The Rolling Review 821st Transportation Battalion
APRIL 2012
233D TC
411th TC DET LSV-5
129th TC
1452nd TC “Rough Riders”
481st TC DET LCU 2018
824th TC DET LCU 2002
“SAIL ARMY”
“SAND DEVILS”
ISSUE SIX
651st THOD
548th TC DET LSV 8
821st Local Reconnaissance: “
Army Divers”
On Mar. 29, 2012, Soldiers from the 569th Dive Engineer Detachment boarded the Land Cruising Utility 2018 to sail about 12 miles away from Kuwait Navel Base to commence in a Deep Sea Diving exercise. This detachment is stationed out of Ft. Eustis Virginia and falls under the command of the 1/34th Brigade Special Troop Battalion. Their detachment is led by Company Commander Capt. Brett Evans and 1st Sgt Earnest Vance. The training that took place was called a hose stretching exercise because the divers dive about 70 feet underwater using a hose that is connected to the 60 lbs of gear they wear. While sink1st Sgt Earnest Vance explains the funcing to the sea bottions of the dive equipment to the visiting tom, Divers wear a party. helmet that weighs about 30 lbs and has a communication device encased in the helmet. The master diver feeds a scenario to the divers underwater and they have to react accordingly to the scenario. These 2nd class ranked divers have to go through a rigorous 7 month long Advanced Individual Training before even hitting the real waves. After their 7 month long A.I.T., divers then have to go to an additional 3 month course before gaining the title of 1st class diver and another 6 weeks to become a master diver. All certification training for these levels are done in Panama City, FL at the Navy Dive School Salvage Training Center. During the dive, a few of the problems divers have to be aware of are Decompression Sickness category I and II, Pulmonary Over inflation Syndrome and Arterial Gas Embolism. Decompression sickness also known as Divers’ Disease is when gases are dissolved into the body tissue which turns into bubbles and causes sickness upon decompression. This sickness can be cured by divers entering a recompression chamber which is used to eliminate any extra gases accumulated in the blood from going to high in the Diver’s recompression tank air or to deep in the water. This illness can also lead to an arterial gas embolism which is when a huge bubble of air formed in the body and travels to the brain or the heart causing either a stroke or heart attack. Lastly, pulmonary over inflation syndrome results from a diver overexerting themselves underwater while inhaling which can
Story and Photos by Spc Leticia Samuels
lead to popping a hole in the lungs (Ouch!). With these serious problems that can arise, divers are very cautious when it comes to anything in the water whether it is training or a real mission. W hen the training exercise on the LCU 2018 started, Divers set up near the front end ramp of the ship, and began to don their gear which consists of a full long sleeve wetsuit, a 10 lb air tank, a 30 lb helmet and a knife attached to their ankle. During the first dive, Col. Eric Kerska, Brigade Commander of the 1/34th BSTB, joined in on the action and took a swim with the assistance of Capt. Brett Evans doing a familiarization dive. Two divers would go in at one time and a standby diver would remain on the deck just in case of emergency along with other critical staff members, i.e. medic and master diver. After divers donned their gear, the NCOIC of the training gives a Tenders help Diver’s into the water and brief to ensure that assist in the descent to the sea floor. everyone knows their jobs while the dive is going on. Then the divers do an equipment check to ensure everything is in proper working order. Diver’s move to the end of the ramp and jump into the water and are guided to the sea bed by Tenders who are divers that hold the hoses connected to the helmets. They do this to make sure divers in the water don’t sink to the bottom to fast and to help the divers ascend back to the top.
Col. Eric Kersaka enjoys the rays of the sun after his decend to the ocean’s sea bed.
Long Range Reconnaissance
Chief Wash’s European Vacation
Story and Photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr
TRAVEL King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle opened to the public in 1886. Built as his private refuge, the shy king had the castle built to withdraw from public life. Today Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular of all the places and castles in Europe and is visited by 1.3 million people each year. This year they can add the Wash family to their numbers. It was sometime in November when the idea first hit me. Seemed like a perfect plan at the time. How hard could it possibly be to coordinate with my family in the States a vacation to Europe’s Bavaria? The idea conjured up long buried memories of my military tour in Germany 30 years before. I could once again hear the oompa bands playing, the clinking of huge beer steins, laughter, toasts, tubas and horns. “Ein bier bitte” (One beer, please) was my mantra then. Drinking, dancing and arm wrestling for beer from the dimly lit beer halls to brightly colored volksfest tents, each win bringing me even more beer to drink. Boy, could I put down the challenger then. I was 18 and attached to the 3rd Infantry Division as a recovery operator in a mechanized infantry company. The 1/30th INF was heavily reliant on the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier and surrounded by M60 tanks and soldiers of the 2nd Armor. Tankers were quite the different breed of Soldier than us “grunts,” but in the beer halls and the gasthauses one could not decipher between infantry and tanker, all of whom imagined themselves as crusaders against the mighty hammer and sickle, conquerors of communism and protectors of the keepers of the Heffeweissen, the golden brown drink of the gods. The more we would drink the more we would cheer, “More ale for my men for we ride in the morn!” “Hello, can you focus here?” The voice that suddenly cancelled my memory lane trip was that of my wife who was waiting on the phone for me to answer some question that obviously got lost in my thoughts. “Ugh!” She grunted, knowing full well that I had not been paying attention. “Do we want a rental car the whole time, part of the time, the first week, the last week?” she asked again. Me, I wanted to play it by ear, find out when we got there and live on the edge, but there were deals to consider. “If you plan ahead you could save money,” she said. Jean Wash ha
s no time The same line of questioning and type of decisions had to be made for the room at Edelfor my shenanigans . weiss Lodge and Resort, the many tours that were offered, and the too-expensive-but-nothingwe-could-really-do-about-it plane tickets. Decide early and save, seemed to be one of the key factors in the initial planning. Honestly, my very smart, beautiful and thrifty wife did most of the work. But no matter what, it was probably going to be the most expensive vacation we would ever take. We wanted our money’s worth and we wanted to be sure that our four dependents would benefit from the trip. The goal was to make memories and experience a spectacular, historic country where the dates on buildings were carved into the cornerstones or over the doorway, under the watchful eyes of granite gargoyles during the times of Knights and Kings. We would not be disappointed.
Local Reconnaissance:
Story and Photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr
Long Range Reconnaissance (Continued from previous page)
TRAVEL
Nestled at the foot of the looming Zugspitze, The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort features 330 rooms and suites, a conference center, three restaurants with a variety of American and German dishes, and a fitness center including a sauna and pool. The Edelweiss also owns the Hausberg Lodge, a ski rental facility and ski school located next to the cable car station at the base of the Hausberg mountain.
The Edelweiss Military Resort was an expansive fully featured resort hotel with spectacular views and access to the Alps. As a vacationing, deployed military member, the first savings came from a program that allowed 40% off the price of the room and food that was eaten in any of the resort’s restaurants. With dependents aged 13 to 22, and four of them to boot, the food savings was a great deal. Most of our in-house meals were at the
The buffet had almost everything you could ask for.
Heffeweissen and Prime Rib. Oh Yeah!
Elegance and old world charm abound.
buffet style Market Station Restaurant; the choices were plentiful and tasty. We didn’t have to worry about going hungry as there were other food offerings, from sandwiches, wraps and chips at The Point Snack Bar, burgers, pizzas and steaks at Zuggy’s Base Camp (bar and grill), and a more traditional and classy choice of entre at Pullman Place, the upscale restaurant of the hotel and the one inhouse dining option that we didn’t experience.
a monoof the lobby is e ec pi er nt ce arth. The with a 4 foot he lithic fireplace
We used the lodge as a sort of home base for our sightseeing plans. We slept there, ate breakfast and then met in the expansive lobby where one of the American staff members would beckon a cab to whisk us to the train or bus station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the town surrounding the resort. The front desk .
Long Range Reconnaissance Local Reconnaissance: (Continued (Continued from from previous page)
From the train station it was about a 90-minute ride to Munich where you could walk around visiting the many shops, coffee houses and numerous historical landmarks.
As the Bavarian government of kings and queens was founded on the cornerstone of Christian worship, Munich, as well as most Bavarian cities and towns, abound with ornate 16th and 17,th century churches. but the religious influences of the architecture can be seen in government and residential buildings as well, with their intricately carved statues, to the paintings that adorned the facades of individual homes. The Neu Rathaus (New Town Hall), which actually looked older than the original Rathaus, was the home of what might be considered the pearl of Munich, the Glockenspiel. Constructed in 1908 the glockenspiel consists of 43 bells and 30 or so figures and reenacts two stories from the 16th century, one being the story of the Munich’s Duke Wilhelm V’s marriage to Renata of Lorain, replete with life size figures and two jousting knights. The blue and white night represents Bavaria while a red and white knight represents Lothringen. It is no spoiler to learn here that the
Munich
Story and Photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr
red and white night is unseated during the joust, proclaiming the Bavarian knight the winner. Bravo! The bottom half tells the story of the Coopers Dance or Scafflertanz. According to myth, 1517 was a year of plague in Munich. The coopers are said to have defiantly danced through the streets to overcome the fearful dispositions that settled among the population. Their dance came to symbolize perseverance and loyalty to Duke Wilhelm through difficult times and is traditionally performed in Munich every seven years and during the Fasching (Carnival) that officially begins in most regions of Germany November 11th at 11:11. (11/11 11:11) I will take a guess that last year’s Fasching had to be special given that it would have been 11/11/11 11:11, something that can only happen once every 100 years. It should also be noted that German nobleman, Duke Wilhelm V founded the world famous Hofbrauhaus, a huge beer hall with, authentic German cuisine, kegs of beer, St. Pauli Girl looking biermaidens, authentic music, and a wall of stein vaults where the regulars store their favorite beer stein under lock and key between visits. Did I say he was my favorite Duke? Well, to speak it would be unnecessary.
