Benjamin Jeffrey’s Post

Thanks to Chaitra Hardison and Daniel Ginsberg and RAND for the Insights from Leadership article focused on the National Guard Bureau. As a former US Army and Army National Guard Soldier with a family and a civilian career, I believe your key findings are generally on target with the caveat that there are always exceptions, state by state, unit by unit, by MOS/AFSC and more. Here are my "boots-on-the-ground" perspective to some of your findings - "... Family separations and the bureaucratic challenges that come from switching among authorized duty statuses add considerable stress on Guard members." The unique and unpredictable (domestic) role of the National Guard is such that there will always be an expansion and contraction of duty requirements brought on by nature as well as unforeseen political and civil situations. The current focus on collapsing duty status / order type will help make that transition on and off duty less stressful on service members and their families as well as their employers. "Although recruiting is a problem, it is not unique to the National Guard. Retention does not seem to be a problem so far, but it might be in the future..." My perspective, in taking with Guardsmen and having been in their boots, is that recruiting and retention is actually helped by the fact that these citizen-warriors are indeed called upon to help their state and communities. "Atrophying skills is a potential concern, given the high pace of operations and limited time for training..." There are two points of consideration, in my opinion, on this "potential concern." First, some skills are at least maintained, if not enhanced entirely, by virtue of the service member using them while engaged in any domestic operation. Secondly, because citizen-warriors must maintain the same educational standards as their active-duty counterparts, the "school-house" should continue to explore out-of-the-box solutions. (e.g. Is it really cost effective to send a POST qualified law enforcement officer to the full Military Police or Security Forces school?) There are several other Key Findings and Recommendations contained in the study, but let me interject one final perspective that I strongly suggest be included in subsequent studies and recommendations - and that is the Civilian Employer. I was surprised that the study did not directly address the typical citizen-warrior "stressor" of maintaining their civilian career along with their military career. Several of the findings and potential solutions can be assisted and addressed, at least in part, by the patriotic employers who also bear the stress of supporting their Guard and Reserve employees. For the Guard and Reserve, the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR) and is a great network of volunteers who navigate these stressors daily across the "54"! Be-Know-Do Consulting Ronald (Ron) Bogle Rita Broadway Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) FLORIDA Committee

While all councils regularly test civil protection plans, few have to put plans into practice on such a large scale as the recent WW2 bomb evacuation. The city’s emergency response activation involved 30+ organisations – from the Police to the Fire Service, the Army, the Navy, the NHS, hospitals, the voluntary sector, and neighbouring councils. The online rumour mill and media machine was in overdrive and as you can imagine, comms teams were fielding enquiries en masse. Everyone needed to know: what was happening, why it was happening, what to do, where to go, and what happens next. From on-the-ground comms to media announcements, staff updates, and the first real use of the Government’s Emergency Alert system, this was a monstrous undertaking.   So, what can we learn from this? Ellie Firth shares her insights from the experience here: https://lnkd.in/d83sHuKx #crisis #crisiscomms #evacuation

Officially a thing:

The United States Coast Guard, one of our nations revered institutions, has long been synonymous with a selflessness of public service, commitment to public safety, and an unwavering dedication to duty. This storied branch of the armed forces, respected globally, has historically set the standard for maritime excellence and unwavering public service. However, recent developments within the organization paint a concerning picture – a subtle yet significant shift from serving the public to serving personal and fraternal interests. At the heart of this troubling trend is a growing culture among certain factions of the Coast Guard’s officer corps, characterized by self-serving attitudes and a misplaced sense of superiority. This mindset is a stark deviation from the Coast Guard's foundational ethos of serving the American public and protecting our nation's waterways. Instead of looking outward to the public they swore to protect, these individuals seem to be looking inward, prioritizing personal gain and career advancement over the greater health of all of their membership and the public at large. This inward turn is not just a departure from the Coast Guard's mission; it’s a fundamental betrayal of public trust. The essence of the Coast Guard has always been about putting others first – rescuing those in peril, safeguarding our waters, and being a steadfast guardian of our maritime borders. Yet, when officers become preoccupied with their own fraternal ambitions, the focus on public service wanes, and the mission suffers. It's important to note that this does not cast aspersions to the entire officer corps. Many in the Coast Guard continue to serve with the highest level of integrity and dedication to public service. However, the impact of a self-centered minority cannot be overlooked. It's a ripple effect that can demoralize the rank and file, diminish public confidence, and hinder operational effectiveness. Addressing this shift requires more than acknowledgment; it demands action. Congress and Coast Guard leadership must actively work together to realign the organization’s culture with its core mission of public service. This involves not only reinforcing the values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty but also ensuring these principles are reflected in every aspect of the Coast Guard's operations. The US Coast Guard has a proud legacy, one that is built on sacrifice, bravery, and a deep commitment to serving the American people. It’s imperative that the organization returns to these guiding principles. The nation deserves a Coast Guard that stands as a paragon of public service, not self-service. It’s time to chart a course back to these fundamental values and ensure that the Coast Guard remains a symbol of honor, courage, and commitment to the public good. CSPAN Hearings https://lnkd.in/efw5quEM

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭? A VA property management firm recently settled with the DOJ for $13k over allegations they violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The company allegedly denied lawful lease terminations and imposed improper fees on a Navy servicemember who received PCS orders. This reminds us that SCRA protections must be fully honored for military renters. However, I worry ambiguous state/federal overlaps could lead to inadvertent violations even with good intent. We must educate on exact SCRA requirements. 𝐈'𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞.  I think most firms want to support servicemembers. But compliance has costs, so it's tricky to avoid passing those to non-military renters. Where should that burden fall? What oversight is needed while being mindful of impacts on housing supply? As real estate professionals, we must do right by military families. But SCRA intricacies also create challenges. So, I welcome your thoughts on balancing meaningful compliance with unintended consequences. #rentpost #leaselords

I have been fielding a lot of questions this week all relating to "so what happens when something like this happens?" The establishment of a Unified Command (UC) being run under an Incident Management System (ICS) structure, according to the the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is what happens. Really it means we have the right leadership and the right resources in place to work with multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional partners and a wide variety of stakeholders to bring our strengths and capabilities together to solve the problem as safely, efficiently, and quickly as possible. Coordinated efforts, common objectives, shared resources and support systems. This is what we train for...... So when the time comes, we can step in to our position within the ICS organization and do our part to support the response.

This administration's plans are as unconstitutional as they get.... "This is frustrating to federal commanders, but as the Federalist Papers denote, this was part of the plan. James Madison stated in Federalist 46 that “the federal and state governments, are…[to] resist and frustrate the measures of each other.” The military and militia (now National Guard) were intended to be a security for the rights of civilians and a check against a large federal force from the “oppression of the several states.” In fact, it was thought that the federal force should be smaller than the aggregated strength of state military forces as a means of defense from an overreaching federal force. The border situation is one example of where state control of armed forces as a means to fill a void left open by the federal government is so important. Hamilton agreed but thought that the states could also be overpowering if not checked by a federal force answerable to the president. So, a compromise was decided that a federal force combined with the checks of the states would be the best option in the constitutional system. If military space forces are denied the states, who, despite the messaging of some in Washington, DC, that are actively leveraging space systems for state roles and functions, will challenge the idea circulating in the Pentagon and Biden administration that it is necessary to convert all military services to a federal-only single component of part-time and full-time forces? This is a move that is contrary to the Constitution’s purposeful efforts to create a system of checks and balances."

Whilst the response operation gets under way for the tragic events at #Baltimore our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who tragically lost their lives whilst working on the bridge. www.ambipar.com   sales@ambipar.com Ireland - Industrial & Response: +353 (0)214351020 UK Response: +44 (1)202 653558 UK Industrial Services: +44 (1)978 840 228 US Response: 1 800 980 7911 #oilandgasindustry #marineindustry #portauthority #shippingindustry #manufacturingindustry #chemicalindustry #pharmaceuticalindustry #foodandbeverageindustry #localauthorities #tankcleaning #powergeneration #offshoreindustry #mediachangeout #drysuction #confinedspace #wasteindustry #hazmat #preparedness #erp #emergencyresponse

Many of you are asking for solutions and how to prepare for what's coming to America. So I turn to the experts. I'm NOT in law enforcement or the military - and so I'm the wrong person to give advice. BUT that is why I've assembled a Board of Advisors at Law Enforcement Today that's the heads of the largest police groups in the country, including sheriffs, US Marshals, combat veterans and a team of experts. Every day, I've got police chiefs, sheriffs, SWAT leaders, etc. reaching out asking how they can better be prepared. So here's some practical advice: -Bring in as much of that "big and scary" military gear as you can get your hands on. Make sure it's accounted for and trained with. I understand that Biden has made this incredibly difficult - but become a hoarder of it. -Make sure EVERY one of your officers rotates through some kind of training with SWAT (a regional team if you don't have one locally). Make sure they get significant range time. Make sure they get training on how to save lives when NOT equipped with medical supplies. -Put together a local program that empowers and trains civilians. Even better if you can build relationships with local combat veterans. -Make sure you have an emergency management plan in place that assumes worst case scenario - lack of comms, lack of electricity, lack of internet, and an assumption that what you have in town is what you'll have for months - and that's IT. No supply chain. Hoarding. Roving gangs. Take your nightmare scenario.... play it out... and prepare for THAT. REPOST - every agency and officer in America needs to see this. MUCH more to come soon. #Lawenforcement #Thinblueline

#AmericanCrisis | Is this too alarmist? Would be interested in #LawEnforcement perspectives here. Leveraging #Veterans and civilians not in official LE roles but properly vetted and willing to support sounds like a good part of the solution. In an environment where the threats are increasing while military and law enforcement recruiting is significantly down, we are going to have to learn to leverage more resources. Better to start that conversation now.