LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

Our time here is drawing to an end, and we need to keep some things in mind as we transition. First and foremost, safety should be on everyone’s mind as we prepare to redeploy. Please use caution in all that you do and stay focused on getting back home

in one piece. Your family and friends don’t need any more to worry about and neither does your Battalion Commander or Command Sergeant Major.Most of us on this deployment are M-Day Soldiers and have civilian jobs when we get home. However, if you’re unemployed or underemployed you should be using this time to get your resume together. Waiting until you return home will only delay finding a job, so use this time to your advantage. One of the resources you have available is www.operationhiredjibouti.com. This site works with National Guard and Reserve members to give you opportunities to get a job or find a better job. You can get help writing a resume, search job postings, and receive interview assistance. It’s worth a look and could make a difference in how quickly you find that job you’re after.Good luck in your job search, stay safe during these final few weeks, and congratulations to all you Louisville Cardinal fans. ~ Capt. RJ Hill

CPT’s Corner

When we look inward, we may think to ourselves, “Life is not as it should be.” This type of thinking causes our energy to be funneled toward repairing something that’s gone wrong. On the other hand, if we think of our problems as challenges

we send a different message. Instead of trying to repair a malfunction, our resources are recruited to search for a new opportunity. Seeing an experience as a challenge will focus our attention toward a positive outcome.We have embarked on the last leg of our deployment but we need to stay focused. The Soldiers of Task Force Longrifles have met every challenge, succeeded in every mission, and met each goal during our deployment. This does not mean we can rest on our laurels and coast the rest of our time in Africa. Work to keep yourself healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. Take time each day to develop yourself in each area. Continuous improvement will help make the remainder of our time here pass quickly and our transition to life back home easier. ~ Sgt. 1st Class Sean McCormick

SFC Thoughts

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Soldiers Get Special Visitors from Kentucky

Story and pictures by Capt. Daniel Van Horn, 2-138th FAR PAO

April 12, 2013Volume 1, Issue 25

You would think that after a 24-hour long flight, 8,000 miles, and 3 continents one would be tired and need time to relax. But that wasn’t the case for Peter Trzop, Pam Blaine, Doug Anderson, Jim Leash, and Anthony Noe who are all mem-bers of the world’s largest veterans association – The Ameri-can Legion.

The group had just traveled from Bardstown, Kentucky to Djibouti , Africa to talk with Task Force Longrifles Soldiers about the American Legion and its mission.

The Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans who had re-turned home after fighting in the trenches of World War 1. The mission of the legion is to protect, preserve, and expand US veteran and Soldier benefits.

Peter Trzop, post #121 commander and leader of the group had the idea of visiting the deployed troops in April of 2012.

“We knew that prior to the deployment the last thing Soldiers want is another briefing” Trzop said. “If we could meet the Soldiers during their deployment much of the stress associat-ed with leaving would be gone and it would be a better time to talk with them.”

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Members of American Legion Post #121 from Bard-stown, Kentucky visit Task Force Longrifles Soldiers to let them know how the American Legion will support them when they get home.

Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

Chaplain Reflections “The Lord is my Shepherd” is the beginning of the most recognized Psalm in the Bible. The Psalms are unique in the Scriptures because they help us find a voice to express deeply felt emotions. The writers of the Psalms seem all too human as they cry out to God expressing

personal failures, fears, discouragements, angers, calamities, and even hostile struggles with their enemies. Their writings seem to remind us of how fragile and inadequate we are in facing the demands of life. In short, they were very honest. Yet, in this state of mind we hear them calling out to God for help, clinging to the promises of God in spite of their personal darkness. In times of stress, you will find the Psalms can become personal companions. They can understand us like no one else. They will give us the promises we need to hear. They will even become the voice we need to find. ~ Chaplain Mark East

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Soldier to Soldier • The deadline to file taxes is April 15. If you need

to file for an extension, the website to do so is CombatZone@irs.gov . You will need to state that you are a Soldier deployed to Djibouti and qualify for combat zone tax exclusion, and you are requesting an extension for filing and paying your 2012 federal income tax.

• Soldiers, do not forget to visit http://operationhiredjibouti.com/ This website is designed to help Guardsmen find jobs upon returning from deployment.

Capt. Aaron Vansickle, C-Battery Commander, thought the visit would be a great opportunity for Soldiers not only in his Battery but also the entire Task Force to hear about the ben-efits of the Legion.

“The American Legion post in Bardstown has been a huge blessing to our unit,” Vansickle said. “To have them fly half-way around the world to visit and talk to our Soldiers demon-strates the level of support they have for us and our families.”

In July of 2012, the Legion raised enough money to pay for all of C-Battery and their families to enjoy a free ride on the famous RJ Corman, ‘My Old Kentucky Dinner Train’ out of Bardstown, Ky.

When the battery departed to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, the final stop before deploying to Africa, members of the Legion escorted the Soldiers the entire 150-mile journey on motor-cycles.

The Legion members all agreed that the coolest experience was seeing how close many Soldiers had become over the past 7 months and the camaraderie that they share on a day-to-day basis.

After numerous briefings that were open to all Soldiers of Task Force Longrifles, many signed up to become a member of this great organization.

“Many Soldiers wonder about the support they’ll receive when they get home after the deployment” Vansickle said.

However, all of his Soldiers now know that organizations such as the Legion will always have their back.

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - From left to right; Peter Trzop, Jim Leash, Anthony Noe, Pam Blaine, and Doug Anderson take a group picture at the Combat Cafe with the Kentucky flag flying proudly in the breeze on April 6th, 2013. Photo credit: Capt. Daniel Van Horn, PAO

Photo of the Week!

From left to right; Sgt. Vanmeter, Sgt. 1st Class Heady, took 1st place in the cornhole tour-nament while Staff Sgt. Miers, and Sgt. 1st Class Corbin took 3rd place.