DMAVA HIGHLIGHTS March 24, 2011 Libya feels ‘Jersey Thunder’ By Wayne Woolley, DMAVA/PA The pattern over the past decade has been clear: when there’s an order for American military presence anywhere in the world, the New Jersey Na- tional Guard soon gets the call. So within a day of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates ap- proving the use of force in Lib- ya, the New Jersey Air Guard’s 108th Wing launched an aircraft in support of the international response to the growing crisis. The aircraft and “associated Retired Sgt. 1st Class Dana Bowman, who lost both legs while performing a parachute exhibition during his time with the personnel” deployed from Joint Golden Knights, parachutes into Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to kick off National Guard Safety Day. Photo by Sgt. 1st Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Class Joe Donnelly, 444th MPAD. at about 10:30 p.m. on March Troops look skyward to kickoff Guard Safety Day 19 in support of Operation Od- By Spc. Sherwood Goodenough, 444th MPAD yssey Dawn, said Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant Thousands of feet above, four Bowman, wowed the audi- around the state to attend train- General. canopies popped into the pale ence with his aerial acrobatics ing at the Timmerman Center. From a base in Europe, the blue distance behind a small and his rousing, can-do mes- In attendance were the Ad- plane and crew from New Jersey airplane. Retired Sgt. 1st Class sage, and later explained that jutant General, Maj. Gen. will support coalition aircraft Dana Bowman and three mem- that while not all accidents are Glenn K. Rieth; Chief of the conducting sequenced bombing bers of the New Jersey Army preventable all soldiers need Joint Staff, Brig. Gen. James J. strikes to protect Libyan civil- National Guard parachute team to be vigilant in preparing for Grant; major subordinate ele- ians, enforce a no-fly zone and rocketed towards the earth and when things don’t go as plans. ment commanders; command prevent the government of Col. then softly landed on the large “Accidents happen. Some- sergeants major; additional Muammar Al-Qadhafi from re- “X” marked on the baseball times they’re inexplicable,” duty officers; and critical avia- moving rebel fighters from their field beside the Fort Dix gym- Bowman said. “But it’s im- tion assets. stronghold in Benghazi. nasium. perative that we go over safety Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mi- Since Sept. 11, 2001, the New Bowman, a former Green and always make contingency chael E. Lynch, the state safety Jersey National Guard has de- Beret who lost both legs while plans.” officer, said the event was to ployed Soldiers and Airmen performing a mid-air precision- The daylong Adjutant Gen- reinforce the critical role safety in support of operations in Af- parachute exhibition during his eral’s 31st annual Safety preparedness plays in military ghanistan, Iraq, Horn of Africa, time with the Golden Knights, Stand-Down at the on Joint life. Cuba, Europe and the Sinai was among the parachutists who base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, “It’s really just to set some Peninsula. began the day’s events making March 19 brought together time aside to see how we do Add Libya to the list. a lively pitch for safety. more than 150 personnel from Continued on Page 4 HIGHLIGHTS Free Earth-friendly program available to GIs With the push to be more Earth friendly • The home must receive direct, un- a time scheduled to discuss the agreement and the “Go Green” initiative going viral obstructed sunlight from the hours of 10 and finalize any questions the customer most recently, Trinity Solar is offering to a.m. – 3 p.m. (required for generating the has. After the customer understands all the provide free solar power systems to active electricity) benefits of the program and agrees to move military personnel and reservists who own • Must be able to provide the last 12 forward with the installation, Trinity Solar their home and reside in New Jersey. months of electric bills and/or electricity will start the process of obtaining all state, “It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’,” usage from the utility company (required utility, local and partner approvals/permits said Bill Granger, vice president of sales at for system connection to the utility) to install the system. Upon receipt of all Trinity Solar. • Must be able to provide a property approvals, Trinity Solar will install and Through their special program coined, survey (required for permits) connect the system to the service member’s “Trinity Solar’s Military Give-back Pro- To start the process, any interested home. From there, the system is guaranteed gram”, Trinity Solar will install the solar customer should contact Trinity Solar, to operate for 20 years and the customer system on the service member’s home with either by email or phone, to discuss the will receive all the electricity generated minimal or even no out-of-pocket costs, program in more detail. Trinity Solar will over this period for free. At the end of this said Granger. have designated program representatives guarantee, the system can be purchased by In order to receive this beneficial pro- available to discuss the program in detail, the customer for pennies on the dollar or, if gram, a service member must meet the fol- answer any questions, and schedule a site the customer wishes, just have it removed lowing requirements: survey to size the system to the customer’s from their home at no cost to them. • Must have proof of their military roof. Prior to the site survey, Trinity To contact Trinity Solar and apply for the status within an active or reserve compo- Solar will need copies of the customer’s program, call 732-780-3779 and ask the nent electric usage so they can properly size receptionist about details on the Military • Must show proof of homeown- the electrical requirements of the system. Give-Back Program, or visit Trinity Solar’s ership and the home must be located in Once the system size is determined, an Web site at www.trinity-solar.com/contact- New Jersey agreement will be sent to the customer and us. Command Sgt. Maj. Michael V. Rigby, left, receives the colors of the 50th Infantry First Sgt. Terrence D. Taylor, left, Chief of Emergency Operations, Homeland Se- Brigade Combat Team during the Change of Responsibility ceremony on March 20 curity Center of Excellence; receives his sergeant major stripes from his cousin in Lawrenceville. Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy D. Marvian, right, relinquished the Warrant Officer Derek Hailey, center, while Col. Kevin C. Hegarty, Joint Director, position as the senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the largest Army Guard unit in Military Support watches during a ceremony at the Center in Lawrenceville on the state to Rigby. Photo by Kryn P. Westhoven, DMAVA/PA March 21, 2011. Photo by Mark C. Olsen, DMAVA/PA DMAVA Highlights is published weekly by the Public Affairs Of- New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs fice of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth – The Adjutant General The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those Brig. Gen. James J. Grant – Director, Joint Staff of the Department of Defense, the Army, the Air Force, the National Raymond Zawacki – Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Guard, Veterans Affairs or the state of New Jersey. Letters may be sent CW2 Patrick Daugherty – Public Affairs Officer to: NJDMAVA, DMAVA Highlights, Public Affairs Office, PO Box Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez - Public Affairs Specialist 340, Trenton NJ 08625-0340. e-mail at [email protected]. Sgt. Wayne Woolley – Public Affairs Specialist Page 2 HIGHLIGHTS Division of Pension, Benefits to Trenton Devils invites you implement new process April 1 to Fan Appreciation Night The Division of Pensions and Benefits is implementing a sig- Trenton’s local hockey team would like to invite all DMAVA nificant change to the purchase of service credit and withdrawal employees and National Guard members, as well as friends and application process for all members effective April 1. family to Fan Appreciation Night on April 1. Effective April 1, all requests to purchase service credit and/or The Trenton Devils will host the Atlantic league-leading Read- pension withdrawals must be submitted online using the Purchase ing Royals at the Sun National Bank Center and will have prizes, Application program and/or the Application for Withdrawal pro- games, giveaway and other interactive entertainment throughout gram of the Member Benefits Online System (MBOS). the entire game to show their appreciation of the fans support this Consequently, the application to purchase service credit and/or season. pension withdrawal will no longer be available as a printed form or Tickets to the lower bowl sections of the rink are starting at $6 on the Division of Pensions and Benefits’ Web site. Paper applica- per seat with advance purchase. tions received by mail as of April 1 will be returned to members This offer will expire on March 31, so make your reservations with instructions to submit the requests using MBOS. early by calling the Devils ticket office at 609-599-9500 and ask MBOS is a set of Internet applications that allow current-reg- for Brian, Megan or Jackie. istered members secure access to their pension account informa- Sun National Bank Center is located at 81 Hamilton Avenue in tion. In addition, MBOS provides members with fast and efficient Trenton, N.J. methods for requesting purchase of service credit and/or pension account withdrawals. New members should register to this free application, which re- Veterans Outreach Schedule quires registration at MyNewJersey and MBOS Web sites.