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March 2012 Vol. 7 No. 2 GRIZZLYOfficial Newsmagazine of the California National Guard Save at sea 129th brings lifesaving skills to offshore ship 8 CNG honors Airmen of the Year www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs14 1 Leadership Corner CNG, employers join forces March Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin The men and women of the California National Guard are sess their marketable attributes and link them with ap- selfless patriots who put their lives on the line to protect propriate employers. this country and this state. They shouldn’t have to put CNG troops are always ready their careers on the line as well, but sadly that happens The program staff will take into account service mem- all too often. when called upon and always bers’ career goals, background, experience and education — both civilian and military — and counsel them on how Since Sept. 11, 2001, CNG members have mobilized more there for those who need us. to present those outstanding attributes. Then the staff will than 38,000 times in support of the global fight against place those prospective employees in front of hiring busi- terrorism. While Californians are undoubtedly grate- Those are not traits that simply nesses for job interviews. ful for their service, many may be hesitant to hire Guard members because of the possibility of future deployments disappear when we take off the On the program’s website, which will launch soon, ser- that will cause prolonged absences from work. vice members will be able to upload their resume for uniform: They are traits that review by Cal Guard staff, who will contact the service The U.S. is experiencing troubling economic circumstanc- member directly. CNG personnel will then offer tips on es, and all categories of workers are facing difficulties employers can count on. improving the service member’s resume and discuss op- finding employment. But those difficulties are magnified - Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin tions for potential employment. for National Guard veterans. The Adjutant General Also on the website, prospective employers will be able The nationwide unemployment rate was 8.5 percent in to sign up to be part of the program’s employment net- December, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Sta- work. Upon submitting contact information, employers tistics, while in California it exceeded 11 percent. Even should expect to receive a call promptly to work out the worse, a June 2011 analysis showed the rate of unemploy- nus, employers can benefit from tax credits when hiring details of connecting qualified Soldiers and Airmen with ment in some states was twice as high for Guard members veterans. their businesses. who recently returned from overseas tours as it was for the general population. And so far, the statistics do not Fortunately we are not the only people who recognize Military experience should be seen as an advantage to em- seem to be improving. those valuable traits. California Military Department per- ployers — not a detriment — and the businesses that have sonnel have been working with John A. Perez, the speaker signed up to be part of this new employment initiative are In June 2011, the jobless rate for all veterans in the U.S. of the California State Assembly, as well as several high- likely only the tip of the iceberg. National Guard service who had served at any time since September 2001 was profile employers in a variety of industries that are eager produces selfless, team-oriented leaders and followers 13.3 percent. That was up from 12.1 percent in May 2011, to hire just that type of hard-working, selfless, highly mo- with integrity, decisiveness, punctuality and a contagious and up from 11.5 percent in June 2010. Due to the draw- tivated performer with a military background. can-do attitude. We will market those traits across Cali- down of combat forces overseas, there were about 211,000 fornia until businesses seeking National Guard members more veterans in the nationwide labor force in June 2011 Speaker Perez and those employers are the first to join are the norm rather than the exception. than there were only one year earlier. forces with the California Military Department in an ef- fort to reduce unemployment in the California National CNG troops are always ready when called upon and al- We know employers miss out on top-notch employees Guard by 25 percent in the next 12 months. ways there for those who need us. Those are not traits that when they turn aside returning CNG members. Guards- simply disappear when we take off the uniform: They are men bring all the best characteristics of Soldiers and Air- Thanks to $500,000 in funding from Speaker Perez’s of- traits that employers can count on. Now CNG members men to their civilian work — invaluable traits such as fice, the new employment program based at California can count on the California Military Department to help dedication, responsibility, loyalty, calm under pressure Military Department Headquarters in Sacramento will them find companies that appreciate and reward those and a mission-oriented, no-fail mindset. As an added bo- work individually with job-seeking CNG members to as- values. Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Wang Sgt. Staff Michael by Photo 2011 Unemployment UNITED STATES total unemployed in Dec. 2011 14,393,000 in Dec 2010 13,097,000 Unemployment rate in Dec. 2011 9.4% in Dec 2010 8.5% CALIFORNIA total unemployed in Dec. 2011 2,021,200 2,272,500 in Dec 2010 Unemployment rate in Dec. 201111.1% 12.5% in Dec 2010 POST-9/11 VETS veterans unemployed in Dec. 2011 248,000 210,000 in Dec 2010 Unemployment rate in Dec. 201113.1% 11.7% in Dec 2010 1,000,000 workers = Source: U.S Department of Labor 2 Quake, rattle GrizzlyThe Official Newsmagazine of and roll the California National Guard March 12 Vol. 7 No. 2 2012 Publisher Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin The Adjutant General Director of Communications Maj. Thomas Keegan Editor A good Brandon Honig 6 Graphics and design Investment End of Mission Senior Airman Jessica Green 13 Editorial Staff 1st Lt. Will Martin TABLE OF CONTENTS 2nd Lt. Jan Bender Staff Sgt. (CA) Jessica Cooper Extreme camp makeover Supporting young athletes 4 Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III visited 13 The CNG sponsors an annual Sacramento-area rugby event Camp Roberts to learn about a host of planned improvements OMI creates leaders, poets Submissions Presidential airspace Sixty-seven cadets at the Oakland Military Institute showed The 144th Fighter Wing flew into action when a civilian plane their confidence, leadership and talent at Family Poetry Night Articles: 5 entered President Barack Obama’s airspace over Los Angeles 250-300 words for a half-page story; 600- Airmen of the Year 800 words for a full-page article A fitting tribute 14 The CNG recognized its Outstanding Airmen of the Year Include first and last names, and verify An Army Reserve Center will be named for Capt. John Gaf- spelling faney, who died trying to stop a shooter on Fort Hood 146th CES: Prime BEEF 16 The 163rd Civil Engineering Squadron sent a Base Engineer Spell out acronyms, abbreviations and full Wireless delivery Emergency Force to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for six months unit designations on first reference Senior Airman Alvin Fajardo wasn’t going to let a 6,000-mile If there is a public affairs officer assigned to distance stand in the way of witnessing his daughter’s birth Paying back the American dream your unit, ensure he or she reviews it Spc. Rene Zamora, who made a great life for himself after Homeland security guard fleeing Nicaragua, says ‘Thank you’ through service Photographs: 6 Joint Task Force Sierra disbanded after 1 1/2 years support- Highest resolution possible: MB files, not KB ing Customs and Border Protection near San Diego 40th ID shines in Thailand The annual Cobra Gold exercise united 7 countries’ militaries No retouched photos Life after mission Caption (what is happening, who is pictured 7 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve will help former Heartfelt thanks for heroic actions and the date of the photo) members of JTF Sierra find full-time employment 17 A man involved in a devastating car accident reached out to express his gratitude for a Soldier’s quick response Credit (who took the photo) 948 saves and counting 8 The 129th Rescue Wing continued saving lives in February, Airmen put lifesaving skills to use E-mail submissions by the 15th this time 200 miles off the California coast Four Airmen used their military training to save three lives of the month to: outside their Guard duties in recent months [email protected] Imparting a nation’s gratitude CNG honor guards perform 1,000 funeral services a month G.I. Bill: Don’t let it go to waste Feedback: The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill can help you make more money [email protected] Kiowa hangs up its rotors 18 9 The OH-58 Kiowa helicopter served the Army in many roles Sergeants major looking out for troops during 42 years in operation The Sergeants Major Association is working for you Cover Shot Rolling through the rubble Master of the ordnance universe 12 The 115th Regional Support Group simulated “the big one” Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Dixon reached an elite instructor status Cover Shot to test its troop-transport capability Youth academies generate big ROI FEATURES 13 An independent study shows National Guard youth acad- 2 Leadership Corner 19 News & Benefits emies bring $2.66 in social benefits for every $1 spent 10 At a Glance 19 Did You Know? California National Guard mobilizations as of February 2012 Afghanistan/Bahrain/Iraq/Kuwait/ Kyrgyzstan/Oman/Qatar/United Asia Arab Emirates/Horn of Africa Europe (115) Photograph by Senior Airman Jessica Green Continental U.S.