← WETSU: a BattleshipNJ Podcast
WETSU: a BattleshipNJ Podcast
Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays, USAF, and her Dual Role in State and Federal Operations
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- [00:00]
Marshall Spivak
Foreign quarters. All hands, man your battle stations. Welcome to wetsu, a Battleship New Jersey Podcast. I'm your host, Marshall Spivak, CEO and Executive Director of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. Today's episode is brought to you by ELAC825, the Labor Employer Cooperative of Operating Engineers Local 825, whose skilled members were instrumental in the recent dry docking of America's most decorated battleship. We're honored to welcome an extraordinary guest and true champion of our military heritage, Brigadier General Yvonne Mays, the Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. As New Jersey's highest ranking military official, General Mays commands more than 8,400 soldiers and airmen of the New Jersey army and Air National Guard, leading them in executing both federal and state missions. She also oversees the full spectrum of veterans programs, commissions and facilities, ensuring that those who serve are honored, supported and remembered. General Mays began her distinguished military career in 1983 as an enlisted airman in the U.S. air Force, where she contributed to several operations including Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Storm. After earning her Commission in 1999, she steadily rose to the ranks, taking on critical leadership roles in the 177th Fighter Wing, Director of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Air National Guard, and Deputy Joint Task Force Commander for New Jersey's COVID 19 response. Prior to her current posting, she served as Deputy adjutant general. In July 2024, Governor Murphy appointed her as Acting Adjutant General, and just a few months later, New Jersey Senate confirmed her and promoted her to Brigadier General, a historic milestone that made her the first black woman in New Jersey history to serve as Adjutant General. Her dedication to honoring service and preserving our military legacy has been deeply felt here at the battleship. From participating in our March 2024 departure ceremony to visiting the battleship during dry dock, General Ma has stood alongside us in stewardship and celebration of our military heritage. Under her leadership, Deava also played a key role in supporting the commissioning of our sister ship, USS New Jersey SSN 796, forging a living connection between New Jersey's military past and its future. General Mays, welcome back aboard. We're thrilled to have you on this edition of the Wetsuit Podcast.
- [02:25]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Thank you Marshall. Great to be here today.
- [02:28]
Marshall Spivak
You actually have the honor of being the first non Navy person on our podcast. So normally my first question is why did you join the Navy? But let me amend that ever so slightly to ask you why you joined the Air Force.
- [02:40]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
I joined the Air Force 1 1. I come from a Military family, my uncles all served in the Navy. My father served in the army and I made the decision to serve in the Air Force and one to continue that, that legacy of service for my family, but also to pay for college. I think not wanting to place that financial burden on my parents and I wasn't just sharp enough to get scholarships and so I thought the military would be a great way to learn a skill and pay for college. My intent was to stay for four years and then and get out and go to college. And here I am almost 43 years.
- [03:18]
Marshall Spivak
And so in, in many cases your story is no different than many others who are joining the Guard in that same capacity.
- [03:25]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes, for sure.
- [03:28]
Marshall Spivak
You've had many roles in uniform, including Several at the 177th Fighter Wing down at Atlantic City International Airport, at the one you served in a variety of roles, including as Mission Support Group Commander. Just throughout my career I've been privileged to have been visited the 177th on several occasions for tours and behind the scenes briefings. I mean it's a critical base of operations for protecting our Eastern seaboard. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience at the fighter wing and the role that they play in our state and national defense?
- [04:00]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Absolutely. And the 177 Fighter Wing, it is critical to our nation's defense. And I'm not sure I truly understood that in 1999 when, when I went there, but it was made clear to me on 9-11-2001. I remember just as probably a lot of us do, you know, just where we were in that moment that you know, that the, those airplanes hit the World Trade Center. I was at work that day and, and I didn't go home that, that day, not until late in the evening. And you know, and that's when I realized that, you know, just the role that the 187 played, our jets were some of the first to be in the sky that on, on, on that day, 9-11-2001 and just making sure that the pilots and our maintainers that they converted to, to be in the proper status to do that mission, to make sure their pay and benefits were everything was in order for that. And then just to see the base transition in a moment's notice from our day to day lives to a critical combat role. And we stayed in that posture for the next year and we've actually been flying alert since then. And so I think in 2001 I realized that, you know, just what it means and what the airmen at that base do day in and day out. And then as we progressed, working with our Congressionals, Congressman Lobiando at the time, understanding that the significance of our base, the significance of the mission of sitting 24. 7 alert ensured that we received the funding to build new hangars, to sit alert and to make sure that those hangars not only house the F16, but anything that would be in the inventory in the out years. And so there's a lot of history at the base. There's a lot of interesting things to see and it's cool to see the F16s flying. But no kidding, those folks are sitting, you know, they're in the blink of an eye. It all changes and they get right to business. And so, so I couldn't be more proud to say that I've been affiliated with that base.
- [06:09]
Marshall Spivak
On my last visit there, we brought several sailors from the submarine New Jersey, had a really great visit, meeting with some of the F16 pilots. And it was just interesting in the sky versus below the sea conversations that were going on there. You mentioned needing the critical funding for the base. Just in the last year, over 7 million was secured in military construction funds. I remember back when I worked in the legislature for the legislators representing Atlantic City, There was over $10 million in Milcom money to try to build these next generation, you know, hangars to fit the next generation fighters. Is that something that still might be in the cards for the base in the future?
- [06:51]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes, we certainly hope so. We're working with our congressionals now, Congressman Van Drew and Congressman Norcross, to ensure that the 187th has a follow on fighter. Currently they're flying some of the oldest in the inventory. We always joke many of the pilots are younger than the airplanes that they are flying and you know, but, but still they do a critical mission. And the, the funding for those, the alert hangers was critical to keeping us relevant. The $7 million to reconstruct the gate, the entryway will allow our main, our, our force protection, allow the defenders down there to provide force protection to the base and all that it houses there. And in addition to that funding, the congressionals are working to upgrade our hangars, upgrade the mission training centers as well as a facility, it's a dining facility, but also a gym and things like that. And so millions of dollars of construction to upgrade the infrastructure of that base for the airmen that serve there. And I'm hopeful and confident that that will, that will come through. The team down there is doing a, doing a great job.
- [07:59]
Marshall Spivak
Well, at the visit I just mentioned, it was the day after the air show, when we got to see the Air Force Thunderboard Thunderbirds taxiing out and taking off to head back to wherever the next air show that they were, that they were doing, which was a really cool thing to witness. So a lot of great stuff down at the 1 7th and even down. Having worked in Atlanta county for many years, I mean, so many people don't realize what exactly goes on at that base and the importance of it. So I'm glad we were able to talk about it. Switching over to another base in New Jersey after many years. The 108th Air Wing out of the Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakers is now home to the KC40 refueling tanker, which replaced the KC135. It took a long time to get that mission here, from congressional approval to then actually getting the planes here. How will that impact the Air Guard at the Joint base and how will it impact future missions there?
- [08:57]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
For us at the 108 means, you know, we, the KC 135 going away means we don't. We no longer have those airplanes on our ramp, which has been, it's. It's been a significant emotional event for all of us because that's, you know, to, to not have your weapon system, you know, is. It's a, it's a pretty big deal. But for the 108, they are, they are paving the way for this classic embedded associate construct. And we are, we're the first of its kind in between the Air Force and the reserve component. And it has not been easy, but the airmen on the ground are working through the issues and challenges, you know, and for us, it's, it's. We don't own, we don't own the aircraft. However, our maintainers and our pilots, all of that support is embedded with the active duty, the 305th, and to keep those airplanes flying no matter what the crew looks like. And so we could be an all guard crew. It could be a mix, you know, so managing the day to day on that is, you know, it's personality driven, you know, all of those things. But, but they, I'm confident that they are working through it. And then the leadership, the wing commander there, Colonel Shadows, who just came on board, he came out of Air Mobility Command. And so we are hoping that in addition to all that he brings the relationships with the folks at Air Mobility Command will help us as we, you know, define what this will look like for us now and in the future. You know, it's all kind of like in it to what, you know, you have to ask dad for keys to the car when you don't own the, own the aircraft. So our, so it takes between the wing commander, the operations group commander to manage those relationships with the 305th. And you know, like I said, they're doing a great job, you know, but we're navigating this. It's new territory, but I am confident that we will make it because I think that the expertise that we bring and we're an older force in the Guard, and so those maintainers working on those airplanes combined with the active duty, how they come in and they, you know, they PCs in and out and we're kind of the stability. And so that's, I think we offer something that they just, you just don't get because of the, the way the active duty is and how they move through. And, and as we go through, we'll learn those things and then capture those synergies to, to accomplish the mission because it is a no fail mission. And I think our airmen get that. So our ultimate goal was to see iron back on our ramp. We're, we're very realistic and we're, we focus on today, so. But we'll get there.
- [11:33]
Marshall Spivak
Just a few weeks ago, the 225th Cyber Operations Squadron at the 108th was activated at McGuire. Significant expansion of the Guard cyber capability. How does this new unit reflect the sort of evolving role of the National Guard in, you know, defending us from modern cyber warfare threats?
- [11:52]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes, so we, that is another thing with this, this, this new, the new mission we are encouraged by. So having a second cyber squadron is a huge deal for us. We, we also are ASOs. The, we lost that, that mission at the 177 and we were concerned about that. But as things are evolving and understanding what we will need for, you know, future, future engagements, it's this cyber, cyber defense and cyber protection. And so having the second squadron, it just increases our ability to support the state and federal missions that will come our way. And you know, I just put in a shameless plug, you know, with, you know, cyber. We know through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those, the need for cyber jobs out in the civilian community are going to increase by 32% by 2030. And so people going into that field who would want to go into that field, they can serve in the Guard part time and have a job out in the community. In fact, that's where I think the, at least a part of our airmen come from. They're part timers and they, they're working somewhere else for another company. Big jobs in Cybersecurity and then they come and they work at the base. And so it is a, a dual purpose mission in many ways and that we can help them get the skills that they need, we can help them hone those skills. And then they all bring to us from their specific field, they bring that to the Guard and to the military. And so we're, we're so excited and our recruiters are recruiting to that mission right now. And so for anyone interested in even stepping into that field, going through the military, one, they, they get you a lot of training that costs a lot of money in the civilian sector. And then two, having a military background, employers, they respect the fact that you're in the military and all of those other skills that you get. So it gives you kind of a leg up on, on the competition. Competition out in the civilian sector.
- [13:51]
Marshall Spivak
Absolutely. I mean it's, no, there's certainly no doubt that the next, the next era of warfare is cyber. I mean, it's in everything we do. It's unavoidable at this point.
- [14:01]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Absolutely.
- [14:02]
Marshall Spivak
So really, really great to see that. You know, we're expanding our capabilities here in New Jersey. You know, the, the Joint Base. Again, the part of this podcast is to highlight what we're not just the battleship and folks associated with the battleship, but our military leadership here in New Jersey and the different bases and, and commands that we have here. And obviously the Joint Base, one of the biggest bases in the whole country, falls in our state. You've got army, you've got Air Force, you've got the Navy there. What's it like just to have that, you know, sort of huge component here, living in our state and obviously having the Guard so integrated into it, it.
- [14:35]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Is, it's, it's almost too much to, to, for me to conceive sometimes. And I'll tell you, part of it is because 1983, McGuire was my first station, my first duty station. So I came out of technical school and worked at the passenger terminal in McGuire as an enlisted Airman at E1, never, ever thinking that I would have the opportunity, one, to come back here when I left, but two, in the capacity that I'm in now and able to shape the environment and shape the conditions in which people serve. So through my relationships with the leadership at the Joint base and from what I do in the National Guard, it's a little bit, a little bit surreal, but also it reminds me of my, the, the great responsibility that I have to make our organization the best that it can be. Because when I think Back to my younger self, how I, how young and how much I didn't know and how much I had to rely on those who were in charge, you know, and I've ran into all kinds of leaders throughout my career and to make sure that people who have this responsibility at every level, that if you're not in it to take care of the people who do the work, then this is probably not the thing for you. And I'm grateful and thankful that I can affect that change, you know, within, within our organization.
- [16:00]
Marshall Spivak
Yeah, I mean it's, it's probably apples to oranges here. I just, in a similar way, I remember coming here to this battleship as a kid with my dad and in fact I was at my parents house over the weekend and there's a picture of me probably, I don't know, 10, 12, 13 years old here, standing out on the deck. You know, you just never expect to come back and be running the place in the similar way. So it's always interesting where, where life takes us and certainly for full circle for you on many occasions here in, in New Jersey In July 2024, Governor Phil Murphy nominated you to become our next Adjutant General and our Commissioner of the Department of Military Veterans Affairs. I often like to ask guests, do they remember sort of where they were, what they were doing when they got that call about receiving their, you know, the major commander and in many, most of the cases is command of the battleship or a command of the submarine or something more Navy related. But do you recall sort of how you learned that the governor had selected you as our next Adjutant General?
- [16:59]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes, I was in a meeting with then General Howe. She knew about it, but I didn't know he was going to call. So we were in a meeting, tag meeting. She has all the commanders come in and my phone rang and I looked and I looked down at my phone and you know, it had Governor Murphy. And of course I popped up out of my seat and like scurried out of the room because you know, you don't want, that's not a call you missed. And I, and when, and even in seeing that, I didn't expect to hear his voice. When I said, said hello, you know, I thought it would be someone else and it was him. So, and he, you know, he offered me the position and, and I was telling him how honored I was and you know, to accept that, he said, does that mean, so do you accept the position? I was like yes, absolutely. And you know, so it was you just stumbling over your words and. But yes, that is A day I will, will never forget.
- [17:55]
Marshall Spivak
You actually have two day. You have two jobs. As I mentioned, our, as our Adjutant General, but also as our Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. So let's just first start by talking about your role as Adjutant General. As I mentioned, over 8,400 citizens, soldiers and airmen of the New Jersey National Guard. And the National Guard obviously has a sort of unique dual mission. How do you balance the demands of the, you know, of the federal missions and as well as, you know, your state responsibilities and the Guard state responsibilities?
- [18:24]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yeah. Yeah. So it takes a whole team of people to keep me on, on track. But with the federal, with the federal side, I do have my Assistant Adjutant General, army and the Assistant Adjutant General, Air, who help me to execute on, you know, any type of mandate, whether it's coming from Governor Murphy for state missions or, you know, from the federal side through, you know, through the DOD and ngb. So they helped me out with that. And so my biggest challenge, I think is TAG is to communicate my intent to the, to the other general officers and also the Director of the Joint Staff communicate my intent to them on my expectation on how we, how we run our organization, the type of environment that we want to create, an environment where we enforce standards that we lead from the front in that area, also in treating, treating people well no matter what the situation. And an organization where moms and dads can feel confident that their, that their sons and daughters are in good, capable hands. And so, so my job in the military side, I think is, is easier in many, many respects than my responsibilities as, as the Commissioner being responsible for the care of our veterans and our veterans homes and then our two transitional housing facilities, facilities for veterans who have fallen on hard times because we're dealing with a population in both of those areas. One, they're, they are people who are in need. They're also people who have taken off the uniform. You know, in that space. There are so many other stakeholders who are interested in what we do and, you know, so trying to communicate and tell the good story of the good work that people do in very tough environments. You know, with the homes, it's an elderly population and that it's, it is tough work to do. But I believe that our caregivers that work in those homes are some of the finest on the planet. It is not an easy job. And if anybody has, you know, elderly parents or grandparents and trying to care for them, they understand what that takes. And so just making sure because it's a, it's A, it changes day to day, sometimes hour to hour, and their conditions are so fragile. And I say it's, that makes it harder. I'm on the other side with the military. You're dealing with, you know, 8,400 pretty much young people who are, you know, who can take care of themselves and give back, don't rely on you for every single thing. And so in that way, it's, it's more difficult because I think it is just dealing with the population who is in need. They are, we are their advocates. But it is, again, it is not a responsibility that I take lightly and I have every day. You know, I'm, I'm thankful. And, and I also think of how can I do it better? What can we do better? And then, you know, having the dcba. Vincent Salamino I don't think you find a better person to run the, to advocate for our veterans, you know, in any of those facilities. So we have a great team. General, I wish I could take credit for putting it together, but General Howe, as she selected people for the team that we have, she absolutely put into place, put the right people in the right place, right time.
- [21:38]
Marshall Spivak
In recent years, Guard units have responded from everything from being a part of the COVID response to overseas deployments. How do you maintain readiness across such a diverse set of missions? And I just, I was on my computer earlier today and I was on Facebook and it reminded me that Today is the five year anniversary of the 177th and the 108th flyover that happened during the lockdown as sort of that sort of goodwill gesture of getting outside your house and watching the airplanes in the sky. How do you, how do you maintain that sort of readiness?
