Around the

JTF

Chief Petty Officer Jared Pringle reenlists during 

an underwater ceremony. — photo provided by Chief 

Petty Officer Jared Pringle

Seventeen noncommissioned officers of the 

525th Military Police Battalion were inducted 

into the Corps of NCOs during a ceremony, Friday 

at the Windjammer. — photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin 

Cossel

Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo Chaplain Lt. 

Anthony Carr speaks with a Soldier, Jan. 14. Carr is 

the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion Chaplain 

for JTF. The JTF Guantanamo Chaplain Command 

provides services to Troopers regarding ethical, 

religious, moral and spiritual support. — photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins 

Yeoman 1st Class Jyl Bucano, a member of the 

First Class Petty Officer Association, picks up litter 

around the Tierra Kay housing area, Saturday. — 

photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan J. Miller

Volume 12, Issue 05 Friday, January 21, 2011

More than 200 show for 

first MLK Jr. 5K run

Bataan Memorial Death March

 525th shows their grit

Burger burns boost morale
The Wire | Page 2

Trooper to Trooper

featuring

The WIRE is the official news magazine of Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. It is produced by the JTF Public Affairs Office to 

inform and educate the Troopers of JTF Guantanamo through 

news, features, command guidance, sports and entertainment. 

The WIRE seeks to provide maximum disclosure with minimum 

delay with regard to security, accuracy, propriety and policy. 

This DoD news magazine is an authorized publication for the 

members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The WIRE 

are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the 

U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or Joint Task 

Force Guantanamo. It is printed by the Document Automation & 

Production Service with a circulation of 1,000.

Operations officer, NEGB

Trooper to Trooper |

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Navy Master Chief Petty Officer

Scott A. Fleming

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Lt. Col. Don Langley: 9927

Operations Officer

CW2 Raymond Chapman: 3649

Supervisor

Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Leonhard: 3649

 

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3499

From the continental United States

Commercial: 011-53-99-3499

DSN: 660-3499

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Donald Brock

“Lead and inspire people. Don’t try to manage and 

manipulate people. Inventories can be managed but people must 

be lead.” ~Ross Perot

Recently, Troopers approached me and asked if I 

would write an article for The Wire. My first thought 

was “What am I going to write about that could have 

a positive affect on both junior and seniors alike?”

After careful consideration of the many 

current events and programs associated with 

the military, my thoughts kept coming back to 

leadership. There are many types and styles of 

leaders in todays military and there are specific 

qualities that form the basis of how we lead 

in day-to-day operations. Some of the most 

important qualities I would like to share are 

integrity, communication, motivating others, 

team building and helping others succeed.

To me, integrity is the foundation of 

everything we do. As a leader, if you are 

not trustworthy then most will not follow 

you. Always be honest with your superiors 

and subordinates — once you have lost 

your integrity it is hard to get back. You may 

never gain it back completely. 

Communication is paramount to the 

success of the mission and your success as a 

leader. Ensuring you are understood clearly will 

help produce a better product, on time and will lead 

to less confusion and frustration within your workplace. 

Positively motivating and helping others succeed around 

you is challenging but your approach to people and 

presentation will help align everyone to the same 

goals and ideals. Your attitude and demeanor 

toward a job or specific mission is contagious 

and will inspire your people to achieve goals 

they never thought could be accomplished. 

Taking time out of your busy day to talk 

to your Troopers and help them resolve 

their problems will not only help them 

succeed but will help your unit flourish 

because your people can concentrate 

on the mission instead of having to 

worry about personnel issues. 

Many of us have natural leadership 

abilities. However, just as many, if not 

more, do not and must continuously 

practice these qualities to make 

ourselves better. Most of you out there 

in the JTF are leaders even at the lowest 

levels of rank. Leading by example is key 

to showing our juniors and sometimes 

seniors what the standards and expectations 

are, further building a tighter fighting team. 

One final thought:, treat your people with 

the dignity and respect that you would want 

and demand it up and down the chain 

of command. Honor Bound! 

The Wire

Executive Editor

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel: 3499

Assistant Editor

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Photojournalists:

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

David P. Coleman

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

Sally Hendricks

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class

Elisha Dawkins

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Air Force Senior Airman Gino Reyes

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Marie Montez

COVER: Pfc. Brandon Cuummings of the 525th Military Police Battalion sprints the last 100 yards of a 15-mile force 

march, Sunday. The force march will whittle down to the top six Soldiers who will go on to White Sands, N.M. to compete in the 22nd annual Bataan Memorial Death March. – photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

BACK COVER: Troopers, Sailors and civilians came together Monday to take part in the 525th Military Police Battalion’s Martin Luther King, Jr. 5k fun run. More than 200 people participated in the event – photo by Spc. Mathew 

Muntzer

| news you can use The Wire | Page 3

A commission of current and retired 

officers, senior noncommissioned 

officers and civilians charged with 

evaluating Defense Department policies 

to ensure they promote equal opportunity 

plans to recommend lifting the ban on 

women in combat.

The nonpartisan Military Leadership 

Diversity Commission will make 20 

recommendations to President Barack 

Obama and Congress to increase 

diversity and inclusiveness and develop 

“a demographically diverse leadership 

that reflects the forces it leads and the 

public it services,” according to a predecisional draft document posted on the 

commission’s website.

