The monthly magazine of the Texas Military Forces June 2011
Operation LIONS LEAP 5 NATO Secretary General visit 9 Bouncing back 17
9
7
16
In the Dispatch: 4
TXSG take top honors in sniper competition
5
OPERATION LIONS LEAP springs success
5
6 President taps Dempsey as chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff 8
Wounded Warriors return to Iraq
9 NATO Secretary General visits Texas
10
Remembering fallen heroes at the Capitol
11
Texas troops, civilians march in honor of fallen heroes
13
Heightened awareness for POV accident trends
14
36th ID band Soldiers receive honors
16
A deadly game of hide and seek
17
Bouncing back
18
News brief
19
Texas Military Forces History- June
2 THE DISPATCH June 2011
14
Cover- Service members, families and local civilians participate in the 5th Annual March For Fallen Heroes in Austin, Texas, May 28, 2011. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Griego, 100th Mobile Public Detachment)
The Bulletin Board Lawsuit Over Health Exposure Tossed
Veterans suing the Federal government after receiving colonoscopies with potentially contaminated equipment have had one of their lawsuits thrown out of Federal court. Todd J. Campbell, chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Nashville, dismissed one of the veterans' cases recently citing the lawsuit failed to meet the requirements for the filing of a medical malpractice lawsuit in Tennessee. While the other cases are still open, Campbell's decision does not bode well for them. Read more about the circumstances surrounding the cases on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website at http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/endoscopic_notification. asp.
Military Discount for Clothes Exchange
thredUP is an online platform for swapping kids' clothes, toys and books, connecting thousands of moms across America and on bases overseas to exchange boxes of stuff your kids no longer use, for boxes of stuff you actually need -- all without leaving your house. All swaps are done online, with scheduled home pick-up and delivery in CONUS, post office delivery service OCONUS. Find out more at http://www.thredup.com/. Military families can upgrade a free basic membership with thredUP to a pro membership at a 33% discount. In addition, military families are given at least one additional swap credit per month (without the need to swap out a box). thredUp's Chief Military Mom, Sara Gibb, can answer any questions and is available on sara@thredup.com.
New PTSD App for Smartphones
The recently released PTSD Coach smartphone application (app) has already helped more than 5,000 users connect with important mental health information and resources. The app lets users track their Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, links them with public and personalized sources of support, provides accurate information about PTSD, and teaches helpful strategies for managing PTSD symptoms on the go. Information on the PTSD Coach app is on the VA's National Center for PTSD website at http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/PTSDCoach.asp. More apps are available from DoD's National Center for Telehealth and Technology website at http://t2health.org/apps.
New TRICARE Resource
TRICARE beneficiaries who want to learn more about their health care plan and how it works can get short, relevant tips once a month with the launch of TRICARE TV. The videos are short and easy to follow, ranging in length from two-to-four minutes. To view TRICARE TV, beneficiaries can visit TRICARE's YouTube channel, at http://www.youtube.com/TRICAREHealth, or www. tricare.mil/mediacenter. Subscribe to get e-alerts when a new episode is posted by going to www.tricare.mil/subscriptions or through the e-mail link at the TRICARE media center.
Vol. 6, No. 6 June 2011
Governor Gov. Rick Perry
The Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols
Public Affairs Officer Col. William Meehan Public Affairs Chief Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada Public Affairs Staff Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson Sgt. Jennifer Atkinson Spc. Maria Moy John Thibodeau Laura Lopez Managing Editor Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada Design and Copy Editor Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Contributing Writers and Photographers Col. Robert Hastings Maj. Steven Keihl Staff Sgt. Daniel Griego Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Sgt. James Kennedy Bejamin Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson Sgt. David A Bryant Sgt Jeremy Spires Jim Garamone * The Dispatch is an authorized publication for members of the Texas Military Forces and the Department of Defense. Contents of the Dispatch are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the National Guard Bureau, the State of Texas, the Adjutant General’s Department of Texas, or the Texas Military Forces. * The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Officer. * Printed by Kinko’s, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Government under exclusive written contract with the Texas Military Forces. * The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or Kinko’s. * Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. * Content is edited, prepared and provided by the Texas Joint Military Forces Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 10, 2200 W. 35th Street, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 78703.
