Guardian. Inside the Guardian. Fort Polk. Weekend weather. 4/10 greetings... 2A. Water report... 3A. Chaplain s corner... 3B. Fier y histor y...

Transcription

1 Guardian Fort Polk Vol. 40, No. 41 Published for the community of Fort Polk, La. Oct. 11, 2013 Good throw! Staff Sgt. Dustin Lerch, B Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, throws a dummy grenade during the urban lane of the Expert Infantry Badge certification held at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk Sept 25. Nearly 400 Soldiers from three brigades attempted to earn the prestigious award in the certification hosted by the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk beginning Sept. 16. EIB candidates displayed their skills on patrol, traffic control and urban lanes. See page 5A of today s Guardian for full story and more photos. Sgt. DAVID EDGE/4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div Weekend weather Inside the Guardian 4/10 greetings... 2A Hispanic heritage... 14A Rain chance Rain chance Rain chance 0% 30% 30% Today Saturday Sunday Water report... 3A Downrange reports... 9A Chaplain s corner... 3B Fier y histor y... 4B

2 Viewpoint Since about 1,200 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain DivisionSoldiers are currently deployed to Afghanistan, Guardian staf f asked members of the Fort Polk community, What message would you like to send these Fort Polk Heroes? Here are their replies: Pvt. Paul Cooper: "This will soon be all over. Polk People Rhonda Crockett: "All things work together for the greater good." Staff Sgt. Kenneth Humphrey: "This message is for Spc. James Powers, stay strong. Home is around the corner." Spc. Matthew Mosley: "Stay safe and keep your head up." A Crisis Response mock drill is scheduled for Oct. 22, at 9 a.m. at Pickering Elementary School. The procedure takes place in B building (fourth through sixth grade). The drill is being conducted by the Vernon Parish Sheriff s Department along with other emergency response agencies. There will be police vehicles, a fire truck and an ambulance in the Pickering High School Pvt. DeVonn Houston: "We miss you and can't wait for you to come home." Spc. Matthew Mosley: "Stay safe and keep your head up." Pfc. Diamond Johnson: "Keep calm and stay safe." Spc. Raymond Nakai: "It will be over soon before you know it." Mock drill to be held at Pickering PICKERING ELEMENTARY parking lot. The school will be in a lockdown mode for the entire school. However, the training will only take place in B building. At no time will there be any loaded weapons on campus by law enforcement officials during this drill. Local radio stations will be airing statement by the Sheriff s Department prior to this drill as another means of communicating to our parents the drill that will take place. Remember, it s only a drill to enhance students safety and welfare. For more information please call (337) Guardian Editorial Staff Brig. Gen. William Hickman Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general Col. T. Glenn Moore Garrison commander Kim Reischling Command information officer Jean Dubiel Chuck Cannon Editors Angie Thorne Rest & Relaxation editor Kelli Neiman April Webb Staff writers Editorial Offices Building 4919, Magnolia Street Fort Polk, LA Voice (337) Fax (337) Kimberly.Reischling@us.army.mil Trading post ads: tradingpostads@yahoo.com Fort Polk Homepage Advertising Traci Ganno Advertising representative (337) sales@thefortpolkguardian.com The Guardian, a civilian enterprise newspaper, is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the Guardian are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or Fort Polk. The Guardian is published weekly by the Public Affairs Office, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk. Printed circulation is 13,000. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source. All editorial content of the Guardian is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk. The Guardian is printed by the Natchitoches Times, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with Fort Polk. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial advertising. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Natchitoches Times of the products or services advertised. 2A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

3 NewScope Section A Briefs Memorial ceremony A memorial ceremony for Sgt. William D. Brown III, C Company, 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, is held Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel. ACS closed All Army Community Service programs are closed today to conduct an annual strategic planning session. The Family Readiness Center in bldg 924 and Soldier and Family Assistance Center in bldg 220 are also closed. ACS staff are stationed at ACS in bldg 920 to address emergencies. For more information call BJACH hours Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital clinics, lab, outpatient pharmacy and appointment line are closed for Columbus Day Monday. The emergency room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Road repairs Road repairs take place Oct from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on La. Hwy 467 north, about 300 feet south of access control point 2. Traffic will be detoured around the repair site. Drive with caution in this area and expect delays. For details call Turn in drugs The Army Substance Abuse Program and Drug Enforcement Administration offers the public its seventh opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your medications for disposal to the Fort Polk Commissary at 7906 Colorado Ave., the Family Readiness Center at 7960 Mississippi Ave., or Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital (second floor information desk). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. For more information call Information fair The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk quarterly Command Information Fair will be held Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. at the Warrior Community Center. Job Fair Fort Polk s Army Career and Alumni Center hosts a job fair Nov. 13 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the ACAP Center, 7438 California Ave., bldg For more information call /8792 or visit Routine water samples taken in housing PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE FORT POLK, La. The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk has a rigorous watertesting system in place to maintain the quality and safety of the community s drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency and Louisiana state regulations require routine sampling, which occurs every three years, among the installation s three separate water systems: North Fort housing, the North Fort cantonment and South Fort housing and cantonment. At Fort Polk s most recent town hall meeting held Sept. 26, Fort Polk s potable water provider, American Water, announced that 20 routine water samples were taken in the North Fort housing area. Samples were taken inside the homes to analyze for the presence of lead and copper in the drinking water. Out of the 20 samples taken, there were no samples that exceeded copper levels. Four samples were found to have exceeded the action levels of 15 parts per billion (ppb) lead as mandated by the State of Louisiana. Residents in three of those homes were notified (the other is vacant). Please note that the lead action level is a measure used to alert the water system that there may FORT POLK, La. The benefits open season for appropriated fund employees runs from Nov. 11 through Dec. 9. The Office of Personnel Management now uses the term "benefits open season" rather than "FEHB open season" (Federal Employees Health Benefits) because it includes not only FEHB but also flexible spending accounts and the federal employees dental and vision insurance programs. The Civilian Personnel Advisory Center sponsors a Benefits Fair at the Library and Education Center, 7460 Colorado Ave., bldg 660, room 101, Nov. 20 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Employees may obtain information on the different plans while at the fair or speak with attending representatives. Here is an explanation of the programs eligible employees may join or change during open season: FEHB: Employees may enroll in a health plan, change from one plan or option to another (such as high/standard, self only/self and family), or cancel their FEHB enrollment during the open season. OPM will post the 2014 FEHB guides and individual plan brochures on their website at Employees who wish to make a change to their FEHB coverage must do so through the Army Benefits be a potential cause for the elevated readings. Previously, North Fort housing s treated water has always been below the mandated action levels for lead and copper. All 20 sample sites have been re-sampled as required by Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. In accordance with state regulations, American Water has also sampled an additional 20 homes within the same water system for a total of 40 samples. All residents are aware of the sampling. The second slate of samples is being tested by a private laboratory to expedite results. Fort Polk officials will keep the community informed when those sampling results are received. You can follow information posted in your installation newspaper, the Guardian, and on the Fort Polk Guardian face book page, or on the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk web site at For health-related information contact your primary care provider or visit the following web sites: For more information about water-testing procedures on Fort Polk, please visit the American Water web site at Benefits open season starts in November OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT Center-Civilian (ABC-C) website at or by telephone at (877) FEDVIP: During the open enrollment period, employees may enroll in supplemental dental or vision coverage, change from one plan or option to another or cancel their enrollment. To learn more, visit the BENEFEDS website at For questions regarding the federal employees dental and vision insurance program, please contact customer service representatives at (877) Employees who wish to elect the dental and/or vision insurance must do so through the BENEFEDS portal at FSAs: A flexible spending account allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses, thereby reducing the amount you pay in taxes. Employees may choose either a health care FSA for out-of-pocket medical expenses such as co-pays and over-the-counter medications, or a dependent care FSA for child or adult daycare expenses. Employees who had a FSA account in 2013 must re-enroll for 2014 if they wish to continue this benefit. To learn more or to enroll, employees must contact FSAFEDS at or by phone at (877) FSA-FEDS ( ). Guardian Oct. 11, 2013/3A

4 Army news Budget standoff forces postponement of Best Warrior competition By PATRICK BUFFETT USAG Fort Lee PAO FORT LEE, Va. The budget standoff in the nation's capital has stalled the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition, which had been set to take place at Fort Lee, Va. Oct Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III announced yesterday that the event will be postponed until a yet-to-be-determined date due to the current constraints on spending for temporary duty trips. "I appreciate the continued commitment and flexibility of all agencies and commands involved in Best Warrior," Chandler said in a message to the Army's most senior noncommissioned officers yesterday. "I've told many of you that this year's competition will test our agile and adaptive warriors with a compressed timeline and a few surprises, so this date change adds yet another unexpected level of challenge." The first phase of the 12th annual Best Warrior Competition was set to begin Sunday, with the arrival of competitors from overseas locations. The remainder of those competing 24 in all, representing 12 major commands would have reported Monday. Command Sgt. Maj. James K. Sims, Combined Arms Support 4A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013 Command, was appointed by Chandler to oversee all preparations for this year's competition. Sims said he was glad to hear that the government shutdown did not cancel the event. "Every one of the competitors earned the right to make the trip to Best Warrior," he said. "Over the past year, they competed at company, battalion, brigade and major Army command levels to secure a spot in the competition. Their commands are basically saying 'these are the Soldiers we selected to represent us.' That's why we refer to them as the 'best of the best.'" What specific challenges the competitors will eventually face during this year's competition is a wellkept secret. Event planners from Fort Lee and the Pentagon have squelched that information, saying it "adds to the intensity of the competition and prevents any unfair advantages among participants." They only say it will include an Army Physical Fitness Test, a written exam and graded essay on general military topics, weapons qualification, a land navigation course, warrior tasks and battle drills, a mystery event, and a Soldier and NCO selection board comprised of Chandler and six senior command sergeants major from across the Army. "A big change this year is the timeline," Sims said. "It will be Learning proper way to work out Master fitness trainers get some exercise instruction in Washington Oct. 9. MFT courses are still being conducted Armywide despite the partial government shutdown and reduction in temporary duty travel funds. MTF Sgt. Maj. of the Army Ray Chandler (left) discusses Best Warrior Competition plans on a Fort Lee, Va., range with Sgt. Justin Morataya (center) and Sgt. Moises Alfaro. shorter in length, which reduced our overall cost by 70 percent compared to previous competitions. We also rearranged the traditional order of events. Aside from that, it will feature the same successive and unexpected challenges that make it a complex, real-world-oriented competition. "Our strategy was to base all aspects of the competition on the challenges faced while deployed. That was the SMA's vision." Sims said. "In combat, our Soldiers face situations where there may not be a true right or wrong decision, as each option has its own set of consequences. Weighing those options and consequences takes well-developed critical thinking skills skills that will be necessary to find success in this year's Army Best Warrior Competition." The schedule for this year's event also includes an unprecedented end-of-event ceremony where the winning competitors will be announced at Fort Lee and through streaming video. In previous years, the awards presentation took place in Washington, D.C. "For us, it adds another level of excitement," Sims noted. "The place where they fought for the title is the same as where two will be crowned as the NCO and Soldier of the Year." Speaking on behalf of the Fort Lee planning cell, Sims said his team is unfazed by the decision to postpone the competition. The mission has not changed, he noted. "Whether this happens a couple of weeks or a couple of months later, CASCOM and Fort Lee remain ready to support the event and its competitors just like it has done for the past 11 years," he said. "The Soldiers on our team are true gamechangers in their level of commitment to excellence and getting the mission done whatever it takes. This competition has been under constant development and refinement since January, resulting in the intended world-class competition that will showcase the talents of the best warriors in the world." Chandler echoed that sentiment. "My sincere thanks goes out to everyone who worked to plan this year's competition," he said. "Whether you're assigned to Fort Lee or other nearby commands, I know you have studied, practiced and prepared to be part of the cadre and support staff that will make this event a success very soon. I appreciate your commitment and your flexibility." Although the competition date is not yet known, anyone who wants to learn more about the competitors or the event need wait only until Monday to visit the updated website at During the competition, photos and videos will be uploaded daily so family, friends and fellow Soldiers can root for their favorite competitors. UNITED STATES ARMY

5 Expert infantry earn right to wear coveted badge By Sgt. DAVID EDGE 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div FORT POLK, La. Almost anywhere you go on a military installation, you may see Soldiers wearing different badges on their uniforms above their U.S. Army nametape. Servicemen and women wearing those decorations have proven to the Army, and their peers, they ve earned the right to proudly display the distinctive recognitions. To many infantrymen, one badge carries more meaning than any other the Expert Infantry Badge. Nearly 400 Soldiers from three brigades attempted to earn the prestigious award in the certification hosted by the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk beginning Sept. 16. This is definitely a challenge. It s the Expert Infantry Badge there s a high level of expertise associated with this badge. The Soldiers have to be a first-time go on the Army physical fitness test and day and night land navigation, said installation EIB board president Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Young, 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry. Soldiers can receive only two no gos on any of the three lanes. So there is some level of expertise associated with earning the award the EIB is definitely not for everyone. EIB candidates displayed their skills on patrol, traffic control and urban lanes. All three lanes had 10 unique tasks. For me, the toughest part was each individual lane the preparation and determination to do these lanes, conquer my fears and accomplish the task that I ve been training on for countless months, said Sgt. Nathaniel Walin, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Many Soldiers train long and hard in preparation for the EIB certification. Some see the decoration as a validation of the skills they ve learned over the years. As an officer I feel that it is very important to obtain the EIB. You have to show that you are competent and confident in your job and in your skill set. If you re not, how you can lead somebody? said 1st Lt. Shawn Cummings, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry, 4th Bde, 10th Mtn Div. Soldiers have to trust you and you have to be able to trust them. You have to have knowledge of your weapons systems and the capabilities of your platoon and having the EIB is a good start." I feel that it is very important to obtain the EIB. It shows your peers that you have a certain level of expertise in the job that we are trained to do. If an infantryman doesn t want the EIB then why is he in the infantry? said Walin. On the last day of the EIB certification there were 51 candidates and only one obstacle left to complete. The candidates, each carrying 35 pounds, were tasked to finish a 12-mile foot march in 3 hours. At the end of the competition, 36 Soldiers and one Airman had earned the right to wear the coveted badge. Expert Infantry Badge candidate Sgt. Nathaniel Walin, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, engages the enemy during the patrol lane of the EIB certification Sept. 25. Expert Infantry Badge candidate 1st Lt. Shawn Cummings, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, approaches the finish line of the timed 12-mile ruck march during EIB certification held at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk Sept 27. Sgt. DAVID EDGE/4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div Expert Infantry Badge candidate Sgt. Nathaniel Walin, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, gives medical assistance to a simulated casualty while under fire during EIB certification Sept. 25. Expert Infantry Badge candidate Pfc. Charles Cunningham, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, performs head space and timing on a.50 caliber machine gun during the patrol lane of the EIB certification Sept. 25. Guardian Oct. 11, 2013/5A

