Pentagram 040215

Pentagram

Vol. 62, No. 13 April 2, 2015

www.army.mil/jbmhh

Published For Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

Twenty-eight Medal of Honor recipients gather at ANC for National MOH Day

By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer

PHOTOS

BY

A solemn, respectful crowd including a mixture of h i g h l y - d e c o r at e d veterans and ordinary citizens convened March 25 at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as 28 Medal of Honor recipients honored all past service members who earned the 152-year-old award.

The 2 p.m. wreath-laying was led by MOH recipients Bruce Crandall, Harold Fritz and Kenneth Stumpf.

The trio was escorted by

RACHEL LARUE

ABOVE - From left, Medal of Honor recipients Bruce Crandall, Kenneth Stumpf and Harold Fritz lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, March 25. ABOVE RIGHT - From second left, Citizen Service Before Self Honors recipients Jon Meis, Alton Brieske and Michael Reagan pose for photographs with attending Medal of Honor recipients during a ceremony to award the Citizen Service Before Self Honors to three civilians March 25, at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial, Arlington, Va. The Citizen Honors recipients were chosen by living recipients of the Medal of Honor for performing, “extraordinary actions at the risk of their lives for others or long term selfless service to the benefit of their community,” according to a handout from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

Leadership course promotes mental, physical health

By Stephen Holt JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs More than 50 ser vice members from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and other National Capital Region installations attended a different type of leadership course March 23-27 at the Fort Myer Community Center, one that relies on the premise that healthy and balanced leaders are better equipped to lead.

Enter the Soldier 360 Leader’s Course, a five-day on-site course based on the adult learning model, a hands-on approach to learning.

The course is a comprehensive, multifaceted, holistic, research-based leadership course focused on enhancing strength and balance in leaders.

The course was provided to JBM-HH, Military District of Washington and other NCRbased service members.

Cl i n ica l psycholog ist Dr. Glen Wurglitz and Dr. Mary Lopez, a retired Army colonel, started the Soldier 360 Leader’s Course in March 2010 in Germany to address the difficulties Soldiers face during post-deployment reintegration.

Results from a Defense Centers of Excellence study showed that the Soldier 360

Caisson spring open house

PHOTO

BY

STEPHEN HOLT

Service members participate in yoga exercises during the Soldier 360 Leader’s Course at the Community Center on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, March 27. The five-day course was designed in 2010 as a comprehensive, multifaceted, holistic, research-based course focused on enhancing strength and balance in leaders.

Course is a program that produces solid outcomes, Lopez said. Statistical results provided by service members attending the course showed

that it improved their relationships, sleep and overall quality of life.

see RESILIENCY, page 4

Air Force. An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be provided. For more details on this event, see page 3.

2. Twilight Tattoo season begins April 29 and runs through Aug. 19, every Wednesday with the exception of July 1.

The popular annual event will be held on Summerall Field on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall from April through June. Performances are held on Whipple Field on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base from July through September. see TEN THINGS, page 10

Join 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) for a Caisson spring open house April 4, noon to 6 p.m., for some outdoor fun, including hayrides, face painting, an Easter egg hunt, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, a photo booth and more. The festivities will take place at Bldg. 236 (Caisson Stables) on 201 Jackson Ave. on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Those without a Department of Defense ID card must use Hatfield Gate to access JBM-HH For more information, call 703-696-3018.

Easter Triduum services

The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Catholic community will hold the following Holy Week Masses and services: • Holy Thursday, April 2 – Holy Thursday Mass at 6 p.m.

• Good Friday, April 3 – Good Friday service at 6 p.m.

• Holy Saturday, April 4 – Easter Vigil at 8 p.m.

• Easter Sunday, April 5 – Mass at 9 a.m.

The Masses and services will be held at Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

JBM-HH barrier repairs could affect traffic

around the DoD in April

1. Easter Sunrise Service – The annual Easter Sunrise Service hosted by the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall commander will be held April 5 at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery. The non-denominational service will begin with a prelude by the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” at 6:15 a.m. The service is scheduled to begin with a call to worship at 6:30 a.m. This year’s Easter sermon will be delivered by Chap. (Maj. Gen.) Howard Stendahl, chief of chaplains, United States

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.

From April 7-17, a contractor will conduct repairs on the barriers at JBM-HH access control points throughout each day. While the impact to incoming and outgoing traffic will be minimal, travelers should make extra time when arriving or departing all three portions of JBM-HH. The gates impacted will include the 2nd Street and Ceremonial gates at Fort McNair, the Wright Gate at Fort Myer and Gate 1 at Henderson Hall. For more information, call the Directorate of Emergency Services at 703-588-2810.

see NEWS NOTES, page 4

Index

Throwback Thursday. . . . . . . . . . . page 2 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3 Afghan presidential visit . . . . . . . . page 5 Leave policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5 In photos: Wheelchair basketball . . . page 6 Sexual assault awareness and prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7 2015 Nationals preview . . . . . . . . . page 9

see MOH, page 4

News Notes

Ten things to know

By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer

Joint Force HeadquartersNational Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan.

Ceremonial support during the wreath laying was provided by The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Soldiers and The United States Army Continental Color Guard.

Following the tomb ceremony, the program moved indoors to the Women in Military Service For America Memorial

Local forecast

THURS. 73 | 57

FRI.

74 | 53

SAT.

56 | 40

SUN.

64 | 48

For more weather forecasts and information, visit www.weather.gov

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

PENTAGRAM

Thanks, Easter Bunny

PHOTO

BY JIM

DRESBACH

Andrew Herring, 2, grabs one of 3,400 Easter eggs distributed throughout Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Child Development Center field during the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club egg hunt March 28. Over 280 kids, parents, SAMC members and volunteers attended the event, which also included egg toss games, egg roll competitions and an appearance by the Easter Bunny.

JBM-HH Throwback Thursday #JBMHHTBT

This week in military history Compiled by Jim Goodwin, Editor, Pentagram

April 2

Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis and most of his cabinet flee the capital of the Confederacy, Richmond, Va., according to an entry on History.com.

April 3

Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird announces that the United States is moving to “Vietnamize” the war as rapidly as possible, according to an entry on History.com.

April 4

The Second Battle of the Somme - the first major German offensive in more than a year during World War I - ends on the western front, according to an entry on History.com.

April 5

During the Korean War, Hospital Corpsman Richard DeWert is killed in action while administering first aid to an injured comrade. He is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, according to an entry on www.history.navy.mil.

April 6

Insurgents and rebellious Shiites mount a string of attacks across Iraq’s south, while U.S. Marines launch a major assault on the Anbar Province city of Fallujah, according to an entry on www.history.usmc.mil.

April 7

U.S. military planes begin airdropping supplies to Kurdish refugees who face starvation and exposure in the snowcovered mountains of northern Iraq. The United States warns Iraq not to interfere with the relief effort, according to an entry on History.com.

April 8

Overwhelmed by numbers and short of supplies, American and Filipino forces that remained on the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines are ordered to destroy their equipment prior to a surrender, according to an entry on History.com.

