Esta Estab lished in 1917 to honor those w lished in 1917 to honor those w ho ser ho serve Vol. 1, No. 14 july 23, 2006 MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – BAGHDAD “steadfast and loyal” Baghdad is beautiful MND-B, Iraqi government work to beautify city Page 12 Fires brigade Soldiers work with Iraqi counter- parts to aid populace Page 3 4th Brigade Combat Team Soldiers save life of tribal leader’s daughter Page 17 CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston kicked off a four-day whirlwind tour of Iraq July 8 when he visited the Soldiers of Multi-National Division – Baghdad. The goal of his trip, he said, was to simply sit down, talk with Soldiers and to hear what concerns they had on their minds. “I am very proud of all of our Soldiers,” said Preston. “I am very proud of what they’re doing each and every day. My message to the Soldiers is I want them to be proud of what they have accom- Story by Master Sgt. Eric Lobsinger 4th Inf. Div. PAO FOB MAHMUHDIYAH, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston speaks to the Soldiers of Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, after joining them for lunch July 8 at Forward Operating Base Mahmuhdiyah. Astrological Signs Cartoon Corner Faces & Places 19 20 23 This Week MWR Calendars Religious Services Sports Round Up 22 22 24 see visit, pg. 6 Sgt. Maj. of the Army visits MND – B Soldiers on four-day tour of Iraq, speaks on deployment, modularity Photo by Spc. Kelly K. McDowell, 2nd BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div. F ACE TO F ACE
Transcript
EstaEstabblished in 1917 to honor those wlished in 1917 to honor those who serho ser vvee
Vol. 1, No. 14 july 23, 2006MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – BAGHDAD “steadfast and loyal”
Baghdad is beautifulMND-B, Iraqi government
work to beautify city
Page 12
Fires brigade Soldierswork with Iraqi counter-
parts to aid populace
Page 3
4th Brigade CombatTeam Soldiers save life oftribal leader’s daughter
Page 17
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. of the Army
Kenneth Preston kicked off a four-day whirlwind
tour of Iraq July 8 when he visited the Soldiers of
Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
The goal of his trip, he said, was to simply sit
down, talk with Soldiers and to hear what concerns
they had on their minds.
“I am very proud of all of our Soldiers,” said
Preston. “I am very proud of what they’re doing
each and every day. My message to the Soldiers is
I want them to be proud of what they have accom-
Story by Master Sgt. Eric Lobsinger4th Inf. Div. PAO
FOB MAHMUHDIYAH, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston speaks to the Soldiers of Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment,
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, after joining them for lunch July 8 at Forward Operating Base Mahmuhdiyah.
Astrological Signs Cartoon CornerFaces & Places
192023
This WeekMWR Calendars Religious Services Sports Round Up
222224
see visit, pg. 6
Sgt. Maj. of the Army visits MND – B Soldiers on four-day tour of Iraq, speaks on deployment, modularity
Photo by Spc. Kelly K. McDowell, 2nd BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.
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NEWS FROM THE FRONT
The Ivy Leaf is produced by the 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Iraqi army, MND-B
Soldiers spoil kidnap
attempt, nab culprits
BAGHDAD – A local national
kidnapped early Tuesday was res-
cued by Soldiers of 9th Iraqi
Army Division, and Multi-
National Division – Baghdad’s
7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry
Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division, dur-
ing an unplanned cordon and
search operation the afternoon of
July 11 in Al Masara Village in
the northwestern area of
Baghdad. The captured kidnap-
pers are in custody. There were
no reported injuries or damage to
MND-B personnel or equipment.
(Courtesy of MND– B PAO)
pelled grenade rounds, an RPG
launcher, 31 60mm mortar
rounds, 91 mortar fuses, 48 M6
fuses, two bullet-proof vests,
eight AK-47 assault rifles, five
fragmentation grenades, five con-
cussion grenades, a sniper scope,
a pipe bomb, a mortar base plate,
seven sticks of dynamite, 57 shot-
gun shells, three rolls of fuse,
3,750 7.62mm rounds, two
Dragonov sniper rifles, and 300
PKC rounds.
The 3rd Bde., 6th IA Div., and
the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, continue to
conduct operations to provide a
safe and secure environment for
all Iraqis.
(Courtesy of 1st BCT PAO, 4thInf. Div.)
6th IA finds large cache
Cavalry regiment cap-
tures Anti-Iraqi forces
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from
the weapons platoon, Company
C, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry
Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat
Team, 101st Airborne Division,
captured two suspected terrorists
June 28 during a planned cordon
and search at the Zaara Gas sta-
tion in Jisr Diyala.
During the operation, Soldiers
from Co. C were moving in on
their targets when the terrorists
attempted to escape from the back
door of the gas station.
The suspects are alleged to be
involved with the kidnapping and
murders of multiple local nation-
als, including a local district advi-
sory counsel member and small-
arms fire and rocket-propelled
grenade attack against Soldiers
from 3rd Platoon, Troop A, 1st
Sqdn., 61st Cav. June 10. The ter-
rorists were taken to a secure site
for further questioning.
(Courtesy of 4th BCT PAO,101st Abn. Div.)
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers
from 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army
Division found a large weapons
cache, while conducting a cordon
and search operation west of
Baghdad at approximately 2 p.m.
June 30.
The cache consisted of two
82mm mortar tubes, 19 82mm
mortar rounds, eight rocket-pro-
BAGHDAD – A local national
kidnapped early Tuesday was res-
cued by Soldiers of 9th Iraqi
Army Division, and Multi-
National Division – Baghdad’s
7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry
Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division, dur-
ing an unplanned cordon and
search operation the afternoon of
July 11 in Al Masara Village in
the northwestern area of
Baghdad.
The captured kidnappers are in
custody. There were no reported
injuries or damage to MND-B
personnel or equipment.
