Leading from the front

Transcription

1 DESERT VOICE August 17, 2005 Leading from the front Pgs. 6-7 Serving the U.S. and Coalition Forces in Kuwait

2 DESERT 04 CONTENTS VOICE Volume 27, Issue 04 The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Desert Voice are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or Department of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Coalition Forces Land Component Command Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is published by Al-Qabandi United, a private firm, which is not affiliated with CFLCC. All copy will be edited. The Desert Voice is produced weekly by the Public Affairs Office Page 3 Stress team at work The Combat Operational Stress Team Air Force works with servicemembers to prevent and alleviate stress. Pages 4&5 Animals assit in therapy Camp Arifjan is helping some Soldiers, Airmen and Marines to deal with posttraumatic or combat stress through the use of animals. Pages 6&7 Security escorts 1/178th FA protects every convoy that travels from Kuwait into Iraq. Without the unit s protection, convoys wouldn t be able to supply troops fighting in Iraq. Page 8 Denmark begins rotation Denmark began its exchange of troops Aug. 10. The sixth rotation quickly departed an aircraft to begin their journey to fight in Iraq. Page 9 Chaplain deploys to Iraq Marine Air Control Group-28 Chaplain, Navy Lt. Tim Moore, deployed to Iraq in the hopes of helping Marines. Page 10 Cultural awareness trip MWR trips to Kuwait City began Aug. 10 to teach servicemembers cultural awareness. Twenty Soldiers took the first trip to Al-Kout Mall. Page 11 Community Events Dead-Lift competition, Von Cotton Show, Karaoke, Darts and Dominoes. Back page Covering the rear Illustration by Spc. Robert Adams A convoy-escort platform manned by Battery B, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery Soldiers protects the rear of a supply convoy heading into Iraq. CFLCC Commanding General Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb CFLCC Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. Ashe CFLCC Public Affairs Officer Col. Michael Phillips CFLCC Public Affairs Officer, Forward Lt. Col. Debbie Haston-Hilger Commander 11th PAD Capt. Chevelle Thomas NCOIC 11th PAD Staff Sgt. Kerensa Hardy Desert Voice Editor Sgt. Jonathan M. Stack Desert Voice Assistant Editor Spc. Robert Adams Desert Voice Staff Writers Spc. Janine Coogler Spc. Debralee P. Crankshaw Spc. Michael R. Noggle 11th PAD Broadcasters Spc. Christina Beerman Pfc. Jheridiah Anderson Editor CFLCC PAO/ Desert Voice Camp Arifjan APO AE jonathan.stack@arifjan.arcent.army.mil Find us online at 6 On the cover Illustration by Spc. Robert Adams A convoy-escort platform, manned by Battery B, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery Soldiers, leads a supply convoy into Iraq. 2 Desert Voice August 17, 2005

3 Don t fight stress on your own Help is right around the corner Spc. Robert Adams Assistant Editor Every Soldier deals with stress during a deployment. It can build through depression, anxiety or displacement and, at times, can become unbearable. The Combat Operational Stress Team Air Force, 62nd Medical Brigade, wants servicemembers to know they are not alone and that help is available. The stress team educates troops on the major stressors they will face, the reactions that can occur, stress prevention and where to find help. There s a big shift on how they have gone about outreach programs. Before this war, you didn t have the type of preventive programs as you do now, said Air Force Maj. Ajay Makhija, COSTAF commander, psychiatrist The Kuwait area of operations has two four-man groups located at Camp Arifjan and Camp Buehring, and are made up of a psychologist or social worker, a psychiatrist and two mental health technicians. We all come from different clinics and our different experiences bring something different to the table, said Air Force Capt. Jeane Lambrecht, South Team officer in charge, psychologist. Since there are only two, the combat-stress teams are constantly on the road educating, informing and treating troops at every military camp in Kuwait. The teams brief servicemembers prior to moving into theater to prevent or relieve any tensions they may face. They also conduct group sessions for servicemembers returning from theater to discuss common physical and mental side effects caused by high amounts of stress. By having briefings, Soldiers will be more inclined to approach and talk to us, whereas they would not seek help otherwise, said Air Force Senior Airman Amy Taylor, South Team mental health technician. The team also holds briefings for combat leaders prior to going into theater. A lot of our briefings are done with commanders, first sergeants and leaders, Lambrecht said. These meetings are held for leadership development so they can better interact with their troops. They teach leaders to stress to their troops the importance of things such as hydrating, getting enough sleep and eating right, she added. The team is also proactive at making sure troops are screened early before they become too overwhelmed. One thing we do is go out to camp aid stations and see patients for a few sessions to try and get them back on track, Lambrecht said. Some people have adjustment disorders sleep problems, depression, and anxiety. During these screenings, the team will decide if a troop needs further counseling and, if so, refer him to the local camp s Troop Medical Clinic. By screening them, we might be able to catch some stuff early and prevent them from having long-term psychiatric problems, Makhija said. Since arriving in April, the group has also taken on a new project by starting a support group for Mortuary Affairs workers. This is in addition to the group meetings already held for anger, stress and anxiety management at each camp and the post-traumatic stress disorder class at the confinement center. A lot of people are going through stress and many people are finding our groups very helpful, Lambrecht said. They need to understand that they are not alone. The groups are anonymous and if they want, they can just stop by and check us out, added Air Force Staff Sgt. Nadia Elhofy, South Team noncommissioned officer in charge, mental health technician. The easiest way to find information on group meetings is through unit chaplains, Makhija said. Lambrecht said, If people can learn to manage stress well the impact is usually minimized. Photo Illustration by Spc. Robert Adams Top Stressors Harsh climates/terrain Separation from family Lack of privacy Lack of personal time Long duty days Inadequate rest Personal problems Lack of mission information Perceived ineffectiveness of leadership Boring or repetitive work Lack of proper equipment Uncertain redeployment date Stress Reactions Depression Irritability and anger Anxiety Fatigue Decreased attention Unclear thinking Trouble sleeping Impaired duty performance Loneliness and isolation Diminished confidence in self Decreased trust in leadership Misconduct Desert Voice August 17,

4 Photos by Staff Sgt. Kerenso Hardy (Left to right) Navy Lt. Allison Travis, Expeditionary Medical Facility-Dallas, feeds Belle, a therapy animal, while Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Charles O Neill, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Sorensen and Army 1st Lt. Geoff Fidelman look on during a session of animal-assisted therapy. This program is used to help servicemembers deal with various emotional disorders. Arifjan tries new breed of therapy Staff Sgt. Kerensa Hardy 11th PAD NCOIC Emotional healing is a most amazing gift that s bestowed by our furry friends... Chelle Thompson, Editor of Inspiration Line Inspirational Quote from Inspiration Line The current count for military personnel killed since the beginning of the war in Iraq is more than 1,800. But what is not documented is those comrades dealing with post-traumatic stress from either witnessing the injury or death of a fellow servicemember or being injured themselves. A program at Camp Arifjan is proving highly successful in helping some of these Soldiers, Airmen and Marines to deal with post-traumatic or combat stress. It s called animal-assisted therapy and Arifjan has what is believed to be the first 4 Desert Voice August 17, 2005 program of its kind in a deployed environment. The program was a joint effort between Navy Lt. Allison Travis, Expeditionary Medical Facility-Dallas, and Army Capt. Jennifer Huntington, Area Support Group Kuwait veterinary services chief. Travis, who specializes in community mental health nursing in the civilian sector, said she wanted to try a technique used on the outside with patients here. In the psychiatric hospitals we often use animal-assisted therapy to help patients who are in crisis or who are under a lot of anxiety and stress, said Travis, a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She added that animals have been traditionally known to have a very calming, soothing effect on people, especially very anxious, nervous people. I thought with all these patients that are so traumatized that would be a way to provide some relaxation for them, she said. Animal-assisted therapy, which began here Army Pfc. Arielle Sewell kisses Burqa goodbye.

5 in April, supplements the Intensive Outpatient Program, a short-term group therapy designed for those whom have seen combat and those struggling with being in a deprived environment. You can t fix everybody in a week, said Army Pfc. Courteney Fisher of the IOP. But it s somewhere to start and it s a nice addition when they bring the animals in. Animalassisted therapy is good for those who have a hard time trusting or building rapport, said Navy Dr. (Cmdr.) David N. Hayes, clinical psychologist and IOP therapist. Animal-assisted therapy relaxes them and puts them in an empathy-building place where they can care about the animal freely without worrying about being hurt, being judged. That helps us build rapport in our work with the clients, especially since we only have a week. The clinic handles people from all over Kuwait and Iraq; a few have come from Afghanistan. The IOP patients are required to do physical training and attend group therapy 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily. They are given therapy-related homework assignments and personal time. Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Soldiers, Airmen and Marines can be found sitting in a circle with a therapy animal as their focal point. It s amazing to see how (patients) are so stressed and anxious and they start petting a puppy or start petting a cat and they just totally dis-inhibit and they just feel totally relaxed. I ve had wonderful feedback that it really helped them. Travis spoke of a patient who could not talk in IOP because he was so nervous. His first day in animal-assisted therapy, I didn t know he had a stuttering problem. He was so relaxed he spoke freely without any stuttering. The impetus for animal-assisted therapy was Burqa, a friendly cat who got her name from the markings on her face reminiscent of the traditional garb worn by Muslim women. Burqa participates in the therapy sessions every other week, or every week if no other therapy animals are available. The overwhelming majority of the patients are returned to duty, according to Hayes. With the documented success he hopes the program continues even after the group that introduced the program rotates Animal-assisted therapy is good for those who have a hard time trusting or building rapport. Navy Dr. (Cmdr.) David N. Hayes out. It communicates to our patients that they matter, that we would go that far to offer them this extra program, Hayes said. I think the animals teach people empathy and care-taking skills. It s not all that unusual if they care about the animals on Thursday that they might be a little more caring toward each other on Friday in group. Although the animal-assisted therapy program has been instituted as a part of IOP, others can participate. Patients with many disorders are admitted to animal-assisted therapy sessions, Travis said. People have come because of adjustment or panic disorders, depression, separation anxiety, or because it s their first time being deployed. Those who are in the IOP are commandreferred, but to participate in animal-assisted therapy, you must get approval from your unit and go to sick call to be referred to the program. Editor s note: General Order #1 prohibits pets. It is important that servicemembers do not adopt stray animals as mascots or pets due to potential health hazards they may pose. The animal-assisted therapy program is run by mental health professionals and the animals are trained therapy animals. ARMY LIFE by Michael Verret Desert Voice August 17,

6 Photos by Spc. Robert Adams Soldiers from Btry. B, 1/178th Field Artillery lead a sustainment convoy into Iraq Aug. 8. The battalion protects every mission that heads north that are responsible for supplying every camp and forward operating base in Iraq. 1/178th FA secures all convoy missions heading north Spc. Brandon Hill, Btry. B, 1/178th FA driver, checks the transmission fluid of his convoy escort platform during preventative maintenance checks and services before heading out on an escort mission for a sustainment convoy heading into Iraq. Spc. Robert Adams Assistant Editor The 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery has completed more than 4,500 convoy-escort missions and logged more than 4.5 million miles protecting convoys heading into the Iraqi theater since arriving here in September Every convoy that heads north, whether it s an everyday sustainment mission or a longer Common-User Land Transport mission, is escorted and secured by the unit. Without the unit s protection, needed supplies, food, water, armored vehicles and equipment wouldn t be able to safely reach its destination. Our battalion was the first convoy-escort platform battalion to move convoys across the border, said Staff Sgt. James Lane, Battery C, 1/178th FA squad leader. We haven t turned down a single mission that has come down to us, and they have all been successful. Since arriving, 1/178th FA has escorted every unit that has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 4, including the 3rd Infantry Division, 256th Brigade Combat Team and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. This encompasses all unit connexes and armored vehicle movements that go throughout Iraq. The unit provides three humvees for security which are located in the front, middle and rear. On sustainment missions the convoy has to protect dozens of supply trucks at a time. Not only are they protecting a large number of trucks, but on CULT missions, the convoyescort platform team could be out on the road for more than 10 days. Though it sounds tough to handle, the unit has done it with Soldiers from about 10 separate South Carolina National 6 Desert Voice August 17, 2005

7 The Bodyguard Sgt. David Skelton (left) and Staff Sgt. David Hamby of Btry. B, 1/178th FA, assemble a.50-caliber machine gun on top of their humvee in preparation for an escort mission. Guard units. This was a challenge because no one in the battalion had done this job prior to deploying to Iraq, said Capt. Jason Turner, Battery B, 1/178th FA commander. It was a big transition at first because you didn t know the capabilities of what you had, Turner said. Nobody has done this type of mission before so putting the unit together in a non-standard mission with so many different backgrounds was a challenge in itself. I ve got mechanics in my communication section and some of my best team chiefs are cooks, Turner added. Members of the unit agree they have come a long way. The guys are more confident at what they are doing and what We haven t turned down a single mission that has come down to us, and they have all been successful. Staff Sgt. James Lane, Battery C, 1/178th FA to expect on the road, said Sgt. James Miller, Btry. B, 1/178th FA team chief. Not only did the unit have to learn a new job, but the Soldiers in each platform also had to learn to trust each other. We all know what the other platform is doing in case something happens, said Spc. Jeremy Henderson, Btry. B, 1/178th FA gunner. Everybody is like family now. Though every mission has been successful, some convoys have been attacked by smallarms fire, mortars, and improvised explosive devices. It s always a risk because anything can happen at any time and you have to be mentally prepared for it, Miller said. It s a good feeling because a lot of things that could have happened didn t. Having been in a convoy that was attacked, Spc. Charades Staff Sgt. Robert Brown, Btry B, 1/178th FA, checks his radio communication prior to an escort mission. Tention, Btry. B, 1/178th FA driver said, At times it is scary and an adrenaline rush. It makes me feel good that I was brave enough to handle the situation. This deployment is one of those life experiences that I can tell my kids, Tention added. The unit also realized how big its role was in support of the Global War on Terrorism effort in Iraq. I did something that not many can say they did, added Sgt. Terrence Dover, Btry. B, 1/178th FA team leader. It s like being a part of a championship football team. Desert Voice August 17,

8 Straight from Kuwait to Iraq Danish begin exchange of troops Spc. Janine Coogler 11th PAD The arrival of the Danish troops was a scene similar to that of the previous rotation. Infantrymen, military police officers and medics quickly filed out of an aircraft as they hurriedly walked to one of four buses waiting to take them on the beginning of their journey to Iraq. In the past, the Danish Army Contingent, or DANCON as deployed units are called, took the trip from Denmark to the Aerial Port of Debarkation and quickly departed their plane only to bump into old friends who were headed in the opposite direction back to Denmark, said Danish Sgt. 1st Class Tommy Gertsen, Danish National Support Element mobility officer. This time it was different. Using a new approach, Danish troops arrived at the APOD starting the two-week exchange of troops. Departing troops were not there. This is the first time we have the incoming soldiers arriving at different times from the departing soldiers, Gertsen said. The change made planning for the flights easier, Gertsen said. The planes were able to land, unload and depart within the scheduled timeline. With 500 troops arriving in August, the Danish Contingent had to send a team forward to make preparations. Soldiers from the fifth rotation met in Kuwait with their replacements from the sixth rotation to plan for the DANCON movement. The forward party, known as the movement control team or MOVCON, helped facilitate the DANCON arrival. Shortly after the plane landed, Danish Capt. Lars Koeppen, National Support Element officer in charge, briefed the DANCON troops of things they could or could not do in theater. After the Photos by Spc. Janine Coogler A Danish soldier takes luggage from a conveyer belt to load on a truck headed for Iraq. The sixth rotation of Danish soldiers began an exchange of troops Aug. 10. brief he instructed soldiers to quickly depart the plane and load the buses. They had a long night ahead of them. The MOVCON was split up into different groups, directing personnel off the plane to the buses, unloading luggage, escorting troops to the Iraq border and facilitating the movement from buses to armored personnel carriers. With the recurring convoy attacks in Iraq, Denmark s command decided to take extra precautions to maintain the safety of all troops. The precautionary measures made planning the convoy a bit different than the usual bus trip convoys. The upgrade of security measures meant every troop would be transported in armored personnel carriers in Iraq, Gertsen said. DANCON is divided into two companies. One company is a civil affairs team, which plays a major role in the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq. The other company provides security around its base camp and provides escorts for convoys traveling through the supply routes in southern Iraq. DANCON supports the Global War on Terrorism by helping Iraqi soldiers and their community, Koeppen said. One of the major missions includes educating the Iraqi security forces in searching houses. Koeppen said he could see the improvement in the Iraqi forces because they are conducting searches on their own. Now we supervise the searches instead of actually conducting them, he added. DANCON troops were in high spirits as they prepared for their journey to Iraq. Having completed two months of mission-specific training Danish Lance Cpl. Per Feeriksen, National Support Element military policeman, said he was ready to go to Iraq and put his training to use. The mission-specific training is good for the soldiers, said Sgt. 1st Class Troels Jaeger, Danish National Support Element mobility officer. In this type of training we are put with the people we will work with. We are able to learn our job and build a good bond with each other, he said. With high morale, Danish troops began their journey to Iraq prepared to handle whatever lay on the road ahead. Danish troops quickly depart aircraft and head to buses to begin their journey to Iraq. 8 Desert Voice August 17, 2005

9 Answering the call... MACG-28 Chaplain heads into battle Spc. Michael R. Noggle 11th PAD One morning approximately six years ago, Navy Lt. Tim Moore, sat in his Oklahoma home and realized he needed something new in his life. Moore, at the time, was the dean of students at Oklahoma Southwestern College of Christian Ministries and popular among the students. When I was at the university, said the Marine Air Control Group-28 chaplain. I realized this was my calling from God. To serve my country and help Marines through the process of war. Moore and his unit deployed to Iraq Aug. 12, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The group will support the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force aviation squadrons, as well as conduct their own mission in as many ways as possible. We are going to support the guys on the ground or through the air in Iraq, said Staff Sgt. Sean O Mara, air-defense controller. Whatever they need, we need to be able to provide that support for them, that s our job. This is a new experience for most of the Marines going into Iraq, Moore said. This will be my first deployment with the Marines, Moore said. I was previously on a ship with the Navy. Moore has been training and working with the unit as a group and individually, learning what techniques differ from the Navy. My mission will remain the same but in different surroundings, he said. We won t have the pretty buildings for spiritual services it s more about what s in the heart than the structure of the facility. Moore will provide weekly religious services, bible studies, counseling and encouragement to the Marines. I will do a lot of biblical counseling, encouraging and letting them know that God is with us, Moore said. Toward the end we will do group counseling known as the Marine Chaplain Warrior Transition Program to help them get back into garrison life. A lot of counseling will be individual for those dealing with being away from their families or the family issues at home. Moore said that it is important for servicemembers to take care of their personal problems so that they don t interfere with the mission. However, that doesn t seem to be an issue in this group. An experience like this lets them know what type of impact they re having on this war, Moore said. They re going to get through this and are going to be better Marines and people when this war is over. God covers every aspect of life, Moore explained. He is with us till the point of death the reality of death could be lurking around every corner, but God is with us and won t leave us, he said. I don t want to sound so bleak, Moore said. I think there are a lot of young men and women maturing in this process, and I believe chaplains can be there for them through this. NCAA coaches Hardwood Eight NCAA basketball coaches and sports personalitites will coach teams from eight camps in Kuwiat. There will be a tournament held Aug. 29 to Aug. 31. The tournament will be held at Camp Arifjan s Zone 1 Fitness Center. Drive with care 1) All personnel operating or riding as a passenger in a Department of Defense motor vehicle will wear safety belts when sitting in the seats in which safety belts have been installed by the vehicle manufacturer, whether on or off a DOD installation. Individuals will not ride in seats from which the manufacturer - installed occupant restraints have been removed or rendered inoperative. The vehicle operator is responsible for informing passengers of the safety belt requirement. The senior occupant is responsible for ensuring enforcement. With respect to civilian employees, when it is not clear who is the senior occupant, the driver is responsible for ensuring enforcement. 2) Head protection, helmets or the combat vehicle crewman, will be worn at all times by crewmembers and passengers while combat vehicles are being operated. 3) Commanders responsible for conducting tactical operations (actual or training) that involve motor vehicles and equipment, will apply all the normal safety standards (including speed limits, passenger transportation standards, and vehicle maintenance) unless it is necessary to deviate to accomplish a mission. 4) The wearing of headphones or earphones while driving privately owned vehichles or non-tactical vehiicles on Army installation roads and streets is prohibited. If you have any questions or comments contact 377th Safety Office at DSN: Maj. Kehoe or nd Lt. Struffert. These guidlines were taken from Army Regulation Desert Voice August 17,

