Vol. 61, no. 20 May 23, 2014
Pentagram
Published for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
The mysteries of Section 15 Infants, POWs mark unique section of Arlington National Cemetery Editor’s note: With Memorial Day on the horizon, the Pentagram is looking beyond the regular pomp and circumstance that mark near daily ceremonies inside Arlington National Cemetery. This week, we examine one very special section of the cemetery - now entering its 150th year of existence – with special ties to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
PHOTO
BY
RACHEL LARUE
LEFT: Kim Holien, retired Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall historian, looks at graves in Section 15 of Arlington National Cemetery, between JBM-HH’s Old Post Chapel and Selfridge Gates May 19. The section holds American servicemembers, their infants and wives and Axis prisoners of war. BOTTOM: President of the United States Woodrow Wilson, left, and Secretary of War Newton Diehl Baker watch a Fort Myer Officers’ Training School graduation in 1917 on what would become the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The building in the background is the hospital, which is now Bldg. 59.
By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer
Between Arlington National Cemetery’s Selfridge and the Old Post Chapel Gates, the inscriptions on grave markers in Section 15 spell out an acre of innocent tragedies. Below the section’s mighty oak trees, graves of children who never received the opportunities to follow in their fathers’ military footsteps, attend school or live a life-long dream of a wedding day stand ready to be remembered this Memorial Day. Careful examination of Section 15 grave stones presents a number of burial patterns. Some infants lived just a day, some two days, some survived for months. Part of the Pentagram staff, along with former Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall historian Kim Holien traveled into the cemetery to unravel the mysteries and questions of their premature deaths, but for as many flags Old PHOTO
see GRAVES, page 4
Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery
By Gary Sheftick U.S. Army News Service
The annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military servicemembers is scheduled for May 26 at Arlington National Cemetery. The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-laying Ceremony, 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to be followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Defense in Arlington’s Memorial Amphitheater. A prelude by the United States Navy Band will begin in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. Both the wreath-laying ceremony and the observance program are free and open to the general public. No tickets are needed to attend these events. Space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to be at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or seated in the amphitheater by 9:30 a.m. Free parking is available for vehicles in the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center parking lot from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A free shuttle service will provide transportation to the Memorial Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited. After the observance is over, shuttles will provide transportation back to the visitor’s center until 2 p.m. Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the ceremony. Prohibited items include: large bags or backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, personal protection sprays and insulated beverage containers. DoD identification card holders will not be permitted to walk from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall into the cemetery. Instead, they must park on post and board a free shuttle bus at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel. The shuttle service is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. For additional details, send an email to the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office at usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx. mediadesk-omb@mail.mil.
Memorial Day at Canadian Embassy Marking more than 12 years of service in Afghanistan, the Embassy of Canada is honored to host Canada’s Afghanistan memorial vigil over the Memorial Day weekend. The Afghanistan memorial consists of the official commemorative plaques from the Canadian monument at Kandahar airfield. The series see NEWS NOTES, page 4
Community Spotlight Community News Notes
p.2 p.3 p.4
Commentary Safety Memorial Day Hours
p.6 p.8 p.10
LIBRARY
OF
CONGRESS
Pocket guide spells out clothing allowance details
News Notes
Index
COURTESY OF
For the first time ever, a handy pocket guide for Soldiers is now available to explain the specifics of their annual clothing replacement allowance. “We didn’t have this knowledge when we were coming up,” said Sgt. Maj. Mark Chance, senior enlisted advisor for the Army’s G-4. The tri-fold pamphlet is the brainchild of Chance and Sgt. Maj. Ray Toups, operations sergeant major for G-4 in the Pentagon. The pamphlet spells out exactly what Soldiers are required to maintain in their clothing bag. It
provides the expected useful life of each item, the standard annual replacement allowance for each item and recommended replacement intervals. Until now, most Soldiers never were told exactly how their annual clothing allowance was calculated, Chance said. “No one ever sat them down and explained what the money is for,” he said. The clothing replacement allowance, or CRA, pamphlet does just that, and the G-4 NCOs want the pocket guide made available to first sergeants, platoon sergeants and squad leaders throughout the see GUIDE, page 4
Pilot course encourages NCO leadership, unity By Guv Callahan Pentagram Staff Writer
Servicemembers from across the military gathered on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall May 14-16 for the first National Capital Region Joint Professional Development Seminar, a program designed to prepare attending enlisted servicemembers for joint missions. Military leaders founded the pilot course to enhance non-
commissioned officers’ (NCOs) and petty officers’ knowledge and understanding of the different military services in order to accomplish missions in the future. “By bringing them together, they begin to see that while each Branch does business a little differently, because of our different missions, the leadership challenges are the same regardless of what uniform they wear,” said Master Sgt. Jeremy Owens,
the logistics chief on Henderson Hall who led a number of the course discussions, in an email to the Pentagram. The three-day course was based on the National Defense University’s book, “The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces.” The three-day seminar included a series of lectures detailing the joint perspectives of see PME, page 9
It’s back! Twilight Tattoo on JBM-HH
Twilight Tattoo is an hour-long military pageant featuring Soldiers from The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army
Band “Pershing’s Own.” The next tattoo is scheduled for May 28 at 7 p.m. For more information, see TUSAB’s schedule on page 3.
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Friday, May 23, 2014
PENTAGRAM
PHOTO
BY
LANCE CPL. JOSHUA MURRAY
Battling the blaze
U.S. Marines and fire crews on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., respond to wildfires in southern California May 14. The Tomahawk fire, in the northeast section of Camp Pendleton, has burned more than 6,000 acres forcing evacuations of housing areas on base and various schools both on and off base. Aircraft from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Camp Pendleton Fire Department worked in coordination with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to prevent fires from spreading off base. Marine officials are coordinating with CALFIRE for the further use of military aircraft pending the wildfire status within San Diego County.
Community Spotlight • • • • • • • • • • •
Name (rank): Cpl. John Ramosoconnell Job title/where do you work: Administrative specialist; Director, Marine Corps Staff, the Pentagon. Military service: U.S. Marine Corps. Favorite sports team: Oregon Ducks (college). Favorite band/music artist: Atmosphere. Favorite place you’ve ever traveled to or been stationed: Hawaii. What do you like most about working at or visiting JBM-HH? The atmosphere is more relaxed than other bases. What are your goals for the year? Complete school and PCS to a deployable unit. What do you like most about living in the National Capital Region? The area and all the history in D.C. What’s your favorite attraction to see in the NCR? I think the museums are really cool. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? If you quit now, you will quit later. If you won the lottery, what would you do? Travel the world. What advice do you have for someone getting stationed at JBM-HH? Make the best of it, use it as a break from the “fleet.”
