Army Birthday

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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

[ SPOT REPORT ] New Miss USA from DC to take a break from Army Reserves LAS VEGAS — The newly crowned Miss USA is a 26-year-old Army officer from the District of Columbia who gave perhaps the strongest answer of the night when asked about women in combat.

“As a woman in the United States Army, I think ... we are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit, I’m powerful, I am dedicated,” Deshauna Barber said. “Gender does not limit us in the United States.”

Barber The winner of Sunday’s 2016 Miss USA competition held at the T-Mobile Arena off the Las Vegas Strip will go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest.

Barber is the first-ever military member to win Miss USA. In a press conference following the event, the 26-year-old lieutenant from Northeast DC said she plans to take a break from the Army Reserves and had already discussed with superiors the possibility of going inactive for a couple of years should she win the title. She said she currently serves two days per month.

“My commander should be watching right now,” Barber said. “Two days a month is definitely not active duty. It is an obligation that I signed up for but they are very flexible in the United States Army Reserves.”

Barber said she plans to use the pageant’s spotlight and her title to support veteran’s causes and tackle the issue of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder among military members. When asked what message she had for the presidential candidates — including former pageant owner and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump — Barber said they should focus more on veteran’s issues, including the backlog at veterans hospitals.

“I think that a lot of the topics that they discuss isn’t as important,” she said in a glittering gold gown.

Barber’s not the only contestant who had to address the election and the Republican candidate, who had a public break-up with the beauty pageant organization last year.

Trump offended Hispanics when he made anti-immigrant remarks in announcing his bid for the White House last June. He at the time co-owned The Miss Universe Organization with NBCUniversal, but the network and the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision quickly cut ties with him, refusing to air the show. Trump sued both networks, eventually settling and selling off

the entire pageant to talent management company WME/IMG. Miss Hawaii, who came in second Sunday night, punted during the question-and-answer segment when asked who she would vote for among the likely presidential candidates, Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Chelsea Hardin acknowledged that there was no way to correctly answer the question during the beauty pageant. The question was framed with Clinton’s likely status of being the first woman nominated by a major political party in the race for the White House. The 24-year-old college student from Honolulu responded that gender doesn’t matter when deciding the next commander in chief.

The other women in the top five were asked about voting rights, income inequality and the recent death of sports icon Muhammad Ali. Sally Ho, Associated Press

Soldier sentenced to die for 2003 murders pins hopes on Supreme Court WASHINGTON — California native Hasan K. Akbar joined fellow convicted killer Dwight J. Loving on the military’s death row 11 years and several legal curves ago.

Now, aided by some prominent allies, Akbar wants the Supreme Court to reverse his death sentence by revisiting its own decades-old decision in a case brought by Loving. It’s a capital punishment challenge that gives justices a rare opportunity to march into matters of military law.

It’s also a challenge that illuminates the hard, close quarters of the military’s Leavenworth, Kan.-based death row, where Akbar and Loving account for one-third of the doomed inmate population.

Akbar’s appeal, moreover, reaches the Supreme Court just as Justice Stephen Breyer is making clear his own readiness to revisit the underlying question of whether capital punishment is constitutionally permissible.

“Not only is (Akbar) offering a substantial constitutional challenge to a death sentence, but his challenge, if affirmed, would invalidate the entire scheme by which the military justice system currently imposes capital punishment,” attorneys for the National Institute of Military Justice wrote in a brief filed in support of Akbar’s case.

In 1996, when the Supreme Court decided Loving’s case, Akbar was studying engineering at the University of California, Davis. The Los Angeles native, born Mark Fidel Kools, had struggled through college

but was within a year of completing the academically rigorous double-degree program.

Akbar’s father had served time in prison, as had Loving’s father, whom a defense lawyer described as “an alcoholic, with a rap sheet four pages long.” Akbar’s father, though, converted to Islam while incarcerated and Akbar excelled in high school, while Loving dropped out.

Convicted of murdering two men while stationed in 1988 at Fort Hood in Texas, Loving began appeals that, against the odds, reached the Supreme Court in 1996. Few soldiers get that far. In the last five terms, the high court has decided 385 cases. None came via the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the summit of the military justice system.

In what amounted to a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court upheld Loving’s death sentence. The justices reasoned that the president, as commander in chief, could set the aggravating factors that might justify a death sentence.

Several factors were subsequently considered in Akbar’s sentencing, after he was convicted of killing two soldiers and wounding 14 in a March 23, 2003, attack at a U.S. Army staging base in Kuwait.

“This case involved many aggravating circumstances, including (Akbar’s) murder of two military officers, his use of grenades, the extensive injuries to some officers and the impact of the attack on the unit as it prepared for battle,” the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces concluded last year.

But in the 20 years since the Supreme Court rejected Loving’s challenge to his sentence, some law has also changed. The question pushed by Akbar’s attorneys and allies is whether this change undermines the 1996 Loving decision and thereby earns Akbar another chance.

In particular, the Supreme Court, in a landmark 2000 decision called Apprendi v. New Jersey, concluded that facts that enhance a punishment must be submitted to a jury and proved beyond a reasonable doubt. A follow-up 2002 decision added that this standard applied to aggravating factors used in imposing the death penalty.

“This revolution in the court’s understanding of aggravating factors has swept away Loving’s foundations,” Akbar’s attorneys wrote in their Supreme Court petition, adding that “the fundamental nature” of aggravating factors has changed.

Citing these Supreme Court cases, the defense attorneys argue that Congress must determine the elements that make for a military capital offense, because it is

Congress that’s responsible for writing the law that the president executes.

Potentially boosting the odds that the Supreme Court will take Akbar’s case, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Institute of Military Justice, and the Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps appellate defense divisions all filed briefs on his behalf.

Michael Doyle, McClatchy Washington Bureau

The Army’s plan to unclog NCO promotions To make room for hard-charging soldiers, about 3,000 noncommissioned officers may see their retirement date come sooner than they expected.

That’s how the Army hopes to open the choke points on its promotion chart, allowing younger troops to stay in and move up while the service draws down.

How will it work? Who will be bounced out? We’ve got the details in this week’s cover story.

Goodbye, BAH? How lawmakers could pick your pocket A Senate plan would dramatically change how soldiers receive their housing allowances, with the government reimbursing troops for rent and other payments instead of cutting a check and letting soldiers keep the difference.

The proposal would save money, but it has been savaged by veterans advocates and other critics, including some lawmakers, who say it amounts to a pay cut.

Find out how the new system could work, and what hurdles it must clear to become law, in this week’s issue.

Motorcycle buying guide: 10 bikes for under $10K Ready to hit the road this summer, but not looking to shell out big bucks for a topof-the-line bike? We’ve got you covered.

We talked to the experts to round up a hit list of motorcycles that’ll pump your adrenaline, but won’t empty your bank account.

Get the specs in this week’s Army Times.

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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Fort Hood Herald

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Community mourns soldiers killed in accident HERALD STAFF REPORT

President Barack Obama offered condolences and praise to the community of Fort Hood following the death of nine soldiers in a flood during a training exercise.

Obama spoke by phone on Monday with Maj. Gen. John Thomson, 1st Cavalry Division commander. The White House says Obama sent his sympathies to the families of those killed and thanked the general and first responders for the search and recovery operation.

The White House says the incident is a reminder of the “tremendous risks” related to military operations and that the U.S. owes a debt to its troops for their sacrifices.

Fort Hood officials are also working closely with local relief organizations and agencies to determine where additional help and supplies are needed to as-

sist the families of the soldiers who died Thursday.

“Fort Hood has received an enormous outpouring of donation support from our local and national communities,” said Col. Todd Fox, Fort Hood garrison commander. “Currently, public donations to assist Fort Hood families affected by the tragedy are being accepted by the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare & Recreation and the American Red Cross.”

Eight active-duty soldiers and a West Point military cadet died in the training accident involving an Army truck, known as a light medium tactical vehicle. Twelve soldiers were on the truck when it overturned in Owl Creek along East Range Road in Fort Hood’s training area.

Staff Sgt. Miguel Angel Colonvazquez, Spc. Christine Faith Armstrong, Spc. Yingming Sun, Pfc. Brandon Austin Banner, Pfc. Zachery Nathaniel Fuller,

NICK CONNER | ARMY

Texas Game Warden Jeff Gillenwaters and Chris Zimmer, deputy director for Fort Hood’s Directorate of Emergency Services, discuss search and recovery efforts for four missing soldiers June 3.

Pvt. Isaac Lee Deleon, Pvt. Eddy Raelaurin Gates, Pvt. Tysheena Lynette James and Cadet Mitchell Alexander Winey all died in the incident, according to the news release from the Fort Hood Public Affairs Office.

On Thursday, Fort Hood officials said the soldiers were part of the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

The three surviving soldiers who were treated for injuries sustained during the accident were released from Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center to be with their families and were cleared to return to duty, said Maj. Gen. John Uberti, Fort Hood deputy commander, on Friday.

“Again, I’d like to offer my heartfelt and sincerest condolences to the family and friends who have lost one of their loved ones,” Uberti said.

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, said on Thursday that “I’m saddened to hear of the tragedy at Fort Hood today. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of our brave soldiers. The men and women of our Army are our country’s best and brightest. And every day we are reminded of how much they mean to us. The Great Place is a strong community and our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Fort Hood tonight.”

In a statement Saturday, U.S. Rep. John Carter, RRound Rock, said he and his wife continue to pray for the families, soldiers and Fort Hood family.

“Erika and I continue to pray for the families, the soldiers and the entire Fort Hood family. The Great

RODOLFO GONZALEZ | AP

Maj. Gen. John Uberti, Fort Hood deputy commander, center, Col. Todd Fox, left, and Fort Hood fire chief Coleman Smith, right, speak to the media during a news conference Friday. Officials say Fort Hood commanders were in the process of closing roads on the sprawling Army post when a truck carrying 12 soldiers overturned in a fast-flowing flooded creek during a training exercise Thursday.

Place has suffered a devastating loss,” Carter said.

“The men and women at Fort Hood are truly a blessing to our great nation, and I know our military is resilient and strong.

“This tragedy illuminates the inherent risks our soldiers take every day, outside of the spotlight, day in and day out, across our country in preparation for war. I am honored to call the men and women at Fort Hood my neighbor.

God bless their memory, God bless their families and God bless our country.”

Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra ordered city of Killeen flags to half-staff in honor of the soldiers, which started Sunday.

“In times of tragedy, the bond between city and fort is ever present and we stand ready to assist in the days to come,” Segarra said

Friday.

During a news conference Friday morning, Chris Haug, III Corps media relations chief, said the soldiers were training on

ERIC J. SHELTON | HERALD

The crossing at Cold Springs Road and East Range Road is seen Monday in Gatesville. The intersection is where the soldiers reportedly lost control of their military vehicle during Thursday’s deadly Owl Creek accident.

the range Thursday with convoy operations and were already trained on how to operate the vehicle.

“It’s a situation where the rain had come,” Haug said. “The water was rising quickly, and we were in the process at the moment of the event of closing the roads.”

Families seeking information for help should call the Fort Hood Family Assistance Center at 254288-7570 or 866-836-2751. For more information from the Red Cross, please call 254200-4400 or visit www.waco. redcross.org.

Fort Hood Public Affairs will release more information as it becomes available.

Details on the victims can be found at kdhnews. com/military.

The Associated Press, Rachael Riley, Clay Thorp and Don Munsch contributed to this report.

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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

13th Sustainment bids farewell to one leader and welcomes another

BY RACHAEL RILEY FORT HOOD HERALD

As 13th Sustainment Command soldiers said goodbye to one commander, they welcomed another during a ceremony Friday.

Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg has led the command since July 2014.

As Fogg heads to Fort Lee, Va., to become the next quarter master general of the United States Army Commandant and Quartermaster School, Col. Douglas McArthur McBride Jr. will now lead the command.

“Giving up command is bittersweet,” Fogg said. “We hate to move on, but we know it’s time and good things are ahead.”

This was Fogg’s first assignment at Fort Hood and he said it’s been the best in 29 years because of the people, relationships and mission.

“To all the soldiers, (noncommissioned officers) and officers in the 13th (Sustainment Command), I want to say thank you and how very proud I am of you, because you made every mission happen,” he said.

“You truly made a difference, and it’s been an absolute honor serving with you all.”

Fogg’s time with the 13th Sustainment Command included a nine month deployment to Kuwait from July 2014 to December 2015 — serving as the operational command for the first theater sustainment, said Maj. Gen. John Uberti, deputy III Corps commander and reviewing officer of Friday’s ceremony.

“Whether it’s getting the Iraqi army ready to fight or improving III Corps readiness, he cares,” Uberti said.

Uberti called Fogg a good logistician who would scour the globe “to get the war fighter what the war fighter needs,” and cares about the soldiers, families and community.

“He always says ‘take care of soldiers and families, and the mission will take care of itself,’” the general said.

As Uberti thanked Fogg, he welcomed

AMY PROCTOR | HERALD

Janie Fogg, wife of 13th Sustainment Command commander Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg, receives ceremonial flowers expressing the Army’s appreciation at 13th ESC’s Change of Command ceremony on Friday, June 3 inside Abrams Gym on Fort Hood.

McBride.

McBride is coming from Virginia having served as the combined arms support commander until May. McBride said it’s “great to be home.”

About 48 years ago, he was a toddler riding his “tricycle around Fort Hood” when his own father was a sergeant with the 2nd Army Division in 1968 before deploying to Vietnam.

Fort Hood was also McBride’s first duty station in 1989 when he was an electronic maintenance platoon leader with Charlie

Company, 27th Main Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.

“To return here where it all began and to be able to assist and shape the next generation of sustainment warriors and professionals as commander of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at the very place that led the foundation of my career, is pretty awesome,” McBride said.

Making it more special, McBride said, was to change command with Fogg, who he called a friend and said he served along-

side from 2007 to 2009 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He said he looks forward to becoming part of the community and working with the 13th Sustainment Command soldiers.

“We have some exciting times ahead of us and we will attack all missions home and abroad head on, collectively as a team,” he said. “I’ll give you the shirt of my back and the boots off my feet to complete a mission.” rriley@kdhnews.com | 254-501-7553

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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

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Army Medical Center’s Soldier of the Year a ‘soldier’s soldier’

BY GLORIA MONTGOMERY CARL R. DARNALL ARMY MEDICAL CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and Regional Health Command-Central’s Soldier of the Year, Sgt. Ian Ramsey, has crossed the finish line in his quest to earn the Army’s coveted title of “Best Warrior.” Although he finished second in May’s Army Medicine competition, it wasn’t a loss — but a new journey for the 27-year-old soldier.

“There’s a responsibility that comes with that win,” said Ramsey, who, after winning Army Medicine’ central regional competition, was promoted to sergeant.

“You’ve displayed that you have the capability to do these things and now it’s your duty to pass on what you know to the next generation of soldiers.”

Even though the preparation and competition were grueling, the Seattle native said the experience has been invaluable.

“It just makes you a better soldier because you’re now more prepared mentally and physically for anything the Army might ask you to do. The more you know and the more you’re able to do, the more useful you are to the Army and to your fellow soldiers,” he said, adding that training for the competitions has helped him gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Army traditions and standards. “I was academically aware of these things, but I didn’t really have a true understanding of the stewardship of professionalism that makes the Army great.”

According to Sgt. Maj. of the

Army Daniel Dailey, the Best Warrior Competition recognizes “Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the Warrior Ethos, and represent the Force of the Future.”

“It’s the whole soldier concept,” Dailey said. “We want to make sure everyone is well-rounded.”

Each leg of the Army Best Warrior competition tests soldier’s skills and aptitudes in urban warfare simulations, board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams and warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today’s operating environment.

“It was an intense experience,” said the x-ray technician, who also doubles down as aide to the hospital’s top enlisted advisor.

Ramsey, who enlisted in 2013, said one of the most challenging tasks throughout the competition was night navigation during the regional competition at Fort Polk, La., this past March.

“We’re in the woods of Louisiana in a torrential rainstorm.

It’s basically one big forest so you can’t really do any terrain association or even read your compass,” he said, adding that abysmal weather conditions prevented celestial navigation. “It was pitch black with zero visibility. The only way to navigate out there was making sure the pace count was on point.”

Additionally, footing was problematic because the rain had turned the ground into muck. Every step, he said, became wasted energy because of the amount of exertion needed to raise his mudsoaked boots out of the muck.

“It was tough, but exhilarating,”

he said, “but if it’s not challenging, what’s the point? The end result, after you think about all the steps you did to get to the competition, is ‘Wow, I built this.’”

Ramsey, who loves obstacle courses and endurance running, said the most important takeaway from all the competitions is the value of year-round training and preparation.

