Arkansas Minuteman Newspaper August 2009

Arkansas unveils new Army AircraftpAge 4

page 6

Moving forward

guard, Reserve join forces page 5

September focus on suicide awareness page 10

A look back a t AT 09

� August �009a r k a n s a s M I n U T E M a n

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�August �009 a r k a n s a s M I n U T E M a n

Message froM the state CoMMand sergeant Major

U.S. Army photo by Staff SGt. Chris A. Durney National Guard Public Affairs Office

moving ForwArd. soldiers with north Little rock’s 1038th Horizon-tal Construction Company of the 87th troop Command, move onto the convoy live fire range at the Chaffee maneuver training Center during Annual train-ing 2009. this was the first At for the 1038th’s flag since its return from iraq in december 2008 with the 39th Bri-gade. shown here, the units trained in vehicles provided by the 39th, offering a touch of déjà vu for the soldiers.

Editorial staffCapt. Chris Heathscott

State Public Affairs Officer

Maj. Keith MooreAir Guard Public Affairs Officer

Staff Sgt. Chris DurneyAdrienne Brietzke

Donna SheltonPublic Affairs Specialist

Capt. Andretta ThomasCommander, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Garrick Feldman Editor & Publisher

Christy HendricksManaging Editor

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Arkansas Guard NewsPublished by Leader Publishing, Inc. 404

Graham Road, Jacksonville, AR 72076, phone number (501) 982-9421, a private firm in no way connected with the Arkansas National Guard, under written contract with the Adjutant Gen-eral of the Arkansas National Guard. This civil-ian enterprise National Guard newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of the U.S. military services, published under the pro-visions of AR 360-1, AFI 35-101 and the Arkansas Military Department. Contents of the Arkansas Minuteman are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the De-partment of Defense or the National Guard. The appearance of advertising in this publication, in-cluding inserts or supplements, does not consti-tute endorsement by the National Guard or Lead-er Publishing Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publica-tion shall 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 non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Ed-itorial photos unless otherwise noted. The Ar-kansas Minuteman reserves the right to edit all items. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the Ar-kansas National Guard. All photos are Arkansas National Guard unless otherwise noted.

Year of the NCO“No one is more professional than I. I am

a Non commissioned Officer, a leader of Sol-diers!” These are the first 2 lines of the NCO Creed. The Army has declared 2009 as the year of the NCO. I have a framed poster in my office that was printed in 1989 - it was also the year of the NCO.

That poster pictures a bust of a Sergeant wearing a kevlar helmet covered in wood-land camouflage. Compared to what a Sol-dier looks like today in full “battle rattle” is like comparing “Lost in Space” to the sci-fi movies of today. I truly believe we have progressed that far as an NCO Corps, as well. Education, training, and technology all contributed to that transformation. One thing that is always constant, and has been since Baron Von Stuben wrote the blue book, NCOs carry out the daily business of our Army and continue to be the backbone of our Army and all other services. Howev-er, we can not just accept this and sit back and bask in pride.

We all must continue to better ourselves through education and training in order to remain a viable part of the Army. NCOs must attend their required NCO Education Schools in order to remain current not only for combat operations but for non-combat operations and day to day business.

One of the purposes of declaring this the year of the NCO is to educate the general public on the contributions of NCOs. We too must be committed to educating the public about the contributions and quality of our NCOs. I truly believe we have the best NCO Corps in our history. What our NCOs have and are doing in the fight against the Global

War on Terrorism is untold!Just a short time after the Army an-

nounced this would be the “Year of the NCO,” I asked our four brigade command sergeants major for ideas about how to com-memorate this year. With no input, I later task them with coming up with something and making it happen at annual training. I wasn’t going to tell them what they had to do, but they had to do something.

Of course the results were outstanding and many of you reading this participated in those events. One of the brigade CSMs told me, “Thanks CSM for kicking us in the butt and making us do something. I start-ed out just fulfilling your requirement, but

it became so much more to me personally and to my NCOs. We are going to make this an annual tradition.”

I tell you that to do this, we must take and make the time to honor these tradi-tions and to teach our junior NCOs the lin-eage and honor of our Corps. We must do that so they to will carry that knowledge on and share it with others as they replace us. The NCO Corps in all our services is what makes the United States military the finest in the world. We are what makes the differ-ence and that is one thing I do not want to ever see change!

