2nd BCT at Annual Training Militiaman The Contents

4 IMA/RTI celebrates The 50th anniversary Militiaman by Capt. Jamie Davis Summer 2007 6 Iowan becomes US citizen The Adjutant by Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden General Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis 8 133rd has plenty of experience Public Affairs by Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood Officer Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood M1 Gold Star Museum insert Commanding Officer Maj. Matt Carver 11 Iowa Soldier/Educator feted Print Officer by Spc. Alica Dill Capt. Jamie Davis Editor 14 RSP provides benefits Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden for Soliders/Guard Staff by Spc. Michael Kelly Capt. Melanie Meyer Sgt. 1st Class Paul Rieks 16 Warrant Officer Corps Sgt. 1st Class Sara Maniscalco boasts long history Sgt. Matthew McArthur by CW4 (Ret.) Wesley Bender Spc. Michael Kelly

18 2nd BCT Annual Training The Iowa Militiaman is an unoffi- cial publication authorized under the provisions of AR 360-81. It is pub- lished by the Public Affairs Office, 20 1st Regiment of Iowa Camp Dodge, and is printed four times African Regiment History annually. by CW4 (Ret.) David Snook The news and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Adjutant General of Iowa, or the Department of the Army. On the cover: Approximately 900, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers found the Address all submissions to: opportunity for practical, live-fire exercises The Iowa Militiaman during annual training at Camp Ripley, Minn. Public Affairs Office Here, Engineers of Company A, 2nd Battalion, Camp Dodge 34th Brigade Special Troops Battalion put their 7105 NW 70th Ave. skills to work, blowing up simulated mortar Johnston, IA 50131-1824 tubes and rockets during a cache demoliton. or E-mail: ( photo by Sgt. 1st Class [email protected] Paul Rieks).

The Iowa Militiaman2 Summer 2007 We must prepare our Warriors As fall rapidly approaches, these are truly is our primary mission. This mission has be- exceptional and exciting times. This is the come increasingly important in the Global War most significant period of time in the history on Terror, as the Reserve Component has of the Iowa National Guard and will be re- transitioned from a strategic reserve to an corded as such in the annals of history. operational force. This is not going to change Thank you for your extraordinary service to in the foreseeable future, as we will continue to your country and for the incredible sacrifices source units in support of the warfight. you and your families are making each and And we yet face new challenges on an almost every day. You are truly, great Americans, and daily basis. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve We continue to be engaged in a very fiscally- with you. constrained environment. We’re fighting the This year, the Iowa National Guard theme is Global War on Terror on 3.6 percent of the “Mission Focused – Warrior Ready,” reflect- Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is stag- ing our organizational and individual priorities gering when compared to previous conflicts: for the next year. We must always remember, World War II, at 38 percent of the GDP; the we are a “mission focused” Korean War, at greater organization. Everything we than 14 percent; and Viet- do must support and enable nam was fought at 10 per- the Iowa National Guard to cent. accomplish whatever mis- Since 1968, the GDP sion we are given. has grown by over 300 per- “Warrior Ready” reflects cent. However, the De- our individual priorities for fense budget has only TAG our Soldiers and Airmen. grown by 68 percent. Since As leaders, we have an obli- 1984, procurement and gation to make sure our RDT&E accounts percent- Sends Warriors are ready to do age of the Army budget what we ask of them. It also declined from 31 percent Maj. Gen. means, that in order for a to 17.5 percent (a similar Ron Dardis, Warrior to be ready, we must figure, within the Air The Adjutant General ensure his or her family, Force). In order to make up employer, and community for this, we cut people to are ready as well. Readi- leverage money for mod- ness must be our number one priority. ernization, recapitalizing the force on the backs The bottom line is this: Everything we do to of the Soldiers and Airmen serving today. resource, train and prepare our Warriors must Everyone within the Iowa National Guard fit within this theme. If something doesn’t, then must stay engaged on issues affecting the orga- it isn’t a priority. nization. Know your reps within the ESGR, be But, what does it mean to be a “Warrior?” involved with your unit’s family readiness pro- Each service lives by a creed, and I think it’s gram and be involved within your communities. important to periodically stop and remind our- Encourage your Soldiers and Airmen to get selves what it means to be an American Soldier involved. Give something back to their com- or Airman. We are Soldiers and Airmen first, munities and above all, tell their stories. They, but Warriors always. I expect each and every more than anyone else, have the credibility to one of you to live and lead by these creeds. talk about and share what they have seen in In the National Guard, we have three primary service to their state and nation. missions: 1) Federal; 2) State; and 3) Commu- Our Soldiers and Airmen return from de- nity. Each mission is equally important and ployments more experienced, more mature interconnected with the others. The resources and more focused. They have tremendous sto- we receive for our federal mission enable us to maximize our response to our state mission, which in turn strengthens our ability to improve TAG Sends and support our communities. Let there be no mistake; our federal mission continued on page 18

The Iowa Militiaman3 Summer 2007 Iowa Military Academy/185th Regional Training Institution celebrates 50th anniversary

Story and photos by Capt. Jamie Davis The process has and will In July 2007, the Iowa Army National continue to morph. Guard’s Regional Training Institute (RTI) turns 50 years old and the pictures which line the It mirrors the wants and needs halls speak of the evolution of the program. of the Army and we intend From the very first 8x10 black and white to stay current in addressing photo, you get an indication of the program’s origins. Forty young, Caucasian, male, second those needs.” lieutenants stare back with a determined look Col. Ron Albrecht of hope and promise in their eyes. RTI Commander A quick scan of the remaining pictures tells the rest of the story. Each is of Soldiers, al- though they each sport different uniforms from Commander, Col. Ron Albrecht, who assumed different eras. The last RTI graduating class, command in June 2006, has witnessed the represented by an 8x10, color, glossy photo, evolution first-hand. shows a class of racially diverse, mixed-gender “The process has and will continue to morph. Soldiers, showcasing officers of assorted ages, It mirrors the wants and needs of the Army and hopes and dreams. we intend to stay current in addressing those The RTI program itself has evolved over the needs,” said Albrecht. years. Many think of the RTI as training by “The RTI is part of the team. We train Sol- A walk through the officers – for officers. Those days, along with diers to fill the leadership vacancies and iden- RTI photo gallery the black and white photos, are long gone. tify Soldiers to be future leaders. But, it isn’t stirs many Today, the RTI is the “School House of the just dedicated to training officers. It is now a memories of past Guard.” leadership school and has been evolving into classes. In 1957, following World War II and the more of a career-path training program,” Korean War, there Albrecht added. was a shortage of Iowa took the lead with its Non-Commis- Army officers. Each sioned Officer training. NCO Educational Sys- state was delegated to tem courses, such as the Basic NCO Course, produce officers to and Advanced NCO Course are offered, along fill their ranks. The with OCS and the second class of Warrant Iowa Military Acad- Officer Candidate School is now underway. emy, as it was then Due to a shortage of Warrant Officers the known, came into ex- same concept was applied – take the same istence. program and teach it locally, thereby produc- While it’s seen ing tomorrow’s leaders. The second WOCS many changes over the class graduated 15 Warrant Officers, whereas years, the mission has in the past, Iowa sent only one or two Soldiers remained the same: per year to out-of-state locations to complete Production of future their training. leaders. Iowa’s Of- Clearly, the program has paid dividends. ficer Candidate They plan on assuming a larger role in Mili- School has the same tary Occupational Specialty (MOS) qualifica- mission and training tion and leadership roles, and are getting more program as what is of- proactive in taking care of Soldier’s needs. fered at Ft. Benning, Recently, they’ve added MOS qualification Ga. schools, such as Motor Transport Operator The current RTI (88M), Health Care Specialist (68W) Sustain-

