Friday, December 23, 2011

Season’s Greetings!

from JTF Guantanamo

Volume 13, Issue 7

Beachy folks: Scott 

Kirby plays GTMO

USS Oak Hill 

departs
| News from the Bay The Wire | Page 3

News from the Bay

There will be a temporary road closure at 

4th Street off Sherman Avenue from Dec. 27 

to Jan. 2. Drivers must take a detour through 

3rd Street to get back to 4th Street.

Hit the beaches on Guantanamo Bay at 

6:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 for the Lionfish Derby 

Challenge. Join the competition with a donation of $20.

 Prizes will be given for biggest lionfish, 

smallest lionfish, most lionfish caught and 

other categories. The scoring station will be 

open from 2 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. at the Marina. 

Money donated will go toward the Seabee 

Ball. 

For more information, call Lt. Jg. Andrew 

Maughn at 4805.

The Camp America post office will be 

closed Dec. 26, 31 and Jan. 2. Make sure to 

plan your post office errands accordingly.

 Head to the Windjammer Ballrom tonight for the Holiday Movie Marathon. “Polar Express” starts at 6 p.m., “Elf ” begins 

at 7:50 p.m. and “Four Christmases” kicks 

off at 9:40 p.m. Enjoy free cookies and hot 

chocolate. Indulge in the pizza buffet from 

6-8 p.m. Prices are $7.95 for adults and $3.95 

for kids under 12.

For more information, call 4882.

Planning a scuba dive around the holidays? Make sure you check out the special 

holiday hours for Reef Raiders Clubhouse:

Dec. 24: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec. 25: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec. 26: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec. 31: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Jan. 1: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Jan. 2: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Interested in helping the Guantanamo Bay 

community during tax season? The Naval Legal Service Office is looking for volunteers.

Beginning Jan. 17, the NLSO will train 

service members to assist others in preparing 

their taxes. The two-week training course will 

be held at Building 760 on the naval station 

side, next to Personnel Support Detachment. 

Contact your chain of command before signing up for the course. There is also self-directed training available at IRS.gov.

Tax preparation will begin Feb. 6 and continue through April. Deployed personnel can 

apply for a two-month extension; however, 

this is not the same as the six-month extension for troops deployed to Afghanistan.

For more information, call 4692.

MWR will host a half marathon at 7 a.m. 

Jan. 28 with musical acts and cheering sections every mile. Registration is $25 per runner and runners must register by Jan. 20. 

There will be no same-day registration. This 

event is open to anyone 16 years and older. 

For more information, call 2157.

Lionfish Derby 

Challenge

Surprise your buddy with a flock of flamingos. From now until March 1, the Seabee Ball Committee will adorn a yard with 

25 plastic flamingos for three days for the 

price of $20. If you want to get unflocked 

earlier than three days, they will remove 

the birds for $10. All proceeds will help 

fund the Seabee Ball on Mar. 10. For more 

information, or to schedule a flocking, call 

Patty Hinton at 4518.

Enjoy a pasta dinner and trivia every 

Tuesday night at the Windjammer Cafe. Dinner is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Team trivia is 

held during dinner from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The 

winning team will eat for free. 

For more information, call 75503.

MWR Liberty will host the Christmas 

Eve Blowout Tournament at the paintball 

field Dec. 24 at 9 a.m. 

For more information call 2010.

MWR Liberty will host a Holiday Sunset 

Sail tonight, open to all hands. Meet at the 

Marina at 5 p.m. Goodie bags, appetizers and 

refreshments will be provided for all unaccompanied active duty personnel.

For more information, call 2010.

Post office closure

Flock your friends

INDEX

The Wire

December 23, 2011

Letters to the 525th 5

Marino vs. Brees: commentary 7

Scott Kirby’s beach folk 8

Intro to the FCPO 9

JTF tours the USS Oak Hill 10

Happy Holidays! 12

The story of Hanukkah 13

Movie review: Three Musketeers 18 

Tax assistants wanted

Rock and Roll Half 

Marathon 

Tuesday night pasta 

and trivia dinner 

Sunset sailing Dec. 23

Traffic advisory Holiday dive hours 

Christmas Eve 

Paintball 

Holiday movie 

marathon

Cc

ommand

o r n e r

Have a safe and 

happy holiday! 

Sincerely,

the Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

Command Leadership

0

j #
During the holiday season, every link 

to home counts for Troopers deployed 

overseas. For the Vigilant Warriors of the 

525th Military Police Battalion deployed to 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, letters 

from a class of second graders in the United 

States provided that link. 

The Florence Griffith Joyner Microsociety 

Magnet School in San Diego sent Veterans 

Day flag cards to Joint Task Force Troopers. 

The letters arrived in just enough time for 

Troopers to respond before Christmas. 

Joint Task Force Command Master Chief 

Reynaldo Tiong gave the letters to Sgt. Major 

Mike Barnes of the 525th MP Battalion, who 

then suggested that each of his Soldiers 

“adopt” a student as a pen-pal. Imelda Tiong, 

the second grade’s class teacher, agreed to 

the idea. 

“Each soldier wrote back to that student 

expressing our gratitude to their loyalty to 

the service members,” said Barnes.

One Trooper who received a letter was 

Army Sgt. Brittany Hiezer. 

“I’m very happy to know these young 

children appreciate and acknowledge what 

we do,” said Hiezer. 

Hiezer sent a letter back to the student 

right away. 

I told her that we were very thankful for 

her card and that I hope she 

does well in school,” said Hiezer. “I 

told her I’ve been in the military for three 

years, and a little about what an MP is.” 

The outreach between the students and 

MPs goes to show that even the most vigilant 

of warriors longs for a bit of home at the 

holiday season.

“I think it’s great,” said Barnes. “I think 

it’s a representation of the support from our 

nation for Troops everywhere.”

525th: MPs, Vigilant Warriors, pen-pals

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Members of the 525th 

Military Police Battalion 

received Veterans Day 

cards from San Diego 

second-graders, which 

they then “adopted” as 

pen pals. –photo by Mass 

Communication Spc. 1st 

Class Ty Bjornson

The Wire | Page 4 Trooper to Trooper | | News The Wire | Page 5

First of all, let me wish all Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, 

and Coast Guard personnel: happy holidays! Being deployed over 

the holidays is always hard and can lead to depression, if we let it. 

Depression can lead to thoughts and sometimes actions in regards to 

taking one’s own life. 

