Phantom News Vol

Phantom News Vol. I, Issue 12 Telling the TF Phantom story March 11, 2007

Country music artist Chely Wright sings to an audience at the Camp Victory Sports Oasis dining facility concert stage Feb. 28. The Wellsville, Kan., native is on her third tour to Iraq. Wright publicly made a promise that she will continue to entertain the troops as long as they are in Iraq. Lighting up the night Wright puts on show for Victory troops Story, photo by she was. her to finish singing. Spc. Laura M. Bigenho “Who here doesn’t like country mu- Sgt. Terry Farr, operations center 28th Public Affairs Detachment sic, but I’m the only show in town to- force protection NCO, Kansas Army night, so you showed up?” she asked. National Guard, said her performance She may not have come to Iraq to In addition to singing hits “Single was a genuine tribute to everyone serv- gain more fans or fame, but country White Female,” “Jezebel” and “It Was,” ing in the military, past and present. music artist Chely Wright left Camp Wright tested unreleased songs on her “To see her get emotional while Victory with more than a few new fans audience and asked them to be the “Si- singing ‘Bumper of My S.U.V.’ showed following her performance here Feb. mon Cowell of Baghdad.” Other high- what a true patriot she is,” he said. 28. lights included a giveaway of signed Sgt. Michele Adkins, administrative Her third trip to Iraq was made pos- guitars and a Soldier singing onstage NCO, Inspector General Section, III sible by Stars for Stripes, a non-profit with Wright. Corps, has been a fan for more than 10 organization headed by Judy Seale and Wright also sang “Bumper of My years and respects Wright for waiting Morale, Welfare and Recreation. S.U.V.” — a response to an altercation to release the song. Energetic and personable, Wright she had with an irate woman who no- “(Wright) said she did not want it to charmed the audience with her music, ticed a Marine Corps bumper sticker be blasted across television, and I re- jokes and sentiment for the troops and on Wright’s car. spect her on that,” Adkins said. “There their service during a 90-minute con- She wrote it in June 2003 with no in- are a lot of people who are just money cert. tention of recording, but changed her hungry, but Wright actually shows her “I am so honored and thrilled to be mind after playing it for the first time heart on her sleeve.” here with you guys and gals,” Wright for troops in Afghanistan 16 months Before leaving the stage to meet the said. “I have a better time performing later. audience, Wright made the troops a when I know my audience, so you’re “It has been good for my career, but promise. going to know a lot about me, because more importantly, it has very special “I am committed to coming here as I’m a woman and I talk a lot.” meaning to me,” she said. long as we have troops in Iraq,” she After opening with her hit “Shut Up During the song, a tearful Wright said. “The folks back home pray every and Drive,” Wright acknowledged not paused to regain her composure as the day for you, and I just want to thank everyone in the audience knew who audience applauded and encouraged so many who have asked me to come Page 2 Commentary March 11, 2007 Motivation should not be held back Sgt. 1st Class VeShannah Lovelace me into their web of they choose I have to tell them yes. MNC-I Public Affairs fervent epithets. After I have to tell them that some times a month, I noticed I missions will require Soldiers to per- What does it take to get you began to look forward form duties or tasks outside of their through the day? How often have you to entering the Oasis prescribed job title. Then, I have to gotten out of bed, only to realize you and exchanging hoo- reinforce the fact that all those duties woke up on the wrong side? Is every ahs with the dynamic are mission essential and we could not Lovelace day a glorious one that makes you duo. So it saddens me be successful without them. revel in another opportunity to wake to see how those two boisterous voices In 2004, I was asked to volunteer up in beautiful Baghdad? If you’re have been silenced. to deploy to Iraq with my unit as a anything like me, it usually takes As a recruiter, I know there are over provost marshal because public affairs a little something extra to get you 200 military occupational skills in the Soldiers were not needed. I quickly let excited about the job you’re doing for Army. Everyone who joins chooses it be known that if I wanted deploy your country, the job that takes you the job they want and is afforded the as a provost marshal, I would have thousands of miles away from fam- opportunity to go to AIT to learn how joined the Army as one. I was given a ily and friends for 365 days or more. to do that job. I also know that none of choice and no one rebuked me for the When I walk up to the Sports Oasis those jobs are entitled security guard. one I made, but I have often won- for breakfast and hear the boisterous Soldiers don’t join the Army in hopes dered how others would react in that chants of the security duo who have of standing guard outside a dining situation if not given a choice. Would become affectionately known as the facility or inside a palace checking IDs they come over here begrudgingly and Hooah Boys, I am instantly rejuve- in a war-torn country. So the mere fact do things to make their bad situation nated. Their motivation instantly that the Hooah Boys can do that job worse? Through their duty, the Hooah overshadows whatever funk I walked with a smile on their faces and joy in Boys have shown me the definition of up to the DFAC with. their hearts is inspirational to me. selfless service. I admit when I first arrived I As a recruiter, I pride myself in I say hooah to the Hooah Boys! thought their enthusiasm was a bit honesty. When future Soldiers and I say take the muzzle off! I say let’s much that early in the morning. But their parents ask me if they will be put them back out front and let’s get as weeks passed by, they had drawn forced to do a job other than the one Camp Victory excited again! Chaplain’s Corner without-video games generation! show. Looking for God in Let’s play that game now. The The crisis must turn out as they sought-after object is God. want it. If it does not, they angrily the wrong places Some are searching for God in the tear up the ticket. They give up the Chaplain Robert F. Land big events of their lives. They seem search, concluding that God is cruel, MNC-I Chaplain’s Office oblivious to His presence during the powerless or nonexistent. God really routines of life, but when someone is is there during such times, but they Did you ever play the game Hot or sick, or there is a financial crisis, the are looking in the wrong direction. Cold? The object was to find a certain search is on! Cold! object, hidden by one person. They approach Him like the Ken- Others hope to stumble over God The person would call out “Hot!” or tucky Derby. God must win, place or See PLACES, page 5 “Cold!” depending on how close the searchers were to the hunted item. Correction While lacking the mental challenge Last week’s front-page story, “Proper weapons practices key to ending negli- of chess or the intrigue of Clue, it did gent discharge incidents in Iraq” stated an incident ended in death in Baquba. The pass the time for the how-did-we-live- incident referred to was at Camp Cropper. The Phantom News regrets the error.

