Volume 12, Issue 18 Thursday, April 21, 2011

New Kids 

on the Block

NEGB changes over

Hazing 

Any way you look at it,

 it’s a crime 

Alleged Cole bomber charged

Prosecutor pushing for capital charges 

against GTMO detainee 
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 Defense Logistics Agency 

Document Services with a circulation of 1,000.

Trooper to Trooper |

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Command Sgt. Maj.

Mark Porrett

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

Senior Enlisted Leader

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class 

Sally Hendricks: 3649

The Wire

Executive Editor

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel: 3499

Assistant Editor

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Photojournalists:

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Maddelin Angebrand

Spc. Kelly Gary

Spc. Justin Pierce

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

COVER: A member of the incoming NEGB, Company 12.0E, stands inside Camp 6, April 15. 

Senior Enlisted Leader, Task Force Platinum

Master Chief Petty Officer

Hello JTF! I hope this issue of The Wire 

finds you all doing well. First off, I want to 

share a story with you I have enjoyed over the 

years and then I will provide you with some 

career advice.

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on 

a roadway. Then he hid and watched to see if anyone 

would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s 

wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply 

walked around. Many loudly blamed the king for not 

keeping the roads clear, but no one did anything about 

getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of 

vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant 

laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the 

side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he 

finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, 

he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder 

had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a 

note from the king indicating the gold was for the person 

who removed the boulder from the roadway.

 - Author Unknown 

I sat on the Senior Chief Selection Board 

a few years ago and saw many evaluations that 

had the two letters we like to see in evaluations 

... IA. What I didn’t see was what was really 

accomplished while on that IA. To me that 

seemed like a waste of opportunity since many 

of the things we do at parent command USA 

can be done while on an IA or at least here 

at GTMO. Since reporting to NEGB three 

months ago for my first IA, I am still 

seeing missed opportunity. 

We all work hard and often under 

very stressful conditions. While helping 

out with the mission here at GTMO, 

some of us may have stressful situations 

going on at home. Even so we have to 

work through that and stay focused on 

the job. It was a good move going on an 

IA, but there is so much more you can 

do to make your evaluation even better. 

If you have not started studying for 

the September advancement exam or 

next promotion board you are falling 

behind. Once the work day is over, the 

distractions we normally have (kids, 

spouse, home or vehicle repair etc) are 

not here. Take the opportunity to spend quality 

time preparing for the September exam or your 

next promotion board.

An item that will look good in your 

evaluation and at selection boards is offduty education/professional development, 

specifically college. Take advantage of college 

classes, correspondence courses and CLEPS 

here at GTMO. Don’t do it just for your career, 

do it for what it can add to your post military 

resume. In most cases the costs, thanks to TA 

and other programs, is really just your effort. 

Volunteerism can also score major points 

on an evaluation. While it may not carry the 

same weight as warfare pins or college credit, 

the inclusion of volunteer opportunities will 

give you an advantage, not to mention the 

sense of accomplishment you will feel from 

your selflessness. 

Don’t look back on your time at JTF and 

think about what you could have done. Take 

advantage of all the opportunities here at 

GTMO and do whatever you can to ensure 

you have the best possible eval/report card 

to increase your chances at a selection board 

or promotion board. Like the peasant in the 

story, it may be hard work to remove the 

boulders from your education/volunteering/

correspondence roadway but in the end, your 

personal accomplishments will be like gold in 

your pocket. This is probably some of the best 

“me” time you will ever have ... make this IA 

count in every aspect. 

Dwayne White
The Wire | Page 3 News You Can Use | 

Raul Castro named head of Cuba’s Communist Party

Cuban President Raul 

Castro has been named the 

head of the nation’s ruling 

Communist Party, officially 

replacing his brother, 

former President Fidel 

Castro, who held the post 

since the party’s founding 

46 years ago.

President Raul 

Castro was named First 

Secretary Tuesday during a 

Communist Party Congress 

in Havana.

Despite raising hopes 

during the gathering 

that a new generation of 

leaders could step up to 

top posts, the 79-year-old 

president said 80-year-old 

Vice President Jose Ramon 

Machado Ventura would be 

his No. 2 in the party.

Raul Castro has 

introduced economic 

reforms in Cuba, but told the party congress 

that he will never allow the return of 

capitalism.

Fidel Castro, 84, making a rare public 

appearance, also attended the event, wearing 

a blue tracksuit and looking unsteady on his 

feet.

Fidel Castro has faced severe problems 

with his health during the past few years.

In an opinion article in state-run media last 

month, Fidel Castro said he resigned five years 

ago from all his official positions, including as 

head of the Communist Party, when intestinal 

Voice of America News Service

bleeding nearly killed him in 2006.

Even though it was widely known that 

Fidel Castro was not working as the day-today head of the party, the article was the first 

time he acknowledged resigning from the 

post.

Fidel Castro ceded power to Raul Castro 

in 2006, and in 2008, the younger Castro 

officially took office as president.

On Monday, Cuban state-run media 

reported that the Communist Party had 

approved economic reforms offered by 

President Raul Castro.

About 1,000 delegates convened for the 

four-day party convention, which is only the 

sixth time the party has met in its nearly 50-

year history. The last gathering was in 1997.

Raul Castro’s proposed reforms come 

during tough economic times for Cuba.

The reforms include significant changes 

to Cuba’s economic system, including 

decentralization of the island nation’s 

economy, a shift toward private enterprise 

and the eventual elimination of ration books 

and other subsidies. Reforms also include 

two, five-year term limits for politicians.

Cuba’s President Raul Castro (r) next to his brother and former President Fidel Castro 

during the closing ceremony of the Cuban Communist Congress in Havana, April 19, 

2011 . – photo by Reuters

WASHINGTON – The Department of Defense announced 

Wednesday that military commissions prosecutors have sworn 

charges against Abd al Rahim Hussayn Muhammad al Nashiri of 

Saudi Arabia. 

The chief prosecutor has recommended that the charges against 

Nashiri be referred as capital. Capital charges may only be pursued 

with the convening authority’s approval. 

The charges allege that Nashiri was in charge of the planning and 

preparation for the attack on USS Cole (DDG 67) in the Port of 

Aden, Yemen, on Oct. 12, 2000. The attack killed 17 sailors, wounded 

40 sailors, and severely damaged the ship by blowing a 30-foot by 

30-foot hole in her side. The charges also allege that Nashiri was in 

charge of planning and preparation for an attempted attack on USS 

The Sullivans (DDG 68) as that ship refueled in the Port of Aden 

on Jan. 3, 2000. 

It is further alleged that Nashiri was in charge of the planning 

and preparation for an attack on the French civilian oil tanker MV 

Limburg in the Gulf of Aden on Oct. 6, 2002. This attack resulted 

in the death of one crewmember and the release of approximately 

90,000 barrels of oil into the gulf. 

The charges allege that Nashiri committed offenses that are 

chargeable under the Military Commissions Act of 2009, 10 U.S.C. 

§§ 948a, et seq. Under that act, he may be convicted only if his guilt 

is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Specifically, Nashiri is charged 

with the following substantive offenses: terrorism; attacking civilians; 

attacking civilian objects; intentionally causing serious bodily injury; 

hazarding a vessel; using treachery or perfidy; murder in violation 

of the law of war; attempted murder in violation of the law of war; 

conspiracy to commit terrorism and murder in violation of the law 

of war; destruction of property in violation of the law of war; and 

attempted destruction of property in violation of the law of war. 

These charges go beyond what is necessary to establish that 

Nashiri may be lawfully detained under the 2001 Authorization for 

Use of Military Force, as informed by the laws of war – an issue 

that each Guantanamo detainee may challenge in a habeas petition 

in federal court. 

Charges sworn against GTMO detainee, alleged USS Cole bomber

Department of Defense Public Affairs
News from the Bay

Final racquetball 

tourney for old gym

Boots on the Ground

What will you miss most about Guantanamo Bay?

“Scuba diving!”

Pfc. Kevin R. Daniels

“Hanging out with friends on 

M-block.”

Sergeant 1st Class

Nidza Crespo

Staff Sgt. 

Derek Latson

“The dry weather.” “Swimming laps in the 

H-block pool.”

Morale, Welfare and Recreation is 

sponsoring a racquetball tournament this 

weekend at Denich Gym.

“This tournament is filled with both 

beginners and advanced racquetball players,” 

said Alana Morrison, sports coordinator for 

MWR. “No matter the skill level of the player, 

these participants are ready to racquet-it-up 

and have a great time!”

Games will begin on Saturday and finish 

Sunday. All participants will receive an MWR 

Stories and reporting by Spc. Meredith Vincent 

and Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

Religious Programs 

Specialist 3rd Class

Jeffery Lauber

Scheduled power

outage at Denich Gym

In order to keep renovations underway 

for the new fitness center, Denich Gym will 

have a scheduled power outage April 28 from 

8 a.m. to 2 p.m., said Jen Norton, Morale, 

Welfare and Recreation fitness director. 

The gym will be closed at this time. Norton 

reminded Guantanamo Bay residents Marine 

Hill will be open for all their fitness needs. 

For questions, please contact x2157.

Community Easter Egg

Hunt at golf course

Spring fever will kick into high gear on 

Guantanamo Bay as the Easter weekend 

descends. Morale, Welfare and Recreation 

has several weekend activities and events 

planned for the upcoming holiday.

Golfers will have to move aside for the 

Easter Bunny this Saturday as the Community 

Easter Egg Hunt gets underway at the Lateral 

Hazard Golf Course.

Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and will go to 

approximately noon, said Karen Simon, 

representative for MWR. In addition to the 

hunt itself, there will be carnival games and 

concessions. The event is open to all ages 

and free of charge. 

For more information, contact Simon at 

x2005.

The Liberty Easter Eggstravaganza and 

Floatie Fun Day is scheduled to be held at 

Ferry Landing, Saturday at 10 a.m. There 

will be free food, lawn games and an egg 

hunt as well. These events are being held for 

unaccompanied, active duty personnel only. 

For more information, contact x2010.

After celebrating all day Saturday, take a 

relaxing Sunday with an Easter Champagne 

Brunch at the Bayview. Food will be served 

from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $14.95 

for adults and $6.95 for 11 years old and 

younger. 

For more information about the brunch, 

contact x75604.

The News from the Bay | Wire | Page 4

water bottle while the top two finishers 

will be presented champion and runner-up 

trophies. 

“This will be the last racquetball 

tournament until we have our new courts 

built,” said Morrison. “So it may be anywhere 

from a couple of months to a year!”

For more information contact the Denich 

Gym at x77262.

Contest to rename 

Club Survivor begins

With the grand reopening of Joint Task 

Force Guantanamo’s Club Survivor, the Task 

Force is looking to christen the club with a 

new name with the help of all Troopers.

Send an email to thewire@jtfgtmo.

southcom.mil by noon, April 27 with your 

idea for a new name. JTF Guantanamo 

Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson 

and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Porrett will 

narrow the list to three names. In the April 28 

issue of The Wire, the top three entries will be 

listed for readers to vote on their favorite.

Again, send an email to thewire@jtfgtmo.

southcom.mil with your favorite of the three 

names. The winner will be announced in the 

May 4 issue and will receive a $100 prize. 

Following the renaming contest, the newly 

branded club will be looking for a new logo. 

Details for the logo contest will be presented 

in a future issue of The Wire.
trooper

Spc. Kelly Gary

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 8 years

Hobbies: watching 

basketball and movies

Pet peeves: people who 

give up 

Next goal: to make chief 

or go officer

Advice to junior 

Troopers: “If the 

opportunity is there, take 

it!”

Devotion means a lot to Aviation 

Ordnanceman 1st Class Robert E. Peetoom 

who believes one must be committed to his 

or her family, troops and leadership.

Peetoom, leading petty officer for Task 

Force Platinum, said family is one of the 

most important things to him. Coming 

from generations of military service, he 

reflects on the advice his father passed on 

to him.

“My father always told me to never give 

up on anything,” said Peetoom, a father 

of four himself. “So far I have lived up to 

that.” 

After more than eight years in the 

service and nearing the end of his third 

deployment, Peetoom has learned a lot 

about being a leader. His leadership skills 

were displayed when he was selected as 

Task Force Platinum LPO.

“From the time that I have known him, 

AO1 Peetoom has been an outstanding 

example of what a Sailor should be,” 

said Army Master Sgt. Jamie A. Kleppen, 

operations officer for Task Force Platinum.

“He represents a high degree of 

character and professionalism,” Kleppen 

said. “He is definitely someone all the other 

Sailors can look up to.” 

Sailors have christened Peetoom with 

the nickname ‘the enforcer’ due to his firm 

belief in standards and discipline.

Even though he is well known for having 

a stern approach, Peetoom said he is always 

there for his troops whether they need a 

leader, mentor or friend.

Peetoom recently began helping Sailors 

at risk for early release in the recent order to 

cut 3,000 Navy personnel.

“He has already put himself out there 

to help each Sailor who falls into those 

categories to cross rate them or help them 

out any way he can,” explained Kleppen.

When he is not helping out his Sailors, 

Peetoom is either participating in or 

volunteering for the various 5Ks and 

community events held around the naval 

station. 

To Peetoom, the best part of this 

deployment is being able to unwind in his 

off time and call home whenever he wants 

to.

Another benefit of deploying to 

Guantanamo Bay, Peetoom added, 

is the opportunity to work in a joint 

environment.

“I have learned leadership skills from all 

the branches,” he said.” You are able to pick 

and pull different leadership traits. That is 

what makes you a true leader, learning from 

your people.”

Peetoom plans to continue learning 

as well as advancing in his Navy career. 

Working on a degree in criminal justice, he 

has officer aspirations. He and his leadership 

are looking for him to pin on chief in the 

near future.

“Hopefully the board sees the same 

PSEC ALERT

DON’T BE A VICTIM! USE OPSEC EVERYDAY!

OPSEC everyday!

It doesn’t matter if you are on-duty or off – Use OPSEC everywhere at all times. OPSEC keeps our sensitive 

information safe and secure. Use OPSEC at work and at home. Think OPSEC on the job, at the gym, on the 

beach and at the galley. Remember information can be gathered at the club or the camp! Don’t take a day off of 

OPSEC, it’s a twenty-four hour, seven-days-a-week, three-hundred and sixty five days a year job! 

| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5

focus

Aviation Ordnanceman

1st Class Robert Peetoom

things I do,” said Kleppen.

Peetoom has come this far and said 

he plans on taking advantage of all the 

Navy has to offer. 

“[Enlisting] turned out to be the best 

thing I ever did.”
Trooper serves up training by the busload

Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Manoah Zurn (right), attached to Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo, gives Machinist Mate 2nd Class Agustin 

Valdez driving instructions during a 44-passenger bus driving class 

on Naval Station Guantanamo, April 12. 

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handler) 

2nd Class Sinclair Smalls never considered 

becoming a bus driver. However, as of 

April 15 this ABH2 with Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo is qualified to drive a 44-

passenger bus, thanks to one dedicated 

Trooper who not only knows the rules of 

the road, but is qualified to teach them.

“It’s big and intimidating, not like 

driving a car,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd

Class Manoah Zurn. “People are scared of 

it at first but by the end of class they are 

fine.”

Zurn is the only Trooper on JTF 

Guantanamo qualified to instruct the fiveday bus driving class and has earned the 

respect of his students.

“He tells it like it is,” said Smalls, who 

recently took the class. “He’ll let you know 

to take wide turns and say ‘hey, you’re a 

bus! Take as much space as you need.’”

Zurn has taught more than five 

classes and is credited with qualifying 50 

servicemembers. This makes him directly 

responsible for a crucial part of the JTF 

mission.

Without buses, many servicemembers 

would not get to their watches or work 

on time. Qualified Troopers rotate as 

bus driver for the day, providing reliable 

transportation to every servicemember 

working in the camps.

“It’s important because every big group 

here has their own bus,” said Smalls. “The 

Army has a bus and the island has a bus. 

Now, we as guards can get off work and 

go straight to a bus without waiting to be 

picked up.”

 “It’s a big morale booster to get out of 

work, get straight on a bus and get home,” 

added Zurn. “Nobody likes waiting at 

these bus stops.”

