President signs spending bill for military pay, bonuses

President Barack Obama signed House Resolution 3304, yesterday, which provides pay and bonuses for U.S. service members, enhances counter-terrorism efforts overseas, builds security capacities of key U.S. partner-nations, expands efforts to prevent sexual assault and strengthens protections for victims. Here is the text of the president's statement on the signing of the bill: Today I have signed into law H.R. 3304, the "National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014." I have signed this annual defense authorization legislation because it will provide pay and bonuses for our service members, enhance counter-terrorism initiatives abroad, build the security capacity of key partners, and expand efforts to prevent sexual assault and strengthen protections for victims. Since taking office, I have repeatedly called upon the Congress to work with my administration to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The continued operation of the facility weakens our national security by draining resources, damaging our relationships with key allies and partners, and emboldening violent extremists.

http://www.army.mil/article/117613/President_signs_spending_bill_for_military_pay__bonuses/
Written by American Forces Press Service

Retrieved on 30 Dec 2013

Oak Park student serves in the Army Reserves

Oak Park High School student and Army Future Soldier Private First Class Nicole Swofford

 was inducted into Oak Park’s "military wall-of-fame" and  presented the Army Top Performer award from Sergeant First Class Aguero of the Northland Army Career Center.

Swofford enlisted into the Army Reserve last year and went to Army Basic Combat Training this past summer. Congratulations PFC Swofford, hoooaaah!

Army Top Performers in Lee's Summit West

Thursday Sergeant Roe form the Army Career Center in Grandview presented the Top Performer awards to Lee’s Summit West Basketball Coach Michael Schieber and player Gary Davis.  Schieber and  Davis earned the awards for demonstrating the Army values; loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Hoooaaah!!

 

Soldier fights for spinal muscular atrophy cure

Capt. Shannon Terry and her husband, Randall, started to notice some irregularities in their beautiful baby girl Reagan just a few months after her birth. Like most new parents, they were looking for the milestones of development. Reagan, however, had trouble eating and difficulty gaining weight, was unable to hold her head or move her limbs, and overall appeared fragile for her age. After a series of tests, the parents' worst nightmare was confirmed when they were brought into a small room with four doctors and a social worker. Reagan had been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1. "I knew it was bad news," Terry said. "When you find out that you have a daughter that is diagnosed terminally ill by the medical community, you go through different stages of grief. Initially for the first couple of days, in my mind, she had already died. After about three days of grieving, I got mad, and I realized that they are not going to take away my opportunity to fight for her." Terry said her initial reaction was the same as any mother's. Then her Army training kicked in. Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by SGT Susan Wohle

Retrieved on 19 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/117216/Soldier_fights_for_spinal_muscular_atrophy_cure/

JROTC Cadets spread HOPE for holidays

Most teenage young men only have a few things on their minds: sports, cars and friends. But when people meet 16-year-olds Dustin and Austin Haubner, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets at Grant County High School in Dry Ridge, Ky., they quickly notice something unique about them. The first thing people notice is they are twins. Both of them are athletes. Austin is a track and field athlete while Dustin plays football. Like their older brother they joined JROTC. However, the thing most people notice is that they don't get far into a conversation with the brothers before they start talking about Helping Out People Everywhere, or HOPE.
HOPE is a non-profit organization that the brothers and their mother, Kimberly, started in February 2012 to help the homeless and needy in the northern Kentucky and Cincinnati areas. The effort started as a way for the family to cope with the deployment of Kimberly's husband, who was a police officer contracted to teach law enforcement techniques, during Christmas 2003. They called the event "County Christmas." "We had about 60 people show up at the middle school cafeteria where we held it," Kimberly explained. "We started out with people making cards for the troops; we served pizza and cake and Santa came by -- it was really all about the kids." From there sprang HOPE. Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Rachael Tolliver

Retrieved 19 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/117070/JROTC_Cadets_spread_HOPE_for_holidays/

SEARCH ARMY CAREERS & JOBS

SEARCH ARMY CAREERS & JOBS

OVER 150 DIFFERENT JOBS TO MAKE YOU STRONGER

The Army offers a wide variety of Military Occupational Specialties to start you on your career path. Use the pull-down menu below to browse through by career categories to find a job that matches your interest or experience.