Phantom News is an authorized electronic publication for MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno Phantom News welcomes columns, com- members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. James Hutton mentaries, articles and letters from our electronic publication are not necessarily the official views of MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Eric E. Parris readers. Send submissionsor comments or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of MNC-I Command Info Chief: Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Hayes to [email protected]. The Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the respon- Editor: Sgt. Jacob Boyer editorial staff reserves the right to edit for sibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Staff: Spc. Laura M. Bigenho, Spc. D. A. Dickinson, Spc. Beatrice Florescu Vila-Verde, security, accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity Spc. Stephanie Homan, Cpl. Jess Kent, Spc. Abel Trevino and space. March 11, 2007 Page 3

Paul Brinkley, deputy undersecretary of defense for business transformation, discusses a plan to revitalize Iraq’s indus- trial base with assembled members of the media during a press conference at the Joint Visitors Bureau March 3. Defense undersecretary discusses Iraq’s economic future with press

Story, photo by laborate with Iraqi ministries, connect economy as well.” Spc. Stephanie Homan Iraq’s economy with the international Re-employing the Iraqi people and MNC-I Public Affairs economy, and create opportunity and allowing them a better chance to pro- prosperity for all the Iraqi people.” vide for their families is the primary The deputy undersecretary of de- Iraq’s government will financially goal of this task force. fense for business transformation held support itself through the implementa- Morlan Warner-Harrell, chief of a press conference at the Joint Visitor’s tion of the plan, he said. strategic communications and political Bureau at Camp Victory March 3. The U.S. government is paying for affairs for the task force, said statisti- Paul Brinkley, who spent a week the cost of bringing industry expertise cally that every American breadwinner traveling to different areas of Iraq with to Iraq from the international business supports about 4.2 dependents, while a group of international businessmen, community, but the goal is to have Iraq some people in Iraq support as many talked about the second stage of a plan itself invest in its own country to jump- as 13. to help revitalize factories in Iraq. start its industry, Brinkley said. “Honor is very important to these Brinkley and his associates were the Contracts with organizations world- people,” Warner-Harrell said. “The largest group of businessmen to travel wide are being created to give Iraqi goal is to give them more opportunities to Iraq in the last nine months. businesses a chance to compete for to help themselves.” The task force was created to reopen them. The United States is trying to The Department of Defense is work- Iraqi factories, drive demand to the open the door for Iraqi companies. ing to move this effort along quickly. able factories, and help re-employ the “We have registered hundreds of “We are connecting them to the Iraqi people. Iraqi private companies who are com- global economy wherever we can with “I am here today with a group of peting for U.S. government contracts expertise and technical exchange, po- American and international business- and who we are directing increasing sitioning them to be competitive in men … with an effort to revitalize amounts of U.S. government contracts the long term, and to offer a bright both public and private industries,” to,” Brinkley said. “We are offering economic future for the Iraqi people,” Brinkley said. “The efforts are to col- connection to the outside international Brinkley said. Page 4 March 11, 2007

