STAND PROUD. STAND UNITED. STAND ARMY STRONG

The Official Publication of Harrisburg Recruiting BattalionDEC/JAN 2009-10 Vol 1, Issue 3

CTC PaYS SIGNINGBuilding Strong Partnerships

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CONTENTS DEC/JAN 2009 - 10 Vol 1, Issue 3

Departments

3 LEADERSHIP CORNER 4 BATTALION NEWS

7 EDUCATION 8 COLD STEEL FAMILY 9 COMPANY CORNER 12 ARMY NEWS

CommanderLt. Col. Stephen B. Lockridge

Command Sgt. MajorCommand Sgt. Maj.

Reginald K. Washington

Chief of Advertising & Public Affairs

Staci Cretu

Public Affairs Specialists,Associate Editors

Sonya SanockiBill Irwin

Administrative Assistant,Layout Design

Angela D. Walter

The Battalion Newsletter is authorized by AR360-1 for members of the U.S. Army. Con-tents of this publication are not necessarily the official views, or endorsement by the U.S. Gov-ernment, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the U.S. Army Recruiting Com-mand.

The Newsletter is published bi-monthly by the Advertising and Public Affairs (A&PA) Office, U.S. Recruiting Battalion - Harrisburg.

Please mail or e-mai submissions and letters to: A&PA U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion - Harrisburg,54 M Ave., Suite 11New Cumberland, PA 17070COMM: (717) 770-6721FAX: (717) 770-2707E-mail: 1ebn-apa@usarec.army.mil

The Newsletter is currently distributed electron-ically and will be sent to everyone on the bat-talion distribution list and to those who request a copy.

Deadline submissions for Feb/Mar. edition is Mar. 15.

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Harrisburg Battalion VisionHarrisburg Battalion is committed to deliver excellence from

recruiting with integrity and providing quality service members as the strength of our all-volunteer Army. We strive to consistently achieve mission and inspire Americans to

proudly serve within the profession of arms in support of their Nation.

Harrisburg Battalion Mission With integrity and selfless service, the Harrisburg Recruiting

Battalion provides strength to the Army, cares for the Soldiers, civilians, and families and develops community support for the

military.

1st Brigade MissionVictory Brigade prospects, processes, and sustains future soldiers to achieve its FY10 pre-

cision mission requirements within the DA quality marks and resources allocated while simultaneously expanding both its market and number of partners; executes specified

training and Command initiatives though discipline and adhering to standards in accor-dance with Army Values and Ethos all the while ensuring the quality of life of its Soldiers,

Civilians, and Family members.

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DEC/JAN 2009 -10 • 3

LEADERSHIP CORNER

Lt. Col. Stephen B. LockridgeBattalion Commander

Command Sgt. Maj. Reginald K. WashingtonBattalion Command Sgt. Major

sign that you are not com-mitted to excellence.

• “Do you care about me?” - A recruiter which is honest and committed to excellence must still pass the empathy test. Do you see people as means to an end? Do you treat people with dignity and respect or do you lord it over those under your leadership? If you try to cover your mis-takes, pretend they didn’t happen or, worse yet, blame them on someone else, you can forget about building trust for a long, long time.

These questions display the wisdom of Lou Holtz’s many years in building successful cultures and teams. Ask these questions of others and ask these questions of yourself. Are you trustworthy? Are you committed to excellence? Do you care for the people on your team? If you can answer positively to all three—you are on your way to uncom-mon success in today’s world. If you cannot, then let today be the day to change! Your team deserves your personal best.

Assignment: Look at any great teams or poor teams you have been associated with. How did you answer Lou’s three questions with both groups of teams?

For many years Lou Holtz has been considered among the greatest speaking legends in America today. He speaks on overcoming seem-

ingly impossible challenges by setting your own goals and working to achieve them. He has built a reputation as a motivator, a demanding disciplinarian and someone who relishes challenges and hard work. Lou Holtz advises that players of any team ask the following three questions to evaluate your leadership:

• “CanItrustyou? - Can you trust the person or company to always do the right thing because it is the right thing? Are they worth their word or will they change their word to accomplish their goal regard-less of the character consequences. Is their reputation more impor-tant than their character or is their character more important than their reputation?”

• Areyoucommittedtoexcellence? - People want to play on a win-ning team, and most realize that it takes hard work and sacrifice to achieve victory. Football players suit up to practice in the 100- degree temperatures of August, not because they like it, but because they know it is a necessary component of attaining excellence. A person who is honest and truthful is not enough when partnering for success. To achieve success in life or in recruiting there must be an unceasing desire for continuous improvement to achieve excel-lence in all that is done. If you are committed to excellence you will get results. To have the same or poorer results year after year is a

Happy New Year! What a fantas-tic time to be part of a unit rich

in history and accomplishments. As proud members of the Steel Battal-ion, we have always known our niche, enlisting high quality recruits within USAREC, and our proud organization has maintained excellence in recruit-ing despite many changes along the way. Throughout its brief history, the battalion has repeatedly met the challenges of reorganization, and this recent undertaking of Pinnacle Transformation (team recruiting) will be no different. However, our challenge during this upcoming change is to reject the status quo and make the battalion better while transforming. Therefore, as we embark upon Pinnacle Transformation within Harrisburg Company and eventually the rest of the battalion by fiscal year 2011, it is imperative that each person within the organization exercises discipline within their daily lives as well as at the workplace. In order to improve the organization, we must raise standards, find innovative ways to recruit, deliber-ately execute performance oriented training, and continue to take care of Soldiers, Families, and civilians.

Command Sgt. Maj. Washington and I are committed to teamwork and winning every day. More importantly, we trust in your abilities as leaders and care about you and your family. As we strive to recruit toward our potential during these changing times, I ask each of you (Sol-dier and civilians) to accept the personal challenge of becoming a more disciplined recruiter (maintaining school folders, achieving contacts, and conducting daily After Action Reports to list a few), civilian, and leader in your craft. To make the leap from good to great depends upon individual improvement one person at a time along with dedicated teamwork, effective leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence. Thanks for your service and all you do, ArmyStrong!