The final report is expected in March.

Commission to Recommend Lifting 

Ban on Women in Combat

 Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

Chinese President Hu Faces Critics in US Congress 

Voice of America News Service

Chinese President Hu Jintao has faced 

his critics in the U.S. Congress for talks on 

human rights, economic policy and North 

Korea.

House speaker John Boehner said he 

and his colleagues raised their “strong, 

ongoing concerns” of reports of human 

rights violations in China, including the 

denial of religious freedom, and the use of 

coercive abortion as a consequence of the 

“one child” policy. 

He said “curtailing the aggressive 

behavior of North Korea” was also on the 

agenda. 

Members of the U.S. Congress have 

expressed anger about China’s human rights 

record and its currency policies that many 

lawmakers believe are taking away American 

jobs. Mr. Hu met with House lawmakers 

before moving on to the Senate.

Boehner said he hopes dialogue with 

China on the issues will continue.

On Wednesday, Mr. Hu was the guest 

of honor at the White House, where he 

and President Barack Obama held talks on 

a wide range of issues, including human 

rights, North Korea and China’s economic 

policies. Mr. Obama said he reaffirmed 

America’s fundamental commitment to the 

universal rights of all people.

Boehner and Senate Majority Leader 

Harry Reid turned down invitations to 

attend a black-tie White House dinner for 

Mr. Hu. Both lawmakers said they were 

simply waiting to meet with him Thursday. 

But anger is running high in the Congress 

over China. Reid called Mr. Hu a “dictator” 

during a television interview this week, but 

then said he regretted the remark.

Mr. Hu made a rare concession on the 

rights issue Wednesday during a joint news 

conference with Mr. Obama. After the 

U.S. president publicly called for China to 

uphold universal rights, Mr. Hu conceded 

that “a lot” must still be done to improve 

human rights in his country.

Mr. Hu is also delivering what China 

has billed as a “major address” to a U.S. 

business forum before traveling to Chicago, 

America’s third largest city. In Chicago, he 

will highlight cultural contacts between the 

countries and attend a contract-signing 

ceremony.

Another source of friction between the 

United States and China is the currency 

issue, as legislation has already been 

introduced in the U.S. Congress calling 

for tariffs on Chinese imports if Beijing 

continues to keep the value of the yuan 

artificially low.

Mr. Obama said Wednesday a higher 

yuan would help address the huge trade 

imbalance between the two nations.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid greets China’s President Hu Jintao on Capitol Hill in Washington, 

20 Jan 2011 (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Leaders implementing the federal 

government’s new consumer protection 

agency met with Joint Base San Antonio 

servicemembers here Wednesday to 

discuss the unique financial issues facing 

military families.

Elizabeth Warren, assistant to 

the President and special advisor to 

the secretary of the treasury on the 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 

and Holly Petraeus, who recently 

joined the implementation team to 

help in establishing the bureau’s Office 

of Servicemember Affairs, will use 

information gathered from the meeting 

to create the new support office for 

military members.

“We need to get a sense of 

what’s happening [financially to 

servicemembers], because ultimately, we 

need to be able to build the right support 

structure,” Warren said.

Consumer Advocates Seek 

Military’s Input

Mike Joseph

American Forces Press Service

The U.S. Navy on Wednesday 

recovered the body of a female U.S. 

sailor reported missing from the guided 

missile destroyer USS Halsey a day 

earlier, according to a Navy official.

The sailor, whose name has not been 

made public, was spotted by a helicopter 

involved in the search and rescue 

operation, and recovered by a rescue 

swimmer, said Lt. Frederick Martin, 

spokesman for the Navy’s 5th Fleet. 

Her body was spotted about 75 miles 

east of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. 

The Halsey had been operating in the 

Gulf of Oman at the time of the sailor’s 

disappearance.

Navy Recovers Body of Missing 

USS Halsey Sailor

Stars and Stripes
The Wire | Page 4 News from the Bay | 

News from the Bay

Bayview Club brings

island fever to GTMO

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Registration for the Feb. 5 Glow Golf 

Tournament will be held Saturday Jan. 22 

and Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon and Sunday 

Jan. 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Naval 

Station Exhange Atrium. 

Tim Pfingsten, the event’s coodinator, 

said the tournament is open to all residents 

but there is a $25 fee.

Pfingsten also said those participating 

should be at the golf course that Saturday by 

6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. tee-time.

For more information about the glow 

golf tournament, contact Clara Bunch at 

clara3060@msn.com or dial 77501 or contact 

Pfingsten at tpfingsten@hotmail.com or dial 

77706.

Registration begins for

glow golf tournament

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

University offers tips on 

saving money

The Chapel Section of Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo is teaming up with Financial 

Peace University to teach Troopers how to 

manage their money safely and economically. 

The classes, which are free and open to 

anyone who is interested, are held every 

Monday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. 

“They will teach you tools you can use 

to help responsibily conserve financial 

resources,” explained Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Archie Gerald, JTF chaplain’s assistant. 

“Basically, they will help you increase your 

money.”