Listening in

Photo by Sgt. Curt Cashour Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, Multi-National Corps-Iraq commander, listens to a brief on security conditions at the Doura Mar- ket area in southern Baghdad Feb. 21. An increased presence of coalition and Iraqi forces has brought businesses back to the market, which was defunct two months ago. Interpreter works to improve his country Cpl. Jess Kent While coalition forces help rebuild Iraq after Hussein’s MNC-I Public Affairs reign, Mohammad said the war continues because outsid- ers are funding an insurgency to stall progress. Iraqi interpreters who work with coalition forces have “There are some jobs now that give better futures,” he different reasons for putting their lives on the line each said. “But others try to kill Iraqis and American Soldiers. day. Many do so because they have visions of freedom and The Iraqi people should stay and make Iraq better.” they are willing to sacrifice for it. With the recent troop surge, Mohammad said life can Mohammad, an interpreter for a transition team, was improve for Iraqis. Children play near the streets and in college studying to be an engineer when war escalated sectarian violence has dropped significantly. Mohammad in Basra in 2003. Many students and teachers were killed, is grateful for the American and Iraqi families that sacrifice while others fled. Mohammad’s goals changed in the face for any freedom. of violence. “I want to thank the families that lose a son or daughter He left college early with an ability to speak English, in Iraq and tell them we are sorry. And I’m sorry for the joined the new Iraqi Army and served as an intelligence Iraqi people that get killed,” he said. officer. After losing family members in an explosion, he Mohammad has had a few close calls himself. He joined coalition forces and works as an interpreter in hopes remembers the day a Soldier was killed by an exploding of securing Iraqi freedom. mine. On another occasion, an American Soldier saved “In the past, the government took everything. I came Mohammad’s life when his convoy was hit by a rocket-pro- from a Shia town and Saddam did not care about them. He pelled grenade. cared about people in Tikrit. With the new security plan, The interpreter’s life remains dependent on coalition people think the government starts to care about them,” he forces as they fight Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has faith said. “Now a lot has changed. We have streets we can drive in them, because if they were to fail, Mohammad said he on, new schools and new hospitals.” would not stand a chance. Despite positive differences, one aspect of life that has “They have to do the mission — Iraqi freedom — be- not changed is war. Before Saddam Hussein was removed cause if they don’t and they leave, we will get killed. Ev- from power, Iraqis faced many conflicts. erybody in Iraq, it will be civil war, and women and kids, “Saddam made war all the time. In war with Iran, more everybody will die,” he said. “They have to do the mission than a million Iraqis died just from my town. After that, he or we will die.” went to Kuwait and a lot of people died,” Mohammad said. As an interpreter, Mohammad’s future is not clear. Right “Then Shia people tried to kill him, so he killed a lot of in- now, he lives from day to day and dreams of freedom for nocent Iraqis.” all Iraqis. March 11, 2007 Page 5 Flag program provides unique memento for deployed troops Story, photo by Spc. Beatrice Florescu-Vila Verde MNC-I PAO

Everyone at Camp Victory has the opportunity to have a United States flag flown over the camp and folded according to military customs. The Multi-National Corps-Iraq Commandant Cell can arrange for self- purchased flags to be briefly flown at Al Faw Palace, said Sgt. 1st Class Barry Toler, commandant, MNC-I Comman- dant Cell. The flag is accompanied by a certifi- cate attesting the date with signatures from Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, MNC-I command sergeant major and A member of the flag detail folds an American flag according to military custom Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, MNC-I com- as part of the flag program offered by Camp Victory’s Commandant Cell. manding general. ployment of the person requesting the Cell in the palace the next day. Though the program was not initiat- flag be flown. On the same form, the A message of thanks or gratitude for ed by III Corps, they have seen it grow requestor can specify the name of the support can be placed on the certificate. in popularity. person the flag is being flown for and a The message cannot be too long. “V Corps had this program and brief statement. “This detail is interesting because we picked it up from them,” Toler “I have had flags flown for my at times you get a chance to see people said. “We had 164 requests in the first friends here in Iraq,” said Spc. Julian you may not normally see on a daily ba- week since we started this program. In Siler, a generator mechanic with III sis,” said Staff Sgt. Rachael Schneider, a the second week, it surpassed 200 re- Corps Joint Fires and Effects Cell, who tank mechanic with Headquarters and quests.” works on the detail. “What I like about Headquarters Company, III Corps, Flags can be purchased from post my job is knowing I am helping Iraq who works on the flag detail. exchanges. and helping my home country.” She said she had flags flown for her A form must be filled out with the The flag will be ready for pickup family members and friends and they name, rank and branch or place of em- with the certificate at the Commandant were happy to get them. PLACES, from page 2 order and design. These observations are the foundation of scientific inquiry. One cannot prove a theory in a world of through some hidden knowledge finally exposed! This chaos. is behind such books as “The Da Vinci Code.” Using the Warmer! guise of a novel, the author takes historic works and figures I am not a scientist, but is it reasonable that a world of and weaves an imaginative tale of conspiracy and duplicity such obvious design on both an atomic and universal level that challenges the foundational truths of orthodox Chris- happened by chance, or by some big explosion? I have tianity. Another is “The Bible Code.” The author implies heard it likened to a blast in a bowl of alphabet soup result- that God placed hidden messages in a code in the Hebrew ing in the dictionary! Can you not see the hand of the Mas- Scriptures that waited until the dawn of the computer age ter Craftsman in the world in which we live? The Apostle to be discovered. Many believe these dubious truth claims, Paul could see God in creation “For since the creation of but can God be found in lies? I do not think so. the world, God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and Cold! divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood Those who take the time see God in the world in which from what has been made,” according to Romans 1:20. we live. They consider the delicate details of a flower, the Warmer ... WARMER! oxygen-carbon dioxide relationship between man and the Would you like me to give you a clue? Here it is: Check plant world, and the amazing animal and insect kingdoms. out Matthew 11:25-30 and you will be on the right path to They look out and stand in awe of the vast universe in God! which we find ourselves. Considered all together, we see HOT! Page 6 March 11, 2007 In the cards Marine remembers heroes in own way Story, photo by Cpl. Jess Kent MNC-I Public Affairs

Service members usually learn about their enemies during briefings, but a Marine at Camp Victory has a different way of learning about his foes. Col. Orpheus Garrison Jr., officer in charge of the joint operations center for Multi-National Corps-Iraq, collects card decks filled with faces of Iraq’s Most Wanted. He also collects hero cards and asks service members to sign them. This is because he feels that every Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman here is a hero, and signed cards are a good way Col. Orpheus Garrison Jr., officer in charge, Joint Operations Center OIC, Multi- to remember them. National Corps-Iraq, shows cards and signatures he collected during a previous “The first time I was in Iraq in 2005, deployment to the International Zone. Collecting signatures on playing cards is I got people to sign their units and Garrison’s way to meet and remember troops. write whatever they wanted to on the bearing Al Duri, one of Iraq’s Most Palace rotunda wearing a red badge, cards. It was a way to express them- Wanted. he sees an opportunity to speak with a selves, and I got to talk to them about The Soldier noted that his unit service member from another forward where they’re at and how they’re spent months looking for Al Duri operating base. contributing to the effort,” he said. during his first deployment. Most of “We’re all stuck here on base, but Throughout five deployments to the others listed on Iraqi Most Wanted some of these guys come from other the Middle East, Garrison has collect- cards have been brought to justice, FOBs, doing convoys, and they can tell ed more than 50 decks of signed cards. including Saddam Hussein. you what it’s like out there,” he said. They bear signatures from heroes of Card quotes include “Freedom has Sometimes Garrison is lucky differing circumstances, including ci- a taste the protected will never under- enough to meet a particular service vilians and service members from the stand,” and “Never Forget,” followed member twice over the years. This United States, Australia, Great Britain, by “God Bless America” and “Living was the case regarding Lt. Col. Robin El Salvador, Afghanistan, Qatar and the Dream.” Others state “Defend- Stuart, future operations intelligence Iraq. ing those that defend America” and chief, joint operations center, MNC-I, “They are all heroes, but some get “Great times, history being made.” who met Garrison when he asked him into an everyday routine and forget One of Garrison’s favorite quotes to sign a card in Qatar in 2004. Now they had a choice to come here or not,” is a well-known verse, “For evil to the two work together again. Garrison said. “Some write that they succeed, all that is needed is for good “The card was the beginning of the don’t really want to be here and they men to do nothing.” Garrison believes work relationship, and I think we keep want to go home. A lot of times they this wholeheartedly, and it is another following each other around,” Stuart take a lot of thought and completely reason he believes service members said. “It doesn’t really matter if we’re cover a card.” here are heroes, especially those he Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, Regardless of what is written on the works closely with. we all have our own experiences and cards, Garrison enjoys opportunities “People in the Joint Operations bring expertise to the table. The card to talk to service members. Center spend long hours and work was just a neat way to meet and re- Collecting signatures is an excuse to through a lot of problems,” Garrison member people.” meet heroes. said. “They’re doing the best they can When he returns to the United “I think everybody here is pulling for the command information center.” States after 25 years of service, Garri- to do the best they can to try to make One aspect of working at the com- son plans to resume his civilian career the outcome the way we want it,” Gar- mand center, Garrison said, is not in property maintenance and manage- rison said. getting outside the wire. When he ment and continue his card collection, One Soldier noted this on a card encounters a visitor in the Al Faw meeting more heroes along the way. March 11, 2007 Community Page 7

Announcements Operating Hours Tax help at education center Local SkillPort CBT Server Coalition Cafe Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. The MNC-I legal assistance office has set The Local SkillPort CBT Server has been Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. up two computers at the education center made available to those interested in the IT Dinner 5:30 - 8 p.m. Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. to allow Soldiers to file tax returns. Anyone field or those who want to know more about Sports Oasis Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. with questions can stop by the Legal Assis- particular software products. Go to http:// Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. tance Office, Bldg. 133, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. training.iraq.centcom.mil/skillport. For Dinner 5 - 9 p.m. Education Center more information, contact Ed Tyler at 822- Open 24 Hours Camp Liberty Post Exchange Knights of Columbus 4871. 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. meetings cancelled in March Fitness Center Open 24 Hours The VBC Knights of Columbus Round- Soccer league starting MNC-I STB Mailroom 9 a.m. - noon table will not hold meetings in March while A six-on-six soccer league is forming at 5 - 7 p.m. its leadership is on R&R leave. Meetings will Camp Victory. A mandatroy coaches’ meet- Golby Troop Medical Clinic Sick Call resume in April on the 1st and 3rd Sundays ing is March 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Victory Gym. Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon of the month at 7 p.m. in Bldg. 24F. For more information, contact Spc. Chris Dental Sick Call Christian at [email protected]. Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m. Registration for runs open mil. Mental Health Clinic Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Desesrt Warrior Race, a 6.7-mile run, Saturday 9 a.m. - noon will be held April 7 at Camp Victory. The CIF closed Post-Deployment Health Briefings Monday, Wdenesday and Friday 1 p.m. Indianapolis Mini Marathon-Baghdad Edi- The Victory Base Complex Central Issue Pharmacy Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon; tion will be held May 5 here. Events include Facility will be closed for all but emergency 1 - 4:30 p.m. a 13.1-mile run and a 6-mile fun walk. Reg- issue March 12-14 for inventory. Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon Legal Assistance/Claims istration for both events can be found at vb- Saturday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. croadrunners.com. Women’s History Personnel Service Support Centers Month observance Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mayor’s Cup A Women’s HIstory Month observance ID Cards The 2007 Camp Victory Mayor’s Cup, a will be held Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. 14-event, unit-level sports competition, be- in the Al Faw Palace rotunda. MNC-I Co- gins in March. There is a mandatory coach- mand Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola will be the guest Worship Hours es’ meeting today at 6 p.m. in Area 51. For speaker. The event will be followed by a din- more details, call 822-5501. ner in the ballroom. Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31) Sunday 7 a.m...... Collective Protestant 8:45 a.m...... Collective Protestant 10 a.m...... Catholic Confession Negligent discharge of weapons 10:30 a.m...... Catholic Mass noon...... Gospel Protestant 2 p.m...... Latter Day Saints During the 2006 calendar year, negligent discharges resulted in 43 coalition injuries 4 p.m...... Episcopal/Lutheran 6:30 p.m...... Contemporary Protestant and three fatalities. In the past month, there have been 10 such injuries. Leaders and ser- Saturday vice members must observe proper weapons handling and clearing procedures. Lt. Gen. 11 a.m...... Seventh Day Adventist Ray Odierno, MNC-I comanding general, has mandated the prescribed safety measures, 8 p.m...... Catholic Mass Mini Chapel (Bldg. 24F) which should be posted throughout every section. Sunday 9:30 a.m...... Breaking of Bread 3 p.m...... Church of Christ 7:30 p.m...... Latter Day Saints Area 51 Weekly Schedule 8 p.m...... Knights of Columbus (1st & 3rd Sundays) Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Monday-Friday 11:30 p.m...... Daily Mass Friday Fight Night Pool Ping Pong Halo 2 Salsa Night Reggae DJ Big Will 6:30 p.m...... Jewish Service XBox 360 Tournament Tournament Tournament 8 p.m. Night Smooth Sunday Tournament 8 p.m. 8 p.m. 8 p.m. 8 p.m. 8 p.m. 8 p.m. AFN Freedom Radio

