Vigilant Guard Cal Guard’S Rescue Skills Tested in Large- Scale Earthquake Reponse Exercise Pages 8-9
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November-DecemberNovember-December20162016 Vol.11Vol.11 No.No. 66 GRIZZLYGRIZZLYOfficialOfficial NewsmagazineNewsmagazine ofof thethe CaliforniaCalifornia NationalNational GuardGuard Vigilant Guard Cal Guard’s rescue skills tested in large- scale earthquake reponse exercise pages 8-9 Top Soldiers compete at Best Warrior pages 6-7 www.calguard.ca.gov/pa Leadership Corner Marijuana remains illegal for Soldiers and Airmen Major General David S. Baldwin In California, a proposition recently passed to allow pare to the ravaging effects of methamphetamine. dential. Your commander will be notified and will the recreational use of marijuana, a change from pre- receive reports on your progress. vious law that only allowed for medicinal use. One Among other health consequences, methamphet- thing, however, has not changed: Marijuana use – amine can cause severe heart problems, sometimes Commanders understand that a troop coming for- both medicinal and recreational – remains illegal for resulting in death, even in young users. It causes tre- ward to seek help shows strength. Seeking help for all Soldiers and Airmen. mendous tooth decay. And it causes “formication,” your addiction is the best way to ensure you are mis- the sensation of something under your skin, which sion-ready and performing to the best of your abil- Your neighbors in California may start using mari- prompts users to scratch themselves until they create ity. Your safety and that of everyone in your unit de- juana and ignoring the federal ban. But if you break scabs and lesions. pends on your ability to perform, and we welcome that federal law, you will be breaking your oath as a service members who recognize this responsibility member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The long-term health consequences of meth are dra- and admit they cannot solve their problem alone. matic and unavoidable. Service members who test positive for any illegal Soldiers who are proactive and reveal their sub- substance, including marijuana, will be reviewed by Perhaps most striking is the change methamphet- stance abuse will receive protections from certain our Judge Advocate General Corps and processed amine brings about in the brain. Methamphetamine administrative actions: Your disclosure will not be for separation in accordance with Army regulation is known to elicit violent behavior in its users. The used against you in a court-martial or Uniform Code or Air Force instruction. The service member’s chain argument that drug use is a “victimless crime” does of Military Justice action. And if separation is found of command will make a recommendation, and ul- not hold here, as meth users’ addictions often cause to be an appropriate action, the characterization of timately, as adjutant general, I will make the final them to commit other illegal acts. the discharge will not be affected by your disclo- determination on separation. sure. If you have a prescription for a stimulant to treat This applies to members of the California State Mili- attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or a similar The Air Guard maintains a strict drug policy and tary Reserve (CSMR) as well. CSMR members who condition, do not be fooled into thinking you can does not provide a similar “limited use policy” pro- possess, use or distribute marijuana, on or off duty, therefore test positive for meth and get away with tection. are subject to disciplinary actions up to and includ- it. Our drug-screening process distinctly detects the ing separation, non-judicial punishment, state court two substances. When you signed up for the Guard, you promised to marital, or civilian prosecution. protect your state, your nation and your brothers- If you are currently using marijuana, methamphet- and sisters-in-arms to the best of your ability. That Again, the recent change in California law will have amine or any other substance banned by the Defense means maintaining peak physical and mental condi- no effect on any case. Department, I implore you to stop using it now. If tion so you can perform your duties in a manner that you are a Soldier or Airman who is unable to stop, brings pride to your branch of service. Even a single use of an illegal drug may be detect- there is help available through your chain of com- able in your system long after use, and the Defense mand. Don’t make a mistake that will compromise your Department drug-screening process will catch you. unit’s safety and jeopardize your military career. If you reveal your substance-abuse issue to an Army Marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the chaplain, the Cal Guard’s Army Substance Abuse Every Army unit must complete Strong Choices, federal Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning Program or an officer or noncommissioned officer a training program presented by the Cal Guard’s