​COARNG Leadership Team's Command Messages

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Commander, COARNG, BG Rogers	Deputy CDR, COL Fenner	​CCWO, CW5 Zanoff	​State CSM, CSM Assaad

October 2022

October is here and Fall is in full swing. The holidays are just around the corner, and this can be a stressful time of year for a lot of us.  If you find yourself overstressed and in need, reach out for help, you are not alone.  The COARNG’s Family Programs Office has a ton of resources to help you make it through the holiday season. Halloween is almost here, have fun, be safe and watch out for all the kids running around the streets.  If you are celebrating, be responsible.  Let’s not forget we still have COARNG Soldiers out there on the Front Line of Freedom.  Army Space Support 16, 117^th Space Support Element and several individuals are currently deployed across the globe. We are welcoming home 3-157 FAR & 188^th FSC. The MCPOD, Army Space Support Team 20 and 5/19^th SF are ramping up to head out the door to do amazing things. Last of all, The COARNG needs all of you, you are all a part of this incredible machine. Keep and eye out and look to bring quality people in to fill our ranks, everyone is a recruiter.

CW5 Drew Zanoff

September 2022

Soldiers,

The Senior Leadership Team, along with your Command Teams, need to hear from you! We need your help assessing the COARNG's efforts to help you reach your goals. We want to hear how we are doing on making every member of the COARNG feel Welcomed, Valued, Respected and Heard. We want to hear how the Command Climate in your unit is affecting your overall readiness. So, we are asking that unit leadership provide you the time and opportunity this drill weekend to complete the DEOCS or Command Climate Survey. The more Soldiers that complete the survey means a better assessment of our efforts and, in turn, this let us know what we need to prioritize this year in our People First Strategy.

Build Trust, Build Strength!

BG Bren D. Rogers

August 2022

COARNG Warriors,

I would like to re-introduce COL Isaac Martinez as the new COARNG Chief of Staff. He is replacing COL Charles Beatty as he moves on to his next assignment as the CONG Joint Staff J3. We wish COL Beatty the best in his new role and thank him for all he’s done for the COARNG during his time as the Chief of Staff.

Thank you all for everyone’s hard work during the year’s Annual Training season. We have had units local and abroad continuing to focus on strengthening partnerships and increased lethality. Let’s also not forget our men and women that are currently serving overseas exhibiting it. As CSA, GEN McConville stated, “Winning matters, there is no second place on the battlefield” and I whole-heartily agree. Our men and women deserve to be the best trained and you’re making it happen.

Let’s remember on August 6^th the 31 fallen Warriors who were a part of EXTORTION-17 in Afghanistan in 2011. We lost one of our own, CH-47 Pilot, CW5 Dave Carter, on that mission. Please continue to keep him, the others lost and their families in our hearts.    

August 7^th is National Purple Heart Day; a day for Americans to remember and honor the men and women who bravely represented their state and nation and were wounded or killed while serving. Thank you to the Purple Heart recipients in our formations for your service and sacrifice.

As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all Service Members, we are seeing a considerable backlog in reviewing Religious Accommodation and Medical Exemption Requests at the NGB Surgeon General’s Level. The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine received Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration on 13 July 2022. As we’ve stated before, the choice to get the vaccine is yours and included to the Command Message is a fact sheet for everyone’s awareness regarding the Novavax vaccine in the event you feel this may be a better option for you.  

As we are nearing the end of summer, please continue to keep yourself, families, and friends safe. You are our greatest asset.

Lastly, I cannot express enough gratitude to all our Soldiers, families and civilians working make the Colorado Army National Guard a better place. Your efforts are appreciated and not overlooked. Keep doing the things you’re doing thank you for willingly being a part of our COARNG family.

Build Trust, Build Strength!

CSM John Assaad

July 2022

Summer is in full swing if you have not noticed by the current temperatures. The 4th of July is just around the corner, so get ready to celebrate and be sure to celebrate responsibly. Please get outside with family & friends and experience all that our great state of Colorado has to offer this summer. But we need you to be safe while doing it. Make sure you are wearing that life jacket while paddle boarding or boating. Put on a helmet and vest when getting out on the motorcycle. Don’t forget to buckle up when heading out on the road trip, we’ve all experienced the dangers of I-70. If you are going out hiking in the mountains, make sure someone knows where you are going, when you will return and wear bright colors so our Flight Crews can find you if something happens. Last of all, stay hydrated in this heat and if you plan to drink alcohol, drink in moderation, designate a driver or have good exit plan with a ride share/ taxi. Do not allow a $30 fare cost you your career or possibly a life. Remember, your family & friends need you, the Colorado National Guard needs you and the Nation is counting on you.

https://safety.army.mil/MEDIA/Video-Library/Video-Player/VideoId/392/csm-light-off-duty-training-discipline-and-standards

CW5 Drew Zanoff