Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Army Reserve
SUMMER 2010
Beyond
the Edge
Building Confidence One
Battle Assembly at a Time
Page 40
Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Zerbe, 412th Engineer Command PAO
Warrior-Citizen Magazine!
d e a d l i n e : N o v em b er 1 2 , 2 0 1 0
• Only one photo submission per Soldier or Army Reserve Civilian
• Photo resolution must be three megapixels or greater in size
• Photographer’s full contact information is required: name, rank, unit,
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contents
DEPARTMENTS ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
2 Editor’s Note 28 IRR Soldiers Muster in Puerto Rico
4 From the Top 30 World War II Dance Hall Goes from Big Band to Broadband
6 Blogs and Websites 32 Back To Her Roots
8 News You Can Use 32 Army Reserve Dentists Create Smiles in Nicaragua
34 Germany Hosts First Employer Partnership Signing Outside the U.S.
People 35 652nd Engineers Move to New Modern Facility
14 Army Reserve Bids Farewell to Maj. Gen. Sholar
16 Soviet Immigrant Becomes Army Reserve Officer
18 Top Doc: Army Reserve Surgeon Picked to Be TRAINED AND READY
New Department of Defense Top Doctor 36 High Altitude, Cold Weather, No Sweat
19 Brown’s Campaign to Stop Sexual Assault in the 40 Beyond the Edge: Building Confidence One Battle Assembly at a Time
Military Earns National Honor
41 Army Reserve Medical Soldiers Named Army’s Top Medic Team
20 Angel of Mercy, Nightingale of Mosul
42 75th Division Earns Coveted Excellence Streamer
43 Army Reserve Honored at Connelly Awards
MY ARMY RESERVE LIFE
44 The Best Warrior Competition
22 Fulfilling a Childhood Dream: Boxing Inspires Blackwell
to Join Army Reserve
26 Medical, Dental Readiness: Every Soldier’s Responsibility
www.armyreserve.army.mil
DEPARTMENTS
» EDITOR'S NOTE
ARMY RESERVE COMMAND TEAM
Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz
Chief, Army Reserve
T
his issue’s cover of Sgt. 1st Class Kim Jacobs rappelling off a wall during a Chief Warrant Officer 5 James E. Thompson
Command Chief Warrant Officer of the
confidence-building obstacle course during Warrior Training at Fort Bragg, Army Reserve
N.C., is one of many examples of the warrior spirit our Army Reserve Soldiers Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Schultz
Command Sergeant Major of the
demonstrate worldwide, some of which are profiled in this issue. Army Reserve
Army’s values matched Trey’s values. As Blackwell says, “The Army helps me stay Paul R. Adams
Editor-in-Chief, Warrior-Citizen
grounded and focused. I find myself using the Army values every day.” He has our vote Timothy L. Hale
Public Affairs Specialist
for having the warrior spirit.
Melissa Russell
Atop a 10,000-foot mountain at Camp Hale, Colo., Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells’ article Public Affairs Specialist
Gary Younger
and photos chronicle psychological operations Soldiers convoying into the Rocky Public Affairs Specialist
Mountains for high altitude, cold weather training to test the range and effectiveness
ON THE COVER
of their broadcast system in a harsh environment. Turn to page 36 to read about this Sgt. 1st Class Kim Jacobs, intelligence
unique unit, the 324th Psychological Operations Company, their warrior spirit and the analyst for the U.S. Army Civil Affairs
and Psychological Operations Command
effects the environment would have on their missions. (Airborne), rappels off a wall during a
confidence-building obstacle course, May 16.
Also in this issue is an article on the Army’s top medic team, two Army Reserve Photo by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells.
Soldiers who took top honors in the 7th Annual Expert Field Medical Competition ON THE Back COVER
Dive into opportunity! Learn how you
held at Camp Bullis, Texas. The EFMC is an annual contest featuring a continuous can make $2,000 for each future Soldier
you assist through enlistment into the
and realistic simulated combat environment in which medical Soldiers endure 72
Army Reserve.
hour of challenges over six days. It is the most strenuous Army Medical Department
competition due to the extreme physical and mental demands.
As you read through this issue of Warrior-Citizen, you will find many more examples
of the warrior spirit within the Army Reserve.
Enjoy the summer 2010 issue of Warrior-Citizen magazine.
2 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
DEPARTMENTS
Best the
Warrior
competition Page 44
Change of Address • Do not write the magazine. Subscriptions • Warrior-Citizen is distributed free of
TPU Soldiers should notify their Unit Administrator or Unit charge to members of the U.S. Army Reserve. Circulation is
Clerk. Members of the IRR and IMA should contact their approximately 320,000. Paid subscriptions are available for
Personnel Management Team at HRC-STL, 1 Reserve Way, $14.00 per year domestic, $19.60 foreign. Single copy price
St. Louis, MO 63132-5200. AGRs should contact their PMO/ is $5.50 domestic, $7.70 foreign. Mail a personal check or
PMNCO. Paid subscribers should forward their address money order payable to the Superintendent of Documents
change to the Superintendent of Documents, Attn: Mail List to: New Orders, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box
Branch SSOM, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954, or fax your order to
DC 20402. Special military distribution recipients may write 202-512-2233. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
the editor directly.
SUMMER 2010 H 3
DEPARTMENTS
» FROM TOP
THE
4 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
DEPARTMENTS
A
s the deputy chief of the Army Reserve, I manage the Reserve Soldier to connect with our AC brethren and tell them
Human Capital Core Enterprise and serve as the your personal story and why you are proud to stay Army Reserve!
organization’s chief human resources executive. My core Among the incentives the Army Reserve offers include Tri-Care
mission is getting the right Soldier in the right place at Select for their Families, which is an inexpensive health insurance
the right time as I help shape and balance the Army Reserve force. plan. We have to tell them about the Employer Partnership Office,
No longer a strategic “one weekend a month, two weeks a year” which can help them start or advance their careers in the civilian
force, the Army Reserve has evolved into an “operational” force that world. We can let them “take a knee” for a couple of years to start
actively supports current operations via the Army Force Generation a family, a new career, get an education and have a little stability in
model, also known as ARFORGEN. their lives.
In order to continue to meet the requirements of the current Reducing the force to reach our mandated end-strength of
fight, ARFORGEN, an operational reserve and the right number 205,000 requires some tough decisions. As of May 2010, we
of Soldiers need to be in the right units and the right jobs. We are currently have more than 207,700 Warrior-Citizens in the Army
focusing our efforts on critical job shortages in high-priority units, Reserve. The Army Reserve has reduced its need for non-prior
primarily at the mid-grade levels. service recruits by some 20 percent for the rest of the year, but in
To remedy a shortage in mid-grade officers and junior NCOs, order to allow others to advance in rank, a reduction in some
we are trying to fill our ranks with Soldiers leaving the active senior-grade positions will be required.
component, many who want to take a break from constant Half the battle in shaping our force is getting these messages
deployments but are not ready to get out of uniform. out. The “not-knowing” is something we hear repeatedly and we
We have a great story to tell as we work to attract these are sensitive to that. Our decisions will impact individuals and we
experienced young leaders and encourage them to take advantage want to do the right thing for the Army Reserve and Soldiers at the
of the many opportunities and incentives we offer. I will help our same time. This is all part of shaping the force, enabling the Army
leaders and commanders tell this story by highlighting benefits and Reserve to maintain a constant state of readiness while continuing
incentives of Army Reserve service, but I need each and every Army to accomplish our mission.
SUMMER 2010 H 5
DEPARTMENTS
» BLOGS WebsiteS
AND
The Web offers many free, interactive resources to help
Warrior-Citizens and their Families make informed decisions
regarding their health, finances, career and education. Here are
some of the latest new and useful online tools for Soldiers.
myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
The My Army Benefits website provides comprehensive
information to members of the armed forces and their Families about the
benefits and services available to them. It includes regularly updated sections that call
out benefit news or highlight top issues. This site offers information about federal and
state benefits as well as a resource locator. Check out My Army Benefits for information
regarding survivor and wounded warrior information, along with toolkits to help plan for
retirement and deployment.
6 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
DEPARTMENTS
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,
a free, 24-hour hotline (1-800-273-TALK)
available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress,
has a new feature called Veterans Chat. Veterans and their
Families can enter a chat room on the Hotline website,
www.suicidepreventionHotline.org/Veterans. The veteran can
remain anonymous by picking a username to enter the chat.
A trained counselor will join the chat, providing information
and responding to the veteran's requests and concerns.
Veterans Chat is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/
idtheft/idt02.shtm
This Federal Trade Commission site offers
information specific to military personnel and
Families on how to protect against identify theft. One
helpful tip for those who are deployed away from one’s
usual duty station—and do not expect to seek new credit
while deployed—is to place an “active duty alert” on your
credit report. An active duty alert requires creditors to
take steps to verify your identity before granting credit in
your name. Visit this site to learn more about ID theft and
how to deter, detect and defend against it.
www.flu.gov
April 2009 marked the beginning of the
H1N1 flu pandemic. As of April 2010, one year
later, flu activity is low nationwide although 2009 H1N1
infections continue to be reported in small numbers.
Sporadic flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or
seasonal flu viruses, is expected to continue throughout
the summer in the United States, but far fewer outbreaks
are expected than occurred during the summer of 2009.
Flu season will be here again soon, so go to www.flu.gov
for updates and locations for vaccinations.
SUMMER 2010 H 7
DEPARTMENTS
YOU
Identity
I d e n t i t y
Theft
Theft
i
P r ot e ct i ng So l d i e r s
a nd F a m i l y M e m b e r s
By Melissa Russell
Army Reserve Communications
A
prime target is the deployed
Soldier who will likely not
view his credit report for
a year or more, according
to Lt. Col. Richard McNorton, former
public affairs officer with Army Human
Resources Command.
“Soldiers, civilians and contractors
should be aware of the dangers of identity
theft and how to protect themselves
WASHINGTON — Identity from unauthorized release of personally
identifiable information,” he said.
theft is an issue all Americans
“We are well aware of the many years
face and Soldiers are not the Army relied on the Social Security
exempt. Anyone who has number on all administrative and
medical records,” said Col. Jon Dahms,
worn an Army uniform in the
chief of public affairs for the Army
past 40 years knows Social Reserve. “Even more importantly today,
Photo By Leroy Jewell
8 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
DEPARTMENTS
SUMMER 2010 H 9
DEPARTMENTS
Attorneys, YOU
Paralegals
Carry Torch
for Wounded
Warriors By Sgt. Maj. Peter L. Walters
Army Reserve Medical Command
Staff Judge Advocate
S
ince 2007, Army Reserve ensure that the rights of the Soldier
Judge Advocate attorneys are protected.
and paralegals from legal Throughout their evaluation, Soldiers
support organizations have have specific rights. Among these are
been activated to support and the right to legal counsel throughout the
represent wounded, ill and injured process, the right to a formal hearing
Soldiers in their appeals before the before the PEB and the right to appeal
Army Physical Evaluation Board. the findings and disability ratings of
These Judge Advocates ensure Soldiers the board. Judge Advocate lawyers
have representation at their PEB and paralegals counsel their Soldier
as they process through the clients every step of the way through
Army DES. this process, and represent and advise
The DES has many moving parts, Soldiers, not the Medical and Physical
and the process can be an overwhelming Evaluation Boards, Warrior Transition
and stressful process for a wounded, Unit or command. Moreover, these
ill or injured Soldier. To alleviate lawyers and paralegals help Soldiers
these stressors, Soldiers have case identify their goals—whether to receive
managers to guide them through their additional medical treatment, leave
medical appointments and evaluations, the Army or be found fit for duty and
a physical evaluation board liaison returned to military duty. Then they
officer to ensure that the Soldiers’ case help the Soldier develop strategies for
effectively proceeds through the system achieving these goals.
in an efficient and timely manner, In 2008, the Army hired 18 civilian
and the availability of legal counsel to lawyers and 18 paralegals to assist
10 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
DEPARTMENTS
SUMMER 2010 H 11
DEPARTMENTS
YOU
Joint Education
Cre dit H ow do
I qualify?
By Maj. Greg Eldred
Army Reserve Command G-1
F
ssional Military Education is a requirement
or Army Reserve officers, Advanced Joint Profe
to become a Joint Qualified Officer.
can take to achieve joint qualification:
There are two paths an Army Reserve officer
Experience-Joint Duty Assignment. Army
the Standard-Joint Duty Assignment and the .
gh either path, or through a combination of both
Reserve officers may become joint qualified throu
nments and may be the more practical route for
The E-JDA track includes more types of assig
on. This system awards points based on the type
Army Reserve officers to receive joint qualificati at
for joint experience in combat, two for non-comb
of joint experience, with three points awarded Rese rve officers may receive joint
ts. In some cases ,
experience and one for steady-state assignmen
milit ary educ ation cours es.
credit for attending joint
Syste m webs ite, https ://w ww.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/jmis/JQSLoginMain.
The Joint Qualification rve
s of O-1 through O-6. It provides Army Rese
do, is available to officers in the current grade s for consi deration as joint
assignments or dutie
officers an opportunity to nominate their past
poin ts towa rd achie ving the various levels of joint qualification.
experience, and accumulate
For more information, Army
le for accrediting joint qualified officers.
Human Resources Command is responsib e-ma il at michael.mayes@us.army.mil.
officers can reach Maj. Michael Mayes in HRC at 502-613-9948 or by
Reserve
IT O N
ADM to all Blue Star Museums
09
F R E E this summer!
1
0531
RS
3
M E MBE
5
M I LY
5 FA
0
U S r Day Blue Star Museums is a and their Families beginning May 31,
PL g h Labo m!
0906
12 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
DEPARTMENTS
SOLDIERS
Town hall
Why do we have an increased number of branch immaterial
positions in many Army Reserve units?
What you are seeing are the results of transformation. We need someone in an
organizational position but we are not always sure of the specialty needed. However,
we are working to change that. We want to make positions Military Occupational
Specialty-specific as much as possible. Now that we are organized as functional commands,
not regional, we are still working to make sense of it. We are still working through it.
Everyone needs to be functionally aligned.
SUMMER 2010 H 13
PEOPLE
14 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
PEOPLE
SUMMER 2010 H 15
PEOPLE
16 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
PEOPLE
A
llen became an officer by way of a
direct commission, a process that
enables qualified individuals to
become commissioned officers.
Originally from the former Soviet
Union, Allen moved to the United States
in 1993, earning a master’s degree in
international affairs from the University of
Pittsburgh in 2000. An Iraq desk officer
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
in her civilian career, Allen will now serve
the Army part time as a logistics officer
with the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion,
an Army Reserve unit headquartered in
Riverdale, Md.
“My civilian job is basically a civil affairs
position,” said Allen. “I provide guidance
and support for the office in Iraq.”
Allen’s interest in working with the
Army started in April 2009, following her
third civilian deployment to Iraq, she said.
Working with Army civil affairs Soldiers
in Baghdad, she was impressed with their
quality of work and dedication.
“The work that civil affairs Soldiers do
cannot be underestimated,” said Allen.
“The work they do with the farmers
is excellent.”
She wanted to be a part of what she
saw the Army doing, and some of her
co-workers suggested she look into joining
the Army Reserve.
“I felt a sense of duty to serve in the
Army,” said Allen. “Many people choose to
volunteer in shelters or donate money, but I
felt my obligation was to serve in the Army.
This is how I want to contribute to society.”
Direct commissions are not new to
the Army Reserve and are common in
the service’s medical, chaplain and legal
branches. Civil Affairs, however, can’t
participate directly in the program. So
as a workaround, Civil Affairs direct
commissions must enter the Army through
another branch—quartermaster in Allen’s
case. But that doesn’t mean she’ll be
focusing on just supply issues.
“I have no intention of using her as a
quartermaster,” said 352nd commander
Col. James Ruf, adding that Allen was
brought on specifically because of her
agricultural expertise.
SUMMER 2010 H 17
dson
PEOPLE
TOP
U.S. Army Photo
Brig. Gen. Jonathan Woo
Army Reser
picked to be
ve Surgeo
n ew D ep
n
ar
B
tm
ri g. G en . Jonathan W
ent of Defen
oodson
se Top Docto
r
DOC
President Obama has finally named his choice as the Pentagon’s top doctor.
By William H. McMichael
Army Times
Filling the job for the past year has been commander of the Army Reserve Medical oversees the entire U.S. military medical
trauma and critical care specialist Charles Command. He has deployed to Central enterprise, known as the Military Health
Rice, president of Uniformed Services America, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, and the System, and its $50 billion budget. This
University of the Health Sciences in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. includes the services’ care of war wounded
Bethesda, Md., the nation’s federal health As senior medical officer for trauma on and basic health care for 9.6 million active
sciences university. the International Surgical and Medical and retired service members and Family
In addition to his duties in Boston, Response Team East, a cooperative effort of members through the Tricare medical and
Woodson also serves as an adjunct assistant the National Disaster Management System dental care program.
professor of surgery at USUHS and is and U.S. State Department, Woodson also This official also sets medical health
an Army Reserve brigadier general. He is responded to the 9/11 terrorist attack on standards for enlistments and deployments,
currently assigned as the assistant surgeon New York City. develops health and medical program
general for reserve affairs, force structure The assistant secretary of defense for policies, and oversees USUHS, the
and mobilization in the Office of the Army health affairs is the principal adviser to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and
Surgeon General, and also serves as deputy secretary of defense on health issues and other organizations.