6 Fort Polk G-3, Ops Group staff participate in training event By ANGIE THORNE Rest & Relaxation editor FORT POLK, La. One sign of a true professional is the propensity to never stop learning. Knowledge gained tends to enhance and build on the skills that are the fundamental necessity for any job. So when an opportunity arose for the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk s G-3 and Operations Group personnel to receive professional development training Sept. 30-Oct. 4 at the Berry Mission Training Complex, they welcomed the chance to enhance their job experience. The purpose of the training was to create an order for 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade before being deployed. A Decisive Action Training Environment scenario was formed based on a tried and true formula with room to focus tasks based on the unit s individual strengths. Decisive Action Training Environments guide all training scenarios in the Army. Currently, the JRTC training area represents a map of fictional countries that include Atropia. In the Oct. 4 scenario, G-3 and Ops Group staff dealt with the consequences brought by the neighboring country of Ariana as it invades Atropia, seizing key areas. The Atropian government requests assistance to push Ariana out of their country. Coalition forces that include the United States, United Kingdom and others join forces to become part of the fictitious 21st Infantry Division. Maj. Gabriel Ramirez, Ops Group public affairs officer, said that the decisive action training manual used allows planners to tailor scenarios to specific requirements the unit needs. Typically when a brigade trains, it receives a division order, in this case, from the 21st Infantry Division a fictional division, according to Col. Lee Walters, JRTC chief of staff. That s the order they use to plan and train in the box and they continue to get orders from this division. Normally, that division is comprised of planners that work in Ops Group, said Walters. According to Walters, the idea to get the G-3 and Ops Group staff involved belonged to Brig. Gen. William Hickman, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general. The CG said he would like to form this division headquarters staff, made up of headquarters and JRTC Ops group staff, and really make it cover all the capabilities that a division headquarters would usually have. The idea is that we have the planning abilities of each war-fighting function, which includes maneuver, engineer, medical and sustainability. He wanted to receive a corps order and, as a staff, write a division order and develop a division plan for it, said Walters. The purpose of the training included helping 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade as they get ready to go through a war exercise, the idea being that they will receive a strong comprehensive division operations order that they can train and plan with. The second purpose of this event was to train us, said Walters. He said they discovered that many Soldiers haven t done this in a while and definitely not at the division level. This has really been a unique exercise to stretch our abilities and apply skills that we have been performing at lower levels, translate that into the division level and go through the process correctly. This is an experience that we are all going to carry on to our next assignment whether it be division, brigade or G-3 and Ops Group staff participate in a war fighting exercise during training at the Berry Mission Training Complex Sept. 30-Oct. 4. battalion, he said. Leader training is important across the Army. The CG saw this as a great opportunity to train those staff officers by getting back to the basics of what we call the military decision-making process. What we did was keep everyone within his or her area of expertise, but now they are focusing on this one problem. Walters said once the corps order was formally sent on Sept. 30, the staff did the mission analysis, determined the intent and flushed out what applied to 1st MEB. Once we got to war game analysis, there is more detail. Everybody comes together and refines things. You have all the war fighting functions or specialties gather around and we walk through the plan. We then come up with a decision-support matrix, said Walters. But the Army knows that the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry. Working through all the possibilities when boots hit the ground in theater can better prepare units to face the probability that fate won t adhere to the established strategy during something as chaotic as battle. Ramirez said that s why a war game is an essential part of the order process. In this phase, the decision-support matrix and scenarios that have been conceived for the order are put to the test. What the maneuver, sustainment and protection sections are doing is displayed on the map. Based on that information, the enemy force comes into play and they explain what they are going to do. Building on that, each war fighting function figures out what they would do in response. Then you have to ask if the progression makes sense. Whatever didn t go smoothly is tightened up and fixed. General Hickman liked what we did, said Ramirez. Participating in the creation of the training order with the combined Ops Group and G-3 staffs, according to Lt. Col. Eric Beaty, Ops Group brigade mission command executive officer, allowed them to further train in the military-decision making process in support of the 1st MEB s training exercise. Units come to Fort Polk to train in a contemporary Decisive Action training environment. This activity will increase the depth of knowledge for both staffs participating in the MDMP exercise scenario so that they can better observe, coach and train rotational units as they come through, said Beaty. As a member of 1st MEB, Chief Warrant Office 3 Mohammed Badal, bridge engineering technician, attended the training on behalf of his unit. Badal said he advises the 1st MEB commander about engineering issues. He said working with the installation staff this week has created an environment in which 1st MEB can better understand the mission before they actually receive the order. When I get back to my brigade, this firsthand knowledge will help refine our skills and create better training for our subordinate units. It breaks down the information into more detailed planning and coordination to get the bigger picture, said Badal. He said the Ops Group and G-3 staffs have combined the doctrinal approach with the training 1st MEB has done and developed a plan that will fit their unit s mission. They made use of their experience and technical knowledge and applied it to planning this order and developing the best product possible. I think they have done great work. It was a big learning experience for me, said Badal. The war game portion of development was the first time I saw a detailed planning analysis of a war from the unit s perspective how to attack and then counter attack and adjust the plan accordingly as the battle progresses. Capt. Mark Peer, installation engineer, was the division engineer for the purposes of this training. I think this has been a great experience for everybody involved because when you force people to talk across war-fighting functions, you learn a lot. During officer development and noncommissioned officer professional development, Soldiers can get pigeonholed into their branch or specialty. When you have exercises like this, it can take you out of your comfort zone, especially at the staff level. You are truly learning about how the pieces connect to make our Army what it is, said Peer. OPS GROUP 6A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

7 CF, SOF, JIIM work together to prepare for future By Sgt. DANIEL A. CARTER USASOC PAO FORT BRAGG, N.C. Leaders from many different U.S. Army Special Operations Command teams, along with leaders from the 82nd Airborne Division, gathered at the Fort Bragg Education Center Sept to review the Joint Readiness Training Center rotation and previous rotations. Throughout the rotation, conventional forces, Special Operations Forces and select elements within the Joint Inter-Agency Intergovernmental Multi-national Force worked together in an environment custom made to replicate the ever-changing future operating environment and its challenges. The after action review was the culminating event for the most recent exercise, The intent of this AAR was to provide senior military leaders, subject matter experts and inter-agency personnel the ability to apply an increased focus on select best practices in an environment steeped with ambiguity. We wanted to create an environment where a diverse group of conventional force, Special Operations Forces and select inter-agency personnel could examine elements of the future operational environment and JRTC s ability to replicate this volatile environment and the associated hybrid threat, said Lt. Col. Lawrence W. Henry, JRTC s Special Operations Training Detachment commander. About 90 personnel attended the opening of the AAR. The attendees consisted of various members of the USASOC, 18th Airborne Corps, U.S. Army Forces Command, the RAND Corporation, and elements from the inter-agency. During his opening remarks, the United States Army Special Forces Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Christopher K. Haas, thanked the members of JRTC for hosting the AAR. Haas said that he saw the value in additional examination of the selected topics to gain a greater understanding in the area of CF, SOF and JIIM interdependence. Once the AAR had officially begun, the personnel in attendance were separated into work-groups that specifically focused on: CF, SOF, JIIM interdependence, challenges and successes of unconventional warfare, expanding JRTC to better replicate the future operating environment, and the roles and functions of the Military Information Support Task Force, or MISTF. The workgroups were chartered to focus on these topics and discuss them in length over the course of three days. The unconventional warfare workgroup was charged with the task of providing a common understanding of the inherent difficulties of conducting training and the requirements to modify doctrine and training as applicable. To meet their goal, this workgroup, along with the others, was created to include a diverse range of subject matter experts who could provide their own perspectives. One such expert was Maj. Israel Villarreal Jr., SOTD S-3/observer controller and trainer, who explained that, the workgroup focused and analyzed the successes and challenges of Mission Command, Intelligence, Tactical Military Information Support Operations, Civil Affairs, and non-standard logistics, all of which are essential to conduct unconventional warfare operations. Villarreal explained that, CF, SOF and JIIM interdependence is vital in each of these areas, especially during the most recent JRTC rotation because of the complex environment created through the scenario and world-class roleplayers. The MISTF workgroup contained experts from the Military Information Support Operations Command that focused on providing information to the SOF and CF communities about MISTF activities and their capabilities. Each organization has their lines of operations and lines of effort that are geared toward an end state that is given by a geographic combatant commander, said Maj. Louis Frias, Senior MISO observer controller. MISO has a role in all influence activities that can support a commander s objectives by preparing an environment. Other goals of the workgroup were to develop MISTF training objectives so as to achieve the MISTF 2022 concept and identify the way ahead to better develop a training environment that would allow the advancement of MISO capabilities. The driving premise of AAR in review was to examine past training events at JRTC, identify the challenges and successes and determine the why with respect to those challenges and successes, said Henry. The intent of this gathering of military professionals, subject matter experts and inter-agency personnel is to quickly provide the findings of the past three days to military leadership to refine home station training by incorporating, if need be, best practices or reinforcing standing procedures. Using the findings of this AAR to inform or validate future training Lt. Col. Lawrence W. Henry, Special Operations Training Detachment commander, and Lt. Col. Christopher J. Cassibry, Brigade Mission Command senior controller, speak to Brig. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, 82nd Airborne Division deputy commanding general of operations, about the JRTC rotation AAR at the Fort Bragg Education Center on Sept. 27. and doctrine is one of the main goals of the SOTD. According to ARSOF 2022, the USASOC s strategic framework, creation of an integrated training environment to improve USASOC s ability to provide trained and ready operational-level SOF to ground combatant commanders worldwide, while promoting increased SOF, CF, and JIIM interdependence, is part of the command s 2022 vision. While JRTC, since the beginning of the War on Terror, has been focused on Counter-Insurgency Operations and Village Stability Operations, it is starting to provide units with a new training environment. Since August 2013, JRTC has used the Decisive Action Training Environment, or DATE, to train brigade combat teams and Special Operations Task Forces. This environment is a complex scenario staged in the caucuses that has multiple countries with different problem sets. This unique scenario was specifically designed to better enable SOF, CF and JIIM interdependence for training and realworld application. Providing the closing comments at the end of the AAR was Brig. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, 82nd Airborne Division deputy commanding general of operations. Cavoli said that CF and SOF interdependence were important for the future of the Army and its mission. It is very important because I don t think that we can afford, in the next few years, to field a special operations Army and a conventional Army. We might be stretching to field just one Army, Cavoli said. The budgetary pressures are going to become quite significant. This is not a time to (focus) on pride, or differences. This is a time to find the true commonalities and the true dependency on each other s particular skill-set. According to the leaders present at the JRTC AAR in review, SOF and CF interoperability is vital to the success of USASOC s mission. JRTC will continue to bring together SOF and CF in a complex training environment that will better support the war fighter s ability to shape, prevent and win against the hybrid threat of the future, said Frias. The SOTD will continue to train Army Special Operations Forces in the DATE scenario that will focus on unconventional warfare, he said. Currently, (SOTD and JRTC SOF plans) are examining possibilities to tie training at JRTC to corpslevel exercises to further assist CF and SOF senior leaders in achieving goals associated with their near and long term goals. Henry said JRTC will continue to develop scenarios to better replicate the future operational environment and the hybrid threat. Given the characteristics of the environment and the hybrid threat, there must be a hybrid response, Henry said. The hybrid response that JRTC advocates is CF, SOF, and JIIM interdependence. Future scenarios at the JRTC are going to demand CF, SOF, and JIIM interdependence as it has demanded and will continue to be demanded in the current and future operational environments throughout the world. USASOC PAO Guardian Oct. 11, 2013 /7A

8 Digital Master Gunner class creates well-rounded NCO trainers By CHUCK CANNON Community editor FORT POLK, La. Your unit deploys to Afghanistan for a year-long rotation, complete with equipment from hand-held radios to satellite dishes. Each piece of gear has a Soldier who specializes in its intricacies and is tasked to keep it operational during the deployment. While on patrol, an improvised explosive device is detonated near the vehicle of one of the Soldiers responsible for the repair and upkeep of satellite dishes, resulting in injuries and requiring his evacuation, leaving the unit in dire straits if a satellite dish needs repair. What options does the commander have? Thanks to Fort Polk s Warrior Signal University and the Army s Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM), units at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk will soon have Soldiers cross-trained to maintain all of the equipment assigned to their units. The university is hosting a Digital Master Gunner (DMG) course, which provides unique information management (IM) and knowledge management (KM) technology to noncommissioned officers. Darrell Coffman, lead instructor for CECOM s Training and Services Branch, explained the reasoning behind the course. During the course, NCOs become masters of the tactical local area network, Battle Command Common Services, and integrators of information within the Army Battle Command Systems, Coffman said during a break in classes at Fort Polk s Berry Mission Training Center. Coffman said technology-based positions exist at the brigade combat team/multifunctional brigade level and higher, but in the past, Soldiers filling those slots did not arrive at their units adequately trained. The DMG is a five-week functional course that builds the knowledge, skills and abilities required by NCOs to provide information management and knowledge management technologies through the integrations of Battle Command Common Services, Army Battle Command Systems and the local area network, he said. Upon completing the course Soldiers will be able to keep pace with rapidly emerging Army and joint IM/KM technologies. Lt. Col. Michele Callahan, G-6 for JRTC and Fort Polk, said the training is a necessity in today s Army. The question is not Why do we have this training? but Why not? she said. Some Soldiers have hands on experience, others have school experience this training brings it all together. At the end (of the training) the Soldiers will be able to teach their Soldiers how to work on a wide range of equipment. We re creating experts for the Army. Callahan said the host for the course, Fort Polk s Warrior Signal University, is a program the JRTC and Fort Polk commander Brig. Gen. William Hickman is keen on. He (Hickman) believes in and whole heartedly endorses WSU, she said. It enables our forces to protect themselves and operate within the cyber world. We made a conscious decision to bring this class here. Not only do we get the field aspect, but also the more technological realms; we re using tactical and systems knowledge. Staff Sgt. Willie Givens (left) and Staff Sgt. Ryan Kass, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, set up a piece of equipment during the Digital Master Gunner class held at Fort Polk's Berry Mission Training Center. Hickman said the course provides graduatelevel training for Fort Polk s signal Soldiers. It is critical we maintain a cadre of highly skilled leaders that will then train our junior Soldiers in the operation of very complex equipment, Hickman said. Hickman said Warrior Signal University provides a platform to keep signal Soldiers trained in their specific fields. The Warrior Signal University s strength is supporting our signal Soldiers in mastering their technical skills in support of our contingency operations, he said. Each special area has its own unique training opportunities: Intelligence Soldiers have Foundry Training, medical Soldiers have EMT (emergency medical technician) training and our signal Soldiers have the Warrior Signal University so that they can obtain high level skills. Staff Sgt. Jenna Mascarello, 519th Military Police Battalion, 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, said the DMG class expanded her knowledge of her unit s communications equipment. I hadn t done a lot of communications work prior to this class, so it brought back a lot of knowledge from when I went to school, she said. I also have learned a lot of systems and equipment that I had never known. I feel more confident in my ability to work with these systems. Staff Sgt. Walter Scarborough, 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, said the course has given him a detailed knowledge of each of the pieces of equipment he works with and familiarized him with some systems that were new to him. I am more confident in my ability to work with and trouble shoot these systems, he said. Scarborough explained the importance of having more than one Soldier trained on each piece of equipment, using the term single point of failure. If I know multiple pieces of equipment along with all of my Soldiers knowing multiple pieces of equipment, and any one person is taken out of the game for any reason, then someone else can pick up the slack and there won t be a single point of failure, he said. If you ve got a subject matter expert on one thing, like STT (satellite transportable terminal) or radios, and something happens to that person, then you re out of luck if that person is gone. But if you ve got three or four people trained on the equipment, they might not be the next best thing to sliced bread, but they are familiar with it, they can trouble shoot it and you re still in the game. Coffman said another reason for training Soldiers on multiple pieces of equipment has to do with an issue faced Army wide: Downsizing. As the force gets smaller, Soldiers need to know multiple tasks, he said. They ll have an operational knowledge of 15 or 16 different systems and will be able to tie them all together, including audio and video products. Coffman said the course consists of two weeks tactical training, two weeks of systems training, then a capstone exercise where the students bring up an entire brigade tactical operations center before taking a final exam. We focus mainly on tactical equipment and operational knowledge, because often Soldiers don t know the capabilities of the newer systems, he said. This gives them hands on training so they know how to identify problems and fix them, or at least know where to go to get help. Coffman said he was impressed with Fort Polk Soldiers as they prepared for their capstone exercise. They ve pushed the envelope with their study, put in extra time and worked hard to do their best, he said. They are going to be tremendous assets to their units when they return. CHUCK CANNON / GUARDIAN 8A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

