STAND PROUD. STAND UNITED. STAND ARMY STRONG

The Official Publication of Harrisburg Recruiting BattalionOCT/NOV 2009 Vol 1, Issue 2

CONTENTS OCT/NOV 2009 Vol 1, Issue 2

Departments3 LEADERSHIP CORNER

4 BATTALION NEWS

6 COLD STEEL FAMILY

7 EDUCATION

8 COMPANY CORNER

10 ARMY NEWS

Harrisburg Battalion VisionHarrisburg Battalion is committed to deliver excellence from

recruiting with integrity and providing quality service members as the strength of our all-volunteer Army. We strive to consistently achieve mission and inspire Americans to proudly

serve within the profession of arms in support of their Nation.

Harrisburg Battalion Mission With integrity and selfless service, the Harrisburg Recruiting

Battalion provides strength to the Army, cares for the Soldiers, civilians, and families and develops community support for the

military.

1st Brigade MissionVictory Brigade prospects, processes, and sustains future soldiers to achieve its FY10 preci-

sion mission requirements within the DA quality marks and resources allocated while simul-taneously expanding both its market and number of partners; executes specified training and Command initiatives though discipline and adhering to standards in accordance with Army Values and Ethos all the while ensuring the quality of life of its Soldiers, Civilians, and

Family members.

CommanderLt. Col. Stephen B. Lockridge

Command Sgt. MajorCommand Sgt. Maj.

Reginald K. Washington

Chief of Advertising & Public Affairs

Staci Cretu

Public Affairs Specialists,Associate Editors

Sonya SanockiBill Irwin

Administrative Assistant,Layout Design

Angela D. Walter

The Battalion Newsletter is authorized by AR360-1 for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of this publication are not neces-sarily the official views, or endorsement by the U.S. Government, Department of De-fense, Department of the Army, or the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.

The Newsletter is published bi-monthly by the Advertising and Public Affairs (A&PA) Office, U.S. Recruiting Battalion - Harrisburg.

Please mail or e-mai submissions and letters to: A&PA U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion - Harrisburg,54 M Ave., Suite 11New Cumberland, PA 17070COMM: (717) 770-6721FAX: (717) 770-2707E-mail: 1ebn-apa@usarec.army.mil

The Newsletter is currently distributed elec-tronically and will be sent to everyone on the battalion distribution list and to those who request a copy.

Deadline submissions for Dec/Jan. edition is Jan. 15.

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8On the Cover

Celebrating Special Moments

Lt. Col. Lockridge celebrated his 41st birthday on Sept. 27th with the battalion and the Advisory Board.

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OCT/NOV 2009 • 3

LEADERSHIP CORNER

Lt. Col. Stephen B. LockridgeBattalion Commander

Command Sgt. Maj. Reginald K. WashingtonBattalion Command Sgt. Major

I would like to dedicate my comments for this edition reflecting on the importance of celebrating special moments throughout our career. Maintaining balance is one of the most important critical leader tasks that we perform. Often times without knowing it, we place mission accomplishment and taking care of Soldiers/families ahead of our “first team”.

After recently completing my 41st birthday, it became very clear that I should have done a better job in celebrating special moments with not only myself but with those family members who depend upon me. After 19 plus years of military service, one would think that an

officer of my grade and experience would have that figured it out. However, like many of you, I struggle with the challenges of “balancing” service to the nation and service to family.

As we tackle a new mission and move into the holiday season, please take the time to thank our true battle buddies such as parents, spouses, children, siblings, influencers, and mentors. Without their assistance, we would be combat ineffective in doing our nation’s bidding at home or abroad. Most importantly, don’t put forth a half effort when participating in these moments. Completely surrender your time and attention, and show the same enthusiasm for a family member’s birthday party, graduation ceremony, or wedding anniversary as you would when accomplishing daily tasks at the workplace. In the end, establishing and maintaining proper balance between work and family is critical to complete well being, emotional fitness, as well as quality of life for our team.

To the entire Steel Battalion team, thanks

for all you do. I look forward to continued suc-cess in fiscal year 10. We are a great team, and I am proud to serve with you!

Cold Steel!!!

Steel 6

GreetinGS Steel Battalion

“If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments. “

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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BATTALION NEWSSIGNIFICANT EVENTS

December1 All American Bowl Tour Stop– Penn Hills High School – 5G

4 All American Bowl Tour Stop – Canon Mcmil lian High School – 5W

4 New Recruiter Board

7-11 ICI - Jim Thorpe Company

7-10 Brigade Commander visit to Pittsburgh

11 Harrisburg Company Pinnacle IOC

12 Hershey BEARS Exhibit Space - 1E3

12 Future Soldier Event - 2V

12-19 Hanukkah

17-20 ATC

18 CTC PaYS Ceremony

25 Christmas

January1 New Year’s

8 Newcomers’s Orientation

9 All American Bowl - San Antonio, Texas

13 New Recruiter Board

17 Hershey Bears Promotional Night - 1E3

18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

18-22 ICI - Greensburg Company

27–2 Feb MEV Event at Punxsutawaney - 1E1

February6-14 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show - 1E3

11 New Recruiter Board

14 Valentine’s Day

15 President’s Day

17-19 MEV – CONAP event at Greensburg Penn State Campus - 1E1

18-20 SCAAR

22-224 ICI - Carlisle Company

24-26 ICI - State College Company

Photos and Story by Staci CretuChief, A&PA

Not only did the U.S. Army Pittsburgh Advisory Board celebrate Lt. Col. Lockridge’s birthday, Pirates style, the board members and

Battalion staff were reunited on 28 September 2009. During the board meeting the members were presented with one of many Army Strong initiatives recognizing our Future Soldiers. The program presented modeled a successful pilot event held in Camden County, NJ, hosted by “Our Community Salutes”, a non-profit, community-based organization. This new organization was formed by Dr. Ken Hartman, Army Veteran, school board member, and academic administrator at Drexel University, who realized nothing was being done to honor these brave individuals, unlike that being done at pre-graduation events and ceremonies for other students who would be going off to college or pursuing other non-military postsecondary endeavors.

The U.S. Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion along with the Pittsburgh Advisory Board agreed to carry on this great program. “Our Community Salutes” of Pittsburgh will publicly recognize graduating high school seniors who have “answered the call” in the surrounding counties of Pittsburgh, PA. The annual ceremony will recognize those Future Soldiers for their voluntary commitment to enlist in the United States Military (all services/components) upon graduation from high school. The first annual ceremony is tentatively scheduled for May 2010 in Pittsburgh, PA.

SaluteSPittsburgh Advisory Board

Future Soldiers

By Staci CretuChief, A&PA

The U.S. Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion is in the process of coordinating a partnership between UD on Campus Marketing and

select Universities/Colleges in the Battalion footprint. UD on Campus (UDOC) operates under their parent company, University Directories a publisher of campus directories and day planners for colleges and universities across the nation. UDOC works with local business to provide college students with the opportunity to work in the field of marketing and promotions on campuses across the Country, fulfilling their requirement for a college credit internship program.

The Army Strong Student Ambassador program was developed as a grassroots initiative to provide each company with an opportunity to further engage students, parents, family, faculty and staff of select Universities and Colleges in our MK/MW zip codes. UDOC handles all hiring, extensive training and motivation of the student ambassadors. (Continued on pg. 11)

Student AmbASSAdor ProgrAmthe army strong

Partnering with LocaL coLLeges

TOP

OCT/NOV 2009 • 5

BATTALION NEWS

Q: Where did you grow up?

I have had the pleasure of growing up in many places, since my mother decided to continue her education as a school teacher. Places, I like to call home are West Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio.

Q: What’s your background? How did you end up getting into Army advertising and public affairs?

I never gave much thought to joining the Army until I took a college course at Ohio State (OSU). During the class, the professor began a rant on how we did not understand or have any civic virtue. If we had any civic virtue, we would serve our country and not ask for something in return, but just the honor of serving.

As a result, I enlisted in the reserves as medic the next week. I found that I enjoyed the Army and continued my development by joining OSU’s ROTC program, where I received my commission in 2000 as a Military Intelligence officer. My first assignment was with the 101st Airborne Division, which was a wonderful experience.

