BUILDING TEAM DAVENPORT MENTORS RECEPTION BATTALION TROOPS P3 SOLDIERS, SAILORS & MARINES TRADE PUNCHES AT BOXING SMOKER P9

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1 TEAM WINTHROP UNIVERSITY ATHLETES RUN POST S ENDURANCE COURSES P12-13 BUILDING SOLDIERS, SAILORS & MARINES TRADE PUNCHES AT BOXING SMOKER P9 DAVENPORT MENTORS RECEPTION BATTALION TROOPS P3

2 ON THE COVER Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS Katie Clark, a junior attacker with Winthrop University s Women s Lacrosse Team, stays low to the ground during a team building and leadership exercise at Fort Jackson. SEE PAGES 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 pmathes@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. James W. Ellerson Jr. 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...Demetria Mosley Website: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: Community Calendar FRIDAY BOSS meeting 3 p.m., Bldg Bragg Street. Nominations for BOSS president will be accepted at this meeting. Upcoming events for February and March will also be discussed. SATURDAY Family History 10 a.m.-noon, 4440 Jackson Blvd. in the basement. The Columbia Family History Center will host an introductory class on family history. Registration is from 9-10 a.m. There is no charge for this event. All are welcome. Please bring your own laptop. For more information, contact: Charles Walton at TUESDAY Job Searching Strategies for Military Spouses 8:30 a.m.-noon, Strom Thurmond Bldg., Room 222. Military Spouse Job Searching Skills, Resume Writing and Interviewing. Targeted to military spouses, but open to all military and DOD ID Card holders. To register call /5452 or sherry.r.major.civ@mail.mil FEB. 9 Integrating Imagery & Assertive Communication 9 a.m.-noon, US Army Master Resilience School, Bldg Magruder Ave. Classes are free, but registration is highly recommended at least two days prior to class in order for us to properly plan. Topics are Integrating Imagery: Mentally rehearse successful performances to program the mind and body to perform automatically and without hesitation and Assertive Communication: Communicate clearly and with respect, especially IDEAL model to communicate in a manner. Call to register. FEB. 10 Steps to Federal Employment for Military Spouses 9 a.m.-noon, Strom Thurmond Bldg., Room 222. Information on civil service and NAF employment. Targeted to military spouses, but open to all military and DOD ID card holders. To register call /5452 or Barbara.l.martin10.civ@mail.mil. FEB. 14 Scholarship Seminar for Family Members 9-10:30 a.m., Strom Thurmond Bldg., Room 222. This seminar will help educate military spouses and the parents of military teens on the various military and civilian that is available. To register please call /5452 or Barbara.l.martin10.civ@mail.mil. FEB. 16 Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment classroom, Bldg. 4420, Jackson Blvd. To join the national registry of bone marrow and stem cell donors, complete a consent form and cheek swab. It takes about seven minutes to register. Active duty U.S. military, member of the Reserves, National Guard, Coast Guard, an ID-cardholding family member, or DOD civilian employee. You must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and be in general good health. For more information, contact Eric Cain, or eric.s.cain@mail.mil. Victory Spouses Club 11 a.m., NCO Club. Lunch will be served. Club is open to spouses of all ranks, retirees, DOD civilians, and all services, male and female. For more information vcsmemberships@gmail.com or visit victoryspousesclub.org. FEB. 21 Job Searching Strategies for Military Spouses 8:30-12:00 Strom Thurmond Bldg., Room 222. Military spouse job searching skills, resume writing and interviewing will be discussed. The event is targeted to military spouses, but open to all military and DOD ID Card holders. To register call /5452 or sherry.r.major. civ@mail.mil. FEB. 22 Career Fair Prep Workshop 9 a.m.-noon, Strom Thurmond Bldg., Room 222. This workshop will help you learn to do create a resume to showcase your employment skills & how to make the career fair work for you by developing a strategy plan!! To register please call /5452 or Barbara.l.martin10.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, include IDs names. Questions? Call Join us on FACEBOOK. Visit FACEBOOK.COM/FORTJACKSON and click like.

