Q2 / 2017 by Georgia National Guard

q2 / 2017

Vigilant Guard 2017

The Georgia National Guard responds

Andrew Sullens Marksmanship Fourth Annual Competition P l u s : 3 0 0 N e w S o l d i e r s | S h e S a i d Ye s ! | A n d s o m uq2c/ 2017 h |mA1o r e

CONTENTS ISSUE: Q2 / 2017

Ga.Ng.Mil

Features 11| RTSM Culture of Safety

Georgia National Guard Soldiers practice safety techniques at the Regional Training Site-Maintenance at Fort Stewart, Ga.

12| Region iii best warrior

Georgia National Guard Soldiers Sgt. Skyler Donovan and Spc. Richard Lively compete in the Region III Best Warrior Competition.

18|Memorial Day 2017

The Georgia National Guard honors it’s 42 fallen Soldiers during a Memorial Day ceremony.

24|andrew sullens marksmanship

Georgia Guardsmen along with German Armed Forces Command and law enforcement participate in the Andrew Sullens Competition conducted at Fort Stewart, Ga.

News

Cover Story Vigilant Guard 2017

The Georgia Department of Defense and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency co-host Vigilant Guard 17. United States Northern Command, in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau, sponsor Vigilant Guard.

Features

15| Fragata A.r.a Libertad

Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard and Capt. Fernando Maglione, commanding officer of the Argentine Navy further the partnership between Argentina and the Georgia National Guard.

She Said Yes!

Staff Sgt. Jermaine Walker proposes to his girlfriend, Schreka Davis, at 5th Annual Hydra Ball.

19| Black Knights Change of Command

Major John Fuchko assumes command of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 221st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion.

22| Georgia Guard sets the standard

Service members from airborne military units across the country participate in POMPOC at Fort Stewart, Ga.

columns 10| NCO notepad New LPAC Policy.

14| The Chaplain’s Corner Changing of the Stole.

26| Blast From the Past

WWI Series: Cactus and Sage Brush, Fleas and Ants. 2 | The Georgia Guardsman

News

Around The Guard

Nearly 300 Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard join their units from during a battle hand-off ceremony at Fort Stewart.

Check out more epic moments of Georgia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen remaining always ready, always there in the Georgia National Guard.

300 new soldiers 16

Epic Moments in the Ga Guard

Georgia National Guard Commander-in-Chief Gov. Nathan Deal Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard State Public Affairs Director Lt. Col. Thomas Lesnieski State Public Affairs Officer Capt. Charles Emmons Operations NCO 1st Sgt. Gerard Brown Editorial Staff Managing Editor Desiree Bamba Contributors 1st Lt. Jeffrey Bezore 1st Sgt. Gerard Brown Capt. William Carraway Tiffany Irene Coulibaly Capt. Charlie Emmons Sgt. Clinton Glenn Sgt. Gary Hone Sgt. Moses Howard II Spc. Jordan Trent Emma Vaughan Maj. Robert Walker Sgt. Shye Wilborn Contributing DOD Organizations 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs Office, Army National Guard Unit Public Affairs Representatives, Air National Guard Wing Public Affairs Representatives, Georgia State Defense Force Public Affairs.

Georgia National Guard Channels

Disclaimer The Georgia Guardsman is published quarterly under the provisions of AR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Georgia Department of Defense Public Affairs Office. The views and opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Army, Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman is distributed free-of-charge to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, State Defense Force and other interested persons upon request. q2 / 2017 | 3

4 | The Georgia Guardsman

Videos Courtesy of: Sgt. Clinton Glenn

Sgt. Gary Hone

Sgt. Shye Wilborn

q2 / 2017| 5

Vigilant Guard 2017

Story by: Spc. Jordan Trent | 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment | Georgia Army National Guard

ix months after Hurricane Matthew struck the coast of the Southeast United States, the state of Georgia hosted a largescale training exercise to respond to real-life disaster scenarios. Over two years of planning, immense amounts of hard work and approximately 9,000 personnel came together in the culminating event conducted March 23-31, 2017. The Georgia Department of Defense and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency teamed to co-host Vigilant Guard 17. United States Northern Command, in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau, sponsored the exercise. “The purpose of this large-scale and comprehensive exercise is to simulate a real-world natural disaster in order to improve cooperation among local, state, and federal stakeholders in preparing for emergencies and any sort of catastrophic event,” said Gov. Nathan Deal, Governor of the State of Georgia. More than 50 federal and local agencies joined the Georgia Department of Defense along with units from six other states for a series of real-world training sce-

6 | The Georgia Guardsman

narios during Vigilant Guard 17. Everything the Georgia Department of Defense does is for, with and through its interagency partners, said Brig. Gen. Tom Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard. “Looking back, I believe we work at the speed of trust,” said Carden. “These exercises help us build capability, and more importantly it helps us build trust. Trust is cultivated through relationships. When we can go out and work those relationships and build trust and build capability the end result is a safer population.” This is the first time that the state of Georgia has ever hosted a Vigilant Guard event, said Gov. Deal. This exercise is the largest Vigilant Guard event conducted in its history. Georgia’s Homeland Security Task Force has been in the event planning process since 2015. In this time, the state of Georgia and neighboring states in the Southeastern United States experienced real-world emergencies, from flooding in South Carolina to Hurricane Matthew’s impact along the coast. A state-of-emergency was declared in six Georgia counties during Matthew, but under the scenarios that were ran during the training exercise, 19 counties were in a simulated state-of-emergency.