Caption This
PHOTO
BY JULIA
LEDOUX
Caption This #18
If you’ve ever looked at a photo, read the caption underneath and thought • you could do better, now is your chance. Each week, “Caption This” will have a photo taken from around the base. It’s up to you to figure out the • best, funniest or craziest caption that describes what’s going on in the picture. The only rule is you have to KEEP IT CLEAN! “Caption This” submissions can be sent either by emailing them to pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com, commenting on our Facebook page www.facebook. com/jbmhh or just stopping by Headquarters Bldg. 59, suite 116 and dropping it off. Don’t forget to add the “Caption This” number, your name, rank or position and where you work. Commander, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Every week the Pentagram staff will pick their favorite. The winner’s Col. Fern O. Sumpter’s vision and philosophy: name, caption along with the photo, will be printed in the newspaper. Compete with your friends and coworkers and see who can come up with the With a team of resource management savvy and technically competent best one. And if you have a photo you think would make a great “Caption DoD professionals, establish JBM–HH as DoD’s premier provider of consis- This,” send it in. tent, quality services that enhance readiness and the overall well-being of our customers. We must be ... - Experts at what we do … constantly improving our skills and knowledge. “Parent paparazzi.” - Focused … set priorities and complete the mission. - Committed … to the mission and each other, fostering a community of -Anonymous excellence. - Professional/respectful … remain calm, even when others are not… count on each other at all times, treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Caption This #17
Pentagram Printed on recycled paper
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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 Friday 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.
Editorial staff Commander Command Sergeant Major Director of Public Affairs Command Information Officer
Col. Fern O. Sumpter Earlene Y. Lavender Mary Ann Hodges Sharon Walker
Pentagram staff Editor Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Photographer
Jim Goodwin Rhonda Apple Julia LeDoux Jim Dresbach Guv Callahan Rachel Larue
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Community
PENTAGRAM
Friday, May 23, 2014
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Summer is a time to play it safe By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer
The several inches of rain that fell here April 16 did not put a damper on Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall’s annual safety day. With true Army resiliency on display, organizers simply moved the event, which had been scheduled to take place outside, to two indoor locations on the Fort Myer side of the joint base – the community center and Conmy Hall. Soldiers lined the inside of the community center to learn more about safety from not only the installation’s safety office, but from organizations like the American Red Cross and the Arlington County Health Department. Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers also had an information table inside the building. The annual event is hosted by the joint base and the 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). “Just before Memorial Day, we try to have an event that gets everyone in one place at one time
and give them enough information that’s targeted to those things the Army believes are important to cover that period,” said Adrain Kendrick, the joint base’s safety manager. The Army’s 101 critical days of summer safety campaign, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is intended to remind Soldiers they can’t afford to lose focus while on- or off-duty, he said. Chief among the behaviors the campaign targets is distracted driving, texting and driving, offduty recreational safety, gun safety and motorcycle safety, Kendrick said. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.army.safety.mil. Free motorcycle training is available for servicemembers at the Navy Sea Cadet Compound, Bldg. 1968, on Fort Belvoir, he explained. A basic riders course will be offered June 4-5, 11-12, 19-20 and 26-27. The basic riders course 2 will be offered May 29, June 3, 10, 17, and 25. Motorcycles are provided at no cost to class attendees. To reserve a seat or learn more about upcoming classes, call 703-
PHOTO
BY JULIA
LEDOUX
Sgt. Justin Martin of The Old Guard is outfitted with virtual reality goggles May 16 to operate a driving simulator at Conmy Hall during Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s annual safety day.
704-0649 or visit www.belvoir. army.mil/safety/mc.asp. Inside Conmy Hall, Dominion Virginia Power representatives
reminded Soldiers that electricity always seeks the shortest path to see SAFETY, page 8
Education Center offers path to degrees By Rhonda Apple Pentagram Staff Writer
(Editor’s note: This is the third article in a continuing series about JBM-HH education, employment and other services offered to Soldiers, Marines, civilian employees and family members.) It is no secret earning a college degree can increase the probability of getting a higher-paying job for personnel leaving the military at the end of obligated service or retirement. Between 2004 and 2014, about 14 million jobs are projected to filled by employees who have earned a bachelor’s or higher degree, and who are entering an occupation for the first time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Education Center on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base offers information on college programs for transitioning Soldiers in partnership with the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP). As a joint-initiative between ACAP and the Army Continuing Education System (ACES), the Fort Myer Education Center provides educational services to transitioning Soldiers and their family members. “The two-day elective program the education center provides is called Accessing Higher
Twilight Tattoo and TUSAB schedule for spring, summer 2014 Today at noon: The U.S. Army Voices will hold a Memorial Day concert at Brooke Grove Retirement Village in Sandy Spring, Md. May 24 at 4 p.m.: The U.S. Army Band Downrange will perform pop, rock, and patriotic music at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center in Fairfax, Va. This group’s unique musical interpretations of tunes from the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Katy Perry, Keith Urban, John Legend, and other popular artists of the ‘80s, ‘90s, 2000s, and today, will have you dancing in the streets! May 25 at 8 p.m.: The U.S. Army Chorus and Herald Trumpets will perform at the National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Each year, the “National Memorial Day Concert” presents a unique program honoring the valor and patriotism of Americans who have served our country in times of conflict. The show pays tribute to their sacrifices, as well as those of their families and loved ones. May 26 at 1 and 2 p.m.: The U.S. Army Blues will perform at the Alexandria Memorial Day
Education, an overview of information one needs to know about going to college,” said Tim Battle, education services specialist at the education center. Servicemembers attending this workshop will learn about financial aid, college applications and how to research a school that offers a degree of interest. The program serves as a “college 101” for firsttime college students, according to Battle. “This is really for someone who wants to attend college for the first PHOTO BY RACHEL LARUE time, not someone who already is Local colleges provided information about their programs during an enrolled or wants to go to graduate open house at the Army Education Center, Bldg. 417, May 21. The school,” he said. Army Career and Alumni Program, together with the Army Continuing “This program also fully explains Education System, offers a two-day program, called Accessing Higher the post/911 and Montgomery GI Education, about financial aid options, college applications and how to Bills and other education bene- research schools and degrees. fits offered through the Veterans Bill program use, compared to October 2011. In Administration,” said Battle. The Veterans Administration has distributed fiscal year 2012, Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries more than $30 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill ben- were enrolled in 3,630 institutions. The education center staff of 15 includes an efits to more than one million veterans, servicemembers and dependents since mid-2009, education services officer; education services according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. specialists; guidance counselors; an education The VA received more than 470,000 autumn technician; test examiners; counseling support 2012 enrollments for Post-9/11 GI Bill use, personnel and learning center technicians. which was a 12 percent increase in Post-9/11 GI see EDUCATION, page 11
Jazz Festival at the Alexandria Waterfront Park in Alexandria, Va., beginning at 1 p.m., while members of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will march in the 2014 Memorial Day Parade through the Nation’s Capital starting at 2 p.m. at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street N.W. in Washington, D.C. May 29 at 6 p.m.: The U.S. Army Concert Band will perform at the Rush Hour Concert Series at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. May 30 at 7:30 p.m.: The U.S. Army Chorus will perform with the Langsford Men’s Chorus at the Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Va. 2014 Twilight Tattoo dates (subject to change): May 28 June 4, 11, 18, 25 July 9, 16, 23, 30 Aug. 6, 13, 20 All performances are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Showtimes are 7 p.m. All outdoor concerts are subject to cancellation or location change due to weather considerations. Please call 703-6963399 for up-to-date information on concert cancellations or location changes. For additional details and a full calendar of performances, visit www.usarmyband.com/eventcalendar.html.
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PENTAGRAM
Graves, from page 1 Guard Soldiers planted the Thursday before Memorial Day, that many mysteries and questions still surround the circumstances behind the Section 15 children’s last, brief moments on earth. Holien did answer some basic questions about the ANC section, which is broken into five parts between Farragut, Garfield and McPherson Avenues, and how the current joint base is linked to Section 15. The ground parallel to the tri-service parking lot once PHOTO BY RACHEL LARUE was the Army base’s A grave in Section 15 in Arlington National Cemetery, between Joint Base Myerown burial plot. Henderson Hall’s Old Post Chapel and Selfridge Gates, May 19. The section is the “This used to be final resting place of American servicemembers, their wives and infant children, as the Fort Myer Post de well as axis prisoners of war. facto cemetery,” Holien said as he walked past graves which contain a lot of these dates, and [polio deaths] may be remains of servicemember children, wives and the case. Remember, there was no polio vaccine. parents in addition to deceased post employees. For these little children to catch something, not “The wall here would have been up, but this too much could have been done.” would have been for the children of Fort Myer, If any medical attention was given to Fort Soldiers of Fort Myer. If someone from the post Myer youngsters during the post-World War II died in an accident or [from] disease, they could era and the advent of the Korean War, pediatbe interred in this section.” ric patients would have been seen at medical And disease may have taken a toll on the Fort offices at Building 59 – the current JBM-HH Myer young. A number of consecutive graves headquarters. in Section 15 holds brief stories of infants who “Building 59 was an active hospital up until lived just hours or days. Two distinct patterns the mid 1960s,” Holien said. “I’ve even seen run consistent in regard to the infant graves in some paperwork where they still had clinics Section 15 – a significant amount of newborns until the late 1960s. Around that time, they were buried in succession during the years of [Arlington National Cemetery] stopped taking 1947 and 1951. burials for Fort Myer personnel.” According to the United States Public Health While unnamed infants eternally rest in Service, the National Office of Vital Statistics Section 15, one other intriguing side-bar story and Washington Post articles, pneumonia and lies inside Section 15: Two Italian prisoners of influenza were the second-highest cause of war and a German POW are buried among the deaths among infants in 1947 and a flu epi- children. demic was reported that year. In 1951, a strain The known facts about the Axis prisoners of flu bolted through the northeastern part of are brief. Italians Mario Batista and Arcangelo the United States during the winter and spring. Prudenza were captured in North Africa, and “There are some variations here [in Section Anton Hilberath appears to have also been 15],” Holien said as he visually scanned the taken prisoner during the African campaign. All graves. “But there’s five [death dates] in a row three were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean, that read May, 1951. Then there’s an April permitted to do farm work, and the three were death date right next to them. There’s another placed on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. All three April of 1951 and another, and they are all died in 1946. young ones.” “Under the Geneva Convention, if a POW or a Another hypothesis Holien shares is that the national died in a foreign country during World newborns fell to a virus which caused mass War II, they were buried in the closest national panic during the middle of the 20th Century. cemetery of that country,” Holien said. “That’s According to the Center of Disease Control why we have a German POW and Italian POWs and Prevention, the United States suffered its buried by those big trees.” most deadly polio season in 1951 with 57,879 According to Arlington National Cemetery, reported cases. 17 foreign nationals are buried in Section “There was a major outbreak of polio in the 15, including six British servicemembers, two early 1950s,” Holien explained. “You match up Danish sailors and a pair of Danish marines. Guide, from page 1 Army. “Our idea is mainly to get it into the hands of our first-line leadership,” Toups said. One requirement NCOs have at the unit level, Toups said, is to inventory Soldiers’ clothing bags annually. The CRA pamphlet will help with that, he said. It will also be a handy tool for sergeants to pull out of their pockets, he said, when they find a Soldier in formation with a torn or worn-out uniform. “It’s one more thing they can use to maintain readiness,” he said. Chance said NCOs can put the knowledge in their “kit bag” for future use. “It’s all about the process,” he said, explaining that Soldiers today appreciate knowing why the Army does things. “You can tell a Soldier why, but if you show them, they will understand it,” he added. For instance, it shows that the Army combat uniform jacket has a useful life of six months with a replacement cost of $44.98 each. Each year, the CRA provides enough money to replace two ACU jackets, which is a total of $89.96. On the other hand, a pair of boots has a useful life of 24 months with a replacement cost of $96.75 per pair. Each year, the CRA provides onehalf of the money to replace one pair of boots, which is a total of $48.38. Likewise, the Army Service Uniform coat is expected to last four years. So the annual clothing allowance only covers
one-fourth of cost of the dress blue coat: $30.48 is provided annually for the male coat and $25.92 for the women’s coat. Six to eight items differ in price for men and women, and that’s why the annual clothing replacement allowance differs slightly for male and female Soldiers. This year, the standard CRA for male Soldiers is $440.89, and the allowance for women is $468.05. The allowance varies slightly from year to year with the cost of uniform items. Toups and Chance actually went to clothing sales stores this year to check the price of every item before finalizing the pamphlet. Chance also wanted to inform Soldiers that when new clothing items are developed to replace current clothing items, the Soldiers aren’t “coming out of pocket” when purchasing the new items. The current CRA already covers the cost of replacing clothing items as they reach the end of their useful life. Wear-out periods for the current items will generally match the useful life of that item. For instance, the new Army physical fitness uniform will debut in military clothing and sales stores sometime in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. Following the CRA pamphlet, the current IPFU components have a useful life of between 12 and 24 months. Soldiers will likely have up to 24 months to phase the new APFU into their clothing bag. Over that 24-month time period, their CRA will
provide them with enough funds to replace two shortsleeve t-shirts, two long-sleeve t-shirts, two pair of shorts, one jacket and one pair of pants. The clothing allowance is only provided to Soldiers who are on active duty for more than 180 days, Toups said, because after their initial issue, they are expected to maintain their own clothing bag. National Guard and Army Reserve troops get “issue in kind,” Toups said, explaining that they are issued uniforms that are expected to last three years, but sometimes replaced more often depending on “fair wear and tear.” Soldiers in their first three years of enlistment receive a reduced annual amount, or “basic” clothing replacement allowance. Soldiers begin receiving the standard CRA after their third anniversary of continuous active service, Toups explained. Rather than printing a huge supply of the CRA pamphlets, Toups and Chance want to save trees and funding by distributing the pamphlet via the Internet and through NCO leadership courses. Chance said a number of the Army’s warrior leader courses are already asking for the pamphlet. Chance provided the CRA pamphlet to senior NCOs attending the force management course at Fort Belvoir, Va., earlier this month. He also provided the pamphlet to leaders attending a briefing at Fort Myer about updated Army Regulation 670-1.
