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FRONTLINEServing the Fort Stewa rt and Hunter Army Airfield comm unities ( www.stewa rt.army.mil) November 1, 2007

PRSRT STD U.S. Postag e Pai dPermit no. 43,

Hinesville, Ga . 31314

Vol. 41, Issue 42

Stewart-Huntergolfer wins longdrive competition,$10,000, more,See C

The MWRGreat Post

Wide Yard Saleproves

successful,See Page 1B

1st BCTcooks serve

it up hot,

See Page 6A

Review previoustown hall questions,

attend special

meeting Nov. 6,See Page 7A

THE

Attend the Army Family Covenant Special Town Hall, 6 p.m. Nov 6 at Club StewartAttend the Army Family Covenant Special Town Hall, 6 p.m. Nov 6 at Club Stewart

Special to the Frontline

In many countries around the world,people die to have their voice heard.During Operation Iraqi Freedom mil-

lions proudly displayed an ink stainedfinger that showed they finally hadtheir say.

Installation and unit voting assis-tance officers play key roles during Armed Forces Voters Week. They may advice voters on special state require-

ments and assist voters with theirapplications. Each unit representativehas the dates and state forms to apply for out-of-state voter registration.

Contact your brigade voter registra-

tion officer for information aboutabsentee voting and related topics.

If you’re unsure of whom your voting assistance officer is contact theirrespective brigade S-1 or the Division Voter registration Officer, CapKimberly McVey at 767-5840.

Election day approachescontact your voting rep


WASHINGTON, D.C - The Army recently announced the first dramaticchange to the enlisted promotionssystem for active duty Soldiers sincethe Vietnam era. The Army sees this web-based program, titled the“Soldier Self-Service DA Form 3355”,as a bridge to DIMHRS (DefenseIntegrated Military Human ResourceSystem), and a way to empowerSoldiers to directly impact on the

management of their careers.“Trust and verify are key compo-nents of the system” said SergeantMajor Tom Gills, Chief of Enlisted

Promotions at Human ResourcesCommand. “This new program hasnumerous advantages over the cur-rent system, and the majority of thosebenefits stem from three key fea-tures,” he added.

“First, this system eliminates theneed for Soldiers to accumulate 20 ormore points before adding them totheir file,” Gills said. The Army usesan 800 point system that allowsSoldiers to distinguish themselvesfrom their peers by accumulating

points among performance cate-gories such as physical fitness, weapons firing, civilian education,military education, and awards.

Web-based program speedsup SGT and SSG promotions

See PROMOTIONS Page 12A

"The Fort Stewart DES is pleased to announce that in response to requests fromcommunity members, the hours of operation for the access gate located at Harmon Avenue and Fort Stewart Highway 47 (Gate 3) will be extended to twenty-four hours –seven days a week, effective Nov. 8 at midnight. Questions may be directed to the FortStewart Police Desk anytime at 767-4895 or 767-2965.

Kevin LarsonChief Public Information

The 92nd Engineer Combat Battalion rede-ployed to Fort Stewart from Iraq this week to thehappy cheers of Soldiers and Family members who anxiously awaited their return.

A little more than 500 Soldiers returned toFort Stewart with joyful welcome home cere-monies held at Cottrell Field.

While in Iraq, the unit provided support to

the 411th Engineer Brigade, the 20th EngineerBrigade (Combat) (Airborne), and Task ForceSapper. The Soldiers built forward operating

bases, performed combat construction, andexecuted tactical missions.The unit completed more than 600 combat

missions in its third deployment to Iraq. Intotal, the unit has deployed four times in sup-port of the Global War on Terror. Engineer unitsare among the most frequently deployed unitsin the Army.

Catherine Johnson

Hail the returning heroes!Hail the returning heroes!

92nd Engineers come home

See VOTE Page 12A

Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis

Spc. Jason Hunsicker, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team,grabs some last minute goodies from the items donated by the USO and Red Cross volunteers Oct. 29 at Hunter Army Airfield. Approximately 200 Soldiers from 4th BCT's main body were among the last wave of Soldiers to deploy for 4th BCT in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. See story on Page 12A.

4th BCTmain body

departs

4th BCTmain body

departs

Gate 3 open 24/7

Kaytrina SharpHunter Public Affairs

Taking Care of wounded warriors is amajor priority in the Army, and to helpthat, the Soldier Family AssistanceCenter was established. A place to assistthe Soldier’s as well as their Families.

The SFAC was started under the Army Medical Action Plan. According tothe Department of the Army’sInstallation Management Command, AMAP is an Army initiative to develop asustainable system wherein wounded,

injured and ill Soldiers are medically treated and rehabilitated to preparethem for a successful return to duty or totransition to their home and communi-ties.

This plan is a reflection of the issuesthat were identified at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“We have resources that are targetedto these families and SFAC is part of that.It is a one stop location to provideSoldiers with resources that deal withnon-medical issues,” said Donna Finney Army Community Service’s director.

See SFAC Page 8A

Warriors in Transition, Familiesget assistance with new SFAC

Maj. Joe Sowers3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAM-MER, Iraq – Concerned citizens calledTroop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment with a simple message: we know where rockets are, and they are aimed at you.

Soldiers from Troop A secured four

rockets aimed at their base, Patrol Base Assassin, east of Baghdad, Oct. 27 as aresult of the Concerned Local Citizens’ tip.

Soldiers from Battery A, 1st Battalion,

10th Field Artillery Regiment and the789th Ordnance Company transportedthe four rockets to FOB Hammer for inves-tigation and proper disposal.

Capt. Justin Gerken, commander of the789th Ord. Co., said the rockets matchdescriptions and historical data thatexplosive ordnance specialists use to veri-fy information from captured weapons; hesaid the rockets appear to be Iranian-

made. The 3rd Heavy Brigade CombatTeam, operating in Mada’in Qada, hasseized 44 Iranian-made rockets since anattack on FOB Hammer July 11.

Marne Soldierscapture rockets



2A Frontline November 1, 2007 3rd Infantry Division

Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch3rd Inf. Div. commanding general

Next Wednesday is a big day for FortStewart, and a big day for the future of our Army. GEN Campbell, the FORSCOM

Commander, will visit the installation toattend the dedication of the new FortStewart Chapel, a project that has beenimportant to many of us. He has been oneof our biggest supporters, and we are sograteful that he and his wife, Dianne, willattend the dedication in our absence.

He will also attend our Spiritual FitnessLuncheon, and since most of the Divisionis now deployed, I cannot emphasizeenough how important it is to remain spir-itually fit. To me, it is as important asremaining mentally and physically fit.

The highlight of GEN Campbell’s visit will be signing the Army Family Covenant.This is a brand new initiative from the

Army that tells our Familieshow much we value them,and that we as an Army arededicated to their care and well-being. As a nation at war, we have realized that

our Families carry thebiggest burden, more thanany Soldier’s daily load. Thisceremony demonstrates the Army’s commitment toimproving the quality of lifefor Soldiers and theirFamilies. This is for you.

Over the past threedeployments, our “Dog FaceSoldiers” have risen to thechallenges of fighting and winning ournation’s wars, but they cannot do it withoutour loved ones, and taking care of Army Families is now the Army’s #1 priority. OnOctober 8th, the Secretary of the Army ini-

tiated the Army’s Family Covenant which says that“we are committed toproviding Soldiers andFamilies a quality of lifethat is commensurate

with their service.” When I ask Soldiers if

they are going to reenlist,they tell me they need totalk to their Families.They express concernsfor child care, healthcare,and the security of theirloved ones back home.

I applaud the Army forfinally applying resources

where they are needed. The Army has justinvested $1.4 billion into new childcarefacilities, commissaries, PXs, healthcareinitiatives, and right here on Fort Stewart we have the police patrolling the neighbor-

hoods via bicycle in order to keep theneighborhoods safe and make Families feelsecure in the absence of their Soldiers.

We’re working to ensure that every bat-talion has an FRSA, we’re working to extendchild care hours to better meet Soldiers’

needs, we’re working to develop our ACSprograms, and we’re working to expand our youth programs to reduce deploymentstress.

Fort Stewart did not just shut downbecause all of the Soldiers deployed; we would be silly if we did not realize that we,as Soldiers, are successful because of theFamilies that support us.

Next Wednesday is for you. CSM Andrews and I are sorry we cannot bethere, but we hope you know that you, Army Families, are always on our mindsand always in our hearts.

Rock of the Marne!

Marne 6 Sends

Army Family Covenant: Taking care of people

The

A moment in Marne History:The Front Line publishes its first issue

Soldier re-enlists at Concerned Local Citizen headquartersSpc. Ben Hutto3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq -Surrounded by his platoon and the Iraqis they are attempt-ing to help, a Soldier from Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment raised his right hand and re-enlisted at the AlKhargulia Concerned Local Citizen Headquarters Oct. 20.Sgt. Sharif Sidberry, from Philadelphia, a communicationsspecialist in Troop A, who has been stationed in Korea andFort Bragg, N.C., the past six years, added four more years tohis service contract.

"I re-enlisted because I love the Army and enjoy what Ido," said Sidberry. "I like working with computers and being in a line unit with other Soldiers." Sidberry requested that his

re-enlistment ceremony take place at the Concerned LocalCitizens Headquarters in Al Khargulia. "This is where I'veput in a lot of my time," said Sidberry. "Out here is where youget to be a Soldier. Troop A has put a lot of time getting this AO (area of operation) set up. I wanted to tell these guys(concerned citizens) that we aren't just here for nothing. Weare invested in them and this area." Sidberry, who helped setup the communications system between Combat Outpost Assassin and the Concerned Local Citizen headquarters,enjoys working with the concerned local citizens on a daily basis. "We work with them everyday," said Sidberry. "We doroute recons with them. We check on their checkpoints to

make sure they are doing ok. We are very friendly with eachother and work well together." First Sergeant Meko Johnson,from Saginaw, Mich., the first sergeant for Troop A, was atthe ceremony and praised his Soldier. "He's an outstanding Soldier," Johnson said. "He is a combat multiplier as a com-munications specialist. He makes sure the communicationsat Patrol Base Assassin are up all the way to Baghdad. He worked hard to ensure the communications between theConcerned Local Citizens and Assassin were up and run-ning. He did a great job." Capt. Troy Thomas, from Litchfield,Minn., Sidberry's commander, said he was impressed thatSidberry requested to have his re-enlistment ceremony heldat the headquarters. "It meant a lot to him, me, the troopand the Concerned Local Citizens," said Thomas. "For themto see how much we care about them meant a lot." Before

the ceremony Thomas explained to the concerned citizensthat when a Soldier re-enlists he is allowed to choose wherehe wants to re-enlist and that Sidberry requested to have theceremony performed at their headquarters. "Every little ges-ture like that makes another friend," said Thomas. "He's acommunications specialist, but he does much more thanthat. Today he made a statement that we are doing greatthings for the people here and he feels safe here. It wasgreat." After the ceremony all of the concerned citizens pre-sent lined up to congratulate Sidberry and thank him for hisservice. "The people here understand that we are here tohelp them," Sidberry said. "They appreciate what we are

doing. I hope this is just another way to let them know that we care about what happens to them."

Dr. Judith BrownDivision Historian

Sixty-three years ago on Oct. 25, 1944 The Front Line wasborn, which still serves the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield communities, now with both paper and online edi-tions. It received its name because, as Major General John“Iron Mike” O’Daniel, the commanding general of the 3rdInfantry Division declared in the first issue, “It is the mouth-piece of a fighting Division, and as we are now in the midstof a great attack, we can say that the 3d Division Front Line was born in battle.”

General O’Daniel had ample reason for this opinion.Since mid-September the 3rd Inf. Div. had been fighting German forces trained in mountain warfare in the Vosgesarea of northeastern France. The historians of World War II,for the 3rd Inf. called the fighting in the western Vosges

“weirder than any engaged in before or since by theDivision. Crushing concentrations of 120mm mortar firesmashed into the wooded ridges without warning, some-times wiping out half a company in a comparatively few minutes.” The weather also deteriorated, turning cold and wet; snow appeared on ridgetops, but in valleys artillery airstrips had to be corduroyed because of deep mud. Spotterplanes had to land on a 250- by 15-yard wooden runway painted olive drab for camouflage because it was so close tothe enemy front lines; and the 3rd Inf. Div. now faced theenemy on three sides: north, east, and south.

In his Front Line statement O’Daniel continued,

“We shall… submit very soon additional reports on moredeeds of valor as performed by our fighting men. This paperis one way we can let them know what we think of them.”

He was right in his time estimate. Within a week twoSoldiers of the 30th Infantry had performed deeds for which

they were awarded the Medal of Honor.On Oct. 28, Staff Sergeant Lucian Adams of Co. I with his

BAR almost single-handedly eliminated elements of theGerman 201st Mountain Infantry Battalion that had cut the3d Battalion’s supply line, disrupting the flow of ammunitionand food to the unit.

Two days later Private Wilburn Ross of Co. G, whose com-pany had already that day lost 55 of 88 men, held off seven waves of attack by a full-strength German company with hislight machine gun. until he ran out of ammunition during the eighth attack. Only the arrival of fresh ammunition asthe Germans were about to swarm over his position saved

his life and that of the seven remaining members of his com-pany.These two men would be the first Medal of Honor

awardees to have accounts of their heroism published inThe Front Line but they would not be the last.

Spc. Ben Hutto

Capt. Troy Thomas, the commander of Troop A, 3/1 Cav., re- enlists Sgt. Sharif Sidberry, a communications specialist in Troop A, at the Concerned Local Citizen's Headquarters in Al Khargulia Oct. 20.

