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Info RE: Upcoming CERFP Ex-Eval at Fort Drum

Posted on June 6, 2007 
Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment

To Aid those Soldiers going on the Ex-Eval at Fort Drum this coming week, the 9th regiment has put together a Soldiers Pre-Deployment Checklist, which contains a comprehensive packlist, approved by CERFP Command as well as a condensed SRP.

This Document is in .PDF format.

CERF-P Soldiers Pre-Deployment Checklist

*NEW* NY Times Article Published May 27, 2007

Posted on May 28, 2007 
Filed Under 9th Regiment | Leave a Comment

This was an interesting article, and while they forgot to mention in the NY Times that New York has a State Guard, it was still an article worth sharing.

New York Times Article:

Over Here

by LAWRENCE J. KORB

Published: May 27, 2007

THE National Guard cannot perform both its domestic and overseas missions at the same time, as the recent debate over whether Kansas possessed sufficient National Guard troops and equipment to respond to the tornado that leveled Greensburg has highlighted. To put it bluntly, the members of the Guard cannot protect us here if they are fighting over there.

As this nation conducts what the administration refers to as the global war on terrorism, the stress on the Guard will not change. When the all-volunteer military was created, the National Guard was intended to act as a strategic reserve. It was meant to serve as a bridge to conscription should a protracted conflict occur.

But because there is no likelihood that an actual draft will be reinstated, the Guard is now being used as an operational reserve, alternating deployments with the active force. Even in the event of a withdrawal from Iraq, our ground forces are likely to be called upon to help stabilize other areas of the world. Such potential situations might include a collapse of the government in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia.

Because the National Guard will continue to be needed overseas, President Bush and the governors should establish in each state an adequately trained, nondeployable Home Guard. These units, consisting of volunteers who possess skills that are central to responding to catastrophic disasters, would supplement the National Guards responsibility for homeland defense.

The volunteers would include doctors, nurses, construction workers, firefighters, police officers, communications experts, city planners, engineers and social workers, among others. To enable states to train and equip these units adequately, the president should ask the Congress to increase the budget of the Department of Homeland Security by at least $10 billion, the cost of one months operations in Iraq.

President Bush has embraced this idea, at least rhetorically. In his 2002 State of the Union address, his first after 9/11, he called on all Americans to serve their country for the equivalent of two years over their lifetimes in a . Five years later, President Bush suggested establishing a civilian reserve corps that would function like our military reserve. But he has not followed up on either proposal.

Fortunately, in the absence of action from the federal government, 23 states and Puerto Rico have established state military organizations over the years. These state reserves, which are called by different names in every state, are in essence Home Guards. They consist of several thousand volunteer citizen-soldiers who can be called to active duty by their respective governors.

The units in Virginia and California have been particularly active. During 2006, the Virginia Defense Force performed eight homeland-security measures, including crowd control and catastrophic disaster response planning, and provided almost 69,000 volunteer hours to the state. Members of the California State Military Reserve were mobilized to conduct emergency building damage assessments in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Regrettably, the units in these states are the exception rather than the rule.

These volunteers are not paid for their training or field exercises, but they are paid the salaries of soldiers when they are called to duty. Many of these volunteers have previously served in the military.

They are normally under the command of the states adjutant general, who also commands the National Guard. If adequately financed and trained, these state reservists can fill in for National Guard units when they are mobilized away from their home states.

Four National Guard brigades, ones that have already been deployed in the past three years, will be sent to Iraq within the next couple of months to support the surge. Since the attacks of 9/11, about 80 percent of the Army National Guards 350,000 people have been mobilized and deployed overseas, some of them more than once.

At its peak deployment in 2005, Army National Guard combat brigades from 14 states were in Iraq or Afghanistan. Before leaving his post as Army chief of staff last month, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker noted that the Army cannot support the occupation in Iraq without relying on the Guard.

Not only are these deployments taking the people of the Guard away from the states, they are also removing the Guards equipment. The harsh environments of Iraq and Afghanistan cause equipment to burn up at high rates. As a result, Guard units sent to Iraq must leave their tanks, trucks and Humvees behind when they return home, to ensure that newly deployed troops are fully equipped.

When Hurricane Katrina struck in the summer of 2005, the combat brigades of Louisiana and Mississippi and their equipment were in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before the administration could scramble Guard units from other states and active duty soldiers into the Gulf region, countless lives were lost.

Participation in a volunteer Home Guard would make many more Americans feel they are part of this long war. And the cost of one months operations in Iraq is a small price to pay for protecting the homeland from a natural calamity like a Category 5 hurricane or a terrorist attack. To do less, as we are now, is to court disaster.

Lawrence J. Korb, an assistant secretary of defense in the Reagan administration, is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.

Information on Twilight Tattoo

Posted on April 12, 2007 
Filed Under Social | Leave a Comment

Link to the Third Regiment Old Guard Website

On June 24th 2007 the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard will be performing at Fort Hamilton and those of us lucky enough to get tickets will be able to experience the Twilight Tattoo in person.

