Volume 12, Issue 19 Thursday, April 28, 2011

Cox-Sure

 Master MA

Senior Master-at-Arms 

visits MA Sailors

The Forgotten Sport

Kickball season winds down

At the helm with 

Coast Guard coxswains
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

Command Information NCOIC:

Army Sgt. First Class Benjamin Cossel: 3499

Executive Editor:

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Photojournalists:

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Maddelin Angebrand 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Spc. Kelly Gary

Contact us

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COVER: A vital component of any Coast Guard vessel, the coxswain is the Guardian in charge of the boat 

responsible with keeping all equipment and personnel safe. – photo by Navy Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

NCOIC, Command Information

Sergeant First Class

far more likely to succeed overall. Those who 

allow themselves to float on the ocean of 

life like so much flotsam and jetsam hoping 

the waves will eventually get them back to 

shore will find much less success. As Dennis 

Hopper so famously said in some retirement 

commercial, “You’ve got to have a plan, 

man!”

This, of course, does not mean you won’t 

have to go back and correct course over 

time. Anyone who has taken more than a 

breath of life knows the ever-shifting winds 

of the world have a tendency to punch 

holes in the best of battle plans. Just like a 

plentiful garden, you have to pull the weeds, 

switch things around occasionally and adjust 

accordingly. While it may not seem like it in 

the immediate, with a well-tended plan you 

will eventually get there, even if it takes 20 

years.

Benjamin Cossel

I realized the fulfillment of one of my 

major life goals this past Friday, a goal 20 or 

so years in the making. 

Near the end of his military career, my 

father was about to pin on master sergeant. 

After talking it over with my mom, ultimately 

he decided what was best for him and his 

family was to go ahead and retire, even 

though it meant he would have to go out as 

a sergeant first class. Twenty years of faithful 

service in the U.S. Army, including two tours 

in Vietnam, and my father retired at the rank 

of sergeant first class.

Way back in 1992 and all of 18 years old, 

standing in front of the military entrance 

processing station in Anchorage, Alaska with 

mountains of paperwork in my hand, I had 

one goal in mind – at a minimum, make it to 

the same pay grade as Dad, an E7 (I was in 

the Marines and aiming for Gunny). Friday, 

standing before the Soldiers and Sailors who 

helped me along the way, I finally reached 

that goal.

Along a military career that saw me start 

in the Marine Corps and then make my way 

to the National Guard, two things have 

proven themselves as key components of 

my success - establishing goals and taking 

something from everyone you meet.

Studies consistently show those who sit 

down and plan both short-term and longterm goals, develop a plan to accomplish 

those goals and then implement that plan are 

Nearly as important as setting goals is 

always taking something from those you 

interact with. No matter what rank you are, 

there is always someone you can learn from, 

thereby adding a tool to your toolbox. That 

said, there will be those times when what you 

take away is the best example of what NOT 

to be.

As a young lance corporal, I worked for a 

particularly difficult sergeant. This sergeant 

was what we liked to refer to as a poster 

Marine. He looked good – his boots were 

always spit-polish glass, his uniform creases 

razor sharp, what hair he had left on his 

balding scalp was always 0-3 with a taper. 

But this sergeant was also a tyrant who 

made it very clear he did not care about 

see TROOPER page 19
| News You Can Use The Wire | Page 3

GTMO WikiLeak-ed documents show complexity 

Voice of America News Service

Human Rights activists say the WikiLeaks 

Guantanamo documents show the United 

States has held hundreds of men at the facility 

for years with little or no hard evidence 

against them.

But, other experts say the previously secret 

risk assessment documents show the potential 

danger the men pose and the difficulty of 

figuring out who to hold and who to release. 

When the United States was attacked on 

September 11, 2001, there was a rush to 

figure out who these terrorists were, how 

many there were, where they were and how to 

stop them. The effort included the U.S.-led 

invasion of Afghanistan and the detention 

of hundreds of Afghan and foreign fighters 

there and elsewhere.

In a fateful decision, U.S. officials decided 

to send some of the men to the U.S. Naval 

Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where 

facilities could be built to house them and 

they could be treated as ‘’enemy combatants’’, 

not exactly prisoners of war and also not 

under the jurisdiction of U.S. civilian courts, 

at least not initially. That gave U.S. military 

and intelligence interrogators a secure and 

relatively free environment in which to 

extract desperately needed information from 

the detainees.

But that led to sub-standard living 

conditions for the early detainees, and years 

of harsh interrogations, legal complexities 

and international condemnations. These 

newly published documents shed some light 

on those years during the administration of 

former President George W. Bush, when the 

military created a process to determine which 

detainees to release and which to continue to 

hold.

“I think in a lot of ways that is the story of 

Guantanamo,” said Shane Kadidal.

Shane Kadidal is a senior managing 

attorney at the Center for Constitutional 

Rights in New York.

“You throw a whole bunch of people 

in, with not really very much evidence at all 

to justify bringing them in in the first place, 

subject them to abusive interrogations for 

years, and then rely on things their fellowdetainees said about them to hold everybody,” 

he said.

Kadidal and other legal experts and 

Human Rights advocates say the leaked 

documents show that many Guantanamo 

detainees were held based on thin evidence, 

and often based partly on things said by other 

detainees. He says detainee statements are 

notoriously unreliable, especially if they are 

made during abusive interrogation sessions. 

He says that is not a sufficient basis for 

extending a person’s detention.

“How can anybody say what someone 

is likely or not likely to do in the future, 

especially when they have such limited and 

unreliable information about what they’ve 

done in the past? It’s really a fool’s errand 

to try to make a reliable assessment about 

dangerousness,” said Kadidal.

But at the conservative Heritage 

Foundation research organization in 

Washington, senior foreign policy analyst 

James Carafano says that is exactly what 

U.S. military panels must do to protect the 

United States from potential terrorists held at 

Guantanamo. And he says it is not accurate 

to assume that the secret ’’risk assessment’’ 

documents published this week are the only 

things on which detention decisions were 

made.

“They don’t necessarily represent all of 

the information that the U.S. government 

has on the detainees,” said Carafano. “So, 

reading them, for example, would be like 

listening to one witness in a courtroom 

hearing and not listening to anything else and 

then determining a judgment. You wouldn’t 

do that.”

But Carafano also acknowledges that 

trying to determine what someone might 

do in the future, based on what they did, or 

might have done, in the past is bound to be 

difficult.

“We knew it was very, very hard,” he said. 

“The government has an obligation not to 

release anybody who could potentially attack 

the United States. A lot of that’s based 

on intent, so I don’t think it’s surprising 

necessarily that the government got part of 

the things wrong.’”

Of the total of 779 men held at 

Guantanamo since the detention facility 

was opened in 2002, 607 have been released 

or transferred to custody in their home 

countries. Estimates of how many of those 

have subsequently engaged in terrorism vary 

from a low of six per cent put forward by 

a liberal research organization, the New 

America Foundation, to a high of 25 per cent 

estimated by the chief of U.S. intelligence in 

December.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel David 

Lapan cannot discuss details of the leaked 

documents because they are still technically 

classified. But he says they provide evidence 

of the type of challenges faced by the military 

officers who make detention decisions.

“It shows the difficulty of both 

this administration and the previous 

administration relying on all these bits and 

pieces of information from various sources 

on the battlefield and off in an effort to 

determine whether we can safely hold 

people or whether they can be repatriated, 

or returned, to their own countries,” said 

Colonel Lapan.

And that leads some experts to conclude 

the United States must continue to hold some 

of the Guantanamo detainees because they 

are too dangerous to release, while others 

conclude the uncertainty means more men 

should be released, or at least given formal 

trials as soon as possible so the evidence can 

be evaluated in court.
News from the Bay Stories and reporting by Spc. Meredith Vincent 

and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

NFL Players Tour visits

Guantanamo Bay

Navy Entertainment and Morale, Welfare 

and Recreation are scheduled to co-sponsor 

an NFL Players Tour May 4 - 6, featuring 

four Super Bowl XLV champions.

Daryn Colledge, Frank Zombo, Nick 

McDonald and Jason Spitz are members of 

February’s Super Bowl champs, the Green 

Bay Packers. Also on the tour roster are 

Will Henderson and Tony Moll. 

“The community is invited to take photos 

with the players and get autographs during 

various appearances around the base,” said 

Amiee MacDonnell, activities director for 

MWR. “The players will also be out visiting 

with the Troopers throughout their stay.”

The players will visit Seaside Galley at 

noon Wednesday, the Windjammer at noon 

and the Teen Center at 4 p.m. Thursday, 

then Gold Hill Galley at 11 a.m. and Cooper 

Field at 7 p.m. May 6. 

For more information, contact 

MacDonnell at x4882.

Free boat rentals, live 

music at Ferry Landing

Come join in the fun while soaking 

up some sun at Morale, Welfare and 

Recreation’s “Day at the Bay” celebration, 

April 30, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at Ferry 

Landing Beach.

Jimmy Buffett tribute

band visits the Tiki Bar

The Tiki Bar is scheduled to host Jimmy 

Buffett tribute band the Caribbean Chillers 

Friday at 8 p.m.

Hailing from the Orlando area, the 

Caribbean Chillers are known as Florida’s 

hottest Buffett cover band, said Amiee 

MacDonnell, activities director for Morale, 

Welfare and Recreation.

“The crowd can expect a lot of Buffett 

songs you know by heart and plenty of 

audience interaction,” said MacDonnell.

For more information, contact 

MacDonnell at x4882

The News from the Bay | Wire | Page 4

Boots on the Ground

What do you like most about your job?

“The fact that so many 

people get to see me!”

Spc. Andres Combariza

“It’s a lot of hands on. It’s 

not a desk job – we get to 

break stuff!”

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class

James Frymire

Equipment Operator 

3rd Class

John Guillenagudelo

“Meeting new people.” “Helping others by providing 

legal assistance.”

Religious Programs 

Specialist 3rd Class

Jeffery Lauber

This fun-filled day is held to honor 

April as the Month of the Military Child, 

so bring the kids, your swim suits and sun 

block.

Activities include free paddle boats, 

kayaks and canoes all day as well as live 

music by the Caribbean Chillers. 

“The community can expect fun 

activities and an opportunity to meet 

with other people and departments from 

the base,” said MWR Activities Director 

Amiee MacDonnell. “We will have a 

floating iceberg that stands about 14 feet 

tall anchored in the water to climb on as 

well.”

No need to pack a lunch either, because 

there will be a full concession stand 

complete with Pirate Punch and Shark 

Soda. 

MWR will also giveaway flip flops, beach 

balls and kids’ sunglasses while supplies 

last.

For more information, contact 

MacDonnell at x4882.
troopSpc. Kelly Gary

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 10 years

Hobbies: bowling

Pet peeves: incompetent 

people

Next goal: to get promoted 

to E5

Advice to junior 

Troopers: “Keep 

motivated, finish what you 

start.”

After serving in Kuwait and Iraq as 

an infantryman, Spc. Joel F. GonzalezLopez, Joint Detention Group laundry 

noncommissioned officer, is enjoying 

his third deployment with a new military 

occupation specialty.

After taking a break for a year, 

Gonzalez-Lopez changed his MOS to 

92Y, unit supply specialist, because he was 

ready for something new.

“When I started in the infantry it was 

difficult,” said Gonzalez-Lopez. “You 

have to save lives and when you are in a 

line unit you are risking your own life at 

all times.”

Six years as an infantryman was a good 

amount of time and Gonzalez-Lopez said 

he welcomed the change of pace. Even 

though the mission is different, GonzalezLopez still takes on a large workload and 

does what it takes to successfully complete 

each task.

“He is very able and organized,” said 

Sgt. 1st Class Luis A. Rios, S4 NCOIC. 

“He always completes the mission.”

Gonzalez-Lopez said he is willing to do 

whatever it takes to get the job done.

“I am always working,” GonzalezLopez said. “I am always fixing or ordering 

something or helping my NCOIC.” 

His duties do not end there. He also 

insures the detainees get their proper 

clothing, submits purchase requests, 

conducts inventories as well as acts as the 

mail courier. Some tasks appear to be less 

important on the surface, but in reality are 

the foundations for an efficient operation. 

Rios put this concept into perspective.

“The JDG is like a wheel,” said Rios, 

explaining everything is connected and 

there are many key elements involved. That 

wheel would not be able to turn without 

Soldiers like Gonzalez-Lopez.

Even though he works up to six days a 

week, Gonzalez-Lopez tries to find time to 

go bowling and fishing with his friends. He 

said he likes to keep busy on and off work 

and has numerous of goals for the future.

He plans on having a family one day but 

said right now he is focused on his education 

and career. He has only a few classes left 

before earning his bachelor’s in psychology 

and is looking to move up in rank.

Gonzalez-Lopez hopes to get promoted 

this year and obtain an active guard reserve 

job after this deployment. 

Rios commended his ambition and said 

he has no doubt Gonzalez-Lopez could 

reach his goals.

“I think he will make an excellent 

NCO,” said Rios. “He is made of the right 

material.”

Gonzalez-Lopez said he doesn’t want to 

stop at E5.

“I will finish my twenty years,” he 

promised. “Sounds scary, but I want to be 

sergeant major someday.”

Gonzalez-Lopez offered advice that 

PSEC ALERT

USE OPSEC! THINK BEFORE YOU TALK, POST OR BLOG!

Wikileaks information is still classified!

The documents leaked on Wikileaks and spread by the media can be expected to re-focus attention onto the 

Joint Task Force and our personnel. Even though you may see the stories in the news and on the web, this does 

not de-classify any information. It is a violation of Department of Defense policy for JTF personnel to visit the 

Wikileaks website or re-post leaked information. All hands should verify privacy settings on social media sites 

(Facebook, MySpace, etc.) and do not post anything that can make you a target for information gathering. 

| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5

he follows and believes every Trooper 

should adhere to. 

“You have to keep motivated,” he 

said. “You will encounter obstacles. You 

have to move around them and keep 

going. You have to finish what you start.”

foSpc. Joel Gonzalez-Lopez
Senior master-at-arms

visits GTMO Troopers

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

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

security and anti-terrorism officer recognizes outstanding Sailors 

at a master-at-arms community brief on Naval Station Guantanamo 

Bay after touring the Joint Task Force side of the base, April 20. 

The Navy’s first security 

limited duty officer to reach 

the rank of captain visited 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo, 

April 18-22, to meet with the 

master-at-arms community.

 Capt. Tito Arandela currently 

serves as Navy Expeditionary 

Combat Command’s force 

security and anti-terrorism 

officer and the master-at-arms’ 

community representative. 

Arandela initially joined the 

Navy as a personnelman in 1975. 

Despite his desire to work in the 

law enforcement community, 

the Navy didn’t have the career 

path for new Sailors to enlist 

directly into the master-at-arms 

Captain promises 

better training, 

longer A-school

The Feature | Wire | Page 6

community. After serving at three 

commands as a personnelman, 

he earned his Bachelor’s Degree 

in Criminology and cross-rated 

to the master-at-arms field. 

Today, he is seeing his hard 

work pay off as he turns what 

was once a mere thought into a 

reality. 

“This is a fulfillment of 

a promise I made myself,” 

Arandela said. “When I crossed 

over to MA, a first class MA gave 

me my badge, my belt, my baton 

and traffic-ticket book and said 

‘go out there and do it.’”

Arandela knew he needed 

structured training to be good 

at his job- training he didn’t 

receive.

“I said ‘no one is going out 

on the streets until they’re well 

trained and ready to go,’” he 

recalled.

Arandela spoke to more than 

100 security force members 

stationed here about a new and 

exciting future for the master-atarms community. 

Upcoming changes will 

include: longer A-school, new 

training facilities and more 

emphasis on the 141 core skills 

of the master-at-arms. 

“Right now, we’ve done the 

curriculum review and we know 

what we need to do,” explained 

Arandela. “We’re now looking 

for funding to make sure we 

implement that. We want to hit 

A-school first so we get the new 

breed of MAs well-trained and 

catch everybody else up.”

Arandela also pointed out 

the new community will allow 

master-at-arms transferring 

to a new command to carry 

their qualifications with them 

instead of re-qualifying at each 

command.

“It’s discouraging and 

insulting to their intelligence and 

experience,” said Arandela. “So 

 see MA, page 19

Arandela speaks to the master-at-arms community during a April 

20 brief held at Bulkeley Hall auditorium. 
Story and photos by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

| Sports The Wire | Page 7

Kickball commences end-of-season countdown

If the flag football games 

are the most physical and 

aggressive and the co-ed 

volleyball matches are the most 

intense and popular to watch 

among the Guantanamo Bay 

community, where does that 

leave kickball? In third and the 

least-talked about of the sports 

in the 2011 Morale Welfare and 

Recreation Guantanamo Bay 

Spring Athletic League. 

That does not mean, 

however, the games lack 

excitement or athletic 

competition. 

Players from the JTF GTMO 

Misfits kickball team sum up 

why they play the game in one 

three-letter word and it is not 

win. The word they use instead 

is one many athletes normally 

would not use to describe their 

competitive spirit: FUN! 

“Kickball is definitely the 

funnest team sport to play 

here,” said Eric Reed, Misfits’ 

infielder. “With other sports 

like football, basketball and 

volleyball, different teams have 

varying levels of experience 

– someone could have been 

playing the sport all their life 

or even played for their high 

school or college teams. It’s 

not like that at all with kickball. 

Almost everyone only played 

as a little kid – not for trophies 

or to win the season, but just 

to have a good time and have 

fun.”

Just like baseball and 

softball, kickball is played 

on a diamond-shaped field. 

The rules are the same, but 

in place of the small baseball 

or softball is a larger, rubber 

ball roughly the same size as a 

basketball and gone are the bat 

and gloves. 

The Misfits lost their game 

against the Average Joe’s 9-2 

Monday night and are winding 

down their season with only 

three games left before the 

playoffs. With a record of two 

victories and nine losses, the 

Misfits are far from a winning 

season, but that does not stop 

the energy, smiles and laughs 

the players bring with them to 

Cooper Field.

The Misfits team manager 

and designated kicker Stacey 

Conti said the happy and light 

mood is a regular thing for 

her and her fellow kickball 

players.

“Our team motto is ‘just for 

fun’ and that’s how we make 

it,” said Conti. “Athletic or not 

we have a good time.”

While on defense, the players 

are in constant communication 

with each other about where 

the other team might kick the 

ball or what is the best way 

to get a base runner out. On 

offense there is no shortage of 

shouted encouragement and 

cheering for the current batter. 

As in most team sports, there 

is one position on the field that 

is exceptionally challenging 

and dictates the flow of the 

game.

“My goal is to roll or pitch 

strikes and it’s not always 

easy,” said Lauryn Dempsey, 

pitcher for the Misfits. “I like 

to be active and I jumped at the 

chance to play because ... when 

I played in grade school it was 

great and now this second time 

around it has been nothing but 

fun.”

John Sullivan, first baseman for the Jolly Stompers, reaches for a 

throw as the opposing team’s runner races to the plate during a 

game at Cooper Field, April 22. 

Lauryn Dempsey, pitcher for the Misfits, tosses the ball toward 

homeplate during Monday night’s game at Cooper Field. 
The Mission | Wire | Page 8

Story and photos by 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

The U.S. Coast Guard provides round-the-clock maritime security 365 days a 

year for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Just ten people drive that security. They are 

the Coast Guard’s Tactical Coxswains. 

These highly skilled professionals are not your average boat drivers. 

They are trained and certified to lead the Coast Guard’s small vessel-based 

security teams while conducting maritime antiterrorism and force protection operations. 

Coxswains are the captains of these boats in all capacities. 

“Our unit’s responsibility is to patrol Guantanamo Bay and three miles out into the 

Caribbean Sea,” said Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Carl Habeck. “As coxswains 

we’re responsible and accountable for each of our boats and the crews and passengers 

aboard - basically everything about this boat.”

He and the other members from Maritime Safety Security Team 91114, based out of 

Miami, work with the other services to enforce maritime law from the bay. That includes 

making sure vessels stay in their lane.

“Part of our agreement with Cuba is there is a commercially viable shipping channel 

through Guantanamo Bay,” said Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate Chief Jason Lind, a 

tactical coxswain for MSST 91114. “Foreign-flagged vessels, usually Cuban, come through 

the gate here. So we ensure those vessels stay within the parameters of that channel or 

lane.”

Lind, a Chief Petty Officer, is a minority among the other coxswains, who are mostly 

more junior petty officers. Habeck, for example, initially qualified as a coxswain at 21 

years old. 

“That’s a lot of responsibility for a young person and it demands a lot of maturity 

at that age,” said Lind. “You have an E-4 who is in charge of a 41-foot Coast Guard 

boat and responsible for the safety and conduct of the passengers and crew completing 

whatever the mission may be, law enforcement or public affairs, safe navigation and 

safety of the vessel.”

A critical part of the coxswain selection process is screening for the best communicators 

– something each coxswain will heavily rely on throughout their careers. 

“Per Coast Guard policy, the coxswain has independent authority,” Habeck explained. 

“Now that doesn’t mean we just start telling people, ‘hey you do this or you do that.’ You 

learn to work as a team. We maintain a rank structure because this is still the military, but 

there is no room on a 25-foot boat for a power struggle. We learn to work together.”

These water-loving mariners thrive on the difficulty and challenge of their unique 

position. Each is charged with the safety of their crew and the equipment. 

“All my friends growing up were at college partying in frat houses and going to mom 

and dad on the weekends,” said Habeck. “I was 250 to 300 miles off shore in the ocean 

with three to four guys on my boat. If something went wrong there was no 911. So if 

something goes wrong out there, my crew is going to look at me and say, ‘what do we 

do?’

“I have to be able to give them an answer – the right answer. I also have to trust my 

crew that they can provide me with answers,” he added.

Business is anything but casual while on patrol. That does not mean these coxswains 

and their crews are not having the time of their lives.

When explaining what he does for a living, Lind uses this Kenneth Grahame quote: 

“There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as messing around 

in boats.” 

It is his way of saying he loves his job.

“It’s just fun,” Lind claimed. “It’s the dynamic aspect of the mission that makes it 

fun for me. Whether it’s the blue water or the gorgeous landscape, I love it.”

Messing around

on boats

Qualifying to shoot a 9mm pistol is 

something most Troopers do in boot camp, 

but few use this skill continuously throughout 

their military careers. Those who do use a 

handgun on a day-to-day basis must truly 

understand the weapon and have a profound 

respect for it.

This is something Master-at-Arms 1st

Class Errol Cummings, Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo range instructor, teaches his 

Troopers on the range.

“Line is hot! Line is hot,” yells Cummings 

as a shooter and his line coach do jumping 

jacks to get their adrenaline pumping for the 

four-point 9mm pistol course. “Shooter, line 

coach, are you ready?”

As the shooter and line coach approach, 

Cummings pressures the line coach to give 

loud, clear instructions to the junior shooter. 

His intent is serious.

“This is an advanced class, which not only 

covers the basics of the different weapons 

systems, but how to identify fundamental 

errors in a new shooter, or bad habits in an 

occasional shooter,” said Cummings. “The 

line coaches are trained in these areas and 

armed with the tools to assist the shooter 

in correcting mistakes, which allows the 

shooter to achieve the highest qualification 

possible and gives them confidence with this 

tool of defense.”

