|
|
| THE HOME OF THE INFANTRY & THE ARMY'S BEST SOLDIERS, LEADERS AND FAMILIES! | |
|
|
|
Quick Links |
|
Twitter
|
 | |
Today's number is 70.
Post officials working the Base Realignment and Closure project expect 70 Soldiers and DA civilian employees to fill Maneuver Center positions related to the move of the Armor School by August.
The arrival last month of COL Mike Wadsworth, the assistant commandant to the Armor School, signaled the beginning of what planners call "the steady trickle" of incoming personnel. These early arrivals are preparing the way for the massive influx of Soldiers and civilian employees expected next summer.
All told, conservative estimates put the number of additional permanent party Soldiers, DA civilians, DoD contractors and family members expected to move to the Chattahoochee Valley to support and staff the Maneuver Center at 28,000. | |
 A random accident cost Staff Sgt. Luis Elias his right hand, but it didn't crush his resolve to lead a life without limitations.
Elias, a drill sergeant with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 192nd Infantry Brigade, is back on the job nearly seven months after a grenade simulator exploded in his hand during a field training exercise.
Barely a month into his drill sergeant tour, Elias was out in the field June 30, 2009, with basic trainees going through their final field exercise when the accident happened.
"The students were low-crawling around the FTX area doing missions like they would if they were on a forward operating base. (The drill sergeants) were simulating incoming fire by throwing grenade simulators. I remember I grabbed the simulator, pulled the string, went to throw it and it blew up in my hand," Elias said. "I was instantly shell-shocked. Everything was moving around in slow motion for me."
* Click on headline for more *
______________________________________________
Afghan strategy bears fruit, Iraq on track
 Noting signs that the new strategy in Afghanistan "is beginning to bear fruit," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also said during an interview aired last night that the effort to build up Iraq's security forces and move forward with the U.S. drawdown plan there remains on track. Gates spoke with Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren while visiting Rome, also addressing issues ranging from the Pakistani military's operations in South Waziristan to Iran's uranium enrichment activities. The secretary noted signs of a possible turnaround in Afghanistan, as expressed last week at the NATO Ministerial in Istanbul by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander on the ground. "He thought the situation was still serious, but no longer deteriorating," Gates said. "I think we are beginning to see the impact of the Marines going into Helmand province. We are beginning to see the impact of increased forces in other places,"
* Click on headline for more * ______________________________________________
Expo to feature dozens of employers
Transitioning Soldiers, veterans, retirees, family members and other post personnel are encouraged to participate in the upcoming CivilanJobs.com career expo. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 25 at the Benning Conference Center, 7010 Morrison Ave.
Job seekers can begin the process toward potential employment by uploading a resume and completing pre-registration at CivilanJobs.com today.
Last year, the job fair featured nearly 40 employers, CivilianJobs.com senior career expo coordinator Vicki Washington said. A few may even be prepared to hire that day.
"These companies totally get what service members have to offer," she said. "They are looking to make placements all across the U.S. and overseas."
* Click on headline for more *
______________________________________________
 FORT SILL, Okla. (Feb. 11, 2010) -- The Army is changing the way it trains its newest second lieutenants by merging two basic courses and having officers from the same branches train together from the onset of their careers. The Basic Officer Leadership Course B, or BOLC B, is about to begin at installations Armywide. Field Artillery BOLC B begins Tuesday, when 150 Soldiers start the new training at Fort Sill. "I think it's a good thing," said BOLC B officer-in-charge Capt. Mike Ernst, of the 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery, 428th FA Brigade. "It's refocusing what we need to do at the level for junior officers for initial training. It builds that cohesion factor starting with the basics and graduating to higher-level training." * Click on headline for more *
______________________________________________
 The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, will host the 'All-Army' 2010 U.S. Army Small Arms Championships Feb. 20-27. Training and competitions are open to all Soldiers including West Point and college ROTC cadets, Army Reservists and National Guardsmen. The All-Army matches consist of small arms firing schools, Excellence-in-Competition matches and special combined-arms combat matches. Champions will be awarded All-Army trophies and Soldiers can earn EIC Marksmanship Badges, which are permanent-wear Army awards as prescribed by Army Regulation 600-22.
