The Bayonet - September 2015

BAYONET

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The Official Magazine of the Maine National Guard

Vol 3 // Issue 3

NATIONAL BESTWARRIOR COMPETITION

CHAMBERLAINBATTERY

THE HISTORY OF THE 1136th TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

RANGER SCHOOL OPEN TO ALL SOLDIERS NATIONAL GUARDSMEN FOIL TERROR PLOT

ANNUALBESTSQUADCOMPETITION Vol 3 // Issue 1

Intro The Maine National Guard office of Public Affairs is pleased to present the September 2015 edition of the Bayonet Magazine.

The Bayonet is the official magazine of the Maine National Guard and is made possible by Soldier and Airmen provided content and feedback.

This edition highlights some of the incredible accomplishments made by our service members, including the National Best Warrior competition, the Annual Best Squad competition, and Operation Global Lightning.

If you enjoy the content that is provided in the Bayonet and would like to see more of it, please consider “liking” the Maine National Guard on Facebook (URL is provided next to Facebook logo on this page) where weekly updates and news are shared with the public.

Thank you for your continued interest and unwaivering support to your National Guard. Always Ready! Always There!

-Public Affairs Officer

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Acting Adjutant General BRIG. GEN. GERARD BOLDUC Assistant Adjutant General - Air BRIG. GEN. GERARD BOLDUC Assistant Adjutant General - Army COL. (PROMOTABLE) HUGH CORBETT Public Affairs Officers MAJ. NORMAN J. STICKNEY (ARMY) MAJ. DEVIN ROBINSON (AIR) Managing Editor SGT. 1ST CLASS PETER MORRISON Journalists SGT. 1ST CLASS PETER MORRISON STAFF SGT. ANGELA PARADY SPC. SARAH MYRICK Contributors CHAPLAIN (COL.) ANDREW GIBSON CAPT. STEVEN DELONG 1ST LT. JONATHAN BRATTEN 1ST LT. MATTHEW J. PICARD MASTER SGT. JON DUPLAIN SGT. JOE BRUNS Layout and Design MAJ. NORMAN J. STICKNEY

Questions and feedback: Public Affairs Office, Building 8, Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04333 Phone: (207) 430-5759 Email: ng.me.mearng.list.public-affairs@mail.mil Online: www.me.ngb.army.mil Front Cover: Spc. Timothy Phadungthin from the 251st Engineer Company (Sapper), Maine Army National Guard, competes in the National Best Warrior Competition at Camp Williams, Utah. Phadungthin would go on to win the academic portion of the event. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Pete Morrison / Released) Back Cover: Sgt. Derek Nicolas of the 251st Engineer Company (Sapper), Maine Army National Guard, does pullups as part of a squad evaluated event during the Best Squad Competition in Bangor, Maine. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Sarah Myrick /Released)

Maj. Norman Stickney https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maine-National-Guard/286347663430 https://twitter.com/mearng https://www.flickr.com/photos/mearng

The Bayonet is produced by the Citizen Soldiers / Airmen of the Maine National Guard, and is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense.

Contents of this publication are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, National Guard Bureau, nor the Maine National Guard.

All pictures are Maine National Guard photos unless otherwise identified.

Lt. Col. Daniel Curtis, commander of the 133rd Engineer Battalion cuts the ribbon on the newly completed Brunswick Readiness Center, home of approximately 200 Soldiers from the 133rd Engineer Battalion headquarters, the Forward Support Company, and the 1035th Survey and Design Team.

“This state of the art facility will provide our Soldiers with the very best training space for emergency preparedness,” said Brig.

Gen. Gerard F. Bolduc, the acting Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard. “Not only does this new readiness center provide these capabilities to our Guardsmen, it accomplishes its mission while being highly energy efficient.”

The readiness center includes over 160 photovoltaic panels, four solar collector assemblies to preheat domestic hot water, a 16,000 square foot vegetated roof, and a rain water collection system used to flush low flow bathroom fixtures.

The $23.5 million facility took approximately three years to build, and is comprised of a 59,500 square foot main building with two unheated storage buildings and a controlled waste handling building.

(National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Pete Morrison / Released)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MAINEiacs

The Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter

Best Squad Competition Health Beat

A Message From

Maine Represents at Best Warrior Competition

“Chamberlains Battery”

A History of the 1136th Transportation Company

The Chaplain’s Word Army Opens Doors to Ranger School for All Soldiers

Military Police

Building Better Communications for Maine

Support Global Lightning Excercise

Injury Prevention Tips for Physical Readiness Training

Your Opinion

Do You Think the National Guard Should Shrink?

All in the Family

Youth Camp Brings Military Kids Together

Army War College Graduate

Recognizes RTI as for contributions as an Institution of Excellence The Bayonet

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A Message From

the secretary of defense ASHton CARTER The Pentagon community is bound by a solemn mission to defend and carry forward the values of the nation and sometimes make sacrifices, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the workforce in a 9/11 remembrance ceremony.

The secretary was joined by Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a Pentagon outdoor courtyard, to honor the 184 people who died after terrorists flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the west side of the Pentagon 14 years ago.

Carter told the workforce the Defense Department ceremony was more than an opportunity to honor those who perished.

“Today, we remember far more than how these men and women were taken from us,” he said. “Most of all, we remember and honor what they gave to us through their example of service and leadership, friendship, dedication to this nation and to its defense.”

While a sense of “always honor and remember,” is what inspired many among the workforce to serve alongside thousands of other Americans, Carter said, the DoD community is “fast becoming the leaders of this department and of our military, of the finest fighting force the world has ever known.”

‘Our Own ‘Greatest Generation’ Those who served during World War II often are referred to as the greatest generation, Carter said. “And we should always remember what they did for us and for the world. But never for a moment should we forget our own greatest generation, the men and women who, in our own time, served, sacrificed, and voluntarily answered our country’s call in Kandahar and Korengal, in Fallujah and Tal Abad, and in so many forbidding corners of the world. They served with honor, courage, and excellence. Each of our lives – and the life of this nation – is richer because of their example.”

Attack on Pentagon Still a Vivid Memory While 14 years have passed since the fated airliner plunged into the walls of the Pentagon, the image of smoke pouring from the complex still is a vivid memory, Selva said, adding that the building “stands for all of us as a symbol of strength and community.”

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In an instant, 184 lives were lost – 125 from the Pentagon the vice chair noted. “They were our colleagues, friends … our family,” Selva said.

And it was also on this day 74 years ago when ground was broken to build the Pentagon, and within 16 months, employees were at work, the vice chairman said.

“That team built this symbol,” Selva said of the Pentagon’s beginning.

“You continue to build on that spirit every single day.”

Terrorists Will Be Brought to Justice It is difficult to know what the victims’ families have endured, the secretary said. “But after 14 years, we do know this: Those who attempt to inspire fear or terror will find no satisfaction and no success in threatening the United States. Instead, we come back. We come back from tragedy – stronger and more united than before.”

And terrorists who seek to harm the United States will find no safe haven, and no matter how long it takes, they will not escape the long arm and hard fist of justice, Carter said. “We will find you. And whether your name is Abu Sayyaf, or Junaid Hussain, or Osama bin Laden, the result will be the same,” he added.

“There is no memorial grand enough, no tribute great enough to honor those who sacrificed so much for so many,” Carter said of those who lost their lives at the Pentagon to terrorism and those who gave their lives to defend the nation since the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy.

Carter said he keeps a piece from the building’s rubble on his desk, handed down from his predecessors, with an inscription that reads, “That we may live in freedom, we will never forget.”

Those words are not simply written in stone, he said.

“They are inscribed in our hearts and carved into our will. They describe a solemn obligation which binds us together,” the secretary said. “Within this community, we will never forget. We will always remember and we will continue to honor the memory of those we have lost with the work we accomplish together.”

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Maine Represents at National Best Warrior Competition

I

t was five miles into a six mile Range Run temperatures were flirting with 100 degrees in the middle the dry Utah desert, a young Sapper stopped running down the dusty range road and stopped at the cooling station, trying to find any respite from the sun beating down directly overhead.

He looked over and stated, “I’m done, I have no energy left,” and immediately took off in a dead sprint to finish the last mile of the grueling course.

That is exactly the kind of determination Maine Soldier, Spc. Timothy Phadungthin, from the 251st Engineer Company (Sapper) showed during the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition, Camp Williams, Utah, even when his head said quit he kept sprinting.

Phadungthin was one of 14 elite Soldiers of the 350,000 Army National Guard force competing, all competitors underwent rigorous challenges, both physical and mental.

During the four-day event, two emerged as the 2015 ARNG Best Soldier and Best Non Commissioned Officer. These elite competitors tested their Army aptitude, conquering urban-warfare simulations, physical fitness tests, written exams, Warrior task and battle drills relevant to today’s operating environment.

All along the Best Warrior path Phadungthin was guided by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Way, from the 251st Engineer Company (Sapper).

The mentor, like any NCO is charged with training and mentoring Soldiers.

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W

ay was there with Phadungthin through every board, every packing list and every mental reality check, guiding and mentoring him along the way. As they both hiked through the night during the 12-mile road march Way constantly pushed his Soldier. Way yelling, “Let’s go,” were the only sounds Phadungthin said he heard over the sound of footsteps and deep breathing.

“Sgt. 1st Class Way was the reason I got through this competition, he knew exactly what I needed to be successful and helped me get as far as I did,” said Phadungthin.

Way said he was impressed with Phadungthin’s knowledge and drive. “The opportunity to qualify and participate in the Best Warrior Competition is an experience Soldiers’ cannot duplicate anywhere else and it is a great achievement for a Soldier to make it to this level,” said Way “The training incorporated into the events was current and of the highest quality determining if the Soldier had the mental and physical fortitude to plan, train and execute under stressful conditions.”

Phadungthin, placed fourth in the nation at the Army National Guard Best Warrior competition. Phadungthin won the appearance board and written test, scoring higher than both the enlisted and Noncommissioned officers competing.

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Peter Morrison, Maine Army National Guard

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Way (background) provides encouragement to Maine’s Best Warrior, Spc. Timothy Phadungthin (foreground) throughout the grueling competition. The Army National Guard’s Best Warrior competition at Camp Williams, Utah.

“chamberlain battery” the history

Soldiers from the Maine Light Artillery, Augusta; 1884. The Soldiers are wearing the dark blue uniform of the Maine Volunteer Militia and are manning a 12-pound brass cannon (Image courtesy the Maine Historical Society).

O

rganized on July 10, 1884 in Brunswick, Maine, the 1136th Transportation Company began its life as the 2d Platoon, 1st Battery, Maine Light Artillery.

Since Brunswick was the home of Major General Joshua Chamberlain, the hero of Little Round Top, the unit was nicknamed the, “Chamberlain Battery.” The platoon was equipped with 12 pound (guns that shot a 12 pound projectile) brass cannons. In 1886, they were also given a .45 caliber Gatling gun and .45 caliber M1873 breech loading rifles.

On November 6, 1893, the unit was redesignated as Company K, 1st Infantry Regiment and turned in their artillery pieces. The company was mustered into Federal service in 1898 for service in the Spanish-American War. While the unit was in training at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, Georgia, they were struck with a deadly strain of Typhoid fever.

By August, 1898, the entire regiment had so many sick men that they were ordered home to recover. Four men of Company K died of illness and the company was mustered out on November 10.

Through the turn of the century, Company K conducted joint maneuvers on the Maine coastline with Regular Army Coast Artillery units as well as U.S. Navy detachments. On January 1, 1910, the unit transitioned to Coast The Bayonet

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Artillery, becoming the 10th Company, Coast Artillery Corps. The officers and men of the unit trained on the long-range guns of the forts around Portland harbor.

The 10th Company was called up for service in World War I, but was contained to manning the fortifications around Portland Harbor.

During the war, drafts of men were pulled from the company to fill other units heading overseas to France so that by the time the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, there were barely any of the original men left in the unit. Because all of the Maine National Guard units were discharged from the Army at the end of World War I, it took several years to reorganize the Maine Guard.

On March 28, 1922, the Brunswick company was again assembled, this time as the 307th Company, 1st Coast Defense Command. The following year they were reorganized, becoming Battery C, 240th Artillery. They would become Battery G by 1931. Battery G was part of 3rd Battalion, 240th Coast Artillery, which had its headquarters in Portland. The 3rd Battalion, and Battery G along with it, was designated as the anti-aircraft battalion for the regiment. They were equipped with searchlights, 75mm anti-aircraft guns, and anti-aircraft machine guns. They were

responsible for protecting the forts around Portland from any enemy air attacks.

With the possibility of war in the future, the coast artillery was activated in 1940. Battery G reported to its armory in Brunswick and spent a week in-processing. On September 23, the battery moved to Fort Preble and began its long occupation of that post. The units began training programs and started recruiting to fill the companies to their authorized strengths. Training included aerial gunnery, drill and ceremony, and physical fitness training. In the summer of 1941, Battery G was assigned to 3 inch anti-aircraft guns at Fort Leavitt, on Cushing Island.

It was reorganized and redesignated on October 7, 1944 as Battery C, 186th Coast Artillery Battalion. In 1944, the battery was moved to Long Island, and manned the 90mm AntiMotorized Torpedo Boat (AMTB) Guns to deter enemy patrol boats and aircraft. It was tied into the larger coastal defenses around Portland which protected the Navy destroyer base in the harbor. The tour of service was monotonous, especially in the cold Maine winters. However, their vigilance ensured that no German forces attempted to make an attack on the valuable supply ships that passed through Portland harbor. The battery was inactivated on April 1, 1945 at Long Island, Maine.

of the 1136th Transportation company Just as at the end of World War I, most of the units of the Maine National Guard were demobilized and ceased to exist within the force structure. It took a year for organizations to be reconstituted within the state and another year after that for Brunswick to gain a new unit. World War II had shown that the most dangerous weapons now came from the air, rather than the sea, and so coast artillery units were converted to anti-aircraft units.

Consequently, they were reorganized and Federally recognized on May 16, 1947 in the Maine National Guard at Brunswick as Battery C, 703d Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.

The battery was composed of four 90mm guns and four .50 caliber machine guns for close air or ground defense. The 90mm guns were hauled by 10-ton trucks and could be used against direct targets on the ground if the need arose. Recruitment grew in the company through 1947-48 when the unit participated at a state Annual Training at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The battery engaged remote-controlled aerial targets for its gunnery. By 1950, the battery was near full-strength.

The Korean War began in 1950 and Activeduty units were being sent overseas. National Guard units were to take their place stateside and the 703d was one of those units. The battalion was ordered into active Federal service August 14, 1950 at Brunswick. The battalion reported to Camp Stewart, Georgia, in October of 1950 and began training in anti-air and anti-tank firing techniques. The battalion moved to Fort Hancock, New Jersey in June, 1951 where it took up its role as an air defense force protecting the entrance to the New York City harbor. In April, 1952, the battalion was released from Federal service and returned to Maine.

transformation, becoming the 20th Armor Regiment. Troop M from Brunswick became Company A of the 3d Battalion, 20th Armor, and traded in their light tanks for M48 “Patton” medium tanks mounting 90mm main guns.

This new combat power was meant to counter the danger of heavy tank formations from the Soviet Union as the Cold War was going on. They were redesignated on March 1, 1964 as Company B, 3d Battalion, 20th Armor.

For six years, Brunswick maintained a formidable armor presence. But the Maine Army National Guard was about to change again, as national defense priorities shifted. By 1967, the Maine Guard was moving away from heavy combat formations towards engineer and support units.

Company B was converted, reorganized, and redesignated on December 31, 1967 as the Light/Medium Truck Platoon, 1136th Transportation Company.

