Pentagram 010716 flipbook

Pentagram Vol. 63, No. 01 January 07, 2016

www.army.mil/jbmhh

Published For Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

Year in Review

photo illustration by Nell King

From the editor: In the first edition of the Pentagram each new year, the staff reflects on the previous year’s top local headlines, the best imagery and the moments captured throughout all three portions of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. For this year’s first edition, we wanted to know what you, our readers, thought was our most memorable coverage of 2015, as well as what stories and other content you would like to see more of in the New Year (see below for reader responses). The responses we received were astounding, and although we cannot make every change nor incorporate every suggestion into the Pentagram, we are considering your thoughts and suggestions. Moreover, we will do our best to incorporate more of the stories, imagery and coverage you want to see this year. We wish you the very best in the New Year, and are excited to continue telling the stories of our service members, retirees, family members, civilian employees and other staff and community partners in 2016.

Readers recall top Pentagram coverage of 2015, set expectations for 2016

By Arthur Mondale and Delonte Harrod Pentagram Staff Writers Editor’s note: From “warm and fuzzy” stories in 2015 to more “election and inauguration” prep coverage in 2016, Pentagram Staff Writers Arthur Mondale and Delonte Harrod hit the streets and found out what stories touched and moved readers in 2015.

Respondents also give a no-holds barred response to what coverage they expect in 2016. Each respondent was asked two questions: What was your most memorable story from last year?

And what coverage would you like to see more of in 2016? Respondents’ answers to these questions are labelled “2015” and “2016,” respectively.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt.

Shane Cooley, logistics officer with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall 2015: I think it was January or Fe b r u a r y, early 2015, Pe n t a g r a m staff went to a retirement home and they spent Capt. Shane Cooley one-on-one time talking to the veterans who were living in the home. The reason it really stands out in my mind, we still have the article posted in our office as kind of a “Hey let’s encourage our service members to do this, to take their own time.”

I like the picture of a lance corporal pushing a service member in

a wheel chair while laughing and talking to each other.

2016: The stories that stand out in my mind are the ones where service members are volunteering at homeless shelters or veterans homes. I like to see the contrast between the young Marine and Soldier giving of their free time to serve those who have already served our country. I like to read about those goodwill stories.

There’s so many opportunities around here to do things like that.

We see a lot of articles about the Joint Chiefs of Staff changeover, big article, front page news, color photos. Everybody knows that’s going on. I can open the Washington Post and find that out, but I can’t open the Washington Post and find out that this is going on at the cemetery with the wreath laying or picking up the wreaths after the Christmas season’s over, or the Grate Patrol going out and feeding the homeless. So those are the things that we all should and can take advantage of around here, but if we don’t know about it and then we read about it in the Pentagram, it’s an opportunity for us to capitalize on programs that are available in this area.

Jody McBride, MCCS athletic director, Department of the Navy 2015: “Wreaths Across America.”

The story talked about the donations for the wreathes, the hundreds of volunteers, the military units, kids and families just being able to do that within a certain period of time. Last year when it was raining, people were still out with their

jackets on and one of the local softball teams, called “Unforgotten” from Joint Base Andrews, was there, letting people Jody McBride know they were gone, but you’re not forgotten. For Memorial Day, there was a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery. The Pentagram did a whole story on all the work that was involved in laying the wreaths in Arlington Cemetery. The journalist wrote about the role volunteers played in achieving that goal, who donated the wreaths, the financial cost and just the whole process, not just what we see.We see wreaths on the headstone and say “that’s pretty,” but how do they get there?

2016: Deployed military family stories. The support that those left behind give each other. Reading about this would help people that want to help, and also shed light on that need. A lot of times people don’t focus on the families when the service members are gone. All they know is, you’re [the deployed service members] out there fighting, but the spouse could be struggling to make ends meet. My wife was a drill instructor, so I had three years with my daughters. My wife was working and her hours were from 0500 to 1900. My friends provided much needed support. I could call them and ask “can you pick up my

News Notes Volunteers needed Jan. 9 the Fort Myer portion of the

Volunteers are needed in support of the Winterhaven Veterans Homeless Stand Down, Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the VA Medical Center Storage Warehouse Facility at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, 3700 North Capitol Street, Washington, D.C. Volunteers will sort various comfort items in support of Winterhaven 2016 and should wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes as you will be working in outdoor elements. Doughnuts and coffee will be provided.

Email Cheryl Samples, voluntary service specialist supervisor at the DCVAMC, at cheryl.samples@va.gov or Rachel Childress, voluntary service specialist at rachel.childress@ va.gov to volunteer.

Education Center briefings

The Fort Myer Education Center is conducting a Troops to Teachers briefing Jan. 11 in Bldg. 417 (Room 105) from 9 to 10 a.m. They will also be conducting a Department of Veterans Affairs Education briefing Jan. 11 in Bldg. 417 (Room 105) from 10 a.m. to noon. If interested, make a reservation by calling 703-696-3178.

CIF has new hours for New Year

joint base, has new hours effective Jan. 1, actually increasing customer service time by one hour. For a complete list of the new hours, visit www.slideshare.net/JBMHH/ cif2016. For more information, call 703-696-3344.

MOPH meets Jan. 16

The Greater Washington D.C. Chapter 353, Military Order of the Purple Heart will start off the New Year with its monthly meeting Jan. 16 at American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave., Springfield, Va., starting at 1 p.m. The Warrior Café will be open prior to the meeting should anyone wish to come early and eat lunch. All recipients of the Purple Heart are invited, especially our new recipients.

For more information, contact Commander Gordon Summer, retired Army colonel, at Gordon.summer53@ gmail.com or William Lee at wlee95678@outlook.com.

Tax Center looking for volunteers

The JBM-HH Consolidated Tax Center is looking for volunteers for the 2016 tax season. The tax center will open Jan. 18 and will remain open through May. Free training will be held Jan. 11-15 at the tax center on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

The Central/Ceremonial Issue Facility, Bldg. 313 on

see NEWS, page 6

see EXPECT, page 6

Index

Letter from the Editor. . . . . . . . . page 2 JBM-HH’s 2015: A timeline. . . . . page 2 Henderson Hall, Fort McNair wrap-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3 News notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Year in pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4-5 10 things to know in 2016. . . . . . page 7

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Thursday, January 7, 2016 Pentagram

Letter from the editor: Reflections of JBM-HH in the New Year

By Jim Goodwin Pentagram Editor Editor’s note: I sat down with JBM-HH Commander Col. Mike Henderson to capture his thoughts about 2015, to include the joint base’s most significant accomplishments as well as what challenges await us in 2016. Here’s what he had to say.

With unbelievably warm weather to start the winter season and end 2015, the time to reflect and remember the headlines of yesteryear is upon us again.