TXSG take top honors in TXMF sniper competition Story by Col. Robert Hastings Texas State Guard Public Affairs
"I'm pleased to be able to represent the Texas State Guard in these competitions," said George. CAMP MABRY, AUSTIN, TEXAS - For the sec"Competing side-by-side with our colleagues in the ond time this year, marksmen from the Texas State Army and Air National Guard is not only personally Guard (TXSG) have taken top honors in a Texas rewarding but validates the role of the TXSG as an Military Forces (TXMF) small arms marksmanship important part of the Texas Military Forces." competition. Additionally, George and Smith, a company For 1st Lt. Douglas George and Lt. Col. Troy commander in the Texas Medical Brigade, were recSmith, teamwork, training and communication are ognized as the 2011 top sniper team. Sniper compethe keys to being recognized as the best long-range tition is a team event in which both members conriflemen in the Texas Military Forces. tribute to the success of each other's performance. George, a staff officer with the J3 Directorate Smith has now earned three Governor's Twenty of Training, is the overall individual winner of the Tabs, two for rifle and one for pistol. 2011 TXMF Sniper Training Competition, earn"We're all incredibly proud of these two offiing the Governor's Twenty Tab for marksmanship cers for their performance in this competition," said excellence. George has now earned the Governor's Maj. Gen. Ray Peters, Commanding General of the Twenty Tab in all four small arms competitions; TXSG. "The professionalism and drive for excelrifle, pistol, light machine gun and sniper. George lence that they have demonstrated reflects the best is only the sixth marksman in the Texas Military of what it means to be a TXSG volunteer." Forces history to achieve this milestone and is the "I attribute the victory to an expectation of sucfirst member of the TXSG to do so. The Governor's cess that my sniper partner Lt. George and I have in Twenty Tab recognizes the top twenty marksmen common and our ability to effectively communicate in the Texas Military Forces distributed as follows; with each other during the stress of competition," eight for rifle, eight for pistol, two for light machine said Smith. gun and two for snipers. The 2011 TXMF Sniper Training Event was held April 30 through May 1 at Camp Swift, Texas. Five teams representing all components of the TXMF participated in this challenging competition that tested the skills of soldiers in long range rifle engagement. Teams were required to engage targets at unknown distances that ranged from 200 meters to 700 meters in very windy conditions (10-30 MPH). They were also required to demonstrate marksmanship skills with the M-9 pistol and the M-16 rifle. This is the second marksmanship championship that the TXSG has won this year. Earlier, the TXSG's 19th Civil Affairs Regiment took top honors in the 30th Annual Texas National Guard Com1st Lt. Douglas George and Lt. Col. Troy Smith compete to be known as the bat Pistol Match. best of the best during the TXMF small arms marksmanship competition. (Photo by Capt. John Suprynowicz, Texas State Guard.)
4 THE DISPATCH June 2011
Operation Lions Leap springs success: Iraqi military mission capable As the surge from the ground forces continued, four Air Force and Army Aviation helicopters made multiple rounds over the second site, providing air support for the ground forces. Iraqi units executed their duties in the field today successfully, said Lt. Gen. Mohommad, commander for the Basra Operations Center. “The exercise is different from its predecessors,” Mohammad said explaining that the previous exercises dealt with border security, whereas this exercise focused on liberating an island inhabited by terrorists. “It [Lions Leap] was really a stair stepping event that was truly, truly amazing,” said Maj. George Sellers, a Soldier
Story and Photos by Sgt. James Kennedy Benjamin 305th MPAD, USD-South Public Affairs
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces gathered at Khor Al Zubair, Iraq, April 28, to witness one of the largest joint-military exercises in ISF history. Operation Lions Leap, which combined Iraqi Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations assets, showed military leaders the progress the ISF has made over the past several years. “The road to today’s concluding phase of Lions Leap was neither short nor easy,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter, commanding general for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission- Iraq. “You have achieved your goal, and Iraq is even stronger today than before.” To start the one-hour exercise, Iraqi Air Force helicopters dropped two squads of Iraqi Special Operations commandos at the first objective, where they assaulted and cleared an objective in minutes. Soon after, the second phase began when artillerymen launched mortar rounds into the second objective that laid several hundred meters across the river from military and media spectators. Several Navy speedboats filled with IA Soldiers made their way from the north to that same objective where they disembarked to initiate the third phase.
with the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard, and the primary planner for the 36th Inf. Div. Iraqi Security Force Cell. “Each one [operation] was a paradigm leap from the last. We are proud of the outcome.” The exercise ended with no serious injuries, but with laughter and smiles from ISF Soldiers showing that the fruits of their hard labor had finally paid off. Iraqi military leaders, Soldiers and their U.S. counterparts gathered for a feast to celebrate the successful exercise. “You are witnessing history in the making and a product of an enduring partnership between our forces and our countries,” Ferriter said.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Iraq Special Forces commandos with the 6th Regional Commando Battalion prepare to assault an objective during Operation Lions Leap at Khor Al Zubair, April 28, after being dropped off by Iraqi Air Force helicopters. Operation Lions leap was the largest joint-military exercise in Iraqi history since 2003 involving the Iraqi Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces Operations.