Collapsed building search and decontamination missions, search and rescue training, maritime response missions, aerial firefighting, mass-casualty medical evacuation training, cyber-attack defense and more were trained and evaluated in the exercise to enhance readiness in situations that could arise as a result of a natural disaster. Readiness is a theme of the National Guard, and its training, to better prepare to respond to real-world events. Local and state agencies have the ability to request support in times of need and the processes in which they go through need to be trained for their partners to efficiently provide support to civil authorities on short notice. “The purpose of this exercise is to simulate an event that exceeds our capacity to respond and stresses our systems to the point we have to ask for assistance outside the state,” said Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, The Adjutant General of Georgia. “That assistance could come in the form of other guardsman from other states, active duty forces from around the country, as well as additional assistance from federal agencies and other states.”

Photos by: Spc. Jordan Trent | 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment | Georgia Army National Guard

Participants learned to coordinate effective disaster response. As a result, in the event of a catastrophe, agencies engaged from national to local levels are better prepared to plan, communicate and take action to protect the citizens of the United States. “To know that we have the Guard standing behind us is great,” said Tim Ho l l ow ay, a m a n a g e r f o r C o l u m bia County Georgia Roads and Bridges Department. “We look forward to working together, whenever it may be.” Teams, leadership and event organizers banded together to accomplish the monumental training exercise. The competence and commitment shown by the highest levels of leadership in all agencies involved and the hard work and dedication exhibited by the workers, both civilian and DoD, was tested during Vigilant Guard 17. With the lessons learned in this exercise and the plans in place, the authorities are ready to respond to the threats posed to the citizens of the state of Georgia and the United States of America.

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SOCIAL ME SPOTL

The Georgia National Guad Social Media coverage of Vigilant Guard 2017

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EDIA LIGHT

a Spotlight reflects the importance and locally, state-wide and federally.

44,000+ Impressions 85+ Likes 19+ Shares

1,350+ Impressions 140+ Likes 11+ Saves

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O By Command Sgt. Major Phillip Stringfield State Command Sgt. Major Georgia Army National Guard

NCO Notepad Words of wisdom from one to another

10 | The Georgia Guardsman

n April 10, 2017, the Georgia Army Nat iona l Gua rd t ra nsit ioned to a new leadership posit ion assignment system for all Senior Non-commissioned Officers. We will no longer board and select Master Sergeants, First Sergeants, Sergeant Majors, and Command Sergeant Majors, at the unit or battalion level. Prior to the change, all units with 1st Sgt., Sgt. Maj. and Command Sgt. Maj. vacancies, would have to submit an action request stating that they would like to announce their vacancies through the Enlisted Personnel Branch. Once the request was received and reviewed by the deputy G1, he or she then announced the position to all eligible soldiers on the leadership list. This process caused a lot of confusion because soldiers would be skipped over due to noncompletion of packets. When there were no completed packets being submitted we were forced to fill the vacancies with Soldiers who were not fully qualified for that specific job. We then received a lot of complaints about leaders not being subject matter experts. The old system caused a domino effect that negatively impacted the NCO Corps in the long run. We will now use a Leadership Position Assignment Committee to announce and fill all vacancies each quarter. There will no longer be a checklist to follow. Soldiers will be responsible for making sure that all of their documents are up-to-date in iPerms. Several positions will be announced at one time, thirty days prior to the announcement end date. Myself, and the brigades will board all Soldiers who are eligible and select the most qualified Soldier for each vacancy. This new system eliminates the middle man and ensures that all vacancies will be filled by the end of the LPAC board. Operational experience, serves as a training tool for what is to come. Exceptions for non-recommendations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. For example: If a 1st. Sgt. is fully eligible but feels as though he or she has not held the position as a 1st Sgt. for a substantial amount of time, we will accept a memo from that soldier stating why they do not wish to be considered. That situation is totally understandable. We will not, however, tolerate a soldier who does not want to be considered just because they don’t feel like it. I am extremely excited about the changes that are taking place for the Georgia Army National Guard. We are finally falling under the umbrella of the “one army system”. I have fought for this change my entire tenure as Georgia’s State Command Sgt. Maj. Being a MSG and SGM prior to becoming the State Command Sgt. Maj. allowed me to be the best leader that I can possibly be in this position. It is time for our leaders to step up to the plate and actively work towards gaining upward mobility for the sake of our junior non-commissioned officers. The young Soldiers need us more than we think and progress cannot be made if we run out of people to carry the torch. My goal is to educate all soldiers on how the new system works, and I will make it my business to do so.