Visit an Army Career Center for more information.

http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories.html

 

Veterans, dignitaries commemorate Battle of the Bulge on 69th anniversary

For the last 20 years, World War II veterans and the ambassadors of Belgium and Luxembourg have gathered annually in mid-December at Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to the 19,000 American Soldiers who gave their lives in the Battle of the Bulge, which raged in Europe between Dec. 16, 1944, and Jan. 25, 1945.

Ambassadors each rested a wreath at the battle's memorial, which honors the 120,000 Americans who fought in the Army's largest land battle in history. Following the ceremony, a wreath was also laid at the Tomb of the Unknowns by the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Association. Read the rest of the story on site below.

Written by J.D. Leipold

Retrieved on 17 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/117074/Veterans__dignitaries_commemorate_Battle_of_the_Bulge_on_69th_anniversary/

Three Soldiers nominated to U.S. Olympic Luge team

Three Soldiers from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program earned nominations for the U.S. Olympic Luge Team for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Team USA luge coach Staff Sgt. Bill Tavares will lead Sgt. Matt Mortensen and Sgt. Preston Griffall, who secured their spot with a ninth-place finish in doubles at the Luge World Cup stop, Dec. 13, at Utah Olympic Park.
The U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP, duo completed its first run down the 1,335-meter track that features 15 curves in 43.948 seconds, followed by a shakier slide down the mountain in 44.132 seconds -- for a cumulative time of 1:28.080. Germany's Tobias Wendl and Bvias Arlt won the race with a 1:27.326 clocking. "There's always a little bit of pressure when you're sliding, but for Preston and I, the main thing was just get down to the finish without walls -- do something that you've done hundreds of times, and just do it OK," said Mortensen, 28, of Huntington Station, N.Y. "Second run, I tried not to do it OK, but we still managed to get down without any walls." Griffall, a 2006 Olympian who just missed making the team in 2010, had even more reason to be concerned. As the bottom guy on a doubles team, it's often difficult to see what is happening.

Written by Tim Hipps

Retrieved on 17 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/117037/Three_Soldiers_nominated_to_U_S__Olympic_luge_team/

Thousands lay wreaths at Arlington gravesites

More than 143,000 wreaths were placed on gravesites, Dec. 14, as part of the 22nd annual "Wreaths Across America" event at Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia.
For more than two decades now, volunteers have gathered to place wreaths on gravesites in the cemetery. The wreaths are manufactured by the Worcester Wreath Company, of Harrington Maine, and come to the cemetery by truck over the week in advance of the event. Wreaths are paid for by both donors and the Worcester Wreath Company. Before thousands of volunteers who had gathered at the cemetery to place wreaths, founder of the event, and company owner, Morrill Worcester, said that over the last 22 years, interest in the project has grown steadily, and he feels now his participation has grown to something more. "About five years ago, things really started to take off," he said. "I really think that it became our responsibility at that point to do what we do. Today I really think it's our obligation to be here."
Morrill's wife, Karen, reminded event participants of the people, and lives, being commemorated during the event. "These are not gravestones, these are lives," she said. "These represent lives that were lost and laid down so we can be free."

