Women’sMarch 24, Team 2011 1 Handball, Laura Walker Invitational, 8 a.m. Saturday at Arvin. OINTER IEW® PVOL. 68, NO. 11 SERVING THE COMMUNITY VOF WEST POINT, THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY MARCH 24, 2011 Judo makes history, takes championships Senior Josiah McCoy (right) proved a fierce competitor and placed second in the Advanced Men’s 100kg division as the West Point Judo Team made history March 12 by winning the men’s and women’s advanced and novice team national championships—a first in collegiate judo history. This year’s tournament had 137 competitors representing 33 different colleges and universities, and West Point was able to rise to the occasion with 23 out of 29 cadets placing with a medal. See more on the judo championships on page 20. MIKE STRAssER/PV CHALLENGES, 2 March 24, 2011 Commentary Pointer View Outreach Services: Supporting AER: “Helping the Army take care of its own” Dear Members of the West Point Community: survivors and honoring Soldiers The West Point community is coordinating Commentary by Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch by Casey, SOS was developed to provide the Army Emergency Relief Campaign from IMCOM Commander longer-term, expanded support and care, March 1-May 15. The campaign provides active taking up where casualty assistance ends. duty Soldiers, retirees and cadets an opportunity I commanded the 3rd Infantry Division SOS offers support through benefits to help their fellow Soldiers. Your contributions out of Fort Stewart, Ga., as part of the surge coordinators, who help survivors understand make it possible for AER to meet a variety of in Iraq in 2007-08. During that time, 153 and apply for local, state and federal benefits; needs to include financial emergency aid, children Soldiers died in combat, in a place on the financial counselors, who assist through and spouse scholarships, grants to Wounded battlefield where I put them. I pray for those investment and estate planning education; and Warriors and benefits for eligible surviving Family Soldiers and their Families every day. Their support coordinators, who facilitate support members. loss is something I have to live with. For any groups, provide life skills education and Established during World War II to assist with leader, the loss of a Soldier hits hard. But the connect survivors with counseling resources. the financial emergencies of Soldiers, AER is the loss that survivors experience is magnitudes More than 200 SOS personnel are now only charitable organization solely dedicated to deeper and wider, because they have lost not working on installations throughout the serving the members of the U.S. Army. Throughout just a Soldier, but a friend, a son or daughter, United States and overseas, to include the years, AER has evolved its program, taking great pride in the professional manner and a husband or wife, a father or mother. National Guard and Reserve locations. The level of integrity it maintains to achieve its goal––“helping the Army take care of its own.” When I visit installations, I meet with three components work and train together Funds are made available through loans and grants that directly impact the well-being those who have lost loved ones on active duty. very closely on this One Army program, and morale of Soldiers, retirees, cadets and Family members. I make sure to talk with survivors for two to provide SOS services closest to where Please take time to consider contributing to this campaign; it continues to maintain reasons. One is that now, as the commander survivors live. the highest standards of charitable service for the “Total Army Family.” of Installation Management Command, I It does not matter how a Soldier died, and need to know how we are doing with one there is no time limit on SOS services. SOS The Supt of our newest programs, Survivor Outreach coordinators extend a hand as survivors are Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon, Jr. Services. The other reason is that survivors working with casualty assistance officers in Superintendent need to know that the Army recognizes and the first few months after a Soldier’s death, (Editor’s Note: As of March 18––after only two weeks—more than $7,300 in honors their Soldier’s service and sacrifice. but survivors do not have to accept assistance donations has been received.) The best, most meaningful thing we can right then or ever. They can decide to return do to honor our Fallen Soldiers is to support months or years later. The important thing is 24,000 cases from Casualty and Mortuary OneSource (www.myarmyonesource.com), and care for those they left behind. Survivor for survivors to know that the support is there. Affairs and continually reaching out to the SOS Facebook page and garrison SOS Outreach Services was established in April They are not alone—they are part of the Army survivors, both those who have suffered a webpages. There are also links to partner 2008 to do just that, in a more comprehensive Family for as long as they want to be. loss recently and those whose loss pre-dates organizations whose support is so critical to manner than ever before. There are also no exclusions in the the program. connecting with and providing for survivors. The Army is fortunate to have a leader like definition of survivor. For the SOS program, As the program becomes established, The loss of a Soldier is not a topic people Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., who a survivor is anyone—immediate Family, SOS continues to refine and enhance services want to talk about, but it is a reality of military had the vision and compassion to propel the extended Family, a friend, a fellow warrior— as more survivors provide feedback on their life. We do what we can to prevent losses. effort to support survivors beyond casualty who feels the loss of a Soldier. Every survivor challenges and needs. For example, this past In the end, though, despite our best efforts, assistance alone. Casualty assistance officers is not entitled to the same benefits under law year, when it became clear that survivors who we cannot prevent every loss. That is why work with Families during a very difficult or regulations, but SOS coordinators will do not have ID cards were having difficulty Survivor Outreach Services is so crucial. time, a heart-rending time, when Families work with any survivor to access counseling getting onto post to use services, SOS To honor the fallen Soldier’s service and are notified of their Soldier’s death and have and other resources. Our partnerships with developed a survivor vehicle decal program to sacrifice for our nation, we can do one last to make funeral arrangements and decisions local and national support organizations ease access and provide special recognition. thing—offer support for the loved ones the about entitlements and benefits. make this more expanded, inclusive approach The decals are currently being distributed Soldier left behind. But grief is very personal—it cannot be possible. through SOS offices. (Editor’s note: The West Point SOS standardized or resolved in a set time period. SOS staff members have made tremendous More information on SOS services and Program manager at ACS can be contacted With the help of a panel of survivors selected progress in a short time, receiving more than survivor resources is available on Army at 938-4621.) 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Mastin Command Information Branch Chief Kathy Eastwood See SUDOKU PUZZLE, Page 16 938-8366 Staff Writer, 938-3684 Website: www.pointerview.com Pointer View News and Features March 24, 2011 3 Survey looks into Army as a Profession of Arms “The study he commissioned Yearlong campaign seeks addressed only the Officer Corps,” Frequently Asked Toler said. “But when you read to assess state of the Army the recommendations from the Questions By Mike Strasser lot of what we’re doing is actually Westmoreland study and see how • What does the Profession of Assistant Editor proactive. If you talk to senior it impacted the Army over the Arms mean? leaders, yes, there are indicators out next two, almost three decades The Army is an American A survey was released Monday there.