A convoy escort team from 1/103rd FA, Rhode Island Army Guard, bows heads in prayer before the start of a long-haul mission on Christmas Eve. The CET is attached to 3/197th FA.
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Photo: Maj. Greg Heilshorn, 197th FIB PAO
As a kind of right of passage, Spc. Richard Tardiff of Scituate, R.I., faces off with a spiny-tailed lizard or dhub in the Kuwait desert during a recent patrol of Camp Arifjan. Tardiff, a Soldier with the 1207th Forward Support Company, R.I. Army Guard, is a gunner and driver for a Quick Reaction Force. Photos: Spc. Tom Mercurio, C Company, QRF, Task Force 1/182nd FA.
The 103rd FA begins watch at Camp Virginia, Kuwait.
The 1/103rd FA, Rhode Island Army Guard, inducted six Soldiers into the Order of Saint Barbara, a military honor society for U.S. Army and Marine Corps cannoneers, Jan. 9, at Camp Virginia, Kuwait. The recipients were Capt. Gary Helton Jr., Sgt. 1st Class Donald Deslauriers and Staff Sgts. Thomas Kay, Kim Krajczynski, Ademildo Lopes, and Joseph Pearl. Photos: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Stack, 1/103rd FA PA
Convoy Escort Team 15, Bravo Company, 3/197th FA, completed a six-day haul into Iraq beginning on Christmas Eve. The group of Rhode Island National Guard Soldiers provided security while 2nd Platoon, 1244th Transportation Co., Illinois National Guard, ran the convoy. Photos: Maj. Greg Heilshorn, 197th FIB PAO.
Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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A rare sight By Air Force Master Sgt. Janeen Miller 143rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
If you happened to look up to the sky in the late afternoon on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, you were in for a treat. Seven C-130J aircraft flew in formation over Rhode Island and southern New England in a rare training mission. The seven aircraft included five from Rhode Island’s 143rd Airlift Wing and two from the 37th Airlift Wing out of Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany. The two aircraft stopped in little Rhody on their way to the annual Mobility Air Force Exercise “MAFEX” at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nev.. At the end of the training mission, all seven aircraft fell into formation and flew over Quonset Air National Guard Base in North Kingstown, causing several cars to stop in their tracks just to take in the awesome site. So, no, it was not the Air Show, it was our men and women in blue working together to stay mission ready and get the job done!
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Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Air Guard/ Guard/Army Guard /Army Guard hockey game /Army
FINAL SCORE: AIR GUARD
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ARMY GUARD
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The National Guard Association of Rhode Island held its annual Army Guard-Air Guard Hockey Game on 12 December 2010 this year with the Air posting an 8-4 victory over the Army to retain the Adjutant General’s Cup. The game, whose annual schedule has been disturbed this past decade due to deployments, is used to raise funds for a worthy cause. More than $19,500 were raised this year for the benefit of the Wounded Warrior Project. In a state where high school hocey is king of the interscholastic sports scene, this annual matchup allows a significant number of Soldiers and Airmeni, who played youth, high school, or college hockey, to renew old rivalaries as they lace up
their skates for charity. “This is just another great example of our Guard members continuing to serve their community, and in this case, their fellow Wounded Warrirors” noted Major General Bray as he presented the cup to the Air in a post game ceremony that included the singing of both the Army and Air Force songs.
Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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“Amazing Chemical Race”
adventure
By Air Force Master Sgt. Janeen Miller 143rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
On Nov. 7, 2010, all of the 143rd Operations Group gathered in the auditorium of building P7 in PT gear awaiting instruction and wondering what was in store for them on a Sunday afternoon of the UTA. Maj. Michael McCarron, a pilot with the 143rd Airlift Squadron, came in with a bull horn blaring in attempt to gather the attention of the group and motivate them to get excited for their next adventure, “The Amazing Chemical Race”. McCarron explained the rules: the group would be split into teams and given a route to follow. Stations were placed in various spots around Quonset Air National Guard base. At each station each team was to perform a series of physical training exercises as a group and then answer several questions from the Airman’s Manual, AFPAM 10-100, about the Ability to Survive and Operate. The lowest ranking member of each team was assigned as the leader and spokesperson. Once all of the questions from the station were answered, the team was released to run, in formation, to the next station on their map. The teams were judged on speed, teamwork, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the ATSO questions. The point of “The Amazing Chemical Race” was not to pit members of the group against each other, but to encourage the members to work together as a team and also to combine the importance of staying “fit to fight” and keeping fresh in memory the concept of ATSO in preparation for the upcoming Inspector General Exercise. 18
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R.I. National Guard Soldiers Support Military Values AIR VALUE:
Excellence in All We Do Capt. Collin Dunn,
Lights, camera, Airman!
