Panetta: DIA ‘Quiet Heroes’ Mark 50th Anniversary

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2011 – Every day the quiet heroes of the Defense Intelligence Agency collect, distill and distribute information that helps America’s warriors defeat its enemies, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today.

The secretary joined DIA Director Army Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess Jr., Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, and more than 500 distinguished guests at a ceremony here celebrating the agency’s 50th anniversary.

During the ceremony, defense officials from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom presented Burgess with gifts, and a tribute was made to fallen DIA colleagues.

“In commemorating this milestone,” Panetta said, “we all pay tribute to DIA’s half-century of extraordinary work defending our nation against a multitude of threats, a multitude of challenges, from the height of the Cold War to the post-9/11 conflicts.”

A lot has changed in the last 50 years, the secretary added, “but one thing that remains the same is that we cannot accomplish our military objectives -- it’s a fundamental principle -- … without good intelligence. The two have to work together if we’re going to achieve the ultimate victory.”

The DIA’s vital work makes the U.S. military vastly more effective and lethal, Panetta said, and America a stronger and more secure nation.

“As we take this moment to reflect on the last 50 years,” Burgess told the audience, “it is important to consider the decisions made by our nation’s leaders at a very different time and place, and how those decisions and deliberations influence our world today.”

In the summer of 1961, he said, during deliberations over the creation of DIA, the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrote in a report to then Defense Secretary Robert McNamara that “‘national intelligence and military intelligence are indivisible in practice.’”

Burgess added, “This important statement remains as clear, urgent, and relevant on our 50th anniversary.”

Seven former DIA directors also attended, including Clapper, who led the agency from 1992 to 1995.

“We ought to give a thought to just how fortunate we are to have not one, but two secretaries of defense in succession who both served as directors of the Central Intelligence Agency,” Clapper said, “and who obviously understand, support and care about intelligence.”

Panetta said his own DIA connection began in the mid-1960s when he was an Army intelligence officer and one of his first assignments was to the DIA office in Washington.

“Since then,” he said, “I’ve always had a great respect for the work of DIA, which has become a central part of the military and intelligence community’s efforts around the world.”

DIA was born in an era when the nation faced down a single adversary, and the potential consequences of conflict with the Soviet Union were so profound that it was critical to have the most accurate, prompt information “to prevent what we all knew would be global calamity,” Panetta said.

Less than a year later, he added, DIA faced its first great test when the Cuban missile crisis brought the world to the brink of a world war.

“I remember all of those scenes from that moment. The iconic photos of the surface-to-air missiles arranged across a Cuban airfield that provided direct evidence of the threat to our homeland,” he said.

“Those images,” the secretary added, “… shot by a U-2 reconnaissance plane, were done on flight paths determined by DIA analysis.”

Months after the crisis, Panetta said, President John F. Kennedy called on John Hughes, special assistant to the DIA director, to deliver a nationally televised briefing to reassure the nation that the Soviet missiles had been withdrawn.

“It was a moment that defined the DIA as a vital vehicle for keeping America safe,” he said. “And that sentiment is as true today as it was 50 years ago.”

Another defining moment for the United States and for the DIA was Sept. 11, 2001, Panetta said.

In the decade since the terrorist attacks, the secretary said, DIA has emerged stronger, better integrated and more integral to the fight against America’s terrorist enemies, and a driving force behind the comprehensive military-intelligence collaboration under way to defeat al-Qaida.

“We have come together as one to integrate the efforts among the DIA, DOD, CIA and all of the intelligence communities in the executive branch to become part of one great accomplishment of the post-9/11 era,” Panetta said, adding that the entire world saw the results of this teamwork with the operation that took down Osama bin Laden.

“Whether forward deployed overseas to support the war-fighting effort or from desks here in the Washington area, the men and women of the DIA stand more than ever at the center of our military’s efforts worldwide,” the secretary said.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, Panetta added, DIA has provided essential tools and intelligence for battling insurgencies and locating high-value targets.

“All the while,” he said, “DIA has remained vigilant, never taking its eye off the emerging threats we face -– monitoring North Korea’s and Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and looking at foreign military capabilities in space and cyberspace.”

This new era for DIA and the rest of the intelligence community builds on the proud traditions of the last 50 years, the secretary said, and extended to the agency his deep admiration for its achievements.

“I would like to say that as secretary of defense, and I would like to say that on behalf of the intelligence community that I had the honor to be a part of in my time here in Washington, a grateful nation … is safer and more secure due to your tireless efforts,” Panetta said.

“On behalf of the entire Department of Defense and on behalf of the American people,” he continued, “thank you for your continued outstanding devotion to duty to this country, thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice, thank you for all you do to protect this nation.”

If the test of DIA is whether or not it has made a difference, the secretary said, “I think that history will look at the DIA and say they did a job well done … and the result is that we have a safer and more secure life for our children in the future.”

In the end, he added, “there can be no greater legacy.”

Face of Defense: Soldier Seeks to Help Vets

By Rachel Park

III Corps

FORT HOOD, Texas, Sept. 29, 2011 – Army Spc. Alfred Newman feels at home at the Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, part of the Veterans Affairs Department in Temple, Texas.

Newman is one of the many Warrior Transition Brigade soldiers from Fort Hood taking part in Operation Warfighter internships around the state. The Defense Department developed the internship program to help wounded warriors gain job experience at government agencies.

Currently assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion here, Newman is interning in the VA’s human resources department.

"It was a fit for me. Prior to coming to the military, I worked in an office setting," Newman said. "I knew from my experience that I had to prepare myself to get back into the workforce. For me, it's all about preparation."

Newman was older than the typical recruit when he joined the Army in 2007.

"I came in when I was 41," he said. "I turned 42 in basic [training]. You have to want to do this, and I was a guy who wanted to do this. I wanted to do something challenging."

Newman deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq, in 2008 with the 404th Aviation Support Battalion. While deployed, he sustained some injuries, one while rendering aid to another soldier. Although serious, the injuries didn't impact his ability to perform his job and he finished the deployment with the unit.

He came here in May 2010, and while his medical issues were being resolved he began looking toward his future. Newman heard about the internship program, dusted off his resume and interviewed for the position at the VA. After a few months in the position, Newman believes he's found his future career.

"I like what I do," he said. "It's something that I will do when I transition out. First, [I'm going to] go to school, finish out my degree -- and then, human resources."

His supervisor, Houston Johnson, a human resources specialist at the Temple VA, said Newman is an excellent fit at the office.

"It's been a pleasure having [him in] the program," Johnson said of Newman. "For me, personally, being a veteran and a disabled veteran myself, to see [the WTB interns] come in, just to watch these guys grow, is great."

Newman has taken on a variety of tasks in the office, including personnel action reports and aiding the human resources specialists with their paperwork. He's performed the work so well he's even been mistaken for a new employee.

Johnson said he's not surprised Newman has done so well. He said the soldier’s work, especially with personnel actions, has improved the productivity of the entire department.

"With our personnel shortages and some of the slowdowns in the hiring with the budget, we're short a lot of positions," Johnson said. "Some things you have to put on the back burner, but it's very important you get these [personnel action reports] in a timely manner."

Newman said the internship doesn't just give him a job, it gives him a path for the rest of his life, and that's helped him professionally, emotionally and physically.

"Being through the WTB you're given the opportunity to heal," Newman said. "And I think one of things of healing at the WTB is being able to challenge yourself, being able to get into programs such as this one that can heal you not only physically, but mentally.

"Being here has helped me get back to the real world," he added. "I'm just trying to get back to my own self and being able to relate to each individual."

Anthony Thomas, the WTB transition coordinator, said he's excited about the program’s future at the VA.

"I appreciate Mr. Johnson and what the VA has done to bring our soldiers in here, because it's been a great opportunity," Thomas said. It's an opportunity that Thomas hopes will only continue to grow and develop.

Johnson said human resources and other directorates at the VA are enthusiastic about the program and hope to bring in more wounded warriors.

"We want you at the VA," he said. "A lot of the skills that soldiers learn make them excellent employees. They have that discipline. They have that teamwork and they understand that mission. This has made us really look at how we're doing business and really grow too. We're excited about it."

