ARMY 

STRONGER

ARMY 

STRONGER

Army program 

emphasizes five pillars 

of Soldiers’ fitness

PHYSICAL

SOCIAL

EMOTIONAL

FAMILY

SPIRITUAL

Unofficial 1st Infantry Division Magazine of Soldiers and Families | www.riley.army.mil
 Duty First! March 2010 

|1

TEAMWORK is the foundation of the Big Red One. I shall

never fail my team, for I maintain the standard. My conduct and 

self-discipline set the example for others to follow.

HONOR is what I stand for–an American Soldier on duty

for my country. My loyalty is intense. I display care for

my fellow Soldiers and my chain of command through courage, 

respect, integrity and compassion.

I have learned to ENDURE

, to thrive in adversity. 

The harsh reality of combat gives me the enthusiasm for

realistic training. I am physically and mentally strong to

meet the demanding situations my unit encounters.

We are one in the Big Red One. Our BROTHERHOOD

gives us strength to fight on to any objective and accomplish the 

mission as our veterans have done before us. I live the legacy of my division.

READINESS is my priority. To be ready for any mission,

anytime, anywhere. My business is first-class training and living high 

standards of care and equipment, weaponry and tactical and 

technical competence.

My ORGANIZATION is my strength. The BRO is bigger 

than any one individual. It gives me purpose, self-confidence, 

competitive spirit, intestinal fortitude and the desire to fight 

with all my heart.

Duty First!

The Duty First is an unofficial publication 

produced under the provisions of AR 360-1, 

published by Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division. 

Editorial views and opinions expressed are not 

necessarily those of the Department of Defense, 

the Army or the 1st Infantry Division. All photos 

are Army photos unless otherwise noted. 

Circulation is 6,000 per issue, printed monthly. 

Story and photos submissions are welcome and 

should be sent to: 

1st Infantry Division

Public Affairs Office 

ATTN: Editor 

Bldg. 580

RM 317

Fort Riley, KS 66442 

Telephone number

COM 785-239-6821 

 DSN 856-6821 

or visit Duty First online at www.riley.army.mil.

1st Infantry Division Commander

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks

1st Infantry Division CSM

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne

1st Infantry Division PAO

Lt. Col. Matt Hackathorn

Editor

Anna Staatz

Staff Writers

Jordan Chapman

Stephanie Hoff

Illustrator 

Justin Angeles

Photo by Stephanie Hoff, Duty First! magazine 

No Mission too Difficult. No Sacrifice too Great.

March 2010 | www.riley.army.mil

Cover: Sgt. Abimael Carrasquillo, 601st Aviation 

Support Battalion, lifts weights Feb. 1 at King 

Field House.

C ONTENT S

Departments

Features

Danger 6

Sharing vision for 

Campaign 2015 Plan 

Danger 7

Fit Soldiers are 

resilient, strong 

Danger Forward

Big Red One readies 

for elections in Iraq 

Functional fitness

You can’t put 

price on your health

Army resiliency

Fort Riley targets Soldier, 

Family resiliency training

Finding common ground

Club activities offer 

healthy social outlets

Staying sharp

Mental, emotional 

health a key to fitness 

All in the Family

Healthy Families equal 

healthy Soldiers

Finding your cross to bear

Soldiers, Families 

find strength in faith

32

478

14

11
2| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 |3

Commanding General DANGER 6 Command Sergeant Major DANGER 7

Grasping CSF’s importance Fit Soldiers master resiliency

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness. If 

you wear this uniform, you’ve no 

doubt heard this phrase and have 

probably even undergone some of the initial testing, especially if you’ve deployed. 

But many Soldiers may not understand 

what CSF is or why it’s so important.

What is it?

The Army Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program was established to increase 

the resilience of Soldiers and Families by 

developing their strengths in all important domains: emotional, social, spiritual 

and Family, in addition to physical. The 

CSF will ensure that all Soldiers undergo 

an assessment of their total fitness. The 

results of the assessment will direct individualized training, intervention or treatment programs, as needed. This program 

will begin at accession, and, like physical 

fitness, will include reassessment at appropriate intervals. The CSF office applies 

accepted methodology and scientific rigor to ensure that all training, interventions and treatments have demonstrated 

effectiveness.

What has the Army done?

The Army established CSF on Oct. 1, 

2008, as a directorate within the Army’s 

G-3/5/7. The office is reviewing existing 

capabilities and needs and is conducting 

program assessments that are focused on 

measures of effectiveness, standardization, enhancement and enforcement. The 

CSF is actively working with experts in 

the civilian academic community to create a global assessment tool that will reliably measure status in all comprehensive 

fitness domains. Training modules and 

programs have been, or are being, developed to assist Soldiers to improve knowledge and skill in each area.

What continued efforts does the Army 

have planned for the future?

With execution of the CSF plan, all Soldiers will undergo an assessment as they 

begin their military service, and periodically throughout their careers. The results 

of their assessment will be linked to a customized menu of training modules and 

services for areas that need strengthening. Additionally, CSF will evaluate the 

impacts of a resiliency training program 

in Basic Combat Training and build CSF 

instruction into all leadership curricula. 

Once a program’s success is validated, it 

will be distributed to the entire training 

base. With recognition that strong, resilient families are essential to the Army, a 

parallel tool is being developed for spouses, who will be encouraged to undergo 

assessment and strengthening as well. 

Why is this important?

Enhanced resilience, achieved by a combination of specific training and improved fitness in the five domains of 

health, can decrease post-traumatic stress, 

decrease the incidence of undesirable and 

destructive behaviors, and lead to a greater likelihood for post-adversity growth 

and success. It ensures continuity of effort among the disparate organizations 

that currently provide education and 

training, intervention or treatment programs to Soldiers and their Families.

The CSF will ensure Soldiers and Family members have the opportunity to enhance their resilience throughout their 

careers. The CSF program will maximize 

available training time, by equipping Soldiers with the skills to become more selfaware, fit, balanced, confident, and competent. Soldiers with these attributes will 

be better prepared to meet ambiguous 

and unpredictable challenges and help 

restore balance to the Army.