3 Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command senior enlisted leader, speaks to members of Fort Jackson s 120th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception) during a mentoring session at the University of South Carolina s Reserve Officer Training Corps Department, Jan. 31. Directly from the source Davenport mentors reception battalion troops By ROBERT TIMMONS Fort Jackson Leader For Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, Training and Doctrine Command s senior enlisted leader, getting out and talking with Soldiers is the best way to train. On Tuesday, Davenport met with Soldiers from Fort Jackson s 120th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception) Training Corps Department, to help mentor them to become better leaders and get more involved in their training. they arrive to start basic training on Fort Jackson It is a huge difference between talking with your Soldiers and talking at your Soldiers, Davenport said. My leadership style over the years is talking with the Soldiers because I don t have all the answers. If you involve people in the discussion you d be amazed about what you can learn or get a good idea to kind of build to think about the future of our NCO corps. Davenport discussed how various Army programs including promotions, the Army Career Tracker, the NCO 20/20 program, and how select-train-educate-promote, or STEP, will help build the Army s future leaders. For the 120th s top enlisted Soldier getting Davenport to come down and speak to his battalion was special. Do the very best you can and make sure first and foremost our Soldiers are the center of your leadership style. Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport TRADOC senior enlisted leader One of TRADOC s leading priorities is leader development, said Command Sgt. Maj. Christian Carr, the 120th s senior enlisted leader. I thought there was no one better to come and talk to us about leader development than the TRADOC (command) sergeant major. It says a lot to have him come down to the battalion level to talk to a group of Soldiers. It just shows how much he cares about Soldiers. Carr s battalion was the only unit on Fort Jackson Davenport was coming to speak with he said. He s only coming to see us, so it s kind of cool. Davenport travels roughly four days per week to meet and talk with the troops. I just think you ve got to reach out and talk with them, Davenport said. They can hear directly from the ions come into play about why we are doing something. So they get a chance to ask me directly and hopefully I am able to explain it to them in manner that creates buy-in. there is no greater position in the Army than being a leader of Soldiers, he added. When given that opportunity, leaders should focus on leading and taking care of Soldiers. Davenport advised leaders to take the hard jobs. Do Soldiers are the center of your leadership style. For the NCO in charge of the battalion s personnel section, the mentorship session was an excellent way for him to improve his leadership skills and provided building tools to create young leaders. Staff Sgt. Chong Kang said, I think it s a very good opportunity, I mean it s the TRADOC CSM, and you usually wouldn t get an opportunity like this. I think it s great we got him to come down and train us about the NCO 20/20 and the things that are actually going on (in the Army). It will help me to lead my Soldiers and develop them as well.

4 Fort Jackson Movie Schedule 3319 Jackson Blvd. Phone: FRIDAY Hidden Figures (PG) 7 p.m. SATURDAY Sing (PG) 1 p.m. SUNDAY Sing (PG) 1 p.m. Assassin s Creed (PG-13) 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY Sing (PG) 2 p.m. Assassin s Creed (PG-13) 5 p.m. Feb. 10 Live By Night (R) 7 p.m. Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS Youths of the month from Fort Jackson s Boys & Girls Clubs of America break into cheers as Brandon Jackson, far right, is named the 2016 Youth of the Year. Over the past three years Brandon has become a vital part of the teen chain of communication, said James Andrews, Fort Jackson s Youth Director and head of the post s Boys & Girls Clubs. I ve watched him develop and become a voice for youth both locally and at the Army level. We are all so proud of his accomplishments and wish him well in the future. Jackson is post s Youth of the Year By ROBERT TIMMONS Fort Jackson Leader Fort Jackson senior leaders crowned Brandon Jackson as the installation s 2016 Boys & Girls Club s Youth of the Year dur- The honor was special for Jackson, a senior at Spring Valley I would like to say thank you to everyone who came out, said the soft-spoken youth af- - To his fellow youths he said he enjoyed the James Andrews, the installation Youth Director and head of the Fort Jackson chapter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said he was top youth are very impactful to our club members The youths are role models for other kids Andrews said Jackson especially impressed Over the past three years Brandon has become a vital part him develop and become a voice for youth both locally and at We are all so proud of (Jackson s) accomplishments and wish him well in the future. James Andrews, installation Youth Director speaker at the luncheon, advised that preparations for the future You have to make the decision on a strategy that is most ben- He advised youths to believe in themselves so they can be You have to have a self-concept or belief in yourself, he said while using the example of himself doing surgery on patient knowing he has You are the author; you are the writer; you Goins also encouraged the youths to think about their future and remember how their par- You have a brand and it s your name, he - or not, you made a decision to be a part of something that s big- Jackson will represent the installation in the spring when he 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. Fort Jackson Gate Operation Hours GATE 1 Open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for inbound and outbound traffic. GATE 2 Open around the clock daily. GATE 4 Open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for inbound and outbound traffic. GATE 5 Open 5-10 a.m. Monday through Friday for inbound and outbound traffic. Closed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reopened 4-6 p.m. for outbound traffic only. Open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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6 Beasley staying in the competition By DEMETRIA MOSLEY Fort Jackson Leader Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS Business Operations receives award Rose Ann Turner, Fort Jackson s Chief of FMWR Business Operations Division, is recognized by Maj. Gen. John Pete Johnson, installation commander, for winning the 2016 Stalwart Award during the quarterly awards ceremony Jan. 27. The Stalwart Award is given to IMCOM civilian employees who distinguish themselves amongst their peers and leaders as going above and beyond to achieve the Army and IMCOM s objectives. When I didn t hear anything, I thought maybe I didn t get it, Turner said. A part of me being able to do my job so well has everything to do with the great people that I work with at Fort Jackson. The 2016 award honors the recipients work from Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept. 30, BEASLEY - - Changes made to Army sexual assault policy By DAVID VERGUN Army News Service Changes to the law covering the review of discharges, - - the changes that were legislated: Review of discharges Training for retaliation investigators - - Report to congress