News Notes
News Notes, from page 1
of plaques is dedicated to the 161 Canadians and more than 40 U.S. armed forces members who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace and security while under Canadian command. Public viewing of the memorial in the embassy’s courtyard is available from May 23 to May 26. Attendants will be on site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to answer questions. For more information, visit www.canadianally.com. Traffic alert for Rolling Thunder The Arlington County Police Department and Virginia State Police will close part of Washington Boulevard (Rt. 27) near the Pentagon May 25 from 7 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. for the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally. In addition, Arlington National Cemetery will only be accessible from southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway or northbound Rt. 110. Motorists should expect large numbers of motorcyclists in Northern Virginia and the entire Washington Metropolitan area this weekend. For questions or concerns, call Lt. Daniel Green at 703-228-4259. Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony The Society of the 3d Infantry Division will host its annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery May 26. Marne veterans will first meet at the 3d Infantry Division monument, located in front of the ANC amphitheater at 3:30 p.m. before participating in a formal wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. All Marnemen, spouses and friends are invited. For further information, contact John Insani at 703-370-4586 or via email at marneop7@comcast.net. Entry still possible for Army 10-Miler Although priority registration for this year’s Army 10-Miler sold out in two hours and 15 minutes, hopeful entrants can still access to compete via the transfer program, which opens June 1 and closes Aug. 22. Runners may also register with one of the military community partners. For full details, visit www.armytenmiler. com or call 202-685-4645. See associated news note on page 5. 1st Sergeants barracks program in effect Barracks functions have been relocated from the Executive Management Directorate Housing office, Bldg. 205, room 139 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, to the 3d Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.” Point of contact is Staff Sgt. Jared Benge, barracks program NCOIC, whose office is in Bldg. 246’s basement on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. For room inspections and service orders, contact your unit representative. Assignments and terminations, lost key or new key services will be in the basement of Bldg. 246. Duty hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. After hour emergency service orders can be called in to 703-696-3263. For lock outs, contact your first sergeant or go to 1/3 or 4/3 regimental staff duty, which is open 24/7. For off post referrals; in or out processing, or PTDY stamp, go to the Housing office. For more information, call 703-696-3557/3558. Memorial Chapel VBS JBM-HH Memorial Chapel will host an ecumenical vacation Bible school June 30 through July 3. Kids ages 4 through 12 can join us for Weird Animals: Where Jesus’ Love is One-of-aKind from 9:30 a.m. to noon each day. Register at the chapel through June 20. Kids will learn about some of God’s most creative creations and will participate in Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork building games, enjoy yummy treats, experience cool Bible adventures and test out fun science gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. For more information, call Betsy Hendrix at 703-696-6635. MWR customer satisfaction survey The Department of Defense is set to release its latest survey to gauge customer satisfaction with Morale, Welfare and Recreation garrison facilities and programs. DoD will focus this survey on select types of facilities so management, training and financial resources can be maximized in the current fiscal environment. This year’s questionnaire focuses on fitness, libraries, outdoor recreation, recreation centers, auto service centers, single servicemember programs, leisure travel, swimming pools, sports and athletics. Participation in the survey is confidential to encourage honest and full participation from Soldiers and family members who are patrons of Family and MWR services around the world. Installation Management Command uses surveys like this, as well as their website, www. armymwr.com, and social media sites www. facebook.com/FamilyMWR and www.twitter.com/ FamilyMWR. to stay connected with MWR customers in the Army community. Involvement in the survey will help ensure MWR fulfills customer needs in the years to come. see NEWS NOTES, page 5
PENTAGRAM
Friday, May 23, 2014
News Notes
News Notes, from page 4 Redskins ticket sales JBM-HH Community Center at Bldg. 405 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base has Washington Redskins tickets on sale now with the combination package which includes one pair of tickets to a preseason game and one pair of tickets to a regular season game for $520. Seats are located in the lower level end zone, section 129. For more information, call 703-6963470. Zembiec Pool reopens The Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec Pool will reopen May 26 with summer hours, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday. Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 703693-7351. Motorcycle safety ride A motorcycle safety ride will be held May 28 from 8 a.m. until close of business beginning at the Headquarters Battalion (Bldg. 417 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base) parking lot. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Pablo Robledo at 703-696-3375 or via email at pablo. robledo.mil@mail.mil. The Summerall Field parking lot will be closed May 27 at 9 p.m. until May 28 in support of the event and will reopen after the ride is complete. Temporary road closure McNair Road from the intersection of Lee Avenue to Marshall Drive on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base is closed, to include pedestrian and bicycle traffic, until further notice due to road damage. For more information, call 703-696-3290 or log onto www.facebook.com/jbmhh. Towel service to be discontinued at fitness centers Effective June 1, the Fort Myer and Fort McNair fitness centers will discontinue gym towel services. JBM-HH is one of the few remaining installations to provide this service and the funding to continue it is no longer available. JBM-HH regrets the inability to continue purchasing replacement towels. Installation Management Command invests current resources in new and improved fitness equipment to meet servicemembers’ physical fitness requirements. Patrons are asked to bring a towel from home for working out, shower and sauna use. Anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down equipment after use will still be provided.
nitive skills while parents support each other through sharing ideas, parenting experiences, concerns and information. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information, call 703-696-3512. New stress management, life balance class Marine and Family Programs offers warriors at ease, balancing warrior intensity and holistic stress management. The pilot class is May 29 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. Warriors at Ease focuses on the mind-body connection of stress management and on alternate ways to manage stress and promote wellness. The three-part program consists of one hour of interactive stress management discussion; thirty minutes on the relationship between food, stress and nutrition; and one hour of yoga to learn techniques to clean the mind and promote focus. Registration is required by calling 703-693-9146. Military spouse networking and hiring fair A free networking fair for military spouses will take place May 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. and a hiring fair will take place May 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. Both events are open to all military spouses, including active duty, Guard, Reserve and Gold Star spouses. The career resource management center will be closed May 29. For more information, visit www.hoh.greatjob.net. BOSS laser tag fund raiser Help Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers generate funds for the events it hosts for single Soldiers by participating in laser tag May 29 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Ultra Zone Bailey’s Cross Roads, 3447 Carlin Springs Road. Cost is $20, which covers unlimited laser tag, food and drinks. A trophy will go to the company with the most participation. Family members count towards the participation trophy; 7:30 p.m. is the cut-off time. Old Amphitheater to be renamed at ANC Arlington National Cemetery is renaming the Old Amphitheater May 30 to honor Cpl. James
Army 10-Miler qualifier series The first JBM-HH Army 10-Miler 10k qualifier will be June 6. FMWR has 40 slots for this year’s ATM Oct. 12. To be eligible for a space on this year’s JBM-HH ATM team, runners must be active duty. If selected as a member of the installation’s team, FMWR pays your entry into the Army 10-Miler. Qualifying races will take place July 18 and Aug. 1, and the team will be formed after the Aug. 1 qualifier. Qualifying begins at 6:35 a.m. at the Fort Myer Fitness Center. Registration and participation is free. Register online at www.jbmhhmwr.com. Registration will also be accepted the morning of each qualifier from 5:30 to 6:15 a.m. For more information, contact Todd Hopkins at 703-6960594 or via email at todd.a.hopkins.civ@mail. mil. Volunteers needed for DITB program The dinner in the barracks program is looking for volunteers to make a home-cooked meal for Marines in the barracks. If you are interested in providing some tasty food June 12, sign up at www.perfectpotluck.com/meals. php?t=YYHH6188&v=1dd026a237. Policy regarding news notes submissions: 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. Further, news notes must be submitted no later than noon, Wednesdays, for consideration for publication in that week’s Pentagram. Priority will be given to those announcements of events and deadlines occurring during the publication week. Please send your news notes to the Pentagram at pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com.
IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR
MILITARY SERVICE
Sign up for the home run derby Registration is now open for the home run derby scheduled for June 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the softball field. Register through June 3 online at www.mccsHH.com/SmithGym.html. Complete rules are available online. Prizes will be awarded to the top three challengers. Spectators are welcome to cheer. Free hotdogs will be available while supplies last. For more information, call 703-696-4730.
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Quantico parachute club This summer, the Quantico parachute club will begin conducting group activities at drop zones around the National Capital Region. The club is currently in its initial start-up phase and is looking for members. Although the QPC will focus on active duty Marines, any who are interested will be able to join the club. While most club activities will be restricted to U.S. Parachute Association licensed skydivers, all skill levels from student to expert are welcome. The club will hold its first event of the year May 25 at the annual Memorial Day barbecue at 11339 Bloomsbury Road in Orange, Va. For additional information, email parajumps@gmail. com or visit www.quanticoparachutelcub.com or www.facebook.com/quanticoparachuteclub.
Indoor play group This group offers play, songs and story time for preschool children up to 5 years old. It meets May 28 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Sequoia Plaza, third floor, 2100 Washington Blvd., in Arlington. Enhance children’s social and cog-
R. Tanner in conjunction with the annual Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Decoration Day observance. The Sons of Union Veterans observance provides a glimpse of how Memorial Day was conducted after the Civil War, including participants in period uniforms. The event will conclude with a wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns. The event is part of the cemetery’s 150th commemoration and starts at 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
THANK R YOU FO YOUR ! SERVICE
Soldier for Life website available The Army’s web portal, Army Knowledge Online (AKO) has been available to retirees and family members for many years. However, the Army is transitioning to a more secure enterprise network for business users: Soldiers, Army civilians and contractors. Retirees will continue to be able to access important information about the Army and information pertaining to health, retirement, employment and education benefits online at www.soldierforlife.army.mil.
Outdoor play group This playgroup is designed for preschool age children to provide time for play, physical activity and socialization for parents. It meets May 26 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Virginia Highlands Park, 1600 South Hayes Street, Arlington, Va., by the restrooms, weather permitting. Pre-registration is encouraged. For questions, call 703-696-3512.
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Friday, May 23, 2014
PENTAGRAM
Commentary: Captain honored to escort fallen Vietnam hero home By Capt. Jason Christie Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations
This story is part of the “commentaries” section on AF.mil. These stories capture the experiences of Airmen from a first-person perspective. I began my career 15 years ago as a maintainer launching aircraft with wide eyes and supreme confidence. Aircraft coming and going was normal to me and had been since I was a child, when my father was in the Air Force. As I grew into the job, the importance of our work was constantly on the minds of everyone around me. It was our responsibility to do everything we could, the right way, to make sure the aircraft came back. I took the maintenance badge I wore very seriously. A few weeks ago, I was notified I would be a military escort for a fallen Airmen returning from the Vietnam conflict. On Dec. 30, 1969, 1st Lt. Douglas David Ferguson, having received the Silver Star just prior to the incident that would take his life, was part of a formation of F-4s from the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron on an armed reconnaissance mission over Laos. Doug and his still unaccounted for aircraft commander, Capt. Fielding Featherston, made two successful passes as they strafed their target. On their last pass, the aircraft went down. Their names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and on the lesser known, but still revered “Punchbowl” in Honolulu, more formally known as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Ferguson was post-
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TECH. SGT. SEAN TOBIN
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Honor Guard members fold the flag that was draped over the casket of Capt. Douglas D. Ferguson, May 2 at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, Wash. Ferguson was killed in the Vietnam War and was finally laid to rest at home after being missing for more than 44 years.
humously promoted to the rank of captain. I traveled along with Danielle Van Orden, an Air Force funeral director assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Del., who painstakingly works behind the scenes to bring closure to these families, through the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, where Ferguson’s remains were identified.
In Hawaii, we met his nephew, retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Bryan Scott and his cousin, a veteran flight attendant, Sally Savard. The four of us were inseparable as we brought Ferguson back to Tacoma to be laid to rest. Our reactions ranged from lots of tears to lots of laughs and we eventually came up with the acronym WWDD or “What would Doug do?” to guide us on our long and emotional journey. Along the way, we met count-
less people who went above and beyond the call of duty in bringing the captain home. From the technicians at the 15th Force Support Squadron, to the pilots on our flights who honored him by explaining to each group of passengers who the hero on board that day was; to the ground crews at each airport we stopped at, who helped me take care of him and got us to where we needed to be; to the passengers see COMMENTARY, page 9
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Friday, May 23, 2014
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Civilian senior executive helps protect D.C. By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer
Egon Hawrylak, a 40-year federal employee, has some words of advice for those starting a career with the U.S. government. “I think they just need to look for and seek out those tough assignments,” Hawrylak said. “I think you have to build your credentials, put a good packet together and go to whatever schools are available. “Don’t turn a job down because it sounds hard. You’ve got to tackle it. If you do, I think you’re setting yourself up for success.” And Hawrylak certainly is an authority on successful careers: he has four decades of federal service, including 30 years in the military and another decade as a federal civilian employee. Currently, he serves as deputy commander of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, a subordinate command to U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and as a member of the Senior Executive Service, Hawrylak assists in conducting a variety of military operations throughout the National Capital Region. The headquarters oversees homeland defense, incident management and defense support of civil authorities in the National Capital Region. In other words, the D.C.-based military unit coordinates and collaborates with various federal, state, and local response agencies to ensure the Department of Defense is continually ready to support civil authorities in the event of a catastrophic event, such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster. That mission requires continual training, collaboration and communication with other government and response agencies. As the deputy commander for JFHQ-NCR, Hawrylak supports the core functions of the unit, including fiscal and budgetary planning, manpower and personnel, logistics, operations, intelligence and readiness. “Being able to deal with that set of professionals, whether it be the Secret Service, the FBI or our first responder community, is absolutely wonderful and to coordinate national security events as a collaborative team I think is something you can’t find in any other organization,” he said. In addition to protecting Washington, D.C., Hawrylak said the Army side of this multi-service headquarters — the U.S. Army Military District of Washington — plays a major role on the “national and international stage.” MDW oversees the 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” Both units provide ceremonial support regularly to funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and perform at a variety of public forums in the area for thousands of spectators annually. The command also oversees the Army Air Operations Group providing rotary and fixed wing support to Army senior leaders and contingencies. “Our Ceremonies and Special Events Office orchestrates White House state arrivals; they orchestrate the official wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery,” he said. Hawrylak explained MDW is a direct reporting unit to the Department of the Army and serves as the “core staff” of the JFHQ-NCR when activated as a joint task force. JFHQ-NCR was formed in 2003 as a direct result of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon and World Trade Center, when military and civilian leaders recognized a need for strong cooperation and communication between agencies and national and local units in times of emergency or to prevent such attacks. “The dynamics of the command, the multiservice mix, the Air Force civilians mixed in, the Army civilians, these folks, some of whom have been here as long as I have, are proud of what they did on 9/11 and are proud of their mission today in terms of securing and protecting the nation’s capital,” he said. Before he became a civil servant, the Toledo, Ohio, native served 30 years in the Army. He was commissioned following his graduation from the University of Toledo as a distinguished military graduate. He went on to serve with the Army’s elite 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain Divisions. He deployed to both Haiti and Somalia and spent three years on the Joint Staff. After retiring as a colonel in 2004, he served as the civilian deputy director for operations, U.S. Army