18 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
PEOPLE
Brown’s Campaign
to Stop Sexual Assault in the Military
Earns National Honor
By Melissa Russell
Army Reserve Communications
SUMMER 2010 H 19
PEOPLE
When they retire, many Soldiers say their experiences could fill
a novel. One Army Reserve nurse took the next step by putting
e r c y
pen to paper and actually writing that book.
Angel o f M ,
ightin N
g a l e o f
By Tim Brazier
Kaplan Publishing
20 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
PEOPLE
M
became a primary trauma center for
o
American troops.
s u l
“One of my biggest achievements was a
beauty salon,” Luz said. “Al-Asad is a Marine
ishing
base and they’re tough, but the women there
SUMMER 2010 H 21
my army reserve LIFE
Fulfilling
Photo By Pfc. Sarah Pullen, 418th Quartermaster Battalion
a Childhood
Dream
Boxing Inspires Blackwell to Join
Army Reserve
By Melissa Russell
Army Reserve Communications
NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — Less than two weeks after
claiming the heavyweight division at the All-Army Trial Camp, newcomer
Spc. Charles “Trey” Blackwell was standing in the corner of the ring at the
Armed Forces Boxing Championship—just seconds away from another
victory—while his stunned opponent slumped into the ropes and sank to the
canvas. The bout was stopped, and the referee raised the arm of the new
Armed Forces heavyweight boxing champion.
22 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
my army reserve LIFE
SUMMER 2010 H 23
my army reserve LIFE
B O X I
.S
N
.
G
N A V A L B A S E V E N TU R A county , Calif.
program a year later because he
was “clobbering the other kids,”
she said.
As a 7-year-old, Trey
U
3 2 rd
accompanied his mother to a
fr i d a y, A p r . 2010
press conference in 1993 for
two-time world heavyweight
boxing champion and Olympic
gold medalist Floyd Patterson.
He remembers sparring and
featuring joking around with Soldiers from
H
the All-Army Boxing Team.
special Spc. Charles “I’ve always looked up to
3 rounds “TREY” Bl a ck w el l Army boxers as strong men
and great athletes,” Blackwell
heavyweight said. “I feel lucky to have been
contest a part of that.”
Blackwell grew up
U.S. Army participating, competing and
Heavyweight
Reserve excelling in sports, but it
wasn’t until college that he
Height: 6 ft 2 decided to pursue a career in
W ei gh t: 20 1 amateur boxing. After three
years of sparring at a gym in
Age: 23 925th Tucson, Ariz., the business
Total Fights: 13 transportation major became a two-time
Wins: 11 detachment collegiate boxing champion
tucson, Ariz.
Wins by KO: 8 at the University of Nevada,
Lo ss es : 2 Las Vegas.
k w e l l
The prospect of becoming
B l a c
Photo illustration
Trey
hunte r
an All-Army boxer inspired
tyron
Blackwell to join the
Army Reserve. He and his
v mother thought the Army
Reserve would be the best
way for him to pursue
the sport.
commen c e 7: 30 PM
doo r s o pe n 7: 00 PM H to
“He just felt he wanted
be on the All-Army
OTHERS 15
D
T
by, and he embraced those values.
hose two victories in that short champion,” said Blackwell, a truck driver It was the best fit—those values match
time span earned Blackwell a with the 925th Transportation Detachment Trey’s value system.”
spot on the All-Army Boxing in Tucson, Ariz. Blackwell enlisted in the Army Reserve
Team and consideration for Patricia Spencer, a former noncommis- in 2008. One year later, he attended the
joining the U.S. Army World Class Athlete sioned officer and broadcast journalist, All-Army Boxing Trial Camp and won a
Program, which would allow him to train remembers her son “Trey” as being very bronze medal at the All-Army Box-offs.
full-time for a shot at making the 2012 U.S. energetic. She and ex-husband Charles “My mom would not have approved of
Olympic Team. It also fulfilled a childhood Blackwell Jr. tried to instill focus and boxing if it weren’t for the Army,” Blackwell
dream of one day becoming an elite boxer. discipline through a combination of recalled. “The Army helps me stay grounded
“It’s something I live to do. I have sports and Army values. They enrolled and focused—I find myself using the Army
always thought about one day being a him in karate but removed him from the values every day.”
24 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
my army reserve LIFE
SUMMER 2010 H 25
my army reserve LIFE
Medical, Dental
Photo By Spc. Aloree M. Amodt, 358th Public Affairs Detachment
If you think that small toothache or that pain in your lower back you’re experiencing can be put
off, think again. That physical discomfort can lead to a much bigger pain for you and potentially
your unit’s readiness. As the Army Reserve continues to become an operational force it means
that every Soldier must be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
Reserve units are no longer waiting “It is like doing maintenance on then My Medical tabs. Look for the My
until the ‘first string’ players get a vehicle. You assess it to make sure Medical Readiness link.
tired before entering the game,” said the small and correctable things are not The dental examination identifies
Col. Etta Johnson, U.S. Army going to stop you from getting to your conditions that may become a dental
Reserve Command chief of clinical destination,” Johnson said. “Likewise, emergency in the next 12 months, which is
services. “We are a part of the ‘first the Army requires Soldiers to get also known as Dental Class 3.
string.’ Army Reserve Soldiers must be annual physical health assessments and “A toothache can bring the strongest
medically and dentally ready to deploy dental examinations.” of us all to their knees,” said Col. Derrick
anytime, anywhere.” The PHA reviews body systems and is Carter, USARC dental surgeon. “Believe
Medical and dental readiness allows problem-focused, based on the web-based it or not, every year in the United States
the Soldier and commanders to know health questionnaire. Soldiers initiate the people die from dental infections.”
the mission will not be affected by a process by going to their AKO account Army Reserve Soldiers receive both
medical or dental condition. and clicking on the Self Service link and assessment services through the Reserve
26 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
my army reserve LIFE
SUMMER 2010 H 27
ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
IRR Soldiers
Muster in
Story and Photos By
Master Sgt. Brian Kappmeyer
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
Public Affairs
28 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
Puerto Rico
But after signing in, Perez quickly realized
he was not being mobilized for another
five readiness musters at VA facilities,
which were so successful that nine readiness
combat tour. Instead, he and other IRR musters will be held at VA facilities this
Soldiers spent the day updating their year, with the remaining musters conducted
records and learning about their benefits and on Army posts and Army Reserve centers.
entitlements, including promotion, schooling, Readiness musters have not only
health care and civilian job opportunities. increased in number but in scope and
“One of our biggest challenges is ensuring services offered, as the IRR Soldiers
that Soldiers understand this is a muster, not mustering at Fort Buchanan learned.
a mobilization,” said Lt. Col. Craig Smith, Army Reserve Career Counselor Sgt.
HRC’s muster team chief. “We do not 1st Class Gabriel Almodovar said many
Spc. Wilmer Ortiz reads an eye chart across the room
mobilize Soldiers at musters. We are here to as Margaret James-Joseph records the results. of the issues he dealt with were medical
ensure Soldiers are getting registered for the concerns of the Soldiers, and he ensured
benefits they have earned. The Department they received attention from the medical
of Veterans Affairs, the Army and service the first to be held outside the contiguous personnel at the muster. Many of the
organizations have more to offer than most states. It’s another expansion of a successful repeated comments he heard from the
Soldiers can even begin to realize.” program that began in 2007 with just Soldiers included, “Nobody told me I
In fact, 17 veteran support agencies four musters. could have an ID card or that I could get
attended the Puerto Rico muster to talk “The team is venturing outside the promoted or that I could shop in the post
about their services and tell Soldiers about continental United States this year for exchange or commissary.”
opportunities that could benefit them and the first time, because we realized it was The IRR Soldiers also learned about
their Families. Musters have come to resemble important to offer our services to those the benefits of transferring to the Selected
career and education fairs with “vendor” Soldiers as well,” Smith said. There are Reserve, such as the opportunity to enroll
booths set up between the muster stations. future plans for overseas musters. in health, dental and life insurance plans.
“The muster program gives us the A Soldier typically becomes an IRR In the last three years, nearly 7,200 IRR
chance to collect required information from member after successfully completing Soldiers transferred to the Selected Reserve
our IRR Soldiers, but it also gives them several years of active duty or Selected through the IRR Muster Program.
a chance to learn about the services and Reserve membership. Soldiers may transfer Spc. Maria Sepulveva was pleasantly
benefits available to them,” Smith said. to the IRR to fulfill the remainder of their surprised when she learned that it would be
“A lot of opportunities can open up for contractual military service obligation, more than just be completing paperwork at
them through either more active normally eight years. the muster.
IRR participation, membership Mustering is an annual requirement and “There were a lot of job opportunities
in a Reserve unit or volunteering a one-day event for which IRR Soldiers that we were told about and how to go to
to mobilize in support of overseas are paid about $200. Many IRR Soldiers the website to find out more,” she said.
contingency operations. We are giving will complete a personnel accountability Sepulveva was also excited to learn that
the IRR Soldiers the tools to make muster, which is a one-on-one visit with an IRR Soldiers can go to schools, get promoted
an informed decision and help them Army Reserve career counselor. But several and volunteer for active duty tours.
determine what works for them.” thousand Soldiers will gather at group “I would tell other IRR Soldiers in my
During 2010, thousands of IRR events called readiness musters, such as the situation that they should come to the
Soldiers will muster in 19 cities to one held at Fort Buchanan. muster with questions and find out about
complete annual readiness checks. Last year, HRC partnered with the the benefits of being an IRR Soldier,”
The Puerto Rico muster represents Department of Veterans Affairs to hold Sepulveva said.
30 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
Units coming through Fort Hood for that’s doing an exercise, these guys also have and with battle command training program
post-mobilization training conducted by to worry about their other tasks required managers at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
First Army Division West eat, sleep and for deployment, so they have a very big “We feel like we passed the test to
train for several weeks exclusively at North balancing act.” prove we can be expeditionary and go
Fort Hood. But when it came time for their Just getting ready for the CTE to overseas anywhere and do our mission,”
culminating training event, known as the start was the culminating event for the Schmidt said.
CTE, they had to be transported to a battle information office staff. While the 103rd The old dance hall, once a hub for
simulation center in the main post area. and 224th Soldiers are extremely skilled, entertainment for GIs of a by-gone era
Converting the Boondocks into a BSC they had not before done anything of this now plays a critical role in training today’s
at North Fort Hood saves Soldiers a scale. “If we could pull this off, this could Soldiers for deployments.
90-minute bus ride every day, said Lt. Col. prove that we could truly be ‘expeditionary’
John Pugliese, Division West’s information with our communications,” Schmidt said.
BELOW: First Army Division West converted
office chief. Over the course of a 14-day They pulled it off. During the exercise,
a World War II-era dance hall — where Elvis
exercise with nearly 550 people, roughly which wrapped up in mid-May, Soldiers in is rumored to have once performed — into a
11,400 man-hours are saved. the 103rd and 224th communicated with battle simulation center at North Fort Hood,
“When you’re working with mobilizing their counterparts in the 18th Airborne Texas. Soldiers used nearly 1.5 miles of cable
units, they’re on a very strict timeline," Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C., and the 4th to network about 200 computers and servers
Pugliese said. “Unlike an active-duty unit Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo., throughout the building.
to broadband
SUMMER 2010 H 31
ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
Back to Her MATEARE, Nicaragua — Nicaragua is hot, humid and the poorest
country in Central America. The houses that line the trash-filled
streets are built of cinderblocks and rusting tin. Overcrowded
school buses weave through cramped neighborhoods like race cars.
