THE BEST LEAD THE REST VIETNAM VETERANS CELEBRATE UNIT CENTENNIAL P12-13 SOLDIERS REVISIT HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT TECHNIQUES P3 SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT FOCUS OF CAREER FAIR P8
ON THE COVER Photo by VERAN HILL A veteran stands with the Vietnam Memorial located at 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment on Fort Jackson, March 8. SEE PAGES 12-13 Fort Jackson, South Carolina 29207 This civilian enterprise newspaper, which has a circulation of 10,000, is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the Fort Jackson Leader are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, Department of the Army or Fort Jackson. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or Camden Media Co. of the firms, products or services advertised. All editorial content of the Fort Jackson Leader is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office of Fort Jackson. The Fort Jackson Leader is published by Camden Media Co., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with Fort Jackson. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial advertising. For display advertising rates and information call 803-432-6157 or write Camden Media Company, P.O. Box 1137, Camden, S.C. 29020. For classified advertising information only: call 800-698-3514 or e-mail pmathes@chronicleindependent.com or fax 803-432-7609. For questions or concerns about subscriptions, call 803-432-6157. To submit articles, story ideas or announcements, write the Fort Jackson Leader, Fort Jackson, S.C. 29207, call 803-751-7045 or e-mail fjleader@gmail.com. Commanding General... Maj. Gen. John P. Johnson Garrison Commander... Col. James W. Ellerson Jr. Public Affairs Officer... Michael B. Pond Garrison Public Affairs Officer... Patrick Jones Command Information Officer... Christopher Fletcher Editor... Wallace McBride Staff Writer...Robert Timmons Staff Writer...Demetria Mosley Website: www.fortjacksonleader.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/fortjackson Twitter: www.twitter.com/fortjacksonpao Instagram: www.instagram.com/fortjacksonpao Community Calendar TODAY Performance and Resilience Training for Spouses 9 a.m.-noon, U.S. Army Master Resilience School, Building 3216 Magruder Ave. Attention Control: Heighten sensory awareness to what is most relevant and keep it there to avoid distraction. Understand how to direct attention and build awareness of personal attentional tendencies. Identify personal indicators of distractors that compromise focus. Develop routines to set and reset the ideal state for focused skill execution. Call 751-9720 to register. Classes are free, but registration is highly recommended at least two days prior to class in order for us to properly plan. Mental Games: Change the focus away from counterproductive thinking to enable greater concentration and focus on the task at hand. Bowling with BOSS 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Century Lanes Bowling. The Fort Jackson BOSS Program will be hosting a meeting for all interested single Soldiers, geographical bachelors and single parents. Come enjoy free bowling and refreshments as you meet your BOSS Committee. There will be information about upcoming events, trips and volunteer opportunities, as well as information about joining the BOSS Street Team. This meeting is mandatory for ALL unit BOSS representatives but is open to any single Soldier, geographical bachelor and single parent on Fort Jackson. For more information, contact the Fort Jackson BOSS president at 904-566- 9208. Sportsman s Club 6 p.m., Alpine Lodge (next to Heise Pond and the game check station).this event is not a closed meeting and is open to the entire FJ military The club will conduct the turkey draw season which begins March 20. MARCH 24 Victory Spouses Club 11 a.m., NCO Club. Lunch will be served. Club is open to spouses of all ranks, retirees, DOD civilians, and all services, male and female. For more information e-mail vcsmemberships@ gmail.com or visit victoryspousesclub. org. APRIL 7 Scholarship Fundraiser 6 p.m., 1640 Freed Drive, Spirit Communications Park. Victory Spouses club presents their annual scholarship fundraiser. Join them for an opening weekend baseball game, are $30 per person. Adults only. RSVP by March 31. Purchase ticket at www. victoryspousesclub.org APRIL 8 Historic Trip to Fort Sumter 6:45 a.m. - 7 p.m. Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program cordially invites all foreign born spouses and their Families (ID card holders) to join us on a tour to Fort Sumter in 1861. Walk in the steps of those who shaped this nation alongside a National Park Ranger while taking in the stunning scenes of historic Charleston. Then you will cruise the harbor enroute to Fort Sumter. The trip to Charleston is free is not provided. Seats are limited information and to register, contact: patricia.a.guillory.civ@mail.mil 803-751-9770 or miranda.o.broadus.civ@ mail.mil 803-751-1124. RSVP by March 24. APRIL 11 Maude Leadership Lecture Series E. Eric Porter, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel with the U.S. Army Forces Command will be speaking to Fort Jackson senior leaders, company-level and higher command teams and human resources/s1 organization leaders at 3 p.m. in the Solomon Center April 11 as part of the Maude Leadership Lecture Series. The lecture series was created to provide HR professionals with increased opportunities to enhance their leadership skills with current and former leaders of the Army. For more information contact Capt. Chinyere Asoh at chinyere.asoh.mil@mail.mil. APRIL 14 Tax day 10 Miler 6 a.m.- 8 a.m. Open to Service members and civilians (minors must be accompanied). Registration opens at 5:30 a.m. Trophies for Top Finishers in each category. Preregister at the 2600 Lee Road. MAY 6-7 S.C. Guard Air Ground Expo McEntire Joint National Guard Base. The event is free to the public. For more information visit www.scguard. com/expo/. SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO FJLeader@gmail.com Deadline for events to be included in the calendar or Happenings is one week before publication. Include the time, date and place the event will occur, as well as other necessary information. If you submit an article on an event that already has taken place, please send it as soon as possible. Tuesday is the last day we will we be able to accept an article for publication the following Thursday. Include the date and place of the event, as well as a description of what took place. Please include quotations, if possible. With any photo you submit, and last names. Questions? Call 751-7045. Join us on FACEBOOK. Visit FACEBOOK.COM/FORTJACKSON and click like. TWITTER: @FORTJACKSONPAO INSTAGRAM: @FORTJACKSONPAO
Photos by DEMETRIA MOSLEY Master Combatives Trainers Sgt. Edwin Velazquez, left, and Staff Sgt. Phalon Nelson demonstrate to the level 2 combatives class March 12 how to safely bring someone down to the ground with two people. This is the first time in years that that the level two class has been offered to personnel from every brigade and MEDDAC. STB offers combatives refresher Soldiers revisit fundamental hand-to-hand techniques By DEMETRIA MOSLEY Fort Jackson Leader Fort Jackson s Special Troops Battalion is gearing the installation to become more hands-on. We regularly have to re-qualify for our weapons, but when it comes to hand-to-hand combat we don t practice as much, said Sgt. Edwin Velazquez, master combatives trainer. This course helps equip you with these skills. Starting last month, STB offered levels one and two combatives classes at Vanguard Gym for personnel from every brigade and MEDDAC class has been offered to all personnel. The Special Troops battalion has always been a servicebased organization, said Capt. Brad Hannon, commander of Fort Jackson s Headquarters Company, STB. We take every opportunity to provide the post with the best. The four week course ends Friday. Each level took two weeks to complete. This is not a bad course at all. I have already told my buddies to take this course, said Spc. Ishmael Johnson. I have learned a lot of techniques and moves that I can use anywhere. About 20 Soldiers participated in the course. Velazquez is hoping to have this class offered every quarter. Hand on hand combat isn t something that you only used in the military, he said. This is a life skill that you can take with you everywhere you go. About 20 Soldiers took part in four weeks of combatives classes that come to an end Friday. Combatives is the hand-to-hand martial art of the Army, and incorporates fighting techniques from various martial arts and combat sports.
