Navy Reserve Adjusting to the Reduction in Expeditionary Forces

From Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- With the end of the Iraq War and the draw down in Afghanistan, the U.S. Navy is reducing the size of the Navy Reserve Expeditionary Force.

The largest change that will occur is a 45 percent reduction in Navy Reserve construction forces, affecting more than 6,000 Sailors.

For the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Reserve Force, the immediate impact of the planned force restructuring is the reassignment of Sailors to other units and reduced advancement opportunities while the force adjusts to the new billet structure over time.

"Despite these large reductions, the Reserve Component will remain a large and important contributor to the Navy Expeditionary Command's mission," said Deputy Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Rear Adm. Sandy Adams. "After all the changes, the RC will remain 49 percent of all NECC forces and the Naval Construction Total Force will remain over 47 percent of NECC."

The non-Seabee ratings that will be impacted the most are: Aviation Ordanceman (AO), Boatswain's Mate (BM), Culinary Specialist (CS), Electrician's Mate (EM), Gunner's Mate (GM), Logistics Specialist (LS), and Master-at-Arms (MA). These ratings will experience billet losses of 10 to 20 percent, resulting in overmanning over the next several years.

"These changes will be managed by a fair and transparent process," said Chief of Navy Reserve, Vice Adm. Robin Braun. "All Sailors affected by the restructuring will be reassigned to other units and will remain in a pay status. We'll manage this force reduction through normal attrition, reduced accessions and voluntary rate conversions."

Sailors who lose their billet due to command restructuring will be able to apply for a new billet through the Career Management System-Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID) system. Personnel not immediately assigned to a billet will be assigned in an In Assignment Processing (IAP) status at a local Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC). Those placed in an IAP status will have the opportunity to apply for future vacant billets through CMS-ID.

The NECC unit restructuring will result in a force-wide reassignment of all remaining Selected Reserve (SELRES) Naval Construction Force (NCF) billets. All SELRES NCF Seabee billets throughout the Force will be vacated during Fiscal Year 13. Once the reorganization is complete, the billets will be advertised and personnel assigned using CMS-ID.

"Every effort will be made to allow Reserve Seabees the opportunity to serve with a Seabee unit," said Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Chris Wheeler. "However, in some cases, individuals may be cross-assigned from non-Seabee units or assigned IAP in non-Seabee units."

In cases where affected Sailors are not assigned to a Seabee unit, leadership will work to maximize training opportunities.

"We are doing everything we can to honor our commitment to those who provided critical support to the nation and Navy over the past decade. However, we do recommend that affected Sailors consider applying for a rating conversion using FleetRIDE," said Wheeler.

FleetRIDE for SELRES is a web-enabled career counseling tool that screens and guides the right Sailors to the right jobs. FleetRIDE assists career counselors, enlisted community managers, and Sailors with reclassification and career guidance by providing the best match of a Sailor's qualifications and interests to meet Navy requirements for rating conversions.

"Force reductions are part of the fiscal and operational challenges our Navy is confronting. Navy Reserve leadership is committed to supporting our Sailors and affording all personnel the opportunity to serve," said Braun.

Base marks 70 year anniversary

by Jeff Nash
Peterson Air and Space Museum

12/10/2012 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On Dec. 13, 1942, a somber ceremony took place at the main headquarters of Colorado Springs Army Air Base.

The ceremony memorialized a young 25-year-old Coloradan and Army Air Forces officer. The base was renamed Peterson Army Air Base in honor of 1st Lt. Edward J. Peterson, who lost his life in an aircraft accident the previous August. As the base marks the 70th anniversary of this event, here is Peterson's story.

Peterson was born Nov. 16, 1917, and spent his early childhood years in Loveland and Berthoud, Colo. In 1931, his family moved to Englewood, where he graduated from high school in 1935. He ranked fifth academically in his class and was an all-conference stand-out in football and track. Peterson went on to Denver University, graduating in 1939 with a degree in education and later earned his master's degree in 1940 while working three part-time jobs.

During this time, Peterson became actively interested in aviation. He enrolled in a Civilian Pilot Training Program flying school at the Denver Municipal Airport. Created before World War II, the CPTP was a U.S. government program to create a trained pool of military pilots in case the United States entered World War II. While earning his civilian pilot's license, Peterson met his future wife, Ruth Wallrich. She was from Alamosa, Colo., and also a licensed pilot.

In March 1941, Peterson enlisted in the Army Air Forces Aviation Cadet program and reported to Stockton Field, Calif., for military pilot training. He completed training and received a commission as an Army Air Forces second lieutenant the following October.

In July 1942, Peterson reported for duty as an operations officer for the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. Along with his fellow pilots, Peterson eagerly prepared for overseas combat with his squadron and their F-4 "Photo Lightning" reconnaissance aircraft. The F-4 was an unarmed reconnaissance version of Lockheed's P-38 "Lightning" twin-engine fighter.

As the squadron operations officer, Peterson had more flying hours in the P-38 aircraft than his fellow pilots. This experience also made him the squadron test pilot. On the morning of Aug. 8, 1942, Peterson prepared to make a routine test flight in an aircraft with an engine change. Everything appeared normal before take-off, but eyewitnesses saw something terrible as the aircraft lifted off the runway. Just as the landing gear came up, smoke poured from the left engine which suddenly quit. The left wing dropped and hit the runway, igniting a fuel tank which engulfed the aircraft in flames as it crashed to the ground.

A base fire truck was on scene almost immediately. Three enlisted Soldiers risked their lives by running through the massive fire to get Peterson out of the aircraft. They lifted him out of the cockpit by his parachute straps and carried him to a waiting ambulance which transported him to Glockner Hospital (now called Penrose) in Colorado Springs.

Peterson was badly burned on his legs, chest and head. Despite intense pain and blindness, he remained conscious and repeatedly asked those around him if he would regain his sight and be able to fly again. His fellow officers admired his bravery. Peterson was very popular with all 14th Recon Squadron members, officer and enlisted. Despite his fortitude, Peterson died from his injuries later that afternoon.

