The Dispatch

Spurgin takeS eSgr reinS 6 Maj. Gen. Eddy Spurgin takes the reins of the Texas ESGR Committee.

Stand up to prevent Suicide in tXMF 10The Texas Military Forces conducts suicide stand-down to address suicide prevention in the force.

rogerS receiveS purple heart 15Governor Rick Perry presents Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Rogers with a Purple Heart and Air Medal for bravery.

The DispaTchThe magazine of the Texas Military Forces

www.TxMF.us

Fall 2012

2 The DispaTch Fall 2012

In the Dispatch:

A Texas Air National Guard and a Chilean F-16 Fighting Falcon fly side-by-side during a three-day training exercise in Texas.

chilean air Force training 13

Texas Gov. Rick Perry finishes placing the Purple Heart onto the uniform of Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Rogers, Jr., a flight medic and member of the Texas Army National Guard, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Nov. 1, 2012. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)

Pointing and Shooting for Personal Gain: A lieutenant colonel in communications decided his day job wasn't enough, so he started a side business photographing local sporting events.

While on duty, he asked a subordinate to create photo products for his personal business during official time. The officer also requested a press pass on behalf of the Defense Media Activity, which he then used to gain exclusive entry into sporting events to take pictures in his off-duty time. When he was finally caught for misusing the press pass, he received a letter of concern from command.

Don't be that guy or gal! Contact your servicing SJA first or the Agencies Senior Ethics Counselor, Col. Bentley Nettles or Col. David Counts at 512-782-5464.

don’t be that guy or gal...

* The Dispatch is an authorized publication for members of the Texas Military Forces and the Department of Defense. Contents of the Dispatch are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the National Guard Bureau, or the State of Texas. * The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office. * The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Texas Military Forces. * Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. * Content is edited, prepared and provided by the Texas Joint Military Forces Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 10, 2200 W. 35th Street, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 78703. *

Public Affairs OfficerCol. Amy Cook

Deputy Public Affairs OfficerLt. Col. Jonathan Pettit

Public Affairs StaffStaff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Pfc. Maria Moy John Thibodeau Laura Lopez

Managing EditorStaff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson

Contributing Writers and PhotographersMaj. Gen. John F. Nichols Col. Amy F. Cook Maj. Paula Rodriguez Capt. Adam Musil Capt. Angela Gil Master Sgt. Bill Conner Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Griego Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain Staff Sgt. Agustin Salazar Sgt. Jeremy Spires Airmen 1st Class Alicia Lacy Ms. Laura Lopez Ms. Jennifer Turner

Vol. 7, No. 8 Fall, 2012

GovernorGov. Rick Perry

The Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John F.

Nichols

6 Maj. Gen. Eddy Spurgin joins ESGR as new chairmanFor Maj. Gen. Eddy Spurgin, incoming Chairman of the Texas ESGR com-mittee, ESGR isn’t just a concept with no relation to his life. A Texas Army National Guard member for more than 30 years, Spurgin is no stranger to the benefits of partnering with ESGR.

7 I will not let my guard downMembers of the Texas Military Forces are duty bound to guard against sexual assaults, and sexually offensive language and/or gestures that encourage this abuse.

8 A spouse’s advice to deploying SoldiersSo you’re getting deployed, and in all of these pre-deployment briefings, they keep telling you to prepare. “Get your finances in order,” they say. “Organize your house,” they say. What does that mean, exactly?

10 Stand up for suicide prevention in the TXARNGThe Texas Military Forces conduct a stand-down to address suicide and suicide prevention across the force.

13 Air Guard trains with Chilean counterpartsAbout 50 members of the Chilean Air Force participated in a training ex-ercise with the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing, Oct. 24-26, 2012, as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

14 Texas service members visit OKC bombing memorialUnder a dark and swollen early morning sky, leaders of Joint Task Force 71, Texas Army National Guard, walked the grounds of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum as part of a two day staff ride designed to offer valuable insight into the tactics, techniques and procedures em-ployed by the first responders of the time.

15 Perry recognizes Army Guard Soldier for braveryTexas Gov. Rick Perry presented a Texas National Guardsman with the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with “V” Device for acts of heroism and the Combat Medical Badge during a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Nov. 1, 2012.

16 TX promotes first woman to two-star, honors actionsThe Texas Military Forces made history on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 as Commander of the Texas Army National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Joyce L. Stevens became the first female two star gen-eral in the state.

The DispaTch

from the TAG


CAMP MABRY, Texas (Nov. 8, 2012) – Since taking office last year, I have met with senior leaders across the Texas Military Forces, and our state and federal partners, to discuss the goals and objectives for the Texas Military Forces to and beyond 2035. From these discussions, I have made the following conclusions.

We must put people first by investing in our hu-man capital. We will put people first – no exceptions. To do this, we have to develop strong leaders who act in the best interest of Soldiers, Airmen, civilian em-ployees and their families.

This means we must develop transparent per-sonnel processes that can be reviewed, tracked and improved.

We will instill a sense of ownership and value in each of our employees. Mental health and family readiness will be priority efforts.

We must be relevant by becoming the force provider of choice. A 2011 Department of Defense (DoD) report states “the Guard and Reserve should be a ‘force of first choice’ for those tasks for which they are particularly well suited, owing to their overall cost effectiveness and the skill sets that they can provide.”

Although DoD recognizes our value, we should not rest on our laurels. We must consistently demon-strate through our performance that we are a future-oriented organization capable of performing state and federal missions in a joint manner.

We must be ready to provide the right forces at the right time.

We are operating in a resource-constrained envi-ronment. As good stewards of the taxpayer dollars we will allocate resources to those programs and activities that keep us ready for our state and federal missions. This requires a comprehensive plan to ensure we have properly equipped the right force structure in the right locations.

We must communicate to get our message out. We cannot afford to take for granted that our constituents and stakeholders understand who we are and what we do. We will proactively engage legislative, state and federal organizations to build mutually beneficial relationships.

Internally, we will strive to improve our information re-positories and public websites. The accurate dissemination of information to the lowest level is essential to ensuring that our Soldiers, Airmen, civilian employees and families know their importance to us.

We must partner to build relationships that matter. The TXMF does not operate in a bubble. We rely on external support mechanisms and organizations to accomplish our missions.

We will strengthen our existing relationships and look to forge new alliances. Legislative, military and interagency engage-ment plans will be developed to ensure that we can leverage the expertise, capabilities and benefits of these organizations.

Likewise, we will look to the private sector and civilian population to determine what programs and initiatives we can implement that build trust and confidence in our service to them.