Not surprisingly, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and its surrounding community of partners had a year chock full of extraordinary people and events. The staff at the Pentagram was regularly on hand to capture these moments, all of which made 2015 memorable.

Accordingly, the first issue of the Pentagram each year is dedicated to reviewing the top news and other stories of interest from around the joint base,

including our neighbors in Arlington County and southwest D.C., as well as our partners, such as the Military District of Washington, Arlington National Cemetery and National Defense University.

As is the norm at JBMHH, 2015 saw a number of formal ceremonies, including several key service and Department of Defense-level retirements and leadership changes.

Just several hundred yards from the Pentagram’s staff office is Summerall Field, where multiple ceremonies in 2015 saw the retirements of former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, former Secretary of Defense John McHugh and the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, now-retired Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.

Likewise, JBM-HH was the site of where new leaders assumed posts vacated by predecessors, including Gen. Mark Milley, cur-

Feb. 16

Enhanced installation access measures phased in

rent Army chief of staff, and Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the current joint chiefs’ chairman. On a blustery February morning just outside JBM-HH’s Wright Gate, Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green, former senior enlisted advisor for Headquarters and Service Battalion on Henderson Hall, took the Corps’ top enlisted post during a ceremony at the Marine Corps War Memorial. Also, 2015 brought leadership changes at two local JBM-HH battalions: Headquarters and Service Battalion on Henderson Hall and Headquarters Command Battalion on Fort Myer.

Just last month, JBMHH provided logistical, security and planning support during Wreaths Across America, an annual event that involves the placement of wreaths at thousands of tombstones of service members at Arlington National Cemetery.

“We do these ceremo-

nies every year, but the density of high-visibility ceremonies in one calendar year—and they all went off without a hitch— that shows the professionalism and competence of our [Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security and] our [Directorate of Emergency Services],” said Col. Mike Henderson, JBMHH commander.

He added that last year’s success in supporting so many special events also highlights the joint base’s ability to partner with the Military District of Washington and Arlington National Cemetery.

“The ability for those events to be synchronized is a great testament to the joint base team, but also MDW as well,” he said.

“We do a lot of the behind the scenes work to make those events happen.”

To that end, I asked Col. Henderson to reflect on the joint base’s top achievements for 2015,

July 9

photo by Rachel Larue

Battalion change of command

May 9

150 years later, a look back at Lincoln conspirators’ military tribunal

Photo by Rachel Larue photo by Rachel Larue

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods, center right, poses for a photograph with Family Advocacy Program Manager Kelly Smith, center left, during the production of a public service announcement to make the community aware of Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month and Month of the Military Child in April in Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH Feb. 23, 2015. Gregory Jones, right, Army Multimedia and Visual Information Directorate photo branch in the Pentagon, takes the photograph while Family Advocacy Program Community Educator Sandra McLean watches. The premise of the production involved the PSA volunteers holding cue-cardtype cards which contained lines from Dorothy Law Nolte’s poem, “Children Learn What They Live.”

Single Marine Program turns 25

June 19

May 8

Military Spouse of the Year chosen

Bldg. 59 on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is blanketed in a layer of snow Jan. 6, 2015. The storm, which dropped 3 to 4 inches of snow in the Washington, D.C., metro area, was the first major winter storm of the season. The 2016 winter season has started unusually warm, with record temperatures in the 70s in Washington, D.C. Snow is predicted to fall in the area throughout the winter.

see EDITOR, page 8

April 14

Jan. 6 A security guard checks a driver’s identification card befpre granting access to the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Beginning Feb. 16, 2015, enhanced security and visitor access control measures were phased in at all three portions of JBMHH as part of an Army-wide effort to tighten security on Army installations. The increased measures include use of an Automated Installation Entry system.

This system allows both Department of Defense identification card holders and non-DoD ID card holders with issued passes who are seeking access to the joint base to have their cards/passes scanned at Automated Installation Entry-equipped gates.

achievements made possible by the some 600 Soldiers, Marines, federal employees and various other staff who work tirelessly daily on JBM-HH. While the Pentagram simply could not publish all of those achievements, I asked the colonel to highlight several noteworthy accomplishments, in no particular order, that attest to the work force’s dedication, drive and professionalism: 1. Completing electricity privatization at Henderson Hall. “Because of that, the grid is stable; we

Feb. 23

PSA for Child Abuse Prevention

Honoring outstanding service

First snow

photo by Rachel Larue

Jim Goodwin, Pentagram editor

haven’t had any significant power outages with the emergency power back up generation we get through Virginia Dominion,” said Henderson. “It’s basically provided us with energy stability.” In turn, Henderson says the joint base is “headed toward” meeting Army leaders’ intent of reducing energy usage through energy conservation initiatives.

2. Creating a “viable” workforce development strategy. “That’s going to help with training and education opportunities for the employees, which will make them more effective in the operations of the joint base,” said Henderson. Part of that strategy included hiring a new lead workforce development specialist Mr. Reginald Battle to help lead education and training programs available for JBMHH employees, according to Henderson.

Photo courtesy MCCS Henderson Hall Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno and comedian Stephen Colbert laugh and pose for photos following the Salute from the Chief Twilight Tattoo in Conmy Hall on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, April 14, 2015. During the ceremony, Odierno awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award to five people during the ceremony, including Colbert. Other award recipients included: retired Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, Wreaths Across America founder Morrell Worcester, Matthew Zames of JPMorgan Chase and D. Scott Davis of UPS.

photo by Damien Salas photo by Damien Salas

Corie Weathers gives remarks after receiving the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year Award at the Military Spouse of the Year ceremony hosted May 8, 2015, in the Officers Club on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The ceremony recognizes military spouses’ contributions to their families, the military community and the nation by selecting an exemplary spouse from each of the military’s six branches. From those six, an overall national honoree is chosen.

photo by Damien Salas

Guests visiting Grant Hall on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall stand outside of the historic courtroom where the Lincoln conspirator’s military tribunal took place, during an open house May 9, 2015, on the 150th observance of the trial. Four of the co-conspirators were sentenced to death while three were given life terms and Edmund Spangler received a six-year sentence for their involvement in the conspiracy.

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. Michael D. Henderson, right, passes the organizational colors to incoming Headquarters Command Battalion Commander Army Lt. Col. Johnathon M. Kupka during a change of responsibility and change of command ceremony June 19 in Conmy Hall on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH. Kupka and new Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Kenyatta Mack took their new posts after the relief of outgoing battalion commander and command sergeant major Lt. Col. Mark Biehl and Sgt. Maj. Alex Pratt, respectively.

Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall joust on top of an inflatable play station during a Single Marine Program barbeque at the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall June 26.

The event commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Single Marine Program, which was started in 1995 as a means to “foster camaraderie and a close-knit community amongst single and unaccompanied Marines,” according to Henderson Hall SMP Coordinator Marissa Johnson.

The program was designed to enhance quality of life, provide recreational activites and encourage community involvement and volunteerism.

JBM-HH’s notable events in 2015 July 10

July 25

Aug. 14

New Marine commander

ACS turns 50

Odierno retires, Army welcomes new Chief of Staff

Sept. 3

First female Soldiers earn Ranger tabs

Sept. 10

Freedmans Bridge dedication ceremony

Oct. 1

Agreement of support with the USO

Nov. 6

Nov. 10

Visit from SMA Dailey Sgt. Maj. of the Army

Happy 240th, USMC!

Photo by Nell King photo by Nell King

Photographs, news clippings and other memorabilia documenting the history of Army Community Service programs and events adorn a display table during a July 8, 2015, open house event for current and former Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall ACS employees at the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. July 25 marked 50 years of “real life solutions for successful Army living” as Army Community Service celebrated this momentous occasion throughout JBM-HH and the entire Army.

photo by Nell King

Incoming Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall Commander Col. Andrew Regan, left, takes the battalion guidon from retiring battalion Commander Col. Anthony S. Barnes during a change of command and retirement ceremony July 10 at the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. More than 300 Marines work on Henderson Hall, providing logistical, administrative and other support to the thousands of Marines and family members who work throughout the National Capital Region.

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photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Cortez

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Gen. Mark A. Milley con38th Chief of Staff of the gratulates 1st Lt. Shaye Army, accepts the Amer- Haver for graduating U.S. ican flag from Secretary Army Ranger School at of the Army John McHugh Fort Benning, Ga., Aug. during an Army Full Honor 21, 2015. Haver and class Retirement ceremony on member Capt. Kristen Summerall Field at the Fort Griest became the first Myer portion of Joint Base female graduates of the Myer-Henderson Hall Aug. school. “They have shown 14, 2015. During the cere- the rest of us female Solmony, Gen. Mark A. Milley diers that we can accomwas sworn in as the 39th plish anything that our Chief of Staff of the Army. brothers can, we just have to try,” said Sgt. Isabel Mack, who is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company S-1 on the Fort Myer portion of the Joint Base.

PHOTO by Nell King

Facebook: Facebook.com/jbmhh

photo by Julia LeDoux

Members of the Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington and the 1st Regiment of the United States Colored Troops prepare to present the colors during a Sept. 10, 2015, dedication ceremony of Freedmans Village Bridge, the bridge from Washington Boulevard to Columbia Pike, in Arlington. Henderson Hall now sits where Freedmans Village was built, according to Craig Syphax, a Freedman’s Village descendant and president of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington.

photo by Nell King

Stephen Tomlin, chief operating officer, USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore, left, and Col. Mike Henderson, commander, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, sign a USO Support Agreement at the USO’s Honor Guard Lounge Oct. 1, 2015, on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The USO has supported nearly 50,000 service members and visitors over the past fiscal year at JBM-HH.

Flickr: Flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh

The Pentagram is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pentagram are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, or Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The content of this publication is the responsibility of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Public Affairs Office. Pictures not otherwise credited are U.S. Army photographs.

News items should be submitted to the Pentagram, 204 Lee Ave., Bldg. 59, Fort Myer, VA 22211-1199. They may also be e-mailed to james.m.goodwin3. civ@mail.mil. Circulation of 24,000 is printed by offset every Thursday as a civilian enterprise newspaper by Comprint Military Publications. Comprint Military Publications is located at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Telephone (301) 921-2800. Commercial advertising should be placed with the printer. Comprint Military Publications is a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, to include all inserts and supplements, does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy of the products or 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, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser shall result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.

photo by Nell King

Daniel A. Dailey gets into the groove of a performance by The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” at Brucker Hall Nov. 6, 2015, on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Dailey jumped up on stage as the band performed lively music as part of a tour of JBM-HH. Dailey, who lives on Fort Myer, greeted Marines, Soldiers, and civilian employees throughout the joint base during the afternoon visit.

Twitter: @jbmhh Col. Michael D. Henderson Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods Command Sergeant Major Mary Ann Hodges Director of Public Affairs Sharon Walker Command Information Officer

Nov. 10, 2015 marked the 240th Marine Corps birthday, a momentous occasion for those who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

While the Pentagram would not attempt to reprise the Corps’ illustrious history in a few meager paragraphs for the paper, we encouraged readers to learn more about the history of Henderson Hall, home of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps.

Headquarters Marine Corps moved from the Pentagon to the newly-built Navy Annex, formerly located just outside of Henderson Hall’s gates, in 1941, according to a history webpage published by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Slideshare: slideshare.net/jbmhh Jim Goodwin Editor james.m.goodwin3.civ@ mail.mil Lorraine Walker Graphic Designer lwalker@dcmilitary.com Nell King Photographer nking@dcmilitary.com

Julia LeDoux Staff Writer jledoux@dcmilitary.com Guv Callahan Staff Writer wcallahan@dcmilitary.com Delonte Harrod Staff Writer dharrod@dcmilitary.com Arthur Mondale Staff Writer awright@dcmilitary.com

Community

Pentagram

Thursday, January 7, 2016

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2016 Wrap Up:

Henderson Hall and Fort McNair

Photo by Nell King

Pictured here, a new temporary fire station was constructed at the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in September 2015, adding new fire response capabilities to that portion of the joint base. The interim station will house two fire trucks, according to JBM-HH Fire Chief Russell Miller. The new station is meant to serve the JBM-HH Fire Department until a new, permanent fire station can be constructed. The large tent structure was installed on the basketball court between 4th and 5th Avenues, next to historic quarters 28 and a parking lot. The station is 36 feet wide, 40 feet long and 23 feet high, and designed to house two fire trucks -- a pumper and P19 crash truck.

Photo by Sgt. Ally Beiswanger

Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, left, saluting, relieves Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, right, facing camera, during the sergeant major of the Marine Corps relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va., Feb. 20. Green served as Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall battalion sergeant major from 2008 to 2010.

By Guv Callahan Pentagram Staff Writer The United States Marine Corps had a banner year in 2015, on both national and local levels. It was a year of important birthdays, significant leadership changes and selfless service to the nation.

In the same year that the Corps turned 240 years old, it also saw its newly appointed leader, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, then-Commandant of the Marine Corps, take over from retired U.S. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military rank in the United States.

Furthermore, the new Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, assumed his current post in February. Green served as Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall battalion sergeant major from 2008 to 2010. Green took his post during a ceremony at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington.

The Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson

Hall also hosted a change of command and retirement ceremony this year, albeit one a bit closer to home. Col. Andrew M. Regan assumed command of Headquarters & Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall from retiring Col. Anthony S. Barnes during a ceremony on a sunny day in July.

After a couple of months into his new command, Regan told the Pentagram he was impressed with the caliber of the men and women serving with him. “I see a bunch of dedicated Marines who just want to do their job, but at the same time grow professionally and embrace the institution,” Regan said in a September Pentagram article by staff writer Julia LeDoux.

Regan took command of the battalion just months after Headquarters Command Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Robert W. Pullen, who replaced retired Sgt. Maj. Craig Cressman as the battalion’s top senior enlisted advisor last April.

Henderson Hall Marines also continued their more than 35 years of service to local students at Barcroft Elementary School,

through mentoring services in the newly named Mentoring Millenials Program, and celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Single Marine Program, which was founded in 1995 as a means to “foster camaraderie and a close-knit community amongst single and unaccompanied Marines.”

Meanwhile, on Fort McNair Fort McNair also saw its share of noteworthy events this year, including environmental upgrades expected to save thousands of dollars in energy costs, changes in command and more.

Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker took command of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington, stationed on the Fort McNair portion of the joint base, from Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan during a change of command ceremony in June.

“It’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve in your ranks, and to Brad Becker, hold on to your hat brother, you are in for quite a ride. But I guarantee that you’re going to have a blast,” said outgoing Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan during remarks, ac-

Photo by Delonte Harrod

Students from Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington, Va., were hosted by the Marines Dec. 7, 2015, at the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gym on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Many of the students met with St. Nick and confessed their Christmas wish lists. The holiday celebration was part of the Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall’s Marines Mentoring Millennials Program. In 2015, Henderson Hall Marines continued their more than 35 years of service to local students at Barcroft Elementary School through mentoring services in the newly named Mentoring Millennials Program, and celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Single Marine Program, which was founded in 1995 as a means to “foster camaraderie and a closeknit community amongst single and unaccompanied Marines.”

cording to an article by George Markfelder, JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs.

Elsewhere on McNair, members of MDW’s Special Reaction Team were evaluated and validated during an active shooter exercise last January.

MDW SRT comprises members from the Department of Army Police, 289th Military Police Company, and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), who are supported by bomb technicians from the 55th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company and K-9 teams from the 947th and 241st Military Police detachments.

A new temporary fire station was also built on the Fort McNair potion of the joint base in September, meant to serve the JBM-HH Fire Department until a new, permanent fire station can be constructed. The large tent structure was installed on the basketball court between 4th and 5th Avenues, next to historic quarters 28 and a parking lot. The station is 36 feet wide, 40 feet long and 23 feet high, and designed to house two fire trucks -- a pumper and P19 crash truck.

Pentagram staff writer Guv Callahan can be reached at wcallahan@dcmilitary.com.

Ten things to know around the DoD for 2016

By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer 1. Commissary facelift. The New Year will ring in changes at the commissary on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, as the store will get a facelift and a number of equipment upgrades during 2016. Upgrades include a new heating and air ventilation system, new refrigerated display cases throughout the facility, renovated restrooms, new interior décor and updated signage on the exterior of the building, according to Fort Myer Assistant Commissary Officer Cathy Riddick. Work is expected to begin this month and will take about 13 months to complete without affecting store hours. Renovations will cost $6,902,588 and a contract for the project was awarded to Summit Construction, Inc., from Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. The work will be done in phases in order to avoid impacting large sections of the store at one time. For more information on the Fort Myer Commissary, visit http://goo.gl/wqnS2h.

2. TRICARE pharmacy copay changes. Some TRICARE pharmacy copays will change this year, according to an article on Tricare.mil. On Feb. 1, most copays for prescription drugs at Home Delivery and retail network pharmacies will increase slightly. The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act requires TRICARE to change its prescription copays.

While all drugs at military pharmacies and generic drugs through Home Delivery will be available at no cost to beneficiaries, copays for brand name drugs through Home Delivery will increase from $16 to $20 for up to a 90-day supply. At retail pharmacies, generic drug copays go from $8 to $10 and brand-name drug copays go from $20 to $24 for a 30-day supply. To see the new TRICARE pharmacy copays, visit tricare.mil/pharmacy.

3. Two-year DoD budget deal. Defense Department officials say the recent two-year budget deal approved by Congress gives the department 98 percent of what it asked for in Fiscal Year 2016, not counting $8 billion in relief for overseas contingency operations, according to an article on Defense.gov. Under the Bipartisan budget Act, the department’s base budget is $522 billion. Under the sequester cuts set by the Budget Control Act of 2011, the fiscal 2017 base budget would have been $512 billion.

4. Single Marine Program leadership symposium slated. Headquarters Marine Corps Semper Fit has announced the 2016 Single Marine Program Leadership Symposium, set for Jan. 26-25 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., according to MARADMIN 653/15. For more information on travel funding, call 703-784-6301.

5. Terrorists beware. U.S. and coalition forces continue to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in

Photo by Nell King

Patrons shop at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commissary on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base Nov. 5, 2015. The store will get a facelift and a number of equipment upgrades during 2016. Upgrades include a new heating and air ventilation system, new refrigerated display cases throughout the facility, renovated restrooms, new interior décor and updated signage on the exterior of the building, according to Fort Myer Assistant Commissary Officer Cathy Riddick. The New Year will also bring in a change in TRICARE pharmacy copays and a 1.3 percent pay increase for all service members, according to articles on defense.gov.

both Syria and Iraq, according to an article on Defense.mil. The strikes are being conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate ISIL and the threat it poses to Iraq, Syria and the Middle East. Defense officials say the destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and

Iraq limits the terrorists group’s ability to conduct operations.

6. UCMJ reform proposal. Following a two-year review, the Defense Department has forwarded to Congress a legis-

see 10 THINGS, page 7

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Thursday, January 7, 2016 Pentagram

Pentagram

Thursday, January 7, 2016

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Photo by Nell King

Carla Moss, event organizer for the Haunted Hayride, is greeted by a few friends during a photo shoot at the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon stables Oct. 13, 2015, on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Photo by Nell King

PHOTO BY Damien Salas

Soldiers from the Honor Guard Company race to push a tractor tire over the finish line during the 2nd Annual Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall/3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Urban Warrior Challenge and Organization Day June 18, 2015, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

Washington Nationals mascot “Teddy” and Lt. Col. Johnathan M. Kupka, commander of Headquarters Command Battalion, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, climb the playground at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School in Washington Aug. 24, 2015. The JBM-HH public affairs and school liaison offices, along with the Southwest Washington Advisory Neighborhood Commission for Ward Six, have greeted students at the start of the school year for seven years.

