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Pollen allergies can lead to Oral Allergy Syndrome
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AFDW Airman saves life, credits AF training
NCR AF family continues legacy
AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD.
EASTER EGG HUNT EXTRAVAGANZA
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013 | VOL. 2 NO. 13
No Heat/No Cool period starts April 8 The 11th Civil Engineer Squadron will initiate a No Heat/No Cool period to assist them in the process of switching over from heating to cooling. No Heat/No Cool will start April 8 and will run through May 31. During this No Heat/ No Cool period, CE will complete all equipment servicing and
start-up preparations and at the same time conserve energy. Only Mission Critical Facilities, Child Development Centers and Critical Server Rooms will be exempt. We ask for your patience and understanding while this is being accomplished. For information, contact 11 CES Customer Service at 301-981-5151.
744th Communication Squadron Airman dead in car accident
PHOTO/BOBBY JONES
Children search for hidden eggs. More photos on page 6.
Local troop mentors African American Eagle Scouts
FROM 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS An Airman assigned to the 744th Communications Squadron died in an off-base car accident early Sunday morning. Airman 1st Class David Michael D’Augustine was pronounced dead at the scene by local authorities. “The 744th Communications Squadron and all of Team Andrews are hurting after this tragic loss of life,” said Col Bill Knight, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Airman D’Augustine’s family, friends and
coworkers. He was a valuable member to Team Andrews and will be greatly missed by all.” Airman D’Augustine was a radio technician for the 744th Communications Squadron. The Military and Family Support Center is available to those in need of support during this time and can be reached at 301981-7087. Additionally, the 11th Wing Chaplain’s office can be reached at 301-981-2111. Base officials are working closely with Anne Arundel County authorities as they conduct the investigation.
BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
Young men have always needed some guidance from committed adults as they make their way through adolescence. For 17 years, Boy Scouts of America Troop 487 has worked with local youth as they navigate those challenges. Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington’s youth minister, the Reverend Akil Dickens, said that their troop has seen more African American boys earn the rank of Eagle Scout than any other troop in the country: so far, Troop 487 has seen 115 boys make Eagle, and more are on the way. “I am here to try to help better young men,” said Scoutmaster Mark Adams. A native of Southeast Washington, D.C., Adams was not involved with Boy Scouts until his own sons were old enough to join. “Funny story: when I was six or seven, the Boy Scouts of America sent a representative to our neighborhood to tell us
Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic - improving health care, one relationship at a time BY AIRMAN FIRST CLASS KRISTI D. JONES
MEDICAL TECHNICIAN 779TH MEDICAL GROUP FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC
PHOTO/CHRISBASHAM
Scoutmaster Mark Adams coaches Ra’Jhon Madison through Scoutmaster’s Conference, preparing him to complete and defend his Eagle Scout project.
about Scouting, and how great it was, and they were going to start a troop. While he was in there talking to us, they ripped his car and stole his stuff and then they
beat him down...he never came back,” said Adams. He learned most traditional Boy Scout skills
see EAGLE, page 4
The Family Health Clinic at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic on Joint Base Andrews has recently adopted a new policy - Patient Centered Medical Home. “This concept is based upon a team model to provide personal medical care to specific patients. Each medical team consists of two medical providers, one nurse, and two to three medical technicians. The overall goal of the new policy is to provide continuity of care,” said Lt. Col. Jon B. Geno, Family Health Clinic Flight Commander. “Our main focus is to provide excellent medical care through continuity. Therefore, patients are
empanelled to their own personal provider and their care is managed by the same medical team at every visit,” said Geno. This means that each patient has their own personal medical team to provide the best medical treatments and advice by their personal team. If a patient’s provider has other military obligations or is out on vacation, patients are able to see the partner provider on the same team. Staying within the medical team means the other provider is still aware of any medical concerns and knows what the original provider’s plan of care is. Continuity provides high-quality medical management and enables patients and providers to develop a personal relationship which, in
see CLINIC, page 10
Camp Springs Senior Activity Center boasts good volunteers BY BOBBY JONES
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Commission has a myriad of services available to senior citizens. Katrina Meadows, facility director at the Camp Springs Senior Activity Center, credits the center’s award-winning staff and volunteers. “We provide services to individuals in Prince George’s County that are 60 years old are better, that includes a variety of classes facilitated by Prince George’s Community College staff,” said Meadows. “We offer the senior community educational, self-improvement, and socialization opportunities. Some classes do have fees associated with them. The Seasoned Adults Growing Educationally Program also offers classes to the center’s seniors registered in Prince George’s Community College. “This center is also a place
where they can come to get physically fit or sit down, watch T.V., play dominoes, read a newspaper or just chat. We even have a group of ladies socialize while they knit in our break room,” said Meadows. “We have special events for them, trips. If you are a resident of P.G. County you can get an ID/membership card and it’s not only good here, but at most centers in Maryland.” Meadows has been the center director for a few months, but her career is rooted in Prince George’s County. “It’s awesome here. I’ve been with the P.G. County Parks and Recreation Commission for more than 21 years. Actually I started down here in the southern area, Upper Marlboro Community Center, and now I’m back working within the community,” Meadows said. Meadows is proud of her volunteers and quick to point them out to visitors. Mary Hodge, a literacy volunteer teaches seniors
to read and write and how to balance their check books. “I’ve been here for about seven years,” said Hodge. “They need some life skills training. So I try to keep them on their toes, because there are still things that they need to know, and it helps keep me sharp, too.” Nancy Sampson’s background in kinesiology has benefited fitness class participants for the past 42 years. “In the beginning, I taught about 35 people and had two classes back-to-back, because women didn’t work so much in those days, because they were raising children,” Sampson. “But I still have one student, who has been with me for 40 years.” Meadows is excited about new services for local seniors, like the recent 7th Annual Maryland Senior Idol auditions held at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, upcoming Bowie Health
see VOLUNTEER, page 7
PHOTO/BOBBY JONES
Eddie Roman, left, watches his friend, Harry Maloney, shoot pool inside the billiards room available to center members.
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Andrews Gazette
HOT TICKETS
Commentary
Military children have a voice
Around Town April 5
Organ Recital series 12:15 p.m. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle N.W., Washington, D.C. Hear a 30-minute recital on the church’s 7000-pipe, five-keyboard Moller organ each Friday afternoon. For information visit www.nationalcitycc.org.
April 5-7
The Picadilly Circus various showtimes The Plateau at National Harbor, National Harbor, Md. See acrobats, live animals and more from around the world. For information visit www.thefuncircus.com.
April 5-7
Lantern Walks at the Tidal Basin 8 p.m. Tidal Basin, circled by Independence Avenue, 15th Street S.W. and Ohio Drive, Washington, D.C. Bring your own flashlight for a two-mile, strolling tour around the Tidal Basin as part of the Cherry Blossom Festival, led by a National Park Service Ranger. For information visit www.nps.gov.
April 7
Lit and Art at the Watermark 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. 100 South Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. Meet authors and poets who share their literature, poetry and crime fiction while enjoying wine, cheese, live music and original art. Bring your own five-minute work for the open mic session. For information visit www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/181120815252390/?fref=ts.
COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS
Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the United States military. The appearance of advertising in these publications, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the products and services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non merit factor of the purchases, user or patron.
Maxine Minar, president mminar@dcmilitary.com John Rives, publisher
jrives@dcmilitary.com
Chris Basham, editor cbasham@dcmilitary.com Deirdre Parry, page design dparry@gazette.net Bobby Jones, photographer bjones@dcmilitary.com
1036128B
Friday, April 5, 2013
BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
April is the Month of the Military Child. It’s a good time to recognize the unique role military children have in their families’ commitment to serve. Service members choose to join the military, and most spouses have some idea what they are signing up for when they marry into it, but military children often know no other way of life. Military children may change schools and have to start from scratch meeting new friends a lot more fre-
quently than other kids. They can spend extended time away from their parent because of deployment. During extended conflicts like today’s global war on terror, military children can shoulder a burden of concern for their service member parent that others may not have to face before adulthood. It’s not always fun to be a the child of a service member. Still, those challenges can bring growth. Travel can help young people develop a world-wide perspective. Military children can learn skills they would not have learned otherwise. It’s not always bad to be
the child of a service member, either. I’d like to hear from military children this month, and include some of their stories and photos in the Andrews Gazette. If you are a military child, write a few paragraphs about what you have experienced because of your parent’s job in the military. And if you are an adult who grew up in the military, please send your stories and photos of life growing up as a “military brat.” Send your submissions to cbasham@dcmilitary.com. Military children have a voice, and now’s as good a time as any to exercise it.
GAO study. According to DoD data, more than 500,000 passengers used the Space-Available travel program for fiscal years 2009 through 2011. Although 56,725 Space-A slots went unused in 2011, most of those flights traveled to undesirable locations, according to the report. Popular flights normally ran at capacity. The five busiest Space-A locations were Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Md.; Dover Air Force Base, Del.; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and Travis AFB, Calif. For information on Space-A flights at Joint Base Andrews, call the passenger terminal at 302-981-3604.
to help military personnel, family members and retirees kick the habit. The campaign’s website, www.ucanquit2.org, offers online resources via a 24/7 online chat messenger, cigarette smoke facts, a help locator and a personalized outline to help smokers in their efforts to quit. Beneficiaries who want to quit or who have relapsed can call to talk with a trained smoking cessation coach who will assess their cessation process and recommend appropriate treatment and the resources to quit smoking or remain smoke-free.
Retiree Corner COURTESY OF THE RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE
Dip predicted in Space-A flights
Space-Available flights are likely to decrease as a result of budget constraints and fewer worldwide missions. Defense officials told the General Accountability Office that efficiency efforts and force structure changes would mean fewer seats would be available to passengers looking for Space-A transport on military aircraft flying scheduled missions. DoD officials also stated that 90-95 percent of SpaceAvailable travel is on commercially contracted aircraft; the DoD plans to reduce use of contracted aircraft. The GAO study concluded that opening international Space-A travel to “gray-area retirees” would adversely affect uniformed service members, for whom Space-A was first established. Gray-area retirees include reservists entitled to retirement pay. The study also examined extending benefits to the dependents of gray-area retirees, as well as widows and families of deceased service members. Congress considered expanding Space-A to those groups, which prompted the
Get resources to quit smoking
Cigarette smoking causes one of every five deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco use is also the major cause of preventable disease-related illness and death in the United States. However, quitting tobacco can be a struggle. That’s why TRICARE has resources available for those ready to quit. Quit Tobacco, Make Everyone Proud is a campaign
Stars guide AFA
Two retired general officers head the Air Force Association. Gen. Craig R. McKinley is president, ably assisted by executive vice president Lt. Gen. Dick Newton. Based in Arlington, Va., AFA is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. General McKinley, former chief of the National Guard Bureau, was the first in that position to be named to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Mike Dunn, who completed a five-year term. General Newton retired as the As-
see RETIREE, page 3
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, April 5, 2013
Pollen allergies can lead to Oral Allergy Syndrome BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
For most people, springtime’s warm weather and blooming plants serve as an invitation to spend time outside in the fresh, healthy air. For people with allergies to pollen from trees, weeds or grasses, it’s just the beginning of an unpleasant season. Dr. Rosalyn Baker, a boardcertified Pediatric and Adult Allergist and Clinical Immunologist at the Southern Maryland Asthma and Allergy Center in Clinton, Md. and Chief of Section of the Allergy and Immunology Section at the adjacent Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital, works with patients to ensure that seasonal allergies don’t worsen over time and repeated exposure to the pollens in grasses, trees and weeds that flourish for much of the year. For a growing minority of seasonal allergy patients, those pollen sensitivities can grow over time. What starts as a runny nose or watery eyes can, if not treated effectively, lead to recurrent sinus infections, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, headaches, snoring and sleep issues, bad breath, nosebleeds, postnasal drainage, coughing, bronchitis, chronic congestion, asthma and hives. “If one allergy is not controlled, it will progress,” Baker explained. “A lot of people downplay allergies. They do not take them seriously.” Though people may not see seasonal allergies as important enough to seek professional medical care, they often do make lifestyle changes to avoid allergic reactions --and some of those changes might lead to health problems of their own. “We want our kids to be active, instead of inside the whole allergy season playing video games,” Baker said. If seasonal allergies cause a problem, Baker encourages her patients to change their clothes, wash their hair and rinse their nostrils with a saline rinse made with distilled or cooled, boiled water to get rid of as much pollen as possible. The National Allergy Bureau publicizes a weekly pollen count as well, so that people with allergies can know what they’re risking when they venture outside. For children and adults, treating the allergy instead of trying to ride out the season in air conditioned isolation can decrease symptoms now while protecting a patient’s health from weight gain caused
PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM
Dr. Rosalyn Baker estimates that about four or five of her allergy patients have seen their pollen allergies lead to Oral Allergy Syndrome.
by a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other ailments. Early, consistent treatment of allergy symptoms can also keep patients from developing Oral Allergy Syndrome, which creates itchiness and swelling in the mouth, face, lip, tongue and throat after eating certain foods that share a relationship with the plants that cause an allergic rhinitis reaction. People with Oral Allergy Syndrome usually exhibit symptoms within an hour of eating certain raw fruits and vegetables. In rare cases, OAS can lead to severe throat swelling; approximately two percent of OAS patients experience anaphylaxis, a systemic reaction that can lead to death. At least 34 fruits and vegetables are known to cause OAS in some people. Hay fever sufferers who one day notice an odd, itchy, swollen mouth or other OAS symptoms after eating a fruit or vegetable that has never caused a problem before can usually avoid symptoms by avoiding that food, especially in its raw, whole form. If eating celery or kiwifruit or peaches causes discomfort, just avoid those foods. Since the immune system reacts to
proteins in the plant pollen, peeling fruit to eliminate much of that plant protein and then cooking or canning it it to break the protein down can make the allergen less likely to cause a reaction. So, instead of biting a whole apple, a person with that sensitivity could try eating apple sauce to see if that caused less of a reaction. Other fruits, including tomatoes and sometimes strawberries, tend to create a reaction whether eaten raw or cooked. That’s because those fruits naturally contain histidine, which breaks down into histamine during storage and can lead to hives. Some OAS patients find their oral allergy symptoms worsen during the part of the year they experience allergic reactions to grass, weed or tree pollen. For them, foods that cause a strong reaction when the pollen counts are high might not cause any reaction at all at other times of year. “If you are having symptoms, don’t ignore them. Seek treatment, and don’t allow your doctors to ignore them, either,” said Baker. People who suspect they may have Oral Allergy Syndrome don’t have to just guess what foods might cause a prob-
lem. Skin tests, which use broken down samples of whole foods such as peanuts, can quickly identify which plants cause a problem. Laboratory testing is less likely to indicate which foods are troublesome, because those tests only look for the most commonly problematic proteins that have already been identified by scientists. “The peanut has eight proteins that we know of. Labs test for the most prominent protein,” said Baker. “Skin tests use the whole peanut, broken down.” Comprehensive allergy testing is not always covered by health insurance, which can be discouraging to some who are on the fence about being tested. Once an allergy is identified, patients can improve their symptoms by avoiding allergy triggers and attempting a conservative treatment using over-the-counter antihistamines. If those prove ineffective, nasal steroids can reduce symptoms over time. Allergy immunotherapy can decrease or eliminate allergy symptoms over time by building immune tolerance through monthly injections under the skin for three and a half to five years. “If they’re compliant, shots will reduce the dose and number of medications they are on for allergies and asthma, but it does require a commitment,” Baker said. Baker said that although it is ideal to start allergy shots in children and teenagers, her most committed patients are generally older people who have more time to commit to regular allergy shot treatments. She asks new patients if they have the time, transportation and financial resources to commit to a longterm schedule of allergy shots. Patients who start their allergy shot regimen in Maryland and move out of the area can get their serum shipped to them in their new location. “Walter Reed will ship your serum if you PCS. They have a very good system,” said Baker. Other monoclonal immunotherapy treatments are “coming down the research pipeline,” said Baker, “and there is a lot of exciting research about food allergies. It takes time to tweak it and then you flow with it. Our specialty is constantly evolving.” Dr. Baker will speak on seasonal allergies and asthma at 10 a.m. May 18 at Colony South Hotel in Clinton, Md.