The course requires each student receive 

40 hours of training, combining classroom 

and driving time. After the initial day of 

familiarization, road safety and hazards 

training, students are able to take turns in 

the driver’s seat.

The driving portion of the class starts 

in a big open parking lot with orange cones 

set up. Later, they take to the road. Zurn 

makes sure each student is ready before 

driving the actual routes.

“I like to see people avoiding tunnel 

vision, looking around, looking through 

the turns, using proper techniques,” Zurn 

said. “I like to see people using those wide 

right-hand turns mostly. I can’t stress that 

enough with these guys!” 

Zurn also emphasized the importance 

of driver confidence and the ability to 

make passengers feel safe. To earn their 

license, Zurn said students need to “build 

his confidence in their abilities.”

At the end of the course, when each 

driver has passed the official road test, Zurn 

adds his words of bus driver wisdom.

“Be on time! The rest of your shifts 

and the rest of the people you’re picking 

up depend on you,” Zurn expressed. “You 

need to be on time everyday, without fail... 

it’s a thankless job really. The guys getting 

on and off everyday will sometimes say 

thanks, but you go largely unnoticed. 

You’ve got to be on point and if you’re 

not, people notice!”

Singular qualified bus-driving instructor plays crucial role in JTF mission

The Feature | Wire | Page 6
Story and photos by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Joseph Ebalo

 see CAPS, page 19

| News The Wire | Page 7

U.S. Military members, 

regardless of their service 

branch, are often reminded 

of the importance of staying 

hydrated. During basic training 

or boot camp, Troops are taught 

about the dangers of not having 

enough water in their systems 

and the negative effects of 

dehydration on their bodies, 

especially while in a combat or 

high stress environment.

Another common theme 

amongst servicemembers is 

giving back to the community. 

Just like the mantra of staying 

hydrated, helping others is 

positively reinforced by military 

leaders and health providers to 

their Troops.

For one Soldier deployed to 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

Bay, the thought of doing what 

she could to help out, no matter 

how little the contribution, 

inspired her to invest her time, 

energy and a bit of her own 

money for the benefit of others.

Sgt. 1st Class Nigza Crespo, a 

platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, 

Company B, 296th Military Police 

Company, collected and donated 

approximately 15,000 water 

bottle caps to a program focused 

on finding a cure for cancer. 

She heard about the program 

from her son in high school, 

who was participating in a local 

recycling drive to help cancer 

patients.

Soldier collects, donates thousands of caps for cancer research

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Jason Tross

The commander for Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo wants 

to know what his Troopers are 

thinking – and so does his boss at 

U.S. Southern Command. They 

are using a command climate 

survey to find out and Troopers 

have until May 6 to speak up. 

“This gives everyone a 

voice,” said Sgt. 1st Class Edward 

Wilhite, Southern Command 

headquarters equal opportunity 

advisor. “If you want to be 

heard you need to vote. People 

have complaints all year and go 

unheard. The only way for us 

Weather report: JTF conducts command climate survey

to make a change is to find out 

what needs to be changed.”

The two-part online survey 

can be accessed from any 

computer and takes about 20 

minutes to complete. It provides 

a wide range of information for 

commanders and EO personnel 

to evaluate the effectiveness of 

their organization. 

“Perceptions of how likely 

specific activities are considered 

within the organization are 

reported along a five-point 

scale, from ‘Strongly Agree’ to 

‘Strongly Disagree,’” said Air 

Force Capt. Jennifer Fillmore, J1 

deputy director. “Troopers are 

encouraged to provide honest 

feedback regarding the current 

human relations climate, unit 

cohesion, work group operations 

and any organization concerns.”

The first part of the survey 

covers topics including sexual 

harassment and discrimination, 

behavior toward minorities, 

positive equal opportunity 

behaviors, racist behaviors and 

discrimination against religion, 

age and disabilities. 

The second part is more 

mission-oriented, addressing 

organizational commitment, 

trust in the organization, 

work group effectiveness and see SURVEY, page 19

cohesion, leadership cohesion 

and overall job satisfaction. 

Honest answers in these 

areas are directly proportionate 

to participation numbers. The 

more people who take the survey 

and answer truthfully, the more 

accurate the final analysis is.

“We aim for 100 percent 

participation,” said Wilhite. 

“That’s how we get the most 

accurate picture of what’s 

going on. Otherwise we are still 

guessing.”

One unique aspect of the 

“I thought about how much 

water my Troops and I drank 

and I knew it was just a very 

small way to help out my son” 

said Crespo. “At first I wasn’t 

sure that I was going to be able 

to have enough caps, but with 

the help of all the good people 

here at GTMO, we were able to 

really send a lot.”

Crespo talked to some of 

her fellow Soldiers and set up a 

recycling box for the bottle caps 

at several locations and offices 

including the base hospital, 

security department and some 

of the recreation centers. She 

was surprised to find such a 

good turnout from the JTF 

and Naval Station Guantanamo 

community.

“As soon as my workplace 

heard about it, we wanted to 

help out,” said Army Sgt. Jane 

Ebolbe, a health administrator 

noncommissioned officer at 

Kittery Clinic. “Everybody who 

came into the hospital asked 

about it and started bringing in 

some bottle caps too. It’s nice to 

know that the community here 

cares about helping others.”

At the end of the three-month 

recycling drive in March, Crespo 

used her own money to send at 

least five big boxes and several 

small ones filled with thousands 

of bottle caps to her son.

“It was wonderful how many 

we were able to contribute,” 

Crespo said. “It really didn’t 

matter that I had to pay to send 

them – my commander even 

asked me to find out if we could 

raise funds so I wouldn’t have to 

Sgt. 1st Class, Nigza Crespo collected and donated approximately 15,000 

water bottle caps to a program focused on finding a cure for cancer.
Wyo. governor visits deployed Troopers, tours JTF

Making his first trip abroad 

to visit deployed Wyoming 

Soldiers since assuming duties 

as Wyoming’s Commander 

in Chief and Governor, 

Matt Mead made a trip to 

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 

18 and 19.

During his visit to the 

island, Mead spent time with 

Soldiers from the Wyoming 

Army National Guard’s Casperbased 197th Public Affairs 

Detachment assigned to Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo’s 

public affairs division as well as 

touring detention facilities.

Traveling with the Governor 

were First Lady Carol Mead, 

Wyoming National Guard 

Adjutant General Maj. Gen. 

Luke Reiner and the Wyoming 

National Guard’s Senior 

Enlisted Leader, Command 

Sgt. Maj. Thomas Allen.

Mead said many of his 

initial ideas of the detention 

facility and the mission of JTF 

Guantanamo were immediately 

dispelled.

“The public perception, my 

perception, of Guantanamo 

was Camp X-Ray,” Mead said 

Story by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

beyond lofty expectations. 

“As Commander in Chief, 

you always hope when you 

deploy a unit they will go out 

there and do a good job,” 

Mead said “To come here and 

see them delivering in such an 

excellent manner makes all of 

us extremely proud,” 

“This is the type of mission 

where the entire world is 

watching,” said Reiner. “And 

these Troops of the PAD 

have been out there putting 

Wyoming’s best foot forward.”

Currently deployed Soldier, 

Spc. Kelly Gary was one of the 

Troopers the Governor spent 

time with.

“It was an honor to have 

such senior leadership come 

see for themselves how we 

carry out this mission,” Gary 

said. “It’s comforting to know 

we have their support and 

they’ve seen first hand what we 

see and do day-in and day-out 

as we move forward.”

“The people of Wyoming 

should know they have an 

outstanding group of men and 

women serving down here and 

in their National Guard,” said 

Mead. “And while Guantanamo 

may seem a long way away from 

us, this is a mission that is close 

to all of us.”

referring to the camp used to 

house detainees for 92 days in 

2002 while more permanent 

facilities were constructed. 

While Camp X-Ray has not 

been in use since April 2002, 

when referring to Guantanamo 

Bay facilities, major media 

outlets, often use footage of 

the facility in operation.

“Too many in the public fail 

to really know and understand 

what goes on here,” Mead said, 

“Because they have not been 

given accurate information.”

Mead was given a tour of 

the ultra-modern, $54 million 

Camps 5 and 6 where detainees 

are currently housed.

“I was immediately 

struck by the complexity and 

importance of the mission 

down here,” Mead 

said. 

Reiner echoed 

the Governor’s 

remarks.

“It was a 

pleasure to see 

the upgraded 

facilities and the 

professionalism 

exhibited by those 

working there,” the 

Adjutant General 

said.

Along with 

touring the camps, 

Mead spent time 

visiting with the 

eight Wyoming 

Soldiers deployed 

in support of the 

Task Force’s public 

affairs division. 

Mead said his 

Wyoming Soldiers 

were performing 

The News | Wire | Page 8

Wyoming governor Matt Mead speaks with Spcs. Justin Pierce and 

Meredith Vincent, both members of the Wyoming Army National Guard’s 

Fighting 197th Public Affairs Detachment, deployed to Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo, Tuesday. 

Cmdr. John Rhodes walks with Wyo. Gov. Matt Mead and Wyoming 

National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner inside Camp 

6, Monday during their tour of the detention facilities. 
Traditions – the U.S. Armed Forces is full of them. 

From saluting a senior officer to hearty, raucous 

celebrations during a dining-in/out, our traditions 

define who we are as a service and give us a sense 

of connection to those who came before us. But 

there is one so-called tradition that has no place 

in today’s military – hazing.

During a recent promotion ceremony for an officer, a senior 

noncommissioned officer and junior noncommissioned officer--

members of the congratulating audience – thought it appropriate 

to punch in the chest those being promoted. This is not how we 

celebrate well-earned and well-deserved promotions or awards.

Just like muskets and wooden ships, gone are the days of blood 

stripes, blood wings, tagging rank, etc. There are no more initiations 

of this type disguised beneath a congratulatory umbrella.

The positive piece out of this particular situation was that it 

was stopped by someone with the personal courage (an Army 

value) to object. Getting promoted or receiving an award should 

be a positive and professional ceremony. Senior NCOs have the 

responsibility to master the customs, courtesies and ceremonies 

of their service. But hazing is more than just a senior enlisted 

leader issue — it’s a crime that should be challenged by everyone, 

regardless of grade.

I don’t exaggerate when I say hazing is a crime. It is abusive 

behavior, meeting every element of proof for assault consummated 

by a battery – UCMJ Article 128. This has been the case for some 

HAZING

time, but it seems there are still a rare few who haven’t gotten 

the memo. We all have the responsibility for ensuring everyone 

knows the standard in this area. Things are not the same as they 

were two centuries ago.

Army Regulation 600-20, section 4-20, Paragraph a.(1) clearly 

states - and each service’s similar regulation mirrors the wording 

- hazing includes (but is not limited to) any form of initiation or 

“rite of passage” or congratulatory act that involves physically 

striking another in order to inflict pain or piercing another’s skin 

in any manner.

Hazing belongs in the same dustbin of history as the boltaction rifle, sail-powered warships and hardtack. None of 

them are useful or appropriate and we don’t need any of their 

distractions. Honor Bound!

Hazing belongs 

in the same 

dustbin of 

history as the 

bolt-action rifle, 

sail-powered 

warships and 

hardtack.

Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Porrett

i s a c r i m e

| Feature The Wire | Page 9
Out with th

found himself on patrol along the docks of Naval Base 

Kitsap, Wash. Now the Master-at-Arms 1

It was just a few short months ago when Patrick King 

in 

st Class is leading an 

with t

entire guard section inside Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s 

Camp 6 with a singular focus – get himself and his guards 

trained and qualified to stand around-the-clock watch.

King is just one member of more than 100 Sailors 

who arrived on Guantanamo Bay recently. As the latest 

Naval Expeditionary Guard Battalion, Company 12.0E is a 

welcome sight for the outgoing NEGB company.

“Myself and most of the rest of the company have 

turned over with the outgoing group,” said King. “Now 

we’re working toward getting qualified in our respective 

positions.”

Qualifying at individual watch stations is the culmination 

of more than two months of intense training for this 

diverse cross-section of career fields.

“The beauty of all this is that it’s not just one rate,” said Navy 

Aviation Warfare Operator Chief Eddie Gomez, training leading 

chief petty officer for the NEGB. “You have master-at-arms’, 

culinary specialists, enginemen, missile techs, yeomen, and all the 

aviation rates you can think of.”

Gomez first met Company 12.0E in mid-February when he and a 

small team of task force experts traveled to the Navy’s mobilization 

center in Gulfport, Miss. He said the current training is really the last 

phase of a nearly two-month process that started in Gulfport and 

brought the team through Army guard training at Ft. Bliss, Texas. 

Once Company 12.0E assumes its role on the blocks, each guard 

must complete about two weeks of training to qualify at their watch 

station. The E-4s are only required to be guard-qualified, while E-5s 

also qualify as guard block NCO. The E-6s qualify as all of the above, 

as well as assistant watch commander.

An incoming NEBG Sailor (left) learns the ropes in a tower located 

inside Camp 6. 

The Wire | Page 10 Feature |
he old, Story and photos by 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

the

to qualify up to the next position. They are introduced to those 

positions during initial training at Ft. Bliss, but there are some things 

While each guard must qualify up to their rank, they can choose 

new

that cannot be taught outside the specific camps. That’s where the 

outgoing NEGB company comes in.

“We try to keep them here for two weeks so the new company 

can do the left and right seats,” said Gomez. “Left and right seat 

basically means someone is going to walk them through it and show 

them how to do it. Then once you get qualified, they cut the umbilical 

cord - they’re running for it.”

Gomez said improvements are constantly being made in the 

hand-over process.

 “Everyone is getting qualified and learning a lot in a short amount 

of time. We’re very thorough,” he said.

King and his company-mates agree. In just two weeks, they’ve 

completely taken over – something King attributes to experience 

and a willingness to share hard-earned experience. 

“This is the first time I’ve been here, but it’s not the 

first time I’ve been to a new duty station,” said King. 

“Typically when you’re the new guy, you get a little 

bit more flack than anyone else. Instead they’re giving 

us those tips that usually take three or four months to 

earn.” 

King is referring to the type of knowledge not in 

a book or operating procedure. For example, some 

detainees get what guards call ‘special meals.’ It could 

be something like the detainee requesting two cups of 

kidney beans – each filled to the brim. If he gets less, it 

may cause problems for days. These kinds of details are 

invaluable to the new guards.

“That’s the difference between a good day and a bad 

week,” said King. 

Two guards walk and discuss watch stations inside 

JTF Guantanamo’s Camp 6 detention facility, April 15.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Thomas Wilt, a new guard 

assigned to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, stands watch inside Camp 6.

| Feature The Wire | Page 11
The At Your Service | Wire | Page 12

In The Trenches

Army to transfer Manning to new Leavenworth correctional facility

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Army plans 

to transfer Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, charged 

with leaking classified military information in 

the WikiLeaks incident, to a new Joint Regional 

Correctional Facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 

Jeh C. Johnson, the Defense Department’s 

general counsel, announced today.

“At the request of Private Manning’s 

defense counsel, an assessment is under way to 

determine whether Private Manning is mentally 

competent in this case in the event it goes to 

trial,” he said. “On Saturday, April 9, the inquiry 

phase of that process, known in military justice 

terms as a 706 board, was completed, and Private 

Manning’s presence in the Washington, D.C., 

area is no longer necessary for that purpose.”

“At this juncture of the case, we have 

decided that the new joint regional correctional 

facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is the most 

appropriate facility for Private Manning for 

continued pre-trial detention,” he said.

Manning’s transfer from the pre-trial 

confinement facility at Marine Base Quantico 

in Virginia, is “imminent,” Johnson said, but 

according to standard policy he declined to 

provide precise details.

“This is the right decision at the right time,” 

Army Undersecretary Joseph W. Westphal said, 

reinforcing Johnson’s explanation.

“This [facility] became available in January 

for pre-trial [confinees],” Westphal said. “We 

were looking at the situation where he would 

need an environment that was more conducive 

to a longer-term period, and this is why we 

made the decision to move him at this time. We 

needed to wait until the 706, and his participation 

in the 706 review process, was over, and that 

Rob McIlvaine

Armed Forces Press Service just became over.”

With the medical review of Manning’s 

competence to stand trial expected to take 

additional time, and a pre-trial phase that “may 

continue for months beyond that,” Johnson 

said the decision was made to transfer him to 

Fort Leavenworth.

Army Corrections Command reviewed the 

new facility and determined it has the expertise 

and capability to provide continued, long-term 

pre-trial confinement for Manning, Johnson 

said.

“The facility, which opened in October 

and opened a pre-trial confinement capability 

in January, is a state-of-the-art complex with 

the best and widest range of support services 

available to pre-trial prisoners within the 

Department of Defense corrections system,” 

he said.

The facility has resident medical and mentalhealth care staff “appropriate to meet Private 

Manning’s health and welfare needs for the 

remainder of the 706 Board process into the 

pretrial phase, Johnson said.

“When he is transferred to the Joint Regional 

Correction Facility, he will receive support from 

experienced, trained professional staff that has 

been doing this for well over 20 years,” said Army 

Lt. Col. Dawn Hilton, the facility commander. 

“And he will receive the mental health, physical 

health and emotional health [support] that he 

needs to go through this judicial process.”

“The Quantico brig is a level 1 facility that is 

not intended for long- term incarceration either 

pre- or post-trial,” she said. Typically, pre-trial 

prisoners are not incarcerated at a level 1 facility 

for more than a couple months.”

The Joint Regional Correctional Facility 

in Kansas is a state-of-the-art, level 2 facility, 

Hilton said. “So what that means is that I 

have the capacity to hold not only the pre-trial 

prisoners but post-trial prisoners with sentences 

up to five years. And with that comes all the 

support staff that Pfc. Manning may need,” she 

said.

“I have the experienced staff who not only 

work at the Joint Regional Correctional Facility 

but also at the United States Disciplinary 

Barracks at Fort Leavenworth,” she continued. 

“So it’s more than just the facility. It’s the 

staff that comes with the facility. My facility 

is different than the [Quantico] brig. I am 

developed, designed and staffed with the 

experienced staff to provide those services for 

long-term incarceration.”

Johnson emphasized that the decision to 

transfer Manning should not be interpreted as 

any criticism of the pretrial facility at Quantico.

“We remain satisfied that Private Manning’s 

pretrial confinement at Quantico was in 

compliance with legal and regulatory standards 

in all respects,” he said. “And we salute the 

military personnel there for the job they did in 

difficult circumstances.”

As at Quantico, Manning will be allowed 

to receive a limited number of outside visitors 

at Fort Leavenworth, subject to his and the 

command’s agreement, Johnson said. In 

addition, he said the Army will allow a limited 

number of media to tour the Leavenworth pretrial facility.

Manning will return to Washington, D.C., as 

necessary, for legal proceedings, with his case 

remaining under the jurisdiction of the U.S. 

Army Military District of Washington.

Johnson emphasized that as the case 

progresses, Manning will be assumed innocent 

until proven guilty.

“It is important to remember that while 

Private Manning is charged with very serious 

offenses involving classified information and 

national security, in our system of military 

justice, as in our system of civilian justice in this 

country, he is presumed innocent until proven 

guilty,” he said.

Pre-trial confinement, common to both 

systems, “has been determined to be appropriate 

in this case,” he said.

Manning, an Army intelligence analyst, 

is suspected of being involved in one of the 

largest leaks of classified material in U.S. history, 

Johnson said. The leak involved hundreds 

of thousands of diplomatic and military 

documents, including classified records about 

the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The WikiLeaks organization published many 

of these documents online, drawing criticism of 

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and other 

defense officials who charge they put deployed 

U.S. servicemembers at increased risk.
On The Deck

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 13

Every Sailor empowered to stop sexual assaults

do and what are we asking our 

shipmates to do differently to 

eliminate sexual assaults?

Sexual Assault Awareness 

Month activities that have been 

used successful throughout the 

Fleet have included waterfront 

leadership and first responder 

training, discussion forums, 

command General Military 

Training and workshops, 

information booths, media events, 

and sports and athletic training 

events like runs or walks featuring 

a sexual assault awareness theme. 

The common factor among these 

successful events has been strong 

leadership, active participation 

throughout the command and 

the use of strong and consistent 

messaging to all Sailors.

By engaging with the local 

public affairs office, Sexual 

Assault Response Coordinator, 

Coalition of Sailors Against 

Destructive Decisions chapter 

or other Sailor advocacy groups, 

leaders can tailor themes to their 

command and find creative ways 

to disseminate these messages. 

Whether asking Sailors to tag their 

emails with slogans like “Sexual 

Assault Vigilance - Consider, 

Recognize and Intervene” or 

using command rosters to send 

text messages saying “Integrity is 

the foundation of our conduct, 

respect for others is fundamental 

to our character,” every command 

can find creative ways throughout 

April to raise awareness of these 

crimes. 

A sailor assigned to the 

carrier Enterprise was found 

dead Tuesday, according to a 

Navy news release.

Details about the death, 

including the sailor’s identity, 

were not available. The ship is 

in the Persian Gulf.

A statement from 5th 

Fleet said the death is being 

investigated.

It’s the second time in a 

month that an Enterprise 

sailor has died. On March 22, 

Aviation Ordnanceman 1st 

Class (AW) Vincent Filpi of 

Fort Walton Beach, Fla. died 

in a non-combat incident. 

He was the leading petty 

officer for the carrier’s Safety 

Department.

The Enterprise has seen 

an unusual share of tragic 

and high stress events in the 

last two days. On Monday, a 

sailor went overboard before 

being rescued by a SH-50F 

Seahawk from Helicopter 

Anti-submarine Squadron 11. 

The sailor, who has not been 

named, was not injured. A 

little over two weeks earlier, 

another sailor went overboard. 

He too was rescued but he 

received minor injuries.

A 5th Fleet spokesman 

confirmed that the sailor 

who was found dead Tuesday 

was not the sailor who went 

overboard Monday.

Carrier Enterprise 

Sailor found dead

WASHINGTON — In an 

April 7 announcement in support 

of Sexual Assault Awareness 

Month, Navy described sexual 

assaults as crimes that devastate 

victims, undermine teamwork, 

threaten unit cohesiveness and 

ultimately reduce Fleet Readiness.

NAVADMIN 122/11 

reinforces Navy’s “zero tolerance” 

sexual assault policy and directs 

active support from all Sailors – 

from the deck plates to the blue 

tile - to successfully eliminate this 

egregious act from the ranks. In 

keeping with the Department 

of Defense’s theme, “Hurts one, 

Affects all: Preventing Sexual 

Assault is Everyone’s Duty,” the 

message empowers commands 

throughout the Fleet to use 

this month to dedicate focused 

attention on the importance of 

eliminating this crime.

“One sexual assault is one 

too many,” declared Vice Adm. 

Mark Ferguson, chief of naval 

personnel. “Every Sailor must 

fully support Navy’s zero 

tolerance policy for sexual assault 

and create a culture that promotes 

active bystander intervention and 

one that does not tolerate this 

reprehensible behavior. With 

determination and commitment, 

we can eliminate this crime from 

our ranks.”

Commands worldwide are 

encouraged to plan events 

throughout April that emphasize 

a climate that values responsible 

behavior, active bystander 

intervention, and safety from 

sexual assault for all. Leaders 

from across the Navy should look 

to address two questions when 

planning these activities: What 

is our organization planning to 

Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

Perform-To-Serve shared responsibilities

Sailors whose Perform-to-Serve quotas expired March 1, in 

accordance with NAVADMIN 352/10, have until May 1, to request 

reinstatement.

Eligible Sailors must submit a NAVPERS 1306/7 to their respective 

enlisted community manager to have their PTS quota restored. 

Reenlistments or extensions to meet obligated service requirements 

must be executed no later than 45 days from ECM approval.