7 Photos by DEMETRIA MOSLEY You re always a Soldier first, explains chief judge of the Army court of criminal appeals, Brig. Gen. Stuart Risch, to a group of law students at University of South Carolina Jan. 24. You have to be a jack of all trades, not a one trick pony. Soldiers who happen to be lawyers Army judge revisits old stomping ground By DEMETRIA MOSLEY Fort Jackson Leader Her black robe drapes against her frame as she leans forward in her seat with a look of confusion on her face. While resting her chin on her hand, which is curved into a small ball, she looks down at the defendant and says: Counsel, I don t even know where to start with that analysis. About 25 years ago, she had been a hard hallways to her classes, now Lit. Col. Paulette Burton of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals comes back to her alma mater as an associate judge. When I came in everything still looked the same, said Burton. I had to catch my breath because it felt like I never left. As part of an outreach program for the Army Judge Advocate General Corps, Burton, along with chief judge Brig. Gen. Stuart W. Risch and senior judge Col. Kenneth Tozzi, visited the University of South Carolina s Law School Jan During their visit to the school, the judges talked with students during a luncheon, taught a trial advocacy class and listen to oral arguments for a real case. Having them here is giving us a diverse view of law then what we see day to day in law school, said Anthony D elia is a member of the Servicemembers and Veterans in Law organization on USC. The judges visit four law schools per year. They decided to come to USC because of Burton s connection to the school. The oral arguments took place in the Strom Thurmond auditorium. Students were able to witness real Army lawyers go before the judges to make their cases. My heart dropped with I walked into the auditorium, said Burton. The last time I was in here I was taking the bar exam. It made me nervous all over again. Risch said their visit to law schools around the country isn t to serve as a means to recruit for the corps, but to let people, who otherwise wouldn t know anything about it, become familiar with what they do. When people see uniforms, they start asking questions, said Capt. Amanda Williams, a commissioner for the JAG Corps. USC law student Sgt. Edward Brasher, a National Guardsman from Mullens, South Carolina, says although he really enjoys law, he likes the idea of being able to be both an infantryman and a future lawyer. I m an infantryman and I really like it, said Brasher. I m not sure if I ll join wouldn t be able to do both. JAG was established in It is the I always have to tell people when they re interested in JAG that you re always going to be a Soldier no matter what, he said. You re not a lawyer then You re Soldiers that also happen to be lawyers. The Army Court of Criminal Appeals chose to visit University of South Carolina because Associate Judge Lt. Col. Paulette Burton, above, attended the university for law school.

8 FIGHT NIGHT Soldiers, Sailors and Marines trade punches at boxing smoker Photos by WALLACE McBRIDE Soldiers, Sailors and Marines gathered at Fort Jackson Jan. 28 for the Centennial Fight Night event. More than 1,300 people gathered at the Solomon Center to watch 24 fighters including five from Fort Jackson pit their skills against each other. Watch the entire event online at

9 I became a soldier... PFC. JOSHUA C. GREEN, 24 Arlington, Texas I can still remember how it felt when 9/11 happened, and I wanted to serve my country in some way. Serving in the military is honorable to me more so than other jobs I ve had. Joining the Army has also enabled me to provide for my Basic training has got me in better shape for sure. Because of all the physical training I ve lost 15 pounds so far. Also, I ve enjoyed the relationships I ve made with my battle buddies. NEWS PVT. JORDAN U. MEJIA, 18 PVT. TREVOR R. SORTOR, 18 Winter Haven, Florida I joined the Army for my mother. As a child I grew up in poverty. My mother always put me and my came, funds got tight so here I am defending my country and serving my mother. Never will When that bullet hits the target it s an amazing feeling. I am a 25C Radio Operator-Maintainer. I originally wanted 11B Infantry, but my recruiter tricked me with a big bonus, so now I am a (communications specialist) hoping to be down range. 3RD BATTALION, 60TH INFANTRY REGIMENT Truckee, California I joined the Army to go to college and become a doctor and further my future. I really liked the physical portion of basic training and learning new skills to use in the Army and in life. I am a 91F Small Arms/Artillery Repairer. My Family say it is my own choice, but agree with my decision to enlist. I am looking forward to all the new ideas and training that will come in the future. SPC. AVELINA AVALOS, 22 Santa Fe, New Mexico I joined the Army to discipline myself in every aspect of my the Army as a stepping stone to moving up into federal law enforcement. Basic Combat Training has taught me how to become more aware of my surrounding and understand how important critical thinking plays. My MOS is 92Y Unit Supply Specialist. The reason I chose it was because I have prior experience in inventory and would like to continue in the PVT. KAILEY D. BELLVILLE, 20 Wagoner, Oklahoma I joined the Army to show everyone that I could be anything I wanted to be. I m doing this to keep my Family safe. There are many things that are good about Basic Combat Training. The drill sergeants teach us leadership and how to be a leader. I am a 92Y Unit Supply Specialist. I picked the MOS to help supply my fellow brothers and sisters with the equipment they need. in the National Guard so he supported me 100 percent. PVT. MILES J. TARRON, 25 Indianola, Oklahoma I joined the Army because it s something I ve always wanted to do and I wanted to do something my kids would be proud of. The best part of basic training is that it s over. I am a 74D Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Specialist. My Family is very excited and are very proud of me. I am looking forward to continuing my training and attending the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program.

10 IMCOM program helps save $900 million By LESLIE HARGETT and WILLIAM BRADNER IMCOM Unemployment compensation for year 2016 dropped to the lowest amount recorded in 13 years. The Army ended the year at $172.8 million, according to the Department of Labor s unemployment compensation report. Army expenditures had peaked time expenditures dropped below $200 million since In the last four years the Army has saved over $900 million in cost avoidance for unemployment compensation expenditures through programs like the IMCOM Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program, which prepares civilian sector when they leave active service. The program provides transitioning services to Soldiers who have completed at least 180 days of continuous active duty service. SFL-TAP consists of comprehensive three-day workshops at selected IMCOM installations worldwide. Professionally-trained facilitators from tary family support services, the DOL and Department of Veterans Affairs present the workshops. my s bill for unemployment compensation, along with the reduction in the national Veteran unemployment rate, can be attributed to the diligence of the teams at IMCOM s SFL-TAP centers who are important mission, said IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa Judkins. IMCOM executes SFL-TAP by providing resources, guidance and support to 73 centers world-wide. The command markets the program to Soldiers, provides direct funding and manpower, develops standardized training and monitors the execution of the program. When Soldiers receive unemployment compensation from a state agency, DOL bills the Army for reimbursement. Reducing the number of Soldiers receiving compensation by assisting them in their transition to the civilian sector ben- ernment in cost avoidance savings. In 2016 alone, over 117,000 Soldiers successfully transitioned into the civilian community using SFL-TAP services. We are excited to see that more they transition off of active duty service, ployment compensation, said Walter Herd, SFL-TAP director, based out of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Although experience shows veterans generally enjoy a favorable employment rate in the nation s job market, many vet- successfully in the civilian labor market. NEWS SFL-TAP Centers help Soldiers alleviate and prepare them for success. IMCOM SFL-TAP Centers have partnered with the DOL, Department of Defense, the Small Business Administration, and VA to provide employment and training information to Soldiers and their eligible spouses within one year of their separation or two years of their retirement from the military. This is a positive step for our Soldiers and our nation as we continue to support and provide the assistance Soldiers need as they transition off of active-duty service, Judkins said. However, as we transition 90,000- plus Soldiers per year for the next 3-5 years, it s imperative for the Army to maintain the momentum to keep Veteran unemployment low and continue to reduce UCX for the Army, she concluded. For more information about the Soldier for Life program, visit