Before coming to the Battalion, I

Harrisburg Marathon

spent the last 4 1/2 years at Fort Hood. Love Texas and the units at Fort Hood, and feel privileged to have served with them on two deployments to Iraq.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment working with the U.S. Army?

I believe the most memorable moment for me, while being in the U.S. Army was my last deployment. During that deployment to Iraq, I had the privilege of being a company commander of a Military Intelligence Company. There is nothing quite as fulfilling as resetting, training and deploying a company of Soldiers from the moment they arrive to their first duty station to their first deployment. Being the last person to set foot on the plane to Iraq and seeing all their faces, while understanding all the work that was involved with it provided me with a true sense of what this profession is all about.

Capt. Jason S. MeiselBattalion Operations Officer

SPOTLIGHT

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Runners: Lt. Col. Lockridge Maj. Deuel and relay teams from Jim Thorpe Company, Carlisle Company and Harrisburg Company along with Future Soldiers.

“You are all animals! Well done!” - Command Sgt. Maj. Moore

When Command Sgt. Maj. Moore called the U.S. Army runners animals we could have thought he was saying we are as quick as cats and as strong as an ox. Not even those animals are as strong or fast as the US Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion runners during the Harrisburg Marathon on 8 November 2009. We had two runners to complete the marathon, Lt. Col. Lockridge and Maj. Deuel.

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By Staci CretuChief, A&PA

According to Webster, “teamwork is a joint

action by two or more people, in which each person contributes with different skills and expresses his or her individual interests and opinions to the unity and efficiency of the group in order to achieve common goals. This does not mean that the individual is no longer important; however, it does mean that effective and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments.”

USAREC continues to transform to better accomplish its core mission of “providing the strength of the Army.” Pinnacle will modernize a recruiting force still operating under the ’70s All-Volunteer Force model by adopting proven industry practices—particularly division of labor and specialization of skills—to improve the recruiting process.

The Pinnacle concept is currently being implemented in the Battalion with Harrisburg Company as the pilot. Pinnacle will allow Harrisburg Company to develop specialized recruiting teams. Those specialized teams consist of a range of internal administration and logistics to external

Pinnacle Brings Teamwork to Harrisburg Recruiting Efforts

community outreach teams. The team concept allows for those excelling in certain aspects of recruiting to achieve the mission as a whole rather than the responsibility of all recruiting efforts falling on an individual.

An additional benefit is significantly improved quality of life for the recruiting force resulting from a reduction in work hours and increased job satisfaction.

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Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Donahay, left, recruiter at Lock Haven Recruiting Station, presents a veteran’s pin to members of Lock Haven’s American Legion Post 131. Donahay and Capt. Paul Dangelantonio, Station College Recruiting Company commander, participated in Lock Haven’s Veteran’s Day parade and the veteran’s tribute that took place at the reviewing stand

following the parade on Nov. 7.

VETERAN’S DAY NOVEMBER 11

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THE “COLD STEEL” FAMILYO

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By Randy ReadshawSoldier & Family Assistance Program Manager

The Department of Defense Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program provides up to $6,000 of financial assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career

fields.

Who Is Eligible

Spouses of DoD active duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve components are eligible. The period of eligibility for spouses of Guard and Reserve members is from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization, through activation and deployment until 180 days following de-mobilization.

Military spouses who are legally separated by state law or court order are ineligible. Spouses who are active duty or activated Guard or Reserve members themselves are ineligible because they have their own education benefit programs. Unfortunately, Public Law 110-417 Sec 582 does not allow MyCAA to provide education benefits to Coast Guard spouses.

What does MyCAA Pay For

MyCAA Financial Assistance pays for education and training programs, tuition, and licensing/credentialing fees. This includes degree programs, such as associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral, continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations), Bar, CPA and other similar exams, and state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other licensed occupations. If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or equipment necessary for the performance of the spouse’s chosen occupation, i.e., cosmetology or masonry tools, electrician operations manual, MyCAA will pay these costs if not billed separately. MyCAA also pays for High School Completion courses, GED tests and English As A Second Language classes.

