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Features

Massachusetts Remembers 9/11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Massachusetts Guard member was 

minding her own business when... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Task Force Yankee Soldiers continue 

proud tradition serving our nation in Afghanistan . . . . . . . . 5

Hurricane Irene: Home Front Battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Barnes responds to Irene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Mass. Guard train first responders in Tajikistan . . . . . . . . . . 8

Guardsmen shoot to win in combat 

marksmanship competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Mass. Guard participates in Regional 

Cooperation 2011 Excercise in Tajikistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Honoring a lifetime of service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Don’t let drugs damage your career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Experience and Experiment are not one in the same . . . . . 14

Fit? Yes. But Not “Fit to Fight” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

One pill, two pills, who’s counting anyway?............ 18

Military Friends Foundation awards scholarships . . . . . . . 22

Sections

Short Takes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

On the Cover

Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Sellars, Land Component 

Commander, Massachusetts National Guard furls 

his flag for the final time during Sellars’ retirement ceremony, on the Salem Common, Salem, 

Mass., Sept. 10, 2011. (U.S. Army photo by Staff 

Sgt. Jerry Saslav, 65th Public Affairs Operations 

Center)

The Adjutant General

Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. Col. James Sahady

Maj. Lisa Ahaesy

Managing Editor

Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch

Staff

Capt. Glen Kernusky

Staff Sgt. James Lally

Staff Sgt. Jerry Saslav

Sgt. Alfred Tripolone III

Sgt. Jeremiah Clark

Senior Airmen Eric Kolesnikovas

Visit the Massachusetts 

National Guard Website

www.ma.ng.mil

The Nation’s First 1
To learn more about an exciting career in Massachusetts National Guard Army Aviation contact:

CW4 Joseph M Le Blanc

State Aviation Office/Domestic Aviation Operations, 50 Maple Street , Milford, MA 01757-3604

Work: (508) 233-6574 • DSN: 256-6574 • Cell: (774) 286-6300 • Fax: (508) 233-6591
Massachusetts Remembers 9/11

By Army Lt. Col. James Sahady, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

BOSTON – Over 6,000 people attended a heart moving event commemorating the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 at the 

Hatch Snell on the Boston Esplanade on 

Sept. 11, 2011.

During the ceremony and concert, 

Massachusetts Remembers paid tribute 

to those lost on that tragic day, as well as 

to the men and women in uniform. The 

ceremony included over 200 performers, 

readings, poems, and prayers. Speakers 

included Massachusetts Governor Deval 

Patrick, media personality Liz Walker, 

and Susan Retik, co-founder of Beyond 

the 11th.

“Good afternoon brothers and sisters. 

10 years ago this morning life changed. 

We were attacked without warning or 

reason. We lost loved ones that day and 

in too many days since.” Patrick said. 

“We are gathered on a very solemn occasion, 10 years after the world changed 

for America and for others around the 

world, yet using this occasion and those 

attacks and those memories to bring 

something positive forward...I believe is 

the ultimate expression of our victory,” 

he said.

Also in attendance were Sec. Mary 

Heffernan, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, U.S. 

Rep. Edward Markey, Seventh Congressional District of Massachusetts, Boston 

Mayor Thomas Menino and many other 

local dignitaries.

Lt. Col. Dan Nash, an F-15 pilot with 

the Massachusetts Air National Guard, 

spoke at the event regarding his involvement in the military during the 9/11 

attacks. Nash was one of two Massachusetts Air National Guard pilots sent to 

New York on September 11 to protect 

the skies and clear the New York City 

airspace.

A prominent giant mural of the American flag created by Massachusetts school 

children shortly after 9/11 was displayed 

during the event. The mural, half the size 

of a football field, was comprised of over 

50,000 individual red, white and blue 

6 inch tiles of fabric, each possessing a 

message of peace, hope and patriotism.

Massachusetts Remembers also payed 

tribute to American military members 

serving and protecting our nation around 

the world. The tribute included: Readings, poems, interfaith prayers and songs 

by The Boston Pops Brass Ensemble 

and the Boston Children’s Chorus that 

provided for a moment of reflection and 

remembrance. 

The Massachusetts Remembers 

Organization is a coalition supported by 

a variety organizations and agencies to 

help pay tribute to the heroes and victims 

of 9/11. They also honor American military members who have served and are 

serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and around 

the world. 

BOSTON - Lt. Col. Dan Nash, an F-15 pilot with the Massachusetts Air National Guard, 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, 

Mass., speaks on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, at the Hatch Shell on Boston’s Esplanade, Sept. 11, 2011.

U.S. Army Photo by Army Pfc. Lucas J. Prikazsky, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center

The Nation’s First 3
MILFORD, Mass. – It was early afternoon on Sunday, August 7, and Sgt. 1st 

Class Breyda Pereyra was driving north 

on Route 24. She had plans to enjoy the 

only day in a two week period that she 

didn’t have to wear her uniform. 

The day before, Pereyra, a senior 

food service manager with the Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 125th 

Quartermaster Company, had competed 

alongside her fellow cooks in the 110th 

Maintenance Company at the regional 

level for the Phillip A. Connelly Award. 

The award recognizes excellence in the 

preparing and serving of food at military 

dining halls and in the field. 

Pereyra and her fellow Guard members won the regional competition.

Now as she was traveling towards 

Boston to celebrate, her journey was 

about to come to a fork in the road. 

“I saw an SUV rolled over,” said 

Pereyra, “I immediately pulled into the 

breakdown lane.

Pereyra is not a medic; she works 

during the week as an information technology specialist at the Massachusetts 

National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters, here, when she is not performing her food service duties. The only 

medical training Pereyra has is basic first 

aid training that every Servicemember 

receives. 

She could have kept on driving; a 

sizable crowd of people had also pulled 

over near the accident site.

 “Back in December, I lost my best 

friend on that highway” recalled Pereyra, 

“Even if there was a little bit that I could 

do to assist, it would be doing something 

good for someone.”

What she ended up doing was more 

than a little “bit.”

Pereyra headed towards the crash.

“The vehicle was completely totaled,” 

said Pereyra.

The driver of the SUV had managed 

to free himself and climb out of the back 

window of the vehicle.

“He starts walking towards the breakdown lane,” said Pereyra, “Everybody ... 

grabbed him and put him off to the side 

so he could sit down.”

She ran back to her car to grab a small 

first-aid kit. When she returned to the 

scene there was an off duty firefighter 

(who is also an EMT) and a nurse and 

another person at the driver’s side, but 

with the exception of some tape, they 

did not have any first-aid supplies. The 

only first-aid supplies on scene were 

Pereyra’s.

“We start grabbing the bandages ... 

some of the tape,” said Pereyra. 

The driver had received numerous 

cuts, including deep gashes on his arm 

and on his ear.

Pereyra and the others started to treat 

the driver until the police and rescue 

units arrived.

“Somebody ... tied a t-shirt around his 

forearm to try to stop the bleeding. Another lady was holding his head still, just 

in case he had any injuries to his bones,” 

said Pereyra.

The driver wasn’t really communicating with his rescuers, he was just sitting 

there.

“People started asking him questions, 

he wasn’t really responding too much,” 

recalled Pereyra, “So I started speaking 

to him in Spanish and he started responding. We were getting all the information 

from him that we needed.”

The driver knew a little English 

recalled Pereyra, but he was more fluent 

in Spanish. Pereyra was the only person 

among the rescuer’s who could speak 

Spanish. She then became the group’s 

de-facto translator. 

While this was happening, most of 

the crowd stood and watched; but not 

everyone.

“I see somebody walking behind me 

in ACU’s,” said Pereyra, “I looked to my 

left and it was Brig. Gen. Sellars.”

 Brig. Gen. Thomas Sellars is the commander, Land Component, Massachusetts National Guard. He also stopped to 

see if he could help.

“I arrived on the scene a couple of 

minutes after the accident,” said Sellars,” Sgt. 1st Class Pereyra was already 

there.”

Sellars assisted in the bandaging efforts alongside Pereyra and the others.

Massachusetts Guard member was 

minding her own business when...

By Army Staff Sgt. Jerry Saslav, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

MILFORD, Mass. - Sgt. 1st Class Breyda Pereyra, an information technology specialist at the Massachusetts National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters here performs her duties at her work station.

U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Saslav, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs 

4 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. James C. Lally, Task Force Yankee Public Affairs

“She (Pereyra) offered a fantastic service and comfort to him,” 

said Sellars, “He was Hispanic and 

everyone else there, other than Sgt. 

1st Class Pereyra did not speak 

Spanish. She spoke to him a lot, 

translated a lot of the discussions 

that were going on around him. I 

think that made the individual ... 

more comfortable.”

Sellars stayed until the state 

police, West Bridgewater fire department and the West Bridgewater 

paramedics arrived on the scene and 

took over.