Within the 1st Infantry Division and 

Fort Riley, we’re taking Comprehensive 

Soldier Fitness to the next level. In fact, 

we’ve dropped “Soldier” from its name, 

instead focusing on Comprehensive Fitness for everyone – Family members and 

DA civilians included. We recognize that 

it takes everyone working together to 

succeed, and understand that it’s important to build resiliency in not only our 

Soldiers, but Families and civilians as 

well. Recognizing and embracing this 

concept is a key part of working toward 

our goal of making Fort Riley the premier 

division-level installation in the Army. 

Duty First!

As 1st Infantry Division Soldiers 

repeatedly deploy to serve 

their country, the importance 

of strength reaches even higher priorities than before. The term strength isn’t 

just about physical power, however. 

Army strong Soldiers also must attain 

emotional, social, spiritual and Family 

strength.

The Army has chosen to focus a lot 

of attention on offering our Soldiers options in these areas that ultimately lead 

to a better, more adaptable fighting 

force. The more “in-shape” we are 

within these areas, the better we are 

able to bounce back from the stressors 

of combat and separation from our 

loved ones.

Physically, being strong is more 

than being able to pass a physical training test. A PT test is the bare minimum 

our Soldiers should achieve. Big Red 

One Soldiers who are physically fit 

push themselves to the limits, so that 

when their strength is needed—whether it is to carry a comrade from the 

combat area or haul equipment into a 

motorpool—they have the physical 

ability to perform above the standard 

under pressure.

Depression, stress, anger and frustration are all emotions Soldiers will 

experience at one time or another. It’s 

important to know your weaknesses in 

this area and find techniques that help 

you overcome such obstacles. Hobbies, 

recreational activities and music are all 

ways to positively channel emotions. 

And when help is needed, there’s nothing wrong with taking the steps to seek 

more professional, organized support.

On a social level, it’s important to 

develop friendships. It can be hard in 

the Army, with frequent moves and 

deployments, to maintain contact with 

your friends. However, those friendships are an important part of a person’s overall well-being. It’s also important to reach out when you get to a 

new duty station and develop new relationships. Having someone to go 

play ball with or have lunch with can 

go a long way toward helping you not 

only make a new friend but also have 

someone who is close by to provide 

daily encouragement.

Spiritual fitness can be your personal 

faith and beliefs. It also can be the 

strength of your heart and willpower, 

and the ability to center yourself or to 

have peace of mind when it comes to 

dealing with life’s problems. Being “fit” 

spiritually provides an inner guidepost 

on which to base your outward decisions and actions. In the toughest of 

situations, that inner mentality is what 

pulls a Soldier through.

Having a healthy Family life impacts 

every other area on this list. Talk and 

communicate with your Family. Knowing the expectations your spouse has 

during a deployment and in turn, communicating your own expectations can 

make or break your marriage. Having 

the ability to effectively communicate 

while dealing with changing schedules 

and moves is equally important.

Health in each of these areas produces a Soldier who is resilient—who has 

the elasticity to bounce back from tough 

times and emerge a stronger person. 

These areas are important qualities to 

develop and improve upon on your 

way to becoming the best America has 

to offer.

Now, get after it! 

Duty First!

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks Division Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne
4| www.riley.army.mil

Being physically fit means more than 

just being able to pass an Army Physical Fitness Test twice a year. The 

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Web 

site defines physical strength as, performing and 

excelling in physical activities that require aerobic 

fitness, endurance, strength, healthy body composition and flexibility derived through exercise, nutrition, and training.

“You can’t put a price on your health,” said Megan John, fitness coordinator for Family, Morale, 

Welfare and Recreation. “It’s an essential part of a 

Soldier’s job to be healthy and be as fit as possible. 

Functional fitness is most important with a Soldier.” 

The on-post fitness centers offer a wide variety 

of equipment and classes to help Fort Riley Soldiers, Families and civilians maintain a healthy 

lifestyle. 

“We have a lot of different services that a lot of different people can feel comfortable in, male and female,” John said. “There’s such a variety. If you’re not 

comfortable lifting free weights, we’ve got other machines available. We also offer a variety of different 

classes. A lot of them are not so gender-orientated, 

like spinning and interval boot-camp.”

Major renovations have already begun at several 

on-post fitness centers, including Long Gym and 

King Field House to help assist Soldiers and Families 

maximize their workouts. Improvements to King 

Field House will include a new cross-fit and aerobics 

area as well as the addition of new fitness classes, 

John said. The staff is currently looking into adding 

fitness ballet and dance classes as well as rowing 

classes. 

Current activities already scheduled to promote 

fitness and healthy lifestyles include Fort Riley’s 

Biggest Loser and Fit for Life. The programs are 

open to Soldiers, Family members and civilians 

and are designed to encourage participants to relieve stress and have fun while building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Additionally, Irwin Army Community Hospital 

offers a wide variety of services and classes for its 

patrons to establish and uphold a healthy lifestyle. 

“I think a diet can definitely impact an individual’s overall health and wellness and fuel their 

body, especially for the Soldier to carry out their 

duties,” said Beth Gallaher, dietician and diabetes 

educator for Irwin Army Community Hospital. 

“The nutrition piece is essential for them to carry 

out their duties and their mission.”

(continued on page 6)

Soldiers learn you can’t put price on health | Story & photos by Stephanie Hoff

ABOVE: Ashley Peterson 

pitches for the Lady 

Falcons on July 1 at Sacco 

Softball Complex. RIGHT: 

Sgt. Abimael Carrasquillo, 601st Aviation Support 

Battalion, lifts weights at 

King Field House on Feb. 

1. OPPOSITE: Jeffrey 

Wilson, a Fort Riley 

contractor, attempts to 

shoot the basketball 

during an extracurricular 

game at King Field House 

on Feb. 1. 

courtesy of THE 1st infantry division post
6| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 |7

Fort Riley 2015 targets Soldier, Family resilience training

WITH THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF 

THE FORT RILEY 2015 CAMPAIGN PLAN, INDIVIDUALS ALL ACROSS THE INSTALLATION ARE BUSYING THEMSELVES WORKING TOWARD THE GOAL OF MAKING THE 

POST THE PREMIER DIVISION-LEVEL INSTALLATION IN THE ARMY.