Georgia’s drought worsens during Septemberwith many streams setting new record lowsSpecial to the Frontline

With the wonderful fall days and winteron the horizon, we look forward to winterrains arriving in anticipation of providing relief to the drought that Georgia has suf-fered over the past several years. Butunfortunately, this seems to be an overly optimistic outlook according to therecent forecast and with many of theState’s rivers and streams being at theirlowest levels ever recorded forSeptember. Consequently, on Sept. 28,the Director of the GeorgiaEnvironmental Protection Divisiondeclared a level Four Drought across thenorthern third of Georgia, prohibiting most types of outdoor residential wateruse effective immediately.

“The drought of 2007 has reached his-

toric proportions, so it’s critical that wetake immediate action to ensure thatGeorgians have a sufficient supply of safe

drinking water,” said EPD Director Carol A. Couch. “All of the counties included in

the Level Four declaration are located inareas of either exceptional or extremedrought.”

The drought declaration was made fol-lowing the EPD Director consulting withthe State Climatologist David Stooksbury and a meeting with the State DroughtResponse Committee. “During a year of average rainfall, water levels in Georgia’slarge reservoirs such as Lanier and Allatoona tend to drop in late summerand then recover as the winter rainsarrive,” said Stooksbury. “But the forecastcalls for a dry, mild winter and that couldresult in serious water supply problemsby next spring.”

As a result, the Level Four drought wasdeclared for all counties in north Georgia

from Muscogee County on the Alabamaline northeastward to Spalding County,and eastward to Lincoln County on the

South Carolina line. A complete list of counties included in the Level Four

drought response can be found on the web at: http://www.georgiaepd.com/Files_PDF/news/Level_4_Counties.pdf

The Coastal Empire, of which FortStewart and Hunter Army Airfield are apart, remains under Level Two droughtresponse restricting outdoor watering tothe following schedule:

• Odd-numbered addresses may wateron Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays - 12midnight to 10 a.m.

• Even-numbered, unnumberedaddresses and golf course fairways may water on Mondays, Wednesdays andSaturdays - 12 midnight to 10 a.m.

• Irrigation of newly installed land-scapes is allowed any day of the week, butonly during allowed hours for the

drought response level in effect, for aperiod of 30 days following installation.

EPD Director Couch said drought con-

ditions will continue to be monitored andrevised drought response declarations

will be issued as necessary. Although the drought conditions seem

to change, the need to manage and main-tain our limited water supplies does not. Always keep in mind that our goal is toget all Georgians to manage their outdoor water use, even during times of non-drought. Initiatives to manage waterresources effectively can only beachieved through the cooperation of everyone. Individuals must be cognizantand conserve water at home and at work.

Everyone at Stewart-Hunter must con-tinue to do their part by conserving water. Remember, only 1% of water onearth can be used for drinking. So,changing our water use habits in waysthat will help the resource sustain itself is

important not only for us and for the ani-mals and plants upon which we dependfor food, but also for future generations.



3rd Infantry Division4A Frontline November 1, 2007 The

What mid-tour leave or redeployment activity

would you recommend for Soldiers, Families?

Marne VoicesSpeak Out

“My Family and I enjoy going to Bush Gardens in Florida.”

Terry NewsomeCivilian employee

“My wife and I went toMyrtle beach. That is a nice

place, but it depends on yourinterest.”

Sgt. 1st Class Alvin DavisNGTC, Fort Stewart

“My boyfriend and I plan onvisiting New York, the Bronx.”

Shanita DorseyCivilian

“MWR offers a lot of goodactivities like trips to Disney

World and Seaworld.”

Linda Dugan with Bryce,11 Months

Family member

“Our battalion has a lot of func-tions. If you have children, theiris a good activity to go to.”

Justine McNuttFamily member

“Take advantage of free trips when available through MWRlike the Atlanta aquarium.

Michael Wiseman withgrandaughter Sheyanne, 2Retired Army

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!Write a letter to

the editor!Send to:

Marne TV & The Frontline

Attn: The Frontline, Editor

112 Vilseck Rd., Suite 109

Fort Stewart, Ga. 31314

or fax it to 912-767-9366.

visit www.stewart.army.mil

C

Frontline

ADVERTISING: (912) 368-0526THE Frontline OFFICE: 767-5669

The

3rd Inf. Div.PAO — Lt.Col. Randy Martin

3rd Inf.Div. NCOIC — Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs3rd Inf.Div. Ops — Sgt. 1st Class Craig ZentkovichDiv.staff writer — Sgt.Ben Brody

Div.staff writer — Spc. Emily J.Wilsoncroft1st Bde.NCOIC — Sgt.1st Class Raymond Piper

1st Bde. staff writer — Spc.Ricardo Branch2nd Bde. staff writer — Sgt.Kevin Stabinsky2nd Bde.staff writer — Sgt. Jason Stadel

4th Bde.NCOIC — Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis4th Bde.staff writer — Pfc. Amanda McBride4th Bde.staff writer — Pvt. Jerome Arp

Avn.Bde. NCOIC — Sgt.1st Class Thomas MillsAvn.Bde. staff writer — Pfc. Monica Smith

3rd Sust.Bde. NCOIC — Master Sgt.Rodney Williams

3rd Sust.Bde. staff writer — Pfc. Gaelen Lowers

Garrison PAO — Richard OlsonCommand Information Officer – Jim Jeffcoat

Editorial/Design StaffManaging Editor – Pat Young

Editor – Sgt. Tanya PolkGarrison staff writer – Jennifer ScalesProduction Manager — Sherron Walker

Advertising Mgr. — Lillian McKnight

Hunter Army Airfield Public AffairsHunter Army Airfield PAO — Steven Hart

Assistant PAO – Nancy GouldPublic Affairs Specialist – Kaytrina Sharp

112 Vilseck Rd., Suite 109Bldg. 419

Ft. Stewart, Ga. 31314

2007

Office, Fort Stewart, Ga. 31314-5000. All editorial content of theFrontline newspaper is prepared, edited, provided and approvedby the Public Affairs Office of Fort Stewart, Georgia and the 3rdInfantry Division and is printed by Morris Newspaper Corporati onof Hinesville, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the

Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract withFort Stewart, Georgia.The civilian printer is responsible for com-mercial advertising. Subscription rates ar $12 - 3 months, $20 -six months and $36 for 12 months. Rates are Third Class mailinside the continental U.S.

3RD INFANTRY DIVISION COMMANDER MAJ. GEN. RICK LYNCH

This civilian enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication formembers of the U.S. Army. Contents of the Frontline are not nec-essarily the official views of, or are endorsed by, the U.S. govern-ment, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or U.S.Forces Command. It is published weekly by the Public Affairs

GARRISON COMMANDER COL. TODD A. BUCHS


The 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart UnitMinistry Team will hold a Spiritual Fitness Luncheon noonNov. 7, at Club Stewart. The guest speaker for the event isHinesville Mayor, Thomas Ratcliffe. The community isinvited to attend and share in good food and fellowship. A suggested donation is $5 at the door.

Tickets are available at the Marne Chapel, rear-detach-ments, or Family Readiness Groups.

For more information, contact the Chaplain (Col.)Michael Walker, 3rd Inf. Div. rear detachment chaplain.

Come to the SpiritualFitness Luncheon Nov 7

Our Goal of

300,000

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

THE CFC HAS

COLLECTED

A TOTAL OF

2051

CONTRIBUTIONS

FOR A TOTAL OF

$160,158.20,

54% OF OUR

GOAL.

Stewart – Hunter CFC 2007

Commentary byChristy QuinonesFamily member

Dear Military Wife,

I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the military other than what I hear on the news.

I have never had to let go of someone sothat they could go fight for people that they didn't know, people that sometimes do notappreciate or understand what they arefighting for.

I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb hasexploded and I still haven't heard from my husband.

I have never had to wait for months onend to hold the one that I loved so much.

I have never had to tell my children thatdaddy wasn't coming home tonight becausehe was so far away fighting for something that they aren't yet old enough to under-stand.

I have never had to hold my head highand suppress the tears as I hear that it will be

at least another six months of separation

before my loved one gets to come home.I have never had to deal with a holiday

away from the one that I thought I wouldshare every day of my life.

And I have never had to feel the panic ris-ing in my heart at the sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it isthe news that everyone is terrified of getting.

For the reasons listed above, I can not tell you that I understand how you feel.

I can not tell you that you must be strong.I can not say that you shouldn't be angry,

because you "knew what you were getting into when you married a military man".

I can not say these things because I havenever had to walk in your shoes.

What I can say for certain is that becauseof your unselfish acts of bravery and yourhusbands willingness to stand up for those who see him as "just another Soldier," I willnever have to walk in your shoes.

I do understand that as a military wife youare expected to uphold a certain amount of control, but I never understood how youcould do it, until now.

...you are not like other women.

You are of a special breed. You have a

strength within you that holds life together inthe darkest of hours, a strength of which I willnever possess.

The faith you have is what makes you standout in a crowd; it makes you glow with emo-tion and swell with pride at the mention of The United States of America.

You are a special lady, a wonderful partnerand a glorious American.

I have more respect for your husband than

I could ever tell you, but until recently I neverthought much about those that the Soldierleaves at home during deployment.

Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America meant to me.

Until this moment, I had no real reason to -until I heard of you.

Your husband and his military family holdthis nation close, safe from those who wish tohurt us, but you and those like you are thebackbone of the American Family.

You keep the wheels in motion and thehearts alive while most would just break com-pletely down.

Military Families make this nation what it istoday. You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

Because of you and your Family, I am able

to be me. I am able to have my Family. I amable to walk free in this great land.

Because of you and your Family, I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge thatlife is going to be okay.

Because of you and your Family, I canawake to a new day, everyday. I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever bebecause of these things and I just wanted totake the time today to say thank you to you

and your Family for allowing me that free-dom.

I will never be able to repay this debt to you,as it is unmatchable. However, I hope that youknow that no matter where you are, what youare doing, what has happened today, or what will happen tomorrow, your husband willnever be "just another Soldier" to me. And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.

You are all in my prayer's everyday and Ipray that God will bring you back together with your loved one safely.

May God Bless YouIf you are a military spouse or know one,

repost this and say thank you. They too makedaily sacrifices while their spouses serve ourcountry.

1:30-3 p.m., Nov. 13

at Cottrell Field.

“Honoring WarriorsPast and Present.”

Native American Heritage

The event will feature dancing, exhibits,artifacts, and drum making.

The inclement weather location is JordanGym. For more information, call the EqualOpportunity office at 767-5855.

Blessings upon the military spouse


The Directorate of Public Works encourages community members to join the Environmental team and help conserveour valuable resources during their upcoming AmericaRecycles program.

The events kick off Nov. 2 with a Hunter Army Airfield pizza

party, followed by a bicycle recycling drive Nov. 15-Dec. 14.The bicycles recycling drive will collect working bikes anddonate them to the Goodwill Distribution Center inHinesville, Ga, according to Thomas Fry, Chief EnvironmentalDivision.

The effort continues Nov. 1-9 with the recycling coloring contest. Students attending Fort Stewart schools will have theopportunity to design a poster in honor of America Recycles

Day. The winning entries will appear in the Nov 15 edition of the Frontline.

Throughout the month of November, community mem-bers are encouraged to take the “Pledge to Recycle,” to helprecycle and buy recycled products. Pledge cards will be col-lected and entered into an installation drawing for a photo-opto be published in the Dec. 6 edition of The Frontline.

Amongst all the other events, a recycling tour is tentatively scheduled to be held Nov. 15 at Fort Stewart. Students whoregister for the tour will have the opportunity to visit theRecycling Processing Station on America Recycles Day.

For more information about these recycling events, callShalonda Rountree at 767-6573, or Angi Eason at 315-5535. If you have any questions regarding the recycling program,please contact Jim Blankenship, 767-6237.

Join the environment team,support post recycling events

Remember Daylight Savings Time ends Nov. 4 - fall back 1 hour



Rock of the Marne Frontline 5A November 1, 2007 The

Rockets fired at COP Cache; one rocket seizedSpc. Ben Hutto3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER,Iraq– Insurgents fired five rockets at Combat OutpostCashe, with one detonating inside the outpostperimeter, Oct. 23.

No Soldiers were injured in the attack, but onetruck was damaged.

Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment,investigated the launch site and seized six rocketrails, one unlaunched rocket and a battery withtimer. Rocket rails are fabricated from metal andused by extremists to aim and launch rockets.

The 789th Ordnance Company, out of Fort

Benning, Ga., currently attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, disarmed theunlaunched rocket.

Further investigation indicated that the107mm rocket had been manufactured in Iran inMarch, according to Maj. David Fivecoat, fromDelaware, Ohio, the operations officer for the 3rdHBCT.

“The capture of this 107mm rocket is anotherindicator of the Iranian logistics support to theinsurgency southeast of Baghdad,” Fivecoat said.“This is the 40th Iranian manufactured rocketthat 3rd HBCT Soldiers have captured in the lastfour months. Over the coming weeks, we’ll con-tinue to hunt the cell that conducted this attack.”

Multi-National Division –Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATINGBASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiersof Company A, 1st Battalion,15th Infantry Regiment con-ducted an air assault southeastof Baghdad Oct. 25 resulting insix suspected insurgentsdetained.

Supported by AH-64 attack helicopters from the 1st

Battalion, 3rd AviationRegiment, 3rd Combat AviationBrigade, the Company A Soldiers cleared four houses todisrupt insurgent activity in theTigris River Valley.

The 1/15 Inf. Regt. is assignedto the 3rd Heavy BrigadeCombat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning,Ga., and has been deployed insupport of Operation IraqiFreedom since March.


FOB Kalsu – Soldiers on patrolin Arab Jabour discovered a bluebarrel buried in the ground Oct.19.

The blue barrel housed a sub-stantial weapons cache.

Soldiers of Company A, 1stBattalion, 30th Infantry

Regiment, 2nd Brigade CombatTeam, 3rd Infantry Division, outof Fort Stewart, Ga., were con-ducting area clearance opera-tions when they discovered thecache.

