Vol. II, Issue 61 Telling the Multi-National Corps - Iraq story August 11, 2008

Victory Times

Operation Soccer Ball,

Page 8

Carpal tunnel danger,

Page 6

Documenting war,

Page 3

Electrical Safety, 

See Pages 4-5
Commentary

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. Samuel J. Phillips

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

J. Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

The Victory Times 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 is an authorized 

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.

Page 2 Victory Times August 11, 2008

Chaplain’s Corner

“Me first” mentality helps no one

By Chaplain Paul Ramsey

MND-C Family Life chaplain

My father was the pastor of a small 

church in Indianapolis, Ind. where I 

grew up. Since that was the case, very 

often we would find ourselves picking up and taking home people in our 

personal vehicle. Sunday after Sunday, Wednesday after Wednesday, 

we found ourselves doing this very 

thing. 

I recall one Sunday evening, at all 

of maybe 6 or 7 years of age, I had 

reached the breaking point. While 

we were taking our church musician 

home, I said words that I had been 

waiting for quite some time to say “I 

want to go home first!”

It was not the fact that I had said 

the words, per se, for which I received 

a verbal drubbing. It was because I 

had said it in the car, in the company 

of the person whose destination was 

causing my personal delay. The other 

reason was that it appeared to be a 

selfish request on my part. The verbal 

beatings intensified once we dropped 

off my “personal delay.” 

We live in a world that maintains an 

attitude of “me first” in many ways. It 

happens when it comes to discussing 

expectations in relationships, one’s 

sense of importance as it applies to 

dealing with others in general, and 

how we view ourselves in relation to 

our comrades. For some, their self esteem is clearly at stake and wrapped 

up in their need to be first at everything. There is no such thing in their 

minds as learning from their mistakes 

and mishaps.

The Bible tells a story of a mother 

who came to Jesus to discuss positions in the kingdom of heaven. She 

wanted each son to sit on either side of 

Jesus as heads in the kingdom. Now, 

any mother would want great things 

for her children, but that one took the 

cake. Jesus kindly informed her that 

it was not his to decide, but his Father 

in heaven. 

When we think of the values that all 

service members are required to possess, one is selfless service. Certainly 

we live in an era when what makes 

life convenient and comfortable for 

ourselves seems to be the highest priority. Our highest priority is to serve 

others, and reap the benefits of the joy 

that serving others brings. Even to the 

point of giving our lives for others.

Some of us may have been born 

into what could be referred to as the 

“me generation,” a group of folks that 

would be considered to have a primary focus on themselves. However, 

we are called to be focused on others 

as Soldiers and servants of our nation. 

The Army values are not about one’s 

self, they are about living a life that 

benefits others in such a way as to be 

at peace with ourselves. Hence, you 

get something out of it anyway.

More and more studies are 

showing that people born after 

1982 are more self serving than 

any other generation of adults 

ever. 

Instead of working to prove 

why they are important, the Me 

Generation lives under the assumption that people simply unDid you know?

derstand they are important. They’re 

being touted as the most narcissistic 

generation ever. 

They are focusing harder on their 

schooling and careers and waiting longer to get married and have children. 

The Me Generation, however, 

is very succeptible to depression. 

Throughout their childhood, these individuals were taught that everyone is special and a winner. 

When they experience the losses 

and failures common with growing 

up and adulthood, it tends to trigger 

the helplessness and hopelessness 

of depression.

Information from www.washingtonpost.com
August 11, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

news

Today’s missions write 

tomorrow’s history

By Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Journals, like this one from the French and 

Indian War, are one of the most valuable 

resources available to historians hoping to 

tell the story of a war or conflict. Journals hold personal feelings and sometimes 

more accurate accounts of actual events.

Everyone has a story to tell. This 

is especially true for deployed servicemembers. Pictures, letters, blogs 

and journals give fellow troops, those 

at home and future generations a real 

picture of what it was like serving in 

support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

“We know how it was supposed 

to happen, how it was planned, but 

what we’re looking for is personal 

reactions, how people felt. Maybe 

it went down a little differently 

than it was reported,” said Navy 

Cdr. Doreen J. Fussman, historian, 

Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

“History relies more than anything on first person accounts,” 

said Lt. Col. William S. Story, 

historian, Multi-National Forces 

– Iraq. “It’s much better than what 

is processed through public affairs, 

the media and the command.”

The most valuable source 

for telling the story of the war 

is in the words of servicemembers on the ground, Story 

said. “The best histories of past 

wars are Soldiers’ journals.”

Many troops feel as though their 

day-to-day lives aren’t important or 

exciting enough to merit documenting them, but this isn’t the case, 

Fussman said. “They may not feel 

their story is important, but it really is. It may not feel as important 

as the guy who got the Silver Star, 

but someone will want to read it.”

“Whether your experience of war 

is great or awful, write it down today 

when you’re feeling it,” Story said. 

Historians advise recording thoughts 

and feelings as often as possible to 

capture a more detailed, complete 

picture of varying war experiences. 

Both military and civilian historians 

are interested in hearing the stories of 

both boredom and excitement. These 

opposing viewpoints are part of what 

makes the full deployment experience clearer to those who aren’t here, 

Story said. “This war is complicated 

and it could go many different directions. It’s a hard war to understand. 

It’s hard to understand encountering IEDs (improvised explosive 

devices) and IDF (indirect fire) 

everyday and it’s hard to understand the boredom,” Story said.

Servicemembers interested in 

documenting their time in Iraq for 

posterity have numerous ways to 

do so, Fussman said. They can 

keep written journals, electronic 

journals or blogs, record a spoken journal or use photographs or 

video to tell their story. Troops 

should always keep operational 

security in mind when shooting 

pictures or video, Fussman said.

Those interested in submitting 

their journals can send them in hard 

copy or electronically to Story at 

mnfihistorian@iraq.centcom.mil

or LTC Wm. Shane Story, MNFISCJS Historian, Unit 91400, APO 

AE 09342. Writers’ names can be 

kept anonymous on request and 

journals do not have to be reviewed 

by the individual’s chain of command. Historians also aren’t concerned with spelling or grammar 

used in compositions, Fussman said. 

The important part is the content.

“No one will ever understand 

what it’s like here unless people 

who are experiencing it can put 

it in to words now,” Story said. 

Servicemember’s journals document 

wartime experiences downrange

Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Recent reports highlighting the 

electrical deaths of 16 servicemembers in Iraq have brought heightened awareness to the risk electricity poses in theater.

Officials with Task Force Safe, 

a task force designed to help create 

awareness among servicemembers 

in Iraq regarding electrocutions and 

fires, state that walking into a trailer 

or building shouldn’t be a cause for 

worry of electrocution, but there are 

some do’s and don’ts when it comes 

to playing it safe with electricity. 

– Set your air conditioner on a 

low fan/cool setting.

– Turn off your lights and TV.

– Unplug all non-essential devices such as hair dryers, laptops, game 

systems and rechargeable items.

– Turn off power strips if not in 

use.

– Plug refrigerators directly into a 

wall outlet, not into power strips.

– Practice good housekeeping; 

keep your room neat and organized.

– Keep all items: bed, linen, boxes, etc. a safe distance away from 

electrical outlets.

– Don’t use non-approved devices and power strips.

– Don’t ‘daisy chain’ power strips 

(plugging one power strip into another.)

– Don’t use hot plates. 

Also, TF Safe is stressing its ‘Top 

10 things to keep safe.’

– If you feel a tingle of electricity or mild shock – report it immediately.

– Leave the technical work to the 

experts. Check for and report any 

potential electrical issues such as: 

loose connections, exposed wiring 

and any burned or charred marks on 

the wall. If this exists, report it.

– Check your power strips and 

adapters to ensure they are certified. Look for the European CE or 

United Statess UL mark embedded 

in the device. 

– Never overload the circuit. Do 

not daisy chain power strips and do 

not stack adapters.

– Make sure you keep at least 6” 

clearance in front of and around the 

wall outlets. Keep items or debris 

from making contact with the power 

strips.

– Know where the fire extinguishers are in your living and working 

areas and know how to use them.

– Unplug all non-essential items 

when not in use.

– Plug refrigerators and microwaves directly into an outlet, not 

into a power strip.

– No cooking or open flames in 

Story courtesy MNC-I PAO

Photos by Marine Cpl. Frances Goch

Overloading power strips, such as seen in 

this photo, can cause short circuits and 

possibly fires. “Leaders should ensure soldiers do not plug a bunch of things into one 

power strip,” said Jesse L. Martin, MultiNational Corps – Iraq safety director.

your living and work areas.

– Check CHU’sdays (On Tuesday, check your smoke detector and 

fire extinguisher.)

For more safety information, 

visit the Army Combat Readiness/

Safety Center at https://crc.army.

mil/home/
‘Daisy chaining’ power strips such as these are one of 

several things officials and safety personnel with Task 

Force Safe are calling an unsafe electrical practice. 
Page 6 Victory Times August 11, 2008

features

Interview and photo by 

Marine Cpl. 

Frances L. Goch

Cpl. Brandon D. Holland

Unit: Multi-National 

Force - Iraq chief of staff 

protective services detail

Job title: PSD agent

Age: 22

Time in Service: 4 

years, 6 months

Family: Son, four-yearold Devon Dudley

Hobbies: “Playing 

drums and bass guitar, 

lifting weights, wrestling 

and spending time 

with my family.”

Person you most admire: 

“I admire everyone for 

being themselves.”

Why you joined: 

“For a new experience 

and lifestyle.”

One thing you’d change 

about the Marine 

Corps: “I wouldn’t 

change a thing.”

One thing you’d never 

change about the Marine 

Corps: “The way the 

Marine Corps is built on 

tradition and continues to 

maintain those traditions.”

Goals: “To see a lot 

more tomorrows.”

Something you wish 

everyone would do: 

“Become more diverse 

and start to educate 

themselves more on 

other cultures as well 

as one another.”

Words of wisdom: “Don’t 

just be good, be great.”

Best thing about being 

deployed: “Being able 

to get away from all of 

the critics, politicians, 

and media who criticize 

the war and be able to 

witness first hand the 

great things that are 

done on a daily basis by 

great men and women.”

Best Boot Camp 

memory: “When 

my squad leader 

made a head call on 

a pile of snakes.”

By Jesse Martin

Corps Safety Office

Get to know a Marine...

MNC-I PAO

Work smarter to prevent carpal tunnel

Do you have tingling, numbness, 

or pain in your hands? Do you have 

episodes of sudden hand weakness 

or inadvertently drop or fumble with 

small objects? If so, you may have 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The carpal 

tunnel is a narrow passageway, about 

as big around as your thumb, located on the palm side of your wrist. 

This tunnel protects a main nerve to 

your hand and the tendons that bend 

your fingers. Pressure placed on this 

median nerve produces the numbness, pain, and, eventually, hand 

weakness that characterizes CTS.

Repetitive motion or too much 

pressure on the wrists can cause 

fluid to accumulate within the tissues. If your work or hobbies are 

hand-intensive, involve awkward 

repetitive wrist or finger motions, 

forceful pinching or gripping, 

and/or working with vibrating 

tools, you may be at higher risk 

of developing the condition. In 

severe cases, surgery is needed to 

prevent permanent nerve injury. 

Preventive strategies include:

Avoid gripping things too 

tightly or pushing with your 

fingers too forcefully. 

Resting and stretching your 

hands every 15 to 20 min. 

Using big pens with oversized soft 

grip adapters and writing gently.

Keeping a good posture with your 

wrists in a natural position, your 

back straight, and your head up. 

Not wearing restrictive 

watchbands or jewelry.

Eating a healthy, well 

balanced diet

Keeping your hands warm.

If you develop symptoms of CTS, 

these techniques or the short term 

use over-the-counter pain medications may provide some relief. You 

might also try wearing a wrist splint 

at night and avoid sleeping on your 

hands because nerve injury might 

be occurring then. For recurrent or 

persistent pain, numbness, or weakness, see your doctor right away. 
August 11, 2008 Victory Times Page 7

community

Coalition Cafe

Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dinner 5 - 8 p.m.

Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Sports Oasis

Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dinner 5 - 9 p.m.

Education Center

8 a.m.-midnight

Camp Liberty Post Exchange

8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fitness Center

Open 24 Hours

Victory Main Post Office

Monday-Sunday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

MNC-I STB Mailroom

9 a.m. - noon

5 - 7 p.m.

Al Faw Palace Post Office

Wednesday and Sunday

1-6 p.m.

Golby Troop Medical Clinic

Sick Call

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon

Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon

Dental Sick Call

Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Mental Health Clinic

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - noon

Post-Deployment Health Briefings

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 p.m.

Pharmacy

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon; 

1 - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon

Legal Assistance/Claims

Saturday-Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Operating Hours

Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31)

Thursday

7:30 p.m......... Latter Day Saints Seminary

Saturday

11 a.m...Seventh Day Adventist Service

8 p.m. Catholic Mass

Sunday

7 a.m............. Liturgical Protestant Service

2 p.m................. Latter Day Saints Service

4 p.m............... Epicopal/Lutheran Service

Mini Chapel (Bldg. 24F)

Tuesday

7:30 p.m............ Latter Day Saints Service

Wednesday

7 p.m...............................Men’s Fellowship

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

11:30 p.m............... Roman Catholic Mass

Friday

1 p.m..................... Muslim Prayer Service

6:30 p.m.............................Jewish Service

8 p.m......................... Women’s Fellowship

Sunday

8 a.m................ Eastern Orthodox Service

10 a.m.............. Protestant Sunday School

3 p.m...................Church of Christ Service

7:30 p.m............ Latter Day Saints Service

Hope Chapel (Bldg 24B)

Monday

12 p.m........... Charismatic Prayer Meeting

Sunday

8:30 a.m...... Collective Protestant Service

10 a.m.................... Roman Catholic Mass

12 p.m............................... Gospel Service

6:30 p.m............. Contemporary Protestant 

Service

Warrior Chapel (Camp Liberty)

Friday

6:30 p.m.............Victory Base Open Circle

Worship Hours

AFN 

Freedom Radio All stations are FM

Do you have an announcement about an event of interest to the Camp Victory community? 

Contact Spc. Samuel J. Phillips at samuel.phillips1@iraq.centcom.mil with the information. 

Information for community announcements needs to submitted at least two weeks prior to the 

event to allow for timely publication.

Announcements

Camp Victory Bible Studies

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.

Women’s Bible 

Study 7 p.m.

Bldg 24F;

Gospel Protestant 

Bible Study

 7 p.m. Hope 

Chapel

Women’s 

Bible Study 

7 p.m. 

Bldg 24F

Young Adult

Bible Study

5:30 p.m.

Hope

Chapel

Men’s Bible Study

7 p.m. Victory 

Chapel;

Spanish Bible 

Study 7 p.m. 

Bldg 24F

Foundations 

Bible Study, 

Mini Chapel 

6:30 p.m.

SeventhDay

Adventist

10 a.m.

Victory

Chapel

Men of the

Bible Study

5 p.m.

MLB Room,

Oasis DFAC

Supply career progression

The Victory Chapter of the National 

Property Management Association, the first 

international chapter to be formed by the 

NPMA, a leader in property and asset management is offering bachelor’s and associate’s degrees completely online. NPMA can 

meet your professional development needs 

through educational courses, training, and 

certification programs. For more information, email Monty Spicer at monty.spicer@

gmail.com.

CISSP Exams offered

Posting of Certified Information System 

Security Professional (CISSP) Examination 

for interested military of civilian personnel. 

POC is Capt. Richard Y. Kofie, 822-5108. 

Story ideas for Victory Times

Do you know of a good story on Camp 

Victory that you think should be covered 

for the Victory Times? Please submit your 

ideas to Staff. Sgt. Joy Pariante at joy.pariante@iraq.centcom.mil. Please include any 

interesting facts about the topic and point of 

contact information.

R&R Briefings

Reunion and Suicide Intervention 

Briefings are at the Victory Chapel, 

Monday at 3 p.m., Wednesday at 9:30 

a.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. All servicemembers who are going on leave or redeploying must attend this briefing.

The Corps Report

The Corps Report has been scheduled 

to its new regular time slots of Monday 

at 4:15 a.m. eastern, 11:15 a.m. Baghdad and Sunday at 1:15 p.m. eastern, 

8:15 p.m. Baghdad.