Military District of Washington until 2007. “In 2007, they created this particular billet, and I was fortunate enough to be selected and hired. I’d like to stay here until I retire,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to be selected as the first and up to this point, only deputy commander.” Hawrylak’s office on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall pays homage to his love of the Washington Redskins and his accomplishments both as a servicemember and as a member of the Senior Executive Service (Hawrylak is an “SES-1,” the equivalent to a brigadier general in the Army). His office leaves no room for guessing about his military roots:
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Commanders coins are arranged under glass on a table; burgundy and gold memorabilia is visible throughout. Hawrylak also shared a glimpse into his personal life in his interview with the Pentagram, saying his identical twin brother also retired as an Army colonel. He purchased his first home after retiring from the military, explaining that he never felt comfortable owning a home while on active duty. “I finished off the basement with the typical man cave stuff and media room,” he said with a smile. “I’ve laid tile, done backsplash. It’s fun see DEPUTY, page 10
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Friday, May 23, 2014
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Safety, from page 3 the ground while trying to find something, like metal, wet wood or water, to help it get there. During their presentation, the linemen showed what happened to a variety of objects when they came in contact with live electrical wires while also discussing safety around power lines. They reminded Soldiers that ladders should be kept at least 10 feet away from power lines and to call their utilities prior to doing any digging. Soldiers like Spc. Dominque Walker and Pfc. Phipps Brennen of The Old Guard lined up for a chance to take a ride on the seat belt convincer, which was developed to educate the general public on how beneficial the use of seat belts can be even in low-speed crashes. Master Police Officer Patrick Nolan of the Fairfax County Police Department strapped the Soldiers into the machine seat and seat belt and looked on with a smile as they made their way down a slight incline before the machine’s air bag deployed. “It was pretty exciting,” said Brennan after his ride. “I wasn’t expecting it to be so fast.” “I wear my seat belt anyway,” Walker said with a shake of his head. Sgt. Justin Martin of The Old Guard tried out Drivesquare, a driving simulator that allows users to drive in virtual space. Wearing virtual reality goggles, Martin had a 360 degree panoramic view as he negotiated turns and avoided obstacles on the highway. “I had to get used to the goggles,” he said. The Marine Corps has a similar summer safety campaign. For more information on the Corps’ campaign, visit www.safety.marines.mil. TOP: Staff Sgt. Pablo Robledo discusses motorcycle safety with a Soldier May 16 at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Community Center during the installation’s annual safety day. RIGHT: Linemen for Dominion Virginia Power demonstrate what can happen to various objects when they encounter live electrical power lines during Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s annual safety day May 16. PHOTOS
BY JULIA
LEDOUX
Practice what you preach By Art Powell U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center
Before the director of Army Safety rides his motorcycle, he performs a safety inspection. It’s a habit. “As commander of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, and as a rider, I see how motorcycle safety is an important part of taking care of our Soldiers,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Edens, director of Army Safety and commanding general, USACR/Safety Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama. Before a recent group ride around Fort Rucker during National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Edens and 20 other riders rallied to discuss the ride, inspect their machines and address safety issues. They were motorcyclists about to take to the road, rank didn’t matter. Edens, who has been riding only since 2012, paired with his aide-decamp, Capt. Bill Heidt, a rider since 2006. “Age, rank or professional status do not necessarily have anything to do with safe riding,” said Edens. “I waited more than 20 years to get my Harley, and of all the riders out here today, I’m likely the least experienced. I stand to learn something today, and it’s a good opportunity for
Capt. Heidt to give me a little mentoring since he’s been riding longer than me.” The focus on safety during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month couldn’t come at a more critical time for the Army since the number of Soldiers killed in motorcycle accidents this year is up significantly from last year. Data from the USACR/Safety Center shows the majority of deaths this year involve Army leaders above the rank of E-5. As of the publish date of this article, 15 of the 19 reported Army motorcycle fatalities involved Soldiers E-5 and above, to include an active duty colonel. “The beauty of these bike rallies is that every rider can take away something to make them a better rider, and ultimately, a safer rider,” said Heidt. “I shared some of my experiences and thoughts about riding with my boss, and I really think he appreciated me doing so.” The greatest threat to Army motorcycle riders is indiscipline, such as speeding, alcohol use, lack of training and failure to adequately use personal protective equipment, according to statistics from the USACR/Safety Center. “Soldiers receive motorcycle safety training based on their riding skills level, and it’s critical that leaders
PHOTO
BY
RACHEL LARUE
Participants in a motorcycle safety ride gather for a prayer before departing from the Marine Corps War Memorial just outside of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall May 3, 2013. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
hold their Soldiers, and themselves, accountable to the standards no matter how much experience they have,” Edens explained. “They need to use what they learn from the required safety training the Army makes available.” Because the Army is spread out around the world, and it’s always riding season somewhere, it means there is never a time when Army leaders don’t need to be concerned with motorcycle safety. “The Army’s safety program covers many areas, and all of them require
a 24/7 commitment,” Edens said. “In motorcycle safety, the highway is a great equalizer where rank isn’t the issue and skills, safe habits and experience lead the way.” To assist riders and Army safety professionals, several tools, including an updated Motorcycle Mentorship Program guidebook, are available at https://safety.army.mil. Also, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Headquarters Battalion will host a motorcycle check/ride May 28. For details, see “news notes” on page 4.
Marine to receive Medal of Honor By Lance Cpl. Eric Keenan Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps
PHOTO
BY
CPL. MICHAEL GUINTO
Marine veteran Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter will receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. Carpenter will receive the medal from President Barack Obama, June 19. He will be the eighth living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The White House announced May 19 that Marine veteran Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter will receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Carpenter will receive the medal from President Barack Obama, June 19. He will be the eighth living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. On Nov. 21, 2010, Taliban insurgents initiated an attack on Carpenter’s squad, part of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. Carpenter, the squad automatic rifleman for his fire team, and Lance Cpl. Nicholas Eufrazio were holding a rooftop security position when a hand grenade was thrown their way. Without hesitation, Carpenter reacted, rushing toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his brother-inarms from its blast. The grenade detonated with Carpenter’s body taking the majority of the blast. Carpenter lay on the rooftop, barely clinging to life; his fellow Marine also severely wounded. A selfless action and a hellish tragedy happened in the blink of an eye, leaving both Carpenter and Eufrazio with painstaking recoveries. Carpenter suffered severe injuries from the blast. Much of his jaw was rebuilt and he lost his right eye; he sustained countless shattered bones throughout his body and a collapsed right lung.
