The Bayonet - December 2014

BAYONET

the

Vol 2 // Issue 10

MAINE GUARDSMEN COMPLETE 9TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE MARCH DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES FOR SAPPER STAKES?

PTHEART 2 : ON THE WAY! HISTORY OF THE 152 FIELD ARTILLERY ND

OPERATION TIMBERHOOK II

ARMY AVIATORS ASSIST BAXTER STATE PARK WITH DELIVERY OF MATERIAL TO REMOTE LOCATIONS AT THE PARK

NEWUNIFORMS

THE BAYONET GETS YOUR TAKE ON THE CHANGES

Intro We are pleased to present you with the December 2014 edition of the Bayonet magazine. There are multiple changes to the format and release schedule of the magazine, but we hope you still enjoy the Soldier provided content along with some of the improvements we are now able to implement.

Inside this quarter’s installment of the Bayonet, you will find some excellent training coverage of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) and 11th Weapons of Mass Destruction – Civil Support Team (WMD-CST). There is also exciting partnership training coverage between our Army aviators and Baxter State Park staff, and the 251st Engineer Company (Sapper) annual best squad competition.

Keep your eyes peeled for changes to policy and uniforms as we implement a section to advise of Army-wide changes on the horizon.

-Public Affairs Officer

Capt. Norman Stickney

the BAYONET Adjutant General

BRIG. GEN. JAMES D. CAMPBELL

Command Sergeant Major

COMMAND SGT. MAJ. RICHARD HANNIBAL

Public Affairs Officer

CAPT. NORMAN J. STICKNEY

Managing Editor

SGT. 1ST CLASS PETER MORRISON

Photojournalists

SGT. ANGELA PARADY SPC. ADAM SIMMLER

Contributors

CHAPLAIN (COL.) ANDREW GIBSON LT. COL. JOHN BEATTY 1ST. LT. JONATHAN BRATTEN

Layout and Design

CAPT. 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: Army aviators deliver material to remote locations as part of Operation Timberhook II at Chimney Pond, Baxter State Park. (Photo courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jon Campbell) Back Cover: The crew chief surveys the ground prior to take off at the Caribou Pit, Baxter State Park. (National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Peter D. Morrison)

The Bayonet is produced by the personnel of the Maine Army 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, Department of the Army, nor the Maine Army National Guard.

All pictures are Maine Army National Guard photos unless otherwise identified.

The Montenegro Chief of Defense Admiral Dragam Samardžić, visits with Gov. Paul LePage in a recent trip to Maine, as part of the MEARNG State Partnership Program with the young democracy. Dragam discussed future endeavors with the Governor and Brig Gen. James D. Campbell.

(National Guard photo by Sgt 1st Class Pete Morrison) The Maine State Select Honor Guard represents the MEARNG at one of the many events honoring Veterans, November 11. We thank all Veterans for their dedication, perseverance and determination in securing our freedoms and values every day.

(National Guard photo by Sgt 1st Class Pete Morrison)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Message From

Sapper Stakes

“On the Way” Part 2

Your Opinion

Ready to Respond

Operation Timberhook II

The Adjutant General

A History of the 152nd Field Artillery New England’s CERF-P

New Pattern on ACU

Soldiers to Receive New OCP Unforms by 2015

9th Annual Tribute March

Maine Service Members Pay Tribute to the Fallen

New Army PT Uniform

34 Changes are the Result of Soldier Feedback

A Tradition of the 251st Engineer Company Feedback from the Field on Uniform Changes Aviators Support Baxter State Park Staff with Hoist Capability

The Chaplain’s Word The Inspector General The Importance of Ethics

A Message From

the adjutant general “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state…”

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arlier this month, I was honored to be present as several of our units, Soldiers and Airmen were recognized at a public event for their support to the Boy Scouts of America. Prior to the event, one of our former Governors approached me and asked why I have such a commitment to support the Scouts. The question has an easy answer – we support any organization which shares our deeply held values of leadership, character and service.

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vents like this one and the recent parades, and other ceremonies held around the state in honor of Veterans’ Day should serve to remind all of us in uniform of what we as the Maine National Guard stand for. It’s not hard to make a quick search of doctrinal publications or other official literature to find statements of values and attributes we want Soldiers and Airmen to have. These statements are fundamental to who we strive to be – Service Before Self, Trust, Loyalty, Integrity, Teamwork, Respect, Courage, Candor, Excellence in all That We Do – these are just a few of the foundational elements of character we want in all of our Soldiers, Airmen and units.

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ometimes it is easy to merely rattle off these attributes, and then feel good that we have memorized them and can use these words to set ourselves apart from other institutions in our society. It is a more difficult thing to understand these words, know their true meaning to ourselves and our comrades, and genuinely work hard at making them a visceral part of our own lives and character. Certainly nobody is perfect and it is only rarely that we encounter someone who fully embodies these noble attributes in every aspect of his or her life. But it is our personal responsibility, indeed a calling for us all as members of the Military Profession, to work both

-Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

individually and as a team to achieve that high standard.

aintaining these character traits is not just an arbitrary goal.

It is a requirement for us to be successful as a military force.