Gerald warned the classes are not limited 

to Troopers who have financial issues, but to 

anyone who wants to learn how to handle 

their money wisely. “It’s not just for people 

who are having problems,” he said. “It 

teaches you how to be more responsible in 

saving money for your future.”

There is room for approximately 16 people 

per class, said Gerald, but participants must 

sign up beforehand. For more information, 

contact JTF chaplain Capt. Daniel Price at 

x2305.

Spc. Meredith Vincent

JSMART introduces circuit 

training for the work week

The Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration 

Team of Joint Task Force Guantanamo is 

offering circuit training every Wednesday at 

the Camp America Pavilion from 11:00 a.m. 

to noon.

The training is designed to allow Troopers 

to exercise and release stress during their 

work week, said Navy Lt. Jason Duff, officer 

in charge for JSMART. 

“It’s fun and everyone motivates one 

another,” explained Duff. “All the exercises 

can be altered to the person’s fitness level, so 

everyone will benefit.” 

The program is only a couple of weeks 

old, said Duff, and therefore still trying to 

find it’s niche.

“We will certainly benefit from feedback 

as more and more people join,” he said. “We 

anticipate interest will begin to rise.”

Spc. Meredith Vincent

The Bayview Club is hosting a Polynesian 

Luau Saturday, starting at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the evening’s dinner have 

already been sold out, but the show following 

is open to anyone, said Amiee MacDonnell, 

community activities director for Morale, 

Welfar and Recreation.

“There will be island music, a witch doctor 

who will do fun things with the crowd, and a 

fire dancer,” eleborated MacDonell. 

The Orlando, Fla. 7-person group has 

visited Guantanamo Bay before and was a 

success.

“We brought them here last here and they 

sold-out,” said MacDonnell. “It was a very 

popular event so we decided to keep it going. 

We’re very pleased they could come back.”

MacDonnell said the MWR tries to being 

events that will appeal to everyone.

“This is something for the whole 

community,” she said. 

Earning the distinction of being the first 

to have a new badge, 10 naval officers were 

pinned with the Information Dominance 

Corps Warfare insignia during a ceremony 

Thursday at the north east gate.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary 

Roughead approved the insignia Feb. 19, 

2010. Officer and enlisted personnel who 

earn the new insignia have to complete a 

rigorous personal qualifications program.

“The Information Dominance Corps 

will create a cadre of information specialists, 

who come with individual community 

identities and unite to be managed as a 

corps, developed as a corps, and to fight as a 

corps,” said Vice Adm. Jack Dorsett, deputy 

chief of Naval Operations for Information 

Dominance. “This warfare pin represents 

a command identity for the Information 

Dominance Corps.” 

The Information Dominance Corps 

will consist of more than 44,000 active and 

Reserve Navy officers, enlisted and civilian 

professionals who possess extensive skills in 

information-intensive fields to develop and 

deliver dominant information capabilities 

in support of U.S. Navy, Joint and national 

warfighting requirements. 

The new officer insignia is a two and 

three-quarter inches by one and one-eighth 

inches, gold matte metal pin showing a 

background of ocean waves, a crossed 

naval officer’s sword and lightning bolt with 

a fouled anchor and globe. The enlisted 

insignia is the same dimensions and design 

but will be oxidized silver.

Information dominance

insignia awarded

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

Boots on the Ground

Are you planning on playing any team sports this season?

“Flag football, but I need to 

find out how to get into it.”

-Senior Airman

Shawanda Johnson

“I’m writing a proposal right 

now for a Flowrider to make 

waves so we can surf and 

boogie board and stuff. ”

“No, I’m an individual sport 

kind of person. Tennis, 

boxing, etc.”

“Softball, I don’t know 

which position.”

-Spc. Anya Genoval -Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class

Randy Handshoe 

-Master-at-Arms 2nd Class

Garry Maxwell

Ceremony welcomes new Army NCOs

Story and photo by Army Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

As one of 17 noncommissioned officers 

to walk across the Windjammer stage Jan. 

14, Sgt. Joseph Hansen stood rigid at the 

position of attention awaiting the conclusion 

of the ceremony. Just minutes before, Hansen 

signed a contract promising he would fulfill 

his obligations as an NCO — just one piece 

of the NCO Induction Ceremony hosted by 

the 525th Military Police Battalion.

“I’m really excited to exercise my leadership 

skills,” Hansen said. “I know being a sergeant 

is challenging, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Organizing the ceremony for the 525th was 

Headqaurters and Headquarters Company 1st

Sgt., Tina Brown. 

“The purpose of today’s ceremony is to 

welcome our newly promoted Soldiers who 

are transitioning into the noncommissioned 

officer ranks,” Brown said

The Soldiers will sign a contract stating 

they accept and will abide by the Creed of the 

Noncommissioned Officer, she added.

“These Soldiers realize they are no longer 

just a Soldier, they’re now a leader,” the 1st Sgt. 

said.

 Taking to the podium as the induction 

ceremony’s guest speaker was Sgt. Maj. 

Harold Bodenschatz. Bodenschatz said he 

was humbled to be in the presence of so 

many noncommissioned officers and how, as 

a child, he knew he wanted nothing more than 

to be an NCO in the Army. 