9 Patriot Soldiers teach maintenance skills to ANA By Sgt. ERIC PROVOST 4TH BCT, 10th Mtn Div LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan Coalition forces are focused on transferring skills and knowledge to Afghan National Army soldiers, and one of the most important things they can teach the ANA is how to defeat one of the enemy s most enduring weapons: Improvised explosive devices. Soldiers from across the 201st ANA Corps took an important step in that endeavor when they graduated from the Up Armored Medium Tactical Vehicle and Mine Roller New Equipment Training course at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Sept. 29. IEDs aren t just a threat to (coalition forces and the Afghan National Army), but to the citizens of Afghanistan as well, said Lt. Col. Charles Barber, 201st Corps training advisor, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Patriot. This gives the ANA the ability to not just protect themselves but the people as well. A mine roller is an attachment that latches onto and extends from the front of a military vehicle. It has two sets of wheels that roll along the ground for the purpose of tripping IEDs. Its entire purpose is to get blown up so the Soldiers and vehicles don t. The 201st Corps was attaching mine rollers to their HMMWVs when they patrolled. The mine roller, however, proved to be too big for the trucks as it wreaked havoc on the vehicles transmissions. In response, up armored medium tactical vehicles were brought in, vehicles designed with the mine roller in mind. Instructors from defense contractor Raytheon were also brought in to train the ANA on the new equipment. The instructors split the course into two main components over five weeks. The first unit trained the ANA students on how to operate the UAMTV, a task made more interesting by the fact that this was the first time a few of the students had driven ever. A lot of these soldiers are at a disadvantage because they don t have the same living experiences we have as Americans, said Raytheon instructor Terry Jones. The ANA soldiers still By Sgt. MARGARET TAYLOR 4TH BCT, 10th Mtn Div The Soldiers of the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division are in Afghanistan serving outside their typical cavalry role. The Texas-based squadron from Fort Hood, more commonly referred to as 4-9 Cav, is now operating out of Forward Operating Base Fenty in Nangarhar Province; there they conduct operations ranging from reconnaissance to force protection. The 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment provides security so we can focus on our advising mission, said Col. Mario Diaz, commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. They are key members of Task Force Patriot and make a positive difference every day in Regional Command-East, North of Kabul. Reconnaissance missions send these cavalry A 201st Afghan National Army Corps soldier negotiates a rough terrain course at Forward Operating Base Gamberi with an Up Armored Medium Tactical Vehicle and mine roller on the final day of a five-week training course with the vehicle and roller, Sept. 28. picked up the training very quickly. The students also learned how to service the UAMTV and teach their fellow soldiers to do the same. The instructors have helped us a lot, said ANA Sgt. Jamal al-deen. Without their help, we would not have successful missions, so I just want to thank them for their training and guidance. Once the soldiers graduated from the driving course, they moved on to the second part of the training that dealt with the mine roller itself. In these lessons, students learned how to assemble the mine roller from its base parts, set it up, and maintain it. They also learned how to drive it while connected to the UAMTV. It s very good. It s awesome. Before the training, we didn t know how to fix it or connect or maintain it, but now I know what to do, said ANA soldier Soldiers to nearby villages where they gather intelligence from locals about possible enemy movement or activities. We ve received intelligence that the enemy is going to ground because of our constant presence, said Lt. Col. Robert Smith, commander of 4-9 Cav. Our presence in this area of operation has been very effective. Similarly, force protection measures send the Soldiers on patrols around Fenty to keep relations with the local population friendly and ensure the perimeter is secure. A defensive position is never complete, because you re always trying to make it better, said 1st Lt. Arrio Granum, executive officer, 4-9 Cav. We need to get out there and establish ourselves outside the wire. Missions outside the wire must be supported by sustainment and support personnel to be successful. These Soldiers maintain, recover and repair Feteeh Allah. The mine roller course itself is broken up into three different blocks of instruction: The mine roller operators course; the mine roller maintainers course; and what the instructors believe is the most important part of the training, the Train the Trainer block of instruction, where the students become instructors themselves. The plan is for the soldiers to go back to their units as UAMTV drivers and trainers who can put together their own classes and continue the transfer of skills and knowledge. Our job here is to work ourselves out of a job, said Jones. We need to get enough qualified trainers for the ANA to go back and be able to sustain this capability themselves and it s something we look forward to. Diaz lauds key members of Task Force Patriot everything from portable generators to vehicles disabled by roadside explosives. Their work is complemented behind the scenes by logistics and administrative personnel. For a team primarily made of scouts the commander s eyes and ears on the battlefield the roles they fill on this deployment require flexibility and versatility. Our Soldiers are willing to support in any way that they can, said Smith. If it s a mission outside of what they ve been trained for, we take the time to train them so it works out. Though 4-9 Cav s tour is still in full swing as of Sept. 14, Smith said he already knows how he wants his squadron to be remembered when all is said and done. Our biggest goal is for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, who we currently support, to go back to Fort Polk and say to their higher headquarters Without 4-9, we would not have succeeded, said Smith. Guardian Oct. 11, 2013 /9A SGT ERIC PROVOST/ 4TH BCT 10th MTN DIV

10 FREE QUEEN MATTRESS WITH PURCHASE OF THIS 4-PIECE BEDROOM SET HUGE SELECTION OF FURNITURE, ELECTRONICS, tablets NO CREDIT? 44 TWICE MONTHLY* $ 44 INSTANT CREDIT APPROVAL NEED CREDIT? CHLOE SET INCLUDES DRESSER, MIRROR, NIGHT STAND AND QUEEN BED. CHEST SOLD SEPARATELY. hdtvs APPLIANCES, TIRES, RIMS, JEWELRY AND MORE! SAVE AN EXTRA 30% ON CLEARANCE ITEMS NOW THROUGH COLUMBUS DAY! NO PROBLEM! MILITARY STATE AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ALWAYS APPROVED FOR CREDIT DOMINIC PACKAGE INCLUDES SOFA, LOVE SEAT, COCKTAIL TABLE AND TWO END TABLES. MERCURY PACKAGE INCLUDES SOFA, LOVE SEAT, COCKTAIL TABLE AND TWO END TABLES. 34 TWICE MONTHLY* $ TWICE MONTHLY* $ 42 The Jewelry You Want...The Credit You Deserve. OFF ** DIAMOND FASHION JEWELRY AMAZON KINDLE FIRE HD 7" PANASONIC 50" PLASMA HDTV $ 10 $ 26 TWICE MONTHLY* TWICE MONTHLY* FletchersJewelers.com Located inside USA Discounters SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE QUALITY MERCHANDISE IMMEDIATE DELIVERY ON ANY PURCHASE WHEN PAID WITHIN 6 MONTHS!!! WHY RENT? PAYROLL AND ALLOTMENT EXPERTS POWER OF ATTORNEY ACCEPTED Located inside Cielo Vista Mall & USA Discounters WHEN YOU CAN OWN! GET PRE-APPROVED ONLINE NOW AT USADISCOUNTERS.NET BERRYTOWN SHOPPING CENTER 902 NORTH 5TH STREET LEESVILLE, LA *Payments listed are examples only and are based on zero down payment at 19.99% APR for 24 months with approved credit, taxes and any delivery and installation charges not included. To calculate the total cost of fi nancing simply multiply the payment amount by 48. Other financing rates and terms are available with approved credit and differ depending on the state where purchased. Jewelry is enlarged to show detail and may not always be exactly as shown. Items shown may not represent items in stock. Limited time offer; no substitutions; limited quantities. Offer expires 10/23/13. See store for details. All products or service names mentioned on ad are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. **Off original prices. Interim markdowns may have been taken. Discount does not apply to watches or diamond solitaire rings. Offer excludes everyday low prices on diamond solitaire rings. Limited time offer. See store for details. Subject to credit approval. Other terms may apply. Offer not valid on previous purchases or a refi nance of or add-on to a current account. Any late payment nullifies the zero interest offer. Minimum payments required. Limited time offer. See store for details. Limited to clearance and discontinued merchandise only. Discount does not apply to jewelry, advertised merchandise or Super Value items. Taxes, delivery, installation charges not included. No discount credit for purchases outside this offer date. Cannot be combined with any other offer or advertisement. Offer expires 10/14/ A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

11 RRSC announces quarterly recycling figures for Fort Polk RED RIVER SERVICE CORPORATION FORT POLK, La. Red River Service Corporation is the provider of refuse and recycling services to North and South Fort Polk, excluding the housing areas. The RRSC consolidated solid waste collection point is located at the 8300 block of North Fort Polk. Listed below are the third quarter 2013 tonnages and percentage for the months of July, August and September Refuse 1, Wood Cardboard Metal 4.85 Food waste Other 1.72 Total 1, Restricted Percentage recycled RRSC now accepts PVC & HDPE plastic products such as plastic pallets and shipping crates. This does not include plastic water or drinking bottles. Please contact RRSC for placement of a container or for clarification. When recycling, follow these guidelines: Only recyclables go into green cans. Cardboard and aluminum are recyclable items and can be placed in the green container. Break down cardboard to maximize room for recyclable material. Keep trash and recycle container lids closed to keep rodents out, prevent rain from entering, discourage mosquito breeding and deter odors. Cardboard pizza boxes that have food on them are trash and should be thrown away in brown containers. One soiled piece of cardboard may contaminate the entire load. RRSC no longer picks up scrap wood. Trash should be placed in brown trashcans. Never place restricted items such as oil, ammo, brass or tires in the trash containers. When parking in areas where dumpsters are located, do not park within 25 feet of the dumpster. Service will not occur if dumpsters or containers are blocked. Tuesdays and Fridays are the scheduled days for recyclables. If your company or unit would like to start a recycling program or has recommendations for recycling other materials produced by your organization, contact RRSC. For additional assistance contact the RRSC main office at or call to reach a solid waste environmental technical representative. NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION presents Use water wisely. Turn water off when not in use, such as while brushing teeth and shaving. Make sure the dishwasher is full before you run it, and use the energy-saver mode or air-dry setting. When washing dishes in the sink, fill the sink with only as much water as you need and plug it with a stopper instead of letting the water run constantly. Use the pre-soak cycle for heavily soiled loads to avoid two clothes washings. FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Featuring Iron Man 3 Festivities begin at 5:00 pm Movie begins at dusk Old Courthouse Lawn 201 S. 3rd Street Leesville, LA VISIT OUR LOCAL BRANCH AT The average American office worker uses about 500 disposable cups every year. Bring a reusable cup to work. Town Plaza Shopping Center 1770-A S. 5th Street Leesville, LA navyfederal.org Federally insured by NCUA Navy Federal NFCU (9-13) Guardian Oct. 11, 2013 /11A

12 Fort Polk renovates Cantrell Gym for energy savings, comfort DPW FORT POLK, La. With a hot, humid climate in central Louisiana, attaining energy savings while meeting comfort requirements can be a challenge at Fort Polk. Cantrell Gymnasium was 12A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013 INJURY LAWYERS Auto Accidents Workers Compensation Medical Negligence Nursing Home Negligence Social Security Disability Free Initial Evaluation 24/ NBALawFirm.com Richard J. Arsenault, Alexandria Free Simple Wills & Power of Attorney for Active Duty Service Members built in 1976 with only ventilation fans to provide cooling. Air-conditioning was added to the gym in 2003 that brought relief from the heat, but interior relative humidity levels were still difficult to control. The traditional method for controlling relative humidity is to chill the air until the moisture condensates out of it, then reheat to a comfortable temperature for building occupants. In today s focus on energy efficiency, new methods are being used such as incorporating dedicated outdoor air systems, or DOAS, into the heat, ventilation and air conditioning design. DOAS has been used successfully in Fort Polk s barracks for humidity control. This success extended to the renovation of Wheelock Fitness Center where additional energy saving measures were implemented such as LED lighting and building renovation. With Wheelock successfully renovated, Cantrell was selected for renovation with the advantage of being located near a recently renovated central energy plant. During the central plant upgrade, supply and return lines for hot and cold water were extended to several buildings, including Cantrell, with future incorporation in mind as these buildings had been operating as stand-alone facilities. A synergistic approach was used to address energy savings including retrofitting gymnasium lighting from high-pressure sodium to LED, and converting exterior lights from high-pressure sodium to photovoltaic-powered LED. The photovoltaic system uses a grid-tie inverter to send excess electricity generated into the electric grid. Additionally, the pneumatic HVAC system was completely replaced with an industry-standard digital-direct-controlled system receiving heating and cooling energy from the central energy plant. The natural gas fired boiler was also eliminated, being replaced by a hydronic solar array that heats 30 percent of the domestic water, and the central energy plant hot water loop that heats the remaining 70 percent (the solar heated water is used first). The new HVAC system uses a DOAS that not only controls the internal relative humidity, but also captures energy from exhaust air to send back into the gymnasium, thus reducing the amount of energy required for conditioning. Air distribution in the large workout area (converted from a basketball court) is augmented by the use of duct socks instead of traditional metal ducting. The fabric construction of the duct socks is lightweight, hypoallergenic, easily cleaned, and eliminates hot/cold spots by diffusing air over its entire surface. The culmination of these energy saving efforts is a gymnasium that was consuming electricity at a rate of 1,226 kwh per day to a reduced rate of only 586 kwh per day, a savings of 52 percent. Prior to the renovation, the gymnasium was used sparingly despite its status as only one of the two brigade gymnasiums on Fort Polk. Now, the gymnasium is heavily used by Soldiers, family members and civilians alike. This project has demonstrated that energy savings can be found without trading off occupant comfort, even in a gymnasium located in a challenging climate. The Fort Polk Directorate of Public Works will use these results to help drive future projects. DPW anticipates that continued success with HVAC/DOAS systems, LED lighting, and hydronic and photovoltaic solar arrays will put Fort Polk on the path to greater future energy savings. For tips on how you can help conserve energy at your home or office, visit Pleasant Hill BAPTIST CHURCH FOUNDED 1899 The Place Where God Blesses His People Ministering to the Leesville/Ft. Polk Community Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 pm M. W. Harrison St. Leesville, LA Pastor Joseph L. Garner

13 Physician assistant students hone skills at Bayne-Jones By KATHY PORTS BJACH Public Affairs Office Since 1973, Physician Assistants, or PAs, have been an important part of the Army health-care team. Today s Army PA often serves as their unit s primary care provider, especially for Soldiers assigned to line units. Army physicians are increasingly relying on PAs to assist with higher patient loads and clinical responsibilities. It is essential that PAs receive the best training available and Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital is at the forefront in preparing these future healthcare providers. More than 170 accredited Physician Assistant programs are available in the U.S. Programs are incorporated into medical schools, universities and teaching hospitals. The Interservice Physician Assistant Program, based at Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio) Texas, trains PAs from all branches of the services. Getting accepted into the program is not easy. Currently BJACH s PA students are either in the National Guard or Reserves. According to 1st Lt. Jeffrey Brown, a member of the South Carolina National Guard, the guard only has 10 slots per class that are divided between the 50 U.S. states and two U.S. territories, making the competition extremely competitive. The Army s program is split into two phases over 29 months. Phase One, the didactic phase, or classroom instruction, challenges students with a demanding academic schedule that compresses the remaining requirements of a fouryear degree into 16 months. Admission to PA school is highly competitive and applicants must complete at least two years of college courses in basic science and behavioral science as prerequisites to PA school. The majority of PA programs have the prerequisites for admission: Chemistry, physiology, anatomy, microbiology and biology. And most PA programs require or prefer applicants who have prior health-care experience. PA students attend classes all day and spend the majority of their waking hours deep in study. Studying becomes a way of life, stressed Brown, who will graduate Jan. 31, It s definitely a commitment. It s death by PowerPoint. PA students are awarded a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska upon completing Phase One. Phase Two training another intense 13 months is conducted among 22 military sites that students can choose from. There are 15 Army sites, six Air Force sites and one Navy site. The Army program trains about 150 students per year and BJACH is regarded as one of the most preferred locations, according to Maj. David Gann, the hospital s clinical coordinator. We just had four students graduate last week, said Gann, who has spent the last 20 years as a PA. Before coming back into the military, Gann was a PA in civilian life for six and-ahalf years. He said he finds his work rewarding. I like taking care of Soldiers and making sure that they are safe and healthy, said Gann, who First Lt. John Littlefield, a South Dakota National Guard officer and PA student, checks retiree James Brown s blood pressure during a routine medical visit. was a paratrooper before getting out of the Army and going to PA school in Tennessee. Our PA students have a lot of opportunities for learning during each of their rotations. They get to do a lot of things that they probably would not be able to do in medical center teaching hospitals because they do not have to compete with other students for time and resources. Please see PAs, page 14A KATHY PORTS / BJACH PAO Guardian Oct. 11, 2013/13A

14 Blazing trail for future Hispanic leaders By APRIL WEBB Guardian staff writer Vibrant Latin music provided a background beat as Soldiers and Family members attended Fort Polk s National Hispanic Heritage month celebration Oct. 8 at Warrior Community Center. More than 300 people attended the event. Individuals representing Latin American countries from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Peru, Cuba and other Spanish-speaking nations joined to share their culture with Fort Polk local community members. Initially lasting for one week, National Hispanic Heritage was extended to one month by President Ronald Reagan when he signed Public Law on Aug. 17, The commemoration to pay homage for the contributions made by Hispanic Americans is held Sept. 15-Oct.15. Soldiers and Family members stood as Chap. (Capt.) Anthony Foxworth, 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, gave the invocation. Afterwards, Native Puerto Rican American and Family member Maria Figueroa sang the Star Spangled Banner. Dressed in her native regalia, Figueroa said her attire represented her love for America and Puerto Rico because both national flags share the same colors. Along with her husband Staff Sgt. Angel Figueroa, Warrior Transition Unit, the couple say they have much to be thankful for. I was in a motorcycle accident last year and I m still recovering but that didn t stop me from playing my guitar today, said Angel Figueroa. Strumming his pain away, he performed with the Iglesia de Dios Ciudad Refugio praise and PAs Continued from page 13A BJACH was my first choice, said officer candidate Aaron Longale, a Soldier with the Baton Rouge National Guard and one of the newest members to the PA program, arriving about a month ago. Unlike some of the other Army MTFs (medical treatment facilities), you are not competing with residents, nursing students or anyone else for time, procedures or the ability to get the hands-on experience you so desperately need, stressed 1st Lt. Gary Bowen, Alabama National Guard. He is scheduled to graduate in June Here we are able to work directly with the chief of the department and get experience from them, he said. This provides a great opportunity to learn. If we are doing a surgery rotation, we can actually scrub in and get hands-on training we would probably not get if we had to compete for time with other students. BJACH is definitely a hidden gem. All military PA students graduating from the Phase Two portion of their training receive their commission, if they are not already an officer, and graduate with a Master in PA studies from the University of Nebraska. A typical student s day starts around 8 a.m. in the clinic to which they are assigned for that rotation. They meet with their supervising physician, generally the department head, to go over the schedule and discuss what cases they will provide the most valuable experience, and they see Without our Soldiers we wouldn t be anything, said local Leesville community supporter and Mexico Food store owner Adria Gonzalez. She celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Soldiers and Families at Fort Polk s Warrior Community Center Oct. 8. worship team from Leesville. Church members performed a variety of songs signifying their faith and expression of unity. Pastor Jaime Fuentes said that this was the group s second time participating in the Hispanic Heritage celebration. Breaking barriers as one of the few Hispanic high-ranking officers in the Army was guest speaker Col. Migdalia Machado, Chief of Behavioral Health, Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital. Machado spoke about the perseverance instilled in the Hispanic culture. Uplifting her fellow Hispanics, she urged people not to focus on race but rather personal achievement. It s not about being Hispanic, it s patients under the scope of their current preceptor. After clinic hours, students are also responsible for on-call duties. After each rotation all BJACH PA students rotate through every clinic and specialty, and they must take a standardized test, so a lot of their free time is spent studying and working on other course requirements. Each student is responsible for several presentations and has to complete a master s thesis. The students meet with Gann to discuss how their training is going, how their presentations are progressing and sometimes they have a guest speaker or training lecture. Brown stated that he has had a lot of good rotations general surgery and dermatology at Fort Sam Houston prior to coming here and his most rewarding rotation: OB/GYN, where under the watchful eyes of his preceptor, he delivered his daughter who was born during this rotation. I can actually say that I brought my daughter into this world. It was a great feeling and experience, for me and my wife. There s nothing like bringing a new life into the world and when it s your own daughter, it s even better, he added. Transitioning from an academic environment to a clinical one takes a bit of getting used to. According to 1st Lt. John Littlefield, a South Dakota National Guard officer, it took him a little while to get comfortable with seeing patients. about being yourself and living your dream, said Machado. Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson she said, Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. The first generation Cuban-American spoke about the pride, dignity and hard work ethics she saw in her parents. Machado said her family came to America to find the American Dream. They found it by working hard, she said. Honor and recognition to Machado and performers was given by Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk Commander Brig. Gen. William B. Hickman, and installation Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Crabtree. It s a big difference from PowerPoint presentations and books, said Littlefield. You re a bit scared at first, but after a little while you begin to gain confidence in your abilities and trust what you learned in Phase One. Once these PA students graduate, they will return home and begin looking for a civilian PA position. Many are from rural areas and could provide valuable medical services to areas without convenient access to medical facilities. Having some of the extra certifications available to BJACH personnel will hopefully enhance their chances of landing the perfect job. Not only do we get superb training here, we also get our Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support and Basic Life Support Instructor s certifications. Having this certification really puts you upfront, Bowen emphasized. Hopefully these extra certifications will put me over the top when it comes to competing for the right position. Following graduation, these National Guard Soldiers will return home where they will serve an additional six years for their education. Physician Assistants in the Army Medical Department have more responsibility, authority and autonomy to use their clinical skills as a provider than in any other major healthcare systems, said Lt. Col. Thomas Starkey, BJACH Deputy Commander for Clinical Services. Army PAs are among the best in the world. APRIL WEBB / GUARDIAN 14A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

15 DFMWR announces Columbus Day hours Polk s best running to D.C. Brig. Gen William Hickman, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general (left, in uniform), and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric G. Crabtree, JRTC and Fort Polk command sergeant major (center) take a picture with Fort Polk's Ten-miler team before they head to Washington D.C. Oct. 20 to run the Army Ten-Miler. From left to right: Capt. Veronica Neeley, Maj. Josh Hamilton, Chap. (Capt.) Chris Crain, Sgt. Youssef Agheddou, Hickman, Crabtree, Staff Sgt. David Mut, Sgt. Enock Nyaenya, Spc. Marlon Moore, Spc. Katrina Black and Capt. Amelia Carter. ANGIE THORNE / GUARDIAN DFMWER FORT POLK, La. The Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation announces these amended hours of operation for its facilities Monday: 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Gym: Closed 162nd Infantry Brigade Gym: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 162nd Rec Center: Noon-8 p.m. Allen Memorial Library: Closed Alligator Lake Recreation Site: Closed Arts and Crafts Center: Closed (also closed Saturday) Army Community Service Center: Closed Auto Skills Center: Closed Cantrell Fitness Center: Closed Child, Youth and School Services: Closed Klubs and Karts: 1-8 p.m. Home of Heroes Rec Center: Noon-10 p.m. Mulligan s: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Recreational shooting complex: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Rental Center: Closed Showboat Theatre: Closed South Fort 25-meter pool: Closed South Fort 50-meter pool: Closed Strike Zone Bowling Center: 1-9 p.m. Splash Park: Closed Toledo Bend Army Recreation Site: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Warrior Community Center: Closed Warrior Hills Golf Course: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Wheelock Fitness Center: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Story ideas? Call the Guardian at or COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS A SCOTT RUDIN / MICHAEL DE LUCA / TRIGGER STREET PRODUCTION A FILM BY PAUL GREENGRASS TOM HANKS CAPTAIN PHILLIPS BARKHAD ABDI MUSIC BYHENRY JACKMAN PRODUCERSGREGORY EXECUTIVE GOODMAN ELI BUSH KEVIN SPACEY BASED UPON THE BOOK A CAPTAIN S DUTY: SOMALI PIRATES, NAVY SEALS, AND DANGEROUS DAYS AT SEA BY RICHARD PHILLIPS WITH STEPHAN TALTY SCREENPLAY BYBILLY RAY PRODUCED BYSCOTT RUDIN DANA BRUNETTI MICHAEL DE LUCA DIRECTED BYPAUL GREENGRASS The Armed Forces Retiree News is published by the first of each month. There are approximately 7,500 subscribers in the surrounding Ark-La-Tex and is a very important informational tool for the retired military subscribers in this area. To advertise in the Armed Forces Retiree News or to request a rate sheet, please contact Mary Ann maryann@natchitochestimes.com or Steve scolwell@natchitochestimes.com. To Subscribe to this publication, please contact or Mary The cost of this publication is $10 per year (12 issues). Or mail information and check or money order to P.O. Box 448, Natchitoches, LA Guardian Oct. 11, 2013/15A

16 16A/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

17 Community Community Briefs Red ribbon run The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk hosts a 5K Red Ribbon Run Oct. 31 at 6:30 a.m. beginning in the Wheelock Fitness Center parking lot. For more information or early registration call NPE parents meeting North Polk Elementary School hosts its monthly Parents Helping Parents meeting Oct. 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the Dogwood Community Center. All parents are welcome. This month s topic is Body Language. Resiliency training Army Community Service hosts Family resiliency training Nov. 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the ACS Ballroom, bldg 920, Bellrichard Avenue. No registration is required. Call or for more information. Women s support A new spiritual support group is being formed for women who wish to talk with others about the challenges and struggles in their lives. Topics include domestic violence and sexual issues. The group meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel. Every attempt will be made to keep this group anonymous and its contents discreet. For more information contact Chap. (Col.) Scott Sterling at Columbus Day school Vernon Parish schools, including North Polk Elementary and South Polk Elementary, will be in session Monday, Columbus Day. However, Fort Polk Child, Youth and School Services Child Development Center and School Age Services will be closed. If your child attends CYSS after-school care, you must make other arrangements for that day. If you plan to pick up your child, you must have a vehicle tag. It is critical you let the teacher know your child s transportation arrangement. For additional information contact the school s office. CYSS events Child, Youth and School Services programs are available for active-duty, Department of Defense civilians and contractors working on Fort Polk. Programs are limited for retirees and their children. You must be registered with CYSS to participate in events unless otherwise indicated. The following events are scheduled: Alternative trick-or-treat and haunted house, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m., Youth Gym, bldg Activities include games, bouncers, Please see Briefs, page 2B Fitness trainer inspires class to dance By APRIL WEBB Guardian staff writer APRIL WEBB / GUARDIAN Instructor Jackie Daniels (left) teaches Family member Nicole Speir the proper technique for belly dancing. Daniels teaches the class each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Wheelock Fitness Center. Eager students arrived early to participate in a beginner s belly dance class at Wheelock Fitness Center Sept. 18. Instructor Jackie Daniels led the small group. Daniels, a grandmother, works fulltime at Fort Polk s Emergency Operations Center. She has taught and trained in belly dancing for 38 years. Giving her students a brief historical view about how the dance transpired, she said that belly dancing was taught to women in the Middle Eastern countries to alleviate childbirth pains. The rocking of the stomach was a way to guide babies down the birth canal. However, individuals from the West witnessed this experience and turned it into a sensual dance, said Daniels. Dance scholars have debated the origins of who started belly dancing. Mesopotamia, the first civilization, seems to have started the dance because there was documentation found in their hieroglyphic writings. Some intellectuals dispute the information claiming that the dance was started in Egypt. Wherever the points of origin, it was the Arabic terminology that defined two styles of belly dancing: The Rakis Baladi and Raqs Sharqi. The Rakis Baladi is a folkloric belly dance that can be done by both women and men. This type of dance was done at social gatherings in the Eastern world. As Westerners began to explore the region they became familiar with the term Raqs Sharqi, meaning solo performers. The movements were more dramatic and amplified the hips and exotic attire. The beauty of the dance inspired Daniels when she lived at Fort Knox, Ky. Explaining her credentials, she said she was mentored by fellow belly dancer Patty Perryman. I was 21 and I went from a beginner to advanced dancer in six weeks. Earning my certification in belly dance, I began to teach on post as an instructor and personal trainer, she said. Prior to the Sept. 18 class, Family member Michelle Stucky spoke of how she rearranged her schedule to attend the class. I m really excited and ready to see what we re going to learn, she said. Equipped with her coin wrap, a hip scarf with decorative beads that shake, Stucky got wrapped up and began moving her hips to the rhythmic beat of Arabic music. Daniels passed out additional scarves to students and told them, If you guys came out to twerk then you re in the wrong place. Twerking was made popular this year by pop culture and is known as a form of erotic dance. The goal for this class was to focus on low impact exercising. Slightly bending her knees and repeating the phrase diaphragm-belly button-bladder, Daniels taught the essence of dance as a way to stay physically fit. The class learned how to elongate their stomach muscles, breathing techniques and posture. With so many concerns on mental and physical health, Daniels advised the group of women that this exercise is a great way to get rid of stress. This exercise is good for building your self esteem and tightening your stomach muscles. The body movement alone promotes healthy digestion and can help individuals who suffer from back pains, she said. Many people who were exercising in the main gym walked by to see the class. Attracted by the music and the shimmering coin scarves, they could be heard in the hallway asking for the next class schedule. As of now, Daniels classes are scheduled Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Wheelock Fitness Center. She offers private classes and is able to work around individual schedules. If you re looking for a way to stay in shape this fall by getting rid of the stomach bulge or want to hang out and meet new people, then this might be the class for you. For more information please contact the Wheelock Fitness Center at Guardian Oct. 11, 2013 /1B

18 Stray Animal Facility seeks homes for precious pets GUARDIAN STAFF FORT POLK, La. The Fort Polk Stray Animal Facility, located off of La. Hwy 10 just north of the intersection with La. Hwy 467, has a host of dogs and cats available for adoption. The selection runs the gamut from nearly newborn kittens and young puppies to full-grown felines and mutts. The facility, operated by THE Fort Polk Veterinary Clinic, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and closes at noon on the last day of each month. The clinic staff has recently increased and wants Fort Polk Families to know that there are plenty of preventive medicine and sick call appointments available for pets. To schedule an appointment for your pet or to inquire about an adoption call for more information. Briefs Continued from page 1B best costume contest, booths, treats and more. Entry into the haunted house is $2. Various mixed martial arts classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Youth Gym. Register at Parent Central Services, bldg 400, Radio Road. Tae kwon do classes, Fridays, Youth Gym. Parent orientation is held the first Wednesday of each month. For more information on CYSS call WHGC tourneys Warrior Hills Golf Course hosts the following tournaments: Saturday, 8 a.m., Fall Yellow Ball Oct. 26, 3 p.m., Halloween Day/Night tournament Nov. 9, 11 a.m., Turkey Shoot Dec. 14, 11 a.m., Christmas Mixer Jan. 11, 11 a.m., New Year s Par 3 Feb. 2, 11 a.m., Super Bowl Shoot-Out For more information about these and other WHGC events call /1982. Intramural sports The Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation s Intramural Sports office hosts the following events and activities: So much more than just FroYo! Try our Lattes, chocolate covered strawberries, caramel apples, cupcakes, bagels, gourmet crepes, frappe s, and espressos!! Open early for your convenience! Located in the Stage Shopping Center in Leesville Monday - Thursday 7am-9pm Friday 7am-11pm Saturday- 9am-11pm Sunday 11am-930pm Buy one 12 oz. yogurt and get 25% off any espresso beverage with this ad. We Cater and offer Military Discounts 2B/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013 Bench press competition, Oct. 18, 11 a.m., Wheelock Fitness Center. Truck pull, Oct. 23, 6:30 a.m., Soldiers Athletic Complex. Doubles tennis tournament, Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m., 1st MEB gym. Squad run with rope, Nov. 6, 6:30 a.m., Wheelock Fitness Center. Three-on-three basketball, Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m., 1st MEB gym. Events are open to DFMWR users 18 and older. For more information call meter pool open The Fort Polk 50-meter pool is open during the following hours: PT swim, Tuesday through Friday, 6:30-7:30 a.m. Lap swim, Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Open swim, Tuesday through Friday, 1-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Physical therapy, Tuesday and Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Drown proofings, Wednesday and Fridays, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Call /6785 for more information. Including: Orthodontics Preventive Dentistry Oral Surgery Same Day Service On Dentures & Partials Cosmetic Dentistry ZOOM Whitening Botox Juvaderm Restylane Dr. Charles Hudson Dr. Warren Thomas Dr. Grace Garbo Dr. Sandra Culp Dr. Julie Evans-Steiner LEESVILLE S 6th St COMPLETE FAMILY DENTISTRY DENTAL INSURANCE WELCOME FINANCING AVAILABLE DERIDDER Hwy 190 W Ste. D SAS hosts Lights on Afterschool CYSS FORT POLK, La. Did you know that across the country, 15.1 million children take care of themselves after the school day ends? Afterschool programs, like those offered at Child, Youth and School Service s School Age Services, keep kids safe and healthy, inspire learning and help working families. Those that attend programs have a safe place to go, a range of fun and challenging activities and supervision by adults that help them learn and stay out of trouble. To celebrate these programs, more than 7,500 of which are offered nationwide, School Age Services and Afterschool Alliance hosts the 14th annual Lights on Afterschool, Oct. 17 from 4-5:30 p.m. at Siegfried Youth Center, bldg Students in first through sixth grade and their parents are invited to attend. Learn about the arts and crafts, physical activities, nutritional resources and more offered by the program. For more information call AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN HERE Dallas CHUCK CANNON / GUARDIAN

19 Chapel briefs Protestant services The following Protestant services and groups are offered at Fort Polk: Protestant service is held Sundays at 11 a.m at the Main Post Chapel. Liturgical worship services are held Sundays at 9 a.m. at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital Chapel (fifth floor). Protestant Women of the Chapel meet Tuesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. through Dec. 10. There is no meeting Nov. 26. Child care is provided at the Main Post Chapel beginning at 8:45 a.m. Children must wear closed-toe shoes. PWOC hosts a brown bag, come-asyou-are lunch study for female Soldiers and career women Thursdays from 12:10-12:50 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel. The group also offers a spiritual support group for spouses of deployed Soldiers called Home. For more information on PWOC activities visit its Facebook page ("PWOC Fort Polk") or PWOCFortPolk@gmail.com. Protestant Sunday School takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the Main Post Chapel. For more information call Protestant adult Bible study is held Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel. Catholic services The following Catholic services and groups are offered at the Main Post Chapel: Catholic mass is held Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m. CCD is held Sundays from 8-8:45 a.m. Catholic Women of the Chapel meet Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon. Free child care is available. For more information contact CWOC president Rose Jolly at (337) or ftpolkcwoc@yahoo.com. Glory Chapel services The following services are offered at new times at Fort Polk s Glory Chapel beginning Oct. 13: Liturgical service, 8 a.m. Chapel Next, 10 a.m. Gospel service, 11:30 a.m. MEDICAL OFFICE TRAINEES NEEDED! Specialized Career Training program can get you trained and ready to start work!! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Call Ayers for details! ayers.edu/disclosures Bloom where you are planted By Chap. (Maj.) JEFF VAN NESS 162nd Inf Bde chaplain If you ever take a trip to New Mexico s White Sands National Monument, you ll come across hundreds of flowers in a place where virtually nothing can grow. Enveloped by inhospitable conditions such as intense heat, sparse rainfall and continually shifting sand, the flower called Sand Verbena not only blooms but also gives off a powerful and pleasant fragrance. So why does this flower choose to sink its roots and live and bloom in such a hostile environment? Imagine that this flower is a person and envision the post cards it would receive from its cousins in the tropics and rain forests of the earth. Flo, (short for flower) Why do you continue to scratch out a harsh existence for yourself there in that nasty, old desert? Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific are the places to be. There s plenty of rainfall here, warmth and rich soil. Here you ll always be in the company of many flowers. There in that desert you re all alone. Flo, you must be crazy. Why do you remain in that inhospitable place? Wish you were here. Love, Rose I can imagine the Sand Verbena sending back a message like this: Rose, I am here in the desert by God s design as well as by my own choice. There in your paradise, I would be one of thousands, competing against larger and more beautiful flowers. But here I bloom where I am needed most. I add beauty, color and fragrance where no other plants can give it. Here I make a difference. God Stk# Buick Enclave CXL..$27,397 1 Owner, 30K Miles Stk# Buick Enclave CXL...$31,297 Quad Captain Seats, Rear DVD, Heated Leather Stk# GMC 1500 Crew SLE...$20, Wheels, 5.3 Tow Stk# Chevy Captiva LTZ...$22,997 10K Miles, Leather, Sunroof, 1 Owner Stk# Dodge Nitro...$21,997 Dominator Package, 1 Owner, Low Miles Lot #2 NOW OPEN on N. Pine St Commentary 24 MPG 24 MPG 24 MPG has simply made some plants for adversity. So, enjoy your paradise! I choose to bloom where it really counts. Love, Flo Perhaps you can identify with this little flower. Perhaps you re not happy with your assignment or you often find yourself in one or another of life s storms of adversities. Maybe you arrive at place after place just in time to weather a crisis, see it through and then PCS, just when conditions begin to improve. You might be tempted to feel sorry for yourself and grumble, I never get the breaks. I never get the easy assignments. I always inherit someone else s mess to fix and then move on to another problem. But it just might be that you are one of those few rugged saints who are gifted for adversity. Maybe God has made you an instrument of his peace or solutions. Maybe God brings you where dysfunction and chaos abound, that you might sow love and healing or patience and grace. The Christian Bible tells us in Matthew 5:14 that we are the light of the world. So, why should any of us be surprised when God brings us to dark places where his light is needed most? Let us each strive to let our light shine in those dark places in which God has planted us. If he has brought you to a desert place, then bloom where God has planted you where your gifts and abilities will count the most, make the greatest difference and provide the most beautiful fragrance where none may exist. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for not always placing me in comfortable situations, where I merely compete with others and share what is already in abundance. Thank you, O Lord, for placing me where I can make the greatest contribution for good and beauty. Bless me and make me a blessing to all others. Amen. Stk# Chevy Impala LT...$16,897 1 Owner Stk# Toyota Corolla LE...$15,997 1 Owner, Low Miles Stk# GMC Acadia SLT1...$32,697 1 Owner, 12K Miles Stk# GMC Sierra Crew SLT 4WD.$31,997 1 Owner, White Diamond Stk# Chevy Captiva Sport LT..$19,797 1 Owner, 10K Miles, All Power CBGAuto.com Highway 171 South - DeRidder Toll Free: CARS / MPG 34 MPG 24 MPG All Prices Plus TT&L, APR. WAC Ally. 24 MPG 0% Financing for 36 mths * on all Certified Guardian Oct. 11, 2013/3B

20 Fire Prevention Week history revealed DES Fire prevention week is celebrated through Saturday with numerous fire departments across the nation offering tours, inspections and fun activities for children but do you know how it all got started? Here s a look at the history of Fire Prevention Week: Commemorating a conflagration Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began Oct. 8, but continued into and did most of its damage Oct. 9, According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn, then the whole city on fire. Chances are you've heard some version of this story yourself; people have been blaming the Great Chicago Fire on the cow and Mrs. O'Leary for more than 130 years. But recent research by Chicago historian Robert Cromie has helped to debunk this version of events. The 'moo' myth Like any good story, the case of the cow has some truth to it. The great fire almost certainly started near the barn where Mrs. O'Leary kept her five milking cows. But there is no proof that O'Leary was in the barn when the fire broke out or that a jumpy cow sparked the blaze. Mrs. O'Leary herself swore that she'd been in bed early that night, and that the cows were also tucked in for the evening. But if a cow wasn't to blame for the huge fire, what was? Over the years, journalists and historians have offered plenty of theories. Some blamed the blaze on a couple of neighborhood boys who were near the barn sneaking cigarettes. Others believed that a neighbor of the O'Leary's may have started the fire. Some people have speculated that a fiery meteorite may have fallen to earth Oct. 8, starting several fires that day in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as in Chicago. The biggest blaze that week While the Great Chicago Fire was the bestknown blaze to start during this fiery two-day stretch, it wasn't the biggest. That distinction goes to the Peshtigo Fire, the most devastating forest fire in American history. The fire, which also occurred on Oct. 8, 1871, roared through Northeast Wisconsin, burning down 16 towns, killing 1,152 people, and scorching 1.2 million acres before it ended. Historical accounts of the fire say that the blaze began when several railroad workers clearing land for tracks unintentionally started a brush fire. Before long, the fast-moving flames were whipping through the area like a tornado, some survivors said. It was the small town of Peshtigo, Wis., that suffered the worst damage. Within an hour, the entire town had been destroyed. Eight decades of fire prevention Those who survived the Chicago and Peshtigo fires never forgot what they'd been through; both blazes produced countless tales of bravery and heroism. But the fires also changed the way that firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety. On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (today known as the International Fire Marshals Association), decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should henceforth be observed not with festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. The commemoration grew incrementally official over the years. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since Plan ahead for safety DES Did you know that every 23 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the nation? The United States has a severe fire problem, one of great national importance. Don t be a statistic! Here s what you can do: 1. Test each smoke detector in your home monthly. 2. Have and follow a carefully thought out and practiced escape plan. 3. Assure that there are two ways out of each room, one of which may be a window. 4. When cooking, be a cook! Watch what you heat! 5. Check around your home daily and eliminate known hazards. 6. Inspect your home fire extinguisher monthly and familiarize yourself with how to use it, or contact the Fort Polk DES, Fire and Emergency Services- Fire Prevention Division for instruction at /2479/6251/0775. Fire truck tour Fire fighter Jon Heintzman shows visiting Child Development Center children various equipment carried on a fire truck. The children were given a tour of the fire trucks at North Fort s Fire Station No. 3 Oct. 8 for fire prevention week. JEAN DUBIEL / GUARDIAN Guardian Oct. 11, 2013/4B