Without these traits our nation’s leaders and citizens will not entrust to us the lives of our young people, and they will not tolerate an amoral, politicized or undisciplined military any more than Americans will tolerate a US Army or Air Force which does not win decisively on the modern, complex battlefield. We all must continue to view the maintenance of the Maine National Guard as a values and ethics based, highly disciplined and professional force as the primary component of our military readiness – without these attributes, we cannot justify ourselves to our citizens.

e in Maine are the inheritors of an extraordinarily proud tradition of military excellence, courage and service. All of you in our current ranks are daily working hard to live up to those same high ideals and standards set by our predecessors. As we face the challenges and stresses of our daily work, along with seeking opportunities during this time of change and transition for the entire US military, I would like all of us to recommit ourselves to staunchly adhering to all of those core values and traits of character and discipline which remain deeply engrained strengths of our profession. I know we will, and that is one of the many reasons why I remain so honored to serve with all of you.

M

W

Bayonets, Forward!

“on the way� the history of

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s part of the 1942 reorganization, the headquarters company of the 152nd Field Artillery Regiment had become the Headquarters Company, 203rd Field Artillery Group. The 203rd was now an artillery brigade headquarters that would have various artillery battalions assigned to it throughout its wartime service. After initial training, it landed at Normandy on Utah Beach on 3 and 4 September, 1944. It promptly assumed the command of three artillery battalions and began combat operations. It coordinated fires on German troop and armor concentrations, as well as on enemy defensive positions.

They also fired interdiction and counter-battery missions. During October, the Group participated on the drive into the Verdun Region and the reduction of the defenses of Fort Driant. During this time, they traversed the same ground the 103rd Infantry had in World War I.

As time went on, the 203rd Group began encountering stiffening enemy resistance as well as ammunition shortages for their battalions’ guns. To solve this, they integrated German 155mm guns into their batteries and used captured shells to supply them. By October, they had helped take the fortress at Metz and were firing into Germany itself, supporting the advance of the 90th and 95th Divisions. They were engaged in supporting these divisions as they breached the Siegfried Line, crossed the Saar River, and then pushed further into Luxembourg and Belgium, when the Germans counterattacked in the Ardennes on December 17, 1944.

The 203rd assisted in checking the German advance into the Bulge, with fires on troop concentrations, and then with were integral in throwing the attackers back. They assisted the 26th Division Artillery with supporting fires on the south flank of the German incursion and by the end of the month were on the offensive again.

the 152nd field artillery Part 2: The 203rd Field Artillery Group in World War II They were specifically targeting German transport vehicles to deny them the opportunity to haul their artillery out of danger. During this period of the Battle of the Bulge and counterattack, the 203rd Group’s battalions fired 19,665 rounds in December and 39,971 rounds in January, more than double their monthly average to date. The Group received commendation as part of the III Corps from 3rd Army commander, General George S. Patton, jr.

Through the spring, the 203rd Group continued supporting the advance of the VIII Corps and the 6th Armored Division into Germany. Fire missions were called in for destroying enemy pillboxes or artillery positions. In March, the 203rd crossed the Rhine River and threatened the Ruhr Valley, a German industrial center. During April, the Group was advancing so swiftly that they abruptly ran into a heavy German force of armor and infantry. The battalions dropped trail where they were and began firing off of estimated calculations using makeshift Fire Direction Centers. The Group commander himself directed artillery fire, operating off of a map opened on the hood of his jeep. Remarkably, the artillery placed accurate and immediate fire on the German force, destroying it entirely.

By May, the German army had collapsed under the Allied attack and Germany had surrendered. The

203rd took up a position in Eisenach, Germany for occupation duty on May 12. The 203rd Group was disbanded upon its return from the European Theater of Operations. Its lineage is currently carried by the 133rd Engineer Battalion.

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

Image Legend Right: Master Sgt. James E. Downes, Communications Chief, 203rd Field Artillery Group, near Brettnach, France, November 27, 1944. Downes was responsible for preserving the unit’s after action reports, from which this article was written.

Left: An 8 inch howitzer from the 578th Field Artillery Battalion fires on the Germans near the Seine River, in 1944. The 578th was one of the 203rd Field Artillery Group’s subordinate battalions.

The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

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viators from Company C, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment

fly toward Mount Katahdin on October 31, as part of Operation Timberbook II. The Aviators used eight UH-60 Blackhawk

helicopters, and moved over 30 loads of equipment to sites difficult or impossible to reach by ground vehicle at Baxter State Park.

(Photo courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jon Campbell)

The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

ready to responD

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XETER, R.I. - You never know when disaster will strike your community, but you can always count on the National Guard to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice, and that’s what the National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive Emergency Response Force Package (CERF-P) is there for.

During the week of Oct. 24, CERF-Ps made up of Air and Army National Guardsmen from Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island met in Exeter Rhode Island to train and keep their skills sharp, in order to be better prepared for a real life scenario. The units met at the State of Rhode Island Fire

Academy and set up operations near a rubble pile used for search and extraction training.

“We’re here to assist with local law enforcement, EMS, and fire services,” Said Staff Sgt. Travis Pond, a motor transport operator with the 521st Troop Command, from New Sharon, Maine.

“We’re like a three-ring binder, if you’re the incident commander, we come to you and say ‘this is what we offer, let us know if we can help.”

The CERF-P teams are a key element of the Department of Defense’s overall program to provide military support to civil authorities in the event of an intentional or accidental incident involving CBRNE or Weapons of Mass Destruction in the United States.

The CERF-P is designed as a homeland response

New England’s CERF-P

By Spc. Adam Simmler package, and is capable of quickly responding to anything from mudslides to hazardous gas incidents to a ten-kiloton nuclear disaster, said Pond.

The units from across New England came together to train and be evaluated on their proficiencies to see what areas they can improve. Every day the CERF-P showed up with their equipment packed away in trucks and trailers. They set up the entire operation to be prepared to rescue, decontaminate, treat wounds and evacuate actors posing as injured civilians. After the exercise was complete, everything was packed up, ready to be redeployed for the next scenario.

“It’s good training for the Armed Forces to be able to respond to different situations,” said

Christopher Trinidad, a New Bedford, Massachusetts resident who volunteered to play an injured civilian during the exercise. ”If something tragic happens the National Guard will be a little more prepared to do something, and I feel much safer because of it.”

Pond concluded, “Even though we have the barriers of each state’s job here, it’s like being in any other unit, when everybody shows up, you’re all excited to see each other, because you have a combined mission. I hope this reassures the community that we’re ready for any sort of disaster, whether it be a mudslide, or a larger scale terrorist attack, we’re prepared and ready.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Concerning Your GI Bill Benefits

Common questions

QIUCK REFERENCES

Are VA Education Benefits Taxable?

No. Any veterans’ benefits paid under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should not be reported as income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Chapter 1606 (MGIB-SR) Applies to all reserve component Soldiers with a 6 year contract. Must complete high school and AIT. FY15 full time rate $367/mo.

Discharge Effects on GI Bill Benefits Honorable Discharge: Soldier not deployed…lose ALL benefits upon discharge, will get back if they rejoin Military within 12 months of ETS.

Chapter 1607 (REAP) Applies to Reserve component Soldiers who have been I am enrolled in school. When will I receive my mobilized since September 11, 2001.

Honorable Discharge: Soldier debenefits from VA? ployed….retain benefits Continuous 90+ day mob w/General Once your school submits your enrollment for 10yrs (Ch 1607) or discharge or higher. Or less then information, it must be entered into the 15yrs (Ch 33) from 90 day mob w/medical disDid You Know: system by VA. Because VA is generally overdischarge of title charge. FY15 full time rate whelmed with enrollments at the start of In a recent 2013 RAND Study on 10, depends each semester, it could take up to 6 weeks to $1,373.60/mo.

MGIB those Soldiers who on the benefit process an enrollment during those times. separated and had higher AFQT scores they are using.

VA will process all of the enrollments in Chapter 30 (MGIB-AD) order by the date received. If you are receiv- Applies to active duty were more likely to use their GI Benefits If transferred ing benefits under MGIB-AD (Chapter 30) benefits to service (or AGR) who after their ETS. Why wait? Use it now or MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606), you must also dependents, paid into it ($1,200.00.) to maximize your other education Soldier HAS to verify your enrollment at the end of each 100% benefit at 3yrs conmonth in order to receive payment for that benefits available while still on serve out their tinuous service. FY15 full month. Benefits are paid after each month time or money will time rate $1,717.00/mo. your current contract! of school is completed. be recouped and VA will go after Soldier for Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) Applies to all How do I verify my enrollment? recoupment.

If you’re receiving the Active Duty or Reserve soldiers who have been mobilized since GI Bill, REAP, or VRAP use the Web Automat- September 11, 2001. % based on cumuMedical Discharge: Soldier deployed/ ed Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or call lative months of deployments (100% at not deployed …keeps MGIB, Kicker (if our toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 3 yrs) Must apply for benefit and give eligible) for 10yrs upon discharge. telephone line at 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877up another GI Bill chapter. Only benefit 823-2378) to verify your attendance. If you’re eligible to transfer to dependents. receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits you don’t General Discharge: (honorable condineed to verify your attendance. tions or other than honorable conditions) Tuition and fee cap is now $20,235.02 an Deployed/Non-deployed Soldier looses academic year. Book stipend cap remains What if I receive a failing grade?

ALL GI Bill benefits upon discharge not to up to $1,000 an academic year.

If you fail a class you receive what is called get them back (ever). 100% recoupment a “punitive grade” for that class. A puniof used Ch 33 transferred benefits to MHA is based on E-5 BAH w/dependent tive grade is a grade that doesn’t count as dependents; VA will go after Soldier for at the location of school. Transferability earned credit, but is used in determining recoupment. Uncharacterized Discharge: to Dependents (Post 9/11) Only if eligible a student’s progress toward graduation Soldier never gained benefits (Those for Chapter 33 Dependents must be in requirements. This means that the grade who are discharged in Basic/IADT). In adDEERS Must have 6yrs of service Must you receive counts in your overall degree dition if a Soldier is discharge with other progress, albeit negatively. Since this grade extend for 4yrs to transfer benefit (must than honorable the Soldiers loses all VA counts towards your graduation progress be retainable) Must be currently servyou are not required to repay any GI Bill benefits period. This includes health, ing to transfer benefit Once transferred, money you received for that class. You may dependent/student must apply to begin pharmacy, disability compensation, and take the class again in an attempt to receive using benefits through VONAPP (VA 22all other VA assistance programs. credit towards graduation or raise your 1990E) grade for it and you may receive GI Bill payment for the retaking of the class.

