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The quiet professionals Masters of unconventional warfare The Army's elite counter-terrorism experts Intelligence Support Activity Top secret intelligence gatherers The extensive professional training that our warriors endure provides each American the Freedom we enjoy. A PERSONAL TOUR OF THE MAKINGS OF A TRUE WARRIOR YOUR MOST POWERFUL WEAPON IS YOUR MIND A focused, agile mind. Physical toughness. That’s what it takes to be in the Army Special Forces. Missions are completed with the most advanced technology and support teams in history. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES The Armys Most Specialized Experts in Unconventional Warfare. Exceptional training to find strength for life. July 30 - August 2, 2014 SPECIAL TOUR TO Ft. Lewis-McChord Tacoma, Washington Featuring Major John Plaster SGM Skip Ettinger SSG. Glenn Uemura Presented by Del Saito 1. FT. LEWIS-MCCHORD Ft Lewis-McCord. The joint base is a United States military facility lo- cated south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis- McChord. The facility is an amal- gamation of the United States Army's Fort Lewis and the United States Air Force's McChord Air Force Base which merged on 1 Ft. Lewis-McChord is under the jurisdiction of of the U.S. Army Joint Base February 2010 into a Joint Base. Garrison. Fort Lewis has more than 25000 soldiers and civilian workers. It is also home to the 593rd Sustainment Brigade, the 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 51st Signal Battalion, the 1st Personnel Sup- port Group, Western Region Cadet Command, 62nd Medical Brigade, the 42nd Military Police Brigade, the I Corps NCO Academy, 11th Signal Brigade, 1st Special Forces Group, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and Headquarters. SPECIAL INVITATION A few months ago, while teeing it up on the 1st hole at Grants Pass Golf Club, Glenn Uemura suggested to Del Saito that they should go to Ft. Lewis-McCord to sit in on a presentation by Major John Plaster, a personal friend who served with him in the Vietnam War. Glenn, a Special Forces Airborne veteran in the Vietnam theater and Purple Heart recipient, also told Del that John Plaster and Skip Ettinger were eager to meet him as well. Del of course was delighted for the invitation, since he had already read the incredible stories by John Plaster in his book Secret Commandos. Fort Lewis, named after Meriwether Lewis of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition, is one of the largest and most modern military reservations in the United States. 2. DAY ONE Glenn also said that there would be other SF veterans present who were some of the most distinguished members of the Special Forces and Studies and Observation Group (SOG). Known as the Green Berets, these warriors were tasked with five primary missions: unconventional warfare (the original and most important mission of Special Forces), foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism. Although this was the most elite commando group in the Vietnam War, it's exis- tence wasn't acknowledged by the US government until the late 1980's. Early in the morning, on July 30, Glenn and Del headed out to Washington, a seven hour plus non- eventful car ride from Grants Pass, Oregon. Upon arrival at Fort Lewis, Washington, Glenn and Del were greeted by Special Forces veteran, Ser- geant Major Skip Ettinger, Recon Team New Mexico. Skip informed Glenn and Del of the activities that were planned, both at the base and the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington. After taking Glenn and Del to his house for some relaxation and snacks, Skip escorted the men to greet Major John Plaster who flew in from Minnesota. Major Plaster is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Air- borne soldier regarded as one of the leading sniper experts in the world. A decorated Vietnam War vet- eran who served in the covert Studies and Observations Group (SOG), Plaster co-founded a renowned sniper school that trains military and law enforcement personnel in highly specialized sniper tactics. He is the author of The Ultimate Sniper: an Advanced Training Manual for Military and Police Snipers, The History of Sniping and Sharpshooting, and Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite War- riors of SOG, a memoir of his three years of service with SOG. He has received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Ci- tation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Viet- nam Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Skip arranged for John, Glenn and Del to stay at Fort Lewis’ state of the art, beautiful community recre- ational cabins, where they stayed for the duration of their visit. The cabins are nestled in a quiet corner of the American Lake and very accommodating including a kitchen and outdoor BBQ grill. Glenn Uemura, John Plaster, Del Saito and Karl Hamilton. Del Saito