3rd Ed., Vol. 3: Nov. 2012
A PUBLICATION FOR THE sOLDIERS AND fAMILIES OF THE 1ST aIR cAVALRY BRIGADE
1s
a l r v y a B C r r i i g A ad t Commanding Officer Col. Cory A. Mendenhall
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Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Amagliani
Public Affairs OIC Capt. Joshua Amstutz Public Affairs Layout/Design Staff Sgt. Richard D. Sherba In accordance with AR 360-1 and the regulations set forth by the U.S. Army Public Affairs Center, the Air Cav Journal is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Air Cav Journal are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, the 1st Cavalry Division or the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. All editorial content of Air Cav Journal is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Public Affairs Office. The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Public Affairs Office is located in Camp Marmal, Afghanisian
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Commander’s Corner Warriors, Families and friends CSM Amagliani, CW5 Deof the 1st ACB, Golyer, and I couldn’t be more proud of the outstandOnce again, another month ing work our Soldiers and has quickly passed and we now Families have accomplished prepare for the inevitable Texas over the last few months as fall weather. we continue to synchronize October was a very busy our systems and support month as the Brigade focused agencies across the brigade. on small arms ranges, aircraft It is important for Families and ground equipment re- to keep in touch with their set, and NET training for new chain of commands and stay equipment fielding. informed on all the events If you had a chance to drive over the holidays. around he airfield, you would We would like to wish evhave also seen numerous tents eryone a very happy and safe being setup as our Battalions Thanksgiving. prepare for aerial gunnery in November followed by several Live the Legend – AIR CAV! field exercises before we head in the holiday seasons and New Col. Cory A. Mendenhall Years. 1ACB, Commanding
Chaplain’s Corner Warriors, Do All the Good You Can. John Wesley, a religious and social leader of England, had a great saying that has been quoted for years and now hangs on my wall in my office. “Do All the Good You Can,
seemingly chaos. There lies the problem and the answer. The ACB Chaplain’s and Chaplain assistants want to help you in those efforts of doing and seeing good! Featured this month is the 1-227 and 2-227 Unit Ministry Team (UMT). Chaplain (CPT) Ward and Chaplain (CPT) Dawson hosted Nineteen (19) Families to attend
By All the Ways You Can, In All the Places You Can, At All the Times You Can, As Long As Ever You Can.” What a great check list for a day if not for a life time. No one said doing good is easy. We’ve talked about that before. But, we have to keep talking about it because it is so important. If I asked you to review the day and list all the “goodness” you saw or has been done to you, how many could you come up with? I bet more than you think. However, you would have to initially strain your memory to recount such acts. Somehow they were buried and blurred in the midst of survival and
a Strong Bonds Retreat at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Spa and Resort to increase awareness, learn new practices and apply the lessons to strengthen Army Families. This three-day training utilized the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (P.R.E.P.), scheduled family time and childcare to create an opportunity for change. Not only did they get the royal treatment of the Spa and resort they
received something more valuable. They received instruction on how to better serve each other as partners in a lifelong commitment to each other. Time is short between deployments and this was an opportunity to do good for each other. This was a real opportunity for families to let their hair down and work on the marriage after a yearlong deployment. Families that are healthy and doing good are great asset to the families who are struggling or maybe experiencing their first deployment. Doing good is helping each other find normalcy in our high OPTEMPO life style. Doing good needs to be buried and blurred only because it is part of our normal lives. So many goods become normal. Because it is buried and blurred for lack of, there is the shortage problem. We have to step up to the plate and provide goodness in all the aspects as the Wesley saying mentions. The optimum words are “Do, By, In, At, and As”. But the message to us as a challenge is “You Can.” CH (MAJ) Khallid Shabazz BDE CHAP
Air Cav view replacemen
ws possible nt for Kiowa
Story and photos by Sgt. William Begley, 11th Public Affairs Detachment
F
ORT HOOD, Texas - With all of the innovations that have taken place on the battlefield and in the air over the last 37 years, it might be difficult for some to believe that the Army is still using helicopters that were in use during the Vietnam War. Yet, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter is still widely used by the Army today. Senior aviators from III Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division tested a new helicopter, Oct. 12, at Robert Gray Army Airfield on West Fort Hood that could potentially replace the OH-58 Kiowa. The testing was the first in a series of tests that could eventually replace a scout helicopter that has been in service for the Army since 1969. “This is one of the models that are currently being looked at to replace the Kiowa, the OH58D platform has been around since the Vietnam era,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Troy DeGolyer, command chief warrant officer, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cav. Div. “The reason for bringing in Army aviators, aircraft mechanics and crew chiefs into this mix is that the industry gets feedback from everybody as to help shape and build this aircraft to be competitive and actually fit as a replacement for the 58D.” DeGolyer flew with one of the pilots from American Eurocopter, designers of the civilian version of the Armed Aerial Scout 72X+ (plus) and ran through some simple flight maneuvers to demonstrate the flight characteristics and performance of the aircraft. “It handled very well the flight characteristics were great. The aircraft had great maneuverability and was very easy to fly,” DeGolyer said. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Troy Wyatt was also on hand to fly the new aircraft. He was impressed with its performance as well. Wyatt is an AH-64 Apache Longbow pilot, D Company, 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st ACB. “It was a very clean and smooth flying aircraft. It has a lot of power and is incredibly agile,” Wyatt said. “Coming from an AH-64 background it was a little less robust, that is to say the size, weight and feel of the aircraft differ greatly. But if I had the opportunity to fly it again I wouldn’t turn it down.” While there are obvious differences between the AH-64 Apache Longbow and the AAS 72X+, the pilots were able to deliver valuable feedback to the industry professionals at
American Eurocopter which will help them to give the Army the exact kind of scout helicopter that will meet their needs. Needs like built in redundancies like twin engines as opposed to the single engine OH-58 Kiowa. If one engine is damaged in combat and fails, the pilots can still return home safely using the other engine. Another senior aviator, Lt. Col. Karsten Haake, G-3 aviation, 1st Cav. Div. and a UH60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, didn’t fly the aircraft but took a hands-on look at it. He also listened to the briefings that outlined the capabilities of the aircraft. He summed up the experience. “This is a great opportunity to see what is out there technologically and commercially for the future of Army aviation.”
FORT HOOD, Texas - Chief Warrant Officer 4 Troy Wyatt takes a test helicopter through a series of maneuvers designed to test the capability of
FORT HOOD, Texas - Chief Warrant Officer 5 Troy DeGolyer, command chief warrant officer for the1st Air Cavalry Brigade, prepares to land the Armed Aerial Scout 72X+ at Robert Gray Army Airfield on West Fort Hood Oct. 12. Several senior aviators tested the aircraft and gave feedback on its performance to industry professionals. (Photo by Sgt. William Begley, 11th PAD)
flight in the civilian version of the Armed Aerial Scout72X+ Oct. 12 over Robert Gray Army Airfield on West Fort Hood. Wyatt put the the potential replacement for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter. (Photo by Sgt. William Begley, 11th PAD)
2-227 AV Alpha Co. 2-227th AVN REGT “Vultures” The past few months for Alpha Company have been very similar to an offseason for a professional sports team minus the contract negotiations and holdouts. Gains and losses to the company have been a common occurrence. New faces are being acclimated and objectives have not changed. The mission remains the same, and The Vultures will be prepared for the fight. Alpha Company remains one of the most versatile units of the Brigade, the company will not back down from any mission. Recently, Alpha Company ran the Blackwell Pistol Range. Efficiency and safety were the top priorities, and Alpha Company executed the mission perfectly. There were no major violations or infractions of any type. Paper targets at a distance of twentyfive meters were used for this range. Every member of the company is fully qualified and ready for action. Alpha Company also finished the 240 Machine Gun range. For some members, it was a refresher, and for others it was only the second time since basic training. Soldiers were much more excited to be firing a machine gun. That excitement translated into multiple attempts at firing. Aerial gunnery is on the agenda for November. It has been said that shooting from the air is actually easier than shoot-
ing from the ground. Soldiers are more excited for the aerial version because it is more applicable to what will occur in combat. Alpha Company has also been collecting canned food items for charitable donations. Although training has its place, The Vultures do not forget others who are less fortunate. A large focus going into the holiday season will be what can be done for charity. Thanksgiving is moving in close, and for those not able to be with family, some Soldiers are offering their homes and are willing to accommodate dinner plans with other Soldiers. Sights have already been set on Christmas donations and other types of charity.
Charlie Co. 2-227th AVN REGT “Witchdoctors” During the month of October the Witchdoctors have continued to find that precarious middle-ground between meeting deadlines and maintaining sanity. The majority of the company qualified on the M9 this month. A new company Facebook page was set up and “likes” are on the rise. The Combined Federal Campaign was extended a month, enabling the collection of more contributions for some amazing organizations. All of that was the easy stuff.
VN REGT The Witchdoctors also have multiple aircraft in and out of reset status. All of our NVGs, EDMs, and weapons were also switched out this month. A handful of Witchdoctors expended blood, sweat and tears to proudly earn their Expert Field Medical Badges as well. To top it all off, the entire company will be completing record APFTs before the end of the month. The amount of logistics and planning that go into completing so many unit-level tasks is daunting to say the least, but the Witchdoctors are always up for the challenge. DUSTOFF!
Delta Co. 2-227th AVN REGT “Outlaws” October has been a busy month for the Outlaws of Delta Co 2-227th AVN. The Outlaws participated in several ranges this month to include M16, M9, MK19, and M2 ranges. 95% of the Outlaws in D Company qualified with their assigned weapon system with several soldiers qualifying as expert. The Outlaws successfully completed our company level FTX which took place from 1-4 October. Training began on day one at 0545 with load out and prep for a 1 hour convoy departing the UH-60 hanger to kick off the FTX, covering range roads for 32 miles throughout Fort Hood and finishing on the airfield.
The main body departed CH-47 hanger in two lifts of 1xUH60 and 1xCH47’s for deployment to FTX assembly area. Main body and advance party joined and linked up at the assembly area establishing, a dinning tent and sleep tents completing assembly area setup. After completion of the assembly area, the Outlaws transitioned into night operations running 24 hour TOC and Entry Control Point operations. Day two began with work call at 0500, one shift focused on battalion maintenance for first 8 hours of the duty day. While the other shift began medical focused CTT Training for 8 hours consisting of five separate lanes with six different classes. After lunch both shifts swapped. After completion of both shifts, D Co began a mock Downed Air Craft Recovery Training mission. FTX concluded on day three with a road march. The route consisted of 6 miles utilizing 1 ACB airfield perimeter road. Our Company FTX allowed all levels of leadership to learn from all tasks accomplished including identifying several improving areas to improve our mission readiness. Delta company is also actively preparing to support 1st BN’s NTC rotation in January. We are providing 14 Soldier’s and have locked in our unit deployment list. We will be utilizing Sergeant’s Time Training over the next couple of months, along with 1st BN’s FTX in order to continue to prepare our team for excellence.
E S S AY S F R O M S O L D I E R S , B Y S O L D I E R S
THE WARRIOR VOICE Do We Really Need More Uniform Changes? Essay by WO1 Gabe Hernandez, C/2-227th AVN REGT The third season of the hit show “The Walking Dead” began this past weekend. But that wasn’t the only hungry wave of mass confusion milling about. The last two months, crowd after crowd of Soldiers, looking for the proper insignia, accouterments etc., have descended on Clothing Sales to ensure they are in-accordance with AR 670-1 for open ranks inspections in various combinations of the dress uniform. Looking around at everyone in formation, it’s very easy to tell which of your coworkers enjoys the dress uniform, but it’s even easier to tell who would rather burst into flames than have to take the time to get their uniform right, much less put it on afterward. After all, careful planning goes into this endeavor. And in the event that Clothing Sales isn’t out of an item, you might have to deal with the equivalent of Black Friday mobs who are also coincidentally vying for the exact regimental crest, shirt size, etc., that you are. If you’re like me, you may also
face the fear of the possibility of operating an iron when your wife isn’t home. And after all of this is said and done, you sit down with a sigh of relief that your 1SG didn’t find a discrepancy on your uniform, only to find in your email inbox a request from the Army that you vote on your new favorite, moreimproved, already improved once, Improved Physical Fitness Uniform, or ASU. Furthermore, being an inter-service transfer from the Air Force (words inserted here to take up time to allow you to laugh), the beret has some issues that I don’t like about it. The obvious one is that it messes up my AF haircut, but the more obvious one is that it’s a beret. So, thankfully, we now only wear it with the ASU, or for change-ofcommand ceremonies, etc. This isn’t to knock our Special Forces brethren who take great pride, and rightfully so, in the wear and appearance of their berets, but to point out that this was one uniform change that a majority of Soldiers were in favor of. So the question needs to be asked. Do we need another more Im-
proved Physical Fitness Uniform? Do we need an improved Army Service Uniform? I’m not a fan of short-shorts, so if they added a couple inches to the shorts I’d be happy. But, I also think the ASU looks pretty sharp as it is. I’m also willing to wager that many Soldiers share my opinion. Any changes made would necessitate additional changes to AR 670-1, a regulation that’s already difficult to read without the aid of an artificial-intelligence based search function and Google. We would have to pioneer new methods of pinning ribbons, crests, and other insignia to the uniform. New surveys would be created and sent out to Soldiers. More money would be spent evaluating the responses to the surveys, and changing the uniforms. In allowing the uniforms to go unchanged for a longer period of time, the Army, and all of us, would be able to save much time, effort, and money in keeping with what already works. We would also be able to avoid the Walking non-Dead of Clothing Sales.
Choosing Your New Car
Before you buy, make a realistic assessment of your transportation needs and financial resources. You’ll be making a down-payment, monthly payments, insurance payments, and possibly paying property tax. If you choose the wrong car for your finances, you can easily chew-up most of your paycheck paying these debts. Also, if you are buying a used car, please request a report of the car’s history from the dealership, using Carfax, or some other legitimate company. If the report indicates “salvage” or “flood damage,” you’re probably best-off looking at a different car.
Trading in Your Old Car
If you’re planning on trading in your old car, watch out for a classic dealership trick, which is “packaging” everything together. What tends to happen is that the dealership will use the excuse that they cannot give you a good deal on the car you’re buying, because they already gave you a GREAT deal on the car you were trading in.
Approach everything as two separate transactions. First negotiate for the price of the car that you want. Then, when that’s settled, negotiate for the price that you want on your trade-in. If they try and go back to re-negotiate the price of the original vehicle, tell them that you’ve already come to an agreement on it, and that the matter is closed.
It is also important to go into the dealership knowing what your trade-in is worth. Print out the Kelly Blue Book price, the NADA Gold Book price, and the Blackbook price (the Blackbook tells you what your car is selling for at dealer-only auctions). Also, look at what your car is actually selling for online. With this information, you won’t be caught off-guard if the dealership says “we don’t use that price,” because you’ll have almost every piece of information out there.
AND NEVER HESITATE TO WALK AWAY!
“Cooling Off Period”
Under Texas Law, there is no such animal as a “cooling off” period. What this means is that once you’ve bought the car (signed the purchase agreement and arranged for financing), you’re not given X amount of time to change your mind. If a dealership tells you that you have that option, demand to receive it in writing, and signed by the salesman, otherwise, you don’t have a leg to stand on.
Warranties
As Is: This means there is no warranty. If you point out a problem and the dealership says “they can fix that before you buy it,” you need to get it in writing that the cost of the “fix” is to be borne by the dealership. If they’re unwilling to do that, walk-away. Oral promises are NOT enforceable, and if a promise is made that’s not in the contract or on a “rider” then the law states that the promise was never made!
Limited Warranty: The coverage is limited to certain parts of the car, such as the power plant or drivetrain. What this means to you is that if something goes wrong with the electrical system (windows, radio, etc.), it’s not covered.
Full Warranty: This implies that everything is covered for a certain amount of time. Check the amount of time that is covered here. This is usually only available on new cars. Extended Warranties: Buyer beware on extended warranties. Those offered by the dealership are often ways for them to squeeze additional money out of you (and add considerably to the dealership’s bottom-line). Look over what’s covered (and how much it costs) VERY carefully.
Common Scams
The Yo Yo: You sign the contract, drive off, and two weeks (and 500 miles later) the dealer says the financing “fell through.” This is a trick to get you to agree to a fee (to resecure financing) and higher APR. Try and secure a loan through a local credit union or through a financing company online to stop this scam in its tracks, and report this dealership to the Better Business Bureau.
The Bait and Switch: You go to buy a car because it’s offered at 0% APR. The salesman comes out with a “credit report” saying you have a bad credit rating. There is a chance he is lying. Come to the dealership equipped with your credit rating, so you can confront them with the truth. You can get your free(!) credit report and print it out at www.annualcreditreport.com. Additionally, you can obtain your credit score from either Transunion, Equifax or Experian, for a nominal fee. DO NOT use other websites, as they may charge you, or sell your information to third parties. Forced Warranty: The dealer tells you the bank or finance company won’t finance your loan w/o an extended warrant covering it. This is almost definitely a lie. Go seek to do business with a more reputable dealer, or to speak with the finance company directly.
Repossession
If your car is repossessed, your obligation doesn’t end there. Usually, the car will be sold at auction. If the amount the car was auctioned for does not pay-off your loan, you are still liable for any additional amounts of money (plus, for the cost of the repossession, etc.). Ultimately, you can end up paying for a car that you no longer drive. If you can’t make your payments, contact your finance company before they repossess!