779th MDG Female IMA force multiplier BY STAFF SGT. AMBER RUSSELL 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
“A man works from dawn of day to set of sun, but a woman’s work is never done,” at least that is how the old saying goes. In 2013, women are not confined to the same struggles of washing and ironing, cooking and cleaning as women of the 19th century, the era the above quote reflects. Through advancement in technology and societal changes, women can attain degrees of higher education, maintain successful careers and manage family life as well. Col. Jacqueline A. Payne-Borden goes above and beyond the call of work and education; rising to the call of duty, she also serves her nation. After direct commissioning into the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a “fit test” to see how the Air Force worked for her, Borden went active duty from 1988-1994. Since 1995, she continues to be a force multiplier as an Individual Mobilized Augmentee in the U.S. Air Force Reserves Nurses Corps. “I’m glad that women are recognized as professionals,” said Borden. “Now, women
RETIREE, from page 2 sistant Vice Chief of Staff and director of the Air Staff at the Pentagon. He succeeds retired Col. David Buckwalter. The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
are even allowed to serve on the front line.” While on active duty Borden was assigned to Andrews. She worked on a medical unit for men, a multi-service VIP unit and a mental health unit. Additionally, in her time as a captain at Malcom Grow Medical Center, she was one of only two Psychiatric Nurse Liaisons of more than 300 beds. During her time here she cared for many patients; meeting one stands out as highly memorable, she said. “I was able to meet Malcolm Grow’s wife at the VIP unit in her final days,” she stated. The Bowie State professor’s diverse background in nursing and education makes her an invaluable asset to the force. She is currently an IMA to the Director of Medical Education and Training at MGMC. For the past four years Borden continues apply and share her vast knowledge at the 779th Medical Group. She works with technical equipment in the acupuncture center to help patients better manage pain.
“We are using the Calmare machine, a newer technology used to treat neuropathic pain,” said Borden. “The most rewarding aspect of working here is seeing patients who come in really sad and broken leave with zero pain.” The Jamaican-American psychiatric nurse had to learn to proudly promote her career success and all that she knows. “In the Caribbean, you don’t toot your own horn; it’s your people that toot it for you,” she said. “Here if you’re going to reach your goals, you must profess what you know.” Beyond encouraging women to promote
Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call us at 301-981-2726. Our e-mail address is raoandrews.af.mil. Call the office before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil, click on “Retirees” for a wealth of information on retiree subjects, including past copies of “Retiree Activities Corner.”
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their own careers by telling others about their knowledge and skills, the wife and mother of four acknowledged that life will always have challenges to overcome. She offered this advice to all, no matter what their gender. “You only need to know your goal and set your sights on what you want, stay the course and believe in yourself,” she said. Also, read the fine print. If you know the criteria you can achieve your goals. If you need Air War College, get that done; if you need a Master’s, go get it. There are ways to accomplish your goals; never have an excuse.”
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, April 5, 2013
Airman spends off time in top gear BY STAFF SGT. TOREY GRIFFITH AND AIRMAN NATASHA BLANCHARD 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PHOTO/CHRISBASHAM
Practicing public speaking -- and attentive listening at the end of a long school day -- is part of the requirements to earn merit badges in the Boy Scouts of America system.
EAGLE, from page 1 as an adult attending Boy Scout University. “They teach us about youth protection, essentials of leadership and how the organization is run, and about the outdoor camp-out. The Boy Scouts of America makes sure you’re trained,” as a volunteer leader, Adams said. “They’ve been in the National Capital Region for 101 years--it’s not like this is new.” The troop meets each week to work on merit badges, learn life skills, and bring forth the next generation of Eagle Scouts. “All Eagle Scouts must achieve that rank by the time they are 18, but we push them to finish before the fumes get to them,” said Bob Barton, a former Scoutmaster for Troop 487 who still volunteers as a mentor for the troop. “We make sure they are on the right path before the car fumes, the gas fumes and the perfumes get in the way. By the time they’re 16, they’ve already made Eagle.” Many of the boys working on their Eagle projects today have been involved with the same group of Scouts since they were Tiger Cubs at the age of 6. The youngest scouts learn basic skills; either in their own troop, at summer camps or at different councils across the region. “We try to make sure they have an opportunity to go,” said Troop 487 Committee Chair Rochelle Smallwood. Once they are Star Scouts the focus turns toward service and giving back to the community, explained Smallwood. Each boy must be interviewed by a three-person board before advancing to his next rank. Though those interview boards are serious and can be intimidating, a Scout has plenty of practice in communication and defending his projects by the time he has to face them, because he regularly participates in Scoutmaster’s Conference, where Scouts meet one-on-one with their Scoutmaster to discuss their projects, clarify their goals and submit to a little impromptu uniform inspection during regular meetings. It’s clearly a path they’ve stayed on because of the support they receive from each other, their faith community, and their parents; a fact Barton won’t let them forget if
Parents, volunteers and Scouts of Troop 487 “link up and close out” with a prayer, words of encouragement and reminders of the work ahead at the end of a troop meeting.
a boy is less than perfectly prepared for his role in the week’s Scout meeting. “None of you would make Eagle if it wasn’t for the mothers,” Barton said to the boys as some of them scrambled to find pencils to take notes during a Public Speaking Merit Badge practice session. Still, no one makes Eagle Scout without a certain drive all their own. Each boy must complete 11 Eagle Scout merit badges and 10 elective merit badges. Each boy then chooses his own Eagle Scout project, with the goal to help contribute to their community outside of Scouting. “Bullying was going around in all the schools and I wanted to make parents and young people aware about what’s going on,” said Javonte’ Brown, 15, of Waldorf, Md. Javonte’ did his Eagle Scout project in Oct. 2012, coordinating a seminar for 65 youth and parents at Community of Hope AME Church at Iverson Mall in Hillcrest Heights, Md., his home church. Javonte’’s seminar focused on giving an overview of bullying, identifying useful warning signs and providing resources for preventing bullying in the community; it included guest speakers, skits and visual aids. Before going before Eagle Board, Javonte’ said he practiced with sample questions asked by his mother. “I have to explain my project more so people can understand it. I don’t know the people on my board, and they don’t know anything about me, so I want to be as descriptive as possible,” Javonte’ said. The projects take an average of three to six months to complete, and incorpo-
A skeptical Scoutmaster Mark Adams lets Eagle Scout candidates know that they will earn their honors though hard work and strong commitment.
