First Friday briefing [Mar. 7, 2008]

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First Friday Briefing for March 2008

Deployment Update

SDF, local responders train
together in mass casualty exercise
The Georgia State Defense Force Medical Company, along with local first responders, trained on what do to during a mass casualty situation at a local religious facility February 19. Full Story.

1st BN, 118th FA Soldiers
earn Soldier, NCO of the Year
Private 1st Class Thomas Gritzner and Sgt. Kenneth Lee, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion,118th Field Artillery Regiment, have been selected as the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's Soldier and NonCommissioned Officer of the Year. Full Story

Sergeant 1st Class Lamar Johnson of the 122nd Regional Training Institute, works with England's Prince Harry in Afghanistan, Prince Harry has since returned to England.

Air Guard combo
thrills children of Djibouti
The Georgia Air National Guard's 530th Air Force Band recently attracted scores of children in the village of Damerjog in Djibouti with their rock band, underscoring that music is truly the universal language. Full Story

148th detachment gets new name,
new flag; now 348th
Ceremonies at Hinesville's National Guard armory marked the addition of Company B, 348th Brigade Support Battalion. The unit is the first to be activated for the 348th, one of the Georgia Army Guard's newest battalions and soon to be headquartered in Cumming. Full Story

Georgia Army Guard Sgt. Richard Holdridge (right), poses for a photo with Gen. David Petraeus, commander, MultiNational Force-Iraq at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Petraeus was making a 10 minute visit to the embassy on command business. Full Story

Army Guard's Tadlock honored with service award
For Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert C. Tadlock, receiving the Army Ordnance Corps' Order of Samuel Sharpe for his distinguished service to the Corps and its principles is a humbling experience. Full Story

Studying the "Sweet Science," Airmen trains for Boxing team
Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Jacobs takes part in the Air Force boxing team as not only a hobby but a way to stay fit. Full Story

First Lt. Austin Allen, commander, Company C, 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation, along with several members of the unit, present an encased American flag to Steve Chapman, the president and general manager of the Gwinnett Gladiators. The unit carried an American flag with them during flight operations in Kosovo. A team of 19 members from the unit deployed in support of the mission. (Georgia Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Greg Giglio)

Guardsmen sharpen
urban warfare skills
Somewhere, out in the dusty, dirty streets of Fort Benning's McKenna MOUT site, small arms and automatic weapons fire erupted. A convoy, its lead and rear Humvees disabled by IEDs, its vehicle crews hunkered down in the safety of nearby buildings, calls for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry to come to its aid. Full Story

124th MPAD learns TV satellite system Members of the 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment learn how to properly assemble and disassemble the DVIDS satellite. The Soldiers also learned how to acquire a lock on to the satellite and transmit video and pictures.

ACT Contributes Funds
to Guard Foundation
The Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) recently presented the Georgia National Guard Foundation with a check for $500 which will go to help National Guardsmen and Guard families in times of personal need. Full Story

G.S.D.F. commissions
its first Jewish chaplain
March 2nd, Rabbi Zalman Lipskier, Director of Chabad at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, was formally commissioned as the first Jewish Chaplain in Georgia's military history to serve in the Georgia State Defense Force or its companion Georgia Army and Air National Guard forces. This is the second appointment of a Chassidic Rabbi to one of the country's 25 volunteer State Defense Forces. Full Story

A look at what happened in March in Georgia National Guard history...
March 24, 1825 Mrs. Edward Harden, wife of brigade commander Edward Harden, 1st Brigade Division created a flag for the 1st Regiment of Savannah's militia to carry during General MarieJoseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-GilbertDuMotier Lafayette's tour of Georgia in March of that year. Governor George M. Troup made the presentation speech, passing the flag "from the fair to the brave." The regiment probably consisted of the Chatham Artillery, Savannah Volunteer Guards and the Republican Guards. (source: Smith, Gordon Burns. History of the Georgia Militia, 1783-1861; counties and commanders, part I, Milledgeville, Ga.: Boyd Publishing, 2000. II, 36.)
March 2, 1913 A company of the Irish Jasper Greens, 2 Officers and 27 men, left Savannah for Washington D. C. to participate in the inaugural parade of President Woodrow Wilson. The unit returned on March 6. The Greens were a small portion of the estimated 40,000 persons who participated in inaugural activities..
Compiled by Mrs. Gail Parnelle, command historian; and Dr. B. I. Diamond

Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt The Adjutant General of Georgia