The Iowa Militiaman4 Summer 2007 ment, and Cavalry Scout (19D) schools, with schools – have all benefited and as a result, the the hope of adding more MOS Qualification Army itself has benefited from the RTI. courses in the future. Looking forward from its inception, no one They also offer Combat Lifesaver, Total had an inkling of what the RTI would become. Army Instructor Training, Instructor for Small However, in looking back today, the RTI has Group Training, Company Level Pre-Command had a tremendous impact on the history of the Course, and State-level Pre-Mobilization Evalu- Iowa National Guard. ation courses. “It’s important to recognize those who have Instructor Capt. Chad Cook has been with gone before us, gone through the process and the RTI for a year-and-a-half, while Capt. An- honor the foresight they had. It’s an opportu- drea Mayer has taught for two-and-a-half years. nity for us to pay tribute,” said Albrecht. “Iowa is networking to take care of the Iowa No one knows what the next 50 years will National Guard Soldiers and helping Soldiers bring, but each year, another class photo will be find the right program that fits their leadership added to the wall as new leaders are brought needs,” said Mayer. into the ranks through the RTI program. Growth does come with its challenges. The Each photo will feature different faces and military’s current operations tempo has taken a different races, but each will continue to share toll on recruitment and the RTI itself loses the same look of determination, hope and prom- staff members due to deployments. Also, many ise, that these future leaders will bring to the commands are more selective these days as to state of Iowa. who they submit for the schools. Another challenge faced by the RTI, is the fact they are rapidly outgrowing the facilities they currently have. Many other schools at Camp Dodge and other programs are compet- ing for those same resources. “Resource management and command and control does pose a challenge for the RTI but these are welcome challenges, as we continue to provide leadership opportunities for the Guard,” said Cook. Another achievement the RTI is proud of is the overall leadership courses that have been offered. In July 2007, the RTI celebrated 50 years of training future leaders. And not just officers – but rather, officers, warrant officers, senior NCOs, NCOs and those looking for MOS Whether it’s in the classroom, or in the field, Regional Training Institution instructors provide innovative training for the best Soldiers - officers and enlisted - that Iowa has to offer. Through its unique, comprehensive training programs, RTI helps Soldiers find the right program that fits their leadership needs.

The Iowa Militiaman5 Summer 2007 Iowa Soldier realizesPage 4Adream, earns U.S. citizenship in Iraq “I hereby declare, on oath, that I abso- to secure for themselves,” Gonzalez said. “There lutely and entirely renounce and abjure all is no more fitting way for a grateful nation to allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, show its appreciation, than through granting potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or qualified military servicemembers U.S. citi- which I have heretofore been a subject or zenship as soon as possible.” citizen;…” “You came from Africa to Asia, from Eu- rope to South America. But today in Iraq – a by Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden country struggling for its own freedom – you (Editor’s Note: The 1st Battalion, 133rd are all Americans,” said Brig. Gen. Michael J. Infantry returned home to Iowa July 25). Terry, 13th Sustainment Command (Expedi- When his year-long deploymentNot to Iraq with tionary),your during the keynote address. the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Division be- For Diasse, a happy-go lucky guy who en- gan, 29-year old Spc. Aly Diasse was one of joys life and prides himself on keeping a posi- approximately a dozen foreign-bornaverage Soldiers tive attitude, that always-present workday smile spread serving in the Iowa National Guard, who are not even bigger that day. U.S. citizens. “I am very glad about becoming a U.S. citi- An integral part of the unit’s Company B, zen,” Diasse said. “Being a U.S. citizen is a Diasse has always put mission accomplish- great feeling and it gives me a better opportu- ment and the safety of his fellow Soldiers first. nity for my future.” However, from his very first day in America, Diasse has dreamed of becoming a U.S. citizen. “…That I will support and defend the Spc. Aly Diasse On Nov. 12, Diasse, along with more than 40 Constitution and laws of the of takes part in the other servicemembers, was honored with just America against all enemies, foreign and Oath of Allegiance that privilege, as they took the Oath of Alle- domestic;…” as he becomes a giance at the Sustainer Theater, Logistical Sup- Originally from the West African country of U.S. citizen during port Area Anaconda, near Balad, Iraq. Senegal, Diasse arrived in Iowa in May 2001, his naturalization According to Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez, direc- shortly after completing high school. He later ceremony at LSA tor of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Ser- obtained a visa from the U.S. Embassy in Anaconda, Iraq. vices, who was present at the ceremony, thou- Cameroon. Diasse had a cousin who had lived (US Army photo by sands of immigrant troops are making extraor- in Iowa and after discussing school possibili- Sgt. 1st Class dinary sacrifices for their adopted country. ties with him, he decided to put his roots down Gregory Murray) “These men and women have pledged to in Iowa City. defend with their lives, liberties they have yet While he came to Iowa to continue his edu- cation, money proved to be an issue. In the meantime, Diasse continued to support and improve himself. He went to work for Plastic Products Com- pany, an injection molding plastic factory at West Branch. He met Ronni, his next door neighbor, who would soon become his wife. It wasn’t long before their daughter, Amy, was born. It was then that Diasse decided to look into the Iowa . “…That I will perform noncombatant ser- vice in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;…” Sgt. 1st Class Mark Edwards, an Iowa Na- tional Guard recruiter in Iowa City, remembers the day Diasse first walked into the Dubuque

The Iowa Militiaman6 Summer 2007 Street armory. Besides his infectious smile, proximately 18,500 miles of combat logistical Edwards was struck by the young man’s focus. patrols. “As recruiters, we talk to people everyday,” “Diasse would do whatever is asked of him, Edwards said. “Most people are afraid to make and he always gives a lot of effort in everything a commitment today, especially with a war he does,” said 2nd Lt. Kent Greiner, his 1st going on and 24/7 coverage of the Iraq war on platoon, Bravo Company platoon leader. “You TV and in the media. A lot of people will say, never have to ask him twice on any tasks. ‘Not right now, maybe later.’” “He has a positive attitude, is always ready Diasse simply walked in and said, ‘I want to with a smile, and never sits a mission out,” join the National Guard.’ Greiner said. “I think it speaks very highly of his character. And through it all, he continued to focus on Even with all the media coverage, he wanted to his personal mission, taking classes, undergo- help his family. He knew there was a chance he ing naturalization interviews and completing could deploy, and he still joined. Even though his coursework, culminating in the Iraq cer- he wasn’t a U.S. citizen, he was willing to enlist, emony. despite the possibility of deploying.” And when he returns to U.S. soil, he’ll now Following basic training, Diasse graduated enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of a from Advanced Individual Training at Fort U.S. citizen. Meanwhile, he’s looking toward Benning, Ga., as an 11B, or Infantryman. his family’s future. Edwards made the trip and was present for his “When I get back, my plan is to go back to graduation. school, get an education and find a good job.” Edwards felt his commitment to this young He said he’d like to work for the City of man was by no means over. One of Diasse’s Iowa City if possible, but hasn’t ruled out be- goals, and the thing he talked the most about, coming an airplane mechanic, either. was achieving U.S. citizenship. While it’s some- And, he wants to continue in the Iowa Na- One of Iowa’s what easier to get U.S. citizenship through tional Guard. newest U.S. military service, it’s by no means a decisive “I love the Army life and I think I will reen- citizens enjoys factor. list. I chose to be an 11B because I love the cake with fellow So, Diasse and Edwards made frequent trips infantry. 133rd Infantry west on Interstate 80 to Camp Dodge to work “I’m very glad of being a soldier and being Soldiers. with the Judge Advocate General, or staff attor- able to give my family and my daughter free- ney, on the U.S. citizenship application pro- dom. I have learned a lot more in the last two cess. Unfortunately, shortly after the process years, than I have in my whole life. I think began, Diasse’s unit was called up for deploy- everybody should be a soldier at least once in ment. their life, and see how much better a person you can be,” Diasse said. “…That I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when “…And that I take this obligation freely required by the law;…” without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.” On Oct. 7, 2005, Diasse and approximately 650 other Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, mobi- lized to Camp Shelby, Miss. for training. The unit had previously been mobilized in support of Operation Desert Spring from Sept. 2000 to Feb. 2001, providing security for U.S. military assets in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and was also mobilized for the Multinational Force Observer mission in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt from May 2003 to Jan. 2004. The unit’s primary mission since arriving in Iraq in May 2006 has been providing convoy security throughout the country. A driver/gunner, versatile in any position, Diasse quickly went about his tasks, complet- ing more than 40 missions and logging ap-

