Published for the Wyoming Military Department Community

Skiing withwounded veteransWyNG biathletes train Paralympians

Deployed airman continues studiesUW supports military

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INDEXGenerals leave lasting legacy ..................................... 4Skiing alongside wounded warriors ........................... 6Swanson brings outsider’s view to wing .................... 9Commission makes veterans No. 1 ......................... 10Grunstad leaves ........................................................ 12Heroes recognized at annual event ......................... 14Vet treatment court provides second chances ....... 16History corner............................................................. 22

CONTACT INFORMATIONPublic Affairs Office 307-772-5253Military Records 307-772-5239Wyoming Veterans Commission 307-777-8152Joint Operations Center 307-772-5112Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center 307-836-7810 Human Resources Office 307-772-5134Wyo. Army Guard retirement services 307-772-5422Wyo. Air Guard retirement services 307-772-6321

Cowboy Guard, a Wyoming National Guard newspaper publication, is produced quarterly by the Wyoming National Guard Public Affairs Office, Cheyenne, Wyo., in accordance with AR 360-1 and AFI 35-101. Contents of Cowboy Guard are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, National Guard Bureau or the State of Wyoming. Submissions are accepted via email at ng.wy.wyarng.pao-distribution@mail.mil. All submissions will be edited.

Cowboy GuardPublic Affairs Office5410 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, WY 82009307-772-5253

Wyoming’s Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner

Director of the Joint Staff Col. Gregory Porter

State Public Affairs Officer Ms. Deidre Forster

Deputy Public Affairs Officer Capt. Tom Blackburn

Joint Public Affairs Office staff Capt. Megan Hoffman Sgt. 1st Class James McGuire Mr. David Crane

Historian Staff Sgt. Dan Molineaux

153rd Air Wing Public Affairs: Capt. Cody Hawkins Master Sgt. Charles Delano Master Sgt. Leisa Grant Staff Sgt. John Galvin Staff Sgt. Charron Vedan Senior Airman Nichole Grady

Wyo. Army National Guard PAO Maj. Rebecca Walsh

Wyoming Joint Task Force PAO Capt. Tim Lockwood

197th Public Affairs Detachment: Capt. Christian Venhuizen Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent Sgt. Amanda Preddice Sgt. Trisha Pinczes Sgt. Christopher Kirk Sgt. Ashley Smith Visual Information Staff Sgt. Natashia Crocker

The Wyoming National Guard Child and Youth Program sponsored its first-ever Father/Daughter Winterland Dance Dec. 19, at the Holiday Inn in Cheyenne.

Military fathers and their daughters, ranging from ages 1 to 32, furthered their bond while enjoying ice breaking activities, desserts, and for some, dancing.

“It was awesome,” said Sgt. Maj. Steven Stough-ton, who attended with his 5-year-old daughter Soleah. “It was our first time going to a dance. My daughter loved it. It will be interesting to get the word out and watch this event grow each year. It’s a great experience.”

Child and Youth Program Coordinator Corissa Oze-kin said she thought it might be a success when she proposed the idea. She and her team got inspiration from the Nevada National Guard, which hosted a mother/daughter tea.

“We wanted to do something around the holidays and this seemed like a great chance for the girls to get dressed up and the dads to get dressed up and

do something fun together,” Ozekin said. “I remem-ber the times with my dad when I was younger, and we wanted to do something for the girls to remem-ber—and the dads too.”

Capt. Rodney Rogers and his daughter Tanner, 11, of Laramie, had fun.

“It was a good opportunity to teach her proper two-step and swing dancing techniques and eti-quette,” he said. “We danced back in our younger days at 4-H dances and Jubilee Days, but we’d never been to anything like this.”

On the cover: Lt. Col. Henry Cudney dances with his daughter Alyssa at the Wyoming National Guard Child and Youth Program’s Father/Daughter Win-ter Wonderland Dance.

Dance strengthens father/daughter bond

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A year of homecomings leads us into 2015I hope everyone had a joyous, restful holiday and is

reinvigorated going into the new year.Last year was an extremely

busy year, again. We wel-comed home the 187th AES , 30th AS, 133rd EN, and Det. 53. Hundreds of airmen and soldiers prevented floods across the state. Another great year by our Wyoming Guard.

Currently, we have the 153rd Airlift Wing deployed to Southwest Asia.

For many members of the 153rd it was another holiday spent away from their fami-lies. We thank the airmen and their families for their sacrifice and selfless service. We’ve previously told the families, but just to remind everyone, we are just a phone call away if someone needs our assistance.

Last fall, we conducted numerous TAG/Employee Town Halls, where I had the good fortune of interacting with the force and getting an azimuth check on our organiza-tion. These are very important meetings to me and the staff. We learn what we are doing well and we also learn where we can improve.

Specifically at last fall’s Town Hall I was pleased to see our message is getting out through social media. It was just a couple years ago, I couldn’t spell Flickr, Twitter, or Facebook, now it seems every day I see a picture online highlighting something a member of our force has done.

We polled the audience at the meetings: why do you like working for the Wyoming Military Department. The overwhelming feedback was the camaraderie and the people. I think this reflects what SCSM Allan, Chief Whipple and I have thought for our more than 100 years of combined service: people join the military for a myriad of reasons, but what keeps people in is the camaraderie and their fellow service members.

The major concern raised during the meetings was that we have too many mandatory briefings which cut into the time we can conduct Army and Air Force training. I hear you loud and clear. But, we must improve our out-comes before we can eliminate all mandatory briefings. For instance, once sexual assaults stop, big Army will cease the requirement for SHARP classes. That being said, I want commanders and noncommissioned officers to ensure we conduct valuable, challenging and demand-ing training at drill weekend.

I thank you all for your service. I’m extremely proud to serve with you and look for another great year protecting Wyoming at home and abroad.

Ride for the Brand!

Maj. Gen. Luke ReinerAdjutant General - Wyoming

Generally Speaking

UW professors allow student to study abroadAirman continues studies at UW during Qatar deploymentBy Capt. Megan HoffmannPublic Affairs SpecialistWyoming National Guard

There is something comforting about growing up in Wyoming. Although the state sprawls over thou-sands of square miles, it hosts a plethora of small-towns that are so close-knit residents consider one another family rather than neighbors or acquain-tances. With this family-feel comes a generosity that’s unusual in today’s culture.

Chelsea Nelson, a Laramie resident, has personal-ly felt the generosity of the Cowboy State, especially when it comes to the local community supporting members of the Wyoming National Guard.

Nelson, who initially joined the Wyoming Air Na-tional Guard in 2010 to take advantage of the tu-ition assistance program, has received much more than she initially bargained for.

As a staff sergeant in the 187th Airlift Squadron, at the 153rd Airlift Wing in Cheyenne, Nelson is fully qualified to perform aircrew life support and was notified that there was a possibility that she might deploy to Qatar in October with more than 150 personnel from the 153rd Airlift Wing, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Nelson, who is also a University of Wyoming stu-dent, was alerted five weeks prior to the scheduled departure that she would be deploying. She quickly realized that in order to maintain her planned graduation timeline of spring 2015, she would need to stay in her classes while deployed for more than 90 days. See SUPPORT page 17

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By Staff Sgt. Dan MolineauxHistorianWyoming National Guard

Two retired Wyoming National Guard generals passed away this year, leaving a legacy of nearly 60 combined years of service. Wyoming Air National Guard retirees Brig. Gen. Roy “Bud” Cooper, former acting adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Vernon E. Baldeshwiler, former assistant adjutant general, both rose through the officer ranks of the active duty military prior to joining the Wyoming Air Guard.

Both generals would go on to become highly influ-ential and important one-star generals in the Wyo-ming National Guard. After their service to the Guard, both men continued to involve themselves heavily in the af-fairs of the local community and military operations.

The two generals both entered into military service at young ages with Cooper at-tending Army Air Corps train-ing in 1942 at 21. He would earn his commission in 1944 after attending basic and advanced training, and as a second lieutenant flew P-51 Mustangs with the Eighth Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He would compile more than 200 combat flying hours.

