536th Kekoa HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

December marks another successful month here in Bagram, Afghanistan for the 536th we can all cross off of our calendars; and only means we’re that much closer to our Soldiers coming home. The accolades steadily continued to pour in this month for the Soldiers, as a result of all their hard work!

SGT Amadeo (above) shows off his ‘winnings’ from a friendly poker tournament during the unit’s second organizational day.

SGT Savage (shown above right) took advantage of a rare opportunity during her re-enlistment ceremony. CW2 Thomas (left), a former 92Y (Unit Supply Sergeant) herself; read SGT Savage her oath of re-enlistment. Several of SGT Savage’s 92Y peers came out in support of her big day.

SGT Douglas (right) is shown above following his re-enlistment ceremony. SGT Douglas raised his right-hand, and committed himself to completing a 20-year military career. SGT Douglas has already dedicated 16.5 years of his life to military service.

The unit’s Christmas tree was completely surrounded by packages of holiday treats from generous organizations back home. The boxes kept coming all throughout the month of December.

Special Points of Interest:

Birthdays: SGT Roney – 5 DEC SPC Edel – 8 DEC SPC Toomey – 10 DEC SGT Woten – 13 DEC SPC Smith – 23 DEC SPC Neal – 25 DEC CW3 Legg – 27 DEC SGT Livingston – 28 DEC SGT Phillips – 30 DEC Promotions: SFC Strayhorn SGT Valdez SGT Phillips SPC Matthews SPC Deleon Awards: SPC Gutierrez (COA) SGT Landon (AAM) SPC Brockman (AAM) SPC Barrera (AAM) SPC Torres (AAM) SGT Valdez (AAM) SGT Davis, T (MOVSM) SGT Donaldson (MOVSM) SGT Lebron (MOVSM) SPC Cruz (MOVSM) SGT Phillips (MOVSM) SPC Gordon (MOVSM) SPC Dyson (MOVSM) SGT Savage (MOVSM)

Throughout the month, we received hundreds of care packages from our friends, families, and unit sponsors. These small tokens were distributed to every Soldier in stockings and truly lifted everyone’s spirits. I would like to personally thank Ms. Ruth Kohler, mother of SPC Jolivette, and Mr. Kevin Kovack, father of SPC Kovack, whose thoughtful packages enabled every Soldier to receive gift this year.

With the passing of the New Year, we reflected on the difficult training and deployment preparation we faced during 2013. I am proud of how our Soldiers and our Family members conducted themselves during the past year and everyone working together as a team truly led to our success. As we welcomed 2014, we passed our 90 days left mark and are excited to reintegrate with our Families and the Hawaii community soon.

In the upcoming months, our team will be busy with redeployment training, equipment preparation, and Family readiness activities. I encourage each Family member to reach out to the FRG and attend the Family reintegration training prepared for this month. Continue to utilize our Rear Detachment and FRG as we prepare for another difficult but happy transition during redeployment. I thank everyone who continues to support the 536th SMC team. “KEKOA PONO!”

Message from the Commander

Happy Holidays from Bagram Airfield! December was another outstanding month for the Kekoa Pono team as well as a time in which we were able to take a knee and celebrate the holidays together.

Maintainer of the Quarter

CONGRATULATIONS SPC JR GUTIERREZ!

November’s Maintainer of the Month, SPC JR Gutierrez (shown center) of the armament section was crowned Maintainer of the second Quarter, during another very close competition between three

hardworking Sodiers representing the allied trades, automotive and armament setions. And a job very well done to SPC Allen and PFC

Allgood for putting forth a solid effort as well. SPC Gutierrez will go on to compete for Maintainer of the deployment honors in March.

Maintainer of the Month Bio

PFC Allgood (left) took home Maintainer of the Month honors for the month of December.

Representing the Automotive platoon, his primary MOS is 91B, or a wheeled-vehicle mechanic. When asked what he learned from participating in M.O.T.M competition; he enjoyed learning how to flare and solder from the GSE and

allied trades sections. PFC Allgood added that he most enjoyed learning how to weld, and that the competition taught him to appreciate the patience and technique required in welding.

In his spare time, PFC Allgood enjoys playing

video games and making modifications to his vehicle. When asked his goals in the Army, PFC Allgood says he would like to make his E-5 before the end of his initial commitment; and from there assess his future. PFC Allgood has also been married almost two years to his wife Tatiana.

Congratulations to PFC Jamil Allgood, December’s Maintainer of the Month! PFC Allgood, enlisted in the Army in September of 2012. He attended basic training, and at Ft. Jackson, SC.

AWARDING EXCELLENCE IN DECEMBER LTC Agosto (pictured left below), came down to the formation to reward some of our outstanding Soldiers with much their much deserved accolades. In total six Soldiers were awarded the Military outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM), three received the Army Achievement Medal (AAM), and three the Certificate of Achievement (COA).

Editor’s Notes 1LT Clarissa White

Please do let me know if there is anything you would like to see featured in a future edition of our publication. Feel free to send me an email: clarissa.k.white@us.army.mil.

The Show and Prove Bench Press Competition!

This month, 536th SMC hosted an internal bench-press competition. Several brave competitors came out to support the contest to battle their peers for bragging rights for the rest of the deployment. While many impressive lifts were made, SGT Travis Broussard (pictured left) walked away the undisputed champion having put up a whopping 385lb lift!