From: bergman@AFPAN.PA.AF.MIL (CMSgt Mike Bergman)
Newsgroups: soc.veterans
Subject: Army News Service 08/18/92
Date: 19 Aug 92 14:49:46 GMT
Article-I.D.: afnews.9208191450.AA20223
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC


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* Commentary: World takes DUI to heart
* Army doctor warns against a place in the sun
* Direct-deposit checking required of almost all defense personnel
* Pentagon unveils replica Buffalo Soldier
* Army Olympians return from Spain
* Organization supports military athletes

=========================================

Commentary: World takes DUI to heart

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- For people who still think drunk driving 
offenses aren`t a serious problem in America or in other nations -- 
think again.
      The United States has taken a tough stand on driving under the 
influence of alcohol or drugs. But other countries are also making 
sure that the crime is taken seriously. In some foreign nations, DUI 
arrests can carry expensive, humiliating and sometimes severe 
consequences.
      Here are some examples:
      Israel -- A convicted drunk driver is sentenced to a mandatory 
two-year jail term, which has helped to make DUI charges virtually 
non-existent in that nation.
      Australia -- The names of DUI offenders are sent to local 
newspapers and are printed under the heading "He was drunk and is now 
in jail."
      South Africa -- A DUI conviction results in a 10-year prison 
sentence and a $10,000 fine.
      Great Britain -- Anyone convicted faces automatic license 
suspension for one year. If the case involves serious injury or death, 
lifetime banishment from the road is possible.
      Malaya -- The convicted driver is jailed, as well as the 
driver's spouse.
      Japan -- First offenders get up to four months in jail and a 
$200 fine. Licenses are revoked and are returned only after completing 
a driving test one year later.
      Turkey -- Police take drunk drivers 20 miles from town and force 
them to walk back, under escort.
      South Korea -- Just an arrest results in an automatic two-month 
license suspension. A conviction produces a jail sentence of up to one 
year and a fine of $700.
      DUI can cost more than a little embarrassment. It can endanger 
your life, not to mention others'. The easiest way to avoid the 
problem? Prevention. It starts with yourself and the people around 
you.
      Tough laws have been effective in reducing the drunk driving 
problem, but it takes more. It takes an attitude change to make drunk 
driving socially, as well as legally, unacceptable. That attitude 
change is coming from people who see the tragic consequences of drunk 
driving.
      Use the designated driver and take a stand. Friends don't let 
friends drive drunk.
     (Reprinted from the Fort Riley Post.) 


Army doctor warns against a place in the sun

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- Practice safe sun and you'll have it made 
in the shade.
      That's the advice offered by Col. (Dr.) Larry Smith, dermatology 
consultant for 7th Medical Command.
      "Everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer," said Smith, who 
is stationed at the Army hospital in Nuremberg, Germany. "But fair-
skinned people who sunburn easily are at the most risk.
      "The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma," he said, 
"and it comes from getting sunburned too often.
      "Every suntan is an indication that a significant dose of sun 
has been received, with potential damage to the cells' genetic 
material, which can lead to cancer," Smith said.
      Excessive exposure to the sun also causes thinning and wrinkling 
of the skin. "Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning salons can 
also damage deeper layers of skin and their blood vessels, and can 
weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to skin 
cancer," he said.
      Some of the immediate problems caused by too much sunshine can 
be sunburn, reactions similar to allergies, and reactions from the 
interaction between medicines and the sun.
      The reasons for the increased risk of skin cancer are varied. 
Smith attributes the rise in skin cancer to more leisure time and 
population shifts from north to south. He said people who stay indoors 
most of the time, but go out occasionally and get sunburned, are at 
the greatest risk of developing melanoma.
      According to Smith, it's easy to protect yourself from the risk 
of sunburn and skin cancer. Avoiding the midday sun, wearing hats and 
long-sleeved shirts, and applying a sunscreen are common-sense 
defenses.
      "Sunscreens should be applied to all areas of the skin exposed 
to sunlight. When swimming, careful attention to application 
instructions will ensure the best protection," Smith said.
      Early-warning signs of skin cancer are red, scaly spots, 
irregular dark spots, changes in moles or any change in an adult's 
skin. If you find any of these early warning signs of skin cancer, 
contact a dermatologist.
      According to Smith, skin cancers detected and treated early are 
easy to cure.
     (From a 7th MEDCOM release.)