“If you’re in a leadership position, this should be a top priority,” said 

Navy Personnel Command Force Master Chief (AW/SW/NAC) Jon 

D. Port. “Sailors E-6 and below with up to 14 years active service must 

use PTS/Fleet Rating Identification Engine to remain in the Navy. They 

must carefully watch those time lines and work with their command 

retention team to ensure timely application.”
Inside the Jar

Petty Officer 2nd Class Fredrick Lacy, head operation’s petty officer for 2nd Dental 

Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, embraces his wife after surveying the remains 

of their house aboard the Tarawa Terrace housing community, Marine Corps Base 

Camp Lejeune, April 15. – photo by Cpl Jonathan Wright

The wrath of the storm, the strength of the people 

Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright

Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP 

LEJEUNE, N.C. — All day this past Saturday, 

the sky was overcast. Warm breezes blew 

through Jacksonville, N.C. as if a herald to the 

impending summer. As the day wound down 

the wind started to pick up and the clouds 

chased each other across the sky. As the sun 

sank below the horizon and the clock hands 

rested slightly after 8 p.m., the residents of the 

Tarawa Terrace housing community aboard 

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune looked 

toward the southwest in horror.

From the clouds descended a mighty vortex 

over the New River, bearing right into the 

middle of the military housing community. 

Taking many by complete surprise, it bulldozed 

a surgical path of destruction, diagonally cutting 

the area in half decimating anything unlucky 

enough to stand in its path.

After reaching the edge of Lejeune 

Boulevard, the grotesque funnel left the 

ground and continued onward, dropping its 

vortex upon the Holiday City Mobile Home 

Community, overturning trailers, many residents 

still inside of them.

Ripping through the mobile home 

community, the tornado continued northeastward until it shortly died out. Nearly four 

miles of Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville 

area was selectively obliterated, momentarily 

stunning the residents in its wake. However, 

these residents did not bar themselves inside 

their houses and sit in shock and wonder after 

the tornado hit.

“We had just gotten back from a fishing trip 

in Emerald Isle when it hit,” said Cpl. Dustin 

Marks, a maintenance management specialist 

with Communications Company, Headquarters 

Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. “I had gotten 

out of the shower and just as I was leaving my 

room, a (board) crashed through the window.”

He and his wife Amy had no idea what hit 

them. Everything on their patio was taken away 

by the wind; the screen door was ripped off its 

hinges and debris slammed against the house.

“It didn’t last more than five seconds,” said 

Amy. “After it passed, we went outside to go 

help the people in the houses with much more 

damage than ours.”

The Marks’ house escaped nearly unscathed. 

Except for minor cosmetic damage and a 

momentary loss of power, they were lucky. 

Unconcerned with the state of their own house, 

they ran outside in the pitch black darkness to 

aid the more unlucky – those like Ashleigh 

Seniw.

“My husband is deployed, so it was just me in 

the house,” said Seniw. “I was in the bathroom 

when, out of nowhere, it hit.”

Seniw’s house was demolished, trapping her 

inside the rubble of what was left of her house. 

It took four firefighters to eventually remove 

her from the rubble. Amazingly, she made it out 

unscathed.

After a detailed assessment following the 

tornado, 10-12 homes were destroyed, 40-60 

homes sustained significant structural damage 

and 40-60 more homes sustained minor 

cosmetic damage.

However, there were some even more 

unlucky than Seniw. Ten residents were airlifted 

to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, 

N.C., and until now, nine have been released 

following full recovery. The only remaining 

tornado casualty is an infant in critical condition, 

sustaining a broken leg, broken ribs and a 

punctured lung among other injuries.

With the quick, yet devastating tragedy that 

laid a path of demolition through the area, the 

residents both on base and in town showed their 

true colors of military and neighborly support.

“Not even a minute after the tornado passed, 

there were people outside with flashlights and 

flares making sure everyone was ok,” said Marks. 

“Shortly after that, people with shopping carts 

were going around giving out free food and a 

van made rounds with free water.”

The following day, after emergency teams 

cleared the roads of downed power lines 

and obstructing debris, the community came 

together in an effort to aid others. Marine 

working parties from Camp Lejeune combed 

through TT alongside civilian volunteers to pick 

up as much rubble and trash as they could while 

donation efforts for the affected families took 

off in full swing.

“Since (Sunday morning), donated food, 

clothes and children toys have been coming 

in non-stop,” said Raechel Richards, assistant 

director with the United Service Organizations 

– Jacksonville Center. “From Sunday morning 

to Monday afternoon, the two spare rooms 

(in the TT Community Center) are completely 

filled.”

Along with the food and clothing donations, 

Richards was handing out food vouchers for the 

base commissary for the families whose houses 

were deemed uninhabitable. She said that along 

with the community center aboard TT, the 

local USO was flooded with donations and 

requests to help the families. The families who 

were unable to return to their homes following 

the tornado who had no other place to reside 

were put up in hotel rooms, paid for by Atlantic 

Marine Corps Communities aboard the base.

“Everyone is coming out of the woodwork 

to help,” said Richards. 

In terms of child care, the tornado struck 

Tarawa Terrace in the middle of the Saturday 

night care hours for the TT Child Development 

Center. While many parents were unable to 

retrieve their children before the havoc 

ensued, the skilled child care providers made 

the children’s safety top priority.

“I’m very proud of the providers and how 

they acted during the tornado and the loss 

of power,” said Marla Talley, director of the 

Children, Youth & Teen Programs aboard the 

base. “They cared for the children and acted 

accordingly during a time of emergency.”

“All this volunteer work and donations go 

to show how great a community this is,” said 

Col. Daniel Lecce, commanding officer of 

MCB Camp Lejeune. “It is very typical of 

Marines and their families to come together 

in a time of need and work as a team, 

and the outpour of help with all of this is 

tremendous.”

Tarawa Terrace, Jacksonville 

respond to tornado damage 

The At Your Service | Wire | Page 14
| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

On the Wing

 In an effort to better 

serve its customers the 

Air Force automated 

the High School Senior 

Assignment Deferment 

program application.

 The HSSAD program 

increases stability for 

military family members 

entering their senior year 

of high school. Activeduty officers lieutenant 

colonel and below, 

and enlisted members 

senior master sergeant 

and below, stationed in 

continental United States 

locations can apply.

 Members who meet 

eligibility requirements 

can defer an assignment 

for up to one year. 

 Approval is not 

automatic. Air Force 

needs will still dictate 

approval or disapproval 

of individual requests.

 Airmen can complete 

High School Senior Assignment 

Deferment Program automated

the application on the 

Virtual Military Personnel 

Flight website, where 

it will be automatically 

routed to their squadron 

commander and to the 

appropriate assignment 

team at the Air Force 

Personnel Center.

 Senior Master Sgt. 

Dennis Carlson, AFPC’s 

assignment procedures 

superintendent, said this 

change to the application 

process gives Airmen the 

convenience of applying 

for the deferment without 

having to manually route 

the application.

 “Online applications 

allow individuals to 

complete personnel 

actions from any 

computer,” Carlson said. 

“They can be deployed, 

at home, or on leave and 

still take care of a number 

of personnel actions on 

President Barack Obama poses with members of the 2010 Air Force Academy football 

team after presenting them with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy April 18, 2011, 

at the White House. The trophy, first awarded in 1972 by President Richard Nixon, is 

presented to the service academy football team with the best regular season record 

against the other two teams. The Air Force has the youngest service academy football 

program, but leads the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy count, with 17 wins thus far.

- photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy

 WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Air Force officials 

announced the closure of enlisted voluntary and 

involuntary force management programs for fiscal 

2011 after meeting goals to ensure the service 

remains within its authorized end-strength for 

enlisted Airmen. 

 “Because we met our fiscal year 2011 enlisted 

end-strength goal, we won’t need to conduct the 

two remaining date of separation rollback phases 

planned for this year,” said Maj. Gen. Sharon 

K.G. Dunbar, the director of force management 

policy. This involuntary program accelerated the 

separation of enlisted Airmen with less than 14 

years or more than 20 years of service who were not 

recommended for retention by their commanders. 

 Airmen in the rollback program must separate 

by May 31. 

 The enlisted voluntary programs included Palace 

Chase transfers to the Reserve and a variety of 

waivers, to include certain active duty service 

commitments and enlistment contracts, that 

allowed enlisted Airmen to voluntarily separate or 

retire. 

 “Although both voluntary and involuntary 

programs have closed for enlisted Airmen this 

fiscal year, we will continue to shape the skills 

balance essential to the current and future fight,” 

General Dunbar said. 

 “Force management entails a tailored, multi-year 

approach to cultivating skilled Airmen over the 

continuum of service. We need to analyze each 

career field to calibrate accessions and various 

force management measures that optimize a career 

field’s 30-year outlook.” 

 Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy 

also reiterated the importance of the overall force 

management program. 

 “The Air Force must balance the desire of Airmen 

wanting to serve with the need to operate within 

its congressionally authorized end strength,” Chief 

Roy said. 

 “We recognize these actions may be difficult for 

Airmen who have been asked to transition from 

the Air Force,” he continued. “We will continue to 

communicate with our Airmen in clear and candid 

terms to minimize uncertainty and maximize 

options.”

 Officer force management programs will continue 

as previously announced.

AF ends enlisted force 

management programs 

Service continues officer reduction 

in order to meet FY11 end-strength

their own.”

 The Air Force is 

consolidating and 

modernizing many of 

its business processes, 

and transforming online 

personnel services was 

one initiative to help 

accomplish its goals.

 “The Air Force is 

committed to ensuring 

that all active-duty 

Airmen are given the 

tools and resources 

to perform personnel 

services online,” said 

Col. David Slade, AFPC’s 

assignments director.

 For more information 

about the HSSAD, visit 

the Air Force Personnel 

Services website and 

search for “HSSAD” 

or call the Total Force 

Service Center at 800-

525-0102 or DSN 665-

5000.

Hail from the Chief
Coast to coast

The At Your Service | Wire | Page 16

Cutter Sherman interdicts $153 million of cocaine

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN – The crew 

of the Coast Guard Cutter Sherman interdicted 

a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel (SPSS) 

and took four people into custody 300 miles 

off the coast of Costa Rica April 3, 2011. The 

SPSS and its crew were carrying an estimated 

5.8 metric tons of cocaine.

At approximately 10 a.m., the Sherman 

spotted the suspect SPSS about half a mile 

away. A Sherman crewmember noticed a man 

on top of the SPSS who appeared to be acting 

as a lookout. Within two minutes, three more 

men wearing life vests appeared on the small 

deck of the SPSS. Shortly thereafter, the SPSS 

slipped under water with all four men seen 

floating in its wake.

As the Coast Guard observed these 

developments, the Sherman’s law enforcement 

boarding teams prepared to intercept the vessel. 

The boarding teams approached the men and 

brought them safely aboard the cutter. The 

boarding team also noticed and recovered two 

bales floating within the vicinity of the SPSS. 

The bales tested positive for cocaine.

An extensive search of the area yielded six 

more bales and three bricks of cocaine, which 

together totaled 93 kilograms and disrupted an 

additional 5,700 kilograms with an estimated 

value of more than $153 million.

“The crew has been training hard in 

preparation for our Counter Drug mission and 

the hard work and vigilance was apparent that 

morning when our amazingly alert watchstanders 

on the bridge detected the extremely low profile 

of the SPSS over a half mile distant,” said Capt. 

Michael Haycock, commanding officer of the 

Sherman. “Our motivated boarding teams and 

boat crews responded quickly to save the lives 

of the crew members and bring aboard the 

evidence. I couldn’t be more proud – the whole 

Sherman team worked together like a welloiled machine and prevented these drugs from 

reaching our streets.”

Self-propelled semi-submersibles are a 

class of vessels used for smuggling large loads 

of narcotics across the ocean from South 

America to Central America. The vessels ride 

very low in the water and are generally made of 

fiberglass, making them very difficult to detect 

either visually or by radar. SPSS crews often 

scuttle their vessels before the Coast Guard can 

interdict them.

The cutter Sherman is a 378-foot highendurance cutter homeported in Alameda, 

Calif. Its crew conducts missions in Homeland 

Security, Search and Rescue, Maritime Law 

Enforcement, and Drug and Alien Migrant 

Interdiction Operations from the Bering Sea to 

South and Central American waters.

Michigan-based Coast 

Guardsmen use airboats to 

assist Red River flood victims

CLEVELAND – Personnel and 

equipment from various Great Lakes Coast 

Guard units are in the Fargo, N.D., area this 

week sharing their knowledge and expertise 

to help evacuate and provide aid for Red 

River flood victims in the region.

Stations Marblehead, Ohio, and Belle 

Isle in Detroit, each sent an airboat and 

personnel to the region. Air Station Traverse 

City, Mich., sent one MH-65C Dolphin 

helicopter, one aircrew and one aircraft 

maintenance team.

With dozens of active-duty, reserve and 

civilian Coast Guard personnel responding, 

26 of them, more than one-third, are from 

the Ninth Coast Guard District.

“We are glad top be able to send our 

people and assets to help those that have 

been affected by the flooding,” said Chief 

Warrant Officer Robert Clark, commanding 

officer of Station Belle Isle. “And while we 

have people and assets deployed in support 

of those rescue efforts, we still ensure our 

readiness and ability to respond to any 

emergencies in the Detroit area.”

Coast Guard, Coast Guard 

Auxiliary support

 multi-agency exercise

KA’ANAPALI, Hawaii – Coast Guard 

members from Station Maui, Air Station 

Barbers Point, and Coast Guard Auxiliary 

are teaming with local agencies to conduct 

a series of search and rescue exercises 

off the coast of Ka’anapali Beach, Maui, 

Wednesday.

Also scheduled to participate are Maui 

County Fire Department, Maui County 

Police Department, and Ocean Safety.

The participants in the exercises will 

be responding to several events including 

a disabled vessel with a crew member 

who needs medical assistance, and a 

missing snorkeler. These exercises will 

allow the agencies to test communications 

equipment, including the 800 megahertz 

trunked system.

“Through a Memorandum of 

Agreement signed this past January between 

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu and the 

County of Maui; Station Maui has recently 

begun utilizing the same 800 megahertz 

trunked system that Maui County 

responders are utilizing. This allows a better 

flow of real time information throughout 

local and federal agencies during response 

operations.” said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew 

Derrenbacher, chief of the Incident 

Management Division at Sector Honolulu. 
| Mind, Body & Soul The Wire | Page 17

Spc. Justin Pierce

Mind, Body & Soul Speed play:

Mixing it up in GTMO

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

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Seventh Day Adventist

Saturday 11 a.m.

Room B 

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

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

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

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

Friday 7 p.m.

Chapel Annex

LORIMI Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

Whether the title caught your 

eye or quirked your eyebrow, 

this article’s for you. For anyone 

worrying about reading this in 

a public place, please, let me 

allay your fears. This piece isn’t 

about anything you can’t share 

with your kids or grandparents. 

It’s about getting sweaty and 

breathing heavy. It’s about going 

full bore, pushing hard, and just 

when you’re about to burst, 

backing off just to do it all over 

again. Yes folks, today we talk 

about something the Swedish 

call Fartleks. No, we’re not 

talking about that guy you just 

don’t like at work and we’re not 

talking about something your 

dog does when he thinks you’re 

not looking. We’re talking about 

interval training! So pop your 

thought wagon out of the gutter 

and get on the track because it’s 

time to go!

For the sake of keeping the 

cart behind the horse let’s dig 

into the fundamentals behind 

interval training. The overarching 

concept is relatively simple. 

Utilizing moderate and high 

intensity phases, interval training 

stages a two-pronged attack on 

your body. During the moderate 

intensity phase, your body chugs 

along aerobically. This phase hits 

your oxygen system, enhancing 

your endurance. It also tends 

to comprise the majority of any 

interval training session. As 

with any exhausting endeavor, 

having endurance is all well and 

good until it gets boring. Interval 

training breaks the monotony 

with spurts of high intensity, 

anaerobic phases. The anaerobic 

phase brings out the showboater in even the most modest 

individual. During this phase, 

endurance takes a back seat to 

power. This phase rarely lasts 

more than a couple minutes, but 

that’s because it just shouldn’t. 

During the anaerobic phase, your 

body focuses on strengthening. 

Where aerobic grants the staying 

power, anaerobic grants the raw 

power. 

Now that you’ve seen the 

benefits to this two-pronged 

attack, I’m sure you’re itching to 

get cracking on your very own 

interval training program. 

