WEBVTT 00:01.913 --> 00:04.830 - Ladies and gentlemen please rise. 00:05.488 --> 00:07.538 Our host for this morning's presentation 00:07.538 --> 00:09.929 is Mr. Matthew Dubois, Deputy Assistant 00:09.929 --> 00:13.442 Secretary of Defense for Reserve Integration. 00:13.442 --> 00:15.631 Mr. Dubois is accompanied by Man Power 00:15.631 --> 00:18.551 and Reserve Affairs Senior Enlisted Advisor 00:18.551 --> 00:20.884 Sargent Major Luthor Thomas, 00:21.058 --> 00:24.906 and by Colonel Dan Merry, Colonel United States 00:24.906 --> 00:27.385 Air Force retired and Vice President 00:27.385 --> 00:29.424 Government Relations of the Military 00:29.424 --> 00:32.076 Officers Association of America. 00:32.076 --> 00:33.493 Please be seated. 00:37.398 --> 00:39.076 Good morning ladies and gentlemen. 00:39.076 --> 00:41.248 On behalf of our host and co-hosts 00:41.248 --> 00:43.331 I welcome you to the 2016 00:43.356 --> 00:46.689 Reserve Family Readiness Award ceremony. 00:47.021 --> 00:49.562 We are pleased to welcome Department of Defense 00:49.562 --> 00:52.479 leaders, General and Flag Officers, 00:53.349 --> 00:55.743 Reserve Component Family Program Leaders, 00:55.743 --> 00:58.329 Senior Enlisted Advisors, and the many 00:58.329 --> 01:01.047 advocates and supporters of family programs 01:01.047 --> 01:02.714 that are here today. 01:03.303 --> 01:05.810 The Reserve Family Readiness Award program 01:05.810 --> 01:08.774 was established in 2000 to recognize 01:08.774 --> 01:11.302 the top unit in each Reserve component 01:11.302 --> 01:14.189 that demonstrates outstanding family readiness 01:14.189 --> 01:17.594 in support of superior mission readiness. 01:17.594 --> 01:20.227 It is broadly recognized that family readiness 01:20.227 --> 01:23.122 is an essential component of mission readiness. 01:23.122 --> 01:25.258 And has greatly enhanced the ability 01:25.258 --> 01:28.579 to deploy National Guard and Reserve forces. 01:28.579 --> 01:30.934 The demands placed on service members 01:30.934 --> 01:33.744 and their families demonstrate the critical role 01:33.744 --> 01:37.495 of the Reserve component in supporting our nation. 01:37.495 --> 01:39.875 Innovative Family Readiness Programs 01:39.875 --> 01:42.625 and command emphasis help National Guard 01:42.625 --> 01:46.055 and Reserve families better prepare to support 01:46.055 --> 01:49.697 their service members in the performance of their duties. 01:49.697 --> 01:52.204 Today's award winners reflect the best 01:52.204 --> 01:54.287 of many noteworthy units. 01:54.588 --> 01:57.051 Each Reserve component carefully selected 01:57.051 --> 02:00.672 its recipient from among a pool of deserving nominees. 02:00.672 --> 02:02.489 And Mr. Dubois is pleased to recognize 02:02.489 --> 02:05.406 and congratulate the winning units. 02:05.886 --> 02:07.735 Before the awards presentation 02:07.735 --> 02:09.956 we will invite some introductory remarks 02:09.956 --> 02:12.285 from Mr. Dubois and Colonel Merry. 02:12.285 --> 02:15.750 But first here's some information about our hosts. 02:15.750 --> 02:17.522 Mr. Dubois is the Deputy Assistant 02:17.522 --> 02:20.514 Secretary of Defense for Reserve Integration 02:20.514 --> 02:22.586 in the office of the Secretary of Defense 02:22.586 --> 02:25.336 for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. 02:25.407 --> 02:28.394 In this role he serves as the principal advisor 02:28.394 --> 02:30.783 to the Assistant Secretary of Defense 02:30.783 --> 02:33.238 for Manpower and Reserve Affairs 02:33.238 --> 02:35.525 and supporting the Assistant Secretary's 02:35.525 --> 02:39.028 Title Ten role of providing overall supervision 02:39.028 --> 02:41.284 of the Manpower and Reserve Affairs 02:41.284 --> 02:43.726 for the Department of Defense. 02:43.726 --> 02:46.608 He is responsible for both the seamless integration 02:46.608 --> 02:49.921 of Reserve affairs across the Department of Defense, 02:49.921 --> 02:54.088 and strategic engagement on all Reserve component matters. 02:54.546 --> 02:57.940 This includes working with the Reserve Forces Policy Board, 02:57.940 --> 03:01.597 the Reserve component chiefs, and the Council of Governors 03:01.597 --> 03:05.008 as well as exercising primary responsibility 03:05.008 --> 03:07.769 for unique Reserve component programs 03:07.769 --> 03:10.342 to include the DOD's Starbase program, 03:10.342 --> 03:12.636 National Guard Youth Challenge, 03:12.636 --> 03:15.622 international Reserve component programs, 03:15.622 --> 03:17.803 innovative readiness training, 03:17.803 --> 03:20.118 and Reserve component family and employer 03:20.118 --> 03:21.785 programs and policy. 03:23.094 --> 03:26.511 Mr. Dubois retired from the navy in 2011. 03:26.627 --> 03:29.903 He held many leadership, command, and staff positions. 03:29.903 --> 03:32.226 He is most proud to have served alongside 03:32.226 --> 03:34.867 the brave men and women of the Armed Forces 03:34.867 --> 03:37.046 who have always answered the nation's call 03:37.046 --> 03:39.463 to serve with duty and honor. 03:39.725 --> 03:43.128 Now a word of introduction about Colonel Dan Merry. 03:43.128 --> 03:45.057 Colonel Merry enlisted in the Air Force 03:45.057 --> 03:47.890 in 1982 as a personnel specialist. 03:48.384 --> 03:50.118 He was commissioned through the Air Force 03:50.118 --> 03:52.868 ROTC program in 1989 and returned 03:53.258 --> 03:55.689 to the personnel career field. 03:55.689 --> 03:58.010 He served at every level of the Air Force. 03:58.010 --> 03:59.613 He was the Career Field Manager 03:59.613 --> 04:02.264 for Personnel Manpower and Services 04:02.264 --> 04:03.780 and was selected as the Air Force's 04:03.780 --> 04:06.064 Chief of Compensation and a member 04:06.064 --> 04:10.231 of the Tenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation. 04:10.675 --> 04:13.430 He had deployments to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, 04:13.430 --> 04:17.298 Turkey and other locations throughout the middle east. 04:17.298 --> 04:19.528 Colonel Merry is a graduate of Air Command 04:19.528 --> 04:22.580 and Staff College and was the senior Air Force fellow 04:22.580 --> 04:26.475 at the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, California. 04:26.475 --> 04:27.997 At the time of his retirement 04:27.997 --> 04:30.247 he was the Commander of Air Force 04:30.247 --> 04:33.129 Mortuary Affairs Operations responsible 04:33.129 --> 04:36.046 for the DOD's sole port of mortuary 04:36.140 --> 04:38.941 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. 04:38.941 --> 04:41.858 MOAA was organized in February 1929 04:42.539 --> 04:45.372 and today has over 370,000 members 04:46.028 --> 04:48.372 from every service branch and is a strong 04:48.372 --> 04:50.955 supporter of military families. 04:51.006 --> 04:54.339 MOAA has co-hosted this award since 2005 04:54.966 --> 04:57.427 and is pleased to make a special presentation 04:57.427 --> 04:59.882 to each winning unit and to provide 04:59.882 --> 05:02.831 the reception that will follow our ceremony. 05:02.831 --> 05:05.123 Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Dubois. 05:05.123 --> 05:07.373 (applause) 05:11.778 --> 05:13.021 - Good morning. 05:13.021 --> 05:15.771 Wonderful turnout, thank you all. 05:15.839 --> 05:18.922 Distinguished guests, National Guard Reserve leaders, 05:18.922 --> 05:21.014 ladies and gentlemen and most importantly 05:21.014 --> 05:24.266 our program awardees, welcome to the 2016 05:24.266 --> 05:27.670 DOD Reserve Family Readiness Award ceremony. 