Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 81 Dec. 10, 2011

Female AUP train to make a differenceStory and photos by Sgt. April York2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., PAO

Throughout history women have been viewed as the

weaker sex. But as history has also shown through countless women’s movements, women are not willing to be seen this way. Afghan women are no different. They seek to help their sisters by serving in the Afghan National Army, Afghan Uniformed Police and Afghan Local Police. One group of 11 female AUP who work for the Police Headquarters is seeking to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of women in their community. Many of these female AUP go out on patrols with their male counterparts and their Coalition Forces partners. They carry side arms to protect themselves and it’s their job to search and communicate with any women they come across during patrol. Training opportunities are limited for female AUP due to the cultural restrictions placed upon men and women in Afghan society. Realizing these limitations, female military police officers from the 58th Military Police Company attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, decided to step in and hold a training class, at Camp Nathan Smith Nov. 27, to familiarize female AUP

with their weapons and give them an oppor-tunity to qualify the same as male AUP. “I think it’s important that if they are going to carry a weapon that they need to be trained how to use it,” said Staff Sgt. Grace Grilliot, a unit supply specialist with the 58th MP Company. “If we don’t do this they don’t really have the chance to train and get familiar with the weapon they do carry.” “This is a great way to help (female AUP) with their professionalization, which is a main line of effort for the brigade,” said Capt. Megan Spangler, commander of 58th MP

Company. “We want to develop the relationship between our female Sol-diers and the AUP to make the female engagements more effective.” The training covered overall famil-iarization of a glock hand gun. “We broke it down to a classroom portion of exercises where we went through basic safety and pre-marks-manship instruction, which is what we would do for our Soldiers for one of our ranges,” Spangler said. “The second piece was the firing table at dif-ferent intervals out on the range.” For some of the female AUP this was the first time they have fired a weapon.

Female military police officers with 58th Military Police Company attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, watch over as female Afghan Uniformed Police of-ficers fire glock handguns at targets during a range held at Camp Nathan Smith, Nov. 27.

Capt. Megan Spangler, commander of 58th Military Police Company attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infan-try Division, assists a female Afghan Uniformed Police officer with her firing stance Nov. 27.

A female Afghan Uniformed Police officer fires a glock handgun down range during a training event hosted by female military police officers with the 58th Military Police Company attached to 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

For others this was a review. Grilliot said she was truly amazed when they were showing the women how to take the weapon apart that some of the female AUP showed the female MPs an easier way to do it. “I didn’t expect to learn something from them but I did,” she said. The qualification table that was used on the range was the same as the one used at the AUP academy on CNS. “We certainly have some talent here,” Spangler said. “Our best shot of the day was 57 out of 60 on target which is pretty impressive.”Mahgol who is the female

AUP who fired 57 out of 60 was very thankful for the opportunity to train with the female MPs. “We never have this kind of training and I’m very excited,” she said. “This is very help-ful for us. I will use this training to go back and train other female police how to shoot.” “I think this will definitely boost their con-fidence,” Grilliot said. “They will be able to see that they are capable of doing what we do and they will know that they are capable of doing what they need to do.”

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 81 Dec. 10, 2011

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded news-letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public

Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook.com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:seth.barham@afghan.swa.army.mil

Col. John S. Kolasheski...................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa..............2nd BCT CSMMaj. Kevin Toner................................................2nd BCT PAOSgt. Seth Barham..................................................PAO NCOICSgt. Ruth Pagan......................................Layout and DesignSgt. April York.........................................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

A new approach in face-to-face appointmentsStory and photo by Capt. Cory Gerould 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Brigade Psychologist

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division is using tele-behavioral health

to conduct consultations and it has signifi-cantly increased the ability to provide services to a greater number of Soldiers in a more ef-ficient and timely manner. Additionally, TBH has helped reduce some of the challenges that arise in connecting Soldiers with health providers downrange. For commanders, determining when a Soldier may be in need of behavioral health services is not always readily ascertainable, particularly when a Soldier denies having problems or is not ready to ask for help. The thought of taking a Soldier out of the fight for several days would have a considerable impact on the mission, not to mention the logistical challenge it would place on their platoon. TBH provides real-time video conferenc-ing and grants an atmosphere similar to that of face-to-face interactions experienced in a more traditional setting. As a result, a Soldier doesn’t need to be moved or held back from going on a mission to meet with an incoming

provider, enabling units to maintain their combat strength. In instances where a Soldier in need is not co-located with a TBH system, evaluations and follow-up services are easily coordinated around the unit’s schedule; support-ing both the unit and the Soldier. While there have been a few minor growing pains in establish-ing the TBH systems, the benefits continue to be realized on a regular basis. Health care providers have found TBH greatly bridges the gap in accessibility and allows them to quickly assist commanders in con-strained situations. When a health care provider meets with a Soldier via TBH, at the outset of the interac-tion they make a point to explain the nature of the TBH system, including the potential limitations in connectivity. They also make sure to obtain the Soldier’s consent to proceed with receiving behavioral health services via TBH during the first interaction. Taking the time to do this helps the Soldier feel more comfortable and provides an op-

Spc. Jeffery Villar, a behavioral health specialist from Company C, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks with a Soldier from a distant location on the tele-behavioral health system located on FOB Walton.

portunity to discuss any concerns they might have with using this system. This further engages the Soldier in the process and starts facilitating a therapeutic relationship. The desert terrain coupled with the decen-tralized operations made it quite a challenge to move Soldiers or the health care providers to outlying locations, but TBH has proven to be a reliable and effective platform of increas-ing access to behavioral health providers despite these factors.

District,” he said. After the American flag was brought down, the flag of Afghanistan was raised by the ANA company leadership. “Raising the flag of Afghanistan over JCOP Pusht Rod is a testament to the success of Afghan National Security Forces across Pusht Rod District.” said 1st Sgt. Jon Martinez, of Company D. “Although it is hard to say goodbye to our partners, they are ready to as-sume a greater responsibility for the security and prosperity of their district.” “I believe this capable and independent fighting force will make the people of Pusht Rod and Afghanistan proud. It has been a dis-tinct honor and privilege to serve alongside them, shoulder to shoulder, shona ba shona,” he said.

2 STB transfers JCOP Pusht Rod authority to ANAStory by Capt. Bonnie Hutchinson2nd Special Troops Battalion

Signs of progress are evident as Afghan National Army soldiers are taking

charge. Soldiers from Company D, 1st Bat-talion, 67th Armor Regiment, attached to 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Com-bat Team, 4th Infantry Division, transferred Joint Combat Outpost Pusht Rod to their Afghan National Army counterparts, Nov. 20. In order to mark this historic occasion, Company D lowered an American Flag that had flown over JCOP Pusht Rod since Sept. 11. During the company’s time at JCOP Pusht Rod, the flag served as a reminder of what they were fighting for. “For the Soldiers of Delta Company, the flag symbolized our unwavering dedication to

our mission of training and partnering with the ANA as well as our mission of protecting the United States of America,” said Sgt. Terry Howlett, company tactical operations center noncommissioned officer in charge. As the American flag was lowered and honored, the company reflected on their ac-complishments in the Pusht Rod District. “It was a surreal and meaningful moment when we lowered the American flag,” said Capt. Anthony Hoefler, commander of Com-pany D. “The flag symbolized the unwavering dedication to the mission of all Delta Com-pany Soldiers.” “Although the moment was bittersweet, it was also a proud moment as our ANA counterparts assumed responsibility for JCOP Pusht Rod and the security of the Pusht Rod