2015

A Look Back in Photos

photo by Jim Dresbach

Marine 1st Sgt. Willy D. Carrion delivers a kick to Marine Staff Sgt. Stevie C. Hagler during a Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall martial arts training exercise devoted to Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall the morning of June 15.

Photo by Nell King

U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walks off Summerall Field with his wife, Deanie, and grandchildren following an Armed Forces Full Honor Retirement and Change of Responsibility Ceremony on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Sept. 25. Dempsey, who retired after 41 years of service, relinquished responsibility as chairman to Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr.

Photo by Damien Salas

Soldiers compete in a final tug-of-war against the Marines of Henderson Hall during the 2nd Annual Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall/3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Urban Warrior Challenge and Organization Day June 18, 2015, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

PHOTO BY Damien Salas

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Firefighter Sam Grossman repels from a mock building within the Alexandria Waste Water Treatment Facility in Alexandria, Va., Aug. 5, 2015, during a joint training exercise with the Alexandria County Fire Department. The training showed firefighters how to properly use a new personal escape system that allows them to independently escape from a burning structure in the event their escape route is blocked.

photo by Nell King photo by Rachel Larue

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia take part in a force protection exercise on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Sept. 25, 2014. JBM-HH underwent several crisis and emergency response exercises to test the joint base’s response capabilities, including its partnerships with surrounding communities, in 2015.

photo by Nell King

Sgt. Rachael C. King, stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, prepares to place a wreath on her grandfather’s grave site Dec. 12 at Arlington National Cemetery during Wreaths Across America. King’s grandfather, Petty Officer and Boatswain’s Mate George W. Harvey Jr., was a World War II veteran.

For more best of JBM-HH year end photos, visit us online at: www.flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Kyle S. Reneau, a 20-year-old Pueblo City, Colo., native, and supply administration and operations specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Henderson Hall, receives a handshake from Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey Nov. 6 on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Dailey stopped at Henderson Hall to recognize several Marines while on a windshield tour of JBM-HH.

Follow JBM-HH: facebook.com/jbmhh twitter.com/JBMHH www.army.mil/jbmhh

6

Thursday, January 7, 2016 Pentagram

EXPECT from page 1

daughters?” They would respond, “You got it.” I needed that support, so she could complete her mission. Reading about this would help people who want to help and also shed light on that need.

U.S. Army Spc. Kimberly Williams, combat medic, healthcare specialist at Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic 2015: “The Halloween” edition, because it highlighted everyone from the Caisson to the clinic. That’s the most memorable. The Pentagram had great pictures in that special Halloween edition. Also, I really like the part of the Pentagram that shows the combined photo illustrations and the “History Section.” It shows what this day was like in such-and-such-year and a lot of Kimberly Williams times, it will have a two-sided photo; where one side is present day, and the other side is from back then. It’s my most favorite part of the Pentagram. I like seeing and reading the history and captions. I pay attention to each newspaper, so that I can look for it in every single issue.

2016: This is a difficult question to answer. I hate to say this, but I don’t think I really see enough Soldiers and Marines as the subjects of stories in the Pentagram. I see a lot of ceremonial things. Like, “Oh, Sergeant Major of the Army came to the post,” or “General so-and-so came on post,” the Secretary of Defense retired, blah-blah-blah, but I never really see segments highlighting particularly lower enlisted Soldiers and Marines in the infantry or The Old Guard— the Soldiers and Marines that kind of help this post to run.

I think it would be interesting to have at least a small section dedicated to these men and women in the Pentagram.

Kerry Ross, parent outreach director, Child and Youth Services 2015: I liked “The Wounded Warriors” story. This article had a picture of the sergeant major and the commander shaking hands with Wounded Warriors and it was more than just a feel good story. It was a really good journalistic piece. But that story was just as good as the “Wreaths Across America” story, which is just as important for people to see. Just to see Kerry Ross the amount of collaboration from people of all walks of life [1,000 groups from all 50 states], putting wreaths throughout Arlington National Cemetery is just beautiful. There’s a huge camaraderie and collaboration for that event and it’s amazing for others to see and be a part of.

2016: There’s been so many exciting changes from samesex marriage, which is now legal in all 50 states and weeks ago, the Department of Defense announced that women could now fight on the front lines. Those are huge headlines and these national news events are intrinsically tied to our military community, so why wasn’t it in the Pentagram? This kind of inclusion shows a new military, the military of today. I think these would be great stories to feature in the Pentagram: same-sex military couples and women fulfilling combat roles. I feel a lot of people don’t pick up the Pentagram because of the same “meet-andgreet or warm and fuzzy story.” We need a little bit more of transparency that would cater to the older generation as well as the younger generation.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel Rosas, administration specialist and company clerk, Headquarters and Service Battalion, HQMC, Henderson Hall 2015: The physical fitness stories.

Back in June there was a story that featured our company’s PT session. Our NCO’s were conducting a battalion PT session of short, fast-paced exercises and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. I really enjoyed the story because some people don’t like to get up that early, but fitness is a great thing for co-workers to do together Pfc. Daniel Rosas and usually turns out to be better than you probably thought it would be before you started. It’s just something a team of people can easily get organized to do together, get through together and it makes it great.

2016: I always like to read about policies that are changing, because that’s a big part of our job. How each branch operates, and what we are allowed to do, and not do. For example, the Marine Corps has a tattoo policy that’s still up for review and leaders are still working on changes, and the review of the height and weight portions of the physical fitness standards that are still being reviewed. For me at least, I work for the chain of command so I have to be informed about policies and changes to policy. In my company, I don’t want to say I’m held to a higher standard, but things are enforced a little more, so I need to be more informed.

U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Herrera, Human Resource Specialist 2015: During the National Cherry Blossom Festival members of BOSS [Better Opportunity Single Soldiers] were out in Southwest D.C., on the Waterfront, raising money in order to do more activities, selling things like popcorn and cotton candy. It was a good feature which highlighted a group of service members not only trying to help their own organization, Spc. Christopher Herrera but also interacting and providing a service to countless attendees who were out and about enjoying the Cherry Blossom Festival.

2016: I’d like to see more service members give their time to a good cause. Be more open to check things out, don’t be afraid and don’t be shy. I also think there should be more interviews and individual features on the lower-enlisted readers. Inform readers about where a highlighted individual is from and how they contribute to the military.

What’s their part here at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall or the Pentagon? If the paper wants to get more attention, it has to show that it’s not just focused on the events that are going on.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Douglas Martin, legal assistance officer-in-charge with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall 2015: The editorial report on the 240th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. It’s a big number and seeing it represented showed that the Marines are not just a small service that’s lumped in with the Navy, but we play just as much of an important role to the Pentagon as the other branches of service, including the significance of Capt. Douglas our birthday.