05:27.670 --> 05:30.531 Welcome and thank you for attending this important event. 05:30.531 --> 05:33.192 Today we have the honor of helping 05:33.192 --> 05:35.277 to shine a spotlight on some amazing service 05:35.277 --> 05:39.444 to our Reserve family members by those award winners. 05:41.642 --> 05:44.412 We will recognize the programs and the individuals 05:44.412 --> 05:46.449 involved as excellent examples 05:46.449 --> 05:49.366 of hard work, and selfless service. 05:49.574 --> 05:51.291 They have strengthened their communities 05:51.291 --> 05:54.911 by volunteering their time, talent, and expertise. 05:54.911 --> 05:57.847 And by doing so have freed up our service members 05:57.847 --> 06:01.737 to stay focused on their national security mission. 06:01.737 --> 06:04.257 The units we honor today from California, 06:04.257 --> 06:07.340 Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 06:07.408 --> 06:09.267 North Dakota, and South Dakota 06:09.267 --> 06:12.889 represent the very best programs in the United States. 06:12.889 --> 06:15.772 One of our winning units is even a repeat winner. 06:15.772 --> 06:17.955 These folks are here today so we can shine a spotlight 06:17.955 --> 06:19.978 on how absolutely vital they are 06:19.978 --> 06:21.770 to the Department of Defense mission 06:21.770 --> 06:25.270 and indispensable part of our total force. 06:26.383 --> 06:29.223 Since September 11th America has relied 06:29.223 --> 06:31.728 heavily on our National Guard Reserve components. 06:31.728 --> 06:34.105 Almost 1,000,000 members have been activated. 06:34.105 --> 06:36.727 And right now 31,000 are currently 06:36.727 --> 06:39.346 supporting operations around the world. 06:39.346 --> 06:41.921 That number doesn't include the over 5,000 06:41.921 --> 06:44.978 National Guard who are on duty as we speak, 06:44.978 --> 06:46.994 responding to homeland and crisis events 06:46.994 --> 06:48.577 around the country. 06:48.790 --> 06:50.116 One of the reasons we have been able 06:50.116 --> 06:52.573 to rely on our Reserve component members 06:52.573 --> 06:56.009 is because of the great Family Support Programs at home. 06:56.009 --> 06:58.468 So today we salute the best of them, 06:58.468 --> 07:00.281 their leaders and volunteers who have given 07:00.281 --> 07:04.198 such tremendously selfless support and service. 07:04.228 --> 07:05.945 Before I turn it back over to our MC 07:05.945 --> 07:08.386 I'd be remiss if I didn't express our gratitude 07:08.386 --> 07:10.429 to the Military Officers Association of America 07:10.429 --> 07:12.828 and Colonel Dan Merry for once again 07:12.828 --> 07:14.641 assisting us in honoring our best 07:14.641 --> 07:16.524 Family Readiness Programs. 07:16.524 --> 07:18.500 They've been doing this since 2005. 07:18.500 --> 07:20.630 Thank you Dan, we appreciate it very much. 07:20.630 --> 07:21.848 Thank you for coming. 07:21.848 --> 07:24.098 (applause) 07:28.369 --> 07:29.847 - Thank you Mr. Dubois. 07:29.847 --> 07:32.847 I now turn it over to Colonel Merry. 07:34.983 --> 07:36.624 - I would like to echo the sentiments 07:36.624 --> 07:38.105 and thanks for everybody being here. 07:38.105 --> 07:40.801 It's great to speak to a large group like this. 07:40.801 --> 07:42.495 On behalf of Lieutenant General Adkins, 07:42.495 --> 07:45.674 President and CEO of MOAA who couldn't be here today, 07:45.674 --> 07:47.254 I'm honored to be here. 07:47.254 --> 07:48.912 And I look out in the audience and I see 07:48.912 --> 07:50.141 some family members here who are obviously 07:50.141 --> 07:52.251 gonna be up on stage pretty soon. 07:52.251 --> 07:53.881 And I've gotta tell ya, I wanna thank you 07:53.881 --> 07:55.751 and those who can't be here for believing 07:55.751 --> 07:57.434 that you make a difference, 07:57.434 --> 07:58.898 because you do make a difference. 07:58.898 --> 08:00.443 You make a difference every day. 08:00.443 --> 08:03.192 The deployments are unrelenting and they're not gonna stop. 08:03.192 --> 08:05.404 And we know those of us who have been down range, 08:05.404 --> 08:08.038 that that call home is vital when you 08:08.038 --> 08:10.607 get a chance to hear that everything's goin' okay at home. 08:10.607 --> 08:12.341 And likewise for the family members 08:12.341 --> 08:14.289 it's great that they can hear that things 08:14.289 --> 08:16.119 are going as according to plan. 08:16.119 --> 08:17.255 And when it doesn't go according to plan 08:17.255 --> 08:18.649 there's a system and a network 08:18.649 --> 08:20.831 of people available to jump in 08:20.831 --> 08:23.238 at a moment and make stuff happen. 08:23.238 --> 08:24.354 And for that I am grateful. 08:24.354 --> 08:25.415 I've been there and I appreciate 08:25.415 --> 08:26.938 everything that you all do. 08:26.938 --> 08:28.618 And thank you very much and I'm lookin' 08:28.618 --> 08:29.700 forward to the awards. 08:29.700 --> 08:30.533 Thank you. 08:30.533 --> 08:32.783 (applause) 08:36.439 --> 08:37.772 - Thank you sir. 08:39.272 --> 08:40.987 For those of you standing we do have a few seats 08:40.987 --> 08:42.650 over here and so please feel welcome 08:42.650 --> 08:46.397 to come and have a seat for the remainder of the ceremony. 08:46.397 --> 08:49.196 You can fill in on our open seats. 08:49.196 --> 08:51.033 In order of service present, we invite 08:51.033 --> 08:53.370 each Reserve component Chief forward 08:53.370 --> 08:55.197 to comment on the outstanding work 08:55.197 --> 08:57.550 and accomplishments of their winning unit. 08:57.550 --> 08:58.998 We will also welcome forward 08:58.998 --> 09:01.509 the component's Senior Listed Advisor. 09:01.509 --> 09:03.388 From Manpower and Reserve Affairs 09:03.388 --> 09:05.157 each unit will receive an engraved 09:05.157 --> 09:08.189 commemorative plaque and a signed certificate. 09:08.189 --> 09:11.115 From the Military Officer's Association of America 09:11.115 --> 09:13.510 each unit will receive a certificate 09:13.510 --> 09:17.677 and a gift to the Family Readiness Group of $1000.00. 09:18.221 --> 09:21.036 Following the introduction of each winning unit 09:21.036 --> 09:23.247 we'll invite the designated representatives 09:23.247 --> 09:26.884 to join us on the platform to accept the awards. 09:26.884 --> 09:28.313 As the units receive their awards 09:28.313 --> 09:30.218 please feel free to take pictures 09:30.218 --> 09:32.175 and know that there will be an additional opportunity 09:32.175 --> 09:34.248 for taking pictures of the full group 09:34.248 --> 09:37.665 at the conclusion of the formal ceremony. 09:39.012 --> 09:40.875 At this time I invite to the platform 09:40.875 --> 09:43.179 Major General Michael Navrkal, 09:43.179 --> 09:44.539 Special Assistant to the Director 09:44.539 --> 09:47.202 of the Army National Guard, Sir. 09:47.202 --> 09:49.452 (applause) 09:52.399 --> 09:53.711 - Well good morning. 09:53.711 --> 09:55.896 Mr. Dubois, Colonel Retired Cherry 09:55.896 --> 09:57.405 thank you for hosting this event. 09:57.405 --> 09:59.176 On behalf of Lieutenant General Kadavy 09:59.176 --> 10:01.408 it's my honor to be up here to, 10:01.408 --> 10:05.241 and recognize the Army National Guard awardee. 10:05.491 --> 10:08.130 I'd also like to mention, General Reisch who's here, 10:08.130 --> 10:09.091 the Major General Reisch, 10:09.091 --> 10:11.123 the Adjutant General of South Dakota. 