Multi-National Division - North www.1ad.army.mil Volume 2 Issue 09

Page 1 oct. 24, 2008

Army observes 30th anniversary of integrating WACs

Story BY Melissa K. Wiford U.S. Military History Institue

hirty years ago, on Oct. 20, 1978, TPresident Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 95-485 disbanding the Women's Army Corps as a separate corps within the United States Army following 36 years of dedicated service. Beginning today and until mid November, the Army will be celebrating the

30th anniversary of the full integration of Photo by Amy Perry women into the regular Army, said Lt. Col. Mike Moose, spokesperson for the Army's Congress until the United States was WAAC, drafted a bill which was endorsed Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-1. He attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor in by General Marshall and introduced into said the G-1 is looking for former members December. Congress. Even though military status of the Womens Army Corps who might like In January 1942, Rogers added was again contested in the House, the bill to share their stories and memories with an amendment to her bill that would grant eventually passed, and President Roosevelt both internal and external audiences. women the same military status and benefits signed Public Law 78-110 on July 1, 1943, Originally established as the as men. Bitterly contested in Congress, the establishing the Women's Army Corps. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, or WAAC bill only passed after it was decided that Even though the WAC provided the by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during women would not be given military status, Army dedicated and loyal service in World World War II, the WAC went through many and on 15 May 1942 President Roosevelt War II, it was scheduled to disband at the different organizational statuses throughout signed Public Law 77-554 establishing the end of hostilities. its history. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. No cotingencies were developed Congresswoman Edith Nourse Recognizing that the United States to maintain the existence of the Women's Rogers of Massachusetts introduced Army could not provide benefits to the women Army Corps for service in the postwar Army legislation in May 1941 to establish a stationed overseas and that the auxiliary or future conflicts. This was immediately women's auxiliary to the U.S. Army based system had proved to be cumbersome, recognized as an oversight by many senior on the premise that the addition of women's General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff Army leaders, to include Generals George labor would "free a man for combat," if and of the Army, requested that Congress give Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, and Dwight when the United States entered the war. women military status for the duration of the Eisenhower, who had come to depend on Even though Rogers compromised war. the WACs assigned to their commands. on the issues of women's military status and In January 1943, Congresswoman Rogers benefits, the legislation languished in and Oveta Culp Hobby, Director of the WAC Continued on Page 3 Page 2 oct. 24, 2008 Medical clinic gets much needed supplies

Iraqi Army Soldiers help download medical and office supplies from an IA truck during a medical aid drop at Somer Medical Clinic, Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 18. More than $20,000 worth of supplies was delivered to the clinic by Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division.

Computer equipment, desks, because it helps humans in our sector,” Story and photos by PFC. Adam Blazak stethoscopes, and chairs were some said Maj. Hatam Ahmad, executive 11th Public Affairs Detachment of much needed delivered items. officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd “Many things that we have are broken,” Iraqi Army Division. “We make sure medical aid drop took place at said Dr. Zrad Taher, the clinic’s head we have a good relationship with the ASomer Medical Clinic in the Mosul doctor. “Everything, which was brought people so they will support us more. neighborhood of Al Somer, Oct. 18. today is needed, including the water “We have given them things that Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, dispensing machines.” He said many will help this poverty area,” he said. “In 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division times in the heat of the summer days the long term, we will see if people are transported nearly $20,000 worth of doctors at the clinic do not have cool satisfied with what we gave them.” medical supplies and office furniture, water available. “This will help so many After the mission, both the clinic’s which were purchased from the local people,” he said. staff and the Iraqi Army on the scene economy, to help the 90 plus staff Taher also spoke about the had high hopes for the future of the members at the clinic. strong relationship the clinic has with neighborhood. “A list of needed supplies came the Iraqi Army. “We’re glad to continue directly from the clinic,” said Mishawaka, Many times Iraqi Army Soldiers providing these services,” Ahmad said. Ind. native Staff Sgt. Jon. C. Anderstrom, come to the clinic for treatment, and “We should do these missions more civil affairs team noncommissioned- they are helped based upon the clinic’s often. Anything we can provide will be officer-in-charge, Company C, 415th capabilities, he said. helpful.” Civil Affairs Battalion. “This mission was important,

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling Contributing Writers: Spc. Adam Blazak, Melissa K. Wiford Public Affairs Officer: Maj. Margaret Kageleiry Layout and Design: Spc. Ryan Elliott, 14th PAD Public Affairs NCOIC: Master Sgt. Nancy Morrison Editor: Staff Sgt. Mark Albright, 14th Public Affairs Detachment

Contact the Iron Strong at VOIP: 242-1190, DSN: 318-849-0089 or email [email protected] The “Iron Strong” is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the “Iron Strong” are not necessarily official veiws of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the Task Force Iron. All editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Task Force Iron Public Affairs Office. Page 3 oct. 24, 2008

as part of the answer to the shortages that the bill was passed, and the WAC was disbanded. WAC from Page 1 Army was projecting for the 1980s and 1990s Since the signing of PL 95-485 by President General MacArthur called WACs, "my in male recruitment. Many different studies Carter, women have been fully integrated into best soldiers," adding that "they worked harder, -- to include the: Women's Enlisted Expansion the Army. complained less, and were better disciplined Model, Women Officer Strength Model, Women than men." After many years of public debate Content in Units Force Development Test, and in response to a worsening international Women in the Army Study and Evaluation environment, Congress finally approved regular of Women in the Army -- were developed and reserve component status for women. On and conducted by the Departments of the June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman Army and Defense to examine whether signed Public Law 625, the Women's Armed rapid increases in women's recruitment Services Integration Act. would affect military readiness. During the next twenty years, the WAC Eventually the findings of these followed the Army's pattern of recruitment, different expansion studies, combined whereby in peacetime a small well-trained with the new expanded military occupation force of officers and enlisted members were specialties available to women through the maintained and during wartime a recall of reserve Combat Exclusion Policy, allowed women soldiers to active service was employed as well to further integrate into the Army. as increased recruitment. By 1978, the DOD and Congress These fluctuations remained the were fully committed to ending this last pattern until the early 1970s, when in response remainder of segregation within the Army. to President Richard Nixon's intention to reduce Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin and eventually eliminate the drafting of men a proposed an amendment to the FY 1979 plan was developed to expand the WAC. Defense Procurement Authorization Bill The recruitment of women was seen which called for the end of the WAC. The Businesses reopen, life returning to normal in Jazeera One of those companies benefitting However, McLauehlan said the largest Story by from increased security is the Naqua Road boost is to the local economy because men Multi-National Division – North PAO Asphalt Factory, just west of Samarra. The are taking responsibility for the security of their owners of the business were forced to flee areas. ver the past few years, the Jazeera Desert more than three years ago; fearing insurgents “As more and more businesses open an Oarea west of the population centers in the would strong-arm them into providing financial increasing number of locals from this area and Salah ad Din province has been a thoroughfare assistance for criminal activity. surrounding ones will see how important security for insurgents. According to one of the owners, they is,” said McLauehlan. “Hopefully this will lead to They often traveled amongst the villages, feel secure enough now to continue with the them to be willing to step forward and assume intimidating locals and causing many to shut upkeep on the business and currently employs responsibility for the all the security of their areas. down their business and leave their homes. 45 workers. After more than a year of successful With its more than 50 pieces Coalition and Iraqi operations, and the of equipment, the company is able to development of Sons of Iraq groups in the provide road repair and construction Jazeera, the security has dramatically increased to a large area, centered on greater- and many have begun to migrate back. Samarra. “With the implementation of the CLC “We are willing to go anywhere program and the increased security they and can pave any road, any time,” said provide, many businesses have begun to the factory owner. reopen,” said Sgt. 1st Class Roger McLauehlan, Many of the roadways in the Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Jazeera Desert are “unimproved” or Regiment. “This provides increased job dirt paths. The Asphalt Factory has the opportunities for locals in the area as well as capacity to produce 120 tons of asphalt much needed services to improve the quality an hour, and would almost be an instant of life of the Iraqi people.” boost for road repair and construction. (U.S. Army Courtesy Photo) Page 4 Homefront News oct. 24, 2008

