Ancient Plays Provide Forum for Tough Topics

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Justin L. Ailes, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- The Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team (JSMART) aboard Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is sponsoring presentations of "Theater of War" through June 24.

The program, presented by Theater of War Productions, included Hollywood and Broadway actors reading the Greek drama, "Prometheus In Prison," as well as scenes from "Ajax" and "Philoctetes."

"Theater of War is an awareness project that has been touring military sites throughout the United States, Europe, and Cuba, performing ancient plays serving as a catalyst for town-hall discussions on issues that are hard to talk about otherwise," said Bryan Doerries, Theater of War producer. "The idea is to relate the impact of war on families and relationships, and provide a forum to discuss the effects of those experiences, utilizing these ancient plays that timelessly depict the seen and unseen wounds of battle."

Among these Greek tragedies, 'Prometheus In Prison' was written by Greek general Sophocles 2,500 years ago for an audience of more than 17,000 soldiers, said Doerries.

'Prometheus In Prison' portrays a depiction of a prisoner-of-war who has committed political crimes and is sentenced to an eternity of isolation and segregation away from the gods and humanity.

"The play is about how this prisoner rebels against those who have incarcerated him, his family, and friends, and we use this as a forum relating to those who serve in the criminal justice field, and especially here at the detention camp," said Doerries. "The story focuses on the pressures involved with working with self-righteous prisoners and the impact that has on those involved."

The scenes read from 'Philoctetes' depict a psychologically complex tragedy about a Greek warrior marooned on a desert island while his troops wage war without him, showcasing the importance of teamwork and resiliency, added Doerries, while 'Ajax' tells the story of a Greek warrior dealing with depression near the end of the Trojan War, conveying the effects of suicide and the impact it has on families.

"The play gives a voice to depression and suicide so that people see that it's not just them; these issues have been around since the beginning of time," said Francesca Dietz, wife of a Soldier stationed with the 525th Military Police Battalion on Joint Task Force Guantanamo, who will sit on a panel of commentators for the "town hall" discussions that happen after the readings.

The panel includes two veteran or active duty service members with prior deployments, a spouse or family member, and a chaplain or mental health professional.

"After the readings, we discuss our reactions to the play with audience members," said Dietz. "Everyone is involved in the discussion, and it raises awareness of the effects military service can have on individuals, their families including parents, and close friends."

Theater of War helps audience members understand the effects of war on military communities, said Dietz.

"It's okay to feel these things," said Dietz. "Soldiers today are not the first ones to feel anguish over their experiences, and they won't be the last ones. There are people who have been through the same things before and there are resources available to help."

The dramatic readings featured award-winning actors Phyllis Kaufman, Marin Ireland, Brian O'Byrne, William Mills Irwin, and Ato Essandoh.

"People in our audiences, especially military audiences, see their own stories reflected in tales over 2,500 years old, and because they see themselves in these depictions, something very powerful happens," said Doerries. "Audience members feel empowered to speak about their personal tribulations associated with military life and Theater of War provides an honest and sincere platform for those discussions."

Dr. Biden Thanks Sailors for Service, Sacrifice

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2011 – Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, today visited with military members serving aboard the USS Ramage that’s anchored off the southern coast of Greece.

Biden is in Greece to lead the U.S. delegation at the Special Olympics in Athens.

“I am looking forward to watching the games and cheering the incredible athletes,” she said in her prepared remarks. “But I never miss a chance to visit with members of the military and their families, so I was thrilled when Secretary [of the Navy Ray] Mabus invited me to spend time with you here on the USS Ramage.”

Biden used the opportunity to reassure the sailors that their loved ones are thinking about them and anticipating their return.

“I am inspired by all of you. And I am inspired by your families,” she said. “Whether they are your wives or girlfriends, your moms and dads, your children or your grandparents -- they all think about you every day. And they await your safe return home.”

The USS Ramage, commanded by Navy Cmdr. Erik J. Eslich, deployed last month from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The destroyer, and its 250 crew members, operates in the Sixth Fleet area of responsibility, where it provides deterrence and humanitarian and disaster response as necessary, promotes peace and security, and preserves freedom of the seas.

Biden, whose son had deployed to Iraq with the Delaware National Guard, also let the group know they have advocates working tirelessly to ensure the American public doesn’t forget them or their families.

“I know that you cannot focus on your job here unless you know your families back home are taken care of,” she said.

