SUMMER 2002 SUMMER 2002

MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

An Army of One
2 Army Reserve Magazine

Volume 48, Number 2, Summer 2002

Since 1954. America’s largest circulating military magazine

NEWS AND FEATURES

4 Army Reserve Changes Leadership During Time of War

12 NEWS BRIEFS

10 Reservist Serves As Senior ‘Enduring Freedom’ Media Official

8 Knoxville-Based CA Unit Helps Afghan Town Following Earthquake

18 ‘Inspiration’: A Father’s Tribute To Son Ill Receives National Acclaim

Lewis and Clark Commemoration Announced

Jobs Available in Joint Transportation Unit

Employer Recoginized for Support of Guard and Reserve

Reservists Improve Communications

7th ARCOM Changes Leaders

New Chief, Army Reserve, page 4

Army Reserve Historians “Make History”

FRONT COVER: Spc. Sandra

Mercado shares her experiences

as part of the Army of One ad campaign (See story, page 36)

BACK COVER: Capt. Joe

McMahan of the 489th Civil Affairs

Battalion, his interpreter Yama, and

a local worker organize a project at

the Sultan Rasi Girls School in

Mazir-e Sharif, Afghanistan. The

Army Reserve unit is part of a Civil

Affairs team based in the city.

(Photo by Sgt. Kevin P. Bell)

LT. GEN. JAMES R. HELMLY

CSM. ALEX R. LACKEY

COL. GARY M. PROFIT

MR. AL SCHILF

MASTER SGT. VICKI WASHINGTON

Chief, Army Reserve

Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve

Dir., Public Affairs & Liaison Directorate

Chief, Public Affairs Branch

Editor-in-Chief

16 MPs Return From Peacekeeping Duties

EDITOR’S NOTE: Page 55 incorrectly credits the photo.

The photo was taken by Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Luster, 354th

Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

CA in Afghanistan, page 8 Inspiration, page 18 Troops To Teacher Program Extended to Reservists
Summer 2002 3

26 The Keepers of History: MHD Units Preserve Army Past

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Do not write the magazine. TPU soldiers should notify their

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30 Civil Affairs: 478th CAB Train at JRTC

31 19th TAACOM Soldiers Get Realistic Training With Virtual Equipment

41 Friendly Competition: Unique Rivalry Amongst Unit Members

42 From Racing to Receipts: Driver Leaves Track for AGR Program

32 Army Reservist ‘Jumps’ In To Honor Military Women

35 Medic Sets Sites On Making Army Reserve Shooting Team

40 Renowned Surgeon Joins Army Reserve at Age 58

44 Hero of Pentagon Attack Awarded Soldier’s Medal

45 Army Reserve Woman Awarded Purple Heart

PEOPLE

KUDOS

Documenting History, page 26

TRAINING

22 341st MPs ‘Attack” Fort Ord

36 An Army of One: Spc. Sandra Mercado

39 Climbing Mountains: 7th ARCOM ‘Cycles’ Through Germany

5 From the CSM

17 From AR-PERSCOM

46 Snapshots

DEPARTMENTS

Medal

Recipients
4 Army Reserve Magazine

By Lt. Col. Randy Pullen

May 2002 brought a change

in the leadership of the Army

Reserve. 

Maj. Gen. James R. Helmly

took command of the U.S.

Army Reserve Command

from Lt. Gen. Thomas J.

Plewes in a May 3 ceremony

held at Fort McPherson, Ga.

By the end of the month,

Plewes had retired from the

Army, ending a 36-year

career, Helmly had taken his

place as the Chief, Army

Reserve (CAR), and he had also been promoted to lieutenant general.

Although this changing of the top leadership is something that normally takes place about every four years,

there were a couple of unique features this year.

For one thing, Helmly’s promotion to lieutenant general

made him only the second CAR to wear three stars.

Plewes had been the first when he was promoted in June

2001.

The other feature that made this leadership change different from others in recent memory is that it took place

during time of war — the global war against terrorism that

began when terrorists killed thousands of Americans on

September 11, 2001.

The “gravity of the moment” — what Helmly called

accepting command of USARC during a state of war —

was both humbling and sobering to the two-tour combat

veteran of Vietnam. In accepting the responsibility of

command, he spoke of the challenges faced by the Army

Reserve and by Army Reserve leaders at all levels.

“We are honored to serve our country and its citizens,

especially so now,” Helmly said. “Our proud predecessors

sacrificed much to create the country that we enjoy today.

It is now our turn to sacrifice.”

Noting that many had already met the call to serve, he

said that it was only a matter of time before many more

will be called to replace and augment those on duty now.

“It is necessary that we go about preparing for this with

a sense of energy and dispatch,” Helmly said. “As leaders,

it is our solemn and sworn obligation that we should send

no soldier forward unprepared and untrained. No soldier

should ever suffer from a lack of the toughest, most rigorous and demanding training that we can possibly provide

— we will make sure our soldiers get that training.”

Army Reserve Future

Helmly said that the Army Reserve would also build

upon the immense improvements made in family readiness

initiated by Lt. Gen. Plewes and Elizabeth Plewes and by

Maj. Gen. Craig Bambrough and Sue Bambrough, because

“it is not only soldiers we send to war, it is the family members, whose hearts, memories and love also accompany our

soldiers to war.”

Improved family readiness was an important accomplishment during Plewes’ tenure as the Chief, Army

Reserve. It joined a long list of successes and achievements

that had taken place in the four years since Plewes had

assumed the dual responsibilities of CAR and CG,

USARC. 

During these years, the last half of the dynamic postGulf War decade, the Army Reserve had created a new

vision for itself and used this vision as its living blueprint

for transformation. This transformation, which began in

peacetime, now continues while at war.

Because of improvements in readiness — the Army

Reserve was at its highest measured readiness in history

when the terrorist attacks on America took place — it was

able to respond immediately and decisively on September

11 and has continued to do so since, even as greater and

greater demands were placed on Army Reserve units, soldiers and capabilities in the war on terrorism. 

Until 2000, the Army Reserve had not made its recruiting goals in a decade. The recruiting mission was made in

2000, was made again in 2001 and the Army Reserve is on

track to achieve mission success in 2002.Top-driven

emphasis, hard work by leaders, recruiters and soldiers

throughout the Army Reserve, and numerous initiatives

and incentives paid off.

Other Priorities

Another priority was the commander’s program of retention. This, too, was a success story. For both recruiting and

retention, success was achieved with no lowering of quality standards.

In the area of resources, the Army Reserve went from a

$3.2 Billion Army Reserve budget in 1998 to a more than

$4.6 Billion budget in 2002. It is on track for a $5.4 Billion

budget in 2003, which will be a 70 percent increase from

the 1998 one. More funding meant more Full-Time

Support personnel to improve readiness, better facilities to

‘Gravity of the Moment...’

Army Reserve Changes Leadership During Time of War

Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly,

Chief, Army Reserve.

See CAR, page 6
Summer 2002 5

WASHINGTON, D.C.–When Command Sgt. Major Alex

Ray Lackey, Command Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army

Reserve, left his Old Kentucky Home in Bowling Green

more than two years ago to accept the top non-commissioned officer’s position, he made it clear the door to his

new office would always be open. 

“If you ever get a chance to visit me at the Pentagon, just

give me a call,” I had remembered him saying to the soldiers of the 100th Division where he had been Command

Sergeant Major before moving to D.C.

Having worked along side of Sgt. Major Lackey at

Division Headquarters in Louisville, I decided to accept

the offer during a recent visit to the Pentagon.

Rather than just dropping in, I e-mailed the sergeant

major and received a response the same day. “Sure,” the

response read, “I have to testify in congress, but I am sure

I can find time to meet with you.” Since the Army

Reserve’s top enlisted man receives more than 100 e-mails

a day, I was quite impressed that I received such a quick

answer. I later found out that he insists on answering each

message personally.

A couple of days later, we scheduled lunch.

I arrived in D.C. in February along with fellow Army

Reservists on AT (Annual Training). After driving around a

maze of concrete road barriers, my colleague and I found a

place to park. While briskly walking to the entrance of the

wounded Pentagon building, we noticed the Military

Police were “locked and loaded,” covering various avenues

of approach on the highways surrounding the huge five

sided building.

Once inside the building, the security guards ensured we

were thoroughly screened and given proper temporary

passes. The guards unexpectedly briefed us on the importance of the timely submission of NCOERs and OERs. A

real value-added approach to security, I thought.

After negotiating several corridors, I realized why the

building has been referred to as the “Puzzle Palace.” The

Pentagon is full of life. Everyone was moving quickly, with

determined, mission-focused images chiseled on their

faces. Finally, we found the Office of the Chief, Army

Reserve and greeted the sergeant major.

He immediately gave me a block of instruction on the

“Pentagon Walk,” which is somewhere in between quicktime and double-time march. As we walked briskly toward

the Pentagon Dining Room, Lackey described the added

demands on his schedule since September 11th. 

“Since 9-11, I have constantly traveled around the world

visiting with deployed members of the Army Reserve,” he

said. “I am a master of my own schedule, but often feel I

have to be everywhere at the same time.”

As we sat down to eat a quick lunch, I had the opportunity to ask Lackey a few questions regarding the position

he holds, and the demands on his time.

What are the demands of being the Army Reserve’s Top

Non-Commissioned Soldier?

He described the job as rewarding and enjoyable, but

often a challenge when it comes to protocol.

“I am an ‘old country boy’ from Kentucky, and it has

been a challenge getting accustomed to the protocol surrounding the many events I attend. It has been a personal

struggle, but I have become more comfortable in the past

year.”

As you travel around the world, what is on the minds of

our soldiers?

“Afghanistan and Training. Many soldiers tell me they

want to go to Afghanistan,” he continued. “They are all

highly motivated and moral is high,” explained Lackey.

Other concerns Lackey has heard involve the amount of

annual training days needed to accomplish a specific mission. “In the field, more days are always needed to train to

the highest standard,” he added.

How did Sept. 11th affect the future of the Army

Reserve?

“Perhaps the Army Reserve will be allowed more service support and combat support units. More military police,

chemical corps, special operations force and civil affairs

appears to be needed,” he said. 

You are the highest-ranking Non-Commissioned Officer

in the Army Reserve, what has been the key to your success?

“What has made me so successful was sticking to what

From the Command Sergeant Major From the Command Sergeant Major

Command Sgt. Maj. Alex R. Lackey

‘Lunch with The CSM of the Army Reserve’

By Sgt. First Class Darren Patterson

See CSM COLUMN, page 7

During the past three years, I

have traveled around the world

visiting soldiers. Following my

trips, I prepare an After Action

Review (AAR) and write articles

about things that you are interested in or have concerns about.

Recently, Sgt. First Class Darren

Patterson visited me at the

Pentagon and wrote about his experience. I thought it

would be appropriate to use it for this for this article and I

hope you enjoy reading it.
6 Army Reserve Magazine

enhance Quality of Life/Quality of Service and improve

retention, and more training opportunities for more soldiers.

Throughout the Plewes’ years as CAR, the Army

Reserve had been a relevant and essential component of

The Army. It conducted a hasty mobilization, engaged in

and continues to engage in a global battle against terrorism; it supported the Army’s day-to-day operations before

September 11 and is continuing to do so; it is fully engaged

in Army Transformation; and it was sustaining the Army

Reserve and Army National Guard partnership —- a partnership spearheaded and made a reality by Plewes. This

partnership gets stronger as Army Reservists and Army

National Guard soldiers work side-by-side defending the

homeland.

And because of the successes in all of the five R’s — the

five R’s were Plewes’ method to list his priorities and then

report back on how well the Army Reserve was doing in

each area — because of all the Army Reserve did and all

that the men and women of the Army Reserve continue to

do, Plewes liked to say that a sixth R has been added for

the Army Reserve — respect. The Army Reserve was

respected by its leaders in the military and government and

by the American people it served. It was respected for

what it had done and what it can do.

“Our Army Reserve is more ready, more prepared and

stronger than at any time since World War II,” Helmly said.

He credited this to the strength and vision of the two

great leaders who had preceded him, Plewes and Maj. Gen.

Max Baratz (CAR and CG, USARC, from Feb. 1994 to

May 1998), as well as to all the soldiers of the Army

Reserve.

CAR Background

Before becoming the CAR and the commanding general

of USARC, Helmly was the commanding general of the

78th Division (Training Support), headquartered in Edison,

New Jersey. Prior to this assignment, he served as the

Deputy Chief, Army Reserve (DCAR), Washington, DC.

In his civilian occupation before becoming the CAR,

Helmly was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for

Operations at the Total Army Personnel Command,

Alexandria, Va.

A native of Savannah, Ga., Helmly entered the Army as

an enlisted soldier in 1966 and received his commission

from through Officer Candidate School in 1967. He has

more than 36 years of service in the active Army and Army

Reserve. He has commanded at all levels, from infantry

platoon and company to maintenance battalion, area support group, training division and now USARC.

After serving as the DCAR from June 1995 to June

1999, he served as the commander of the joint task force

CAR, from page 4

(above) In one of his sadder duties as CAR, Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Plewes, presents an American flag "on behalf of a grateful nation" to Patricia Scales at Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 11, 2001. Col. David M. Scales, an Active Guard

Reserve officer assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, was killed in the Sept. 11 Pentagon

attack. (right) Gen. Larry R. Ellis, commanding general of Forces Command, passes the U.S. Army Reserve Command

(USARC) flag to Maj. Gen. James R. Helmly, incoming USARC commanding general. Photo by Lt. Col. Randy Pullen
Summer 2002 7

conducting Operation PROVIDE REFUGE at Fort Dix,

N.J., from June 1999 to August 1999. Until taking command of the 78th Division in May 2001, he was the

Military Assistant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs

(Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of the

Assistant Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC, from

October 1999 to May 2001.

His military education includes the Infantry Officer

Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General

Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College and the

Army War College. He has a bachelor’s degree in liberal

studies from the State University of New York in Albany.

Among his numerous awards and decorations are the

Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with one

Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with Valor Device and

three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal

with silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation

Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Combat

Infantryman Badge. He also wears the Ranger Tab, the

Parachutist Badge and the Army Staff Identification

Badge. He has also twice been awarded the Meritorious

Civilian Service Medal.

Lt. Col. Pullen is with the Public Affairs and Liaison

Directorate, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve in

Washington. D.C.

U.S. Army Photo

Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly (center), Chief, Army Reserve, is congratulated by Gen.

Eric K. Shinseki, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, on Helmly's promotion to three-star

general, while Maria Helmly continues to work on pinning the rank on her husband's shoulder.

worked for me,” he said. 

Soldiers should work out their own problems before taking them to their supervisor or boss. “I always felt that if I

brought a problem to my commander, then I was the problem. Most importantly, you must do your job and stay

focused on what you are doing to be successful. If you

stick to doing your job the best you can, then promotions

and opportunities will come your way.”

What message would you like to send to the troops? 

“For leaders, focus on what your soldiers need, not

want”, “For all members of the Army Reserve, prepare

your self mentally, physically, and financially for the missions you may be asked to perform,” said Lackey. “Don’t

forget, family members, fellow employees and employers

should be prepared, also,” advised Lackey. He expressed

his thankfulness to all that have helped him along the way.

“To all, I appreciate the support over the years,” “I could

not have been so successful alone.”

What would you like to be remembered for?

“I feel like I am making a difference,” said the career

soldier. “One legacy I hope to leave behind is that I have

brought the Soldier of the Year and NCO of the Year

awards to a new level.” 

This part of his legacy is clearly identifiable. Down the

hallway from his office, portraits of the awardees hang

proudly for passers-by to see.

He’ll leave behind another legacy -- one not as obvious

as a photograph but as powerful -- that of how to “Lead By

Example.”

(Note from Command Sgt. Maj. Lackey: I would like

to congratulate Lt. Gen. Helmly, the tenth Chief,

Army Reserve and fifth Commander of the U.S. Army

Reserve Command, and his wife Maria.)

Sgt. 1st Class Patterson is the 100th Division Public

Affairs Chief, Louisville, KY

CSM COLUMN, from page 5
By Cpl. Holly Plata 

KABUL, Afghanistan (Army News Service)—Three

Chinook helicopters and a handful of Army Reservists

descended on Nahrin, a small town of adobe buildings in

northern Afghanistan, after an earthquake there March 25

killed at least 700 local residents. 

As people ran from the dust clouds that billowed up

when the helicopters were landing, infantry soldiers from

the 101st Airborne Division immediately jumped out of the

Chinooks and formed a perimeter around the aircraft to

secure the landing zone. They were ready for action. 

So were the civil affairs soldiers standing by with a team

of 30 Afghan workers ready to unload much-needed supplies to the earthquake-stricken village. 

When Brig. Gen. David Kratzer, commander of the

Coalition Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force,

heard of the disaster in Nahrin, he quickly sent his soldiers

to help. 

“The CJCMOTF is well-suited for this sort of mission

because we bridge the gap between war and peace. In this

case, we are bridging the gap between disaster and normal

life,” said Kratzer, who is also the deputy commanding

general of the 377th Theater Support Command, an Army

Reserve unit out of New Orleans, La. 

The CJCMOTF, based in Kabul, sent out its immediate

reaction force and four of its medical staff to conduct an

initial assessment to see what was needed. 

“We set up ground coordination with the United Nations

to let them know we were coming in to hand over goods to

be distributed,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael France, with

the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit

based in Knoxville, Tenn. 

The 489th soldiers proved that flexibility and creativity

are the keys to humanitarian missions. 

“As the needs of the people on the ground changed, we

called back and changed the shipments mid-route,” said

France, who is from Strawberry Plains, Tenn. 

Part of the task force’s mission was to layout the landing

zone for several helicopters in a nearby field. After the

Chinooks landed, the task force was in charge of off-loading and sorting the supplies. 

Army Reservists Bring Relief to Afghan Town

Following Devastating Earthquake

Staff Sgt. Turk Yordy, of the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, samples the water in a well in the town of

Morghan-Kechah, Afghanistan

Photo By: Sgt Kevin P. Bell

8 Army Reserve Magazine
Summer 2002 9

“I was in charge of a team of Afghans hired to help offload the CH-47s,” said Spc. Larry Sellers, a 489th soldier

from Somerset, Ky. 

The 489th soldiers and Afghan workers had some difficulties with language barriers at first, but they quickly

developed basic hand signals. Soon they were all working

together without any trouble, Sellers said. 

The operation lasted for three days during which thousands of supplies were unloaded. The group unloaded 380

duffle bags full of cold-weather clothing, 125 cases of

dates, 154 five-gallon containers of water, 1,238 cases of

bottled water, 261 bags of wheat, 420 cases of MREs

(Meals-Ready-to-Eat), and 95 boxes of blankets. Tents for

temporary shelter were also delivered. 

They delivered several-thousand pounds of basic medical supplies, as well as infusions, drugs, reusable medical

supplies and health equipment. 

The CJCMOTF Public Health Team saw 400 patients

their first day on the ground and 120 on the second day.

They also met with the minister of public health, Dr. Sohila

Sedqui, and her team, to assist them with whatever they

needed. 

Some of the urgent needs were food, water, clothing and

blankets for the patients, especially because some of them

were on the bare ground in the harsh cold of the mountains. 

“It was a lot of hard work, but we did a good thing. I

believe it will help the people of Afghanistan. It was a good

effort to get supplies to an area that might not have gotten

them if there hadn’t been an earthquake,” said Maj. David

Floyd, a medical service officer with 3rd Medical

Command, from Bluff Park, Ala. 

When the soldiers left they turned all of the supplies

over to international organizations and non-governmental

organizations to complete the disaster relief. 

Cpl. Plata is a member of the 314th Press Camp

Headquarters, Birmingham, Ala.

Maj. Harry Sisson of the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion prepares to

examine a well on the other side of the gate in the town of

Morghan-Kechah, Afghanistan 

An Afghan man and his son lead their donkey

south along then new Kabul Road in Afghanistan,

having gathered a load of hay used in crafting

mud bricks. The Hindu Kush Mountains can be

seen in the background.

Army Reservists from the 489th Civil Affairs

Battalion, Knoxvillle, Tenn., soldiers from the

10th Mountain Division, and the International

Security and Assistance Force (ISAF), load supplies onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Kabul

International Airport. 

Photo By: Sgt Kevin P. Bell

Photo by Capt. Tom Bryant Photo By: Sgt Kevin P. Bell
10 Army Reserve Magazine

By Lt. Col. Randy Pullen

Thanksgiving 2001 was unlike any other experienced by

Army Reserve Brig. Gen. John R. Hawkins III, known far

and wide by his nickname of “Hawk.” The Deputy Chief,

Public Affairs (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), at

Headquarters, Department of the Army, had been tapped

for a key mission by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for

Public Affairs, Victoria Clarke. He was to assist in leading

one of three Coalition Information Centers (CIC) established by the U.S. and Great Britain.

On November 25, 2001, Thanksgiving Sunday, Hawkins

bade farewell to his wife and two children and his job as a

lobbyist with the Paul Magliocchetti and Associates

(PMA) Group in Arlington, Va. He was setting out on a

journey that would take him to the Islamic Republic of

Pakistan and the Islamic State of Afghanistan, the front

lines of the war against terrorism. 

His first stop was at Fort Benning, Ga., where he got his

last shots and briefings before deploying. After arriving in

Islamabad, he took up duties as the senior military official

at the CIC or CIS in this military theater of operation. The

CIC in Islamabad, Pakistan, is called the Coalition

Information Service (CIS) instead of a “Center” because of

host nation sensitivities.

Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf suggested the

name change to the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan. 

“He did so because he viewed the word Center as a word

that implies permanency as to location,” Hawkins said.

“The president of Pakistan wisely chose to reduce any concerns of the locals that U.S. permanency in Pakistan was

increasing. We, the U.S. military in Pakistan, are never

allowed to wear uniforms if we stand the risk of public

exposure. The rationale is that calm is more likely to prevail in the streets of Islamic countries when the ‘U.S. military foot print’ is minimized.”

When Hawkins arrived, the purpose of the CIS was to

counter disinformation by the Taliban and Al Qaeda and to

provide a forum for the release of the facts relevant to the

coalition partner’s activities in the war against terrorism.

This function centered on getting information and preparing the ambassador to conduct live media briefs. Under

Hawkins’ direction, the CIS became a location from which

reporters and opinion leaders from around the world would

be invited to “...go to Afghanistan, see what is going on

and report the news as you find it.” 

Hawkins went on to say, “...you know, I’ve never been

one to fear what one of our soldiers, sailors, airmen,

Marines or members of the Coast Guard may say. They

epitomize honesty and patriotism while engaged in missions.”

Hawkins visited Afghanistan numerous times and with

the help of his international military and civilian staff, he

set up and facilitated media visits while continuing to offer

his location in Islamabad as a platform for press briefings.

Islamabad was a good location for these briefings, considering the alternative. 

“Zero infrastructure in Afghanistan. With the exception

of quick feeds, you need a good platform like Islamabad,

Pakistan to optimize electronic media activities,” said

Hawkins. 

While in Afghanistan to facilitate media stories, he experienced much more than administrative roadblocks to

untangle. 

“Once you go to a place ravaged by 23 years of war, you

realize how very fortunate we in the United States really

are,” Hawkins said. “Land mines everywhere. Every type

Army Reservist Serves As Senior “Enduri

Army Reserve Brig. Gen. John R. Hawkins,

III, Military Director of the Coalition

Information Service, Islamabad, Pakistan

(left) and Army Reserve Lt. Col. Pete Pearse,

who headed the Public Affairs Cell of the

Coalition Joint Civil-Military Operations Task

Force (CJCMOTF) in Kabul, Afghanistan

(right), pose with an Afghan bodyguard during one of Hawkins’ trips to Kabul to meet

with the public affairs team there.
Summer 2002 11

and any kind of human necessity is a

blessing for the people.” 

“It is interesting that one of my drivers/interpreters told me that in his opinion, if Afghanistan could have public

schools like the U.S., such atrocities

would be impossible,” Hawkins related.

“This young 21-year-old went on to say

that an informed and educated people

cannot be tricked into situations such as

those perpetrated on him and his people

by the Taliban and Al Qaeda. 

Hawkins had a solid background for

this assignment which called for a multitude of skills and talents. Most of his

civilian and military career has been in

public affairs, public relations and congressional relations. His education

includes a master of public administration and an American University law

degree, with study of international law at

the University of London in the United

Kingdom. His military education

includes completion of the Defense

Information School and the National

Security Fellowship Program at the John

F. Kennedy School of Government,

Harvard University. 

As the senior military public affairs

person in the South Central Asia theater

of operations, he has had the opportunity to interact with

people such as Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United

Kingdom, numerous ambassadors, U.S. and foreign cabinet officials, U.S. congressional and coalition parliamentary officials, and Gen. Tommy R. Franks, the Commander

in Chief of U.S. Central Command.

“The people who have impressed me most are the soldiers, sailors, Marines, members of the Air Force, the

Coast Guard and the embassy staffs who work until whatever mission they are doing is done – no matter the hour -

no matter the day,” Hawkins said. “We will never be able

to thank them enough for their selfless service.”

He says that his experiences thus far in South Central

Asia, and including the Arabian Sea, have reaped some targeted positive results. There have been some unexpected

rewards as well. 

“As we at the Coalition Information Service Islamabad

create more and more interaction between the Arab and

Islamic press with coalition activities and individuals,” he

said, “the reporting by this Muslim-oriented media of

coalition actions has become more factual and even more

friendly.” 

“However, the opportunity to witness first hand the true

personification of the term ‘one team one fight’ has been a

reward in itself. Whether in the mountains of Afghanistan,

the streets of Pakistan, or, while on board the aircraft carriers U.S.S Theodore Roosevelt and John C. Stennis, the

outstanding exhibition of working together without respect

to component or service was marvelous. No time for differences – only time for similarities,” Hawkins said.

Note: At the time of this article, Brig. Gen. Hawkins

was still in theater. He has since returned to the

United States. Lt. Col. Pullen is with the Public

Affairs and Liaison Directorate, Office of the Chief,

Army Reserve, Washington, DC.

ring Freedom” Media Official in Theater

Brig. Gen. John Hawkins addresses sailors on the U.S.S. John C. Stennis during an African American History Month observance.
7th ARCOM Changes

Leaders 

By Lt. Col. Burt Masters

SCHWETZINGEN,

Germany— The

European-based 7th

U.S. Army Reserve

Command

(ARCOM) conducted a change of command in April, bidding farewell to Brig.

Gen. Paul D. Patrick,

and welcoming Brig. Gen. David T. Zabecki

as the new commander. Overseeing the

event was the U.S. Army Europe’s Deputy

Chief of Staff, Operations, Maj. Gen. Terry

L. Tucker. 

Brig. Gen. Patrick commanded the 7th

ARCOM since Apr. 1, 1998. During his

tenure, he led the command’s 22 Reserve

units in support of U.S. Army Europe

(USAREUR) and its major subordinate

commands. Patrick’s major initiatives

included increasing the readiness of Reserve

forces in Europe; the accreditation of the

7th’s 3747th U.S. Army Training Brigade,

Europe and its expansion of professional

development courses throughout

USAREUR; and the launching of the

Equipment Storage Site-Expanded operation. He also consolidated Reserve unit

structure and support in the form of designated Army Reserve Centers in honor of

Army heroes – in Kaiserslautern, the Maj.