Storefronts sell only the basic needs of life and scores of people
walk to their destinations, because they don’t have money for the
bus. Despite all of this, they’re happy. For some this scene might be
a culture shock, but for Staff Sgt. Aleyda Robleto, who is with the
307th Dental Company, Vallejo, Calif., it’s home.
Photo By Maj. Matt Lawrence, 807th Medical Command
32 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
Roots
In 2000, she joined the Army as a medical supply specialist. It was
a way to help pay for school, and coincidentally, learn English.
“The first month of basic training was very hard,” Robleto said.
“Luckily in the Army, they give you demonstrations on whatever you
do, so I would just do what I saw everyone else doing.”
By the time she came home, Robleto spoke fluent English and was Staff Sgt. Aleyda Robleto of Rodeo, Calif., explains the dental clinic process to
able to enroll at San Francisco State University. She graduated in 2007 a crowd of waiting Nicaraguans. The clinic treated more than 1,200 patients
during a 10-day period and performed more than 3,200 dental procedures.
with a degree in linguistics and is now working toward her license as a
legal court translator.
SUMMER 2010 H 33
ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
WIESBADEN ARMY AIRFIELD, Allegis Group GmbH provides “Basically, you get the perfect employee,”
Germany — Army Reserve Soldiers information technology, engineering and said Zimmermann. “Obviously, they
living in Germany now have a partner professional staffing services in Germany speak very good English, and they are
for employment opportunities, thanks to a wide range of industries through willing to follow procedures and accept
to the first Employer Partnership Office subsidiaries TEKSystems GmbH and the rules.”
agreement signed outside the United States. Aerotek GmbH. The Employer Partnership Office
Army Reserve Chief, Lt. Gen. Jack was launched in April 2008 as a joint
C. Stultz, and Brig. Gen. Jimmie Jaye public-private venture that gives business
Wells, commander of the 7th Civil leaders tangible benefits for employing
Support Command, signed the first Soldiers. The Army Reserve can recruit
international EPO agreement with Allegis Soldiers for its positions and for civilian
Group GmbH financial controller and employers at the same time, instead of
procurement officer Martina Zimmermann competing with them.
on March 7, 2010, in the 1st Armored The partnership is a recruiting effort
Division headquarters here. that aims to help Reserve Soldiers find
Stultz applauded Zimmermann for jobs by formalizing the relationship
taking the lead on the international between the Army Reserve and the
employment alliance. private sector.
“Thanks for setting the example for Nearly 1,000 firms have signed up in
the international employer partnership,” Capt. Bonnie Owen, 209th Army Liaison Team, the U.S. with employer partners in all
said Stultz. “Companies are looking for thanks Martina Zimmermann, financial controller 50 states and two territories. Now, after
well-trained, drug-free, physically fit and and procurement officer of Allegis Group GmbH, partnering with Allegis Group GmbH
healthy employees, which is what the with a bouquet of roses March 7, 2010, for joining and its subsidiary companies, the office
Army has.” the Employer Partnership Office. has partners in the European Union.
34 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
ARMY RESERVE COMMUNITIES
652 nd Engineers
Mo e
Story and Photo By
Sgt. 1st Class Chris Farley
88th Regional Support Command
Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH, Wis. — The 652nd “We’re not leasing it; it belongs to the Spc. Matthew D. Thompson, a light-wheeled vehicle
Engineer Company deployed for the third Army Reserve. I think it’s going to be mechanic with the 652nd Engineer Company, uses
time since 9/11. This deployment, however, a big motivator for everyone because it’s a Bobcat to remove a piece of plywood from the
didn’t involve a mass movement to Iraq or a building to be proud of.” unit’s motor pool during a cleanup session before
Afghanistan or even leaving the state. The 652nd has been planning and the unit begins its move from Ellsworth, Wis., to
Hammond, Wis.
The approximately 117 members of the packing since January for the move and
652nd moved from the cheese curd capitol of eagerly waited for the keys to their new
Ellsworth, Wis., and relocated to Hammond, facility. Today, new facilities are generally With the building designed to meet
Wis., where their new Army Reserve facility designed to house more than one unit or are the engineers’ mission needs and being
was completed at the end of May 2010. shared with different military services. But dedicated to two fallen 652nd Soldiers, the
The roughly 24-mile move was followed the 26,000-square-foot building was built to unit took the initiative and proposed to the
by a formal building memorialization accommodate the needs of the 652nd alone. city council that the street in front of the
on May 23 in honor of Sgt. 1st Class The new building will be furnished new facility be renamed “Engineer Way.”
Dan Gabrielson and Spc. Bert E. Hoyer. with modern conveniences to include an The town co-op supported the change.
Gabrielson and Hoyer were 652nd Soldiers organizational maintenance bay with “I think the morale will increase a lot,”
killed in action during the unit’s first a heated floor, gym, weapons simulator, said 1st Sgt. William J. Dullea, first sergeant
deployment to Iraq in 2003. covered wash rack for cleaning unit vehicles of the 652nd. “The new building is going
“We’re excited about going to a new and adequate parking for the unit’s to be more user-friendly. We made this
building that’s ours,” said 1st Lt. Dana eight-wheel-drive heavy expanded mobility current facility work, but the new one will
Currier, commander of the 652nd. tactical trucks. help out a lot.”
SUMMER 2010 H 35
trained and ready
36 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
trained and ready
high
altitude,
COLD
WEATHER ,
NO SWEAT
Story and Photos By Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells
U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)
Public Affairs
SUMMER 2010 H 37
trained and ready
T
he 324th Psychological the right message at the right time missions, whether it was moving through
Operations Company, an Army and place to create an intended result. the snow, keeping warm or maintaining
Reserve unit stationed in Aurora, PSYOP Soldiers use myriad media their equipment. Weather and terrain can
Colo., convoyed into the Rocky to get their message across to their impact how far and clearly a loudspeaker
Mountains for high altitude, cold weather intended audiences, including handbills, message can carry over a distance. The
training, March 5–7, 2010. Camp leaflets, radio broadcasts, loudspeaker Soldiers needed to assess the area and
Hale, Colo., the former home of the announcements, billboards, television test different locations to discover the
10th Mountain Division, closely commercials and face-to-face interaction. effectiveness of a loudspeaker.
resembles many of the conditions Soldiers According to 324th’s commander, “We don’t get a lot of chances to train
face while deployed to Afghanistan. Capt. Brian Taylor, the intent of the in a snowy environment, so we wanted
A psychological operations Soldier weekend’s training was to familiarize to see how the snow would impact our
is an information and media specialist the Soldiers with cold weather, high equipment and our broadcast,” said Staff
who assesses the needs of a target altitude conditions and the effects Sgt. Brent Goodlet, a PSYOP tactical
audience, then develops and delivers the environment would have on their detachment sergeant with the 324th.
38 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
trained and ready
down the mountain,” he said. “You’d get I didn’t notice a difference in elevation,
stuck halfway down, and you’d have to but I know other people actually had
pull yourself out of the snow and keep high altitude sickness,” said Spc. Angela
on trucking.” VanBroekhuizen, a PSYOP specialist
“I got a lot of positive feedback; [the with the 324th. “Plus, the cold weather
Soldiers] loved the training,” Goodlet training we received before we came out
said. “I thought they were going to be here helped us understand and recognize
upset about carrying a loudspeaker up a cold weather injuries.
mountain in snowshoes, but they loved it.” “We were really well-prepared; we
The 324th leadership also considered had what we needed to wear out here,”
how fast and long each Soldier was able to VanBroekhuizen said. “This is the first
move up and down the mountain without time I didn’t get cold doing this training.”
becoming sick or injured due to the As the sun began to sink behind the
“Once we reached the top of the ridge, we elements. Precautions were taken before Rocky Mountains, the Soldiers were
set up our loudspeaker and transmitted and during the exercise. The company preparing for the temperature to quickly
various broadcast messages back down to brought medics and snowmobiles to the drop below 10 degrees. Neither darkness
the camp. We then radioed headquarters field for emergencies and arranged their nor freezing temperatures stopped the
to verify if they could hear our training to occur within minutes of a 324th from completing nighttime driver’s
transmissions. If they didn’t, we’d move local hospital trained especially to treat training in the snow before turning in for
down the ridge and broadcast again.” cold weather injuries. Before heading out the night.
Goodlet led a group of about 10 Soldiers into the mountains, the company also “Our unit tries to do some cold weather
on a three-hour trek through the snow on completed cold weather, high altitude training annually. This cold weather
a sunny but chilly Saturday morning. injury and illness classes so that each is something we try to take advantage
“The trek up there is always harder Soldier would know how to prevent and of, being from Colorado,” Goodlet
than the trek back down. The snow is treat these injuries. said. “Being a highly deployed unit, we
pretty deep, and the Soldiers had a decent “For me [the high altitude] wasn’t that like to stay up on all of our tasks to make
amount of fun blazing their own trail big of a deal since I snowboard a lot, so sure we’re always ready.”
SUMMER 2010 H 39
trained and ready
Beyond
the Edge
Building Confidence One Battle
Assembly at a Time Sgt. Tobias Dye pulls himself up the
By Sgt. 1st Class John Gonzalez rope as he navigates the confidence
U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) course during battle assembly at
Public Affairs Fort Bragg, N.C., May 16.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Conquering fear and building confidence was the order of the day
as Army Reserve Soldiers from the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations
Command (Airborne) took to the rappelling towers and confidence course here May 16, 2010, to
hone in on their monthly warrior training.
“Once the first bound is out of the way… it was easy,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kim M. Jacobs,
a military intelligence specialist with the command.
Jacobs, who in her civilian capacity is also the Deputy G2 for the command, praised
the hands-on training and said the Soldiers running the rappel tower and conducting
the training did an outstanding job.
“The trainers really had lots of patience and worked with those that had a fear
of heights,” said Jacobs.
This monthly “Warrior Training” helps train and sustain Soldiers in a
variety of warrior skills while simultaneously trying to instill confidence,
camaraderie and esprit de corps within the company. Taking advantage
of the abundant training opportunities here at Fort Bragg, the Reserve
unit monthly seeks different types of training to expose their Soldiers to a
variety of training situations.
Photos By Sgt. Felix Fimbres, USACAPOC (A) PAO
Monthly training focuses on the standard warrior tasks such as first aid
and medical evacuations, land navigation, and weapons qualifications, but
it also includes intricate airborne operations such as night combat jumps,
and operations out of UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. The May 2010 training
event’s goal was to perform and sustain training for all air assault qualified
personnel, as well as familiarization to other non-air assault qualified Soldiers.
Soldiers trained for a full day on the various types of rappelling techniques
and learned the required safety requirements needed for conducting safe tower
operations. They also got the opportunity to perform under pressure by running
through a timed obstacle course.
Jacobs, who has rappelled only once before, believes that the training is integral
to building that well-rounded Soldier, and is key to building
Pfc. Brian Thomas teamwork and sense of purpose within a unit.
navigates an obstacle “Training such as rappelling or the obstacle course is important.
on the confidence It really does build esprit de corps, strength and confidence
course during battle knowing you can overcome your fears, or at least work through
assembly at Fort them,” said the 18-year Army Reserve veteran.
Bragg, N.C., May 17. She added, “I had a great time and I’m not a big fan of heights.”
40 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
trained and ready
Army’s Top
SUMMER 2010 H 41
trained and ready
excellence
This streamer represents the sum total of everyone’s commitment and
dedication to each other, to the mission and to setting a standard of
dedication
excellence we can all be proud of.