Direct-deposit checking required of almost all defense personnel

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- Department of the Army civilians -- if 
you've been hired, promoted or transferred as of Aug. 1, you can bank 
on having your paycheck earmarked for direct deposit.
      This practice of "electronic funds transfer" has become routine 
for most soldiers' paychecks, but only now will part of the civilian 
work force come under mandatory coverage, said Army finance officials.
      They pointed out that current employees not enrolled in the 
program are excluded from the requirement. But once they undergo a 
competitive promotion or reassignment, they must enroll. They have 60 
days to enroll, from the date they become subject to the rule.
      Officials explained that the change-over has advantages for both 
the payer and the payee. For example, the Defense Department saves 
money by eliminating the costs of printing, mailing, processing and 
replacing checks. In turn, enrollees gain increased security, safety 
and convenience from their money's automatic deposit at the opening of 
business on the payment date, plus elimination of special trips to 
deposit or cash Treasury checks. Another advantange: no more loss or 
delay of paychecks sent through the mail.
      Note: If you're a DA civilian choosing to retire, your new 
status as an annuitant on the rolls of the U.S. Office of Personnel 
Management will require you to enroll.


Pentagon unveils replica Buffalo Soldier

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- History became a current event Aug. 14 
when top military leaders gathered at the Pentagon to unveil a replica 
of the Buffalo Soldiers monument.
      The monument's original version was recently dedicated at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kan.
      On hand for viewing the replica were representatives of units 
whose exploits in the Old West earned their black soldiers the Indian-
coined nickname Buffalo Soldiers.
      Among the representatives were 107-year-old Jones Morgan, of the 
10th Cavalry Regiment and Percy Jones, 100, of the 9th Cavalry 
Regiment.
      In the ceremony's opening remarks, Army Chief of Staff Gen. 
Gordon R. Sullivan said that the monument and its now-Pentagon-based 
replica of a horse-mounted black soldier are meant "to honor a group 
of soldiers who served their country selflessly."
      For his part, Army Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff and prime mover in the monument's creation, said that 
the monument serves to "inspire us by the spirit of the Buffalo 
Soldier." 
      With every sacrifice, America's black soldiers "moved a little 
ahead" in gaining recognition for their devotion and achievements, 
Powell said. He depicted the monument as "a symbol for the entire 
country" -- one that can help unite society in coping with racial 
conflict.


Army Olympians return from Spain

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- Shooters, a runner, a wrestler and a 
martial artist -- one of these earned a medal at the Barcelona 
Olympics, but all came home victors just for competing in the highest 
level of international sports.
      Of the many athletes who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics, 
15 were soldiers, including bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling 
Rodney Smith. 
      The nation's leadership welcomed home all the military 
Olympians, Aug. 12. President Bush greeted them at the White House, as 
did Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney at the Pentagon. The soldier-
athletes also met Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan and Sgt. 
Maj. of the Army Richard A. Kidd.
      Dressed alike in their flag-inspired warm-up suits at a Pentagon 
press briefing, the Army Olympians talked about the thrill of 
international competition. But whatever love they have for their 
sport, these athletes agreed that they are "soldiers first."
      "Like everybody else in the military, we know what's first," 
said Leo White, who progressed through five rounds of judo -- one 
short of a bronze medal. "First you're a soldier. You have all these 
glass balls you have to juggle, and you don't want any of them to 
drop."
      That juggling once required him to take two years off from 
serious judo training so he could be a transportation company com-
mander. He said he doesn't regret the time off, because the command 
experience yielded valuable lessons and a sense of accomplishment.
      White pointed out that most Olympians are full-time athletes. 
But his priority is his Army career.
      "You have to do the job. What good is it being a captain and 
Olympic athlete when it's time to go to war? Would you want me to be 
your operations officer or company commander?" he asked. "You have to 
keep proficient."
      An Army career was a natural progression for Kristin Peterson, 
who has been competing on the rifle range since childhood.
      "The Army is wonderful, because it gives women the opportunity 
to pursue a career that's not really a traditional women's career," 
she said. She admitted that riflery also isn't typically feminine, 
"but rifle shooting is very easy for women to compete on the same 
level as men."
      Now that Peterson has represented her country in the Olympics, 
she's ready settle to down to work.
      "I feel it's important that I go out now and contribute 
something beneficial to the Army, other than just shooting," she said. 
Peterson looks forward to working in the Adjutant General Corps, and 
hopes to live the Olympic dream again in 1996.
      Also shooting for the next Olympic games is Rodney Smith. With 
the bronze medal hanging from his neck, the generator mechanic said 
the Army enhanced his wrestling skills.
      "My background and the Army went hand-in-hand," he said, 
explaining that discipline is a big part of wrestling and soldiering.
      At 26 years, Smith said he made the Olympic team "prematurely," 
because most wrestlers reach their peak between ages 29 and 31, he 
said.
      "I haven't reached my prime yet," he said. "For a Greco-Roman 
wrestler, I'm real young. So 1996 should be my year."
      In the meantime he, like the others, will continue to be a 
soldier, balancing his life between Olympic glories and mundane 
duties.
      "You can't only be a great athlete," he explained. "You have to 
be a great human being. And there's another dimension: You have to be 
a great soldier."