Pereyra still was needed on the 

scene; none of the new personnel 

spoke Spanish.

“I stepped into the ambulance so 

they (the paramedics) could jot his 

information down,” said Pereyra, 

“They let him know where he was 

going, I translated that to him, to let 

him know that they were going to 

take him to a local hospital.”

The hospital was nearby, so there 

was no need for Pereyra to accompany the driver any longer. As 

she got out of the ambulance one 

of the paramedics thanked her for 

translating for them. The paramedics were not the only ones who 

were impressed with Pereyra; Sellars was very impressed. “I’m just 

tremendously impressed with Sgt. 

Pereyra,” said Sellars, “How calm 

she was, how focused she was on 

trying to help the individual.” 

As for the fact that she stopped 

in the first place to try to offer assistance, even though she is not a 

medic, was not a surprise to Sellars.

“She did what any one of us, 

any Soldier would do in the same 

circumstances. We’re all trained in 

basic first-aid,” said Sellars,” It’s 

not different from the sense of duty 

that makes us serve selflessly in 

the military; somebody’s in need, 

the opportunity presents itself that 

you’re in a position to be able to do 

something.”

After the ambulance left, Pereyra 

called a friend to see if she could 

borrow some dry clothes and resumed her journey towards Boston.

Task Force Yankee Soldiers continue proud 

tradition serving our nation in Afghanistan

By Army Lt. Col. James Sahady, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

KABUL – Ninety-four years ago, the historic 26th Yankee Infantry Division was 

formed. Today, the division’s heritage is carried on by the 26th Maneuver Enhancement 

Brigade. Currently the brigade is designated as “Task Force Yankee,” commanded by 

Brig. Gen. John A. Hammond, Massachusetts Army National Guard. Task Force Yankee 

is deployed in Afghanistan in support of Operating Enduring Freedom. 

On Aug. 22, 2011, Soldiers from Task Force Yankee conducted a ceremony at Camp 

Phoenix celebrating the 94th birthday of the 26th Yankee Division and simulteanously 

conducting a right shoulder combat ceremony concluding with a YD birthday cake.

Formed in 1917, the division was activated on August 22 of that year in Boston. The 

division consisted of two brigades comprising of National Guard units from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. The division’s 

commander, Maj. Gen. C.R. Edwards, selected the nickname “Yankee Division” to 

highlight the division’s geographic makeup.

The Soldiers of the Yankee Division served gallantly in both world wars and fought 

under Gen. George Patton’s Army where he was quoted as saying to Maj. Gen. Omar 

Bradley: “Brad, my three best divisions are the 4th Armored, the 80th and the 26th. I’ll 

concentrate the 4th Armored at Longwy beginning tonight, I’ll start the 80th on Luxembourg tomorrow morning, and I’ll alert the 26th to be ready to move.”

Hammond presented several 21st Century Yankee Soldiers with their YD combat 

patch on this historic anniversary for their service in Afghanistan.

“Our current YD Soldiers are fighting and serving this nation with the same patriotic 

vigor and Yankee pride,” said Hammond. “They have upheld their ancient honors, kept 

their powder dry and maintained the high standards established by our Yankee Division 

forbearers nearly 100 years ago,” he said.

These present day Yankee Soldiers will now join two previous generations who have 

earned the right to proudly wear the YD patch on their right shoulder in recognition 

of their wartime service. These heroic Soldiers will join the YD Soldiers of the 101st 

Engineer Battalion, the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, the 181st Infantry Regiment, the 

182nd Infantry Regiment and the 26th Brigade Headquarters in adding a new chapter to 

the rich history of the 26th Yankee Division.

“They (Task Force Yankee) have truly earned the respect and admiration of their 

comrades, neighbors, elected officials back in Massachusetts and the Yankee Division 

Soldiers who have preceded them. I present these greetings to you with respect and 

admiration,” Hammond said.

KABUL – Brig. Gen. John A. Hammond, commander, Task Force Yankee, Massachusetts Army National 

Guard, addresses the Yankee Brigade and Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment during a 

ceremony honoring the 94th anniversary of the lineage of the Yankee Brigade and for the Soldiers earning their 

combat patch, on Aug. 22, 2011, Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan.

The Nation’s First 5
Hurricane Irene: Home Front Battle

By Army Pfc. Alexa L. Discepolo, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center 

WEST NEWTON, Mass. – When the 

governor activates members of the 

Massachusetts National Guard it not only 

affects them, it affects their families and 

puts their lives on hold. National Guard 

members leave their families while battling tornadoes, flooding, and other environmental disasters; leaving their wives, 

husbands, or parents on their own. 

This can create a heavy burden on the 

loved ones of Soldiers and Airmen, who 

are often left bearing additional responsibilities, like securing the house and family while weathering the storm alone. 

Hurricane Irene is no exception. Nearly 2,500 Soldiers and Airmen have been 

activated as their families prepare for up 

to 100mph winds and heavy rainfall. In 

these situations, military families take on 

the challenge of running their homes by 

themselves during undesirable weather. 

“It’s tough because we scramble to 

get in here as quick as we can and while 

everyone else is home with their families 

during the storm we have to be here, so 

it’s definitely trying on families to fill 

roles without loved ones on hand,” said 

Capt. Russell O’Neal, a Medfield, Mass. 

native, who works in the operations and 

training section of the 101st Engineer 

Battalion, Massachusetts Army National 

Guard.

While Soldiers and Airmen are activated, family members assume a huge, 

sometimes singular role in their homes. 

When this happens, other family members show great organizational skills, and 

the ability to handle being both a mother 

and a father to children, even when their 

hands are filled, said Col. Paul Landry, 

a Sudbury native who serves as commander of the 79th Troop Command, 

Massachusetts Army National Guard.

“The Soldiers and Airmen impress 

me, the family members impress me 

even more because they’re able to run 

the home, while we do what we do,” said 

Landry.

The most recent time Landry was activated, his wife went above and beyond to 

ensure the family’s comfort level while 

he would be gone. 

“The minute I let my wife and my kids 

know that daddy’s going to be gone for 

a couple of days the first thing my wife 

did was called my parents saying ‘Paul’s 

going away.’ [She] called her sisters and 

they said while you’re gone, were going 

to come over and we’ll have a sleepover 

for the kids tonight and we’ll watch 

movies,” said Landry. 

Having confidence in the strong family members they have left behind can 

bring reassurance to Soldiers and Airmen 

activated for state duty. 

Although being a military spouse is a 

hard job, it gives the Soldiers and Airmen security and a peace of mind knowing that their spouses can handle issues 

at home, making it easier to do their job, 

said Landry. 

LITTLETON, Mass. - Members of the 379th Engineer Company (Horizontal), Massachusetts Army National Guard, reposition a pallet of sand bags in order to 

sustain production of more sandbags August 27 at the Massachusetts Highway Department facility here. Soldiers and Airmen of the Massachusetts National 

Guard were activated in preparation of the approach of Hurricane Irene. 

U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Jerome Bishop, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center

6 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
Barnes responds to Irene 

By Air Force Maj. Matthew T. Mutti, 104th Fighter Wing

WESTFIELD, Mass.. – As the forecast 

of Hurricane Irene became clear and 

Massachusetts would certainly be in her 

path, the Massachusetts National Guard 

began mobilizing and preparing to support the commonwealth as it braced for 

localized disasters. 

More than 110 men and women from 

the 104th Fighter Wing joined nearly 

2,500 Massachusetts National Guard 

members called to state active duty from 

throughout the commonwealth, all tasked 

to provide support to the community. 

The Guard was asked to participate in 

the state-wide relief efforts; supporting 

communities affected by the storm.

The Fighter Wing, stationed at Barnes 

Air National Guard Base in Westfield 

provided very specialized capabilities to 

the state. They assembled Command, 

Control and Communication teams, 

(POD) Point of Distribution teams, 

(RAT) Rapid Assistance teams, Public 

Affairs teams, and (CERFP) Chemical 

Biologic Radiological Nuclear Enhanced 

Response teams; all focused toward 

assisting the commonwealth as they 

responded to Hurricane Irene.

As the hurricane was downgraded to 

a tropical storm, the National Guard was 

remained on state active duty to support 

the governor as he and his emergency 

response force collaborated with the 

Massachusetts Emergency Management 

and Federal Emergency Management 

Agencies. The Guard has developed 

strong working relationships with these 

agencies during recent natural disasters. 

The Massachusetts National Guard is a 

critical part of the team, as seen during 

recent tornados in Western Massachusetts and the spring floods in Eastern 

Massachusetts. The collaboration is engrained, which allows for synergy during 

emergencies like Irene.

“We train together,” said Master. Sgt. 

Chris McCrary, the 104th Fighter Wing 

Emergency Manager. “These partnerships are really what make the Guard so 

unique. We live in these communities, 

and we have developed strong working 

relationships over the years.” 

