2011 March Indiana Guardsman

Volume 7, Issue 1

A legacy of pride -Historic facility takes on new mission Feature story, page 4

Indiana Guard responds to winter emergency

Western Governors University Indiana Indiana Patriot Guard stands for Hoosier military

A look back: 38th Infantry Division in the Phillipines, part II

IndianaG uardsmanG uardsmanDedicated in 1867, the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home now serving the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Guardsman March 20112

The Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger

Public Affairs Officer Maj. Shawn Gardner

Editor andLayout and DesignMrs. Susan Hawver

Print OfficerCpt. John Beagle

PhotographersStaff Sgt. Les Newport

Staff Sgt. Tina EichenourStaff Sgt. Jeff Lowry

Sgt. Lorne NeffSgt. William HenrySgt. John Crosby

Mr. Michael B. Krieg

Contributing Writers and StaffState Public Affairs Office

120th Public Affairs DetachmentPublic Affairs Office, Camp Atterbury

Joint Maneuver Training CenterPublic Affairs Office, Muscatatuck

Urban Training CenterPublic Affairs Office, 122nd Air WingPublic Affairs Office, 181st Air WingPublic Affairs Office, 38th Infantry

Division

The Indiana Guardsman is an unofficial publication authorized under the provisions of AR 360-1, and is published by the Joint

Forces Headquarters, Indiana National Guard. It is distributed without charge to

the members of the Indiana Army and Air National Guard. All material submitted for

publication should be addressed to:

Joint Forces Headquarters IndianaPublic Affairs Office

ATTN: Guardsman Magazine2002 South Holt Road

Indianapolis, IN 46241-4839

Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the

Joint Forces Headquarters of Indiana or those of the Department of the Army

and Air Force.

About the Guardsman

Have a suggestion for the Guardsman?If you have information to contribute to the

Indiana Guardsman, please contact the editor by calling 1-800-237-2850 ext 3220

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“Indiana Guardsman”

A legacy of pride Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy finds inspiration at its new location at the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home

Operation FrostbiteJoint force efforts around the state kept Hoosiers safe as winter storms slammed into every community

Making historyIndiana National Guard Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery Regiment find their target with new digital artillery

Learning while servingWestern Governors University - a perfect fit for Hoosier military

Standing tallIndiana’s Patriot Guard

181st Intelligence Wing hosts hometown heroes

A look back: World War II, Part II38th Infantry Division in the Phillipines

Departments 3 Message from the Adjutant General

21 Homecomings

22 People making news

26 Fast Facts

J9 v-viii Continued, Civil Military Affairs and Family Programs tear-out directory

Photos front and back cover: interior detail ofchapel, Lincoln Hall, Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home, Knightstown, Ind. Special focus on the stained glass windows depicting the soldier (front cover and photo sidebar this page) and seaman (back cover) commemorating the school.

Photos by Indiana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Les Newport

In this Issue

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3www.in.ng.mil Indiana Guardsman

Message from the Adjutant General

The Indiana National Guard is winding up the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 in fine shape. We have Guardsmen on missions across the globe,

with more coming and going all the time. In December we welcomed home the Regional Corps Training

Team – 2 from Afghanistan after a very successful mission there. They worked and built relationships with Coalition and Special Forces, Afghan police, military, businessmen and local officials.

The 181st Intelligence Wing Security Forces Squadron enjoyed just such a welcome at Hulman Field upon its return from a seven-month deployment to Saudi Arabia in November.

The 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade has been immersed in premobilization training for the past several months. They will deploy soon into theater.

Our training facilities at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck continue to be destination facilities for law enforcement organiza-tions, emergency responders, and federal civilian workforce entities.

The building and upgrades at both locations make them premiere facilities in their own right, but they also serve as a “whole of nation” team to provide mobilization and training capacity for military and civilian organizations through their combined resources in the Camp Atterbury-Muscatatuck Center for Complex Operations.

The Knightstown community has been a godsend to the Guard and to the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy as the Academy made its move to the historic Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home last July.

Serving Indiana young people for more than 145 years, this property and its heritage offer the Academy not just beautiful grounds but a legacy of commitment to quality and service.

The Academy graduated its first class of young men and women from this location in December during a ceremony which featured Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels as keynote speaker. These young people continue to surprise us with their determination, work ethic, and dedication to successfully turning their lives around.

Continuing the Hoosier focus on education, the Patriot Academy, established on the grounds of Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in 2008, is attracting new students from across the United States.

These students join the military, then complete a course of study at the Patriot Academy which leads them to a high school graduation diploma. The Patriot Academy is the only high school run by the military to be accredited by the Indiana Department of Education. A class of 31 young Soldiers graduated in January, seven of whom are Indiana National Guardsmen. Since March 2010, the program has graduated 156 Soldiers.

Another education resource now available to Hoosier military is the Western Governors University Indiana.

This University, established by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in June 2010, provides a means for military personnel, prone to having to travel, to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees online.

The University honored its first graduates in October, and is now helping new students in their educational pursuits.

The success of the students is partially attributed to one-on-one mentorship by degree holders, many of whom are very familiar with the ins and outs of military service, some having also served.

We are proud that Indiana offers a great combination of military and civilian education and training opportunities to our Guardsmen, our youth, and personnel from other services.

Our Air Wings have undergone a number of important changes recently, a continuation of transformation in their missions over the past few years.

Former Air Guard Col. John McGoff was promoted to brigadier general and named Indiana Air Guard Chief of Staff. In January Col. David Augustine accepted the guidon as new wing commander of the 122nd Fighter Wing. He will lead the wing in its mission with the A-10 Thunderbolt.

Colonel Shane Halbrook, the Director of Staff, Air, has been undergoing training in preparation for his command position with the Joint Force 4-19th Agribusiness Development Team, which leaves for Afghanistan in late summer. His position at Joint Forces Headquarters will be filled by Col. Chris Colbert, former Vice Commander of the 181st Intelligence Wing, who will need to hit the ground running in this very fast-paced environment.

Our congratulations also go to former Brig. Gen. David Harris of the Indiana Army Guard who was promoted to major general. He has been hand-picked to serve as director of the National Guard Bureau domestic operations and force development in Arlington, Va.

In closing, I’d just like to give thanks to an organization which does so much with so little recognition.

The Indiana Patriot Guard is always with the Indiana Guard at its important functions. Whether homecomings, deployments, ceremonies or funerals, they stand with us and with our families as a matter of faith and unqualified support. With flags flying, these men and women volunteer their time to make certain that our folks are shown respect. Their motto is, “We stand for those who stand for us.” I can’t possibly say it better than that. We are so grateful to them all.

As we closed out this quarter, mother nature surprised us with the worst winter storm in decades. As always, our Soldiers and Airmen were at the point of the spear. In a matter of hours, more than 850 of our Guardsmen were on State Active Duty at 44 armories, prepared to provide assistance teams and aide in missions alongside our local and state first responders saving Hoosiers’ lives.

Now we turn our attention to hosting two major national Homeland Security exercises at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck, soon followed in June when the Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS) conference comes to Indianapolis.

Rowana and I have kept all our Guardsmen and their families in our thoughts as we have moved through the past several months. We are so very, very proud of each and every one of you.

Take care and be safe.


With a history spanning more than 145 years, the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home is once again serving and saving. Young people have needed the care of this home away from home since the Civil War.

The original proposal for the Home was submitted to Governor Morton by George Merritt in the summer of 1865. As a supplier to Union Army hospitals, Merritt came into direct contact with wounded soldiers. His interest in the orphans of Civil War veterans resulted from his knowledge of dying soldiers’ concern for their children’s welfare.

Merritt recommended attaching a children’s home to the proposed Home for Disabled Soldiers, but Governor Morton considered disabled veterans the state’s primary responsibility and refused to fund the children’s home as too expensive. Merritt privately established the Soldiers’ Orphan’s Home in the Military Hospital at Indianapolis with a caretaker and four orphans.

In April 1866 Merritt moved the Home to Knightstown across the street from the hotel housing the Indiana Soldiers’ Home. In March 1867 the State assumed control of both homes restricting residency to totally or partially disabled veterans, veteran’s orphan children under the age of fifteen, children of deceased soldiers whose mothers were still living and widows of deceased soldiers. In 1871 after a fire destroyed the Soldier’s Home, the veterans were moved to a soldiers’ home in Dayton, Ohio, and the Children’s Home became the sole possessor of the property.

During the late 1890’s the Home’s supporters grew concerned for the Home’s future because the number of Civil War veterans’ orphans was dwin-dling. With fewer children needing care the Home’s demise was inevitable. The legislature was persuaded to amend the law to include all destitute children of servicemen who served on active duty in any of the authorized campaigns or declared emergencies of the United States as evidenced by an award of authorized decorations for service, an honorable discharge or a letter of mourning or death certificate. Veterans’ children from all subsequent wars have been eligible for admission.

The Home underwent numerous name changes between 1865 and 1929. Originally named the Indiana Soldiers’ and Seamens’ Home, it was renamed in 1887 as the Indiana Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home.

In 1929, the Home was renamed the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Childrens’ Home.

An Alumni Association, founded in 1892, remains active in the affairs of the Home and will soon take up residence in the former superintendent’s home on the grounds. The stated mission of ISSCH was “to be a safe mentoring community where Indiana’s at-risk youth are given opportunities to excel.”

The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe will no doubt continue that mission.

Research for this article taken from State of Indiana government archives, (www.in.gov), Friends of the Indiana State Archives, www.fisa-in.org, ISSCH Alumni Association (www.isschalumni.com), and The Cortner History, also provided by the ISSCH Alumni Association.

A legacy of prideby Sgt. John CrosbyIndiana Army National Guard

The Indiana National Guard affiliated Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy gradu-ated its first class of cadets Dec. 18, at the program’s new, historic location - the former Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in Knightstown, Ind.

The Hoosier Challenge is a 17-and-a-half month, two-phase, quasi-military modeled training academy. The first five-and-a-half month residential phase focuses on academ-ics, job skills, responsible leadership and followership, life-coping skills, community service, hygiene and physical fitness. Cadets have the opportunity to earn their GED cer-tificate while residing at the facilities.

During the second and final phase, cadets resume their lives under the mentorship of a sponsor, someone who provides them additional assistance in the form of positive support and offers guidance during the remaining 12 months of the program.

At the direction of Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, the Indiana Adjutant General Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger established HYCA in 2007. The academy is part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program established in 1993 by the National Guard. Nationwide the program has graduated more than 90,000 young men and women between the ages of 16 and 18 who have dropped out of high school or are severely deficient in graduation credits.

Hoosier Youth Challenge, originally located at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center near Edinburgh, Ind., moved to Knightstown facilities during the summer of 2010.

Tahnee Casanova, a Hoosier Challenge representative, said the move has greatly increased the program’s ability to provide more focused attention for each cadet.