ELECTIONS among Hispanics and Catholics. His support have showed the race tightening in the last few among Republicans grew from 9 percent to 12 days. But with the help of his huge spending Democrat Barack Obama has opened percent a day after he received the endorsement advantage, Obama has maintained an edge on an 8-point lead over Republican John McCain of Republican former Secretary of State Colin McCain in key states. two weeks before the U.S. presidential election, Powell. The poll, taken Saturday through according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll "Maybe this is the Powell effect," Monday, showed independent Ralph Nader released on Tuesday. Zogby said. "That wasn't just an endorsement, gaining 2 percent support. Green Party candidate Obama leads McCain 50 percent to that was a pretty powerful statement." Cynthia McKinney and Libertarian Bob Barr 42 percent among likely U.S. voters in the McCain narrowly trails Obama among each registered 1 percent support. latest three-day tracking poll, up from a 6-point men and saw his lead among whites drop from The rolling tracking poll surveyed advantage for Obama on Monday. The telephone 13 points to 9 points, 51 percent to 42 percent. 1,214 likely voters in the presidential election. In poll has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage Zogby said Obama was doing better than 2004 a tracking poll, the most recent day’s results are points. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry added while the oldest day’s results are dropped "It was another very big day for among crucial sub-groups. to monitor changing momentum. Obama," said pollster John Zogby. "Things “ H e i s c l e a r l y clearly are moving in Obama's direction." outperforming Kerry,” Zogby It was the second consecutive day that said. “But two weeks is a lifetime Obama gained ground on McCain as the two in politics.” head into the final sprint to the November 4 This was the first time election. Obama has stretched his advantage Obama, an Illinois senator, expanded over McCain, an Arizona senator, his lead among two key swing groups. His to more than 6 points since the advantage with independent voters grew from tracking poll began more than two 11 to 15 points, and his edge with women voters weeks ago. Obama’s edge had been grew from 8 to 13 points. between 2 and 6 points in all 15 Obama also took a lead among voters days of polling. above the age of 70 and expanded his lead Some other tracking polls

Entertainment looked healthier. His face was fatter and he Fakir said that he and the current Tops was smiling and he was in good spirits. I really -- Roquel Payton (son of original Top Laurence leader Abdul "Duke" Fakir called the thought he'd pull through longer than he did," Payton, who died in 1997), former Temptations late "one of the best singers in the Fakir said. member and Motown veteran world, period, of all time" and "a great man" in Stubbs, who was the godfather to Fakir's Ronnie McNeir -- intend to continue performing the first comments from the group's camp since oldest child, will always be remembered for the to honor the Tops’ legacy. Stubbs died last Friday. voice that powered the Four Tops' hits. “As long as people accept us delivering Fakir -- who started the Four Tops with "He had such power," Fakir said. "He those songs as close to the original Four Tops as Stubbs after the two met as high school students had a baritone voice and a tenor range. He could we can, we’ll do it,” he said. “There’ll never be at a party on Detroit's north side in 1954 -- told do anything with his voice. He could take you another Levi. We don’t expect to replace a voice Billboard.com on Monday that the loss is "a big anywhere with it. He could take you to a love like that, or a personality like that. But we can hurt" and was compounded by the Tops being scene. He could take you dancing. He could take keep singing his songs, ‘cause the world should out of town, performing in Jackpot, Nev., during a great old standard and make you feel like you're always hear them.” the weekend. right there in that song. Just an amazing voice, "It was a fun engagement, but I didn't an amazing interpreter, an amazing man." really want to be there," acknowledged Fakir, the Even more importantly, Fakir noted, sole surviving original member of the legendary Stubbs "was dedicated to us. He had many Motown group. "I was hurting the whole time. chances and many offers to be lured away into I really wanted to just come back home, but we his own solo world, but he never wanted that. He do not disappoint the fans. That was one of the said, 'Man, all I really want to do is sing and take hard weekends for me, though." care of my family, and that's what I'm doing, so Stubbs, who had been in poor health all is well. Everything else that doesn't include for some years due to cancer and strokes, died you guys, it doesn't mean a thing to me.' That during his sleep at his Detroit home. kind of character and commitment is really hard "I saw him about a week ago and he to find these Page 5 SPORTS oct. 24, 2008