Fort Jackson Movie Schedule 3319 Jackson Blvd. Phone: 751-7488 FRIDAY The Lego Batman Movie (PG) 7 p.m. SATURDAY The Lego Batman Movie (PG) 1 p.m. Fist Fight (R) 5 p.m. SUNDAY The Lego Batman Movie (PG) 1 p.m. Fist Fight (R) 5 p.m. WEDNESDAY The Lego Batman Movie (PG) 2 p.m. Fist Fight (R) 5 p.m. TICKETS Adult: $6 / Child (6 to 11): $4 One small step... 369th remembers fallen friend By ROBERT TIMMONS Fort Jackson Leader Photo by DEMETRIA MOSLEY TO KICK OFF FORT JACKSON S 100 mile centennial run, the installation held a mass swearing in event at Hilton Field March 14. About 40 Army recruits were sworn into the Army by Fort Jackson s Commander Maj. Gen. John Pete Johnson at Hilton Field. Xania Lee, a senior at Lakewood High School in Sumter who starts Basic Combat Training in June, said she can t wait to start training. I m tired of waiting! I m ready, she said. 3-D TICKETS Adult: $8 Child (6 to 11): $6 Ticket sales open 30 minutes before each movie. Movie times and schedule are subject to change without notice. WWW.SHOPMYEXCHANGE.COM Fort Jackson Gate Operation Hours Friends, Family and colleagues from the 369th Adjutant General Battalion gathered together March 10 at the Anderson Street Chapel on post to say goodbye to Staff Sgt. Javier Nevarez. Lt. Col. Joel Holmstrom, the 369th AG Bn. commander, said At the class end of cycle after action reviews Soldiers raved about what a great leader and mentor he was, Holmstrom said. Nevarez, a Puerto Rican native, was born on Aug. 13, 1982 and joined the Army months prior to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps and in Korea before coming to Fort Jackson to join the 369th. Nevarez died Feb. 24. His earlier career was riddled with combat deployments said his company commander, Capt. Ryan Mazor. These assignments helped him have a gravitational pull that Soldiers were naturally drawn to and tried to emulate. Staff Sgt. Nevarez is a great example of a dedicated NCO, said Mazor. ity, uncompromising belief in all that is good and his steadfast commitment to Family and friends? asked Staff Sgt. Yukon Brown, Nevarez s friend from Charlie Company, 369th AG Bn. Even the very best of words cannot pay tribute or truly capture the sense of loss we all feel today. He was a humble man... a man who never lost sight in his vision, a man with strong faith Brown said holding back tears. If he was here today he would say, Don t cry at my grave, but make the best of life while we are still here, Brown concluded. Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS Staff Sgt. Yukon Brown, with Charlie Company, 369th Adjustant General Battalion, holds back the tears as he speaks about his friend, Staff Sgt. Javier Nevarez, during a memorial service March 10. We will all remember Staff Sgt. Nevarez in different ways, but all of us can remember him as a friend and teammate who was there for his Family, friends and country, Mazor said. Nevarez is survived by his wife, Laura, and children Jaden, Alleysha and Eric. GATE 1 Open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for inbound and outbound traffic. GATE 2 Open around the clock daily. GATE 4 Open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for inbound and outbound traffic. GATE 5 Open 5-10 a.m. Monday through Friday for inbound and outbound traffic. Closed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reopened 4-6 p.m. for outbound traffic only. Open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Lexington goes green A COLOR GUARD from the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, above, parades the national, state and Army flags down Main Street in the Lexington St. Patrick s Day Parade March 12. Right, Fort Jackson Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian, the grand marshal for the Lexington St. Patrick s Day Parade, walking with Girl Scout, 10-year old Maggie Addy, gives a high five to Blowie, the Lexington County Blowfish mascot, along the route Photos by JENNIFER STRIDE New program provides hearing aids at cost By NICK SPINELLI MEDDAC Public Affairs LEGAL NOTICE Military retirees can now obtain hear- Retiree-At-Cost Hearing Aid Program. - ernment price for the hearing aids they - - - gram. Retired com- are also eligible for this program at military treatment t dependents of military retirees as well. Moncrief Army Health Clinic is only offering the RACHAP program to Mili- Retirees interested in participating in register at the facility before trying to icy. - said. and which sites other than Moncrief offer www.militaryaudiology.org. -