The Iowa Militiaman7 Summer 2007 By Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood 1/34 BCT Public Affairs (Editor’s Note: The 1st Battalion, 133rd 133rd Infantry Infantry returned home to Iowa July 25). CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq – There is certainly no lack of experience in the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers stationed here. Division There are 10 Guardsmen with more than 25 years of service. They include Chief Warrant Officer Stephen Swisher of Council Bluffs, and Staff Sgt. Stephen Johnson of Dubuque, who have 30 and 29 years of service; and 1st Sgt. has no lack Thomas Newton of Waterloo, Sgt. 1st Class James Plambeck of Persia, Sgt. 1st Class Joel Laird of Des Moines, and Sgt. 1st Class Donald Gilbert of Waverly, who each have more than of experienced 27 years of service. This marks the first deployment for Swisher, Plambeck, Laird and Gilbert. “I never dreamt I would stay in this long,” Swisher, the battalion’s maintenance techni- Iowans cian, said with several laughs. The 47-year old Swisher, a married father of three, enlisted in the Guard Dec. 1, 1976 at age

The Iowa Militiaman8 Summer 2007 16. His parents had to sign a waiver for him to Laird, 44, also has strong family ties with the enlist. He said the supervisor of the furniture military. His father was a full-time Guard re- store he worked in and a Guard member advised cruiter. him to join the Guard. Laird, the motor pool maintenance control Swisher was a noncommissioned officer NCO, definitely made his father proud. He from 1981 until 1999, earning the rank of spent two years in the Guard from 1979-81, master sergeant in 1992. He became a warrant served in the Marines from 1982 until 1990 officer in 1999 and has worked as a full-time and re-joined the Guard in 1990. technician for the last 28 years at the Council Laird, a married father of five, said the rea- Bluffs field maintenance shop, one of more son for re-joining the Guard was because he than 10 in the state. had several years of service in and wanted “to Becoming a warrant officer was one of his come back in and do what I could.” goals before leaving the Guard. “I did what I said His father passed away in 1989. “I figured if I wanted to do,” he said. “It feels like one he gave his life for the military, so can I.” helluva accomplishment. I’ve done my best.” When he returns home, he plans to pursue Following this deployment, he said he wants the heating and air conditioning business he to “drive on” for at least another year. started before deploying. If this doesn’t pan “It all depends on the technician program,” out, he said, he’ll attempt to secure a full-time he said. “If it has something good to offer, I’ll Guard position. probably stick around.” Newton, 45, and Gilbert, 49, don’t have to Johnson, 55, who served in the Army from worry about finding work as full-time Guards- 1969 until 1972, has to “stick around.” He men. They have worked at the same Iowa main- extended his enlistment for six years in 2004 tenance shop for more than 20 years. Both also after more than 20 years in the Guard (all in joined the Guard in 1979. Company A, based in Dubuque). Newton, a married father of three, said he He said he joined the Army as an engineer joined the Guard’s maintenance field upon the during the Vietnam War to “do something for advice of the manager of the hotel he worked at. his country” and at the same time earn money “I just enjoyed doing it. Actually, I figured I for college with the G.I. Bill. would be here for the long haul,” he said. He was very close to being sent to Vietnam His future plans are to attend the sergeants’ instead of South Korea. While at Fort Huachuca, major academy. He said he will stay in the Ariz., 25 engineers left for Vietnam the first Guard until he is 60 years old if he can. month. In the second month, 23 Soldiers left This could be true for Gilbert too, a married for Vietnam as he and another Soldier were father of four, who said he’ll stay in the Guard deployed to South Korea. until “they can’t retain me any more.” Johnson, a married father of two, joined the He joined the Guard because his friends did Guard in 1984 on a one-year trial program. and he wanted to “give back to the community.” He said he enjoys the Guard because he is He’s enjoyed the Guard because he enjoys able to do something different. When not de- his job, which he said can be a rarity in the ployed (this was his third), he is in his 30th year civilian workplace. as a revenue agent for the Iowa Department of Plambeck, a motor sergeant, likes his Guard Revenue. job as well. The married father of two has During his Guard career, Johnson has worked worked as a full-time technician at the same in several fields, including administrative and shop as Swisher for the last 19 years. supply. Here, he is the battalion’s liaison for “Once I was a technician, I was more or less convoy operations between several Army units. devoted to (the Guard),” he said. “It was nice to get away from my civilian job He said he originally joined the Guard in a little bit and do something different,” one of 1979 for a $1,200 enlistment bonus. “If not for his reasons for staying in the Guard. “I just like being a full-time technician, I would have re- doing it. To me it was a stress relief from my tired at 24 years,” he said. regular job.” Two of his brothers have retired from the Johnson’s relatives also like serving in the Guard after several years of service and his military. His cousin served 27 years in the 82nd nephew, also a sergeant first class, is serving Airborne Division, his father served aboard a with the battalion here. Landing Ship, Tank during the D-Day invasion The other Soldiers with more than 25 years at Normandy, France, in World War II, and his are 1st Sgt. Steven DeBoer, Sgt. John Rick, Staff cousin is a major in the Iowa National Guard. Sgt. Walter Tapp and Sgt. Michael Sticker.

The Iowa Militiaman9 Summer 2007 New TSP number arriving and Preventive Medicine has developed Be on the lookout in late fall for a mailing suicide prevention training based on actual from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with your suicide event reports, including vignettes and new TSP account number. This account other interactive lessons, which will be number will replace your Social Security provided in September. number as your primary ID for your TSP Statistics show almost 50 percent more account. You will need to use your account Army National Guard Soldiers have number when filing TSP forms. You will use committed suicide this year than at the same it with your TSP password when entering the time last year. Every suicide is a preventable Account Access section of the TSP Web site tragedy for Soldiers, family members and and will use it with your TSP Personal communities. Identification Number (PIN) to gain access to your account through the Thrift Line. New airline gate procedures And, if you send TSP loan payments from The Transportation Security Administra- your own funds, you will need to include tion has issued a directive pertaining to mili- your account number on the loan coupon that tary passengers at U.S. airports. According accompanies your check or provide it to your to Security Directive 1544-01-10w, families on-line bill-paying service if you have one. of military members may be granted access Substituting this randomly selected to sterile concourse areas to escort their account number for your Social Security military passenger to the departure gate or to number will make your TSP transactions meet a military passenger’s inbound arrival at more secure. The TSP is doing all it can to the gate. protect the security of your personal The family member can go to the airline information. The rest is up to you. Be careful check-in desk the military member is flying giving out your account number, and don’t on and receive a pass to go to the gate. They write it down where it can be seen by others will still be required to have a pass and a who should not have access to it. photo ID to get through the security check- point for that gate. Interest reduction program Briefs With the Iowa Student Loan Armed Forces Imminent danger pay changes Interest Reduction Program, interest on According to the Department of Defense, private student loans will be reduced to zero these locations will no longer be classified percent for up to 24 months if a borrower was imminent danger pay zones: Angola, Georgia, deployed, is currently deployed, or becomes Sierra Leone, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, deployed between Sept. 11, 2001 and Dec. and Macedonia. 31, 2008, or has a non-defaulted private loan To ensure members are compensated owned (or serviced) by Iowa Student Loan, or appropriately, increases in hardship duty- has completed payment on such a loan during location pay (HDP-L) for Angola, Georgia, the eligibility period. and Sierra Leone are increased from $100 to Iowa Student Loan is obligated to issue a $150 a month. Macedonia is increased from 1099-C form for borrowers reporting a $0 to $100 a month. reduction of indebtedness of $600 or more. All of the above changes are effective Borrowers, or a representative, spouse or Nov. 1, 2007. parent, should call Iowa Student Loan at Hardship duty-location is compensation 1-(800)-243-7552. A copy of their military paid in designated hardship duty locations orders confirming eligible service is (i.e. areas where quality of life is substan- required. tially below that most members in the U.S. generally experience). Factors considered Suicide prevention week include physical environment, living condi- tions, and personal security. Sept. 9-15 has been established as National Imminent danger pay is compensation paid Suicide Prevention Week. The Department of at the rate of $225 a month for duty in a Defense theme this year, is “Suicide foreign area in which the member was sub- Prevention: Moving Forward with Education ject to the threat of physical harm or immi- and Training.” nent danger on the basis of civil insurrection, The Army Center for Health Promotion civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions.

