Yellow Ribbon benefits 1 million-plus in first 6 years

by Staff Sgt. Kelly Goonan
439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

2/25/2014 - HILTON HEAD, S.C. -- The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program has already assisted more than 1.1 million Guard and Reserve service members and their loved ones since it began in 2008 as an operation of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.

Geared toward assisting everyone affected by deployment, these training events aim to educate participants by providing resources, programs and services before, during and after deployments to ease the transitioning period for reservists and their families.

Such was the case here Feb. 21-23 as long tables, covered with information, handouts and goodies, lined the hallways. Everything made was available; from Key Spouse volunteers making pillow cases with each family photo printed on them, to various universities providing information on how to earn a degree overseas, to the Military OneSource table with DVDs and books helping military families cope with separation.

One of the Airman taking in all this information was Tech Sgt. Aureli Muniz with the 70th Aerial Port Squadron from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. He recently returned from overseas and said that if he hadn't gone to all the briefings and meetings during his drill periods he may not have known about the YRRP.

"I've been in the military since 1990 and they didn't have something like this for us back then," he said. "It's a great opportunity to bring family so that they can understand what we go through, and we can understand what they go through while we're gone." Among the resources provided is family counseling to help the family plan ahead together.

Tahanie Cans, Muniz's girlfriend, was impressed by the variety of information and various discussion groups that were available. "I thought I knew a lot about deployments and the military because my father worked with the Veterans Administration for 40 years," she said. "I'm surprised by how much I learned and how many resources are available to me, not just him."

"The people are awesome," said Pat (his last name omitted per his wishes), assigned to Patrick AFB, Fla. "This program -- existing -- just goes to show that they (the military) truly do care about you and your well-being."

About to deploy, Pat remarked how impressed he was with one of the group sessions. "Being able to sit down and just talk to other individuals, not worrying about rank structure or formalities -- just exchanging stories with people who've just come back from where you're about to go is invaluable," he said.

With about 300 people in attendance, one might be taken aback by how well the entire audience meshed. By the end of the second day it certainly seemed that everyone, once complete strangers, emerged as old friends.

Hagel Highlights NATO Capabilities, ISAF, Ukraine

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

BRUSSELS, Feb. 27, 2014 – Over two days of meetings here, discussions among NATO defense ministers focused on future alliance capabilities, the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and NATO’s defense relationship with Ukraine, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in his closing remarks here today.

Defense ministers from 18 of NATO’s 24 member nations, Ukraine’s Acting Defense Minister Oleksandr Oliynyk, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and his deputy, and member-nation permanent representatives participated.

Hagel reassured allies of the continued U.S. commitment to NATO and to its global responsibilities, and he told the ministers that President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2015 budget request, which he will present to Congress next week, “preserves and protects key capabilities such as missile defense and other capabilities that we discussed today in our sessions. These capabilities underpin our commitment to European security.”

The U.S. defense strategy demands even closer partnership with European allies, he added.

“As allied nations confront fiscal pressure on both sides of the Atlantic, and as NATO transitions out of its combat mission in Afghanistan, many of us plan to field smaller military forces in the years ahead,” the secretary said, adding that with savings the U.S. military achieves through a smaller force, he intends to buy readiness, capability and combat power.

“We expect NATO allies to do the same,” Hagel said.

This is a time to set priorities, make difficult choices and reinvest in key capabilities all nations will need for the future, he said, including those that have been neglected over the past decade of war.

Ahead of September’s NATO summit in Wales, Rasmussen will focus on improving NATO’s military capabilities as a down payment on meeting shortfalls, the secretary added.

“As an alliance, we must invest in global reach, technological superiority and leading-edge capabilities like cyber and special operations,” Hagel said, adding that together NATO member countries must spend money on defense more strategically and effectively.

On Afghanistan, Hagel said, the conference offered a chance to take stock of accomplishments over 13 years.

NATO’s main objective in Afghanistan was to enable the Afghan authorities to provide effective security across the country and ensure that the country can never again be a safe haven for terrorists. Progress there can be measured by the growing confidence of Afghans in their national institutions and the Afghan national security forces’ leading role in securing the country, the secretary said.

“As we look beyond the end of our combat mission this year, I told ISAF ministers that the United States continues to support planning for a noncombat, NATO-led mission that would train, advise and assist Afghan forces after 2014,” he said.

“But the longer we go without a bilateral security agreement and a NATO status of forces agreement,” he added, “the more challenging it will be for the United States and other ISAF nations to support, plan and execute this post-2014 mission.”

Earlier this week, President Obama directed the U.S. military to begin contingency planning for Afghanistan that takes into account the lack of a signed agreement, Hagel said.

“We will ensure that adequate plans are in place to accomplish an orderly withdrawal by the end of the year should the United States [decide not] to keep troops in Afghanistan after 2014,” he said.

“Today in our ISAF session,” the secretary added, “we agreed that the alliance should also begin planning for various contingencies in Afghanistan while still supporting continued planning for the Resolute Support mission” that is expected to start Jan. 1.

Hagel commended Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove and Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. for their critically important leadership of the ISAF campaign, he said, particularly Dunford’s consistent, wise and steady leadership. Dunford is the ISAF commander in Afghanistan, and Breedlove commands U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Europe.

Today’s final session was the NATO-Ukraine Commission, the secretary said, adding that he was pleased to welcome that nation’s participation in the ministerial conference, given the rapidly evolving political situation in Ukraine.

“Today I affirmed America’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and NATO defense ministers made the same declaration in a joint statement,” Hagel said.

The ministers expect other nations to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and avoid provocative actions, he added.

“That’s why I’m closely watching Russia’s military exercises along the Ukrainian border, which they announced yesterday,” Hagel said. “I expect Russia to be transparent about these activities, and I urge them not to take any steps that could be misinterpreted, or lead to miscalculation during a … time with great tension.”

The secretary said it’s important for all nations with an interest in a peaceful future for Ukraine to work together transparently to support a Ukrainian government that fulfills the aspirations of its people.

“Our session today also focused on Ukraine’s opportunities for defense reform and our ongoing military-to-military cooperation –- including Ukraine’s participation in NATO operations. And we welcomed the Ukrainian armed forces’ responsible decision to exercise restraint amidst the nation’s political turmoil,” Hagel said.

From Kandahar to Kiev, he added, 20 years ago no one could have foreseen how NATO contributes today to global security. With the United States’ strong support, Hagel said, NATO must continue to be a force for peace, prosperity and freedom in Europe and around the world.

“That is our responsibility in the 21st century,” the secretary said.

Stratcom Commander Outlines Deterrence Strategy

By Amaani Lyle

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2014 – While U.S. Strategic Command remains capable and ready to meet its assigned missions, sequestration will continue to stress its human element and ability to meet 21st century threats, Stratcom’s commander told the Senate Armed Services Committee here Feb. 28.

Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney reported that though the two-year bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 and the 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act reduce near-term budget uncertainty, significant national security challenges loom, spurring the need for collaboration and a unified command plan.

“Against this dynamic and uncertain backdrop, U.S. Strategic Command's mission is to partner with other combatant commands to deter and detect strategic attack against the United States [and] our allies and to defeat those attacks if deterrence fails,” the admiral said.

The unified command plan-assigned missions are strategic in nature, global in scope, and intertwined with the capabilities of the joint military force, the interagency and the whole of government, Haney added.

“This requires increased linkages and synergies at all levels to bring integrated capabilities to bear through synchronized planning, simultaneous execution of plans and coherent strategic communications,” he said.

According to Haney, the deterrence plan will be executed through provision of a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent force, partnership with other combatant commands, assessment of challenges in space, development of necessary cyberspace capability and capacity, and preparation for uncertainty.

However, he acknowledged his concern that the current global security environment is more complex, dynamic and uncertain than at any time in recent history.

“Advances in state and non-military capabilities continue across air, sea, land [and] space domains, as well as in cyberspace,” Haney said.

The space domain is becoming ever more congested, contested and competitive, Haney reported, adding that worldwide cyber threats are growing in scale and sophistication.

“Nuclear powers are investing in long-term and wide-ranging military modernization programs,” he said.

Weapons of mass destruction and nuclear technologies continue to proliferate, Haney said.

“No region in the world is immune from potential chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear risk,” he said.

Terrorist threats are still a source of significant ambiguity, Haney said, and the threat of homegrown violent extremists remains a concern.

The admiral noted that the priority is to ensure a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrence force in accordance with the 2010 nuclear posturing review.

In light of recent personnel issues within the intercontinental ballistic missile force, Haney said he supports Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's initiative to assemble key Defense Department stakeholders to seek long-term, systematic solutions that will maintain trust and confidence in the nuclear enterprise.

Haney emphasized that America's nuclear deterrent force remains safe, secure and effective.

AF improves its personnel reliability program

by Master Sgt. Angelita Colón-Francia and Joel Fortner
Air Force Public Affairs Agency Operating Location - P

2/27/2014 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Changes are coming to the Air Force's program used to ensure personnel who perform nuclear-related duties are of sound mind and body on the job.

The decades-old Personnel Reliability Program, or PRP, is used by all branches of service with duties tied to nuclear weapons to ensure personnel are reliable to perform nuclear-related responsibilities, and its standards apply on and off duty, said Col. Zannis Pappas, the chief, Functional Authority Division and Nuclear & Missile Operations career field manager.

"Certifying officials, who are normally commanders, constantly assess their folks, monitor the program, and watch for problems," he said. "The whole base is tied into PRP monitoring, from our commander's and supervisors, to the medical professionals and personnel agencies to a member's peers and each individual on PRP."

Everyone on PRP is obligated to report any changes in their work life or personal life that could affect their performance or affect their peers, Pappas said.

"If you were in a non-PRP job, you might not need to report a pending divorce to your unit commander," he said. "If you are in a PRP job, you are required to do so."

The colonel said the program is essential, but the time has come to streamline it to ease management and implementation.

To give a sense of the size and scope of the program, in 2012, more than 12,000 Air Force personnel were on PRP, requiring nearly 38,000 hours of base-level workload for program management and execution by the commanders, unit PRP monitors, medical and personnel agencies.

In April of 2013, the Defense, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics undersecretary released the "Follow-on Review of the Air Force Nuclear Enterprise" by the Defense Science Board that, Pappas said, along with comments made by Airmen to the Air Force's 2012 internal assessment of the Nuclear Enterprise, "highlighted the administrative burden the PRP has levied on our Airmen and made it clear that there were areas for improvement."

This kicked off a major effort to improve the program, Pappas said.

Improvements included re-writing the Air Force manual on PRP (now AFMAN 13-501) to establish a consistent and understood standard across the Air Force, re-emphasizing PRP is a commander's program and eliminating the need for supplemental PRP guidance below the headquarters Air Force level, Pappas said.

Additionally, it will clarify medical PRP guidance focused on ensuring members are physically and mentally fit for nuclear duty rather than an overly bureaucratic program.

The colonel explained PRP is important because it is a way to ensure something very subjective, such as an individual's reliability and ability to do nuclear-related work, is objectively evaluated, managed and documented.

"Our rule of thumb is, when in doubt, report it," Pappas said. "If a PRP individual is off their A-game for any reason, or has any life event that might distract them or cause their leadership to doubt their reliability with nuclear-related duties like something medical, financial, relationship, or legal, that individual or any other individual aware of the life event is expected to report it."

Force Improvement Program team makes final stop at Warren

by Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

2/25/2014 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo.  -- The Force Improvement Program team made their last stop in a tour of Air Force Global Strike Command missile wings Feb. 23 as they arrived here to conduct their final interviews and compile their data.

The FIP was created as an aggressive, action-oriented effort with the goal of making rapid and substantial change to the ICBM mission. Designed from the ground up, the FIP is a field-level initiative to draw on the experiences of Airmen at all levels.

The Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force tasked AFGSC commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, to create the team and head the program, said Lt. Col. Cynthia Gunderson, 321st Missile Squadron commander and Wing point of contact for the team's visit to Warren. The overall goal is to work with the Airmen of AFGSC and bring attention to various issues that are brought up.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our Airmen here at F.E. Warren to have their voices heard to make meaningful change to the mission we carry out every day," said Lt. Col. Peter Lex, 90th Missile Security Forces commander and 90th Security Forces Group representative.

The team is comprised of Airmen from each of the three ICBM wings, with augmentation from AFGSC, the U.S. Navy, and the 576th Flight Test Squadron and 381st Training Group from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

"Each organization was tasked to provide personnel to serve with the team. The Force Improvement Program team is broken into smaller Functional Cultural Working Groups - operations, maintenance, security forces, mission support and helicopter operations," Lex said.

The team made a circuit through the AFGSC bases, traveling from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., for initial training at the Command headquarters, to Minot AFB, N.D., and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., to conduct interviews with Airmen working in the field. These interviews assessed their perceptions, ideas and any issues they have seen while doing their daily mission. The team is now here to get input from Warren Airmen.

"The team is here to talk with Airmen and look at the processes of the base and try to fix any issues that we are facing," Gunderson said.

The team conducted their final interviews Feb. 24 and 25 with Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing, Gunderson said. On Feb. 26, the team will begin compiling their data and writing the reports that will be presented to Gen. Wilson.

Face of Defense: Warrant Officer Mentors Soldiers, Students

By Army Spc. Aaron Ellerman

1st Theater Sustainment Command

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2014 – An Army Reserve soldier deployed here is a teacher in civilian life, and he puts those skills to work mentoring younger soldiers.

“I do it for the youth,” said Warrant Officer Randy Jones, utilities operations and maintenance technician officer for the 760th Engineer Company out of Marion, Va. “There’s just no substitute for being able to pass your knowledge to the next generation and help make a difference in a young adult’s life.”

Jones said he’s always happy when something happens to show him his mentorship took hold. “It’s a great feeling when a student you taught 15 years ago calls you on the phone and thanks you and invites you out to dinner with their family,” he said.

Jones, an Asheville, N.C., native, was 17 when he joined the Army in 1986. After spending two years on active duty, he was released from service during a force reduction and decided to go into the construction business like the rest of his family.

While working in the industry, Jones said, he gained many certifications and licenses and was content making his career in construction. But that all changed one day while he was reading a newspaper.

“I really don’t know what got me into teaching,” he said. “I was happy at my current job, but saw an ad in the paper one day for a teaching position and applied. The next thing I knew, I was hired, and it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Although his primary focus is on teaching, Jones said, he still operates a construction business and has built more than 50 homes in the past 15 years. “Being an educator is great,” he said. “Not only do I get to teach what I love doing, but the hours are flexible enough to allow me to continue my own business.”

Jones has taught workforce development, formerly known as “shop,” to high school students in Winston-Salem, N.C., for the past 18 years. He said he always has urged his students to look into joining the military for the benefits and experience it provides.

“I advise all my students to look into all their career options when they finish their schooling and point out the many benefits the military has to offer,” he said. “Nearly 20 years after I first joined, I began thinking, ‘Hey why don’t I take my own advice?’”

Since joining the Army again, Jones has served as a drill sergeant and warrant officer, which has given him the chance to continue to teach. He said he takes a similar approach to teaching both soldiers and students.

“To me, there is no difference in teaching a high school student or a soldier,” Jones said. “I can be as hard on them as I need to be, but at the end of the day, I always make sure to tell them they are doing a good job.”

Army Spc. Christopher Fussell, a horizontal construction engineer with the 124th Engineer Company, said he benefits from the mentorship he gets from Jones. “I feel comfortable and confident when he is teaching me something new,” Fussell added.

Jones said his many years of teaching have taught him how to be patient.

“‘Chief’ is a great mentor,” said Army Pfc. Christopher Carter, a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 1223rd Engineer Company. “He watches how we do things and gives us feedback showing us a safer and more efficient way, if possible.”

It’s important to work with his students until they get it right, and it’s his job to ensure that happens, Jones said. Teaching poses numerous challenges, he said, but all can be overcome with a little bit of effort.”

“The biggest challenge in teaching is showing the student what they are capable of, by building their confidence they can start to believe in themselves,” Jones said. “Sometimes it takes a little longer, but it’s definitely worth the effort.”

“[Jones] has taught us to take pride in our work and pay close attention to detail,” said Army Spc. Laquan Johnson, a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 760th.

Jones works with six other soldiers at the 489th Engineer Battalion’s wood shop.

“I’m really proud of my soldiers working in the shop,” he said. “They have managed to produce some great works and have really come together as a family, despite being from all over the U.S.”

Jones noted that teaching isn’t a one-way street. He said he has learned a lot from his soldiers during this deployment and looks forward to getting back home to see his family and start teaching another group of students.

“I never thought I would be a teacher, but looking back, I can’t imagine doing anything else but teaching,” he said.

"Grey Matters": a lesson in consent

By: Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/27/2014 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 325th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office, Tyndall's Victim Advocates, the 325th FW Legal office and the Area Defense Counsel hosted a mock trial Feb. 25 at the base support court room.

"Grey Matters" was a realistic, condensed sexual assault trial and intended to teach the audience as well as the jury, the proceedings and intensity of an actual court-martial and how grey the area of consent is.

"The whole purpose was to define consent and to show that a sexual assault case is never as black-and-white as we would like it to be," said 1st Lt. Heather Van Pinxteren, 325th Force Support Squadron readiness officer. "We need to understand that beyond all of the gray, it boils down to whether or not there is consent and the ability to provide consent."

To keep things as true to life as possible, members of the Legal office played the prosecution and the Area Defense Counsel acted as the legal representation for the defendant.

"It's important for wide exposure to realize that anybody can put themselves in a situation where they might be on trial," said Capt. Cortney Zuercher, 325th FW ADC. "It's important to get this message out as a deterrent and to educate everybody on base to keep them from ever making it inside this courtroom."

VAs played the roles of the alleged victim, her witness, the defendant and a member of the jury.

"It was scary and uncomfortable," said Staff Sgt. Sabrina K. Overmyer, 325th Medical Group preventive dentistry NCO in charge and alleged victim. "It felt real. It felt like, if it wasn't me, it could have happened to someone I know."

Approximately 30 Team Tyndall spectators were in attendance.

"I think it's first hand education," said Airman 1st Class Sarah Webb, 325th Communications Squadron enterprise information management technician. "We have briefings where we're told don't do this or watch out for that, but you never see what can happen. I think it provides that education of what can happen."

Grey Matters was the first of many upcoming mock trials. The SAPR, VA, ADC and Legal Office plan to help educate the Tyndall population one trial at a time.

Syria Slow in Meeting Obligations, DOD Spokesman Says

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

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2014 – Chemical materials designated for destruction are slowly being transported for consolidation at the Syrian port of Latakia, and the United States is urging the Syrian government to accelerate this process, Defense Department spokesman Army Col. Steven Warren told reporters here today.

The U.S. vessel MV Cape Ray has been specially fitted to accommodate destruction of the Syrian chemical materials, and it arrived Feb. 13 in Rota, Spain, to stand by for the mission.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announced yesterday that the Syrian government had transported a fourth shipment of chemical materials to Latakia, Warren said. This shipment contained sulfur mustard, he added.

“Of note,” Warren said, “the materials in this shipment are the first which will ultimately be transloaded to the Cape Ray for follow-on destruction.”

The United States continues to urge the Syrian government to meet its obligation and accelerate efforts to deliver the entire declared stockpile to Latakia for transportation and destruction, Warren said. The plan for transloading the chemical weapons onto the Cape Ray, he added, further increase the need for Syria hasten its efforts.

“The plan is that there will be one transload onto the Cape Ray,” he said. “So we have to wait until all the chemicals are out of Syria and on the Danish or Norwegian ships. They’ll then be moved onto the Cape Ray … [and] then be destroyed. We are calling on the Syrians to accelerate their movement of these chemical weapons into the port of Latakia so we can get them all onto the Danish and Norwegian ships and transload them onto the Cape Ray.”

The Syrians, he noted, have obligations that they need to live up to. “These are international obligations, and I know they’ve submitted a plan for a 100-day long extension, and we find that unacceptable,” Warren said. “They have to live up to their obligation. They have to get those chemical weapons out of the country so we can destroy them.”

The DOD spokesman also provided observations on North Korean missile tests conducted yesterday, and the situation in Ukraine.

North Korea launched several short-range scud missiles late last night, Warren said. They impacted off North Korea’s east coast and didn’t appear to target anyone, he added.

“We view this as an unannounced weapons test we see somewhat regularly,” Warren said, noting two to four missiles were launched.

Meanwhile, Warren said, officials are monitoring developments in Ukraine closely. He affirmed America’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“We expect other nations to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and avoid provocative actions,” Warren said. “We expect Russia to be transparent about its activities, particularly its recently announced training exercise. We urge them not to take any steps that could be misinterpreted or lead to miscalculation during this delicate time.”