143rd Airlift Wing
By Lt. Col. Bruce Fletcher
On Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, there was a commander’s call for all Rhode Island Air National Guard Members at the North Kingstown High School. Brig. Gen. Paul Ayers, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, had sent out a desired format to the each organization, both Air and Army, that was designed to inform and enlighten our Airmen about the different missions and the value that each Airman adds to mission accomplishment. The format called for a sharp member of each unit – not the commander – to brief the 700-plus Airmen on all the “cool stuff” we do. The briefers did not disappoint – they all did a fantastic job. However,
and I think everyone would agree, one briefer went “above and beyond.” With the main lights off and the spotlights aimed stage left, Capt. Collin Dunn, representing the men and women of the 143d Airlift Wing, made a movie star entrance to a cheering crowd. With a dramatic note as his cue, Dunn, using a multimedia backdrop, began a well choreographed and riveting narration of the 143rd’s mission and its contributions to service during the year. Dunn perfectly timed his narration to match the media on the screen and tempo of the music . He used specific examples of accomplishments made by units, as well as
individuals, to support his presentation. His conclusion was met by a prompt standing ovation, thundering applause and loud cheers. He nailed it. Dunn was allowed 10 minutes to tell the story – it was timed at 10 minutes and 2 seconds – the overage is forgiven. The captain prepared, rehearsed, reviewed, tweaked and rehearsed in order to accurately represent his Wing, and the excellence in all they do. Mission accomplished.
ARMY VALUE:
Duty
Pfc. Kevin Ariza,
JFHQ - Joint Operations Center
Pfc. Kevin Ariza began working in the Joint Operations Center in August 2010 as the watch desk specialist. The watch desk position plays a vital and intricate role in the operation of the JOC during routine and emergency operations. The watch desk is responsible for all communications that are received and conveyed, from weekly radio checks and assisting our deployed Soldiers with calling home to ensuring that all orders and directions coming in and out of the command are complete and understood. The watch desk is also responsible for tracking all commanders’ critical information and reports and providing the command
with a written log of events. Ariza performed his duties superbly during several emergency operations including Hurricane Earl and the recent snow storms. From the start he impressed his superiors with his knowledge and competence and demonstrated impeccable administrative skills, professionalism and military bearing. Ariza volunteered to deploy with the 43rd Military Police Brigade as an administrative specialist, which only reinforces his commitment as a Soldier in Rhode Island Army National Guard.
