Pentagram 111513

Black Jack

Just the ‘facts

Pershing memorialized

Kids share military legacies

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Pentagram

Published for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

Vol. 60, no. 44 November 15, 2013

Commissaries to begin scanning patrons’ ID cards

VETERANS DAY

From a Defense Commissary Agency News Release

PHOTO BY

SPC. JOHN G. MARTINEZ

U.S. President Barack Obama positions a commemorative wreath during a ceremony on Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery Nov 11, in Arlington, Va.

Veterans’ selfless service honored at national observance

By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer

With American flags flying around the Memorial Amphitheater and the sounds of patriotic music supplied by The United States Air Force Band, veterans, their family members and supporters gathered at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month at Arlington National Cemetery for the National Veterans Day observance.

“Today we gather once more to honor patriots who have rendered the highest service that any American can offer this nation,” President Barack Obama said in his address. “We join as one people to

honor a debt we can never fully repay.”

Obama said that in the life of the nation and across every generation, “there are those who stand apart, who step up. They raise their hand, they take that oath, they put on that uniform and they put their lives on the line. They do this so the rest of us might live in a country and a world that is safer, freer and more just. It is a gift they’ve given us.”

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the observance came when the president recognized Richard Overton to a standing ovation from the crowd. The 107-yearold served in the South Pacific and is believed to be the nation’s oldest-known see OBSERVANCE, page 6

Cashiers at military commissaries soon will begin scanning customers’ Defense Department ID cards as part of the checkout process, Defense Commissary Agency officials said.

The commissary at Fort Lee, Va., where DeCA has its headquarters, became the first store to scan ID cards Oct. 22 as the first part of a rollout throughout the agency that began Nov. 10 and will be completed by midJanuary.

Noting that commissary shoppers are used to showing their ID cards to establish their eligibility to use the stores, officials explained that by scanning the ID at checkout, DeCA no longer will need to maintain any personal information on customers in its computer systems, such as the system used for customers who write checks.

Scanning also will help to improve the commissary benefit for all patrons, said Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA director and CEO. “In addition to verifying customers as authorized commissary patrons, we’ll gain information that will give us a better understanding of our patrons, allowing the agency to provide the commissary benefit more effectively and efficiently,” he said.

Cross-referenced with other Defense Department data, the scan data will give DeCA useful information about patron usage by military service, officials said, along with customer demographics that do not identify specific personal data of an individual.

This eventually will help the agency identify shopping needs and preferences and will also allow more accurate reporting to the military services on commissary use, officials said.

The demographic information DeCA will use is strictly limited to card ID number, rank, military status, branch of service, age, household size, and ZIP codes of residence and duty station, DeCA officials emphasized, see SCAN, page 6

Marines still running after 238 years of the Corps

By Cpl. Melissa Karnath Headquarters Marine Corps

Hundreds of Marines from the National Capital Region ran from the Pentagon to the Marine Corps War Memorial Nov. 8 in celebration of the Corps’ 238th birthday Nov. 10.

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal Barrett led the run, accompanied by combat-wounded warriors Kyle Carpenter and Isaac Gallegos.

After about a mile and a half, the runners arrived at the memorial and were met with fanfare as The United States Marine Band played Semper Fidelis.

The runners paused in formation and Barrett reminded them they were

Index

Community Spotlight p.2 Community p.4 News Notes p.4 Feature p.8 Classifieds p.13

among the few to earn the title Marine, and he applauded them for serving in an all-volunteer force.

“There is nothing more honorable and noble than to serve your nation … You have gone where our colors have gone, and you have done so without asking why,” said Barrett.

To the band’s accompaniment, the runners sang all three verses of the Marines’ Hymn before running back to the Pentagon.

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

From the left, Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal Barrett and Sgt. Isaac Gallegos lead the run, with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall Sgt. Maj. Craig D. Cressman, Nov. 8.

Generally, a good time Base team wins Belvoir title

Pg. 8

Career fair

Colleges and employeers line up to connect with veterans

Pg. 11

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Friday, November 15, 2013

PENTAGRAM

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Sunrise

Marines and other servicemembers take part in a run from the Pentagon to the Marine Corps War Memorial and back to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday Nov. 8.

The Marine Corps celebrated its 238th birthday Nov. 10.

Community Spotlight • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Name and age? Lydia Dabrowski, 4 1/2.

Where do you go to school? Cody Child Development Center.

What does your mom and dad do at work? My mom is an accountant.

My dad works at the Pentagon.

Favorite sport? Soccer, I just like to watch it.

Favorite book? Barbie’s.

Favorite food? Fruit.

Favorite song to sing? I like to play the piano instead.

Favorite movie? “Dora.”

Favorite place you’ve ever been?

The amusement park.

What do you like most about coming to school on JBM-HH? Because you (the photographer) sometimes come here.

Is there something you want to be able to do by the end of the year? Play the piano. I don’t know any songs, so I make up my own.

What do you like most about living in this area? Playing.

What is your favorite thing to do in Washington, D.C.?

Play with Strawberry Shortcake, toys and more.

What advice would you give a friend? Meet new friends and play with new friends.

Caption This

PHOTO

BY

RACHEL LARUE

Caption This #42

If you’ve ever looked at a photo, read the caption underneath and thought you could do better, now is your chance. Each week, “Caption This” will have a photo taken from around the base. It’s up to you to figure out the • best, funniest or craziest caption that describes what’s going on in the picture. The only rule is you have to KEEP IT CLEAN! “Caption This” submissions can be sent either by emailing them to pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com, commenting on our Facebook page www.facebook. com/jbmhh or just stopping by Headquarters Bldg. 59, suite 116 and dropping it off. Don’t forget to add the “Caption This” number, your name, rank or position and where you work.

Commander, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Every week the Pentagram staff will pick their favorite. The winner’s Col. Fern O. Sumpter’s vision and philosophy: name, caption along with the photo, will be printed in the newspaper. Compete with your friends and coworkers and see who can come up with the With a team of resource management savvy and technically competent best one. And if you have a photo you think would make a great “Caption DoD professionals, establish JBM–HH as DoD’s premier provider of consis- This,” send it in. tent, quality services that enhance readiness and the overall well-being of our customers.

We must be ...

- Experts at what we do … constantly improving our skills and knowledge.

“Look, here comes Dermita!”

- Focused … set priorities and complete the mission.

- Committed … to the mission and each other, fostering a community of Dermita Crawford excellence.

- Professional/respectful … remain calm, even when others are not… count on each other at all times, treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Caption This #41

Pentagram Printed on recycled paper

http://www.army.mil/jbmhh

The Pentagram is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pentagram are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, or Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

The content of this publication is the responsibility of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Public Affairs Office. Pictures not otherwise credited are U.S. Army photographs. News items should be submitted to the Pentagram, 204 Lee Ave., Bldg. 59, Fort Myer, VA 22211-1199. They may also be faxed to (703) 696-0055 or e-mailed to courtney.a.dock-abuhl.civ@mail.mil.

Circulation of 24,000 is printed by offset every Friday as a civilian enterprise newspaper by Comprint Military Publications. Comprint Military Publications is located at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Telephone (301) 921-2800. Commercial advertising should be placed with the printer.

Comprint Military Publications is a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy.

The appearance of advertisements in this publication, to include all inserts and supplements, does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy of the products or services advertised. 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 non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser shall result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.

Editorial staff Commander Command Sergeant Major Director of Public Affairs Command Information Officer

Col. Fern O. Sumpter Earlene Y. Lavender Mary Ann Hodges Sharon Walker

Pentagram staff Editor Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Photographer

Courtney Dock Rhonda Apple Julia LeDoux Jim Dresbach Rachel Larue

(703) 696-5401 (703) 696-1363 (703) 696-7605 (703) 696-5488 (703) 696-7606

PENTAGRAM

Friday, November 15, 2013

Safety tip Accidents don’t take holidays Jerry L. Zingg Marine Corps Base Quantico Quantico, Va.

It’s that time of year where many of us are caught up in holiday routines and tend to take seasonal hazards for granted. Doing so, however, can mean the difference between a happy holiday and tragedy. Statistics show that mishaps occur more frequently during the holiday period. A little common sense, combined with some advanced planning, can help accident-proof your holidays, making them safer for you, your family members and visitors.

Fire The National Fire Prevention Association estimates 3,000 Americans die in home fires annually, with nearly 40 percent of those deaths occurring between December and February. The NFPA also reports that during 200610, Christmas trees were the direct cause of about 500 home fires each year.

So, before you pick out a Christmas tree this year, it’s important to know a few tips to ensure you make a safe selection.

If you want a natural tree, pick a fresh one. Make sure it is deep green, has a strong pine scent and its needles don’t fall off when you touch it. When you get it home, cut about two inches off the bottom at an angle. Fill the tree stand with water and keep it full every day. Never place a tree near a fireplace, radiators or heaters, and keep it away from doorways and the room’s main traffic areas. Be aware that some artificial trees can also burn, so check them for flammability and follow all included safety precautions.

When it comes to decorating with electric lights, take special precautions such as never hanging them on metal trees. Avoid overloading outlets with electric decorations, and replace cords that show signs of wear. Just because the lights worked fine last year doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re good now. This is especially true for outdoor lights and cords that are subjected to rain, ice and strong winds.

Never run cords under the carpet, and turn off all decorative lights before leaving the house or going to bed. A Christmas Eve fire in Dallas a few years ago took the lives of a 31-year-old mother and her four young daughters. The cause of the fire was traced to an overloaded extension cord, which ignited their decorated tree.

If decorating with candles, keep them at least 12 inches from anything that can burn such as drapes, towels or clothing. Candles should always be in a sturdy holder and placed where they cannot be knocked down. Never leave a lit candle unattended and always supervise children near any flame. Batteryoperated flameless candles — which can look, smell and feel like the real thing — are an attractive alternative for some decorators.

It’s also a good idea to consider the age of your decorations. If you’ve had them for many years, it might be time to invest in a newer, safer set. Before regulations in the late 1970s, items such as tinsel, artificial icicles, glitter and painted figures often contained dangerous levels of lead, chromium, antimony, cobalt and even arsenic. Angel Hair (artificial snow) contained glass filings, and some brands were even comprised of asbestos fibers. Fire salts, which produce a multicolored effect when sprinkled on a log fire, contain heavy metals that may cause severe stomach distress if ingested.

Fireplaces and space heaters are also popular during the holidays. Keep these tips in mind if you plan to use yours: • Before starting a fire, remove all combustible decorations from the area and be sure the flue is open.

• Keep a screen in front of the fire to ensure sparks are contained.

• Have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.

• Never allow a fire to smolder overnight.

• Use space heaters with great caution, placing them at least three feet from combustible materials such as blankets.

• Ventilate fuel heaters as recommended by the manufacturer. Install a carbon monoxide detector near the fuel heater.

• Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

If you allow smoking in your home, provide ashtrays for the smokers and ensure cigarette and cigar butts are fully extinguished before emptying into the trash. Many house fires occur after holiday parties, when a lit cigarette falls into a sofa or bed and smolders undetected while everyone is asleep.

A multi-purpose fire extinguisher is a good investment and should be kept handy in case of fire. Make sure you and your family members learn how to use extinguishers properly. A smoke detector is another potentially life-saving device every home should have. The NFPA recommends installing smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, making sure that there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area. Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button. Also remember to have an escape route in the event of a fire. It’s important everyone in the house knows the route and practices it.

Slips, trips and falls Between icy sidewalks and the increased use of ladders to hang decorations, slip, trip and fall injuries are another concern during the holidays. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries in the home, claiming 6,600 lives each year. Placing night lights throughout your home will help guide the way in the middle of the night. Toys and other items that could be a trip hazard should also be put away so they don’t obstruct the walking path. If using extension cords, never place them in walkways. Outdoors, when there’s ice or snow, shovel paths, put down sand or salt and make sure the area is lit. In addition, be sure to use extra care when hanging outdoor lights and decorations from the top of a ladder.

Toy safety Even the smallest revelers aren’t immune to holiday hazards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 262,300 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2011 due to toy-related injuries. Parents should always supervise their child’s play and expect the unexpected. Inspect toys regularly to ensure all safety devices remain in place. If Santa brings a bicycle, skateboard, roller blades or scooter this Christmas, make sure he also provides properly-fitted safety helmets.

Alcohol Despite widespread publicity about the dangers of drinking and driving, traffic accidents and deaths increase dramatically during the holidays. If you are hosting a holiday party that will be serving alcohol, try to discourage guests from drinking too much. Discuss a sober designated driver plan ahead of time and be ready to call a cab or arrange a ride for those too drunk to drive.

Also provide a variety of non-alcoholic drinks such as juices, tea, sodas and bottled water. Never force alcoholic drinks on anyone. Starchy foods such as cheeses and crackers which will help absorb the alcohol, so be sure to include them in your holiday spread. Close the bar an hour before the party ends and provide a place to sleep for those individuals that may have had too much to drink. Remember, time is the only true sobering method.

Be smart this holiday season. Follow the safety advice provided with the equipment you use, merchandise you buy and activities you plan. Keep your home, family, guests and yourself safe and healthy this and every holiday season!

(From Knowledge, the official safety magazine of the U.S. Army)

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JBM-HH CFC midpoint kick-off held

By Rhonda Apple Pentagram Staff Writer

The annual Combined Federal Campaign took center court Nov. 12, as campaign organizers on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall hosted a midpoint rally at the Fort Myer Fitness Center gymnasium.

CFC key workers, active duty and civilian employees and guests joined forces, with about a dozen people in attendance wearing their favorite sports team’s jerseys for the team spirit themed event.

Due to the recent government shutdown, the joint base CFC kick-off event was cancelled and the Nov. 12 event was the first “official” event held for this year’s campaign season.

“I’m going to open this year’s CFC campaign with a request that you consider digging a little bit deeper. There are always people out there who are much less fortunate than we are … in some cases, those who can’t even put food on the table,” said JBM-HH Commander Col. Fern O. Sumpter, who serves as the joint base chair for the annual fund drive.

“Our goal this year is to raise a very modest $37,000 … and I am hopeful that we can exceed that amount,” she said.

Guest speaker at the event was Lorraine Holmes Settles, corporate director of development with NEXUS Health Inc., the parent company of Fort Washington Medical Center,

Maryland.

Holmes Settles told guests this is the first year the medical center is listed as a charity through the CFC. She described the facility, its services and benefit to the community, saying, “we consider [the facility and our services] a safety net to the community.”

Holmes Settles was presented with a certificate of appreciation and commander’s coin at the conclusion of her speech.

Dick A. VanSise, Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association’s manager of support services on JBM-HH, presented a check for $500 to the CFC. “We count it a privilege to be able to offer help. As the government faces fiscal challenges, it has an impact locally.

We’ve really seen that this year, and it’s important for other organizations because of the economic challenges we still face in the local community,” he said.

“I think the CFC is very important because we as Soldiers are examples for our communities, should first and foremost give back, whether it’s financial or a lifetime of giving of ourselves,” said Headquarters Command Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Alex L. Pratt.

This year the CFC campaign will continue until Jan. 15, 2014.

More than 4,000 charities will benefit from the voluntary donations generated from CFC. For more information or to donate, log onto www.cfcnca.org.