Parade of National Guard Soldiers leaving the Portland Milk Street Armory for the Spanish-American War, 1898 (Image courtesy the Maine Historical Society).

The battery was redesignated on October 1, 1953 as Battery C, 703d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. In 1953, the battalion was equipped with mobile M24 “Duster” antiaircraft vehicles, mounting two 40mm rapidfiring guns. But the Army was changing again and those changes would come to Battery C. In March of 1959, the 703d was consolidated into the 103d Infantry and the whole converted to armored cavalry. Battery C became Troop M, 3d Reconnaissance Squadron, 103d Armored Cavalry. Equipped with light tanks and armored vehicles, Troop M became a highly mobile force that was designed to gather intelligence in M41 “Walker Bulldog” light tanks mounting a 76mm gun.

In 1961, the 103d underwent a complete

Towed Searchlight and Power Unit, 240th Artillery (Coast Artillery Corps), World War II (Image courtesy Maine National Guard Archives).

“chamberlain battery” continued In 2010, the 1136th was given orders for Afghanistan. They served as base and convoy security for Camp Eggers, in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. The 1136th Force Protection was assigned a Battalion-sized mission to protect and defend Camp Eggers, New Kabul Compound (NKC), Camp Bala Hissar, Area 10 Safe House Complex and provide Quick Reaction Forces (QRF).

The unit operated Base Defense Operation Centers (BDOCs) at Camp Eggers and NKC, ran entry control points and directly supervised several hundred contracted security guards and a company of Mongolian Infantry (METF).

Five 1136th Mobile Teams provided security for refueling operations, personnel escorts and 24-hour QRF support for half of Kabul City, covering over 100 square miles.

M48 Medium Patton Tanks from the 20th Armor during Annual Training at Fort Drum, New York, 1960s (Image courtesy Maine National Guard Archives).

The 1136th detachment to the Joint Visitor’s Bureau (JVB) was tasked with protection and support for several highly distinguished visitors each month. The unit set itself apart by displaying outstanding devotion and superior performance despite exceptionally difficult requirements and tasks.

A Soldier from the 1136th Transportation Company escorts General David Petraeus, US Forces Army Commander, on the New Kabul Compound, Afghanistan, 2010 (Image courtesy Maine National Guard Archives).

In 1974 they were reorganized and redesignated as the 1136th Transportation Company.

In September of 1993, the 1136th changed its location from Brunswick to Bangor.

September 11, 2001 brought the United States into a global war on terrorism. In 2003, the 1136th received its mobilization orders for what it thought would be Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Instead, the unit was headed for Kuwait in the run-up for

the invasion of Iraq. They conducted their pre-deployment training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and arrived in Kuwait in April, 2003.

Rather than see active combat service in Iraq, however, they manned a vehicle cleaning station for units that were moving in and out of Iraq. In temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, the Soldiers of the 1136th pressed on with their task. The following year they returned to Maine, one of the first Maine National Guard units to serve in the Global War on Terror.

1st. Lt. Jonathan Bratten is a contributing editor of the Bayonet and serves as the Maine National Guard Historian.

He is always looking for photos, documents, and stories from past and current deployments.

Contact him at jonathan.d.bratten.mil@mail.mil

The chaplain’s word “And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:32-35) Benjamin Franklin once said, “We tend to look more favorably upon those who owe us than upon those whom we owe.”

That sounds a bit backwards, doesn’t it? If we have someone that owes us something, it would seem that we would be angry with them, presumably because they have not paid the debt back. On the other hand, if we owe someone something, we ought to look at that person as kind for having loaned us what we needed.

– admitting that we need God might feel weak. Yet it is just the opposite! Hear the words of Paul above. He worked for his food Did you then find yourself tryand his lodging; he worked so ing to avoid the person that you he would have enough to share owed? If that person asked to be with the poor. Accepting God is repaid, did you get angry with not about weakness or shame; it them for pestering you? is about being strong enough to admit that we are just not strong Think about it. When you owe enough! We can do great things someone something, you tend to on this earth; we can do resent that person, even even greater things though they were Benjamin if we call upon a gracious enough Franklin once said, “We strength that is to loan you it in the first place. tend to look more favorably not of the earth.

It is “Better to We quickly upon those who owe us than give than reforget the ceive”; however, generosity upon those whom we owe.” of the loaner, That sounds a bit backwards, let us not allow this to prevent the renter, the doesn’t it? us from receiving giver. what God has given.

Now, how do we feel about a God who has given us His Law, His Son, His Love? Do you become angered when you are reminded of the CommandChaplain (Col.) Andy Gibson ments that you have not folJoint Forces Headquarters lowed? Are you frustrated when Maine, Chaplain someone reminds you that you haven’t been to Church or Synagogue in a while?

Yet, that’s not really the case is it?

Have you ever owed something to someone? Five dollars? Ten dollars? More? Have you ever borrowed a tool or a cup of sugar

What is it about human nature that makes us avoid the free gift of God’s presence in our lives?

Perhaps it’s just pride. We want to be self-sufficient and strong

or some other item and forgotten to repay it?

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military police: Building Better Communication Channels for Maine

Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Angela Parady

The Maine Army National Guard’s 488th Military Police Company and the Portland Police Department tested their ability to work side-by-side and communicate effectively in a stressful, notional emergency situation to prepare themselves for a disastrous event requiring a joint response.

The two-day event, named “Exercise Resurgam” posed the idea that an avian flu epidemic has decreased the Portland Police department’s available manpower. The National Guard was then activated by the governor, and stepped in to work in support of the local authorities, providing them with additional trained and equipped personnel.

“Our role, in this situation was to support the local police department that had already been on the scene,” said Spc. Christina Ruggiero, a military policeman with the 488th, which is located in Waterville. “For this exercise, we had teams that provided extra security, and some teams that were helping to transport and distribute medical supplies.”

Local police departments have a limited resource pool they can draw from. In a situation like this, where 25 percent of the force is disabled by this avian flu, they may struggle to meet their The Bayonet

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manpower needs, said Ruggiero.

“We are already trained as military police, a lot of the training is the same, so we can step in and help fill those roles in a time of immediate need,” she said. “The hard part is that we are military, so the way we receive orders and communicate are different from how they communicate on the civilian side.”

For the last few years, the 488th has worked with different law enforcement agencies around the state to conduct joint training exercises that require efficient communications and proficient skills. The cumulative exercise occurs near the end of the Soldier’s two-week annual training period and ties together all of the skills they have been working on throughout the course of the year.

1st Lt. Aaron Bradbury, the executive officer for the 488th Military Police Company, said that they ran the scenario a few times, each time picking up the tempo and intensity as they progressed during the week. He said that during the days where the Soldiers were training directly with the civilian teams, the communication gaps between the two agencies became smaller. Working together periodically in different

training activities or events also helps build a mutual trust and understanding.

“As we went through the scenarios, you could already see the integration of civilian police and MPs on ground as they begin to understand each other’s language and tactics that we worked with,” said Bradbury. “We may need to rely on each other in an emergency situation, and getting to know each other here, training together here helps us build a familiarity beforehand.”

“The considerable effort in time and resources put into this exercise will make a huge difference if the unexpected happens and we find ourselves needing support from the Maine Army National Guard,” Krier said. “As first responders we have a responsibility to prepare for that low probability, but high consequence event. After this training, both the Portland Police and the [Maine National] Guard’s military police have a solid foundation to work off if the need ever arises.

Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck said the training is important for any potential future catastrophe that could hit the city.

“Whether a natural disaster or a medical emergency, the backbone of our response is cooperation,” Sauschuck said.

“There’s a lot of logistics that go into security around these type of events, and we’re just lucky to have them as strong partners,” said Sauschuck.

Donald Krier, a detective in the Portland Police Department worked to develop this training event. He said that the two agencies worked together throughout the 12 months to plan the logistics of a joint training event that would test their effectiveness at working together to respond to a disaster scenario.