March 13, 2008 Time: 7:34 am Security Notice

Army National Guard FAQ The latest news from the Georgia Army National Guard. | Hurrex '08 tests Guard | MOUT training tests 2-121 company | 124th MPAD meets DVIDS | Service award honors WO5 Tadlock | Soldier, NCO of the year named | Georiga Guardsmen meets Gen. Petraeus | 148th detachment gets new name, new flag | Congressman Kingston thanks CH-47 crews | Task force elevates head injury awareness | Chinook crew visits school | BG Britt honored | 278th MPs deploy | Ross earns second star | Dudney takes reins of 78th | Army, Air exceed recruiting goal | Parker takes reins of Company H | Brigade alerted for '09 deployment | 148th memorial honors fallen | Guards welocmes first female chaplain | Stronger Bonds joins couples | Honoring the fallen | AJC Award winners named |

Air National Guard FAQ The latest news from the Georgia Air National Guard. | Studying the 'sweet dance' | Air Guard combo thrills children in Djibouti | 5 earn AFOUAs | Guard, Robins signs production space agreement | 165th returns from Afghanistan | Yancey earns 'Red Erwin Award' | 116th conducts ORE | 116th hits milestone | Family to Family continues tradition |116th's Richardson earn 'BIG' award | 3 GaANG units earn top NGAUS awards | 117th trains with 125th | Air Guardsman to joins Parternship Program | Maj. Gen. Thompson, 92, former 116th commander |

State Defense Force Read the latest news from the Georgia State Defense Force.
GADOD News | SDF trains with locals during casualty drill | Six earn 'Faithful Service' award | 9/11 Commemoration '07 | Poythress announces retirement; Nesbitt named as TAG | NAS passes to Guard | Employees earn 'Faithful Service Awards | 28 Graduate from Six Sigma Course | Guard Acquires NAS Atlanta property

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SDF, local responders train togethr in mass casualty exercise

What do you do when you have a hostage situation at a local religious institution, then add in improvised explosive devices that have been placed around the building and a possibility of a chemical release?

This was the scenario facing the Georgia State

Defense Force's Medical Company, and local first

responders during a training exercise February

19. Members of the Georgia State Defense Force learn how to use

"Our mission is to decontaminate the casualties," the decontamination stations during a mock terror attack for

said 1st Lt. Bob Surrusco, commander of the

Operation Thunderbolt. (Photo by Pvt Leonard Goodelman)

GSDF's 1st Medical Company. "The Metro Medical Strike Team and local first responders take care of the rest."

The Metro Medical Strike Team (MMST) is a medical response team used to react to a catastrophic event that could cause mass casualties, along with local law enforcement officials. SWAT teams and EMS work with the GSDF to prepare for disasters and mild terror attacks, like this one.

The role of the 1st Medical Company was to decontaminate the casualties after they were rescued by the MMST. After decontamination, victims were then triaged and sent to local hospitals for treatment, said Surrusco.

"We work very closely with the MMST," said Surrusco. "We also plan to add up to five more medical companies through out the state to assist with these types of disasters.

"We are able to help any where in the state," said Surrusco. By contrast, local first responders can only help others responder with in a certain area.

This exercise was one of the four tactical exercised the GSDF will conduct this year with law enforcement officials and local first responders to simulate what would happen when other agencies are overwhelmed by a disaster.

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Air Guard combo thrills children of Djibouti

Damerjog, Dijibouti, February 2008 -- It was the rockin' sounds of the Thunder Roll, a rock-n-roll combo from the Georgia Air National Guard's 530th Air Force Band that attracted scores of children in the village of Damerjog, Djibouti recently underscoring that music is truly the universal language.

Most of the kids couldn't speak English, but they had no trouble dancing along to the American music that filled their village.

"Thunder Roll," one of Central Air Force's two bands, performed for the kids for more than an hour Monday morning, playing everything from The Clash to Smash Mouth.

Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Larry Winner, a member of "Thunder Roll" kicks up his heels with the local children during the band's performance in Djibouti.
residents.

The village of Damerjog is less than 20 minutes from Camp Lemonier, the primary U.S. military base here, and the Marines who conduct base security often visit Damerjog and the other surrounding villages in an effort to get to know the local

The Marines brought the band, which belongs to the Georgia Air National Guard, to Damerjog for Monday's performance.

"It's all about relationships," said Marine Capt. Christopher Crim, commanding officer of B Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Crim and his Marines visit four local villages at least once a week. They play soccer with the kids, set up movie nights, hand out school supplies, help repair water reservoirs and simply spend time with the villagers.

"The purpose of this is quite simple: to gain an appreciation of their culture and build relationships," he said. "The simple things go the farthest, school supplies, flip flops, things that are useful to everyday life."