* Click on headline for more *
______________________________________________
 Thirty years ago, massive wildfires at Fort Benning numbered into the hundreds annually. Spanning thousands of acres at a time, the wildfires not only affected safety but also the ability to train Soldiers, said John Brent, chief of the Environmental Management Division, Directorate of Public Works. Today, the number of wildfires has receded to an average of 62 annually, affecting a handful of acres at a time. The solution to the wildfire problem? Fighting fire with fire. * Click on headline for more *______________________________________________
Prayer breakfast set for Wednesday
Individuals from a variety of faith backgrounds will gather at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Benning Conference Center with a single purpose: prayer. Although Chaplain (BG) Donald Rutherford, deputy chief of chaplains for the U.S. Army, the intended guest speaker, is unable to attend, the theme for the breakfast remains the same. "(The National Prayer Breakfast) was something that leaders in Washington, D.C., and government began conducting ... to emphasize the importance of prayer in the life of our nation," said Chaplain (LTC) John Routzahn Jr., deputy garrison chaplain for operations. "It draws national attention to the significance of prayer." * Click on headline for more *
______________________________________________
 Friends and family of the 926th Medical Detachment (Preventive Medicine) gathered at the Sightseeing Chapel to watch the unit case its colors Friday in preparation of its upcoming deployment to Iraq.
The 13-member unit will join the 1st Medical Brigade based at the Victory Base Complex in Iraq to provide preventive medicine support to Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers. The unit provides sanitary inspections, epidemiological support, industrial hygiene and air, water and soil sampling.
* Click on headline for more * ______________________________________________
 Even a sniper can have a bad day. "It was below 30 degrees and it started raining but we had no choice," said SFC George Lewis. "We had to shoot. Conditions are always going to change downrange but you can't let it affect the mission. There's no excuse for why you didn't take the shot or didn't do your job." Lewis, who works at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., was one of 16 students who made the five-week journey from Soldier to sniper and graduated Thursday from the U.S. Army Sniper School. The school trains students to engage targets up to 800 meters away and take them out with one shot. To this end, they are trained on marksmanship, sniper equipment and tactics, collection of battlefield intelligence, stalking and other sniper-related skills. * Click on headline for more *
______________________________________________
Destination: Destin
 It's a hidden jewel tucked away on northwest Florida's Gulf Coast, designed as a getaway for Soldiers and their families.
About four hours from Fort Benning sits the Destin Army Recreation Area, a military resort also open to retirees, Department of Defense civilians and contractors. With warmer weather approaching, it's an alternative to the local economy and features 132 units, a full-service marina, swimming pool and picturesque sunset over a 200-foot pier that stretches into Choctawhatchee Bay.
The location is only minutes away from some of Florida's best beaches, golf courses, restaurants, nightlife and upscale shopping outlets.
|
By Pfc. Erik Anderson, 3-3 Public Affairs
An estimated 14 million pilgrims flocked to the city of Karbala, Iraq, in celebration of the Muslim holiday Arba'een Feb. 5, marking the seventh year of the gathering since U.S.-led forces removed Saddam Hussien from power.
Ten years ago, the pilgrimage was hardly attended, due to a ban on the Shi'a holiday by Hussien's regime, said Col. A'aed Saeer Rageeb, commander of Iraqi Police operations in Babil province. According to Rageeb, the pilgrimage has grown in attendance every year since that time....
|
Keeping It Real
Army wife offers advice on Facebook to Families of Soldiers going through basic training.
NOTE: The following was not written by a member of the Fort Benning Public Affairs Team. It is provided - unedited - as an example of one of the thousands of comments located in the discussion area on Fort Benning's Official Facebook page.
__________________
My name is Melissa Stetson, and I am a proud Army wife.
My husband joined the Army on August 3rd 2009, and the age of 29. He was stationed at Ft Benning for Basic Training.
He is now at Ft Gordon GA for his AIT.
I have been seeing a few posts focusing on the negatives about the Army. And yes, its not easy, for the soldier, or the family. As a wife and mother of three, when Daddy left, we all had adjustments to make.
So this is what I have learned in my short time as a military wife.
1. You will NOT always get a call, and if you are one of the lucky ones to get a call, it may only be 5 min. Get used to it, the Army is not only showing your soldier what its like to be taken away from loved ones, this is a learning experience for the family too. Don't take it personal, and don't freak out about it.
2. Don't be calling and bugging the Commander or any one else. Calling and complaining about why you haven't heard from your soldier will only make things worse for him/her. Know that if something happened, you would be notified. And get used to the phrase "Hurry up and wait" Because that's just the way things go sometimes. Frankly if you cant handle not hearing from your soldier for a week or two, how do you expect to make it through a 12 month deployment? These are all things that you should realize going in.
3. Keep yourself busy. Keep your phone by you at all times, because if you happen to miss that one call, you may not get another call for a week or so. Like I said, this is just a taste of what you will be going through on a deployment. It always helped me to remember that in BCT and AIT, my soldier is gone, but he is SAFE right now.
4. The DS's are there to do a job. Their job is to literally break down and re construct your husband, wife, son or daughter into an American Soldier. It is not an easy task. And it will be hard on the soldier, but it is worth it, there is no higher Honor than wearing those ACU's. My husband left Ft Benning with the Highest respect in his DS.
5. The decision to join should not be an easy one. I highly recommend talking to to him/her about everything, good and bad. The more you know about it, the less time you will spend worrying.
6. You are proud of your soldier, so do what you can to make him/her proud of you! When he/she calls from Basic and is depressed and thinks they cant go on, be an encouragement, not a downer. Let them know that you are proud, tell them to push through. If you are an Army wife or Fiance, you have a job to do, you need to pay the bills, take care of the kids, and keep it together for everyone. I learned to schedule any break downs on my own time. And whenever I got down, I told myself that "I am the wife of an American Soldier." It is not easy, it wont be easy, and more then likely it will get harder. But you just DO IT.
So the next time you want to talk about how our military is not doing something right in your eyes, try to remember that being a part of this is bigger than YOU. Its bigger then sleepless nights without your husband, its bigger then not hearing from him every weekend, and its bigger then the whining and complaining that you might feel like doing. Its about getting the little time that you get together, the way my 3 year olds eyes light up when she hears daddy's voice on the phone. Its about my husband telling me that he is finally proud of himself. Its about protecting America, its about helping those in need. Its about the men and women who ended up NOT coming home, who lost their lives doing something that was bigger then you or me. Its about HONOR.
___________________
Want to comment on this? Become a fan of the Fort Benning Facebook Page to get news, answers and support. |
|
Want to know more about pediatric dentistry or where your BAH goes? Now, finding those answers is as easy as turning on your TV.
Information on those and other topics of concern for those who live and work on post can now be found on Fort Benning TV, which airs on Windjammer cable channel 4.
The 24/7 news and feature channel added Benning Xtra, a program aimed at educating viewers about on-post services like housing, schools, health care and child care.
"I call it the Fort Benning Oprah Show," producer and director Nathan Snook said. "This is a community-focused program. I guarantee you will learn something every time you watch it."
* Click on headline for more *
You can watch Fort Benning Television at Fort Benning on Windjammer cable channel 4.
The Benning Report can be also be seen on Columbus Consolidated Government Access Television (CCG-TV) channels at 6:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week.
Charter - Channel 3
Knology - Channel 17 MediaCom - Channel 21. In Alabama watch the Benning Report on Troy University Television, Thursday & Friday evenings. To contact Fort Benning TV, email us at BENN.PAO@us.army.mil |
|
The To-Do List - Provided BY MWR
 New stuff
A Babysitting and CPR certification class will be held March 12 at the Middle School & Teen building on Baltzell Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For more information call 706-545-0522.
