The NGAGA Awards

The Georgia Minuteman Award is the highest recognition bestowed upon an individual NGAGA member. It recognizes exceptional achievement, a patriotic act, highly distinguished service or an outstanding contribution to a military organization, community, state, nation, and to the National Guard Association of Georgia.

Description
A 13-inch pewter sculpted minuteman, mounted on a walnut wood base with an inscription plate appropriately engraved with the name of the recipient. The award also comes with an official certificate of appreciation from the acting NGAGA president that bestows the recipient with an honorary NGAGA life membership.

Criteria
The individual to be selected should have made sustained contributions of exceptional and far-reaching magnitude to the defense and security of the state or nation in a highly distinguished manner worthy of such recognition. Although a single deed or action may be considered as qualification for this award if it is of sufficient magnitude and significance, weight should be given to sustained contributions.

Nomination and Selection Procedures
Any member of the Awards Committee, the Board of Directors or an elected officer of NGAGA, or Adjutants General may nominate an individual to receive this award. The letter should contain clear and detailed statement of the nature and magnitude of the nominated individual’s contributions to an improved defense posture of the Georgia National Guard or the nation. The Georgia Minuteman Award is usually presented not more than once annually. However, if in the view of the Awards Committee or the Board of Directors, no individual has met the requirements of the award, no award will be given. An individual may not receive the Award more than once.

Past Recipients

2021
BG(R) Tom Blackstock

2020
BG Bobby L. Christine

2019
BG Reginald G. Neal

2018
BG Randall V. Simmons

2017
COL John M. Verhage

2016
BG Craig M. McGalliard

2015
COL Thomas Grabowski

2014
COL Raymond Bossert, Jr.

2013
COL Randal S. Carter

2012
COL John King
COL (Ret) Frank Williams

2011
COL Mike Scholes

This award is presented annually to one individual to recognize the achievements and dedicated service of Army and Air National Guard junior officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism in their services and community. BG Terrell T. Reddick, who passed away in September 2005, served in the Georgia Army National Guard for more than 37 years and as President of the National Guard Association of Georgia. In both his civilian and military careers, BG Reddick demonstrated the kind of inspirational leadership that helped everyone see the good that was in them and how to be the best they could be. His leadership and warrior spirit truly concretizes the model leader that members of the Georgia National Guard and the National Guard Association of Georgia strive to emulate. The award recognizes company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which BG Reddick stood.

Description
A walnut plaque (a design chosen by the NGAGA board of directors) with the following inscription on a silver plate is presented to the recipient: “The Terrell T. Reddick Leadership Award Presented to (name of recipient) In Recognition of Your Selfless Service, Leadership, and Ability to Help Others to Become the Best They Can Be” – National Guard Association of Georgia – (Date) – “Soldiers Matter”

Eligibility
Nominees must be a second lieutenant, first lieutenant or captain serving in either the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard during the award period for which the award is given. Nominees must be members of both NGAGA and NGAUS.

Criteria
Whole-career information will be submitted and evaluated to include: accomplishments in duty assignments; career progression, training and professional development activities; community service demonstrating leadership or exemplary character; military and civilian education; awards and decorations; experience and achievements; leadership qualities and character.

Nomination and Selection Procedures
Nomination forms should include recommended endorsements from unit commander, battalion or wing commander. Previous recipients may not be nominated. Each service component may submit more than one nomination each year.

Past Recipients

2023
CPT Ian Jennings
CPT Gunnar Schrepfer
CPT Connor Sealock
Capt Markus do
Capt Kari Giles
CW2 Brian Sexton

2022
1st Lt Chase Eriksen
CPT Letitia Williams
CPT David Young
CPT Patrick Jarvis

2021
CPT Andrew M. Silva
CPT Johnathan L. Whitmire
CPT Kimberly R. Adkins
CPT Matthew T. Silva

2020
CPT Samuel White
Capt Roosevelt F. James IV

2019
Capt Todd A. Swanson
CPT Santos Rivera III
CPT Edner J. Julien
CPT William B. Sherfesee

2018
CPT Elliott Wells
Capt Chad Kale
CPT Brantley Lockhart
CPT Keri McGregor
Capt Christopher Fox
CPT Nathan Turk

2017
Capt Philip B. Gellins
CPT Janna L. Hoeg
Capt Dean P. Johnson
Capt Salena J. Kimsey
CPT Kevin Matthews
CPT Zachary A. Melda
CPT Jason C. Royal

