Photo By Ryan Campbell | Army Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, the adjutant general of New York, speaks to senior...... read more read more
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LATHAM, N.Y., (June 5, 2019) – 120 senior non-commissioned officers from across the state gathered for the first ever New York Joint Senior Enlisted Leader Professional Development Workshop that was held at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs here, May 31, 2019.
The senior enlisted leaders from the New York Air and Army National Guard, N.Y. Guard and Naval Militia who attended the workshop learned about what each branch does and what roles they can fulfill when working in a joint environment. The education provided was designed to improve joint interoperability across the state.
“I don’t recall, at least in the last 10 years, where our enlisted senior leaders across the state have gotten together in a joint environment to talk,” said Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Amy Giaquinto, the New York National Guard senior enlisted advisor. “The purpose of the workshop was to establish relationships across the force and educate ourselves on what is going on in the New York National Guard.”
The workshop also tackled sensitive issues such as suicide, Giaquinto explained, with Kim Ruocco from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors speaking on the topic. As the widow of a Marine who died by suicide in 2005, Giaquinto said that Ruocco “uses her education and personal experience to help others more fully understand suicide.”
Those that attended also got to hear from retired Army Staff Sgt. Joel Tavera, who at the age of 20 in 2008 survived a rocket attack in Iraq while three others did not. Tavera, who lost sight in both eyes, his right leg, several fingers and suffered burns over 65% of his body, told his story as well as how to remain resilient through the toughest of times, said Giaquinto.
“His extraordinary spirit and perseverance serves as an example for anyone who is facing difficult times,” said Giaquinto.
The workshop wrapped up with Giaquinto hoping that everyone made at least one new connection with someone they didn’t know. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Maureen Dooley, the New York Air National Guard command chief master sergeant, spoke to those in attendance and echoed the importance of working together.
“We are the Army and we are the Air, we are unique and we have our own missions,” said Dooley. “But when we work together there is no one that can beat us.”
| Date Taken: | 06.05.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2019 15:09 |
| Story ID: | 325455 |
| Location: | LATHAM, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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