TRANSFORM THE FROM GOOD TO GREAT Steel Battalion

Winning EvEryday“Yourtalentdetermineswhatyoucando.Yourmotiva-tiondetermineshowmuchyouarewillingtodo.Yourattitudedetermineshowwellyoudoit.” ~LouHoltz

nEW yEar, nEW vision

“Goodistheenemyofgreat.Thatiswhywehavesolittlethatbecomesgreat.Everyonewouldliketobethebest,butmostorganizations lack the discipline to figure out with egolessclaritywhattheycanbethebestatandthewilltodowhat-everittakestoturnthatpotentialintoreality.” ~JimCollins

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BATTALION NEWS

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SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

FEBRUARY - African American History Month

1 MEV Clearfield Technical - 1E4

2 MEV Punxautawney HS - 1E4

6-14 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show - 1E3

10 COI Function - PSSA Event - 1E3

11 New Recruiter Board

14 Valentine’s Day

12-15 President’s Day Weekend

17-19 MEV – Army Rrograms event at University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Campus - 1E1

18 Pinnacle Equipment Training - 1E3

20 2010 NIKE Regional Combine - UPMC

Sports Performance Center- 1E5

22-24 ICI - Carlisle Company

24-26 ICI - State College Company

26-27 RPC - Hagerstown MD

MARCH - Women’s History Month

11 New Recruiter Board

12 Newcomer’s Orientation

17 Saint Patrick’s Day

17 ConAP Workshop - Robert Morris

University

26 Hershey BEARS table exhibit - 1E3

APRIL - Month of the Military Child

4 Easter

4 Hershey BEARS table exhibit - 1E3

9 New Recruiter Board

19 Armed Forces Day - Orange County

Chopper - 1E2

12-16 Strength In Action Zone - School Blitz - 1E3

23-24 Penn State Blue/White Game - 1E7

Story and photo by Staci CretuChief, A&PA

Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) hosted a signing ceremony on 18 December 2009 at its Environmental Technology

Facility in Johnstown, PA to formalize its commitment to the Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program. The event included an official signing of the agreement between representatives of U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), U.S. Army Cadet Command, and CTC. Maj. Gen. Donald Campbell Jr., Commanding General, United States Army Recruiting Command, along with Brig. Gen. Arnold N. Gordon-Bray, Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Cadet Command (accepting on behalf of Maj. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell, Commanding General, United States Army Cadet Command), participated in the ceremony. CTC employees that participated were Mr. Edward J. Sheehan Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael True, Manager, Force Protection Programs.

Maj. Gen. Campbell thanked CTC “for its commitment to participate in the PaYS Program.” Maj. Gen. Campbell added, “This program is a vital recruiting tool to provide citizen Soldiers and those transitioning from active duty to corporate America. PaYS links Soldiers to friendly partners that benefit from the values and skills developed through military training and service. The PaYS Program and our PaYS partners will continue to make our nation strong and our Army Strong.”

The PaYS Program is a recruiting initiative developed by USAREC to appeal to young veterans interested in obtaining a quality civilian job after serving in the Army. This unique program is part of the Army’s effort to partner with the business community and re-connect America with the Army. The Program also assists ROTC cadets with employment after graduation and commissioning as they continue to serve as officers in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

CTC is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization providing innovative management and technology-based solutions to government and industry. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, CTC’s primary purpose and programs are to undertake applied scientific research and development activities that serve the public interest.

On the Cover

LefttoRight:Brig.Gen.ArnoldN.Gordon-Bray,Mr.EdwardSheehan,Lt.ColonelStephenB.Lockridge,Mr.MichaelTrue,andMaj.Gen.DonaldCampbell

Building strong partnershipsU.S. Army And CTC FinAlize PArTnerShiP

DEC/JAN 2009 - 10 • 5

BATTALION NEWS

Q: Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA (Chamber Hill area). I attended and graduated from Central Dauphin East High School in 1998.

Q: What’s your background?

I graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2003 and was commissioned as an Aviation branch officer. In 2004 I completed flight school and Officer Basic Course (OBC) at Ft. Rucker, Ala. My first assignment was with the 4th ID Aviation Brigade in Ft. Hood, Texas. I served in the Assault Helicopter Battalion as a flight platoon leader, aviation maintenance platoon leader, and assistant S3. In 2006 I deployed with the 4ID Aviation Brigade to Taji, Iraq. Upon completion of the deployment, I attended the Aviation Officer Captain’s Career Course (CCC). My next assignment after the CCC was a National Police Transition Team (NPTT), tasked with teaching, coaching, and mentoring Iraqi Security Forces. My team and I conducted a 90 day training course in Ft. Riley, Kan. and then deployed to Baghdad/Al Kut, Iraq for 12 months. After redeploying from the Transition Team assignment, I reported to the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion as the Operations Officer - S3.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment working with the U.S. Army?

Having the opportunity to lead Soldiers in a combat theater.

Capt. Ryan M. GreenawaltBattalion Operations Officer

SPOTLIGHT

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&PA

the marriage of events marketing and the ARMY

By Staci CretuChief, A&PA

In a new partnership creating an Army Strong Brand Ambassador internship program,

McCann Erickson on behalf of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion-Harrisburg and UD on Campus announced that they will jointly provide eight Brand Ambassador internships during the spring and fall semesters at select colleges. This 10 week internship program will be awarded to college undergraduates at the following Universities: Slippery Rock, LaRoche, California, Carnegie Mellon, Penn State Fayette, Lehigh University, Kutztown University and Harrisburg Community College – Lancaster Campus.