rate planning, budgeting, fundraising, and documentation of the project from start to finish. The Scouts work on their projects as time permits, always keeping school responsibilities their first priority. “It’s a commitment and something to really be proud of, especially at such a young age,” said Monique Adams, the mother of two future Eagle Scouts. Brandon Cherry, 14, of Greenbelt, Md., looked for a project that suited his interests. “When I was little I used to build LEGOs and model cars. I wanted a challenge,” Brandon said about his choice to design and build a footbridge at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Md. “I looked online and combined designs to decide on a basic design for a footbridge with rails. Then a park ranger took us to other footbridges on different trails within the park, and I added to the idea.” After creating the footbridge design and gathering the tools and supplies needed to build it, Brandon and his team of volunteers will build the 26-ft. long footbridge on April 13. Troop 487 meets on the first and third Friday of each month at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, and on the second and fourth Fridays of the month for activities elsewhere, including Scout Sunday and service projects at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington. For information contact Rochelle Smallwood at rasmallwood2000@yahoo.com.
As women continue to break down gender barriers in the military, one Team Andrews Airman is also making her way off-duty in what has been a predominantly male sport. Senior Airman Allison Hirsch, 744th Communications Squadron enterprise information management technician, may be relatively stationary at her desk during the duty day, but keeps things moving as a co-driver for a rally racing team. “I really enjoyed cars ever since I was 16,” said Hirsch, who began her high-octane hobby on the straight and narrow. “I did drag racing for about three years and found it really boring.” Searching for an alternative to the straight, smooth and short drag strip, the Monticello, Ga., native revisited her childhood for inspiration. “I grew up on dirt roads and I always thought driving up and down them fast was fun,” she said. “So, I somehow managed to find rallying and got some contacts and met a lot of people and finally got into the sport.” Hirsch began at the grassroots level, wheeling her daily driver through a course of cones set up in a field. “I had a 2002 BMW at the time, not exactly the ideal car for that, but I went out and I had fun and I won a few,” she said. “I had fun doing that but I wanted to do more fun stuff, faster stuff. I wanted to co-drive.” Going to the next level in her need for speed required some networking. “To get into co-driving, you have to have all the gear and you have to know someone,” she said. “A lot of people don’t want to take the chance on their car, their life, their race if you’re brand new. I found someone willing to take a chance on me and by the end of that season, I had people asking for me.” Hirsch is currently racing with driver and car owner Hollen Groff, campaigning a 1989 Audi 90 in the National Auto Sport Association Atlantic Rally Cup Series. Groff ’s combination features a “swapped” inline five-cylinder, turbocharged engine that sends an estimated 250 horsepower through the car’s mostly stock, all-wheel-drive system. For safety, a high-strength roll cage was welded into the structure of the body to protect the occupants. As co-driver, Hirsch rides shotgun and tells Groff what to expect around the next bend as they blast their way through a course set up on remote and primarily gravel roads. The co-driver’s role has changed over the years of rally racing from a ride-along mechanic to an essential part of the team’s success and safety. “So you would have your co-driver to help you work on the car,” Hirsch said as she explained the history of the co-driver. “That evolved into co-drivers starting to know the roads and evolved into what it is today. When he’s driving he’s listening to what I am saying and not just driving what he is seeing. I hold his life and he holds mine at the same time.”
see GEAR, page 8
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, April 5, 2013
Glimpse into life of USAF Honor Guard drill members BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS KRYSTAL M. JEFFERS
20TH FIGHTER WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Five men march slowly and purposefully between the crowd as they advance from the back of the room toward the front stage. Their blue caps hide the men’s faces as they look down. Four of them hold fullyfunctioning Garand M-1 rifles with bayonets attached to their tips. The other holds a long saber. Once at the front, the five men dressed in blues separate from their straight line. The riflemen stand in a circle around the other Airman. Moving very precisely, the riflemen circle the other man. The rifles clap noisily as the Airmen hit the butt of the rifle to the ground, spin them around in their hands and trade them with each other with sharp movements. As the riflemen move, their tempo speeds up. The weapons flip over the head of the Airman in the center and the riflemen’s bayonets circle around his throat without touching, but throughout the entire performance the center Airman never flinches or loses composure. The riflemen never miss a beat or fumble as they move with crisp movements. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performed a weapons demonstration like the one described to recruit new drill team members and to inspire Airmen, March 15. Col. Lance Kildron, 20th Fighter Wing vice commander, observed the demonstration. After the performance he exclaimed, “It was amazing! That was the first time I have been honored with their presence and it was an outstanding performance.” Kildron wasn’t the only one amazed with the drill team’s performance. “I thought it was awesome,” said Senior Airman Marcella Hengehold, 9th Air Force knowledge operations manager. “I liked their precision and their concentration. They were on cue, and there was no loss of concentration.” The 23 Airmen who make up this unique team spend hours every duty day perfecting and honing their skills. “A duty day is 10 hours long,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Vanderbeck, USAF Honor Guard NCO in charge of training. “We start the day with physical training, and we try to integrate strength training with cardio.” Physical training is an important aspect of the drill team because the rifles they spin and toss weigh approximately 11 pounds, said Vanderbeck. “We compare doing a drill to doing a five-kilometer race,” said the native of Charlotte, N.C.. “The amount of endur-
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SENIOR AIRMAN AMBER E. N. JACOBS
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team members perform for Team Shaw during a Leadership Friday event, Shaw Air Force Base Community Activity Center, S.C., March 15. The honor guard visited Shaw in an effort to recruit new members.
ance and stamina you need to do a drill is roughly the same.” After physical training, the team spends time practicing drills. “We practice for six to eight hours a day,” he continued. “We will practice individual moves. We also practice in formations and run through different sequences to perfect the drill. You have to perfect the moves because if you throw them right you won’t hurt yourself.” When a rifle is thrown incorrectly injuries can occur like hurt wrists, broken fingers, sore hands and small cuts. Currently, one of Vanderbeck’s fingers is broken. “It is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my career,” Vanderbeck said. “To be at this level, you have to put in hours and hours of work. To become one of the best you have to put time into your own schedule and hours after work. Sometimes you work through lunch trying to perfect movements.” Despite the difficulties of their job, the members of the team love their duty. “I love my job very much,” said Airman 1st Class Brandon Clement, USAF Honor Guard drill team member. “I love what we do. The honor guard’s main mission is at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and it is to lay fallen troops to rest. I think it is awesome that I get the opportunity to do that. It is an honor that I get to
serve their families, and I never thought I would be doing anything like that.” “I also love that we travel and inspire individuals,” he added. The drill team is the traveling component of the USAF Honor Guard. Their mission is to promote the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances to recruit, retain and inspire Airmen, according to the USAF Honor Guard website. This includes performing demonstrations at places like schools. “My favorite part of being on the USAF Honor Guard is performing at high schools,” said Vanderbeck. “It reaffirms why I do what I do. You can really tell that they love what you are doing and you are impacting young individuals.” Vanderbeck first saw the drill team when he was in high school, which influenced his decision to join the military. “I was in Junior ROTC and thought I was just going to do it while I was in high school and have fun, but when I saw the drill team it made me want to do something better with my life,” Vanderbeck said. “I love being on the drill team because I get to inspire people like I was.” Others on the team saw the drill team after they already joined the military, like Clement did. “When I saw them perform I saw that they were flawless,” he said as he remem-
Death notice ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL: 1st Lieutenant Cody Works regretfully announces the death of Airman 1st Class David D’Augustine. Anyone having claims against or indebtedness to the estate of A1C David D’Augustine contact 1st Lieutenant Cody Works, Summary Court Officer, at 301-981-5206.