1ACB Soldier vies for pro bodybuilder status Story by Sgt. Richard Wrigley, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. PAO (Courtesy photos by Dan Ray)
FORT HOOD, Texas -- When a person thinks of a Soldier, they probably imagine someone fit and in shape, ready to tackle the most physically demanding of tasks in a moment’s notice. It is doubtful however that they imagine someone as fit as SPC Stephen Sykes Jr., a native of Providence, R.I., and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter maintainer for D Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. In addition to Sykes’ status as a Soldier, Sykes is also a decorated amateur bodybuilder, who is on his way to compete for pro-status in Atlanta at the Hyatt Regency for the 2012 NPC National Bodybuilding Championships Nov. 9-10. It has been a long journey for Sykes to get to where he is now, and it started long ago when he was in his early teens. His father, who was very athletic and gym oriented, started the younger Sykes on his path, Sykes said. Sykes described a time when as he grew up, his father ran out of ways to discipline him, and so used the weights in the gym and exercise to correct his son. “At the age of 14 or 15 the human body has a very low tolerance for lifting weights, fatigue, and the way your muscles feel when you are pumping iron,” said Sykes. As time went on though Sykes became better at lifting weights, and what started as a form of punishment became something he enjoyed and pursued of his own violation, he said. “That’s how it all began,” Sykes added. Ever since then, Sykes’ passion and drive to be physically fit has led him to along his life path. It was even what led him to join the Army. “The Army seemed like the perfect fit ... the Army’s slogan back then was ‘Be all you can be’, and what they advertised was [Soldiers] going through obstacle courses, climbing ropes, going through the mud ... the physical aspect, it just made sense to me, it was the initial reason I decided to join the Army,” Sykes explained. It was a good decision for Sykes to join the Army, as it allowed him to grow and develop in the physical fitness world not just figuratively, but quite literally as well, as he now had free access to the two most important keys to unlocking his physical potential: all the weights and
exercise equipment he could want in the free Gyms on post, and all the nutrients and calories he could want via the free food at the Dining Facility. “It allowed me to become a bigger, stronger person and Soldier,” Sykes said.
FORT HOOD, Texas -- SPC Stephen Sykes Jr., a native of Providence, R.I., and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter maintainer for D Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, flexes and shows off his muscular physique at the 2012 NPC Europa Super Show in Dallas, August 18. This was the second show that Sykes ever participated in and the second time he took the first place trophy in his weight class. Sykes is on his way to compete for pro-status in Atlanta at the Hyatt Regency for the 2012 NPC National Bodybuilding Championships Nov. 9-10. (Courtesy photos by Dan Ray)
All of this was a gradual process though, Sykes iterated, and he had no idea he would someday be competing in bodybuilding on any level. It took an outside source to point out that bodybuilding could be a very real possibility for him. It was this last Spring that Master Sgt. Curtis Allen, a native of Torrington, Wyo., and the Senior Trainer for the 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, convinced Sykes that he should look into bodybuilding, Sykes elaborated. “We actually met in the Gym here on Fort Hood,” Allen said. It became apparent that Allen and Sykes had similar goals and interests, and so they began to work out together, and developed a friendship, said Allen. “I encouraged him to pursue his goals further, and introduced him to a trainer I knew that could help him properly train for a competition,” said Allen. Unfortunately for Sykes, when he began formally training as a bodybuilder, the first competition he was training for was in a short three weeks, and usually bodybuilders train and diet for more than four times that length of time to be properly prepared, Sykes said. Fortunately for Sykes, his already high level of physical fitness, which he attributes to the Army’s stringent exercise regiment, allowed him to be competitive even after only three weeks of dieting and training. In fact, he placed first in his weight class, despite his lack of experience and minimal conditioning time, Sykes explained. “Saying that is almost a blasphemy in the bodybuilding arena,” continued Sykes. “It’s unheard of for someone to just show up to a competition with three weeks prep time and take a trophy, I mean I was competing against more than 250 other people, many of whom had a great deal more experience than myself.” Don’t be fooled though, Sykes’ success has a great deal to do with his determination and hard work. “Sykes followed the trainer’s regiment verbatim ... he puts in 110 percent always, which is obvious when you
see the results of his hard work,” Allen said. Since then Sykes has gone on to win two more competitions, and is currently conditioning for a forth competition. If he places in the upcoming show in Atlanta, he will be awarded his Pro Card, and will be free to seek out sponsors and possibly represent other companies who are interested in having him as the face of their company or product. However all Sykes is really hoping for is to better be able to spread his message and dispel what he considers misconceptions surrounding exercise and fitness training. “There are just so many misconceptions out there blocking people from pursuing a healthy life,” Sykes said. “People think it’s so hard, and that they have to devote everything to it, in order to get fit. The reality is that at no time in a person’s growth process did the body have to put forth any special effort to grow ... continuing this process is actually easier than many believe it to be,” Sykes added. In the end though, Sykes priority after this competition is a bit more simple in comparison to getting sponsors and such, as he wants to truly show his gratitude to the Army and his Unit, because in his eyes, it was all made possible by them, Sykes explained. The dieting regiment needed to compete in this arena is taxing on the body, if Sykes hadn’t had such a supportive, and understanding command, he may not have been able pursue this goal, considering the grueling diet, and the extreme level of exertion that the Army requires of each of their Soldier, Sykes said. “To do this safely, some special considerations were made on my behalf,” Sykes said. “I just want to contribute back to those who have done so much for me, knowing they’ve given me every opportunity to become what I am today,” Sykes concluded.
615th ASB “coldsteel” A Co. Soldiers had the opportunity to qualify on the MK19 automatic grenade launcher. 30 Soldiers received instruction on the proper care and firing of the weapon system during a PMI held by HSC 615th. Of those 30, six Soldiers and two NCOs were chosen based on their retention of knowledge learned during the PMI and their ability to disassemble and reassemble the weapon system in a gunner and assistant gunner team. A Co. assumed duties at the Hood Army Airfield Rapid Refuel Point
for the month of October on Monday. The Soldiers work in seven man teams and operate the point from 0800-0000 weekdays. We have a day and night shift led by two of our most experienced Sergeants. The Soldiers working at the refuel point have had extensive training on Fort Hood before being certified by the Maytag contractors that own the rapid refuel site. Each Soldier must attend and pass the 40 hour fuel handlers course and conduct a 4 hour block of instruc-
tion with the Maytag personnel. Mr. Tomblin, the Airfield Safety Officer, visited the Soldiers to check their understanding of refuel procedures as well as to check their personal protective equipment. After a thorough inspection the team was cleared to begin operations and have to date refueled ten aircraft. The new Soldiers coming to the unit from AIT are receiving outstanding training by operating at the refuel point and are gaining experience that will be needed for the upcoming Brigade Aerial Gunnery.
