Germany, Challenge Accepted! GAFB Comes to Ohio

Peacemaker

The official magazine of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)

Winter 2011

Germany, challenge accepted! GAFB comes to Ohio

Q & A with Maj. Gen. Jeffrey A. Jacobs

Swimming with an airborne twist

Fallen Soldier honored in Rhode Island Peacemaker Table of Contents Contents Cover Stories Features Pg. 10 Pg. 8 One-on-one with Maj. Gen. Jacobs CAPOC welcomes new CG Pg. 12 Pg. 20 Paratroopers jump into the pool Age ain’t nothin’ but a number Pg. 14 Pg. 22 Gone, but not forgotten A one-in-200,000 chance Pg. 16 2nd POG accepts the German Armed On the cover: A Soldier competing in the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency clears the high-jump during the track Maj. Gen. Jon J. Miller, Chief of Staff U.S. Army Reserve Command, and Maj. Gen. David N. Blackledge, then Commanding General of Forces Proficiency Badge challenge and field section of the competition in Twinsburg, Ohio, July 30, USACAPOC(A), speak with a group of Congressional staff members in the foyer of the new U.S. Army Reserve Command Headquarters at 2011. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura Fort Bragg, N.C. on September 28, 2011 while hosting the group for “Army Reserve Day” in order to help the delegation from Washington get a better idea of the training and the challenges which the Army Reserve, the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) and the Special Warfare Center & School face on a daily basis. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/usacapoc Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/usacapoc Read us on the web www.usacapoc.army.mil See us on Flickr www.flickr.com/usacapoc

Watch us on YouTube and Vimeo Master Sgt. James McCloskey, a paratrooper with HHC, USACAPOC(A) captured this image with a helmet camera while jumping www.youtube.com/TheUSACAPOCPAO www.vimeo.com/usacapoc over Ginkel Health drop zone in Holland during the remembrance of Operation Market Garden, Sept. 17, 2011. Operation Market Garden, though unsuccessful, was the largest airborne operation during World War II, and was the Allies’ last attempt to end the war before Christmas. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. James McCloskey Peacemaker

Peacemaker is produced by the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command(Airborne)

Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey A. Jacobs

Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. Alan L. Stolte

Chief of Staff Col. Terrell E. Parker II

We need your help finding Command Sgt. Maj. Command Sgt. Maj. Dale R. Blosser GOT NEWS? the best stories, the best Soldiers, and the best units Public Affairs Officer doing what USACAPOC(A) is known for. If your unit is doing something Lt. Col. Gerald O. Ostlund amazing, one of your Soldiers is setting an example for the rest of your command, or your unit is conducting some out of the ordinary Civil Affairs Assistant Public Affairs Officer or Military Information Support Operations training or missions, invite us Capt. Saska E. Ball Capt. Scott Madison to come cover it for the magazine. If your event has already taken place, send us some photos with identifying information— we’ll give you the Public Affairs NCOIC byline. Email your pitch or some photos to: [email protected] Sgt. 1st Class Andy N. Yoshimura

Public Affairs Team Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Siemion Staff Sgt. Sharilyn R. Wells Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres Staff Sgt. Amanda L. Smolinski Staff Sgt. April Evaro Spc. Katie D. Summerhill Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Taylor takes a pause during his at times emotional address Contributors to the Soldiers of the 350th Civil Affairs Command in Pensacola, Fl. Taylor retired after than 41 years of service, Nov. 6, 2011. Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy E. Gray assumed Staff Sgt. Marc Lane responsibility as the command’s senior enlisted advisor. Master Sgt. James McCloskey U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Gerald O. Ostlund Michael M. Phillips

Printed by 306th PSYOP Company Strategic Dissemination, Los Alamitos, Ca.

Peacemaker is the official publication of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) to provide command information to service members and their families. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the command’s Public Affairs Office, under the provisions of AR 360-1. Contents of Peacemaker are not neces- sarily official views, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne). Peacemaker is published quarterly. From the Command Peacemaker Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey A. Jacobs Engineers or Civil Affairs specialists?

USACAPOC(A) welcomes other than those with the 354th. U.S. Soldiers help increase the Kenyan Army’s skillset Maj. Gen. Jeffrey A. Jacobs back into its He served in Operation Uphold Story by Staff Sgt. Marc Lane ranks as its new commanding general. Democracy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in Jacobs comes to 1994 and also Operation Joint Endeavor Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of USACAPOC(A) after serving as in Bosnia in 1996. Africa commanding general, Contingency His decorations include the EMBAKASI, Kenya – Command Post 2, U.S. Army North. Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Nineteen Kenyan army engineers from Jacobs’ history in CAPOC Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), includes a tour as commander of the Joint Service Commendation Medal 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, with which (one Oak Leaf Cluster), and Army multiple units finished a five-day civil he deployed to Iraq in support of the Commendation Medal (three Oak affairs field training exercise at the Amani First Armored Division in Baghdad. He Leaf Clusters). His badges inclued the Peace Operations Training Village in also served as commanding general of Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Embakasi, Kenya, Oct. 21. the 350th Civil Affairs Command. Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert The Soldiers participated in Jacobs came into the active Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger a series of scenarios designed and Army after graduating from the United Tab. implemented by an instruction team States Military Academy at West Point As a civilian, he is the chief made up of seven engineers from the in 1979 as an infantry officer. After legal counsel for the South Carolina Kenyan army and facilitated by five U.S. seven years of active duty, Jacobs joined Department of Insurance in Columbia. Army Soldiers from the 402nd Civil the Army Reserve to serve as both an USACAPOC(A) looks forward Affairs Battalion attached to Combined infantry and civil affairs officer. to the road ahead with Maj. Gen. Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. The Kenyan army engineers and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Benton discuss the techniques used to Jacobs has two deployments Jacobs! exercise covered topics such as key work with local civilians during a civil affairs field training exercise in Embakasi, Kenya, Oct. leader engagements, assessing village 21, 2011 U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Marc Lane structures and settling tribal disputes. “We train hard, so we can Command Sergeant Major fight easy. This training is important, Command Sgt. Maj. Dale R. Blosser especially now because our army is deploying,” said Lt. Local Kenyan civilians were employed as role players Kenneth Rujema, a Kenyan army engineer previously trained to act out the scenarios at the training village. This helped Chanukah, Christmas and that being away from family during in civil affairs. “We need to have good relations between simulate the unpredictability and uncertainty of actual civil New Years. They are all right around traditional celebrations can have on civilians and military so that commanders on the ground can affairs missions. the corner and for many, this is a joyful fellow Soldiers. focus on operations.” “The actors were very important to the training,” said time of year. For some, however, the If you are lucky to be home The training was focused on Kenyans communicating Flores-Cabrera. “They made each situation as authentic as holidays are tough times- separation celebrating, don’t overdue the buffet with one another to navigate various difficult civil affairs possible.” from family due to a deployment, line, bar tab or sleepless nights. scenarios. After the weeklong training, Kenyan army engineer financial hardships, and other factors I want to see each and every “It is important for our Soldiers to know how to Nyambane Ezra said he would be able to employ this training can lead to depression, overdrinking, or one of you healthy and motivated in interact with civilians and know how to approach permissive, in real-world situations. worse. the new year- I need you, your fellow hostile and uncertain environments,” Rujema said. “I learned about communication techniques to build I ask that you all look out Soldiers need you, and your country The week of practical exercise followed two weeks relationships and gain the confidence of civilians,” said for each other always, but especially needs you. of civil affairs classroom instruction aimed at preparing Ezra. “The tools of communication assist us in undertaking this time of year. Pay attention to Finally, please take time to the Kenyan Soldiers for situations that may occur during operations.” your fellow Soldiers, friends and remember the more than 1,100 CAPOC deployment missions. After finishing the practical exercise, the Kenyan those around you for signs that Soldiers who are forward deployed “In the class, it’s all theoretical on paper. Out here and American Soldiers traveled to Thika, Kenya, where the something isn’t quite right. If you and away from their families doing it’s nerves and reaction; that’s what counts when you’re on students used their knowledge to engage in real civil affairs notice any warning signs, initiate ACE important work around the world. I a mission,” said U.S. Army Captain Enilda Flores-Cabrera, missions with the local population. procedures: Ask if they are thinking salute each and every one of you and 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion training team chief and mission Find more information and news products on of committing suicide, Care enough look forward to those welcome home commander. “When you get to the practical, you see how the mission of to listen attentively, and Escort them ceremonies. people are actually going to react, how people are going to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, to appropriate mental health care for conduct themselves.” visit www.hoa.africom.mil proper treatment. If you are deployed, “Civil affairs is important in every climate,” said be especially attentive to the effects Flores-Cabrera. “We use negotiation, mediation and assessment to get a better understanding how to approach 6 the issues, how we can solve it and how we can help.” 7 Feature Peacemaker