The dynamic nature of the Guard was 

clearly seen as they interacted with support agencies from throughout the state, 

and even agencies across state lines. The 

mission of providing support is universal 

in the Guard. In one instance, the Massachusetts Air Guard assembled with a 

team from the Vermont National Guard 

in Shelburne Falls, Mass. The Vermont 

Guard’s 186th Brigade Support Battalion, had to travel through Massachusetts 

in order to reach destinations in Western 

Vermont near the Massachusetts border. 

Some Vermont towns were completely 

water-locked and there was no intrastate 

access. The team joined forces with 

the Massachusetts Air Guard who was 

assisting homeowners in Shelburne; 

together they traversed through 17 towns 

on washed out roads, helping community 

members of both Massachusetts and 

Vermont. 

“Have you noticed how people have 

been just stopping what they’ve been 

doing, turning around, looking straight 

at us, and then giving us a big grin and 

a thumbs up or a salute when we drive 

by? Sure, it took us more than 20 hours 

to find a way to get here, but they don’t 

know that,” said Sgt. Richard Hawkins 

from the Vermont Guard. “It’s about 

letting people who have been cut off 

from nearly everything, and who have 

lost a lot, know they have not been 

forgotten and that the Guard cares about 

them. It gives them hope. Vermont, 

Massachusetts, it doesn’t matter, we are 

all here to help.”

Air Guard members from the 104th 

Fighter Wing also augmented MEMA 

in Rapid Assistance Teams. The teams 

worked with local town officials in affected areas of Western Massachusetts, 

to provide damage assessments after the 

storm. In total the Air Guard assisted in 

7 of the 14 teams throughout the commonwealth.

“We worked alongside member of 

MEMA and FEMA,” said Master Sgt. 

Alan Smith, a members of the 104th 

Fighter Wing Maintenance Group. “We 

would assess the damage to roadways 

and affected infrastructure, providing 

assistance in any way we could.” 

The Massachusetts National Guard 

will continue to work with the communities affected by the storm; providing assistance and support to the communities 

affected by the hurricane. 

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Sgt. Richard Hawkins from Detachment One, A company, 186th Brigade 

Support Battalion from Windsor, Vt., speaks to a civilian about the missing road in East Dover, 

Vt., Aug. 29, 2011. The Vt. Guard unit joined members of the 104th Fighter Wing of the Mass. Air 

National Guard as they were tasked to perform a high water rescue/evacuation missions as well as 

assist FEMA in damage assessments in and around Western Vermont and Northern Mass.

Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Melanie Casineau

The Nation’s First 7
Mass. Guard train first responders in Tajikistan

By Army Sgt. Jeremiah J. Clark, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs 

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan –As a dozen nurses and doctors 

sprint into the courtyard as a gruesome scene unfolds.

Casualties are sprawled out all over the ground. A man runs 

around screaming, another is spread out with a fractured skull 

from the brick lying next to him and right in front is a women, 

unconscious with a branch impaling her leg. It is utter pandemonium.

This is where all of the training is going to be put to good 

use.

Ripping through the packaging of a tourniquet, one nurse 

evaluates the victim, minor bleeding and unresponsive.

“Stop,” says and interpreter in Russian.

As quickly as it started, the exercise is over.

Thursday’s field training exercise is the culmination of a 

four-day instructional period that Soldiers of the 51st Troop 

Command have been teaching to doctors and nurses of the 

Dushanbe Hospital, said Staff Sgt. Nicholas J. Bruce, training 

non-commissioned officer, Medical Command, Massachusetts 

National Guard, and the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of 

the operation.

The scenario has two parts; the first part is classroom 

instruction involving the medics of the 51st and the students, 

doctors and nurses of the Dushanbe Hospital. The classes 

include splinting, triage, tactical combat casualty care and 

hemorrhage control. Also, the medics highlighted the use of 

evacuation and evaluation, using the DIME methods; Delayed, 

immediate, minimal and expectant.

The second part is the field exercise. 

“Watching them improve from one iteration to the next gives 

us a feeling of accomplishment, especially after the field exercise,” said Sgt. Michael S. Struppa, squad leader, 1st Battalion, 

182nd Medical Company, Massachusetts National Guard.

The students worked so well that they achieved all of the 

training, including the final exercise that was required in four 

days instead of the original five, said Struppa, who is participating in the exercise for the second time.

“It was due to the excellent instruction put on by the medics 

involved,” said Struppa.

This includes Staff Sgt. Robert F. Campbell and Sgt. Charles 

J. Rozier both of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st 

Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment. It also includes Bruce and 

Struppa.

Also, on their list of accomplishments is making the Tajiks 

aware of the standards and equipment of the U.S. Army Medics 

whom work with a lot of field aid, said Bruce.

The equipment that they used to teach the Tajiks was also 

donated to them, said Bruce. Some of the supplies are for 

further instruction and even more for actual use in case of a 

situation such as the earthquake.

“One of the most important things is making sure they are 

prepared in case something like this happens,” said Bruce.

Another important accomplishment for the Soldiers is the 

relationships they create.

“You never know when we’ll be here again, maybe due to 

an earthquake like the scenario depicts or maybe for other 

reasons,” said Bruce. “Either way, we’ll know that working 

together is possible.”

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Sgt. Michael S. Struppa, squad leader 1st Battalion, 182nd Medical Company, Massachusetts National Guard, helps first responders 

of Tajikistan utilize the medical supplies that the Soldiers brought with them while conducting a medical exercise, here, Sept. 22, 2011.

US Army photo by Sgt. Jeremiah J. Clark, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

8 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
Guardsmen shoot to win in combat marksmanship competition

By Army Staff Sgt. Jerome Bishop, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center

FORT DEVENS, Mass. -- For most National Guardsmen, a 

trip to the range means beating your qualification score from 

last time or learning a new weapon system, but for a few dozen 

Massachusetts National Guardsman, the three-day trip to the 

ranges at Fort Devens, Mass., going to the range meant taking 

home the biggest trophy. 

The 2011 State Marksmanship Competition was held from 

Friday, Aug. 12 to 14, at Fort Devens for Guardsman, Army or 

Air, to earn a spot in the next level of competition.

Unlike some shooting competitions, this event incorporated 

a few elements that are unique to those serving in the military. 

“We try to simulate a stressful environment where you have 

multiple targets from multiple distances and different stances 

that you might find in a combat situation, like kneeling and 

prone,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Ulrich, a Belchertown, Mass., 

native who serves as a Small Arms Readiness Team section 

non-commissioned officer.

There isn’t a lot of time to shoot accurately during the different events before a whistle of buzzer sounds, signaling the end 

of the target exposure, which helps the competition function 

also as a combat training exercise, he added. 

Despite the training aspect of the competition, having to not 

only compete against a score from the previous year like at 

most qualification ranges, helps the Soldiers and Airmen shoot 

better for the sake of beating someone else. 

“There’s a little more pressure to perform better than the 

guy next to you and it actually brings the level of shooting up 

to a different competitive level to where you put pressure on 

yourself, pressure on your peers, and at the end of the day the 

highest score wins and the best shooter prevails,” Ulrich said.

“We try to much as much pressure on the shooters as we can 

to make them shoot fast and accurate,” he added. “Obviously 

we find out who the best shooters are, who shoots the fastest 

and most accurately by competition.”

The best shooters will have an opportunity to advance further and represent Massachusetts in the next stage of the competition, which will ultimately culminate in a national match 

held in October in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The competition featured events using both the pistol and 

rifle where the first, second and third place finishers in either 

the open or novice class were awarded trophies. Team trophies 

were also presented to the top three teams. For the individual 

with the highest combined score over all the events, a plaque 

of his or her name will be added to the First Sergeant Kevin A. 

Dupont Memorial Trophy, which is on display at Joint Force 

Headquarters in Milford, Massachusetts.

“We only identify the winner of the Kevin Dupont trophy 

as the person who has the total aggregate score of the combat 

pistol, excellence in competition match, the rifle EIC match, 

so it really brings a different meaning to us, to people who 

have worked with Kevin and it brings the level of integrity and 

sportsmanship and marksmanship I think up a level when you 

have something like that,” said Ulrich.

This year, Tech Sgt. Christopher Cekovsky, a combat arms 

instructor for the Security Forces Squadron, 104th Fighter 

Wing, received the honor of being the First Sergeant Kevin A. 

Dupont Memorial Trophy winner, as well as being a member of 

the first place team from the 104th Fighter Wing. 

“We did great as a team. I’m a team concept guy, yes, I take 

trophies, but it’s a team,” said Cekovsky. “They support me 

in the things that they do for the team and I support them and 

that’s how it works, if I win, if they win, we all win.”

“I’m very proud, and as the marksmanship coordinator for 

the base, it helps drive your program,” he added. “People support you when you win, and hopefully they’ll stick with you 

when you have hard times and those are your true supporters.”

Whether participants went home with a trophy or two, or left 

with a few new tips on how to do something easier given by an 

experienced shooter they met, the Guardsmen who took part in 

this competition now have a new story to tell or a new piece of 

advice to give when they return to their home units, a prize any 

shooter can hope for. 

FORT DEVENS, Mass. – Tech Sgt. Chris Cekovsky, a firearms instructor for 

the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, receives the First 

Sergeant Kevin A. Dupont Memorial Trophy for having the highest individual 

cumulative score for the 2011 State Marksmanship Competition Sunday, Aug. 

14, 2011, at Fort Devens, Mass. The three-day event, which included multiple 

events using different stances, distances, obstacles and weapons.

U.S. Army Photo By Staff Sgt. Jerome Bishop, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center

The Nation’s First 9
Mass. Guard participates in Regional 

Cooperation 2011 Excercise in Tajikistan

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs 

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – When disaster strikes, the international community is quick to respond with offers of aid in the 

form of food, medicine, equipment and manpower.

The utilization of this aid and how quickly it gets to the affected area can mean the difference between saving thousands 

of lives and arriving too late. Training response personnel on 

the techniques and procedures of employing aid during a disaster is crucial to the success of a relief operation.

This training has to be done well before it is needed and 

responders need to continuously hone their skills to stay sharp 

in the case of emergencies.

The Regional Cooperation 2011 exercise held in Tajikistan, 

Sept. 15 - 25, was designed to prepare several nations in the 

area to respond to both a natural disaster and a man-made 

catastrophic event.

Thirty-six members of the Massachusetts National Guard 

recently traveled for more than 30 hours, including 20 hours of 

flight time, through four airports and three continents to train 

the RC-11 participants.

 “The biggest obstacle for the U.S. forces is just getting 

here.” said Maj. John R. Dickey, assistant operations officer, 

Massachusetts National Guard. “There is a lot of traveling.”

Dickey said the main obstacle for the exercise was working 

with multiple countries and languages but with patience and 

the help of their interpreters they’re always successful in 

getting the message across.

These Guardsmen, many veterans of earlier RC exercises, 

were Soldiers with backgrounds in intelligence, operations, 

logistics, medicine and public affairs.

Paired up with additional personnel from CENTCOM in 

Florida and their counterparts from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, 

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the Massachusetts Soldiers were 

broken down into their functional cells for the exercise.

“Regional Cooperation 2011 is a disaster response exercise 

involving the Central Asian states and the Unites States that 

simulates a disaster has occurred and neighboring countries 

provide assistance to the affected country,” said Dickey.

The exercise itself was centered on a Regional Coordination 

Center comprised of the participating nations and how it dealt 

with two fictional events; a natural disaster and subsequent 

terrorist attack. The initial crisis was a 7.5 magnitude earthquake centered in the city of Isfara, Tajikistan which destroyed 

70 percent of the city leaving thousands dead, wounded and 

displaced.

Planners designed the event to exceed the available assets 

the Tajik government had available to handle the crisis, thus 

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Lt. Col. Matthew Kennedy, Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 79th 

Troop Command, Massachusetts National Guard, works through an interpreter with other role players during Regional Cooperation 2011, here, Sept. 19, 2011. RC-11 is a joint exercise that includes 

representatives from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan who work together in a 

Regional Coordination Center to respond to natural disasters or other issues countries in that region 

may face. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeremiah J. Clark, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs)

10 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
Become part of RTI history

Col. Charles Perenick, the commander of the 101st Regiment and commandant to the Massachusetts Military Academy, invites you to become a part of 

the nation’s oldest state-run military academy. The Massachusetts Military Academy will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013, in an effort to raise 

funds to support not only the Academy but the celebration in 2013, Col. Perenick and his cadre are selling laser etched bricks which will be used in the 

construction of a new base to the academies flagpole. Laser etched bricks are red in color with black lettering, measure four inches by nine inches, and 

offer three lines with 20 characters per line (spaces count as characters) If you have ever wanted to recognize a soldier and his or her service, thank a 

loved one for their support of the military...pay homage to a soldier, remember a family member or just support the academy now is a great opportunity 

to do so and become part of history. The price per brick is $65. A smaller paperweight brick with the same engraving as the larger one can be purchased 

for an additional $10; a great gift to the recipient or the family of the recipient. For more information or to order contact Master Sgt. Attilio Raffa at 508-

233-7325 or at attilio.c.raffa@us.army.mil.

requiring a request to neighboring nations for assistance.

The aid from other nations arrived on the third day after the 

earthquake and the RCC, a planning and coordinating cell, is 

quickly established to help achieve unity of effort during the 

ongoing relief and recovery operations. The RCC is not a command and control team, but provides the coordination, analysis 

and makes recommendations to the host nation. The host nation 

retains control of all operations within their borders.

“The purpose of the exercise is to promote coordination 

between the Tajiks and the surrounding countries to prepare of 

any natural disasters or catastrophic event that happens in the 

area,” said 1st Lt. Ross A. Krajewski, assistant logistics officer, 

51st Troop Command, Massachusetts National Guard. “The 

goal is to have them work together to overcome any obstacles 

they face.

“We use the computer simulated disaster as a process to get 

all the countries in the same room,” said Dickey. “We get them 

to work with each other and get to know each other so in the 

event that a real disaster happens they already have some processes in place to help them successfully respond to the crisis.”

The RCC maintains direct communications with the intelligence, operations, logistics and public affairs groups to best 

utilize the capabilities and experience of each cell.

The exercise started off slowly with the participants becoming accustomed to interacting with each other through the use 

of interpreters, as Dari and Russian are the principal languages 

spoken in Tajikistan.

As the exercise pace progressed, the Massachusetts Guardsmen transitioned from active to passive advisors. The host 

nation and their regional neighbors quickly assumed the lead 

asking for assistance only when needed.

This is when the exercise planners threw another disaster 

at the participants. The Asian Unification Brigade, a fictitious 

terrorist organization, seized control of a dam control room 

and opened the floodgates prior to destroying the controls. The 

subsequent flooding in the valley below the dam left thousands 

more injured, missing and homeless.

More importantly the event further tested the RCC’s ability 

to respond to the needs of the people of Tajikistan. Two disasters in the span of seven days created additional stress on every 

cell involved. 

Logistics and operations cells had to sort through numerous requests for aid convoys and divert supplies to areas in 

critical need. The intelligence cell tracked conditions as they 

developed including weather, AUB activity and conducted an 

ongoing threat assessment. The public affairs cell maintained 

the critical information flow to the public by issuing numerous 

press releases, responding to media queries, facilitating one-onone interviews and hosting press conferences.

Once the participants adjusted to the new scenario the 10-

day exercise came to a close. Those involved in RC-11 came 

away with a better understanding of working in a multi-national environment and the importance of collaborations in the face 

of large-scale disasters.

Each participant also got to meet their counterparts from 

the various nations and hopefully sowed the seeds of lasting 

relationships through the region.

The Massachusetts Guardsmen left Tajikistan on the long 

journey home successfully completing their part of RC-11, 

already looking forward to RC-12.

The Nation’s First 11
HONORING A LIFETIME OF SERVICE

By Army Lt. Col. James Sahady, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs 

SALEM, Mass. – “I actually enlisted 

on my 17th birthday,” said Brig. Gen. 

Thomas J. Sellars, “I was an artilleryman in a rocket unit in Brockton ... 

that was 1974.”

Thirty-seven years later; as he stands 

on the historic Salem Common with 

Soldiers and Airmen from every major 

command in the Massachusetts National Guard, on Sept. 10, 2011, where the 

“First Muster” of the Army National 

Guard took place in 1637, Sellars is 

looking at the beginning of the end of 

his service as a uniformed member of 

the Massachusetts National Guard. 

“When you look back at a career 

... from this end,” said Sellars,” It has 

greater meaning ... all of those people 

who took the time to mentor you, to 

help you, to keep you on a path of 

success.”

All that mentoring, which began 

with a 17-year old private following a 

“path of success” has led to this point, 

the retirement ceremony of Brig. Gen. 

Thomas J. Sellars, commander of the 

Massachusetts Army National Guard 

and of Joint Force Headquarters-Massachusetts.

Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice, commander, Massachusetts Air National Guard 

was the presiding officer and provided 

keynote remarks: “The Massachusetts 

Air National Guard and Army National 

Guard join the City of Salem this day 

to honor the retirement of Thomas J. 

Sellars.” Rice said. Brig. Gen. Sellars will be retiring on this historic 

ground were America’s National Guard 

Heritage can be traced back 375 years 

to the governor’s proclamation to form 

three militia regiments to defend the 

Massachusetts Bay Colony. “I appropriately wear my blues in deep respect 

of years of service and I tip my hat and 

bow to you General Sellars for your 

selfless dedication to duty,” he said.

Sellars was commissioned as a 

second lieutenant in 1977 through the 

Officer Candidate School at the Massachusetts State Military Academy. 

Prior to receiving his commission as 

an officer, Sellars served as an enlisted 

Soldier of the 1st Battalion 241st 

(Honest John Rocket) Field Artillery 

Regiment of the Massachusetts Army 

National Guard. 

As one of the few general officers 

who enlisted as a Soldier and promoted 

through the enlisted ranks to sergeant, 

Sellars rose through the officer ranks 

from second lieutenant to brigadier 

general. 

“I had a lot of NCO’s (noncommissioned officers) pushing me to become 

an officer ... apparently they saw 

something in me that I didn’t see in 

myself,” said Sellars, “It is the contribution of many people that make you 

successful in the military, not anything 

that one single individual does.”

Sellars assumed the duties of comSALEM, Mass. - Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice, commander, Massachusetts Air National Guard shakes 

the hand of Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Sellars, commander, Massachusetts Army National Guard, 

during Sellars’ retirement ceremony on the Salem Common, Salem, Mass., Sept. 10, 2011. 

Rice was the presiding officer during the ceremony and provided keynote remarks. (U.S. Army 

photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Saslav, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center)

12 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
mander, Massachusetts Army National 

Guard in March 2007. He is responsible for the training of all Army National Guard Soldiers and units in the 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as 

well as their preparedness to respond 

to civil operations and deployment 

to assume the duties of their wartime 

mission. Sellars also serves as the commander of Joint Force Headquarters, 

Massachusetts National Guard where 

he is responsible for more than 8,000 

Soldiers and Airmen.

Sellars is known for placing emphasis on taking care of Soldiers and 

Airmen. As the top enlisted Soldier 

in the Massachusetts National Guard, 

State Command Sgt. Maj. David Costa 

worked closely with Sellars. “I believe 

that General Sellars’ affect on Soldiers can be summed up in two words: 

“Selfless service,” he said. “They are 

inspired by his compassion and caring for the Soldiers and their families 

while ensuring the mission always gets 

accomplished.” 

Sellars comes from a family of three 

generations of Massachusetts National 

Guardsmen; his father, three uncles, 

and brother have all served in the 

Guard. He decided to become an officer when he decided to make a career 

in the Guard; he also had a bit of help 

from his fellow Soldiers.

“This is a historic day for the Massachusetts National Guard. Brig. Gen. 

Sellars will be retiring on the weekend 

of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 after 

serving nearly four decades of military service to the Commonwealth of 

Massachusetts and our Nation. He is 

a true Patriot and his presence and 

leadership will be greatly missed by us 

all. On behalf of The Adjutant General 

of Massachusetts, Maj. Gen. Joseph C. 

Carter, and all the Soldiers and Airmen 

in the Massachusetts National Guard...

I thank you General Sellars...I thank 

you Nancy...and your family for your 

selfless service,” Rice said.

Sellars said his Soldiers are what he 

would miss the most. “The camaraderie, the time with them, whether it’s in 

the field training or on the parade field 

like this, it will be sorely missed,” he 

said.

Sellars will continue to serve the 

citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the military division as 

the assistant adjutant general/executive 

officer of the Massachusetts National 

Guard.

Sellars lives in Randolph, Mass., 

with his wife Nancy and has one son, 

Jason, a current member of the Massachusetts National Guard. Jason is 

deployed in Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

SALEM, Mass. - Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Sellars, commander, Massachusetts Army National Guard, shakes the hand of Col. Charles 

H. Perenick Jr., commander, 101st Regiment, Massachusetts Army 

National Guard, as he reviews the troops for the final time during his 

retirement ceremony on the Salem Common, Salem, Mass., Sept. 

10, 2011. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Saslav, 65th Public 

Affairs Operations Center)

“I had a lot of 

NCO’s pushing 

me to become an 

officer, apparently 

they saw something 

in me that I didn’t 

see in myself”

- Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Sellars

The Nation’s First 13
Experience and Experiment are not one in the same

By Army Sgt. Jeremiah J. Clark, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

I

t could be any place at anytime, but it had to be now. Her 

hands quiver as the women standing behind her watches 

her every move. The sweat from her brow beads down to 

her chin and then drips to the floor, the fear of failing this test is 

terrifying. 

“Why did I have to smoke last week,” she thinks to herself. 

“I knew I had drill, but it just didn’t seem important at the 

time.”

Donna Weismann is your average 19 year old college 

student. The freedom of the college atmosphere allows 

her to spend most of her time sun bathing and hanging 

out with her friends.

 However, what sets her apart from her new friends is that 

when she decided to go to college she joined the Army National Guard. Whether she joined for money or for the chance to 

serve her country part time, her rules for living her life changed 

when she took that oath.

Donna must stay in shape, keep a grade point average of a 

3.0 or better and most importantly stay clean. The National 

Guard allows no drug use. 

Recently, Donna started to go out with her friends more 

often. College is becoming more about the social interactions 

than the academics. 

“Hey Donna, you want to hit up Lisa’s tonight,” her roommate Amanda asks. “I hear she’s having a wicked awesome 

party. Everyone is going. Even JT is supposed to show up.”

“Of course I want to go,” says Donna “but, what should I 

wear? If JT is going to be there I better look amazing.” 

“All you need to think about is what we’re drinking tonight,” 

Amanda laughs. “And when do you want to start drinking?”

“Right now,” Donna laughs.

As the afternoon rolls on and the night starts, Donna and her 

roommate start to make their way to the party. It’s about 7 p.m. 

so they take it slow. They start mingling, playing pong and 

most importantly checking out the scenery. 

“Hey, Donna, don’t look now, but here comes JT,” Amanda 

turns her head to avert the gaze of the gentlemen approaching 

the two girls. 

“How do I look?” Donna blurts out trying to make sure she’s 

perfect by the time JT gets to them. “Is there anything in my 

teeth?”

“You look fine dear,” Amanda says as she waves at JT.

JT finally gets to Amanda and Donna. They share a brief 

conversation before Amanda excuses herself to go off and get 

another drink.

“Hey, Donna, you look amazing tonight,” JT says, trying to 

sound confident yet sincere. 

“Thanks, you too,” Donna asks. “Are you having fun tonight?”

“Definitely, this party is wicked cool,” says JT. “I’ve seen 

just about everyone, even people you wouldn’t expect to be 

here. It’s great, how about you?”

“Yeah, me too,” said Donna.

“Yeah, well make sure to stick around after the party is 

over,” JT says and then winks at her. “We’re having a smaller 

Substance Abuse Program

Don’t let drugs damage your career

By Army Col. Steven A. Fernandez, Director of Counter Drug Program, Massachusetts National Guard

MILFORD, Mass. – The Massachusetts National Guard Joint Substance Abuse Program’s mission is to 

strengthen the overall effectiveness of 

the National Guard’s total workforce 

and to enhance the health and combat 

readiness of its service members.

The Joint Substance Abuse Office 

is responsible for the testing and education of Soldiers and Airmen in the 

Massachusetts National Guard. This includes training Unit 

Prevention Leaders. UPLs are responsible for administering 

the required monthly 10 percent testing at the unit level and 

providing Soldiers and Airmen in their unit with drug education as well as advising the commander on the program. 

The current and future operational tempo of the National 

Guard has focused command emphasis on creating a healthy 

and efficient force by minimizing the effects of alcohol and 

drugs. Leaders are expected to educate Soldiers and Airmen 

on the effects of a positive drug test and ensure they are 

aware that illicit drug use won’t be tolerated. 

If you have any questions or need any assistance please 

contact Sgt. 1st Class Adam Berg, Tech. Sgt. Beverly Duhamel or Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Cesaitis in the Massachusetts 

National Guard Substance Abuse Office. 

Col. Steven A. Fernandez

14 Minuteman Magazine - Spring 2011
“after” party.”

“Wow, that sounds awesome, thanks for the invite,” Donna 

smiles, being very flirtatious.

The party goes on for another two or three hours before 

people start to leave. As time flows past, there is only a small 

group of people left, including Donna, Amanda and JT. 

“So what do you guys want to do now,” JT asks. “Cause, I 

have some bud if you wanna smoke?”

“Awesome, I could use some,” says Amanda “I love to 

smoke and then eat, helps with my hangover.”

“Well, I guess we can do that,” Donna laughs uneasily. 

“I really shouldn’t do this,” thinks Donna. “But he’s so cute 

and I really like him.”

“They never drug test me during drill anyway,” thinks 

Donna. “Why would they, I show up on time and never give 

them a reason to suspect that I smoke.”