Teams from the Portland Police Department and Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard 488th Military Police Company rehearsed crowd control procedures during a training exercise in Portland August 12. The two agencies worked together to develop inter-agency communication and trust in the event of a state wide emergency that calls them to work collaboratively. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Parady / Released)

Family members and Airmen pose for a picture during the annual 101st Air Refueling Wing family day at the Bangor International Airport. (Photo courtesy of the Maine Air National Guard) The Bayonet

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“First-up” crew takes off from Millinocket for a late evening mock Medical Evacuation during Charlie Company 1/126th Aviation’s Field Training Exercise August. 12 2015.

(Photo Courtesy, Sgt. Joe Bruns)

Brig. Gen. Gerard F. Bolduc acting Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard uses an excavator to break ground on the new Joint Forces Headquartes during a ground breaking ceremony on August 21st in Augusta, Maine.

During the ceremony, Bolduc commended the efforts of all of the state and federal employees who have worked diligently on this project for the better part of a decade. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Pete Morrison /Released)

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Members of the Maine Air National Guard 101st Air Refueling Maintenance Squadron inspect a jacked U.S. Air Force KC135R Stratotanker Sept.

17, 2015. The maintainers raise the KC-135R to perform an operational check of the landing gear system to ensure its functioning properly after a sequence valve replacement.

(Air National Guard Photo

by Master Sgt. Jon Duplain/Released)

By C. Todd Lopez, September 2, 2015

Ranger School hangs out “all soldiers welcome” sign From now on, the Army’s Ranger School will be open to any female Soldiers who meet the criteria.

Course Assessment.” That assessment kicked off in April, as part of Ranger Course 06-15.

That’s the latest from the Army, as spelled out in a Sept. 2 “All Army Activities” message known as an ALARACT.

Two women who entered Ranger School at that time, 1st Lt. Shaye L. Haver and Capt. Kristen M. Griest, eventually graduated the school Aug. 21, and a third woman is in the final phase of the school in Florida.

“We must ensure that this training opportunity is available to all Soldiers who are qualified and capable and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best Soldiers to meet our nation’s needs,” Army Secretary John M. McHugh said.

The chief of staff of the Army said the service’s No. 1 priority is combat readiness, and that the leadership development that comes from attending Ranger School is a key component of that.

“Giving every qualified Soldier the opportunity to attend the Ranger c/154897ourse, the Army’s premier small unit leadership school, ensures we are maintaining our combat readiness today, tomorrow and for future generations,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley said.

In January, the Army announced that it would for the first time open Ranger School to women, as part of a “Ranger

22 inMagazine/ January, 2012

Now, all women who want to embrace the challenge and the opportunity to earn the Ranger tab will be able to enroll in the school, if they meet the stringent requirements to attend.

Maj. Gen. Austin S. Miller, commander of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, said during an Aug. 20 press conference that those same stringent requirements and standards were not changed as part of the Ranger Course Assessment.

“Up front, what we’ve been very consistent on is we’ve said there will be no change to the standards ... and there weren’t,” he said. “We also said ... we’re going to be professional and objective as we work our way through this process, which is exactly what you would expect from a Ranger-qualified instructor or anybody else in the Army.”

Just a day before her graduation from Ranger School, Griest said that for other women who want to attend the school, perseverance and confidence are key to making it through.

Photo Credit: Spc. Nikayla Shodeen

“I personally know a lot of women interested in going, and for whatever reason, whether it is timing or deployment or they are in some school at this point in time, they weren’t able to go to this assessment,” Griest said. “But I know many very qualified women that I can think of that could pass the course or at least make a very good attempt. I would encourage them to go. And I would say keep doing what they are doing. They are motivated. It is definitely more of a mental challenge than physical. If you mentally know you want to get through - and you have to want to get through - than you will make it.”

April 20, 2015.

Soldiers participate in combatives training during the first gender-integrated Ranger course on Fort Benning, Ga.,

Photo Credit: J.D. Leipold Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley speaks with 1st Lt. Shaye L. Haver and Capt. Kristen M. Griest, the Army’s first two female Ranger School graduates, Aug. 21, 2015.

Current Army policy allows female students who successfully complete Ranger School to receive a graduation certificate and be awarded, and authorized to wear, the Ranger tab. However, female graduates will not receive the associated Ranger skill identifiers or be assigned to Ranger-coded units or positions.

According to an Army spokesperson, there are three more Ranger Schools scheduled this year, one in September, one in October, and one in November. He said it usually takes two to three months to prepare for Ranger School, so if other female Soldiers hope to attend the school, it is likely they will enter the November course.

inMagazine/ January, 2012

23

MAINEIACS SUPPORT GLOBAL LIGHTING EXERCISE N

early 80 members of the 265th Combat Communications Squadron deployed to Fort McCoy, Wis., this summer in support of the Global Lightning training exercise.

In total, more than 6,500 members from the Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, and Navy, were joined

by British, Saudi, and Canadian forces in the jointservice multi-national training exercise.

“I am very proud of these airmen and our Maine Air National Guard,” Governor Paul R. LePage said. “Our soldiers and airmen are always ready to answer the call, and they constantly strive for excellence in all that they do.”

This training exercise focused on combat sustainment and was part of the annual Global Medic and Patriot Warrior exercises, which respectively are the Army and Air Reserve medical training exercises that encompass the entirety of patient care.

“The exercise provided the 265th with an outstanding combat communications deployment scenario,” said Brig. Gen. Gerard F. Bolduc, Acting Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard. “This highly realistic training closely resembles an actual combat deployment, which better prepares our Airmen to respond rapidly to a real world mission.”

Together, these operations serve to exercise initial patient evacuation from the field until final placement within a treatment facility using both rotary and fixed winged aircraft.

The 265th arrived at the deployed location along with their 17 aircraft pallets of communications equipment using C-5 aircraft out of Westover, Mass.

“I’ve worked with Air Guard Combat Communications Squadrons every year since 2007 and the Airmen are always true professionals who are technically and tactically proficient.”

The unit provided Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR), Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Radio Repeater, and Global Broadcast services at the main cantonment area as well as at five forward operating bases.

During the mission rotation, the airmen maintained 62 network communications circuits supporting the joint military operations, tracked 77 communications tasking orders to completion, built 234 network user accounts, added 200 user email accounts, added 77 computer nodes to the deployed network, distributed 46 VoIP phones to military partners, and processed and tracked 17 authorized service interruptions. Additionally, the unit also configured 54 Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, and DoD Civilian laptops for use on the specialized network.

Six members of the unit are being recognized by the U.S. Army Medical and Training Command for their outstanding accomplishments.

“At every unit at which I stopped today, without fail, the personnel had nothing but praise for the support of the Air Guard,” wrote Col. Barry N. Birdwell, senior signal officer for Medical Readiness and Training Command out of Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Above: A C5 Galaxy aircraft is loaded at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachussets. The 265th Combat Communications Squadron arrived at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wis., via C5 where the Airmen would join nearly 6,500 military personnel for the Global Lightning 2015 exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis. (US Air National Guard Photo by Capt. Steven Delong).

Right: Master Sgt. Ryan Cote, a Cyber Transport Craftsman for the 265th Combat Communications Squadron, ensures a Basic Access Module is properly configured during the Global Lighting 2015 exercise, Ft. McCoy, Wis. (US Air National Guard Photo by Capt. Steven Delong).

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Below: Members of the 265th Combat Communications Squadron (US Air National Guard Photo by Capt. Steven Delong).

n .

, .

.

maine national guard breaks ground

on new joint forces headquarters facility

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he Maine Army and Air National Guard conducted a ground breaking ceremony for the Maine National Guard’s new Joint Forces Headquarters facility off of Blue Star Memorial Highway in Augusta on August 21st.

The new 100,000 square foot, $32 million facility, named Camp Chamberlain, will be home to Army National Guard and Air National Guard personnel that specialize in human resources, intelligence, operations, logistics, and resource guidance and support to the major commands in the Maine National Guard.

