Phantom News Vol
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Phantom News Vol. I, Issue 23 Telling the TF Phantom story May 27, 2007 U.S., Iraqi SGMs address future Corps Story, photo by “You are the core and Staff Sgt. Jacob Boyer foundation of the establish- 28th Public Affairs Detachment ment of the Iraqi Army,” Ali told the assembled NCOs. Senior Iraqi Army and co- “We have our mission to be alition NCOs from through- like other armies. I would out the country gathered in like for all of you to put this Al Faw Palace for the Iraqi on yourselves regardless of Army Command Sergeants anything else.” Major Conference May 19-20 Moore said bringing the at Camp Victory. Iraqi sergeants major to- “The purpose of this con- gether with their coalition ference was to empower (the counterparts was not done Iraqi command sergeants to force them to shape their major),” said Iraqi Assis- corps one way or anoth- tance Group Command Sgt. er, but to share ideas and Maj. Robert Moore. “We knowledge that would help wanted to allow them to them build an strong NCO share ideas, and we allowed Corps with an Iraqi flavor. the commanding general “We want to help them fa- and the command sergeant cilitate their army and corps major of the Iraqi Ground into something that works, Forces Command to address sharing ideas from history all the senior NCO leader- and knowledge on what is ship in Iraq.” working,” he said. “The best Moore said about 98 per- armies in the world have cent of the sergeants major in strong NCO corps.” the Iraqi Army were present. Multi-National Corps- The goal of the conference Iraq Command Sgt. Maj. Neil was to empower and instill Ciotola spoke to the group, Multi-National Corps-Iraq Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola a tradition of leadership and emphasizing the NCO’s role addresses Iraqi sergeants major during the Iraqi Army responsibility to Iraqi NCOs in keeping his Soldiers going Command Sergeants Major Conference May 19. and define the role of the on the battlefield every day. NCO in the Iraqi Army. Sev- “We affect a great deal of campaign in the American the backbone of the Iraqi eral topics, ranging from op- what must be done by virtue Revolution. “We’re start- Army,” he said through an erations and logistics to pay of just being there,” he said. ing the NCO Corps all over interpreter. “This conference and personnel issues, were “All (soldiers) know is what again. There are still senior has strengthened the respect discussed by both IGFC and they see down their rifle. If NCOs in the Iraqi Army. between our officers and our coalition officials during the they’re having a bad day, all They need to feed, pay and NCOs. These NCOs will go conference. they see is crap. Who gives train soldiers. It will make back with information to Lt. Gen. Ali, Iraqi Ground them perspective? We do.” them a better army and take help lift the morale and edu- Forces commander, opened Sgt. 1st Class Mark Bailey, pressure off their officers cation of their soldiers.” the conference by telling IGFC Military Transition and keep them out of NCO The conference will be- his senior NCOs that it was Team NCOIC, said the event business.” come a recurring one for a chance to rebuild their was a large step in building IGFC Command Sgt. Maj. Iraq’s NCO leadership, Ka- corps to its former heights. a better Iraqi Army. Kasim said he felt the con- sim said. The Iraqi Army had a strong “I call this the Valley ference would be a turning “I wish for this to contin- NCO Corps before Saddam Forge event,” he said, refer- point for the Iraqi Army. ue,” he said. “We need to see Hussein, but it diminished ring to a crucial winter dur- “This is a historic day the fruit of what we did here during his regime. ing George Washington’s because these NCOs are this weekend.” 2 May 27, 2007 Commentary Hooray for another 90 days in the desert Spc. Laura M. Bigenho from an optimistic in my walk with Christ — something 28th Public Affairs Detachment point of view. There’s that proves to be a bit more challeng- positive in every ing when I’m in the States distracted Just as I was celebrating our almost- negative, right? by things of the world. a-quarter-of-the-way mark in this de- Now, I’m hardly Lastly, I must say that an extra ployment, I received an unwelcomed money hungry, but three months gives me just enough wake up call. Could I really be spend- I’ll admit one of the time to shed those pesky extra pounds Bigenho ing yet another birthday, Christmas first thoughts that from quality holiday DFAC dining, and New Years away from home? Will came to mind was finance-related. grow my hair a little longer, and pre- I really have spent more of my Army With the Army being my primary pare for a highly-anticipated reunion career in Iraq than I have stateside by source of income, I’ll gladly take the with family, friends and my car ... Oh the time I redeploy? The very thought extra bit of tax-free pay and any bonus yes, I look forward to the day I can of being in Iraq any longer than ini- that might come with it. Oh, and for zip in and out of traffic again on I-5, tially anticipated made me practically those of you bound by creditors, you’ll en route to Mount Rainier for some nauseous. continue to save money by taking snowboarding or camping — most Surely the extension was a rumor advantage of the low APR for an extra likely the latter since spring will be in that only applied to combat arms few months. the air by redeployment time. units, I thought. They didn’t really As I continued thinking about I’m not suggesting that being here need public affairs to stay. Afterall, we why it’s good to be extended, growth longer is all that grand, but it isn’t all already knew who our replacement became a recurring word in my that bad. was and when they were coming. thoughts. I have met countless people Yeah, I may have to watch the Speculations were made, rumors over here, some of whom after a few ball drop from Baghdad hours ahead circulated, and at last the answer short months I consider friends. I of time, as I suspect I’ll be welcom- became clear. My unit, like many, was certainly don’t mind being here a few ing 2008 sans party poppers, hors no exception to the extension. As I extra months if it means developing d’oeuvres and my best friend’s infa- received confirmation of the extra 90 deeper friendships. mous margaritas, but I’ll rest assured days I’ll be spending here, I made a Also, the longer I am here, the more knowing that God has me exactly decision to think about the situation I long and am able to grow spiritually where He intended me to be … in Iraq. Chaplain’s Corner know that on May 5, 1868, Gen. John arms who gave their lives defending Memorial Day A. Logan gave his official proclama- our great country: tion as commander of the Grand Army “Although the burden of grief can Remembrance of the Republic in his General Order become easier to bear, there is always Chaplain Irvine Bryer No. 11 that both Union and Confeder- the memory of another time and the 3rd MEDCOM ate Soldiers were to be remembered at feeling of sadness over an unfinished Arlington National Cemetery. life. Yet, the completeness of a life On Monday, we will honor this President George W. Bush ad- is not measured in length only. It is nation’s fallen heroes. In May 1966, dressed the nation on Memorial Day measured in the deeds and commit- former President Lyndon B. Johnson 2004, saying, “Today, as we reflect on ments that give a life its purpose. And declared Waterloo, New York, the offi- the men and women who have died the commitment of these lives was cial birthplace of Memorial Day. It has in the defense of America, all of us clear to all: They defended our nation, been difficult to conclusively declare count it a privilege to be citizens of the they liberated the oppressed and they any one place or time. As close as can country they served.” served the cause of peace. All Ameri- be found, many towns make claim He had some choice words to say in cans who have known the loss and to the birth of Memorial Day. We do memory of our fellow countrymen in See MEMORIAL, page 6 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 submissions or 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]. Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the respon- Editor: Spc. Laura M. Bigenho The editorial staff reserves the right to edit sibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq.