The Official U.S. Army Magazine May 2002 Firefighter University Kandahar’s Supply Hub More Than a Patch

opics

PulloutPAGE 9 New Hot T May 2002 Volume 57, No. 5 SOLDIERS INAfghanistan

4 Kandahar’s Supply Hub When transports bearing vital supplies land at Afghanistan’s main airport, soldiers ensure the offload goes like clockwork. The Official 8 Coalition Team Clears Land U.S. Army Magazine Mines Mines litter the areas of Secretary of the Army: Thomas E. White Chief of Staff: GEN Eric K. Shinseki Afghanistan in which coalition Chief of Public Affairs: MG Larry D. Gottardi forces operate. Clearing the Chief, Command Information: COL Stephen T. Campbell explosives is a vital — and Soldiers Staff potentially deadly — mission. Editor in Chief: LTC John E. Suttle Managing Editor: Gil High Production Editor: Steve Harding Art Director: Helen Hall VanHoose Associate Art Director: Paul Henry Crank Senior Editor: Heike Hasenauer Associate Editor: SFC Lisa Beth Snyder Photo Editor: SSG Alberto Betancourt Photographer: Paul Disney Special Products Editor: Beth Reece FEATURES Graphic Designer: LeRoy Jewell Executive Secretary: Joseph T. Marsden

Soldiers (ISSN 0093-8440) is published monthly under super- vision of the Army Chief of Public Affairs to provide the Total 14 More Than a Patch 24 Firefighter University 44 Dealing with Death Army with information on people, policies, operations, technical Unit patches are a symbol of pride Located at Goodfellow AFB, Across the Army, specially developments, trends and ideas of and about the Department of the Army. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily 14 for those who wear them, and Texas, the Louis F. Garland Fire trained mortuary-affairs Get your copy those of the Department of the Army. Manuscripts of interest to Army personnel are invited. Direct communication is autho- creating the distinctive insignia is Academy produces firefighters soldiers — most of them rized to Editor, Soldiers, 9325 Gunston Road, Suite S108, at page 9 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5581. Phone: DSN 656-4486 or com- part art and part industry. for all of the nation’s military Reservists — deal with death mercial (703) 806-4486. Or send e-mail to soldiers@ services. when tragedy strikes. belvoir.army.mil. Unless otherwise indicated (and except for “by permission” and copyright items), material may be reprinted 18 Memories of “BK” provided credit is given to Soldiers and the author. All photographs by U.S. Army except as otherwise credited. Last summer’s departure of the 40 Marking the Distance Home Military distribution: From the U.S. Army Distribution Opera- last American soldiers from Bad Common since Roman times, Front cover: tions Facility, 1655 Woodson Road, St. Louis, MO 63114-6181, Students at the joint- in accordance with Initial Distribution Number (IDN) 050007 Kreuznach, Germany, did not dim mile markers have always pointed subscription requirements submitted by commanders. The DEPARTMENTS services Louis F. Secretary of the Army has determined that the publication of this 22 the mutual friendships forged the way home for deployed periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business over five decades. servicemembers. Garland Fire Academy as required by law of the department. Use of funds for printing 2 Feedback this publication was approved by the Secretary of the Army on move in to douse the Sept. 2, 1986, in accordance with the provisions of Army Regu- 10 Briefings flames engulfing a lation 25-30. Library of Congress call number: U1.A827. 22 Helping the Stork 43 A Tank to Remember Periodicals postage paid at Fort Belvoir, VA, and additional 32 Focus on People simulated helicopter. mailing offices. Individual domestic subscriptions are available Landstuhl Regional Medical A vintage M3A1 tank found in at $36 per year through the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Center’s Stork Nest Program Haiti will soon take its place 34 Postmarks — Photo by Steve Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. For credit card orders Harding call (202) 512-1800 or FAX (202) 512-2250. To change offers expectant mothers a broad among other valued relics at the 36 Sharp Shooters addresses for individual subscriptions, send your mailing label 38 Legal Forum with changes to: Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop SSOM, range of specialized services. 1st Armored Division Museum. Washington, DC 20402. POSTMASTER: Send address 48 Around the Services changes to the Fort Belvoir address above. 24 www.soldiersmagazine.com 44 Feedback

From the Editor Superb, But Inaccurate YOUR magazine continues to Patriotism in Stone Perhaps the most enduring provide superb news and ar- image of the attack on ticles for us soldiers. I READ with great interest and America is that of firefighters To assist you in your quest enjoyment your March article for excellence, I offer two spell- “Repairing the Pentagon.” Your defiantly raising the American ing changes in your March ar- story was very well written and flag atop the rubble of the ticle “We Were Soldiers...”. informative. I am also thankful World Trade Center. Often First, “Fort Toten,” head- for the chance to see photos overlooked and usually under- quarters of the 77th Regional of the work in progress on the Support Command, is really Pentagon — images I have not seen on appreciated, it is the fire- Fort Totten. Second, the unit TV. fighter we turn to for salvation you referred to as the “63rd Re- Part of the reason I’m so interested in this subject and so when disaster strikes. Join serve Support Command” is pleased to see it featured in your magazine is because my actually the 63rd Regional Sup- husband, Danny R. Wood, works at the limestone mill where Steve Harding for an inside port Command (the USAR has the stone is being quarried and fabricated to replace what look at the forging of fire- 12 regional support commands was destroyed on Sept. 11. My husband is also a first ser- fighters in “Firefighter and no “reserve support com- geant in the Indiana Army National Guard. I am extremely University.” mands”). proud of both his professions. Chaplain (COL) Doug Lee All of the mill’s employees exhibit a strong sense of Another often overlooked via e-mail patriotic pride in sending their work to Washington, D.C. and underappreciated profes- They have even inscribed their names on a special corner- sion is that of the logistician. DOF on Target stone to be used in the rebuilding. From Afghanistan, SSG Alberto So many of us have a desire to help rebuild what was A LETTER in the March Feed- torn down that terrible day, and these men actually have the Betancourt showcases the back section (“Purple Heart or privilege of doing so. And they are aware of what an honor backbone of the war on terror- DOF?”) questioned whether the it is. ism, the 101st Airborne’s 626th new Defense of Freedom medal Thank you for your coverage of this story. It is important is a “medal we really don’t need.” to let the world know that no matter what the terrorists demol- Forward Support Battalion, in This is because, in the ish, America will simply rebuild it — stronger. “Kandahar’s Supply Hub.” writer’s view, the Purple Heart Micki Wood Whether it’s the screaming could have been awarded to via e-mail eagle of the 101st or the shield civilians injured in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. of the 1st Cavalry Division, few Unfortunately for the letter Ambulance Facts you, your staff and especially military symbols evoke as much writer (name withheld by re- your readers are aware that pride and emotion as the shoul- quest), the website from which I WANT to give you a heads-up there is more than one of this he got his information is simply about an inaccurate statement type unit serving on active duty. der-sleeve insignia. In “More wrong. From 1943 until 1997 made by a solder quoted in the CPT Jeffery L. Mosso Than a Patch,” Beth Reece civilians were, in fact, eligible March article “Air-Land Ambu- via e-mail takes us on an evolutionary for the Purple Heart — and lance.” journey from an artist’s idea to about 100 received it. In 1997, SFC Steven Seitz, a pla- Bad Language, or PC? however, Congress passed leg- toon sergeant in the 557th Medi- a soldier’s shoulder. islation restricting the Purple cal Company, stated that his WITH regard to LTC Shea’s Finally, Heike Hasenauer’s Heart to uniformed personnel. unit is the only 40-vehicle M997 letter in the April issue, some- “Memories of ‘BK’” chronicles This, of course, explains ground-ambulance company in one should tell him to stop be- a community’s fond farewell to exactly why the Defense De- the active Army. That statement ing such a prude and overly PC. partment created the Defense is not exactly accurate. There Is he trying to create a tempest soldiers and their families as of Freedom Medal — because is also the 514th Medical Com- in a tea pot? I really cannot the Army ends its five-decade the Purple Heart was no longer pany, which also maintains 40 believe you would give him the presence in the German city. available to recognize the sac- M997 ground ambulances. The print space you did, much less rifices made by our civilian 514th belongs to I Corps’ 62nd highlight his comments like you brothers and sisters. Medical Brigade at Fort Lewis, did. COL Fred Borch Wash. Your handling of the “We via e-mail I just wanted to ensure that Were Soldiers” article was

2 Soldiers tasteful and right on. While those values) by not “artfully Yes, we shored the build- Good Job, Eh? Galloway’s comment may have editing” Galloway’s words. ing, but that is just one of the been a little too colorful, it was LTC Thomas B. Tennant, many tools used during rescue I’M currently serving with the not over the edge nor did it re- USAR operations. Canadian army contingent in quire LTC Shea’s comments. via e-mail CPT Aaron C. Barta Kandahar, Afghanistan. Galloway could have said via e-mail Our integration with the worse, and within the context of More Than Shorers American forces here has been the article it was way too small Posters and Kudos a great success, and I have to notice. IN the April 2002 Focus on made a lot of new friends. It has As a military historian who People you state that the Mili- THANKS for all the staff’s hard also been my pleasure to read has interviewed many veterans, tary District of Washington En- work at Soldiers Magazine. It your magazine, and I am really I can tell you that we try to get gineer Company at Fort Belvoir, has always been, and contin- impressed with it. the raw, unencumbered re- Va., helped “shore up the Pen- ues to be, one of the most posi- Would it be possible to get membrances of the people who tagon” after the Sept. 11 attack tive, informative and upbeat a subscription to Soldiers? were there. It may be crude and so that rescue workers could publications about life in the Thanks for your help, and graphic, but it is honest and in- more easily reach the wounded Army. keep up the good work. structive. It is also an example and dead. The MDWEC didn’t I can honestly say that I CPL John Allison of our most cherished freedom build shores for other rescuers, have never read an issue I didn’t Kandahar, Afghanistan — the freedom of speech, which we are the rescuers! enjoy and learn something as is really the freedom to be our- The company is the only well. Thanks for the kind words. selves. urban search and rescue Keep up the great work! We’ve put the subscription in- “We Were Soldiers” is an (US&R) unit in the Army. Dur- LTC John Karaus formation in the mail to you, outstanding tribute to those who ing the initial operations at the via e-mail along with several back issues. fought and died in Vietnam. I do Pentagon there were four not see how you “failed to up- Soldiers is for soldiers and DA civilians. We invite readers’ views. Stay under 150 US&R teams from the Federal words — a post card will do — and include your name, rank and address. We’ll hold the Army Core Values” in Emergency Management withhold your name if you desire and may condense your views because of space. the article. If anything, your ar- We can’t publish or answer every one, but we’ll use representative views. Write to: Agency; MDWEC was the fifth Feedback, Soldiers, 9325 Gunston Road, Ste. S108, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060- ticle showed integrity (one of US&R team. 5581, or e-mail: [email protected].

May 2002 3 Kandahar’s Supply Hub Story and Photos by SSG Alberto Betancourt

AS Kandahar’s clear skies slowly transformed into a kaleidoscope of orange, yellow and purple, SPC Gerald Gorman knew it was ... “show time!”

