The Ripley Reporter Vol. 7, Issue 6 Minnesota Soldiers Sweep Regional Best Warrior Competition Article By: Staff Sgt. Anthony Housey, Camp Ripley Public Affairs Photos By: Staff Sgt. Paul Santikko, Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. Army National Guard Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers from seven regional states participated in the 2014 Region IV Best Warrior Competition on Camp Ripley May 11-16, 2014. The Best Warrior Competition fosters resilience in the force and strengthens the region s soldiers, said Minnesota National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia Kallberg. The four-day competition challenged the elite competitors in mental, physical and emotional obstacles encouraging them to strive to be the best tactically and professionally. Each of the four 16-hour days, consisted of events such as the Army physical fitness test; M9 pistol and M4 rifle qualification; a shoot house exercise; land navigation; the confidence course; a 12-mile road march; a written exam; and an appearance board. Our expectation is to put on the most professional competition, said Minnesota National Guard Operations Sergeant-Major, Sgt. Maj. Marcus Erickson. More than 150 soldiers were involved in planning this event including 60 staff members at Camp Ripley that executed the competitions events and supported the competitors. This year s winners of the Region IV Best Warrior Competition were Minnesota Army National Guard competitors Staff Sgt. Michael Walker and Sgt. Corbin Routier. (Continued on Pg. 2) In This Issue State Best Warrior Compition PAGE 2 Marines at Camp Ripley PAGE 3 CMP Revives Weapons PAGE 4 For Your Information PAGE 5-6 Little Falls WW2 Vet Shares PAGE 7-8 AHATS Online PAGE 9 Safety & Awareness PAGE 10
The Ripley Reporter Page 2 (Continued from Pg. 1) The competitors and sponsors from all seven states displayed a tremendous effort and should be commended on their great hard work and enthusiastic commitment this year, said Minnesota Senior Enlisted Advisor Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia Kallberg. The Noncommissioned Officer winner representing the state of Minnesota, Staff Sgt. Michael Walker, is a cook with Co. E, 2-147th Helicopter Assault Battalion, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade. The winner in the Soldier category, representing the junior enlisted, Sgt. Corbin Routier is an infantryman with Co. A, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion 136th Infantry, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. The next hurdle for Minnesota s Region IV competitors is the National Guard Bureau s Best Warrior Competition in Arkansas this July. It will be a rigorous competition that will test our Soldiers combat and professional proficiency pushing their physical and mental abilities to the limits. Minnesota National Guard Facebook pages: http://www.facebook.com/campripley http://www.facebook.com/ardenhillsarmytrainingsite http://www.facebook.com/minnesotanationalguard http://www.facebook.com/mnnationalguardrecruitingofficecampripley
The Ripley Reporter Page 3 Marine Law Enforcement Secures Mission Essential Skills Article by: Staff Sgt. Anthony Housey Camp Ripley Public Affairs Marines of the 4th Law Enforcement Battalion conducted several scenarios in the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility on Camp Ripley May 3-4, 2013. The Marines brought all three companies together to attend informational classes, small unit instructional training and a collective live exercise geared at experiencing real-time operations in urban and rural environments. The Marines have always been very skilled operating as small units no matter what the mission, said Marine Sgt. Dave Peters, Range OIC. This collective training allows us to see how we operate as a large force which is just as important tactically as well as logistically, he added. The Marines practiced law enforcement and security techniques in preparation for a series of real-time exercises testing their abilities to react to contact and complete the mission required of them. Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sidney R. Park, attended the training to see the progression of his Marines as they refresh on mission essential skills and techniques. It s just like physical training, if you don t practice at it your body will not be used to it; your brain is a muscle too, got to keep it in shape, said Marine Sgt. Benjamin Roberts, Squad Leader with 2nd platoon 4th Law Enforcement Battalion. Minnesota Army National Guard J1 Education Tuition Assistance Staff: Education Services NCOIC - SGM Jody Courts Federal Tuition Assistance Manager - SFC Robyn Major Education Services Specialist - Amber Manke Contact Info: Email: ng.mn.mnarng.mbx.assets-education@mail.mil Website: www.minnesotanationalguard.org/education/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/educationandincentives Education General Help Desk Line: 651.282.4589
The Ripley Reporter Page 4 Historic Weapons Receive New Life Through CMP Efforts Article By: Maj. John Donovan Camp Ripley Public Affairs ST. CLOUD, Minn. On April 26, 2014 Harry Sieben the Secretary of the Civilian Marksmanship Program, presented a plaque of appreciation to the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, Maj. Gen Richard Nash. Pictured from left to right are: Maj. Gen. Ret. Harry Sieben, Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, and Brig. Gen. Bvt. Denny Lord. The Civilian Marksmanship Program represented by Sieben presents a plaque of appreciation to Maj. Gen. Richard Nash. Photo by: Army 1st Lt. Melanie Nelson, MN National Guard Public Affairs The plaque was presented to General Nash for his support of the Civilian Marksmanship Program. The citation read in part President Teddy Roosevelt created a relationship between the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the National Guard that has flourished for more than a century. The Minnesota National Guard, through the leadership of Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, has strengthened the bond. According to Sieben the Civilian Marksmanship Program was started by Teddy Roosevelt to increase marksmanship skills throughout the United States. Today the program flourishes by selling surplus rifles to customers who belong to CMP-affiliated clubs. Another key focus for the CMP is its emphasis on youth marksmanship skills and firearm safety. According to the CMP website the program is dedicated to the respect and safe handling of firearms, instilling patriotism and discipline in youth participants. During its existence the CMP has sold tens-of-thousands of Army surplus rifles in the.30 caliber and.22 caliber varieties. The rifles are given to the CMP by the U.S. Army for further sale to the public. Customers must be U.S. citizens, who pass a background check and belong to CMP-affiliated clubs. Many of the weapons sold have come from excess or surplus stores within all branches of the military or federal government. I have worked with customs, border patrol, forestry, and law enforcement agencies to facilitate donations. The CMP pays for the freight, said Denny Lord the corporation s special projects officer. Lord added that for many organizations it is a win-win situation. The organization gets to turn-in old weapons for which they are responsible but can t use. And the tax payers win because federal money isn t used to house weapons that are considered obsolete. Lord concluded if there is a federal or state organization out there that has weapons which they are no longer using, they should contact Art Jankowski at: 586-282-0927. Mr. Jankowski is the U.S. Army Civilian Marksmanship program manager.
The Ripley Reporter Page 5 CAMP RIPLEY PX - AAFES Hours of Operation Monday Through Saturday 1000 to 2000 (Depending on units on post) Sunday 1000 to 2000 Weekly Sales and Promotions Service Members Are Encouraged to Utilize the Battle Buddy System On and Off Post! Visit History at www.mnmilitarymuseum.org Minnesota Military Museum Summer Hours May through September: Open Daily 10-5 including national holidays See our Volunteer Handbook to learn more about the museum and about volunteer opportunities. If interested, contact us at: connect@mnmilitarymuseum.org or call 320-616-6050. Also see our list of dedicated volunteers.
