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CSM Earl Rice handed over responsibility as the MCOE CSM to CSM James Hardy this morning.
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During my short 9 months here at Benning, I've had the honor and the privilege to work with some of the best Soldiers, Civilians, Retirees and Leaders in our Army - some of whom are with us today and others who are out serving in Iraq and Afghanistan or training and preparing Soldiers for those places.
I want to thank you ALL for your friendship, your dedication and most importantly your service and sacrifice for our great nation.
Fort Benning is at the "Tip of The Speer" developing Soldiers and Leaders. With our mission to support Big Army with the Best Soldiers and Leaders.
Today I'm turning the reins of the MCoE over to CSM James Hardy. His reputation precedes him-he served with combat unit after combat unit and we ALL know he's the absolute right NCO for the job. He's the absolute right leader to take this Great Organization to the next level---and he will. James and Angie Hardy, welcome to the Maneuver Center of Excellence.
God Bless You, Our Army, and Our Great Nation!
AIRBORNE, ALL THE WAY!
Command Sergeant Major
Earl Rice | |
| More than 1 Million views so far this month on Fort Benning's Official Photo Gallery site.
A Soldier gets fitted for boots at the 30th AG reception battalion. This is one of more than 14 thousand pictures available on the photo site.
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The saying goes, "A picture is worth a million words." So how many words could you come up with if a picture was looked at 1,026,836 times?
That's the number of photo views so far this month (as of 9 a.m. March 29th) on Fort Benning's Official Photo site.
Check it out for yourself.
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BRAC BY THE NUMBERS
Today's number is $100 million.
That's the amount of money Fort Benning contributes each month to local economies - more than one billion dollars annually.
The installation affects economies of 10 counties throughout the Chattahoochee Valley, with the greatest impact in the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Columbus and Phenix City. Revenues are generated through taxes, tourism, construction and traditional residential expenditures.
With growth related to Base Realignment and Closure and the relocation of the Armor School from Fort Knox, Ky., to Fort Benning, that number is expected to increase by at least $25 million each month. Liberal estimates put that number at $35 billion. |
Obama makes surprise visit to Afghanistan
Photo credit White House photo by Pete Souza: President Barack Obama waves to U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, March 28, 2010.
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WASHINGTON (March 28, 2010) -- President Barack Obama today paid a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, delivering a message of praise to American servicemembers on behalf of the United States.
Speaking at Bagram Airfield to an audience of Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, Obama said support for deployed servicemembers transcends partisan politics.
"I know that sometimes when you're watching TV, the politics back home may look a little messy, and people are yelling and hollering, and Democrats this and Republicans that," he said. "I want you to understand this: There's no daylight when it comes to support of all of you. There's no daylight when it comes to supporting our troops. That brings us together."
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Photo Credit: Sgt. Ben Hutto, 3-3 Public Affairs: Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, salute the memorial stands of Sgt. Aaron Arthur and Sgt. Lakeshia Bailey during a memorial ceremony at Contingency Operating Station Delta, Iraq, March 12, 2010.
 | Members of the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, filed into the auditorium at Contingency Operating Station Delta, Iraq, March 12, 2010, for a memorial ceremony."Of all the reasons we could come to gather, this is one of the more unpleasant," said Chap. (Capt.) Timothy Griffis, 1st Bn., 10th FAR. "If we sat and thought of reasons for gathering, this would certainly not make the list."A few days earlier, Sgt. Aaron Arthur and Sgt. Lakeshia Bailey died when the vehicle they were in turned over on a return trip to COS Delta from Numaniyah Military Training Base.
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 Fort Benning is making a push to refine the reception process for all incoming Soldiers and strike a balance between housing priorities and availability.Post officials said they will examine "predictable" arrivals - students coming in for the Maneuver Captains Career Course and NCO Academy, for instance - and compare how they're received to the installation's general population.The overall plan is being fashioned with an eye on the anticipated influx of Armor Soldiers from Fort Knox, Ky., in the next 18 months.
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Photo Credit: C. Todd Lopez: Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. speaks March 23 before the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on defense. The general discussed, among other things, prescription pain killer use among Soldiers, Army modernization, and the mine resistant ambush protected vehicle.
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WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 25, 2010) -- Overuse of prescription painkillers by Soldiers -- as reported recently in the civilian press -- may be the result of seemingly unrelenting deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Speaking before the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on defense, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. attributed a rise in prescription painkiller use among Soldiers to ongoing conflict.
It's "part of the cumulative effects of eight and a half years at war," Casey told legislators. "It's something -- not a pretty thing -- something we need to get on the table and deal with."
