victory times online Vol. II, Issue 58 Friday’s Online Edition August 1, 2008 Lefebvre receives second star in April 1977 following Story and photo by Deputy commanding completion of Officer Can- Marine Cpl. Frances L. didate School. Lefebvre Goch becomes held many operational po- MNC-I PAO sitions throughout his ca- general reer. More recently he was the commanding general Brig. Gen. Paul E. Lefe- of Marine Corps Recruit bvre, deputy commanding Depot Parris Island and the general, Multi-National Eastern Recruiting Region Corps – Iraq, was promot- before coming to MNC-I. ed to major general July 24 Lefebvre has served on during a ceremony in the the Board of Governors, Al Faw Palace at Camp Marine Corps Association Victory, Iraq. and the Editorial Board, Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin Marine Corps Gazette. III, commanding general, He is also an honor gradu- MNC-I, presided over the ate of Officer Candidate ceremony saying, “We are School, The Basic School truly blessed to have a Ma- and Amphibious Warfare rine of your caliber with School and a distinguished us.” graduate of Marine War Brigadier generals Dan- Command and Staff Col- iel B. Allyn, chief of staff, lege and the Marine Corps MNC-I, and Michael Fer- War College. riter, deputy command- “When you’ve been in ing general of operations, the Marine Corps as long MNC-I, pinned on Lefeb- as I have you stay in be- vre’s new rank. cause you love it,” Lefeb- “I have been fortunate vre said. “My wife is large- to be a part of great teams ly responsible for me being in the Marine Corps and in able to do what I do, I will joint environments,” Lefe- never be able to repay my bvre said. “It is inspiring to debt to her for her sacrific- work with people who sac- Brigadier generals Daniel B. Allyn, chief of staff, Multi-National es she has made, allowing rifice for what they believe Corps - Iraq, and Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general me to do what I do.” of operations, MNC-I, had the honor of pinning the rank of major in.” general on Brig. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, deputy commanding gen- In addition to his wife, Lefebvre, a native of eral, MNC-I, at his promotion ceremony in Al Faw Palace July 24. Lefebvre has a daughter West Hartford, Conn., and a son who is a first graduated from Spring- Physical Education. Prior at Penn State. lieutenant in the Marine field College in 1975 with to entering the Marine Lefebvre started his ca- Corps presently serving a Bachelor of Science in Corps, he coached football reer as a second lieutenant overseas. news Veterans groups’ leaders visit Iraq to help troops for better benefits for servicemembers ground first hand gives VSOs a better Story by Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante currently serving in the Armed Forces platform for pushing medical and edu- 13th Public Affairs Detachment and their families. cational benefits, pay raises and other “We came here to talk to young Sol- significant quality of life services for ser- diers and see what is needed,” Brown vicemembers, said Vice Admiral (Ret.) Leaders of America’s veterans said. “We need to learn what you need, Norbert Ryan, president, MOAA. groups came to Iraq July 29 to get a bet- not what we think you need. To sit be- These first hand accounts that the ter picture of what life is currently like hind a desk at an office and think we VSO leaders will bring back to their or- for servicemembers on the ground, to know what you need over here is lu- ganizations, Capitol Hill and the media help shape the national image of our dicrious.” also serve to highlight the successes in Armed Forces and ensure everyone The group traveled to Taji, were Iraq that might be overlooked. “There in uniform is getting the treatment briefed on reconstruction and Iraqi Se- is definitely progress being made over they deserve. curity Forces training and learned about here,” Lisicki said. “I talked to a lot Currently, the majority of mem- the capabilities of the Army’s mine re- of Soldiers and some citizens and the bers in Veterans Service Organiza- sistant ambush protected vehicles. Their Iraqis believe in the cause here now. tions are Vietnam-era servicemem- goal is to bring back to the states a better Maybe they didn’t a few years ago, but bers. This doesn’t mean, however, understanding of the accomplishments now they believe someday they’ll be that veterans’ needs are the only and needs of today’s military member. able to run their own country. That’s issues these organizations handle. Seeing the work of troops on the progress.” “Veterans Service Organizations is a misnomer,” said J.P. Brown, nation- al commander, AMVETS. “We’re there also to support the military to- day, which will join our ranks some- day.” “Those that wear the uniform today are very important to us,” said Staff Sgt. (Ret.) George Lisicki, command- er in chief, Veterans of Foreign War. “They’re important to the veterans of the future and to their families. The fu- ture of the VFW is the men and women wearing the uniform today.”

In addition to taking care of veter- Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason R. Krawczyk, MNC-I PAO ans’ concerns, organizations such as Vice Admiral (Ret.) Norbert Ryan, first seated from center, president, Military Officers the Military Officers Association of Association of America, asks Col. Rock Donahue, standing, director, C7, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, questions about reconstruction efforts in Iraq at the Joint Vistors Bureau America, VFW, AMVETS and the July 29. Ryan and other Veterans Service Organization leaders came to Iraq to get a American Legion lobby and petition better idea of what servicemembers need in order to better represent them.