“Arkansas First!”“NCOs Always!”

arkansasMInUTEMan

Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Durney

CommAnd sgt. mAj. deBorAH CoLLins visits with the soldiers of the 142nd Fires Brigade just prior to their multiple Launch rocket system (mLrs) and Paladin live fire during Annual training 2009 at Fort Chaffee.

nCo induCtion. non-Commissioned officers of the 871st troop Command participate in an nCo induction ceremony during annual training at Fort Chaffee. nCo’s across the nation participat-ed in similar ceremonies to highlight the importance of their role as the “backbone of the Army.”


CAMP JOSEPH T. ROB-INSON, Ark. – The Arkan-sas Army National Guard unveiled its newest work-horse helicopter July 14 at a ceremony at the Army Avi-ation Support Facility on Camp Robinson in North Little Rock.

Two shiny new UH-72 Lakota light utility helicop-ters have been delivered to the Arkansas Guard straight off of the EADS North America manufac-turing line in Columbus, Miss.

Two more are slated to arrive in October and four more are due in by 2011.

The Lakota is replac-ing the Guard’s aging OH-58 Kiowa fleet, which has been a part of the Arkansas Army aviation program for over 35 years.

The twin engine Lakota offers enhanced safety fea-tures, as well as advantages in size, speed, useful load and range.

The Lakota is joining the Guard’s fleet of UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and is designed to perform medical and casualty evac-uation missions, provide disaster relief flights, aid in homeland defense and work counter drug mis-sions in support of civil au-thorities.

The Kiowa will be phased out over the next two years.

“The UH-72 is recog-nized by the Department of Defense as one of their five best programs,” said Col. (Retired) Ted Mick-evicius from EADS North America. “This aircraft is being delivered to the Na-tional Guard on schedule, on budget and on perfor-mance. Long may they fly in support of, and to pro-tect, your communities.”

According to Col. Gar-rett P. Jensen, chief of the Army National Guard Avi-ation and Safety Division, 200 UH-72s are to be de-livered to Army units in 47 states, and 50 have been fielded so far.

“This is the premier

homeland defense rotary platform. In the right hands this aircraft will serve the state of Arkansas in a first rate fashion,” he said.

“The National Guard has transitioned from a standing reserve to an op-erational force operating all over the globe,” said Maj. Gen. William D. Wof-ford, the adjutant general of Arkansas. “That is why we’re getting these new air-craft.”

The last new aircraft brought into service with the Arkansas Nation-al Guard was its force of Blackhawk helicopters which arrived in 1995 after flying several years with active component units.

“These are brand new

aircraft that are American made in Mississippi, our neighbor state, and flown by some of the greatest Americans we’ve got,” said Wofford to the large crowd gathered in the south hang-er of the Camp Robinson AASF.

Following the ceremoni-al hand off of the log book and keys, a large parachute drape was pulled aside to reveal one of the gleaming Lakota helicopters.

The 42 foot aircraft is capable of carrying eight troops or two stretchers and medical crew.

Two pilots fly the nearly 4,000 lb helicopter, which has a maximum speed of 167 miles per hours and a range of over 420 miles.

army national Guard rolls out new light utility helicopterSafety features, abilities make Lakota shine as Kiowa replacement

Photo by Maj. Keith Moore

unveiLing A workHorse. maintenance personnel from the 77th theater Aviation Brigade of the Arkansas national guard move draping to unveil one of two new uH-72 Lakota helicopters delivered to the Arkansas guard during a “rollout” ceremony on tues-day in north Little rock, Arkansas. the Lakota, the Army’s new Light utility Helicopter produced by eAds north America will replace the aging fleet of oH-58 kiowa helicopters for a variety of homeland security missions. the Arkansas guard is to receive eight of the new Lakotas by the end of 2011.

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Photo by Capt. Chris Heathscott

BirdwAtCHing. one of two new uH-72 Lakota helicop-ters delivered to the Arkansas Army national guard hovers out to begin its first mission following a rollout ceremony july 14 at the Arkansas national guard’s Army Aviation support Facility on Camp robinson in north Little rock. the Lakota, the Army’s new Light utility Helicopter pro-duced by eAds north America will replace the aging fleet of oH-58 kiowa helicopters for a variety of homeland secu-rity missions. the Arkansas guard is to receive eight of the new Lakotas by the end of 2011.