An explosive ordnance dispos-al team was called in to investi-gate. The EOD team uncovered

various types of small arms

ammunition, explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, handgrenades and other weapons.

The cache included RPGrounds, seven full AK-47 maga-zines, four bayonets, nine handgrenades, and homemade explo-sives, among other weapons.

The cache was destroyed in a

controlled detonation.

White House General talks reconstructionSgt. Jason Stadel2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

Patrol Base Murray – Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, named the Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan in May, went to PatrolBase Murray Oct. 25 to meet with the 2nd Brigade Combat

Team and 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division’s military and civilian leaders on reconstructionin their areas of operation.

“One reason we’re down here is to get bottom-up feed-back (from the units on the ground),” Lute said.

Lute gave ideas to the military and civilian leaders at themeeting on helping to rebuild the areas. One idea was

having different states adopt one of the 18 provinces inIraq. As an example, he said that the governor of Missourimight be interested in working closely with the governorof the Babil province. That state would then work closely with its adopted province to build the local economy.

Along with plans for local government and infrastruc-ture reconstruction, the improved security of the region was also discussed. Commanders recognize that security is the first step in economic and political growth in their AOs.

“It all goes back to the security,” said Col. Terry Ferrell,2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. commander. “When the security improves we can work on the projects.”

Lute also said improving security would open the doorto reconstruction projects. “We want to take advantageand exploit this success,” he said.

On the civilian side, embedded ProvincialReconstruction Teams have been embedded with thebrigades to spearhead reconstruction efforts.

John Smith, the ePRT leader for 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., was optimistic about Lute’s visit.

“He has an open ear for boots-on-the-ground knowl-edge,” Smith said. “For him to hear boots-on-the-groundinformation helps him to get perspective.”

Smith is relatively new to this area of operations, buthas already met with local leaders to assess the needs of the Iraqi people in Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour. He saidthe time is now for the Iraqis in the area to start building their local and provincial governments and those tasks will come easier if Lute and his staff in Washington areaware of what needs to be done.

“I think he had some great ideas,” Smith said. “Him(Lute) coming out here is worth its weight in gold.”

A safer area of operations helps the ProvincialReconstruction Teams to assist provincial and local gov-

ernments to grow economically, politically and socially. Another development is more than 1,000 residents inthe Guardian and Hammer AOs who have becomeConcerned Local Citizens. The CLCs are helping to driveout al-Qaeda and insurgents.

“People see the security is improving,” said Col. WayneGrigsby, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. commander. “That’s why this Concerned (Local) Citizens is growing like wildfire.”

To help the security, Iraqis are setting aside their seculardifferences. “I’ve got Sunni concerned citizens and I’ve gotShia concerned citizens. They are interested in taking outthe criminals,” Grigsby added.

Sgt. Jason Stadel

Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan, sits with 2nd BCT and 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. leadership at Patrol Base Murray to discuss provincial reconstruction.

Spc. Ben Hutto

Six rocket rails and a battery with timer are displayed by the 789th Ordnance Co.

1/15 Infantry detains sixsuspected insurgents

Large cache found during2 BCT clearing operation

Divisions leave insurgents with nowhere to hide Maj. Joe Sowers

3rd HBCT Public Affairs Officer

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER,Iraq – It’s not every day that you realize you’vecaught half your most wanted in less than two weeks. That’s just the kind of day the 3rdHeavy Brigade Combat Team had this week.

The man on the middle of the list had beenat the forefront of attacks on Coalition andIraqi forces, until the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1stBrigade got on his track. He ran, but an AH-64 Apache helicopter brought him down, and theCavalry brought him in Oct. 17.

The next day, it was the number two most wanted, a smuggler and kidnapper fromNahrwan.

“The capture[s are] the result of great team-

work between the brigades,” said Maj. DaveFivecoat, from Delaware, Ohio, 3rd HBCT, 3rdInfantry Division, operations officer. “Withteamwork like this, the insurgents will have nosanctuary anywhere in Iraq.”

Number 10 was a Shia extremist linked to arocket attack on FOB Hammer that killed oneSoldier in July. He was the first one the brigadebrought in, but it started the movement. Sincehis detention on Sept. 30, others on the listbegan to flee the Mada’in Qada. Coalitionsurge units, however, were ready for them.

“The capture of these insurgents is severely disrupting multiple extremist networks – bothSunni and Shia – in the Mada’in Qada,” saidMaj. Wolfgang Biggerstaff, from Pinehurst,

N.C., a 3rd HBCT staff officer.

Intelligence and operations officers fromboth the Multi-National Division - Baghdadand the Multi-National Division - Center shareinformation to ensure insurgents don’t slipthrough the seams between battalions,brigades and divisions, according to Fivecoat.He further explained that through good“cross-talk” with neighboring brigades, 3rdHBCT has been able to conduct several raidsto kill or capture insurgents from Baghdad who have tried to hide in the Mada’in Qada.

It was on Oct. 11, Soldiers from the 2ndBrigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg,N.C., detained the 3rd HBCT number four. Heran to northern Baghdad, near Adhamiyah.The individual is believed to have coordinated

multiple attacks on Coalition and Iraqi

Security Forces.Then came number five, the middle man on

the list, was captured west of Baghdad by theCavalry and their Apache helicopters, Oct. 17.

The next day, the Coalition detained the 3rdHBCT’s number two in eastern Baghdad. Hehad a history of leading extremist elements inNahrwan, weapons smuggling and kidnap-ping.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, currently attached to the2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, capturedthe brigade’s number seven on Oct. 22, in theKarada district of eastern Baghdad. The man issuspected of conducting rocket attacksagainst Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah.



6A Frontline November 1, 2007 The 3rd Infantry Division

Spc. Ricardo Branch1st BCT Public Affairs

LAKE THAR THAR, Iraq – In Iraq food cancome either come in a box of meals ready to

eat, or if you’re lucky, cooked from a team of seasoned professionals.

For the Soldiers operating in Lake Thar-Thar, their food comes from the dedicatedfood service specialists of Company E, 3rd

Brigade Support Battalion, who make sureeveryone gets something to eat out on thebattlefield.

“For troops to sustain themselves in com-bat they need food, which is why we’re here,”said 1st Lt. Ben McIntyre, Company E, 3rdBrigade Support Battalion company execu-tive officer. “They have an all day task of making the food for the Soldiers, Marinesand Iraqis here.”

McIntyre, 30, from Oakland, Calif., runsthe attachment of Soldiers keeping the lifeline open for the Soldiers, and sees that thefood service specialists prepare and serve themeals needed by Soldiers operating in theLake Thar-Thar region of the Anbar province.

“The cooks we have here are all seasonedcooks who have had two to three deploy-ments each,” he said. “They are all compe-tent and professional Soldiers who makesure that the food for the Soldiers is preparedin a safe manner.”

The Soldiers prepare approximately 650meals in a mobile kitchen trailer for theSoldiers and Iraqi security forces stationed inthe area.

“From the time we hit the ground we wereready to go within 36 hours to serve,” saidSgt. Robert Sigler, a food service specialist with Company E. “We’re preparing a lot of food but everyone here expected this work load and can handle the amount of work we’re doing here.”

Sigler, 28, from Anniston, Ala., said work-ing before daylight and operating well intothe night causes them to pull extremely long hours to get the meals to the Soldiers need-ing them.

“You work some long days out here,” hesaid. “People can sometimes think that the

job out here is easy to do, but when you getup at 4 a.m. and don’t finish until well after 10p.m., it can take a toll on you.”

The Soldiers working long hours enjoy what they do, which motivates them throughthe long hours and difficult working condi-tions.

“As a food service specialist, you really have to enjoy what you do to be able to worout here,” Sigler said. “We all understand thatSoldiers need food to continue the fight, and you see it when they get a cooked meal.”

He said that the cooked meals are one othe biggest morale boosts for Soldiers work-ing in the field.

“When you get a cooked meal you just feel

better,” Sigler said. “Anyone would ratherhave a cooked meal over an MRE any day, so we want to give them that since there’s notmuch else out here.”

Specialist Antonio Barrett, a fellow foodservice specialist with Company E, said, “Weconstantly strive to make the food out herebetter. We taste all the food we prepare before we serve it and if it doesn’t taste real well, wesee what we can do to improve that taste.”

Barrett, 25, from Shreveport, La., added,“We take our job really seriously. Hot mealsout here are real important because they give you the proper energy and nutrients to goout and continue the mission.”

Although the cooks may sometimes nothear the thanks from fellow Soldiers, they see

the smiles on the faces of people cominthrough their chow line and that’s the rewardfor them.

“When a Soldier can sit down with his fel-low Soldiers, eat and laugh for that shortmoment before they continue their work outhere, that’s thanks enough for us,” Sigler said.

Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Piper1st BCT PA NCOIC

RAMADI, Iraq – The 1st BrigadeCombat Team, 3rd Infantry divisionheld an appreciation dinner tothank the Iraqi Security forces fortheir hard work and courage during the holy month of Ramadan.

Twenty Iraqi Police Officers andsoldiers were presented certificatesfrom 1st BCT and Iraqi police andarmy leaders.

“We’re going to honor some out-standing police and soldiers tonight,but really, the honor goes out to allof the police and all of the Iraqi sol-diers that work hard to keep this city safe,” said Col. John Charlton, 1stBrigade Combat Team commander.

There were only four attacks dur-ing Ramadan; a sharp drop from2006 when there were more than400 attacks.

“In 2006, the terrorists had creat-ed an environment that made it sodangerous no one could celebrate

the holy month of Ramadan,”Charlton said. “This year, thanks tothe hard work of the Iraqi Police and Army, and the bravery displayed by these young men every day, therehas only been a couple of smallattacks during Ramadan.”

One of the factors that led to thedecrease of violence in Ramadi isthe increase of police officers andsoldiers in the city.

“Last year, there was only a smallnumber of Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army soldiers, keeping peace inRamadi,” Charlton said. “But this

year there are 1,000s of Iraqi Policethroughout the Ramadi area joinedby 1,000s of Iraqi Army Soldiers inthe two Iraqi Army Brigades.”

The Raider brigade has workedside by side with the Iraqi Police andIraqi Army since its arrival inRamadi in late January.

“When my brigade combat team

arrived… there was over 30-35attacks a day by terrorists. Today,thanks to the great cooperationbetween coalition forces and theIraqi Police and Iraqi Army, there areliterally no attacks,” Charlton said.

Working together, the combinedefforts of the security forces havekilled or captured more than 1,200terrorists.

“We first drove them out of thecity, and then we drove them out of the areas around the city,” Charltonsaid. “When they went out to thedesert, we killed or captured themthere.”

Charlton told the gathered police-men and soldiers that they had done

a magnificent job in capturing ter-rorists and discovering caches.

“Everyday you are out therepatrolling the streets and conduct-ing operations to keep your familiessafe,” Charlton said. “We know thatthe terrorist will never quit untilthey are killed or completely drivenfrom Iraq, so we have to maintainour vigilance, and we have to con-tinue to work hard to protect ourfamilies.”

He added, “Everyday we will bestanding by your side, helping you with that effort.”

Spc. Ricardo Branch1st BCT Public Affairs

RAMADI, Iraq – Instead of violence during Ramadan, thepeople saw the grand reopening of the agriculture bank andthe small business center during the post holiday season

Oct. 21 in Ramadi.During the holiday period, there were 4 attacks com-pared to 2006, when there were more than 400.

The agriculture bank and the small business center, which were severely damaged from heavy fighting havebeen in disrepair for years, and used at various times by insurgents.

“We’ve been working at getting the agriculture bank upfor a while,” said Lt. Col. Edward Gray, embedded ProvincialReconstruction Team member. “The bank will help givefarms loans for their winter crops and help the farmers

through difficult times.”Gray, 43, from New Orleans, La., said they have been

approached for sometime by farmers asking about thebank.

“We’ve had several meetings with city officials and agri-culture members,” he said. “It’s been a big issue for them to

see the bank reopen again.”The small business center, which was completed during the month of Ramadan, will serve nearly 4,000 citizens of Ramadi, and host frequent job fairs to better boost theeconomy of the city.

“As the city of Ramadi returns to normalcy, the need for abusiness center will greatly enhance the ability to processloans, grants and bids on projects,” said 1st Lt. Saul Merejo,civil military operations officer for 1st Brigade CombatTeam.

Ramadi Mayor Latif Iyala, who cut the ribbons during the

grand reopening said, “The tribes worked together here inthe city to defeat the terrorists, and the best example of their work can be seen today with the opening of the smallbusiness center.”

The small business center, he said will be one steptowards cementing the peace and improving the livelihood

of the people. With Ramadi having seen lots of violence in the last three years, Iyala believes the peace will last well into the future.

He said, “The peace will be permanent because the peo-ple have realized the hardships brought upon by workin with terrorists, which resulted in the deaths of many sonsand daughters of Ramadi.”

The people suffered a lot, Iyala said. “It’s a new city now,and we’re all happy because we’re moving on towards a bet-ter life for all. We’re looking for a better and brighter futurefor all, and we are going to achieve it.”

Crucial economic centers reopen in Ramadi

Brigade honors contributions of ISF

BSB Soldiers keep combat units fed for battle

Spc. Ricardo Branch

Spc. Antonio Barrett, Co. E, 3rd BSB serves food to a Soldier Oct. 14 at Combat Outpost Zeimer.

Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Piper

1st Brigade Combat Team Commander John Charlton presents Iraqi Army Col. Ali Husen Hasan Al- Kabe a certificate to recognize his hard work during the month of Ramadan. 1st BCT hosted a recognition ceremony for the Iraqi Security Forces Oct. 21 at Camp Ramadi.