June 2011 THE DISPATCH 5
President taps Dempsey, Winnefeld as chairman, vice chairman By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (5-31-11) - President Barack Obama announced his choices as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a Rose Garden ceremony on Memorial Day. Obama intends to nominate Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey as chairman and Navy Adm. James A. “Sandy” Winnefeld, Jr., as vice chairman. Dempsey currently is the Army chief of staff and Winnefeld is the commander of U.S. Northern Command. Dempsey will replace Navy Adm. Mike Mullen when his term ends Sept. 30, and Winnefeld will replace Marine Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright when his term ends in July. The president intends to nominate Gen. Raymond T. Odierno to succeed Dempsey at the Army post. The Senate must approve the nominations and the president called on the body to act expeditiously so
the military transition will be “seamless.” “The men and women of our armed forces are the best our nation has to offer,” Obama said during the ceremony. “They deserve nothing but the absolute best in return – that includes leaders who will guide them, support their families with wisdom and strength and compassion.” The president said the men he has chosen will make an extraordinary team at the Pentagon. “Between them, they bring deep experience in virtually every domain – land, air, space, sea, cyber,” he said. “Both of them have the respect and the trust of our troops on the frontlines, our friends in Congress, and allies and partners abroad. And both of them have my full confidence.” The president called Dempsey one of America’s most respected and combat-tested officers. “In Iraq, he led our soldiers against a brutal insurgency,” the president said. “Having
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, President Barack Obama's nominee as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walks with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the current chairman, before the National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., May 29, 2011. (DOD photo by U.S Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)
6 THE DISPATCH June 2011
trained the Iraqi forces, he knows that nations must ultimately take responsibility for their own security. Having served as acting commander of Central Command, he knows that in Iraq and Afghanistan security gains and political progress must go hand in hand.” Dempsey has a reputation of pushing his forces to change and adapt and the president said he expects that, as chairman, Dempsey will do the same for all forces, “to be ready for the missions of today and tomorrow.” Winnefeld led the USS Enterprise carrier battle group in some of the first strikes against al-Qaida in 2001. “Having served as a NATO commander, Sandy is well-known to our allies,” Obama said. “Having served on the Joint Staff, he is known and trusted here at the White House. Most recently as the head of Northern Command, Sandy has been responsible for the defense of our homeland and support to states and communities in times of crisis, such as the recent tornadoes and the floods along the Mississippi.” Obama called Odierno one of the Army’s most accomplished soldiers. Currently serving as the commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, Odierno served three defining tours in Iraq, the president said. They included commanding the troops that captured Saddam Hussein, partnering with Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to help bring down the violence, and then transferring responsibility to Iraqi forces, allowing the United States to redeploy more than 100,000 troops and end the combat mission in the country. “After years on the frontlines, Ray understands what the Army must do: to prevail in today’s wars, to prepare for the future, and to preserve the readiness of the soldiers See CHAIRMAN, next page
36th Infantry Division assists in opening of Wasit Provincial School By Sgt. Thomas Kappus 305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, USD-S PAO
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – The Al-Aziziyah school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 27 in the province of Wasit, Iraq. It was attended by the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Brig. Gen. Stephen Sanders, the U.S. Division - South and 36th Inf. Div. deputy commander for support, as well as local officials from the city itself, eager to show their support for the completion of the project. “This is a symbol of all the projects the PRT has accomplished in Wasit,” said Samuel Madsen, Wasit PRT team leader. Madsen was one of the guest speakers at the ceremony, held in the main hall of the school. The hall was packed full of students and faculty excited to show off their new school to the visitors. “The PRT invested over 300 million Iraqi Dinars in refurbishing this school,” Madsen continued. “This school is a gift from the American people to the people of Wasit.” After the guest speakers finished praising the work done to get the school operational, Iraqis and Americans stood side-byside, scissors in hand, to cut the ceremonial ribbon. The ribbon-cutting was followed by a brief tour of the school. Afterward the visitors were brought back to the main hall where the PRT presented 400 backpacks full of school supplies to be given to the students. “This accomplishment is a symbol of the cooperation CHAIRMAN, cont. from page 6
and families who are the strength of America’s families,” Obama said. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gave an enthusiastic endorsement of the three nominees. “General Dempsey, Admiral Winnefeld and General Odierno have all excelled in key command and staff roles within their services and in the joint arena,” the secretary said in a prepared statement. “They possess the right mix of intellectual heft, moral courage and strategic vision required to provide sound and candid advice to the president and his national security team,” Gates continued. “Above all, they are proven leaders of men and women in combat operations over the past decade, and are uniquely qualified to guide and shape our military institutions through the challenging times ahead.”
between the American and the Iraqi government,” said Sanders during his remarks. He also spoke of how the Iraqi Security Forces’ role in civil projects has helped provide a more stable environment. “The future of Iraq is dependent on the education and well being of the children,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Stephen Sanders, deputy commander of support for U.S. Division – South and the 36th Infantry Division, along with Samuel Madsen, the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team leader, and Iraqi officials, cut a ceremonial ribbon at the official opening of the Al-Aziziyah school in Iraq’s Wasit province, April 27.