FORT CHAFFEE MA-NEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. – Arkansas Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve units in the Fort Smith area now share a 102,000 square foot joint use facility following a ribbon cutting ceremony here July 11, 2009.

The new $19 million Armed Forces Reserve Center is located on High-way 22, just past the main entrance to the Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center in Barling, Ark. Four units of the Arkansas Army Na-tional Guard’s 142nd Fires Brigade, and the 341st En-gineer Company of the U.S. Army Reserve began occu-pying the huge building in March.

Due to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s recommen-dations, the 142nd’s Head-quarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, from Fort Smith; Battery A, 2nd Battalion, from Van Bu-ren; Detachment 1, 937th Forward Support Compa-ny from Charleston, and

the 937th Forward Sup-port Company, from Fort Chaffee, have all been con-solidated into the new ar-mory.

The Arkansas Nation-al Guard’s West Central Recruiting and Retention Command also occupies a corner of the building near the front entrance.

Arkansas Congressman John Boozman served as guest speaker for the event, and participated in the rib-bon cutting. “Without you guys standing there protect-ing us, it would be a much different world,” said Booz-man to the crowd of Sol-diers and civilians gathered in the sun outside of the main entrance. “We appre-ciate everything you do.”

According to Lt. Col. Troy Galloway, commander of the 2nd Battalion,142nd, the center represents a new era in consolidated support.

“It will provide improved administrative and logis-tical support for our units that will closely match our modernized equipment and our ever expanding training needs,” he said.

Although Reserve and National Guard Soldiers oc-cupy opposite wings of the

building, they share dining, drill hall, class room, fit-ness and personal hygiene facilities. The building also boasts secured supply ar-eas, modern offices and an

expansive motor pool.“Today across the world

you have Army Reserve, National Guard and active component Soldiers work-ing shoulder to shoulder,”

said Maj. Gen. William Wofford, the adjutant gen-eral of Arkansas. “This fa-cility represents that new working relationship.

“One of the advantages of this particular facility is it’s so close to Fort Chaffee,”

said Wofford. “If any one of these units wanted to train out in the field, they can do it right here.”

Future plans for the ar-mories in Van Buren, Fort Smith and Charleston have not been announced.

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Guard, reserves join forces with new facilityArmed Forces Reserve Center opens near Fort SmithBy Sgt. 1st Class Chris A. DurneyArkansas National Guard State Public Affairs Office

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chris Durney

joining ForCes. this 102,000 square foot Armed Forces reserve Center, near Fort smith, serves as the new home of the u.s. Army reserve’s 341st engineer Compa-ny along with four units of the Arkansas national guard’s 142nd Fires Brigade. “today across the world you have Army reserve, national guard and active component sol-diers working shoulder to shoulder,” said maj. gen. william wofford, the adjutant general of Arkansas. “this facility represents that new working relationship.”


MOVInG FOrWarDA L o o k B a c k a t A n n u a l Tr a i n i n g 2 0 0 9

Photo by 1st Lt. Theresa Walker, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FirePower. the 1st Battalion, 142nd Fires Brigade launch-es one of four rockets from their multiple Launch rocket sys-tem during a firepower demonstration at Fort Chaffee on june 24. the live fire was a joint demonstration with the brigade’s 2nd Battalion firing their 155mm Paladin in front of a crowd on soldiers and civilians who were traveling with the Arkansas guard’s employer support for the guard and reserve (esgr) program. the 1st battalion is headquartered in Harrison with units in Bentonville, springdale and rogers.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chris Durney

inFAntry ArtiLLery. soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery regiment of the 39th infantry Brigade Com-bat team fire a ceremonial charge during the brigade’s change of command ceremony on may 31. the battalion conducted a live fire of the weapon, a 105mm towed Howitzer, the following weekend. the battalion is headquartered in russellville with units in morrilton, Perryville, dardanelle, Paris and north Little rock.

g r o u n d CommAnd in tHe Air. Brig. gen. roger mcClellan, fac-ing, took the oppor-tunity to experience the expertise of the 77th theater Avia-tion Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 111th Air Ambulance during their hoist training at Fort Chaffee. general mcClellan serves as commander of the Ar-kansas guard’s joint Force Land Compo-nent, which includes the 77th along with the 39th infantry Bri-gade Combat team, 87th troop Command and 142nd Fires Bri-gade. the medical evacuation (mede-vAC) soldiers hoisted numerous troops dur-ing their annual train-ing as part of an ef-fort to maintain their perfected skill.


Photo courtesy of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

BACkBone oF tHe Army. soldiers of the 39th infantry Brigade Combat team line up in the symbol of a sergeant’s stripe, representing the backbone of the Army – the nCo. the event took place at Fort Chaffee during the 39th’s nCo induction ceremony at annual training. the event took place in honor of the non-Com-missioned officers as part of the year of the nCo.


MOVInG FOrWarDA L o o k B a c k a t A n n u a l Tr a i n i n g 2 0 0 9

AeriAL FirePower. Air-men with the Fort smith based 188th Fighter wing train over Fort Chaffee’s razorback range with a blast of rounds from their aircraft’s gatlin gun. the unit’s training over Fort Chaffee on june 18 also offered a show to the soldiers on the ground awaiting their turn on the convoy live fire range. without knowing they had an attentive audience glaring up in awe at their A10 thunderbolt ii fight-ers in action, the pilots conducted their normal training patterns and range firing as if it were just another day in the air.



kAAABooom. A cratering charge strapped with C4 ex-plosives detonates with a loud boom on Fort Chaffee’s demolitions range june 19. the charge was placed by the 875th engineer Battalion’s 1039th engineer Company from marked tree. the ex-ercise was part of the unit’s normal training plan in their specialty as engineers. this particular blast left a crater large enough to hold the en-tire platoon responsible for setting the charge.

Photo courtesy of Sgt. Mike Brinson, 142nd Fires Brigade public affairs

PALAdin times tHree. three 155mm Paladins belonging to the 142nd Fires Brigade’s 2nd Battalion fire rounds in unison during a firepower demonstration at Fort Chaffee on june 24. the live fire was a joint event with the brigade’s 1st Battalion firing their multiple Launch rocket system (mLrs) in front of a crowd on soldiers and civilians who were traveling with the Arkansas guard’s employer support for the guard and reserve (esgr) program. the 2nd battalion is headquartered in Fort smith with units in van Buren, siloam springs, ozark, Charleston and Fort Chaffee.

Photo by Maj. Keith Moore

Five tons oF CArgo. Airmen with the Arkansas Air national guard’s 189th Airlift wing, from the Little rock Air Force Base, load a vehicle onto one of their C-130 Hercules aircraft in preparation for returning home at the end of their annual training at gulfport, miss.


not your AverAge BAnd. spc. Chris estell with the 106th Army Band showed off his talent along with his fellow soldiers performing with the “Power 106th” concert in the post theater on Fort Chaffee on june 15. shown here the band surprised the crowd and turned out the building with their rendition of “still diggin’ on james Brown” by tower of Power. estell was one of the band’s two recent additions to an already amazingly talented group of performers.

Photo courtesy of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

BACkBone oF tHe Army. soldiers of the 39th infantry Brigade Combat team line up in the symbol of a sergeant’s stripe, representing the backbone of the Army – the nCo. the event took place at Fort Chaffee during the 39th’s nCo induction ceremony at annual training. the event took place in honor of the non-Com-missioned officers as part of the year of the nCo.

Photo by 2nd Lt. Latasha Ketchum, 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

joint trAining. staff sgt. mike williamson, of the 77th theater Aviation Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 111th Air Ambulance, offers instruction on medical evacuation (medevAC) operations to soldiers from the 87th troop Command on june 21 at Fort Chaffee. the 87th troop Com-mand soldiers were members of the 296th ground Ambu-lance Company, from Hot springs, and the 213th Area sup-port medical Company, from north Little rock and dumas.


CAMP JOSEPH T. ROB-INSON, Ark. – On August 19, the Arkansas Nation-al Guard Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) cel-ebrates its 20th anniversa-ry of service to our troops. The organization is also celebrating twenty years as the only strictly state-run corporation of its type in the United States.

“For most installations the Post Exchange (PX) stores are entities of the federal government. How-ever, we operate solely un-der the Arkansas Nation-al Guard. We pay salaries, grow our organization and give donations to the units solely from the profits we make,” said Jackie Scarbor-ough, MWR Director.

The staff is planning on celebrating the anniversary with a ceremony in the foy-er of the MWR Complex on August 19 starting at 9:00 a.m. There will be food, ca-maraderie, giveaways and special sales on selected merchandise in the MWR’s Canteen.

Over the past 20 years the MWR has witnessed some much needed growth, most notably in October 2007 when construction of the new MWR Complex was completed. This final-ly made it possible to house all the services offered by MWR at Camp Robinson in one centralized location.

“Having all these servic-es in the same complex has meant that we can serve the Guard members more. We have more items available than we have in the past. And having everything in one building is more conve-nient and provides a friend-ly atmosphere, “ said Scar-borough.

Services available through the MWR have continued to grow and in-clude the extension of its op-erations at both Camp Rob-

inson and Fort Chaffee. Camp Robinson’s expan-

sion included the opening of the Minuteman Pizzaria in March of this year. The op-erating hours of 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily makes it a convenient dining option, especially for students who are in training on post.

Since the MWR was in-corporated, the mission has been to provide needed services to Guard members and help support the units. The continued growth of the organization has al-lowed the MWR to give unit rebates, provide no-interest loans and sponsor various causes such as the Camp Robinson Fire De-partment and the Arkan-sas Employee of the Year program.

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the great staff that we have,” said Scarborough. “We started with seven employ-ees in 1989. We now have ninety-two. Because they have helped to grow the or-ganization, we can contin-ue providing what the Sol-diers and Airmen need and give back to the units.”

The Arkansas National

Guard MWR made $55,285 in donations in 2008 and the total of yearly contri-butions since 2003 is over $358,000. According to Scarborough, as long as the

organization keeps making a profit, the MWR will con-tinue to fulfill its mission by

giving back to the Soldiers and Airmen who provide the ultimate service.

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MWr Celebrates 20 Years of service to soldiers, airmenBy Ms. Donna SheltonArkansas National Guard State Public Affairs Office

out witH tHe oLd. Camp robinson’s original Canteen closed its doors in 2007 with the need to expand the mwr op-erations it began in 1989. the once heavily visited building now sits silent, watching its replacement facility across the street attract large numbers of people who frequent the new Canteen and the variety of services provided in the new mwr complex.

in witH tHe new. the new mwr Complex encompasses 39,725 square feet of space. the vast complex houses the rock restaurant which can seat 250 patrons in its 4,140 square foot dining area. Adjacent to the restaurant is the rock Lounge with a large “Cheers-type” bar and seating for 50 and a large patio for outdoor gatherings during acceptable weath-er. Additionally, the businesses that were located in the old mwr facility moved to new more spacious quarters in the new complex along with a new addition – the minuteman Pizzeria. the facility houses an Arkansas Federal Credit union branch, with two automated teller machines, the sunshine Cleaners and dee’s Barbershop. “Having all these services in the same complex has meant that we can serve the guard members more. we have more items available than we have in the past. And having everything in one building is more convenient and provides a friendly atmosphere, “ said jackie scarborough, di-rector of the Arkansas guard mwr.

9August �009 a r k a n s a s M I n U T E M a n

ARLINGTON, VA— Bassett Law Firm LLP of Fayetteville, Ark. was se-lected as one of 35 nation-al finalists for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Em-ployer Support Freedom Award. The award is the U.S. Government’s high-est recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employ-ees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The Secre-tary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is also significant because only members of the Na-tional Guard and Reserve or their family members may nominate their em-ployers for the award.

“In the eight years our nation has been at war, America’s employers - al-most universally - have done an outstanding job of supporting their Citi-zen Warrior employees, said Dennis M. McCarthy, assistant secretary of de-fense for reserve affairs. “They reflect the power-ful synergy that exists be-tween the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve, and their em-ployers.” Bassett Law Firm LLP was selected from more than 3,200 nomina-tions submitted. On July 20, the Department of Defense narrowed it list of 35 finalists done to the top 15 employers recog-nized for their support of

our troops. Although Bas-sett Law Firm LLP did not make the cut for the final cut, their ranking within the top 35 out of 3200 is extremely significant and symbolic of the tremen-dous support the firm has provided our Soldiers and Airmen.

Bassett was one of 20 Arkansas employers rec-ognized by Arkansas’ Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program during a

ceremony on June 8 when the firm was presented a Pro Patria Award by Maj. Gen. William Wofford, the adjutant general of Arkan-sas. A total of 24 Arkansas employers were honored at the ceremony and further nominated for the national Freedom award. More in-formation about the Free-dom Award is available at http://www.Freedo-mAward.mil or by calling the ESGR office at (800) 336-4590.

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ProjeCt PAtriot. spc. dominic Alexan-der, with Company e, 39th Brigade support Battalion, takes a moment to pose with mem-bers of “Arkansa” Chapter national society daughters of the American revolution after a Freedom salute ceremony in Arkadelphia for his battalion. Alexander was one of thousands of Arkansas guardsmen to receive a tiny pocket flag hand folded by sylvia matthews, Co-Chair of the organization’s Project Patriot. Alexander approached the members of Arkan-sa’s soldier squad to personally thank the chapter for the pocket Flag he carried for the duration of the deployment next to his military id. After returning home safely from the de-ployment, Alexander offered the Flag back to the Chapter in grateful appreciation. Pictured from left to right are shirley goff, sue Pilking-ton, nell white (behind), susan veal, sheila Beatty, spc. Alexander and Linda thomas.

10 August �009a r k a n s a s M I n U T E M a n

CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. – The Arkansas National Guard will join the active com-ponent in the observance of Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in Sep-tember.

The observance is part of the continued effort to focus on the rise of sui-cides throughout the Army over the past few years – a problem that is just as significant in the National Guard.

The Army recently re-leased its suicide date for 2009, covering the period January 1 through June 30 and reporting 88 active-duty deaths. Fifty-four of those were confirmed sui-cide with the remaining 34 still under investiga-tion. This is 21 more than was reported for the same period in 2008.

To further put it in perspective, the United States suffered fewer loss-es to combat in Afghan-istan during that same time period in 2009 with 73 Fallen Troops from all branches of the service.

According to Capt. Tan-ya Phillips, the state sui-cide prevention program manager for the Arkansas National Guard, the prob-lem isn’t limited to the ac-tive component.

“In the past six months from January 1st to 30 June, the National Guard has had 17 confirmed sui-cides and 22 pending in-vestigation,” said Phillips. “We are making up 18% of the National Guard’s total suicides during that six months.”

Arkansas has suffered a total of three losses to suicide during that time, an increase from one loss to suicide over each of the previous two years.

“As an organization, as a Family of Soldiers, and

Airmen here in Arkansas, we cannot stand around and allow this trend to continue,” said Maj. Gen. William Wofford, the ad-jutant general of Arkan-sas. “We have taken some major steps towards in-creasing awareness, but it takes more than simply awareness. It takes ac-tion. We need all of our Guardsmen, their Fami-lies, friends and employ-ers to get involved and keep an eye out for those in need of help. Talk to them, care for them, and assist them in getting the help they need.”

Awareness for the Ar-kansas Guard means more than marking a month on the calendar. During that time, the force will take on the second phase of the three-phase suicide stand-down and chain teach program.

“It’s going to consist of role playing vignettes and discussions about stress that Soldiers are actual-ly going through and how they can help each other,” said Phillips. “We have until September 30th to have every Soldier in the state trained.”

At the completion of this interactive training program, which includes videos and small unit leader training, the force will move into the third phase of the program – sustained annual suicide awareness and prevention training for all Soldiers.

But this training is not

just for the Soldiers.“There is a ‘Shoulder

to Shoulder’ presentation for [Family Readiness Groups] as well,” said Phil-lips noting that the Fami-lies will play a key role in reversing this trend.

The training empha-sizes common causes of suicidal behavior and the critical role Army leaders, friends, co-workers and Families play in maintain-ing behavioral health.

“Our Families will defi-nitely play a critical role in suicide prevention. They

are on the front lines. By the time it gets to my lev-el, it is too late,” said Gen-eral Wofford. “But we need to be there to assist the Families as necessary while remaining vigilant ourselves.”

“The most crucial fac-tor, however, is to make all of our Guardsmen aware that is ok to ask for help,” he added. “Remem-ber the Army Creed. We are asking them to ‘Never Accept Defeat’ while hon-oring our pledge to ‘Never Leave a Fallen Soldier.’”

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Consultations

never accept Defeat September is Suicide Awareness, Prevention MonthBy Capt. Chris HeathscottArkansas National Guard State Public Affairs Office The new Post 9/11 GI Bill became effective August 1,

2009. It provides education benefits for servicemembers who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. These benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, creating a benefit package that gives current and previously activated Na-tional Guard and Reservist the same benefits as active duty servicemembers.

EligibilityThe Department of Veterans Affairs is currently ac-

cepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Once the VA has received your application they issue a Certificate of Eligibility if they determine you are indeed entitled to the benefit. Note: Only service under U.S. Code Title 10 makes one eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. You are eligible if you served a minimum of 90 days on ac-tive duty after September 10, 2001, but the VA must verify that eligibility.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will still want to compare all your education benefits to see which will bet-ter meet your own needs. While the Post-9/11 is a great advance for military education options, that doesn’t nec-essarily mean it’s a better option for you.

It’s important to keep in mind that once you make a choice, that choice is IRREVOCABLE. You can’t change your mind later. However, note that Veterans will not be required to make a choice at the August timeline. The VA will notify veterans when they will be required to choose.

There are several different GI Bill benefits available for Guard servicemembers so before making that decision, it’s crucial you compare the different benefits to see which is best for you. In choosing which benefit you wish to re-ceive, and whether or not to participate in the Active-Duty or Reserve GI Bill programs, first consider the following factors with each: the type of training you plan on taking; the amount of benefits you will get under each benefit; ex-tending benefits by 12 months, and any other factors im-portant to you.

Guard servicemembers have two other GI Bill op-tions. The first gives those who serve continuously for 24

Knowing your benefitsBy Ms. Adrienne BrietzkeArkansas National Guard State Public Affairs Office

see knowing, PAge 10

11August �009 a r k a n s a s M I n U T E M a n

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or more months on active duty the option to pay into the GI Bill for active duty (Chapter 30). The second program, called the Re-serve Education Assistance Pro-gram (REAP), provides Guard members up to 80 percent of the GI Bill for active duty (Chapter 30). You need to first determine your eligibility for each program and then compare them. A help-ful guide for Guard members to make comparisons among their choices can be found at http://www.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/new-gi-bill-over-view

Also consider that the Post-9/11 GI Bill can only be used for programs taken at a college or university. The Montgomery GI Bill offers several other options: college (undergraduate, gradu-ate), certificate programs, on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, flight training, and non-college degree courses.

Contacts & Application You can apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill using the VA Form 22-1990 - found at: http://www.vba.va.gov/

pubs/forms/VBA-22-1990-ARE.pdf - or you can complete and submit the application on-line at www.gibill.va.gov . Click “Apply On Line” and select the “Educa-tion” option. The form includes the instructions needed to begin the process.

If you have questions about your eligibility status, call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-

4551) or at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ or https://www.gibill2.va.gov/vba/vba.cfg/php.exe/en-duser/std_alp.php .

Army Guard members can contact the Education Support Center (ESC), located at the Pro-fessional Education Center (PEC) on Camp Robinson at https://esc.pec.ngb.army.mil/ and Arkan-sas Guard members can contact

Capt. Kevin C Truslow, the state’s Education Services Officer, at ([email protected]) or 501-212-4021.

Transferability of benefits to spouse/children*

The Post-9/11 GI Bill also of-fers a special provision of the program that allows career ser-vice members the opportunity

to share their education bene-fits with immediate family mem-bers.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is authorized to allow in-dividuals who, on or after Au-gust 1, 2009, have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces and who agree to serve at least anoth-er 4 years in the Armed Forces to transfer unused entitlement to their Spouse. Once the member has reached their 10 year anni-versary they may choose to trans-fer the benefit to any dependent(s) (spouse, children). The rules for Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability are in the final stages, but have not been signed. For proposed policy on eligibility, go to: http://www.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/post-911-gi-bill-transferability-fact-sheet which is subject to change.

Note: USMilitary.com, recently announced that a complimentary version of its 2009 GI Bill Bene-fits Guide is available for down-load online. The online guide out-lines brief summaries of benefits offered to veterans in every mili-tary service branch. Go to: http://www.military.com/money-for-school/guard/guard-education-benefits-users-guide

KnowingContinued from Page 10

t Quick comparisons (from Military.com)Post-9/11 GI Bill Montgomery

GI Bill (MGIB) active Duty

MGIBI reserve rEaP

Code

Benefits

38 USC 33 38 USC 30 10 USC 1606 10 USC 1607

Qualifying active duty service. Tu-ition/Fees, Month-ly Housing Amt, Annual $1000 sti-pend for books & supplies, transfer-ability. Payments are not retroactive

Fixed adjusted annually based on avg under-graduate tuition determined by National Center for Education Sta-tistics

Same as MGIB Same as MGIB

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Documents

Arkansas Minuteman Newspaper August 2009