General of the Armies remembered on Veterans Day

By George Markfelder JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs

Americans paused Veterans Day morning while President Barack Obama placed a wreath in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Later that day, veterans gathered again at the cemetery to pay their respects at the grave site of America’s first General of the Armies, John J. “Black Jack” Pershing.

Pershing (1860-1948) served in the Indian Wars, the SpanishAmerican War, the Philippines, the Mexican Intervention and World War I. He was promoted to a rank never attained before, General of the Armies, the highest American military rank. During this time, Pershing reorganized the Army.

Among his achievements, Pershing updated military training techniques, emphasized physical fitness and started professional schools for officers.

“Ceremonies like today’s are important because in many ways and for many reasons, the First World War is not well understood or remembered in the United States,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commanding general of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region. “Yet few events have so significantly shaped the world we live in. It truly is the epic conflict we know as the Great War.” Buchanan provided opening remarks, and musical support was supplied by The U.S.

Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” The band was founded in 1922 by then Army Chief of Staff General Pershing to emulate European military bands he heard during World War I. The Military Order of the World Wars’ and Companions of Region IV began organizing the ceremony honoring Pershing after the veterans of World War I became too few to carry on the task.

The Military Order of the World Wars’ founding resulted from Pershing’s request that his officers continue serving America after their active military service ended.

Since Military Order of the World Wars was established in 1919, Military Order of the World Wars’ members have lived by the motto, “It is more noble to serve than to be served.”

PHOTO BY GEORGE MARKFELDER

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commanding general of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, provides opening remarks during the Veterans Day ceremony at the grave site of America’s first General of the Armies, John J. “Black Jack” Pershing at Arlington National Cemetery, Nov. 11.

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Community

Friday, November 15, 2013

For new commissary director, customer satisfaction reigns

By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer

Customers come first and always for new Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall Commissary Director Raymond Lane.

“Our climate here, it’s about 95 percent retirees who shop at Fort Myer, so we have a unique group,” he said. “My job is trying to get everything we possibly can to serve that customer, to make sure that it’s like one-stop shopping.”

The Washington, D.C., native added, “our vision is to understand our customers and deliver the 21st century commissary benefit.”

Lane spent more than four decades at nearby Fort Belvoir before moving to the joint base Sept. 8. He and his wife Olivia have three daughters.

“I worked at the [Fort Belvoir] Officers Club for 10 years,” he said. “From the [Fort Belvoir] Officers Club, I became involved with the commissary system.”

Lane said he will bring “some of the knowledge, some of the things I’ve learned throughout the years to [the joint base] to enhance and increase sales and satisfy the customers on the needs.”

Some of the changes that Lane is bringing to the commissary are already readily apparent. Aisles have been cleared and the store is being opened up to give customers a better shopping experience. Items that are being phased out will be sold at a 50 percent discount.

PENTAGRAM

News Notes First virtual town hall set Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and Military District of Washington commanding general, and Col. Fern O. Sumpter, JBM-HH commander, will host the first virtual town hall Nov. 21 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. See www.army.mil/media/319958 for details on the town hall and how you can participate.

Pre-holiday sale at MCX The Marine Corps Exchange pre-holiday sale is underway. Doors open early at 7 a.m. Nov. 16 with an additional 15 to 20 percent off name brand merchandise throughout the day. For more information visit www.mccsHH.com/MCX.html. Also find extended holiday hours through Christmas Eve online. Call 703-979-8420 for more information.

Fort Myer Exchange hours The Fort Myer Exchange has extended Black Friday weekend holiday hours and will be open Black Friday, Nov. 29, from 4 a.m.-8 p.m.; Nov. 30 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. and Dec. 1 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

PHOTO

BY JULIA

LEDOUX

Raymond Lane, commissary director, is pictured in his office at the commissary on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Lane is a Washington D.C., native and comes to the joint base from Fort Belvoir.

“We’re setting up an area just for that,” he explained.

“There’s nothing wrong with the product, it has just become a slow mover. That’s a savings for the retirees we have here.”

The produce aisle is also being opened up.

“We’re trying to get a variety of different produce items, we’re trying to get more Latino items,” he said. “We just brought in the deli/bakery a Filipino line. That’s big. That went over really well.”

Lane said case lot sales are not currently being offered due to budget limitations.

“We are doing weekly sidewalk sales and we have tre-

mendous savings on the most important items to our customers, the paper towels, the toilet paper. We give great deals on that to pass the savings on to the customer.”

Lane added that the Defense Commissary Agency, or DeCA, which oversees military food stores throughout the world, has authorized the filling of all positions at the facility.

“By December, we should be 100 percent hired,” he said.

“We have a great team, everyone works together. It’s more of a family-type in this store, and I’m glad to be part of that family. We smile, we talk; we greet the customers.”

Military legacies aptly shared at local school’s ‘artifact museum’

By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer

From one end of North Chevy Chase Elementary School’s multipurpose room to the other, cherished family keepsakes and vintage pictures of generations past were displayed earlier this fall during the school’s annual artifact museum assembly.

The living museum, with fifth graders serving as curators, offered the opportunity for children to remember grandfathers, aunts, uncles and descendants of eras that have yellowed in history books.

For NCC students Stella Biles, Sequoyah Noonan and Reed Harper, the artifact museum gave the trio a pre-Veterans Day chance to earn

COURTESY PHOTO

First Lt. William Polglase was a reconnaissance pilot in France during World War I. His great-grandson, North Chevy Chase Elementary School fifth grader Sequoyah Noonan presented an artifact museum focusing on his military descendant earlier this fall. The pictured wings on his lapel were part of his great-grandson’s exhibit.

Flu season is afoot Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH will provide season influenza vaccine to active duty and reserve component military personnel, DEERS eligible beneficiaries ages two and above and JBM-HH DoD civilian employees at the Memorial Chapel Fellowship Hall from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Nov. 21. Children under the age of two must see their assigned primary care provider. Rader Clinic-enrolled children under the age of two can get the vaccine on a walk-in basis at the Rader immunization clinic, Monday-Friday, during normal clinic hours, 7:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. The clinic is closed from noon-1 p.m. A pediatric appointment is not necessary.

All eligible beneficiaries must show a valid ID card or DoD common access card prior to getting the flu vaccine. Call the flu hotline at 703-696-2994 for updated information.

Thanksgiving meal at DFAC The staff of the dining facility on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, Bldg. 404, will host two Thanksgiving holiday meals, Nov. 27 and Nov. 28. The Nov. 28 meal will not be quite as elaborate as the Nov. 27 meal, but will still be a Thanksgiving feast. On both of those days, the dining facility will be open to retirees and Department of Defense civilians. Meal times and prices are: Nov. 27: Holiday meal, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $7.60, with a discounted rate of $6.45 for family members of E-4’s and below.

Nov. 28: Brunch, 9 a.m.-noon, $5.25; dinner, 4-5:30 p.m., $6.45.

So the DFAC staff is sure to have enough food on hand, call 703-696-2087 to let them know you will be attending.

Thanksgiving dinner TheJBM-HHGospelServiceandBetterOpportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS) will be hosting the annual servicemembers Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 16 from 12:30-4 p.m. at the Community Center, Bldg. 405, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. This dinner is free and open to all servicemembers and their families.

Join the JBM-HH Gospel Service and BOSS for food, fun and fellowship. Special music will be provided.

For more information, call Freda Womack at 703-6184344.

high marks explaining the honor and sacrifice their military ancestors made in several theaters of war during World Wars I and II. During the morning event, Harper left passersby spellbound of the intriguing tale of his grandfather, Army infantryman Raymond J. Reed, Sr., who witnessed the opening fighting of the Battle of the Bulge only to be captured by the German Wehrmacht.

Behind Harper, Noonan told kids and adults about his maternal great-grandfather, William Polglase, a trailblazing Great War reconnaissance pilot of French Salmson 2A2 aircraft.

A table away, Biles introduced visitors, fellow students, teachers and visitors to her great grandfather, Army Col. George Walter Frank Biles, a World War II finance officer stationed in Australia.

All the stories served as fitting remembrances of Soldiers belonging to the Greatest Generation.

Reed’s mother, Chris Reed-Harper, expanded on her son’s presentation by recalling her father’s final days as a civilian in Jersey City, N.J., and how, through humanitarian devotion to a war buddy, he came to earn one of the Bronze Stars Reed displayed at the artifact museum.

“He was living in Jersey City [in 1941], and he was actually playing semi-pro football,” Chris explained. “During halftime [on Dec. 7, 1941], [the news of Pearl Harbor’s attack] came over the loudspeaker. The way dad put it was that after that football game, they went out and had a big party because they knew they were all going to be enlisting and shipping out.”

The elder Reed became a foot Soldier in the “Golden Lions,” — 423rd combat infantry regiment, 106th infantry division — and was in the Allied lines December 1944 when the Germans re-blitzed the Ardennes section of Belgium and Luxembourg. He was captured during the first day of the Battle of the Bulge, and for four and a half months, he was placed in Stalags XXIIA and IIIA, a pair of German prisoner of war camps.

During those final four and a half months of the European war, Reed was grouped with a

Army Special Ops briefings The Army Special Operations recruiting tream will be on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall Nov. 18 and 19 according to the following schedule: Nov. 18: Bldg. 417, room 218. Psychological operations from 10-11 a.m. Point of contact is Sgt. Roberto Flores at 315-886-2466 or Roberto.flores118.mil@mail. mil. Civic affairs from 11 a.m.-noon. POC is Sgt. 1st Class Trenica Gbani at trenica.o.gbani.mil@mail. mil. Special forces from 1-2 p.m. POC is Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Sackman at jacob.j.sackman.mil@mail. mil. Explosive ordnance disposal from 3-4 p.m. POC

see LEGACIES, page 7

Continues on next page

New canopy at Spates The Spates Community Center, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, will undergo some renovation.

The canopy at the main entrance will be replaced Nov. 18 and 19 and the canopy at the bar entrance will be replaced Nov. 20 and 21.

Impact to customers will be minimal. Employees will direct customers through appropriate entrances to avoid construction areas and there will be signage giving direction as well. For more information, call Wayne Thomas at 703-696-3803.

TransParenting On Nov. 18 and 25 from 9-11 a.m. in the ACS classroom, Bldg. 201 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, join this two-part seminar to provide parents who are separated or divorced with the tools to ensure that they are able to continue supporting and encouraging their children despite the breakup of the family unit. You must attend both sessions to receive a certificate of completion. Registration is required.

For questions or to register, call 703-696-3512 or email karen.a.stpierre.ctr@mail.mil.

PENTAGRAM

Friday, November 15, 2013

5

News Notes Continued from previous page is Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Sackman at jacob.j.sackman. mil@mail.mil.

Nov. 19: Bldg. 417, room 107. Psychological operations from 10-11 a.m. Point of contact is Sgt. Roberto Flores at 315-886-2466 or Roberto.flores118.mil@ mail.mil. Civic affairs from 11 a.m.-noon. POC is Sgt. 1st Class Trenica Gbani at trenica.o.gbani.mil@ mail.mil. Special forces from 1-2 p.m. POC is Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Sackman at jacob.j.sackman.mil@mail. mil. Explosive ordnance disposal from 3-4 p.m. POC is Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Sackman at jacob.j.sackman. mil@mail.mil.

ACAP supports spouses in transition Army Career and Alumni Program offers services to the spouses of military personnel who are transitioning, retiring or ending their term in service out of the military.

Some of the services offered to transitioning spouses include one-on-one assistance with a resume; a Veterans Affairs benefits briefing; Department of Labor employment workshop, including the interview process; dressing for success; building a resume and salary negotiation; and financial planning.

More services include classes on home buying, credit scores, investing, TRICARE, finding and applying for federal jobs and much more.

Call 703-696-0973 to register or visit the ACAP Center at 232 McNair Road, Bldg. 404, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. Also see www.facebook.com/ArmyCareerandAlumniProgram.

Ethics training slated All employees who are required to file a financial disclosure must also receive annual ethics training.

Training for members of the Military District of Washington, Joint Force National Capital Region and JBM-HH who have not received this training must satisfy their training requirement by attending the following session: The Fort McNair portion of the joint base in the Inter-American Defense College auditorium, from 11 a.m.-noon, Nov. 19.

If you are unsure of whether you are a designated OGE form 450 filer, consult your supervisor. Supervisors may contact the administrative law division, specifically Amanda O’Neil, at Amanda.m.oneil2.civ@mail.mil or Tracy Hernandez at tracy.r.hernandez.civ@mail.mil or by calling 202685-4582.

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Career classes The Marine Corps Community Services career resource management center offers classes to assist job seekers in their quest. November classes include building your network: uncover the hidden job market Nov. 20 from 9:30-11 a.m. and resume writing 101: private sector resume tips and marketable formats Nov. 21 from 9 a.m.-noon. To register for these free classes, call 703-614-6828. For more details, visit www.mccsHH.com/CRMC.html.

Tutor and Buddy program All services personnel can volunteer to participate in Marine and Family Programs’ “Tutor & Buddy” program. The next event to Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington, is Nov. 18. Meet at the Cpl. Terry L. Smith gymnasium on the Henderson Hall side of the joint base at 11:35. The van departs at 11:40 a.m. and returns by 1:10 p.m. There is a pick-up at the Pentagon at 11:45 a.m. on the way to Barcroft as well.

Wear civilian, casual clothing and running shoes to run around the track with Buddies at the end of the tutoring session. Students are fifth grade and enjoy the interaction with service members.

To volunteer, contact matoryk@usmc-mccs.org or call 703-693-1253.

EFMP workshops The Marine Exceptional Family Member Program on JBM-HH offers several workshops in November.

Exceptional siblings focuses on issues related to siblings of children with disabilities and provides practical suggestions for addressing these issues. The workshop will be presented Nov. 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Bldg. 12, on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. Register by Nov. 20. Also offered is an EFMP reimbursement program orientation Nov. 26 from noon-1 p.m. in Bldg. 12. This orientation outlines the background, use, requirements, level of need and changes to respite care policy. The course is also available via WebEx by request. Register by Nov. 25. For more information, call 703-693-5333.

Kris Kringle market The Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation are joining forces to host a Kris Kringle market Nov. 29 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. in the Exchange parking lot on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

Approximately 10 vendors will be on hand to help everyone get in the spirit of Christmas. Gluhwein

will be available for sale, along with various food vendors, arts, crafts and novelties, and a Christmas tree vendor. The Exchange will open at 4 a.m. Nov. 29, in conjunction with Black Friday. For more information, call 703-696-8865.

SOWC meets The Signal Officers Wives Club will host a holiday tea and tour at Cherry Hill Farm in Fall Church, Va., Dec. 2 at noon. Cost is $28 per person, and seating is limited to 20 people. To reserve a spot, call Judy at 703-978-1338.

MPD S1 conference The next JBM-HH military personnel division’s S1 conference is set for Dec. 4 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Bldg. 243, on the Fort Myer side of the joint base.

The conference goal is to strengthen existing partnerships between JBM-HH’s military personnel division, unit S1’s, Pentagon human resources personnel and agencies and build consensus on efficient and effective services to customers. For more information, call Douglas Russell or Ronnie Corbitt at 703-696-3695/0008.