Kandahar’s Supply Hub

4 Soldiers May 2002 5 ute the supplies among the different units inside the compound. “I could have He said at times the mission is challenging because of the difficulties twice as many of getting the supplies into the country. Yet, the great working relationship his forklifts and still soldiers have with the division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team keeps the mission flowing. not have “We’re an integral part of the 3rd BCT,” he said. “We train with them in enough,” said garrison, in the field and when we’re deployed.” LTC Thomas Pirozzi said his soldiers were well trained to support Operation Enduring Pirozzi, com- Freedom’s mission in Afghanistan. At Fort Campbell, his battalion mander of the spends six weeks supporting the installation and 12 weeks preparing for 626th FSB. deployment. The cycle ends with another intensified six weeks of training. “My soldiers do this all the time,” he said. “Our tactical mission is not much different from our garrison mission — the locations just change.” Besides unloading planes and (Above) Local Afghans help 101st Abn. Div. distributing food, barrier material, soldiers erect tents on medications and ammunition to the Osmosis Water Purification Units are the grounds of units, the 626th is also responsible for used in a three-stepThe constant process flow to ofpurify supplies into Kandahar keeps the 101st soldiers busy 24 hours a day. Kandahar Airport. purifying water. water drawn from local wells. “It’s one thing to produce, purify “The water comes out cleaner than (Left) SSG Noveless and store the water,” Pirozzi said. “The bottled water,” Franklin said. “We’ve Wimberly ground-guides PFC Moedjirah Vande- real challenge is getting the water to already purified more than 75,000 lisle, whose forklift the soldiers’ canteens.” gallons.” bears supplies to be PV2 Damien Franklin, a water- Supporting the 626th’s extensive distributed to the soldiers of the 101st. purification specialist with the 801st logistical mission are Task Force Main Support Bn. at Fort Campbell, is Rakkasans soldiers from Headquarters attached to the 626th in Afghanistan. and HQs. Company, 2nd Bn., 187th “However, we earn our He is one of the four soldiers respon- Infantry. real money at night.” sible for the water-purification mission. “We are the liaison between line The 10,000-pound He said two 600-gallon Reverse soldiers and the support battalion,” Atlas forklift Gorman said SSG Irving Williams, HHC’s drives is a vital com- support-platoon sergeant. “We know modity for the support what our infantrymen need and we team. make sure they get it. When they see “I could have twice our soldiers approaching their bunkers, S Kandahar’s clear skies slowly as many forklifts and still not have they smile because they know we have transformed into a kaleidoscope enough,” said LTC Thomas Pirozzi, what they need.” of orange, yellow and purple, commander of the 626th FSB. “This Williams said that because the ASPC Gerald Gorman knew it piece of equipment is integral in defensive operation in Afghanistan is SSG Irving Williams, platoon sergeant for HHC’s support platoon, greets local Afghans was “show time.” getting as many supplies as possible on huge, an equally large amount of who will help him download supplies. Some locals are permitted to work inside the Gorman, a forklift operator with the ground to complete the mission.” lumber and wire was needed. Task Force Rakkasans’ compound. the 101st Airborne Division’s 626th Besides keeping the airport’s CPT Daniel Carrera, HHC’s Forward Support Battalion from Fort runway clear while unloading supplies commander, said his philosophy is to nity to accompany his soldiers on this evening sky, Gorman stacked another Campbell, Ky., is one of the many from incoming Air Mobility Command have the battalion’s soldiers perform mission. pallet of supplies. As darkness formed soldiers in Afghanistan who offloads C-17s, Pirozzi’s soldiers must distrib- their mission “without worrying about “I’ve been their commander for a blanket over Kandahar, the stockpile supplies from the cargo planes that supplies.” almost two years,” he said. “I wanted grew. arrive in a steady stream once the sun Carrera, who was scheduled to to be with them during this important CPT Daniel Carrera, commander of HHC, “When the sun comes out we’ll goes down. 2nd Bn., 187th Inf., was scheduled to relinquish command of the unit two mission. I’m very proud and grateful I clear this up,” said Gorman. “And “We work 24 hours a day — four give up command two weeks before weeks prior to its deployment to got the chance.” tomorrow evening we’ll pack it up his troops deployed to Afghanistan. Kandahar’s Supply Hub hours on and four hours off,” he said. Afghanistan, pleaded for the opportu- Meanwhile, silhouetted against the again.”

6 Soldiers May 2002 7 Coalition Team Clears Story and Photos By Land MinesSSG Alberto Betancourt

Officials estimate that more than 10 million mines are scattered throughout Afghanistan. Clearing them Giant dust clouds surround the Nor- weigan demining team’s flail as it digs deep into the earth, clearing land mines from areas in which coalition forces operate is a vital within the perimeter of Afghanistan’s Kandahar International Airport. — and potentially deadly — mission. UST clouds reached high into the sky as large metal spikes rotating from the mine- mines have not affected the airflow clearing flail dug deeper into into the airport. But with so many Dthe orange dirt outside people on the ground, we have to Afghanistan’s Kandahar International continuously clear out new ground to Airport. expand the area.” According to the United Nations’ Enger said his team works on foot, using poles and metal detectors to find Mine Action Program for Afghanistan, Norwegian Cpl. Dan Gspedal watches as landmines and unexploded ordnance the mines. Once they identify a SSG Troy Winders of Co. C, 326th Engr. Bn., contaminate some 724 million square contaminated area, they send in the prepares to ground-guide a bulldozer opera- meters of land. Officials estimate that flail. tor. more than 10 million mines are “This hard and dry terrain is a up into the air. scattered throughout the country. One challenge for us,” he said. “The barbed “This is a dangerous job,” said of the most heavily mined provinces is wire and craters around the area also Enger. “But we follow all the neces- ground to lay protective fence around Kandahar. create challenges. We must plan our sary safety procedures.” the perimeter. Since January, Norway’s demining missions very carefully.” Two 101st Abn. Div. engineer “We’re continuously expanding the team has been clearing mines inside He said it’s safe working inside the platoons have been working with the perimeter of the airfield,” he said. the Kandahar airport’s perimeter, flail. When the machine detonates anti- Norwegians. “The fence is the last stop for any occupied now by elements of the 101st personnel mines, the operator doesn’t SSG Troy Winders of Company C, intruder.” Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, feel them or see them because of all the 326th Engineer Battalion, said the Winders said they work from Ky. dust the machine kicks up. When an Norwegians cut a safe path with their sunrise to sunset and, because of the “So far we’ve found hundreds of anti-tank mine detonates, the operator mine flail. The American engineers mine threat, never work at night. mines inside the airfield,” said Norwe- feels it slightly and sees flames shoot follow with a bulldozer, flattening the “This is a great learning experience Blue-paintedgian Maj. rocks Prygve mark Enger, a mine commander field near of for us,” said Winders. “I think the Kandahar’sthe 16-man International demining Airport. team. “The Norwegian team is also learning a bit Two 101st Abn. Div. engineer platoons from us. The bottom line is we’re making things safe for our soldiers.

have been working with the Norwegians. That’s our ultimate goal.” Soldiers clear mines in Kandahar

8 Soldiers May 2002 9 BriefingsCompiled bySFC Lisa Beth Snyder

and the War on Terrorism

s AT press time approximately 28,000 Army Na- SPC David Marck Jr. tional Guard and Army Reserve soldiers had been Master Sgt. Keith Reed, USAF called to active duty and continued to provide secu- rity at airports and other facilities around the country.

s Pentagon officials honored 39 employees of the Pentagon’s Real Estate and Facilities Directorate with the Medal of Valor for their actions on Sept. 11.

s The Pentagon Victim’s Fund, administered by Army Emergency Relief, has received $4.4 million. As of Feb. 25, AER is no longer accepting donations. COL Frank Wiercinski, commander of Task Force Rakkasans in Afghanistan, administers the oath of re-enlistment to SSG Stanley Richardson, SPC Armando L. Acevedo Jr., SPC Adran M. Hollar and SSG Scott M. Weaver. Soldiers at Kandahar Airport hurry to load ammunition onto a waiting s On Feb. 13 a soldier died after a heavy piece of CH-47 Chinook helicopter, which then took off to deliver the cargo to equipment fell on him at Bagram Air Base, Afghani- troops fighting near Gardez. stan. PFC George Allen

s On March 2 a special forces soldier died during the early hours of Operation Anaconda.

SPC David Marck Jr.

PFC Jeremy Guthrie s On March 4 seven U.S. military personnel — four of them soldiers — died in two helicopter incidents in Afghanistan. The soldiers were killed in a firefight with Al Qaeda and Taliban forces soon after their MH-47 Chinook landed.

s Since March 1 more than 2,000 U.S., Afghan and Bill Hullender, AAFES manager, coalition troops have been working to destroy a sets up soft drinks and snacks in During his visit to Afghanistan, Gen. Richard Myers, preparation for Afghanistan’s pocket of Taliban and Al Qaeda forces operatingchairman of the joint chiefs of staff, took time to talk to newest post exchange, at Kandahar International Airport. 10th Mtn. Div. soldiers participating in Operation Anaconda near the Afghan town of Gardez. 10th Mountain Division soldiers at Bagram. prepare to dig into fighting positions after a day of reacting to enemy fire.

Homeland Security Advisory System

RESIDENT George W. Bush created the Low Risk PHomeland Security Advisory System so fed- Guarded Risk Elevated Risk High Risk Severe Risk eral, state and local authorities, law-enforcement
Refine and
Check communications
Increase surveillance
Coordinate military and
Mobilize emergency and agents and the American people know of and can exercise protec- with emergency response of critical locations. law-enforcement security security groups. respond to terrorist threats as quickly as possible. tive measures. and command locations.
Coordinate emergency efforts.
Monitor and possibly redirect Officials will use a color-coded system — condi-
Assess vulnerabilities and
Review and update emergency plans among all jurisdictions.
Prepare to move or disperse workforce. or constrain public transportation. tions green, blue, yellow, orange and red — to take steps to reduce them. response procedures and provide the
Implement contingency- and
Restrict access to essential personnel.
Increase or redirect personnel to address identify the level of terrorist threat. public with necessary information. emergency-response plans.
Implement precautions at public events. critical emergency needs.
Close public facilities.

10 Soldiers May 2002 11 Briefings

pants through historic areas of and retirees. is scheduled through May 15, signed to cover long-term care,the nation’s capital, past such most recent revision, the de- tions before leaving the coun- The insurance program is followed by an open-enrollment officials said. They also landmarksem- as the Lincoln Me-