(Courtesy of MND– B PAO)
IA, MND-B Soldiers
spoil kidnap attempt
page 3TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy Leafjuly 23, 2006
FOB KALSU, Iraq – Amidst the acts of terrorism, the
rebuilding of the city’s infrastructure, and Iraqi Security
Forces gaining a foothold in the provinces, an artist in
Hillah keeps his love of Iraq’s culture alive through his
sculptures while building a link with Coalition Forces.
Salim Shamkhy, a local artist in Hillah for 48 years,
designed a statue to be placed here representing the
blending of the two cultures and the partnership Iraq and
CF have experienced over the last three years.
Salim presented the sculpture to Col. John Tully,
commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, here July 6 in a short meeting and explained
the statue’s symbolism.
He said the female figure represents the statue of lib-
erty, a symbol of freedom and equality; the Hammurabi
represents the code of laws originating in Babylon; and
the sun, which represents a sun that gives light to all
without discrimination. Carved in the base of the statue
is the Ishtar gate, a horse symbolizing riding into a
bright future, the lion of Babylon and the Mushhushu, an
animal with the head of a dragon, the neck of a giraffe,
the body of a fish, the tail of a snake, the back legs of an
eagle and the front legs of a lion.
Salim teaches sculpture in and around the southern
Babil province and continues to hone his skills as a
sculptor, exhibiting his works at local museums.
Although it is often difficult at times to find or purchase
the materials, he said he feels it is important to continue
his work.
“History is happening right now, and I want to cap-
ture it how ever I can,” he said.
Tully graciously accepted the statue and plans to have
it mounted and placed on Forward Operating Base
Falcon in a location where Soldiers can enjoy it. An
engraved narrative plate explaining the piece will also be
attached to the base to capture the artist’s intent and to
explain the concept behind the sculpture.
2nd BCT commander accepts sculpture from Iraqi citizen Story and photo by Maj. Anna Friederich2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
FOB KALSU, Iraq – Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, accepts a
sculpture from local artist Salim Shamkhy here July 6 and listens while he explains the symbolism of the piece.
The statue will be displayed here as a symbol of the partnership between Iraq and Coalition Forces.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq –
Approximately 60 American and
Iraqi soldiers teamed up in east-
ern Abu Ghraib June 24 to ren-
der humanitarian aid and med-
ical assistance to area residents.
The goal of the
mission was to intro-
duce the Soldiers
from 2nd Battalion,
20th Field Artillery
Regiment, Fires
Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, to the local
populace, their Iraqi
counterparts, and to
acquaint the newly
arrived Soldiers with
the type of missions
they can expect dur-
ing the balance of
their tour.
Introducing them to the rear area of
operations were Soldiers from 3rd
Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain
Division, who have been working in the
area for almost a year and recently rede-
ployed to Fort Drum, N.Y. 2-20 FA
recently moved from Forward Operating
Base Q-West, where it spent the previous
six months on a different mission and
prior to assuming control of 3-6 FA’s area
of operations in Baghdad.
Four medics from Fires Brigade, 4th
Inf. Div., joined Soldiers from Battery A,
3-6 FA. The 3-6
FA Soldiers said
they believed the
missions are a
“successful deal”
for both
Americans and
Iraqis.
“People are
glad to get help,”
said Capt.
Edward Keel,
commander, Btry.
A, 3-6 FA. “It
makes them more
willing to give us information.”
Nearly 200 people lined up for aid,
which is close to the same number the
battery saw during a similar mission in
the neighborhood in October. A majority
of patients had common ailments, such as
sore throats, stomach aches or rashes, but
the medical staff reported a few surprises.
“We had two men ask for Viagra,”
laughed Staff Sgt. Roland Walker, medical
noncommissioned officer, 2-20 FA.
Walker, a Detroit native, screened
patients before they went to either the
male or female treatment tent. He said
both men who asked for the medication
were older than 60.
Another man asked if the medics could
provide him with an artificial eye.
“Obviously we couldn’t give him that,”
said Capt. James Mitchell, 3-6 FA medical
officer. The medics were armed with an
assortment of cough drops, pain relievers
and multi-vitamins – but no glass eyes.
The man was referred to a local Iraqi hos-
pital.
Maj. Barbara Bowsher, Fires Brigade
surgeon, said due to her usual routine of
pulling shifts at a troop medical clinic and
monitoring sick call at the brigade’s head-
quarters battery, this was her first trip
“outside the wire.”
Treating Iraqi patients through a trans-
lator, particularly women and children,
was “different,” she said.
“Working with the kids again was a lot
of fun,” said Bowsher, who previously
served as assistant chief of the adolescent
medicine clinic at Tripler Army Medical
Center in Honolulu.
“Even in a different culture, you can do
some of the same things to make the kids
smile,” said Bowsher.
Spc. Sarah Hess, medic, 2-20 FA, said
she learned some Arabic while the battal-
ion was on FOB Q-West, but she’d like to
know more. “Mostly, I wish I could com-
municate with the locals better,” said
Hess, a Kingston, Wash., native.
Bowsher and Hess, who primarily
worked with the children and female
patients in keeping with maintaining
respect for the cultural sensitivity of the
Iraqis, also had to learn to move around in
a crowded tent with all their protective
gear on.
The female tent was frequently more
crowded than the one set up for males,
especially since more local women than
men brought children along with them.
Despite the space and communication
difficulties faced, Hess said she enjoyed
working with the children and would like
to do similar missions in the future.
“Reaching out in this one way has been
a blessing,” said Hess, who is scheduled
to redeploy with Fires Bde. back to Fort
Hood, Texas, later this year.
MND-B, Iraqi Soldiers team up to give
medical, humanitarian aid to local IraqisStory by Spc. Allison Churchill
Fires Bde. PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
“Even in a different culture, you can do some
of the same things to makethe kids smile.”
Maj. Barbara Bowsher
Surgeon, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
july 23, 2006TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy LeafPage 4
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq –
For new citizens such as Spc. Guillermo Paniagua,
a nuclear, chemical and biological specialist with
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division,
enlisting into the Army meant more than just
joining the military – it meant joining the United States.