Georgia Army National Guard RTS-M’s Culture of Safety

Story and P hotos By: M aj. Robert Walker | Georgia Army National Guard

ccident prevention and safety programs are major considerations for military leaders. To mitigate the effects of hazards such as, machinery, chemicals and tools, Soldiers are required to wear personal protective equipment, train on the equipment they will use prior to operation, utilize risk management and adhere to procedures conducive to safe operations. At any unit, the commander is the senior safety officer, but the appointed safety program manager is the key person in a successful safety program. At the Regional Training Site – Maintenance (RTS-M) on Fort Stewart, Ga., the safety program manager, Sgt. 1st Class Roger Lott has, since 2014, transformed the RTS-M safety program into one of the best programs in the Georgia Guard, leading to recognition for best practices during the 2016 U.S. Army Training and Doctrine command accreditation. The success of the RTS-M’s safety program is all the more remarkable given its mission. The RTS-M provides instruction in technical fields such as allied trades, wheeled vehicle recovery and power generation equipment repair to Guardsmen from multiple states. Ensuring safety in the training environment requires assessment and communication of hazards not only to instructors, but to a transient population of up to 350 students per year. How has this been achieved? According to Lott, the essential element to the RTS-M safety program is creating a culture of safety within the unit. Simply put, a culture of safety is the attitude, beliefs, perceptions and values that Soldiers share in relation to promoting a safe environment in the workplace. A successful culture of safety is part of the organization,

and at RTS-M Fort Stewart, is described as “the way we do things around here.” The RTS-M safety program is characterized by a mutual trust and a genuine concern for the care and safety of coworkers and students alike. Within the RTS-M, safety communication occurs continually up and down the chain of command in order to analyze and optimize the program and share knowledge. Lott is at the core of the RTS-M safety program, continually studying processes and documenting safety deficiencies to prevent accidents through immediate corrective action. His actions and effective leadership as safety program manager have paid off, as the RTS-M received the Georgia Army National Guard Bronze Safety Award in 2015, the Georgia Army National Guard Silver Safety Award in 2016 and the Georgia Army National Guard Safety Streamer in 2017. The RTS-M is awaiting inspection for the Georgia Army National Guard Commanding General’s Safety Award. In summary, a culture of safety is a commitment to discipline. The commitment must be sustained and equally important to every member of the team. Every team member must recognize the establishment of safety as a priority within the organization. Empowerment and communication at every level must be encouraged to foster a culture of safety. Brigadier General Tom Carden, commanding general of the Georgia Army National Guard, noted the importance of a safety culture during a recent visit to RTS-M. “Safety culture protects and conserves the force and is perceived as integral to accomplishing daily missions, training and contingency operations,” said Carden.

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Region III Best Warrior

Story and Photos By: 1st Sgt. Gerard Brown | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

ergeant Skyler Donovan, a Fire Team leader, along with Spc. Richard Lively, a Rifleman, represented the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard during this year’s Region III Best Warrior Competition held at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky. The competition was a four day event that featured multiple tasks such as a 12-mile ruck march, stress shoot and land navigation that tested the competitors on their military knowledge, physical fitness, marksmanship and endurance. Seventeen Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers from the Army National Guards of nine different states competed for the opportunity to represent Region III at the National Competition

12 | The Georgia Guardsman

later this year. All noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers that competed in the Region III Best Warrior Competition had previously competed at all levels in their respective states and were chosen as the Best of the Best to compete and represent their state. After competitors completed four days of intense challenges, the competition concluded with members of the board asking questions covering an array of military topics and used this event to evaluate the Soldiers knowledge and composure under pressure. At the end of the fourth day and multiple Best Warrior Competition events, Spc. Richard Lively was chosen as this year’s Region III Best Warrior and will go on to represent the region during the 2017 National Guard’s National Best Warrior Competition in Minnesota.

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training

The Chaplain’s Corner: Changing of the Stole

Story By: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

“I am very thankful to commanders I have had who inspired me with their vision along the way. And I couldn’t have been the chaplain that I have been without the dedicated, qualified and inspired enlisted religious affairs specialists. I thank you.”

-Chaplain Col. Michael Summers 14 | The Georgia Guardsman

he G e org ia D ep ar t ment of Defense marked a transfer of spiritual leadership during a changing of the stole ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center April 21, 2017. The ceremony also marked the retirement of State Chaplain Col. Michael Summers following 24 years of military service. “Chaplain Summers began his career in 1993,” Noted Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General of the Ga. DoD. “It is bittersweet, but we are very blessed that his time in uniform resided her in Georgia for a period of time. We are very proud of his service.” Chaplain Summers served as the state chaplain for nearly four years. He has served in the Active Army, Tennessee and Georgia Army National Guard and is a veteran of three mobilizations, most recently to Afghanistan. The incoming State Chaplain, Lt. Col. Blair Davis, is a 20-year veteran of the Georgia Army National Guard who deployed to Afghanistan in 2015 as the commander of the 139th Chaplain Detachment. “We are blessed to have Chaplain Blair Davis here to accept the role of state chaplain,” said Jarrard. The Adjutant General also thanked Chaplain Brig. Gen. K. Edward Brandt, senior Army National Guard chaplain and U.S. Army deputy chief of chaplains for the National Guard for attending the ceremony. During change of command ceremonies, it is traditional for the outgoing commander to transfer the unit’s guidon or colors to the incoming commander, symbolizing their transfer of authority. Similarly, the changing of the stole symbolizes the transfer of spiritual leadership. Chaplain Capt. Jon Pirtle, master of ceremonies, described the significance of the stole. “The stole is a cloth which hangs from the neck of a clergyperson as an emblem of service which yokes the senior chaplain to the service of his chaplains, religious affairs

specialists and every faith group represented in the Ga. Department of Defense,” said Pirtle. “It is also the emblem of responsibility for the faithful execution of the spiritual mission of the entire Chaplain Corps to every service member, family member and employee of the Ga. DoD.” During the ceremony, Master Sgt. Rory Smith, senior enlisted religious affairs specialist for the Ga. DoD, presented the stole to Summers. Major General Jarrard then transferred the stole from Summers to Davis, symbolically transferring the mantle of responsibility to the new state chaplain. “Thank you, General Jarrard, for the confidence you have expressed in me,” said Davis after the transfer of the stole. “I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to represent the men and women of the Georgia National Guard.” At the conclusion of Davis’ remarks, Pirtle read the order officially retiring Chaplain Col. Summers from the Army National Guard. Maj. Gen. Jarrard presented the Legion of Merit to Chaplain Summers, then presented his wife, Morissa Summers, with the Georgia Commendation Medal. Then representatives from Ga. DoD commands presented Summers with mementos of his service and fond wishes for his future. Chaplain Summers offered words of gratitude and farewell and recalled pivotal events of his career. “I am very thankful to commanders I have had who inspired me with their vision along the way,” noted Summers. “And I couldn’t have been the chaplain that I have been without the dedicated, qualified and inspired enlisted religious affairs specialists. I thank you.” While he has retired from the Georgia Army National Guard, this is not the end of Summers’ service. He will continue to serve as the minister for the Leavenworth Kansas Church of Christ.

FRAGATA A.R.A LIBERTAD

Story and Photos By: 1st Sgt. Gerard Brown | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

s part of the Georgia Department of Defenseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Partnership Program with the country of Argentina, the Adjutant General of Georgia, Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard boarded the Argentine Navy Frigate A.R.A Libertad, along with Captain Fernando Maglione, Commanding Officer of the Argentine Navy, to further the partnership between Argentina and the Georgia National Guard during a luncheon in Charleston, SC. During his visit, Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard met 2nd Lt. Alvarez Gonzalez of the Argentine Army and presented him with one of his coins for his exceptional service. The Libertad ported in Charleston, S.C along with its crew which consisted of 200 personal and 60 cadets as part of the ships 46th training mission. After completing four years at the Academy, the cadets were part of the ships six month midshipmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training where they stopped in more than 12 ports which included Charleston, Germany, France and Spain. During this period, the cadets learned about the job and duties of an Officer. q2 / 2017 | 15

ALWAYS READY ALWAYS THERE!

Story and Photos By: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

#300

NEW GEORGIA GUARD SOLDIERS

16 | The Georgia Guardsman

early 300 Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard were welcomed by their units of assignment during a battle handoff ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga. April 23, 2017. The ceremony, attended by the Georgia Guard’s senior leadership and family members, is the largest transfer of its kind in the history of the Georgia Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program. “It is a privilege to be here to witness the start of these Soldiers’ careers in the Georgia Army National Guard, said Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense. “This is the beginning of their service and the beginning of our commitment to them and their families.” The battle handoff ceremony marks the transition of Soldiers from the Recruit Sustainment Program to their unit of assignment. In addition to completing their basic combat training and individual training, the Soldiers have completed all administrative and medical clearance and are ready to assume their duties at their new units from day one. At the beginning of the ceremony, Soldiers marched onto Donovan Field in mass formation before a display of Georgia Guard vehicles and aircraft. Major General Jarrard and the command team of the Georgia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Lt. Col. Christopher Corley and Command Sgt. Major Shawn Lewis, presented coins to Soldiers who exceeded training standards in physical fitness and marksmanship. Soldiers who were honor graduates of their basic training or advanced individual training classes were presented with the Army Achievement Medal. In his remarks following the awards presentat i o n , Ja r r a r d t h a n k e d f a m i l y m e m b e r s i n at t e n d a n c e then directed his comments to the assembled S oldiers. “About 30 percent of today’s youth are eligible for military service, but far fewer end up serving,” said Jarrard “We are very grateful that you chose to serve. There are a lot of you and you will have a direct impact on our organization.” Representatives of the Georgia Army National Guard’s five