Come to special discussion on new Army Family Covenant 6p.m., Nov. 6 at Club Stewart • than join the garrison at the

New Main Post Chapel 10 a.m., Nov. 7 for a chapel ribbon cuttingceremony and signing of the new covenant - bring the Family.





All Families on Stewart and Hunter areinvited and encouraged to attend the Army Family Covenant Special Town Hall Meeting 6 p.m. on Nov. 6.

The meeting will be held at Club Stewartand the Hunter Club.

The topic of discussion will be the Army Family Covenant, which is the Army's recog-nition that Families are vital to “the Strength

of the Nation" and its declaration of supportto Army Families.

Families are encouraged to attend toreceive information on the Army Family Covenant.

Questions regarding the covenant will betaken at the Special Town Hall. Booths fromsupporting agencies will be on s ite to provideinformation to our Families.

Non-covenant related questions should bedirected to Vickie Wiginton at 767-257 or7667-1297 and answers will be published inthe Frontline. Free childcare provided, makea reservation at 767-3202 or 767-4001, or315-5879 or 767-6115 at Hunter. For informa-tion on the meeting, call 767-1257 or 767-1297 on Stewart and 315-6816 on Hunter.

The Army Family Covenant signing and

chapel ribbon cuttingwill be held at 10 a.m. onNov. 7. The ribbon cutting and covenantsigning will be held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 7.

This covenant shows the committment toproviding services to Families and improving Family Readiness. All Families are encour-aged to attend this event. The Chapel Ribboncutting will be in collaboration with the sign-ing. Six shuttle buses will be provided totransport Soldiers and dependents fromHunter to Fort Stewart. Buses will departfrom Bldg 307 on North Lightning Road andBldg 1525 on Lightning Road at 8 a.m. Freechildcare will be provided, make a reserva-tion at 767-3202 767-4001, or 315-5879 767-6115 at Hunter. For more information on theevent, call 767-1257 or 767-1297..

Issues and concerns expressed at the lastTown Hall meeting were addressed by a pan-nel. The following questions were fielded andare submitted for community reference.

GMH Housing

Question: Why did GMH not schedule a

neighborhood hud dle for North Bryan

Village? Other scheduled hu dd les are incon-

venient for w orking Fam ilies.

A : Neighborhood huddles are scheduledon a quarterly basis. The next sched-

uled meeting for North Bryan Village will takeplace Oct. 23. Scheduled huddles are postedin the Frontline and the GMH Military Housing web site. They are placed in theGMH monthly event flyers and community news and notes. The time of 1030 was chosento accommodate Families with children inschool and with young children as well.

The huddles are conducted at a centralplayground in the neighborhood to make iteasily accessible and allow younger children

to play while the huddle is taking place.The feedback from the majority of our res-

idents states that this time is the most conve-nient. Residents unable to attend the hud-dles can still utilize their prospective neigh-borhood Mayors to voice any concerns orissues and the Mayors will pass the concernsto GMH.

GMH wants to emphasize that residents donot have to wait for a meeting to express con-cerns. Residents can contact Community

Management any time to seek resolution if there is an issue.

Directorate of Plans, Training,Mobilization and Security

Q: To whom do we report Operations

Security violations by Soldiers or

Fam ily m embers?

A : Operations security is a process usedto identify and deny critical information

from adversaries who seek to exploit suchinformation for their advantage and disadvan-tage. Examples of OPSEC activities that shouldbe reported and/or to be aware of are:

Surveillance: Photographing, making notes, drawings, maps or graphic representa-tions of the installation.

Elicitation: Attempting to gain informationin person, by telephone, e-email, postalmail, etc., regarding the installation, mili-tary personnel, deployments, activities orfacilities.

Suspicious persons: Any person whodoes not appear to belong in the area, workplace, neighborhood, unit area, ornear a key facility.

Acquiring supplies: Improperly acquir-ing explosives, ammunition, weapons, dan-gerous chemical, uniforms, badges, accessor identification cards.

Properly marked E-mails: Ensure emailsare properly marked and protected. Usethe caveat "FOUO" for all sensitive and pri-vacy act information being sent out.

Classified Information: Ensure all clas-sified information is protected. Use securesystems and proper cover sheets.

Unauthorized release of information :Do not release information to unautho-rized personnel regarding unit strengths,operational capabilities and deploymentintentions.

Information in the wrong hands canseverely undermine unit safety and missionaccomplishment.

Information being monitored: Alwaysassume your communications are being monitored. Prime sources of intercept arenon-encrypted telephones, radios, faxes,and NIPRNET web sites.

Information regarding deployments/redeployments: Department of the Army

personnel is prohibited from confirming,denying or otherwise discussing informa-tion regarding units and their deploy-ments/redeployments, or present andfuture military operations, with anyone nothaving a need to know.

Casual conversations regarding military operations should be avoided.

DoD employees and contractors assis-tance: It is critical that all DoD employeesand personnel in organizations that sup-port DoD activities exercise extreme cau-tion in discussing, posting, or transmitting any information related to DoD, exercises,activities, actions, or ongoing operations.

Spouses and Family members can help:Remind all personnel, to include Spouses

and Family Members, to be suspicious andinquisitive about strangers, particularly those carrying suitcases or other contain-ers. Watch for unidentified vehicles on, orin the vicinity of, U.S. installations. Watchfor abandoned parcels or suitcases and any unusual activity. Additional examples canheard on Marne T.V. or found in theFrontline. Anyone who sees a suspiciousact at Stewart-Hunter should contact:

Emergency (24/7): Dial 911Non-Emergency (24/7):

Fort Stewart Police: 767-4895767-2965

Hunter Police: 315-6133315-6134

Operations Security Officer for Stewart-

Hunter: Maj. Sheila McMillian, DPTMS-Operations, 767-2253.

Directorate of Emergency Services

Q: Will the military police consider join-ing the Georgia Gang Investigation

Association as part of their efforts to preventgang activity and to promote gang awareness?

A : Yes. Stewart-Hunter police are com-mitted to maintaining a safe and secure

environment for all community members.Police at all levels belong to numerous local,regional, and national/international law enforcement and security professional organi-zations such as the Coastal Law EnforcementOfficers Association, the American Society forIndustrial Security, and the International

Association of Chiefs of Police.The installation police will continue to

remain active in these and many other organi-zations as affiliation allows us to stay abreast of technologies and trends to ensure maximumoperational effectiveness.

Directorate of Morale, Welfare andRecreation - Fort Stewart Schools

Q: The “Kiss and Ride” is making after-

school pick-up more d ifficult. Vehicles

(parked on curbs) cause confusion for the chil-

dren and imp ede the flow of traffic. The pro-

grams n eed more school and MP staff to ma n-

age the program effectively.

A : The inquiry pertained to BrittinElementary School. It questioned why

the school did not close off the parking lot onthe Hero Road side. The School ResourceOfficer and DES closed off the parking lot toensure student safety.

The SRO noticed parents were circumvent-ing the student pick up procedures by stop-ping in the middle of the parking lot. Thisaction was creating a potentially unsafe situa-tion where students were trying to maneuverthrough the “Kiss and Ride” line of cars to theparking lot. Cars no longer park on the curband impede the flow of traffic. It is importantto enlist everyone’s help at Fort Stewart toensure the safety of the children.

GMH Housing

Q

: Why did GMH add the Pet Addendum,

and how was the list of restricted breeds

determined?

A : GMH Military Housing and FortStewart/Hunter Army Airfield takes

the safety of its residents very seriously. Toassure the highest possible safety standard,GMH collaborated with the installation andreceived approval to implement an amend-ed policy that restricts from post certaindog breeds that have shown aggressive ten-dencies. This policy was implemented aftera child was tragically killed by a pit bull anda pit bull mixed breed dog on Hunter earli-er this summer. This policy is consistent with other GMH managed installations.Restricted dog breeds include Akita, Boxer,Chow, Doberman, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, English

Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Wolf Hybrids.This new policy does not affect residents

who resided on post prior to 1 September07. Future residents will not be allowed tohouse or to have these breeds on base.

Q: GMH issues discrepancy notices, but

there is no follow-up.

A : Once discrepancy notices are written,the resident has 48 hours to comply. A

follow up is conducted at that point. If thedeficiency has been corrected, no furtheraction is required. The notice will remain inthe resident’s leasing file and annotated whencorrected.

If it is found that the same deficiency exists,a second notice is written. Another 48 hours isgiven to correct the deficiency. GMH enliststhe assistance of the Garrison to bring resolu-tion, if the deficiency has not been corrected.GMH wants to achieve positive results at the

lowest level.

DMWR

Q: On-post children bussed to Snelson-Golden Middle School must pass the

school and travel first to Midway MiddleSchool. This makes the students late to class.Can we have a direct bus route to Snelson forchildren on post?

A : Liberty County Board of Educationadjusted the school bus routes.

Students are now able to arrive at schoolbefore classes start. LC is currently unable tocreate new bus routes due to limitedresources.

Directorate of Human Resources

Q: The Hunter Post Office does not openuntil 1115, and then closes for an hour

at lunch. Can we have increased hours of operation?

A : DHR contacted the Postmaster,Linda Shaw, at the Savannah Post

Office Station. She handles Hunter PostOffice operating hours of operation.

The usage study conducted a couple of years ago determined Hunter warrants apart-time station.

The hours of the post office are 11:15a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. The officeis closed for lunch 1-1:30 p.m. They are thecore hours of high use.

The Hunter Post Office will do anothercustomer usage survey and inform DHR if the usage has increased. If it has, they willopen the post office longer hours. If not, it will remain the same.

United States Army Medical Activity

Q: Why do obstetrics patients at Hunter

have to travel to Winn Arm

Communit y Hospital for care?

A : As of 2003, Congress gave OB patientsthe TRICARE option to choose their

care. Patients who reside in Savannah have a

choice. Either the TRICARE Service Center orone of the health benefits advisors can fully explain options to the patients their options.

Directorate of Logistics

Q: Will we have designated bus stops at

Hunter?

A : Transportation motor-pool fleet man-ager received the locations for the bus

stops at Hunter the week prior to the start of schools in Savannah (Sept. 4). There are fiveschool busses with contract drivers supporting this mission. There was concern that an addi-tional bus may be needed. TMP fleet managerfollowed the routes Friday morning, Sept. 7,and also spoke with the Hunter SchoolLiaison. Currently, the five busses are suffi-

cient, and to date, there have been no inci-dents or further concerns.

DMWR

Q: What a re the age-restrictions for chil-

dren home alone?

A : Children in grades six and below require supervision. Such supervision

may be provided by their parents, other adults,or in some instances, children who are at least13 years of age. They will not be left unsuper-vised in quarters at any time, nor will they beleft under the supervision of other children forextended periods.

Parents are strongly encouraged to ensurethat siblings providing child care have beencertified in infant/child Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, basic first aid, and proper caregiving techniques. All non-Family child careproviders must be certified. Child and YouthServices (Stewart 767-2312 and Hunter 315-5425) provides free training for baby-sittersproviding care in the child’s home.

Children in grades six and below will not beleft unattended for any period of time in avehicle. Georgia Law and Fort Stewart-Hunterrequire that children fewer than 40 pounds in weight must be secured in a child protectivedriving seat when riding in a privately ownedvehicle. Supervision of children in gradesseven and older will be based on their maturi-ty. Children will not be allowed to damage ordestroy personal or government property, gar-den plots, yards, or buildings. Invasions of pri-vacy and acts of vandalism will not be con-

doned in quarters. Children 15 years andunder will not be left alone overnight withoutadult supervision. At all times, but especially during the summer months and school inter-cessions, parents will ensure the health andsafety of their children by providing appropri-ate supervision in playground areas and out-side. Playing in the streets is prohibited.

Veterinary Services

Q: Will the hours increase at the

Veterinary Clinic?

A : Hours at the Veterinary Clinic havebeen increased. An evening clinic is

scheduled once a month, until at least 7 p.m. We are considering a monthly Saturday clinic.The Veterinary Clinic has a shortage of person-

nel. There are only two vets. They provide ser-vices to Stewart-Hunter and Parris Island.

Army Family Covenant special town hall meeting slated Nov. 3

See QUESTIONS Page 8A

Come to the covenant signing 10 a.m.,Nov.7 at the new main post chapel




Staff Judge Advocate

Q : Is the shut t le serv ice open to

retirees and their Families?

A

: There is no shuttle bus service onFort Stewart or Hunter.

The use of Government transportation islimited by Army and Department of Defense regulations, AR 58-1 and DOD4500.36-R. Unless the retiree is participat-ing in an official function, use of Government transportation is prohibited. Attendance as a member of the audiencedoes not qualify as official participation.

MEDDAC

Q : The new WACH app ointment line

is not user-friendly. Background

voices affect th e voice recognition system.

A : The new system is continuously being refined to filter out back-

ground noise. Besides using voice com-mands, callers can use the telephone key-

pad to select their choices so their call canbe transferred to the appropriate agent.

GMH Housing

Q : The wood chips on the playground

at the corner of Hero Road and

Davis Road are in disrepair. Mold and

mushrooms are visible, and a ba d odor is

present. The area needs new wood chips.

A : The playground was raked, weed-ed, and top layer of wood chips was

removed. Playground will continue to bemonitored for this issue and addressed asrequired.

MEDDAC

Q: People see my information when I

enter i t at the kiosk in Family

Practice Clinic.

A : The Kiosk terminal was reposi-tioned to prevent disclosure of per-

sonal information.

DMWR

Q: When the Soldiers redeploy, can

MWR extend hunting and fishing

passes?

A : Since Desert Storm, MWR andDPW have extended the installation

hunting and fishing permits to cover timethat Soldiers were deployed. Soldiers mustsupply copies of deployment orders.Permits are extended to cover this periodof time.