Obama said he’s been grateful for the advice and leadership of the current chairman and vice chairman. “Like President Bush before me, I’ve deeply valued Mike’s professional steadiness and his personal integrity,” he said. “On his watch, our military forces have excelled across the whole spectrum of missions, from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan to relief efforts after the Haiti earthquake.” Mullen has helped revitalize NATO, helped re-set relations with Russia, and has helped steer important relationships with China and Pakistan, the president said. “I believe that history will also record Mike Mullen as the chairman who said what he believed was right and declared that no one in uniform should ever have to sacrifice their integrity to serve their country,” Obama said, referring to Mullen’s public support for supporting repeal of the law that prevented gays from serving openly in the
military. Obama called Cartwright a rare combination of technical expert and strategic thinker. The general has lead U.S. thinking on cyber, space and nuclear issues. “I’ll always be personally grateful to Hoss for his friendship and partnership,” the president said. “And as he concludes four decades of service in the Marine Corps that he loves, he can do so knowing that our nation is more secure, and our military is stronger, because of his remarkable career.” Gates echoed Obama’s testimonials of the two men. “I have enjoyed working with Admiral Mullen and General Cartwright and benefited greatly from their wise counsel,” he said. “All Americans owe these two fine officers and their families a debt of gratitude, and I look forward to paying fuller tribute to their accomplishments at the appropriate time.”
June 2011 THE DISPATCH 7
Wounded Warriors return to Iraq Story and photo by Sgt. Jeremy Spires U.S. Division South Public Affairs
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq– Denied the opportunity to go home on their own terms, eight service members wounded in Iraq during previous deployments returned to seek closure and see first-hand the results of their sacrifice during Operation Proper Exit on April 26. “I just want to thank you for what you did for our country and the sacrifices you have made,” said Maj. Gen. Eddy Spurgin, Commander of USD-S and the 36th Inf. Div. during an office call with the wounded warriors. “My division headquarters takes this very seriously. We were just talking about how we want to (finish) our mission with honor and success for the service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those that were wounded.” The wounded warriors spent the day touring the different facilities on the base and visiting with a number of fellow service members. During a town hall meeting at the base Chapel, where the warriors shared their stories, Cpl. (Ret.) Isaiah Schaffer had a few words of wisdom to impart to the members of the military seated before him. “It’s on the individual to take care of that guy on the right and the left of them, and it is up to those guys to do the same,” said the Fredericksburg, Va. native who suffered numerous injuries during his deployment in Hiditha and Ramadi in 2005 with the Small Craft Company, 2nd Marine Division. “That’s really the only protection you have. You can have as much up-armor as you want, but if we are not using the best weapon we have, our mind, then we have no protection.” The participants in Operation Proper Exit visited the 501st Explosive Ordnance Detachment during the final hours of their stay here. The detachment had on display their mine resistant ambush protected vehicles, and presented them with a class on the current tactics, techniques and procedures used in combating IEDs. “When they said ‘MRAP’, I though they were talking about a robot or something,” said Cpl. (Ret.) Donny Daughenbaugh, a resident of Houston, Texas, who was injured in 2004 when he was shot in the face conducting a vehicle search on the outskirts of Mahmudiyah. “To see something like this, it really changes the opportunities and survivability of … Soldiers.” Many of these Soldiers and Marines were medically evacuated out of country due to the seriousness of the combat injuries they suffered in the line of duty. For Daughenbaugh and many others, coming back and
8 THE DISPATCH June 2011
Cpl. (Ret.) Isaiah Schaffer speaks to fellow service members during a town hall meeting at the base chapel on April 26 during Operation Proper Exit. Schaffer, along with seven other wounded warriors, conducted a battlefield circulation of Iraq to gain closure from their life-changing event and to see first-hand the changes that have come about due to their sacrifices.
being able to leave on their own terms is what this operation is all about. “When we were here doing our stuff, we couldn’t wait to get out of this place and get back home,” said Daughenbaugh as he sat on the back of a MRAP and talked with Soldiers of the 36th Inf. Div., “but since we didn’t get to finish our time and mission when we left, the way we left it felt like we failed. So we are (in Iraq) for a week and then we get to leave on our own terms and two feet.” “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they are giving us to be back in uniform and to be with other troops back on bases again,” he added. “Beside the fact that I don’t have a weapon, it feels like I never left.”
