Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Officer, NCO awarded place in history By Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
                National Guard Bureau
 ARLINGTON, Va. - An officer and a noncommissioned officer received on May 16 the first joint awards since the National Guard Bureau (NGB) became a joint activity of the Department of Defense. "These are the first joint awards under the new authority of the newly joint National Guard Bureau, so these guys are making history," said LTG H Steven Blum, NGB chief, after the Joint Staff Flag Room ceremony at the Pentagon. Maj. David Guido received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Sgt. 1st Class John Craig received the Joint Service Achievement Medal. Both serve the National Guard as Title 10 Soldiers in the Guard's federal active duty force. On Jan. 28, President George W. Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2008, which included the most significant and sweeping administrative and organizational reforms of the National Guard and NGB since the National Defense Act of 1916, according to NGB officials. The overall effect was to strengthen the Guard's role in the DoD to meet the Guard's increasing domestic and foreign responsibilities, officials said. Among a host of other changes, the NDAA designated the NGB as a joint activity of the DoD, thus the joint awards. Guido's award recognized his performance as executive officer in NGB domestic operations and as central command desk officer in international affairs there. Craig was recognized for contributions to Vigilant Guard, the largest National Guard homeland defense exercise ever conducted. "I'm very honored," Craig said. "It's a privilege to get this award and be the first NCO to receive a joint award. It's significant for the whole National Guard because we are now a joint staff. Hopefully, there will be many more joint awards to come." Guido and Craig were joined by members of their families and Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen with whom they serve. "I'm very proud of him," said Mitzi Craig, Sgt. 1st Class Craig's wife. "It's a great honor," Guido said. "It's a great moment for the Guard to be recognized as a joint headquarters, and it's an absolute privilege to be part of a joint team. Having commanded a history detachment [and now] being a little bit of history is always a great thing." Craig, whose decorations include the Bronze Star, is an operations sergeant in NGB operations division, with an expertise in nonlethal weapons. Guido, liaison officer to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is continuing a family tradition of military service that includes World War II and Vietnam. He enlisted before he turned 17. The Defense Meritorious Service Medal recognizes exceptionally outstanding work by leaders serving in a joint activity. The Joint Service Achievement Medal recognizes outstanding performance. Service members permanently assigned to the headquarters staff of NGB on or after Aug. 1, 2004, are eligible for DoD decorations and awards, according to a DoD memo. Eligibility does not extend to the 54 states' and territories' joint force headquarters.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 1 hour ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil