Letter from the President of the ENGAF
As the newly elected President of the Enlisted National Guard Association of Florida (ENGAF), I am privileged to lead an organization that represents the interests and concerns of enlisted Air and Army National Guardsmen throughout the state.
When I joined the Florida Air National Guard as a drill status guardsman twenty one years ago, being a member did not allow you to go to any state university tuition free, did not protect your civilian job when called to state active duty and did not allow you unlimited access to military commissaries. It took the efforts of professional organizations like NGOA-FL and ENGAF and their parent organizations NGOA and EANGUS respectively, to educate state and federal legislators of these issues and pass laws to allow members those rights.
During the last fifteen years, the Air and Army National Guard has undergone an evolution from a force, in reserve, training for major conflict to a full-time partner with active duty performing operational missions worldwide. Through the lobbying efforts of these and other professional organizations, Congress has gradually recognized that equal partners should come with equal benefits and rights as members of the greatest military organization in the world.
Are we there yet? No, we support the outright elimination of BAH type II, a substantially lower housing allowance for orders shorter than thirty-one days. We support a National Guard four star billet on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to represent National Guard interests. We also support making AGR's and technicians eligible for military re-enlistment bonuses.
There are many military professional organizations that are worthy of your support, but we are the only organization exclusively addressing the issues affecting enlisted Air and Army National Guard members and your membership could mean all the difference. With the tremendous responsibilities being shouldered by the men and women of National Guard around the globe, being a member of this organization is more important than ever.
If you are currently a member, thank you and please encourage others to join by explaining the importance and relevance of participating. If you are not a member, please take the time to consider it.
Membership is a small investment in having your voice heard at the state and national level. Together, we can accomplish what individually would be impossible.
Sincerely,
CMSgt Leigh Dumas, President
Enlisted National Guard Association of Florida