The Army Strong Brand Ambassador Internship program will assist in educating college students about U.S. Army programs through their peers, while gathering contact information of interested students, and identifying Centers of Influence (COI) at each University. Ambassadors will work with local

Army Recruiters to generate interest in the Army and create brand awareness at 5-10 pre-existing events like Greek life parties, organization meetings, tailgate events and even taking five minutes to make an announcement before class in a huge lecture hall per semester and networking activities for these interns.

Interns will gain hands-on experience in a wide range of marketing and event management including marketing, audience development, public relations, social networking, and educational outreach. Together, the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion and UD on Campus seek to introduce college students to potential career opportunities with the U.S. Army and help develop future leaders in the community.

Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armystrongambassador

ing made a voluntary commitment to enlist in the United States Military (all services/components) upon graduation from high school.

This program is a combined effort of the military and civilian communities to show appreciation for and to honor those soon-to-be high school graduates (public and private schools) who have chosen a path of service to their Nation. Our Community Salutes of Pittsburgh will recognize graduates in various community activities throughout the week of May 2, 2010. The week kicks off with participation in the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 2nd followed by an On-Field Swearing-in Ceremony at PNC Park on May 4th, during the nationally televised Pittsburgh Pirates/Chicago Cubs baseball game.

A recognition ceremony will be held at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall on May 6th to honor and recognize new enlistees as well as ROTC cadets. The program will be funded by donations from a variety of “stakeholders,” including private citizens, community-based non-profit organizations, veterans groups, local business, education, etc. Honorees will include graduating enlistees (and their parent(s)/guardian) representing all services/components (i.e. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, both active and reserve components). Also during the program, one high school guidance counselor will be recognized with the presentation of the “Colin Powell Leadership Award,” commending that indi-vidual’s commitment to mentoring and supporting young adults desiring to serve our nation.

By Staci CretuChief, A&PA

Our Community Salutes of Pittsburgh is a program to publicly recognize graduating

high school seniors who "answered the call" hav-

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By Staci CretuChief, A&PA

Like the Army, football and wrestling provide young Americans with training and experiences that strengthen

them mentally, emotionally and physically. Athletes and Soldiers share common Army Strong values - Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage – all qualities that can be applied on the field/mat as well as in the classroom. The Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion is committed to helping young Americans develop the skills and values they will need to succeed in life. High school sports, like the Army, help strengthen the skills needed to be leaders on and off the playing field/mat which is why the Battalion has partnered with TSF Radio Network to produce the 2010ARMYSTRONGTOUR.

The ARMY STRONG TOUR is designed to facilitate the battalion’s engagement with student-athletes, their peers, parents, and coaches during the 2010/2011 school year. The campaign will consist of a five-prong effort to engage, collectively, the 350 or more schools in the recruiting territory, while specifically targeting the top 14 priority, must-win, and hard to reach schools with a college game day experience.

Component 1: PA Passing League. The 2010 ARMY STRONG TOUR will begin in the Spring/Summer of 2010 with the formation of a PA Passing League. Passing leagues are very popular with high school football players. The games are played throughout the summer as players prepare for the upcoming season. The game is essentially flag football, featuring 7-on-7 on a shortened field that features football “skill” positions of quarterback, wide receiver, running back, and defensive back.

Component 2: Student Athlete Recognition. The Army Iron Man (football) and Wrestler of the Year Competitions will honor the best two-way high school football/wrestling players in the battalion’s territory. Each week, fans have the opportunity to vote online for the Army Iron Man/Wrestler of the week. The weekly winner will receive a certificate and tee-shirt presented

by an Army Recruiter. In addition, the Army Iron Man/Wrestler of the Year will receive a championship-quality ring from Jostens, Inc. or Trophy presented at a local assembly or pep-rally.

Component 3: Army Rivalry Event. As with the Army Iron Man/Wrestler of the year competition; the Army Rivalry Event will be an integrated marketing campaign designed to engage student-athletes, their peers, parents, and coaches during the high school football season. The Rivalry Event will be mirrored after the college game day experience throughout the football season. Each game will further enhance the local Recruiting NCO’s relationship with the schools, including administrator, teacher and student interaction- before, during and after the game. Game day events include: continental breakfast & afternoon snacks in faculty lounge at the host school and display area at the football game with activities to engage students and participants.

Component 4: Coach of the Year. Just as you need your team to succeed on the playing field, you need another team to help you succeed off of it. Coaches play an important role in student athletes’ lives as mentors. The “Coach of the Year” competition will honor these mentors, soliciting nominations from the community for the coach of the year honor. Fans will vote on the “Coach of the Week”, with all weekly winners automatically qualifying for the Army STRONG “Coach of the Year” honor. The “Coach of the Year” will receive a plaque and a $500 donation to their school’s athletic department.

Athletes are part of a team. The Army is like no other team. The 2010 ARMY STRONG TOUR will build upon both high school athletic teams and the Army team to develop relationships and camaraderie found nowhere else.

Visit www.facebook.com/armystrongtour for all the latest updates on the tour.

athletes are part of a team. the army is like no other team.

DEC/JAN 2009 - 10 • 7

EDUCATION is key

By Mark MazarellaEducation Services Specialist (ESS)

Recently, I’ve fielded several questions about enlistment eligibility for students attending, or graduated from, on-line high schools.

This is not surprising, since on-line education is becoming both more popular and acceptable among both parents and students. There are several reasons for this, including parental concerns over school safety, increased awareness of different individual learning styles, social and behavioral adjustment issues, as well as a practical matter of commut-ing long distances to and from school in many areas of the country. Unlike college on-line programs, at the secondary (high school) level there are restrictions in terms of enlistment eligibility. For this reason on-line schooling remains a current topic with recruiters and educa-tion services specialists throughout USAREC.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of on-line high schools in the U.S.—some recognized for enlistment, and some are not. Recognized programs include on-line (or cyber) charter schools (charter schools are public schools), on-line programs offered by traditional public schools, or private on-line schools that are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, or one of the six regional accrediting agencies (we are in the Middle States accrediting body region). Aside from whether or not a program is recognized for enlistment purposes, there are two other factors recruiters must understand about on-line secondary (high school) education: first, on-line programs that are recognized will always be classified as Tier 2; and second, the student must have completed the program to be eligible to enlist.