1865: 1969: 1918: 1951: 2004: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

BY

RACHEL LARUE

This photo illustration is a combination of two photographs, digitally joined during post processing. The black and white image on the right, part of the United States Marine Corps History Division archives, shows the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va., under construction. The photograph is dated Sept. 16, 1954; the photographer is not credited. The caption reads simply, “Construction of the Iwo Jima Memorial Statue: Putting 3rd group into position.” The color image on the left was taken in a similar location March 30.

The statue is based on the photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945. Rosenthal won a Pulitzer Prize for the photograph. The statue was sculpted by Felix W. de Weldon. The statue was cast out of bronze in over a dozen pieces, which were assembled in place, according to the National Park Service website. The memorial was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower Nov. 10, 1954, on the 179th U.S. Marine Corps birthday.

1991

1942:

For more JBM-HH event photos from this issue, visit us online at:

www.flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh COURTESY LIBRARY

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OF

CONGRESS

This map shows the Bataan peninsula-Corregidor-Manila area where the U.S. and Japanese forces clashed. On the rugged, mountainous Bataan peninsula and a heavily fortified island, American and Filipino troops made their final stand against Japanese invaders of Luzon.

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.

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

Twitter: @jbmhh Jim Goodwin Editor james.m.goodwin3.civ@ mail.mil Jim Dresbach Staff Writer jdresbach@dcmilitary.com Julia LeDoux Staff Writer jledoux@dcmilitary.com

Slideshare: slideshare.net/jbmhh Guv Callahan Staff Writer wcallahan@dcmilitary.com

Rachel Larue Staff Photographer rlarue@dcmilitary.com

Damien Salas Staff Writer dsalas@dcmilitary.com

Helen Klein Graphic Designer hklein@dcmilitary.com

Community

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

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Wheelchairs collide at exhibition basketball game held at Smith Gym

By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer Civilians, service members and those wounded in battle united to watch and participate in a wheelchair basketball exhibition game at Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Before the Joint Military team wheeled out against members of t he n at ion a l ly- r a n ke d

National Rehabilitation Hospital Ambassador squad March 28, the crowd was given a wheelchair basketball tutorial and were encouraged with a pre-game pep talk from retired Army Col. Gregory D. Gadsen.

Along with the game, the sport of basketball received a new perspective when able-bodied service members and civilians were given opportunities to take

see WARRIOR, page 6

PHOTO

JBM-HH Easter Sunrise Service set for this weekend

PHOTO

BY

By JBM-HH Public Affairs

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Peyton Manning hits the Henderson Hall gym Future hall of famer in town for USO award

PHOTO

OFFICIAL U.S. AIR FORCE

PHOTO

U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Howard Stendahl, chief of chaplains, will deliver the sermon at this year’s Easter Sunrise Service April 5.

For more information, including requirements and restrictions for accessing Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, free shuttle service details and parking information, go to www.army. mil/jbmhh or call 703-696-6635.

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BY JIM

DRESBACH

Denver Bronco quarterback Peyton Manning speaks to the media prior to the 2015 USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 33rd Annual Awards Dinner March 24, in Crystal City, Va. Manning received the Merit Award for his overseas tours and visits to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The day after the dinner, Manning came on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall to work out at Smith Gym.

By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer

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SGT. ALVIN WILLIAMS JR.

STAFF SGT. JENNIFER C. JOHNSON

Early morning participants gather at the annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington, Va., March 31, 2013. This year’s event is hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

The annual Easter Sunrise Service hosted by the Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall commander will be held April 5 in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.

The non-denominational Christian worship service will begin with a prelude

by The U. S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” at 6:15 a.m. The service is scheduled to begin with a call to worship at 6:30 a.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year’s Easter sermon will be delivered by U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Howard Stendahl, chief of chaplains. An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be present.

Driving, there are two ways to access the cemetery April 5, with gates opening at 5 a.m.

Enter Arlington National Cemetery and park at the cemetery’s Welcome Center. Parking is free April 5 from 5:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. There is no walking to the Amphitheater from the Welcome Center. A free shuttle service will be available to transport all guests.

BY

Players huddle before a wheelchair basketball exhibition game March 28 at Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

The height and physical frame are hard to miss, so when Denver Broncos qu a r terback Pey ton Manning walked into Cpl. Terr y L . Smith Gymnasium during the early morning of March 25, those on deck on t he Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall took notice.

Known for his off-thefield preparation and training, the six foot, five inch, five-time National Football League most valuable player was in need of a discreet workout location in the Pentagon/ Crystal City area, so he was directed to Henderson

The United States Army Band CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Hall’s Smith Gymnasium.

“Su r pr ised” a nd “shocked” were two words used by the fitness facility’s staff when the Bronco quarterback walked into the Marine fitness center at approximately 6 a.m.

“I was surprised,” said Smith Gym fitness center Manager Cliff Holcomb.

“I was getting ready to take my tour through the facility. He came in; he had a baseball cap on. It was a shock.”

Holcomb g u ided Manning to his desired workout stations, and the quarterback’s hourand-15 workout ended in the gymnasium with some throwing drills.

“He was a super nice guy. He did some weight training, cardio and some stretching,” Holcomb said.

“Then he went into the

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gym and started doing some throwing drills. He was in our gym throwing the football around. To see him throw in person was quite spectacular.”

The evening before, Manning accepted the USO Merit Award at the 2015 USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 33rd Annual Awards Dinner in recognition for his USO tour to Afghanistan, Kuwait and the USS Stennis.

The future football hall of famer has also repeatedly visited troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

Before t he March 24 dinner, he told the media how the military has changed his perspec-

see MANNING, page 8

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April 3

6 p.m.

The U.S. Army Concert Band will perform at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

April 4

4:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The U.S. Army Band Downrange will perform at the National Cherry Blossom Festival at the Southwest Waterfront Gangplank Marina in Washington, D.C.

April 7

7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Army Band presents the “Pershing’s Own” Chamber Music Series, featuring an evening of contemporary music including Tristan Murail’s Memoire/Erosion and Andy Akiho’s Speaking Tree. This event is presented by Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Dell’Omo, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Branagan and Staff Sgt. Evan Geiger.

April 9

7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Army Band Downrange will perform an unplugged-style acoustic set at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH.

April 12

3 p.m.

The U.S. Army Blues Swamp Romp will perform a Swing into Spring concert at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH.

April 16

12:40 p.m.

The U.S. Army Blues will perform during Jazz Week at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

April 17

7 p.m.

The U.S. Army Blues will perform at the University of Delaware’s Jazz Festival at the University in Newark, Del.

Performances are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. All outdoor concerts are subject to cancellation or location change due to weather considerations. Call 703-696-3399 for up-to-date information on concert cancellations or location changes. For additional details and a full calendar of performances, visit www.usarmyband.com/event-calendar.html.

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MOH

NEWS NOTES

from page 1 auditorium where three c it i z ens – t wo f rom Washington State and the other from Florida – were recognized with Citizens Service Before Self Honors awards for courage, sacrifice selflessness and patriotism by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Medal of Honor Day is always commemorated on March 25 – the first day the honor was awarded in 1863. MOH Day was officially recognized by Congress in 2007.

“Eight years ago, the recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor in combat decided that they wanted to leave a legacy which included recognizing ordinary Americans for performing extraordinary acts of courage and self less ser v ice,” Cong ressional Medal of Honor Foundation President and CEO Ronald T. Rand explained to the crowd gathered for the awards. “The recipients wanted to demonstrate to people that you don’t have to go to combat and you don’t even have to wear the cloth of our country to be a hero that makes a difference in people’s lives.”