How to Get Started

Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA account by visiting the MyCAA website ~ https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. Once spouse profile information is provided, MyCAA will verify spouse DEERS eligibility. Eligible spouses will be allowed to create their career and training plan and request financial assistance when they are within 90 days of course start dates. Additionally, spouses are responsible for applying to their selected school or program and enrolling in each course included in their approved MyCAA Career and Training Plan.

Army Strong Families Make Strong Army recruiters!

Military Spouse Career

Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

A 24/7 Resource forMilitary Members, Spouses & Families

Call and Talk Anytime

“America’s Army is the strength of the nation and America’s Families are the backbones and source of a Soldier’s strength.

- Mrs. Sheila Casey

OCT/NOV 2009 • 7

EDUCATION is key

By Mark MazarellaEducation Services Specialist

On Sept. 21, after nearly 20 years of use, the familiar multi-copy yel-low ConAP “Intent to Enroll” form has gone electronic, eliminat-

ing the need to mail the form from recruiting station to colleges, back to battalion and then finally to ConAP headquarters in Washington, DC.

During October, in its first month of use, the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion submitted 184 ConAP electronic enrollment forms—exceeding the number of enrollments in FY09 altogether, and three times that of the next leading battalion in USAREC! For those recruiters who are promoting this program, well done! Because of your efforts more Future Soldiers will be enrolling in college and taking advantage of tuition assistance and the GI Bill. Statistics also show that Future Soldiers who are enrolled in ConAP are less likely to become losses prior to shipping and Army Reserve Soldiers attending college are more likely to re-enlist.

Recruiters are required to brief each Future Soldier on ConAP and then assist them with enrollment during the orientation. To enroll in ConAP using the new electronic form, follow these simple steps:

• FutureSoldierlogsontoFutureSoldierWebsite (www.futuresoldiers.com)• Select“Orientation”tab• SelectConAP–IamaFutureSoldier• LoginwithAKOusernameandpassword• SelectConAPForm• Selectthestateofcollegedesiredtoattend• Schooldropdownwindowopens-selectdesiredschool• Collegemajordropdownwindowopens-selectmajor (or enter undecided)• Enrollmentdatedropdownwindowopens-selectprobable enrollment date

• Initialwindowopens–FutureSoldierplacesinitialsinblock• Submit-byclickingsubmit,theapplicationissenttothe selected school

Once the Future Soldier submits the ConAP form an electronic copy is automatically sent to the ConAP college point of contact. The college POC then clicks on a link in the email and checks a box acknowledging receipt of the ConAP form. This triggers an email back to the Future Soldier with the form initialed by the College POC. A second email is sent to their recruiter. The recruiter must forward this email, adding the Future Soldier’s name and social security num-ber, to the Battalion ESS and ESS assistant, who will ensure the initi-ating recruiter receives credit for the enrollment. The ESS assistant generates a ConAP enrollment certificate and forwards to the station for presentation to the Future Soldier.

Recruiters should be discussing the ConAP program with high schools, highlighting the postsecondary educational opportuni-ties available to their students and reinforcing the importance the Army places on education. Recruiters should also bring a copy of the completed Intent to Enroll form to the student’s guidance counselor and explain that the school is now able to count the Future Soldier as college-bound in the statistics they provide to the district and the state.

Advantages for colleges and universities include an additional applicant pool consisting of both Soldiers and veterans who have money for college, as well as the maturity, motivation, and discipline to succeed. Colleges can also offer distance education courses to Soldiers, making it possible for active duty Soldiers to take courses even while deployed overseas.

Since 1989, ConAP has connected over 200,000 FSs with colleges and universities, contributing to an increase in GI Bill usage among veterans from under 20% in the 1980’s to nearly 70% today. For ad-ditional information or questions about the ConAP program, contact the Battalion ESS or refer to USAREC Message 09-172.

Battalion Leads the Way

Photo and Story by Bill IrwinPublic Affairs Specialist

Sometimes creating strong relationships with educators and school officials can be difficult, especially when those officials really do not understand the Army.

On the evening of November 13, Uniontown Recruiting Station endeavoed to build relationships with local schools by hosting an educator dinner.

More than 20 educators and counselors from the Uniontown area attended this first gathering offered by the station where they were presented with information on several Army programs that will enhance their students’ educational experience: March-2-Success, the ASVAB, West Point, ROTC , Boost Up and CONAP.

