WE FIGHT AS A TEAM S.C. NATIONAL GUARD AVIATION UNIT DEPLOYS FOR AFGHANISTAN P4 LEADERS MEET TO IMPROVE BASIC TRAINING FOXHOLES - P3

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1 LEADERS MEET TO IMPROVE BASIC TRAINING FOXHOLES - P3 DPW FINDS INNOVATIVE WAY TO GET RID OF OLD OIL - P8 WE FIGHT AS A TEAM S.C. NATIONAL GUARD AVIATION UNIT DEPLOYS FOR AFGHANISTAN P4

2 ON THE COVER The S.C. Army National Guard held a departure ceremony Aug. 26 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base to recognize Soldiers of the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion deploying to Afghanistan Sentinel. SEE PAGE 3 Photo by STAFF SGT. ERICA KNIGHT Fort Jackson, South Carolina This civilian enterprise newspaper, which has a circulation of 10,000, is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the Fort Jackson Leader are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, Department of the Army or Fort Jackson. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or Camden Media Co. of the firms, products or services advertised. All editorial content of the Fort Jackson Leader is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office of Fort Jackson. The Fort Jackson Leader is published by Camden Media Co., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with Fort Jackson. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial advertising. For display advertising rates and information call or write Camden Media Company, P.O. Box 1137, Camden, S.C For classified advertising information only: call or nwilson@chronicleindependent.com or fax For questions or concerns about subscriptions, call To submit articles, story ideas or announcements, write the Fort Jackson Leader, Fort Jackson, S.C , call or fjleader@ gmail.com. Commanding General...Maj. Gen. John P. Johnson Garrison Commander...Col. Stephen Elder Public Affairs Officer...Michael B. Pond Garrison Public Affairs Officer...Patrick Jones Command Information Officer...Christopher Fletcher Editor...Wallace McBride Staff Writer...Robert Timmons Staff Writer...Mark Manicone Website: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: Community Calendar TODAY Change of Commandant 1 p.m., NCO Club. Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Gilmer will relinquish command of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy in a change of commandant ceremony. Girl Scouts sign-up If you are interested in your daughter joining Girl Scouts please stop by on signup day Aug. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information contact Dana Wangsness at They are also still in need of all level leaders. If you are interested in being a leader please contact Dana Wangsness at or via at FTJacksongs@ yahoo.com. TUESDAY Job Searching Strategies for Military Spouses 8:30a.m., 9810 Lee Rd. For more information contact Barbara Martin at or via at barbara.l.martin10.civ@mail.mil. SEPT. 9 FJ 9-11 Run/Ride for the Fallen 8 a.m., Hilton Field SEPT. 12 Coupon Craze Coupon Class 11:30 a.m., 9810 Lee Road, Rm Learn to stretch your monthly budget and maximize your savings. Come and learn the art of doubling, tripling and stacking coupons, price matching and more. Each class participant will receive a special gift, compliments of Army Community Service. Maude Leadership Lecture Series 3 p.m., Solomon Center Fort Jackson senior leaders, command teams company and above, and human resources and personnel organization leaders are invited to listen to Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson commander, speak during the Maude Leadership Lecture Series. The lecture series provides HR professionals with increased opportunities to enhance their leadership skills with current and former Army leaders. SEPT. 14 Smart Career Solutions for a Mobile Military Spouses 10:45 a.m.- noon, Liberty Room of the NCO Club. RSVP to ACS Employment Readiness Program or Barbara.L.martin10.civ@mail.mil. See Page 6 for details. SEPT. 15 Hispanic Heritage Month Observance 11:30 a.m., NCO Club Dr. David Cardenas, the University of South Carolina s Vice Chair of the Latino and Hispanic Faculty Caucus, will speak at Fort Jackson s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Luncheon. Tickets for the luncheon cost $10.50 and includes a buffet. Entertainment will be provided by the 282nd Army Band and the International Dance Academy. For more information about the event hosted by the Soldier Support Institute or to purchase tickets contact your unit Equal Opportunity Advisor. Summer Sizzler Cook-Out 4 p.m., 9810 Lee Road. There will be food, music, games, prizes and more; something for everyone. Please bring snacks or drinks to share with the group. For more information contact Patricia Guillory at , patricia.a.guillory.civ@mail.mil or Felicia Johnson, , felicia.r.johnson23.ctr@ mail.mil. SEPT. 19 Hiring Our Heroes job fair 9 a.m., Solomon Center. This event is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Columbia Chamber, the Department of Labor s Veterans Employment and Training Service, the South Carolina Committee of the Employer Support for Guard and Reserve, The American Legion, SC DEW, SC Works, NBC News and other local partners. SEPT. 22 SCARNG Suicide Prevention Month 5K Run/Walk At Gamecock Park. Run or walk to raise awareness of the suicide prevention efforts in the South Carolina National Guard and our surrounding community. To register, contact Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Allen at christopher.j.allen.mil@mail. mil or visit scng-suicide-prevention-5k-runwalktickets Multi-Cultural Luncheon 11:30 a.m., 9810 Lee Road. Bring a homemade cultural dish and recipe to share with the group. For more information contact Relocation Readiness Program staff Patricia Guillory at , patricia.a.guillory.civ@mail.mil or Miranda Broadus at , miranda.o.broadus. civ@mail.mil. SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO FJLeader@gmail.com Deadline for events to be included in the calendar or Happenings is one week before publication. Include the time, date and place the event will occur, as well as other necessary information. If you submit an article on an event that already has taken place, please send it as soon as possible. Tuesday is the last day we will we be able to accept an article for publication the following Thursday. Include the date and place of the event, as well as a description of what took place. Please include quotations, if possible. With any photo you submit, and last names. Questions? Call Join us on FACEBOOK. Visit FACEBOOK.COM/FORTJACKSON and click like.

