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ALEXANDRIA, Va – The Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) and its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company, announced today the appointment of Major General Augustus L. “Leon” Collins, USA (Ret.) to the 5Star Life Board of Directors, effective December 1, 2020.

“It is our pleasure to welcome Leon Collins to the 5Star Life Board of Directors. His proven leadership and decades of service to this great nation make him an outstanding addition to our Board”, said General Ed Eberhart, USAF (Ret.), Chair of AFBA and 5Star Life.

General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.) President of AFBA and 5Star Life, added, “The service and protection we provide for our military members, first responders, and civilians who serve our country will be enhanced with General Collins as a member of the Board.”

General Collins retired after more than 30 years of military service as the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard in 2016. His Army career included command of the 155th Brigade Combat Team, a force of more than 4,500 servicemembers in The Iraqi Theater of Operations. Collins currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of MICACT, Inc, a job training, development, and management company in Jackson, MS.

About Armed Forces Benefit Association
With the support of the General of the Army, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) was established in 1947 in the basement of the Pentagon to ease the strain on military members and their families who, at the time, could not purchase life insurance that would pay a death benefit if the member was killed in combat. Today, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, AFBA continues to honor its mission, in war and peace, promoting the welfare of its members providing death benefits and other benefits to those who serve this great nation, including members of the uniformed services, first responders, government employees, and their families. AFBA has over 650,000 members with $40 billion of death benefits in force and has paid nearly $2 billion of death benefits since inception. AFBA death benefits are underwritten by its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company (a Lincoln, Nebraska domiciled company).

About 5Star Life
5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) is the primary underwriter of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) member policies. In addition, it extends the enterprise’s mission to civilians serving our country in the workplace. As a growing provider of group and worksite voluntary products, 5Star Life serves a diverse clientele as an insurance provider to individuals and organizations and as a trusted advisor to brokers. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, 5Star Life is currently licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the United States National Guard will celebrate its 382nd birthday, making it 140 years older than the nation it protects.

Today, the reserve military force represents a joint effort on the part of two branches, the United States Army and Air Force. The Army National Guard and Air National Guard are garrisoned in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

There's been quite a bit of history since the first militia organized in 1636, and this anniversary presents the perfect opportunity to reflect on the nearly four centuries during which the Guard has been "Always Ready, Always There!"

The history of the U.S. National Guard

Militia forces were first mustered in what is now the United States as early as 1565, when Spanish settlers in St. Augustine were tasked with guarding supplies during the onset of a hurricane, while regular troops were up north attacking a French settlement on the St. Johns River. In the early 1600s, militias were mustered in the New World's first permanent English settlements of Jamestown Colony and Plymouth Colony, which originally consisted of all able-bodied adult men.

However, according to the Department of Defense, the official birthdate of the National Guard took place on December 13, 1636, when the Massachusetts colonial legislature officially directed the colony's existing militia companies to be organized into three regiments. Today, the four descendants of that initial trio of regiments — the 101st Engineer Battalion, the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, the 181st Infantry Regiment, and the 182nd Infantry Regiment, all of the Massachusetts Army National Guard — hold the distinction of being the oldest units in the United States military.

It may seem strange to some that the National Guard is older than the U.S. Army, but that position is based on the Militia Act of May 8, 1792, which permitted already extant militia units to retain their "customary privileges."

In 1903, passage of the Dick Act required states to divide their militias into two sections, recommending the titles "Reserve Militia" and "National Guard." The passage of the National Guard Mobilization Act in 1933 fully codified the division between traditional state militias and the National Guard, mandating that all federally funded soldiers take a dual enlistment in both the state National Guard and the newly created National Guard of the United States.

The history of the Air National Guard

Following World War II, the Truman administration pushed for a major restructuring of the nation's military and intelligence agencies, which led to the passage of the National Defense Act of 1947. Among other things, this legislation created the Air Force as a separate branch of the Armed Forces, which consequently formed the Air National Guard of the United States as a unique entity separate from the Army National Guard.

And yet, the oldest unit in the Air National Guard actually predates the institution itself by over 30 years.

On November 22, 1915, the 102nd Rescue Squadron of the New York Air National Guard was organized in accordance with existing law and authorized in the New York National Guard as the Aero Company, Signal Corps. However, the oldest Air National Guard unit that has remained in continuous existence since it was first federally recognized is the 109th Airlift Squadron of the Minnesota Air National Guard, which originated as the 109th Observation Squadron on January 17, 1921.

