Bill Kicker News Today

21 KALAMAZOO, Mich.—From Missouri to Texas to Michigan, a Michigan Air National Guard member is taking advantage of the educational benefits provided through the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP). Senior Airman Seven George, with the 127th Security Forces Squadron, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, is currently working on his third degree. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and mostly raised in Texas, George became a Michigan reside...

20 Throughout 2020, Michigan Army National Guard Sgt. John Toomey helped defend his community in his role as a civilian nurse practitioner in the intensive care unit (ICU) treating COVID-19 cases in his area. In early 2021, he moved to the COVID-19 offense and joined the vaccine mission the Michigan National Guard began organizing in the northern part of the state. “At the time the mission was offered, what mattered most was that it allowed me an opportunity to help fight aga...

21 Battle Creek, Mich.—National Guard members join the military for various reasons. For some, it could be simply to serve their community, state or nation, to secure financial aid for college or to gain valuable work experience. One member of the Michigan Air National Guard (MIANG) pursued enlistment with the National Guard to secure affordable health insurance for his family. Before enlisting in the MIANG, Senior Airman Bob Devisser spent eight years in the Marines. After hi...

21 KALAMAZOO, Mich.— With dreams of becoming a pilot, one Michigan National Guard (MING) Soldier is taking advantage of the National Guard Minuteman Scholarship while attending the Army’s ROTC program at Western Michigan University (WMU). Born and raised in the Detroit metropolitan area, Army ROTC Cadet Carly Ness has always had a love for flying with aspirations of becoming a pilot. “My grandfather owns two airplanes and I grew up around them,” she said. “I am complet...