Winning a Dodgers different play ball kind of fight with CSMR Page 3 Page 6 WARRIOR WORDS Newsletter of the Southern Regional Support Command * State Military Reserve History Comes Alive For CSMR

Veterans recall tales of the ‘old days’/4-5

WARD RONEY (center) in 1996 at Camp SLO ‘Spirit of 1941’ links us to World War II origins

The annual Holiday Ball set for Dec. 11 takes on a Forties look and sound as the California State Military Reserve looks back at its forerunner, the California State Guard. Pages 6 and 8.

October 2010 Issue Number 13 * Published by the SRSC Public Affairs Section NCO PROFILE Make a SGT. FIRST CLASS GILBERT ARDE note .... AGE: 44 Ribbon, Expert LIVES: Port Hueneme. Rifle Badge Here’s the schedule JOINED CSMR: Oct. 2007. among others. for the training year beginning in October MOS: Training NCO. WHAT DO 2010 for DSB, SRSC CIVILIAN OCCUPATION: Senior YOU LIKE insurance examiner. and ASGS. MOST ABOUT Oct. 2, 2010 FAMILY: Single. THE CSMR? Nov. 6, 2010 PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE: Sergeant “I enjoy the Dec. 11, 2010 in the Regular Army; enlisted in 1990. fact that the Jan. 22, 2011 Chinook Crew Chief. CSMR has Feb. 12, 2011 WHY DID YOU JOIN THE CSMR? “I introduced April 9, 2011 joined the CSMR to continue to serve. me to many professional individuals May 14, 2011 The biggest reason is our father arrived with no prior service. I am honored to June 11, 2011 in the U.S. on his 21st birthday and work with them and among them, as July 9, 2011 worked hard every day of his life. We well as with the prior service veterans,. Aug. 13, 2011 [want] to protect and preserve that When the BOC classes graduate, when Sept. 17, 2011 which our father cherished so much.” the mission is over, there is a sense of MILITARY HIGHLIGHTS: Served with the Also remember ... accomplishment, esprit de corps and BNCOC is scheduled 25th Infantry and 6th Brigade. cameraderie only to be had by Soldiers. for Nov. 7, 13 and CSMR HIGHLIGHT: Golden Guardian, It is my distinct honor to be a senior NCO 14 at the Joint and training of CSMR and CNG troops. that leads those very Soldiers and shares Forces Training MILITARY HONORS: Air Assault Badge, those values with them.” Center in Los Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Alamitos.

Chaplain’s Corner Laughter best medicine WARRIOR Doctors and psychologists tell us WORDS that laughter is good for us. This is Southern Regional Support Command undoubtedly true, because the Bible COL. MARC BRESLOW says that “a merry heart does good, like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). COMMANDING King Solomon, the author of Eccle- Published quarterly by the Public Affairs Section of the siastes said this: “To everything Southern Regional Support Command, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: . . . a time to California State Military Reserve weep, and a time to laugh.” Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos. But the Scriptures make a distinc- CAPT.CHRISTOPHER tion between good and bad laughter. FOWLER Public Affairs Officer And God disapproves of any humor LT. COL. JAMES ADAIR that is coarse, belittles people, or makes light of immorality. Deputy Public Affairs Officer (Sin is never a laughing matter.) CAPT. RON ALEXANDER As professional Soldiers, it is essential that our speech, even our laugher, edifies or builds up others, and reflects well on EDITOR: Staff Sgt. Jim Tortolano. STAFF: Chief Warrant the CSMR, our unit, and on ourselves. With the challenges Officer 2 Richard de laTorre, Staff Sgt. Richard Bergquist, we face, both personally and professionally, good laughter can Staff Sgt. John Thompson, Staff Sgt. Robert Davison, help us get through even the toughest of days! The Lord re- Sgt. Gregory Solman. Please send news items, story suggestions, corrections to [email protected] minds us, though, that one day each of us will give an account next Warrior Words will be published in January Materials (to Him) for “every idle or careless word” we speak (Matthew for consideration of publication should be submitted by Jan. 12:36). 10. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily Lord, give us a merry heart. And, help us to be discerning, reflect those of the California State Military Reserve or the so that we will laugh for the right reasons and about the right State of California. Photos from this issue available for things. In all settings, may our speech and laughter encourage viewing at www.warriorwords.info. others and be seasoned with “salt and light.” Amen! TWO I WARRIOR WORDS THIRTEEN OCTOBER 2010 Up Front

Photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Berquist COL. JOHN WILSON speaks to a formation at JFTB. At right is Command Sgt. Major Robert Crebbs. Fighting, beating a different foe By 1st Lt. Maurcio Arocha I saw his clear resolve even though the him a rope or put a ladder down there”? Warrior Words doctors were surprised by how well he Col. Wilson replied that he had gotten was doing. this cancer for a reason — he knew that The winning battle that I am seeing The doctors apparently had never seen he would show the general how to fight Col. John M. Wilson fight is a classic anything like this before. I, of course, this disease. warrior’s challenge in modern times: on was not surprised. After all, the cancer We should all be inspired by this the one side is cancer and he is on the was matched against a Vietnam Veteran, character-testing battle of will versus other. helicopter pilot and former Marine. illness. Col. Wilson has shown that When Col. Wilson, commander of the Col. Wilson won this fight on his own. the power of his mind to win against CSMR 40th DSB, first began (around It was, in a sense, nothing but hand-to- overwhelming odds, coupled with his March 2008) his fight with Stage 3 tonsil hand combat. faith in our Maker, can be a winning cancer, I watched him take it on like one But now there is recent word that (Ret.) combination. would when in combat. He saw this Brig, Gen. Emory “Jack” Hagan (former This is perhaps a lesson of what we can cancer as the enemy and he marshaled commander of the CSMR) has the same all do when we set our mind to something. all of his resources. He brought to bear type of cancer. And, Col. Wilson has No matter what the fight is — from the all his emotional, psychological, physical figuratively drawn close to Hagan — as smallest fear to the greatest life-changing and spiritual strength against this lethal if he was jumping into a hole to show the challenge — we can overcome. Yes, we foe. general the way out. can overcome when we use our strength, From the start to the end of his fight So I asked the colonel: “Why jump into together with God’s strength, to find a against and ultimate victory over cancer, the same hole, when you could throw way to the side of victory.

WARRIOR WORDS THIRTEEN OCT 2010 I THREE “It’s the delete button that’s

Soldiers Stories With the ‘Old Breed’ of the CSMR Through decades and changes, they stayed true to the mission By Sgt. Gregory Solman Warrior Words

Some of the longest-serving Soldiers in the California State Military Reserve stress fellowship, camaraderie and finding a niche as reasons for staying in the service for more than two decades. Col. Robert Bolinger, the top judge advocate with the Southern Regional Support Command since 1998, entered the State Military Reserve as a 1st Lieutenant in 1988. Bolinger, who graduated University of West Los Angeles School of Law and served in the Marine Corps Reserves, was working at Disneyland security with service veterans who recommended that he look into the COL. ROBERT BOLINGER joined in 1988 as a second lieutenant. CSMR. “I saw it as a pure form of service and a way to learn a different Current photos by Staff Sergeants Richard Bergquist and John Thompson Camp Roberts. form of law,” Bolinger recalls. “My A criminal defender in San Pedro, brother had served in Vietnam, and it Bolinger relishes the fact that his was a way to give something back to staff includes five deputy district my adopted state.” attorneys. It’s the fellowship that’s Bolinger started on the legal team kept him interested in the Reserve as an assistant (it was against the for decades, an attachment that’s regs for him outrank the senior th growing in both sentiment and lawyers). After a stint with the 304 numbers. Infantry Battalion in Van Nuys, Bolinger recalls when he and two Bolinger transferred back to the colonels comprised the entire legal JAG team’s Southern Command team. Now he manages a staff of 26. as a Major when the Reserve “The camaraderie I’ve developed,” reorganized. Bolinger says, “the bonding, even In addition to countless routine with my unit at the old 304th, is still duties for the National Guard, there.” Bolinger’s service has involved him If the SMR boasts few long- in interesting legal cases, including serving NCOs, that’s likely because the “strippergate” scandal, when a they were once in such short supply. National Guard armory was used Having served in the Army National for “an old-fashioned dining in — Guard as an intelligence analyst with including strippers;” defending the 18th Cavalry in Ontario, Master an arrested AWOL Soldier who WARD RONEY back in the days of the Sgt. Ward Roney joined the 1991 had officially transferred out, and old BDUs. investigating missing dynamite at Continued on page 5

FOUR I WARRIOR WORDS THIRTEEN OCTOBER 2010 Continued from page 4 version of SMR as an E-5 SGT administrative specialist. “In those days, Roney recalls, the CSMR “had fewer than eight NCOs…I remember when there were 35 full- bird colonels trundling about Camp Roberts,” Roney laughs. “They were promoting them by the pound.” In that environment, Roney rose quickly, promoted to acting 1st Sergeant in 1993 and acting Command Sergeant Major in 2000. Roney barely survived those early years. “It was frustrating,” he recounts. “You’d come to a drill and not do anything but sit around and drink coffee. But Earl Smith, then a captain, kept me interested.” Roney was then working as a deputy sheriff in Riverside alongside Smith. After the SMR was briefly dissolved and reorganized, Roney found it much improved. “A lot of undesirables were not invited to return. More people were coming in as NCOs. Promotions were being modeled after the National Guard.” After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Roney “just volunteered to do anything” during SRP at Camp Roberts and soon switched from admin to medical side. An EMT for 35 years, Roney has mostly worked in the 91W MOS (medical). “Sometimes you have to create your own opportunities and relationships,” says Roney. “Forging good relationships with Guardsmen will pay dividends. That’s your payoff.” Lt. Col. Fredrick Tribble joined the CSMR in 1986 as a 2nd Lieutenant working as an MP, as he was a patrol officer in Fountain Valley. A Navy veteran (“We did not part company as friends,” he says), Tribble had studied to become a pastor at Pacific LT. COL. FREDERICK TRIBBLE began in 1986. Christian, “got to graduation day and realized I didn’t want to go into ministry.” He ended up in industrial quality control and manufacturing, became a policeman, and now teaches business management at CSU/Long Beach. Those paths obliquely led Tribble to the CSMR. “After having left law enforcement in 1983, I’d always had a desire to do something in public service—possibly a holdover from the ministry,” Tribble says. “Wanting to help in disasters, that’s really me. When it looks like the world has caved in on itself, that’s when I’m at my best.” He was hanging out at the National Guard booth at the Orange County Fair when the Soldiers there directed him to SMR recruiters. Now commander of the 3rd Battalion military police, Tribble believes that the emphasis in the Reserve should be on disaster relief. In that sense, he says, the Reserve can be of more use to the Guard in that little of their training is devoted to disaster response. “I’m a believer in the CSMR,” Tribble says. “In 24 years, I have not seen it. But it is on the road MASTER SGT. WARD RONEY now. to becoming what it can be.”

WARRIOR WORDS THIRTEEN OCTOBER 2010 I FIVE Off Duty ‘Spirit of '41’ will connect CSMR to its WWII heritage