JBA Buzz What’s the best April Fool’s joke you’ve ever played on someone? “I gave someone a bag of chocolate laxatives in place of what they thought was a bag of milk chocolates. They ate the entire bag.”
Staff Sgt. Katie Spencer, 459th Air Refueling Wing public affairs specialist
Senior Airman Durell Ware, 779th Medical Supply Squadron pharmacy technician
“On April 2nd I put a note on a friend’s car windshield which said ‘I’m sorry for putting a dent on your car.’ It turned out that her boyfriend was driving her car that day.”
Airman 1st Class Kivynn Pabst, 779th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy technician
Debbie Franklin, contractor Fitness Instructor
“I brought my best friend’s son to work and told my coworkers that he was my son. It was easy to pull off because he favored me. However, I later told them that he in fact was my friend’s son. To this day, some still think he’s my son.”
“On this past Monday, (April Fool’s Day), as a joke I told my entire aerobics class that all of my classes were cancelled. I found out later that all but two classes had been cut due to budget cuts. But I’m glad I still have those classes to teach.”
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bered a video he saw during basic training. “They were an awe-inspiring group of people.” Once they joined the team, members learned various important lessons. “The drill team has taught me a lot about commitment and believing in myself,” Clement said. “Before I joined the military I wasn’t really confident in who I was or what I could do. Since I made the drill team it has given me a sense of accomplishment and has shown me that I can actually do it if I put my mind to it. It has taught me how to perceive and overcome.” Other lessons included teamwork and trust, Vanderbeck said. “We are feet from each other throwing around a weapon with a knife on the end,” he added. “If we don’t work as a team, weapons hit the ground and people get hurt. So, teamwork is vital for the team. It really comes down to trusting the people you work with and trusting yourself.” The trust between members allows them to toss the weapons over and around each other without flinching, even when the bayonets are resting inches from their throats. Their ability to maintain military bearing and discipline despite the potential danger contribute to the success of their performances, which can be enjoyed worldwide as the team travels from base to base.
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THERESA BANKS MEMORIAL AQUATICS CENTER HOLDS EASTER EGG HUNT EXTRAVAGANZA The Theresa Banks Memorial Aquatics Center/Glenarden Complex hosted an Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza March 28 featuring arts & crafts, trivia games, snacks, hands-on visits with live animals, dancing and a visit with the Easter Bunny.
PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES
Ben Spriggs, Theresa Banks Memorial Aquatics Center recreation clerk, directs children in building their Easter Basket.
Glenarden children run to the finish line during an egg race.
Children pet a rabbit brought by the Mount Rainier Nature Center Park naturalist. The children were also able to pet a barred salamander, an Eastern box turtle and a corn snake.
Comptroller: Budget crisis threatens severe readiness impact BY DONNA MILES
AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
The Pentagon comptroller painted a sobering picture of the Defense Department’s fiscal landscape March 28, telling members of the financial community that unless sequestration is de-triggered soon, military readiness will suffer deeply. The continuing resolution that President Barack Obama signed into law March 27 provides slight relief in authorizing the Defense Department to shift funds between certain accounts, Undersecretary of Defense Robert F. Hale told the American Society of Comptrollers and the Association of Government Accountants in a webcast presentation. The resolution, which provides DOD funding through September, allows the department to move more than $10 billion of its fiscal 2013 appropriation to operations and maintenance accounts. It also loosened restrictions on new weapons programs, weapons purchases and military construction projects. “But it did not solve all our problems” in funding department operations through the rest of the fiscal year, particularly in light of sequestration, Hale said. The mandatory budget cuts that began taking effect March 1 also are having an impact across the military, he said, with deeper ones to come this month. Anticipating fiscal challenges through the rest of fiscal 2013, which ends Sept. 30, the department took near-term actions to limit the impact, Hale said. It imposed civilian hiring freezes in all but mission-critical jobs, laid off temporary and term employees, cut back sharply on travel and conferences and “essentially stopped all facilities maintenance at bases,” he said. “We are in triage mode in
terms of getting through this year,” Hale added. “But these near-term actions won’t solve the problems of sequestration.” Throughout the budget planning process, DOD has taken pains to support wartime operations, he said. “You can’t leave troops in Afghanistan without the funds needed to protect themselves and wind down the war responsibility,” Hale said. But with wartime costs far higher than anticipated two years ago, Hale said, the only way to offset them has been through deeper cuts in the base part of the budget that pays for other day-to-day activities. “When you add up all these effects, instead of an 8 percent cut, you are talking 15 to 20 percent for the remaining part of fiscal year 2013,” he said. The percentage of these cuts varies by service, with the Army taking the deepest ones, he added. Sequestration will begin cutting even more deeply this month, with Hale projecting “a real crisis” in the operations and maintenance budget, with the potential for “severely adverse effects on our military readiness.” “I think you will, unfortunately, see a number of Air Force squadrons stand down training entirely for their pilots,” he said, noting that restoring lapsed flying certifications will take time and money. “You will see significant training cutbacks in the Army and other services. You will see maintenance cutbacks as we stop maintaining our weapons systems.” These actions would directly affect readiness -- a real concern, Hale said, particularly if military forces are called on to confront another contingency later this year. “We won’t have forces that are adequately ready and will either have to make the choice to deploy with less-
trained forces or take extra time to get them ready,” he said. This year’s fiscal crisis will spill into fiscal 2014, which DOD will start in “a state of damaged readiness,” Hale said. In addition to wartime operations, DOD will continue to prioritize other top-priority missions, including wounded warrior programs and nuclear deterrence efforts, to ensure they are fully funded, he said. Meanwhile, planners will strive to limit cuts that affect forwarddeployed forces, particularly in South Korea and other highthreat areas, and the availability of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets in critical theaters. The budget also will protect family programs to the greatest extent possible, although Hale acknowledged that it won’t be across the board. The DOD Education Activity, for example, won’t be exempt from civilian furloughs, but DOD will limit the number of furlough days to ensure students meet the minimum required school days to qualify for a credible year, he said. Departmentwide civilian furloughs, as unsavory as they may be, are essential in dealing with the formidable fiscal 2013 budget challenges, Hale said. Without them, DOD would have to take even deeper training and maintenance cuts, he explained. Furloughs will be instituted consistently and fairly across the department, Hale said, with “some very limited exceptions” for civilians serving in the combat zone or in jobs that directly impact life and property. Hale expressed hope that Congress and the president can reach a deal that ends sequestration and lifts at least part of the challenge of working through “very difficult times.”