10:11.123 --> 10:13.490 South Dakota has certainly set the path 10:13.490 --> 10:15.584 for other National Guard units 10:15.584 --> 10:17.078 having had three other winners 10:17.078 --> 10:21.245 in this award, of this award in the last five years. 10:21.559 --> 10:24.162 So congratulations to General Reisch as well 10:24.162 --> 10:25.382 for the outstanding work that you've done 10:25.382 --> 10:26.986 within the state of South Dakota. 10:26.986 --> 10:31.001 For the unit, the 155th Engineering Company Vertical, 10:31.001 --> 10:32.501 tremendous effort. 10:32.641 --> 10:34.738 In my comments, I'll talk about innovation 10:34.738 --> 10:37.309 and Commander involvement and participation 10:37.309 --> 10:39.161 by the community and those are the things 10:39.161 --> 10:40.655 that really are gonna make a difference, 10:40.655 --> 10:43.357 and have made a difference in this particular organization. 10:43.357 --> 10:46.260 This unit returned from deployment to Kuwait 10:46.260 --> 10:49.069 in support of operations Spartan Shield 10:49.069 --> 10:51.279 and Enduring Freedom in 2016. 10:51.279 --> 10:53.139 Prior to that unit leaving they had 10:53.139 --> 10:55.669 100% participation in the FRG, 10:55.669 --> 10:56.982 the Family Readiness Group. 10:56.982 --> 11:00.693 And at 100% participation in the yellow ribbon training 11:00.693 --> 11:02.892 that took place pre mobilization. 11:02.892 --> 11:06.557 And during their mobilization, which is no small feat. 11:06.557 --> 11:09.159 During mobilization the Commander personally 11:09.159 --> 11:11.221 was engaged with the family members 11:11.221 --> 11:13.693 by sending them letters during the holiday season 11:13.693 --> 11:17.099 and also using Blackboard the technology solution, 11:17.099 --> 11:19.208 help stay in regular contact with them 11:19.208 --> 11:22.402 throughout the deployment cycle as well. 11:22.402 --> 11:26.485 From the FRG back at home they did several events 11:26.885 --> 11:30.052 to include a children's adventure camp 11:30.784 --> 11:33.431 and also provided some different events 11:33.431 --> 11:35.580 related to, for the children. 11:35.580 --> 11:37.306 And then specifically they also engaged 11:37.306 --> 11:40.389 with about 45 community participants, 11:40.742 --> 11:44.654 whether it be businesses or other community organizations 11:44.654 --> 11:46.947 to provide things to the family 11:46.947 --> 11:51.114 that helped them get through a deployment like this. 11:51.384 --> 11:53.469 They brought all the elements together 11:53.469 --> 11:56.984 that make for a successful Family Readiness Group. 11:56.984 --> 12:00.006 And oh, by the way, this unit's located 12:00.006 --> 12:02.307 in Rapid City, South Dakota and they 12:02.307 --> 12:05.135 have a detachment in Wagner, South Dakota. 12:05.135 --> 12:06.671 That's about four hours. 12:06.671 --> 12:09.070 For those of you in the audience who commute 12:09.070 --> 12:10.897 here in D.C. that could represent 12:10.897 --> 12:14.035 about 30 or 40 miles because of the commuting times here. 12:14.035 --> 12:14.897 (laughing) 12:14.897 --> 12:16.308 but I can assure you in South Dakota, 12:16.308 --> 12:18.558 that's over 300 miles away. 12:18.770 --> 12:21.538 And so they replicated this in two locations. 12:21.538 --> 12:22.764 So that's why I'm excited to be able 12:22.764 --> 12:25.982 to introduce the 155th Engineering Company Vertical 12:25.982 --> 12:27.887 from the South Dakota Army National Guard. 12:27.887 --> 12:30.137 (applause) 12:35.201 --> 12:37.242 - We will now present the awards 12:37.242 --> 12:39.870 by Mr. Dubois and Colonel Merry. 12:39.870 --> 12:41.104 We invite the following members 12:41.104 --> 12:44.038 from the 155th Engineer Company Vertical 12:44.038 --> 12:46.486 to step forward to accept the awards. 12:46.486 --> 12:49.153 Captain David Dodson, Commander, 12:49.379 --> 12:52.177 Mrs. Tessa Nygrin, Lead Volunteer, 12:52.177 --> 12:55.177 and Mrs. Deb Dodson, Lead Volunteer. 12:56.068 --> 12:58.859 Also attending from the South Dakota National Guard 12:58.859 --> 13:00.728 is Major General Timothy Reisch, 13:00.728 --> 13:03.787 the Adjutant General South Dakota National Guard. 13:03.787 --> 13:07.480 And joining us from the 155th Engineer Company 13:07.480 --> 13:10.687 we welcome the following key volunteer spouses 13:10.687 --> 13:14.107 and unit members, please stand as I call your name. 13:14.107 --> 13:16.903 Mrs. Erin Simonton, Lead Volunteer, 13:16.903 --> 13:18.570 Mrs. Jeanine Dodson, 13:19.135 --> 13:21.191 Staff Sergeant Marty Nygrin, 13:21.191 --> 13:23.608 and Specialist Eric Simonton. 13:24.009 --> 13:26.259 (applause) 13:35.632 --> 13:39.799 (background talking and cameras clicking) 13:41.922 --> 13:44.172 (applause) 14:00.697 --> 14:03.021 We now invite forward Lieutenant General 14:03.021 --> 14:05.827 Charles Lucky Chief of the Army Reserve. 14:05.827 --> 14:08.274 Joining him in representing the Army Reserve 14:08.274 --> 14:10.733 Command Sergeant Major is his Executive Officer 14:10.733 --> 14:13.983 Sergeant Major Jacqueline Coleman, Sir. 14:14.331 --> 14:16.581 (applause) 14:18.744 --> 14:21.347 - Alright so teammates good mornin'. 14:21.347 --> 14:23.929 I'd be remiss if I didn't first of all 14:23.929 --> 14:26.774 note that in addition to bein' up here 14:26.774 --> 14:30.695 to recognize the 461st, and I see Dick over there, 14:30.695 --> 14:31.730 so you've got some teammates with you, 14:31.730 --> 14:33.558 we're gonna talk to them here in a second. 14:33.558 --> 14:36.893 On behalf of Julie who couldn't be here today, 14:36.893 --> 14:38.307 it's her mom's 80th birthday down in 14:38.307 --> 14:40.161 Greensboro, North Carolina and she wanted me 14:40.161 --> 14:43.179 to pass on her appreciation to you and your team 14:43.179 --> 14:44.411 for everything that you've done 14:44.411 --> 14:45.838 and we'll talk about that here in a second, 14:45.838 --> 14:46.942 but I just wanna make sure that we. 14:46.942 --> 14:48.743 For me part of family support is making sure 14:48.743 --> 14:50.793 that we let the families do what they 14:50.793 --> 14:51.856 need to do when they need to do it. 14:51.856 --> 14:54.598 And I told her hey, go be at your mom's 80th birthday, 14:54.598 --> 14:56.973 that's a big deal, so that's where she is today. 14:56.973 --> 14:58.418 So anyway, enough on that. 14:58.418 --> 15:02.418 Hey look, just real briefly, part of the reason, 15:03.266 --> 15:05.508 and this goes back to what we just heard 15:05.508 --> 15:07.595 comin' out of the great state of South Dakota. 15:07.595 --> 15:09.349 So out of the great state of North Dakota, 15:09.349 --> 15:10.928 so we got a little run on the table 15:10.928 --> 15:12.028 here in the Dakota's today. 15:12.028 --> 15:13.435 (laughter) 15:13.435 --> 15:16.268 So the 461st, the reason that this 15:16.310 --> 15:18.964 is a easy thing for me to talk about 15:18.964 --> 15:21.416 is because in addition to what you just heard, 15:21.416 --> 15:23.322 which is probably emblematic of most 15:23.322 --> 15:25.480 of the formations and units that will 15:25.480 --> 15:27.240 be represented here today as winners. 15:27.240 --> 15:29.923 The distinction to me is being able 15:29.923 --> 15:33.606 to look at the differences between a program, okay, 15:33.606 --> 15:36.296 somebody executing a program, and something 15:36.296 --> 15:38.946 that is in the DNA of an organization. 