Although I am currently looking out to 2035, I envision our strategic planning as a five-year effort. Our plan should be forward-thinking enough to get us five years out, but with annual reviews that will allow us to refocus our action plans.

We are a premier organization comprised of professional, unsurpassed, mission ready forces. We are “Texans Defending Texas,” and by working together – whether you are Army, Air, State Guard or civilian employee – we will remain a premier orga-nization and strategic partner that our state and federal leaders can count on to effectively serve at home and abroad.

Planning for the future: relevant, ready

Maj. Gen. John F. NicholsThe Adjutant General of Texas

Fall 2012 The DispaTch 5

Col. Amy F. CookPublic Affairs Officer

from the PAO

Fall back: an opportunity to be relevant, ready and resilientAs we turn our clocks back and reflect on the activities of a busy summer and the start of the holiday season, we also pause to

remember all those who serve our State and Nation and the friends and family supporting them as we approach Veterans Day.

The Texas Military Forces (TXMF) continues its prepara-tion for state and federal missions while putting an empha-sis on personal readiness and resiliency.

In September, the Army conducted a force-wide stand down to bring attention to the topic of suicide preven-

tion. TXMF leaders, along with Army and Air Force lead-ers across the Nation encourage Soldiers and Airmen to seek help if they are struggling or in distress. In addition,

service members and families can always contact Military OneSource for help at 1-800-342-9647 or en español llame al 1-877-888-0727.

October was Domestic Violence Awareness month. Recognizing the devastating effect domestic violence can have on family and service member readiness, the Texas Military Forces encourages affected families to seek help at one of the following resources: The National Co-alition Against Domestic Violence. Visit www.ncadv.org or call (303) 839-1852. For SafePlace, visit www.safeplace.org or call the SafePlace 24-hour hotline at 512-267-SAFE or the National Toll-Free Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Nov. 1 marks the start of a month-long proclamation declaring November as Military Family Month. With more than 31,000 men and women in the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) answer-ing the call to serve the nation or state at home and abroad, our Family Support Services (FSS) team remains diligent in providing top-notch care and support services to service members and their families.

Our new strategic goals prepare us to spring forward to support the citizens of Texas and the Nation, as Texans Defending Texas:

Put People First ~ Be Relevant ~ Be Ready ~ Communicate ~ Partner This issue highlights not only state and federal service, but also families, employers and the

incredible wealth of resources available to our employees, so we can continue to serve beyond the yellow ribbon.

TEXAS

M

ILITA

FORCES

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TEXANS DEFENDING TEXAS

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Nov. 7, 2012) – Retired Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin, a Texas Army National Guard member for more than 30 years, becomes the new chair-man of the Texas ESGR Committee in Austin.

After graduating from Texas A&M University, Spurgin spent more than 30 years as a Citizen-Soldier in the Texas Army National Guard, including service in Iraq. He is cur-rently the District Conservationist for the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Spurgin replaced retired Maj. Gen. Jerry D. Icenhow-er, who served as Texas ESGR Chairman from 2006-2012, and said he will take over where Icenhower left off.

“I want to continue to foster good communication and interface with national headquarters,” said Spurgin, and will help “move the ball forward with the ESGR mis-sion here in Texas.”

Having been a career guardsman, Spurgin said he understands the unique challenges that arise from service in the military’s reserve components. “I want to

be a strong advocate for our employers and our service members,” he said.

The Texas ESGR Committee is the state-level affili-ate of the national Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, said John Steele, the program support technician for Texas ESGR. The organization was created in 1972 to increase cooperation and understanding between guardsmen and reservists and their civilian employers, and to help re-solve conflicts that arise between the private company’s operations and the employee’s military service.

“ESGR is not a law enforcement agency, but serves as a neutral resource for employers and service members,” said Steele. “The Ombudsman Services Program provides trained mediators to help resolve employment disputes.”

As an organization, ESGR provides outreach to employers and service members, Steele said, includ-ing training and materials (at no direct cost) on their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, or USERRA, which is a federal law that provides employ-

ment protections for individuals who choose, vol-untarily or involuntarily, to service in the uniformed services.

Additionally, ESGR works with companies to help integrate unemployed National Guard and Re-serve service members into the workforce, Steele said, including the “Hero 2 Hired” program (www.h2h.jobs), and will recognize outstanding employ-ers through several annual awards issued by the Department of Defense.

The Texas ESGR Committee has about 230 volunteers and full-time staff members throughout the state to build bridges in the community, Spurgin said.

“ESGR is out there, side-by-side with these part-ners,” Spurgin said. “I’ll provide whatever leader-ship I can to continue the success of the program here in Texas.”

For more information: Internet - http://www.esgr.mil/Contact/Local-State-Pages/Texas.aspx Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TXESGRTwitter - https://twitter.com/TX_ESGR


serving those who serve - esgr

ESGR looks forward, helping service membersStory by Staff Sgt. Phil FountainTexas Military Forces Public Affairs

Retired Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin (right), chairman of the Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Committee, and retired Maj. Gen. Jerry D. Icenhower, former chairman of the Texas ESGR Committee, visit in Austin, Texas, Aug. 28, 2012. Spurgin previ-ously served as the commanding general of the Texas Army National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division, which is headquartered in Austin. (Photo by Laura L. Lopez, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)


serving those who serve - prevent assault

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Nov. 8, 2012) – Preventing sexual assault is everyone’s duty.

I am a Wingman is the Air Force’s campaign to encourage teamwork, respect, and support for fellow Air-men, as they face cultural challenges including the prevention of sexual assault.

Intervene, Act, and Motivate (I. A.M.) STRONG is the Army’s cam-paign to combat sexual assaults by engaging all Soldiers in preventing sexual assaults before they occur.

Members of the Texas Military Forces are duty bound to guard against sexual assaults, and sexually offensive language and/or gestures that encourage this abuse. For the average Texan, the thought of intervening in the face of domestic violence can seem daunting and complicated, but advocacy groups like SafePlace, an Austin-based organization dedicated to offering support to victims of domestic and sexual violence and to work towards prevention, offer guidelines that simplify the topic and empower citizens to make a difference.

SafePlace suggests that a big way for citizens to help prevent domestic violence is to have the attitude of the “courageous bystander.” The SafePlace blog, Community Connec-tions, offers the following steps for being a “courageous bystander”:

• When you see someone in need of help – you do some-thing. You ask if they need help, call 9-1-1, talk to them, and share a hotline number.

• If someone discloses abuse – you believe them.

• You don’t accept the “boys will be boys” mentality as the norm. You challenge it and challenge yourself.

• You volunteer your time, be-longings or money to organi-zations that are dedicated to ending abuse. Doing what you can with what you have.

• You hold the person who is being abusive accountable. And you offer them help, too.

• You are respectful in your relationships.

STAY CONNECTED TO THIS IM-PORTANT EFFORT:

The Department of Defense an-nounced its new DoD Safe Helpline Mobile Application. The Mobile App is free and available for download from the Apple and Android app stores.

Department of Defense Sexual Assault Program: http://www.sapr.mil/index.php/saam

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.ncadv.org or call (303)839-1852.

SafePlace: www.safeplace.org or call the SafePlace 24-hour hotline at 512-267-SAFE.

The National Toll-Free Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

I A.M. strong:

Story by Maj. Paula RodriguezSexual Assault Response Coordination Officer

I will not let

my guard down


serving those who serve - family

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 7, 2012) – So you’re getting deployed, and in all of these pre-deployment briefings, they keep telling you to prepare. “Get your finances in order,” they say. “Organize your house,” they say. What does that mean, exactly?

Getting your finances in order and organizing your house are two sides of the same coin. You need to make sure you have made arrangements for all of the expenses necessary because of the deployment. You also need to arrange for the provisions given to your family because of the deployment. These two are ‘getting your finances in order.’ Organizing your home is the flip-side of this. This is the arranging for all of the services you need to keep your life in the States running smoothly during your absence.

To get your finances in order, first you need to look up how much you will make while overseas. Compare this number to your current salary. Is it the same? Is it more? Is it less? If it is the same or more, then you are in a good position to come out of this deployment as financially stable as you are now, as long as you make a plan and stick with it. If it is less, then you need to look closely at your expenses and adjust them accordingly, so this deployment doesn’t leave you in financial trouble. To make these decisions about ordering your finances and organizing your house, you need to think about these areas of your life: mortgage/rent, utilities, vehicles, chil-dren, pets, medical insurance, credit cards, and hobbies.

Mortgage/RentWhile a single Soldier’s rent may

reduce greatly during their deploy-ment because they can chose to store their belongings instead of continuing to rent an apartment or house, Sol-diers who own a home or are married will continue to pay for housing during the deployment. If you have a mort-

gage and the interest rate is above 6%, the Serviceman’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA) requires your loan provider to reduce your rate to 6%. To receive this reduc-tion, you should contact your mort-gage company and ask what documen-tation they need. My experience has been that, after I send in a copy of my husband’s orders, they did everything else- including extending the reduc-tion because of a tax law which has since expired. Be aware that the way in which your mortgage payment posts may be strange, sometimes taking over a month for them to credit your account.

Another element to consider when preparing your home for a de-ployment is the maintenance of your home. Who mows your yard? If you do it, you should arrange for someone to take on that responsibility. Project Evergreen is an internet based service whose purpose is to connect military families in your situation with lawn service providers willing to donate their services to military families.

Who fixes things when they break in the house? If you are your own handyman, then make sure you set aside cash to cover the expense of an unexpected breakdown. You may want to have an inspection of your essentials, like your air conditioner or heater, your fireplace, and any kitchen appliances that those still living in your home couldn’t live without until you can arrange to have them repaired or replaced.

If your home will be unoccupied during your deployment, you may want to arrange for someone to check on it daily. I know that I wouldn’t want to end up like the unfortunate Soldier in Splendora, Texas who unknowingly hosted a pair of squatters who sold his belongings in garage sales and put the rest out with the trash during his deployment to Iraq.

UtilitiesIf your home is still occupied, your

utilities (gas, electricity, water/sewer, trash service) will probably remain unchanged during the deployment, but you may want to consider restruc-turing your cellular, cable/ satellite, or internet services. For example, if you are the only one who watches the sports channels, you may want to can-cel those channels during the deploy-ment. Many cell phone carriers will allow you to place the Soldier’s phone number and contract on hold during a deployment. Also, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon all advertise a mili-tary discount. So while you have your carrier on the phone preparing for the deployment, ask about a military discount. It could save you 15-20% on your monthly bill.

VehiclesWhile your gasoline bill will de-

crease because you are no longer com-muting to and from work, the vehicle will still need regular maintenance and should still be insured. While canceling your insurance may sound like a good idea, it can actually result in higher premiums when you return because you have had a break in coverage. Some insurance companies will offer a suspension for the duration of your deployment. If your insurance company doesn’t offer a suspension, ask about reducing coverage to the minimum state requirements while you are away or it might be time to shop around to find a company to better suit your needs. While you are on the phone with them, don’t forget to update the insurance information on any recreational vehicles you may have as well.

ChildrenHaving a parent deploy is a major

life change for all children and must be planned for. Proper planning ahead of time will reduce stress and make it easier for your child(ren) to deal with

Preparing for a Deployment: A Spouse’s Advice to the Deploying SoldierStory by Jennifer TurnerFamily Readiness Group Leader, 698th Military Police Det.


serving those who serve - family

all of the other changes. Your childcare needs will probably change with the absence of one of the primary caregiv-ers. NACCRRA.org is a very helpful organization dedicated to improving childcare across the country. One of the branches of the nonprofit organization provides financial assistance for military families, so they can have access to first class childcare. If your children are under 12 years old and the non-deploying spouse works or goes to school full time, you may want to check out their military assistance program at http://www.naccrra.org/military-families. Once I submitted the small packet of paperwork before my husband’s last deployment, NACCRRA and my daycare took care of the rest. My daycare filled out all the reporting paperwork to NACCRRA, all I had to do was sign. NACCRRA even paid my daycare directly so that I didn’t have to worry about anything.

There are also many programs available to support the unique needs of children of deployed Soldiers. The USO (USO.org) has a Sesame Street program that tours the country. This show is free for all military families. Sesame Street has also created an episode specifically about de-ployments. MilitaryOneSource (http://www.militaryone-source.mil) can provide you with one free of charge. If you have older children, there are numerous camps for military dependants. You should contact your unit’s Family Readi-ness Group for information on camps near you.

PetsWho normally cares for your pets? Do you walk the

dog, clean the tank, or trim the nails? Like the yard, if pet care is your primary responsibility, plans should be set in place to care for animals while you are away. When con-sidering your pet budget, make sure you consider whether you will need to board or hire a pet sitter more often be-cause you will not be available to care for it. If you do not have a family member willing to care for your pets, there are organizations which will help you place your pet with a foster family for the duration of your deployment.