DPW contacted the Georgia Departmentof Natural Resources Offices to inquireabout the possibility of granting that sameextension for state hunting and fishing licenses. DPW was informed that it is not within DNR's power to grant a no-cost

extension. An extension of the state hunt-ing and fishing license would requireaction by the Georgia legislature, or thegovernor may be able to do it under execu-tive authority. Request has been submittedto have this issue added to the legislativedocket for the next session. Recent actionby the legislature has provided compensa-tion to veterans by granting a free one yearhunting and fishing license to veteranshonorably discharged after at least 90 daysof service and also offering a lifetimelicense at 80 percent of the normal rate($400 vs. $500).

AAFES

Q

: Why is there no movie theater at

Hunter?

A : The current population combined with the multiplex theater just out-

side the gate leave conditions for reopen-ing the theater on Hunter very unfavorable.

The installation has a much larger popu-

lation and no multiplex theater just outsidethe gate and earnings/participation areminimally meeting the criteria each monthfor remaining open.

Additionally, the Stewart theater isclosed four days per week due to low com-munity participation.

DES

Q : Can we extend the hours of the

gate by Southern Oaks so it is open

24 hours a day?

A : We are conducting analysis todetermine feasibility.

DMWR

Q: Why is there no tod dler play facili-

ty at Hunter?

A : MWR spoke with the general man-ager at Skukuzoos, a children's play-

ground located in the Savannah Mall out-side Rio Gate.

The indoor playground is customdesigned to offer a vast range of play. Itfeatures 2 ball pools, a jungle bouncer,stair-climbs, cargo net climbs, suspensionbridges, tubes and tunnels, a helicopterand a monkey head to climb in.

The general manager has authorizedmilitary discounts to Hunter Families.

Skukuzoo also offers a separate toddlerarea for children three and under with itsown ball pool.Playground entry is priced as follows:

All children 12 and under - $3 plus tax =$3.21 (military discount for Hunter

Families $2.50 plus tax = $2.68) Adults andchildren 13 and up – free admission Golf is$2.50 each person plus tax = $2.68 (military discount for Hunter Families $2.00 plus tax = $2.14)

Operation Hours:Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Sunday Noon to 6 p.m.

SJA

Q : Why are registered sex offenders

allowed to live on post?

A : Neither the Department of Defensenor the Department of the Army pro-

hibits registered sexual offenders from liv-ing on Army installations.

However, registered sexual offenders liv-ing on the installation must comply withGeorgia state law (Georgia Code, Title 42,Chapter 1) and Army Regulation (AR 27-10,Ch. 24).

Specifically, the individual must register

with the sheriff’s office in the county of their residence, with the county of theiremployment, and the county where they attend school. Once placed in the sexualoffender registry, he/she must renew theinformation annually. In addition, he/shemust register with the Directorate of Emergency Service/Provost Marshal by providing the county registration form.

Failure to register, change or updatesuch registration subjects the person toadverse action or criminal prosecution.

In addition, under Georgia state law,convicted sexual offenders cannot resideor loiter within 1000 feet of any childcarefacility, church, school, or area whereminors congregate (such as a playground).

Willful violation of this law is a criminaloffense.

QUESTIONS From Page 7A

Attend the Army Family Covenant signing ceremony the chapel grand opening at the new post chapel - 10 a.m. on Nov. 7

Fitness Center Assistants wantedExperienced individuals needed to independent-

ly carry out a physical fitness program at FortStewart and Hunter Army Airfield Gymnasiums.Certification as a fitness or Personal Trainer is amust. Starts at $12 per hour.

For further information contact the CivilianPersonnel Advisory Center, NAF Division at 912-767-5051.

CYS Liaison neededQualified individual needed to work on a part-

time basis as the Child and Youth Services Soldierand Family Assistance Liaison for Fort Stewart.

This position is dedicated to servicing a largepopulation of Warriors in Transition (WT) and toassist with the Soldier and Family Assistance Center(SFAC) program.

Experience and an undergraduate degree thatincludes a major study in fieldwork which directly

related to Child and Youth Services or a closely related field is required.

salary is $20.95 per hour. For further informationcontact the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, NAFDivision at 912-767-5051.

The SFACs are being established at installations that arehome to Warriors in Transition Units. The SFAC is part of thegamut of care that Wounded Warriors and their Familiesreceive. The Families have an opportunity to come and getaway from some of the stressors of being at the hospital, saysFinney. They can read a book, watch television or talk to otherfamily members.

Some of the resources available at the SFAC are legal assis-tance, military pay, and army education.

“We want to make sure they get the resources they need, likehelp with their resumes, and their job searches,” Finney said.

The SFAC also offers financial management to Soldierswho may have questions handling money they may receivethrough traumatic life insurance. Finney says that her concernas a financial counselor is that many Soldiers will get this trau-matic life insurance, and that there are many people out therewho would like to sell them something as an investment.

“I’d like to teach them (about investing)”, Finney said. All of the Soldiers who belong to the WTU are available to

use the services of the SFAC. The process begins during in-processing, where the Soldiers are reassigned to the warrior intransition unit. The SFAC’s mission is not to determine aSoldier’s status but to be there for support once they are reas-signed.

The SFAC has people with different disciplines, differentsubject matter experts that are all grouped in one location to

make sure that the soldier gets the assistance that he or shemay need.Family members are also a great part of the healing process

for WTU soldiers. Sometimes Family members may havesome issues built around transitioning out of the military fam-ily. “They were expecting to make a career out of the Army andnow they are not going to be able to,” said Finney. The SFACputs Soldiers and their families in touch with subject matter

experts who can help to make the transition smoother.Not all WTU Soldiers transition out of the military. Finney

says that approximately eighty percent are healing and arebeing returned to active duty.

The Army Family Action Plan is an Army-wide program, andSoldiers from all over are assigned to Fort Stewart’s WTU pro-gram. The Army is not putting it at every base because they may not have the medical facilities available to care for these warriors. “The amount of services that they offer is going to be

based on the number of WTU Soldiers that they have,” saidFinney. Most large installations that have a medical hospitalare starting a WTU program.

Warriors who enter the program are contacted in three dif-ferent ways through SFAC. The SFAC is on the in-processing checklist, through staff calls and through the WTU town hallmeetings.

Every Soldier who in processes with ACS receives a packagethat is then reviewed with them.

“I go over the package with them, and explain the services,”said Finney.

Each Soldier receives a phone call during the in-processing period to touch bases and to see how the SFAC can be of fur-ther assistance to them.

Every member of the SFAC attends the WTU town hall meet-ings. The town hall meeting is where warriors and theirFamilies can talk about any issues or service that is being

offered.“We can take care of that issue right away if at all possible,”said Finney. The meetings are designed to make not only the warriors feel comfortable but their Families as well.

The SFAC is temporarily located in the Family ReadinessCenter, building 87, on Fort Stewart, until the new facility isavailable sometime in 2008. The SFAC’s current hours of oper-ation are Monday thru Friday from 7:30-4:30.

SFAC From Page 1A

Pat YoungFrontline Staff

Master Sgt. Bridgette Mills with her hus-band Anthony and daughter Shay participatedin a final ceremony as an active duty memberOct. 25 at Club Stewart as her name was addedto the roles of United States Army retirees.

She shared the stage with two other retirees,Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Gibbs, 1st Battalion,306th Inf., and Department of Defense civilian

employee, Lt. Kenneth Ferron, firefighter forthe Fort Stewart-Hunter Army AirfieldDepartment of Emergency Services.

Major General Rick Lynch sent a video mes-sage to the retirees who contributed nearly 70 years of service to the United States. Hethanked them for their selfless service anddedication to duty. He noted their service wasvital in trying times from before the end of theCold War till now.

Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield GarrisonCommander Todd Buchs echoed the com-manding general’s appreciation for theirefforts and noted their selfless service anddedication to duty.

“If you would have asked each one of themon the date that they began service, they may not have said that they would stay for as long

as they have,” Buchs said. “But at some pointin their lives they made a decision, a difficultdecision, by most people’s standards, to com-mit themselves to the greater good of our

nation and what our nation stands for.”Gibbs, a former drill sergeant who retired

with 20 years, said the Army isn’t for everyone,but it provides excellent opportunities for young men and women, and they should take what they can while their in.

“One way or the other, have a plan, Gibbssaid. “Get an education. Develop yourskills.”

Of his own career, he said he joined the Army and his first assignment was in

Germany with the 135th Armor.“It was exciting going to a new country,”

Gibbs said and noted that as the longer hestayed the more he experienced, traveling toKorea, Kuwait, Austria, Amsterdam, amongstother places. He said after his future plansinclude traveling, perhaps taking a contrac-tor job overseas.

Mills understand the feeling of seeing thesun rise over distant lands, as she has servedboth near and far and has seen the sightsfrom the pyramids in Egypt to the wetlandsof Fort Polk, her first duty assignment.

Mills’ service has taken her from her firstassignment to Fort Polk, and includedGermany, Rucker and Stewart among otherplaces.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to ser-

vice, and appreciates the support her Family and friends,” Mills said. Particularly her hus-band Anthony, who was her steadfast rock,and daughter Shay, a recent college graduate

and nurse at Candler.She said if there is one thing she’ll miss is

the camaraderie and friendship she shared with the officers and Soldiers.

Ferron, who retires from federal employ-ment as a firefighter understands the feel-ings of camaraderie. His retirement wasshared with his wife, Sarah, who stood by hisside as his name was announced to the offi-cial roles of retirees.

His career has been full. He started his

career at Stewart, and finished the rest of histime at Hunter, making many friends andsharing a number of adventures, with one of his most memorable moments of rescuing anumber of people from a blazing fire. But heunderstands his priorities, as he plans oncontinued service as an ordained Elder at hischurch. He shared a message to young menand women starting their own careers.

“You can make it if you make God first,” hesaid.

Stewart-Hunter retirement ceremony honors three heroes

Pat Young

Anthony Mills and his wife Master Sgt. Bridgette Mills; Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Gibbs,1/306th Inf.; and Sarah and Lt.Kenneth Ferron,Hunter DES fireman; stand and listen at the Stewart-Hunter retirement ceremony Oct. 25 at the Hunter Club, as their names are entered on the roles of the retired.





Ben Collins has been employed by theDirectorate of Emergency Services 911 CentralDispatch at Fort Stewart since July of 2003 as at e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n sspecialist and alarmmonitor.

He resides in Long County but was original-ly a resident of Liberty County, Georgia. Hegraduated from theLiberty County HighSchool in 1995 andattended SavannahTechnical College. Priorto joining the team atStewart, he was a com-munications officer withthe Liberty County 911for three and a half yearsand the Savannah Police Department for one year. He volunteered as a firefighter and first

responder with local volunteer fire depart-ments since 1997.

Collins has held officer positions with vol-unteer companies and worked with civiliancommunication centers, which provided himan excellent background for his current dutiesat the 911 Central Dispatch Office.

In addition to the core duties of his position,he is a Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitationinstructor and is responsible for maintaining the Computer Aided Dispatch Network along with additional programs such as the Multi-

purpose Emergency DispatchSystem.

The MEDS program is providedby a partnership between the Association of Public-Safety Communications OfficialsInstitute, Inc. and AdvancedSystems Technology. It is a soft- ware application designed toassist communications person-nel in receiving emergency callsand recording information forthe dispatching of public safety responders. The Fort Stewart 911uses the MEDS program forautomation of the Emergency Medical Dispatch guide cards.

The guide cards provide dispatchers with pre-arrival instructions to give callers during a

medical emergency. An example for t he use of the cards would be CPR instructions to helpsomeone who is not breathing. The MEDSprogram and the EMD guide cards are used ona routine basis in the Stewart 911 center toprovide emergency services to the people of the community.

Introducing Mr. Benjamin W. Collins

Telecommunications Specialist Benjamin W. Collins

Anyone having claims against, or who is indebted to theestate of Sgt. John W. Mele, E Company, 1st Battalion, 30thInfantry Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga. 31313, contact Capt.Eric Motzenbecker, Headquarters and HeadquartersCompnay, 1/30 Inf., Fort Stewart, Ga., 31313 at 912-767-7638.

Anyone having claims against, or who is indebted to theestate of Pvt. Travis Trace, A Co. 3/7 Inf., 4th BDE FortStewart, Ga. 31314, contact 1st Lt. Setters, A Co. 3/7 Inf.m4th BDE, Fort Stewart, Ga., 31314 at 912-767-7791.

Anyone having claims against, or who is indebted to theestate of Sgt. Emmanuel G. Raines, Headquarters andHeadquarters Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment,Fort Stewart, Ga. 31314, contact Master Sgt. Steven Moore,HHT 6/8 Cav., Fort Stewart, Ga., 31314 at 912-435-2122.

LegalNotices

Maj. Karen FauberDeCA dietitian

FORT LEE, Va. – Diabetes affectsnearly 21 million Americans with itsmany health risks and complications.One in every four Americans has dia-

betes or is at risk for developing it.Before people develop Type 2 diabetes,they almost always have pre-diabetes,according to the American Diabetes Association. During American DiabetesMonth in November, remember to talk with your health care provider aboutdiabetes testing, prevention and treat-ment.

Pre-diabetes is very similar to dia-betes. Blood glucose levels are higherthan normal but not yet high enough tobe diagnosed as diabetes. Research hasshown that some body organs, includ-ing the heart and blood vessels, may already be damaged during pre-dia-betes. Research also shows that if you

manage your blood sugar when youhave pre-diabetes, you might be able toprevent developing diabetes.

Diabetes is more common among Blacks, Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.There is also an alarming trend in chil-dren and teenagers developing dia-betes. This has been linked to the

increase of overweight children and anoverall lack of physical activity in young people today.

How to manage pre-diabetesOne way to help prevent or delay dia-

betes is to get tested early. You can get ablood test, the fasting plasma glucose

test, or an oral test, the oral glucose tol-erance test, through your doctor. Thesetests are also used to identify diabetes.

