PNG Service Member & Family Support Division

06/05/2026

Need plans for the weekend?!? 🤔💡

Fort Indiantown Gap Open House is Saturday, June 6!

This year’s Open House will include:
✈️ Military flyovers
🪖 Displays of military equipment and vehicles
🎶 Live music
👑 A Special visit form Miss Pennsylvania
❗️And more!

Learn more here: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/Community/2026-Open-House/

🗓️ Mark your Calendars: Our Fort Indiantown Gap Open House is Saturday, June 6!

This year’s Open House will include:
✈️ Military flyovers
🪖 Displays of military equipment and vehicles
🎶 Live music
👑 A Special visit form Miss Pennsylvania
❗️And more!

Learn more here: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/Community/2026-Open-House/

06/05/2026

RED Friday ❤️

WHAT IS RED FRIDAY? Every Friday, you may see people wearing red shirts—and it’s more than just a color choice. RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed.

It’s a simple, visible way to show our love and support for our Service members who are currently deployed—and for our Families, RED Friday is also a reminder that we’re in this together!

So today—and every Friday—join us—wear it proudly, and let our deployed Service members know that we are united in love, honor, and gratitude until they come home. ❤️🇺🇸

06/03/2026

📚☀️ Summer Reading + Staying Connected = A Win for Military Families! ☀️📚

Have you heard of United Through Reading?

United Through Reading helps military families stay connected during times of separation by allowing Service members to record themselves reading a story to their children. Families can then watch the recording anytime, helping children hear a familiar voice and maintain that special connection, no matter where military duty takes their loved one.

This summer, United Through Reading is encouraging military families to keep young minds engaged with their FREE Summer Reading Bingo Challenge! Families can enjoy fun reading activities, download a bingo card, and even have the chance to win prizes.

Did you know? Military families can also use the United Through Reading app to:📖 Request FREE books🎥 Record and share storytime videos🔬 Access STEM-focused books and resources❤️ Stay connected during training, deployments, and other military separations

Pennsylvania National Guard Families—this is a wonderful resource to help strengthen family bonds while fostering a love of reading all summer long!

🔗 Learn more and download your Summer Reading Bingo card here:https://unitedthroughreading.org/summer-reading-2026/

06/01/2026

Ever been interested in Volunteering?? If so—check out National Guard Volunteer Program’s upcoming webinar—this month’s topic is Building Connections as A Volunteer Is Becoming A Piece of Something Bigger!

1 great learning opportunity—2 different dates and times to choose from!

06/01/2026

📬 Hot off the press! 📬

The June edition of the Pennsylvania National Guard J9 Newsletter and Military Share Calendar has arrived! 🎉

As Annual Training season kicks into high gear, we're here to help keep our Service members and Families informed, connected, and ready for whatever military life brings.

This month's edition features:
✅ Annual Training Checklist
👶 Military Baby Showers
💼 Vet Jobs & Employment Resources
🤝 SFRG Virtual Trainings
⭐ Volunteer Training Team Webinar: Networking as a Volunteer is Becoming a Piece of Something Bigger

Plus, don't forget to check out the June Military Share Calendar for upcoming food distribution opportunities available to eligible military Families across Pennsylvania.

Whether you're preparing for Annual Training, welcoming a new addition to your Family, searching for employment resources, or looking to stay connected through your SFRG, there's something for everyone in this month's edition!

📖 Check out the newsletter and calendar below and share with your fellow Pennsylvania National Guard Families!

05/29/2026

🤔 Did you see?? 🎉 it’s just over ONE WEEK until the 2026 Fort Indiantown Gap Open House! 🎉
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to see your Pennsylvania National Guard in action!

Learn more: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/Community/2026-Open-House/

We are just over one week away from the 2026 Fort Indiantown Gap Open House!
Be sure to join us next Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a day of fun displays and demonstrations, a Pennsylvania National Guard flyover and a special visit from Miss Pennsylvania!

Learn more: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/Community/2026-Open-House/

05/29/2026

💰Financial Friday: Invest in Your Future! 💰

Retirement might seem far away, but every step you take today can help build the future you want tomorrow.