All of the state, territory and District of Columbia militias that collectively form today's Army National Guard and Air National Guard trace their heritage back to those first three regiments organized at the direction of the Massachusetts colonial legislature on December 13, 1636. While the Guard may not literally have been "Always There" throughout time immemorial, at 382 years of age, they come pretty close.

The saga of California National Guard veterans' signing bonuses has unfolded quickly and now, mere days after the story broke, the government will stop seeking repayment from veterans. The New York Times explained the change in policy from the Pentagon which, after a serious outcry from many corners, has declared that it won't pursue incentives handed out due to errors.

Tracking the story
For those unfamiliar with the tale, the news source explained that the criticism began following a Los Angeles Times expose, revealing that some California National Guard members were being pursued and asked to repay signing bonuses. The problem began a decade ago. The Department of Defense handed out bonuses with insufficient oversight during the 2000s and, while a few claims were made improperly, the vast majority of the mistaken pay-outs were simply the results of internal error, with no wrongdoing by the recipients. The question became whether the DOD should try and make guard members repay those bonuses.

As The New York Times noted, the collection program caused significant problems for many of the people targeted, with some suffering serious financial repercussions. When asked to forgive some of this debt in 2014, Congress failed to act, citing the high cost of taking the collection off the books. Following the public outcry, however, the situation has changed.

As of Wednesday, the Department of Defense has given in and called on its collectors to stop going after veterans. The DOD statement makes clear that the agency is interested in remaining on good terms with service members, and in this case, that means not pursuing the debts.

"There is no more important responsibility for the Department of Defense than keeping faith with our people," said Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, according to the Times. "That means treating them fairly and equitably, honoring their service and sacrifice, and keeping our word."

Lawmakers claim lack of knowledge
The Los Angeles Times reported that in the wake of the DOD announcement, California members of Congress have come forward to explain that they were unaware of the extent of the repayment program. Multiple lawmakers stated that it was the recent investigation that opened their eyes to how many National Guard members were being affected by the collection program.

Representatives who pushed then abandoned debt waiver legislation in 2015 explained that they gave up that effort after assurances that the Pentagon could cancel the debts without their intervention. The National Guard maintains that the 2015 attempt was abandoned due to the fact that money would have to come out of elsewhere in the budget, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The outcome of the debt collection case will no doubt come as a relief to many Guard members who served in the 2000s. The Los Angeles Times added that the California congressional delegation is now going further and hoping the Department of Defense will repay veterans who have already given back signing bonuses that they accepted in good faith. Whatever happens next, it's clear that public opinion will not tolerate vets being financially harmed when they have not willingly made errors.

The National Guard's place in the armed forces, with members simultaneously serving in civilian roles and standing ready to be called, creates its own unique dynamic. It's important that any discussion of relationships between military branches and the population as a whole includes guardsmen and their communities, especially employers. Keeping the bonds between military personnel and their workplaces strong is important to the men and women who serve.

Base outing for employers
The Bismarck Tribune recently highlighted an outreach program by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense initiative meant to "promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers." In this case, managers from several companies ended up touring the North Dakota National Guard Regional Training Institute at Camp Grafton.

The trip was meant to thank the employers for their flexibility, because when they hire National Guard or Reserve members, they do so with the knowledge that their employees may be called up in times of crisis. According to the Bismarck Tribune, several of the individuals taking the tour were recipients of the Patriot Award. This means they have made helpful accommodations to ensure there is no conflict between work responsibilities and leaving for deployment. Leaves of absence with no negative consequences let people fully embrace their roles as both military member and civilian.

The newspaper explained that the supervisors learned where their workers go when they are on duty and what being a member of the Guard entails. They also received a helicopter ride from Grand Forks International Airport to Camp Grafton, getting a bird's-eye view of the facility. The base is primarily meant to train military engineers, and their duties include everything from construction to demolition. Maj. Raymond Ripplinger told the news provider that culinary specialists and officer candidates also receive instruction at Camp Grafton.

