Volume 12, Issue 34 Friday, August 12, 2011

FOOD 

WARS

Tragedy in Afghanistan:

Navy heroes remembered

PLUS:

What’s up, New York?

The 107th takes charge
Cc

ommand

orner

The Wire | Page 2

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 1,200.

Command Corner

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Command Master Chief Reynaldo Tiong

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Maj. Amy A. Oliver: 9927

Operations Officer

CW2 Scott Chapman: 3649

Senior Enlisted Leader

Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Cossel: 3499

 

The Wire

Executive Editor:

Army Sgt. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Layout Assistant: 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Maddelin Angebrand

Photojournalists:

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sally Hendricks

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kilho Park

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Spc. Kelly Gary

Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class 

Marquis Whitehead

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3651

From the continental United States

Commercial: 011-53-99-3499

DSN: 660-3499

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

COVER: Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class William Neimi and Aviation Maintainenceman 2nd 

Class Mark Scarpo face off in a cooking showdown, highlighting their culinary skills 

and prowess. - photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand, photo 

illustration by Spc. Kelly Gary

I spent the first 18 years of my life in Farmerville, La., and have 

many close, old friends, almost all of whom never served in the 

military. They’ve often told me they didn’t join the military because 

“they don’t like being told what to do.” I’ll admit there is a perception 

(both outside and inside the military) that we who serve give up our 

ability to choose, but I believe servicemembers have more freedom 

of choice than we realize. 

However, as part of a team, we sometimes have to accept a 

team or command decision, instead of each of us pursuing what 

we individually think is best. I’ll amplify this point using a football 

analogy (especially since football season is just around the corner – 

geaux LSU!).

Let’s assume we are players on a good football team (i.e. not 

Miss. St.). There are only five minutes left in the game, and we are 

behind by four points (that’s bad). But we also have the ball on the 

opponent’s 25-yard-line (that’s good). Unfortunately, it’s 4th down, 

with two yards to go. Should we attempt a field goal? Or should we 

go for the 1st down? Or maybe, surprise them by going deep for a 

touchdown? 

 I know, I know – the best course of action depends on many 

factors (is our kicking team reliable? Is our team getting tired? Is 

their team getting tired? How good are our special teams?). Even 

if we each knew all those answers, it’s very unlikely we’d all choose 

the same play. But as a team, it’s vital that we try our best to execute 

whichever play is called. If some of us put forth a halfhearted effort 

because we didn’t agree with the play call, our team is likely to fail. 

It’s possible that the coach, offensive coordinator or QB made the 

call based on info we didn’t know. By signing on to be part of the 

team, we chose to commit ourselves to playing as a team. 

Yet we still have the freedom to make many choices concerning 

our individual involvement on the team. We can choose our attitude. We 

get to choose how we interact with each of our teammates. We get 

to choose what we do and where we go when we don’t have practice 

or a game to be at. We even get to choose whether or not to join 

the team next year. Being part of a team still leaves you with many 

choices.

So what choices can we make while here as part of the GTMO 

team? Lots! Rather than using your GTMO tour as an excuse for 

what you can’t do, I encourage you to focus on what you can choose 

to do. Choose to improve yourself while you’re here. Improve your 

physical fitness; continue your education; enhance your skills at some 

see COMMAND, pg. 19
Trooper to Trooper featuring

Master Chief 

Jason Wallis

What is Professionalism?

Professionalism is the expertise an individual has in a certain field. 

In the workplace, professionalism refers to an individual doing 

their job, with sincerity and genuineness. Professionalism leads to 

logical and unbiased decisions. In the absence of professionalism, 

the concepts of “politics” and “mind games” find room to breed. 

Unfortunately, this explanation is not enough to understand the 

concept of professionalism. 

Professionalism in the Workplace:

These days, everyone considers themselves a professional. If that 

fact was worth any salt, professionalism would not be hard to 

find and tough to keep, right? Well, then how do we understand 

professionalism in the workplace? Professionalism at work 

requires an individual to possess these characteristics. 

•	 Knowing oneself and being in control of one’s reactions 

and work-related antics. Losing control over one’s temper is not 

considered professional at a work place.

•	 Handling constructive criticism. Constructive or not, 

criticism is a part of any working experience. As such, as a part of 

professionalism at work, one needs to be receptive of criticism. 

Be prepared to give criticism proper thought if it is constructive 

and ignored it if not.

•	 One has to be aware that workplace conflicts are natural 

and hence inevitable. It is not in human nature to be around so 

many people for so much time on a regular basis, under occasional 

stress and yet manage to be conflict-free. The point is to harness 

that conflict into positive productivity and leave it at that.

Importance of Professionalism at Workplace

•	 Being a team player. This is a very well known 

requirement for professionalism at work. A team spirit allows 

people to have their differences, yet follow the same goal. It 

requires an individual to give consideration to others, take 

suggestions and share credits.

•	 Having a pleasing personality. Besides work, 

professionalism at work requires one to have a pleasing 

personality. This helps keep the environment in the workplace 

favorable and conducive. Let’s face it – regularly seeing a 

person come shabbily to work will foster a very unprofessional 

atmosphere.

•	 Maintaining appropriate communication. Free 

communication and open door policies are all very conducive and 

welcoming at every workplace. However, this “freedom” has to be 

kept to a limit. Too much prying into personal life and friendships 

beyond the workplace as well as fraternization are completely 

against professionalism.

| Trooper to Trooper The Wire | Page 3

PSEC ALERT

BE AWARE OF PHISHING ATTACKS!

Gone Phishing?

Phishing is a way of trying to get sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card or 

bank details by using a fake website. You will get an email asking you to the fake website and enter your 

information. There might even be a link to the website in the email. The fake website will look almost identical 

to the legitimate one. Phishing is an example of a social engineering technique used to fool people. Targeted 

versions of phishing have been termed spear phishing. Several recent phishing attacks have been directed 

specifically at senior executives and other high profile targets. Don’t go to a linked website unless you know 

for sure it is legitimate! Be aware of phishing attacks, protect your information, use OPSEC!

Command Master Chief, NEGB
The News from the Bay | Wire | Page 4

News from the Bay

Stories and reporting by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

Muslim chaplain to offer

services on NAVSTA side

Chaplain Air Force Capt. Rashad ElSaddiq will provide Muslim religious prayer 

services Sunday and Monday at the Naval 

Station Chapel (sanctuary C). 

The daily Dhuhr prayer will start at 1:06 

p.m., the daily Asr prayer will start at 4:25 

p.m. and the daily Isha prayer will begin at 

8:44 p.m.

For more information, call x2305 or 

3203.

Sign up now for Labor 

Day softball tournament

Sign up by August 30 for the September 

2nd Labor Day weekend one-pitch, all-night 

Softball Tournament. Space is limited to 12 

teams and rosters are open to ages 16 and 

up.

“This one-pitch, all-night tournament is a 

great opportunity for those Troopers that are 

usually up all night on shift work to relax and 

have some fun,” said Morale, Welfare and 

Recreation Sports Coordinator Alana Morrison. “If a Trooper does not have a team, 

they are more than welcome to sign up on 

our players’ pool and we will place them on a 

team for the tournament.” 

Softball is one of the most popular sports 

on the island, Morrison added.

“Softball is a great sport to have in 

GTMO, because it is not only fun but it is 

a great way to socialize with your teammates 

and also get to know new people here on 

base. If you have wanted a more competitive 

softball game, this tournament is a great opportunity since it is only one-pitch and you 

either hit or you are out!”

Morrison, who has been involved with 

softball and baseball since she can remember, also shared her personal feelings toward 

the sport.

“I love this sport because it is a little 

slower pace and it gives me a chance to get 

my mind off all the behind-the-scene work 

it takes to put a sporting program on. I really get the chance to hear from, not only my 

team but from other teams, what they like 

and what they don’t like about the sport.”

For more information, call x4113.

Military children no 

longer miss out in school

Now adopted by 39 states, the 

Interstate Compact on Educational 

Opportunity for Military Children is 

great news for you and your family.

The Defense Department developed 

the compact in coordination with the 

Council of State Governments’ National 

Center for Interstate Compacts in an 

attempt to counter many of the common 

education challenges military families 

face. 

The compact requires schools to 

waive sports and other extracurricular 

activity deadlines, or offer alternative 

ways to audition (send recording, etc.) 

for military children. It helps with 

graduation requirements, honors classes, 

extracurricular opportunities, etc. 

Students will no longer get behind 

in activities that help their educational 

development and well-being just because 

they are the children of the men and 

women serving and protecting our 

country.

Number one comic to 

entertain and offer advice

Bernie McGrenahan is taking military 

bases across the globe by storm with his 

Happy Hour comedy show. Check it out 

Wednesday, 10 a.m. at the Windjammer or 

later at 7:30 p.m. at the Joint Task Force 

Trooper Chapel.

Opening the program with a 30- minute 

stand-up comedy show, McGrenahan then 

crosses into the dangers and risks of alcohol, 

drug abuse and sexual assault to inspire 

military personnel to make smart, safe 

decisions and better prepare each unit for 

mission success. 

The Fleet and Family Support Center is 

hosting the comedian and also coordinating 

busses to pick up Troopers and take them to 

the show.

 “I think it’s so important to get the 

word out,” said Jennifer Galka, FFSC sexual 

response victim coordinator. “This is a 

different avenue to talk about these issues and 

he uses life experiences to tie in the meaning 

behind awareness.”

For more information, visit 

comedyisthecure.com or call FFSC at x4141.
trooper

Spc. Kelly Gary

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 9 years

Hobbies: scuba diving

Pet peeves: disorder

Next goal: advance in Army 

career

Advice to junior Troopers: 

“Listen to what is passed 

down and never be afraid of 

being wrong.”

| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5

After six years in the Marine Corps. as 

an avionics technician, Army Sgt. Matthew 

Muntzer left with an honorable discharge. 

Fourteen years later he joined the Wyoming 

National Guard. No matter the branch or 

the trade, for Muntzer, the ability to serve his 

country is what counts.

“Wearing the uniform is by far the best 

part of my job,” said Muntzer, administration 

noncommissioned officer for Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Public Affairs. “I have worn two 

now and know that, for some, it’s not easy 

to make the choice to serve. Everyone who 

puts on a uniform has made a choice to serve 

others and knows it is more than just a job.”

Muntzer’s father served as a Navy 

photographer, so it came as no surprise when 

he chose the same job as his Army specialty. 

The newly promoted sergeant and his wife 

are the proud parents of nine children, ages 

ranging from 19-years-old to newborn. It is 

clear family is an integral part of their lives. 

Although challenging being away from his 

family, Muntzer believes this deployment has 

served as a good experience and opportunity to 

practice various aspects of his job. 

“I would like see what servicemembers are 

doing throughout the world,” said Muntzer. 

“Hopefully I can get the story, whether it be 

next door or in another country.” 

His title may read photojournalist but 

Muntzer has shown his peers, command and 

numerous people across JTF that he is much 

more. Occasionally, his pictures and stories 

appear in the JTF’s newsletter, The Wire, but 

it is his behind-the-scenes work that is essential 

for the public affairs office to run smoothly.

“[Muntzer] is the cog within the PAO,” said 

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott Chapman, JTF 

Public Affairs operations officer. “He is my 

right-hand man; he helps me out with supply 

Boots on the Ground

If you could bring one restaurant chain to the island, which would it be?

“I would bring Popeye’s. It 

makes me miss home. I just 

love it.”

Tech Sgt.

Jamie Hedrick

“I love Wendy’s because 

it’s not McDonalds and it’s 

healthier. There’s more of 

a variety, too. I would eat 

there twice a week.”

Spc. 

Bennie Web

Army Sgt. 

James Vincent

“I would pick Chipotle. I was 

recently in Ft. Lewis and I 

had it for the first time – it 

was amazing.”

“I would choose Olive 

Garden. I love that place. I 

live in Hawaii now and we 

don’t have it there either. I 

really miss it.”

Yeoman 1st Class 

Jyl Bucano

focus

Army Sgt. 

 Matthew Muntzer

 see FOCUS, page 19
 see CADETS, page 19

The Wire | Page 6 Sports |

Paintballers host BBQ to promote interest in messy sport

Story and photos by Mass Communication 

Specialist 3rd Class Marquis Whitehead

In an effort to promote their 

sport, Guantanamo Bay-based 

paintball team, the GTMO Slayers 

hosted a potluck BBQ Saturday 

afternoon at the paintball field.

Brought together by a life-long 

passion of playing paintball, the 

team was co-founded by Wayne 

Whitley and Justin Olsen. Whitley 

started playing paintball with his 

older brother when he was 13 years 

old and Olson at 17. They said 

the GTMO Slayers are more of a 

fraternity than a paintball team. 

“We don’t have tournaments 

or anything but if you become 

a Slayer, it’s like you’re part of a 

brotherhood,” said Olson.

Whitley and Olson began 

orchestrating the cookout a month 

in advance, reaching out to their 

chain of command as well as 

Cory Geiger, Morale, Welfare and 

Recreation’s outdoor recreation 

coordinator. 

During the cookout, there were 

multiple paintball games played: 

speed ball, consisting of at least 

three players on each team where 

any type of dye contact from an 

opponent excludes you from the 

game; capture the flag; and castle 

siege and high side-low side, games 

played on a much bigger, more 

natural terrain where only hits 

to vital areas such as head, chest, 

stomach and back, remove you 

from the game. 

“Paintball is like a living video 

game,” said Whitley “Once you 

play, you’re hooked.”

Through the funding of their 

chain of command, the GTMO 

Slayers grilled burgers, and 

provided water and Gatorade for 

all who participated. For the event, 

MWR waived the paintball gun 

rental fee. 

The GTMO Slayers are 

planning more cookouts and 

other future events to promote 

the fun, fitness and camaraderie 

of paintball to fans throughout 

Guantanamo Bay. 

“It’s an adrenaline rush that 

gives you a workout, helps build 

teamwork and communication 

skills,” said Whitley. 

Four cadets from West Point Academy 

spent the last three weeks immersed in Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo’s 525th Military 

Police Battalion as part of the school’s 

Continuing Leadership Program.

The program requires each student take 

a trip to experience one of the Army’s 

18 different branches, to include infantry, 

military intelligence and, in this case, military 

police.

The cadets began the training with a 

West Point Academy cadets visit GTMO, 

commission lessons from JTF officers

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

group of new Soldiers who just arrived on 

the island and were required to take the 

Army’s Pre-service course. The 80-hour class 

introduces Guantanamo Bay, the Joint Task 

Force mission and some behavioral science.

“Obviously with the mission here on 

Guantanamo Bay and the military police 

battalion and their unique mission, it affords 

the cadets a very unique opportunity to 

see the military police branch and detainee 

operations,” said Army 2nd Lt. Shawn Pierce. 

“It’s unlike any other place that the MPs 

would operate.”

This is the second group of cadets Pierce 

has worked with during his time here and 

he said the training is a crucial part of any 

cadet’s commitment to the Army.

“When they leave here,” explained Pierce, 

“they have to go back and make a decision 

that will change the rest of their lives - 

signing their contract.” 

Of the four cadets, three are going into 

their senior year and have already signed 

contracts. One still has a big decision ahead 

of him. Cadet Sgt. Tom Dickson is going 

into his junior year at the academy and will 

use his time on Guantanamo Bay to help 

with his decision.

(left) Paintball teams await the starting siren before advancing on opposition 

in a speedball paintball scenario, Saturday. The GTMO Slayers, Guantanamo 

Bay’s paintball group, held the event followed by a cookout to promote 

paintball amongst military personal stationed on Guantanamo Bay.

(below) A Trooper secures high ground during paintball games sponsored by 

the GTMO Slayers, Saturday. 
| News The Wire | Page 7

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 1st Class Sally Hendricks

Coffeehouse series continues with Nelly’s Echo

Nelly’s Echo performed at O’Kelly’s Irish 

Pub and the Bayview over the weekend as 

part of Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s 

continuing Coffeehouse series.

 Nelly’s Echo is actually singer/songwriter 

Nelson Emokpae, a one-man band based out 

of Baltimore, Md. Singing since he was eight 

years old, Emokpae began playing shows his 

last year of college.

“One show led to another and another 

and another,” said Emokpae. “My shows led 

to making a CD and then a second and now 

here I am.”

Emokpae said he did not choose to name 

his band “Nelly’s Echo.” 

“It chose me,” he explained. “I chose Nelly, 

representing me, but Echo is for the people.” 

While performing, Emokpae creates a 

relationship with his audience that is engaging 

and inviting. He said he wants nothing more 

than to spread love, hope and positivity.

“I want to be an avenue that goes against 

the norm of negativity,” he shared.

MWR introduced the Coffeehouse series 

in May of this year. Emokpae’s relaxed vibe 

seemed a natural choice for their next featured 

artist. 

“Nelly’s Echo had played at several colleges 

so we thought he would be a good fit,” said 

Eboni Harris, community activities intern at 

MWR.

MWR’s effort to bring diverse and talented 

musicians to the island is appreciated.

“It’s a great place to go where you can eat, 

listen to music and relax,” said Ramak Sydlo, a 

Guantanamo Bay resident.

Originally born in Nigeria, Emokpae, his 

three brothers and his mother all came to the 

United States as refugees in 1996.

“I love how much the military has 

sacrificed for their country and I want to show 

my appreciation to them through my music,” 

said Emokpae. “This country has afforded me 

many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had 

otherwise. I am very grateful.” 

Commissions part of 

JTF’s trifecta mission

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Cossel

Around the task force, everyone 

knows the primary mission – the safe, 

transparent, humane and legal custody 

and care of enemy combatants. But the 

mission of Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

is three-fold, along with detainee care is 

also intelligence gathering – an on-going 

operation – and support of military 

commissions.

The first two pieces of the trifecta 

puzzle are constantly in motion. It is 

the last piece – support to the Office 

of Military Commissions that ebbs and 

flows as lawyers prepare evidence, charges 

are brought forth and the commissions 

process begins. 

High tide is about to wash over JTF 

Guantanamo with the start of many high 

profile cases – including alleged 9/11 

mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 

– currently making their way through 

the legal process. And in the eyes of JTF 

Guantanamo commander, Rear Adm. 

Jeffrey Harbeson, the upcoming surge will 

require the efforts of every JTF Trooper.

“This really touches every area of the 

JTF,” Harbeson said.

Harbeson explained with the pending 

process, he expects a large influx of 

lawyers, media, support personnel and 

potentially family members of those killed 

during the attacks of 9/11.

“I’m looking at this as an all-hands 

evolution,” Harbeson said, noting even 

Naval Station Guantanamo will be 

involved with the trying of the high-value 

detainees.

“We all contribute to this from PAO to 

J6 (communications), logistics – everyone 

has a part.”

It’s important for Troopers to be 

flexible during the commission process, 

Harbeson said, as individuals could be 

tasked to perform duties not normally 

associated with their day-to-day jobs. The 

only Troopers who won’t be impacted 

with commissions are the guard force 

serving the JTF.

“I don’t think the guards’ functions will 

really change,” Harbeson said. “They’ll 

continue to carry their missions – the 

safe, humane, legal, transparent care and 

custody doesn’t really change. It may be 

some other folks augmenting the security 

details and guard force requirements over 

at Camp Justice.”

While the exact kick-off of the 

see COMMISSIONS, pg. 19

Nelly’s Echo performs at O’Kelly’s Irish Pub, Friday 

evening as part of MWR Coffeehouse series.
The Wire | Page 8 Mission |

Story and photos by 

Spc. Kelly Gary New York, New York

Unica, N.Y is one of the oldest military units in 

The 107th Military Police Company from 

!

the United States. For more than two centuries 

the unit has served the community, state and 

nation, from the War of 1812 to their current 

mission, Operation Enduring Freedom. Now, 

the 107th is here to support OEF ten years after 

the historical attacks of 9/11, which took place 

right outside their back door. 

After conducting mobilization training in 

Ft. Bliss, Texas, the 170 Soldiers arrived on 

Guantanamo Bay to replace the 296th Military 

Company from the Puerto Rican National 

Guard. They now conduct all external security 

for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, in addition to 

supporting military commissions. The Soldiers 

man the gates, sally ports and towers and also 

comprise the quick reaction force teams. 

“We are here to support the battalion and its 

mission,” said Army Capt. Christopher Marion, 

107th MP Co. commander. “We are here to do 

our job the best we can.”

The unit is comprised of Soldiers from 

all over New York. The majority of them are 

young Troopers who have supported missions 

all throughout the state for homeland security, 

but have never deployed overseas, let alone 

to support a high-profile mission such as JTF 

Guantanamo, Marion explained.

Cpl. Cody Duger, a team leader for the 

107th, said this is his first deployment overseas 

and he is ready to carry out the mission and 

learn more about his job. 

“We aim to do as well or better than the unit 

we are replacing,” Duger said. “I hope we can 

learn from what they have done and still do 

better.”

The new unit finished their initial preparation 

and is beginning their tour here on Guantanamo 

Bay on the right foot. 

“[The Soldiers] have already learned a lot,” 

said Marion. “They have learned about what it 

Private 2nd Class Stephen Daley and Sgt. John 

Daley rove around the Joint Task Force area, 

Tuesday, ensuring all is secure.
| Mission The Wire | Page 9

is to be in the real Army, outside of the 

training environment.”

The 107th is now solely carrying out their 

mission as part of the JTF team.

Next month, the tenth anniversary of 9/11 

will arrive. The military – as well as the country 

it protects – has changed drastically in the past 

decade. There is little doubt the day will cause 

much sorrow and grief to resurface. For the 

107th, the attacks struck close to home. The unit 

actually stood at Ground Zero on that fateful 

day a mere ten years ago.

“To be here for the tenth anniversary and in 

anticipation of the commissions for the 9/11 

conspirators,” said Marion, “it means something 

very personal to everyone.”

Even with all the close ties to the mission, 

Duger said there will be no interference with 

operations– they will all carry out procedures 

properly and professionally.

“We will all take it pretty seriously,” said 

Duger. “We take it to heart.”

On each of the Soldier’s left sleeve is a 

patch emblazoned with Lady Liberty’s crown 

intersected with a sword. The crown not only 

represents New York, but also what each 

Soldier is defending and fighting for – freedom. 

The 107th has moved from defending their 

homefront to protecting Guantanamo Bay. 

Duger is looking forward to working in a 

diverse setting.

“It will be constructive working in a joint 

environment,” Duger said. “Learning about 

other services and what other people do in the 

military.”

The men and women of the 107th are 

confident they will positively represent their 

unit, state and country with dedication and 

determination.

“Our motto is to protect and defend,” said 

Duger. “Now, we will be adopting the ‘honor 

bound’ motto and the ‘honor bound’ mission.”

Sgt. Charley Moyer greets Joint Task Force Deputy 

Commander Brig. Gen. Samuel Nichols as he passes 

through the Sally port of Camp Delta, Tuesday. 

Spc. David Simmons waves to a vehicle to 

approach, Tuesday, at Roosevelt Gate. 
The Wire | Page 10 Feature |

A United States Coast Guard search-an

Clearwater, Fla. made an unscheduled 

week due to inclement weather from Tr

The team of six – two pilots, one search-and-r

technician and two grounds crew personnel – land

home until Saturday.

“When it’s hurricane season, it’s not uncommon 

much,” said Lt. Jon Lee, secondary pilot for the crew

For their four days on Guantanamo Bay, it was n

conducting training evolutions, supporting Naval 

“While we’re seeking shelter from the storm 

our work in,” said Aviation Survival Technician 

Although not completely unfamiliar with 

Unified Response with humanitarian and res

“It’s my first time out here, it’s kind of 

“Not every one gets to come to Guantana

On Saturday, the team, packed their 

lifted off the flight line, heading back 

Caicos. 

OPBAT is a combined Coast Gu

of Bahamas partnership to comba

as well as immigrant mitigation. 

responsible for initiating and 

cases in the Bahamian AO

assets regularly assist with 

smuggling and searc

cases throughout the 

Story and photo by

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kilho Park

United States Coast Guardsmen Aviation Maintenance Technician 2nd 

Class Justin Gozzard and Aviation Survival Technician 3rd Class Andrew 

Ruga relay information to one another during a pre-flight check on their 

MH-60(J) search and rescue helicopter, Saturday.
| Feature The Wire | Page 11

nd-rescue helicopter team from 

 pit stop to Guantanamo Bay last 

ropical Storm Emily.

escue swimmer, one aviation maintenance 

ded here August 2nd and called the island their 

to be repositioned to areas that won’t be affected as 

w. “It’s better to be on the safe side and ride it out.”

not a complete stand-down, as they were up in the air every day 

 Station Guantanamo and their mission.

[Emily], we definitely didn’t come here to relax and chill out. We got 

n 3rd Class Andrew Ruga.

the area, (some team members were here in 2010 supporting Operation 

scue efforts in Haiti), for a few, this repositioning was a welcome trip. 

cool,” said Aviation Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Justin Gozzard. 

amo Bay.”

 bags, spun-up their MH-60(J) search-and-rescue helicopter and 

k to support their mission Operation Bahamas, Turks and 

ard, Drug Enforcement Agency and Government 

t drug smuggling to and from the Bahamas 

. The OPBAT Operations Center is 

 prosecuting law enforcement 

OR. In addition, OPBAT 

 prosecuting human 

ch-and-rescue 

 AOR.