The Victory Times Online is an authorized Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III electronic publication for members of the MNC-I Commanding General: The Victory Times online welcomes columns, Col. Billy J. Buckner Department of Defense. Contents of this MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: commentaries, articles and letters from our Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka electronic publication are not necessarily MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: readers. Send submissionsor comments to MNC-I Command Info Chief: Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante the official views of or endorsed by the [email protected]. The edito- Spc. Samuel J. Phillips U.S. Government or the Department of De- Editor: rial staff reserves the right to edit for security, Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances L. Goch, Pfc. Eric fense. The editorial content of this publica- Staff: accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space. tion is the responsibility of the Public Affairs J. Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Page 2 Victory Times August 1, 2008 Feature Regulation changes civilian punishment for misconduct

By Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante 13th Public Affairs Detachment

Following the groundbreak- ing trial of a civilian contractor by court martial in June, the standards expected of civilians working for the military, especially in Iraq, have become enforceable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. A 2006 amendment to the UCMJ – Section 552 of the National De- fense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2007 (October 17, 2006) states that civilian contractors working for the U.S. government can be punished for violations of the UCMJ. Punish- able violations include any form of felony misconduct which is any con- duct punishable by more than a year in confinement, said Maj. Terri Eris- He was sentenced to five months their actions prove detrimental to the man, chief, Military Justice, Multi- imprisonment by a military judge. mission, just like servicemembers. National Corps – Iraq. This includes His case was the first time a civilian “They have to abide by offenses such as bribery, drug distri- contractor was tried under UCMJ the same rules everyone else bution, assaults and serious thefts. since 1967. “This shows we will be does,” Erisman said. “The importance of this change able to implement the new changes Prior to Ali’s case, the most seri- to the UCMJ cannot be under- in Article 2 of the UCMJ,” Erisman ous punishment civilian contractors stated,” said Lt. Col. Jack Ohlwei- said. “We absolutely will be able to faced was being fired from their jobs ler, deputy staff judge advocate, successfully prosecute civilians.” and sent home. Now all allegations MNC-I. “Contractors can now be “Civilian contractors can now of serious misconduct will be consid- held accountable when their con- be held accountable for serious ered for disposition, Erisman said. duct detracts from the mission or felony misconduct and they’re The military trial for a civilian fol- affects good order and discipline.” subject to criminal prosecution,” lows the same rules and regulations Contracted linguist Alaa “Alex” Erisman said. “They could face as that of a servicemember. The will Mohammad Ali was accused with much more grave consequences first be sent to the Department of stabbing a fellow linguist in Febru- than just being fired or sent home.” Justice for consideration and, if re- ary. He pleaded guilty to wrong- Civilians will now be held to the jected by the DOJ, the individual will ful appropriation of a knife owned same strict conduct standards as face a court martial, Erisman said. by a U.S. Soldier; obstruction members of the armed forces. Civil- During the trial, they will be of justice for wrongfully dispos- ians contractors play an important given the same rights to fair trial ing of the knife after it was used role in Iraq and they are depended and due process as they would in in a fight with another interpreter; upon for the success of the mis- a civilian court. They will also be and making a false official state- sion, Erisman said. This means they provided with legal representa- ment to military investigators. should be held accountable when tion during preceedings, she said.

August 1, 2008 Victory Times Page 3 news MilitaryMilitary HappeningsHappenings

Army dominates Interservice Rifle Championships Exercise marks first for U.S., Brazilian navies Army News Service - The Service Rifle Team of the Navy News Service - The Iwo Jima Expeditionary U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit of , Ga., Strike Group and the Brazilian Navy participated in a won every team match at the 2008 Interservice Rifle Composite Unit Training Exercise July 8-18, marking Championships July 14 to 22. the first time a Brazilian Navy surface unit fully inte- More than 125 shooters from the Army, Navy, Marine grated into a U.S. strike group. Corps, Reserve and National Guard competed in the ri- The crew of the Brazilian naval ship Greenhalgh (F- fle championships at Quantico Marine Corps Base. 46) used this opportunity to increase interoperability The Army Marksmanship Service Rifle Team won with other navies and to prepare for possible future in- the prestigious Interservice Rifle 10-Man Team Match ternational naval missions. and brought home the trophy. Team coaches were Sgt. Another first during the exercise was the fact that 1st Class Emil Praslick III and Sgt. Walter E. Craig Greenhalgh and the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jr. and team captains were Staff Sgt. William T. Pace Jima (LHD 7) were the first two ships to operate the and Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Peters. Shooters were Sgts. 1st new CENTRIX IANTL system at the tactical level. Class Lance D. Dement, Grant L. Singley and Kyle A. This communications system allowed the exchange of Ward, Staff Sgts. Joel S. Micholick and Tobie L. Tom- classified messages and chat. linson, Sgt. Brandon K. Green, Spcs. Tyrel L. Cooper, Calvin G. Roberts, Matthew T. Sigrist and Nathan J. Marine mascot Chesty XII retires Verbickas. Ward shot highest score of 495 points out of Marine Corps News Service - Sgt. Chesty the XII’s a possible 500. six-year tenure as the official mascot of the Barracks came to an end during a retirement ceremony in NASA turns 50 Washington D.C. Friday. Air Force News Service - NASA is 50 years old. Chesty the XII, a fawn and white pedigree English It was established on July 29, 1958, when President bulldog who enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 30, Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics 2002, will spend his years in retirement at home with and Space Act, providing for research into the problems his caretakers, Gunnery Sgt. Michael Mergen and his of flight within Earth’s atmosphere and in space. wife, Gunnery Sgt. Kristin Mergen. The act inaugurated a new civilian agency designated During his six-year career, which marks the longest the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or tour in Barracks’ mascot history, Chesty XII made an NASA. The agency began operations on Oct. 1, 1958. appearance at every Evening Parade and participated in Today, in addition to its headquarters in Washington, several other events in the national capitol region. For D.C., NASA facilities include 10 centers around the his devotion to duty, Chesty XII was awarded a Navy country staffed by nearly 19,000 employees. and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Page 4 Victory Times Online August 1, 2008