Vol. II, Issue 72 Friday’s Online Edition September 26, 2008

victory timesonline

Story by 

Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, Multi-National 

Corps – Iraq spoke to members of 

the press from Camp Victory Sept. 

22 regarding the current security 

situation in Iraq.

Austin touched on the low levels of violence in recent months, 

mentioned the Iraqi government 

taking responsibility for thousands 

of Baghdad Sons of Iraq members 

in October and expressed his confidence in the growing progress of 

Iraqi security forces.

“We have experienced continued 

low levels of violence, with 15 of the 

last 16 weeks remaining below 200 

attacks per week,” Austin said. “In 

Baghdad, which is a city of roughly 

6 million people, we have averaged 

less than 4 attacks per day for the 

last 13 weeks. This is truly remarkable and would have been hard to 

imagine just six month ago.”

Austin attributed the security 

gains to the hard work of the coalition and growing capability and 

development of the ISF.

“Iraqi security forces have improved tremendously,” Austin said. 

“They’re making great strides and 

have been busy fighting AQI and 

Shiite extremists and are increasingly in the lead.”

Austin also spoke about the upcoming transition of thousands of 

Sons of Iraq to Iraqi control. Next 

week, the Iraqi government will 

take responsibility for 54,000 of 

the 98, 000 Sons of Iraq members. 

The Baghdad province SOI will be 

transitioned first, 

followed by those 

throughout the rest 

of the country. 

“We will be 

working with the 

government to 

provide job skills 

and training for those interested, 

and will ensure civilians are properly transitioned into civilian employment,” Austin said. “We’ll 

work through all the details to see 

that all individuals are paid and get 

meaningful jobs.”

Approximately 20 percent of SoI 

members will be integrated into 

the Iraqi security forces, with more 

than 9,000 having already transitioned into the police force. Others 

will be employed 

doing work for the 

ministries or rebuilding the countryside, Austin said.

“I think we’ve achieved a great 

measure of success,” Austin said. 

“The Government of Iraq will have 

a great opportunity next month to 

make some great progress, and 

MNC-I will stand side by side with 

them every step of the way.”

Austin noted the significant 

progress U.S. and Iraqi forces have 

made in reducing the presence of 

al-Qaeda and reducing the flow 

of foreign fighters in the country, 

especially in Mosul, Diyala and 

Ninewa provinces, where joint operations began approximately two 

months ago. 

Iraqi Security and coalition force 

operations in the north, west and in 

Baghdad have put al-Qaeda in disarray, Austin said. 

“We have been fairly successful 

in the north and south in interdicting 

the flow of foreign fighters,” Austin said. “In Ninewa, we continue 

to pressure the al-Qaeda networks 

in and around Mosul. We’re having 

great effects in our efforts.”

In the end, Austin clearly stated 

although there is much work to be 

done, U.S. and Iraqi forces have 

made many improvements, noting 

the SoI transition and recent transition of Anbar province to Iraqi control as signs 

of immense 

progress for 

the Iraqi people, their security forces 

and their government.

Austin closed by thanking servicemembers and civilians for 

their tremendous efforts as well 

as thanking the Polish contingent 

for their service in Iraq. The unit 

will cease operations on Oct 1 

after five years of service in Iraq 

and redeploy home by the end of 

the month. 

“They have been an outstanding 

Coalition partner and we will miss 

them greatly,” said Austin.

“The Government of Iraq will have 

a great opportunity next month 

to make some great progress, and 

MNC-I will stand side by side with 

them every step of the way.”

Austin

Austin highlights security developments in Iraq
Page 2 Victory Times September 26, 2008

News

 

MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III 

MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Col. Billy J. Buckner 

MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka

MNC-I Command Info Chief: Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante

Editor: Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord

Staff: Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances L. Goch, Spc. 

Samuel J. Phillips, Pfc. Eric J. Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

The Victory Times online welcomes columns, 

commentaries, articles and letters from our 

readers. Send submissions or comments to 

joy.pariante@iraq.centcom.mil. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for security, 

accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space.

