October 2010 Volume 1 Issue 8 Soldiers at Home and Deployed Abroad
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10,000 Miles for Charity Soldier sets goal for deployment 35th ID History Recorded KS National Guard Museum opens new wing. Brig. Gen. Steen Retires The Kansas Sentinel is an authorized, official publication of the Kansas Army National Guard. The Kansas Sentinel is published to provide com- mand and public information to specific audiences about the Kansas Army National Guard and its October 2010 Volume 1 Issue 8 Soldiers at home and deployed abroad. It is pub- lished by the 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detach- ment (MPAD) in Topeka, Kansas. Views expressed herein are those of the authors The Leader’s Role ...................... 3 and do not necessarily reflect the official view of or is endorsed by the U.S. Government, the De- Sanitation protects Soldiers....... 5 partment of Defense or the Department of the Army. This publication does not supersede any Memorable Flag Raising ........... 7 information presented in any other official Army or Department of Defense publication. 35th ID Fields SICPS ................. 9 Kansas Sentinel reserves the right to edit all ma- terial. Published works may be reprinted, except Kansas Guardsman becomes 11 where copyrighted, provided credit is given to the citizen .......................................... Kansas Sentinel and the authors. Distribution of the Kansas Sentinel is electronic. Through the Lens ....................... 12 Assistant Adjutant General-Land Component: Civil War Days ........................... Col. Lee Tafanelli 16 Publisher: 35th ID visits National WWI Maj. Michael Wallace, Museum....................................... 17 105th MPAD, Commanding Museum Honors 35th ID Vets ... 19 Editor: Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Witzke, Gen. Steen Retiree Speech ......... 22 105th MPAD, First Sergeant Spc. Jessica Zullig, 10,000 Miles for Charity ............ 24 Journalist, 105th MPAD Graphic Design and Layout: Maj. Michael Wallace Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Witzke Spc. Jessica Zullig On the Cover A Soldier with the 778th Transportation Proof and Editor-at-Large: Company, Combat Heavy Equipment Jane Welch Trailer, qualifies with his M-16 rifle at Re- State Public Affairs Office gional Training Center in Salina, Kan. The Articles, photos, artwork and letters are 778th CBT HETT mobilized to Kuwait in invited and should be addressed to: Editor, Kansas support of Transition to Stability Opera- Sentinel, 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, tions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. 2722 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66611. Tele- phone: 785-274-1902, or by email at: Photo by Sgt. Charles Malloy, [email protected] 778th CBT HETT UPAR or [email protected] Removing the Mental Health Stigma hat do you Behavioral Health mean 1SG? Stigma within Our “W You‟re kid- Ranks ding me; there are MPs and The three greatest barriers ambulances in front of his a Soldier faces in seeking out house right now. I‟ll be right mental health treatment are there!” I can‟t believe it; SPC shame, fear of jeopardizing Jones just killed himself. How their careers, and trust in their did I miss it? I knew he had leadership after their personal some issues when we rede- issues are shared outside the ployed, but he was one to suck chain of command. It is im- it up and drive on. He was a perative leaders across the good Soldier, I didn‟t want to Army, at all levels; inculcate screw him over and let the the fact that it is acceptable to commander think he was some seek assistance. To coach, “nutcase”. Unfortunately, sce- teach, and mentor a Soldier to narios like this play out in the ask for help should be no Army almost every day leav- more different than teaching ing leaders and fellow Soldiers Warrior Tasks. We must em- filled with guilt. brace the fact a Soldier‟s men- The impact of combat, tal health is as equally impor- multiple deployments, family tant, if not more important separations, and a lack of cop- than their physical readiness ing skills are taking its toll on in order to reduce the stigma. our Soldiers and their families. To remove the stigma of It is the obligation of leaders SGM Sheldon W. Chandler, seeking out assistance we across the Army to dedicate USD-N G2 Sergeant Major must first eliminate the bra- our collective efforts to re- vado associated with the nor- move the stigma associated mal Army life. We leaders have heard them all: with seeking out behavioral health treatment. Un- “Hooah Sergeant, I‟m good”, “You know me, I fortunately, there is no magic answer to preventing don‟t sweat the small stuff”, or my favorite saying suicide. However, as leaders we can mitigate the “See the shrink, I‟m not nuts”. It is crucial we not possibilities by concerning ourselves with primar- accept these kinds of responses; sit down and lis- ily three things: develop a meaningful relationship ten to our Soldiers and know unequivocally when of trust with our subordinates; be aware of the in- something is out of place. dicators of suicide and not be timid in asking the Our more senior leaders within the Army are hard questions like “are you thinking of killing leading the charge through fundamental policy yourself”; and foster an organizational climate that changes and revising regulatory guidance to re- is free of criticism for those seeking assistance. duce the stigma associ- “Leader” Con’t Page 4 “Leader” Con’t tional leadership must be willing to let our best ated with mental health. Although leaders at all leaders with the right skill set and the right person- levels of the Army are implementing change to alities take the time to attend this training for it to policies and procedures, the most critical change is be successful. We cannot afford to simply give up that of culture. It is imperative to change the para- a name for another Army tasking, we must send digm associated with Soldiers seeking assistance our very best. In 2009, we passed the line of de- and reaching out to their leaders and fellow Sol- parture in moving out for this important mission diers for help. Unless we shift the paradigm and by sending 150 extremely capable Sergeants and make positive strides in our Army culture “stigma family members to the University of Pennsylvania can render suicide prevention efforts ineffective as the inaugural class of master resilience trainers. unless elements are incorporated into the program The Army‟s goal in 2010 is to have a master resil- to counter these destructive attitudes” (AR 600-24, ience trainer in every Battalion across the Army. 2009). The Army is committed to decreasing Master resilience trainers will be an extremely stigma associated with seeking help, to improve valuable tool in sharing the knowledge and wis- access to care, and to incorporate suicide preven- dom of this specialized training and be the lead tion training into all training programs echelon of a full frontal attack on preventing sui- (Schoomaker, 2010). cides in our Army. Resources Available Educating our Soldiers and Army In FY 2009, 239 Soldiers from the active and Families reserve components in total took their lives. More As leaders, our Army needs us now more than stagger- ever before in order to combat one of the most ing, an- catastrophic challenges of our careers. We must other As leaders, our come armed not with a basic load of ammunition, 1,713 but the knowledge and empathy necessary to sup- Soldiers Army needs us now port and lead our Soldiers in their time of need. at- Educating our formations on the importance of tempted more than ever. behavioral health and removing the stigma can suicide. save a Soldiers life. Compassionate leadership, Over the support, and education will result in our Soldiers -SGM Sheldon W. Chandler last three seeking help without the worries of shame, criti- years cisms, or negative impacts on their career. The use there have been over 450 confirmed suicide cases of training vehicles such as NCO and Officer Pro- in the Army (CNN, 2009). In October, 2008, the fessional Development Programs and Family Army partnered with the National Institute of Readiness Groups meetings not only trains our Mental Health to begin a five-year, $50 million Soldiers, but also our Army families. Leaders pro- research program into the factors behind Soldier vided with the opportunity to attend any level of suicides and how to prevent them (Schoomaker, resilience training should seek out the opportunity 2010). In addition to hiring new mental health ex- and pass on the knowledge to their seniors, peers, perts, the Army focused their efforts on the crea- and subordinates. It is critical we learn and grow tion of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness and together in order to maximize our effectiveness Master Resilience Training programs. Organiza- within our ranks and overcome this critical issue. Inset: Spc. Megan Bancroft, 35th Infantry Division (ID) Human Resources Specialist, inspects the interior of a 400 gallon water “buffalo” for deficiencies. Bancroft was among 17 35th ID Soldiers to participate in a field sanitation course during annual training in late September. Field sanitation certification protects 35th ID Soldiers Story and Photos by: Sgt. Heather Wright, 35th ID Public Affairs mately responsible for field sanitation, but the teams play a critical role. They serve as educated “eyes on the ground” for their commander, environmental offi- cers and medical team. Field sanitation teams are composed of two members. Their primary responsi- bilities are as follows: monitor and treat the unit‟s water supply to prevent water- borne disease; monitor the transporta- tion, storage, preparation and serving of food; assist in the selection and construc- tion of all waste disposal devices; and control arthropods and other animals in the unit area and assisting the com- First Lt. Jessica Aguinaga, 35th Infantry Division (ID) Environmental Science mander in the selection of bivouac sites.