Long Range Reconnaissance Local Reconnaissance: (Continued from previous page)
Story and Photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr
SIGHTSEEING From our home base we hopped trains and eventually drove to dozens of sights. We visited Innsbrook, Austria, Wurzburg and many small towns in between. The Bus transit system was equally efficient and comfortable and you could board the busses at the train station. We took the bus to the Castle Linderhof on what was probably the only drizzly day that we had. In our rental van, our personal tour guide, the TOM-TOM GPS device, took us to the castles of King Ludwig at Nauschwanstein , Hohenschwangau and the medieval town of Rothenburg where you could walk around a romantically medieval city on the walls surrounding it, stepping back in time as your footfalls landed on those taken by the ancient knights who once patrolled its perimeter. We rented bikes at the MWR and rode around the local towns, which have many sights to see and plenty of bike trails to get you there. Where there are no trails you have to ride with the traffic. It was bit unnerving to me trying to keep everyone together on some of the more busy roads through Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but the stress was worth it as we rode through the town among the jewelry box looking bungalows nestled in the valley, surrounded by snow covered mountains. It was breathtaking at times and quite advantageous to the family photographer. Elegance and old world charm abound.
Long Range Reconnaissance Local Reconnaissance: (Continued from previous page)
NEW HEIGHTS Story and Photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr
Another day, about a 20-minute walk from the lodge over a flat level asphalt trail, and then a 10-minute cogwheel train ride later, we found ourselves at the Glacier Cable Car. This was the tram that would take us to the top of the Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Bavaria. The tram takes about eight minutes to make the 2900-meter climb to the peak. Once there you can ski and snowboard, or settle in a chair overlooking the entire mountain range and order up lunch or dinner and, of course, more beer. We found it amazing that the sun was bright and the temperature was in the mid 50’s as we walked across the frozen mountain or out on the observation platform where the photo opportunities were endless. The only regret of the day was that we decided to take the Cogwheel Train down the mountain. It was comfortable enough, but was probably three times as long as the ride up and most of the journey was spent travelling through tunnels. Not much to see in a tunnel. My recommendation to anyone who takes this tour; go up and come back down in the cable car for a more spectacular viewing of what Elegance and old world charm abound. quite possibly might be the most majestic of mountain ranges. Two of our brave family adventurers opted for a tandem paraglide tour above the mountaintops. The trips can be scheduled in the Alpine Adventure shop in the lobby of the Edelweiss.
Behind that handsome Warrant Officer and his family is the Summit Cross placed at the 2,962 meter peak of the Zugspitze in 1851.
Long Range Reconnaissance
Local Reconnaissance: (Continued from previous page)
WINDING DOWN Story and Photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr
There were so many trips to take. We could have gone to Bolzano, Italy, or taken some of the many bus tours to countries like Lichtenstein, but we also wanted time to relax as a family as well. The Edelweiss offers free wireless Internet that is fairly fast. With iPhones, iPods, an iPad, and a couple of laptops, we had plenty enough devices to keep us connected. Still, the hotel does host a cafe that offers desktops, a fax, printer and scanner in case you need to get down to a little business during your stay. After our day trips we would wind down sitting in the common area that was on a huge second floor balcony that faced the Zugspitze and the two main ski runs. On occasion, our fully engrossed children of the Internet age would actually look up from their devices and take in the splendor of the view in front of them. Other lackadaisical down time would find my wife and daughter in front of the huge hearth and a blazing fire, sitting in one of the many rocking chairs placed just for that purpose. There was a gym, a pool and a steaming hot Jacuzzi and our room was more than sufficiently packed with televisions, a coffee maker, comfortable furniture and bedding. Because of the size of my family I ended up with one of the Junior Suites. It cost more world charm abound. than I really wantedElegance to spend,and butold it was large enough to give everyone the space they needed during the two-week stay, a necessary evil to promote harmony as well as sanity.
Eventually our trip came to an end. My flight was scheduled to depart two hours after my family’s flight so I got the opportunity to see them off, rather than the norm, them watching me walk away. As I spent my last few Euro’s on a bratwurst, and what would be my last, tall, dark, golden, Heffeweissen beer in a sparkling crystal glass with a flotilla of carbonated foam and a bit of dancing yellow lemon peeking through the off-white suds that glistened with droplets of the fermented elixir awaiting my taste buds, (ahh!) I contemplated what we had done over the last 14 days. Our mission was complete. We know that it was also a success. We spent two great fun filled weeks taking in historical and beautiful scenery, taking hundreds of photos and making memories together. We stood on the tallest mountain in Germany as a family, feeling very akin to the Von Trapp Family Singers made famous in the Broadway hit play and movie, Sound of Music. At one point my beautiful, smart and thrifty wife, who had threatened to make us escape over the Alps dressed in Lederhosen to reenact the final scene in the Hollywood production, even broke into her own rendition of the famous Rogers and Hammerstein song of the same name. Unlike Julie Andrews, her slightly off key version finished to a fairly cold family reception. Ah, another memory made. One that I’m sure will not soon be forgotten. But then again, that’s what it was all about. END
Dachau Concentration Camp Local Reconnaissance Dachau, Germany
Story by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr and from internet sources. Story Photos SPCJr. Leticia Samuels Photos by and Kenneth M by Wash
This month sees the observance of the annual commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Days, Established by congress as National Days of Remembrance, and known in Hebrew by the name Yom Hashoah. This month Remembrance Day falls on April 19th 2012. While on vacation in Germany I visited one of the more well known camps with my oldest son. Our trip was a somber look at some of the darker days in the recent history of mankind. The Holocaust began with the rise of the Nazis to power. In 1933, the Jewish population of Europe stood at over nine million. Most European Jews lived in countries that Nazi Germany would eventually occupy or influence during World War II, and by 1945, the Germans and their collaborators killed nearly two out of every three European Jews as part of what was termed, the "Final Solution," the Nazi policy to systematically eradicate the Jews of Europe. Although Jews, whom the Nazis deemed a priority danger to Germany, were the primary victims of Nazi racism, there were other victims as well. At least 200,000 mentally or physically disabled patients, mainly Germans, living in institutional settings, were killed in the so-called Euthanasia Program. As Nazi tyranny spread across Europe, the Germans and their collaborators persecuted and executed millions of other people. Between two and three million Soviet prisoners of war were killed or died of starvation, disease, neglect, or maltreatment. The Germans targeted the non -Jewish Polish intelligentsia for killing, and deported millions of Polish and Soviet civilians for forced labor in Germany or in occupied Poland, where these individuals worked and often died under deplorable conditions. From the earliest years of the Nazi regime, German authorities persecuted others whose behavior did not match prescribed social norms. German police officials targeted thousands of political opponents including Communists, Socialists, trade unionists and religious dissidents such as Jehovah's Witnesses. Many of these individuals died as a result of incarceration and maltreatment at any one of numerous concentration camps, most notably Auschwitz and Dachau.
The view of the front entrance to Dachau. A sight seen by roughly 206,000 people. Most would only see this side once.
All that remains of the rail dock. Rail cars carrying prisoners to and from Dachau stopped here for loading and unloading.
Left, one of the guard towers. Right, a pillbox where machine gunners would take up positions.
Dachau Concentration Camp Dachau, Germany
(Continued)
Story by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr and from internet sources. Photos by Kenneth M Wash Jr.
Dachau served as a prototype and model for the other Nazi concentration camps that followed. Almost every community in Germany had members taken away to these camps. Newspapers continually reported "the removal of the enemies of the Reich to concentration camps." The entrance gate to this concentration camp carries the words "Arbeit macht frei," meaning simply, "work makes (one) free." Dachau camp was in use from 1933 to 1960, the first twelve years as an internment center of the Third Reich. From 1933 to 1938 the prisoners were mainly German nationals detained for political reasons. Subsequently the camp was used for prisoners of all sorts from every nation occupied by the forces of the Third Reich. After the war, from 1945 through 1948, the camp was used as a prison for SS officers awaiting trial. After 1948 the German population expelled from Czechoslovakia were housed there and it was also a base of the United States. It was closed in 1960 and thereafter, at the insistence of ex-prisoners, various memorials began to be constructed there. Over its twelve years as a concentration camp, the Dachau administration recorded the intake of 206,206 prisoners and 31,951 deaths. Crematoria were constructed to dispose of the deceased. There is no evidence of mass murder within the Dachau Camp. Though it is claimed that in 1942 more than 3166 prisoners in weakened condition were transported to Hartheim Castle near Linz and there they were executed by poison gas by reason of their unfitness. The same research warns that even according to Holocaust archivists in Jerusalem, survivor testimony is notoriously unreliable. Together with the much larger Auschwitz, Dachau has come to symbolize the Nazi concentration camps to many people. Konzentrationslager (KZ) Dachau lives in public memory as having been the second camp to be liberated by British or American forces. Accordingly, it was one of the first places where these camps were exposed to the rest of the world through firsthand journalist accounts and through newsreels. Although never used, the gas chamber on Dachau was intentionally mislabeled as “Shower room” to lull the prisoners into a false sense of calm.
The entrance gate to the concentration camp. The words mean “Work Makes (one) Free.”
The International Monument at the Dachau Memorial Site was formally dedicated in September 1968. The photo above shows the sculpture created by Nandor Glid who was once interned there.
Inside the crematorium. The original crematorium had only two furnaces, eventually a second building with four furnaces was built.
Soldier Spotlight PAO Adventures:821st MLK Day 5 K Run/Walk
Jacob Weishaar In Remembrance Soldier Spotlight from of Martin theSpc 821st Luther HHD King Jr. Story By Spc Leticia Samuels
Spc Jacob Weishaar, of the 821st Transportation Corps Battalion is under the spotlight this month for his personnel importance to the battalion. Weishaar is a 42A for the Army from Atchison, KS. Weishaar is a morale booster for Soldiers because when Soldiers come to his office, he helps prepare the most precious gift during a deployment; their rest and relaxation packet for two weeks to anywhere in the world. Weishaar is also in charge of keeping Soldiers’ noncommissioned officers evaluation reports accurate for Soldiers to use in their promotion packets and also picks up and gives out mail. Weishaar has put in four years of service thus far. “ I took a break from college after I was done playing football, and decided I needed a change and stumbled blindly into the Army,” said Weishaar. While still undecided on whether he wants to retire, one of Weishaar’s closer aspirations are to become an noncommissioned officer and complete his college degree. Weishaar loves fishing, playing sports, working out, and playing video games in his leisure time. He has been won over by the new time author Suzanne Collins and “The Hunger Games” as her work. After being in a car accident the nearly claimed his life, he now lives by this quote: “for me, life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer.” Weishaar says that he enjoys life more and spends more time with family and friends because tomorrow is never promised.
