Spc. David Corey explains the Huey's role in transport and observation to a Junior ROTC class. Lessons in today's cavalry Story and photos by quainted with various helicopters and Staff Sgt. Douglas Nicodemus their missions, as well as the support 121st Air Refueling Wing equipment required. The students were scheduled to take orientation rides in Hueys, but winds of25-35 knots were too much to allow Students from Tecumseh High safe operation. School in New Carlisle got a close-up Nonetheless, the students were im­ view of Ohio Army National Guard pressed by the opportunity to see an aviation assets during a recent trip to aviation unit in action. Enjoying any Rickenbacker Air National Guard opportunity to learn more about the Base in Columbus. military, the class makes frequent Through the coordination efforts of trips to the Wright Patterson Air Capt. John Siles, aviators from Com­ Force Museum under the guidance of pany N of 4/107th Armored Cavalry retired Col. Ernest Peirolo. introduced the school's Junior ROTC Like many of the students, Jed (Reserve Officers Training Corps) class Baker plans to join the military after to a history of the cavalry from its graduation. "I'm going to earn my start to the present day. Following commission as an Air Force officer the video presentation, Warrant Offi­ through college ROTC," said the high cer Edward Helwig demonstrated the school freshman. Warrant Officer Edward Helwig illustrates workings of night vision goggles and The Tecumseh High School JROTC the operation of night vision goggles to allowed students to look through them program instructs students on lead­ Tecumseh High School students during in a darkened room. ership, military history, the science of an orientation visit at Rickenbacker ANGB. The demonstration was followed by flight and the Constitution, and pre­ a tour of the Army Aviation Support pares them to be better citizens Facility, where students were ac- through community service. • 2 Buckeye Guard Summer 1994, Vol. 18, No.2 F E A T U R E S 6 Sign of the Times Wom en making strides in the Ohio Guard 16 'Providing Promise' to Bosnia 179th Airlift Group aircraft, crews fly humanitarian relief missions. 18 Blazing Snow Trails in Vermont Biathlon team finishes with highest ranking in state history 21 Heroism Under Fire A look back at 37th Division Medal of Honor recipiants D E p A R T M E N T 5 4 National Briefs 26 Buckeye Briefs 5 Feedback 28 All About People 25 Drug Demand Reduction 30 Benefits ABOUT THE COVER: Women closing in on Guard's gender gap. Pictured from left, Senior Airman Shannon Scherer, Maj . Christine Cook, Sgt. Maj. Marsha Tate, Lt. Col. Nancy August, Maj . Deborah Ashenhurst and Sgt. Tracy VanDeventer. Not pictured, Maj . Karen Madison. Photo by Cameron Williams, Adjutant General's Department Photo Lab. 3 NATIONAL NEWS Ground combat redefined will open jobs to women. Women will still be barred from direct ground combat, but many jobs in combat service and combat service support units will be opened by rede­ fining ground combat and rescinding the "risk rule." The SUMMER 1994, Vol. IS, No. 2 new definition of ground combat has three parts. First, direct ground combat means engaging an enemy on the ground with individual or crew-served weapons. Second is personnel must be exposed to hostile fighting. Third is Buckeye Gu ard is published quar­ there must be a high probability ofhand-to-hand fighting. terly by the Public Affairs Office, All three elements ofthe definition must be present before Ohio Adjutant General's Depart­ women can be excluded from that unit. The risk rule, ment, 25 W. Dublin Granville Rd., which explicitly bans women from combat service and combat service support units ifthe Columbus, Ohio 43235-2789; (614) risk of combat was the same for the support unit as for the direct combat unit, won't be 889-7000. It is an unofficial, offset rescinded until Oct. 1 to give Congress a chance to examine the implications. (AFIS) publication as authorized under the provisions of AR 360-81. The views VEAP vets may deserve a refund. A search is underway for post­ and opinions expressed in Buck­ Vietnam era veterans who participated in the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program eye Guard are not necessarily (VEAP) who did not use all of the funds available to them or failed to request a refund. those ofthe Department ofthe Army The Chapter 32 program was open to those who joined the military between 1977 and or the Adjutant General of Ohio. 1985andagreed to contribute between $25 and$100 monthly from theirmilitarypayinto Bu ckeye Guar d is distributed free an education fund, which DoD matched $2 to every $1 contributed. VA estimates that to members of the Ohio Army and approximately 13,000 veterans discharged