Tflr newsletter 19 oct2012
2
LONGRIFLE WEEKLY A publication of the 2/138th FAR Welcome to and hello from Djibouti! As we receive our last group of Soldiers from Camp Atterbury, we are also completing our Relief in Place with our predecessors from the Texas Army National Guard. We have much work to do as our new arrivals get situated and integrated into life here at Camp Lemonnier. I ask that we all have patience as we complete this task. ese conditions are temporary, as room here is limited infrastructure was made for a smaller force than we have on the ground. Stay in contact with your families: phone calls, texts, email and, yes, a letter or card. e initial part of a deployment is the most difficult. Remember, you are not alone on this deployment or at home. See you next week! TAKING CHARGE! CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – e Texas Army National Guard Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry (3-124 CAV) have spent the last few weeks packing, inventorying gear, and completing the Relief In Place (RIP) with their replacements, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Regiment (2-138th FAR) out of Kentucky. e last item for the RIP to be complete was a Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony making Task Force Longrifles officially responsible for all force protection at Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). e ceremony, completed at Camp Lemonnier’s Eleven Degrees North on Oct. 18, 2012 involved the casing of 3-124 CAV colors, signifying the completion of the unit’s deployment. e Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Tommy Hooker spoke during the ceremony about the success of their mission. “In the past nine months Task Force Raptor has successfully OPS & Personnel Update • Warrant Officer Shebly Scott promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2, effective 19 Sept. 2012 • Sgt. Charles Spice promoted to Staff Sgt., effective 1 Oct. 2012 • 2nd Lt. Michael Melton promoted to 1st Lt., effective 18 Sept. 2012 Tip of the Week • DO place your right hand over your heart aſter shaking hands to indicate sincerity or apprecation. • DO NOT use a handshake at the start of discussions or negotiations. Handshakes are meant to complete a deal. • DO eat with your right hand, particularly in rural areas where Djiboutians interact less oſten with Westerners. Commander’s Corner Volume 1, Issue 1 October 19, 2012 Greetings from Africa! With over thirty years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, family support remains the most important attribute to my success. Even though we are separated by almost 8,000 miles, I am in daily communication both over the phone and computer. As the CSM, I can assure you that time management is key to getting the most out of a deployment. Continue to enroll in structered self-development courses, try-out for the Longrifle Raid and when offered, complete Warrior Leadership Course (WLC). Set goals such as getting a 300 on the Army Physical Fitness Test or reaching a certain weight by Christmas. I can guarantee that if you manage your time, talk with your family oſten, be patient, and improve your civilian/military education, this deployment will set you up for success. CSM oughts CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > > DJIBOUTI - Lt. Col. Rob Larkin and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Gividen uncase the 2nd Battalion, 138TH colors, representing assumption of authority, on Oct. 18, 2012.
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Transcript of Tflr newsletter 19 oct2012
LONGRIFLE WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR
Welcome to and hello from Djibouti! As we receive our last group of Soldiers from Camp Atterbury, we are also completing our Relief in Place with our predecessors from
the Texas Army National Guard.
We have much work to do as our new arrivals get situated and integrated into life here at Camp Lemonnier. I ask that we all have patience as we complete this task. These conditions are temporary, as room here is limited infrastructure was made for a smaller force than we have on the ground.
Stay in contact with your families: phone calls, texts, email and, yes, a letter or card. The initial part of a deployment is the most difficult. Remember, you are not alone on this deployment or at home. See you next week!
TAKING CHARGE!
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The Texas Army National Guard Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry (3-124 CAV) have spent the last few weeks packing, inventorying gear, and completing the Relief In Place (RIP) with their replacements, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Regiment (2-138th FAR) out of Kentucky.
The last item for the RIP to be complete was a Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony making Task Force Longrifles officially responsible for all force protection at Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
The ceremony, completed at Camp Lemonnier’s Eleven Degrees North on Oct. 18, 2012 involved the casing of 3-124 CAV colors, signifying the completion of the unit’s deployment. The Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Tommy Hooker spoke during the ceremony about the success of their mission.