The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

Operational Camouflage Pattern

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By Army Public Affairs

he Army has confirmed what Soldiers have been hearing rumors of for months now -- a new camouflage pattern for combat uniforms is on the way with a number of improvements.

Beginning in the fall of 2015, the Army will begin issuing to new Soldiers an Army Combat Uniform that bears the Operational Camouflage Pattern. That same uniform will also become available in military clothing sales stores in the summer of 2015.

Soldiers are expected to retire their current uniform and begin wearing the new pattern by the summer of 2018.

The uniform bearing the new pattern will be largely the same as what Soldiers wear now, except that the lower leg pockets will be closed by a button instead of the “hook and loop” fabric fastener on the current Army Combat Uniform, or ACU. Soldiers complained that fastener made too much noise in combat environments, officials said. The insert pockets for knee pads and elbow pads will also be removed from the new uniform, according to Program Executive Office Soldier.

Currently, Soldiers wear ACU with the Universal Camouflage Pattern, or UCP. By 2018, they will be wearing an Army Combat Uniform with the “Operational Camouflage Pattern.” The fabric of the uniform, the cut, the placement of pockets and other details, for instance, will remain the same. It is only the geometry and palette of the camouflage pattern printed on the fabric that will change.

The cost of uniforms with the new pattern will be comparable to the current uniform. At the Fort Myer, Virginia, military clothing sales store, for instance, an ACU top now sells for approximately $45. The pants sell for around $45 as well. A cap sells for about $8.

Soldiers will have about three years -- the time between the first availability of the uniform in military clothing sales in 2015 and the time they are required to wear it in 2018 -- to transition the contents of their clothing bag to the new look.

The new pattern is different, but visually compatible with what Soldiers wear now in Afghanistan. It does have the same acronym, however. In Afghanistan, Soldiers wear the “Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern,” called OCP for short. The new uniform pattern is also called OCP. “The Army is naming the pattern the Operational Camouflage Pattern to emphasize that the pattern’s use extends beyond Afghanistan to all combatant commands,” said one senior Army official in a July 31 press release.

The new pattern is borne from efforts to meet a 2009 directive by Congress to develop a camouflage uniform suitable for the Afghanistan environment. That initiative, along with Soldier feedback, led the Army to develop the Operational Camouflage Pattern.

As part of that program, the Army was directed to develop and evaluate camouflage patterns that will provide effective concealment in a wide variety of terrains and environments. The Operational Camouflage Pattern is a result of that effort. As part of the program two “bookend patterns”

Soldiers to get new camo uniform beginning next summer of OCP are being optimized and evaluated for possible use on Flame Resistant ACUs that would be worn by Soldiers deployed in either arid or heavily wooded terrains.

All organizational clothing and individual equipment, referred to as OCIE, such as MOLLE gear, protective vests, ruck sacks and plate carriers and non-flame resistant ACUs and will be offered in the OCP pattern only.

The Army has also said that following rigorous testing and evaluation, the OCP was proven “the best value for the Army. Soldier force protection and safety was the Army’s primary decision criteria,” a senior Army official said.

“The Army has selected a pattern as its base combat uniform camouflage pattern,” explained the official. “The Army has confirmed through testing that the pattern would offer exceptional concealment, which directly enhances force protection and survivability for Soldiers.”

The senior official said the Army’s adoption of OCP “will be fiscally responsible, by transitioning over time and simply replacing current uniforms and OCIE equipment as they wear out.”

Other changes that will be considered by the 2015 Army Uniform Board include: Elimination of the mandarin collar and replacement with a fold-down design.

Change of the infrared square identification for friend or foe, known as the IFF tab.

Removal of one of three pen pockets on the ACU sleeve.

Elimination of the drawstring on the trouser waistband.

These last four potential changes have not yet been approved but are being considered, according to PEO Soldier.

The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

MAINE SERVICE MEMBERS PAY TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN

By Spc. Adam Simmler

In the dark early hours of Sunday, Oct. 5, the quiet morning sunrise of Portland’s Back Bay was broken with the boom of a cannon, signaling the early start of the 2014 Maine Marathon, and the start of the Maine Marathon Tribute March.

name of a Maine’s fallen service members. Most soldiers who took part in the Tribute March carried, one, or more, stones all 26.2 miles through Portland, Cumberland and Yarmouth. Other soldiers attached picture-buttons to their ruck sacks adorned with photos of fallen soldiers.

Six miles in, at the first of three rest breaks, morale was high and the soldiers were in good spirits. “Everyone is all pumped up and ready to continue on,” said Spc. Paul Turner, a tracked vehicle repairer from Detachment 1, 152nd Component Repair Company.