The Victory Times Online is an authorized 

electronic publication for members of the 

Department of Defense. Contents of this 

electronic publication are not necessarily 

the official views of or endorsed by the 

U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs 

Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Story and photo by 

Spc. Samuel J. Phillips

MNC-I PAO

Navy promotes sailors to chief petty officers

Rear Adm. Garland Wright, commander, Task Force 134, speaks during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony at Hope Chapel, Camp 

Victory, Iraq Sept. 15 as the chief-selects stand in formation in front of the crowd.

The ranks of the Navy’s chief petty 

officers grew Sept. 15 as 35 sailors were 

presented with their anchors during a 

chief petty officer pinning ceremony at 

Hope Chapel on Camp Victory.

“This is something you work toward for your entire career,” said Chief 

Petty Officer Karen J. Campbell, legal 

research cell noncommissioned officer 

in charge, TF 134. “It’s a great honor to 

be selected for chief. Some people retire before they ever make it to chief.”

“Each of you is doing something far 

more important than simply pinning on 

anchors, changing your uniform and 

donning a new cover,” said Rear Adm. 

Garland Wright, commander, Task 

Force 134. “You are accepting new responsibilities and new privileges, ones 

that no other service grants, and ones 

that have been part of the Navy for 

over 115 years.”

More will be expected and more 

will be demanded of the new chiefs, 

Garland said. They have not merely 

been promoted one pay grade. As the 

chief petty officer creed states, their 

entire way of life will change. 

“I know, however, that none of you 

are overwhelmed by these newfound 

expectations or increased demands,” 

Garland said. “Each of you has been 

raised and trained well by the scores of 

individuals who also assembled charge 

books and helped write the 115 year 

history of your ranks, chiefs whose 

line you now join and extend.”

“You just have to keep doing what 

you know is right,” said Chief Petty 

Officer Kristina L. Montgomery, information systems technician, MultiNational Corps – Iraq C3. “Always 

put your people first and when it seems 

that you have nothing left to give, give 

more.”

Chief petty officers are the standard 

bearers for the Navy, Garland said. 

Their choices are the ones that will 

most significantly define, clarify and 

reinforce our Navy values. It is their 

integrity that will directly result in sailor’s trust of leadership. They are the 

primary drivers in teaching and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

“Now, it is your turn to write the 

next pages in our Navy’s history,” Garland said. “I am confident that you will 

make this an exciting and worthwhile 

chapter.”
dove into physical activities. She 

has taken up rock climbing, rappelling and even tried sky diving.

She also hasn’t let go of her positive attitude or given up her dream 

of making the Army a career. She 

plans on putting in her packet to become a warrant officer and wants to 

become a rotary wing aviator.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the 

Army,” she said. “I love my country 

and I believe in it.” 

 Makerney is back in Iraq, now attached to 45th, and is a combatives 

instructor and an instructor for the 

Iraqi Correctional Officer Training 

Academy’s two-week course. In the 

NCO course, she teaches the Iraqis 

about human rights, accountability, 

leadership and how to lead the other 

Iraqi correctional officers.

“I love teaching them,” Makerney said. “When they graduate, you 

know you have made a difference.”

Makerney’s passion and spirit has 

also made a difference in the lives 

of the people she has met.

“When Makerney is walking 

around the FOB or at the gym working out, she can’t help but inspire 

those around her to do more,” said 

Sgt. Matthew Washburn, 45th ROC 

ICO village day shift leader and 

Makerney’s NCOIC. “She lives and 

breathes the Army values and sets 

the example for the future Soldiers 

that will serve alongside her. She is 

the type of Soldier every organization needs.”

Makerney has also visited Iraqis 

who have lost limbs because of attacks from suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices. 

“They just happen to be at the 

wrong place at the wrong time,” 

September 26, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

Story by 

Cpl. Frances L. Goch

MNC-I PAO

Peers and supervisors describe 

Spc. Kisha Makerney as a fighter, 

an inspiration and a future leader 

– but the only thing the 23-year-old 

Soldier strives for is a normal life. 

