THE ISPATCH MAY 2014 Force Structure 454th Engineers Deploy TXMF Joint Best Warrior the Magazine of the Texas Military Forces Sexual Assault Awareness Proclamation D TXMF Open House Texas Bluebonnets Contents DContents 6 TXMF Open House 10 Force Structure Talks 14 TXMF Best Warrior 20 Water Rescue 24 NGB SEA visits TXNG 26 MATES receives Environmental Award 28 Women in Transition 32 Sexual Assault Awareness Proclamation 34 454th Engineers Deploy 36 Bastrop County declares TXMF day 38 TXMF History - The Battle of San Jacinto On the Cover 44 Bluebonnets on Camp Mabry A Texas Army National Guardsman competes in the Texas Military Forces’ Joint Best Warrior Competition at Camp Swift, Texas, Feb. 8, 2014. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Malcolm McClendon) See pg. 6 The Texas Blue Bonnets are in full bloom all over the state. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Malcolm McClendon) 2 The DISPATCH May 2014 Contents Governor The Adjutant General Gov. Rick Perry Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Joanne MacGregor Deputy Public Affairs Officer Maj. Travis Walters Public Affairs Staff Capt. Martha Nigrelle 2nd Lt. Alicia Lacy Staff Sgt. Jennifer Atkinson Laura Lopez John Thibodeau Michelle McBride Managing Editor Graphic Layout and Design Sgt. 1st Class. Malcolm M. McClendon Contributing Writers and Photographers The Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office would like to thank all the contributing writers and photographers who generously share their work with us. Without the hard work and dedication of Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians, we would not be able to tell YOUR Texas Military Forces story. * The Dispatch is an authorized publication for members of the Texas Military Forces and the Department of Defense. Contents of The Dispatch are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the National Guard Bureau, or the State of Texas. * The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office. * The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Texas Military Forces. * Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. * Content is edited, prepared and provided by the Texas Joint Military Forces Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 10, 2200 W. 35th Street, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 78703.* May 2014 The DISPATCH 3 Texas Army Career Training Program (TACTP) The Texas Army Career Training field and major commands, such as: Joint Student demographics range from the Program (TACTP) spawned out of a need Forces Headquarters, Army Nation- M-day Battalion or Company Command- to bridge the gap in training between the al Guard Headquarters, 36th Infantry er, or Command Sergeant Major and First Army National Guard-level (ARNG) and Division, 71st Troop Command, and Sergeant, to the AGR Readiness NCO, unit-level. Since the early 1980’s Active Domestic Operations (DOMOPS). Each Training NCO, Supply NCO, OIC, and Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldiers have instructor brings current, relevant, useful NCOIC, Medical and Human Resources been placed in assignments and only sent information to the students as each one of professionals. Students are a mixture of to training at the National Guard Pro- them is a current, subject matter expert in new-hire and long-time service Soldiers fessional Education Center (NG-PEC), the area which they teach. and Leaders. where they learned solely at the National Guard Bureau ARNG-level. This provid- The next keys to success are enabled One of the most interesting, recurring ed a foundational set of knowledge pillars by these same instructors, with expecta- comments TACTP gets is from the sea- for 54 states and, but did not provide Tex- tion and provision to maintain updated soned full-timer who says, “I didn’t want as-specific knowledge. While beneficial presentations that are accessible to grad- to come to the training, because I’ve been and relevant, NG-PEC also made no al- uates, after the course ends in TACTP’s doing the job for a long time already, but lowances for training traditional, M-Day, “Alumni References” online. Each I learned a lot and I’m glad I attended. Soldiers. I wish this was around when I first started.” In late 2009 a former mem- ber of the Texas ARNG, Mr. Students in 99 percent of Raymond Jacobson (CSM Ret), all classes receive visits from had a vision to bridge this gap The TXARNG Commander, and open up training opportu- TXARNG CSM, JFTX Chief nities to both sides of the force, of Staff, ARNG Chief of Staff, full-time and part-time mem- ARNG G-Staff, and 136th RTI bers. TACTP was established Command among others who late in the year 2010 with its provide emphasis. These key flagship course, the