The Georgia guardsman [Vol. 28, no. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1978)]

A MESSAGE FROM
Maj. Gen. Billy M. Jones

THE GEORGIA
GUARDSMAN
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION

Volume 28

Number 4

GOVERNOR GEORGE BUSBEE Commander-in-Chief
MAJ. GEN . BILLY M. JONES The Adjutant General
COL. HARRY A. HEATH (USA, Ret.) Director, Public Information
B.l. DIAMOND Editor
SUE PARKER Composition
KEVAN M. FARRELL Graphics & Lithography

My Fellow Guardsmen:
First, let me wish everyone of you and your families a happy and bountiful 1979. It will be , I hope, a year of peace. It will be, I know, another year in which the Georgia National Guard stands ready to aid the nation and the state should a crisis arise.
During 1978, our units were well ahead of those in the First Army Region in preparedness and combat readiness. This is an accomplishment which all of us in the Guard must be determined to keep during 1979.
As training requirements and standards afe tightened and toughened, we in turn must set higher goals for ourselves and our units. We may not attain all of our goals or live up to all of our standards, but if we give it an honest try, we can say with dignity that we belong to the National Guard.
Let me add that during 1978 the Guard lost many fine men and women. This year 1 want to emphasize and re-emphasize the importance of keeping good, well-trained people in both the Georgia Army and Air National Guard.
Commanders and leaders at every level must be concerned about their fellow Guardsmen. If there is a problem, bring it to someone's attention. Though we cannot correct every wrong, there may be a remedy for most. Your concern just may be the tonic that will keep a Guardsman in uniform.

Photo by K . Farrell
The GEORGIA GUARDSMAN is a quarterly publication of the Georgia Department of Defense Public Information Office. It is published under the authority of AR-360-81 and AFR 190-7, in the interest of the Georgia National Guard and distributed free to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard. All correspondence for the GUARDSMAN should be directed to the Editor, the GEORGIA GUARDSMAN, Ga. Dept. of Defense, P.O. Box 17965, Atlanta, Ga. 30316. Telephone: 404-656-6182.

26 into 12
Georgia Army National Guard first Iieutenants and captains can now complete their military education requirements for promotion to major in 12 weeks.
According to the National Guard Bureau, lieutenants and captains can take the Officer Advanced Course-Reserve Components in lieu of the normal 26 week regular advanced or correspondence courses .
The four courses available for fiscal year 1979 are Artillery, which gets underway Feb. 6; Signal, which starts Feb. 25; Armor, which starts June 17 and Infantry, which begins July 15.
Interested personnel must have their requests (NGB form 64) submitted to : Headquarters, Georgia Army National Guard, attention: DCS-OPS-T, PO Box 17965, Atlanta, GA 30316, no later than 60 days prior to the class date desired.
0
Suddeth
honored
TSgt. Donald E. Suddeth, a loadmaster with the 158th Tacti-

Honolulu for two years. Suddeth is a member of
the Register Baptist Church, Masons, Shriners, Scottish Rite and also Mayor Pro-tem of Register .
0

Donald E. Suddeth
cal Airlift Squadron, Savannah, has been selected as the Airman of the Quarter (October through December) for the 165th Tactical Airlift Group.
Suddeth was recently graduated from the Air Force Recruiting School and has applied for a position as a fulltime recruiter.
Lt. Col. Joseph G.C . Adams, commander of the 158th, says Suddeth "exhibits an excellent knowledge of aircraft systems as related to the loadmaster and his crew duti~s."
A native Georgian, the sergeant resides in Register, Ga., with his wife and son. He is a graduate of Rossville High School in Rossville, Ga., and attended the University of Hawaii in

Tag time
Auto tag renewal time rolls around in January and Guardsmen in Georgia have a leg up on the rest of the population.
One of the be.nefits which Army and Air Guardsmen enjoy is free auto tags.
Signed into law in 1974, free license tags are authorized active duty members of the Air and Army National Guard. Retired members may purchase the plate, but must pay the cost of the tag.
The " National Guard" tag is authorized for use until the member is discharged or the use of a specific vehicle changes.
Presently Guardsmen can get one free tag for use on a passenger vehicle. Other tags have to be purchased at the normal rate .
Guardsmen should be aware that commanders are required to make sure that tags . are returned by personnel who separate or when a change in the use of a
vehicle occurs. 0

The cap...

Awards anyone?

The Georgia Department of

Defense wants to recognize out-

standing Army and Air National

Guardsmen.

And, specific state awards

have been created just for that

purpose.

Awards Guardsmen are eli-

gible for include: The Georgia

Distinctive Service Medal

(highest). the Georgia Medal

for Valor, the Georgia Meri-

torious Servict: Medal and the

Georgia Commendation Medal.