“We care about our fallen soldiers and their families, and we’re glad to get out in the community and show that.”

In cooperation with The Summit Project, a Maine non-profit organization that honors Maine’s soldiers by carrying stones engraved with the

“Their support by marching like this is awesome,” said Peggy Dostie, mother of Sgt. Thomas Dostie, who was killed

in Mosul, Iraq, on December 21, 2004.

“You just can’t describe how it feels. It’s nice to see the people from the town of Portland come out all along the last mile to support us. To know that there is support from the community means so much.”

“This is really important,” said Pfc. Julian Smedberg-LeBlanc, an infantryman in B Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment. “It sends a good message, that we have people supporting the families of the fallen troops, it shows our dedication. We always push forward, we always honor the fallen, we never forget.”

Before the finish line, families of fallen Staff Sgt. Michael Darling crosses the finish line of the Maine Marathon at the head of more than 30 soldiers marching in memory of the 92 Maine service members killed in action since 2001. The Soldiers marched as part of the Maine Marathon Tribute March for 26.2 miles along the route of the Maine Marathon in Portland Sunday, Oct. 5.

Soldiers marching the Maine Marathon Tribute March were joined by families of fallen Maine service members at Payson Park in Portland, to walk the last two miles to the finish line. The 26.2 march along the route of the Maine Marathon pays tribute to the 92 Maine service members killed in action since the beginning of the global war on terror in 2001.

The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

IMAGE CAPTIONS

More than 30 soldiers and airmen of the Maine National Guard took part in the annual march to remember each of the ninety-two Maine service members killed in action since the beginning of the war on terror in 2001.

After a few more minutes of rest, filled with changing socks, adjusting packs and stretching muscles, the marchers continued on, ready to face the next leg of the trip.

soldiers met the marchers at Payson Park in Portland and walked side by side together for the last two miles of the marathon to the end of the journey.

New army physical fitness uniform

Result of Soldier Feedback

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new Army Physical Fitness Uniform will become available service-wide, beginning in October next year.

Its design is based on Soldier feedback, said Col. Robert Mortlock, program manager, Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

available workout clothes. They also had concerns with other things, particularly modesty issues with the shorts, especially in events like sit-ups. Those concerns were expressed by males as well as females.

The issue was of such concern that Soldiers were purchasing spandex-like under garments to wear beneath the trunks, Mortlock said.

By David Vergun

the IPFU. The APFU met the goal of controlling costs and improving performance by adopting lighter high tech moisture wicking fabric. The APFU introduces multiple sizes, including female sizing, and has solved the modesty issue, Mortlock said.

The fabric of the trunks will continue to be made with durable nylon fabric, but There’s a three-year phase-in program it is lighter than and not as stiff as the and the cost will be about $3 less than the IPFU trunks. Also, there will be a four-way current IPFU, or Improved Physical Fitness stretch panel inside the trunks, sort of like Uniform, he said.

Another issue was that there were not bicycle pants, which eliminates the need enough female sizes in the IPFU, he said, for Soldiers to purchase their own under The Army Physical Fitness Uniform, or meaning IPFUs that would fit all shapes garments. The trunks include a bigger key APFU, program was actually initiated and sizes. pocket and a convenient and secure ID because of Soldier feedback. A February card pouch.

2012 Army Knowledge Online survey of PEO Soldier worked closely with the some 76,000 Soldiers found that Soldiers Natick Soldier Research Development In all, some 34 changes were made to the had issues with the IPFU, he said. They liked and Engineering Center to develop new APFU, its durability but believed the IPFU’s textiles a new PT uniform that met Soldier had not kept pace with commerciallyconcerns but did not cost more than The APFU has five parts: the jacket and

34 Changes Made to Improved Uniform Available Service-Wide October 2015 pants which resemble warm ups, trunks or shorts, and the short- and long-sleeve T-shirts, he said. The ensemble is modular; meaning parts of the APFU can be mixed and matched, for example, short- or long-sleeve T-shirts with the pants or trunks.

During PT formations, the platoon sergeants will determine the appropriate combo.

Soldier feedback not only determined the form, fit and function of the APFU, it also determined its look. The Army made prototypes of the APFU in a variety of colors and designs and taken to a series of Soldier town halls at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Soldier feedback was solicited about the design features as well as the preferred color scheme.

Then, the Army launched a second AKO survey, in which more than 190,000 responded, Mortlock said. Soldiers overwhelmingly favored a black T-shirt with gold lettering and a black jacket with gold chevron and the Army logo.

Then it was on to testing.

About 876 Soldiers at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Join Base LewisMcChord, Fort Bragg, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Hood and Fort Jackson, South Carolina, wore the APFU during PT for a threemonth period, providing feedback on form, fit, comfort and so on, Mortlock said. The APFU also was tested for things like durability, laundering, fiber strength, color fastness and color maintenance after laundering.

A key part of testing addressed the concern of some Soldiers that a black shirt may cause over-heating. Instrumented tests showed that the lighter weight material and superior moisture wicking fabric more than compensated for any increased heat

from the dark material.