By Staff Sgt. Jim Tortolano can wear Army blue or Class A uniform, Warrior Words or semi-formal dress. The Phoenix Club is located at 1340 Harry Truman once said “The only South Sanderson Ave. The event will thing new under the sun is the history you begin at 1730 hours. The event is don’t know.” Members of the California sponsored by the Order of Constantine State Military Reserve will get a chance the Great and Saint Helen, in conjunction to connect with their history and kick with the commanders of the Southern off the holiday season with the annual Regional Support Command. holiday ball on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Tickets are only $45 each; reservation Phoenix Club in Anaheim. forms are available at the front counter All CSMR Soldiers past and present of the CSMR S-1 offices at the Joint are invited. Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, or “It’s a chance for everyone to have a on the back cover of this Warrior Words good time, learn a little about our heritage newsletter. and to meet and get to know members of Please make checks payable to the other sections you might not have had a Sunburst Fund and mail to LTC chance to talk with during the year,” said James Adair, 32 San Tomas, Rancho CALIFORNIA STATE GUARD Lt. Col. James Adair, public information Santa Margarita, CA 92688. For more Soldiers stood watch at the Golden officer for the Southern Regional Support information, you can contact Lt. Col. Gate Bridge in 1941. The CSG was Command. Adair at [email protected]. the forerunner of the CSMR and The event is themed ‘The Spirit of ‘41” enrolled over 75,000 Soldiers. in reflection of the fact that the CSMR’s forerunner – the California State Guard – Photo by Capt. Ronald Alexander was activated on January 1941, making SOLDIERS this year’s event nearly coincide with the FROM THE birth of the Golden State’s defense force. CSMR were Before World War II was done, over hosted at 75,000 Soldiers served in the CSG, Dodger guarding bridges and refineries and other Stadium in Los strategic locations in California, freeing Angeles on the National Guard and regular Army Sept. 18. as the to take on the German and Japanese Dodgers played overseas. the Colorado In addition to the thousands of riflemen Rockies. the CSG fielded, the State Guard also had aeriel and naval components to patrol and defend the state’s long shoreline and vast geography. “It’s the 70th anniversary of the CSMR,” Dodgers, CSMR a winning team said Adair. “We can celebrate the tradition of citizens on the home front By Capt. Ronald Alexander and friends, the group contained as many defending their state and see how that’s Warrior Words as 40 smiling faces. th evolved into the 20 century.” Every Soldier dressed out in his/her ACU’s In keeping with the anniversary theme, Soldiers from the California State Military with beret. The group approached the third there will be World War II-era music, Reserve and Army National Guard pulled base side of the stadium. Each member memorabilia, and possibly even vehicles. into the outlined parking lots that surround received their tickets, moved toward their Soldiers can help celebrate the occasion the blue-draped and sunlit Dodger Stadium seats, and in unison stood, smartly and gave by wearing WW II dress uniforms, with on Saturday, Sept. 18. a hand salute to the American flag, listening proper rank and CSMR brass. Or, you Escorting their wives, family members, Continued on page 7

SIX I WARRIOR WORDS THIRTEEN OCTOBER 2010 The CSMR JAG unit has found a new spot to call home at the JFTB. The unit recently completed a move from its trailer on the northeast side of the base to first-floor offices in Building 6. Although the new space offers a touch of plush with wood paneling and some decent furniture, the facility is a bit crowded. Altogether, with JAG staff from other base service branches stationed in the same locale, as many as two dozen Soldiers can be working at the offices at the same time during drill weekends. But the close confines will present helpful opportunities for the lawyers to compare notes and discuss issues. “It just makes for a more informed JAG corps,” said LTC Stephen Glassman. “We get to share our expertise with each other and that really makes for good JAG officers. It’s a much more efficient operation.”

Around the SRSC Coping with the unthinkable: the WMD threat

By Staff Sgt. John Thompson Warrior Words

You’re in a multi-level shopping mall and suddenly you smell a sweet odor, a scent completely out of place for this environment. You look around and see people with breathing problems, sweating, weakness and nausea. What would you do in this situation? Well, if you were attending the August Photo by Staff Sergeant John Thompson Weapons of Mass Destruction class, taught by Lt. Col. John Goodnight LT. COL. JOHN GOODNIGHT speaks on weapons of mass destruction. and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rolando Quiambao, you would know exactly that unfortunately, we in Western society their expense and complexity. People what to do. are increasingly facing in this age of who have a difficult time setting fire to That odor would probably be that of small groups of terrorists bringing their a simple fuse in a running shoe are not Sarin gas, which is 200 times more toxic dirty deeds to the general population. likely to be able to set off a nuke. than chlorine, but is heavier than air and There are many ways in which terrorists It was pointed out, and can be verified its effects can be mitigated by leaving the create terror and uncertainty in a by historical fact, that to date, terrorists area as quickly as possible. population. They may employ chemical have relied upon chemical explosives for This eight-hour course explained the and biological agents, radiological and their maximum psychological effect and various aspects of the types of warfare nuclear weapons and explosives. for the immense media publicity. Fortunately, the one major fear we Any CSMR Soldier seeking more all have in the back of our minds, that information on this subject should of nuclear weapons, such as those either be alert for another offering of Dodgers pictured in novelist Tom Clancy’s book this excellent course or obtain a copy of and film, “The Sum Of All Fears,” are the Department of Homeland Security Continued from page 6 not very likely to be employed due to Student Manual, AWR-160. to 1st. Sergeant Juan M. Covarrubias direct recovery. Although the Dodgers couldn’t pull off a victory against the visiting Colorado The Mastering of MEMS Rockies, the CSMR and Guard stayed During August, the Los Angeles Fire and Police Departments, in support of professional throughout the contest laughing, talking development, offered a four-day advanced course that prepares participants to effectively loudly, eating nachos and cheese steaks and deliver the Emergency Management Institute’s ICS curricula instituted in the CSMR along with cold drinks and hot dogs. MEMS System. Then, without notice, Spec. Jonetta Greene Participants in the class met in the historic Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, and then Covarrubias found themselves located within the grounds of Elysian Park. The normal length in time to complete L-449 in full view of the audience on the giant T-t-T encompassed four days. screen out above the center field bleachers. Andy Neiman and Ron Reynolds acted as principal instructors. Both instructors, active Thousands of fans began to yell and cheer lieutenants, integrated their LAPD and EM experiences to give a knowledgeable and throughout the stadium. inventoried presentation. Set in the basement of the FHMTC, this area held a number of The fans at home and in Colorado just high tech communication systems, screens, overhead projectors, microphones, cameras, might have heard the loudest sustained yell WiFi, and computer networks. during the entire game. Dodger fans; wait They instructed 13 responders. Among the participants: seven from police, two from emergency till next year! Batter up! management, two from CSMR, one from fire, and one from civil service/Air Force.

WARRIOR WORDS THIRTEEN OCTOBER 2010 I SEVEN

Fall Out A California hero retires COL Gage brought CSMR medical resources to impressive status

By 1LT Ronald Alexander Warrior Words

COL Alon B. Gage, who retired the as Director of Medical Services, California State Military Reserve, received the Order of California medal for his “superior service “during the period 1 July 1990 to May 1. 2009 in a ceremony held Aug. 22 at Southern Regional Command Headquarters Support Building 5. His life’s long work in service to his country started when, at the age of 23, he joined the Army Reserve once he had graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He would attain both a B.S. in biology and an M.S. in COL ALON B. GAGE, wearing his Order of California medal. health. After joining the Army Reserve When the 9-11 rather primitive!” he said. in 1962, he move from reserve to Gage received a Staff Service active status. He received orders to attacks occurred Medal from a Vietnamese BG the 205th Infantry Brigade (ret) at he processed more for his work as the adjutant and Fort Snelling, Minnesota. personnel officer, 85th Evacuation In 1965, Gage received his than 65 medical Hospital. commission as a 2LT. In 1970, he personnel for Once his tour of duty ended in took the billet of Commanding emergency state Vietnam, Gage returned to his Officer, Medical Company, US duties as a Commanding Officer, Munson Army Hospital, Ft. active duty. Medical Company, US Walson Leavenworth KS. Army Hospital, Fort Dix New Jersey. While stationed at Fort northern provinces. He has also served in administrative Leavenworth, Gage decided that The facility where Gage worked billets in the Office of the Army he wanted duty in Vietnam. He had 75 to 80 beds. Outside the Surgeon General, Washington DC decided, “to speak to the right wire, Gage performed at least one and as an Administrative Officer, people...” “At age 31, as an old guy, operation with the Civic Action Tripler Army Medical Center, when most going to Vietnam were Group. Honolulu. in their teens or early 20s, I was When visiting a Vietnam hospital, In 1986, Gage retired from active sent to Phu Bai.” he witnessed the stress upon the military service. In 1990, he joined The XXIV Corps headquarters was hospital staff and facilities. In one the CSMR. When Sacramento located in Thua Thien Province. ward, a mix of patients presenting needed an officer who had When Gage arrived in-country, different ailments crowed the floor. experience and knew about the heavy helicopter traffic filled his Added to that problem, patients’ complexity in rendering medical area, lifting off from the Hue- families remained with them, often Phu Bai airport, giving support to cooking food on the floors. “It was Continued on page 10