11 Team building: ARMY STYLE CMYK Winthrop University Women s Lacrosse Team runs post s endurance courses CMYK Photos by ROBERT TIMMONS 27 WEB-100 Nichole Beatson, a freshman attacker on the Winthrop University Women s Lacrosse Team, is motivated to crawl to the end of Fit to Win 2 by Staff Sgt. Wayne A. Murray Jr., a drill sergeant with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment. Staff Sgt. Wayne A. Murray Jr., a drill sergeant with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment motivates student-athletes from the Winthrop University. Karen Grant, a junior defender with the Winthrop University Women s Lacrosse Team, steadies a board as she builds a bridge as part of a team-building exercise. Freshman midfielder Ellie Marindin, left, with the help of Staff Sgt. Jeremy L. Jackson of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, steadies teammate Nicole Beatson, a freshman attacker, as she navigates the horizontal ladder at Fort Jackson s Fit to Win 2 course. The Women s Lacrosse Team from Winthrop University was on post Jan. 28 to learn teamwork and leadership through mental and physical challenges.

12 Training days VILLAGE AT SANDHILL Recruiting Assistance Center leader, Staff Sgt. Ian Gamkoe, left, explains steps recruiters take to avoid erroneous enlistments to Fort Jackson commander Maj. Gen John Pete Johnson. Johnson and Command Sgt. Major Lamont Christian made a visit to the facility to learn about the recruiting process, the strength increase and how recruiters prepare future Soldiers for basic training. Courtesy photo

13 Saluting this BCT cycle s honorees DRILL SERGEANTS. Photos by OITHIP PICKERT, Public Affairs Office. NEWS Staff Sgt. Steven Harding Alpha Company 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment HONOR GRADUATE Pvt. Daniel O. Ortiz SOLDIER LEADER Pfc. Joshua Green HIGH BRM Pvt. Luis A. Lugo Staff Sgt. Brian F. Hernandez Bravo Company 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment HONOR GRADUATE Spc. Spencer Z. Kuhn SOLDIER LEADER Pvt. Preston Seymore HIGH BRM Pvt. Glenn Dennis Staff Sgt. Wilcox Miner Charlie Company 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment HONOR GRADUATE Pvt. Daniel Wilkerson SOLDIER LEADER Spc. Colin Niselman HIGH BRM (Not available) Staff Sgt. Johnna M. Vasquez Delta Company 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment HONOR GRADUATE Pvt. James M. Slavo SOLDIER LEADER Pfc. Jenisa J. Cash HIGH BRM Pvt. Larence Perro Sgt. 1st Class Clyde Tyner III Echo Company 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment HONOR GRADUATE Pvt. Kailey Bellville SOLDIER LEADER Pvt. Miles Tarron HIGH BRM Pvt. Sabrina Mendoza Pvt. Miles Tarron HIGH APFT Pvt. Gabriel O. Martinez HIGH APFT Spc. Allen D. Rogers HIGH APFT (Not available) HIGH APFT Pvt. Raphael J. Darakjy HIGH APFT Pvt. Jason Townsend