Martin 2016: I would like to read about human interest profiles about leaders working at the Pentagon and about their unique career progression to the top. Both low ranking and high ranking service members could benefit from learning how these men and women got there, where they have been, and if they changed their MOS [Military Occupational Specialty] to get there. At least for me, it would open up ideas as for what I could do, while also informing others about what they need to do to move up. A lot of people don’t understand how many service members work at the Pentagon, those sorts of things. But there are other stories to focus on within the Pentagon. For example, the Pentagon writes the UCMJ and regulations that apply to military personnel. That stuff is constantly updated and it would be interesting to know more about, because it applies to all of us. Notifying the public of legal changes and how they apply is useful.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Mark Sauser, Military Police platoon leader 2015: I liked reading about Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dempsey’s retirement. When he sang his departing song that really resonated with me. I just admire his long and distinguished career—and I thought the Pentagram did a good job representing his career and the retirement itself. I think Pentagram readers were able to understand that while we live in a large area, with Lt. Mark Sauser many bureaucracies and agencies, the military remains a very close knit community and, at the same time, there’s a lot of support to families and others who need it.

2016: I would like to read more about coverage leading up to the election, the inauguration preparation and the military’s role in it. I would like to see what goes into those events and the execution of them and The U.S. Army Drill Team, Honor Guard, Continental Color Guard, Fife and Drum Corps, all units that are ceremonial-focused that will be involved. In regards to the election coverage itself, I think the Pentagram should focus on the Voting Assistance Program and what resources are available for service members who are away from their home election county.

I would like to know: how they can still vote, the election process and answer pertinent questions going forward into the election season.

Lt. Frederick W. James, Jr., Police and security watch commander 2015: I like reading about the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall police and security officer’s in-service training that included unarmed self-defense tactics. I remember that story because it showed the community how we train to maintain readiness, stay current in all areas of force protection and how we keep the installation safe. I’ve been Lt. Frederick involved in security and law enforceJames ment since 1976, so this kind of coverage is very near and dear to my heart.

2016: We have a two-fold team at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (police officers and security officers) and there are a lot of police and security officers who do good things.

It would be nice to see their faces in the Pentagram because we get a bad rap. We’re seen as the “bad guys.” We want to make a better impression in the military community, especially with the entry control system.We’re human beings just like them. We have a job to do and they have a job to do. We just so happen to focus on security and law enforcement.

Anthony Hopper, assistant fire chief 2015: A joint emergency response exercise that featured our firefighters as well as firefighters from Arlington and Alexandra using a personnel escape system in bail-out training. It was really good and there were a lot of pictures. I think the military community likes to see that we benefit not only the Garrison but the overall company and our mutual aid partners. During an emer- Anthony Hopper gency we [JBM-HH fire and other agencies] have to cooperate together—we don’t have time to worry about who’s doing what is right—we must do it seamlessly.

2016: I’d like to see the News Notes section include more things that are coming up. I think the Pentagram should publish more local events that are open to the public before they happen, and less after. The “upcoming factor” is very important, people can plan to attend or plan to contribute early enough. A lot of the events I see in Pentagram are already in the past, I’d like to see what’s coming up in the future. A lot of people would like to attend more [social] events, instead of having to just read about it and plan on attending next year.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Ralph Sievers, JBM-HH Retiree Counsel 2015: The interview and photo included in a Pentagram front page article in late September or early October. The

see EXPECT, page 7

NEWS

from page 1

Training is in a classroom environment and will be presented by IRS and American Bar Association experts.

Contact Philip Jussel at 703-696-0761 or via email at Philip.w.jussel.civ@mail.mil for more information.

AOWCGWA luncheon set for Jan. 21

Movement, innovation, imagination: These are the hallmarks of a Synetic Theater production. From wordless Shakespeare to swashbuckling adventures, the Synetic Theater’s productions provide theatergoers with a unique experience. Join the Army Officers Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area for a dynamic presentation by the Synetic Theater and learn more about this unusual company Jan. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Myer Officers Club on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. Those interested can make luncheon reservations online at AOWCGWA.org. Deadline for reservations is Jan. 12.

Exercise to temporarily halt traffic on Fort Myer Jan. 26

At 6 a.m. on Jan. 26, traffic on Carpenter Road on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base will be impacted by a training exercise conducted by Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Traffic traveling on or near the intersections of Carpenter Road and Sheridan Avenue, Carpenter Road and McNair Road and the exit from the Exchange onto Carpenter Road will be temporarily stopped for several minutes as aircraft land and later depart the field adjacent to the Exchange and Memorial Chapel. Delay your morning commute or seek an alternate route to avoid traffic on this date. For more information, call 703-6962801/3525.

Incapacitated adult dependency class – Jan. 28

The Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall Exceptional Family Member Program presents a briefing on incapacitated adult dependency determination Jan. 28, 10 to 11 a.m., in Pentagon Conference Room B9. An incapacitated son or daughter of active duty or retired service members may be eligible at this information session. Register by Jan. 27 by calling 703693-5353 or emailing efmpHH@usmc-mccs.org.

Magic show and dinner Jan. 30

The Fort McNair Officers’ Club will present Illusions

by Nick in the Crystal Ballroom on Jan. 30. Be amazed by beautiful, original illusions, astounding feats of mentalism and engaging demonstrations of magic. Enjoy a wonder dinner buffet prior to the magic show. Cost for the show and dinner is $29.95 per person. Children 12 and under, $9.95. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner buffet is at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. To make reservations, contact the Fort McNair Officers Club at 202-484-5800. Share the smiles and magic with your family and friends with this fun filled, amazing and engaging event of exceptional entertainment.

FMWR & USO Super Bowl party Feb. 7

Are you ready for some football? FMWR and USO will hold the annual Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Super Bowl party at Spates Community Club on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base Feb. 7. Doors open at 5 p.m. Kick off for Super Bowl 50 is at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy Super Bowl 50 on five televisions, along with door prizes, food and fun for all eligible FMWR patrons. For more information, call 703-696-0594.

Winter weather news, information

Winter weather is on the way. In the event of weather-related closures, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall personnel follow the guidance of the Office of Personnel Management. OPM determines the open or closed status for all government agencies and installations located inside the Washington, D.C. beltway. Questions regarding duty status should be directed to supervisors.

Partner organization personnel should inquire within their chain of command.

For OPM guidance, see www.opm.gov/status. An upto-date OPM status is also available by calling 202-6061900 around the clock. Also, see www.facebook.com/ jbmhh and www.jbmhh.army.mil for the winter weather link, activated when necessary; call the commander’s information hotline at 703-696-6906, which is updated often in emergencies or inclement weather situations.

See www.weather.gov for a forecast.

