Hometown Military News for June 12, 2015:
Illinois National Unit Deploys to Guantanamo Bay
By Cdt. Paul Wissmiller, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois National Guard’s 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) based in Springfield conducted a deployment ceremony on June 7 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield.
The unit is deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as military journalists, whose mission is to inform the public about training exercises and events, conduct media engagements and community outreach, and generally report on the U.S. military in Cuba.
These actions are adding support to a recently reestablished diplomacy between the two countries.
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, State Representative Tim Butler, and Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. Gov. Rauner said it was an honor for him to be able to attend the ceremony and be a part of sending the unit off.
“With your dedication and sacrifice, you are Illinois’ finest, God bless you,” said Rauner. “This deployment is critically important for facilitating communications with Cuba.”
General Krumrei said the public affairs Soldiers are vital to the overall mission in Guantanamo Bay.
“Not only will you be making history, you will be writing it,” said Krumrei.
Krumrei said he is confident each Soldier in the unit will go above and beyond to accomplish their mission.
“You are recording history for current and future generations to look back on,” said Krumrei.
Capt. Dustin Cammack of Chicago, commander of the 139th MPAD stressed the significance of his unit’s mission.
“The level of media scrutiny we will be under is extremely high,” said Cammack. “Our goal is to provide maximum disclosure with minimum delay.”
Cammack said he is proud of the unit’s achievements thus far, and expects nothing short of excellence from them over the course of this deployment.
The 139th is expected to return next spring.
Illinois National Guard Adjutant General to give Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Commencement Address
The Illinois National Guard’s new Adjutant General will cap off his first week on the job by giving the commencement address to some 200 graduates of Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy.
The graduation for the academy’s Class 44 will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Prairie Capital Convention Center. The program for former Illinois high school dropouts from across Illinois is among the top such academies in the nation and operates the largest single-site Youth ChalleNGe Academy in the United States. About 12,000 youth have graduated from Lincoln’s ChalleNGe since the program began in 1993.
Brig. Gen. Richard Hayes officially started as The Adjutant General on Monday, June 8, after being appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner on May 25. He replaced Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, who is retiring after more than 38 years of military service.
Lincoln’s ChalleNGe students, age 16 to 18, complete a rigorous 22-week resident program at the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. The resident program is conducted in a quasi-military environment to provide students a clearly structured and regimented educational environment. Not only does the unique Guard-sponsored program provide former dropouts the education and skills they need to become successful adults, students leave the program more self disciplined and with a newfound work ethic that makes them a more valuable asset to society.
Having successfully completed the resident program, the students will return to their communities to begin post-secondary education or enter the work force. After graduation, each student is paired with a volunteer mentor who acts as both an advisor and role model.
The graduating Lincoln’s ChalleNGe class will be joined at the Prairie Capital Convention Center by thousands of family members and friends. Special guests for the ceremony will also include Maj. Gen. William Cobetto, The Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Illinois National Guard, and Col. Stephen Baggerly, Federal Program Manager of Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy and Director of Staff of the Illinois Air National Guard. During the ceremony the Illinois Community College Board will award more than 35 college scholarships to graduating Lincoln’s ChalleNGe students.
The next Lincoln’s ChalleNGe class is scheduled to begin July 15 and applications are now being accepted for this class. Those interested in enrolling in this class should call 1-800-851-2166 for more information.
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