“It’s not just training when you know you’re going to the board and are training up for it,” he said, adding how grateful he is to the medical center team who worked with his schedule and gave him training time. “It’s really what you do the rest of the year.”

Ramsey, according to the hospital’s troop Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa McFrazier, exemplifies professionalism.

“He gives 110 percent effort in anything and everything he does,” she said, praising him on his soldier instincts. “Even though he’s a newly promoted sergeant, he acts like he’s been a sergeant for some time because of how he carries himself. He is a ‘soldier’s soldier’ and a warrior, and an example for others to emulate.”

That dedication, she said, also was showcased during the Canadian forces’ 2016 Starlight Challenge, an international competition for combat medics held May 13-15 at 2nd Canadian Division Valcartier, Quebec. This was the first year the United States has competed. More than 100 soldiers manned the 20 teams that included Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Without any preparation or notice, his team came in third,” she

COURTESY PHOTO

Sgt. Ian Ramsey, Soldier of the Year for Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and Regional Health Command-Central, surveys his surroundings during the Canadian forces 2016 Starlight Challenge, an international competition for combat medics held May 13-15 at 2nd Canadian Division Valcartier, Quebec.

said, adding that the American team representing Army Medicine only had two days to learn the Canadian weapons systems and medical protocols.

Ramsey, who said he was honored to represent Army Medicine, said his team’s success was a testament to Army training. “Our training is so standardized that we were able to work together even though we had never been on a team together.”

Overall, he said, no matter how you finish in any Army competition it’s about being your best.

“If you fail at one task, you move on and try to do better at the next task,” he said, encouraging soldiers to go outside of their

comfort zone and be that total soldier and a steward of Army professionalism. “That’s what the Army warrior competition has meant to me. If I’m just competing for myself, than I’m not part of the team. I might as well get out of the Army because being part of a team is one of the reasons I am in the Army.”

Even though Ramsey won’t be representing Army Medicine in the 2016 Best Warrior competition, he still considers himself a winner.

“There are no losers in this competition,” he said. “I’m honored to have competed and to have gained all this knowledge and experience.”

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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

U.S., South Korean soldiers earn coveted Expert Infantryman Badges

BY SGT. CHRISTOPHER DENNIS 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION PUBLIC AFFAIRS

CAMP CASEY, South Korea — In the pre-dawn hours, with sweat dripping down their foreheads and a rucksack that seemed to get heavier with each step of the 12-mile march, U.S. and South Korean soldiers pushed themselves to exhaustion and to a finish line that meant they had just one more challenge ahead.

For 12 days, 627 soldiers from all over the Korean Peninsula trained for the grueling five-day Expert Infantryman Badge testing that started May 22 and ended May 26 at Schoonover Bowl at Camp Casey, South Korea.

The EIB is a prized and respected badge for Infantrymen through out the US Army.

“It sets that individual apart from his peers — that he has demonstrated skills, attention to detail and proficiency in his trade of arms,” said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Kerns, an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, serving as one of the graders on the grenade testing.

The 1st ABCT, or “Ironhorse” brigade, hosted the Expert Infantryman Badge training and testing for all U.S. infantry on the peninsula and gave Republic of Korea Army soldiers, including four female soldiers, a chance to try and earn a certificate of achievement to honor their attempt at the EIB — currently, South Korean soldiers are not authorized to wear the U.S badge.

Infantry soldiers from 1st ABCT participated in the event, along with their peers from the 2nd Infantry Division, the Eighth U.S. Army and others.

“We also have soldiers from the U.S. Forces Korea Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Command Post TANGO, USFK Honor Guard, the United Nations Com-

mand Security Battalion, and the Republic of Korea Army — they’re coming from all over to train and compete in the EIB,” said Sgt. 1st Class Richie Pozo, operations NCO, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT. To earn the EIB, candidates first qualified expert on their assigned weapon and conducted two weeks of EIB-focused training from May 9 to 20.

During the five-day test week, the 627 EIB candidates started with the Army Physical Fitness Test, having to score 80 points on each event. Then candidates were tested on thirty individual testing stations organized as a “Weapons Lane,” a “Medical Lane,” a “Patrol Lane” and a day and night land navigation course.

Candidates concluded their week of testing with a 12-mile forced march in less than three hours followed immediately by a series of core tasks, performed under simulated combat conditions and completed to an expert standard on “Objective Bull” at the Schoonover Bowl at Camp Casey.

“It’s like baseball — if you get three strikes, you’re out,” said Pozo. “If you ‘nogo’ three stations, you’re out. If you ‘nogo’ one station twice, you’re out; if you fail a station, you have one hour to come back and re-test. And if you fail to come back in the allotted time, you’re out.”

U.S. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall initiated the development of the EIB in 1944 to represent and honor U.S. Army Infantryman.

The first testing consisted of 100 noncommissioned officers from the 100th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. They were selected to undergo three days of testing to select the Army’s first Expert Infantryman.

After all the testing, only ten NCO’s remained. Those ten were then interviewed and on March 29, 1944, Lt. Gen. Lesley McNair, commander of Army Ground

STAFF SGT. KEITH ANDERSON | ARMY

Gen. Vincent Brooks, the top U.S. general in South Korea, pins a U.S. Army Commendation Medal on Sgt. Andrew Raines, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, for successfully completing every event without retest to earn the Expert Infantryman Badge, a “True Blue” awardee.

Forces, awarded the first EIB to Tech. Sgt. Walter Bull.

The first candidates to complete the ruck march, finishing at the two-hour mark, were 1st Lt. Nicholas Kiser, a platoon leader from Company A, 2nd Bn., 5th Cav. Reg., 1st ABCT, followed quickly by ROKA Sgt. 1st Class Do Hoon Lee. Kiser, along with teammate Capt.

James Teskey, plans officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT, recently placed sixth at the Army’s Best Ranger Competition on April 17 at Fort Benning, Ga. Included in the final number to complete the challenge were more than 40 ROKA soldiers, including Republic of Korea Army 1st Lt. Ji Eun Jeong, a platoon leader in the 115th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, 90th Mech. Inf. Brigade, 30th

Mech. Inf. Division. Jeong was the first female ROK officer to earn the EIB. A female ROK NCO completed the grueling challenge last year to earn her EIB. “I want a specialty for infantry, and EIB is a challenge for female Soldiers,” said Jeong.

Of the 627 soldiers who started the EIB testing in South Korea May 22, only 131 finished and earned the honor of wearing the coveted badge. And of those, 29 distinguished themselves as “True Blue” infantryman by successfully completing every event without retest and receiving first time “go’s” on every evaluation — 18 U.S. and 11 South Korean soldiers.

Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general, USFK, personally pinned those recognized as True Blue Infantry during a ceremony May 26.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

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Fort Hood Herald

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Sapper like a girl; 326th Sapper Eagle first female to finish competition

BY SGT. SAMANTHA STOFFREGEN 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AA) PUBLIC AFFAIRS

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — For the first time ever Army-wide, a female engineer not only finished all 50 hours of the competition this year, but finished in the top ten.

Second Lt. Leah Mullenix, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), didn’t set out to make history — she only wanted to challenge herself physically and mentally.

The Best Sapper Competition calls upon the Army’s brightest and toughest combat engineers every spring to compete for the coveted title of “Best Sapper” at Fort Leonardwood, Mo. The competition boasts “50 teams, 50 miles, and 50 hours” of all-encompassing engineering tasks from tactical obstacle planning, road crater emplacement and urban breaching.

“For me, most of the decisions I’ve made, especially in the Army, are meant to challenge myself,” Mullenix said. “So I jumped on the opportunity (to compete) as another way to challenge myself and prepare for Sapper School.”

Mullenix and her partner, 1st Lt. Edward Colon, 326th BEB, 1st BCT, began training about eight weeks prior to the competition, focusing on ruck marches and upper body weight training.

“We were rucking 30 to 40 miles a week; that was the focus because we knew we’d be going 50 miles in three days,” Mullenix said. “We also did weight training, working on upper body and overall strength training. Days we didn’t ruck, we’d run and we’d do our longer rucks on the weekends.”

The team completed their longest ruck of 20 miles before heading to the competition.

They also tackled four 16 mile rucks and several 14 milers.

“We spent so much time together training up, we knew each other really well, which helped make us a strong team,” Mullenix said.

As the competition neared, they team combined long ruck marches or runs back to back with weight training or engineering tasks to better prepare themselves for the strenuous competition.

During their training, Mullenix said they also focused on a number of engineering tasks and Sapper skills to help prepare them for the competition.