At his wife's request, Peterson was cremated and his remains scattered over his native Colorado. To honor his love of flying, a P-38 aircraft scattered the ashes in flight. A letter to Ruth from Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, Army Air Forces commanding general, read "Courage, determination, and devotion to duty characterized Lieutenant Peterson. He was an officer of fine character and high ideals who commanded the affectionate respect of all his associates."

A memorial letter signed by President Franklin Roosevelt honored Peterson as one of "...the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that Freedom might live and grow..."

The Edward J. Peterson Air and Space Museum has an exhibit dedicated to Peterson. Exhibit panels tell his story of growing up, his family, and his wartime service. Other items on display include his uniform, his pilot flight logs, identification card, and other personal items donated by his family. The Peterson Museum is located in Building 981.

Warren's newest Ceremonial Guardsmen graduate into base honor guard

by Senior Airman Mike Tryon
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

12/7/2012 - F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Paying tribute to fallen veterans can be one of the most emotional things an Airman can perform.

Ceremonial Guardsmen take it one step further by providing military honors to fallen veterans, and at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., the honor guard graduated 28 members into the Ceremonial Guardsmen Corps Nov. 29 in the Pronghorn Center.

"This graduation was to showcase what the new members learned during their training," said Tech. Sgt. Gary Wayland, 90th Force Support Squadron Honor Guard NCO-in-charge.

In order to be considered Ceremonial Guardsmen, Airmen must undergo two weeks of training for various services and ceremonies, including a military honors funeral.

"During the two-week course, they learned everything they needed to know to perform all aspect of honor guard duties over the next year," Wayland said.

During the graduation ceremony, Col. George Farfour, 90th Missile Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Garrou, 90th MW command chief, both gave remarks to those in attendance.

"Almost everything we do in the military has a reason in history," Farfour said. "We, perhaps more than any other group in our great republic lean heavily on the respect we show for that history. You will take those traditions and in many cases be the sole representative of the armed forces to a family in demonstrating through this training how much we as a society value their military service.

"On behalf of Col. Christopher Coffelt, 90th MW commander, congratulations on your graduation -- we couldn't be more proud of you as you represent the Mighty Ninety, the Air Force, and indeed, our very country," Farfour added.

The culmination of the graduation ceremony saw Warren's newest Ceremonial Guardsmen get the chance to put some of their training into practice as they performed a mock full military honors funeral in the presence of the 90th Missile Wing vice commander and wing command chief.

"There is no greater responsibility they will perform to a veteran than a military honors funeral," Garrou said. "This [graduation] ceremony not only shows the training they've received, but also demonstrates the professionalism of our Airmen when performing a military honors funeral."

Those wishing to join the base honor guard and become a Ceremonial Guardsman can contact their first sergeant with the approval of their immediate supervisor. The next recruiting push and two-week training course for new members will be between April and May.

Airman generosity, holiday spirit spreads through Korean orphanages

by Airman 1st Class Alexis Siekert
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/11/2012 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Airmen at Osan Air Base are giving back for the holidays to ensure children in local orphanages receive a little bit of holiday cheer.

Approximately 500 volunteers will be visiting more than 20 local orphanages as part of Operation Christmas Hope, an event focused on the spirit of giving.

"We are hoping that through Operation Christmas Hope more than 2,000 children living in Korean orphanages will receive one of our gifts," said Chaplain (Capt.) David Suh, 51st Fighter Wing chaplain.

Suh also hopes this event will further strengthen the bond with the Korean community and raise moral and holiday joy through those contributing.

Volunteers will be visiting the Pyeongtaek, Osan, and Suwon areas Dec. 22 to give a gift to each child that will include a holiday card, written in both English and Hangul, and a $25 gift certificate to E-Mart so the children can buy what they need, such as gloves or blankets.

"Nearly 90 percent of Osan Airmen are unaccompanied," Suh said. "This gives them an opportunity to participate in such a large community outreach event."

The Operation Christmas Hope committee also hopes to raise enough money to buy general gifts for the orphanages in need, explained Suh. Quality of life items including washing machines and tents for children to play outside are items the chapel is interested in giving but the chapel has yet to reach their goal.

Individuals, units, professional and private organizations, as well as base and community groups have donated money so far and are still working to get what they need.

"I am really excited to be involved in Operation Christmas Hope," said Capt. Sarah Thompson, 7th Air Force plans and management personnel. "I was in an orphanage in the city of Andong here in Korea before I was adopted. This is a way for me to give back."

On the day of the event, 500 volunteers will meet at the base theater to be briefed before being assigned to their bus. Once loaded, the 10-13 buses will depart to the different orphanages throughout the area. The participants will deliver the gifts, sing Christmas carols and offer prayer.

Donations and volunteer signup are being accepted through unit and squadron first sergeants and the Osan Chapel. For more information on Operation Christmas Hope call the chapel at 784-5000 or sign up by emailing the Osan Chapel Org box at 51FWHCCombatCatch@us.af.mil.

"I truly believe in the generosity of our American people," Suh said. "During this holiday season we want to share the spirit of giving to those who are less fortunate than us. In return, we will realize it is far better and more blessed to give than to receive."

Hickam Field survivor journey's 'home' for last time

by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs

12/10/2012 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII -- For the final time, Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Raymond Lee Perry has returned "home" to Hickam Field.

Seventy-one years to the day, Dec. 7, 2012, Perry's family culminated a journey which began with the attacks on military installations around Oahu by bringing his remains back to Hickam one last time to attend the Dec. 7, 1941 Remembrance Ceremony, and then say their final goodbyes as they spread his ashes in the waters of the Pearl Harbor Channel near the Hickam Officer's Club. The Federal Fire Department also performed the Fireman's Last Call, a toll of the bell 15 times in honor of Perry. This is the first time a Hickam Field survivor has had his ashes spread at Hickam.

"It's very good, I don't have words to express this moment," said Elizabeth Perry, wife of the late Perry. "I'm sure he's proud, very proud of the service today. He was very brave during his last journey. He was alert to the last."

