FORGING THE WARRIOR SPIRIT TheJRTC and Fort Polk Guardian Vol. 48, No. 5 Home of Heroes @ Fort Polk, LA Feb. 5, 2021 Brazilian, U.S. military leaders observe partner-nation training A Brazilian Soldier checks his weapon and pulls guard duty during Joint Readiness Train- GROUP OPS ing Center Rotation 21-04. Top left: Maj. Gen. Daniel Walrath, commander of U.S. Army South, speaks with senior leaders from the Brazilian Min- istry of Defense this week. They visited the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk to observe bilateral training between two powerful militaries and discuss future endeavors as the U.S. plans to send paratroopers and air assault Soldiers to Brazil to train alongside their army later this year. Bottom left: A Brazilian paratrooper answers questions from senior leaders from the Brazilian Ministry of Defense while in JRTC’s “Box,” this week. For more pictures, see Parternship on page 5. Weekend weather Inside the Guardian 56 61 68 What’s IPPS-A? ................... 3 New 509th NCOs ................. 8 Army comics writer ............. 4 Warrior Bowl .....................11 40 41 55 Rain chance Rain chance Rain chance 34% 10% 5% Obstacle fun ....................... 7 “IF” conference ................ 13 Viewpoint In our view Guardian staff asked the JRTC and Fort Polk community, “What was your favorite bedtime story as a child?” Here are their responses: Tiffany Franklin Francesca Koch: “Marvin K. Katarina Par- Guardian Mooney’s ‘Will You ent: “‘The Little Editorial Staff Please Go Now!’ It’s Mouse, the Red Brig. Gen. David S. Doyle a Dr. Seuss book full Ripe Strawberry Joint Readiness Training Center of imaginative ways and the Big Hun- and Fort Polk commanding general that ‘Marvin can gry Bear’ by Don Col. Ryan K. Roseberry Garrison commander go.’ I still think it’s and Audrey Wood Kim Reischling a great story that was my favorite, Public affairs officer encourages readers because the book Chuck Cannon to think creatively!” builds significant Command information officer suspense but the Christy Graham ending is silly.” Editor Angie Thorne Keith Houin Public affairs specialists T.C. Bradford Collar Wilson: “‘A J.J. Graham: Jeff England Little Princess’ by Frances “‘The Velveteen Broadcast Chuck’s Story Hodgson Burnett — I loved Rabbit,’ because Editorial Offices this story because of the it is such a great Building 4919, Magnolia Street resilience and fighting story.” Fort Polk, LA 71459-5060 spirit of the heroine. I Voice (337) 531-4033 loved that she was friendly, Fax (337) 531-1401 generous and kind even Email: Kimberly.K.Reischling. when she was in desperate [email protected] Fort Polk Homepage need herself. My own life home.army.mil/polk/ wasn’t any bed of roses, The Guardian, is an authorized but this story caused me to publication for members of the U.S. want to be a better person Army. Contents of the Guardian are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed because living in difficult by, the U.S. Government, Department circumstances was no of Defense, Department of the Army or excuse not to be the best Fort Polk. The Guardian is published weekly by the person that I could be.” Public Affairs Office, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk. The Guardian can be found on the JRTC and Fort Polk web site at home.army. mil.polk and the JRTC and Fort Polk Facebook page at @JRTCandFortPolk/. Dee Cooke Brazil: Tamra Friesland: Guardian archives can also be found on “‘Goodnight Moon,’ the JRTC and Fort Polk website. “‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ Links to the Guardian are also included because I used to love because my Family in all-users emails to government email when my mom would rock would read that book users and by request to non-military to me at bedtime, units. To be included on all-users me, and I would listen messages email kimberly.k.reischling. to her voice telling the including my late, [email protected]. story.” Army-veteran grand- All editorial content of the Guardian is father.” prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk. For more information on Fort Polk units and happenings visit the following Facebook pages: @JRTCOperationsGrp, @BayneJonesACH or @fortpolkmwr. The Guardian 2/ Feb. 5, 2021 NewScope Briefs Tuition assistance GoArmyED ends Feb. 12. The last day to request tuition assistance for any college class starting in March or April is Thursday. ArmyIgnitED replaces the GoArmyED system on March 8. Soldiers requesting tuition assistance for classes starting in Febru- ary through April should apply for aid as soon as possible. The staff of Fort Polk’s Education Center can assist Soldiers in request- ing tuition assistance through the GoArmyED portal. Three computer labs are also available to create Army- IgnitED accounts by appointment only to ensure social distancing. Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 IPPS-A update to support active-duty by December p.m. To make an appointment call 531- of the year. 5269. By Capt. ADRIANA MONTOYA G-1 IPPS-A team What will IPPS-A allow Soldiers to do? BOSS events • Allow for self-appraisal of unique skills Fort Polk’s Better Opportunities FORT POLK, La. — Prior to an Ar- (talents) for Single Soldiers hosts a variety of my-wide release of the Integrated Personnel • Initiate pay inquiries events in February. and Pay System-Army, program officials re- • Initiate personnel action requests Here are a couple of things to look quested Jan. 29 that all active-duty Soldiers • Monitor open slots in other units forward to: verify their military and pay records before • Monitor IPPS-A training • Feb. 19 — BOSS hosts a mov- the service goes live in December. • Request leave ie night at 7 p.m. in the 3rd Brigade In preparation for this change, the Joint • View complete Soldier record Combat Team footprint behind Glory Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk Chapel. Bring your chairs and blankets IPPS-A Implementation team has already to watch, “Rambo.” The event is free. begun briefing commanders across the in- • Feb. 27 —BOSS hosts a dessert stallation on the system’s capabilities and and wine tasting class at the Warrior rollout timeline. Center at 5 p.m. IPPS-A is a fully compliant, web-based The cost of the class is $15 per Sol- system with on-demand online access and dier. Participants must be 21 or older. enhanced mobile capabilities through an Sign up by Feb. 23. app on a Soldier’s phone. For more information call 531-1948. For human resources professionals (mil- Turkey hunt itary and civilian) this is an opportunity to The Louisiana Department of Wild- train and identify the new processes. For life and Fisheries has announced Soldiers, IPSS-A means more accurate and lottery applications for military depen- timely pay, the security in knowing the hu- dent children. man resources and finance transactions’ sta- Ten children will be selected to tuses and other tracking functions as well. participate in a guided turkey hunt on Before Soldiers gain full access to IPPS-A Peason Ridge on March 27. next year, it is vital for them to reach out Applications are due by mail or to their unit S-1 and verify any information email to Wendell Smith at wsmith@ pertaining to their basic pay, assignment G-1 wfl.la.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on information, promotion dates, military ed- Monday. Children must be between ucation, training records and any other per- Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk’s Integrated 10 and 17 on the day of the hunt. For tinent military data. Conducting a proper Personnel and Pay System—Army implementation team more informaton call (337) 208-2208. review will ensure a Soldier’s data is correct organizes awareness-campaign posters prior to distribut- before it populates under IPPS-A at the end ing them to Fort Polk units. The Guardian Feb. 5, 2021 /3 Army News Super Soldier: DC Comics picks Army musician as new Superman writer By JOSEPH LACDAN Army News Service FORT MEADE, Md. — While growing up in rural Iowa and Kentucky, Phillip Kenne- dy Johnson collected boxes of used comics. The stories became an escape that took Johnson to places beyond his small town. Sgt. 1st Class Phillip As a child, he pored over the worn pages Kennedy Johnson splits in his bedroom reading about Superman as his time between his he defended Metropolis and Earth from Lex duties as an active-duty Luthor and other threats to mankind. Soldier in The Army FIELD BAND MCIVER/ARMY ROB He sometimes imagined his own sto- Field Band’s trumpet rylines for the iconic superhero. section and a full-time Johnson collected piles of books; Disney, comic book writer. He has Marvel and DC, but he specifically favored written for both DC and the Man of Steel and Batman. Marvel comics as well as “I remember watching the 1978 film (‘Su- an independent publisher. perman’) and seeing (Christopher Reeve) on screen, the way he embodied the inherent goodness of Superman,” Johnson said. “He had almost absolute power, but he wielded as a being of immense power fueled by an book artist, often drawing his favorite char- it with absolute humility and compassion.” unshakeable moral core. acters including Batman, Superman and More than three decades later, Johnson, “I want people to see the version of Su- the X-Men. But Johnson also developed a now a sergeant first class, reached a mile- perman that I see,” he said. “I want them to love for music and had hopes to tour the stone in his five-year comic writing career.