JOINT SERVICE HONORS COMMAND Monthly Newsletter February 2015 Volume 0215 If you would like to submit a column for this newsletter, please contact the editor: SSG Susan Planas at: [email protected] SOLDIER By: Ed Coet, Major, USA-Retired I suddenly remembered when he went to war, and when he returned I thought nothing more.

I saw a burial with a bugler playing taps; I never asked why he walked with a limp, I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked. and I didn’t care about why he was sick.

He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his I was to busy enjoying the life that I had, voice, he began to explain and his eyes became to realize that I had it because of dad. moist. I finally understood what my dad was about, and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.

He sacrificed so much so I could be free, and his battle scares were suffered for me.

It was my father’s spirit that spoke to me that day; thank God I finally understood what he had to say.

I saluted his coffin as they laid him to rest, “My son,” he said, “this is rather difficult for me; and I thought about the medals pinned on his for an old veteran like myself this is tough to see. chest.

In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior, That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always an honest-to-God hero, an American soldier. regret;

and I pledged that day to never again forget. I appreciate that soldier and the service he gave, and I honor his sacrifice as he’s laid in his grave. I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior;

I’m honored to be the son of an American soldier. He was honorable, selfless, courageous, and bold; please remember him son, as you grow old.

The value of his service, I must explain, if not remembered, will be lost in vain.

As a nation we’re nothing without soldiers like him; and failing to remember would be a terrible sin.”

I listened in awe as my father spoke, it seemed as if his heart were broke. ***** What Does a Sniper Really Do? Say, in the field, you're sitting there looking and A sniper is a highly trained soldier who some guy walks by and salutes somebody and specializes in shooting targets with modified rifles then, 'BAM' -- you know he's an officer. That's from incredibly long distances. They're also one of those things you pick up on. adept in stealth, camouflage, infiltration, and observation techniques. Snipers are also utilized in support roles. These support roles can be an over-watch position or a Military snipers are used in a variety of missions blocking action. When a sniper is in an over- on the battlefield, and the sniper's primary watch position, he sets himself up in a mission has nothing to do with pulling a trigger. concealed place that gives him a clear view of the battlefield. There he can support the assault The main battlefield role of the sniper is force by taking out enemy forces that are reconnaissance. Because snipers are masters endangering the advancing platoon. In a of stealth, they are perfectly suited to sneak blocking action, snipers set up to help secure a behind enemy lines to provide command with position that is controlled by their platoon. They information about the enemy's size, strength and may set up on a roof and help ground forces location. defend their position.

When the mission calls for it, snipers can also Snipers don't just shoot people. They are often dismantle and dishearten the enemy with a few ordered to destroy material targets. A sniper well-placed rifle shots. Instead of engaging the may shoot generators, radios, transmitters, or entire enemy force like traditional infantry, fuel and water supplies. Putting a .50 caliber snipers concentrate their efforts on hunting key round in the engine block of a helicopter or people -- officers, pilots, armor drivers, transport is just as effective as putting one in the technicians, and communications operators. With man who drives them. deadly shots that kill without warning, military snipers break both the enemy's will and ability to Snipers are what military strategists refer to as fight. force multipliers. Simply put, a force multiplier is an individual or small team that, through the When there is no specific objective, a sniper will use of special tactics, can do the damage of a look for targets of opportunity. By tracking much larger force. What's amazing about snipers enemy movements, snipers wait patiently for the is that they are capable of force multiplication unsuspecting soldiers to present the opportunity without ever directly engaging the enemy. for a perfect shot. An officer taking a break to smoke a cigarette, a pilot flight-checking his Because of the nature of their missions, snipers helicopter, an armed guard on patrol -- these are travel with very little gear, patiently moving under all targets of opportunity. the cover of brush or night. But they never travel alone. Sniper teams often have to stay "You want to take out what's going to help your completely still for hours or days at a time to buddies the most." This is what Army Ranger avoid detection, waiting for the right moment to Sniper had to say on selecting targets of take the shot. opportunity. He continues: ***** ... When you're in the military, you have SGT Bilko says… experience knowing how a commander acts. You know a private -- a private Joe Nobody is “Finish each day and be done with it. You have generally going to be sitting behind a mound or done what you could. Some blunders and sitting in a hole with his weapon. You can tell who's who by looking -- 'Okay, this guy's in absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as charge and that guy's a nobody' -- just because soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin of the way they act. That's one of the reasons in it well and serenely and with too high a spirit the field you're not supposed to salute officers. to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” and staples prevented the sheath from being cut Ralph Waldo Emerson by the blade. A hook (M-1910 type) was provided Got that! to attach the machete to a pack or to the pistol or cartridge belt.

***** The machete dimensions were about 22 1/2"

overall with a 17 7/8" blade that was 2" wide. A MOMENT IN TIME Most World War II machetes had black plastic Military Machetes grips, but True Temper machetes stamped 1945 were made with olive green plastic handles.

Other machetes were made for the U.S. military in the World War II period. A U.S. Navy Mk1 model had a 26 inch blade and some of the older, 28 inch or longer machetes remained in service. There was a paratrooper machete with a M-1942 machete and canvas duck sheath, with 16 inch parkerized blade, 22 inches overall. A M1910 hook. World War II QMG photo. folding machete was also issued to some units.

On the Olive-Drab.com military bolo page there Prior to World War II a 22 are other knives that are sometimes referred to inch machete was in use by as machetes. the Army, but trials in Panama showed that a Vietnam War and Modern Machetes shorter design was better. The machete adopted as the The machete itself has changed little since World M-1942 was an 18-inch War II, but the scabbard (or sheath) has evolved straight back modification of through several models. The earliest sheaths the Collins commercial type, were a plain canvas sock with a belt loop. The M- proved by extensive use in the tropics. 1942 machete (photo, above) had a sturdy canvas duck scabbard with This was the basic tool of jungle operations, the M-1910 belt hook. The permitting travel through the tangled vegetation last WW II model had a away from the trails. The machete depended on smooth, hard OD plastic velocity rather than weight for its cutting action, case with a metal throat being allowed to pivot in the hand with the stroke, similar to a bayonet. That while held only with the thumb, index and middle last style was in use until fingers. A hole was drilled in the handle for a the Vietnam war, wrist cord, which kept the machete from being approximately 1966. In dropped or lost. The machete was also 1967 a new style carrier considered a decidedly useful weapon, especially was issued that is very for the silent disposition of sentries and in night similar to today's machete ambushes. (Photo to the left shows 101st sheath, in olive drab hard plastic, FSN 8465-257- Airborne soldiers with a Nazi flag captured in a 4321 (MIL-S-2329). It has village assault near Utah Beach, St. Marcouf, the swivel attachment belt France, 8 June 1944. Right paratrooper is hook and built in sharpener holding a machete that seems to have a bright that comes with a finish.) sharpening instruction sheet. The case has holes The sheath was made of heavy, water-repellent for drainage. (Photo to the duck, which resisted the mildew and dampness left shows U.S. Special that destroyed leather in the jungle. A brass top Forces at Base A-325 Duc Hue in Vietnam, operated between November 1967 and October CHAPLAINS CORNER 1970. Photo to the right shows the markings on an M-1967 olive drab sheath with textured Valentine’s Day is the day for love! “What does surface. Photo courtesy Jarkko Lahtinen.) love mean?" is a question researchers The current version of the machete sheath posed to a group of 4 to 8 (photo, below) differs only in color from the year-olds. The answers Vietnam era M-1967 issue scabbard. The NSN they got were broader has changed to 8465-00-926-4932 but the and deeper than anyone specification remains MIL-S-2329. could have imagined. See what you think:

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and

smell each other." Karl - age 5 "Sheath, Machete" (for 18 inch long, 2-1/4 inch wide blade) NSN: 8465-00-926-4932. "Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be The machete itself has this current nomenclature together and you talk more. My Mommy and and specifications: Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" Emily - age 8 • Machete, Rigid Handle, Steel • NSN 5110-00-813-1286 "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas • 18" Blade if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - • 23 1/4" Overall age 7 (Wow!) • Blade - .125" Thick • 1095 Carbon Steel Blade "If you want to learn to love better, you should • Black Oxide Finish start with a friend who you hate," Nikka - age 6

High Impact Shatterproof Polymer • "Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, Handles then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7 • Steel Compression Rivets • Vendor: Ontario Knife Company "Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad ***** Pitt." Chris - age 7

WHO IS THIS JSHC MEMBER? Funny…and insightful. But here is perhaps the best example of real love in action: A four-year old child had a neighbor who was an elderly gentleman. He had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry".

