A bachelor of arts graduate in humanities and social sciences from UMass Dartmouth University, Paul Camara is the president of Axion Specialty Contracting. He oversees the company’s sales, contract securing, and client management matters. Based in Brooklyn, Connecticut, Paul Camara is a member of several military organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Rhode Island chapter.
The VFW traces its roots to the Spanish-American war of 1898 and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902). In 1899 the veterans of the two wars decided to team up to secure and fight for the rights and benefits of the members for their service, especially medical care, housing, and pension, as no measures were in place.
The veterans banded together and formed organizations, later known as Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After the first three chapters in Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, the organizations grew rapidly, and by 1936, over 200,000 strong. The membership currently stands at over two million.
The organization strives to advocate and lobby for the members’ best interests and has made significant strides over the years. Notable achievements include improving VA medical centers for women veterans, funding the creation of war memorials for veterans of Vietnam, World War II, Women in the Military, and the Korean war, the GI Bill, the National Cemetery system, and compensation for Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome victims.
The Gulf war syndrome has baffled many for years. While the war lasted only 43 days, some harmful effects still hounded the veterans decades later. The typical exhibited effects are muscle aches, dizziness, headaches, memory lapses, insomnia, and fatigue.
An accomplished executive in Brooklyn, Connecticut, Paul Camara serves as president of Axion Specialty Contracting, a mechanical insulation contractor that provides services in New England. A distinguished military veteran, Paul Camara served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard from 1993 to 2001 as section chief, earning the Army Achievement Medal in both 1997 and 1999.
The Army Achievement Medal (AAM) was instituted on August 1, 1981. Military members who have demonstrated exemplary non-combat meritorious achievement or service are given the award. AAM can also be granted in a combat area, albeit for non-combat meritorious achievement or service. Enlisted service members below the grade of E-7 and members in the grade of O-6 and lower can be eligible for the award.
The rationale underpinning the institution of the AAM was the need for a means to recognize meritorious accomplishments that do not meet the requirements of the Army Commendation Medal (a higher-ranking award). AAM can be awarded with bronze or silver oak leaf clusters.
Paul Camara is an established Brooklyn, Connecticut, professional who guides Axion Specialty Contracting and provides client-driven services. A United States Armed Forces veteran, Paul Camara earned the Army Achievement and Commendation Medals in the late 1990s.
The Commendation Medals started in 1945 at the end of World War II. It recognizes meritorious service when a Bronze Star Medal cannot be awarded since it reflects achievement while fighting an enemy. Originally a Commendation Ribbon, the award transitioned to a medal pendant in 1948.
In 1962, President John Kennedy authorized the award. He broadened its application to those serving in military services allied with the United States who meet the basic criterion of achievement, heroism, or meritorious service. Unlike the Bronze Star, a Commendation Medal may be awarded for acts of heroism involving aerial flight and beyond the scope of direct combat. The only military members ineligible to receive the award are those ranked as general officers.
Based in Brooklyn, Connecticut, Paul Camara heads Axion Specialty Contracting and meets the needs of diverse clients. A sports enthusiast, Paul Camara enjoys watching his kids compete and participates in outdoor activities such as cycling and skiing.
When skiing in a resort or backcountry setting, know the degree of difficulty of the traverse. Across North America, a green circle marks easier slopes, a blue square indicates intermediate trails, and a black diamond denotes advanced terrain. If a marking of a double black diamond, or an EX, appears, the terrain is advanced and only recommended for the most proficient skiers.
Beginning slopes are gentle, wide, and appropriate for all ages and proficiency levels. As a general rule, blue triangle slopes involve a somewhat steep terrain and require tight and short turns at speed skills. Unlike beginner slopes, the course may be un-groomed and involve parallel turns, where the skis stay equidistant and parallel throughout the turn.
With black diamond slopes, expect fast-moving chairs such as T-bars that expose the skier to mountain positions with narrow and steep exit ramps. With the grade significantly steeper, it requires quick reflexes and the ability to navigate sudden obstacles and bumps in a wide range of snow conditions. Whether encountering thick powder or a slick hard pack, the advanced skier must be able to stay on the feet and travel downward in a predictable line.
Before attempting double black diamond courses, the advanced skier must be able to stop quickly near hazards such as cliff faces, whatever the snow condition. Taking risks into consideration, the extreme skier should expect to pass through dangerous rock bands and narrow chutes and comfortably land on their feet when catching air at velocity.
Established on December 18, 1945 by the Secretary of War, the Army Commendation Medal is a mid-level decoration that recognizes servicemen and women of the United States armed forces and foreign military members for praise-worthy service. It is one of five different types of medals granted to soldiers in the ranks of zero to six. It was also originally presented by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy as a service ribbon.
The Army Commendation Medal can be bestowed in combination with designations, commonly referred to as devices, to indicate what it was given for. The devices that may be granted with the Army Commendation Medal serve to recognize valor, combat, and remote service and are denoted by the letters V, C, or R, respectively. Oak leaf clusters are an additional device that may be presented with the medal to signify that it has been bestowed more than once.
To earn the Army Commendation Medal, a military service member must demonstrate exceptional service, bravery, or an act of heroism to his country. It is used to recognize an individual’s combatant or noncombatant heroic efforts or exemplary achievements accomplished by a unit.
The medal can be given to various military service members for various service efforts, including acts of aerial flight, that are less than what is necessary to earn an Air Medal or a Bronze Star Medal. The medal is not typically given to members of the armed forces who have completed a service period of less than six months.
General officers are not eligible to earn the Army Commendation Medal. Retired veterans or discharged after 2002 can apply for the medal using the Awards and Decorations Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command. Service members commended after December 6, 1941, and before January 1, 1946, can apply for the medal at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
The Army Commendation Medal measures over one inch in height and is designed in the shape of a hexagon. The bronze medal features a bald eagle clutching three crossed arrows. A shield is positioned on the breast of the eagle. One point of the hexagon points upwards on the medal, and the reverse side displays the words, For Military and Merit. The back side of the medal also shows a sprig of laurel and provides space for the recipient’s name to be placed above it. In addition, the medal is attached to a silk ribbon with green and white stripes.
Aside from the army commendation medal designated for members of the armed forces, there are four additional ones to recognize service from personnel involved in joint service performed under the Department of Defence or while in the air force, coast guard, or navy and marine corps. Each commendation medal is given according to specific criteria, devices, and rules. In addition to military commendation medals, service members in the armed forces may earn ribbons, badges, military insignia, and personal decorations. Military members may also be eligible for training, marksmanship, and unit awards.
The National Guard’s primary function is to assist civilian authorities in times of crisis, making it distinct from other military units. The national guard is an essential part of the United States military and plays a vital role in protecting the country. It also supports domestic law enforcement agencies and provides humanitarian assistance. The national guard has the resources and preparation to deal with emergencies like natural disasters and riots.
The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are the two branches of the National Guard. You can join the National Guard if you are a U.S. citizen or national, between the ages of 17 and 35, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. You can begin the process by contacting your local National Guard recruiter if you meet these qualifications. Once you have spoken with a recruiter, you will complete an initial screening, followed by aptitude and physical fitness tests. If you do well on these tests, you then attend basic training. You will be assigned to a specific unit after completing the basic training.
One of the greatest benefits of serving in the National Guard is the health care available to all Guardsmen and their families. All Guardsmen and their dependents receive free medical coverage under the Tricare program. Tricare covers routine preventive care such as physical exams, vaccinations, lab tests, x-rays, dental work, vision examinations, hearing aids, and prescriptions. There is no deductible or copay required.
As a member of the National Guard, they could earn extra income while still serving their community. Many states offer stipends to those who perform certain duties. These include working with children, elderly adults, disabled individuals, and veterans.
One benefit of joining the national guard is learning a trade. Many state National Guards offer training programs to prepare you for civilian employment after leaving the military. Training includes everything from carpentry to welding to computer programming.
National Guard members can also enroll in college courses while serving. Many states offer tuition assistance programs to students who enlist in the National Guard. Numerous online universities allow reserve officers to take classes remotely; some states even offer scholarships.
Networking is important in today’s business world. Joining the National Guard allows you to meet hundreds of people. This will enable you to network with people who share similar interests and helps you build relationships with people who might later become future employers.
Even though National Guard service is voluntary, active duty is possible. The National Guard is frequently called upon to assist in the aftermath of natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. However, overseas travel is possible for some deployments, where you could face hostile fire and other threats. As an added downside, military deployments force you to put your civilian life on hold while you prioritize your military duties.
Finding a happy medium between work and personal life can be difficult. Moreover, if you’re a member of the National Guard, you have yet another scheduling obstacle to deal with. Members of the National Guard have to go to training twice a year for a total of four weeks. Because of this commitment, you’ll need to rearrange your weekend plans with friends and family to accommodate training sessions.
In conclusion, joining the National Guard is a great way to serve your country and earn extra cash. If you decide to enlist, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people and explore exciting places. Plus, you’ll have access to training programs to help you develop valuable skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
Paul Camara 