InsuranceTricare Prime is a free medical insurance provided to

active duty Soldiers. In order for dependants to be eli-gible, they (spouse included) must be registered in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). You will have an opportunity to update your dependants as part of the pre-mobilization process, or updates can be done at any DEERS location during their normal business hours. Once in DEERS, dependants still must be enrolled in Tricare Prime. The enrollment forms are available on their website at www.tricare.mil.

Be aware that, while Tricare Prime will provide com-prehensive coverage for little to no cost, not all doctors and

hospitals accept Tricare. It has been my experience that your normal doctor can be found pretty close to home, but specialists are harder to find. So, while I can walk to my primary care doctor from my house in about 5 minutes, I had to drive 45 minutes one way to get to the nearest obstetrician who could deliver my son in a hospital which also took Tricare. Also be aware that not all pharmacies accept Express Scripts, Tricare’s prescription coverage for both pharmacies and mail order prescriptions. Finding an acceptable pharmacy isn’t as hard as finding a special-ist though: CVS, WalMart, and Target all accept Express Scripts.

Credit Cards and LoansLike your mortgage interest, credit card and loan

interest can be reduced to 6% through SCRA. To receive the reduction, you will need to contact each of your loan providers to find out what documentation they require to receive the reduced rate. All of our loan providers on my husband’s last deployment wanted basically the same infor-mation; name, account number, and a copy of his activation orders.

FoodWho cooks dinner? Who does the grocery shopping?

If your spouse is like me, your food bill will increase while you are deployed because without my husband to cook for me and our children, we eat out a lot. So take a moment to consider whether your spouse will spend more on food because of an increase in restaurant dining and adjust your budget accordingly.

HobbiesDo you have a gym or club membership? Do you play

a league sport? Do you lease property for hunting? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or can think of an-other hobby for which you pay a regular fee, you may want to consider canceling or placing the membership on hold during the deployment.

As part of your pre-deployment preparations with the military, you have been organizing your bags using the packing list provided and waiting in lines to get shots and fill out paperwork. Just as having the proper supplies, vaccinations, and forms are necessary for you to have a successful military deployment, making a plan for personal services and expenses are necessary for you to have a smoothly run personal life while you are away. Consider this guide another packing list and make sure you have worked your way through it, making arrangements and filling out paperwork. If you prepare your personal life with as much diligence as you prepare your military life, your odds of a successful deployment and easy reintegration will be greatly increased.

Preparing for a Deployment: A Spouse’s Advice to the Deploying Soldier


serving those who serve - suicide prevention

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Nov. 7, 2012) – As the seasons change and summer becomes fall, Sep-tember kicks off Suicide Pre-vention Month and begins a three-month Suicide Prevention Stand-Down for the Texas Army National Guard.

A stand-down campaign in Oc-tober, November and December, will focus efforts on total Army family well-being, resilience, stig-ma reduction.

Texas Army National Guard Commander, Maj. Gen. Joyce Stevens says that every day is a day to pay attention to this important topic. “Suicide is 100 percent preventable,” she said, en-couraging Soldiers, family and friends to reach out to Army leaders for support.

“As strong as we are together, there are some Soldiers who are hurting, not coping well and facing issues that may seem over-whelming,” said Stevens. “Spouses, parents and family members are often the first to notice your Soldier’s struggles; therefore, this message is intended for you. I ask you to give us a chance to assist when you see changes in your Soldier.”

While families will have the oppor-tunity to participate in the training, the ultimate goal result is to reduce stigma, increase resource knowledge, and reduce suicidal activity within the force. The stand down training will consist of Resil-ience Trainer Assistant (RTA) classes, Ap-plied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

(ASIST), Peer-to-Peer (P2P) classes, and Ask, Care, Escort (ACE) classes. Videos and town-hall dis-cussions will also take place over the three-month stand down period.

“Please do not make a permanent deci-sion, based on a temporary situation. Help keep the Texas Army National Guard Soldiers and families Texas Strong- Texas Proud,” she said.

You can access assistance at any time by contacting the following numbers:

• C haplain: 1-866-822-7685, option 8• M ilitary Crisis Line: 1-800-273-

TALK (8255)• B ehavioral Health Assistance: 1-512-

426-4880• S uicide Prevention Office: 1-512-

786-1180 or 1-512-769-1090• F amily Support Services in English:

1-800-252-8032• F amily Support Services in Español:

1-888-443-2124

Stand Up to Prevent Suicide in the Texas Army National GuardTexas Military Forces Public Affairs Staff Contribution


service around the world - 36th combat aviation bdeTexas aviators prepare for deployment with farewell ceremony

SAN ANTONIO, (Sept. 8, 2012) - “When I have your wounded,” said Maj. Charles Kelly July 1, 1964, when instructed to return to safety from his engaged hot zone. Kelly, who founded the call sign “Dustoff,” died in combat moments after that transmission, and his words resonate today as the per-sonal credo of the pilots and crews of the Dustoff legacy.

For the men and women of San Antonio’s C Company, 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, designated “Alamo Dustoff,” Kelly’s words will carry them to Afghanistan and back as they prepare to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Free-dom. Their farewell ceremony, con-ducted Sept. 8, marked the final good bye for the families and loved ones of these redoubtable soldiers.

“We wanted to show our battal-ion and our brigade staff,” said Maj. Angel Perez, commander for C Com-pany, “as well as our loved ones that they’re going to be in our hearts and minds forever and we appreciate all of the support.”

“This is the big farewell for the families getting to see us out the door,” said Sgt. Jordan Garcia, a flight medic with C Company

C Company is a combat-trained medical evacuation outfit, having previously deployed to Iraq in 2008, where they supported all U.S. and co-alition forces in Multinational Division North in Balad and Forward Operat-ing Base Normandy.

“We are an air ambulance com-pany,” said Perez. “Our mission, as a medevac unit, is to operate in four-man crews at four separate possible locations.”

The 45 soldiers of C Company will join 40 additional troops from Okla-homa at Fort Hood, where the two teams will train together before mov-ing out as a single force for Afghani-stan.

The 149th GSAB is but one sub-ordinate outfit of the Texas Army Na-tional Guard’s 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. As the singular Army avia-tion brigade in the Texas Guard, the combat aviation brigade is in constant demand for overseas missions.

“Right now, the brigade that we’re all a part of is right in the middle of 10 separate mobilizations,” said Col. Richard Adams, commander for the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. “We pushed out our Black Hawk company last August, your counter-parts, Foxtrot medevac in February, our ODIN mission in June, our Apache battalion jumps out in January, the brigade joins them in February, and 449th will be followed by the Chinooks rolling out in March. This is what we do now, and we are darn good at it.”