The response to the APFU was “overwhelmingly positive,” he said, particularly with the trunks.

Not only that, Soldiers said they wear the APFU on weekends and off-duty outside the installations, Mortlock said, adding that many said they wouldn’t wear the current IPFU off-duty.

That means communities across the country will soon see Army pride as Soldiers do their workouts.

The APFU will come in two types, the Clothing Bag variant, and the Optional APFU, which will be visually the same as the APFU Issue variant, but uses some different materials. The individual items of the two variants can be mixed together. The Optional APFU variant will become available first when it arrives in Army military clothing sales stores sometime between OctoberDecember 2014.

The Clothing Bag issue variant will be issued to Soldiers from the clothing initial issue points, starting between April to June 2015, and to Reserve, National Guard, and Senior ROTC from July-August 2015. The APFU will be phased in as the IPFUs are used up and worn out. The mandatory wear date will go into effect approximately October 2017, or about three years after the APFU is introduced.

In conclusion, Mortlock said the Army reached out to Soldiers at “multiple touch points to ensure we got this right. The message is we’re listening to Soldiers. We’re continuing to listen to Soldiers, and this is the Soldiers’ selection and Army leaders went along with this.”

The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

STAKES

by Spc. Adam Simmler For the 251st Sapper Company, the unit’s annual Sapper Stakes competition is a tradition many soldiers look forward to, a chance to pit their skills and training against other squads and find out who comes out on top. But for fresh soldiers in the unit, it’s a whole new experience.

“It’s been fun, it’s been physically demanding, stressful and mentally demanding,” said Dutile, a combat engineer from Plymouth and a first-time competitor. “The stakes are an opportunity to learn on the fly and see how squad leaders operate in command situations.”

The competition is designed to test the soldiers on the common tasks of a combat engineer, but in a stressful and physically demanding environment.

“It’s pretty tough, but it’s also fun,” said Pfc. Trevor Whitney, a combat engineer from Mechanic Falls, and a first-time competitor in the Sapper Stakes. “It helps you remember a lot of stuff you learned in training, and helps you to improve your awareness and your combat skills.”

The competition began on Friday, September 26 at the home armory of the sappers in Norway, Maine. Soldiers

and squads were tested on physical fitness, and engineering knowledge, followed by a hand to hand combatives event.

“We do anything they need us to do, counter-mobility, mobility, survivability basic engineering, and fighting as infantry,” said Pfc. Lewis Morton, a combat engineer from Casco, and a first-time competitor. “Those are our five tenants and we’re able to do pretty much anything the mission calls for.”

The next day, September 27, first platoon moved to the Auburn training site at Mount Apatite for a series of challenges, including a test on mountaineering knots and an Improvised explosive device detection lane. Though each event can be challenging, especially for soldiers new to the stakes, all the soldiers agree, the “X-run” event is the hardest.

“The hardest thing so far is the x-run,” said Dutile, “Trying to keep up with some of the fastest guys in your squad, trying to help out in the skill sets, whether it is vehicle maintenance or demolitions or knot tying, it’s really challenging.”

For the “X-run,” each squad starts at the bottom of Mount Apatite and must carry a sked litter loaded with 200-pounds of water and equipment 700 meters to a checkpoint at the top, stopping at skill test stations along the way. The tests include changing a tire on a HMMWV, weapons familiariza-

Left: Soldiers from 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, 251st Engineer Company, Maine Army National Guard pull a 200-pound sled to the top of Mount Apatite in Auburn as part of the unit’s Annual Sapper Stakes competition, Saturday, September 27 at the Auburn training site. The Sapper Stakes is a yearly unit competition to test each squad’s basic combat engineer tasks and skills. Some of the tasks included an improvised explosive device detection lane and knot tying. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Adam Simmler, 121st Public Affairs Detachment) Right: Staff Sgt. Abraham Lauze, from Lovell, and Spc. Jonathan Guillerault from Lyman, both combat engineers from the 251st Sapper Company, Maine Army National Guard, disassemble an MK19 grenade launcher during the weapons familiarization portion of the 2014 251st Engineer Company Sapper Stakes Competition, Saturday, September 27 at the Auburn Training Site. The Sapper Stakes is a yearly unit competition to test each squad’s basic combat engineer tasks and skills. Some of the tasks included an improvised explosive device detection lane, knot tying and a 200-pound sled pull, up Mount Apatite in Auburn. (U.S. Army National Guard photo

by Spc. Adam Simmler, 121st Public Affairs Detachment)

tion, assembling a series of demolition charges and map reading.

Despite the obstacles, the soldiers of the 251st stepped up to do what they do best, meet the challenge head on.

“Being a sapper unit, we are the best. Just being a part of the unit itself is an honor and it makes me try to be better,” said Morton. ”I know where I lack and I’m always going to come back next drill and try to be a better sapper.”

The Sapper Stakes is not just about training, but for firsttime competitors it’s a way to see the value in squad unity and strong leadership.