A recent article in USA Today said that prescriptions for painkillers to military members have gone up by four times since 2001 -- from just under 900,000 in 2001, to nearly 4 million in 2009.
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Photo credit Tiffany Nabors, The Bayonet: SGT Gary Turmelle, 24, places the blue Infantry cord on his stepfather, 41-year-old PFC Daniel Enos. The "older" Soldier graduated from basic training Friday.
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The situation was out of the ordinary when SGT Gary Turmelle placed the blue Infantry cord on PFC Daniel Enos during the Turning Blue ceremony March 18.
While on leave from his third deployment to Iraq, the 24-year-old Turmelle did the honors of welcoming Enos, his 41-year-old stepfather, to the Infantry brotherhood.
"I know he's been wanting this for a while," said Turmelle, who is assigned to 1st Battalion (Airborne), 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. "So I'm just glad to be here and be a part of this."
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In his second year of cycling, 22-year-old Jose Solis Jr., son of LTC Jose and Magaly Solis, earned a spot on the Puerto Rico National Cycling Team.
"When I heard I made the team, I couldn't believe it," Solis Jr. said. "It's not every day you can say you're on a national team."
Solis Jr. found out he made the team after competing in a 90-mile race March 14 in Puerto Rico. Although he said he didn't do well in the race, Puerto Rico National Racing coach Diego Ramirez took notice of him.
"The coach was following a group behind us and I guess he saw me race for a few laps and he liked what he saw," Solis Jr. said.
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Members of the command team from 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, pose with the Airborne students who jumped first with the new T-11 parachute.
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By the time 2nd Lt. Charles Lesperance, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, handed his static line to the jumpmaster, March 16, prior to his first Airborne jump, he said his nervous anticipation had faded.
"The first day (we were scheduled to exit), we got rained out," he said. "That added to the nerves, but when I sat down on the plane (the next day), the nervousness disappeared because I knew I was about to do it."
That moment, he said, gave weight to each of the 10 days of Airborne training prior.
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Benning Xtra
Fort Benning Schools Superintendent Dr. Dell McMullen talks about some of the exciting programs offered including a Lego robot lab, math and reading programs, and learning chinese.
The Benning Xtra segments are located on the left hand side of the Benning TV web site.
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2010 U.S. Army Junior Air Rifle Championship held at Fort Benning
By Michael Molinaro
USAMU PAO
 FORT BENNING, Ga. - The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit continued its full-fledging support of America's youth when it hosted the 2010 U.S.
Army Junior Air Rifle Championships Mar. 21-23 at Fort Benning's Pool Indoor Range.
This was the fourth year the U.S. Army sponsored the event, fostering junior participation in prestigious state and national rifle competitions, promoting firearms safety and connecting the youngsters with the expertise and professionalism of the USAMU.
"Youth shooting programs require dedicated mentors in order to be successful and U.S. Army Soldiers are the ideal mentors and role models for our Nation's youth," said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. "The Army's involvement in youth shooting programs is a perfect fit; the USAMU is designed to fill this role. We teach, coach, and mentor junior shooters on a weekly basis."
The competition is conducted in two phases: a state championship postal phase and the national championships, said Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Heerman, accessions liaison, USAMU. State Championship matches enable
sporter- and precision-class position juniors of all marksmanship levels an opportunity to test their talent against other junior shooters in their home states.
"Coming from numerous shooting clubs, high schools, junior ROTC's, 4-H and other organizations, there were more than 900 initial entries from 41 states participating in this year's state qualifying matches," he said. "The best state championship teams then are invited to compete against the top junior teams and shooters in the nation, along with the ten highest ranking at-large individual competitors in each class, at the National Championship."
The U. S. Army Recruiting Command assigned Army recruiters to travel to schools, JROTC units and clubs to present state championship team and individual awards. 41 states had junior shooters participate in the state matches and 18 states were represented at the national championship.
In the precision class, the Fort Benning Junior Rifle Club, Ga., took home first place in the team category. The Delta Rifles, Alaska, came in second. Emily Holsopple, Wilcox, Pa., won the individual championship. Arielle Mouhot, Columbus, Ga., came in second and Catherine Green, Coventry, R.I., finished in third place.
In the sporter class, the King George Navy JROTC, Va., team won the championship. They were followed by Zion Bention High School, Ill.
Christopher Potts, New Market, Ala., won the sporter class individual championship. Tyler Rico, Tuscon, Ariz., was the runner-up and Mikaelah Atchley, Daleville, Ala., came in third.