Well, if you play physically 

demanding sports – such as 

football, soccer or basketball 

-- you’ve already got a program 

going! Active sports fit all the 

criteria of interval training, 

whether it’s a slow jog back 

to the huddle, or a full on 

rush to the quarterback, your 

body is undergoing periods 

of drastically different 

demand to your oxygen and 

muscle systems. Add in a 

competitive nature and the 

practical goals associated with 

these active sports and you’ll 

even find yourself being more 

motivated than you would just to 

run in circles all day. 

If you’re not the competitive 

type, or just don’t have a 

 see BODY page 19

Easter Services

Catholic

Good Friday - April 22

5:30 p.m. NavSta Chapel

Easter Mass - April 24

9 a.m. NavSta Chapel

Protestant

Sunrise Service - April 24

6:30 a.m. Windmill Beach

Easter Service - April 24

11 a.m. NavSta Chapel

Liturgical

Easter Service - April 24

 10 a.m. Sanctuary B

Gospel

Easter Service - April 24

1 p.m. NavSta Chapel
The Wire | Page 18 At the Movies |

Movie Review

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

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

The Adjustment 

Bureau

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Take Me Home 

Tonight

(R) 10 p.m.

Hop

(PG) 8 p.m.

Just Go With It

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

The Eagle

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Big Momma’s:

Like Father, Like 

Son

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

I Am Number 

Four

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

The Adjustment 

Bureau

(PG-13) 8 p.m. 

Take Me Home 

Tonight

(R) 10 p.m.

Hall Pass

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Unknown

(R) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Hop

(PG) 8 p.m.

Diary of a Wimpy 

Kid

(PG) 8 p.m.

Rio

(G) 8 p.m.

Beastly

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Big Momma’s: 

Like Father, Like 

Son

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Rio

(G) 8 p.m.

Beastly

(PG-13) 10 p.m

fri. sat. sun. mon. tues. wed. thurs.

In 2000, Martin Lawrence introduced 

audiences to “Big Momma’s House,” a 

gender-bending, unoriginal hour-long fat 

joke. Never mind that Robin Williams did it 

with way more class and humor seven years 

earlier in 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Then, 

inexplicitly, in 2006 came “Big Momma’s 

House 2.” In that time, Tyler Perry had 

released his colossal hit “Diary of a Mad 

Black Woman,” launching his beloved Medea 

into the homes and hearts of millions of 

movie goers. Perry’s Medea, a sassy, snarky, 

over-the-top-with-no-excuses everywoman 

hit a nerve with audiences that Big Momma 

missed by a mile. So what’s the natural next 

move for Lawrence? Why, make a third – 

equally horrible – Big Momma movie! 

“Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son” is 

an unwelcome, unnecessary addition to an 

already over-stuffed comedy franchise. Not 

only does it reheat Lawrence’s tired, drained 

slapslick as FBI agent Malcolm, but it teams 

it with a younger, blander version in Brandon 

T. Jackson, who plays Malcolm’s stepson, 

Trent, an arrogant, aspiring rapper. Jackson 

is most recognizable from his glorious turn 

as Alpa Chino in “Tropic Thunder,” so why 

is he wasting his time and talent on a dud like 

“Big Momma?” 

Unsurprisingly, Lawrence and Jackson 

have zero chemistry as father and son, 

perhaps because Jackson is 27 playing 

a high school senior. Well done, casting 

agent!

And now here comes the kicker – the 

nail in the proverbial coffin: after Trent 

witnesses a murder, Malcolm dusts off his 

fat suit and the two of them go undercover 

... at an all-girls performing arts school. 

Oh yes, because what this unoriginal, flimsy 

comedy needs is a bunch of giggly, prima 

donnas running around. It’s like my worst 

nightmare, dunked in pink and sprinkled 

with glitter. 

Lawrence and Jackson spend the 

excruciating 107 minutes talking in highpitched squeals, chasing after fat suitinduced wedgies, playing Twister and 

counting how many times the sight of a 

large “woman” in a muumuu going kersplat! 

will get laughs. As a longtime movie fan, I 

was insulted that I must watch this horrible 

of comedy hash. The things I do for you, 

readers, you will never appreciate.

The good news is this will presumably 

be the Big Momma’s last hurrah. The bad 

news is, it came one movie too late. I’m 

running out of rats. If this keeps up, next 

week is going to be a massacre. 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

PG-13

 107 min. 
| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

CAPS cont. 

SURVEY cont. 

pay, but it was okay. Many people helped 

out and I know this donation is going to 

help some people who need it.”

 The caps are about one and a half-inch 

around in diameter and are each made up of 

two small pieces of plastic weighing barely 

two ounces. After receiving the boxes in 

the mail Crespo’s son thought “who knew 

such a tiny object could make such a big 

impact.” 

“I was surprised and grateful that my 

mother’s co-workers were able to collect so 

much,” said the teenager. “The hospital was 

happy to hear about the donations that my 

class had for their cancer research fund. I 

was proud and inspired by my mom and her 

Troops.” 

One unique aspect of the 

command climate survey is its 

anonymity. Administers and 

leaders are strictly prohibited 

from attempting to identify 

participants.

“It’s an opportunity for all 

Troopers to provide quality 

and constructive feedback 

without fear of retaliation or 

for sports, there’s still hope for your entrance 

into interval training. Rather than reacting 

to a situation, as you would with football, 

interval training can be conducted based 

on markers, chronological or proximal – by 

time or distance respectively. This method of 

training allows for a pre-planned approach. 

Whether you’re sprinting for 30 seconds and 

jogging for 60 or alternating between the 

two paces at every 50 yards, your body is still 

gaining the benefit from interval training. 

For solo training, distance based intervals 

generally gives the best success as it gives 

you a visible target to run toward. Timebased training forces you to keep glimpsing 

your watch, watching where you’re going 

and sweating profusely, which makes paying 

BODY cont. 

attention to the road and your time very 

difficult. 

No matter how you cram it into your 

routine, interval training will only benefit 

your overall fitness. Even if you’re not big 

on extensive cardio workouts, this tactic can 

still compliment your style with lifting. Many 

circuit training workouts encourage the 

incorporation of one to five minute stints of 

heavy cardio just to get your blood pumping. 

Also, interval training doesn’t have to mean 

running, biking, rowing etc. Supersetting and 

varying resistance and repetition creates its 

own style of interval training. No matter the 

path you take, interval training will help if for 

no other reason than breaking the monotony 

of a dull, surprise-free routine.

reprisal because it’s completely 

anonymous,” said Fillmore.

Wilhite said unit commanders 

across the services are required 

to perform at least one command 

climate survey every year, but 

often choose to do them at 

shorter intervals to stay abreast 

of what is happening in their 

organization – especially looking 

for viral negative items. The 

last command climate survey at 

JTF Guantanamo was just a few 

months ago. 

“Hopefully if there’s anything 

bad going on we know about 

it,” said Wilhite. “Hopefully 

there’s nothing serious but if 

there is something, we’ll learn 

about it, address it and get it 

taken care of.”

Troopers interested in 

participating in the command 

climate survey can simply 

follow the directions emailed 

to them or contact the Capt. 

Fillmore at x9905 or Sgt. 1st

Class Wilhite at (DSN) 567-

1021.
JTF

The

CONGRATS GRADUATING CLASS!

Graduating students of Columbia College participated in 

Commencement Exercises, March 20.. – photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins.

SAY CHEESE!

A group of U.S. Coast Guardsmen, attached to U.S. Coast Guard 

Maritime Security Detachment, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, pose 

for a group picture during a tour of Naval Station Guantanamo’s 

North East Gate. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Maddelin Angebrand

WHERE’S THE BEEF?

Air Force Staff Sgt. J.T. Peacock, chaplain’s assistant, grills 

up some lunch during a burger burn, Friday. - photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

WASH ME

Aviation Maintenance Administrator 1st Class Michelle 

SanNicolas, attached to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, writes 

on a dirty van before washing it at the First Class Petty Officers 

Association (FCPOA) car wash fundraising event on Naval Station 

Guantanamo, Saturday. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd 

Class Maddelin Angebrand

MASTER OF CEREMONIES 

Capt. Tito Arandela, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s force security 

and anti-terrorism officer speaks to the master-at-arms community on 

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay after touring the Joint Task Force side 

of the base, Wednesday. Arandela spoke about upcoming changes to 

the community and emphasized warrior ethos throughout. - photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand