Happy Thanksgiving Pentagram Vol. 63, No. 148 November 28, 2019 home.army.mil/jbmhh Published For Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Chaplain Corps NCO makes leadership history By Julia Simpkins JBM-HH Command Information Officer Changes of responsibility happen throughout the Army on a routine basis. It involves transfers of authority from one enlisted leader to another, most often between first sergeants or sergeants ma- jor. While it’s a big event for the people involved, it doesn’t usually warrant high visibility throughout a corps. However, when Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Hall, a religious affairs specialist, became a first sergeant Friday, he made Army history. That’s because when he assumed the role of first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison, Joint Base Myer-Henderson PHOTO COURTESY OF 1ST SGT. DUSTIN HALL Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Hall, a religious affairs Hall, it marked the first time that the specialist, became a first sergeant Friday, Army recognized a religious affairs spe- he made Army history when he assumed cialist position outside of the U.S. Army the role of first sergeant of Headquarters Chaplain Corps. and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY TIA DUFOUR “I am honored to be the first religious President Donald J. Trump participates in the National Medal of Arts and National Human- affairs specialist first sergeant to fill this It marked the first time that the Army recog- nized a religious affairs specialist position ities Medal presentations in the East Room of the White House Nov. 21. new leadership role specifically designat- outside of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps. ed for our corps by the Army,” he said. “Before, all first sergeant positions, with support why the Army selected them to Knutson receives the exception of the (U.S. Army) Chap- serve at this level, however there can only lain School, were designated for different be one. Sgt. 1st Class Hall during the military occupational specialties. As a interview exhibited an array of qualities National Media of Arts corps we have very few leadership assign- that show that he will be an added bene- ments that prepare us to fill the Army’s fit to the organization. command select roles, this assignment “He is motivated and eager to share for all military musicians will hopefully change that.” his knowledge with Soldiers and leaders. By Master Sgt. Chris Branagan represented more than 6,000 military An arduous process The potential to excel in this position The U.S. Army Band musicians serving in every branch. He “Sgt. 1st Class Hall went through a as a first sergeant and future leadership “Pershing’s Own” sees serving in the military as an op- rigorous interview process with the bri- positions was apparent throughout his portunity to take his passion and tre- gade command sergeant major and came demeanor during the interview. I was For a staff sergeant in The U.S. mendous talent for music and apply it out on top against a competitive field immediately impressed as I noticed he Army Band, it’s unusual to get a to something greater than himself. of numerous senior (noncommissioned came to the interview in Class B uniform phone call directly from a sergeant “I think in the best cases (music) officers),” said Lt. Col. Vance Brunner, just for the purpose of the interview.” major. So, when Staff Sgt. Jan Knut- can be representative of what we value Headquarters Battalion commander and Before the ceremony, Brunner said he son saw a call from his boss, the as a nation,” Knutson said. Hall’s new boss. looked forward to working with Hall. element leader of The U.S. Army Knutson comes from a family of “That was probably the most signifi- “The HQ Command Battalion is very Strings, he answered right away. military musicians. His father, Jeff cant interview of my career,” said Hall. excited to have Sgt. 1st Class Hall as the Sgt. Maj. Tom Fowler was calling to Knutson, is a retired Navy Band “It was nerve wracking for sure but it was Headquarters and Headquarters Com- tell Knutson that he’d been selected trombonist. His mother, Laura Knut- reassuring to see how fair and equitable pany, United States Army Garrison, Joint to receive the National Media of Arts son, retired as a master sergeant in the process was. Command Sergeant Base Myer- Henderson Hall new first on behalf of all military musicians as the U.S. Army Band, the unit where Major (Stephen) Harris, (the command sergeant,” he exclaimed. “I personally the youngest military musician in the Knutson now serves. sergeant major for JBM-HH) made sure think that Sgt. 1st Class Hall is the right National Capital Region. Knutson The historic recognition of military that we all got a fair shake.” NCO at the time, and with the right received the award presented by Pres- musicians, alongside