“We shared several buildings at Camp Atterbury with Soldiers that trained there,” said Casanova. “We had to schedule class-room time around the National Guard, which put a strain on our curriculum. Here in Knightstown, we have free reign to the facil-ity. We can stick to a fixed lesson plan and have the space to more efficiently allow all of our students to get the training they need.”

Historic Indiana facility takes on new mission, continues to provide sanctuary to at-risk youth

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A legacy of prideKnightstown is located in Henry County

approximately 40 miles east of Indianapolis with a population fewer than 3,000. The new campus is adjacent to the National Guard’s only caisson platoon, and is where the Indiana National Guard’s Ceremonial Unit stables its ceremonial horses. The grounds are set back from the local populace, providing little distraction to the cadets training there.

The roughly 410-acre new location has 53 structures including pavilions and open air complexes of which 15 are now used by the program. It was originally built in 1865 to provide care and education to the orphaned and destitute children of Civil War Union Army veterans.

As the numbers of Civil War orphans began to dwindle toward the turn of the century, legislature decided to open the home’s doors to orphans of all servicemembers who fought in authorized campaigns.

Programs at these grounds endured under various names through the 21st Century before coming to an end in May 2009.

During the ceremony, Daniels and the cadets commented on how the academy can positively influence at-risk youth. “A wise-man once told me, ‘when you fall, pick something up’,” said Daniels to the 94 graduating cadets and their families during the graduation ceremony. “However, your fall brought you here to Knightstown. You’ve stuck through it, and you picked up these life skills to move forward and be successful in society. You are Indiana’s future,” said Daniels.

These sentiments were echoed among the cadets.

“We all fall down sometimes,” said Class President Jacqueline Yeagy of Indianapolis to her fellow cadets during her class’ gradu-ation ceremony. “But character belongs to those who get back up. We have all messed up, which brought us here. But being here has brought us a new strength, courage and discipline into our lives.

“It is now time for us, as young men and women, to face the challenges this world has to offer. It is now time to go back home to our family and friends and use what we learned here to continue to make the right choices for our futures. Just because we are leaving HYCA, doesn’t mean we have to stop living

by what they taught us. Take with you what inspired you the most.”

Yeagy was one of several students to receive college scholarships for her academic excellence and commitment to the program.

Close to $20,000 in college scholarships were awarded to top graduates, which included 14, $1,000 scholarships from Ivy Tech.

Each graduating cadet performed an average of 45 hours of community service. For 2010, community service hours completed by Challenge cadets saved Indiana tax payers more than $109,000.

Since the program began three years ago, cadets have given back more than $294,000 to Indiana through volunteerism, according to HYCA officials.

The program graduates two rotations of cadets per year, however officials plan to eventually increase that number to four per year.

The academy began its newest class in January 2011. For more information about HYCA, visit www.ngycp.org/in or call 866-477-0156.

Historic Indiana facility takes on new mission, continues to provide sanctuary to at-risk youth

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Words of WisdomHoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy graduation speechAuthored and presented by president of the cadet class, Jacqueline YeagyAs presented December 18, 2010

Good morning, and thank you for

coming to this

very

special Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy graduation ceremony. I

also want to give a thank you to all the families who made it here to sup-port these young men and women who

are now finally graduating - one of their toughest accomplishments.

My name is Jacqueline Yeagy and I'm from Indianapolis, Indiana, and I have been given the honor of saying a few remarks to you about our journey that now leaves us sitting here.

Think back to the morning of July 18th. We pull up completely unprepared for what's to come. Whether you were greeted by Sgt. Girdler or Sgt. Snyder, we were all asked the same question, "Are you ready?" We were all thinking in our minds, "ready for what?" Then, as we passed the caution tape, we realized what they meant.

"Were you ready to embark on a new journey and experience that will change your life forever?" We weren't ready at that time, but we are now. What we have done here and the things we have done for others will not leave us.

What eight core component inspired and helped you the most? From personal expe-riences I know that service to community

completely changed the way I see others, and it made me realize that I have so much to give to others who have had so much taken away.

For some of us, those trips may have been the first time we ever helped anyone or even helped a whole community. Think about it, pulling up to a place and seeing the work that needs to be done. Then we pull away and see the finished product. We did that. We made a difference in someone's life. We may never know what happened, but we should know that we are appreciated.

Just because we are leaving HYCA doesn't mean we have to stop living by what they taught us. Take with you what inspired you the most. Adlai Stevenson said, "When you leave here, don't forget why you came."

We all came for different reasons. No mat-ter how many fights we got into, we will always be a HYCA family. We are the first class here at this facility and will always be the first class here. No matter what the memories we made, don't forget them. Some of those memories are what moti-vated us. Whatever happens, whereever you go, don't forget why you came. Don't forget who you are and don't forget what you accomplished.

Saying you won't is one thing, but saying you can't is another. At one point we all wanted to go home. Some said that they can't take this anymore. But look at where we are now, graduation. We did it. No matter our differences we do have one thing in common, we made it.

The changes we have now learned will lead us on a new journey somewhere else. If you ever thought you weren't strong enough, forget it, because YOU are. You accomplished something that not many others would even think about. We are all strong in our own way.

To dream is a gift, to believe is a success,

but to achieve is an accomplishment.

This isn't the end, but a new beginning. It is now time for us, as young men and women, to face the challenges the world has to offer. It is now time to go back home to our families and friends and use what we learned here to continue making the right choices for our futures. Dr. Seuss once quoted, "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened."

I asked a Cadet what she thought of that quote. This was her response, "Smile that HYCA happened, smile that you made good friends, smile that you accomplished something but don't cry because we are leaving."

Smile because you have this with you. I do want to tell you that it will not be easy to go home and back into the world. At times, we will all mess up. At times, we will all fall down. But some-one once told me that character belongs not only to those who don't fall, but to those who get back up. We have all messed up, which brought us here. But being here brought us a new strength, courage, and discipline into our lives.

As Winston Churchill famously once said, "Never, never, never, never give up." We haven't given up so far. So why stop now? We all have great futures ahead of us if we choose so. We all made a huge step to come here, but now is the bigger step, leaving. The loving staff have done their duty in teaching us. Now it's our time to give back and show them that what we learned made a difference.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.Photos facing page: historic photos courtesy of www.in.gov archives. HYCA graduation photos, Sgt. John Crosby, Indiana Army National Guard. Physical training, HYCA photos, courtesy of Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy.


Home football team, 1896Physical training, HYCA

HYCA graduation, December 2010

Graduating class of 1900

Morton Tigers Baseball Team, 1937

Physical training, HYCA

HYCA graduation, December 2010

background, HYCA graduation, December 2010


story by Sgt. John Crosby Indiana Army National Guard

Indiana National Guardsmen begin to draw down their forces Feb. 3, after more than 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen responded to severe weather across Indiana as the state saw some of the most brutal winter weather in decades.

From Tuesday evening and throughout Wednesday, Guardsmen responded to several calls from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security requesting assistance.

Guardsmen provided on-call assistance to local police and fire departments to rescue stranded motorists and transport citizens to shelters, assisted ambulance and medical support in areas that civilian emer-gency medical services could not reach and ran logistical missions transporting fuel, chainsaws and other equipment where fallen debris had made roads impassable.

Two storm fronts blanketed central Indiana in several inches of ice and up to 20 inches of snow in parts of northern Indiana Tuesday and Wednesday resulting in more than 4,500 flight cancellations, 87,500 outstanding power outages, hundreds of school and business closures and traffic accidents across the state. Additionally, bitterly cold temperatures and wind gusts of up to 45 mph caused whiteouts, downed trees and power lines.

Soldiers and Airmen began on-site operations centers in 44 National Guard Armories across the state working around the clock since Monday night in prepa-ration to provide assistance as several counties declared a “state of emergency”.

“We were well postured to respond to this emergency in whatever capacity the governor and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security needed us to respond to. I think we were postured in every location to do that and in the cases where

we were given missions we have succeeded,” said Joint Task Force 81 Commander Col. Mark E. Coers.

The task force is responsible for all military forces responding within Indiana.

Coers and his staff helped orchestrate military assistance to civil authorities through the use of pre-planned, special-ized teams including Highway Assistance Teams designed to assist in urban search and rescue, vehicle extraction and evacua-tion, and Multi-Functional Force Packages to augment emergency personnel, perform debris removal and provide security.

“It’s the versatility of our vehicles to traverse poor terrain that makes us special here,” said Coers. “In several cases, we responded to areas where police and emer-gency vehicles could not get to. We had the ability to get there and get them out of harm’s way.”

In one such case, Soldiers and Airmen under the 122nd Fighter Wing out of Ft. Wayne, Ind., came to the aid of a sheriff whose vehicle became stuck while trying to rescue a stranded motorist.

“We still have our command and control systems in place, setup until the Indiana Adjutant General determines through the joint task force commanders to take it down so we plan on continuing our operations for the community,” said 122nd FW Com-mander, Air Force Col. David Augustine.

Augustine is in control of one of three major regions that were under distress during and after the storm. His team of more than 350 Soldiers and Airmen evacuated citizens from their homes in Connersville, Ind., and moved them to warming stations after a major power outage there.

Additionally, Guardsmen continue to provide assistance to the Gary Police Department on an on-call basis. Assistance was also given to emergency medical services in Delaware County in eastern

Indiana. Guardsmen there were attributed to directly saving the life of a patient in respiratory arrest.

As weather and road conditions improve, the Indiana Guard draws down but is still providing assistance in troubled areas throughout the state.

“Now we are preparing to look at how we can reduce the force as needed in accordance with [Indiana Department of Homeland Security],” said Coers. “Our Soldiers and leaders out there have done a great job in preparing for this and supporting the citizens of the state of Indiana the way they expect us to support them.”

Guardsmen continue 24-hour operations, supporting local law and emergency response authorities to return the state to a level of normalcy.

Photo top right: While performing duties in the 122nd Fighter Wing’s Emergency Operations Center, Lt. Col. James W. Starnes, 122nd FW Civil Engineering Squadron Commander, updates Col. David C. Harmon, 122nd FW Mission Support Group Commander, during winter storm response. Photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Metzger, Indiana Air National Guard.

Photo center right: Indiana National Guard 1st Sgt. Jeramie Baty of Middletown, Ind., waits with members of his crew activated for support missions during a winter storm, Feb. 1, in cen-tral Indiana. Baty is a member of Company C, 76th Special Troops Battalion, Indiana National Guard. Photo by Staff Sgt. Les Newport, Indiana Army National Guard.

Photo bottom: Col. Michael D. Stohler, 122nd Fighter Wing Operations Group Commander (center), briefs Lt. Col. Kevin V. Doyle, 163rd Fighter Squadron Commander and Lt. Col. Kyle J. Noel, Director of Scheduling and C-Flight Commander, before switching shifts in the In-stallation Command Center during winter storm response, Feb. 2. Photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Metzger, Indiana Air National Guard.