Written by C. Todd Lopez

Retrieved on 16 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/116997/Thousands_lay_wreaths_at_Arlington_gravesites/

 

Gifts from above as Operation Toy Drop continues for 16th year

Rain-laden skies could not dampen the spirit of the Soldiers on Fort Bragg as they jumped out of airplanes over Sicily drop zone in support of the 16th Annual Randy Oler Operation Toy Drop, Dec. 7.
The toy drop is a tradition at Fort Bragg sponsored by U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), or USACAPOC (A). Nearly 3,500 jumpers from the U.S. and nine other countries supported the charity event that coincided with the beginning of Special Operations Forces week. "Over the years what started as a very small event where one Soldier who wanted to collect toys to give to his community to show his appreciation, has grown into this major operation that covers almost a full week and involves thousands of Soldiers and, in the end, distributes anywhere from 10-15,000 toys," said Lt. Col. Annmarie Daneker, the USACAPOC (A) public affairs officer. "It was his idea, his spirit and his intent to continue on every year." Operation Toy Drop is a week-long affair that started in 1998 by then-Staff Sgt. Randy Oler, who was a U.S. Army Special Operations Command Soldier when USACAPOC (A) was part of that organization. He wanted to incorporate airborne operations, foreign military jumpmasters and local charities to provide toys to children in need. Oler died in 2004, but the command continued the tradition.

Written by Mark Tate, USASOC

Retrieved 12 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/116759/Gifts_from_above_as_Operation_Toy_Drop_continues_for_16th_year/

Soldiers dominate World Cup bobsled competition in Park City

Soldiers dominate World Cup bobsled competition in Park City

U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program Soldiers defended home snow as if Olympic dreams depended upon their performances at the International Bobsled & Skeleton Federation's 2013 World Cup stop, Dec. 6-7, at Utah Olympic Park. Capt. Chris Fogt, Sgt. Nick Cunningham, Sgt. Dallas Robinson and Olympic gold medalist Sgt. Justin Olsen all solidified their chances of being selected for the U.S. Olympic bobsled team that will compete at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, scheduled for Feb. 6-24, in Sochi, Russia. Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Tim Hipps, U.S. Army Installation Management Command                        

Retrieved 11 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/116654/Soldiers_dominate_World_Cup_bobsled_competition_in_Park_City/

Making a Stronger Student

Making a stronger student

“The Army Reserve taught me how to be a focused individual, and it helps when I need to get my schoolwork done,” says Sergeant Jeremiah Minor, studying to earn a degree in Criminal Justice.

 

http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/profiles/jeremiah-minor.html

Earning a prestigious degree for free

Earning a prestigious degree for free

See how the Army Reserve helped Captain Sandra Altamirano get into USC’s Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism — and come out with zero student loans.

 

http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/profiles/sandra-altamirano.html

Color Guard at Sporting Kansas City Championship Game

Army Recruiters from the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion posted the colors at the Sporting KC MLS game on Saturday. Big hooooaaah to Sergeant First Class Aguero, Staff Sergeant Sutherland, Sergeant Burton (behind flags), Sergeant First Class Ash, and marching behind the Color Guard is Sergeant First Class Lockwood.

Search on facebook for the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion.

Meet student Aveon Bland serving in the Army Reserves as an Aviation Operations Specialist

Meet student Aveon Bland serving in the Army Reserves as an Aviation Operations Specialist

 See what the Army Reserves can do for your career.

You may be asking yourself, “What is the Army Reserve?” The Army is the most powerful and sophisticated military force in the world. This force consists of two groups: active duty Soldiers and Soldiers in the Army Reserve.

 Army Reserve is more like a part-time job with the Army, which still lets you keep your civilian career. You can live where you want, receive medical benefits, tuition assistance, and build for retirement. In other words, in the Army Reserve, you can continue your career or education while training close to home and standing ready to serve with your valuable job skills.

http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/profiles/aveon-bland.html