T he t h ree c iv i l ia n honorees were Alton Isaac Brieske of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Jon Christopher Meis of Seattle, Wash. and Michael G. Reagan of Edmonds, Wash. Brieske r e sc ue d 92 -ye a r - old Salvatore Mancuso from a submerged car in a lake after Mancuso suffered a heart attack. Meis, a student-building monitor at Pacific University, pepper sprayed and subdued a gunman in June 2014, and Reagan, a Vietnam veteran, drew over 4,000 portraits of fallen service members for presentation to their families.

The Citizen’s Honor Program was comprised of

RESILIENCY from page 1

The course leverages local programs and subject matter experts, providing an efficient and integrated delivery platform for community resources and developing and expanding the military leaders’ knowledge of existing community programs and services.

“Up to five years later, our alumni are coming back and overwhelmingly saying they use it every day, both with their Soldiers, their spouses and themselves, and it makes a difference,” Lopez said. “I don’t know of any other program that shows long term results like that—they use this stuff.”

“One of the things I most appreciate about this course is the opportunity to look inside myself and identify my own def iciencies,” said participant Staff Sgt. Shaun Amend, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Provost Marshal current operations noncommissioned officer.

“I hope everyone in this course goes back to their home stations and takes what they’ve learned here and project it out to their own Soldiers.”

The course addresses two basic principles: To be an effective leader, you have to practice good self-care, and to help your Soldiers,

from page 1

Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter of the USAWOA meets

The Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, U.S. Army Warrant Officer Association will hold its monthly meeting April 8 at the Fort Belvoir Golf Course dining room at 5:30 p.m. All active, reserve and retired warrant officers are invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, call Phyllis Wilson at 703-407-6164.

Anger management

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

From left, Medal of Honor recipient Patrick Brady places his hand on the shoulder of Citizen Service Before Self Honors recipient Jon Meis during a ceremony to award the Citizen Service Before Self Honors to three civilians March 25, at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial, Arlington, Va. The Citizen Honors recipients were chosen by the living MOH recipients for performing, “extraordinary actions at the risk of their lives for others or long term selfless service to the benefit of their community,” according to a handout from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

Individuals will receive information on the basic principles of emotions management, specific information about the impact of unmanaged anger and receive resources on how to recognize and manage the anger triggers in their own lives in an Army Community Service session set for April 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Bldg. 201 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. For more information and to register, call 703-696-3512.

Indoor play morning

This playgroup for parents and preschool children meets April 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. Hosted by both Marine Corps Community Services and Army Community Service, it provides time for socialization, crafts, music and stories. For more information and to register, call 703-696-3512.

Prostate Cancer Support Group Meetings at Belvoir

The Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital the second Thursday of every month. The next meeting will be April 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Urology Clinic, Sunrise Pavilion, second floor.

Spouses/partners are welcome to attend. For more information, contact retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or jane.l.hudak.ctr@mail.

The Old Guard conducting training, validation at Fort McNair

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

From left, Medal of Honor recipients Bruce Crandall, Kenneth Stumpf, Harold Fritz and Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan stand during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, March 25. Medal of Honor recipients laid a wreath and then later held a ceremony to present Citizen Honors medals at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial in Arlington, Va., as part of Medal of Honor Day.

Medal of Honor recipients, who received over 100 nominations of citizens’ acts you have to be aware of the resources available.

“Twenty years ago, I would never have thought I would see a class like this. Our services have not focused on making our service members mentally healthy, but we’re getting better at it,” class participant Senior Master Sgt. Mark Peters from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., said. “Classes like this make sense. If we can keep our folks healthy in the mind, then our military will be stronger.”

Since its inception, over 1,900 service members have learned experiences to ameliorate stress, Wurglitz said.

The course teaches skills for leaders and skills for life.

“Service members come in at the start and see this as just another resiliency course, but by the week’s end, they leave smiling and talking with one another,” Wurglitz said. “By the end of the week, they are able to sleep better, connect better with their families, and have more resources available to better take care of themselves.”

T he class included physical training classes, Japanese tabata workouts and yoga as means to reach mental and physical healing.

“Just having a breathing session alone beyond the physical allows you to get good oxygen in the body and shuts off the bad chatter in your brain,” Nikka Colorado, Soldier

of courage in 2014. The MOH recipients then personally select the honorees.

Arlington, D.C. water may smell, taste differently: The water is safe

Some may detect the taste and odor of chlorine in tap water through May 4. The water is safe.

This temporary switch to chlorine is a standard water treatment practice. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct is responsible for treating Arlington and D.C. drinking water.

Arlington environmental services staff say running tap water for five to 10 minutes will dispel the taste and odor. Any discoloration should clear up with running the water. If the water remains discolored or cloudy, contact Arlington County at 703-2286570 during work days or 703-228-6555 (24-hour line). Get more information about the process at www.arlingtonva.us and see answers to frequently asked questions.

EFMP presents an introduction to Virginia Medicaid waivers

PHOTO

BY

DAMIEN SALAS

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Craig Cressman, sergeant major, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Henderson Hall, speaks to a group of service members in the Spates Community Center on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall March 26 during a Soldier 360 Leaders’ Course, a week-long resiliency building event.

360 Course yoga instructor, said. “It gives time to help stress go down, relieves all the tension and stress you’re putting on your body, and allows you to focus on positive thoughts.

“Everyone has something, whether it’s big or small, they’re dealing with.

It’s comforting knowing you’re not the only one,” Colorado added. “It’s rewarding to meet all these people and hear about the stuff they’ve gone through and what they’ve overcome, and to be a small piece of their recovery.”

On graduation day, Lopez told the Starfish Story, a story of a man who encountered a young boy along the beach throwing starfish back onto the

A D V E RT I S E W I T H U S 301-921-2800

Pentagram staff writer Jim Dresbach can be reached at jdresbach@dcmilitary.com.

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) will conduct training and rehearsals on the parade field on the Fort McNair portion of JBM-HH, weather permitting, through April 10.

In preparation for the upcoming ceremonial season, which includes Twilight Tattoos, Soldiers will rehearse and be validated in each area of ceremony, including march-on, dressing sequence and pass and review. A large number of Soldiers may be on the field each weekday. There will be a limited, low increase in noise during rehearsals. For more information, call 703-696-1892.

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ocean so they wouldn’t die.

The man said, “Don’t you reali ze there are miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?

You can’t make a difference!” The boy responded by bending down, picking up another starfish, and throwing it back into the surf. Smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

“You, too, can make a difference,” Lopez said.

“By using what you’ve learned this week to make a difference in the lives of your Soldiers.”

For more information on the Soldier 360 Leader’s Course, visit www.360program.com or http:// goo.gl/QifiL1.

The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Exceptional Family Member Program hosts an information session on Virginia Medicaid waivers April 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The presentation, to be held in the Pentagon’s Airman and Family Readiness Center, Rm. 5C1049, is open to Department of Defense identification card holders from all branches of service. Topics will include an overview, qualifications, the application process, the benefits of elderly and disabled consumer directed waivers and the waiting list for intellectually disabled or developmentally delayed waivers. Light refreshments will be served. Call 703-696-0783 or 703-693-5353 for more information or to register by April 15.

