The corral panels at No Name spring protect the last precious puddle of water.

On a sweltering July morning in the middle of the National Training Center, the distinctive beat of a fast-approaching helicopter cuts the heat. Suddenly, overhead, an LUH-72 Lakota helicopter approaches laden with 300 pounds of steel corral panels dangling beneath the maneuvering aircraft. With impressive speed and precision, the pilot hovers and descends into a narrow canyon until the slingload of panels lightly touches down. The load is disengaged and the helicopter, like a bird cut loose, peels off and rapidly ascends in a wind-tunnel of sand, debris and cottonwood leaves.

This was the dramatic scene a few weeks ago at Fort Irwin’s Panther Spring. What began as a vision to conquer a challenging task for Directorate of Public Works Environmental personnel, became a successful integration of multiple agencies and departments coming together in the name of conservation. The Bureau Land Management Horse and Burro program at Ridgecrest, Calif., assists DPW with management of its burgeoning feral burro herd. These large, non-native herbivores negatively impact small desert springs as they drinking the water, eat the vegetation and fouling the spring with manure. Tasked with managing and protecting these rare habitats, DPW Environmental had to find a solution.

Fencing desert springs with typical post and wire material is the most common method used to persuade persistent burros to look elsewhere for a resting spot. However, this type of fencing needs continuous maintenance and burros are experts at systematically pushing and shoving until fences stretch and topple. Unfortunately, rocky soils prevent effective t-post installation so, a solar electric fence system seemed the perfect solution! After three trips in as many months to re-install destroyed fence lines, the burros made their final point by ripping down and shattering the charger’s solar panel. It was time to start thinking outside the box – or at least making a better effort to out-think a burro.

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The first load of fence panels is lowered to the ground at Panther Springs.

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The first load of fence panels is lowered to the ground at Panther Springs.

Under the guidance of Clarence Everly, Natural and Cultural Resources Program manager, a cooperative effort was born between A Company, 2916th Aviation Battalion, the BLM Horse and Burro Program and DPW Environmental to begin the restoration of two of Fort Irwin’s most valuable desert springs. In a perfectly-executed operation, more than one ton of steel-corral panels was flown and hand-carried to protect the most critical natural and cultural resources at the springs. With the gradual recovery of the habitat, DPW biologists expect to see the return of native wildlife that relies on these oases in the desert.

With a little planning, a lot of cooperation and a good bit of luck, a formidable task was turned into a well-oiled environmental machine that was a big inspiration to all involved.

Every drop of water at Fort Irwin is a precious commodity that we are all responsible for conserving – for ourselves, for our environment and for future generations.

Photo by Les Ozawa, Public Affairs Office

Soldiers speak with a representative from the Los Angeles Film School at the Fort Irwin Education Fair, Aug. 1.

The Fort Irwin Education Center held its annual Education Fair at the Fort Irwin Event and Catering Center, Aug. 1.

More than two hundred Soldiers, Family members and civilian employees attended the informational event, which featured representatives from various colleges and organizations that offer professional development opportunities. Institutes providing information included the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Park University, Army Family Team Building and Army ROTC.

One new attendee at the fair was the Los Angeles Film School, which offers degrees for those interested in careers with the entertainment industry. According to the college’s Web site, students can major in entertainment business, film, game production, computer animation and recording arts. The school is approved to train Veterans by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and is also approved for Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and U.S. government tuition assistance through the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding. It is also a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity College Consortium.

The Fort Irwin Education Center, located on the Corner of 3rd and F Streets, offers the Fort Irwin community many opportunities for career guidance and information on education programs. Services include: Army Personnel Testing, a Basic Skills Education Program, GI Bill informational briefings, college and career counseling, and Tuition Assistance/ Financial Aid information.

Special workshops, such as a Spouse’s Scholarship and High School-College Planning workshop are some of the events organized by the center during the year. Two on-post colleges, Park University and Barstow Community College, offer on-post and online courses and have partnered to offer a “2 + 2” program, enabling individuals to finish a degree while stationed at Fort Irwin.

Colleges, including those featured at the recent Education Fair, send representatives to the Education Center on a monthly basis, to meet with potential and ongoing students. The Education Center also has a resource room with scholarship and college resource materials, and a multi-use learning facility computer lab with internet access and print capability.

The following schools have arranged to visit the Education Center on a regular basis: Ashford University, American Military University, Azusa Pacific University, DeVry University, Grand Canyon University, Jones International University, Le Cordon Bleu, Phoenix University, Sonoran Desert Institute, Trident University and University of Maryland.

Classrooms used for on-site college classes can also be reserved for military and civilian training. We welcome you to stop by for a visit and talk with our staff about your education goals. The Center can give or arrange briefings tailored to your interests and needs, your unit, Family Readiness Group or community group.

All of this information, and more, including a calendar of events, can be found on the Fort Irwin website, www.irwin.army.mil. Select “Army Education Center” under the “Soldiers” or “Community” tabs, or access the Army Education Pages directly at http://bit.ly/IrwinEdCtr.

Photos by Sgt. Nickalus E. James, 1/11 ACR

Students of Fort Irwin Middle School smile as they review their schedules in preparation for their first day back, Aug. 8.

The end of summer can be marked by children returning to school. This transition can be tough and even a little scary, but on Aug. 8, the Troopers of 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment assisted in this transition for the children of Fort Irwin Middle School, here.

“We came here to help the students find their classes for the first day of school,” said Spc. Jim A. Encinas, a Trooper assigned to I Battery, 1/11 ACR. “This shows Fort Irwin that we are here to help and support the community.”

The 1/11 ACR has a sponsorship program with the middle school, helping children and the community by participating with the school throughout the year. Being part of a military family can be difficult at times due to deployments, rotations or permanent change-of-station moves. The sponsorship program helps children cope with these difficulties.

“I think that the unique thing about living on a military base is that all of the students are members of a military family,” said Lt. Col. Frederick R. Snyder, commander of the 1/11 ACR. “This is why we are out here trying to ease the stresses of the first day of school.”

Mike Sullivan, principal of Fort Irwin Middle School, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Frederick R. Snyder, commander of 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, to reaffirm the school sponsorship program.

Snyder and FIMS Principal Mike Sullivan signed a document to reaffirm the sponsorship program between the two. The program aims at setting children up for success, but is also geared toward helping the parents understand how important they are in their child’s future.

“Prior to today, I talked with my children about how important it is to pay attention in school and to gain the knowledge, which the teachers will pass on, [and] which will enable them to continue in their academic careers,” said Master Sgt. Monroe Ili, non-commissioned officer-in-charge with S-2 at Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1/11 ACR.

Fort Irwin is steeped in tradition and as time goes on, new activities become new traditions. The school sponsorship program is now one of those traditions. This support shows each child that the Troopers of Fort Irwin care about their success and are invested in the future of each student.
 

Alex Hristofidis, 10, secures his bicycle before starting his first day as a 5th grader at Tiefort View Intermediate School, here, Aug. 8.

Allan Simon, 9, and his sister Asia, 8, were accompanied to school by dad, Sgt. 1st Class Allan Simon, who serves with Sidewinder Team, Operations Group, Aug. 8. Allan Jr., and Asia attend Tiefort View Intermediate School on Fort Irwin.

Cameron Renaud, a 7-year-old second grade student, walks with mom, Shana, and dad, Sgt. Brian Renaud of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Cameron started second grade at Lewis Elementary School, Aug. 8.

Silvia Moreno leads the way as her family escorts two of their children to the first day of school at Tiefort View Intermediate, here, Aug. 8.

Chief Warrant Officers 2 John Bostic and Mario Alvarez met with second grade teachers and Principal Patricia Baer from Lewis Elementary School during a distribution of donated school supplies, Aug. 7. Bostic and Alvarez are president and vice president, respectively, of the Warrants Officers Association of Fort Irwin. The association conducted fund raising events to provide all second grade students with school supplies, which included markers, folders, composition notebooks and erasers. Second grade teacher Jahn Malama, who has taught for eight years at Lewis, said she was thankful for the donation and considers it very significant because not every student can afford a full set of supplies.

Middle School Activities

Sept. 2 Holiday – Closed
Sept. 3 Fine Arts Club – Water Color
Sept. 4 Smart Girls & Mixed Martial Art, 2 -3 p.m.
Sept. 5 Cooking Club
Sept. 6 Work Of Art Day – Free Choice
Sept. 9 Nail Art
Sept. 10 Fine Arts Club – Acrylic Painting
Sept. 11 Smart Girls
Sept. 12 Cooking Club
Sept. 13 Work Of Art Day – Free Choice
Sept. 16 Label Making en Espanol
Sept. 17 Fine Arts Club – Print Making
Sept. 18 Smart Girls
Sept. 19 Cooking Club
Sept. 20 Work Of Art Day – Free Choice
Sept. 23 Aztec Masks
Sept. 24 Fine Arts Club – Picasso Painting
Sept. 25 Smart Girls
Sept. 26 Cooking Club
Sept. 27 Work Of Art Day – Free Choice
Sept. 30 Hispanic Bingo (Hispanic Heritage)

Teen Activities

Sept. 6 Teen Night: Volleyball Night
Sept. 7 Teen Night: Volleyball Night
Sept. 13 Teen Night: Basketball Night
Sept. 14 Teen Night: Basketball Night
Sept. 20 Teen Night: Billiards Night
Sept. 21 Teen Night: Billiards Night
Sept. 27 Teen Night: Dodge Ball
Sept. 28 Teen Night: Dodge Ball

For additional events and on-going, scheduled activities see the Community Calendar at www.irwin.army.mil or the FMWR site at http://fortirwinfmwr.com/

Ongoing

SKIES Unlimited encompasses instructional programs for children and youth ranging from six weeks old to adolescence. Sign up your child for Reading and Math tutoring, Piano and Vocal lessons, Karate or Dance. Call 380-7751 for schedules and pricing.

Rod and Gun Club. If you’re a gun enthusiast, go hunting, or like to fish, help put this club together with Sgt. 1st Class John Antes. Antes is seeking anyone interested in building the club, which would operate a shooting and archery range on post. The club would also organize fishing and hunting trips. Contact Antes at 380-6372 or john.r.antes.mil@mail.mil.

Sept. 9

Lewis Elementary School Town Hall and Community Service Council meeting. 10 – 11 a.m. Freedom Fitness Center.

Sept. 9-13

Spouse Resiliency Training. 8:30 a.m. to noon. Sleepy Hollow Community Center. Register at www.fortirwinfmwr.com/resiliency. Call 380-5165.

Sept. 10-11

Operation Rising Star auditions. 6 p.m. Samuel Adams Grille. Download your application at www.fortirwinfmwr.com. For more information call 380-3509.

Sept. 13-15

Bye-Bye Furlough Lot Sale. Commissary parking lot. Over the top savings on the products you use most and great selections! Also, check out the fantastic savings inside the store, the Seafood Roadshow and Mini Farmers Market.

Sept. 14

September Sweat 2k/5k. 8 a.m. Freedom Fitness Center. Love to run? Cost is $3 if you pre-register at one of the gyms or $5 the day of the event. Questions? Call 380- 3685.

Sept. 17

Deadline to sign up for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Softball Tournament and Home Run Derby. Tournament is Sept. 21 at the Fort Irwin Softball Complex. Cost is $250 per team, not to exceed 15 players per team. To register, contact Sgt. 1st Class Robert Dachenhausen at (254) 291-5766 or robert.e.dachenhausen.mil@mail.mil.

Sept. 18

Goodwill Military Appreciation barbecue. 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Kyle Coyote Spray Park. The Goodwill Southern California Transitioning Veteran Employment Program is celebrating nearly one year of service at the NTC and Fort Irwin by hosting a military appreciation barbecue with food, beverages, prizes and honored speakers. Co-hosted with the Army Career and Alumni Program. For more information call 380-9057.

National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sandy Basin Community Center. This year’s theme is “Serving and Leading our Nation with Pride and Honor.” The guest speaker will be Col. Luis Rivero, deputy commander of MEDDAC, here. Cultural displays and food sampling will be available.

Sept. 26

Fort Irwin Job Fair. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sandy Basin Community Center. If you are looking for a job, or would like to explore your career options, this is an opportunity you can’t miss. Employers will be accepting resumes, answering your questions and doing on the spot interviews. For more information call 380-5165.

Courtesy photo

One of several areas in garrison where roads were damaged by a flash flood, Aug. 25.

Fort Irwin’s two chapels, the Center Chapel and Black Horse Chapel, suffered major flood damage from the Aug. 25 storm. At the Center Chapel, storm waters flowed through the chapel front door up to the third and fourth rows of pews from the rear. Water also damaged three offices and chapel restrooms.

Center Chapel’s NCOIC Sgt. 1st Class Clifford Crum called Chaplain (Col.) Terry McBride about 6:30 p.m. to report the situation. At that time, McBride and his wife were squeegeeing water away from their flooded patio with two snow shovels.

McBride, with his two snow shovels, Crum, and Chaplain Assistant Spc. Brady Teaff, were reinforced by “Ed” and “Kevin,” two Operations Group officers, who stopped by, asking if they could help. A firefighter checking Fort Irwin cantonment area also stopped by with a shop vac. McBride later estimated they emptied the shop vac about 25-50 times that night.

Soldiers from the 2nd Transportation Company clean a Fort Irwin Chapel sidewalk, which is located across from their battalion headquarters.

McBride credited the work done that night allowed the chapel to continue its normal scheduled events that week.

“We are business as usual, because of great people, their spiritual resiliency,” McBride said. “Everyone who helped out on Sunday night attends chapel, whether it’s Roman Catholic, Protestant, or whatever service. They are part of our congregation; they are part of the body of Christ.”

The monsoon deluge toppled a structure of the training village Medina Jabal at the National Training Center. The interior of some structures in the training area were inundated with up to four feet of mud.

The 11th Armored Calvary Regiment Black Horse Chapel was flooded up to the altar, including its classrooms, damaging the carpets as well as the base of the pews. Chaplain Assistant Spc. James Myers and Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Roldan spent the evening trying to slow the water rushing in, but it was too strong, even seeping in from the walls.

“The water came through the back door,” Roldan said. “Water came around, very muddy water. The room next to us was a lake.”
 

Boy Scout Troop 67 on Fort Irwin helped with the cleanup effort by shoveling dirt and debris from a residential street near Fort Irwin Middle School.

Carpet is removed from a classroom at Lewis Elementary after flooding damage. Approximately 90 percent of the classrooms were impacted.

Soldiers with 171st Movement Control Company remove gravel and dirt from a street between their company and a barracks building.

Second Lt. Phillip Carter (left) and 1st Lt. Brent Lanier of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment helps Lewis Elementary School teacher Amy Hayden pack books for moving to a temporary location while Lewis is repaired.

The monsoon deluge toppled a structure of the training village Medina Jabal at the National Training Center. The interior of some structures in the training area were inundated with up to four feet of mud.

Attendees at Fort Irwin’s first Middle East and North Africa Heritage Celebration discuss a poster of Afghan-born American Khaled Hossein, whose novel “The Kite Runner” was a best seller and basis for a popular movie of the same title.

It was standing room only, at Fort Irwin’s Sandy Basin Community Center, as the National Training Center’s military and civilian community held its first annual Middle Eastern and North African heritage celebration, Aug. 14.

“It’s the birthplace of many of the religions that we all celebrate today,” said Lt. Col. Scott McFarland, Regimental Support Squadron commander, in introducing the noontime program. “It also remains strategically important, politically and militarily, to countries around the world, including our own.”

McFarland noted that many MENA Soldiers are assigned to his squadron, as members of the Army’s first translator interpreter company, the 51st Translator Interpreter Company, established here in 2008.

The celebration included short video interviews of several TICO Soldiers and a civilian employee from the region and remarks by 1st Lt. Katherine J. Ly, commander of 51st TICO.

Ly noted the unique capabilities of her company of about 150 Soldiers, who speak more than 29 different dialects and sub-dialects of the Middle Eastern and North African region, most of which are not tested by the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., the Department of Defense’s premiere language training school.

Soldiers of the 51st TICO provide skill sets beyond what a normal linguist can perform, Ly said.

“If you go into a key leader engagement with educated, high-ranking officials, chances are the majority of them will not be using ‘elementary level’ terminology…I am sure foreign dignitaries will have confused and somewhat agitated expressions on their faces, when you ask them, ‘Can you explain that again in simpler terms?’” Ly said.

While Army units hire local interpreters during overseas contingency operations, Ly said her company’s Soldiers are unique.

“When a unit comes under fire, what kind of tasks can a local national perform? Can they fire back? Can they properly describe distance and direction? Can they send up a Salute Report? And most importantly, can they provide tactical combat casualty care?” Ly said. “…the vast majority of them still have immediate family living in these combat zones and hostile areas, yet they still vow to serve in our Army to valiantly assist us in our efforts downrange…words cannot describe the appreciation BCT [brigade combat team] commanders have for their valor. Others in theater never cease to express to me the two words that truly illustrate their duties: ‘force multiplier.’”

In a video interview, a 51st TICO Soldier of Armenian background said he was from a large Armenian community in Iran and speaks Armenian and Farsi. He explained that in addition to knowing a host-nation language, understanding the culture is very valuable.

Fort Irwin’s director of public works, Muhammad Bari, noted his roots go back to Pakistan, but “the best part of living in this country is you are accepted for your professionalism.”

“If you will work with others and respect them, they are likely to respect you,” Bari said. “It’s like a flower basket with different kinds of flowers with different fragrances. Every flower has its place that all can enjoy, if everyone does their work.”

Vacation Bible School volunteers lead a class of younger students through a dance routine as part of an ecumenical, Bible-based curriculum during four morning classes.

Not quite an army, but a battalion’s worth of kindergarteners through teenagers, parents, spouses, Soldiers and other volunteers made this year’s Vacation Bible School at Fort Irwin one of its most memorable in many years.

The weekday morning sessions the last week of July involved 231 children and more than 400 parents and volunteers in an ecumenical, Bible-based program that rotated children through four, age-appropriate classes: Epic Bible Adventures, Tournament Games, Chadder’s Real Theater and Missions, and Imagination Station.

“Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong For God,” the theme for this year’s VBS, was echoed throughout the week through sharing stories and singing and dancing songs, as children learned the importance of love, trust, family and friends. The school included a special focus on the people of India, with students learning words in Hindi, in partnership with the chapel’s Operation Kid to Kid program.

Photo courtesy of Fort Irwin Chapel

Vacation Bible School staff and volunteers were key to the school’s success.

An overflow crowd of more than 500 parents, students, friends, and senior leaders of the Fort Irwin military community gathered for a mid-day Fanfare Finale, Aug. 2. VBS students and volunteers serenaded them with songs, and the chapel later treated all to a barbecue and hotdogs.

“This year’s 2013 Vacation Bible School was a huge success, because of our amazing volunteers and the parents that allowed us to bless their kids,” said Chaplain (Col.) Terry L. McBride, National Training Center and Fort Irwin Command Chaplain. “It was a huge success that enabled the Religious Support Operations Staff to kick off our Religious Support Program for Fiscal Year 2014. What a blessing to see the whole community work together in the midst of so many drawdowns and furloughs. We have some absolutely wonderful folks here on Fort Irwin and over 1,700 plus attended this great event!”

Staff members of Fort Irwin School Age Services Center unveiled a plaque denoting its education partnership with the 2916th Aviation Battalion, Aug. 21. Ceremony participants included: the battalion’s commander, Lt. Col. Fernando Guadalupe, Jr., (left); the battalion’s command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Will Elliot (rear, left); Barstow mayor Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre (rear, off-center), and; 916th Support Brigade commander Col. Jim Kazmierczak (rear, right).

At a brief ceremony on Aug. 21, Fort Irwin’s School Age Services Center celebrated its new education partnership with the 2916th Aviation Battalion. The 2916th will help students with special classes and demonstrations on various academic and vocational topics, according to the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Fernando Guadalupe.

“I’m really impressed with the staff here, how professional they are and how they care for our children,” Guadalupe said.

The center’s mission is to promote quality of life by supporting Army readiness, said Sheryl Black, the outgoing center director. She said the center provides affordable before-school and after-school care, and offers special camps during the winter and spring breaks, and a full day camp during the summer. The center also sponsors a Boys and Girls Club and 4-H Club program.

“We are excited and motivated, and looking forward for a great working relationship,” said Black.

Black noted that she’ll be moving to Fort Bragg and the center’s new director will be Andrea Wooley.

Barstow Mayor Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre shares a laugh with 2916th Aviation Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Will Elliott, who presented her with his team jersey to thank her for speaking at Fort Irwin’s Women’s Equality Day event at Sandy Basin Community Center, Aug. 21. The event featured a video of leaders of the gender equality movement from the 1960’s reflecting on their formative experiences and leading the way towards expanding opportunities for women in the United States. Hackbarth-McIntyre shared her thoughts about growing up a tomboy in the 1960’s in Barstow, having a mother and father who encouraged her to be whatever she chose to be – a responsibility she feels wholeheartedly when girls working at her Del Taco restaurant ask her for advice. The Barstow newspaper “Desert Dispatch” of Aug. 23 reported that she was recently honored by U.S. Congressman Paul Cook as a 2013 Women of Distinction awardee.

Courtesy photo

Recognize the building? Some say it’s haunted by friendly spirits. It is building 21, home of Taco Bell, Einstein’s Bagels, and Manchu Wok. In the 1940’s it was the Officer Club for Camp Irwin.

“I love it when babies come in,” said Anna Mai Taylor, foreman at Fort Irwin’s fast food restaurant, Manchu Wok.

“Even last night, there was a customer with a baby,” Taylor recounted. “They were sitting at the table right there, and the baby’s just looking at the wall and babbling – talking, talking, talking.

“When they get up, I say to the baby, ‘Were you talking to the spirits?’ and the baby starts laughing. And I was like, that is so funny. And the parents are looking at me, and I say, ‘It’s okay, they’re not going to hurt anybody.’”

Anyone entering Fort Irwin’s food court on Langford Lake Road for tacos at Taco Bell, bagels from Einstein’s Bagels, or stir fry from Manchu Wok might notice the large fireplace in a dining area, not the usual fixture for a food court, no matter how large.

The small framed black and white photo on a nearby wall gives a clue. It’s a photo taken in 1944, of the building in its earlier incarnation as Fort Irwin’s officers club.

“I was told it was an officers club, and it was a day care center. It was built by World War II prisoners of war,” Taylor said.

Elmerson Diaz remembered it was close to Halloween last year, about 11:30 p.m. In closing the facility for the night, he went into Einstein’s Bagels, to make sure all the lights were turned off.

“As soon as I turned my back, a little girl said, ‘Wait for me’,” Diaz said. “My body got chilled. I looked through the windows. Sometimes, you can see a family waiting outside. Nobody was there. As soon as I turned my body back, I felt like someone was following me. My body got heavy. I felt I wasn’t able to reach the door. It took me about three minutes. I wanted to run, but for some reason, my body wouldn’t allow me.”

Others have stories about clattering dishes, and chairs being moved when no one else is there. The staff is fine, however, with their unusual experiences.

“I’m comfortable working here, because I can sense if there’s something bad around me,” Taylor said. “I do believe in ghosts, and in spirits, bad and good. There are a lot of people of faith who work here. And nothing is going to harm us. We believe in God, and He protects us from anything bad happening to us.”

Food court manager Diane Pitts shared a story.

“It was 4:30 in the morning, Thursday, a couple of months ago,” Pitts said. “I was listening to my gospel hits, with my little earphones in, because I don’t want to hear all the noise. And I hear someone calling my name. This is not right. I don’t hear this. So I hear it again. Just a faint voice, calling me. It was like, ‘Diane, Diane.’

“So I took my earphones out. I’m sitting in my office. Okay, I don’t hear anything. I put them back in. I’m hearing it again. ‘Diane.’ So I say in a loud voice, ‘Okay, I’m trying to listen to my gospel music, so can we not do this, this morning. Then I didn’t hear anything else. It went away.”

Pitts has discussed such unusual experiences with other workers and customers.

“I was talking about spirits to a customer, who told me, ‘When I come into this building I have a feeling of goodness,’” Pitts said.

“I said, ‘I know,’ because we’re good in here,” Pitts said. “Everything in here is good. You do have people who don’t believe, and some who do. But there is always a Higher Power. We really don’t know, but we don’t mess with them. They mess with us, but it’s okay. It’s a family, what we have here.”

Brig. Gen. David Turner, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Division, and Los Angeles District leadership toured flood-damaged areas of Fort Irwin, Sept. 19.

The Los Angeles District sent a team of more than 60 engineering and technical support professionals to the fort to assess damage and provide recovery operations after flooding from a monsoon-like storm covered the post with mud and debris, Aug. 25.

The storm’s strong winds and rainfall caused an estimated $50 million in damage, to include disintegrating roads and sidewalks and flooding in a school, barracks and offices, which displaced Soldiers.

“We got up to three inches of rain in about 80 minutes,” said Fort Irwin Garrison Commander Col. Jonathan Braga. “You can imagine with that amount of rain coming down, and the force of it, it just caused a lot of damage here. It was honestly too much for our team to handle and one phone call to the Corps of Engineers got their response team up here within a day. And it wasn’t just any day, it was right before Labor Day weekend.”

After the tour, Turner visited with post and garrison officials and personally thanked Corps responders and Fort Irwin Department of Public Works staff for their efforts.

The team assessed more than 166 buildings, training facilities and ranges for flood damage and life safety. Teams also inspected civil structures like bridges and roadways.

“Because of the Corps’ experience in disaster recovery, the teams were able to use the assessments to rapidly generate statements of work and independent government estimates that will ultimately result in contract awards for the clean-up and repair of facilities,” Turner said. “The Corps is prepared and ready to respond to natural and man-made disasters.”

Turner added that in times of disaster it isn’t just a local USACE district or office that responds.

“Personnel and other resources are mobilized across the country to carry out the Corps response missions,” the general said.

For additional events and on-going, scheduled activities see the Community Calendar at www.irwin.army.mil or the FMWR site at http://fortirwinfmwr.com/
Oct. 5 – 6
Mojave River Trail Days, Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., @ Helendale Community Park, 15425 Wild Rd, Helendale. Features Will Roberts, former Cirque du Soleil performer; Duke Michaels, Charlie Ray & Linda Washington; Wild West shows, Civil War reinactments, free stage coach and hay rides, Hesperia Wranglers, food, beer garden and more. Pre-sale $3/day; $5/weekend. At gate, $4/day, $6 weekend. More info at website: mojaverivertraildays.com
Oct. 7
College Application Bootcamp, sponsored by Parent to Parent, 7 – 8 p.m. @ Fort Irwin Education Center, corner of 3rd St. and F Ave. Free workshop for parents, high school students and 8th graders helps families navigate the college application process. Sign up/RSVP by Oct. 4, to ptop.irwin@militarychild.org, or Facebook, Parent to Parent – Fort Irwin CA. More info, call Karen Knott, 386-0007, or Shari Daily, 386-8495.
Oct. 10
Monster Mash Bowling Luncheon, sponsored by Military and Civilian Spouses Club (MCSC), 11 a.m. @ Strike Zone. Awards given for best costume and bowling prowess. Cost is $13 for lunch and bowling. Register/RSVP by 5 p.m., Oct. 6 on MCSC website, www.mcscftirwin.org. Not a member? Join on our website.
Oct. 11
Family Night Trunk or Treat, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Movie at 7:45 p.m. @ Jack Rabbit Park. Bring your blankets and chairs.
Oct. 15
Families Walk Against Violence Lantern Parade, 6:30 p.m. @ Town Center. Kids, wear your favorite Halloween costumes for best costume contest. Parent, wear purple to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Bring your own lantern or Family Advocacy Program (FAP) will provide.
Oct. 22
Chased by the Zombies Run, 5:30 pm @ Army Field, for 18 years and older. More info at FAP: 380-4474/4470.
Nov. 2
Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. @ Newberry Springs Community Center Gate. Free 16th annual festival features, food, crafts, music, dance and pistachios. More info, call 257-1072, NewberrySpringsCOC@gmail.com or www.pistachiofestival.info/
Nov. 9
Festival of Wreaths dinner and auction, 6:30 p.m. @Sam Adams Banquet Facility. Military and Civilian Spouses Club’s annual event features sit-down Italian dinner and auction of donated festive and creative wreaths. Proceeds benefit the Fort Irwin community through the MCSC welfare and scholarship program. Tickets available after Oct. 7 from MCSC gift shop at NTC & 11ACR Museum, weekdays, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ; at MCSC Luncheon on Oct. 10; or from any board member. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Wreath donators, notify MCSC no later than Oct. 14; wreaths due by Nov. 5. Awards given for best wreaths, which can be winter or gourmet -themed, not necessarily Christmas holiday-themed. For more info, visit MCSC website, www.mcscftirwin.org; email Brittany Cross, Brittany.elise.land@gmail.com; or call Amy Kirk, 386-4273.
Nov. 13
AUSA 18th annual golf tournament, 9 a.m. shotgun start, registration at 8 a.m., Green Tree Golf Club, Victorville, CA, $60 for military, active, reserve and NG; $75 for others, include green fees, cart and buffet lunch. More info/registration: www.highdesertausa.org, Gloria Ledesma, 267-3854.

Hunter Michael – boy

Sept. 1 at 5:10 p.m.

7 lbs., 15 oz

Jacob and Amanda Below

Unit/Company: 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Lia Kendall – girl

Sept. 3 at 6:35 a.m.

7 lbs., 10 oz., 20.5 inches

Sgt. Aaron and Stephanie Brooks

Unit/Company: 1st Squadron, 11th ACR

Emma Rose – girl

Sept. 4 at 2:08 a.m.

7 lbs., 3 oz., 19.7 inches

Staff Sgt. Christopher and Megan Panter

Unit/Company: Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR

Abrianna Michele – girl

Sept. 6 at 8:46 a.m.

8 lbs., 11 oz., 21 inches

Pvt. Jessica and Jordon Ward

Unit/Company: 699th Maintenance Company

Aiden Brice – boy

Sept. 6 at 9:32 p.m.

8lbs., 1 oz., 20 ¼ inches

Sgt. 1st Class Brian and Charice Adams

Unit/Company: Operations Group

Matilda Lennon – girl

Sept. 8 at 3:39 a.m.

8 lbs., 10 oz., 20.5 inches

Spc. Matthew and Mary Johnson

Unit/Company: HHT, 2/11th ACR

Jaden Jeremiah – boy

Sept. 9 at 7:45 p.m.

7 lbs., 9oz., 19.3 inches

Pfc. Devonta Jiles and Spc. Lestine Phinisee

Unit/Company: Regimental Support Squadron, 11th ACR and RHHT, 11th ACR

Liesl Evelyn and Emerson Mary – girls

Sept. 10 at 7:33 a.m. and 7:34 a.m.

5 lbs., 7 oz., 18.1 inches

4 lbs., 10 oz., 18.3 inches

Capt. Steven and Alexis Schmidt

Unit/Company: OPS GRP

Ethan Thomas – boy

Sept. 10 at 12:07 p.m.

9 lbs., 0 oz., 21.5 inches

Pfc. Thomas and Brittany Bentley

Unit/Company: 11th ACR

Avyla Milan – girl

Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m.

7 lbs., 9oz., 19 ¾ inches

1st Lt. Damian and Anyamarishka Pierce

Unit/Company: HHT, 11th ACR

Own Gil – boy

Sept. 12 at 8:38 p.m.

7 lbs., 8 oz., 19 inches

Sgt. 1st Class Gilberto and Nicole Chacin

Unit/Company: OPS GRP

Tanner James – boy

Sept. 14 at 5:16 p.m.

8 lbs., 10 oz., 21.3 inches

Maj. Tim and Natalie McGrew

Unit/Company: OPS GRP

Paxton Roy – boy

Sept. 16 at 7:55 p.m.

6 lbs., 4 oz., 19.1 inches

Capt. Jeremy Curbey

Unit/Company: 12th Combat Training Squadron (USAF)

Mason Douglas – boy

Sept. 16 at 9:43 p.m.

7 lbs., 4 oz., 19.5 inches

Spc. Joshua and Kristina Spann

Unit/Company: 1/11 ACR

Conner Joshua Jay – boy

Sept. 17 at 10:27 p.m.

8 lbs., 4 oz., 19.9 inches

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adam and Jennifer Rideau

Unit/Company: OPS GRP

Adam Alexander – boy

Sept. 19 at 5:55 p.m.

7 lbs., 7 oz., 20.25 inches

Sgt. Armando and Ana Delgadillo

Unit/Company: 1/11th ACR

Audrey Marie – girl

Sept. 21 at 5:17 p.m.

7 lbs., 0 oz., 20 inches

Spc. Austin and Krystal Morris

Unit/Company: 58th Combat Engineer Co., 2/11th ACR

Elizabeth Ximena – girl

Sept. 23 at 11:39 p.m.

7 lbs., 12 oz., 20 ½ inches

Spc. Juan Salazar

Unit/Company: 1/11th ACR

Yeray Andres – boy

Sept. 25 at 2:38 a.m.

8 lbs., 3 oz., 20.5 inches

Spc. Carlos Diaz Torrez and Pfc. Yemarie Gonzalez Cruz

Unit/Company: MEDDAC

John Eric – boy

Sept. 25 at 8:18 a.m.

8 lbs., 2 oz., 22 ½ inches

CW3 Robert and Nadine Lopez

Unit/Company: 2916th Aviation Battalion

Joshua David – boy

Sept. 30 at 3:11 a.m.

6 lbs., 10 oz., 20.5 inches

Sgt. Benjamin and Joann Myers

Unit/Company: 1916th Support Battalion

Cub Scouts shout out the message while visiting Recycling Center

Get too much junk mail? Recycle it. Done doing the laundry? Recycle that bleach bottle. Even that empty bottle of air freshener can be recycled. That’s what Cub Scouts from Troop 67 on Fort Irwin will tell you, and more, since they visited the Recycling Center on this installation, Oct. 9.

Charlie Guevara, Fort Irwin Waste Management supervisor (with sub-contractor Sullivan International), and his staff hosted the Bear Den from Troop 67 for about an hour to talk about all things recycling. Guevara spoke to the group of third graders, their siblings and parents about the function of the facility and how each person on Fort Irwin can help with the recycling mission.

“Recycling starts with you,” Guevara said. “You guys make it all happen.”

The Scouts actually had a head start on the subject, because each one brought at least one bag of recyclable items from home. Regardless, the kids were all ears to Guevara’s smooth, gracious demeanor. He led the children into the recycling plant and after introducing them to staff members he showed them an exhibit of items that no one should ever pickup. Some of the items included inert unexploded ordnance. Guevara spoke about the dangers of UXO’s. He then asked the group why they shouldn’t touch them if they were to see one.

“It can still be explosive,” answered Elliot Loman, 8.

Guevara made sure to keep the tour moving along and fun. Anytime he said the word ‘recycle’ or ‘recycling’ the kids would shout out enthusiastically ‘Recycle!’

The children gathered around a table of items found at home that have recycling value. And then it was time to find out how much each child’s bag of recyclable items weighed.

Bradley Bair, 8, brought in four pounds of aluminum soda cans. He took home a recycling message that Guevara mentioned during the trip.

“I learned that it helps our earth,” Bradley said.

Elliot Lowman, 8, brought in eight pounds of recyclable items and his fellow trooper, Jacob Sandor, 8, dropped off a 12-pound bag. Elliot repeated another of Guevara’s messages to the kids.

“Recyclables can be almost anything,” Elliot said.

The recycling center provided goodie bags to the Scouts that included an extensive inventory of items that are accepted and should be placed in blue bins (residential or office). Items that go to the landfill or are considered hazardous waste are also listed.

Guevara explained that the tour had a value beyond providing a list of items.

“If you get them up close and personal, you don’t forget,” Guevara said. “I know those kids will not forget. I know what they’ll take to their parents and to their friends, and they will be the instrument, they will be the leader in their homes to also do what we taught them today.”

If you have any questions about what can be recycled, or want to see the recycling center, call 380-4226.

Don’t throw that away. Recycle it. The Fort Irwin Recycling Center manages the installation’s recycling program. In general, blue containers are designated for recyclables, however there are other containers, such as dumpsters, that may be a different color, but are designated for the deposit of recyclables by labeling. After pickup and consolidation, the mixed recyclables are then taken to the installation recycle center where they are sorted, packaged and sold as specific bulk commodities. The Recycling Center accepts glass, plastics, metals and paper. Glass items must be clean, empty, and contain no food residue. For a comprehensive list of recyclable items call 380-4226.

Join the Cub Scouts Pack 67. Pack 67 is unique to Fort Irwin and has opportunities for youth in grades first through fifth. Currently there are 42 Scouts participating in dens called Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos. Pack 67 conducts gatherings, goes on trips and holds fundraisers. Scouts earn rewards such as a bead or patch for completing an accomplishment or learning a new skill. Being a Cub Scout makes members part of a worldwide youth movement that stands for certain values and beliefs. For more information about joining, contact Kim Black at (205) 260-4900 or at ftirwincubscouts@gmail.com.

On Aug. 8, Master Sgt. Daniel E.K. Curnan, with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, here, was found guilty of rape and adultery, in violation of Articles 120 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. An enlisted panel sentenced Curnan to be confined for six years, to be reduced to the grade of E-1, to forfeit all pay and allowances, and to be discharged from the service with a dishonorable discharge.

On Sept. 18, Pfc. Arnold Medellin Jr., 699th Maintenance Company, 1916th Support Battalion, here, pled guilty to the offenses of adultery, wrongful appropriation, destruction of nonmilitary property, willful disobedience of a superior commissioned officer, and willful disobedience of a non-commissioned officer, in violation of Articles 134, 121, 109, 90, and 91. A military judge sentenced the accused to be confined for six months and to be discharged from the service with a bad conduct discharge.

On Aug. 9, Staff Sgt. David L. Staples, HHT, 11th ACR, here, was found guilty of rape, adultery, and disobeying an order, in violation of Articles 120, 134 and 90 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. A military judge sentenced Staples to be confined for 15 years, to be reduced to the grade of E-1, and to be discharged from the service with a dishonorable discharge.

Photo courtesy Department of Homeland Security L. A. Office

A Customs and Border Patrol helicopter arrives with Homeland Security Investigations Special Response Team reinforcements to assist during a building assault scenario.

“We were looking for anything that looks like a real town or city, where we can do a full scenario – drive to a location and serve a warrant,” said a team leader with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Special Response Teams.

He found his ideal location at the Army’s National Training Center.

The team leader explained that while all United States DHSI special agents work on cases involving “gangs to narcotics to fraud, importation of illegal goods,” some are also members of Special Response Teams who deal with persons or organizations known to be highly violent.

From Sept. 15-21, about 40 HSI Special Response Team members from Los Angeles and Arizona conducted day and night training at two NTC villages to fulfill their required 40-hour annual training. The training included scenarios at NTC’s Junction City and Sacon Village, where agents effected the arrest of two to three gang members seeking drugs and guns. Other scenarios included using a ballistic shield to approach an armed suspect, and using weapons to fire live bullets and ‘simunitons’ – similar to paint balls. In another scenario, Special Response Team agents assaulting a building were reinforced with agents disembarking a Customs and Border Patrol helicopter.

“It was perfect for training,” the team leader said. “We had an area to store our tactical vehicle on base. We could bring in our helo, and we could conduct live fire.

“Everyone was extremely helpful,” the team leader continued. “Especially Victor Mazari of NTC Operations, and Laura Pritt and everyone at range operations. We would talk to them every day. They were extremely helpful and cooperative. The Landmark Inn staff was also extremely helpful.”

Pritt, range operations manager with Pulau Corporation, said that NTC provided them with safety and procedural briefings and scenario supplies, including breaching doors and targeting materials.

Photo by Ken Drylie, Public Affairs Office

Wearing a ballistic shield, a Department of Homeland Security Investigations special agent enters a building held by armed suspects during a training exercise at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin.

“While they were here, the entire team followed the coordinated training plan and NTC protocol to the letter,” Pritt said. “We were delighted to assist Homeland Security with their request, and an honor to be able to support them in completing their 40-hour training requirements.”

“This was the first time we trained on an Army base,” the team leader said.

He noted that they had previously trained at abandoned buildings at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.

“We never had training or cooperation like this,” he added. “Everyone was pretty excited about it. We’d like to keep coming out.”

Middle School Activities

Nov. 1 All Saints Day/Dia Los Muertos
Nov. 4 Veterans Day Centerpieces
Nov. 5 Fine Arts Club: Monochromatic Drawing
Nov. 6 Smart Girls Club: BGCA Election Day
Nov. 7 Cooking Club: Cake Pops for Vets!
Nov. 8 Veterans Day Dinner (4 -6 p.m.at MST building 1315)
Nov. 11 CLOSED for Veterans Day
Nov. 12 Fine Arts Club: Multi-Colored Drawing
Nov. 13 Smart Girls Club
Nov. 14 Cooking Club: Pita Sandwiches
Nov. 15 Work of Art Day
Nov. 18 Pumpkin Chunkin’ and Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
Nov. 19 Fine Arts Club: Pastel and Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
Nov. 20 Smart Girls Club and Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
Nov. 21 Cooking Club: Smore’s Bars/Cranberry Meatballs
Nov. 22 Work of Art Day
Nov. 25 Native American Clay Beads
Nov. 26 Fine Arts Club: Watercolor
Nov. 27 Smart Girls Club
Nov. 28 Closed for Thanksgiving
Nov. 29 Work of Art Day

Teen Activities

Nov. 1 Teen Night: Volleyball Tournament
Nov. 2 Teen Night: Volleyball Tournament
Nov. 8 Teen Night: Popcorn & Movie
Nov. 9 Teen Night: Foosball
Nov. 15 Teen Night: Billiards Tournament
Nov. 16 Teen Night: Cancelled – Power Outage
Nov. 22 Teen Night: 5 on 5 Basketball
Nov. 23 Teen Night: 5 on 5 Basketball
Nov. 29 Teen Night: WII Sports
Nov. 30 Teen Night: Popcorn & Movie

Ongoing

Sportman’s Club. If you’re a gun enthusiast, go hunting, or like to fish, join this club. The club operates a shooting range on post and can also organize fishing and hunting trips. Contact John Antes at 380-6372 or john.r.antes.mil@mail.mil.

Nov. 2

Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Newberry Springs Community Center Gate. Free 16th annual festival features food, crafts, music, dance and pistachios. More info, call 760-257-1072, NewberrySpringsCOC@gmail.com or www.pistachiofestival.info/

Nov. 9

Knott’s Berry Farm visit, Sat. day trip, Sign up by Nov. 2 through MWR Outdoor Recreation, 380-4327, info at www.FortIrwinFMWR.com
Festival of Wreaths dinner and auction, Sat., 6:30 p.m. at Sam Adams Banquet Facility. Military and Civilian Spouses Club’s annual event features sit-down Italian dinner and auction of donated festive and creative wreaths. Proceeds benefit the Fort Irwin community through the MCSC welfare and scholarship program. Tickets available from MCSC gift shop at NTC & 11ACR Museum, weekdays, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; or from any board member. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Wreaths due by Nov. 5. Awards given for best wreaths, which can be winter or gourmet -themed, not necessarily Christmas holiday-themed. For more info, visit MCSC website, www.mcscftirwin.org.

Nov. 13

AUSA 18th annual golf tournament, Wed., 9 a.m. shotgun start, registration at 8 a.m., Green Tree Golf Club, Victorville, Calif.; $60 for military, active, reserve and NG; $75 for others; includes green fees, cart and buffet lunch. More info/registration: www.highdesertausa.org, Gloria Leddesman, 760-267-3854.

Nov. 16

Women Warriors Equine Therapy FREE Workshop (register by Nov. 1), Rising Moon Ranch in Tehachapi, CA. Free transportation from Fort Irwin and Barstow. Open to female servicemembers, family members and civilians 18 yrs and older. Working with horses help to process effects of trauma or stresses of military life, build positive relationships with others. To register, contact 1LT Nicole Myers, 760-267-6112, Nicole.m.myers.mil@mail.mil.

Turkey Shoot, includes chance to win turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and other shooting related prizes. $25 per person, register by Nov. 9 through MWR Outdoor Recreation, 380-4327, info at www.FortIrwinFMWR.com

Nov. 20

NEC Tech Expo. Annual Fort Irwin Technology Exposition, Wed., 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Fort Irwin Event and Catering Center. More than 20 exhibitors on latest in emerging technologies, including data management, video/multimedia presentation, distance learning, C2 simulation. Free, all invited. More info at www.federalevents.com.

Nov. 23

Community Choice Campaign’s healthy lifestyle quarterly event, Sat., 8 a.m.-noon, Freedom Fitness Center. Begins with 3K & 5K Turkey Trot at 8 a.m.; plus throughout the morning: info on dental health, SHARP, healthy foods in the commissary; TRX demo; mini-classes on women’s self defense, weight room orientation for teens, kids crafts. No child care available but children welcome for most events. $3 Pre-registration for Turkey Trot, or $5 on day of event through FMWR. For info, call SFC David Rosen, 254-368-4510 or visit NTC Facebook.

Hole in the Wall, Petroglyphs, Kelso Dunes tour, transportation cost $35 for adults, $25 for kids 0-13. Hikes and tours are free. Register by Nov. 16 through MWR Outdoor Recreation, 760-380-4327, info at www.FortIrwinFMWR.com

Photo by Gustavo Bahena, Public Affairs Office

Charlie Guevara (right), Fort Irwin Waste Management supervisor (with sub-contractor Sullivan International), speaks to the Bear Den Cub Scouts from Troop 67 at the Fort Irwin Recycling Center, Oct. 9. The Scouts visited the facility to learn about the recycling program on post.

In September, Fort Irwin revamped its new Soldier orientation program, adding a three-hour introduction to master resiliency training.

“We’re using Wednesday morning to do Master Resiliency Training,” said Fort Irwin’s United States Army Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Perez. “During the afternoon, Soldiers are briefed by Fort Irwin chaplains, who are followed by SHARP counselors, who talk to them about Fort Irwin’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program.”

“The Army has the same issues in our culture that are in the American culture,” Perez continued.

“We’ve got suicides, domestic violence, sexual assault and violence, alcoholism, drug abuse. A lot of those issues are tied to the stresses of life.”

The January 2011 issue of American Psychologist, a journal of the American Psychologist Association, published an article on Comprehensive Soldier Fitness by then U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, who wrote, “…we are moving beyond a ‘treatment-centric” approach to one that focuses on prevention and on the enhancement of the psychological strengths already present in our soldiers.”

Casey then noted that more than 2,500 master resilience trainers had already been trained at the University of Pennsylvania.

“We are targeting to have them in every battalion and brigade in the Army, to help them design training plans and to teach our leaders how to instill resiliency in their subordinates,” Casey said in the article.

In March of this year, about 40 mid- and senior-level non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers, selected from commands across Fort Irwin, attended three weeks of master resiliency training, here. The instructors came from Fort Hood, Texas, – the Army’s first campus outside the University of Pennsylvania, where the program was first developed for professional athletes.

In an interview for a Sept. 7 article in Army Times, Col. Kenneth Riddle, director of Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, is quoted as saying, “You’re not alone in being skeptical and looking at this as a bit touchy-feely. People are skeptical, as was I. This is not what we’re used to training.

We’re used to training soldiers how to kill bad guys. We’re not used to teaching life skills.”

Staff Sgt. Lonzo Shelley, one of the three trainers who helped teach the first master resiliency training at a new Soldier orientation, here, Sept. 17, voiced similar thoughts.

Realigning the Old Way of Thinking
It’s about changing hearts and minds, said Shelley, a flight medic with the 2916th Aviation Battalion’s Charlie Company.

“It’s really geared toward realigning the old way of thinking and the old way of interacting with Soldiers and leaders,” Shelley said. “Not necessarily to being more compassionate, but being more understanding. I think that will go a long way, connecting not only with the older Soldiers but the newer Soldiers.

“I think that’s why they tapped the middle base, the newer E7’s, because we’re kind of in the middle,” said the 16-year Army veteran, married, with three children, who deployed twice to Iraq.

“We can relate to the E7’s the first sergeants, the colonels, the brand new privates and the little older E4s, and help them through whatever trials and tribulations. We’re not here to always be that focal point and help them through it. We’re here to give them the tools to be successful.”

Staff Sgt. Anton Kiren, a troop master gunner with C Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, who conducted the second module of the Sept. 17 training, said that master resiliency training helps people to focus on the positive aspects of their daily lives, even as they reflect on everything that goes on in their lives.

“We do what’s called, ‘hunt the good stuff.’Pick three things that make you happy, what was good and share that with the class,” Kiren said, in recalling his own master resiliency training earlier this year.

“On the first day of our training, you had someone say something like, I’m happy because my cereal wasn’t soggy this morning. By day 14 or 15, you had people saying I’ve used these skills, and now I’m reconnecting with my teenage son with whom I haven’t talked to in 15 years. You see how people are using the skills they learned, at home. A happier person is a more confident person, a healthier person.”

Catastrophizing
“If you’re pessimistic, you’re down all the way down, and on a downward spiral,” Kiren said. “You get called in by the sergeant major. ‘Now, what am I going to do?’ The course teaches you how to avoid those thinking traps. It’s called catastrophizing … it teaches you not to stress out on things you can’t affect and teaches you to concentrate on things you can change.”

Staff Sgt. Jorge Mendoza-Guzman, a National Training Center Operations Group transport specialist, wished he had taken the master resiliency course earlier.

Mendoza said his second combat deployment from Fort Lewis, Wash., to Afghanistan had been particularly difficult, where he was assigned to look for improvised explosive devices with a combat engineer unit.

“Afghanistan was my school,” Mendoza said. “I’m surviving, whatever I have left. I lost four very, very good buddies of mine. My former team leader, I lost there. It was just a pretty bad situation. But someone had to do it, clear the roads, save lives. I got to talk to myself that way. I came back … Oct 2010. I wasn’t the same.”

Mendoza was assigned to Fort Irwin in 2011 to be an Observer-Coach Trainer for Operations Group Cobra Team.

“I had issues with my family, had issues with mostly everybody,” Mendoza said. “I was in and out, having issues with drinking, issues with my family life, having issues at work also, definitely.

“My combat tour, and now this Box. It’s a double whammy. It all adds up. It’s all simulated [out here] but I’ve known guys, after something happens here, they break down. They do whatever they need to do, to compose themselves.”

Mendoza credits his non-commissioned officer-in-charge at that time for pointing him in the right direction.

“He looked at the signs, where I wasn’t getting enough sleep, I wasn’t doing right,” Mendoza said. “He said, ‘Hey Chuck, go see somebody. You’re not yourself.’”

Not a Complete 180
“After that, I got seen, I got help,” Mendoza continued. “I don’t drink any more, at all. It was a process; it took me about 45-60 days, just to ease on in. I didn’t do a 180 completely, but as soon as I was back, everybody supported me.

“I got into this course because of that,” Mendoza said. “I went there, came back, rejuvenated.”
Mendoza explained that he was able to apply the MRT lessons in his everyday life.

“My daughter comes in, “Daddy, Daddy, today was a horrible day,’” Mendoza recounts. “I sit her down and say, ‘Look Giselle, all day cannot be a bad day. Tell me just one thing that went well.’ ‘Well, I was playing patty cake with my best friend. She was running up and down the hallways.’ I say that’s a good thing. She says, ‘Yeah, I guess you’re right.’”

“I tell her, ‘That’s all you got to do. Slow down, think about it. And hunt for the good stuff. Sometimes it might be hiding in plain sight.’ So I practice it daily now. Yes.”

Mendoza sees master resiliency training embedded in all Army units.

“I think the goal is to make sure everybody has the chance to go in, grab on to resiliency, a teacher or mentor,” Mendoza said. “From the top to the bottom, from the bottom up, we’re all a team. We have to depend on each other. We have to know each other. The MRT is now part of the Army.”