When encountering a prospect with an on-line credential (or is currently enrolled in an on-line program), the recruiter should first de-termine if the program is recognized by DoD for enlistment eligibility.

The recruiter may contact the Battalion ESS for confirmation. In the absence of the ESS, the recruiter can visit the on-line program’s website to determine if the program is a charter school program, alternative program offered by the local public school district, or a private school that is accredited by DETC or one of the six regional accrediting agencies. If the program does not meet one of the above criteria, it is classified as Tier 3 and as such unacceptable for enlistment eligibility purposes.

There are two final notes regarding on-line secondary schooling. First, on-line schooling does not equal “home schooling.” For enlist-ment eligibility purposes, home schooling has its own set of criteria which must be met. This includes requiring that the parent is the pri-mary teacher; that the parent has officially registered his/her child as a home schooled student with the local public school district (state-ment required from school district); that the home school transcript reflects all classes, grades and credits completed; and that the student has been home-schooled for at least the previous nine months prior to processing for enlistment. On the second point, it would be un-ethical for a recruiter to encourage a student enrolled in a recognized on-line program to disenroll from that program and enroll in a “Tier 1 producing program” in order to enlist with a Tier 1 credential. While the recruiter can make the individual (and/or parent) aware of the dif-ference, it would be inappropriate for the recruiter to coach, suggest, or recommend that the individual change programs in order to enlist as a Tier 1 applicant.

As always, when in doubt about on-line schooling, or any educa-tion eligibility matter, it is best to check with the Battalion ESS.

On-Line high schools and enlistment eligiBility

By Sonya SanockiPublic Affairs Specialist

The U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award program kicked off January 1, 2010 when letters and nomination forms were sent to all high

schools in the battalion area.An award presented to the top male and female in your recruiting area

who are both outstanding scholars and athletes, can do you a great deal to assist you in your high school recruiting efforts. The U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award shows students the Army is concerned about their accomplishments. When presented at the end of the school graduation and awards activities, it gives the Army visibility and causes other students and COI’s to notice the Army and they often look into some of the benefits the Army offers. The objective of the Scholar/Athlete Award Program is to recognize and honor student achievers; junior and seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in varsity or intramural sports while maintaining at least a B average are eligible.

The Scholars and athletes are selected by their high school administrators to include guidance counselors, principal and athletic directors. The award includes a certificate signed by the Chief of the Army Reserve and an Olympic-

style medallion. Recruiters should contact the guidance counselor at each of their schools to confirm participation in this valuable program. Selection forms must be returned to Battalion Advertising and Public Affairs (A&PA) no later than May 30.

“Since its inception in 1981, the Army Reserve has believed that young people should strive for excellence in all areas of their lives and the Scholar/Athlete Award Program is our way of recognizing and rewarding selected high school students who are doing just that…excelling in the classroom and on the athletic field,” stated Lt. Col. Stephen Lockridge, battalion commander.

The Army Reserve has presented the National Scholar/Athlete Award to students at more than 12,000 schools annually. JROTC cadets at schools with an Active Army JROTC program are also eligible to participate in the award program. The criteria for cadets is slightly different. Only one cadet may be selected for the award in a school year. The cadet must be in his second year of a three- year program or the third year of a four-year program; be in the top 25 percent of his academic class; demonstrate leadership; participate in extracurricular activities; possess an understanding of JROTC training; and have not received the award previously.

calling all scholar / athletes and Jrotc cadetsaward programs for high school students

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THE “COLD STEEL” FAMILY

be live until January 22. Events include: Message Candles, Snowball Fights, Holiday Gift Giving, and Make-a-Snowman.

January events will begin on January 23. Bring your friends and family into the Army OneSource Community as we celebrate the New Year with style. The community will be covered with freshly fallen snow for your winter wonderland enjoyment. Also, take a sledding ride on the Army OneSource luge or sit back and watch a spectacular fireworks show!

Want to join Army OneSource in Second Life®? Log-on to:

h t t p s : / / w w w . m y a r m y o n e s o u r c e . c o m /CommunitiesandMarketplace/VirtualWorlds/SecondLife/default.aspx for information and registration.

We look forward to seeing you in-world!

A 24/7 Resource forMilitary Members, Spouses & Families

Call and Talk Anytime

By Randy ReadshawSoldier & Family Assistance Program Manager

Did you make a resolution to lose weight? Maybe reduce stress? Worried about your teenager’s weight? Let MilitaryOneSource .comhelp you keep it! All you have to do is logon to www.militaryonesource.com, register and sign up for

one of the programs detailed below. You’ll find the Healthy Habits Coaching Programs under the TOOLStab on the upper right side of the page.

Healthy Habits Coaching Programs

Sometimes, making changes isn’t easy, but when you find your own motivation and take change one step at a time, it’s more manageable. The lifestyle programs can help you make the positive changes you want to – and stick with them!

The Healthy Habits Coaching Programs consists of two separate, unique programs:

• Healthy Habits Coaching Program • Life Health Assessment

These programs are independent of each other, and enrollment into each program is optional.

Army Strong Families Make Strong Army Recruiters!

making healthy resolutions

army onesource community in second life® By Randy ReadshawSoldier & Family Assistance Program Manager

Second Life® is the next generation of

innovation for virtual world services and resources designed to serve Soldiers and

Families worldwide. Most importantly, this virtual environment is an effective tool for geographically dispersed Soldiers, their family, friends, and other community members to keep in touch with each other and with the programs in their Army Community. With the navigation of an avatar, users can meet virtually to collaborate, learn, and create a community through: social networking, special events, meetings, virtual ceremonies, and peer-to-peer learning activities.

Each month The Army OneSource Community in Second Life® will be holding special holiday events for you to take part in. Winter event activities are now available in the AOS Second Life® Community and will

Healthy Habits Coaching Program Life Health Assessment The Healthy Habits Coaching Program has three areas of focus.

iCanChange uses a personalized, flexible, and supportive approach to help you reach your weight and health goals.

iCanThrive teaches you how to fuel your body with healthy foods, begin a program of enjoyable physical movement, and relax more.

iCanRelax helps you become aware of stress and how it affects you, and gain skills for handling your reactions to stressful demands and changes.

The iCan Programs will help you understand your behaviors and help you make changes. The programs feature an optional telephonic or online personal health coach, a personal homepage with a tracker, interactive tools, and much more!

Use this link to start or re-access the Healthy Habits Coaching Program

This assessment is a global evaluation of your physical health, behavioral health, and motivation to change. Answer a series of questions and get immediate feedback in a detailed personal report that helps you understand how to make changes.

Areas Assessed:

Current health Nutrition Tobacco use Vehicle safety Physical activity Alcohol use Stress and

depression Biometric

measures (e.g. weight, height, blood pressure, cholesterol)

Use this link to start or re-access your Life Health Assessment

MilitaryOneSource Can Help

DEC/JAN 2009 - 10 • 9

COMPANY CORNER

ANNUAL AWARDSWhile everyone contributed to this year’s mission success,

special congratulations are extended to;

TOP USAR RECRUITERStaff Sgt. Seth Moore

TOP USAR PRODUCTION cOMPANYClarion

TOP OPSCCranberry RS

TOP CIVILIAN STAFFDevin Howard

TOP GUIDANCE COUNSELOR Joseph H. Albrecht III

TOP COMPANYClarion

LEADERSHIP AWARDSgt. 1st Class Scott Cassidy

TOP RA RECRUITERSgt. 1st Class Aubrey Russell

TOP RA PRODUCTION cOMPANYHarrisburg

TOP LPSCButler RS

TOP NEW RECRUITERSgt. Carly Williams

TOP NCOSgt. 1st Class Stephanie Pinkney

TOP SECTIONS-1

SAFETY AWARDHarrisburg Company

VOLUNTEER SPECIAL RECOGNITIONAmanda Bavuso

Sabrina Sandovalr

Story and photos by Bill IrwinPublic Affairs Specialist

The Harrisburg Battalion’s Annual Training Conference is always a memorable event, and this year’s was no

different. Held at the only hotel in Pittsburgh with riverfront views the event was classic. Whether it was the activities, the snow or the celebrities it appeared there was something for everyone.

Traditionally ATC’s are meant to be a place for yearly mandated training for recruiters, however it also provides a place for Soldiers to unwind and spend time with their Families. The awards banquet is waited for all year to honor the outstanding work performed by everyone and to recognize the top performers.

This year the ATC had some highlights that were not to be missed. The USAREC Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Donald Campbell stopped by to take part in a PaYS signing conducted at Concurrent Technologies Corp. in Johnstown, Pa. and to meet with battalion spouses prior to his departure.

Friday night during the company awards, there were rumored sightings of the legendary rock band KISS and that intrepid band of super heroes The X- Men.

Special guests at the banquet included Pittsburgh Pirate baseball legend Dave Parker, the Honorable Bill Kortz, Pa. House Representative, and U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador

TOP PERFORMERS

AnnuAl

TrAining

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Right: Recruiters from theHanover, Red Lion, and Yorkrecruiting stations posed as

legendaryrockbandKISS

Left: Clarion Companyposed for a photo afterbeingpresentedwiththe

TopCompanyAward

Above:Lt.Col.StephenB.LockridgealongwithCommandSgt.Maj.ReginaldWashington,Mr.RandyReadshaw,andMr.DavePark-erpresentedMs.AmandaBavusoandMs.SabrinaSandovalr

theVolunteeroftheYearAwards.

decemBer 18-20, 2009pittsBurgh, pa.

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10 •

A RESOLUTIONSupporting the adoption of a military community covenant.WHEREAS, The military community covenant was created by the United States Army

in 2008 to provide a formal affirmation of support by State and local communities to members

of the armed services; and WHEREAS, With pride in this nation’s military strength and success, Americans

appreciate and support the members of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy,

National Guard, Coast Guard and the Reserves and the government civilians and family

members supporting them; and WHEREAS, Since a large number of United States Armed Forces are engaged across

the world in America’s war against terrorism, it is only fitting to support those whose sacrifice

and selfless service provide us with the privileges of freedom, democracy and unmatched

opportunity that we enjoy in the United States and in this Commonwealth;

and WHEREAS, Best practice programs in this Commonwealth are recognized nationally,

including the Freedom Team Salute Program, which honors army veterans and supporters, the

Pennsylvania Family Military Relief Assistance Program, National Guard Youth Camps,

family retreats for fallen National Guard families, educator seminars illuminating the effects

of deployments on children and the Rotary Club Stryker Project; and WHEREAS, The commitment of service members and their families is inspiring and

their streng this derived from the continued support of the community, citizens, employers,

educators and elected, civic and business leaders;and WHEREAS, It is the intent of the House of Representatives to support the men

and women of United States Armed Forces and their families for their dedicated service

to the United States and to this Commonwealth and commend them for the outstanding

performance of their duties; therefore be itRESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage the citizens of this

Commonwealth to build partnerships to support the strength, resilience and readiness of

service members and their families; and be it furtherRESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the adoption of a military

community covenant.

Story and photo by Bill IrwinPublic Affairs Specialist

The Community Covenant Program

continues to grow and gain momentum in the battalion footprint. Talks continue throughout the area. To date and possibly the signing with the most impact for 2009 occurred on December 7.