21 Rest & Relaxation Lagniappe Strike Zone Take part in some fun Family events in October at Fort Polk s Strike Zone Bowling Center: Dress-a-Pin Contest This event is for children ages tiny-16-years-old. Pick up a bowling pin at the bowling center by Oct. 19. Dress it up and return it by Oct. 23 to be entered into the contest. The competition will be held during the Kid s Halloween Party Oct. 26. Prizes will be awarded to top pin in three age groups. Kid s Halloween Party Go in costume for fun, games, snacks, music, bowling, candy and prizes Oct. 26 from 3:30-6 p.m. For information on events and leagues please contact the center at BOSS fun If you are a single Soldier with extra time on your hands, make plans to participate in upcoming Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers events: Trip to NFL Game Enjoy watching a live football game Sunday and Monday in Arlington, Texas. The match-up is the Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys. MarioKart 8 Have fun racing the track Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. at Klubs & Karts (go kart track). Texas Hold em Tournament Show your skills and take part in this card tournament Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Home of Heroes Rec Center. Karaoke Perform for the crowd every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Home of Heroes Recreation Center. The event is free and you have about 14,000 songs to choose from. Songs range from every genre (pop, country, rock) and duets are available. For information on BOSS events call (337) Unless otherwise indicated, all BOSS trips depart from and return to the Home of Heroes Recreation Center. Trick-or-Treat The annual Alternative Trick-or-Treat event will be held Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. at the Youth Gym, Bldg Events include games, bouncers, best costume contest, booths, treats and more. Entry into the Haunted House is $2 per person. Photo contest Get your best photos out and enter the 2013 Army Digital Photography Contest. Submission dates are Tuesday Nov. 30. Complete entry form and submit photos online by visiting Please see Lagniappe, page 11B Walk through the Maison Louisiane House on your Natchitoches Tour of Homes. Take time to Tour Historic Homes in Natchitoches By APRIL WEBB Guardian staff writer This is your chance to meander through the past as you step across the threshold of some of the grand and historic homes of Natchitoches and the surrounding areas at the 59th annual Natchitoches Tour of Homes today through Sunday. The event promises to be the most exciting showcase of private historic homes and plantations in years. Plans announced by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches include a Candlelight Tour today, Town Tour Saturday and Cane River Country Tour Saturday and Sunday. The tours guide visitors through many of the most elegant and unusual homes in Louisiana s oldest settlement. The Candlelight Tour is held from 7-9:30 p.m. today and allows visitors to tour three homes not generally open to the public. The homes include the McClung/DeBlieux home a home in the Praire Style of Frank Lloyd-Wright, Cunningham Cottage one of Natchitoches best examples of Tudor Revival and the 1782 Prudhomme-Roquier house. At the conclusion of the tour, wine and cheese will be served in the Lemee House on Jefferson Street as visitors enjoy the renovated gardens and live music. During the Candlelight Tour, the Service League of Natchitoches hosts its fifth annual tasting fair at the Prudhomme- Roquier House. The event features delicious recipes that can be found in the Steel Magnolias in the Kitchen cookbook. Cookbooks will be available for purchase. Visitors will be treated to a new feature Saturday, a Lagniappe Tour (free of charge) that includes 10 historic spots rarely connected to the Tour of Homes. These sites include Trinity Episcopal Church, the Spiral Staircase, Roque House and Beau Jardin Park, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Lemee House, American Cemetery and Bishop Martin Museum. Guests of the Town Tour will view a remarkable group of historic homes. Maìson Louisiane, built in 1880 and described as one of the best examples of Queen Ann style in Natchitoches, will grace the tour for the first time in years. Guests will delight in the 1924 Mediterranean style home of Natchitoches merchant, E. B. Winbarg. They will also view the 1850 Keegan Home, a rare example of Colonial Revival architecture, and the magnificent Ferrer-Westrop Cottage, which stands where the Cotton Exchange once existed and pays homage to Creole Cottage style. Tours will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost of this tour is $25 per person. Children 6-12 are $5 and children under 6 are free. Guests that prefer wide-open spaces will be able to take the Cane River Country Tour from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. They can attend the annual fair at Cane River s historic St. Augustine Catholic Church where they will enjoy games, unique cuisine and regional music. St. Charles Chapel in Natchez is also open this year as are the outbuildings on Magnolia Plantation. Guests will be given guided tours of three majestic plantation homes: Melrose Plantation (1796), Oakland Plantation (1821) and Cherokee Plantation (1839). The cost for this tour is $25 per person. Children 6-12 are admitted for $5 per person and children under 6 are free. Tickets are $40. For those wishing to purchase tickets for all three days, the cost is $50. Tickets are available through the Natchitoches Visitors Center, 781 Front Street, Natchitoches, or For additional information, call the Tourism Office at (318) On the day of the tour, tickets may be purchased at each individual home for the cost of $10 per home. Special group rates are available. For information about group tours call (318) Guardian Rest & Relaxation Oct. 11, 2013 /5B

22 Madame Lalaurie s fire still burns on Royal Street By APRIL WEBB Guardian staff writer Madame Delphine Lalaurie New Orleans attracts visitors from all over the world. The city is recognized for its famous Mardi Gras events, exquisite downhome Southern cuisines and lively spirits. Besides the presence of fanfare and mellow cheers in the French Quarter, manifestations of the dead seem to appear around certain parts of the city. Spiritual talks, apparition sightings and conjuring voodoo spells are nothing new for residents in New Orleans. In fact, these spirits seem to have found a way to reconnect with their beloved city. Eager visitors can be found wandering the downtown streets listening to ghost stories told by tour guides. If you ever get a chance to venture around the French Quarter, make plans to go on one of these paranormal outings. Although some people shy away from these scary exhibitions, others may find it quite interesting to learn about the history behind each ghost story. Many homes in Louisiana have a tale to tell behind each beam, window and door. The stories have been infused into the very foundation of these homes. One example is the infamous Lalaurie mansion. This residence still resonates in the minds of citizens in the French Quarter. The murders that took place there continue to captivate the city. Marie Delphine Lalaurie and her third husband, physician Leonard Louis Nicholas Lalaurie, moved into the home in The couple resided at 1140 Royal Street not far from Voodoo priestess Queen Marie Laveau who was thought to have special powers over the city. Lalaurie and Laveau were powerful women during the antebellum period of New Orleans when money and greed ruled the highclass society. The art of manipulation was in full swing as money was no object for Madame Lalaurie. She supplied her home with the best furnishings, silverware and paintings. Known for hosting parties with high society elites and having political ties in the city, it was only a matter of time before folks discovered The New Orleans house occupied by Delphine LaLaurie at the time of the 1834 fire stands today at 1140 Royal Street, on the corner of Royal Street and Governor Nicholls Street in New Orleans French Quarter. The house has been renovated and changed owners over the years. Currently, the home is not available for tours. Madame Lalaurie s devilish ways. In 1836, neighbors gave eyewitness testimony about the death of 12-year-old Leah. Leah was one of Madame Lalaurie s slaves. As the story goes, Leah was brushing her mistress s hair until she hit a tangle. Immediately, Madame Lalaurie responded by grabbing her whip and running after the little girl. What happened next was tragic. To escape the lashing, Leah ran to the roof of the home. Frantically looking back, trying to avoid the lashing, she fell to her death. The city of New Orleans charged Madame Lalaurie a $300 fine for cruelty and made her release nine slaves. But that was not the end of the story. Needless to say, she continued to abuse her slaves. On April 10, 1834, a fire broke out at the Lalaurie mansion. Firemen responded and found a 70-year old slave woman, the cook, chained to the stove. The old woman confessed to starting the fire in an attempt to avoid punishment from Madame Lalaurie. The Lalauries were entertaining company when the fire broke out. Eyewitness accounts say that Madame Lalaurie was more concerned with retrieving the items from her home than helping her servants out of the fire. As firefighters rescued the servants they made a grim discovery when they reached the third floor attic. From the New Orleans Bee written in April 11, 1834: Upon entering one of the apartments the most appalling spectacle met their eyes. Several slaves more or less horribly mutilated, were seen suspended from the neck, with their limbs apparently stretched and torn from one extremity to the other. Language is powerless and inadequate to give a proper recollection of the horror which a scene like this must have inspired. As a result, people at the scene of the fire spoke of the atrocities that were going on inside the home. They found naked slaves bound and chained to the walls inside the attic. It was even speculated that some individuals were used for human experimentation. Public outrage poured and boiled over as citizens vandalized the home. In the end, the Lalauries quietly slipped away. Madame Lalaurie and her husband were said to have fled to Paris but nobody really knows. The Lalaurie home is listed as one of the most haunted mansions in America. Over the years, there have been several sightings of Leah standing on the roof and Madame Lalaurie herself walking the grounds of the home. If you would like more information about Madame Lalaurie or haunted tours in New Orleans visit orleans/tours/hauntedtours.html for more information. NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Guardian Rest & Relaxation 6B/ Oct. 11, 2013

23 Louisiana Who dat? Dat s Louisiana s newspaper readers filling the Superdome 36 times! With a sellout capacity of 73,000, the Louisiana Superdome draws quite a crowd! But wait, according to Newton Research, nearly 2.7 million Louisiana adults are reading the state s daily and weekly newspapers. That s enough to fill The Dome 36 times! That s enough for our New Orleans Saints to sell out every home game for 4 ½ years. Now, that s impressive! If you re already a reader of Louisiana newspapers, you re in good company! And if you re a Louisiana advertiser, remember that Dome or no Dome, our state s newspapers have you covered. Find out why. Call today for more information. Your logo here Sources: Newton Research for the Louisiana Press Association and the Louisiana Superdome Guardian /7B Oct. 11, 2013

24 2 YEARS COMPLIMENTARY MAINTENANCE WITH EVERY NEW TOYOTA PURCHASE TOYOTA New 2013 TOYOTA TUNDRA CREW MAX 4x2 Pickup $ 8,500 LIKE Us On or GET 0 % APR FOR up to 60 MONTHS MODEL #8261. STK # TT13878F. Loaded with with Auto Trans, AC, 5.7L V8 engine, All Power, Leather, Fnder Flares, TSS Black AT Package, Bedliner, & More. $3,000 Factory Rebate and $2,000 Distributor Rebate assogned to dealer. MSRP $43,279. All Star Discount $3,500. Selling price $34,779. Special APR available in lieu of $3,000 Factory Rebate. With approved credit through Toyota Financial Services for up to 60 months term. $16.67 per $1,000 financed. No Dealer Fees. Tax, Title & License fees extra. All Rebates/Incentives assigned to dealer. Offer ends 11/4/13. New 2014 TOYOTA 0 0 CAMRY l sedan OFF MSRP Feel world vibe at Lake Charles Culture Fest CULTURE FEST LOUISIANA There is always something to do in Southwest Louisiana. If you re planning to venture off then make plans to do it in Lake Charles. A group of diverse locals called Common Ground is collaborating with community members to raise cultural awareness of the diverse people that are living in Southwest Louisiana. The group believes that the city of Lake Charles will become a more vibrant and exciting place and be even more attractive to new families, businesses and industries that are considering relocating in the area. Culture Fest Louisiana is planned for Oct. 26 at the Lake Charles Civic Center and showcases the art, music, dance, fashion and food of the different countries represented. This community event is free to the public. The festival displays artistic, scientific and historic achievements each of the cultures has contributed to the global community. You will be led from continent to continent, experiencing the arts, textiles, literature and visual achievements of the world s great countries. The countries represented at Culture Fest Louisiana continue to grow. Currently, the following countries will be represented: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Brazil, Cuba, China, Egypt, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, India, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela and Vietnam. The cultural display area will be draped with colorful, native fabrics or rugs and a winding layout will lead you from one colorful continent to another. For more information call (337) or visit WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! $ 20,988 AFTER REBATE 0 or get 0.0 % APR financing UP TO 60MONTHS 0 MODEL #2514. STK # TT Loaded with Auto Trans, AC, 2.5L 4 Cyl Engine, PW, PL, Tilt, Cruise, AM/FM/CD, & More. $500 Factory Rebate assigned to dealer. Special APR in lieu of Factory Rebate. With approved credit through Toyota Financial Services for up to 60 months term. No Dealer Fees. $16.67 per $1,000 financed. All Rebates/Incentives assigned to dealer. Offer ends 11/4/ RAM 1500 SLT Stk #TJ13356A $ 19, TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER Stk #TT13279A $ 25, TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID XLE Stk #TT13353FA $ 23,995 New 2014 TOYOTA COROLLA LE SEDAN $ 17,988 and GET 1.9 % 0 APR Financing UP TO 60 MONTHS MODEL #1852. STK # TT Loaded with Auto Trans, AC, 1.8L 4 Cyl Engine, PW, PL, Backup Camera, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD, Cruise, & More. MSRP $19,739. All Star Discount $1,851. Special APR available with approved credit through Toyota Financial Services for up to 60 months term. No Dealer Fees. Tax, Title & License fees extra. $17.50 per $1,000 financed. Offer ends 11/4/13. New 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB PRE RUNNER $ 24,988 MODEL #7188. STK # TT13917F. Loaded with Auto Trans, 4.0L 6 Cyl engine, AC, PW, PL, tilt, Cruise, AM/FM/CD, Keyless Entry, & More. MSRP $26,759. All Star Discount $1,771. Tax, Title & License fees extra. Offer ends. 11/4/ Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA AllStarToyota.com 0 11 TOYOTA TUNDRA LTD Stk #TT13354A $ 33, TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 Stk #TT13494FAA $ 15, TOYOTA VENZA LE Stk #U4882 $ 22, TOYOTA TACOMA PRE-RUNNER Stk #TT13598A $ 24,995 If we don t have it, We can get it! If we can t get, They don t make it! 11 CHEVROLET CAMARO 2LT Stk #TJ14034FA $ 21, CHEV. SILVERADO 1500 LT Stk #TT13844FA $ 24, TOYOTA VENZA LE Stk #PC25644 $ 24, FORD F-150 XLT Stk #TT13640A $ 26,995 ALL STAR TOYOTA OF ALEXANDRIA 5735 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA Guardian Rest & Relaxation 8B/ Oct. 11, 2013

25 WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! Gingerbread house builders: Enter to win SWLA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU LAKE CHARLES, La. It s the season of fall leaves, harvest pumpkins and Halloween, but soon the aroma of holiday spices and gingerbread will fill the air. There are many ways to celebrate the season to come, but the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau knows that nothing says Christmas quite like gingerbread houses. That s why they are sponsoring the annual Gingerbread House Contest Dec. 7 at noon in conjunction with the Lake Charles Christmas Lighting Festival. Entry divisions include amateur, professional and school groups. The gingerbread houses will remain on display at the bureau through December and visitors can vote on the People s Choice Award to be announced Dec. 31 at the bureau. The awards ceremony will be held at the bureau, located at 1205 North Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles. Southwest Louisiana s very own mascot, Gumbeaux Gator, will help present the awards. The deadline for entering the contest is Nov. 6. Entries must be delivered to the Convention & Visitors Bureau between 1-4:30 p.m. Dec. 6. If you would like to take part in this fun holiday event, entry forms are now available. To register, contact Shanna Landry at (337) or visit RAM 2500 laramie% longhorn cc 4x4 LIKE Us On $ 11,500 OFF MSRP After Rebate 0 or get 0% APR for up to 60 months 0 MODEL DJ7R91. STK #TJ Loaded with Auto Trans, 6.7L Turbo Diesel, All Power, Leather & More. MSRP $62,310. $4,000 Factory Rebate assigned to dealer. Requires financing through Chrysler Capital for $1,000 of factory rebate. All Star Discount $7,500. Selling price of $50,810. Tax, Title, & License Extra. 0% APR financing available in lieu of $4,000 factory rebate. With approved credit through Chrysler Capital for up to 60 months term. All offers expire on 11/4/13. All Rebates/Incentives assigned to dealer. 08 GMC ACADIA SLT1 Stk #TJ14039AA $ 16, NISSAN MAXIMA CVT 3.5 SV Stk #TJ13608A $ 17, CHEVROLET COLORADO LT Stk #TJ13578A $ 15, CHEVROLET CAMARO 2LT Stk #TJ13684FA $ 23, DODGE NITRO SXT Stk #TJ13404A $ 9, SUZUKI EQUATOR SPORT Stk #TJ14036A $ 13, JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SPORT 4X4 $ 29,888 MODEL JKJM74. STK #TJ Loaded with 3.6L V6 Engine, 6-Speed Manual Trans, AC, AM/FM/XM, PW, PL, Alum Wheels, Keyless Entry, HARDTOP, & More. Offer Ends 11/4/ DODGE AVENGER SXT sedan $ 19,888 After Rebate 7 Available 10 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ Stk #TT13786FA $ 15, HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS Stk #TT12798AA $ 13,995 0 OR GET 0% APR for up to 60 months 0 MODEL JSDE41. STK #TJ Loaded with Auto Trans, 2.4L 4 Cyl Engine, AC, AM/FM/XM, Alum Wheels, PW, PL, UConnect, & More. $4,000 Factory Rebate assigned to dealer. MSRP $24,380. All Star Discount $492. 0% APR financing available with approved credit through Chrysler Capital for up to 60 months term. Special APR available in lieu of $4,000 factory rebate. After 10/14/13, rebate reduces to $3,000. All offers expire on 11/4/13. All Rebates/Incentives assigned to dealer. Stk #TT13755A 11 FORD FLEX SE $ 17, GMC ACADIA SLT1 Stk #TJ13715FA $ 26, TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD DBL V8 Stk #TT13830A $ 25,995 WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! ALL STAR DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP 5757 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! WELCOME HOME, TROOPS! 2013 DODGE dart sxt rallye sedan $ 16,988 After Rebate MODEL PFDP41. STK #TJ Loaded with Auto Trans, AC, 2.0L 4 Cyl Engine, AM/FM, All Power, & More. All Rebates/Incentives assigned to dealer. All offers expire 11/14/13. ALL STAR DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP 5757 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA AllStarChryslerAlexandria.com Guardian Rest & Relaxation Oct. 11, 2013 /9B

26 Store fronts throughout Zwolle let visitors know about its claim as the tamale capitol of Louisiana. The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta takes place today and Saturday at the town s festival grounds. Tamale Fiesta adds spice to Zwolle By CHUCK CANNON Community editor FORT POLK, La. Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? If so, head up U.S. Hwy 171 about 50 miles to the town of Zwolle and experience its annual Tamale Fiesta. The event promises live entertainment, arts and crafts, dancing, parades, children s activities and plenty of delicious hot tamales. The festival celebrates the rich Spanish and Native American heritage of Zwolle, which is located near Toledo Bend Lake in the heart of what was once known as Louisiana s No Man s Land a strip between the borders of what is Army Schools Program Resumes Needed: Ft. Polk, LA LOOKING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PERSONNEL FOR A MILITARY SCHOOLS EDUCATION PROGRAM, ARMY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IS PREFERRED POSITIONS INCLUDE: Professional Project Manager with 5 years of like administrative experience in scope and responsibility General Clerks with 2 years recent support for the Army Schools program Must be able to possess and hold a government clearance for employment victor@rsinsa.com Fax (210) EEO Guardian Rest & Relaxation 10B/ Oct. 11, 2013 now Texas and Louisiana that was a lawless territory during the period as the Spaniards and Americans debated the boundary line between the two nations. Held at the Zwolle Festival Grounds, the activities also include carnival rides, food booths and specialty contests such as the best Spanish costume, best tamales, tamale eating and arm wrestling. Many of the events call attention to the social and political influences of the Native American and Spanish cultures in Louisiana. The gates to the festival grounds on South Main Street open at 5 p.m. today and 11 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $5. There is also an additional $5 admission for those who want to watch mud bog truck racing Saturday at 2 p.m. To reach the festival from Fort Polk take U.S. Hwy 171 north to the North Main Street exit in Zwolle. Take the first left onto Sabine Street then the first right onto South Main Street. The trip takes about one hour. For more information visit ZWOLLE TAMALE FIESTA Oak Alley offers arts, crafts, history By CHUCK CANNON Community editor FORT POLK, La. For those who enjoy a look at Louisiana s history along with a chance to shop for arts and crafts Oak Alley Plantation s eighth annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival slated for Oct could be just the event for you. Set amid 300-year-old live oaks, the 19th century plantation home showcases fine arts and crafts and culinary arts in more than 150 booths manned by artists and crafters from throughout the United States. Regional artists are also featured, including Henry Neubig of Baton Rouge, whose mud paintings depict the state s natural beauty. Creating pigments from Louisiana s alluvial soils, Neubig uses his color palette to paint the state s landscapes, birds and flowers. Other artists and artisans display and sell photography, jewelry, clothing, furniture and stained glass, highlighting fall and Christmas, as well as New Orleans Saints and LSU Tiger sporting pieces. There is also a wide array of Southern and Cajun cuisine to sample, including the plantation s own mint juleps. Try a taste of delicious red beans and rice, gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish and more. The festival also has activities for youngsters, including a petting zoo, face painting and jewelry making. Also, tours of the home which was completed in 1839 are available. Home tour prices are $15 for adults and $4.50 for children Children 5 and under are admitted free. Admission to the festival is $5 for those 10 and older and free for guests 9 and younger. Oak Alley is located at 3645 La. Hwy 18 in Vacherie. From Fort Polk, take La. Hwy 10 to Interstate 49 South, then Interstate 10 East to Exit 187 (U.S. Hwy 61). Go about 9 miles and turn right onto La. Hwy 3213 South to Vacherie. In Vacherie turn left onto La. Hwy 18. The trip takes about three hours and 30 minutes. For more information on Oak Alley, visit QUALITY APARTMENTS AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE! Mona Lisa Apartments Minutes to Ft. Polk main gate! One bedroom, two bedroom and townhome living. Monthly rent ranging from $ to $ Contact us today and ask about our "utilities included" package. 240 Clarence Ave New Llano LA monalisamgr@ymail.com ERA Sarver Real Estate, Inc., 3090 Colony Blvd, Leesville LA *lease rates vary for lease terms and conditions of units. Each office independently owned and operated.

27 Lagniappe Continued from page 5B Photography categories are animals, design elements, digital darkroom, military life, nature/landscapes, people, still life. Divisions include active duty, eligible civilians (Family members, retirees, Department of the Army civilians). For additional information contact the Arts and Crafts Center, /4348. Spare time If you have a little extra time on your hands, you might have fun attending some of these events held at the Spare Time Lounge: Latin Night Enjoy an amazing Latin Night celebration. The event takes place Oct. 18 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Latin dancing and music such as salsa, merengue and bachata, as well as snacks, will be included. The entrance fee is $5 per person. For more information call Adult Halloween party Fort Polk s Spare Time Lounge hosts an adult Halloween party Oct. 26 from 9 p.m.-1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the best looking costume. Admission is $5 at the door. Enjoy drinks, food, fun, music and dancing. For additional information and rules call Strike Zone Bowling Center at Reggae night Chill while you get your groove on Nov. 22 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Wine Tasting The Warrior Community Center, Mulligan s and Army and Air Force Exchange Service Class Six hosts an evening of wine tasting Oct. 19 from 5-8 p.m. at the center. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the center or Mulligan s. For more information call See play The Impromptu Players present When Bullfrogs Sing Opera, at the Wooten Theatre, DeRidder, as the last show of the 2013 season. Dinner show nights are Oct. 18 and 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and reservations are required. Non dinner nights are Oct. 19 and Oct. 25. Tickets are $10 per person at the door. The matinee performance is Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. For more information or to book reservations call (337) Halloween celebration Friends of Leesville Main Street hosts Witch Way to Main Street Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m. on historic downtown Leesville s Third and East Texas streets. The free event boasts a variety of games and treats for kids of all ages. For additional information call (337) Haunted house Hearts 4 Paws presents a night of horror Haunted House Oct and from 7 p.m.-midnight at the Old Coca Cola Factory, 201 Murphy St., Leesville. Enter if you dare and help save the lives of dogs if you care. Volunteers are still needed to work on the haunted house. People will be working on it Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. For more information visit the Hearts 4 paws Facebook page. Trash bash Join the Leesville Mayor s Women s Commission and the Keep Leesville Beautiful Committee for the 2013 Fall Trash Bash Oct. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Participants meet at Liberty Garden, across from the Veron Parish Library. Student/youth organizations may compete for cash prizes, but must be accompanied by an adult sponsor. For more information call Costume run Have some Halloween fun and counter all the candy you ve been eating by taking part in the Kiwanis 5Kostume Fun Run and Walk Oct. 26. The run begins at the Polk Theatre, 109 East Texas St., Leesville. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. and the race begins at 5:30 p.m. A shorter course is available and costumes are encouraged. The entry fee is $25 by Saturday and $30 for race day registration. Stick around after the race for a costume contest and street dance party featuring DJ Joker J. There will also be a trick or treating booth at the event. For more information visit or call (337) Bayou Theater *Today, 7:15 p.m.: Riddick, R, starring Vin Diesel, Jordi Molla, Matt Nable, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine and Raoul Trujillo. *Saturday, 7:15 p.m.: Getaway, PG-13, starring Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight, Rebecca Budig, Paul Freeman, Bruce Payne and Ivailo Geraskov. *Sunday, 4 p.m.: One Direction: This is us, 3D, PG, starring Niall horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Simon Cowell. Admission for a regular showing is $5 per adult and children 12 years and older; $2.50 for children ages 6-11 and free for children 5 and under when accompanied by an authorized patron. Admission for 3D showings is $7 per adult and $4.50 per child. Infants 24 months and younger who do not occupy a seat qualify for free admission at all performances. For more information call (337) Looking for a place to call home that really feels like home? Just minutes from Fort Polk, Sycamore Point and Timber Ridge are apartment communities thoughtfully designed with the look and feel of a genuine neighborhood. Rather than congregating homes in a single building, we offer an appealing mix of 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse style or flat style homes. A big plus about living in a Sycamore Point and Timber Ridge apartment home is peace and quiet no one lives above your residence. In addition to a real neighborhood feel, you can enjoy a private fenced yard, tot lot play areas for the kids, and plenty of wide open spaces. Look around. Home is here. It s time you were to o. AMENITIES INCLUDE: Newly Designed Interiors Ceiling Fans Stone & Designer Flooring Washer & Dryer Hookups Icemakers Tennis Courts Covered Parking EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Located on Entrance Road in Leesville Leasing Information: Guardian Rest & Relaxation Oct. 11, 2013 /11B

28 Bulletin board Miscellaneous Conversations classes The Leesville campus of Classical Conversations is hosting an open house Tuesday. The event is held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The group is a tutoring service combining a biblical worldview and classical educational tools to equip parents who are home educating their children using the classical method. Parents are invited to bring their children to observe foundation classes (4 years of age through sixth grade) in the morning. Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. Afternoon essential class (fourth though sixth grades) will meet to participate in writing and grammar and play mat games. Contact the director at (337) or ccleesville@gmail.com for more information. Girlfriend fest Oak Pointe Wellness Center, 800 South Third Street, Leesville, hosts a Girlfriend Festival promoting women supporting women in breast cancer awareness Oct. 19. The event is held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Luncheon for breast cancer survivors begins at 11 a.m. There will be door prizes, swag bags and more. Tickets are $5. For additional information call Megan Meaux at (337) Fall fest Rivers of Living Water Church hosts its annual fall festival at Compassion of God Outreach, 1007 South Fifth Street, Leesville Oct. 19. The event is held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided. There will be games, live music and more. The community is invited to participate. Pastoral anniversary New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Leesville, hosts the second pastoral anniversary for Rev. Clennon W. Turner Oct. 20. The event starts at 3 p.m. DeRidder s Sunrise Baptist church pastor Rev. Alvin Peters Sr. is the guest speaker. For more information call (337) or (337) Open house Central Louisiana Technical Community College Lamar-Salter, Leesville, hosts an open house Oct. 26. The event is held from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Instructors and staff members will be available to answer questions. The college will offer campus tours and early spring registration. Free food and drinks will be provided. For more information call (337) Trunk or treat Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Leesville, hosts its annual trunk or treat Oct. 31. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. For more information call the church office at (337) School lunches The following lunches are available at Vernon Parish schools Monday through Oct. 18. Monday: Sliced ham, black-eyed peas, collard greens, cantaloupe, yellow cake with chocolate icing, cornbread, salad bar; Tuesday: Baked chicken, rice and gravy, peas, carrots, pineapple tidbits, cherries, hot roll, salad bar; Wednesday: Riblette on a bun, sweet potato fries, corn relish, sliced peaches, sugar cookie, salad bar; Thursday: Beef shepherd pie, corn, pineapple tidbits, cherries, hot roll, salad bar; Oct. 18: Hamburger on a bun, oven fries, lettuce, tomato, pickles, pear halves, salad bar. Church seminar The DeRidder Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3040 La. Hwy 171, hosts an embracing Jesus seminar Oct at 7 p.m. The threeday series includes finding peace through the Bible, faith and the Christian source for power and the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus Christ.For additional information call (337) Farmers market The Main Street farmers market is held Saturdays on Third Street at the Third Street Market in historic downtown Leesville from 7 a.m.- 1 p.m. Call (337) for more information. Pregnancy center If you are pregnant, contact the Community Pregnancy Center, 420 McMahon St., Leesville. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The center provides free pregnancy tests, Medicaid and WIC referrals, individual counseling and furnishes clients with diapers, formula, baby food and baby clothes. For more information call (337) Vernon Resource Center The New Life Crisis Pregnancy Center, 1611 B Boone St., Leesville, offers free testing and supplies to women of Vernon Parish. For more infomation call (337) Homeschool GRACE Homeschool Fellowship serves Beauregard and Vernon parishes, including the Fort Polk community. The organization supports, encourages and enhances the education of local homeschool Families. For more information call (337) Clubs and groups Banquet Ducks Unlimited hosts its 2013 banquet at the Vernon Parish fairgrounds Oct. 29. The gathering starts at 6 p.m. in the Forestry Festival Auditorium. Free food and drinks will be provided. The event features an auction, door prizes and raffle drawings. For ticket information call Matt Koury at (337) or (337) Garden club The Vernon Parish Garden Club meets the second Saturday of each month from 2-4 p.m. at the Vernon Parish Library. Meetings feature a guest speaker and refreshments. The next meeting is held Saturday. For details call (337) Girl Scouts Discover the excitement of being a Girl Scout by connecting with your community or becoming an adult volunteer. New programs are being developed to teach girls leadership development, courage, confidence, integrity and compassion. For more information call Pat Lore at (800) or (337) Warrant Association The Fort Polk chapter of the United States Army Warrant Officers Association meets the second Thursday of each month from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The next meeting will be at Mulligan s Nov. 14. For additional information contact polk.woa@gmail.com. Experimental aircraft The East Texas and West Louisiana chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association meets for lunch the first Saturday of each month at the Leesville Airport on Texas Highway west of Leesville. The next meeting is held Nov. 2. For more information call (337) Eastern Star The Order of the Eastern Star hosts meetings the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Pride of Leesville Lodge, 1106 Butler St., Leesville. Prince Hall affiliated members are invited.the next meeting is Oct. 21. For more information call (337) /6334. Purple Heart The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 727 meets the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. in the New Llano American Legion Hall. Recipients of the Purple Heart are welcome. The next meeting is Oct. 18. For additional information call (337) Bass masters The Fort Polk Community Bass Masters club meets monthly on Tuesdays before each tournament for its members, guests and potential participants. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 500 Vernon St., New Llano. The next meeting is Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. The tournament is Nov. 16 on Toledo Bend. For more information call (337) , (337) or (337) or visit 12B/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

29 Fort Polk Deadline Guardian Tradin Post Ads Published for the community of Fort Polk, La. GARAGE SALES SATURDAY, OCT. 12, Hwy 171 S behind Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Girls dresses, tops, jeans and shoes. Sizes 10, 14 and 16. Ladies Allison Dailey pants and tops, size 12, 14 and 16. Mostly new men s slacks 34 x 30. A few other sizes. Men s new shirts, sizes medium and X-Large. Much more. Need to clean out for more items. OCT 12 from 8am to 1 pm at 203 KVVP Drive in Leesville. Furniture, household items, DVDs, CDs, lots of miscellaneous items PETS IMPERIAL AND STAN- DARD SHIH-TZU S. Ready for Christmas. Three days-old, will take deposits. May hold for Christmas. Call or or puppymanlee@gmail.com (10-11) MINIATURE DASH HOUNDS, male and female, black and tan. CKC registered, Vet checked, dew claws removed, health good, wormed, first shots given, eight weeks old, eating good. Males are $250 and females are $300. Call or or puppymanlee@gmail.com (10-11) FOR SALE ELECTRIC CHAIN- SAW with ext pole, 8 ft long; Electric water cooler, holds 2 1/2 gal or 5 gal bottles; Brig & Strat 5HP engine, horizontal shaft; push mower big wheel 5.5 HP, clean and runs great. Call (10/11) LITTLE GIRLS CLOTHES in sizes All are in excellent condition and includes lots of name brands. Clothes for both warm and cold weather. All are washed and ready to wear. Call YOUNG GIRL SHOES in sizes in sizes 2-3. Includes 2 pairs of tie up like sneakers, pink flip flops, and a pair of Sperry s. All are in excellent shape and clean. Perfect for the school year. Call GIRLS DANCE SHOES that fits a shoe size 1-1 1/2. Shoes include pink ballet, beige jazz, black hip-hop, and a black tap shoe. All are in excellent condition. Shoes are dance name brands. Call CHILDS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL school backpack. Backpack is hot pink, beige, and blue. Has large compartments and is in excellent condition. Perfect for the new school year. $6.00. Call For All Classified Ads Is Noon Tuesday Turn in ads to the Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 4919, Magnolia Dr. or fax to: or to tradingpostads@yahoo.com Visa Mastercard CONAIR CERAMIC PLATE FLAT IRON for the hair. Flat iron has multiple temperature settings and a swivel cord to prevent tangling. Includes black carrying bag. Call YOUNG GIRLS INDIAN COSTUME in size Costume purchased at specialty store. Costume includes dress with matching headband. Adorable costume. Perfect for upcoming Halloween or playing dressup. $ Call LITTLE GIRLS CLOTHES in size 4. All are in excellent condition and ready to wear. Lots of brand names. Call SIX TY STUFFED DOLLS. Each doll is about 7 inches tall and is wearing an adorable outfit. Dolls still have their TY tag attached. Perfect for a young girl or anyone who loves dolls. $3.00 each. Call HIGH SCHOOL MUSI- CAL girls bicycle. Bike is 20 inches and is blue and hot pink and has a detachable purse on the handlebars. Bike is in great condition and is perfect for a girl between the ages of $ Paid $ Call ONE WEEK VACATION PACKAGE in Orlando Florida. You will be staying at a 5 star resort with Kitchen, Washer/Dryer, Jacuzzi Tub. You are only minutes from all the Disney World Parks. Asking $450. Please call or for more information. ONE LANG CAST IRON GAS GRILL. This grill can be used for restaurant or large parties. Asking $700 OBO. Please call for more information. BABY CRIB with mat in excellent condition. Asking $50 OBO. Please call for more information. WASHER AND DRYER, in good condition, $ Can be delivered. All accessories included. Call (10/4) AUTOMOTIVE 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 Crew Cab, 2-Wheel Drive SLT BLACK IN COLOR. 19K miles one owner, loaded to include sunroof. Too many options to list. For more information call F150 CREW CAB in great shape, 137K miles. Asking $10,500. Call (10/4) 2001 EXPEDITION, 158K miles, 3rd row seating, after market rims, looks and drives good. Asking $3,500. Call (10/4) 2001 CHEVY EXPRESS VAN in good condition, 126K miles, recent trip to GA. Asking $4,500, negotiable. Seven passenger, leather seats. Call (10/4) CAMPER/TRAILER, 28 foot long, bumper pull, new tires, great shape. Sleeps 8. The brand is Mallard by Fleetwood. Call REAL ESTATE SMALL COTTAGE FOR LEASE in DeRidder. 1 Bedroom with small closet. 1 Bath w/stacked washer/dryer. Kitchen and Living area is open, separated by breakfast bar. Has stove and refrigerator. 1 year lease/$425, deposit/$425. No utilities provided and No pets allowed. Please leave voic at WRITER NEEDED Writing position open at the Fort Polk Guardian. Prefer degree in Journalism or English. Applicant should have good reporting skills, be able to write about various subjects, enjoy working with people and have good keyboarding skills. Duties include: designing and laying out pages; reporting and editing news releases; taking pictures; general assignment reporting and other duties related to job. Call Steve Colwell at ; or send resumes to: Natchitoches Times P.O. Box 448 Natchitoches, LA or scolwell@natchitochestimes.com LAND FOR SALE: 50 acres within 18 miles Toledo Bend at 2911 Plainview Road in Florien. Your bid appreciated. Special property with city water. I m looking for a neighbor. Call FOR RENT CHAPEL RENTALS Attractive 1, 2 & 3 BR. M.H.`s furnished & unfurnished with C/A/H, located near Ft. Polk main gate. Special Military Deposit. Apartments available as well. Reasonable rates. Must see to appreciate. Call or We support our troops! TFN USED AUTO DEALS! MILITARY DISCOUNTS! 2008 NISSAN XTERRA Leather, 1 Owner Super Nice. 106,000 miles $12, NISSAN XTERRA 1 Owner, Like New, 99,000 miles $12, GMC SIERRA 4WD Z71 1 Owner, 4 Door Reduced $10, CHEVROLET 2500 HD 1 Owner, Ext. Cab, 4WD, Automatic Transmission. $8, PONTIAC GRAND AM 4Cyl. 4 Door Sedan. 84,000 Low Miles $4, FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER Leather, DVD, 3rd Row Seats. 134,000 Miles $7, DODGE RAM 1500 New 5.7 Hemi Motor With A Year Warranty, 1 Owner, 130,000 Miles $9, TOWN & COUNTRY VAN 124,000 Miles, Sunrrof, DVD, and more.. $6, VOLKSWAGON BEETLE Turbo. Leather, 105,000 Miles $5, CHRYSLER SEBRING CON- VERTABLE 70,000 Miles, Leather $5,495 JOHNSON & SONS JOHNNIE B HALL MEMORIAL HWY ROSEPINE, LA Guardian/13B Oct. 11, 2013

30 Fort Polk Deadline Guardian Tradin Post Ads Published for the community of Fort Polk, La. For All Classified Ads Is Noon Tuesday Turn in ads to the Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 4919, Magnolia Dr. or fax to: or to Visa Mastercard 3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH located in Deridder. Large family room 24x26. Large front and backyards. $1200 rent and $1000 deposit Call MOBILE HOMES 14X72 2BR 2BATH SW $ home only X50 3BR 2BATH DW $29, Delivered and set REPO on land in Mansfield, financing available UNCLE SI S NEW SW, $44,900.00, Delivered, Set, AC, Steps and skirting VA LOANS for mobile homes call today! (318) LAND HOME PACK- AGES available. 4B2B on 2.5 acres $74,900! Won t last. many more in all areas. (318) NEW 16X76 3B2B only $29,990. Large kitchen Large closets! Call today(318) NEW DOUBLEWIDE $39, sqft, with large kitchen open floor plan. (318) GOVERNMENT LOANS for mobile homes! (800) SPORTING GOODS SEARS (WINCHES- TER1200) Ted Williams signature 20 gauge pump shotgun with a 26 inch VR barrel and poly-choke. 3 inch chamber. VCG. $ Call REMINGTON MODEL 1100 semi-auto shotgun in 20 gauge. This is the standard weight 20 gauge. 28 inch VR barrel with fixed modified choke. $ Call ROMANIAN AK47 WASR-10, 7.62x39mm caliber. Comes with sling, 2 each 30 round steel magazines, and 2 boxes of ammo. Excellent condition. $ Call HELP WANTED HELP WANTED: Janitor, $12.76 per hour, three events per week, three hours per evening. Call Dave B/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013

31 Fort Polk Deadline Guardian Tradin Post Ads Published for the community of Fort Polk, La. TRI PARISH REHABIL- ITATION HOSPITAL is now hiring for the following positions: Maintenance Helper, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA), Occupational Therapist w/sign on Bonus. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA), Registered Nurses, License Practical Nurses, Certified Nurses Aides. Fax your resume direct to or apply in person with Human 8088 Hawks Road, Leesville, LA We offer a competitive full benefit package. (10-11) SOLAR NAILS SALON & SPA by Leesville Super Walmart - Body Massage Therapists, Hairstylists, Barbers and Nail Technicians needed. Good pay, great tips. We have a lot of discounts for Perms, Color, Cuts and Highlights. Mens and Military cuts only $8.00. Women s cuts only $ Body Massage $55.00 hr. Call or mobile number or PHYSICIAN S OFFICE MEDICAL ASSISTANT M/A certification required. M-F 8-5, FRI 8-12 Experience preferred. Experience with EMR s preferred. Send resume to:humanresource@nrmchospital.org EOE M/V/D REPAIRS, REMODELING & PAINTING Residential or Commercial Small jobs welcomed. When your time is tight, call on us! M ORRIS T EAM R EALTY LLC or DAYCARE CHILDCARE OPEN- INGS! Home daycare accepting children 2 and up. Basic learning skills for school, games, story time. 3 nutritional snacks/meals provided. CPR and First Aid certified. M - F 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. Call or and leave message if no answer. YARD WORK A+ TREE SERVICE -Licensed & Insured Pruning Topping Cabling Removal Stump Grinding. 27 years experience w/licensed Arbors on job site! or TRACTOR WORK- Driveways repaired, dirt and rock spread, landscape repaired, bush hogging, garden sites prepared, and all types of dirt work to include seeding and fertilize distribution. No job too small. Free estimates. Phone or text HAY LEASE 2014: You cut, you roll, you haul, 800 to 1,000 4x5 rolls on 100 acres. Chicken fertilized for four years. Bahia mixed grass on bottom and upland. See in 2013 and make bid for Call For All Classified Ads Is Noon Tuesday Turn in ads to the Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 4919, Magnolia Dr. or fax to: or to tradingpostads@yahoo.com Visa Mastercard STATEWIDES JAG CONSTRUCTION BANKRUPTCY AUC- TION, Fri., Dec 13 at 10am, 146 Taylor Road, Morgan City, LA. Trucks, Dozers, Cranes, Barges, Trailers, Boats, Office Furniture, Real Estate. For info, photos, terms, and to place absentee bids, click on or call (318) Danny Lawler, La. Lic. # (LA-SCAN) REAL ESTATE AUC- TION - Jefferson Parish Ajudicated Property Auction! November 2nd, 10 a.m Properties - Homes, Commercial, Residential & Commercial Lots or (LA-SCAN) ATTENTION DEDI- CATED & REGIONAL DRIVERS! Averitt Offers Excellent Benefits & Hometime. CDL-A req Recent Grads w/a CDL-A, 1-6/wks. Paid Training. Apply online at AverittCareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer. (LA-SCAN) SAVE ON CABLE TV-Internet-Digital Phone-Satellite. You`ve Got A Choice! Options from ALL major service providers. Call us to learn more! CALL Today (LA-SCAN) Retired SGM Ben Benjamin invites everyone out to the LEESVILLE 171 SPEEDWAY "HOME OF THE HIGH BANKS" ACTION PACKED DIRT TRACK RACING EVERY SAT. NIGHT THRU OCTOBER GATES OPEN AT 6, RACES AT 8 Military Discount. Find us on Facebook for weekly ticket giveaways and season schedule. ELECTRONICS TECH- NICIAN TRAINING! Learn how to repair & Install Computers, Cable TV & Security systems at Ayers. Online training & Job Placement available! ayers.edu/disclosures (LA-SCAN) MEDICAL ASSISTANT TRAINEES NEEDED! Train to become a Medical Assistant at Ayers! Job placement when program completed! Day, Evening & Online Classes! ayers.edu/disclosures N (LA-SCAN) TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING! Get trained at Diesel Driving Academy. FINANCIAL AID AVAIL- ABLE for those who qualify! Get trained and ready to work ASAP! dda.edu/disclosures N (LA-SCAN) CUT YOUR STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS in HALF or more Even if Late or in Default. Get Relief FAST Much LOWER payments. Call Student Hotline (LA-SCAN) EVER CONSIDER A RE- VERSE MORTGAGE? At least 62 years old? Stay in your home & increase cash flow! Safe & Effective! Call Now for your FREE DVD! Call Now (LA-SCAN) CANADA DRUG CEN- TER is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call today , for $10.00 off your first prescription and free shipping. (LA-SCAN) NOW LEASING RAILWAY OFFICE/RETAIL SUITES Suite Sq. Ft. Rent # $259 # $604 # $392 # $187 # $439 # $193 # $194 # $229 CAN BE COMBINED FOR LARGER UNIT UTILITIES INCLUDED IN ABOVE IN LEESVILLE, CLOSE TO FT. POLK Also Available: # $1,023 #2 297 $248 #3 264 $220 #4 336 $280 Units may be combined Six Month and Up Lease Terms RE/MAX PREMIERE Morris Team Realty, LLC GET FREE OF CREDIT CARD DEBT NOW! Cut payments by up to half. Stop creditors from calling (LA-SCAN) HAVE PAYDAY LOAN$? Want to GET RID of Payday Loan$? Get Payday companies out of your pocket now! Call Now! No obligation (LA-SCAN) FOR SALE PERCENT GUARAN- TEED Omaha Steaks - SAVE 69 Percent on The Grilling Collection. NOW ONLY $49.99 Plus 2 FREE GIFTS & right-to-the-door delivery in a reusable cooler, ORDER Today Use Code:45102YXJ or ill88 (LA-SCAN) DISH TV RETAILER Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! (LA-SCAN) REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a whole-home Satellite system installed at NO COST and programming starting at $19.99/mo. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade to new callers, SO CALL NOW (LA-SCAN) ATTENTION SLEEP APNEA SUFFERERS with Medicare. Get CPAP Replacement Supplies at little or NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call (LA-SCAN) EXTENDED STAY Fully furnished, Jacuzzi, TV cable & internet, quiet location. UNFURNISHED HOUSES & APARTMENTS for lease. OFFICE & RETAIL UNITS for lease. M ORRIS T EAM R EALTY LLC MEDICAL ALERT FOR SENIORS - 24/7 monitoring. FREE Equipment. FREE Shipping. Nationwide Service. $29.95/Month CALL Medical Guardian Today (LA-SCAN) 25 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED NOW Become a driver for TMC Transportation! Earn $700 per week! No CDL? No Problem! Training is available N (LA- SCAN) CDL DRIVER TRAINEES! Become a new driver for Roehl Transport! Roehl is a Certified Top Pay Carrier! NEW Drivers can earn $750/week! No CDL? Roehl can help you get trained N (LA-SCAN) DRIVER. TANGO TRANSPORT now hiring Company Drivers & Owner Operators. Excellent Hometime. 401k. Family Medical/Dental. Paid Vacations. Apply online at or phone (LA-SCAN) AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get trained as an FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid/housing for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance - Dallas or Houston (LA-SCAN) H O TTEST SP O T IN T O WN! Fat Boy & Skinnys Best Burger Ever! Mon-Sat 10:30-8: S. 5th St. Hwy 468 & 171 Call ahead orders: Military Discount Fresh Food NOT Fast Food Guardian/15B Oct. 11, 2013

32 SO FRONTLINE ISN T THE FIRST TIME THE SMARTER WAY TO TRAIN Being prepared means everything. Engility has the skilled experts and innovative, integrated training capabilities to prepare the joint forces for a new type of operational environment. Developing leaders and empowering decisive action the smarter way to train. 16B/ Guardian Oct. 11, 2013