American holiday festival concerts All tickets have been distributed to The U.S. Army Band’s American holiday festival in Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base Dec. 7, 8, and 15. Walk-ins are welcome 15 minutes prior to start time is space is available. See www.usarmyband.com for details.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular JBM-HH’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is going to New York for the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes Dec. 14. Cost of the trip is $125 per person, and the bus departs from the JBM-HH Community Center at 5 a.m. and returns at 10 p.m. Forty people must be signed up and paid in full in order to take the trip. Call the Community Center at 703-6963469/3470 as soon as possible to purchase tickets.

Credit card payments will be accepted by phone or mail payment to JBM-HH Community Center, 228 McNair Rd., Bldg. 405, Fort Myer, Va., 22211.

Please send your news notes to the Pentagram at pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com.

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Friday, November 15, 2013

Observance, from page 1 World War II veteran. Overton, who was seated in a wheelchair, stood in acknowledgement of the applause.

“This year as we mark the 60th

PENTAGRAM

that clear September morning, millions more have assumed that mantle, defining one of the greatest generations of military service this country has ever known.

“On tour after tour after tour

PHOTO

BY JULIA

LEDOUX

Hundreds gather at Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Ampitheater to honor the nation’s veterans during the annual Veterans Day Observance Nov. 11.

anniversary of the end of the fighting in Korea, we pay special tribute to those who served in the Korean War,” continued Obama.

“From the jungles of Vietnam to Desert Storm to the mountains of the Balkans, they have answered America’s call, and since America was attacked on

in Iraq and Afghanistan, this generation, the 9/11 generation, has met every mission we have asked of them. Today, we can say al-Qaida is on the path to defeat, our nation is more secure and our homeland is safer.”

Obama vowed that the nation will never forget the sacrifices its

Scan, from page 1 adding that the agency will not be using any personal information such as names, addresses or phone numbers.

“The methods, processes and information we’ll use will not compromise our customers

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veterans and their families have made.

“As commander-in-chief, I’m going to keep making sure we’re providing unprecedented support to our veterans,” he said, pledging assistance with jobs, education and health care for veterans.

“When we talk about fulfilling our promises to our veterans, we don’t just mean for a few years, we mean now, tomorrow and forever,” continued Obama.

He also said the Veterans Administration is working to reduce the claims backlogs that have plagued the agency.

“We’ve slashed [claims backlogs] by a third since March, and we’re going to keep at it so you can get the benefits that you have earned and that you need when you need them,” said Obama.

Speaking before Obama, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said for his agency, every day is Veterans Day. “Veterans Day is not just a oneday-a-year event,” he stressed.

“It’s an abiding commitment of every day of every year.”

The Congressional Medal Society of the USA served as the host organization of t he observance.

“It is because of the continued and iconic efforts of our veterans, coupled with the support of the American people, that the very foundation of this country’s national strength and resolve continues to be rock solid and allows Americans and others throughout the world to enjoy freedom,” said Harold Fritz, national president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the USA. Prior to the observance, Obama

privacy – they can be sure of that,” Jeu said.

“We’re putting technology to work to better understand our customers and ensure the commissary benefit continues to remain relevant to them now and in the future.”

The Defense Commissary Agency operates

PHOTO

BY JULIA

LEDOUX

Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commander Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan and Patrick K. Hallinan, executive director of Army National Military Cemeterie render honors Nov. 11 during the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. For more photos from the event, log onto www.flickr. com/photos/jbm-hh.

laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns with Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington commander Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan.

a worldwide chain of grocery stores for military personnel, retirees and their families.

Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5–percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones.

PENTAGRAM

Legacies, from page 4 war buddy whose true identity was never revealed to or discovered by the Germans.

“His name was Alan Lowith, and he was a Jewish gentleman,” Chris revealed. “My dad knew that if they [the Germans] found out that he was Jewish, they’d send him to the concentration camp. So my dad tried to shield the fact from the Germans that he was Jewish- that was something he was able to do the entire time they were in the POW camps.”

For that act, Reed received the Bronze Star. At the artifact museum, the Soldier’s grandson also displayed the Purple Heart awarded to the World War II vet after he was inflicted with severe frostbite during the European winter of 1944-1945.

Sequoyah’s pride of his greatgrandfather centers around the fact that his ancestor is not far removed

Friday, November 15, 2013

We had a couple planes in this country, but we had no way of getting them to France, so he did all his flying in French planes with French instructors. He had to learn [to speak] French,” Polglase’s daughter, Carol said from her home in Rockville.

“They lived in tents, and they only would fly when the weather was appropriate. They spent an awful lot of time playing cards, and he started smoking.”

By serving 18 months in France and Germany, Sequoyah’s ancestor laid the career carpet for the current grade school student to follow.

“My great-grandmother was Navy, my grandfather was in the Army, but I picked my great-grandfather because I want to be a pilot when I grow up,” the NCC fifth grader said. “I want to serve for four years and then become a co-pilot for flying jumbo jets.”

One of the family’s prized heir-

exhibit displayed possibly what could have been if fortunes of war were reversed. When her great-grandfather returned to the United States, his war trophies included Japaneseprinted scrip intended to be circulated throughout a conquered America and other vanquished Allied countries.

“The Japanese intended to win the war, so the Japanese printed money to be issued in the countries they conquered,” explained Spencer Biles, Stella’s father and George Walter Frank Biles’ grandson. “Some of the [dollar and pound and peso] scrip was never unpacked. I don’t think they’re valuable, but they are rare. These were printed in anticipation of a full Japanese victory.”

Col. Biles, born in England and who immigrated to America through Canada in 1920, was called to active duty in 1942. According to his grandson, the finance officer’s struggle to

7

get to his assignment was monumental.

“He was responsible for all the cash and paying troops on pay day. Back then, they got paid once a month,” Spencer said. “The Queen Mary was converted into a warship during wartime. The Queen Mary was also the number one target for German U-boats. To get him to Australia, the Queen Mary went in the opposite direction to Africa and they kind of zigzagged the world to get to Australia. The result was it took a lot of time on the ship to get from point A to point B.” While all the kids made the North Chevy Chase Elementary School community aware of the legacies of their descendants, Reed Harper is a living legacy to his grandfather, Capt.

Raymond J. Reed, Sr. “I’m named after him,” the NCC fifth grader said. “I’m pretty proud of that.”

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DRESBACH

North Chevy Chase Elementary School fifth grader Stella Biles displays part of her Artifact Museum exhibit which featured her great-grandfather Army Col. George Walter Frank Biles. Biles was a finance officer in Australia during World War II and was in charge of Army pay days.

looms is the wings Polglase earned when he became a first lieutenant.

Those wings were part of Sequoyah’s museum presentation.

Polglase is buried in Section 8 of Arlington National Cemetery fittingly in visual sight of the nearby Air Force Memorial.

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8

Friday, November 15, 2013

PENTAGRAM

Base varsity hoop team wins Fort Belvoir Veterans Day tourney

By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer

The Fort Myer Generals men’s basketball team is off and running, defending and collecting more titles.

The start of the team’s 2013-2014 basketball season commenced with a pair of preseason college exhibition games and the annual Fort Belvoir Veterans Day weekend tournament. The Generals split the exhibition matchups but swept through the 10-team tournament in defensivecrunching fashion.

General’s Sean Hackshaw was named the tournament’s most valuable player, Terrell Moorer was selected the tourney’s most outstanding player and LaVor Postell and Montavious Waters were voted to the all-tournament team after five wins at the Belvoir base.

While Hackshaw, Moorer, Postell and Waters were garnering tournament honors, Fort Myer General Coach Marcus Hall laid the praise on the Soldiers who excelled on the defensive end of the hardwood.

“We played great team defense,” Hall said of the tournament effort. “Our defensive pressure was led by Ernest Hassell, Kevin Clark and Deon

Coleman. Hassell and Clark controlled the boards while Coleman applied pressure on the ball.”

The Generals started tournament proceedings Nov. 9 with a 113-64 blowout against Camp Lejeune and immediately followed with another victory against the host Fort Belvoir Eagles, 85-58.