— Maj. Gen. Eldon Regua,
75th Division Commander
commitment
Story and Photo By Master Sgt. Maj. Gen. Eldon Regua, 75th Division 75th Division Commander Maj. Gen. Eldon
Dave S. Thompson commanding general, by his side. Regua and Division Safety Officer Chief Warrant
75th Battle Command Training Division “This streamer represents the sum total Officer Robert Schultz accept the Army Safety
Public Affairs of everyone’s commitment and dedication Excellence Streamer from Maj. Gen. James
to each other, to the mission and to setting Sholar, deputy commanding general, Army
Reserve Command.
a standard of excellence we can all be
HOUSTON — The 75th Battle Command proud of,” said Regua.
Training Division celebrated a proud Schultz said, “Commanders realize that said Anna Gibbs, Army Reserve
moment Feb. 19, 2010, when Brig. Gen. safety pays dividends. It’s very gratifying to Command safety director. Gibbs said
James Sholar, deputy commanding general, receive this recognition, especially knowing the 75th created command and control
Army Reserve Command, awarded the that it takes everyone in the division doing measures that motivated Soldiers to
newly authorized Army Safety Excellence the right things to make it happen.” embrace and put into practice critical
Streamer. The streamer was in recognition Schultz is new to the division and safety procedures.
of the division’s record of achieving 12 was quick to give credit to fellow safety The 75th Division is only the second
consecutive months without a Soldier or program director, Chief Warrant Officer Army Reserve unit to receive the safety
unit at fault for a Class A or B accident, 4 Paul Paradis. Paradis, who is currently streamer since its authorization last year.
the two most serious classifications of serving in Afghanistan, initiated a division- The Safety Excellence Streamer will be
Army accidents. wide safety program that resulted in the displayed on the division guidon for one
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert Schultz, recognition for the unit. year, after which the unit will have to
75th Division Safety Officer, accepted “The 75th completely embraces an qualify for the distinction again to continue
the award on behalf of the division with organizational culture of safety excellence,” flying it.
42 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
trained and ready
n at Connelly Awards
Honored
RECRUITING
ASSISTANTS
APR-JUN 2010
REGION 1
Pfc. Kristy Hoinski
Lancaster, N.Y.
REGION 3
Capt. Steven Kiel
Annandale, Va.
REGION 4
1st Lt. Dimingo Hale
Kingsport, Tenn.
REGION 5
Sgt. David Genyard
Jacksonville, Fla.
REGION 6
Capt. Bradley Fields
Montgomery, Ala.
REGION 7
Spc. Charles Nickles
Eugene, Ore.
REGION 8
2nd Lt. Matthew Cryer
McFarland, Wis.
REGION 9
Members of Forward Support Company, 397th Engineer Bn., pose with Maj. Gen. Bruce Cassella, Pvt. Tricia Jones
third from the left, and Command Sgt. Major Michael D. Schultz, third from the right, after Lawson, Mo.
winning the 2009 Phillip A. Connelly Award.
REGION 10
Spc. David Rogers
RENO, Nev. — Two Army Reserve Co-sponsored by the International New Salisbury, Ind.
units were honored with the 2009 Philip Food Service Executives Association, the
A. Connelly Award for excellence in Army program is administered by the Army’s REGION 11
Lt. Col. Victor Bakkila
food service. The awards ceremony was held Joint Culinary Center of Excellence at Fort
Newport Beach, Calif.
on April 17, 2010, here in Reno, Nev. Lee, Va.
The Forward Support Company, 397th During the year, food service REGION 12
Engineer Battalion from Eau Claire, Wis., professionals compete at various command 2nd Lt. Jorge Martinez
was named this year’s winner. The 298th levels to qualify for the Army-wide San Antonio, Texas
Maintenance Company from Altoona, competition. Army and IFSEA evaluators
Pa., was named runner-up for the second make site visits to the finalists’ locations to REGION 13
Sgt. Mark Lugo-Gomez
consecutive year. determine who has the best dining facilities
Tucson, Ariz.
Established in 1968, the Connelly Award and field kitchen sites across the Army.
program recognizes excellence in the Army
food program in the following categories: To see other food
active Army small and large garrison dining
facilities, active Army, Army Reserve and
service award winners, go
visit www.army.mil.
Army National Guard field kitchens.
SUMMER 2010 H 43
Best
For photos and results
visit Facebook at
www.facebook.com/
myarmyreserve,
the
WordPress at www.
bestwarrior.wordpress.
com, and Flickr at www.
flickr.com/photos/
Warrior
myarmyreserve.
We’ll also have a wrap-up
in Warrior-Citizen
this fall.
competition
In a rigorous battle of the minds and strength, this year’s
“Best Warrior” Competition determined who was the best
among the Army Reserve’s 206,000 Citizen-Soldiers. The annual
competition took place July 25-31 at Fort McCoy, Wis.
To learn which Soldier and NCO will compete for the title
of the Army’s Best Warrior competition in October,
visit www.usar.army.mil.
rg of
Liebenbe re
Sgt. Ian Ca
Minim l a
the 144th in San Diego,
ent
Detachm h the mud
th roug le
slog s t obstac
th e comba
durin g Me l
dica
f the 2nd
course o est Warrior
B
Brigade’s at Fort Hunter-
e tition
Co m p enberg
, C alif. Lieb
Liggett p for the
runner u
was the
gory.
NCO cate
tgomery,
yl L. Mon
Spc. Darr chment
Photos By Public Affairs Deta
ile
319th Mob
44 H WARRIOR-CITIZEN
Behind every Soldier
is a strong support team
Use them to prevent suicide
Counselor
Battle Buddies
Family
Chain of Command
Coach
Chaplain
Physician
www.militaryonesource.com l 1.800.342.9647
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
Editor
Warrior-Citizen Presorted
U.S. Army Reserve Command, Public Affairs Standard
1401 Deshler Street SW US Postage
Fort McPherson, GA 30330
Paid
Louisville, KY
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