PAO Adventures: MLK Day 5 K Run/Walk In Remembrance Soldier Spotlight from of Martin the 821st Luther HHD King Jr. 821st Soldier Spotlight
Sgt 1st Class Tammy Miller Story By Spc. Leticia Samuels
This month’s Soldier Spotlight is brought to you by Sand Devil Productions. The spotlight is being shined on Sgt. 1st Class Tammy Miller. Miller now resides in Bartlesville, OK, but was born in Columbus, KS. This “once-a-Marine-always-a-Marine” noncommissioned officer now plays a vital role in the coordinating and enrolling soldiers in training for the 821st Transportation Corps Battalion. Miller’s main focus covers an array of tasks such as tracking the order of the merit list for Warrior Leadership courses, enrolling soldiers in classes here such as Combatives level I and II, and Combat Lifesaver Courses. She also administers and documents physical training tests to Soldiers. Miller possesses three MOS’s, 42A (administration), 88M (transportation), and 92A (supply), which makes her versatile. After leaving the Marine Corps for a short period of time, Miller was moved to re-join the armed forces after witnessing the 9/11 disaster; only this time, she picked the Army as her branch to rejoin the fight. “I had been in the [Marine Corps] and missed the service and camaraderie,” she said. After entering the Army, she was deployed on a year-long tour to Spin Buldak, Afghanistan, and was promoted to sergeant first class. She was then attached to the 821st TCBN and deployed again to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and is now working on her 19th year of service. While currently employed with Lowe’s back home, Miller has a Bachelors’ in human resources and is working on finishing her Masters’ in business administration. She said that her three dogs, Jesse, Shady, and Bizkit, and two cats, Stryker and Havoc, are her kids. “They keep me enlightened because you never know what’s going to happen next,” said Miller. She also enjoys surfing on internet, fishing, gambling, and camping. Her favorite authors are John Grisham and David Baldacci and definitely pushes her own quote “If you can, help others; If you can’t do that, at least don’t harm them.”
233D Transportation Company Capt. Robin Wharton
By 1LT Sean Chang Detachment OIC
The 233d Transportation Company continues to press on in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. Despite the fractured appearance of the unit, the 233d continues to maintain high spirits and sense of cohesion as Capt. Wharton and 1st Sgt. Montoya conduct battlefield circulation to all the various Forward Operating Bases. Although the 233d is just shy of 90 days to redeployment, the Soldiers of the company drive on with the same determination since arriving in country. I would also like to recognize Sgt. Lashon Kinnel for winning the Steel Warrior of the Week for his actions during the Camp Arifjan security exercise. Through his quick decisive actions, Sgt Kinnel was able to setup defensive positions within 15 minutes of the alert. No matter what, the 233d will continue to move forward and accomplish the mission.
By Staff Sgt James Taylor
1st Sgt Kerstin Montoya
Detachment NCOIC
Another month has passed for the 233d Transportation Company and the Soldiers continue to drive forward. We are getting closer to the end of our tour, but that does not slow down the operations we must conduct. The Soldiers still continue the missions in Afghanistan and the unit is preparing all of the equipment for redeployment. As always, the Soldiers remain resilient through all the challenges that are put in front of them. This has been the time where our leaders have shown their true strengths. With our Soldiers spread across the region, our noncommissioned officers and officers have shown that they are truly dedicated to the mission and welfare of the Soldiers in their teams. With the temperatures rising, we know that we are a little closer to the end of the year long deployment. We have already begun coordinating with the FRG’s to ensure a smooth transition as we head home. We are all looking forward to coming home to our families. And finally, congratulations to Sgt. Ketter for making cut-off for promotion to Staff Sergeant!