This is an all-hands effort to have a successful holiday season. If you 

see someone displaying any of the following symptoms: hopelessness, 

rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge; acting reckless or impulsive; 

feeling trapped as if there is no way out; increasing alcohol or drug use; 

withdrawing from family, friends, society, anxiety, agitation; inability 

to sleep or sleeping all the time; dramatic mood changes, expressing 

no reason for living, no sense of purpose in life: intervene. Get them 

talking and if it’s serious, get them help. You could save a buddy’s life 

just by just taking time out and sitting down with them. Suicide can be 

prevented.

Remember: ACT (ASK – CARE – TREAT)

ASK if someone is depressed and is thinking about suicide.

Let them know you CARE. 

Get them assistance (TREATment) as soon as possible.

Seeking help is a show of strength, and is consistent with mission 

readiness and building resilience. If you find yourself depressed, try 

some of these techniques:

– Engage in mild exercise.

– Get involved in activities.

– Set goals and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.

– Break large tasks into small ones; set some priorities.

– Try to be with other people and choose someone to confide in.

– Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. 

– Often during treatment of depression, sleep and appetite will 

begin to improve before a depressed mood lifts. 

– Postpone important decisions.

– Do not expect to “snap out” of a depression. Do expect to feel a 

little better day by day. 

– Remember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking as 

your depression responds to treatment. 

– Let your family and friends help you!

If you can’t get yourself feeling better, call or seek out help. Call or 

seek out the Chaplain, your Senior Enlisted Leader, or your buddy. Just 

call or seek out someone and get help. I would hate to be that person 

who has to go to your family’s front door and be the bearer of the 

worst news a family can get: that someone they love has died by their 

own hands. 

Remember: suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary crisis! 

More than 60 percent of people who complete a suicide are depressed 

at the time of death. Simply talking to a shipmate or professional can 

greatly improve a suicidal person’s chance of survival. Intervening 

on some level is better than doing nothing at all and ignoring the 

problem. 

Let’s have a happy and successful holiday season.

Trooper to Trooper

Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dillon

Joint Task Force Guantanamo j2 NCOIC

Would you tell a stranger when you’re not home?

Have you ever left a light on at your house when you’re not home? When you’re on vacation 

do you have a friend pick up your mail, or take the paper off the lawn so it won’t look 

like there’s nobody home? If you did, then you used OPSEC. We do these things to keep 

ourselves and our things safe from people who mean us harm. So why would you post your 

travel plans online? Putting travel plans online is the same as putting a sign in front of your 

house that says “I’m not home.” Stay safe. Protect your travel plans. USE OPSEC!

PSEC ALERT

PROTECT YOUR INFO!

take care of your buddy: ACT!
The Wire | Page 6 Trooper Focus |

How do you plan to celebrate the holidays?

“We are renting a boat to 

relax and unwind.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Melissa Hoover

trooper focus

“I will spend time with my 

church family.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class

Leotis Dixon

“I will celebrate with my 

Guantanamo Bay family.”

Army Sgt.

Ashlei Johnson

“I plan to call my family.”

 Army Sgt. 

Robert Keller

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 6 years

Hobbies: Playing football and hanging out with friends, taking pictures, and diving

The boss says: “She has been put into a situation of 

high importance with limited experience while tak- ing the ball and running with it. She has earned the 

respect of her supervisors and subordinates alike.”

Advice to junior Troopers: “No matter how bad a 

situation might seem, it always gets better.”

By Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

Petty Officer 2nd Class Rebekka Vanzant was born into a 

military household. The daughter of a Marine master gunnery 

sergeant, Vanzant enjoys the 

military lifestyle and loves to 

help fellow Troopers reach their 

goals. 

Vanzant, a yeoman working 

in Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s J2 department, said she 

likes her job because she is given 

more responsibility and feels 

she is making a difference. After 

working hard on the USS Frank 

Cable (AS 40) as a Machinist 

Mate, she was capped to petty 

officer third class and was then 

able to pick another rating. 

Her supervisor, Army Master 

Sgt. Gregg Ramsdell, remarked 

on her positive attitude and determination to improve personally and professionally.

“I was able to convert to YN, 

which was one of the goals I set 

for myself,” Vanzant said. “After 

being here, I want to work at a 

headquarters so it can better 

prepare me for civilian life.”

Vanzant credits her success 

to advice taken from her friends. 

She said she has been in tough 

situations during her military 

tenure, but with the help of 

those around her, she was encouraged to do something about 

her career direction.

“If there is any advice I can 

give to Troopers, it is that sometimes things get rough in the 

military,” Vanzant explained. 

“Complaining about the way 

things are will not help your 

current situation. Your career is 

what you make it. You can either 

complain about the way things 

are going for you or do something about where you are.”

Vanzant implores Troopers of all ranks to think about 

where they are in accordance 

with where they would like to be 

in their career. She said Troopers should want to reflect on 

their time in service, thinking of 

all the memories and successes 

they have made in their military 

lifetime.

“Don’t waste the time you 

have in the military,” she said. 

“No matter whether you are enlisted or officer, even if you are a 

career Trooper, there is life after 

the military. You do not want to 

feel like you have not accomplished your goals when your 

time is done.” 

| Sports Commentary The Wire | Page 7

Drew Brees, I’m going to let 

you finish, but Dan Marino is the 

best quarterback of all time. ALL 

TIME. Okay, that’s my personal 

opinion, and I borrowed that 

line from Kanye West, but this 

beautiful dark twisted fantasy 

called defense in the National 

Football League has Brees 305 

yards from surpassing a onceuntouchable record set by Miami 

Dolphins great and Ace Ventura 

co-star Dan Marino for most 

passing yards in a single season.

Marino never won a Super 

Bowl, but throwing for 5,084 

yards in 1984 means more than 

Brees and the New Orleans 

Saints playing against weak 

football teams with watered 

down defenses that inflate 

offensive numbers. Taking 

nothing away from the amazing 

year the Saints quarterback is 

having, Dan Marino’s record 

is more impressive than Brees’ 

2011 production.

Cool Brees is on pace for 

652 pass attempts in this effortt 

to replace Marino atop the 

record book. Marino reached 

his milestone with only 564 

throws. Both QBs played 16 

game seasons, but the difference 

of 88 attempts gives Brees the 

equivalent of more than two 

extra games worth of throws.

Of those 564 passing 

attempts, the Hall of Famer 

completed 362 of them. To this 

point, Saints receivers hauled in 

349 of Brees’ offerings. When 

Touchdown Breesus hits 362 

completions, he will, more than 

likely, still trail Marino.