Fort Myer Thrift Shop/AOWCGWA community grants

In a community partnership, the Fort Myer Thrift Shop and the Army Officers’ Wives’ Club of the Greater Washington Area offer community grants to organizations that provide services and/ or support to military organizations, personnel and families. Requests are accepted from 501(c) organizations with services in the area. Additional information and applications are available online at www.fortmyerthriftshop.org or www.aowcgwa. org under scholarships and community grants. The deadline for community grant applications is April 16. Applications can be dropped off at the thrift shop, or mailed to the following address: Community Grants Committee, FMTS-AOWCGWA, P.O. Box 1112, Fort Myer, Va. 22211. For more information, call 703-527-0664.

Blue Tie Affair a way to say thanks

The JBM-HH Family Advocacy Program will recognize individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty for children at the second annual Blue Tie Affair April 30. They are actively seeking nominations from the entire community including all branches of the military, family members, DoD civilians, retirees and community partners. Nomination packets are due April 17. For nomination form and instructions, see www.slideshare.net/JBMHH/bluetienominate-2015.

see NEWS NOTES, page 8

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

5

Afghan leaders visit ANC, ask for U.S. military assistance

By Damien Salas Pentagram Staff Writer The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s heads of state were in Washington, D.C., the week of March 23 asking for more assistance from the U.S. The country’s leaders, President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, once political rivals, put aside differences March 24 to take part in a full honors wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier i n A rli ng ton National Cemetery.

Ceremonial units from the 3d U.S. Infantr y Regiment (The Old Guard) were on site to guide the dignitaries through the ceremony.

U.S. politicians present at t he w reat h-lay i ng included Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, along with Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of

Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan.

The Afghan leaders were successful in seeking assistance from U.S. military forces from the region to help combat the Taliban in the upcoming months, with an announcement by President Barack Obama to more slowly reduce the number of troops being withdrawn from Afghanistan than the original drawdown table.

“A tragedy brought us together. The tragedy of 9/11,” said Ghani during a March 23 press conference at Camp David, Md. “Now we’ve created an enduring frame of partnership. This is based on common values, respect for democratic process, electoral reforms, empowerment of women, education of girls [and] eradication of poverty.”

Ghani also noted that Afghanistan is making great progress in becoming less of a burden to the international community, noting that the presence of U.S.

see PRESIDENT, page 7

PHOTOS

RACHEL LARUE

LEFT - A member of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” holds a musical instrument during a wreath-laying ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 24. RIGHT - From left, Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah and President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 24, while Vice President of the United States Joe Biden watches.

DoD warns troops, families to be cyber-crime smart

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity T he Depa r t ment of Defense, or DoD, employees and t heir families should be vigilant when guarding personal and work information from expanding cyber-criminal activity, and to know how to recognize scammer tactics, the department’s chief information officer said March 24.

Terry A. Halvorsen issued a DoD-wide memorandum March 18 about the growing threat of cyber-crime “phishing” and “spear phishing” in emails, on social media sites and through phone calls.

Phishing is defined as sending fraudulent emails that claim to be from reputable sources, such as a recipient’s bank or credit card company, to gain personal or financial information.

Recipients of such emails are often directed to fraudulent websites that mimic familiar-looking bank and e-commerce s ite s , ac c or d i n g to Encyclopedia Britannica.

Phishers ask recipients to update or confirm accounts, which discloses confidential information such as Social Security and credit card numbers.

“Spear phishing” is the latest twist on phishing, according to Britannica, and it targets companies and government agencies through select employees with fraudulent emails, which appear to come from trusted or known sources. When employees click on links in the emails, hostile programs enter the organization’s computers.

BY

From left, Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Vice President of the United States Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan approach the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 24, for a wreath-laying ceremony. The ceremony took place during Ghani’s official visit to the United States.

GRAPHIC

BY

Changes coming to ‘use or lose’ leave

HELEN KLEIN

Cyber criminals track and mine social media accounts to “phish” personal information.

Cyber-crime tactics evolving “Cy b e r c r i m i n a l s continue using phishing a nd spe a r - ph i s h i n g attacks,” Halvorsen said in his memo,” and their tactics are evolving in an increasingly predatory manner.”

While military members and DoD civilians are routinely trained in recognizing cyber security red flags, the DoD also wants its workforce’s families and parents to be prepared to deal with suspicious email, he said.

These cyber criminals also track and mine social media accounts such as Facebook, LinkedIn and others “to interact with people and compromise accounts,” Halverson said.

Arm yourself with knowledge “Phishing continues to be successful because attackers do more research, evolve their tactics and seek out easy prey,” he said. “We need to arm ourselves and our families with defensive skills and knowledge to protect [against] being victimized by a phishing email, computer or phone scam.”

Halvorsen advises these safeguards to protect against phishing and spear phishing, which can also lead to identity theft: • Never trust links or account/password prompts within email messages.

• Note that phishing emails sometimes have poor grammar or misspelled words.

• Do not trust information-seeking emails and phone calls, and verify such threats.

• Never provide your user identification and/or password.

• Refuse social media connection requests from anyone you have not personally met.

• Use spam filters for personal email.

• Never email personal or financial information, even if you know the person requesting it.

• Be wary of pop-ups; don’t click links or enter any data.

• Do not copy web addresses from a pop-up

see CYBER, page 7

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Soldiers, with Marines and civilians, participate in the Army Birthday run on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall June 20, 2014. A change to the temporary authority allowing Soldiers to carry over 75 days of leave from one fiscal year into the next will expire Sept. 30. Most Soldiers will only be allowed to carry 60 days of leave into the next fiscal year.

By Gary Sheftick Army News Service The temporary authority allowing Soldiers to carry over 75 days of leave from one fiscal year into the next will expire Sept. 30.

Most Soldiers will only be allowed to carry 60 days of leave into the next fiscal year.

Soldiers will lose it, if they don’t use it

by Oct. 1, Army personnel officials said of leave in excess of 60 days, unless special leave accrual, or SLA applies.

SLA allows Soldiers who have served in a mission where they were eligible for hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay for a continuous period of at least 120 days to accrue leave. Under SLA, Soldiers can accumulate a maximum of 120 days of leave (60 days of ordinary leave, plus 60 days of SLA).

Soldiers who meet the SLA provisions can still carry forward up to 120 days leave, if their leave and earnings statement, also known as LES, has 60 days of leave coded as SLA and the LES remarks block shows “Combat Zone Leave Carryover Balance” with its expiration date.

“Each Soldier has an individual responsibility to monitor and manage their leave,” officials said in an all Army activities, or

ALARACT, message, dated March 1.

The 75-day carry-over authority began with the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing a two-year temporary authority. Since then, Congress has extended the authority twice, adding four consecutive years. The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act is not expected to extend the authority, officials said.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is in the process of emailing a notice to all Soldiers projected to have more than 60 days accrued leave on Sept.

30, officials said. DFAS will continue to include monthly notices on Soldiers’ LES that read: “Important: Manage your leave.

On Oct. 1, 2015, you will lose all accrued leave over 60 days, unless SLA applies.”

Still, DFAS software has not yet been updated to use 60 days in the use/lose computation; therefore, all LESs will understate the use/lose balance by 15 days.