The Myer men grabbed the 27-point victory by turning a seven-point margin into a 50-30 lead by halftime when General defensive pressure turned into transition points. The team closed out the opening half scoring run with a Reginald Hawkins three-point field goal and a circus-type layup from Coleman at the intermission horn.

Big-point performances came from Hackshaw, who scored 24 against Lejeune, and against the National Capital Region Marines in the semifinals, Postell scored 18, Waters added 17, Moorer notched 15 and Hackshaw collected 13 points.

On Nov. 10, the Generals faced off in the championship tilt versus Fort Meade, and Hackshaw paced the offense with 13 first half points and 18 overall. Postell’s championship offensive effort put 17 points in the scoring column, while Waters and Coleman each downed 12 points.

The Myer men defeated Meade 89-70 for the title.

PHOTO

BY JIM

DRESBACH

Fort Myer Generals Kevin Clark goes high for a rebound against the host Fort Belvoir Eagles Nov. 9 during a pool play-in game in the Fort Belvoir Veterans Day Tournament at the base’s Graves Fitness Center.

American Indian wartime achievements highlighted

By David Vergun Army News Service

American Indian achievements in the Army and Marine Corps are depicted in a Pentagon display on loan this week from the Smithsonian Institution.

Posters, from the National Museum of the American Indian, feature American Indians’ contribution to national defense, as part of November’s American Indian Heritage Month observance.

The exhibit is on the Pentagon’s second floor, along the innermost A ring, near the second corridor, through Nov 15. Following are some of the accounts depicted on the illustrations, beginning with World War I: Choctaw code talkers In October 1918, Choctaw Soldiers joined the 36th Infantry Division, becoming some of the Army’s first code talkers.

Col. A. W. Bloor, commander, 142nd Infantry, said of them: “The enemy’s complete surprise

France.

After this success, the Army set up a formal Choctaw training program.

Tewanna Jann AndersonEdwards, of the Chickasaw/ Choctaw tribes, the great-niece of Otis Leader, a World War I Army code talker, said, “It has been my ultimate goal to see that my great-uncle, Otis W. Leader, gets the due recognition he so deserves for his service to his country when the U.S. did not even recognize him as a citizen, much less as a human being. He has instilled in me a determination to succeed beyond my own expectations. I’m so thankful his blood runs through my veins, and (through) my children’s, and my grandchildren’s.”

Sac and Fox code talkers Just before America entered World War II, 27 Meskwaki speakers from the Sac and Fox tribes joined the 168th Iowa National Guard, which went into active service January 1941, as part of the 34th Division. Eight of them became code talkers

on the one man, that lets the whole army know something’s going on there. So we just don’t fire. You gotta make sure that he don’t know you’re there while you’re reporting (code talking).”

The Meskwaki continued with the 34th as they fought up the boot of Italy through Salerno and Naples and on to the liberation of Rome, June 4, 1944.

“They would tell their stories at the tribal ceremonies. They were treated like old-time warriors,” said Alex Walker after the war. He was chairman of the Meskwaki Tribal Council.

Comanche code talkers On D-Day, June 6, 1944, 14 Comanche code talkers, serving in the 4th Signal Corps, 4th Division landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France.

They transmitted important messages that affected the outcomes of many battles. If radio or phones failed, code talkers carried messages on their bodies, running, crawling across beaches, behind enemy lines and under fire.

PHOTO

BY

DAVID VERGUN

American Indian achievements in the Army and Marine Corps are depicted in a Pentagon display.

is evidence that he could not decipher the message.”

Within 24 hours after the Choctaw sent their first message, the tide of battle turned and U.S. Soldiers drove the Germans out of Foret Ferme,

during the North Africa campaign.

Frank Sanache, one of the Meskwaki, said, “We know the enemy is there, and they know we are there. But no fireworks between us. Because if you fire

“The mortars started coming in and I ran, saying ‘c’mon, Moon.’ I looked back and he just sat there slumped over. So I picked him up and put him on my shoulder and ran not quite 100 yards where that house

COURTESY

PHOTO

Navajo Indians from Arizona enlist for the war in 1941.

was. I laid him in the basement.

He took two deep breaths and that was it,” reported Charles Chibitty, an Army Comanche with 4th Signal.

Later, Comanche warriors turned back the Nazis at St. Lo, and also during the Battle of the Bulge. Two were wounded. One received the Bronze Star.

Hopi and Navaho Hopi and Navajo code talkers were very active in the Pacific campaign, helping Marines and Soldiers as they island-hopped their way across to Okinawa, the Japanese homeland. The exhibit goes into great detail about their exploits and sacrifices.

For many American Indian veterans after the war, the most difficult part of coming home was facing discrimination; signs reading “No dogs or Indians” hung on the doors of some businesses in their communities.

On the positive side, many veterans, including American Indians, took advantage of the G.I. Bill to get a college education, which led to good jobs.

In 1968, 23 years after the end of World War II, the U.S. government declassified the Navajo code talker program and recognized its unsung heroes.

In 1983, the Fuji Evening newspaper in Tokyo reported, “If the Japanese Imperial Intelligence Team could have decoded the Navajo messages, the outcome of the battles on Saipan and Iwo Jima might have been different; the history of the Pacific war might have turned out completely different.”

At a 1989 ceremony, the French government decorated Choctaw and Comanche code talkers, awarding them the Knight of the National Order of Merit medals.

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Friday, November 15, 2013

9

Federal benefits open season underway Federal benefits open season is underway through Dec. 9, with changes effective the first full pay period in January.

Open season is the time to think about health, dental, vision and tax-saving needs. During open season, eligible employees can: Enroll in or change federal employees health benefits program covering through the Army Benefits Center-Civilian website at https://www.abc.army.mil or by calling 1-877-276-9287.

Enroll in dental and/or vision coverage through the federal employees dental and vision insurance program or change your existing enrollment

through the BENEFEDS website at https://benefeds.com/Portal/jsp/Loginpage.asp or by calling 1-877-888-3337.

Sign up for flexible spending accounts through the flexible spending account program at https:// www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp or by calling 1-877-372-3337.

The Office of Personnel Management’s open season website at www.opm.gov/healthcareinsurance/open-season contains detailed information regarding plan changes, available plans and premiums. All employees are encouraged to review their current enrollment coverage and premiums

to make sure it will continue to meet their needs in 2014. Changes may not be made outside of the open enrollment season dates unless an employee has a qualifying life event.

For information regarding local health fairs, employees should contact their servicing civilian personnel advisory center specialist at 703-7043009.

Employees planning on retiring prior to the first full pay period in January and who wish to make an open season election should contact an ABC-C counselor for guidance on whether a hard copy enrollment form is required.

Toward a ready and resilient Army – leaders’ responsibilities in R2C

By Lt. Gen. Howard Bromberg Deputy Chief of Staff, Army G-1

Our Army family has demonstrated remarkable strength fighting two wars over the past 12 years, and has built resiliency dealing with challenges from combat stress, illness, injury, and the strain placed on relationships. To arm Soldiers families and civilians with resources essential to maintaining resiliency and overcoming these challenges to the health of our force, the Army launched the Ready and Resilient Campaign (R2C).

The Army Resiliency Directorate executes R2C, and integrates existing programs such as the Army Suicide Prevention Program (ASPP), Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2) program to address specific issues. This campaign synchronizes our efforts to increase individual resilience and improve unit readiness by encouraging positive activities and reducing or eliminating harmful behaviors. R2C also focuses on eliminating stigma associated with getting help to address issues such as suicide and suicidal thoughts and ideations, sexual harassment/sexual assault, bullying and hazing, and substance abuse.