actor Jon Voi- Sgt. Maj. Jamila Smith partnered with attitude for the HHC USAG Co. The ident Donald Trump Nov. 21. ght, singer Allison Krauss, and arts Harris in conducting the interviews. She company is the second largest in the U.S. The 21-year-old guitar player joined leader Sharon Percy Rockefeller, was said Hall was their best candidate for Army and has over 2,500 Soldiers in 28 The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s announced via press release by the some very specific reasons. agencies in the National Capital Region Own” after winning a national audi- White House Nov. 18. The National “This was a hard decision as all of the and (more than) 300 Soldiers in 64 loca- tion at the age of 19. The soft-spoken Medal of Arts is the highest award candidates were impressive noncommis- tions across 16 states and in five different Knutson has accomplished much in given to artists and arts patrons by sioned officers and experts at their craft,” the early stages of his career and was she said. “All possessed the records to see HISTORY page 4 excited about the opportunity that he see ARTS page 7 IMCOM recognizes 15 of its best with Stalwart Award By Joshua Ford officer, U.S. Army Garrison Joint Base Myer IMCOM Henderson Hall, Virginia Nelson S. Oliveira, Chief of police, U.S. Maj. Gen. Timothy McGuire, acting com- Army Garrison Fort Detrick, Maryland manding general for U.S. Army Installation Nancy A. Mitchell, Child Youth Services Management Command, and Command Coordinator, U.S. Army Garrison Detroit Sgt. Maj. Joe Ulloth, senior enlisted leader for Arsenal, Michigan IMCOM, presented the command’s most IMCOM Directorate-Training: prestigious award to 15 professionals during a Lisa L. Jacobs, budget officer, U.S. Army luncheon held Nov. 19 in San Antonio. Garrison Fort Huachuca, Arizona “The professionals we’re going to recognize Geoffrey D. Ray, mechanical engineer, U.S. today have demonstrated a passionate com- Army Garrison Fort Benning, Georgia mitment to their role within IMCOM and Brett L. Rosene, transition services manag- the Army,” said McGuire. “They have done er, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leavenworth, what it takes to get the job done, and they Kansas have set a new, higher standard for service to IMCOM Directorate-Europe: others.” Michael A. Beando, director of human The Stalwart Award is given to employees resources, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach, who distinguish themselves among their peers Germany and leaders as outstanding IMCOM civilians Stefan F. Alford, chief public affairs offi- and exceed the call of duty to achieve the cer, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, Army and IMCOM objectives. The program Germany honored recipients for their work in 2018. IMCOM Directorate-Pacific: The Stalwart Award winners are: Vincent M. Brown, Manpower chief, U.S. IMCOM Directorate-Readiness: Army Garrison, Hawaii Robert J. Coonce, fire chief, U.S. Army Heather M. Ray, director of Family Morale, Garrison Fort Campbell, Kentucky Health and Welfare, U.S. Army Garrison Nathan G. Jernigan, chief of Operations and Camp Humphreys, Korea Maintenance Division, U.S. Army Garrison Kimberly T. Straube, Non-Appropriated Fort Polk, Louisiana Funds Management Support program man- Derrick C. Washington, chief of Plans and ager, IMCOM Directorate-Pacific PHOTO BY JOSHUA FORD Operations Division, U.S. Army Garrison IMCOM Headquarters / U.S. Army (Left to right) Stefan F. Alford, chief public affairs officer, U.S. Army Garrison Rhein- Fort Bliss, Texas Environmental Command: land-Pfalz, Germany; Scott Malcolm, director of IMCOM public affairs office, Mike IMCOM Directorate-Sustainment: Gregory S. Kuhr, director of facilities and Howard, director of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Public Affairs Office. Michael L. Howard, chief public affairs logistics, IMCOM Headquarters Index Local forecast Chaplain’s Corner ...........page 2 TUSAB Blues ...............page 3 THURS. FRI. SAT. SUN. News Notes ................page 11 51 | 35 51 | 36 50 | 38 52 | 34 For more weather forecasts and information, visit www.weather.gov. 2 Thursday, November 28, 2019 PENTAGRAM Chaplain’s Corner Don’t quit By Retired Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Ray Bailey Former Deputy Chief of Chaplains Every person has times when he or she is tempt- ed to give up. Although people try to do the right thing, they are met at every turn with disappoint- ment, frustration or failure. The pressures mount. An inner voice says, “Why don’t you just quit?” But that is not the answer, for we are created to be strong and courageous meeting life head on keep- ing faith in ourselves. I read a book recently about the great football coach Vince Lombardi, who was the head football coach of the Green Bay Packers for many years, and produced one NFL champion after another.