Cover Story:
Vermont Army Guard becomes first state authorized to recruit women into all units
Women may now join any combat arms unit in the Vermont Army National Guard, following authorization by National Guard Bureau issued April 28.
The Vermont Army National Guard is the first in the nation to open all combat arms units within its organization to the recruitment of women.
“This is a momentous achievement for the Vermont Army National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. James Pabis, assistant adjutant general-Army, Vermont Army National Guard. “From the state staff to unit leaders, earning the ability to recruit women into all of our units required laser focus over several years.”
Promotions
Army National Guard
- Staff Sgt. Michael Biggs
- Staff Sgt. Allison Kittell
- Staff Sgt. Steven Lathrop
- Sgt. Samantha Brashier
- Sgt. Jakob Trautwein
- Cpl. Jordan Bergeron
- Spc. Brendan Daneau
- Spc. Jesse McCoy
- Pvt. Matthew Wrisley
- Pvt. Evan Kijanski
- Pvt. Thomas Montgomery
Air National Guard
- Tech. Sgt. Alexander Benckert
- Tech. Sgt. Kevin Bowdish
- Tech. Sgt. Corinne Roy
TAG's Corner
In the coming days the last of nearly 1,000 Vermont Soldiers will depart for their year-long mobilizations. This has been a long time coming and has required a tremendous amount of work in planning and training to get to this point. I am proud of how well you have done so far, and extremely confident you will continue our tradition of excelling in every mission we are given.
Family members should know that we have many resources to support them while they are gone and we will do our part to make sure your deployment is successful on the home front as well.
Even as we say good-bye to so many Soldiers, many of our Airmen are beginning to return from their deployments after leaving this fall – welcome home! Thankfully many of you will be back in time for our 75th Anniversary celebration of the 158th Fighter Wing’s storied legacy in Burlington. After flying eight different types of aircraft over the years, you are nearly operational with the F-35. Keep up the good work!
Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
As few as one in five survivors report their sexual assault. There's many reasons that contribute to someone not reporting. One of the most common reasons, and something that comes up even after they do report, is fear and concern around not being believed. We must eliminate sexual assault from our Guard. Please join us in making that a reality.
Family Programs class offers parenting, relationship tips
The Vermont National Guard Family Programs Office held an online seminar on April 7 to give parents tips to strengthen their relationships with their children as family members deploy or prepare for deployment.
The class, titled “Military Youth Can Thrive, Not Just Survive,” was offered as part of the Family Programs Office’s observance of Month of the Military Child, with Brian Stoudnour, the presenter and lead child and youth program coordinator, wearing purple for the occasion.
Deployed Airman returns home
Lightning Over Fenway
158th Fighter Wing, 157th Air Refueling Wing meet after 2-year hiatus
Vermont Air National Guard On Drill
Vermont Guard to build light demolition range at CEATS
Construction for a Light Demolition Range will begin this summer on the Vermont Army National Guard’s Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont.
The new range will allow traditional Soldiers who usually drill one weekend a month and two weeks a year to maximize training time by avoiding travel to Fort Drum, New York.
“The United States Army has charged the Vermont Army National Guard to provide ready Soldiers who are prepared to fight and win anywhere in the world,” said Brig. Gen. James Pabis, assistant adjutant general – Army, Vermont Army National Guard. “Rather than spending over six hours just traveling to Fort Drum, our Soldiers can spend their time conducting hands-on training.”