Welcome to the IGR Blog Site — CPT Darrell Bowman
Visit this page often for up-to-date news. This blog will be carefully monitored.
November 10, 2007
January 11, 2009
IGR developing new ID Cards
LTC Grigdesby is leading a team to develop a new ID card for IGR soldiers. The new ID card is planned to be more comparable with the U. S. Army digital Identification System.
SRPC Scheduler Needed
We need a volunteer to take over the scheduling and management of the IGR scheduling at Camp Atterbury, Email COL Bowers or CPT Bowman.
January 13, 2009
Wanted: Newsworthy items
Please help us spread the word about the IGR!
If you know of an upcoming IGR-related event that may be newsworthy to a general audience, please contact me at theifetz@comcast.net. I may be able to secure news coverage before, during and/or after the story. Thanks.
January 25, 2009
Scholarship Available
Please take a look a this information provided by MAJ Ney
I would like to bring to the attention of all Indiana Guard Reserve members and their families the availability of scholarship funds which may be available to you should you meet all qualifications. The program is from the Indiana Homeland Security Foundation and called the “Secure Indiana Scholarship.” An information sheet follows for the 2008 year. Please feel free to contact Major Michael Ney (mney@iupui.edu or mafields@dhs.in.gov at 317-234-6219. The program is not an Indiana Guard Reserve program but one for which some of our members may qualify. The direct Web page is http://www.in.gov/dhs/2508.htm
INDIANA HOMELAND SECURITY FOUNDATION
SECURE INDIANA SCHOLARSHIP
WHAT:
The revenue from “Secure Indiana” license plate sales funds the Indiana Homeland Security Foundation. The Foundation, one of the first of its kind in the nation, provides financial support for critical public safety needs across Indiana. The Foundation offers a Secure Indiana Scholarship to provide higher education financial assistance for Indiana students who wish to pursue a career in public safety. Scholarships are awarded once each school year to undergraduate students attending an Indiana college. A full-time student with at least 12 credit hours is eligible for a $2,000 scholarship and a part-time student with at least 6 hours is eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. The program funds are intended solely to reimburse eligible student educational expenses. The state of Indiana is divided into 10 Homeland Security districts composed of several counties to help coordinate public safety and emergency management at a regional level. To reach a geographically diverse group of candidates, at least one scholarship will be awarded to each district. See attached map.
WHO CAN APPLY:
Incoming or continuing students who are an Indiana resident who 1) attend an accredited Indiana college, 2) volunteer at a public safety organization1 (validated by chief executive) that is in full compliance with IDHS regulations (IDHS will determine compliance eligibility- for more information on the compliance of an organization, please contact mafields@dhs.in.gov and 3) must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants who are state employees or special state appointees ARE NOT eligible for a scholarship.
1Potential public safety organizations can be in one of the following areas: fire services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, emergency public health, and other public safety organizations. Applicant must have sponsorship of a public safety organization prior to applying.
There are not a minimum number of volunteer hours to be considered eligible for the scholarship; however your record of volunteerism will be one of the many factors reviewed in awarding scholarships.
Areas of study that are eligible include: physical sciences, mathematical sciences, computer and information sciences, life sciences, social sciences, psychology, selected humanities, and engineering.
HOW DO I APPLY AND WHAT DO I INCLUDE?
To apply the applicant must include a completed Foundation Scholarship Application Form, an official college or high school transcript (for incoming freshmen), a recommendation letter from the public safety organization’s chief executive describing the volunteer work to be completed by applicant, a resume or list of past employment, awards, honors, or volunteer/service activities, and a minimum 500 word essay describing why you are applying for this scholarship and why you wish to pursue a career in public safety. The applicant also needs to fill out a W-9 tax form, a direct deposit form, and register as a bidder with the Indiana Department of Administration (links are provided on application). The scholarship application is available on the web at http://www.in.gov/dhs/foundation.html. Please send completed application postmarked no later than July 31, 2008. Awards will be announced in mid-September. Recipients of the Scholarship will be required to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Foundation prior to being reimbursed for their eligible educational expenses. If you have any questions, email Keri Lawrence at klawrence@dhs.in.gov
February 15, 2009
Business Cards
Many of us have ordered business cards for our IGR positions over the years. One challenge is that there has not been a lot of consistency.