“She was motivated to do a lot of the selfstudy she needed to put in because she had not been to Sapper school yet, where they teach a lot of the skills evaluated in the competition,” said Lt. Col. Eric Crispino, 326th BEB commander.

Mullenix said the training she received

was a first for her, but was tackled with excitement and high motivation. She added that her favorite portions of the train-up were learning and executing the mountaineering skills she was taught and the urban breaching training day.

Crispino said he wasn’t concerned about sending a female-male team to compete in a competition historically filled with malemale engineer teams.

“Personally I’ve done a lot of competitions — triathlons, running races — and against males I usually do very well, but every race I go to I get beat by a female,” Crispino said. “And if you really want to get scientific about it, you look at how Olympians and top-level athletes do with males and females and the differences at the top are very slight.”

Look at the results, he said — she went out there and held her own.

“I knew she could do it and she proved it,” Crispino said. “She did really well in all of our fitness tests used to screen our candidates. Physically, I knew she could hang.”

Crispino said after seeing the competition last year he knew it’s not necessarily the strongest or fastest team that wins the competition, but a combination of both fitness and brains, which he knew his team had.

“I’m really proud of them both,” Crispino said. “They put in a lot of hard work.”

Mullenis said once she heard about the competition and how hard it was going to be, she was nervous about being one of the only females competing but that she tried for the most part not to think of herself as different.

SGT. SAMANTHA STOFFREGEN | ARMY

ABOVE: 2nd Lt. Leah Mullenix, Team 23, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), crawls under barbed wire with her individual assigned weapon.

LEFT: 1st Lt. Edward Colon, left, and Mullenix complete an engineering skill’s test.

“I just pushed myself as hard as I could,” Mullenix said. “Yeah, it sucked, it was really hard, but it was hard for everyone.

It’s definitely the hardest thing I have done in my career, so now everything is relative to that. When I face new challenges, I’ll always relate it back to this, like ‘this is hard, but it could be worse.’”

On the final day, competitors had to tackle a series of challenges on the main field, called the “x-mile” surrounding the Engineer Castle where crowds of supporters stood and cheered them.

“By the time we got to the end stretch, there was a lot of support from people who were running right alongside us,” Mullenix said. “That was a crazy experience. A lot of female drill sergeants were out there, so I got a lot of support from other women.

They were really excited for me, but so were the other men and teams out there. I

know just hearing those people cheering for us and coaching us along was definitely what got me through to the end. That was a huge source of motivation.”

Mullenix will complete Sapper School later this year and then head to an engineering platoon.

“She’s going to make a great platoon leader when we put her into that position,” Crispino said. “She’s been in the unit since December 2015, so I haven’t known her for very long, but she’s got just an overall good attitude towards everything we’ve asked her to do since she’s been here. She’s attacked every challenge thrown at her with a smile on her face. I look forward to seeing her at (Sapper) graduation.”

Mullenix added she hopes to possibly mentor future Sapper Eagles for the competition and see more females participate and eventually take home the title of Best Sapper.

“I think as a society in general, we limit what we think women can do, and not because women are less — just that it’s what we’ve been taught,” Mullenix said, adding that even she fell into that thought process about herself in regards to the competition. “There are women out there that can do it, it’s just a matter of us going out and showing we are on the same level. The biggest thing I can say to other women is don’t limit yourself. If you want to do something, or you want to train, the sky’s the limit. If you limit yourself before you even have the chance to go out there and do it, that’s the worst thing we can do.”

8 Fort Hood Herald

] OBSERVATION POST [

GABE WOLF | HERALD

Members of the 1st Cavlary Division Honor Guard retire the colors during a patch ceremony at Cooper Field June 1.

GABE WOLF | HERALD

The 1st Cavalry Division’s patch ceremony ends with a “Cavalry Charge” June 1.

JOSH BACHMAN | HERALD

Members of the the 36th Infantry Division stand at attention during their Task Force Arrowhead Deployment Ceremony May 31 at Fort Hood. Less than 100 of the troops will be deployed but they will be serving along side other US forces and Afghan Security Forces as well. The 36th ID will be deploying to Afghanistan in order to provide training, assistance and advice for the Afghan National Defense and other Security Forces.

JOSH BACHMAN | HERALD

Brig. Gen. S. Lee Henry explains the mission of the 36th infantry Division after their deployment ceremony May 31 at Fort Hood.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

9 Fort Hood Herald

forthoodherald.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Sorry to see my friends go during new ‘PCS’ season

S

JEN LYON

Gathering together after a formal scholarship presentation by Operation Homefront and Southern New Hampshire University are from left, Operation Homefront senior director of field operations Carol Herrick; scholarship recipient Danielle Gage; SNHU assistant vice president for military initiatives Gary Soldato; and scholarship recipient Jennifer Katz.

Universities award scholarships to military spouses

BY STEPHEN THOMAS SPECIAL TO THE HERALD

KILLEEN — Operation Homefront and Southern New Hampshire University held a Homefront Celebration on Saturday at the Shilo Inn Suites Hotel in Killeen to honor 175 area military spouses.

Ranked among the top 15 percent of military-friendly schools nationwide, SNHU awarded a $5,000 scholarship to two area military wives in attendance:

Danielle Gage and Jennifer Katz.

After the formal scholarship presentations, Operation Homefront senior director of field operations Carol Herrick and SNHU assistant vice president for military initiatives Gary Soldato took an opportunity to pose with Katz and Gage.

The honored guests, who are spouses of active-duty junior enlisted service members, enjoyed an elegant catered sit-down dinner, a gift, an opportunity to build peer support networks among other military spouses and a motivational

speech from U.S. Army Col. Chris Albus, an Army War College Fellow at Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service.

Albus recently commanded the 166th Aviation Brigade at Fort Hood, which is responsible for training, advising, assisting and validating Reserve component aviation forces for deployment.

The formal portion of the evening began with a moment of silence for the soldiers killed at Fort Hood on Thusday in a training accident.

[ WHAT’S HAPPENING AT FORT HOOD ] June 8-10: Youth career fair. Fort Hood’s Army Community Services and Child, Youth & School Services will host the Youth Career Launch and Career Fair from 1 to 3 p.m. today and 2 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday for ages 13-22 at Bronco Youth Center. There will be informational sessions on goal setting, social media and job searching, application and resume development, interviewing and “Dress for Success” fashion shows. Also, a Career Fair for ages 16-22 will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Phantom Warrior Center. More than 25 employers will be on-site accepting applications. No registration is required. For more information, call 254-287-7438 or 254-553-2216. Individuals who require assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Army Community Service Employment Readiness Branch at 254-288-2089 or email usarmy. hood.imcom-fmwrc.list.acs-erb@mail.mil.

June 17 MOAA Meeting: Military Officers Association of America will meet at 11:15 a.m. June 17 at the Shilo Inn Restaurant, 3701 South WS Young Drive, Killeen. The lunch is $15, plus

another $5 cover for the cost of the room.

The meeting’s program is Col. Todd Fox, Fort Hood garrison commander. Active-duty and retired officers, including warrant officers, of all services and Reserves are welcome.

Reservations for the meeting are required.

Nonmembers, make reservations by calling 254-699-3969. Members, RSVP to e-mail sent by officials.

Ongoing Dental program: The Fort Hood American Red Cross and Fort Hood Dental Command announce applications will be available March 1 for the 2016 Dental Assistant training program. Dental Command trains Red Cross volunteers in the basic skills necessary to work as a dental assistant. The training program runs from September 2016 to May 2017. Individuals must submit their application no later than May 2. To review program fact sheet and receive application or for more information contact American Red Cross 254-287-0400, email forthood@redcross.org or come to the Fort Hood Red Cross at 37th and Battalion Avenue, Building 288.

Bingo: The Community Events and Bingo Cen-

ter offers bingo six days a week, reoccurring special events, along with computer handsets, display monitors and several stations to replenish bingo supplies. Over $3,700 in cash prizes paid out daily. One jackpot starts at $10,000, another at $3,000 and another begins with a percent of the first day’s play; in addition to progressive game numbers that go up weekly. This state of the art facility is also capable of accommodating private parties and functions of up to 450 guests. Bingo offered Tuesday through Saturday, doors open at 5 p.m., bingo from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; Sunday, doors open at noon, bingo from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The Community Events and Bingo Center is at building 50012, Clear Creek Road, behind AAFES gas station. For more information, please call 254-532-9253 or 254-532-9263.