Amanda inhales and coughs, a cloud of smoke rushes out of 

her mouth.

“That’s some good stuff,” laughs Amanda as she passes the 

blunt to Donna.

Donna takes a hit.

The commander informed the unit that morning that 

drugs are becoming more of a problem for the soldiers 

in the Army National Guard and because of this drug 

tests will be given regularly. 

“Weismann, do you know why you’re in here?” asks the 

commander.

“No sir, I’m not completely sure,” says Weismann, thinking 

that maybe she was just being summoned to the commander’s 

office for another reason.

“Weismann, you’re drug test came up unsatisfactory,” says 

the commander. “You do realize that the National Guard has a 

strict drug policy?” 

“Yes sir, it will never happen again,” says Smith. 

“Maybe I can get off with it this time,” she thinks.

“No it won’t,” says the commander. “We’re processing you 

for separation, its standard procedure.” 

“Yes sir,” says Weismann.

“Oh no, that mean’s I lose everything,” Weismann thinks. 

“I’m going to have to pay back all the money I’ve received for 

tuition and this will stay on my record forever.”

“You’re dismissed Weismann,” the commander says.

As former Cadet Donna Weismann walks away, with her 

head hung in shame, she realizes the weight of the decisions 

she made previously. The National Guard takes drugs seriously and she’ll lose all of the tuition assistance she received. 

Also, she’ll have to pay back everything the National Guard 

previously gave her. As she leaves, too many questions go 

through her head.

“How will I afford to go to college? How will I explain this 

to my parents? How am I going to be able to get a job,” she 

wonders. 

But most of all she asks herself.

 “Why did I have to smoke last week?”

NCO Driven: Hello World, I’m starting this blog 

so I can talk about my life and become famous. 

I guess, first off, my name is Taylor Williams, 

but call me Ronny. I’m a Specialist (soon to be 

Sergeant) in the Mass. National Guard. I’m an 

11 bravo for all you non-military folk that means 

I’m in the Infantry. I got back from a deployment to Iraq not too long ago and want to go 

see what’s happening in Afghanistan soon. 

@TWill: Just talked to my platoon leader, he said if 

I want to get promoted, I need to stand out, in PT 

especially. Looks like I’m hitting the gym!

Taylor Williams: Just looked into promo points 

to get my sergeant stripes. I have pretty much 

everything I need, just want to max everything 

I can on the PT test. If I earn over a 290 I’ll be 

ahead of everyone else in the company, time to 

get serious. 

Matt Chambers: No way bro, no way you’re 

going to beat me. I’ll run circles around you. 

Taylor Williams: Yeah, we’ll see about that. 

You just wait till the next PT test.

@TWill: So, I’m working out hard and eating a lot of 

protein, anyone who knows how to get big fast, let 

me know! Looking for any help I can get.

NCO Driven: My buddy from the gym just 

hooked me up. I’m gonna be a freaking monster 

on my next PT test. This stuff is supposed to get 

me huge and ripped. And for the price, it had 

better. I did a lot of research too, so my side 

effects should be minimal.

@TWill: Going to the gym. Hoping to max out my 

squats today. Can’t wait to see how much more I can 

lift. On top of my reg, I’m taking a preworkout too.

Taylor Williams: Just got kicked out of the 

gym. They set a freaking alarm off on me. Then 

said I was judging people, seriously, WTH. 

I don’t need to go to a place where all they 

wanna do is cardio. If you’re not lifting something heavy, get outta my way. 

Jen Brandt: wow, you’re such a meathead, 

they kicked you out? hahahaha

Fit? Yes. But Not “Fit to Fight”

Story by Sgt. Alfred Tripolone III, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

U.S. Army Illustrations by Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

...continued on next page

The Nation’s First 15
@TWill: Just found a new gym, it smells like steel 

and hardwork in there. I’m in heaven. These guys 

know whats up. Gonna pick their brains about supps.

NCO Driven: Took a practice PT test yesterday 

and got my score up to a 260. My run time was 

a little weak, but I hit 95’s in push-ups and situps. If I max them out, I don’t need to worry 

about improving my run too much. If I keep 

this up, I should be at the top of the list when 

the EPPS list comes out.

@TWill: My shoulder is killing me, I think last night, 

my bud at the gym hit me in the arm a little too 

hard. You should see the bruise.

Bodybuilding Forum Guest: Hey, I’m just wondering, is it normal when you take Winstrol and Anadrol 

together to have some crazy acne going on? It’s pretty 

much all over my back and spreading to my chest. What 

should I do?

@TWill: I read that if you eat enough fruit, the antioxidants will help to reduce bruising and soreness. 

Hopefully it works. 

NCO Driven: The more research I’ve done 

the more I realize I’m doing these all wrong. I 

need to be taking a whole mess of other herbs 

and vitamins in order to be able to maintain my 

organs. I had no idea how much of a strain it 

puts on your liver. No wonder the few times I 

drank while doing this stuff, I felt really strange. 

I’m showing some of the signs of liver failure... 

I’m not sure, but, it’s kind of scary. No pain no 

gain though, right?

Taylor Williams: I’m feeling really sore and 

tired lately. I hope I’m not getting sick. That’d 

put me back a week or two in my training, and 

I can’t have that.

Matt Chambers: Maybe your liver really is 

shutting down on you, ever think of that?

Taylor Williams: Nah, it’s not, what do you 

know? Are you a liver specialist? 

@TWill: Leaving the gym, going to the hospital. 

This suuucks.

Taylor Williams: Dr. says I need to drink 

more water and not workout for a while. I 

can deal the water, but I’ll be back at the gym 

tomorrow. 

Matt Chambers: Do you really think that’s 

a good move? I mean, it’s a doctor telling 

you not to workout, shouldn’t you follow his 

 advice?

Taylor Williams: If I want to fail, yeah sure, 

I’ll skip the gym, but I want to actually do 

something with my life. Thanks for playing. 

Matt Chambers: Jeez, I’m just trying to 

help, sorry to have bothered.

Bodybuilding Forum Guest: When taking a cycle, 

how do you know if you are damaging your liver or 

kidneys? I have been having really bad cramps in my 

side, and haven’t been able to sleep or even drink 

water, for the past few days. I went to the ER because 

I collapsed at the gym, they asked what I was taking 

so I named some random energy pills from the store. 

The doctor told me that I had to stop taking whatever 

I was taking... He said if it keeps up I could have some 

serious issues.

Forum Moderator: Did you tell him the other 

things you were taking? They could be giving 

you something to... 

NCO Driven: A couple days ago I went to the 

hospital. They said I was severely dehydrated. 

When they gave me an IV, I absorbed two bags 

of saline in 20 minutes. Because of the lack of 

fluid in my body, my joints have been really 

sore and creaky. I’m not going to let this stop 

me though. I’m stronger than ever and my PT 

test is less than a month away now. 

@TWill: Going back to the gym for the first time in 

a few days, wish me luck. 

Taylor Williams: Talked to first sergeant 

today. He told me it was down to me and two 

other E-4’s for the sergeant slot. It’s probably 

coming down to who gets the best score on 

their PT test. I know I’ll blow through the test. 

Getting deployed as a sergeant would be so 

awesome. 

@TWill: This diet is starting to get to me. Eating 

nothing but broccoli, fish and more broccoli is terrible. But, it’s all protein or good carbs.

NCO Driven: A little over a week and I’ll be 

running my PT test. My workouts have really 

picked up lately, and I’m feeling pretty awesome.

@TWill: Went on a long run today, not even feeling 

tired, but my knees are aching. I read somewhere 

this stuff could weaken your joints.

Taylor Williams: Last workout before drill 

today. 

Matt Chambers: Hey bro, call me, it’s 

about drill.

Fit? Yes. But Not “Fit to Fight” continued...

16 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
Jen Brandt: Good luck! I hope you do well!

@TWill: Lots of carbs and water tonight, oh pasta 

how I have missed you.

 

Bodybuilding Forum Guest: Just got word there 

might be a test tomorrow morning, other than my 

PT test. Will this stuff show up on a test? I’m a little 

worried.

Forum Moderator: Depends on what it is, 

how often and how much you have used. And 

who is testing, good luck with that bud.

@TWill: Just about maxed my PT test. Got a 295, 

so I should be getting promoted within the next 

couple months, all this work has paid off. 

@TWill: Damn it, damn it, damn it. They are making us all get tested today, something about 100% 

accountability. 

@TWill: I didn’t think this stuff would make me pop 

hot, I have to go to the commanders office in 20 

minutes. 

@TWill: This is so stupid, I’m just trying to be the 

best Soldier I can be, I can’t believe they’re demoting me. 

NCO Driven: I can’t believe I got caught. More 

than that, I can’t believe that they actually 

care. They told me about the policy of ‘zerotolerance’. Like I didn’t already know about it, 

yeah, whatever. 