Before closing, Bodenschatz offered the 

young sergeants words of wisdom.

“No one is born to be a leader,” he said. 

“You’re made to be a leader.”

Bodenschatz went on to say those pinning 

on the chevrons had a long road ahead of 

them.

“It will take time and ... experience and 

if I can leave you with one thought it’s this,” 

Bodenschatz said, pausing for effect. “It is no 

longer about you, it’s about the Soldiers you 

serve. From this day forward, they come first 

in everything.”

After shaking hands with distinguished 

guests of the ceremony including Joint Task 

Force Guantanamo Commander Rear Adm. 

Jeffrey Harbeson and deputy JTF Commander 

Brig. Gen. Samuel Nichols, Hansen reflected 

on what he is excited to experience as a leader.

“I’m really looking forward to learning 

how to interact with all the different cultures 

and personalities of the Soldiers under me,” 

Hansen said noting he expected plenty of 

challenges to his leadership skills.

Speaking about the induction ceremony, 

Hansen explained he was proud to take part 

in the ceremony and valued the tradition and 

history of such events.

“These sorts of ceremonies are like one 

generation of NCOs passing the torch to 

another,” he said.

Noncommissioned officers with the 525th Military Police Battalion were welcomed into the ranks of 

the NCO Corps during an induction ceremony, Jan. 14, at the Windjammer auditorium. All told 17 newly 

promoted NCO’s were inducted.

| Boots The Wire | Page 5
The Wire | Page 6 Mission |

A group of Navy 1st class petty officers 

took their advancement examination, 

Thursday, at the Windjammer ballroom.

“As a chief petty officer we provide 

guidance for all Sailors,” said Chief Masterat-Arms Bryan Roelike assigned to the 

Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion. “That 

guidance, whether it is professional or 

personal, is intended to assist Sailors so their 

focus can remain on the JTF Mission.”

Being a chief comes with a lot of history, 

going back to April 1, 1893 when the first 

chief petty officer grade was established. 

Chief petty officers have two jobs: they 

are leaders and technical experts.

“To me, being a chief means setting the 

example for Sailors to follow, being a leader 

and leading from the front,” said Roelike.

Advancement for enlisted members E-4 

to E-6 is based on performance, experience 

and exam scores. A first class must have 

36 months in rate and complete an exam 

consisting of 115 occupational questions 

and 85 professional military knowledge 

questions.

“It is important to move up in rank and 

acquire more leadership to help our junior 

Sailors,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Eric 

Rivera with NEGB.

Rivera said in preparing for the exam 

he practiced and researched information 

pertaining to his job, studied with other Sailors, 

attended a Command Career Counselor 

school in Norfolk, Va. and Reserve Career 

Counselor school in New Orleans, La. 

“The advancement board is looking 

for leadership both ashore and afloat and 

diversity in tours,” said Master-at-Arms 1st 

Class Joshua Bright with NEGB.

Deployed Sailors who have individual 

augmentee orders are highly encouraged to 

monitor their career path for advancement.

“There are many Sailors who are IA here 

to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, many of 

which may not follow up with their commands 

about their exam/profile sheets,” said Roelike. 

“If those Sailors miss an exam opportunity, 

it can set their advancement time-line back a 

whole year.”

Personnel Support Chief Dale Estridge, 

Chief Petty Officer for Naval Station 

Guantanamo Personnel Support Detachment, 

stressed Sailors must study their required 

material for their rate. Sailors also have online 

resources available for advancement and 

training in addition to professional military 

knowledge.

The results for the exam will be published 

between March and April. Whether deployed 

to Guantanamo or stationed back home in the 

United States, advancement in rate not only 

betters the Sailor but overall leadership and 

trained skills.

“It is important to follow your path of 

advancement to give you the best chance for 

promotion,” concluded Estridge.

Petty officers take advancement exam

Navy first class petty officers take the advancement exam Jan. 20. If the exam is passed, the individual will become a board eligible 

candidate. After that, a board will select those promoted to chief petty officer. -photo by Senior Airman Gino Ryes

Story by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Elisha Dawkins

| Features The Wire | Page 7

JTF chaplains host bi-monthly burger burn

Story and photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Event boosts morale, brings junior, 

senior Troopers together 

Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Lauber, chaplain’s assistant, 

cooks for approximately 125 Troops during the burger burn held outside 

Camp Delta, Jan. 14. Burger burns can help boost morale as well as facilitate 

mentorship between senior leadership and junior troops. 

Servicemembers from the 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

Chaplain’s Office sponsored a 

burger burn outside Camp Delta 

Jan. 14. 

The cookout is a way for the 

chaplains and their assistants 

to show JTF Troopers some 

appreciation and provide a place 

to relax in their stressful work 

environment.

“They (Troopers) work long 

hours and have hard jobs, 

sometimes they can’t always get 

to the chow hall,” said Navy Lt. 

Chaplain Anthony Carr. “So 

being outside the camps is a 

good way for them to get free 

food and camaraderie.” 

Carr went on to say having the 

burger burn at a location outside 

of the camps is important because 

it provides a convenient place for 

Troops to eat for free and enjoy a 

sense of fellowship while at work.

“We have a lot of individuals 

that come up here to talk to the 

chaplains,” said Air Force Staff 

Sgt. Archie Gerald, JTF chaplain’s 

assistant. “It’s a one-stop shop if 

you will. They don’t have to go to 

the chaplains office to get access 

to the chaplain; we are able to go 

talk to them here.”

Carr said the burger burn is a 

wonderful opportunity to bring 

a variety of people from the task 

force together under a common 

theme.

“We have people from 

different branches, different 

places in the states, and different 

neighborhoods,” said Carr. “But 

everyone loves a barbecue no 

matter where they are.”

The purpose of a burger burn 

is to meet key JTF leadership 

and benefit from their wisdom, 

said Gerald.

“It’s a valuable asset so that 

people can be mentored and 

learn the lay of the land if they 

have recently arrived here,” said 

Gerald.

Gerald said approximately 

125 Troopers per day attend 

the burger burn. The cookout 

is usually scheduled mid-month 

for both night and day shifts.

“Just being able to see, 

mentor and raise the morale 

of the Troopers overall is a 

great accomplishment,” said 

Gerald. “So we are not only 

feeding them physically but 

also mentally, emotionally and 

spiritually.”

Servicemembers and civilians from around 

Guantanamo Bay are welcome to join yoga classes 

several times a week at the Marine Hill fitness center 

offered 

“I come here after a long day on the job to be at 

one with myself and get a little exercise to go along 

with it,” said Julie, a civilian who takes the class. “The 

music is real relaxing and I feel renewed after I’m 

done.” 

Yoga classes taught in Guantanamo Bay are 

unique to fitness classes stateside. The postures or 

poses performed in this class that help condition the 

body are called asanas. Asanas are varied in each class 

to suit the students’ needs.

Instructor Everton Hylton’s interpertation of 

yoga emphasizes breathing with movement. Hylton’s 

teaching is done in a calm, dimly lit atmosphere with 

naturalistic sounds. 

“This helps in concentration to perform each 

pose,” said Hylton.

Yoga is an expression of exercise many fitness 

enthusiasts prefer to traditional forms of strengthening 

and muscle toning.

“I teach yoga to help my students perform at their 

maximum capacity,” Hylton said. “They leave here to 

start or end their day uplifted with a better look on 

the world.”

Some say yoga is a religious exercise program.

“I do not teach religion in my yoga class,” Hylton 

said. “I teach everyone to be at one with their body 

and to only do what their body will allow them to 

do.”

Hylton said his class has something for everyone 

and he hopes more people will join him at one of the 

several sessions to make their own assessment.

Yoga is an easy-to-learn workout program, 

requires no equipment, and soothes the soul while 

conditioning and toning the body as an alternative 

way to de-stress. 

Marine Hill gym offers many classes including 

pilates, spinning, kick-boxing and many others. For 

more information contact the gym at 2285.

Yoga class teaches exercise through breathing, movement

Story by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Marie Montez

Yoga instructor Everton Hylton 

leads a group of students through a 

series of positions known as asanas 

during Saturday’s class. - photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sally 

Hendricks 
True

grit

Story and photos by 

the gtmo edition

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

The pre-dawn darkness masks the steely look of determination 

and resolve ironed across the 15 faces of the 525th Military Police 

Battalion Soldiers. The challenge ahead of them will push them to 

their physical and mental limits — five won’t make it. For every 

Soldier who steps off from Kittery Beach at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, 

the goal is the same: earn a spot on the team heading to the high 

deserts of White Sands, N.M. for the 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial 

Death March.

“This is why the U.S. Military is the most lethal force in the 

world,” battalion chaplain, Capt. Garland Mason said to the 

Soldiers as they prepared for the 15-mile trek. “Here we are at 5:30 

in the morning on a Sunday — when others are still asleep — and 

we’re going for a ruck march!”

On April 9, 1942, thousands of American and Filipino 

servicemembers were surrendered to Japanese forces. Those 

taken prisoner were marched for days through the scorching hot 

Philippine jungles on their way to the infamous prison facility, 

Camp O’Donnell. Along the way, those who fell were killed, those 

who talked back to their captors were killed and those who stopped 

to help a fallen comrade ran the risk of an on-the-spot execution.

In a series of essays written for the American Veterans Center, 

one survivor of the Bataan Death March, Army Col. Melvin 

Rosen, recalled witnessing such an incident of extreme brutality 

suffered by those captured.

“In the field where we met the Japanese, there was a large 

rectangular latrine off to the side. One American soldier had 

to defecate, and so he ran over to the latrine,” Rosen wrote. “A 

Japanese patrol immediately went over and stabbed the American 

with his bayonet. Now, sometimes a bayonet does not come out 

cleanly, so the Japanese patrol shoved the man off his weapon into 

the latrine. A nearby Japanese patrolman was laughing. You do not 

know frustration until you have witnessed something of the likes 

of this.”

Recognizing the significance of the event and the impact on 

families in New Mexico – the New Mexico National Guard’s 

200th Coast Artillery was among those captured at Bataan -- the 

Army ROTC Department at New Mexico State University began 

sponsoring the memorial march in 1989. The earliest days of the 

march saw only 100 or so participate. However, by 2010, more 

than 5,000 servicemembers, civilians and foreign military personal 

participated in the march.

On Guantanamo Bay, the group marched out and the journey 

Sgt. Laura Garcia of the 525th MP Battalion would later describe 

as “Hell ... the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” began.

The Wire | 

Page 8

CoverStory ||

CoverStory

The Wire | 

page 9

 see MARCH, pg. 15. 

525th Military Police Battalion Sgt. Laura Garcia 

leans in during a 15-mile force march Sunday. The 

march was the precursor to selecting a team of six 

525th Troopers who will represent the battalion at the 

Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, N.M.

A member of the 525th Military Police Battalion stops to 

give his shoulders a slight reprieve while taking a drink of 

water during the battalion’s 15-mile force march Sunday.

Near the top of John Paul Jones Hill, two Soldiers of the 535th 

Military Police Battalion give each other some encourage-

ment at the half-way point of Sunday’s 15-mile ruckmarch.
The Wire | Page 10 Sports |

Running for a

Runners of all ages, sizes and 

speeds lined up Monday 

morning at Denich Gym 

for the 525th Military 

Police Battalion’s maiden Martin Luther King 

Jr. 5K fun run.

Tina Brown, 1st Sgt. for the 525th, said 

hosting a run was an inspired choice for the 

unit’s assigned event.

“With our battalion, each unit is tasked 

to do a special event,” Brown explained. 

“We decided instead of doing a traditional 

presentation or a guest speaker, we would do 

a 5K run, and that would allow us to get the 

whole installation involved.”

Chris Fuller and Dana West work for 

the Oceanic Enterprise dive shop. They 

said they were informed of the run the day 

before, and decided to join in.

“It’s very well-organized,” said Fuller, 

who is only visiting the base for one week. 

Story by Spc. Meredith Vincent

Sgt. 1st Class Midza Crespo triumphantly finishes the MLK Jr. 5k run 

outside Denich gym. Crespo, second platoon sergeant for external 

security, placed second in the female 50 and above catagory. 

| Sports The Wire | page 11

Reason

“We saw good camaraderie, great 

teamwork. It was a lot of fun.” 

Despite the holiday, runners climbed 

out of bed and made it to the gym by 

6:30 a.m., just in time to run from Denich, 

down Kittery Beach road to the Tierra Kay 

housing, and back again. Brown said she 

was impressed by the number of people 

who participated.

“I’m glad everybody decided to come,” 

she said. “We’re hoping for a large turnout, 

and hopefully everyone is enjoying 

themselves today.”

A large turnout, indeed. When the last 

person crossed the finish line, 248 was the 

final tally. While runners struggled to return 

their breathing to normal, fruit and water 

could be found inside the gym. Following 

the run, medals were awarded to the winners 

in each age group, along with T-shirts and a 

specially-made cake. 

Troopers begin their long journey as the Martin Luther King Jr. 5K run kicks 

off outside Denich Gym Monday morning. Introduced this year, the event 

brought more than 250 participants out, both runners and spectators. 

-photo by Spc. Matthew Muntzer

Runners approach the finish line at Denich Gym after completing the 

MLK Jr. 5K fun run. Fruit and cake was served inside the gym afterward. 

-photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sally Hendricks
Army Spc. Angel Hernandez started to 

notice a disturbing vibe within his unit and 

work environment. He began seeing long 

faces. To combat the gloomy gray cloud 

that was starting to bring everyone down, 

Hernandez took it upon himself to engage 

his fellow Soldiers in something positive 

and started salsa lessons.

“The salsa dance class began when 

I started to see ... people becoming 

homesick,” explained Hernandez. “They 

didn’t know what to do with their free time. 

I thought it was a good idea to take them 

out of the rut.”

This sense of purpose and initiative 

is exactly why his leadership nominated 

him to be this week’s Trooper Focus, said 

Melvin Torres, 1st Sgt. for Company B, 

296th Military Police Company.

“Spc. Hernandez accomplishes all tasks 

given to him without error and always on 

time,” said Torres, adding Hernandez also 

demonstrates impressive leadership skills, 

citing the dance classes as an example. 

Hernandez, who is a member of the Puerto 

Rico National Guard, joined in 2004 to help 

support his family and new baby daughter. 

He said he enjoys being in the Army not only 

for the constant challenges, but also because it 

opens up possibilities for his future.

“Now I can take care of everything,” he 

said. “Because the National Guard gives me so 

many opportunities.”

Hernandez has big plans for his future, 

both immediate and distant. 

“My first goal is to make sergeant while 

trooper

I’m here,” he explained. “My second is to 

attend Warrant Officer School. That’s what I’m 

working toward.”

When not teaching Troopers how to salsa, 

Hernandez does his best to stay busy during his 

stay in Guantanamo. 

“GTMO is very quiet,” he said. “You have to 

find things to do so you don’t get bored.”

Hernandez occupies his time with various 

martial arts, tae kwon do and boxing. These 

particular hobbies also attribute to his motivating 

attitude toward physical fitness.

“He scored 275 points (on his APFT),” said 

Torres. “He is also always motivating his fellow 

Soldiers to improve their scores and conducting 

PT with them on his time off.”

