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July 2014

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1 | The Georgia Guardsman

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CoNTeNTSISSUe: July 2014

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10| 138th receives awardThe 138th Chemical Company receives the 2014 Sibert Award, recognizing the Georgia Army National Guard unit as the best chemical company in the entire National Guard.

11| 1-121st RAF trains in hondurasSpartan Soldiers return after helping the Honduran military build its capacity and capability to defeat drug trafficking organizations.

03| MoS StoryThis month’s MOS story profiles a 68W: healthcare specialist.

04| Standing togetherGeorgia’s Department of Public Safety and De-partment of Defense combine training to make good fiscal sense.

05| 202nd eoD Suits upThe 202nd is focusing on stateside missions as they support the citizens of Georgia.

15| Blast from the pastThis throwback story recounts the capture of fugitives by Rome Guardsmen.

17| War to end all warsA look back at Georgia’s role in WWI.

07| Historic Battle ReviewThe Struggles for Atlanta: Forgotten Losses of a Savage Campaign.

09| Chaplain’s CornerStaying connected with other veterans.

13| NCo NotepadJob search resources upon returning home.

14| Book Review“It’s Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men” by Truett Cathy.

19| Road map to resourcesLearn about education benefits and resources.

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12| 116th turns up the heat Air Guardsman complete ten days of training at the Catoosa Training Site in north Georgia.

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21| Around the Guard

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cover story

July 2014 | 2

Georgia National Guard

Commander-in-ChiefGov. NathaN Deal

adjutant GeneralMaj. GeN. jiM Butterworth

State PubliC affairS direCtorlt. Col. thoMas lesNieski

State PubliC affairS offiCerCapt. williaM Carraway

oPerationS nCosFC GerarD BrowN

editorial Staff

manaGinG editorCapt. williaM Carraway

Creative direCtorsteveN welCh

ContributorSDesiree BaMBa

elizaBeth BlaCkstoCksFC GerarD BrowN

Maj. will CoxCapt. Greta jaCksoN

Master sGt. roGer parsoNsjoe QuiMBy

ashlie shrewsBurystaFF sGt. traCy j. sMith

sGt. Chris stepheNsCMD. sGt. Maj. philip striNGFielD

ChaplaiN lt. Col. MiChael suMMersCapt. vaDiM tiMCheNko

The Georgia Guardsman is published monthly under the provisions of AR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Georgia Department of Defense Public Affairs Office. The views and opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Army, Air Force or the Adjutant General of Georgia. The Georgia Guardsman is distributed free-of-charge to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, State Defense Force and other interested persons upon request.

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3 | The Georgia Guardsman Photo by Maj. Will Cox | PubliC affairs offiCe | GeorGia arMy NatioNal Guard

Sgt. 1st. Class Robert Waters joined the Army in 1997 and served four years before deciding to get out of full time military service. Shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, Waters joined the Georgia Army National Guard to become a medic with the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team where he served for the next decade deploying once to

Iraq and once to Afghanistan.“I became a medic because I wanted to make a difference,” said

Waters. “I watched first-hand as we transitioned from a peace-time Army to a nation-at-war. There is nothing more honorable than the willingness of the infantryman running toward the sound of guns, risking his life for his buddy. The medic does this too with a rifle in hand, but when the tactical situation dictates, he puts down that rifle and reaches for his aid bag to work his other job.”

The U.S. Army’s 68W health care specialist is primarily responsible for providing emergency medical treatment, limited primary care and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury or illness. Job training for a health care specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 16 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in-patient care.

While with the 48th IBCT, Waters was deployed to Yusafiyah, Iraq, known to some Soldiers as the “triangle of death,” where he earned his Combat Medic Badge as one of four medics that treated more than 300 wounded Americans and Iraqis. His unit survived multiple mortar attacks, improved explosive attacks and small-arms ambushes, where many of his fellow Soldiers were wounded or killed.

“The importance of competency became seared in my conscious

as I fulfilled my role as a medic,” said Waters. “If a cook has a bad day, his troops may get sick. If an admin clerk has a bad day, his Soldiers may have pay issues. But if a medic has a bad day, people die and that is a very heavy dose of reality.”

Every two years, medics need to renew their civilian accreditation on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The medic refresher course, hosted by the Georgia Medical Command, provides the training medics need to stay current and qualified to perform their job.

“This training is important because our adversaries didn’t get the memo that the war is over. So our medics need to be ready to provide care when and where it is needed,” said Waters. “The Boston Marathon is a great example of why medical training needs to be maintained, not only at the medic level, but also through combat life saver training at the individual level in a unit.”

Waters is now a medical platoon sergeant and medical trainer with the Georgia Medical Command, and is the lead instructor for the medic refresher course. Becoming a medic also shaped his civilian career ambitions. Waters went back to school to become an emergency medical technician – intermediate, and then later became a nurse. He is currently working toward a degree as a physician’s assistant.

“A medic is the perfect utility player, equally at ease in a hospital, in a combat arms line company or as part of civil affairs teams,” said Waters. “It’s an incredibly rewarding way to serve. Yes, I wanted the challenges that come with emergency medicine, but how awesome is it that a medic’s job is to take care of his friends and buddies.”

By Maj. Will Cox | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard68W: Health care specialist ‘medic’

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Waters with Georgia Army National Guard’s Medical Command facilitates an after-action review at the conclusion of a situational training exercise.