Winterscapes top and right by Sgt. John Crosby, Indiana National Guard.

Operation Frostbite: National Guard responds


by Sgt. John CrosbyIndiana Army National Guard

Indiana National Guard Soldiers assisted Delaware County Emergency Medical Services in saving the life of a critically ill woman during the blizzard the first week of February.

Delaware County was declared a “state of emergency” as two storm fronts blanketed central Indiana in several inches of ice and up to 20 inches of snow in parts of northern Indiana Tuesday, Feb. 1, and Wednesday, Feb. 2.

More than 1,000 Indiana Guardsmen responded statewide and worked with civil authorities to return the state to a level of normalcy. Guard members provided on-call assistance to local police and fire departments that rescued stranded motorists, transported citizens to shelters and assisted civilian emergency medical technicians.

This was the case Wednesday, when Sgt. Christopher Ladner of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Spc. Blake Pyke from Tipton, Ind., both in Company A, 113th Brigade Support Battalion, headquartered in Muncie, Ind., responded to a call from Delaware County EMS.

A call requesting medical assistance for a woman with difficulty breathing was received at 8:15 p.m.

“This mission was different from the rest of the calls we had because in this mission, time was of the essence,” said Ladner, a truck driver with the unit. “Our main concern was getting there in time and how we would be utilized by the EMTs.”

Pushing through the snow and ice, Ladner and Pyke cleared the way with a four-wheel drive Humvee for paramedics trailing in an ambulance. They arrived on the scene at 8:25 p.m. with paramedics

Rick Scott and Jim Culberson.“We arrived to the woman, about 50

years of age; she was in cardiac arrest,” said Pyke. “By the time we arrived, she was blue in color and unresponsive.”

Both paramedics quickly went to work on the woman and the Soldiers grabbed a cot to transport her. Ladner returned to the Humvee, again leading the way and cutting tracks through the treacherous ice. Pyke, a Company A petroleum supply specialist, drove the ambulance so the paramedics could fo-cus on the patient.

The woman was transported to the hospital in under 20 minutes later.

Ultimately, the woman was resusci-tated, thanks to the swift work of the EMTs and Soldiers.

“I now have a greater appreciation for what these men and women do every day,” said Ladner, referring to the paramedics. “It is one thing to hear the stories of their heroism but being able to see it firsthand really opened my eyes to the importance of our emer-gency medical units.”

The appreciation went both ways.“They came in, they worked right

into our system,” Culberson said to reporters of the Star Press. “We commented how smoothly things went. They flowed right into it without any problems whatsoever. It worked out perfectly that these guys were there. We thanked them up one side and down the other.”Courtesy Photo – National Guard Petro-leum Supply Specialist Spc. Blake Pyke from Tipton, Ind., and Truck Driver Sgt. Christopher Ladner of Ft. Wayne, Ind., both in Company A, 113th Brigade Support Battalion, headquartered in Muncie, Ind., both responded to a call for a assistance by Delaware County Emergency Medical Ser-vices, helping to save the life of a woman in respiratory arrest.

National Guard Soldiers assist in saving Hoosier’s life


Indiana Guard Fields Digital Artillery Pieceby Sgt. John Crosby Indiana National Guard

– “Fire!”A deafening blast from the barrel of a

10,000 pound M777 howitzer spews a cloud of fire and ash, permeating the field with a thick, sulfur-carbon smell. A 100-pound 155mm high explosive artillery round screams to its target several miles into the impact zone. Adrenaline rushes through the hearts of the Redleg, field artillery Soldiers operating the weapon system as cheers, laughter and applause echo down the firing line.

The Indiana National Guard Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery Regiment just made history. The Indiana Guard is one of the first states to be issued the military’s newest and most technologically advanced artillery piece, and this was the first round sent down range.

“Tell us a grid and if we’re within range, we can stop and within a couple minutes we can have steel on target,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Thibodeau of Reelsville, Ind., commander of 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery Regiment. “It’s a scalable, tailor-able weapons system that is capable of extreme accuracy, resulting in minimal collateral damage.”

The howitzer has been a part of American military since the days field artillery was towed by horses and Soldiers wore red stripes down their pant legs, earning them their coveted Redleg title. This permanent fixture to the military’s arsenal has under-gone many upgrades over the years. This new weapon system replaced the old M198 howitzer, which was retired from the Indiana Guard’s ranks.

The M198, used by the 2-150th for 18 years, was retired on Sept. 18 during a direct fire ceremony held at Camp Atterbury. Initially fielded by the Marine Corps, the M777 is a lighter, more mobile take on the old howitzer. With recent advancements in technology and the world of field artillery

moving toward precision accuracy, a com-puter system has been added.

“The advantages are tremendous,” said Thibodeau. “It almost gives us the ability to shoot fewer rounds, increase first round fire-for-effects and gives us scalable solutions to minimize collateral damage which we didn’t have with the old 198s. It’s really a leap by about 100 years in technology.”

Of course, with anything new, there are kinks to overcome.

“It’s a little more complex; it takes a little more training to become proficient because it integrates hydraulics and elec-tronics along with our traditional howitzer cannon systems,” said Thibodeau. “There’s a paradigm shift. After years of surveying these [artillery] pieces in, and using optical sights, now everything is electronic. We are going to have to get comfortable with that.”

The commander believes that ultimately, teamwork will bring them to be more profi-cient at their new weapons.

“It’s a crew-served weapon system, so Soldiers need to learn to work together, and they need to work in a rhythm,” said Thibodeau. “We’re not that far along the spectrum at this point, but I’ve seen us go from what would normally take 13 minutes to get laden in order to about three minutes. So, it’s a significant increase in our ability.”

The 2-150th Soldiers spent 10 days training to field the weapon - studying its capabilities, specifications and new digital systems before firing them Thursday and Friday.

“These 10 days have flown by,” said Spc. Jason Filicsky of Plainfield, Ind., field artillery gunner in Battery C. “We were hit with a lot of information at once, but as we transition, it’s really just small changes. We’re still firing a howitzer; we’re still firing a 155 round. It’s just got a few different moving parts, and it’s a bit faster.

“It’s a lot easier to operate, more user-friendly and more maneuverable than the

198, that’s the bottom line,” continued Filicsky. “It’s a lot easier to emplace and pack-up, and faster firing, allowing us to shoot, move and communicate more effectively.”

Of course, with an indirect fire weapon such as a howitzer, accuracy is extremely important as collateral damage is a constant concern.

“It’s newer technology, better accuracy and fewer people to man the weapons system,” said 1st Lt. Joshua Huber of Jamestown, Ind., liaison officer for the battalion and a forward observer for the exercise. “When we’re destroying [enemy] equipment, buildings or even people; you don’t want collateral damage. This weapon has an enormous impact on the battlefield. It can destroy a large number of targets. It’s definitely a good feeling to call for fire and watch the rounds fall on target.”

As the 2-150 turns another page in history, they look to the next chapter. They adapt to and master their new weapons systems. They prepare for what’s on the horizon, and stand ready to engage it.

“The troops have embraced this technology,” said Thibodeau. “They see the benefits. We probably have one of the newest fleets and technologically advanced weapons systems within the state of Indiana, and I’ll tell ya, it really is exciting to be on the cutting edge of technology. These Redlegs are ready to go accomplish any mission they’re given. They’re ready to deploy as a full, field artil-lery, triple-seven battalion”. Photo: Indiana National Guard Sgt. Steven Cohee, artilleryman from Brazil, Ind., with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery Regiment headquartered in Rockville, Ind., sits on top of his team’s M777 howitzer directing his Soldiers to move the gun in position to fire on a Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center range, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010. The Indiana National Guard fired the weapon system for the first time at Camp Atterbury after a 10-dayfamiliarization course with its new cannons.

Photo by Indiana National Guard Sgt. John Crosby

9


Learning while serving: WGU Indiana offers convenient college path Indiana’s newest university a ‘perfect fit’ for Hoosier militaryby Kate Pell

Serving the country, meeting family obligations and pursuing an advanced college degree is now all possible thanks to Western Governors University Indiana (WGU Indiana), our state’s newest University.

Established by Governor Mitch Daniels in June of 2010, WGU Indiana meets the demands of the military member and military spouse. It is a non-profit, online, competency-based university providing fully accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“WGU Indiana provides our service men and women a great opportunity to obtain an affordable, accessible, high-quality online degree that meets the highest academic and professional standards,” said Governor Daniels. Among the many advantages, you learn at your own pace without the calendar constraints of traditional semesters.

You can apply the on-the-job learning experiences and compe-tencies you have obtained toward your degree, which accelerates your program. The average WGU Indiana student works full time and still graduates with a bachelor’s degree in two and a half years.

“Keeping our military well educated is important to the success and safety of our men and women,” said Major General R. Martin Umbarger. “From that vantage point, WGU Indiana provides an exceptional service to our troops and our nation. Only through a combination of military training and civilian education programs can we help our Guardsmen reach their personal and professional potential. Our Soldiers and Airmen will benefit tremendously from this parallel offering of learning opportunities.”

Perfect fit for those who serveFormer Marine Corporal and current WGU Indiana mentor Molly

Conkling knows what it takes to be successful both in the classroom and in the military. With an MBA from Anderson University, Conkling is part of WGU Indiana’s growing number of student mentors (WGU’s version of a faculty advisor or counselor). While enlisted, Conkling found military-focused programs offered by some brick-and-mortar universities proved to be a logistical nightmare.

Conkling was enrolled in a traditional university that offered a special program for the military. That university had some online classes, but required in-class work. That piece of the program proved to be more challenge than benefit.

Photos courtesy of WGU Indiana. Far left, Allison Barber, Chancellor, WGU Indiana; second photo from left, WGU Indiana mentor Molly Conkling; second photo from right, college outreach event, December 2010; photo far right: Governor Mitch Daniels congratulates members of WGU Indiana’s first graduating class at the October 27, 2010, ceremony.

“As an online university, WGU Indiana allows students

to take their coursework wherever they are, whether

it is in the comfort of their own home in Indiana or on

base in Japan. Wherever there is Internet, there

is WGU Indiana.”- Allison Barber

Chancellor of WGU Indiana

For information on WGU Indiana, call 866.225.5948 or visit the WGU Indiana Web site at http://Indiana.wgu.edu/4guard


“After four years in the service and taking classes whenever I could fit them in, I barely had one full year of college under my belt,” said Conkling. “Various military assignments took me away from my coursework and classroom time. Had WGU Indiana been an option at the time, it would have been a blessing.”

“WGU Indiana’s all-online structure is a huge benefit to military members,” said Conkling. She cites the mentor program as one of the many benefits of WGU Indiana.