Joan Marcus ployment-stabilization policy try. designed to cover expenses as- season beginning July 1. Appli- phasized the government paysmorial and the Washington only affected soldiers who had Expanding of HAAP to se- sociated with long-term medi- cants may be required to an- no part of the premiums or Monument.ben- Service American Forces Press participated in operations- lected specialists and corpo- cal care in a nursing home or swer health-related questions, efits. — To register online visit the other-than-war deployments for rals will not apply to soldiers the patient’s home. Federal em- provide medical records or be official race website at at least 30 consecutive days. currently in Korea or those ployees will be able to purchase interviewed personally to be eli- www.armytenmiler.com. The Personnel officials said the placed on assignment instruc- the insurance for themselves gible for the insurance. registration fee is $25 per run- stabilization program — which tions before March 1, officials For more or their families, including par- Rates will vary based on information visit ner, and includes a long-sleeve applies to both officers and en- said. ents. Federal retirees are en- the amount of coverage se- www.ltcfeds.comrunner’s shirt, a post-race listed personnel — was ex- For more information go to titled to enroll only themselves lected, the type of inflation pro- breakfast buffet, entry into the News Service panded to allow soldiers time http://perscomnd04.army.mil/ and their spouses in the pro- tection chosen and the current post-race party and other Army to reacquaint themselves with milpermsgs.nsf/WebFrame gram, according to information age of the person being cov- amenities. The runners’ field is families and readjust to their set?OpenFrameSet. — on the program’s Internet ered. limited to 18,000 contestants. Washington, D.C. new home stations. It also re- homepage, www.opm.gov/in- Medicare, TRICARE and All mail-in registrations Washington, D.C. wards soldiers for arduous pe- sure/ltc. the Federal Employees Health must be postmarked by Aug. riods of duty in which they were An early enrollment period Benefits Program are not de-Army Ten-Miler 30, and the deadline for online separated from family mem-Military, Civilian Long- Registration Beginsrace entry is 5 p.m. Eastern bers, officials said. Term Care Insurance Standard Time on Sept. 20. The HAAP expanded Web News ARMY officials are accepting Registration will close when the March 1 to specialists and cor-THE Office of Personnel Man- registrations for America’s larg- 18,000-runner cap is reached porals who have re-enlisted at agement has contracted with “Soldiers Forum” to Give Troops Voiceest 10-mile on Web race, the Army Ten- or on the respective registra- least once. HAAP participantsJohn Hancock and MetLife in- Miler, scheduled to begin at 8 tion deadline dates. There will can return to their previous duty surance companies to provide SOLDIERS worldwide may submit stories, commentaries a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, in tarybe noDistrict late ofregistration. Washington — Pub- stations after completing an a long-term medical care ben- and other articles to the Army News Service under a new Washington. lic Affairs Office Mili- unaccompanied tour or getting The National Symphony Orchestra will be among the attractions efit for all federal employees program called “Soldiers Forum.” The Army’s premiere run- orders to their follow-on sta- at the National Memorial Day Concert. The best of the articles will be posted on the “ArmyLINK ning event, it will take partici- News” Web page at the end of each week and sent to Army Washington, D.C. fellow World War II veteran and Recruiting Update newspaper editors at installations and commands worldwide actor Charles Durning, plus for their use as commentaries. The purpose of the program is to “give soldiers a voice on National Memorial colorDay guards and the National Army Contracts Recruiting Concert Set Symphony Orchestra. — ArmyLINK,” said COL Stephen Campbell, chief of the Army’s Command Information Division at the Pentagon. Devillier Communications MILITARY veterans began suiting up in civilian attire to If soldiers cite problems, suggested solutions should be recruit for the Army this spring. ARMED Forces Radio and included in the commentaries. The civilians are recruiting for the active Army and Television Service and Public Campbell said the letters “can’t just be ‘peaches and Washington, D.C. reserve component in Jackson, Miss.; Oklahoma City, Broadcasting Service stations cream.’” The forum should be more than just an outlet for Okla.; Dayton, Ohio; throughout eastern Delaware; will air the National Memorial laudatory comments, and should provide insightful discourse Tacoma, Wash.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Wilmington, N.C.; Salt Day Concert May 26 at 8 p.m., New Incentives Set For on subjects of interest to the entire Army. Lake City, Utah; and Granite City and Homewood, Ill. Eastern Standard Time. Unaccompanied Tours He said the forum should include reflections and recom- Two companies — Military Professional Resources The concert, live from the mendations regarding everyday Army life, including duty in Inc. and Resource Consultants Inc. — have been recruit- U.S. Capitol, will honor the vic- TWO programs have been re- places like Afghanistan. ing for the Army’s reserve component since 1999. They’re tims and heroes of Sept. 11 vised to help soldiers returning Observations about Family Team Building programs, the currently looking for additional recruiters who have been and mark the 60th anniversary from Korea and other unaccom- NCO Education System or Common Task Training are just a honorably discharged from the Army. of the Bataan Death March. panied tour locations. few examples of relevant topics. Besides undergoing initial training — which will in- The event will be hosted by The Deployment Stabiliza- More controversial topics affecting soldiers and their clude such topics as enlistment eligibility, current enlist- World War II veteran and actor tion policy and the Homebase families that might also be discussed include drug abuse, ment incentives and U.S. Army Recruiting Command Ossie Davis and will feature and Advanced Assignment Pro- domestic violence, street gangs, suicide prevention, reten- policies and procedures — recruiters will receive addi- gram, known as HAAP, have tion, single-parent soldiering, operational tempo and person- tional training as necessary, Hunter said. They will also been expanded, the Army G1 nel tempo. For more receive annual refresher training to stay abreast of Army recently announced. Letters and articles of interest should be sent to the Office information, and USAREC policies, he added. After completing a tour in of the Chief of Public Affairs, ATTN: SAPA-CI (Soldiers visit Government contracts were awarded to the compa- Korea or other dependent-re- Forum), Rm. 2B720, 1500 Army Pentagon, Washington, nies in accordance with the 2001 National Defense Autho- stricted area, soldiers will be D.C. 20310-1500, or e-mailed to [email protected]. — www.pbs.org rization Act, said Douglas Smith, the public affairs officer exempt from operational de- for U.S. Army Recruiting Command. — /memorialdayconcertployments for six months at their new duty stations. Before the ARNEWS ARNEWS The field of contestants at the Army Ten-Miler will be limited to 18,000 — and registration is first come, first served.

12 Soldiers May 2002 13 More Than a Patch

Story by Beth Reece Photos by Paul Disney

UNIT patches are like family photographs. U“Shoulder-sleeve insignia, or SSI, give soldiers something to connect to, a symbol of the

years they spend in their units. Just the sight of

SSI inspires pride,” said Pamela Reece, of the

Technical and Production Division of The

Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) at Fort Belvoir, Va.

SSI have graced soldiers’ right shoulders since the 81st Infantry Division adopted the wildcat patch in 1917. The insignia grew so Zahoor Ahmed, owner of Rainbow popular during World War I that heraldic pro- Embroidery, mends a broken thread on grams were created to set design standards and one of the multihead sewing machines used to produce the beret flash. policy for wear. Today, TIOH maintains specifi- cations for more than 800 SSI.

14 Soldiers May 2002 15 Though units sometimes offer drafts of the patches they envision, TIOH prefers they don’t. “Their suggestions tend to be a little simplistic overseas manufacturers who offer and busy,” said Stanley Haas, chief of cheaper products in less time. TIOH’s Technical and Production “This is a very serious, highly “When we create a new patch, our Division. “Just because you can draw skilled art that requires creativity goal isn’t to represent unit history or something doesn’t mean we can and technical know-how,” he said. individual personalities. Instead, we manufacture it,” he tells customers. offer a symbol that will have lasting Patches must be visually clean yet value,” Reece said. tell a whole story. “We have to think Universal images with timeless simple and boil it down to the very To the Soldier appeal are used to illustrate units’ essence of what the unit does. It’s a lot While cartoons are finalized, TIOH branches. The patch of a signal unit, harder than using all the elements of a alerts the Soldiers Systems Directorate for example, would likely include a unit’s makeup,” Leclerc added. and the Army and Air Force Exchange globe and a lightning flash. Final designs define exact sizes and Service that a new item is soon to be shapes, as well as background and released. This speeds procurement Military foreground colors. Computers have because quota requirements can be patches are em- simplified the process, but illustrators researched and ready by the time broidered one color and one layer at a still rely on their artistic abilities to time. Manufacturers use small, tight Conception TIOH provides a final technical data stitches to ensure the patch withstands Invention of new unit insignia lend meaning and balance to patches. package to the Defense Supply Center- time and repeated washings. begins with a request to the Heraldic Philadelphia, which contracts out for Services and Support Division. mass production of military items. Authorization is outlined in AR 670-1, Units can also seek local procure- their patches onto jackets or baseball “Wear and Appearance of Army Creation ment of patches if the manufacturer caps. World War I and II patches are Uniforms and Insignia,” but generally, From TIOH’s computerized has been certified through TIOH. regarded today as collectibles — some units with more than 500 soldiers are drawings, contractors such as Rainbow Haas said almost all military so rare they carry four-digit price tags. authorized their own SSI. Embroidery in North Plainfield, N.J., insignia are mass produced on Schiffli “People who never served in the Illustrators in the Creative Heraldry turn visions into reality. They create a machines, which are so accurate some military are interested in our patches,” Division sketch designs for the unit’s preparatory design known in the versions can stitch in 120 positions per Reece said. “Every time I see the 25th approval. Though designs are fine- industry as a “cartoon” — a pattern six inch. “The machines are amazing. It’s Infantry Division patch, I think of my tuned on computers, Sarah Leclerc times the patch’s actual size — which not unusual to go into a manufacturer Dad, who served with the 25th in begins with doodles. specifies the numbers and directions of and see one that was built in 1902 but Vietnam. They’re more than just a “Designs come from my own stitches needed to create a multidimen- is still cranking away,” he said. uniform decoration — they remind us feelings and background, along with sional effect. Creating a new SSI normally takes of people and memories.” the guidelines for how a patch should Cartoons are then computerized so about three months from conception to be,” Leclerc said. “Most of the time patterns can be read by stitching production. This record was broken it’s like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.” machines, and swatches are made for last year when the Army transitioned TIOH’s approval. “We look for to black berets. quality, for clean stitching, whether the Under a very short Pentagon- patch is too bulky, and whether the mandated deadline, Rainbow Embroi- background shows through the stitch- dery completed the beret’s blue flash ing,” said Rainbow’s owner, Zahoor in three days. “I wanted to help give Ahmed. the Army the finest flash so soldiers Patches are limited to 99 standard- could wear it with pride,” Ahmed said, ized colors. Because quality is nonne- boasting a thank-you letter from SMA gotiable, Reece said, the number of Jack L. Tilley. stitches used to embroider military Unit patches seem to possess an patches is higher than most manufac- allure that needs little underscore from turers ordinarily use. Whendesigners the Army or manufacturers.needed a flash Some for the “We use about five stitches to blacksoldiers beret keep last them year, long Rainbow after departing Em- every one commercial stitch. Other- broidery’s Zahoor Ahmed created com- Designer Edith Tumaneg creates pat- puterizedtheir units, patterns and many of theveterans blue, sew star- terns six times the patch’s original size wise, our patches wouldn’t wash welltrimmed flash in just three days. to specify the number and direction of stitches. and would wear out so fast that soldiers would need about four patches while assigned to a unit instead of just one,” she said. Ahmed, who has worked with Digitizer James Bewighouse computerizes the TIOH for almost 25 years, claimed that patch’s patterns so they can be read by the stitch- quality embroidery is a fading com- ing machines. modity in America, with the rise of

16 Soldiers May 2002 17 Last summer’s departure of the remaining American soldiers in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, brought to an end five decades of mutual friendship.

Story by Heike Hasenauer

Photos courtesy the National Archives unless otherwise noted. HEN the 1st Armored Division’s headquarters moved last summer from Bad Kreuznach, Germany, to Wiesbaden, 36 miles away, it culmi- Wnated the phased departure of the division and marked the end of a 50-year U.S. Army presence in the spa community of about 40,000 German citizens. For the Americans who lived and worked at Rose Barracks, Marshall Kaserne and Hospital Kaserne, the move meant leaving In April 1945 Memories German women behind close friends and favorite places, accord- Memories bring food to some ing to several long-time residents of the area, of the thousands of German POWs held among them 85-year-old Beate Streicher. by the 8th Inf. Div. The first contact Streicher had with U.S. near Bad Kreuz- nach. soldiers was when the 2nd Armd. Div. marched ofof into Bad Kreuznach while the city was occupied by the French, following World War II. With a Heike Hasenauer A 2nd Armored Division soldier helps out during a Thanksgiving celebration given background in French and English, which she in Bad Kreuznach for German civilians. studied at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, in 1939, she had worked as an interpreter for the French governor of the city for seven years. When the Americans came to “BK,” as they fondly referred to the city, she became the liaison between the French and Americans. And when the French left in 1951, she applied for a position as a German-language teacher at the American’s elementary school. “The kids said at that time, ‘We don’t need German. We don’t want to learn from Nazis,’” said Streicher, whose husband, a German soldier in the war, was listed as missing in action and was never found. But despite the initial animosity of her (Above) Soldiers and tanks of the 2nd Armd. Div. roll through Ahlen, Germany, students, she managed to teach a half- “BK”“BK”Bad Kreuznach, Germany on April 2, 1945. dozen classes daily, without books. “After one year of teaching, I couldn’t believe what happened,” Streicher said. “At Christmastime, I received many presents. Gradually, (Right) U.S. soldiers take in the sights dur- the Americans realized we were not Beate Streicher, at her home in Bad Kreuznach, has ing a visit to Bad Kreuznach in April 1954. all Nazis.” many fond memories of the Army and of the many A broader friendship between soldiers she knew and worked with over the years. the Germans and Americans,