Gen. James Earl Rudder Center - and

Bamberg, the Pvt. 1st Class Willy F. James,

Jr. Center.

The incoming commander, Brig. Gen.

Zabecki, returns to the ARCOM from

assignment as the Deputy Chief, U.S. Army

Reserve (Individual Mobilization

Augmentee), Washington, D.C. A charter

member of the 7th ARCOM, Zabecki has

served as the command’s Chief of Staff;

Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, including

mobilized service during NATO’s

Operations Joint Endeavor; and commanded

two of the ARCOM’s units (313th

RTOC/303 ROC). Zabecki is a Vietnam

combat veteran and professional military

historian. In his civilian career, he is the

Editor of Vietnam magazine, and the author

or editor of numerous military history books

and articles. He is a 1995 graduate of the

U.S. Army War College.

Lt. Col. Burt Masters is the 7th Army

Reserve Command Public Affairs

Officer.

Reservists Improving

Communications

By Capt. Rebecca P. Leggieri

Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Plewes, Chief, Army

Reserve, joined Congressman Thomas

Reynolds (R - 27th District, N.Y.) to view

production facilities for the Improved High

Frequency Radio at Harris Corporation – RF

Communications Division in Rochester,

N.Y. on February 19.

Units across the Army Reserve require

this new communication equipment to conduct their missions in joint environments,

cutting across service boundaries. The

Improved High Frequency Radio consists of

the AN/PRC-150 (manpack) AN/VRC-104

(vehicle mounted) versions. 

Harris Corporation is a worldwide supplier of tactical radio communication products, systems, and networks to military and

government organizations, and a provider of

high-grade encryption solutions. 

According to Plewes, the Improved High

Frequency Radio will allow the Army

Reserve to meet challenges posed in the new

war on terrorism. 

As Army Reserve Homeland Security

requirements continue to grow, so does the

importance of a unit’s communications

capability. With the Improved High

Frequency Radio’s capability to pass voice,

video, and data, highly perishable information can be passed immediately between

support forces and participating civil authorities in disaster operations. 

Two Harris employees working on the

Improved High Frequency Radio who are

also Army Reservists met their Reserve

Chief during his visit.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alfred R.

Wiggins is a Senior Engineering Technician

and works in the Tactical Product Support

Engineering. One of Wiggins’ responsibilities includes confirming the Improved High

Frequency Radio is compatible with exist-
Summer 2002 13

ing legacy high frequency communications equipment.

Sgt. Nelson Powell works on the

AN/PRC-150 (manpack) system.

Both Powell and Wiggins are called

upon frequently to bring their military

expertise to the design and operation

of the Improved High Frequency

Radio.

“I am fortunate to work at Harris

because as a 918B Electronic Systems

Maintenance Technician, my civilian

occupation is directly related to and

enhances my military occupation. I

am always applying what I learn in the

military to my civilian occupation and

vice versa,” said Wiggins, currently

serving in the Headquarters and

Headquarters Company, 98th Division

(Institutional Training), Rochester.

Employer’s Support Of

“Citizen-Soldiers”

Recognized 

By Sgt. 1st Class Renea Everage

DECATUR, Ga.—On a Saturday

afternoon in March, the entire formation of the 3d Medical Command

(MEDCOM) of Decatur, Ga. was

called to attention for Marsha

Lawrence. In the sea of camouflaged

military uniforms, the guest of honor’s

business attire stood out. Lawrence

was being lauded as a patriotic and

supportive employer by Master Sgt.

Fannie Jenkins – her employee, and an

Army Reservist.

As the American military gets

smaller, the role of Army Reserve

increases as they are called upon to

provide combat-ready forces that help

protect the nation’s security interests.

Employer support of these “citizensoldiers” is essential to their successful involvement in the military.

The Employer Support of the

National Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

seeks to gain and reinforce the support

of American employers. They have

created a variety of programs and

services to help educate employers

and community leaders about the

important role the National Guard and

Army Reserve play in a strong national defense. One such program recognizes employers who have been nominated by their employees for their

outstanding support. 

Jenkins, a program specialist with

the Department of Health and Human

Services, (DHHS) nominated her

branch manager, Lawrence. Her office

is responsible for providing funding

and training and technical assistance

for Head Start, one of the nation’s premier pre-school programs for children

five and under. They also monitor the

programs for compliance to federal

regulations. Jenkins is responsible for

a caseload of 20 Head Start grantees.

Her area of responsibility covers four

states in the southeastern region of the

United States. 

There is another reason that

Lawrence should be honored as a supportive employer. Another program

specialist under her supervision is

Dolores Varner, also an Army

Reservist and senior non-commissioned officer with the 3d MEDCOM.

There are times during the year when

both soldiers are away performing

their military duties at the same. 

“Annual training puts an even

greater strain on her,” said Jenkins of

Lawrence. “She not only has her own

duties to perform, she also has to take

on the workload of both her soldieremployees.” Jenkins smiled with

pride as she attached and ESGR

“Patriot” pin to Lawrence’s lapel.

Army Reserve and National Guard

members now comprise almost half of

the total Army. With the training

received each year, members of the

Army Reserve are also prepared to

support peacekeeping missions,

humanitarian relief efforts and to

respond to natural and domestic emergencies. In fact, they often perform

duties specifically assigned to unique

Reserve component units. All this is

made possible with the support of

employers like Lawrence.

Jenkins, who has been with DHHS

for 30 years, has also been an Army

Reservist for more than 20 years. She

is currently the senior non-commissioned officer in charge of the Internal

Review section of 3d MEDCOM. Her

military exposure has had a positive

effect on her in and out of uniform.

“Being part of the Army has also

helped me develop a strong work

ethic,” she stated.

The 3d MEDCOM has a critical

role in the nation’s military health care

mission. That role made its involvement in the support of Operation

Enduring Freedom imminent.

Currently, many of the unit’s soldier’s

are deployed to ensure that the U.S.

military has force health protection

equal to none.

On behalf of the Department of

Defense, Maj. Gen. Jamie S. Barkin,

commander of the 3d MEDCOM, also

presented Lawrence with a Certificate

of Appreciation. The certificate came

mounted on a plaque with an

embossed DoD seal in gold. Barkin

fully recognizes the critical role civilian employers of Reserve members

play by supporting them as they train

and serve in the Armed Forces.

“Family and employment are the two

most influential factors in the life of

an Army Reservist,” said Barkin. 

Reservists Sought For

Positions in Joint

Transportation Unit

By Maj. Cliff Mirabella

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.—

The U.S. Transportation Command’s

Master Sgt. Fannie Jenkins, of the 3d

Medical Command, fastens an ESGR

'Patriot' pin to Ms. Marsha

Lawrence's lapel.

Photo by Spc. Caroline Maribei
14 Army Reserve Magazine

Joint Transportation Reserve Unit

(JTRU) has announced it has position

openings in each of the military services.

U.S. Transportation Command

(USTRANSCOM) relies heavily on

Reserve members of the Army,

Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and

Coast Guard to fulfill its mission to

provide air, land, and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.

“We have a unique mission and

important positions available, positions which require a variety of

skills,” said Brig. Gen. Lance Meyer,

Air National Guard, commander of

the USTRANSCOM’s Joint

Transportation Reserve Unit (JTRU),

located here.

“Most of our openings are for midgrade officers and senior non-commissioned officers,” Brig. Gen. Meyer

explained, “We have no slots for junior enlisted or junior officers.”

While there are Reserve vacancies

throughout USTRANSCOM, the

positions of greatest concern fall into

a few key areas.

“We are mostly looking for computer specialists, medical specialists and

intelligence officers, although we also

have openings for Navy supply corps

officers, and officers with operations

or logistics experience,” said Col.

Steve Heuer, Air Force Reserve, chief

of staff of the JTRU and commander

of its Air Force Reserve element.

JTRU members find it exciting

working side-by-side with active component personnel to move the military’s people, supplies, and equipment, anytime, anywhere.

“Being in a unit like this, working a

real-world mission in times of both

war and peace, is a challenge that has

attracted reservists living as far away

as Alabama and even China” said

Brig. Gen Meyer, himself a native of

Ohio.

Individuals interested in more

information on positions with the

JTRU should contact Col. Steve

Heuer at 618-229-7072, (or DSN 229-

7072) or by email at

Steve.Heuer@hq.transcom.mil.

Maj. Mirabella is with the U.S.

Transportation Command’s Joint

Transportation Reserve Unit,

Scott A.F.B., Ill.

Capt. Leggieri is with the Public

Affairs and Liaison Directorate,

Office of the Chief, Army Reserve,

Washington, D.C.

Troops To Teacher

Extended To Reservists

By Diane M. Dove

WASHINGTON (April 17, 2002)—

Members of the Army Reserve and

Army National Guard are now eligible

to participate in the Troops to

Teachers program, a program which

has been offered only to active component soldiers.

Reservists can qualify if they have

accrued 10 or more years of service

and agree to serve three additional

years.

The Troops to Teachers program

extends financial assistance to eligible

individuals to help them offset their

education expenses. Extending financial assistance to Reservists is one of

the most significant changes to the eligibility criteria. Other eligibility categories for financial assistance are outlined in the Troops-to-Teachers

Eligibility Criteria.

President Bush signed the legislation authorizing the institution of

Troops to Teachers into law on Jan. 8,

2002. Congress also appropriated $18

million to provide financial assistance

to eligible individuals pursuing

teacher certification programs, and to

individuals accepting employment as

teachers in “high needs” schools.

Referral and Placement services are

extended to applicants who may not

meet eligibility criteria for financial

assistance, but are members of the

Reserve components with six or more

years of Reserve or active duty service. In addition, these soldiers must

have been separated on or after Jan. 8,

2002. Services available include a

network of state placement assistance

offices that provide information

regarding certification requirements,

programs leading to certification, and

assistance in identifying teaching

positions.

An Internet Teacher Job Referral

service also has been established

which allows school district administrators to post job vacancies and

search the Troops-to-Teachers database for potential candidates. Anyone

can use this site to search for job

vacancies. Individuals registered with

Troops to Teachers can post a miniresume to highlight their background

and experience. The Job Referral site

is located at http://jobs2teach.doded.mil.

Eligible individuals can register for

Troops to Teachers by submitting the

Registration Form, which can be

downloaded from

http://voled.doded.mil/dantes/ttt.

The Defense Activity for NonTraditional Education Support

(DANTES) is in the process of preparing promotional materials.

POCs at DANTES for more information are John R. Gantz, at (850)

452-1320, or DSN 922-1320, or Peter

Peters, at (800) 231-6242, ext. 117, or

by e-mail, at: ttt@voled.doded.mil/.

Ms. Dove is with the Public Affairs

and Liaison Directorate, Office of

the Chief, Army Reserve,

Washington, D.C.

Army Reserve

Historians Make

History, Too

By Lt. Col. Randy Pullen

WASHINGTON (April 10, 2002)—

Their mission is to document history.

Sometimes they become part of history themselves.

That's what happened to two Army

Reserve military historians mobilized

for Operation NOBLE EAGLE to

document the history of the Army

Reserve's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

On March 11, the sixth-month

anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks,

Maj. Robert Bensburg and Chief
Summer 2002 15

Warrant Officer 2 Michael Werner of

the 311th Military History

Detachment (MHD), Fort Totten,

N.Y., took a lunch break at Katz's Deli

in lower Manhattan.

It was there they ran into Mikhail

Gorbachev, former President of the

Soviet Union, former General

Secretary of the Soviet Communist

Party and a 1990 recipient of the

Nobel Peace Prize.

Since being called up in October

2001, the 311th MHD has conducted

dozens of interviews in New York

City to collect the history of what happened on Sept. 11 and in the days and

weeks that followed. These interviews

have ranged from junior soldiers and

firefighters to senior military officers

and government officials. So by now,

the 311th is not hesitant about getting

up close to important people and this

was an opportunity too good to miss.

Bensburg and Werner managed to

have a photo taken with the former

president of the Soviet Union before

returning to Ground Zero to continue

their coverage of the six-month commemoration of the attack on the World

Trade Center.

In April, the 311th moved from

New York to Arlington, Va., where it

joined with the Army Reserve's 90th

MHD from San Antonio, Texas,

which had also been mobilized in

October and has been working on the

story of the Army Reserve's response

to the Pentagon attack. Together, the

two detachments will produce a combined history.

Lt. Col. Pullen is with the Public

Affairs and Liaison Directorate,

Office of the Chief, Army Reserve,

Washington, D.C.

Lewis and Clark

Commemoration 

By Capt. Rebecca Leggieri

Army Reserve units are being

offered an exciting opportunity to take

part in a historical event that will span

the nation. Reservists can participate

in the Army’s commemoration of the

bicentennial of the Capt. Meriwether

Lewis and Lt. William Clark expedition to explore the Louisiana

Purchase. The commemoration will be

made up of a series of events beginning January, 2003 and continuing

over a three-year period.

The Bicentennial Kickoff at

Monticello, Va., the home of the third

President of the United States,

Thomas Jefferson, is scheduled for

Jan. 18, 2003. Jefferson commissioned the two junior officers to head

the “Corps of Volunteers for North

Western Discovery” for a journey that

lasted more than three years and traversed the western half of the continent.

The scheduled events seek to showcase the cooperation that existed

between the soldiers of the Army

expedition and the Native Americans

encountered throughout the territory,

as well as civilian participants. The

celebration concludes Aug. 17-20,

2006 with an event at New Town,

North Dakota, the Home of

Sacagawea, the expedition’s guide.

