Attention all service members! There are changes coming to the Post 9/11 GI Bill starting July 12, 2019. Key points of the changes to the Department of Defense Instruction are as follows: - Effective one year from today, eligibility to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits will be limited to members with less than 16 years of total service (active duty service and/or selected reserves as applicable). - The provision that requires a Service member to have at least six years of service to apply to transfer benefits remains unchanged in the policy. - All approvals for transferability of Post-9/11 GI Bill will continue to require a four-year commitment in the Armed Forces and, more importantly, the member must be eligible to be retained for four (4) years from the date of election, and not be precluded from serving for four more years prior to approval of their election by either standard policy (Department or Uniformed Service) or statute. This deletes the ten years of service exception. Previously, Service members with ten years of service could transfer the benefit without serving the four years, if they were prevented by policy or statue from doing so. Now such members must be eligible to serve an additional four years when they elect to transfer educational benefits. - If a service member fails to fulfill his or her service obligation because of a "force shaping" event (such as officers involuntarily separated as a result of being twice passed over for promotion, or enlisted personnel involuntarily separated as a result of failure to meet minimum retention standards, such as high-year tenure), the change will allow these individuals to retain their eligibility to transfer education benefits even if they haven't served the entirety of their obligated service commitment through no fault of their own.

Yesterday, Col. Johnny Ryan, 130 AW Commander and Col. Michael Cadle, 130 AW Vice Commander received the Seven Seals Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Program of West Virginia. The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission, to include the efforts of the more than 4,500 volunteers who carry out ESGR’s mission across the Nation on a daily basis.

Congrats to Senior Airman Michael Williams of the 130th Airlift Squadron on being selected as July's Charlie West Spotlight! Hometown: Ripley, WV Job Title: Aviation Resource Management Civilian job: Aviation Resource Management Technician How long have you served in the unit: 5 Years Education: Some College Hobbies: Basketball, Fishing, going to the range to shoot and music Goals: To finish school and further my career in the military and civilian side I am proudest of: My family The best day of my life: When my older brother told me he was naming my nephew after me Favorite moment at the 130th: Going on the AEF deployment and experiencing a different work environment and tempo with a variety of people What do you like best about the 130th: The many different personalities and diverse group of people that make it fun all working to accomplish the same mission/goal

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, sexual assault or any traumatic event. June 27th is recognized as PTSD Awareness Day, and is set aside to bring forth more knowledge and to help those in need. Signs of PTSD include but are not limited to: Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair Depression or anxiety Drinking or drug problems Physical symptoms or chronic pain Employment problems Relationship problems, including divorce If you have, or think you have PTSD, GET HELP! Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1 Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 Joanne Schilder- Behavioral Health: 304-561-6832 (WVNG Resource only) Chaplain Jack Miller - 130th AW Deputy Chaplain: 304-341-6147 Talk to someone - a friend, a counselor, a family member or anyone you think can help you get to the right professional. Look out for your wingmen, friends and family, and be prepared to help them. Together, we can all help combat PTSD and although we may not be able to stop it from occurring, we can get help. (Information obtained by various Department of Defense Publications)

West Virginia was formed during the American Civil War, and it is the only state to form by seceding from a Confederate state. It was originally part of the British Virginia Colony (1607-1776) and the western part of the state of Virginia (1776-1863). In 1861, as the United States itself became massively divided over slavery, leading to the American Civil War (1861-1865), the western regions of Virginia split with the eastern portion politically, and the two were never reconciled as a single state again. West Virginia's separation from Virginia was formalized by its admittance to the Union as a new state in 1863, when the western region was admitted to the Union as a new separate state, initially planned to be called the State of Kanawha, but ultimately named West Virginia. Thanks to President Abraham Lincoln’s efforts, West Virginia became successful in its succession and became an independent, thriving state of amazing people. His “Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight” statue in front of the West Virginia State Capitol is a tribute to the things he’s done for our great state. -130th AW Legal Office

“From the top of her mountains with breathtaking views, to her low valleys filled with the cool brooks, rivers and streams, I am proud to call “Mountain Mamma” my home. She has carried me through my years with a grateful heart and a sense of adventure. Almost Heaven is the glimpse of her morning sunrise with a warm cup of coffee wrapped in her cool mountain air. I live for her long summer nights, starlit skies surrounded by friends, a jar of home brewed shine and a warm camp fire. No matter where you are in our little state, you are greeted with a sense of community and pride, and with that, I am proud of my small 55. I will forever be a Wild and Wonderful West Virginian. Her coal dust country roads will always take me home.” -Airman 1st Class Brianna Ball, Lincoln County, W.Va.

