1615 Update 1st Quarter Newsletter FY2016

U.S. ARMY COMMUNICATIONS INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACTIVITY - PACIFIC

1615 UPDATE

Servicing USACISA-Pac’s Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members stationed in the Republic of Korea

1st Quarter, Fiscal Year 2016

Volume 1, Issue 4

COURAGEOUS CHANNEL Getting Families Ready for NEO

New NCOER Effective Jan 1, 2016

SPECTER STRIKE

U.S. ARMY COMMUNICATIONS INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACTIVITY - PACIFIC

1615 UPDATE

Issue No. 5

USACISA-Pacific

1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2016

Servicing USACISA-Pac’s Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members stationed in the Republic of Korea

SPECIAL MESSAGE

Operation Specter Strike An Air Mobility Exercise

www.facebook.com/1stSignalBrigade/

Ha!y Holidays

USACISA-P Soldiers conducting train-up at K-16 airbase in preparation for Operation Specter Strike

Table of Contents Topic

Page

Specter Strike

2

Director's Corner

3

From the SEA

3

Unit Photo Album NEO Procedures

4-7 8

Korean Culture

10

New NCOER

11

Off the Beaten Path

11

Your Benefits

12

Special Recognitions

12

Story by Captain Jack C. Glasgow On November 5th, 2015 USACISA-P Soldiers conducted a proof of concept operation codenamed "Specter Strike" to rapidly restore critical network communications for the warfighter network.

“I had never been inside a helicopter before. This was a great experience for me since I joined the Army.” Spec Bostick commented.

Based on the plans, Soldiers were to board a UH60 Blackhawk, flying from USAG Yongsan to Command Post (CP) TANGO in Seoul, Camp Walker in Daegu, and return. At CP TANGO Soldiers were to perform action on objective to eliminate any ground obstacles, before executing restoral procedures and flying into Daegu to assist Camp Walker.

The proof of concept was an important step in further ensuring the readiness and capabilities of the warfighter's network service provider, and will set the precedent for the unit’s future air mobility capabilities.

Find us on Facebook From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 5

USACISA-Pacific

1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2016

Director’s Corner Soldiers, Army Civilians, and Contractors, First of all, I would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a great New Year in 2016.

2015 had been a great success for our organization based on the results from two major theater level exercises in which our team enabled the commander and his staff with great mission command capabilities.

Lan T. Dalat Lt. Col., Signal Corps Director

In addition, we consolidated two secure networks into one without communications interruptions to the joint staff and its subordinate commands. Meanwhile, we planned and executed a proof of concept codenamed “Specter Strike” that would greatly enhance our ability to provide continuous communications support during crisis or war. Throughout the last quarter, our team worked tirelessly to provide CENTRIXS-K to Rep. of Korea Navy at Jeju Hq prior to the Korean President’s visit. We implemented new collaboration software applications that would allow seamless staff coordination across the Korean Theater of Operations. Our web development team worked directly with the USFK Deputy Chief of Staff and his knowledge management team to ensure our web portal meets the intent of the commander on information sharing.

Throughout all of those challenges, our talented team of officers and NCOs managed to plan and execute the 1st Signal Brigade’s Mercury Pride run with great success.

Additionally, some of the same Soldiers showed their talents in acting in the self produced film production which was featured at the Holiday Social. Best Wishes!

-Specter 6

From the SEA Team,

Michelle Castro Sgt. First Class, U.S. Army Senior Enlisted Advisor

This quarter has come and gone in a blur. Thank you for your resilience with all the personnel turnover these last few months.

Your hard work has made this transition almost seamless. I'm truly grateful to have such a great team of Soldiers going into the New Year with me!

Please join me in thanking Staff Sgt. Rineer for an outstanding job putting together our Thanksgiving luncheon and Sgt. Pacheco for a fabulous Holiday Party where we were able to partake in food, fun, and sharing of gifts.

From the Sea to the DMZ!

The 1615 UPDATE is a quarterly publication published by HQ, USACISA-Pac, 1st Signal Brigade, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Republic of Korea.

1st Signal Brigade Commander Col. Arvesta P. (Rob) Roberson Director/Publisher Lt. Col. Lan T. Dalat Deputy Director Mr. Bill Harrah Senior Enlisted Advisor Sgt First Class Michelle Castro Chief of Operations Major Jason Song Chief of Security Captain Dennis Mercado

DISCLOSURE The 1615 UPDATE is a newsletter produced for members of the U.S. Army Communications Information Systems Activity, Pacific. The contents of the 1615 UPDATE are not the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the 1st Signal Brigade. It is published quarterly in accordance with AR 25-30. http://issuu.com/usacisa-pacnewsletter

Please keep in mind that there are many Soldiers out here during the Holiday Season, without their families; please check on them during the next few weeks and ensure that they are in good spirits.

Accomplishment of the mission and the welfare of our Soldiers should remain uppermost in our minds!

Cold weather is upon us, so please ensure that you are dressing properly for the weather, and staying hydrated. I'm extremely proud to be the Senior Enlisted Advisor in the best Directorate in the United States Army.

Thank you for your dedication and loyalty to the team!

Happy Holidays and wishing you and your families a prosperous New Year!

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-Specter 7

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Issue No. 5

USACISA-Pacific

Specter Soldiers join Hq. and Hq. Company conducting brigade level 100% weigh-in at 1st Replacement Center in Yongsan Korea on October 2, 2015

ROK Army Brigadier General Song presents U.S. Army Maj. Song a Korean Army Certificate of Appreciation, a Coin of Excellence, and a Combined Forces Command (CFC) commemorative hat for his outstanding support to CFC staff during UFG 2015.

1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2016

Col. Arvesta Roberson visits USACISA-P’s organization day where he recognizes some Soldiers and Civilians to whom he presents Brigade Commander’s Coins of Excellence.

USACISA-P Soldiers participate in the semi-annual Mercury Pride event which began with the brigade level run.

Team Specter conducts air-movement drill at K16 Army airfield during the practice run in preparation for Operation Specter Strike which serves as a proof of concept for rapid air mobility during communications restoral process.

From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 5

USACISA-Pacific

Team Specter shows support during the SHARP - Halloween 5km run with U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan.

1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2016

USACISA-P Senior Leaders celebrate the organization’s birthday with the new rug.

Soldiers stand ready for the uniform and military issued equipment inspections to ensure readiness for the “Fight Tonight” stance against North Korean’s aggression.

Seoul Hangang River Run. Two miles out and two miles back. Easy fun run day From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 5

USACISA-Pacific

1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2016

Officers represent the unit attending the 8th Annual US - Rep. of Korea Holiday Concert at Seoul Arts Center

Thanksgiving Luncheon coordinated, planned and organized by Staff Sgt. Rineer which greatly enhances the morale of the Soldiers

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens props display inside CGV theater on the opening night December17, 2015

Soldiers, Civilians and contractors enjoy Star Wars at the Gold Class CGV theater in Yongsan, Korea during the opening night.

Sgt. Julio Pacheco (right) watches fellow Soldiers enjoying themselves during the unit’s Holiday Party at Southside Parlor in Itaewon in which he planned and coordinated the event.

Capt. Thomas McCaffrey (left) shares his strategy in playing chess with fellow officers at Southside Parlor taco restaurant during a unit’s Holiday Social event.

From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 5

USACISA-Pacific

Team Specter represents at the 1st Signal Brigade’s Annual Holiday Social at Dragon Hill Lodge.

Sgt. Franklin Tazi triumphantly wins the 1st Signal Brigade Holiday Social’s Best Dressed Male of the year.

1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2016

Officers dressed in business suits attend the 1st Signal Brigade 8th Annual Holiday Social at Dragon Hill Lodge.

Four Soldiers receive Amazon's Kindle Fire HD readers from American Red Cross representatives on December 23, 2015.

Officers, Noncommissioned Officers, Soldiers, and Dept. of the Army Civilians suit up for the occasion as they pose for a picture infront of the holiday display set up by cadets from the Seoul American High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) during the annual Holiday Social hosted by the 1st Signal Brigade at Dragon Hill Lodge.

From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 5

USACISA-Pacific

1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2016

Courageous Channel - A Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO)

by Sergeant Julio Pacheco With political uncertainty in South Korea, every Soldier must be trained and ready to “fight tonight.” However, family members are considered noncombatants and must be evacuated under the direction of the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Embassy will order the evacuation of US citizens with the help of the U.S. Department of Defense under the leadership of USFK commander in Korea.

There are many steps associated to this orderly evacuation process.

1. Voluntary Departure: noncombatants leave at their own expense 2. Authorized Departure: US Government affiliated noncombatants leave at government expense 3. Ordered Departure: leave at government expense per Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

War is not the only reason to evacuate civilians, Political and/or civil instability or natural disaster will trigger the repatriation process.

4. NEO: Evacuation of American Citizens (AMCITs) and select Third Country Nationals (TCNs) from Korea according to U.S. Department of State.

NEO PROCEDURES NEO

Notification

NEO Warden

66

Report to

Noncombatants

MANDATORY ITEMS FOR EVACUATION

Repatriation

66 lbs baggage per 66 person for air travel FAA Approved Carrier and 10 days of food for pet Air Point of Embarkation

Travel to Sea Point of Embarkation

From the Sea to the DMZ!

Relocate to

Identification Cards Passports Family Care Plan* Prepared Forms

Assembly Point or Evacuation Control Center

Relocation Center in Safe Haven Areas

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Issue No. 4

USACISA-Pacific

4th Quarter Fiscal Year 2015

Korean Culture The Year of the Sheep is almost over. 2016 is the Year of Monkey based on the oriental zodiac signs. Even though we officially use the solar calendar, the Year of the Monkey actually starts at Lunar new year’s day.

Lunar new year’s day (Seollal) is the first day of the lunar calendar, but by culturally it is more than a holiday to mark the beginning of a new year.

For Koreans, it is not only a time for praying the respect and happiness for their ancestors, but also a good opportunity to get together with distant family members. Even though there are always bumper to bumper traffic on highways, nobody hesitates to go grandma’s house.

Koreans traditionally perform ancestral rituals based on Confucianism in the morning, play folk games, dress up with traditional attire and eat traditional new year’s foods.

The morning of Seollal begins with an ancestral ritual.

Family members gather in front of the ritual table and set up dishes of ritual foods, which in according to the laws of Confucianism. Once set, the ritual begins with deep bows as greetings to the ancestor spirits, and proceeds with offerings and prayers before ending with bidding farewell to the spirits.

TteokGuk is a traditional Korean New Year soup. Korean people celebrate the Lunar New Year, and this soup is the main dish for that holiday meal.

The ritual is conducted to express respect and gratitude to one’s ancestors and to pray for the family’s well-being throughout the year.

Following the rite, everyone gathers together and eats the ritual food. The main dish of the day is tteokguk, a traditional soup made with sliced rice cakes, beef, egg, vegetables, and other ingredients.

In Korea, eating tteokguk on New Year’s Day is believed to add a year to one’s age. After meal, family members gather together to play traditional games such as Yeutnolee and catch up with each other.

This lunar new year’s day is on 8th February and there are 5 day-off holidays including weekend. I’m sure that every Korean already anticipates to meet their families and make a plan to go travel in a holiday season.

From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 3

OFF THE BEATEN PATH USACISA-Pacific

4th Quarter Fiscal Year 2015

OFF DUTY

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO GO WHILE SERVING IN KOREA

PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic

Photos by L. Dalat

Totem poles

In 2018, Korea will host the first Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, a mountain region outside of Seoul. The travel time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Yongsan garrison.

Back in 2011, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Korea as the the winner to host the 2018 Winter Olympics beating out Germany and France.

From the Sea to the DMZ!

In 2018, 15 winter sports disciplines will be competed within the 7 Olympic sports. Three skating sports will be figure skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. There will be two bobsleigh sports: Bobsleigh and skeleton.

Within the other winter sports, biathlon, ice hockey, luge, and curling will be competed as well.

However, the largest winter attractions will be the six skiing sports competition: Alpine, crosscountry skiing, freestyle, Nordic combined, ski jumping and snowboarding.

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Issue No. 3

USACISA-Pacific

3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2015

SPECTER'S OUTPOST

Show your pride!

New NCOER

USACISA-P Badge 3 in. dia. pewter

$5.00

There are several key changes to the new NCOER that was approved by the Secretary of the Army on August 1, 2014.

Three NCOER reports that are aligned with the Army Leadership Doctrine (ADP 6-22) Direct-level Report: Sergeant (E-5) Organizational-level Report: Staff Sergeant (E-6) to First Sergeant/Master Sergeant (E-8) Strategic-level Report: Command Sergeant Major/ Sergeant Major (E-9) There are also new Support forms that align with Army Doctrine (ADP-6-22)

Thermos Double Wall

16 oz 18/8 Stainless Steel

The established Evaluation Entry System (EES) Homepage is located at the link below:

https://evaluations.hrc.army.mil

$20.00 Reg. $25.00 All proceeds support Soldiers assigned to USACISA-P

your benefits If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VAadministered program.

If you have eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and any other GI Bill program you must make an irrevocable election of the Post-9/11 GI Bill before you can receive any benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill has a few specific components that are unavailable in other GI Bill programs: ✦ Yellow Ribbon Program • all resident tuition & fees for a public

school • the lower of the actual tuition & fees or

the maximum per academic year for a private school ✦ Transfer of Entitlement Option to

• your spouse • one or more of your children • any combination of spouse and child Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 3

From the Sea to the DMZ!

USACISA-Pacific

http://issuu.com/usacisa-pacnewsletter

3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2015

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Issue No. 3

USACISA-Pacific

3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2015

CONGRATULATIONS Dennis Mercado Captain, Military Intelligence Chief of Security

Raymond Koshi US Army Civilian Contracting Officer Representative

Captain Mercado has been selected for promotion to Major.

Graduated from the Civilian Education System (CES) Leadership Course

U.S. Army Physical Fitness Test Sergeant Franklin Tazi - 300/300 Sergeant Eric Im - 300/300 Sergeant Julio R. Pacheco - 294/300

U.S. Army Marksmanship Qualification Corporal Youn Sik Oh - Expert Sergeant Eric King - Expert Specialist Christopher Lu - Expert (Daegu)

Coin of Excellence Captain Frederick Do Sergeant Kevin Fry Sergeant Joshua Smith Sergeant Julio R. Pacheco HAIL & FAREWELL This quarter, we bid farewell to the following personnel: Mr. Michael Allmond (DAC), Mr. Brody Barnes (Ctr), Capt. Fred Do, Staff Sgt. Giana Forbes, Sgt. Kevin Fry, Sgt. Clifford Long, Sgt. Joshua Smith, Pfc. Terry Tyler, and Pfc. Marquise Ferguson. Thank you for your service and contribution to team Specter!

During the same period, we welcomed the new Soldiers and their families: Capt. Ernesto Ibarra, Staff Sgt. Kevin Randall, Sgt. Susan Brown, Spec. Christopher Lu, Spec. Bryan Garcia, Spec. Joseph Pineda, Spec.

Christopher Crawford, Pvt. 2nd Class Bria Mils, and Pvt. Sean Fisher.

Welcome to Team Specter!

KAPCHI KAPSHIDA!

From the Sea to the DMZ!

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Issue No. 3

USACISA-Pacific

3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2015

DIRECTOR HQ, US ARMY COMMUNICATIONS INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACTIVITY - PACIFIC PSC 303 BOX 24 APO AP 96204

From the Sea to the DMZ!

UPCOMING EVENTS

DATE

New Year

1 Jan 2016

MLK Birthday

19 Jan 2016

Lunar New Year

8 Feb 2016

President’s Day

15 Feb 2016

Key Resolve

Mar 2016

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