Black Jack Troops Find Operation Black Eagle: Soldiers Get Away From All in Persistence Pays Off on Soldiers See Success in Heart of Baghdad Haifa Street Diwaniyah Page 7 Page 14 Page 24 Volume I, Issue 11 “Telling the MND-Baghdad Story” Monday, April 30, 2007 DoD Unveils Compensation Program for Long Deployments American Forces Press Service & MND-B Staff was to give active-duty troops two years at home station for is in no way trying to put a physical value on their service. every year deployed, and reserve component troops five “This program can’t be viewed as being commensurate WASHINGTON – The Defense Department April 18 years at home station for every year deployed. with the level of service that they offer to the nation. In many unveiled a program that will reward administrative leave to Under the new policy, active-duty service members respects, while it is substantive and it is tangible, it’s also sym- service members whose service in combat does not meet the who are deployed for more than 12 months in a 36-month bolic. It’s part of our recognition that we’re keeping them in our department’s goal for the time at home station between period will earn one day of administrative absence for each thoughts and we’re trying to do something for them,” he said. deployments. month beyond 12. If service members are deployed for The policy is retroactive to Jan. 19, so any service mem- DoD has had a policy since 2004 that pays service mem- more than 18 months in a 36-month period, they will earn ber who was deployed or involuntarily mobilized from that bers who are extended in theater beyond 12 months $1,000 a two days of a month. Past 24 months, they will earn four day forward, whose service exceeds the time frame in the month. That policy is still in effect. days a month. policy, will earn the days off, Dominguez said. Also, any “What I have been told by finance and the (Multi- Members of the reserve components will earn one day of troops who were deployed within the last three years, and are National Division - Baghdad human resources and adminis- administrative absence a month for every month beyond 12, deployed now, will earn administrative leave for their current trative office), is that if we are officially extended by the two days if they are mobilized past 18 months, and four days deployment, he said. Secretary of Defense then we will still receive an additional if they are mobilized past 24 months in a 72-month period. In deciding what compensation to give service members $200 per month hardship duty pay and $800 a month in Administrative absences are days off authorized by the who are deployed more frequently than DoD would like, assignment incentive pay, which is the $1,000 we have all commander, and are separate from normal leave accrued by defense officials considered a range of options, Dominguez been hearing about,” said Capt. Jon Flores, the Division a service member. said. Monetary compensation was considered, but time off Special Troops Battalion personnel officer. In a Pentagon news conference announcing the policy, seemed the logical choice. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates directed the devel- Michael Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of The administrative leave service members earn under opment of the new reward program Jan. 19, when he imple- defense for personnel and readiness, said that this program is this policy will stay with them through their military career mented a force management policy stating that DoD’s goal meant to recognize the sacrifices service members make, but and can be used anytime, with commander approval, he said. (U.S. Army photo) Nahias (local Iraqi governments) and Qadas (regional Iraqi governments) throughout the Baghdad province meet April 14 during the Baghdad Provincial Council Conference held in the Iraqi capital to discuss their progress made in 2006 and future projects for 2007. Provincial Conference Covers Progress, Planning By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Nahias (similar to town governments) and Qadas (compared with counties) throughout the Baghdad province met with their regional council April 14 during the Baghdad Provincial Council Conference held in Baghdad to discuss their progress in 2006 and future projects for 2007. Representatives from all six Qadas in the Baghdad Province and most of the Nahias attended the Iraqi-led conference. Serving only as (Photo by Pfc. William Hatton, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) observers who provided advice when needed, senior leaders from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, as well as members of Ready and Waiting Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams (EPRT) and civil affairs specialists, were also on hand for the event. A Soldier with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat “This was an opportunity for the Qadas to bring up issues related Team, 2nd Infantry Division, pulls security for his squad as they move toward the forest dur- ing a mission to search for caches in Baghdad’s Al Mansour neighborhood April 4. See Conference Page 4 Page 2 People April 30, 2007 Extension Announcement A Soldier’s Perspective Means We Stay on Course By Sgt. Todd Selge, Since we have been in Mosul, the ISF have been the main effort. On April 11 the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment Our joint successes include finding countless Secretary of Defense Pegasus 6 caches, killing or capturing anti-Iraqi force person- announced a new policy When you hear about the war in Iraq, you hear Sends nel and thwarting attacks targeting coalition extending the length of it from a high-level Army spokesperson or you forces. The ISF continue to gain the confidence of deployment tours for active hear tragedy and “another deadly day” from the their fellow countrymen. duty U.S. Army units in media. The view on the ground, from the Soldier’s Maj. Gen. We are also building important and long-last- Iraq up to 15 months. perspective, is often overlooked. Joseph F. Fil, ing relationships with the surrounding communi- I, like most of you, We are the ones who live the conflict every ties. We continuously visit schools and neighbor- learned of this after Jr. day, who see the progress day to day. We are the hoods to give the kids backpacks full of supplies, Secretary Gates was forced ones who experience the sorrows, deal face to face hand out candy and listen to the concerns of the to publicly announce the policy change. with the people and see the enemy’s effort to undo people. We ask about their basic services such as I share Lt. Gen. Odierno’s regret that we were not able to share this every good thing the Iraqi people and coalition food, water, electricity and fuel. We hand out cards important information with you and your families through command chan- forces have done. with hotline numbers to address any problems and nels prior to the public announcement. What every Soldier wants is to succeed in our we share handshakes. The shift to a 15-month deployment cycle is part of the Army’s decision mission and go home to our families. The things We see the smiles of a hopeful generation to sustain our capabilities here while ensuring all units get 12 months at we do each day allow us the ability to do just that. firsthand and see the efforts of anti-Iraqi forces to home station between tours for training, reset and time with their families. The Soldiers make the many successes of the shatter those dreams. The goal of the policy change is to provide better predictability and sus- coalition possible. My unit, Company A, 5th Recent tactics by the insurgents are trying to tainability in how our forces are deployed. Our extended service will help Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker break these bonds. to maintain the progress and momentum we’ve gained and will benefit the Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, is There has been a major effort by insurgents to Army and our country during this time of war. The details of how this new no exception. sell and hand out a wide variety of realistic-look- policy adjusts individual unit rotations will be passed through the formation The most important success is getting the ing toy guns. and our rear detachments as soon as we know them. Iraqi security forces organized and capable of han- Their hope is for the ISF and coalition forces This extension is hardest on our families and loved ones. They shoul- dling every problem which may arise in the future. to engage children. But with constant training and der a commitment to our nation with dignity and resolve along side us. Rest Accomplishing this happens on all levels, from the help from the communities, we will yet again foil assured that our dedication to them stands firm. We will not fail them and commanders down to the average private. the enemy’s plans to promote chaos and hatred. will continue to do everything possible to care for them as they serve and Our Soldiers develop friendships with the Every day we interact and help Iraq grow, we help to defend our nation. Iraqi troops and police. We joke, eat, talk about are one day closer to success and one day closer to Stay confident in your training, your fellow Soldiers, your leaders and family and conduct missions together. We provide seeing our families. our mission. You are getting results here every day on freedom’s frontier.