15:38.946 --> 15:40.916 And so what you see in the 461st, 15:40.916 --> 15:43.648 whether it's outreach to the community, 15:43.648 --> 15:46.222 whether it's little league games, 15:46.222 --> 15:49.285 or baseball games, you know minor league goin' on, 15:49.285 --> 15:51.659 minor league game, gettin' some involvement there, 15:51.659 --> 15:54.260 or hockey, or email lists so you've got 15:54.260 --> 15:56.637 formations that are basically brought 15:56.637 --> 15:58.782 together to accomplish a purpose. 15:58.782 --> 15:59.615 I'm gonna talk a little bit about 15:59.615 --> 16:01.249 what they did down range in SinCOM here in a second. 16:01.249 --> 16:02.921 But you've got soldiers comin' 16:02.921 --> 16:05.754 from four or five different states 16:05.764 --> 16:08.389 to mass on target, create a capability, 16:08.389 --> 16:11.656 and go into theater and support the Army, 16:11.656 --> 16:13.955 the war fighter, and people in the United States of America. 16:13.955 --> 16:16.303 And in doin' that, when you bring that group together 16:16.303 --> 16:17.766 one of the key things you wanna do 16:17.766 --> 16:19.759 is drive cohesion, both in terms of the soldiers 16:19.759 --> 16:21.829 and the unit, but also to the families, 16:21.829 --> 16:24.525 the teammates that are out there supportin' us. 16:24.525 --> 16:26.317 This unit did that in spades. 16:26.317 --> 16:28.058 So in terms of being able to stay connected 16:28.058 --> 16:30.743 with families across five different states, 16:30.743 --> 16:32.461 alright, which is a big deal. 16:32.461 --> 16:34.309 For a company to be able to, if you will, 16:34.309 --> 16:36.401 generate those effects through emails, 16:36.401 --> 16:39.886 newsletters, Facebook sites, etcetera, etcetera, 16:39.886 --> 16:41.198 and bring a since of family support 16:41.198 --> 16:43.249 to an organization when it's deployed 16:43.249 --> 16:45.999 into harm's way is no small task, 16:46.476 --> 16:48.708 as we just talked about here a second ago. 16:48.708 --> 16:50.549 So I'm not gonna go through the whole list 16:50.549 --> 16:52.336 of everything you did, although I will say one thing. 16:52.336 --> 16:54.503 They had a tee shirt done, 16:55.150 --> 16:57.194 and everybody does tee shirts right, 16:57.194 --> 16:59.757 but this one was, this is R E D 16:59.757 --> 17:02.666 which I think stands for Remember Every Deployer, 17:02.666 --> 17:05.544 or Remember Everyone Deployed or something like that, 17:05.544 --> 17:06.679 so you can come up here later 17:06.679 --> 17:08.058 and tell me exactly what it stood for, 17:08.058 --> 17:11.648 but I just loved the idea of, at the company level, 17:11.648 --> 17:15.682 recognizing if you will, from a branding perspective, 17:15.682 --> 17:17.877 of the unique nature of that unit of action, 17:17.877 --> 17:19.295 and making sure every family member 17:19.295 --> 17:20.943 feels a part of that team. 17:20.943 --> 17:22.522 So you guys are to be commended 17:22.522 --> 17:24.475 for doin' a fantastic job and made us all proud. 17:24.475 --> 17:26.986 I won't say it was an easy call, 17:26.986 --> 17:29.783 cause as probably everybody in this room knows, 17:29.783 --> 17:31.577 we got a lot of folks out there 17:31.577 --> 17:33.267 poundin' really hard at making sure 17:33.267 --> 17:36.332 that they're turning a family program, 17:36.332 --> 17:38.785 Family Readiness program into the cultural, 17:38.785 --> 17:41.785 if you will, DNA of an organization. 17:41.882 --> 17:44.695 And you guys did it, okay, so good on ya. 17:44.695 --> 17:46.989 That's all I got, other than just say 17:46.989 --> 17:48.448 I appreciate everybody bein' here. 17:48.448 --> 17:50.222 I appreciate the effort you've put 17:50.222 --> 17:54.128 in to representing your formations and your services. 17:54.128 --> 17:57.151 We could not, we all know this, but I'm gonna reiterate it. 17:57.151 --> 17:58.543 We could not do what we do 17:58.543 --> 18:00.938 but for the support of our families. 18:00.938 --> 18:04.355 And the fact that we are recognizing this 18:05.077 --> 18:07.182 here today is just a small token 18:07.182 --> 18:09.464 of what we all know to be true. 18:09.464 --> 18:12.797 Which is, without families, we could not 18:13.244 --> 18:15.006 generate the capabilities, the effects 18:15.006 --> 18:17.481 that the American people expect us to do 18:17.481 --> 18:18.659 in an all volunteer force. 18:18.659 --> 18:19.601 I appreciate your support, 18:19.601 --> 18:21.027 appreciate everything you're doin'. 18:21.027 --> 18:22.747 Stay with it, keep at it, oohrah. 18:22.747 --> 18:24.997 (applause) 18:29.370 --> 18:31.036 - Thank you General Lucky. 18:31.036 --> 18:35.203 Accepting the award today for the 461st Engineer company 18:35.501 --> 18:39.668 are Captain Dick Osterberg, commander 461st Engineer company 18:40.395 --> 18:44.026 Mrs. Heather Beecher, Family Readiness Group leader, 18:44.026 --> 18:48.193 and Mrs Rachel Kinberg, Family Readiness Group Treasurer. 18:48.787 --> 18:52.582 Also attending from the 416th Theater Engineer command 18:52.582 --> 18:55.482 we welcome Major General Lewis Irwin 18:55.482 --> 18:58.924 Commanding General, 416th Theater Engineer command 18:58.924 --> 19:00.757 and Mrs. Marsha Irwin. 19:01.317 --> 19:04.742 Joining us from the 461st Engineer company 19:04.742 --> 19:06.743 we welcome the following attendees 19:06.743 --> 19:09.445 whom I invite to stand as I call your name. 19:09.445 --> 19:13.462 Mr. Gordon Lennox, Family Readiness Support Assistant, 19:13.462 --> 19:17.045 Mrs. Alisha Suriek, Phone Tree Chairperson, 19:17.125 --> 19:20.875 Chief Andrea Kinenberg, Chief Shiloh Beecher, 19:20.920 --> 19:23.753 and Staff Sergeant Richard Suriek. 19:24.200 --> 19:26.450 (applause) 19:33.231 --> 19:37.398 (background talking and cameras clicking) 19:42.176 --> 19:45.509 (laughter and applause) 20:00.861 --> 20:04.196 We now welcome Brigadier General Bradley James. 20:04.196 --> 20:06.438 Commanding General 4th Marine Air Wing, 20:06.438 --> 20:08.642 Marine Forces Reserve who will tell us 20:08.642 --> 20:11.402 about the winning unit from the Marine Corp Reserve. 20:11.402 --> 20:14.731 He is joined by Marine forces Senior Enlisted Advisor 20:14.731 --> 20:17.231 Sergeant Major Patrick Kimble. 20:18.575 --> 20:20.825 (applause) 20:25.124 --> 20:25.957 - Well thank you so much. 20:25.957 --> 20:28.409 It's an honor to be here today to represent 20:28.409 --> 20:29.914 Lieutenant General McMillan 20:29.914 --> 20:31.739 which is Commander Marine Forces Reserve. 20:31.739 --> 20:35.822 He couldn't make it today so I get to be his rep. 20:35.878 --> 20:38.236 Marine Forces Reserve, about 100,000 20:38.236 --> 20:41.456 Marine Reservists active, active Reserve, 20:41.456 --> 20:44.706 sailors and civilians throughout the US 20:45.239 --> 20:47.142 and a few other places. 20:47.142 --> 20:49.057 I'm the commanding General 4th Marine Air Wing 20:49.057 --> 20:50.807 as Bridget just said. 20:51.440 --> 20:53.748 I'm absolutely honored to be here today 20:53.748 --> 20:56.715 because one of my commands is receiving this award. 20:56.715 --> 21:00.548 And that is MACG, Marine Air Control Group 48. 21:01.189 --> 21:02.934 They're based out of, headquartered 21:02.934 --> 21:05.351 out of Great Lakes, Illinois. 