“Having that one-on-one interaction with a mentor who ‘gets it’ is invaluable. Not only do our mentors provide educational support, but they offer personal support, as well. The mentors are your cheerleaders. They are invested in you and your success.”

Online education with a personal advocateFrom their first day with WGU Indiana, students are paired with

a mentor—like Conkling—who has experience and expertise in the field they plan to study. The mentor is there to help students through coursework and provide counsel as needed. Calls with mentors are scheduled every week to report progress and answer questions.

“Many of my calls with students happen well after eight in the evening,” said Kandra Sejas, WGU Indiana student mentor for the college of Information Technology. “Being available whenever a student needs me is my first priority. We are not 9 to 5; we are all the time, anywhere.”

Location, location, locationWGU Indiana’s other big benefit is universal access. When a

Soldier’s location can change in an instant, an online university has major benefits.

“As an online university, WGU Indiana allows students to take their coursework wherever they are, whether it is in the comfort of their own home in Indiana or on base in Japan,” said Allison Barber, chancellor of WGU Indiana. “Wherever there is Internet, there is WGU Indiana.”

Because students communicate with mentors via weekly phone calls, the student’s location doesn’t matter.

“The classes are the same, the mentor is the same wherever you are,” said Barber. “As an army wife, I know that moving

your family and your life during your time in the military creates a stressful situation. With WGU Indiana, accommodating your needs is just part of what we do. We want to see you succeed; we are only successful if the student is successful.”

In addition to easy accessibility, online education is an ideal way to make productive use of free time.

“There can be a lot of downtime when you’re stationed abroad,” said Conkling. “As a Soldier who was looking for something to do during free time, online education seemed like the perfect fit. As I was pursuing my degree, I was able to use my studies as a way to otherwise occupy my mind, something that was incredibly valuable while I was away from my family.”

Military scholarships can help lower costs even furtherAs part of its special rollout to Indiana National Guard, WGU

Indiana is offering competitive scholarships to Guard members, as well as military spouses.

“I know the commitment and dedication that comes with be-ing a military family. I also know its stresses,” said Barber. “It’s important to me and to WGU Indiana that we provide financial support to those who serve, those who have served, and the people who support them.”

Through several $1,500 scholarships, WGU Indiana is reducing some of the financial burdens associated with higher education. In addition to scholarships, WGU Indiana is approved for use by the Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant (NGSG), GI Bill Benefits, Tuition Assistance, and Troops to Teachers.

Off to a strong startLaunched in 2010, WGU Indiana is already delivering positive

results. “We’ve already seen what a great impact WGU Indiana has

on the lives of its students,” said Barber. “We’ve celebrated the achievements of our first graduating class; we’ve seen our enroll-ment numbers triple in a short timeframe; and we’ve welcomed new partnerships and opportunities with Hoosiers seeking new educational experiences. I know we can deliver similar success for Indiana’s military.”

Learning while serving: WGU Indiana offers convenient college path Indiana’s newest university a ‘perfect fit’ for Hoosier militaryby Kate Pell

“WGU Indiana provides our service men and women a

great opportunity to obtain an affordable, accessible,

high-quality online degree that meets the highest academic and professional standards.”

- The Honorable Mitch DanielsGovernor of Indiana


They ride upon loud, imposing motorcycles, draped in leather, club patches and tattoos, they band together rain or shine, hot or cold, day or night for one common cause; to stand for those who stood for us.

Such is the Indiana Patriot Guard Rider’s motto: “We stand for those who stand for us”.

The diverse, nationwide organization is dedicated to serving our nation’s military servicemembers. Guard riders attend the U.S. military’s deployment ceremonies, welcome-home ceremonies and funeral services with two main objectives in mind: “to show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities and to shield the mourning family and their friends from interrup-tions created by any protestor or group of protestors,” according to the Patriot Guard website. “We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.”

Motivated by religious protestors demonstrating at the funeral of a fallen U.S. servicemember in August 2005, the American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas decided to make a stand. They gained permission from families of deceased servicemembers to provide their support. They contacted law enforcement informing them of their intent.

Their ultimate goal was to muster veterans and motorcycle organizations across the nation to help defend against future intrusions on memorial services for our nation’s fallen.

“Many of us are Vietnam veterans and remember what happened to us,” said Richard Wilbur, state captain for the Indiana Patriot Guard.

“The guys getting spit on, that was us. People wanted to fight us for being in the military. We got together and said never again, not on my watch. We stand for you guys.

“However, we don’t stand for the war. Some of our guys hate the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we don’t take political views, and we will never demonstrate against the military. We will always honor the man and woman who put on the uniform and serves.”

Wilbur spent four years in the Air Force in the late ‘60s, serving as a medic and tending to the wounded in a military hospital in Japan.

He spent 20 years with the Indianapolis Police Department and feels that a life lived selfishly is a life wasted. He has stood in line with his fellow members of the Patriot Guard, forming a “flag-line,” essentially a human barricade, blocking

Standing for those who stood for us Indiana Patriot Guard’s support for Hoosier troops by Sgt. John Crosby Indiana National Guard

12


Standing for those who stood for us Indiana Patriot Guard’s support for Hoosier troops by Sgt. John Crosby Indiana National Guard

protestors from harassing mourning family and friends of fallen servicemembers.

“We have all walks of life from all economic backgrounds, all racial backgrounds, and all religious backgrounds in our organization,” said Wilbur.

“I have seen them as young as 4 years old and even younger standing in a flag line with us, and I have seen elderly people over 80 standing in line with us.”

In 2010 alone, the Indiana Patriot Guard attended roughly 180 funeral events, 115 deployment and welcome-home ceremonies, 84 rallies, fund-raisers and parades.

They’ve sent more than 9,700 pounds in care packages and $850 in phone cards to troops overseas, and 1,750 holiday cards were sent out to veterans and their families. Food, clothing and toiletry items were also donated to veteran’s support organizations such as the Veterans Homeless Center in Lake County Indiana.

“I have only the highest respect and admiration for this fine Patriotic Organization,” said Indiana National Guard top noncommissioned officer Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Gregory Rhoades. “While many of our citizens give honor to those who serve, most don’t to the extent that this organization does.”

Rhoades has worked with the Indiana Patriot Guard first hand as he was selected to provide per-sonal escort to the remains of a fallen Indiana Sol-dier.

“The Patriot Guard was there to provide motor-cycle escort to the funeral home and again the next day to the cemetery. It was a very cold day, but that did not deter them from their mission. Their com-mitment that day still stays with me when I see them at different events.”

“They exist solely for the purpose of providing unwavering respect for the nation’s servicemembers who fight for our freedoms,” continued Rhoades. “As it is said ‘freedom isn’t free’. I think this is one way they can feel they are helping pay the bill.”

Photo left: Indiana Patriot Guard Riders form a flag line at repatriation ceremony for Indiana National Guard Spc. Jonathan D. Menke who died in Iraq in 2008. Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. Beth Gorenc.

Photo right: Indiana Patriot Guard Riders escort the fu-neral procession of Indiana Nationla Guard Sgt. Gary M. Henry in August 2008. Henry died while serving with the 38th Military Police Company in Iraq. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry.

13


by Staff Sgt. David Bruce Indiana Army National Guard

After a decade of warfare, the status quo for a National Guard unit’s annual training bears little semblance to the event typically perceived as ‘2-weeks in the summer.’

This year’s annual training mission for the Indiana Army National Guard’s 38th Military Police Company, of the 38th Infantry Division in Indianapolis, was to assist in the training of civilians participating in the Department of Defense Civilian Expeditionary Workforce and Department of State Foreign Service Institute as they prepare for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

While the civilian training is the focus of these programs, military units use their participation to conduct training of their own.

According to Sgt. Carl Youker, it is a good opportunity for the MPs to improve their skills.

“We’re focusing on convoy operations and personnel security,” said Youker. “We’re here to teach the civilians how mili-tary operations are performed.”

38th MP Company is a combat support military police unit with primary functions while deployed of convoy operations, cordon and search, and personnel security details.

In this capacity, the MPs are treated somewhat like a mobilizing unit, said Youker — they live on a contingency operating base, receive classes from subject matter experts from Muscatatuck’s training personnel and practice what they learned.

“A lot of civilians are deployed in country and they use military police for security,” said Youker. “This gives some of the new guys a chance to see the bigger picture.”

The MPs performed convoy security operations for the civilians, getting them from one training vignette to the next in a safe manner. Once they arrived at the loca-tion of the training event, the security detail would scout the venue for the civilians to ensure they could conduct their business in a secure environment.

During meetings with role players who

portray host nation representatives resolving reconstruction efforts, elements of the personnel security detail would be on hand if the civilians felt threatened during negotiations. Once these training events concluded, the MPs had to escort the civilians from the meeting to their respective vehicles safely - at all steps along the way remaining ever vigilant should opposing forces attack.

The Soldiers were receptive to the prospect of helping train the civilians, said Master Sgt. Robert Hattabaugh, senior operations noncommissioned officer with the 38th MP Company.

“Everything is a training opportunity, though this training is not directed at us,” said Hattabaugh. “The Soldiers get a two day train-up which is a refresher for the older guys and gives the younger Soldiers a chance to learn new procedures.”

The first week of the annual training period for the 38th MP Company was spent training with members of the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce and the second week was spent with the Foreign Service Institute students as both groups prepared for deploy-ments, said Hattabaugh.

“The civilians need experience integrating with military personnel so they know what to expect from their [personnel security detail], what to do during convoy operations and emergency procedures,” said Hattabaugh.

The military units, such as the 38th MP Company, involved in these civilian programs are essential according to Rory Aylward, an Afghanistan subject matter expert training the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce.

“This program couldn’t exist without Soldiers and support of the National Guard. They’re here to help facilitate the training for the civilians. In country, the civilians are dependent on the military; they have to forge a relationship to be successful,” said Aylward.

In a way, they are each other’s training aid. The civilians learn how Soldiers operate and how operational decisions

are made. The Soldiers get to experience what the civilians can bring to the fight. Both sides gain a greater understanding of roles they have in the collective war effort and how they interact, said Aylward.

“The MPs already understand the security mission. It’s great for them to be exposed to this type of mission,” said Aylward, referring to the integration with civilians. “The Soldiers learn flex-ibility and to minimize the risks that the civilians have to take.”Photo: Sgt. Mollie Pitz, 38th Military Police Company, 38th Infantry Division, Indianapolis, guards the entrance of the building in which civilians of the Civilian Expeditionary Work-force meet with host nation representatives during a training scenario at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Ind., Jan. 14, 2011. Photo by Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Indiana Army National Guard

Indiana National Guard Soldiers help prepare civilians for deployment

“In country, the civilians are dependent on the military; they have to

forge a relationship to be successful.”