The Iowa Militiaman10 Summer 2007 Vol. No. 4 Sunmer 2007 Issue No. 3 The armories of Iowa Remembering the coliseums by Mary Jones Environmental Section Throughout Iowa history, National Guard armories were located in many types of buildings. Community pride went a long way in de- termining how fine a hall housed a unit, and many cit- ies erected massive struc- tures that were used not only for its National Guard com- panies, but also for commu- nity gatherings of all sorts. One of the finest types of these buildings were “The Coliseums,” and a half dozen or so were built to house Guard units throughout the Clinton Coliseum state. Although several of these still survive, there are three Iowa National Guard Coliseums which exist only in memory. The Clinton Coliseum Recent donations 101-109 4th Avenue Clinton, Iowa presented to the museum The Clinton Coliseum was built as the Battery A, 1st Field We are most thankful for three donations received Artillery Armory, in 1914. The building was designed by at Retiree Day 2007. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James Anderson, architects John Morrell and Sons, who also designed many of Cedar Falls, donated a World War I (Trench Art) other Clinton landmarks. 75mm artillery shell. He also donated a 105mm During the 1930s, part of the building was converted artillery Fleshett pack from the Vietnam War. What was into the Modernistic Ballroom. “The Mod,” as it was known an infantryman doing with this stuff? to the locals, was host to bands conducted by Artie Shaw, Another donation was an excellent set of World War Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk. II Class A uniforms from Master Sgt. (Ret.) Mike Halpin, Guard units used portions of the Coliseum until 1951. from Marion. Throughout this time the building’s owners continued to The third donation was a rare Model 1910 Haversack hire dance bands – now of the rock n’ roll variety - until a and Pack carrier from Capt. (Ret.) Wayne Calhoon, from Christmas Eve fire destroyed the building in 1958. Spencer. This was an item that some Guardsmen and Coliseums Marines used in early WWII. Continued on page M4

Gold Star Military MuseumM1 Summer 2007 165th Infantry Reg., 27th Div. Soldiers reunited by Col (Ret) Russell V. Bierl Director, Iowa Gold Star Museum Before their recent meeting at Camp Dodge’s Gold Star Military Museum, the last time Capt. Aloysius TRolfes and Staff Sgt. Henry G. Hull saw each other was October 1945. Rolfes had served as commander of Company E, 165th Infantry, and Hull was the Mortar platoon sergeant during the World War II island campaign of the 27th Infantry Division. They trained together in Hawaii, made the inva- sion on Yellow Beach at Makin and fought together at Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa from September 1943 to Oc- tober 1945. They also were together on the first plane the division sent into Japan for occupation duty. Col. (Ret.) Rolfes was drafted into the Army from Le Capt. Aloysius T. Rolfes Staff Sgt. Henry G. Hull Mars, Iowa in 1942 and initially trained at Camp Barkley, Calif. He was chosen to attend Officers Candidate School ammunition bearer and rose up through the ranks to staff and following graduation at Ft. Benning, Ga., 2nd Lt. Rolfes sergeant. was assigned to the 27th Infantry Division stationed at Hull remembers they were not ready for the snipers on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Makin Island. He said, “The Japs tied themselves into the Al fondly remembers his first Company Commander, tops of coconut trees and fired on our men. We soon fixed Capt. Ben Ryan of the 27th Division, New York National them with 20 rounds fired into the tree top from a Browning Guard. Ryan suggested Rolfes attend the Ranger School at Automatic Rifle.” Schofield Barracks and Al considered that suggestion a Following the Makin Island campaign, the 27th Division direct order. Rolfes successfully completed the Ranger returned to Schofield Barracks to refit and retrain before training and also served as a trainer. heading off to Saipan and Tinian. Rolfes recalls they were Rolfes first served as a platoon leader with Co. E, and originally supposed to assault Tinian Island, but the Japa- several Pacific island campaigns later, was assigned as nese forces on Saipan were stronger than expected. Illumi- commander and promoted to captain. Ryan was wounded on nation was provided by Navy ships and the Division used that Saipan and told Rolfes he would look up his parents back in light with effect to kill some 2,500 Japanese moving on Iowa. Al says Ryan kept his word, treating them to a night in their flank in a Banzai attack. Des Moines, according to a letter Al’s mother sent him. She After the Saipan/Tinian campaign, the Division moved to said they were very happy to visit with Ryan and hear about the New Hebrides Island group for rest and retraining prior their son. Rolfes remembers well going ashore on Yellow Beach at Makin. When the front ramp of the landing craft dropped, he was thrown into the water. His Soldiers followed and stepped off into water up to their chest. The crew that was manning the landing craft were all killed by machine gun fire and “I thought we were all goners,” said Rolfes. “Sgt. Hull, who was on our mortar team, provided our only fire support. They were really good at adjusting their fire. They could drop the round right on the enemy Former Capt. Al Rolfes (right) and Staff Sgt. Henry Hull hold a copy of the 27th after the first couple Infantry Division history. They fought in Company E, 165th Infantry Battalion, rounds,” recalls Rolfes. 27th Infantry Division, on Makin, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa, as well as Hull first served as an serving on occupation duty in Japan.

Gold Star Military MuseumM2 Summer 2007 to assaulting Okinawa. Rolfes remembers the Okinawa Rolfes declined to stay on active duty, choosing to return campaign as very hard fought, the final island before Ameri- home to LeMars and the farm. He married, began farming can forces would attack the home islands of Japan. with his father, joined the Iowa National Guard in 1947 and During the battle for Okinawa, Company E was down to became commander of Company K, 133rd Infantry in 38 men from the 182 assigned when they were pulled off the LeMars. Rolfes went on to a full-time career with the Iowa line one morning, provided hot food, and 140 replacements. National Guard, eventually becoming Chief of Staff. Rolfes They were sent back in the late afternoon with the replace- retired in 1985, with 39 years of service. ments, having no training time to integrate the men for a “Looking back at my experience, I consider myself truly combat environment. blessed,” Rolfes adds. “I lost a lot of friends. There were Once Okinawa was secure, Rolfes recalls the excitement plenty of good guys who didn’t make it out of there alive. I when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. When was never wounded,” he said, “but I came close plenty of the Japanese surrendered, Rolfes said Co. E was the first times though.” unit of the division to land by air on Japan and he was amazed Rolfes lives in Des Moines, while Hull is from at the lack of hostility by the Japanese. He recalls that all the Chillicothe, Mo. They found each other through a news men received 30 Yen. Rolfes went on to say that “their story on Iowa Public Television. experience on Japan was favorable.” Great news on Gold Star Museum expansion The Governor has signed the appropriations bill which in working with the state legislature to get this appropria- includes funding for the construction of an addition to the tion through. Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. We hope to have architectural plans for the 23,600- The Museum will receive $1 million in July 2007, with square foot addition approved by the first of the year. an additional $3 million to be received over the course of Stand by for more updates on this museum expansion. the next two years (2008-2009), after further approval by the legislature and governor. Senators Daryl Beall, Steve Warnstadt, Matt McCoy, and Jack Kibbie, and Representa- Memorial Day open house tives and Wes Whitead were very instru- The Gold Star Museum was again open for the Memorial mental in seeing this bill pass the legislature. Day Holiday as a special site to remember our fallen Funding is from the State of Iowa, Transportation, Infra- Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen. structure, and Capitals Appropriation budget. For the second year in a row, the Memorial Day open All veterans need to give a special thank you to these house at the museum was a roaring success. We had ap- people when you see them. Also a special thanks to Bob proximately 1,300 people attend the event which included Holliday and the rest of the Museum Board for their effort the Van & Bonnie WHO radio show broadcast from the Museum. A standard Army Breakfast of “Stuff on a Shingle,” Army coffee, as well as “Bug Juice” was provided to all visitors Iowa Gold Star who attended the open house. Military Museum 7105 NW 70th Ave. Johnston, Iowa 50131-1824 (515)-252-4531 www.IowaNationalGuard.com

Museum E-mail contact: [email protected]

Museum hours Open Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. A Model 1918, World War I U.S. Army Liberty Open Saturday 9 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. Truck. Pictured are Staff Sgt. Daryl Heldt from Co Retiree Coffee every G, 1/334 BSB and two WWI re-enactors in period uniforms. The truck will be exhibited in the new Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. addition.

Gold Star Military MuseumM3 Summer 2007 Coliseums Continued from page M1

Des Moines Coliseum Locust Street and Des Moines River Des Moines, Iowa This riverfront Coliseum, built about 1907, was used by a number of National Guard units, including Com- panies A and B, 55th Regi- ment, the 56th Regiment Band, and the Sanitary De- tachment, 3rd Regiment. By 1923 Companies C and D, 1st Bn., 168th Regiment, had moved to this site as well. Des Moines Coliseum The Des Moines Coli- seum burned in 1949.

Ottumwa Memorial Coliseum and Armory 100 Church Street Ottumwa, Iowa The 1934 Ottumwa Me- morial Coliseum was built for both community events and for Troop E, 2nd Squad- ron, 113th Cavalry use. It was designed by architect George M. Kerns. The Coliseum included a riding hall, blacksmith shop and stables on the ground level. The main floor housed an auditorium and stage, and included an orchestra pit and Ottumwa Memorial Coliseum a balcony. The balcony level also housed supply rooms and offices. The building was used un- til at least 1953 by Battery C of the 113th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. It was used by the community long after the Guard left the site. In 2004, after preservation- ists’ efforts to save it were exhausted, it was demol- ished for the construction of a new civic center. Coliseum main floor and stage During demolition

Gold Star Military MuseumM4 Summer 2007 Iowa Soldier/educator recognized as National Distinguished Principal by Spc. Alicia Dill Command Sgt. Major Chris Myers, of the One subject that makes Iowans proud, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, spends drill week- is the quality of public education. ends as a Soldier in the Iowa National Guard. Taxpayers across the state expect But in his civilian job, he leads a much younger their tax money to prepare students troops. As principal of Cedar Rapids’ Garfield Elementary School, Myers is making a differ- for whatever life may bring. ence among his students and fellow educators. Whether it’s pride or expectations A former first grade teacher, Myers was that drive Iowa educators to excel, selected by his associates to receive the 2006 one Soldier/elementary school Iowa Principal of the Year Award from the National Association of Elementary School principal takes both to the classroom. Principals. Recognition for Myers’ outstand- ing leadership wasn’t finished, as he was also the expectations of his position, and with the selected as the National Distinguished Princi- help of Sac City students and teachers, gave pal for the State of Iowa at the national level. something back to the people of Afghanistan. He relates his achievement in the classroom After meeting with a local principal in Af- and leadership as principal to his learning expe- ghanistan, Myers had a list of basic school riences in the Army. supplies the students needed; paper, pencils “Soldiers are no different than students in and pens. He got in touch with the interim the fact that they have things they need and an school principal where he worked to see if a education to gain. The only difference is the donation project was feasible. setting the education occurs in,” said Myers, “One thing led to another and soon the chil- who began his Iowa National Guard career in dren in Sac City were gathering supplies for the 1983. school. Businesses in Sac City donated money “In the Soldiers’ world, a lack of education for shipping the supplies and individuals do- can lead to death. In the education world, a lack nated money for the same,” he said. “Children of education can lead to an academic death. raided closets and desks for everything they Neither one of these is pleasant,” he said. could and begged parents to buy more. When it With almost 25 years in educating Soldiers was completed, they had enough supplies to fill and students, Myers has learned to adapt to any a pickup truck to overflowing,” he said. situation either position has put forth. Command Sgt. “The experience of going through the mili- Maj. Chris Myers, tary and being yelled at by numerous people at 1st Battalion, 168th many levels, prepares one quite well for deal- Infantry, is recog- ing with those unhappy parents that come into nized as the 2006 your building now and again,” he said. Iowa Principal of “In addition, learning about leadership in the the Year, as well as military helps one learn how to deal with many the National Dis- types of learning, that one leadership style tinguished Principal doesn’t fit them all. Education also teaches for the State of you to apply your patience and ability to adapt Iowa, by the to situations for use in the military.” National Associa- One such situation occurred in May 2004, tion of Elementary when he deployed to Afghanistan. Serving as School Principals. operations sergeant major, Myers went beyond (Contributed photo)

The Iowa Militiaman11 Summer 2007 Through the ranks by State Command Sgt. Maj. Doyle Norris

For this issue, I would like declinations and what they to discuss the improved En- mean, so don’t be afraid to ask listed Promotion System for for assistance. the Iowa Army National Guard. My final request is for each Probably the highest profile Soldier to monitor the list and program this Headquarters ad- know where they stand on the ministrates is the Enlisted Pro- list. We found 38 Soldiers who motion System. were left off the original list After all, what Soldier and the Headquarters conducted doesn’t look forward to get- a stand-by advisory board and a ting promoted? supplemental board to add those However, there are several Soldiers who should have been requirements which must be on the list in the first place. met just to get your record These boards are conducted before the promotion board, and then there is on a quarterly basis. the board itself. If you have a question about why your record The Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel was not looked at, first, ask your NCO Support realized how important this program was and Channel. Your platoon sergeant, as well as your hired a full time Enlisted Promotion Manager first sergeant, probably have the answer for for the State. Sgt. 1st Class Teresa Conradi, who you. was selected, has been one busy Soldier. But, in case of an oversight, the fastest way This was also the year we went to an auto- to get added to any upcoming board is to let mated board process. No more 20l files; ev- your NCOs know the situation. Your Battalion erything is done from your electronic file and Command Sergeant Major also has insight to even the scoring is electronic thanks to the the process and can work any issue that needs State Information Management section. attention. Once the panel members became familiar Our new State Enlisted Personnel Manager, with the electronic process, the acceptance Sgt. Maj. Renee Blodgett, Conradi and I stand was almost unanimous. The promotion lists are ready to correct any deficiency that is brought now available from any RCAS computer and to our attention. the lists are updated almost daily. We have improved this process by leaps and Remember, to be eligible for promotion to bounds. I have more confidence in this system the next higher grade, you must meet the time than I have had since becoming the Senior in grade and time in service requirements. You Enlisted Advisor to the State. must have completed all phases of NCOES for Our Soldiers are doing great and wonderful your current rank and of course, not be flagged things all around the world. It is incumbent for adverse action. upon the senior leadership of the State to re- The boards for promotion to sergeant major, ward such an outstanding display of profes- first/master sergeant and sergeant first class sionalism and dedication by ensuring our best will be conducted in November 2007 and the Soldiers are promoted. boards for staff sergeant and sergeant will be Remember, you are not promoted for what held in February 2008. you have done in the past, you are promoted for You should be looking for your NGB Form what you will do in the future. Providing the 4100 (Administrative Promotion Points) soon. extra responsibility that goes along with the Also, take time to have someone in your NCO extra rank will enable the Soldiers of the Iowa Support Channel explain the different declina- Army National Guard to reach even loftier tions available to you before you sign your heights. NGB Form 4100. We are proud Iowans and we are profes- Each year I see there is confusion on the sional Soldiers!

The Iowa Militiaman12 Summer 2007 Out with the old, in with the new First and foremost, the Education Services who have been deployed. Ch 1607 is a VA- Officer, Capt. Don Enright, begins a year-long administered benefit, used much like the Ch. deployment with the 1st Battalion, 194th Field 1606 GI Bill. Artillery to Kosovo. Enright will serve as the In the GI Bill arena, Reservists may use it for Battalion S-1, Personnel Officer. There have college, on-the-job training, appreniceships, been many changes to improve the availability correspondence courses or flight training. If a of the Education Office for Iowans – new web Soldier is in school, they must contact the VA sites have been added, with more personnel certifying official at their college or univer- getting out to units. You can thank Enright for sity. Once the paperwork has been sent to their that; his passion in education has been greatly Regional VA, it takes 10-12 weeks to process appreciated. Thank you and good luck!! the claim, so start the process early. So, you may ask, who is going to be the new Education Services Officer? Well, the Iowa National Guard would like to welcome home 1st Lt. David Mitchell. Before leaving for his From the 15-month deployment to Afghanistan, Mitchell served as Guidance Counselor. Mitchell is ex- cited about being back in the Education Office. Education The online application for the National Guard Assistance Program (NGEAP) has been a great success. Soldiers/Airmen can now enter an Office email address when the application is sent to the State Tuition Assistance manager, so an email response is returned when the applica- If you are applying for Ch. 1606 and need tion is received. When logging onto your Notice of Basic Eligibility, it’s found in www.iowanationalguard.com, under the “Army your iPERMS Soldier file. When applying for Education” tab, Soldiers can find the latest info Ch 1607 (for those deployed), submit your on all the education programs we offer. mobilization orders and DD 214 to the VA There are links to tuition assistance applica- certifying offical at your college. If the Soldier tions, updated rates for GI Bill payments (every has a kicker, it will also need to be submitted. October), current bonus MOS information, as All documents can be found in iPERMS. For well as Frequently Asked Questions. If Sol- those applying for programs other than col- diers still have questions , they may contact the lege, contact the VA or visit www.gibill.va.gov. ESO office at [email protected]. Another important piece is the Information, The Army National Guard Federal Tuition Management and Reporting Center, or iMARC. Assistance (ARNG-FTA) has a new website, This online database, managed by NGB, is the www.nationalguardbenefits.com. The online database of record for all education and incen- application has many improvements, including tive programs. The ESO tracks all bonuses a statement of understanding for Soldiers to (enlistment and re-enlistment), GI Bill ben- review and approve, functions with drop-down efits, Student Loan Repayment and ARNG- menus and radial buttons, and an easier to un- FTA using this system. Unit Readiness NCOs, derstand layout. Admin NCOs, First Sergeants, and OICs can Since this is a first-come, first-served pro- gain access by applying for a login and pass- gram, Soldiers should apply online at least 30 word at https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil.. days prior to their course start date. Active The biggest change to iMARC has been the Guard and Reserve Soldiers attending, or want- upgrade of the GI Bill tab. Units can now see if ing to attend college, need to contact the Rock a soldier has used Ch. 1606, Ch. 1607, Ch. 30 Island Arsenal at (309) 782-2065 to sign up for and kicker, all in one tab. Federal Tuition Assistance and use the From online applications to updated “GoArmyEd” web site. websites, these improvements have allowed us Soldiers can also find out here if they’re to help more Soldiers in a shorter amount of eligible for Reserve Education Assistance Pro- time and get more information in front of more gram (REAP) Chapter 1607. The NGB issues Soldiers. Our goal is to continually improve an Eligibility for Mobilized Soldiers (EMS) our processes to become more efficient and document providing information to help those find new ways to take care of our soldiers.

The Iowa Militiaman13 Summer 2007 RSP provides beneifts for Soldiers, Iowa Guard Story and photos National Guard benefit is a lower attrition rate by Spc. Michael Kelly of recruits failing basic, with a 20 percent Standing in ranks at attention, this group of lower attrition rate than the active duty Army. mostly18-year-olds could fit in well with any Recently, RSP Soldiers were put through Recruit Sustain- Army unit preparing for physical training. They their paces at the Council Bluffs National Guard ment Program stand quiet, tall and perfectly motionless, as armory. During this particular weekend, the Soldiers turn their they wait to hear from their sergeants. cadre and RSP participants were preparing for full attention to However, these young men and women have their consolidated weekend at Camp Dodge, donning protective yet to attend basic training. They are part of the involving all the other RSP programs from masks as part of Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP), which around the state. NBC training. the Army National Guard uses to help prepare Other Iowa RSP locations include Camp young recruits for the rigors of basic training. Dodge (Company A), Waterloo (Company B), With all the mental, physical, and emotional Fairfield (Company C), LeMars (Company E), stress recruits encounter during basic training, Algona (Company F), and Clinton (Company who couldn’t benefit from preparatory training G). prior to basic? That is where the RSP comes in. Saturday morning starts much the same as According to Sgt. Eric Wendt, a Company D any other National Guard drill – the recruits cadre member from Shelby, Iowa, RSP is de- form up for muster and receive the plan of the signed to give recruits a feel for military struc- day. The difference, however, is instead of ture before attending basic training. The goal of wearing BDU’s, or ACU’s, these recruits are the RSP program, which began in February all dressed in PT uniforms with the exception 2005, is to make basic training easier by iden- of a few in civilian attire sprinkled in. tifying problems recruits may have and correct Following the morning formation, the re- them prior to their ship-out date. cruits participate in a modified Army Physical The program also benefits recruits by giving Fitness Test; one minute of pushups, one minute them an idea of what to expect and help them of sit-ups, and a one-mile run. adapt to the changes they will experience. A Once PT is over, the recruits meet with the

The Iowa Militiaman14 Summer 2007 cadre to ensure all their individual paperwork is According to Brian Anderson, also 18 and a in order before they are broken down into small future Infantryman from Shelby, “In addition to groups. They then cycle through several sta- the discipline and Soldier skills we’re intro- tions where they receive training and instruc- duced to, the physical training helps to get us tion in military skills throughout the day. ready for PT in basic training and gives us an Over the course of a weekend, these recruits idea of what to expect.” receive extensive instruction in skills such as Jennifer Mordock, a 17 year old from drill and ceremony; military customs and cour- Creston, echoed Anderson’s words. RSP participants tesies; the operation and cleaning of the M- “The RSP program gets us prepared for basic take part in a 16A2 rifle; map reading; and Nuclear, Biologi- training by instilling discipline, teaching us modified PT test, cal and Chemical warfare. Some of the classes soldier skills, and getting us is shape through with one minute of are entirely lecture-based instruction, while PT,” she said. pushups, sit-ups others are distinctively hands-on. and a one-mile run. For example, in the map reading class, train- ing involves theoretical instruction, while the NBC classroom provides recruits the opportu- nity to don their protective masks and learn just how messy the charcoal in the Mission Ori- ented Protective Posture (MOPP) suits can be. Throughout the classes, recruits are atten- tive and enthusiastic, asking various questions. They are universal in their praise of how the program helps prepare them for basic training, as well as becoming better Soldiers. Princeton Hervey, 18, from Missouri Val- ley, enlisted as an 11B Infantryman. He said the program helped him by “Giving me a taste of what is to come. It begins to instill some of the discipline I’ll be expected to have in basic training.”

An interesting sunrise service Chaplain’s The most interesting sunrise service that I ever attended took place in, of all places, Tikrit, Iraq. As Deputy Division Chaplain for the 42nd Corner Infantry Division, at Forward Operation Base by Chaplain (Col.) Jim Luder Danger, it was my job to plan and carry out the Iowa State Chaplain service. I arranged for the 42nd Wind Band (who After all the singing, the reading of the scrip- played for our Protestant services) to play. The tures and the play, the last thing of the morning director of the gospel choir was happy to bring was when our interpreter said the Lord’s Prayer her group down and sing a special number. I had in Aramic and then one of our Chaplains led us written a short play about the angel who rolled in saying the Lord’s Prayer in English. away the stone, that a female major and I per- Just as Mrs. David finished the Lord’s Prayer formed. in the original language of our Lord, the sun But, there were two other things that really appeared over the top of the church ruins. I made the service memorable for me. One was suddenly felt connected, not only with my broth- that we met at the ruins of a large sixth century ers and sisters in the Lord who gathered there Christian church. The other was that one of our with me, but also with the Christians who had interpreters, a Caldean Christian named Mrs. worshipped the same Lord in that location over David, spoke Aramic. 14 centuries ago.

The Iowa Militiaman15 Summer 2007 Warrant Officer Corps boasts long history by CW4 (Ret.) Wesley Bender covered the band music of France and Great Officially, the Army Warrant Officer Corps Britain was greatly superior to that of the U.S. birthday is July 9, 1918, when Congress estab- He believed bands were essential to troop lished the Army Mine Planter Service as part of morale and in 1920, implemented an intense the Coastal Artillery. program to improve the Army Band Program. At that time, most of the Iowa National Pershing knew, to have a great band was to Guard was deployed to Deming, N.M. and the have a leader who could achieve the desired 168th Infantry Regiment deployed to Europe results. The band leader’s duty had to include More than 100 with the 42nd “Rainbow” Division during World conducting techniques, music theory and hav- WOC graduates War I. ing knowledge of harmony, range, and charac- take part in their The early history of the Warrant Officer teristics of instruments. swearing-in Corps and the U. S. Army Bands coincide in These Warrant Officer Band Leader’s tal- ceremony at the time. It was felt Army bands required experts ents had to provide everything included in War Memorial in who could lead instrumental musical groups in today’s Warrant Officer definition. downton Indian- support of military functions. Gen. John “Black- The Act of 1920 expanded use of warrant apolis, Ind. jack” Pershing, Commander of all Allied Expe- officers, authorizing appointment of warrant (Contributed photo) ditionary Forces in Europe during WWI, dis- officers in band-leading activities, plus cleri- cal and administrative experts. The Iowa Adju- tant General’s reports for the first two decades afterwards show 12 different Iowa Warrant Officer band leaders, the first being Leslie Leo Schmidt, Band Leader for the 133rd Infantry’s Band in Fairfield. He was appointed Nov. 25, 1922. On Dec. 12, 1922, Cleveland Dayton was ap- pointed Warrant Officer Band Leader for the 113th Calvary Band. There was a band for each regiment; the 133rd Infantry (Fairfield), 113th Calvary (Ottumwa), 168th Infantry (Council Bluffs), and 185th Field Artillery (Boone). At no time during the 1920’s and 1930’s, were Warrant Officers serving in any other capacity in the Iowa National Guard. All Iowa National Guard units deployed dur- ing WWII - the bands included - and Iowa National Guard units did not return until late 1945. The Act of 1941 provided many provi- sions for today’s Warrant Officer rank. Most of the 40 occupational areas were incorporated into the structure. The first “Tables of Organization and Equip- ment” (TOEs), after the war, assigned strength statewide at 37 Army and five Army Air Corps Warrant Officers. The first Iowa Transporta- tion, Personnel, Supply, Communication, and Ordnance Warrant Officers were appointed in 1946-48. Engineer, Foodservice, Finance, Medical, and other Warrant Officers were ap- pointed in the years that followed. In 1947, after the US Air Force became a

The Iowa Militiaman16 Summer 2007 branch of the service, Army Aviation became seriously interested in the helicopter when air rescue, during WWII, alerted the Army to its great potential. The Army TOEs, published in 1950, showed positions that called for Warrant Officer Heli- copter Pilots. The Army did begin the incep- tion of the Warrant Officer Flight Program in 1955 and the first class of two Warrants and 17 Warrant Officer Candidates (WOCs) gradu- ated in April of that year. The Army training base used was Camp Rucker, Ala. In October 1955, the Army expanded. The program was transferred to Camp Wolters, Texas. Iowa Warrant Officer pilots trained there and went on to advanced flight training at Fort Rucker. The first Warrant Officer helicopter pilots were assigned to the Waterloo-based 1063rd Transportation Company. After studying personnel files, it was dis- covered the first Warrant Officer helicopter completing recommendations made by the Recent graduates pilot was WO1 Max John Oltman, appointed TWOS study. These provisions represent the of the first Regional Oct. 28, 1959. During WWII, he was an Army most significant changes within the Warrant Training Institution Air Corp Flight Officer and on Aug. 4, 1944, Officer Corps since the inception in July 1918. Warrant Officer became a pilot. Included are Warrant Officer recruiters Candidate school The Iowa National Guard continued to grow (Iowa’s is CW3 Dennis Hall), a Command pose following and by 1970, the assigned Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer and the WOC School completion of their strength was 92. Later in the 1970s Iowa Adju- underwent a complete transformation. 10-month course. tant General, Maj. Gen. Joe May, appointed These changes ensure Soldiers becoming (Contributed photo) Jean Nelson the first female Warrant Officer. warrant officers have skills relevant to an Army Army National Guard Warrant Officers were at war. WOC School is no longer just “Basic integrated into the Army’s professional devel- Training on Steroids,” to quote the February opment program in 1978 and in 1984, the Army 2006 Army White Paper. Chief of Staff chartered the Total Warrant Changes include pilot programs to conduct Officer Study Group (TWOS). This was the WOC Schools at 13 different states Regional first Department of the Army–level compre- Training Institutes (RTIs). Iowa ‘s first WOCS hensive study of Warrant Officer Management class had 12 Candidates training at Camp from pre-appointment to retirement. Dodge’s 185th RTI. In September 2006, the The establishment of the (other than avia- candidates completed their training at Camp tion) WOC School was the direct result from Atterbury, Ind. and were appointed Iowa’s new- recommendations of the TWOS. CW4 Louis est warrant officers. Cavros is the first Iowa National Guard, non- The Iowa Army National Guard appointed aviation candidate, to graduate from an Army then-CW4 Julia Mosman to replace retired WOC School, held at Aberdeen Proving CW5 Billy Foley as Iowa’s second Command Grounds, Md,, in 1987. Chief Warrant Officer. Mosman became the The culmination of TWOS was the passage first female CW5 upon her promotion, April of the Warrant Officer Management Act 20, 2006. (WOMA) in 1992. Provisions of the new law Since 1922, Iowa Soldiers who possess the included the grade of CW5, conditional ap- knowledge and skills have received authority pointment to WO1 upon completion of WOC from the Secretary of the Army to be a leader School, and establishment of a Warrant Of- and technical expert. The Army Warrant Of- ficer Career Center at Ft. Rucker. Gerald ficer, no matter what specialty, should read the Klinkefus was Iowa’s first CW5, pinned in May duties of the Army Bandmaster. That incred- 1993. ible duty position is an example of what Pershing The Army Training and Leader Development had in mind when he wanted a leader and aexpert. Plan (ATLDP) released in 2002, makes funda- That legacy is what all Warrant Officers mental changes for the Warrant Officer Corps, carry today.

The Iowa Militiaman17 Summer 2007 Annual Training provides realistic, real-world training for 2nd BCT

Members of the 1st It’s been three years in the planning, but “We expect and are prepared for challenges Squadron, 113th approximately 900, 2nd Brigade Combat Team during this exercise. We must learn how to Cavalry, fire mortar and 734th Regional Support Group Soldiers operate as a brigade combat team, with a new tubes, as 734th finally found the opportunity for practical, live- force structure, new equipment and new doc- Regional Support fire exercises during annual training at Camp trine. We must figure out how to properly Group Soldiers Ripley, Minn. communicate, how to support each other and to perform rear A mere 10-hour convoy drive from Iowa’s fight effectively as a brigade,” he said. security during Camp Dodge, Camp Ripley, located in the north- According to Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Ihns, annual training at western tier of Minnesota, allows Soldiers to platoon sergeant, Company C, 1st Battalion, Camp Ripley, compress two weeks of intense, hands-on train- 168th Infantry, the training provided at the Mili- Minn. (Photos by ing into realistic, real-world scenarios. tary Operations in Urban Terrain site, proved Sgt. 1st Class Paul With 62 ranges and 80 training areas scat- invaluable. Rieks and Sgt. 1st tered across an 18-mile by six-mile training “All our Soldiers need to be fundamentally Class Chris Silver) site, including an impact area large enough to sound,” said Ihns. “For a lot of these guys, this lob a Volkswagon, there is more than enough is their first opportunity to have such intensive room to deploy an entire brigade combat team. training.” “During this annual training exercise, our “I love it,” said Spc. Andrew Wenman, a Co. goal is to replicate a deployment experience C infantryman. “This training is a challenge, but every step along the way, from beginning to worth the effort, because overseas, this is the end, and to reinforce how we train and fight as number one battlefield,” he said. a brigade combat team,” said Col. Tim Orr, “Getting back to basics is always a good commander, 2nd BCT. “The Brigade will over- thing,” said Sgt. Maj. Carroll Tungesvik, 734th see and support battalion training through its RSG sergeant major, completing his 33rd AT at Brigade Support Battalion and Brigade Special Camp Ripley. “Soldiers are never too old to Troops Battalion. learn something new.”

A ready, responsive joint force is, as always, Tag Sends our most critical asset. Ultimately, our readi- continued from page 3 ness is measured not only by our ability to provide trained and equipped forces and adap- tive leaders committed to excellence and do- ries and experiences to share and are tremen- ing what’s right, both globally and here at home, dous role models for the young people in our but by continuing the Iowa National Guard’s communities. They served with distinction and legacy of selfless service and sacrifice, and are looking for ways to continue making a making a difference every day to meet difference. tomorrow’s challenges.

The Iowa Militiaman18 Summer 2007 1st Regiment of Iowa African Infantry by CW4 (Ret.) David L. Snook man reconnaissance force, encountered a Iowa’s heroic contribution to the Union vic- greatly superior Confederate force under the tory in the Civil War is well-documented. The command of Gen. Jo Shelby. State furnished 48 infantry regiments, nine In a fierce four-hour battle, the men of the cavalry regiments, and four artillery batteries 60th Regiment endured alternating artillery sal- for the Union war effort. Approximately 76,000 vos and infantry charges. Seven members of the Iowa soldiers served, and 27 received Con- force were killed, including the commander, gressional Medals of Honor. and 13,000 died. Adjutant Theodore W. Pratt of Keokuk. However, one unique organization frequently Just before what might have been the final overlooked in Iowa’s Civil War achievements Confederate charge, a 15th Illinois Cavalry de- is the First Volunteer Infantry Regiment of tachment broke through the rebel encircle- African Descent. This can be attributed to the ment and opened up a route for withdrawal. regiment eventually being redesignated the 60th “Gathering up their dead and wounded, the Regiment U.S. Colored Troops. (men of the 60th) now began a retreat, stub- Six of the Regiment’s 10 companies and bornly yielding, inch by inch, each foot of approximately 700 of its 1,153 personnel were ground, until night threw a mantle of darkness free black men from Iowa. The rest of the over the scene and the Confederates ceased Regiment, which included numerous escaped their firing.” (Dykstra, Robert R., Bright Radi- slaves, was recruited in Missouri. cal Star: Black Freedom and White Supremacy On May 22, 1863, the War Department is- on the Hawkeye Frontier, Harvard University sued General Order No. 143, which estab- Press, 1993, pp. 197-198) lished the Bureau of Colored Troops. Fifteen The white commander of the black artillery states, including Iowa, raised black volunteer battery attached to the 60th Regiment filed the regiments. By 1865, over 180,000 black Sol- following after-action report: Iowa diers and Sailors had served the Union cause. “During the whole fight the colored men The response of Iowa’s African American stood up to their duty like veterans, and owing National population to this call to arms was truly over- to their strong arms and cool heads, backed by whelming. In 1863, Iowa’s entire black popu- fearless daring alone that I was able to get away Guard lation numbered around 1,500. From this num- with either of my guns. They marched 18 miles, ber, over 700 black men volunteered for ser- fought five hours, against three to one, and History vice, representing almost every man of African were as eager at the end as at the beginning for descent in the State who was capable of mili- the fight. Never did men, under such circum- tary service. (Dyer, Frederick H., Compen- stances, show greater pluck or daring.” dium of the War of Rebellion, 1908, p. 1733). While there were no Medal of Honor recipi- Approximately a third of the First Iowa Af- ents in the First Iowa Infantry of African De- rican Infantry Regiment gave Keokuk or Lee scent, Iowa did become home to one black County as their place of residence. Others winner of the nation’s highest award for com- hailed from Davenport, Des Moines, Newton, bat bravery. James D. Garner of Yorktown, Va. Iowa City, and Keosauqua. (Morris, William enlisted in the 2nd North Carolina Colored S., “Black Iowans in Defense of the Nation” in Infantry, which was redesignated the 36th Infan- Outside In: African American History in Iowa, try Regiment, U. S. Colored Troops in 1864. State Historical Society of Iowa, 2001) After the war, Gardner moved to Ottumwa, Alexander Clark of Muscatine was initially Iowa. In September 1905, he was buried in an appointed as the Regiment’s sergeant major unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery. On July but failed the physical because of an old leg 4, 1994, “a monument was erected in his honor injury. Nevertheless, when the Regiment was by the Medal of Honor Historical Society, in officially organized July 27, 1863, “Clark was cooperation with the Wapello County Histori- on hand to present the Regiment with its na- cal Society, the Ottumwa Civil War Roundtable, tional banner, sewn by the black women of and the Ottumwa Cemetery Trustees.” Keokuk and Muscatine.” (Morris, p. 97) (Note: Volume V of the Roster and Record For the majority of its service, the Regiment of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion performed garrison duty at Helena, Ark. The includes the names of all the soldiers who Regiment did engage in one major battle, the served in the First Iowa African Infantry. This Battle of Wallace’s Ferry in July 1864. A valuable resource is located in the Iowa Gold portion of the regiment, organized as a 360- Star Military Museum located on Camp Dodge.)

The Iowa Militiaman19 Summer 2007

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