Ashley Herbert, Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center park naturalist, shows Jalen Moore, 3, how to handle a corn snake she brought to the center for the children.
Nora Viera, 6, greets the Easter Bunny.
Hagel announces fewer furlough days for civilians BY NICK SIMEONE
AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
The Defense Department has revised from 22 to 14 the number of days hundreds of thousands of civilian employees could be furloughed this year because of the budget sequester, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced March 28. In addition, a senior Defense Department official speaking on background told reporters the start of the furloughs will be delayed until mid-to-late June, after more than 700,000 department employees receive furlough notices now set to go out in early May. Furloughs would happen over seven two-week pay periods until the end of September, when the current fiscal year ends, the senior official said, with employees likely to be told not to come to work for two days during each of those pay periods. Department officials say they are still working to determine which employees might be exempted. Hagel characterized the reduced furloughs as well as a revised estimate of sequestration’s impact on the defense budget as good news. The changes follow Congressional approval in mid-March of a defense appropriations bill that prevented an additional six billion dollars in cuts, ordered under sequestration, from taking effect. “It reduces a shortfall at least in the operations budget,” the secretary told reporters at a Pentagon news conference. “We came out better than we went in under the sequester, where it looks like our number is $41 billion [in cuts] now versus the $46 billion.” But despite a Congressional reprieve, Hagel said the Penta-
gon is still going to be short at least $22 billion for operations and maintenance, “and that means we are going to have to prioritize and make some cuts and do what we’ve got to do,” including making sharp reductions in base operating support and training for nondeployed units. More critical in the long run, he said, is how budget cuts will affect readiness and the department’s overall mission. Because of that concern, he said he has directed Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to conduct an intensive departmentwide review of U.S. strategic interests including how to protect the nation with fewer resources. “How do we prioritize the threats and then the capabilities required to deal with threats?” he said. “There will be some significant changes, there’s no way around it.” Dempsey said the department has already exhausted 80 percent of its operating funds halfway through the fiscal year and characterized the current budget situation as “not the deepest, but the steepest decline in our budget ever,” and warned it will affect military readiness into the future. “We will have to trade at some level and to some degree our future readiness for current operations,” the chairman said. He called on elected leaders to give the Pentagon the budget flexibility it needs to carry out institutional reforms. “We can’t afford excess equipment,” Dempsey said. “We can’t afford excess facilities. We have to reform how we buy weapons and services. We have to reduce redundancy. And we’ve got to change, at some level, our compensation structure.”
Fitness Tip
779TH MEDICAL GROUP
Can you take a HIT? BY SABINE LOPEZ
FITNESS AND OPERATIONS SPECIALIST WEST FITNESS CENTER
As people get into weight training, they must remember that the human body gets good at whatever it does repeatedly over time. To keep gaining strength and stamina, you must regularly “shake up” your routines so that your body is continually reacting and getting stronger. If you don’t vary your routines, you’ll hit a plateau: you will discover that your workouts are not producing the gains they used to, because your body has become more efficient at doing the same thing over and over again. “High-Intensity Training,” or HIT, is a great way to introduce some variety into your strength training workouts. HIT emphasizes techniques that are not usually part of ordinary workouts, so your body will likely not be used to the actions you’ll undertake. For exactly that reason, there are three VERY important safety notes to consider. First, work with a licensed trainer to develop your HIT routines and learn correct technique. A licensed
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trainer will understand which exercises will benefit you and in what order you must do them so that you can achieve your personal goals. Second, the exercises must be performed with PERFECT form, because you’ll be working to exhaustion and you’ll be working your muscles in a way that perhaps you have not been used to doing. Third, avoid over-training. HIT workouts will take a toll on your body; you will need adequate rest between workouts. I suggest a person do no more than three HIT workouts per week (with at least a day in between); doing only one each week may be a better choice. With those safety notes in mind, here is a summary of HIT principles: • HIT routines are never limiting: you can do body-weight exercises, or you can work with dumbbells or barbells, or you can use weight training machines. • Large muscles go first. Working your larger muscles first provides a cardiovascular benefit as well as a strengthening benefit. • Flexibility is an important part of HIT workouts: Do each ex-
ercise throughout your full range of motion. • Move SLOWLY through each repetition of each exercise, while emphasizing the lowering portion of the repetition (the “negative” or eccentric phase). If you are banging weights you’re either moving too quickly through the range of motion, or you’re using weights that are too heavy for you, or both. • In general, you will expect to do 1-3 sets of each exercise, 10-20 repetitions per set, divided between 4-6 lower body exercises and 6-8 upper body exercises. Some of you will now understand the recommendation to limit your HIT workouts to even 1 per week. • Continuously increase your weight or repetitions after each workout. Yes, EACH workout. Increasing 2.5 lbs or 1 repetition still counts as an increase! If you work with a certified trainer to develop your HIT routine, and you stick to these principles (while adhering to the safety guidelines above), get ready – you will see a transformation in your workouts and in your body; you could see strength gains more rapidly than you thought possible!
WINS JBA INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTOS/STAFF SGT. KEYONNA FENNELL
Nancy Sampson, left, leads a yoga class. She has volunteered at the center for the past 42 years.
Kevin Kelley, guard, defends as Airman First Class Raymond Stewart drives to the basket during the Joint Base Andrews Intramural basketball championship game, March 28. The 779th Medical Group defeated Naval Air Facility Washington 45-34 to win the first place trophy.
VOLUNTEER, from page 1 and Fitness Day coming up in May, “We have something every month for them to participate in.” Meadows said that organizing this center the way she wants it is going to take some time, even as she praised her predecessor, John Lee. “He was a wealth of knowledge that will be missed here, but the good thing is that I worked with him for about 20 years. He comes to visit occasionally, and… he’s only a phone call away. I still have a mentor,” said Meadows. Meadows said her greatest joy is being in the job she was trained for: working with people who are serving the community. “I’m glad I was given the opportunity to fill this position, because it allowed me to move back into programming and dealing with the public again. So I’m
779th Medical Group wins the 2013 Joint Base Andrews intramural basketball championship, March 28, 2013. They defeated Naval Air Facility Washington 45-34. PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES
Camp Springs seniors relax with a game of dominoes inside a break room at the center.
back to my roots, and loving every minute of it,” said Meadows. “I’m tickled to be here. The people are friendly and happy here.” Meadows attributes the warm environment to inheriting the
legacy of good staff and volunteers. “I look forward to implementing some new programs and helping to provide service to the community here at the center,” said Meadows.
Caption This
HAWC offers stress management classes BY 779TH MEDICAL GROUP
The 779th Medical Group Health and Wellness Center is offering Stress Management Classes for employees experiencing difficulties in coping with the furlough and sequestration, slated to be held at 3 p.m. every Thursday in April in the HAWC classroom. The class aims to reduce stress in the lives of our civilian and military members. No signup is required; just show up to learn relaxation techniques to
cope with your stress. The upcoming classes are as follows: April 11 -Muscle-Based Relaxation April 18 -Mental Relaxation April 25 -Meditation Members are encouraged to attend all classes but can also join single sessions. To find more helpful ways to reduce stress and keep your health a priority by maintaining good nutrition and fitness habits, call the 779th Aeromedical Squadron at 240-857-5601.
24/7 Unmanned Fitness Center card reader fixed
Send your silly captions for this photo to cbasham@dcmilitary.com. The funniest ones will be used in a future edition of the Andrews Gazette.