      The 1992 Army Olympians, their sports and units are --
     -- Staff Sgt. Ben Amonette, free air pistol, U.S. Army Reserve, 
Radford, Va.
     -- 1st Lt. Michael T. Anti, free rifle prone, U.S. Army 
Marksmanship Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Callahan, sport pistol, U.S. Army 
Reserve, Upper Marlboro, Md.
     -- Staff Sgt. Bret E. Erickson, trap shooting, U.S. Army 
Marksmanship Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Staff Sgt. Jonathan P. Frazer, pistol, U.S. Army Marksmanship 
Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Spc. James T. Graves, trap and skeet shooting, U.S. Army 
Marksmanship Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- 1st Lt. David Johnson, three-position rifle, U.S. Army 
Reserve, Hampton, Va.
     -- Capt. John T. McNally, rapid fire pistol, U.S. Army 
Marksmanship Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Spc. Ruth Morris, track and field, Presidio of San Francisco, 
Calif.
     -- 2nd Lt. Kristin Peterson, rifle, U.S. Army Marksmanship 
Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Spc. Rodney Smith, Greco-Roman wrestling, 29th Infantry 
Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Spc. Thomas P. Tamas, three-position rifle, U.S. Army 
Marksmanship Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Spc. Jay H. Waldron, trap shooting, U.S. Army Marksmanship 
Training Unit, Fort Benning, Ga.
     -- Capt. Leo White, judo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 
765th Transportation Company, Fort Eustis, Va.
     -- Staff Sgt. Darius Young, free air pistol, U.S. Army Reserve, 
Grangeville, Ind.


Organization supports military athletes

      WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) -- Dreams of Olympic glory dazzle athletes 
of all ages and drive them to excellence. But talent and dedication 
aren't enough to reach the coveted medal stand. Without funding, many 
aspiring champions will never compete.
      The U.S. Military Sports Association supports servicemembers who 
reach for athletic excellence.
      Congress declared in 1955 that no military athletes should be 
kept from competition, such as the Olympics and the Pan-American 
Games, just because they were in the armed forces. The secretary of 
defense then provided $50,000 a year per service, for training 
athletes.
      In 1955, that amount was sufficient. But it didn't change with 
the times, and there's now a financial gap for athletes to meet on 
their own.
      Since 1983, USMSA has helped fill that gap. The organization 
recognizes that teamwork, self-discipline and physical fitness are 
integral to victory, both on the playing field and on the battlefield.
      Over the years, the armed forces have represented the United 
States by winning more than 150 Olympic medals -- 76 of them gold. No 
other group or institution in America comes close to that mark.
      Athletes like Spc. Rodney Smith continue to carry on the 
military presence in the Olympics. He won a bronze medal in Greco-
Roman wrestling in Barcelona, Spain. However, he is no longer the 
norm, as fewer military athletes compete, finding service incompatible 
with the demands and funding their training demands.
      One of USMSA's purposes, according to its brochure, is to 
promote military athletic participation in the United States. It also 
helps develop national and international programs for amateur athletes 
in the military.
      "If military athletes have the will to endure the long, arduous 
training required to become a national-caliber athlete, USMSA will 
provide a way," said the organization's president, Thomas L. Moore, in 
the summer 1992 issue of Military Sports, a USMSA magazine.
      "Given the constraints of today's military budgets, an 
organization like USMSA is sorely needed to work out the tough issues 
and 'make it happen' for the military athlete," he said.
      USMSA honors military athletes with its own awards, too. The 
Base Athlete of the Year program operates at nearly 500 installations 
around the world. The award observes on-base sports participation and 
athletes' performance of military duties.
      Also, in cooperation with the Armed Forces Sports Committee, 
USMSA chooses the top male and female athletes from each service. The 
Armed Forces Athlete of the Year is then selected from this group.
      Corporate sponsors are important to USMSA, in helping athletes 
receive funds for training and competing. And in 1988, USMSA was 
included in the Combined Federal Campaign, allowing it to receive 
donations from the military community. No other CFC association grants 
aid to military athletes.
      "The impact of CFC funds," Moore said, "is best illustrated by 
this fact: In 1983, the year USMSA was chartered, funds were available 
to assist only three athletes. By the end of 1989, assistance was 
provided to more than 3,000."
      Eligible athletes can receive up to $1,000 from USMSA.
      To see how you or your team can get USMSA sponsorship, call 
(703) 836-1288 or write to: USMSA, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 308, 
Alexandria, Va., 22314.

-- 
         
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