LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

Money, Money, Money, Money! As we have discussed numerous times, take full advantage of this deployment to save and lessen your personal/family debt! There are

a number of programs you should be aware of that can help.

Savings Deposit Program: Pays 2.5% on deposits quarterly on up to $10,000 beginning after 30 days in country and continues up to 90 days on return to the US! That could mean nearly $1000 of free money!

Interest rate reduction on home loans, credit cards, car loans, home equity loans, etc. reduced to 6%! Pay them off!

Consider cutting off your cell phone service or reducing it so that they hold your number. That may cost $5-10 per month. Vehicle not being driven and paid off? Take full coverage insurance down to liability or storage.

There are many other ways to save and provide a better financial future for you and your family. See Sgt. Buford, our financial planner/advisor…and do it NOW to take full advantage of this deployment opportunity!

Preventing Malaria One Net at a TimeCAMP GILBERT, Ethiopia – For the past week Soldiers from Task Force Longrifles have heard Ameseginalehu (thank-you) from the local villages and people as they helped Combined Joint Task Force - Horn Of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Civil Affairs (CA) teams distribute nine thousand mosquito nets at key villages around the region.

The operation, called Mission Savannah, is a joint operation with CA teams from CJTF-HOA and is a key part of building relationships with the local population.

Camp Gilbert Officer in Charge (OIC), 2nd Lt. Sean Jones commented about the mission his Soldiers took part on.

Promotions, Awards, and Coins• Pvt. Antonio R. Jackson promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012• Pvt. Corey M. Russell promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012• Pvt. Kenney L. Turner promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012• Staff Sgt. Nancy Saylor: Army Achievement Medal• Sgt. Alexa Becerra: Task Force Longrifles Coin• Pfc. Dylan Curran: Task Force Longrifles Coin

Tips and Trivia• Always ensure your water is bottled when ordering outside Camp Lemonnier• The third lowest land depression in the world is Lake Assal, Djibouti

Commander’s Corner

Volume 1, Issue 2October 26, 2012

Greetings from the CSM! For this week’s newsletter I wanted to focus on the benefits of daily Physical Training (PT).

Being in top physical condition leads to higher scores on the APFT, positive NCOER bullets, and faster promotions.

Take advantage of this deployment by hitting the weights at the gym, running the trail, or doing cross-fit. I encourage you to partner up with a fellow Soldier and set short and long-term fitness goals. I guarantee you will make lasting friendships and get into the best shape of your life if you are up to the challenge.

Thank you for continuing to set the standard here at Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa!

CSM Thoughts

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >

Soldiers from Camp Gilbert, Ethiopia distribute mosquito nets to local villages in an effort to combat malaria. Photo credit: SPC Brandon Bowron, C BTRY, 2-138th FAR

MWR Schedule• 27 Oct. - Bavaria Hotel Night/pool & dinner 1800-2230

Cost: E1-E6 $30, E-7 & above $35• 28 Oct. - Moucha Island; Pool, Spa w/Lunch at the Lac

Assal Restaurant within the Kempinksi hotel, Cost: E1-E6 $57, E7 & above $66; Lake Assal 0800-1700 Free!

• 29 Oct. - Wildlife Preservation 1600-1800 Cost: $8• 30 Oct. - Kokeb Ethiopian Dinner, Dance show and Cof-

fee Ceremony 1830-2230 Cost: $30• 2 Nov. - French Market Shopping and Dinner at La Per-

gola 1700-2130 Cost: $30

Soldier to SoldierTask Force Longrifles is in need of a T-shirt and coin

design. If interested, submit a design to TFlongrifles@gmail.com NLT 02 NOV. If your design is

selected, then you will receive a coin from the CSM.

Pfc. James Kubisch (kneeling) oversees Soldiers from the Site Security Team (SST) as they check the zero on their M4 rifles. Photo credit: Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Crabtree, KYARNG

Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

“This is the first time Kentucky Soldiers have interacted with the villages in our area of operations. Its success opens a clear path for further aid to the people who call this place home.”

Jones also emphasized that many of the people in the region relied on Al-Shabab, a known terrorist organization, for supplies and support. But that support has steadily been eroding as these joint missions continue.

Spc. Brandon Bowron spoke about the mission afterwards, “to be part of this mission was a great opportunity to do something simple that would have a long lasting impact.”

The Soldiers of Camp Gilbert look forward to every interaction with the local population. However, nobody could be happier than the Ethiopians who sleep calmly at night because of the nets that now protect them from the dreaded mosquito.

Chaplain Reflections“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself ” Mark 12:31

Every major worldview recognizes what is commonly called the “Golden Rule,” and I am proud to report that members of TaskForce Longrifles are doing great things in their downtime. One cool statistic leaped off this week’s volunteer hours, and it is AWESOME! Task Force Longrifles has achieved a total of 138 volunteer hours in just two weeks.

This is a great start and we are well on our way to reaching the “Longrifles Give a Day” goal of 4,500 total volunteer hours. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for o t h e r s ? ” K e n t u c k y Soldiers are answering by helping their neighbors in Djibouti.

During our free time we are working in orphanages, teaching English, maintaining a wildlife refuge, and distributing items that have been from home.

Kentucky’s sons and daughters continue to show compassion, generosity, and cooperation. Together we are working to leave the world a little better than we found it. If you want to help or have questions email the Unit Ministry Team at:

mark.slaughter@usafricom.mil, mark.east@usafricom.mil, or thomas.mathews@usafricom.mil.

PREVENTING MALARIA CONTINUED FROM P. 2 > > >

Children greet the teams as they enter a local village. Photo credit: SPC Brandon Bowron, KYARNG

Mountain view from the roads enroute to local villages and town in Ehtiopia. Photo credit: Spc. Brandon Bowron, KYARNG

Army, Navy, and Air Force members deliver supplies to the Djiboution Handicap Awareness Association Oct 18, 2012

Photo of the Month

Volume 1, Issue 2October 26, 2012