In 2005, Makerney lost her left 

leg in a motorcycle accident shortly 

after returning from a tour in Iraq.

Her main concern after the accident was the effect losing a leg 

would have on her military career. 

“When I walked in the door of her 

hospital room she didn’t even tell 

me hello,” said Spc. Nicasia Phillips, assistant non-commissioned 

officer in charge, 45th Rear Operations Center, who has also been 

Makerney’s “battle buddy” for the 

past five years. “She looked right 

at me and said ‘find out what this 

means for me in the military and if I 

have to get out because of it!”

Phillips turned right back around 

and spent the rest of the day trying 

to find the answer.

That day marked the beginning 

of Makerney’s journey to try to 

achieve normalcy.

 “She does not like being treated 

differently and does not like being 

labeled as disabled,” said Phillips 

“She fights every day to be ‘normal.’” 

Since recovering from her accident, the Fort Towson, Okla., native 

said Makerney. “Seeing me and 

that I can still be in the Army gives 

them hope.”

According to her even though 

most people would view her accident as a tragedy, she sees it as 

a blessing.

“I have met so many different 

people and I am way more determined because of it,” said Makerney. “To know that I motivate people, motivates me to continue what 

I do. If you just hang on to God and 

keep pushing He will give you the 

strength to keep fighting and that’s 

all I do.” 

Feature

Soldier inspires others with spirit, attitude

Specialist deploys 

despite losing limb 

in motor accident

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Erik Wolf

Spc. Kisha Makerney is assigned to the 

45th Rear Operations Center and is serving in Iraq an instructor for the Iraqi Correctional Officer Training Academy. She 

is one of the nearly three thousand Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers deployed in their largest mobilization since 

the Korean War.
Page 4 Victory Times Online

Information

New policies streamlines dress uniform

Soldiers who wear green, tan 

or maroon berets, Soldiers assigned to air assault-coded positions and military police on 

duty can blouse their trousers 

with the black leather combat 

boot.

The Combat Service Identification Badge is authorized for 

wear by men on their right 

breast pocket.

Only enlisted Soldiers may were 

a distinctive unit insignia

The Combat Service Indentification Badge is authorized for 

wear by women on the right 

side of the shirt parallel to the 

waistline.

Both the beret and service cap 

are authorized for wear with 

the Army Service Uniform.

The Army announced the implementation and bridging strategy for the transition to the blue Army Service Uniform.

The Army Greens and older ASUs are authorized for wear until 2014. Initial entry soldiers 

will start receiving the new ASUs in 2010.

The Army includes a series of stipends in this 

annual clothing allowances towards the replacement of the dress uniform and all basic clothing 

bag items. For enlisted Soldiers, the blue service 

uniform is an optional wear item, purchased if 

desired, and worn on appropriate occasions.

Commissioned officers are given a one-time stipend when commissioned to purchase their required 

uniform items. Officers then must maintain proper 

fit and appearance of their uniform items throughout 

their career. The Army currently requires officers to 

purchase and maintain both the green and blue service 

uniforms. Now they will have only one to maintain.

The new ASU will include a coat and low waist 

trousers for male Soldiers and coat, slacks and skirt 

for females Soldiers. The new fabric for the ASU is 

heavier and more wrinkle resistant over previously 

manufactured uniforms and will consist of 55% 

wool and 45% polyester material. The new ASU 

coat will have a tailored, athletic cut, to improve 

uniform fit and appearance. The ASU will include 

a new improved heavier and wrinkle resistant short 

and long sleeved white shirt with permanent military 

creases and shoulder loops. The Army anticipates 

the new ASU items available for purchase in Military Clothing Sales stores in near the end of 2009.

Overseas Service bars are authorized on the jacket sleeve 

for both enlisted Soldiers and 

officers.

September 26, 2008

Women may still wear either 

trousers or skirts.