Camp Chamberlain is named after former Maine governor and adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain, a Civil War hero who became famous for leading a bayonet charge down Little Round Top at Gettysburg.

“We are excited to begin Camp Chamberlain and start a new chapter of the Maine National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Gerard Bolduc, Acting Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard.

“This new, state of the art facility, will provide your National Guard team with office space and secure meeting rooms to replace the aging infrastructure at Camp Keyes, some of which predates World War I”.

Camp Keyes will remain open after completion of the new headquarters and continue to provide family and Veterans outreach services, ground maintenance support, National Guard print plant operations, training sites, resource management, shipping and receiving, and facilities maintenance.

Maine National Guardsmen and contractors conduct a ground breaking ceremony by turning over soil to mark the beginning of construction on the new Joint Forces Headquarters in Augusta. Construction of the new facility is expected to last approximately two and a half years.

(U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Peter D. Morrison / Released) The site map shows the 43-acre parcel and 100,000 square foot facility off of Blue Star Memorial Highway in Augusta, Maine.

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Things of Common Interest

Attention Veterans IF YOU ARE COMBAT WOUNDED YOU ARE INVITED TO BECOME AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE

Military Order of the

Purple Heart

of the United States of America

Incorporated by an Act of the U.S. Congress in 1958 Our Major Objective is to Work in Your Interest in Every Way We Can Toward the Care and Assistance of Our Fellow Combat Wounded and their Families.

THERE IS A LOCAL CHAPTER LOCATED AT: Chapter # 4570 Winslow, Maine

Chapter # 0716 South Portland, Maine www.purpleheart.org

For Further Information – Email or Write: Friedrich “Fred” T. Biermann (10) CFO CH 4570 NN 14 Gilman Street Waterville, Maine 04901-5434

Email: fab1@roadrunner.com

This is the Only Veterans’ Group in which Membership Automatically Denotes Combat Service.

Disclaimer: None of the events or organizations listed are endorsed by the United States or the State of Maine. Their inclusion in this publication is for purposes of informing the military community of events and organizations that may be of common interest to the military community and for no other purpose.

MAINE NATIONAL GUARD WELCOMES NEW

SEXUAL ASSAULT COORDINATOR

By Spc. Sarah Myrick, Maine Army National Guard

Joint Force Headquarters welcomed Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kartika Wright as the new Sexual Assault Coordinator for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program this summer.

The SAPR program works to reduce the amount of sexual assault crimes in the Army through education. The programs main goals are to change how people view sexual assault, keep Victim Advocate training up to date and make sure all VA’s have access to all the resources that their victims need.

“I appreciate the opportunity to work within our organization in this area to support and assist fellow soldiers,” said Wright. “I believe I can make a difference.”

The Army National Guard established the SAPR program in 2006. Within the Guard, sexual assault is tracked separately from sexual harassment, which is covered by the DOD office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity. The two are combined in the active Army as part of the SHARP program. This separation allows Wright to concentrate on issues specifically relating to sexual assault.

“Sexual assault affects everyone,” said Wright. “Within our organization, it can destroy unit cohesion. It’s important to our organization that service members can trust those that they work side-by-side with and this program can help to enhance that by educating and supporting our Soldiers.”

Wright worked most of her 25-year military career as a logistician. In 2011 she took on the additional duty of Deployable Sexual Assault Response Coordinator/Victim Advocate, accountable for response and prevention for soldiers in a deployed environment.

This involvement drove her to want to take on the responsibility of being the point of contact for the SAPR program.

“Sexual violence is one of the most under-reported crimes in the nation,” said Wright. “Both male and female victims can struggle with the effects of a sexual assault long after the crime was committed. Our program is here to support and assist fellow service members who have experienced this crime.”

Sexual assault unfortunately cannot be prevented, but one of Wright’s goals is to reduce crimes through education.

Wright’s other goals for the program include having a Victim Advocate in each unit and detachment, as well as making SAPR information readily available for Soldiers.

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In addition to the minimum requirements of the program, which requires a Sexual Assault Coordinator and Victim Advocate at the state level and two VA’s at brigade and battalion levels respectively.

Wright feels that more presence in each unit will make it easier for soldiers to approach someone they know with an issue.

“I would love to see commanders and units more actively involved in training and awareness,” said Wright. “I will be reaching out to the commands to canvass their units for unit members who may be interested and fit the criteria to be a VA.” She also intends to be more proactive in sharing available military, online, and community organization offered training opportunities and assisting unit VAs with specific training for their units and themselves.

“Awareness plays a part in prevention,” said Wright.

“Change in culture is slow, but I believe the more we talk about it, the more service members learn, and the less chance we’ll have of sexual assaults and harassment occurring.”

There are a number of resources available to Soldiers that want to report a sexual assault. Victims are encouraged to contact a Victim Advocate, the SARC office at Camp Keyes or the additional duty wing located at the Bangor Air Guard Base. There is also a department of defense 24/7 SAFE helpline that can be contacted at (877) 995-5247.

Soldiers who are interested in becoming victim advocates can contact the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program at (207) 430-5824.

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Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone, Aleksander Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler pose for a photo in Paris Aug. 23, 2015, following a foiled attack on a French train. Stone was on vacation with his childhood friends, Aleksander Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, when an armed gunman entered their train carrying an assault rifle, a handgun and a box cutter. The three friends, with the help of a British passenger, subdued the gunman after his rifle jammed. Stone’s medical background prepared him to begin treating wounded passengers while waiting for the authorities to arrive. Stone is an ambulance service technician with the 65th Medical Operations Squadron stationed at Lajes Field, Azores. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)

U.S. Ambassador to France, Jane D. Hartly, recognized Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone for his actions in saving countless lives during a terrorist attack aboard a train headed toward Paris Aug. 21.

“We often use the word hero, and in this case I know that word has never been more appropriate,” Hartley said.

“They are truly heroes. When most of us would run away, Spencer, Alek and Anthony ran into the line of fire, saying ‘Let’s go.’

Those words changed the fate of many.”

in Oregon said. “We didn’t even have time After about an hour on the train they were to think about it. We just acted.” settled in somewhere in Belgium.

The trio had just spent the previous three days enjoying Amsterdam on their vacation. They were excited to make it to Paris so they got up early and made their way to the train station. Their train wasn’t leaving for four hours so they killed time buying souvenirs and, according to them, eating the best ice cream they ever had. They thought their vacation was off to a great start.

“I was asleep with my headphones on and my friend, Alek, was sitting to the left of me and Anthony was sitting to my right across the aisle,” Stone said. “I wake up and I see Alek moving around saying ‘oh crap! oh crap!’”

Skarlatos motioned to the gunman who entered the cabin brandishing an AK-style assault rifle.

Their train arrived and it was time to de- “I kinda turn around and see the guy,” part Amsterdam.

Stone said, “and he’s got the AK, he’s trying to charge it. I just throw my headphones “We had first class tickets,” Stone ex- off and turn around in my seat, get low and plained, “but we just found a spot we liked kinda look around.” somewhere else on the train. Turns out our At this point the gunman had passed wagon didn’t have Wi-Fi so we decided to Stone and Skarlatos. It was at that moment “It wasn’t a conscious decision,” Skarlatos, use our first class tickets and moved to an- their lives changed. an Army National Guard Soldier stationed other wagon.”

Stone and his two friends, Aleksander Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, were on vacation and headed from Amsterdam to Paris when an armed man entered their cabin.

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US Airman recognized as ‘hero’ in Paris

“

By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa

He seemed like he was ready to fight to the end,” Stone said. “So were we.”

“Alek taps me on the shoulder friend kept hitting him in the face with the and says ‘go get ‘em!’ and that’s when I got gun.” up and I sprinted at him,” he said.

The gunman was down. The trio began as“It was a long sprint. It felt like slow mo- sessing any other threats in the area. tion.”