Passengers must have photo ID, too

As a reminder, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall requires that all passengers 18 years of age and older, in vehicles accessing gates at Fort Myer, Henderson Hall and Fort McNair must present valid photo identification. This requirement applies to all gates and to those travelling as passengers with drivers who possess an AIE pass or DoD ID card. Have ID cards ready to present to gate guards in order to expedite entry onto any portion of the joint base.

For more information about this policy, call the Directorate of Emergency Services at 703-696-3525/2801.

Death notice

Anyone with debts owed to or by the estate of 1st Sgt. George D. Mosteller, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center-Warrior Transition Brigade, must contact 1st Lt. Sara Laszaic, the Summary Court Martial Officer for the Soldier. Mosteller passed away Nov. 27.

Call Laszaic at 301-538-2832.

News Notes submissions

Send your submissions for the Jan. 21, 2016 edition of the Pentagram via email at pentagramjbmhh@yahoo. com no later than noon, Jan. 13. Submissions must be 100 words or less and contain all pertinent details. Submission of information does not guarantee publication.

Pentagram

Thursday, January 7, 2016

10 THINGS from page 3

lative proposal outlining a number of reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, according to an article on Defense.gov. The proposal is the first comprehensive military justice reform package submitted to Congress by the DoD in more than 30 years. Reforms include 37 mandatory additions and substantive amendments to 68 current provisions of the UCMJ, including proposals that would strengthen the structure of the military justice system by establishing selection criteria for military judges and mandating tour lengths; enhancing fairness and efficiency in pretrial and trial procedures by facilitating victim input on disposition decisions and providing for public access to court documents and pleadings; and modernizing military sentencing by replacing current sentencing standards with a system of judicial discretion guided by parameters and criteria. The full report can be found at www.dod.gov/dodgc/ mjrg.html.

7. Help wanted. According to an article on Army.mil, the Army needs more Prime Power production specialists in its training pipeline. Prime Power Soldiers deploy, install, operate and maintain power generation and distribution assets in support of

EXPECT from page 6

subject was Frank Cohn and his childhood in preWorld War II Germany. It provided very interesting background of pre-World War II experiences of one of the retirees Col. Ralph I know personally Sievers and occasionally see on the joint base.

2016: An occasional in-depth background [professional career, and post retirement volunteer activities] of one of the retirees we may see doing the activities we do at the base. It adds interest to the day to know more about those we routinely see during trips to the base.

theater commanders. Prime Power Soldiers stationed inside the Continental United States are also part of the National Response Framework to provide power in locations where the civilian power grid has gone down due to a natural disaster. The Army has authorizations for 288 Prime Power Soldiers in Fiscal Year 2016.

In FY 17, the field will grow to 297 authorizations. Currently, the Army is accepting applications from both specialists and sergeants for reclassification to the 12P military occupational specialty. Training for the MOS takes more than a year and is held at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Soldiers interested in applying to become a Prime Power production specialist should contact their unit career counselor for details on how to make it happen.

8. Changes to Veterans Choice program. The Department of Veterans Affairs has made a number of changes to its Veterans Choice Program that are designed to make participation easier and more convenient for veterans who need to use it, according to an article on VA.gov. Under the updated eligibility requirements, a veteran can access the program if he or she is enrolled in the VA health care system and has been told by their local VA medical facility that they will not be able to schedule an appointment for care within 30 days; they live more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA mediDorothy Williams, retired telecommunications specialist for the Pentagon 2015: Back in November you featured a story which focused on tobacco use in the military and how the base clinic wanted to reduce the number of tobacco users. The Dorothy Williams story shed light on the prevalence of tobacco use and the effects of second-hand and third-hand smoke. I liked the report because it was straight forward and suggested that smokers don’t realize tobacco use is not only hazardous to the health of the user, but other people as well. I am against tobacco use of any kind so I like stories that remind people about the dangers of it.

cal facility; need to travel by air, boat or ferry to the closest VA medical facility to their home; face an unusual or excessive travel burden in order to get to the closest VA medical facility to their home; or live in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.

9. Twenty-first Century fighting force. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., said he is taking a broader look at the unified command plan and will focus on enhancing the speed, flexibility and agility of the joint force, according to an article on Defense.gov. Dunford stressed that he is not looking for a quick and easy shuffling of commands. “The broader issue for me is what is the right organizational construct to deal with the challenges we’re going to have in the 21st century,” he said.

10. Annual pay increase. Service members will see an increase in their paychecks in 2016. Effective Jan. 1, the military pay increase is 1.3 percent for all service members, with the exception of general and flag officers above the pay grade of O-7, whose pay has been frozen, according to articles on Defense.gov.

Military retirees will see no increase in their pay this year.

Pentagram Staff Writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.

2016: The recent coverage nationally and internationally of terrorism on American soil and abroad is really scary. And I believe people are constantly worried about when the next terrorist attack will happen, and who the terrorists will be.

And then there are a lot more reports of homegrown terrorists, and neighbors didn’t even know about them. But in my opinion people don’t seem prepared. So I think the Pentagram should do stories on anti-terrorism measures that all people who work at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and the Pentagon should do, to reverse what I think is complacency at work, in their neighborhoods or out in public. Stories that would make people more proactive instead of reactive.

Pentagram Staff Writers Delonte Harrod and Arthur Mondale can be contacted at dharrod@dcmilitary.com and awright@dcmilitary.com

Throwback Thursday

Photo illustration by Damien Salas

From the editor:

Last year, we began publishing a series of “then and now” photos under the banner of “JBM-HH Throwback Thursday,” with the hashtag #JBMHHTBT on social media. This new weekly feature will include historical photos from a portion of JBM-HH as well as occasional imagery from other recognizable locations throughout the National Capital Region. We hope you have enjoyed this new visual snapshot of local history as much as we have. You can count on more Throwback Thursday photo illustrations in future editions in 2016. Meanwhile, check out all our past #JBMHHTBT imagery online at https://goo.gl/f38OAJ.

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Thursday, January 7, 2016 Pentagram

The Old Guard reflects on a busy year of ceremonial, dignitary support

By Spc. Brandon C. Dyer The Old Guard Public Affairs The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) remains steadfast in its commitment to our nation and our fallen service members. It has been an exciting and busy year for the regiment. The Old Guard participated in its annual events: the Twilight Tattoo series, Flags In, the Army’s 240th Army Birthday celebrations, the Spirit of America military pageantry and one of the largest 10-mile races in the world:The Army Ten-Miler.

In addition, The Old Guard provided support to dignitary visits throughout the National Capital Region, including Pope Francis’ historic visit to Washington, D.C., in September.