Now for those of you who who might not know what the Twilight Tattoo is, We are more than happy to quote the US Army Website:

A “tattoo” is a military tradition traced from the early 17th century’s 30 Years War. The sounding of the bugle signaled soldiers to close the tavern and return to their quarters. Someone would “tap to” the keg stoppers. Through the years, “tap to” evolved into “tattoo.” Although “Tattoo” is sounded now, it is only in the spirit of military tradition.
Traditions are a part of each individual, group, and community. They enable us to recall the past, help us understand the present, and prepare us for the challenges of the future. Traditions and customs are particularly important to military organizations where morale, leadership, and caring for each other, are important parts of our effectiveness.
The annual “Twilight Tattoo” features the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” The U.S. Army Drill Team performs before the troops march onto the field. The reviewing official inspects the troops as they stand at attention on the Ellipse in the shadows of the White House and the Washington Monument.
As we recall history by sounding the “Tattoo,” we trace our American history through the history of her army. Campaign streamers from each war we participated in are attached to the U.S. Army flag by soldiers in period uniforms. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the troops pass in review.
The solemnity and beauty of the annual “Twilight Tattoo” reminds all present of the many traditions of our country and of the sacrifices made by thousands of men and women in our armed forces.

To view a small sampling of a performance of the 3rd Infantry, Old Guard. We have posted a short video clip from You Tube.

Mark your Calanders!!

Found An Article About the Guard: “Middle-Aged Soldiers Never Die…”

Posted on April 2, 2007 
Filed Under New York Guard | Leave a Comment

March 29, 2005, 7:59 a.m.
Middle-Aged Soldiers Never Die…
…they just fade away.

-Written by Comedian & Former NYG Soilder David Kong
Published in the National Review

Last Monday, my three-year enlistment as a state reservist with the New York Guard came to an end. Apparently my leaving the service triggered a panicked reaction up the chain of command all the way to the Pentagon, because, the following day, the Army announced they are upping the age for non-prior enlistees in the Reserves and the National Guard from 36 to 39 in order to bring in more new soldiers. Coincidence?

An Army spokesperson, Major Elizabeth Robbins, explained the new policy: “Anecdotally, our recruiters have been telling us for years that we’ve had people who are otherwise qualified but over the age limit who have attempted to enlist,” Robbins said. “There are physically fit, health-conscious individuals who can make a positive contribution to our national defense.”

Three years ago (when the age limit was 36) I was one of those otherwise-qualified guys. I had spent a month down at Ground Zero immediately following the attack as a volunteer with the USO and the Red Cross. I spent the next few months not sleeping. Then I joined the New York Guard, the official state defense force that existed since World War I as a backup to the state’s National Guard. The idea was, if under extreme circumstances the state’s National Guard forces were somehow deployed overseas, a state force made up of volunteers ineligible for federal service (because, for example, they were over the age of enlistment) would be trained to augment and even take over National Guard missions stateside. A “reserve of the reserves.” In case of emergency � break glass.

I enlisted in March 2002. There was broken glass all over the place. The state’s National Guard forces were being deployed at an increasing pace, and the New York Guard would be increasingly utilized.

The post 9/11 NYG class of ‘02 (and, subsequently ‘03, ‘04, and ‘05) infused the mission with tremendous talent. An influx of men and women in their late ’30s, ’40s, and early ’50s joined up, along with a lot of terrific kids in their ’20s who were ineligible for federal service because of minor health conditions. They included both those with prior military service (from every branch) and non-priors from all walks of life: cops and firemen and lawyers and dentists and ham radio operators and salesmen and nurses and truck drivers. Even an Emmy-award-winning comedian (actually, three Emmys � pointed out only for the sake of journalistic accuracy).

Terrific, dedicated guys and gals leaving their families and comfortable beds to go to a military base every month (and for a week or two in the summer), “sleep” in bunks built for boys half their age, march off into the mountains in snow (or intense heat), and get yelled at by sergeants. All on the cuff, too � state guard soldiers don’t get paid for their drills. They only receive payment if they are put on active state duty by the governor in an emergency. Learning, always learning, the soldier’s craft � how to work as a team to accomplish a mission, how to follow orders, and give them. How to lead.

I had many rewarding assignments. I spent several weekends working SRPs (soldier readiness processing), helping New York’s Fighting 69th Infantry Division and 42nd “Rainbow” Infantry Division prepare for overseas deployment. I served as volunteer cadre with the National Guard Counter Drug Cadet program, working with an outstanding Army sergeant (SFC George Gutierrez, now serving in Iraq) to help keep some great local kids off drugs. I bounced around as a reporter, writing articles for the Guard Times (the newspaper of the state’s military), interviewing privates (like PFC Cesar Lara, a young kid from the city who joined the NYG while he was still in high school) and two-star generals (like MG Thomas Maguire, the state’s adjudant general � nice guy).

Best of all, I served as a small part of a large WMD response team, trained to set up and operate a decontamination line in case something really, really bad happens. We trained hard and long, got a kick out of each other, and got very good at what we do. The team was activated for two weeks last fall during the ‘04 Republican Convention at Madison Square Garden. We spent the RNC flying over Manhattan in Blackhawks and Chinooks with full protective gear and gas masks � trained and ready to go. If something really, really bad had happened at the RNC, I would have been giving Dick Cheney a naked sponge bath. For that reason alone I am very grateful nothing really, really bad happened. (I’m sure the vice president would agree.)