more than 10 years ago have contributions Air National Guard and to other remaining in their Chapter 32 accounts. These veterans are now due a refund equal to interested persons at their request. the unused balance of their own contribution to the fund. Matching funds contributed by Circulation 22,000. DoD are not refundable. Veterans who believe they may be due refunds should contact their nearest VA regional office to determine eligibility. The toll-free number is 1-800- ADJUTANT GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT 827-1000. (Army R eserve) State Commander-in-Chief Gov. George V. Voinovich Persian Gulf War overpayments again may Adjutant General be recollected. Gulf War soldiers who were overpaid as Maj. Gen. Richard C. Alexander much as $2,500 during the Persian Gulf War will be pursued again to repay that money to the government. This ongoing Asst. AG, Army Brig. Gen. John S. Martin dilemma was thought to have been solved when Congress autho­ rized the cancellation ofdebt up to $2,500 owed to the government Asst. AG, Air for Persian GulfWar veterans. The congressional leaders said the Brig. Gen. Gordon M. Campbell act to seek repayment was heartless. In an effort to recoup up to Command Sergeant Major $17 million of overpayments, the Department of Defense inspec­ State CSM Richard L. Wehling tor general, after conducting an investigation, has recommended that the Army's pay offices need to seek repayment again - two Senior Enlisted Advisor-Air years after Congress granted a waiver to the Persian Gulf veter- Chief Master Sgt. Earl Lutz ans. No sol uti on was established at press time. (National Guard) PUBLICATION STAFF U.S. Mint offers Gulf Medal. The U.S. Mint released a medal that Public Affairs Officer recognizes the contributions of the men and women in uniform who served in the Persian Maj. James T. Boling Gulf conflict. The bronze Persian Gulf Veterans National Medal is available for sale to Editor the public in two packages, one $12.50 and one $15.50. The medals measure one-and-a­ Sgt. Diane L. Farrow halfinches in diameter. For more information or to order a coin, call1-800-642-5552. Profits from the sale will be used to mint silver versions of the coin, to be presented to all Contributors: Persian Gulf veterans or their next of kin. However, the silver coins will not be minted 196th PAD Photojournalists until600,000 of the bronze ones are sold. (U. S. Treasury PAO) HQ STARC IO Photojournalists Air National Guard Photojournalists New 800 number answers environmental Unit Public Affairs Representatives questions. Commanders can call 1-800-USA-EVHL or DSN The Buckeye Guard staffalways wel- 584-1699 to get the answers they need about any environmental 1-800- comes articles that cover interesting problems they may encounter during the training of their units. Guard personalities and unique unit This number has been established by the U.S. Army Environmen­ training. Deadline for Buckeye Guard tal Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to give unit USA­ submissions are: commanders the most up-to-date information available on environ­ mental issues. The response line is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Winter: October 15 EVAL Spring: J anuary 15 Eastern Standard Time on all federal business days. During other Summer: April15 hours, queries are logged by an answering machine and return calls Fall: July 15 are made the next business day. (National Gua rd) 4 Buckeye Guard FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD Florida resident still voice my complaints. Then he explained One example of what an NCO is not, his reasons on how it was to be. From was a first sergeant I had several years proud to be a Buckeye then on, Sgt. Smullens and I saw "eye ago. He had a very authoritarian pres­ to eye." ence. When things weren't suiting Dear Editor, After a 3-year enlistment and an­ him, he would say, "You11 do things this way, or we'll go out behind the Today I received my Spring copy of other year in the Army Reserve, I took building and discuss it." That is not an the BUCKEYE GUARD. I just want to a long break, then joined the Ohio example ofa fair, selfless or competent tell you and everyone concerned how National Guard in 1981. I missed the leader. He will only cause discontent­ proud it makes me to have been part of camaraderie and team effort I enjoyed ment with the junior leaders. He was such a great organization as the Ohio on active duty. In the Guard, I found a "wolf," not a "shepherd" to the men. National Guard. this team effort again, demonstrated Today's Army needs NCOs who can The deeper into by key soldiers who led by ex­ influence others to perform the mis­ the magazine I read, ample and who took time to teach sion and keep it going smoothly.