Focused like a laser beam- “He is a proven leader, he is the right man for the job, that is why he was hand selected for this command.” —Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz CAPOC gets new commander Chief and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve

course at the Naval Post Graduate “[This] didn’t occur in spite of from Iraq by the end of the year. School, filled 178 separate requests him, but it occurred because of him due “I am so very proud of all of you, for CAPOC support within Operation to his leadership, dedication, vision, and you have done a remarkable job to this Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New guidance. It is because of his leadership nation,” said Blackledge. “It has been a Dawn and various other contingency that this command is the way it is privilege to lead you, to serve with you operations throughout the world, and today.” and fight with you.” reached 114% of retention goals.” Among his many achievements, Blackledge accepted a Upon graduation from the Blackledge helped reduce the social position with the United States Army United States Military Academy at West stigma associated with Soldiers seeking Reserve Command working civil Point in 1979, Jacobs served seven mental health treatment from affairs proponency matters until his years on active duty before joining the war-related stress after he was retirement sometime next summer. Army Reserve. seriously injured in action in both 2004 “I wish Maj. Gen. Blackledge Jacobs served in Bosnia, and again in 2005. the best of luck; he will be a hard act to Haiti and also in Baghdad, Iraq as the Blackledge added in his speech, follow,” saidFind Jacobs. more pictures at commander of the 354th Civil Affairs following an announcement made by http://on.fb.me/u4YbRh Brigade. President Obama, that the last of the Maj. Gen. Jeffrey A. Jacobs accepts the USACAPOC(A) colors from Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz at the change of command ceremony on Most recently within command’s civil affairs Soldiers and the Fort Bragg, N.C.., Oct. 23, 2011. The passing of the colors symbolizes the transfer of authority of USACAPOC(A) from Maj. Gen. David N. USACAPOC(A), he served as the bulk of the PSYOP forces will redeploy Blackledge to Jacobs. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells commanding general of the 350th Civil Affairs Command, headquartered in By Staff Sgt. Amanda Smolinski Pensacola, Florida. He is decorated with USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff Post 2, United States Army North Since 2001, USACAPOC(A) the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service (Fifth Army) at Fort Sam Houston- has mobilized and deployed more Medal, Joint Service Medal, and earned a command and control element than 20,000 Soldiers to 14 countries the Ranger Tab. FORT BRAGG, N.C. - As fall responsible for rapid deployment to in support of the War on Terror and Jacobs described his intent as a arrived, so did a new season of natural disasters and emergencies in assisting in humanitarian actions. commander to be “focused like a laser leadership for the U.S. Army Civil Affairs North America. Blackledge described beam to provide trained and ready, & Psychological Operations Command “He is a proven leader, he is the the changes he has seen within disciplined and professional units and (Airborne). right man for the job, that is why he was USACAPOC(A) since assuming Soldiers to the Army and combatant Maj. Gen. David N. Blackledge hand selected for this command,” said command in 2009. commanders.” relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Stultz. Jacobs also mentioned that Jeffrey A. Jacobs Oct. 23, 2011. “It has been a priviledge to lead you, the command will continue to provide Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of support to Soldiers’ families, quoting the U.S. Army Reserve and commanding to serve with you and fight with you.” Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of general of the U.S. Army Reserve —Maj. Gen. David N. Blackledge Staff of the United States Army, saying Command, presided over the ceremony the “strength of our Soldiers is our as Blackledge passed the unit colors USACAPOC(A) outgoing commander Families.” through Stultz to Jacobs symbolizing Following the ceremonial the change of command. passing of the colors, Stultz described (Left) Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Blosser, senior enlisted non-commissioned officer of Stultz described Jacobs as Jacobs assumed command “The unit has grown by the resistance he felt as he took USACAPOC(A), hands the command’s colors to Maj. Gen. David N. Blackledge, outgoing a “well-known entity within the CA of nearly 12,000 Soldiers in 67 units more than 1,000 Soldiers, activated, the colors out of Blackledge’s commanding general, during the change of command ceremony on Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. community.” across 30 states and Puerto Rico. relocated, converted or re-aligned 66 hands and the significance of the 23, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt.Sharilyn Wells Jacobs came to USACAPOC(A) “There is no better job for an CAPOC units, expanded educational approximate 3,000 USACAPOC(A) after8 completing his assignment as officer than being a commander,” said opportunities for our Soldiers including Soldiers that are deployed around commander of Contingency Command Jacobs. the creation and credentialing of a the world. 9 Cover Story Peacemaker Maj. Gen. Jacobs answers your questions those operations. I think that, post- Peacemaker staff sat down with Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Afghanistan, we’ll still have a healthy A. Jacobs and talked about his command philosophy, OPTEMPO – and I know that our priorities and leadership style. Here are the answers centers and see their subordinates in action, and they Soldiers will still want to perform all USACAPOC(A) Soldiers should know. must show them what right looks like. I am counting meaningful, real-world missions – on our battalion, brigade, and group commanders and but I think we’ll be able to make our command sergeants major to do this. Ultimately, a th YouSoldiers’ mentioned lives more in your predictable. change Having commanded the 354 CA Brigade and the leader’s contributions to the Army are measured by the 350th CACOM, you are no stranger to CAPOC – is this of command remarks that every Isquality there of one the thingleaders in thatparticular follow in that his Soldiersor her footsteps. should a homecoming of sorts or more like Soldier is a full-time Soldier – can know about your leadership style? ground-hog-day? you explain a little more about what that means?

th Jacobs: There are two things, really. First, I will come to Jacobs: I started in CAPOC in the 360 CA Brigade in see you. Commanders can’t gain a good understanding 1993. It’s great to be back. There’s no greater honor Jacobs: Soldiers are Soldiers 24/7 of their commands by sitting behind their desks; we’ve than to command American Soldiers, and I’m humbled whether they wear the uniform every got to get out and see what’s going on first hand. Second, by the opportunity to command the best Soldiers in the day as our AGR force does or whether I call it like I see it. If something’s not to standard, I’ll they wear civilian clothes to work WhatArmy Reserve.is the first thing you want to accomplish as CG be the first to tell you. But when I tell you, it’s not a most days. Your responsibilities as a USACAPOC(A)? two days a month (and, again in my experience, if the “gotcha” moment. It’s an opportunity for improvement. Soldier don’t end Sunday evening after battle assembly. S-1 is not making decisions during the other 28 days a I am not about affixing blame; I am all about fixing Soldiering is a profession, not a 9-to-5 (or a one- month, he or she has trouble making informed decisions problems. We all have the same goal: combat readiness. weekend-a-month, two-weeks-a-year) job. during the two battle assembly days). If the S-1 is not No leader worth his or her salt is ever satisfied with It goes back to the Army Values and the Soldier’s Jacobs: We need to focus the command on what’s the S-1 every day, if that officer allows the AGR human his or her unit, and there has never been a unit that Creed. You can’t turn the Army Values and the Soldiers important, and what’s important is very basic: setting resources NCO fill that role, then, when the unit is deployed with too much training. There is always Creed on and off, and every Soldier – active, Reserve, and enforcing standards in everything we do. And, as mobilized, the S-1 will be ineffective and the mission Everysomething commander that can bewants done to better. leave command knowing or Guard – should have internalized them. We live the I’ve said, there’s only one standard in the command: the will suffer. The S-1 and the team sergeant can’t just he’s made a difference. When that time comes, what Army Values and the Soldier’s Creed 24/7, whether WhatArmy standard.are your immediate and long-term priorities show up at battle assembly and ask, “So, what are we do you hope the command has achieved because of we’re wearing the uniform or working at our civilian for the command? doing this weekend?” your leadership? jobs. You can’t stop living the Army Values and the I understand very well the constraints and Soldier’s Creed between battle assemblies and still call pressures of being an Army Reserve Soldier with a yourself an American Soldier. civilian job and a Family – I have lived it for 18 years. Jacobs: The overriding priority for the command must Now, let me translate that into practical terms, Jacobs: We have the best Soldiers in the Army Reserve. But, again, Soldiering is a profession, and Soldiers must continue to be providing trained and ready units and especially forresponsibility our leaders – and everyone from the rank I know that now, and I say that now. When they pry the be committed professionals – all day, every day. Soldiers for mobilization. Longer term, the command of corporal and up is a leader. CAPOC colors out of my hands, I hope the rest of the faces both challenges and opportunities as both the CA Your as a leader does not go away Army will know and say that, also. and MISO communities transform: where civil affairs With the draw down almost complete in Iraq and between battle assemblies, even if you can’t be at the proponency will end up; whether the CA school will the expectation that forces will start to draw down Reserve center to actually do the work yourself. in Afghanistan in the coming months, where do you For the most part, I think our commanders and move and, if so, where; and how the coming CA changes See Maj. Gen. Jacobs’ full biography and see CAPOC’s OPTEMPO in the years ahead? command sergeants major understand this, but, in my will affect MISO – all of these remain open questions. We military background at experience, other leaders sometimes don’t. need to make our voice heard as the Army makes these http://1.usa.gov/vTNR1x decisions. The S-1 and the team sergeant are still the S-1 One of my key focus areas will be leader development. and the team sergeant during the week; they need to Jacobs: Per capita, USACAPOC(A) Soldiers are some Join him on Facebook at You develop leaders by ensuring that they receive all the be engaged and communicating with their units’ full- of the Army Reserve’s most heavily deployed forces facebook.com/MGJeffJacobs appropriate operational experience and institutional time support personnel so that they can make informed – and yet these same Soldiers reenlist because they training – NCOES for our NCOs and OES for our officers. decisions within their areas of responsibility, even when value the missions they’re asked to accomplish. The Most important, though – and this is too often put in they are not wearing the uniform. These leaders set the CAR envisions a post-Afghanistan Army Reserve that the “too hard” box in the Army Reserve because of our priorities of work for the AGRs and MILTECHs who are is an integral player, for example, in theater security ever-present limitations: geography, time, and money – at the Reserve center every day. cooperation missions – peacetime engagements around leaders must get out of their headquarters and Reserve The brigade S-1 may be a TPU officer, but he the world. CA and MISO have a key role to play in or she cannot be effective by making decisions only 10 11 Cover Story Peacemaker Soldiers make a splash with water survival training Story by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells A Soldier with HHC, USACAPOC(A) follows a radial seam underwater to get out from USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff underneath a canopy after a simulated water parachute landing during water survival For non-swimmers or beginning in full gear as well as swim in full gear know how to swim. If you look at the training, Sept. 11, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt.Sharilyn Wells swimmers, the trainers took the time with their weapon. They also had to ACRSC (Army Combat Readiness/ to teach techniques in the shallow area perfect exiting the pool in full gear and Safety Center) and see all the PLRs FORT BRAGG, N.C. — It got a little of the pool and even HHC Commander tread water/complete a hanging float. (preliminary loss reports) that involve soggy for members of Headquarters Maj. Russell Staley jumped at the Then the Soldiers had to again, swim drownings, it’s astonishing. This type physically underneath the canopy of a conducting a water jump. It simulates the differences you will encounter while and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army opportunity to build confidence in the and float, but this time without their of training can better prepare a Soldier parachute and had to follow the radial Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations timid swimmers by getting into the rucksacks. if they find themselves in a similar seams to safety. The Soldiers also had landing in water than you will on land.” For Pvt. Gary Keily the training Command (Airborne) during its water with them to demonstrate proper “The weapon was heavier than trainingsituation.” session for its airborne the opportunity to experience the September battle assembly. Soldiers technique and encouraging them along I thought it would be,” said Edwards. “I HHC even added a special sensation of being dragged underwater was an experience he’s never had made a splash as they were trained on the way. figured it would be lighter in the water, while trying to release their riser to free before. Keily is planning on going to proper swimming and survival skills “The training really teaches but I was definitely tired after the swim Soldiers, giving them the chance to themselves. airborne school in the near future. during the unit’s water survival training us to trust our equipment,” continued test.” train on water landings. Soldiers were “This was a fun thing for us to “It was pretty cool that the at Archer Pool, Sept. 10 Edwards. “I really enjoyed (the “This type of training is really put in a situation where they were do,” said Master Sgt. Rich Sale. “You’d trainers took the time to show me “This was my first time doing training), it was something different.” important to everyone because it usually do this type of training before (the techniques) even though I’m this sort of training,” said Pfc. Shante The Soldiers’ basic teaches the basics in water survival,” not airborne,” said Keily. “It was an Edwards. “I was a little nervous at first water survival training included explained Master Sgt. Nick Vidrine, the experience, that’s for sure.” because I consider myself an okay waterproofing their rucksacks, a full- non-commissioned officer in charge swimmer. I thought they were going to gear water walk, a confidence check of the training. “I’m amazed to know make me jump into the deep end and (in which a Soldier tries to sit on the there are so many people who don’t drown, but the trainers eased us into bottom of the pool with full gear, to the water.” prove buoyancy), float for five minutes