He endured a strenuous recovery process at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. After two and a half years, Carpenter was medically retired from the Marine Corps on July 30, 2013. “I look back, and I’m actually very appreciative I had those two and a half years because those years put things in perspective more than a whole lifetime of things could if I wasn’t there,” Carpenter said. Carpenter’s mind and emotions were not left unscarred either. The hardest part was dealing with letting others help, he said. “Going from toting a machine gun in Afghanistan … to using a bed pan, and I can’t even put my own socks on — that was hard to kind of suck it up,” Carpenter said. Although the recovery process seemed endless and small tasks required assistance, Carpenter overcame the odds and has a new outlook on life from the entire tragedy, he said. He is grateful for all the help and support he received. “I’ve just been very fortunate that I’ve had not only my family, but friends, Marines and the community of South Carolina,” Carpenter said. “Early on in my recovery, the entire United States seemed to be supportive. Letters flooded in from all over the place, so from the second I woke up in the hospital, I’ve always had a great team and great people. I’ve been very fortunate.” Even with such a great honor bestowed on him, see MoH, page 9
PENTAGRAM
Friday, May 23, 2014
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VA offers online GI Bill comparison tool Courtesy Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
PHOTO
BY
SGT. ALVIN WILLIAMS JR.
Servicemembers assigned throughout the National Capital Region compete in a tug of war during a team building session at the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall May 15. The team building was part of a the first National Capital Region Joint Professional Development Seminar May 14-16. More than 100 military noncommissioned officers from across the services attended the event.
PME, from page 1 each of the armed services, as well as a variety of team-building exercises. During the week, students received advice and guidance during a joint panel discussion with senior NCOs from across the military, as well as valuable insight into resiliency, standards, discipline and the appropriate use of social media. “Regardless of the color of your uniform … we all fight for the same thing,” said Air Force District of Washington Command Chief Master Sgt. Jose LugoSantiago during the opening lecture on the profession of arms. “And although we sometimes have rivalries between the services – and we do that on purpose, just for fun – in the end, we are bound by one code.” Course instructors said the discussions were designed to both strengthen bonds between servicemembers and render them better, smarter leaders. “You need to be competent, credible and capable,” Owens told a roomful of students during a discussion on building partnerships, both with your superiors and those under your command. “To build those partnerships, to build those bridges, you’ve got to be a leader.” Marine Corps Sgt. Major Brian Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered the graduation speech at the end of the course, capping off the three days of advice from senior officers with some wisdom of his own. Battaglia told the room of graduating NCOs and petty officers that they were in a unique position within the organizational structure of the military. “We, as an NCO Corps, execute from the structure’s middle,” he said. “Some could look at it as a center of gravity. Most will look at it as a backbone.” This meant that many of the people in the room had been taught useful and effective problem-solving skills, but Battaglia said they would ultimately need to go one step further to be truly great leaders. “While problem solving is definitely needed … it’s not the heart of leading,” he said. “Inevitably, your goal is to be a problem preventer.” Emphasizing the joint aspect of the military and focus of the course, Battaglia said that working together would be the only way to accomplish missions. “It is literally impossible, ladies and gentlemen, for you to successfully discharge your duties and achieve a career in this profession as a soloist,” he said. The success of the pilot course will be reviewed to determine if it will be instated as a permanent fixture for NCOs and spread across services. “Everyone involved in the class felt it was successful and that conducting similar classes will only strengthen our NCOs and Petty Officers,” Owens said in an email after the course’s completion. The “Backbone of the Armed Forces” is available online at http://www. dtic.mil/doctrine/nco/pdf/NCO-Backbone.pdf.
Dive
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a new website that makes it easier for servicemembers trying to decide how to best use their Post9/11 GI Bill to calculate benefits and learn more about approved colleges, universities and other training programs. The GI Bill Comparison Tool website — http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison — provides key information about college affordability and brings together information from more than 17 different online sources and three federal agencies, including the number of students receiving VA benefits at each school. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a comprehensive education benefit created by Congress in 2008. In general, veterans and servicemembers who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001 are eligible. Since 2009, VA has distributed over $30 billion in the form of tuition and other education-related payments to more than one million veterans, servicemembers and their families, and to the universities, colleges and trade schools they attend. For more information about GI Bill programs, visit: http://www.public. navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/education/GIBill/Pages/default.aspx.
Java Café: new menu, hours Marine Corps Community a philosophy the Java Café pracServices Henderson Hall’s Java tices every day. Café, opened in 2010 and located New hours on the lower level of Marine Corps We heard our customers! The Exchange (MCX), offers an expand- Java Café extended operating ed seating area, additional menu hours and is open weekdays 7 a.m. items, and, by customer request, – 4 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., longer open hours. The Java Café, and Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with quick service, a warm décor, The Java Café is a stand-alone MCCS’s world class customer “We Proudly Serve” concept. With service and fresh, tasty foods makes the permission of Army Family and a winning combination for custom- Morale, Welfare, and Recreation ers seeking breakfast, lunch or an (FMWR), the concept was opened afternoon pick-me-up. in the MCX in conjunction with a New look major renovation in 2010. A variety A popular destination for special- of menu items — to include breakty coffees and grab-and-go lunch fast sandwiches, lunch sandwichitems, the Java Café now sports es and wraps, salads and soup, a new look, with a seating area specialty coffees, teas, and sweet expanded into the adjacent Marine pick-me-ups — make Java Café a Corps Exchange lower level. Warm popular destination for meals and wood tables, funky bucket chairs, snacks throughout the day. and a dark wood grain trim complete the look, designed to blend seamlessly with the MCX décor. New menu What made the Java Café a success — its signature sandwiches, soups and sweets — will stay on the menu, and new offerings include healthy snack trays, vegan and vegetarian options, warm sandwiches and a salad topping bar to complete a bowl of romaine or spring mix. There’s no PHOTO BY RACHEL LARUE better way to make a great meal than with Iris Bundy, team leader at the Java Café at the Marine fresh, quality ingre- Corps Exchange, makes a Café Mocha May 8. The café dients presented in re-opened after renovations added additional space. The recyclable or com- café also features a revised menu and different hours of postable containers, operation. MoH, from page 8
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CORY HANCOCK
Shanon Chader, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District, enters the water to inspect the sea wall on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall May 21. The waters there are a convergence of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, as well as the Washington Channel. The inspection takes place every four years unless an incident, such as a hurricane or an earthquake, occurs that would prompt the need for another inspection.
