SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/26/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Camp Lincoln in Springfield commissioned 34 Soldiers as second lieutenants during the OCS graduation ceremony at Springfield High School, Aug. 25.

To meet the commissioning requirements, an officer candidate must complete more than 658 hours of classroom and field instruction. Candidates are evaluated on leadership abilities along with academics. They must also complete many physical and mental tasks, such as road marches and tactical exercises.

The 129th has commissioned 2,289 officers from the program.

The six newly commissioned accelerated program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Dustin Anderson of Preemption, Ill., with Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Robert Boney of St. Louis, with Company B, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Bloomington, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Amanda Bruni of Troy, Ill., with Company C, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Springfield, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jonathan Logemann of Lancaster, Wisc., with Detachment 1,1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Joliet, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jonathan Miller of Macedonia, Ohio, with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Garrett Nevious of Marion, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

The 28 newly commissioned traditional program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Bisesto of Aurora, Ill., with Company G, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Crestwood, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Tom Boas of Philo, Ill., with Detachment 1, 1544th Transportation Company in Danville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Logan Burke of Nashville, Ill., with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in West Frankfort, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jose Corona of Aurora, Ill., with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Amanda Day of Peoria, Ill., with the 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Landon Foy of Park Forest, Ill., with the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Trevor Garner of Hull, Ill., with the 661st Engineer Company in Sparta, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jason Harrison of Lisle, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Wade Joiner of Edwardsville, Ill., with the 445th Chemical Company in Shiloh, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Dallin Jones of Paxton, Ill., with Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Benjamin Klingberg of La Grange Park, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Adam Kowalski of Darien, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Brock Kowske of Chicago, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Elgin, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Simon Lee of Chicago, with the 1744th Transportation Company in Crestwood, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Justin Lipes of Roseville, Ill., with Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Kirby McKee of Huntley, Ill., with Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Woodstock, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Doreen Misiorek of Springfield, Ill., with the 766th Engineer Company in Decatur, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Brandon Nicol of Leroy, Ill., with Company E, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., with the 933rd Military Police Company in Fort Sheridan, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Peter Pogwizd of Chicago, with Troop B, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Robert Reif of Wauconda, Ill., with Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion in Streator, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Antonio Reyes of Chicago, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Greg Romanek of Franklin Park, Ill., with Company B, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Bloomington, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. John Schaaf of Moline, Ill., with Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Erin Speck of LaGrange, Ill., with the 333rd Military Police Company in Freeport, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Keith Stewart of Ursa, Ill., with the 661st Engineer Company in Sparta, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., with 2nd Battalion, 123rd Forward Support Company in Milan, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. David Wachtveitl of Springfield, Ill., with Company C, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, 33rd Brigade Support Battalion in Carbondale, Ill.

Outstanding OCS graduates were awarded the following:

• The Leadership Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., for the highest overall leadership evaluation score over the entire OCS program

• The Physical Fitness Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., for the highest average score on the OCS Army Physical Fitness Test

• The Academic Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Matthew Bisesto of Aurora, Ill., for holding the highest academic average in the class.

• Three Soldiers received honors. The honor award is a calculation of peer evaluations, leadership evaluations, academic evaluations and physical fitness, determining the top three overall officer candidates.

• The third honor was awarded to 2nd Lt. John Schaaf of Moline, Ill., for maintaining the third highest course average

• The second honor was awarded to 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., for maintaining the second highest course average

• The Erickson Trophy was awarded to 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., for holding the highest academic average in the class and she is also the class distinguished honor graduate.

WARSAW, POLAND (08/19/2013)(readMedia)-- Seven Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers marched in a 200-mile ceremonial pilgrimage through the countryside of Poland Aug. 5 to 14 in support of the state's longstanding partnership with the Polish military.

The trek, which commemorates Poland's catholic heritage, began with an early morning mass in Warsaw and ended at the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, the site of the Black Madonna icon. Approximately 300 Soldiers from Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland and the United States took part in the annual event.