Women’s Equality observance

Al Asad ...... 107.3

Ali Base ..... 107.3

Ar Ramadi.. 107.3

Baghdad .... 107.3

Balad ......... 107.3

Fallujah...... 105.1

Kirkuk......... 107.3

Kirkush....... 107.3

Mosul......... 105.1

Q-West ........ 93.3

Taji ............. 107.3

Tal Afar....... 107.3

Taqqadum.. 107.3

Tikrit........... 100.1

August 15 - Frida

August 22 - The Color Purple

Movies will show 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the 

Al Faw Palace ballroom. 

In celebrating the 19th Amendment giving Women the right to vote, the Multi-National Corps - Iraq Human Relations Office 

will sponsor movie night for the month of 

August. Following the movie will be a discussion the theme of the movie.
Page 8 Victory Times August 11, 2008

feature

By Staff Sgt. 

Joy Pariante

13th Public Affairs 

Detachment

In the dusty streets and 

empty lots of Sadr City, 

Baghdad, Diwaniya and 

Mosul, improved security 

conditions have allowed 

servicemembers to work 

at rebuilding a nation. 

They’re dribbling, passing 

and kicking their way to a 

better Iraq through a universal language – soccer.

Soldiers on patrol playing soccer with Iraqis is 

a common image, but the 

meaning is much deeper 

than an afternoon “pick-up 

game” or handing someone a ball. Soccer has 

become a very effective 

way for American forces 

to overcome the language 

and culture barrier with 

the Iraqi people and start 

building friendships that 

could change the future. 

And they want folks back 

home to join in the effort.

Iraq’s national sport 

has spurred the grassroots 

movement, Operation 

Soccer Ball. The mission of Operation Soccer 

Ball is to bring soccer 

balls from back home to 

servicemembers who can 

then hand them out to 

foster the spirit of friendship between troops and 

Troops build friendships with soccer

the people of Iraq. While 

bringing soccer balls to 

Iraqis has been going on 

for some time, an effort of this scale hasn’t 

been attempted before.

Chief Warrant Officer 

Stormy Ripley, personnel 

recovery, Multi-National 

Corps – Iraq is helping to 

expand this program in 

2008. She recently saw 

firsthand how the game 

of soccer builds relationships with the people of 

Iraq, especially the children. During a mission 

with the humanitarian 

group Hearts for Baghdad, 

Ripley saw how excited 

people got when someone 

took out a soccer ball. 

“Everyone, even pregnant 

mothers, wanted soccer balls,” Ripley said.

“Starting up a game 

of soccer helps our Soldiers in the field bridge 

the gap caused by language differences,” said 

Air Force Maj. Ravi 

Chaudhary, director of 

operations, personnel 

recovery, MNC-I. “The 

soccer ball is an incredibly medium for building 

relationships with the 

future of Iraq, the kids.” 

And the timing is right 

for building strong relationships in Iraq. With 

security conditions rapidly 

improving in the country, 

the children are coming 

out, and American servicemembers have more 

opportunities to work 

on rebuilding the nation 

and connecting with its 

people. “We can work 

together, not just for 

Iraq, but for the world in 

general,” Ripley said. 

Chaudhary and Ripley 

want this program to be 

a way for the American 

public to have an impact 

on the frontlines. “This 

isn’t military driven, it’s 

meant to be something 

Americans can wrap their 

arms around,” Ripley said. 

And many back home 

are already jumping at 

the chance to put a soccer ball in the hands of 

an Iraqi. Ripley said 

there was a 14 year-old 

girl who put out a donation box to raise money 

and purchased 14 soccer 

balls to send here. E-mail 

traffic between Operation 

Soccer Ball and the states 

indicates that hundreds 

more soccer balls will 

be on their way to Iraq 

in the coming months.

Operation Soccer Ball 

also needs units on the 

ground in Iraq to communicate with the program 

and let them know how 

many soccer balls they 

need and arrange for pick 

up, Ripley said. This way, 

when units head out on 

convoys or organize air 

drops, they have plenty 

of soccer balls on hand.

“We’re bringing the 

American message 

of hope and peace to 

the Iraqi citizens, and 

that’s a powerful message,” Chaudhary said. 

If you would like information on how to participate, please e-mail stormy.

ripley@iraq.centcom.mil

Photo courtesy of Operation Soccer Ball

Soccer has proven to be an extremely effective way of bridging 

the language gap and building friendships in Iraq.