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Larry Winner, one of the band members, got into the mix and danced with the children during the performance.

"At first I was a little apprehensive, but we saw how they were reacting," Winner said. "When you look into their eyes you could see a connection. The music was just lighting them up."

Winner said he was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic reception the band received.

"Music truly is the universal language," he said. "That's an old clich but it's true. Everyone can relate to the beat."

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Service award honors Guard's WO5 Tadlock

Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office

MACON For Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert C. Tadlock, receiving the Army Ordnance Corps' Order of Samuel Sharpe for his distinguished service to the Corps and its principles is a humbling experience.

Tadlock, field maintenance manager for the Georgia Army Guard's Directorate of Logistics, has served the Guard for 38 years, first as an enlisted Soldier and then as a warrant officer. He received the 2008 Order of Samuel Sharpe during a Directorate of Logistics meeting at the Regional Training Institute.

Georgia Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert C. Tadlock (left), a Directorate of Logistics field maintenance supervisor, receives the 2008 Army Ordnance Corps Order of Samuel Sharpe from Col. Steven E.

"What can I say," the long-time Moultrie resident said. "Being recognized in this way touches me deeply."

Blanton, DOL surface maintenance manger, during a ceremony at Macon's Regional Training Institute. (Photo by Command Sgt. Maj. John C. Smiley, 148th Brigade Support Battalion)

The Order of Samuel is the highest honor the Ordnance Corps can bestow on its members. Its purpose is to recognize Soldiers who have served the corps with demonstrated

integrity, moral character, and professional competence over a sustained period. It honors those whose selfless contributions to the

organization stand out in the eyes of their seniors, their peers, and subordinates.

Fellow Soldiers who know him, say Tadlock is a shining example for enlisted soldiers and officers of every job skill and branch. He has mentored many a Georgia Army Guardsman during his career, they say, and his expertise, they add, has been vital to the overall success of the units with which he has served.

"I have always followed the philosophy that I never ask any Soldier to do anything I wouldn't do myself," Tadlock explained. "That includes putting Army Values, your soldiers and Corps principles and ethics above all else.

"I should also like to say that, while this award was presented to me, it belongs to all those with whom I've worked, from the bottom of the ranks to the top," he added. "They, too, have earned this honor."

After Tadlock started his service to the Guard and to the Ordnance Corps in 1969, he would culminate 17 years and nine months and the rank of master sergeant before earning his commissioned as a Warrant Officer 1 in 1987. He would go on to obtain his present rank, chief warrant officer 5 in 2002.

During his career, Tadlock has had 18 rotations the active Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin Calif. He has done three tours of duty at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La. His deployments include the first Gulf War, SFOR 9 Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Iraqi Freedom and to the country of Georgia.

Tadlock's awards include the Bronze Star, the Joint Services Commendation Medal and four Meritorious Service medals. He has also earned eight Army Commendation medals, seven Army Achievement medals, and three National Defense Service medals.

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Guardsmen sharpen warfighting skills at Fort Benning

COLUMBUS Some where, out in the dusty, dirty streets of Fort Benning's McKenna MOUT site, small arms and automatic weapons fire erupted. A convoy, its lead and rear Humvees disabled by IEDs, its vehicle crews hunkered down in the safety of nearby buildings, calls for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry to come to its aid.

The Americus-based unit responds, its members moving under the cover of smoke, around the corners and down the sandcolored walls of buildings as it searches for a group of "enemy combatants" shooting up the convoy.

Scenes such as this were repeated throughout the first weekend in March as Company D and soldiers of the Army Reserve's 335th Signal Company based at Fort McPherson, worked to better their urban warfare skills.

For many in Company D, which has only been part of the

Georgia Army Guard since January 2007, urban warfare isn't a

new experience. Most of the Soldiers some from the former

Troop E, 108th Cavalry and Company A, 2nd Battalion, 121st

Infantry, were in Iraq from 2005 to 2006 with Macon's 48th

Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The remain Soldiers are new to

Members of Company D, 2nd Battalion. 121st Infantry, move against an the concept of Military Operations on Urban Terrain.

enemy position during MOUT training at Fort Benning in Columbus.

(Photo by 1st Lt. Nick Jones, executive officer Company D, 2nd

"Urban operations is probably the toughest task you can ask an

Battalion, 121st Infantry)

infantry Soldier to accomplish," said Capt. Brian Cardinali, who commands the Americus unit. "But, training such as provides us

an increased understanding of the tactics, techniques, and fire coordination it takes to be successful in that task."

