THE M ISSISSIPPI N ON C OMMISSIONED O FFICERS A SSOCIATION

What is the NCO Association?  This Association was born at a meeting held at Thompson Field, Jackson, MS in April The first Annual Conference was held 18 October 1969 in Jackson at the Heidelberg Hotel.  The Association was incorporated as a non- profit corporation under the laws of the State of Mississippi on 18 October 1971 by Governor John Bell Williams.  It is a Professional Organization made up of enlisted personnel: past and present with an auxiliary comprised of wives, husbands, and associate members.  It is the largest member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) comprised of enlisted members of all fifty states. The Hotel Heidelberg was a fixture on Capitol Street for fifty five years. The hotel was opened by Roy and Cecil Heidelberg in 1922, a modest building of five stories and only 124 rooms. Governor John Bell Williams, served from 1968 to 1972

Biloxi, MS – Congressman Steven Palazzo (R- MS) today responded to the announcement of furloughs for Mississippi Guard technicians by renewing his commitment to fight for H.R. 1014, a bipartisan bill Palazzo introduced in the House of Representatives in March of this year. The bill would include military technicians in a Department of Defense furlough exemption that was announced in July It currently has 34 House cosponsors. H.R  Professional Association (Because You are Professional Military Personnel)  Lobby for benefits. (Quality of Life)  Inform the majority of law-makers of the military requirements (Only 20% of Senators & Representatives have military service)  Voice in our future relevance in the war fight  TO MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD Why do we need our Association?

OBJECTIVES BY-LAWS Article II: Object The object of the Association shall be to:  Promote and maintain state and national security;  Promote and advance the professionalism, status, welfare, and unity of the Mississippi National Guard noncommissioned officers and enlisted members and to promote he social welfare of the community;  Assist disabled and needy war Veterans and member of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents and the widows and orphans of deceased Veterans;  Sponsor or participate in activities of a patriotic nature;  Provide benefit programs for its members or dependents of its members or both;  Provide social and recreational activities for its members;  Promote and support the objectives of the Enlisted association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS);  Be a non-profit organization;  Not participate in partisan politics.

Who can Join? Both Young and Old  E1-E9 Both Army and AIR serving or have served with a unit of the MS National Guard (To include Mobilized and Activated Soldiers during period of War).  Life membership (Must be qualified to be an annual member)  Retired Membership  Associate Membership  Honorary Membership  Corporate Membership

Where does my support / dues go?  State and National Dues  Support daily operational cost of Our Association  Supports Patriotism  Provides a voice for all Enlisted Personnel  Support Various State Professional/ Support Programs  Eventually it returns to the Membership

A Sponsor of the Youth Challenge Academy

Support of Veterans Organizations

Kids AT $1500  The Mississippi National Guard sponsors the Summer Youth Camp for dependents/grandchildren of active/retired Guard Members with a donation of funds and members time.  The week long camp cost $75 and will accommodate 120 Army and Air National Guard children. Applicants are chosen on a first come first serve basis. The total cost of the camp is estimated between $12,000 and $15,000. This is much higher than the $75 camp fees so the overall cost is defrayed by contributions from units, Family Readiness Groups, retirees, etc.  This camp is supported entirely by volunteers in an non-pay status. This is another way your association is working for you and your Families.

STATE SCHOLARSHIPS State Scholarship:  Since its inception in 1972 the Association’s Scholarship Program has awarded over $200,000. Any member, members spouse or dependent child meeting applicant requirements may apply.  The NCO Auxiliary also award a scholarship each year. In order to qualify the Soldier/Airman must be a member of the Assn and the spouse must be a members of the Auxiliary for the present year and the prior year. (Note: 50 cents of your State dues go to the Scholarship fund: $6000 in 2014)

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS EANGUS Scholarship:  The Enlisted Association of the National Guard United States also has a annual scholarship that members may apply for. Two is the minimum number given each year worth $2000 each; however, depending on the number of sponsors more will be awarded. Last year 9 scholarships for $2000 were awarded.  Grantham University and University of Phoenix have partnered with EANGUS in presenting full four year scholarships to an EANGUS member or dependent. These scholarships can be applied for to either an undergraduate or graduate degree. The potential value is $36,000. Last year the University of Phoenix awarded three of these scholarships!

MSNCO Association Helps Mississippi  Support the best Warrior Competition ($1000)  Supports Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament ($500)  Holds State Annual Conference (Strength Building)  Support EANGUS by attending National Conference (Our voice is heard in the National Agenda)  Support our Auxiliary (Legislative Arm of Our Organization) $ Average Share of Fair Fund Raiser  Camp Shelby Museum $1000

How we support/finance your Association?  Dues (50% of operating revenue)  Insurance Revenues  Publication Revenues  State Fair Project  Sonny Montgomery Foundation  Donations  Cooperate Sponsorship

Mississippi State Fair  The NCO Association works the State Fair in Jackson, MS each year by selling tickets and parking cars. The Association is paid a percentage of the money collected for this event. This money is utilized for supported activities.  This is a volunteer ran event and workers are needed every year. All help is welcomed and appreciated. A Volunteer usually works a 4 hour shift. Volunteers and their families receive free admission to the fair.  Major fund raiser for your association.

Annual Dues E1 – E-4$12 E-5 – E-9$25 RETIREES$25 ASSOCIATE$15Annual/$75 Life (Note: $11.00 of your dues go to pay EANGUS national dues)

 Officers can pay to be Associate Members of the NCO Association. Their dues cost $15 annually or $75 for life. The money that is collected for Associate dues goes directly to the Scholarship Fund.  We need to encourage the officers in your unit to become annual or life members of our Association in an effort to increase our Scholarship Fund. Associate Dues

The Districts  District 1A- Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica and Yalobusha  District 1B- Alcorn, Benton, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tipah, Tishomingo and Union  District 2A- Bolivar, Carroll, Leflore, Montgomery, Sunflower and Washington  District 2B- Attala, Calhoun, Chicasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Webster and Winston  District 3A- Holmes, Humphrey, Issaquena, Madison, Rankin, Sharkey, Simpson and Yazoo  District 3B- Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Scott and Smith  District 4A- Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds and Warren  District 4B- Adams, Amite, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pike, Walthall and Wilkinson

Districts (cont.)  District 5A- Covington, Forrest, Greene, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Marion, Perry and Wayne  District 5B- George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone The three Association Air National Guard Districts:  District 6- Gulfport ANG Base  District 7- Jackson ANG Base  District 8- Meridian ANG Base

What your Association has done for you!  Helped in getting the first $15,000 of Guard pay tax exempt from the Mississippi Income Tax.  Helped in obtaining TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) health plan currently $51.68 for individual and $ for family coverage through December These rates are set 1 January each year.  Along with EANGUS, helped in obtaining unlimited commissary privileges for Guardsmen.  Sponsors three insurance programs through AFLAC: 1.Cancer Insurance 2.Intensive Care Insurance 3.Hospital Indemnity Insurance  Free access to all State Parks  Incapacitation pay for members while traveling to and from training locations  New GI Bill for National Guard and Reserve

What your Association has done for you!  The Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) provides a $1000 life insurance policy at no cost to National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. They also offer an enhanced life insurance program that extends State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) in increments of $50,000 up to $400,000  Elimination of discrimination in hiring because of National Guard and Reserve membership  Improvements in the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act  Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) expansion from $35,000 to $50,000 to $100,000 to $200,000 to $250,000 to $400,000  Increase in the Death Gratuity from $6,000 to $12,000 to $100,000 and changed its name to Hero Compensation  When you join the State association you are automatically enrolled in the National Association (EANGUS). With this membership, you get a free Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Policy worth $1,000

EANGUS Member #1 Nationally  Mississippi has the largest membership in the National Enlisted Association (20% of total membership). This gives our association the ability to help decide what legislation EANGUS will present to Congress.

 The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) was formally organized in 1972 with the goal of increasing the voice of enlisted persons in the National Guard. As such, EANGUS is a non- profit organization dedicated to the principles of providing an adequate national defense and promoting the status, welfare, and professionalism of the men and women of the Army and Air National Guard by supporting legislation that provides adequate staffing, pay, benefits, entitlements, equipment, and installations for the National Guard.  Beginning with twenty-three states, EANGUS now represents all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, and has an association comprised of those who serve the National Guard on national tour. With a constituency base of over 414,000 Soldiers and Airmen, their Families, as well as thousands of retired members, and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, a stone's throw from Washington DC, EANGUS maintains a full-time staff to represent your interests to the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill. WHAT IS EANGUS?

The Military Coalition  EANGUS has been a long time member of The Military Coalition (TMC). TMC is an collaboration of 32 military service and Veterans service organizations, united in one effort—to influence Capitol Hill on behalf of military members, their Families, Veterans, and Retirees. Influence on Capitol Hill is all about the number of members that are represented, and TMC represents over 5.5 million members (voters). EANGUS is represented on almost all of the subcommittees in TMC. 1.Air Force Association (AFA) 2.Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) 3.Air Force Women Officers Associated (AFWOA) 4.AMVETS (American Veterans) 5.Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) 6.AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals 7.Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 8.Association of the United States Navy (AUSN) 9.Commissioned Officers Association (COA) of the United States Public Health Service, Inc. 10.CWOA, US Coast Guard 11.Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) 12.Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) 13.Gold Star Wives of America (GSW) 14.Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV) 15.Marine Corps League (MCL) 16.Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America 17.Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA) 18.Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America (MCA) 19.Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) 20.Military Order of the Purple Heart 21.National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) 22.National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) 23.National Military Family Association (NMFA) 24.Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA) 25.Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) 26.Reserve Officers Association (ROA) 27.The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) 28.United States Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA) 29.USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) 30.Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 31.Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) 32.Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)

Who can effect change?  Any member of the association that has an idea that he or she feels will supply a need or better the members of the Mississippi National Guard or their families need only to write the idea down on a piece of paper in regular language and submit it to your District Director or directly to the President. The District Director or President will then carry the idea to the Board of Directors. The idea will then be brought before the assembly during the annual State conference to get full support.  ANYONE CAN EFFECT CHANGE. YOUR IDEAS COUNT!

MSNCO Association State Conference  The 2015 State Conference will be held in the Jackson, Mississippi at the Hilton Hotel on County Line Road April.  The 2015 National Conference will be held in Phoenix, Arizona August Details can be found online at  If you have never attended you should make this your first. Find out what your Association is doing for you.

Some Important Web Sites  State Association web site:  National Association web site: (membership # located on New Patriot mailing label)

The MS NG NCO Association of Mississippi  Exists for you; the enlisted men and women serving and have served with the Mississippi National Guard.  Our goal as an Association is to strengthen the Mississippi National Guard through improved personnel benefits, better equipment, modern facilities and increased relevance.  We absolutely need your continued membership so our state and federal legislators will hear our voice. Working together our achievements will grow by the day.

Questions?