NATO Secretary General visit to Texas
On May 10, 2011, in Austin, Texas His Excellency Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General North Atlantic Treaty Organization meets with Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, The Adjutant General of Texas, and military personnel from the Texas Military Forces. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited with the military members to take questions about the Alliance’s crucial role in global security and how NATO will defend freedom in the 21st century. (Texas Military Forces photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson)
June 2011 THE DISPATCH 9
Remembering fallen heroes at the Capitol Story and photo by Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Texas Military Forces Public Affairs
AUSTIN, Texas- For most of America, Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, a time to hit the lake, barbecue, or buy a new mattress. For the families of fallen heroes attending the Memorial Day Joint Session of the Texas Legislature on May 28, this Memorial Day was a day of remembrance and sorrow. Originally known as Decoration Day, this special remembrance was first observed in 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation and in 1971, Congress designated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day. “It is an honor to be with you all. Every session members from both of these chambers, from both sides of the aisle, for that matter, take some time to set aside their differences to gather here in memory of those who have fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq, and anywhere our forces are engaged in this war on Terror,” said Governor Rick Perry during his keynote speech during the session. The somber, two-hour Joint Session started what will likely be a spirited final weekend of the current legislative session. “As we honor these brave Texans who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we will continue to offer our heartfelt condolences to those who love them,” said Perry. “It can be no easy thing to balance the admiration for your fallen warrior with the realities of a life that continues to unfold one challenging day after another.” After Perry’s speech, the names of fallen Texans were read on the floor of the legislative chamber. Families able to make the trip to the Capitol for the ceremony were greeted by the governor, and presented with a flag and a copy of House Concurrent Resolution No. 163, designating the special Joint Session of the legislature. Lauren Park, visiting the Capitol from Arlington, Texas, wiped away tears as the names were slowly and quietly read. “I don’t know anyone over there now,” she said, “but we lost my uncle in Vietnam, and this is always a hard weekend for my family. We still miss him; just like I’m sure they still miss their guys.” More than 6000 Americans have been killed during the last decade of fighting, including more than 500
Texas Governor Rick Perry addresses legislators, family members and other attendees at the Texas Legislative Memorial Ceremony in Austin on May 28.
Texans. “This is also a time for us to reflect up on the most admirable of human qualities- bravery, honor, and the willingness to fight for a cause that is greater than your individual existence,” said Senator Leticia Van de Putte, from San Antonio. “We will continue to call upon the best and the brightest to stand between us and those who would cause us harm,” said, Perry. “…Please know the people of Texas genuinely appreciate the service and the sacrifice of your warrior and we lift you up in our thoughts and our prayers. “
...they "gave the last full measure of devotion" on their native soil, Memorial Day, as Texans pause to remember, we commemorate 10 THE DISPATCH June 2011
Texas troops, civilians march in honor of fallen heroes Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Griego 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
AUSTIN, Texas- For some, Memorial Day means little more than a long weekend of barbecuing that starts off the summer each year with fun and activities. For a small band of patriotic service members and civilians, however, the somber day that recognizes the countless lives lost in American conflicts overseas and stateside is not a celebration, but a solemn reminder of the sacrifices necessary to ensure the freedom and safety of our nation.
"I immediately went to my first line supervisor," said Mendiola, recounting the day he read the article. "Within three weeks, me and three other members of my section met up at Zilker park, we loaded up and we started walking toward the capitol." "I'm marching for my buddy Anthony Green," said Army Sgt. Donald Denson, "[killed in action] in Afghanistan two years ago, and every other soldier that fought for the 36th ID from World War I until now."
Preston Rogers, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970, learned about the event after meeting Mendiola online. "We're on a Facebook group together, Friends of Texas," said Rogers. Rogers also brought his older brother, William Rogers, a veteran of the Navy who served from 1960 to 1965. "I'm grateful to the people that are here," said William Rogers. "I'd like to see more people out here."
"Keep in mind who we're walking for," said Army Staff Sgt. David Mendiola at the start of the 2011 March for Fallen Heroes. "Let's make sure the community knows, and never forgets."
Denson, a soldier with Austin's 36th Combat Aviation Brigade Headquarters, brought with him to the march his son, who recently enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard.
The increased turnout for this year's march means more and more Texans each year are getting the word. The support for those involved has been resounding.
The annual event, now in its fifth year, brings together veterans, family members, current service members and citizens of all ages for a 7.2-mile foot march from Austin's Zilker Park to the state capitol and back. As a staple affair in the Texas Military Forces, which includes the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard and the Texas State Guard, the march additionally serves as a community outreach program, inviting Austinites to participate who might not even have family in the armed forces.
"I feel like a soldier now," said Army Pvt. Michael Denson, Donald's son. "It's a real good feeling to be able to march with everybody out here."
"When I was out there this morning," said Mendiola, "looking out at the crowd, it hit me hard."
Texas veterans from outside the Texas Army National Guard proudly joined the march thanks to Mendiola's networking efforts.
For more information about this year's March for Fallen Heroes and how to join the walk next year, please visit www. marchforfallenheroes.com or e-mail the event coordinator, Staff Sgt. David Mendiola at mfh1775@yahoo.com.
"Today is great," said Mendiola. "We had a lot of participants show up today. We have more civilians this time, so I'm pleased about that." Mendiola, who started the Texas march four years ago, first got the idea for a memorial foot march after reading a story in Guard Experience Magazine about a Tennessee guardsman who carried the U.S. flag around his town in honor of those who died in the Global War on Terror. Service members, families and local civilians participate in the 5th Annual March For Fallen Heroes in Austin, Texas, May 28, 2011
in foreign lands, and on seas around the world, and on this e with fresh sorrow all Texans who have been killed in combat...