“My friend (pointed) out the guy who got “I heard him charge it (the assault rifle) a hit in the neck,” Stone said. “I don’t know few more times, and heard a ‘click.’ It still how he got hit but he was spurting blood wasn’t working.” everywhere. So I yelled out ‘I’m a medic I’m a medic!’ and took the guy and held him Stone explained that every time he heard down. I just stuck my finger in his neck, a click, he feared that he would die. found what I thought was an artery and just pressed down. I held that position un“I heard the ‘click’ and thought, ‘whew! I’m til authorities came.” still here,’” he said.

At this point, Stone was pretty badly Stone finally made contact with the gun- wounded. His thumb was nearly severed man, throwing his body into him. The two and he had sustained gashes that were started grappling. dangerously close to major arteries. The nurses later told him that he was lucky “I was feeling for the gun and couldn’t find that the cuts were not further over. it,” Stone said. “I felt it a couple times but he kept taking it away. So I just put him in Despite his wounds he never had a seca rear naked choke to protect myself and ond thought about helping someone else. my friend, Alek, came up and took the AK. But he just kept pulling weapons left and “I felt like I was the only person who could right. He pulled a handgun and it seemed help him,” Stone said. “I didn’t really care liked he pointed it back at me and I heard about my injuries at that point because it click.”

I thought that guy was gonna die, so I wanted to give him a fighting chance.”

It is not apparent why the guns malfunctioned so many times, but it gave the trio Stone said that he believes everything time to wrestle them away from the gun- happens for a reason. Every moment in life man. leads to the next. He said that there was a reason he and his friends were on that “I saw him making a slashing motion,” train and that they moved to first class.

Stone explained. “When I leaned over his shoulder I see he has about a six-inch “I feel good that we were able to save box cutter blade and I look down and my those people there in that right moment,” thumb is hanging halfway off.”

Stone said.

At this point Stone lost his grip on the Stone, 23, has been in the Air Force for gunman. nearly three years. His training as a medic prepared him for how to react in a situa“I let him go and by that point the shooter tion like this, but his family taught him to was in the middle and me, Alek and An- help those who need help. thony are just surrounding him and we just started pounding him,” he said. “I got “I would say it was more so how I was raised him in another choke and I choked him and the Air Force just gave me the tools out until he went unconscious and my I needed to be the person I have always

wanted to be I guess,” Stone said. “There have been a bunch of influential people in my career so far that have just helped me gain the knowledge that I have.”

When asked about his family, Stone cracked a smile.

“Oh yeah; my family is proud of me. My brother is yelling ‘My brother is an international hero!’ screaming over the phone.

My mother, sister, friends, family neighbors -- everyone is excited for me.”

The story has been played out in the public light over the past few days and is certainly an intense ride. Many said that it feels like a movie in the making. Jokingly, Stone said that if they ever do make this into a movie, he knows exactly who he wants to play him.

“Denzel Washington, but I don’t think that would ever happen,” Stone joked.

Despite his fairly calm demeanor only days after the attack, Stone was able to reflect on the event as a day that could have gone a lot differently.

“If it wasn’t for Alek and Anthony, I’d be dead,” Stone said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it by myself. He definitely woulda’ got me.”

The gunman had multiple magazines and almost 300 rounds of ammunition.

“He seemed like he was ready to fight to the end,” Stone said. “So were we.”

Maine army national guardsmen compete

in best squad competition

By Spc. Sarah Myrick, Maine Army National Guard

Eleven squads from the Maine Army National Guard competed in a best squad competition at the Bangor Armed Forces Reserve Center Sept. 12, 2015.

The competition tested soldiers’ mental and physical warrior abilities with an emphasis on teamwork and unit cohesion using a 14-station, round robin style event. The stations included weapons skills, physical fitness, first aid, communications and land navigation skills.

The final event was a rigorous six-mile tactical road march that took place Saturday night proceeding the round robin stations.

“You can train any time, but it’s cool to bring it into a competition aspect,” said Spc. Jeffrey Shock, a combat engineer with the 251st Engineer Company (Sappers), “It makes you want to be on top of your game.”

The squads represented several units from MEARNG such as The 251st Engineer Company, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment, 1136th Transportation Company and the 488th Military Police Company.

The warrior tasks and scenarios selected were designed to provide a challenge for all participants through the diversity of skill sets that were evaluated. All of the stations were scored at equal value and equal weight throughout the competition.

Sgt. Maj. John Brooks, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the best squad competition said, “While there may be advantages throughout the course for some squads we tried to pick events that are fair for the entire organization.”

This year’s best squad competition is at a different venue than last year allowing for the use of live ammo and a non-traditional Army Physical Fitness Test.

Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Doyon, the state command sergeant major and Brooks determined the events for the competition.

“We looked at the warrior tasks; shoot, move, communicate to win our nations wars and we thought these 14 tasks were the most common to all Soldiers and they could support our mission,” said Brooks.

Spc. Shock felt the competition had a little bit of everything for everybody.

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squad were months in advance and were able to prepare for the event.

Shock said they’d known for about a year who was in their squad and they spent the previous drill weekend practicing. Others found out last minute and hope to train better next year.

“As a Senior NCO I never want financial constraints to get in the way of putting the best soldier on the battlefield.”

The event was almost scrapped due to budget constraints. Brooks emphasized how budget cuts shouldn’t infringe on training soldiers.

Sgt. Travis Smith, the squad leader of the 488th Military Police Company said, “It’s an amazing feeling being with a group of soldiers in a competition and finding out what your made of.”

This year the best squad for the state was the 488th Military Police Company, located in Waterville.

“I felt that this is an excellent event for each unit to come out here and compete against each other to get to know each other, and for esprit de corps for the Maine Army National Guard,” said Brooks,

Soldiers of the 1136th Transportation Company pull a HMMWV as part of the second annual Maine Army National Guard Best Squad competition at the Bangor Armed Forces Reserve Center Sept. 12, 2015. The HMMWV pull was one of 14 stations in a round robin style even that tested soldiers’ mental and physical warrior abilities with an emphasis on teamwork and unit cohesion. Other stations tested weapons skills, physical fitness, first aid, communications, land navigation and six-mile ruck march.

The Transportation Company was one of 11 squads that competed to determine which one was the best in the state. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Sarah Myrick / Released)

“We’ll struggle in a couple things, other people will struggle in a couple things, so I think it’s really well rounded this year,” said Shock.

Members from other units agreed with diversity skills represented in this year’s competition.

“It’s definitely opened our eyes to a couple of our weak spots,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Weymouth an Infantryman with Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), “We can take that back to the company and suggest future training ideas company wide.”

“It’s been a great experience,” said Weymouth, “It’s good to work with different faces and get to know the rest of the unit.”

Some squads knew who the members of their

Soldiers assemble a modular tent to establish security as part of the second annual Maine Army National Guard Best Squad competition at the Bangor Armed Forces Reserve Center Sept. 12, 2015.

The tent assembly was one of 14 stations in a round robin style even that tested soldiers’ mental and physical warrior abilities with an emphasis on teamwork and unit cohesion. Other stations tested weapons skills, physical fitness, first aid, communications, land navigation and six-mile ruck march. Eleven squads that competed to determine which one was the best in the state. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Sarah Myrick / Released)

YOUR OPINION

FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT FEMALES SERVING IN COMBAT ARMS AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNITS? The Defense Department is scheduled to open all operational billets to women on Jan. 1, 2016, unless individual services provide pressing reasons against it or lawmakers intervene.

One of the main concerns around integration is whether qualification standards will be changed to accommodate women, who have higher body fat levels and different fitness standards in the military. “In all cases, I personally believe we ought to have one standard for both sexes, a standard that matches the demands of the job, and if you pass, you pass,� Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in a May 13 speech at the Naval Academy.

In light of the recent news regarding the first two females graduating the U.S. Army Ranger School, and the discussion of the Navy opening up Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School to women, we asked service member what they thought of women in these new roles.