Other awards include

Departments of the Army, Air

Force, National Guard and

several civilian honors.

How do you earn an award?

Simple: each award has its own

el igi bil ity requirements. All

Guardsmen or unit commanders

need do is get a copy of Georgia

National Guard Regulation 672-1,

"State of Georgia Awards and

Decorations," and check the

eligibility criteria and submission

requirements for each award.

The awards program is de-

signed to recognize "acts of valor,

exceptional service or organi-

zational and individual achieve-

ment."

0

All "Airborne" types pay attention.
The cap patch depicting a white parachute, and glider on a blue disk with a red border is no longer authorized for wear unless you're assigned to one of three organizations:
The insignia can be worn when assigned to an airborne organization and the commander approves the wearing.
Army recruiters who are airborne qualified may also wear the patch.
And, if airborne qualified while assigned duty at Brigade or lower level BCT or AIT units, the insignia is authorized.
If not assigned as one of the three, the patch has to come
off, says the Army. 0
I
~ ...And
~ about your I
(shirt
~
Speaking of uniforms, the Department of the Army recently approved the men's version of

2

the gray-green service shirt. Only don't expect "supply" to have them anytime soon.
DA says the shirt, which will replace the tan shirts currently worn with the green uniforms, will be in the supplyissue system in 1980.
Until then, the shirt will be available in the exchange system.
Tan shirts and uniform, however, may still be worn until 1985.
0

Mini-show

When the U.S. Air Force

air demonstration team, "The

Thunderbirds", comes to town,

everybody gets into the act,

including the Georgia Air

National Guard.

Members of the 116th

Weapons Security Flight at

Dobbins, AFB, Ga., aided base

and Air Force Reserve personnel

in mid October when the "T-

Birds" made a short visit there.

The team, on their way to

a full-fledged air show in South

Carolina made an overnight stay

at Dobbins, but gave visitors a

30-mim!te air show before

landing.

Significantly, flying aircraft

number 1 was Georgian Lt. Col.

Dan Cherry, of Marietta, who

leads the famed team.

The 116th WSSF provided

several men, according to its

commander

Capt.

James

Swanner, to augment the small

base and Air Reserve police force

in handling traffic and crowd

control during the three hour

mini-open house sponsored by

the host unit, 94th Combat

Support Group (Air Force

Reserve).

Guard honors three
Two Georgia Army National Guardsmen and a U.S. Army recruiter were honored by the Guard recently for their recruiting efforts.
The three were Sgts. 1st Class Larry D. Bowman of Decatur, Carol N. Manley of Atlanta and William Dempsey of Rome, Ga.
Dempsey, U.S. Army recruiting station commander in Rome, Ga., was awarded a "Certificate of Appreciation" by the Guard for his aid to the 1st Battalion, 108th Armored Division.
Maj. Gen . Billy M. Jones, "the Adjutant General of Georgia, said Dempsey "exemplifies the total force concept by continually rendering sage advice" to Guard recruiters in his area.
"It's (recruiting) a total team effort with a tremendous amount of effort from the active Army."
Bowman was given the Guard's "Spark Plug" award, an honor accorded the top recruiter for the month. Bowman recruited 25 Guardsmen during August to win the award.
Manley, who is stationed at the Armed Forces Recruiting and Examining Station in Atlanta, was honored for her "unselfish" work and aide to others at the station .
The awards were made before an audience of Guard recruiters in Atlanta.

Larry D. Bowman
William Dempsey
Carol N. Manley

Stars in your eyes?

Institute schedules 1979 class

If you've stars in your eyes, general officers' stars that is, you can begin the long climb by applying for the next Georgia Army National Guard Officers Candidate School.
Applications for the Georgia Military Institute 's next class, scheduled to begin March 24, are now being processed.
Officials at the school located in Milledgeville, Ga., say applicants have until March 1 to submit the necessary forms.
Interested personnel can contact their commanders or the Georgia Military Institute, 912453-5275 for more information.
"The earlier the application is submitted,"
a Georgia Military Institute administrator advises,

"the more time the individual will have to prepare for OCS life."
Minimum age for applicants, male or female , is 18. Maximum age is the age that will enable the applicant to complete the course and be considered by a Federal Recognition Board prior to reaching ~0 years of age .
A waiver, not to exceed 32Y2 years of age, may be granted by the Adjutant General .
Prospective applicants can get a look at the GMI facilities during an open house prior to the start of the March class.
In addition interested candidates are welcome to visit the school during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:15p.m.
3

\
t----_-------'"( ,---)
:-----j
Dobbk~ AFB - - ,\ \

\. ''\.