On December 7, 2009, (Pearl Harbor Anniversary) the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed Resolution # 533, supporting military community covenants throughout Pa. The resolution was spearheaded by Representative Bill Kortz of Allegheny County, and a signed document was presented to battalion Commander Lt. Col. Stephen Lockridge at the battalion annual awards dinner held at the Sheraton December 19 in Pittsburgh.

The resolution was somewhat unique in that battalion staff was asked to author the resolution in conjunction with house personnel. The resolution passed with a unanimous vote and promises to open doors throughout the battalion to other covenant signings.

Lt.Col.StephenB.LockridgeacceptstheCommunityCovenantResolution

fromRepresentativeBillKortz.

Steven Gibson cuts a yellow ribbon that he tied to a tree at his home, before he left to serve in Iraq for one year, on Tuesday,

December 22, 2009.

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PINE GROVE MILLS — One year, two months and 18 days ago, Army Spc. Steven Gibson tied a yellow ribbon around the maple tree in his parents’ front yard in Pine Grove Mills.

Then the 19-year-old went off to war, serving a year in Iraq with the 643rd Vertical Engineer Company.

On Tuesday afternoon, he returned home to a family — and a yellow ribbon — waiting.

The ribbon is a symbol in the family — each man who serves overseas ties his own ribbon. The ribbon then awaits the serviceman, to be untied only by his hand when he returns.

Gibson’s great-grandfather started the tradition when he served in World War II. A ribbon waited while his uncle served in Vietnam and later, his father in Desert Storm and again when he returned to Iraq.

Delayed in Detroit and bumped from his flight, Gibson was given a seat by another passenger so he could arrive home to see his family.

Surrounded by his parents, his sister and a few friends, the family held a short ceremony as the

sun set at their Pine Grove Mills home. His father said it was good to see his son return,

good to continue the family tradition and to take down the ribbon that waited.

Then his mother handed Gibson a pair of scissors, and the ribbon was removed from the tree — another Gibson had returned home.

“You worry when he’s over there,” said Helene Gibson. “You don’t know what he’s doing.”

A welcome-home party for friends and neighbors was scheduled for Tuesday night. The rest of his holiday break, she said, is family time.

“He’s home safe, he’s home sound,” said Steven’s father, Sgt. Brian Gibson. “And, especially around this time of the year, I can’t think of anything better to get.”

By Nick MalawskeyCentre Daily Times

StationCommanderStaffSgt.ShawnDoland,farleftandStaffSgt.RobertMcCaulley,meetwithCongressmanBillShuster,frontright,andDistrictDirectorJimFrank,dur-ingarecent“meetandgreet,”attheBedfordRecruiting

Station.

This Just In...Congradulations

Staff Sgt. Nathan Good just had a baby.

Trent Patrick Good - 8lb 8oz 21 in LongBorn Jan. 7, 2010

Farewell

Linda Barlow - Battalion SecretarySonya Sanocki - Public Affairs Specialist

local visits

DEC/JAN 2009 - 10 • 11

COMPANY CORNER

By Sonya SanockiPublic Affairs Specialist

The 2010 Nike Football Regional Combine will be held in Pittsburgh at the UPMC Sports Performance Center, Feb. 20. The Combine is a national tour, developed to extend the U.S. All-American

Bowl program and extend the Army’s reach to high school students in a year-round program.

The program provides recruiters with the opportunity to reach more than 1,000 high school students and allows face time with prospects.

According to USAREC, the program benefits the Army by generating awareness of Army opportunities to the target market and influencers and enhances the Army’s image by associating with an event that is considered “cool.” Program generates leads for recruiters and creates association with both mental and physical toughness, power and teamwork.

Football Combines are free and open to Class of 2011 and top underclassmen high school football players looking to showcase their skills. Alumni of the Combines include NFL stars, such as Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald, Chicago Bears Devin Hester, and Baltimore Ravens, Haloti Ngata, along with those who have gone on to play Division I college football.

Attending the Combine gives each athlete the opportunity to get SPARQ tested. SPARQ stands for speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness. The rating comes from a series of sport-specific tests and gives athletes a chance

to see their strengths and weaknesses. They also have a chance to see other elite players in their class, which gives them an idea of where they stand.

Athletes participating in the 2010 Nike Football Combine will:

• Receive free access and testing at either turf/indoor or grass/outdoor events.

• Be measured by height and weight, and photographed.• Receive a supervised warm-up.• Be tested in: the 40-yard dash (twice, fastest time kept), vertical jump

(highest jump kept), the 20-yard shuttle (twice, fastest time kept) and the power ball throw (twice, farthest throw kept). If players are not satisfied with their results, they may scratch them so they are not reported.

• Receive a SPARQ Rating based on a calculation of their testing scores.• Attend an interactive Nike SPARQ seminar which will cover offseason

training, the recruiting process and a short series of SPARQ drills.• In select markets, be able to participate in a free instructional Nike SPARQ

mini-camps free of charge to help each athlete work with SPARQ trainers to improve upon their times and stats from the Nike Football Combine. Athletes can pre-register for SPARQ mini-camps through the same registration link for the Nike Football Combines.

• Receive exposure across ESPN platforms, including a player card in the Scouts, Inc. database.

• Be eligible for selection consideration for the Nike Football Training Camps, the top national football camp tour (selection is based on overall performance and participation is free).

• Receive a free Nike Pro workout shirt.

The United States Army Mission Support Battalion began in 1936 when the Secretary of the Army tasked a small group of Soldiers to develop and man an Army exhibit at the World’s Fair in New York City.In 1951, the U.S. Army Exhibit Unit was officially formed and assigned to the Army Chief of Information. The unit’s mission was to take the Army story to

the youth of America and to those who influence them. The unit continued to provide exhibit support to the Secretary of the Army and other Department of Defense agencies.

In October 2002, the unit was moved with the Recruiting Support Brigade to the newly created United States Army Assessions Command and was re-designated as the Mission Support Battalion.