And while efforts in force generation, 

sustainability and community will all be 

necessary to reach this goal, resiliency is 

the glue that holds them all together.

Resiliency, a main focus in the campaign plan, is the ability to grow and 

thrive in the face of challenges, as well as 

the ability to bounce back from adversity. Fostering resiliency in Soldiers and 

Family members prepares them for personal and professional growth.

With this in mind, the Fort Riley 2015 

Campaign Plan calls for the creation of a 

Resiliency Campus on post, a world-class 

epicenter for the five pillars of Comprehensive Fitness—physical, emotional, social, family and spiritual strength. 

Located on Custer Hill, the campus 

will provide Soldiers, Family members 

and civilians with facilities and services 

such as a physical fitness/wellness center, 

a mind fitness center and a child development center. 

“I’ve been to Fort Hood and seen 

their resiliency campus ... so we have a 

sense of what the goal is for the division,” said Cheryl Erickson, director of 

Army Community Services, which will 

be one of the campus’ main attractions. 

ACS’ primary function is “assisting Soldiers and Family Members in developing skills that will allow them to thrive, 

and increasing mission readiness by doing it,” Erickson explained.

“ACS is and has been about Soldier 

resilience,” Erickson said. “I think we’ve 

reframed the discussion in terms of resilience, but we have always been about 

strengthening Families. That has always 

been ACS’ mission.”

On her Fort Hood visit, Erickson was 

able to tour the resiliency campus while 

it was still a work in progress. 

“They gathered services for Soldiers 

and Family members from a wide variety of disciplines, everything from counselors to ... a physical wellness center,” 

Erickson said of Fort Hood’s campus. 

“It’s really kind of unprecedented. It’s 

exciting.

“It really puts all the pieces in one 

place.”

The Fort Hood campus was, in part, 

an inspiration for Fort Riley’s. “I think 

General Brooks wants to not just recreate 

it, but improve upon it,” Erickson said.

“It’s a different way to frame services,” said Nikki Crisman, assistant director for Family programs with Army 

Community Services. “The Army has 

the services, they’re just trying to get the 

services so that they can share resources 

and are in a more centralized location 

for Soldiers and Families to use.”

Erickson said the campus will help 

Soldiers, Family members and civilians 

realize and understand what services 

Fort Riley makes available. “What we’re 

hearing from Soldiers and Families right 

now is that they’re overwhelmed with 

the choices out there, and just my building’s overwhelming,” Erickson said. 

“And when you figure that every one of 

these programs is clamoring to get that 

Soldier’s attention ... all these voices are 

competing in flyers and PSAs to the 

point where Families are overwhelmed.

“I think having a ... central concept, 

where Families know they can go somewhere and find what they need without 

all that noise is going to cut down on a 

lot of that competing effort and make it 

easier to find what they need when they 

need it.”

Megan John, front right, fitness coordinator, leads Soldiers during Power Mix on Feb. 9 at King House. 

“It’s been really full lately, especially with the cold weather. The Soldiers just need something different to do,” John said. Power Mix is from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays at KFH. 

Recreational 

resources Nutrition Care Division — Irwin Army 

Community Hospital

www.iach.amedd.army.mil

785-239-7644

Fort Riley Family Morale, Welfare 

and Recreation

www.rileymwr.com

785-239-3467

Manhattan Running Company — Post 

Group Running Schedules

www.manhattanrunningco.com

785-320-6363

The Pathfinder — Post Bicycle Ride 

Schedules

www.thepathfinder.net

785-539-5639

Let’s Go Run.com

www.letsgorun.com

Little Apple Road Runners

littleappleroadrunners@yahoogroups.com

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/

group/littleappleroadrunners

Lake Adventures

Milford, Kan. 

785-307-1901

www.adventureracekansas.com

extremekansas@yahoo.com

(continued from page 5)

The Nutrition Care Clinic at IACH attends to individuals of all ages and can 

assist Soldiers and Families with a wide 

variety of different nutritional needs. 

Supporting Family members with establishing a nutritional diet and healthy 

lifestyle is just as important as the Soldiers’, Gallaher said. 

“Military spouses are sometimes so 

busy taking care of the children, the household, everything around them that they 

neglect themselves,” Gallaher said. “The 

Army wife wears so many hats and is taking care of so many things that they need to 

not forget to take care of themselves.” 

Individuals can self-refer themselves 

for several classes and services, offered 

through the clinic without a prior referral, she said. Prenatal nutrition, breastfeeding education and weight-control 

management are some of the classes offered through the clinic. 

An additional benefit of the NCC is 

there are no requirements for individuals to first call the hospital’s appointment 

line. They can contact the NCC directly 

for information about scheduled classes 

or to create an appointment. Gallaher 

noted some classes require a consultation before attending. 

For the Fort Riley individuals looking 

to enjoy the great outdoors while establishing a fitness routine, they need to 

look no further than outside the post’s 

gates to Milford Lake for numerous outdoor and vigorous activities such as 

Lake Adventure Races. 

 Adventure races are team endurance 

events that can include navigating, running or hiking, mountain biking, canoe 

or kayaking along with other activities. 

They can vary in distance from 12 to 50 

miles, said Charmion Harris, chairman 

for Lake Adventure Races.

“A typical race will involve intense 

highs and possibly lows for all team 

members,” Harris said. “The result being that every finisher will feel that they 

have redefined their limits.”

The races provide an opportunity for 

Soldiers to use their fitness skills but 

strategies and assessments are also required throughout the race. 

“The sport of adventure racing is the 

best match for Soldiers that I know of,” 

Harris said. “It requires many skills, 

strategy and physical ability that they 

are already trained for.”

Harris said Lake Adventure Races 

has appealed to Fort Riley Soldiers and 

Families because it’s an event they can 

participate in together. 