Each event will be celebrated on its

200th anniversary.

Today Lewis and Clark’s route

winds through 17 states. Army

Reserve and National Guard units are

the only Army presence in many of

these states and Reserve units are

encouraged to work with their local

communities to represent the modern

Army by participating in local commemorations. Recommended activities include providing color guards,

bands, marching units, equipment,

and ceremonial support. Open houses

can be held to introduce the Army

Reserve to the community and explain

its role in today’s armed forces. Public

affairs, historical and recruiting personnel can attend events to tell the

Army Reserve story.

Lt. Col. Mike McCarty, an operation officer at the U.S. Army Reserve

Command, is assigned as the Lewis

and Clark Bicentennial project officer

for the Army Reserve. He says he is

excited about the events and looks forward to working with U.S. Forces

Command to get Army Reserve units

involved.

McCarty said more planning meetings are scheduled to disseminate

information through the Regional

Support Commands and down to units

looking to participate.

For more information about the

Lewis and Clark expedition, visit the

websites at www.lewis-clark.org and

www.lewsiclark.net. Historical facts,

maps of the traveled route and

descriptions of what the group

encountered can be found on the websites for use in planning events.

Capt. Leggieri is with the Public

Affairs and Liaison Directorate,

Office of the Chief, Army Reserve,

Washington, DC.
16 Army Reserve Magazine

Story by Capt. Gabriella Schneider

SAN JOSE, Calif.—As the buses rumbled in carrying

their precious cargo, a crowd

of family members and friends

burst into applause and waved

U.S. flags. More than 70 Army

Reserve soldiers from the

341st Military Police

Company stepped down to

waiting arms and flowing

tears after seven months of

peacekeeping in Europe.

Their announcement: mission accomplished.

“If needed, I’m ready to go

again,” said Sgt. 1st Class

Scott Peterson, a police officer

for the Department of

Veterans Affairs Hospital in

Antioch.

His 1-year-old son

Brandon, was clearly glad to

see him. “I give daddy big

hug,” the toddler said.

It was a long road back for

the 341st MPs following

seven months in Taszar,

Hungary. These Reservists

were busy on many fronts.

They formed a quick-reaction

force of 10 MPs and 15

Hungarian soldiers to train and be ready for any unforeseen

threats. They ran around the clock security 7 days a week

at their installation. Some Reservists pulled rail security

while others patrolled highways and back roads escorting

troops or trucks with tanks and ammunition, logging a

whopping 120,000 miles.

The 341st was also involved in an “installation-vulnerability” exercise, testing the security at their base. Some

soldiers acted out roles in realistic and dangerous situations.

“We had a scenario with four or five infiltrators gaining

access to the installation and taking hostages,” recalled

Sgt. 1st Class John Patterson, operations NCO. “We had

our quick-reaction force cordon off the area, secure the site

and enter the building. There was combat,...a ‘gun fight,’

in the building.”

Another situation involved a bomb threat at the gate. A

driver in a vehicle was trying to gain access and had a

weapon. MPs secured the scene and explosive ordinance

experts came in and disarmed the mock “device.”

The convoys would sometimes last for days and were

not easy, Patterson said.

“Driving the roads was one of our most dangerous

undertakings,” he said. “You always had to be on the alert

for horse carts, tractors, farm machinery...luckily we had

no fatalities. Upon completion of the deployment, we had

only two breakdowns and no accidents.”

Rail security was challenging as well. The longest nonstop mission was a six-day detail from Bosnia to northern

Germany.

“Many times the teams went with little sleep in completely unknown circumstances, yet remained responsible

for the security of a great deal of equipment,” Patterson

said 

Capt. Santiago Llamas, unit commander, said the

deployment was a huge benefit.

“Of this, I am sure,” he said. “We are better trained now

and stand ready to perform our peace and wartime missions more so now, then ever before. We have the edge.”

Capt. Schneider is with the 341st Military Police

Company, San Jose, Calif.

MPs Return From Peacekeeping Duties

Sgt. 1st Class Scott Peterson, a police officer for the Department of Veterans

Affairs Hospital in Antioch, greets his 1-year-old son, Brandon.
Summer 2002 17

AR-PERSCOM NEWS AR-PERSCOM NEWS

Army Reservists serving in medical specialties now

have a new source for information.

The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) is using

the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) website as a tool to

provide current AMEDD news and information to its

soldiers through out the world. 

Copies of the E-Mercury, the world-wide publication

for the Army Medical Department, Medical Soldiers

Outlook, the Medical Department Enlisted Training

Newsletter, and The Medical Command (MEDCOM)

Command Sergeant Major’s Corner which addresses

current topics of interest and news from the MEDCOM

Command Sergeant Major are available at the site.

To access this areas you must have an AKO account

and password. Instructions are as follows: 

Go to: 

https://www.us.army.mil/portal/portal_home.jhtml

Log in using your username and password

Choose ‘MACOMS’ in the far left column

Click on ‘MACOMS’ It will expand to show all of the

Army’s MACOMS, including ours, ‘MEDCOM’ with a

plus sign + to the left of it.

Click on MEDCOM which is underlined.

Click yes for the security information box, you now

are at The MEDCOM’S AKO homepage.

Point of contact for using the AMEDD portion of this

website is Master Sgt. Anthony Tate, (210) 221-7103 or:

Anthony.tate@amedd.army.mil.

News Updates Online For Medical Specialties

ST. LOUIS–A new tool is now available to assist Army Medical

Department (AMEDD) officers receiving Constructive Service Credit.

Accessible from the Army Reserve

Personnel Command’s 2xCitizen web

site, the online, self-service

Constructive Credit Calculator enables

AMEDD officers receiving this credit

to easily determine their adjusted date

of rank and new projected promotion

eligibility date. 

Constructive Service Credit for

AMEDD officers is guided by Army

Regulation 135-101 which bases credit

upon qualifying degrees, completed

internships, graduate professional education, other advanced degrees, professional experience in the area of

appointment and prior active commissioned service

time.

Previously, AMEDD officers who wished to calculate

the effects of Constructive Credit on their date of rank

and promotion eligibility date were required to download

and complete a manual worksheet. With the new calculator, an AMEDD officer simply enters basic information

from their appointment letter. The application then performs all calculations to determine the predicted date on

which the AMEDD officer will be eligible for promotion

to their next rank. 

The Constructive Credit Calculator may be accessed

from the 2xCitizen Career Guidance area. The 2xCitizen

site can be found at www.2xcitizen.usar.army.mil.

AMEDD Constructive Credit Calculator Expands AR-PERSCOM Website

Note: Form for post-ROPMA Officers only 
18 Army Reserve Magazine

“Inspiration” A Father’s Tribu

By Jack Gordon

HQ, 99th RSC, Moon Township, Pa.–A

series of photos entitled “Inspiration,” crafted by

Master Sgt. Rich Gribenas, an NCO in the command’s public affairs office here, is receiving

national acclaim in both the commercial and fine

arts photography arenas.

Gribenas created the starkly lit series of

black and white photographs using his

son, who had been diagnosed with

advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma and undergone

chemotherapy, as a figure model. The resulting

images offer viewers insight into the world of the

close, understanding and

deeply caring relationship

between a father and son ...

and an artist’s shared suffering

of the deadly disease threatening his only son.

“I had a vision in my mind –

I could see the pain he was

going through,” Gribenas

said, “and the struggles with

chemotherapy and the medications he was undergoing. I

was also feeling the love I

have for my son, and through

the outlet of my self expression in photography, I found comfort.”

Gribenas is the owner of Pixie Studio, his

family’s third-generation professional photography studio and business in Swissvale, Pa., a

Pittsburgh suburb. His son Rick is a graduate of

Edinboro University’s fine arts program and

currently employed as assistant curator and

exhibit coordinator for the Regina Gouger

Miller Gallery in the Purnell Center for the

Arts at Carnegie Mellon University in the city

of Pittsburgh, so both are familiar with how

the creative individual uses emotion, or

even fear, or turmoil, to transfer inner

feelings into tangible art that may

impact others.

Both felt the results of the

photography session served

as an artistic statement

bold enough — even without the

“story behind the photographs,”

to make compelling visual art.

Rick’s condition and prognosis

are now hopeful,

but when the

series was actually made, neither

knew what the

future would hold,

and that anxiety and

tension became an integral part of the images.

The carefully

studied and selective poses, camera

angles and strong, singledirectional lighting Gribenas

used in his studio form what

he calls “bodyscapes.” He said he purposely

posed each sitting as “faceless” in order to

suggest the common pain, torment or

even death that every human being will

one day face. Rick had lost his hair

from the radiation treatments, and

although his head plays as a

prominent sculptural element in

the photos, his face – his identity – remains concealed. He

“Inspiratio Page
Summer 2002 19

ute To Ill Son Receives National Acclaim

becomes “every man.”

“Many people can relate to anguish,”

Gribenas said, “and as the light, shadow

and texture of the compositions appeared

during the printing process, I really felt a

lot of love – for my son and my family,

and for what my son and I had created

together.”

As several of the prints began

making early rounds at

juried exhibitions in

Pittsburgh’s galleries, critics took note

of the strength in the photographs. 

“These images speak to the viewer

in a gripping and powerful way. No

... they’re not the usual portraits of a

person, but the goal was to capture the

feelings of the photographer and subject. They leave you feeling emotionally drained,” said Glenn Gray, of Burrell

Colour Lab.

Graham Shearing, art critic for the

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review described the photos as marvels of photographic lighting and

printing. 

The limited edition series was also featured at the Silver Eye Center for

Photography in Pittsburgh’s artsy South

Side, to a reception as warm as the tones in the soft,

shadowy areas of the silver-gelatin prints.

“The series is very moving,” said Linda

Benedict-Jones, executive director at the

Silver Eye.

Gribenas said he noticed as people

approached the prints, many halted and

stayed, looking and thinking rather

than merely glancing as they passed

to other pieces. The style and method of presentation

in the series aptly entitled “Inspiration” also created

verbal interaction between the photographer and

viewer.

“I could see them stopping — studying the

images,” said Gribenas. “The light pulled them in,

just as it pulled me in during the shooting session. I

watched the light creating various new forms that

evolved into more poses.”

As father and son first stood among those attending the exhibits, their emotional ties, both to the portraits and each other ... grew tighter.

“He didn’t know what I was seeing through the

lens – he only knew I was posing and photographing

him, so when we first saw them on the gallery walls,

and felt the public response, we could see we’d captured something very meaningful.”

As “Inspiration” continues to contribute to

the world of fine art photography by offering both striking images and the story of

how a father and son used their common pain and

suffering to create meaningful art – Rick’s health

continues to improve. Their effort together, now

superbly captured and extended to others ... is truly

inspirational. 

(Editor’s Note: Master Sgt. Gribenas

was drafted into the Army in 1969.

First trained on River Patrol Boats, he

was later assigned to duty at West

Point under the Army’s sole-surviving

son clause. His older brother served

with the First Cavalry Division in

Vietnam in 1965.)

Mr. Gordon is the Chief of Information, Public

Affairs Office, 99th RSC, Moon Township, Pa.

on” Photos

ge 18
“Inspir
ration”
An MP searches a roll-playing

Kandaharian for weapons and

identifications papers while

fellow soldiers cover him and

watch for snipers. 

“Take Cover”

341st MP Company ‘A
Summer 2002 23

“Enemy right! Take cover!” shouted a U.S. soldier as he and his unit took fire from a nearby

building on a street in Kandahar.

No, this isn’t actually Afghanistan. The location

is the Fort Ord MOUT Training Center in Monterey,

California. But to the Army Reserve‘s 341st

Military Police (MP) Company, it was a haven for

enemy activity. 

Story and photos by Sgt. Henry Kwan

‘Attacks’ Fort Ord

MPs pull security outside a building while

other MPs are inside conducting a search.
The San Jose, CA.-based 341st deployed to the MOUT

site, known also as ‘Impossible City’, to participate in a

search-and-cordon training exercise and sharpen their

skills in operating and reacting in a hostile urban environment. In their scenario: an estimated 100 Taliban and alQaida fighters, including high-ranking leaders, are hiding

out in the city of Kandahar amongst the civilian population. Their mission is to locate and apprehend these fighters. 

Urban Warfare

Featuring a small city mock-up, replete with multi-story

concrete buildings, narrow alleyways and vegetated surroundings, the MOUT site’s physical terrain offered an

ideal setting for the 341st to practice small-unit tactics and

urban combat techniques.

Opposing forces – comprised of role-players in local

attire – fully exploited the landscape’s cover and concealment features and their ability to blend in with the local

populace to aggress their US counterparts.

MP units conducting patrols throughout the city and

countryside encountered snipers in buildings, direct fire

from crowded streets, road ambushes and even unruly

crowds that may or may not have been harboring ‘suicide

bombers’ in their midst.

Rooting out enemy fighters within the city often called

for house-to-house searches.

Those who witnessed the 341st methodically clearing

buildings room by room, floor by floor, while facing armed

resistance in enclosed spaces, saw firsthand the potential

dangers of such assaults.

“One could appreciate the difficulty of searching homes

in a possible hostile environment,” stated Sgt. Sean

Clipperton, a Nevada-based Army Guardsman with

Detachment 1, 69th Press Camp Headquarters, who was

shooting video footage of the exercise.

“The MOUT city gave the participating soldiers an

authentic taste of what it will be like to go house to house

in any real-life mission,” Clipperton said.

Realistic Training

MILES gear was issued to everyone, including noncombatants, to more accurately access the effects of hostile

engagements in cramped, heavily populated urban areas.

MPs under attack, in addition to defending themselves,

were obligated to the best of their ability to protect civilians caught in the crossfires, a situation opposing forces

exploited by using bystanders as human shields during

engagements.

Soldiers were sometimes given only scant intelligence

with which to carry out their assignments, all part of the

exercise scenario to introduce the sort of uncertainties and

confusion that occur during actual ground operations. Even

with the help of assigned ‘translators’ to question locals

and collect information on enemy whereabouts, MPs discovered that distinguishing between enemy troops and

MPs question two roll-playing Kandaharians about possible whereabouts of al-Qaida and Taliban fighters

hiding in the city. 

24 Army Reserve Magazine
Summer 2002 25

armed civilians was not always easy.

Many in the 341st appreciated the attention to detail and

organization given to the simulated battlefield conditions.

“I’ve been in about four or five of these exercises during

my time in the military,” said Sgt. 1st Class Sanele

Tamiano, “and this one is by far the most realistic.”

Throughout the exercise, the actions of the 341st were

scrutinized; evaluators occasionally stopped soldiers in

mid-cycle and rattled quick-fire questions at them to test

their responses and decision-making abilities under duress.

A Different World

Besides refining their urban tactical skills, the 341st

gained practical experience on the complexities of operating in a Middle Eastern environment – where soldiers do

not speak the language; may not be fully aware of local etiquette and customs; and may have little understanding of

religious taboos. In this type of operational setting, soldiers

must exercise a higher degree of care and patience in their

interactions with local people.

The 341st, in one instance, stopped a group of civilians

that included a woman, for questioning. Although male

translators were available in the vicinity, a female translator was summoned instead to talk to the woman.

Male soldiers standing nearby made every effort not to

stare or look directly at the Muslim woman while she was

being questioned. In a culture where even a casual glance

at a woman by a man who is not a relative or family member could be taken as an affront, the MPs knew that utmost

diplomacy was required.

From this and other situations during the exercise, the

341st learned that being mindful of local sensibilities could

be just as important as being tactically proficient.

“In a real situation, the MPs will need to be culturallysensitive to stay out of harm’s way,” said Sgt. Christopher

Bess, who played a disabled Muslim cleric during the exercise.

About 15,000 Army Reserve personnel currently serve

in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring

Freedom. As America’s worldwide campaign against terrorism widens and draws upon more soldiers from all components of the Army – active, Reserve, Guard, the men and

women of the 341st are fully aware they may one day be

called upon to apply their MOUT training in a real-world

mission.

While they received generally high marks for their performance during the exercise, the soldiers of the 341st

knew that their survival and effectiveness in a combat situation would rely heavily on their maintaining a high level

of constant readiness and tactical proficiency. 

“I think we did pretty well,” said S Bess, “but we can

always improve. The more we do it, the better we get.”

Sgt. Kwan is a Public Affairs NCO with the California

Army National Guard’s 69th Press Camp

Headquarters, Fairfield, CA.

(above) A 341st MP searches an roll-playing al-Qaida suspect while

another MP covers him. (right) An MP pauses briefly to communicate with his unit.
Documenting The Past

Training The Military History 
Summer 2002 27

By Dr. Lee S. Harford, Jr.

In Greek mythology, the Muse Clio presided over history. In

Army Reserve Military History Units, one could call the Reservists

trained as military historians modern day Muses.

This is based on the percentage of military history units in the

Army Reserve and the Army Reserve’s long history with this important capability.

Military history units have existed since 1943. They came into

being during World War II when the Army created teams of historical personnel to capture data on divisional operations. Some 300

officers and enlisted men were serving in these historical units when

the war ended in 1945. Among the prominent Army military historians of World War II were Col. S.L.A. Marshall, Maj. Hugh M. Cole,

and Master Sgt. Forrest Pogue.

Post war reorganization reduced the historical structure to one

active duty and 26 Organized Reserve Corps military history units,

consisting of approximately 100 soldiers. 

Military history units served in the Korean War (1950-53), the

Vietnam War (1965-72), the Gulf War (1990-91), and in the recent

peace keeping operations in the Balkans (1996-98). From these conflicts, tactical deployment policy evolved to the present doctrinal

concept that calls for a military history detachment to support each

combat unit, down to division and separate brigade level. These military history detachments deploy on operations to collect and preserve the data needed to produce the Army’s official histories. 

Today there are a total of twenty-two military history detachments

in the Army: one in the active Army, 16 in the Army Reserve, and

five in the Army National Guard. 

The military history detachment operates as an independent table

Units

Staff Sgt. Clarence Benjamin (L Union Army Uniform) U.S. Army

Reserve Command, and Staff Sgt. Ray Meline (R Confederate

Uniform), Third U.S. Army, with muskets drawn, exhibit the re-enactment of a stand-off during the Civil War Era. A Living History pageant

was the center of the Army's 226th birthday celebration as units

from all the wars, beginning with the War of Independence to real

soldiers of today, participated in the event.

There are 22 military history

detachments in the Army...16 in

the Army Reserve.

Photo by Susan Norvick
28 Army Reserve Magazine

of organization and equipment unit

(TOE) of three personnel. Ideally, the

commander is a branch immaterial

major holding a “Historian” 5X additional skill identifier, which indicates

advanced professional training in the

field of history (a masters or doctorate

degree). A public affairs sergeant first

class serves as the unit’s photojournalist, holding special abilities in interviewing and photography. The detachment administrative assistant sergeant

performs as the unit expert on records

management and transcribes oral history interviews. 

Due to the small size of the unit, all

personnel must be cross-trained in the

essential tasks of the military history

detachment. These are: 

(1) To conduct and transcribe oral

history interviews; 

(2) To take photographs; 

(3) To collect and accession historical artifacts and documents; and

(4) To provide historical information. 

The unit is armed with individual

weapons, is mounted in a 1-1/4 ton

tactical vehicle (HMMWV), and, ideally, is equipped with audiocassette

recorders, transcription machines, and

an automation system composed of

laptop computers, digital cameras,

scanners, and printers. 

Department of the Army and U.S.

Army Forces Command regulations

recommend a training cycle for military history detachments that coincides with the three-year tenure of the

commander. The Army Reserve

Historian, as the organizational integrator (OI) for history units, has the

responsibility for monitoring the

readiness and training of Army

Reserve military history detachments. 

In recent years, the Office of Army

Reserve History has worked very diligently with the Army Center of

Military History, and the Forces

Command History Office and active

Army 44th Military

History Detachment

to formalize a threeyear training program for the detachments. As a part of

this process, the

Office of Army

Reserve History has

developed a triad of

military history

readiness exercises to support execution of the three-year cycle: Exercise

Delbrück in year one, Exercise

S.L.A.M. in year two, and Exercise

Clio in year three. The three exercises

provide the detachment a flexible,

sequential, progressive and standardized (tiered) system of collective

hands-on practical application in the

primary military history mission

essential tasks. 

Exercise Delbrück — named for

Hans Delbrück, a nineteenth century

German reserve officer who is credit-

(above) Exercise Delbrück participants pose with one of the newly acquired Civil War era cannons in

front of the USARC headquarters building. Dave Cole (left) watches closely as Capt. George Dover and

Maj. Teresa Johnson (right) process historical artifacts using the Universal Site Artifact Management

System. Cole is with the U.S. Army Center of Military History at Fort McNair, D.C., Dover is with the U.S.

Army Reserve 46th Military History Detachment, North Little Rock, Ark., and Johnson is with the U.S.

Army Reserve 45th Military History Detachment, Fort McPherson, Ga. 
Summer 2002 29

ed with being the first to apply scientific methods for capturing history through the use of military records — is the

recently developed first part of the three-year training

cycle. Hosted by the Office of Army Reserve History from

its state-of-the-art historical facility at Fort McPherson,

Ga., with support from the Forces Command History

Office and the Center of Military History, the trial run of

Delbrück occurred in

July 2001. 

This two-week exercise focused on training

to update historical collection techniques

required by military history detachments to conduct wartime missions,

and allowed the Army

Reserve Historian,

Forces Command

Historian, and Army

Chief of Military History

to evaluate unit readiness

for mobilization and

operational deployment. 

The 23 soldiers taking

part in the exercise concentrated their efforts on

the four key areas outlined in the Army Training and

Evaluation Program 20-17, Military History Detachment,

and the new Army Field Manual 1-20, Military History

Operations. These included gathering and identifying historical artifacts, conducting and transcribing oral history

interviews, photographic documentation, and historical

document collection. 

Every detachment was required to produce standardized

historical products for each of the four critical tasks to

demonstrate their readiness. Two separate staff rides were

also part of the exercise; one to the Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park and the other to the Chickamauga

and Chattanooga National Military Park. Military history

detachment soldiers from all components of the Army participated in the début of this exercise, which promises to be

an annual event.

The second year of the training cycle requires the military history detachment to accomplish all its essential history tasks in a completely tactical environment. In this scenario, the military history detachments first return to the

historical facility at Fort McPherson for a week of refresher training — called Exercise S.L.A.M., before deploying

to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., for a

week to support a rotational brigade combat team. 

The week at Fort Irwin coincides with the final portion

of the supported brigade’s rotation, allowing the military

history detachment to execute all the essential historical

functions as it would in a real world situation. As in

Delbrück, every detachment is required to produce standardized historical products for each of the four critical

tasks to demonstrate their readiness to succeed in a field

environment. 

The Office of Army Reserve History conducts Exercise

S.L.A.M. on a quarterly basis, while the week of training

at Fort Irwin is managed by the Forces Command

Historian for as many as ten rotations a year. Exercise

S.L.A.M. is named for Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Samuel

Lyman Atwood Marshall, a veteran of the world wars,

Korea and Vietnam, and the spiritual father of the military

history detachment. 

Exercise Clio is held in the third year of the training

cycle. Its intent is to provide training events in which military history detachment members can refine their history

collection skills to the highest levels achievable in a peacetime environment. The capstone experience to the training

cycle is deployment to a full-scale military exercise, either

stateside or overseas, to capture the event historically. 

Again, all deployed military history detachments produce standardized historical products for each of the four

critical tasks to demonstrate their readiness to succeed on

their own in a field environment. The types of exercises in

which the detachments may participate in vary from V

Corps’ Warfighter in Germany, Cobra Gold in Thailand,

Rio Bravo in the United States, and New Horizons in

Central America, just to name a few. 

In the event that a detachment cannot be deployed, the

Office of Army Reserve History will conduct Exercise Clio

from its historical facility at Fort McPherson to provide an

equivalent training experience.

For more information on the 5X “Historian” additional

skill identifier, visit the Army Reserve history program

web page at: http://www.army.mil/usar/history/comhistory.html.

Dr. Harford is the Army Reserve Historian, U.S. Army

Reserve Command, Atlanta, Ga.

Master Sgt. Donna Majors reviews historical documents to

make sure they are catalogued properly during Exercise

Delbrück. Majors is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve

46th Military History Detachment based in North Little

Rock, Ark.

Photo by Dr. Lee Harford

Photo by Dr. Lee Harford
30 Army Reserve Magazine

Story by Sgt. Jeff Keown

When the Moors conquered most of the known world in

the eighth century, they used a special technique to aid

their cause. Moors encouraged their soldiers to take wives

indigenous to the conquered areas. This built family ties in

the expanding empire and reduced the risk of revolt. The

ideology also increased the Moorish soldiers’ desire to care

for the civilian population of the new land.

Today, the U.S. Army has a different approach to aiding

civilians and winning people’s confidence in war-torn

areas. It’s called civil affairs.

“We set conditions so the local population, especially

the government, can work well with the military,” said

Maj. Jose M. Madera, a civil affairs team leader with the

478th Civil Affairs Battalion (CAB) in Miami. “We’re

diplomats in uniform.”

All civil affairs units in the Army are made up entirely

of Reservists except one battalion located at Fort Bragg,

N.C.

In Madera’s civilian job, he works as the Director of

Technology Support Services at the Florida Gulf Coast

University in Fort Myers, Fla. More recently, Madera was

at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk,

La., providing civil affairs guidance to the 75th Ranger

Regiment. The Rangers were participating in a JRTC exercise.

“We put in for this,” said Madera. “Our command is

very dedicated to sending people through JRTC.” He said

he looks forward to interacting with the Ranger Regiment,

and hopes to smooth a path between the warrior and the

diplomat.

“I won’t let resistance taint the mission. We are here

learning that we can work together. Civil affairs people are

generalists. We have dozens of missions or jobs. The

Rangers are extremely specialized. Their mission is singular and specific. The measure of success comes after

breaching the initial friction -- do you get everyone to converse? We sensitize both sides to what each brings to the

battlefield,” said Madera.

Winning the hearts of natives in worn-torn areas seems

to be the real-world mission of civil affairs. At the JRTC,

they use this skill to win the respect and admiration of fellow soldiers.

“Here I have two missions. I have to learn about civil

affairs in the exercise scenario and I have to teach the

Rangers what civil affairs is about and how we can benefit

them,” said Staff Sgt. Elbin R. Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has been in law enforcement for eight years.

He is able to use that knowledge to aid the judicial system

of countries or provinces he is working in. Civil affairs personnel also assist countries by providing guidance in medical, energy, legal, environmental, and natural resource

management concerns.

Thankfully, U.S. military leaders today don’t follow the

same tactics used by the Moors. Soldiers are not forced or

encouraged to intermarry with the civilian populace in

order to foster close working relationships. Instead the

Army Reserve’s civil affairs personnel pave the way for

beneficial and welcomed interaction among host nations,

American troops, and civilians.

Sgt. Keown is with the 372nd Mobile Public Affairs

Detachment, Nashville, Tenn.

Civil Affairs

Maj. Gen. Michael R. Mayo has dinner with the solders

of the 310th Chemical Company.

Major Jose M. Madera, a civil affairs team leader with

the 478th CA Battallion, Miami, explains his job to journalists from the 372nd Mobile Public Affairs

Detachment, Nashville Tenn.

Photo by Sgt. Jeff Keown

Photo by Spc. Andrew Lee
Summer 2002 31

By Spc. Daniel Lucas

CAMP DODGE, Iowa–Army Reservists from the 19th

Theater Army Area Command (TAACOM) and 3rd Corps

Support Command (COSCOM) participated in a virtual

firing exercise with the Fire Arms Training Simulator

(FATS) recently.

The system uses a combination of lasers, video and computers to teach soldiers how to use the variety of weapons

that the FATS can support.

“We had (FATS) installed a little over 10 years ago,”

said Maj. Floyd Everett, the range control officer for Camp

Dodge. “The system is made up of three computer systems

running a variety of video simulations.”

Everett said the system could support the training of all

branches of the military and civilian police departments,

from individual scenarios to squad-size exercises. 

“The system can support the training on the AT-4 antitank rocket, M-60 machine gun, .50 caliber machine gun,

M-240B machine gun, M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon,

M-16 rifle, M-203 grenade launcher and the nine millimeter pistol,” he said.

Everett said there are plans to add a Mark 19 grenade

machine gun during the system’s next update.

The new 2001 FATS version will be a Windows-based

system. That will make it faster and user-friendlier, Everett

said. There will be the possibility of running a wider variety of weapons systems, plus the ability to create computer-generated scenarios to fit specific types of training that

the system’s manufacturer believes the soldiers need. 

In addition, Everett said, the new system will store scenarios on laser disks, saving space on the computer hard

drive and making for faster scenario loading time. On top

of all of that, the new system will also be quieter, he said.

“The only thing that the system is missing is the smell of

gunfire,” said Brig. Gen. Donald L. Jacka, Jr., commander

of the 3rd COSCOM.

The FATS system uses compressed air, supplied by tanks

located in the back of the room, to fire the weapons. As the

weapon fires, it shoots a laser beam at the screen, where it

is recorded in the computer program that marks shots fired,

hits and kills. 

A system this complicated should take a lifetime to

learn, but soldiers can become trained up on how to run the

FATS in a couple of hours, according to operators.

“I was trained yesterday for two hours on how to operate the FATS,” said Staff Sgt. Joel Dingman of the 19th

TAACOM, one of the system operators. “I went to range

control to take the class; it didn’t take long at all.”

Except for all three computer systems needing to be

started simultaneously, the setup is rather minimal. The

scenarios come on a disk of 10, and there are more than

200 total scenarios.

Even though the system shows a little age, it is still has

a lot to offer the units that visit and use it.

“This system is fantastic; it truly helps soldiers be prepared for live fire,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James “Jim”

Rosacker, the COSCOM’s command sergeant major. “The

FATS system teaches soldiers to familiarize themselves

with the different weapons that they might have to use in

their careers.”

But the soldiers that used the system the most had the

most to say about the FATS.

“I think that it’s good for soldiers to use different

weapon systems in an indoor environment,” said Spc. Matt

Andrews, of the 3rd COSCOM’s materiel section.

Andrews also said the indoor environment is more appealing to soldiers, especially when it’s cold and snowy outside.

“It is like playing a big game of Nintendo,” said Spc.

Anthony Deal, another 3rd COSCOM soldier. “With this

system, we can train up on different weapons, so we do

better when we do live fire. I wish we could do the simulator more often.”

Pvt. Ben Fox, a new 3rd COSCOM soldier, said the

FATS was a totally new experience for him.

“I have never shot a gun before the simulator,” he said.

“When I signed up two months ago, I had no idea about the

FATS system. Now that I have fired, though, I think that it

is pretty cool, and I think that it will better prepare me for

basic training.”

Jacka agreed, saying, “Anytime we can make a training

event more realistic and more enjoyable, soldiers will take

more of the training with them to use in the future.”

Spc. Lucas is with the 366th Mobile Public Affairs

Detachment, Des Moines, Iowa.

Getting ‘Real’ Training

With ‘Virtual’ Equipment

Sgt. Troy King of the 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

instructs soldiers from the 3rd COSCOM about when to

engage their targets on the FATS range at Camp Dodge,

Iowa. 

Photo by Spc. Daniel Lucas
Airborne-Qualified Reservist T
Summer 2002 33

(left) Sgt. 1st Class Linda Estacio, 2125th Garrison Support

Unit, recovers her parachute at Sicily Drop Zone, Fort

Bragg, N.C.

(above) Paratroopers, Sgt. 1st Class Linda Estacio, Col.

(Ret.) Mary A. Maier and Maj. Deanna Stewart, 82nd

Airborne Division Support Command (DISCOM). Maier, the

first female commander of the 16th MP Brigade, was the

guest speaker. 

By Master Sgt. Ed Winn

FORT BRAGG, N.C.—“It was too much excitement for

me to miss out!” said Sgt. lst Class Linda Estacio, referring to her participation as the only Army Reservist in the

third annual Women’s History Month Jump, an all-female

air drop operation conducted here. “I’m proud I was able

to take part in this event and I’ll still be talking about this

ten years from now.” 

The 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), commanded by Col. Samuel J.Hernandez, hosted the jump at

Sicily Drop Zone in March to honor women’s contributions to the military. Conducted entirely by female personnel, to include aircraft pilots and loadmasters, the airborne-qualified soldiers from various Fort Bragg units

jumped from two C-130 aircraft in five passes over the

drop zone. More than 120 paratroopers floated from the

sky on a sunny, cold day and then ran in formation from

the drop zone to the bleachers where onlookers cheered. A

short ceremony featuring keynote speaker Col. (Ret.)

Mary A. Maier, the first female commander of the

Brigade, also airborne qualified, honored their accomplishment.

Estacio, a resident of Fayetteville, is assigned to the

2125th Garrison Support Unit (GSU) at Fort Bragg. The

20-year military veteran was called to active duty with the

unit for Operation Noble Eagle. The unit, headquartered in

Decatur, Ga., and activated last October, assists Fort

Bragg, the Army’s premier Power Projection Platform in

mobilizing and deploying Army Reserve and Army

National Guard soldiers. The GSU coordinates the mobilization process for the installation, commands and controls mobilizing units and expands the capabilities of

installation staff to include Military Police, Staff Judge

Advocate, Chaplain, and Public Affairs.

An Administrative Specialist in the Garrison’s S3 section, Estacio is working as a Liaison NCO.

“Thousands of Army Reserve, National Guard, and

Individual Mobilization Augmentees recently activated

for Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom,

processed through here, “ said Estacio. “My job is to

guide them through the various Soldier Readiness

Processing (SRP) stations, such as finance, dental, medical, and assist them in getting their equipment issued as

well as getting them to all the required briefings.” 

Her work ensures completion of all stations needed by

the mobilizing unit before validation.

“I have assisted in the SRP for as many as 232 soldiers

at one time. I physically walk them to each station if need

be. I even greet them at the air terminal if necessary.” 

Estacio’s duties are not limited to being an “LNO.” She

Photo by Master Sgt. Ed Winn

Photo by Anna Caudill-Peterson

Takes Leap To Honor Military Woman
34 Army Reserve Magazine

recently planned and coordinated company Common Task

Training that included a six-mile road march and battle

scenarios testing Garrison troop reactions to hostile fire

and opposing forces.

Prior to completing the

Women’s History Month Jump,

Estacio went through a Basic

Airborne Refresher class.

According to Estacio the biggest

change was rigging of combat

equipment.

“Now, there is a single point

release that the jumper has to pull

to release the ruck sack. Before, a

jumper had to pull two snap hooks

to release the ruck,” she noted. 

“We jumped from 800 feet [on

the Women’s Month History

Jump]. My ruck weighed approximately 40 pounds. A jumper will

drop 18-24 feet per second depending on total weight. But, I had a

good jump, a perfect ‘PLF’ (parachute landing fall). Actually, as I

hooked up and approached the

drop zone, the soldier behind me

began to get sick. We were close

together, and with little room to

avoid her, I was glad to go out that

door. This was my first jump in

four years. Jumping is exciting; if I

can do this, anyone can, too!” 

Originally from Bogota,

Columbia, Estacio, who is married

to an airborne soldier, has three

children, and is a Master Personal

Trainer. 

Women have been able to earn

jump wings since the mid-70s

when the Army allowed a massive

expansion of Military

Occupational Specialties (MOS)

affecting women soldiers. For

years women were allowed to

serve in very limited roles, such as

nursing. Now, virtually every job

open to men is likewise open to

women. Today, approximately 14

percent of our national military

force is comprised of women soldiers.

Master Sgt. Winn is with the

2125th Garrison Support Unit

(Forward), Fort Bragg, N.C.

After recovering her parachute, Sgt. 1st Class Linda Estacio prepares to

leave Sicily Drop Zone.
Summer 2002 35

Story and photo by Master Sgt. David E. Johnson

CAMP PERRY, OHIO–The workday begins at “O

DARK 30,” a military expression that means very

early...long before the sun rises.

The support staff and shooters who make up the

National Rifle Matches, scurry to the range in the early

morning darkness to begin the daily preparation process.

The matches occur annually from June through August.

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. James Trusty, a medical noncommissioned officer with the 914th Combat Support

Hospital, surgical section, Sharonville, Ohio, checks all the

medical supplies and aid bags, but he aspires to be on the

range shooting instead of behind it in an ambulance. 

Another day of marksmanship competition at Camp

Perry is about to start, and another long day of treating

injuries and ailments begins.

Trusty’s meeting former Marine Gunnery Sgt. Carlos

Hathcock, a highly acclaimed sniper during the Viet Nam

War, was instrumental in Trusty changing his military

goals.

“I met Gunny during one of my early tours here,” said

Trusty, “and he was such a profound influence on me, my

career goals began to change.”

“I’ve been a medic my entire career, and I’d like to

become a marksman, a member of the Army Reserve

Shooting Team,” said Trusty. 

“A sniper has to rely on his own wits and intelligence.

You’re on your own, isolated,” said Trusty. “My ultimate

goal is to go to sniper training.”

According to Capt. Warren L. Miller, administrative

officer from the 406th Combat Services Battalion, Ann

Arbor, Mich., wanting to be a sniper and having the ability, like many things in the Army, are easier said than done.

“Being a good shot is one thing,” said Miller. “It’s another thing to be able to perform consistently at that level.” 

“But, he can do it,” Miller said.

Trusty appeared to have impressed marksmanship experts.

“He’s a hell of a shot,” said Capt. Chris

Schuler, an airborne ranger infantryman and

Special Forces officer. Schuler is currently

assigned to the 718th Transportation Battalion

at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base,

Columbus, Ohio, as the maintenance officer. 

“Staff sergeant Trusty’s a sharp soldier,” said

Sgt. 1st Class Gloria J. Tolley, an administrative

NCO from the 319th Quartermaster Battalion in

Warrensville, Ohio. “The Army NCO corps

prides itself on training soldiers, and we never

send troops into combat unprepared. Staff Sgt.

Trusty does what NCOs are supposed to do –

take care of soldiers.”

“He can better serve the needs of the Army as a marksman,” added Tolley.

Trusty says he would like to see more emphasis placed

on marksmanship training during weekend drills.

According to Trusty, marksmanship often takes a back seat

in the Army Reserve behind physical fitness, technical

skills and common task training.

“Marksmanship is the primary skill soldiers need to protect themselves in combat,” said Sgt. 1st Class Richard

Kalina, a senior marksmanship instructor, a member of the

Army Reserve’s small arms training team.

“Marksmanship is so important to our survival,” said

Trusty. “If you can’t defend yourself, you’re basically

dead. I would like to see the Army Reserve require

weapons qualification twice a year for every soldier. Once

with the normal 25-meter range, and another with pop-up

or moving targets.”

“One of these days, I hope to be shooting at these targets

as a member of the Army Reserve Shooting Team,” said

Trusty. “Marksmen are a close-knit group.”

Trusty has performed a myriad of medical duties in the

Army Reserve during his 14 years: Triage NCO during

Desert Storm, platoon sergeant, physical exam NCO, first

aid instructor.

“A marksman is quite a different job from being a

medic,” said Trusty.

Many Army Reservists will take the opportunity this

year to perform either their annual training or an extended

long-tour in a support capacity, but for the medical services NCO, a return to Camp Perry for 2002 is his quest to

come back to compete, not treat. 

Master Sgt. Johnson is with the 367th Mobile Public

Affairs Detachment, Whitehall, Ohio.

Medic to Marksman

Staff Sgt. Trusty aims at a target on the range at Camp Perry.
36 Army Reserve Magazine

By Julia Bobick

People who know her call her the

poster girl for the U.S. Army

Reserve, but 20-year-old Spc.

Sandra Mercado is not letting the publicity

go to her head. A year after being featured

in the “An Army of One” advertising campaign, she is still focused on her goals and

proud of her decision to enlist. And she’s

getting more from the Army Reserve than

she ever expected.

The broadcast journalist admits she had

high expectations of her military job skill,

the Army and her unit, the 222nd Broadcast

Operations Detachment (BOD) in Bell,

Calif. She said she strongly believes her

Army Reserve experience will help her get

ahead in her civilian career in television

broadcasting. 

So far, the Army Reserve is exceeding

the expectations of this energetic young soldier.

The freshman at Pasadena City College

said she is happy she already has close to

three years of experience in the Army

Reserve and as a broadcast journalist.

“I’m very happy I made this decision. I

expected a lot out of the Army and now the

Army expects a lot from me. I like that; I

like the pressure.”