If you know someone who should be profiled as living the Army or Air Force Values, please contact Sgt. Megan Burmeister at (401) 275-4038 or megan.burmeister@us.army.mil Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Social media growing By Army Sgt. Peter Ramaglia Public Affairs Specialist
If you haven’t already “liked” the Rhode Island National Guard’s Facebook page, there is no better time than now. As of Feb.1, 2011, The Rhode Island National Guard’s Facebook page had more than 3,350 people who “like” it, and the numbers are growing. On the Rhode Island National Guard’s Facebook page, you can find links to the latest events happening around Rhode Island and within the Guard. You can also see pictures and videos of your Guardsmen at work. With its Facebook page launched in May 2008, the R.I. Guard has taken a strong stance in the realm of social media and social networking services. The R.I. Guard social media campaign started with Facebook only, but now has branched out to Twitter, YouTube, Issuu, and Flickr. Currently Facebook still has the strongest following and with the release of the new R.I. Guard social media policy in coming months, that following is expected to grow. The policy is currently being finalized and should better guide commanders and their soldiers about the Rhode Island National Guard’s official stance in regard to social media and social networking services sites. The policy will also explain what is expected of a unit who wants to establish a presence in the social media realm if they haven’t done so already. For units who already have a presence on social media/networking sites, this policy will explain how to register their presence so that it can be recognized by the Rhode Island National Guard. You can “like” the Rhode Island National Guard on Facebook at http://www. facebook.com/RhodeislandNationalGuard. 20
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ESGR helps protect rights By Brian Lafauci ESGR Executive Director, Rhode Island
Recent and upcoming deployments put a huge amount of stress on our Rhode Island National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and on their families. By the same token, these deployments also put an inordinate amount of stress on the employers of our Soldiers and Airmen. The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is here to help foster a strong relationship between our deploying troops and their employers. Our mission is to help troops and their employers understand, appreciate and adhere to both the letter and the spirit of the law that protects the civilian employment of our deploying Soldiers and Airmen. However, this law, the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, or USERRA, is purposely designed to protect both the uniformed employee and the employer. Most of our Soldiers and Airmen are very good about keeping an open channel of communication between themselves and their employers. They give as much advance notice as possible regarding upcoming deployments, or even the mere possibility of one. While the letter of the law does not require extensive advance notice, these uniformed employees understand that the spirit of the law intends for uniformed employees to give as much advance notice as possible to their employers. Imagine a small business owner with four employees, one of whom is in the Guard or Reserve. If that uniformed employee deploys without sufficient notice, the employer loses 25 percent of his or her work force with little time to find a suitable replacement. The result is lost business and lost income for the employer. Equally problematic is a larger organization, such as a police department, which has five of its 60 police officers in the Guard or Reserve. If two or three of these police officers are deployed at the same time and leave without giving their employer adequate notice, the city or town is left in an terribly unsafe situation. Put very bluntly, both these situations are extremely unfair to the employers and those they serve—their customers or the taxpayers. So, let me emphasize this strongly! ESGR is here to help protect your employment and reemployment rights. We also are here to help protect the rights of your employer. We seek to make sure both of you are talking to each other. Communication is the key! The best way you, our Rhode Island Soldiers and Airmen, can do the most to protect your country is to also help protect your employers by living up to the letter and the spirit of the law. Please don’t shortchange your employer in this regard. Thank You!
From left, Program Manager Ariana McNeil and Executive Director Brian Lafauci of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Rhode Island.
Executive Director Brian Lafauci of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Rhode Island, presents certificates of appreciation to employers at a benefit breakfast Nov. 19, 2010. The certificates of appreciation are for employers who support their citizen-Soldier employees by supporting the ESGR.
Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Did you know‌? The Rhode Island National Guard in World War I
Henry F. Muenzel
Spring 2011 / Rhode Island National Guard
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Guardsmen learn chainsaw use, maintenance and safety Story and photos by Army Sgt. Megan Burmeister
Mike Pateneaude, an applications specialist from Stihl, describes the proper angle for felling a standing tree.
Soldiers and Airmen of the Rhode Island National Guard bundled up and headed out into the woods around Camp Fogarty, East Greenwich, R.I., to learn more about chainsaws. After several instances of National Guard members needing to cut through fallen trees during times of state emergencies, the state purchased 30 chainsaws for the units. Part of the purchase included a free class on proper chainsaw use and maintenance. Mike Pateneaude, an applications specialist from Stihl, the outdoor power equipment company, gave 25 Soldiers and Airmen a daylong class. The instruction included how to sharpen the saw’s chain and basic maintenance. “This is a first-line user’s safety course on chainsaws, which will allow the R.I. Guard to respond to storm damage throughout the state,” said State Safety Officer First Sgt. George Desrochers. “The class gives Soldiers and Airmen the knowledge and tools needed to stay safe on the job.” Spc. Steven Mott, a range maintenance specialist at Camp Fogarty, East Greenwich, R.I., listens to last minute instructions before being the first to use the chainsaw.
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