DFAS is making the necessary system changes to correct that error, officials said, and they estimate the fix will be completed by June.

The recent ALARACT echoes DoD guidance that commanders should continue to monitor the leave of their Service members, and encourage them to use any accrued leave days that exceed the 60-day carry-over limit.

6

Thursday, April 2, 2015

WARRIOR from page 3

a wheelchair seat and maneuver the hardwood and take some shots.

“You have to use your arms to do everything,” said Navy spectator Lt. Max Kojm after a few minutes of the wheelchair workout. “I’ve played basketball before, but you [in the chair] have to get used to the height difference to shoot.”

While performing some fast-break drills for the spectators, NRH wheelchair warrior Anthony Caparello taught a quick lesson about playing defense in a wheelchair.

“The most important thing is communication,” he said. “We have to know where each other are on the court. It’s important to keep both hands on your chair. If you reach for the ball, your opponent will go right by you. “ Another facet that adds a different wrinkle to the wheelchair game is the advancement of the basketball. Wheelchair players are allowed to hand pump their wheels twice in succession but then must dribble, pass or shoot.

Other than that, the game is the same as Gadsen, a double above-the-knee amputee, pointed out to the crowd before tipoff.

“The height of the goal

PENTAGRAM

[in wheelchair basketball] is the same height of the goal in the Final Four tournament and the same goal height that the pros play,” Gadsen said. “The only difference is someone is shooting a jump shot without legs. That takes a lot of strength; that takes a lot of perseverance; that takes a lot of courage.”

During his talk to the crowd, Gadsen, who lost his legs in 2007 when a road side explosive detonated in Iraq, also stated that he prefers a different term other than wounded warrior.

“So, the term wounded warrior; I prefer the term warrior because I am always a warrior and I will always be a warrior,” said Gadsen, who used wheelchair basketball as part of his rehabilitation at Bethesda’s Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. “I just happened to get wounded seven years ago. That’s behind me, and although my wounds are permanent, I don’t choose to be defined by those wounds.”

After a half of play, NRH led the joint warriors, 16-4, and during the second half, line ups were mixed with spectators and teammates became the opposition in the exhibition.

Pentagram staff writer Jim Dresbach can be reached at jdresbach@dcmilitary.com.

PHOTOS

BY

SGT. ALVIN WILLIAMS JR.

Players tip off during a wheelchair basketball exhibition game March 28 at Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

ABOVE LEFT AND RIGHT - Service members, civilians and wounded warriors learn the basics of wheelchair basketball during an exhibition clinic and game March 28 at Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The event matched-up new players against members of the nationallyranked National Rehabilitation Hospital Ambassador squad. LEFT - Retired Army Col. Gregory D. Gadson, left, who retired last year after serving as the garrison commander for Fort Belvoir, Va., speaks to a participant at a March 28 wheelchair basketball exhibition at the Henderson Hall portion of JBM-HH.

COMMENTARY:

Volunteering makes a difference

By Kathy K. Feehan, Volunteer Coordinator, JBM-HH Army Community Service National Volunteer Week, April 12-18 is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It is about demonstrating to the nation that by working together we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and the ingenuity to accomplish our goals. Every day, Army volunteers take action and prove themselves to be the very heart of social change—demonstrating their collective power to make a difference.

This year marks the 41st anniversary of National Volunteer Week. This celebration has grown exponentially, drawing endorsements from all U.S. presidents since 1974 and from governors, mayors and other elected officials. In a proclamation, President Barack Obama states, “As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we embrace our shared responsibility to one another and recommit to the task of building a more perfect union. By performing acts of service, we can

shape a nation big enough and bold enough to accommodate the hopes of all our people.”

At Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, we salute our volunteers and applaud their accomplishments not only during National Volunteer Week, but every day.

The volunteer contributions of our military and civilian personnel and their families make our community a better place to live and thrive. On April 15 at 10 a.m. at Spates Community Club, we will formally recognize our JBM-HH volunteers at our annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.

We will recognize 20 organizations and over 700 volunteers who have selflessly given their time and talents for the betterment of the JBM-HH community.

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme for the Army is: Army Volunteers: Hands that Serve, Hearts that Care. Those of you interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities within JBM-HH and the National Capital Region should contact me at 703-696-3510.

Volunteering is a way to translate your passion, whatever it may be, into action. There are volunteer opportunities for everyone; whether you can give an hour a week or more, every little bit can—and does—make a difference.

Editor’s note: The Pentagram will publish coverage of the JBM-HH annual Volunteer Recognition Awards ceremony in the April 23 edition.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL LARUE

Volunteers work at the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, April 7, 2012. This year’s National Volunteer Week is April 12-18, and JBM-HH will recognize its volunteers at an awards ceremony April 15.

Spc. Anthony George, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), makes cotton candy while working as a volunteer during the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, April 5, 2014, in Washington, D.C. Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers and the Single Marine Program sold food and beverages at the festival.

Volunteers for the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival April 7, 2012, part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, gather to get instructions and put on their pink shirts before working. This year’s festival will be held April 4 in Washington, D.C., near the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

PENTAGRAM

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Sexual assault awareness and prevention: Know your part, do your part

By Yolanda M. King JBM-HH Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Nationally, April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, or SAAPM. The goal of SAAPM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent it.

Sexual assault prevention and awareness became a national issue when women-only protests throughout the United States were coordinated to draw attention to violence against women.

Later, activities were coordinated nationally and quickly developed into a movement that expanded awareness to related issues, including sexual violence against men and sought men’s participation to help end sexual violence.

Sexual assault is a continuing problem in our military which requires sustained vigilance and a steadfast team effort to eradicate. Sex ual assault breaks the bond of trust among service members that is essential to the mission, degrades mission readiness by harming the victim and the unit’s ability to work effectively as a team. With unprecedented leadership commitment, matched by strong personal commitments from every service member, Department of Defense civilian and family members, we can establish a climate that does not tolerate, condone

or ignore sexist behavior, sexual harassment or sexual assault.

There is no surefire way to prevent an attack; therefore, the SAAPM campaign includes a greater focus on prevention. We stand with survivors of sexual assault, come together to break the silence and commit to rid our areas of influence of all forms of sexual violence.

The Sexual Harassment/ Assault Response and Prevention (SHAR P) Program reinforces the Army’s commitment to prevent incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault through a comprehensive policy that centers on awareness, training and education, victim advocacy, response, reporting and accountability.

The SHARP Program, in correlation with the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program, provides advocacy services and resources that supports victim recovery from the trauma of sexual assault, works to reduce the incidence of sexual assault and lifts the veil of secrecy and shame associated with reporting sexual violence.

Join SHARP and SAPR specialists, first responders and community members as we affect change to ensure no victim anguishes in their time of greatest need. We will accomplish this by reinforcing the importance of bystander intervention to stop unsafe behavior, identify measures to prevent sexual violence and display our personal commitment to ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

We are called with purpose to respond to and eliminate all forms of sexual violence from our ranks. The events listed to the right will be hosted on JBM-HH and the Pentagon during the 2015 SAAPM campaign.