it has a high potential for abuse. The drug may dull in your chain of command, we will help you get the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). If your your memory, slow reaction times and damage your treatment you need, including helping you enroll in unit has not completed or scheduled this training, respiratory system. a health insurance plan, if needed. please contact Wendy Van Houten, ASAP alcohol, drug and control officer, at wendy.l.vanhouten.ctr@ As damaging as marijuana can be, it does not com- These communications, however, will not be confi- mail.mil or 916-854-1207. “When you signed up for the Guard, you promised to protect your state, your nation and your brothers- and sisters-in-arms to the best of your ability. That means maintaining peak physical and mental condition so you can perform your duties in a manner that brings pride to your branch of service.” - Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin Marijuana, along with nine other substances, is specifically prohibited under Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and penalties for its use can range from a general discharge to dishonorable discharge (for positive results of a urinalysis) and even imprisonment for possession. Courtesy photo 2 Grizzly TABLE OF CONTENTS The Official Newsmagazine of the California National Guard Santa’s Workshop Children hang out with MPs 4 Santa comes to Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, but 9 School children check out MPs during Vigilant Guard and go his reindeer were substituted with 80 motorcycle riders from away impressed, especially by our female troops Nov. - Dec. American Legion Post 716 The power of prayer Female leaders visit Czech Republic 12 Chaplain Edward Ganigan from the 163rd Attack Wing finds Vol. 11 No. 6 The Cal Guard’s Col. Mimi McEwing was part of an Ameri- inspiration in prayer, and in the movie “Rudy” can delegation of female military leaders who visited the 2016 Czech Republic in December Shooting hoops with the Lakers Airmen from the 163rd Attack Wing got the chance to train with the Lakers in the Hoops for Troops program Publisher Farewell 2016, hello to a busy 2017 The National Guard stayed busy in 2016 responding to natu- Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin 5 ral disasters across the country and participating in opera- The Adjutant General Ukrainians, Nigerians visit Cal Guard tions overseas. 2017 looks to be just as active. 13 Top leaders from the Ukrainian and Nigerian militaries vis- Director of Public Affairs ited the Cal Guard in November Col. Peter B. Cross Best Warrior 6 The California Army National Guard’s top performers for 140th Chem Co. heads to Alabama Editor 2016 head to Camp San Luis Obispo and Camp Roberts to 14 soldiers from the 140th Chemical Company spent annual Capt. Jason Sweeney compete in another grueling Best Warrior Competit training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Alabama learning all the latest skills in their field OPAT unveiled at Best Warrior 7 The Army’s new Occupational Physical Assessment Test is Camp Roberts hillside set aflame put to the test as an event at the Best Warrior Competition Twenty-five firefighters from five fire departments conduct- ed a controlled burn at Camp Roberts as part of a rare train- Vigilant Guard 17 ing opportunity Submissions 8 Cal Guard Soldiers test their disaster response skills at the Del Valle Regional Training Center in Southern California National Day of Service Articles: during Vigilant Guard 17, which took place Nov. 14-18 15 “A Sunburst ChalleNGe National Day of Service hopes to generate awareness of the National Guard’s program for at- Articles range from 350 to 2,000 words. 115th RSG is ‘operational backbone’ risk youths All articles should be accompanied by For Vigilant Guard, the 115th Regional Support Group ran multiple high-resolution images. the show from behind the scenes providing operational IG builds an app Include first names, last names and mili- oversight as troops headed into the exercise area 16 A new app gives Soldiers easy access to Army Inspector Gen- eral offices around the country tary ranks. Always verify spelling. MPs train with FEMA and LAFD Spell out acronyms, abbreviations and 9 During Vigilant Guard, Cal Guard Soldiers and Airmen Counterdrug gets smart full unit designations on first reference. head to the FEMA training site in Sherman Oaks to practice 17 The Counterdrug Task Force sends Soldier to the DEA basic Only submit articles that have been their skills alongside their civilian counterparts intelligence course approved by your unit’s public affairs officer. In Every Leadership At a Know News & Issue 2 Corner 10 Glance 18 Your IG 19 Benefits Photographs: Highest resolution possible: MB files, not KB. California National Guard troops mobilized as of December 2016 No retouched photos, no special effects. Include the photographer’s name and rank, and a caption: what is happening in the photo, who is pictured and the date and location.