Lt. Col. Stephen Lockridge, Battalion Commander and Greensburg Company Commander Capt. Terry Redd told their Army stories, and the theme that carried throughout the evening was opportunity. The opportunities that the Army offers Soldiers for training and education and the opportunities available when a Soldier decides to return to civilian life will remain with them and help them achieve their goals.

Mark Mazarella, Eduaction Specialist, speaks to educa-tors in the Greensburg area.

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This Just In...Social Networking brings new life to RecruitingBy Staci CretuChief, A&PA

Recruiting involves the ability to communicate with peers, prospects and COI’s. The Army recognizes that social media is

evolving the way we communicate with the recruiting audiences. It creates the opportunity to strengthen relationships, encourage participation and foster a dialogue through shared experiences about recruiting, military service and Army life. The Army believes there is no better voice to explain the path to military service than our nation’s Soldiers.

Today, four out of five U.S. adults now socialize online creating, reading or participating in social content at least monthly. In addition, 97 percent of 18-24 year olds and 90 percent of 25-34 years old are active in social media. As the majority of the Army’s recruiting audience turns to the Internet first to network and build relationships, recruiters can harness the power of social media to share accurate perceptions regarding military service. As a recruiter you can use social media to bring about a dialogue on Army life in a highly engaging, interactive and authentic way between real Soldiers and potential recruits, their influencers and their communities.

Using social media gives the Army new ways to share true life as a Solider with people even before they speak with a recruiter. Social media helps extend the Army story beyond the gates of Goarmy.com to our Prospects daily lives. When Prospects are ready to speak with a recruiter, they are more educated about the benefits of Army life and can ask better question.

Visit the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion fan page for the latest updates and photos:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/New-Cumberland-PA/US-Army-Recruiting-Battalion-

Harrisburg/158916607701?ref=nf

By Sonya SanockiPublic Affairs Specialist

The 2010 U.S. Army A l l - A m e r i c a n

Bowl (AAB) is set for Jan. 9. The game will be broadcast live on NBC, beginning at 1 p.m., and will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the Army sponsored game. For 10 years, the All-American Bowl has been the premier high school football game in the nation, with a legacy including NFL and college stars, such as Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Tim Tebow and Terrelle Pryor. The game features the nation’s top senior high school football players in an East versus West showdown.

According to Col. David Lee, director of Marketing, U.S. Army Accessions Command, the Army is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the All-American Bowl and to continue to showcase the talents and strengths of the athletic, musical and Soldier Elite participants.

“For 10 years, the All-American Bowl has provided the national platform for young adults to reflect the strength of Army Strong Soldiers,” he said.

The AAB is one of the nation’s top premiere high school athletic events, drawing a crowd of more than 32,000 to the Alamodome. The Bowl is the highest-rated sports event of the weekend other than the NFL playoff games.

The Selection Tour for the AAB and marching band kicked off Sept. 29 and recognizes 187 high school marching bands and football players from across the United States.

Marching musicians are scheduled to perform in the All-American Bowl half-time show. The marching band recognizes the top 97 high school senior marching musicians from across the country and showcases their talents during the largest celebration of high school football in America.

Musicians and players from the Harrisburg Battalion selected to play in the AAB include: Kate Anderson, marching band musician, Hughesville High School; Benjamin Guise, marching band musician, Central Dauphin High School; Emily Grau, marching band musician, New Oxford High School; Jennifer Dunlap, marching band musician, Cedar Cliff High School; Cullen Christian, football, Penn Hills High School; Daniel Cohen, marching band musician, Mount Lebanon High School; Mike Hull, football, Canon-Mcmillan High School; and Paul Jones, football, Sto Rox High School.

Benjamin Guise, marching band musician, Central Dauphin High School accepting his

All-American Bowl jacket.

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all-american bowl set for January 9

OCT/NOV 2009 • 9

COMPANY CORNER

Photo and Story by Bill Irwin Public Affairs Specialist

Since Harrisburg Battalion’s first Community Covenant signing at Kutztown University

in October several more have been signed and are in the works.

The covenant signings are designed to create and sustain ongoing community support and community partnerships with the Army and in some cases the armed forces to improve the quality of life for service members and their families, and affords organizations and communities with the ability to officially affirm their support.