2015 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month Montt h e events v ents 29: S HARP/SAPR April 3, 13 and 29: SHARP/SAPR a . m . tto o2p .m., Outreach, 10 a.m. p.m., Pe Ap pex 1 & 2 Pentagon, Apex

PRESIDENT from page 5

and international troops has been reduced to 12,000 from 130,000 over the past two years.

“The transition has been probably one of the most effective transitions from an internationally supported regime to a national regime,” he said. “That should speak for our determination, for our political will and for our commitment to our nation.”

C a r te r a l s o m ade comments about the continued accomplishments of the all-volunteer Afghan security forces during the

7

press conference.

“The Afghan security forces are under a tremendous and very admirable process of change and evolut ion now,” said Carter. “They’re taking on new missions. They are developing — further developing their special operations forces.”

Carter said that the objective for coalition forces for the future is to reduce down to a “very small, enduring presence in 2017 and beyond” with the mission to train, advise and assist in counterterrorism.

Pentagram staff writer Damien Salas can be reached at dsalas@dcmilitary.com.

Militar y D i s trict t r i c t of of April 7: Militar District Washing g t o n SHARP S H A RP Symposium, Symposium m, Washington t o 11 1 1 a.m., a . m .,, Conmy Hall, 9:30 to JBM-H HH JBM-HH 1 0 : 5K 5 K Race R a c e to Eliminate Elimina ate April 10: As ss s a u l t / C h err y Blo ossom Sexuall Assault/Cherr Blossom Run/Wa a l k , 6:45 6 : 4 5 to t o 8 a.m., a.m m . , For For t Run/Walk, O f ficers f i c e r s Club, C l u b , Bldg.

B l d g . 60 60 McNair Of a l k - a - l a p for f o r a sur s u r vivor, v i v o r, April 15: W Walk-a-lap o1p .m., P entagon, 11 a.m. to p.m., Pentagon, tyar d Main Courr tyard Co o m b i n e d Ser S e r vices vices April 21: C Combined Syy m p o s i u m : Achieving Achieving SAPR Symposium: e Change C h a n g e to t o Eliminate Eliminate Culture Sexu u a l Assault, A s s a u l t , 8:30 8 : 3 0 a.m. a . m . to to Sexual no o o n , Joe J o e Rosenthal R o s e n t h a l Auditorium, A u d i t o r i u m, noon, B l d g . 29 2 9 at a t the t h e Henderson H e n d e r s o n Hall Hall Bldg. p o r tion t i o n of o f JBM-HH JBM-HH por A p r i l 22: 22: V i c t i m Rights Rig ghts T raining, April Victim Training, 1 2 : 3 0 to t o 1:45 1 : 4 5 p.m., Pentagon Pentagon 12:30 L i b r a r y/Conference y / C onference Center, C e n t e r, B6 B6 Librar A p r i l 24: 2 4: SAAPM Subjec c t Matter Matter April Subject E x p er t Panel, 9 to 11 a.m., a.m m., Exper P entagon tagon Librar Li y/Confere ence Pentagon y/Conference r, B6 Center,

PHOTOS

BY

RACHEL LARUE

From left, Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Vice President of the United States Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan render honors during a wreathlaying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 24.

Attendees of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 24, watch members of The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.”

Members of a military color guard take part in a wreathlaying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 24.

CYBER

from page 5 into a browser.

• Do not click on links, download files or open attachments.

In his memo, Halvorsen includes a list of resources,

to help people gain defensive knowledge. The memo is in the “links” box at the top of the article.

Ha lver son’s memo encou rages ser v ice members and families to share the resources with friends and communities.

For more JBM-HH event photos from this issue, visit us online at:

www.flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh

8

Thursday, April 2, 2015

PENTAGRAM

Marine Corps Museum grows to showcase Corps legacy

A salute to military children

PHOTO

NEWS NOTES from page 4

Mark your calendar for the Children’s Fair

MCCS Henderson Hall announces the date of the 2015 Children’s Fair. The event will be held in the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 703-6147200 for more information.

Personal financial management services

PHOTOS

BY

SGT. TERRY BRADY

Special guests observe a ground breaking outside the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., March 27. The ground breaking is the ceremonial initiation of the construction of an expansion to the site that will update the museum on the Marine Corps history during the post-Vietnam War era.

By Sgt. Terry Brady Defense Media Activity TRIANGLE, Va. -The National Museum of the Marine Corps hosted a ceremony March 27, officially starting the construction of an expansion.

The new expansion will cover historical events since the post-Vietnam era, to include the Gulf War and the Global War of Terrorism, as well as campaigns and engagements in Somalia, Kosovo and Grenada.

“The museum is vital to the preservation of the heritage of the Marine Corps,” said Timothy T. Day, a Marine veteran and Chairman and CEO of Bar-S Foods Co. “The museum displays heritage in a prominent and impactful way that whether or not you are a Marine you get a sense of the service that the Marine Corps has played in helping the United States become what it has.”

The growth includes: new major artifacts, such as an M60 main battle tank from Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, an assault amphibious vehicle and a Humvee, and new exhibits featuring sports, combat art and children galleries and a 350-seat giant screen theater.

“With this upcoming expansion we will be able to honor all of the Marines,” said retired Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman, Jr., the president & CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

“The history of the Marine Corps now as we are able to portray it ends with the Vietnam War. When we have generations of Marines since 1975, whose history has yet to be honored here.

“Forty years of history is

MANNING from page 3

tive on his career, his life and his relationship with service members.

“The tour I took two years ago was really lifechanging for me, and I’m not just saying that,” Manning said. “All the conversations and interactions I’ve had with military personnel since I’ve been in

The MCCS personal financial manager offers brown bag sessions throughout April on a variety of topics. All sessions are held on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base in Bldg. 29, Rm. 204, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is one day prior to ensure that the session will be held. Topics include financial management and planning; personal credit; consumer awareness; home buying; investing and planning for retirement. For more information on scheduled sessions or to register, call 703-614-6950. For more information, visit www.mccsHH. com/Finance.html.

EFMP coffee group

Marines performing color guard march with the colors at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., March 27. A ceremony was held at the museum initiating the construction of an expansion to the site that will update the museum on the Marine Corps history during the post-Vietnam War era.

missing [in the museum],” said Blackman. “I am personally committed to those Marines, who served during those 40 years, that they come here and have a feeling of pride in their accomplishments and their units.”

The ceremony hosted special guests and speeches from active and retired Marines including retired Gen. Walter E. Boomer, who led Marines during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and retired Gen. James F. Amos, the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Afterwards, the attendees and project leads met outside to perform the first ground breaking so construction can begin and the designer’s drawings will morph into reality.

The original architects of the museum were requested to design the structure of the expansion. The Museum is the official site for the catalog of Marine Corps History, replacing the Marine Corps Historical Center and Marine Corps Air-Ground Museum in 2006.

“We’ve been designers of

museums for many years,” said Brian Chaffey, principal in charge with Fentress architects. “When we saw the opportunity to design this building, we were quick to respond to the Navy’s request for qualification.

“We want to see the owners goals realized. We are seeing that in the completion of phase one. With the construction of phase two we see the vision of the museum fully realized.”

The finished expansion is expected to be completed January 2017, according to Blackman.

“As a Marine, I am committed to the service of all Marines. We value that unbroken line from Tun Tavern in 1775 to the present day,” said Blackman.