Florida coasties 

make a pit stopin

GTMO
Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

Additional photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos Cepeda

The Wire | Page 12 Feature |

GTMO’s

iron

When Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class William Neimi and Aviation 

Maintaineceman 2nd Class Mark Scarpo arrived on Guantanamo Bay 11 

months ago, they had two things in common – they both worked in the 

camps and both loved to cook.

United by their passion for food, Neimi and Scarpo started taking 

turns cooking for their group of friends each weekend.

“He’s cooked for a bunch of us, I’ve cooked for a bunch of us,” said 

Neimi, “And it kind of just went back and fourth - I’m a better cook, no, 

I’m a better cook!”

It’s been a year in the making, and finally two great Guantanamo Bay 

chefs face off in an epic showdown of flame-broiled, mouthwatering 

food extravagance. To each his own flavor, style and spice – there are no 

rules, just cook. 

“You know that saying, ‘go big or go home?’” Neimi asks as he flips 

a piece of battered chicken over in a pan of bubbling peanut oil. “Well, 

we decided to go big before we go home!”

With only a few weeks left on the island, the two friends decided to 

have one last barbeque - a “Throw Down, Showdown” - complete with 

every kind of meat the commissary had to offer.

“We went to the NEX and just started filling the cart,” said Scarpo, 

also known as Chef Scrappy. “We wanted this one to be huge.”

Jerk shrimp, BBQ steak kabobs, bacon wrapped tenderloin, meatloaf, 

vodka marinated chicken... the list goes on.

“This is a serious spread of food,” Neimi laughs as he moves from 

the stove-top chicken to the four fired-up grills outside. “There are two 

things I don’t mess around with - guns and food!”

With more than eight hours of preparation and four hundred dollars 

spent, Neimi is not kidding - he and Scrappy love to cook.

“I think I started at 13,” Neimi shares. “You know, helping Nana in 

Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class William Neimi started cooking at age 13 and 

developed a passion for it. He has been wooing friends and family ever since. 

Pictured above Neimi clamps a steak to throw it on the grill in the ultimate 

“Throwdown Showdown” cook off between Neimi and his friend nicknamed 

“Scrappy,” Sunday.
| Feature The Wire | Page 13

the kitchen and what not. My Nana, my pops and my uncle can all 

take equal blame for the monster I have become in the kitchen!”

Scarpo, too, shares the passion, not just for cooking, but for bringing 

people together by way of food.

“If it wasn’t for these BBQs,” Scrappy says, pinching a kabob off 

of the grill, “I would have gone crazy months ago – this is what it’s all 

about.”

Both chefs say there are no secret ingredients except for cheese and 

bacon, which Neimi says makes everything taste better, and neither of 

them cook by recipe.

“I could never become a [professional] chef,” Neimi admits, tossing 

some steaks on the grill. “I am too passionate about food. Once it 

becomes a job, the passion becomes more of a burden and a necessity - 

a means of making money. I enjoy cooking way too much, I like to have 

fun with it.”

Yeoman 2nd Class Kevin Clute has known Neimi and Scarpo since 

the beginning of their deployment and says they tend to get carried away 

and need a little help at times. That’s where Clute comes in, aside from 

being their best customer.

“Sometimes the next thing just needs to be prepared so I get [it] 

going,” Clute explains as he smashes a bag of Saltine crackers for Neimi’s 

latest chicken marinade. “It’s just attention to detail and doing what they 

say, it’s not like I take the blame if anything gets messed up.”

Being a friend of Scarpo and Neimi comes with one requirement – 

an appetite.

“Everybody loves a full belly,” Clute mumbles, chewing on a whiskeymarinated chicken wing. “We all started out working in camps and to tell 

you the truth, on your two days off you just want to relax as much as you 

can and there’s no better way to do so than sitting around a table with 

some friends with some good food. It really helps you unwind.” 

 see FOOD, page 19

chefs

Aviation Maintainenceman 2nd Class Mark Scarpo taught himself 

how to cook years ago after being sick of eating fast food. Since then, 

he has loved sharing his passion for food with others. Pictured above, 

Scarpo throws some shrimp kabobs on the grill during the ultimate 

“Throwdown Showdown” cook off between he and his friend Gunner’s 

Mate 2nd Class William Neimi, Sunday.
The Wire | Page 14 Tribute |

WASHINGTON – The five aircrew members and 25 special operations personnel 

killed in a Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Saturday – and their fellow U.S. 

service members -- embody the qualities 

America needs most for its future, President 

Barack Obama said Monday. 

“What sets us apart is that we’ve always 

not just had the capacity, but also the will to 

act, the determination to shape our future, 

the willingness in our democracy to work out 

our differences in a sensible way and to move 

forward not just for this generation, but for 

the next generation,” Obama said during a 

news conference dedicated mostly to the latest downturn in the U.S. economy and the 

national political stalemates that have accompanied it. 

Americans “need to summon that spirit 

today,” Obama said, adding that he is hopeful for the future because of Americans’ 

perseverance, courage and “willingness to 

shoulder the burdens we face together, as 

one nation.”

“There is no one who embodies the qualities that I mentioned more than the men and 

women of the United States armed forces,” 

the president said, evoking those lost on the 

helicopter. 

“Their loss is a stark reminder of the risks 

that our men and women in uniform take every single day on behalf of their country,” he 

said. “Day after day, night after night, they 

carry out missions like this in the face of enemy fire and grave danger.” 

Obama noted that Afghan commandos 

“Their loss is a stark reminder of 

the risks that our men and women 

take every single day on behalf of 

their country” - President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama, right, in the process of saluting, participates in a ceremony at 

Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del., Tuesday, 2011, for the dignified transfer of U.S. and 

Afghan personnel who died in Afghanistan on Aug. 6. 

- official White House photo by Pete Souza

By Jim Garamone, 

American Forces Press Service 
| Tribute The Wire | Page 15

also were killed in the crash, and said that 

after speaking with Afghan President Hamid 

Karzai and U.S. commanders there, “I know 

that our troops will continue the hard work 

of transitioning to a stronger Afghan government and ensuring that Afghanistan is 

not a safe haven for terrorists. 

“We will press on and we will succeed,” 

the president added. 

Reflecting on the lost service members, 

and all U.S. service members and their families, Obama said, “These men and women 

put their lives on the line for the values that 

bind us together as a nation. They come from 

different places, and their backgrounds and 

beliefs reflect the rich diversity of America.