“In the past nine months Task Force Raptor has successfully
OPS & Personnel Update•Warrant Officer Shebly Scott promoted to Chief Warrant
Officer 2, effective 19 Sept. 2012•Sgt. Charles Spice promoted to Staff Sgt., effective 1 Oct.
2012•2nd Lt. Michael Melton promoted to 1st Lt., effective 18
Sept. 2012
Tip of the Week• DO place your right hand over your heart after shaking hands to indicate sincerity or apprecation.• DO NOT use a handshake at the start of discussions or negotiations. Handshakes are meant to complete a deal.• DO eat with your right hand, particularly in rural areas where Djiboutians interact less often with Westerners.
Commander’s Corner
Volume 1, Issue 1October 19, 2012
Greetings from Africa! With over thirty years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, family support remains the most important
attribute to my success. Even though we are separated by almost 8,000 miles, I am in daily communication both over the phone and computer.
As the CSM, I can assure you that time management is key to getting the most out of a deployment. Continue to enroll in structered self-development courses, try-out for the Longrifle Raid and when offered, complete Warrior Leadership Course (WLC). Set goals such as getting a 300 on the Army Physical Fitness Test or reaching a certain weight by Christmas. I can guarantee that if you manage your time, talk with your family often, be patient, and improve your civilian/military education, this deployment will set you up for success.
CSM Thoughts
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >
DJIBOUTI - Lt. Col. Rob Larkin and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Gividen uncase the 2nd Battalion, 138TH colors, representing assumption of authority, on Oct. 18, 2012.
MWR Schedule•19 Oct. - Downtown Market Shopping 1830-2100 (Free
Transportation)•20 Oct. - Pizziaiolo Pizza Buffet and Night Swim 1800-
2200 Cost $30•21 Oct. - Pool, Spa w/Lunch at Lac Assal Restaurant
within the Kempinski Hotel, Day Snorkel/Dive Trip/Ras Eiro/Korali, Lake Assal 0800-1700 (Free transportation)
•23 Oct. - “On the Stone” Dinner at the Kempinski 1800-2230 Cost: E1-E6 $32, E7 & Above $37
•24 Oct. - Menelik Square Adventure 1800-2300 Shop or eat on your own (Free transportation)
•25 Oct. Wildlife Preservation 1600-1800 Cost $8
Soldier to SoldierThis section is for Soldiers to announce any items for
sale or events and groups which are available on Camp Lemonnier. POC is CPT Daniel Van Horn at:
Thumbs up for Lane! Staff from the 2/138 FAR gather to send well wishes to a Ky. child battling cancer. Photo was taken and posted before his passing. (KYARNG Photo: SGT Koch)
Longrifle WeeklyPage 2
Volume 1, Issue 1October 19, 2012
accomplished all directed force protection measures within the CJTF-HOA area of operations.”
Hooker was confident the Longrifles would maintain the high standards set by the Texans and be just as successful in their deployment.
The Soldiers from Task Force Longrifles then uncased their own colors.
I n c o m i n g commander, Lt. Col. Robert L a r k i n , c om m e nt e d about the success of 3-124th CAV.
“The CAV unit did an excellent job and provided us with numerous lessons learned to help us be setup for success.”
The ceremony ended with Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Slaughter saying a prayer for the Soldiers heading home and wishing them a happy reunion with their families.
The Kentucky flag now flies over every force protection building in the CJTF-HOA area of operations, and it shows that the Longrifles are finally here.
Chaplain Reflections“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” Song of Solomon 6:3
With the handoff from Texas now complete, we watch as they pack and return home to
their waiting families.
For centuries, Soldiers have left loved ones behind to do their duty. It is almost a guaranteed trial for anyone who wears the uniform and their families. The yellow ribbon has become a symbol that represents loved ones temporarily separated by service, and their willingness to remain faithful and hopeful for a happy reunion.
In Texas, the yellow ribbon is now faded and worn; their season of separation has come to a close, as Kentucky’s is just beginning. During this time, never forget the love that brought you together. Remember anything of value is worth waiting on. Remain faithful, communicate early and often, and, most importantly, appreciate each other. The Chaplain service is here to support you whenever you or your family need it.
May God Bless you all.
Chaplain Mark Slaughter
TAKING CHARGE! CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 > > >
Photo of the Week