As shooter and line coach take to the 

range, the line coach watches like a hawk. Is 

the shooter staying behind the barrier while 

reloading? Are they keeping their body low 

to the ground? These are life-saving tactics 

when real bullets are flying.

lea

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

l i 

Yeoman 3rd Class Maranda Samuel, attached to Joint Task Force security shoots 

a 9mm pistol at the JTF firing range during a line leader qualification class.

 see LINES, page 19

The Wire | Page 10 Feature |
ading

n e s

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Stephen Kingsley, attached to Joint Task Force 

security, takes a low stance on his way to another barrier during a line 

leader qualification class at the JTF firing range.

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

In The Trenches

Army medical units rub elbows with Ivy League, make history

WASHINGTON -- The Army Medical 

Department made history by cracking open a 

door to military recruiting that’s been tightly 

closed for more than 40 years.

Students, faculty and staff at the Yale 

School of Medicine toured a mock version 

of a forward surgical hospital on display on 

campus, April 14, 2011.

Deployed to the front lines during war, 

actual forward medical facilities can be erected 

and functional in an hour -- fully equipped with 

the tools and medical personnel necessary to 

save severely wounded servicemembers during 

what is considered the 

“golden hour” of 

injury.

Attendees met 

with members of 

the 947th Forward 

Surgical Team, which 

is deploying to Iraq 

in May, about the 

capabilities of the 

roving hospital.

“There hasn’t 

been this much 

brass on campus 

since World War II,” 

said Dr. Kristaps 

Keggi, a professor 

of orthopedics and 

rehabilitation at Yale, 

who served in a 

MASH unit on the 

front lines during the 

Vietnam War.

Dubbed Operation 

Golden Odyssey, the 

event was not a recruiting effort, but rather 

a joint educational symposium between Army 

medicine and the university to showcase to 

the campus community the Army’s expertise 

in medicine, life-saving procedures and vast 

humanitarian outreach.

In initiating this venture, Maj. Michael 

Filipowicz, officer in charge of the medical 

recruiting station in Wallingford, Conn., 

wanted to help dispel the myth that the Army 

is just about fighting wars.

“We’re doing humanitarian missions across 

the globe and that’s something Yale is very 

interested in,” said Filipowicz. “We shined a 

bright light on a dark subject and successfully 

illuminated the great things the Army and 

Army medicine does for local and international 

communities.”

Never before has Army medicine been 

allowed to display such a robust presence 

at Yale, and it’s been difficult for military 

recruiters to reach out to students ever since 

ROTC was removed from campus in 1969.

Filipowicz believed some students at Yale, 

Rob McIlvaine

Armed Forces Press Service

which is ranked among the top 10 in medical 

research, could potentially be interested in 

money for college and medical training only 

the Army can offer.

In an effort to eventually open that door, 

he approached the university about working 

together on developing a mutually beneficial 

presentation. Much to his surprise, Yale’s 

administration was receptive to his idea.

Dr. Robert Alpern, dean of Yale School 

of Medicine felt the event was a success and 

said Yale is committed to doing what it can 

to support the U.S. armed forces and their 

students.

“As a medical school committed to health 

care around the world, Yale applauds the Army 

for taking on a humanitarian role and hope 

our students will come to understand this role 

our armed forces play,” Alpern said. “I was 

impressed, but not surprised, by the level of 

sophistication of the medicine practiced.”

“We wish to provide information to our 

students so they can best make decisions 

regarding their career choice [and believe] our 

students would benefit from knowing more 

about educational and career opportunities in 

the Army,” Alpern explained.

Col. Raymond Dingle, Army Medical 

Recruiting Brigade commander, said visitors to 

the forward surgical hospital were “blown away 

and impressed” with what they saw.

“It was great to hear folks who’ve never 

served before saying (they) support the U.S. 

Army and (that) military service is honorable,” 

said Dingle. “We probably gained 50 advocates 

that day.”

Kristin McJunkins, director of Health 

Professions Advising on the undergraduate 

level at Yale was impressed with how quickly 

a forward surgical team is able to set up. She 

meets with hundreds of students a year and is 

looking forward to spreading the word about 

Army opportunities.

“The technology available to treat wounded 

Soldiers and allowing them to remain functional 

members of society after serious injury is an 

astounding advancement that we need to hear 

more about in the general public,” McJunkins 

said. “Being part of the Army is certainly not 

for everyone, but for those students who can 

thrive in a military environment, there are great 

opportunities to practice medicine in a wide 

variety of arenas -- domestic, international, 

war zones -- that they may not have 

in another medical 

training program.”

Dr. David Leffell, 

deputy dean for Clinical 

Affairs and a professor 

of dermatology and 

surgery at Yale, said the 

military, like universities, 

provides skill training 

and leadership 

education. The military 

also reinforces values 

similar to those in Yale’s 

own value system, 

which are present in the 

university motto, “For 

God, for country and 

for Yale.”

“I think the 

opportunity for 

medical students and 

residents to spend 

time in the military 

and learn about the 

culture and understand 

the importance of what you do is critical to 

creating well-rounded physicians who will be 

better able to contribute and give back to their 

country,” Leffell said.

Because the event at Yale was not a 

recruiting effort, no “lead cards” were 

generated, but Filipowicz estimates about 80 

students attended who he said were extremely 

impressed by the scope of humanitarian 

missions across the globe and the mobility of 

Army surgical care.

Filipowicz and Lt. Col. Pablito Gahol, 

commander of 1st Medical Recruiting 

Brigade, believe the credibility of this newly 

formed partnership will ripple through social 

media and in the long run, eventually generate 

leads and interest not just from Yale, but other 

universities as well.

“The immediate return on investment is 

simply the promotion of the Army medical 

department, the acknowledgment that we exist 

and that we’re not just about the war fight,” 

said Filipowicz. “We were beating the medical 

drum, but playing the Army song.”

Members of the 947th Forward Surgical Team man a mock version of a forward 

surgical hospital on the Yale School of Medicine campus, April 14.

– photo by U.S. Army
On The Deck

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 13

Enlisted Retention Board provides some benefits for fleet

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- 

The recently announced enlisted 

retention board (ERB) will help 

the Navy achieve mandated 

end strength, the chief of naval 

personnel (CNP) said in an April 

25 interview.

The ERB will eliminate 

overmanning in 31 ratings and will 

benefit high-performing Sailors 

in the long run by improving 

advancement opportunities. The 

Navy has witnessed improved 

retention over the past decade 

which can be attributed to 

factors such as work-life balance 

initiatives and improved recruiting. 

Additionally, the slow economic 

recovery has influenced many 

Sailors to re-enlist.

“We are attracting and retaining 

the highest quality force we’ve ever 

had and these Sailors are increasingly 

looking at the Navy as a great longterm career choice,” stated chief of 

naval personnel, Vice Adm. Mark 

Ferguson. “With this sustained 

high retention, systems designed 

to help maintain the balance in 

our Force, particularly Perform-toServe, have become over-burdened. 

As a result, re-enlistment and 

advancement opportunities for our 

high-performing Sailors are being 

negatively impacted Fleet-wide.”

The ERB will review Sailors in 

31 of the most overmanned ratings 

and will look at performance to 

fill a specific number of retention 

quotas within competitive groups 

broken down by rating, pay grade 

and years of service. The board 

will value Sailors with proven 

performance in challenging 

billets, while Sailors with negative 

performance indicators such as 

convictions for drunk driving, 

declining performance evaluations, 

lost security clearances and nonjudicial punishments will be less 

competitive for retention quotas.

By focusing on performance in 

addition to quotas, Navy reinforces 

its strategy to retain the best and 

brightest.

“In designing this board, we 

were determined to separate only 

those Sailors in ratings needed to 

rebalance the force and stay within 

our congressionally mandated 

manpower limits,” Ferguson said.

Although the number directly 

affected by the ERB represents 

a small percentage of Sailors, 

the impacts will be felt across the 

force.

While Navy-wide advancement 

opportunities to E-5 declined 

modestly over the past several 

advancement cycles and E-6 

opportunities remained relatively 

stable over the same period, 

opportunities to both E-5 and E-6 

in the 31 ratings being considered 

have dropped steadily. Reducing 

overmanning in these ratings will 

result in career stability and will likely 

result in increased advancements in 

these ratings.

Not only will the ERB help 

stabilize advancement opportunity 

in the 31 ratings, currently 

undermanned ratings will benefit 

from the expanded conversion 

opportunity Navy leaders approved 

in advance of the board. Several 

factors that are normally mandatory 

for rating conversion, including 

maximum years of service, 

maximum paygrade, and minimum 

activity tour requirements, are being 

waived. This will allow the greatest 

opportunity for Sailors who would 

otherwise be board-eligible to 

ensure their continued service, 

while increasing manning in ratings 

that the Navy has been challenged 

to fill.

“Our Sailors are dedicated to 

serving their country, and this is 

why we are providing additional 

opportunities for them to convert 

into undermanned ratings ahead of 

the board,” Ferguson said. “Sailors 

will see the benefits of increased 

manpower support in some critical 

areas.”

Sailors chosen for conversion 

into the undermanned ratings listed 

in NAVADMIN 129/11 will be 

exempt from the board and will be 

given an opportunity to continue 

serving in areas of need for the 

Navy. The procedures for requesting 

conversion will be released by the 

beginning of May and applications 

will need to be received by June 15 

to be considered.

A more balanced force - the 

goal of the ERB - will benefit the 

entire Fleet, Ferguson said.

“Improved advancement 

opportunities, expanded PTS reenlistment quotas, and increased 

manpower support in needed 

ratings over the long term - these 

are the positive results,” he said.

Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

SECNAV says Tomodachi made US, Japan alliance stronger

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Secretary 

of the Navy thanked more than a thousand 7th 

Fleet Sailors and Marines in Yokosuka Apr. 20 

who participated in disaster relief operations off 

the coast of Japan.

The Honorable Ray Mabus expressed his 

gratitude to Sailors assigned to 7th Fleet ships 

who gathered at the Yokosuka waterfront for an 

all-hands call.

“To be as flexible as you were, to go from one 

mission to suddenly turn and do humanitarian 

assistance and disaster relief without costs, 

without changing any equipment, any people, 

changing any training and going from your 

normal day-to-day jobs without any hesitation 

and doing it so well, no other country can do 

that and no other service can do that like the 

people here,” Mabus said.

Within hours of the earthquake and resulting 

tsunami that struck Japan March 11, much of the 

U.S. 7th Fleet was on the move, re positioning 

ships and aircraft to assist the Japanese Self 

Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs Defense Force in their relief 

efforts.

The U.S. Navy brought 22 

ships, 132 aircraft and more 

than 15,000 personnel to 

conduct missions as part of 

Operation Tomodachi.

Tomodachi is the Japanese 

word for ‘friendship.’

In the days and weeks that 

followed, 7th Fleet forces 

delivered more than 260 tons 

of relief supplies to groups 

of isolated people ashore. 

They systematically mapped 

and cleared harbors from 

obstuctions to navigation, provided fuel and 

supplies to Japanese ships and aircraft, and 

searched more than 2,000 square miles of 

ocean in a concerted effort to find the remains 

of victims.

“There is no other force in the world other 

than the United States Navy and Marine Corps 

that could have done what you all did,” Mabus 

said.

Mabus said Operation Tomodachi 

demonstrated the U.S. commitment to its 

longtime alliance with Japan.

“The partnership between America and 

Japan was made stronger because of what you 

did,” Mabus said.

Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Ray Mabus speaks to 

Sailors and Marines involved in Operation Tomodachi, April 

20. – photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Aaron M. Pineda.
The At Your Service | Wire | Page 14

Inside the Jar

For those military members looking to continue their education after they move on 

from the Marine Corps, the Leadership Scholar Program essentially serves as “the footin-the-door,” expediting the admissions process to attend colleges and universities. 

The LSP helps a student along the way, in what can be a long and confusing process 

choosing an education path. - photo by Cpl. Jenn Calaway,

Leadership Scholar program helps Marines prepare for college life out of the Corps 

Cpl. Jenn Calaway

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP 

PENDLETON, Calif. — For those military 

members looking to continue their education 

after they move on from the Marine Corps, the 

Leadership Scholar Program essentially serves 

as “the foot-in-the-door,” expediting the process 

for college and university admission. The LSP 

basically helps a student along the way, in what 

can be a long and confusing process choosing 

an education path.

Under the LSP, Marines can attend nearly 

one hundred colleges and universities spread 

all throughout the United States, making this 

opportunity hard to ignore.

Applicants must be active duty, reserve or 

veteran Marines who are planning to attend a 

school as a freshman or transfer student. If an 

applicant is an active duty Marine, they must be 

honorably discharged before the beginning of 

the school semester they plan to attend.

“The LSP works with colleges and universities 

around the country to expedite the admission 

process for Marines,” said Beth Morgan, 

director, Higher Education Initiative, LSP. “The 

advantage of working through the LSP versus 

applying on their own is that with the LSP, the 

college or university may guarantee admission to 

Marines who meet their standards. Even where 

there is no guarantee, LSP has established direct 

lines of communication with the admission 

office and an LSP recommendation adds 

significant weight to the application.”

Once contact with the school is established 

and a Marine is enrolled, students essentially live 

a normal college life.

“Institutions dictate all academic criteria, 

along with residency and other requirements; and 

establish all documentation deadlines, processing 

timelines, and reporting instructions,” Morgan 

said. “Institutions will also decide how many 

LSP applicants they will accept each year.”

Former Marine Sgt. Nicholas Keith has 

attended college through the LSP program 

since 2009. “It’s the most advantageous decision 

I’ve ever made,” said Keith, a student at Chico 

State, located in Chico, Calif. “I never would 

have been able to get my bachelors degree if it 

weren’t for this program and now I’m going to 

be the first person in my family to ever graduate 

college.”

“The LSP is available to help Marines who 

want to continue their education and become 

better prepared to compete in today’s tough job 

market,” Morgan said.

After an interview process, students are 

asked to provide: a Screening Board Report 

(from chain of command -- model would be 

a meritorious promotion board report), a copy 

of High School transcripts (unofficial), a copy 

of college transcripts (unofficial), SMART 

Transcript, certified true copies of Record Of 

Service, Basic Individual Record, Basic Training 

Record, awards page, and education record, 

Letters of Recommendation (optional) and a 

personal essay of 250 words about their desire 

to participate in the program.

“Since we kicked off the LSP in October, 

we’ve got roughly 40 students utilizing the 

program in colleges and universities as we 

speak,” said Morgan. “Now we’re just really 

starting to vamp it up due to the fact we’ve got 

so many schools actively participating.”

Though students are still required to pay 

for their actual education, through either the 

Montgomery G.I. bill or the Post/911 G.I. bill, 

the cost of the LSP is absolutely free.

“As long as you are approved through 

your chain of command, its instant access to a 

university,” said Keith. “After I was done with 

my interview, I was literally signing up for classes 

within two days. It’s just amazing ... I love it.”

For more information, contact the LSP 

at: 760-429-4124 or go to their Web site for 

detailed information and a contact request form 

at: http://www.leadershipscholarprogram.com.
On the Wing

 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force 

Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz approved rescinding a 

temporary policy established in 2003 that allowed Airmen to receive 

short-tour credit for overseas TDYs of at least 181 consecutive days. 

The effective date of the new policy will be announced later.

 Although the policy change primarily affects Airmen who deploy 

to a hostile fire or imminent danger pay area, it also affects a small 

number of Airmen serving TDY in certain remote areas.

 Officials announced in September a change in the air and space 

expeditionary force rotational baseline from 120 to 179 days for most 

active component Airmen in various career fields. Longer AEF tours 

have become the norm--part of the reason for the policy change.

 Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper in June 2003 

approved a temporary exception to policy, awarding short-tour credit 

to Airmen who deployed to hostile environments for at least 181 

consecutive days after Sept. 11, 2001. A similar exception was made 

in the 1990s for Airmen deploying in support of Desert Storm. 

 Officials decided to eliminate the temporary exception to shorttour credit policy in fairness to those deploying for longer periods of 

time. Additionally, transportation delays and mandatory overlap time 

with successors often cause Airmen deployed for 179 days to remain 

in place long enough to trigger the 181-day threshold.

 “With Airmen deploying for longer periods of time, particularly for 

365 days, it is no longer equitable to grant short-tour credit based on 

a 181-day minimum,” said Col. David Slade, director of assignments 

Air Force eliminates exception to short tour policy

at the Air Force Personnel Center. “Additionally, service in hostile 

environments and longer periods of family separation are inevitable 

since the standard deployment is now 179 days.”

 Under the new policy, the following guidelines apply and will be 

effective the date the guidance memorandum is signed at Headquarters 

Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services:

 - Airmen previously awarded short-tour credit under the temporary 

181-day policy will keep their short-tour credit

 - Airmen who arrive in the area of responsibility TDY prior to 

guidance implementation and serve at least 181 days consecutively 

in a hostile fire or imminent danger pay area will receive short-tour 

credit under the previous criteria

 - Airmen who arrive in the AOR TDY on or after the date of 

guidance implementation will only receive short-tour credit based on 

TDY service stipulated in AFI 36-2110, Assignments:

 -- 300-plus days overseas in a consecutive 18 month period

 -- 548-plus days overseas in a consecutive 3 year period 

 Since the exception to policy went into effect in 2003, 16,795 

Airmen have deployed more than once on 179-day taskings. More 

than 52,000 Airmen have deployed for 181 to 200 days since Sept. 11, 

2001. The number of 179-day taskings also has grown significantly 

since 2006, from about 6,500 to about 16,600 taskings.

 For more information, go to the Air Force personnel services 

website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil, or call the Total Force 

Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.

 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- President Barack Obama approved strikes in Libya 

by armed Predators, a remotely piloted aircraft, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates 

said April 22.

 Armed Predators have been used in Libya “purely as (intelligence, surveillance 

and reconnaissance systems) until today,” said Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, 

vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

 The character of the fight in Libya has changed, the general said, pointing out that 

Gadhafi’s loyalists are digging in or “nestling up against crowded areas” to avoid 

being targeted by NATO aircraft.

 The more-precise Predators bring “their ability to get down lower and therefore, 

to be able to get better visibility, particularly on targets that have started to dig 

themselves into defensive positions,” General Cartwright said, adding the aircraft 

are uniquely suited for urban areas where traditional bombing can cause collateral 

damage.

 “This is a very limited capability,” Secretary Gates said. “Of all our friends and 

allies, we are the most-stretched military. The primary strike role has been turned 

over to our allies and our friends, and if we can make a modest contribution with 

these armed Predators, we’ll do it.”

 The president agreed to join the international effort against the Libyan 

government, Secretary Gates said, because “of the worry that Gadhafi could 

destabilize the fledgling revolutions in both Tunisia and Egypt ... and second to 

prevent a humanitarian disaster.” 

Armed Predators begin ops in Libya 

A C-130E Hercules from the California 

Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift 

Wing drops water over the treetops in 

South Carolina during annual Modular 

Airborne Fire Fighting System training 

and certification April 18, 2010. 

Four similar aircraft from Air National 

Guard units in Wyoming, North 

Carolina and California are currently 

supporting efforts to contain extensive 

wildfires in Texas. - photo by Airman 

1st Class Nicholas Carzis

The labors of Hercules

 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Education and 

Training Command officials have announced the release of the new AFPAM36-

2241, Professional Development Guide. The effective date of the new PDG is 

Oct. 1 and will be available at www.e-publishing.af.mil beginning May 2. 

 Master sergeants testing this December will be the first to use this study guide to 

prepare for promotion testing. 

 To assist Airmen studying for promotion testing, Mp3 audio files and interactive 

online exercises will be available at www.pdg.af.edu by May 2. For additional 

information, please read Frequently Asked Questions at www.omsq.af.mil. 

Professional Development Guide updated

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15
The At Your Service | Wire | Page 16

Coast to coast

Shipmates – The heart of the Coast Guard

Shipmate, in the Coast Guard, is a term 

that goes beyond endearment. It embodies the 

bond forged by sailors who serve on isolated 

ships in the vast expansions of the world’s seas. 

Shipmates are born out of arduous duty and live 

forever in the shared memories of their fellow 

Coast Guardsmen.

The title shipmate is a neither taken in vain 

nor spoken haphazardly, and it is the service’s 

highest compliment to be called a good one. 

The yeoman instructors at Coast Guard Training 

Center Petaluma work to instill the newest 

members of the service with the spirit of the 

great shipmates who have gone before them. It 

is in that tradition the instructors established the 

Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores award for 

outstanding leadership to be presented six times 

a year for each class convening.

This award was formally known as the 

Outstanding Shipmate award, and was renamed 

in honor of 19-year-old William Ray “Billy” 

Flores, a Coast Guard hero who sacrificed his 

life saving his shipmates during a collision that 

became the worst peacetime disaster in Coast 

Guard history. He embodied the spirit of being 

a true shipmate.

It was only a few months after graduating 

from boot camp that Flores would heed the 

call to duty aboard the Cutter Blackthorn. The 

180-foot cutter collided with the 605-foot tanker 

Capricorn near the entrance of Tampa Bay, Fla. 

Jan. 28, 1980. As the cutter was sinking, Flores 

and fellow crewmembers threw lifejackets to 

their shipmates who had jumped into the water. 

While others were abandoning ship, Flores 

remained aboard the cutter to help trapped 

crewmembers and comfort those who were 

injured and disoriented.

Eventually, the Blackthorn capsized, and 

tragically, Flores was one of 23 Coast Guardsmen 

who died. He was posthumously awarded The 

Coast Guard Medal on Sept. 16, 2000, for his 

selfless courage and heroic actions.

“The renaming of the Outstanding Shipmate 

award to the Seaman Apprentice William Flores 

award in the yeoman schoolhouse was done to 

bring a little more significance to what we believe 

the term ‘shipmate’ is all about,” said Master 

Chief Petty Officer Richard Wolfe, the yeoman 

school chief. “The term shipmate embodies 

honor, respect, devotion to duty, commitment, 

and excellence, traits that Seaman Apprentice 

William R. Flores showed that tragic night in 

1980.”

Fireman Kyle E. Vrable, a Whitehall, Penn., 

native, was presented with the first Seaman 

Apprentice William R. Flores award in a ceremony 

presided by Adm. Joseph “Pepe” Castillo, the 

11th Coast Guard District commander, April 20, 

2011.

Vrable was nominated to receive the award by 

the students he serves with.

“Vrabel never leaves anyone behind,” said 

Seaman Sally Smith, a yeoman student at 

Petaluma. “He always has a smile on his face and 

is an outstanding shipmate.”

“He will drop anything to be there for 

someone else,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Emily 

Mears, another classmate of Vrable.

“We wanted to do something to help keep 

the memory of Flores alive, and the yeoman 

school staff wanted this award to have a deeper 

meaning and something the student would carry 

with pride,” said Wolfe. “The characteristics that 

Fireman Vrabel displayed are the same type of 

traits we are looking for in all of our Guardians.” 

Coast Guard repatriates 13 

Cuban migrants

MIAMI – The crew of the Coast 

Guard Cutter Key Biscayne repatriated 13 

Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba 

Sunday.

On April 20, a good Samaritan notified 

Coast Guard watchstanders in Miami that 

he was on scene with a rustic vessel with 

migrants aboard off Baker’s Haulover 

Inlet in Miami, Fla. Coast Guard Cutter 

Drummond was diverted. Once on scene, 

the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter 

Drummond embarked the six migrants, 

who were later determined to be Cuban.

That same day, the crew of the Coast 

Guard Cutter Sawfish embarked seven 

migrants after they were spotted by a 

good Samaritan off Marquesas Key, Fla. 

The migrants were later determined to be 

Cuban.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all 

migrants are provided with food, water, 

shelter and basic medical attention.

Coast Guard participates 

in multi-agency strike force 

operation in Saint Croix

Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands – 

Coast Guard Sector San Juan container 

inspectors alongside partner agency teams 

participated in ‘Operation Caribbean Transit 

2011,’ a multi-agency strike force operation 

(MASFO) Wednesday and Thursday at 

the Port of Christiansted in St. Croix, U.S. 

Virgin Islands.

During the two-day evolution MASFO 

teams inspected a total of 119 containers 

of which 10 were detained by Coast Guard 

inspectors for safety violations.

The primary objective of the MASFO 

was to ensure compliance with federal, 

state and local regulations pertaining to the 

safe shipment of cargo and the shipment 

of undeclared hazardous goods or illegal 

contraband.

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 containers, 

bulk liquid tanks, tractor trailers, trucks and 

truck drivers before their shipments left the 

port. “The MASFO was a great example 

of the interagency cooperation, and a first 

of its kind for St. Croix’s port community,” 

said Cmdr. David Berliner, Coast Guard 

Sector San 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, rail and 

highway modes of transportation.”
| Mind, Body & Soul The Wire | Page 17

Mind, Body & Soul

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

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

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

Seventh Day Adventist

Saturday 11 a.m.

Room B 

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

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

One of the most intriguing concepts 

in life deals with the prospect of human potential. Nowhere is this more 

evident than in my experience as a chaplain, 

college professor and community leader. Every aspect of my professional career seems 

to involve the mechanics of enabling military 

personnel, students or civilians to reach their 

full potential, in one form or another. Now, I 

certainly don’t think of myself as a “potentialfulfillment” guru, but I do believe people can 

be inspired to accomplish things in life. In 

fact, social and psychological research indicates 

that “inspiration” directly contributes to people 

reaching beyond their capacity. As the saying 

goes, “a little inspiration goes a long way.” 

For example, some of the most memorable 

speeches in history are known for the power 

to inspire. From President John F. Kennedy’s 

“Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For 

You” to Nelson Mandela’s “An Idea for Which 

I Am Prepared To Die,” inspiration is the catalyst for reaching the potential that lies deep 

within the human spirit. 

Thinking more deeply on the concept of 

potential, I am reminded of my experience at St. 

Mary’s Children and Family Services in Syosset, 

New York. Several years ago I was invited to 

teach a weekly spiritual enrichment class for the 

students. At that time I was unaware how my 

weekly encounters with the dedicated staff and 

emotionally-troubled students would change 

my perspective on human potential forever. 

The students at St. Mary’s were different. Not 

because of race, religious preference, gender or 

any of the other descriptors used to define difference. No, these students stood out because 

they had a common bond – human suffering. 

Daily existence at St. Mary’s meant living 

through the pain of uncertainty and the knowledge of being dealt a rotten hand before puberty. It meant nothing was taken for granted. 

By working with the students at St. Mary’s, I 

engaged with a fraction of the estimated 18 

million young people between 10 and 18 years 

old at risk of not living up to their potential. 

However, beyond the pain and hurt something 

intangible stood out among the students – the 

realization of their own opportunities. This 

discovery was captured in class one week during a lesson on the importance of education 

and choosing careers. As the class grew quiet 

and I could only hear the sound of my own 

voice, I realized I had struck a chord. I finally 

had their attention.

I want to outline at least three ways I think 

potential can be unlocked. These three ways 

emerge from a series I taught at the NAVSTA 

Chapel on “The Principles of Talents and 

Abilities.”

Principle #1

The first principle is the acknowledgment we 

all have talents and abilities. Those talents and 

abilities are connected to a sense of purpose. 

As human beings, we are designed to achieve 

and fulfill that particular purpose. Whatever 

it is, we have a responsibility to pursue it. In 

order to fulfill our potential, it is important to 

understand the connection between our given 

talents and acquired abilities. No one person’s 

talents or abilities can exhaust the totality of human experiences, which points to the fact that 

we need each other to achieve success. Models 

of success are naturally team-oriented. This is 

why nothing is more admirable than a smooth 

operating team. Unlocking human potential 

means developing a mechanism of healthy and 

prosperous relationships. 

Principle #2 

Closely aligned with the first principle, the 

second principle is we can use our gifts for 

good or bad. Utilizing our talents to benefit 

others is the highest achievement of human 

existence. When we use our talents solely to 

benefit ourselves, we corrupt the intended purpose. Therefore, find the most productive way 

of benefiting others. Whether through mentoring or advocating for a cause, we unlock our 

potential by choosing to benefit others. 

Principle #3 

The last principle deals with growth. Unlocking human potential requires that we embrace a system or strategy for growth. As human beings we are made to grow and develop. 

Stagnation works against what it means to be 

human. This is why I always advocate pursuing higher education. Learning is for a lifetime, 

not just an event. The more we learn and apply the lessons to our lives, the more successful 

we will be in unlocking the potential that lies 

within us. 

Finally, social scientists suggest only 10 

percent of people will actually reach their full 

potential. I believe we all can reach our potential if we are willing to put forth the effort 

and do the necessary things to fulfill our purpose. Take the time to be intentional about life. 

Don’t be afraid of failure. Through failure we 

learn our sense of direction and gain a better 

understanding of relationships. Reaching full 

potential does not mean opportunities will wait 

on us – it means we have to put ourselves in the 

best position to make a difference in life. 

Unlocking

your potential

Air Force Lt. Col. Marvin Williams, 

Joint Task Force Command Chaplain 
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.

Mars Needs Moms

(PG) 8 p.m.

The Adjustment 

Bureau

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Unknown

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Hall Pass

(R) 8 p.m.

I Am Number Four

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Rango

(PG) 8 p.m.

Take Me Home 

Tonight

(R) 8 p.m.

Mars Needs 

Moms

(PG) 8 p.m. 

Take Me Home 

Tonight

(R) 10 p.m.

I Am Number Four

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Hall Pass

(R) 8 p.m.

Rio

(G) 8 p.m.

Big Momma’s:

Like Father, Like 

Son

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Rango

(PG) 8 p.m.

Beastly

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

The Adjustment 

Bureau

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Gnomeo & Juliet

(G) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Beastly

(PG-13) 10 p.m

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

The 80s is a peculiar decade. Colorful 

and gloriously tacky, these years seem to 

be looked back on with regret and disdain. 

However, they did provide us with some of 

the best cinematic gems in movie history, 

particularly in the teen comedy genre. When 

looking back on films like “Say Anything...,” 

“Sixteen Candles” and “Porky’s,” there is 

always a bittersweet longing for the gleeful, 

joyous and nonchalant innocence that is 

glaringly absent in the 21st century. 

“Take Me Home Tonight” aims to 

recapture that nostalgia and it comes pretty 

darn close. Topher Grace is Matt, an aimless 

MIT grad who is wasting his genius as a 

video-store clerk while figuring out what 

he wants out of life. Helping him along 

the way are his plump side-kick Jack Black 

Dan Fogler (if you are a Star Wars fan and 

haven’t seen Fogler in “Fanboys” I suggest 

you go watch it. Right meow.) and twin sister, 

Anna Faris. Faris is a consistently funny and 

delightful actress, but there was something 

weird going on with her lips that was highly 

distracting. Shame. 

The movie takes place over the course 

of one raunchy, raucous night, as the three 

friends venture to a house party in hopes 

of Matt confessing his affections to high 

school crush, Tori Frederking. In addition 

to remnants of every John Hughes film 

ever made, it also has almost the exact 

same plot has 1998’s “Can’t Hardly Wait,” 

which had almost the exact same plot as 

Hughes’ “Sixteen Candles.” Note to future 

screenwriters: the loser-pining-over-mostpopular-jock/cheerleader-and-eventuallywinning-them-over-by-being-super-smartand-sweet plot has been done. A few times. 

Find something else.

 After years on TV sitcom “That 70s 

Show,” Grace as become an expert at making 

geeky chic adorable, not to mention fitting 

seamlessly into the look and clothes of a 

completely different generation. However, 

the charm usually lacing his nerd shtick 

is gone, and he spends a good deal of the 

movie coming off as desperate and whiny. In 

order for these movies to work, the audience 

must relate with their protagonist – we need 

to want him to win the girl. Matt eventually 

does win her heart – and ours as well – but it 

takes much longer than it should.

About that girl... The object of Matt’s 

desire, “The Frederking,” is played by Teresa 

Palmer, a dead-ringer for “Twilight’s” Kristen 

Stewart but without all the angst. She’s blond, 

sunny and not much else, but in a movie like 

this, she doesn’t need to be. 

Grace and Palmer try their best, but the 

only real chemistry is between twins Matt 

and Wendy. Even with strange duck lips, it’s 

difficult for anyone to not have chemistry 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

R

 97 min. 

 see MOVIES page 19
| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

MA cont. 

MOVIES cont. 

TROOPER cont. 

with Faris – she’s just that good. 

In the absence of fully-realized main 

characters, it’s the small-time bits that stand 

out. Fogler does an outstanding job as crazed 

buffoonish best friend Barry. He manages 

to lose his job, steal a Mercedes, face off in 

a hilarious dance showdown and ends up 

bawling and snotting in the back of a police 

car, and he does it all with reckless abandon. I 

didn’t even mention the illegal substances and 

embarrassing sex scene, but that’s because I’m 

not sure I can say cocaine and boobs in my 

review... I guess we’ll see!

(Note: This review was approved by Spc. Vincent’s 

leadership, accompanied by a small warning.)

In even smaller – but no less showwhat we did is set up a standardized 

Navy Security Force Personal Qualification 

Standard.”

Arandela said his main intent was to thank 

Guantanamo Bay Troopers for what they do 

and give them an idea of what lays ahead for the 

community.

“It was wonderful to have Capt. Arandela 

here,” said Master-at-arms 1st Class Michael 

Moseley, a Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

security member. “He’s a great example of what 

we, as MAs should aspire to be. Being a prior 

“I expect a line leader 

to know that a shooter will 

commonly revert back to what 

they were taught in a challenging 

situation,” Cummings explained. 

“So I expect every line coach to 

understand the training they are 

giving.” 

Master-at-Arms 3rd Class 

Jason Starcher, attached to Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo security, 

sees the training as an integral 

part of learning to lead another 

shooter to confidently ‘put them 

in the black.’

“As a line leader you want to 

the problems or development of his younger 

Marines. He enforced rules when it suited him, 

his orders were often contradictory and he made 

sure everyone knew what an outstanding job 

HE was doing. In the field he was completely 

lost and, unfortunately, his anger and frustration 

with himself manifested into a living hell for 

those below him. 

This sergeant and I were often at odds with 

each other and I, rightfully, found myself on the 

wrong side of a corrective action. More than 

any other person, this sergeant taught me about 

what kind of leader I DID NOT want to be and 

for that I will always be grateful.

So to all the Troopers out there, while we are 

here at Joint Task Force Guantanamo without 

the normal rat-race distractions, take the time 

to pull your life’s battle book down from the 

shelf, dust it off and make sure you’re still on 

course. Make the changes that need made and 

start setting yourself up for the next milestone. 

Follow your plan and you will succeed. Along the 

way, look around you – find those leaders you 

respect and can learn from. Spend as much time 

pulling from them as possible. Good leaders are 

hard to find, great leaders harder still.

Dad, thank you for always being an 

inspiration and a motivation; the guidance 

you’ve provided has proven itself time and time 

again. I’m one of the lucky ones - I had a great 

leader as a father.

LINES cont. 

stopping – parts are Chris Pratt as Wendy’s 

toolbag boyfriend, Michael Ian Black as Tori’s 

sleazy boss and Angie Everhart as Barry’s 

“snow” bunny. But my personal favorite was 

Demetri Martin as Matt’s dry and uncensored 

handicapped former classmate. Welcome, 

wheelchair dude, into the land of hilarious 

crippled people, populated by Danny 

McBride’s wheelchair-bound veteran in “Due 

Date” and David Huddleston in “The Big 

Lebowski.” You are in good company. 

However, there is one cameo even cooler 

than Martin’s deadpan delivery. In a blinkand-you’ll-miss-it nod to true 80s admirers 

everywhere, as Matt and Barry are walking 

down a driveway, one glimpes “Back to the 

Future’s” prized Delorean. Whoever the prop 

master was on this movie, I want to kiss you.

“Take Me Home Tonight” aims to capture 

the retro spirit and timelessness of an era most 

people would rather forget. It also preaches 

to the current generation of stuck-in-neutral 

party-goers, urging us to live life for each and 

every moment, no matter what decade we’re 

stuck in. In my favorite quote of the movie, 

while pleading with his son to do something 

more with his life, Matt’s dad says to him, 

“Don’t credit yourself as a failure. You’re 

worse than that.” No matter the fashion, 

hairstyles or soundtrack you’ve grown up 

with, such advice stays true over time. 

Three and half well-earned banana rats.

deliver safe and accurate instruction 

so the trainee understands proper 

weapons handling and safety 

procedures,” said Starcher. “Also, 

keep them motivated along 

with you by being confident and 

accurate with your direction.” 

While focused on leading their 

junior shooters, line coaches also 

got a chance to experience the 

range from a bystander perspective 

when the most senior leader of the 

master-at-arms community, Capt. 

Tito Arandela, Navy Expeditionary 

Combat Command’s force security 

and anti-terrorism officer, made 

an appearance at the range and 

proved how fundamentals are key 

to being a successful shooter. 

For Cummings, Arandela’s visit 

was the best example he could give 

his Troopers at the range.

“I was humbled by his 

participation and extremely 

impressed at his ability,” expressed 

Cummings. “He went through the 

same intense process I put the line 

leaders through, and he out shot 

them all!”

The line coach is an extension 

of the Range Safety Officer, Range 

Master and Range Officer in 

Charge, Cummings added. They 

evaluate the shooter for safety, 

competence, comfort ability and 

handling ability. 

In the master-at-arms 

community, the weapon is the 

very last resource to use.

“It could unfortunately one 

day be the difference between 

who makes it home in one piece 

– the Sailor or the bad guy,” 

acknowledged Cummings.

It is vital all Sailors handling 

weapons in the performance of 

their duties are prepared to use it 

if necessary. 

enlisted MA also makes it easy for him to relate 

to my junior guys.” 

As a captain, Arandela says he is at the top 

of his career path and hopes he can help his 

community become healthier with an assured 

future as a force in the Navy.

“I’ve worked hard and I’ve reached a point 

where I’m able to influence officers in my pay grade 

to help us with these decisions,” said Arandela. 

“I’ve always been a training person, and I want to 

make sure the new breed of MAs does not make 

the same mistakes we made growing up.”
JTF

The

SUNRISE BAPTISM

Navy Lt. Chaplain Douglas Holmes performed baptisms at Windmill 

Beach, Sunday as part of the Easter Sunrise Service. - photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist Chief Mike Heckman.

LIFE, LIMB OR EYE SIGHT

Spc. Heather Blackwell acts as a casualty while Soldiers with the 

525th Military Police Battalion perform first aid during a combat 

casualty drill, Friday at the paintball range. – photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross.

RUNNING THE FENCE LINE

Residents of Guantanamo Bay participated in the Marines’ Moonlight 

Fence Line Run, Friday. The popular run is used by the Marines to help 

raise funds for the annual Marine Corps Ball in November. - photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist Chief Mike Heckman.

HERE COMES THE EASTER BUNNY

The Easter Bunny visited Guantanamo Bay, Saturday during the Morale Welfare and 

Recreation sponsored Easter Egg Hunt at the Lateral Hazard Golf Course. 

– photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sally Hendricks