Now I get to go to substance abuse classes for 

the foreseeable future. On top of that I’ll be 

getting tested every drill. Oh, and I’m back to 

being a PV2.

This really sucks. I guess it could be worse 

though, Mark popped hot too, but for something else, and they’re separating him this 

weekend. So much for us being roommates at 

school next year. And now I’m not “Fit to Fight” 

so, I won’t be getting deployed with the guys. 

This and the other two anti-drug stories are works of 

fiction meant to represent the possible outcomes of 

drug use by our servicemembers. 

Any similarity to actual people or events 

is coincidental.

The Nation’s First 17

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MASSACHUSETTS
One pill, two pills, who’s counting anyway?

By Army Sgt. Jeremiah J. Clark, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

He shot up, an excruciating pain enveloping his lower back. It hurts so bad he 

can barely breathe. His face contorts and 

twists as he winces.

“Hunny, are you okay?” Says the 

women laying next to him.

The room is covered in a shroud of 

darkness. On the night stand is an alarm 

clock, its red digits spell out 12:37 a.m. 

The room is silent other than his panting; 

the pain just won’t go away.

“Yes darling I’m fine, go back to bed,” 

he struggles to say.

“It’s your back again, isn’t it?” she 

asks, as she rubs his back. “You really 

need to go to the doctor again about 

that.”

“No, I’ll be fine dear,” he strains to say 

as another shot of pain shoots through his 

back. 

He reached for the pain medication on 

the night stand. He took two and shook 

the bottle. 

“It’s getting empty,” he thinks to himself. “This is my last prescription, what 

am I going to do when it’s gone?”

Staff Sgt. Jason Kerry, 36, came home 

six months ago from his deployment. He 

spent a year in Iraq as the supply sergeant 

in an infantry unit.

He spent most of his time inside the 

wire, but every once and while he’d have 

to travel to another Forward Operating 

Base to get supplies. That’s when it happened.

It was like any other day, nothing 

different. Kerry was running on a secure 

route when an IED was spotted at the 

front of the convoy. They stopped all the 

trucks did their 5’s and 25’s before gunfire was heard and the IED went off.

The whiz of bullets flying through 

the air was unnerving. Hearing a pop, a 

bullet found the HUMVEE he used for 

cover.

That was before a rocket hit it. That’s 

the last thing he remembers.

He awoke in Germany with six broken 

ribs and a three herniated discs. The pain 

was unbearable so the doctors pumped 

him full of morphine. 

Kerry spent six months in Walter Reed 

Medical Center before they released him 

back to his unit. 

He received a Purple Heart and a 

Combat Action Badge, which he wore 

proudly, but the problems the incident 

caused made him wish he never had 

received the awards. 

The back injury never got better, but 

he continued on working once he got 

back to his Active Guard Reserve job. 

He worked in his unit’s armory along 

with Staff Sgt. Michael Burton, the readiness noncommissioned officer. 

Kerry pulls into the armory. He felt 

another ping while getting his pack from 

the back seat. He is huffing, strong distress easily seen in his face.

“The back still giving you trouble 

buddy,” asks Burton.

“Nah, just a little sore,” replies Kerry. 

“Nothing I can’t get through.”

“Well if you ever need any help let me 

know,” says Burton. “I’m a magic man.”

They laugh. The two Soldiers make 

their way inside share a cup of coffee and 

talk about their nights before getting to 

work.

Kerry has started to reorganize the 

supply room. It had become a mess after 

the deployment. He asked Burton to help 

him move some of the heavier objects.

“Alright, one... two... three,” says 

Kerry as they move a filing cabinet.

After moving several cabinets, Kerry 

turns red. His back is killing him.

“You okay man,” asks Burton. “You 

don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine,” Kerry says as he pulls out 

his bottle of medication.

He takes the last two pills and places 

the bottle back in his cargo pocket.

“All out,” ask Burton.

“Yeah, but I’ll be okay,” says Kerry.

“Well if you need some more,” says 

Burton. “I still have some of my medication. I wouldn’t mind giving you some.”

“Really,” asks Kerry. “I could use 

some more. Just a couple more doses to 

last me the week.”

“No problem,” says Burton.

Burton had been to Iraq as well. 

His injuries were not as substantial as 

Kerry’s, but he had received pain medication to help him with it.

The next day, like Burton had said, he 

brought it a zip lock bag with some pain 

medication for Kerry who desperately 

needed it. 

“Here you go man,” says Burton. “Enjoy, but be careful because you can get 

addicted pretty easy.”

“That doesn’t happen to me,” says 

Kerry. “I’ve never been addicted to 

anything. I’ve never done drugs and I’ve 

never been a big drinker.” 

He pops two more of the pills. Within 

U.S. Army Illustration by Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

18 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
a half-hour he is lifting the other supplies 

with ease. Nothing seems like too much 

trouble.

Then it starts. Kerry starts taking the 

pills more and more because it makes 

him “better.”

Even at home he starts to notice that 

things are easier. The little things that 

his wife Meredith asked him to do don’t 

seem so troublesome when he takes two 

of the pills, but soon enough he’s out 

again and the nights turn into a miserable 

event. 

His relationship with his wife starts to 

deteriorate exponentially.

When intimacy is lost, relationships 

become a constant struggle. The pain in 

his lower back taxes his physical abilities 

and eventually his emotional health. He 

becomes more irritable. He snaps at 

his wife more than he likes to, which he 

prefers to be never. 

Back at the armory Burton starts to notice a change as well. Addiction sets in.

“Burton, man, do you think I could get 

some more of those pills,” asks Kerry. 

“I ran out again and the pain is getting 

worse.”

“Man, you took all of those already,” 

says Burton. “Maybe you should go back 

to the doctor.” 

“No way,” says Kerry. “I hate doctors, 

plus I only need a little bit more and I’ll 

be okay. “

“Alright,” says Burton, who is hesitant 

to give Kerry more.

Things start to get really bad. Kerry 

starts taking the pills a lot. He uses them 

for everything, including the pain of a 

failing home life. It becomes a failsafe.

The addiction gets worse and worse. 

He looks to other sources to get his medication because he doesn’t want others to 

know that he is still taking them, but they 

do.

Kerry pops two more pills.

“That’s the third time today you’ve 

taken those man,” says Burton. “And it’s 

not even noon. Where did you get those 

anyway?”

“I didn’t notice,” replies Kerry. “I went 

back to the doctor and he prescribed 

more.”

“Really,” said Burton. “When did you 

go?”

“Who are you, my mother,” a frustrated Kerry responds. “What does it matter 

where I got them anyway?”

“You’re right, I just don’t want you to 

get in trouble,” says a concerned Burton. 

“They drug test for that you know and 

drill is coming up.”

“I’m not addicted, I can stop whenever 

I want to,” yells Kerry. “I just don’t want 

to.”

“Do you hear yourself,” says Burton, 

calmly. “You’re yelling at me for trying 

to help.”

“I’m sorry,” says Kerry, realizing his 

uncontrolled burst of anger was very unlike him.

“I know you don’t think you need 

help, but if you decided that you do need 

help maybe you should call someone,” 

says Burton. “It may be better to do that 

now than get discharged for drug use. 

What would Meredith think if you lost 

everything?”

“You’re right,” says Kerry, he sighs. 

“I’ll look into it man, thanks.”

On his way home from work that day 

he struggled with keeping his mind off 

of his medication. It was like a subtle 

memory sitting in the back of his mind 

constantly piping up with reasons to keep 

taking it. Always pushing him to the 

brink, but he kept his cool.

When he finally got home, he was 

sweating. It stressed him out so much 

that he almost couldn’t take it anymore. 

He opened the container he kept the 

pills in and put two in his hand. His 

hands were shaking, they were cold and 

clammy.

“Why shouldn’t I take it,” he says to 

himself. “They’re making me a better 

warrior.”

He looks at himself in the mirror.

“But they’re going to cause me health 

issues later,” he says. “What if I lose my 

whole military career?”

His face began to change; he became 

angry with the idea.

“They’ll never catch me,” he states. 

“I’ll know I can get away with it, the 

military wont kick me out... not now so 

close to retirement.”

He raises his hand to his mouth when 

his wife knocks on the window.

“Jason is everything okay,” Meredith 

asks with a panicked look on her face.

He stops, looks at himself in the mirror 

one more time.

“No, I’m not alright,” he says. “I can’t 

seem to live without these.”

He holds his hand out. Two oval white 

pills lay in the crevice of his damp palm. 

Sweat pours from his forehead as he 

struggles not to get angry or worse, take 

the pills.

“Jason we should get you some help,” 

she says, extremely worried. “It’s a common thing after injuries to get addicted to 

the medication prescribed to you. I know 

of some people we can talk to, but first 

give me the rest of your medication.”