Perry first arrived in Hawaii in 1937, then a private first class with the Army's 29th Car Company, Perry was on temporary duty at Fort Armstrong in downtown Honolulu when the first wave of attacks began. Soldiers at Fort Armstrong scrambled to get away from the antiaircraft shells that rained from the sky. The contact fuses on the shells would explode when they hit the ground, since some of them didn't make contact with any aircraft.

"They were going up and coming back down and exploding in our motorpool," Perry said in a Stars and Stripes interview in December 1991. "I went over to our first sergeant and said, 'I'm volunteering.' He said, 'You don't even know what I want volunteers for.'"

"I said, 'I don't care. I just want to get out of here."

Perry was "tired of getting shot at" and Hickam was getting pounded by a barrage of bullets and bombs, and was in desperate need of transportation for the wounded. Hickam's brand new clinic had only 14 beds and couldn't handle all the dead, dying and wounded. The hallways, sidewalks and grounds were littered with men, some covered in white sheets with red silhouettes marking their places underneath. Most of the wounded were being taken to Tripler (Army hospital), which was 14 or 15 buildings across the street from Fort Shafter. Two military policemen on motorcycles escorted their convoy of five trucks to Hickam Field.

"We drove down Hangar Avenue, dodging debris, then pulled in and circled our trucks like we were protecting ourselves from Indians," he said in the interview. "There were a lot of wounded waiting. One guy had one arm blown off at the elbow and his other hand blown off. We were getting about 12 wounded into each truck and then about 8:35 or 8:40 a.m. somebody shouted, 'Here they come again!'"

Parked in the area between Hangar 9 and Hangar 13, everyone took cover in the closest hangar door well. After the explosions and firing subsided, they went out and found all their trucks completely demolished. Of the 17 men they had picked up, only three were still alive. Earlier, someone had taken a bed sheet, painted a large red cross on it, and attached it to the top of the center truck; but all it proved to be was a target for the attackers.

"I saw that somebody had made up a big red cross with mecurichrome on a sheet or something," he told the Stars and Stripes reporter. "That just made us a better target. The trucks were destroyed. We then tried to commandeer a flatbed truck to carry a couple more of the guys to the hospital, but the driver said he couldn't leave. One of the guys pulled out his pistol and pointed it at him and said, 'What do you mean you can't go?' (The driver) decided he could take them to the hospital."

Perry, a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, carried on his Air Force career and was most proud of his role in helping develop the pararescue specialist career field. He participated in numerous jumps and rescue missions as far north as Ellesmere Island, Canada and Thule, Greenland. His daughter, Lani, said her father was a "master parachutist" and always prepared his parachute himself, never relying on someone else for his safety. He retired following a 22-year career of faithful service.

"The Air Force did take good care of the man," Elizabeth said. "Every time people would ask him, 'How long were you in the Air Force?,' he would tell them 22 years, so many days and so many hours. He had down to the hour, though I can't remember the number of hours."

Following his military career, he worked with Civil Air Transport, based in Taipei, Taiwan, from 1961 to 1965. He joined the FAA at Wake Island until 1970, and finally retiring from Civil Service at Hickam Air Force Base in 1989 where he worked with the fire department as a fire safety inspector.

Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Joel Shaw, now with the 647th Air Base Group, was a former Pacific Air Forces inspector general team member when he first met Perry during the 1980s. Shaw remembers answering a knock on his door where Perry was making the first of many visits to perform an in-home fire safety briefing.

"He said he was there to do a fire inspection of the houses on the installation," Shaw said. "So, he came in and did his check in the house. He was a real friendly guy and I had no idea that he was a Hickam Field survivor until now. He wasn't the type of individual to come out and say, 'I did this, or I did that.' I would have loved to hear his story when I knew him."

In his passing, just as in his life, his family said he was tough to the end. Because of the care he received at the hospice center, he made sure to shake the hand of the caregiver before he passed.

"He hadn't eaten for a week when he reached out his hand to shake the man's hand," Elizabeth said. "It's very hard. I knew he would go away, but it's still very hard.

The Perry's have been married for 47 years. During the ceremony, Elizabeth hugged the flag presented to her as tears streamed down her cheeks. She said her final goodbye to her husband as his ashes were spread into the waters of Pearl Harbor. "I will see you soon," she said, choking back her sobs.

Logistics Tracking Team Monitors Road Shipment Safety, Security

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Dec. 11, 2012 – A tractor-trailer loaded with military ammunition destined for Fort Bragg, N.C., skidded off an icy road, spewing its cargo on the remote roadway as the truck slid down an embankment and out of sight.

The only “eyes” on scene, beyond the driver’s, were electronic signals. Beamed from the vehicle, they alerted an analyst at the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command headquarters here that the trailer had separated from the truck.

The analyst contacted the trucking company to hail the vehicle. Five minutes later, getting no response, he called the police. They arrived at the scene to investigate, calling an ambulance to transport the driver to the hospital and securing the ammunition until federal authorities arrived.

It was all in a day’s work for the Defense Transportation Tracking System, which monitors all commercial carriers transporting arms, ammunition, explosives or other sensitive material within the United States for the Defense Department.

First created by the Navy in 1989 after an accident in Denver involving a commercial motor carrier transporting torpedoes, the system was expanded to track all sensitive DOD shipments from their point of origin until they reach their designation, Daniel Bradley, the program manager, told American Forces Press Service.

The system got an upgrade two years ago, incorporating the Intelligent Road/Rail Information Server, to better track DOD cargo during transport.

The goal, Bradley explained, is to maintain public safety and keep DOD shipments secure.

“The beauty of what DTTS does is, we don’t just track something from A to B and see that it got there,” he said. “We provide a response to things that require a response, and we get the right people engaged in things when we need it.”

Analysts at SDDC’s 24/7 operations center monitor satellite signals emitted from the vehicles to track 150 to 300 shipments every day, and about 60,000 to 80,000 shipments a year, he said. They keep a watch on the vehicles’ positions to ensure they match information filed in the command database.

Tracking satellite messages the driver sends during the transit, they look for “oddities” that might signal a problem, Bradley said. That way, when the unexpected happens -- an unscheduled or prolonged stop, an open trailer door en transit, a breakdown, accident, or panic alert from the driver -- they’re ready to spring to action, he said.

When an incident does occur, Bradley said his team’s goal is to get the proper authorities involved and ultimately, get delayed shipments back on schedule and headed to their destination.

“They’re safest and most secure when they are on the road, moving, so we do everything we can to get them back on the road moving again,” he said. “That’s where it’s the safest for the public and best for the equipment itself.”

Families of U.S. Military Invited to Participate in Study

Pilot Study Examines Impact of Deployment on Families

HOUSTON, December 11, 2012 –Military deployment of a parent poses significant stress to a family, including anxiety and depression that may negatively impact parenting behaviors and relationships, according to Candice Alfano, associate professor in clinical psychology at the University of Houston (UH) and director of the Sleep and Anxiety Center for Kids (SACK).

“Over the past decade more than two million U.S. military service members have deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq as part of the War on Terror. Approximately the same number of children has had to cope with parental deployment, in some cases multiple times” said Alfano. “The media often focuses the grave physical and mental risks that soldiers face during deployment, and rightfully so. But there are other stressors and risks that service members face here at home also deserving of our attention– specifically risk to the adjustment and well-being of their families.”

Alfano serves as principal investigator for a pilot study examining the impact of deployment on families titled, “Risk and Resilience in Military Families.” The study aims to contribute to understanding of the effects of single and repeated deployments on families by examining relationships between deployment, child behaviors and emotions, parenting stress and practices, family relationships, sleep patterns, and coping within the family. Alfano hopes that findings from the study might be used to develop effective prevention/intervention programs for military families struggling with the long-term effects of war.

 “These families have endured lengthy separations, multiple relocations, disruption in family routines, and the very real threat of harm to their loved one, but we know very little about how these unique stressors impact children,” she said. Alfano also points out that stress and hardship do not necessarily remit when service members return home. “A parent’s new physical and/or psychological disability, occupational and financial stressors, and altered family roles have the potential to create more long-term challenges for families.”

A unique aspect of the study is that information from every member of the family will be collected, as compared to previous studies that have been based solely on parent reports. Another distinctive feature is its focus on sleep. Alfano notes that, “Insomnia is the most common problem reported by soldiers after deployment, and when you do not get adequate sleep, every single aspect of your life can be negatively impacted. It affects your physical health. It affects the way you parent. It affects the way you deal with stress and conflict.” However, it is not only service members who experience problems sleeping. “Research shows that children struggling with emotional problems tend to also struggle with sleep. In fact, sleep can be the first place that signs of stress pop up.”

The study will also examine specific types of coping strategies used within families. “We know that some kids deal with deployment better than others, and we want to learn from these children so that we can help the kids who cope less well,” she said.

Alfano is a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in sleep and anxiety disorders, whose research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD).  She is the co-author of the book, “Child Anxiety Disorders: A Guide to Research and Treatment,” and co-editor of the book, “Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults: Translating Developmental Science into Practice.” She also serves as associate editor of the Journal of Anxiety Disorders.

Military families being recruited are asked to complete a packet of confidential questionnaires by mail. No in-person visits are required, and each family member (active-duty/reservist/veteran service members, spouses/partners, and children) will receive a $10 gift card for their participation. Families eligible for participation include those with: 1) at least one parent who has deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); and 2) at least one child between the ages of 2 and 17. To learn more about the research study, please contact Jessica Balderas at (713) 743-3400 or by email at sack@uh.edu.

About the Sleep and Anxiety Center for Kids (SACK)

The Sleep and Anxiety Center for Kids (SACK) at the University of Houston (UH) offers free clinical services to children of active-duty, reservist and veteran service members. Free workshops focused on improving sleep are also offered periodically for service members. For more information about available research opportunities and/or clinical services at SACK, please call 713-743-3400 or visit the SACK website, www.uh.edu/SACK.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation’s fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 40,700 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country. For more information about UH, visit the university’s newsroom at http://www.uh.edu/news-events/.

Plumber's plan to become pilot is no pipe dream

by Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Moody
446th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs

12/7/2012 - MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- With a lot of hard work and a little patience, the dream of becoming a pilot with the Air Force Reserve is beginning to become a reality for a plumber assigned to the 446th Civil Engineering Squadron, here.

Tech. Sgt. Lazare Quintana, 446th CES utilities system assistant, was sponsored by the 313th Airlift Squadron for a position as a C-17 Globemaster III pilot. With his transfer approved by Air Force Reserve Command Dec. 7, Quintana is turning in his pipe wrench and planning to head off to Officer Training School in March, bringing him one step closer to his dream of flying the friendly skies.

"I knew I wanted to be a pilot in high school," said Quintana. "But I knew my family couldn't afford to send me to school. I enlisted in the Air Force so I could become associated with the culture of the Air Force and grow from there."

Taking advantage of tuition assistance, Quintana said he began taking college courses right after basic training.

"I earned a bachelor of science degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in April 2012," said Quintana. "I got the entire degree with tuition assistance and a lot of Reservists forget they have that benefit."

Quintana said he's always loved what he does, whether fixing pipes or learning to fly.

"I've always wanted to push myself to do the best I could do," said the Albuquerque, N. M. native.

Quintana said many people throughout the 446th Airlift Wing have helped him achieve his goal, however, his wife's support was most cherished.

"I wouldn't be here without my wife's support, she is everything," said Qunitana, who resides in Spokane, Wash.

"Qunitana's the one to support because he's done so much for this squadron," said Chief Master Sgt. William Markgraf, 446th CES, chief enlisted manager here. "Anything he gets involved with, Quintana does an absolutely stellar job. We hate to see him go but this is the opportunity of a lifetime. This is his dream. "

Airmen reminded to get TDAP

by Airman 1st Class R. Alex Durbin
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

12/10/2012 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Nov. 17, 2012, more than 36,000 cases of pertussis and 16 pertussis-related deaths were reported this year.

The Department of the Air Force mandated all personnel to receive the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis, or TDAP, vaccine as part of every Airman's individual medical readiness in June, 2012.