- Rory Aylward Afghanistan subject matter expert

14


by Major Jim JensenIndiana Air National Guard, 181 IW/PA

Brig. Gen. John P. McGoff has been named Chief of Staff of the Indiana Air National Guard. In his new assignment he will be an advisor to the Adjutant General on matters pertaining to the Indiana Air National Guard which consists of the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, the 181st Intelligence Wing in Terre Haute, Atterbury Air-to-Ground Gunnery Range in Edinburgh, Jefferson Air-to-Ground Range in Madison, and the 207th Weather Flight in Indianapolis.

McGoff was promoted to his current rank in a ceremony held on June 6, 2010, at the Indiana War Memorial. Pinning on his stars were Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana’s Adjutant General, and McGoff’s wife Karen.

Earlier in his career, 1982, he was com-missioned through the Medical Service Corps, and re-commissioned in the Medical

Corps in 1984 upon completion of medical training.

Prior to his current assignment, he was the Air National Guard Assistant to the United States Air Force in Europe Surgeon General, serving as the liaison between the Air National Guard and Headquarters USAFE, advising the commander on Air National Guard medical capabilities.

His distinguished service included assignments as the Officer-in-Charge, Squadron Medical Element, 163rd Fighter Squadron, from 1984 to 1988. He then transferred to the 122nd TAC Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., as the Chief of Flight/Missile Medicine. He assumed command of the 181st Medical Group, Terre Haute, Ind., in November of 1992. During his tenure as commander, the unit received “Excellent” ratings on their Health Services Inspections in 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2005. The unit won the Theodore Marrs Award, which is the highest Air National Guard Medical

Award, both in 1997 and 2006, as well as the prestigious Schaeffer Trophy in 2006 for best medical unit in all of the Air Reserve Components.

He has participated in many exercises and deployed to numerous locations around the world, including: Balekishir, Turkey; Azraq, Jordan; Camp Zama, Japan; Bahrain; Misawa Air Base, Japan; Red Flag, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Osan Air Base, Korea; Coban, Guatemala; McMurdo Bay, Antarctica; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Joint Task Force Surgeon for Patriot Exercises 2004-2009, and most recently as the Emergency Department Medical Director at the 332nd Emergency Medical Group, Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

McGoff is a Command Flight Surgeon with over 600 military flying hours in various aircraft, including the F-4, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-5, C-17, C-130, C-141, KC-135, C-131, C-26, C-12, UH-1, UH-60, and MH-53.

McGoff named Indiana Air National Guard Chief of Staff, promoted to Brigadier General

Photo by Indiana Air National Guard SMSgt John Chapman

Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, left, shakes the hand of newly pinned Brig. Gen. John McGoff, while Mrs. Karen McGoff pins on the other star during the June 6 ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial, Indianapolis.


Photos by Sgt. Will Hill, Indiana Army National Guard

Clockwise from top left:

Staff Sgt. David Wilson, a Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana National Guard Soldier from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, prepares 40mm ammunition for the Mk 19 grenade launcher at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Joint Training Center Dec. 3, 2010, during his weapon qualification training.

An Indiana National Guard Soldier from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade inspects a 40mm grenade before loading the ammunition into the Mk 19 grenade launcher during weapon qualification training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center Dec. 3, 2010. The Mk 19 is a belt-fed automatic grenade launcher which can fire 40mm grenades at a cyclic rate of 325 to 375 rounds per minute.

1st. Lt. Todd Whitson, range training technician at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, confirms hits or misses by observing Soldiers from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade firing the Mk 19 grenade launcher Dec. 3, 2010. More than 50 Soldiers from the 219th BFSB participated in the qualification training on multiple weapons systems includes, the M4 assault rifle, the .50 caliber machine gun, the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), and many more in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.

Staff Sgt. David Wilson, a Shelbyville, Ind. Soldier from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, fires the Mk19 grenade launcher during weapon qualification training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center Dec. 3, 2010. More than 50 Soldiers from the 219th BFSB qualified on multiple weapon systems for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.

Sgt. Drue Gilbert, from Greenfield, Ind., a signal support systems specialist from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, fires a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) as his spotter, Pvt. Jess Neal, from York Town, also from the 219th BFSB, observes and locates the target for his partner during weapon qualification training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center Dec. 4, 2010.

An Indiana National Guard Soldier, from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, prepares to engage targets with the Mk19 grenade launcher as the sun rises at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Joint Training Center Dec. 3, 2010. More than 50 Soldiers from the 219th BFSB qualified on multiple weapon systems during weapons qualification training for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.

A .50 caliber machine gun is ready for firing by Indiana National Guard Soldiers from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade during weapon qualification training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center Dec. 3, 2010.

Sgt. Steven Shaw, an Indiana National Guard Soldier from the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, leans back to get line-of-sight as he fires a .50 caliber machine gun during weapon qualification training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center Dec. 3, 2010. More than 50 Soldiers from the 219th BFSB participated in the qualification training on multiple weapons systems to include, the M4 as-sault rifle, the 50 caliber machine gun, the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), and many more in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.

Deploying Soldiers qualify on multiple weapon systems


Deploying Soldiers qualify on multiple weapon systems

17


181st Intelligence Wing hosts Hometown heroes Salute ceremony

181st Intelligence Wing hosts Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony

by Senior Airman Ben Sutton Indiana Air National Guard, 181st IW Public Affairs

The 181st Intelligence Wing hosted its first Hometown Heroes Salute Ceremony on Aug. 8, 2010, in Terre Haute, Ind., honoring 237 Airmen and their families.

In August 2008, Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, sanctioned the Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute recogni-tion program.

The purpose of this program is to celebrate and honor the significant contributions of the Airmen, their families, communities, and those special sup-porters to the mission of the U. S. Air Force and the Air National Guard.

“I’m humbled by the impressive number of wing members who have made significant sacrifices for the defense of our country,” said Lt. Col. Kip Clark, 137th Intelligence Squadron commander.

The Airmen received a framed letter from Gen. McKinley, which contained the Hometown Heroes Salute coin.

The Airman’s spouse or significant other received a rosewood pen and pencil set with the Hometown Heroes logo engraved on it and children received Hometown Heroes Salute dog tags.

“It’s an honor to receive this award and I am completely humbled by this experience,” said 1st Lt. John Mutnansky.

“The Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony recognized the outstanding contributions of our Airman who provided selfless service to our country since 9/11 by deploying for 30 days or more,” said Col. Jeff Hauser, 181st Intelligence Wing commander. “We also recognized the contributions of their families that served beside them.”

Captions, from top: Command Chief Master Sgt. Henry Mook, Maj. Matthew Perkins, and Col. Jeff Hauser pose after presentation of the Hometown Heroes plaque.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Henry Mook, Master Sgt. (Ret) Robert Downing, and Col. Jeff Hauser pose after presentation of the Hometown Heroes plaque.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Henry Mook, Tech. Sgt. Amberlee Marczak, and Col. Jeff Hauser pose after presentation of the Hometown Heroes plaque.

Photos by Indiana Air National Guard Master Sgt. John Day


HomecomingsOn December 5, 2010, we welcomed home from Aghanistan the Regional Corps Training Team -2

Photos by Indiana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Tommi Meyer


P e o p l e m a k i n g n e w sP e o p l e m a k i n g n e w s122nd Fighter Wing changes commanders

The 122nd Fighter Wing welcomed Col. David L. Augustine to the position of wing commander on Jan. 8, 2011. He replaced Col. Jeffrey A. Soldner, who served as wing commander from 2004 to 2011.

The change of command ceremony included a unit formation, honor guard presentation, and a formal military ceremony, featuring the exchange of the guidon. In military tradition, he who controlled the guidon also controlled the soldiers and their allegiances.

Augustine was selected to replace Soldner in November by In-diana’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger. Previously, Augustine served as the vice wing commander at the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., and is a command pilot, which is a pilot with 14 or more years of experience. He has more than 3,500 hours of flight time in the numerous aircraft, to include the A-10.

Umbarger stated that “Colonel Augustine will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the 122nd Fighter Wing as we continue to transition to the A-10 aircraft.” Augustine is a combat veteran having flown in air campaigns in Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo.

Augustine was born in Columbus, Neb. He graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in professional aeronautics. He began his military career when he enlisted in the Nebraska Air National Guard in 1982 and subsequently received his commission in 1986. His wife, Chavala, and three children are looking forward to relocating from Grosse Point, Mich., to the Fort Wayne area, and becoming active members of the community.

Soldner, a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours of flight time in numerous aircraft to include the F-100, F-4, F-16, and C-26, began his career with the Indiana Air Guard in 1972 as an enlisted member while attending Purdue University.

In 1976 he received his commission and attended flight training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. Soldner had a distinguished career, holding numerous positions of leadership, to include his selection as the 122nd Fighter Wing commander in 2004.

His combat assignments include senior leadership positions at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, and Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

The 122nd Fighter Wing under Soldner’s command achieved an impressive safety record of more than 60,000 accident-free flying hours, and Air Force Inspection ratings of excellent or better.

Umbarger said, “I want to thank Colonel Jeffrey A. Soldner

by 1st Lt. Rebecca MetzgerIndiana Air National Guard

for his outstanding service to the Indiana Air National Guard and his outstanding leadership of the 122nd Fighter Wing for the last six years. I wish Colonel Soldner and his wife Karen the very best in their upcoming retirements.”

Photo by Indiana Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Justin Goeden

Indiana Air National Guard Col. David Augustine speaks about his excitement in becoming the commander of the 122nd Fighter Wing during the unit’s change of command ceremony that took place on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Ft. Wayne, Ind.


P e o p l e m a k i n g n e w sP e o p l e m a k i n g n e w sby Sgt. James BowieIndiana Army National Guard

Somerset, Ind., native earns second star

At the end of the ceremony, Harris surprised Furnas with her promotion to first lieutenant. Her husband, Derek, joined them on stage. It was Harris’ first official act as major general, according to Umbarger.

During his career, Harris served as a platoon leader, ex-ecutive officer, troop commander, assistant battalion operations officer, division inspector general, brigade operations officer, executive officer and deputy commander. He’s commanded 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the 76th Infantry Brigade, based in Indianapolis. In 2004, he deployed to Afghanistan as deputy commander of Coalition Joint Task Force – Phoenix. He served in the Balkans from 2009 to 2010 as chief of staff of the NATO-led Kosovo Force.

Harris has a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. He earned a bachelor’s de-gree from Oakland City University. His many military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, six Meritorious Ser-vice Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Indiana Commendation Medal, Indiana Emergency Service Ribbon and Indiana Overseas Ribbon.

“I give him a hard time about a lot of things, but I’m still very proud of him,” said his daughter, Furnas.

Indiana National Guard operations di-rectorate, Col. Ronald Westfall opened the promotion ceremony. Maj. Lisa Kopczynski, Camp Atterbury public affairs officer, sang the national anthem, while Col. William Stang, state chaplain, gave the invocation and benediction. The 38th Division Band’s brass quintet provided the martial music.