Soldiers create gingerbread house of U.S. Capitol in exquisite detail

Soldiers create gingerbread house of U.S. Capitol in exquisite detail

A sweet holiday delight, created by three Soldiers and boasting exquisite detail, greets general officers and other Army leaders who dine at the Army Executive Dining Facility at the Pentagon.
The sugary delight, a gingerbread house of the U.S. Capitol, is a welcome diversion that brings a smile to Army leaders who have very hectic schedules and are in and out of meetings all day, said Spc. Samantha Poe. Poe, who designed the gingerbread house, assembled the creation with Sgt. Rose Picard and Sgt. Kyoungmin Park. The gingerbread house is on display in the entryway of the exclusive Pentagon dining area. "It is a great way to remind people of the holidays," said Picard, a pastry chef. "They walk in to the smell of gingerbread. It's nice for the holidays." Details on the house include tiny wreaths and candles on the windows, licorice garland, candy adornments, and sugary icicles and snow. The items used in making the two-foot-tall structure include 32 pounds of gingerbread and 20 pounds of powdered sugar, as well as an assortment of sweets, including marshmallows and ice cream cones.

Written by Lisa Ferdinando, ARNEWS

Retrieved 9 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/116574/Soldiers_create_gingerbread_house_of_U_S__Capitol_in_exquisite_detail/

Cyberspace warriors graduate with Army's newest military occupational specialty

Cyberspace warriors graduate with Army's newest military occupational specialty

The network is under attack! Cyber attacks are a daily reality and are growing in sophistication and complexity. How does the Army keep pace with this evolving threat and defend its network?
Fifteen Soldiers made history when they were awarded the newest Army military occupational specialty, 25D, cyber network defender, during a graduation ceremony Nov. 27, held in Alexander Hall at Fort Gordon, Ga. Soldiers completed a 14-week course, considered rigorous for its curriculum, to learn the skills needed to meet the demand for cyber warfare. "Cyberspace is composed of hundreds of thousands interconnecting computers, servers, routers, switches, fiber optic cables which allow our critical infrastructure to work," said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald S. Pflieger, regimental sergeant major for the U.S. Army Signal Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon, guest speaker for the first-ever graduating class for the Cyber Network Defender course. "A functional and healthy cyberspace is essential to our economy and national security." "With the need for educated individuals to defend our network, so does the need to engage cyberspace," Pflieger said.

Written by Wilson A. Rivera, Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office

Retrieved 9 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/116564/Cyberspace_warriors_graduate_with_Army_s_newest_military_occupational_specialty/

Recruiter matches soldiers with U.S. Army career

Staff Sergeant Joseph Reinitz is seeking the best and brightest for the U.S. U.S. Army recruiter Joseph Reinitz poses in front of aircraft at New Century AirCenter. Reinitz recruits soldiers for roles including maintaining the Army’s helicopter fleet at the airport. Staff photo by Danedri Thompson Army, but the 24-year-old recruiter can’t be found on doorsteps seeking the sons of worried mothers. Reinitz said that’s not the way the U.S. Army recruits these days.“The nation has a different mindset now,” Reinitz, Olathe, said. “Now, we try to take them and give (recruits) an opportunity to build their own future.”Fred Hermstein, Gardner, said recruiters now seek soldiers similar to the way large corporations recruit talent. Hermstein is retired from the Army, but now serves as a civilian public affairs coordinator for the army.“There’s no more sales training,” Hermstein explained. Baby-faced and approachable, Reinitz began his career in the military when he was 17 years-old. Originally from St. Louis, Reinitz was first stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC as part of the 82nd Airborne. He has been deployed overseas several times, including a humanitarian deployment to Haiti and five months in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and several months in Iraq as part of a personal security detachment for the commander in charge of efforts in Baghdad. His current responsibilities are a far cry from his first years as an active member of the U.S. Army. Reinitz now serves recruitment post in Olathe. Instead of worrying about ammunition, weaponry and security, Reinitz worries now about finding the best recruits for roles in the service. It’s a two-sided effort. He’s looking for individuals who will be the right match for specific, available army jobs. At the same time, he’s seeking to find the best opportunities for education and career skills for the individuals joining the service. The G.I. Bill has long assisted service men and women in going to school. For example, the Partnership for Youth Success (PAYS) program assists soldiers in finding civilian jobs. The army works with a variety of organizations including the Kansas Highway Patrol and various entities to guarantee interviews for soldiers. Reinitz said it doesn’t guarantee jobs, but it does open the employment door.“If you take care of the army, it’s going to take care of you,” Reinitz explained. Reinitz’ specific role at the Olathe recruitment office is getting aspiring soldiers mentally and physically prepared for basic training.“We do everything we can so they are successful once they get to basic training,” he said. It’s more mentoring the salesmanship, he explained.“I’m trying to help future soldiers. They come to our office and get a feel for what it’s like to be a part of a team or a family,” he said. He also helps future soldiers pick the kind of job they want in the military. When they sign-up, recruits can choose their roles. Some jobs take soldiers to the front lines, but others are supporting roles like equipment maintenance, logistics and engineering. It’s not all shooting and fighting, though that was Reinitz’ choice when he first signed up.“I grew up on a farm hunting and shooting,” he explained. “The infantry was good for that, but my mom was worried the whole time.”They may choose their jobs, but soldiers don’t get to choose where they’re stationed. The jobs are specific to locations. For example, if an active soldier wants to be in an airborne unit, they will be stationed in North Carolina or Italy.“That’s where they’re based,” Reinitz said. Those enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves must choose a job that has a station within 50 miles of where they live. Locally, for example, Reinitz is looking for reservists who want to do aircraft power plant repair and hydraulics repair. Both jobs are stationed at New Century. Ideally, Reinitz said he’s seeking people who want to improve themselves.“If they’re ready to do it, we’re going to put as much effort into it as they do,” Reinitz said. - See more at: http://gardnernews.com/recruiter-matches-soldiers-with-u-s-army-career/#sthash.bPWrVN1K.dpuf