Spouse employment focus of career fair By DEMETRIA MOSLEY Fort Jackson Leader One hour doesn t seem too long, but when your husband s stationed in another city it could feel like a million hours away. As Verlo Brinson walked into Fort Jackson s NCO Club sumes, she had one thing on her mind; relocation. I retired last month, said Brinson. I m ready to relocate, start working again, and be closer to my husband. Fort Jackson held a Military Spouse Career Fair March 14 at the NCO Club. About 60 employers were in attendance. Barbara Martin, the manager of ACS Employment Readiness Program, said this fair helps with making the transitioning process easy for military spouses. When their family has to PCS, military spouses have a lot to deal with from taking care of their children s schools and setting up the household, said Martin. This fair is a one stop (shop) and gets them connected faster to employers. Sheila Johnson, wife of Fort Jackson s commander Maj. Gen. John Pete Johnson said the fair is a fantastic idea. This absolutely helps with the transition of moving from post to post, said Sheila. As a working spouse, one of my used to always think, Oh no, I have to start over. Her husband said any employee would be lucky to have a military spouse. Our key concern is making the transition process for military spouses easier, he said. This fair gives them the opportunity to tap into the employment pool. Photo by DEMETRIA MOSLEY About 60 employees came out to Fort Jackson s Military Spouse Career Fair March 14. This fair is fantastic, said Shelia Johnson, wife of Fort Jackson s commander Maj. Gen. John Pete Johnson. As a working spouse, one of my main concerns with moving to another post is finding a job. This helps elements that worry.
Fort Jackson public affairs staff recognized for excellence NEWS Leader file photo by ROBERT TIMMONS Robert Timmons photograph of the Military Appreciation Day game pitting University of South Carolina versus Western Carolina University received third place in the Sports Photo category of the 2016 IMCOM Keith L. Ware Communications Competition. The public affairs staff competed against more than 100 entries in print, web and social media categories from Army installations around the world. Leader writer named IMCOM Civilian Journalist of the Year By CHRIS FLETCHER Fort Jackson Leader ceived 11 awards for expertise in journalism, photography, graphic design and social media prowess in the 2016 U.S. Army Installation Management Command Keith L. Ware Communications Competition. We have a talented staff who work hard to tell Fort Jackson s story, said Pat Jones, the director of Public Affairs. The public affairs staff competed against more than 100 entries in print, web, and social media categories from Army installations around the world. Robert Timmons, a staff writer for the Fort Jackson Leader, was named IMCOM s Civilian Journalist of the Year and will now compete at the Army-level. Timmons has worked at the and retired from the U.S. Army in 2013 as a Timmons also received third place in the Photojournalism category for his photos and news story on the University of South Carolina Football team s visit to Fort Jackson. The football team was introduced to the life of a basic trainee through a series of physically and TIMMONS SALCIDO mentally taxing team building events. Timmons garnered another third place in the Sports Photo category for his photograph of a USC football player making a touchdown grab. Nicholas Salcido, Fort Jackson webmaster place awards for his efforts designing the Fort Jackson centennial logo and graphic design talents. Salcido s centennial logo design won First Place in the Identity Design category and Infographic category, as he designed an illustrative graphic explaining the logo concept. Media Meme category for his graphic representation celebrating Feb. 29 or Leap Day 2016. board concept highlighting a drill sergeant of the cycle at Hilton Field during a graduation ceremony. ceived three organization awards for its communications efforts in 2016. Fort Jackson took second place for Outstanding Digital Presence this year. IMCOM judged Army installations on all digital platforms used to achieve unit-level communication objectives. Fort Jackson s digital platforms included Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Additionally, Fort Jackson received second place in the Outstanding Communication Effort category for its work celebrating Fort Jackson s Centennial. The Fort Jackson Leader also received an honorable mention in the Civilian Enterprise Newspaper category. There are 75 garrisons who compete in this competition and for us to receive this recognition validates the hard work we have put in over 2016, Jones said. The annual awards program recognizes military and civilian employees for journalistic excellence and furthering the objectives of the Department of the Army public affairs program. First and Second place selectees from each category will represent IMCOM in Army-level competition to be judged before being forwarded to the Department of Defense level competition.