In a Fourth of July ceremony, Paniagua and 75 fellow
servicemembers from 29 different countries took the
Oath of Citizenship inside Al Faw palace, one of Saddam
Hussein’s palaces here, completed their journey and
became citizens of the country they so proudly serve.
“Thousands of immigrant troops are making extraordi-
nary sacrifices for America,” said Jack Bulger, district
director – Rome, Italy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, Department of Homeland Security. “They are
defending with their lives, liberties which they have only
today secured for themselves. It is only fitting that, as a
grateful nation, we’re bringing the citizenship process to
them here in Iraq,”
Distinguished guests, Gen. George Casey, commander,
Multi-National Force – Iraq, and Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli,
commander, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, were on hand
to say a few words commending the Soldiers, Marines,
Airmen and Sailors for their achievement.
“Before us stand some great citizen-Soldiers of 29 dif-
ferent countries,” said Casey, “and we are happy to wel-
come them as the newest citizens of the United States on
this 230th birthday of our nation.”
“Troops, yours is the highest form of citizenship. You
have shown the courage and the determination in this dif-
ficult task of bringing freedom to the Iraqi people,” said
Casey.
“Citizenship is not limited by birth, background, gen-
der, race, ethnicity or creed,” said Chiarelli. “There is no
doubt our true multi-culturism is epitomized today.”
For servicemembers like Paniagua, gaining American
citizenship is the final step in a long process.
“It took a long time for my parents and I to establish
ourselves as permanent residents in this country,” said
the Soldier, who immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico,
to the United States in 1984 with his family. “I am excit-
ed. (Twenty-two) years later, I can actually say I am a
citizen.”
Paniagua’s achievement has become more common
among the immigrant ranks of the U.S. Armed Forces.
This is the seventh citizenship ceremony held in Iraq
since the start of the war.
The number of immigrants taking the oath continues
to grow partly as a result of an executive order enacted
by President George Bush.
“Out of respect for their brave service in time of war,
our president signed an executive order providing them
the opportunity to petition for citizenship in the United
States of America,” said Casey.
President George Bush issued the order July 3, 2002,
to speed up the three-year process of citizenship for
immigrants serving in the nation’s forces.
Immigrant servicemembers can now qualify for citi-
zenship after serving honorably for one year in the U.S.
Armed Forces or for serving on active duty during an
authorized period of conflict, among other qualifications
listed under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section
328.
“I applied for citizenship when I got to Iraq about
seven months ago,” said Spc. Andrey Agashchuh, a
native of Ukraine who gained his citizenship in the same
ceremony with Paniagua.
Agashchuh, a Missouri National Guardsman serving
with 110th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade,
MNC-I, said he originally planned to submit the applica-
tion for citizenship upon returning from the deployment.
Upon his arrival in Iraq, he found out he could complete
the process while deployed – a process that can take
immigrants outside the military up to five years to com-
plete.
Agashchuh said he was grateful the military had a
process making it easier for immigrants to become true
citizens.
Both Agashchuh and Paniagua agreed that gaining the
freedoms guaranteed to all American citizens on the day
of the nation’s birth made the event special.
“July 4th is a great day to be an American – but an
even greater day to become one,” said Bulger, who
administered the Oath of Citizenship.
Story and photo by Sgt. Kristin Kemplin363rd MPAD
Servicemembers serving in Iraq achieve
American citizenship on Independence Day
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Spc. Guillermo Paniagua (center), a nuclear, chemical and biological specialist with
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and fellow servicemembers from across Iraq recite the Oath of
Citizenship at Al Faw Palace here July 4. Seventy-six Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors from 29 different
countries became American citizens at the ceremony.
FOB KALSU, Iraq –
Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and
Airmen alike celebrated
Independence Day in grand style
here as they took part in a variety
of events scheduled around the nation’s
birthday.
The day was centered on the Warhorse
Commander’s Cup, pitting units against
each other in a variety of sporting events.
The day commenced in the pre-dawn
hours as the Oakland Athletics and Fox
Sports Net-Bay Area paid tribute to ser-
vicemembers in Iraq with a special
Independence Day telecast of the Detroit
Tigers-A’s baseball game on American
Forces Network.
Servicemembers stationed here were
the stars of the telecast, and their family
members, who reside in or near Oakland,
were special invited guests of the A’s at
the ballpark. Prior to the game, the troops
were interviewed and talked to their fami-
lies. The interviews were then shown
throughout the game and live shots of the
servicemembers watching the game were
televised. Players from the A’s gave spe-
cial greetings to the servicemembers.
“I was nervous talking to my favorite
player, Eric Chavez,” said Pvt. Bryant
Ullerich, signal support specialist,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, “but it was great. He told me
that we were the real heroes and how
much they thought of us and what we do.”
“It had been a long time since I saw
my family,” said Navy Pett Officer 2nd
Class Angela McLane, combat camera
video journalist, Fleet Combat Camera
Group. “This was a great event. It’s nice
to know that people out there support us
so much.”
An early-morning fireworks show,
sponsored by terrorists, attempted to
derail the festivities as indirect-fire landed
here. No one was injured in the attack and
there was no damage to any buildings or
equipment – so the show went on.
Before the thermometer had a chance
to reach triple digits, several outdoor
sporting events began. Units competed in
volleyball, basketball, flag football, dodge
ball and horseshoes. The indoor events
were held after noon, including billiards,
dominoes, spades and weightlifting.
The dining facility served up Fourth of
July fare with hamburgers, barbecue
chicken and ribs and assorted deserts. The
DFAC also stayed open all-day instead of
its normal operating hours, to give the feel
of a cookout and provided everyone the
opportunity to eat when and how often
they liked.
The closing ceremonies were officiated
by Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd BCT,
who spoke to the troops and awarded the
Commander’s Cup to, Special Troops
Battalion, the winning unit. “This was a
great job by everyone,” said Tully.
“Terrorists tried to derail our Fourth of
July, but it will take a lot more than that
to stop Warhorse.”