brigades stepped forward to receive the new Soldiers into their commands. Soldiers assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were called first. As the names were called, each Soldier shouted the brigade motto “Send Me” and sprinted to join the 48th IBCT formation. This process was repeated for the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 78th Troop Command, 201st Regional Support Group and 78th Aviation Troop Command. Once all troops had been assigned, commanders took charge of their individual formations and leaders began to brief their new Soldiers. Colonel John Gentry, commander of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade welcomed the newest Soldiers of his command and shared tips for success in the military. “Live the Army Values, and always treat others with dignity and respect, whether in or out of uniform,” said Gentry. On the other side of the field, Brigadier General Tom Blackstock and Command Sgt. Major Roy Marchert, command team of the 78th Troop Command echoed Gentry’s words, and noted the importance of the battle handoff ceremony. “If you watch the news, you know we need you, your country needs you.” Said Marchert. “You are coming in at an outstanding time and I wish nothing but the best for you in your careers.” The Guardsmen will serve in 16 different career fields. Four out of ten will serve in combat arms as combat engineers, infantrymen, and in the field artillery. Another 40 percent will provide vital support in logistics, transportation, military police and human resources. Still others will enter technical careers in signal, intelligence, chemical and medical fields. They will serve in nearly 80 different units from Calhoun and Toccoa in the north to Thomasville and Brunswick in the south. Major General Jarrard summed up the success of the Recruit Sustainment Program and battle handoff ceremony. “ T h e G e o r g i a D e p a r t m e nt o f D e f e n s e i s a r e c o g n i z e d l e a d e r i n s t r e n g t h , r e a d i n e s s a n d i n n ov at i o n ,” said Jarrard. “All of those things were on display today.”

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Memorial Day 2017

18 | The Georgia Guardsman

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will continue to support and honor the legacy left behind by the 42 names on our wall in Marietta, the more than 11,000 memorialized throughout the state and the 1.2 million who gave their lives for our freedom throughout the nation.â&#x20AC;? -Maj. Gen. Jesse Simmons

Change of Command for Black Knights of the 221st EMB S t o r y b y : C a p t. Wi l l i a m C a r r awa y | P u b l i c A f fa i r s O f f i c e | G e o r g ia A r m y Nat i o na l G ua r d

ajor John Fuchko assumed command of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 221st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion from Lt. Col. Patrick Watson during a ceremony at the Fort Gillem enclave in Atlanta, Saturday. “This is an important day for the battalion and an important day for these two fine officers.” said Brig. Gen. Tom Blackstock, commander of the 78th Troop Command. Fuchko has served in multiple positions in the 221st EMIB from platoon leadership to battalion command. In 2015, he deployed with the 221st EMIB the deputy commander alongside Lt. Col Watson. In his remarks following the assumption of command, Fuchko thanked his wife Sherie, his family, Soldiers of the 221st EMIB and those who mentored him throughout his military career. “It is my honor to lead you, and I will do so to the best of my ability,” Said Fuchko concluding with the battalion motto: Out Front. In recognition of his service as commander of the 221s EMIB, Lt. Col. Patrick Watson, received the Meritorious Service Medal from Blackstock who also presented Watson’s wife Noey with the Georgia Commendation Medal. Addressing the Black Knights of the 221st MI Battalion for the last time as commander, Watson praised his Soldiers, family members and staff. “The 221st is recognized as a premier organization and it is because of your efforts,” said Watson. Whatever challenge is placed on the unit in the future, this formation can handle it.” Organized in 1998, the 221st EMIB has deployed as a battalion to Iraq in 2003 and 2005. Units and teams from the 221st EMIB have deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Most recently, S o l d i e r s of t h e 2 2 1 s t EMIB supported efforts during Operation Inherent Resolve.

Photos by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

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She Said Yes! Story By: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

t had been a historic night for the Georgia Army National Guard’s 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. The Soldiers and families had enjoyed an evening of entertainment and awards at 5th Annual Hydra Ball at the Columbus Iron Works, Columbus, Ga. when Col. John Gentry, commander of the 648th MEB announced a special presentation. “Staff Sgt. Jermaine Walker and (Schreka Davis), post,” said Gentry. The young couple made their way to the front of the cavernous hall. Once they had reached the commander, Walker began his presentation. Turning to Davis, Walker dropped to one knee and held up a ring. As tears welled in Davis’ eyes, Walker spoke. “I want to come in front of my family and friends and ask the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with: Baby, will you marry me?” Although the answer was lost in thunderous applause, Davis’ answer was yes as she took Walker in her arms.

20 | The Georgia Guardsman

Photos by: Capt. William Carraway | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army Naitonal Guard

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GEORGIA GUARD SETS THE STANDAR FOR PARACHUT

Story By: Sgt. Moses Howard II | 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment | Georgia Army Nat

ervice members from airborne military units across the country participated in the Parachute Operations Mishap Preventative Orientation Course April 24-28, 2017 at Fort Stewart, Georgia. POMPOC is a week-long course that blends jumpmasters from Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard units into one forum where they conduct classes and seminars to discuss new trends, procedures, and equipment. “It allows for an open exchange of information amongst the units as to what are the best practices and what’s going on in the airborne community today,” Staff Sgt. Dean DeAngelo, of Hotel Company, 121st Long Range Surveillance, Georgia Army National Guard, said. The idea behind the course is to share lessons learned in a forum of like-minded people. Airborne service members from different states and areas share their experiences in hopes of preventing a parachuting mishap that could cost lives. Georgia Army National Guard Operations Sgt. Maj. Joseph Shirer says throughout the year, accidents, preventative measures, and practices used to prevent mishaps are reviewed. “We also do reviews of different aircraft that normal Jumpmaster training programs don’t address,” Shirer said. “You learn them through your unit on-the-job-training. Rather than every different unit in the country teaching these things separately and maybe having different ways to do it, we teach it here at POMPOC to try and standardize the training across the board for the country. Jumpmaster instructor cadre review parachute inspections as well as standardized parachutist inspection procedures from Natick, the proponent for producing the parachute, the T-11. The standards from Natick brings all the National Guard units across the country together on parachutist inspections to include those with or without equipment. “We do it for all National Guard units across the country who have airborne units in their formations,” Lt. Col. John Till, Georgia Army National Guard State Safety Director, said. “We cover incidents and accidents that have taken place and try to find ways to mitigate those risks that are associated.” This is the third year that the Georgia Army National Guard has hosted POMPOC. DeAngelo says that lessons learned from this course will be taken into account when planning next year’s event. “We have some different faces this year. We have some different units. Each year, it seems to keep growing,” DeAngelo said. “We keep getting more and more participants coming in. It keeps expanding. Things are getting better every year.”

22 | The Georgia Guardsman

RD TE OPERATIONS

tional Guard

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ANDREW SULLENS MARKSMANSHIP COMPETITION

embers from the Army and Air National Guard along with German Armed Forces Command and law enforcement participated in the Fourth Annual Andrew Sullens Competition conducted at Fort Stewart. The two day competition tests and enhances the competitors shooting skills through multiple battle focused scenarios.Shooters performed in several events such as excellence in competition qualification, reflexive fire and anti-armor. Sniper and spotters both qualified on EIC targets and sniper targets. T h i s y e a r’s c omp e t it i on i n addition to competitors shooting for the privilege of wearing the Georgia’s Governors Twenty Tab, they also shot side by side with their German Counterparts. Georgia Department of Defense competitors were given the opportunity to compete for the German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency also known as the Schützenschnur. T h e S chüt z e ns ch nu r i s the equivalent to the U.S. 24 | The Georgia Guardsman

STORY AND PHOTOS BY: 1ST SGT. GERARD BROWN | PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE | GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD

Military’s rifle and pistol qualification. Competitors participated in several stages using the German Army’s MG3, G36 and P8 Pistol. German Soldiers also competed for the Governors twenty by using the U.S. Army’s M16 rifle and M9 pistol. In both categories, all competitors were tested on their ability to engage long and short range targets from the standing, knelling and prone positions during timed events while insuring accurate fire distribution and fire control during multiple stages. The Andrew Sullens competition is a competition named after Georgia Army National Guardsman Andrew Sullens, who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2009. The marksmanship competition, hosted by the Georgia Nationa l Guard Marksmanship Team provided members of different agencies the ability to train as well as compete in realistic situations and conditions. Andrew Sullens himself was in attendance and also competed side by side with other competitors during the Pistol Anti-body Armor phase and shared his knowledge and experience with fellow competitors.

Fort STEWART, Ga., April 09, 2017—Members from the Army and Air National Guard, German Armed Forces Command and law enforcement participated in the fourth annual Andrew Sullens Competition conducted at Fort Stewart. Shooters performed in several events such as excellence in competition qualification, reflexive fire and anti-armor. Sniper and spotters both qualified on EIC targets and sniper targets. Additionally, U.S. Soldiers had the opportunity to fire and compete for the German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge in several stages using the German Army’s MG3, G36 and P8 pistol. German Soldiers also competed for the Governors twenty by using the U.S. Army’s M16 rifle and M9 pistol.