Al Asad...... 107.3 Kirkush...... 107.3 Ali Base...... 107.3 Mosul...... 105.1 Ar Ramadi.. 107.3 Q-West...... 93.3 Do you have an announcement about an event of interest to the Camp Victory Baghdad..... 107.3 Taji...... 107.3 community? Contact Sgt. Jacob Boyer at [email protected] with the Balad...... 107.3 Tal Afar...... 107.3 information. Information for community announcements needs to submitted at least Fallujah...... 105.1 Taqqadum... 107.3 Kirkuk...... 107.3 Tikrit...... 100.1 two weeks prior to the event to allow for timely publication. All stations are FM Page 8 Sports & Fitness March 11 2007

Petty Officer 1st Class Mi- chael Pittenger, a religious programs assistant with the Multi-National Corps- Iraq, leads the American Petty Officer 1st Class Perla Garcia, a religious program assistant with the Multi-National Tae Kwon Do Association Corps-Iraq chaplain’s office, executes a block in the American Tae Kwon Do Association class in a series reverse class at Victory Base Fitness Center. punches. Traditional art changes with the times Story, photos by Spc. D.A. Dickinson hand and foot,” said Zepp, who took forms and workouts,” he said. 28th Public Affairs Detachment up TKD as a child as another means of Zepp’s passion for sharing the art fitness. “Most TKD practitioners focus has inspired his students. Camp Victory residents have on kicks. However, ATA is starting “He’s a strong leader who’s deter- several options if they want to study to integrate more hand techniques, to mined to have his students succeed in martial arts. One popular choice is the include joint manipulation, pressure whatever they’re doing,” said Pit- traditional Korean martial art of tae points and even some ground fight- tenger, who was recently promoted to kwon do. ing.” orange belt under Zepp’s instruction. Sgt. Maj. Franklin Zepp, the chap- Many traditional martial art styles “He’s very knowledgeable. I think lain sergeant major for Multi-national faced a rude awakening with the he’s the best karate instructor I’ve ever Corps-Iraq and III Corps, teaches the growing popularity of no-holds barred had. He’s got a great sense of humor.” American Tae Kwon Do Association fighting competitions. Though many practice TKD primar- classes Tuesdays and Saturdays at 5 “I think the mixed martial arts, ily for physical fitness, Pittenger cited p.m. like Ultimate Fighting Champion- psychological benefits as well. “I like it. It’s motivating and a stress ship, and PRIDE fighting, is causing “It’s good to keep my mind off of reliever” said Petty Officer 1st Class a big change in most martial arts,” the deployment. It gives me a focus,” Michael Pittenger, a chaplain assistant he added. “There is no best martial Pittenger said. with MNC-I. “It helps me stay fit.” art. However, some people are better Tae Kwon Do provides opportuni- While tae kwon do is tradition- suited physically to a particular art. ties for competition and for achieving ally associated with Korea, the ATA TKD fits my body.” personal goals as a practitioner’s skills has updated its curriculum to reflect While Zepp said that the practice of improve. changes in the martial arts commu- tae kwon do in the ATA is changing, “I enjoy teaching it,” Zepp said. “I nity. he insisted that the traditions of the enjoy staying in shape and tourna- “In the past, the main emphasis was past will be preserved. ment competition. It’s just downright on kicks. The name means way of the “TKD will maintain traditional type fun.”