3 Photos by ROBERT TIMMONS Lt. Col. Michael George, 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment commander, briefs Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson commander, about proposed changes to rifle marksmanship during the Fort Jackson BCT Training Forum. There s no sitting on your laurels Leaders meet to improve basic training foxholes By ROBERT TIMMONS Fort Jackson Leader The post s leadership gathered together last week at the Fort Jackson Basic Combat Training Forum to recommend changes to better train Soldiers, or what Fort Jackson s commander called, improving our foxholes. Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson commanding general, said the forum is a great opportunity to gain a long term outlook on basic training and to continually make improvements. When we wake up every day, the culture has to be, How do we improve the foxholes? he said opening the forum. There s no sitting on your laurels; you are always evaluating the enemy and saying, What can we do to make our organization better? One goal of the forum is to create an environment where it s OK to shake the tree a little bit it s OK to look at what we are doing and taking a different avenue of approach, he added. He emphasized, however, the necessity to share different ideas with other training units so there wouldn t be 11 separate ways of training. Over the course of two days, unit commanders and senior eight working groups to narrow down the focus on key functional areas such as strategy, shooting, moving, communica- and cadre development. At the end of each day the working groups made recommendations to post leadership about possible changes. No permanent changes to basic training have yet to be decided. As of right now, the groups are only making recommen- with the post s operations section. Nothing will change just yet. The groups will continue to meet up until November when A Training Strategy Working Group will meet in September BCT Workshop Oct. 30- Nov. 3. Some minor adjustments to the map have already been ed version, however, only for (After Action Review) purposes making adjustments and no changes will occur until he signs off on them. Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson and Army Training Center commanding general, speaks to Basic Combat Training leaders during the Fort Jackson BCT Training Forum Aug. 23 in the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment classroom.

4 Photo by 1ST LT. CODY DENSON U.S. Army Soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard s 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion say farewell to family, friends, and fellow Guardsmen before their deployment to Afghanistan. We fight as a team Fort Jackson Movie Schedule 3319 Jackson Blvd. Phone: FRIDAY The Dark Tower (PG-13) 7 p.m. SATURDAY The Emoji Movie (PG) 1 p.m. The Dark Tower (PG-13) 7 p.m. S.C. National Guard aviation unit deploys for Afghanistan By CAPT. JESSICA DONNELLY 59th Aviation Troop Command The South Carolina National Guard held a departure ceremony Aug. 26 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base to recognize Soldiers of the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion deploying to provide aviation capabilities under the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom s Sentinel. Roughly 190 Soldiers with the 1-151st ARB will deploy for nearly a year. While deployed, the unit will combine with other National Guard and active duty components to become a task force that will conduct aviation operations with AH-64 Apaches, UH-60 Black Hawks, CH-47 Chinooks and medevac assets. You are ready, said Lt. Col. Brian Pipkin, 1-151st ARB commander. You are well trained and well equipped, but we re not there yet. The Soldiers spent months leading up to the departure, training in preparation for the deployment including qualifying on aviation gunnery, as well as training on individual Soldier skills. They will spend approximately one month in Texas continuing to train before heading overseas. Col. Andrew Batten, 59th Aviation Troop Command commander, explained, the 1-151st ARB is a unit of exceptional Soldiers carrying on traditions in Army aviation, continuing to adapt and overcome any obstacles they face. It has been a challenging train up for the mobilization the Soldiers have worked hard to get ready for deployment, added Batten. deployments and overseas operations including in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, Operation New Dawn in 2011, where the Soldiers from the 1-151st ARB were among the last U.S. forces to depart the Iraq area of operations, and Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait in You left your civilian jobs, stepped forward and said, I m going to serve today. This is what America is all about and you are a part of it, said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr, the Adjutant General of South Carolina. These Soldiers make it possible to live in a free nation. See TEAM: Page 11 SUNDAY The Emoji Movie (PG) 2 p.m. The Dark Tower (PG-13) 7 p.m.... TICKETS Adult: $6 / Child (6 to 11): $4 3-D TICKETS Adult: $8 / Child (6 to 11): $6 Ticket sales open 30 minutes before each movie. Movie times and schedule are subject to change without notice.

5 August 31, 2017 The Fort Jackson Leader Page 5

6 ACS launches small business seminar series in September By BARBARA MARTIN ACS Employment Readiness Program Manager Army News Service photo The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity s Pharmaceutical Systems Project Management Office is tasked with managing the advanced development of many critical vaccines intended for our Service members. Protecting warfighters with critical vaccines By JEFFREY M. SOARES Army News Service Each August, our country is reminded of the importance of vaccines through the National Immunization Awareness Month campaign. Not only do vaccinations save lives, they also help to halt the spread of disease, both regionally and globally. While most people consider Edward Jenner s smallpox vaccine in 1796 as the birth of modern immunization practice, evidence shows that a smallpox inoculation may have been used by China perhaps 800 years earlier. Nevertheless, over the past 220 years, the worldwide administration of antitoxins and vaccines has proven extremely successful in eliminating numerous diseases that may have taken, Each day, the team members of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity are tasked with developing and delivering quality medical capabilities to protect, treat and sustain the health of Service Members throughout the world -- and the men and women of USAMMDA take this assignment very seriously. As a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, the organization develops new drugs, vaccines and medical support equipment that greatly enhance readiness, which helps to maximize the survival of medical casualties both We re involved with vaccine development because infectious diseases have a great impact to our military. Louis Jasper PSPMO deputy project manager USAMMDA s Pharmaceutical Systems Project Management Of- of many critical vaccines intended for our service members. Helping to lead this talented team is Louis Jasper, PSPMO deputy project manager. Over the past decade, Jasper has been involved in numerous efforts that have helped to protect and preserve many immunization. Vaccinations are important for a number of reasons, said Jasper. They protect the individual from getting ill, and they also curtail epidemic spread. Without vaccines, viruses and other pathogens can directly impact the health of our Service members and our military readiness. This is what we are working to safeguard. Jasper said the PSPMO team is responsible for the advanced development of novel vaccines. This category includes: 1. Vaccines that currently do not exist anywhere in the world. 2. Existing vaccines that are not currently licensed in the U.S. 3. Ineffective vaccines that do not meet the needs of the U.S. military. See VACCINES: Page 15 Have you ever dreamed of having your own business? Do you think having your own business is out-of-the question? Turning your dream into reality could be more possible than you think. Military spouses face many challenges during a permanent change of station move, and unemployment is generally at the top of the list. Small business opportunities can create an ideal work situation for military spouses. Portable careers that can follow them anywhere, anytime can be a positive solution to meeting their career success. According to Mike Haynie, founder and executive director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, spouses are increasingly turning to business ownership as a professional vocation. The Army Community Services Employment Readiness Program has partnered with SCORE to bring a dynamic, interactive program called Simple Steps for Starting Your Business to Fort Jackson. This 5-week series of 2-hour workshops is designed to give you the tools, information and advice you need to succeed. Each week you will have a new instructor and you ll learn the essentials of business startup, get action steps, and receive one-on-one mentoring. Take advantage of this great opportunity to be mentored (one-on-one) by a business expert. Every business starts with a dream; success starts with SCORE. This program normally costs $125, but is free for all service members personnel, retirees, military spouses and surviving spouses. Don t hesitate! Class dates: Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, 9 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., Army Community Service, 9810 Lee Road. Contact the ACS Employment Readi- barbara.l.martin10.civ@mail.mil to register. Pre-registration is required. Reg- individuals to register for the class will receive a copy of the book, Start Your Own Business and Hire Yourself.

7 Photos by 1ST LT. TRACCI DORGAN Members of the S.C. Army National Guard s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team depart to support Hurricane Harvey response efforts in Texas from McEntire Joint National Guard Base in Eastover, S.C., Tuesday. A SC-HART team consists of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with four Soldiers who are partnered with three rescue swimmers from the State Task Force and provide hoist rescue capabilities over water or mountainous terrain. S.C. National Guard sends Soldiers to support hurricane rescue States nationwide are responding to assist the citizens impacted by the unprecedented amount of rainfall in southeast Texas, where more than 12,000 Texas National Guard members have been mobilized to assist in flooded communities. Members of the S.C. Army National Guard s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, above, are part of the effort. From staff reports Two South Carolina Army National Guard Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Teams departed McEntire Joint National Guard Base today bound for Dallas County, Texas, in support of rescue and recovery efforts due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey. The teams will report to and assist the Texas National Guard providing support during this ongoing disaster. SC-HART is assigned to Security and Support Battalion, 59th Aviation Troop Command (Black Hawks). The SC-HART mission is to conduct helicopter aquatic rescue in conjunction with rescue swimmers. Two full teams consist of a total of eight Soldiers and nine rescue swimmers. SC-HART is a collaborative effort between the State Urban Search and Rescue Task Force under the direction Marshal, S.C. Emergency Management Division and South Carolina Army National Guard Aviation Units based at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover, S.C. Just as we are keeping a watchful eye on our South Carolina coast, we are ready to support our neighbors in Texas in their great time of need and help them in any way possible as they get through the devastating effects from Hurricane Harvey, said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr, the adjutant general for South Carolina. Our Soldiers and Airmen will be available as long as they are needed and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by this weather event. This is about states helping states and neighbors helping neighbors.

8 DPW finds innovative way to get rid of old oil By ROBERT TIMMONS Fort Jackson Leader The pipe was barely warm to the touch as the heated thick tar-like #6 fuel oil was pumped out of underground holding tanks into waiting tanker trucks to be moved offpost. On Aug. 25, Fort Jackson s Directorate of Public Works began removing roughly 350,000 gallons of the sticky petroleum substance once used to heat buildings on post while also saving the Army money and making more than $40,000. It would have cost the Army $2.64 a gallon to dispose of the oil through routine channels, but after working with Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Jackson was able to sell it for $.12 a gallon, said Heather Thomas, Hazardous Substance Program Manager with DPW. The oil is naturally thick and must be heated to 190 degrees in order to burn it, said Curtis Helton, energy plant supervisor. At this point it is really thin. Number 6 fuel oil is a backup fuel source to natural gas used to heat various buildings across post. Heated water warmed at the various central energy plants is piped through the buildings to warm them. Helton said the process was also shedding the cost of infrastructure maintenance needed to store and move the potentially hazardous material. The system is about 50 years old and the infrastructure the process is to remove the oil and the oil s holding tanks. Not only does the oil s removal relieve pressure on the infrastructure, but it also helps the environment. It s extremely important to save the government money, Thomas said, because we are asked to do more with less there is a money crunch so being able to save money that can go towards our mission to us is very important. She also said, we must use those resources we have responsibly. Pump hoses are laid over thick plastic sheeting and weak points in the lines such as joints are wrapped tomake sure no materials leak out and seep into the ground. Fuel oil dropped on the ground will become sticky and virtually impossible to remove, Helton said, adding that when mixed with sand it will become asphalt. This helps the surrounding community as well, Thomas added, because it shows the Midlands Fort Jackson is a responsible partner in making sure there is no damage to the environment. A worker pumps out #6 fuel oil from one of eight tanks at Central Energy Plant#2 Aug. 28. Rather than pay an outside agency to clean the sites, the installation s Directorate of Public Works negotiated a contract to sell the hazardous material. Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS

9 Military spouses: The struggle is real NEWS By BARBARA MARTIN ACS Employment Readiness Program Military spouses often dread those familiar words, Honey, I ve got orders. They immediately go into a tail spin on how to prioritize getting ready for the new location. Most spouses state that packing household goods is the least of their worries. Their biggest frustrations come when they actually arrive and starting looking for employment. Mahoganey Wilson, a new Army military spouse, recently arrived to Fort Jackson. The hardest part for me is trying to learn the area and where ing in Texas all of her life, she by word of mouth through her friends. Arriving to a new location and trying to understand what being a military spouse means can be so overwhelming. My husband attended an Army Community Service inprocessing seminar and came home with a smile and information on the Employment Readiness Program, she said. Wilson eral times for employment assistance. Challenges of military life can make it hard for military spouses to pursue careers, but the Department of Defense understands the needs of military families and ensures that installations have military family service centers to ensure smoother transitions to their new location. Employment Readiness Centers provide a variety of services career counseling, one-on-one Courtesy photo Mahoganey Wilson develops her resume using the Employment Library resources at the ACS Military Spouse Career Center. ERP staff will help her fine tune her resume, then forward it out to prospective employers. assistance, resume development, career fairs and educational resources. spouses have access to the Internet, phones to contact employers, fax ma- Center versus staying at home and searching alone. Fort Jackson ACS Employment Program will host Smart Career Solutions for a Mobile Military Spouses seminar Sept. 14 from 9:45 a.m.until noon at the NCO Club. RSVP to Barbara Martin, call or barbara.l.martin10.civ@mail.mil. This event will address the unique employment challenges that military spouses face and how to overcome them. Participants will walk away with an understanding that there are viable options for employment, unique skills to utilize and that they are not limited. tor employment. Female Forum turns 4 Courtesy photo Fort Jackson Professional Mentorship Network (Female Forum) celebrated its fourth birthday during its Aug. 22 meeting, which brought out more than 30 guest. Above, Erica N. Parks, Fort Jackson Health Promotion Officer, and Lt. Col. Yvette Brown, 120th commander, cut a birthday cake prepared for the event.

