THE “Victory Starts Here” Published in the interest of the 108th Training Command • Vol 36.4 Winter 2012 GREAT RATES 'PS"MM.JMJUBSZ.FNCFST t4QFDJBM.JMJUBSZEJTDPVOUPOBVUPJOTVSBODF t&NFSHFODZ%FQMPZNFOUEJTDPVOU tTFSWJDFGPS"DUJWF%VUZ (VBSE 7FUFSBOT 3FTFSWF BOE3FUJSFE.JMJUBSZBOEGBNJMJFT t4UPSBHF1SPUFDUJPOQMBOTXJUISFEVDFE QSFNJVN tZFBSTPGTFSWJDFUPUIF.JMJUBSZ t.PSFUIBOMPDBMBHFOUT tHomeFrontSM B'3&&POMJOFXBZUPTUBZ DPOOFDUFEUPGBNJMZBOEGSJFOET BWBJMBCMFPO HFJDPDPN 1-800-MILITARY (or call your local offi ce) "DUJWF]7FUFSBO](VBSE]3FTFSWF]3FUJSFE Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. In New York a premium reduction may be available. Coverage is individual. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko Image © 1999-2012. © 2012 GEICO THE GRIFFON • Winter 2012 • 3 From the Commanding General... consequences of these events. The and what we are and our relevancy We have been laser focused on diffi culty of prediction exponen- to the future of the United States our Drill Sergeant production, our tially increases with the conclusion Army, especially in light of where biggest challenge in the past 24 of the Iraq War, Afghanistan ramp- the military is at this point histori- months. We have made a great deal ing down, the next four years for cally as we come to the end of an of progress on this especially in the a new or existing administration; era of being a nation at war with last three months and have begun what this Republic decides with terror over the last 11 years. to see an increase in our numbers. regard to the national debt, seques- We know that our core compe- There is still much left to do. We tration, the defense budget, foreign tency has been and will always be are shaping our force by looking policy and the unpredictability of training. We conduct Basic Com- at where we are over-strength as future events; in the Middle East, in bat Training (BCT), Leader Training well as where we need to bring in the small nation-states of Africom, (LT) and Foreign Military Training NCOs to fi ll vacant positions due to in places like North Korea, China (FMT). We build on this by ac- diffi cult to fi nd MOS’s. We contin- and other countries, both friendly knowledging our customers (TRA- ue to develop the force by work- and not so friendly. Department DOC and Cadet Command) our ing on educational requirements of Defense, the Armed Forces, and stakeholders (USARC, ATC’s, Sol- for both our midgrade offi cers and specifi cally the United States Army diers, their Families and the com- NCOs. We continue to improve and USAR are committed to main- munities that we impact and that readiness through vigilance in a tain the current state of readiness impact us), and our main partners number of metrics that we pay at- even as we commit ourselves to (the AC/RC Drill Sergeant School tention to; non-participants, medi- By Maj. Gen. Robert P. Stall working through the constraints and Recruiting Command). From cal readiness, things as simple as on time OERs/ NCOERs, APFTs, weap- Commanding General of a shrinking national budget and there we have built or re-validated ons qualifi cation and other met- 108th Training Command (IET) limited resources. The 38th Chief our mission, vision, our values and rics. All these things are important. of the Army, Gen. Raymond Odier- priorities along with the metrics to Sometimes writing these articles These will continue to be impor- no as well as the Chief of the Army measure and trend to see if we are to talk about the future is like skeet tant as we take care of our Sol- on track. Sounds incredibly sim- shooting. One tries to fi re in front Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Talley are diers and their Families through a of the clay pigeon hoping that strategizing towards developing a ple, yes? However when you think culture that addresses our mission there is enough “Kentucky wind- smaller, leaner but more capable of the 108th being a nationwide but supports the Soldiers and their age” to have buck shot and disk col- and fl exible Army of the future, one Command of nearly 8,000 Soldiers, Family’s safety and well-being, both lide in the same space at the same that is trained, equipped and ready three Divisions, 10 Brigades, 60 on and off duty. time. A perfect sequence of events, for missions at home and abroad. Battalions, the number of missions We must stay ready, even as we making the shooter look either In light of this, the 108th Training and taskings that we receive as a come into a time of reduced re- good... or lucky… or both. Command has just gone through a command during the course of a sourcing. The future is a tricky In the time between my writ- process of re-focusing on itself; its training