Photo above: Harris’ daughter, 1st Lt. Tracy Furnas, a nurse with the Indiana National Guard Medical Detachment and Furnas’ daughter, Hailey, 11, replace the older one-star shoulders boards with the new two-star boards on their father’s (and grandfather’s) uniform.Photo right: Nick Harris, the son of newly promoted Maj. Gen. David L. Harris, affixes the new two-star pins on the emblem on his father’s army beret during the promotion ceremony.Photos by Indiana National Guard Public Affairs Photographer Mr. Mike Krieg.

Family members assisted the Indiana Adjutant Gen-eral in pinning major general stars on an Indiana National Guardsman who started as an enlisted Soldier and now serves at the highest levels of the National Guard Bureau.

“The toughest missions I had, I always gave them to this guy,” said Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, during the promotion ceremony for Maj. Gen. David L. Harris, Jan. 9, in the Indiana War Memorial auditorium. “I’m very, very proud of you,” said Umbarger as he looked at Harris.

Around 150 people attended the ceremony. Dressed in civilian, as well as military attire, the audience represented the many people who served with Harris across the 30-plus years of his military career. Formerly the commander of Indiana’s 81st Troop Command, Harris is now director of the National Guard Bureau domestic operations and force development in Arlington, Va., serving as the liaison between the NGB chief and director.

Harris, a Somerset native, assists in all aspects of National Guard activity that relate to domestic operations, and he person-ally directs programs such as homeland defense, civil support, counterdrug and military support to civil authorities. He works with the states’ adjutants general, their joint force headquarters, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and key leadership within national agencies, such as the Defense Department, Department of Home-land Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. commands for the Northern, Pacific and Southern regions. He’s also responsible for making sure the National Guard is ready for missions at home.

Yet it all started in Hartford City. Harris said his journey to the Pentagon began when he was a “buck” sergeant with an infantry company there. One day, a senior noncommissioned of-ficer said Harris would be taking the exam for officer candidate school. Harris was not interested. He didn’t care much for officers, and he wanted to stay an NCO. That’s when tobacco juice started flying, as the senior NCO poked Harris in the chest, informed him he would be taking the exam, and that he would represent his unit well.

“If he had let me have my way, I would not be here today,” said Harris of the sergeant.

The story was typical of the remarks made by Harris dur-ing his time at the podium. He gave credit to the events, and especially the people who made his military career possible. Harris also talked about his civilian employer, Chrysler Group. He referred to several co-workers by name and spoke directly to those in attendance.

“I know, from the bottom of my heart, it was all of you out there who helped to get me here today,” Harris said.

He gave special thanks to his family. Joining Harris on stage were his wife, Vicki; son, Nick; and daughter, 1st Lt. Tracy Furnas, a nurse with the Indiana Medical Detachment. Furnas’ daughter, Hailey, 11, sat next to her mother.


A look back

by Sgt. 1st Class Zita MooreIndiana National Guard Historian

In the last issue of the Guardsman, the 38th Infantry Division had completed its initial landing. The 38th Soldiers cleared Zig Zag Pass, the east to west Highway 7, and occupied the Pilar-Bagac Highway, which runs north and south.

This was by no means the end of the 38th’s mission in the Philippines. The mis-sion, in its entirety, was dubbed the M-7, or “Mike-7,” Operation. The combat phase of the M-7 Operation Historical Report is broken down into four parts: (1) Initial landing to the Zig Zag Pass; (2) Bataan - adjacent islands; (3) Stotsenburg Area; and (4) East of Manila. This article is about Phase II, Bataan – adjacent islands.

The 38th Infantry Division was given the mission of landing at Mariveles, Bataan’s southern province. The 38th troops’ task was to seize and secure a beach head and estab-lish control of the southern tip of Bataan.

Once accomplished, they would help the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment secure Corregidor Island, and then secure three other islands in Manila Bay, Caballo, El Fraile aka Fort Drum, and Carabao.

Once the northern task force secured Highway 7, 3rd Battalion 34th Infantry, a regiment attached to the 38th, and Indi-ana’s 151st Infantry Regiment, with special detachments from the engineers, medics and special troops, were preparing to sail to the Mariveles Harbor in the south.

The assault waves landed at 10 a.m., Feb. 15, 1945. While the Japanese harassed the ships docked at Mariveles Harbor with “Q-boats,” egg-shaped vessels with their bows full of explosives, the 151st Soldiers unloading the ships had a great view of the capture of Corregidor as the 503rd jumped

in and 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry, carried by the 592nd Amphibious Engineers, landed on Corregidor Island’s San Jose Beach.

Once Corregidor had been taken, the 151st Regimental Combat Team, the south force, moved to Corregidor to secure the other islands.

According to the generals at the time, these seemingly insignificant little pieces of land had to be taken, as they were all in the entrance to Manila Bay.

Manila Bay was one of those sweet, stra-tegic ports that every general dreamed of. It is secluded, operational, and best yet, can be guarded and defended by those little pieces of land strategically located at either side of the entrance.

Whichever force controls the islands, controls the gate, the entrance to Manila Bay. The Japanese were entrenched in these little islands south of Corregidor. The nearest one was Caballo Island.

“Caballo is a little island in Manila Bay, but it was the scene of the most merciless, exhausting battle for its size ever seen in the Southwest Pacific,” said John Cashman, International News Service War Corre-spondent.

Bombardments from Indiana’s 163rd Field Artillery from Corregidor and Indi-ana’s 150th Field Artillery from the Bataan mainland started the battle on March 27.

Caballo contained huge concrete-reinforced pits with tunnels running from them constructed by U.S. forces prior to the Japanese invasion. The island also had two hills with catchy names, ‘Hill 1’ and ‘Hill 2.’ Hill 2 was described as a ‘Mini Suribachi,’ an homage to the volcanic mountain on Iwo Jima, and it was defended by the Japanese as such.

The battle lasted for 20 days, and the 151st Infantrymen endured 36 hours of

heavy mortar and machine gun fire, all without food, water and minimal medical facilities. The Hoosier Soldiers also with-stood a Banzai attack, a last-ditch effort by the Japanese force.

“Resupply of the troops atop the hill and evacuation of their casualties now presented a serious problem. The troops were without food and water for 36 hours before an LCM (landing craft) in the water at the foot of the cliff catapulted a rope by means of a rope gun to the top of the hill. It was used to haul up necessary supplies.

Later, after several unsuccessful attempts, a liaison plane was able to accomplish an air drop of water and another length of rope. The two ropes were used in lowering casu-alties down the side of the hill. Pfc. James R. Fawcett, of Scranton, Pa., didn’t wait for the rope, however. He strapped one seriously wounded man to his back and had himself lowered down the cliff.

“Tech 4 Walter S. Korba, of East Chicago, Ind., crawled up the hill to establish a forward aid station at the top. Although under continual fire, he stopped several times along the way to minister to wounded comrades, and when he reached the top, cared for the casualties until more help could be secured.”1

The two hills were taken nine days after the operation began, and the mortar pits needed to be destroyed. Artillery and mortar fire did little damage to the fortifications and the enemy forces occupying them, as the enemy troops simply went into the tunnels until the bombardment ended. The plan was then tweaked to pour a burning mixture of diesel oil and gasoline down an exposed ventilator shaft which had been attempted earlier in the battle to clear the pits, but was foiled due to heavy sniper and mortar fire.

“Lt. Col. Fred C. Dyer, Indianapolis,

A look back

World War II , Part II: The 38th Infantry Division in the Philippines


A look back

Ind., and Capt Emory Williams, of Tulsa, Okla., decided that a pipeline could probably handle the necessary amount of the mixture. And this gave birth to the 38th Division’s famous ‘Rube Goldberg’ – so called because it resembled any of his zany inventions – was an LCM fitted with two Navy Cubes (a pontoon cube) and a centrifugal pump.” 1

While under fire, on April 5, 1945, Indiana’s 113th Engineers built a 700-foot pipe. Approximately 2,600 gallons of the volatile mixture were pumped into the ventilator and ignited with white phosphorous mortar shells.

There were several explosions after the initial blast. The second pit was given the same treatment, however with less success as the Japanese had cut the lines.

“Two 500-pound bombs were lowered down the ventilator shaft, and equal weight of demolitions placed at the east tunnel entrance, and 2,600 gallons of oil pumped into the pits.

At 1400 (2 p.m.) on the afternoon of April 7 this terrible charge was set off, result-ing in 20 explosions from the interior of the emplacements.” 1

A captured Japanese soldier reported that there were 20 Japanese soldiers left in poor physical condition with 10 rifles and 10 rounds each. At the end of the operation, on April 15, 1945, 38th Soldiers determined that there may have been one Japanese soldier still out there, but he was never found.

Two islands down, two to go.“Fort Drum is a concrete block in the

shape of a ship, built on a reef, El Fraile, in the entrance to Manila Bay. It was built between 1912 and 1922 of reinforced con-crete, and mounted two turrets with two 14-inch guns each and double 6-inch guns in casemates on each side. These had been

rendered inoperative when the American forces surrendered in 1942.” 2

The Rube Goldberg oil pumping device was again employed to take this island. After a good blasting from air and naval units, the gas and oil mixture was pumped into ventilator shafts at the top of the concrete island, and then ignited. The blast blew a steel plate, six inches thick by 144 square feet, 300 feet into the air.

It was as if the island had been blown out of the sea. Except for some ineffective small arms fire and one pesky sniper, the operation went off without a hitch, according to the 38th Infantry Division, Avengers of Bataan.

“In actual time of pumping oil and setting fuses it had taken just 30 minutes to settle the fate of the impregnable concrete fortress, probably the shortest assault operation on record and executed by what Time Magazine called the ‘War’s oddest naval task force.’” 1

One teeny tiny island to go – Carabao. After a 30-minute bombardment, the first wave of U.S. troops went in and secured the island. Once secured and the extensive tunnels were examined, and reconnaissance determined that the enemy had long left the area.

“…The only sign of life discovered was a hog in fairly good condition. There were evidences that the (enemy) garrison had withdrawn just prior to the landing.” 1

Just as the Japanese were resourceful in their development of their defense systems, tunnels, spider holes, etc., the 38th Infantry Division was even more resourceful in their methods of eradicating the Japanese from the islands in the Manila Bay.

There were still two other parts of the M-7 operation combat phase, so there will be more to come in the next issue of Guards-man Magazine.

World War II , Part II: The 38th Infantry Division in the Philippines

Photos from left:Soldiers of the 151st Infantry attempt to eradicate enemy soldiers from the reinforced concrete mortar pits on Hill 2 (Mini Surabachi), Caballo Island, Philippines.

Soldiers of the South Force move toward Hill 2, nicknamed “Mini Surabachi.” The ferocity with which the enemy defended it was much like their defense of Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima.