- [22:11]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
So through, it's not easy, especially in the Guard, because you would say we have 39 days a year to do training like for any of those missions, you know, those 39 days set aside. But then you lay in all the other, other things that you have to do, especially being the Guard and being affiliated with the community, because that is a part of our service to be present in our community and help but reminding our soldiers and airmen, whether it's a state mission or a federal mission, when they go and do those things, they see the impact that they make. They see that they bring to, you know, whether it's people overseas or if it's people right in their neighborhoods that they bring hope. If a person in a uniform shows up, they don't, they don't care where you're from, they don't care if you're active Guard Reserve. They know when they see any combination of this uniform that it's going to be okay. And I think that's a very powerful feeling for people and I think especially for our young folks who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They want to make an impact, and that's what we see in this generation. And when they see the impact that they have by being affiliated with the military, I think that is one part of why they continue. I wish I could make it easier on our traditional guardsmen who, they work full time jobs, they come and they do these missions, then they go back to work. And so it's a, it's tough. And, and I think our biggest job is to make sure again that our environments are, are, are inclusive, that we know our, our jobs as commanders and that we're doing all that we can to remove hurdles and obstacles to serving so that they can come in and do their jobs. But we have. I'm always impressed and by the young people. You can get discouraged if you, you know, look at some things, but it always brings me back to say, you know what, we're, we're in good hands.
- [24:04]
Marshall Spivak
As Adjutant General, you have overseen the highest operational tempo in the history of the New Jersey National Guard. Just recently, over 1500 Guardsmen from the 44th Combat Infantry Brigade deployed to Syria, Iraq and Kuwait in support of U.S. central Command. And just a few weeks ago, they returned home. Can you talk to us a little bit about the work that our guard here in New Jersey is doing, not just here in the state, but around the world?
- [24:32]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
So they came back, they actually, they came back at the end of December, beginning of the year, when they come back to the States, they go to Texas to reintegrate, then they, then they get home. But while they were deployed, they were in some of the most dangerous parts of the world. And I know many people saw on TV the one drone strike where the, it's a bigger drone that came in and you know, it actually, it took out a building that was the, it was one of the facilities that our New Jersey guardsmen were operating out of. And so to see that on tv, to see the destruction of it, you know, we received briefs and, you know, we saw the footage of it and we had some soldiers get hurt, but nobody, nobody perished. And thankfully, yes, and it could have been a very different story had they not gotten out sooner. And so I think, when I, when I think about that and I think about the servicemen who are in harm's way, even right now and there, and many who don't have that good news story, but here, you know, you have. From younger people to people who deployed multiple times in that environment, it's just. It's very sobering. One of the things I said while they were deployed, if they can do that, we can do this here at home, whatever it was, whatever how ridiculous we thought it was or how uncomfortable, but if they could serve in that way, we could do whatever it takes. And I still believe that, you know, we will send our 42nd regional support group. They will deploy later this year to that same area. And, you know, it's just a volatile part of the world. And we also have a unit, our military police company, that will be going to Kosovo for the K4 mission. They leave soon, and then we have the. Between the 108th and the 177 Fighter Wing. Their airmen are all. They go all over. So they're. They're supporting combatant commands in every area of operations you know, around the globe. Right now, we deploy a little bit different on the air side, where you might have smaller groups or two, two or three airmen falling in on another mission somewhere, but they are in some very dangerous parts of the world as well. And it just reminds you that, you know, whether it be guard, active or reserve, all services, that we have America's sons and daughters in harm's way. And when we look at some of the things happening here, here at home, I think if people thought about that more, then maybe we could work through some of the things that we get a little hung up on and we can work through it probably a little more quickly.
- [27:05]
Marshall Spivak
So it's safe to say that there are. That New Jersey is spread across the globe at the moment.
- [27:11]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
They are. And I think in line with it, I mean, we had such a rich tradition of military history here in New Jersey. You come here, I mean, this. To. To this battleship just. And then the battleship is so decorated. But then you look at the monuments and memorials across the state and you read about the stories of those who have garnered some of the highest awards and a lot of. For such a small state. They. We have a lot of heroes. And, you know, I attribute that to the. Just the. The grit of the. The, you know, New Jersey. And so it's a very, very. It's in. What we're doing now is in line with what we've always done, you know, back to the Civil War.
- [27:52]
Marshall Spivak
You know, you're totally right about that. When we had our conversation earlier, an earlier episode with Congressman Norcross, he told me something I didn't even realize, which was that there are three Medal of Honor winners from Audubon. New Jersey, which is a small little town of a couple thousand people in Camden county, is the highest I guess per capita number of Medal of Honor winners from the same town. Three people. And from a small town like Audubon. It just goes to show our unique history here in New Jersey. And then I was privileged to serve on the John Basil USS John Basel late last year. Our, of course, Gunnery Sergeant Bassel and our New Jersey native Medal of Honor, Navy Cross winner from the Pacific theater in World War II. And of course the Guard's been around even longer than us as, as a country, you know, tremendous amount of history here, which we'll, we'll talk about a little bit later as well.
- [28:44]
ELAC Representative
Operating engineers are the men and women that move mountains. And the engineers Labor Employer Cooperative ELEC puts them to work. They create opportunities for the men, women and union signatory contractors of Local 825 repaving our roads, keeping our homes bright and warm, and even building our favorite team stadium. We understand infrastructure. That's why ELAC and Local 825 are ready to get to work through the.
- [29:14]
Marshall Spivak
DOD's State Partnership Program. New Jersey has a very unique relationship with a couple other countries military, namely the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Cyprus. And just a few days ago, the battleship. I've had the privilege of welcoming you and the new defense chief from the Republic of Cyprus. Can you tell us a little bit about these sort of unique opportunities that the Guard has and how you're liaisoning with foreign militaries?