“These races provide an excellent opportunity for the Soldier to share knowledge with their Family members and 

work together toward a goal that is very 

rewarding for all racers,” he said. “Of 

course the added bonus to all of this is 

seeing and experiencing the local Kansas 

outdoors in ways that many Soldiers and 

Families wouldn’t get to otherwise.”

Maintaining a healthy and physically 

fit lifestyle is important for all individuals and the benefits also will spill over 

into other areas of their lives, John said. 

“If you’re out of balance, it throws the 

other pillars of your life off, for example 

your emotions or family. It’s kind of a 

cascading event. If one pillar is not at the 

same height as the other ones, you can’t 

really live as you should live to your full 

potential,” John said. “You can’t be 

healthy if you don’t have some realm of 

fitness.”
By Stephanie Hoff

Duty First! Magazine S

itting behind a card table or in front of a televi-

sion with a group of friends can be just as ben-

eficial to one’s health as burning away calories 

for an hour at the gym. 

The United States Army acknowledges the need 

for Soldiers, Families and civilians to sustain valu-

able and healthy rela-

tionships in the Com-

prehensive Soldier Fit-

ness program. Social 

strength is defined as: 

developing and main-

taining trusted, valued 

relationships and friend-

ships that are personally 

fulfilling and foster good 

communication includ-

ing a comfortable ex-

change of ideas, views, 

and experiences, accord-

ing to the CSF Web site. 

Establishing successful 

relationships and friend-

ships not only benefits a 

Soldier by simple things 

such as keeping their cal-

endars booked on Satur-

day nights, but also can provide them with skills and 

strength to cope with adversity or the impact from a 

traumatic event.

Fort Riley leaders have allocated resources to im-

proving the post’s current social and recreational op-

tions and also for the addition of new facilities, such as 

the Warrior Zone, which celebrated its official grand 

opening Feb. 7, with a Super Bowl party. 

“I think the Warrior Zone is a great addition to 

Fort Riley,” said Spc. Desaree Molina, president of 

Fort Riley’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers. 

“I and a lot of other Soldiers are there after work. It’s 

a great way to meet other Soldiers.” 

The BOSS program 

was created by the De-

partment of the Army as 

a medium to allow sin-

gle Soldiers an opportu-

nity to enhance their 

quality of life, contribute 

through community ser-

vice projects and take 

part in recreational and 

leisure activities. 

Recreational events 

hosted by BOSS have in-

cluded skiing and shop-

ping trips, bowling par-

ties and visits to comedy 

clubs. 

“I initially thought the 

trips would be the most 

fun part of BOSS,” Moli-

na said. “I have since 

learned the Soldiers really enjoy the community 

service projects.” 

BOSS traveled to Kansas City, Kan., in November for 

‘Project Warmth’ and assisted with the delivery and 

(continued on page 10)

8| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 

|9

BOSS program, Warrior Zone some of the many options 

allowing Soldiers to find healthy social outlets

Courtesy of the 1st infantry division post

ABOVE: Fort Riley Soldiers enjoy a game of cards during 

Right Arm Night at Riley’s Conference Center. OPPOSITE: 

Soldiers and Families enjoy the rides and activities at the 

2009 Fort Riley Oktoberfest. The annual event is generally 

scheduled the beginning of October and is hosted by Family, 

Morale, Welfare and Recreation. 

courtesy of Fort Riley FMWR
Sometimes, all it takes to de-stress is some time alone with a favorite 

hobby, laughing at friend’s joke, or charting a new path out of a 

frustrating behavior or environment.

As Soldiers and Families are stretched by repeat deploy-

ments supporting two wars, the Army has rolled out a fit-

ness plan that places priority on not just being physically 

fit, but being strong emotionally and mentally. Sol-

diers and Families who are strong mentally find 

ways to bounce back after being involved in 

traumatic events and cope more easily with 

the stress of deployment and separation.

“Being emotionally and mentally resilient 

absolutely helps individuals bounce back and 

helps speed physical recovery,” said Brenda Cer-

vantes, provider resiliency trainer at Irwin Army Com-

munity Hospital. Cervantes noted several activities that 

help build and strengthen emotional and mental capacities.

Strengthening mental resilience can include things such as 

relaxation techniques—meditation, yoga, music, finding a hobby or 

leisure activity you enjoy and setting goals to improve behaviors or 

mindsets. Emotional resilience is strengthened through things such as 

(continued on page 12)

10| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 |11

(continued from page 9)

unloading of donated clothes and coats 

for the Salvation Army.

“I was hoping to at least get 25 BOSS 

Soldiers to volunteer,” Molina said. “We 

ended up with more than 30 coming 

and they had a great time. I think the 

Soldiers truly enjoyed assisting the less 

fortunate and being able to give back.” 

 Soldiers with Family members are 

provided an array of different forums to 

aid in building successful social net-

works through their unit’s Family Read-

iness Group and additional programs 

offered on Fort Riley. 

 “We try to keep the FRGs focused on 

communications and information distri-

bution with the emphasis on the social 

aspect second,” said Jan Clark, FRG coleader and senior adviser for Division 

Headquarters and Headquarters Battal-

ion. “We also support those of our 

spouses who have started their own so-

cial groups.”

The FRG has served as a social medi-

um for individuals with shared interests 

and experiences, she said. Lunch groups, 

children’s play groups and gatherings for 

couples without children, have been some 

of the organizations formed by individu-

als who met through the FRG. 

“I think it’s up to each person to de-

termine their level of involvement in the 

FRG,” Clark said. “If you go to the FRG 

meetings, you get a lot of good informa-

tion and it’s the best way to meet other 

people who are going through the same 

exact things that you are.” 

Meeting other spouses and Family 

members, whether at meetings or sim-

ply viewing the FRG’s Facebook page 

is beneficial for individuals, Clark 

said. 

“I think building those relationships 

is important, not just during a deploy-

ment,” she said. “I think it’s important 

to do all the time, so if you do have a 

deployment or you do have something 

come up, you already have those con-

nections made and you’re not scram-

bling all of a sudden with your husband 

gone and you don’t know anybody.”

Fort Riley’s Directorate of Family, 

Morale and Welfare offers a vast variety 

of programs for Soldiers and Families to 

enjoy and meet individuals with shared 

interests. Bowling, golfing and the con-

tinuously growing marina, located at 

Milford Lake, are some of the recre-

ational opportunities provided. 

FMWR additionally offers a wide va-

riety of intramural sports programs, 

available to Soldiers, Family members 

and civilians. Sports from softball and 

basketball to the newly constructed box-

ing team are just a few of the teams of-

fered for participants. Individuals with-

out a team but wishing to participate in 

a sport are able to contact the Sports Of-

fice and receive assistance with joining a 

team. 

Whether out on the field throwing a 

ball around or meeting up with friends 

for dinner, a positive social network is 

essential for creating a strong body and 

a strong mind. 

Automotive Skills Center Car Club

Building 7753, Fort Riley, KS 66442

785-239-9764

www.rileymwr.com/web-content/

pages/automotive.html

Fort Riley Sports Office

King Field House, Building 202, 

Fort Riley, KS 66442

785-239-2172

www.rileymwr.com/web-content/

pages/sports.html

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, 

Building 253, Fort Riley, KS 66442

785-239-8147

www.rileymwr.com/web-content/

pages/boss.html

Dorothy Bramlage Public Library

230 W. Seventh St., Junction City, KS 66441

785-238-4311

www.jclib.org

Fort Riley Outdoorsmen Group

www.fortrileyoutdoorsmengroup.com/

index.html

FROG@FortRileyOutdoorsmenGroup.com

Fort Sill Rifle Pistol Club

www.sirinet.net/ echarles/lfsrpClub

P.O. Box 2402, Lawton, OK 73502

Fort Sill Rugby Club

Fort Sill Rugby Club on Facebook

tennesseearmy@gmail.com

Fort Knox Parachute Club

270-723-3587

www.skydiveky.com

Fort Leonardwood Crafty Chicks

www.meetup.com/FLW-Crafty-Chicks/

Fort Leonard Wood Rod & Gun Club

P.O. Box 876, Fort Leonard Wood, 

MO 65473

Phone: 573-596-0974

Fort RileY 

social groups

photoscourtesy of fort riley fmwr

LEFT: Fort Riley Soldiers and Families ring in the New Year at Custer Hill Bowling Center. The 

bowling center hosts an annual New Year’s Eve party in addition to numerous events and activi-

ties throughout the year. RIGHT: Participants enjoy face painting July 25, at Riley’s Conference 

Center during the 3rd birthday celebration for Riley, the FMWR Bear.

By Anna Staatz |Duty First! Magazine

Mental, emotional health a top priority 

for today’s Soldiers and their Families
12

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 

|13

(continued from page 11)

journal writing, alone time, accepting 

difficult situations or finding time for 

humor. 

“The idea behind having a hobby is 

to do something that you enjoy and get 

your mind off of stress,” Cervantes 

said. “Journal writing is an avenue to 

express your thoughts and feelings. 

People also use this technique to prob-

lem solve. A solution may become clear 

after expressing it thoroughly.”

At Fort Riley, Soldiers and Family 

members have a wide range of hobbies 

or leisure activities they can take ad-

vantage of. At the Arts and Crafts cen-

ter, opportunities in a wide range of 

activities are available. Past classes and 

activities have included woodworking, 

matting and framing, crocheting and 

knitting, scrapbooking, stained glass 

work and pottery. 

Other leisure options include the 

post’s new Warrior Zone. The Warrior 

Zone, a 4,200 square-foot facility, offers 

Soldiers games, movies, wireless inter-

net and a snack bar. Those interested in 

sports can view games on one of mul-

tiple televisions.

Big Red One Soldiers stationed at 

Fort Riley also will find the post and 

surrounding area rich in hunting, fish-

ing and outdoor recreation opportuni-

ties. Information on hunting and fish-

ing permits can be obtained through 

the Conservation Office. The post also 

has a marina on Milford Lake, where 

Outdoor Recreation offers boat and Jet 

Ski rentals.

When hobbies and relaxation aren’t 

enough, there are more focused op-

tions. Irwin Army Community Hospi-

tal offers support groups and counsel-

ing services. Support groups in the 

areas of anger management and com-

bat stress are offered by referral on-

ly—either through an individual’s 

unit or health care provider. A third 

support group in stress management 

is offered for Soldiers, Family mem-

bers and Department of Army civilian 

employees. No referral is needed for 

this group.

Military and Family Life consultants 

are also available through Army Com-

munity Services. The consultants meet 

with Soldiers and Family members to 

provide counseling or just someone to 

talk to. No records are kept of sessions, 

in an effort to make Soldiers feel freer 

to talk without the worry of command 

involvement. 

Fort Riley Arts and Crafts Center

785-239-9205

Fort Riley Conservation Office

785-239-8574

Fort Riley Outdoor Recreation

785-239-2363

Fort Riley Army Community Services

785-239-9435

Irwin Army Community Hospital Behavioral 

Health 

Fort Riley Stress Management Support 

Group

Fort Riley Resources

ForThose Not 

Stationed at Fort Riley

Fort Sill FMWR 

www.sillmwr.com

Fort Sill ACS 

580-442-4916

Fort Leonard Wood FMWR 

www.fortleonardwoodmwr.com

Fort Leonard Wood ACS 

573-596-0212

Fort Knox FMWR 

www.knoxmwr.com

Fort Knox ACS 

502-624-6291S

Lt. Col. Greg 

Gadson shares a 

moment with actor, 

Robert Duvall. 

Gadson lost both of 

his legs as the 

result of the blast 

from an improvised 

explosive device 

while he was 

deployed with 2nd 

Bn., 32nd Field 

Artillery Regt., 4th 

Infantry Brigade 

Combat Team in 

2007.

Anna Staatz

A view of one of the gardens at the 1st Division 

Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, Ill. The mu-

seum complex showcases the division’s histo-

ry, in addition to housing garden areas and a 

golf course. 

courtesy photo
14

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010|15

areas on Fort Riley as explorable 

“buggy” terrain.

“Their plan was to leave me at 

the house, pack sandwiches in the 

back and just go out in it, come 

home all muddy and I’ll take care 

of the rest,” Rhonda said, laugh-

ing, while her husband smiled, 

agreeing.

It’s not all fun and games, 

though. They may be parents but 

they also are both Soldiers, which 

can present challenges of having 

enough time at home during cer-

tain Army functions and figuring 

out ways to get their kids where 

they need to be on time.

As CAB also prepares for de-

ployment, both Bryants will have to 

figure out a way to deal with single 

parenthood while Rhonda does her 

duty overseas. “We’ll work it out. 

Time management is our biggest 

concern,” Andre said, adding that if 

such challenges are presented to 

younger Soldiers he could see where 

difficulties could arise, which is why 

Rhonda explained Family can ex-

tend out to friends as people to be 

relied on and leaned upon in times 

of need.

“Whether it be blood relative 

or not, it’s important,” she 

emphasized.

(continued on page 16)

By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine W hether single or married, behind every Soldier is a Family encom

-

passing a wide variety of individuals including brothers, sisters, 

mothers and fathers as well as friends and distant relatives who 

support, listen and encourage every military man and woman to make them the 

strongest and most resilient leader they can be. Just ask the Bryants.

Sgt. 1st Class Andre Bryant, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade 

Combat Team, and Master Sgt. Rhonda Bryant, S-1 NCOIC in the 1st Combat 

Aviation Brigade, met at Fort Riley on the physical training track, dated for 

about a year before marrying and later giving Andre’s son, Pfc. Nicco Bryant, 

18, two more brothers, Xavier, 13, and Brandon, 7. The road they took created 

a strong atmosphere of Family Fitness, one of five pillars making up the 

Army Comprehensive Soldier fitness Program.

“We have always had a good support system and great friends along the 

way. So if we ever did get into that crunch when we needed to call out for 

help, we had it ... we have been pretty lucky along the way,” Rhonda said.

A strong Family needs attention, though.

“For us it’s just about being together ... a fun day for us is just getting out, 

riding bikes, playing basketball, hanging out,” Andre said, noting that his 

boys are looking most forward to coming on post and taking part in the sum-

mer program through Youth Services as well as taking advantage of how 

open the area is.

“We bought a dune buggy, so we will have to get out in it and see some 

things in the area,” Andre said excitedly, mentioning Tuttle Creek and other 

Effective management plays key 

role in creating healthy family unit

LEFT: The Family of Brig. Gen. Randal Dragon laugh while together, gathered in support of 

their husband, father, brother and Family hero before the start of his promotional ceremo-

ny Oct. 23. RIGHT: Sgt. 1st Class Andre Bryant, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Heavy Bri-

gade Combat Team, and Master Sgt. Rhonda Bryant, S-1 NCOIC in the Combat Aviation 

Brigade, pose for a photo at home. The couple met and were married at Fort Riley almost 

15 years ago.

courtesy photos
16| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 |17

By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine

According to Chief Warrant Officer 

4 Brian Mucci, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment 

and his wife, Amanda, Soldiers who 

fuel their resilience through spirituality 

are stronger at heart, at peace in their 

mind and can handle themselves better 

while deployed.

“If you don’t have those certain values 

(Soldiers) tend to stress a lot about if their 

wives are spending all of the money, 

what she is doing on her free time, is she 

going out and partying and drinking,” 

Brian said, explaining such thoughts to 

be counterproductive to a Soldier.

(continued on page 18)

CROSS

FINDING YOUR

TO BEAR

Soldiers discuss rewards 

gained through strengthening 

their spiritual resolve

WHETHER IT’S PUMPING IRON, WATCHING 

MILES PASS BENEATH 

JOGGING FEET OR ACTIVELY PROTECTING 

FREEDOM WHILE 

OVERSEAS, U.S. ARMY 

SOLDIERS CAN’T SUSTAIN THEIR STRENGTH 

WITH MUSCLE ALONE.

(continued from page 15)

“Being ‘Army Strong’ is more 

than just being physical fit,” said 

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Director Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum. 

“We’re not just preparing Soldiers 

for the battlefield, we’re preparing 

them for life. We’re changing the 

culture of the Army with this program training to enhance psychological health and fitness as we have 

always done with physical health.”

Soldiers with Family problems have 

a wide variety of options available to 

them, including services located in 

Army Community Service, building 

7264, including classes such as “Strategies for Building a Better Relationship,” 

“Cooperative Parenting and Divorce,” 

“Becoming a Love and Logic Parent,” 

“To Spank or Not to Spank: Physical 

Discipline,” “Stress Management for 

Parents” and “Get Ready for Change 

Stress Management.”

“We do education. All of our 

education is centered around Family life and enrichment,” said Carolyn Tolliver-Lee, ACS Family Advocacy Program Specialist. TolliverLee said anyone in need simply 

needs to call and set up an appointment for any program and can get 

started whenever they like. “We’re 

very flexible,” she said, also noting 

that if an individual does not want 

to come straight to ACS they can always seek advice and referrals from 

unit or Family Readiness Group 

leaders that are willing to help.

Other areas include classes for 

money management and marriage 

strengthening classes for Soldiers 

just returning from deployments. 

“If they want it, we will be more 

than happy to put it together for 

them,” said Marvin Springer, ACS 

outreach coordinator.

“We’re always willing to talk and 

we always want to promote a proactive lifestyle,” Tolliver-Lee said.

From left, Xavier, 

13, and Brandon, 

7, Bryant pose for 

a photo at home 

while trying on 

their dune buggy 

helmets. The 

family enjoys a 

wide range of 

sports and 

outdoors activities together.

