Vol. 67 No. 14 April 9, 2009 Word of the month: Education Photo by Devin Fisher Carson new home to Apaches An AH-64 Apache attack helicopter with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Wonju, Republic of Korea. When the move is complete, the unit will bring Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, prepares to land at Butts Army Airfield about 350 Soldiers and 100 contractors to the Mountain Post. The 1-2nd AVN Monday while others await refueling. Twelve of the 1-2nd AVN’s 24 Apaches will uncase its colors later this month, signifying the unit is are operational arrived at Fort Carson as part of the unit’s restationing from Camp Eagle in at Fort Carson. 32nd deploys to Afghanistan Story and photo by Devin Fisher 43rd SB, spoke highly of the 32nd during the ceremony. Everett Lacroix, 32nd commander. “We haul it all.” Mountaineer staff “I would stack this company up against any other He said, “I think for the first time ever truck logistics company in theater … Iraq, Afghanistan … drivers are more than just truck drivers … they are About 160 Soldiers with the 32nd Transportation it doesn’t matter,” he said. warriors.” He said the 32nd Soldiers had plenty of Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support He used three words to describe the unit — opportunities to work on their techniques, tactics Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, received a cohesion, pride and excellence. Rivard said regardless and procedures and were excited for the mission that heroes’ send-off Friday as a standing-room only of the event, 32nd arrives and leaves together. He lies ahead of them. crowd of Family, friends and fellow Soldiers filled said, “when ‘Trey Deuce’ is in the house, you know “We train to make sure we can bring everyone the Garcia Physical Fitness Center. it … it’s undeniable.” back,” Lacroix told local media during an interview after The 32nd Soldiers will depart later this month for As for excellence, “you keep setting the the ceremony. He noted that their training included a one-year deployment to Afghanistan in support of standard” with “excellence in everything you do.” reacting to improvised explosive devices and ambushes. Operation Enduring Freedom. The 32nd Soldiers will be supplying food, Lt. Col. Thomas Rivard, commander, 68th CSSB, ammunition, repair parts, and even blood, said Capt. See Deploy on Page 4 II Community Feature Happenings NN SS II DD EE Page 11 Page 20-21 Page 23 2 MOUNTAINEER — April 9, 2009 MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham Garrison Commander: Col. Eugene B. Smith Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: Dee McNutt Thank an NCO today Chief, Print and Web Communications: Douglas M. Rule Commentary by of what an NCO should be: intelligent, caring, hard, Editor: Julie M. Lucas Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Greca firm, fair, living all our current-day Army values. Staff Writers: Randy Tisor Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La. I was young and liked to have a good time. I would run Rick Emert the bars and get into other things associated with being Devin Fisher I have been asking a lot of Soldiers, Family members young. Prior to any of my wild nights or weekends, Salas Happenings: Nel Lampe and civilians on Fort Polk, La., if they knew that 2009 would sit us all down and talk. He cared and we knew it. Sports Writer: Walt Johnson was “The Year of the NCO.” Most have replied “no.” Those He would talk to us about our plans, ensure we knew the Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall who said yes had a limited understanding of the reason associated risks involved and help us alter our plans as behind this honor. Even less understood was our Army’s needed. It is amazing how Soldiers truly know who cares This commercial enterprise newspaper is intent behind naming 2009 as ‘The Year of the NCO’and versus those paying “lip service” to “check the block.” an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the our associated goals and objectives. Salas was also firm and fair. He would let me know Mountaineer are not necessarily the official Everyone has heard that “NCOs are the backbone when my actions and conduct were wrong, but he always view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or of the Army.” What does this truly mean? What do NCOs showed me how to do things correctly. I had my butt the Department of the Army. Printed circulation is 12,000 copies. do on a day-to-day basis? How do they differ from officers? chewed on more than one occasion by this tremendous The editorial content of the Mountaineer These and other questions like them are the reason leader, but I learned each and every time. Sergeant is the responsibility of the Public Affairs behind The Year of the NCO. Salas would often say, “it is acceptable to Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: Over the course of this year, I’ll try make a mistake once, but twice means you 526-4144. The e-mail address is [email protected]. to educate the public and answer these did not listen to what I told you.” The Mountaineer is posted on the questions. We’ll all end up with a better He was physically fit, young at 26 Internet at http://csmng.com. understanding and appreciation of the hard and very well spoken. I used to marvel at The Mountaineer is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The work and sacrifices of NCOs here at Fort his ability to speak to even our commissioned Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs Polk and across our Army. officers on topics ranging from training Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in I joined the Army in 1986 with a limited management, physical training, tactical no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with understanding of how our Army worked. I orders to administrative functions such as Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. knew that officers were in charge and if you formal counseling. The appearance of advertising in this stayed in long enough, you’d become a sergeant Little did I or others know that he publication, including inserts or supplements, and get to make someone do push-ups. This is does not constitute endorsement by the was inspiring young Soldiers like me for Department of the Army or Colorado Springs truly the way I viewed our Army. Greca future generations. Military Newspaper Group, of the products or I understood through movies and other Noncommissioned officers like Salas services advertised. The printer reserves the media outlets that my drill sergeants and sergeants have served in our Army for 200-plus years. They are in right to reject advertisements. Everything advertised in this publication would be tough, but the true decision makers were our our formations impacting the lives of young NCOs, shall be made available for purchase, use or commissioned officers. Although this is somewhat true, commissioned officers and Soldiers today. patronage without regard to race, color, the input provided by our NCOs into training, quality They are leading physical training, giving personal religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation of life and other issues involving our Soldiers is and professional advice, conducting pine-tree counseling, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, enormous. They assist in the development of plans, and advising their officers and, most important, making user or patron. If a violation or rejection of then oversee the execution of these plans. a difference. this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print Fast forward to 2009. How does a young man or The next time you see an NCO, please say ‘thank-you’ advertising from that source until the violation woman’s perception differ from mine when I was a young for me. Thank them for their hard work, dedication and is corrected. For display advertising call 19-year-old? Arguably, not at all. Most civilians view the contributions to our Army and nation. 634-5905. roles and responsibilities of the NCO exactly the same This is their year — The Year of the NCO. To all my All correspondence or queries regarding advertising and subscriptions should be directed way I did prior to joining the Army. tremendous leaders and current day Salas’es: thank-you to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper My first NCO in the Army, other than my drill for what you do. Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, sergeants, was Sgt. Stanley Salas. Salas was the epitome God bless to all and this is only the beginning. Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. The Mountaineer’s editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office, building 1430, room 123, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. Releases from outside sources are so PPOOSSTT TTAALLKK indicated. The deadline for submissions to the Mountaineer is close of business the week before the next issue is published. The What makes a good NCO? Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit submissions for newspaper style, clarity and typographical errors. Policies and statements reflected in the news and editorial columns represent views of the individual writers and under no circumstances are to be considered those of the Department of the Army. Reproduction of editorial material is authorized. Please credit accordingly. Classified advertising 329-5236 Display advertising 634-5905 Mountaineer editor “Professionalism, candor and proper “Someone who looks out for their “They must fully understand the 526-4144 use of authority along with the Soldiers by making sure they’re responsibility of being a leader, not Army’s seven values is what the always safe.” just safety, but be a role model.” Post information NCO corps is all about.” 526-5811 Pfc.