LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

As everyone else has expressed, I wish everyone a happy holidays. We all look forward toward Christmas and presents. Our office is starting to look a lot like Christmas with reefs, trees, and window décor but without the cold and snow. The

giving spirit has arrived with presents being wrapped for our Soldiers within the company’s Secret Santa program for Christmas day.

Keeping with the holiday spirit, many of our soldiers have been donating their time and spreading goodwill.

Sgt. Michael Bryant has led most of our efforts by volunteering the most hours. He has completed the CPR instructor course and used it to qualify 7 other Soldiers in our company months prior to our required training time. He has also been to the Cheetah Wildlife Refuge several times prior to the rest of the company, and has started to discover the english discussion group. Sgt. Scruggs and Spc. Compton have done just about everything else as far as volunteer work to include the wound clinic. Both Soldiers were commended for their efforts in the cleanup of St. Barbara’s Dining Out. Before the detail arrived, they jumped in and assisted tearing down decorations and putting stuff away. Because of these daily acts, our company continues to represent the pride associated with Task Force Longrifles. ~Capt. William Riley

DJIBOUTI – The US Army Joint Civil Affairs Team 4482 teamed up with 30 Soldier-volunteers from the Kentucky National Guard’s Task Force Longrifles recently to assist the Djiboutians with the Beira Antelope Preserve project in southern Djibouti.

The Beira Antelopes inhabit the mountainous areas of Djibouti, Somalia (Somaliland) and Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa, where it lives in small family groups.

Major Sean Malis, a native of Santa Barbara, Ca. and a team leader for civil affairs team 4482, said the Beira Antelope Preserve project was a huge step for the people in this area.

“It was something that Djiboutians decided on their own. They recognized they had a resource and wanted to protect it” said Malis.

The going hasn’t been easy. The Djiboutians in this area approach Malis’ team with projects they want done all the time. Rarely will the locals put in their own efforts to make a project go forward.

The biggest challenge to the civil affairs team has been getting the local people in the area more involved. “They see Americans doing the work on a project and they say, ‘oh well the Americans are doing it and then don’t get involved.’ We’ll help but, we want them to take ownership of this thing” Malis continued. “So we’ll do a little bit and then

CPT’s Corner

With the EPS (enlisted promotion selection) boards just around the corner, I would like to encourage all of our Soldier’s to be proactive and ask questions now instead of after the board. The famous question I receive from Soldier’s is “Why was –insert

name- was promoted and I wasn’t?” For E-4’s and E-5’s, my response is always the same. Your leadership rates you for your performance (up to 400 points) and the remaining 600 points are up to you. The APFT, marksmanship score, correspondence courses, college courses and awards are what separate those who land at the top of the lists from those who don’t. Take charge of your own military career today.In closing, I would like to thank all of the different FRG’s across the Battalion. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed and we thank you for all you do. From all of the Soldier’s of the 2/138th, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, we’ll see you soon! ~1SG Marty Cottrell

1SG Thoughts

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Antelopes, Soldiers and Paint, Oh My!

Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Steve Tressler, 2/138th PAO

December 14, 2012Volume 1, Issue 9

DJIBOUTI - Sgt. Greg Newman, a Lexington Ky. native, helps paint boundary markers for the Beira Antelope Preserve project in southern Djibouti on Dec. 12, 2012.

Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

back-off and say ’OK, now it’s your turn.’ If they don’t do their part we’ll stop our efforts until they meet us halfway.”

Increasingly, the Beira antelope, according to Malis, are in competition with livestock, like camels and goats, for food and water resources. The Beira Antelope is now listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, (IUCN.) Adding to their struggle for survival are droughts and increased urbanization to the area.

“That’s why this project is so very important,” says Malis, “There may only be a few hundred in the world left and they’re concentrated right here along the mountainous borders of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia.”

The Kentucky Soldier-volunteers loved the experience as well. “I really wanted to see more of the antelopes, but this trip has been great. Meeting some of the local people and seeing this part of Africa has been an incredible experience” said Spc. Angel Martinez, a ‘C’ Battery Soldier from Bardstown Ky.

“Having all these volunteers from Kentucky has been a breath of fresh-air for us. We need their enthusiasm and energy to help us keep going. They were fantastic!” said Malis.

No doubt the Djiboutians were grateful for the help as well.

Chaplain Reflections

A farmer’s distant cousin came to visit after many years and commented, “The Lord sure has blessed you with a beautiful farm.” The farmer replied, “You should

have seen it when the Lord had it all by Himself.” This illustrates a core truth about life. When left alone things tend to rust, break down, fall apart, and become overrun with weeds, thorns, and trash. God has called us to be co-laborers in maintaining the earth – partners! My dad taught me to leave a place better than I found it. As a young boy, I did not understand the powerful value that he was imparting. It just seemed like hard work to me. This value, you might say, has historically been an American value, passed on to us through our deep religious roots. Deep within us is a desire to make the world a better place, even if it is hard work. As a result our nation is characterized by a spirit of charity and volunteerism used by God to bless the world over.I saw that value at work this week in our Task Force as we picked up trash along a neglected roadside just outside our gate. We picked up trash because that is who we are. Many of us have caught a glimpse of what our life could be like without God’s investment in us. God in similar ways comes into our life and clears out the weeds, the briars, and the trash. As a result, with thankful hearts, we join God as partners in the mission of making the world a better place. ~Chaplain Mark Slaughter

WEELCHAIR REVIVAL CONTINUED FROM P. 1 > > >

Soldier to Soldier • Any Soldier interested in participating in a shout-

out should stop by the Public Affairs office located in building 150, Monday through Friday from 1300-1600. POC is Capt. Van Horn, ext. 4807.

• We are trying to reach 2,000 ‘Likes’ on Facebook by Christmas, make sure to invite your families and friends to ‘Like’ our page

• Soldiers who have pictures of training should send them to their battery UPAHR for submission to PAO

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/TaskForceLongrifles

DJIBOUTI - Here Soldier-volunteers from the Kentucky National Guard’s Task Force Longrifles climb and mark the mountainous areas of Djibouti in support of the Beira Antelope Preserve project on Dec. 12, 2012.

Promotions & Awards• Pfc. Luke James advanced to Spc.• Spc. David Norman promoted to Sgt.• Spc. Steven Plunkett promoted to Sgt.• Spc. Travis Berthold promoted to Sgt.• Pfc. David Jordan advanced to Spc.• Sgt. Alexander Luzama promoted to Staff Sgt.• Pfc. William Richie advanced to Spc.• Spc. Russell King promoted to Sgt.• 1st Lt. Oscar Ortiz awarded the AAM• Staff Sgt. Kenneth Winninger awarded the AAM• Spc. Christopher Johnson awarded the AAM• Staff Sgt. Bobby King awarded the AAM• Capt. Michael Roberts awarded the AAM