- [29:39]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yeah, absolutely. So Albania, we've been a partner with them I think coming up on 25 years in January. So we will celebrate that milestone with them. But the goal of the State Partnership Program is to, you know, forge these relationships with these countries and to so that on our worst day, it is not the first time, just like at home with partnerships, it is not, you know, the first time that we meet someone. It's also to increase their capacity to defend and serve in their own countries. And it allows us to help with advancing the national security goals of the United States and leverage those relationships across, you know, so, you know, Albania again, we've deployed alongside them. New Jersey Guardsmen have, I think we five times we have deployed with them over the years and so making sure that one they can communicate and have the same type of training, professional development. Because for us in the United States are enlisted. Our enlisted personnel, they are the backbone of the military. And I think that is, it's something that we're able to help them with and utilize that, you know, that construct within their militaries to make them more effective. And so we are, we help them with the professional development and we're now moving into, you know, working with different things with cybersecurity because, you know, like you said, that impacts everything. We were actually last year there, we were over in Albania doing an engagement and some real world, a real world need happened. And so our airmen, they responded and they received kudos from the Secretary of Defense, Austin, back at the time, for their work and assisting with, you know, with that mission. And so we were, we were so proud of that, you know, and, but for our SPP program and that engagement, I'm not sure and I know we would have responded to it, but to have them in place and ready to. Is significant. And then, you know, Cyprus is a newer partnership, and I think we're coming up on three years here soon with them. And the Chief of Defense, they are, they are charged with the mission of firefighting in Cyprus. And so while we have that capability and we assist here, it's not our primary mission, but we assist. We're able, through our military relationship, to introduce them to some of our civilian partners as well to talk about that mission, how you, you know, how to mitigate that. And the, the ambassador there in, in Cyprus, she's a Navy, she's a former Navy officer. And so the Chief of defense, he was, so he went to the, to the gift shop afterwards and he, and he got her some trinkets. And he said, I have to get a picture out here for her to, to send it to her.
- [32:30]
Marshall Spivak
I love that.
- [32:31]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
You know, he said they go back and forth. Their arrival with the Navy and the Air Force. I think it reminds us that we're all the same, you know, and we're all in terms of our commitment to our respective nations and also to a commitment of excellence. And, you know, so these engagements and they're are important for airmen and soldiers as well, so that they can work alongside folks from, from different nations and help them in ways that they wouldn't, wouldn't be otherwise. And so we are, we're so proud of, of the work they do. And we're, we're fortunate to have such, such great partners in Albania and Cyprus.
- [33:07]
Marshall Spivak
And I noticed, I saw, I guess a picture maybe the next day or a couple of days later, we're down at the Pentagon with him with the chief of the National Guard bureau yes.
- [33:15]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
So, and that's how. So we started there.
- [33:17]
Marshall Spivak
We started there. Okay.
- [33:19]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yeah. So we, we, we met with General Nordhaus, which General Nordhaus be the Chief National Guard. He invites the tag from the respective states, like when a Chief of Defense is going to come in to come to visit at the Pentagon, which is, you know, that hasn't happened in the past. And so we certainly appreciate General Nordhaus leadership on that. And it allows us to sit as a team with him as the four star and the chief of the National Guard bureau sitting next. You know, I get to sit next to him and we have a conversation with the Chief of Defense and offer our commitment to them. And so it's a powerful message for us as a military. But then coming here and showing him around New Jersey and bringing him here, I mean, it was just, it was such a great way to kind of round out the entire trip. So thank you for hosting us.
- [34:10]
Marshall Spivak
We're very, very honored to, to, to be your host. As I mentioned earlier, and we talked about a few minutes ago, you're not just the adjunct general, you're also the commissioner of the Department of Veterans affairs here in New Jersey. Undoubtedly a unique role for a uniformed military member to have that sort of dual position includes everything from the three veterans homes, the Doyle Cemetery, the various veteran services offices, the transitional housing facilities that you mentioned. And you know, even more than that, I know just over a year ago the governor made a promise, I think it was in his State of the State address, that in the next year all 21 counties would finally have a veteran service office. I know we've now completed that, which is just fantastic. Can you talk a little bit about that and what sort of goes on at the day to day of those offices and how veterans can utilize them for, for their needs?
- [35:06]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Absolutely. So we did complete that and we were so proud to, to get it done. It was not an easy task. So it was more than just finding locations. So once we found a location, then you have to be on the state network and you know, so all of those different things and we were able to, to overcome that because of the support that we get in the community of where we house many of those, those offices and the people who work in those offices make, you know, bringing in, bringing in people and giving access in places where it wasn't previously has been a game changer for our veterans who live in rural communities or even right here in Camden. We didn't have an office and there are so there are so many veterans who live within the city Having, having the capacity to do that has been a game changer for those veterans. And it allows us to do outreach in places where we weren't before. When veterans come in with whatever they need, if it is to file a claim, if it is, they're looking for a job, if they need help, if they need access to resources, we provide that information and that assistance in those referrals. But I think one of the most significant things is their ability to help them with claims. And I think to date we're back in, since July, $86 million in initial benefit, you know, for federal funds that are going into the pockets of our veterans.
- [36:33]
Marshall Spivak
You said that number again. I want to make sure that $86.
- [36:36]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Million first month benefit, you know, so this, it's a, it's, it's a life changing thing for a veteran who files a claim, gets rated, and then start to receive a disability check or whatever service they need, you know, so it is life changing. And so to be able to do that good work in every county and have them available is just, you know, Governor Murphy, you know, he absolutely put his, put, you know, put the money where, you know, where his mouth was in that and many other things. But we could not have done that without his commitment and his mandate to make sure that we were making our services available across the entire state.
- [37:17]
Marshall Spivak
I think it's just an unfortunate reality that most, most veterans don't really know what they're entitled to. And then secondary to that, once they do know how they're, if they're entitled to it, they don't know how to get it.
- [37:30]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Absolutely.
- [37:31]
Marshall Spivak
And that's why I just think it's all that more important that there is a place in everyone's area in the state that they can go and do that. And certainly they have that opportunity now from here in Camden all the way up, the more rural parts of our state, up and born in Sussex county, everywhere in between. It's a very important part of certainly what the department does on a day to day basis.