“But no matter what differences they 

might have as individuals, they serve this nation as a team,” he continued. “They meet 

their responsibilities together. And some of 

them, like the 30 Americans who were lost 

this weekend, give their lives for their country. 

“Our responsibility is to ensure that their 

legacy is an America that reflects their courage, their commitment and their sense of 

common purpose.” 
The Wire | Page 16 At the Movies |

Movie Review

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

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

Cars 2

(G) 8 p.m. 

Cowboys & aliens

(PG-13) 10 p.m. 

Captain America

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Green Lantern

(PG- 13) 8 p.m.

Mr. Popper’s 

Penguins

(PG) 8 p.m.

The Hangover 2

(last showing)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Super 8

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Kung Fu Panda 2

(PG) 8 p.m.

Bad Teacher

(R) 10 p.m.

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

son of Col. Woodrow Dolarhyde (best Western 

name, EVER!), played by Ford. After decades 

of playing the wholesome American hero, 

Ford looks positively gleeful as he scowls, rants, 

threatens and snarls vaguely racist things about 

Native Americans. I, for one, am perfectly OK 

with this. Ford’s had a long and respectable 

career and he deserves a little fun.

The movie spends the first half hour 

introducing Jake – and us – to the likeable 

townspeople, mostly so when they end up 

being snatched up by nasty spaceship lassos, 

we care. Such is the way with witty sheriff 

Taggart (Keith Carradine), forlorn Spanish 

wife Alice and Woodrow’s aforementioned son, 

Percy (ironically, the most interesting character 

to watch). After the initial invasion, Woodrow 

gathers a posse to track the aliens and hunt 

down the missing folk. 

And after that, we get revelations about 

Jake, lessons in tolerance and humanity and the 

ridiculous sight of a man on a horse trying to 

chase a spaceship. 

The most glaring problem with “Cowboys 

& Aliens” is it’s lack of guts. There was promise 

here, for sure. It could have been a fun, winking 

flick, in on its own joke. Or it could have 

been a massive action-palooza, much like the 

“Transformers” films but with grit and style. 

Instead, it chose to be a limp noodle, keeping 

with traditional movie drivel and offering 

nothing new or innovative. 

I don’t blame the actors – Ford does what 

he can acting opposite a cute little boy, teaching 

him about being a man and other life lessons. 

And Craig oozes chemistry, both with his fellow 

gunslingers and the mysterious woman who 

takes a shine to him early on (Olivia Wilde, we 

know your eyes are pretty but you need to blink 

once in a while). I mostly blame Favreau, who 

broke the movie mold when he did the first 

“Iron Man,” but now seems to have retreated 

back into bland, standardized filmmaking. Indy 

and 007 deserve better. 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

PG-13

118 min.

Cowboys & Aliens

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

The Hangover 2

(last showing)

(R) 10 p.m.

Super 8

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Bad Teacher

(R) 10 p.m.

Green Lantern

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

X-Men: First Class

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Cars 2

(G) 8 p.m.

The Conspirator

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Captain America

 (PG-13) 8 p.m.

You know what I like most about Westerns? 

Everybody’s always in a hat. True story. 

Really, what can you expect from a movie 

called, “Cowboys & Aliens?” You should already 

know what you’re in store for. The film’s biggest 

draw is, of course, the spectacle of James Bond 

sharing the screen with fellow cinematic legend 

Indiana Jones. What possessed both Harrison 

Ford and Daniel Craig to star in a movie called 

“Coyboys & Aliens” is beyond me, as neither of 

their careers are fledging. Ford may be getting up 

in years, but he’s usually pretty deft and choosy 

about his projects (“Hollywood Homicide” 

notwithstanding). Daniel Craig’s career is 

seemingly on fire – his Bond reenergized the 

genre (Sean Connery who?) and now he’s set to 

take on another franchise, the much-anticipated 

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” 

We’ll never know exactly how director Jon 

Favreau, who also directed the two “Iron Man” 

films, shanghaied his leads into appearing in his 

unexpected sci-fi western, but we can be glad 

he did. Their combined growling, menacing 

and overall brooding is integral to, if not the 

plot, than at least the health of the movie. 

Craig is Jake Lonergan, who wakes up, 

beaten and bloody, in the middle of the desert 

with a heavy piece of wrist jewelry, no shoes 

and no memory. There’s an element of Jason 

Bourne in Jake’s story as he tries to recover his 

memory. Is he a good man or a criminal? Is it 

possible to be both? Craig admittedly has very 

few lines – but with a glance, a stare or a pursing 

of his lips, he speaks volumes. Plus, how 

embarrassing would it be if his British accent 

creeped out while he was trying to be an AllAmerican cowboy? I think Britain has enough 

problems right now. 

Upon his arrival to a dusty Western town, 

Jake quickly tussles with the spoiled, sniveling 
| News you can Use The Wire | Page 17

NATO airstrike kills insurgents who caused helicopter crash

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Coalition forces used a 

precision airstrike to kill Taliban insurgents 

involved in the Aug. 6 downing of the 

helicopter carrying 30 U.S. servicemembers 

and eight Afghans, the commander of U.S. 

and coalition forces in Afghanistan said 

yesterday.

In a briefing from his headquarters in 

the Afghan capital of Kabul, Marine Corps 

Gen. John R. Allen told Pentagon reporters 

the action was a continuation of the original 

mission to dismantle the leadership of an 

enemy network in Wardak province’s Tangi 

Valley.

“This does not ease our loss,” Allen 

said. “But we must and we will continue to 

relentlessly pursue the enemy.”

Near midnight on Aug. 8, the general said, 

coalition forces called in a precision airstrike 

with F-16s over the Chak district of Wardak 

province. According to details International 

Security Assistance Force officials released 

yesterday, the strike killed Taliban leader 

Mullah Mohibullah and the insurgent who 

fired the shot -- which ISAF assessed to 

be a rocket-propelled grenade, Allen said -- 

associated with the Aug. 6 helicopter crash.

Mohibullah was a key facilitator in an 

insurgent attack cell led by Din Mohammad, 

a Taliban leader killed in a previous special 

operations mission, ISAF officials said. As a 

leader in Mohammad’s network in the Tangi 

Valley, Mohibullah had as many as 12 Taliban 

fighters under his command, including 

potential suicide bombers.

Special operations forces received several 

intelligence leads and tips from local civilians 

and after an exhaustive manhunt, ISAF 

officials said, they located Mohibullah and 

the shooter as they were trying to flee the 

country.

The security force located and followed 

the insurgents to a wooded area in the Chak 

district. After making sure no civilians were 

in the area, the force called for the airstrike 

that killed Mohibullah, the shooter and several 

Taliban associates.

On the night of the deadly helicopter 

crash, the inbound CH-47 carried special 

operations forces in pursuit of insurgents 

from Mohammad’s network who were fleeing 

from an engagement in which six militants 

already had been killed, ISAF officials said.

Allen said ISAF does not yet know 

if enemy fire was the sole reason for the 

helicopter crash, but on its approach, the 

aircraft encountered small-arms fire from 

several insurgent locations. An investigation 

into the crash and its causes began yesterday 

when Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, 

commander of U.S. Central Command, 

appointed Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Colt as 

lead investigator.

Questions to be asked, Allen said, will 

include “What was the cause of the crash?” 

and “What lessons can be learned as a result 

of that cause?”

The answers, he said, ultimately will feed 

back into the mission evaluation process to 

improve future missions.

The crash was a tragic incident in a 

very difficult military campaign, Allen said. 

“However,” he added, “it was a singular 

incident in a broader conflict in which we are 

making important strides and considerable 

progress.”

Coalition forces face challenges ahead and 

tough fights in the days to come, the general 

said, but all across Afghanistan the insurgents 

are losing.

“They’re losing territory. They’re losing 

leadership. They’re losing weapons and 

supplies. They’re losing public support,” Allen 

said.

Villages that seek to embrace Afghan 

local police in the Village Stability Operations 

program are mobilizing their communities for 

their own security, he added.

“That’s not widely understood [or] ... 

widely covered,” Allen said. “But that’s a 

great example of where the Taliban are losing 

ground and ... influence because they can 

no longer get inside the population of these 

areas.”

Across Afghanistan, he added, the 

insurgents are losing resolve and the will to 

fight.

“They face relentless pressure from 

coalition and, increasingly, Afghan forces,” he 

said.

Reintegration of former insurgents into 

Afghan society also is succeeding, Allen said. 

The effort is an Afghan program supported 

by coalition forces that across Afghanistan 

is beginning to see Taliban foot soldiers 

ultimately come forward and seek to rejoin 

society, becoming members of their villages, 

he said.

Allen said more than 2,300 people have 

reintegrated so far.

Success, the general said, “is a function 

of security operations. It’s a function of the 

establishment of Afghan local police. It’s a 

function of the establishment of credible 

governance [and] economic opportunity.”

The numbers of former Taliban fighters 

rejoining society is an indication that the 

insurgents are losing, Allen added. “We’re not 

declaring victory, certainly,” the general said. 

“We recognize that there are going to be long 

days ahead and some pretty heavy lifts.”

But progress also is visible in other areas, 

Allen said. In July, he noted, the transition of 

security responsibility began to the Afghan 

government and Afghan forces.

“Our military is working hand in hand 

with our civilian partners to secure the gains 

we have made by strengthening the Afghan 

government and by advancing economic 

opportunity,” Allen added.

Afghan forces have made immense strides 

in increasing their professionalism and 

effectiveness, he said.

“By the time our additional 23,000 troops 

come out [of Afghanistan] by the end of 

September of next year, we’ll have seen on 

the order of 70,000 Afghan national security 

forces come onto the field,” Allen said. “So it’s 

a trade-off in terms of the Afghans who are 

joining us in the battle space with the forces 

that will be coming down.”

Allen said the Afghan forces are increasingly 

out in front, securing territory, safeguarding 

populations and, when necessary, fighting and 

dying for their country and their countrymen.

“We lost eight Afghans in this crash -- 

brave Afghans -- and we pay tribute as well to 

their service and to their sacrifice,” the general 

said.

Virginia Beach residents watch as news of the 

downed Chinook and its occupants unfold on a 

television at a local bar, Saturday.
Mind, Body & Soul

Birds of a feather: Don’t give in to easy gratifications

GTMO Religious Services

Daily Catholic Mass

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

Main Chapel

Vigil Mass

Saturday 5 p.m.

Main Chapel

Mass

Sunday 9 a.m.

Main Chapel

Catholic Mass

Saturday 5:30 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

The Mind, Body & Soul | Wire | Page 18

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

Friday 7 p.m.

Chapel Annex

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

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. & 5 p.m.

Room D

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

Church of the Sacred Well

Call x2323 for information

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m.

Main Chapel

United Jamaican

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m.

Sanctuary B

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay Christian Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m.

Main Chapel

A fox said he would provide worms 

to any bird that would share its feathers. 

One bird thought it was a good idea so it 

pulled out a feather from one of its wings 

and gave it to the fox. The bird received a 

worm in return. This was wonderful! The 

bird decided this was a good way to get 

worms easy – it wouldn’t have to work at 

hunting worms any more. But after a while, 

the bird had plucked so many feathers it 

could no longer fly away. The fox jumped 

on the bird and ate it. 

On deployments we can be tempted to 

pluck a feather for a seemingly easy, and at 

the time perhaps even innocent, “reward.” 

It might be that extra “one for the road” 

at the club. It could be a relationship, or 

might even be cutting corners at work. 

It’s not living up to our responsibilities as 

members assigned here.

The fact is, our “feathers” are our 

esteem, our pride and our self worth – 

our worth as children of God. Don’t let 

this be a time in which we give in to easy 

gratifications or rewards, but rather a 

time when we build up ourselves and our 

relationships to friends, loved ones, family 

and God, so that we can soar when we 

return home!

Lt. Col. Gary Bertsch, Command Chaplain
| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

“It was great because it showed us a bigger 

picture of the Army,” Dickson shared. “The 

point of the program is to have us shadow 

a 2nd Lt., but we really got an in-depth look 

at how everything within the battalion 

works, including inside the camps and the 

administration side of things.”

Dickson said he applied to the academy 

to fuel the curious nature and drive he’s had 

since high school.

“When I was younger, I was very sportsdriven and competitive. I loved being on 

teams,” said Dickson. “Though in the Army 

you’re not necessarily competing, I think it 

will be a good fit for me.”

The group also had the opportunity to 

sit down with both officers and enlisted 

members and soak in years of experience and 

advice. Cadet Lt. Jodi Devine spoke with one 

Soldier who offered a small yet meaningful 

thought.