Baldeshwiler would follow Cooper nearly 10 years later, earning his wings after attending primary, ba-sic and advanced pilot training in 1954, and would spend the next two years flying a variety of missions in and around the various airfields of Japan and Southeast Asia.

Cooper and Baldeshwiler had impressive careers, both on active duty in the Army Air Corps and Air Force, and during their time with the Wyoming Air National Guard.

Flying during World War II would be just the begin-ning for Cooper. Throughout his career, he would be a combat pilot during the Korean War and would fly numerous support missions throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War in a C-121 Constella-tion. Regarding his time in Asia, Cooper once said

“I think our mission with the C-121 Constellation when we were flying passengers and cargo were the happiest days of the Wyoming Air National Guard, we had an important part in the medical evacuation of the wounded and that gave us a feeling of being needed and wanted.”

Baldeshwiler would also have a series of flying adventures prior to joining the WyANG, including dropping 55-gallon drums filled with emergency sup-plies to trapped scientists on the lip of Mt. Fuji in Japan, and working for several years as a test pilot at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Cooper joined the WyANG in 1946, an initial member in the newly formed Wyoming Air National Guard. He moved from the wing-level to command the Wyoming Air National Guard, as assistant ad-jutant general, from November 1964 – July 1965. During that time he also served as acting adjutant general.

Baldeshwiler joined the Wyoming unit in 1965. He became Air Guard commander when he was named as the assistant adjutant general in 1984.

He served in that role for six years.

The wealth of knowledge that these two early fliers brought to the WyANG is immeasurable. They flew a wide variety of aircraft in all manner of situations; both in combat and the civilian airline sector. Both Cooper and Baldeshwiler shared this knowledge and passion

with their fellow guardsman during their careers in Wyoming.

When asked about the lives and careers of these two early pilots and former one-star generals, cur-rent Wyoming Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. K. Luke Reiner remarked, “These two men were giants in the history of the guard, we stand on the shoulders of these pilots and will always be appreciative of their sacrifices.”

Not only were these two gentlemen outstanding representatives of their branch of service, they were both respected and ad-

Generals leave lasting legacy for WyNG

See GENERALS page 21

Brig. Gen. Roy (Bud) Cooper

Brig. Gen. Vern Baldeshwiler

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I’m going to be talking about the new NCOER. What you need to know is the new software is called EES (Evaluation Entry System).

As you know, more and more the Army is using digital formatting for training and evaluation. In some ways this will make our jobs easier, but the computer program can be challenging to learn at first. As always, I know you will be able to figure this out, because I have ultimate faith in the innovative nature of Wyoming NCOs. The best way to defeat this monkey is to do the online 45-minute train-ing session. This has been verified by the officers who already use this program on their OER process.

The new NCOER is in line with current leadership doc-trine ADP 6-22, Army Leadership. It encourages coun-seling through a new support form. I’ve always believed when we improve counseling we build better leaders. There are actually three new forms, one for sergeants, one for E6-E8, and one for E9s.

The E5 form focuses on developmental skills, the next focuses on organizational items and the E9 form is more strategically focused. The assessment format seeks rat-er comments differently, as well. E5-E8 includes bullet comments; the E9 forms use narrative comments. How-ever, the senior rater provides narratives for all NCOs.

The rater assesses performance and the senior rater assesses potential, and must counsel a minimum of twice during the rating period.

As of right now I have sent a Power Point to all SGM/CSMs to begin the education process. I expect them to ensure all NCOs get this training.

As soon as the training link becomes hot, the G-3 will send it out via the FragOrd system. Currently this is due to go live first quarter of FY 2016. There is a move afoot to delay this for a year, but do not count on that, train this year!

We will have two slots at the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The course will be a “train the trainer” course, so they can return and make us smart. The G-1, G-3, and I will decide who goes to this coveted course.

Let me close by saying I hope you enjoyed this holiday season, and don’t let a day go by without telling the people you love how much you care about them, life is short! Your professionalism never ceases to amaze me.

Command Sgt. Maj. Tom AllanState Command Sergeant Major

From My Foxhole

New year, new NCOERsIs it time to get your financial house in order? Do

you live from paycheck to paycheck? Do you have problems meeting your financial obligations?

If you answered yes to just one of those ques-tions then you probably should take a serious look at your finances.

Most people who are having financial difficulties just don’t know where or how to begin to get their finances in order.

My advice: start by cre-ating a budget.

I know many people look at creating, and sticking to a budget as something extremely difficult to do, but most financial advisors consider a good practi-cal budget to be the first step, and your best friend when getting your financial house in order.

A budget is a great way to get a grasp on your spending and to make sure you’re meeting your short-term as well as your long-term financial objec-tives.

As a general rule, creating a budget requires three steps:

1: Figure out where you’re spending your money now.

2: Assess your current spending habits and set financial goals that take into account your long-term objectives.

3: Track your spending to make sure it stays within your short and long term financial objectives.

Once you have a budget in place and have tracked your actual spending habits for a couple of months you probably want to review your budget and fine tune it. Often times it takes multiple reviews and fine tuning to get a good budget that suits your lifestyle.

If you need help setting up a budget, the Wyoming Military Department has a couple of options. You can use Military OneSource or you can contact our financial advisor Glenn Lyons at S-FERST office at 307-772-5362.

Chief Master Sgt. Bill Whipple State Command Chief

Master Sergeant

The Chief’s Corner

Find financial success

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Story and photos by Maj. Rebecca WalshPublic Affairs OfficerWyoming Army National Guard

Army veteran Bryan Price glides gracefully across the snow on Casper Mountain.

His ski poles dig into the deep powder and then, using nothing but his upper body strength, he quickly lifts them out of the snow and plants them firmly into the ground again. He repeats this cycle, building mo-mentum as he flies down the cross-country ski trails at the Casper Mountain Nordic Center.

Price is an elite athlete of world-class caliber. But, Price cannot use his legs. The retired Army staff sergeant was wounded in Iraq in 2006 after being hit by a roadside bomb on a

routine patrol. A broken back left him paralyzed, but not defeated.On the ski trails Price is strapped into a seat that is attached to two cross-country skis. On his sit-ski Price

represented Team USA at the Winter Paralympic Games last held in Socchi, Russia. Price said he didn’t expect to make the Paralympic team. “It really surprised me,” he said. “I was just going out there to learn as much as I could about racing and

after the races the coaches came up to me and told me that I had made the team.”Price epitomizes the Warrior Ethos, “I will never accept defeat. I will never quit.” He has his sights set on

Skiingwith wounded warriors

Above: Marine veteran Jataya Taylor moves her sit-ski into position and takes aim during a training session on Casper Mountain, in November.Left: Members of the Wyoming National Guard Biathlon Team pose with Paralyp-ians and trainers during a joint training on Casper Mountain, Nov. 20.

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with wounded warriors

competing in the next Paralympic Games sched-uled to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018.

Recently members of the Wyoming National Guard Biathlon Team had the opportunity to train with Price and other athletes on the U.S. Para-lympic Biathlon Team during a training camp in Casper, Wyoming.

Biathlon has been called the most challenging of all Olympic sports.

Even for an able-bodied athlete it’s difficult to combine the strength, speed and endurance of cross-country skiing with the quiet, Zen-like focus of rifle marksmanship.

But adaptive athletes on the Paralympic team, like Price, don’t seem to mind the challenge.

“I absolutely love biathlon, it’s really changed my life,” he said.Of the 13 adaptive athletes at the training camp, 12 of them were military veterans.According to Wyoming National Guard Biathlon team member 1st Lt. Ken Miech, the experience of work-

ing with athletes who were missing an arm, paralyzed from the chest down, or blind, hit home, especially those who were wounded in combat.

“As a medevac pilot it helps to be able to see these guys after we’ve taken care of them,” he said. “We see them in their darkest hour and it’s nice to see them again.”

Just the fact that the team is able to call Casper Mountain home is significant. In many ways that can be attributed to retired Col. Harry Brubaker who skied on the Wyoming National Guard biathlon team from 1978 to 1996.

