1st Mission Support Command - U. S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico 1st MSC Gazette Vol. No. 6 Issue 6 SUMMER 2015 “Ready, Resilient, Relevant” ON THE COVER: 1ST MSC MORTUARY AFFAIRS UNITS PREPARE TO RESPOND FUTURE LEADERS 10-11 GRADUATE WLC 271st HRC DETACHMENT 4-5 DEPLOYS TO THE MIDDLE EAST www.facebook.com/1stmsc 1st Mission Support Command - U. S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico 1st MSC Gazette Vol. No. 6 Issue 6 “Ready, Resilient, 1st MSC Gazette Contents Relevant!” Brig. Gen. José R. Burgos Commander Page Page Col. Irene M. Zoppi Deputy Commander 271st Deployment Annual Training 4-5 18-19 Maj. Ruth Castro Pubblic Affair Officer Sgt. 1st Class Lymari Sanchez Page Page Public Affairs NCOIC 6-7 Family Events 20-21 Change of Command The 1st MSC Gazette is an authorized publication printed IAW AR-360-1 in the interest of Soldiers, civilians and Families Page of the 1st MSC. Opinions expressed are those of the 8-9 Promotion / Retirement Ceremonies individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U. S. government. Department of the Army or its agencies. All photos are property of the U.S. Army, Page unless otherwise credited. 1st MSC Gazette is published by the 1st 10-11 Future Leaders G raduate MSC Headquarters located at 353 Wilson Road, Fort Buchanan, PR 00934-4608 E-mail submission to the 1st MSC Public Affairs Officer Page at 12-13 Armed Forces Day FIND US AT: [email protected] 1st MSC Phone Numbers Commander 787-707-4928 Page 1stmsc Deputy Commander 787-707-4944 / Safety Specialist 787-707-4182 Personnel 787-707-4164 14-15 398th FI Det. to Kosovo Plans 787-707-4171 Public Affairs 787-707-4988 /photos/1stmsc Page 16-17 SHARP /1stmsc /unit/1MSC 4 Summer 2015 1st MSC Gazette 5 271ST HR DETACHMENT DEPLOYS TO THE MIDDLE EAST excellent job,” said Mr. Diaz. is right at all times,” said Burgos Spec. Daniel Ortiz, believes this minutes before the troops entered deployment is part of his career through the security gates. progression. The departure of these highly “I am at ease because this process trained soldiers from Puerto Rico is part of my military career. It is a clearly highlights how the members little bit difficult because I will be of the largest U.S. Army command away from my family, but every- in the Caribbean continuously sup- thing will be alright,” said a confi- ports the needs of the nation. dent Ortiz. Since 2003, the 271st Human Re- Brig. Gen. Jose R. Burgos, Com- sources Company has been mobi- manding General of the 1st Mis- lized 11 times. They are approxi- sion Support Command, Army mately 400 Soldiers mobilized in Reserve-Puerto Rico, personally Afghanistan from the U.S. Army met the troops at the Luis Muñoz Reserve-Puerto Rico. ▒ Marin International Airport. “We have full trust and confidence Soldiers from the 271st Human Resources Company, U.S. Army Reserve- in the leadership of this detach- Puerto Rico say goodbye to their family members at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, on April 22, 2015 (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Carlos Cuebas, ment. Remember that you will be 1st MSC PAO/ Release) representing our command, the U.S. Army Reserve and the United 1st Lt. Ayesha Jimenez, 271st Human Resources Detachment Commander, addresses soldiers at States of America. In that sense, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, on April 22, 2015. you all are ambassadors. Do what FORT BUCHANAN, PR- Approxi- For the majority of the Soldiers, LEFT- Brig. Gen. Jose R. Burgos, mately 21 Soldiers assigned to the this mission represents their first Commanding General, 1st Mission 271st Human Resources Company, mobilization. Support Command (1st MSC) U.S. US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, de- “I have been waiting for this mo- Army Reserve-Puerto Rico and ment for a long time. This is show Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Muñoz, parted the Caribbean island, April senior enlisted member of the 1st 22, on their way to a mobilization time now. I am ready to give my MSC give encouraging words to station in Texas, with the Middle best as a Soldier and as a person,” the soldiers of the 271st Human East as final destination. said Corporal Eddie Diaz, a na- Resources Company at the gates of “I believe in all of you. We did an tive of Carolina, Puerto Rico, with the Luis Muñoz Marin International seven years of service in the Army Airport in Puerto Rico on April 22. excellent job during our pre-mo- (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Carlos bilization training and I know we Reserve. Cuebas, 1st MSC PAO/ Release) will accomplish our mission, “said The Soldier’s father, a Vietnam 1st Lt. Ayesha Jimenez, officer in veteran carrying the same name, charge of