Family Help 

Contacts On Post

Family Help 

Contacts Off Post

Army Community Service – 785-239-9435

Programs include: 

Parent Education

Spouse Abuse Prevention and Education

Safety Education

Education for Professionals

Respite Care Program and Services

Parenting Classes

Stress Management Workshop

New Parent Support Program

Family Extension Program

Victim Advocate Program and Services

Sexual Assault Program and Response

Strong Bonds, a Chaplain-based program 

which tries to develop relationship resiliency 

– 785-239-5313.

Family Life Ministries Center – 239-3436

Other Helpful numbers:

Chaplain (after hours) – 239-3359

IACH Emergency Room – 239-7777

Family Advocacy Program – 239-9435

Legal Assistance – 239-3117

Report abuse – 239-6767

Victim Advocate Program and Sexual Assault 

Response Program 24 hour Hotline – 785-

307-1373.

Helpful Web sites

www.militaryonesource.com

www.armywell-being.org

Kansas Legal Services – 1-800-723-6953

Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Hotline – 

1-888-363-2287

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and 

Domestic Violence – 785-232-9784

National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-

799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-4673

Fort Riley Military Police Department – 911 or 

239-6767 (business)

Junction City Police Department – 911 or 

762-5912 (business)

courtesy photo
18

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 |19

(continued from page 17)

“When you have that spiritual fitness, 

especially with your spouse, it makes it a 

lot easier to handle all of that. You have 

that trust and you have that relief to 

know with those values, comes a lot less 

worries,” he said. Brian emphasized that 

all religions are similar nature and with 

those similarities comes the same belief 

set that will help a Soldier stay strong.

Patience is one such quality the couple 

has gained by growing together in spiri-

tuality, a quality Amanda, a sergeant in 

the Army before she completed her ser-

vice, said she and her husband will both 

use when he deploys this month. 

It’s a deployment both admit will be the 

largest hurdle their Family has had to face 

because Brian will have to leave all care of 

their 9-month-old, Kristina, to Amanda. 

She won’t be without help, though.

 “I had started searching for a book 

that tells me how to do this and how to 

act, but I realized I have a book for that. I 

have the Bible. The Lord has been there 

for everyone before me and he’s going to 

be there for me too during our separa-

tion,” Amanda said, mentioning a Bible 

study she is a part of that helps women 

with deployed spouses.

“We learn how to embrace God and 

how to grow our relationship as we’re 

divided with the Lord as a foundation 

and building up our marriage and trust-

ing each other,” she said.

“If we are having a hard time and I’m 

not sure how to deal with it, being a new 

mother or Army spouse, whatever we 

are dealing with, there is always some 

else there (at Bible study) who has dealt 

with it before me,” she continued. “It is 

easy to get caught up watching TV and 

reacting harshly to certain things, but by 

going to that Bible study, it reminds you 

to be patient and calm. To take a deep 

breath and trust God,” she explained, 

comfortable knowing that because Brian 

knows she will be OK, he can attain a 

greater focus for his job while deployed.

Spiritual fitness isn’t just knowing 

God, though. 

To the Mucci family, having a good 

spiritual fitness also includes having a trust 

and love that will help them feel together 

while apart. One method they have chosen 

is by way budgeting and finances.

“We have been taking a course on bud-

get; we’ll work that together while de-

ployed. I think a lot of Soldiers don’t have 

that and their spouses are back here without having set up a plan. Our plan is focuses 

around our spiritual beliefs,” the couple 

said. “It’s something for us both to be working toward while we’re separated.”

Spouses are not the only Soldiers able to 

attain spirituality. Amanda said she wished 

she had connected with her own spirituality 

more while serving her years in the Army, 

explaining that a good noncommissioned 

officer can pull tremendous strength and 

make better decisions when that NCO has a 

strong connection with their God.

“The closer I get to the Lord the more 

patient I am, and that is something I re-

ally needed (while serving) ... I think the 

more spiritual you are the better leader 

you can be. Your slower to speak and 

slower to anger,” she said, a statement 

her husband could agree with.

“When I’m not feeling depressed or 

angry, when I’m in a good place, I’m in a 

good place all the way around,” he said, 

explaining that he felt the spiritual pillar 

to be a support that feeds into the other 

four pillars of emotional, social, family 

and physical fitness.

“I’ve never felt this good as a Soldier 

before,” he said.

Morris Hill Chapel, 5315 Jackson St. 

785-239-4685

Morris hill chapel is home to the gospel 

congregation as well as a Catholic 

Mass.

Kapaun Chapel, 7086 Normandy Drive 

785-239-4818

Named after Korean War Medal of Honor 

awardee Ch (Capt.) Emil Kapaun, the 

chapel serves the Fort Riley community 

with a contemporary Protestant 

congregation.

Normandy Chapel, 7865 Normandy Drive 

785-239-5711

Home to the Jewish service, an Evangeli-

cal Protestant congregation and the 

Protestant Lutheran congregation.

Saint Mary’s Chapel, 3 Barry Ave. 

785-239-6597

The oldest chapel on the installation 

with the cornerstone laid in 1855.

Main Post Chapel, 6 Barry Ave. 

785-239-6597

Constructed in 1897, serves the general 

Protestant community on Fort Riley with 

a traditional Protestant congregation.

Irwin Army Community Hospital Chapel, 

600 Huebner Road 785-239-7871 or 

785-239-7872

Located on the second floor of Irwin 

Army Community Hospital.

*For a complete list of Fort Riley chapel 

services, visit http://143.84.68.5/

View/article.Aspx?Articleid=686-2002-

04-30-37333-53

* Special religious needs or questions about 

religious support should be directed to 

the installation chaplain’s office at 

785-239-3359.

CHAPELS

SERVICES

Chaplain’s Emergency Help Line – 785-

239-4357

Children and Youth Programs

Spiritual Ranger Program for male 

teenagers – 785-239-0979

Good News Club – 785-239-0979

Club Beyond – 785-539-0312 or 

785-239-0979

More Spirituality Services

Family Life Counseling Services, 

Pre-Marital Seminars and Marriage 

Enrichment Classes – 785-239-3436

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brian Mucci, 1st At-

tack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation 

Regiment and wife, Amanda, take a portrait 

with 9-month-old, Katrina.

courtesy photo

1st infantry division publicaffairs

Soldiers from 1st Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., 4th 

Infantry Brigade Combat Team, pause while 

their chaplain prays before they deploy from 

Fort Riley to Baghdad, Iraq, in Feb. 2007. 
By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carney

367th MPAD

COB BASRA — A group of leading Iraqi religious, civilian and military leaders met Jan. 28 

with the incoming and outgoing commanders of 

United States Division — South at Contingency 

Operating Base Basra.