Did you know that our Pennsylvania National Guard offers FREE Personal Financial Counseling to help you navigate everything from creating a budget and paying down debt to understanding retirement benefits and investing for the future?

Our Personal Financial Counselor, Mike Hamilton, recently shared a valuable resource from the Financial Readiness Program focused on Saving, Investing, and Retirement Planning.

📈 Whether you’re just starting your career, preparing for retirement, or somewhere in between, understanding your options can help you make informed decisions and maximize your benefits.

Topics include:
✅ The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
✅ Blended Retirement System (BRS)
✅ Continuation Pay
✅ Military Pension Benefits
✅ TSP Options at Separation or Retirement
✅ Retirement Withdrawal Considerations
✅ Investing Basics (Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds & ETFs)
✅ 529 Education Savings Plans
✅ Identifying Saving & Investing Opportunities

💡 One of the biggest financial lessons? Investing in yourself today can help create financial security tomorrow.

📚 Learn more here:
Financial Readiness Program – Saving, Investing & Retirement Resources

https://finred.usalearning.gov/Saving -Saving


📞 Need help creating a plan? Our FREE Personal Financial Counselors are available to assist eligible Service members and Families with:
✔️ Budgeting
✔️ Debt Management
✔️ Credit Improvement
✔️ Saving Strategies
✔️ Investing Basics
✔️ Retirement Planning
✔️ Major Purchases
✔️ Financial Goal Setting

Your future self will thank you for the steps you take today! 💪💰

Want to connect with your local Personal Financial Counselor?? Check out their contact info in the comments below!👇

05/28/2026

🤝 Staying Connected Through Your Soldier & Family Readiness Group (SFRG)

Pennsylvania National Guard Families—juggling military life can get busy fast between drill weekends, trainings, activations, schools, and deployments. One of the BEST ways to stay informed, connected, and mission ready is by plugging into your unit’s Soldier & Family Readiness Group (SFRG)! 💪🇺🇸

💡 So… why is staying connected so important?

The Pennsylvania National Guard may be called upon at any time to support missions here at home and around the world. When Families stay connected and informed BEFORE challenges arise, it helps strengthen readiness across the entire unit.

✨ Your SFRG helps bridge the gap between Families and the unit by providing:
✔ Important updates and communication
✔ Information on resources and benefits
✔ Connection to other military Families
✔ Support before, during, and after deployments
✔ A sense of community—because no Family should feel alone

🔹 The SFRG is the Commander’s program designed to support communication and connection between the unit and Families.

🔹 Participation is always optional—but staying informed can make military life feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more connected.

📣 Want to get plugged in?

Contact your unit’s full-time staff or your local Military & Family Readiness Specialist (MFRS) to find out who your SFRG Volunteer Advisor is and how to get connected to your unit’s communication network.

Whether you want updates, information, or simply to feel more connected to your Pennsylvania National Guard Family—we’re here to help! 💙

🌟…because connected Families are READY Families.

05/27/2026

‼️ 🚨 LIMITED SPOTS STILL OPEN—REGISTER NOW!!!

🍼🫄Military Baby Shower 🤰🏽🍼

Who: Military Families E6 and below that are expected to have a baby on or after 27JUN2026.

What: Military Baby Shower that is hosted by the Pennsylvania Free Masons--Help for our Heroes!
• Expecting Moms and an adult es**rt (no children)
• Pre-registration is required due to limited space and for the meal headcount
• Attendance is required to be eligible for any gifts or giveaways
• If a participant cannot attend to do high risk concerns a letter from the doctor is required to be considered for gifts and giveaways

When: Saturday 27JUN2026
Check-in starts at 11:00am
Event is from 11:30am -1:30pm
Registration for event opens 16APR2026

Where: Lulu Shriners
5140 Butler Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA

Why: Honor military moms-to-be due after 27JUN2026.
Join us for an afternoon celebrating our moms-to-be and hearing from baby health experts as you prepare for your special delivery.

Seating is limited, please contact your local Military and Family Readiness Specialist to register (contact info in comments 👇).