Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Debra Richardson | Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer talks water with Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Jack, the support...... read more read more
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, the adjutant general of West Virginia, arrived at Camp Buehring in a cloud of dust. As the Black Hawk eased onto the tarmac, Hoyer hoisted himself out of the helicopter and quickly made his way to a briefing room where 1/201st Field Artillery leadership were anxiously awaiting his arrival. With so much energy and too little time, Hoyer began his introduction by voicing his appreciation for unit’s service, commitment and sacrifice.
“I thank you from two different perspectives: one from the West Virginia TAG and one from a parent of two kids,” Hoyer said as he gazed at the commanders thoughtfully. “My wife and I thank you and your state thanks you for what you’ve done over the past year here.”
Only weeks after West Virginia once again won the Army Community Excellence Award and days after Osama Bin Laden’s death, Hoyer was intent on conveying more than just a sense of pride in his troops.
“Osama Bin Laden might be at the bottom of the ocean but this thing isn’t over yet,” Hoyer said. “The 10th anniversary of September 11th is coming up but that wasn’t the first attempt on the World Trade Center; it was actually February of 1993. In February of ’93, my oldest son was six months old. Now, he’s a security policeman in the Air Guard. This thing went for an entire generation just as it relates to the Hoyer family and it’s not over. The things we face and the things we need to address as a nation are not over and we’re still going to be over-extended by the threat.”
“I’m convinced it’s time for the next greatest generation to step up for this country,” Hoyer continued. “I’m even more convinced it’s going to come from the National Guard, from our citizen soldiers. A lot of that corps will come from the WVARNG.”
A second issue and equally as problematic is the recent budget cuts. For the past ten years, West Virginia soldiers have deployed, offering alternative job outlets to those who couldn’t find work on the civilian side. Many Active Guard and Reserve, or AGR, jobs were created to help sustain the high deployment tempo for the state. But as the Middle East begins to settle, the state of West Virginia will see less and less deployments; an accomplishment for the country but an employment issue for the soldiers.
“We have to change the way we do things,” Hoyer said as he explained the significant budget cuts and how they would affect the WVARNG. “Help me turn these challenges into opportunities.”
Hoyer announced his top three concerns, unemployment, budget cuts and the prevention of suicide. He fervently asking each soldier, regardless of rank, to keep those concerns in mind and be patient as plans of action are enforced.
“I want to hear from you and the troops today,” said Hoyer. “What’s on your mind and what do I need to be doing to take care of you guys.”
During a brief focus group with A Company soldiers, Hoyer requested feedback from the soldiers who discussed issues such as the payment of medical school, availability of military schools and requests to remain deployed.
“You’re the shining example of the phrase ‘citizen soldier’ at your best,” Hoyer said. “But we all have to remain focused on our mission and each other. Do not lose focus over these next 100 days; I need all of you back.”
In West Virginia there’s a guardsman for every 400 people but the national average is one soldier for every 2,000 citizens, Hoyer said. According to West Virginia department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, West Virginia also boasts the highest number of veterans, per capita, in the nation.
The 1st TSC, Theater Support Command, announced that it expects 30 to 40 percent of the 197th Brigade to suffer from unemployment after deployment orders end. Hoyer is encouraging all West Virginia National Guard units to be proactive. Before re-deploying, the 201st will be hosting a job fair and upon re-deployment, the yellow ribbon ceremony will host another job fair.
“Forty-three percent of West Virginia Army National Guard is either in college or has a college degree,” Hoyer said proudly. “We’re an educated workforce. So let’s continue to encourage our soldiers to enroll in college and take advantage of their G.I. Bill benefits.”
“You’re part of the one percent of the population willing to step up and take on the responsibility of protecting this nation,” Hoyer said. “I appreciate all that you do, what you guys are all about and the values that you focus on. What you do here and what you do back home are what make our country great.”
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2011 09:33 |
| Story ID: | 69975 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Web Views: | 299 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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