10 MWR increases cultural awareness Soldiers explore Al-Kout Mall in Kuwait City Spc. Debralee P. Crankshaw 11th PAD Learning about the local people and how their religion and history tie into their lives is part of cultural awareness. Walking through the mall, seeing fish and meat markets and taking in a breathtaking ocean view doesn t seem like a lesson in cultural awareness, but that was the point, according to Capt. Glenn Peers, 687th Quartermaster Battalion, Morale, Welfare and Recreation officer. Twenty Soldiers visited the Al-Kout Mall in Kuwait City Aug. 10, starting up the first MWR trips to Kuwait City for servicemembers. These trips are exclusively for military members deployed to Kuwait, not transitioning units. The intent of these trips is to show servicemembers the history of Kuwait as well as the modern and cultural advancements the country has made, according to Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Coalition Forces Land Component Command commanding general, in an article in the July 27 issue of the Desert Voice. While at the mall, Soldiers were able to shop, visit the fresh-fish market, walk through the meat market filled with hanging sheep and live chickens, visit a fresh fruit market and explore a supermarket. The mall has a Western flare, but then you go to the other side and it s nothing like the States, Peers said. On one side you can buy Rolex watches and the other you see sheep hanging you would never see that in the United States. Peers said he was impressed what he saw. The fish market reminded me of Seattle, he said. The meat market was totally different. I ve never seen anything of that caliber. It was very interesting. Although many people may not see it, this teaches cultural awareness, according to Peers. I think the Soldiers became more culturally aware from seeing the live chickens, the meat and the fish and seeing how all that plays into this culture, he said. A team leader for the trip, Sgt. Jennifer Styles, agreed. The fish market was my favorite part of the trip because it s something cultural and I appreciate different countries and how they live, she said. Seeing other countries and cultures is something Styles said she values. She has 10 Desert Voice August 17, 2005 been to Europe, Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. I think cultural awareness is a heavy part of Americans appreciation, she said. Every place I visit makes me appreciate something more when I return to the States. This time I appreciate having choices, I appreciate style and the freedom to show it off. Whitcomb encouraged cultural awareness of servicemembers in his article. When conditions permit, we should take every opportunity for men and women to learn and understand the history, culture and people of our host nation, The troops were also surprised how much the cultural-awareness class taught them about Kuwait, Peers said. When I talked to the Soldiers they thought it was interesting to see some of the things they were taught in the cultural awareness class, he said. When they actually saw it they went, Wow, this is really how it is. This was especially true of how the Kuwaitis were dressed. Styles found the people to be her biggest culture shock. A lot of people who have traveled here warned me that the people aren t accepting, she said. This was an opportunity to make my own decision on how they interact with us as Americans. I decided they were receptive to a friendly smile or a happy hello. Although the local people were welcoming, Peers said he was reluctant to take this trip because he wasn t sure the troops would have a good time. I was a little apprehensive taking the Soldiers on this trip because I didn t know how they would feel about it, but in talking to all of them who went, they enjoyed it. Peers said the Soldiers will encourage others to go on the next trip. I think it will be a different experience, he said. The Soldiers enjoyed this trip so much they will go back to the other Soldiers and say, This is a lot of fun. This is a great opportunity. Peers also said some Soldiers are looking forward to the trip... to try the local cuisine. This not only increases servicemembers cultural awareness, but also improve the image of the U.S. military, Peers said. I think when the Kuwaitis see American Soldiers the Kuwaitis see they are friendly and clean-cut everything that is embodied in the military, he said. Styles said she has suggestions for anyone Spc. Debralee P. Crankshaw Sgt. Jennifer Styles, 687th Quartermaster Battalion, Morale, Welfare and Recreation trip team leader, looks at skinned sheep in the meat market at Al-Kout Mall in Kuwait City Aug. 10 during the first MWR trip. who takes a MWR trip. Be open-minded. Be aggressive in greeting the people, she said. Don t be afraid of the people based on what you ve heard. You can make someone s day by walking up and saying hello by just being interested in them. Cultural awareness training is required before taking a MWR trip. The purpose of the training is to familiarize and to sensitize our troops with the customs and courtesies of the local culture, Whitcomb said in his article. According to Peers the training was worthwhile and taught the troops a lot about the culture. The cultural-awareness class is given Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Camp Arifjan Army and Air Force Exchange Service theater in the Zone 1 Community Center. Other camps may set up classes by calling DSN or To schedule a trip contact MWR Tours and Travel at the Zone 1 Community Center pool room in Arifjan Saturday through 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call /1224.