Biden said she and first lady Michelle Obama are “working hard to make sure the country understands what you do. And we are encouraging individuals, groups and businesses to join forces with us to support you and your families.

“The first lady and I are spreading the word to all Americans that everyone can play a part in making our military families feel appreciated and supported,” Biden added.

As Biden finished her remarks, she thanked the military members for their service to the nation.

“On behalf of the president, the first lady, my husband Joe and myself, I want to thank you for your service and your sacrifice. The work that each and every one of you does is critical to our national security,” she said.

“You and your families make us proud -- and I am honored to have the chance to visit with you today.”

CNIC Helps National Community as Feds Feed Families

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Monique K. Hilley, Commander, Navy Installations Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), in partnership with the Department of Defense, has joined the nationwide effort known as "Feds Feed Families," June 23.

"We are moving forward as a team doing what we can to help others," said Capt. James Fisher, CNIC Chaplain Corps, director, Strategic Plans and Programming.

The Feds Feed Families Food Drive Campaign encourages federal employees to bring nonperishable food items to their offices for distribution to local food banks.

CNIC Force Chaplain, Capt. Jack Lea, serves as the national chaplain, while the chaplains at the region and installation levels will serve as coordinators with local organizational representatives and lead the call for donations.

"Members of the U.S. Navy have always responded in a time of need or crisis. Chaplains and religious program specialists, by their very profession and calling, are individuals who have great sensitivity for the needs of other people in times of need or crisis," said Fisher.

The federal goal is to collect two million pounds of food, with Department of Defense setting a collection goal of 733,800 pounds of food distributed to local food banks worldwide.

Food banks are most in need of donations during the summer months, when other donations are traditionally lower. Last year, Feds Feed Families raised 1.7 million pounds of food during the summer months, far exceeding its goal of 1.2 million pounds.

In the National Capital Region, food will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank, which serves more than 700 food pantries, soup kitchens and other service organizations in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland. Chaplains at the region and installation levels will coordinate with food banks in their areas to ensure delivery of all donated nonperishable items.

The campaign will run June 1 through Aug. 30, with boxes being picked up June 29, July 27 and Aug. 31.

"In this era of fiscal austerity, it is no secret that members of our national community have need of our support regarding basic nutritional requirements. Chaplains and religious program specialists, working in conjunction with their command shipmates, are determined to make a difference in meeting the needs of others this summer," said Fisher.

Feds Feed Families is an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) initiative which has requested DoD support during its third annual campaign due to the impact of a series of natural disasters on our nation which have depleted charitable resources in response to significant demand signals. This is the first year DoD is participating in the campaign.

"American families should never have to go hungry," said OPM Director John Berry. "Federal workers are big-hearted people who are eager to help those in their communities who need it most. Together, we hope to collect two million pounds of food nationwide this summer."

This year's theme is "Feeding Families one Fed at a Time."

This initiative is a response to the "United We Serve Act," signed by President Barack Obama in April 2009, calling for all Americans to contribute to the nation's economic recovery by serving their communities.

Obama Visits Fort Drum, Thanks First to Deploy

By Steve Ghiringhelli, Fort Drum Public Affairs Office

American Forces Press Service

FORT DRUM, N.Y. , June 23, 2011 – The day after announcing a drawdown of troops from Afghanistan, President Barack Obama visited Fort Drum to thank members of an Army division that was among the first to deploy units following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I don't want to give a long speech, because I want to spend most of my time just shaking hands and thanking all of you," Obama told a small gathering of 10th Mountain Division soldiersJune 23, 2011, during his first official visit to Fort Drum.

The soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team, which returned earlier this year from its deployment to northern Afghanistan, sat in complete silence as they awaited the commander in chief's arrival at the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade dining facility. It was soldiers from the brigade's 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, who provided a quick reaction force in Afghanistan immediately following 9/11, ultimately helping to overthrow the Taliban-run regime that harbored al-Qaida terrorists.

Once the president was announced, he was introduced to the 150 soldiers by the brigade's commander, Col. Willard "Bill" Burleson.

"Sir, it's a great privilege to share these great soldiers here with you today," Burleson said. "They represent about 4,000 of the first elements of (last year's surge) in Afghanistan."

The president thanked Burleson for his hard work and leadership and then spoke about his decision last year to deploy an additional 30,000 troops into Afghanistan, calling it one of the toughest decisions he has made as president.

"The only reason I was able to make that decision was because I knew that we had the finest fighting force in the world, and that if I gave a command to our troops, they would be able to accomplish that mission," the president said. "The 10th Mountain Division … (were) the first folks to go in after that order was given.

"And that's not surprising," he added, "because you guys were also some of the first folks to go in right after 9/11."

During his televised address to the nation Wednesday night, Obama announced that 10,000 troops will redeploy to the U.S. this year and that a total of 33,000 -- roughly the number of troops sent to Afghanistan last year -- will return by next summer. As Afghan security forces move into the lead, the president said, American troops will continue steadily coming home until 2014, when the U.S. mission completes its transition from combat to support.

He also stated that it was time for America to rethink some of its national security policies, cautioning that the U.S. is in need of some "nation building" of its own.

"Already, this decade of war has caused many to question the nature of America’s engagement around the world," he said during his primetime speech. "Some would have America retreat from our responsibility as an anchor of global security and embrace an isolation that ignores the very real threats that we face. Others would have America over-extended, confronting every evil that can be found abroad.

"We must chart a more centered course," the president noted.

Currently, the 10th Mountain Division's headquarters leads coalition forces in Regional Command - South in Kandahar, Afghanistan. In addition, three of the division's six brigades are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom -- 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Brigade Combat Team and 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.

It brings the total number of 10th Mountain Division soldiers serving in Afghanistan to more than 10,000.

Meanwhile, the 10th Sustainment Brigade is readying to deploy to Afghanistan this fall.

Obama said his respect for the 10th Mountain Division's storied past goes back to his days at the U.S. Senate.

"I've always run into you guys -- and for some reason, it's always in some rough spots," he said. "You guys have always been there in the toughest fights. The fact that you are continuing, even as we speak, and that many of your comrades are there right now under some very tough circumstances, (demonstrates) your dedication and your patriotism."

In order to sustain their accomplishments so far in the war-torn country, the president assured soldiers that his plan to decrease the number of troops in Afghanistan would not be done "precipitously."

"Because of what you have done, areas like Kandahar are more secure than they have been in years," Obama said. "Because of you, we are now taking the fight to the Taliban, instead of the Taliban bringing the fight to us. Because of you, there are signs that the Taliban may be interested in figuring out political settlements.

"It's also because of you that we have a platform to be able to go after bin Laden and al-Qaida, and we have decimated their ranks," he said.

Obama said even with his planned drawdown, tough work lies ahead.

"The American people understand the sacrifices you are making; they understand the sacrifices that your Families are making," he said. "But there's still some fighting to be done. And frankly, the 10th Mountain Division is still going to be represented there until we have fully transferred to the Afghan military and security forces.

"You guys are the tip of the spear," Obama continued. "You guys are the ones that keep us safe each and every day. For all of the sacrifices you have made, I want to say thank you. For all of the sacrifices your Families have made, I want to say thank you.

"I have no greater job -- nothing gives me more honor -- than serving as your commander in chief. To all of you who are potentially going to be (deployed again), just know that your commander in chief has your back."

Before boarding Air Force One at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, Obama met privately inside the Rapid Deployment Facility with family members of fallen soldiers.

Face of Defense: Sergeant Tops Push-up Record

By Army Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs

Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

BUTLERVILLE, Ind., June 23, 2011 – Have you ever wanted to break a world record? Army Staff Sgt. John Halsey didn't know that he wanted to -- until he discovered that he had something to prove to his student soldiers.

Halsey, an assistant platoon sergeant in Bravo Company for the Patriot Academy at Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex, Ind., noticed that the students under his watch were being a bit lethargic on their day off.

"I challenged them to go do something productive, go break a world record," Halsey said. "They laughed about it and told me to go break a world record.”

Halsey said he replied, “I will,” to the students.

Halsey set his sights on the record for most push-ups in one minute with a 40-pound pack -- a record that was then held by Britain’s Paddy Doyle, who’d performed 51 push-ups in one minute with a 40-pound pack on his back Oct. 11, 2010.

Halsey said he felt that he needed to not only break the record, but to beat it decisively to show his soldiers that anything is possible.

The barrel-chested Halsey trained every day for two months.