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Blast from the past:

world war I

Story by: Capt. William Carraway | Military Historian | 161st Military History Detachment

Robert Gober Burton

Photos courtesy of Ga. Guard History Archives

26 | The Georgia Guardsman

“Cactus and Sage Brush, Fleas and Ants” Bound for the Border On Oct. 22, 1916, ten trainloads of Georgia Guardsmen departed Camp Harris bound for El Paso, Texas and service along the Mexican border. To the chagrin of Monroe’s Company H, 2nd Georgia Infantry, Cpl. Robert G. Burton recalled that no one from Monroe was present to see them off as the train steamed away from the Macon, Ga. train depot at 1:00 pm. Burton, and the Soldiers of the Georgia Brigade made the tiresome trip to El Paso in five days. Along the route, the train column expanded and contracted, at times exceeding 150 miles in length. For many of the Georgians witnessing the passing landscape it was the first time they had been outside of their home state. Far different from the familiar green terrain and humidity was the gradual transition to brown, sandy vistas, sandy mountains and dry air. The first of the Georgia trains pulled into the El Paso train depot on the morning of Oct. 27, 1916. After multiple track changes, the Georgians clacked their way south crossing Paisano Drive to the flat parade ground of Camp Cotton which would be their home for the next several months. Camp Cotton Camp Cotton was located along the Texas / Mexico border with the intersection of Paisano Drive and Cotton Avenue forming the northwest intersection of the camp boundary. The camp extended south to the banks of the Rio Grande River. The eastern border of Camp Cotton was formed by Cordova Island which marked the former location of the Rio Grande before the river’s course changed. Due to the presence of Cordova Island, and its attendant territorial disputes, the south and east borders of Camp Cotton looked out over Mexican territory. After surveying the landscape of Camp Cotton, the Georgia regiments unloaded the trains and began setting up camp, displacing Guardsmen from Massachusetts who were returning home. The Georgia Brigade, consisting of the 1st, 2nd and 5th Georgia Infantry Regiments established company streets running east from the rail spur. The first tent established on the street of Company H, 2nd Ga. was Captain Aycock’s followed by the kitchen tent. First Sgt. Aralton D. Whitney’s tent was next followed by the supply stores tent of Quartermaster Sgt. Augustus Williams. Squad tents followed with eight men assigned to each tent. Writing to his mother on Oct. 27, 1916, Burton noted that he had enjoyed the travel west, particularly Louisiana and Texas and that he was settling in to his new environment. “I like this country just fine and believe that the longer I stay, the better I will like it.” Shortly thereafter, Burton sent a postcard of himself with six members of Company H. A handwritten note on the front of the postcard notes that the photo was taken within 100 yards of the Rio Grande and the border. Quartermaster Sgt. Augustus Williamson is the first Soldier visible. To his left is Cpl. Robert G. Burton. Burton admonished his mother to put this card in his Kodak book. It was the first of many such images Burton would thus save. As he got used to his new surroundings, Burton found that he liked the camp rather well. Despite the endless blowing dust

and early hacking coughs that seemed to afflict everyone in camp, Burton found camp life to be pleasant enough. He reported that food was good but that the water tasted of rotten eggs. Second Lt. Albion Smith, an officer in the 5th Georgia Infantry Regiment reported that the water in Camp Cotton was piped in from town and that each company street was provided with a water tap, a convenience not present at Camp Harris in Macon. Burton was pleased to discover Camp Cotton had a Young Men’s Christian Association. His letter of Oct. 31, 1917 was the first of many to appear on YMCA stationery. “The days are warm bordering on hot and the nights are cold or cool,” wrote Burton. “The air is dry and fresh. The camps are well located and all in all we are having a pretty good time.” Burton recalled the YMCA supplied Soldiers with pens, ink and paper and showed movies at least four times a week. Danger and Drudgery Just days after arrival, Burton described his first experience on guard duty. “Last night we went on guard on one side (our side) of the river. An American Soldier was walking, while just across the river, not more than a hundred yards away, a Mexican Soldier, or ‘Amigo’, was walking... Sometimes we hear a shot from across the river, but they have become so common that we do not pay attention to them.” Writing to his aunt four days later, Burton reported that the sniping had all but stopped. “Only sometimes a shot is fired across the river and when one is, it hardly ever does any damage.” In his Nov. 4, 1916 letter, Burton also made his first prediction about when the 2nd Georgia would return. “We hope to be back home by Xmas,” wrote Burton. “I think that we will.” As days passed, Burton’s descriptions of Camp Cotton remained warm. “I like this camp very much better than the one we had in Macon,” wrote Burton November 6, 1916. “In this camp, we have electric lights and frames for our tents. They are planked half way up and have wooden floors in them.” After a month, camp life had settled into a routine. The Georgians availed themselves of the YMCA writing material and wrote of experiences in town. Burton reported that El Paso was a town of 126 saloons but that he had not partaken of them and had instead remained a regular attendee of prayer meetings at the YMCA. During one of these prayer meetings, the chaplain of the 2nd Georgia remarked “God made this country and then forgot it.” Burton agreed with the sentiment finding El Paso to be: “…the most God forsaken place in the world… There is not very much to this country. Out here it grows nothing but cactus and sage brush, fleas and ants.” As November wore on, temperatures dropped. Burton’s letters revealed an increasing sense of homesickness, though he assured his mother that “I am not homesick but just want to be at home with you and papa as I think that I am needed more there than on the border at present.”