“HEAVY TRUCK”
233D Transportation Company Changing Views Story and photos by 1lt Sean Chang BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN – The Soldiers of the 233d Transportation Company, 821st Transportation Battalion, continue to conduct operations all through Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation New Dawn (OND). For all the sustainers of the 233d Transportation Company, the days of preparing for convoy missions has come to an end, but now they are assisting the yards where they used to download equipment: the retrograde yards. The Soldiers now supervise, manage, facilitate and assist in the retrograde of equipment in forward operating bases located all through Afghanistan. The job is very different from anything that the 233d has done in the past. As a Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) Company, the unit has a very unique place in the Armed Forces. With only four Active Duty units and a handful of Reserve and National Guard units, HET companies have been in constant rotation moving equipment into – then later on out of – the battlefield. Since the need for these units has been severely cut back, the Soldiers had little left to do. Then orders came down to support retrograde operations in the OEF Theater of operation. The kicker was that they would no longer be driving, but managing the retro sort yards throughout Afghanistan to support a second drawdown. For many of the Soldiers, it is a completely new experience and a great chance to learn more than their original military occupancy specialty; 90 percent of the Soldiers in the 233d are wheeled vehicle operators and mechanics. Now they are able to branch out and receive on-the-job training on equipment inventory, turn-in, issuing and all the tricks of the trade that supply sergeants and Department of the Army Civilians typically address. “In my four deployments I drove and commanded trucks, but now I am working on a different side of things and I think it will really help me later on in my career to be able to say that I have done these things and know about them,” said Sgt. Cory Hamilton, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator from Hastings, Mi. Hamilton is currently a Mobile Redistribution Property Accountability Team (MRPAT) leader, tasked with facilitating the turn-in and issuing of equipment for Units that are deploying or re-deploying. The Soldiers of the 233d Transportation Company continue grow and adapt to the ever changing landscape of the Army. As the reduction in the Armed Forces continues make its presence felt, the sustainers of the 233d continue to make themselves relevant by taking on challenging new tasks and mastering them.
Staff Sgt. Eric Torres, a squad leader and Mobile Redistribution Team Leader from Puerto Rico, helps setup a tent to create more “office space” for himself and his co-workers.
Sgt. Brian Pointer, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator from Ft. Knox, Ky., discusses how to setup a tent in the snow.
“HEAVY TRUCK”
233D
233D Soldier Spotlight Sgt Lashon KinnelCompany Transportation Story By 1Lt Sean Chang
From the active duty side of the house, the 821st Transportation Corps Battalion has spotted Sgt Lashon M. Kinnel. Sgt Kinnel is part of the 233D Transportation Company and originally from Troy, Ohio. This noncommissioned officer has two MOS’: 92G, a food specialist, and 74D, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist. At Camp Arifjan, he serves as the Assistant Dining Facility Fire Marshall, Training NCO, Container Manager and Environmental Specialist for the Zone 1 DFAC. He also serves as the retention NCO for his unit. At home, he is stationed at Fort Knox, KY, and assigned as the Food Service Manager, the CBRN NCOIC, the Secondary Retention, Fire Marshall, and Ability Group A instructor for physical training. Kinnel said that he joined the Army to better his life and has now accomplished being an honor grad from his AIT class, Air Assault School, making the WLC Commandant’s list, ALC Commandants list, and has deployed four times. He has 11 years of service on his side and plans to retire from the Army. On the civilian side of his life, he has completed one semester of college so far and is the father of 13 month-old Elin Kinnel. He is engaged to Lindsey Cooper and enjoys basketball, gaming, shooting pool, weight lifting, and running in his spare time. This ambitious Soldier has applied the quote “to do a common thing uncommonly well brings success” by Henry John Heinz to his life and has accomplished many great acts and will
“HEAVY TRUCK”
continue to strive for excellence.
1452nd Transportation Company
Maj. Teonnie Dotson It’s hard to believe that the final chapter in our book has almost come to an end. We only have a few more months before returning to the States. It seemed like this day would never come when we first began our preparation for deployment. The Soldiers are anxiously counting as we approach our final destination to be reunited with our families again. Our CET team is doing an outstanding job representing the 1452nd Transportation Company and 821st BN in Afghanistan. They are traveling the dangerous roads and have successfully completed six missions to date. Our prayers continue to be with them as they complete their missions and safely return to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The company is currently undertaking a new sport to increase morale. We have three softball teams in the Camp Arifjan league. Come out and provide support and join in on the fun!
Master Sgt. Michael Speed There’s not a whole lot to talk about this month. Most of the unit is tasked out on various details. The Soldiers have done a wonderful job of completing every task that was given to them. Every Soldier I talked to seems ready to go home. It has been a long year for some Soldiers. They have had a lot to deal with, from babies being born to deaths in the family. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of Soldiers to work with. I would like to thank everyone for their support since I have become 1st Sgt. I could not do this job without my platoon sergeants, squad leaders and all other Soldiers in the company.
“ROUGH RIDERS”
m
1452nd Transportation Company “One Step Closer”
Story and photo by Sgt. Odaliska Almonte
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – With a portion of the company redeployed to Afghanistan, and the rest tasked out for various duties here, the 1452nd Transportation Company is preparing for their next duty station: home. The personnel (S1) and supply (S4) sections are working on the return home so they can get ahead of the game. As the 1452nd gets ready to leave, the administrative section is making sure that all Soldiers are awarded either an Army Achievement, Army Component Achievement, Meritorious Service, or, at the highest level, the Bronze Star Medal. What many don’t realize is that the process is not only lengthy, but is also arduous work. To top it off, the S1 department only consists of five people to take care of almost 300 Soldiers. Staff Sgt. Dione West and Pfc Alexandra Hammonds were two Soldiers trying to complete such a task in one month. They were able to complete every award in record time. Once the team was reinforced with Spcs. Michael Lilly, Jeffery Mims, and Larry Powell, Pfc. Lisa Mullins, and Sgt. Kishon Ward, the process of getting ready for demobilization became easier. The team’s goal is to make the demobilization process effortless for all Soldiers.
plete their tasks before the redeployment home. Sgt. Adela Gomez and Sgt. Ferrell Reynolds came in to assist the S4 crew, but there were other Soldiers who would simply show up to help, such as Staff Sgt. William Berry and Staff Sgt. Edward Vogler. Collecting equipment from Soldiers is no easy task: there are steps to make sure that all equipment is properly turned in and accounted for. The Soldiers display their equipment while the S4 representative verifies everything the Soldier brings is present on their supply records and not damaged. The Soldier then signs the equipment over to the S4, who then has to count the total equipment turned in, checking the numbers with property books. All communication equipment must be turned in, too. This process is a little more tedious as there are many small parts of the equipment that must be checked and accounted for separately. The Supply department then has to prepare a freight container, known as a “connex” here, to store the equipment to be shipped back to North Carolina. This requires a customs check to make sure everything packed meets customs standards and regulations.
Under the direction of West, the team has prepared each Soldier’s mobilization packet, with all information required for the demobilization station. Along with the many responsibilities of the S1, the office must also ensure that all medical records are updated and completed before the unit’s return to the States. Spc. Courtney Bowman assisted the team by overseeing all additional medical packets that provide the Soldiers with medical and VA benefits. Sgt. Demetrice Baskerville, the training noncommissioned officer, continues to schedule additional training for the transportation Soldiers; this way, the Soldiers can accomplish courses that are vital to their success not Maj. Teonnie, Commander of the 1452nd Transportation only in the military, but in the civilian workplace as well. Company, 821st Transportation Battalion, goes through On the same token, the S4 department has kept inventory checklist with supply sergeants. busy doing an inventory of all equipment for the company At this point, the S1 and S4 shops have the comand collecting equipment from the Soldiers. The S4 also faced the same issues of the S1. They were only equipped pany moving like a well-oiled machine. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but the transportation company is just with a very short staff of two Soldiers; Staff Sgt. Esther Kea and Sgt. Nicholas Roig. The two Soldiers had to re- that much closer to being home. quest additional help from the platoons in order to com-
“ROUGH RIDERS”
1452nd Soldier Spotlight Sgt Ferrell Reynolds Story by Sgt Odaliska Almonte
Sgt. Ferrell Reynolds is in the spotlight for the 1452nd Transportation Company this month. Reynolds is a motor vehicle operator from Wilmington, NC, and is a student at Shaw University. Majoring in religion and philosophy, Reynolds plans to graduate in two years. While deployed here in Kuwait, he has demonstrated that he is a versatile Soldier. Reynolds not only moved equipment out of Iraq using Heavy Equipment Transporters, but also exercised his skills as a radio transmission operator for every mission he was on. He was also chosen to help the supply section with inventory and the turn-in of radio equipment due to his extensive knowledge of the equipment. Reynolds said that he chose to join the Army to better his life and, while he has already completed almost four years of service, he doesn’t plan on retiring from the military. He noted that the most significant thing in his military career was his recent promotion to sergeant in September 2011. Reynolds is a newly married man to Whitney Reynolds. They don’t have any children yet, but one of Reynolds’ hobbies is mentoring young children at his church. He loves spending time with his family and being outdoors. Reynolds also enjoys reading the Bible and books by author Cornell West.
1452nd Soldier Spotlight Spc. Marcus Puryear Story by Sgt Odaliska Almonte
Another shining light from the 1452nd Transportation Company this month is Spc Marcus Puryear. A motor vehicle operator from Oxford, NC, Puryear is always ready to complete the mission. “My job is to move equipment and personnel as needed, and to do what the mission states," he said. Wanting to further his education, Puryear joined the military. “I wanted to bring some military experience back to my civilian life,” he said. “I also wanted to be able to travel the world again.” After completing 11 years of service, Puryear said he is debating on retirement, feeling he has accomplished so much already. Puryear has completed a degree in Business Administration from Vance Granville Community College. In his civilian occupation, he can’t seem to get away from transportation, making daily deliveries for Coca -Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated. When Puryear has down time, he likes to fish, hunt, go horse-back riding and jump rope, double-dutch style. Puryear also enjoys reading about the famous rapper Tupac, and lives by the quote “know thyself.” He has been married for 17 years to Tamieka Puryear and they have two children, Cora Natasha and Marcus Jr. He said the best thing that has happened to him was watching the birth of his children.
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1452nd Soldier Spotlight Spc Norbert Mazgola
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait: Spc. Norbert Mazgola of the 1452nd Heavy Equipment Transportation Company, North Carolina National Guard, became a U.S. Citizen in a ceremony attended by Matthew H. Tueller, the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, and Maj. Gen. Gary Cheeck, ARCENT deputy commander.