The 113th Engineers, 38th Infantry Division, assemble the pipeline for the Rube Goldberg device on Caballo Island, Philippines

Indiana National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Ed Androse38th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, 1944-1945

Bibliography:1 38th Infantry Division, Avengers of Bataan’, World War II History Book, published 1947

2 38th Infantry Division, M-7 Operation Historical Report


J9 insertast

actsOur J9 has completed its directory

of services this month. Tear out these page, J9 Directory pages

v-vi, and vii-viii and add to the pages from the last issue of Indiana

Guardsman for a complete summary of the

J9 and its many offerings. Army National Guard G1 Gateway

The ARNG G1 Gateway ensures that Citizen Soldiers have access to accurate, Guard-specific information.

Providing a comprehensive collection of ARNG resources, the site supports every aspect of the readiness and well-being of Guard Soldiers — from medical readiness and deployment support to preparing for retire-ment.

Soldiers, Veterans, Retirees, their families and their employers can gain an understanding of the benefits available to them with extensive pages covering all aspects of ARNG programs and processes.

With resources and updates directly from NGB personnel, Soldiers can ensure that they are informed about the most up-to-date financial, medical, and educational support information such as:

• ARNG 101• ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)• Stateside Spouse Education Assistance• Dealing with Deployment• Family Assistance Centers (FACs)• Financial Calculators• Military Family Life Consultant• Post-9/11 GI Bill Program• Preparing for Deployment• TRICARE• Yellow Ribbon Program

The Gateway continues to grow as it collects extensive, accurate information, connecting users to vetted resources and helping the Guard improve and streamline its processes across the 54 States and Territories.

Visit your Indiana National Guard Web sites to find out all

the latest news:

www.in.ng.milwww.campatterbury.in.ng.mil

www.mutc.in.ng.mil

Indiana National Guard Web sites

Education Services

For information on tuition assistance, scholarships, and other education

services, call 1-800-237-2850 x 7023 or visit the Education Services on the Web:

www.in.ng.milgo to Warrior Resources tabclick on Education under the

drop-down menu

J9vwww.in.ng.mil Indiana Guardsman

Leading the way to a stronger Indiana National Guard Family

State Civil Military Affairs and Family Programs

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your military family to the Indiana Na-tional Guard Exceptional Family Member Program.

The Indiana Family Programs Office has taken great strides in caring for its Guard family and prides itself on providing outstanding customer service.

We are committed to assisting your family in obtaining necessary services and assuring connection of care. Our goal is to ensure you are equipped with the most comprehensive information and resources to make informed decisions and become a wonderful advocate throughout this process.

We have Family Assistance Specialists available to provide support, resources, education and information to assist you and your family.

I realize not all families require the same level of information and resources. However, our office will make quarterly contacts in an effort to stay connected and informed of situations that might arise with the EFMP, as well as, keeping you informed of the activities/events that are available.

We feel that a relationship through information and activity is critical to our ability to assist your family to build resiliency. In order to assist your family with locating those specific services and resources unique to your family, all INNG-EFMP families must be enrolled into the program.

Providing seamless transition resources and information for your family is our priority. Please contact the State Family Programs Office if you have any ques-tions or need assistance.

We are committed to making your experience of service in the Indiana National Guard one that will be remembered. I look forward to meeting your family at the various events/activities/classes that we will be hosting

throughout the year. This is an awesome program and one I foresee will continue to grow. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any concerns that are not being addressed. Welcome to the INNG-EFMP family!

Sincerely,LTC Marcus H. ThomasEFMP Miramar Program Manager317-247-3300 X85452Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Exceptional Family Member Program

Summary:An exceptional Family member

(EFM) is a Family member with a physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling. The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a manda-tory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, medical, educational and personnel services to Families with special needs.

Eligibility:Army National Guard AGR personnel

serving under authority of Title 10, United States Code and Title 32, United States Code with exceptional Family members (children and adults) are required to enroll in the EFMP.

Benefit Highlights:The EFMP, working in concert with

other military and civilian agencies, is designed to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency approach for community support, housing, medical, educational and personnel services to Families with special needs.

Respite care provides a temporary

rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. It may be provided in the respite care user’s home or other settings such as special needs camps or enrichment programs. It is time limited based on the EFM’s condition and avail-ability of funding.

The EFMP respite care eligibility is based on EFMP enrollment and EFM’s medical or educational condition. The program ensures facility and program accessibility to individuals with dis-abilities.

EFMP Objectives: • To provide certain medically

related services to children with disabilities per Department of Defense Instruction 1342.12 with the same priority as medical care to the active duty Soldier.

• To assess, document and code the special education and medical needs of eligible Family members in all locations, and forward these coded needs to the military personnel agencies for consid-eration during the assignment process.

• To consider the medical needs of the EFM during the continental United States (CONUS) and outside the continental United States (OCONUS) assignment process.

• To consider the special education needs of the EFM during the OCONUS assignment process (excludes Alaska and Hawaii).

• To assign Soldiers to an area where the EFM’s medical and special education needs can be accommodated provided there is a valid personnel requirement for the Soldier’s grade and specialty.

Exceptional Family Member Program continued on page 26

Exceptional Family Member Program

Guardsman March 2011J9vi

Family Readiness

We are pleased to welcome three new Family Readiness Support Assistants to our Team. Christina Marcuson and Syndy Nance will support the 81st Troop Command, and Tina Sumner will support 38th Infantry Division.

They join a knowledgeable and robust team to include Traci Dinkens-38th ID; Karen Lucas and Liz Matherly - 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and Melissa Shosten and Steve Staley-219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.

The FRSAs work directly with the com-mand staff to assist with execution of the unit’s Family Readiness responsibilities. They serve as the conduit for command information and coordination throughout their major command. In addition, the FRSAs provide training, hands-on assistance and information to unit commanders and family readiness groups, and mentor unit Family Readiness Group volunteers.

We were excited to again provide annual training to our FRG volunteer, command teams, and military youth March 4-6 in Indianapolis.

The purpose of this year’s State Family Program Workshop and Youth Symposium was to increase readiness of Indiana National Guard servicemembers and families through development and education of command leadership teams, FRGs and community partners.

This workshop enhanced military lead-ership, sustained FRG volunteerism and empowered Indiana National Guard youth in an effort to build resiliency through wellness.

We achieved this by offering training based on the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Model. We provided training on the pillars in this model to include: Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Social, and Family. Again this year we recognized our volunteers for the wonderful support and dedication they provide to our servicemembers and their families.Volunteers received recognition for their volunteer hours and volunteer years within our Family Programs.

We also recognized the best of the best to include Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Family of the Year, Military Point of Contact of the Year, FRG of the Year and Special Recognition for Community Support. Nominations were received and voting on the nominations was conducted by our Joint Family Program Advisory Council (JFPAC).

All awards were presented on the last day of our Workshop and Youth Symposium.

We were very excited and happy to see everyone there.

Exceptional Family Member Program continued from page 25

• To ensure that all eligible Family members receive information and assistance needed to involve them with community support services to meet their needs.

• To ensure facility and program accessibility to individuals with disabilities.

• To provide Early Intervention Services (EIS) to eligible infants and toddlers and their Families.

EFMP Enrollment:Soldiers initiate enrollment in EFMP

by contacting their nearest Army Medical Treatment Facility EFMP case coordinator.

Participants in the EFMP are enrolled permanently in the program unless medical or special education needs warrant case closure or the Soldier is separated from the Army.

Soldiers are responsible for keeping the medical and/or special education needs documentation current as EFM condition changes or at least every three years, whichever comes first.

Completion of DD Form 2792 - (Exceptional Family Member Medical Summary) will constitute enrollment in the EFMP for TRICARE Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) enrollment purposes. The form can be downloaded via the following link: www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd2792.pdf.

Soldiers who are members of the Army Married Couples Program will both enroll in the EFMP when they have a Family member that qualifies. This process will ensure that the assignment manager of each sponsor considers the Family’s special needs.

Additional Information:For more information about EFMP,

contact the installation EFMP manager at the Army Community Service center or review Army Regulation (AR) 608-75: www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r608.75.pdf.

POC for this program is Lt. Col. Marcus H. Thomas, 317-247-3300 X 85452.

Military Department of Indiana Ceremonial Unit

The MDI-CU was created in 1974 by Col. Wyatt Cole with permission from Maj. Gen. Alfred Ahner with the purpose of providing military funeral honors to deceased Indiana Guardsmen.

Colonel Cole and the original members of the Ceremonial Unit were trained in all aspects of military funeral honors from the 3rd U.S. Infantry, ‘The Old Guard.’ The Ceremonial unit was a first of its kind in any state, and has been recognized as a sister unit of the Old Guard.

Today, the Ceremonial Unit continues those traditions of its founding fathers, conducting an average of more than 40 funerals each year, and more than 60 other events throughout Indiana.

The all-volunteer force of the Ceremonial Unit is divided into five main sections: Protocol, Casket Team, Rifle Team, Caisson and Color Guard; all trained by the Old Guard.

The Protocol Section conducts escort and usher details for funerals and various events throughout the year to include the 500 Festival Memorial Service, Indianapolis Veteran’s Day Service, and Inaugurations.

The Casket Team serves as pall bearers and has the distinct honor of folding our Nation’s flag at funeral services for our fallen comrades. They also participate in various ceremonies throughout Indiana serving as wreath layers and escorts.

The Rifle Team conducts the firing of three volleys at funerals and memorial services. They also fire three volleys at the pre-race memorial service at the Indianapolis 500.

The Caisson Team is responsible for the final ride for many of our Hoosier Heroes and conducts more than 20 Mounted Color Guard missions at parades and services throughout Indiana.

The MDI Caisson Team is the only team outside of Fort Myer, V.A., and Fort Sam Houston, Texas, that provides this level of military honors to the fallen.

The Color Guard is seen throughout Indiana more than 40 times a year. They are given the honor to present the colors at such events as the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA Final Four, and many more.

To obtain more information regarding funerals or how to volunteer, please contact SSG Jacob Cash at: [email protected].

J9viiwww.in.ng.mil Indiana Guardsman

Personal Financial Counselor

The Indiana National Guard State Family Programs office recently gained a personal financial counselor as a part of their Military & Family Life Consultant Program.

Mark Fisher has over 16 years of experience working in financial services.

His background includes working in the brokerage, insurance and the banking industry.

With his background, education and access to the financial community, Mark is able to help our servicemembers manage their finances, resolve financial problems and reach long-term goals.

You can seek advice and guidance from the Personal Financial Counselor on such topics as:

• Financial Planning / Reaching life goals

• Financial Readiness and Economic security

• Family budgets and spending plans and setting goals

• Debt liquidation

• Investments and basic estate planning

• Taxes

• Credit management and credit cards

• Insurance, mortgages and loans

• Consumer rights

• Military and community support resources

Twenty six financial presentations are available to support group events: drills, special events, lunch seminars, one-on-one consultations,

Personal Financial Counseling services are free, anonymous and confidential.