The TDAP vaccine was licensed in 2005, and is the first vaccine to protect against pertussis as well as tetanus and diphtheria.

All Airmen who have not received their TDAP vaccination by Jan 1, 2012 will be considered overdue, and therefore ineligible to deploy.

"It was discovered that immunity to these diseases, pertussis in particular, waned after time," said Dr. [Lt. Col.] Teresa Nesselroad, 633rd Medical Operations Squadron allergist. "The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made a recommendation that all American citizens get the TDAP vaccine."

The ACIP provides advice and guidance on effective control of vaccine-preventable diseases, and develops written recommendations for routine administration of vaccines.

Although the extent of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis may not be common knowledge, they can be very serious diseases.

All three diseases are caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches or wounds.

· Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, causes painful muscle spasms and stiffness. It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck, leaving the victim unable open the mouth or swallow, and can kill about one out of every five individuals infected.

· Diphtheria can cause a thick membrane to cover the back of the throat, leading to problems breathing, paralysis, heart failure and even death.

· Pertussis is a common disease often referred to as the whooping cough. It causes severe coughing spells, which can lead to difficulty breathing, vomiting and disturbed sleep. It can lead to weight loss, incontinence and rib fractures. Two in 100 adolescents and five in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications - including pneumonia or death.

Pertussis can also cause serious illness in infants, children and adults. The disease begins like the common cold, with congestion, sneezing and a possible mild cough or fever. But severe coughing can start after one to two weeks.
Unlike the common cold, pertussis can become a series of coughing fits that can continue for weeks, causing violent and rapid coughing. The fits can go on until the air is gone from the lungs and those infected are forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. In infants, the cough can be minimal. They may instead have life-threatening pauses in breathing.

Pertussis is usually spread by coughing or sneezing while in close contact. Many infants who get pertussis are infected by parents, siblings or other caregivers who may be unaware they have the disease, further demonstrating the importance of the TDAP vaccine.

"This vaccine is recommended not only to protect your health, but the health of those around you," said Nesselroad.

For more information on the TDAP vaccine, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov. To get vaccinated, visit your local immunizations office.

Hickam's heroes: Airmen to return to flagpole

by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs

12/7/2012 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  -- As the years pass, fewer men and women who survived the horrific events of Dec. 7, 1941, return to the place where their lives changed forever.

For the 71st time, Airmen, civilians, family and friends will gather around the flagpole Dec. 7 to salute and remember the ones who gave their lives on that infamous day. Among the crowd, several men will be honored for their role in surviving the attacks and fighting for their country.

"As these men get older, their tales die with them," said Jessie Higa, Hickam History Club president. "Those who remain can't travel the distance from their home town any longer because of their age and variety of health issues."

Among the guest, and oldest at 98 years old, Col. (Ret.) Andrew Kowalski, of Honolulu, is a native of Pittsburg. He enlisted in the Army in 1934, sum 78 years ago. He arrived to Hickam Field in 1939 and quickly rose through the enlisted ranks. On the morning of Dec. 7, then a master sergeant, fell asleep at friend's house in Hickam housing having stayed up late playing poker. At approximately 7:55 a.m., he was awakened by loud explosions and immediately reported for duty at the wing headquarters building where he was the assistant to the commander.

"When I heard the explosions, I bee-lined it to the headquarters building," Kowalski said.

For the next several hours, his job was to answer the phone and maintain the official list of Hickam casualties. A few months later he was recommended for Officer Training School.

"I had to man the commander's telephone to receive the names of all the casualties as they were being called in," he said. "I handled the casualties list when we set up a command post in the Aliamanu Crater. Those lists were then transferred to the morgue in preparation for burials."

He maintained the entire lists of casualties for the Army department, which including Wheeler Field, Bellows Field, Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter.

Another of the Hickam Field survivors who returned to Hawaii and made it his home is Master Sgt. (Ret.) Kenneth Ford, of Honolulu. In 1940, the Kentucky native lied about his age and enlisted in the Army at age 15.

"It's the best thing that ever happened to me, because it saved my life," Ford said. "If I hadn't gone into the military, I would have probably been killed or led a life of crime."

On Dec. 6th, while en-route to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, he had a lay-over at Hickam Field and spent the night in the consolidated barracks. Early Sunday morning, he was taking a shower when the first bomb exploded. While running out of the bathroom the nearest place to seek cover was under on office desk.

"Machine gun bullets came through the windows of the shower room I was in while the Japanese was strafing the parade grounds," he said. "That's why I hid under a desk, it was a big thick desk. When I finally looked up, I could see the Zeros attacking the flightline and blowing up hangars."

He then ran outside in his underwear where he could see smoke rising into the sky all over the area. Dead and wounded littered the grounds. Later that afternoon he was issued a WWI Springfield rifle and five rounds of ammo to man the beach at Fort Kamehameha against possible Japanese invaders.

"The first sergeant said to me 'After you shoot five, use the bayonet,"' Ford said, who was 16 years old at the time of the attacks. "So, I waited on the beach for three days for them to land, and they never landed."

Months later, he arrived in Alaska, but found himself again at war with enemy Japanese forces, surviving yet again. When he was transfered to Europe to fight the Germans, he was captured and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Italy. After spending 14 months in captivity, his unit was saved by Japanese-Americans soldiers of the 442nd Regiment Combat Team, made up of Soldiers from Hawaii. He continued his military career and is also a combat veteran having fought in both Korea and active combat fighting during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.

"Anyone who says they weren't scared is probably the biggest liar in the world," Ford said. "Everybody's got a breaking point. Today, more than 70 years later, I still have nightmares. It stays with you and you never really get over it."

A third WWII veteran will be in the crowd and among fellow Airmen, but he wasn't at Hickam during the attacks, even though he was assigned there. Col. (Ret.) Roy Bright, was a B-17 navigator assigned to Hickam Field, but at the time of the attack was at Hamilton Field, California, with his crew preparing to fly a new B-17E model back to base. The radar operator reported a large group of airplanes coming in, but the Japanese were mistaken for the B-17s, who were late.