The campaign includes the total Army – Active, Army National Guard and Army Reserve – and provides resiliency support to Soldiers, Army civilians and family members. R2C seeks to influence a cultural change in the Army by directly linking personal resilience to readiness, emphasizing individual responsibility to maintain resilience necessary for unit readiness.

Campaign Overview The Army is focusing its resources along four lines of effort. First, we have begun a program capabilities assessment to determine how well existing Army programs address high-risk behavior. The results of these assessments will drive how we refine policies and prioritize resources to improve available programs and services. Second, we are reviewing training and deployment requirements and incorporating resiliency training into institutional and unit level training to ensure our Soldiers build and maintain resilience from entry into the Army family through retirement. This integration emphasizes resiliency-focused training while affording leaders “white space” on training calendars. Third, we are conducting an Army-wide communications campaign to inform and educate the total Army about ready and resilient efforts and supporting programs. The communication effort also focuses on reducing stigma for those seeking help, retaining public confidence in the Army, and informing and educating audiences about ready and resilient plans, policies and initiatives in order to help strengthen and maintain a healthy force. Developing policies, prioritizing resources, instituting resiliency training and communicating the campaign only go so far in developing a ready and resilient Army. Our most important line of effort is instilling resilience as an integral part of Army culture.

Effecting cultural change requires both institutional transformation and individual commitment to Army

professionalism. We are incorporating the concepts of readiness and resiliency in the definition of the Army profession, to reinforce individual and institutional responsibility to maintain a profession committed the readiness and well-being of its members. Currently, Army organizations are implementing the “America’s Army – Our profession” education and training program which emphasizes Army values, standards and discipline, customs, courtesies and traditions, military expertise and trust as cornerstones of Army professionalism. Building a culture of resiliency, combined with our other lines of effort, will allow us to increase individual resilience and improve unit readiness – and all members of the Army Team have a role in the successful execution of this effort.

Where you fit I need your help to effect cultural change at the individual level.

Without active engagement by leaders at all echelons, we cannot achieve total Army readiness and resiliency. Army leaders are responsible for the readiness of their units; a cornerstone of a ready unit is the resiliency of the personnel within the unit. Leaders have a responsibility for influencing their team members’ behavior, effecting cultural change, and encouraging teammates get help when they need it, all of which contribute to increased resiliency and improved readiness. There are five areas in which leadership focus will help us achieve a more ready and resilient Army.

First, every Army leader must know, and promote the use of, Army resources such as CSF2, Suicide Prevention Program and Hotlines and Substance Abuse Programs.

Leaders must understand and articulate links between support programs and readiness and ensure that Soldiers, families and civilian personnel are aware of resources available.

Second, leaders must lead by example. We say this frequently, but I challenge you to ask yourself “what example am I setting?” Fostering a climate which exemplifies trust, respect, responsibility and self-discipline and which reinforces the idea of personal accountability and professionalism as core values is an essential enabler to building readiness and resiliency. The climate you set will also promote positive behaviors and will help eliminate stigma for those in need of behavioral health support because Soldiers, families and civilians know you value them personally and professionally; they know you care. They know you’re committed to supporting their path to well being.

Equally important is how you convey the Army’s values and standards. Leaders must consistently reinforce that inappropriate behaviors, such as sexual harassment/ assault, hazing, and drug and alcohol abuse, will not be tolerated and are detrimental to unit readiness. All Army team members – but especially leaders – have a duty to intervene if they observe inappropriate activities, as such behaviors destroy unit cohesion and have no place in the Army profession. Leaders who model the Army values and live the Army profession, and who ensure their leadership team does the same, will establish an environment in which their subordinates will be ready, resilient

and Army Strong.

Additionally, Army leaders must know their personnel. As the Army shifts from an environment of multiple combat deployments to one of preparing for unknown contingencies, supporting regionally aligned forces and increasing home station training, leaders will face challenges keeping up with Soldiers and their families.

Senior leaders will need to mentor younger leaders on how to successfully operate in the training setting.

Walking military and local living areas, engaging with personnel and keeping a finger on the pulse of the unit must be a regular and deliberate activity for leaders to maintain unit cohesion and to keep an eye out for warning signs of someone who may be struggling with personal or professional issues. Leaders should ensure all members of their unit are trained to look for indicators of a teammate in trouble and to know what to do if they suspect someone needs help.

Finally, leaders must take care of themselves. Ready and resilient units need ready and resilient leaders. Leaders who live a balanced life provide a model for their Soldiers

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to emulate. All leaders need to take time to decompress, get enough sleep, make an effort to eat healthy, and integrate physical fitness into their lives and the activities of their units.

If you need help, seek it. Readiness, resiliency, and stigma reduction begins with you as an Army leader.

We have an opportunity to leverage your talent to make us a better team. As Gen. Odierno has stated, “We have a window of opportunity here to make our Army better and stronger if we focus on the right things and resiliency is one of the right things that will make the Army stronger and more effective.” As members of the total Army team, we must commit to investing in building enduring strength, resiliency and readiness, so that our Army is prepared to rapidly deploy and sustain a force which can prevent conflict, shape the security environment and win the Nation’s wars. In leading the way in readiness and resiliency, Army leaders can reinforce the trust of Soldiers, families and civilians and retain the confidence of the American people in their Army.

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Friday, November 15, 2013

PENTAGRAM

JBM-HH Thanksgiving holiday hours Most offices on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 — the federal holiday celebrating Thanksgiving. Some military activities will have curtailed operations both Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 29, and many Department of Defense civilians will take leave Nov. 26 and 29.

The following facilities and places of business will have altered hours during the upcoming holiday. Unless otherwise noted, this list applies to Nov. 28. This list is not all encompassing. Please check with the facility you wish to visit for more details. *Old Post and Memorial Chapel – Closed. *Rader Health Clinic – Closed. *Rader Dental Clinic - Closed. *Fort McNair Health Clinic -- Closed. *Commissary – Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., holiday hours. *Fort Myer Exchange - Closed Nov. 28; open 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Nov. 29; open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 30; open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 1. *Fort Myer Express – Closed Nov. 28; open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Nov. 29; from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Nov. 30; open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. *Fort Myer Military Clothing Sales Store - Closed Nov. 28; open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. *Pentagon Military Clothing Sales Store - Closed Nov. 28-Dec. 1. *Fort McNair Express – Closed Nov. 28-Dec. 1. *Subway – Closed. *Flower Shop – Closed. *Barber Shop (Fort Myer) – Closed. *Barber Shop (Henderson Hall) – Closed. *Barber Shop (Fort McNair) – Closed. *Cleaners/Alteration – Closed. *GNC – Closed. *Optical Shop - Closed. *Firestone – Closed. *Marine Corps Exchange, The Vineyard Wine and Spirits – Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 27;

Closed Nov. 28; open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. *CYSS – Closed. *Army Community Service – Closed. *Fort Myer Fitness Center – Closed. *Fort McNair Fitness Center – Closed. *Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium – Open 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27; Closed Nov. 28; open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29. *Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec Pool – Closed. *Library – Closed. *Recreation Center – Closed. *USO - Closed. *Auto Shop – Closed. *Java Café – Closed Nov. 28; open 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29. *MCCS Henderson Hall Car Wash – Open 24/7. *On the Henderson Hall side of the joint base, the following activities are closed Friday, Nov. 29: Career Resource Management Center, Education Office, Zembiec Pool, and the Marine Club. All other MCCS activities will observe regular hours.

Basketball tryouts

Southern lunch buffet

Tryouts for the Fort Myer Lady Generals Basketball Team will be held Nov. 19-20 at 6 p.m. in the Fort Myer Fitness Center. This team is open to active duty, retired military, Reservist/National Guard, DoD civilians assigned to JBM-HH and family members of active duty personnel whom are 18 years of age and have graduated from high school.

