Welcome to Military Affairs
 Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini
The Adjutant General
Welcome to the Department of Military Affairs web site. We hope that this will become a valuable tool and a first stop when you need information about the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard or the state structure of our department. It is an honor and a privilege to lead so many dedicated and talented men and women. I hope you will join me in taking every opportunity to thank the men and women in uniform for their efforts and service. Again, welcome and please contact us if we can be of any assistance.
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Recent Headlines..... |
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Governor Signs Military Affairs Bill
Gov. Steve Beshear was joined at the Capitol Mar. 25 by members of the General Assembly as he signed into law a series of bills that will affect members of the Kentucky National Guard, military affairs employees and their families.
“The men and women who serve in our military and their families make tremendous sacrifices to ensure that all of us can be safe and free,” Beshear said. “We will never be able to fully repay that debt, but sometimes we can change the laws to lessen the hardships that military service sometimes creates. During this session we made such changes and I am pleased to sign these bills today.”
Included in the bills signed was House Bill 541, sponsored by Rep. Charles Siler, which authorizes the Governor to retain on state active duty through their rehabilitation period Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who suffered missed-time injuries or illnesses in the performance of state active duty service during the 2009 winter storm relief mission.
This legislation allows these Guardsmen to retain 100 percent of their military pay during their rehabilitation period, less workers’ compensation pay benefits, affording them the same benefit they would have received if the injury or illness occurred on federal military duty. Without this change in law, under existing workers' compensation statutes, these Soldiers would have only received two-thirds of their state active duty salary up to a maximum benefit of $694 a week.
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general of Kentucky, said they have to find a way to have equality for all Soldiers injured in the line of duty regardless of the status they are in.
“We asked Soldiers to do a job, put them in harms way, and based on whatever status they are in [active duty or temporary orders], they are treated differently,” Tonini said. “That is not how we, as leaders in the military, ought to let things happen.”
Tonini said that the ice storm that hit Kentucky in January and February, showed this is a short coming nationally.
“As good as the legislation is that we just passed in Kentucky, it’s only a band-aid that addresses the Soldiers hurt during temporary state active duty,” said Tonini. “It’s extraordinary to report to them [the Soldiers] and their families, but the reality is that it’s a national problem.”
Tonini, along with Congressman Rogers and a coalition of governors and other state adjutant generals, are putting together a strategy to change the law in other states and help Soldiers across the nation get the same treatment.
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The Year of the NCO |
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 Since 1775, the Army has set apart its NCOs from other enlisted Soldiers by distinctive insignia of grade.
With more than 200 years of service, the U.S. Army’s Noncommissioned Officer Corps has distinguished itself as the world’s most accomplished group of military professionals. Historical and daily accounts of “life as an NCO” are exemplified by acts of courage, and a dedication and a willingness to do “whatever it takes” to complete the mission. NCOs have been celebrated for decorated service in military events ranging from Valley Forge to Gettysburg, to charges on Omaha Beach and battles along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In recognition of their commitment to service and willingness to make great sacrifices on behalf of our Nation, Secretary of the Army established 2009 as “Year of the NCO.”
Throughout 2009, the Army honors NCOs through initiatives and events that:
- Enhance awareness and public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of today’s NCO.
- Enhance and accelerate the development of NCOs through education, fitness, and leadership development initiatives.
We invite you to join the celebration of one of America’s greatest assets, the NCO Corps, the “backbone of the American Army.”
The purpose of the Year of the NCO initiative is to enhance NCO’s education, fitness, leadership development and pride in service through the implementation of programs and policies that support the sustainment and growth of the NCO Corps. The Year of the NCO recognizes the leadership, professionalism, commitment, courage and dedication of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps and will better inform and educate Congress, government institutions, and the American people of the roles, responsibilities, and the quality of service of our NCO Corps. The NCO Corps is a national treasure.
If you know of a deserving NCO -- one who epitomizes the NCO Creed, one who makes you proud to wear the same uniform -- please send in your nomination.
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Disaster Assistance |
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To coordinate an Emergency Management System of Mitigation, Preparedness, Response & Recovery to Protect the Lives, Environment & Property of the People of Kentucky
The KCCRB credentials and maintains a statewide network of training professional volunteer responders and deploys rapids response teams to crisis sites. A 24-hour toll-free access phone number, (888)522-7228, is maintained to request a response.
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Current Kentucky National Guard Leadership |
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Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini - The Adjutant General
Brig. Gen. Joseph "Lonnie" Culver - Deputy Adjutant General, Army
Brig. Gen. Michael J. Dornbush - Chief of the Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters
Brig. Gen. John W. Heltzel - Deputy Commander, Joint Force Headquarters
Brig. Gen. Mark R. Kraus - Assistant Adjutant General for Air
Please CLICK HERE for more information on our leadership.
The Kentucky National Guard includes the Army National Guard, a component of the United States Army ( ), and the Air National Guard, a United States Air Force () component.
Join the National Guard ( http://www.1800goguard.com)
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Recent Press Releases |
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