651ST THOD Watercraft Sgt. 1st Class Darrell Bell
CHAPTER 9 I can’t believe it, but it has been nine months into this deployment and the log book is drawing to a close. The LSV 5 is now up and running, and back on mission after being down due to maintenance issues. The crew is excited to be back underway. The LSV 8 has been underway on a long mission and should be returning soon. Their travels have taken them on a sail lasting up to 15 days in one direction. The LCUs have been staying busy in and out of port handling the short hauls which are normally one-to-two day sails. The LCU 2002 is currently in the process of being swapped out for another vessel as it was only used temporarily while the original vessel was in the shipyard for maintenance. Here, Spc. Lorenzo Soliz, of the harbormaster office, became a new father as his son was born March 22, 2012. The unit is currently preparing for its turn over to our replacements, who are scheduled to arrive in May. It’s been a great year and I know the Soldiers are ready to take it back to the house! With our course plotted, we are staying on track and looking forward to seeing family and friends soon. “SAIL ARMY HELL YEAH!!!”
“SAIL ARMY”
Building a Foundation of Preparation To Job Search Tools and Trends CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - As the deployment gets closer to the end, Soldiers start looking toward the return to life back in the United States. For Reserve and National Guard Soldiers, that means returning to a job or possibly finding something new, or even landing the Soldier’s very first civilian job. For the active component counterparts, the end of a deployment could mean a new duty station and change of military venue. Servicemembers who are thinking about entering the civilian workforce now have an opportunity to attend Master Sgt. Donaldson’s seminar to help plan a path to success. Donaldson will be discussing tips and proven techniques for the job market. The location for the training is at building 216 in conference room one. Part one of the series takes place on May 1 from 1800-2000, and again May 3 from 1800 to 2000. Phase two will take place on May 8 and May 10, from 1800 to 2000. The learning objectives for phase one include: developing a search plan, identifying your accomplishments, creating long and short resumes, understanding the search process, and social media tools and trends.
Job Search Tools and Trends Create Resume: Short Form
Tools to Success !
The short form resume is a condensed story with your core competencies and accomplishments built around key words for on-line applying.
Job Search Plan First thing you need to do in order to be successful in your job search is to develop your job-search plan. Once you have completed this, you are on your way to understanding the job search market.
Create Resume: Long Form The long form resume is a complete descriptive story of your accomplishment that show case your potential. It’s your story of what you have to offer the organization. The key to do this is by understanding your Brand and core competencies.
Develop your Resume - Short (online) - Long (2 pages)
Tell Your Story
Networking - Key to Success
Create Accomplishment Listing
Next you must create and tell your
This is a major key to success in your
- Supports your story
Job Search Plan. It is a proven fact
- Provides talking points
story of accomplishments. There are three phases :
that 80% of the jobs are not adver-
Identify your “Brand”
- Bullet form
tised and filled solely from network
- SME topic
- Sentence Structure
channels.
- Know what you stand for
- Tell your Story Talking Points - Interviews - Beginning - Action/task/event - result
HOSTED BY: 821st TRANSPORTATION BATTALION APO AE 09366
DSN:430-4037
Need a Passport? CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Are you thinking about traveling abroad and need a passport? Don’t want to wait for four to six weeks to arrive or stand in those long lines at the Post Office when you get back home? Soldiers, you’re in luck! The battalion S2 can provide you with information to obtain your passport here within 30 days or less, and pay up to $45 less than the price you would pay in the United States. If you already have a passport, you can also obtain a renewal. Stop by today and speak with your Battalion S2 for further information. Make sure to do it fast! The last day to apply is June 1, 2012, to ensure you receive your passport before departing theater.
Make sure you take a decent photo!
THINGS TO DO ON ARIFJAN Zone 1 Events 1 MAY—Mother’s Day E-Card Photo Shoot @Comm. Ctr. 1200 5 MAY—Cinco de Mayo Fiesta @Track 1600 11 MAY—Chill out Lounge @ Comm. Ctr. 2000 13 MAY - Mother’s Day Price is Right @ Comm. Ctr. 1700 19 MAY—Armed Forces 5K @ Fitness Ctr. 0600 25 MAY—Mainstream Club Night @ Comm. Ctr. 2000 28 MAY—Memorial Day 5K @Fitness Ctr. 0600
Zone 6 events 6 MAY—Functional Fitness 101 @ TAC Building 1900 19 MAY—Asian-Pacific Luau @ Stage 1600 25 MAY—Night Owl Texas Hold’em @ Comm. Ctr. 0000
Open 0600-2000
26 MAY—Kellie Pickler Performance @ Stage 1900
Come enjoy a cup of coffee and have some snacks while you watch sports or a movie. The coffee shop is located right in the middle of motor pool 23.
27 MAY—Cup Stacking Tournament @ Comm. Ctr. 1900 28 MAY—Memorial Day Indy 500 RC Race @ Stage 1900
MWR Contact Info Zone 1 Pool DSN: 430-1300 Open Swim: 1000-1800 Fitness Center DSN: 430-1302 Open 24 Hours Fitness Tent DSN: 430-4607 Open 24 Hours Library DSN: 430-1200 Open: 1000-2200 Community Center (MWR) DSN: 430-1205 Open 24Hours
Zone 6 Fitness Center DSN: 430-7475 Open 24 Hours Community Center (MWR) DSN: 430-7482 Open 24 Hours Internet Café Trailers 1 & 2 DSN: 430-7482 Open 24 Hours
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