Find more pictures at HHC, USACAPOC(A) first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Dwight Simon, helps drag a http://on.fb.me/s6CYIn Soldier underwater to simulate a water parachute landing during water and Cpt. Brian D. Hahn swims underneath a parachute canopy during water survival training in survival training, Sept. 11, 2011. http://on.fb.me/rUtQD8 U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt.Sharilyn Wells Archer pool at Fort Bragg, N.C., Sept. 11, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres

12 13 Cover Story Peacemaker

Army Reserve Center honors local fallen Soldier Find more pictures at http://on.fb.me/t01dNR Story by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura USACAPOC(A) PAO was.” said Sgt. 1st Class William Kepler, Afghanistan. “His actions and his unit’s a command security manager for the support of civil affairs teams of the 443rd. “As we moved forward with the 443rd helped to begin reconstruction, “To our son who brought NEWPORT, R.I. - Anniversaries process, we saw it was more fitting that development, governance and are symbols of significant events and he was the one this building should be humanitarian assistance programs for a bright light so great mile markers in one’s life. Typically named after.” the Afghan people.” yielding memories and gifts, these Paranzino died Nov. 5, 2010, “Michael could of not have celebrations help remind us of the in Kandahar, Afghanistan of wounds been a better leader,” said Spc. Brindle to the world. Even after things we have to be joyous about. suffered when insurgents attacked Owens, formerly of the 1/71st. “He However, for the family of Michael his unit with an improvised explosive taught me a lot of what I know. He was a he is gone, the light Paranzino, the anniversary they device. After his first tour in Iraq, the great Soldier and a great human being. recognize on November 5th is not a continues.” joyous one. -a message from Butch and Melane Paranzino Sgt. Michael Paranzino was a Parents of Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino Cavalry Scout from the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment and was killed in action in Afghanistan, November 5, 2010. In honor of Paranzino, the United States Army Reserve Center on Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island is now called the Sergeant Michael F. Paranzino Army Reserve Center. The renaming was made official during a somber yet admirable memorialization ceremony held November 5, 2011, U.S. Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura exactly one year after Paranzino’s death. Soldiers from the 443rd Civil “Whenever anyone comes Affairs Battalion, which resides in the Melane Paranzino, mother of Sgt. Michael Paranzino, observes the plaque honoring her son into the center please take time to new facility helped push in naming at the newly named Sergeant Michael Paranzine Army Reserve Center on Naval Station U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura remember Sgt. Michael Paranzino,” he the building after the Newport born, Newport, R.I., Nov. 5, 2011. said to the hundreds in attendance. Middleton native. Paranzino and The 60,000-square-foot the 1/71st maintained elements facility accompanies a 3,000-square- of the 443rd in Afghanistan. After decorated Soldier was on his second I miss him a lot.” foot vehicle maintenance shop and a numerous memorandums and letters, deployment, this time in Afghanistan, Exactly a year after his death, 2,500-square-foot storage facility and both Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon leading his Soldiers in support of Soldiers, Sailors, Senators and the is the only building built and operated Whitehouse, helped persuade the Operation Enduring Freedom. Paranzino Family cut the ribbon, by the Army on the naval base. Locating U.S. Congress to strongly support the “Paranzino served honorably officially opening the multi-million the Army Reserve Center on the Navy motion to have the new Army Reserve and selflessly during his tour working dollar facility that houses more than installation allows for more efficient Center posthumously named in honor to establish security by bringing the 700 Soldiers from four different use of nearby training areas, added of Paranzino. fight directly to the insurgents,” said commands. Of the 426 facilities on force protection, and consolidating the “During the memorialization Maj. Gerard Walsh, commander of the naval station, the Paranzino Army four Army Reserve units from outdated process, we learned more about what Charlie Company 443rd CA based Reserve Center is the only one named facilities in surrounding areas will save Michael did and what type of person he in Forward Operating Base Pasab, after an Army Soldier. millions of dollars. Maj. Gen. William D.R. Waff, e was a great Soldier and a “This facility will always be a “H commanding general of the 99th great source of pride for his Family great human being.” Regional Support Command, challenges always” said Butch Paranzino, Michael’s Soldiers who call the facility their home father. “I look forward to the day when —Spc. Brindle Owens to see it as an asset and use the skills Sgt. Michael Paranzino’s mother, Melane, is supported by Paranzino’s peers, Sgt. Tyler Schmidt I bring his children and tell them about (right) and Spc. Brindle Owens (left) from the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment from Fort Former peer of Paranzino they have been given as leverage to their father and why this facility has his Drum, N.Y., at the Sergeant Michael Paranzino Army Reserve Center, Nov. 5, 2011. train in the building. name on it.” U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura 14 15 Cover Story Peacemaker