2016
CPT Daniel R. Sekula
Capt Mark A. Cook
CPT Paul "Mitch" Leachman
Capt Billy W. Bassett
CPT Daniel A. Nichols
1LT Jeremiah K. Stafford
CPT Matt A. Smith
CHAPLAIN (CPT) Brian H. Mize

2015
CPT Craig L. Keller
CPT Daniel R. Bodie
2Lt Andrea N. Fabian
CPT Jared D. Smith
CPT Brian A. Foster
CPT Brian McKenna
CPT Paul L. Rothenbuhler
CPT Bart A. Scocco

2014
CPT Patrick Grover
CPT Luke Gurley
CPT Larry Hartman
CPT Daniel  Chicola
1LT Jason Griner
CPT Christopher Dryden
CPT Abby Walker
Capt Caseylee Lipscomb
Capt Christopher Swann

2013
Capt Gordon L. Polston
1Lt James J. O'Shea,
Capt Rebecca M. Burton
Capt Timothy M. Riley.
Capt Pamela Stauffer
1Lt Robert L. Brumfield
1LT Ryan A. Schwartz
1LT John Riddle
1LT Stephen Kump
CPT Gregory S. Koester
CPT Russell F. Dasher
1LT Travis Cornwall
CPT Shilo Crane
CPT Samuel T. Weeks
CPT Nuir A. Hussein
1LT Marina R. Johnson
CPT Juan Hernandez

2012
CPT Aaron Anderson
CPT Andrew Banister
Capt Melissa Gesser
Capt Steven Grogan
1LT Michael Johnson
CPT Jean Paul Laurenceau

2011
CHP (1LT) Jimmy Bellamy
Capt Nicole Davis
1LT Roy Fountain Jr.
1LT Brandon Lake
Capt Rock Mendenhall
Capt Anthony Ogle
CPT Leif Rivera
CPT Louis Williams

The James Edward Oglethorpe Award is designed to provide recognition to civic leaders, local and state officials, who in a position of great responsibility distinguished themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to Georgia National Guard military services, the National Guard or the National Guard Association of Georgia.

Eligibility
Any civilian, not eligible for an award in any other NGAUS or NGAGA category, may be nominated for the James Edward Oglethorpe award. Primarily designed for recognition of local officials (city, county, state), civic leaders (ESGR, civilian aides, corporate CEOs) or legislative staffers.

Description
This award is a walnut plaque with a likeness of James Oglethorpe centered at the top of the award. Above the image of James Oglethorpe is the inscription “The James Edward Oglethorpe Award” and below the image the recipient’s name and date the honor was received. Also, written below the image is “National Guard Association of Georgia.”

Criteria
An individual must have distinguished him/herself over an extended period of time in their support of the Georgia National Guard, the National Guard or NGAGA.

Superior performance of normal duty alone does not justify award of this honor. An individual must have provided exceptionally strong support for the Georgia National Guard, the National Guard or NGAGA to clearly merit this award. The support of the individual must be such that the readiness and the future of the Guard have been positively affected and the results of the support should remain beyond the individual’s affiliation aforementioned organizations.

The service narrative should provide specifics as to the nature, e.g., legislation passed and enacted, versus sponsored; and the period of service being recognized be clearly stated.

Nomination and Selection Procedures
Any member of NGAGA may nominate an individual to receive this award. An individual may not receive more than one James Edward Oglethorpe Award and more than one award may be given in a calendar year.

Past Recipients

2019
No Award Given

2018
No Award Given

2017
Mr. David F. Golden
Mr. Chris Wigginton

2016
Mr. Scott McElroy and Mrs. Patty Baker-McElroy
Mr. Tom Bell

2015
No Award Given

2014
No Award Given

2013
No Award Given

2012
Dr. William (Bill) Cathcart

2011
COL (Ret) Chris Mears

The Georgia Patriot Humanitarian Award is designed to provide recognition to any active member of the Georgia National Guard and the National Guard Association of Georgia for an act of heroism and/or extreme humanitarianism involving the saving or attempt to save a life.

Eligibility
Any active or former military member of the Georgia Department Defense and active member of the National Guard Association of Georgia may be nominated for the Georgia Patriot Humanitarian Award.