year, the ensuing span of thing. Our past Secretary of De- ing this and you reading the win- core competencies, stakeholders, control as well as communications fense, Robert Gates once said we ter edition of the Griffon, we will mission, vision, and values and how challenges, the Army Communities have a perfect record on predicting have had a Presidential election, it is organized structurally to con- of Excellence Program has been where and when the next war is. several conferences at TRADOC, tinually improve on what it does. great in focusing us on best prac- Our record is zero. FORSCOM and USARC levels, the We are one of the two fi nalists in tices to optimize our effectiveness As we enter into the winter sol- 108th Commander’s Conference the 2012 Army Communities of Ex- as a Training Command. We have stice, Nanc and I wish all of you the as well as several meetings with cellence, a program which really fo- done a good job for our custom- happiness of the holiday season. the USARC G3/5/7 about future cuses on installation management ers in 2012 in providing both drill Take time to be with your Fami- force structure; all future events business and the ties between a sergeants and leader trainers that lies, friends and loved ones. Be that will have an impact of one sort command’s mission goals and the have done tremendous work at the safe both on the highway and off. I or another on the 108th Training Army Campaign Plan. This program various Army Installations. We must look forward to working with all of Command and… you. It is a little gave my staff and I the opportu- continue to excel in what we pro- you in 2013. diffi cult to predict the outcomes or nity to pause and refl ect on who vide to this customer base. Victory starts here! RSSRUWXQLW\DZDLWV SRXQFH <RXUÀUVWFODVVLVRQXV Current members of the military, National Guard reservists, veterans, their VSRXVHVDQGGHSHQGHQWFKLOGUHQQRZKDYHWKHRSSRUWXQLW\WRWDNHWKHLUÀUVW course at Peru State FREE with our new Military Appreciation Program. 0LOLWDU\ 'RQ·WZDLW<RXUIXWXUHEHJLQVDW3HUX6WDWH $SSUHFLDWLRQ Visit www.peru.edu/MAPWRGD\WRÀQGRXWPRUH Yellow Ribbon *Certain conditions apply. Program 3URJUDP 1HEUDVND·V)LUVW&ROOHJH(VWDEOLVKHGLQ3HUX1HEUDVND /RRNIRUWKH3HUX6WDWHDSS 0HPEHU,QVWLWXWLRQRIWKH1HEUDVND6WDWH&ROOHJH6\VWHP$FFUHGLWHGE\WKH+LJKHU/HDUQLQJ&RPPLVVLRQVLQFH on Android and iPhone. A member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. www.peru.edu/MAP Winter 2012 Contents From the Commanding General . 3 From the Command Sergeant Major . 5 95th Div. Hosts Commanders/Honors Local WWI-Era Female Marine . 6 Casing Ceremony for the 98th Training Division (IET) . 8 98th Iroquois Arrive at New Location Dedicated to WWII Chaplain . 9 Driscoll Takes Command of 1st Brigade, 98th Training Division (IET) . 11 2012 Best Warrior Competition Begins at Fort Lee . 14 Three-Event APFT Retained Pending Baseline Soldier Physical Readiness Study . 16 Drill Sergeant + Leadership Experience = Unlimited Potential . 17 Army Tightens Fitness Standards for Students Entering Professional Military Education . 18 Soldier Raises Money to Support Veterans . 19 WWII Veterans Will Honor 95th Soldiers From Afghanistan Missions . 20 4th Brigade, 98th Training Division Welcomes New Commander . 21 Wounded Warrior’s Wheelchair Basketball Camp . 22 Strong Bonds: How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk(ette) . 24 From the 95th Division Commander . 26 From the 104th Division Commander . 28 Cache In Your Skills . 30 95th Conducts STX . 30 Drill Sergeants, United Blood Services Unit to Give Back to Acadiana . 31 Plan For an Uneventful Winter . 32 Chaplains Corner . 33 Soldier’s Gold Mine . 34 Do You Want to be a Unit Public Aff airs Representative? . 36 108th Training Command (IET) • Charlotte, NC • Vol. 36, No. 4 Winter 2012 108th Training Command (IET) Commanding General............................................................................................ Maj. Gen. Robert P. Stall Command Sgt. Maj. ....................................................................... Command Sgt. Maj. Rocci R. Derezza Deputy Commanding General.................................................................................. Brig. Gen. Allan Elliot Chief of Staff ...................................................................................................................... Col. Daniel Christian Chief Executive Offi cer............................................................................................................... Mr. Larry Cruz 108th Training Command Public Aff airs (IET) Public Aff airs Offi cer..........................................................................................................