to put some effort to train for The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge: he was stationed in Germany. out for one activity. You have Twenty-eight years later, Richards realized that being in the pool them all.” not a piece of cake was not his strong suit. Out of the 61 that “Swimming was a challenge competed, badges were because I haven’t swam in 12 years,” awarded to just 40 Soldiers. said Richards. “Now that I am 46, For the rest, the track and I figured this is the last chance to field and swimming events physically do the events.” proved too much. After a physically exhausting “It is definitely not day one, the competitors had to test a cake walk,” said Williams. their marksmanship abilities on the “You are doing so many pistol range. The German standard to strenuous activities in qualify is hitting three out of five targets such a short time. You will with a 9mm pistol at a 25-meter target. definitely get your physical Hitting five out of five will earn an fitness training and water opportunity at a gold badge. survival training on day one, Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Markle, of the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion in Kalamazoo, Mi., uses the breaststroke to “I ran track and field in high marksmanship training and complete the 200-meter swim portion of the German Armed Forces Military Proficiency test, July 30, 2011. school so a lot of the track and field endurance training on the last U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura events came easy,” said Sgt. Jamar day for the ruck-march,” he Story by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura Williams, 2nd POG. “But swimming and said, explaining the benefit USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff the pistol event was challenging.” of Soldiers getting great Every year, German soldiers are Despite the tough events, Pfc. The Soldiers’ mental toughness training. Sgt. Jamar Williams, 2nd Psychological Operations Group, required to take the proficiency test. Blake Britvec, a civil affairs specialist and stamina was put to the test during Soldiers who did located in Twinsburg, Ohio competes in the 3K run portion for TWINSBURG, OHIO – Sixty- Failure to meet the requirements means for the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion in the last event -- the ruck-march. not pass, or wish to the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency Test, one Soldiers from across the country, the failure to stay in the German army Kalamazoo, Mi., qualified for the bronze They had an opportunity to get a higher badge, July 30, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura including Puerto Rico, gathered here after two years. badge. either do a six-kilometer march for the will have a year to in the upper Midwest with one goal in “I like to see Army Reserve Just months earlier, Britvec bronze badge, a nine-kilometer for the train before the next mind -- get awarded the German Armed Soldiers come from all across the graduated basic training and advanced silver badge or a 12-kilometer for the GAFB test comes to Forces Badge for Military Proficiency. country to compete for the badge,” individual training. gold badge while carrying a 33-pound Twinsburg. These Soldiers, stemming added Goeb. “I figured I was weaker in rucksack. “Each Soldier should work on from the ranks of private first class Soldiers had to be combat lifesaver a couple of the physical parts of the “It takes a lot of work just to get the area that they feel they are weak in,” to lieutenant colonel, had to sweat qualified before participating in the first event,” said Britvec. “But, it is really the GAFB,” said Pvt. John Harrison from said Fergeson. “Being physically fit is a and endure the hot, humid and soggy event. good to learn where I am weak and the 415th CA Bn. “You can not just work key component for the badge.” weather of Ohio to pass numerous Participants started off the what I can work on.” events over a three-day period last July. morning with the 100-meter dash with The competitors then donned “We don’t just give out this their Soldier’s Army physical fitness their swimming gear, splashing their Find more pictures at badge, you have to earn it,” said Sgt. 1st uniforms drenched from the rain. way into the 200-meter swimming http://on.fb.me/t01dNR Class Ronald Fergeson, of the United They then split into groups qualification. Sgt. 1st Class John M. States Civil Affairs & Psychological to perform the high jump, long Richards, an information systems Operations Command (Airborne) who jump, shot put, and the 3,000-meter operator for the 2nd Psychological hosted the event. run. Qualification on these events is Operations Group in Twinsburg, Ohio, Dating back to the 1970’s the determined by the competitors’ age and finally had an opportunity to compete GAFB was awarded to German soldiers gender. after a scratched event in 1983, when as a way to show others that they had met all the proficiency requirements ou can not just work out for one that were, and still are, needed to be a “Y soldier. activity. You have to put some effort to train “This is a proficiency badge,” for all of them. said Sgt. Maj. Alexander Goeb, a liaison ” —Pvt. John Harrison Pfc. John Harrison of the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion of Kalamazoo, Mi., qualifies to the U.S. Army XVIII Airborne Corps with the M9 (9mm pistol) as one of the requirements for earning the German who supervised the test. “If you 415th Civil Affairs Battalion Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, in Twinsburg, Ohio, July 30, 2011. wear the badge, it shows that you are U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura proficient in everything.”

16 17 Feature Peacemaker

Full moon brings out all sorts of Soldiers a level a battalion just cannot match on their own. Active duty infantry and Reserve civil affairs paratroopers train as one “We can do KLE’s [key leader engagements] by ourselves,” Spess said. “What we can’t replicate at the battalion level is a 155mm Howitzer going off. What we can’t Story by Spc. Katie Summerhill Paratroopers from the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion out of Riverdale, Md., and paratroopers replicate at battalion level is 14 aircraft and hundreds of USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff from 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division float past a September full moon after exiting C-17’s, Sept. 11, 2011 during a joint training exercise. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura paratroopers in the air. We can’t replicate just the complexity of moving an entire brigade of paratroopers onto the battlefield.” th FORT BRAGG, For the younger Soldiers of the 450 who N.C. – Filling the participated in the JOAX, the message of the importance of midnight sky, 2,500 this exercise was not lost. paratroopers floated “I feel like I am very privileged to be here because across the full moon over I got to learn a lot,” saidth Spc. Adrian Smith, a civil affairs Sicily DropParatroopers Zone on Fort of specialist with the 450 CA BN. “I was able to see a lot of Bragg, N.C. stuff that specialists and below in my unit haven’t seen or th encountered yet, so I’ll be able to take what I’ve learned here the 450 Civil Affairs and show them so we can become better as a battalion.” Battalion based in rdSmith also noted that he appreciated the training Riverdale, Md.,rd along with 3 BCT because it allowed for a margin of error in Maj. Dave Spess of the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion with the 3 Brigadend operations that must be eliminated prior to deploying Combat Team, 82 (Airborne) checks his map after a nighttime tactical jump “When we go overseas, it’s not just going to be a onto Sicily Drop Zone, Sept. 11, 2011. Airborne Division out of CAT [civil affairs team] by themselves, we’re going to be U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura Fort Bragg participated working with combined teams,” Smith said. “It’s better to in a Joint Operational get acclimated to working with them now, at home safe, and Access Exerciseth we can make mistakes, and learn from them, as opposed to This was the first JOAX USACAPOC(A) assets Septemberth 11 and going overseas and not having any idea what to do, making participated inth recently, but hopefully it will not be the 12 . The JOAX brought mistakes and it costing you over there.” last. The 450 was the first to get this opportunitynd because together civil affairs and infantry Soldiers in a combined the battlefield,” Bakke said. “If we build good working While the training was high-speedrd and offered a rare historically they are the wartrace unit to the 82 Abn. Div., effort to complete a night airborne operation with follow-on relationships by planning and training together, it will be trainingth opportunity to both the 3 BCT Soldiers and the for civil affairs mission support, according to Capt. Matt missions, which replicate real world scenarios. mutually beneficial.” th 450 Soldiers, it also gave one Soldier bragging rights. Brown, the air operations officer with USACAPOC(A). In The operation gave the paratroopers Even though the 450nd Soldiers are members of the “Out in the field, it’s midnight, I’m doing stuff,” said seeing the success in this exercise, Brown already has future the opportunity to practice exiting an aircraft Army Reserve, and the 82 Soldiers are Active Duty, which Smith. “I might have missed the first football game of the training plans. at night in full combat gear, meeting at a typically creates a dividing line between troops, the two season, but it’s a lot cooler than what most of my friendsnd can “We intend to expand and work further with BCTs for predetermined rally point once on-ground, groups teamed up to completend the mission of the night. The say they were doing. I jumped out of a plane with the 82 not only civil affairs missions, but psychological operations and then organized to a low-visibility, dismounted movement ability to team up with the 82 and perform at their level and ran around with night vision goggles on.” missions as well,” explained Brown. onto an objective to seize a high-value individual, followed by was a goal for Maj. David Spess, operations officer for the After getting this a key leader engagement. 450th Civil Affiars Battalion. chance, Smith agreed that The civil affairs team consisted of four Army Reserve “You want whoever you’re going to support to just continuous future training, civil affairs specialists,rd whose mission was to support the absolutely not be able to tell the difference between you and similar to this, is important for JOAX as advisors to 3 BCT while they conducted the key organic troops other than you have specialized skills that you himself and his future Soldiers. leader engagement. Exercises like these, while complicated to bring to the table,” explained Spess. “It makes me want plan and execute, are integral to preparing different military To ensure this is the casend downrange, Spess worked to remember that when I get elements for deployed situations, explained Capt.rd Peter C.nd with USACAPOC(A) and the 82 to get his Soldiers involved to a senior level to extend this Bakke, an information operations officer with 3 BCT, 82 in the JOAX. Spess considered this training to be critical to kind of opportunity to young Abn. Div. preparing civil affairs Soldiers, especially younger Soldiers Soldiers, not just hog it for “It is important because we work together on with little experience, for future deployments, as it is done at myself,” Smith said. “If they get t’s a lot cooler that what most of my friends can say a chance to go out and learn as “...I much as they can with these they were doing. I jumped out of a plane with the 82nd and exercises and training, and ran around with night vision goggles on. they’ll be in my shoes one day, ” we can keep the trend going as —Spc. Adrian Smith th Spc. Richard Handres, a civil affairs Soldier from Bravo Company, 450 Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne)time goes on, so as the Army pulls security in Sicily Drop Zone before moving to its next objective for a key leader engagement, 450th Civil Affairs Battalion goes on, we stay one of Sept. 11, 2011 during a joint training exercise. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura the best.”

