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
 Tennessee National Guard Soldier assists colleagues beyond the battlefield By Niki Gentry
                Tennessee National Guard
 LOBELVILLE, Tenn. - Staff Sgt. Pamela Pugh, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and 14-year member of the Tennessee National Guard, was contacted during the late summer of 2014 by two of her fellow soldiers who found themselves homeless and in dire need of aid. While serving as a platoon sergeant for her unit in Lobelville, she immediately took the initiative to assist her comrades in arms and help them gain assistance not only by her own actions, but also with help of numerous resources now available to military personnel, veterans and their families. "These are my Soldiers. I take care of them every month and they know I care about them whether on or off duty. They know they can call me any time, especially when they are having difficult moments in their life," Pugh said. "I take extreme pride in helping these Soldiers, they are like my family, like my kids and I feel an obligation to assist them as best I can." The issue of homelessness among military members currently serving, and other veterans, has become a priority in the United States, particularly as the war against terrorism continues. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published a study identifying nearly 58,000 homeless veterans nationally on one single night in January of 2013. The veterans documented in the study had served in some capacity among all the branches of the uniformed services. According to Lori Ogden, director of development with Operation Stand Down Tennessee, the average unemployment rate among veterans in the state is 6.9 percent and one in five homeless persons are veterans. The VA and other agencies continue to develop programs to reduce the number of homeless who have a military background, yet they emphasize the need for further support within Tennessee and across the country. Staff Sgt. Pugh's story began when she was contacted by a young Soldier in her platoon who was living in a rescue shelter in Nashville. Pugh quickly heeded the call and intervened in the crisis. Using her knowledge of resources available through the Tennessee National Guard Family Programs section, The Enlisted Association of Tennessee, a local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other agencies, she was able to find financial assistance, temporary lodging and full-time employment for the Guard member. Pugh's aid did not end with the one homeless Soldier. Shortly afterward, she helped another member of her unit in a similar situation. The second Soldier had sought refuge in a rescue shelter during an interim period prior to attending a state educational program. Staff Sgt. Pugh was contacted by the Soldier and once again took the initiative to help the member obtain lodging and financial aid until the member was in a stable situation. Beyond the resources accessed during the first Soldier's issues, Pugh was able to get other members of her squadron to assist in moving the second Soldier's personal belongings during the transition to her school. "The actions of Staff Sgt. Pugh are keeping with Army Values, the Non-Commissioned Officer's Creed and are a true reflection of the nature of the Tennessee National Guard. Not only are our Soldiers and Airmen assisting their nation, state and communities, but they are dedicated to their fellow team members as well," said Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Scott, the Senior Enlisted Leader for Tennessee. He added, "the example set by Staff Sgt. Pugh, members of her unit and the Tennessee National Guard's varied Soldier and Airmen support mechanisms worked seamlessly to help those encountering difficult times in their lives. Our National Guard is a family and when any of our own are in need of assistance we come together to support each other. It is with great pride that I was allowed to witness the functioning of our internal support network to assist one of our own. Staff Sgt. Pugh is a credit to her unit, as well as her fellow service members. She recognized a need and proactively sought out the necessary resources to take care of our Guard personnel."
 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 • 3 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 11 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