LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

First and foremost, “Thank You!” for the outstanding job everyone is doing in their assigned roles throughout the Horn of Africa. Your efforts are not going unnoticed! Keep it up!

One of the pillars of our unit’s mission is to build partnerships with our African friends as well as our sister services and coalition contingents. One approach to this is taking part in an abundance of volunteer opportunities here in Djibouti. Currently, the camp is taking part in English discussion groups with both Djiboutian schools and our Japanese counterparts to assist in learning English. There are both a baby Orphanage and a boy’s Orphanage in need of caregivers, playmates and laborers. A Wound Clinic is open that may fit the bill for those of us with medical backgrounds.

I encourage all of us to promote a spirit of goodwill and caring that will endure long after we return stateside. For more information, contact CH Slaughter, CH East or MAJ Benton. 60 creditable hours lead to the award of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Remember Kentucky Cares!

Transportation Missions Boost Morale

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Soldiers from Task Force Longrifles have been tasked with a mission known simply as “The Border Run”. The mission is vital to fellow Soldiers currently conducting force protection at Camp Gilbert in Dire Darwa, Ethiopia.

The Border Run mission consists of these Soldiers meeting at the border between Djibouti and Ethiopia to exchange supplies.

The transportation of supplies not only helps with material needs for the Soldiers in Dire Darwa, but also helps boost their morale.

Promotions, Awards, and Coins• Sgt. 1st. Class Steve Sztanya promoted to Master Sgt.,

effective date Oct. 3, 2012• Sgt. Raymundo Pelayo promoted to Staff Sgt., effective

date Oct. 25, 2012• Sgt. Brent Futrell promoted to Staff Sgt., effective date

Oct. 1, 2012• Pvt. Matthew Wise advanced to Pfc., Effective date Oct.

24, 2012• Pvt. Tyler Todd advanced to Pfc., Effective date Oct. 23,

2012

Commander’s Corner

Greetings from the CSM! This week I wanted to focus on Structured Self Development (SSD) and why it is vital to your career during and after this deployment.

According to www.ncosupport.com, beginning 1 Oct 2012, Soldiers must complete the appropriate SSD level prior to attending NCOES. It is both the Soldier and first line supervisor’s responsibility to ensure this is completed for junior NCOs prior to Warrior Leaders Course (WLC).

The Army implemented this initiative in an effort to ensure learning was consistent, enduring, and not sporadic for NCOs. It will help you both in the military and as a civilian when we return from deployment. In today’s competitive market, every advantage you can get is worth pursuing to give you that edge.

To find out more information about enrolling, you can begin by asking your Platoon Sergeant or do a Google search for SSD.

I highly encourage you to begin SSD as soon as you are settled in to a good rhythm and comfortable with your new home. Again, time management is the key to getting the most out of this deployment.

CSM Thoughts

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DJIBOUTI- 2nd Lt. David Terracino assists in unloading supplies for the troops in Dire Darwa, Ethiopia. (Photo by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, KYARNG)

Soldier to SoldierRegistration for Flag Football will be held Nov. 1

thorugh Nov. 9 at the Fitness Center.Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

“If it weren’t for these missions, our Soldiers downrange would not be able to send or receive mail,” said Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Rudolph, C Battery Headquarters Platoon Sgt., Mission Commander for the border runs and also a resident of Union, Kentucky. Rudolph continued, “Also, they’ve been without power at times, so we have supplied them with the equipment necessary to keep the generators running when needed.”

“We’re also able to bring back bags of Ethiopian coffee, which the troops here on Camp Lemonnier love.” Rudolph added, “The Dire Darwa guys also have been visiting an orphanage, so we’ll transport any items that we put together for the kids, such as shoes, clothing and food.”

The Soldiers downrange aren’t the only troops which benefit from the border runs though.

“We facilitate transportation of various supplies for our Soldiers, along with supplies for Navy and Air Force personnel based in Ethiopia,” said Staff Sgt. Clinton Ragsdale, a Lawrenceburg, Ky. native who serves as the Communications Sgt. and Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of C Battery. Ragsdale continued, “Along with transporting supplies, we also facilitate chain of command and Chaplain visits downrange.”

The border runs also give the opportunity for Soldiers tasked with this mission to go outside of the military setting, both in Ethiopia and Djibouti.

“It’s an eye opener for the people that go on these missions because you get to see how the local population lives and it makes you appreciate what you have back home,” said Ragsdale. “And that’s the whole reason we’re doing this, for the people back home.”

Chaplain Reflections“Blessed is the man whose strength is in God. When he passes through the valley of hardship he will go from strength to strength.” The battle

hardened warrior King David wrote these powerful words in Psalm 84.

As Soldiers we know what it is like to go from strength to strength. Our physical training has taught us that the end result of putting our bodies under the stress of the weight room or the running track is increased strength. At the end of our work-out we feel weaker than when we started; but at the end of the day, we have moved from one level of strength to a greater level of strength.

As the days ahead challenge and test us, it would be eay to view our deployment as something to endure. Let’s decide now that this deployment is going to make us stronger mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually as individuals and as families. Let’s go from strength to strength.

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Volume 1, Issue 3November 2, 2012

DJIBOUTI- Staff Sgt. Jeven Kedding and Spc. Jared Sypian of the Site Security Team partake in a joint training mission to ensure team readiness.(Photo by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, KYARNG)

Photo of the Week

DJIBOUTI - Spc. Tom Utz and 2nd Lt. Jones load a truck with supplies for the troops in Dire Darwa, Ethiopia. (Photo by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, KYARNG)

MWR Schedule• Nov. 1 - Pizzaiolo Pizza Buffet & Night Swim, 1800-2200

Cost: $30• Nov 4 - Moucha Island, 0730-1700 Cost: E1-E6 $29, E7

& Above $34/Whale Shark Snorkeling & Reef Diving 0730-1830 Cost: E1-E6 $57, E7 & Above $60/Pool, Spa w/lunch at The Lac Assal Restaurant, Kempinski Cost: E1-E6 $57, E7 & Above $66

• Nov 20 - Downtown Market Shopping 1830-2100, Free• Nov 22 - Whale Shark Snorkeling and Reef Diving