The team is a joint National Guard/New York Guard operation, and a lot of the National Guard team members I worked with are over in Iraq now. Great guys, like Sgt. David George, who mumbles to himself, making little nasal comments a la W. C. Fields (”Ah, we’ve gotta set up the tents again. We’re having fun now…”). But the New York Guard soldiers are still here � trained and ready.

So Major Robbins is absolutely right. There’s a huge resource of experienced, patriotic, dedicated men and women out there who might be packing Prevacid and Lipitor in their ammo pouches, but are ready, willing, and able to contribute to the overall military mission. I’ve had the great honor of serving with quite a few of them the past three years in the New York Guard.

� Comedian Dave Konig starred on Broadway in Grease! and won a New York Emmy as the co-host of Subway Q&A. Konig has written a novel, Good Luck, Mr. Gorsky. Konig is also an NRO contributor. He previously wrote for NRO about the New York Guard here.

Vic Olney Passes Away

Posted on March 28, 2007 
Filed Under 9th Regiment, Federal Military, Social | Leave a Comment

Unfortunatly I have to announce the loss of another permanant fixture to the 9th.

Most of you knew Vic Olney as the Volunteer Manager of the Officers Club & the Owner of his Buisness Tara Hall.

Vic Olney was also a Veteran of the 69th Regiment, New York. He was married to his wife Barbara.

There are some of us who have known him for more than 50 years and some who never got the chance to know him at all. He dedicated so much time and energy into the Irish Brigade - The 69th Regiment. His death is going to hit the 69th Regiment hard, Vic was a permanant fixture in the 69th.

Our Hearts go out to his Wife, his family and his Military Family.
Our Hearts go out to all of you who knew and loved him, and have lost a friend

His death however, is a great loss to us all.

We do not have any details yet on funeral arrangements. Information will be posted once it is recieved.

CSM John Lambe Passes Away

Posted on March 27, 2007 
Filed Under 88th Brigade, Federal Military, Social | Leave a Comment

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of CSM John Lambe.

He served for over 50 years with the 1-69 NYARNG and 88 BDE NYG

Funeral arrangements:

Johann & Sons

2104 College Point Blvd

College Point, New York

Wednesday and Thursday

2:00 to 5:00 & 7:00 & 9:00
St Fidelis Church

124th Street between 14th & 15th Avenues

College Point, New York

Mass at 10:15
St Mary’s Cemetery

Flushing, New York

NY Air National Guard CERF Member Passes Away

Posted on February 28, 2007 
Filed Under For NYG Soilders, Social | Leave a Comment

WARNKEN, RICHARD
February 28, 2007

Richard Warnken died on February 24, 2007. He was born on July 2, 1941 in the Bronx, NY to the late Theodore and Miriam (Schroeder) Warnken. He worked for the NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection for 38 years and retired in 2000. Mr. Warnken married Patricia Bittner on June 23, 1962. He served with the US Marines Corp. from 1961 to 1964. He also survived served in the Army Reserves for 24 years, then with the U.S. Army Militia from 2002 to 2005 and was currently in the U.S. Airforce Militia Read more

Guard Times Features NYG SAR Program Again!!

Posted on February 10, 2007 
Filed Under Awards or Kudos, New York Guard | Comments Off

Exerpts from the article which can be found in Full Here.

“The NY Guard has been training its members in Search and Rescue skills since July of 1994. The course of instruction for the Basic Course is based on standards and guidelines from the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) SAR Tech III and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Basic Wildland Search standards. First Aid training and CPR were also presented for certification as part of the course.”

Read more

Upcoming Training

Posted on February 4, 2007 
Filed Under 9th Regiment, For NYG Soilders | Leave a Comment

Drill is the 1st and the 3rd Tuesday of each Month - Be there NLT 1900
1. For planning purposes, the TY 07 Schools Schedule remains as follows:

A. Winter School Week, 21-27 Jan 07, at CSTS

1) Initial Enlisted Training (IET) Class 07-1
2) Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC) Class 07-1.

B. Company Grade Officer Course (CGOC) Class 07-1, Mar - May 07 drill weekends & Field Grade Officer Course (FGOC) Class 07-1, Mar - May 07 drill weekends.

Former Female Member of the 9th Regiment Awarded the Bronze Star in Iraq.

Posted on January 22, 2007 
Filed Under 88th Brigade, 9th Regiment, Awards or Kudos, New York Guard, Social | Leave a Comment

It isn’t uncommon for someone to join the New York Guard and then afterwards enlist in the National Guard or the Army Reserve. Every once in a while however, you get a shining star. The Ninth Regiment was honored to have her for a while and then she left us for the ROTC program where she became a 2LT in the Army (active). After serving in Korea and being promoted to 1LT She had been sent to Iraq to lead a transportation company. She recently rotated home and was just awarded the Bronze Star for Bravery in Combat.

We are glad that she is safe, and we are very proud of her.

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