Signings at each location have been varied and tailored to accommodate each community. Recent covenant signings include Williamsport which covers all of Lycomin g County, Lock Haven covering all of Clinton County and Carlisle emcompassing all of Cumberland County. Williamsport’s

included a signing with the local state representative, and occurred during a county wide military benefits fair. Lock Haven’s occurred after the cities Veterans

(Contincued on pg. 11)

others do.”Jones reviewed each phase of training with the

audience. He also explained what a typical day for him was like; starting at 3:00 A.M. and sometimes going 16 hours to make sure the new Soldiers come together as a team. “There are two types of Soldiers

that grab my attention, the problem child and the standout. If you listen to your recruiter I will quickly know your name as a go to Soldier, trust me you don’t want to be the problem child.”

Questions from Future Soldiers and their families ran the gambit from “can I have a cell phone, will I be able to wear jewelry and am I allowed an Ipod.” The answers of course are no to the phone and Ipod, you may have one religious chain and two rings as jewelry.

After all questions were answered, Future Soldiers were placed in formation where Jones gave basic instructions on drill. This was the first time the Soldiers heard Jones use his Drill Sergeant voice, a marked difference from the quiet demeanor he showed in class. “Attention! “ Jones barked, and instantly more than 55 Future Soldiers snapped to. “Let’s take a training posture, first three rows take a knee, this is not an option, eyes front, look at me, I’m going to turn my back and show you the proper position for parade rest. Trust me, I’ll know if you are paying attention, I was issued eyes in the back of my head when I was given this hat.”

Lunch followed drill instructions at the installation Community Club. Acting as squad leaders recruiters started the Soldiers on a march to the club, with Jones calling cadence, “let’s give these Airmen a treat and shout out this cadence. Let them know what it’s like to be a Soldier.”

FUTURE SOLDIER TRAINING: THE DRILL SERGEANT EXPERIENCE

Drill Sgt. Donte Jones gives commands to a group of Future Soldiers at Piitsburgh

Company’s Mega Future Soldier Event

Photo and Story by Bill IrwinPublic Affairs Specialist

When Staff Sgt. Donte Jones speaks Soldiers tend to listen. It could be

the authority in his voice, the volume and projection, or his commanding presence as a Drill Sergeant that grabs their attention. Whatever it is he uses to grab their attention, he uses it tell his Army story and the story of what new enlistees can expect at basic training.

Jones toured the battalion area during the week of November 9. After visiting several schools he finished the tour at Pittsburgh Company’s Future Soldier event at the 911th Air Force Reserve base.

The briefing room quickly filled with more than 80 people that included Future Soldiers and their families. Right off the bat Jones let the group know how lucky they were to have a Drill Sergeant touring their local area to answer questions in such a relaxed atmosphere, “Most new Soldiers never get to interact with a Drill Sergeant’s outside of basic training. Many do not know what to expect, now is your chance to ask any question you want, and either I or one of your recruiters can impart you with our experience so you won’t make mistakes like so many

Carlsle Company’s Community Covenant signing. Pictured from left to right: Steve Leonard, Cal Williams, Blaine Havice, Barry Foltz, Tom Kane, Bill Irwin, Dan

Lyons, Maj. Bill Hammac and 2nd Lt. Brendan Kane

NOTES: The Pittsburgh Company would like to Welcome:

•StaffSgt.Anthony Shaffer North Hills RS

•Sgt.Bryce Mouchet Century III RS

•StaffSgt.Daniel Martinez Oakland RS

•Sgt.Daniel Weitz Whelling RS

Farewell and Godspeed:

•Sgt.Justin Nearing Washington RS

Congratulations to the following personnel for recent Promotions:

•StaffSgt.Lemont North Washington RS

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ARMY NEWS

By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service

NORFOLK, Va. (Nov. 4, 2009) -- Staff Sgt. Megan Krause’s words come out in a rush, as if she wants everyone to hear and learn from her story.

Krause, an Army reservist with the 365th Engineer Battalion in Pennsylvania, does want people to hear her story, and she wants to connect with servicemembers so they don’t go through what she did.