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The Bayonet took to the streets to ask a few service members what they thought of the dod announcement of female integration into COMBAT ARMS units and combat leadership schools

Staff Sgt. April Sweetser Maine Army National Guard Directorate of Facilities Engineering

W

hen I was asked if I would write my stance on how I feel about women being allowed to hold combat positions I thought I knew how I felt. Thinking about it more made me see other perspectives and start to question how I really feel. I started reading more articles about what it would mean for the specific job. One article stated “Both services say they will continue to evaluate the issue and draw up gender-neutral standards and requirements for each career field.”

(Tilgman, 2015) The problem I have with this is that there is a standard set for a reason, if female cannot meet the standard that has worked for decades then they cannot hold that position. If a female can meet the standard already in place then I have no problem with females taking on these positions.

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here will always periods of adaption but that comes with anything, will the culture change, sure it will but will it be improved or diminish, no one will ever know until we try it. You can’t create a problem that doesn’t exist yet. I think people are concerned with women casualties in these roles, but is one persons’ life more valuable than another? As long as we take appropriate steps to identify possible issue and institute policies that will protect everyone and ensure missions are completed, I see no problem with allowing females in these combat positions. Let me just say that females are not strangers to war or combat, with many paying the ultimate sacrifice in current and past conflicts.

Staff Sgt. Paul Simoneau Maine Army National Guard 251st Engineer Company (Sapper)

T

he recent graduation of two female Soldiers from the Army Ranger School is a significant and highly overdue achievement. When ranger school opened its doors to all MOS’s it should have opened them to all genders as well. The same arguments made recently about females in the course, were also made about the Army’s Sapper Leader Course. Little to no changes to Sapper School were made to facilitate females, no extra bathroom was needed nor did they need to build new showers. Soldiers will conduct themselves as professionals. If a Soldier cannot respect another Soldier and maintain a professional working relationship regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual preference then they do not belong in this Army.

I

ntegrating female soldiers into combat positions is a delicate and complex situation. There are many concerns like hygiene, emotions, favoritism, SHARP violations, and fraternization. All of these concerns can be debated endlessly. Most concerns could be covered by the previous statement of soldiers will be professionals. A concern that many leaders and soldiers have is will female soldiers be able to keep up with the physical demands of being a line soldier? Softened standards on the APFT will not produce a higher combat effectiveness. A gender-neutral Minimum APFT standard for all combat MOS’s may relieve some concern.

I

ntroducing females into the Navy Seals and Special Forces might actually go smoother and blaze a trail for the regular Army to follow. The selection process and unit standards of our nation’s special operations units are the highest in the world. If a Soldier can meet the elevated standard and earn their place among the best-trained soldiers in the world then they’ve earned their place there.

Staff Sgt. Barbara Stevens Maine Air National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters

A

woman should be allowed to accomplish anything she has the ability to accomplish.

While it is said that women can’t complete the schools, or it’s too difficult for them, there are thousands of male soldiers who never attempt seal or ranger school. I’m sure this is in part, due to the fact that they don’t want to be rangers or seals; but I am also sure it’s the rigorous training that keeps a great many of these men away.

I

’ve always questioned the closing of combat arms to women. I wondered why. Is it because a man will see a wounded woman in a foxhole and see his sister, mother, aunt, daughter, and would treat her before a man, even if the man’s injuries were worse?

A

nd really, women have been in combat positions (if not combat arms) for years.

Female pilots, for example, were shot down and died, or were captured, in Iraq. The newness of having it as a policy, and out there for the world to see, will wear off. And men AND women can go back to thinking about and doing what they do best, whatever that might be. At the end of the day, every man and woman should allowed to do what they have the ability, skill, and knowledge to do.

INJURY PREVENTION Safety Tips for PHYSICAL READINESS TRAINING

S

ome of the most crippling things to an organization, employer, or commander are injuries. Injuries are very common in physically demanding jobs. There are many ways to prevent injuries, but I will primarily focus on medical modalities and prevention techniques that can help mitigate these risks. As the PT test approaches, I see many recurring ailments appear. The American academy of Orthopedic surgeons reported 50% of all disease and non-battle related injuries were musculoskeletal. The majority of these musculoskeletal issues were related to back or lower extremity joint injuries. The United States Government has gone through great length to evaluate mechanics and ergonomic training to help lessen these risks. However reports continue to show that Soldiers are 2x more likely to have significant musculoskeletal injury than airman and 3x more likely than sailors. Many theorize that the army may have more physically demanding requirements to complete missions, others say lack of leadership or focus on mechanics and prevention is to blame. Whatever the case, in my short tenure here I have seen a few common themes related to injuries among Soldiers that I will detail below.

health beat

Theme 1: The traditional warrior

The Bayonet

The majority of us are MDAY Soldiers. This means we are constantly juggling military service with civilian work, family, volunteer service and perhaps a few moments of relaxation. The last thing we want to do after a long day’s work, preparing dinner, getting kids to bed, cleaning up, and allowing for a moment with our spouse is spend a good 45 minutes at the gym! It seems working out goes on the back burner until the weekend comes. We haven’t been stretching throughout the month. We run intermittently throughout the year. We lift and ruck less frequently, and the results are injuries. The reality is Soldiers should run 1-2 miles most days of the week. One day a week a longer, training run should be incorporated going at least 4-5 miles, 150-200% of your training goal. That way, you can exceed your training goal and will be more prepared for the physical demands of PT and drill weekend. This type of training can be extrapolated to any scenario. Take this example: If you want to compete in a 10 mile race, you should work up to running 5-8 miles on a regular basis (this means 4-5 times per week)! One day a week should be dedicated to a longer run, perhaps 11-15 miles in order to exceed and improve your performance. This way when you compete, and adrenaline is pushing you even harder to compete at your maximum potential, you will be much less likely to sustain an injury as your body is accustomed to this level of activity. The same scenario pertains to PT goals, and drill weekend training. For leaders, look at your Soldiers MOS and help develop programs then incorporate training for PT but also for daily tasks. Medics should ruck on a regular basis or back pack. This way when it is time to perform their body is ready and accustomed to the tasks at hand.

Together with consistent training and work we can prevent injuries.

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By 1st Lt. Matthew J. Picard, P.A.

Theme 2: Gym Class Heroes We all remember the glory days of walking out and running 1-2 miles sub six minutes after having a hamburger, fries, and a milkshake. It seemed we never had to stretch, could bench whatever we wanted and no have an issue. Well maybe this is a slight exaggeration, but we all knew those people who seemed to just be “fit”. The problems come as we age, at some point it’s like a light switch goes off and all of the sudden the numbers on the scale go up and the miles seem longer. We haven’t learned good habits from our younger years and could be in trouble. If we do not work to maintain our fitness, we have a reduction in elasticity of our muscles and tendons, we have slowed nerve impulses and set ourselves up for injury of we aren’t careful. In only twenty four hours of being sedentary, there are measurable reductions in muscular strength and endurance. This is very similar to the phenomenon of the weekend warrior, however having the expectation that one doesn’t have to train and prepare for fitness (but can rather “just do it”) could be more dangerous. Leaders must be aware of Soldiers current activity levels, and educate them about stretching and improving range of motion exercises. Couple regular activity with good self-awareness and care of muscles and joints and you will persevere muscle tone and endurance. Together with proper warm up, fitness, and training we can prevent injuries.

Theme 3: Overuse athlete This individual is the opposite of the above two. This Soldier often excels at one, or more, areas on the PT test. They train almost daily, running or biking long distances, lifting weights or may even be semiprofessional body builder. They are also more likely to suffer from overuse injuries such as stress fractures, tennis and golfers elbow, IT band syndrome or patellofemoral syndrome. Often bikers, runners, serious lifters and triathletes are used to daily training and fail to recognize the benefit to adding variety to training events.

