National Guard Association of the United States meets in Chicago

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/27/2014)(readMedia)-- Story by Sgt. 1st Class Rob Fafoglia, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CHICAGO - More than 3,500 people attended this year's National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) conference in Chicago, Aug. 22 through 25. The conference is a yearly event aimed at focusing the nation's attention on the needs and accomplishments of the Army and Air National Guard.

"(NGAUS) mission is to tell the story of the Guardsmen and to represent us around the nation, to let folks understand how important the Guard is to their communities, to our nation and to our respective states," said Daniel Krumrei, the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General.

The association was created in 1878, making it the oldest military organization of its type. Its primary purpose is to educate Congress about the training and funding requirements of the National Guard.

"Militia officers from the North and South came together . . . in order to create a unified voice before Congress," said John Goheen, the director of communications for NGAUS and retired National Guardsman. "They decided going alone as individual states, requesting money for better equipment and training, wasn't working, that they needed to unite and work together. That's why they created NGAUS and our mission remains unchanged to this day."

Goheen acknowledged some may look at NGAUS and other associations like it in a negative light, because they deal so heavily with politics.

"We are absolutely a lobbying organization," said Goheen. "What people need to understand is that we give the Guard a voice in Washington. Most military organizations (such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association) are about taking care of veterans. We are about readiness. We're working to get Soldiers and their commanders the equipment they need, the training they need, to be ready to go and support a mission, whether it's for their governor or an overseas combat deployment."

Goheen said NGAUS is responsible for many of the structures and services some guard members may take for granted.

"It was this association that worked with Congress to create drill pay," said Goheen. "It was this association that worked with Congress to create the retirement program. It was this association that worked with Congress to provide the states with military construction dollars and equipment. Just about anything that is in an armory or a base, it's not a stretch to say NGAUS has its fingerprints on it."

The annual conference serves as a business meeting for members from every state. It includes guest speakers, award presentations, social events and mixers for participants, events for spouses and other family members and a tradeshow for sponsors and vendors.

Every year, the conference rotates among the states. This year belonged to Illinois, and Krumrei said the state has been planning and working on this event for years. He said one of the benefits of attending the conference, besides the wealth of information, is a chance to experience what each state has to offer.

"This is a great opportunity for Illinois," said Krumrei. "The governor had the opportunity to address the convention. For the city of Chicago, besides the convention business it brings, this really is the diamond of the heartland. Every response I have received is that people are grateful for the opportunity to be in Chicago. The architectural tours, the food, the sights, the experiences; everybody I have talked to has had a wonderful time here."

In addition to reviewing numbers, talking about unit issues and sightseeing, the conference offers participants a chance for professional development, something Krumrei said is invaluable. Some of the topics discussed include : fiscal responsibility and the upcoming challenges the military faces, sexual assault and harassment prevention and training, suicide awareness and prevention, and the changing military environment, as it shifts from warfighting to issues on the home front.

"We have the opportunity to meet with the other states and to share best practices," said Krumrei. "We get together on a variety of levels, company grade officers, warrant officers, general officers and adjutants general, for professional training to develop those relationships. It also gives us an opportunity to spend time with many of the vendors that help provide for the safety and the security of our Soldiers and our Airmen."

Krumrei said it is important for servicemembers to take advantage of the opportunities and services provided by organizations such as NGAUS, even if they are unable to attend a conference or event. He focused specifically on education.

"It is important to take every opportunity to engage in every educational aspect of their professional development as Soldiers or Airmen," said Krumrei. "Those opportunities will continue to exist. It will be a difficult fiscal time and situation to do that in, but for those who choose to continue their education, they need to take advantage of every opportunity that's available to them."

Krumrei also emphasized the importance of Soldiers and Airmen getting involved and making their voice heard.

"This is one of the largest NGAUS conventions in several years," he said. "It's my hope that every Air Guardsman and Army Guardsman will reach out and be a part of their professional association, because that's what professionals do; they associate with one another, they learn from one another, and they share best practices. I encourage all of our servicemembers to be a part of their state associations, the national association for the enlisted, for professionals and for officers."

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/19/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - John C. Cycotte of Trivoli, Illinois, command sergeant major of the Illinois National Guard's 65th Troop Command Brigade will retire the end of August, after more than a quarter of a century in uniformed service to our nation.

"I am very proud to have worked with the exceptional one percent of the population who stands up to defend the United States," said Cycotte.

Cycotte said the best part of working in the Guard was his time working with the Soldiers, training and developing them and seeing them step up into leadership positions and succeed.

"He is a very thorough guy," said Master Sgt. Donald Siltman of Virginia, Illinois, 65th Troop Command Brigade surface maintenance mechanic. "Everyone was ready no matter the mission. People knew what they were doing when Cycotte was in charge."

Cycotte was born at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas. He attended high school in Decatur, Illinois, and enlisted in January 1982.

Throughout his long career he held every enlisted leadership position from squad leader to command sergeant major.

"Cycotte brought a lot of experience, good common sense and mentorship to the Soldiers under him," said Sgt. Maj. Vernon Wilfinger of East Peoria, Illinois, the interim command sergeant major of the 65th Troop Command Brigade.

He completed six overseas missions during his time with the Guard, including deployments Kosovo and Iraq.

Cycotte credits his leadership style to many men and women in uniform who he served with over the years.

Cycotte said Soldiers, like his platoon sergeant, from his assignment to Company D, 293rd Engineer Battalion out of Baumholder, Germany, taught him the importance of evaluating and developing training at all levels.

"There are many noncommissioned officers and officers who I have worked with over the years that influenced me and I learned from each of them," said Cycotte.

In his spare time, Cycotte likes fishing, hunting and boating. He recently moved to Florida to pursue a new career with the Transportation Security Administration, where he expects to have a little more time for his extracurricular activities, as well as his family.

After his military service he will relocate to Port Charlotte, Florida, joining his wife Bobbi, also an Army veteran of 21 years, son Michael a Navy veteran, his daughter-in-law Lesley, and four grandchildren.

"He has been around a long time and is one of the top noncommissioned officers in the state," said Siltman. "You hate to see the good ones go."

Todd Prichard highlights Braley's successful effort to take on Pentagon & ensure Iowa National Guard troops were given the pay they were promised

Des Moines, IA - A new 30 second television advertisement was launched by Braley for Iowa today, telling another story of Rep. Bruce Braley's work delivering results to Iowans, in which he ensured members of the Iowa National Guard who served the longest continuous deployment in the Iraq conflict were given the pay they were promised.

The ad, titled "Receive," features Iowa National Guard veteran and state Rep. Todd Prichard, resident of Charles City, who served in the Iowa National Guard's 1-133^rd infantry battalion. Members of the unit were deployed for 17 months in Iraq, and had their tour extended while serving abroad. According to the Quad City Times, the Department of Defense promised the soldiers up to $200 per day in additional pay because they served beyond their scheduled deployments. But years after their return home, they had not received the promised pay.

Prichard said, "Our unit was promised additional pay because our tour in Iraq was extended, but we waited and waited and the pay never came. Bruce Braley went to bat for us to make sure we got the pay we were promised. He fought for us and got results, and because of his efforts nearly 800 Iowa National Guard members got the pay we deserved."

Waterloo resident and Iowa National Guard Sgt. Jesse McCunniff, also a member of the unit, said, "When you're serving abroad, it's good to know somebody has your back. Bruce Braley fought for two years to make sure every single Iowa National Guard member promised respite pay got the benefits they had earned. Bruce stood up to the Pentagon bureaucracy and delivered results for Iowa troops who had put their lives on the line."

More than 22,000 National Guard members, including almost 800 Iowa National Guard members, ultimately didn't receive proper compensation. Braley was "at the forefront of restoring the lost respite pay," and worked for "two years to see that the Guard members get the respite leave benefits they earned on lengthy deployments." Braley "has been leading efforts in the US House to fix this back pay problem," introducing and passing legislation that enabled the Pentagon to live up to their commitments.

The ad is airing on broadcast and cable television statewide across Iowa, and can be viewed at the following link: http://youtu.be/1vFQAaRKkiY

Maj. Nathan A. Westby Retires After 24 Years of Service

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- Story by Sgt. 1st Class Rob Fafoglia, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

As his military career draws to a close, Maj. Nathan A. Westby, commander of the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Springfield, Ill., said his main career inspiration has been the Soldiers he worked with and for.

"I have a profound respect and love for the great Soldiers and leaders I've had the opportunity to work for over the years," said Westby. "The kind of leaders who sacrifice an immense portion of their personal and professional time to make sure that, at the end of the day, their Soldiers, their teammates, are taken care of."

Westby, originally from Edgerton, Wisconsin, finished his career as commander of the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, based in Springfield, Illinois. He reflected on what has made him successful over the years, as well as any other officer hoping to take command.

"Overall, officers in the National Guard today need to demonstrate the ability to be adaptable to an ever-evolving mission-set and creative in a resource constrained training environment," said Westby, "as our defense force adapts to the changing environment."

According to many of the Soldiers Westby served with over the years, he practiced what he preached.

"He was able to stand back and take a holistic view," said Sgt. 1st Class Peter Feudo, platoon sergeant with C Troop, 2/106th Cavalry (RSTA), in Aurora, Illinois, and a Plainfield, Illinois, resident who deployed with Westby to Afghanistan in 2008. "He understood the mission in its entirety. He also took into account our personal safety. Because he knew his men and we trusted each other, we did what needed to be done to accomplish the mission."

Another secret of Westby's success is his willingness to listen to other's opinions and ideas, especially those of his NCO's, he said.

"As the commander of the MPAD, I think anyone that listens to and involves the officers and NCO's in the unit in planning and executing training will be successful," said Westby. "This unit has a lot of great leaders who have a lot of experience, and not just experience in public affairs or journalism. Many of the Soldiers in this unit have come from other career fields in the military and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise."

His former Soldiers agreed this was a practice at which Westby excelled.

"He has a lot of maturity as an officer, said Master Sgt. Pedro Gaston, operations sergeant for the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur, Illinois, and resident of Schaumberg, Illinois. "He was an NCO first, and he takes NCO opinions very seriously.

Feudo echoed this sentiment.

"He was a Soldier's commander," he said. "He is smart and methodical. He would listen to opinions then make decisions.

Westby's care and concern for the Soldiers serving under him seems to be universal, regardless of the unit.

"(His Soldiers) had nothing but respect and admiration for the man," said Gaston. "He's a good person and treats everyone with respect, regardless of rank. That in itself is admirable."

Westby said this universal respect for those with whom he served, subordinate, peer or superior, was a huge driving force in his career.

"The only reason I've stayed in the (military) this long is because of my admiration for the Soldiers I've worked with and for," he said. "They are simply the best fabric of America. They are the selfless people who will knowingly put their lives on the line for others, whether it's their fellow soldier in the trenches with them, or a faceless nation an ocean away, safely going about their day."

Staff Sgt. Brian Allen, also with 2/106th Cavalry, said Maj. Westby's command philosophy was very simple.

"He lives the Army Values," said Allen, a resident of Downer's Grove, "but it's more than that. He genuinely cares about what he doing and his drive pushes him to be the best at whatever he is doing. Also, his loyalty to his Soldiers was key. He would do anything for his Soldiers. In combat, I've seen him do things you would not believe to protect his men."

This loyalty and respect for his Soldiers is something many of them will always remember.

"He was incredibly personal," said Feudo. "He knew his men and still does to this day. He took an individual approach to each Soldier. He knew their families and their histories. Those that were with him during the toughest times will always remember him as both a commander and a friend."

Westby is not sure what he will do with his retirement, but said the military has definitely benefitted his life and civilian career possibilities.

"It's given me an opportunity to develop leadership skills and made me a much better communicator, he said. "I've developed and honed skills that I've transferred into improving my civilian career and job position over the years. It's given me a tremendous education opportunity. I come from a family where I was the first person to attend college. I now have a master's degree from the University of Illinois."

Westby also said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family in Sussex, Wisconsin, where they now reside.

"I just look forward to being able to spend all of my weekends and summers raising my children, coaching them in sports, taking family vacations and so on," he said.

Whatever Westby does, he will be remembered long after leaving the National Guard.

"Every Soldier I know who served under Maj. Westby loved him," said Allen, "simple as that. We still have Soldiers talking about him to this day. He will be missed."