The Connecticut National Guard’s Junior Enlisted Council hosted its first-ever JEC Symposium at Camp Nett, Niantic, Conn. on Sept. 20, 2025 to help mentor, train, and educate junior non-commissioned officers to lead more effectively in a modern military environment.
The event, which was open to NCOs from both the Connecticut Army and Air National Guards, included speed mentoring sessions, break out sessions, as well as the first presentation of the Connecticut National Guard’s new academic and physical fitness state ribbons for academic and
fitness excellence.
"This year was the capstone of a busy and rewarding run, from [Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States] 2024 to the Legislative Workshop in February, to our June Caucus, said Army Staff Sgt. Emma Faucher, enlisted vice president of the JEC in a blog post on the National Guard Association of Connecticut website. “Each event deepened my connections with like-minded leaders, and the 2025 conference not only strengthened those bonds but also introduced me to even more people passionate about making a difference. Being surrounded by that kind of energy is infectious and I want more Soldiers and Airmen to experience it next year.”
Additionally, the symposium also exposed attendees to the Overwatch Project, a 501(c)3 organization on a mission to empower veterans with tools and resources to help combat veteran suicide.
On Sept. 1, 2025, the Connecticut Military Department published General Order 2025-1, Connecticut Military Department Awards Program, outlining the requirements for the state’s new fitness and academic awards.
For a Connecticut Guardsman to qualify for the physical fitness ribbon, he or she must obtain 90% in each event of the Army Fitness Test or a score of 100 with no exemptions on the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment.
For the Academic Achievement Ribbon, a Guardsman must either be a distinguished or honor graduate, or earn a spot on the commandant’s list of a military education course, or complete a civilian college degree-producing program from an accredited institution.
At the symposium, a total of 40 Soldiers and 17 Airmen earned the Academic Achievement Ribbon and 1 Soldier and 3 Airmen earned the Physical Fitness Ribbon.
The mission of the Connecticut National Guard Junior Enlisted Council is to boost the morale of troops and to give junior enlisted Soldiers and Airmen a voice, provide opportunities to lead, and create a bridge between junior NCOs and leadership.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2025 10:02 |
| Story ID: | 550331 |
| Location: | NIANTIC, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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