615th ASB “coldsteel”
Officer Obstacle Course
The 615th ASB conducted Officer PT on October 4th. Every Officer within the Battalion participated in a timed event going through the 3d Cavalry Regiment’s obstacle course. The officers were broken down into teams as senior noncommissioned officers monitored and guided the officers through each obstacle. Each team had to work together to finish the whole course. This event was an outstanding team building exercise, that may have left officers bruised and sore but also motivated.
615th ASB...
...Earns
s an A+
Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Richard D. Sherba 11th Public Affairs Detachment
NOLANVILLE, Texas – Upon entering the halls of any given elementary school on any given Friday, one can see the hustle and bustle of another school week coming to a close, as well as excited students looking forward to the upcoming weekend. However, at Nolanville Elementary School, the excitement and energy flowing through the halls and the classrooms on Friday, Nov. 2, may also be attributed to the Soldiers of the 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division who volunteer to tutor and mentor the students at Nolanville Elementary School via the 615th ASB’s Adopt-a-School Program. “Every Friday we’re [Soldiers] assigned to a class,” said Spc. Benjamin Benuck, 615th ASB, 1ACB, 1CD. “I know a lot about science and history and it’s what I’m interested in; so I’m using my knowledge to help with the kids and get them fired up about learning.” Benuck, a native of Honolulu, added, “It’s a great sense of pride [for me] and I really love being apart of
this program.” The staff at Nolanville Elementary School share in Benuck’s sentiments. “It’s [Adopt-a-School Program] really a big treat,” said Jennie Johnson, 4th grade teacher at Nolanville Elementary School. “We get Soldiers here as a presence, a lot of our students are from military homes and some of their parents are deployed so it gives them a really nice feeling to have a familiar uniform here in the classroom.” Johnson, a teacher with 20 years of experience, ten years at Nolanville Elementary School, continued, “We really appreciate the fact that Fort Hood is here, it’s really a unique opportunity for our children to have the largest military installation in the free world here in our midst. We’re proud of our country and we’re proud of our Soldiers. It’s very special for us to get utilize them when they’re here with us, when they’re not in harms way [deployed.]” The 615th ASB’s Adopt-a-School Program is growing
NOLANVILLE, Texas - Students from Nolanville Elementary School watch as Spc. Stephen Bracken, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division demonstrates electrical energy via parallel and series circuits Nov. 2. Bracken, a native of Brighton, Colo., volunteers at Nolanville Elementary School with the 615th ASB’s Adopt-a-School Program. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Richard D. Sherba, 11th Public Affairs Detachment)
and evolving year-by-year. “In years past we only had one or two soldiers that we spread around per grade level, this year we have a Soldier per class that we get to utilize on Fridays,” said Johnson. Gabriela Morgan, Nolanville Elementary School Principal, explained the evolution of the Adopt-a-School Program. “This year we’ve actually taken it to a new level. We asked to have a mentor for each teacher and our adopta-unit agreed to that and their working hard to get those filled,” said Morgan. “That was my goal for this year, to put one Soldier in each classroom for the consistency. We saw a little of that last year when the Soldiers would buddy up with a certain teacher; we got to see that growth in that classroom and the bonds that were made between the mentors and the kids.” On average over 25 Soldiers from the 615th ASB tutor and mentor with an assigned teacher every Friday during the school year. “It builds a partnership in the classroom. The Soldiers get to know the teacher, the teacher’s expectations and build a relationship with that class and then those individual students. They [Soldiers] work on basic skills such as flash cards, vocabulary, reading and anything that the student might need extra assistance with,” said Morgan. Cam Baker, 5th grade teacher at Nolanville Elementary School, shared a recent example of the 615th ASB’s Soldiers influence in the classroom. “We have them [Soldiers] on Fridays and it’s helping me tremendously. I have one student that needs oneon-one tutoring and two Soldiers working with me [tutoring.] This student has had more success today then he’s had in the four weeks he’s been at school,” said Baker, a teacher with over 22 years experience, over 16 years at Nolanville Elementary School. There is an excitement in the halls and in the classrooms of Nolanville Elementary School every Friday during the school year. “Teachers are asking me, ‘When am I going to get my soldier?’ So it’s an excitement that we have going on here at Nolanville Elementary. They [the teachers] are excited about the partnership,” said Morgan, in her fourth year as principal of Nolanville Elementary School. “You can’t ask for a better partnership, I’m excited as a principal to have that for our kids. Our kids benefit from this partnership with our adopt-a-unit.” It’s not just the students and teachers who are benefiting from the partnership between the 615th ASB and Nolanville Elementary School, but the Soldiers as well.
“That’s the excitement too that were seeing, the Soldiers are getting so much out of it. Some of them are having conversations with me about moving into education when they leave the military, and we need great leaders to move into the education field,” said Morgan. The Adopt-a-School Program is a great opportunity for Soldiers to see what really takes place as a teacher on a day-to-day basis, explained Morgan. “It’s exciting as a principal to get to see them [the Soldiers] enjoy being on our campus and working with children. I just truly appreciate the partnership; the quick responsiveness of our adopt-a-unit to be here to help us and to make sure we have what we need to be successful everyday,” said Morgan. Morgan reflected on the Adopt-a-School Program and the 615th ASB. “They [615th ASB] earn an A+, they are exemplary in every way. I am excited to get to work with Lieutenant Colonel Czehowski, [Lt. Col. Shawn B. Czehowski, commander for the 615th ASB, 1ACB, 1CD] he has made all the doors open this year for our requests,” said Morgan.