Support is offered to veterans, any military members and their family.

Call 317-247-3300 85437 or email Mark at [email protected] to schedule a meeting or speaking event.

Don’t delay. He’s here to help.

Approximately four years ago the National Guard Bureau started working on a plan to provide every state and ter-ritory with a Director of Psychological Health. A little over two years ago, the program was launched.

There are currently a total of 54 Directors of Psychological Health, all of whom are Master’s level or above therapists.

One of the goals behind this program was to provide a FREE resource that servicemembers and command could access confidentially without fear of repercussions. There has been a lot of work to decrease stigma, however for many this is still a concern.

Each DPH covers the National Guard for their respective state or territory. This includes both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

The DPH for Indiana is Sydney D a v i d s o n , LCSW; she has been working in the behavioral health field for more than 25 years. Syd is an advocate for clients and continues to work towards educating and providing resources for the National Guard.

Syd and the rest of the DPH’s are civilians and subject matter experts for behavioral health issues.

The DPH does not do Fit for Duty reports or Profiles. They can however make recommendations and offer their clinical expertise and judgment.

If a servicemember is concerned, or his/her family is concerned about the servicemember, contact Syd. She will do a confidential (with certain excep-tions which are discussed prior to the evaluation) interview to determine the best course of action for that individual: therapist, treatment facility, hospital, VA, etc). The DPH is also available for commander consults, trainings/briefings, leadership training/education,

wellness education and critical incident management services.

Recently Syd has been working with the Behavioral Health Officer, Center for Deployment Psychology and Military Family Research Institute to develop a series of trainings for civilian providers.

These trainings will teach providers about military culture and terms, post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, alternative therapy methods, etc. This will enable the therapists to have a better understanding and offer services tailored to meet the specific needs of service members and their families.

Ms. Davidson said, “Mental health issues affect everyone, regardless of their rank, marital status, education, race, etc. No one is immune. Therefore it is important to educate people on how and when to get help as well as what they can do to improve their overall functioning.”

People learn differently and at their own pace. What is important to one may not be important to another. Therefore we have developed a monthly newslet-ter that offers practical information, self tests, and exercises to improve a person’s overall mental well being. It is called Resiliency.

Copies of this newsletter can be accessed through the internal Web site of the Indiana National Guard under J9. Click on “Psychological Health.” The public Web site is at www.in.ng.mil. Look in the blue links box in the right-hand column for a “Psychological Health” page link.

If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment with Syd Davidson, please contact her at [email protected] or call 317-247-3300 x 85480.

Psychological Health

Photo unattributed. Excerpted from the

February 2011 newsletter published by the

Indiana National Guard Director of Psychological

Health.

Guardsman March 2011J9viii

Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants are called to provide spiritual leader-ship for the National Guard Family.

This requires both a sense of personal calling and the means to put that calling into practice. One way this is accomplished is through the Strong Bonds Program.

Strong Bonds is a unit-based, chaplain-led program which assists commanders in building individual resiliency by strengthening the Army family.

The core mission of the Strong Bonds program is to increase individual Soldier and family member readiness through relationship education and skills training.

Strong Bonds is conducted in an off-site retreat format. The retreat or “getaway” provides a fun, safe and secure environment in which to address the impact of relocations, deployments and military lifestyle stressors.

The Strong Bonds Program consists of three modules—singles, couples and families.

About 50 percent of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are single. If you’re single, you may also be far from home, lonely and faced with the uncer-tainty of imminent deployment. These pressures can lead to hasty decision making when choosing a life partner.

A supportive mate is extremely important, so the National Guard is committed to helping you learn how to make good relationship choices by offering the Strong Bonds Single Soldier program.

You’ll learn to examine priorities, manage matechoosing patterns and learn to evaluate a relationship’s potential for longterm success.

The Strong Bonds Singles module is designed to help you establish relationship goals and gain essential skills to help you make a good choice prior to picking a partner for life.

Whether you’ve celebrated one anniversary or 20, as a couple you can anticipate more excitement, and expect more challenges, than the average civilian couple.

Long separations, frequent relocations, and the stress of deployment can subject military marriages to extreme hardship.

In the Strong Bonds Couples module, you’ll participate with your spouse in activities that renew bonds, as well as practicing communication and relationship-building skills.

The Strong Bonds Couples retreat is designed to strengthen relationships, inspire hope and rekindle marriages … even start the journey of healing for relationships under fire.

From diapers and night feedings to recitals and soccer games, the responsibilities of child-rearing can be especially difficult for military families.

Daily routine can become over-whelming when families are faced with long separations, frequent relocations and deployment.

Children eight-years-old and over may participate in most exercises of the Strong Bonds Family module. Your family and others from your unit will gain skills to help sustain healthy interactions throughout the trials of military life.

In addition to relevant teaching and skills training, there is time for relax-ation, recreation, fellowship and fun.

Through small group and one-on-one activities, family members learn how to maintain closeness during frequent relocation, long separations and repeated reunions.

Strong Bonds programs are offered by Chaplains with the full support of your commanding officer. You’ll gain practical, useful information based on curriculum designed especially for military families.

For more details about these programs please contact Chaplain Staggers at: [email protected] or call (317) 508-2573. Visit the Strong Bonds Web site at: www.strongbonds.org.

M.K.I.S.S.

Military Kids In-School Support program

The Indiana National Guard Family Programs office has teamed up with Operation: Military Kids (OMK) to offer in-school support to children of service members.

With the permission and partnership of school administration, M.K.I.S.S. provides a team of military support professionals to your school for a 5-week program at no cost.

Our Youth Program Specialist and Youth Coordinator will work alongside our licensed Military Family Life Counselor to host a fun-filled group session with two key components-activity discussion, once a week for five weeks.

Session Series:• #1 Launch Pad – Who we all are, why

we’re here, and what we hope to gain over the next four weeks.

• #2 Cool, Calm, Collected – Taking control of our daily attitudes, new meth-ods of managing stress during the stages of deployment, and owning our future.

• #3 Balancing Act – Recognizing stress in the home, knowing when and how to respond, and establishing healthy outlets.

• #4 Boss Your Thoughts – Taking inventory of our negative thoughts that lead to negative feelings.

• #5 Safe Landing – Determining our next steps and practicing healthy habits in our communication at home, school, and in the community.

For more M.K.I.S.S. info, contact:Joyce Smith, LAMFT, LMHCPhone: 317-241-3300 x 85459Email: [email protected]

Monique spells, OMK Youth Program SpecialistPhone: 317-698-9488Email: [email protected]

Chaplains

Photo by Indiana National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Tina Eichenour

A strong bond is important to the morale and welfare of servicemembers and their families. Pictured above, the family of a member of the 3-238th Aviation signs a banner at the welcome-home celebration. February 2010.


by Indiana National Guard Public Affairs

National Guard service organizations like the National Guard Association of the U.S., the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the U.S., the Adjutant General’s Association of the U.S. and the National Guard Association of Indiana state declare that they preserve readiness, benefits and rights of National Guard members.

These entities are designed to address issues that pertain to the NG, which has transitioned into a full-spectrum operational force inside and outside of the U.S.

As a member of the National Guard there are issues that are decided by higher officials and statehouses across the U.S. and on Capitol Hill that affect Guard members. These may be issues which a servicemember doesn’t have much say, other than writing a state or national senator or representa-tive. Members of these groups support the organization that will petition for rights and benefits on the members’ behalf.

These groups advocate on behalf of the servicemember to ensure each Guard Soldier or Airman obtains and retains the maximum amount of benefits and receives optimal equipment and training.

Benefits such as GI Bill, tuition assis-tance, health insurance, life insurance and pay are some of the issues that are advocated by these organizations.

National Guard Association of Indiana

The National Guard Association of Indiana is an organization that accepts officers and enlisted personnel. According to the NGAI website, the association states its purpose as promoting and supporting military efficiency and national security. The NGAI also boasts its advocacy for a well-postured and prepared National Guard. The NGAI states it is the representative voice of the Indiana National Guard in support

of federal authorization and appropriation requirements.

The National Guard Association of Indiana website outlines benefits such as educational grants, discount prescription drugs, discounted laser eye surgery, military news subscriptions and online pre-paid legal services.

The NGAI is scheduled to have its yearly state conference in French Lick, Ind., in April with guest speaker Gen. Craig McKinley, National Guard Bureau chief.

For more information on NGAI events or benefits visit: http://ngai.net/

National Guard Association of the U.S.

The National Guard Association of the U.S. website states its organization includes approximately 45,000 current or former Guard officers. It was created in 1878 to provide a unified National Guard represen-tation in Washington. During the first pro-ductive meeting after the Civil War, militia officers from the North and South formed the association with the goal of obtaining better equipment and training by petitioning Congress for more resources and support.

Benefits offered to NGAUS members include a supplemental insurance program for TRICARE Reserve Select, an accidental death and dismemberment insurance plan at no cost to member, an insurance trust for full-time federal technicians and families, a vision care plan and travel discounts.

The 133rd NGAUS conference and exhi-bition is scheduled to be held in Milwaukee in August.

For more information about NGAUS events or benefits visit: www.ngaus.org/.

Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the U.S.

According to the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the U.S., it is

the largest enlisted reserve component association. EANGUS was created in 1970 by senior NCOs from Mississippi and South Dakota to voice enlisted National Guard issues. It represents more than 414,000 enlisted Guard troops, their families, and retirees.

Based on their website, EANGUS lobbied for a 3.9 percent wage increase, increased full-time positions, stabilized TRICARE fees, tuition assistance for spouses and better equipment in 2009. The EANGUS site also lists many benefits offered to its members in conjunction with state NG associations.

The EANGUS national conference is scheduled to be held in Charleston, W.Va., in August.

For more information on EANGUS events or benefits visit: www.memberconnections.com/eangus/.

Adjutants General Association of the U.S.

According to the Adjutants General Association of the U.S., whose members include adjutants general from all states and U.S. territories, it is committed to a central leadership role in promoting and supporting adequate state and national security.

The purpose of AGAUS is to promote the efficiency of the Army and Air National Guard. The AGAUS also states it strives to facilitate and improve the administration of the foregoing National Guard and its affairs through the agencies of the Department of Defense.

The Adjutants General Association of the U.S. is scheduled to hold its midyear confer-ence in Indianapolis in June 2011.

The conference will host adjutants general from all states and territories of the U.S.

For more information about AGAUS events or benefits visit: www.agaus.org/.

National Guard Professional AssociationsThey deserve your attention, you deserve their benefits

For what do we fight if not the lessons of the past

and the promise of the future?

2011 March Indiana Guardsman

Documents

Transcript of 2011 March Indiana Guardsman