18 19 Feature Peacemaker

of April, there was fighting all over the city. He remembers his son Christopher, who is joining the Army, to end up. scenes from those days: providing security while American “He doesn’t want the other 19-year-olds to go,” Mrs. Old officials burned pallets of U.S. currency at the airport; Nicholas says of her husband. But “it makes him 19 again. He guarding the gate as thousands of panic-stricken Vietnamese finds youth in the military.” tried to enter the embassy grounds; promising to marry a bar Nicholas’s ID photo from the Saigon embassy shows a girl he didn’t know so that she could get a U.S. visa; the killing young man with a Superman forelock, fixing the camera with of two Marine guards at the airport -- the last American a challenging stare. Today his face is weathered, but his crew Soldiers casualties of the war. cut shows no gray. He runs two miles in just over 12 minutes. On the final day, April 30, 1973, Nicholas and his And though he carries glasses to read the maps, he has never fellow Marines barricaded the door to the embassy lobby, fallen out on a grueling march. but the crowds burst in anyway. He walked backward up the Nicholas’s rifle is never stairs, ready to use his rifle as a baton to keep always slung around the crowd at bay. On the roof his neck, whether the helicopters darted in to he’s at a desk, pick up the lucky few and eating dinner or on carry them to ships. patrol. He wore a die Nicholas was on the salted cobra skin Story by Michael M. Phillips second-to-last helicopter. “I on his helmet until The Wall Street Journal never considered Vietnam his commander, to be a lost war,” he says. 40-year-old Lt. “Politicians lost that war. I will Col. Colin Tuley, take that thought to my grave.” suggested that he The Marines let him take it off. pick his next posting, and, Above: Nicholas in Aghanistan, 2011. On missions, with blonde women in mind, Below: Nicholas on an operation in Barawalo Kalay, March 2011. the sergeant is he chose the U.S. consulate in Left: Nicholas at FOB Joyce, Sarkani District, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, particularly adept Frankfurt. There he met his Sept. 30 2011. Pictures courtesy of Staff Sgt. Don Nicholas at chatting up the wife, Dagmar. locals. In a culture He left active duty in in which age implies 1978 to go to college, and in wisdom, he has an 1986 graduated from the Ohio edge over a fresh- College of Podiatric Medicine. faced lieutenant. As Even after he opened his own a psy-ops Soldier, he practice, he was still working out tries to persuade the frenetically, in the hope of going Afghan elders that back into the Marines someday. their interests lie with He gave it a shot during the Kabul government Staff Sgt. Don Nicholas disproves the old refrain: Old almost hoping—to go to Vietnam. At the time he was a Desert Storm, but back then the and the coalition Soldiers do not, in fact, fade away. They re-enlist. believer in the domino theory. He remembers telling a local military was shrinking. He tried forces, not the Taliban. At 59, Nicholas is the oldest of the 6,000 Soldiers in TV reporter at the recruiting station that he didn’t want his after the Sept. 11 attacks. The “I don’t mind people the 25th Infantry Division in eastern Afghanistan, the Army children “living under communism.” Marines said no, but in 2004 the calling me old,” he says. And he is probably one of the very few Vietnam vets The Marines sent him to the Vietnam War, but not Army Reserve said yes. says. “The only time I now back for more in Afghanistan. He’s certainly the only one to Vietnam. He was stationed on an aircraft carrier in the He was 52 years old. get upset is if they say who sawEditor’s first-hand Note: the Nicholas ugly end is deployedof that war with from the the 312th roof of Tonkin Gulf, watching planes take off to bomb a shore he He joined the Army’s I’m old and I can’t do Psychologicalthe U.S. embassy Operations in Saigon. Company from Marlboro, Maryland couldn’t quite see. psychological operations branch because there he had a good something.” and normally assigned to HHC, 2nd Psychological Operations “It was kind of disappointing that the war was chance of going to war. And war he got. Next July, Nicholas turns 60, and the Army will tell Group. winding down,” he says. “I was a Marine rifleman, and I didn’t He spent his first Afghanistan tour, in 2005, in such him that he can’t go to war anymore, one of the few things he get to do what I was trained to do.” infamous valleys as the Korengal and Pech. He had shuttered finds truly frightening. He’s trying to get a quick commission The U.S. withdrew its combat forces from Vietnam his podiatric practice, so after his tour he made a living from as an officer; that would allow him to join the medical corps, “It’s really not a fascination with war itself,” Nicholas in 1973. The following year Nicholas re-enlisted and house calls until the Army accepted his request to deploy which has a higher retirement age. explains. “It’s more trying to keep people from getting killed. maneuvered his way to the Marine detachment at the Saigon again. This time he spent 11 months north of Baghdad. Editors note:“If he This has article to retire,” and images says his are wife, used “it with will the be permissionreally bad I’m taking the spot of some 19-year-old.” embassy. Soon after he got home, he put his hand up one offor the him.” Wall Street Journal. Raised in Magnolia, Ohio, Nicholas dropped out of By early 1975, the situation in South Vietnam was more time. In March he arrived in Kunar Province, along the high school and joined the Marines in 1971, expecting— precarious, as enemy troops moved ever closer. At the end Pakistan border, for a year. Kunar is a place he doesn’t want 20 21 Soldier Feature Peacemaker

How rare is the rank of CW5?

Love what you do, Number of CW5’s in U.S. Army Reserve: Before Grays: 47 do what you After Grays: 48 Number of African-American, female CW5s in the Army: Before Grays: 1 love After Grays: 2 Decrease in CW5 selections this year: 25% (sharpest decrease of all CW ranks)

CW4 Karen Grays, property book officer for USACAPOC(A), prepares to ship more than 600 computers. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura

all the warrant officers so each is proficient with his or her job. She feels that logistics in the Army Reserve is a key for success. CW4 Karen Grays will be one of two African-American females to hold the rank of CW5 in the Active-Guard-Reserve program for the Army “We do everything we can in the logistics world to Reserve. Grays has been the property book officer for the USACAPOC(A) for nearly two years. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura equip the Soldiers,” said Grays. “If we fail to equip them, then Story by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura we failed and if we failed then we failed our Soldiers.” Grays joined the Army Reserve just out of high school USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff Grays claims that a lot of hard work, proficiency, at the age of 18. Her mom at that time was not supportive mentoring and self-discipline were the result of reaching the of her decisions, but Grays says she came around. She will pinnacle of the warrant officer ranks. “I was ecstatic, I was definitely think about her mom who passed away a few years Which Army rank is the newest? When was that rank happy, I knew I had made it to the top.” said Grays. back. created? What makes this unique is that not only is Grays a “My mom would have beenst proud of me to reach the In late 1990, the Department of the Army established female getting promoted to the rank but is also will be one of top. It is a blessed accomplishment.” added Grays. the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 as the master-level two African American females that will wear the rank of CW5 Grays will transfer to the 1 Mission Support Com- experts that support brigade, division, corps and major as an AGR. mand in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico as the command chief command operations. CW5’s oversee the operation and “You can do it,” said Grays to those hoping to reach warrant officer for the command. With this being probably rewrite policies to help a unit function more efficiently. Out the rank. “Self-discipline is something you have to do from one of the last assignments of her Army career, Grays hinted of the more than 200,000 Soldiers in the Army Reserve, there the heart. It is something you want to do and it takes a lot of that she would love to sit on the beach when she retires. It is are 47 that hold the rank of CW5 in the Active Guard Reserve strength.” only fitting that she is within arms reach of some of the nicest program. n order to do your job, you have to love what beaches in the Caribbean Sea. “I In the meantime, Grays believes that following the you do, because if you don’t enjoy what you do, Army standard and performing them with integrity are the there is no sense in doing it. keys to success. “In order to do your job you have to love ” —CW4 Karen Grays what you do, because if you don’t enjoy what you do, there is USACAPOC(A) Property Book Officer no sense in doing it.” Visit http://1.usa.gov/uxWTgJ Chief Warrant Officer Karen Grays, a property book Grays has been with USACAPOC(A) PBO section for for information how to become a warrant officer CW4 Karen Grays, property book officer for USACAPOC(A), tracks officer manager for the U.S. Civil Affairs and Psychological almost two years managing the ordering and shipping of more than 600 computer items and is preparing them for shipment. or contact retention at U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura Operations Command (Airborne), will be the Army equipment for the units stateside and overseas. (910) 432-8584 Resersve’s 48th CW5. She is scheduled for promotion in Grays promised that the units at her new assignment December. will have all of her attention and plans to hold workshops for 22 23 Feature Peacemaker

Learning goes beyond the classroom “What we try to do is stay in touch with people that we send through Story by Spc. Katie Summerhill the training once they go over and start USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff specifically towards civil affairs enemy combatants. their mission,” said Overmeyer. “We are preparation, run by the USACAPOC(A)’s Amidst these challenges, the getting real-life scenarios back from 1st Training Brigade. 489th’s civil affairs Soldiers performed them to keep [the training] pertinent, FORT DIX, N.J. -- With the war “The purpose is to immerse a unique mission called a key leader up-to-date and relevant.” in Afghanistan becoming a war of wills, them into scenarios that are most engagement. “We can change training gaining the support of the Afghan like what they are going to encounter Getting to know the local for tomorrow,” said 1st Sgt. Robert population is a top priority. downrange, overseas.” said Staff Sgt. leaders and power brokers is critical Matthews, a first sergeant with Bravo For this delicate job, the U.S. Rob Overmeyer, a Chicago native to mission success as it allows the civil Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Training Army has a special group of Soldiers: and a team sergeant and civil affairs affairs team the ability to understand Brigade. Civil Affairs and PSYOP Soldiers. instructor with Bravo Company, 1st what’s happening in their area of The Soldiers and trainers agree Before any deployment, every Battalion, 1st Training Brigade. responsibility. it is the flexibility and adaptation of Army Reserve unit must complete a The deploying troops spend “It’s really all about establishing training that gives first-time deploying gamut of training over the course of 52 three days living on Contingency lines of communication,” Overmeyer Soldiers more confidence to go days, which for CAPOC units, culminates Operating Location Victory, which was said, ”getting them to see that they can downrange. in one final crucible: A three-day long, modeled after deployed living situations be a part of the world legally, and not While most mobilization fast paced simulation of what they’ll be with sparse amenities. have to fight it.” training focuses on general infantry facing in downrange. e have a vested interest in seeing skills, the instructors here try to make In the lead up to their crucible, “W their training more personal for the civil Soldiers receive cultural, language, that the Soldiers are getting the best affairs and psychological operations weapons and tactical movement training.” —1st Sgt. Robert Matthews Soldiers they train. training, said Sgt. 1st Class Michael B-Co., 1 BN, 1st TN BDE “I feel that here, they are Trost, native of Muryville, Tenn., and focusing more on our actual civil affairs a team sergeant with Delta Company, mission,” said Spc. Brett Anglin, a civil 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, based out affairs specialist with Charlie Company, of Knoxville, Tenn. 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, based out The unit was completing Each morning, they wake up To make the situation of Pasadena, Texas, who is deploying for trainined in June prior to a deployment with the sun to prepare for a day of more realistic, the instructors have his first time. “They’re really giving us to Afghanistan. convoys in high heat and humidity. civilians dress up as foreign nationals, good, all encompassing training.” These lessons all came together On these convoys, they must simulating civilians on the battlefield. Veterans like Trost, who for the 489th near the end of their overcome a series of challenges With opposing forces ready to attack deployed to Iraq in 2004 as a civil pre-mobilization training during their including: improvised explosive device with artillery simulators and small- affairs sergeant, believe quality training mission readiness exercise geared attacks, mortar fire and gunfire from arms fire, the engagements usually end like this is invaluable. abruptly in training due to a simulated “The civil affairs Soldier Sgt. 1st Class Carin Catron, team medic for D-Co., 489th Civil Affairs assault. is not the only unique player on Battalion, applies first aid for a sucking chest wound sustained during a simulated attack during training at Fort Dix, N.J., June 18, 2011. This forces the Soldiers to the battlefield. The Taliban is also U.S. Army photo by Spc. Katie Summerhill practice their tactical responses and competing for the same hearts and movements while “in-sector”. They minds and is employing similar tactics typically sustain injuries and must but with opposing interests. They do training come and go just as rapidly, For more pictures, visit perform medical care under fire as well. civil affairs just like we do. So we have there is always one constant: the quality http://on.fb.me.v3rmvj The Soldiers know that to do it much better than they do,” said of training. For the full story, visit practicing their skills in a “safe” Trost. All of the instructors have at http://bit.ly/sqh6IL environment is an important step to These Soldiers believe the only least one tour downrange as civil affairs take before going to Afghanistan. way to do it better is to be prepared: or psychological operations. In many “You get rusty on it,” explained you have to train like you fight. cases, they come from the same units Trost. “The MRX is scenario based and they are training. If you are interested in becoming While reserve Soldiers face constantly changing. It can’t be taught “We [the instructors] have an instructor for 1st Battalion, the challenge of staying up-to-date on in a classroom, it has to actually be a vested interest in seeing that the 1st Training Brigade, contact skill specific training, instructors from done, and this is the only place they are Soldiers are getting the best training,” [email protected] Staff Sgt. Michael Darling, with C-Co., 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, shakes hands 1st Training Brigade are constantly getting it.” said Matthews. “These are the same with a village local and introduces himself during a training exercise at Fort Dix, updating the mobilization training to While the training is always units we will go back to. These are our N.J., June 17, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Katie Summerhill keep it is as true-to-life as possible. evolving, and the Soldiers receiving the friends.”