NOLANVILLE, Texas – Sgt. Carl Brooks, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and a native of Phoenix City, Ala. tutors a 4th grade student at Nolanville Elementary School on singular and plural nouns Nov. 2. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Richard D. Sherba, 11th Public Affairs Detachment)
615th ASB Science
supports e Day
Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Richard D. Sherba 11th Public Affairs Detachment
NOLANVILLE, Texas – In the early morning Oct. 25 an AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter and its crew landed in a field adjacent to Nolanville Elementary School kicking off Nolanville Elementary’s annual Science Day. About 725 Nolanville Elementary students, ranging from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade, dressed in red, white and blue had formed the letters U.S.A. on the school’s basketball court to welcome and kick off the day’s event. The energetic students waved flags and chanted in unison “U.S.A.” as the Apache helicopter hovered and landed.
in the same exact class.” Atkins spoke about the experience, “It’s always fun to see the kids light up, when we came in they were chanting U.S.A. and you know it was touching to us as we came off [the helicopter.] I know there’s a lot of hard work done by the 615th ASB and we appreciate all the help they provided to put this on for the kids.” “Our big thing is Science Day and our adopted unit came through,” said Gabriela Morgan, Nolanville Elementary School Principal. “It’s an exciting day for our kids, and they look forward to it all year long.” Science Day is a day dedicated to science where students at Nolanville Elementary School spend the day
NOLANVILLE, Texas – Students from Nolanville Elementary School wear night vision goggles during a class instructed by Soldiers from the 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division during Science Day held at Nolanville
As the Apache crew exited the helicopter the energized students greeted the crew with a choreographed rendition of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The Apache pilots, Maj. Ryan Atkins and Maj. Joseph Bishop, 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), not only had the honor of kicking off the annual Science Day, but the added bonus of participating in Science Day with their respective children. “We know the 615th Aviation Support Battalion is the unit involved with the Adopt-a-School Program and we asked if we could participate by providing some aircraft and enjoying the day with the kids,” said Atkins, a native of Venice, Fla. “Both our kids go to school here. I have a daughter in the first grade and a son in the third grade; ironically enough Maj. Bishop’s and my kids are
solely on science. “We spend the day reminding the kids how important science is in our everyday lives, we talk about earth science, physical science, flight and the energy created,” advised Sherry Burnett, 5th grade teacher at Nolanville Elementary School. “We have a lot of military families here and the military is an integral part in our community, they have a lot of science involved in their jobs every day.” One example of this would be the night vision goggles used by the Army. “We’ve been studying light in class, so [the night vision goggles] really adds on to how light works,” said Barbara Snipes, 4th grade teacher at Nolanville Elementary School. “This is just awesome, the kids have
never experienced anything like this.” Spc. Benjamin Benuck, 615th ASB, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, assisted at the night vision goggle station. “We’re demonstrating night vision goggles, we’re bringing students in and we’re explaining how they work, as magnifying ambient light,” said Benuck. “A lot of us volunteer here [as tutor and mentors] on Fridays, so we understand what [the students] are going through as far as the lesson plans and science specifically.” Benuck, a native of Honolulu, added, “We take what they are learning and try to incorporate it in with the night vision goggles, and explain scientifically how the goggles work. It’s really cool when the lights go off and all the students at once go ‘oh wow, so cool’.” The 615th ASB, along with the 3d Cavalry Regiment and various agencies and companies from the Fort Hood area put on many displays of science for the children to experience. Ranging from aerial, medical, communications, kitchen, environmental and military vehicles such as Strykers and Humvees all with an emphasis on the science involved. “The Adopt-a-School Program is a partnership between the local community, the schools, their principal and Soldiers from the 615th Aviation Support Battalion,” said Lt. Col. Shawn B. Czehowski, commander for the 615th ASB, 1ACB, 1CD. “It’s a local outreach program from III Corps and 1st Cavalry Division that reaches out to our local communities and helps sup- NOLANVILLE, Texas – A student from Nolanville Elementary waves an American flag port them. It’s an endeavor that we’ve to welcome an Apache helicopter crew as they exit an AH-64D Longbow Apache helicontinued for many years in the 615th copter in the early morning Oct. 25 during Science Day held at Nolanville Elementary Aviation Support Battalion and one School. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Richard D. Sherba, 11th Public Affairs Detachment) that we look forward to continuing for “That was a beautiful moment for the kids and also for many more years with Nolanville Schools.” our military, we obviously work for the republic and the Czehowski reflected on how Nolanville Elementary’s citizens of this nation and its beautiful to see how highScience Day began with the presentation by the 725 el- ly the local community and civilians hold our Army,” ementary students. said Czehowski, a native of Canadian Lakes, Mich.
227th ARB “Guns” A RETURN TO GARRISON CW2 Zachary Pyburn, A Co., 4-227TH ARB, 1ACB, 1CD Today’s Army is experiencing its most significant change in many years. Most Soldiers serving have never experienced the garrison environment of the old Army due to our current Operations Tempo. This wartime environment causes a typical Army unit to be on a steady rotation of train up, pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment, reset, and train up for the next deployment. This fast paced OPTEMPO has caused the Army as a whole to shift its focus from basic Soldiering and discipline to just ensuring the Soldiers can perform their wartime job to standard. This is an undesirable necessity due to the fast paced deployment cycles our Army has endured throughout fighting in two separate conflicts and continued support of our allies around the world. As these conflicts finally come to an end, after more than a decade, the inevitable drawdown of our forces is coming into sight. With this reduction also comes the return to a highly standardized garrison environment. This transition will be a difficult one for most junior Soldiers and leaders as it unfortunately is a new concept to them. Gone are the days of letting basic Soldiering skills lax due to insufficient training times, and allowing
227th ARB “Guns� negligent Soldiers and leaders to retain their status committing what would otherwise be criminal acts. The Army standards will be upheld again after this difficult transition and Soldiers who truly believe in a professional force will champion this return. History has always shown that our military must draw down after a sustained combat period. This time is a necessity as it allows the military to become a smaller more reactive force. This smaller force instinctively costs less allowing the country to recoup some of the funds required for the conflict, and redirect them to other areas within our government. Also it is a time of learning as we can focus on the lessons learned by our forces throughout the conflict. It allows us to prepare our force for future threats to our nation and analyze tactics, techniques, and procedures that may take place in our future conflicts.
Though many will expect the garrison transition to be a negative one, our force cannot survive without it. Many career Soldiers see this return as a positive one. However, in the midst of the garrison’s return comes with it extended dwell time to spend with Family; additionally more time to train on basic Soldier skills such as drill and ceremony, military history, customs and courtesies, and war fighter tasks for the future. The Army is an integral part of our American society which provides a basic stepping stone and fundamentals for those just out of high school who want to better themselves and college graduates who wish to become leaders. We must make our force a professional one to provide our young generations a place to receive this training and experience. The downsizing of our force is not only necessary but inevitable to the professional garrison life to come for
our Army. The transition itself will cause the draw down to occur naturally as it has in the past, and many will agree that those who resist the return of standards are those the military does not require. The natural professionalism of our retained Soldiers will prove to be the foundation our new Army will be built on. Those not in the military will also see this change as a positive one resulting in future employers scrambling to hire a former Armed Forces member over their civilian counterpart due to their professionalism, attention to detail, and reliance. Although it will be new to most I look forward to this reformation. It will be a difficult and trying time period, but I am excited for the future of our Army. We will be a stronger force due to our labors and dedication through these challenging times.
FORT HOOD, Texas - AH-64D Longbow aviators with 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, fire M274 Point Detonating Practice Rockets at targets at Browns Creek Multipurpose Range, at Fort hood Nov. 6. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric J. Glassey, 4th Public Affairs Detachment)
Hollidaysburg native (Apache pilot) is awarded the Air Medal with Valor Story and photos by Sgt. Richard Wrigley, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. PAO FORT
HOOD, Texas -- Selfless service, bravery in the face of extreme opposition, courage under fire, all these words can be used to describe Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Leipold, a native of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and an AH-64D Apache helicopter maintenance test pilot for B Company, 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, who was recently awarded the Air Medal with V device for valor for his actions here Oct. 4. While Leipold’s actions in battle were quite remarkable, his story in the military begins much earlier than the events of that decisive day in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. His story started in 1993 when as a self described “young punk with very little ambition”, Leipold enlisted into the Army as an M1A1 Abrams Tank crewman. Leipold explained how while growing up, one thing that was constant for him was his involvement in sports and the team environment, and that it was the team mindedness of the Army which originally attracted him to the Service. “I wanted to be a part of some-
thing that was bigger than myself,” said Leipold. After meeting with success within the enlisted ranks for almost nine years, Leipold eventually decided to pursue a career in aviation, he said. “There was a lot of different reasons [I made the change], one was that the Apache is the premier attack aircraft of the world, there is nothing that really comes close to it, and I’ve always been intrigued by flight as well,” Leipold said. While flying is a large part of Leipold’s life, there is a lot more to him explained Chief Warrant Officer 4, James Merideth, from Austin, Texas, the company standardization pilot for B Co., 4-227th, 1st ACB. “He’s not just a great pilot, he’s very much a family man, and a devout Christian,” said Merideth. Merideth went on to describe how Leipold has been married for a number of years, and has five wonderful kids. He also detailed how education was an important factor in Leipold’s life, whether it be military education, or the completion of his Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies. Besides these successes he has had in life, Leipold has had many
accomplishments in his career prior to the actions which lead to his most recent award. He has deployed to Iraq three times, and has completed his first tour in Afghanistan, and has received numerous awards to include an Air Medal with V device for valor previous to this one, Leipold said. When asked about the mission, Leipold was hesitant to speak too much on the subject due to its sensitive nature, as it was in support of special operations forces, yet he had no problem explaining the importance of his job on the battle field. “What we do is close air support for the ground trooper. When contact is made, everybody else runs away from it, but we run to it, because someone needs us. That’s basically what we do. We know we’re going into an area that’s not going to be friendly, but we know there are good guys on the ground, and we make our money by making sure they come home,” Leipold explained. “The job satisfaction you get from helping someone on the ground who really needs it is unparalleled in my opinion,” Leipold said. “If you talk to any Apache
FORT HOOD, Texas -- Lt. Col. Henry Perry (second from right), commander of the 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, puts the Air Medal with Valor Device on the chest of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Leipold (right), a native of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and an AH-64D Apache helicopter maintenance test pilot for B Company, 4-227th ARB, 1st ACB, at Hood Army Air Field Oct. 4. Leipold was awarded the Air Medal with V device for valor for his actions during a battle he was in last July in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. As the Air Mission Commander and Pilot-inCommand, Leipold and his team successfully engaged and destroyed over twenty enemy fighting positions, all while taking extreme amounts of enemy fire, in order to ensure that US and British Special Operations Forces could safely and successfully infiltrate and occupy the area the next day. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Wrigley, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Division Public Affairs)
pilot across the board, you’ll get the same thing, it’s all about the ground guys,” Leipold added. As far as the specific actions that Leipold was awarded for, his award describes a day where as Air Mission Commander and Pilot-inCommand, Leipold and his team successfully engaged and destroyed over twenty enemy fighting positions, all while taking extreme amounts of enemy fire, in order to ensure that US and British Special Operations Forces could safely and
successfully infiltrate and occupy the area the next day. Leipold himself said that when they flew into the area the enemy fired from about 15 heavy machinegun positions, and at any one time 16 or 17 rocket propelled grenades were flying through the air. Merideth also shed a little light on the mission. “Some of our guys had already flew in to check out the area the night before...[Leipold] knew the sheer amount of enemy firepower
he would have to fly into... he knew he was going to go put himself, his life, his aircraft in danger ... and he didn’t even bat an eye at it, [Leipold] said ‘absolutely, yea, put me in,” said Meredith. Leipold’s award concludes with, “his actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, [his unit], and the Army.” It is doubtful a more apt statement could be said of Leipold and his actions that day.