18 Soldiers May 2002 19 detention center in Idar-Oberstein. and playgrounds once alive with After Germany capitulated, on activity at BK, are devoid of U.S. “U.S. soldiers were part of the community, and we were like a May 10, 1945, many German POWs soldiers and families, “but the U.S. close-knit family,” said Borris. “It’s terrible for me that the arrived in Bad Kreuznach from the Army’s presence will never be forgot- front lines, Walter said. ten,” Streicher said. Americans have left. I feel a great loss.” There was a detention center for MAJ Thomas Shrader, a project German POWs near the former 1st officer on the division staff during the Armd. Div.’s headquarters, Walter transition from BK to Wiesbaden, said said. Later, another larger center was the Germans erected a monument at established between Bad Kreuznach the city courthouse, paid for by however, grew only gradually, over in BK; military exercises were and Bretzenheim. donations from the German people. It about five years, Streicher said. For the conducted at Kuhberg, an area On July 10, 1945, when Germany lists the three U.S. Army units once Germans who lived in the city that had that became a training site, and was divided into U.S., British, Russian stationed in the been heavily bombed and where dozens U.S. helicopters often flew over and French zones, Bad Kreuznach was city — the 1st of people died, time was critical in the town, Streicher said. The 7th Army commander inspectsin the the French Zone, so the Americans 2nd Armd. Div. honor guard at Bad Armd. Div., 2nd healing the wounds of war. U.S. soldiers were forbidden Kreuznach in August 1952. left and the French occupied the city Armd. Div. and Other changes to life as they knew to socialize and shop in the until mid-1951. 8th Infantry Div. it required additional adjustments. community until the mid-1960s, German civilians return to their homes as lines at Westfeld and the Eifel. When the Americans returned in “The city U.S. soldiers initially moved into said Streicher, so the Germans and U.S. troops push further into Germany in They were on one side of the 1951, kasernes were quickly built and sponsored two town requisitioning homes, apartments, Americans initially had little knowl- March 1945. Mosel River, the Germans on the other hundreds of soldiers and their families days of festivi- hotels and businesses. The Kurhaus, a edge or understanding of each other. side, waiting, Walter said. Then the began arriving. One-fifth of the city ties to honor the landmark facility used for cultural After five years’ teaching, the newspapers to publicize the good Americans advanced from the Mosel was composed of Americans. Americans when events and celebrations, became the Streicher began working as the 8th Inf. things U.S. soldiers were doing in to the Nahe River, near Bad “They were self-sufficient; they they left,” said U.S. Officer’s Club, Streicher said. Div. community-relations officer, BK,” said Streicher, who in 1977 left Kreuznach. brought their own food and built Christel Borris, “At first, the Americans controlled which gave her a first-hand look at her community-relations position to “I saw the first American tanks everything they needed, from hospitals who was the the heat in our homes, too,” she said. how the Army operates. As the teach Gateway and Headstart courses approaching Bad Kreuznach at 11 a.m. and schools to stores and movie divisions’ deputy “They didn’t want us to have a part of commanding general’s interpreter, she in the American community. It was a on March 16, 1945,” said Walter, who theaters,” Walter said. public affairs their heating system, because the U.S. was a lieutenant in a German rocket- accompanied him on maneuvers, job she held until 1987. The U.S. Army put its stamp on officer from Karl Weisel A memorial in Bad Kreuznach Army paid for it.” bouncing around training areas in a “I have stacks of letters from artillery unit that had fought at Bad Kreuznach, said Walter. “The 1973 to 1998, commemorates the Army’s Adding to the early tensions jeep and traveling by helicopter to soldiers,” Streicher said. “They wrote Normandy and in the Ardennes before friendships Americans and Germans when hundreds 50-year presence in the city. between former enemies was the civic functions throughout Germany. things like: ‘We love Germany now passing through Bad Kreuznach while shared will live in our hearts for many of 8th Inf. Div. Germans’ seemingly hopeless struggle It was largely through her that both that we know you,’ and ‘Thank you retreating from the American advance. years to come.” and 1st Armd. early on to rebuild their shattered sides inched closer to understanding for allowing us to share your culture.’ There weren’t many tanks, and Div. soldiers were stationed in BK. economy. Local citizens hesitated to and friendship. “When my mother died, the they just sat at a crossing and waited, Europe’s military considerations invest in industry of any kind for fear “The local people were so im- general’s wife sent food for my Walter said. Then they went around b The City Pays Tributewere much different during the “Cold no one besides U.S. pressed that my picture often appeared family,” she said. “Americans do that Bad Kreuznach from both sides. War,” she said. Thousands of soldiers soldiers wanted in the newspaper with the Americans,” sort of thing.” “For two days, nothing happened,” Today, the barracks, housing areas were strategically located to protect to live Streicher said, “that more German As many as 6,000 soldiers were Walter said. “The Germany from an women wanted to learn about the stationed in Bad Kreuznach at that German soldiers invasion across its Americans. They helped form the time, Streicher said. “It was a golden had all left the borders. German-American Women’s Club. time, when a dollar could be ex- city on March 16, “U.S. soldiers And, gradually, the Americans changed for four Deutsch marks. You after planting Karl Weisel were part of the constructed sports fields and helped can’t imagine how many Mercedes explosives on all community, and we rebuild in other ways. and Porsches were here,” she said. the bridges and were like a close-knit “In turn, we notified blowing them family,” said Borris. up.” On March “It’s terrible for me b A Historian Remembers 18, the Ameri- that the Americans cans marched have left. I feel a great Richard Walter is a historian into the city loss.” and reporter for the Rhein Zeitung unimpeded. Borris chose not to in Bad Kreuznach, where he’s In the weeks continue working for lived since 1957. that followed, a (Above) Tankers of the 2nd the division at its new Armd. Div. take a break dur- During the Ardennes Offensive, small contingent location. “It would ing 1952 field maneuvers in December 1944, German troops of U.S. soldiers The casing of the 410th Base Support Battalion’s colors on Dec. 14,make 2000, me toowas sad,” she near Bad Kreuznach. tried unsuccessfully to push the searched for another act in the phased departure of American troops from Bad said.Kreuznach. “It’s easier for (Right) German children Americans back from Germany’s Nazis throughout me to draw the line made friends with the borders in Belgium and Luxembourg, the area, Walter here.” Americans early on. he said. U.S. troops continued to said. Suspects advance, breaking through the German were taken to a

20 Soldiers May 2002 21 Helping the similar fear of the unknown — allows them to draw strength and comfort from one another at a time when they’re far from home and away from family and loved ones, Blunt said. Elvira Ortiz, wife of SSG Together, program participants can Buddy Program.Inocencio It’s their Ortiz, cradles the go on day trips and attend classes on job to assign orcouple’s become anewborn son. He was parenting and breast-feeding, among buddy to a Storkpremature Nester. and weighed 3 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. other activities. Within a week of their Arroyo was Air Force arrival, Blunt coordinates their OB- Staff Sgt. LeAnn Stetson’s GYN appointments and arranges a tour buddy for a while. “This is of LRMC’s obstetrics facilities. my first pregnancy,” said STORKStory and Photos by Heike Hasenauer Additionally, the American Red Stetson, who’s stationed in Cross provides Stork Nesters with Incirlik, Turkey. “And I access to computers, makes necessary don’t know what to arrangements for contacting loved ones expect. It’s nice to not HOUGH the baby-toting stork Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in at 3 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, re- in an emergency, and provides a have to sit alone in a is a popular image, the realities Landstuhl, Germany. mained in the facility for several weeks “buddy” who will be available to run room waiting for some- of childbirth are somewhat Expectant mothers from Germany, until his doctor was certain he was occasional errands or go along on thing to happen. more complicated. And for Italy, Spain, Great Britain and Turkey strong enough to go home. During that shopping trips for groceries, baby “The first day I met Texpectant mothers in Europe have traveled to LRMC for specialized time he received round-the-clock care. clothes and toys. Amber, she took me to who are authorized to use U.S. govern- medical care since Oct. 1, 1998, after Through the Stork Nest program, Red Cross volunteers SPC Noraliz Kaiserslautern’s 800- ment facilities overseas, having a baby other overseas U.S. medical facilities at-risk mothers-to-be arrive in Maysonet-Candelarie, a dental assis- year-anniversary festival. requires even more forethought than closed, said hospital spokeswoman Landstuhl, typically in their 28th to tant with the 464th Medical Company Then we went shopping,” said Stetson, expenses. Rental cars mapping out the route to the hospital, Marie Shaw. All prospective mothers 31st weeks of pregnancy, said MAJ in Landstuhl, and SGT Amber Arroyo, who had been a Stork Nester for more are not included. knowing who to call when the contrac- who experience complicated pregnan- Clunie Johnson, neo-natal ICU head a lab technician with LRMC’s Com- than 30 days. “She’s also invited me to Billeting costs $18.50 per night, tions start and packing a suitcase for cies must deliver their babies at the nurse. Some women come into the pany C, are co-chairs of the Stork Nest her home.” with an additional $8 fee for spouses. the hospital stay. Landstuhl facility. program much earlier. When the While in Landstuhl, the Stork In-hospital costs are $10.20 per day for Those who want to deliver their For prospective moms in the latter prospective mothers arrive is deter- Nesters receive their mail, addressed civilians and dependents; $10.20 for babies at an American military hospital category, “stork” is closely associated mined by their physicians. to “Attention: Stork Nest Program,” infants, and $8 for active-duty person- in Europe have only one option: with a program that is relatively new in “Some babies are born as young as and they’re eligible to use all military nel, Blunt said. Europe, the Stork Nest Program. 23 weeks,” said Johnson, as she support services, including dining Typically, spouses and significant Besides employing some of the monitored premature twins that both facility, post exchange, shoppette and others from outside Germany arrive in most highly qualified doctors and weighed about two pounds. USO. Landstuhl about a week before the nurses in the military, LRMC Some babies must be placed on The program does have its draw- expected delivery date, to share the boasts a special neo-natal inten- ventilators because they can’t breathe backs, Blunt said. Besides family momentous occasion. sive-care unit for premature babies, on their own. Others are placed in separation, costs can initially be a After the birth, program personnel said MAJ Ann Marie Blunt, Stork incubators until their vital organs have burden if program participants don’t coordinate with appropriate agencies to Nest Program coordinator. had a chance to develop a little more, plan ahead. Stork Nesters are asked to register the child’s birth and complete Elvira Ortiz and her husband, they’ve gained weight and can better pay for everything up front and are requirements for the child to be SSG Inocencio Ortiz of the 21st fend off potential illnesses, Johnson fully reimbursed for all “reasonable” included on the mother’s passport. Theater Area Support Command, in said. Kaiserslautern, Germany, can vouch Stork Nesters, as program partici- for LRMC’s neo-natal care facilities. pants are called, live in transient billets Their baby, Migdiel, who weighed in at LRMC until they give birth. Being Neo-natal ICU care for premature babiesamong other women who are experi- is just one service LRMC offers throughencing initial loneliness — and, for the Stork Nest Program. Prospective moms in Europe who would like more those pregnant with their first children, information about having their babies at LRMC — or those interested specifically in the Stork Nest Program for at-risk pregnancies — may contact

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Stork Red Cross volunteers SPC Noraliz MAJMay- Ann Marie Blunt by calling (DSN) 486-7914, sonet-Candelarie (left) and SGT Ambercommercial Ar- 06371-86-7914 (from within royo (right) pose with mom-to-be Air ForceGermany) or commercial 0049-06371-86-7914 Nest Program offers expectant mothers a Staff Sgt. LeAnn Stetson before leaving LRMC on a shopping trip. (from elsewhere within Europe). broad range of specialized services.

22 Soldiers May 2002 23 SSG Andreas Simmons, an Army instructor at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy, motions two stu- dents to a better position from which to attack the flames engulf- ing a simulated UH-60 helicopter.

Story and Photos by Steve Harding FFIREFIGHTERIREFIGHTER UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY The academy uses 46 class- rooms, 58 vehicles and a range of other training aids to produce firefighters for all of the U.S. mili- tary services.

(Above) Block 4 students the state-of-the-art prepare for a stint in the school. school’s “3-2-1” trainer, whose intricate piping system can produce con- trolled flames at the flick A Joint Effort of a switch. Located on its own (Left) The state-of-the-art large compound at academy produces about Goodfellow Air Force 1,500 new military fire- Base, Texas, the fighters each year. academy uses 46 classrooms, 58 vehicles and a range of other training aids to added MSG Buddy Glover, the the academy’s staff might be able to produce firefighters for all of the U.S. facility’s senior Army instructor, share their knowledge. military services. “whether you do it in the military or as “There’s a very strong awareness “Firefighting crosses military a civilian. No one works alone, and that firefighters are critical to home- Students in Block 4 attack a fire boundaries,” said Air Force Lt. Col. in the kitchen of the academy’s that teamwork is obvious here at the land defense and installation prepared- “3-2-1” trainer, a fireproof three- Patrick J. Smith, commander of academy. Students have instructors ness,” Smith said. “And all of the story building that also includes Goodfellow’s 312th Training Squad- from all four of the services, and all of services are dedicating a lot more bedrooms and living areas. ron and the academy’s supervisor. the instructors teach the same material effort and a lot more money to “Each service has common concerns from the same lesson plans.” ensuring they have the right resources in terms of structural, vehicle and “The sort of integrated and com- and the right number of people to aircraft fires, so firefighting is a prehensive training we offer here has respond to any possible situation. HE two young firefighters Simmons calmly motioned them to a perfect skill to be taught in a joint- become especially important since the We’re doing all we can to ensure that FIREFIGHTER weren’t doing well. better position, and within moments services academy. tragic events of Sept. 11,” Smith said, our firefighters have the skills that will Encumbered by protective they’d beaten the fire into submission. “By having soldiers, sailors, “because the terrorist attacks and their keep them from getting hurt and allow gear and pummeled by waves Simmons and his fellow instructors airmen, marines and Coast Guard aftermath underscored the value of them to respond intelligently and UNIVERSITY of searing heat from the at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy members all go through here to- well-trained and well-equipped efficiently.” Tburning Black Hawk, they know firsthand how daunting and gether,” he said, “we’re also able to emergency services within the Depart- couldn’t seem to get their hose into the demanding firefighting can be, and make better use of our resources and ment of Defense. Since the attacks right position to attack the flames they do all they can to pass on their ensure the same level of expertise we’ve been getting calls from military Learning the Skills engulfing the helicopter. Just as they collective knowledge to the soldiers across all the services.” and civilian organizations throughout were about to retreat, SSG Andreas and other service members who attend “Firefighting is a team effort,” the nation asking about ways in which Though the Louis F. Garland Fire

26 Soldiers May 2002 27 Academy offers experienced firefighters the chance to train in such things as fire inspection and advanced technical rescue, about half of the 3,000 personnel who went through the school in fiscal year 2001 were there to pick up the basic skills of the trade. These are taught in the 66-day Apprentice Course, which Glover called the “foundation upon which all a firefighter’s advanced skills are built.” This basic firefighter course is Though not as physically imposing as divided into seven blocks of some of the academy’s other students, instruction — six that are common PFC Leah Brooks typifies the dedica- to all students (listed below) and a tion and “heart” all firefighters need. seventh, deployment-related block for Air Force personnel only. firefighter; they usually grow out of the individual’s dedication to being a aken as a whole, Glover said, service member.” the Apprentice Course is a Tchallenging and comprehen- sive introduction to the range of skills the new firefighters will need Soldiers, Then in the field. Firefighters “The course is really well put together,” Glover said, “and we In the case of the approximately couldn’t ask for a better place to 175 active and reserve-component train firefighters. So any problems Army personnel who attend the that arise are usually not because of academy each year, dedication to a student’s dedication to being a being service members means remem- The camera’s flash lights the interior of a long, obstacle-packed confined-spaces trainer that students Six instruction blocks are normally negotiate in common to all students. total darkness. 1 and 4 It’s in Block 4 that the fledgling 2 3 firefighters first confront fire, “the 5 6 The students’ first In Block 3 the students are beast,” by tackling it head-on in the From the 3-2-1 trainer the students Block 6, the final course of instruction for all but the Air Force exposure to their new introduced to the physical side academy’s “3-2-1” trainer. This move back to the classroom for Block students in the apprentice course, covers airport firefighting and is career field comes during of firefighting and the tools of fireproof, three-story building includes 5, which teaches them how to recog- perhaps the most intense instruction the students undergo. the 12 academic days the trade: ladders, axes, ropes kitchens, bedrooms and living areas, nize and deal with the range of hazard- This block starts with three days of classroom work, after which devoted to Blocks 1 and 2, and, of course, fire trucks. and is fitted with an intricate system of ous materials firefighters can encoun- students move to the outside training area to operate the specialized during which instructors Practical exercises in the piping that can produce controlled ter. This block culminates with practi- vehicles used to fight aircraft fires. They also learn how to fight cover such basics as academy’s sprawling outdoor flames at the flick of a switch. cal lessons in the specialized skills of fuel fires using foam, and how to extract crewmembers from building codes, structure training area involve such In this block the students also learn “HAZMAT” firefighting, which are helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. They put the new skills to the types, alarm systems, fire things as learning how to the often exhausting art of laying and taught using another of the academy’s test fighting controlled fires set in highly realistic helicopter and behavior, CPR, rescue evacuate people from smoke- retrieving hoses, a task that many of highly realistic outdoor simulators. fixed-wing aircraft simulators. breathing and first aid. filled buildings, and how to them find to be the academy’s most physically haul unconscious or physically challenging. injured people to safety.

28 May 2002 29 both firefighters and soldiers, and we mentor them in both areas.” While the fire academy’s 19 Army instructors are assigned to the Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., they, like the academy’s Army stu- dents, are attached to the Goodfellow- based 344th Military Intelligence Battalion for admin purposes. And it’s in the battalion’s Company B that the Army students get much of the mentoring they need. “The company has two very fine drill sergeants, both of whom are MOS 51M firefighters, and they’re the ones who handle the students outside the class,” Glover said. “The drill ser- geants get a lot of ‘face time’ with the students, and they do much of the mentoring in terms of the students’ soldier skills. They’re the ones who deal with problem issues that the instructors may not catch.” “A lot of these students are young and impressionable, so it’s up to us to give them the right impression about what the Army is and what the 51M MOS is all about,” said SSG Angel Espinoza, one of the drill sergeants. “These students come straight from BCT, and we tell them: ‘Look, this is going to be hard, but you can do it.’” (Above) This blazing large-aircraft simu- “Doing it” takes more than a little lator is one of several extremely realis- tic training tools students encounter in effort, Espinoza said. Block 6. “Their days are long. We usually wake them up at 0400 and we often (Right) In Block 6 students also learn to don’t release them until 1700, because extract crewmembers from fixed-wing there is Army-mandated training that aircraft and helicopters, including this we have to accomplish after they’re retired but structurally intact CH-53. done at the fire academy,” he said. “This is a tough line of work and we’re a small MOS. So the teamwork, self- through here that were 5’2” and 100 discipline and confidence we try to pounds and logically shouldn’t have Block 3 students practice re- moving an “unconscious casu- teach them are important.” been able to handle the physical alty” from the top of a building. Equally important, said instructor challenges. But because of their heart SSG Thomas Wood, are dedication and determination, they overcame and “heart.” those challenges. That’s the sort of “The first thing you notice about determination we’re looking for.” the students who come here is that they And it’s the kind of determination “ bering they are soldiers first. really want to be firefighters,” Wood that PFC Leah Brooks, at about 5’1” This is the best fire “We make up a fairly small group said. “And they need that dedication to easily one of the academy’s less ox- here at what we like to call ‘Fort be able to deal with all the challenges like students, said the academy academy in the Goodfellow,’ since the only other they face. Not just the academic ones, helped her discover in herself. “Making it through this academy is soldiers on the base attend the Air either. This is a physically challenging “Being a firefighter is something an accomplishment that every graduate world, and if you want Force-run intelligence school,” Glover line of work, and you really have to should be very proud of, and it prepares For more on the Louis F. Garland I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. Fire Academy and its programs, said. “So helping these young people want to succeed.” “I’m not real big, though, so it’s been people to join a very special and very visit www.goodfellow.af.mil/ to be a firefighter, this become outstanding soldiers is just as “Not all firefighters are 6’2”, 210 kind of hard for me. But I’ve learned honorable profession,” Glover said. ~trs312/newfire/index.htm. important to us as helping them pounds and strong as an ox,” Glover a lot from the instructors and the drill “This is the best fire academy in the is the place to come.” become outstanding firefighters. added. “And that’s where the heart sergeants, and I’ve learned a lot world, and if you want to be a They’re still young, in terms of being comes in. We have seen soldiers come about what I’m capable of doing.” firefighter, this is the place to come.”

30 Soldiers May 2002 31 Focus on People Compiled by Heike Hasenauer

what can I say? I shot 18, and, of course, I always want better. But it was great. “I didn’t feel so great before the race today,” added Teela, a member of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program who is on active-duty status while participating in that program. “But I’m sure glad that I raced.” “I still can’t believe this,” said U.S. coach Algis Salna, who won a gold medal in the biathlon relay race for the Soviet Union in 1984. “Jeremy cleaning the final two stages is incredible.” Vermont Army Guard SGT Kristina Sabasteanski finished 55th and Minnesota Army Guard SPC Kara Salmela finished 59th in the women’s 15-kilometer race, the day’s first event. Sabasteanski, also an Army world-class athlete, missed four targets and finished in 55 minutes, .9 second. Salmela missed eight targets and finished in 57:25.9. — MSG Bob Haskell, National Guard Bureau Public Affairs Office

ETIRED GEN Carl Stiner — the second general to Rhead Special Operations Command and former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps — recently teamed with novelist Tom Clancy to write a chapter on the aftermath of Sept. 11 and the war against terrorism for the newly published book, “Shadow Warriors, Inside the Special Forces.” Clancy and Stiner met hundreds of fans at a Feb. 11 book signing at a shopping mall near the Pentagon. Some people waited in line for hours to have their books signed by the authors. “This book is dedicated to all the great soldiers, Teela: Tying the U.S. standard in men’s biathlon competition. sailors, airmen and marines with whom I have been privileged to serve during 35 years of service,” said ERMONT Army National Guard soldier SPC Jer- Stiner in the book’s prologue. “Among these, an elite Vemy Teela charged to a remarkably strong 14th- brotherhood of warriors deserves the highest possible place finish and tied the United States’ standard in the recognition — our nation’s men’s 20-kilometer race at the XIX Winter Olympics’ special-operations force, past The biathlon competition near Heber City, Utah. and present. The Alaska native’s performance in the combina- “To those who have sacri- Alaska tion shooting and skiing event was hailed as the best ficed their lives in defense of native’s effort by an American in 30 years for the modern our freedom, we owe our deep- individual Olympic competition. Two other Americans est respect and gratitude. To performance finished 14th in the 20-kilometer race in 1960 and 1972, their families, we offer our was hailed before biathletes began using newer skiing styles and deepest sympathy and using .22-caliber rifles. prayers for their future,” he as the best Teela missed just two of 20 targets and skied wrote. effort by an strongly enough to cover the 12.4-mile distance in 53 “Our main goal in publish- minutes, 56.5 seconds, during his first Olympic race. He ing this book was to educate American in finished 2:53.2 behind gold medallist Ole Einar the public about what special 30 years ... Bjoerndalen of Norway after missing one target in each forces soldiers do in peace- of the first prone and standing shooting stages. He hit all time and in war, and to let 10 of his final targets. taxpayers know that they’re “My skis were so fast — stupid fast,” said the 25- year-old Teela. “The wax guys did such a great job that Stiner (left) and Clancy: I could not have asked for better. As for my shooting, Signing the new book.