The rules for breaking a world record are specific and include having witnesses present who aren’t affiliated with the attempted record breaker or the organization. Shana Richmond of North Vernon; Connie Rayburn, North Vernon city councilor; and North Vernon's First Lady Joanne Campbell all volunteered to witness the event and act as unbiased judges.

With more than 100 Patriot Academy students present in the old school house gymnasium, a 40-pound kettle bell weight was placed in a three-pound backpack, more than tipping the mandatory weight of 40 pounds as it was officially weighed and documented.

When Halsey was told to go, he was more than ready. By the time 30 seconds had elapsed, the students were out of their seats and pounding the gymnasium floor, cheering louder and louder for Halsey until it was nearly impossible to hear the time keeper over the public address system.

As soon as the members of the crowd, who were counting the number of Halsey’s push-ups, shouted "52," everybody started cheering.

But Halsey didn't stop. He wasn't satisfied with simply breaking the record.

Stop was called at 60 seconds and the official final count was 60 push-ups. Halsey had performed 60 push-ups in one minute while wearing a 43-pound backpack -- an average of one push-up every second.

Rayburn was in charge of counting the number of push-ups using a hand counter.

"I was so excited, and I was looking at how much time was left. I knew where I was at on the count and kept thinking, 'This is too cool, but remember to focus on what you're doing,’" she said.

"I knew the previous record was 51," said Richmond, the other official counter. "So the second I hit 51, I was cheering as hard as the soldiers behind me. I can't wait to tell my kids at school. They are going to think it's the greatest thing that's ever happened."

Campbell said she was excited to be present at the breaking of a world record.

"I have never done anything like this before. What an experience," she said. "I'm so proud of him and his motivation. It's awesome."

After his record-breaking performance, Halsey didn't appear any worse for wear.

"I'm just glad it's over with," he said. "My goal behind this was to show the students it can be done. I have a feeling a lot of them will be gunning for this record just because it was me who broke it. I want to watch them do it, because any time they are trying that hard, they are just becoming better soldiers."

It may take as long as six weeks for the Guinness World Record committee to verify Halsey's record, at which point he will be sent a certificate to commemorate the achievement.

But, for Halsey, the true accomplishment is the example he set for his soldiers.

Walter Reed Planning Smooth Transition for Wounded Warriors

By Rob McIlvaine, Army News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Many of the approximately 430 wounded warriors, along with their family members and staff, visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) June 22 to hear about their upcoming move to one of two refurbished medical centers in the National Capital Region.

During the weekends of August 12 and 19, patients now at Walter Reed will move to either the newly named Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., or the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia.

The existing WRAMC, which has been active since 1909, will close its doors Sept. 15. Some of the 113 acres of that facility will be transferred to the Department of State; the rest will go to the District of Columbia.

The new names of the medical campuses will become effective when the last patient is transferred from the old Walter Reed Army Medical Center to Walter Reed Bethesda.

"We (have been) planning, training and rehearsing to ensure patient safety and quality of care are maintained at the highest levels during transition," said Vice Adm. John Mateczun, commander of Joint Task Force, National Capital Region Medical, on its website. "We will do everything we must for the wounded, ill and injured and all the beneficiaries that we are privileged to care for."

Also helping with the "town hall" at the medical center were Col. Jim Larsen, commander of Walter Reed's Warrior Transition Brigade; Brig. Gen. Steve Jones, deputy commander of Joint Task Force, National Capital Region Medical; and representatives from both medical campuses.

"We've been working on the process for three years," said Mateczun. "We've rehearsed this in table-top exercises and then we rehearsed the move on August 12 with ambulances and simulated moving of patients from here over to Bethesda. Then we'll have a more detailed practice before we actually do the move."

About $2.5 billion has been spent doing construction and outfitting for the two new hospitals.

"For the Bethesda campus, very large new buildings on either side of the tower, one's outpatient -- that's the largest outpatient building in the Military Health System. The other is one of the largest inpatient pavilions with 50 intensive patient care beds that sits against the inpatient tower now," Mateczun said.

In addition, at the Bethesda campus, three new parking garages will be ready to open about Aug. 1, wounded warrior lodging is going up, a new administration building is going up, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence for Traumatic Brain Injury is up and running, and three new Fisher Houses -- with 22 units -- are up and running.

One of the priorities of the Task Force is making sure that the wounded warriors have the capabilities and support they need.