Description
This award is a walnut plaque with a likeness of the State of Georgia and the National Guard Minuteman centered over the state. Above the image of the image is the inscription "Georgia Patriot Humanitarian Award" and below the image the recipient's name and date the honor was received. Also, written below the image is "National Guard Association of Georgia."

Criteria
An individual must have distinguished him/herself by performing an act of heroism and/or extreme humanitarianism involving the saving or attempt to save life. It is not necessary that the nominee risk his/her own life or endanger their personal safety in performing this act. The actions taken by the nominee must clearly demonstrate their prompt reaction and application of skill and/or first aid procedures above and beyond the normal call of responsibility. The act truly demonstrates the nominees sincere desire to render a humanitarian service, without which an individual or individuals might sustain loss of life.

Nomination and Selection Procedures
Any member of NGAGA may nominate an individual to receive this award. More than one Governor of Georgia Humanitarianism Award may be given during the calendar year but an individual may nominated only once.

Past Recipients

2019
No Award Given

2018
SSgt Wilson Gardner

2017
SGT Russell Midkiff

2016
LTC Bob Hunter

2015
No Award Given

2014
LTC Bob Hunter
CPT Robert Schwarz

2013
SrA Noe Klumpp

2012
2LT April Johnson

2011
CPT Shawn Emory
CPT Joseph Latella
MSG Joseph Shirer

The NGAGA Certificate of Appreciation is designed to provide recognition to an individual or entity for outstanding support of the National Guard Association of Georgia and/or the Georgia National Guard.

Eligibility
Any individual or entity may be nominated. It is the desire of NGAGA to be generous with this certificate but not award it indiscriminately.

Description
This award is a printed certificate bearing the name of the National Guard Association of Georgia, the title of the award and the name of the recipient appropriately lettered, printed on fine quality paper in color. The certificate also bears the seal of NGAGA and will read below the seal: “The National Guard Association of Georgia Certificate of Appreciation is Awarded to (name of the recipient), in recognition of patriotic service rendered the National Guard of Georgia, awarded this (number) day of (month), 20(year)”, and is signed by the president of NGAGA, the executive director of NGAGA and if available, the Adjutant General of Georgia.

Criteria
Any individual or entity that renders outstanding support of the Georgia National Guard, the National Guard or NGAGA.
Nomination and Selection Procedures

Any member of NGAGA may nominate any individual or entity to receive this award. The Georgia NGAGA Certificate of Appreciation is usually presented more than once annually. This award may also be used for other purposes to provide recognition by NGAGA for service rendered and may be presented at any time. However, if in the view of the Awards Committee that an individual or entity should be recognized more than once in a calendar year, the committee may deem that only one award will be given.

This award is presented annually to recognize the achievements and dedicated service of Army and Air National Guard field grade Officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism in their military careers as well as service to their community. MAJ Kevin M. Jenrette graduated from the University of North Georgia in 1995 and was commissioned in the United States Army. He served on active duty until 2005, completing Airborne and Ranger School. He joined the Georgia Army National Guard in 2005. While deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 108th RSTA Squadron, MAJ Jenrette died on 4 June 2009 from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device near Kakar, Afghanistan. MAJ Jenrette was a truly motivational leader who inspired all those around him to achieve their best. The award recognizes field grade Officers who demonstrate the leadership and selfless service exemplified by MAJ Jenrette.

Description
A walnut plaque (a design chosen by the NGAGA board of directors) with the following inscription on a silver plate is presented to the recipient: “The Kevin M. Jenrette Leadership Award Presented to (name of recipient) In Recognition of Your Leadership, Selfless Service and Demonstrated Ability to Help Others to Become the Best They Can Be” – National Guard Association of Georgia – (Date)

Eligibility
Nominees must be a field grade Officer serving in either the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard during the award period for which the award is given. Nominees must be members of both NGAGA and NGAUS.

Criteria
Whole-career information will be submitted and evaluated to include: accomplishments in duty assignments; career progression, training and professional development activities; community service demonstrating leadership or exemplary character; military and civilian education; awards and decorations; experience and achievements; leadership qualities and character.

Nomination and Selection Procedures
Nomination forms should include recommended endorsements from unit commander, battalion or wing commander. Previous recipients may not be nominated. Each service component may submit more than one nomination each year.

Past Recipients

2023
COL Nathan Stone

2022
LTC Matt Johnston
LTC John Avera