32 Soldiers getting the maximum amount pos- dlers were on assignment at the sible out of each dollar spent on Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake the elite forces.” City, Utah. The book traces the transfor- The teams “are constantly gone,” mation of the special forces from said SFC David Reiter, the com- the core of outsiders in the 1950s pany kennel master. “Since Sept. “Since to special forces’ rebirth in the late 11, everybody wants dogs. They’re Sept. 11, 1980s and into the new century. a hot commodity,” so much so that “President Kennedy and BG it’s a challenge to schedule manda- everybody Bill Yarborough saw the need for tory proficiency training, said Reiter, wants changes in special operations in Lowrey and canine partner Kiko: who’s worked with military canine In demand. the 1960s, a time of new threats units for 15 years. dogs. from the Soviet Union and from insurgencies. Unfortu- Lowrey, a relative newcomer to the field, with about They’re a nately, our organization shrank considerably after Viet- four years of canine duty, has worked with Kiko for two nam, mostly because each service ran its own special years. They trained for their duties at the working dog hot com- operations. When money got tight, they cut special training center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. modity.” ops,” Stiner said. “When I was a sophomore in high school I decided “The special-operations forces did a great job at I wanted to be a police officer in the military,” he said. what they were told to do, but they were too special- Since joining the Army he’s gone to the World ized,” he said. “In 1986 the Goldwater-Nichols Act and Series with the president and is currently performing the Cohen-Nunn Amendment transformed special forces missions at Camp David, Md. “I’ve gone on a White forever. The act created U.S. Special Operations Com- House tour with a Secret Service agent and stayed at mand and centralized all the special-operations forces.” five-star hotels. — Army News Service Movie stars going to these hotels can’t IFE has been more hectic than usual lately for SSG bring their pets, but LMartin Lowrey and his canine partner, Kiko. The we’re allowed to military policeman and his 6-year-old, bomb-sniffing bring our working CPT Mike Sennett German shepherd have been on the go almost con- dogs.” — Linda D. stantly since Sept. 11. Kozaryn, American On Jan. 24, for example, Lowrey and Kiko, of the Forces Press Ser- Fort Myer, Va., Military Police Company Canine Sec- vice tion, started their day at Fort Meade, Md., wrapping up a week-long temporary assignment. By 10 a.m. they FC Gary A. were at Fort Belvoir, Va., about 60 miles to the south, S Ballew didn’t testing their explosive-detection skills at a warehouse think twice about training site. entering a neigh- Just before noon, bor’s burning house Ballew (right): Lifesaver. Lowrey got word he had to save a 5-year-old a real mission. And by girl. 6 p.m. he and Kiko had “Anybody else would have done the same thing,” to be in Cincinnati to Ballew said modestly. conduct a bomb sweep In fact, Ballew, who was stationed at Fort Bragg, in preparation for a visit N.C., at the time, risked his own life as he low-crawled by Vice President Dick into the building to rescue the trapped girl, according to Cheney. the Lake Rim, N.C., fire chief. He saved the girl’s life, the The Fort Myer ca- chief said, by administering first aid until rescue person- nine teams support lo- nel arrived on the scene. cal military bases and LTG Dan K. McNeill, commander of XVIII Airborne routinely go on mis- Corps, presented Ballew with the Soldier’s Medal, the sions across the coun- highest award a soldier can receive for non-combat- try and around the related heroism. world to help protect top Ballew is assigned to First U.S. Army as an ob- U.S. government offi- server-controller and trainer with the Fort Stewart, Ga.,- cials. Two of Lowrey’s based 4th Brigade, 87th Division. — First U.S. Army nine fellow dog han- PAO

May 2002 33 Postmarks Compiled by SSG Alberto Betancourt From Army Posts Around the World

tainees. If they were aware of the prayer call beforehand, most didn’t understand the meaning of it. Now no one is left in the dark, as an Islamic education

SGT Thorin Sprandel class is afforded to all incoming service members. The first to receive the class were soldiers from the 988th Military Police Company, Fort Benning, Ga., who joined other soldiers and marines already guarding the detainees in Cuba. According to Saiful-Islam, it is vital all personnel receive the class prior to assuming du- ties at Camp X-Ray. “These are the service members who will be guarding and taking care of detainees’ needs day after day, so it is critical they have an under- A Tunisian paratrooper moves to collapse his canopy during the U.S.-Tunisian jump exchange that standing of the Islamic religion,” was a key component of Exercise Atlas Drop ’02. he said. During the class Saiful-Is- Cap Serrat, Tunisia exercise, which included Guantanamo Bay, Cuba lam discusses the Islamic be- breaching and trenching the lief system, basic terms used U.S., Tunisian Troops line, the 173rd Combat Support Soldiers Explore Islam by Islamic followers, and the Join Forces Company’s assault and barrier at Camp X-Ray five pillars of faith — the decla- platoon moved tons of soil, im- ration of faith, prayer, purifica- U.S paratroopers, along with proved the wooden structure of WHEN Navy Lt. Abuhena M. tion of wealth, fasting and pil- Tunisian forces, jumped into the the trench and constructed a Saiful-Islam, the Muslim chap- grimage. Cap Serrat countryside during cement culvert to help drain the lain for Joint Task Force-160, He also explains to soldiers Exercise Atlas Drop ’02. trench. conducted the first “call to how each of these would fall in Led by U.S. soldiers from “Our job was to improve prayer” at Camp X-Ray, many with the job they are doing and the Italy-based 173rd Airborne the trench, ensuring we get re- service members were just as how they could best perform Brigade, the two-week exercise alistic and safe training,” said surprised as some of the de- their jobs while not violating de- consisted of a joint U.S.-Tuni- SPC Cesareo Meza, a con- sian jump exchange, live-fire struction-equipment operator. exercises, and squad-, platoon- After the jump, paratroop- and company-level situational ers from both countries partici- training exercises. pated in a ceremonial airborne The addition of the wing exchange. brigade’s Reconnaissance “This is the best Atlas Drop Company, hidden in the Tuni- we’ve had, and I hope next year sian hills and providing surveil- will be even better,” said bri- lance for the exercise, set this gade commander COL James Sgt. Joshua S. Higgens, USMC year’s training apart from last C. Yarbrough. year’s. Atlas Drop began in 1996 “The best thing is when as an annually scheduled exer- someone comes near my posi- cise that demonstrates the tion and doesn’t see me,” said 173rd Abn. Bde.’s ability to de- SGT Christopher McGrath, re- ploy quickly and conduct joint connaissance-team leader. and combined missions. — “That gets my heart pumping.” SGT Thorin Sprandel, 173rd Chaplain (LT) Abuhena M. Saiful-Islam speaks to soldiers about Before the live-fire assault Abn. Bde. PAO the religious rights of Muslim detainees at Camp X-Ray.

34 Soldiers SSG Jake Ruiz

Arnold Schwarzenegger joins SFC Jesus Piñeda of the Texas National Guard’s Company C, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry, atop a Bradley fighting vehicle at Camp McGovern, Bosnia. tainees’ rights in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Conven- Eagle Base, Bosnia 49th Infantry Division who ac- a morale booster.” tions. companied the star inside the A few lucky soldiers at Saiful-Islam said some con- Schwarzenegger Bradley. the fitness center pumped cerns over the detainees’ rights Visits Eagle Base CPL Phillip M. Kriner of a little iron during an im- were voiced upon his arrival in the Fort Drum, N.Y.-based promptu workout session Cuba. The issue, he said, has MOVIE icon and body- 10th Mountain Div. was ex- with the muscle man. since dwindled following posi- builder Arnold Schwarzen- cited to get his idol’s auto- The “Terminator” tive reports from the Interna- egger recently took his lat- graph. pledged before his depar- tional Committee of the Red est blockbuster, “Collateral “I’ve watched all his films,” ture: “I’ll be back!” — SSG Cross/Red Crescent and De- Damage,” to Eagle Base, he said. John W. House, 382nd Mo- fense Secretary Donald H. Bosnia. During his visit, Schwarz- bile Public Affairs Detach- Rumsfeld. “I have often played enegger signed autographs, ment “Issues were brought to my an action hero in the mov- posed for photos attention by some of the detain- ies, but you soldiers are with soldiers, and ees that prayer had been dis- the real action heroes,” the told them he ap- turbed,” said Saiful-Islam. “The actor said, introducing his preciated all their reason this occurs is because newest thriller to a packed hard work. service members may not rec- house inside the base’s “America is ognize when a detainee is pray- fest tent. the land of oppor- SSG John W. House ing, or some of the customs Before the evening tunity,” he said. “I Islamic followers abide by. I premiere, Schwarzeneg- and everybody think this class will clear things ger visited Camp who enjoys suc- up.” McGovern, where he fired cess in America For guards at Camp X-Ray, the M-16 assault rifle at knows it’s be- the class is a welcome tool that the simulator range and cause you pro- they hope will help them on the the M-240 machine gun tect our country.” job. with live ammunition, and “We haven’t “I think if we respect the took a ride on a Bradley got the big names detainees, they will probably fighting vehicle. visiting out here,” be more cooperative with our “He was really nice to said SSG security measures,” said SPC be around. I was very re- Michael Krozer, a Melissa D. Manes. “This will laxed,” said SFC Jesus Louisiana Army make our job much easier.” — Piñeda, a member of the Guard soldier. Schwarzenegger autographs a photo for Marine Sgt. Joshua S. Higgins, Army National Guard’s “This is definitely CPL Phillip M. Kriner of the 10th Mtn. Div. Joint Information Bureau

May 2002 35 Sharp Shooters Photos by SGT William A. Graves

s the “Home of the AInfantry” Fort Ben- ning, Ga., is one of U.S. Army Training and Doc- trine Command’s busiest training hubs. Covering Infantry Training Brigade soldiers 184,000 acres in south- from 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry

SGT William A. Graves Regiment, practice their bayonet ern Georgia, the installa- skills. tion is home to the Infan- try Training Brigade and a basic training combat PVT Charles Vogelsong sounds off brigade. It also boasts during bayonet drill. such training facilities as Two airborne stu- the Airborne, Ranger anddents prepare to land at Fryer Drop Fitness schools. SGT Zone. William A. Graves cap-

tured on film some of the SSG Lee Wright shows PVT Kyle Keihn the proper way to deliver a training that takes place butt stroke. at Fort Benning every day.

PVT Jason Engel (on top, at right) practices “passing the guard” with PVT Richard Britton (bot- tom) as SSG Joseph Gagnon in- structs them in combatives dur- ing basic training.

Standard photo submissions for Soldiers Sharp Shooters can be mailed to: Photo Editor, Soldiers, 9325 Gunston Road, Ste. S108, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5581. Photo submissions of digital images should be directed to: alberto.betancourt@belvoir .army.mil. All submissions must include an introductory paragraph and captions.

36 Soldiers May 2002 37 Legal Forum by Steven Chucala

Budget Counseling Credit Cards Get Off the Debt DebtDebtDebt WagonWagonWagon

of sources that can be quoted. Alleged causes range from the deregulation of the credit industry, resulting in loosening of underwriting standards, to remarks that more laws are needed to protect citizens from banks and moneylenders. Reading these arguments, the private debtor is often tempted to complain, “It’s not my fault, I shouldn’t have been granted credit in the first place.” It’s a defense people are using more frequently to avoid personal responsibility. Credit cards are but one aspect of debt, yet they epitomize current consumer behavior. The National Law Center recently reported that 75 percent of U.S. households have at least one credit card debt from month to month. Yet it’s no wonder that consumers are “addicted” to credit, since lenders have issued more than 1 billion cards, a number equivalent to sending a dozen credit cards to each household in the country. “Dollar debt” continued to escalate in 2001, with no letup in sight. In 1997, the dollar value of outstanding loans was $442 billion. This fig- ure is twice the dollar amount of

1993, just four years earlier. M o re De ANY service members, retirees and their fami- Zeroing in on 1997 alone, the bt lies are in firm contention for championship credit industry mailed 3 billion status in the “Debt Olympics,” having amassed solicitations, or about 41 per M burdensome obligations and defaults on their household. The number in- credit payments. The evidence can be found in their creased in 2000 to 3.3 billion frequent visits to legal-assistance offices to get relief solicitations. from unmanageable bills that adversely impact family harmony, credit standings, security clearances, job Debt is a Military Problem performance and military career potential. America has the highest level of educated citizens Overall, one family in nine spends more than 40 in its history, yet many people appear helpless in percent of its income on debt service. At income levels handling their personal financial affairs, and a growing below $25,000, this number rises to one in six. Since number of them are filing for bankruptcy each year. As many military personnel fall within this lower-income for the military community, it’s all too frequently repre- group, such debt is of increasing concern in the Army. sented in the statistics, since it’s a reflection of our But families in higher income brackets are not immune civilian society. and also fall prey to extensive debt obligations. Commanders and legal assistance attorneys once Who’s to Blame? believed that junior soldiers would not get credit-card solicitations, or that their credit would not be approved. Opinions on the causes of increasing debt and That assumption was clearly incorrect, as military fami- default on payments vary nearly as much as the number lies are being provided credit cards from multiple sources

Steven Chucala is chief of client services in the Office of the Staff Judge that, when used together, add up to thousands of credit Advocate at Fort Belvoir, Va. dollars. Even people who have declared bankruptcy