WARRIOR WORDS NINE OCTOBER 2009 I NINE Fall Out COL Gage retires, heads for Hawaii Continued from page 9 the necessary training to perform an immediate support, Gage filled the position. and successful mission. COL Gage said the CSMR At that time, only one branch qualified military officer will continue to receive the call; but, “the CSMR held a billet in the CSMR. Later he took the position as a could never do that on a full-time basis. We must staff officer in June 2001. watch out for what we say we can do! A week, yes; When attacks occurred on Sept. 11, 2001 the CANG two weeks, no!” requested CSMR assistance. The new mission involved Gage built a database of terms and definitions the processing of more than 65 medical personnel for that helps to clarify confusing terminology within Emergency State Active Duty. His command availed the branches of medical corps professions. His personnel to a number of sites including overseas. interpretative standards promote quality decisions With as many as 15,000 Soldier Readiness Processing for promotion to higher levels of responsibilities (SRPs) forms completed, the duration of work extended throughout the medical field. to three weeks, totaling 100-125 per day. Without a In April 2009, Gage attended his final UTA. He computerized facility, the processing of medical, dental, reached the age of 70 this past July. psychiatric, and legal documents required from 10-12 Following a 20-year career as a teacher in the admin officers and NCOs. Then, to prepare Periodic California Dept. of Corrections,Gage will travel to Health Assessments (PHAs) more attention to details Hawaii, where he has a home. The father of two, guided the work. Gage recognizes that a budgetary restriction has reduced premium assets, which changes the configuration of services. This situation extends throughout the medical support mission. This is your newsletter Physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, physician assistants, Warrior Words is the Discounts COl Cage for CSMR leaves top nurse practitioners, and nurses have had reductions quarterly newsletter of Soldiers medical post in overall staff responsibilities due to a reduction in the Southern Regional Page 4 Page 9 Support Command of WARRIOR WORDS funding. Contractors now provide services for basic Newsletter of the Southern Regional Support Command * California State Military Reserve medical needs. the California State Yet, Gage notes that medical contractors may not have Military Reserve. That means that the job of the staff of War- rior Words – drawn Education benefits now from the public affairs section -- is to inform Military Education, you and help give rec- Education for Military extended to the CSMR ognition to you about n Another BOC class graduates; n CSMR Soldiers college-bound? your work in the CSMR. n Teaching on a Marine base Continued from page 5 n Learning public affairs spin

We encourage you to October 2009 Issue Number Nine * Published by the SRSC Public Affairs Section contribute material for Starting next year, Soldiers from the California State publication. We publish Military Reserve may also become college students, thanks is four times a year, so we publish in January, April, to the taxpayers of the Golden State. July and October. A limited number of print copies On Aug. 28, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed are available; we strive to e-mail copies of Warrior Assembly Bill X4 12, which creates the California National Words to as many Soldiers in the SRSC as we can. Guard Education Assistance Program, which will allow If you wish to contribute, or to request a PDF (por- members of California’s Military Department to receive table document format) version of the newsletter, financial assistance. to make a suggestion or request a correction, please Although the name of the program cites only the National e-mail us at [email protected]. Guard, the bill and resulting program also includes members Articles submissions should be made in a .doc for- mat in Microsoft Word (not docx). Photos should of the State Military Reserve and . be accompanied by a cutline (caption) describing “California’s National Guard is on the front lines of every what’s in the image, and naming the people depict- disaster,” said the governor. “From protecting citizens from ed in the photo (including rank, first and last name). wildfires and floods here at home to serving the people of File sizes of photos should not exceed eight megs; New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, the Guard can be anything more tends to choke our-e-mail system.

TEN I WARRIOR WORDS NINE OCTOBER 2009