Hockey

Sean Avery returned to Madison Square Garden on Monday night looking much the same as he used to, wearing an expensive suit and unusually shiny silver dress shoes. But once in the door, he took what might have once seemed to Rangers fans like a wrong turn: to the visitors’ dressing room. The Times’s hockey blog on the start of the European season and the N.H.L.-Russia dispute. Go to the Slapshot Blog » After spending 86 games over the previous two seasons as the Rangers’ agitator extraordinaire — a job often celebrated by Garden crowds chanting his name — Avery signed a four-year, $15.5 million contract with Dallas in July. The N.H.L. schedule deposited him back in New York for a piece of early-season theater, a 2-1 Stars victory that sent the Rangers (6-2-1) to their third loss in four games. when the Rangers won the teams’ first-round The question now is whether the Avery neither scored nor caused any playoff series last season in five games. Rangers are as difficult a team to play against major disturbances, but he did make his presence now that Avery is gone. Rangers Coach Tom known. He yelled at Rangers goalie Henrik But the Rangers balked at Avery’s asking price Renney said not yet. Lundqvist during warm-ups, and when he tried when he became a free agent last spring. He “I do believe we can be,” Renney said. to get in Lundqvist’s face early in the first period, accepted a richer from Dallas, whose players “As a coaching staff, we’re going to have to Rangers center Brandon Dubinsky intervened. were wary about what they had invited in the address that as part of our game. I do think we’re From there, the fans booed him whenever he door. tough enough.” touched the puck. “I hated him,” said the Stars’ captain, In Dallas, Avery has already confirmed “That’s just me being me, getting Brenden Morrow. “I’m not going to lie. I don’t his reputation, earning two game misconducts in myself into the game,” Avery said. have to do that anymore. He’s tough to play his second game, for starting a fight when one Avery knew all of this was coming. He against. He gets under your skin, and he’s pretty was already going on and for arguing the call. might have even been disappointed if the fans good at what he does.” He does not have a goal but has two assists in had not turned on him. The worry about Avery was that he six games. “The Garden is a great place to play,” could irritate his teammates as well as he could “I’m still trying to find my game,” Avery said. “As far as I’m concerned, New York his opponents. He had worn out his welcome in Avery said. “I’ve always been a slow starter. I’m is my home. You never want to leave a place Los Angeles when the Kings traded him to the trying to get it going, but it’s a long season. You where you’re happy, but that’s what life is about, Rangers. don’t win the Stanley Cup in October.” I guess. If anyone can adjust to a new team, a The Rangers, though, always supported But you can come back to the Garden new place, it’s probably me.” him, even when his antics went overboard. He for a few boos among old friends. Avery’s arrival in New York just before nearly started brawls in warm-ups before games SLAP SHOTS the trade deadline in February 2007 was a boon against the Devils and Toronto, and he famously The Rangers and the Stars traded to the Rangers and to his career. He joined a waved his stick in front of Brodeur’s face to power-play goals — by Rangers forward floundering team and helped jolt it to a playoff block his view. The N.H.L. rewrote a rule to Markus Naslund in the first period by Dallas berth. address that. forward Brenden Morrow in the second — in a Last season, he played 57 games “There’s no question he helped us win low-tempo game eventually decided by Dallas between various injuries and — with 15 goals, 18 a lot of games,” said Chris Drury, the Rangers’ forward Mike Modano’s goal with 11 minutes assists and 154 penalty minutes — gave certain captain. “How hard he competed, how hard he 57 seconds left in the third. ... Dallas will play at opponents fits. Avery seemed to take special hit. No one would ever doubt that. In that Jersey the Devils on Wednesday — giving Sean Avery pleasure in tormenting the Devils and their future series, he was everywhere, and Brodeur wasn’t a reunion with Martin Brodeur — and at the Hall of Fame goalie, Martin Brodeur, especially too comfortable because of that.” Islanders on Thursday. Page 6 WORLD oct. 24, 2008

European Union independent countries, given many of their European neighbors, the EU and the U.S. stand citizens Russian passports, and deployed as willing partners. a sizable contingent of its own forces. EU The EU's message to smaller neighbors efforts to initiate mediation talks in the demands more from Brussels. The EU has an conflict fell apart in Geneva Wednesday due interest in preventing violence along its eastern to disagreement between Georgia and Russia borders. It needs to address wider Europe's over participation of the two breakaway remaining conflicts, most of which are labeled regions. "frozen" but are really festering sores that In the short term, the EU is well-advised have dragged down small young democracies to maintain its position as "honest broker" in and blocked their economic development. The the conflict. This allowed it to mediate and EU also has an interest in projecting stability engineer the current ceasefire, and despite eastward so that instability does not flow The European Union has entered this week's setback offers an opportunity westward. It needs to discourage its neighbors diplomatic no-man's-land by deploying more to work with all sides to tackle the unresolved from irresponsible behavior and to engage than 200 monitors to areas of Georgia next issues of status for the provinces and security for with them in ways that reduce the region's to the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and people across the area. vulnerability to Russian pressure and forge South Ossetia, replacing Russian forces that In the longer term, however, the EU closer links to the EU itself. invaded Georgia in August. The EU's Georgian must review its approach to Russia and the region EU enlargement has been the bloc's deployment is a test of its ability to manage as a whole. greatest foreign policy achievement. EU leaders relations with a resurgent Russia, and to develop The message to Moscow is remain reluctant, however, to acknowledge that a more credible approach to the volatile "in- straightforward. If Russia continues to bully a turbulent Europe without walls and barriers between" lands that stretch along EU borders its neighbors and cling to outmoded spheres of requires vigorous efforts to extend the EU's from the Baltic to the Black Sea. influence, the international community will hold brand of democratic stability even further The EU faces some tough challenges. Russia accountable. If it uses its energy wealth eastward. Now that EU forces have been forced Moscow has not only refused to make good to invest in its people, build a more sustainable to deploy to the eastern shore of the Black Sea, on its commitment to remove its forces from economy grounded in the rule of law, tackle the magnitude of wider Europe's challenge - and Abkhazia and South Ossetia, it has actually its truly stunning health and demographic the need for a more dynamic response -- may recognized the two Georgian provinces as challenges, and build better relations with its become clear.

to Pakistan. are contributive factors towards the ultimate India A leader of the separatist alliance, the resolution," said Atique (of the Kashmir All Parties Huriyat Conference, Abdul Ghani dispute)." There was a mood of celebration as Bhat, says allowing trade is a good step, but The slow moving peace process trucks laden with fruits and other goods crossed hopes it will lead to a political solution of the between India and Pakistan has lowered over from Indian and Pakistani Kashmir to the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. tensions in the region, but the two countries are other side, signaling the start of trade in the "First steps are first steps, but it is no closer to resolving their territorial dispute. region after six long decades. the last step which will determine whether the During the 1990's, a violent separatist In Indian Kashmir, banners saying dispute on Kashmir has permanently been settled insurgency wracked Indian Kashmir - which "Long live trade across the two sides" fluttered or not," said Bhat. is the only Muslim majority region in on the trucks as villagers and traders cheered. Trade will be restricted. Only four predominantly Hindu India. India blames In Pakistani Kashmir, white doves of trucks from each side will be allowed to ferry Pakistan-based Islamic groups for the violence peace were released as the trucks began their a limited set of goods, once a week, between and has moved slowly in opening up the tightly- journey. Srinagar on the Indian side and Muzaffarabad guarded border. The opening of trade across the tightly- on the Pakistani side. A second trade route will guarded border that divides Kashmir between be opened in the coming months, linking Poonch India and Pakistan is the second major step in India with Rawalkot in Pakistani Kashmir. taken by the two countries to allow contact in Pakistani Kashmir Prime Minister the disputed region since they launched a peace Sardar Atique Ahmed Khan says volumes process, four years ago. A cross-border bus will be improved and trade will be expanded. service was launched in 2005. He expresses hope increasing contact and The trade begins four months after communication between the two sides will Indian Kashmir was wracked my massive anti- ultimately help to resolve the Kashmir conflict, India protests. led by separatist groups. Their but cautioned against expecting quick results. demands included the opening of a trade route "All these things, slowly and gradually, they