WestMarch 1,Point 2012 1 Brigade Boxing Open, 6 p.m. Friday at Crest Hall. OINTER IEW® PVOL. 69, NO. 9 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF WEST POINT V, THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY MARCH 1, 2012 Inducting NCOs Sgt. 1st Class Trenton Zaragoza, Sgt. James Aldridge and Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Lennox stood front and center during the reciting of the NCO Creed toward the end of the NCO Induction Ceremony at Mahan Hall Feb. 23. Forty noncommissioned officers were inducted into the brotherhood of the Army NCO Corps. Zaragoza, member of the 2nd Aviation Detachment, introduced Aldridge into the NCO Corps while Lennox, a member of the U.S. Military Academy Dental Clinic, introduced Staff Sgt. Josefino Majadas (not shown) during the ceremony. The guest speaker at the event was NORTHCOM Command Sgt. Major Robert Winzenried. For more on the NCO Induction Ceremony, see pages 8-9. KATHY EASTWOOD/PV 2 March 1, 2012 Commentary Pointer View Spring break safety—for a safe return Reprinted from safespringbreak.org and reapply often. Pay extra attention to ears, nose, face and shoulders. Spring break is a time for college students to let loose of all Fair skinned individuals should wear sunglasses and even the stresses and frustrations built up during the academic year. a hat. Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the sun’s However, it is important to be cautious of not going to an rays and remember you can burn even when it’s cloudy. extreme during a time of frivolity. • Swimming—jumping into the water without a lifeguard Here are some steps to take to make sure you have a safe is risky. Even the most experienced swimmer can get caught return to West Point after spring break: in an undertow. • On the road—buckle up, take breaks and be rested. If In case you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to traveling in pairs, take turns behind the wheel and whomever the shore until the rip passes. Try to stay within the designated sits shotgun should stay awake to keep the driver company. swimming area and always swim with a buddy. Make sure everyone has a valid driver’s license and the • In the hot tub—alcohol dilates blood vessels and lowers vehicle registration is in the car before leaving on the trip. blood pressure to dangerous levels. Arrive alive at your destination by obeying the speed limits The effects of alcohol are felt sooner and stronger in a hot and staying aware of construction sites. tub. It can lead to unconsciousness and drowning. • Hotels—be secure. If safes are provided, use them for any • Going out—go out with your friends, go home with your valuables you may have. friends. By doing this, you can look out for one another and get Keep doors and sliding doors locked, and don’t let anyone a friend home who is too intoxicated to be out. into your room unless you trust them. Also, be on the lookout for signs of predatory drugs: extreme Make a mental note of where the nearest fire exits and wooziness, confusion, difficulty standing and slurring speech. stairwells are located in case you need to evacuate. If you notice these symptoms in yourself, find your friends Know your roommates. Most sexual assaults occur between immediately and tell them to get you out of there. non-strangers and hotel rooms are the usual off-post location. If you see these signs in a friend, do your friend duty and Use caution. take him or her back to the hotel or to a hospital if symptoms • Drinking—party smart. Be responsible. Pace yourself if are severe. you choose to drink and avoid hard alcohol or other powerful • Watch your pockets—there are many cases of people being drinks that have fast effects. Remember, drunks are easy targets. pickpocketed by criminals who prey on tourists. Be aware of alcohol poisoning. According to a University • Hooking up—no, not everyone is doing it. But if you do of Wisconsin study, 75 percent of college males and 43 percent choose to have sex, make sure you’re protected. of females reported being intoxicated on a daily basis during Decide before going on spring break what you’re willing to spring break. do, and then get to work setting your boundaries early and often. If you do decide to drink, know the liquor laws of wherever If you meet someone and decide to hook up, be up front you’ll be vacationing. Drinking and driving is always a with the person if sex isn’t in the plan. Say something along dangerous situation, so avoid this by having your safe mode of the lines of, “Hey, good looking, I’ve had fun this evening, but transportation planned before you go out. no fornication tonight.” Access a helpful tool right from your cell phone by visiting • Do not use illegal drugs and non-drugs—cocaine, B4UDrink.org and estimate your BAC (Blood Alcohol marijuana and other illegal drugs are career-enders. Do not Concentration) levels anywhere and everywhere you take your jeopardize your future for a short-term high. mobile phone. Some seemingly non-toxic activities also can have traumatic • On the beach—drinking in the sun can cause a bad sunburn results. For instance, sucking in helium from a balloon is safe and an even worse hangover. for most people, but taking hits from pressurized helium tanks The sun can maximize the effects of alcohol so keep this in can lead to death. mind if you party on the beach. • Have fun—make memories, but be safe and wise. Have Take it slow and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. If a clear head and finish out this academic year strong. Be ready you start feeling faint or light headed, get to a shaded area and to serve something more than yourselves. drink water immediately. (Editor’s note: A thank you goes to Lt. Col. Linda Emerson, And don’t be a lobster. Use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 West Point’s diversity officer, for sending this article.) 40 Mulberry Street, Middletown, NY 10940 POINTER VIEW ® recordonline.com The Army civilian enterprise newspaper, the Pointer View, is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pointer View are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Depart- For information, call (845) 341-1100 ment of the Army or West Point. If you have delivery problems, call The Pointer View ® is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The editorial content of the Pointer View is the respon- (845) 343-2181 ext. 3560 sibility of the West Point Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 600, West Point, New York 10996, (845) 938-2015. The Pointer View is printed weekly by the Times Herald-Record, a private firm in no way connected with the Department The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or of the Army, under exclusive contract with West Point. The Times Herald-Record is responsible for all commercial advertising. supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services ad- vertised by the U.S. Army or the Times Herald-Record. Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon, Jr. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, Eric S. Bartelt use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, Superintendent Managing Editor, 938-2015 marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. Lt. Col. Sherri Reed A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an Mike Strasser advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source. Public Affairs Officer Assistant Editor, 938-2015 Linda L. Mastin Kathy Eastwood Command Information Branch Chief, Staff Writer, 938-2015 See SUDOKU PUZZLE, Page 10 938-8366 Website: www.pointerview.com Pointer View News and Features March 1, 2012 3 Quality of life issues prioritized at AFAP Conference Story and photo by Mike Strasser only create Army policy but actual legislation derivative Assistant Editor of the work that happens in places like this. So I can assure you that I am a believer in this process.” Forty-two quality of life issues submitted by the Huntoon said he was impressed by the delegates’ West Point community were reviewed by 30 delegates efforts and said West Point has a reputation for its quality during the three-day Army Family Action Plan of life, which comes from a continued focus on invoking conference Feb. 22-24 at the Lee Club. change and the talented community who creates it. Delegates divided into three workgroups and “What you have produced once again are thoughtful, prioritized nine issues to present at the outbrief to the reasoned and actionable plans that the United States garrison commander and superintendent. They were Army will take a hard look at … and in many cases, also tasked with identifying strengths and weaknesses move forward,” Huntoon said. “You have chosen of West Point programs, services and support. In all, 38 some remarkable topics here, and I’m struck by that issues currently active at the Department of the Army because they are about family, they are about spouse AFAP were reviewed and prioritized by importance to employment and they are about a lifelong commitment the West Point community. to learning in the manner that you addressed education The first presenters at the AFAP outbrief were 1st Lt. issues. They are about the future of our Armed Forces Denny Frey and Debbie Gerber, both new to the AFAP and the youth of our country.