Nutrition plays a key role in warding off diabetes. Eat a healthy diet with thefoods you buy at your local commissary and follow these guidelines:

•Eat lots of fruits and vegetablesevery day

•Control portion sizes•Eat fish two to three times each

week •Eat whole grain breads and foods•Eat beans with meals•Eat less high-calorie snack foods

like ice cream, chips, cookies andcandy

•Drink calorie-free drinks and waterRegular physical activity including strenuous exercise also can help lowerblood sugar and reduce weight, twochronic issues with diabetes. Break out your walking shoes and walk every day for 30 to 60 minutes. Add other physicalactivities to help prevent or delay dia-betes.

Manage your diet,fight pre-diabetes

Gail AldridgeCommunity Relations

More than 70 former residents and Familiesgathered Oct. 21 for the 62nd annual Taylors Creek Cemetery Association Reunion meeting.

Lewis Strickland, president of the associationand former resident of the Taylors Creek communi-ty, welcomed the group and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mary Tootle, 92 and her sister, Lois, 84 have fondmemories of their childhood at Taylors Creek andhaven’t missed a reunion.

Lt. Col. Duane Clayton, addressed the group andthanked them for their sacrifices over the years andreflected upon the strong sense of patriotism that was among the attendees. Clayton grew up inHinesville. His father was stationed at Fort Stewartand recalls the strong bond between the Stewartand Hinesville communities.

62nd reunion held at Taylors Creek

Gail Aldridge

Lewis Strickland, president of the Taylors Creek Cemetery Association speaks at 62nd annual reunion Oct. 21.

Are you a Soldieror Family memberwho is interested

in journalism?

Volunteer for

TheFrontlineNewspaper.

For moreinformation,

call767-5669



Army Family Covenant Meeting held All Families on Stewart and Hunter are invit-

ed and encouraged to attend the Army Family Covenant Special Town Hall Meeting at 6 p.m.on Nov. 6. The meeting will be held at ClubStewart on Fort Stewart and Hunter Club atHunter Army Airfield. The topic of discussion will be the Army Family Covenant, which is the Army's recognition that Families are vital to“the Strength of the Nation" and its declara-tion of support to Army Families. Families are

encouraged to attend to receive informationon the Army Family Covenant. Questionsregarding the Covenant will be taken at theSpecial Town Hall. Booths from supporting agencies will be on site to provide informationto our Families. Non-covenant related ques-tions should be directed to Vickie Wiginton at767-257 or 7667-1297 and answers will be pub-lished in the Frontline. Free childcare provid-ed, make a reservation at 767-3202 or 767-4001, or 315-5879 or 767-6115 at Hunter. Forinformation on the meeting, call 767-1257 or767-1297 on Stewart and 315-6816 on Hunter.

Army Family Covenant SigningThe Covenant Signing will recognize that

Families are vital to “the Strength of theNation.” The ribbon cutting and covenantsigning will be held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 7. Thiscovenant shows that we are committed to pro-viding services for our Families and improving Family Readiness. All Families are encouragedto attend this event. The Chapel Ribbon cut-ting will be in collaboration with the signing.Six shuttle buses will be provided to transportSoldiers and dependents from Hunter toStewart. Buses depart from Bldg 307 on NorthLightning Road and Bldg 1525 on Lightning Road at 8 a.m. Free childcare is available, makea reservation at 767-3202, 767-4001, 767-6115,or 315-5879 at Hunter. For more informationon the event, call 767-1257 or 767-1297.

Hunter Safety Course requiredThis course is required for hunting on Fort

Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield. The free class will be held at Holbrook Pond Recreation AreaSunday at 9:30 a.m.. Register for class on theGeorgia Department of Natural Resources website (select Liberty County). For moreinformation, call 435-8205.

Trip to Providence Canyon slatedDepart early from the Leisure Activities

Centers at Stewart and Hunter and travel toLumpkin, Ga., Nov. 3 to go hiking. Enjoy thebreathtaking colors of Georgia’s “Little GrandCanyon” and geographic wonder of easternthe United States, Providence Canyon StatePark. Join Professor Rich McWilliams of Thomas University for a close up view of thismost unusual state park. Lunch will be enroute and dinner on the way home will be ateach person’s expense. Bring a picnic lunch if you choose. Cost is $5 a person, includesround trip transportation. For more informa-tion or to sign up, call 767-2841.

EFMP sponsors upcoming eventsThe installation Exceptional Family

Member Program offers free bowling Nov. 5and Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m. at Marne Lanes. Formore information, contact EFMP at 767-5058or 767-5059. In addition, EFMP sponsors par-ent’s night out the fourth Thursday of eachmonth. For more information, or to register,call Army Community Service and speak to anEFMP representative at 767-5058.

MWR Fall Fest will offer Family funJoin us for our old fashioned Family festival

at Newman Field Saturday. There is something

to do for the whole family at the MWR FallFest. The event will include games, such as,sack races, inflatable slide, climbing wall andthe ring toss. Other attractions include teenactivities, a disc jockey, food vendors andmore. The Officer’s Spouses Club Bazaar willbe held at Club Stewart. Transportation will beavailable between event locations. For moreinformation, call 767-2697.

Come to Holiday Bazaar 2007The Fort Stewart Officers’ Spouses Club

Holiday Bazaar 2007 will take place Saturday atClub Stewart. After the ribbon cutting cere-mony, the doors will open at 9 a.m. and closeat 5 p.m. A variety of vendors will offer theirgoods while the Holiday Café will have sweettreats and lunch items available for purchase.The club will be festively decorated and holi-day music will fill the air. There is a $1 admis-sion fee for those over 12 years of age and allproceeds will go to the Fort Stewart OSC wel-fare fund. The bazaar is open to the public.

Have lunch with the OSCPlease join the Officers’ Spouses’ Club as we

come together for the Pursuit of Tradition

Luncheon Nov. 8 at Club Stewart. Shopping begins at 11 a.m. followed by a traditionalThanksgiving meal. We will be entertained as we pay tribute to the Army wife of old with ourversion of the Little Black Dress skit. We areencouraging members to wear their favoritebasic black outfit.

Please make plans to pick up a tree or wreath to be decorated and auctioned off atour December luncheon. On-site childcare isavailable by reservation for those children reg-istered with Child and Youth Services. Pleasecall Anne at 369-0663. Please make your reser-vation before Nov. 5 by calling your respectivecontact. If your last name begins with A-Lplease contact Paige Adgie, 877-2626. Lastnames beginning with M-Z should contact JillPeterson, 492-8444.

FEHB open season begins Nov. 12The 2007 Federal Employees Health

Benefits Open Season runs Nov. 12 throughDec. 10. A benefits fair is scheduled 8 a.m. to 4p.m., Nov. 14 at the Audie L. Murphy SoldierService Center, 55 Pony Soldier Ave,Building 253, Fort Stewart in room 1100.Several FEHB representatives, including thenew Federal Employees Dental and VisionInsurance Program, have been invited to

attend to answer questions. All new enroll-ments or changes to current FEHB enroll-ments must be completed through the Army Benefits Center-Civilian at www.abc.army.milor through the automated telephone system at1-877-276-9287. All new enrollments orchanges to the FEDVIP must be completedthrough Benefeds at www.benefeds.com or by calling 1-877-888-3337. Supervisors areencouraged to grant excused absence toemployees attending the health benefits fair.For more information, call Debbie Abrahamson at 767-2283 or [email protected].

Stewart

Adult flag-football sign-up beginsClasses are available for children, ages 3 and

older, including adult Bible study and RCIA classes, held Sundays, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. in theReligious Ed Building.

Call Pam Perez at 315-5440 for additionalinformation. Protestant Women of the Chapelmeets each Thursday, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in theFellowship Hall. The group will read “Power of a Positive Woman..” For additional informa-tion, call Valarie Moore, 920, 8519.

Thanksgiving Feast Brunch

Come enjoy an early Thanksgiving feast onSunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at ClubStewart. Cost is $11.95 for adults, children ages5-10 half price, and children under 5 eat free.Bring a church bulletin and get $1 off eachmeal cost. You won’t want to miss out on thisdelicious meal. For more information, call368-2213.

HunterReligion education classes

Classes are available for children, ages 3 andolder, including adult Bible study and RCIA classes, held Sundays, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. in theReligious Ed Building. Call Pam Perez at 315-5440 for additional information. Protestant Women of the Chapel meets each Thursday,9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Thegroup will read “Power of a Positive Woman..”For additional information, call Valarie Moore,920, 8519.

Free infant formula distributedThe Georgia Chapter of the American Red

Cross is issuing free infant formula on a firstcome first served basis for military Families while supplies last. The Red Cross will distrib-

ute the formula at ACS on Wednesdays, 9 a.m.to Noon on Nov. 7 and Nov. 14. For more infor-mation, contact mark Stall at 651-5352.

Theater lunch offered at HunterThe Hunter Spouses’ Club welcomes the

Atlantic Armstrong Performing ArDepartment as they perform “Belles” at alunch performance Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.at Hunter Club. Entrees are $10. Please RSVPStephanie Pettit at 459-0411 by Nov. 8 or reg-ister your attendance and pay on-line at www.hunterspousesclub.org to get $1 oflunch and your name entered into a lunchprize drawing. Guests can also contribute tothe U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots’ Christmasdrive at the luncheon. If you wish to partici-pate, bring new unwrapped toys for childrenof any age to the luncheon or drop them off at the Hunter Club by Nov. 12.

Savannah’s Veterans Day ParadeThe Nov. 12 parade will start at 10:15 a.m. at

the intersection of Gwinnett and Abercorn andtravel north on Abercorn to Liberty, west onLiberty to Montgomery, north on Montgomery to Broughton then Broad St.


Fort Stewart /Hunter Army Airfield Briefs



Deboirah Gilyard

Kessler Elementary School

Kessler Elemenetary School

reported outstanding achievers for

the first quarter 2008 included

honor roll Soaring Eagle and Eagle

of Distinction awardees.

First GradeEagle of Distinction

Haleigh Bradely Zachary Sarah Adriana CampbellShae Kirkus

Soaring Eagle Award

Monique Gunter

Gabrielle HodgesMahogani MayfieldShaun NortonMelani SalinasJayza Williams Adalina Reyes

Second GradeSoaring Eagle

Dazia ClyceJameel HodgesElijah Hudgins

Eagle of Distinction

Raymond Calero,Ethan Nichols,Paige LeBlancEmma MillisorLacey Bowen

Asim HawkinsCorrina GutierrezJoshua HairJared Kraft

Eagle of Distinction Award

Ethan Titus Austin KellerKirsten Davis


Education Event on Nov. 13 An Education Fair will be held at the Army Education

Centers on Nov. 13. On-post and some local colleges willhave displays and answer your questions concerning avail-able programs including distance learning opportunities. Also Graduation Equivalency Diploma, English as a SecondLanguage, and skills enrichment representatives will beavailable 9-11 a.m. at the Sgt 1st Class Paul R. Smith Army

Education Center, Building 100. For more information, call767-8331 for additional information. They will be availableat Hunter Army Airfield 2-4 p.m. at the Hunter Army AirfieldEducation Center, Building 1290, 315-6130.

Distance learning college term datesFind out the latest on post and distance learning college

term dates.Central Texas College, now – Dec. 15. For information, call

767-2070 at Stewart, or 315-4090 at Hunter; ColumbiaCollege, now – Dec. 15. For information, call – 767-5336 atStewart or 352-8635 at Hunter. Please contact the collegedirectly for course schedules and enrollment information.

Military Order of the Purple Heart ScholarshipLearn about scholarship opportunities for Purple Heart

recipients, visit www.purpleheart.org or [email protected].

Take an Educational coffee break A professional counselor will discuss setting and achieving

educational goals, the local Army Education programs andavailable funding options for active duty, Family membersand Department of the Army civilians. Maximize your poten-tial as you are affected by Army mobility requirements. Army education counselors are available Monday through Friday for individual sessions. These briefings are generally the firstTuesday of each month, at the Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith Army Education Center, building 100. For more information,call 767-8331.

Learn about available federal scholarshipsLearn about the Federal Employee Education and

Assistance Fund Scholarship at www.feea.org/scholarships.html or call 1-303-933-7580.

Webster offers deployed, reduced online tuition

Soldiers enrolled in Webster’s graduate classes will receive areduced rate, while deployed. Contact Marsha Sands [email protected], or 354-0033, DSN: 912-315-5906 foradditional information.

Apply for the Georgia HOPE grantThe HOPE Grant is money given by the state of Georgia to

students with financial need to attend vocational/tradeschools. The grant covers certificate and diploma programs. Any Soldier or Family member of a soldier who is stationedin Georgia may be eligible. If you are interested in attending a Georgia vocational or trade school, inquire with yourschool's financial advisor or visit the Sgt. 1st Class Paul R.

Smith Army Education Center to speak with a counselor.

HOPE Grant - Great Opportunity for SpousesEducate while you wait! Get your certificate or diploma

and pursue your new career during this deployment.Certificates for website technician, child care manager, andmedical transcription are a few of the eligible programsoffered by Savannah Technical College. Classes are availablein the Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith Army Education Centerand at the Liberty Campus on Airport Road in Hinesville. Formore information, call Savannah Tech in the SFC Paul R.Smith Army Education Center at (912) 408-2430, or theLiberty Campus at 408-3024.

Take CLEP and DANTES classesCollege Level Examination Program and DANTES Subject

Standardized Tests (DSST) are available on post. CallColumbia College at 877-3406 for more information and test-ing dates. The exams are free for military personnel and fornon-military examinees, CLEP tests are $85, and DSSTs are$90.

Free English-as-a-second-language coursesBeginning courses are offered 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday and

Thursday. Intermediate courses are offered 8 a.m. to noon ,Monday and Wednesday. ESL class registration begins noonevery Tuesday, at the Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith Army

Education Center, building 100, room 227. For more infor-mation, call 368-7322.