11 Community happenings for Aug. 17 through Aug. 17 Arifjan Mad Dogs and Englishmen Soccer Tournament, 7 p.m., Zone 1 soccer field Indoor Volleyball League preseason, Zone 1 Fitness Center Hip Hop Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center Salsa Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Food Court Country Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 Stage Thursday Mad Dogs and Englishmen Soccer Tournament, 7 p.m., Zone 1 soccer field Indoor Volleyball League preseason, Zone 1 Fitness Center Dead-Lift Competition sign-up, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Aug. 19 Country Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center Mexican Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 food court R&B/Old School Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stage Friday Mad Dogs and Englishmen Soccer Tournament, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Soccer Field Indoor Volleyball League preseason, Zone 1 Fitness Center Dead-Lift Competition sign-up, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Aug. 19 Arifjan Boxing Team, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 fitness center R&B/Old School Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 food court Hip-Hop Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stage Saturday Mad Dogs and Englishmen Soccer Tournament, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Soccer Field Indoor Volleyball League preseason, Zone 1 Fitness Center Dead-Lift Competition sign-up, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Aug. 19 R&B/Old School Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center Mexican Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 food court Country Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stage Sunday Poolside Cinema, 7 p.m., Zone 1 pool Dead Lift Competition sign-up, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Aug. 19 Mexican Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center Monday USA Express, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stage Indoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Sept. 17 Karaoke Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center Dead-Lift Competition sign-up, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Aug. 19 Arifjan Boxing Team, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 gym Tuesday Bingo Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center Indoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Sept. 17 Dead-Lift Competition sign-up, Zone 1 Fitness Center, through Aug. 19 Aug. 29 through Aug. 31 Camp Arifjan will be hosting Operation Hardwood. Eight NCAA basketball coaches will coach eight teams from camps around Kuwait. For more information call /1302 Buehring Walking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., command cell flagpole Aerobics, 5:30 p.m., MWR Tent 1 Thursday Billiards, 8 ball, 6 p.m., MWR building Walking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., command cell flagpole Tae-Kwon-Do class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1 Friday Walking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., command cell flagpole Aerobics, 6 p.m., MWR Tent 1 Saturday Bazaar, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., MWR Tent 1 Tae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1 Sunday Bazaar, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., MWR Tent 1 Walking Club (10 miles), 4:30 a.m., command cell flagpole Monday Walking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., command cell flagpole Massage therapy, 9:30 a.m., PSS Tent 3 Aerobics, 6 p.m., MWR Tent 4 Tuesday USA Express, 7 p.m., stage Tae-Kwon-Do class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1 Walking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., command cell flagpole Aerobics, 5:30 p.m., MWR Tent 1 For more information call Kuwaiti Naval Base Halo tournament Thursday Indoor soccer tournament Friday Dancing Night, 9 p.m., Kuwaiti Gym Summer Fest 5K For more information call Navistar Spades tournament practice, 8 a.m p.m. Thursday Spades tournament practice, 8 a.m p.m. Friday Spades tournament practice, 8 a.m p.m. Saturday Spades tournament, 6-10 p.m. Sunday Spades tournament, 6-10 p.m. For more information call Spearhead/SPOD For information call Victory For information call Virginia Spades tournament, 7 p.m., MWR tent Thursday Karaoke Night, 8 p.m., Dusty Room Friday Spa Day, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Dusty Room Sunday Billiards doubles, 7 p.m., Sports Lounge Monday Dominoes tournament, 7 p.m., MWR tent Tuesday Bingo, 7 p.m., Dusty Room Bench and pull up, 4 p.m., gym For more information call Desert Voice August 17,

12 Protecting the rear