21:05.636 --> 21:09.266 They're consist of 1300 Marines and sailors, 21:09.266 --> 21:11.849 civilians, 3,000 family members 21:12.256 --> 21:14.602 are tied in with this Family Readiness Program we have, 21:14.602 --> 21:16.852 which is our finest by far. 21:17.424 --> 21:21.215 Five sites, five states, Illinois, Massachusetts, 21:21.215 --> 21:23.882 California, Virginia, and Texas. 21:24.530 --> 21:28.323 We also have family members that are in those states, 21:28.323 --> 21:30.509 close to those states, and in Germany 21:30.509 --> 21:32.426 and Japan to reach out. 21:32.856 --> 21:35.814 Significance, everything that the General officers 21:35.814 --> 21:37.893 just said up here, concur. 21:37.893 --> 21:38.997 I'm not gonna go over that, 21:38.997 --> 21:41.136 and that's what ours are doin' also. 21:41.136 --> 21:44.719 Besides, we have a large Hispanic influence 21:45.274 --> 21:49.107 in our commands and so while we recognize here 21:49.332 --> 21:51.395 is that they went the extra mile, 21:51.395 --> 21:52.619 cause there's members out there 21:52.619 --> 21:54.483 that English is a second language, 21:54.483 --> 21:56.721 and they translated everything over 21:56.721 --> 21:58.971 to really tie them in also. 21:59.032 --> 22:02.782 We didn't activate, mobilize, and send a unit 22:04.576 --> 22:07.799 per say over, but what a significance here 22:07.799 --> 22:11.147 was they were all individual augments, IA's. 22:11.147 --> 22:13.980 So each one was in a different set 22:15.284 --> 22:16.777 I think we've got a former Commander, 22:16.777 --> 22:18.351 hopefully Colonel Oots made it down, 22:18.351 --> 22:21.445 I just saw him yesterday, he's about 19 days from retiring. 22:21.445 --> 22:24.714 NACG 48, Colonel Weaver, he'll be recognized here. 22:24.714 --> 22:25.863 But thanks to all the Marines. 22:25.863 --> 22:27.917 We got Brigadier General Stine over here 22:27.917 --> 22:32.084 that is Director of our Marine Corps Family programs, 22:32.455 --> 22:34.137 so 82 directives under him. 22:34.137 --> 22:36.637 So Kurt thanks for bein' here. 22:37.295 --> 22:39.002 In the spirit of keepin' it short, 22:39.002 --> 22:41.501 thank you very much, we're very honored to be here. 22:41.501 --> 22:43.751 (applause) 22:47.734 --> 22:48.567 - Thank you sir. 22:48.567 --> 22:51.567 I'll have you slide over, thank you. 22:52.422 --> 22:54.467 Accepting the award today for Marine 22:54.467 --> 22:58.634 Air Control Group 48 are Colonel Paul Weaver, Commander 22:59.236 --> 23:03.403 Sergeant Major Shawn Isaacson, Site Sergeant Major, 23:03.824 --> 23:07.991 and Mrs. Wendy Cauldron, Family Readiness Officer. 23:08.052 --> 23:09.795 Also attending for the unit we welcome 23:09.795 --> 23:12.507 the following key volunteers and spouses. 23:12.507 --> 23:14.968 Please stand as I call your name. 23:14.968 --> 23:18.694 Mrs. Julie Ann Weaver, Family Readiness Advisor, 23:18.694 --> 23:22.861 Mrs. Maria Del Carmongera, Family Readiness Volunteer, 23:23.169 --> 23:26.499 Mr. Kevin Golatis, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing 23:26.499 --> 23:30.666 Family Readiness Officer, and Mr. Christopher Cauldren. 23:31.629 --> 23:35.796 (background talking and cameras clicking) 23:57.266 --> 23:59.516 (applause) 24:08.453 --> 24:10.915 Now invite to the stage Mr. Patrick Barrett, 24:10.915 --> 24:13.425 Deputy Chief of the Navy Reserve 24:13.425 --> 24:16.100 and Force Master Chief C.J. Mitchell, 24:16.100 --> 24:18.702 Force Master Chief of the Navy Reserve. 24:18.702 --> 24:22.869 Sir I invite your comments about the Navy winning unit. 24:23.453 --> 24:25.703 (applause) 24:28.076 --> 24:29.280 - Good morning. 24:29.280 --> 24:31.949 I wanna say thank you to MOAA for puttin' this on. 24:31.949 --> 24:34.384 I appreciate the help, the families appreciate it. 24:34.384 --> 24:38.301 Mr. Dubois thank you for OSD, shepherding this. 24:38.433 --> 24:40.503 If it wasn't I'm sure we may take and easy path 24:40.503 --> 24:43.609 and not recognize the families like we should. 24:43.609 --> 24:45.455 Two things I wanna talk about today. 24:45.455 --> 24:48.218 I'm not sure who to thank for the weather 24:48.218 --> 24:49.632 and the Cherry Blossom Festival 24:49.632 --> 24:51.322 happening at the same time as the families 24:51.322 --> 24:52.347 (mumbling sounds with head turned from the microphone) 24:52.347 --> 24:53.577 (laughter) 24:53.577 --> 24:55.062 Families will appreciate that. 24:55.062 --> 24:56.718 The weather's always like that here. 24:56.718 --> 24:58.317 (laughter) 24:58.317 --> 25:00.845 Two points I just wanna get across. 25:00.845 --> 25:02.095 One is balance. 25:02.583 --> 25:06.750 This is something that on behalf of Chief of Navy Reserve, 25:06.850 --> 25:09.169 we wanna strike a balance in our units. 25:09.169 --> 25:11.669 San Jose has a proportionally, 25:11.810 --> 25:15.656 mobilizes a very high number of individual augmentees. 25:15.656 --> 25:17.397 It makes it hard to keep up with the families 25:17.397 --> 25:19.988 cause they're not just a cohesive unit. 25:19.988 --> 25:23.321 In doing that, we do those high numbers, 25:23.858 --> 25:26.246 and at the same time, their Community Family 25:26.246 --> 25:30.158 Outreach programs are also at that high percentage rate. 25:30.158 --> 25:31.566 And that's the balance we're looking for. 25:31.566 --> 25:32.980 Cause obviously we're pretty good 25:32.980 --> 25:34.894 at mobilizing people and putting them down range. 25:34.894 --> 25:36.668 Maybe not always as good as taking care 25:36.668 --> 25:39.073 of the families when they're gone. 25:39.073 --> 25:41.145 But that NOSC clearly did that 25:41.145 --> 25:42.942 and that's why they're here today. 25:42.942 --> 25:44.674 And the Skipper, I appreciate you doin' that. 25:44.674 --> 25:46.386 That comes from the top. 25:46.386 --> 25:49.136 And Buz, Ben, Colleen, thank you. 25:49.540 --> 25:51.868 The second piece is, and it's part 25:51.868 --> 25:54.175 of the criterion, innovation. 25:54.175 --> 25:55.649 Which is easy for I guess San Jose. 25:55.649 --> 25:57.205 If you're in the middle of Silicon Valley 25:57.205 --> 25:59.177 it's nothing but innovation out there. 25:59.177 --> 26:01.017 But what they did is they teamed up, 26:01.017 --> 26:04.434 they harnessed a public, private venture. 26:04.584 --> 26:06.487 Some of you may have heard of it. 26:06.487 --> 26:09.070 It's called a warrior workshop. 26:10.317 --> 26:12.484 I'm sorry, theater of war. 26:12.497 --> 26:15.851 And what this is, it's based on an ancient Greek play. 26:15.851 --> 26:18.601 And they used professional actors 26:18.998 --> 26:21.844 to come in and read parts of this play 26:21.844 --> 26:24.427 to families and warriors alike. 26:24.438 --> 26:25.683 And then at the end, you know, it turns 26:25.683 --> 26:29.683 into a bit of a pubic conversation, a town hall. 26:30.004 --> 26:31.751 They personally benefited a great deal 26:31.751 --> 26:33.834 from that, that workshop. 26:33.845 --> 26:36.337 To be able to put something like that together 26:36.337 --> 26:38.621 is truly the definition of innovation 26:38.621 --> 26:40.399 and I appreciate you doin' that. 26:40.399 --> 26:42.885 And we're lookin' forward to robbing all of your good ideas. 26:42.885 --> 26:46.353 And pushing those across to all the other NOSC's. 26:46.353 --> 26:48.609 So again, well deserved, thank you very much. 26:48.609 --> 26:50.859 (applause) 26:54.447 --> 26:55.780 - Thank you sir. 26:56.583 --> 26:59.669 Representing Navy Operational Support Center, 26:59.669 --> 27:02.584 San Jose, and accepting the award today 27:02.584 --> 27:05.392 are Commander Amy Hunt, Commanding Officer, 27:05.392 --> 27:08.309 and Mrs. Colleen Weaver, Ombudsman. 