Kerry hands over his pills in his hand 

as well as the container with the rest of 

them in it. They go inside and sit down 

at the kitchen table were they talk about 

his options. 

Kerry goes and sees his doctor again 

looking for alternative forms of pain 

relief other than medication. His doctor 

helps him get in touch with people who 

do physical therapy and other forms of 

non-medical pain relief.

As weeks go by the addiction fades 

and so does the pain. A month later he 

feels like a new person, he feels more 

confident, but understands his limitations 

both physically and mentally. He is not 

completely healed from the injury, but he 

is getting better.

His relationship starts to get better 

as well. The struggle helps his wife to 

understand what he is going through, the 

pains of his deployment and the constant 

battle with his visible injuries as well as 

unseen ones.

One morning at work he gets word that 

one of the soldiers from the deployment 

is being processed for separation.

“Hey Kerry, did you hear about Ford,” 

says Burton. “I hear he’s getting kicked 

out.”

“No I didn’t,” says Kerry. “Why? He 

seemed to be pretty high-speed.”

“Yeah, he popped hot on his drug test 

last drill,” says Burton. “I guess he was 

self medicating.”

“Wow, the National Guard takes it that 

seriously,” says Kerry.

“Yeah, I told you,” says Burton. “How 

are things going for you?”

“Much better,” says Kerry. “That could 

have been me... Thanks for the help. I 

mean it; I could have lost my job and all 

those years of service. Most of my life 

would have been for nothing. How can I 

ever thank you?”

“Don’t get all mushy on me,” laughs 

Burton. “I’m just happy to help out a 

battle buddy.”

The Nation’s First 19
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Saslav, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs 

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. James C. Lally, Task Force Yankee Public Affairs 

Welcoming the President to Camp Edwards

CAMP EDWARDS, Mass. – Col. Francis Magurn, Chief of the Joint Staff, Massachusetts National Guard, greets President Barack Obama at Camp 

Edwards, Bourne, Mass., Aug. 18, 2011. The president landed at Otis before departing on Marine One to start his summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. 

Standing with Magurn is Lt. Col. Shawn Smith, commander, 6th Space Squadron, U.S. Air Force, Col. Richard Sweeten, commander, Air Operations 

Group, 102nd Intelligence Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, and Capt. Jack Newby, executive officer, Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. Standing 

behind the President is Congressman Bill Keating (D), Massachusetts’s 10th Congressional District. Cape Cod and the islands are in Keating’s District.

Yankee Division Birthday Celebration and Combat Patch Ceremony

KABUL – Brig. Gen. John A. Hammond, commander, 26th “Yankee” Brigade, Task Force Yankee, Massachusetts Army National Guard, thanks Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Butt for his service during the Yankee Division Birthday Celebration and Combat Patch Ceremony in Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix 

here Aug. 22, 2011. The 26th held the ceremony to present Soldiers with their unit patches that signify wartime service. 

20 Minuteman Magazine - Fall 2011
Massachusetts Guard 

Soldier Awarded French 

Silver National Medal 

WASHINGTON – Capt. Yves Postec, military attaché, French Navy, French Embassy, Washington, 

D.C., awards the French Silver National Defense 

Medal to Lt. Col. Brandt Bersani, operations officer, 

51st Troop Command, Massachusetts Army National 

Guard, during a ceremony at the French Embassy, 

Washington, D.C., on Aug. 1, 2011. Bersani received 

the award while deployed with the Massachusetts 

Army National Guard for his outstanding service with 

the French operational mentoring liaison team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Bersani recently 

completed his fourth overseas combat tour of duty with 

the Massachusetts Army National Guard (Operation 

Joint Endeavor, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom [two tours].

Mass. Guardsmen Support OEF 

ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Spc. Brian Coelho a rifleman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry, Massachusetts National Guard, scans his 

sector of fire during a key leader engagement at the district center, a secured location, in Arghandab, Afghanistan, July 26, 2011. Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul meet with leaders of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and village elders frequently to solve security issues around 

the province. PRT Zabul’s mission is to conduct civil-military operations in Zabul Province to extend the reach and legitimacy of the Government of Afghanistan. 

Courtesy photo

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Grovert Fuentes-Contreras 

The Nation’s First 21
Military Friends Foundation 

awards scholarships

By Army Sgt. Jeremiah J. Clark, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

BOSTON – The Military Friends 

Foundation, Rep. James E. Vallee and 

Sen. Thomas M. McGee, chairperson, 

Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal 

Affairs, awarded nine students from 

Massachusetts with scholarships for their 

community achievements and academic 

success, August 10, at the state house in 

Boston. 

Those students were: Nicole Doniger 

of Sharon, Mass., going to Bridgewater 

State University, Kaitlyn Clark of Stow, 

Mass., going to Wesleyan University, 

Giulia Murphy of Quincy, Mass., going 

to Hoffstra, Blancaliz Diaz of Brockton, 

Mass., going to Culinary Institute of 

America, Hillary Savoy of Winchester, 

Mass., going Northeastern University, 

Sally Cringan of Townsend, Mass., going to Kent State University, Christiana 

Araniz of Medway, Mass., going to 

Southern New Hampshire University, 

Khris Cintron-Perez of Worcester, Mass., 

going to Worcester State University and 

Lauren O’Connor of Charlton, Mass., 

going to the University of Massachusetts 

at Amherst.

Also in attendance were: Mr. Steven 

Grossman, State Treasurer and Receiver 

General of Massachusetts, Maj. Gen. 

Joseph C. Carter, The Adjutant General, 

Massachusetts National Guard, Sgt. Maj. 

Jim Kelly (Ret.), Military Friends Foundation President, and about one dozen 

other local legislators. 

Grossman made an opening statement 

about his work with the program.

“Each application is reviewed by the 

Military Friends Board of Directors 

and students are selected based on their 

academic achievements, community 

involvement and their essay question 

response,” said Grossman.

Additionally, the program, known 

as the Patriot Scholars, recognizes the 

students, whose parent, step-parent or 

guardian deployed since September 11, 

2001, in the National Guard or Reserves.

“The MFF Patriot Scholarship Scholar 

gives us the opportunity to both recognize the accomplishments of military 

children and learn from their experiences,” said Sarah Keller-Likins, Executive 

Director of the Military Friends Foundation. “Each year applicants submit an 

answer to an essay question. This year 

the students were asked to explain how 

their local community could best recognize and support a military family during 

a deployment.” 

Supporting the scholarships as well 

as other programs run by the Military 

Friends Foundation is important. 

“The Military Friends scholarship 

program and our other programs support 

Guard, Reserve and Families of the fallen and receive support from thousands 

of people across the commonwealth 

who make an annual voluntary donation 

through Question 32E - Mass. Military 

Family Relief Fund - on the Massachusetts State Tax Form,” said Keller-Likins. 

“All Military Friends Foundation programs are funded through the generosity 

of private donors. This year, the Military 

Friends Foundation has provided more 

than $100,000 to Massachusetts military 

families.”

In addition, the scholarship gives these 

students the peace of mind that they are 

not forgotten.

“To me, being named a Military 

Friends scholar means that there are 

people who care about military families, 

and recognize how difficult it is for those 

families, both emotionally and financially, while a military parent is deployed 

overseas and even after he or she returns 

home,” said Nicole Doniger, daughter of 

Sgt. Joel Doniger, 1058th Transportation 

Company, Massachusetts Army National 

Guard; She will be attending Bridgewater State University. “I appreciate everything the Military Friends Foundation 

does to support our family and others.”

The program also helps the students 

applying for the scholarship to learn 

more about being in a military family.

“To me being named a Military 

Friends Patriot Scholar means that I am 

able to spread awareness about being 

a part of a military family,” said Sally 

Cringan, whose step-father is currently 

deployed with 1st Battalion, 182nd 

Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan; She 

will be attending Oregon State University. “The transition from having no one 

in my family in the military to my step 

dad being a Soldier overseas has shed so 

much light to me on what the Soldiers 

and families go through every day. I have 

nothing but respect and admiration for 

military members and their families.”

“Being named a Military Friends 

Scholar means I’m being recognized 

for my academic success,” said Blancaliz Diaz, the daughter of Marco Diaz, 

1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery 

Regiment, Massachusetts Army National 

Guard; She will be attending the Culinary Institute of America. “It also means 

being recognized as a military family 

member who’s proud to have a father 

serving our great nation.”

“There is a quote I will always remember as a value my parents instilled 

in me,” said Diaz. “That quote is ‘School 

and family is important.’ My mother 

would ask me, ‘School and family is’ and 

I would respond ‘Important.’”

BOSTON – Rep. James E. Vallee, chairperson, Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and 

a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, makes a statement during the Military 

Friends Foundation’s Patriot Scholars award ceremony held at the state house, Boston, August 10.

U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jeremiah J. Clark, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs
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