The Dolphins’ frequent flyer 

year came in 1984. Those were 

the days before thinking about 

hitting a quarterback was a 

personal foul and touching the 

passer’s helmet was considered 

roughing.

Marino played alongside 

the likes of Joe Montana, Troy 

Aikman, Steve Young and 

Warren Moon. Each of those 

players called it quits when their 

bodies could no longer handle 

the beatings delivered on the 

gridiron.

To the contrary, Brees 

plays in a league that protects 

quarterbacks like they belong in 

Fort Knox.

Colt McCoy, Cleveland 

Browns’ quarterback, suffered 

a concussion from a hit by 

Pittsburgh Steeler James 

Harrison. The NFL suspended 

Harrison and implimented 

new concussion policies within 

weeks. New England Patriots 

quarterback Tom Brady was 

injured from a low tackle. The 

next year, the NFL outlawed low 

tackles on quarterbacks.

Today’s defenders can’t even 

attack the quarterback to stop 

him from passing the ball. It’s no 

wonder Drew is Breesing his way 

past Marino.

High flying, explosive 

offenses overshadow gaping 

holes in secondaries throughout 

the entire NFL. Defense is so 

meaningless that only one of the 

top five defenses have clinched 

the lead in their division (San 

Francisco 49ers). The rest of 

the playoff-bound teams simply 

score more points than their 

defense allows.

If Brees breaks Marino’s 

mark, the new record for yards 

in a single season will have 

the same indifference as Mark 

McGwire breaking the single 

season homerun record amid 

the steroid era in Major League 

Baseball.

Numbers never lie, but they 

can be misleading. Barring injury, 

at the end of this year, Drew 

Brees will hold one of the most 

prestigious records in the NFL, 

but don’t be fooled by numbers. 

When this Saint goes marching 

in the record books, Marino will 

still be king. Watch the throne.

Above: Petty Officer 2nd Class Rodolfo Gallardo, a master at arms, seizes 

victory for the Red Team as he brings a captured Santa back to the team’s 

base in Capture the Santa Paintball. 

Below: The Red Team managed to defeat the Yellow Team in a epic battle of 

the season during Capture the Santa Paintball. The rules of play were simple: 

one team must capture the other team’s Santa figurine and return it to their 

base or have more team members standing when time ran out. 

–photos by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

By Army Sgt. Landis Andrews

S t uden t of th e G a m e

Drew set to Brees 

past Marino for all 

time passing record

Wanted: 

Santa Claus
Scott Kirby performed at the Naval Station 

Guantanamo Bay Tiki Bar Dec. 16 and 17 and brought 

a new tune to the community just in time for the 

holidays.

“He brought a little bit of celebration to the holiday, 

which could be hard to find here since you’re away from 

friends and family,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob 

Isbell. “It makes the season a little special.” 

Kirby puts his own personalized twist on the folk 

rock genre. 

“Some of the critics who have reviewed my songs in 

the United States refer to it as beach folk,” said Kirby 

“A lot of my songs have nautical themes and are about 

being in the islands or on the coast, but the musical 

style is definitely folk rock or contemporary acoustic 

rock.” 

For Isbell, Kirby’s performance came at the right 

time at the right place.

“The music is great for the atmosphere here in 

the Caribbean,” said Isbell, a logistics specialist. “It’s 

relaxing, with an island feel to it.”

Kirby performed with David Edmisten on electric 

guitar and backup vocals and Lew London on fiddle. 

Edmisten, who is from North Carolina, has been 

working with Kirby for the past five years. Kirby and 

Edminsten perform around 150 shows a year, and this 

show in particular struck a chord with Edminsten. 

“This is something that I felt like I could do to give 

back to the troops,” said Edmisten. 

London, a New Jersey native, specializes in string 

instruments and has worked with Kirby on and off for 

15 years. Kirby invited London to perform with him at 

Guantanamo Bay.

“I thought ‘when am I ever going to get a chance 

to check out Guantanamo first hand,” said London. “I 

didn’t know what to expect, but this place is beautiful.” 

With the night drawing to a close, Kirby dedicated 

his performance to the Troopers and community of 

Guantanamo Bay. 

“We have tremendous respect for everyone in the 

military stationed around the world, especially during 

the holidays when many can’t get home to see their 

families,” said Kirby. “We feel honored to be able to 

come down here and feel it’s the least we can do.”

Above: David Edmisten 

on the electric guitar 

during a performance 

at Guantanamo Bay. 

Right: Scott Kirby played 

acoustic guitar during his 

performance. Below: 

Lew London played the 

fiddle during a performance with Scott Kirby. 

– photos by Army Sgt. 

Saul Rosa

Scott Kirby: 

Bringing the 

Folk to the Bay

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

TheWire |Page 8

Feature |

Community service is instrumental in 

building relationships with the community 

and between Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

Troopers. Sailors from the JTF First Class 

Petty Officer Association are doing just 

that: strengthening JTF’s bond with the local 

community with morale-producing support 

wherever they go.

The FCPOA is designed to broaden the 

professional development of all First Class 

Petty Officers; provide an outlet for person-

nel to become active in their local communi-

ties; and to foster improved morale to em-

body a positive image of the United States 

Navy and JTF Guantanamo.

“The FCPOA meets to-

gether as a sort of think 

tank. We meet, seeking 

to gather insight on how to handle issues or 

plan ideas that we may have on the horizon,” 

said Petty Officer 1st Class Frankie Knob-

loch, FCPOA President. “We also use our 

time to identify any morale issues and talk 

about what we can do to make things better. 

It also makes it easier for us to work things 

out for personnel that may have a dilemma 

between chains of command.” 

The FCPOA is an organization which 

thrives with the assistance of all Troopers. 

For instance, one of the organization’s activ-

ities in the past involved members cooking 

and distributing breakfast burritos to other 

petty officers taking their advancement ex-

ams. The advancement exams are a requisite 

for promotion.

Knobloch encourages the input of E-6s 

from other branches and believes staying 

open to other personnel’s ideas are what 

will improve the association and JTF as 

a whole. 

“Other first class petty officers 

offer insights from other points of 

view,” Knoblach explained. “Per-

sonnel with different rates and 

other backgrounds have different 

points of view on how to deal 

with various situations.”

Knoblach wants JTF to understand the 

FCPOA is about helping every Trooper, no 

matter their pay grade, reach the next level 

of leadership and understanding of military 

service. He envisions everyone working to-

gether to make JTF a better place.

“Utilize your peers and utilize your peo-

ple,” Knoblach said. “Everybody has ideas, 

no matter how junior or senior they are. 

Those ideas could make a difference.”

For more information on the FCPOA’s 

activities, or how to become a member, call 

8228.

TheWire|Page 9

By Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor

| 

Feature

JTF first classes lend a helping hand

E-6s focus on careers, community service

Below: Joint Task Force Guantanamo First Class 

Petty Officers Association washed cars Saturday 

to raise money for their activities. –photo by Mass 

Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson
The Wire | Page 10 Feature | | Feature The Wire | Page 11

Climbing the Mighty Oak: 

JTF Tours the USS Oak Hill 

The Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak 

Hill (LSD 51) recently visited U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, 

after finishing its Caribbean deployment supporting Amphibious 

Southern Partnership Station. The ship returned Wednesday to its 

Little Creek, Va. homeport.

The port visit afforded the USS Oak Hill’s crew opportunities 

to take advantage of the various recreational facilities available at 

Guantanamo during their liberty time.

“This is the first chance that most of my crew of 300 and the 

other 400 embarked Marines, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard 

personnel have ever had to visit Guantanamo Bay,” said Oak Hill 

commanding officer Cmdr. David Bauer. “I am honored to have 

had the opportunity to sail the ‘Mighty Oak’ into this port and we all 

look forward to meeting those of you stationed here.”

The USS Oak Hill conducted agricultural washdowns of all 

embarked equipment. This procedure removes and neutralizes any 

harmful or invasive species that may have been picked up so they will 

not be transported to the U.S. The ship also took on fuel and supplies. 

The USS Oak Hill’s stop gave Guantanamo service members an 

opportunity to visit the ship as well, which was a new experience 

for some of them.

“I’m glad they welcomed us aboard,” said Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Trooper Sgt. 1st Class Katherine White. “It was good 

insight into how other branches (of the military) operate. I was 

amazed how they could function in limited space. Everybody had a 

job and a place on the ship.”

Amphibious transport dock landing ships like the USS Oak Hill 

are vessels which embark, transport and land elements of a landing 

force for expeditionary warfare missions. These ships are generally 

designed to transport troops by sea, usually with landing craft or in 

some cases with transport helicopters.

Troopers on the tour remarked on how organized and clean 

the ship was, and commended the visiting crew for the unique 

opportunity to see the USS Oak Hill.

“It was a great tour,” White said. 

By Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

The USS Oak Hill ported at Naval 

Station Guantanamo Bay Dec. 13 to 

conduct agricultural washdowns and 

refuel before returning to the U.S. 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Troopers boarded for a tour of the ship Dec. 

15. –photos by Mass Communication 

Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson
| Feature The Wire | Page 13

In the Hebrew language, Chanukah means 

“to dedicate.” The festival of Chanukah is 

the Festival of Dedication. Chanukah, unlike 

Passover, is not an “appointed time” as given in 

the Torah. Chanukah is a tradition. Chanukah 

is a festival that commemorates the miracle of 

the oil and G-d saving His people. 

The story of Chanukah begins in Judea 

around 2,200 years ago, when King Antiochus 

III the Great of Syria defeated King Ptolemy V 

Epiphanes of Egypt at the Battle of Panium. In 

an attempt to appease his new Jewish subjects, 

Antiochus III guaranteed them the right to 

“live according to their ancestral customs” and 

to continue to practice their faith in the Temple 

of Jerusalem. 

In 175 BCE, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the 

son of Antiochus III invaded Judea. Soon 

after, the Temple was captured by SyrianGreek soldiers and dedicated to the worship 

of the god Zeus. 

During the next few years the Greeks forced 

Israel to finance their war through collection 

of taxes. They also forced them to quarter 

their soldiers in Jewish homes. Collectively, the 

Greeks were determined to destroy the Jewish 

faith. 

Historical record and a Jewish holy book, the 

Talmud, detail the ways in which the Greeks 

did so. First, they took the statue of Zeus and 

mounted it in the courtyard of the Temple. 

Second, the Greeks banned the observance 

of the Sabbath on pain of death. Third, there 

was a period of time when the Greek officer in 

town had the right to “live” with a woman on 

her wedding night before her husband-to-be. 

The Greeks also banned circumcision. Then 

they demanded that altars to the Greek idols 

be established and that sacrifices be offered on 

a regular basis in every Jewish town. 

The Jewish educational system was entirely 

disrupted during this time. King Antiochus IV 

Epiphanes erected a temple for himself and 

demanded worship from among the people. 

He made Greek language mandatory. Torah 

studies were forbidden. Kosher diets were 

banned and the people were forced to eat 

unclean animals. Torah scrolls were burned. 

Judaism was outlawed.

The final straw came around 167-166 BCE 

when King Antiochus IV Epiphanes gathered 

the Jewish people together and ordered an altar 

constructed in the Temple and a pig sacrificed 

to Zeus. A Greek officer ordered Mattathias, 

a High Priest, to acquiesce to their demands, 

but Mattathias refused. When another villager 

stepped forward and offered to cooperate on 

Mattathias’ behalf, the High Priest became 

outraged. He drew his sword and killed the 

villager, then turned on the Greek officer 

and killed him too. War eventually broke out, 

concluding with the battle for the fortress 

guarding the Temple. The Jews destroyed the 

statue of Zeus and restored the Temple as best 

they could, but found themselves running out 

of supplies.

This is when the miracle of Chanukah 

occurred. The Jews could only find one small 

flask of uncontaminated oil with the seal of 

the High Priest. By Torah law, the flame of 

the Menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple 

could only be lit with specially prepared pure 

olive oil. The amount of oil remaining in the 

one uncontaminated flask was only enough 

to burn for one day, and it would take eight 

days to produce a new batch of pure oil. So 

what did they do? They lit the Menorah and it 

miraculously burned for eight days. 

Chanukah is celebrated in reverence and 

remembrance of this struggle in Jewish 

history. While there is currently no organized 

Jewish service available at this time at the Joint 

Task Force or Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, 

the chaplains’ offices are always available to 

serve all people of all faiths. Stateside contacts 

for rabbis and other clergy are also available 

through them. During this holiday season, no 

matter which faith or belief system you ascribe 

to, remember that everyone has reason to 

celebrate.

the story of chanukah

by Ed Hood, J6

special to The Wire

The Wire | Page 12 Feature |

Happy Holidays, 

Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo!