Award for outstanding supervisor
A Globe Gazette report from Mason City, Iowa, provided a clear example of what it takes for an employer to win a Patriot Award. In this case, Jeremiah Steinberg received the honor after ensuring Master Sgt. Robert Dean his duties at Mercy Medical Center would be fully covered while he served in the Iowa Air National Guard, and that the role would still be his upon his return. Dean explained this gave him great peace of mind, allowing him to train secure in the knowledge that he and his family would not have to worry while he searched for a new job. The news source explained that Dean's tour of duty was nine months, no small amount of time. Ensuring that it was no barrier to his staying with the medical center earned Steinberg his award.

Companies with National Guard and Reserve members among their ranks can emulate the above examples and show their workers they are welcome, even if service has to interrupt their everyday duties. The gratitude they receive will show they've done the right thing.

The National Guard is one of the more vital resources available to states and municipalities when going through some form of disaster, including riots, earthquakes and more. As a result, the National Guard has been more heavily engaged in training exercises that simulate some of the worst case scenarios imaginable, preparing the service members to respond with comfort and experience should devastating events come to pass. 

In Washington State, the National Guard went through some more significant training routines this month, while other states have been conducting their own exercises that target more realistic disasters. 

Cascadia Rising drills
Q13, a Washington-based Fox affiliate, recently reported that the Washington National Guard went through exercises called the "Cascadia Rising drills," which were meant to simulate what would happen should a major fault line slip in the coming years. According to the news provider, the fault runs from Canada to Northern California, and scientists at the Federal Emergency Management Agency have predicted that a slip would translate to a doomsday-like scenario. 

"When the Cascadia Subduction Zone does rupture, it will result in a catastrophe like nothing we have ever seen," Washington National Guard Head Major Gen. Bret Daugherty told Q13. "It's expected to be the worst natural disaster ever in the United States."

With Washington smack dab in the middle of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, it is not surprising that that state has taken its preparedness exercises and training regimens more seriously. The source pointed out that the service members dropped supplies, paratroopers parachuted down, and medical centers were created during the exercises. Although there is no sign to indicate that the Cascadia Subduction Zone is going to become active, preparing for the worst is one of the key responsibilities of National Guard service members. 

To give an idea of the scale this disaster would reach, Q13 cited a report from FEMA that estimated 8,400 deaths, 12,000 injuries, 90,000 hospital patients in need of evacuation and half a million buildings damaged. One can only hope that this rupture never comes to pass but, should it, the National Guard in Washington will be ready to respond. 

North Carolina playing point guard
Carolina Coast Online reported that the National Guard in North Carolina is conducting tests at several port facilities in the state this week to specifically test communication, collaboration and coordination between itself and other entities. Because the National Guard will utilize resources from a range of agencies, including those on the local and federal levels, communication is key in responding to major developments and disasters. 

According to the source, the North Carolina Emergency Management eastern brand, New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, State Crime Lab, Wilmington Police Department, New Hanover County Emergency Management and other departments will be joining the state's National Guard exercises in Morehead City and Wilmington for about eight days. Preparedness is key in the fight to quickly respond to disasters, and the National Guard is ready. 

The National Guard has always been a vital resource to states and municipalities, helping to ensure that the first responders and others who are responsible for the communities' safety are supported in their endeavors. In the past several months, there have been countless instances of natural and man-made disasters that have necessitated the activation of National Guard resources, and the individuals involved have done an immense amount of good work to protect civilians. 

This has been especially clear in states such as Texas, where floods have been raging, and others including Michigan and Colorado. 

Working in Flint
MLive recently reported that the Michigan National Guard has been working tirelessly in Flint to help the community get through the water crisis, with more than 400 members deployed since the beginning of the event. However, thanks to the efforts of local first responders and the national guard, Governor Rick Snyder announced the forces will be pulled out by May 27, with civilians taking on the duties that are needed. 

Interestingly, the source pointed out that some groups believe a healthy grant from the federal government might help to correct the issues involved in the water distribution centers, and employ people for that matter. According to the news provider, Governor Snyder's announcement regarding the national guard project's end in the city included a moment in which he gave members of the National Guard medals of merit. 

This particular crisis will take much longer to completely correct, but the National Guard was a critical force in getting the city's citizens through the toughest aspects of the lead-poisoned water. These types of issues are expected to become a bit more common as time goes on, with so much of the nation still dependent upon lead-based pipes within their water systems, and the National Guard will be there to assist in more extreme events. 