Catholics from around the world travel to Poland for the pilgrimage each year. Each day Soldiers and civilians walked up to 28 miles to attend mass at various sites, including catholic churches, parks or any area big enough to hold the crowd.

The groups sang songs and recited prayers or sermons in their native languages to motivate each other while walking for 12 or more hours each day.

Capt. J Kent Kroencke of Louisville, Ky, a chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill., said he has tried to attend the spiritual journey for a few years.

"The interesting part of the event is that I am a protestant chaplain, but it is a catholic event," said Kroencke. "As a protestant chaplain we have to provide religious support for all types of Soldiers. The event helped me understand how to provide for catholic Soldiers in the future."

Sgt. John G. Chambers of Manteno, Ill., a chaplain's assistant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago said the local civilians were extremely kind along the route. He said the communities were happy to see them pass through because some citizens are not physically able to do the pilgrimage.

Local residents provided food and drinks to the Soldiers along the way to encourage them during the long days.

Chambers said the reason he came to Poland was because he liked the idea of the long distance challenge, but was quickly surprised by how difficult the pilgrimage is.

"The event is more demanding on your body than you can ever imagine," said Chambers. "It is more taxing on your feet than anything I have ever experienced."

Sgt. Anastasia L. Evans of Alton, Ill., a chaplain's assistant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Machesney Park, Ill., said she enjoyed the experience and interaction with the participants from various countries.

"They were very welcoming and very helpful," said Evans. "I do not think I could have done the pilgrimage without them."

The State Partnership Program between the Illinois National Guard and the Republic of Poland was established in 1993 to foster mutual interests and establish long-term relationships across all levels of society.

Kroencke said getting to know the Polish Soldiers and civilians was fulfilling for him. He said he believes it will create relationships that will benefit both countries.

Chambers said the countries bonded together to help each other get through the pilgrimage.

"Anytime you have a difficult challenge or a challenging experience to share with other people, you come out of that experience with a stronger relationship with those people you shared it with," said Chambers.

New Law Will Increase Access to Legal Representation
for Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers

CHICAGO - Governor Quinn today signed the Access to Justice Act, a new law to support veterans and active duty servicemembers across Illinois. The new law is designed to provide meaningful access to legal information and representation to the military, veterans and the disadvantaged. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to honor and support the men and women who have served our nation.

"Our servicemembers have faced great obstacles in their line of duty, and there is no reason why they should face these difficulties here at home," Governor Quinn said. "The Access to Justice Act will ensure that our veterans get the assistance they need and deserve. I commend the Illinois Supreme Court and Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride for their work to put this bill on my desk."

"On behalf of the Illinois Supreme Court, I thank Governor Quinn and the General Assembly for enacting our proposal into law," Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride said. "This law will make the Illinois court system more accessible to veterans and active duty servicemembers and will help citizens in all walks of life.

"Additionally, it provides funding for self-help centers in law libraries, creates a task force to review the statutory fees imposed on litigation and will establish a pilot project to test how best to provide legal representation in certain civil cases to those who can't afford an attorney," Chief Justice Kilbride added.

Sponsored by State Representative Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) and State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago), House Bill 3111 creates a pilot program to provide legal representation for disadvantaged veterans and active duty servicemembers. It also establishes a task force to review fees on criminal defendants and civil litigants. The legislation passed with the strong support of the Illinois Supreme Court and takes effect immediately.

"This new law will help people across Illinois gain access to free legal resources that would not otherwise be available to them," Representative McAsey said. "By allowing county libraries to serve as self-help legal centers, establish court-sponsored pro-bono legal assistance and provide veterans with a hotline to receive legal assistance, more people will be able to consult accurate resources as they prepare to enter the courtroom."

"Access to a fair judicial system is a fundamental right in a civilized society," Senator Mulroe said. "The Access to Justice Act ensures that all litigants have meaningful access to legal information and legal representation, regardless of their income or circumstances. Additionally, it provides much needed legal support resources to statewide military personnel and veterans."