No one, the veteran, or the new Soldier can walk away after such a great day of training at such a great facility as the McKenna MOUT site, Cardinali added, and say that something valuable wasn't learned.

As for the 335th and its dilemma, that ended with Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Sperry and a squad of Company D Soldiers linking up with the convoy coordinating a support-by-fire position on the second-floor of one of the building where the signal company had taken refuge. At the same time, another squad moved to assault an enemy position on the ground floor of a nearby two-story building.

Through their expertise and aggressiveness, the "Dakota Soldiers" as they call themselves, put an end to the opposing force and its harassment of the signal company convoy.

Story was provided by Company D platoon leader 2nd Lt. William Carraway

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ACT Contributes Funds to Guard Foundation

Atlanta -- The Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) recently presented the Georgia National Guard Foundation with a check for $500 which will go to help National Guardsmen and Guard families in times of personal need.

Terrence Williams, President of the North Georgia Army Chapter, and Mark McKinney, State Chairman, Georgia ACT, presented the check to Foundation President, Lt. Col. Jay Peno in December 2007.

"The contribution by ACT will continue to help our Soldiers and Airmen in need," said Peno. "It also underscores the outstanding relationship between labor and management enjoyed in the Georgia National Guard.

ACT represents the Technicians of the Georgia National Guard. The union was founded in 1960 and represents bargaining units in 38 states, Washington D. C. and the Virgin Islands.

Mark McKinney, state chairman, Georgia ACT, Terrence Williams, President of the North Georgia Army Chapter, present the check to Guard Foundation President, Lt. Col. Jay Peno in late December 2007.

According to Mark McKinney, State Chairman, the check was presented on behalf of the men and women of all state chapters of ACT with the vision of helping

to support the needs of the men and women of the Georgia National Guard.

For tax year 2006, the Foundation raised more than $114,195 in donations from tax returns. That check is slated to be presented to the Georgia National Guard Foundation during "National Guard Day" at the Capitol scheduled for March 11, 2008.

Georgia taxpayers will once again have the opportunity to make tax donations to The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc. when they file their taxes for 2007.

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1st BN, 118th FA soldiers earn Soldier, NCO of the Year
Story by Staff Sgt. David Bill Public Affairs Office 48th IBCT
Private 1st Class Thomas Gritzner and Sgt. Kenneth Lee, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion,118th Field Artillery Regiment, have been selected as the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.
The 2008 selection process allowed each of the battalions and separate units within the 48th IBCT to present Soldiers who strived for, and achieved excellence. The candidates then faced-off before the "Murder Board," made up of seven sergeants major and one first sergeant representing the respective units within the Volunteer Brigade. Each candidate's military knowledge was challenged on the Army's standard Common Soldier Task Training, and topics quickly broadened to include 48th Brigade history, Army chain of command, programs specific to the Army, and the Enlisted Promotion System. Candidates also completed the Army Physical Fitness Test.
"The competition starts at the local unit, company and detachment level," said 48th IBCT Brigade Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hurndon, who served as president of the board. "At this level they are very well prepared by their chain of command."
Convened at the 48th Brigade Headquarters in Macon, this "murder board" watched every move and listened intently as each candidate responded to the questions posed.
Gritzner, a gunner for Battery B, in Savannah, out-dueled six other candidates for the title of Soldier of the Year.
Leesaid he had an advantage over his peers vying for NCO of the Year. "My unit prepared me well for the competition," said the Springfield resident. "I had support throughout my preparation." Fresh from active duty, Lee had appeared before a similar board for his promotion to Sergeant.
A gunner for Springfield's Battery A, Lee has been with the unit for just over a year. "I'm excited about being selected as NCO of the Year," he said.
"It is an honor to have both winners from our unit," said 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Alfred Wood, although he is not sure if a battalion has ever had both the Soldier and NCO of the Year but was pleased with the unique turn of events.
"I'm very proud of these two fine young men," said Woods. "They worked hard to prepare for this competition. They have brought great honor to the Battalion."
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148th detachment gets new name, new flag; now 348th

Georgia National Guard Public Affairs Office

Hinesville Ceremonies at this city's National Guard armory
marked the addition of Company B, 348th Brigade Support Battalion in mid January. The unit is the first to be activated for the 348th, one of the Georgia Army Guard's newest battalions and soon to be headquartered in Cumming.

Above, from the left Sgt. Allen Mincey of Company B, 348th Brigade Support Battalion; Sgt. Maj. Charles Christenbury, the battalion sergeant major; Lt Col. Charles Lewis, battalion commander; and Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Weitman, Company B's acting commander, show the colors of the 348th's first element to be stood up. (Photo by Sgt. Marlene Raymond, Company B, 348th BSB)

Company B was formerly Detachment 1, Company B, of the 148th Brigade Support Battalion. Headquartered in Macon, the 148th is part of Georgia's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Acting commander for the new unit is Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Weitman.
Captain Alexander McLemore remains as commander of the 148th's Company B. That unit is still home stationed in Jackson.