Kwanzaa Dec. 26- Jan. 1

Celebrated by members of the African-American 

community since 1966, Kwanzaa focuses on the 

seven principles of unity, self-determination, 

responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, 

creativity, and faith. Those who celebrate often 

do so alongside Christian traditions. The sevencandle kinara represents the seven principles.

Winter Solstice Dec. 21

Nearly every culture in recorded history has recognized 

the changing of the seasons, and the first day of winter in 

particular has strong pagan roots. As the shortest day of 

the year, modern observants light candles and hold the last 

feast day of the calendar year. 

Festivus “for the rest of us!” Dec. 23

A secular celebration, the concept of Festivus has 

gained popularity as a way to reject modern commercialization of the holiday season. The holiday 

is observed in three practices: the Airing of 

Grievances, the Feats of Strength and the display 

of the plain aluminum Festivus pole. Though 

rooted in parody and popularized in an episode 

of “Seinfeld,” Festivus is inclusive and affordable.
By Chris Carroll

Stars and Stripes

Former Obama 

envoy: engage 

with N. Korea

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa – Weight-loss 

and bodybuilding supplements containing a 

popular new stimulant were pulled off the 

shelves at Army and Air Force Exchange 

Service stores over the weekend due to 

concerns they could be related to soldier 

deaths, according to the Defense Logistics 

Agency.

The drug DMAA, which is an extract of 

the geranium plant with the chemical names 13 

dimethylamylamine and methylhexanamine, 

triggered the recall of 18 athletic supplements 

sold worldwide in General Nutrition Centers 

shops by AAFES, the agency said Saturday in 

a recall alert.

“Even though GNC believes DMAA is 

safe, it has complied fully with the Army’s 

precautionary request to remove products 

containing DMAA, as it is contractually 

obligated to do, from GNC stores on Army 

and Air Force bases,” GNC spokesman Greg 

Miller said.

Miller said that the Food and Drug 

Administration has never questioned the 

safety of DMAA and that GNC officials have 

requested the opportunity to meet with the 

Defense Department to discuss the recall.

An AAFES investigation of the drug 

was under way, the logistics agency said, but 

no additional information was immediately 

available Monday on soldier deaths and any 

suspected connections to DMAA.

DMAA was developed decades ago as a 

nasal decongestant but has recently become 

popular as a recreational drug and an additive 

in athletic supplements with names such as 

Hemo Rage Black, Muscle Warfare Napalm 

and Nitric Blast.

Forms of the stimulant were recently 

banned by Major League Baseball and the 

World Anti-Doping Agency, the international 

body that regulates drug use in sports.

AAFES pulls weight loss, bodybuilding 

supplement from shelves

Stars and Stripes

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration’s former special envoy to North Korea, 

Stephen Bosworth, says the United States 

should try to engage with Pyongyang to encourage a return to negotiations, even as the 

reclusive state goes through a secretive leadership transition.

Bosworth said it is important for North 

Korea to be connected to the outside world 

as it prepares to make Kim Jong Un the official successor to his father, Kim Jong Il, who 

died Saturday at age 69. Bosworth says one of 

the foreign connections that matters most to 

Pyongyang is with the U.S. The two nations 

do not have diplomatic relations.

Bosworth stepped down as President Barack Obama’s special envoy on North Korea 

policy in October, after two years in the post. 

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney 

Wednesday said the Obama administration is 

monitoring events in North Korea closely. 

U.S. officials have held several rounds of 

informal talks with North Korea since June, 

but it is not clear when the two sides will meet 

again. The U.S. has been trying to persuade 

North Korea to rejoin six-party negotiations in 

which regional powers have called for Pyongyang to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons 

in return for diplomatic and other incentives. 

Bosworth said the U.S. should adopt a 

“patient” and “positive” approach toward 

North Korea as long as Pyongyang provides 

evidence that it is willing to treat U.S. requests 

in a “serious manner.”

Analysts: switch U.S. 

troops to Afghanistan 

advisory mission in 2012 Voice of America News Service

| Around the World The Wire | Page 15

WASHINGTON – Afghanistan is no longer the United States’ war to win, analysts 

from an influential Washington think tank 

said Monday, advocating a U.S. policy shift 

that would quickly transition U.S. troops to 

advisory and support roles while pushing Afghans to the lead in combat.

With the clock ticking on U.S. combat involvement in Afghanistan, the United States 

should end the current counterinsurgency 

mission by October, when U.S. surge forces 

are scheduled to be out of the country, according to a policy brief by the Center for a 

New American Security, a group with strong 

ties to the Obama administration and the 

Pentagon. The United States should then 

switch to a “security force assistance” mission that sets Afghan forces up for success 

against the Taliban and Haqqani Network 

after 2014, the report said.

“Because U.S. units can execute counterinsurgency operations better and faster than 

their Afghan counterparts, they are continuing to do so despite the looming transition,” 

the CNAS paper said. “Afghan forces must 

move more rapidly to take the lead in Afghanistan while the United States and its allies still have significant numbers of troops 

and enablers in the country.”

American commanders, focused on shortterm results, sensibly rely on their own superior troops, said co-author Andrew Exum, 

a CNAS senior fellow and a former Army 

Ranger who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“There’s a sense the Afghan commanders aren’t ready, and there a sense we’re going to assume a lot of risk [by relying heavily on Afghans],” he told reporters Monday. 

While there is truth in those beliefs, he said, 

the result may be that crucial developmental 

steps for Afghan combat forces are left until 2015, when there will be far less backup 

from American and coalition troops.

Although partnering between American 

and Afghan troops is official doctrine, on 

a recent trip to Afghanistan, “there was no 

question anywhere we visited who was in the 

lead in these operations,” said retired Army 

Lt. Gen. David Barno, a CNAS senior advisor and coauthor of the report.

The Pentagon should establish a command within U.S. Special Operations Command devoted to developing and fielding 

military advisors, the authors wrote.

And while it will be risky, troops on the 

ground should begin embedding with Afghan units rather than the more common 

paradigm, where, Exum said, “Often it’s a 

few Afghans in a truck behind you as you go 

off to fight the enemy.”

The Wire | Page 14 Mind, Body & Spirit |

Mind, 

Body 

& Spirit

by Chaplain 

Capt. Bradley Thom

Make the most of the holiday season

We have just entered a very full period 

of holy days and holidays. It is common 

for each one of us to consider what loved 

ones might be doing at home or what other 

activities are being missed. Some are missing the gathering at Grandma’s house with 

all the relatives. Some may be missing that 

first Christmas with a spouse or a newborn. 