- [37:56]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Absolutely. And I'd like to add to that. If you served for one year, if you served for three years, you are a veteran. And so there's the federal definition and then the state definition is different. But if you put this uniform on ever, you're a veteran. And I think it amazes me if, if I'm in, out shopping and I, you know, you get to talking to someone, it's like, oh yeah, I served. And you know, it's like, are you taking advantage of your benefits? Has gone and served for two years like you're a veteran. And that is, I think, our biggest challenge. So having boots on the ground in every county, it is great, you know, but we need help telling that story. And so if you run into somebody and they are a veteran, encourage them to check with a veteran service officer and find out what they're entitled to. You know, and I just. I'm amazed, like, that so many people don't know, and they've given, you know, they've served, and they just don't know that there is something that they're entitled to. It's not a handout. It's something that they've earned.
- [38:54]
Marshall Spivak
And even more especially for our Vietnam veterans as well.
- [38:59]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes.
- [38:59]
Marshall Spivak
Yeah. I'm a big believer in mentorship and the role that it plays in people's lives. I'd be remiss if I didn't mentioned our sort of joint mentor, our late friend, Colonel Al Bunning, my fun uncle, as I used to call him, a real mentor to me in my sort of formidable years. A mentor to you throughout your career. What advice do you have for young service members who are aspiring to maybe take that next step, take on a leadership role in the Guard or just in any of the service branches, or just as to. To your point, who's someone who comes out, enlisted and maybe wants to become an officer? You know, what do you. What do you.
- [39:37]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
What.
- [39:38]
Marshall Spivak
What do you have to say to sort of young. Young folks who are just coming into these roles but looking on to take more of a. Be a leader and take a leadership role?
- [39:46]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yeah. So. And you're right, Colonel Bunting, you know, he was a friend. He was your fun uncle. He was my. He would.
- [39:53]
Marshall Spivak
As a lot of people's fun uncles.
- [39:55]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes, yes. And. And for me, he was. He would say. He would either tell me he was calling in an official capacity or as my big brother. And I am so thankful for that relationship. I was scared to death of him as a second lie because he was so demanding, and he would accept nothing, you know, but excellence. And if you didn't get it right, he would be, you know, he. Not so kind in telling you to do it again. And. But I'm. I'm thankful for the way that he pushed me, you know, as a young officer. And, you know, anytime I protested or I'd say, what if this? Or what if that. And. And he. One of the things that he told me, he was like, do your job. Do your job. Other people will advocate for you. Do your job. And, you know, and So I said okay. He said do whatever it is you're doing, do that. And I think so if I could offer advice, whether it's in the military or their schooling or you know, a civilian job, do your job, be the best at it. You don't have to go self promote. You don't have to, you know, go and try to pave away. Someone else is always watching and they will do that for you. They, they're going to do it for you if you don't do your job or if you do it. So he would say do your job, know what you know, know what you're doing. Be sure about, sure about your decision. Make a decision and, and do it, execute on it. And yeah, he, he is. I, I miss him a lot. I think that other than my mom and dad, you know, I think he was as invested in my success, you know, the times when I experienced disappointment in my career, he was disappointed not in me, but disappointed for me. And I miss him quite a bit.
- [41:40]
Marshall Spivak
And yeah, he was just as hard on you, I think as he was on me as a 13 or 14 year old and email exchanges and ask me why I'm doing it this way and said something another way and Colonel B. I'm not in the military, I'm just a kid. But you got, listen, but I got the treatment. But I tell you though, it was, it was helpful for me because I was a young kid and I happened to be around a lot of military people at the time and but it helped sort of shape my perspective forward and I don't know that maybe I wouldn't be doing this job if it wasn't for some of the influence that he had on my life and some of the other mentors that I've had throughout my career. So no, it's certainly, he is certainly missed. You're no stranger to us. The battleship. Not only did you receive our 2025 Admiral Halsey Award last this year for military service, but as I mentioned earlier in the introduction, you joined us last year on that very brisk day in March for the ship send off and then came on a very hot day a few weeks later to actually walk under the ship and join us in the dry dock for a dry dock tour. What were your impressions of walking under the nation's most decorated battleship?
- [42:57]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yeah. So one again, thank you for the, the honor of the Halsey Award. I mean highlight, highlight of my, of my year. I mean it's, I will never, never forget that. And I was able to share that with my, my husband and my daughter that evening and, you know, so. Yeah. So thank you. Thank you for that. I will tell you when. When we said we were going to come down and, you know, walk under the ship and I'm like, that's. How do you even get under, like, the ship? You know, and. And I knew it was in dry dock, but I had no idea of just. I mean, you. You can't appreciate the size of this. Of this ship, and then to be just on the surface, but then to walk down the long flight of stairs to 50ft.
- [43:44]
Marshall Spivak
Yes.
- [43:45]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Under it. It's. It's amazing to me, the, I guess, how orchestrating that whole process, because it is definitely, you know, one thing had to happen so that another thing could happen and it kind of all worked together. And then I think when you were explaining to us about the paint, about the layers of paint, like, you know, you just never really give thought that, you know, the paint actually, the different colors, they have a purpose. And. But it's. So when you think about the architects and the engineers and how they think of all of these different things that go into crafting a vessel such as this.
- [44:23]
Marshall Spivak
It's built in 1940.
- [44:25]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yeah. So it's a.
- [44:26]
Marshall Spivak
By hand. Yes, yes.
- [44:27]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Which is unbelievable. And the fact that it could only be dry docks here because of, you know, the size and of it, it's just. It's really amazing. It's that and that then it will actually float. And that's like anything this big can actually stay above the water with all the stuff that you put on onto it. But. But yeah, so a great undertaking for you and the foundation. So. And I know it doesn't. It doesn't happen by itself, but to even conceive it and then to pull all the people together, all the resources to make it happen, man, I know I. You probably couldn't have been happier when it. When it was done.