A property and abandoned vehicle auction will be held March 15 at Bldg. 2384 on Prussman St. (behind SSSC) starting at 9 a.m. Items such as campers, pontoon boats, washers and dryers, furniture and several vehicles will be auctioned to the highest bidder. All items are being sold 'as is" and must be moved at the bidder's expense no later than March 19. A preview of all items will be held at the auction location on March 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information call 706-545-2348.
Smith Fitness Center is holding a free three-hour "Fitness-a-thon" on March 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. Several different classes will be showcased. The event is open to all military ID-cardholders. For more information call 706-527-2393.
Experts from Martin Army Community Hospital will teach preschoolers how to take good care of their eyes at Sayers Memorial Library on March 23 at 11 a.m. This event is open to all interested participants. For more information visit www.benningmwr.com and follow the library link.
Reserve your free spot at the Kings Pond Campout on March 27 and 28 and enjoy camping, canoeing, volleyball, storytelling around the campfire and many other activities. Camping supplies are available at Outdoor Recreation for very reasonable rates. Reservations are required by March 26. For reservations or more information call 706-545-7978.
Current Stuff
February lunchtime quarter Bingo is going every Monday through Friday at the Pins & Daubers starting at noon. The $5 buy-in fee includes a hamburger or cheeseburger combo meal from the Mall Bowling Center. The highest cash-out customer will receive 3 February Bingo packets. Pins & Daubers is located between the Commissary Mall and the Mall Bowling Center on Marne Rd. For more information call 706-544-1964.
All Fort Benning teens are encouraged to attend the Teen Town Hall meeting on Feb. 11 at Youth Services, Bldg. 1056 at 5:30 p.m. This is your chance for your voice to be heard about the issues and programs that concern you! For more information call 706-545-3070.
Join the free paintball battle action in the Woodlands off Dixie Rd. on Feb. 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. Paintball equipment and supplies are available at Outdoor Recreation. For more information call 706-545-9636.
Critically acclaimed R&B artist Leigh Jones and award-winning hip hop group Animate Objects perform a free concert on Feb. 13 at Wetherby Field. This I. A.M. Strong Tour is open to everyone in the tri-city community. Brought to you by the US Army, there is no ID check to attend this concert. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6. For detailed driving directions to Wetherby Field click on the maps link at www.benningmwr.com.
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a special gourmet brunch at the Benning Conference Center on Feb. 14. The cost is $14.95 per person. Children 6 to 12 are half price and children 5 and under eat for free. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and reservations are requested. For more information call 706-682-0640.
Tryouts for the Fort Benning youth baseball teams will be held Feb. 16 to 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sports Complex. All CYSS members 8 to 14 years old are welcome to try out. For more information call 706-545-1853.
Try your skill at the Domino Tournament at the Benning Brew Pub every starting Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. Weekly prizes will be awarded with a chance for one lucky team to win a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the 2010 World Domino Tournament. There's no cover charge or entry fee to play. For more information call 706-545-1233.
Follow the lives of several Vietnam-era female veterans who served in different capacities in the free play, 'Piece of My Heart,' by the Columbus State theater department on Feb. 19 at the Kelley Hill Rec Center. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and is recommended for mature audiences only. Free childcare is available for spouses of deployed Soldiers. Pick up tickets at the Kelley Hill Rec Center, Omega Travel office or FMWR Hqtrs. For more information call 706-544-1411.
It's free admission on Feb. 20 to watch the UFC 110 match on the Benning Brew Pub's large screen TV's. While there, try one of the Pub's special micro brews. The doors open at 5 p.m. and stay open late. For more information call 706-687-1233.