I became a soldier... 3RD BATTALION, 34TH INFANTRY REGIMENT PVT. MEZQUITA AMAYA, 18 Tucson, Arizona NEWS PFC. KALEB HOYT, 24 PVT. JOVINO J. ROY, 19 Byron, Wyoming Norwich, Connecticut I joined the Army for a different experience and also to make my Family proud. I loved everything about basic training. I loved everything we did. It was a fun experience. My MOS is 92A Automated Logistics Specialist. I picked it because being trusted with supplies would look good on my resume. My Family is very proud. They were excited to know that I enlisted. They knew I was going to do good. They knew it was for me. PVT. DEIDRE ANDAYA, 18 Lihve, Hawaii I joined the Army to serve my country and to do something worthwhile in my life. I got a lot stronger here. The drill sergeants and my battle buddies made me better inside and out. My MOS is 25U Signal Support Systems Specialist. I picked it because it had a bonus and it was something I was interested in. My Family supported me during my enlistment. eventually. I joined the Army to help defend the state and country I love the most. The best part of Basic Combat Training was having people that are going through the same trials as you and they all support you. I am going to be an aviation electrician. I picked it to try something new and I ve always wanted to work on helicopters. My Family was nervous to begin with but glad I am helping serve. PFC. PENINNAH YISRAEL-SLOCUM, 29 Columbus, Georgia My husband and father joined the military and served our country. I felt it was my duty to do something above and beyond myself, as well as take care of my Family. Basic training has molded me to be more disciplined, to always set my standards above my normal lifestyle and push myself. I am a 92A Automated Logistics Specialist. I choses this MOS due to the fact it gets my foot in the door. I joined the Army to become e successful as a person, meaning to have discipline, a steady career, so on and so forth. What has been good about Basic Combat Training is the training/learning opportunities, and the physical training has pushed me further than what my old civilian self could do. My MOS is 14E Patriot Air Defense Maintainer. I picked my MOS because I wanted something that had some kind of action involved in it without being directly in the action itself. PVT. LAUREN A. JOYNER, 19 Charlotte My mother and father were in the Army and my brother as well. I wanted to serve my country and make a better life for myself. I got stronger and met new people, gained con- Training. I am a 25B Information Technology Specialist. My Family supports my decision to join and are proud of me.
CMYK IT S NICE TO SEE THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY Vietnam veterans, Family celebrate unit centennial at Fort Jackson CMYK By VERAN HILL Fort Jackson Leader 27 WEB-100 AS PAST, CURRENT AND NEW SOLDIERS SPOKE IN THE BATTALION S VESTIBULE VIETNAM VETERAN, MORRIS MILLER GLANCED AROUND AND SAID, IT S NICE TO SEE THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. THEY LOOK MIGHTY FINE. Forty Vietnam veterans and Family members gathered March 7-9 on Fort Jackson to celebrate the upcoming 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment s centennial. Veterans of the Roadrunners traveled from near and far to share memories, honor fallen comrades of the unit during a memorial unveiling and witness a vignette unveiling ceremony to recognize one of their own. Most who visited were members of Alpha Company, 1-61st Inf. Regt. during the Vietnam War and many attended Basic Combat Training on Fort Jackson as well. Miller reminisced about entering basic training here at Fort Jackson in 1969. I remember those WWII wooden barracks, walking to all the training, and the infamous marches up Drag-Hill near the water tank, said Miller. During the visit, veterans witnessed the unveiling of a Memorial to honor fallen Roadrunners of the Vietnam War. The battalion commander of 1-61st Inf. Regt., Lt. It was a great time. It s about bringing Soldiers together to carry on tradition and legacy. Battalion Chap. (Capt.) Chris Ball. Col. Michael Whitney, began the Vietnam Memorial unveiling with I cannot begin to describe the individual relationships, bravery, and 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment was a principal American unit alone the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone from 1968 1971. During this time is when we got our motto, The Best Lead the Rest, he added. After the memorial was unveiled, the veterans slowly surrounded it and began deciphering through 143 names to identify their comrades who were lost to battle. The veterans participated in two social events with current 1-61st cadre, attended Family Day events to included spiritual singing by Basic Combat Training Soldiers and lunch with graduating Soldiers and their families, rappelled from Victory Tower, observed a BCT graduation, and visited the BCT museum and Fort Jackson National Cemetery during their stay. It was a great time. It s about bringing Soldiers together to carry on tradition and legacy, said Battalion Chap. (Capt.) Chris Ball. The reunion neared its end with the vignette unveiling ceremony to recognize the heroic actions of Pfc. Stanley W. Coker who served in Vietnam with the unit and was awarded the Silver Star. See VETERANS: Page 14 Photos by VERAN HILL Above, a Vietnam veteran takes a photo of a vignette during his visit to Fort Jackson last week to celebrate the upcoming centennial of the 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment. Left, Veterans surround the Vietnam Memorial located at 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment on Fort Jackson, March 8. The veterans look on to decipher through 143 names of fallen comrades. Right, Vietnam veterans, graduating Soldiers and their Families are served during the 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment Family Day luncheon.
Veterans Continued from Page 13 - - - ABOUT THE 1-61 The 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment is one of the Basic Combat Training units within the Army. The 61st Roadrunners are located in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. There are six companies, Alpha Gators, Bravo Bulldogs, Charlie Roughnecks, Delta Dragons, Echo War Eagles, and Foxtrot Phantoms with four platoons in each Company. The 61st is a gender integrated BCT unit. Photo by VERAN HILL From left, Pedro Marzan, who was assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment during the Vietnam War, stands with 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Whitney, and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Ausburn, after the unveiling of a Vietnam Veterans memorial. The memorial displays the names of 143 fallen Soldiers who served with the unit in Vietnam from 1968-1971.
Saluting this BCT cycle s honorees DRILL SERGEANTS OF THE CYCLE. Photos by OITHIP PICKERT, Public Affairs Office. NEWS Staff Sgt. Douglas Anderson Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Jerry Jackson Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment Sgt. Kemelia Campbell Charllie Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Alexandra Tuitasi Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Alisha Parks Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment HONOR GRADUATE OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Kaleb Hoyt HONOR GRADUATE OF THE CYCLE Pfc. Caitlyn Booco HONOR GRADUATE OF THE CYCLE Pfc. Juarez Christian HONOR GRADUATE OF THE CYCLE Pfc. Eric Kwiatkowski HONOR GRADUATE OF THE CYCLE Pvt. Joshua Gauthier HIGH BRM Pvt. Robert Huerta HIGH BRM Pvt. Brian Halchishick HIGH BRM Pvt. Caleb Jones HIGH BRM Pvt. Joshua Schaefer HIGH BRM Pvt. Colton Latham HIGH APFT Pvt. Mezquita Amaya HIGH APFT Pvt. Shalee Callahan HIGH APFT Pvt. Ryan Sloan HIGH APFT Pfc. Eric Kwiatkowski HIGH APFT Pvt. Jeremy Garcia-Baez
Hagen reopens MAJ. GEN. JOHN PETE JOHNSON, Fort Jackson commander, joins Col. Dan Fong, Fort Jackson Dental Activity commander, and Maj. Zachary Paukert in cutting the ribbon to officially reopen the Hagen Dental Clinic Mar. 9. The clinic had been closed for years as the building was being remodeled and upgraded. Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS Post takes a stand against sexual assault, harassment By SGT. 1ST CLASS TRULISSA L. MOORE Installation Lead SARC April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, a time where civilians and military communities come together to raise awareness of efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault and to support survivors. This month also reinforces the mindset that all members of the Army Team are empowered and have the responsibility to address sexual assault, sexual harassment, retaliation and the behaviors that lead to such indiscipline. SAAPM is an opportunity for the Army s leadership to demonstrate to Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians and Family members that prevention of sexual assault/harassment remains a top priority for the Army. This year the Army has decided to stay with the theme Sexual Assault. Sexual Harassment. Not in Our Army. This theme offers numerous opportunities to deliver messages that relate to both the individual and unit level. It also supports the Department of Defense s theme Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission. Sexual assault harms victims both physically and emotionally, and its lingering effects can haunt a victim much in the same way as wounds received in battle. Sexual assault is further complicated by fear of stigma or retaliation for reporting. It not only affects the individual, it also impact mission readiness by compromising unit cohesion, trust, and discipline. Each service member can encourage behaviors that foster a climate of dignity and respect, and help ensure readiness to complete the mission. Protecting our people Each of us has a role in ensuring the men and women around us can live and work free from the threat of sexual assault. Each Service member and DA Civilian, regardless of rank, must know, understand and adhere to service values and standards of behavior in order to eliminate sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior. Addressing sexual harassment in a unit is an important step to preventing sexual assaults, since many victims of sexual harassment, especially men, later experience a sexual assault. Understanding how to recognize opportunities for intervention is vital to stopping unsafe behavior, to include any form of retaliation. Protecting our mission In addition to the devastating impact on an individual, a sexual assault can severely impact a unit s readiness to perform its mission. We must encourage positive behaviors by recognizing acts that contribute to a supportive command climate. We can protect our mission by ensuring everyone within DOD is committed to advancing an environment where sexist behaviors, sexual harassment, hazing, bullying, and sexual assault are not tolerated, condoned, or ignored. Every echelon of ing sexual assault and other crimes. In order to extend Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month s message of focusing on our individual roles in combating sexual harassment and sexual assault there will be activities conducted throughout the month of April on Fort Jackson. These activities will provide awareness and education to Service members, civilians, and Families. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are incompatible with the Army values and erodes solidarity, trust, respect, and ultimately affects mission accomplishment. The prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault requires the individual to make a personal commitment to take action if a dangerous situation is unfolding not just in the month of April but every day.
Headquarters building to be named for MOH recipient Staff reports The 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment will dedicate their headquarters building in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Matt Urban March 31. Urban graduated from Cornell University in 1941 and was sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for training a week later. He tasted combat in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium and Germany with the 60th Infantry Regiment. Despite suffering a broken leg in a landing mishap at Omaha Beach on D-Day, Urban got up on top of a tank and led his trapped unit in an attack on German positions and off the beach. In many subsequent encounters, Ur- uncanny ability to frustrate German plans caused the enemy to give him the nickname, the Gray Ghost. He was wounded six times and each time went back to the front lines. The seventh time he was wounded, he was shot in the throat and the bullet tore out a vocal cord. Army doctors gave Urban no hope for survival. He recovered two years later with damaged vocal cords that left him permanently raspy-voiced. Urban died on March 20, 1995 a result of complications from a collapsed lung brought on by one of his seven war wounds. President Jimmy Carter awarded the MOH to Urban during a ceremony in 1980. For more information on the Urban Hall dedication contact 1st Lt. Manuel Cabrera, 803-751-6654. LT. COL. MATT URBAN World War II veteran who earned the Medal of Honor while participating in the allied invasion of France with the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. Then a captain, Urban performed a series of heroic actions, many of which required intense physical activity while under duress in combat. While serving as a company commander leading an attack at Renaouf, France, Urban found his company under heavy casualties. Armed with a bazoo- carrier through hedgerows, under a the tanks. He brazenly exposed himself destroyed both tanks.