June 2011 THE DISPATCH 11
Most blood donations collected at Ft. Hood are shipped to battlefields in Iraq or Afghanistan within four days of collection. Over 40 units of blood may be needed for a single injured soldier. Your donation may save: -A servicemember injured in action. -A child with cancer Donation centers located at Ft. Hood, Ft. Sam Houston, and Lackland Air Force Base. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.militaryblood.dod. mil/donors/default.aspx
12 THE DISPATCH June 2011
June 2011 THE DISPATCH 13
36th ID Band Soldiers Receive Honors Story and photo by Sgt. David A. Bryant U.S. Division South Public Affairs Office
BASRA, Iraq – Two 36th Infantry Division Band Soldiers were recently chosen to receive prestigious awards from the military School of Music, the military occupational skill school for band members of all branches of service. Staff Sgt. Maurice Kelley, electric and upright bass player, was chosen as the Army Reserve Component Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 2010, and Sgt. Charles Fricker, percussionist, was one of 12 military band members chosen for the first Col. Finley R. Hamilton Military Outstanding Musician Award, which acknowledges enlisted musicians from each branch of service in the U.S. Military Forces who show exceptional qualities in military leadership and music.
“These are two Soldier-musicians who have distinguished themselves through their continued every-day commitment to the 36th Infantry Division Band, the Texas Army National Guard and the United States Army,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jeffrey Lightsey, band commander. “Through our pre-mobilization training at Fort Lewis to our current assignment in Basra, Iraq, they have distinguished themselves in every facet of mission performance. I can think of no two Soldiers who better represent the Army Values and the NCO Corps. I am extremely proud of them and their selection above their peers throughout the military band field. They are truly deserving.”
“I’m very thrilled and humbled to receive the award,” said Fricker, a 32-year-old native of Philadelphia, Pa. who works as a percussion instructor for grades six through 12 for the Angleton Independent School District in Angleton, Texas. “The process for the award started during pre-mobilization at (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.), and the recipients were announced while we were here in Iraq.” “I feel I’ve grown as a Soldier, especially after being a reserve-component and National Guard Soldier for so many years,” added Fricker, a 14-year veteran who is on his first deployment. “Being an active-duty Soldier, especially deployed, has allowed me to grow as a leader, as a non-commissioned officer. It’s been a great experience.” Kelley, a 10-year veteran who also began his service in the Army Reserve, said he agreed that receiving a prestigious award was an honor. “I’ve been fortunate to drill with many bands, and I know there are a lot of really good NCOs out there,” said Kelley, a 40-year-old native of Sedalia, Mo., who holds a doctorate in music from the University of Nebraska. “People may say, ‘well, but you have your doctorate.’ There are really a lot of NCOs with doctorates in the bands, at least on the reserve component side. So it is pretty humbling, because I know the competition is pretty stiff.”
14 THE DISPATCH June 2011
BASRA, Iraq – Staff Sgt. Maurice Kelley, a bassist with the 36th Infantry Division Band and a 40-year-old native of Sedalia, Mo., plays some jazz music on his upright bass. The 10-year veteran of the Army Reserve and National Guard was recently chosen as the Army Reserve Component Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 2010.
bouhammer The Bouhammer [boo-ham-er] blog was originally created by a 22-year retired First Sergeant of the Army. This blog started out as a way to write about military related issues. It turned into a way for Bouhammer to document his 16 month tour as an ETT leader in Afghanistan for family and friends. It is now one of the leading and award-winning blogs written exclusively on operations in Afghanistan and other military related topics. In addition to Bouhammer, there are several other guest authors.
www.bouhammer.com Today, more than ever, Soldiers rely on technology to bring the fight to the front lines. That technology doesn’t just include high-tech weapons, body armor or Blue Force Tracker. It also included web logs, “blogs,” that allow a more immediate glimpse into military life than ever before. Often funny, sometimes painful and poignant, these snippets of opinion, daily life, and commentary on war, the military, and life in general allow more people to see what our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are thinking, experiencing and fighting for.
A view from the front line
band of bloggers http://www.facebook.com/ TexasMilitaryForces
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ texasmilitaryforces/
Check us out on the Internet!!!
A deadly game of hide and seek... Story and photos by Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Texas Military Forces Public Affairs
CAMP SWIFT, Austin, Texas- As Soldiers from the Virgin Islands kick open a door to check for “insurgents,” the whistling whine of an incoming mortar and the resulting “explosion” rattle the metal buildings of the urban operations site at Camp Swift during training here on May 26. While the 104th Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment unit is comprised of military occupation specialties ranging from administrative, to medical, to truck drivers, the military operations in urban terrain training is tough and realistic - designed to prepare them for any situation they might face during an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Good, hard training is what the CSTBn is all about, said Sgt. Peter Williams, an instructor for the Combat Skills Training and Evaluation Battalion, and the training isn’t just limited to urban operations. Units deploying to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn come through Camp Swift during their Pre-Mobilization Training. The 21-day PMT covers training from
the Army Warrior Task Lane to Battle Drills and everything in between, including room clearing. “This is not job-specific training,” said Williams. Room clearing “is not something they
do every day but any Soldier could find they’re doing this and they all need to be on par,” he said. As each group of Soldiers walked through the half-height room mockups, the instructors gave pointers on what to look for, and how to
correctly enter the room, clear it and go on to the next room. Then came the final run through, complete with pyrotechnics and “insurgents,” all calculated to give as real a scenario as possible. Staff Sgt. Rae Roush, originally a band member, says his biggest challenge is knowing what’s actually going on in the room. “It’s hard to get the full idea of what’s happening in a room- sometimes you think the room is dead and it’s not.” For 1st Lt. Leslie Pemberton, the RAID commander is extremely pleased with the training his Soldiers are receiving. “The training facility and staff is really providing some good training,” he said. “It’s high speed, energetic and realisticexactly what I’ve been looking for for my Soldiers.” Top right- Soldiers from the 104th RAID, U.S. Virgin Islands, stack up inside a building during Urban Operations training at Camp Swift, Austin, Texas. The training is part of the 21-day Pre-Mobilization Training units attend before deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan. Center- Sgt. Peter Williams watches as Soldiers from the 104th RAID prepare to enter a room during training. Bottom left- Soldiers from the 104th RAID enter a room during training at Camp Swift, near Austin, Texas.
By Maj. Steven Keihl Texas Military Forces Resilience Team
OK, so we keep bouncing around the phrase "resilience.� Everywhere I turn, someone is using this new phrase. Sometimes the word is used as some type of super power reserved only for the select few who can conquer every obstacle with great ease. Other times it comes across as some ultra mushy phrase associated with emotional expression. With the birth and now growth of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness in the Army, this buzz word continues to take on more meaning and more significance. Hey, I am the Officer in Charge of the Resilience Team... but what in the world does it really mean to be a resilient person? The truth is, resilience is neither a super human strength nor a soft emotional skill. Rather resilience could be defined simply as having the SKILL to THRIVE in the midst of challenges and to BOUNCE BACK from adversity. You guessed it, I highlighted a few key words for a reason. First off, I specifically chose the word SKILL in order to contradict the faulty belief that resilience is either something you are born with or not. Too many people believe that resilient people simply gained their abilities from mere genetics. While we cannot discount the influence of genetics upon individuals, serious research demonstrates that the skills associated with resilience can be trained!!!! Did you get that?!!! In other words, if we struggle with resilience, we can learn, we can grow, we can develop, we can mature, we can train to become more resilient! Don't just take my word on it, do some quick google research and you will see that I speak the truth. In fact, the Department of Defense obviously believes this research
to be valid because we are training it to our soldiers in all phases of military education, I earned the ASI (Additional Skill Identifier) as a Master Resilience Trainer, and we are even kicking off the development of Resilience Trainer Assistance down to the PLATOON level in the Army. Obviously, the powers that be believe that resilience can not only be trained, but also believe it is critical to the overall development and health of our personnel. The second word I selected to highlight is the word THRIVE. I had the wonderful opportunity recently to listen to Dr. Martin Seligman lecture on this very topic. In fact, I strongly recommend his new book, Flourish, which highlights the principles of optimism, happiness, well-being, and the ability to thrive in spite of the challenges this world throws at us. During his lecture, Dr. Seligman used the term PTG (Post Traumatic Growth) and highlighted the reality that we too often assume that trauma or crisis is going to lead to brokenness, failure, disorders, and struggles no matter what. Anyone who has heard me speak during a Yellow Ribbon event knows that I don't share that perspective. However, I will now be making use of the phrase coined be Dr. Seligman to further assert that not only can we survive trauma and crisis, we can learn, grow, mature, and become stronger, healthier people as we work through these challenges. I love this stuff! Who wants to simply survive difficult times when we can learn to thrive?! Not me! I vote for more positive, more happiness, more joy, more growth, more strength, more contentment, on and on and on. So the final word is really two... BOUNCE BACK. The reality is that we all face See BOUNCEBACK, page 18
Be the ball...not the egg! June 2011 THE DISPATCH 17
News Brief Grants available for Texas National Guard members with financial hardship The Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation (TXNGFSF) was awarded a $160,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). Funds from this grant provides for temporary, emergency financial assistance for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and TRICARE Dental Plan (TDP) and medical and non-medical expenses. Eligible Service Members are currently enlisted in the rank of E1 to E4 or a Non-Commissioned Officer in the rank of E5 and E6. Service members who receive assistance through this grant will also receive a referral for TVC employment counseling and other TVC services.