- [45:06]
Marshall Spivak
Yes, it was. As we said, the weeks were short, but the days were long. And, you know, the first time we did that as a museum and not having any active duty Navy folks on our team here and just trying to figure it all out, it was certainly a gigantic undertaking, but we were so pleased with the way that the project just came. Came through. And of course, just when we first got under the ship for the first time and we drained all the water out of the dock and saw the condition of the hull for the first time in. By first time anyone's put their eyes on the hole in 35 years. And then to be in the condition that it was because we're here in, in the Delaware and in the fresh water and the saltwater and just the difference that that has on the whole, you know, I've certainly learned a lot. I didn't know anything about dry docking a battleship going into this, but you figure it out and you, you trust your team and it was really just a terrific experience. Last year was also another great year for USS New Jerseys everywhere. And Damava played a really instrumental role in supporting us at the commissioning committee for our sister ship. As I mentioned, the new USS New Jersey. Since 796, a Virginia class nuclear submarine, the third Navy vessel to have the name of the Garden State. Our motto at the commissioning committee was best commissioning ever. From everything I witnessed and the feedback that was given to me, I think we sort of met the mark as having the greatest commissioning in the submarine forces history. And that's a lot thanks to Demava and certainly to Governor Murphy and our partners in the legislature. I know you're not in the Navy or in the Air Force, but, you know, you're a Jersey person. How cool is it to finally have a new USS New Jersey back in the active fleet?
- [46:51]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yeah, it is awesome. And I will tell you too, like I said earlier about our rich tradition and our long tradition history of service, it just extends that across, you know, all the components. And so to see that New Jersey, that New Jersey name, you know, that is when you, when you look back on the history of this vessel and then, you know, like we were talking about the number of people who have been won some of our highest awards for service, to know that, that legacy, there'll be somebody else sitting here talking about that, having this kind of a conversation, you know, when you and I are, have moved on to, you know, more relaxed lifestyle. But yeah, it just, I think it speaks to like, the commitment of our state, you know, from the highest levels, from the governor to, to this legislature, and I think that will carry forward and we do nothing without them and, and, and them understanding how important it is for us to contribute to our nation's defense, you know, and, and we all have skin in the game. And so I just, it's, it's, it just makes you walk a little taller, makes your, you know, you stick your chest out again. To put this uniform on is a privilege. And it's just one more reminder, especially where we are in our world history, that we are a part of something that's so significant, so important and to say that, that we were a part of it. You know, when you're when you're talking to your grandchildren and, you know, it's like, I was there. I did, you know, I was a part of that. Just. It's a point of pride, really.
- [48:21]
Marshall Spivak
Yeah, absolutely. We're a museum here at the battleship, obviously. But one of the things that you have at the National Guard, you also have a museum, two. Two museums. The National Guard Militia Museum at Sigurd and also at the Lawrenceville Armory. And you've got some pretty cool stuff there. And I know I've seen a bunch of it. Can you tell us a little bit about the museums that the Guard has and that they operate?
- [48:42]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes, and the. The museum that's on right in Lawrenceville, it's. It's an annex and. But the number of schools that go through there is amazing. And the people who volunteer, they're all volunteers, much like you have here. I'm always so encouraged by the people who are willing to come back and give and making sure our young people and older people like me understand our history and understand how people have given of themselves. And so the museum in Lawrenceville is a little bit smaller, but it is so. There's so much history and it's so interesting, and it's almost like a please touch experience because when you go in and you're able to see the uniforms or you see the, you know, the equipment that has been used over the years, and you kind of get a feel for what was given and how people served. And, you know, just when you look at the. There's different flight suits and different, you know, letters and things like that. It reminds us just how much has been given to make sure we can live how we live. And then the same out at Seager, it is. It is larger and they have some. Some of the nicer displays. They have a little more room out there. But it is worth a trip, you know, to go to visit that, to see what New Jersey has given to this nation, to the state and nation. And you just might see some names that you recognize because they harness, like, the things from people who have served. And so you go through and it's like, I know that person. I, you know, or I've heard of them. They've been in our lifetime. So it is a great collection of memorabilia that we've collected over the years of those who've served in. In this. In this organization.
- [50:30]
Marshall Spivak
No, that's great. I mean, you met you great that students and that schools are taking advantage of field trips to. To. To the museum. I mean, I think we're on on track to have our largest year ever in the history of our organization in terms of student groups. You probably heard them above your head stomping around this morning. And we also sort of view ourselves as a Please touch, I think, in a lot of other type of museums, especially museum ships, you know, you go into rooms and things are, you know, sort of behind plexiglass and things like that. And here we, we have some of that, but not a lot of it. And we want people to come and touch things and experience, experience it the way, you know, a sailor would have when this ship was in service. And so it's great to see that the museum that, that the, that the guard in Damava has is thriving. As I mentioned, one of the things that we are doing at this podcast is not just highlighting the battleship and our veterans, but our uniformed military leaders in New Jersey. A few episodes ago, we had a really great conversation with Captain Smith Bruski, the CO at Naval Weapons Station Earl. We plan on having similar conversations with folks from the joint base and some of our Coast Guard commanders as well. You know, something that's stood out to me and it sort of harkens back to something you were talking about a little earlier when we were, we were talking to Captain Smith, and he's not from New Jersey, he's an Iowa boy, if I recall. And he just talked about, you know, even being in Wawa when someone's, you know, a teenager or somebody, you know, sees him in uniform and sort of the deference and the reverence that they would give to that. Whereas, you know, you're in a lot of other places and probably teenagers are looking to move away from people with sort of authority looking figures. But it's almost the exact opposite here in New Jersey. And we plan on highlighting that here on this podcast and that the battleship. And so New Jersey is home to, you know, a massive active duty reserve component, National Guard population. What is it as the leader of this organization, you know, what do you want the public to better understand about the men and women who are serving in our National Guard now? And, you know, the role that new, the sort of outsized role that I like to say that New Jersey has and our, you know, entire sort of force posture here on this side of the country?