27:08.605 --> 27:11.560 We also would like to welcome Mr. Shawn Hunt, 27:11.560 --> 27:15.560 a key supporter of the members of NOSC San Jose. 27:16.386 --> 27:19.469 (background talking) 27:32.858 --> 27:35.108 (applause) 27:45.447 --> 27:48.530 (background talking) 27:51.930 --> 27:54.180 (laughter) 28:02.191 --> 28:04.374 We are pleased now to welcome to this stand 28:04.374 --> 28:07.983 Lieutenant General Scott Rice, Director Air National Guard 28:07.983 --> 28:11.082 who will tell us about the 123rd Air Lift Wing. 28:11.082 --> 28:13.163 Joining him is the Air National Guard's 28:13.163 --> 28:14.598 Senior Enlisted Advisor, 28:14.598 --> 28:17.387 Chief Master Sergeant Ronald Anderson, sir. 28:17.387 --> 28:18.220 - Thank you 28:18.220 --> 28:20.470 (applause) 28:24.108 --> 28:27.359 So this is where the rubber hits the road. 28:27.359 --> 28:30.188 I wanna thank you all fine ladies and gentlemen 28:30.188 --> 28:32.164 for being here, General, Officers, 28:32.164 --> 28:33.581 Senior in Leader, 28:33.885 --> 28:36.541 Senior Enlisted leadership as well as all 28:36.541 --> 28:38.741 of our family members and our distinguished 28:38.741 --> 28:42.202 line up of VIP's up here from Sergeant Major 28:42.202 --> 28:45.619 to Colonel Merry to a friend of ours all, 28:47.469 --> 28:49.136 is Secretary Dubois. 28:49.880 --> 28:51.963 He may look good up here, 28:53.491 --> 28:55.000 (laughter) 28:55.000 --> 28:57.049 but he's really, really good. 28:57.049 --> 28:58.742 He actually does something for us 28:58.742 --> 29:01.332 that I hold near and dear to my heart. 29:01.332 --> 29:03.387 You talked about balance, Patrick, 29:03.387 --> 29:06.554 and that's where, he does that for us. 29:07.343 --> 29:09.609 That's the balance that we look at. 29:09.609 --> 29:13.776 And I have an analogy of sitting on a three legged stool. 29:14.476 --> 29:17.059 Where we balance our employers, 29:17.663 --> 29:20.339 we balance our service to our country, 29:20.339 --> 29:21.897 and we balance our families. 29:21.897 --> 29:25.696 And all three of those legs of the stool, he is the one 29:25.696 --> 29:29.072 that makes sure we stay focused on all of them. 29:29.072 --> 29:32.132 Not one of them over another, and we keep that in balance. 29:32.132 --> 29:33.679 Exactly what you said. 29:33.679 --> 29:35.679 It's really a challenge. 29:36.504 --> 29:37.784 Because if you think about it, 29:37.784 --> 29:40.460 our soul is in our service to our country. 29:40.460 --> 29:43.169 Our mind is, what do we do with our employers 29:43.169 --> 29:45.837 and focus in on how do we do a job 29:45.837 --> 29:49.366 that supports ourselves, our families, our country. 29:49.366 --> 29:52.998 And then our heart is in our families without a doubt. 29:52.998 --> 29:55.396 And then if you look at the program 29:55.396 --> 29:57.405 that we have you see the emblem of both 29:57.405 --> 29:59.159 the Air Guard and the Army Guard 29:59.159 --> 30:00.718 and they have something in the middle 30:00.718 --> 30:02.443 and that's the citizen soldier 30:02.443 --> 30:04.842 holding not only that weapon in one hand 30:04.842 --> 30:06.689 but holding that plowshare in the other hand. 30:06.689 --> 30:09.022 And it's a perfect symbol on 30:09.058 --> 30:10.941 how that individual in the middle, 30:10.941 --> 30:12.674 you've got to take care of yourself, 30:12.674 --> 30:15.910 you've got to take care of your own mind, soul, and body 30:15.910 --> 30:18.141 as you personally balance all of this. 30:18.141 --> 30:20.891 So as I look down and think about 30:20.949 --> 30:24.915 all the great things Matt Dubois has done for us. 30:24.915 --> 30:26.474 It's really incredible. 30:26.474 --> 30:30.330 He has been doin' this since he left the Navy in 2011. 30:30.330 --> 30:32.723 We're still as seven Reserve components 30:32.723 --> 30:34.733 tryin' to get him back into service. 30:34.733 --> 30:38.769 You can be a Guardsman or Reservist in your own right, 30:38.769 --> 30:40.451 so anytime you'd like to come back in 30:40.451 --> 30:42.405 we're more than welcome to have you. 30:42.405 --> 30:45.322 But this award that started in 2000 30:45.468 --> 30:47.371 that he has taken to the next level 30:47.371 --> 30:49.291 by joining hand in hand with MOAA, 30:49.291 --> 30:51.586 what MOAA has done for all of us. 30:51.586 --> 30:53.815 And that association bringing it all together 30:53.815 --> 30:55.244 is really pretty special. 30:55.244 --> 30:56.770 That's why we're here today. 30:56.770 --> 30:58.587 That's why the flowers are blooming 30:58.587 --> 31:01.420 in our honor outside in the street 31:01.593 --> 31:05.054 because of the work you all have done for us, 31:05.054 --> 31:07.093 how you've all put this together. 31:07.093 --> 31:10.154 And in one small example, the innovation 31:10.154 --> 31:12.484 I was able to pull, we were able to pull, 31:12.484 --> 31:15.352 we were able to put together were the 123rd. 31:15.352 --> 31:18.818 And that Air Wing, that Air Refueling Wing, 31:18.818 --> 31:21.449 what they've, not air refueling, 31:21.449 --> 31:23.028 but that Air wing, and what they've done 31:23.028 --> 31:25.823 for all of us is really pretty special. 31:25.823 --> 31:28.811 Those pieces and parts of how they balance 31:28.811 --> 31:31.290 mentorship, assistance to not only the members, 31:31.290 --> 31:34.042 not only the families, but also the employers, 31:34.042 --> 31:37.472 they do that balance well, that's the innovative 31:37.472 --> 31:39.656 part of what they bring to the table. 31:39.656 --> 31:42.760 So on behalf of myself and all 106,000 31:42.760 --> 31:44.549 in the Air National Guard, and our 31:44.549 --> 31:48.716 command of our enlisted, our Chief Master Sergeant, 31:49.389 --> 31:52.147 excuse me, Ron Anderson, I'm honored 31:52.147 --> 31:54.095 to be here and honored to present this award 31:54.095 --> 31:56.921 to our unit, be a part of representing 31:56.921 --> 31:59.740 and saying what great things the 123rd has done for us. 31:59.740 --> 32:00.573 Thank you. 32:00.872 --> 32:03.122 (applause) 32:07.594 --> 32:09.256 - Thank you General Rice. 32:09.256 --> 32:13.423 Receiving the award today for the 123rd Air Lift Wing 32:13.565 --> 32:17.400 we welcome Colonel David Mounkes, Wing Commander, 32:17.400 --> 32:19.771 Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Krauss, 32:19.771 --> 32:22.001 Force Supports Squadron Commander, 32:22.001 --> 32:24.668 and Mrs. Amy Quimby, Wing Airman 32:24.896 --> 32:27.476 and Family Readiness Program Manager. 32:27.476 --> 32:29.104 From the Wing we also welcome 32:29.104 --> 32:31.905 Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Pritchard, 32:31.905 --> 32:33.761 Mission Support Group Commander. 32:33.761 --> 32:36.016 Please stand as I call your names. 32:36.016 --> 32:38.499 Chief Master Sergeant Brenda Stout, 32:38.499 --> 32:42.013 Force Support Squadron Chief Enlisted Manager. 32:42.013 --> 32:45.592 Mrs. Sharon Williams, Wing Lead Key Volunteer, 32:45.592 --> 32:49.759 and Mr. Cecil Goodlow, Wing Yellow Ribbon Support Specialist 32:52.228 --> 32:54.478 (applause) 32:59.257 --> 33:03.424 (background talking and cameras clicking) 33:13.809 --> 33:16.059 (applause) 33:23.898 --> 33:24.731 Thank you. 33:25.180 --> 33:28.274 We now welcome to the stand Brigadier General Al Lupenski, 33:28.274 --> 33:31.252 Director Air Force Reserve, Plans Programs 33:31.252 --> 33:33.165 and Requirements to tell us about 33:33.165 --> 33:35.016 the Air Force Reserve winning unit. 33:35.016 --> 33:38.118 He is joined by Chief Master Sergeant Rocky Hart, 33:38.118 --> 33:41.016 the Executive Assistant to the Senior Enlisted Advisor 33:41.016 --> 33:44.266 for the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff. 33:44.612 --> 33:46.862 (applause) 33:49.777 --> 33:50.610 - Well, good morning. 