“One Soldier came straight from one 

deployment, saw his wife for 90 days and 

then went to another deployment and now 

he’s here,” said Devine. “That was an eye 

opener and he said to me, ‘No matter what, 

be where you are.’”

Pierce, who became an officer through the 

Officer Candidate School, hopes the cadets 

take a newfound sense of leadership and 

duty with them after departing the island.

“One of the biggest takeaways I hope 

they get is that officers lead from the front,” 

advised Pierce. “I hope when they are 

interacting with Soldiers that they are good 

listeners and are able to understand where 

their Soldiers are coming from.”

One overall theme the cadets learned is 

something Rulison said he will carry with 

him forever.

“We got to see the difference between 

officers that had been here nine months as 

opposed to others with only four months and 

some that just got here,” Rulison explained. 

“You would think there wouldn’t be many 

differences since everything has a certain 

procedure to follow, but I could see how 

each person handled things in their own way. 

The key to each officer’s success, as they tell 

it, is to ‘know your Soldiers and trust your 

NCOs!’” 

CADETS cont. 

commissions is still unknown – best 

estimates place the beginning sometime in 

the fall of 2011 – Harbeson said the task 

force is already preparing for the large-scale 

operation.

“We did something called a fast cruise – I 

think in the Army they call it a rock drill,” 

Harbeson explained. “We stepped through 

the scenarios, trying to look at all the 

different things that could happen or arise.”

Involved in the fast cruise exercise 

were representatives from the Office of 

the Secretary of Defense, the Office of 

Military Commissions, U.S. Southern 

Command, Navy South and other interested 

organizations.

“We’ll have some lessons learned from 

that and we’ll go back and refine the process 

some more,” the admiral said. “Make sure 

we can address any issues now, before it 

comes up to an actual trial.”

Harbeson said he was pleased with the 

outcome of the exercise and looked forward 

to seeing the final analysis.

“It’s just prudent planning to challenge 

ourselves, to see what else we could do just 

to make sure we’ve covered everything,” he 

said with the ultimate goal of making the 

whole process smoother and better.

Acknowledging the commissions process 

is not normally on the mind of the average 

Trooper, Harbeson said he’s been proud 

of the job of his Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, 

Coasties and Marines have done performing 

their mission and expects that level of 

professionalism to carry over.

“There’s nothing different I would 

recommend to the Trooper,” Harbeson 

said, pointing out since the beginning of his 

tenure there have been four commissions 

processes completed. “Just maintain their 

high standard of professionalism in executing 

their duties they exhibit every day.”

Military commissions have been used 

to try enemy combatants since World War 

II. According to frequently asked questions 

prepared by the Department of Defense in 

2007, the specific language authorizing the 

use of commissions to try detainees held 

in Guantanamo was established with the 

Military Commissions Act of 2006.

COMMISSIONS cont. 

Neimi agrees his hobby is one of his 

favorite stress relievers and says there’s 

never a dull moment with food.

“There are so many different avenues 

and different recipes – in all honesty, the 

possibilities are endless,” he admits. 

“There are always new flavors - 

some are delicious and some you never 

want to use again,” he adds, laughing. 

“Everybody needs to eat, right?”

Although both Neimi and Scarpo 

don’t plan on becoming professional 

chefs, they throw around the possibilities 

of continuing their legacy. 

“My goal when I retire is to open a 

bar and grill,” Scarpo shares. “You never 

know, our paths could cross again. The 

Navy is so diverse we might not see each 

other for years then run into each other 

some 15 years down the road.”

They have yet to name their future 

restaurant, but Scrappy already answers 

his phone with “Scrappy’s BBQ, how 

can I help you?” 

FOOD cont. 

hobby; strive to become more spiritual; 

read more books; anything. YOU choose. 

And don’t become discouraged by the 

things you can’t choose. I sure wouldn’t 

have chosen a 25 mph speed limit on most 

GTMO roads, but I don’t let that ruin my 

attitude every time I get in a vehicle. Most 

of us would prefer better living or working 

conditions. Yet while those choices are 

limited, we are much better off than many 

of our military kin. We can choose to 

improve our spaces. Accept the things you 

cannot change, while working to improve 

what you can.

Some people are successful because 

they got lucky in some way. But most are 

successful because of a series of choices

they made. So what will you choose? How 

will you use your time at GTMO? What 

habits will you break or establish? Your 

future life will be a result of choices you 

make today. YOU CHOOSE. 

COMMAND cont. 

and runs administration.”

Muntzer keeps PAO’s assets and personnel 

management in order and assists his peers and 

junior Troopers as well. His method is to be a 

role model others can look up to. 

“He sets the example for other people to 

emulate,” said Chapman. “He does the best 

that he can, you can’t ask for much more.”

Even with all the time he spends at work, 

Muntzer always finds time to squeeze in at 

least a few dives every week. 

FOCUS cont. 

“I had never been diving before,” said 

Muntzer. “I think diving here is an experience 

everyone should try, even if all you do is get 

certified.”

Out of the water, he takes every 

opportunity to help others and better himself 

personally and professionally.

“I am working to attain knowledge and 

experience for my future career in the Army, 

whether it is with this MOS or another,” said 

Muntzer.

Munzter’s leadership skills will be an 

asset to any command he may fall under. 

Even though he is at the beginning of the 

noncommissioned officer ladder, he has a 

good start.

“He represents the rank of sergeant very 

well,” said Chapman. “Even though he is only 

wearing sergeant, other E5s look up to him.”

“I think he will do well in the future,” 

continued Chapman. “I could eventually see 

him as a sergeant major.” 
WEATHERED

Army Pvt. Jaquan Nichols (front) and Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Tyrney Fisher, 

both attached to the Joint Detention Group Command Sergeant Major Detail, 

shovel debris caused by Tropical Storm Emily, Friday. 

- photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

STUDY TIME

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Alexander Bates, Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion 

Volunteer Coordinator (left), asks a fellow volunteer for assistance during a Navy 

Advancement Volunteer Study Course at the Trooper Chapel, August 1.

- photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

SERVE IT UP!

Boatswains Mate 1st Class Jeremy Wyskiel (center), a boat operator attached 

to Maritime Safety and Security Team Boston, serves a volleyball during a pool 

party in celebration of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 221st birthday at the Windjammer 

Pool, Thursday. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

TheJTF

WIDE OPEN

Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt Woltman, a structural engineer with Base Emergency Engineering Force, checks that a door header is level 

during renovations to the media operations center at the McCalla Hill hangar, Tuesday. - photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry