10Th SFG(A) Activates 4Th Bn
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Vol. 68 No. 34 Aug. 27, 2010 Word of the month: Unity 10th SFG(A) activates 4th Bn. by Rick Emert Mountaineer staff The 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), was activated in a ceremony Aug. 19 at Manhart Field. The battalion, which will have more than 400 Soldiers assigned when its growth is complete next year, is led by the command team of Lt. Col. John Taft and Command Sgt. Maj. Luis Pauka. The new battalion will increase combat effectiveness, Pauka said. “In standing up this battalion, we’ve increased the combat power of 10th Special Forces Group and of the special operations community overall and, of course, the overall combat power of our Army,” he said. In remarks during the ceremony, 10th SFG(A) Commander Col. Sean Swindell recognized the team responsible for coordinating the battalion’s activation. “They have created a perfect blend of experienced officers and noncommissioned officers along with those fresh out of the Special Forces Qualification Course in order to satisfy the current global need for Special Forces by providing more Soldiers to support ongoing missions around the world and to provide needed relief to the Special Forces units that have been continuously deployed since 9/11,” he said. Swindell noted that the moment was historic for the Special Operations community and charged the battalion’s leadership with continuing the command’s tradition of service. “Today’s activation ceremony is a step into the future for 10th Group. However, we would be remiss not to link this battalion to our past, the first special service force, the (Office of Strategic Services), and Col. Aaron Bank (who helped develop the Special Forces’ organization),” he said. “Using the training strategies and the lessons learned during World War II by Col. Bank, I direct 4th Battalion leaders to create an elite unit of men, skilled in foreign languages to interface with Photo by Spc. Joseph Masterpool indigenous forces, the arts of sabotage and stealth tactics, the Lt. Col. John Taft, commander, 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), center, accepts the guidon from 10th SFG(A) Commander Col. Sean Swindell as Command Sgt. Maj. Luis Pauka looks on during See Activates on page 4 the battalion's activation ceremony Aug. 19 at Manhart Field. Spouse jobs program to relaunch in October by Elaine Wilson the population eligible to receive that These changes bring the program, for spouses of junior servicemembers, American Forces Press Service aid — from all military spouses to commonly known as MyCAA, back to and was expanded to all pay grades and spouses of junior servicemembers — its original intent of equipping military programs of study in March 2009. WASHINGTON — The Military and more robust counseling services. spouses of junior servicemembers with “We’re trying to empower, to give Spouse Career Advancement Accounts portable careers, such as in spouses in particular, an opportunity to program will resume Oct. 25, but with real estate or health care, be immediately impactful as soon as some significant changes to the popular The counseling piece is probably Clifford Stanley, the under- they get into a community,” Stanley spouse employment program, a defense the most important, and pivotal, secretary of defense for said in an interview with the Pentagon official announced last month. part of this program. personnel and readiness, Channel and American Forces Press Changes include a reduction in the ‘ — Clifford Stanley said. The program was See Jobs on page 4 amount of financial aid, a change in ’ launched in November 2007 II Military Community Feature NN SS II DD EE Page 6 Page 11 Pages 20-21 2 MOUNTAINEER — Aug. 27, 2010 MOUNTAINEER Commander’s column Commanding General: Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins Garrison Commander: Labor Day safety message Col. Robert F. McLaughlin Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins assistance from their leadership: records and qualifications. Dee McNutt Commanding general, 4th Infantry • Motor Vehicle/Motorcycle safety This year Fort Carson has lost Chief, Print and Web Communications: inspection; this inspection will be eight Soldiers to private vehicle Douglas M. Rule Division and Fort Carson conducted by the leadership. accidents and one due to drowning; Editor: Julie M. Lucas Staff Writers: Rick Emert The Labor Day holiday was • Receive an end of duty day safe- furthermore, we have had more than Devin Fisher dedicated to recognize the working ty briefing from the unit commander 200 Soldiers injured in accidents on Geoffrey Roper men and women of our great nation. and first sergeant prior and off duty. These Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Smith This weekend also marks the end to being released for have resulted in more Happenings: Nel Lampe of the 101 days of summer and is the weekend. This will than 5,193 days that Sports Writer: Walt Johnson traditionally celebrated by many as include privately Soldiers were not Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall the last chance to visit friends and owned vehicles/ available for work family and to conduct other outdoor motorcycle safety, and cost the Army in This commercial enterprise newspaper is activities before winter arrives. I boating and water excess of $2,092,891 an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the want each of you to enjoy this time; safety, alcohol safety, in lost time alone. Mountaineer are not necessarily the official however, I ask that you celebrate travel safety and These facts are view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or safely and with common sense. other off duty safety unacceptable, and we the Department of the Army. Printed circulation is 12,000 copies. Unfortunately, for many issues, such as rock must do everything The editorial content of the Mountaineer Americans, this holiday is also marked climbing and personal possible to control our is the responsibility of the Public Affairs as the time that a loved one was lost weapons safety. accidents. You and Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: due to an accident. Holiday weekends • Update battle your Families are one 526-4144. The e-mail address is Perkins [email protected]. commonly show an increase in buddy rosters and of the nation’s greatest The Mountaineer is posted on the vehicle/motorcycle accidents and review battle buddy responsibilities assets and your contribution to our Army Internet at http://csmng.com. fatalities, alcohol incidents, and others with each servicemember. and Fort Carson is important. As you The Mountaineer is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The such as, boating and swimming. As with • All Soldiers are required to contemplate your activities for the Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs all holidays, the chance of you being complete the TRiPS travel risk planning holiday weekend, take a moment to Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in involved in an accident increases. In system prior to any travel. This risk remember those, past and present, whose no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with fact, the month of September has the assessment is available at the following toil and sweat have made this nation Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. highest motor vehicle accident fatality website https://safety.army.mil/. great. Ginger and I wish you and your The appearance of advertising in this rate of the whole year. In an effort to • Review motorcycle policy and Families a safe and enjoyable Labor publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the prevent accidents and fatalities over tasks contained in the Fort Carson Day weekend. Keep safety in mind and Department of the Army or Colorado Springs this holiday, all military personnel Motorcycle Safety Policy. 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