and Skip Ettinger, our super host, is also an 8th degree Black of Seibukan Karate-do. 3. Beautiful community recreational cabins with outdoor adven- Spacious living room area with a deck overlooking ture programs. the lake. Clean kitchen and living room area with full bath- Bunk beds that were made to last are an absolute hit with sol- rooms and Cable TV. diers and their families. After settling in and getting acquainted, Karl Hamilton pays a visit and presents John Plaster and Glenn Uemura with a beautiful laser cut wooden plaque commemorating their SOG (Studies and Observations Group) involvement in Vietnam. Soon they all begin to share their interesting stories, in and out of com- bat, laughing at some of the crazy things they did at their young age. Some of these included the ‘Mus- tang in the pocket’, the ‘Ugly Duckling’ contest and ‘Amonute’ the gal who saved John Smith . Later that afternoon, John, Glenn and Del headed out to the local commissary to stock up on milk, chips, beer, soft drinks, water, fruits and assorted snacks. Overlooking the serene American Lake, time sort of stood still while the men reflected on the importance of service to country to preserve our freedom. “Fighting soldiers from the sky, Fearless men who jump and die, Men who mean just what they say, The brave men of the Green Beret.” 4. John Plaster and Karl Hamilton share Beautiful Wooden plaques were Glenn shares an interesting Recon some of their close NVC encounters. presented to Glenn and John. Team Hawaii mission. That evening, Skip took the visitors to a nice Japanese Restaurant where they all enjoyed a delicious teppanyaki dinner. After they ate, talked, laughed and shared more stories, Skip detailed the next day’s activities which would include a private tour of the Special Forces facility. Arrangements were also made for John Plaster to present a lecture for Special Forces trainees, veterans and guests in the early after- noon. A great way to share a tasty meal prepared with the Del, Skip, John and Glenn very satisfied and more so chef’s special touch. when Skip paid the tab. After returning to the Eagle’s Nest, the men shared more experiences, including those that they wish were forever forgotten. It wasn’t too long after everyone hit the sack that raccoons scampered away having to listen to the obnoxious loud snores. DAY TWO Early the next morning, John, Glen and Del ate a quick breakfast at Burger King before reporting to Special Forces Headquarters. When they arrived, they were met by Skip Ettinger, Ralph Rodd and other fellow Recon team members who served with them in Vietnam. The hugs and smiles were a clear indi- cation that these Purple Heart recipients respected each other and eternally connected by their call to duty that saw many of their comrades die for our country’s freedom. It was only as if it was yesterday “Silver wings upon their chest, These are men, America's best. One hundred men we'll test today. But only three will win the Green Beret.” 5. that they last saw each other. The men were welcomed by Colonel Johnson, Major Sylvestre, Sergeant Major Phister and Sergeant Major Napolet. Del Saito, Glenn Uemura, Bryon Loucks, Skip Ettinger, Ralph In front of the 1st Special Forces Group Memorial granite Rodd and John Plaster in front of Special Forces headquarters. Wall. Sergeant Phister conducted the tour for the visitors. As the men rode in the van SF provided, he noted, mainly to inform Del, the only non SF member, that entry into Special Forces begins with Special Forces Assessment and Selection, or SFAS, held at Camp Mackall, near Fort Bragg, N.C. Mentally and phys- ically demanding, the course is designed to see if a Soldier has what it takes to serve on the Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA), also known as a SFOD-A or an 'A-Team'. The members of this team are the primary fighting force of the Green Berets. Particular emphasis is placed on attributes such as intelligence, physical fitness, motivation, trustworthiness, accountability, maturity, stability, judg- ment, decisiveness and teamwork. About 40 percent of all candidates attempting SFAS are successful. Getting "selected" at SFAS (Phase 1) enables a candidate to continue to the next four phases of the Special Forces Qualification Course (the "Q-Course"). All Special Forces trainees must complete the Army Airborne School before beginning Phase 2 of the Q-Course. If a candidate successfully completes these phases, he will graduate as a Special Forces Soldier and be assigned to an ODA. The tour included: visiting the Special Forces Group Air- borne Headquarters, including the 1st SFG (Airborne) Fallen Heroes room; one of the most well-equipped fit- ness facilities that are envied by NFL players, including a com- b a t i v e section; a Maritime O p e r a - tions and Major Sylvestre, Colonel Johnson, SGM Napolet M a i n t e - and SGM Phister.

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