It’s back! Enjoy a weekly southern lunch buffet at the Fort McNair Officers Club Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Served on Nov. 15 and 22 and Dec. 6 and 13. All you can eat soup & salad bar costs $6.95 and $10.75 for the buffet.

Naval Reserve officers needed to teach at the Naval Academy

By Lt. Teng K. Ooi, U.S. Naval Academy and Capt. Linda J. Beltra, Naval Hospital Jacksonville

The U.S. Naval Academy needs qualified Navy Reserve officers, especially at the ranks of lieutenant and lieutenant commander, with at least a master’s degree in an appropriate academic discipline, to instruct in designated academic departments for fall 2014 and to serve as outstanding military role models and mentors for midshipmen.

Recall opportunities will be considered for the following disciplines: cyber security, information systems, and information technology; electrical engineering, computer engineering, general engineering, nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, naval architecture, ocean engineering, aerospace engineering, and control systems engineering; mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science, and oceanography; political science, economics, English, history and foreign languages including Spanish, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Interested Navy Reservists should email the following: • A cover letter that states which discipline(s) you are applying for and your qualifications for the position.

• A resume of experience (academic, professional, and naval experience, including any recent mobilizations, recalls, or extended active duty periods).

• A full-length khaki photo.

Email: reserve.recall@usna.edu Reserve Recall Liaison Officer, CDR John Schedel United States Naval Academy, Code 11C 121 Blake Road Annapolis, MD 21402-1300 Telephone: 410- 293-6513 DSN: 281-6513 Fax: 410-293-2591

COURTESY

PHOTO

Lt. Teng Ooi with Midshipmen of his Calculus II class.

The U.S. Naval Academy needs qualified Navy Reserve officers, especially at the ranks of lieutenant and lieutenant commander, with at least a master’s degree in an appropriate academic discipline, to instruct in designated academic departments for fall 2014.

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Friday, November 15, 2013

JBM-HH to host career and education fair

By Rhonda Apple Pentagram Staff Writer

The Fort Myer Army Education Center is hosting a career and education fair Nov. 21 at the Fort Myer Community Center, Bldg. 405, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This is an excellent opportunity for people to get career information on the military side and information on colleges and universities which offer a wide variety of degree programs,” said Tim Battle, career and education services specialist with the Fort Myer Education Center.

He said more than 30 college and career program representatives will be at the event, including Military OneSource and other benefit agencies.

“This is an opportunity to do one-

stop shopping, particularly for those Soldiers who know they will be transitioning out of service in the next year to 18 months. They can show up and define those things in their transition plans,” Battle said. “Also, for people staying in the military, they can get information from representatives from career programs like the Army’s Medical Career Program; Green to Gold Program and the Chaplain’s Program. The United States Army Band will be there for the first time recruiting new members with musical talent.”

The fair is open to active duty, reserve and National Guard servicemembers, Department of Defense civilians and military family members.

For additional information, contact the Fort Myer Army Education Center at 703-696-3070.

Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team vs Redskins and NFL Alumni The Military Benefit Association is proud to bring to Virginia the first ever Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team versus Redskins and NFL Alumni flag football challenge. Former Redskins star Brian Mitchell, along with former New York Giant turned TV star Dhani Jones, will host this event and will be joined by more than 25 other popular Redskins and NFL Alumni.

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team is composed of men and women who lost a limb in Iraq or Afghanistan in their service to this country.

We would like to encourage every NFL fan and every fan of these heroic men and women who have so bravely served this nation to attend Nov. 16. There will be a free photo and autograph opportunity for attendees prior to kick-off. Details at a glance: What: Wounded Warrior Amputees versus Redskins and NFL Alumni Flag Football Challenge.

Where: Bishop O’Connell High School, 6600 Little Falls Rd., Arlington.

When: Nov. 16 — Noon - 3 p.m.

Who: Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team versus Redskins and NFL Alumni.

Why: To raise money, support and awareness for our Wounded Warriors.

Cost: $20/adult, $10/children - free autographs and photo opportunity.

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PHOTO BY MALLORY SCHUTT

Autumn

Leaves on the trees in Arlington National Cemetery change color Nov. 8. Look for trees labeled with information plates with the names and habitat facts on them. ANC also has 36 Medal of Honor Memorial trees, planted in 1992, plus three state champion trees.

(If you’d like to have your photo published in the Pentagram, submit photos taken on Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall or in the National Capital region by email to pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com or through our Facebook page www. facebook.com/jbmhh).

Vietnam veterans saluted with flag unveiling at commissary

By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer

They fought in the rice paddies and jungles of Southeast Asia five decades ago, and on Veterans Day, the commissary on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall welcomed home Vietnam veterans by unveiling the Department of Defense’s commemorative flag marking the 50th anniversary of the war.

“It’s amazing, but it’s been 44 years since I left for Vietnam,” said retired Col. Frank Cohn, who deployed for Vietnam on Feb. 17, 1969 and returned home Feb. 17, 1970. “Some things you can’t forget and some things you can’t remember at all. “ The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to mark the 50th anniversary of the war to thank and honor its veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice to the nation.

Retired Maj. Gen. Jim Jackson, a committee representative for the flag and unveiling ceremony, said that President Barack Obama kicked off the commemorative period at The Wall on Memorial Day 2012.

“This is a commemorative program,” he said.

“We’re reaching out across the country to get people to help us to reach out to the veterans in their area.”

Jackson said the program has a very simple message exemplified by the words that can be found at the bottom of the commemorative flag: A grateful national thanks and honors you.

“It’s time for our country to come together and basically give the Vietnam veterans the respect and honor they deserve,” he said. “Most of you probably came home to a different welcome than what we’re currently providing to our veterans who are coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s time to change that and basically say thanks for all you have done.”

Retired Army Col. Ralph Sievers said his wife was an unsung hero of the war, who was left at home with four children ranging in age from 1, 9, 10, and 11 “and another on the way,” when he deployed to Vietnam.

“It was not just our serving in Vietnam that was a disruption to our lives,” he said.

Vietnam veterans retired Cols. Spruell Gregory and Tommy Osborne also recounted their wartime experiences. The event was emceed by assistant commissary officer Cathy Riddick and commissary secretary Gilda Davis offered the prayer that opened the ceremony.

To learn more about the Department of Defense’s 50th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War, visit www.vietnamwar50th.org.

PHOTO

BY JULIA

LEDOUX

Vietnam veterans were welcomed home Nov. 11 with an unveiling of the Department of Defense’s flag commemorating the 50th anniversary of the war at the commissary on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. For more photos, log onto www.flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh.

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Friday, November 15, 2013

Classifieds Call 301-670-2503

HEART OF VIENNA:

Renov’d trad’nal 1940s 4BR, 2BA, fin’ed wout bsmt w/laundry.

Prvt yard w/park’g; 1/2 mi to elem/high school; 2 mi to Metro. $1795 + util; 1yr lease preferred.

Pets cons’d. Rent appl & credit ck req’d. Email: cartercnsltng@ aol.com

Barcroft Apartments is now offering its garden apartments with 10% discount for military personnel & Month to month leases available.

Efficiency...................................$934-$955 One Bedrooms..........................$1010-$1045 Two bedrooms...........................$1215-$1300 Three Bedrooms Plus Electric.....$1350-$1395 Townhome.................................$1400

A month. All utilities paid.

Carpeting optional.

• Park right at your door in this park-like setting.

• Walk to elementary and high school or Army National Guard Readiness Center.

• Take the express bus to the Pentagon, Ft. Myer, Henderson Hall or Ballston in 12 minutes.

• Cats welcome. No dogs.

(703) 521-3000

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9-5 • Call for Saturday hours Please refer to ad when calling

All prices subject to change.

BARCROFT APARTMENTS 1130 South George Mason Drive • Arlington, VA 22204 At Columbia Pike and So. George Mason Drive

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