"Over the last couple of months, we met with the vice chiefs from all of the services to make sure that we're not leaving any seams," Mateczun said. "They asked about the wounded warrior support programs from our services -- because you have the Warrior Transition Brigade, Wounded Warrior Regiment from the Marines, Safe Harbor from the Navy, Air Force's programs and we have to make sure they're able to cover all of the needs of the individuals at both of these locations."

The Joint Task Force funds the hospital care and also funds the lodging facilities at Bethesda. One-fourth of the entire inpatient military health service is done in the National Capital Region. In terms of the Warrior Transition Brigade and the Wounded Warrior Regiment, those are service-funded issues.

"The Bethesda medical center is where the most complex patients and rehabilitation go, so they'll be doing the prosthetics rehabilitation, for instance, the traumatic brain injuries, and if somebody is more ambulatory, than they don't need to be on that campus. So they'll get plenty of space and excellent care down at the Fort Belvoir hospital," Mateczun said.

Also, rather than being at one of the medical campuses, many Soldiers in the area are spread out in family housing at Fort Meade, for instance. If they need more than one appointment a week, they'll be at the medical center.

"When I visited Walter Reed Bethesda, I was shocked when I saw a 37-inch, flat screen TV that doubles as a computer monitor in the room, and the rooms at Bethesda. I thought I'm living in squalor compared to the rooms here," said Spc. Steven McDonald, who's been a patient at WRAMC for the past year after leaving Iraq with extensive injuries. While at the facility, he's endured multiple surgeries and a lot of physical therapy. And recently, he started the medical board process to determine if he's fit or unfit for duty.

McDonald and his squad leader, Staff Sgt. Nicholas B. Suhling, said the rooms at Bethesda are all designed to accommodate Soldiers in wheelchairs. This allows for wheelchairs to easily move through doorways. The showers allow for the patient to roll right in, all the toilets are accessible, and the sinks and mirrors are able to accommodate those in wheelchairs as well as those able to stand.

"I was very jealous that I wasn't there yet," said McDonald, who believes he might have to retire from the service because of his injuries. He was also able to see his regular doctors at Bethesda and was able to get his final surgery scheduled sooner, rather than waiting a month.

Suhling has been the squad leader with the Warrior Transition Brigade for the past year.

"Some guys are here for a couple of weeks. But I've had one guy who has been here since 2007. Some guys are just single amputees, some are double, triple, quadruple amps, some guys take a little bit longer to heal than others, and some are here for two, three, four, five years 'cause you can't get your head right," Suhling said.

Suhling is responsible for the health, welfare, and morale of multiple Warriors in Transition in medical treatment and rehabilitation status.

"I also give the Soldiers a chance to get away from the monotonous physical therapy and doctors' appointments they have every day by getting them out on fishing and hunting outings and showing them that even though they have disabilities there is still a life full of activities, new and old, that can be performed with their current disabilities," Suhling said.

He said he has guys who donate charter boats so six or seven guys can go out for some deep sea fishing. He has also taken patients up to Pennsylvania to hunt deer, wild turkey and black bear.

Asked if he enjoys this job, Suhling shares what he many never have to think about.

"Honestly, coming from the infantry, I would have loved to stay oblivious to the amount of carnage that war brings," he said. "I guess I was kind of ignorant to the fact that Walter Reed even existed, because when I went to Afghanistan and Iraq twice, I always thought you die or you don't get hurt. I never really thought about anything happening in between. I never really thought about losing a leg or an arm, but then I got here and everybody has lost a leg or an arm."

For more information on the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, visit http://www.jtfcapmed.mil/wii-warriors/.

USS Constitution Wins 2011 President's Volunteer Service Award

From USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- USS Constitution won the gold level 2011 President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for community service in Charlestown, Mass., June 22.

The PVSA is divided into three levels: bronze, silver and gold. Groups must volunteer a minimum of 1,000 hours of community service to qualify for the gold level.

"Community service is a large part of what we do here on board USS Constitution, and our Sailors thoroughly enjoy it," said Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Shirley, USS Constitution executive officer. "Most community service events are completely voluntary, which validates the caring and dedication our Sailors put forth each and every day. We are honored to be recognized with this award for helping those in our community that need that little extra assistance."

Constitution Sailors qualified for the 2011 PVSA four months after winning the gold level 2010 PVSA, Feb. 22. The ship also won the 2009 PVSA for gold level.