Roller Derby Recreation League: Come out and join the Fort Hood Hell on Wheels All Girl Roller Derby Recreation League. The league is free to join and is open to female DOD ID card holders ages 16 years old and older. Females under the age of 18 must have a legal guardian present at all times.

PLEASE SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING, 10

chool’s out for the summer and based on all the for sale/for lease signs popping up in my neighborhood, it’s also permanent change of station, or PCS, season.

As much as I love the summer, this time of year brings on a variety of emotions for me.

You would think after living this lifestyle for eight years, saying “see ya later” would be getting easier.

It never gets easier — you just get used to it.

We’ve been stationed here for almost four years now, making Fort Hood our longest stint to date. When we first arrived, we were first-time home owners and the twins were just a twinkle in our eyes.

Now, this house has become a home and this place holds so many special memories for me.

As I see the moving trucks roll through the streets, I wonder where everyone is going next. I wonder how many moves this makes for them and TALES FROM if they also have a HOUSEHOLD 6 hard time saying “see ya later” to Vanessa Lynch friends who have become family.

When we were first starting out in Hawaii as newlyweds, when our friends were beginning the lengthy packing process, many would ask to stay with us before they moved. It was a win-win for everyone. Ever since those first early years, whenever we can help a friend be more comfortable during the transition, it’s become our Army tradition.

Just last week, our friends used our house as a stopover during their trek to New York from Austin. They were among the first friends we made when we were living in Hawaii. Six years and five kids between us later, our friendship is going stronger than ever.

Our kids played while we chatted and in between loads of laundry and parenting, I realized how lucky I am to have made the friendships I’ve made being married to the military.

Although the Army is large, the engineer branch is a small one, so it’s comforting to know you will see each other again sooner rather than later.

I’ve been very lucky with my network of friends, and as we continue to navigate this life, I hope to build it even more. No one likes to pack up and start over, but knowing a familiar face is waiting in the next state is calming and, even if we don’t know anyone where we are going, the odds that someone we know has lived there and has lots of advice (where to live, shop and eat) makes the transition that much smoother.

‘ALTHOUGH THE ARMY IS LARGE, THE ENGINEER BRANCH IS A SMALL ONE, SO IT’S COMFORTING TO KNOW

KARIN MARKERT | HERALD

Col. Jim Markert, III Corps Chief of Staff, currently deployed in the Middle East, poses for a family photo during a video conference with his family, from left, Sean, 15 years old, James, 17 years old, Karin, and Tommy, 13 years old, after James’ graduation from Killeen High School Sunday, June 5, 2016. Through the Killeen ISD GradCast program, Col. Markert and other deployed servicemembers were able to view their area students’ graduation ceremonies this past weekend.

YOU WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN.’ I’m sad to see my friends and neighbors go, but I am also equal parts excited for their next military chapter.

Now my anxiety has kicked in to overdrive because “our list” of where we could go next just came out. We’ve ranked our list, one to 32, and now we must be patient and wait a whole four weeks — if we are lucky — to find out where we will call home next.

It’s always fun to compare lists with friends and play the “what if we get stationed here” game and hope that you hit the jackpot and get stationed at the same place together.

This PCS will be our greatest challenge yet, because now we are moving with two toddlers. Just when you think you have figured out how to streamline the packing process, life gives you twins. If anyone has any pointers on PCSing with toddlers, I am all ears.

Granted, we won’t be putting Fort Hood in our rearview mirrors until early 2017, but as every military spouse knows, the movers will be here before I know it. So as my friends are starting to pack up and ship out, you can find me deep in a closet purging away.

] AFTER HOURS [

10 Fort Hood Herald

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

[ PETS OF THE WEEK ]

This 5 week old female tabby kitten is available.

Her number is 16-309.

This 6 month old female Calico cat is available. Her number is 16-289.

This 3 year old male cat is available for adoption.

His number is 16-311.

This 4 year old black lab is available for adoption.

His number is 16-323.

This 1 year old corgi mix is available for adoption.

His number is 16-269.

Pepper is a female Chihuahua up for adoption.

Her number is 16-280.

The Fort Hood Stray Facility is on 80th Street and Engineer Drive in Building 4902.

It is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

On Friday, the facility closes at 3 p.m.

For more information, call 254-287-4675.

Film review: ‘Conjuring 2’ is a masterful ghost story

BY KATIE WALSH TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Entering the canon of sequels that are better than the original, “The Conjuring 2” exceeds the scope and scares of the surprise ‘70s-era horror hit from 2013. “The Conjuring,” starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, reminded audiences of the power of a good ghost story and proved director James Wan to be a legitimate master of horror. The trio have returned to spook the pants off audiences again, and the sequel is a perfectly executed retro haunting flick that dives deep below the surface to explore themes of vision, belief and faith in what lies beyond the human realm.

Like its predecessor, “The Conjuring 2” is a bit of a bait and switch. While the first film teased us with the story of haunted doll Annabelle before diving into the haunting of the Perron family, the sequel starts out with a taste of Amityville before hopping across

the pond to take on the Enfield Poltergeist in England. Though Lorraine, plagued by blasphemous visions of her husband’s death, wants to take time off from their work, they are compelled by the church to verify the veracity of the claims that a vicious inhuman spirit has possessed young Janet Hodgson.

Wan, with veteran cinematographer Don Burgess, shows a mastery over the camera as a storytelling tool and creates evocative, bone-chilling suspense with just a simple pan or tilt. The camera is almost constantly moving, maintaining a sense of unrest in the environment. It switches between handheld point-of-view shots from the perspective of the characters and an omniscient camera that seems to have a mind of its own, weightlessly sweeping through rooms and drifting up into corners with a spectral presence. As a director, Wan activates the audience’s mode of looking, and teaches us to fear what lies just outside the boundaries of the frame. The big, scary thing is often hiding in plain sight.

In laying bare the process of sight, Wan mirrors the interlocked, and sometimes

WARNER BROS. VIA AP

A scene from the New Line Cinema thriller, “The Conjuring 2.”

contradictory, themes of vision and belief in “The Conjuring 2.” For the characters in the film, seeing is believing when it comes to what’s happening in the Hodgson home. But visual evidence is complicated in the film; it’s never quite trustworthy, despite the reams of video and audiotape of Janet’s possession.

It’s easier to trust Lorraine’s psychic visions

of otherworldly forces. Belief in the unseen and faith in each other is the bedrock of Ed and Lorraine’s relationship, which is the moral compass of the story.

This film is the bigger, badder version of “The Conjuring.” Wan, fresh off directing “Furious 7,” occasionally strays toward CGIenhanced bombast to elicit scares, rather than his subtle and effective camera work.

Those animated boogeymen just aren’t as terrifying as the things we know are there, but can’t quite see.

If anything, “The Conjuring 2” plays as a spiritual sequel to “The Exorcist,” with Madison Wolfe stepping into the Linda Blair role as the vulnerable Janet Hodgson. Set in the same time period, there are similar sociopolitical anxieties about class, family and motherhood swirling around the Hodgson family’s supernatural plight. It’s easy to reference the classics, but “The Conjuring 2” is an evolved, modern version of this story, and establishes its own classic status as film in conversation with both the past and future of horror.

[ WHAT’S HAPPENING AT FORT HOOD ] FROM PAGE 9

Skaters are required to provide their own equipment, during league practice and bouts.

The league meets Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Health Promotions Aerobics and Skating Center, Building 324 on 37th Street. All skill levels will be accommodated. For more information, call 254-2855372.

Zumba: Classes are 1 to 2 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at the Applied Functional Fitness Center; 6 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday at West Fort Hood Gym; and 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Applied Functional Fitness Center.

Spin: Classes are from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Grey Wolf Physical Fitness Center, at 58th Street and Old Ironsides Avenue.

Yoga Classes: Enjoy yoga from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Beginners’ yoga is 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday. Classes are subject to change and are held at the Applied Fitness Center, Building 12018, 33rd Street at Old Ironsides Avenue. For more information, call 254-287-8219.

Every Tuesday Just Stressed Out: Support group for female spouses or caregivers of active-duty or service members with PTSD, active-duty female service members or veterans with PTSD. Meets from 6 to 7 p.m. at 717 N. 4th Street, Suite B in Killeen. Park in the Bell County Human Services lot. For more information, contact Maureen Jouett at mail@bringeveryoneinthezone.org.

Support Group: Open to soldiers, veterans and caregivers impacted by PTSD. Hosted by Darnall Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care, the group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Darnall chapel. For more information, contact Chaplain S.R. Handy at 254-288-8849 or 254288-8850.

