victory times online Vol. II, Issue 51 Wednesday’s Online Edition July 9, 2008 Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff meets with troops better than by good lead- Story and photos by ership.” Staff Sgt. He reiterated that point Jeremy D. Crisp when one Soldier stood MNC-I PAO up and asked a question concerning suicides and Chairman of the Joint mental health issues in the Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Army. Mike Mullen, held an ‘All When treating PTSD Hands’ meeting with ju- and suicides, “we have to nior servicemembers July get rid of the stigma” of 7 at the Hope Chapel here getting treatment, Mullen in order to address con- said. cerns and garner “educa- “When I talk to leaders, tion” from those in grades I tell them that they have E5 and below. to lead the way to the men- Mullen spoke of his tal health clinic,” Mullen initiatives and took ques- said. “If they don’t, the tions from more than 300 message is it isn’t okay,” hundred servicemembers to seek treatment. in attendance. Mullen then took time “It’s important to hear to hand out ‘coins of ex- what’s on their minds,” cellence’ and take pho- Mullen said of the ‘All tographs with those in Hands’ call. He said poli- attendance following the cymakers like himself question and answer ses- sion. learn best from service- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, speaks members in the field. to servicemembers July 7 during an ‘All Hands’ call at the Hope “I’m delighted with the Mullen answered ques- Chapel at Camp Victory, Iraq. Mullen, who spoke to more than progress that all of our 300 servicemembers in grades E5 and below during the meeting, tions ranging from com- said he and those in Washington D.C. learn best about policies Soldiers, Sailors, Airman bating suicide and post they make from garnering feedback from troops in meetings such and Marines are making traumatic stress disorder, as these. here,” he said. the effectiveness of the to meet the chairman and thought what he said was The chairman is visiting Army Combat Uniform hear what he had to say. heartfelt, and I really en- several camps in Iraq on to the growing of military “It shows that people joyed being able to come his United Services Orga- forces and how the presi- are paying attention to our and listen.” nization Tour as he travels dential elections would af- needs,” said Sgt. Joseph Mullen stressed the with New Orleans Saints fect that growth. A. Baker, a member of importance of leadership quarterback Drew Brees, One Soldier in atten- the Arkansas Army Na- during the meeting, and New York Giants defen- dance felt the meeting tional Guard’s 39th Infan- said “when the chips are sive end Osi Umenyiora was sincere, and said he try Brigade Combat Team down, I’ve never seen a and a group of Dallas was glad that he was able stationed here. “I really tough situation handled Cowboys Cheerleaders. commentary Father, son share promotion in Iraq was able to share his time but they also share promotion to private the same military oc- fist class with his father cupational specialty. Sgt. 1st Class Stephen “I am proud of Mike Selvage, unit supply joining the Army and specialist, 2nd Stryker doing the same job I Cavalry Regiment. do,” the senior Selvage The promotion said. “Being stationed ceremony was made in Iraq at the same time even more special by just happened to be a holding it the event bonus which enabled atop the Victory Over me to be here for his America Palace on first promotion.” Camp Slayer July 4. Almost a year “Over my 25 years before this promotion in the Army, my fam- ceremony Pfc. Selvage ily was not able to be left home to attend ba- a part of most of my sic training and now he promotion due to de- is spending the fourth ployments, the only of July with his father time my Dad saw me in Iraq. “I knew some- promoted was my ap- day I would be promot- pointment to command ed by my father, but I sergeant major,” said never thought it would Command Sgt. Maj. be in Iraq,” he said. Larry Cushing, com- “You could Pfc. Michael Selvage, unit supply specialist, 63rd Ordnance Battal- mand sergeant major, see the pride in Sgt. ion, was promoted by his father Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Selvage, 63rd Ordnance Bat- 1st Class Selvage’s unit supply specialist, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, atop the Victory Over America Palace on Camp Slayer July 4. talion. “I’ve made a eyes how special it commitment to make is to see his son fol- Story and photos by Pfc. Eric J. Martinez any promotion a very low in his footsteps 13th Public Affairs Detachment special event for sol- as soldier,” Cushing dier of the 63rd Ord- said. “That’s right up For sevicemembers lives. However, Pfc. nance Battalion.” there with baseball and being deployed means Michael Selvage, unit Selvage and his fa- apple pie for examples family missing out supply specialist, 63rd ther are not only serv- of things that make on milestones in their Ordnance Battalion, ing in Iraq at the same our country great.”

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

Page 2 Victory Times Online July 9, 2008 News Iron Maidens rock! Only all-female tribute band performs at VBC

Photos by Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord 13th Public Affairs Detachment

Sara Marsh, a.k.a. Mini Murray, rocks a guitar riff at the East Liberty Post Ex- change July 2. Marsh is one of the guitarists for the all-female tribute band, The Iron Madiens. They performed Iron Madien classics such as “,” “,” and “.”

Aja Kim, a.k.a., Bruce Lee Chickenson, lead singer of , performs at the East Liberty Post Exchange July 2. The Iron Madiens formed in 2001 as the only all-female Iron Madien tribute band in the world. They hail from southern , but have performed all over the world. The perform- ers have musical backgrounds in orchestra, musical theater, jazz, blues and rock.

Soldiers gather at the stage by the East Liberty Post Exchange July 2 to catch a performance by The Iron Madiens, an all-female Iron Madien tribute band.

July 9, 2008 July 9, 2008 Victory Times Page 3 briefs MilitaryMilitary HappeningsHappenings

Lt. Gen. Dunwoody nominated to receive 4th star astronaut class. One hundred forty-five were sent forward Army News Service - The Defense Department an- to NASA for medical screening, where 31 were dropped nounced today, June 23, Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody is from consideration for medical reasons. The total sent for- nominated for appointment to the rank of general and as- ward by the Air Force is 114 for this class; 66 are for the signment as U.S. Army Materiel Command commanding Mission Specialist jobs. general. If confirmed by Congress, Dunwoody would become the New assistant commandant for Marine Corps first woman in the U.S. Armed Forces to attain the rank of Marine Corps News Service - General James F. Amos general. Approximately five percent of general officers in pinned on his fourth star July 2, and assumed his new du- the Army are women, which includes mobilized Army Re- ties as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps during serve and Army National Guard general officers. a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington. Dunwoody, a native of New York, received a direct com- Amos relieved Gen. Robert Magnus, who served as the mission after graduating from the State University of New Assistant Commandant since September 2005. Magnus York in 1975. Since her first assignment in 1976 as a platoon will retire later this month. leader at Fort Sill, Okla., Dunwoody has commanded at ev- Amos has served with NATO, where he was the deputy ery level. Dunwoody comes from a family with a long tra- commander, Naval Striking Forces, Southern Europe, and dition of military service, including her great grandfather, the U.S. deputy commanding general, Fleet Marine Forces, grandfather, father, brother, sister, niece and husband. Europe, Naples, Italy. During this tour, Amos commanded NATO’s Kosovo Verification Coordination Center, and Air Force sends six to astronaut selection board served as chief of staff, U.S. Joint Task Force Noble Anvil Air Force News Service - Six Air Force Space Com- during the air campaign over Kosovo. mand officers have been selected by an Air Force board to have a shot at a Mission Specialist berth with NASA for USS Ronald Reagan departs Philippines the astronaut class of 2009. Navy News Service - The aircraft carrier USS Ronald The nominees are: Maj. James E. Smith, Air Force El- Reagan (CVN 76) departed the Sulu Sea and the waters ement, Buckley Air Force Base (AFELM); Maj. Jay A. around the Philippine island of Panay, July 3, after assist- Orson, AFELM; Capt. Matthew R. Allen, AFELM; Maj. ing the Philippine government’s humanitarian relief op- William J. Christopher, Global Positioning System Wing; eration. Maj James P. Lake, GPS Squadron; and Maj. David J. Prior to the group’s departure, senior officers of the Laird, 1st Space Launch Squadron. Armed Forces of the Philippines thanked the more than This selection is one step in a very long and often com- 40 members of the strike group’s humanitarian assistance plex process. There were 213 Air Force nominees for this support team in a special ceremony.

Page 4 Victory Times Online July 9, 2008