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    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        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
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Afghanistan: Conn. Guard members get surprise visit while deployed By Army Sgt. Christopher Harper
                3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division
 BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - During a recent visit from Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, Connecticut National Guard Soldiers stationed at Craig Joint Theater Hospital candidly voiced the challenges they face every day, and the pride they have in the work they do here. Capel, the International Security Assistance Forces and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan senior enlisted advisor, stopped by unannounced March 19 at the Level 3 trauma facility to visit with not just the service members responsible for patient care, but also the patients themselves. It was an effort to ensure that morale was up and that concerns of front-line troops were addressed, as Capel said, "Make no mistake, you are on the frontline here." Soldiers from the 142nd Area Support Medical Company, Connecticut National Guard, make up the hospital's quick response emergency team here, and Capel thanked them individually and collectively for their hard work and dedication to saving lives. "You never miss a beat. Why? Because you can't afford to," Capel said to the group as he handed each of them a leadership coin. "It was great that he took the time to really talk with us," said Army Sgt. Neil Mulligan of the 142nd ASMC. "We've had other higher-ups come and visit, but this was different. You can tell he cared. Capel continued making his rounds through the hospital's halls, stopping to shake the hands of everyone from nurses to surgeons and administrators to maintenance workers. At one stop, Capel awarded a coin to an unconscious Soldier under the care of nurses and doctors in the trauma unit. The Soldier had been severely injured by an improvised explosive device but was stable and awaiting transport to Germany for the next phase of his recovery. "He's going to be alright sergeant major; we'll see to it," said the Soldier's attending nurse. Giving each person he spoke with his undivided attention, service members asked Capel about simple uniform changes to rumors of future Army policies. Each individual was given more than just a moment of Capel's time and no question went unanswered, no concern unaddressed. "Morale is high," said Capel. "You can't judge the force's morale by just talking to the Soldiers who have 90 days or less left on their deployment. You have to make a point to talk and, more importantly listen, to the soldiers who've just been here 100 days and still have a long time to go." Speaking about the surprise visit by Capel, Mulligan said, "It was a real morale boost for the guys. We were all pumped up."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco Overseas Operations • 18 hours ago
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 7 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 12 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 13 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 15 days ago
 2024 (24)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 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