Thirty years ago he had a vision to work with the community to build a world-class Nordic ski and biathlon facility on the mountain.

According to Brubaker, having the Paralympic team on the mountain with able-bodied athletes skiing alongside adaptive athletes is really the essence of the sport.

Wyoming National Guard biathlete Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Roberts agrees.

“This week skiing with the Paralympic team has changed my life,” he said. “Each one of them is determined not to let their disabilities stop them.”

A unique partnership has formed between the Paralympic team and coaching staff, as well as athletes on the Wyoming National Guard Biathlon Team. A partnership where National Guard members are able to give back to the wounded warrior community and in return are able to learn more about the sport from their adaptive biathlon counter-parts.

“We hope to be able to get out to more of these training camps and support athletes like Price in their quest to make the next Paralympic team,” said Roberts.

Above: Marine veteran Jataya Taylor moves her sit-ski into position and takes aim during a training session on Casper Mountain, in November.Left: Members of the Wyoming National Guard Biathlon Team pose with Paralyp-ians and trainers during a joint training on Casper Mountain, Nov. 20.

Bryan Price, a member of the Paralympic biathlon team, charges his way up a hill, propelling his body with his upper body strength during a train-ing camp on Casper Mountain, Nov. 20.

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Story by Sgt. Trisha PinczesPublic Affairs Specialist197th Public Affairs Detachment

Lt. Col. Bob Fisk realizes his job comes with a cer-tain stigma.

As the acting command inspector general for the Wyoming National Guard, he is used to his presence making people uncomfortable.

Therefore, Fisk’s goal is to help members under-stand what his role actually is while making it less awkward to be in the same room with him.

“The purpose of the inspector general is to be the standard bearer,” said Fisk. “We ensure that every-body follows regulatory guidance, whether it is the leader or the subordinate, and everybody does things right per Army (and Air) regulations.”

Part of the IG’s responsibilities include reviewing policies the adjutant general releases and guarantee-ing everyone understands the guidance.

“We are the eyes and ears of the adjutant general and we are really upholding his policies,” Fisk said. “That is our primary role, to ensure that everyone is following those policies.”

Fisk encourages anyone looking for information or advice to utilize the IG’s open door policy, saying he is available and willing to help soldiers at any time.

Guard members often have questions on how to ap-proach a situation, Fisk said. Unfortunately, many fear seeking out the IG because they are concerned about possible repercussions, but he assures them there are more options than they realize when coming to him for guidance.

“Just because you ask the IG a question, that does not constitute an IG investigation,” clarified Fisk. “We are here to assist everybody from the lowest ranking soldier all the way to the TAG.”

However, before involving the IG, it is important to work a situation with one’s unit. Fisk advised that when units work together, issues can often be solved before they go as far as an investigation.

“At any point, I do say that if you have an issue, you need to utilize your chain of command first,” Fisk said. “Give your commander the chance to work the issue at his or her level and if the commander has challeng-es then you can utilize the IG for assistance.”

Having the correct information and documents sup-porting the claim can also help them find a solution in a timely manner.

“If the chain cannot get it resolved, then what you need to bring to the IG is supporting documentation,” he said. “The more information you can provide, the simpler it is to come to a resolution.”

Sometimes an issue is simply an unfamiliar situa-tion. When the chain of command itself does not know where to begin looking for answers, the IG is always a viable option.

“A commander for example, may have an issue that he or she doesn’t know or doesn’t have the time to chase down what regulation or process to follow,” Fisk said. “They can then come and ask the IG and we will give them advice.”

The IG is able to conduct investigations and make recommendations, but the decision always falls back on the chain of command to find a resolution and fol-low through.

Of course, not all issues can be solved or worked through with the IG. Some issues do not require the IG at all, but he is able to provide guidance.

“We can’t take care of everything,” said Sgt. 1st Class Joe Buckholz Jr., the assistant inspector general. “There are certain processes for some of the issues, and other ones where if you come to us with a prob-lem, we will tell you regulatory guidance.”

Resolutions to problems will always fall in line with policy regardless of who presents the issue.

“We will give you what the regulation says,” Buckholz said. “You may or may not like it.”

Helping anyone look-ing for guidance and resolutions to unsolved problems is why the inspector general posi-tion was created. Fisk said asking questions before a problem presents is more productive than waiting until a problem is cre-ated and then trying to fix it.

“If everybody would do the right thing by regulation, we would not have any work as the IG,” Fisk said. “So if you have questions, come to the IG and ask, don’t shoot from the hip.

“Don’t assume you know the right answer. Make sure you look in the regulation, get the right answer, and don’t put personal feelings into action you’re tak-ing against someone. Go by regulation.”

IG keeps Wyo. Guard on the up & up

Sgt. 1st Class Joe Buckholz Jr.Assistant Inspector General

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By Meredith VincentPublic Affairs InternWyoming National Guard

Col. Bradley Swanson’s career has taken him not only all around the country, but around the world. From Oklahoma to England to Washington, D.C. to Saudi Arabia, he has flown in every hemisphere of the globe. And considering that, he is still trepidatious about his new home’s notorious weather. A new Wyo-ming transplant, Swanson says his experience here has been very positive and welcoming, but added in October, “The winter’s not here yet.”

By the time this story runs, the winter weather will have indeed moved in and Swanson, the new com-mander for the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing, will have experienced a new culture shock to add to his growing repertoire. Thankfully, new sur-roundings are nothing new to the well-versed pilot.

Swanson’s career as a pilot and officer for the U.S. Air Force began in his home state of Oklahoma in 1989, when he commissioned out of Oklahoma State University and went on to pilot training at Vance Air Force Base. For the last 25 years, he served in the Air Force in one way or another. He was a reservist while living in California, but following Sept. 11, 2001, Swanson decided he wanted to get back into flying and joined the Oklahoma National Guard. Eventually, he would work for the National Guard Bureau in Wash-ington, D.C., an assignment that ultimately led to his appointment in Cheyenne as wing commander.

Although his background is tinged with fighter experi-

ence versus C-130s, Swanson believes at the heart of every command is the people. While the mission changes, Swanson says, the people do not.

“I think in the end, the position is all about people,” he said. “And people aren’t that much different. Whether it’s an airlift wing, tanker wing, fighter wing, reconnaissance wing, intel wing – we all put our uni-form on every day wanting to serve our country.”

The colonel does admit there are differences in the mission, but says the subtleties are miniscule when compared with the larger picture.

“There are cultural differences, and a lot of that is because the missions are so different,” he explained. “And what it takes to prepare for that mission is differ-ent. In the end, all the responsibilities are the same...your primary job as an aviator is to be ready to deploy, is to be ready to do the mission, in whatever shape that takes.”

Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Mike Ab-bott, met Swanson before the colonel was selected to become the new wing commander, when Swanson was still with the National Guard Bureau. Abbott says Swanson brings a new, proactive way of thinking to the wing.

“He understands the big strategic picture that’s out there,” Abbott said. “Not only from a wing standpoint but from an NGB standpoint and a National Guard standpoint, he brings that kind of experience here to the wing.”

Swanson’s main focus for the wing is mission readi-ness for deployments. The wing’s primary mission is supporting the state and the nation in the event of any emergencies, so ensuring his airmen are ready for possible deployments is a priority.

“We just sent four aircraft out the door recently, so we’re actually deploying,” he said. “We’re doing that mission. I think that’s always been a strength about the 153rd Airlift Wing – being able to deploy combat airlift. That’s a strength, that our Airmen step up to the job and when they get in theater, they do the job right.”

The deployment sent more than 100 airmen to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, to support U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq by providing tactical air missions.

Swanson took command in July, back when the skies were blue and the sun was abun-

Swanson brings an outsider’s view to wing

See COMMANDER page 18

Photo by Master Sgt. Charles DelanoCol. Bradley Swanson, 153rd Airlift Wing commander, addresses deploying members of the unit and their families on Oct. 28.