- [52:43]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
So I think if they take away anything is that the people you see in the National Guard, they're going to run into active component, they're going to run into reserves. But the folks that serve in the National Guard, they're your neighbors. They don't Leave. They don't go to a different duty station, that they live in the community that they serve in. And so. And I think that's what makes us unique, you know, from our, you know, our active brothers and sisters, is that this is it. Like, we are, you know, we. We live here. And so when. When we're responding to domestic operations or, you know, during COVID anything within the state, that many of the people that they interact with, they're from that community. And so if people are suffering, many times their own families are suffering, but they are out serving the greater good for New Jersey. And as you see them in that role, understand that they have that same commitment to their civilian job and also to their. To our federal mission. And so be encouraged that the people that you see and that are serving within the National Guard, that they are people who have values, people who are committed to making the state a better place, you know, and. And for moms and dads and, you know, people raising children to encourage their children in a life of service, you don't have to stay for 40 years. But I wholeheartedly believe that any young person who serves in the military, certainly in the Guard, because you can serve and go to school or serve and work, but to serve, it gives them a different perspective on the world and their responsibility in it. There are many other ways to do that, but I believe that if you've ever put on the uniform and you. And you have been in the military, it's a small. It's a club, you know, it's like less than 1% of the, you know, of people who could serve, serve. And so it is a small group of people in the world, and there it's an experience that not everybody will have, but it is an experience that once you've done it, it permeates your life and every relationship for the rest of your life in a positive way. So I think if they take away anything is that, you know, while we're not perfect, we have issues just like everybody else. But our commitment to our. To our fellow man, whether it be in the state or across the globe, that that makes us who we are, it makes this nation what it is, and that they are really the best of. Of. Of what we have in this country. And just to be encouraged by that.
- [55:17]
Marshall Spivak
I mean, you mentioned that these are. Especially when it comes to National Guard, these are people who are here in our community. And so when we talk about deploying 1500 guardsmen here or a couple here, all, you know, all over the country, or people who are being sort of taken out of their daily lives. It's not different from, you know, active duty that this is what they're doing, this is where. Where they know they're going to be. They get called up, they get orders and they go. And it's just all. And I just wanted to say that because it's, you know, just all that more important to make sure that we're, you know, supporting the families behind our soldiers and airmen who are here back home taking care of business and moving on with their daily lives while their loved one is deployed. So supporting family readiness groups and things like that, which we've certainly done in the past, is tremendously important as well. So just wanted to make sure I mentioned that this podcast is the Wet Zu podcast. Wetsu is was the rallying cry of our last. Our last skipper, Admiral Ron Tucker. We eat this stuff up or something. A little bit more than that, but basically what it means is sort of doing grueling work with a smile on your face. Are there any particular sort of wetsuit type moments that sort of come to mind to you from your, from your time in uniform?
- [56:26]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Yes. And, and we talked about it, or you mentioned it earlier when you talked about this being the highest operations tempo. And I will say that's when we are just, you know, it's firing on all cylinders because when people are engaged in doing their jobs, that's what they, that's why they put on the uniform so they can go and do their craft, whatever and whatever part of the mission that you have. And so when we're busy, I find that our airmen and our soldiers are more engaged and they're just. And they're ready to go. And so, you know, while we. While peace is the goal, when we're called to respond, you know, just after 9, 11 or, you know, Covid and the civil unrest, you name it, that's when we are, you know, we are. We're operating, you know, at the pace of the need and not only those of us in uniform, but also the community. And so when you see that all happening, you know, it's one thing when you exercise different things, but then when you see it all come together and you say, you know, we eat this up and we have our. One of the mottos that we use, local to global to whatever it is, we start out here at home, and then we'll take the fight wherever it needs to, wherever we need to. And when we're doing that, you see you have less issues of any kind, you know, throughout the ranks. Because people are so engaged and doing their job. There are times you step back and you just say, you know, this is. This is pretty cool. You know, I. I couldn't think of anything better to have done with my. With my life in terms of a career. And I still have to pinch myself to say, I, you know, I'm. I'm a part of that. Like, I'm a part of this rich history. You know, they'll write in the history books, and I'll be able to go back and. And say, you know what? I was a part of that. So, yeah, we. That's a. That's a great saying. I. I think it's. It's a family broadcast, so we can.
- [58:25]
Marshall Spivak
That's great. Brigadier General Yvonne Mays, the adjunct General of New Jersey. It's truly honored and privileged to have you with us today. Thank you not only for your decades of distinguished service to our state and our country, but your leadership of our 8,400 citizen airmen and soldiers in the New Jersey National Guard. Their dedication to protecting our freedoms at home and abroad, as we've learned about today, I think sort of reflects on the strength of your command and our state. And we're grateful for all that you do. We're grateful for your support of the battleship. And we thank you for joining us on wetsu.
- [58:59]
Brigadier General Yvonne Mays
Thank you for having me, and thank you for the great work that you and your team do here at the battleship.
- [59:03]
Marshall Spivak
Thank you.
- [59:05]
ELAC Representative
Operating engineers are the men and women that move mountains. And the engineers Labor Employer Cooperative ELEC, puts them to work. They create operations opportunities for the men, women, and union signatory contractors of Local 825 repaving our roads, keeping our homes bright and warm, and even building our favorite team stadium. We understand infrastructure. That's why ELAC and Local 825 are ready to get to work.