“We are committed to ensuring that the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans come with their children, and then later their children can bring their children to see what their grandparent’s service was all about.”

the NFL – whether it’s at a coin toss or on the sidelines – I’ve enjoyed these interactions.

“There is a connection between football players and the military,” Manning added. “Spending time with wounded warriors is very inspiring. I said it two years ago [when I went through neck fusion surgery] if I ever whine or complain about how I’m feeling, I need to keep my mouth shut because these warriors are

facing intense rehabilitation obstacles.”

Others receiving USO awards at the March 24 dinner were singer and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame member from the musical group Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, author and war correspondent Sebastian Junger and poet Seema Reza.

Pentagram staff writer Jim Dresbach can be reached at jdresbach@dcmilitary.com.

The JBM-HH/Fort Belvoir Exceptional Family Member Program coffee group meets the second Friday of every month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Starbucks, 5986 12th Street, Fort Belvoir, Va. For more information, call 703-696-8467 or 703805-4418. Your first cup of coffee is free. The group is open to all DoD ID card holders who are parents or service providers to children with special needs.

JBM-HH FMWR sponsoring piano, martial arts lessons

There are two options for enrichment coming up on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

There are 12 open spaces for those who want to take piano lessons. The lessons will be held Mondays in the Community Center, Bldg. 405, at a cost of $85 per person for four 30-minute sessions. Call 703-696-3470 for more information and to arrange a time.

There are 15 open spaces for martial arts. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Cost for eight weeks is $90 per person and 12 weeks is $120 per person. Interested students please call the Community Center at 703-696-3470 for more information.

Program for men and families dealing with prostate cancer

The next quarterly guest speaker program will be May 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dr. Timothy Donahue will discuss “Rise in PSA after Treatment for Prostate Cancer.”

The presentation will be given at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (America Building, second floor, room 22525) and at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital via video-teleconference. DoD ID is required for base access to Walter Reed. For those without a DoD ID, call the prostate center at 301-319-2900 at least four business days prior to event for base access. For more information, contact retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301319-2918 or jane.l.hudak.ctr@mail.mil.

Holiday hours, closures submission policy

JBM-HH commands, tenants and other area organizations that desire publication of special federal holiday operating hours and/or holiday closures must submit this information to the JBM-HH Public Affairs Office at least three weeks before the holiday to allow time for publication. For example, if an organization is closed Friday-Monday, May 22-25 for the Memorial Day holiday, this information must be sent, along with an organization POC and phone number, no later than Monday, May 4.

This information must be submitted

BY

RACHEL LARUE

to the JBM-HH Public Affairs staff at: usarmy.jbmhh.asa.list.pao-all@mail.mil.

Financial management assistance available

The Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall Personal Financial Management Program assists with everything from budgeting to investing. Classes are held throughout the month on a variety of topics, to include planning for retirement. For a list of upcoming topics, visit www. mccsHH.com/Finance.html. For more information, call 703-614-6950.

Win your personal battles

The United States Marine Corps challenges Marines: Win your personal battles. Help is available through online chat or phone for anonymous, peer-topeer counseling 24/7. Online chat is at www.DSTRESSLINE.com or call 1-877-476-7734. This is a service of the U.S. Marine Corps, and members of other services are welcome to chat or call.

Smith Gym group exercise classes

Group exercise classes are held at the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of JBM-HH on weekdays. Offerings include Zumba and Spin. Classes are open to all authorized patrons age 16 and up. Youth, ages 12 through 15, may take part with direct supervision by a parent or legal guardian.

High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) group classes are taught by certified HITT instructors Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to active duty personnel and Marine reservists, by Marine Corps order.

Anyone certified as a HITT instructor may teach a HITT class for his or her unit. For more information, visit www. mccsHH.com/SmithGym.html or call 703-614-7214.

Challenger soccer camp returning to JBM-HH

The Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp is returning to JBM-HH Child, Youth and School Services this summer.

Camp dates are June 22 through 26 and July 20 through 24. Half-day camp is available from 9 a.m. to 12 noon for 6 to 12 year olds. Registration is open until two weeks prior to start date. For more information, call Annette Engum at 703-696-3728 or email Annette.e.engum. civ@mail.mil.

Say goodbye to AKO email

In accordance with the Army’s Chief Information Officer’s memorandum, Army Knowledge Online (AKO) email is being discontinued. The Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS) shut down AKO mailboxes March 31 and stop all forwarding of “@us.army.mil” email June 30. Some users may still have their AKO email addresses registered with other systems and services and will need to change that. PEO EIS is also working with application owners who rely on AKO email addresses for this transition. For more information, call 1-866-335-2769 (help desk).

News Note policy! Read in full

News Notes submissions must be less than 100 words, contain all pertinent details — to include the five “W’s” — as well as a point of contact, phone number and/or website for additional information. News Notes must be submitted no later than noon, Wednesdays, for consideration for publication in the following week’s Pentagram. For example, information submitted for publication in News Notes on Wednesday, April 8, will be published in the Pentagram Thursday, April 16. Priority will be given to those announcements of events and deadlines occurring during the publication week.

Please note that submission of a news note does not guarantee publication. Please send your news notes to the Pentagram at pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com.

For more JBM-HH event photos from this issue, visit us online at:

www.flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh

Children from the Cody Child Development Center march in the Pinwheels for Prevention Parade on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall April 1, 2014. The CDC children, along with supporters, marched holding blue and silver pinwheels, a symbol of child abuse prevention. This year’s CDC-hosted parade was April 1, look for coverage in the April 9 Pentagram.

PENTAGRAM

Thursday, April 2, 2015

COMMENTARY: 2015 Washington Nationals baseball preview

Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program seminars and workshops SFL-TAP is located at 232 McNair Rd., Bldg.

404, on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall, Va. Reservations are required.

Spouses are encouraged to register and attend. Call the Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program office, 703-696-0973 or log-in and schedule at www. acap.army.mil. Available to all registered clients who have completed DD2648/2648-1 and initial counseling. Location of seminars and workshops are in the SFL-TAP Bldg. 404 on Fort Myer unless notated.

Retiring Transition Assistance Program 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• April 6 through 10 • April 13 through 17 • May 11 through 15 or May 18 through 22* • June 8 through 12 ETS TAP 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• April 6 through 10 • May 4 through 8 • June 1 through 5 Entrepreneur Track Boots to Business 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• May 19 through 20 • Sept. 8 through 9

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Screech, right, the Washington Nationals Mascot, interacts with U.S. Marines and children before the start of a pre-game ceremony at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Aug. 20, 2014. The Nationals honored members of the United States Marine Corps during the game and pre-game ceremony.

By Cory Hancock JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs The 2015 Major League Baseball season marks the 10th anniversary of the Washington Nationals. My first Nats game was July 7, 2005, during their inaugural season. They played the New York Mets in front of 44,492 fans at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Brad Wilkerson (my all-time favorite Nat), Matt Cepicky (who?) and the f latbrimmed Chad Cordero, among others, played in what turned into an 11-inning loss.

The Nats of 2005 had many players who were past their primes, a farm system devoid of talent and a stadium that was crumbling. While they finished .500 that year, several 100-plus loss seasons followed.

This summer’s Nationals will have a $200 million player (Max Scherzer), two $100 million players (Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth) and one of the top young players in the game, Bryce Harper.