10 I became a soldier... 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment PVT. JADON DUBAN, 18 Lonsdale, Minnesota I joined the military because I was told a lot that I couldn t do much, so I wanted to prove to people that I could push myself further. I wanted to join something bigger than myself to prove that. I didn t really know what to expect joining the Army. It turned out to be a lot better and more challenging than I thought it would be. The most challenging thing about BCT was pushing yourself through all the challenges, whether they were physical or being sleep deprived. opener. It makes you realize you are more capable than what you think you are. SPC. ZACHARY MULLENAX, 24 Fishersville, Virginia Everyone in my family has either prior service or served in the Air Force, but the Army is one of the few branches we don t have the roster. The Army is exactly what I thought it was and, of course, a little bit more. You don t always know what you are getting into until you get into it. I think the most challenging thing about combat training was being stuck with 60 other people constantly, everyday, and never being able to get away. I ve always been someone who s valued his alone time, so never being able to get away was something I had to learn to overcome pretty quickly. I m someone who s graduated college with a bachelor s degree and I personally think that Basic Combat Training graduation is something I ll remember and value a lot more than my college graduation. SPC. MEGAN C. SMICK, 24 Anderson, S.C. My Family has a long history of military service that to join the Army. Also, it s something I ve always wanted to do and to have the pride that comes with it once you join. Victory Forge was challenging. Just the whole experience and the whole basic training experience were pretty challenging. I m looking forward to keeping it going until retirement. PVT. BEATA JUDIN, 19 Round Lake Heights, Illinois I wanted to join the Army so that I can do more for my little sister in the future and for everyone around me. I d say it was hard to bring up the people that didn t try. Even trying not to give up on people that were giving up on themselves was challenging. I m a 91 Bravo, a wheel mechanic, and I chose that because it s different than what I would normally do in my civilian job. I wanted to do something different in the Army and learn more about vehicles. SPC. RACHEL PRICE, 22 Cincinnati, Ohio I ve always wanted to serve my country and it s just something I feel like I ve been called to do since I was a kid. I thought the Army was going to be a lot different in that the drill sergeants would be more disrespectful, but they were actually very respectful towards us. They expect a lot out of us, but they never made me feel like a horrible person or anything. Other than that, it s been what I expected a lot of teamwork and a lot of exercising. The most challenging thing was being away from your Family and having no contact with them other than letters, which you may or may not get. to be a leader in the best Army in the world. PVT. ANNA TRAN, 18 Atlanta me to join the Army. They helped guide me in making my decision in joining the Army. The Army was exactly what I thought it was, and some. Of course I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I knew I could get through it because I have my Family to help me. The hardest thing about basic training was the teamwork. When you have a team full of leaders it s we got it together and worked as a family. I m looking forward to the future and the opportunities the Army will bring to me. My experience was great, I loved it. We got smoked so many times, but it just made me a better person.

11 Team Continued from Page 4 while serving. The families support their Service members, which helps accomplish the mission. in this nation, said Livingston. In Texas, the 1-151st ARB will join additional Soldiers from the South Carolina National Guard and Illinois National Guard, 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, Iowa National Guard, 2-211th GSAB, and Pennsylvania National Guard, Charlie Company, 1-151st ARB. as a team. The South Carolina Army National Guard held a departure ceremony Aug. 26 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base to recognize Soldiers of the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion deploying to provide aviation capabilities under the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom s Sentinel. Photo by STAFF SGT. ERICA KNIGHT

12 It should just be reaction UFC Fighter squares off to say thank you to Soldiers By MARK MANICONE Fort Jackson Leader Soldiers from the Soldier Support Institute s Adjutant General School practice their Army combatives Aug. 24. The class was visited by Mixed Martial Arts star Stephen Thompson, aka. Wonderboy, who stopped by to meet the Soldiers and talk to them about their experiences. As you step inside the Adjutant General School s sparring gym, the the edge of the sparring mat; their owners locked in a wrestling match of strength and will. Soldiers are constantly testing their physical and mental fortitude through rigorous training and exercise. But it s not every day that you get a civilian who knows and can relate to that level of training. That s what the Soldier Support Insti tute s AG School got when mixed mar tial artist Stephen Thompson came to observe an Army combative class. He s coming to the Army to get a to show his appreciation, said Lt. Col. Kevin Agen. He s also training for a big Thompson was impressed with the ing their sparring. The style and tech niques implemented by Army instructors Thompson has had to master as well. It s pretty cool to see you guys do some Gi Jiu Jitsu I ve put it on the backburner and I shouldn t, Thompson said. But that s where you ll build your technique 100 percent.... they d said I d never fight again. And that just lit a flame inside me to get back into it. Stephen Thompson, mixed martial artist Thompson explained that a lot of his training isn t going hard all the time it s drilling to get muscle memory down, and that s where it mat ters the most. slow it should just be reaction, Thompson said. See UFC: Page 14 Photos by MARK MANICONE Mixed Martial Artist Stephen Thompson, also known as Wonderboy, talks with members of the Adjutant General School during a meet and greet Aug. 24 at the Soldier Support Institute s gymnasium.