The event allowed leaders from local provinces 

a chance to thank Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, commander, 34th Infantry Division, for the work done and 

the relationships built during the past 10 months, 

while also meeting Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, 1st 

Inf. Div. commander and incoming U.S. Div.–

South commander.

The event was informal and provided the participants time for talking, enjoying tea and partaking in a traditional meal together.

The meeting was intended to ensure that the 

various close and personal relationships built 

with local leaders and the community during the 

34th Inf. Div.’s tour continue under the 1st Inf. 

Div.’s watch.

“We in the 1st Infantry Division are honored to 

be able to come to Basra and become partners 

with each of the guests and organizations represented today,” Brooks said.

“This division is committed to the continuing 

partnership that was established by the 34th Division,” Brooks added. “We all have great respect 

for what the Red Bulls have done during their 

time here, and we wish them all the best as they 

go into the future.”

Nash welcomed Brooks and guaranteed the 

guests that they are in great hands with 1st Inf. 

Div. and that things would only improve under 

their guidance.

“The last 10 months have brought positive 

progress to southern Iraq,” Nash said. “The advances in civil capacity and economic improvement are solid, coupled with the tremendous 

work of the Iraqi Security Forces.”

“I am confident that the future of Iraq is 

bright,” Nash added. “I will return in the future to 

see a land of peace and prosperity.”

20| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! March 2010 |21

1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

BASRA, Iraq — The 1st Infantry Division’s return to Iraq was marked Feb. 2 

with a Transfer of Authority ceremony 

at Contingency Operating Base Basra.

The Division Headquarters and 

Headquarters Battalion assumed responsibility of United States Division – 

South from the 34th Inf. Div.

“It’s an honor for the 1st Infantry 

Division to return to Iraq to serve 

again,” said Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, 

commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division.

One of the first responsibilities Big 

Red One Soldiers will have is to facilitate the national elections on March 7 

and the seating of the Council of Representatives, which Brooks said is a “positive indication of a sovereign country 

on the path to democratic success.”

The 34th Inf. Div., led by Maj. Gen. 

Rick Nash, took control of the nine 

provinces that make up U.S. Div.-South 

about 10 months ago.

Nash recounted the accomplishments of the 34th Inf. Div. and the Iraqi 

Forces with which they worked, including the Department of Border Enforcement.

“Inland waterways, once a reliable 

route for smugglers, criminals and terrorists have been superbly controlled 

by Coast Border Guard patrols,” Nash 

said.

He also remarked on the role of the 

Iraqi Police in disposing of explosive 

ordinance and responding to improvised explosive devices while “advancing the Rule of Law.” 

 “The IP across southern Iraq have 

done an outstanding job,” he said. 

Lastly, Nash praised the Iraqi army’s 

8th, 10th, and 14th divisions for their 

work and interaction with the Iraqi Air 

Force and other units in the area, commending their “unit readiness, tactical 

proficiency and logistical improvements.”

The 1st Inf. Div. deployed from Fort 

Riley in January and is slated for a 12-

month deployment.

By Spc. Samuel Soza

367th MPAD

BASRA, Iraq — As the 1st Infantry Division arrives and the 34th Inf. Div. 

prepares to depart, the torch of responsibility is passed on many levels, but 

never quite as literally as when women’s basketball teams representing each 

division faced off Jan. 24 in a game at Contingency Operating Base Basra.

The game continued a tradition of friendly rivalry between incoming 

and outgoing units at COB Basra.

The 34th Inf. Div. initiated the challenge, said Maj. Michelle Isenhour, 

of Jackson, Mich., 1st Inf. Div. signal operations chief. 

“First ID is definitely going to win,” Isenhour, the team’s unofficial 

captain said before the game.

Soldiers normally experience the transfer of authority while standing 

in formation during a ceremony, but this tradition sought to bring them 

together on a more personal level, said Lt. Col. Stefanie Horvath, a 34th 

Inf. Div. communications officer acting as the team’s captain.

“It’s a tradition we set with units on COB Basra, and it turned into a 

different way to exchange with people,” Horvath said.

In 2009, the 34th Inf. Div. played a game against the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., which was preparing to leave Iraq. The 34th Inf. 

Div., looking to claim a win after their loss when they arrived in Iraq, turned 

up empty handed as they lost the match with the 1st Inf. Div., 7-10. 

Isenhour said that this early interaction with the 34th Inf. Div. will be 

beneficial for the incoming 1st Inf. Div. players.

“It’s important because they’ve been through the experience of ‘the 

year,’” she said, “It shows that you can make it the year and still maintain 

a positive attitude.” 

Despite the loss, the game was valuable for the “Red Bulls” because it 

helped their players slow down during the busy period of preparing for 

the return home, Horvath said. 

“Everybody knows the best part about the Army is the people,” she 

said.

Women’s basketball teams representing the 34th and 1st Infantry Divisions met 

on the court Jan. 24 to put a different spin on the usual transition between incoming and outgoing units at Contingency Operating Base Basra. 

Big Red One returns to Iraq

Soldiers to help secure 

national elections

Maj. Gen. Vincent 

Brooks, commander, 

1st Infantry Division, 

and Command Sgt. 

Maj. Jim Champagne, 

division command 

sergeant major, 

unfurl the 1st Inf. Div. 

flag Feb. 2 during the 

Transfer of Authority 

ceremony at Contingency Operating 

Base Basra.

Spc. Samuel Soza

Iraqi contingent thanks 

outgoing commanders, meets 

new division leadership

Spc. Jason Kemp

Hoops game ushers in 

division changeover
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