July 2014 | 4

The State of Georgia’s Department of Defense and Department of Public Safety (DPS) teamed to reinforce crisis response management and conduct joint training. The Georgia Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment and t h e G e o r g i a S t a t e Pat ro l ’s

Dive and Special Weapons and Tactics operations (SWAT) team participated in helicopter interdiction exercises.

The unique pairing was a first for the uniformed public servants who typically train autonomously within their agencies. The initial training missions featured fast-rope embark/debark operations, rappelling and proper rigging and release procedures. Critical to the joint training missions’ success was safety as aerial operations are inherently dangerous.

“We enforce the same standard with them as we do with any of

our (military combat arms) units,” explained Chief Warrant Officer 2 J. J. Sutherland, a pilot with the Winder-based 185th. “We mitigate the full scope of safety protocols because whether it is a training scenario or the actual mission, we can’t assist in a crisis if we are self-correcting.”

Speaking the same technical language brought the two agencies together. When Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Colonel Mark W. McDonough, and the Adjutant General for Georgia’s Department of Defense, Major Gen. Jim Butterworth, met them, immediately determined that a training partnership would make better use of Georgia resources. Both leaders, being avid flyers with military aviation backgrounds, were able to connect and initiate training strategy that would bolster public safety responsiveness.

“By cementing a training partnership we make better use of our resources and that gives us an edge in crisis responsiveness,” said Capt. Steve Bone, Georgia DPS Dive and SWAT team office-in-charge.

Sergeant Alvin V. Sanderson gained eight-years experience working with federal agencies in the

Washington, D.C. area while stationed at Fort Belvoir. Currently a third-year nursing student at the Medical College of Georgia, Sanderson joined the Georgia National Guard a year ago and says

the training highlights more of the inter-agency similarities in commitment and purpose.

“Each agency brings a certain degree of individuality to the table,” Sanderson said. “The differences are subtle, but it is the mission set that dictates how we do business.”

Fiscal ly, the opportunity was a win-win for both agencies, but camaraderie and interoperability were also strengthened by the exercise.

“ The only d i f ference in our professionals is the uniform,” Bone

observed. “Put them all side-by-side in t-shirts and jeans and have them perform the same mission you would not be able to tell any of us apart.”

Standing together in the airBy: Staff Sgt. Tracy J. Smith | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

“each agency brings a certain degree of individuality to the table...”

5 | The Georgia Guardsman Photo by sGt. Chris stePheNs | 1 2 4 th MPad | GeorGia arMy NatioNal Guard

202nd eoD Suits UpBy Sgt. Chris Stephens | 124th MPAD | Georgia Army National Guard

July 2014 | 6

As missions come to a close in Afghanistan, Gu ardsmen f rom the 202nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal C o m p a n y, 2 0 1 s t Regional Support Group, are focusing

on stateside missions as they support the citizens of Georgia.

Those missions, which will be done in conjunction with local and state authorities, were the focus of a week-long “Ravens Challenge” at Redstone Arsenal between June 27 and July 2, giving Soldiers from the unit an opportunity to experience interagency operations.

“The main thing we’re getting out of this exercise is the inter-operability with the other agencies,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Manning, 202nd EOD team leader. “Working with the other state and federal agencies has been invaluable.”

With more than 1,000 participants nationwide, the 2014 “Ravens Challenge” was held in three other locations: Seattle, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., building real-world scenarios for those involved.

“We’ve seen a lot of things come stateside that we only used to see overseas,” said Randy Walters, range controller. “This exercise gets the teams to use their problem-solving skills and work together. When it comes to a scenario in the U.S., they are not going to have time to work out the kinks. They are going to have to know how to work with other agencies and that is what this exercise does.”

The six-day exercise saw the unit go through various scenarios, including residential searches, vehicle searches, post-blast and evidence collection. These scenarios saw the use of robotics, bomb suits and the occasional explosive charge. It was something Sgt. Casie Hood said was a unique experience.

“It’s interesting to see how other agencies work, and see the different rules and guidelines they have,” Hood said. “Our unit has definitely benefited from this experience.”

Throughout the exercise, inter-operability was the key word and it is something that the 201st Regional Support Group commander, Col. Vernon Atkinson, echoed.

“It’s important for us to build those relationships,” Atkinson said. “Our Soldiers are learning about civilian explosives and they’re learning about our explosives. We’ll never be the lead agency in a problem, but we will be there as a backup element to support those agencies. This exercise will only increase our confidence in performing missions.”

7 | The Georgia Guardsman7 | The Georgia Guardsman

Imagine the contemporary monuments our nation might erect to commemorate the loss of 18,000 Soldiers. Such grievous losses defy our ability to fathom in modern combat, and yet, 150 years ago, two mighty armies were bled of 18,000 Soldiers while contending for the prize of Atlanta. Aside from the occasional sign or plaque, the Battle of Atlanta is commemorated more in asphalt and development than in obelisks and contemplation. In the shadow of skyscrapers three major battles were fought for control of a city, for control of the White House and for the future of two nations.

UNION SITUATIONMajor Gen. William Sherman had through a series of flanking

maneuvers, brought his three armies to the threshold of Atlanta. Despite his defeat at Kennesaw Mountain, Sherman had managed to again slip around the defenses of Confederate General Joseph Johnston. Now his 70,000 men drew nearer to the vital rail hub of Atlanta. It was July 10. The air was hot and thick with humidity. Already Sherman’s forces were effecting the crossing of the Chattahoochee River after Federal cavalry secured ford sites.

Sherman’s three armies were moving against Atlanta from the north and east. The stakes were high. In Virginia, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign had inflicted 100,000 casualties without delivering a decisive victory to the North. As Sherman was crossing the Chattahoochee, Grant and Lee were settling in to a war of attrition in the trenches surrounding Petersburg. 1864 was an election year, and for an electorate increasingly weary of war, the Democratic presidential candidate, George McClellan was gaining support. The former commander of the Army of the Potomac, “Little Mac” proposed suing for peace – a strategy Southern leaders desperately desired. Unless the Federal armies could produce a clear victory, the Lincoln administration would face a challenging reelection bid. With Grant bogged down in Virginia, Washington’s eyes turned to Sherman’s armies in hopes of a great victory that would convince voters that the war was indeed winnable.

CONFEDERATE SITUATIONOn July 13, 1864, Gen. Braxton Bragg, former commander of the

Army of Tennessee arrived at Gen. Johnston’s Atlanta headquarters, on behalf of the Confederate government, to determine Johnston’s plans for defense of the city. In the two days that followed, Bragg determined to advise Confederate President Jefferson Davis to remove Johnston as commander of the Army of Tennessee. This was a risky decision (Johnston was enormously popular with his men) but Johnston’s tactic of trading battle space for time had not endeared him to the Confederate leadership. While preserving his force of 40,000, Johnston seemed intent to fight a defensive (or timid) campaign.

On July 17, Davis relieved Johnston and replaced him with the fiery Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood. Hood had built a reputation

as an aggressive commander. His actions at the head of his Texas Brigade in 1862 earned him promotion to Major General and divisional command. At Gettysburg, his division, including two Georgia brigades, attacked the Little Round Top in some of the fiercest fighting of July 2. Hood was wounded in the left arm by a shell which rendered his arm useless. He returned to command in time to serve as a corps commander at Chickamauga where he was severely wounded and lost his right leg inches below the hip. Now, at the head of the Army of Tennessee, Hood determined to utilize the same methods of direct attack which had served him in Virginia.

THE BATTLE OF PEACHTREE CREEK JULY 20, 1864Hood saw an opportunity to strike Sherman almost immediately

after taking command. Two Federal armies were maneuvering east towards Decatur while Maj. Gen. George Thomas’ Army of the Cumberland was crossing south of Peachtree Creek from the North of Atlanta. With a gap thus formed, Hood ordered an attack

The STruggleS for ATlAnTA: forgoTTen loSSeS of A SAvAge CAmpAignBy Capt. Will Carraway| Public Affairs Office| Georgia Department of Defense

Map courtesy of the Civil War Trust civilwar.org

July 2014 | 8

on Thomas’s isolated force. The Confederate Army attacked north in a line roughly

spanning the distance between present day I-75 and I-85. To the right, Georgians in the divisions of William Walker and William Bate struggled through thick terrain. Bate’s Division became entirely lost and was not engaged, but Walker’s Georgians attacked Federal positions near the present location of Piedmont Hospital. Brigadier Gen. Clement Stevens, one of Walker’s brigade commanders was killed in the attack that cost the Confederates 2,500 men and failed to dislodge the Federals from their positions.

THE BATTLE OF ATLANTA, JULY 22, 1864Having failed in his attack against one half of Sherman’s forces,

Hood next attempted to strike the second half composed of the armies of Maj. Gen. James McPherson and John Schofield Having severed the railroad to Augusta, McPherson perceived his position to be isolated. His intuition was correct as Hood had massed two corps to strike his army. The corps of Benjamin Cheatham attacked from the west with his battle line positioned along modern-day Moreland Avenue. A second corps under William Hardee struck McPherson from the south moving parallel to modern-day Interstate 20. McPherson was riding to observe the actions when his party encountered the 5th Confederate, a veteran Irish regiment in Patrick Cleburne’s Division. Ordered to surrender, McPherson rendered a salute and spurred his horse to escape. He was shot from his horse mortally wounded. McPherson became one of the highest ranking federal casualties of the war.

Less than a mile from the spot where McPherson fell, Maj. Gen. William Walker was leading his veteran division of Georgians past the Terry Mill Pond near exit 61 off Interstate 20. As his men reformed on a ridge, Walker advanced and surveyed the federal line with his field glasses. Conspicuous by the glint of his sword and field glasses Walker was spotted by a Federal sharpshooter and shot through the head.

Fighting continued until nightfall with no net benefit to the Confederates who lost 5,500 men to the Federals 4,000.

BATTLE OF EzRA CHURCH, JULY 28, 1864On July 27, Sherman dispatched his Army of the Tennessee west

of Atlanta. Their mission was to sever the Macon railroad: the last remaining source of supply for Hood’s beleaguered army. Detecting Sherman’s intent, Hood dispatched a corps and two divisions to fix the Army of the Tennessee in place and then maneuver by flank to destroy it. Newly promoted corps commander Stephen Dill Lee established blocking positions as ordered, but instead of entrenching, Lee chose to attack. Unfortunately for Lee and his corps, the Federal commander, Maj. Gen. Oliver O Howard (for whom Howard University is named) had anticipated the attack and had ordered his men to entrench and fortify defensive positions. Lee’s attack turned into a pitiful massacre. Three thousand Confederate Soldiers were killed or wounded while the Federals lost only 600.

SIEGE AND FALL OF ATLANTAThree times Hood had attacked and three times he had been

thrown back with horrendous irreplaceable losses. Having bled his army of 25 percent of its strength without gaining a single advantage, Hood settled in for siege warfare. With Grant stalled in Virginia, Hood hoped he could hold Atlanta through the November election and possibly force a change of leadership in Washington.

Sherman, cognizant of the political urgency, resolved to make Atlanta untenable. In August he ordered the indiscriminate shelling of the city. Although civilians were killed by the bombardment, no military advantage was realized.

More successful were Sherman’s efforts to sever rail lines supplying Atlanta. Having already cut rail lines to the north and east, Sherman set sights on the Macon Railroad south of Atlanta. By August 30, 1864, Sherman’s forces had slipped quietly away from the trenches opposing Atlanta and had marched on Jonesboro. Repulsing an attack by the Confederate corps of William Hardee, Sherman reached the Macon Railroad on August 31, 1864 – the same day the Democratic National Convention officially nominated George McClellan for President.

With his final supply line severed, Hood had little choice but to abandon Atlanta in hopes of preserving his army. On September 2, 1864, Federal troops entered the city. The next day, Sherman telegraphed to Washington “Atlanta is ours and fairly won.”

AFTERMATHThe effect was immediate. The fall of Atlanta demonstrated that

the war could be won and was being effectively prosecuted. The South’s last-best hope for suing for peace under favorable terms evaporated with the fall of Atlanta, and the North was empowered with the will to see an end to the war; a war that was about to become all the more savage.

9 | The Georgia Guardsman

During the past dozen y e a r s , S o l d i e r s a n d A i r m e n f rom the G eorg ia N a t i o n a l G u a r d h a v e c o n f r o n t e d new chal lenges as

we deployed to distant countries and encountered cultures vastly different from our own. We learned new skills, we took on greater responsibilities, we grew both professionally and personally. Sadly, many also returned home with physical or emotional scars. They, and those who were not injured, returned home as changed individuals. Those changes have made it difficult for some of us to reintegrate easily into society and families.

Sometimes people make awkward, or even insulting, remarks to returning veterans. They seem sometimes to assume

that all military personnel violate the law of war. Others fail to understand the level of responsibility that certain positions in the military have, or the advanced skills needed for critical tasks in today’s environment. We appreciate it when people thank us for our service, but some of us wish they would help us find employment with similar responsibility and expected expertise as a way of expressing their gratitude.

Many veterans re-enter society with relative ease. Some do not. For those who experience difficulty, it is important to stay connected with other veterans, with friends, and with family. The interaction we have with them helps us stay alert and focused as we move forward. Involvement in communities of faith helps us assimilate our experiences into our system of values in a meaningful way. Such activity also gives us the opportunity to use our experience to

help others. I just completed visits to armories,

airbases, and training sites throughout the state of Georgia. I met Soldiers and Airmen who have returned from combat with greater awareness of their own identity and what they can accomplish if given the opportunity. Some of them need such opportunity badly. As we contemplate the task of reintegration, we must view it as a team effort. We need to watch out for our comrades and notice when someone struggles; we may be the ones who can help most. If you need help, ask. If you think your buddy needs help, ask. Know the counselors, coctors, and chaplains who can help those who suffer. Keep your eyes open for opportunities for those returning National Guard Veterans who still need work. We served our country well. Let’s keep our focus and continue to do so.

Chaplain’s cornerBy Chaplain Lt. Col. Michael Summers | Georgia National Guard

July 2014 | 10

The 138th Chemical Company received the 2014 Sibert Award, recognizing the Georgia Army National Guard unit as the best chemical company in the entire National Guard during an awards presentation at Fort Leonard Wood this June.

“They were strong in each category judged compared to all of the other units,” said Mr. Thomas Crow, personnel development analyst for the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear school. “In-fact it was not even close, the 138th Chemical Company stood head and shoulders above the competition.”

The U.S. Army Chemical Corps’ Major General William L. Sibert Award Program recognizes the best chemical company in the Active Army, United States Reserve, and the National Guard. The objectives of the program are to provide recognition for excellence in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, instill pride and reinforce the

essential elements of mission readiness, leadership, discipline and organizational excellence in a quality force.

The 138th received a unit streamer for its guidon and a plaque. The unit’s name will be placed on the master plaque at the U.S. Army Chemical School.

“The 138th was chosen for its volunteering activities; their support to the winter storms in the Atlanta area; the individual success its Guardsmen had at the Soldier and NCO of the year competitions; support to the several major exercises and the unit’s success in organizational inspection program visits,” said Crow.

The 138th Chemical Company is stationed in Marietta, Ga. and is assigned to the 781st Joint Task Force of the 201st Regional Support Group.

“This award is a tribute to our Soldiers’ commitment to excellence and duty,” said Capt. Randy Boatner, Commander of 138th Chemical Company. “We are honored.”

138th chemical company receives sibert awardBy Maj. Will Cox | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

Photo by Maj. Will Cox | PubliC affairs offiCe | GeorGia arMy NatioNal Guard

11 | The Georgia Guardsman

Guardsmen of Winder’s 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment returned to homes all across Georgia after deploying to Honduras for a few months to help the Honduran military build its capacity and capability to defeat drug trafficking organizations

and transnational criminal organizations.“We were there to train the Honduran Military on combat

life saving techniques; the 13 basic combative maneuvers in case someone struggles during an arrest and conduct weapons training from the four basics of marksmanship (breathing, body position, site picture and trigger control) all the way through a live-fire shoot-house event,” said Capt. Jacob Stimson, company commander for Alpha Company, 1-121.

The 1-121st worked with U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army South as one of the first National Guard units to execute missions under the Department of Defense’s regionally aligned forces program. Regionally-aligned-forces are prepared to support the Department Of Defense with mission-ready forces and capabilities that have cultural, regional and language training.

“I enjoyed the weapons training the best because we worked with Honduran troops who were right out of basic, making them motivated to learn,” said Stimson. “In fact, the Hondurans would take the training we conducted earlier in the day and would practice outside their barracks at night, whether it was marksmanship drills, combatives, or practicing clearing their own barracks as a fire team.”

Staff Sgt. Eric Hunt, a Guardsman with A/1-121, works full time as a Police Officer in DeKalb. Hunt served on active duty for five years with two and a half years deployed to combat prior to joining the National Guard. His military and civilian experiences help him train others.

“My patrol area is so culturally diverse, it has prepared me to communicate will with diverse groups in stressful situations,” said Hunt. “While in Honduras, I was in charge of the marksmanship range and our team was able to help some of the Honduran Soldiers, who previously had only fired 20 rounds, become expert shooters.”

Training overseas gives the entire chain of command practice at mobilizing troops and keeps staff officers’ skills fresh in case larger mobilizations are directed from the Department of the Defense. Training overseas also provides a unique cultural experience for Guardsmen.

“We sent over four waves of Georgia Guardsmen [about 60 at a time] so we could expose more citizen soldiers to this training opportunity,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Hutnick, 1-121st battalion commander. “We trained hard for the last two years to be ready and were fortunate to have so many volunteers for this mission.”

“Living and working side by side with the Honduran Soldiers in Cucuyagua was an amazing experience for me and my team,” said Hutnick. “We finished the training during the first bracket of the world cup, and it will be hard to forget watching those soccer games with a country that loves that sport so much.”

By Maj. Will Cox | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Army National Guard

1-121st RAF train in honduras

Photo by Maj. Will Cox | PubliC affairs offiCe | GeorGia arMy NatioNal Guard

July 2014 | 12

Georgia Guardsmen spent part of April learning how to fight forest fires near Athens with a 660-gallon water bucket attached to a Black Hawk helicopter in an effort to protect life and property from wild fires.

Heavy machine gun fire, rifle and pistol competition, counter-insurgency operations and urban warfare training were the order of business for the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Security Forces

Squadron as they completed ten days of annual training at the Catoosa Training Site in North Georgia.

“Annual weapons qualification was our primary objective at the range, but Catoosa provided additional training opportunities that directly correlated to what we do as ground forces when we deploy,” said Senior Master Sgt. William Greenway, 116th SFS manager.

The Airmen of the SFS found that the Catoosa site accommodated a full range of weaponry for qualification, and included a mock village meant to mimic the ones common in urban warfare environments.

“With us being a rapid deployment unit, honing our skills is a must, especially for the younger Airmen who have been on few deployments or who have never deployed in a combat environment before,” said Master Sgt. Richard Ross, a squad leader with the 116th SFS.

“For some of our younger Airmen,” shared Ross, “this is the first time they’ve received Armed Security Operations training, or what we call outside the wire training. This will be the foundation that is crucial to them if and when they get orders to deploy in a combat situation.”

Guardsmen with the unit reiterated how important this training is, as a number of the members participating in this event have been on multiple deployments in combat environments around the world. For Airman 1st Class Paula Helms, recently graduated from technical school, this was her first chance to perform annual training with her new unit.

“This training has helped give me a refresher of things I learned at tech school and I’ve been able to learn new things from the more experienced non commissioned officers,” said Helms. “Since so many of them have deployed, they have real-life experience to share.”

In addition to the preparation the training provided for overseas deployments, many of the principles and techniques learned come into play during times when the Georgia Guardsmen are called on for domestic support.

“Members of the 116th Security Forces were the first group to set up operations in the Lower 9th Ward during Hurricane Katrina,” shared Capt. Robert Brumfield, 116th Security Forces Squadron operations officer. “We did some of the same type of things there, like building clearing and rescuing people, which we trained on here.”

“Having these types of facilities where everything is built and in place allowed our folks to hit the ground running and meet our training requirements in a shorter amount of time,”

said Brumfield. On any given day, the reverberation of heavy machine

guns, grenade launchers, shotguns, rifles, pistols and the yelling of troop commands could be heard ringing throughout the hills of the 1600-plus acre site.

Battling high heat, humidity, insects and rain, the Airmen were given different scenarios and missions meant to mimic real life situations common for Security Forces. They were tested on their ability to communicate and react as a team while remaining flexible and adapting to the harsh environment.

“We’re always looking for opportunities for more and better quality training,” shared Greenway. “We train our people hard because of the job we do. It could mean the difference between life or death.”

By Master Sgt. Roger Parsons | 116th ACW | Georgia Air National Guard

116th SFS turns up the heat

Photo by Master sGt. roGer ParsoNs | 1 1 6 th aCW | GeorGia air NatioNal Guard

13 | The Georgia Guardsman

NotepadNCo

Words of wisdom f r o m o n e t o another

The number of future deployments is extremely limited now that our battle is coming to a close. The next fiscal year will definitely be a time of transition for the military as a whole. Minimal mobilizations will equate to budget stipulations

that will not only affect our brothers and sisters in arms, but the Georgia Army National Guard as well. The key to victory during times of change are these things: preparation and acceptance. Although the future is unknown to us, we can still do our very best to ensure that we diligently plan.

Senior leaders should be preparing service members, who are not currently in full-time positions yet still provide full-time support, to transition into more permanent forms of employment. So what exactly does this mean? Ensuring that all Soldiers who are not currently permanently employed are not only being tracked but being briefed on available resources that can assist in the job searching process. Resources such as but not limited to:

1. VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work). This program teaches Soldiers how to transfer their military experience onto civilian resumes and also allows them to learn how to properly communicate them during interviews.

2. Heroes to Hire. What I find most unique about this program is its ability to connect Soldiers with military friendly companies for employment opportunities. Service members can build resumes and utilize a skills translator that will enable them to use their military skill sets to search for civilian jobs.

It is important that our service members are aware of all of their options and how to take advantage of them. It is even more important that we coach our troops on how to effectively handle change. The bottom line is this: the military has changed, is changing and will continue to change. We cannot stop it however, we can use resiliency to help us effectively transition into accepting these changes. Were there ever moments in your past that you did not expect to get through? Hold on to that thought. Now, picture where you are right now…in this moment… regardless of whether you believe you are in a better position than before or not, you still managed to make it through. That is resiliency and that is what we as Soldiers who defend this nation are capable of. I say all that to convey this message; do not be discouraged or afraid by the changes expected to take place in fiscal year 2015. The Georgia Army National Guard has always been able to triumph through difficult times and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we will not be able to do the same throughout the ending of this war.

Continue to strive toward higher education, continue to seek out military schooling, and above all continue to display the exemplary level of motivation that I have witnessed throughout the years.

“Change is the law of life. Those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future”.

Command Sgt. Maj. Philip StringfieldState Command Sgt. MajorGeorgia Army National Guard

July 2014 | 14

A good child nearby is about to make bad choices that will have lasting c o n s e q u e n c e s

and needs you to step in right now,” writes S. Truett Cathy in his book “It’s Better to Build Boys than Mend Men” and when you think about it for a moment, the same thing is true for a junior man or woman in uniform - perhaps from your unit?

The impact others have upon our lives can never be overstated. This book is focused on the impact men, any man, can have upon the life of a

boy. Although it’s about men and boys, the book and its messages equally applies to women and girls.

It’s a small book in size and a quick read but the issues addressed in the book are large in scale. They reflect upon our society, the human spirit and goodwill toward others, and although simple in theory they are difficult for some people to comprehend.

The book discusses how we learn from those around us. If exposed to good examples of men and women of character when we are young, we are likely to grow up and make good choices. The issues addressed in this book have a direct correlation to leadership and how one person can make a lasting difference in the life of a child and how one NCO or officer can do the same for a battle buddy. I believe the stories in this book directly translate to leadership - in and out of uniform.

It’s a lot like the educational system in our country, where early intervention in a child’s life can make a difference in how well a child learns the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. Truett Cathy describes what happens when children are out of school and how they learn traits such as respect, trust, generosity, common sense, right crowd/wrong crowd and stability.

These traits can shape the lives of young people, and if boys and girls are not exposed to positive examples when they are young, they just might be set up to go down a wrong path in life. At the

same time, if a young person is exposed to examples of a better way, they often elect to make better choices.

Think about the people who had a hand in shaping you. For me it was my father. Although he died when I was a teenager, he was around long enough to instill in me the core values that have helped guide me through my adult life. Unfortunately, as Cathy points out in his book, a lot of young people don’t have a father figure in their lives at any point.

As a young enlisted Sailor, it was Chief Petty Officer Hal Williams who guided me when I wasn’t making good decisions. Later, as a young naval officer, I was fortunate to learn what excellent leadership was from both good and bad officers. I would tell myself I want to be like x and not like y. When I was a lieutenant, it was Commander Jim Gourley who honestly told me the changes I needed to make in my life and work to be a better officer, person and father. He mentored me and showed me what a good leader was and how to take care of others without ever expecting anything in return.

The last chapter in Cathy’s book is about a good name and how we have a choice in making a good name or bad name for ourselves. If we choose poorly we may be branded with a bad name. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says “our brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room.”

In summary, I liked the book and believe that when we enter basic training or officer candidate school we all are equal with the same bright future ahead of us. If we choose well, a long and promising career just may be ahead of us. At the same time, it’s incumbent upon all of us to lead from the front, if in a position of authority, lead from the side if a peer. If your job is to follow, then do that, and do it well. Take direction and make changes as need be to accomplish the mission in a way that everyone succeeds.

DevelopmentProfessionalreviews of books that teach us about our craftBy Joe Quimby | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

“our brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room”

15 | The Georgia Guardsman

B l a s t from the pastRome guardsmen capture fugitivesBy Elizabeth Blackstock | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

Timeline: Rome GuaRdsmen CapTuRe fuGiTives

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8While transporting two criminals convicted

of auto theft from Nashville, Tennessee to the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, a United States Marshal and a guard were overpowered by the criminals. The criminals killed the Marshal and took the guard hostage.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11The Adairsville sheriff, after waiting three

days for the fugitives to emerge from hiding, requested assistance from the Georgia National Guard.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 123:00 a.m., Companies E and F of the

122nd Infantry Regiment arrived in Adairsville to formulate and execute the search plan. Lieutenant Col. Buford A. Ingle divided the search area among his Guardsmen and dispatched the troops. After an hour and a half of careful searching, members of Company E’s second platoon heard muffled voices and prepared to engage. The hostage and the two criminals emerged with their hands up.

Nearly one month after the completion of their summer encampment, 140 Guardsmen of the 122nd Infantry Regiment were called upon to lead the search operation for two fugitive criminals. The Guardsmen from both Company E of Rome and Company F

of Cedartown worked diligently and found the criminals and their hostage within five days of their disappearance.

The fugitives were successfully transported to the Cartersville Jail and then to the Atlanta Penitentiary. Herbert Juelich and Lewis Larson were later incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, California.

Maj. Gen. Edgar C. Erickson, Chief, National Guard Bureau, wrote to Maj. Gen. Ernest Vandiver, the Adjutant General in 1953, to praise the 140 Guardsmen involved in the search effort.

“I have read with great satisfaction and pride the press accounts of the activity of the Georgia National Guard in connection with the capture of the two dangerous convicts who escaped from custody... I am sure the citizens of Georgia are proud of the response of the Citizen Soldiers in this serious emergency. Once again, the men of the Guard have proven their ability. Their performance reflects great credit on themselves and the National Guard, and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Guard. You will be interested to know the report of this achievement has been given front page coverage in the press throughout the United States. Such public notice enhances the prestige of the National Guard immensely. I would like to take this opportunity to whole-heartedly commend you and the men in the vanguard of the extensive manhunt.”

17 | The Georgia Guardsman

1914: EVE OF THE GREAT WAROne hundred years ago, the Georgia National Guard was

comprised of three infantry regiments and a separate infantry battalion, two squadrons of horse cavalry, a field artillery battalion, five coastal artillery companies and one field hospital; however with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, June 28, 1914, nations of the old empires of Europe were drawn inextricably into a war of unprecedented scope. As hostilities erupted, the Georgia Guard training tempo increased in anticipation of possible overseas involvement.

U.S. NEUTRALITYThe United States began the war as a neutral party. President

Woodrow Wilson’s official stance was to maintain neutrality in an effort to broker a peace. The 1915 sinking of the Lusitania by a German U-boat and the loss of 128 American passengers dealt a major blow to Wilson’s neutrality aspirations. When Germany agreed to halt U-boat attacks against passenger liners following Wilson’s objections to the Lusitania sinking, it appeared that the U.S. might manage to stay out of the war.

OPERATIONS ON THE MExICAN BORDERIn June 1916, President Wilson activated three regiments

of Georgia Infantry, a battery of artillery and five troops of cavalry under the National Defense Act and ordered them to the Mexican Border. The Guard troops had been mobilized due to border crossings and crimes of the bandit Pancho Villa. This first mobilization of the Georgia Guard in the 20th century would have lasting impact on the coming deployment to France.

In January 1917, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and In April 1917, Wilson asked Congress to approve a declaration of war. By April 18, 1917, Georgia stood fourth in recruiting with many of the volunteers coming from the ranks of those Guardsmen who had gained valuable experience at the

Mexican Border. By April 24, nearly 1,400 Georgia volunteers had enlisted.

Mobilization and training camps were established throughout Georgia. These included Camp Gordon in Atlanta, Camp Wheeler in Macon, Camp Benning in Columbus, Camp Hancock in Augusta and Camp Greenleaf near Fort Oglethorpe.

GEORGIANS IN THE 31ST DIVISIONGeorgia sent its three infantry regiments, cavalry troops, field

artillery battalion and field hospital with the 31st Dixie Division. The 31st Division trained at Camp Wheeler, 7 miles southeast of Macon, for more than a year.

The 1st Georgia Infantry converted six companies to serve as the 118th Field Artillery. Six additional companies of the 1st Georgia formed the 116th, 117th and 118th machine gun battalions.

The 5th Georgia Infantry converted to the 122nd Infantry with the addition of companies F, H and I of the 121st Infantry.

Georgia’s First Cavalry Squadron formed three separate units in the 31st Division. Troops B and K became the 106th Field Signal Battalion while Troops F and L along with headquarters and supply detachments served as the 106th Headquarters and Military Police. Troop A became the division headquarters troop.

Georgia’s Field Artillery served as the 116th and 117th field artillery.

The 1st Field Hospital based in Atlanta became the 106th Sanitary Train for the 31st Division.

Finally, the 2nd Georgia Regiment became the 121st Infantry, with the exception of three companies. Companies B, C and F would train separately and form the 151st Machine Gun Battalion, whose history is recorded below.

The 31st Division, set sail to join the war effort on September 16, 1918 and the last units of Georgia Guardsmen arrived in France November 9, 1918 just in time for the Armistice. The 31st ended the war at Brest France, its units never being committed to battle.

Georgia and the War to end All WarsBy Capt. Will Carraway| 161st Military History Detachment| Georgia Army National Gaurd

July 2014 | 18

151ST MACHINE GUN BATTALIONThe 151st was the only combat unit composed exclusively of

Georgia Guardsmen that would retain its designation throughout the war. The battalion arrived in France 581 strong as part of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division.

The 151st departed from the port of Hoboken, N.J. October 31, 1917 on the transport ship Agamemnon and reached Brest, France November 12, 1917. They traveled by rail – 40 men per boxcar for four days before reaching Vaucouleurs, France. For the next four months the battalion trained with their Hotchkiss machine guns before being dispatched to the front lines at Badonvillier and Ancervillier.

From March to November 1918, the 151st fought from the Baccarat Sector to the Champagne Marne Defensive where they suffered 69 casualties. In the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the 151st

suffered 175 casualties and an additional 54 casualties during the St. Mihel Offensive. The final month of the war saw the 151st as participants in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive where they remained in the front lines until November 10 – the day before the signing of the Armistice.

The Georgia Guardsmen of the 151st remained in Germany on occupation duty until April, 1919, and on April 14, 1919 boarded the U. S.S. Minnesota for the return voyage home.

During 18 months of service with the Allied Expeditionary Forces, the Georgia Guardsman of the 151st served on the front lines for 167 days and were within enemy artillery range for 194 days. The unit participated in 10 separate engagements and marched approximately 1,200 kilometers. Of the original 581 Georgians who departed for France 236 returned. The 151st suffered 443 casualties and nominated 36 Soldiers for the Distinguished Service Cross.

The 121st Infantry Regiment in formation before Camp Wheeler February 1, 1918. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Signal Company B of the 106th Field Signal Battalion pass and review at Camp Wheeler in 1918. Signal Company B became Troop B 108th Cavalry.

19 | The Georgia Guardsman19 | The Georgia Guardsman

Q: Will classes dropped for military reasons count towards the 16 semester hour limit?

A: If you have to drop a class due to unforeseen military reasons, those semester hours will not count towards your 16 semester hour fiscal year total. Note: Military withdrawal must be approved by a Soldier’s Education Services Officer to be valid.

Q: is ten years of service counted from the date i completed my bachelor’s or from the time i joined the army?

A: The ten-year policy for a graduate degree is based on when you entered the service and not on when you completed your bachelor’s degree.

Q. i am a member of the national Guard/Reserve, what type of days count toward post-9/11 Gi Bill benefits?

A. Any time you spend on Title 10 active duty, or under certain types of Title 32 orders, count toward eligible time for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Contact the VA for assistance in determining what types of active duty qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility.

Roadmap to resources

So m o s t

of us have heard of the GI Bill or tuition

assistance, but how do they really work? Seeing as school will be starting soon,

what should Georgia Guardsmen know about the GI Bill and TA? What are they eligible for? How do they receive

assistance? Many may be surprised how much information there is. Therefore, here is a guide to the education benefits. Let us

venture down this road to resources for education by beginning with what exactly are the GI

Bill and tuition assistance.

GI Bill- 1606 Selected reserve- 1607 REAP- 30 Active Duty- Post 9/11

Tuition Assistance- GA Army NG Soldier- Satisfactory drilling

By Desiree Bamba | Public Affairs Office | Georgia Department of Defense

July 2014 | 20july 2014 | 20

Q: is ten years of service counted from the date i completed my bachelor’s or from the time i joined the army?

A: The ten-year policy for a graduate degree is based on when you entered the service and not on when you completed your bachelor’s degree.

Q: What determines the eligibility for meeting the one year rule?

A: Eligibility for Federal TA will be based on one year of service from the completion of Initial Entry Training (IET). For enlisted Soldiers and most Warrant Officers this consists of Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). For commissioned officers, this is their Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC).

Q. i am a member of the national Guard/Reserve, what type of days count toward post-9/11 Gi Bill benefits?

A. Any time you spend on Title 10 active duty, or under certain types of Title 32 orders, count toward eligible time for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Contact the VA for assistance in determining what types of active duty qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility.

Q. are there types of Title 32, section 502(f) active duty that don’t qualify for the post-9/11 Gi Bill?

A. Currently, veterans can use Title 32 active duty time if it was for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training the National Guard, or for the purposes of responding to a national emergency as declared by the President.

So m o s t

of us have heard of the GI Bill or tuition

assistance, but how do they really work? Seeing as school will be starting soon,

what should Georgia Guardsmen know about the GI Bill and TA? What are they eligible for? How do they receive

assistance? Many may be surprised how much information there is. Therefore, here is a guide to the education benefits. Let us

venture down this road to resources for education by beginning with what exactly are the GI

Bill and tuition assistance.

now with all of this great knowledge, go out and conquer your degree!

Contact information:mr. Todd Brinkley todd.brinkley@us.army.mil678-569-5345

21 | The Georgia Guardsman

Around the GeorGiA GuArd

Shadowrun

Members of the 48th IBCT participate in the Shadowrun held at Camp Phoenix in conjunction with the Peachtree Road Race.

Civil diSturbanCe training

LaGrange, Ga - Staff Sgt. Chris Bagley of the 278th Military Police Company, Georgia Army National Guard conducts civil disturbance training with Soldiers of the 1177th Transportation Company and volunteers of the 5th Brigade Georgia State Defense Force.

July 2014 | 22

PeaCh State StarbaSe

Guardsmen met with students from STARBASE to try out the new rock climbing wall.

guard getS new aSv

A new member of the armored security vehicle (ASV) arsenal has joined the Georgia National Guard family. The U.S. Army M1200 Guardian ASV, or Armored Knight, is a laser wheeled vehicle with indirect artillery and munitions laser guidance capabilities.

Public Affairs OfficeGeorgia Department of Defense1000 Halsey Ave. Bldg. 447Marietta, Ga. 30060

185th teams with Georgia State PatrolGa Army Guard support