Readiness leaders know what a difference Course. This two week course their visits make and what a opened up the doors for other difference TACTP makes in the courses, all based on real need organization. and resources provided by the Texas Army National Guard Future students and su- Headquarters. pervisors can find out more about The Texas Army Career The program is perfect- Training Program on the Texas ly situated on Camp Bowie, Knowledge Online (TKO) site Brownwood, Texas where at: attending student Soldiers and Leaders can focus on what they https://www.tx.ngb.army.mil/ are receiving, without training sites/jflcc/learn/default.aspx distracters, all while still connected to class builds an after action review of the their units back home via the local area course, thereafter made public. These af- A list of training requirements, course network. Courses offered now consist of: ter action reviews provide for immediate descriptions, contact information, and Readiness; Officer in Charge / Noncom- changes to each course, keeping every- “TXATRRS” can be accessed at this missioned Officer in Charge; Medical thing current, balanced, and meaningful site. “TXATRRS”, as coined by TX- Readiness; and Human Resources. The for future students. ARNG-G3, is the online registration/ Company Commander – First Sergeant reservation system for organizations Pre-Command Course is conducted on TACTP’s humble beginnings saw 135 within 3rd Battalion, 136th RTI: TACTP, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. students (both full time and part time) Lethality, and Staff and Faculty Devel- become alumni and individual catalyst, opment. TACTP’s overriding key to success changing the culture of the Texas Army is in the presentation of current, useful National Guard. Today over 1,100 grad- - Submitted by R. Jeff Nash, Captain information. This is accomplished by uates are among the force, doing great TACTP Program Coordinator all parties involved with its success and things for the organization and many by utilizing guest instructors from the more are reserved for future classes. Camp Mabry, TX The crowds gathered to check out the multi-agency assets on hand at this year’s Texas Military Forces Open House and American Heroes Air Show at Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas April 26-27, 2014. 6 The DISPATCH May 2014 Partnerships TEXAS MILITARY FORCES OPEN HOUSE & AMERICAN HEROES AIR SHOW Story by Spc. Michael Giles 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Photos by Staff Sgt. Timothy Pruitt Texas State Guard Public Affairs Office May 2014 The DISPATCH 7 Camp Mabry, TX TEXAS MILITARY FORCES OPEN HOUSE AMP MABRY, Texas (April of the partnership between 27, 2014) -- The Texas Na- the Texas Military Forces and tional Guard involvement civilian emergency response Cin responding to natural agencies. disasters, like the Bastrop County Complex fire and Hur- Austin Police Chief Art Ace- ricane Katrina, were frequent vedo explained that in our topics of discussion at the 2014 present time of diminished Texas Military Forces Open budgets, civilian agencies de- House and American Heroes pend on partnerships with the Air Show held April 26 and 27 National Guard to keep their at Camp Mabry in Austin. communities safe and natural disasters contained. This year, the free event hon- ored Service members, families “Our relationship to the Texas and veterans with the Amer- Military Forces is second to ican Heroes Air Show, while none,” Acevedo said. demonstrating the strength Civilian emergency respond- ers, including Christa Lopez, Our relationship to the a search manager with Travis Texas Military Forces County Search and Rescue, value the support of Soldiers “ is second to none. and Airmen because of the expertise and discipline they contribute to an operation. ” “It is easier for us to conduct a search operation when we have the National Guardsmen who understand land navigation, terrain and physical endur- ance,” Lopez said. “When we work with the emerging volun- teers and the public, we don’t always have that skill set.” Attractions such as the Amer- Austin Police Chief Art ican Heroes Air Show, a tacti- Acevedo speaks at the cal demonstration involving Naturalization Ceremony held at Camp Mabry. Soldiers in helicopters and Humvees assaulting an enemy 8 The DISPATCH May 2014 Partnerships AMERICAN HEROES AIRSHOW us to recognize their service, Military Forces partner,” ex- pay tribute to them and say plained James Paules, CEO and thank you,” Davis said. executive director of the Amer- ican Heroes Aviation Network, Davis explained that the Na- “is to dynamically demon- tional Guard showcases a cost strate, for the community, the effective force at the American value of these organizations Heroes Air Show.