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers holds the monthly BOSS installation meeting on Feb. 24 at the Kelley Hill Recreation Center, Building 9079, at 2 p.m. All BOSS MSC representatives are required to attend or send an alternate to the event. Fort Benning strongly supports BOSS and allows all Soldiers who volunteer for BOSS activities, the time to participate in these events. BOSS events are open to all interested people, military or civilian. For more information about BOSS call 706-544-1411.
The next CG Golf Scramble is Feb. 25 at the Fort Benning Golf Course, with a shotgun start at noon. The cost is $30 if paid by the day before the event or $35 the day of the event, and includes cart, green fees, two mulligans, food and prizes. Stop by the Fort Benning Golf Course to register or call 706-687-1940 for more information.
Learn the fine art of Geocaching on Feb. 27 at Uchee Creek. This free event is open to the public and features caches hidden throughout the Uchee Creek Campground and Marina. Register online at www.benningmwr.com or call 706-545-7978 for more information.
It's Latino Night at the Benning Brew Pub on Feb. 27. It's free admission to dance the night away. Never a cover charge! Doors open at 5 p.m. and stay open late. Come early for a seat. For more information call 706-687-1233.
Sayers Memorial Library is holding a Dr. Seuss birthday party on March 2 at 11 a.m. There will be stories, games and birthday cake. Then come back at 6 p.m. for an Easter egg hunt and don't forget to bring a basket. Both events are free. For more information call 706-545-4911.
The Kelley Hill Rec Center is holding a Scrapbooking and Card Making Class on March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn how to make beautiful handcrafted cards for just $10. Childcare is available for a minimal fee. Register at Kelley Hill Rec Center by Feb. 26 or call 706-544-3079 for more information.
The Uchee Creek Archery Club is holding a Pro/Am archery shoot March 5 through 7 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Uchee Creek Activity Center. Interested archery competitors can register at asaarchery.com. The event is open to the public and there is no cover charge to observe the competition. For more information call 706-681-6995.
Teens are invited to "Hoop it Up" in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament every other Friday night starting March 5 at the Smith Fitness Center. The fun is free and runs from 8 to 11 p.m. For more information call 706-545-1853.
Commander's Cup Unit Level Soccer leagues are forming soon. Coaches must bring their Alpha roster or AAA-162 to the first meeting on March 9 at the Smith Fitness Center at 1 p.m. For more information call 706-527-2393.
Join BOSS for a day trip to the Wild Animal Safari at Pine Mountain, Ga. on March 19. The $15 fee covers roundtrip transportation, admission into the park, lunch, animal food and transportation through the park. Registration must be made no later than March 5 at the Kelley Hill Rec Center or through BOSS representatives. For more information call 706-544-1411.
Registration is going on now for the Women's Conference on March 10 at the Benning Conference Center. The $20 fee includes breakfast, workshops, lunch and a goody bag. Marla Cilley, the 'Fly Lady,' is the guest speaker. Register online at www.benningmwr.com or pick up a registration form at the Java Café, Smith Fitness Center, all post child care centers, the PX or the CB&T office on post. For more information visit www.benningmwr.com and follow the Women's Conference link.
Keep your golf game sharp through the winter months with a Fort Benning Golf Course 'stimulus deal.' Every Mon. through Thurs. golfers can play 18 holes for $20 with a cart or $12 for 9 holes with a cart. All green fees are half price on Fri. for active duty Soldiers. For more details or to reserve a tee time call 706-687-1940.
It may be winter but it's time to start training now for the annual Reverse Sprint Triathlon on June 5. This race consists of a 5K run, 20K bike ride and a 550M swim and is open to individuals, teams and Families. For more information call 706-545-4388. |
|
Make it four!
AER gets 4 stars for fourth time
Washington, DC - Army Emergency Relief (AER) recently earned its fourth consecutive 4 star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. According to Charity Navigator, only 8% of the charities they rate have received at least 4 consecutive 4 star evaluations.
This coveted rating reflects AER's sound fiscal management and program efficiency in providing financial assistance. In 2008, 91 cents of every dollar spent by AER was for the program costs involved in taking care of Soldiers and their Families.