"It's amazing how fast we qualified for this year's award, only a few months after winning the 2010 one," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Jacob Wallace, Constitution's volunteer program coordinator. "But we're constantly moving around the country at Navy Weeks, moving around Boston, helping out where we can. Some people might be surprised how easy it is to find organizations in need of assistance. That's what I do; seek them out and it's more rewarding personally than anything else."

Established in 2003, the PVSA is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.

The PVSA is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the president of the United States to recognize the best in the American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation.

"I just like helping people," said Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Matthew DeAngelo, who has volunteered the most hours in 2011. "There's something to helping someone and the feeling you get from it. It doesn't matter how tired I am or even if I don't feel well. When I'm helping out and I see the impact it has, it makes me forget whatever problem I'm having."

Constitution also won the Commander, Navy Region (COMNAVREG) Middle Atlantic (MIDLANT) Good Neighbor Flagship award for small shore commands in 2010. COMNAVREG MIDLANT gives the award to commands that have the best year-round community service program or special project that encourages activities to provide humanitarian assistance to the less fortunate.

The ship is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard of Boston Harbor. She is the world's oldest

commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.

Today in the Department of Defense, Friday, June 24, 2011

 Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

This Day in Naval History - June 23

From the Navy News Service

1933 - Commissioning of USS Macon, Navy's last dirigible.

1961 - Navy's first major low frequency radio station commissioned at Cutler, Maine.

1972 - Navy helicopter squadron aids flood-stricken residents in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Pittstown area of Pennsylvania.

Quad Cities Navy Week Sailors Help Habitat for Humanity

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Rock Island and Navy Recruiting District, Minneapolis, volunteered to help build a home during Quad Cities Navy Week 2011, as part of a Habitat for Humanity project in Rock Island, Ill., June 21.

The volunteers, which also included U.S. Army Soldiers, installed insulation and sheets of drywall to the interior rooms of the two-story, three-bedroom home being built in the west end of Rock Island.

"An event like today focuses us inward, and it makes me think of the contributions our Navy makes and the partnerships it has with the local communities," said Rear Adm. Tilghman D. Payne, commander, Navy Region Midwest.

This was the 71st home built by Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities since 1993, said Kristin Crafton, director for the nonprofit organization. Habitat for Humanity offers their homes without interest rates to families who qualify, and then help work on the house with 250 hours of 'sweat-equity.'

Ed and Judy Connelly, project manager of the new home the Sailors and Soldiers assisted with, have built 13 homes since 1993. This is the first time the Navy and Army have participated together as one force to assist Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities, according to Judy Connelly.

"We appreciate everything the Navy Sailors and Army Soldiers are doing to help us help people," she said. "This is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved."

Wisconsin Guard taking the lead on resilience training

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

The Wisconsin Army National Guard is helping the U.S. Army's efforts to teach its Soldiers to cope with significant issues rather than bury those issues in an emotional minefield.

The National Guard Resilience University, located in the Wisconsin Military Academy at Fort McCoy, Wis., began offering five-day resilience training assistant (RTA) courses June 6. The first 10-day Master Resiliency Trainer (MRT) course will be offered July 18.

Resilience is described as a person's ability to bounce back from a setback, and is based on that person's perception of the setback and attitude about correcting it. When the Army was developing its master resiliency training program in 2009, Gen. George Casey, Jr. - then Army chief of staff - said the purpose was to bring mental fitness up to the same level as physical fitness.

"In this era of persistent conflict, we've found that the vast majority of Soldiers deploying have a positive growth experience because they're exposed to something very difficult and they succeed," Casey said, adding that the goal was to ensure all Soldiers have the skills to grow and succeed.

According to Lt. Col. Andrew Ratzlaff, commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 426th Regional Training Institute at WMA, Wisconsin National Guard master resilience trainers taught the RTA course in April to more than 200 students in San Diego as a run-through for launching the National Guard Resilience University.

"That training was the catalyst to push us forward," Ratzlaff said, noting that the journey to offer resiliency certification courses in Wisconsin began two years ago. "It's been a long, long road, but it's been worth the effort."

The school is open to National Guard, Army Reserve, active Army and military civilians. Ratzlaff expects to see all components take advantage of the National Guard Resilience University to meet Army goals. The 60-person master resilience trainer class will be offered once a month from July 2011 through September 2012. The class will be offered twice a month beginning October 2012.

Master resilience training is also offered at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where the concept was originally developed, and at Victory University at Fort Jackson, S.C. Mobile training teams also provide instruction across the country.

The National Guard Bureau has assigned Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Cope of the North Carolina Army National Guard to be the lead instructor for resilience courses at the National Guard Resilience University. Maj. Sylvia Lopez, the Wisconsin Army National Guard's most advanced resilience trainer, is currently pursuing a Level 4 rating and will assist in course instruction. All master resilience trainers in the Wisconsin Army National Guard will help teach resilience classes in the coming months.

Ratzlaff said the two recent RTA courses went very well, based on feedback from students.

"If I had to grade it, it would be an A-minus," he said. "I was really pleased, considering it was our first attempt."

While the National Guard Resilience University will provide additional skill identifiers to its master resilience graduates, Ratzlaff emphasized that the skills those trainers will bring back to their units will benefit all Soldiers.

"It really gives the Soldier a skill set and tools to deal with everyday stressors of life," he said. "It's not just about deployed Soldiers - it's the everyday Soldier. These skills can be used once the uniform comes off - it applies everywhere."

Sgt. 1st Class Donald Grundy, a career counselor for the 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery and the 32nd Military Police Company - as well as a Level 2 resilience facilitator working toward Level 3 - agreed.

"I like to say that we should 'take these skill sets home first,'" he explained. "That is, we should apply them in our own life, then take it to the people we interact with. I feel I am better equipped now to deal with adversity and to seek what is good in our lives, and focus less on the negative that seems to try and work its way in."

Master Sgt. Peter Hansen, also a Level 2 facilitator, said he uses the skills he learned every day.

"One of the greatest tools I have received is the knowledge that an event does not cause me to react - it's my thoughts about the event that control my emotions and reactions," Hansen said. "I look for 'thinking traps' - knowing these thinking traps exist makes my decision-making process much more accurate."

Sara Poquette, a Wisconsin Army National Guard veteran and Yellow Ribbon Support Specialist, attended the June 13-17 RTA course and said resilience should be taught at every level.

"I have learned so much," she said. "These tools are so useful and relatable in our personal and professional lives. It allows us to ensure our service members can take care of themselves from the inside out."

Ratzlaff noted that many senior Wisconsin National Guard members will be on hand when the first MRT course begins in July.

"It shows that Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in trying to help our Soldiers," he said. "That's what we do."

Senate Confirms Panetta as Defense Secretary

By Lisa Daniel

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2011 – The U.S. Senate voted unanimously this evening to confirm Leon E. Panetta as the next secretary of defense.

Panetta received broad bipartisan support following his June 9 confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in which he said his foremost mission as defense secretary would be to protect the United States and ensure it has the “best-trained, the best-equipped and the strongest military in the world.”

President Barack Obama nominated him earlier this year to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. Panetta, who currently serves as CIA director, is a former Congressman from California who has worked in government for four decades, including as President Bill Clinton’s budget director.

Obama has nominated Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, to replace Panetta as CIA director.

Panetta’s confirmation comes one day ahead of the president’s scheduled address to the nation to outline his plans to drawdown U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

In his hearing before the Senate committee, Panetta called Gates “one of the greatest secretaries of defense in our nation’s history” and said he would carry on Gates’ initiatives.

Face of Defense: Airman Honors Father With Bronze Star

By Air Force Capt. George Tobias

Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., June 21, 2011 – An Air Force Space Command chief master sergeant used the occasion of her retirement ceremony here to take care of one last troop -- her father, who was presented with the Bronze Star Medal he earned four decades ago.

Chief Master Sgt. Nancy Geisler, a contracting superintendent and area manager for the command, recognized her father, retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Porter at her June 13 retirement ceremony. Geisler coordinated with the Army to present Porter with the medal he earned for service in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 with the 4th Infantry Division, currently located at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colo.

For Geisler it was important to recognize her father's service.

"My father told me while I was young that he had received a Bronze Star," she said. "So I kept that in the back of my mind, and with my upcoming retirement I wanted to present a shadow box to my father of his Bronze Star and his citation, but he told me that the Army never presented him his Bronze Star."

Geisler then decided that at her retirement ceremony, her father should be presented his Bronze Star medal. While they had the orders that showed Porter earned the medal, no records of the citation could be found.