13 UFC Continued from Page 14 Thompson started martial arts when he was 3 years old, under his father s guidance. His father had fought in the 70 s and 80 s and was experienced in the profession, and that he really didn t have a choice in the matter when he started in the sport. He slowly got better and better, serving as his eldest sister s sparring partner. And once he got into his teenage he only sparred with his sister, and she d always beat him But his road to success didn t come without speed He was out for a full three years, with many not expecting another motivator for the athlete. A lot of his training he compared to the Army s train ing, but the main thing that stood out for Thompson is the combative level that he would never touch. But as he ex drew a parallel to what Soldiers experience in a combative sense. laugh at it, Thompson said. Everyone copes differently Photos by MARK MANICONE Mixed Martial Artist Stephen Thompson talks with members of the Adjutant General School about how to hone combative techniques during his Aug. 24 visit.

14 August retirees The monthly retirement ceremony was held Wednesday Aug. 29, and recognized the service of five Soldiers. This month s retirees are: Maj. Letrenda R. Miles, USAMED- DAC, Fort Jackson; Capt. Sharon E. Manning, USARCENT, Shaw Air Force Base; Master Sgt. Anthony D. Sanders, 1st TSC, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Sgt. 1st Class Victor R. Orellana-Vargas, 369th Adjutant General Battalion; Sgt. 1st Class Michael Q. Blackman, USARCENT, Shaw Air Force Base. Pictued third from right is Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson and Army Training Center commanding general, NEWS Photo by CHARLES CLARK Vaccines Continued from Page

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16 I m every woman NEWS Twelve ladies represented Fort Jackson at the 2017 Sponsors & Media Luncheon Palmetto Capital City Classic, held Aug. 28 at the Brookland Banquet and Conference Center in West Columbia. The theme for this year s event was I m Every Woman. From left are Dr. Treva Anderson, Sharrion Sweet, retired Lt. Col. Paula Barfield-Hughes, Becky Weber, Capt. Jennifer Biser, Command Sgt. Maj. Bernedette Phillips, Staff Sgt. Gladys Quiroga, Staff Sgt Latoya Council, 2nd Lt. Sarah Wollett, Yolanda Brown, Sgt. 1st Class Patricia Coleman, and Erica N. Parks. Courtesy photo

17 Saluting this BCT cycle s honorees DRILL SERGEANTS OF THE CYCLE Photos by Jessica Mejia Staff Sgt. Quo vadis Parker Staff Sgt. Tyler Klinesteker Staff Sgt. Johnathan Felts Staff Sgt. Adam Cain SOLDIER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Theodore Freeman SOLDIER LEADER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Mikayla Christensen HIGH BRM Pvt. Michael Cooper SOLDIER OF THE CYCLE Pfc. Issac Diaz SOLDIER LEADER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Michael Mcgonigle HIGH APFT Pvt. Richard Riverapaulino SOLDIER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Noah Bray SOLDIER LEADER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Jaylyn Wilson HIGH BRM Pvt. Jacobs Olig PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE HIGH APFT Pvt. Sami Kalani PARKER HIGH APFT Pvt. Mercedes Dimsey KLINESTEKER HIGH BRM Pvt. Daniel Rosa FELTS CAIN SOLDIER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Destiny Moore SOLDIER LEADER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Isabella Cross HIGH BRM Pvt. Jonathan Schonhoff HIGH APFT Pvt. Mary York Staff Sgt. Stephen Barlow SOLDIER OF THE CYCLE Pvt.. Joseph Wilson SOLDIER LEADER OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Erich Gries HIGH BRM Pvt. Ezekiel Fortner HIGH APFT Pvt. Tristen Hannon BARLOW Shred Day The Fort Jackson community were invited to dispose of paper with sensitive information at the post s fourth quarter Shred Day event at the recycling center. Right, Soldiers ready papers for shredding in the bins reserved for the event. Photo by MARK MANICONE

18 NEVER MISS AN ISSUE Download THE LEADER for free online every week at And download HUNDREDS of high-resolution photos from the Fort Jackson archives on FLICKR