Commentary, from page 6 who would flash a smile or whisper a thank you. Everyone was gracious, kind and amazing. In the Salt Lake City terminal, an older gentleman with a World War II veteran hat on saw me in service dress and stopped me to ask, with tears in his eyes, if I was bringing someone home. I replied, “Yes, sir. After almost 45 years, Doug is coming home,” and then told his story while the gentleman cried. Arriving in Seattle, I met Sue Scott, Ferguson’s sister and longtime POW/MIA advocate and leader. Sue has helped countless families as they bring their loved ones home all the while wondering if she would see the day that her brother would do the same. That day, he would
he remains humble. “As many firefights and instances where there’s been opportunity, Marines have stepped up to the plate — not only in Iraq and Afghanistan but since the beginning of our country,” Carpenter said “So I truly feel like I’m on an even playing field.” Carpenter was born in Flowood, Miss., and resides in South Carolina. He is now a full-time student at the University of South Carolina, but does miss the Marine Corps, he said. Looking back at his time in the Corps, Carpenter’s fondest memories are being deployed with his fellow Marines in Afghanistan. To him, nothing will compare to months without a shower, sleeping in the dirt and being with 50 of his best friends. “If I look at it that way, I’m very thankful for Afghanistan, and it really means a lot to me,” Carpenter said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
receive the welcome he so richly deserved. The honor guard from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, rendered impeccable honors, state and local police and firefighters came out in force for the processional, McChord Airmen executed a flawless funeral service on base and the Patriot Guard riders, Vietnam veterans themselves, escorted their fallen brother to his final resting place. The wearing of a bracelet with the name of a Prisoner of War or Missing in Action servicemember has long been a tradition in the military community. It’s a way of remembering and honoring those who haven’t returned to us yet. There was a small wooden box at Ferguson’s funeral where those who had worn his bracelet
all these years were invited to leave them as a symbol that he’d finally come home. I hadn’t worn his bracelet, but wanted to honor him in my own way and though I am a personnel officer by now, I thought of the aircrews and maintainers on the flightline that day in 1969. I asked Sue if it was alright for me to place my maintenance badge in the box as a symbol of our journey and she graciously agreed. As I removed it from my uniform, the words of my past echoed through my head, “it’s our job to make sure they get home.” Well, Doug, it’s been an honor and privilege to have been your final wingman. You’re finally home.
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Deputy, from page 7 to own something and put your blood and sweat into it.” The proud father of two also has plans to help out with renovations at his son and daughter’s homes. He credits both his military career and the schools he attended while serving with helping prepare him for his current civilian role. “I went to both the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College, which are more joint interagency schools,” he said. “By default, I gained a lot of experience there.” Though he says there is no such thing as a “typical” work day, the most rewarding part about “getting up in the morning and coming to work are the employees here,” he said. “We’ve got professional, dedicated folks who come to work here,” he said. “They’re very, very proud in terms of what they do, whether that’s standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown, or planning, executing and coordinating a national event.”
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Memorial Day holiday hours Most offices on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall will be closed Monday, May 26, a federal holiday to commemorate Memorial Day. Most military activities will have curtailed operations Friday, May 23. The following facilities and places of business have reported open or closed hours for this federal holiday weekend May 23-26. Unless otherwise noted, this list applies to May 26. This list is not all encompassing, please check with the facility you wish to visit for more details.
PHOTO
BY
GEORGE MARKFELDER
Egon Hawrylak, deputy commander, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, presents Cathy Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, with a book on Arlington National Cemetery, following a Joint Force Protection Seminar at Spates Community Club on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Aug. 29, 2012.
Dining facility: holiday hours from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26: Brunch – 9 a.m. to noon and supper – 4 to 5:30 p.m. Headquarters Command Battalion, Fort Myer side of JBM-HH: Closed with curtailed operations May 23. Headquarters & Services Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall side of JBM-HH: Closed with curtailed operations May 23. Executive Management Housing Division: Closed Memorial Chapel: Closed; open with limited staff May 23. For more information, call 703696-6635. Rader Health Clinic: Closed. Rader Dental Clinic: Closed; closed May 23. Dental emergencies should report to Fort Belvoir Community Hospital emergency room. Commissary: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fort Myer Exchange: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fort Myer Express: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fort Myer Military Clothing Sales Store: Closed. Pentagon Military Clothing Sales Store: Closed. Fort McNair Express: Closed. MCX and The Vineyard Wine & Spirits: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. American Clipper Barber Shop: Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Java Café: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Zembiec Pool: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Smith Gym: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. All other MCCS activities are closed, except the car wash, open 24/7. Veterinary Clinic: Closed; Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 23 (for purchase of over-the-counter products, routine sick call and appointments). Call 703-696-3604 to schedule an appointment. CYSS: Closed. ACS: Closed. Fort Myer Fitness Center: Open May 24-26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fort McNair Fitness Center: Open May 24-25 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Closed May 26. Library: Open May 25 from noon to 5 p.m., Closed May 26. Rec Center: Open May 24-25 from noon to 6 p.m. and Closed May 26. Auto Shop: Open May 24-25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Closed May 26. Fort Myer Officers Club: Open May 24 from 10:30 to 2 p.m., May 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Closed May 26. Fort Myer Officers Club Pool: Open May 24-26 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fort McNair Officers Club: Closed May 24-26. Spates Community Club: Closed May 24-26 Bowling Center: Open May 24 from 10 a.m. to midnight; May 25-26 noon to 6 p.m.
PENTAGRAM
Friday, May 23, 2014
Education, from page 3 In June, the center will receive a transition education counselor who can further assist personnel seeking education assistance. Battle explained 51,500 customers were served at Forts Myer, Belvoir and Meade in fiscal year 2013. This included 22,764 people on Fort Myer. Currently, five colleges teach courses at the center. Distance learning is also available. Testing is available at the center, including college entrance exams; basic skills education program; flight school and language school admission. Battle said the center also offers a class on test-taking performance anxiety. Registration is being held for the education portion of TAP scheduled June 25 and 26. The next class will be held in the Fort Myer Education Center, Bldg. 417, room 108. Phone 703-696-0973 to register. Classes are also taught at Forts Meade and Belvoir. For the Fort Meade class, May 27-28, call 301-677-9871. Call 703-805-9247 to register for the Fort Belvoir class, scheduled July 10-11. For additional information on the Fort Myer Education Center, call 703696-3070 or go to Bldg. 417, Room 215 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will be a free networking fair for military spouses May 28 from 7-9 p.m. at the recently closed Marine Club on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. In related news, the Career Resource Management Center on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base will host a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Program career fair May 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gym, Bldg. 27, at 1555 Southgate Road, Henderson Hall. That event is open to all active duty, guard, reserve, veteran and Gold Star spouses. The fair will host employers looking to hire military spouses through the Military Spouse Employment program. Attendees are encouraged to bring resumes and dress for success. See related GI Bill story on page 9.
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1041332B
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PENTAGRAM
Iwo Jima 7k race results By Pentagram Staff
A total of 84 runners met outside Henderson Hall’s Cpl. Terry L. Smith gymnasium at 6:30 a.m. in May 21’s Iwo Jima 7k road race. The Marine Corps War Memorial outside of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Wright Gate served as the turn-around point for the participants. The male overall winner was Joseph Galvin with a winning time of 29 minutes and 17 seconds. Kurt Rorvic (33:12) was second and Richard Daniel (33:36) was third. In the women’s division, Yuko Whitestone was the best female finisher in a time of 36:51. Female runner-up Debra Ramos completed the course in 39:24, and Lisa Hamp was third in a time of 39:37.
PHOTO
BY
RACHEL LARUE
Runners race past the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va., just outside Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, during the Iwo Jima 7k road race May 21. Eightyfour runners competed in the race, which was the second of five races in the annual Oorah! run series hosted by Marine Corps Community Services.
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1041742B
PENTAGRAM
Friday, May 23, 2014
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1042214B
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1041927B
PENTAGRAM