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WVC outposts make veterans

priority #1Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy McGuirePublic Affairs SpecialistWyoming National Guard

Wyoming is home to a lot of military veterans, and many of them live in places far from the cities. A lot of veterans do not know they are entitled to benefits related to their military service and or maladies that may have originated from that service.

In some cases, veterans feel they don’t deserve

entitlements; others never thought about checking on benefits until a friend or family member urged them to do so; and still others determine years later to revisit their benefits.

This is why the Wyoming Veterans Commission and the Wyoming Military Department make it simple and efficient for veterans to get answers to questions about benefits with outreach offices

spread throughout the state’s rural areas, in addi-tion to a primary office in Cheyenne.

Bob Stall, state veterans service officer with the Wyoming Veterans Commission, can be found in Guernsey, Torrington or Wheatland on any given day.

His counterparts provide the same service throughout many of the state’s other small towns. Their service is free and confidential to all veterans seeking assistance.

“The rural nature of Wyoming may make it difficult for veterans in the smaller com-munities to make it to the bigger cities, and (veterans) don’t really know what’s available for them,” Stall said. “So we take the opera-tion on the road. That’s our job, to let them know what’s available and to seek them out.”

While he encourages vets to address issues early and, for the younger ones, as they occur, Stall said a lot of veterans balk at in-vestigating their benefits because they feel they didn’t have it as bad as someone else “over there,” or they have kept secret, some-times for decades, what they went through, or they just don’t trust the system.

“But as time passes on, they may come to realize they should

look into it, and that’s where the Wyoming Veterans Commission comes in and makes its services avail-able to those vets,” he explained. “Sometimes in the rural communities, there is a trust factor. They have been holding onto things for a long time and never shared it with anyone. They may feel the need to visit a few times and get to know us, and build that trust. That’s why we do outreach.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a good example

Capt. Tyler Schiele, walks with his daughter upon returning to Laramie in February, from a deployment to Bahrain, where he commanded the 133rd Engineer Company.

11

of an ailment veterans often do not want to discuss, even if its symptoms are negatively affecting their lives. Friends and family are often times key in en-couraging the veteran to visit the WVC.

“It’s very difficult to get some of these soldiers to step up and accept the fact that maybe they do have PTSD and file a claim for it,” Stall said. “To get them to go to a psychiatrist and get an official diag-nosis can be difficult. If we feel they may, and they feel they may, then we kind of let the VA do that process. Through the compensation and pension exam, let them determine if it is PTSD or just de-pression or something like that, and let them make those calls. It can be a touchy situation.”

David Call, of Wheatland, served as a Marine less than a year in March of 1969. He was shot in the chest during a North Vietnamese ambush after five months and three days in country.

“We got our (butt) whipped. There was 26 of us, and 13 of us lived,” Call recalled. “I laid there for five and a half hours with a hole in my chest. We had three medevac helicopters shot down, but they

finally dragged us out of there.”

Call said he spent the next few months in three different medical facilities before being offered the option of leav-ing the corps. Unlike many vets, he filed for his VA benefits right away. Although he qualified, he said he didn’t see any of his 40 percent dis-ability compensation for about seven years. After 20 years, his disability was increased to 50 percent by the VA.

In 2013, a friend of Call’s suggested he talk with Stall. The two, met at the doughnut shop in Wheatland. Stall suggested they reopen his file and see if they could improve on his benefits.

“He did a lot of paperwork, and got me up to 70 percent,” Call said of Stall’s effort. “I appreciate the man for doing it. He knows what to do and who to talk to and what strings to pull. I really recommend him.”

While there is no guarantee that a veteran will receive benefits from the VA, their odds increase significantly by going through the WVC rather than trying to file on their own.

“It’s quite a difficult process,” Stall said. “I’d say, and this is a shot in the dark, there is an 80 percent failure rate; or people don’t quite get the outcome they were hoping for simply because government forms are hard to understand and people might not understand what they are actually looking for. Wording some-thing wrong could be the difference in the outcome of a claim.”

Capt. Tyler Schiele, director of public works at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, and a Guernsey resident, recently returned from his second overseas deployment. His first was in 2003 when he went to Kuwait and Iraq as an enlisted air traffic controller.

He was commander of the 133rd Engineer Com- See WVC page 20

Left: Bob Stall, state veterans outreach officer, travels the state to ensure Wyoming veterans get their entitled benefits.Above: David Call, a Vietnam veteran, from Wheatland, saw his ben-efits increase after meeting with a Wyoming Veterans Commission outreach officer.

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Airman leaves legacy for next generationBy Capt. Megan HoffmannPublic Affairs SpecialistWyoming Military Department

As a small boy, Dennie Grunstad knew he wanted to fly. It was in his family – in his blood. His father was a flight engineer in the Air Force, so naturally he wanted to follow in his footsteps. That’s why when he attended the U.S. Air Force Academy straight out of high school in 1977 to become a pilot; it was no surprise to those who knew him well.

Grunstad graduated the academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1981 and was stationed at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas, as a T-38A instructor. Over the course of the next eight years he had several assignments, to include one at Clark Air Force Base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, but nothing seemed to be the right fit or assignment for him. In 1989 he left active duty to pursue being a pilot in the ci-vilian sector with U.S. Airways.

Shortly after being hired, U.S. Airways started furlough-ing their employees, and Grunstad soon found himself unemployed and struggling to find somewhere he could utilize his unique skill set. As he began his employment search again, he remem-bered that he had heard good things about the 153rd Airlift Wing from a few academy buddies who had joined the unit. He made a call to his friend, Harold Reed, who at the time held the rank of major in the unit and worked as the operations group com-mander. Grunstad, who left active duty as a captain, made the trip to Cheyenne to interview for a tradi-tional position as a line pilot and was hired shortly thereafter.

Grunstad hit the ground running as soon as he arrived at the 153rd in 1991, and has never slowed down. During his 20-plus years at the wing, he has served in numerous positions, to include evalua-tor pilot, flight commander, chief pilot, operations support flight commander, operations group com-mander, wing vice commander, and wing command-er. From the wing, he moved to the Wyoming Air

National Guard headquarters, serving as air liaison officer and, ultimately commanding the Wyoming Air National Guard as assistant adjutant general.

During his illustrious career, people could assume his biggest achievement would be his more than 4,100 flight hours or the fact that he is qualified to fly the T-38A and the C-130B, E, and H3 airframes and has been doing so for more than 27 years. How-ever, none of his accomplishments in the aircraft are what meant the most to him during his career.

“What I am most proud of in my career would be helping people out,” Grunstad said. “Being the wing commander is the best job in the whole world because really you are working for everybody in the whole unit. It’s great because you can really prove what you do can shape the direction the unit is

going and help people out in their careers. There is no bet-ter job than that.”

Those who know Grunstad well agree he loved the peo-ple in the Wyoming Air Guard more than any aircraft or job that he has ever held.

“What stands out most to me is that he was the first tra-ditional officer in a long time to step up and take a senior

leadership position,” said Brig. Gen. Stephen Rader, Wyoming Air National Guard chief of staff. “He is one of the few guys who over the years has stepped up to take leadership positions and taken care of his people by always showing up and working addi-tional days and dealing with the issues that needed to be dealt with.”

Not only does his work ethic stand out, but his mental and physical sharpness are also excellent.

“His memory is phenomenal,” Rader said. “He will meet a person for the first time and talk to them about their family and job and then run into them a year later and will remember the specifics of the conversation he had with you. He just cares about people. He is also an avid runner who has complet-ed several major marathons and runs an average of 10-12 miles daily.”

However, to Grunstad there See GRUNSTAD page 22

Col. Dennie Grunstad, in June 2006.

Col. Dennie Grunstad, in 2014.

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meaning I like to take the back roads and see what is interesting, kind of like “Travel with Charlie” by John Steinbeck. Of course, my dog must accompany me. Reading is right up there on that list also. Nothing better camping, reading and hanging out with my dog - makes for some perfect time spent. LC: Spending time with my grandsons, sitting on the beach, working in my yard, cross stitching, reading and being on the security committee for Cheyenne Frontier Days.

If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?PM: That people would accept the differences in other people and embrace them instead of fighting them. That I could have got to meet Charlie Chaplin; he was a genius and that would have been so cool! And that I would never have started smoking. It’s a bad habit to break. LC: My family, friends and myself to be blessed with health and happiness throughout our lives. All six correct numbers, at the same time, on the Powerball, Mega Millions or lottery -- I would do great things with the winning money, besides having fun. And Matthew McConaughey.If you could hold any job you wanted, what would it be, and why?PM: I really love the job I have, but if it would need to be something different, I guess I would like to be an attorney and have enough money to do a lot of pro bono work. LC: I would enjoy working at Disney World. I would be able to enjoy Disney and also be close enough to spend a lot of time at the beach. Where do you see yourself in 20 years?PM: In my camper, just hanging out and meeting new people along the way.LC: I will be traveling as much of the world as possible. Finish this sentence: I think the most important thing in life is...PM: Happiness, however you find it. Find the good in everything you possibly can. LC: Remember to spend the time with the people you love and doing thing you love. Don’t wait to start your bucket list until you retire -- work on it every day. Work shouldn’t be your full life, it should pay for your full life. If you do these things, your regrets in life should be few.

How long have you worked for the agency?PM: I have been employed with the Wyoming Military Department since March of 2004. LC: I transferred from the Wyoming Department of Transportation in April 2006. I have been a state employee since 1987. What is your current job title/position?PM: Environmental Specialist.LC: Senior Human Resources Associate. I process the payroll actions, benefits, new employee processing and recently have started training for military state employees on state information and benefits. What other positions have you held with us?PM: None. LC: I helped with the AGAUS conference in Jackson in 2009. What is your favorite thing about working here?PM: I love working at Camp Guernsey - there is so much activity, it keeps you on your toes. During the summer months, the camp’s population, with everyone training, is sometimes three times larger than the population of the town of Guernsey. There is a real feel of belonging and being a part of something great, and everyone pulls together and gets the job done. I really hate to sound corny, but it is like a huge family working together to make something happen. LC: I like working with the people. Working in Human Resources gives you the privilege to work with people on a daily basis. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?PM: Pick your battles. If you really believe in something, go after it with everything you have. However, try to be a devil’s advocate to see all sides of the situation. Try to resolve an issue with that in mind. LC: To do the best I can and not expect more from myself than doing my best. Also, take time to breathe -- sometimes you just need to take a step back and breathe. What are your favorite hobbies? PM: I like to travel and camp but at a slow pace,

Meet the

Editor’s note: Each edition we spotlight two Wyoming Military Department employees by asking them a series of 10 questions. This month we chose state employees Pam McClure and Lori Cole.

MilitaryDepartment

Pam McClureEnvironmental Specialist

Lori ColeHuman Resources

Specialist

14

Heroes recognized during annual receptionEvery year the Wyoming National Guard recognizes he-

roic acts performed in a non-duty status by its members.Recently five soldiers and airmen were chosen as “He-

roes Among Us” and presented with trophies and con-gratulations from Gov. Matt Mead and Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner, Wyoming’s adjutant general, during the annual Governor’s Reception at Little America in Cheyenne, Oct. 25, 2014.

“It’s important to recognize the contributions our soldiers and airmen make to Wyoming, in and out of uniform,” said Reiner.

“I am very proud of our men and women who take their military mission to safeguard our fellow Wyoming resi-dents to heart. Recognizing these heroes is an impor-tant part of our annual celebration.”

The 2014 awardees were: Sgt. Clive Rieke of the Wyoming Army National

Guard’s 1041st Engineer Multi-role Bridge Company, was preparing for the upcoming drill with the 1041st when he heard a bang. He instantly knew that it was a bullet primer going off. He immediately went to his roommate’s room and when he opened the door he saw his room-mate with a rifle and he was visibly upset. His roommate

became argumentative and was uncontrollable. Using zip ties, Rieke was able to constrain and restrict

his roommate from continuing to hurt himself or others. Rieke acted immediately and was able to prevent a

possible suicide, however his action after the incident is what I feel should be commended, said his nominator, Capt. Daniel Johnson.

Following this incident Rieke was able to continue to help and assist his roommate even after moving out. He organized a support group and meets weekly with his ex-roommate to work on any issue that may come up. He continually checks in with his friend and has established a bond beyond being just roommates. His quick thinking

and genuine care and concern for a fellow human being has improved his ex-roommate’s life.

Wyoming Air National Guard Senior Airman Jeremiah A. Voyles, of the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron. Voyles was in the midst of completing one of his daily duties at EchoStar, his civilian workplace, in Cheyenne, when he was startled by a sudden explosion in close proximity.

Voyles discovered that a coworker had been transfer-ring refrigerant from a large canister to a smaller metal canister, when the smaller canister exploded.

The explosion drove metal shrapnel deep into his coworker’s arm, chest and abdomen, causing severe lacerations and partial amputation of the right thumb, resulting in profuse arterial bleeding.

Voyles leapt into action and implemented his military Self Aid Buddy Care training (reviewed just weeks be-fore during his unit’s bivouac to Pole Mountain). Voyles properly identified the injury as critically dangerous arterial bleeding and with blood still gushing out of his coworker’s arm at an alarming rate, the airman instinc-tually removed his belt and used it to tourniquet his coworker’s arm. He then began treating his coworker for shock, trying to keep his failing vital signs from dropping any further.

Without Voyles’ quick reaction and brave choice to use an improvised tourniquet to stop the arterial bleeding, medical personnel confirmed that his coworker likely would not have survived the incident.

Wyoming Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kevin Thomas, of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 115th Field Artillery Brigade, assisted an older couple on Interstate 80 after their vehicle rolled over in snowy conditions.

Thomas was nominated by Lt. Col. Matt Greene, per-sonnel officer with Joint Force Headquarters.

Greene said Thomas demonstrated the highest levels of the citizen-soldier ethos and Army values when he rescued the two people.

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Thomas was driving to drill eastbound on I-80 on Dec. 7, 2013, when the vehicle in front of him, a truck towing a camper trailer, swerved and crashed on the side of the highway. The vehicle rolled over with its driver side down.

Thomas and another motorist immediately pulled over to render aid. Thomas entered the vehicle from the rear passenger side, and relying upon his Army training as an emergency medical technician, assessed the elderly couple’s medical condition.

After he determined that both were alert and orien-tated, Thomas concluded that the greatest threat to the couple was the extreme cold. He decided they should exit their vehicle and be moved to his vehicle where they could stay warm and out of the elements.

He assisted the driver out of the rear passenger door, but the passenger did not have the strength to exit from the rear passenger seat. Subsequently, Thomas as-sessed the vehicle for possible extrication options and saw from the rear window of the vehicle that a sledge-hammer had fallen out of the bed of the truck.

Thomas gave the sledgehammer to the other driver who had pulled over and directed him to use the sledge-hammer to break the windshield so the passenger could exit the vehicle through the windshield.

Thomas covered the passenger to prevent injury from the broken glass and then guided the passenger to his vehicle.

While waiting for Wyoming Highway Patrol, Thomas had both passengers sit in his car to stay warm as he con-tinuously monitored their conditions.

Due to the road conditions and numerous accidents on Interstate 80, Wyoming Highway Patrol arrived on the scene an hour later to call for a tow truck. Upon the tow truck’s arrival, Thomas drove the couple to Rock Springs and found them lodging at a hotel.

Senior Airman Tony Blue-Gamble of the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Security Forces Squadron, was driving home to Lander following a winter drill weekend and encountered an overturned SUV in the median near

Douglas, on I-25.As he approached the vehicle he heard screaming and

children crying. He climbed to the driver’s side of the vehicle, which was facing upward, and was able to open the door. He entered the vehicle, unbuckled the two children, whom were in the back seat and climbed out with them.

An unidentified civilian stopped at the scene and of-fered to put the children in his heated car. He then called 911, and helped Blue-Gamble extract the pregnant driver from the SUV.