Take GED and skills enrichment coursesGraduation Equivalency Diploma and adult education

classes are offered in partnership with the Liberty County Adult Education Program. They are held at the Sgt. 1st ClassPaul R. Smith Army Education Center. The courses prepare you to take the GED Exam or refresh your skills in basic edu-cation subjects. The courses are free of charge. You can selectfrom one of a number of dates and times, which are 9 a.m. tonoon or 1-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday; or 6-9 p.m.,Tuesday and Wednesday in rooms 225 - 228. For more infor-mation, call 368-7322.To register for the classes, you must bepresent for both days of the process. Registration is firstcome, first serve. Active duty military are registered uponrequest. The next registration time period is 1-5 p.m., Oct.15-16. Call 368-7322 for complete details.

Green-to-Gold Briefing slatedThe Green to Gold briefings are held at the installation

education centers every month. On Stewart the briefings are2 p.m. the first and third Thursday. The Hunter briefings are2 p.m. the second and fourth of each month.

Children’s scholarship handbook offeredThe Military Children’s Scholarship Handbook, Getting

Uncle Sam to Pay for Your College Degree is available at www.militaryhandbooks.com.

Learning Center provide computer resourcesThe Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith Education Center learning

center has 55 computers with internet access available. Youcan use the center to complete your homework, research for your classes, access the Army’s basic skills automated pro-gram, “Lifetime Library” or just stop in to check your e-mail.

The center is open seven days a week. It is closed on fed-eral holidays. The learning center is room 230, building 100.The operation hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday –Thursday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday;and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Hunter learning center is open 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m.Sunday. Take advantage of a variety of study resources andinternet capability. For more information, call 315-6130.

Troops-, Spouse-to-Teachers Briefings slatedThe Georgia Troops to Teachers Program provides federal

funding to qualified service members of up to $10,000 forbecoming public school teachers. Under the Spouse toTeachers Program, eligible military spouses may be reim-bursed for the cost of state required certification tests up to atotal of $600. Future meetings are scheduled for Nov. 7 andDec. 19 at the Sgt 1st Class Paul R. Smith Education Center.For more information, visit online at www.tttga.net and www.sttga.net or call 1-800-745-0709 or 767-8331.

Free college course offeredColumbia College Spouse’s Opportunity Scholarship pro-

vides a tuition waiver for an initial classroom course withColumbia College at the Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith Army Education Center for spouses of military personnel enrolledin their school. This is a value of $450, which is the cost of their three credit-hour classroom courses. The program is anincentive for eligible students to embark on a degree pro-gram, while completing the financial aid process (i.e. FAFSA)and securing ongoing financial support. Call 877-3406 atStewart or 352-8635 at Hunter for more information.

$4500 tuition available for Soldiers All active duty members have $4500 per fiscal year for

education. This entitlement is separate from theMontgomery GI Bill benefits available from the Veteran’s Administration. Details are available at 1:30 p.m., Monday –Friday, during a one-hour brief at the education center, room223. The www.goarmyed.com Website provides 24-hours, 7-days-a-week virtual access for Soldiers. Our education coun-

selors are available to assist in educational goal setting andadvising.

Savannah Tech offers child careChild care is available at the Hinesville Airport Road

–Hinesville campus. Contact Natasha Brown at 408-3024 ext6026 for more details.

Free college tutoring offered through Dec 13Savannah Technical College, at the Sgt. 1st Class Paul R.

Smith Education Center, is offering free tutoring for collegestudents each Monday and Wednesday. You don’t have to beenrolled in Savannah Tech to participate. Please call 408-2430.

Kessler Elementary 1st Quarter Academic Honor Roll

Come to special town hall on Army Family Covenant 6 p.m. Nov. 6

at Club Stewart • then join the garrison for covenant signing

at Stewart new Main Post Chapel 10 a.m. Nov. 7




4th BCT main body begins deploymentPvt. Jerome Arp4th BCT Public Affairs

The last Main Body flights of Soldiers deploying to Iraq with 4th Brigade Combat Team departedearly Tuesday morning from Hunter Army Airfield.

“Our company is ready to execute our mission. We’ve trained hard and each Soldier is ready to dohis job,” proudly exclaimed 1st Sgt. Brian Cullen,a Soldier with Company A, 4th Brigade SpecialTroops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division.

This will be Cullen’s third deployment.

Previously he deployed with an Airborne SpecialForces unit to Afghanistan and with Company A as a platoon sergeant.

For some Soldiers, like Pvt. Gary Greenwald,Company A, 4-3 BSTB, Fort Stewart is their firstduty station and this will also be their first deploy-ment.

“I’ve built up my motivation for this deploy-ment like a character from the Dragonball Z car-toon,” said Greenwald, Company A BetterOpportunity for Single Soldiers representative.

“I’ve packed a lot of phone cards to stay intouch with my Family in Florida,” said Greenwald.

Upon return from deployment, Greenwaldhopes to open his own store, which would spe-cialize in building custom computers. He planson attending online classes while in theatre for a

better understanding of what it takes to run anindependent business.

For Spc. Jay Bertsch, a paralegal specialist withHeadquarters and Headquarters Company, 4thBCT, this will be his second deployment withintwo years with the 3rd Infantry Division, which isalso his first duty station.

“I think there will be a lot of changes during thisdeployment compared to the last, concerning detainee operations,” said Bertsch. Paralegal spe-cialists, like Bertsch, are responsible for making sure detainees are tried under Iraqi law at theCentral Criminal Court of Iraq.

Bertsch plans on marrying another Soldier inHHC Company upon return from their deploy-ment.

“We’re going to hold the wedding in Baltimore,”said Bertsch. “That’s where my Family is.”

Another paralegal specialist with HHC, Pfc.Edward McHenry, has been married to his wife, who he met in college, for six years. McHenry hastwo daughters, and he is planning on re-building his print company while he’s in theatre.

“This is my first deployment. For me it’s aboutbettering my Family and protecting my brothersand sisters,” said McHenry. “I’ll focus on self-preservation and my loving Family during deploy-ment.”

There will be a 4th BCT Trail Party flight in mid-November.

Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis

4th BCT’s Rear Detachment leadership say goodbye to Soldiers prior to them boarding the plane Oct. 29 at Hunter Army Airfield. Approximately 200 Soldiers from 4th BCT's main body were among the last wave of Soldiers to deploy for 4th BCT in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The last main body flight left early morning Oct. 30. The 4th BCT Trail Party Soldiers will deploy in mid-November.

“Under the current system, Soldiers mustaccumulate 20 points in one or more areasbefore they can add them to their files. Withthis new program, as soon as Soldiers earnpoints, they can add them to their file, mak-ing them immediately more competitive with their peers,” Gills said.

The accumulation rule, a personnel workload management-based requirementfor more than 34 years, has long irritatedSoldiers and their families. This long-need-ed improvement translates into faster pro-motions.

The second key improvement is alsorelated to speed. Currently, when Soldiersupdate their files with new points, or arenewly recommended for promotion, they

must wait until the first day of the secondmonth before those points become effec-tive in the system, approximately twomonths. With the self-ser vice application,Soldiers recommended for promotion orthose adding points will have those pointsin the system the first day of the following month, provided they add them in by theeighth day of the month.

“We have to take a snapshot of the cur-rent points across the Army, while allowing time to forecast accurately how many Soldiers we need in a given MOS. According to the experts who developed the program,the eighth is that pivotal day,” Gills said.

Finally, because of the self-input capabil-ity provided to Soldiers for some of theiradministrative points, recomputation eval-

uations conducted across the Army atHuman Resource Offices every month willimmediately become a thing of the past.This time-consuming requirement for

Soldiers and managers across the Army isburdensome. With the elimination of Personnel Service Battalions across the Army in support of transformation, this workload reduction will be a welcome relief.

“This is just one more example of how the Army is transforming into a more agileforce, and improving processes using exist-ing technology,” Gills said.

While the Army continues to drive hardtowards the DIMHRS solution, this programprovides some of the DIMHRS-typeimprovements now, and will help Soldiersby ensuring their records are accurate when we do make the DIMHRS transition inOctober 2008.

Concerns about the new self-service sys-

tem have been brought up, and largely relate to Soldiers putting in false data.“That concern is valid to a point, butappears somewhat overstated,” Gills said.

A few Soldiers have, for the past 20 years,tested the system. Some will likely try to goaround this new system. The numbers aresmall. This is the trust and verify part of thesystem. We trust our Soldiers. They live by the Warrior Ethos. We trust them withexpensive equipment. We trust them withenormous responsibilities. We trust them with the lives of their fellow Soldiers.Certainly, we can trust them with keeping accurate records.

“We actually have a fairly robust verifica-tion process built into the system,” Gillssaid. “When a Commander recommends a

Soldier for promotion, he is doing so basedon the chain of command’s recommenda-tion as well as his own observation of theSoldier’s character and performance over

time. A Command Sergeant Major andpanel of senior NCO’s then certify thatSoldier in a formal board process. Oncethose two actions have occurred, theHuman Resources specialist adds the pointsinto the system and the Soldier is at thatpoint allowed to add points to roughly half of the measured areas of performance.”

Items such as certificates of achievement,certificates of military education, comple-tion of a college course (after certificationby the education center or S1/MPD for thatuniversity enrollment) are examples of point areas a Soldier may modify. Higherawards (AAM and above), APFT and weapons qualification are examples of areas that will remain the responsibility of

the unit for input onto the Soldier’s record.The system will automatically tally allpoints.

Additionally, each month theCommander will receive a report that showsall promotable Soldiers within the unit,their previous month points total comparedto their current points and the amount of points added, if any. First Sergeants know their Soldiers, and unusual or suspiciousactivity will be readily apparent. AllSoldiers must electronically sign a state-ment that attests to the validity of thepoints they have added. Those who doattempt to cheat will have to face their lead-ership, administrative and other actions asappropriate.

Finally, Human Resources Command will

randomly audit a percentage of promotableSoldiers across the force. Human ResourcesSpecialists will review reports monthly indi-cating those selected for audit, and those

Soldiers will be required to produce all sup-porting documentation.

“As I travelled the Army testing the sys-tem and talking to Soldiers, there were typi-cally one or two dissenters in each audience who were concerned about cheating. reminded them that we have an opportuni-ty to do something really good for Soldiersand their families. Do we want to focus onthe opportunity or the small percentagethat might want to test the system by cheat-ing? I believe we need to move forward andrecognize the Soldiers who perform theirduty selflessly and with integrity each day,”said Gills. “We have the greatest Army inthe history of the world, buttressed by an

ethically sound, values-based NCO Corps. When we move to DIMHRS, our Soldiers will be ready for it, and their records willmore accurately reflect their performanceas a result of this effort.”

Soldiers in the grade of Specialist andSergeant may access this application at theHuman Resources Command EnlistedPromotions Web Site:

https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/select/promo.htm . Non-promotab leSpecialists and Sergeants may access theprogram for viewing and update, but willnot be able to affect point changes to the Army data base until they have been recom-mended by their Commander and haveappeared before a promotion board.

Promotable Specialists and Sergeants may access and update their file beginning 11October, which will affect points beginning 1 December.

The primary brigade points of contacts are:Sgt. 1st Class Darryl Lewis, 1st Brigade Combat Team at

767-7047; Sgt. 1st Class Carl Matthews, 2nd BCT at 767-1105; Staff Sgt. Felicia Walker, 3rd BCT, at (706) 544-2763/1412; CW2 Andrea Jefferson, 4th BCT, at 767-1144;Sgt. Sharla Clark , Combat Aviation Brigade, at 315-6775;Sgt. 1st Class Jacinta Berrien, 3rd Sustainment Bde., at 767-0899; and Sgt. Danisha Hernandez at the division SpecialTroops Battalion at 767-8089.

Georgia elections require registered voters to show one of six forms of photo identification when voting in person. You are not required to include any identification if you

vote absentee by mail. Each Brigade has a voting registra-tion representative

The six forms of photo identification you can use whenvoting in person are:

• A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired.•Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID,

including a free voter ID card issued by your county regis-trar or DDS.

• Valid U.S. passport.•Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department,

agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of

this state.•Valid U.S. military photo ID.• Valid tribal photo ID.If you do not have one of these forms of identification,

you are eligible to receive a free Georgia voter identificationcard. To receive this voter identification card, please con-tact any DDS office or your county registrar’s office.

For more information, you can call 1 (877) 725-9797. Or,please visit online at www.GaPhotoID.com or call theiroffice at (404) 656-2871.

Vote to make a difference... and remember to Vote withphoto ID!

VOTE From Page 1A

PROMOTIONS From Page 1A

Pvt. Jerome Arp

Pfc. Edward McHenry spends some time with his Family before boarding the bus Oct. 29 at Fort Stewart; wife, Jennifer and two daughters, Annalisa, one year old,and Emelia, 4 years old.




203rd BSB travels to

re-supply FOB HammerSpc. Ben Hutto3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER,Iraq – Logistics leaders are constantly facing the challenge of a combat logistics patrol by trying to figure out how to properly combine

diverse units and get them to their destina-tion safely and efficiently.

Since they’ve been on the ground in Iraqthe leaders in the 203rd Brigade SupportBattalion have planned over 400 successfulCLPs based on the mission, destination andinformation about the area they will be travel-ing through.

Two hours before they are scheduled to

travel to Victory Base Camp in Baghdad,Soldiers from the 203rd Brigade SupportBattalion, the 3rd Brigade Special TroopsBattalion, the 1st Battalion, 10th Field

Artillery Regiment and drivers for Kellog,Brown and Root listened as the CLP leader, 1stLt. Angela Fowler, executive officer forCompany C, 203rd BSB, went over the opera-tions order for their upcoming mission.