Servicemembers celebrate Fourth of July; terrorists fail to derail Commander’s CupStory by Cpl. Michael Molinaro2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
page 5TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy Leafjuly 23, 2006
BAGHDAD –
Marinated T-Bone steaks
smoking on the grill, barbe-
cue chicken, ribs and all the
finger lickin’ fixings helped
make this year’s Fourth of July celebra-
tion a little more like home for Soldiers of
Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division, serving at
Forward Operating Base Prosperity in
central Baghdad, took time from their
busy schedules and daily routines to relax
and enjoy each other’s company, play
games and enjoy backyard cooking in cel-
ebration of their nation’s Independence
Day.
“All the norms for a normal Fourth of
July and recognition of Independence
Day, the way Soldiers are use to it,” said
Sgt. 1st Class Audrey Smith, noncommis-
sioned officer-in-charge, King Cobra Café
Dining Facility. “Yes, we are out in a dan-
ger zone, but a little touch of home is
always nice.”
NCOs joined with Kellogg, Brown
and Root workers to serve up barbecue
and flip the finest meats available, adding
seasoning and marinating the entrees over
hot charcoal grills to give servicemembers
at FOB Prosperity’s King Cobra Café a
taste of a backyard grill for both lunch
and dinner in celebration of the 4th of
July, said Tracy Sanders, food service
technician, KBR.
Food wasn’t the only highlight of the
day for the Soldiers as the brigade’s chap-
lains, to include the 4th Special Troops
Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 12th
Infantry Regiment, invited all to attend a
fellowship gathering at the FOB
Prosperity Chapel.
Soldiers came together to enjoy the
atmosphere at the chapel overlooking
Lake Prosperity for food, fun and fellow-
ship, said Capt. Will Horton, chaplain, 4th
BCT.
“A lot of times Soldiers go a lot of dif-
ferent directions. Tonight they get togeth-
er, and they are doing it around food,
around great Christian music and a great
opportunity to fellowship together,”
Horton said.
Nothing really compares to an
Independence Day watching the fireworks
at his father’s house on the lake in Oak
Harbor, Wash., but for Spc. Tyler Rollis,
awards clerk, Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 4th BCT, the
Fourth of July, deployed in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, is still a good
time to socialize.
“This is still great to have everybody
come together, meet people, hang out
together,” he said.
Spc. Shenika Landers, chaplain’s assis-
tant, HHC, 4th STB, who otherwise
would be spending the holiday with her
two children back at Fort Hood, Texas,
helped organize and set up the evening’s
events.
The Soldiers who attended the social
gathering played cards, board games, ate
even more food and talked with friends
and peers late into the night.
“This is pretty good for the Soldiers to
give them the chance to come out with us,
and listen to some music, and give them
the chance to hang out together and do
stuff that they would do back home,” said
the 23-year old Landers, a native of
Sandersville, Ga.
“We gave them the chance to relax and
get away for a minute and celebrate the
Fourth of July in a way they would back
home.”
Story by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Cobra Soldiers share food, fellowship
while celebrating Fourth of July in Iraq
BAGHDAD – Chaplains, noncommissioned officers and Soldiers from the 4th
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, came together July 4 to celebrate the
holiday with food, fellowship and fun at the Forward Operating Base Prosperity
Chapel. The Soldiers ate food, played cards and games and enjoyed each other's
company during the Independence Day celebration.
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – With all the inherent hazards of
war, access to adequate medical care is paramount to sav-
ing lives, whether on convoys or on camp.
Battery B of the 1st Battalion of the 117th Field
Artillery Regiment takes this truth to heart and not only
has a 97 percent Combat Life-Saver qualification record
for its personnel but also has an impressive on-site med-
ical care facility that operates out of a supply trailer.
The command emphasis on medical training from the
Andalusia, Ala., National Guard unit has led to nearly
every Soldier being CLS qualified, and an additional 16
personnel having attended the Ranger First Responder
Course, according to Staff Sgt. Jeff Birge, battery senior
medic.
What originally was used as a supply closet has
grown, piece by piece into a compact aid center for the
unit, complete with cardiac drugs, incubation equipment
and a defibrillator.
“It’s one of three places on Taji where a patient can be
defibrillated,” said Birge. The battery has enough sup-
plies and equipment on hand to treat everything but the
most serious injuries, allowing patients to be stabilized
during the crucial first minutes after injury while waiting
for an ambulance. “Those minutes could mean life or
death if this trailer wasn’t here.”
“[The trailer] is a lot more than a band-aid station,”
said Staff Sgt. Scott Burk, laughing. Burk is a driver with
the battery who is also called upon to assist with the
medical goings on due to his civilian paramedic experi-
ence. He helps monitor the wet-bulb thermometer and
posts the heat categories as they change throughout the
day, among other duties.
In fact, several personnel in the battery who are in the
medical field at home lend a hand when they can to the
training and medical needs of the battery. The battery is
home to several paramedics and registered nurses.
“A medic can be spread out on a convoy,” said Sgt.
Victor Staples, one of the battery’s “official” medics.
“Something can happen on one vehicle and I might not
be able to get to it in time.”
Having such a widespread number of Soldiers able to
perform first aid on injuries on and off the forward oper-
ating base makes the battery medic’s lives easier.
It is true that war-time injuries are unique, but the
civilian medical experience of the individuals available to
the battery is equally important in first aid.
“Trauma is trauma,” noted Birge. “Civilian and Army
care starts with the same steps. It doesn’t matter if some-
one is a ‘medic.’ You just do the steps.”
Story and photo by Sgt. Joshua Salmons4th Sustainment Brigade
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Sgt. Victor Staples searches through medical supplies stored in the unit aid center on Camp
Taji June 28. Staples is a combat medic with Battery B, 1st Battalion of the 117th Field Artillery Regiment, an
Alabama National Guard unit based in Andalusia, Ala.
Photo by Pfc. Jason Dangel, 4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Medical care top priority for Alabama troops
july 23, 2006TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy LeafPage 6
plished and what they’ve done during
their deployment. Every Soldier over here
has a mission – they have a key role to
play in every operation. Everybody over
here has a key role that they play in the
success of the units here on the ground
and the success of America’s Army in the
global war on terror.”