The Ripley Reporter Page 6 Do You need a DA Photo? DA photos can be scheduled with SSG. Anthony Housey Camp Ripley Public Affiars Anthony.a.housey.mil@mail.mil or 320-616-3122 da and command photos taken in bldg. 11-1 inquire with room 1170 DA/Command Photo Studio Across from the ID Card Office in bldg. 11-1. Monday - Friday 0830-1400 http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/contact/photos.php (CAC Card required) Unit Commanders! To schedule an informational visit during drill contact: Eric Rolstad, Administrative Support Technician for the Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve eric.t.rolstad.ctr@mail.mil 320-616-3198
The Ripley Reporter Page 7 Little Falls World War Two Veteran Shares Legacy in Artifacts Article by: Staff Sgt. Anthony Housey Camp Ripley Public Affairs LITTLE FALLS, Minn. Mr. Clemance J. Deering formally Pvt. Deering of the 533rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1942 for service as America entered World War Two. We spent about a week at Fort Snelling before they told me to go home, sell everything I had because I was going to Fort Bliss, Texas for training, explained Deering. Training for his unit lasted about four months at Ft. Bliss for training on infantry tactics, survival skills, general soldiering and Anti-Aircraft techniques. Clem was one of hundreds of men training to engage enemy aircraft in defense of ground units that would be subject to air attack. Boarding a ship, near the Statue of Liberty in New York, the 533rd embarked to go overseas with over 4,200 other troops. For many of the members of Deering s unit, it was the first time they had experienced anything outside their own communities. We didn t know where we were going, but we were excited to be going somewhere, said Deering. Deering s time at Casablanca in North Africa included fighting against German aircraft, Italian and French Soldiers while continuously moving forward with the campaign. Their unit was responsible for searching and processing prisoners before turning them over to the Military Police. (Continued on Pg. 8) Members of the Brainerd RSP load a CH-47 Chinook before flying out to the field to join the OCS class 58 during their initial field training. Staff Sgt. Joshua T. Derheimer Recruiting & Retention NCO Camp Ripley Office Minnesota Army National Guard 320-760-4429
The Ripley Reporter Page 8 (Continued from Pg. 7) Further assignments took the 533rd to Algeria, Tunisia, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, France and Germany. Their duties covered several other countries half way around the world. For many units today, tours are limited to the primary theater of operation within the conflict area. During the unit s 39 months in combat the Soldiers of the 533rd dug hundreds of foxholes and battle emplacements across two different continents. Every time we moved we dug a new foxhole with that spade, and we moved a lot, said Deering. I like to talk with the soldiers about their time in Iraq or Afghanistan; one fellow said it s a lot like deer camp, you go out on patrol or a mission and you come back to a place to sleep and place to eat, commented Deering. Service-members, no matter what generation they are a part of, or what conflict they served in often tell similar stories. The details, names, and mission may change, but the life experience of any Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airmen remains the same. Summer Activities!!!! Find fun activities on our Minnesota National Guard, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Camp Ripley and Arden Hills Army Training Site Facebook Pages. http://www.btyr.org/ family-assistancecenters Camp Ripley Family Assistance Center 15000 Hwy 115 Little Falls, MN 56435 320-616-3117 tami.l.klucas.ctr@mail.
The Ripley Reporter Page 9 U of M ROTC Traverses AHATS Cadets with the U of M Army ROTC program are seen recovering from day land navigation training. They utilized the sand tables to prepare for night land navigation, which concluded their first of three days of training at AHATS June 1, 2014. Northstar Search & Rescue Puts Paw- On-Ground at AHATS Members of the Northstar Search & Rescue team with their K9 partners trained on urban and wilderness searches at AHATS May 18, 2014. Northstar Search Dog Teams are trained and prepared to respond to missing, lost, or overdue persons and recovery on land or water. AHATS Arden Hills Army Training Site is now on Facebook AHATS serves as a local training area (LTA) for all military services stationed in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan area. In addition, AHATS serves as a training area for local civilian and law enforcement agencies. Visit the Arden Hills Army Training Site. For military units and civilian agencies, the AHATS facility is avalible to help meet your training need. For more information contact Staff Sgt. Janice Hawkins, AHATS Training Area Coordinator at (651) 282-4421.
The Ripley Reporter Page 10 The Ripley Reporter is a publication of the Camp Ripley Public Affairs Office. The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily express or reflect the views and opinions of The Department of Defense, the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota National Guard, The Adjutant General or the Camp Ripley Post Commander.