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Snow fell Nov. 21, but Burton assured his family that he was warm. Thanksgiving on the Border The Monroe Guardsmen got a special treat from home four days before Thanksgiving when packages arrived from family and well-wishers. Williamson and Burton enjoyed a feast of Georgia butter, cakes and homemade wine which they poured over the cakes and allowed to sink in. By Thanksgiving Day, Burton and Williamson were still enjoying the cake, but as Burton writes on Dec. 1, 1916, Thanksgiving Day was memorable not for dinner, but for duty. “We certainly had a Thanksgiving dinner today. We missed ours Thursday but made up for it Friday. We missed it because we were on outpost duty. We had all the things that go with a Thanksgiving dinner: chicken, dressing, cranberries and everything… The big horseraces took place in Juarez Thursday. Would surely liked to have seen them. They are the biggest events of the year over there. We are still eating on the cake that you and EB sent. We surely do think it was great of both of you to send it to us. The news of what we do must travel the rounds in Monroe now. I hope that they don’t hear anything on me. I don’t see where they will tho. Your devoted son, Gober As November passed into December, camp life remained unremarkable. The Georgians marched to rifle ranges for target practice where they camped overnight. Burton recalled the temperatures were cold, but not so cold as to be unpleasant.

28 | The Georgia Guardsman

Christmas and a New Year As Christmas approached, the Georgians wrapped and sent gifts home to loved ones and wrote letters thanking family and friends for gifts received. One gift from home was particularly well received as Burton wrote: “The Coca Cola that Mr. Bell sent came yesterday and was fully enjoyed by the whole (company). The taps out here taste different from those in Georgia.” Christmas morning dawned gusty with winds swirling thick clouds of dust. Braving the wind, Cpl. Burton trudged to the post office and received a money order from home. To his horror, as he was making his way back to his tent, the money flew from his grasp and was lost in the dust. The other Monroe men of Company H fared better, enjoying a feast provided by Capt. Aycock. After the dinner, the men presented Aycock, Lt. Launius and Lt. Dickinson with custom-made rings with the phrase “from Co H., 2nd Ga.” engraved inside. Writing his mother, Burton related his Christmas experiences and told her that he would be away on a fifteen-day hike for the first part of January. Burton was optimistic about what the hike portended. “Do not be worried about me. I will be OK. This is the last thing that the National Guard do before they leave the border so I think that we will be home before long.” The company would soon leave El Paso, but not for Georgia as Burton imagined. Next Chapter: Service in New Mexico. Follow our History Blog at GeorgiaGuardHistory.com

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Around the Georgia Guard PROMOTION TO MAJOR GENERAL Major Gen. Joseph Jarrard, Adjutant General of Georgia, administers the oath of office to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jesse T. Simmons, Jr., assistant adjutant general-air, Georgia Air National Guard, during a promotion ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga.

OFFICER’S CALL Officers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s Maconbased 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team assembled on Cottrell Field during the 3rd Infantry Division change of command ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga.

30 | The Georgia Guardsman

CAMPAIGN STREAMER Colonel John Gentry, commander of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade watches as Col. Anthony Hall and Command Sgt. Major John Smiley, command team of the 648th MEB from 2010 to 2013 affix the Meritorious Unit Citation and Afghanistan Campaign streamer to the colors of the 648th MEB during a ceremony at the Columbus Iron Works, Columbus, Ga.

JTF 781ST CBRN Georgia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen of the Joint Task Force 781st CBRN render honors during the change of command ceremony for the 781st at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta.

122ND TSD Georgia Army National Guard Col. Alan B. Alexander, commander of the 122nd Tactical Support Detachment stands with his Soldiers during a patch changing ceremony in which the 122nd TSD received the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 7th Infantry Division.

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Stay tuned for the Fall Edition of the Georgia Guardsman Magazine!

Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense 1000 Halsey Ave. Bldg. 447 Marietta, Ga. 30060 32 | The Georgia Guardsman