Fowler. from Spring Lake, N.C., explainedthe route, the time of departure, the estimat-ed arrival time and what each group’s objec-tive would be at VBC in a quick concise man-ner. Her questions to each platoon sergeantand driver were quickly answered with thecorrect answers.

Fowler seemed satisfied and turned the

floor over to Staff Sgt. Arthur Goodman,squad leader for 2nd squad of the MovementSecurity Platoon, 203rd BSB.

Goodman, from Norfolk, Va., went throughroll-over drills, water egress procedures, how the convoy will react to improvised explosivedevices, reactions on contact, and properescalation of force procedures for theSoldiers. Each topic was discussed thorough-

ly and he frequently stopped to ask questions.Goodman makes sure that everyone is on thesame page at every briefing.

“We go over these before every mission,” hesaid. “I like to reinforce things so it is fresh inthe Soldier’s minds before every mission. I

want these ideas to be second nature to themso when things happen they don’t have tostop and think about it. If you reinforce ideas

over and over, it becomes second nature.”Goodman is also cognizant of who is in

each convoy.

The movement security platoon is respon-sible for the CLP’s security. The vehicles thatmake up the platoon are mobile and able toquickly respond to any threat to the convoy.

“When we get a mission, we normally have24 hours notice,” he said. “We will QA QC(quality control checks) all of our vehicles and

our communications equipment. We thencoordinate a time to go out to the range andtest fire all our weapons systems to make surethey are working correctly. After that, we getour link up time and prepare to roll out.”

The platoon, which is made up of cooks, water purification specialists and mechanics,make sure every member understands thesafety procedures covered in the pre-brief.

“We have outstanding Soldiers in this pla-toon,” King said. “They work hard. They trainhard. Each and every one of them can give theconvoy brief at any time.”

Coe pointed out that the Soldiers in theMSP have a much different mission than any-one else in the 3rd Heavy Brigade CombatTeam.

“They aren’t traditional combat arms guys,but they go outside the gate more than any-one on this FOB,” Coe said. “They have to bevery fluid. They don’t have a set objective thatthey are responsible for every time they leave.It’s not like they need to capture this target orsecure this objective. Their mission is drivenby the needs of the brigade.”

Coe explained that Soldiers in MSP have

become so comfortable with their role thatthey need very little supervision from the CLPleader. This, in turn, frees the CLP leaders upto concentrate on other aspects of the mis-sion.

The convoy left FOB Hammer early in themorning and steadily made its way toBaghdad. Radio chatter was kept to a mini-mum as the lead vehicle scanned for IEDs.

“I make sure my guys stay observant in thevehicle,” said Cpl. Joe Esparza, a HaciendaHeights, Calif. native and lead vehicle com-mander of the movement security platoon.

After arriving safely at VBC, Fowler securedlodging for the convoy’s short stay there.

After a quick nap, each element of the con-voy splits up and executes their part of themission.

Fowler explained the convoy was responsi-ble for getting upgrades installed on somevehicles, securing supplies and getting items




Sgt. Mele remembered at memorial servicePam WatersGlennville Sentinel

Patriotism runs red, white, and blue in Glennville, as flagsdraped downtown Barnard Street and flew half-mast lastSaturday at other locations to honor the heroic life of

Sergeant John William Mele II, age 25. A memorial service was held at Sept. 22, to celebrate Sergeant Mele's life, the lifehe gave for his country while protecting the lives of his fellow Soldiers.

Approximately 150 Glennville citizens attended thememorial service. Although most did not know the MeleFamily, they attended in respect for his service and sacrificeto his country.

A combat engineer assigned to the 2nd Platoon, ECompany, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment. He wasserving his third deployment to Iraq when he was killed. Theincident occurred on Friday, September 14, as his squad wasgoing in to clear a house in Arab Jabour, Iraq. An improvisedexplosive device detonated near his unit during the combatoperation. Mele had warned his fellow Soldiers to stay back as he approached. John Mele was the only fatality, althoughother injuries were suffered by several Soldiers.

Just minutes before Mele's funeral service was to beginSaturday, a downpour began, drenching the 56 motorcyclists

of the Patriot Guard Riders as they lined up on both sides of Hwy. 301 in front of Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Home.Despite the driving rain, they stood holding the flags await-ing the arrival of Sergeant Mele's Family: his 27-year-old widow, Jennifer, and their six-year-old daughter, Clarissa; hisfather and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Corene Jones; andother Family members. The purpose of the Patriot GuardRiders is to show respect for the fallen heroes of the Iraq Warand to their Families and communities.

The front of the chapel held a single candle in the center with an encased folded American flag to the right andframed photos and memorabilia of Sergeant Mele on the left. A screen showed Sergeant Mele's photo on a background of an American flag with the words “Our Hero - Sgt. John Mele1982-2007.” An American flag stood on the left side of thepulpit area and the Georgia flag on the right.

Preceding the ceremony, Staff Sergeant Charles Hall lit thecandle and later spoke of John as a “great guy, one who hada wonderful outlook on life, always smiling, and willing to

help others.”Hall, who was Sergeant Mele's squad leader, shared thatJohn thought he was extremely lucky to have found his wife,Jennie, and how much he cherished her and daughterClarissa.

Sergeant Hall brought a chuckle from the gatheredmourners as he related the story that John seriously approached him one day and asked, “Will you teach me how

to be mean?”“I kind of looked at him with a wide

grin, put my arms around him, and toldhim, “You came to the right guy, buddy.I got you covered,” said Hill.

“John made the ultimate sacrifice for

his country. He died taking care of hisSoldiers. He will be forever missed,”said Hall.

Pastor Vance Riggins of GlennvilleUnited Methodist Church began hisremarks with the 23rd Psalm, followedby other scriptures.

The pastor told of the route he chose when traveling through Fort Stewart,for the peacefulness of the pines andnatural scenery.

“Now, it may seem a bit ironic, a mil-itary base - a place for training men and women in the art of war - also being a place of peace. But, when we think aboutthe purpose of Fort Stewart and the personnel therein, then we can easily see the place for peace in the base. You see, thepurpose of Fort Stewart and all American military bases isPEACE. We want our planet delivered from tyranny, imperi-alism, and terrorism,” said Pastor Riggins.

“Men and women are ready to be deployed for the causeof peace,” said Riggins. “Sergeant John Mele was one of those instruments for the defense of peace.”

He continued that the ultimate desire is for “world peaceand an end to imperialism, terrorism, and totalitarianism.”

Riggins lauded John in that he died while saving the livesof his fellow Soldiers.

“We are here to HONOR Sergeant Mele II, who sacrificedhis life for his fellow Soldiers, and who sacrificed his life for you and for me,” he said.

He said, “John 15:13 reads: Greater love has no man thanthis, than to lay down one's life for his friends.”

“There is no love greater than for his Family, friends, andcountry, for whom he laid down his life. Men like John arethe ones who have preserved our peace, and we share in hisloss,” said Pastor Riggins.

“We can keep John living, too - through our deeds, ourcommitments, and our dedi8cation to the cause of peaceand Jesus Christ!,” said Riggins.

“John loved what he did, and he died doing what he lovedbest - being a Soldier,” Pastor Riggins said.During the service, “Amazing Grace” and “America the

Beautiful” were sung by Sharon Tatum, with accompani-ment by Dale Anderson on the piano.

The song “Arlington” by Trace Adkins closed the moving ceremony.

As the service ended, members of the Veterans of Foreign

Wars Post #8379 and American Legion Post #95 halted at theend of the pew where they had sat in a group and saluted thesymbolic wooden chest representing Mele's remains. Othermilitary members also stopped to salute their fallen com-rade.

Mele's remains were transported to Washington, D. C., onMonday, with burial of his cremated remains on Thursday,September 27, at Arlington National Cemetery, which is

across the Potomac River from the nation's capital. As the white limousine left the chapel, members of the

Patriot Guard flanked both sides of the highway, standing ramrod straight with their flags and saluting John's wife andFamily as they passed.

A reception followed in the fellowship hall of GlennvilleUnited Methodist Church, which was hosted by the church where the Meles attend.

Lyn Allebach of Jacksonville, Florida, Jennifer's sister,served as a spokesperson for the Family.

“He was a wonderful husband for my little sister and agreat brother-in-law. He was always playing with my chil-dren when we would come to visit,” she said.

“Our Family has simply been overwhelmed with how theGlennville community has responded and in the many lov-ing ways they have shown their concern and love for Jennieand their highest regard for John and how he served hiscountry,” added Lyn.

Sergeant Mele was stationed at Fort Stewart the past five

years, and in the last year, he and his wife had moved toGlennville and bought a new home on Herrington Street.Daughter Clarissa attends Glennville Christian Academy as afirst grader. John's widow, Jennifer, is employed at theClerk's Office in Long County, according to Long County Sheriff Cecil Nobles, who attended the Saturday service withhis wife, Peggy.

Courtesy Photo

56 motorcyclist of the Patriot Guard Riders lined up to honor Sgt. John Mele II in Glennville.

Come to signing of Army Family Covenant 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at new Stewart Main Post Chapel




U.S. medics take back seat while Iraqi doctors careSgt. Luis Delgadillo2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

FOB KALSU, Iraq – The rural backdrop of Al Buaythaseems an unlikely setting for a medical clinic. Still, setting

matters little when the welfare of a community is at stake.In Al Buaytha, the location chosen proved to be ideal.

In an effort to bring healthcare to local residents andimprove their relationship with the community, 1stBattalion, 30th Infantry Regiment Soldiers hosted the most

successful medical opera-tion in Al Buaytha to datenear Patrol Base DragonOct. 16.

Taking the lead provid-

ing medical care was agroup of visiting Iraqidoctors, including a pedi-atrician and three otherspecialists.

Medical personnelfrom the 2nd BrigadeCombat Team, 3rdInfantry Division treatedpatients as well, but dueto the presence of theIraqi doctors they mini-mized their role.

“Right now I’m not see-ing patients I’m just act-ing like an assistant to thedoctors,” said Capt.Ricardo Swenness of the

1-30th Inf. Regt.Swenness said that this

medical operation was substantially different compared toother operations held in Arab Jabour and Al Buaythathanks to the attendance of the Iraqi doctors and the abun-dance of medical supplies.

“I see an improvement, especially today because wehave a pediatrician and also because we’ve been doing thisoften enough now that the other health care providers,myself included, are now becoming more learned in treat-ing children,” Swenness said.

To date, 1-30th Inf. Reg. Soldiers have hosted six medical

operations and treated a total 627 patients. This event, which was the first hosted by Co. D, treated 217 local resi-dents.

As healthcare providers busied themselves inside thebuilding, children outside clamored for the attention of theSoldiers and concerned citizens who passed out fooditems, clothes, and personal hygiene products.

While having difficulty organizing a rowdy group ofexcited children into a single-file line, Pfc. Josh Kopp, a firesupport specialist with Company D, said that he felt goodabout pulling security for the medical operation.

Kopp said that he welcomed the change of pace from hisnormal duties, “It makes you feel like you’re helping, doing something finally.”

Though it is unclear if this same group of doctors will beavailable to visit the next medical operation hosted by Soldiers of the 1-30th Inf. Reg. the hope is that throughconcerned citizen involvement with the Iraqi Ministry of

Health a clinic will be permanently est ablished in the ArabJabour region.

Joint security integrates Concerned Local Citizens Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky2nd BCT PAO

FOB KALSU – In a new joint security site, U.S. and Iraqisoldiers will soon be working with the Concerned LocalCitizens to provide additional security to neighborhoods inHawr Rajab.

On Oct. 21, Iraqi army leaders, CLC leaders and 2ndBrigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart,Ga., leaders met at Entry Control Point 20, a small base insouthern Baghdad, to discuss this new integration of force.

The CLCs will be integrated into new checkpoint loca-tions in Hawr Rajab and Adwaniya.

The request for concerned citizens came from Brig. Gen. Ali, commander, 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, who wanted his positions augmented by thegroup, which has been instrumental in providing security to Hawr Rajab.

“The concerned citizens are facilitating a secure envi-

ronment,” said Capt. Chad Klascius, of Troop A, 1stSquadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade CombatTeam (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, out of FortRichardson, Alaska. He also said the concerned citizensgroups have provided enough security that contractors arefinally willing to enter after staying away for over a year-and-a-half.

Contractors aren't the only ones venturing into the area.The 2nd Mechanized Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd

Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, is also being deployed to

the area.“Hawr Rajab is a town that has been threatened by al-

Qaeda for some time,” said Col. James Adams, 2nd BCT, 3rdInf. Div. deputy commander. “This (addition) will establisha permanent presence and ability to conduct offensiveoperations in the area.”

Besides manning checkpoints, the new mechanizedcompany will help conduct offensive operations into Adwaniya, Ali said.

While these offensive operations will help drive out al-Qaeda from this region, it will also have other benefits, Adams said.

“Citizens will see the Iraqi army taking ownership andleadership,” he said, adding their presence will help givethe people confidence in the Iraqi Security Forces and gov-ernment.

Such legitimacy will also work the other way. By havinthe Iraqi army working with concerned citizens, it will helpthe program to be viewed by the Iraqi government as a gen-

uine security force.“The IA recognizes the value of them (CLCs) and want to

work side by side with them,” Adams said.The concerned citizens also want the same end. The pro-

grams’ leader, Sheik Ali Majid, al-Dulaymi tribe leader,promised Ali the new mechanized company a building touse as their base of operations.

This is the second meeting in the past week discussinadditional security measures in Hawr Rajab.

Sgt. Luis Delgadillo

Capt. Keri L. Mullen, brigade surgeon for the 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. examines a young girl during a medical operation hosted by Co. D, of the 1/30th Inf. in Al Buaytha Oct. 16.

US Army: frontlineonline11-01-07news

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