Scherzer, who got a max deal this offseason (pun intended), will add

his star power to an already loaded pitching rotation. Long-time third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will shift to first base, as he replaces Adam LaRoche. The move should be good for Zim’s health, but I still question his ability to field the position.

Second base is a weakness for the Nationals. Infielder Yunel Escobar, brought over in a trade from the Oakland Athletics, is a career .276 hitter. While his career batting average is decent, he has played shortstop and will now move to second base. Learning a new position is difficult but at the age of 32, this transition is made even harder. Danny Espinosa is another option. Espi is great defensively but has had problems swinging the bat last season, hitting just .208 over the past three years, not the type for production the Nats expect.

Injuries during spring training have ravaged the Nats. Outfielders Denard Span and Jayson Werth as well as third baseman Anthony Rendon are all expected to start the season on the disabled list. How the Nats will cope with these injuries so early in the season will be huge.

It is a contract year for several key Nationals players, including pitcher Jordan Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond. In a perfect world, both would be re-signed, but that is unlikely. Instead, Desmond will likely return, but I do not predict J-Zimm will be on the team after the July trade deadline. He’s coming

off a great season (14-5, with a 2.66 earned run average), including a nohitter, but his demands will be too high but so will his trade value. A void in the rotation, either by trade or injury, will be filled by 15-game winner Tanner Roark and minor leaguer A.J. Cole (the second best prospect in the Nationals minor league system according to Baseball Prospectus).

The Nationals have set aside five dates for military appreciation days.

The five branches will be honored on May 8 (Navy), June 2 (Army), July 21 (Marines), Aug. 6 (Coast Guard) and Sept. 21 (Air Force).

According to the Nationals website, military service members receive discounted Nats tickets available exclusively to them and their families. Tickets can be purchased through MWR and ITT offices at area installations and the Pentagon. Most ticket levels also include a food and beverage credit to reduce the total cost of the outing. For more information on the Nationals Military ticket discounts, call 202-640-7647 or visit nationals.com/military.

Editor’s note: Cory Hancock is a U.S. Army Public Affairs intern assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. He is currently on a developmental rotation at the Pentagon.

Business Franchise Opportunities 1 to 3 p.m.

• April 27 • June 22 Finding and applying for federal jobs 9:30 a.m. to noon • April 29 • May 27 • June 24 Federal Resume 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

• April 23 • May 21 • June 18 Accessing Higher Education 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• April 29 and 30* • June 24 and 25* Career Technical Training 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• April 21 and 22 April 16 and 17

Smart Investments 1 to 3 p.m.

• April 29 • May 27 • June 24 Credit scores from good to excellent 1 to 3 p.m.

• April 30 • May 28 • June 25 Home buying 10 a.m. to noon • April 28 • May 26 • June 23 10 a.m. to noon Debt free 10 a.m. to noon • April 30 • May 28 • June 25 Tricare benefits in depth 10 a.m. to noon • April 23 • May 21 • June 18 Capstone (Fridays) 10 a.m. to noon • April 3, 10, 17 or 24 • May 1, 8, 15, 22 or 29 • June 5, 12, 19 or 26 Express TAP 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• April 13 and 14* • June 8 and 9* Marketing Yourself for a Second Career 1 to 3 p.m.

• April 28 • May 26 • June 23

Career Resources 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• April 20 • May 18 • June 15 *Located in Education Center Bldg. 417, room 108

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PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

A Marine Corps Color Guard presents the American flag and the Marine Corps flag during a pregame ceremony at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Aug. 20, 2014. The Nationals honored members of the United States Marine Corps during the game and the pre-game ceremony.

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

PENTAGRAM

poem, “Children Learn What They Live.”

4. April is also Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. Mike Henderson signed a proclamation April 1 to officially proclaim the joint base’s support of this observance.

PHOTO

BY

STAFF SGT. STEVE CORTEZ

Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh, left, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno prepare to testify March 26, at a House Appropriations Committee, Defense subcommittee Army posture hearing. During the testimony, McHugh said that reducing civilian end strength so it is commensurate with the drawdown of Soldiers is something the Army has been focusing on and is still a work in progress, according to an Army News Service article.

TEN THINGS from page 1

Twilight Tattoo is an hour-long, live-action military pageant featuring Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” The U.S. Army Blues, vocalists f rom The U.S. Army Band Downrange and U.S.

Army Band Voices, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and The U.S. Army Drill Team will also provide attendees with a live look at the nation’s history.

For more information on group reservations, contact the U.S. Army Military District of Washington at 202-685-2888 or email usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx. jfhq-ncr-pao-web-eventsomb@mail.mil.

3. April is designated as the Month of the Military Ch i ld /Ch i ld Abuse Prevention Month. The joint base Family Advocacy Program recently filmed a PSA that will be available online later this month.

In the PSA, Soldiers, Marines and joint base staff members hold up c ue c a rd - t y pe c a rd s which contain lines from Dorot hy L aw Nolte’s

5. April 12-18 is the 41st annual National Volunteer Week, a week when people are recognized for and encouraged to seek ways to help and engage their communities. JBM-HH will host its annual volunteer recognition ceremony at 10 a.m. on April 15 at Spates Community Club on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

6. The Department of Defense announced that this year’s Warrior Games 2015 will take place June 19-28 at Quantico Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. The annual sporting competition brings together wounded, ill and injured ser vice members and veterans from around the country.

DoD is organizing the games for the first time this year, They had previously been run by the United States Olympic Committee. This year’s games will feature eight sporting events with about 200 athletes representing teams from the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air

Force and U.S. Special Operations Command, according to a DoD release announcing the event. Each service will host trials in the months leading up to the games. Updates will be available at www.defense. mil/warriorgames.

7. Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno testified March 26 at a House Appropriations Committee, Defense subcommittee on Army posture. According to an Army News Service report, McHugh said that reducing civilian end strength so it is commensurate with the drawdown of Soldiers is something the Army has been focusing on and is still a work in progress. McHugh said the Army civilian workforce has been drawn down some 14 percent since 2011 and that some analysis has shown that if or when “active end strength reaches 450,000, we’d have to continue to come down to about 239,000 civilians.”

8. Marine Col. Stephen E. Liszewski was recently selected to become the 86t h commandant of M i d s h i p m e n at t h e U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Liszewski graduated from the Naval Academy in 1990 and will be responsible for the dayto-day conduct, military training and professional

development of the more than 4,400 Midshipmen who attend the academy.

He will replace Capt. Bill Byrne later this summer and becomes the second Marine Corps off icer to hold the position of U.S. Naval Academy Commandant. Liszewski currently serves as the commandant of the Marine Corps Military Fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations in New York City.

9. President Barack Obama announced March 24 that 9,800 American troops will remain in A fg ha n ista n t h roug h this year at the request of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. Obama had previously announced plans to leave 5,600 U.S. service members in the country by the end of 2015. Read more about Afghanistan on page 5.

10. T h e A r m y h a s announced that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a former captive of the Taliban, has been charged with desertion as a result of his disappearance from his camp in Afghanistan in 2009.

He could face life in confinement if found guilty.

Bergdahl was released in a controversial swap last year which saw five Taliban f ighters released from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Pentagram staff writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.

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