BOUNCEBACK, con’t from page 17
adversity and even if we don't like to admit it, we all fail. If you have access to YouTube, search for a video called "Famous Failures.” The video points out some amazing moments of complete failure for some of the most recognizable success stories on our planet. People like Lucille Ball, Michael Jordan, even Abraham Lincoln share stories of incredible adversity and painful criticism. The key to their success was learning to "be the ball" and not the egg! When we drop an egg, it breaks... that's
18 THE DISPATCH June 2011
Service members who are experiencing financial hardship should contact Brandie Cole, Family Assistance Center Specialist at (512) 782-1427 or brandie. cole@ng.army.mil for more information. Applications are also available online at txngfoundation.org. “This program is made possible by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.” The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations who service veterans and their families. Funding for these grants comes from a portion of Veterans scratch-off ticket sales.” (www. tvc.state.tx.us; 1-800/252-8387)
not what we want. When we drop a ball, it bounces! That's what we want... the ability to bounce right back off the floor when tough times find us. That's right, they developed the skill and the ability to bounce back from failure, to learn from mistakes, to return to the battlefield after a painful loss and attack with renewed energy and fresh strategies. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and accepting defeat, these people decided to resist the temptation to surrender and found the inner strength to give it another go. Guess what, so can YOU!!!!
We will all face adversity on this planet. It might be during a deployment, a financial crisis, some type of physical illness, even a relationship failure... it is only a matter of time before we face adversity. The real issue is now whether we will face adversity but how we will deal with adversity when it comes our way. Interested in this topic and want some more... give us a call in the TXMF JFSS Resilience Team office (512-9179355) and we will be happy to assist. We can arrange for individual training or even unit level training.
Texas Military Forces History- June 1865
Galveston, Texas — The last Confederate force still in the field surrenders, ending the Civil War. More than 600,000 men died, the vast majority of them serving in state-sponsored units.
1916
Washington, DC — The National Defense Act of 1916 is signed into law. One of the most important pieces of Guard legislation in the nation’s history, it greatly increased federal supervision of, as well as federal pay for, the National Guard. The law gave the federal government more control over what units the states could raise and how they would be equipped and trained. Most importantly for Guardsmen, it authorized federal pay for 48 days of armory drill a year, as well as for 15 days of annual training (previously the federal government paid for five days of summer camp, and nothing for drills). It established a separate Militia Bureau (re-named the National Guard Bureau in 1933) to oversee federal spending on the Guard. And it settled the issue of how to employ the National Guard outside the United States (where they were limited by the Constitution in their service as militia) by stating that, in the event of an emergency, Congress would draft the National Guard into federal service. It was by this means that the National Guard was sent to fight in World War I. Washington DC — President Woodrow Wilson, acting only fifteen days after he signed the historic National Defense Act of 1916, calls up most of the National Guard for duty along the Mexican Border. Because the National Guard was called up under the militia clause of the Constitution, it was restricted to service within the borders of the United States to “repel invasion” by Pancho Villa’s bandits. By July 31st, more then 110,000 Guardsmen had joined the 5,000 AZ, TX, and NM Guardsmen who had previously been called for service on the border in May. The Guard’s deployment freed General John Pershing to lead an expeditionary force Guardsmen of an unidentified Massachusetts infantry composed of Army regulars into Mexico in a futile attempt regiment marching near El Paso, TX, while training during the Mexican border crisis. Note this unit is carrying to track down Villa. Over 40,000 Guardsmen were still its state flag rather than a regimental or battalion flag as serving on the border when war was declared against Ger- is the custom today. Massachusetts Military Museum many in April 1917. The border experience proved valuable training for the Guard prior to World War I, particularly because it gave officers and men extensive experience in working with large formations of troops that could rarely be assembled in peacetime.
1944
Rome, Italy — Allied forces enter the “Eternal City”, the first major European capital liberated from Axis control. Among the units contributing to the victory are the 34th (IA, MN, ND, SD), 36th (TX) and 45th (AZ, CO, OK) infantry divisions plus numerous non-divisional units. The celebrations were short-lived as combat operations continued against ever-increasing German resistance. In fact, while the 36th and 45th divisions both would land in southern France in September and fight their way into Germany by war’s end, the 34th Division remained fighting fanatical Nazi’s in the Po River Valley of northern Italy right up to the end of war. June 2011 THE DISPATCH 19
Riders at Jason Pridmore’s STAR (Skills and Techniques for Advanced Riding) Motorcycle school lean into turns as they learn to handle their motorcycles more confidently. Pridmore, a former profession motorcycle racer sponsored by the National Guard, came to Cresson, Texas for a one-day clinic. National Guard Soldiers were able to participate in the clinic free of charge. Full story in July 2011 Dispatch. (Photo by Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson, Texas Military Forces)
20 THE DISPATCH June 2011