Vol. 68 No. 28 July 16, 2010 Word of the month: Unbiased Photo by Douglas M. Rule Hooah Soldiers! Cheers went up as 4th Infantry Division Soldiers and the Ivy Division Band passes by parade was the kickoff for the rodeo, which opened Wednesday with Fort Carson the reviewing stand at the corner of Pikes Peak Avenue and Tejon Street during the Night. Profits from the PPBR support military charities for Fort Carson, the U.S. Air Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade Tuesday in downtown Colorado Springs. The Force Academy, and Peterson and Shriever Air Force bases. Former EACH officer assists m-TBI victims Story and photo by Spc. Richard Daniels Jr. Operating Base Fenty last month. or causes confusion. Acknowledging the severity of Task Force Bastogne Public Affairs During missions, many TF Bastogne Soldiers traumatic brain injuries, Task Force Bastogne has have experienced the impact of improvised explosive followed the lead of two other clinics in Afghanistan NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — devices. The explosions may only leave them with to treat m-TBIs and lower potential risks to their Task Force Bastogne opened Regional Command minor scrapes on the outside, but the effect they have Soldier’s future health. East’s third operational Mild-Traumatic Brain on Soldier’s brains can be quite severe. “The risks can vary depending on the circum- Injury clinic, directed by U.S. Army Maj. Priscilla The results of the explosions are usually an stances of the injury,” said Maj. Jose R. Rafols, 626th Bejarano, former Evans Army Community m-TBI or concussion — an injury caused by a blow or See EACH on page 4 Hospital chief of occupational therapy, at Forward jolt to the head that briefly renders one unconscious II Military Community Feature NN SS II DD EE Page 3 Page 13 Pages 22-23 2 MOUNTAINEER — July 16, 2010 MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: ‘Hero’ should be used sparingly Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins Garrison Commander: Commentary by Devin Fisher walking down the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan putting Col. Robert F. McLaughlin Mountaineer staff himself in harm’s way to protect our freedoms. Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: And yes, a 162-game MLB season can put a strain Dee McNutt I don’t know about you, but I am beyond tired of on family life. But I’m confident very few professional Chief, Print and Web Communications: Douglas M. Rule hearing all these big-name professional athletes holding out athletes (other than former NFL player Pat Tillman, Editor: Julie M. Lucas for more money. How many millions of dollars a year do who was killed in 2004 while deployed to Afghanistan) Staff Writers: Rick Emert you have to be paid to be able to live your childhood dream? would choose a yearlong deployment to either Iraq or Devin Fisher Someone please help me understand the disparity in Afghanistan over a weeklong road trip to New York, Geoffrey Roper pay between professional athletes, who are fortunate enough Boston and Tampa Bay, Fla. Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Smith to be able to call a game work, and servicemembers who Every sports offseason is filled with players refusing Sgt. Alexis Ramos fight on the battlefields to protect the many freedoms all to report to team activities because they are being Happenings: Nel Lampe Sports Writer: Walt Johnson Americans enjoy. underpaid. Somehow they hold the upper hand and threaten Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall According to Sports Illustrated’s “The Fortunate 50,” to sit out the season, despite being under contract, because that lists the top 50 athletes based on their earnings, golfer they now are worth more money than what they are This commercial enterprise newspaper is Tiger Woods was the top breadwinner for 2009. He raked scheduled to be paid. We all know that Soldiers have to an authorized publication for members of the in a combined $99,737,626 — $7,737,626 in earnings and honor their service contracts or face absent without leave Department of Defense. Contents of the Mountaineer are not necessarily the official a whopping $92 million in endorsements, according to the charges, regardless of the number of deployments. view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or article available at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/ Everyone knows you don’t join the military to get rich, the Department of the Army. Printed circulation specials/fortunate50/2009. We all can agree the biggest but this is ridiculous. Top draft picks today receive signing is 12,000 copies. The editorial content of the Mountaineer threat to his career is his soon-to-be-ex-wife. bonuses — just for agreeing to a multiyear deal that they is the responsibility of the Public Affairs LeBron James of the NBA is number three on the list at won’t honor in a few years — Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: a combined $42,410,581, $28 million from endorsements; that put the combined 526-4144. The e-mail address is [email protected]. MLB’s Alex Rodriguez came in salary throughout a The Mountaineer is posted on the fourth at $39 million, $33 20-year military Internet at http://csmng.com. million in salary; while career to shame. The Mountaineer is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The the NFL’s Peyton The next time Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs Manning ranked 10th your favorite Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in at $27 million, with player makes a no way connected with the Department of the $14.5 million in huge play to Army, under exclusive written contract with Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. salary; to lead bring home a The appearance of advertising in this their respective championship, publication, including inserts or supplements, leagues in earnings. enjoy the triumph, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or Colorado Springs Whatever happened but please don’t Military Newspaper Group, of the products or to playing for the confuse the excitement services advertised. The printer reserves the love of the game? of the moment, and right to reject advertisements. Everything advertised in this publication When it comes to call him a hero. But shall be made available for purchase, use or people joining the mili- don’t take it from me, patronage without regard to race, color, tary today knowing they Webster’s Dictionary religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation will make about $30,000 defines a hero as “any per- or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, the first year and odds are son … admired for courage, nobility, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of good they will see action in Iraq or exploits, especially in war.” this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser or Afghanistan, it’s safe to say that they Let’s spare the term hero for is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation are doing it for the love of their country. those that are truly deserving — is corrected. For display advertising call Sure, athletes have to be in top those willing to put their life on 634-5905. physical shape to build strength and the line so we can continue All correspondence or queries regarding advertising and subscriptions should be directed stamina to compete at the highest levels to cherish the many to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper (OK, maybe not all golfers) and ensure their freedoms we have Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, spot on the team, but servicemembers have to as Americans. Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. The Mountaineer’s editorial content is rely on their conditioning — both physical edited, prepared and provided by the Public and mental — to keep them alive on the Affairs Office, building 1430, room 265, Fort front lines. To be more precise, an NFL Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. Releases from outside sources are so running back fresh out of college receives indicated. The deadline for submissions to the a contract worth millions of dollars to Mountaineer is close of business the week run behind nine of his teammates trying before the next issue is published. The to avoid the opposing 11 defenders. Yet, Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit submissions for newspaper style, clarity and a private in the Army fresh out of Basic typographical errors. and Advanced Individual Training making Policies and statements reflected in the about $30,000 a year finds himself 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. WWHHYY II SSEERRVVEE Name: Gregory Ray life. One day at work, an Army recruiter walked into the store and got my attention and, well, Rank: Spc. I will say the rest is history. Job: mailroom clerk, Headquarters and The Army has done so much for me at this Classified advertising Headquarter Company, 43rd Sustainment Brigade 329-5236 point. It has shown me that I can be a better MOS: 91G, Fire control systems repairer man than what I was before. I’m kept at a high Display advertising level mentally and physically. I have beliefs 634-5905 Hometown: Reevesville, S.C. and more respect for myself. There’s no place After graduating high school, I I would rather be than with the men and women Mountaineer editor Why I serve: 526-4144 worked two part time jobs — a stocker at a local in uniform. food store and also as a cashier.