“Sapper Stakes fosters squad morale,” said Dutile. “At a basic level it’s how we function, it gives you squad cohesiveness, and to a certain degree it allows you to compete with other squads, but at the same time we’re also sharing knowledge with other squads. By competing with other squads you also built unit solidarity too.”

pretty tough, but it’s also fun and it helps a lot. Coming into a group of veterans, they know what they’re doing and if I have any questions, they don’t hesitate to answer and they go above and beyond to tell you what you need to know.”

The competition continues on Sunday in Norway, with a 10km ruck march and engineer reconnaissance tests.

Soldiers competing in the Sapper Stakes for the first time learn valuable lessons to build on for coming years, but not just for the competition, but for their careers as soldiers.

Dutile explains, “You fall right into place, your leadership is there to put you where you can do a job and where you can’t, they pick up the slack and show you how to improve.

As a combat unit, this is what we strive to do, and we’re proud that as a combat unit we come out here and we do hard things, we stress our bodies, we stress our minds, and we’re proud to do that.”

The competition gives new soldiers an opportunity for to learn from veteran soldiers in a fast-paced always changing environment. Whitney described his experience, “It’s The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

YOUR OPINION

FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD

UNIFORM CHANGES T

he Bayonet took to the streets to ask a few fellow Soldiers what they thought of the changes to the new Army Physical Fitness Uniform and the new Army Combat Uniform featuring the Operational Camoflauge Pattern (OCP).

Staff Sgt. Crystal Ryder 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

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Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Doyon 52nd Troop Command

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he coming ACU has some features I like and others I do not. I like that they are going to take the drawstring out, as they look unprofessional and can be seen hanging out of the uniform.

Removing the knee and elbow pad pockets are a great way to cut down cost. I do not agree with taking out the lower pockets. I question whether these changes are enhancing the ability for soldiers to perform their duties or just unnecessary desires that will cost the government more money.

he new ACU is a big improvement. It looks much better than the older grey digital uniform and should provide camouflage that is more effective. The current uniform only works if you lay down in the road.

I am glad to see they are replacing much of the hook and loop with buttons. This makes much more sense for longevity, financially and tactically. It is great to see the Army is listening to Soldier feedback and making the requested changes.

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he new APFU looks a lot sharper and more modern.

The identified changes will go a long way to ensure the uniform provides a better fit for our female and male Soldiers.

The new APFU appears to be more modest and made of higher quality materials. I think the only unfortunate part is during the drawdown we are buying new uniforms when our current one works fine. I would like to see this money spent military schooling and training instead.

feel the new APFU will enhance the Soldiers’ ability to exercise.

The current APFU seems to have some restrictions on the mobility of movement. With the moisture wicking properties it will also limit over heating of Soldiers.

The colors changing to black and the reflective material taken out will only lead to problems. Even though PT belts are worn for that purpose, Soldiers don’t always remember them.

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Maj. Christopher Elgee Recruiting and Retention Battalion

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like the ACU changes. I have the button-cuff, button-cargopocket ACUs now, and it’s a step forward. Having an effective camouflage pattern would be a HUGE improvement.

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or the APFU, I hope the new t-shirt will be more like the ones CrossFit gyms sell: much lighter and ACTUALLY moisture-wicking. I am glad they have dropped the quasi-reflective lettering as we are required to wear the reflective belts anyway.

Now if only I could find my old black cap.

W changes.

hat’s missing with these changes? A 10-year moratorium on more

The Bayonet

Vol. 2 // Issue 10

OPERATION

TIMBERHOOK II

By Sgt. 1st Class Peter D. Morrison

Soldiers of the Maine Army National Guard raced against the weather to conduct Operation Timberhook 2, October 31, at Baxter State Park by delivering much needed supplies and equipment to remote locations within the park.

Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation, and the 521st Troop Command Battalion, used eight UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and moved over 30 loads of equipment to sites difficult or impossible to reach by ground vehicle.

“We want to thank the Maine Army National Guard for the work they did last month, it saved over 250 Ranger hours hoisting those loads,” said a representative from the park.

The continued partnership with the Maine Guard and Baxter State Park provides a unique training opportunity for the units, “It is always very fulfilling as a commander to see all the very tired but excited soldiers as they tell all the war stories of the day they

just had. The intangible benefits to these types of events are immeasurable,” said Maj. Nathan Arnold, Commander, Company C. 1st Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment.

Crews trained on external load and hoist operations as well as load generation and receiving sling loads from the helicopters. The flight crews logged over 45 hours of flight time and flew into five different locations within the park, delivering supplies and removing debris.

The partnership between the crews and helicopters of the Maine Army National Guard and Baxter State Park goes back for decades; coordinating their efforts in emergency medical and rescue situations, to missions like Operation Timberhook.

The chaplain’s word T

he people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

(Isaiah 9:2-7, NIV) When I was in Basic Training, our drill sergeant taught us a lesson that I have not yet forgotten. We stood in the darkness of FT Dix at about 2200 hrs, looking across a blackened field; it was so dark you could not see the hand in front of your face. About 200 meters away, across the field and unknown to us, stood another

light) Where are you this year?