33:50.610 --> 33:52.017 On behalf of Lieutenant General Miller 33:52.017 --> 33:53.553 the Chief of the Air Force Reserve 33:53.553 --> 33:56.416 and the Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, 33:56.416 --> 33:57.933 and it's my honor to be here to introduce 33:57.933 --> 34:00.836 Colonel Larry Shaw and his outstanding team from the 434th 34:00.836 --> 34:03.336 Air Refueling Wing at Grissom. 34:04.694 --> 34:07.861 Having been a Wing Commander twice now 34:08.469 --> 34:12.569 with outstanding Readiness Family Support programs, 34:12.569 --> 34:15.594 and knowing how good the Airman and Family 34:15.594 --> 34:17.635 Readiness Programs are within the Air Force Reserve, 34:17.635 --> 34:19.447 for the 434th who have won this, 34:19.447 --> 34:23.614 that competition, says a whole lot about your program. 34:23.661 --> 34:25.708 The program in the Air Force Reserve Command 34:25.708 --> 34:27.630 is incredible and for you to be one 34:27.630 --> 34:31.547 out of 36 is just an incredible accomplishment. 34:31.718 --> 34:33.481 You know, all of us in uniform 34:33.481 --> 34:35.577 we all raised our hands and we volunteered, 34:35.577 --> 34:37.959 but the family didn't necessarily do that. 34:37.959 --> 34:39.881 But the family has always been there 34:39.881 --> 34:41.679 to support the member. 34:41.679 --> 34:43.544 So I would not be here right now 34:43.544 --> 34:45.257 if it were not for my family supporting me 34:45.257 --> 34:47.744 and I know Colonel Shaw, you and your gang 34:47.744 --> 34:49.090 would say the same thing. 34:49.090 --> 34:50.954 Without the families we're nothing. 34:50.954 --> 34:53.624 And our support for them and being honored 34:53.624 --> 34:55.541 this way is incredible. 34:56.441 --> 34:58.375 So I could go down a laundry list of things 34:58.375 --> 35:00.558 the 434th has done, it was three pages 35:00.558 --> 35:03.400 as I read through to prepare for today, but, 35:03.400 --> 35:06.264 we were given three minutes so I'm gonna stick to that. 35:06.264 --> 35:07.490 But let me just give you a few things 35:07.490 --> 35:10.428 that they've done over the last year. 35:10.428 --> 35:13.511 You know, the 434th has 1,675 members 35:14.139 --> 35:16.168 and then you roll in the family 35:16.168 --> 35:19.062 and that number grows exponentially. 35:19.062 --> 35:21.802 They've had two deployments this year down range. 35:21.802 --> 35:24.302 Deploying 163 members in 2016. 35:26.631 --> 35:28.576 Their accomplishments, just a few of their accomplishments. 35:28.576 --> 35:31.070 They have an outstanding key spouse program 35:31.070 --> 35:32.943 which is key to family support. 35:32.943 --> 35:35.549 They led the way in unified wellness center concepts. 35:35.549 --> 35:37.870 Their Airman and Family Readiness is actively 35:37.870 --> 35:40.083 involved in numerous Wing programs. 35:40.083 --> 35:43.014 They did resume writing classes, financial counseling, 35:43.014 --> 35:46.650 VA benefits briefings, a host of holiday events. 35:46.650 --> 35:49.169 They're actively involved in 4-H. 35:49.169 --> 35:52.282 So what they do for their community is incredible. 35:52.282 --> 35:54.016 Not to mention the fact that just recently 35:54.016 --> 35:56.932 back in 2016 we had some fairly severe 35:56.932 --> 35:59.129 tornadoes that ripped through that community, 35:59.129 --> 36:02.438 and the Airman and Family Readiness was there 36:02.438 --> 36:06.311 to support those families that had damage or lost homes. 36:06.311 --> 36:08.874 So without further ado I'd like to invite 36:08.874 --> 36:12.042 Colonel Shaw and his gang up here to accept this award. 36:12.042 --> 36:13.165 It's my honor on behalf of the General, 36:13.165 --> 36:15.306 General Miller to present it to you guys, 36:15.306 --> 36:17.604 or be involved in presenting it, so thanks again. 36:17.604 --> 36:19.854 (applause) 36:24.297 --> 36:25.616 - Thank you sir. 36:25.616 --> 36:28.619 Accepting the award today for the 434th 36:28.619 --> 36:32.041 Air Refueling Wing are Colonel Larry Shaw, 36:32.041 --> 36:33.291 Wing Commander. 36:33.577 --> 36:36.905 Colonel Scott Russell, Mission Support Group Commander, 36:36.905 --> 36:40.396 and Mrs. Jill Marconey-Pricely, Civilian Director 36:40.396 --> 36:42.729 Airman and Family Readiness. 36:43.001 --> 36:45.418 For the 434th we also welcome 36:46.050 --> 36:48.337 Master Sergeant Nathan Moore, 36:48.337 --> 36:51.170 NCOIC Airman and Family Readiness. 36:51.203 --> 36:52.286 Please stand. 36:52.974 --> 36:56.441 Tech Sergeant Soria Kastanfield, Readiness Technician 36:56.441 --> 37:00.608 Tech Sergeant Tammy Bellafont, Readiness Technician 37:01.483 --> 37:04.773 Tech Sergeant Daniel Huff, Readiness Technician 37:04.773 --> 37:08.940 and Tech Sergeant Daniel Costello, Readiness Technician. 37:10.504 --> 37:13.837 (applause and cheering) 37:19.541 --> 37:23.566 (background talking and cameras clicking) 37:23.566 --> 37:25.497 - [Audience Female] Good job Grissom 37:25.497 --> 37:28.830 (laughter and applause) 37:40.962 --> 37:43.302 - Turning now to the Coast Guard Reserve 37:43.302 --> 37:45.488 we welcome Rear Admiral Kurt Heinrichs, 37:45.488 --> 37:48.981 Director US Coast Guard Reserves and Military Personnel 37:48.981 --> 37:52.314 to tell us about Port Security Unit 307. 37:52.570 --> 37:55.124 Joining him on stage is Coast Guard Reserve 37:55.124 --> 37:57.791 Force Master Chief Eric Johnson. 37:58.176 --> 38:00.426 (applause) 38:05.662 --> 38:06.736 - Good morning everyone. 38:06.736 --> 38:08.119 I just want to start off by saying 38:08.119 --> 38:09.167 I'm a little jealous of this unit 38:09.167 --> 38:11.033 I'm gonna be giving the award to this morning 38:11.033 --> 38:12.567 because I was assigned to this unit, 38:12.567 --> 38:13.507 and I thought when I was there, 38:13.507 --> 38:16.040 back 15 years ago we had a good unit. 38:16.040 --> 38:17.825 But as you can see from these remarks I'm gonna make, 38:17.825 --> 38:20.375 that they've kinda outshined me with these 38:20.375 --> 38:21.746 accomplishments they've had. 38:21.746 --> 38:23.304 So when Port Security Unit 307 38:23.304 --> 38:25.258 received orders to mobilize and deploy 38:25.258 --> 38:27.859 to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay they knew 38:27.859 --> 38:29.706 that Family Readiness and Support 38:29.706 --> 38:31.563 would be crucial to the mission success. 38:31.563 --> 38:34.355 Immediately the command developed multiple initiatives 38:34.355 --> 38:35.726 which would provide ongoing support 38:35.726 --> 38:38.240 to families and loved ones affected by the absence 38:38.240 --> 38:41.978 of the 112 Reservists that they would be leaving behind. 38:41.978 --> 38:44.110 Prior to the deployment, the command worked with 38:44.110 --> 38:45.869 the Yellow Ribbon Integration Program 38:45.869 --> 38:48.069 to provide tailored resources 38:48.069 --> 38:49.867 to members and their families. 38:49.867 --> 38:51.712 The Command developed two three day events 38:51.712 --> 38:54.790 in which subject matter experts in family separation, 38:54.790 --> 38:57.489 resiliency, legal, medical, mental health 38:57.489 --> 38:59.219 and redeployment rights presented briefings 38:59.219 --> 39:02.321 to 396 deploying members and their families. 39:02.321 --> 39:04.400 Military legal resources were on hand 39:04.400 --> 39:06.422 so members and their families could prepare 39:06.422 --> 39:09.455 important documents such as powers of attorney's and wills 39:09.455 --> 39:11.949 through the ombudsman pre-deployment checklist 39:11.949 --> 39:13.842 reflecting shared practices. 39:13.842 --> 39:16.043 They made sure they were available 39:16.043 --> 39:18.394 to all the members and their families. 39:18.394 --> 39:20.488 In April 2016, the day the unit departed 39:20.488 --> 39:23.886 last year, one year ago, this month or next month, 39:23.886 --> 39:26.203 the war GMS served breakfast to everyone 39:26.203 --> 39:27.845 that was assembled there. 39:27.845 --> 39:29.499 The unit sent up several, 39:29.499 --> 39:32.509 the unit set up several static displays at that time 39:32.509 --> 39:35.147 to help the family's members visualize 39:35.147 --> 39:36.221 what they would be doing when 39:36.221 --> 39:38.572 they were deployed down in Guantanamo. 39:38.572 --> 39:40.550 They also made customized dog tags 39:40.550 --> 39:42.678 for all the kids that were there. 39:42.678 --> 39:45.693 During the deployment, PSU307 two ombudsmen 39:45.693 --> 39:49.245 produced a monthly newsletter that moderated 39:49.245 --> 39:51.468 a highly successful social media 39:51.468 --> 39:53.216 support group for family members. 39:53.216 --> 39:55.957 A particularly tense time during their deployment 39:55.957 --> 39:57.790 was hurricane Matthew. 39:57.906 --> 39:59.307 Not only did this storm affect 39:59.307 --> 40:02.223 the members down in Cuba, but it also affected 40:02.223 --> 40:05.547 the member's families back home in St. Petersburg, Florida. 40:05.547 --> 40:09.223 The storm, the ombudsman working closely with the Command 40:09.223 --> 40:11.290 effectively used social media to disseminate 40:11.290 --> 40:12.898 accurate information to make sure 40:12.898 --> 40:14.549 all the family members were taken care of 40:14.549 --> 40:16.920 and they had timely information 40:16.920 --> 40:19.420 of all the members down range. 40:19.782 --> 40:22.117 Morale activities such as the initiative for youth, 40:22.117 --> 40:24.217 called Operation Gratitude, and the USO's Operation 40:24.217 --> 40:26.196 That's My Dress provided a bright spot 40:26.196 --> 40:28.709 for families during the deployment. 40:28.709 --> 40:30.922 I could go on and on listing specific actions 40:30.922 --> 40:32.855 that this unit did to assist their families 40:32.855 --> 40:34.614 when they were deployed, but let me 40:34.614 --> 40:37.973 just conclude by saying I'm proud of PSU307 40:37.973 --> 40:40.319 for making a plan for family readiness. 40:40.319 --> 40:42.861 For quickly responding to member's and family needs 40:42.861 --> 40:45.111 when the unexpected happened and for doing 40:45.111 --> 40:46.952 the hard work to make sure that the security 40:46.952 --> 40:50.445 of our nation did not, was not compromised 40:50.445 --> 40:52.430 at the cost of our families. 40:52.430 --> 40:55.861 So Commander Bernstein and Ombudsman Dee Patina 40:55.861 --> 40:59.459 I commend you for your leadership and helping our families. 40:59.459 --> 41:01.456 You've earned this award, please come forward. 41:01.456 --> 41:03.706 (applause) 41:09.139 --> 41:10.472 - Thank you sir. 41:11.088 --> 41:14.724 Accepting the award for Port Security Unit 307 41:14.724 --> 41:18.538 we welcome Commander Eric Bernstein, Commanding Officer 41:18.538 --> 41:22.038 and Mrs. Lisa DiBianta, Command Ombudsman. 41:22.679 --> 41:25.762 Also attending from PSU307 we welcome 41:25.981 --> 41:28.912 the following unit members and spouses. 41:28.912 --> 41:32.594 Lieutenant Commander Unara Soto, Force Readiness Officer, 41:32.594 --> 41:33.677 Please stand. 41:34.607 --> 41:38.524 Mrs. Allison Bernstein, and Mrs. Julie Feldman. 41:39.913 --> 41:42.163 (applause) 41:47.886 --> 41:52.053 (background talking and cameras clicking) 42:05.891 --> 42:08.141 (applause) 42:16.358 --> 42:18.058 Please join me in a round of applause 42:18.058 --> 42:19.692 to recognize all of our winners. 42:19.692 --> 42:21.942 (applause) 42:27.639 --> 42:29.669 As we conclude I'd like to ask the winning 42:29.669 --> 42:32.030 unit representatives and the senior leadership 42:32.030 --> 42:33.609 to remain in the Hall of Heroes 42:33.609 --> 42:36.284 for a final picture with the complete delegation 42:36.284 --> 42:38.578 along with Mr. Dubois, Colonel Merry 42:38.578 --> 42:41.207 and the service senior leadership. 42:41.207 --> 42:42.759 Ladies and gentlemen I'd like to thank you 42:42.759 --> 42:44.524 for attending this year's 42:44.524 --> 42:47.076 Reserve Family Readiness Award ceremony. 42:47.076 --> 42:49.907 We especially thank the Military Officer's Association 42:49.907 --> 42:52.208 of America for their commitment to supporting 42:52.208 --> 42:55.226 military families and for their generous sponsorship 42:55.226 --> 42:57.206 of the reception that will be held 42:57.206 --> 42:58.577 just through the doors in the back 42:58.577 --> 43:00.410 of the Hall of Heroes. 43:00.635 --> 43:02.241 At the front of the room we have 43:02.241 --> 43:05.385 an additional plaque and some boxes for each winning unit. 43:05.385 --> 43:07.582 Please hold onto that very important envelope 43:07.582 --> 43:09.863 that you received from MOAA because 43:09.863 --> 43:13.477 that includes your instructions to get your award check. 43:13.477 --> 43:15.651 And please check in with Mr. Jess Ramirez 43:15.651 --> 43:17.329 in the reception room who is pleased 43:17.329 --> 43:19.551 to make another presentation of a gift 43:19.551 --> 43:22.468 to the winning unit military wives. 43:23.192 --> 43:24.851 I'd like to turn it over now to Mr. Dubois 43:24.851 --> 43:27.101 for a few closing comments. 43:28.709 --> 43:30.959 (applause) 43:34.184 --> 43:35.625 - Again I wanna thank you all coming, 43:35.625 --> 43:36.983 this is an important event. 43:36.983 --> 43:38.253 And before we leave I have one 43:38.253 --> 43:41.828 kind of unscripted piece of business to take care of. 43:41.828 --> 43:44.065 Colonel would you mind joining me. 43:44.065 --> 43:45.342 What we have here is the prestigious 43:45.342 --> 43:47.789 and coveted Seven Seals Award. 43:47.789 --> 43:49.853 On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, 43:49.853 --> 43:51.254 (muffled speech) 43:51.254 --> 43:53.194 the Reserve Chiefs, and the over one million 43:53.194 --> 43:54.323 Reservists and their families, 43:54.323 --> 43:56.187 and all those who support them. 43:56.187 --> 43:57.044 Congratulations. 43:57.044 --> 43:58.351 (drowned out by applause) 43:58.351 --> 44:00.601 (applause) 44:04.564 --> 44:06.397 - Thank you very much. 44:07.259 --> 44:08.092 - Thank you. 44:08.092 --> 44:10.158 That concludes our ceremony. 44:10.158 --> 44:11.253 I would like to remind everybody 44:11.253 --> 44:12.983 to please display your billing badges 44:12.983 --> 44:14.428 when you leave this room. 44:14.428 --> 44:16.069 Please join us for the reception. 44:16.069 --> 44:18.267 Travel safely and keep up the good work. 44:18.267 --> 44:19.100 Thank you. 44:19.271 --> 44:21.521 (applause)