House Bill 3111 encourages the Supreme Court to develop a pilot program that will create a veterans' and military personnel statewide legal assistance hotline and a program for court-based legal assistance. These pilot programs will provide free legal assistance, and will be paid for by an Access to Justice Fund supported by a $10 fee on parties in civil cases which will be collected by the clerks of the circuit court.

The Access to Justice Act requires the Supreme Court to submit a report to the General Assembly by June 1, 2017 regarding the effectiveness of the program, including the number of people served, the impact the programs had, the benefits provided for both the clients and the courts, recommendations for maximizing benefits and an assessment of continuing unmet needs.

"House Bill 3111 is a great step forward in meeting the complex legal needs of Illinois' veterans and servicemembers," Erica Borggren, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, said. "Thanks to veteran-friendly legislation like this, Illinois is leading the nation when it comes to serving and supporting our veterans."

In addition to helping veterans receive access to legal representation, the law also creates a task force to review the fees on criminal defendants and civil litigants, making sure the court fees are both efficient and just. The task force will consist of 15 members and is required to submit a report with their findings to the General Assembly by June 1, 2014.

MARSEILLES, IL (08/12/2013)(readMedia)-- "Shooters, watch your lanes!" was a familiar line on the qualifying ranges at the 2013 Illinois Army National Guard Adjutant General's (TAG) Rifle and Pistol Match Aug. 8 through 11 at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Ill. Roughly 120 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers participated in the annual marksmanship event.

"The TAG Match is training through competition," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle Gleason of Lincoln, Ill., with the 3625th Surface Maintenance Company in North Riverside, Ill., and range master for the contest. "It's like a World Series or a Super Bowl, but you're out there training and competing with your peers and other units. You don't just pass or get a 'go,' there are different ratings."

Shooters are rated both as teams and individuals using the pistol and rifle. There is also a combined arms match, a new addition this year, in which Soldiers are tested on both weapon systems.

"It's short-ranged and very fast-paced," Gleason said. "The phrase we like to use is 'you can't miss fast enough.'"

All the matches are based off what the Illinois National Guard marksman teams have faced when competing out of state, which enables Soldiers to experience big interstate match concepts at the Illinois state level, Gleason said.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brandon Gibbs of Pleasant Plains, Ill., director of the competition, said future competitions will be even more complex and exciting.

"Next year we're going to try and add the shotgun for a three-gun event," said Gibbs, with Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill. "But it's really hard to change it up and make it different when these are the stages of fire set from the Winston P. Wilson Championship, of which we base our TAG Match off."

Sgt. James Wayne of Springfield, Ill., with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Ill., gained new knowledge during his first TAG match, despite having 20 years of shooting experience.

"It's been a pretty good event so far with the competition and camaraderie," said Wayne. "If you get a chance to do this, by all means do it. It's a great thing and even I'm learning new things."

Every unit in the Illinois Army National Guard had the opportunity to put a team together for the TAG Match. 1st Sgt. Keith Rodgers of Eldorado, Ill., with Company C, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Carbondale, Ill., participated in the event with a group of Soldiers from his unit.

"It's a fun event," Rodgers said. "I've heard a lot about it over the years but have always been too busy to try to participate in it. I've got some motivated Soldiers in the unit that wanted to get a team together, so I was glad to get on board and give it a try."

Rodgers said he appreciated the chance to do more than he would at a yearly qualification range.

"It's been really enjoyable," he said. "There's a lot more going on here than the standard range. It's an opportunity to put a lot of rounds down range and shoot in different situations that you normally don't get to try."

Brig. Gen. Richard J. Hayes of Springfield, Ill., Assistant Adjutant General of the Illinois Army National Guard, spoke at the ceremony recognizing the winners completion of the match.

"Your experience with this helps you to be better," Hayes said. "Through that competition, it forces you to fine tune what you were doing, to achieve and hopefully be one of the winners today."

The top 20 individual shooters received the Governor's Twenty Tab, which they can wear on their uniforms. The top three teams and individuals of each event received a plaque to display their accomplishments.

1st Lt. Justin F. Conley of Downers Grove, Ill., with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill., was the first place shooter overall.

"There are some really good shooters out here," Conley said. "You can't just walk in the door, no matter how good you are. To max all three categories like that is humbling to say the least."

Winners of the TAG Match may be selected to join the Illinois National Guard's Marksman Team. The team must select two new shooters to compete in regional and national events annually. Gleason said the TAG Match is an important tool in selecting the Guard team.

"There's a pyramid, and the bottom of the pyramid is the state level match," Gleason said. "We always have to recruit from within the state and that's part of what this is here for. We can see their scores and we can study them."

Gibbs said despite the number of people in the Illinois Army National Guard, few compete in the TAG match.

"I would like to add more competitors to next years TAG Match," Gibbs said. "It would be nice to see more than 121 shooters show up especially since with have more than 10,000 plus members in the Guard."

Results of the 2013 ILARNG TAG Rifle and Pistol Match

Overall Top Three Individuals

1. 1st. Lt. Justin F. Conley of Downers Grove, Ill.; 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

2. Sgt. Raleigh G. Walker of Goreville, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

3. Spc. Scott A. Lange of Aurora, Ill.; Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora, Ill.

Overall Individual Rifle

1. 1st. Lt. Justin F. Conley of Downers Grove, Ill.; 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

2. Sgt. Raleigh G. Walker of Goreville, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

3. Spc. Nathaniel Roux of Grand Detour, Ill.; Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon, Ill.

Overall Individual Pistol

1. 1st. Lt. Justin F. Conley of Downers Grove, Ill.; 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

2. Sgt. Raleigh G. Walker of Goreville, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

3. Spc. Scott A. Lange of Aurora, Ill.; Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora, Ill.

Combined Arms

1. Staff Sgt. Joshua L. Slocum of Roscoe, Ill.; Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

2. Pfc. Connor W. Peters of Carbondale, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

3. Spc. Scott A. Lange of Aurora, Ill.; Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora, Ill.

Overall Top Three Teams

1. Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Kewanee, Ill.

2. 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

3. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

Top Pistol Team

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

Top Rifle Team

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

The Governor's Twenty

1. 1st. Lt. Justin F. Conley of Downers Grove, Ill.; 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

2. Sgt. Raleigh G. Walker of Goreville, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

3. Spc. Scott A. Lange of Aurora, Ill.; Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora, Ill.

4. Spc. Nathaniel Roux of Grand Detour, Ill.; Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon, Ill.

5. Sgt. Justin W. Snyder of Gibson City, Ill.; Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill.

6. Sgt. Terry R. Pody of Machesney Park, Ill.; 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

7. Staff Sgt. Keith Ellsworth of Chatham, Ill.; Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Ill.

8. 1st Lt. Joshua Z. Olds of Danville, Ill.; 3rd Battalion, 129th Regional Training Institute in Springfield, Ill.

9. Sgt. 1st Class Jon Arneson of Polo, Ill.; Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon, Ill.

10. Sgt. Gary Kupiec of Forsyth, Ill.; Company B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Effingham, Ill.

11. Sgt. 1st Class Richard T. Helkey of Mount Sterling, Ill.; 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Ill.

12. Sgt. Jerry D. Taylor of Monmouth, Ill.; Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

13. 2nd Lt. Brett Buscher of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill.

14. Sgt. Nolan C. Murray of Ottawa, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

15. Sgt. Trevor B. Chayer of Ladd, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Kewanee, Ill.

16. Sgt. 1st Class William N. Blackwell of Champaign, Ill.; Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill.

17. 2nd Lt. William B. Leak of Normal, Ill.; Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment of Pontiac, Ill.

18. Sgt. William A. Rylko of Rockford, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

19. Spc. Colin M. Kehoe of Aurora, Ill.; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Machesney Park, Ill.

20. Spc. Robert W Siempelkamp of Palmer, Ill.; 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Ill.