Every Thursday Support Group: Open to any kind of trauma survivors and caregivers. Hosted by Darnall Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care, the group meets from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Darnall chapel. For more information, contact Chaplain S.R. Handy at 254-288-8849 or 254-2888850.

Thursday Music Mix: From 3 to 8 p.m., enjoy pool, shuffleboard, popcorn and finger foods on covered patio decks as you listen to a live DJ at Backbone NCO Lounge, Building 194 on 37th Street. The event is free and open to all 18 and older. For more information, call 254532-5073.

1st and 3rd Thursday Survivors of suicide support group: Anyone impacted by suicide is invited to meet at 6 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the Killeen Arts and Activities Center, 802 N. 2nd Street in Killeen. For more information email sos_gfh@yahoo.com.

2nd and 4th Thursday Counseling: Bring it in the Zone is now hosting SMART Recovery Group/Individual Counseling Sessions from 6 to 7 p.m. at 718 N. 2nd St., Suite B, in Killeen. This is a cognitive behavioral approach to therapy helping individuals become free from dependence of any substance using a four-point program. Meetings held every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Call Jennifer Coleman at 254-4581329 for individual appointments, questions or comments.

4th Thursday Enlisted spouses club: The Fort Hood Area Enlisted Spouses Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (unless otherwise noted) at the Montague Family Life Building, building no. 7000, off of Clarke Road. Each monthly meeting will feature a different theme and activity.

New members are always welcome to join.

The club is open to all spouses of enlisted members (E-1 through E-9) active duty, retired or Gold Star spouses. New members

may join at any general membership meeting. Membership dues are prorated January through August and are currently $12.50 for the rest of the membership year.

Fort Hood’s Soldier for Life: Transition Assistance Program Job fairs: Sept. 20: Fort Hood SFL-TAP Mega Job Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Club Hood, Building 5764.

Upcoming Seminars at the Soldier for Life: TAP Center starting at 1 p.m., unless otherwise noted, are: June 8: Small Business Development June 9: Business Plan Basics June 14: Teacher’s Certification Program June 23: Buying an Existing Business or Franchise

Terry E. Gandy Vice President | General Manager Rose Fitzpatrick Managing Editor David Miller Deputy Managing Editor / Opinion Jacob Brooks Deputy Managing Editor / News David A. Bryant Military Editor

Send letters to: David Miller | Fort Hood Herald P.O. Box 1300 Killeen. TX 76540 email: dmiller@kdhnews.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

forthoodherald.com

Last week’s accident tragic, but now isn’t time for blame

[ EDITORIAL ]

Pentagon should demote its old promotion rules

W

hen I first received the news release saying a light medium tactical vehicle overturned in high water and lives were lost, I was heartbroken. These may not have been my troops, but they were still my brothers and sisters.

But as I started reading the comments people posted on the different sites carrying the story, I also became a combination of angry/concerned/ upset with a heavy dose of flashbacks to being a truck commander of an M1078 LMTV. While I had a good driver, I still called the shots SARGE’S CORNER when it came David A. Bryant to whether we were going to attempt a tricky maneuver.

I was angry because so many people decried troops doing any type of training in adverse weather. I’m sorry. Is the enemy going to wait for a sunny day before deciding to attack? Of course not. We train in bad weather so when the enemy DOES attack in the middle of a heavy rain or snowfall — or other adverse conditions — we’re already trained to respond instead of sitting around in shock while we’re wiped out.

Yes, no matter what we may prefer as a troop out in the field dreading cleaning the vehicles and our equipment when we finally get back to garrison, we train as we fight. We have to, because it’s a guarantee that the enemy will.

I was concerned because I was hearing a lot of rumors. While scuttlebutt may make great stories, with some of those stories I would rather not influence the investigation. And I sincerely hope one of the fallen isn’t made a scapegoat if someone else should be held accountable.

And I was upset because, by God, someone should have had the common sense to look at a heavy water crossing that wasn’t supposed to be there and say, “We need to find another way.”

As a supply sergeant consistently running a vehicle of this particular type, I would have no problem telling my driver that we’re not crossing anything more than a foot deep.

Someone should also have had the common sense to not send troops out and about during a time when even Noah would have been rushing to finish his Ark. No matter what we say, or think, this is the type of tragedy we can only look at through the superiority of hindsight.

While I will continue to bug post officials about the truth of what happened, I’ll also do my best not to jump to any conclusions as to what happened until I have something concrete.

Instead of laying blame, let us remember those family members who were affected by this tragedy and find ways to help them in their time of need.

DAVID A.BRYANT is an Army retiree and the military editor for the Killeen Daily Herald. You can reach him at dbryant@ kdhnews.com or 254-501-7554.

Fort Hood Herald 11

U.S. must end reliance on Russian rockets

W

hen President Barack Obama came into office, the fact that Russia sold the U.S. the rocket engines it needed for launches was a feature of U.S. foreign policy, not a bug. Obama was trying to reset the U.S. relationship with Moscow, and that meant finding areas in which the two former cold war rivals could cooperate. If the U.S. would rely on Russia to deal with Iran and supply troops in Afghanistan, why not rely on Russia to get satellites into space?

But that was 2009. In 2016, this dependence is very much a bug. Today, Russian aircraft buzz U.S. sea vessels on the Baltic Sea and bomb U.S.-supported rebels in Syria. Today, the U.S. sanctions officials close to Russian president Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine.

The Pentagon’s reliance on Russian rocket engines will be at the center of a debate this week in the Senate when lawmakers take up a bill to authorize the 2017 U.S. defense budget. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is proposing to phase out America’s reliance on the Russian rocket engines.

The contractor that performs the space launches for the U.S. government, United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, says the Russian rockets are cheaper than the American alternatives. Two senators from states where these defense contractors employ many people — Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama, and Richard Durbin, Democrat of Illinois — favor an amendment that would let the U.S. buy twice as many Russian engines as McCain favors. That would allow for more launches, and more related work in those two states.

In a telephone interview, McCain was blunt about this amendment. “If they are able to prevent us from moving off these Russian-built rocket engines, it’s corruption,” he said.

Shelby has argued that the Russian rocket engines used by the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture have performed flawlessly, whereas some of the alternatives are untested.

Still, the Russian rocket engine business is murky. A 2014 investigation by Reuters found that a small five-person company based in Florida stood to make nearly $100 million from padding the cost of the Russian RD-180 rocket engines it then resold to United Launch Alliance.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton authorized the use of Russian rockets for commercial space launches and later for more sensitive national security missions. But at the time, this policy was supposed to be a stopgap measure. Initially, the Pentagon had planned to exclusively use American rock-

et engines for space launches by 2000.

Over time though, that deadline was pushed back because the cost of making Eli Lake engines in the U.S. is significantly greater.

The latest deadline for U.S. rocket engine independence is 2020, and some Pentagon officials now say even that may be too ambitious.

Today the United Launch Alliance says its Delta IV rocket, which uses an American engine, is up to 30 percent more costly than the Russian variety used for the Atlas V rocket. Space X, the private space launch company owned by Elon Musk, is hoping to provide a cheaper alternative without using Russian engines. But Space X has yet to launch a spy satellite into space for the U.S. government, whereas the BoeingLockheed joint venture has managed more than 100 launches since 2006 without ever losing a payload.

Nonetheless, the arrangement with Russia on rocket engines undermines U.S. sanctions today against Russia for its 2014 invasion of Ukraine. The Daily Beast reported last month that the U.S. purchase of Russian rockets is enriching two senior Russian officials, Dmitry Rogozin and Sergei Chemezov, who were sanctioned in 2014 for the Ukraine invasion. In 2015, Putin placed Rogozin and Chemezov in charge of Russia’s space industry.

Evelyn Farkas, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who served in 2014 as the deputy assistant secretary of defense responsible for Russia policy, told me the U.S. reliance on Russian engines was discussed in 2014 when the Obama administration was developing its response to the invasion of Ukraine. “By now we should have figured out a way to wean ourselves off the Russian rockets,”she said.

McCain has asked the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control whether the purchase of the Russian rockets violates the 2014 sanctions. So far, the Treasury has said it has not.

For now, McCain said he doesn’t know whether his provision to phase out the purchase of Russian engines will pass when the Senate considers the defense budget.

The outcome of that vote will be instructive. But it also brings to mind a larger principle. For years, many Republicans and Democrats were optimistic that partnerships with aggressive states could tame them over time. Now the U.S. is paying the price for this optimism, as it relies on Russian engines to launch the satellites that keep tabs on Russian aggression.

ELI LAKE is a Bloomberg View columnist writing about politics and foreign affairs.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter took office last year with a long list of reforms and not much time to undertake them.

He has been successful with a few — notably, opening all combat positions to women — and now he needs to see through another profound change to Pentagon culture: relaxing the military’s strict rules on promotion.

The military operates on an “up or out” principle: Officers are expected to be raised to the next grade on a schedule, and (in general) if they fall behind or are passed over for promotion, they may be allowed to stay in long enough to qualify for a pension but will eventually have to move to civilian life.

There are some advantages to this: It provides career stability and a clear route for those aspiring to top command posts. It also keeps the middle ranks from becoming overcrowded, which can prevent young officers from getting ahead.

Unfortunately, this system also hampers unconventional career paths. And as the lines between civilian and military roles become harder to draw, the services need to become more flexible.

The goal should be more military leaders with advanced degrees, fellowships at think tanks, Rhodes or Marshall scholarships, even experience in the private sector.

Almost anything that improves someone’s technical knowledge should be regarded as a benefit.

The military should also make it easier for officers and enlisted troops to take leave in times of family crisis.

Carter delineated many of these benefits in his wide-ranging Force of the Future personnel plan, released last year.

But he quickly ran into resistance in the military and in Congress. At a hearing in February, John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the proposals “expensive fringe benefits” that the military could not afford.

In fact, the opposite is true: The Pentagon cannot afford not to make these changes.

Unfortunately, their prospects took a sharp turn for the worse when Brad Carson, a former House member serving as the Pentagon’s point man on personnel matters, resigned in March.

Carson had incurred the wrath of Congress by starting his job before the Senate confirmed him, creating an unnecessary distraction.

Carter needs to show that Carson’s resignation is not a sign that the Pentagon is giving up on these changes to its personnel system.

The defense secretary has already assured the heads of the service branches that they can shape new promotion rules to suit their needs. Undoubtedly, more persuasion will be necessary, but Carter must continue pressing the military to change — for its own good and for the good of the nation’s security.

Bloomberg View

Syrian children facing starvation as yet another deadline passes WASHINGTON POST

It’s been nearly six months since the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution demanding an end to the bombing and shelling of civilian areas in Syria and calling for immediate humanitarian access to besieged areas. It’s been four months since Secretary of State John F. Kerry described the sieges as a “castastrophe” of a dimension unseen since World War II and said that “all parties to the conflict have a duty to facilitate humanitarian access to Syrians in desperate need.”

Three weeks ago, a diplomatic conference on Syria joined by Kerry issued a statement saying it “insisted on concrete

steps to enable the provision of urgent humanitarian deliveries,” and warning that if none were taken, it would support airdrops to besieged towns beginning on June 1.

By Monday, there still had been no food deliveries to Darayyain the Damascus suburbs, the al-Waer district of Homs or several other of the 19 besieged areas, with a population of more than 500,000, identified by the United Nations. Nor had there been airdrops. None have been organized, and U.N. officials say none are likely in the coming days. Another deadline has been blown, another red line crossed — and children in the besieged towns are still starving.

Over the weekend, Russian and Syrian planes heavily bombed civilian areas in rebel-held areas of Aleppo and Idlib. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 500 civilians, including 105 children, had been killed in 45 consecutive days of bombing in Aleppo. The “cessation of hostilities” negotiated by Kerry in February, which was never fully observed by Russia and Syria, has been shredded.

And the Obama administration’s response? It is still waiting patiently for the regime of Bashar al-Assad to stop dropping barrel bombs from helicopters on hospitals and allow passage to aid convoys. It is still asking politely for Russia to stop bombing Western-backed rebel units and to compel

the Assad regime to follow suit.

The British ambassador to the United Nations hinted on Friday that if the Assad regime kept preventing land and air aid deliveries, his government “will consider other actions.” The French ambassador to the United Nations said “the Syrian regime is continuing to systematically starve hundreds of thousands of civilians.

These are war crimes. ... There is a strong momentum here in the Security Council ... to say ‘enough is enough.’”

Strong words. Those are a Kerry specialty, too. “Humanitarian access, he said, “has to happen not a week from now ... it ought to happen in the first days.”

That was on Feb. 2.

] SPORTS & HEALTH [

12 Fort Hood Herald

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Area anglers affected by lake conditions

BY ALLAN MANDELL FORT HOOD HERALD

With boats not gaining access to area lakes due to high waters, active and retired military personnel who love the sport of fishing have temporarily lost what retired Staff Sgt. Dexter Thompson calls “a great stress reliever.”

Thompson, of Killeen, fishes for relaxation and is also an avid tournament angler.

“Fishing is a great stress reliever for anyone, but most especially for military personnel,” he said. “It’s one of the best stress relievers in the world. Even if the fish are not biting, you still will have peace of mind just being out on a boat on the lake.”

The heavy spring and summer rains have greatly raised the water levels at Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir.

“When can we reopen the lakes? It’s a great question,” Thompson said. “I have no idea. It can be in two months or two weeks.

But the lakes in Austin are flooded, San Antonio is flooded and there is no place for the water to run.

“Before the water got real high, the fishing was fine around here. Now? I guess my best recommendation for those in the military that want to relieve stress is to … take up bowling.”

ERIC J. SHELTON | HERALD

Brenna Chandler sits with her dog, Tiki, on a park bench that is nearly submerged in water early in May at Temple Lake Park at Belton Lake in Temple. Lake levels have risen due to heavy rainfall.

Zika Virus: What is it, and what can you do to prevent it?

BY KIRK FRADY ARMY MEDICINE

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus closely related to yellow fever, dengue and West Nile viruses. A Zika virus outbreak was identified in Brazil in early 2015; since then, it has spread to more than 25 other countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Level 2 Travel Alert (Practice Enhanced Precautions) for areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. This includes the recommendation that women who are pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

The best way to prevent diseases spread

by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten.

There is currently no vaccine for Zika.

Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime and prefer to bite people and live indoors and outdoors near humans. The best prevention is to minimize standing water in items like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.

If you are pregnant and plan to travel to an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission, consider postponing travel until after delivery. If you are pregnant and traveled to an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission, your provider can arrange for testing to see if you were infected, even if you never experienced symptoms. If you are not yet pregnant, there is no evidence that Zika infection prior to conception

poses a risk for any future pregnancies.

If you think you may be infected, see your primary care provider immediately.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

• About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika).

• The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.

• The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

• Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for a few days but it

can be found longer in some people.

• Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.

• Deaths are rare

TREATMENT

• There is no current vaccine available to prevent Zika infections.

• There is no specific treatment for Zika infections; instead, treat the symptoms.

• Your healthcare provider will recommend supportive treatment such as rest and rehydration.

• If you have Zika, prevent mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.

• During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites.

[ FORT HOOD BIRTHS ] Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center MAY 19

A daughter, Natalia Edith, to Michael and Luz Jendry, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, Travis James, to Matthew and Crystal Taylor, 1st Cavalry Division.

MAY 20

A son, Isaac Alexander, to Walter Vasquez and Jessica Velis, 36th Engineer Brigade.

A son, Tony Christian, to Jason and Alexandra Madsen.

A daughter, Alayah Ima’Jean La Rain, to Lasan and Tavia Cook, 1st Cavalry Division.

MAY 21

A son, Camden Major, to Devone and Ashley Hall, 13th Sustainment Command.

A son, Fynn Alexander, to Collin and Kailey Van Allen, 1st Medical Brigade.

A daughter, Jazlyn Alyse, to Cesar and Rena Zapata, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, Epoge Philip, to Abangepoge Narcisse and Akumbu Alandoh.

MAY 22

A daughter, Zara Monique Asiya, to Albert and Chaunique Taylor, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, Waylon Christopher, to Christopher and Brandi Pyle, 1st Cavalry Division.

A daughter, Colton Krischan, to Phyrum and Alison Ouk, 1st Cavalry Division.

MAY 23

A daughter, Rosalind Anne, to Jordan and Colleen Vigus, 1st Cavalry Division.

A daughter, Naiara, to Noe and Emilia Gutierrez, 3rd Cavalry Regiment.

A daughter, Evelynn Estelle, to Adam and Adina Sippel, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.

A daughter, Abigail Elizabeth, to Robert and Haylee Hold, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

A son, Malachi Xzavier, to Tharren And Renee Hexstall, 1st Cavalry Division.