A few days later his crew would make the trans-Pacific flight. The aircrew endured the bird's eye view of the unimaginable destruction and devastation inflicted on the island of Oahu. Bright might have missed the attacks, but he has never missed a Dec. 7 ceremony since 1946. At age 98, he celebrates 65 years of perfect attendance.

A final guest of honor making his last trip to the islands, Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Raymond Perry, of Arizona, will join the ranks at the ceremony. Elizabeth Perry, his widow, and other members of his family, will bring the urn containing his remains, to be scattered in a private ceremony after the remembrance.

Then an Army Air Force private first class, Perry, of the 29th Car Company, was on temporary duty at Fort Armstrong in downtown Honolulu when the first attack occurred. Everyone was scrambling around trying to get away from the anti-aircraft shells that were raining down all over. The shell contained contact fuses, which explode on impact of anything. Perry said he was "tired of getting shot at" so he volunteered to take trucks to Hickam to transport wounded to Tripler.

"I went over to our first sergeant and said, 'I'm volunteering,"' Perry remembers telling his first sergeant. "'You don't even know what I want volunteers for.' I said, 'I don't care. I just want to get out of here.'"

The 14-bed Hickam Clinic had wounded lining the halls inside and the sidewalk and grassy areas outside. He said Hickam had asked volunteers to help pick up wounded and get them to Tripler.

Two military motorcycle policemen escorted their convoy of five trucks to Hickam Field. They proceeded along Hangar Avenue, past the consolidated barracks, and pulled into the area between Hangars 9 and 13. With the help of Army Air Forces personnel, they began loading wounded men into their trucks. One of the men took white sheets and painted a large red cross on them and draped it over the trucks.

Then at 8:45 a.m., someone nearby shouted, "Here they come again!" People scattered from plain view and ducked inside the closest hangar door well. After the explosions and firing subsided, they went out and found all their trucks completely demolished. Of the 17 men they had picked up, only three were still alive as the red crosses proved to be targets for the attackers.

Perry went on in his Air Force career to be known as a master parachutist and become one of the founding members of the Air Force Special Operations Forces pararescue career.

For 71 years, different men and women who witnessed the attacks and lived to tell their tale have returned to the spot it all started. Even the flagpole took a barrage of bombs and bullets to topple it from waving proudly in the Trade Winds, never giving up its position in the sky. The scarred buildings tell many stories without saying a single word of survival and heroism. Once the last of their generation passes, their legacy will endure in the continued service of Airmen.

(Jessie Higa contributed historical information to this story)

Dobbins joins Operation Toy Drop

by Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten
94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

12/10/2012 - DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Aircrews and C-130s took off from here Dec. 7 to join up to eight other aircrews and approximately 6,000 paratroopers from around the world as part of the 15th Annual Randy Oler Operation Toy Drop over Fort Bragg, N.C.

The operation is hailed as the world's largest combined airborne operation, according to Maj. James Light, 700th Aerial Squadron, 94th Airlift Wing C-130 instructor pilot and mission commander. Airframes from multiple bases will drop hundreds of paratroopers and distribute an estimated 20,000 toys to children in need Dec. 7-8.

"It's a great feeling to be able to help children in need out, especially during the holiday season," said Light. "For us, we get a lot of training out of it. We will be flying multi-ship formations with Guard, Reserve and Active Duty. We have some young Airmen who have never dropped personnel before."

For the 94th AW and Light, this will be their third year participating in the toy drop. The wing's aircrews have a diverse group as far as toy drop experience goes. Capt. Jonathan Lester, 700 AS C-130 pilot will be an aircraft commander for one of the Dobbins airframes and will be completing his first toy drop.

"Overall, there will be about 6,000 paratroopers, and we hope to be able to drop about 2,000 of them," said Lester "Not only is this a great opportunity for our guys, but it's also an opportunity for the paratroopers to jump with foreign jump masters and earn foreign jump wings."

Seven nations are participating in the 2012 Operation Toy Drop: Italy, Germany, Canada, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, and the Netherlands, according to Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command officials. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft.

New Process Improves Household Goods Shipments

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Dec. 10, 2012 – A system being implemented at U.S. Transportation Command is making permanent-change-of-station moves more convenient, while reducing lost and damaged shipments and saving the government money. The Defense Personal Property System is making permanent-change-of-station moves more convenient, reducing lost and damaged shipments and saving the government money. Here, a moving truck is unloaded as a military family moves into a new home at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The Defense Personal Property System, introduced in 2009 as a pilot program at 17 installations, now supports 90 percent of all military moves, Jill Smith, personal property division chief at Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, told American Forces Press Service.   The Web-based system automates many of the steps involved in military moves: pre-move counseling, scheduling, tracking, invoicing and claims filing for household goods shipments. “The beauty of DPS is that customers can do all this from the comfort of their own homes. They can do it early in the morning or at 11 o’clock at night, whatever works best for them,” Smith said. “Plus, all the information they might want – whether it’s about gypsy moths or weight allowances, or just tips about how they can have a smoother move – is right at their fingertips, a click away, and available 24/7.” DPS also gives customers the opportunity to track their shipments online. If their shipment is lost or damaged, they can file a claim online and settle directly with the moving company. Moves not yet covered by DPS – generally those involving long-term storage or moves within an overseas theater – will be included as new features are added to make the system fully operational by September 2017, Smith said. Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Transcom’s Army component, processes about 600,000 personal property moves each year for soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Defense Department civilian employees and their families, Smith reported. About one-third of these moves take place during the summer, and almost 70,000 include privately owned vehicle shipments. Collectively, they cost the Defense Department about $2.2 billion a year, Smith said. But with DPS, she projects between $117 million and $136 million in annual savings – while providing customers with better service. That’s because rather than relying on “low-bid” transportation providers to conduct military moves, DPS provides “best value” services. This, Smith explained, factors in not just cost, but also variables such as timeliness, reliability, the incidence of lost or damaged shipments and ease in providing reimbursement for claims. “We want to provide carriers that are not only qualified, but fully capable of making sure that they protect the members’ household goods, provide a great quality move and communicate with that customer,” she said. “The bottom line for us is that we want to do business with carriers that pick up the household goods on time and deliver them on time, with no or the least amount of damage – whether [that carrier] happens to be cheaper or a little bit more expensive.” Those determinations are based directly on customer satisfaction surveys that help ensure the best movers get singled out for DOD business. “We rely on these surveys because [customers] get to evaluate the [transportation service provider’s] performance, and that ties directly into the best-value score,” Smith said. “The higher the customer satisfaction, the higher the score and the more opportunity that [carrier] gets to participate in future traffic.” As an additional incentive for moving companies to apply extra care while handling DOD shipments, carriers are now required to pay full replacement value for anything lost or broken. Before that change was introduced about five years ago, transportation carriers paid a depreciated value on all claims. The result has been a dramatic reduction in claims. “If they break your $500 china, that means they have to replace or repair it. So carriers have a tendency to be more careful,” Smith said. “That is a good thing, because it helps make service members feel a little bit more comfortable about turning over their prized possessions, knowing that the carriers are going to be held responsible for it.” Smith said she’s looking forward to the complete rollout of DPS and the convenience it will provide DOD customers throughout the move process. “This will be a brand new era,” she said. “Customers will have a centralized one-stop shop that gives them all the tools they need to plan and manage their moves, that provides them best-value service and uses their feedback to ensure other service members will, too.”