The Rosemead, Calif., high school graduate joined the Army Reserve in November

of her senior year. She attended drill weekends as a senior, and went to basic and

advanced individual training after graduation.

“At first, I wanted to be like everybody

else and go straight to a university.”

Mercado said she had applied and

been accepted, and was ready to

start working on her degree.

But then she started thinking about how she

would get the experience to back it up. So

she thought about the military recruiters

who had already been calling her, and

decided to check out her options.

“For a soldier who weighed less than 100

pounds before basic training, she was challenged from the beginning to meet weight

standards. By the time she graduated basic

training, she gained seven pounds and was

able to carry heavy camera equipment that

offers a challenge to six-foot, two hundredpound male soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Scott

C. Marvin, broadcast noncommissioned

officer for the 222nd BOD.

Awriter for her high school newspaper, Mercado said she has always

been interested in journalism, and

knew at a young age that broadcasting was

I expected

a lot out of

the Army

and now

the Army

expects a

lot from

me. I like

that...”

Spc. Sandra Mercado

Spc. Sandra Mercado is a Broadcast

Journalist assigned to the 222nd

Broadcast Operations Detachment in

Bell, Calif.

U.S. Army Recruiting Command Photos

‘An Army of One

Army Reserve Broadcast Journalist 

Featured In Advertising Campaign
Summer 2002 37

her niche.

“As a little girl in elementary

school they used to pick me to interview guests who would come to our

school,” she said. “I’ve always had

this thing for getting to know people

and doing the interviews and writing

up the little speeches. I think I’m just

a little ham sometimes, and broadcasting is good for me.”

“I want to meet a lot of people; I

want to see how others live,” she said

with enthusiasm. “I want to see how

we’re different but how we’re alike.”

Mercado said she enjoyed learning

Spanish with her grandmother, and

wants to continue learning. She is taking Spanish in college to help her

communicate with a new audience,

both as a journalist and an individual.

English is a second language for many

of her family members and friends’

families.

“The more languages you learn the

better off you are, because you can

talk to more people, you can meet

more people and be able to communicate better.”

Everyone around her has

been supportive of her

decision, said

Mercado, from her part-time

employer at the Golden

Rose Florist in

Rosemead to her own

family spread across

Southern California. 

“We’re spread out,

but there’s a lot of us,”

Mercado said. Her parents, Karen and

David Meza of San

Gabriel, Calif.,

were not initially supportive of

her decision to

enlist. She said

they were scared

that she would lose

direction, not go to college or get hurt, or that

the Army would make

promises and not deliver on them. It was her

recruiter, Sgt. 1st Class

Rueben Avila of El Monte, Calif., who

changed their minds by thoroughly

explaining what the Army Reserve has

to offer.

Not until after she enlisted did

Mercado learn that her grandfather

was a retired Army chief warrant officer. He challenged her – then a private

– to beat his rank.

With a big smile on her face,

she said she knows she

has a long way to go. 

“I don’t know if I’m lucky, but

every step of the way, in terms of getting my career started in the Army ...

every part of it has been wonderful

and I’ve had positive

people around

me throughout

the entire

experience,”

she said. 

She’s

also had

her critics

along the

way, too.

One of the

first students in

her high

school class to join the military,

Mercado said she definitely had critics

among her peers spreading negative

rumors about the military.

“One of those people who told me I

would regret my decision ended up

joining [the Army] and I saw him in

basic training,” she said with a smile.

“He realized the rumors were false,

and the Army is just like anything

else, you have to make it work for

you. Anything you do, whether it’s the

military or college, you have to make

it work for you.”

She is convinced all her experiences in the Army Reserve

will make her a better person, a better soldier and a better journalist.

“I don’t just want to be a poster

girl, I want to be able to back it up,

and before I become a sergeant, I

want to be able to have a rack of ribbons and show people I have the

experience. 

I feel like I can lead in my heart,

but I want that deployment, I want

those ribbons, I want to be able to say

to that private when I’m in the field:

‘I’ve been there, you can learn

something from me.’”

Mercado has tremendous natural broadcasting talent,

according to Capt.

Greg Gordon,

222nd BOD commander. 

“Her unique personality and communication skills

are essential to her

duty position, but

many of these qualities are not the sort

that are easily

taught in military or

civilian training programs. To its credit, the

Army makes the most out

of everyone, but there is no

substituting raw natural talent, and in the case of

Specialist Mercado, that’s

what we get. She repre-
38 Army Reserve Magazine

sents the best of the Army’s recruiting efforts: a soldier

who brings much to the table and who, in turn, deeply

appreciates the experience of serving her country in uniform and at the same time expanding her career opportunities.”

The Army Reserve is helping her gain the experience she is looking for, and she is continuously

seeking new challenges in school and in her

Reserve career. 

“Mercado is a great asset for the Army Reserve because

she wants to participate in the military,” Marvin said. “She

constantly volunteers for missions outside the regular drill

weekend schedule; in addition to a full plate at school and

work. This availability aids our public affairs unit in

expanding mission parameters and helps to spread the

word about the benefits of military service.”

In April, Mercado deployed to Kosovo for six months

with the 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, her

Reserve unit’s sister unit, also in Bell.

She said she volunteered to gain the overseas experience

as a broadcaster. 

“I’ll be very proud when I come back to have that field

experience.”

The hardest thing was to put her college on hold. She has

left her friends and family before for training, and admitted

it isn’t easy. She said it actually makes her appreciate them

more. So she knew she could handle it.

Her mother, the first person in her family Mercado told

about the deployment, had a feeling she would go because

the unit had been asking her for a while.

“She’s scared in one respect, but she’s definitely happy

for me. She’s thrilled because she knows that I’m happy.

She thinks it’s going to be great for me.”

But delaying school was a tough decision, she said. 

“I didn’t want to miss school, but it was something I had

to do. School’s going to be there when I come back, definitely.

“I just love school.”

She said she knows it’s easier to take advantage of

opportunities like this now, than when she has the

additional demands of a civilian career and a

family, which she does want in her future.

She is the only one of her generation to enlist – so far,

she said.

“Little by little people all around me are joining,” she

said. Mercado’s roommate and best friend’s cousin joined

shortly after she returned from training. Her boyfriend has

also enlisted in the Army Reserve.

“He didn’t join because I joined, he joined because he

saw what I was getting from it.”

One thing Mercado said she didn’t plan on getting from

the Army Reserve was a new family.

“I didn’t know how close I would get to my unit,” said

the petite soldier, whom her fellow Reservists call “An

Army of Three-Fourths.”

She thought they would just be people she works with

one weekend a month and that would be it. They won’t

know much about her or remember the details.

“I can honestly say that I love the people in my unit. We

are totally like family,” she said. “They are very, very supportive; they want to be there for you.” 

She said her Reserve family is helping her stay grounded, and remain focused on her original goal, which was to

deploy and then return to finish her degree. 

When she returns from the deployment, she said

she will enroll in the college’s scholars program to be more challenged and to better her

academic standing for when she transfers to the University

of Southern California in 2004 for her junior year. 

She said she set a goal to earn her bachelor’s degree by

a certain age, so she’ll stick to her plan and see where it –

and the Army Reserve – take her.

“If cloning were authorized, Mercado would be a first

draft pick. She exudes an excellent attitude, high level of

motivation, and sets the example for her peers,” Marvin

said. She “could motivate a motivational speaker.” 

Mercado values her Army Reserve service not only for

the experience, but also for the financial benefits. She is

using the Reserve’s tuition assistance and Montgomery GI

Bill programs to pay for college, which she said will be

especially important when she transfers to USC, with its

significantly higher tuition costs.

At this point in her life, Mercado doesn’t know if

she’ll stay to retire in the Army Reserve. She has

until 2005 on her current enlistment, so she’s

leaving her options open and said she will make the decision when the time comes.

“I recommend the Army and Army Reserve to everyone

and anyone.” 

The military can instill self-discipline, she said, “but it’s

up to you to keep that with you,” said Mercado, who admitted she didn’t think she could gain any more self-discipline

in the Army, but has.

“I feel like there’s a lot of weight on my shoulders.

Being a poster girl is more than just a picture. It’s representation of the Army,” she said. “Even before I was part

of the Army of One advertising I knew any time you’re in

this uniform you need to represent it well. Even out of the

uniform, you should still be on your toes, you should represent the Army at its best - be a super soldier.”

A super soldier she is, according to Gordon.

“Specialist Mercado’s high-charged attitude is simply

infectious. Soldiers like her inspire all of us – from the

newest recruit to myself as commander – to be our best,”

he said.

“With enough [soldiers] like her, there’s no limit to the

great things our Army can accomplish.”

Julia Bobick is a Public Information Specialist with

the U.S. Army Recruiting Command Public Affairs

Division, Fort Knox, Ky.
Summer 2002 39

By Staff Sgt. Gail E. Anderson

SCHWETZINGEN, Germany—If cycling is your idea

of fun, then maybe you should try out for the Army

Cycling Team.

Sgt. Michael Gallagher, a member of the 7th Army

Reserve Command (ARCOM) has been cycling competitively for six years and has proven himself to be an outstanding cyclist.

Gallagher competed in the military Mountain Terrain

Bicycle (MTB) championships last fall at Cheatham Annex

Naval Base in Williamsburg, Va., where he raced in the

men’s Pro category against local pros as well as the World

Class Athlete Program (WCAP) riders from the Coast

Guard and the Air Force. 

WCAP riders are servicemembers that perform at the

world cup level of competition. The members participate in

their sport for the military year round and get paid the normal base pay.

At the November event, Gallagher was fighting it out for

the last half-mile with the Air Force rider for second place

but as he came out of the woods towards the finish line he

was behind by a bike length and finished in a respectable

third place. His current goals are to become a member of

the WCAP and represent Team Army.

Gallagher was previously stationed in Hanau, Germany

as the family practice NCOIC at the health clinic. During

that time he was a regular winner while competing in the

U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) mountain terrain bike

championships. His highest achievement was being selected to the Conseil International du Sport Militaire

cyclocross team.

Gallagher competed in Belgium in February 2000, representing the U.S. Armed Forces. In Apr. 2000, he moved

to Fort Hood, Texas and continued to ride in three disciplines: road cycling, MTB and cyclocross. Gallagher said

Climbing Mountains

Sgt. Michael Gallagher of the 7th Army Reserve Command, leads the pack in this mountain terrain bike competition, held last November.

Photo by Royce Walston Jr.
40 Army Reserve Magazine

By Edward Rivera

After a 30-year career as a distinguished cardiovascular surgeon, which included implanting the first permanent totally artificial heart, Dr. William C. DeVries

decided to do something he had always wanted to do -

join the Army.

On Jan. 18, the 58-year-old DeVries became one of

the oldest officers to graduate from the Army Medical

Department Basic Officer Course.

“This country has given me so much, and now it was

time for me to give back,” said DeVries, who was commissioned into the Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel on

Dec. 31.

DeVries is the son of a Navy physician and a nurse. He

had always been interested in serving in the Armed Forces,

but schooling and subsequent positions did not allow for

his desire.

In the 1980s DeVries was instrumental in creating the

Jarvik-7 artificial heart. He performed the first Jarvik-7

implantation in 1982 while on the faculty of the Utah

School of Medicine. He moved to Louisville, Ky., and

from 1982 through 1987 implanted the artificial heart in

four patients, who collectively lived more than 1,300 days.

In 1988, DeVries returned to traditional cardiovascular

surgery until his retirement in 1999. He currently serves as

the academic coordinator for the cardiothoracic surgery

service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“I have always considered myself a good team leader,

but I have gained a better understanding and appreciation

of camaraderie. It is incredible how soldiers pull together

as a team to accomplish their missions,” he said.

When DeVries decided to give back to his country by

joining the Army, he didn’t think twice about his age.

“I’ve always been very active and keep in good shape.

I’m sure there were some skeptics, but I wasn’t worried

about the physical aspects of the training,” he said.

Now that DeVries has graduated from the Basic Officer

Course, he will use his new-found knowledge of the Army

and how it operates to better his work at Walter Reed. He

also plans to go on the road to help recruit others who may

want to serve their country as they wind down their civilian careers.

Lt. Col. William C. DeVries

Renowned Surgeon Joins Army Reserve, Becomes

Oldest AMEDD Officer Training Graduate

“This country has given me so

much, and now it was time for

me to give back.” 

that MTB is his favorite among the three.

“I shocked the Texas cycling hierarchy by exploding

onto the scene, placing consistently in the top five of every

cyclocross race and besting many of the established pro

riders of the state.”

After doing so well in Texas, Gallagher decided that

what he needed was more time to pursue his cycling goals

so he moved back to Germany to look for a German team

and at the same time he joined the 7th ARCOM.

Gallagher found what he was looking for and says:

“Europe is to cycling what baseball is the America. I was

accepted into Frankfurt cycling team and continue to train

daily.”

Currently, Gallagher works part time at the CycleTechs

bicycle shop in Heidelberg, putting his many years of

working on his own bikes to good use. As a contractor for

the Army and Air Force Exchange Service this shop is the

hub for the Heidelberg and Mannheim cycling community.

Gallagher hopes to eventually qualify for and race in a

World Cup MTB event and wants to start a Team Army

cycling club in the area.

Staff Sgt. Anderson is with the 7th Army Reserve

Command, Schwetzingen, Germany.
Summer 2002 41

By Pfc. Ryan Smith

Competition thrives in the military, as it does in the

civilian world. Soldiers, especially those who are in leadership positions, strive to be the best. 

It’s natural that 1st Lt. John M. Didonato, company

executive officer, and Sgt. 1st Class Charles B. Pulsifer,

platoon sergeant for the transportation platoon, both with

Charlie Company, 528th Special Operations Support

Battalion from Fort Bragg, N.C., have a competitive relationship. 