The 27-year-old staff sergeant is a part of the “Real Warrior” campaign, which aims at getting the word out to servicemembers about post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological trauma. The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury sponsors the program. Krause spoke about her experiences during the Warrior Resilience Conference here.

On active duty, Krause served as a medic in Afghanistan and Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division. It’s part of her “can-do” persona that she felt she had it wired - she knew how her life was going to go.

“I was going to go off active duty, get a degree at Penn State and then get a job in Washington,” the Illinois native said during an interview. “When I got home, I never thought I had any psychological issues. Not me. That was for other people. I had goals.”

What she also had were flashbacks and nightmares. Still, she said, “I really felt fine. I knew what triggers to avoid, and I was coping quite well.”

And she was drinking. “But I attributed that to just being a college kid,” she said. Once in college, she enlisted in the Army Reserve and took pride in serving and taking care of her troops.

Krause was on her way to reaching her goals when post-traumatic stress disorder crashed down on her last year.

She was going through a rough patch - her father had lost his job, her brother and sister-in-law had deployed, and she had no job to go to after college. And her unit had been put on stand-by for hurricane relief.

“What I did not realize was that increases in symptoms were causing increases in bad choices, which were causing increases in problems,” she said. “But I was so busy worrying about other things and drinking my life away. It all piles on itself, and there was no good way to start to fix it.”

Krause was blowing off classes and papers. She skipped Reserve duty. One of her Sol-diers sat her down and told her that people were worried about her and that she should get help. Her company first sergeant reached out and tried to get her to seek help.

“Everybody around me noticed there was a problem, but I didn’t,” she said. “My first sergeant said, ‘Let’s fight this together.’ But I still didn’t get help.”

Her epiphany came after a night of drinking. She was talking with friends after the bars closed when a truck backfired. She took off running across campus and got to her apartment.

“There was a light on, and I didn’t remember leaving a light on,” she said. “I called the State College police and told them that someone needed to come check my apartment, because I think the terrorists are waiting for me.”

A police car and an ambulance arrived. Krause said she didn’t want to go to the local hospital, but to the Veterans Affairs hospital in Altoona, Pa., about 45 minutes away. Her roommate drove her there.

“I spent three days in detox, talked to psychiatrists and psychologists and care coordinators, and they helped me,” she said.Krause worked with the Penn State veterans outreach office and her professors to get back on track for school, and graduated in December.

She also received a job offer from a public relations firm in Washington.“It’s really amazing how as soon as you make the choice to get help and address the issue, that things start falling into place,” she said.Krause credits her friends, Soldiers, military leaders and the medical system for the help.She volunteered to be part of the Real Warrior campaign in March. “What I hope to do is take what was a really horrible experience and turn

it into a positive experience for other veterans and servicemembers who may be struggling and don’t necessarily see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

“If one other Soldier out there sees my profile and can relate enough to say, ‘I can do that. I can get help,’ that’s what I hope to accomplish with this program,” she said.

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Staff Sgt. Megan Krause, an Army Reserve medic who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, hopes to help other servicemembers by telling her story of seeking help when post-traumatic stress had her spiraling out

of control.

medic hopes her stress story can help others

soldiers to get retroactive pay for stop lossBy Joshua Wick U.S. Army Public AffairsArmy News Service

WASHINGTON -- An estimated 120,000 Soldiers and veterans are now eligible for ret-roactive Stop-Loss Special Pay.

The Department of Defense announced on Oct. 21 that with the recent congressional authorization, Soldiers who were individually stop-lossed and on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2008, now can claim a retroactive special pay of $500 for each month they served past their end-of-service date. This includes Reserve and National Guard Soldiers on active duty during this period.

Soldiers can apply for the pay through an online application process at https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil.

The Retroactive Stop-Loss Special Pay is new, said Maj. Roy Whitley, program manager, Army Retroactive Stop-Loss Special Pay. He explained that Soldiers stop-lossed since Sept. 30, 2008, have already been compensated.

The Army is gradually suspending the use of Stop Loss. The Army Reserve started phas-ing out stop-lossed Soldier in August 2009, the Army National Guard followed shortly after beginning in September 2009 and the active Army will begin in January 2010.