Hernandez seems satisfied with the direction 

his life has taken him. Looking back, is there any 

advice he would bestow on new recruits?

“If you don’t know what to do with your 

life, or if you seem a little lost, let the Army help 

build a good future for you and your family,” 

he said sincerely. “It worked for me, it might 

work for you.”

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 6 1/2 years

Hobbies: boxing, tae kwon do, scifi books and watching movies.

Next goal: earning my E-5 and 

becoming a sergeant

Favorite movie: anything with 

Bruce Lee

Pet peeves: I consider myself a 

very tranquil person. I don’t get 

upset very easily. 

What’s in your pockets? wallet, 

gum and all the cards that were given 

to me about command philosophy, 

use of force and all that good stuff.

The Wire | Page 12 Trooper Focus | 

Army Spc.

Angel Hernandez

focus

Bravo Zulu!

The following individuals received letters of congratulations for their hard work and dedication from JTF Commander Rear. Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson. In addition to recognition 

in The Wire, Troopers receive a coin of excellence from the Admiral.

AT2 Jeff Bell

Pfc. Pedro Vazquez

Army Staff Sgt. Andrew 

Elliot

Pvt. Steven Landes

Spc. Michael Smith

YN3 Shauntasia Camacho

MA2 Matthew Napolis

Army Staff Sgt. Chavon-Lauren

Salter

MA2 James Jones

PS1 Juan Santana-Gonzalez

GTMO Religious Services

Daily Catholic Mass

Mon. - Fri. 5:30 p.m.

Main Chapel

Vigil Mass

Saturday 5 p.m.

Main Chapel

Mass

Sunday 9 a.m.

Main Chapel

Catholic Mass

Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Sunday 7:30 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Seventh Day Adventist

Saturday 11 a.m.

Room B

Iglesia Ni Christo

Sunday 5:30 a.m.

Room A

Pentecostal Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m.

Main Chapel

United Jamaican

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m.

Building 1036

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay Christian 

Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m.

Main Chapel

Bible Study

Wednesday 7 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

The Truth Project

Bible study

Sunday 6 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

FMI call 2628

LORIMI Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

| Mind, Body & Soul The Wire | Page 13

Mind, Body & Soul

In Roman times, the god Janus was pictured with two faces, 

one looking forward and one looking back. Janus gave his name 

to the month of January, the first month of the year. And, like 

the Romans, we use this time of year to look back on the previous 

year as well as look ahead to the new one.

Why would we want to look back? There are many reasons. If 

it was a good year, we can see what we did right and plan how to 

continue on that track. If it was a bad year, we can learn from the 

mistakes we made and from how we handled things that happened 

to us. For example, because of lessons learned in years past, I need 

to be looking ahead now to determine where I will be going when 

I get home later this year.

The lessons we learn from the past, good and bad, point us to 

how we will grow in the future. We must ensure we can accumulate 

another year of experience rather than repeating last year’s 

mistakes.

We also should use this time of year to look ahead to the 

future. While we cannot know exactly what it might hold for us, 

we can anticipate some aspects of it.

There are always new major events that come into our lives. 

Whether it is the upcoming birth of a child, a new relationship or 

the deepening of an old one, we can usually see what is coming 

far enough in advance to plan for it. We also generally know 

when a PCS or an ETS is coming up.

For the Reserves and National Guard, we look forward to 

our return home to our families and the careers we left behind. 

Reunions with our families, friends and coworkers are not always 

easy. They will never fully understand what we deal with here, 

but we can plan ahead to make sure reintegration is as good as 

possible.

We also cannot fully anticipate the future. Good and bad 

things come up on us out of the blue. We cannot anticipate when 

a car accident or sudden medical issue will take a loved one from 

us or when a wonderful opportunity will drop into our laps. 

Both are possible. The key here is to plan ahead, but expect the 

unexpected.

In the first month of the year we are filled with a lot of hopes and 

dreams as well as many

memories of the year before. 

We look back to see where 

have come from and we 

look forward to a new 

year full of possibilities 

and anticipate what it 

will bring. Happy New 

Year!

Army Captain Daniel Price

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Chaplain

“The lessons we learn from the past, good or bad, 

point us to how we will grow in the future.”
Rated: PG 13

110 minutes

Rating:

Page 14 | The Wire At the Movies||

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Movie Review

This is the story of an aging marshal 

helping a 14-year-old girl, Mattie Ross, hunt 

down her father’s killer and bring him to 

justice. The plot is nothing new. For those 

too young to remember, this is a remake 

of a classic 1969 western which originally 

featured the great John Wayne as Rooster 

Cogburn. The biggest flaw of the original 

was the plot’s inability to compete with John 

Wayne’s larger-than-life persona.

Leap forward more than 40 years or so 

and you will find Jeff Bridges smoothly 

playing the part of an eye-patch wearing, 

haggard drunk. While most viewers are 

familiar with the acting skills of Matt Damon 

(Texas Ranger LaBoeuf), I strongly suggest 

attending this movie, if for no other reason, 

than to become familiar with the acting 

talents of 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld. She 

has set a new standard for actors her age 

and will surely be a name that will gain much 

more popularity.

Mattie Ross finds herself eye-level with 

responsibility as she must identify the body 

of her murdered father. She then goes biblical 

with an eye-for an-eye attitude by hiring 

Deputy U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn to catch 

the killer and bring him to justice in Arkansas. 

Meanwhile, at the boarding house where she is 

staying, LaBoeuf arrives on Tom Chaney’s trail 

and promises to bring him to justice in Texas.

The plain-spoken, feisty and fearless Ross 

has a habit of changing people around. Her 

drop-dead determination and no-nonsense 

stubbornness combine to prevent her from 

being pushed around in the steeped traditions 

of the 1800s. 

The trio soon embarks on a journey filled 

with challenges and dangers in the Wild West 

and the gritty justice of a time gone bye. The 

Coen brothers remake truly stands on its 

own and deserves serious attention from all 

western movie fans. Saddle up your horse, 

pour some campfire coffee and head down 

to the Lyceum for a four banana rat affair.

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

Call MWR at ext. 2010 for more information. Movie Hotline - call 4880.

Tangled

(PG) 7 p.m. 

Burlesque

(PG13) 9 p.m. 

The Next Three 

Days

(PG) 7 p.m.

For Colored 

Girls

(R) 7 p.m.

Last Showing

Megamind

(PG) 7 p.m.

Last Showing

Morning Glory

(PG13) 7 p.m.

True Grit

(PG13) 

7 p.m.

Burlesque

(PG13) 8 p.m. 

The Next Three 

Days

(PG13) 10 p.m. 

Due Date

(R) 8 p.m.

Last Showing

True Grit

(PG13) 8 p.m.

Skyline

(PG13) 8 p.m.

Morning Glory

(PG13) 

8 p.m.

The Green 

Hornet

(PG13) 8 p.m.

Love and Other 

Drugs

(R) 10 p.m.

For Colored 

Girls

(R) 8 p.m.

Last Showing

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Free Bowling & 

Pizza

6 p.m.

The Last of the 

Mohicans

(R) 7 p.m. 

Carriers

(PG13) 9 p.m. 

Fight Club

(R) 7 p.m. 

Master and 

Commander

(PG13) 9 p.m.

The Men Who 

Stare at Goats

(R) 7 p.m. 

Old Dogs

(PG) 7 p.m. 

Twilight Sage: 

New Moon

(PG13) 7 p.m. 

Pirate Radio

(R) 7 p.m.

The League of 

Extraordinary 

Gentlemen

(PG13) 7 p.m.

Clipper 

Club

Other 

Events

Sunset Sail

6 p.m.

Marina

The Green Hornet

(PG13) 7 p.m.

Love and Other 

Drugs 

(R) 9 p.m.

Day Fishing

Marina 6:30 a.m.

| Ephemera The Wire | Page 15

U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91114 patrols the coastline of Guantanamo 

Bay, Jan. 14. MSST 91114 provides maritime anti-terrorism and force protection for Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. — photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins.

Guarding the Coastline

The course took the Troopers all over the Naval Station. Reaching 

the top of John Paul Jones Hill – the halfway mark – the Troopers 

turned around and headed back to Kittery Beach for the finish.

Leading the charge to New Mexico was Master Sgt. Brian Stuckey. 

Stuckey started the ruck march at the front and never looked back, 

crossing the finish line first in three hours, three minutes.

Stuckey explained the 525th will send a team of six Soldiers to New 

Mexico to serve as the battalion’s representatives. In addition to this 

march, there will be another next Sunday. The top six finishers will 

begin the arduous training program to compete in White Sands on 

March 27. Just behind Stuckey, finishing second, was the battalion’s 

Command Sgt. Maj., Daniel Borrero. Borrero has already participated 

in one Bataan Memorial Death March so the advice he gave to 

Soldiers beginning the journey came from firsthand experience.

“This isn’t something you can wake up for on Sunday morning, 

throw on a ruck and go do,” Borrero said. “You’ve got to train; you’ve 

got to work up to it.”

Borrero said one of the reasons he loves challenges like the 

Bataan Memorial Death March so much is how these sorts of events 

embody the Warrior Ethos.

“I will never quit, that piece of the Warrior Ethos was exemplified 

today,” Borrero said. “Just take a look at the faces of the Soldiers as 

they cross the finish line and you’ll see it in their eyes.”

One such Soldier, Pfc. Brandon Cummings, fell across the finish 

line, his bottled water falling from his hand, his broken rucksack 

spilling out in front of him. Cummings finished in third with a time 

of three hours and 15 minutes, his body wracked with pain as onhand medics attended to the doubled-over Trooper. 

“Its just cramps,” he explained. “My legs are completely 

cramping.”

A few minutes later, Cummings limped around the parking lot of 

Kittery Beach with his friend and fellow Soldier, Pvt. Danny Harris.

“I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for my battle buddy here,” 

Cummings said, pointing to Harris. “He really helped me out there at 

the end when I really thought I was just going to give up.”

Cummings said in addition to his fellow Trooper getting him 

through the end, his love of competition drove him to compete in 

the first place.

 “I’m ready to go on, to go to New Mexico,” Cummings said. “I’m 

ready to win.”

MARCH cont. .