Meet Sergeant Marlene Garcia a nurse serving in the Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Specialist

Meet Sergeant Marlene Garcia a nurse serving in the Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Specialist. See what the Army Reserves can do for your career.

You may be asking yourself, “What is the Army Reserve?” The Army is the most powerful and sophisticated military force in the world. This force consists of two groups: active duty Soldiers and Soldiers in the Army Reserve.

 Army Reserve is more like a part-time job with the Army, which still lets you keep your civilian career. You can live where you want, receive medical benefits, tuition assistance, and build for retirement. In other words, in the Army Reserve, you can continue your career or education while training close to home and standing ready to serve with your valuable job skills.

 

http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/profiles/marlene-garcia.html

Soldiers lead students in physical readiness training

Monday thru Friday at Army installations throughout the world, Soldiers conduct physical readiness training to help ensure physical fitness and combat readiness. Students at Patriot Elementary here, were given the opportunity to do the same Nov. 18-20, when Soldiers visited the school to train with them. Soldiers from 1st Battalion "Fighting Eagles," 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, joined with students at Patriot Elementary to conduct modified physical readiness training, referred to in the Army as PRT, sessions as part of the school's "Fueling the Future" program.  The Fighting Eagles Soldiers who already volunteer at the school through the adopt-a-school program, conducted the one-hour PRT sessions with two different grades each day, to ensure every student was provided the opportunity to attend. Nicole Leth, designer of the "Fueling the Future" program, and spouse to Lt. Col. Allen Leth, commander of the Fighting Eagles battalion, said she hopes the program will catch on across the Army, because of the benefits to leading a healthy lifestyle.

Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Staff Sgt. Henry Marris

Retrieved 4 Dec 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/116313/Soldiers_lead_students_in_physical_readiness_training/