Don’t know??? He will be revealed at Drill on Love in action is the best kind of love. John 3:16 February 18, 2015… is so popular that we’ve all seen the guy at the Last month’s member: Capt Dennis Davenport. football games holding up that sign. That verse reads, “For God so loved the world that sent His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him ***** shall not perish but have eternal life.” Even an 8

year old can appreciate that. May you know the The Department of Defense Honors Ribbon love of God each and every day. with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Chaplain Steve Completion of 50 Services 1LT Kevin Pendley *****

JUST FOR FUN The Drill Attendance Ribbon With one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster Worse Punishment? BG Dean Murphy

An Air Force cargo plane was preparing for The Drill Attendance Ribbon departure from Thule Air Base in Greenland. With Four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters They were waiting for the truck to arrive to pump CCMSgt Dean Harley out the aircraft's sewage holding tank.

The Aircraft Commander was in a hurry, the truck The Drill Attendance Ribbon was late in arriving, and the Airman performing With Three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters the job was extremely slow in getting the tank Capt Joaquin Espinosa pumped out. CSM Jim Pfeifer When the commander berated the Airman for his slowness and promised punishment, the Airman The Drill Attendance Ribbon responded: "Sir, I have no stripes, it is 20 below With Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters zero, I'm stationed in Greenland, and I am LTC Larry Branam pumping sewage out of airplanes. Just what are LtCol Ron Estep you going to do to punish me?" CPT Edward Planas CPT Stephen Bryant ***** 1SG Tommy Riccardo SSgt Luis Burriel AWARDS AND DECORATIONS The Drill Attendance Ribbon The following awards or decorations were With One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster presented during the month of January 2015. GySgt Brad Otto

SSG Susan Planas The JSHC Achievement Ribbon with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster The Drill Attendance Ribbon for 100 services in calendar year SCPO Chuck McGaugh 1SG Tommy Riccardo SFC John Lynch MSgt Al Clark The Department of Defense Honors Ribbon SSG Gene Lehnick with Two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters TSgt Pete Arredondo and Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters Cpl Tony Barraza Completion of 275 Services LtCol Ron Estep *****

PROMOTION The Department of Defense Honors Ribbon

with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster First Lieutenant Kevin Pendley has been Completion of 100 Services promoted to Captain and is assigned as the TSgt Pete Arredondo Recruiting Officer effective immediately. The Department of Defense Honors Ribbon with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters ***** Completion of 75 Services

MSgt Al Clark

STATISTICS

January 2015: During this month, we have COMMAND STAFF completed 10 solo Honor Services. Brigadier General Dean Murphy, Commander ***** 559-448-6551 NEXT DRILL [email protected]

The next drill will be on Wednesday 18 Captain Ken Bain, Chief of Staff, California Brigade February 2015 at 7 PM at the Clovis Veterans 559-547-8550 Memorial Building. Uniform is class B. [email protected]

***** Lieutenant Commander Conrad Bitters 1st Battalion Commander FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 559-974-1510

rd [email protected] 1LT Kevin Pendley 3 th CDR Gordon Pickett 5 CPT Kevin Pendley, Recruiting Officer th 1SG Tommy Riccardo 5 559-322-5057 Sgt Tony Barraza 6th [email protected] Capt Howard Cook 14th MAJ Jim Taylor 24th Comments and Suggestions: MSgt Al Clark 24th If you wish to contact the editor, please call SSG Susan Planas at 559-240-1736 or email at [email protected] *****

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Please email your story or photos to [email protected] BEFORE the 20th day of the month to be considered for the next month’s newsletter.

WEBSITE Please visit the site at www.jshc.info.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Current Board of Directors are: Col Miller – Chairman of the Board, BG Murphy, Capt Espinosa, CSM Pfeifer, 1SG Riccardo, SSG Planas & SSG Lehnick. The Board of Directors meet on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 1025 ‘T’ Street, Fresno, CA.

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