These are special days that will be certainly 

remembered. Among those gathered at 

Guantanamo Bay are veterans who have 

been away for multiple holidays and there 

are those here for their first time away from 

home. No matter which one it is work to 

make it a significant one.

My first Christmas while deployed was 

during a port call in Hong Kong. I was 

amazed at how lit up the skyline was with 

holiday decorations. It was a thrill to 

walk the streets of 

the Asian city and 

seemingly everyone 

on the street was 

donning a Santa hat. It 

seemed all were wishing one another “Merry Christmas.” At midnight I attended worship at Christ Church, high up on a hill. Just 

a few feet from my pew sat the governor of 

Hong Kong and his family. I struggled to 

stay awake but elated to sing the carols of 

my own tradition in a faraway land. It would 

have been wonderful to be with family, but 

my Christmas in Hong Kong is etched deep 

into my memory and retelling it is fun. 

How are you going to make this holiday 

on the island a memorable one? What are 

you doing to make this time one to be remembered? Think of one significant practice that happens back home and replicate 

it here. (But if you’re of Norwegian ancestry, don’t try and find any lutefisk and cook 

it with roomies in the 

Cuzco. You may wear out your welcome 

with that nasty smelling stuff.) Get together 

with friends and co-workers and compare 

notes and what your favorite traditions are. 

Attend one of the many worship services 

offered. Or, try doing something you haven’t 

tried before in the area of water sports or 

other adventures. I know I’ve never snorkeled on Christmas, how about you? 

Also, think about why some of those 

traditions are significant to you. Share your 

reflections with loved ones in an e-mail or 

even a letter to reinforce the importance of 

those events in your life. Now that you taken the opportunity to do the reflecting and 

remembering, get out and do some Guantanamo holiday adventuring and make this 

a time of your life. 

Happy holidays 

from the Joint 

Task Force 

chaplains!

Only at GTMO by Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson
The Wire | Page 16 At Your Service |

Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

In th e f ight

New reg: Corps allows bags, bracelets in uniform

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, 

Calif. – Marines are no longer restricted to 

wearing only issued bags in uniform. 

Civilian backpacks officially can now be 

worn in uniform, according to the results of 

Uniform Board 212 which were released in 

MARADMIN 695/11 Dec. 6, 2011. 

Backpacks may be black, brown, olive 

drab, tan or a combination of these colors, 

according to the MARADMIN. MARPATprinted commercial and organizational bags 

are still authorized as well. Bags must be conservative and will be worn over both shoulders. Logos must be no larger than five-bytwo inches big. 

Other changes included the official approval to wear honor bracelets, meant to 

remember those killed, missing or captured 

in action, must be either black or silver and 

no more than half an inch wide. Engraved 

on the bracelet will be name, rank, operation 

and date. 

There is no limit on how many names can 

be on the bracelet, but only one bracelet can 

be worn at a time. 

For more information or to see other 

changes, refer to MARADMIN 695/11. 

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – The Navy announced revisions in special duty assignment 

pay (SDAP).

NAVADMIN 356/11 lists updated SDAP 

levels for qualified active duty, full-time reserve component, and select reserve Sailors. 

Increases to existing SDAP levels are effective immediately and reductions are effective 60 days from release of NAVADMIN 

356/11.

Sailors whose SDAP will be eliminated 

will receive half of their previous SDAP entitlement for 12 months, or until the Sailor 

completes the tour, whichever comes first. 

The SDAP program is an incentive pay 

ranging from $75 to $450 a month used to 

entice qualified Sailors to serve in designated 

billets that are considered extremely difficult 

or entail arduous duty. Program levels change 

to reflect the current environment associated 

with each billet and to sustain adequate manning levels.

In order to qualify for SDAP, Sailors must 

be assigned to and working in a valid billet 

on the Command Manpower Authorization 

Listing. This billet must be authorized by the 

Bureau of Naval Personnel as a special duty 

assignment billet. Commands holding SDAP 

billets are required to complete an annual recertification. 

NAVADMIN 356/11 supersedes previously released SDAP rates.

More than 25,000 Sailors currently receive SDAP. Sailors can read OPNAVINST 

1160.6 and talk with their command career 

counselor to learn more about SDAP.

on th e DE C K

Navy: Updated 

special duty 

assignment pay

By Lance Cpl. Lauren A. Kurkmilis

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Fellow Citizen Soldiers,

As your new Director, I am honored 

to send this greeting as we celebrate 

the 375th birthday of the Army National 

Guard.

First, let me express how humbled 

I am by the tremendous honor and 

privilege to serve as the 20th Director 

of the Army National Guard. My wife 

Lil and I greatly appreciate the 

opportunity to extend our greetings to 

you, our fellow members of the National 

Guard family, on this momentous 

occasion: the Guard’s 375th birthday

Celebrating 375 years is unprecedented 

in the history of the United States 

military. The National Guard is older 

than our country itself. The colonial 

militia defined our first communities: 

the earliest rural settlements, 

villages, towns and cities in what became the 

United States of America.

On Dec. 13, 1636, the Massachusetts 

General Court in Salem established 

that all able-bodied men between the 

ages of 16 and 60 join the militia. At 

that time, local leaders realized that 

better trained and highly prepared 

militia units were needed to 

safeguard communities and colonies. 

Ultimately, these units formed the basis of 

our national defense.

This part-time force grew into a 

cornerstone of early American communities, 

playing an instrumental role in 

establishing a new country founded on 

individual freedom and liberty. We are 

proud to remember that our Guard 

started as a militia formed by Citizen 

Soldiers men and women just like 

each of you who currently represent 

the 50 states, three territories and 

the District of Columbia.

Of course, our institution is still 

comprised of truly dedicated citizens, 

always ready to respond to emergencies 

at the state or federal level. Along 

the way, the National Guard has 

been called upon to protect national 

interests in all major military 

conflicts. Guard members have also 

responded to countless state and 

local emergencies within their own 

communities.

Like so many who served before us, 

you have made personal sacrifices. You 

consistently show your professionalism 

and selflessness, whether serving at 

the Southwest Border, or patrolling 

outside a Forward Operating Base, or 

performing your traditional Guard 

responsibilities at home. You are always 

there when needed.

As we reflect on 375 years of service, 

we can identify an unbroken chain of 

commitments that linked communities, 

unified colonies and forged a nation 

all based on responsive forces.