His travels provided him the opportuni-
ty to visit with Soldiers at some of the
more remote sites most visitors normally
don’t get a chance to go to, such as Camp
Taji and Forward Operating Bases
Mahmudiyah, Kalsu and Iskandariyah.
“I think it’s a good morale booster,”
said Spc. Joshua Raven, an air defense
early warning specialist with
Headquarters, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division, based in Camp Taji.
“I thought it was a good morale booster to
have the Sgt. Maj. of the Army going all
the way over here just to talk to us.”
“It really meant a lot,” added Staff Sgt.
Michael Williams Jr., a petroleum special-
ist with Company A, 404th Aviation
Support Battalion, Combat Aviation
Brigade, 4th Inf. Div. “It shows that he’s
looking after the Soldiers. He went and
broke everything down on what Soldiers
are looking for – the way the Army is
going and which direction. It meant a lot
to me. I think it was a very good visit.”
Following a brief visit at the MND-B
division headquarters at Camp Liberty, he
and MND-B’s Command Sgt. Maj.
Ronald Riling spent the next eight hours
hopping from base to base aboard Combat
Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div. helicop-
ters, meeting and talking to MND-B
Soldiers.
He kicked off his visit at the Eagle
Ministries Center in Camp Taji. The scene
was eerily quiet as he entered the build-
ing. Some Soldiers seemed to look on in
awe as if a rock star had entered the
building, only to erupt into booming
Hoooo-Aaaahs and he led eight groups of
Soldiers in a competition to see which
group was the loudest. Ultimately, group
four literally blew their competition out
the door.
Perhaps foremost on the mind of the
Soldiers he visited at each base was how
much longer Soldiers would be in Iraq
and when they could expect to see more
stability in their lives.
Oft-repeated questions were “How
long are we going to be in Iraq?” and
“Will the length of the deployment
decrease?”
The truth is, he said, he and his fellow
Army leaders truly do not know.
Perhaps his analogy said it best while
talking to Soldiers at Camp Taji: “I don’t
know,” he said. “I have a little crystal ball
on my desk about the size of a marble. So
far it hasn’t lit up and told me anything
yet.”
In all seriousness, he added, the mis-
sion itself will dictate how much longer
Soldiers will be here and in what strength
they will be here. With the current mis-
sions Soldiers are facing around the
world, there are only so many resources to
draw from.
The task the Army faces is perhaps a
daunting one when one considers there
are currently approximately 502,000
Soldiers on active duty, with an additional
98,000 United States Army Reserve and
National Guard Soldiers mobilized, for a
current troop strength of approximately
600,000 Soldiers on active duty.
Of those, said Preston, approximately
237,000 Soldiers are deployed to 120
countries around the world.
To meet the challenges facing the
Army with the current deployments, the
Army undertook the daunting mission of
expanding from 33 brigade combat teams
to 42, in addi-
tion to grow-
ing the active-
duty Army by
30,000
Soldiers, from
482,000
Soldiers to
512,400.
“As we go
through this
process, we’re
adding nine
additional brigade combat teams,” he said.
Currently, the Army is up to 38 fully
equipped and manned BCTs.
As for the challenges faced in creating
the BCTs, he said: “It’s people; it’s equip-
ment; it’s time. Right now, if you look at
the BCTs we’re building, we’re putting in
additional infantry, additional reconnais-
sance and more military intelligence
assets – embedding all those battlefield
operating systems within each of those
brigades – it is an increase in a lot of
those low-density, high-demand types of
career fields.”
And, he said, it’s not just the active-
duty forces that are experiencing the
changes but the National Guard units as
well as they convert to modularity versus
their legacy configurations. In addition to
manning the
brigades, the
Army is
embedding
new technolo-
gies into the
units as they
transition from
theater back to
their home
bases.
“When you
redeploy a unit
back after the rotation, be it a National
Guard, Reserve or active-duty BCTs to
home station, you have to take those units
through reset – reset their equipment and
get them postured for future missions.
We’re using the tempo and the momentum
that we have from deploying units over
here into combat as we’re bringing them
back to reset them into modular configu-
ration.”
To meet the ever-changing requirement
involved in the new technology, the Army
is also in the process of adapting its per-
sonnel to meet the new missions.
“It’s a rebalance of the force – getting
the right tools in the tool box,” said
Preston.
To do this, he said 120,000 Soldiers in
high-density, low-demand military occu-
pational specialties are being moved to
low-density, high-demand jobs. It is a
challenge he said he felt today’s Soldiers
will easily meet.
Ultimately, the restructuring of the
Army, in addition to the Army “working
itself out of a job” in places such as Iraq
and Afghanistan, will pay dividends and
will eventually help reduce deployment
time as leaders and Soldiers continue their
quest to train up, and turn over, more of
the missions to the Iraq army, the Iraqi
police and the governance of Iraq, said
Preston.
The additional brigade combat teams
should prove to be a huge benefit for
Soldiers, he said, because they will help
provide more predictability and more
dwell time at home for Soldiers in the
long run. “We’re asking Soldiers here to
do some pretty tough things,” said
Preston. “This is the first time we’ve
fought a long-term fight with an all-vol-
unteer Army.”
He said he is confident in Soldiers’
ability to continue to adapt as the Army
continues to grow and change.
“We are the best Army that we’ve ever
been,” said Preston. “We continue to grow
and improve every day. I firmly believe
the Soldiers coming out of basic (training)
today are far better than those from even
just a couple of years ago. All of you rep-
resent the cream of our society.”
As far as the questions pertaining to
deployment time reductions, Preston said,
“If we could go to something less than a
year, we would do that. As we reduce the
troop strength here, we may be able to
reduce the deployment time.”
He said he would like to see the
deployments eventually reduced to nine
months in length, and perhaps even even-
tually to six or seven months. If that is
done though, there is also a possibility it
would cut down on the Soldiers dwell
time in the states with their families.
“With the number of Soldiers we
have,” said Preston, “we cannot reduce
the length of the deployment right now.”
As the Army continues to transform, he
said it is vital Soldiers continue to con-
centrate on being the best Soldiers they
can be.
“I had a specialist ask me one day,
‘Sergeant Major of the Army, I want to be
Sergeant Major of the Army one day,
what do I have to do to be the Sergeant
Major of the Army?’
“I said, ‘first of all, as a Soldier, you
concentrate as an individual because as an
individual you want to be the best Soldier
you can be. Whatever your career field,
you want to be a subject-matter expert in
that career field. If you’re an infantry
Soldier, an armor Soldier or a scout, you
want to be the best scout, armor or
infantry Soldier you can be – Be an expert
in your profession!’”
Once Soldiers are promoted and
become sergeants, he added, they can no
FOB ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston speaks to
Division, who has been pivotal in efforts to beautify and revitalize
the Karada Peninsula. The local government was impeded from per-
forming routine cleaning on many secondary streets due to large non-
negotiable barriers and masses of debris.
The responsibility for facilitating the removal of unnecessary bar-
riers on both secondary and main streets, as well as disposing of huge
piles of accumulated rubbish and debris, fell to the MND-B Soldiers
of the 4th BCT, said Miller.
In an effort to both clean up the area and help bolster the local
economy, MND-B hired local contractors to conduct the work, he
added. The brigade’s main task laid in assessing what needed to be
done, providing security while the work was being carried out, and
then verifying that the contractors performed their duties to standard,
he said.
It was important to clean and clear up all of the roads to help facil
itate the handing over of security responsibility for the Karada
Peninsula to the Iraqi police, said Miller. The completion of the oper-
ation not only provides an improved platform from which to govern,
Story and photos by Spc. Rodney Foliente4th Inf. Div. PAO
Baghdad is beMulti-National Division – Baghdad, Iraqi gov
BAGHDAD – A Soldier from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infan
Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, walks by a home
tion in the Karada Peninsula June 28. Iraqi residents have witne
efforts of Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the local munic
the surrounding area through the removal of trash, debris and ba
RIGHT: BAGHDAD – A mother waits with her children while their father talks to Multi-National Division – Baghdad
Soldiers June 28. The family was visiting the area but expressed noticeable improvements to the roads and walk-
ways.
page 13TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy Leafjuly 23, 2006
ina-
orts
oper-
dad
e
sula.
for
ler, a
n,
ze
per-
non-
bar-
f huge
diers
al
he
be
and
dard,
facil-
oper-
vern,
but will also help the local government to police the area.
“Cleaning up (the streets) also opens up traffic flow and makes it
easier for the (Iraqi Security Forces) to respond to any (situations)
that arise,” said Miller. “(Operation) Baghdad is Beautiful helps the
population by cleaning the neighborhoods to give them more pride in
their community,” he said.
The municipality of the Karada Peninsula will take over the
responsibility for keeping the streets of the area clean, said Miller.
Throughout Baghdad, the process of bringing back the beauty of
the city continues, said Lt. Col. Tris Cooper, reconstruction officer,
civil military operations, 16th Engineer Brigade, attached to MND-B.
There are approximately 50 such projects completed to date, with
an approximate $6 million price tag paid from the MND-B
Commander’s Emergency Response Fund. The CERP is an appropri-
ation approved by the United States government that enables com-
manders to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction
requirements within their areas of operations by identifying needs,
then originating and paying for programs designed to immediately
assist the local populace, said Cooper.
“(Civil Affairs’) main focus is to work with the (Iraqi government)
to help them coordinate their essential services with (Iraqi) contrac-
tors and personnel to rebuild their infrastructure and help their own
people,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Dowdy, a resident of Deerlodge, Mont.,
who serves as a civil affairs noncommissioned officer, Company B,
414th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry
Regiment, 4th BCT.
“When other districts see what can be done, they will want to get
more involved with similar projects,” continued Dowdy. “If you can
demonstrate success in one area, it’s easier to convince other areas
that the project can be done.
“Civil Affairs is a very important part of stability in the lives of
the Iraqi citizens and they seem to appreciate the help. I am glad to
be a part of it.”
eautifulgovernment launch operation to clean up country’s capital
Infantry Regiment, 4th
home under construc-
witnessed the clean-up
municipality to enhance
nd barrier materials.
BAGHDAD – 1st Lt. Jared Miller, a resident of Asheville, N.C., and an effects coordinator with 1st
Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who has been pivotal
in cleaning up the Karada Peninsula, greets a local citizen June 28. The man expressed his approval
over the improvements and the recent clearing of the roads and cleaning of the area.
BAGHDAD – A group of Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division,
attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pulls security on a recently trash-, barrier-
and debris-choked street June 28 during the final stage of cleaning Baghdad’s Karada Peninsula, part of the citywide Operation Baghdad is
Beautiful.
july 23, 2006TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy LeafPage 14
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – “TheGeneral, ever desirous to cherish virtuousambition in his Soldiers, as well as to fos-ter and encourage every species ofMilitary merit, directs that whenever anysingularly meritorious action is per-formed, the author of it shall be permittedto wear on his facing over the left breast,the figure of a heart in purple … not onlyinstances of unusual gallantry, but also ofextraordinary fidelity and essential serv-ice in any way shall meet with a duereward.”— General George Washington.
The Purple Heart, established during
the Revolutionary War in Newburgh, N.Y.
August 7, 1782, by the first United States
president, Gen. George Washington, is the
United States Armed Service’s oldest, and
one of its most prestigious, awards.
Pfc. Eric LaBarge, a truck driver and a
Fulton, N.Y., native, and Sgt. John Cantu,
a truck driver, who hails from Corpus
Christi, Texas, both serving in Operation
Iraqi Freedom with the 68th Engineer
Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 16th
Engineer Brigade, 4th Infantry Division,
joined the 200 year-plus heritage of brave
men and women June 16 who have been
so honored.
LaBarge and Cantu were wounded on
the same mission January 26 when a 20-
ton dump truck driven by LaBarge was
struck by an improvised explosive device.