This prompted the 4th ID to regenerate the citation, allowing Army Col. Timothy Coffin, deputy commander of Space and Missile Defense Command and Army Strategic Command, to present it and the Bronze Star to Porter.

"Now is the time to make history right," Coffin said as he presented the medal.

Service members today enjoy great support from the nation, but "that was not the case back in 1969 and 1970 during the period of time that Sgt. 1st Class Porter was in Vietnam,” Coffin said.

"The 4th ID is still today overseas serving in Afghanistan, serving in combat operations," he said. "We have young soldiers today doing the same things that, 41 years later, Sergeant Porter has been recognized for."

Geisler also commented on the disparity of support that today’s service members enjoy, as compared to their predecessors who’d served in Vietnam.

"It is very rewarding to me to see that he finally got recognized for his service," Geisler said of her father’s award.

Geisler said her father was very pleased when he heard he would be presented his Bronze Star.

"He said he was so proud and told all his friends where he lives that the Army finally did him right," she said.

U.S. Army Ground Liaison Officers Embark Reagan

From Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Tidd, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Three U.S. Army Ground Liaison Officers (GLO) recently joined the Ronald Reagan Strike Group (RRSG) in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility to help coordinate air and ground support for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), June 17.

Army GLOs work with the RRSG team to provide ground commanders the effective air support they need.

Army Maj. Brendan McShea, assigned to 4th Battlefield Coordination Det. (BCD) explained the importance of the GLO team being aboard the ship.

"We are here because we get the ground concept," said McShea. "We coordinate with the ground commanders and interpret their needs, then pass that along to the pilots."

GLOs are experienced soldiers, who have previously served on the ground in the designated combat zone. They have first-hand experience working in a hostile environment, giving them a unique perspective to help guide the missions.

"When I'm aboard this aircraft carrier, I am the link between the air wing and the ground forces," said Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Palumbo, assigned to 1st BCD. "When they leave, it's important for the air crews to have situational awareness of the area.

A primary element GLOs bring to the table is flexibility of how the air support is employed. They help field the request that come from the ground commander and coordinate with the RRSG team to coordinate the best course of action.

"Realistically, the battlefield is fluid," said Palumbo, a veteran of four combat deployments. "We work with the Carrier Intelligence Center (CVIC) to produce a product, trimming it down to the essential issues. We give the pilots the best info we can in order to get the best results."

Not only are the GLOs necessary to interpret the scenario, they often help interpret.

"The fact is, the Army and Navy don't always speak the same language," said Palumbo. "Different words, different meanings—even different acronyms. Ground Commanders appreciate having someone who speaks their language and knows where they are coming from, which all helps the success of the mission."

GLOs are typically deployed for a year at a time, half of which is usually spent aboard aircraft carriers. Regardless of where they are working, the end goal is always the same.

"I know our teamwork brings benefits directly to the battlefield," said McShea. "At the end of the day, we hope to make everything go well for the guys in the line of fire."

Ronald Reagan CSG is comprised of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which includes guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88). Embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 includes the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, the "Argonauts" of VFA-147, the "Blue Diamonds" of VFA-146, the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.

New Director of Naval Intelligence Tours Intel Training

By Lt. j.g. Sergio Wooden, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy's new Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Information Dominance got a firsthand look at the Navy's intelligence training in Virginia Beach, Va., June 8.

Vice Adm. Kendall Card received a briefing from Capt. Donald Darnell Jr., commanding officer for the Center for Naval Intelligence (CENNAVINTEL) and the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC). They also discussed training, career continuums, the future of the intelligence community and its role in information dominance.

After the briefing, Card toured the NMITC facilities, as well as the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Counterintelligence-Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) training complex, located at Naval Air Station Oceana's Dam Neck Annex. While there he received a detailed briefing on Navy and Marine Corps training and toured the mock third-world village used to provide realism to the course.

"It was an honor and privilege to host the new DNI. We were able to talk to him about our training, future initiatives and introduce him to many of our world-class instructors," remarked Darnell.

The Center for Naval Intelligence (CENNAVINTEL) develops and delivers training for Naval intelligence professionals who support maritime, expeditionary and joint forces world-wide. CENNAVINTEL and its component commands, Navy and Marine Intelligence Training Command (NMITC) and Fleet Intelligence Training Command (FITC), develop and deliver basic and advanced intelligence training, intelligence systems and technologies.