As such, C Company leaves with the support and confidence of its parent brigade, as well as that of the

Texas Army National Guard.

“We’re getting support from our CAB,” said Garcia. “They’re showing us they know what we’re doing, they know where we’re going and they ap-preciate us, and we appreciate them coming out.”

For these soldiers continuing in the footsteps of Maj. Charles Kelly, their call sign “Dustoff” and dedica-tion to their wounded comrades will never falter or waver. They will carry on the traditions of the countless medical evacuation teams before them and set a new standard for excellence in Operation Enduring Freedom.

“The heritage continues,” said Perez. “It is time for us to make our mark and join the game in Afghani-stan.”

The families and loved ones of C Company, 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion bid farewell to their soldiers with a ceremony and Yellow Ribbon event at the Rio Cibolo Ranch in San Antonio, Sept. 8, 2012. The "Alamo Dustoff" outfit, augmented by Oklahoma Army aviators, will provide medical evacuation services in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Griego36th Combat Aviation Brigade


service at home - airborne operations

AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 8, 2012) – For some National Guard soldiers, drill weekend can get pretty routine, especially with what feels like endless training classes and volumes of administrative paperwork to be completed.

This isn’t the case for service members of C Company, 1/19th and 5/19th Special Forces Group, 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the 147th Air Support Operations Squadron and the 249th Quartermasters Company; during their annual deliberate water airborne jump into the Walter E. Long Lake.

“Historically we do one deliberate water jump a year,” said Maj. Max Krupp, Commander of the 1/19th SFG(A). “As part of the training for a Special Forces soldier, we are required to maintain airborne proficiency as an infiltration platform.”

Prior to a jump, Special Forces Groups train for hours, conducting mul-tiple drills and planning sessions. In an unseasonably windy day, which created choppy waters, the jumpers took extra precautions.

“When you do jump over ground you

have to look at all your obstacles: water, fences and high-tension wires,” said Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Rolando C. Garza, the se-nior enlisted noncommissioned officer for the C Company 1/19 SFG (A). “Of course since water is part of it, we do a deliber-ate jump so we know how to control the canopy, the B-7 “floaters” and, of course, how to be comfortable in the water.”

Last year the units were able to do a similar jump into the Gulf of Mexico, out-side of Corpus Christi, Texas. This year they decided to bring it closer to home, which afforded them a unique opportu-nity to help build upon a close friendship with various community organizations.

“This was a combine operation with a lot of our state partners thru the friend-ships that have been developed over a long time,” said Krupp. “We also work with local law enforcement, and for this operation we worked extensively with the Texas Department of Public Safety, espe-cially the S.W.A.T. and Texas Rangers.”

With an operation of this size, many factors must be looked at. From coordi-nating the air space down to the safety of every jumper, no stone can be left un-

turned.“To make it safe, we are trying to

get one boat (Zodiacs) per jumper,” said Garza. “Since the (Texas Military Forces) cannot sustain that, so we go out and ask the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to assist us in the training.”

As the day progressed the jumpers returned to shore soaking wet and in high spirits. Many are already talking about their next jump, both over land and again into the water.

“This was a great opportunity for us,” said Krupp. “We are very apprecia-tive of the climate within the Texas Army National Guard that afforded us to do this type of training that other people never get the opportunity to even attempt to do.”

""Texas National Guard Soldiers who are airborne qualified or those who are interested in accepting the challenge of becoming a Paratrooper in the most elite Battalion in the National Guard, they should contact the Battalion S-1 at 512-782-6757 or via email: [email protected].

Story and photo by Sgt. Jeremy Spires36th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Texas soldiers conduct airborne ops in central Tx

Soldiers from several units of the Texas Army National Guard conduct deliberate water airborne jump at Walter E. Long Lake, near Austin, Texas.


international partnerships

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - LACKLAND, Texas (Nov. 4, 2012) – About 50 members of the Chilean Air Force par-ticipated in a training exercise with the Texas Air Nation-al Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing here, Oct. 24-26, 2012, as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.The three-day exercise teamed aviators and aircraft maintenance crews from each organization, said Maj. Bryan Carlson, an instructor pilot with the 149th Fighter Wing. The training was designed to enhance the Chilean service members’ expertise in deploying the F-16 Fight-ing Falcon, a multirole fighter aircraft, overseas during combat operations.“Training fighter pilots for aerial combat is not new for the 149th,” said Maj. Carlson.The primary mission of the 149th Fighter Wing, known as the Lone Star Gunfighters, is to train U.S. active duty military, National Guard and reservists to fly the F-16. The unit has held its current training mission for nearly 20 years, and was previously a combat deployable fighter unit.The Chilean Air Force deployed three F-16s and one KC-135 Stratotanker, an aerial refueling military aircraft, to JBSA-Lackland, Texas, for the joint training exercise, said Chilean Col. Leonardo Romanini, air attaché to the United States. This is the first time the Chilean Air Force deployed their F-16s abroad.“The opportunity to share experiences, and get some

training with pilots who have a lot of experience with the airplane is really, really good,” said Col. Romanini.The training consisted of air combat, air-to-air and op-posed surfaced attack scenarios.The operation was conducted as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP), which was established in 1991 to build cooperative relationships with nations emerging from the former Soviet Bloc, ac-cording to programmatic documents. Since that time, the program has expanded to include 65 global partner-ships.The Chile-Texas partnership was formally established in 2009, Carlson said. In addition to Chile, the state of Texas has been paired with the Czech Republic.“This partnership offers opportunities for high-level exchanges and cooperation on civic-military activities,” said Col. John F. Kane, commander of the 149th Fighter Wing.“This visit builds on the foundation of the ongoing, pro-fessional relationship developed between the Chilean Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard,” Kane said. “This relationship will facilitate the continued sharing of information and exchange of ideas long after the visit is over.”For more on the National Guard’s State Partnership Program: http://www.nationalguard.mil/features/spp/default.aspx

Chilean Air Force trains with Texas Air GuardStory by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Left- F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard and 3rd Aviation Group, Chilean Air Force fly together during a joint training exercise at Lackland Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio, Oct. 24, 2012. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Agustin Salazar, 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)Right- Lt. Col. Jorge Vargas, Commander, 3rd Aviation Group, Chilean Air Force accepts a 182nd Fighter Squadron lithograph from Col. John Kane, Commander, 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard at the conclusion of a joint training exercise at Lackland Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio, October 26, 2012. (Photo by Master Sgt. Bill Conner, 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)


we remember - oklahoma city bombing

OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 18, 2012) – Under a dark and swollen early morning sky, leaders of Joint Task Force 71, Texas Army Na-tional Guard, walked the grounds of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum as part of a two-day staff ride designed to offer valuable insight into the tactics, techniques and procedures employed by the first responders of the time.

With its reflecting pools, fresh cut grass, and straight, clean-lined structures, the memorial was designed to be a place of peace and reflection. Yet, for the men and women of JTF-71, it also stood as a powerful and sobering reminder of the current threat of domestic terrorism.

"A staff ride is designed to bring to life historic encounters at the same place and terrain where an incident took place," said Col. Lee Schnell, commander for JTF-71. "Visiting the Oklahoma City bombing site provides our service members and leaders with the unique opportunity to learn from this terrible attack and think about how our homeland response force would react if a situation like this happens again."

Responding to attacks and incidents is nothing new to the members of this Texas National Guard force, many of whom are

veterans of the wars in Iraqi and Afghanistan. However, respond-ing to a domestic attack presents a different set of challenges. When an incident occurs stateside, the Texas National Guard homeland response force is just one of many resources that may be called to the scene. Other agencies on the scene include the police forces and fire departments, both of which responded to the attack in Oklahoma City. One of those men was Mike Shan-non, who at the time of the attack, served as the special opera-tions chief of the Oklahoma City Fire department. Shannon met with the service members and discussed some of the challenges he faced during the disaster.

"You'll never know what to expect when you arrive on the scene," Shannon said. "The best you can do is remember your training, be flexible, be logical, and be practical."

Amy Downs was one of the many victims who benefited from Mr. Shannon's steady hand and solid leadership that day. Amy worked at a credit union on the third floor of a building adjacent to the blast site.

"After the explosion it felt like I was shot in the back of the

head," Downs said. "I went unconscious and when I came to I was on the first floor of the building and trapped under rubble. I started to yell like a child until the firefighters found me. Their way of reassuring me was to say they would 'try to get me out'. I told them afterwards next time they need to lie better."

What the firefighters lacked in bedside manner, Downs said they made up for in professionalism. After her rescue, Downs visited the firefighters with a plate full of cookies.

"I feel so blessed to be alive today," Downs said. “From this ex-perience I have learned that it's not what happens to us, but how we respond to it. You only have one life and you have to live it."

As service members toured the facility, many were visibly un-nerved by the museum, some having to step away and collect themselves. Capt. Mitch Fuller, a resident of Oklahoma City at the time of the bombing, was directly affected by the attack.

"I was born in Oklahoma City," said Fuller, "in a hospital a few blocks from ground zero and have lived most of my life in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. I was 50 miles away from ground zero on April 19, 1995. I know two survivors and served in the Army Reserves with one of them. I am glad to be part of a

team that has the ability to directly respond to an event such as the Oklahoma City bombing."

In the 17 years since the Oklahoma City bombing Congress has established the Department of Homeland Security, in large part due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and has established 10 Na-tional Guard-sourced homeland response forces. These units are regionally located and focus on biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosive consequence response forces. In short, these units are designed to respond tactically and efficiently in the event of another domestic terror event. For Schnell, he believes with proper training and education his team will be up to the challenge.

“I know this staff ride has affected a lot of our service mem-bers and I hope they take what they have learned this weekend and share with their subordinates and leadership,” Schnell said. Much like the minutemen from whom we take our name, our team must always be prepared and have our go bags ready and respond at a moment’s notice.”

Oklahoma City Memorial enlightens, educates TX GuardsmenStory and photo by Capt. Adam MusilJoint Task Force 71 Public Affairs


spotlight - staff sgt. Rogers

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 1, 2012) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry presented a Texas National Guardsman with the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with “V” Device for acts of heroism and the Combat Medi-cal Badge during a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Nov. 1, 2012. Perry, com-mander-in-chief of the Texas Na-tional Guard, honored the service member's sacrifice, as well as the numerous Texans and Americans who have served during the past decade.

“The young men and women of this generation have been asked to perform on battlefields in Iraq, and Afghanistan, standing up against the forces of terror at home and abroad,” Perry said. “Without their willingness to give their all, if required, America would be noth-ing but a sad footnote in history, a place that held great promise, once upon a time.”

Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Rogers, Jr., of Galveston, Texas, a flight medic assigned to the Texas Army National Guard’s Austin-based 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, received the citations from Perry, on behalf of the U.S. Army, for his actions this past June and July while he was assigned to the U.S. Army’s Task Force Wolfpack, a subcomponent of the 4th Platoon at Forward Operating Base Saler-no in the province of Khowst, in southeastern Afghanistan, which is near the country’s border with Pakistan.

“Today, we are honoring a particularly brave individual,” Perry said. “Staff Sgt. Patrick Rog-ers not only served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan, he also served as medic, which means he didn’t really get involved until

things had gone really bad.”

After sustaining injuries dur-ing an attack that damaged FOB Salerno’s dining facility in June, Rogers is credited with rescu-ing several soldiers and a local national from the building and then setting up a triage station to evaluate and initiate treatment for additional injured personnel.

It wasn’t until he was ordered to stop tending to the wounded that he finally relented and al-lowed other medics to take care of his own injuries,” said Perry.

Then, in July, Rogers was involved in an aerial rescue opera-tion near FOB Salerno while being exposed to gunfire from enemy combatants, according to Capt. Joshua C. Aronson, the aeromedi-cal evacuation officer for Task Force Wolfpack, who wrote the recommendation for Rogers to receive the Air Medal with “V” Device. Rogers was lowered by a hoist and a steel cable from inside a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and helped with the extraction of two sol-diers from a narrow ledge on a mountainside.

For his actions under fire, Rogers was also pre-sented the Combat Medical Badge, which is conferred upon military medical personnel that face combat conditions. The badge was first awarded to American combat medics during World War II.

Perry said he was hum-bled and privileged to pres-ent Rogers with the awards.

The feeling between the Governor and the Citizen-Soldier appeared to be mutual.

“It was definitely an honor,” Rogers said of receiving his awards from the state's chief executive, “this is something I will never forget.”

Rogers said he has to undergo further physical therapy and treatments for his combat injuries, but that he will soon head back to Galveston to continue life, go back to work and raise his children.

“Everything after combat is great,” Rogers said. “Everything else is easy."

