COARNG Leadership Team's Command Messages
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Commander, COARNG, BG Rogers
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Deputy CDR, COL Fenner
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CCWO, CW5 Zanoff
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State CSM, CSM Assaad
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April 2023
COARNG Warriors,
Finally, Spring is here; the snow is mostly gone and we are moving into the Annual Training season. The Colorado National Guard will be moving along at top speed for the next few months so make sure you conduct all operations safely, on and off-duty. April is a “Big” month; Month of the Military Child, Easter, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Earth Day. As we look back on COARNG history, on the 29th of April, 1945, elements of the COARNG (1-157 Infantry Regiment, now 157 Field Artillery Regiment), led by Lt. Col. Felix Sparks, as part of the 45th Infantry Division, liberated Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany. This was a major event in the overall liberation of Europe and a proud moment in Colorado Guard history.
This will be my last “Command Message” as the Command Chief. It has truly been a pleasure and the highlight of my career serving the Colorado National Guard as the CCWO. I have confidence that CW4 Mike Coppock will do an amazing job as the 8th Command Chief of the COARNG and he will continue to move the COARNG in the right direction. Thank you all for your generous support.
CW5 Drew Zanoff, CCWO
March 2023
Soldiers,
Our command message this month focuses on building strength! We have to be ready to fight tonight. When we talk about building strength, we are talking about a wide array of things. Our personnel readiness has to be at 100% paid strength, training readiness should be in line with Army requirements depending on what SRM year your unit is in, and equipment has to be kept at or very near 100% readiness levels. As Army leaders, we have a “sacred obligation” to ensure our Soldiers are a highly trained, strong cohesive team that is disciplined, fit, and able to “win on any battlefield.”
Through proper training management, leaders need to plan, resource, and execute excellent training. We should always be striving towards tough realistic training in degraded environments with the ability to fight at night. We have to master the fundamentals and that is why the Army is moving to a foundational readiness model that prioritizes the training of individuals and small units at the company level and below. The best combat units in the world ensure their individuals and small units are masters of their craft. We must be ready to defeat any adversary, anywhere, whenever called upon, under any condition!
The COARNG Vision: The COARNG is a capable, lethal and relevant force that cultivates strong cohesive teams, maximizes talent, sustains tactical and operational readiness, strengthens our alliances and partnerships while progressing through the Army’s greatest transformation since the Vietnam era to that of multi-domain operations.
Build Trust, Build Strength!
BG Bren D. Rogers
February 2023
COARNG Warriors,
February is upon us as it’s the shortest month encompassing many things. It’s the month in which we say goodbye to winter as spring follows in March. It’s the month of purification, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, the Super Bowl, Random Acts of Kindness Day, and so on. February is also Black History Month. It’s an opportunity for a continued engagement with history as it helps us give context for the present. As we continue our journey of serving together, we continually become stronger and more cohesive than the day before. That’s a direct result of YOUR efforts and determination of serving as Warriors, and not just Soldiers. Remember to keep safety on your minds as we continue to witness frigid temperatures across our beautiful state. Thank you for what you do. Our organization is better because of you and we’re honored and humbled to serve with you.
Build Trust, Build Strength!
CSM John Assaad
January 2023
Happy New Year Guard Family.
I hope you were able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends and take advantage of some downtime. 2023 looks to be another busy year so I hope you are ready. A big thank you to all the Soldiers and Airmen that supported the shelter mission that we were tasked with just a few days before Christmas. Great job, the Governor asked, and the CONG delivered as always. In January we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Take time to recall Dr. King’s great accomplishments with the Civil Rights Movement, he truly made America better. Last of all, keep safety a forethought in everything you do on and off duty, we cannot afford to lose people due to accidents.
Thank you all for what you do, and I look forward to serving with you in 2023.
CW5 Drew Zanoff
December 2022
To The Soldiers, Civilians, and Families of the Colorado Army National Guard,
From your Senior Leadership Team, we send heartfelt Holiday Greetings to you and yours! We hope that you and your families enjoy the season, find time to recharge, and most of all that you just have some good old-fashioned holiday fun!
This is the season of reflection and thinking back, remembering what has transpired throughout the year in our lives. It is a time to count our blessings and for remembering all the people in our lives that we are thankful for. We are thankful for all of you and your families, “Thank you for choosing to serve this great state and nation!” Thank you for being so dedicated and working so hard to accomplish so many amazing things throughout the year. You are all just incredible and we are so humbled and honored each and every day to be able to serve with you. This past Thursday, I was able to celebrate what you all accomplished throughout the year at a community engagement and am just in “awe”, as were the attendees, in the caliber of people you are and how incredibly talented and skilled you are. Keep up the great work!
Our thoughts are with our Soldiers who are deployed and cannot be with their families this holiday season, we realize they are making that very hard sacrifice for our nation’s security……we as a state and nation owe them a debt of gratitude. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Reach out if you know someone who is deployed and let them know you are thinking about them, I know they will appreciate it very much.
Warm Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season,
BG Bren Dee Rogers
COL Tod Fenner
CW5 Drew Zanoff
CSM John Assaad
November 2022
Warriors,
November is upon us and we are heading into the holiday season. As mentioned last month, please continue to keep in touch with your fellow servicemen and women as this time of year can bring additional undue stress that can affect us all differently. That’s what families do and please keep our men and women supporting missions abroad that cannot be with their families during the holidays in your thoughts.
The 2022 Colorado Military Ball, also referred to as the Governor’s Ball, is taking place on the 19th. This is a great event for CONG members and families to enjoy each other’s company and entertainment. Additionally, all proceeds go towards the CONG Foundation which helps our Warriors and their families in times of need. It will be held at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield, CO.
Also, the Inaugural Protection Ball on December 3rd at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center.
As we are in the month of giving thanks, we’re thankful for our Veterans, past and present for the sacrifices made to enjoy our liberties and freedoms and thankful for each other. We wish each and every one of you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. We’re honored and thankful to serve with you in the COARNG family!
Build Trust, Build Strength!
CSM John 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, 117th Space Support Element and several individuals are currently deployed across the globe. We are welcoming home 3-157 FAR & 188th FSC. The MCPOD, Army Space Support Team 20 and 5/19th 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 6th 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 7th 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
OCTOBER 2018
Readiness remains our number one priority. In order to be ready to fight and win the nation’s wars – as well as serve our citizens in Colorado – we need every Soldier to be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared. This month we’d like to draw your attention to the physical preparation needed as a Soldier.
OCTOBER 2018
Readiness remains our number one priority. In order to be ready to fight and win the nation’s wars – as well as serve our citizens in Colorado – we need every Soldier to be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared. This month we’d like to draw your attention to the physical preparation needed as a Soldier.