jUSTICE LeAGUE Prior to entering the service did you have any credit cards with an APR over 6%, and are you still making payments on those cards? If so, the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act (SCRA) can provide you and your family with, potentially, a large sum of money. Here’s how it works: The SCRA applies to all loans and credit card arrangements that you entered into prior to entering the service. Under the statute, a lender must reduce the APR on all debts to no more than 6% on those loans and lines of credit, so long as the debt was entered into prior to the time of a S o l d i e r ’s entry into active duty. More importantly, the SCRA is retroactive, meaning that even if years have gone by since your entry into active duty, you can receive back-pay for all those years that the interest rate should have been lower. For instance, a former client of mine had been on active duty for four years before he heard about the SCRA. At the time, he had carried a card with a ten thousand dollar balance since the time of his enlistment. What’s
more, that card had an 18% APR, meaning that he was paying nearly $1,800 dollars a year in interest. Through the SCRA, we were able to have his interest rate lowered to 6%, and to have that interest rate applied retroactively to his credit card. What this
meant to the Soldier is that his account was credited $1,200 dollars for every year that he was on active duty, resulting in the Soldier receiving nearly $4,800 dollars credited to his account! The best part about all of this,
is that it was incredibly easy to do! All we had to do was send in a request citing the SCRA, along with a copy of the Soldiers’ orders, and within 2 months the request was granted – resulting in the Soldier saving a huge amount of money, and having his monthly payments lowered substantially. Your Brigade Legal shop is in the process of drafting form letters for the Soldiers of the 1ACB to use for lowering their interest rate on credit cards and loans down to 6%. However, these letters can only be used for credit cards and loans entered into before a S o l d i e r ’s entry into active duty. If you have a more complicated case, or your request is denied, we will help refer you to an attorney who can personally draft the demand letter for you. In the meantime, you should start calling your creditors, and find out what address you’re required to send inquiries regarding the SCRA to (most credit card companies and lenders have a separate department to handle these requests). This will ensure that you don’t have any hang-ups when it’s time to submit your request.
Maj. Massimo Federico, MD Brigade Surgeon, 1ACB
dOCTER’S ORDERS “Don’t go outside with wet hair – you’ll catch your death!” “You have to feed a cold and starve a fever!” (Or, was it the other way around?) “What you need are some antibiotics to beat that cold!” Do these statements sound familiar to anyone? Everyone reading this has had a “cold” – the runny nose, cough, scratchy throat and fever that we all have experienced. In fact, on average, an adult will contract two to three colds per year while a child will likely get six to ten! Despite being the most common infection on Earth, the common cold remains an illness that modern medicine cannot beat. As such, myths abound regarding the common cold and how to “beat” it. I hope that this article helps you to better understand the common cold and what you can do about it. The common cold (officially known as rhinopharyngitis or nasopharyngitis) is an upper respiratory tract caused by over 200 viruses – the most common of which is the rhinovirus. Affecting the throat, nose, and sinuses, often with fever, the cold is similar to the flu, but far more mild. The symptoms aren’t directly caused by the virus, but by our body’s response to the virus. Symptoms typically last seven to ten days, but can last for up to three weeks! With an illness that is so prevalent and not disappearing anytime soon, education and understanding are our best tools in preventing and treating this illness. Here are some common myths, followed by some truths, regarding the common cold. Myth – You can catch a cold by walking outside in wet hair Your cold is caused by viruses, which you typically acquire in you upper respiratory tract. The virus spreads when infected individuals sneeze, cough, or blow their nose or when you have touched an object or person that is contaminated with the cold virus. Myth - Changing weather brings on a cold Most colds viruses are most rampant in the spring and fall, while mostly dormant in in the winter. As temperatures drop, however, more people spend more time indoors, spreading the viruses that do remain much more easily. Myth – Starving and feeding the illness I am not even sure where to begin with this myth. Eating has absolutely no negative impact on the body when you are ill. Not eating when you are ill CAN have some negative consequences, as food will give you the fuel to fight off your illness. Myth - Antibiotics help treat a cold Antibiotics have absolutely not effect against viral infections! While, on occasion, an individual can develop a bacterial sinusitis requiring antibiotics well AFTER a
bout with the common cold, this is actually quite rare. Many patients will say, “But I got better after I got antibiotics with my last cold!” Well, that is true. The fact of the matter, however, is that the cold usually last 7-10 days. Having symptoms for 2-5 days, then getting a course of antibiotics for five days, adds up to…you got it, 7-10 days – right about the time the natural course of the illness was coming to its conclusion. Truth – Washing your hands is the most important thing you can do Absolutely the truth. As I have stated, colds are caused by viruses. These viruses can live on doorknobs, toilet handles, pens, and most other surfaces. Washing your hands frequently during cold season reduces your risk of acquiring the virus, which will move from your hand to your nose and eyes. If you actually needed a reason to stop picking your nose – here it is. Truth – Essentially nothing can shorten the duration of a cold While there is some evidence for zinc as a potential way to help shorten a cold by 24-72 hours, it is not great evidence. First generation anti-histamines (older ones like good ol’ Benadryl (diphenhydramine)) and anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen – yes, it really does help everything) can help relieve your symptoms. Truth - Chicken soup helps you feel better Mom was correct. Anything warm can feel nice when you feel ill, but hot chicken soup – in addition to helping to clear your nasal passages – has been shown to calm our inflammatory response to the cold virus. Truth - Honey helps heal a sore throat and cough Head-to-head against cough medicine, honey has been shown to improve cough symptoms more than your typical antitussives. A hot cup of tea with honey can go a long way to soothing your throat, reducing your cough, and help you clear your nasal passages. Truth – Over the counter saline nasal spray helps flush out congestion better than decongestants This is yet another case where studies have shown that simple treatments work better than pricier medications that can have undesirable side effects. Typical decongestants cause a rise in blood pressure and lead to fast heart rates. Good luck this cold season – remember to wash your hands frequently, stay away from the coughing, sneezing guy in line at the grocery store! If you do – “when” may is probably more appropriate - get exposed and suffer from a cold virus this year, try some hot chicken soup, hot tea with honey, antihistamines, nasal rinses and ibuprofen during that 7-10 period. Unfortunately, there is not much else you can do!
I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.