Holiday cards bring love, piece of home to deployed service members

Holiday cards bring love, piece of home to deployed service members

Far from home and stationed in a remote outpost in Iraq over Christmas, Sgt. Jonathan Thibault remembered the comfort of receiving cards from school children and other members of the public during the holidays. "You feel the sensation that you get when you receive something great that you weren't expecting," he said. "Some of us didn't have families back home and it doesn't feel like Christmas when you're there." Thibault was in Iraq on a year-long deployment. He had two small children at home and a wife in the Army at the time. He said those heartfelt messages meant a tremendous amount to him and the others at the small base, Combat Outpost Nimur, in 2008. "For those guys to receive letters, it was the thing that made Christmas for them in a place where the environment is not covered in snow and cheer but with sand and fear," he said. Members of all branches of the military will likely find that same comfort and joy in similar messages when the Red Cross makes it rounds again this year in delivering bundles of cards for the holiday season. The Red Cross brings cards with special messages and greetings to veterans, military families and deployed service members worldwide, said Red Cross spokesman Peter Macias, who is the program lead for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Lisa Ferdinando, ARNEWS

Retrieved on 4 Dec 2013-12-04

http://www.army.mil/article/116255/Holiday_cards_bring_love__piece_of_home_to_deployed_service_members/

Duke logs 20 years as citizen-solder, still loves it

Meet Sergeant First Class Thaddeus Duke, a family man serving in the 348th Engineering Company in Belton.

Duke has been serving as a citizen-soldier for about 20 years and it is still a job he enjoys. In the morning, he walks into the 348th facility in Belton and puts on many hats, as the motor-pool sergeant and the headquarters platoon sergeant.

He manages personnel, physical

fitness, supplies, a medical staff, weapons systems, construction equipment, communications systems, and wheeled vehicles.

Duke said he is excited about the new unique equipment assigned to the 348th such as the Husky and

Buffalo, 5-ton mine interrogating vehicles used by some Army engineering companies.

Being the supervisor, Duke enjoys staying technically and tacti

cally proficient. He is an expert in the mechanical field and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University, which has served him well in his career.

Duke plans to continue his career and education by pursuing a graduate degree utilizing his Army

Reserve education benefits.

Learning new skills can take his reserve career all over the world.

But this Belton soldier has already served in many places throughout his career: Fort Eustis, Va.; Fort Sheridan, Ill.; Fort Hunter

Liggett, Calif.; a tour in Tal Afar, Iraq (2009 to 2010) serving with the 88th Military Police Company; and his current post with 348th Engineering Company in Belton

He is particularly fond of his assignment with the 348th as it has

been able to offer him unique, "high-speed" training opportunities such as jumping out of a moving helicopter last summer during Annual Training and setting off demolitions and C4 explosives at Fort Riley (Kan.) range exercises.

Duke loves Army life and plans to serve 10 more years as a citizen-soldier, retiring as a Sergeant Major.

"The opportunity to grow professionally, learn new skills, and mentor new soldiers," gives him job satisfaction, Duke said.

He currently has new reserve soldiers growing under his mentorship. Duke’s Army family extends to his own family of eight.

Sgt. First Class Duke, and his wife, Christina Duke, another citi

zen-soldier, have five children and a grandson.

Sgt. Christina Duke is currently serving with the 418th Civil Affairs Unit as a Human Resources Specialist while managing her own business; Strong Beginnings Family Child Care Inc., a 24-hour family child care center in Belton.

Thanks for meeting local Belton citizen-soldier Sgt. First Class Duke – still serving the community and his country with pride.

Army Strong!

 

ENLISTED SOLDIERS: The Heart of the Army

ENLISTED SOLDIERS: The Heart of the Army

Enlisted Soldiers, highly regarded for their sense of duty and the sacrifices they make for their country, make the U.S. Army the world’s most powerful, adaptable force that can respond to any threat. Soldiers live the Seven Core Army Values every day, on the job and off: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. A Soldier’s life is a rewarding life — one that changes you for the better.

Visit an Army Career Center for job information.

http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/enlisted-soldier.html

 

 

ARMY RESERVES SERVING WHEN NEEDED

ARMY RESERVES SERVING WHEN NEEDED

Being in the Army Reserve allows you to pursue your civilian career or college education while serving your community. In the Army Reserve, you will spend one weekend a month in training and two weeks a year attending a Field Training Exercise (FTX). In times of war, Soldiers in the Army Reserve may be called up to Active Duty to provide their expertise for mission success. Service options for the Army Reserve range from three to six years, depending on your Army Reserve job.