Training in Colorado
The Times-Call reported that the Colorado Air National Guard conducted fire suppression training in a neighborhood right outside of Denver, working with helicopters to prevent the spread of wildfires in the state. As a note, fires are a very prevalent and always pressing threat to the state of Colorado in spring and summer, as the dry climate makes for a higher risk than is present most other states. 

According to the source, National Guard members from Nebraska will also be involved in the training exercise, which will teach individuals how to best use more advanced equipment and tactics to control wild fires. 

More recently, Deseret News pointed out that Colorado, New Mexico and Utah National Guard members participated in terrorist-response training in several areas surrounding Denver, including the airport. The news provider argued that these particular exercises were meant to train participants in how to best respond to attacks that mimic those that took place in Paris last fall. 

The National Guard is responsible for a range of safety and protection tasks within the borders, and training will continue to improve upon the department's effectiveness in responding to disasters. 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday to broaden the definition of what qualifies servicemembers for veteran status. The Mankato Free Press reported that the bill, sponsored by Congressman Tim Walz, seeks to change how the federal government determines who qualifies as a veteran. Under the current law, a National Guard member who served for 20 or more years – but who was never deployed – would not officially be considered a veteran.

Congressman Walz's bill, if passed by the Senate and signed into law, would ensure that any service member who served in the Reserves or National Guard for at least 20 years would receive the veteran designation. Walz was in the National Guard for 24 years, though the bill would have no effect on his federal status, as he deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sara Severs, the congressman's deputy chief of staff, told the Mankato Free Press that "It is purely for the title and honor. In the way the congressman described it, those servicemembers could have served for 20 years, but just by the nature of the time they served or the unit in which they served, they didn't deploy."

The newspaper found that Walz had introduced legislation calling for similar measures in each of his two-year terms. In both 2010 and 2011 the bills passed the House, but went on to run afoul of Senate concerns over the how the broader veteran status might add to federal spending. Walz has argued that his bill is strictly about honor, not extending benefits.

"I firmly believe that all those who serve our country deserve the honor and respect of being recognized as veterans," he wrote on his government site. "Guard and Reserve members make many of the same sacrifices as those in regular service, and their commitment should be commended."

There are times when your patriotic nature needs a jumpstart. There is no better place to turn to rejuvenate your American spirit than Hollywood. For decades, films have embodied what it means to be an American. They have us cheering for our heroes and chanting, "USA!" See which movies made the most patriotic list. 

1. 'The Patriot' 
The title says it all. This movie tells the story of the brave men and women who fought so that our country could exist. "The Patriot" defines what it means to be an American. It depicts the sacrifice and courage it took to found this country.

2. 'Independence Day'
Even though this sci-fi was a little far-fetched, "Independence Day" still captures the grit of the American people. Our fighting spirit has never shined so brightly as when Bill Pullman shouts, "Today we celebrate our Independence Day," after stopping the alien invasion.

3. 'Glory'
This period drama may have been set during a divided time in American history, but the unity of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts is as American as it gets. These men were fighting together for their freedom. 

4. 'Captain America: The First Avenger'
Marvel's comic-inspired character, Steve Rogers, is the personification of the American spirit. Rogers' determination to serve his country, even in the face of multiple rejections, is a testament to American tenacity. His star-spangled suit and commitment to ensuring that the American dream lives on makes Captain America one of the most patriotic characters of all time. 

5. 'Red Dawn'
Depending on which version of this film you watch, either the Russians or the North Koreans invade the U.S. But a rag-tag group of high school students, self-titled the Wolverines, stand up to the offending country. They defend the land and freedom that is theirs despite their fear and inexperience.

6. 'Top Gun'
Thousands of Americans felt the "need for speed" after watching this 1986 classic. In fact, Naval enlistment increased by 70 percent after the movie's release. The adrenaline-packed aerial dogfights and troop camaraderie showed a more exciting side to American military service. 

7. 'Annapolis'
This movie involves another underdog, Jake Huard, who aspires to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, but a life of poverty and self-doubt threaten to hold him back. It is hard not to get goose bumps when Huard's commanding officer asks him why he is at the academy and Huard responds stoically, "To serve my country, sir."

The next time you are looking for a jolt of patriotism, turn on one of these films. The struggles and triumphs of the movies' heroes will surely revitalize your American spirit.