Newman said the internship through Operation Warfighter has given him a clearer picture about his future.

"I know what I can do and I think once I do transition out, [the VA] is where I want to be," he said. "It is helping people, so this is what I want to do."

‘Team Mullen’ Highlights Troops’ Service, Sacrifices

Admiral Mullen is a Vietnam veteran.  Discover these Vietnam War books written by veterans who fought there.

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2011 – As “Team Mullen,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and his wife, Deborah, have championed the needs of service members and their families during the admiral’s four years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The chairman is the principal military advisor to the president, vice president, secretary of state and secretary of defense. Mullen turns over the chairmanship to Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey tomorrow.

The Mullens have worked as a team to tell senior U.S. government officials, members of Congress, and influential business and civic leaders around the country about the efforts and sacrifices made by U.S. service members and their families, and how the public can connect with them. They also worked to improve military family programs, to improve care for wounded warriors, and, especially, to reach out to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Much of this went on mostly behind the scenes as operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya captured the headlines. The chairman found time for these personnel issues, even as he wrestled with budgetary pressures, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, a change in administrations, the Quadrennial Defense Review and countless other programs that demanded his attention.

The admiral and his wife spoke about their interest in the well-being of service members, their families and veterans during a recent interview.

The Mullens are, of course, a military family -- the admiral was commissioned in 1968 after attending the U.S. Naval Academy and went on to serve in the Vietnam War. Their two sons are also serving in the Navy.

But understanding the stress the wars have put on families was key in elevating their interest. Early in his tenure, Mullen and his wife traveled to three Army posts and an Army event in Denver. At Denver, “I stood in front of my very first group of Army spouses and I told them that I knew next to nothing about the Army and I asked them to educate me about their lives -- tell me about being an Army spouse,” Deborah Mullen said.

They did, and Mrs. Mullen still corresponds with some of the spouses from that meeting.

“It was the beginning of a long time of learning about not just the Army, but the other services and what they had gone through up to that point,” she said.

In 2007, many military spouses already had seen their husbands or wives head off for one or two year-long deployments. The admiral’s wife said the other military spouses told her about what the strain of deployments meant to their families. They spoke of spouses learning new jobs, she said, which meant new uncertainties to their families. They spoke of the need for new programs and facilities to handle these new stresses.

“[What] these spouses were experiencing was something entirely different, and that was a year with their loved ones in harm’s way, every day,” Mrs. Mullen said.

The Mullens’ goal was to find ways to make differences for these families, but they did not want to step on the toes of the service military leaders. “We don’t see ourselves as activists, but as advocates for those who have carried the burden,” the admiral said. “This has been in our heart and soul forever. It’s frankly why we stayed in the military, because of the people.”

The two wars and the long deployments have highlighted the roles of military families. Ten years ago, few military or civilian leaders discussed family matters. Today, it is rare for a senior military or civilian leader to not mention families. First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, have been very involved in reaching out to military families.

“That’s critical,” Mullen said. “It has a way of focusing everybody and making it a priority and making it much more difficult to drop the money out of it.”

This is not to say there won’t be changes. “The Army is famous for if you’ve got a problem, generate a program,” the admiral said. “I have said in many forums: I don’t need more programs. I need the ones we have to work, and the ones that are not working to go away.”

Then-Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and current Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said they do not want to see family programs dry up for lack of funding.

“In a budget crunch, they are usually the first to go,” Mullen said. “I would argue that we keep the money the same and feed it in to programs that work and get rid of those that don’t.”

The Mullens have focused on the hand-off from DOD to the Veterans Affairs Department. DOD’s people, the admiral said, are its most precious asset. Yet, when their military terms end or when they are wounded, he noted, “we hand them off to another department that we really don’t know that much about.”

The admiral praised the Marine Corps for its Marine for Life program. The other services, he added, are also moving in that direction.

Mullen said the nation’s wounded warriors and veterans deserve prompt, quality services devoid of bureaucratic practices.

“These young ones who are in the wounded world, they want their lives back,” Mullen said. “They want to be as medically sound as they can be and continue to achieve the American dream. They deserve it.”

Mullen said early in his tenure as chairman that the money for wounded warriors and for the families of the fallen should come right off the top of the budget. “It’s a debt we can’t repay. These people deserve everything we can do for them,” he said.

The Mullens have visited wounded troops and their families, and have reached out to the families of the fallen. Both have visited Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., countless times. They have met with families and have formed bonds with them, and they tell Americans what the families of the fallen really want. “They ask us not to forget their loved ones and their service,” Mrs. Mullen said.

When the Mullens meet the families in Section 60 or other cemeteries around the country, the families carry pictures of their loved ones and tell stories about their service members, she said.

“They want you to know what happened to their loved ones, and they want to bring them alive to you,” she said. “They want to share the real person with you so when you walk through Section 60, you know that family and that person. Maybe we never met them, but we know who they are. For us that’s a sacred trust and promise we’ve made to the families who have lost someone.”

The admiral remembered meeting a family in Boise, Idaho.

“The mother came up to me and said, ‘We’ll never forget them, but please don’t you ever forget them,’” he said.

Mrs. Mullen had a family email her about a picture they saw online of their loved one’s headstone in Arlington. “They noticed right off that something that looked like a chip in the stone, and they asked me to look at it,” she said. “I went and it was a little spider web that was dark and looked like a chip. I brushed it off and sent them a picture to reassure them that it looked exactly as it was supposed to look.

“This is where their son or daughter, husband or wife, mother or father is buried and it’s important to them that it’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Mrs. Mullen continued. “These requests are representative of the families. We need to honor their sacrifices.”

Getting the American public to understand the extent and scope of the sacrifices made by service members and military families is difficult. Less than 1 percent of Americans are serving in the military. Fewer and fewer Americans personally know of people who have served.

“It’s not that they don’t love and respect the troops, but they don’t know what the troops and their families have been through,” the admiral said.

As the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mullen has often been in the news. He has appeared many times on Sunday morning talk shows, been the subject of a “60 Minutes” profile and has had a constant and two-way communication with the Pentagon press corps. But he and Deborah have reached out beyond the normal information conduits. They both appeared on “The View,” and the admiral appeared three times on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” They have traveled the length and breadth of the United States to speak with the American people, to meet with veterans groups and help families.

“The American people want to help their service members and their families,” the admiral said. “There is a sea of goodwill out there for them. They need to know how they can help.”

The Mullens will step back a bit after the admiral retires tomorrow. Earlier this month he spoke of “taking a long winter’s nap” following his retirement. But both said they want to remain involved with service members, veterans and their families.

And the couple said they’ll do their best to connect the American people with their military.

Face of Defense: Airman Improves Dust Storm Predictability

By Air Force Senior Airman Scott Saldukas

47th Flying Training Wing

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Sept. 28, 2011 – Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Jenkins refused to accept during his deployment in Iraq that the region’s dangerous dust storms could not be better predicted. As his squadron’s weather flight noncommissioned officer in charge, he took it upon himself to change that.

Jenkins, with the 47th Operations Support Squadron here, recently was deployed to Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, when he decided to give himself a research project before devising a plan to improve dust storm forecasts.

In the United States, he said, "we typically work with water-based weather such as rain, snow and thunderstorms. When you're out in [U.S. Central Command areas], you don't typically see that much. It's more blowing dust and sand storms. Because our models aren't built to work with that, it tends to be … more unreliable than what your typical weather forecast would be.”

That problem gave the military unit only about 10 to 15 percent accuracy in predicting dust storms, he said.

After about five months of research, Jenkins said, he devised a math formula that launched predictability to 80 percent accuracy for predicting dust storms. While the improved accuracy may not be needed much stateside, he said, it will be vital in many areas of Centcom.

"In the field, it will make sure [warfighters] will have air support for whatever immediate mission they are on, and have it more reliably," Jenkins said.

"Blowing dust and dust storms can provide huge impacts to missions and to ground personnel," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brian Aragon, the weather operations flight’s noncommissioned officer in charge. "Personnel can even be lost in an unforecasted event. So, having better tools to forecast these events can work to our advantage by being able to predict occurrences with the same accuracy as with forecasting rain and thunder, or even fog."

Every tool available is needed in a hostile location, Aragon said. "Everything we do is so time-sensitive and element-critical that we need every available tool, product and method that we can spare," he said. "It is something that is proven enough that the National Weather Service and Army research agencies are interested in its applications. This tells me that we need it in the field yesterday."

In the past year, Aragon helped Jenkins show his findings to people who would allow them to prosper and move toward implementation, including officials at the Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

With the research completed and with the weather agency’s stamp of approval, training and field distribution is to begin next year, Jenkins said.

That accomplishment speaks volumes about Jenkins, Aragon said.

“When an airman comes up with an idea or concept and works to test its usefulness, it speaks highly of their dedication to the mission,” Aragon said. "When you have the mettle to push it further, to ensure that it reaches as many eyes as possible with the goal of making it commonplace for how we conduct standard [operations], that speaks volumes about character."

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Guam Sailors Volunteer to Clean Up Local Parks

By Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Claire Farin, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

AGAT, Guam (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and various commands of Naval Base Guam (NBG) gathered together for the International Coastal Cleanup of Local Parks Sept. 24.

Sailors, along with their family members, picked up trash along the coastal line, cut bushes and trimmed invasive vegetation to clear the pathway while others planted tree seedlings in the area.

"It's a great opportunity to give back to the community," said Chief Navy Counselor John Jeffries, assigned to NBG, the overall volunteer coordinator for this local event. "It's a good time to go out and meet interesting people in the community and the different commands."

Along with Frank Cable and NBG, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC 25), the Naval Hospital and the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) also joined the coastal clean-up effort.

"I think everybody is pitching in no matter what their level of motivation is," said Construction Electrician 2nd Class Joel Glanz from HSC 25. "It's definitely been a positive outcome."

A major part of the clean up focused on maintenance of Asan Beach Parks and the War in the Pacific National Historical Park at Ga'am point. Located in the southern coast of the island of Guam, Ga'am point was one of the landing sites used by U.S. forces to liberate Guam during World War II.

"This site was a very significant point during the battle to liberate Guam in 1944 where the fiercest fighting of the battle was done," said Ben Hayes, the local park ranger. "There are pretty significant cultural resources here including guns and pillboxes, which we are helping to maintain today."

"I am really happy and honored that we have such a big turn out for the National Public Lands Day," said Hayes.

Frank Cable conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

MOH Recipient Issues Scholarship Challenge

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2011 – Medal of Honor recipient Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota Meyer plans to raise $1 million in scholarship money for the children of wounded Marines and Navy corpsmen, and challenges the American public to match it.

Meyer announced his “Sergeant Dakota Meyer Scholarship,” a $2 million scholarship matching initiative, at the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 2011 Ceremony and Reception, here, Sept. 13, two days before President Barack Obama presented him with the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony.

“My entire Marine Corps career was about challenges and meeting that challenge,” Meyer said in an interview with MarinesTV. “So what I decided to do was challenge myself to raise $1 million for the scholarship fund initiative, and I’m challenging America to match -- dollar for dollar -- what I can bring into the fund.”

Meyer recently partnered with the foundation to form his initiative and raise the $1 million plus matching funds by the foundation’s 50th anniversary on May 28, 2012.

“I chose to partner with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation on this initiative because of our common mission of supporting Marines and Navy corpsmen families,” Meyer said. “Education paves the path for our future, and the money we raise will lead to a brighter future for the sons and daughters of many Marines.”

Meyer’s challenge to the public to raise a matching $1 million is to honor Marines and Navy corpsmen by educating their children, foundation officials said.

Outlining his call to the public for matching scholarship donations, Meyer set up the “Dakota Meyer Challenge” website.

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to U.S. military families, and has provided 26,500 scholarships valued at more than $65 million for the post-high school education of children of wounded Marines and Navy corpsmen, according to its website.

Meyer, the nation’s most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor, is credited with saving 37 lives in a six-hour firefight following an enemy ambush on U.S. and Afghan troops in the Ganjgal Valley of Kunar province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009, when he was a corporal. The nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor is awarded for risk of life in combat beyond the call of duty.

Meyer is the third living service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Sailors Support Caps for Kids during New England Navy Week

From USS Constitution Public Affairs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (NNS) -- USS Constitution Sailors gave Navy ballcaps to children during a Caps for Kids visit at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. Sept. 27.

Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) John Campbell, Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Anthony Barnardo and Seaman Deidre Foster participated in the event as part of New England Navy Week, Sept. 25-Oct. 2.

"We all need support from time to time, and it was touching to support kids battling various illnesses," said Foster. "The kids really appreciated us visiting, and in return we appreciated their strength."

The Navy's Caps for Kids program is aimed toward children nationwide who are diagnosed and undergoing treatment for cancer, or receiving chemotherapy to treat other life-threatening illnesses. The program provides these children with a command ballcap in hopes of lifting children's spirits while they are required to stay in the hospital for extended periods of time.

"I'll never forget this Caps for Kids event," said Campbell. "Giving back to the community on a more personal level reminds me of the pride I have serving in the Navy."

Rear Adm. Walter E. Carter Jr., commander of Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, and Sailors from USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and Navy Recruiting District Springfield also took part in the event. Combined, Sailors gave more than 30 ballcaps.

"The event was phenomenal," said Carter. "With community programs like Caps for Kids, we have a chance to make a difference through the smiles on the children's faces. It has been rewarding, as is the chance to meet with Sailors from USS Constitution and USS Enterprise."

Constitution Sailors will also participate in a Caps for Kids visit at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, Sept. 30.

New England Navy Week is Constitution's fifth Navy Week this year. The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by presenting the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. New England Navy Week will showcase the mission, capabilities and achievements of the U.S. Navy and provide residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard of Boston Harbor and is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history, as she welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year.

Governor visits National Guard storm cleanup effort

Check out these Army National Guard books written by Guardsmen who fought in the wars and served their states during disasters.

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

Gov. Scott Walker got a first-hand look at storm cleanup efforts by the Wisconsin National Guard and other state agencies in two northern Wisconsin counties Sept. 23.

"After surveying the cleanup effort, I was truly amazed by the good work being done to repair the damage done by storms over the summer," Walker said. "I'd like to thank the local elected officials, hardworking state employees at numerous agencies, the Wisconsin National Guard, state legislators from the area and other interested parties for coming together to take decisive action to help deal with this massive blowdown."

Approximately 50 members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 724th Engineer Battalion have been working since Sept. 6 to clear branches, limbs and tree trunks from roadsides in Burnett and Douglas counties. The powerful July 1 storm toppled trees across 130,000 acres in six northern Wisconsin counties. The storm debris in the rights of ways poses a safety and fire hazard.

"This is really helping our local townships," Bobby Sichta, Burnett County Emergency Management director, said Sept. 19. "[Without the National Guard's assistance,] it would be more expensive to local townships. They've already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Sichta said that the storm damage for Burnett County was estimated at $1.8 million, and that many towns have taken out loans to pay for initial debris clearing efforts.

The Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers began the mission as an Innovative Readiness Training project, which allowed existing federal funds in the training budget to be used. The Department of Defense revoked its IRT approval Sept. 8, and Walker placed the Soldiers on state active duty. Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, engaged leaders at the National Guard Bureau to restore federal funding Sept. 9 via additional annual training orders.

The state Department of Corrections has approximately 30 inmates in three teams, two male and one female, assisting the National Guard in clearing storm debris. The state Department of Natural Resources and Department of Transportation are also involved in different aspects of storm recovery.

The 724th Engineer Battalion and local officials had identified more than 162 miles of road as having the greatest need of debris clearance. As of Sept. 22, the Guardsmen had cleared close to 86 miles, or just over 52 percent. Maj. Brandon Manglos, officer in charge of the cleanup effort, explained that weather and density of fallen timber in some work areas have hindered the cleanup pace somewhat.

"You've got six toppled logs on top of each other in some places," he said Sept. 19. "It takes a while to be safe."

However, Guard members have picked up the pace where possible, clearing more than eight miles of roadside Sept. 22. This was accomplished by working two teams in tandem, so that one team - with heavy equipment, wood chippers and chain saws - completes work at its area and "leapfrogs" the second team to begin work farther down the road.

"We adjust our tactics," Manglos said.

Dunbar praised the "Men of the North," many of whom just returned from a deployment to Iraq, for their efforts.

"This is the Guard at its best," he said. "Deployed overseas in support of contingency operations, and then responding to the needs of our community a few months later. It means an awful lot to the folks who live here."

The 724th cleanup mission, originally scheduled to conclude on Sept. 30, has been extended until Oct. 12. As of Sept. 24, the National Guard had begun cleanup efforts in all 11 townships.

Constitution Sailors Teach Naval History to Middle School Students

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Shannon Heavin, USS Constitution Public Affairs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (NNS) -- USS Constitution Sailors taught more than 150 students naval history at Agawam Junior High School in Springfield, Mass. Sept. 26.

Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Anthony Costa, Damage Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) Jered Sasen, Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) John Campbell, Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Michael Fleck, Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Bryan Pickett, Operations Specialist Seaman Ashley West, Fireman Jessica Rodriguez and Seaman Jared Kercell gave their presentation as part of New England Navy Week, Sept. 24-Oct. 2.

"The students first came in the classroom wide-eyed, excited and unaware of the Navy," said Costa. "After the presentation they gained new insight to the Navy's mission in a fun, interactive lecture."

The history lesson included facts about Constitution's construction, her famous battle with HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812 and the ship in modern times. They finally answered questions from students about the Navy.

"The exposure of local history to our students is important and they were interested," said Karen Shugrue, the school's librarian and media director. "The presentation was contagious, as the kids are now looking forward to visiting USS Constitution."

Constitution Sailors undergo 20 weeks of naval history training, along with additional weekly training. They are also scheduled to give history presentations at Granite Valley Middle School in Monson, Mass. Sept. 27 and Converse Middle School, Sept. 29-30.

"It's important for our message to come across to people of all ages," said Kercell. "I always enjoy talking with students, and today I am thrilled I got to help students learn a new subject."

The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by presenting the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. New England Navy Week will showcase the mission, capabilities and achievements of the U.S. Navy and provide residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard of Boston Harbor and is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history, as she welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year.

Frontline Psych with Doc Bender: What’s the Difference between PTS, PTSD?

Discover these awe inspiring Second Gulf War books written by real-life veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

By Dr. James Bender

Dr. James Bender is a former Army psychologist who deployed to Iraq as the brigade psychologist for the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Hood, Texas. During his deployment, he traveled through Southern Iraq, from Basra to Baghdad. He writes a monthly post for the DCoE Blog on psychological health concerns related to deployment and being in the military.

Hello. I was talking to our DCoE social media people a few weeks ago and they were saying that some people confuse post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with post-traumatic stress. It’s an easy mistake to make, especially for people who don’t spend a lot of time studying the topic. However, there are significant differences between the two and it’s useful for our nation’s warriors and the people who support them to know about them.

Post-traumatic stress is a common, normal and often adaptive response to experiencing a traumatic or stressful event. If you’ve ever been a bit shocked or rattled after a car accident or had a close call with a physical injury (falling off a ladder, nearly drowning or being in a combat situation) you may have noticed your heart racing and maybe your hands shook for a while. You might find yourself leery about engaging in the activity that almost injured you. Being more careful in a potentially dangerous situation is one of the positive outcomes of post-traumatic stress. Other experiences, like avoiding the activity that almost got you hurt or feeling scared, will subside in time.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a clinically-diagnosed condition. Anyone who has experienced or witnessed a situation involving the possibility of death or serious injury can develop PTSD (although many people who experience traumatic situations recover after a period of adjustment). PTSD symptoms include reliving the event through nightmares, flashbacks or constantly thinking about the incident. Other symptoms include avoiding situations or people that remind you of the event, trouble feeling positive emotions, and being constantly jittery, nervous, or “on edge.” These symptoms must be present for more than one month to qualify for a PTSD diagnoses.

Key differences:

■Post-traumatic stress symptoms resolve on their own and improve within a month. PTSD symptoms are more severe, numerous and interfere with normal life

■Post-traumatic stress is common and most people with post-traumatic stress do not develop PTSD

■PTSD is a medically-diagnosed condition

Those with PTSD have many effective treatments available to them. There are medications that are FDA-approved to treat PTSD and therapy techniques, like exposure therapy and cognitive therapy. If you have, or think you may have PTSD, the best thing for you to do is to educate yourself, download the PTSD Coach mobile app, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, or contact the DCoE Outreach Center for material.

Thanks for reading and for your service. Please respond to this post if you have any questions or comments. Stay safe.

Germantown Works to Gain Amphibious Warfare Certification

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Spencer Mickler, Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Sailors aboard forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) worked toward amphibious warfare (AMW) certification Sept. 23.

Germantown must gain certification to perform amphibious operations, and is being tested by inspectors from Naval Beach Group 1.

"The amphibious warfare mission is our primary mission. Without that ability we can't be an asset to the U.S. Navy", said Cmdr. Jason Leach, Germantown executive officer. "That's the whole reason we are out here".

The certification process will take several days, in which inspectors will observe and test the crew in operationally critical areas.

"We're out here to check the preparedness of our forward-deployed assets," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Robert Saenz, of Naval Beach Group 1. "We assess the readiness and training of the crew in any area that involves the well deck operations including cranes, material conditions as well as small boat operations."

"So far they are doing great from top to bottom; this is what we see if the ship has good leadership and training," said Saenz.

Many of the crew members attribute their success during the certification thus far to the things they do on a daily basis.

"Train, train, train, even when we don't have any vehicles aboard we'll use a make-shift dummy so that we can keep training for an actual incident," said Damage Controlman Fireman Bryce Griffin. "That's why our team is getting the job done for this AMW certification".

"We deploy and operate a lot, and whenever we train we always go back to the basics," said Leach. "We always review and follow the instruction that way our Sailors know what to do."

Crew members aboard Germantown and inspectors will continue the certification process while embarking elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa.

Germantown is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, which reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. J. Scott Jones, who is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.

Family, friends bid farewell to Kosovo bound Wisconsin Guard Soldiers

There was no shortage of support for approximately 30 deploying Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers during an official sendoff ceremony in West Bend Saturday (Sept. 24).

Gov. Scott Walker joined other state officials, family, friends and Wisconsin Guard leadership in honoring the Soldiers before a 12-month mobilization - which includes approximately two months of pre-deployment training at Camp Atterbury, Ind., followed by roughly 10 months in Kosovo in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission Kosovo Force, or KFOR.

Walker thanked the deploying Guard members on behalf of a "grateful state and nation" for the service they've already given and the sacrifice they'll give over the course of the next year.

The bulk of the Soldiers come from Company F, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment and will support the medevac mission as part of KFOR's Aviation Task Force. Twelve Soldiers, assigned to 248th Aviation Support Battalion, will join units from North Dakota, New Jersey and Wyoming to support the ATF's headquarters, lift and maintenance units, respectively.

"The Soldiers' experience is going to be perfect for this mission because the terrain and flying we do here is similar to what we'll be doing in Kosovo," said Capt. Joseph Bradley, commander of Detachment 1, Company B, 248th Aviation Battalion. "We'll do our peace sustainment mission and we'll do it well."

State Command Sgt. Maj. George Stopper spoke to the families in attendance and, by show of hands, polled the deploying Soldiers on deployment experience. He urged the Soldiers with prior deployment experience to guide newer Soldiers through the process.

Pfc. Alex Mumm, 238th flight operations specialist, is anxious to begin his first deployment.

"It'll be interesting to get over there and find out what a deployment is all about," Mumm said. "I'm definitely ready to be over there."

Kosovo Force - a cooperation between 30 countries, including 22 NATO nations - has worked to provide peace and stability in the area since 1999. Roughly 150 Soldiers of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade are currently training at Camp Atterbury and will report to Kosovo in late November.

Kristi Dilley, Mumm's girlfriend, said she plans to use every means of communication available to stay in touch.

"Duty has called, but he'll always be in my heart," Dilley said. "He's worth the wait."