Within the Army Reserve, you can choose to serve either as an enlisted Soldier or an officer. Each has its own specialized training, responsibilities and areas of expertise. Both work together to achieve mission success even in the harshest of conditions.

Visit the local Army Career Center for reserve jobs in your city.

http://www.goarmy.com/about/service-options/army-reserve.html

 

Army Reserve responds to Illinois tornado

Army Reserve responds to Illinois tornado

Army Reserve Soldiers from the 724th Transportation Company were among the first to assist with recovery efforts in the aftermath of a deadly F4 tornado that ripped through Washington, Ill., on Nov. 17. The 724th, located in Bartonville, Ill., used Immediate Response Authority to respond to a request from Washington Fire Chief John Meyers to help police with setting up blockades on roads leading in and out of the town.The Stafford Act and DOD Directive 3025.18 authorize military commanders to use their Soldiers at the request of local authorities to aid in the recovery from a domestic natural disaster for up to 72 hours without an official mobilization order. The primary purpose of this response must be to save lives, prevent human suffering, and mitigate serious property damage. "There were downed power lines and gas leaks and local authorities wanted to prevent traffic from going into those areas," said 1st Lt. La'Darrian Smith, commander of the 724th Transportation Company. Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Maj Monica Radtke

Retrieved 3 Dec 2013.

http://www.army.mil/article/116262/Army_Reserve_responds_to_Illinois_tornado/

Milgaming site gets new look, improvements

Milgaming site gets new look, improvements

The Army's premier military gaming web site recently received a new look that makes it easier to navigate. The MilGaming web portal https://milgaming.army.mil provides a gateway to the Army's Games for Training program, which is managed by the Training and Doctrine Command Capability Manager -- Gaming. TCM Gaming is the centralized planner, manager and integrator for Army gaming capabilities. "The site has better graphics as well as the look and feel of Web 2.0 features," said Marco Conners, deputy of TCM -- Gaming. "The improvements are part of a regular update cycle that helps the Games for Training program stay relevant and add new technological features." Improvements reduce the number of clicks required to get to the most-used items on the site, he said. MilGaming provides news, training events, online instruction, technical support, expert forums and training scenarios. It offers links to products such as Virtual Battlespace 2, known as VBS2, VBS2 Fires and Moral Combat. Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Mike Casey, CAC-T

Retrieved on 3 Dec 2013.

http://www.army.mil/article/116253/Milgaming_site_gets_new_look__improvements/

COLLEGE STUDENTS

COLLEGE STUDENTS

A College Diploma and So Much More

Through classes and field training, Army ROTC provides you with the tools to become an Army Officer without interfering with your other classes. ROTC also provides you with discipline and money for tuition while enhancing your college experience.

http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/college-students.html

 

 

Soldiers, families worldwide celebrating Thanksgiving-Kuwait, Korea, Germany....

Soldiers, families worldwide celebrating Thanksgiving-Kuwait, Korea, and Germany....

While the Thanksgiving meals are important, the holiday, as its name implies, is also about "thanks" and "giving." As such, Soldiers everywhere are participating in community activities and doing things to help the needy.

KUWAIT

This month, Soldiers stationed in Kuwait came together for a Thanksgiving meal with Kuwaiti school children in their early teens.

Staff Sgt. Jennifer C. Manaday, a civil affairs team sergeant with the 352nd Civil Affairs Command attached to U.S. Army Central, said she was happy to have had the opportunity to attend the celebration and learn more about the Kuwaitis while sharing some of her own Thanksgiving experiences.

KOREA

Meanwhile on the other side of Asia in Korea, Americans stationed there this month were learning how to make kimchi, the main Korean dish, from the locals at the Annual Kimchi Charity Event in Dongducheon.

Although the traditional Korean Thanksgiving Day, called chuseok, is celebrated every September 19, Soldiers had the opportunity to partake of Thanksgiving food Nov. 15 that was different from the traditional Turkey meal.

GERMANY

In Grafenwoehr, Germany, the Army Chaplains Office will donate $24,000 worth of commissary gift cards to Soldiers and families in need at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.

Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by David Vergun

Retrieved on 27 Nov 2013.

http://www.army.mil/article/115679/Soldiers__families_worldwide_celebrating_Thanksgiving/

 

Soldiers, families worldwide celebrating Thanksgiving

Soldiers, families worldwide celebrating Thanksgiving

In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a "day of Thanksgiving." Since that time, Soldiers and their families have been celebrating the holiday.
This year, Soldiers are making plans to be with families and friends and those stationed overseas are calling, writing or using social media to contact loved ones back home.
Dining facilities worldwide are gearing up to provide the feast of traditional turkey or ham with all the fixings. Commissary shoppers worldwide are gobbling up Thanksgiving food items as well. Soldiers are celebrating all over the world.

Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by David Vergun

Retrieved 26 November 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/115679/Soldiers__families_worldwide_celebrating_Thanksgiving/

 

Bishop Miege High earns Top Performer and Coach of the Month

Bishop Miege High earns Top Performer and Coach of the Month

Sergeant Hale from the Overland Park Army Career Center presented the Top Performer award to Bishop Miege Goalkeeper Alex Lutz and the Coach of the Month award to Bishop Miege Soccer Coach Joe Huppe. Congratulations Bishop Miege, hooaaaahh!

 

Best Warrior winners credit success to family, command, hard work

Best Warrior winners credit success to family, command, hard work

The winners of the Army's 2013 Best Warrior Competition credit their success in the intense challenge to hard work and the support from their command and family. Sgt. 1st Class Jason Manella of Fremont, Calif., with the Army Reserve Command, won Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Spc. Adam Christensen of Las Vegas, Nev., with U.S. Army Pacific Command, was named Soldier of the Year. "All I am is just a reflection of what I've learned from the Soldiers before me," said Manella, a civil affairs specialist, currently serving in B Company, 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Mountain View, Calif.  Christensen, a military policeman with the 472nd Military Police Company, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, said teamwork and camaraderie come natural to Soldiers, and were evident at Best Warrior. "You work so hard before the competition, and during Best Warrior you're helping your competition," he said.
The Best Warrior Competition brought together 24 of the Army's finest warriors for three days of challenges at Fort Lee, Va. The events included tests of Army aptitude, a physical fitness test, a board appearance, warrior tasks and battle drills. Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Lisa Ferdinando, ARNEWS

Retrieved 25 Nov 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/115731/Best_Warrior_winners_credit_success_to_family__command__hard_work/

Best Warrior winners credit success to family, command, hard work

Best Warrior winners credit success to family, command, hard work

The winners of the Army's 2013 Best Warrior Competition credit their success in the intense challenge to hard work and the support from their command and family. Sgt. 1st Class Jason Manella of Fremont, Calif., with the Army Reserve Command, won Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Spc. Adam Christensen of Las Vegas, Nev., with U.S. Army Pacific Command, was named Soldier of the Year. "All I am is just a reflection of what I've learned from the Soldiers before me," said Manella, a civil affairs specialist, currently serving in B Company, 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Mountain View, Calif.  Christensen, a military policeman with the 472nd Military Police Company, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, said teamwork and camaraderie come natural to Soldiers, and were evident at Best Warrior. "You work so hard before the competition, and during Best Warrior you're helping your competition," he said.
The Best Warrior Competition brought together 24 of the Army's finest warriors for three days of challenges at Fort Lee, Va. The events included tests of Army aptitude, a physical fitness test, a board appearance, warrior tasks and battle drills. Read the rest of the story on the site below.

Written by Lisa Ferdinando, ARNEWS

Retrieved 25 Nov 2013

http://www.army.mil/article/115731/Best_Warrior_winners_credit_success_to_family__command__hard_work/