38 Soldiers often receive new credit cards, and they proceed to use In a sense, it’s Consumer them without hesitation. too bad that credit The government has attempted to protect consum- cards don’t immedi- Debt Rises ers by legislating a variety of federal and local laws ately remove funds concerning fair credit billing, credit collection and even from your wallet at credit reporting. But these laws cannot legislate con- the sales register. sumer self-restraint or common sense in credit and debt Rather, they create creation. a false belief that you Clients are experiencing severe stress, family dis- don’t have to worry putes and economic distress that cannot be cured by about the debt — that it will somehow be taken care of commanders and attorneys, since 99 percent of the in the future. If consumers treated each transaction debts are legally binding and were incurred without any from the perspective of “Do I have the money in my fraud on the part of the lender or seller. Furthermore, wallet to pay for the purchase?” then self-restraint might most soldiers have done too little, too late, having follow. sought help — through free budget counseling by Credit pitfalls include the low interest rates that are organizations such as the Army Community Services — offered to attract consumers but then escalate after an only after they are unable to meet their debt payments introductory period and climb even more dramatically and are faced with bad credit ratings, judicial judg- as a result of late payments. ments, property repossession or foreclosures. Coming Congressional Action? Avoiding the Debt Trap Many believe that all will be well if they file for Consumers could avoid this modern-day economic bankruptcy — and military and civilian families are filing disaster by asking themselves several questions before for bankruptcy in record numbers, to the point that incurring additional debt: federal legislation may soon tighten bankruptcy re- quirements. Congressional changes seek to establish a new Can I afford it? “means” test, so that if the debtor can cover at least 25 percent of the obligations over five years, he or she will Can I do without this purchase for this have to enter a court-supervised repayment plan in- year or until I can handle the debt? stead of being allowed to erase all debts immediately. While politicians and lobbyists continue to argue Will I be able to cover all of my debts a few what final form bankruptcy legislation should take, the months from now? unsolicited, “pre-approved” credit card offers keep show- ing up at the consumer’s door. What changes will the total debts demand of my lifestyle? What You Can Do Can I buy a cheaper item that will provide Your best defense against this assault is to simply me what I truly need? cut up and throw away these offers, and to stop future solicitations by making phone calls to each of the What will the item’s total cost be if I organizations that monitor credit usage: Equifax can’t make payments on time? at (888) 567-8688, Experian at (800) 353- 0809 and Trans Union at (800) 680-7293. And perhaps your best defense What money have I set aside for against misusing and possibly losing the unforeseen needs? credit privileges you have is to turn one of those old credit card Will this debt mean taking a second job to slogans around and “just leave make the payments? home without it.”

What impact will debts have on my job and the performance of my military duties?

May 2002 39 Marking Distance Home Story by Renita Foster the

UIZ any deployed soldier on what he or she might do to “I especially re- feel closer to home and many would likely say they’d erect member seeing Qa post with signs indicating the direction and distance to the signs toward their most special place on earth — home. Mile markers, like this one the end of World on Okinawa during World Soldiers call the makeshift dis- War II, have been common tance-direction indicators “mile since Roman times. markers,” “road signs” or “signposts.” War II, especially Vietnam veteran Herbert Brown, a civilian engineer in Indianapolis, Ind., in France.” said: “Signposts went up whenever we moved to new airfields, which was Retired BG John Kirk, a about six different times. We’d get to a military researcher in Seattle, new site and make the location signs Wash., agreed with Holmes’ with the slats from ammunition cases. I idea that signposts began with put up ‘Indianapolis’ for me.” the Romans and have existed since. “Legend has it that a stone column in what is now Signposts began with Normandy pointed Roman soldiers toward Rome,” Kirk said. the Romans and have O.B. Hill, a WWII veteran of the 82nd Airborne Another theory is associated Division, remembers mile markers being very with Icelandic explorer Leif common in Europe near the end of the war. existed since. Eriksson, thought to be the first European to land on the North Ameri- Air Base, Korea, in 1950. His sign “I especially remember seeing the can continent. The theory is that read: “Maine,” the place he longed to signs toward the end of World War II, Eriksson, upon seeing a graffiti- return to because his wife was living especially in France,” said O.B. Hill, a covered rock in northern Scotland, there. D-Day veteran from Cathedral City, followed the scrawled direction to Ken Leeman, a Korean War Calif., who served with the 82nd “turn left here” that brought him safely veteran from Lakewood, N.J., said Airborne Division. “I never heard the back to Norway. mile markers in Korea in 1950 were as posts referred to by any official term. common as the flight line, dispensary For me, they were simply reminders and barracks at Kimpo Air Base. that the places that were so dear to our And during the Gulf War, erecting hearts still existed. New York City was While they’re typically signposts was among the first chores almost always on a signpost some- soldiers performed, said Bruce Martin, where because every one of us was associated with war, then a transportation company com- either from there or would be going mander who now works at Fort through there to get home.” the signposts crop up Monmouth, N.J., as a management Most soldiers don’t know the origin analyst at the U.S. Army Communica- of the military signpost, said Charles- during noncombat tions and Electronics Command. The ton, W. Va., military historian and Air signs represented soldiers from every Force veteran Dan Holmes. He deployments as well. part of America. believes it dates to the time of Roman While they’re typi- armies, when their troops erected signs cally associated with war, marking the route to Rome. Al Blaney of Natick, Mass., a the signposts crop up veteran of both World War II and the during noncombat deploy- Renita Foster is assigned to the U.S. Army Communica- Korean War, remembered spending a ments as well, Martin said. tions-Electronics Command Public Affairs Office at Fort Monmouth, N.J. few days building a signpost at Taegu Bob Hopkins, a retired

40 Soldiers May 2002 41 because we were so far the Korean War, said Jeff Duford, a west of the United States. historian at the museum. And because we had He said one of the directional slats soldiers from Arizona, provided mileage to the nearest Massachusetts, Arkansas, “watering hole,” that is, place where a Michigan, Pennsylvania soldier could quench his thirst with a and Georgia, the names of tall glass of Cuban rum or Kentucky various cities in each of bourbon. those states had to be Yet another signpost, this one in mounted on the signpost,” Bosnia-Herzegovina, indicated a less Cleaveland said. than desirable state of morale among The exact mileage soldiers from Great Britain, France and from the DMZ to each city Germany; its “morale” directional was important, Cleaveland arrow pointed straight down, said Dr. added. “I liked remember- Jeffery Underwood, a U.S. Air Force ing the fact that Detroit Museum historian who photographed was 22 hours away by air, the post just outside Sarajevo. because that number was Vietnam veteran Bob Maras of much smaller than the Lakehurst, N.J., said mile markers actual mileage.” represent a vital link to home that a Besides bringing the soldier can visualize. They’re a names of hometowns to far reminder that he or she is only so off places, signposts can also indicate soldiers’ attitudes about a location “I liked remembering or assignment, Cleaveland said. the fact that Detroit During the Korean War, members of a unit was 22 hours away based at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, spelled their by air, because that feelings out like this: An American soldier changes a street sign in Nürnberg, “Group Headquarters, Too Germany, on April 20, 1945, signifying that the Yanks Damn Close” (to the number was much have arrived. action). The signpost was smaller than the warrant officer, remembered contrib- reconstructed from a photograph for an uting to the construction of mile exhibit at the U.S. Air Force Museum actual mileage.” markers while in Germany, during at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Return of Forces to Germany exer- Ohio, during the armed forces’ com- many miles from home and will travel cises in the 1970s. Soldiers in various memoration of the 50th anniversary of those miles again en route home. units made a contest out of trying to Signposts are also extensions of a create the most elaborate signpost soldier’s imagination, passion and around, he said. sense of humor, Duford said. “Before I knew it, we had a The mile marker Cleaveland massive pole bearing the names of associated with home while he was dozens of cities,” Hopkins said. The stationed near the Korean DMZ stood signpost became a conversation piece right outside his barracks door, so he that helped bridge gaps between passed it several times a day. soldiers, introducing those from the “I had two kids at the time, and I same towns or cities and allowing thought about them every time I passed them to share stories about places and the sign,” Cleaveland said. “I even people they had in common. patted it every day for luck. Signpost construction began within “Signposts always bring back the hours of SSG George Cleaveland’s memories of home,” he said. “That’s a arrival at Camp Stanley, Korea, in very positive thing. Because home is 1996, where he served with the 2nd number one.” Infantry Division near the demilita- rized zone. Today he’s an MP at Fort SSG George Cleaveland remembers that Monmouth. the mileage signs on markers in Korea “Basically, everything faced east, all pointed east, toward home.

42 Soldiers A Tank to

RememberRememberBy John Slee and 1LT David Key

VINTAGE American tank Haitian Defense Forces installation. Records indicate that almost two- found in Haiti will soon take When CMH acquired the tanks for thirds of the Stuart tanks produced its place among other Army display in Army museums, the M3A1 went to America’s allies through the antiques at the 1st Armored was moved to an Army depot in Lend-Lease program. Recipients ADivision Museum in Baumholder, Anniston, Ala., and later shipped to the included both Britain and China. The Germany, thanks to Military Traffic Army Reserve’s 88th Regional Support rest went to the U.S. Army. Management Command personnel who Command at Fort Snelling, Minn. The most notable use of the tank moved the rusted vehicle by ship and The M3A1 Stuart is still equipped was in the North African campaign, barge to Baumholder, where it will be with its 37mm cannon and original beginning in November 1942. This completely restored. engine and air filters. The only missing was the first tank to be used in combat In its half-century life, the 1942-era part is the cannon’s breech block. there by the 1st Armd. Div. M3A1 Stuart tank has seen service in MTMC’s Netherlands-based 838th The M3 was successfully various countries, according to histori- Transportation Battalion unloaded the used to defeat a larger ans at the U.S. Army Center of Mili- tank from the USNS Faust at Antwerp, force of Vichy French Additional tary History in Washington, D.C. Belgium. Then MTMC’s Rhine River Renault tanks at Oran, information on the They said the tank — one of 3,427 Detachment from Mannheim, Ger- Algeria. Later, the 1st Armd. Div. built — first surfaced at the end of many, barged the “dinosaur” to tank was used with Museum is available at World War II, when it was one of six Baumholder. success against www.baumholder.army. World War II-era Army tanks sold by a The 37th Trans. Bn. later moved it weaker Italian mil/museum/museum.htm European government to Haiti. The to the nearby 1st Armd. Div. Museum, armor, the tanks were reconditioned by the Ferrari where it will be restored to its original historians said. Motor Company, in Italy, and then 1942 condition before being displayed With only a 37mm main shipped across the Atlantic Ocean. with some 40 other combat vehicles, gun and relatively light armor, The Army first became aware of said museum director Dan Peterson. the tank was no match for the the tanks in 1994, when a special Recovery of the tank has created a armor of Field Marshall Erwin forces team, which included sensation among military vehicle Rommel’s Afrika Korps. So the museum specialist Jim Speraw, enthusiasts, he said. mission of the Stuart tanks was found the inoperable “Classic military vehicle reduced to reconnaissance and infiltra- tanks at Camp De clubs are very interested in tion. In this new role, the tank’s low Application, a this tank because it’s the first weight and high speed gave it a one to arrive in Europe in decided advantage. John Slee is chief of the 838th Trans. Bn.’s Terminal Management its original In 1942 an improved version, Division. 1LT David Key configuration,” boasting sloping armor, was devel- commands the Rhine River De- said John Slee, oped. It was designated the M3A3 and tachment. chief of the was nearly the same as the next battalion’s version, the M5. All of these tanks traffic- were named after the famous Confed- management erate cavalry leader J.E.B. Stuart. division. The entire Stuart series of light tanks was replaced in 1944 by the M24 General Chaffee tank. Speraw said CMH is interested in other vehicles and equipment from World War II, including Sherman tanks, half-tracks and armored cars. Anyone with information about possible procurement of World War II

Karel Philipse (both) MTMC contractor Thierry van Zandebergen checks shipment documents upon the materiel may call Speraw at (202) 685- M3A1’s arrival in Belgium. The tank is one of 3,427 examples built. 2464.