A daughter, Abigail Virginia, to Evan and Audrey Valek, 1st Cavalry Division.

MAY 24

A daughter, Victoria Rose, to Lizandro and Heather Gonzalez, 13th Sustainment Brigade.

A son, Cayson Jonathan Michael, to Joel Hastings and Ashley Zamer, 89th Military Police Brigade.

A son, Liam James, to William and Jessica Doss, 3rd Cavalry Regiment.

A son, Rico Francis, to Ryan Whittle and Francine Torres, Ordnance.

A daughter, Charlie Rose, to Jeffrey and Melanie Cumbie, III Corps.

A son, Eric Jacob, to Brian and Shiela Andersen, 1st Cavalry Division.

MAY 25

A son, Dionel Linderman, to Daniel Torres and Deyanira Mendez.

A daughter, McKinley Ann, to Zachary and Drew Mierva, Operational Test Command.

A son, Wesley Ezekiel, to Whistler and Rebecca Coeurcide, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, Bennett Ray, to Chaz and Danielle Patterson.

MAY 26

A daughter, Ella Maurine, to Troy and Jessica Parrish.

A daughter, Caleigh JaMia, to Clifton and Ashley Johnson, III Corps.

A son, Aaron Enoc Le’ana, to Shane and Amanda Eves.

A daughter, Evalynn Claire, to Danielle Manuel, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

A daughter, Amelia June, to Donald and Alice Gott.

MAY 27

A son, Vincent Andrew, to Troy and Sa-

mantha Capehart, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, Zane Travis, to Khalil and Rebecca Morgan, 1st Cavalry Division.

A daughter, Lillian Marie, to James and Allissa Dettrey.

MAY 28

A daughter, Lydia Grace, to Justin and Amanda Gouty, 79th Ordnance Battalion.

A son, Ramere Lerenz, to Robert and Erneshia Martin.

A son, Jayden Victor, to Clyde and Ashley Richards, 1st Cavalry Division.

MAY 29

A daughter, Kassandra Jezabel, to Roberto and Marcela Perez, III Corps.

A daughter, Aditi, to Arjun and Kalpana KC, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, Payson Jo, to Joseph and Shanna Radosevich.

MAY 30

A daughter, Aliana Marie, to Allen and Keyonna Burtram, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, Tucker Sax, to William and Kathryn Henslee, 1st Cavalry Division.

A daughter, Lillian Ariana, to Phillip and Linsay Dennis, 1st Cavalry Division.

MAY 31

A daughter, Juniper Gloria, to Garrett and Shelby Bledsoe, 64th Military Police Company.

A daughter, Mary Jane, to Jacob and Alician Thompson, 1st Cavalry Division.

A daughter, Lillie May, to Glen and Jessie Butler, 1st Cavalry Division.

JUNE 1

A son, Dominic Nealon, to Anquen and Carolyn James.

A son, Lorenzo Thomas, to Tony and Candace Painter, 3rd Cavalry Regiment.

A son, Aurelius Jovian, to Alex and Zhacinia Prieto, 1st Cavalry Division.

A son, David Michael, to David and Brooke Mead, 1st Cavalry Division.

A daughter, Ashlyn Patricia, to Anthony Mills and Latoya Williams, 1st Medical Brigade.

A daughter, Joanna Grace, to Joey and Dayanna Sapp, 1st Cavalry Division.

JUNE 2

A daughter, Alelie Briana, to Bryan and Anellyn Cayabyab, 36th Engineer Brigade.

A daughter, Dinaya Sofia, to Wilson Pagan and Yesenia Velazquez-Rosado, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.

Compiled by Rolana Frank

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

HOME FOR SALE

BY OWNER

Fort Hood Herald

HOUSE FOR RENT Brown's Temporary 1010 Sheila Dr. Apartments Copperas Cove, 3Bdrm, 2 "lt's Almost Home"

Harker Heights Party House, Awesome pool in Veteran owned 20 years Baths, 2 Living spaces, 2 car garage, close to huge back yard, 4BR, for- service to the community school and city park. mals, office, game room. 2 & 3br Apts.(& 3br houses $800 rent $500 deposit Call (936) 499-3921. w/ gar.) Furn. to the knife & (254)702-7033 fork! Military, profess., contract., home buyers/sellers. Killeen, 3 Bdrms, 2 Full Baths, 2 Car garage, Save Big! Mil. even more! fenced, all remodeled.

Mil. family of 4: Rent 2br No Pets. $950/mo. for 30 days and save over Call (254) 338-7000. $700 vs on-post lodging! + TLE receipts. See inside at www.brownstempapts.com Call (254) 634-8554

! KILLEEN: NEWLY REMODELED 1 BDRM w/ washer/dryer in apt.

Water paid. $380/mo.

(1 person), $200 dep.

Free appl. 1801 N. 4th St., 812 Henderson St., 1007 N. 10th St. (254) 392-3214.

Brand New-Like All bills pd incl.Elec/ Internet, Cable/ Water. Furn /Unfurn. No dep, no credit ck, no app fee. 1BR $185/ wk; $695/mo. 2BR, $210/ wk; $795/mo. 201 Bryce, Killeen. 254 220-7355.

The Willows Apartments 1100 Willow Springs Road, Killeen, Tx Located outside of the Ft. Hood main gate Close to Central Texas College Perfect for roommates Spring Time Rent Special Large, spacious 2 bedroom/1 bath $500 per month Stop by to tour your new apartment home Call: (254) 634-7699

Custom Picture Framer Needed.

All Equipment provided Will use computerized Mat Cutter, Saw, & Glass Cutter. Some experience necessary. Must have Exp. Must be able to lift 100lbs.

Call Ilene 254-526-3292

Now Accepting Applications!

Drivers for Local Deliveries Class A CDL and Good Driving Record Required.

Apply IN PERSON at 217 N. 12th Street Temple, TX 76501

Now Hiring!

Full time Propane Bobtail/Delivery Driver MY GUY HOME Salary D.O.E. and benefits MAINTENANCE Requirements: is looking for someone experienced in Valid CDL + clean driving record (Hazmat a plus) Killeen: Almost New painting and flooring, Self motivated & good 2BR & 3BR /2BA. Privacy must be dependable and customer relation skills Fence. 254-338-7000. have own transportation.

The desire to be a Call (254)462-9595 significant factor in growing our business.

Zip Cleaners Please contact Barbara Accepting Applications for Scott or Wayland Kelley at various positions 512-756-4285, in person at Front counter, Presser, 1742 West State Hwy 29 in Production Employee's, Burnet or by email at Enroute sales driver starpropane1@sbcglobal Apply in person only! .net for driver application.

61 N Gilmer Killeen

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TRUCK DRIVER Class A CDL, Steady work. Exp. ONLY. Must have a clean driving record. ***Jarrell Area*** Call Steve: 254-760-6957

Drivers-CO & O\Op s.

Earn Great Money Running Dedicated!

Great Benefits. Home Weekly. Monthly Bonuses. Drive Newer Equipment! 855-582-2265

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Hiring Caregivers NOW! Flexible schedule availble Apply online at 144.axiscare.com or in person at 2213 Birdcreek Terrace, Temple TX 76502

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Daybreak Community NOW HIRING

Office Manager Postition

We are seeking a independent, and hardworking individual. ***Exp. Preferred*** Hours: 8am-5pm Apply online at www.daybreak-hcs.com/ employment_ Click on the link & go to the Pangea online application or email resume to: jolynnd@daybreak communtiy.com

WOOD BUILDINGS 10X16 $1850 12x24 $2600 Call 512-748-4003

Fort Hood Herald

ESTATE AUCTION 602 Tower St. Killeen, Texas June 11th this Saturday Starts at 10am, Preview at 9am, partial listing of items, Roll top desk, Organ, Tools, Tool boxes, Safes, Office Furniture, Refridgerator, Washer/Dryer and much more!

Buyers premium 13% with a 3% cash or check discount United Aucioneers, Randall Kirkes Lic# 17531 (254) 289-3216

BIRD AUCTION (BIRDS ONLY) Sunday, June 12th starts at 10:00 am.

15 mi. South of Lampasas, Hwy 183, Kifaru Exotic Animal Auction 512-556-8251

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, 42k miles, lots of bells & whistles, outfitted w/power lift & electric scooter 17k OBO Call Paul (915)253-8063

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16 Fort Hood Herald

Wednesday, June 8, 2016