Since 1636, our Citizen Soldiers have 

repeatedly demonstrated vigilance and 

valor at home and abroad, always 

defending freedom. Over the past 10 years, 

our National Guard has demonstrated 

broad-based capabilities and 

unquestionable commitment. You have 

been there. You have contributed to the 

proud history of the Army National Guard.

Sustaining such high levels of 

proficiency and commitment will be 

challenging. Success will be defined 

by a trained and ready Army National 

Guard serving our States and Nation for the 

next 375 years.

May God continue to bless our nation 

and its people, as well as our Soldiers and 

their families.

Thank you and happy birthday Army 

National Guard!

on th e g round

375 years of National Guard history and commitment

By Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram, Jr.

Director, Army National Guard

O n T h e w i n g

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas 

– Air Force equal opportunity officials have 

expanded a pilot program that reduces processing times for civilian equal employment 

opportunity complaints to five months versus the standard six months. The move is 

part of an Air Force effort to set the EO 

standard for federal agencies. 

In 2010, the Air Force EO office, in collaboration with the Air Force Personnel Center EO office, implemented pilot programs 

at Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases 

to process formal civilian EEO complaint 

investigations within 150 days. The test resulted in an average process time of 77 days, 

which is 57 percent faster than the required 

180 days. On Dec. 6, the pilot program expanded to include Tyndall AFB, Eglin AFB, 

MacDill AFB and Hurlburt Field, Fla. 

“The pilot program demonstrated significant improvement can be attained by 

re-evaluating current processes with our key 

mission partners who also participate in the 

civilian EEO process,” said Lt. Col. Stephen 

Miliano, the EO director at AFPC. “Reduced processing times benefit all involved, 

from employees to organization leaders and 

managers. Additionally, these improvements 

greatly help to further the AF EO program 

in reaching its goal of being a model program for the federal government.” 

Members of the AFPC Equal Opportunity Office also revamped their analytics 

for capturing data on how the Air Force 

processes formal civilian EEO complaints. 

Previous metrics only measured the number 

of complaints that were overdue or exceeded 

standard timelines. 

“The new metrics measure the average 

time it takes to process each step in the informal EEO complaint process,” said Cinni 

Youngblood, the AFPC EO operations 

manager. “This way, we can get a better idea 

of what’s going on out in the field and recognize and address trends throughout the 

process.”

During fiscal year 2011, 90 percent of all 

complaints counseling were processed on 

time resulting in a 2.38 increase of timeliness 

from the previous year. Only 0.3 percent of 

the total Air Force civilian workforce filed 

EEO complaints. 

While both military and civilian EO programs focus on unlawful discrimination and 

sexual harassment, civilian complaints are 

subject to Equal Employment Opportunity 

Commission standards and sanctions and 

are coordinated with agencies outside the 

Air Force.

Civilian complaints must go through a 

30 to 90-day informal process to handle the 

issue through the traditional process or mediation called alternative dispute resolution 

before filing a formal complaint. The Air 

Force encourages commanders and managers to participate in ADR because it saves 

time, money and can quickly resolve problems or issues before they escalate, Youngblood said.

“The goal is to try to resolve a complaint 

at the lowest level,” she said. “Leaders should 

never discount an employee’s issue. We all 

want to feel like we have something to offer 

and are a valuable member of the team.”

Youngblood said leadership should keep 

the lines of communication open throughout the entire complaint process. Additionally, EO offices should let AFPC/EO know 

and document any local or procedural issues 

that create process delays.

“The Air Force EO program is about 

taking care of people to ensure mission 

readiness,” she said. “If people aren’t getting 

along, what impact do you think that will 

have on the mission?”

For information about EO and other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel 

Services at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.

EO officials aim to set standard for federal agencies

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 17

c o ast t o c o ast

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard Sector 

San Juan concluded a multi agency strike force 

operation (MASFO) at the Seastar Marine Terminal Friday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The multi-agency strike force successfully 

screened a total of 200 containers with a Customs and Border Protection VACIS X-Ray 

machine, and they physically inspected 80 other 

containers and portable tanks, including multiple hazardous material containers.

During the MASFO no illegal drugs, contraband shipments or placarding irregularities 

were detected.

The primary objective of the MASFO was 

to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations pertaining to the safe shipment 

of cargo. The MASFO was comprised of two 

teams strategically located throughout the port. 

Leveraging the jurisdictional authorities of 

each agency, the inter-agency teams thoroughly 

inspected freight containers and portable tanks 

ensuring compliance with the International 

Maritime Dangerous Goods Code as well as 

U.S. Regulations. 

“The MASFO was a great example of the 

interagency cooperation.” said Cmdr. David 

Berliner, Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief 

of prevention. “The timely and comprehensive 

inspections were aligned with the shared mutual objective of facilitating the safe and timely 

flow of commerce through the maritime and 

highway modes of transportation.” 

The initiative combined the capabilities of 

numerous agencies including Coast Guard, 

Customs and Border Protection, Federal Drug 

Enforcement Agency (DEA), Immigration 

and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel.

Coast Guard, federal partner agencies 

participate in San Juan Harbor operation

By Erin Tindell

AF Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs

A team of Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol 

Protection personnel check a container for hazardous 

goods and contraband during an operation at San Juan 

Harbor, Puerto Rico. –photo courtesy USCG

7th Coast Guard District Public Affairs
Camp 

Bulkeley

Downtown

Lyceum

GTMO Quick Reference 

Bayview Club - 75605

 Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun. & Holidays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bowling Center - 2118

Mon.-Fri. 6-11 p.m.

 Fri. 6 p.m.-12 a.m

Sat. 1 p.m.-12 a.m.

Sun. & Holidays 1-11 p.m.

Caribbean Coffee - 77859

Mon.-Sat. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Sun. 1-10 p.m.

Jerk House - 2532

Sun.-Thu. 5-9 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 5-10 p.m. 

KFC and A&W Express - 75653

Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 

MWR Liberty Centers - 2010 

Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Sun. 9 a.m.-12 a.m.

Sat. & Holidays 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

Library - 4700

Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 

Sun. & Holidays 12-9 p.m.

Pizza Hut - 77995

Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. 12-9 p.m.

Windjammer Cafe

Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sat. 5-10 p.m.

Sun. 5-9 p.m.

Windjammer Club - 77252

Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Windjammer Sports Bar

Mon.-Thu. 5-9 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Sun. 5-9 p.m.

Safe Ride - 84781

Operation Christmas 

Stocking: Dec. 22-25

Volunteers needed!

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Setup, stocking stuffing, and pickup 

for distribution in the 

Community Center

Call 2323 for more 

information on all 

holiday events.

December 24 Main Chapel services

5 to 6:30 p.m.

Roman Catholic 

Christmas service

7 to 8 p.m.

Protestant Christmas service

11 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Roman Catholic 

Christmas Mass

December 25

Regular Sunday services

December 31 7 p.m. New Year’s First Night service

January 7 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Decoration clean-up

GTMO Holiday Services

| Bulletin Board The Wire | Page 19

 FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU 24

Call the movie hotline at 4880 or see the MWR GTMO Facebook page for more information.

23 25 26 27 28 29

Johnny English 

Reborn

(PG) 7 p.m.

Real Steel (last 

showing)

(PG-13) 9 p.m.

Arthur Christmas

(PG) 7 p.m.

Three 

Musketeers 

(PG-13) 9 p.m.

Ides of March 

(last showing)

(R) 8 p.m.

Sherlock 

Holmes (NEW)

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

In Time (NEW)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Paranormal 

Activity 3 (NEW)

(R) 10 p.m.

Alvin & the 

Chipmunks 

(NEW)

(G) 7 p.m.

Three 

Musketeers

(R) 8 p.m.

In Time 

(NEW)

(PG-13) 7 p.m.

Real Steel (last 

showing)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Ides of March 

(last showing)

(R) 7 p.m.

New Year’s Eve

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Hugo

(PG) 7 p.m.

Paranormal 

Activity 3 

(R) 7 p.m.

The Big Year

(PG) 8 p.m.

Hugo

(PG) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Movie Review PG-13

110 min.

By Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

The Wire | Page 18 Movie Review |

Background: At least Orlando Bloom 

(as the dastardly Duke of Buckingham) 

seems to enjoy being typecast as a 

swashbuckling adventurer with impressive standards of grooming.

The Three

Musketeers

Hey there, Hollywood. Have I done something to offend you? Whatever it was, please come clean with me. We 

can talk about it. Heck, I’ll even apologize. We used to be good pals once upon a time. What happened between us?

That’s pretty much what I was thinking as I watched the latest interpretation of “The Three Musketeers.” I 

honestly felt like I was being punished for something, though I’m not quite sure of what. By the film’s close, I was 

both relieved and appalled. Even now, I am still wondering: what happened with this movie? 

Hollywood took the concept of “The Three Musketeers” (which is a apparently more than just a candy bar): a 

trio of swashbuckling members of the 17th century French royal guard and oversaturated it with unnecessarily loud 

crescendoing music; an exotic countess who doubles as a back-stabbing catburglar in a “Mission: Impossible”-style 

heist, an onslaught of characters with goofy, inconsistent accents; and then they added some large-scale airship skybattles that look like “Master & Commander” (2003) crossed with “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982). I 

kid you not. Even as I write this, I’m as baffled now as I was when the end credits rolled. I’m still waiting 

for Ashton Kutcher to pop up with a video camera to tell me that I’ve just been punked.

Perhaps it’s not the filmmakers’ fault on the quality of the movie we got from them. I’m thinking they 

made this kind of movie to cater to the fast-food movie masses that want their movies loaded with “the 

works.” Like most special-effects-heavy actioneers released now, “The Three Musketeers” was made in 

3-D. While the filmmakers were focusing on the quantity of characters, gimmicks and random events to 

put into this movie, they compromised on the quality.

Ever since the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, there has been a steady increase in films with 

music scores that go “rum-dum-dum-dum.” Special emphasis on “dumb!” Going the way of the dodo 

are scores rich in majesty that were melodic narratives to their films. I’m not saying this is how all 

movies should be scored. Though it would be nice if a movie’s premise warrants a traditional 

score approach in lieu of “rum-dum-dum-dum.” Instead, we get “rum-dum-dum-dum” all 

too frequently. You know what? It’s wearing kind of thin.

Hey, here’s idea: How about making a movie that’s not top heavy 

on superficiality and is actually fun to watch. Wouldn’t that be 

something? Like one where I can get immersed in young 

D’Artagnan’s (Logan Lerman) dream of becoming a Musketeer 

when he leaves his rural home for Paris. Imagine the kind of 

movie where I’m pleased to see the introduction of the Three 

Musketeers: Athos (Matthew Macfadyen), Porthos (Ray Stevenson) 

and Aramis (Luke Evans) and learn of their history and current plight. 

After all, they’re the heroes of the story, right? When movies are wellproduced, this kind of story has the potential to be fun. I think the 

filmmakers dropped the ball on the touchdown pass.

If I had to applaud “The Three Musketeers” for anything, 

apart from the ending so I could leave, I’d go with the look of the 

sets and the costuming. There’s a lot of investor bucks squandered on 

the screen with so much meaninglessness, but at least the visuals are good. 

Now if only something interesting had happened in front of these grandiose 

backdrops, we’d be okay. If you have the kind of money to produce a film 

like this, wouldn’t you want a return on your dollar? The best way to do 

that is to have a good script, a good director, a good cast and a good goal 

of what your movie is about. Random chaos thrown together a good film 

does not make. 

It’s obvious director Paul W.S. Anderson played fast and loose with the 

original premise of “The Three Musketeers,” a classic Alexandre Dumas 

novel written in 1844. Granted, fast and loose interpretations of printed 

works often sell movie tickets. It’s perfectly legitimate to take your film in 

another direction. Take the novel and the film version of “Jaws” (1975): 

they’re very different versions of the basic story. Both are effectively 

presented and are revered as classics in their respective mediums. 

With “The Three Musketeers,” you get a film which irritates and 

frustrates while you’re hoping the movie will turn into more than what you 

get. Then nothing of consequence happens. You get a film that’s all about the 

polish without the shine. If you have the attention span of a flea, you should 

probably do just fine with this feature. But come on, you can do better than 

settle for this. If we accept this movie and turn it into a money maker for the 

studio which put it out, they’ll give us more of the same. This kind of tolerance 

has already been gone on for too long as is. 

Okay Hollywood, now it is YOUR turn to apologize. 
+ two more pictures

Troopers enjoyed freshly grilled burgers during the Chaplains’ Burger Burn Dec. 16 by Kittery Cafe. –photo by Mass 

Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

Background: Troopers at the Seaside Galley received a special treat this holiday season: a surprise “flash mob” dance routine by J6 personnel and Joint Task Force staff volunteers. –photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

The Integritas award, displayed by Air 

Force Capt. Jason Ballard, passed from 

the BEEF to J6 Dec 21. –photo by 

Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty 

Bjornson

TheJTF