May 2002 43 Story by DealingDealing WithWithDeathDeathHeike Hasenauer

S people around the world specialist in the Army. Only then were

Jim Bolton continue to focus on the war the litter teams allowed to enter against terrorism, so, too, do portions of the collapsed west wing of they realize that more U.S. the Pentagon. Heike Hasenauer Asoldiers fighting in Afghanistan “This has been a first-time experi- and other trouble spots around the ence for me,” Boyer said of perform- world will undoubtedly die on foreign ing the job he was trained to do in a soil. real-life, mass-casualty situation. He A soldier doesn’t take the oath of had only recently joined the unit as its enlistment without knowing that death commander in May 2001. is an occupational hazard. But, as is He previously taught and wrote true for mainstream society, death can doctrine at Fort Lee’s Mortuary Affairs come much more unexpectedly in Center, where all mortuary-affairs peacetime. specialists are trained. In Afghanistan, and across the “Training helps us prepare for what Army, specially trained soldiers, most we do. But you can never be fully of them in the Army Reserve, must prepared for something like what deal with death when tragedy strikes. happened at the Pentagon. I still get During Soldiers’ visit, CPT Corey choked up,” Boyer said. “I felt very Boyer commanded the 54th Quarter- badly for the families. It just made my master Company, the Army’s only heart ache.” active-duty mortuary-affairs company, At the same time, he said, “the stationed at Fort Lee, Va. experience prompted me to refocus on A day after the Sept. 11 terrorist the importance of human life and Training for mortuary-affairs specialists attack on the Pentagon, he and other family. I also know how important our also includes preparation of remains for soldiers from his company performed job is. Recovering remains and shipment to their final resting place. the painstaking and heartbreaking returning them to families provides Air Force plane carrying Commerce mission of recovering and preparing some comfort to those families. We’re Secretary Ron Brown and others. remains. giving them closure.” Members of the 54th QM Co. were Initially, five 7-person teams were The need for soldiers trained to also in Oklahoma City following the on-site. recover, process and send home the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah “A gruesome part of the work bodies of the dead has always been Federal Building. Sixteen soldiers involved removing the rubble and critical in combat. Soldiers from the from the 54th worked 12-hour shifts searching through it for remains,” said 54th QM Co. have traveled around the for two weeks following that blast, LTG Thomas J. Plewes, commander of world to recover and return the bodies placing remains in body bags and the Army Reserve. of soldiers killed while conducting moving them to a temporary identifica- A Reserve mortuary-affairs unit, missions in hostile lands. And it isn’t tion tent. Then they worked with the 311th QM Co. from Puerto Rico, just soldiers they recover. officials from the Oklahoma City had arrived on the scene two days later Grigler deployed with the unit in Medical Examiner’s Office to identify to augment the 54th. response to the 1983 bombing of the them. Because the Pentagon disaster site U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, “Our primary mission is to recover was an active crime scene, FBI Lebanon; the attack on the USS Stark; remains with dignity and respect,” (Above) A trowel, here laying beside replica bones used for train- officials first conducted their own and the killing of 18 special forces Grigler said. ing, is one of the most important tools in the recovery of remains. investigations of the criminal nature of soldiers in Somalia. He also partici- In mortuary-affairs specialist (Right) Soldiers training to become mortuary-affairs specialists the deaths, said SGM Alfred Grigler, pated in the recovery of remains training, students study map reading; unearth a replica skeleton during an exercise at Fort Lee, Va. the senior enlisted mortuary-affairs following the crash in Croatia of an search and recovery operations;

Jim Bolton

44 Soldiers May 2002 45 “A lot of soldiers who enter this field think

Jim Bolton they’ll be dealing with funeral details — flags, somber music, salutes. They won’t.”

mortuary-affairs specialists know what they will be doing upon graduating from the six-week course. One instructor at the school said: “A lot of soldiers who enter this field Heike Hasenauer think they’ll be dealing with funeral details — flags, somber music, salutes. They won’t.” While they usually don’t perform autopsies, Grigler said, mortuary- affairs specialists may assist in con- ducting them if they’re assigned to Army mortuary facilities overseas, as at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Soldiers from LRMC have also rotated in and out of Bosnia and Kosovo since 1995, where their assistance has been required. Sometimes the preparation of During a training exercise, SPC Jacob remains for viewing and burial re- Vigil notes the exact position of a rep- lica skeleton before beginning to exca- quires mortuary-affairs specialists to vate it. clean bodies from head to toe, shave dead soldiers or suture remains after an Classes in human anatomy and the struc- autopsy. ture of the human skeleton are vital as- gridding (to establish grid coordinates Mortuary-affairs specialists see pects of the mortuary-affairs training. and azimuth readings marking the some horrific stuff, said Grigler, who location of every set of remains or was a mortician before joining the dealing with the death of others. parts of remains found); interment and Army. “We work on remains and focus Soldiers in this MOS stay in the disinterment; and mortuary operations. on just that. It’s only afterward that the MOS because “they understand that They also learn about the human realization of what we’ve seen and they work for the families — people skeletal system in order to distinguish dealt with hits us.” they’ll never see and who will never human remains from those of animals. Counseling before, during and after know them. But by bringing closure And there are fingerprinting and dental missions helps mortuary-affairs for the family, they help them in identification classes. Mortuary-affairs specialists cope with the aftermath of dealing with their loss,” Boyer said. personnel do tentative identifications only, but completion of dental charts is part of the job of processing remains. In the first and fifth weeks of the training, students visit the state medical examiner’s office in Rich- Paul Sweeney mond, Va., where they get a hands-on perspective, Grigler said. “They examine remains, assist in performing autopsies and take tissue samples,” he added. “They see remains before the remains arrive at a funeral home, and have been prepared and placed in a casket.” Following the first visit, they undergo a psychiatric evaluation to ensure they’re OK, Grigler said. Most of the students have never been exposed to death, he said. It’s PV2 Jessica Lee Haberstroh examines a mannequin’s teeth and notes her observa- important to the Army that prospective tions on the “victim’s” medical record.

46 Soldiers Be a part of your magazine Send Your Photos to Soldiers

oldiers wants you, your family and friends 10 Sto be part of our hottest issue of the year. Tips for Photo Success We’re already planning our 2003 almanac ORE than half the photos we receive each and once again need your help. Myear never make it to the final selection A large part of each almanac is “This Is Our process, mostly for avoidable reasons. Follow Army,” a photo feature that tells the Army story at these simple tips to be sure your photos have the local level. the best chance of being selected. If you have candid photos of the Army family at 1. Complete the accompanying entry form work or play, send them in NOW. The only and carefully attach it to the back of each photo restriction is that your photos should be taken you send, or provide a way of linking it to each image. between Aug. 16, 2001, and Aug. 15, 2002, and 2. be sent to us by Sept. 1. Make sure your package is postmarked by the Sept. 1, 2002 deadline. Soldiers requires color prints or slides. We 3. Send only photos taken between Aug. don’t need fancy 8x10 prints — regular 4x6 prints 16, 2001, and Aug. 15, 2002. will do. We can accept digital images, but they 4. Check closely to be sure your photos must be very high resolution (minimum is 5x7 at don’t show obvious uniform or safety violations. 300 dpi), the kind taken with a professional digital 5. Identify people in each photo by full camera. If your images can fit onto a floppy disk, name, rank and correct unit designation; and they are too small. Please do not send prints made provide a means of contacting you if we have from digital images. Also, please DO NOT e-mail any questions about the information you’ve sent. photo submissions. 6. To enter, complete a copy of the form below Don’t send snapshots of people staring into the camera. Candid photos are usually and attach it to each photo you send. Photos better. without complete caption information will not be 7. Send only quality images: No Polaroids; considered. Photos and accompanying information no out-of-focus, discolored or torn images; and cannot be returned. no prints from digital images. If you have questions, contact our photo editor 8. Don’t write on the back of your prints, by phone at (703) 806-4504 or (DSN) 656-4504, or because this may damage the images. Also, via e-mail to [email protected]. avoid using staples and paper clips on photos. Mail your entries with prints or slides to: 9. Protect your images. Use cardboard to reinforce your package before you mail. Soldiers; ATTN: Photo Editor; 9325 Gunston 10. Rd., Suite S-108; Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5581. If you plan to send digital images, follow the guidelines in our Style Guide, posted on “Writing and Shooting for Soldiers Magazine” Soldiers Online at and the Soldiers Style Guide, are both www.soldiersmagazine.com available at www.soldiersmagazine.com.

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May 2002 47 Around the Services Compiled by Paul Disney from service reports

Air Force The Civil Air Patrol celebrated 60 years of service with a wreath- laying ceremony at the CAP Memo- rial at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony paid special tribute to the World War II coastal patrol members, nick- named the “sub chasers,” who used their own private planes armed with bombs and depth charges to hunt for German U-boats. The sub chasers are credited with sinking two subs. Today, CAP pilots fly 85 percent of inland Coast Guard search-and-rescue missions in the nation. In the largest homeland-defense and port-security operation since World War II, the Coast Guard mobilized more than 2,000 Reservists immediately after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In January alone, the Coast Guard conducted 30,000 port-security patrols and 3,000 air patrols, boarded 1,792 high-interest vessels, and escorted 5,112 vessels in and out of ports. The Coast Guard protects the 95,000 miles of America’s coastline, including the Great Lakes and inland waterways.

Department of Defense Construction workers continue laboring around the clock at the Pentagon, pouring concrete and placing rebar to create the new walls of the D ring. The plastic molds being used replicate the 1941 wooden plank frame- work used in the original construction project. Engineers expect the repairs to be completed by Sept. 11.

Navy A recently identified sailor killed in the December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was reburied in March at the Na- tional Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Seaman Apprentice Thomas Hembree was serving aboard the seaplane tender USS Curtiss when it was struck by a Japanese bomb, killing 21 sailors aboard. All but two of the dead crewmen — Hembree and Seaman First Class Wilson A. Rice — were accounted for following the attack. The U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii identified Hembree’s remains.

U.S. Government Printing Office: 2002—491-54020028

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48 Soldiers Corps

This completed section of the Corps-built highway Road linked Kandahar with Herat.

Even today, many roadways in rural Afghanistan are little more than rock-strewn tracks through the rugged terrain. Modernization

URING the 1960s the U.S. Army project was the completion of a 75- Corps of Engineers’ Mediterra- mile road from Herat to Islam Qala on During the nean Division oversaw a pro- the Iranian frontier. The project cost 1960s the U.S. Army Dgram to modernize Afghan- more than $70 million. Corps of Engineers’ istan’s road system, a rudimentary Although the Corps played a major 1,700-mile circular route of rock-bed role in providing Afghanistan with a Mediterranean Division and dirt linking principal towns. modern highway, the system never oversaw a program to The Afghanistan Area Office of the realized the full aspirations Corps Mediterranean Division’s Gulf District planners had for it. After 1979, the modernize Afghanistan’s was established at Kabul and the road network was used by Soviet rudimentary road district opened a resident office in forces during their invasion and Kandahar in January 1961 to supervise occupation of the country, and ulti- links between principal the construction. mately fell into disrepair. cities and towns. The highway project began with the construction of a 96-mile spur from Kandahar to the border with Pakistan at Spin Buldak. Although this road was completed relatively quickly and without too many hassles, the building of the 300-mile road from Kabul to Kandahar posed another challenge. Numerous problems plagued work crews, including a border clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan that ultimately restricted construction for several years and required the contrac- tor to develop alternate routes for transporting equipment and supplies, principally through Mashhad, Iran, to Herat, and then on to Kandahar. The road was finally completed in the summer of 1966. The final phase of the highway Building this section of the highway, from Kabul to Kandahar, first required the laying of Text provided by USACE Office of History. a special subbase layer across miles of forbidding desert.

May 2002 49 Carl Robert Arvin Carl R. Arvin was the Cadet First Captain (the highest-ranking cadet) and wrestling team captain during his senior year at West Point. The Ypsilanti, Mich., native was killed in action in Vietnam on Oct. 8, 1967. He was posthumously awarded two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart.

2 West Point — 200 Years of Athletic Excellence Soldiers