ADC prioritizes client's "best interest"

by Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos
36th Wing Public Affairs

12/9/2012 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Under investigation, facing an Article 15, letter of reprimand or other adverse actions? There is a place where you can seek confidential help.

The Area Defense Counsel program was set in place to eliminate the stigma that defense counsels worked in some way for the accused's chain of command.

Under the provisions of Article 31 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Compulsory self-incrimination prohibited, an Air Force member suspected of committing a criminal offense has the right to remain silent and the right to consult with a military defense counsel free of charge prior to making any statements.

"I'm not rated by anyone on base; my only loyalty is to my client," said Captain Ian Holzhauer, Andersen's Area Defense Counsel. "This is so I can freely advocate for the Airmen. If an Airman comes through my door and I see a legal problem with why and how their command wants them out of the service, I can fight for them. My job is to do what's in the best interest of my clients."

Established in 1974, the Area Defense Counsel's prime responsibility is to vigorously and ethically represent Airmen facing adverse military actions and to make sure that Airmen are properly advised on their situation and the UCMJ.

"My goal is for 100 percent of Article 15 recipients to come by," said Captain Holzhauer. "We advertise with our posters all over the base and speak with First Term Airmen Center students. We also let the command know that it's in their best interest to make sure an Airman comes and talks to us before they respond to an Article 15 or any adverse military action they are faced with. It doesn't help anyone if the process is not fair and someone is punished too harshly for something that has not been proven."

Prior to being nominated for the ADC position, judge advocates start off at base legal offices where they hone their skills as prosecutors in cases, including court martials. Exceptional JAGs at the legal office get nominated to be ADCs, usually after two base legal office tours. This process is in place to ensure that JAGs appointed to become ADCs have the experience and skill set to assist the Airmen in need of counsel.

Upon assuming the role of ADC, the JAG no longer works under any unit or chain on base; instead, they fall under the Air Force Legal Operation Agency in Washington, D.C.

"The JAG Corps set up the ADC structure to get special permission to have our assignments completely separate from the commands in the bases we're located," said Captain Holzhauer. "My boss is a senior defense counsel who is at Kadena Air Base, Japan. My chain of command is separate from the 36th Wing."

Alongside ADCs are the defense paralegals who help the Airmen prior to their meeting with the ADC. They schedule appointments, review cases and give Airmen a general idea of what they could be facing.

"I sit down and talk to them about the situation," said Tech. Sgt. Tara Padua, Andersen's defense paralegal. "A lot of young Airmen don't know how the system works."

"Before they leave here I make sure they're mentally okay," she continued. "I have seen people distraught because they feel like they hit rock bottom. I would either call mental health, a chaplain or a supervisor. If they don't prefer any of those, we stay here and talk with them. They can vent freely because they have 100 percent confidentiality."

Similar to civilian law, attorney-client privilege is afforded to Airmen in their discussions with ADCs and defense paralegals. Information given within the ADC office by a military member seeking advice is held in strict confidence unless disclosed as part of the defense during the case with the permission of the client.

"They could tell me what they're thinking and have a full frank discussion," said Captain Holzhauer. "Without my client's permission I will never talk to their commander, spouse or anybody else about what they told me."

From providing information and advice to keeping confidentiality and advocating in court, the ADC is one among many avenues the Air Force offers to uphold Airmen's rights and ensure that the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

199th, 19th Fighter Squadrons team up to retake ACA mission

by Staff Sgt. Nathan Allen
15th Wing Public Affairs

12/10/2012 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- F-22 Raptor pilots from the 19th and 199th Fighter Squadrons here brought home a familiar mission Dec. 6 when they retook the responsibility of guarding Hawaii's skies through the Aerospace Control Alert mission.

On Aug. 6, 2010, the Montana Air National Guard's 186th Fighter Squadron from the 120th Fighter Wing based in Great Falls, gave the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th FS a "breather" as they transitioned from the F-15 Eagle to the F-22 Raptor. Since then, the 199th FS has worked to posture itself to retake the mission, with the help of a total force integration partnership with the recently stood-up 19th FS owned and operated by active duty Airmen of the 15th Wing.

To fulfill the ACA mission, the squadrons will have pilots, maintainers, and weapons crews on call 24/7 ready to respond at a moment's notice against threats to the Hawaiian Islands. The squadrons and the aircraft they operate are considered "initially operationally capable," meaning they are fully qualified and manned to fulfill alert requirements as well as Pacific Command objectives to deploy anywhere worldwide with a limited number of assets.

Lt. Col. Mark Ladtkow, 199th FS commander, said the down time during the transition from the F-15 to the F-22 has been "bittersweet."

"It's our mission ... we work and live here in Hawaii, so to not be able to perform your state mission, homeland defense, is a little bit saddening. But it was sweet because (after switching to the F-22) we can now stand up our capability with the F-22 and regain that homeland defense mission."

Lt. Col. Robert Jackson, 19th FS commander, said choosing 1200 Zulu on Dec. 7 as the time in which to retake the ACA mission was no coincidence.

"As an American, I know that date, 7 December, is important not only for Hawaii but for the United States. It'll be a proud day as Americans and as members of the military in Hawaii to take back over that responsibility for top cover for the state of Hawaii."

As with many units within the 154th and 15th Wings, the two fighter squadrons have employed a TFI structure to get to where they are today. As such, the two commanders credit many accomplishments to their units' ability to work together seamlessly.

"We've had a number of significant milestones," Ladtkow said. "We've had the successful delivery of all 18 of our aircraft. We've been able to show throughout multiple exercises the ability to generate and mobilize the aircraft and its associated equipment, as well as operate from a temporary duty location and then be able to return with all those personnel ... we have the best total force integration organization in the United States Air Force."

Pilot Calls F-35 ‘Big Leap’ in Fighter Capability

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2012 – The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jet will be a strategic deterrent for the nation because of its "huge leap in capability," a Marine Corps pilot said.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Scott, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., recently told the Pentagon Channel the F-35 will allow Marines to perform missions in high-threat areas, unlike existing aircraft.

The F-35 will be able to do every mission now performed by the AV-8 Harrier does now, but will be able to do it in more situations, said Scott, who is involved with flying and testing the new aircraft. The new fighter will provide access to more areas, he explained, and will allow more time for rolling back enemy defenses.

The Defense Department and Lockheed Martin reached an agreement in principle last week to manufacture 32 F-35s in the Pentagon’s largest weapons program. Lockheed Martin will produce 22 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variants for the Air Force, three F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variants for the Marine Corps, and seven F-35C carrier variants for the Navy.
Scott said flying the F-35 is an easy transition from the Harrier, and that it did exceptionally well, during a recent trial at sea.

“The sensors and systems are the big leap deploying the aircraft in terms of tactics,” he said.
“The Lightning will fulfill a lot of the functions of Marine Corps aviation -- such as [our] air support role, antiair, targeting enemy ground locations and supporting the troops on the ground -- as Harriers and [F/A-18] Hornets do now,” he added. “But it brings more in one aircraft in its ability to protect itself from the enemy.”

Scott said the F-35 will give the military “a huge leap in capability, probably five or six steps beyond what we now have.”

“We're going to have this aircraft for a long time,” he said. “As we get more and more of these aircraft in all of the services, we’re going to see a lot of the benefits that the aircraft has in terms of commonality. As we start operating tactically, some of the communications [and] capabilities will become more and more valuable to the services, … and it will be in demand to combatant commanders around the world.”

Face of Defense: Twins Complete Recruit Training Together

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bridget Keane
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 10, 2012 – Born four minutes apart, Marine Corps Pvts. Shaun and Gabe Vanderwall, Platoon 1035, Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, grew up nearly inseparable.

Marine Corps Pvts. Shaun and Gabe Vanderwall are identical twins who went through recruit training together at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bridget Keane   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The 21-year-old identical twins from Ludington, Mich., were always together and enrolled in the same activities since they were children. “I guess it made it easier for our mother so she didn’t have to be in two places at once,” Shaun said. “That’s where our competitiveness came from.”

The twins would hold “friendly competitions” with each other during sporting events, trying to beat each other’s times and scores. As they moved on to high school, they both joined track and swim and continued in their competitive nature.

Although the boys’ friendly rivalry was taken light-heartedly, they still pushed each other to excel in any activity.

“We’re brothers, we wouldn’t want to see each other fail at anything,” Shaun said.

After graduating from Ludington High School in 2009 and receiving scholarships for their performance in track and swim, both soon realized how expensive college would be even with scholarships.

“Since we were good at swimming, we decided it would be a good idea to join the Coast Guard,” Shaun said. “We wanted to do something in search and rescue.”

The two went to speak with a recruiter, but were discouraged by the news they received.

“We were told that we’d have to wait two years before we could join,” Shaun said. “We decided we were going to wait.”

But the Vanderwall twins grew tired of their work at a local retirement home as servers and cooks. Gabe said they didn’t want to wait any longer and went back to the recruiting center to look at a different branch of service. He spoke with a Marine Corps recruiter and was pleased to hear that he and his brother would be able to leave sooner. He returned home with the good news to Shaun, and the two enlisted in April.
“We both wanted to get on with our lives, and the Marine Corps gave us so many options with jobs and benefits,” said Gabe.

The brothers shipped off to recruit training here Sept. 10 and were placed in the same platoon. Like most recruits, they had a hard time adjusting to the first few weeks of recruit training, they said, but the one thing they had was each other.

The brothers said they motivated each other when times became tough and even kept up with their competitive games during training events such as the combat fitness test.

“We both received a 300 on our CFTs and our times were close,” Gabe said. “We both did 100 ammunition can lifts, our 880 was 2 minutes 29 seconds, but I beat Shaun by seven seconds on the maneuver under fire -- I got a minute 50 seconds and he got 57 seconds.”

Knowing that they could always rely on each other, they continued to push through training and were noticed individually in the platoon.

“Shaun was more of a natural leader when he arrived, and Gabe was more reserved and quiet,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Brandon Rogers, drill instructor. “Gabe is actually the most improved recruit in our platoon.”

Rogers, a 25-year-old Fairfield, Calif., native, explained that while Gabe struggled in the beginning but soon started to volunteer more and take charge, both developed into good leaders, morally and physically.

“They motivated the platoon through their actions,” he said. “When there was a task that needed to be done, they’d always get it taken care of.”

Though the Vanderwall twins now hold the title Marine, their Marine Corps journey isn’t over yet. They are scheduled to continue Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan 8.

Once they finish training there, they will go separate ways for the first time in their lives. It’s going to be a big change in their lives, they said, but they’re ready to experience it.

“I think it will be a good experience for them,” Rogers said. “I’m confident that they’ll be fine on their own.”