On June 20th, 1863, West Virginia was admitted to the Union and became the 35th U.S. State. 155 years later, the 130th is reaching out to all West Virginians across the world to say Happy West Virginia Day, and remember "Montani Semper Liberi" - Mountaineers are Always Free! Stay tuned throughout the day as we post more about the "Best Virginia" and about our deep heritage here in Almost Heaven.

Congratulations to SrA Coleman!

Due to renovations, the ID Card Section and Customer Service will be down Monday, June 18th and will resume normal operations the following day.

Hooah Army! We would like to wish our brothers and sisters of the U.S. Army a happy 243rd birthday! Here at the 130th, we take special pride in working alongside our fellow service members, so here are some past pictures of our joint operations throughout history! #ArmyBDay

We had a very special visitor from our neighbor at Yeager Airport (CRW) today. Everyone, meet Flyaway Greg! Greg is in charge of keeping all the wildlife off the flight line and making sure both Yeager and the 130th fly safe on a day to day basis. Thanks for stopping by Flyaway Greg, you're welcome back anytime!

RT @GenChuckYeager: Thanks for the nice welcome! @WVNationalGuard @TIME https://t.co/jpAd1GLMug

RT @WVNationalGuard: Happy 243rd birthday to our DoD partners @USNavy! #ForgedbytheSea https://t.co/h499UIr0HU

This weekend, Airmen from the 130th Airlift Wing participated in a base-wide exercise that provided real world expe… https://t.co/cbuO6UC3Ku

RT @WVNationalGuard: We have more #homecoming photos in our Facebook album, but here’s a few of our favorites! https://t.co/YhGmNktgXG

RT @WVNationalGuard: The @130th_AW will be conducting a readiness exercise this weekend, Oct. 6-7th from 6 am-6 pm. https://t.co/VA1nv5Cf9F

RT @WVNationalGuard: We've received reports of a telephone scam using our information. The WVNG *never* seeks donations or money. Report…

RT @WVNationalGuard: Today we celebrate 71 years as the world's greatest #AirPower with the @usairforce and the WVNG's @130th_AW & @167AW…

RT @WVNationalGuard: The WVNG & @WVDHSEM will hold a state preparedness briefing on #Florence and potential impacts on WV at 3 today at WV…

RT @WVNationalGuard: Watch live: State Preparedness Briefing with @WVGovernor and WVNG #HurricaneFlorence https://t.co/QUHCwHoXcp

We’re READY! ✈️✈️✈️ https://t.co/7fYquZ7hCe

RT @USNationalGuard: Make sure you have the facts. #HurricaneFlorence https://t.co/2eTO4dftN8

On September 8, 2018 the 130th Airlift Wing held a graduation ceremony for 43 recipients of the Community College o… https://t.co/pSfWMppQyL

RT @AirNatlGuard: 167th Airlift Wing serves as staging area for FEMA supplies https://t.co/sBQ3cp0p2w

RT @WVNationalGuard: Don’t wait. Prepare now! #wvwx #HurricanceFlorence #WVWatch https://t.co/fJiNqS9vxh

Click below to read the story on how the 130th was lucky enough to obtain one out of the 10 SERE Specialist in all… https://t.co/eZwFcPw6XA

RT @WVNationalGuard: Tractor-trailer loads of water, food, tents, cots, blankets & fuel arrived at the @167AW this AM from a @fema distribu…

RT @WVNationalGuard: In honor of #PatriotDay, we pay tribute to the American lives lost on this tragic day 17 years ago. https://t.co/wFELX…

A true hero! https://t.co/32EbdUXHzA

RT @WVNationalGuard: Keep up to date on your local weather alerts: https://t.co/sp0uSG2R1F https://t.co/MpHK24ejxF

RT @USNationalGuard: From @ChiefNGB: @Military1Source services are now being extended to veterans for up to one full year after separation…