The intense preparation for the competition makes all of the competitor's winners before they even arrive, said Hodne. Becoming a good shooter requires discipline, focus, and commitment, all essential traits that translate directly to success in life. Sixteen of the competitors at the championships will carry those traits with them to the military upon graduation from high school.
"These fine young men and women made a decision that will undoubtedly produce a profound positive impact, not only on their own lives, but also on the military," said Hodne.
"I know it's going to open up a lot of opportunities," said Kamaren Braxton, New Market, Ala., who will enroll in the Auburn Univ.
ROTC program on a scholarship this fall. "If you're in the Army, it makes you a better leader and makes you better prepared for the real world." |
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The To-Do List - Provided BY MWR
Families are encouraged to celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a sneak preview of Fort Benning's newest indoor playground at the Family Entertainment Center starting April 1. The official grand opening party is April 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. with free Inflatables, hot air balloon rides, kid goodie bags and a special visit from the Auburn Raptors. The Family Entertainment Center is located at 2785 Eckel Ave. next to the Stewart-Watson 1-mile track. Hours of operation are; Wed. and Thurs. 3 - 8 p.m., Fri. 3 - 10 p.m., Sat. 1 - 11 p.m. and Sun. 2 - 9 p.m. Closed Mon. and Tues. For more information visit www.benningmwr.com or call 706-545-5221.
Teens 14 to 18 years old - come celebrate Spring Break with a Teen Jam at the Benning Brew Pub on April 6 from 7 to 11 p.m. Enjoy a live DJ, dance contest and door prizes. For more information call 706-687-1233 after 5 p.m.
Celebrate spring with your canine friend at Fort Benning's original Dog Park (behind Faith Middle School) on April 9 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with free food, drinks and an obstacle course. Everyone is welcome and all dogs must be registered on post. For more information call 706-545-9636.
Register now for a free Personal Watercraft and Boater Safety Course on April 10 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bldg. 4, Classroom 10. Information on legal requirements, navigation rules, preventing personal watercraft and boating accidents and new boating laws will be covered by instructors of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Boat inspections will be held at the Bldg. 4 parking lot following the class. The class is limited to 24 participants and reservations must be made by April 8. For more information call 706-545-9636.
Discover all the exciting things coming up for children this summer at the Passport to Summer Fun at CYSS Registration, Bldg. 104 starting at 11 a.m. The Army's 'Strong Beginnings' pre-kindergarten program will also be showcased starting at 8 a.m. Light refreshments will be available. For more information call 706-545-3732 or 706-545-3070.
All teens of Fort Benning are invited to enjoy live music and lots of great activities at the Block Party at the MS&T Center on April 17 from 7 to 11 p.m. Free admission, food, drinks and a free shuttle service to and from the housing areas, along with some fantastic giveaways! For more information call 706-545-3062.
Reserve your free spot at the Kings Pond Campout on April 17 and 18 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 April 16. For reservations or more information call 706-545-7978.
Bring your children to Russ Pond and Pool on April 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. and enjoy the Family Fishing Night. Free poles and bait for children 15 and under with reservations by April 19. In case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled. For reservations and more information call 706-545-7978.
Celebrate all things Southern at the Salute to the South Festival on April 24 at Uchee Creek from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free admission, parking and entertainment.; enjoy the auto show, four live bands and a DJ, lots of adult and children activities, old-fashioned working demonstrations, food eating and other fun contests, Inflatables, pontoon boat and hay rides, geocaching, archery shooting, arts and crafts, top dog contests and cheer on your favorite unit in the MSC steak-grilling contest! Bring your friends and Family - this event is open to the public. For directions to Uchee Creek, click on the maps link at www.benningmwr.com.
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers holds the monthly BOSS installation meeting on April 28 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 April 29 at the Fort Benning Golf Course, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. 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.
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to watch 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' for free on the big screen under the stars on April 30 at Wetherby Field. Off-post residents need to be aware of the new traffic pattern at the Custer Rd. ACP and should consider using another gate. The location of Wetherby Field can be found by following the maps link at www.benningmwr.com or call 706-544-1411 for more information.
CURRENT RELEASES
Celebrate Easter with a special gourmet brunch at the Benning Conference Center on April 4. 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.
Camp Courage is filling up its calendar with lots of special activities for children during the spring school break. The camp is open April 5 through 9 from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. CYSS registration is free but space is limited. Camp fees are based upon family income. For more information call 706-545-3605.
The Kelley Hill Rec Center is holding a Scrapbooking and Card Making Class on April 6 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.
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.
Try your skill at the Domino Tournament at the Benning Brew Pub on Thursday's at 6:30 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. |
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 | |
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