The unit’s assets include an array of exhibits such as the Multiple Exhibit Vehicles, Interactive Semis, Adventure Semis, and Marksmanship Trainers manned by Army recruiters in order to re-connect America’s people with America’s Army and enhance Army awareness among high school and college students and their centers of influence. The battalion also has two National Science Center semis which present hands-on science demonstrations to elementary and middle school students and educators across the country.

Additionally, the unit fields the Army’s National Conventions Exhibit Team, which represents the Army at trade shows and conventions and produces thousands of graphics and multimedia products and incentive awards to assist the Army accessions effort.

What was founded on a good idea is continuing with even more innovative thinking in the 21 century. The battalion is currently developing a Medical Operations Adventure Van that will assist in recruiting medics, physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals.

Exhibits available are:

• TheArmyMarksmanshipTrailer - Used primarily at multimedia events. Designed to draw public attention, the AMT is a 28-foot-long fifth-wheel trailer pulled by a commercial dual rear-wheel-driven pickup truck, both of which are adorned with Army graphics.

• Adventure Semi - A culmination of hand-on and interactive systems, which enable the public to get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a tank crew member, Apache pilot, Infantryman or Explosion Ordnance Disposal Soldier. One can experience the excitement of flying or firing weapons on a helicopter, test his skills and accuracy in operating an Abrams tank, or improve his markmanship in firing the M9 on the target system.

• TheSpecialOperationsSemi- contains several hands-on activities, such as a Civil Affairs Station, PYSOPS exhibit, Army game stations, airborne simulator, ground mobility, vehicle drive, AH6 Little Bird, and weapons display.

• The Aviation Semi - incorporates several exhibits. One can experience flying a helicopter or firing weapons on a helicopter and include an Apache Flight exhibit; Kiowa Warrior Flight Exhibit; Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Exhibit; Ammunition and Air Warrior displays; flight virtual reality area; and an aircraft engine display.

• The Interactive Semis - have the touring theater which exhibits multi-media shows. With seating for 36 people, the presentations are tailored for a class period. This exhibit features a mix of academic, special interest and Army related subjects.

• MultipleExhibitVehicle(MEV) - a custom H2 Hummer. The MEV has the potential to help recruiters generate a large number of quality leads in one day. The MEV pulls a small equipment trailer. The MEV is made up of a custom audio-visual system. This system include a 30-inch LCD screen, 2 flip-out 18-inch LCD monitors, 800 watts of competition JL Audio equipment, live action Clarion camera, and an X-Box gaming system. The MEV has the ability to work as a stand-alone interactive asset or to work with additional equipment to accomplish a multiple exhibit at one location.

• TheArmyChopper - touring exhibit was custom designed and built to represent the American Soldier...rugged, lethal and intimidating when needed, always well-equipped, finely tuned, creative, and adaptive. Built in 2005 by Orange County Chopper out of Montgomery, New York, its unique features generate positive conversations about the Army, Army values and ethics, and the importance of safety--first and always.

comBine comes to pittsBurgh

moBile exhiBits: COming SOOn tO an area near YOu!By Sonya Sanocki, Public Affairs Specialist

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Army. What¹s more, because there are many different authors, the responsibility for maintaining the blog does not rest with one single person.

As you think about starting a blog for your organization, think about roping many different people into the mix. It will decrease the amount of time required from these busy people. More im-portant, it will help give your customers different insights into your organization.

2. Tell the human side of the story. What’s the Army’s mission? According to Wikipedia, it’s “to provide necessary forces and ca-pabilities in support of the National Security and Defense Strate-gies.”

Take a look at the Army’s social properties. I don¹t see a lot of that. What I do see are stories about soldiers coming home to their families for a little rest and relaxation, tales of their presence at community events, and examples of camaraderie. Although there¹s a lot of talk about the nuts and bolts of combat and what it means to be a soldier, the human stories are what pull you in.

You can do the same for your brand. Resist the temptation to talk about your products, services and their features and benefits. Talk about the human side of your business: how those products and services help make your customer¹s lives easier, better, more efficient and more enjoyable. That’s the content that compels.

3. Tell your story through photos and video. The Army has a distinct advantage here. They have compelling visuals that help them tell a powerful story. But I¹m guessing your brand does, too. The Army’s blog uses photos liberally to tell the Army story you may not always hear time with families, community involvement and life on the road.

Photos can tell those stories in ways words often cannot. So, the next time you¹re crafting your brand¹s story, think about the visuals that may help you tell it in a completely different and more visceral way.

4. Empower your employees to tell your story. More than 60 bloggers worldwide with backgrounds ranging from medical to human resources to legal to public affairs have blogged on behalf of the Army to share stories about basic combat training, serving in Iraq and career opportunities.

These are real stories from real soldiers not corporate memos and newsletters. Often your best storytellers are your employees. They know your brand inside and out. They are your brand in many ways. Why not put them in a position to tell the wonderful stories your brand has to tell?

By Arik C. HansonACH Communications

What the U.S. Army has been doing on the social media front, in terms of recruiting and opening honest conversa-

tions with potential soldiers, is nothing short of amazing.Seems a little odd, doesn’t it? I mean what lessons could your

brand possibly learn from one of the most hierarchal, conserva-tive organizations in the world? As it turns out, more than you might think.

The Army recently started using social media tools to tell its story to and engage recruits and parents. So far, they’ve seen tremendous momentum.

Army Strong SoldiersTo date, the Army has enlisted 61 bloggers (most, real-life

soldiers). And that list is growing every week. Hundreds of posts and comments. And a growing readership (the Army wouldn’t release exact figures).

There’s also a softer side to this work that can’t quite be mea-sured yet. If you¹re considering enlisting in the Army, you now have an opportunity to listen to, ask questions of and engage in an authentic, unfiltered conversation about what life is really like in the Army with soldiers who are living and breathing it every single day. No other military branch is doing anything like this.