Where is your heart? When Isaiah wrote the words above, those that listened to him thought that God must be very far off and that there was little hope. However, it stood in the was just then that You may not darkness of FT Dix at God chose Isaiah realize this, but to speak to the Christmas was about 2200 hrs, looking Israelites, to give not always across a blackened field; it was them hope in the celebrated at darkest of times. the end of Deso dark you could not see the It is at these times, cember. It has hand in front of your both in our peroccupied several sonal lives and in our places around the face. “ history, that we must calendar, but has trust in God. He has always been pretty standardized kept His promises and He can be for over fifteen hundred years, a light for your and our salvation. at least in the West. One of the reasons that December 25th was The days will get brighter and chosen, is that from that day Christmas and Hanukah (the forward, the days get longer and festival of light) are reminders of longer (actually, this occurs on the light that only God can give. the first day of winter, the 21st, God Bless You and Keep you; but it only becomes apparent to Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy the naked eye on the 25th). The Hanukah, and a blessed New first day of winter is the darkest Year. day of the year. And it is near that day that we celebrate the light of the Messiah. Only when Chaplain (Col.) Andy Gibson it is darkest can you see how Joint Forces Headquarters striking that light is, and only Maine, Chaplain when you trust can you notice the lengthening of days. drill sergeant, unseen. The next moment, that far away drill sergeant lit a cigarette and though he was far away and the flame was small, we could see “We him as if it were day.

This can be a dark time for many of us. Christmas can remind us not only of fond memories, but also of loss and also those who cannot be with us. For some, we experience the sadness of Seasonal Affective Disorder (getting depressed by the lack of sun-

The Inspector General on “Ethics”

By Lt. Col. John Beatty, State Inspector General

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thics are the moral principles that guide a person’s or group’s behavior. Ethics provide the moral compass on what one should or should not do based on what is determined to be right or wrong.

The Adjutant General conducted a “Commander’s Call” to discuss the important topic of ethics with his senior leadership in November. Topics included gifts and gratuities, misuse of government equipment, personal conduct, procurement activities, misuse of government funds, and more.

For most units, the ethics counselor is a Judge Advocate General officer. Maj. Peter Black is the Maine National Guard ethics counselor, and is responsible for educating the command and advising the Adjutant General on matters of ethics.

While not officially ethics counselors, Inspector Generals, as part of their mission to “teach and train” and as a result of the types of cases they typically receive, tend to be in the business of helping commanders understand what they should or should not do, according to the appropriate regulations and policies.

A large number of allegations across the entire Inspector General system are violations of DoD Directive 5500.7-R, The Joint Ethics Regulation; AR 600-20, Army Command Policy; AR 600100, Army Leadership; or personal conduct in violation of the UCMJ or appropriate state laws and codes of military justice.

Some examples include: a. Accepting gifts and gratuities in violation of the Joint Ethics Regulation.

• Expensive meals from contractors.

• Expensive departure and retirement gifts. b. Misuse of government equipment and employees in violation of the Joint Ethics Regulation.

• Requiring dining facility personnel to cater social functions.

• Using government property or personnel to support private organizations.

• Using dining facility food for change of command receptions or award ceremonies.

• Requiring a secretary to make personal vacation travel arrangements.

• Using a driver for personal errands. c. Personal conduct in violation of AR 600-20, AR 600-100, UCMJ, and the Joint Ethics Regulation.

• Adultery.

• Improper relationship.

• Sexual harassment.

• Public drunkenness.

• Fraternization with subordinates.

• Verbal abuse of civilians or soldiers. d. Procurement activities in violation of the Joint Ethics Regulation.

• Committing the government to an acquisition without contract authority.

• Improperly influencing the acquisition process.

• Giving “inside information” to selected contractors. e. Misuse of aircraft or vehicles.

• Domicile-to-duty transportation.

• Unauthorized use by spouses.

• Use of sedan or aircraft for personal errands.

• Transporting personal items on military aircraft.

• Supporting private organizations without authority. f. Misuse of government funds.

• Using appropriated funds for unauthorized purposes.

• Diverting government funds for personal use.

• Claiming pay for duty not performed (drill).

• Going TDY principally to conduct personal business or private association business.

• Claiming POV mileage when transported by government sedan.

• Claiming per diem when not in TDY status. g. Abuse of position or authority • Inadequate or improper response to a subordinate’s impropriety, i.e., cover-up or whitewash • Coercion (or the perception of coercion) to join a private organization.

• Disregarding regulatory requirements for hiring, assigning, and firing subordinates.

• Using inappropriate language (cursing) at, or in the presence of, subordinates.

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t is important to note that this information – what NOT to do – is important for all members of the command, not just our senior leaders and commanders. Not only are each of us on our own path toward those senior positions, but we are also the team members on whom Commanders rely for advice, guidance and a final “double-check” before making their decisions. We owe it to them to know the regulations.

For more information about the State Inspector General office and on how to make a complaint, go to: http://www.me.ngb.army.mil/ig/filing-a-complaint.aspx or email: ng.me.mearng.list.staff-ig@mail.mil, or call (207) 430-6068.

You can also visit the office on the second floor, west corner of Building 7, Camp Keyes, Augusta, Maine 04333.

the Vol 2 // Issue 10

BAYONET