At that point, a group of soldiers, including a medic who triaged the driver, stopped and secured the area, until highway patrol and emergency medical personnel arrived.

Blue-Gamble was nominated by Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Rhodes.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Laird, then with Head-quarters and Headquarters Battery 2nd Battalion, 300th

Field Artillery, confronted one of the most horrific scenes a parent could possibly imagine at approximately five minutes after midnight on June 5, 2014.

On a deserted road in Big Horn County near Greybull, he came upon a vehicle accident while looking for his only son Brendon Laird.

He found Brendon unconscious and not breathing a short distance from the rolled truck. He immediately lev-eraged his military and EMT training reviving Brendon to a point where he had a pulse, but still unable to breathe without assistance.

Laird continued lifesaving care until an ambulance arrived and took over. Brendon was quickly life-flighted to Billings for follow-on emergency medical treatment.

Despite Laird’s best efforts, Brendon would not recover enough brain function to breathe on his own and was pronounced deceased June 6, 2014.

Brendon was an incredibly fit and selfless young man. Laird and his wife Andrea decided See HEROES page 19

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Vet treatment court provides second chancesBy Capt. Tom BlackburnDeputy Public Affairs OfficerWyoming National Guard

One mistake landed Army veteran Johnny Campbell in jail.

A man, who took it upon himself to help others, was in trouble and lacked the support system to help him over-come his predicament.

Or so he thought.He would find the support he needed, and it would

come from a special veterans treatment court which would provide him a newfound support system.

Earlier this year, Campbell was arrested after a short outburst with his step-daughter. It was a moment of pas-sion, and one he would regret. While standing on school grounds, Campbell smacked his step daughter.

"I was trying to help my wife out and I was tired of my daughter’s verbal (trash talking)," he said. She was trying to spook her mom, he added, and he slapped her on school property.

The police were called, and Campbell was taken into custody. This was not something he was used to.

"I have never been a bad person, but I reacted in the moment," he said.

Campbell had drifted to that point in his life after leav-ing the active Army in the early 90s. The Alabama native was a determined and competitive young man, and sought the greatest challenges in his life, so he joined the Army in 1989. He was stationed in the northwest at Fort Lewis, outside Seattle, Washington.

"I was a beast man, I could take on a 6-mile road march and you would never see me," he said.

Campbell would take on a fear of heights, volunteering to become jump qualified. During one of those jumps, he landed awkwardly on the ground and hurt his back.

"I had a bad night jump, couldn't see the ground and my foot hit a rock," he said. He would never heal 100 per-cent and left the Army after one three-year enlistment.

He would take different jobs through the ensuing years, first as a fisherman on the Bering Sea. Later, he became a truck driver, running different routes through-out the country, and even joined the Tennessee National Guard as a mechanic.

He eventually migrated west, settling in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and marrying.

Then came the day he let the moment get the best of him. Campbell believed in discipline, and that's what he thought he was doing.

But the authorities thought otherwise and he was jailed.

Soon after being arrested, Campbell's father died. Campbell couldn't get out of jail to attend to his family. That motivated him to change the direction his life had temporarily gone.

He had a friend with him who had told him about a new program in Cheyenne, a rehabilitation program spe-cially designed to help military veterans who had com-mitted crimes reasonable for rehabilitation - a Veterans Treatment Court. The veterans commit to a probationary program that provides treatment and a strong support system.

Campbell was a candidate."(My lawyer) didn't know nothing about (the program),"

Campbell said. "I got the paper from my friend, and gave it to my lawyer. I told him I want that."

Campbell’s lawyer told him he didn't need that pro-gram – he only had three more months – but Campbell said he could still see himself wearing the uniform, and wanted a program that was specifically for veterans.

"People around me at the vet court would know where I'm coming from, instead of civilians who wouldn't have a clue," he said. "I'm in the company and brotherhood of the uniform."

Laramie County’s veterans court is supported by the Wyoming Military Department, through its Wyoming Veterans Commission, and the legal offices in Wyoming state government.

The program provides support mentors and a two-phase process that the veterans must complete to pre-vent them from returning to jail for their prior crimes.

Master Sgt. Adam Martinez, a member of the Wyoming Army National Guard, is a volunteer mentor, a job that sees him keeping in contact with the veterans to ensure they meet their assigned milestones. He also serves as a battle buddy during treat- See COURT page 21

Photo by Capt. Tom BlackburnJohnny Campbell, right, visits with his mentor, Adam Martinez. Camp-bell describes Martinez as a “battle buddy” and keeps in touch with him even after graduating from the local veterans treatment court.

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Hoping for any assistance, she approached her individual teachers to discuss her circumstances and was met with overwhelming willingness to help her stay

on track, including videotaping and uploading class lectures, soft homework deadlines, emailed assign-ments and extra email availability for help.

Additionally, supervisors at both of her civilian jobs agreed to hold her position for her while she was over-seas. One of them even agreed to supervise the uploading of lectures and organization of care packages.

“When I learned that Chelsea was being deployed there was no question in my mind that I would try to do everything I could to help her continue her studies so that she could graduate on time,” said Alexandre Skiba, Nelson’s microeconomics professor at UW. “The men and women who volunteer to serve in the Wyoming National Guard commit to a significant sacrifice on a short notice if they are called for duty. The way I see it, the sacrifice of the few for the many is possible due to the unconditional support for the few by

the many.”Thorsten Janus, Nelson’s macroeconomic professor added “My

students with military backgrounds are some of the most disciplined, motivated and organized individuals I get to teach. They come in with a positive attitude, sit in the front, pay attention and take steps to over-come learning obstacles, such as asking questions, listening to advice, and making alternative arrangements when they cannot attend class.

“Chelsea Nelson is an excellent example of this, down to the camera she has arranged to film my lectures. I am happy to be able to sup-port the education of military service members and for the excellent educational support I know they receive from the military, including the Wyoming National Guard,” he said.

With her professors and civilian supervisors on board, it was time to ask for additional assistance from her military bosses.

“My military supervisors not only agreed to administer my exams, but put in a lot of work to make all of this happen,” Nelson said.

Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner, Wyoming’s adjutant gen-eral, recognized the support UW showed Nelson by coining her professors.

“They are an excellent example of the support our military receives around Wyoming,” he said. “People like them make our mission easier to ac-complish.”

Although members serving in the Wyoming Nation-al Guard are spread across the nation and around the state, Wyoming has been, and will continue to be, a small state with a big heart towards the local community and its service members.

Photos by Master Sgt. Charles DelanoTop: Sgt. Chelsea Nelson, speaks with Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead mo-ments before boarding a Wyoming Air National Guard C-130 bound for Qatar, on Oct. 28.Above: Sgt. Chelsea Nelson, a member of the 187th Airlift Squadron, boards a Wyoming Air National Guard C-130 for a 90-day deployment to Southeast Asia, before dawn on Oct. 28.

Deployed airman continues studies at UWFrom SUPPORT page 3

Want to watch the Wyoming National Guard’s 2014 Year in Review video?Find it on YouTube at the wyoguard

channel, or click here.

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No. 1 priority for Swanson is mission readinessdant. Thankfully, only the weather has

turned chilly as his new command and new commu-nity remain warm. Swanson brought with him his two youngest children – a daughter at Central High School and a son in 6th grade – and his wife, Lynn, a home-maker. Their oldest, a freshman at the University of Virginia, stayed behind on the East Coast.

“The family’s really enjoying it,” he said. “They’re all settled in and moved in. The wing has been very welcom-ing.”

Swanson attributes the smooth move to the relation-ship between the 153rd and the local community.

“It’s been an easier transition because the 153rd and the city of Cheyenne have a great rela-tionship,” he said. “Cheyenne supports the military and is a very military-friendly community, so no matter where you’re going in town, people recognize the uniform and they appreciate your service.”

Swanson says the Air Force lifestyle has been very good to his family.

“We’ve been very fortunate in some of our assign-ments,” he says. “Having been in the Guard and being able to be stable in one or two locations for a while has really helped. We haven’t been the typical military family on active duty that’s moving every three years.”

Still, the family has seen many different Air Force bases, and Swanson says so far, Cheyenne is unique among them.

“That’s the advantage of the 153rd is that we’re here in Cheyenne, we’re all in one place,” he says. “Other places we’ve been, the wing and the personnel have been spread out. For example, when we were in D.C., people lived in Maryland and Virginia and all over the place. So here it’s more (centralized) and life re-volves around the wing, so it’s been nice. It has more of a community feel.”

Deployment readiness is at the top of Swanson’s priority list, but it’s not alone. Going hand-in-hand with that is preparing for capstone inspections this month. Fortunately, Swanson said, if you’re meeting one, you’re meeting the other.

“In the new Air Force inspection system, mission-

ready means being inspection-ready,” he explained. “So priority No. 1, if you’re mission ready, you should be meeting priority two, inspection ready.”

Priority three, says Swanson, is focusing on the wing’s overall recruiting numbers. The next generation of airmen must be prepared and focused, and Swan-son believes if the mission still inspires his crew, that’s half the battle.

“My advice (to recruits) is that you really have to find something that you want to do, that you love doing and stick with it,” he said. “As young airmen coming in, we all join for different reasons. But I think underlying all that, is that we all want to serve.

“As long as that drives you and you remember that we’re doing it, not just for ourselves, but for the na-tion,” he continued. “I’ve been really happy in the Guard, and I think part of that is the feeling that we’re all in this together. That we all have a higher calling of serving our nation. When you come in, pick out some-thing that you want to do, stick with it, pursue that, don’t let anything deter you from your goals.”

As Swanson becomes more comfortable in his new role, the weather around will inevitably come full circle. Snow will melt, the wind will subside and even-tually temperatures will begin to climb again. As the year progresses, Swanson is confident he will make a positive mark on the wing, as well as on the commu-nity that is now his home.

“It’s been a rewarding experience,” he said. “We’ve only been here for a few short months, but we hit the ground running. The men and women of the wing have done an outstanding job.

“A lot has went on the last couple of months – with getting people ready for deployment, getting people out the door, getting prepared for inspection and just trying to do their day-to-day job, I think overall that the men and women of the 153rd are outstanding, I think they’ll continue to rise to the challenge no matter what and support both our nation and our state.”

Underneath all the work, responsibilities and transi-tions, Swanson is most passionate about his calling to serve his country. Just as he encourages younger airmen to stay invested in their careers, he says the same goes for someone like him, well into his career.

“I told my family, ‘As long as I’m enjoying what I’m doing, then I will continue to serve.’ So as long as it doesn’t feel like a job,” he said.

Then again, winter’s not really here yet.

COMMANDER from page 9

Col. Bradley Swanson

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By Sgt. Ashley L. SmithPublic Affairs Specialist197th Public Affairs Detachment

With the start of a new fiscal year comes widespread concerns about budget cuts and what effect they will have on the Wyoming Army National Guard.

This year, the guard received a 30- to 40-percent cut to its training budget, but the Wyoming Army National Guard is determined to make sure it gets the required training it needs.

“We can get everything we have to get accomplished done,” said Col. Jesse J. Kirchmeier, deputy chief of staff of operations for the Wyoming Army National Guard, “as well as a lot we’d like to accomplish.”

In order to be most effective, leadership prioritizes the needs of the entire force, the needs of unit com-manders, and the needs of the soldiers to determine what training will be funded, Kirchmeier said.

The WyARNG has plenty of funds for mandatory training, like military occupation school qualification, Warrior Leadership Course, advanced leadership course, and officer intermediate level education.

Leadership will not be able to approve as much optional training for soldiers as they have been able to in the past, said Kirchmeier. This includes schools soldiers may want for their own professional develop-ment, like sapper school or air assault.

“Most of these schools will have to be pushed to the fourth quarter in order to verify all the required schools are funded first,” said Kirchmeier.

Kirchmeier said the Wyoming Guard needs to man-age its funds by taking advantage of expertise already

in the state. To do this, leadership should stop sending a soldier to obtain a secondary MOS, without utilizing the soldier’s primary MOS.

“What we are having to do is make sure we utilize our available resources more efficiently than we did when resources were more abundant,” said Lt. Col. Corey Jones, Wyoming Army National Guard state training officer.

The training budget as it stands today for all intents and purposes is about the same as it was last year, said Jones. The first couple weeks of the fiscal year is a lot of “the sky is falling” mentality – a statement, he said, that historically becomes less and less true.

“As the year goes on I anticipate funds will free themselves up and Wyoming will get what they need,” Jones said. “The first quarter of the year is difficult for people to accomplish stuff, but as the year goes on that becomes easier and easier to support.”

Individual unit commanders can help by prioritizing what their training requirements are, said Jones. It is important for leadership to realize this is how their training budget will probably look for a number of years.

Therefore, it is equally important to communicate to soldiers that the shortage in resources causes leader-ship to be a little pickier about what training can be attended and who can attend that training.

“There will be less opportunity but if they need a school, we will send them to it so they can get promot-ed and perform their job,” said Kirchmeier.

WyARNG tightens training belt for FY16

Laird one of five heroes honored during receptionthat something good had to come from such tragic circumstances. They authorized Brendon’s remains to enter the donor pool program. Brendon

remained on life-support until June 8, surrounded by friends and family, until suitable recipients were determined for multiple organs.

Through the selfless act of turning tragedy into another human being’s saving grace, multiple lives, families and generations were positively impacted. Laird’s ability to perform life saving measures on his son in the midst of a horrific scene is truly he-roic. Selflessly allowing life-saving organ donation from their only son truly separates Laird and his wife Andrea as “Heroes Among Us.”

Laird was nominated by 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery commander Lt. Col. Henry Cudney.

From HEROES page 15

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pany when it served in Bahrain 2013-2014. He said a lot of

soldiers are intimidated by the system or may have trouble with the paperwork.

“The veterans commission has been the source of the right link to the right people. It’s such a

big system and it’s so easy to get lost in it. But they have been really helpful in pointing out the who, what, why, how, when and where,” Schiele said of the WVC outreach.

Stall said the military, including the National Guard and Reserve, is doing a better job than it used to at setting veterans up for success when they discharge. The importance of conducting line of duty investigations, and keeping medical records is understood better and encouraged more than it was in past eras.

When Schiele deployed as a commander, he knew from experience his troops should be better in-formed, and made it a priority to have the Wyoming Veterans Commission brief his troops before and after deploying.

“I was part of the first wave in 2004 and when I came home there wasn’t a whole lot offered to us National Guardsmen as far as information on veter-ans benefits and health benefits and things of that nature. I didn’t know what I was entitled to or not entitled to,” Schiele explained.

He continued, “There are a lot of benefits out there for OIF, OEF veterans that weren’t there when I came home in 2004. And not just for me; as a com-mander, it was important to find out for my soldiers what was available. ‘OK, so I know we have a crisis line but what is it? How does it work? How do I know if I have a soldier that calls this line, that they are actually being cared for, and not just hanging out there? Or, how does it work if a veteran goes to the emergency room for psychological health or for an injury related to something that happened on mobi-lization?’”

“So if something happens, say someone gets shot or goes through a roadside bomb, obviously, there will be records of that. There will be EVAC and

stuff like that,” Stall explained. “But, say someone sprains a leg or gets something in their eye and now they’re having trouble seeing, they’re pretty good about doing those LOD investigations and will pro-vide the soldier with those documents before they leave. It’s best to file that as early as possible with the VA. Even if, say you injured your knee, and the VA rated it a zero; at least, now, that injury is in the system and that service connection is established. If say 10, 20 years down the road arthritis or some-thing has set in, it’s possible to have that connec-tion reevaluated.”

Veterans, or anyone who completed their enlist-ment no matter how long it was, should bring copies of medical records and DD-214s, military discharge papers, to their outreach center appointments.

As an example, Agent Orange exposure was a very real experience for Vietnam veterans. Only recently has the VA begun to better handle claims associ-ated with that exposure.

“They’ve been studying Agent Orange for 40-some years now, and they’ve got a pretty good idea of what kinds of ailments are caused by that and they have some that are actually called presumptives. If you were in Vietnam at any given time and were ex-posed to Agent Orange, and you have one of those ailments, or cancers, or heart disease or whatever, it’s pretty much a given that it can be verified and get done. Unfortunately, many of those are terminal illnesses, and so many times, by the time we hear about it, it’s pretty bad,” Stall explained. “But, on the other hand, they don’t have to fight for (benefits) like they used to. In times past, you had to show where you were in Vietnam and to show that Agent Orange was used there, but they’ve gotten away from all that. They pretty much assume if you were in country, you were exposed.”

Schiele concluded, “I think everyone who is con-sidered to be a veteran should take a half hour to an hour of their life and sit down with the veterans commission because you are entitled to something; that is a guarantee, if you wear this uniform. It’s a matter of finding out what you are entitled to. Every-thing is very professional and confidential.”

WVC from page 11

Outreach officers explain benefits

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ment. He guides the veteran through the treatment from

start to finish. It’s similar to a sponsor in other rehabilita-tion programs.

"When clients come to us, they are legally in trouble," Martinez said. "We are a treatment court, we treat the clients. There is no focus on the crime; the focus is on treating the client."

Campbell soon found himself as a client. "We have to vet them to see if they want help," Mar-

tinez said. "They will have to write a letter to the court telling them why they want to enter the (veterans) court."

After acceptance into the program, the veteran is assigned a mentor, and a probation officer, and goes before a judge weekly.

As the program continues, the court visits decrease to biweekly and then to monthly.

After approximately a year, the veteran can graduate

the program and return to their life without any more judicial supervision.

Campbell would be the first graduate of Laramie County's program. "It felt good, but I realized I let myself down," he said.

The key in the program is the mentorship and having someone who has either worn, or is currently wearing, the uniform being able to share the same military experi-ences as the troubled veteran. Since there is a brother-in-arms bond, the treatment court has a distinct differ-ence from other probation programs.

"We are friends of the veteran," Martinez said. Campbell shared similar thoughts. Being in the treat-

ment program brought back memories of his own time in a squad when in the Army, when he had a strong support system to lean on in times of trouble.

"Now I have a strong team," he said. "I have two, three (battle buddies) for sure."

Mentors help veterans turn their lives aroundCOURT from page 16

mired by those who served under them. “Baldeshwiler was the airman’s airman”, said Reiner. “He knew those that he served with by name and knew their families well.”

Having careers that combined to nearly 60 years, 45 of which were in the WyANG, the two generals worked with and supervised countless soldiers and airmen of the WyNG. One such airman who worked closely with Baldeshwiler is Chief of the Joint Staff Col. Pat Moffett.

“As an airman, working with the general was always very enjoyable because he knew who you were and he knew all about your family. He would ask about how everyone in my family was doing, just a warm and earnest man,” he said.

Retired Brig. Gen. Harold Reed, a former assistant adjutant general said, “Baldeshwiler hardly ever lost his temper and had an even personality, as a command-er he had his challenges but always held his ground. He was a good pilot and always will-ing to share his experiences and teach the younger pilots.”

At the retirement ceremony for Cooper then Wyoming Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James L. Spence said “Gen. Cooper was a prime force in the birth of the Air National Guard in Wyoming and was a significant force through many of the vital mission changes. He has consistently commanded the respect of our personnel at all levels.”

Cooper and Baldeshwiler have passed; however, their legacy of service and dedica-tion remains. The soldiers and airmen they served with, as well as the civilians and members of the public they worked with for many years, continue in the mission the gen-erals laid out during their lives and careers with the Wyoming National Guard.

GENERALS from page 4

Legacy marks more than 45 years combined WyANG service

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy McGuireFormer Wyoming Air National Guard Assistant Adjutant Generals Stephen Pappas (left) and Vern Baldeshwiler (center), pose with Brig. Gen. Steve Rader, Wyoming Air National Guard chief of staff, at the May 2014 Armed Forces Day celebration in Chey-enne, Wyo.

22

The Wyoming Army and Air National Guard’s time- honored Girl Guard celebrated a historic double anniversary this year. The modern configuration of the all-woman volunteer organization was founded 25 years ago in 1989, while the original Girl Guard was founded 150 years ago in 1889 in conjunction with Wyoming earning statehood.

As plans for the Wyoming Territory to become the 44th state were organized, two groups of Wyoming women mustered in what is believed to be the first all woman military style units in the country. Each comprising of 90 volunteers, Company “K” and Company “H” would play an important role in the festivities surrounding this historic event. Clad in uniforms of black broadcloth, gold cord and white gloves, these women took up wooden rifles and marched alongside National Guard units and active duty soldiers in various parades and public formations.

A commemorative organization of this early all-woman unit was reformed twenty-five years ago on October 25, 1989 to assist with the celebration of the anniversary of Wyoming becoming a state. Companies “K” and “H” were again stood up for drill and ceremony. Making the authentic replica uniforms and wooden weapons was commenced; taking clues from early documentation, reports from relatives who knew the original members and archival research, the Girl Guard was able to assemble teams of Army and Air Force members in less than nine months.

The mission of the Wyoming Girl Guard has continued in the years following the state’s Centennial. Today, the Girl Guard is actively supporting military and civic events, both large and small.

Girl Guard have rich 125-year history

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History corner

is nothing phenomenal about his career, the

skill and passion he possesses for being a pilot, the work-ethic he embodies, the physical stamina he maintains, or the big heart he has for the members of the Wyoming Air National Guard.

“It’s all about the people,” Grunstad continued about what he deemed most important in his ca-reer. “The people are great and make this organiza-tion such a great place to work and so widely-known for being the best unit around. I have mixed feelings about retirement. It’s going to be hard. I’m going to really miss the people. The other flying (in the civil-ian sector) just pays the bills. It’s not like coming to the wing and shaping peoples careers and helping people out. That’s the fun stuff and the stuff that matters.”

For Grunstad “It’s all about the people”GRUNSTAD from page 12

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy McGuire

23

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Editor’s note: The Wyoming National Guard (WyNG) has a strong tradition of honoring our heritage. We owe much to the retirees, former military and family members on whose shoulders we stand. Recent deaths are listed here to honor their service.

CLARK E. MORTIMORE, Sept. 15, 1935 - Oct. 14, 2014. He joined the WyARNG in August 1957 and served continuously until March 1978; he retired a captain.

RODNEY C. RUNNELLS, Feb. 14, 1935 - Sept. 19, 2014. He served in the US Army and US Army Reserve before joining the WyANG in September 1965, He retired as a senior master sergeant in 1988.

VERN BALDESHWILER, Nov. 11, 1930 - Nov. 11, 2014. He served in the US Air Force and US Air Force Reserve before joining the WyANG in Novem-

ber 1965. He retired as a brigadier general in 1990. ROY (BUD) COOPER, Nov. 13, 1923 - Nov. 19,

2014. He was among the initial members of the WyANG, joining in 1946, after serving in the Army Air Corps and US Air Force. He retired as a brigadier general in 1983.

ERNIE DAVIS, Dec. 26, 1919 - Nov. 29, 2014. He joined the WyANG in May 1947 after serving in the US Army. He retired in 1979 as a senior master sergeant.

PATRICIA DECKER, died Oct. 30, 2014. She was the surviving spouse of Staff Sgt. Elza (Sonny) Decker, a WyARNG retiree. Patricia served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II.

CALVIN FOGG, Sept. 17, 1943 - Nov. 20, 2014. He joined the WyANG in February 1965 and retired a senior master sergeant in September 2005.

WILLIAM (BILL) WAHL, Aug. 12, 1931 - Nov. 25, 2014. He served as an enlisted soldier with the WyARNG from 1948 - 1955; returning as an officer in 1971 and retiring in 1991 as a colonel.

those who came before usRemembering

Wyoming Military Department5410 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, WY 82009307-772-5253

wyomilitary.wyo.gov