How many corporate organizations are doing what the Army¹s doing? Doesn’t a large portion or companies still block sites like Facebook and Twitter? Meanwhile, the Army is encour-aging ‘employees’ (soldiers) to talk about their unique experienc-es working for their ‘employer’ (Army) the good and the bad.

If you’re an Army recruiter, you have to be thrilled with this work, too.

Previously, prospective soldiers would have had to visit a Army recruiting office in person to get a better feel for what they may be getting into.

With these tools in place, prospective soldiers can now visit a host of online resources to get a mix of information to help them make a more informed decision (Goarmy.com, the Ask a Soldier forum, blogs posts from real soldiers and videos on YouTube).

Video Watch to Maj. Mary Constantino, whom I met at Blog World in October, talk about how the Army is using its blog, Fa-cebook and YouTube to enhance its recruiting efforts.

Here are a few lessons your brand can learn from the Army:1. Blogging success rests in the power of numbers. If you vis-

it Army Strong Stories, you¹ll notice there are multiple authors or posters. They all present multiple perspectives of life in the

social media lessons from an unlikely source: the army

DEC/JAN 2009 - 10 • 13

ARMY NEWSmilitary housing allowance rates set for 2010By Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (Dec. 16, 2009) -- Military members will see an average raise of 2.5 percent in housing al-lowance rates in 2010, a BAH program analyst for the Defense Department said today.

The increase comes to average of around $37 per month for the more than 900,000 servicemembers expected to draw the basic allowance for housing in 2010. Some areas will see a higher increase, while others will see less, Cheryl Anne Woehr said.

The 2010 raise is down from 2009’s 6.5 percent average, and is the smallest percentage increase since the inception of the BAH program in 2000. This is due the past year’s recession and declining hous-ing market, she said.

“Rates are set based on actual housing data, so as the economy has declined, vacancy rates have increased [and] rental prices have declined, which results directly to lower BAH rates in various areas,” Woehr said.

Those who do notice the BAH rates lower in their area than last year shouldn’t worry, she said, because an individual rate protection law is in place. The policy protects those who already are under a rental agreement. So if BAH rates in their area are lower Jan. 1 than on Dec. 31, the previous, higher rate applies.

“Servicemembers are able to take advantage of the increase in rates, but are not affected by decreas-ing rates,” she said. But servicemembers who change duty stations, change dependency status or get pro-moted on or after Jan. 1 will be affected by the new rates, she added.

Woehr stressed that it isn’t necessarily bad news for the servicemember in areas that see a decrease in rates. “Servicemembers who are newly reporting to an area get to take advantage of the lower market when they arrive,” she said.

The BAH program is designed to benefit the ser-vicemember, but it’s not designed to pay 100 percent of housing expenses, Woehr said. The rate is intended to cover rent, renter’s insurance and utilities based on pay grade and dependency status.

The local market economy determines annual BAH changes and sets the next year’s BAH rates. Mili-tary housing offices from each installation begin col-lecting data on the local rental market as early as Jan-uary each year. The offices research the current rates for two-bedroom houses, townhouses, single-family homes and the different standards and profiles for homes, Woehr explained.

Typically, rates are higher in larger, more heav-ily populated metropolitan areas, such as New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Rates in rural ar-eas usually are more stable, and although they may increase to some degree, the rise doesn’t have the same impact as in larger cities, she said.

An estimated $19 billion in BAH will be paid to nearly 1 million servicemembers in 2010, Woehr said.

By Nancy RasmussenPublic Affairs Command Information Officer

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- Commanders across the Army are acutely aware of the personal struggles and conflicts multiple combat de-ployments have caused Soldiers.

The nature of sustained combat has resulted in rising numbers of suicides, domestic violence and divorce among our Warriors, and the Army is taking aggressive steps to re-duce the stress among the force.

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) was an established Army directorate beginning Oct. 1, 2008. The mission of this program is to develop and institute a holistic fitness pro-gram for Soldiers, families, and Army civilians in order to enhance performance and build resilience.

The program focuses on optimizing five dimensions of strength: Physical, Emotional, Social, Spiritual and Family. This holistic approach to fitness will enhance the performance and build resilience of the Force in this era of persistent conflict and high operational tem-po. Resilience is the ability to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from adversity.

CSF hosts a Web site for Soldiers to learn about the program and access the Global As-sessment Tool (called the “GAT”) survey. This survey allows Soldiers to assess dimensions of emotional, spiritual, social, and family fitness. By taking 10-20 minutes to answer about 100 questions, Soldiers will receive a rapid estimate of individual fitness in these four di-mensions.

U.S. Army, Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon expressed his concern about getting the CSF information into the hands of Soldiers. He said, “Key is educating them on how to connect the link through AKO, take the survey and work through some of the modules. As we get more trainers through the course, battalions can start designing bat-talion programs.”

“It is critical for Soldiers to know that the GAT will not be used as a selection tool for promotion, command, or schooling,” Mixon said referring to the fear among some Soldiers that the survey results could be viewed by others.

Although the survey is designed to be a self-assessment, it will serve a larger purpose for determining what training is most effective ein the five focus areas. Officials will strip the surveys of personal information and combine scores to reach aggregate scores.

Being Army Strong is more than just being physically fit. It is mental and emotional strength. It is the confidence to lead. It is the courage to stand up for your beliefs. It is the compassion to help others. It is the desire for lifelong learning. It is the intelligence to make the right decision. It is making a difference for yourself, your family, your community and our nation.

Mixon added, “USARPAC leadership wants this program to enhance the lives of bal-anced, healthy, self-confident Army Soldiers, families and civilians whose resilience and total fitness enables them to thrive in an era of high operational tempo and persistent conflict.”

Visit http://www.army.mil/csf/ to take the GAT survey and to learn more about what the Army has to offer in building confidence to lead, courage to stand up for one’s believes and compassion to help others, while maximizing one’s potential.

countering impact of persistent conflict through holistic fitness

FEBRUARYCelebrating Diversity in the Army:

African American History Month