The Soldiers were in the process of mov-
ing limestone to Forward Operating Base
St. Michael, in Mahmudiyah, where
LaBarge was assisting the 68th Combat
Support Equipment Company with recon-
struction of a road to better the quality of
life for Soldiers living on the FOB.
“I feel honored for receiving the Purple
Heart,” said LaBarge.
“Sgt. Cantu is the ultimate profession-
al,” commented 1st Lt. Joseph Stahl, exec-
utive officer, 68th Eng. Co.
“He encouraged his (fellow) Soldier to
complete the mission despite both of them
being wounded and the truck partially dis-
abled. He was back leading his squad
later the same month and has been an
instrumental part in the success of numer-
ous missions since,” continued Stahl.
“Sgt. Cantu does not seek attention or
recognition but quietly drives on with his
fellow Soldiers.”
LaBarge and Cantu returned to the unit
to continue their mission as truck drivers
for the balance of their deployment to
Iraq.
Cantu returned to duty the first week of
February. Labarge was treated a number
of times at medical facilities for the
injuries he received in the IED blast and
was restricted to limited duty for several
months. He returned to full duty with his
squad in May.
The Purple Heart was presented to the
Soldiers by Lt. Col John Boule, 62nd Eng.
Bn., and Command Sgt. Maj. Richard St.
Cyr.
Brig. Gen. Robin Timmons, 16th Eng.
Bde., Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Riley
and Capt. Robert Kimmel, commander of
the 68th CSE, also attended the ceremony
with several honored guests.
The Purple Heart is awarded in the
name of the President to any member of
the Armed Forces of the United States
who, “while serving under the competent
authority in any capacity with one of the
Armed Forces, who has been wounded or
killed, or may hereafter die after being
wounded” in any action against an enemy
of the United States.
Story and photo by Spc. Jake Judge363rd MPAD
Engineer Soldiers presented Purple Heart
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Sgt. John Cantu, a Corpus Christi, Texas, native, who serves with the 68th Engineer Company, 62nd
Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, shakes hands with Command Sgt. Maj. Victor
Riley, 16th Engineer Bde., after being presented the Purple Heart medal June 16. Riley was one of three guests of honor pres-
ent to congratulate the Purple Heart recipients.
BAGHDAD – The goal of increasing the Iraqi
Security Forces presence in Baghdad and using Coalition
Forces primarily as support has provided Iraqi citizens
with an opportunity to build their confidence in the Iraqi
army’s military police.
A local informant provided Lt. Col. Ma’ad, battalion
commander, Iraqi Military Academy, with key informa-
tion about a possible insurgent cell location, leading to
IA soldiers conducting an early morning cordon and
search on multiple locations in the Southern part of
Zafariniya June 21.
A platoon from Battery A, 4th Battalion, 320th Field
Regan, KZN, a 30-year veteran of the business, described
his experience with “an incredible Iraqi doctor who was
in charge of an operation (who told) me of the progress
that has been made and that without the help of the
American people, many more children would have died.
Anything we are doing here to help these children is the
right thing.”
A visit, to Ibn Sina Hospital in the IZ – a facility that
cares for both U.S. and Iraqi casualties – proved to be an
emotional one for the radio personalities. Greg Saber, of
Cleveland’s WTAM, spoke of how this, and the earlier
reconstruction site visits, left an impression on him he’d
long remember.
Jim Sharpe from WTAM in Phoenix, who, during his
broadcast career has covered numerous major news
events, including Hurricane Andrew and the Northridge
Earthquake, said he was impressed by the “tenacity, pro-
fessionalism and commitment exhibited by U.S. military
and civilians as well as the exceedingly brave and com-
mitted Iraqis.”
Eben Brown of Radio Station WFLA in Tampa, whose
fan base reaches Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg and
Clearwater, told the GRD team that the visit “makes it
hard for a journalist to ignore examples of American-
Iraqi cooperation in rebuilding one of the planet’s most
ancient and enduring civilizations. The engineers and
their local national counterparts are busy building (proj-
ects as diverse as) hospitals and academic halls, despite
the turbulence and threats by violent people.”
As the quintet of radio professionals departed for their
trip back to the states, they agreed they had been changed
by their experience in Iraq and were looking forward to
sharing it with their fans.
Hopefully, their visit will spur other journalists to
come, see and report the good news about Iraq recon-
struction and development.
Story by Tom ClarksonGulf Region Division
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Baghdad radio market expands
“From sewers to schools, hospitalsto roads ... power, water, you nameit, they are getting this country on
its feet and taking care of theneeds of our troops as well.”
Tom MarrBroadcaster for WCBM in Baltimore
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A crew chief looks around to provide visual support for a clear landing as two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters land at the cross sabers July 4
inside the International Zone in Baghdad. The cross sabers are part of a parade field used by Saddam Hussein when viewing his army.
Photo by Pfc. David Hodge, 4th Inf. Div. PAO
Landing zone
page 17TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy Leafjuly 23, 2006
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — The spirit of the volunteer
is the foundation the Army is built on. It is what has
helped make the Army the best and most professional for
the past 231 years. A Soldier in 2nd Brigade Combat
Team, 101st Airborne Division, exemplifies the outstand-
ing volunteer spirit that permeates through our service.
Spc. Samuel Harrington, an intelligence systems
maintainer with Company B, Brigade Troops Battalion,
received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service
Medal for volunteer work he performed while attending
advanced individual training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
“While I was in AIT, two other Soldiers and I coached
a nine and ten-year-olds basketball team in Sierra Vista,”
said Harrington, a native of Grandledge, Mich. “It was
the first time I volunteered, and I had a great time. It was
awesome.”
According to the American Veterans website, the
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was estab-
lished by Executive Order 12830. It is awarded to mem-
bers of the Armed Forces who performed outstanding
volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and
consequential nature.
“I found out just before I graduated from AIT that I
would be getting the award, but the paperwork got lost
somehow,” Harrington said. “The orders for the award
just got here about three months ago.”
“As a person, I thought it was great,” Harrington said
of his volunteering experience. “We all loved basketball,
so that’s why we decided to do it. We taught these kids
how to play basketball. They loved it; the parents loved
it, and it was a great time.”
Soldiers who work with Harrington were not sur-
prised to find that he had been awarded the Military
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal since his daily
actions in the workplace prove that he has a helpful
nature.
MND-B Soldier receives outstanding volunteer service medalStory and photo by Spc. George Welcome2nd BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Spc. Samuel Harrington, an intelligence systems maintainer with Company B, Brigade
Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, climbs the stairs to the work trailer where
he monitors and works with sensitive electronic devices used in war-fighting operations. Harrington is the recip-
ient of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
FOB RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq – The
Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored
Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, currently working with
the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Infantry Division, Multi-National
Division – Baghdad, were able to provide
desperately needed medical attention to an
Iraqi citizen who was close to death June
17 at Forward Operating Base
Rustamiyah.
Hiba Mohammed Abdul Ridha was
injured by shrapnel during a terrorist mor-
tar attack on her college May 2.
The injury was unable to heal because
of a preexisting lupus infection. Ridha’s
father, Sheik Jabratallah, a tribal leader in
Fedaliyah, contacted the 3-67 AR in a
last-ditch effort to save his daughter’s life.
The family brought Ridha directly to
the gates of FOB Rustamiyah, said 2nd
Lt. Joshua Prentice, battle captain, 3-67
AR Tactical Operations Center. Ridha’s
condition was assessed at the gate, and it
was clear she was in need of immediate
assistance.
Because of lupus-like symptoms, it
was determined that the leg was in dan-
ger, Prentice said.
“Six weeks ago, she was in class at her
college and there was a mortar attack. She
received a minor injury,” said Capt. David
McCaughrin, fire support officer and Civil
Affairs officer-in-charge for 3-67 AR.
“Unable to heal, it was only a matter of
time before the wound became gan-
grenous,” McCaughrin said. Gangrene,
once started is usually irreversible. In this
case it progressed so fast Ridha’s life was
in danger.
“The girl definitely would have died,”
said Lt. Col. Mark Bertolini, commander,
3-67 AR. “Certainly in a week or two,
and probably within three or four days.”
Ridha had several medical problems.
Gangrene was one, but liver failure was
another, separate problem, said Capt.
Michael Curtis, battalion surgeon, 3-67
AR.
“When she arrived, she was unstable,
and we were able to stabilize her,” said
Curtis, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Here, we were able to have our female
medics and our female providers care for
her,” Curtis said. 3-67 AR took pains to
accommodate Ridha in a manner sensitive
to Iraqi cultural sensitivities.
“As it turned out, once we got her in
here, it was obvious her leg actually
should have been amputated a couple of
weeks ago,” said Bertolini. “Obviously,
her family was very grateful for the care.”
At this point, the case no longer
focused on the loss of a limb; Ridha’s life
was in danger. 3-67 AR made sure that
females were tasked to transport her to the
aid station, and that only females were in
the room where she was cared for, said
McCaughrin.
Ridha remained in the care of 3-67 AR
for 24 hours. The Soldiers contacted Maj.
Aaron Baker, brigade surgeon, 4th BCT,
101st Abn. Div., at which point she was
medevaced to the 10th Combat Support
Hospital and then sent to Medical City
Hospital for further treatment.
“We remained culturally sensitive, and
when we do that, it shows the local Iraqis
that we care about their well-being,” said
Bertolini. Giving this type of aid demon-
strates to the local populace that the U.S.
Army is willing to provide scarce
resources to help them, Bertolini said.
Jabratallah is a good friend of
Bertolini’s, as well an extremely influen-
tial member of the community,
McCaughrin said.
“He has been a big part of our security
here,” said Bertolini. “One story like this
carries a long way. It wouldn’t surprise
me if a couple of thousand people hear
about this in the next few days.”
Story by Pfc. Paul Ondik4th BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.
MND-B Soldiers help save local girls life
FOB RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq – Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, and 801st
Brigade Support Battalion, serving with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division, bring an Iraqi girl for treatment for a leg infection here June 17. Treatment
by Soldiers at 3-67 Armor Aid Station and subsequent treatment at the 10th Combat
Support Hospital helped save the girl’s leg and her life.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
july 23, 2006TThe Ivy Leafhe Ivy LeafPage 18
GUIDANCE
Twenty years ago when
I left the “Regular”
Army to join the
National Guard, all of
my medical records were
either misplaced or lost in
the mail, or a combination
thereof. Because
of that, I had to get a whole
new physical and repeat the
mandatory shot series. This
kept me from joining my
new Guard unit for about
two months and cost me
several hundred dollars in
pay and multiple punctures in my arm.
My lesson learned was to always keep back-ups of all
important military-related documents, a practice that has
come in handy on several occasions since then.
Today in the digital information age, it is much easier
for Soldiers to take control of their important records. An
example of this is a new module available through Army
Knowledge Online that allows Soldiers to conveniently
view and download copies of their computerized Vaccine
Administration Record, on DD Form 2766C.
To access this information, just follow these simple
steps:
Log in to AKO with your user name and password;
follow the link to the “My Medical Readiness” page; find
the “Immunization Profile” section and click on the
“View Detailed Information” link.
The next screen will advertise MEDPROS. Look
under the “Forms” section and click on the link for
“Electronic Immunization Record.”
Your record will open up automatically with the free
Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
Review your record for accuracy. If you think it is miss-
ing something, talk to your medical personnel to see
about getting your shot list updated on MEDPROS.
If you are like me, you will want to keep a copy for
possible future reference. Just use the “Save a Copy”
function on the Adobe Acrobat toolbar to name the file
and save it. Because this record contains personal infor-
mation, including your full name, address, date of birth
and social security number, identity thieves would love to
get their grubby hands on it.
Therefore, I strongly recommend saving it in a “hid-
den” folder on your hard drive, then encrypting it or
making it password-protected. If you are not sure how to
do this, contact your unit Information Management
Officer or computer security specialist for assistance.
Don’t get stuck … your shot records are now available on AKO