AER is the Army's own military aid society, founded in 1942 in response to the need for Soldiers and their Families who were experiencing financial emergencies in World War II. Since its founding, AER has provided over $1.2 Billion of financial assistance.
AER provides financial assistance for such needs as emergency travel, housing, car repair, food and utilities. With assistance provided in the form of a no-interest loans and grants, AER provides the Army a valuable resource in helping take care of Soldiers and their Families.
AER assistance is available to Soldiers and their Families wherever they are located and the amount of assistance approved is only limited by a valid need. Soldiers and their Family members requiring AER assistance need only contact their Chain of Command or local AER office. TheFort Benning AER Office is located in the Army Community Service (ACS) Center, Building 2633, and the phone numbers are (706) 626-0189/545-4043.
Under AER's Command Referral Program Company Commanders and First Sergeants have the authority to approve AER loans up to $1,000 for their Soldiers. Based on reciprocal agreements, Soldiers and Families not near an Army Installation AER office can seek assistance from the Air Force Aid Society, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance or a local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Full details on AER's assistance programs may be found by contacting one of the AER Specialists at (706) 626-0189 or on the web at www.aerhq.org. |
|
Doughboy Award Nominations
Fellow Infantrymen,
The Office of the Chief of Infantry is seeking nominations for the 2010 Doughboy Award.
The Doughboy Award is presented annually to recognize an individual for outstanding contributions to the United States Army Infantry.
The award is presented on behalf of all Infantrymen past and present. The award is a chrome replica of a helmet worn by American Expeditionary Soldiers during World War I (WWI) and the early days of World War II.
The term "Doughboy" originated in Texas where soldiers trained along the Rio Grande in preparation for WWI. The Soldiers became covered in the dusty, white adobe soil and were called "adobes" by mounted troops. Over time this term transitioned to become doughboys. The Doughboy award is the highest honor the Chief of Infantry can bestow on any Infantryman.
*The 2010 Awards will be presented during the Warfighting Conference in September 2010.*
The nominees are broken down into two groups and there will be one recipient from each.
The groups are:
a. Officers and Notable Friends: Selected solely for their contributions to the Infantry and will represent a diverse population of retired or former Officers, Government Leaders and Public Supporters. This group of nominees will consist of 10 Officers, 2 Politicians, and 2 Entertainers.
b. Noncommissioned Officers: Selected solely for their contributions to the Infantry and will represent a diverse population of retired or former enlisted Soldiers. These individuals are selected for their contributions to the Infantry before and after active duty service.
Nomination criteria:
a. Soldiers are not eligible while serving on Active duty.
b. Nominees must be living. (The Doughboy is not awarded posthumously).
c. Self-nominations are not accepted.
d. Uniformed Service in the Infantry is not a requirement for nomination.
e. Previous Award recipients are not eligible.
Anyone wishing to nominate someone should forward a one page biography for the individual accompanied by a short write up identifying the contributions to the Infantry. Nominations need to be received by 24 February, 2010. Please forward to benn.ocoi.ocoiweb@conus.army.mil.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to use the above link to contact the Office of the Chief of Infantry with any requests for assistance or to provide feedback on all Infantry related issues.
The selected recipients will receive the Doughboy Award during the Infantry Warfighting Conference which will be held here in Columbus, Georgia the week of 13-17 September, 2010. I hope you can make plans to attend.
POC for this action is Mr Michael J. Ramirez at (706) 545-5143, DSN 835-5143, or at the emails referenced above.
LTC Flip Wilson
Director, Office of the Chief of Infantry
FOLLOW ME! |
Thank you for taking the time to look through the Fort Benning E-Newsletter. We will continue to tell our Soldiers' great stories through this and other mediums. The Benning E-Newsletter will be sent out every Monday. Please support us by forwarding this email to a friend via the "forward email" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Fort Benning Public Affairs Office | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A religion rejoices - Latest from 3rd Brigade's blog