The card reader system at the entrance to the 24/7 Unmanned Fitness Center has been fixed. Authorized patrons may continue to register for use of unmanned operations at the front desk of the West Fitness Center. Unmanned hours of operation are as follows:
Monday - Friday: 9 p.m. -5 a.m. Friday 9 p.m. - Saturday 7 a.m. Saturday 3 p.m. - Sunday 7 a.m. Sunday 3 p.m. - Monday 5 a.m.
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AFDW Airman saves life, credits AF training BY MICHAEL P. KLEIMAN
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON PUBLIC AFFAIRS
While shopping at a local hardware store March 16 Air Force District of Washington Command Staff Superintendent Senior Master Sgt. Marvin D. Compton saved a fellow shopper suffering from cardiac arrest by performing CPR on him until emergency responders were able to arrive. “Although I had practiced CPR on a mannequin during numerous Air Force self-aid buddy care courses, nothing can compare to seeing a real human’s face and eyes staring back at you gasping for their life,” Compton said. “I am thankful to the Air Force for all the CPR training I received.”
GEAR, from page 4 Much more involved than simple navigation, Hirsch’s race notes are essential to the team’s pace through the course. “We race in what is called All-WheelDrive Heavy,” she said. “We’re up there with all the fast cars. Last year, (Groff) actually ended up finishing second overall. I only was able to compete with him half the year because I deployed.” Hirsch, who joined the Air Force in May of 2010, said her military career has sharpened the skills needed in her co-driving role. “When you’re on stage, it’s total concentration-you can’t slip up,” she said. “Preparation and mental state all play into effect on the outcome of the race.” Calm under pressure and acute attention to detail help her perform whether under attack overseas or strapped into a metal rocket, hurtling through the woods at 100 miles per hour. Her adventurous spirit was one of her
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While shopping at a local hardware store, an Air Force District of Washington Airman was at the right place, at the right time, when a fellow shopper suffered cardiac arrest March 16. Senior Master Sgt. Marvin D. Compton, AFDW Command Staff superintendent, heard an individual fall to the hard floor following a commotion in the next aisle. After he pushed through the crowd of onlookers his military training kicked in and he took action. Once through the crowd, the 24-year career Airman knelt down over the helpless adult male. Compton performed CPR for 12 minutes. During the crisis, Compton instructed the store manager to call 911 and requested an automated external defibrillator. The local 911 emergency response officials on the phone directed Compton to continue administering CPR until medical help arrived. “I could see the panic and the fear in his wife’s eyes, as she was telling me not to let him die,” Compton said. “The life-and-death situation brought a new reality of life to me.” main drivers for pursuing the profession of arms. “I didn’t really have a direction in life and I wanted to go to school and experience new things,” she said. “I love it. Everything is fun. I am able to go to school and go racing at the same time.” She encouraged those who may be considering military service to take the plunge. “Do it! You never know where it will take you,” Hirsch said. “It might be good and it might be bad, but you won’t know until you do it. You’ll meet people you’ll never forget and have lot of fun stories to tell.” The camaraderie she found among her fellow Airmen is similar to what she shares with her fellow racers. “You’ll meet people along the way who’ll help you and you’ll also meet those who think you’re not good enough, and you just kind of have to blow them off,” she said. “The rally community is like my second family.”
Compton continued chest compressions and multiple breaths to clear the individual’s airway as the man drifted in and out of consciousness. Within minutes, local emergency responders arrived on scene and Compton said a prayer out loud prior to transitioning the rescue effort to them. “Although I had practiced CPR on a mannequin during numerous Air Force self-aid buddy care courses, nothing can compare to seeing a real human’s face and eyes staring back at you gasping for their life,” Compton said. “I am thankful to the Air Force for all the CPR training I received.” Once the emergency responders took over the man’s care, Compton, a native of Belton, Texas, slipped through the crowd thanking God for allowing him to save a fellow human’s life. He went out to the store parking lot, too exhausted to drive. Four days later, Compton contacted the hardware store manager for an update on the customer. The manager said the man was doing fine, and his wife wanted to thank the NCO, since the only reason her husband was alive was due to his CPR efforts. She will have the chance
to thank Compton when he participates in the presentation of a free riding lawnmower by the store to her family. “Since I have known Compton the past couple of years, he has always sought to help others and never sought credit for doing so. He is a living example, through his words and deeds, of the Air Force’s core value of ‘Service Before Self ’,” said Col. David DuHadway, director, Smart Operations, AFDW. “His selfless action in helping his fellow man in a life-anddeath situation speaks volumes about the person he is.” Compton is no stranger to life-saving events. In 2006, while on leave, he and his wife were driving back to their home in San Antonio, Texas, when they observed a vehicle that was flipped over on the opposite side of the highway. With his adrenaline kicking in, Compton immediately stopped his car to aid the imperiled driver. He discovered the driver had diabetes, so Compton obtained food and drink to get the driver back to normal. “I am not a hero, but a servant to help others anyplace and anytime,” Compton said. “It is who I am.”
VA’s Southern Prince George’s County CBOC has open house
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/STAFF SGT. TOREY GRIFFITH
Senior Airman Allison Hirsch, 744th Communications Squadron enterprise information management technician, and rally driver Hollen Groff do a short “shake down,” or test drive at Joint Base Andrews, Md., before departing to a race in South Carolina on Feb 28. As a codriver, Hirsch advises the driver about what to expect around the next bend in the race course.
Veterans and their family members can visit the Southern Prince George’s County Community Based Outpatient Clinic 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. April 6 for an open house with refreshments provided by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17 in Camp Springs, Md. The clinic, located at 5801 Allentown Road in Camp Springs, will offer tours of the facility and a chance to meet health care providers and learn about VA health care services. The CBOC is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. for primary care, preventive medical services, mental health, women’s care and nutritional counseling. The clinic also includes a dental clinic and audiology services. For information contact Director, Community Relations and Public Affairs, Michelle Spivak at 202-745-4037.
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NCR AF family continues legacy BY STAFF SGT. CHRISTOPHER RUANO
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON PUBLIC AFFAIRS
It is not uncommon for a family to have a legacy of military service; however, this typically comes with long periods of separation. For the Edgar family, service to their country has actually brought them closer together. The current family service members alone have 36 years of cumulative service. This legacy began decades ago in Germany, when the two U.S. Army dependents met in a Department of Defense high school. “We kind of separated when our parents moved but we stayed in touch,” said Tech. Sgt. Katharine Edgar, 844th Communication Group training manager. After graduating from high school, Edward Edgar joined the U.S. Air Force. He is now a Senior Master Sergeant in the 319th recruiting squadron, acting as a production superintendent. But before he hit this point in his career he spent a few years in Cheyenne Wyo., when, as fate would have it, he reconnected with Katherine and the two married. She was used to the military life style, which helped her make the decision to join the USAF with the help of her husband’s expertise. “I joined the USAF while my husband was a recruiter. Every time we moved he mentioned I had to quit my job and that he could possibly get me into the USAF. I said let’s do it and I got in. I should have done it a long time ago before then,” Katherine said. Katherine enjoys serving in the Air Force and feels she has found a second family. “I like everything about the Air Force. I like the structure and the family atmosphere,” Katherine said. “When you see another Airman wherever you are, you say hi because it’s a family environment. We try to take care of our people and not just look out for the individual, but the family.”