As LTC Grigdesby helps us strengthen our brand across the state, he has requested that IGR members follow a standard template when ordering business cards in the future.
Here is SGM White’s card as an example. LTC Grigdesby recommends we use the state seal because it is universally recognized across Indiana.
There are many online sources for purchasing business cards. I recommend military.com because you can easily customize them to look like the example below and the prices are quite reasonable. This is only my recommendation because I have done business with them.
Please click on the image below for a larger view of it.
July 28, 2009
JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge
Greetings all! The JROTC camp is over for another year. But if you’re interested in reading about it, here’s a link to an article.
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20090725/NEIGHBORHOODS0111/907250340
September 7, 2009
Great event to support PTSD awareness
Thanks to WO Bennis for forwarding this.
Several IGR members took part in the PTSD awareness walk on Sunday 27 September. It was sponsored by ‘In. State Medical Association Alliance” to promote proper treatment of PTSD of current and returning veterans. “Treat the Troops: Mental Health Matters” Thier website is ismanet.org/news/ptsd.htm.
You can see their photos at this Web site:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=vmqkiif.b382p5er&x=0&h=1&y=dhk8az&localeid=en_US
December 15, 2009
Upcoming USO Fundraiser
Thanks to CH (1LT) David Mark Owens for forwarding this article from the Johnson County Daily Journal!
In military slang, “battle rattle” is gear that keeps a soldier safe.
So when a group of Johnson County residents planned a benefit for local troops, they thought the term would make a fitting name.
The Battle Rattle 5K Walk/Run for USO is being organized to raise money to support the USO center at Camp Atterbury.
The fundraiser, scheduled for May 1 in Franklin, is a project of Leadership Johnson County, a program that promotes community problem solving.
“It involves both the military and the community as a whole and really brings the two sides together,” said Maj. Lisa Kopczynski, one of the race’s organizers and public affairs officer at Camp Atterbury.
USO Indiana operates a center at Camp Atterbury, providing home comforts like snacks, computer access and games to soldiers stationed on base.
Since USO Indiana relies entirely on donations to operate, it’s important to spread the word about what it does, said Larry Muncie, president of the group. The 5K will help do that.
“People remember USO from World War II and Korea, but they don’t realize we’re as active as we are,” he said.
The fundraiser came together as the eight members of a Leadership Johnson County group were brainstorming ideas for a community project, a requirement of the program. Calling themselves the Battle Rattle 8, they wanted to focus on something to help the troops.
A race was deemed the most fitting option because people of all ages could participate, including soldiers from Camp Atterbury. Battle rattle became the theme, since troops often train with the gear on.
“Soldiers will sometimes put on their battle rattle to go for a run since it’s such good conditioning,” Kopczynski said.
Organizers are lining up sponsors and working to finalize details such as the time, entrance fee and route.
Though the Leadership Johnson County group will organize the inaugural event, the hope is that USO Indiana can use the foundation laid and develop a permanent fundraiser, Kopczynski said.
To get involved with the fundraiser, either as a participant or a volunteer, contact Deidra Baumgartner at 738-8189 or e-mail uso5k@patriottargets.com.
February 9, 2010
Six IGR members took part in the 3 Feb 10 Damage Assessment
Class in Goshen. The members are from the 1st Brigade, Indiana Guard Reserve
(from left to right)
SFC Carl Thompson
CPL Ryan Reed
PVT Rachel Mayer
CSM Scott Hawks
SSG Dathan Reed
MAJ Terry Harris