14 Photos by DEMETRIA MOSLEY Rose Edmond speaks with guests Jan. 30 at her retirement ceremony. Edmond worked for more than 30 years at Fort Jackson. Rose Edmond retires after 30 years By DEMETRIA MOSLEY Fort Jackson Leader Rose Edmond pauses for a few seconds to gather her thoughts. While searching for the right words, she looks out into the crowd and into the faces of the people who, for the last three decades, have supported her. These are the faces of Service members, coworkers, friends and family. Edmond grips the microphone in her hand and tries not to let her emotions get to her. I was trying to hold it all together, but today s going to do it for me, she said. After 30 years of service to military personnel and families, Edmond retired from being Fort Jackson s Chief of Child and Youth Services. I think we in child services are the most hardest working personnel in the Garrison, said Edmond. I couldn t have done anything without the team of people that supported me. A retirement ceremony was thrown for her on Jan. 30. More than 100 people showed up to see Edmond off. Chris Welde, who works at Child and Youth Services Headquarters, said Edmond was her mentor. We both started out together in this and she s still a legend now, said Welde. Edmond says that best part of her job was seeing the growth of childcare at Fort Jackson. She especially takes pride in the extending of childcare hours to 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. which placed less stress on drill sergeants with children. We start off at a job, then in a few years move to something else, said Garrison Commander Col. James Ellerson Jr. To have 30 years in one place shows a true commitment to what you believe in. So I guess I can t change your mind about retiring? asked FMWR Director Dan Ahern, right, during a retirement ceremony Jan. 30 for Fort Jackson s Chief of Child and Youth Services Rose Edmond, left.

15 Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for U.S. women By VICKY DERDERIAN Army Public Health Nurse With the recent death of actress Carrie Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, focus is not only on the untimely demise of this actress, but also on her cause of death at age 60. Fisher died as a result of a heart attack which is directly related to coronary heart disease. The fact is: heart disease is the number one killer of women, responsible for one out of three deaths each year. February is dedicated to heart healthy awareness. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States. While heart disease refers to numerous cardiac conditions, a heart attack, or medically referred to as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the coronary arteries become blocked and oxygenated blood cannot reach the heart. heart attack, but the signs and symptoms are often very different for women. The variance is often attributed to the difference in the plaque formation in the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the blood. While women may have the classic signs of severe chest pain with radiation down an arm or up the neck, many women may describe their symptoms shortness of breath, fatigue, and back pain. It is vital that women are aware of non-classical signs of a heart attack so that treatment is not delayed. Statistics show that women are more likely to put off seeking care longer than men. One study showed that the median delay in time from the onset of symptoms was 54 hours for women and 16 hours for men. Prevention is the key, and knowing what your risk factors are and which are manageable can make all the difference. Risk factors that can be managed Obesity/overweight Hypertension Exercise/inactivity Smoking Risk factors that cannot be managed Age Family health history Race Previous stroke or heart attack The website My Life Check (mylifecheck.heart. org) was developed by the American Heart Association with the goal to improve health by educating know their numbers for: total cholesterol, hdl (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index or BMI. This site provides numerical parameters and interventions to improve the numbers and outcome in the area or areas that are inconsistent with the suggested norms. NEWS Support Go Red for Women by participating in National Wear Red Day on Feb. 3. This is a day designated to the recognition and awareness of heart disease and women. The Center for Disease Control and the American College of Cardiology have published staggering data and statistics that focus on manageable risks which have directly affected heart disease in women: More than 200,000 women die each year from 48 percent of adult women have a total cholesterol of over 200mg/dl (normal is below 200). 58 percent of Caucasian women, 80 percent of African-American women, and 74 percent of Hispanic-American women are overweight or obese. 50 percent of Caucasian women, 64 percent of African-American women, 60 percent of Hispanic women are sedentary and get no leisure time physical activity.

16 January retirees Photo by CHARLES CLARK THE MONTHLY RETIREMENT CEREMONY was held Jan. 31 at the post theater to recognize the service of nine members. January s retirees are: Chaplain (Col.) Mark B. Nordstrom, USACHCS, Fort Jackson (not pictured); Maj. Georginia S. Bradshaw, 193rd Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson; 1st Sgt. Larry D. Jackson, USARCENT, Shaw Air Force Base; 1st Sgt. Jeffrey J. Baker, 369th Adjutant General Battalion, Fort Jackson; Master Sgt. Thomas W. Dawson, Jr., USACHCS, Fort Jackson; Sgt. 1st Class Juan J. Pena Orozco, 193rd Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson; Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Bustamante, SSI, Fort Jackson; Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie McLeod, USAREC-Columbia Recruiting Battalion; and Staff Sgt. Derrick D. Murphy, USARCENT (not pictured).