Foreign dignitaries from Japan, Nigeria, India and Germany were welcomed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the White House. The Old Guard also hosted ceremonies for major changes of leadership in the Military District of Washington. The Chief of Staff of the Army, retired Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. The 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey also retired in a ceremony on Fort Myer hosted by President Barack H. Obama.

The following showcase some of the major events The Old Guard supported in 2015: Twilight Tattoo is a military pageant that brings history alive. Members of The Old Guard illustrate how the U.S. Army has been wherever our nation has needed us.

This season, thousands of people attended the free one-hour spectacle and were wowed by The Old Guard’s brightest.

The entire regiment, including the Continental Color Guard, the Caisson Platoon, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, The U.S. Army Drill Team, and Presidential Salute Battery come together

to showcase to the Army to the public.

Flags In has been a tradition for the past 60 years.

Soldiers from The Old Guard honor America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites for service members buried at both Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery just prior to the Memorial Day weekend. In four hours,Soldiers from The Old Guard meticulously placed more than 400,000 flags at every tombstone and niche.

The Army was founded June 14, 1775. The Old Guard celebrated the 240th Army Birthday in New York City’s Time Square with the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and U.S. Army Drill Team providing ceremonial support.

The Spirit of America show was a tremendous success.

Members of The Old Guard brought American history to life in a two-hour stage production that rivals any production in scale and grandiosity.

Thousands of people attended the free show at the DC Armory and the Eagle Bank Arena. More than 300 Soldiers from The Old Guard educated young and old alike.

The Army Ten-Miler race is the third largest 10-mile race in the world. This year over 35,000 people participated.

The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and U.S. Army Drill team performed exhibitions for the runners and their supporters.

The Old Guard welcomed Pope Francis in his first U.S. visit. Starting with an arrival ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base and a Full Armed Forces review at the White House, The Old Guard represented our nation’s Army with precision.

Another aspect of our mission is to be the face of the Army to foreign leaders. The Old Guard greeted Japanese

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Morales

A Soldier with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) walks his post at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier last January in Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Multiple winter storms plunged temperatures into the teens, layering snow and other precipitation throughout the National Capital Region. Regardless, the Tomb Sentinels of The Old Guard stand their posts at the Tomb 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

and Nigerian dignitaries at the White House and met the expectations of the world. The ambassador of Germany and the Defense Minister of India were welcomed as The Old Guard provided the precision and dedication people expect from the U.S. Army.

Odierno retired after 39 years of distinguished service.

Odierno’s contributions to the Armed Forces and the Military District of Washington were remembered in a grand ceremony on Whipple Field.

Dempsey, retired after 41 years of distinguished service.

Obama was on hand to congratulate Dempsey on his military career and the new chapter he is beginning as a civilian.

The president also welcomed Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. as the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In addition to supporting these historic events in 2015, The Old Guard’s ongoing mission to honor fallen service members with ceremonial support is the regiment’s top priority. A family’s only experience with the U.S. Army may

Photo by Spc. Steven Hitchcock

Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) receive bundles of American flags May 21, 2015, during Flags In at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. “Flags In” is an annual event in which over 1,000 Soldiers from The Old Guard place flags at some 228,000 headstones in the cemetery. Flags In has been a tradition for the past 60 years. Soldiers from The Old Guard honor America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites for service members buried at both Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery just prior to the Memorial Day weekend. In 2015, The Old Guard provided ceremonial support to nearly 3,000 funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, including some 700 full honors ceremonies.

be when The Old Guard memorializes a loved one. The Old Guard strives to meet the highest standards so that limited experience reflects the respect we have for our brothers and sisters.

In 2015, The Old Guard provided ceremonial support to nearly 3,000 funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, including more than 700 full honors

ceremonies. Additionally, the regiment supported 25 senior general officer and executive service representatives’ retirement ceremonies.

This year will be another chance for The Old Guard to shine again as the Army’s official escort to the president of the United States and our nation’s premiere memorial affairs and ceremonial unit.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks

Photos by Spc. Cody W. Torkleson

Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) participate in an Armed Forces Full Honors Arrival Ceremony on the White House Lawn, April 28, 2015. President Barrack Obama hosted the ceremony to welcome a visit

by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe was greeted with full military honors and a gun salute.

EDITOR

from page 2

3. Earning national accreditation at the Cody Child Development Center. In April, the JBM-HH’s Cody Child Development Center earned accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children—an achievement that required rigorous documentation and self-study of the center’s staff, according to then-center Director Sunny Smith in an April 10 Pentagram article. The standards set by the association include excellence in facilities, the relationships between teachers,

students and families and the progress children make.

“That’s huge in our ability to deliver child care and retain the confidence of our customers,” said Henderson.

“It’s a high-stress, tough job, but they delivered.”

The start of 2016 signifies more than the beginning of sub-freezing temperatures at JBM-HH. Challenges, and work, lie ahead, remain, according to Henderson. The New Year is when final touches will be added to the tobe-published strategic plan for JBM-HH. That document spells out long-term goals, objectives, lines of effort and tactics to guide the joint base to success over the next de-

cade—a particularly important planning guidance tool that is meant to help the base evolve and adapt as budgets, technologies and customer needs change.

Moreover, Henderson said that planning will help the base leverage new technologies to operate more efficiently, such as automating some services and support.

“This is our opportunity to truly modernize the joint base,” said Henderson. “We need to get into the 21st century when it comes to information technology.”

I encourage you to please enjoy this year-in-review edition of the Pentagram. The staff worked hard to make it special,

Col. Johnny Davis, commander, 3d U.S. Infantry regiment (The Old Guard), listens to family members of John Francis Curtis Jr., 77, just before presenting Curtis the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge for his one year of honorable service from August 1958 to August 1959 as a tomb sentinel. Davis presented the badge and a certificate during a ceremony in Curtis’ Philadelphia home, Feb. 11, 2015.

and went the extra mile to capture feedback on what readers thought about our efforts in 2015, as well as what they want to see more of this year (see page 1 for readers’ responses).

As always, I encourage you to tell us what you think about the Pentagram: Are we publishing what you like to read? What news or information are we not publishing that you would like to see in print in 2016? Is there something we can do better? And of course we relish learning about what we are doing right, too. So, if there is a particular type of story or portion of the newspaper that you enjoy and would simply like to see more of, let us know. Feel free to

reach me at: pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com.

Finally, we host an annual readership survey to allow formal feedback and inform us of readers’ thoughts about the Pentagram newspaper. Additional details will be published about the survey in several issue of the Pentagram in late spring/early summer. Once the survey is available online, I encourage all of you to take a few moments to take the webbased survey, which takes less than five minutes to complete, and let us know how we are doing in meeting your information needs.

Contact Pentagram Editor Jim Goodwin at james.m.goodwin3. civ@mail.mil.