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COURTESY PHOTO
Airman 1st Class Ashton Spurr (left), 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner, Senior Master Sgt. Edward Edgar, 319th Recruiting Squadron production superintendent and Tech. Sgt. Katherine Edgar, 844th Communication Group training manager, pose for the camera after the chief master sergeant medallion ceremony Feb. 8, 2013 at the Bolling Club, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Each of the Air Force District of Washington selected chief master sergeants received a medallion and a plaque recognizing their new rank at the conclusion of their week-long seminar.
Katherine’s son, Ashton Spurr, was there to congratulate his mom at her basic military graduation. They didn’t know their roles would be reversed years later. “My son came to my graduation and I just remember him marching around Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, saying how much he liked to march and liked the uniforms,” Katherine said. Almost a decade to the day later the Edgar’s son graduated BMT with his parents in the crowd. “It was nice having them there. It made me feel like I was making them proud,” said Airman 1st Class Ashton Spurr, an 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron, logistics planner. Spurr had an interest in joining the military at a young age. After graduating technical training, he arrived at his first duty station, Joint Base Andrews, Md., where his parents are also stationed. “Growing up with my parents it
[the military lifestyle] was just a lifestyle that I enjoyed. I liked it so I wanted to continue it,” he said. “I wanted to move around and see the world. I am really hoping to deploy or for a permanent change of station.” The family tradition may continue when their 15-year-old daughter, Victoria Edgar, graduates high school soon. “It is now definitely a family tradition and we will definitely continue to serve,” Edward said. Reflecting on her family service is something that gives Katherine great pride. “I am proud of my dad’s Army career and my grandfather’s Army career. I just think it’s something carried through on our family on both sides. We all kind of embraced it and really we don’t know much else. I don’t know what I would do outside the military,” Katherine said.
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/STAFF SGT. KEYONNA FENNELL
Maj. Gen. Sharon K.G. Dunbar, Air Force District of Washington commander, and Airman 1st Class Ashton Spurr, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner, marked the Air Force’s 65th Birthday by cutting a ceremonial cake during the Air Force Birthday Ball, Sept. 21, 2012. Traditionally, the highest and lowest ranking members in attendance team up to cut the birthday cake.
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/ STAFF SGT. NICHELLE ANDERSON
Air Force District of Washington Commander Maj. Gen. Sharon K.G. Dunbar (left) and Chief Master Sgt. Scott A. Fuller (right), AFDW command chief , present Senior Master Sgt. Edward Edgar, 319th Recruiting Squadron production superintendent, with his chief master sergeant medallion and plaque Feb. 8 at the Bolling Club, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
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Religious Services on base Islamic
Prayer Room in Chapel 1 Annex Daily Prayer Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Prayer Service Friday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jewish
Kiddush/Sabbath dinner Friday, 6 p.m. All are welcome. To RSVP and for location contact: Rabbi, Capt. Schechter at 240-671-2270 or sarah.schechter@ us.af.mil. You can find a complete listing of Yom Kippur services in the National Capital Region through www.jewishindc. com.
Protestant:
Sunday Services Chapel 2, Traditional Service 9 a.m. Base Theater, Contemporary Service 10 a.m. Gospel Service 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Family Night at Base Theater Family meal 5 p.m. Christian Education and AWANA Kid’s Program 6 p.m.
Roman Catholic
Reconciliation by appointment, call 301-981-2111 Daily and Saturday Mass have been temporarily suspended. Chapel 1, 1345 W. Perimeter Road. Mass Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Chapel 2, 3715 Fetchet Ave. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) classes Monday, 6 p.m. For information, pastoral counseling and religious accommodation of all faith traditions call 301-981-2111 or visit the chapel office at 1345 W Perimeter Road.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Ask the Lawyer
What charges do I face if accused of sexual harassment? BY MATHEW B. TULLY
Service members who engage in sexual harassment could be charged with failure to obey a regulation in violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The list of potential offenses, however, does not end there, particularly for officers. As SECNAVINST 5300.26D states, “[e]ach member of the team is entitled to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and must be allowed to work in an environment free of unlawful discrimination.” Whether it occurs on duty or off duty, sexual harassment is prohibited. DoD Directive 1440.1 defines “sexual harassment” as “[a] form of sex discrimination that involves unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Such conduct qualifies as sexual harassment if a service member’s subjection to or rejection of it would impact a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career, or if it impacts employment decisions affecting the victim. Such conduct could also rise to the level of sexual harassment if it “interferes with an individual’s performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.”
As the U.S. Court of Military Appeals ruled in U.S. v. William Dear (1994), sexual harassment could qualify as maltreatment in violation of Article 93. This case involved an Army staff sergeant who repeatedly made offensive gestures and comments to a female subordinate. For sexual harassment to rise to the level of an Article 93 offense, the victim must be subject to the orders of the accused, whose conduct must have been cruel toward, oppressed, or maltreated him or her. The fact that the officer repeated his offensive comments and gestures over a two-week period constituted maltreatment, the court said. Further, the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in U.S. v. Claude Carson (2001) that the sexual harassment does not have to result in “physical or mental pain or suffering” of the victim to qualify as maltreatment. This case involved an Army sergeant who repeatedly exposed himself to a female subordinate, who later said she was shocked and bothered by this conduct. The sergeant challenged his Article 93 conviction, claiming a maltreatment offense hinges on the victim suffering physical or mental pain. However, the court said a “nonconsensual sexual act or gesture may constitute sexual harassment and
JTF/CC Fort Belvoir to host Town Hall for Recovering Warriors JTF/CC Fort Belvoir to host Town Hall for Recovering Warriors Bring your questions to a Joint Task Force/Combatant Commander Town Hall for Recovering Warriors 4 p.m. April 11 at National Capital Region Medical’s USO Auditorium in the main lobby of the USO Building at Fort Belvoir. The meeting will include a panel discussion and information on
a NASCAR event scheduled for May 30 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Integrated Disability Evaluation System/Vocational Rehabilitation Outreach and a Brain Indices Study Group. The panel discussion and briefing will be followed by an open question-and-answer session. Service members should wear the Uniform of the Day.
maltreatment without this negative victim impact.” More recently, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in U.S. v. Dominic Altier (2012) that a Navy mechanical technician could be convicted of both fraternization and sexual harassment in violation of Article 92 by making unwanted sexual advances to a subordinate. He challenged his conviction on the two Article 92 specifications, claiming they amounted to a multiplicity of charges. But the court found he engaged in two “separate, distinct, and discrete acts” that could be charged separately. More specifically, he was too familiar with the subordinate in a senior-subordinate relationship (i.e., fraternization), and he created a hostile work environment (i.e., sexual harassment). Service members who are facing Article 92 or Article 93 charges over alleged sexually harassing conduct should consult with a military law attorney. Mathew B. Tully is an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and founding partner of the law firm Tully Rinckey PLLC. E-mail questions to askthelawyer@fedattorney.com. The information in this column is not intended as legal advice.
CLINIC, from page 1 turn, will contribute to better knowledge and understanding of their needs and course of treatment. Patients can make an appointment at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic by calling the appointment line at 1-888-999-1212, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Patients can also make appointments online at www.TRICAREonline. com or sign up for MiCARE, a secure, online messaging system where patients can communicate with their provider, as well as their medical team. To sign up, ask for a MiCARE form at your next appointment.
Friday, April 5, 2013
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Friday, April 5, 2013