Perry honors Texas Guardsman for combat valorStory and photo by Staff Sgt. Phil FountainTexas Military Forces Public Affairs

Texas Gov. Rick Perry finishes placing the Purple Heart onto the uniform of Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Rog-ers, Jr., a flight medic and member of the Texas Army National Guard, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Nov. 1, 2012. Perry is the commander-in-chief of the Texas Military Forces, which includes the Texas Army National Guard. Rogers received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in Afghanistan.

spotlight - Maj. Gen. Joyce stevens

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Sept. 5, 2012) – The Texas Mili-tary Forces made history on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 as Commander of the Texas Army National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Joyce L. Stevens became the first female two star general in the state.

In a country-western themed promotion cer-emony held at the Texas Military Forces Museum in Austin, Texas, the event featured a performance by its own Chief Warrant Officer 3 Darby Ledbetter. As-suming her dual roles of Commander for the Texas Army National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General in March 2009, she serves as the principal advisor to The Adjutant General for all Army operations.

“It’s noteworthy that people from all walks of life can make it in our National Guard and it’s a testament to those who went before and Stryker for supporting her to keep her in the game,” said Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, Texas Adjutant General. “It took a while and was an endurance test. Congratulations.”

Stevens began her military career in April 1979, and has held various command and staff positions within the 49th Armored Division, the 71st Troop Command, 536 Forward Support Battalion and the 111th Area Support Group. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Commanding General of the 36th Infantry Division (Light). She deployed to combat as a Brigade level Task Force Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2005, where her unit was responsible for Base Operations,

which entailed the management and security of Ba-gram Air Field (the largest U.S. Base in Afghanistan). Additionally, Stevens was responsible for security and reconstruction projects in the adjacent Kapisa, Par-wan, and Panjshir Provinces of Afghanistan.

“This organization is a reflection of you,” Ste-vens said while reflecting on her career and many milestones. “It (TXARNG) is who it is because of the people who serve in it and you have made it great.”

With more than 19,500 Soldiers, she is proud to serve and lead the nation’s largest and most premier force of men and women that are respected by the citizens of Texas and combatant commanders. An honor not earned alone Stevens praised the organiza-tion, as well as the younger Soldiers and officers.

“I say you are brilliant. You have served more, juggled civilian jobs and full time unit support jobs; you and your families have sacrificed because you have deployed multiple times,” she said. You are go-ing to continue to enrich the culture and make this organization even better than it is today.”

In addition to her promotion, Stevens was most recently recognized as a recipient of the 2012 Out-standing Women in Texas Government (OWTG) by the Texas State Agency Council for her contributions in outstanding management. One of four recipients, the awards luncheon honors women who have helped shape Texas by contributing their talents and skills

to state service further emphasizing a motto Stevens lives by.

“If they work for you, you work for them,” said Stevens.

The State Agency Council created the OWTG awards in 1984 to recognize the accomplish-ments of women whose considerable contri-butions to the state might otherwise go unac-knowledged.

Texas names first woman as two-star, honors contributionsStory by Laura LopezTexas Military Forces Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, Texas Adjutant General, administers the oath of promotion to Maj. Gen. Joyce L. Stevens as her husband, retired Col. Jim Stryker looks on. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)


spotlight - hispanic heritage month

Top left- Brig. Gen. Orlando Salinas celebrates during the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Oct. 11, on Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Capt. Angela Gil, Texas Army National Guard)Top right- Maj. Gen. Manuel “Tony” Rodriguez, commander of the Texas State Guard, addresses members of the Texas Military Forces and other friends during the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)

spotlight - staff sgt. Corbin

Months after Texas Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Mitchell Corbin rescued Nancy Decker from her burning car on the Sam Houston Tollway, the 147th Reconnaissance Wing and the state recognized his heroic actions.

During a commander’s call ceremony on Oct. 14 at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base here, Col. Jack B. Daniel, wing commander, Com-mand Chief Marlon K. Nation, wing command chief, and Brig. Gen. Kenneth W. Wisian, Texas ANG assistant adjutant general, presented the aerospace ground equipment technician with the Lone Star Medal of Honor and a proclamation from Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker proclaiming Oct. 14, 2012 Staff Sgt. Mitchell Corbin Day in the presence of Decker and her family and members of the wing. The wing also honored for her support of the wing with a Texas flag that was flown in an MQ-1 Predator on a mission and a certificate.

On June 1, the aerospace ground equipment technician was travelling on the toll way when he spotted Decker’s overturned car with flames emerging from the engine compartment.

“I think when we pulled up, I took a deep breath and didn’t see anybody else doing anything,” so Corbin stepped in, evaluated the situation, and pulled Decker to safety moments before the car was completely engulfed in flames.

Corbin was on his way to the airport

to visit his family in Ohio, and after the ordeal, he returned to his car and continued to the airport. For a few days following the accident, the identity of the “guardian angel” who saved Decker was unknown.

Decker addressed the airmen at the ceremony, giving thanks to them for their service and training and praising Corbin for his heart that allowed him to stop and save her life.

Decker said she respects and thanks the troops for their service and training, but it took a special heart to step in and apply that train-ing to save her life.

Members of Decker’s family also attended the ceremony.Charles Decker, Decker’s husband,

said described his reaction as hysteria when he learned of his wife’s accident.

But now, Charles, who said he took things for granted, now cherishes all the moments in his life.

“Because of Mitchell, I’m able to be here today,” she said. “I really, truly believe he was a guardian angel and it took that particular angel to get me out of the car.”

Corbin said he was grateful for the acknowledgment and hopes it will in-spire someone else to intervene when a situation arises that can potentially save another life.

“I hope that this moment right here is not just for the recognition I get but to

inspire somebody else to help,” he said.

Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Alicia Lacy147th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

Airman pulls woman from burning car, recognized as hero

Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wisian, Commander,Texas Air National Guard, presents The Lone Star Medal of Valor to Staff Sgt. Mitchell Corbin.

spotlight - around the Texas Military Forces

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Nov. 7, 2012) – Earlier this year, Col. Constance C. McNabb, a member of the Texas Air National Guard and former Director/Chief of the Texas Military Forces' Joint Staff at Camp Mabry, in Austin, became the interim Air National Guard Advisor to the U.S. Air Force ISR Agency as well as the agency's ANG Assistant to the AFISRA/Surgeon at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas.

The Air Force ISR Agency is responsible for delivering intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services. The mission of the agency "is to deliver decisive advantage by providing and operating integrated, cross-domain ISR capabilities in concert with service, joint, national and international partners."

She is now part of a cadre of Texas Guard leaders to have held a prin-ciple advisory role to active duty organizations representing the National Guard. For example, Brig. Gen. Brian C. Newby, the Texas Air Guard's Chief of Staff, served in similar roles for the Secretary of the Air Force's Inspec-tor General and Headquarters U.S. Air Force Operations and International Law Division.

In addition to having been the Chief of the Joint Staff, McNabb brings a broad base of expertise to her position, including prior service as the TXMF's Joint Surgeon and as the medical group commander for the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Medical Group at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, where she led the Texas Air Guard's medical response to Hurricane's Katrina and Rita.

TXANG officer becomes active duty advisor at LacklandStory by Staff Sgt. Phil FountainTexas Military Forces Public Affairs

Col. Constance C. McNabb (Courtesy photo)

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Oct. 20, 2012) – On Saturday Oct. 20, Austin resident Samuel “Lee” Henry was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard. Brig. Gen. Henry will serve as the Assistant Division Commander-Maneuver for the 36th Inf. Div. and its 14,000 Soldiers. “I have been blessed with this opportunity and look forward to con-tinuing my service to the nation and the great state of Texas,” Henry said. “The Soldiers of the 36th Inf. Div. have always been ready, will-ing, and able to answer their nation’s call and I am excited to help lead this historic unit into the future.”

. Henry is no stranger to the 36th Inf. Div. having served in numerous key positions, most notably, as commander of the 56th Infantry Bri-gade Combat Team, which provided Base Defense Operations at Vic-tory Complex in Baghdad from January to August 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Henry is the son of Emma Lee Higdon, and the late Colonel Frank L. “Nink” Henry and is married to Tricia Henry and they have three children; oldest son Brandonn of Granbury, Texas, son Greyson and daughter Meghan, both reside in Austin, Texas.

Henry received his U.S. Army commission in May 1983 from the ROTC program at Texas A&M University.

New star shining in 36th Infantry DivisonStory by Capt. Adam Musil36th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Army Col. Samuel "Lee" Henry is promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas, Oct. 20, 2012. Henry is the Assistant Deputy Commander (Maneuver) of the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division, which is headquartered at Camp Mabry, and has his new rank insignias placed on his shoulders by his mother, Emma Lee Henry, and by his wife, Patricia, while Maj. Gen. James K. "Red" Brown, command-ing general of the 36th Infantry Division, looks on. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)


Close Assault:94

WWW.TEXASMILITARYFORCESMUSEUM.ORG

Camp MabryAUSTIN, TX

Enter via 35th Street.Photo ID required for admission to post.

Sat & sun

Watch a recreation of an attack on a German strong-point

See a Sherman Tank and M3 Halftrack in action

Learn about uniforms and equipment

Discover the realities of the front lines of WWII

Tour the Texas Military Forces Museum

Blank weapons firing demonstrations of some of the most famous small arms of World War II

See dozens of tanks, jeeps and armored fighting vehicles from throughout U.S. history

SHOWTIMES: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Rain or Shine

FREE ADMISSION FREE PARKING

Concessions andsouvenirs available


serving those who serve - joint family services

CAMP MABRY, Texas (Nov. 11, 2012) - November 1st marks the start of a month-long proclamation declaring Novem-ber as Military Family Month. With more than 31,000 men and women in the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) answering the call to serve the nation in support of the Global War on Terror, members with Family Support Services (FSS) remain diligent in providing top-notch care and support services to service members and their families.

“Without strong families who stand by their service member, a successful National Guard cannot exist,” said Lt. Col. Alba Villanueva, Family Support Services Branch Manager. “With the ever-changing face and duties of the National Guard, it’s important to help National Guard fami-lies achieve readiness for what’s ahead while remaining flexible in the present.”

An umbrella organization consisting of youth and fam-ily programs, Strong Bonds workshops, Transition Assis-tance Advisors, Resilience and Mental Health programs, as well as family readiness, the Texas Military Forces Family Support Services reports assisting more than 185,000 cus-tomers in fiscal year 2012.

“Throughout fiscal year 2012 our Yellow Ribbon program, which aims to help Reserve and National Guard members reintegrate with their families, communities and civilian employers following a deployment, reached nearly 6,300 people over the course of 40 events,” said Villanueva.

A congressionally mandated program, established in 2008, the Yellow Ribbon Program focuses on prepar-ing service member and their families for mobilization, sustaining families during deployment and reintegrating service members and their families following one’s return from a deployment. Phases commencing a minimum of 60 days before the Soldier leaves and continuing through-out and for a minimum of 60 days post deployment, Yel-low Ribbon topics include legal readiness, family stress-ors, communication, suicide prevention, substance abuse and job fairs.

“We want to stress that whether it be a first deploy-ment or sixth for our service members, new information and resources are identified every year,” said Villanueva stressing those Soldiers with multiple deployments have an added value to the families and other Soldiers by shar-ing their knowledge and lessons learned.

In addition, the Family Support Services resilience team members strive to assist units, Soldiers, and Families by providing programs, services and resources that address critical psychological and emotional needs. Through Peer-to-Peer (P2P) training and other advanced

courses, soldiers learn how to recognize signs of distress in their fellow Battle Buddies and Wingmen and how to get help when needed. Essentially enabling qualified service members to be peer interventionists at the unit level to identify, intervene and initiate referral management the ul-timate goal is to ensure both their personal and extended military family is there for support.

“This program is focused on preventing our soldiers and families from getting so stressed that they consider taking drastic measures to deal with their stress and is one that is driven year round,” said Capt. Carina Robinson, Texas Military Forces Family Support Services Resilience Coordinator. “After all, we are Texans defending Texas.”

Other fiscal year 2012 highlights include the Job Con-nection Education Program’s 1000th hire, several youth program camps, multiple family outreach events and a Suicide Prevention 5K run.

For more information, about Family Support Services or a list of upcoming events visit http://www.txfss.us or call 1-800-252-8032.

Beyond the yellow ribbon: Family support services connects TX guardsmen, servicesStory and photo by Laura LopezTexas Military Forces Public Affairs

On Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, friends and family members of the Sol-diers from the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade say good-bye, with hugs and kisses, at Hendrickson High School in Pfluger-ville, Texas as the approximately 200 Soldiers prepare to leave on a deployment to Afghanistan. The brigade, headquartered in Round Rock, Texas will provide U.S. installations force protection, emergency services and support operations.


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Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, Texas Adjutant General, cordially invites you to the Camp Mabry Christmas

tree lighting ceremony.

December 6, 2012, at 3 p.m. Building 8.

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