/

L__ ,_____ One man's program i
to prevent tragedy

--= \.,~ --- ;- ---~,.:::::/:= "' ._'-
~

4

"The need for a sharp eye was dramatically demonstrated Sept. 25 ... over San Diego ... m~re than 150 persons were killed"

By SSgt. Terry Hadaway 116th TFW/01
The chances of a small aircraft colliding with military jets are slimmer than ever now, thanks to a program begun by a Georgia Air National Guardsman.
Maj . David McCracken, of Marietta, devised his Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Plan after years of seeing near misses as a military and commercial pilot.
In fact, so much does the Air Force's Tactical Air Command think of McCracken 's program, that they have instructed Wing Safety Offices at the command's worldwide bases to initiate plans just like it.
McCracken, a pilot for Eastern Airlines when he is not jockeying a F-100 Super Sabre across the sky, said his program is based on "flying defensively."
"But I decided to put it on a little more personal basis," said the major. "A lot of flight schools didn't know where we operate," he said.
Dobbins AFB, McCracken noted, is in the middle of one of the nation's busiest flying regions. Atlanta's international airport 25 miles to the south, he added, is the "second busiest airport in the world and several small airports, including

flight schools, surround the Air Force base."
"Many of the student pilots are often so busy learning to fly their airplanes they sometimes fail to keep a sharp watch for other aircraft in the area."
The need for a sharp eye was dramatically demonstrated Sept. 25, when a small airplane collided with a Boeing 727 jet airliner over San Diego, Calif. More than 150 persons were killed in the disaster.
To put his plan into operation, McCracken began visiting each airport and flight school. There he provided student pilots with maps and charts of the routes flown by Air National Guard planes.
He also picked u p pictures of the planes private pilots fly and plastered them on the wall of the !16th's operations center where the Guard pilots are sure to see them.
The only reason, McCracken said, that no one came up with the idea of personal visits before he did is that "Nobody really took the time."
McCracken said that despite the crowded flying regions around OobQins, the 116th has had "virtually no problems" with Iight aircraft.
"And that's primarly because 90 percent of the pilots are (commercial) airline pilots," the major noted . "There are very few who aren't flying for a living, so they're looking for it every day."

"The Enemy" - covers the wall of the 116th ready room at Dobbins. 5

151st tests its

'skills' at Gillem
By A. J. Morrow It resembled a giant gathe rin g of the clan as the National Gua rd 's entire !51st Aviation Battalion assembled at Ft. Gillem's READS Facility Oct 22, for an over-night bivouac and two days of soldier-skill testing and training. The units involved were the !58th Military Intelligence Co . of Winder, the !59th Military Intelligence Co . from Dobbins Air Force Base, Marietta, Headquarters and Headquarters Co. of Lawrenceville and the 1160th Transportation Co . of Albany, home of the huge CH-54 Flying Cranes. The operation was the first of its kind, but according to Maj. Juan F. Herrera, the battalion's commander and the project's innovator, it won't be the last. "You can't command with policy letters. You must relate those letters to the man who sends them," Her rera explained. "If a commander never sees his men, he becomes just a paper pusher." Maj. Herrera, who retired from the regular Army prior to taking command of the !51st, plans to gather his men once each quarter for more of the same training. He said that this joint session was meant to clear up some deficiencies in basic combat skills which were uncovered during annual training activities last year. The operation has also proved to be good for morale and a boost for an over-worked administrat ion section, Herrera noted. "Having everybody together at once gives us a chance to check with each individual and update his records," Herrera said. "I can get six mqnths of administration work done in these two days." Records are important to an aviation unit because of the strict control of safety and qualification requirements. Capt. Gary A. Holloway, Regular Army advisor attached to the battalion, said that National Guard expertise is probably better than that found in the regular Army because of the experience of its individuals. Army pilots and technicians are trained and eventually move into
continued on next page
6

Bruno

WillS
award
Capt John I. Bruno, commander of the !80th Signal Cumpany in Covington, has been awarded the S. Ernest Vandiver Trophy signifying him as the most outstanding Georgia National Guardsman .
Bruno received the award during a ceremony in Covington in early ~anuary.
Upon accepting the award Bruno noted that "The men and women of the !80th Signal Company, are the real recipients of this distinguished award. I am deeply honored to be the custodian of their award."
A resident of Covington, Bruno was cited for his leadership of the unit from Feb 25, 1977 to the present.
Under his command, according to the citation, "(he) took immediate and affirmative action to correct ... low morale, high absence without leave rate, low strength, and a disturbingly low training posture.
He joined the National Guard in 1977 and before that served on active duty with the U.S. Army where he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, and an Army Commendation Medal for service in Vietnam.

ft. f7illern

From page 6 other fields or managerial positions, Holloway said. Guardsmen, however, generally pile up years of civilian experience in the same jobs. This experience is shared with the Guard on a parttime basis, the captain added.
"Many of our pilots work for the airlines, fulltime," he said, "while some have actual combat experience which young Army pilots don't have and can't get. National Guard mechanics and pilots might have 20-years experience doing the same job."
The four companies moved into Ft. Gillem's backwoods early one Saturday morning and set up tents and field mess facilities for the two-day camp. During the day, the men attended classes on post and returned to their camps at night.
"We set up water heaters for washing dishes

and field stoves for cookina hot meals," said Spec. 5 Jame~ Bannermer of Winder, a cook with HHC !51st. "We even cooked breakfast on an open fire. The bacon was cooked on the field stove, but the eggs and grits were cooked on a camp fire. They tasted good. Last night's stew wasn't bad either."
The Guardsmen were fed hot meals as well as C-rations during their stay at Gillem. The training was also geared to a field situation and included a refresher course in explosives, first aid, mines and other basic training subjects.
Sgt. Dick Prange, a Technical Observer with the !59th Ml Mohawks, said "With the Army getting serious about the Guard being able to go places and do things, this program will enable us to keep updated on our training and take refresher courses on the things we are weak in."

Ga. Guard wins 5 awards

If you think the Georgia Army National Guard is good- you're not -alone.
The Georgia Guard has captured five awards from the First U.S. Army, which oversees the Army National Guard in 20 southeastern states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Lt. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith, First Army commander, presented the three first place awards and two runner-up awards to state Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Billy M. Jones, during a recent commanders conference.
"These represent very hard work and dedication on the part of every man and woman in the 71 units of the Georgia Army National Guard," said Jones.
The Guard placed first in training readiness, individual weapons qualification and crew-

served (such as howitzers, tanks and mortars) weapons qualification.
"The first-place awards really show our high status of combat readiness," noted the Adjutant General.
Georgia received runner-up awards in MOS (individual skill)

qualification and Annual Training attendance.
"Next year," said Jones, "we will concentrate even harder on those areas where we did not win first place."
More than 9,600 men and women are members of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Hawks discount night
Guardsmen will get a "fast break" from the Atlanta Hawks March 3, when the birds host the Chicago Bulls at the Omni.
The break comes in the form of ticket discounts to state employees which includes Guardsmen. Regular $7 ducats will cost only $5, while $6 tickets will go for $4.
For more information on the Hawks-Bulls discount night call (404) 656-4315, or 656-5636. Persons may purchase as many tickets as they wish at the discount price.
7

Fire, Fire,
FIRE!

By Capt. Jim Wooten 124th PAD
"Hey," says Kenny Lewis, 12, of Rome, "what rank is that man over there?"
That man, he was told, was Capt. James M . Parsons, commander of Co. A, 1st Bn., 108th Armor, the unit holding open house for dignita;ies and others in the Rome area.
"A captain! That's high, man, I don't want to get close to him. I thought he was a lieutenant," Kenny replied, waving both hands high in the air.
Kenny was among an estimated 200 persons, which included U.S. Rep. La-rry McDonald and city and county officials, who turned out" to view a tactical exercise demonstrating firepower and tank maneuverability.
8

It was a demonstration that was especially impressive to youngsters attending, many of them sons and daughters of company members who were seeing for the first time what their fathers do at National Guard drills.
"It was just like it is in the movies," Kenny said after watching tanks rumble through the woods behind the Rome facility. "I wish I had brought a camera with me."
Mark Parkinson, 11, son of Sgt. Charles C. Parkinson, a tank gunner from Rome, marvelled as his father took him climbing over the unit's equipment. It was his first trip to the armory and before the day was over, he would have an opportunity not only to climb on a tank, but to actually ride in one.
The climbing was old hat to Greg Brown, 10, son of Spec. 4 Tony Brown, a tank driver,

Photo Courtesy Kevan Farrell
and he was looking forwa rd to riding in one. "All he talks about is rid ing a jeep and r iding a tank," said Brown, who had brought his son out two or three times previously to acquaint him with his Guard job.
Greg, however, was quite willing to allow his father to do the driving on their trek through the woods. "I don't want to drive a tank," he asserted when he thought the talk of riding and driving was getting out of hand.
Greg also fired blanks from an M-16, offer_ing afterward: "It stinks, it smells bad."
In the exercise, a convoy was ambushed by ground forces . They withdrew, and the tanks came forward and the crowd cheered, knowing the bad guys were beaten . Special effects -colored smoke, artillery simulators, and machine gun fire -gave the exercise an appearance of reality that pleased visitors .
"Our object," explained the battalion commander, Maj. William J. Wigley, who arrived by heIicopter, "was to get the community familiar with where the armory is and to enhance the recruitment and retention program. Too, we wanted to tell the city fathers what the National Guard is and what a solid role it plays in the community."
As it turned out, spectators got to see an even more versatile tank than they had expected. When one of the smoke bombs started a brush fire, driver Sgt. Tommy Culpepper put it out by running over it, twisting and turning his tank until the fire was completely extinguished. That got another cheer.
9

Cidron, Belga and the Ga. Guard
The nation of Cidron is today free of Belgan invaders thanks in part to four Georgia National Guard units.
The four were the !58th Military Intelligence Company from Winder, the !59th Military Intelligence Company from Dobbins AFB, Marietta, as well as the !29th T AC Control Flight from Kennesaw and the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron from Savannah.
In mid-October the units shipped out for Panama City, Fla., renamed "Cidron" for purposes of Gallant Eagle 79, the exercise in which the four participated.
More than 25,000 men from Reserve, Guard and active units across the nation took part in the exercise conducted by U.S. Readiness Command headquartered at MacDill AFB, Fla. Gallant Eagle began Oct. 17 and ended Nov . 5.
The !29th, using sophisticated electronic tracking and mobile command and control equipment, was positioned at Tyndall AFB, near Panama City.
I
Dish antennae (I) of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron and stereo-optics (above) used by the 159th Military Intelligence Company were pieces of equipment used effectively by Georgia Army C\nd Air Guardsmen during Gallant Eagle.
10

~aale

Mohawks from the 159th Military Intelligence Company stand ready to proceed on a Gallant Eagle mission.
Members of the 129th Tactical Control Squadron outside the "rubber duck." Inside controllers were operating an air war.
Working out of the "rubber duck," a portable, tactical control facility that can be erected and opE-rational within 24 hours, the 129th controlled or was involved in more than 1800 "events." These included air defense, refueling and offensive missions, as well as tactical engagements.
"This is the most outstanding unit I have had the priviledge of serving with," said unit commander, Maj. Michael J. Bowers.
Auqmf!~t io lg the 129th T AC Control Squadron

were members of the 129th Tac Control Flight also assigned to the Kennesaw unit .
Working long hours and under adverse conditions prompted Maj. Leroy 0. Blondeau, 129th Operations officer, to tell his unit: "By God, if it takes 26 hours a day, then by God we work 26 hours a day."
Meanwhile the 159th and 158th flew OV-1 Mohawk aircraft from Eglin AFB, Fla., and Fort Rucker Ala ., on intelligence-seeking missions.
Utilizing photo and visual reconnaissance, specialists on the ground were able to provide accurate information for Army units fighting in the field .
At Duke Field, on Eglin AFB, the 283rd was testing its troposcatter communications equipment for the first time in a Joint Combat (Army-Air) exercise.
"This was the first time," said CW0-4 Harry Prince Jr., senior maintenance technician for the 283rd. "It can handle up to 60 channels and has a range of 300 miles."
"Of course they only wanted 24 channels, which is what we operated, but we maintained communications (between Duke Field and Tyndall AFB, about 70 miles) 100 percent of the time," Prince noted.
The 283rd sent 68 Air National Guardsmen to its two sites, Eglin and Tyndall, while the 159th M I Company sent nine men - some to Fort Rucker and to Eglin.
Air operations were conducted from the Savannah Municipal Airport as well as several Florida Air Force Bases and airports in the southeast.
In contrast to the gangly Mohawk flown by the Georgia companies, Air Force F-15 Eagles and F-4 Phantoms swept the skies in mock battle over the beleaguered Cidron.
The jet fighters were directed by an airborne E-3A Sentry warning and control system and battled numerically superior "enemy" air forces for control of the skies.
Another feature of the exercise was the air base defense squadron formed with specially trained Air Force security police from many bases in the U.S. Under the operational control of the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga., the security forces defended Dillon Field from infiltration and attack .

11

~

School's out

\~ '"'-!

\ NfoCr OGusard__~~_._y~~-\}J. ~~~~~D~~~.

\\
n

"Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind - accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my men."
- Creed of the Non Commissioned Officer

With the "Creed of the NCO" in mind and NCO at the beginning of the course.

the words of the adjutant general still ringing, 27

Parts of the Creed read: "Competence is my

senior non-commissioned officers were graduated watch word ... "and, "I am a member of a time

Nov. 4 from the state's first NCO School.

honored corps, which is known as 'the Backbone

The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Billy M. of the Army.'"

Jones, told the graduates and guests assembled

Master sergeants and sergeants first class will

at Milledgeville's Georgia Military Institute:

attend a 66-hour course to be held in Milledgeville

"During this school, you (the NCOs) have sometime in 1979, while staff sergeants down to

had a chance to review some basic material as specialists four will attend an 88-hour classroom

well as to hear the views of the senior com- and field course which will be conducted during

manders in open discussions. Your duties and responsibilities have been brought into a little sharper focus.
"But, most importantly, you have had a
chance to assess your own level ot professionalism.''
S.e ,.... 16 for a list of graduates
Jones asked the senior NCOs, mostly sergeants-

c;ummer camp. NCOs attending the course must be volunteers.
The applicant must also "be of excellent character, be in good physical condition and have not attended an NCO or Leadership Course during the preceding three year period at the same level as the course requested.''

major, to answer the challenge of "retention" in

Upon successful completion, the graduate

the Guard:

will be assigned to a unit position which required

"The answers lie in great measure with you "the leadership and instruction skills acquired

and all the other non-commissioned officers in the during the course."

Guard. The solutions are not with staff studies

Waivers for pay grade requirements will be

performed at Guard headquarters.

on an individual basis and will be granted only

"While we always need to recruit some new for most cogent reasons. E-8s awaiting orders to

people, the emphasis must be on keeping the good assignment to an E-9 position will be allowed to

Guardsmen we already have. It is entirely possible attend the senior course if requested.

to avoid crisis recruiting if you will develop within

To volunteer for the NCO school, interested

your unit the leadership climate that supports a persons should fill out in duplicate "Application

year-round intensive retention drive."

for School Training, Georgia ARNG NCOES,"

The course, which began in September, was GMI Form No. 2. Have the unit AST verify the

a 44-hour school consisting of leadership, human date and sign the form.

relations, military training, operations and staff

The form must then be submitted to the

function instruction.

unit commander, who will forward it from there.

Eacn graouate was given a copy of the "Creed

For a complete look at the application pro-

of the Noncommissioned Officer," a 24-line formula outlining the responsibilities and beliefs of the

cedure read Georgia National Guard Pamphlet, No. 351-5-2.

12

Vetenti()n

Two little words
Reprinted from the Ohio "Buckeye Guard"
By SMSgt. Robert Tam Ohio Air National Guard To retain qualified and dedicated people in the military system is a never ending effort. No one has all the answers to the problem. We will continue to lose a number of people that are not and never will be attracted to the military, after experiencing their first enlistment. Some may be retained if we can overcome the criticisms directed by their peers and by the media. But these are outsitJe influences which we cannot control. A variety of reasons have been given for leaving the Air National Guard after completing an enlistment. A few reasons are given often enough to warrant our attention to them. Not being allowed to do meaningful work is by far,. one of the primary reasons for people leaving the Air National Guard.

I have discovered that supervisors, both enlisted and commissioned, save jobs for technicians to do so that it will be 9one right. On the surface this may seem logical, but I wonder how are we to be 100 percent trained and also I wonder about the detrimental effect it has on the morale of the non-technician guardsmen. I suggest that with adequate supervision, everyone should be able to work all facets of their job.
Pride in the organization and a sense of belonging are synonymous. We can help an individual feel that he or she belongs by the proper use of a sponsor to orient newcomers. This program is not yet utilized to its full advantage. Pride starts and stops with everyone. This is not something that can be instilled in anyone. We either have it or we don't.
Not all military occupations are compatible with an individual guardsman-civilian job. Whenever they are compatible we must use this to show the guardsman and his employer how it benefits the person to stay in the Guard. Too many civilian employers resent the guardsman's time spent on duty. We need more favorable public relations with these employers. This would take more time and manpower, but a face to face explanation of our needs is sometimes the only method that works.
Many guardsmen have difficulty getting their jobs back after leaving active duty. We need adequate legal counsel for these people. Guardsmen need to know that they have support from the Air National Guard. Difficulty in being promoted when eligible, and not being able to cross-train are also negative factors. These wi II have to be considered at Continued on page 15
13

National Guard and Reserve personnel who are eligible for retire-

ment can now provide death benefits for their survivors even if they die before age 60, thanks to a newly revised Survivor Benefit Plan.

The revision became effective Oct. 1, after President Carter

signed the new Survivor Benefit Plan into law. The plan provides

a series of coverage options which were not available under the old program.

The options which retirement eligible persons now have include:
* Decline coverage under plan until he or she reaches 60 years of
age;

* Elect coverage to provide a survivor benefit annunity, payable
on the date he or she would have reached 60, if the Guardsman

Cashing *

dies prior to that date;
Or, the survivor annuity may be made payable on the date of
death, regardless of whether it occurs before or after age GO.
The old plan gave only Guardsmen and Reservists who had

reached age 60 and were eligible for retirement the choice of being

t n your

covered under the program. The benefits were paid through monthly deductions in retirement checks.
The new plan also allows persons eligible for retirement pay to elect maximum coverage (55 percent of retired pay to a beneficiary).

opt1 ons

The option chosen must be made in writing. If no election is made by the member within three months of DA notification (or ARPC for Air Guard personnel) he or she is presumed to have chosen to make no election until reaching 60 years of age.

Until forms can be sent to Guardsmen and Reservists, members

should file a statement noting the option elected with his or her

"important papers." The statement of intent, said Col. (retired) Gene L. Hodges, state administrative officer, Ga ARNG, "will substantiate a

claim for an annuity under SBP and serve as a basis for determination

and certification for el igi bi Iity for pay."

If an eligible Army member died on or after Oct. 1, the survivor

should contact the Commander, U.S. Army Reserve Components

Personnel and Administration Center, ATTN: AGUZ-RAD, 9700 Page

Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63132 for assistance.

Air Guard personnel with questions about the plan may call

ARPC, toll free 1-800-525-1391.

Other "interim" action taken by the National Guard Bureau

includes the mailing of "option packages" during December to eligible

members.

The Bureau has also requested that each member be given an

opportunity to complete a "modified" DO Form 1883 (SBP option)

which was recently furnished to the Georgia Guard.

A spokesman for the Bureau emphasized that "the choice of an

option is only a declaration of intent." The official said the form

should be kept with the Guardsman's personal papers. Further, the Bureau is asking Guardsmen to notify former members

who have separated and are eligible to receive retired pay at age 60 and

were not transferred to the Retired Reserve about the plan. These

persons should contact their former personnel offices or contact one

of the offices previously listed.

14

tw() I ittle wur-d~

From page 13. state or Bureau level.
There are so many factors that can effect retention that I don 't pretend to have a ready answer for the program . These are observations that I have made during the time that I have been a member of the Military Reserve Forces: (1) Every man and woman that wears the uniform has to feel a sense of pride in belonging . .. (2) These members need to feel that they are being

trained at the highest level possible. (3) Every man and woman . . . should receive recognition for jobs well done. They should know that their leaders are interested in narrowing the communication gap that exists between the guard and many employers. (4) They should receive personal attention regarding promotions, cross-training, problems with employers, and all other items that have any effect regarding their attitude

towards the guard . I can summarize, at least in
my opinion, the total concept of retention in two words : PERSONAL ATTENTION.
0
Got any ideas on Retention? We would like to hear and share them with our readers. Send them to The GEORGIA GUARDSMAN, PO Box 17965, Atlanta, Ga. 30316.

Col. Robert C. Sheldon (L) has been named Chief of Staff replacing Col. O'dell J. Scruggs who retired in December.
Sheldon named chief of staff

Col. Robert C. Sheldon Jr., has been named Chief of Staff for the Georgia Army National Guard . He replaces Col. O'dell J. Scruggs who retired in December.
Col. Sheldon has been a technician with the Georgia Army National Guard since March 1951. Entering at the lowest grade, the new chief of staff worked his way through the ranks before being commissioned a second lieutenant in 1954.
Sheldon joined the Headquarters Detachment of the Georgia Army Guard as finance officer in 1955 and later commanded it.
In 1973 he was named comptroller for the United States Property and Fiscal Office overseeing the disbursement of funds for both the Georgia Air and Army National Guard.
The colonel served in that capacity until November of 1978 when he was named chief of staff.
Col. Sheldon and his wife Betty reside in Marietta.

Col. Scruggs, who retired following 38 years in the military, served as chief of staff for six years.
A native of Savannah, Scruggs began his military career in 1940 enlisting as a private in the 230th Field Artillery . He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1943 and following World War II, returned to his home in 1947 to help organize the 230th Field Artillery Battalion.
In 1949, Col. Scruggs joined the Georgia Army National Guard's Technician prog ram, serving continuously until his retirement.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Georgia Distinctive Service Medal, the 1st Battalion, 118th Artillery Minuteman Award, and the Chatham Artillery Corporation Gold Medal for Outstanding Service and the S. Ernest Vandiver Trophy.
Col. Scruggs, and his wife, the former Eleanor McKenzie, will live in Savannah .
15

pay status change

Looking for recruits? Here's another tool that National Guard recruiters now have. All Non-Prior Service enlistees, including those already in a nonpay status, can now be paid for drills while they are awaiting training.
According to Georgia Army Guard officials, non-prior service, non-high school graduates, including those currently awaiting IADT without pay, can be put on pay status for a period of 90 days or 12 drills, whichever occurs first.
All high school graduates and seniors may be placed in a paid status for up to 180 days or 24 drills, whichever occurs first. The former restriction requiring high school seniors to be within 90 days of graduation has been rescinded.
From 1974 until the ruling change, many enlistees into the Guard or Reserve did not receive any pay until they began basic training.

Guard officials noted that dliring this non-pay period, interest on the part of the new enlistee often lagged and the opportunity to become immediately involved in local unit training was non-existent.
1160th moves
The 1160th Transportation Company (Heavy Helicopter). Georgia Army National Guard, now stationed in Albany, will move to Hunter Army Air Field near Savannah by the end of February 1979.
Turner Field in Albany where the unit is now stationed, will be turned over to a manufacturing firm that purchased the site last spring.
Guard officials surveyed several locations before deciding that Hunter was the most cost effective location.

Those persons graduating included Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley, Sgts Maj. James M. Dempsey, Robert C. Stewart, Wayward B. McArthur and M.Sgt. Ronald L. Ayers, all assigned to Headquarters, Georgia Army National Guard.
Also graduating were Command Sgt. Maj. Dempsey Q. Logue, of Savannah, the 118th Field Artillery Brigade; Command Sgt. Maj. William W. Johnson, of Elberton, 1st Battalion, 214th FA; Command Sgt. Maj. Joe B. Ambrose of Ricon, 2nd Battalion, 214th FA;. Command Sgt. Maj. Robert H. Little, of Norcross, Sgt. Maj. Thomas W. O'Kelly, of Decatur; Sgt. Maj. William E. Toney, of Forest Park and Sgt. Maj. Garner B. Williams, of Smyrna, all assigned to the 122nd Support Center (RAO).
Others graduating were Command Sgt. Maj. Robert W. Hanson, of Austell, the llOth Maintenance Battalion; Sgt. Maj. Gordy L. Spires, of Conyers, the 170th Military Pol ice Battalion; Sgt. Maj. Donald E. Dukes, of Winder, the 151st Aviation Battalion; Sgt. Maj. Chandler M. Beasley,

of Dublin, the 75th Engineer Detachment; Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Alewine, of Decatur, and Sgt. Maj. Henry E. Kimbrel, of Fayetteville, both of the 265th Engineer Group.
Other NCOs finishing were Command Sgt. Maj. Joe R. Wilson, of Columbus, the 560th Engineer Battalion; Command Sgt. Maj. George J. Smith, of Martinez, the 878th Engineer Battalion.
Also graduating were Command Sgt. Maj. Olen A. Carden and Sgt. Maj. Billy Long, both of Macon and members of the 48th Infantry Brigade; Sgt. Maj. Roy E. Anderson, of Cedartown, the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor; Command Sgt. Maj. Homer A. Proctor, of Macon, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry.
Others graduating included Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin D. Shiver, of Sylvester, the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry; Command Sgt. Maj. Paul E. Weathersbee, of Waycross, the 1st Battalion, 230th Field Artillery; and, Command Sgt. Maj. Carroll G. Jester, of Macon, the 148th Support Battalion.

16

' The weight watchers There's a disease literally spreading through part of the Georgia National Guard.
It's called "Dunlap's Disease;" it affects the waistline -when the
stomach's "dun lapped over the belt" is the way some people put it. Maj. Gen. Billy M. Jones, Georgia's Adjutant General, "I am in
complete agreement with the Army's weight policy. 1 expect all commanders to fully support the program and insure that all members of the Georgia Guard are combat ready. Physical fitness is an absolute neccessity for combat readiness."
Arguing for the other side for a moment, let's take the case of John Doe who says his weight doesn't matter, only th quality of the work he's doing. Certainly he has a point, bu can a person in the military, even for one weekend a month be expected to perform fast and capably should emergency arise?
Medically the man is killing himself with food and quality-wise killing the Guard. A man or woman who is overweight is risking bad health and as a consequence risking the loss of a valuable person in the Georgia Guard.
The Army Chief of Staff has expressed his concern about the problem in the Guard, as well as in the Active military. Gen. Bernard W. Rogers, recommends individual counseling and comments on officer and enlisted evaluation reports.
The chief of the National Guard Bureau, Maj. Gen. LaVern E. Weber, has asked adjutants general in all 50 states to "disapprove favorable personnel actions" for overweight individuals.
Obviously the situation is getting bad. What is most disconcerting is the implication that people oft described as rotund, cherubic, etc., sometimes just "don't care." Naturally there are those who have weight problems as a result of medical or chemical imbalances, but these shouldn't be in the Guard for medical reasons. Others have no pride in themselves or in the Guard. They are committing suicide with a knife and a fork and at last officials in the Guard are "fed" up and are telling it like it is: "lose it, or leave it." Your first step in slimming down is to see a qualified physician and get on a reasonable diet. No one is asking a man or woman to lose 100 pounds overnight, but simply to start down the road. You wouldn't put a 50-pound rock in your
pack for the annual 4-mile march. So why do some of you put it under your belt?

If your 11puzzled''about which branch of the National Guard to join- let us udraw"your attention to
THE GEORGIA AIR
NATIONAL
GUARD

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NATIONAL
GUARD

Call or see your NATIONAL GUARD recruiter today! Dial 404-422-6916