They typically focus on training one particular muscle group or skill, and this can often result in over use or instability of that muscle pair. Both upper and lower body, as well as antagonizing (opposite) muscle groups must be maintained for mobility and flexibility. If this is not successfully done there is an increase strain to the affecting joints, ligaments and tendons, which can results in trauma from repeated wear and tear on those affected areas. Leaders, if you see some of these key injuries talk to your service members about adding alternative activities to their workouts. Long distance runners should do cycling or swimming in addition to their running activity. Weight lifters should build plyometric days into their routine and try yoga or resistance training to target mobility and flexibility and antagonistic muscle groups. With variety and a focus on whole body training we can prevent injuries.

Theme 4: BMI This is one of the most common things I see and treat. BMI, or body mass index, is a measure of body fat based on your weight in relation to your height with 18.5-24.9 considered “normal�. You can calculate your BMI using a multitude of online calculators. Risk of injury and recurrence of duty limiting injuries appear at higher BMIs. The BMI is not a factor of fitness, but a measure of the level of obesity. The correlation with injury is multifactorial but often related to diets high in inflammatory foods (like fat food, added sugars, processed grains, and frozen meals), in turn nutrients from foods are harder to absorb from your gut with poor diet which could lead to reduced bone and muscle growth. In addition to diet there is a high likelihood of associated sedentariness that contributes to obesity.

Lastly, physiologically the heavier you are the more likely you are to have back, knee ankle and foot problems. Having a higher BMI puts Soldiers at risk for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cholesterol issues or kidney disease in addition to musculoskeletal injuries. This is arguably the biggest contributing factor to preventable injuries, but luckily there are a lot of resources for overall health improvement.

I would challenge leaders to counsel Soldiers with higher BMI and / or increased frequency of recurrent musculoskeletal injuries to discuss their health and lifestyle. Some people find it easiest to change one thing at a time, for instance adding a vegetable at dinner or switching from sugar sweetened cereal in the morning to fruit and eggs is a good starting point.

Others find it helpful to delve in to a total lifestyle change with family and friend support. I know this is not news to you as leaders or Soldiers, but with diabetes and obesity rates in the US being the highest in the world, change is not only encouraged for injury prevention but for overall health and wellbeing.

Reflect on your lifestyle and that of your Soldiers, are we making good choices to avoid excessive sugar carbohydrates and exercise at an appropriate level? With education, small changes, and perseverance we can prevent injuries and lead a healthier life for us and our families.

Ultimately, I know no one wants to be unhealthy or have poor physical fitness, and I recognize that habits are hard to break! We must do our best to uphold our military standard; and if we as an organization are having issues we should look at what categories we may fall in to in order to find a life balance that involves stretching, wellbeing, dietary awareness and consistent activity. We all want to maintain a healthy quality of life, and the ways in which we all get there will be different for each individual. I understand these things take time, and discipline, but with the right attitude and leadership I am confident we can improve our forces health and change the health of the citizen Soldiers of Maine.

By Spc. Sarah Myrick, Maine Army National Guard

ALL IN THE MILITARY FAMILY Maine military families form lasting relationships at the 16th Annual “When I’d see kids at the camp who were in the same situation as me it Maine National Guard Youth Camp that takes place every summer in

made me feel like I wasn’t alone,” said Hudson.

Gilead, Maine.

Justin Curtis, another camper-turned-counselor is now a member of the The one-week, residential camp is designed to bring military youth to- 488th Military Police Company in the Maine Army National Guard. gether. It offers an active, healthy environment for Maine military chil- “I loved being a camper,” said Curtis. “I look forward to it every year and I dren ages 9-15 to establish confidence, character, and friendships with want to make sure the kids share the same experiences that I did.” other military youth.

Curtis has been active with the camp since 2001 when he started as a Since the camp first opened in 2000, the children’s attendance has in- kiddie camper, staff’s children who are under the age of nine. He said creased to four times as many as when it started and it’s apparent the his favorite activity as a camper was the rappel tower, which he first atsuccess is due to the fact that it’s more than just a summer camp.

tempted at the age of five. Other activities include archery, kayaking, a

For some, the impact of attending as a child was so great they still want

confidence course, team building activities, arts & crafts, hiking, swim-

to be a part of the camp family. This year about 20 staff members, who ming, and campfires with skits and songs. were once campers came back as volunteers.

Curtis said as a young child he didn’t understand why his father, who “Volunteers make this camp possible,” said Master Sgt. Barbara Claudel, has been a member of the Air National Guard for 27 years would have to the state family program director. “They come back to support it, with- go away for long periods of time, but the camp really helped. out pay, because they believe in it.”

“This program holds events throughout the year that help kids whose Camp counselor Joshua Hudson, an Air Crew Flight Equipment Special- parents are on deployment,” said Curtis. “It’s programs like this that reist in the Maine Air National Guard, has been involved with the camp

ally help kids get through those times because it takes their minds off it.”

for 12 years. He developed a lot of positive relationships that helped him get through difficult times and wanted to pass it on to the next

For Hudson, staying in touch with friends he made from camp helped

generation.

him get through the challenges of being in a military family. Even though many of those friends were far from his hometown, they were

“The camp was a real outlet for me when my dad was gone on deploy- always willing to talk or grab a pizza, he said. Just having contact with ment and when he passed away,” said Hudson.

someone who knows what you’re going through helps.

Children of military families face a lot of unique challenges. Hudson said

“We want kids to know that we are all in this together,” said Claudel.

he worried about his father being in danger when he was on deploy- “When the children see their friends from camp their faces light up and ment and his school work suffered.

you can see the difference in them immediately. We have a true military family, our camp family.”

38 inMagazine/ January, 2012

War College Graduate Recognizes Excellence in Training

By Staff Sgt. Angela Parady, Maine Army National Guard

A

ll Soldiers whether serving active duty or as National Guardsmen are required to complete regularly scheduled periods of professional education in order to advance their careers. A full-time Soldier may be required to attend specific courses every three to five years during a twenty-plus year career. The importance of education for military professionals continues to be at the forefront of leaders in all branches of the military.

The U.S. Army War College, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania is considered to be the pinnacle of an Army officer’s military education, said Lt. Col. Richard Darveau, the Deputy Human Resources Officer for the Maine Army National Guard.

Darveau wanted to recognize the educational efforts of the Maine National Guard’s 240th Regional Training Institute as another highly esteemed center of learning. After his graduation in July, he purchased a replica of a stained glass window and presented it to Lt. Col. Sean Harmon, commander of the 240th to honor the RTI for its excellence in education.

In March, the 240th Institute was recognized by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and the U.S. Army Engineer School, and awarded the rating of “Institution of Excellence,” which is considered the highest level of accreditation possible.

The replica is a smaller version of the class gift given

by Department of Distance Education Class of 2015, the official name for the students who pursue the two-year program. It follows a long tradition of class gifts. The actual stained glass memorial measures 8 feet wide and 10 feet tall and was commissioned to honor those who served in the Global War on Terror. It is displayed in the main foyer of Bliss Hall along with others that represent the major conflicts the U.S. has played a role in dating back to the Revolutionary War. Students chose to adorn the U.S. Army War College halls and other military education centers of excellence with artwork as a symbol to honor those who have served before them, said Darveau.

Darveau was the only Maine resident in his U. S. Army War College Distance Education program. The two-year program includes reading, online forums, and papers along with two, two-week resident phases at the Pennsylvania campus. It is a demanding and timeconsuming course. The course can also be completed as a one-year residency course. Students who complete the full course, in either method of instruction, receive a diploma from the Army War College as well as a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

Lt. Col. Sean Harmon displays a replica stain glass window that was presented to the Regional Training Institute during a formation on September 12, 2015. The gift was presented by Lt. Col. Richard Darveau on behalf of the Maine’s recent graduating class of the Army War College. The gift is as a token of appreciation for the professional education received by military members at these centers of excellence. The actual stain glass window measures 8-feet wide by 10-feet tall and resides at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Parady / Released)

inMagazine/ January, 2012

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Vol 3 // Issue 3

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