“The interim goal is to reduce by half the number of Soldiers affected by Stop Loss,” said Lt. Col. Ann Finley, chief, Distribution and Readiness Branch, Army G-1 (Personnel Direc-torate), she added that, “we expect to achieve this sometime in 2010; the long-term goal, when operationally feasible, is to suspend the use of Stop-Loss altogether.”

To qualify for Retroactive Stop-Loss Special Pay, a Soldier must have served under Stop Loss for at least one day of each month they are applying for, and those periods must be in accordance with All Army Activities Message (ALARACT 277/2009).

OCT/NOV 2009 • 11

BATTALION NEWS

Community Covenant(continued from pg. 9)

Day parade and Carlisle’s tagged onto Veteran’s day at the local mall. Signatures on the documents also vary and are always community leaders. Lock Haven and Williamsport’s covenants were spearheaded by the District Commander of the American Legion an sported all the local post commanders as well as Veteran’s Affairs representatives, local and state politicians, members of our battalion, and local Reserve and Guard units. Carlisle’s covenant has leaders from a county heritage based fraternal organization, the majority of them Veterans or members of the Reserve or Guard.

Maj. Bill Hammac, Carlisle Company Commander placed a challenge to those present “I am honored to sign this covenant with you and I ask that in your outreach to the military that you consider hosting or adopting one of the Future Soldiers from Carlisle Company. These young men and women can learn from your experience; your support will go a long way in letting them know that they have made the correct choice and their community cares.”

Capt. Paul Dangelantonio, State College Company Commander expressed hope that the covenant signing, “in a very patriotic area will create strong ties between the community and the Army. Today’s Soldiers are true heroes, they are your family, friends and neighbors. Keeping them Army Strong keeps the community strong.”

On- going talks with communities currently include Berks County,

MEV in Bethlehem

Students at Bethlehem Vocational-Technical School participate in activities during the recent MEV visit.

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COMPANY CORNER CONTINUED...

(Continued from pg. 4)

This campaign will take place during the 2010 spring and fall semesters at select Universities and Colleges. The Ambassadors, with the aid of UDOC and Battalion staff, will plan, organize and execute five to ten events per campus per semester with the goal of lead generation. Events will vary per campus, and could include hosting/sponsoring intramural sports teams, pre-existing campus event, and student organization meetings. The ambassador will coordinate speaking engagements for our NCO’s centered on the Army’s Seven Core Values. These events will last two-four hours per campus with a Harrisburg Battalion Recruiter or ROTC in attendance.

What does this mean for our recruiters? This program will allow for increased P1 prospecting by the recruiters in select areas. The student ambassadors along with UDOC and Battalion staff will facilitate, manage, coordinate and execute all events on select campuses. The students are there to generate the leads. The effectiveness will be measured by the quantity of leads the students get and the relationship that is built between the schools and the Army.

Student AmbASSAdor ProgrAm

By Staci CretuChief, A&PA

November 9, 2009 marked the unveiling of an offical Medal of Honor Memorial for Specialist Ross. A

McGinnis. McGinnis was recognized by The House of Representatives for his courage and selfless sacrifice at Soldier’ s Grove on the grounds of the State Capitol.

When Ross A. McGinnis, a Clarion County recruit, joined the Army on his 17th birthday he swore to uphold a higher standard through living the Army Values. Not many individuals know what those words truly mean but

Specialist McGinnis embraced these Seven Army Values through his selfless act on December 4, 2006 by recognizing that there was an immediate need for him, one person, to protect his fellow Soldiers. Ross was mortally wounded while he pinned a live grenade between his body and the vehicle that him and four others were in. Ross absorbed most of the explosion while saving the lives of at least four other Soldiers.

“Ross did not become our hero by dying to save his fellow Soldiers from a grenade. He was a hero to us long before he died, because he was willing to risk his life to protect the ideals of freedom and justice that America represents. The lives of four men who were his Army brothers outweighed the value of his one life” a statement issued by his parents shortly after his death on December 4, 2006.

While Specialist McGinnis ultimately lost his own life to save his comrades his extraordinary heroism has awarded him with a Medal of Honor, the Armed Forces highest award for valor.

RemembeRing a SelfleSS HeRo– SpecialiSt RoSS a. McGinniS