Summer 2010 - STATES - The National Guard

Command Message
Don’t Let Drugs Damage Your Career
By Col. Richard C. Nagle, Deputy Chief of Staff –
Operations, Massachusetts Army National Guard
The Massachusetts National Guard Substance
Abuse Program’s mission is to strengthen the
overall effectiveness of the National Guard’s
total work force and to enhance the health and
combat readiness of its service members.
The Substance Abuse office is responsible for
the testing and education of service members
in the Massachusetts National Guard. This
includes training unit prevention leaders. UPLs
are responsible for conducting the required
monthly 10 percent testing at the unit level and
providing the service members in their unit
with drug education as well as advising the
commander on the Substance Abuse Program.
The Substance Abuse office also notifies units
when a service member tests positive and
provides contact information for state certified
substance abuse counseling centers.
Many service members don’t understand the
ramifications of testing positive. Once a service
member tests positive, he/she is processed for
separation and a nontransferable flag is initiated.
This means that no favorable actions can be
Staff Sgt. Corey R. Choruzek, squad leader, 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment,
holds a new M1161A1 hand grenade simulator during a demonstration here of the
more environmentally friendly training grenades, March 19, 2010 (U.S. Air Force
photo by Senior Airman Eric Kolesnikovas).
initiated, and the service member cannot transfer
out of his/her current unit of assignment.
Favorable actions include promotions and
awards, and the service member cannot be put
on Active Guard Reserve or Active Duty
Operational Support orders. A stop is also put
on any tuition assistance money the service
member has received or is currently receiving
or any bonus that would be paid out. If a
service member is discharged from the National
Guard for substance abuse, the service member
can also expect to pay back any benefits
that were received such as bonuses and tuition
assistance.
The current and future operational tempo of the
National Guard has focused command emphasis
on creating a healthy and efficient force by
minimizing the effects of alcohol and drugs.
The Massachusetts National Guard’s first quarter
of fiscal year 2010 has shown a 1.5 percent
decrease over fiscal year 2009 in service
members testing positive. Our goal is to get the
number of positive drug tests to zero.
Leaders are expected to educate their service
members on the effects of a positive drug test
Col. Richard C. Nagle, Deputy Chief of Staff –
Operations, Massachusetts Army National Guard
and ensure that they are aware that illicit drug
use won’t be tolerated.
If you have any questions or need assistance,
please contact Staff Sgt. Adam Berg or Tech.
Sgt. Beverly Duhamel in the Substance Abuse
office. ✯
Having a Blast on the Cape
By Lt. Col. Jack McKenna, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs
CAMP EDWARDS, Mass. – Staff Sgt. Corey R. Choruzek, squad leader,
1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, pulled the pin on the resurrection
of pyrotechnic training here March 19, 2010, when he demonstrated the
new M1161A1 hand grenade simulator.
The demonstration at Tactical Training Base Kelley was the first time in
over 12 years that pyrotechnics have been used on Camp Edwards.
Witnessing the display were Fox News correspondent Molly Line, Brig.
Gen. Thomas J. Sellars, Commander, Massachusetts Army Guard, and
Col. Francis M. McGinn, post commander.
The event proved that the M1161A1 has a loud report and flash that
comes close to replicating the real thing.
“It is important to use these in training – it provides more realistic combat
training,” said Choruzek.
In May 1997, in an effort to protect the sole source Cape Cod aquifer, the
Environmental Protection Agency suspended the use of all pyrotechnics
at or near the training range and impact area.
In a letter addressed to McGinn March 24, 2010, the EPA authorized the
limited use of the M116A1 for a two-year period.
The Massachusetts Army National Guard will be the first organization to
use these new devices. ✯
The Nation’s First 3