Their rivalry is unique, however. Both soldiers are

Reservists, activated after Sept. 11, and both of them work

in the transportation industry as civilians. The catch is that

they work for two of the major competitors in the industry.

Didonato, a Burlington, N.J. native, is a manager for

FedEx. Pulsifer, a Bristol, Pa. native, is a service provider

for the United Parcel Service. 

“My platoon leader works for the number two company,” said Pulsifer. Didonato is the former platoon leader for

the transportation platoon.

Didonato replied, “UPS is starting to slow down. FedEx

is starting to dominate the transportation industry.”

The two built a strong working relationship in their

Reserve unit in Pennsylvania, the 465th Transportation

Co., where they have worked together for six years. “We

work hard, and we play hard,” said Pulsifer.

“It’s almost like a marriage,” said Didonato, “of course

we bump heads occasionally.”

“Having worked together for so long facilitates leadership,” said Pulsifer. “We get things done. You call and we

haul.”

“Of course, in his business, you call and you wait,”

Pulsifer added.

Their friendly rivalry spills over into the field, as well.

“When we’re in the field, we make sure all of our real business gets done,” said Didonato. “Then we just josh each

other.”

They are known throughout Charlie Co. for their sense

of humor. “We’re P Diddy and Slim Shady,” said Pulsifer.

“Keep us out in the field for two weeks. We’ll start getting loopy,” said Didonato.

Pulsifer believes that the competition makes the deployment more tolerable. “That’s what keeps our sanity. We can

joke about the situation,” he said.

They even joked about what would happen if their competition got physical. “If our commander sees an E-7 and

an O-2 rolling around on the ground, there’s going to be

some Article 15’s flying around,” said Didonato.

Once the deployment is over, they will return to their

jobs and families. Both are married and have children, and

both say that the mobilization has been rough on their families. However, they’re both proud to be working to protect

their children’s future.

But the rivalry will always continue. According to

Didonato, Pulsifer may not have a job waiting for him in

Pennsylvania, “when FedEx takes over.”

Pfc. Smith is with the 372nd Mobile Public Affairs

Detachment, Nashville, Tenn.

Friendly Competition Rivalry amongst Reservists stems from civilian jobs

Sgt. 1st Class Charles B. Pulsifer is the platoon sergeant for Charlie Co.'s transportation platoon.

Photo by Spc. Andrew Lee
42 Army Reserve Magazine

From Racing to Receipts

Former Marine, racecar driver leaves ova

Sgt. Ronnie Brewer talks with former classmate and racing competitor Bobby Labonte recently at

Darlington Motor Speedway.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Donald R. Dunn
Summer 2002 43

By Sgt. First Class Donald R. Dunn II

Sitting at his desk on the first floor of the Floyd Spence

Army Reserve Center, looking over his inventories and

hand receipts, he gazes at the photos of a time when being

a racecar driver and having his own shop was his only

dream.

Sgt. Ronnie L. Brewer, a supply sergeant in the 310th

Personnel Group, here on Fort Jackson was once a promising young racecar driver, who spent his weekends racing

late model stock cars at the Caraway Motor speedway in

Asheboro, N.C.

Brewer, a native of Trinity, N.C., began racing at 25 and

remembers one of the first cars he bought belonged to

Ward Burton, who recently won the 44th Daytona 500.

“My father is good friends with Bob Burton, Ward’s

father. We bought the car and I actually finished a career

third place in it at Caraway,” said Brewer.

The car, number 22, is still the number Burton uses on

his current Caterpillar Winston Cup Car. Burton, who also

has a military connection, is a graduate of Hargrave

Military Academy, where he was a First Lieutenant and

ranked first on the school’s rifle team.

“I started racing after being a former Marine in 1989, I

joined the Army in 1996 and went in civil affairs before

becoming the supply sergeant here in the 310th as an

Active/Guard Reserve soldier in September 2001.”

Being from a racing family, Brewer has raced with the

likes of Mike Skinner, Bobby Labonte, and three of the late

great Dale Earnhardt’s children, Kerry, Dale Jr., and

Kelley.

“We all raced at Caraway, it was a starting point for a

young race car driver with the skills to get ahead, it all

starts with late models. Also sponsorship is very important

and money, this and a good pit crew,” explained Brewer.

My father raced at The Daytona Grand Nationals, back

in the late 50’s. This was before Winston Cup racing. My

father hauled his racecar there with a single tow bar on the

back of the family car. A lot has changed since those early

days when Bill Brewer raced there with legends like

Fireball Roberts, Richard Petty, and Junior Johnson.”

“My last race was two years ago, I miss it every day. I

grew up in a racing family; it’s what we all lived for. I have

approached the Army with recruiting ideas about racing,

but have not yet got a response. I enjoy the Army and still

hope to combine both,” said Brewer.

Brewer also knows the importance of the fans, “They are

the most patriotic of any sport around and they all support

their drivers. I wish the Army could be more involved in

racing, because it is truly an American sport and an

untapped recruiting tool,” expressed Brewer.

Brewer was also in the top ten in points for five years

during his Winston Racing Series career. He is still hoping

to pursue it and be in the Army too.

Sgt. 1st Class Dunn is with the 319th Mobile Public

Affairs Detachment, Fort Jackson, S.C.

val track to become AGR supply sergeant

Sgt. Ronnie Brewer talks with his friend Ward Burton,

this year’s Daytona 500 winner.
By Lt. Col. Randy Pullen

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Soldier’s

Medal pinned on his chest was not the only

honor that Army Reserve Col. J. Edgar

Wakayama had for his actions at the

Pentagon on September 11 and the days

that followed.

In a voice filled with emotion,

Wakayama spoke to those who had come to

see him receive the Army’s highest decoration for non-combat valor.

“For nine days, I worked alongside the

great soldiers of the 3rd Infantry, the Old

Guard,” Wakayama said. “They kept going

inside the Pentagon, braving the dangers of

further collapse to try to rescue survivors

and then to bring out remains. For a little

while, I had the honor of being part of the

Old Guard.”

Wakayama’s “tour of duty” with

the Old Guard began on the morning

of Sept. 11. A Medical Service Corps

officer on a one-year tour of duty with

the Director for Operational Test and

Evaluation (OT & E), Office of the

Secretary of Defense, he evacuated

the Pentagon after the hijacked airliner crashed into it.

Seeing the dense smoke coming

from the crash site, he moved towards

it.

What happened next is described in

his Soldier’s Medal citation:

“He entered the Pentagon three

times to search for injured people,

leading three to safety on the first trip

and several more on the second

attempt, before being repulsed by

smoke and heat on the third entry.”

Unable to get inside the Pentagon

again, Wakayama started to treat the

wounded on-site. He helped perform

triage and administer intravenous

solutions. He helped the Red Cross

set up a blood draw collection point.

For the rest of Sept. 11 and for the

next nine days, he worked 12-hour

shifts at the recovery site.

Days of being engulfed by the

Pentagon tragedy can take a toll on

even heroes like Wakayama. That is

why the letter he was handed one day by

two volunteers meant so much to him. In a

way, it was his first honor.

Taking a break at the Camp Unity support site in the Pentagon parking lot, he was

given a letter written in a child’s hand.

Dave and Shirley Hall, members of a group

of volunteers from North Carolina preparing and serving food for the recovery workers, passed on the letter from Kayle

Madren, a fifth grader at Altamahaw

Ossipee Elementary School in Elon

College, N.C. Written on Sept. 15, it read:

Dear Heroes,

Thank [you] for being our heroes. I hope

you find lots of people. Please save the

people that are still alive. Thank you for

being our heroes.

Be Careful,

Kayle

Honors For Hero of Pentagon Attack

Soldier’s Medal recipient Col. J. Edgar

Wakayama, an Army Reservist assigned to the

Director, Operational Test and Evaluation,

Office of the Secretary of Defense, addresses

the attendees at his Pentagon award ceremony.

Photo by Lt. Col. Randy Pullen
Summer 2002 45

Moved by the girl’s letter, Wakayama wrote back to her

that same day.

“Your kind words truly lifted my spirits during this most

difficult time in our country’s history,” he wrote. “The

mood here is sad, but the spirit of people is high because of

the many letters received by students like you. 

“Kayle, we are all heroes. Heroes are common people

who rise during difficult times and yet somehow manage to

overcome tragedy. Heroes are students like you who study

hard, listen to their parents and teachers, and become good

citizens.” 

Wakayama enclosed a diagram of the crash site, a

Pentagon shoulder patch and a colonel’s eagle rank

insignia with the letter he sent to Kayle. 

Kayle was on his mind when he received the Soldier’s

Medal on March 6 from Mr. Tom Christie, Director of OT

&E. Also on his mind was what was taking place that

week in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan on Operation

ANACONDA and how this related to what he did on Sept.

11.

Wakayama said that the actions of the special operations

soldiers who went back in under heavy enemy fire to

retrieve a fallen comrade were also in keeping with the

creed of Army medics.

“Medics don’t leave wounded behind on the battlefield,”

he said. “For years, I’ve taught that to my students. When

the Pentagon was attacked, I had to put my money where

my mouth was.”

His actions at the Pentagon clearly show that Wakayama

is a teacher who can do as well as he says.

Although Wakayama now wears the Soldier’s Medal

ribbon on his dress uniform, he will not be able to wear any

of the distinctive insignia of the Old Guard. Nor can he

attach Kayle’s letter to his uniform.

Those honors — serving alongside the 3rd Infantry and

what Kayle wrote about Pentagon heroes — will always be

present, though. They will be as much a part of the medal

as its cloth.

Note: The information about Kayle’s letter came

from a September 25, 2001, American Forces Press

Service article written by Rudi Williams. Lt. Col.

Pullen is with the Public Affairs and Liaison

Directorate, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve,

Washington, DC.

By Brig. Gen. John R. Hawkins III

SPECIAL TO ARMY RESERVE

PUBLIC AFFAIRS—An Army

Reservist received the Purple Heart

Medal for wounds received in a terrorist

bombing in Pakistan March 17.

Maj. Lisa K. Bohn of the Army

Reserve’s 354th Civil Affairs Brigade,

Riverdale, Md., was awarded the Purple

Heart by Gen. Tommy R. Franks,

Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central

Command, in a presentation held at the

U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan,

March 19.

Bohn, assigned to the Coalition Joint

Civil-Military Operations Task Force in

Islamabad, received shrapnel wounds

when two of six grenades tossed into a

church near the American embassy

exploded. She was attending services in

the church at the time of the attack. As

soon as she determined further followon attacks were not coming, she immediately began tending to the other

wounded, without concern for her own

injuries.

“I praise God for my being alive,”

she said, “but I credit my survival to

my military training about how to react

to incoming.”

Following the incident, Bohn was

treated for her wounds and released.

This mother of two continues to serve

on active duty in the war on terrorism.

Although Army Reservists killed

and wounded during the initial terrorist

attacks on Sept. 11 received Purple

Hearts, Bohn is believed to be the first

Army Reservist to be awarded the

Purple Heart for wounds inflicted during Operation Enduring Freedom.

At the time this article was written, Brig. Gen. Hawkins was the

Military Director of the Coalition

Information Service in Islamabad.

Army Reserve Woman Receives Purple Heart for

Wounds Received in Pakistan Church Bombing

Maj. Lisa Bohn, a 354th Civil Affairs

Brigade officer wears her newly

awarded Purple Heart. Bohn

earned the medal for shrapnel

wounds received in the grenade

attack on the Christian Church in

Islamabad in March.

Photo by Capt. Edward Lambrecht III
46 Army Reserve Magazine

Snapshots

President George W. Bush

takes a minute to share a

photo opportunity with Capt.

Tim Salazar during the 2002

Reserve Officers Association

Mid-Winter Convention in

Washington, D.C. Salazar

serves as ROA's National

Junior Vice-President for

Army Affairs. The Reserve

captain is assigned to the

88th Regional Support

Command as the protocol

officer.

Meeting the President

Representative Rob Ney (ROH) speaks with the local

media during his visit with

more 100 Army Reservists

from the 660th Transportation

Company in Cadiz, Ohio. Ney

spoke with the troops about

the events of Sept. 11. Ney

also joined the Reservists for

their afternoon meal and

made himself available for

photo opportunities.

Congressional Visitor

Photo by Capt. Scott Goeke
Summer 2002 47

Members of the Army Reserve’s Hawaii-based

U.S. Forces Korea Support Unit (USFKSU)

pose at the Waikiki Beach start/finish line

prior to the kick off of the 32nd Annual Oahu

Perimeter Relay Race. The race covers a 134-

mile course around the island of Oahu. Team

“Arrive Alive III” started at 7 p.m. and finished

in 20:09:20. Each runner of the seven-member

relay team takes turns running from two to

six mile legs. Runners end up running a total

of approximately 15-20 miles each. The race

consisted of 132 teams of which 75% were

military. Team members are (top row from l-r)

Sgt. Irene Fontanilla, Sgt. 1st Class John

Miyata, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Ziarno, Maj.

Steve Buchanan, Staff Sgt. Lemont Shipman;

(bottom row from l-r) Sgt. 1st Class Roland

Kido, Capt. Colleen Santos, Pfc. Chae Bae.

Photo by Alicia Ziarno

Team “Arrive Alive III”

Sgt. 1st Class William H. Hardin

races through Chinatown near the

19-mile mark of the Chicago

Marathon, 2001. Hardin is

assigned as a Senior Drill Sergeant

with Det-1, 1/274th 2nd Brigade,

84th Division (Institutional

Training) in Rockford, Illinois.

Chicago Marathon
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