the detachment. expressed his pride for the service The unit will manage the Theater of his son. Casualty Assistance Center, which “I am very proud because he will oversees casualties across the be serving our nation. He is well Middle East. trained and I know he will do an The 1st MSC Deployed Units 6 Summer 2015 1st MSC Gazette 7 The 1st MSC Family Events... FORT BUCHANAN RECOGNIZES LOCAL In 1986, April was MILITARY CHILDREN designated as the Month of the Military Child, purple is worn to represent the different branches of the “...today, I want to personally Armed Forces. recognize your resiliency and dedication. It is not easy to be a military dependent. However, even though it is difficult you make it happen,” Brig. Gen. Jose In honor of the Month of the Military Child, R. Burgos, 1st Mission hundreds of Fort Buchanan military chil- Support Command, U.S. Army dren formed a human purple ribbon on Resever-Puerto Rico. April 27. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Steven Colón / Release) HONORING OUR 1ST MSC FATHERS The 1st Mission Support Command U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico LEFT- Spc. Miguel Sierra from welcomed the families of Staff Sgt. Walter Santiago from the 35th SC the 941st QM Co. became a fa- BN and Spc. Jennifer Gonzalez from the 273rd MCT Det to surprise ther to Emyeliz Sierra Jimenez them with a Father’s Day gift on June 18. Staff Sgt. Santiago re- on June 16, after a series of sur- ceived Happy Father’s Day wishes from his wife Gioriannie Santiago prising events during his Annual and their two children Diego and Rodrigo via video chat. Also, Dan- Training at AP Hill, VA. iel Tacoronte and Rosariana Tacoronte, husband and daughter of Spc. Gonzalez received a very special surprise message from Spc. Gonza- “We were not expecting her lez.▒ until a couple of days after I was supposed to arrive back ABOVE- Spc. Jenniffer Gonzalez assigned to the from my AT, but I received LEFT- On June 18, Staff Sgt. Walter Santiago (on the 273rd MCT Det. in Kuwait (in the monitor), was an monitor), assigned to the 35th SC BN in Kuwait, was a text that said accomplice of the 1st MCS as she provided a video able to receive his Father’s Day congratulations from that Elia Enid (the mother) had to to surprise her husband Daniel Tacoronte (left) and his sons Diego (left) and Rodrigo (far right) and his go to the hospital to give birth to our daughter Rosariana Tacoronte (center) with a Father’s wife Gioriannie (center) via video chat at the 1st MSC Day message. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Carlene Vera baby girl.”, said Spc. Sierra. headquarters. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Carlene Vera / / Release) Release) “Daniel I just want to say thank you for being an “Hi daddy, I love you, we miss you. Happy Father’s Day. amazing father and for taking care of Rosariana and Come back as soon as you can.” , said Diego and Ro- everything while I am here. I send you kisses and hugs drigo Santiago to their father Staff Sgt. Walter Santiago. from the bottom of my heart and I wish you all the happiness in the world and a Happy Father’s Day.” The 1st MSC Family Events... said Spc. Gonzalez on her video. 8 Summer 2015 1st MSC Gazette 9 Moving foward... PROUD COLONEL CLOSES A CHAPTER COL. MICHAEL GROSZ THE NEWEST CHAPLAIN IN THE U.S. ARMY RESERVE PUERTO RICO 1st Lt. Moserrate Vergara-Soto, of the 393rd Combat A retirement ceremony was held for Col. Michael Grosz, 166th Regional Support Sustainment Support Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve- Group Commander, on May 31st at the 1st Mission Support Command Headquar- Puerto Rico, was pinned with the Chaplain Branch ters. Grosz was presented with the insignia during his branch pinning ceremony by Brig. Legion of Merit along with other Gen. Jose R. Burgos, commanding general, 1st Mis- awards and tokens of appreciation sion Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto for his distinguished military ca- Rico and his family on May 17 at Sabana Seca, reer. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Luis Puerto Rico. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Christhie Ortiz 166th RSG UPAR/ Release) Ejarque/ Release) Those Soldiers or family members interest- ed in knowing more about the services offered by the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico Chaplains can contact the 1st MSC Chaplains office at 787-707-4956. THE END OF AN ERA MASTER SGT PROMOTION BRIG. GEN. FERNANDO FERNANDEZ Soldiers, civilian employees and friends gathered at the 1st Mission Support Command (1st MSC), U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico head- quarters to witness Sgt. 1st Class Cynthia Caballero’s promotion cere- mony to the rank of Master Sergeant, June 5.