22 25 Feature Peacemaker The Alamo gets a new commander 425th Civil Affairs Battalion hosts conference to prepare PRT’s for Afghanistan Story by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Class was in session Oct. 2nd for Soldiers of the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion on the campus of Claremont-McKenna College in Claremont, Calif. Soldiers of the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade stand in front of the Alamo during the unit’s change of command ceremony. Col. Kenneth Moore These civil affairs Soldiers did not receive grades, relinquished command of the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade to Col. Darrell Guthrie Aug. 7, 2011 in front of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. but attended the first ever Provincial Reconstruction Team U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells Conference and in order to receive up-to-date information on civil affairs activities in Afghanistan from representatives Story by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells of the U.S. Department of State and independent consultants

USACAPOC(A) PAO Staff be very proud of your time here in the than they did for Colonel William Travis who have recently returned from the country. The 425th will use these resources to help support Alamo City and the unit you relinquish – 175 years ago.” the 12 Provincial Reconstruction Team missions assigned to Staff Sgt. Lamont Jones of the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion from command of today. You are turning over In his civilian occupation, Encino, Calif. spent a weekend at Claremont-McKenna College, Oct. the unit during their deployment to Afghanistan later this SAN ANTONIO -- As the sun rose a truly superb organization.” Guthrie is special counsel to the law 2, 2011 with representatives from the U.S. Department of State and behind the historic Alamo into the big The 321st was first constituted firm of Mullin, Hoard and Brown, L.L.P. year. independent consultants and researchers in order to receive up-to-date Texas sky, Soldiers from the 321st Civil into the U.S. Army in 1945 as the Moore, who served with the Members of the Department of State talked about the information on the 425th’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Affairs Brigade bid farewell to their 101st Headquarters and Headquarters Army Reserve for more than 30 years, recent history of Afghanistan and shared their perspectives U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura commander and welcomed a new one. Detachment, Military Government gave credit to the Soldiers of the 321st of the PRT mission. They discussed issues and problems Family, friends and tourists Group from California. After for the success of the brigade while in that the PRT’s faced in Afghanistan in the past and brought watched as Col. Darrell J. Guthrie inactivation in 1949 in Korea, the command. He mentioned deployment up many points that would help the 425th resolve these Stephenie Foster, a Professional Lecturer at the assumed command of the 321st from unit was redesignated as the 321st achievements, eight new battalion situations. Women and Politics Institute at American University Col. Kenneth Moore in front of the Military Government Group in 1955 commanders, five Army War College The commander of the 425th, Lt. Col. Michelle discussed the importance of female engagements. Haberlach, felt that spending the weekend with interagency “Because 50% of the world are women, it is national landmark, a symbol of Texan and allotted to the Army Reserve. It was selectees and graduates, 16 newly partners was crucial. important to ensure to engage at the beginning of any and American pride since the famous redesignated two more times until 1959 promoted lieutenant colonels and 1836 Texas Revolution battle. when it was changed to the 321st Civil countless promotions throughout the “It is important understanding the missions in process and use that guiding principle as we work on “I am truly honored and Affairs Brigade and relocated in San ranks. Afghanistan from their view and hopefully developing some institution building,” Foster said to the Soldiers. humbled to assume command of Antonio in 1963. The Alamo has been “Col. Darrell Guthrie, I am models for working together in the future,” said Haberlach. The conference also included a couple of audio Resident experts, reporters from the Wall Street teleconferences where guest speakers were able to educate the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade. It is affairsprominent unit ininsignia the 321’s to feature unit insignia a national sincerely delighted that you will Journal, and international policy advocates tackled current these Soldiers even though they weren’t in the lecture hall. especially an honor knowing the unit’s since 1974, making it the first civil command the 321st because you are an lineage, the commanders who have incredibly experienced and educated engagementtrends in Afghanistan team missions and discussed – a popular gender program issues among that “This training is very unique because it is so preceded me, and having served as a landmark senior leader, a seasoned civil affairs are important to understand when working on female interdisciplinary,” said Capt. Brian Batchelder of the member of the Brigade and one of its “To the Soldiers and civilians operator, and an officer that lives the 425th. “It is truly very collaborative in nature and reaching subordinate battalions, the 413th, for of the 321st., I recognize that we Army Values,” said Moore. Coalition forces. out to the experiences and missions from these various organizations makes the training more important.” 11 of my 17 years of Army Reserve remain a nation at war, and this brigade Col. Moore has assumed a new service,” Guthrie, a resident of Lubbock, remains engaged in the fight with role as the Senior Reserve Advisor at Conducting the conference in a non-military Texas, said. Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and the JFK Special Warfare Center and environment like Claremont-McKenna College helped attract Guthrie’s past assignments the Horn of Africa; and with others School at Fort Bragg, N.C. civilian participation and enabled the unit to to reach out to include commander of the 492nd Civil preparing to replace them,” continued the international relations-focused ROTC department. “Facilitating in this environment is about building Affairs Battalion of Phoenix, Ariz.; CJ5, Guthrie. “As such, I take very seriously Director of Plans and Policy, Combined the responsibility for your readiness, For more pictures, visit relationships so we can both tap into their faculty resources Joint Civil Military Operations Task training and safety.” http://on.fb.me/u9Wfih in international relations and foreign language training, and build a future in civil affairs,” added Haberlach Force, Afghanistan; and commander of “Now, I would be remiss not to A Battery, 3-1 Field Artillery, Bamberg, point out that I am the second lawyer “One of the biggest benefits is information exchange. Germany. from Alabama to assume command Steven Zyck, a Research Fellow in the University’s Post-war We are able to share information and have local experts we Reconstuction and Development Unit informs Soldiers the trends and “I want to sincerely thank at the Alamo,” added Guthrie, who can reach out to when we are downrange and benefit from analysis on the current situation in Afghanistan at a conference held at their expertise,” added Haberlach. Colonel Moore for his assistance and earned his Bachelor of Science from the Claremont-McKenna College in Claremont, Calif., Oct. 2, 2011. friendship since my selection for University of Alabama. “Let’s hope that U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andy Yoshimura command,” said Guthrie. “You should things work out a little better for me 26 27 Have you completed your yearly-required Global Assessment Tool yet? As part of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program, all Soldiers must complete the GAT to determine their overall fitness. Family members are also welcome to complete the GAT.

Follow this link to take the GAT: https://www.sft. army.mil