Although the former detachment's designation has changed, its mission has not, and that is to repair and get equipment back into Soldier's hands quick enough to influence the outcome of any given peace-time or war-time mission.

"Every Soldier in our ranks is committed to that end," said Sgt. 1st Class Navey Johnson, Company B's acting first sergeant. "From the most junior person to the most senior, we're ready for whatever challenges face us in helping others succeed in their mission."

More than 200 family members, friends and fellow Soldiers attended the ceremony marking Company B's activation. Hinesville and other area civic leaders, and former unit members spent the day congratulating Company B Soldiers on their new designation and welcoming the unit's command staff into the community.

"Having those folks welcome us the way they have gives our Soldiers a sense of being `family,' that they're part of the community from the very beginning," said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Kicklighter. Kicklighter, Company B's readiness NCO received the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal during the activation ceremony for playing such a decisive role in the unit's transition from the 148th BSB to its new place within the 348th.

"The honor of being recognized isn't just mine," he said. "That medal belongs to everyone involved in the process; we all did the job."

Detachment 1, now Company B, 384th BSB, is part of the Georgia Army Guard's 648th Combat Support Brigade. Designated as a "maneuver enhancement brigade," the 648th is headquartered in Columbus and commanded by Col. Keith Knowlton. The company's history goes dates back to 1777 when the Georgia Militia was authorized, and the Liberty Independent Troop was formed in Liberty County. This also is the fifth renaming of this maintenance company since 1968.

More elements of the 348th and the 648th will stand up as the Georgia Army Guard's transformation moves forward. These include the headquarters companies for both units one in Cumming, the other in Columbus. At some point the 348th also will stand up its distribution unit, Company A, in Dahlonega and in Cumming.

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Boxing: Studying the 'Sweet Dance'

By Senior Airman Paul Ross Public Affairs

Troops around the Air Force are outfitted with different equipment that is essential to their occupations.

Pilots wear flight suits, civil engineering troops don steel-toed boots and Staff Sgt. Thomas Jacobs laces up his boxing gloves.

The 116th Computer Systems Operations technician has been

studying the "sweet science" for the past few years. He

represented the Air Force at the Armed Forces championships

Staff Sgt. Thomas Jacobs, left, demonstrates his left hook in a boxing

Feb. 3-8 at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

match at the Air Force training camp. Sergeant Jacobs earned a spot on the Air Force boxing team and competed in the Armed Forces championship. Courtesy photo

Although the fighter lost his bout, falling by decision to Army Specialist Zacchaeus Hardrick, he will continue to train and prepare for nationals, which will be March 8-16 at Colorado

Springs, Colo. "This is my third year with the team," Jacobs

said. "I didn't get cut the first two years, but this is the first year I earned the number one spot."

The middleweight fighter has been exposed to the sport since he was young but only recently really started to focus on it. Part of the reason for his interest was his older sibling. "My older brother was a boxer," Jacobs said. "Every little boy wants to be like his older brother." The Milwaukee native doesn't consider himself a "knockout artist" even though he has tallied up six knockouts and a 17-4 record. "I hope to add a few more wins at the...upcoming nationals, but I definitely have my work cut out for me," Jacobs said.

When looking for a fighter's style to emulate he chose brains over brawn. "Bernard Hopkins would probably be the one because of his intelligence in the ring," Jacobs said. "Roy Jones and other boxers were great in their time because they had speed, but once they got a little older and their speed faded, so did their careers. Despite Hopkins's age, he can still beat anyone out there because of his ring intelligence and how he always sticks to the fundamentals."

In order to earn a spot on the Air Force team, Jacobs participated in tryouts at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The tryouts lasted three weeks and ended with a "box-off" Jan. 18-19. "The trials are tough," Jacobs said. "You hit the ground running and it's definitely not for the weak hearted."

Tech. Sgt. Edward Rivas, head coach of the Air Force boxing team, has witnessed a big improvement in Jacobs over the past couple years. "Jacobs has been coming to us for the past three years," Rivas said. "This year he came in at a higher weight class so he was stronger, not having to struggle with making weight."

Jacobs sums up the type of fighter coach Rivas looks for when evaluating talent. "I look for fighters who are dedicated and who have the desire to compete," said Rivas. "(Jacobs) is a workhorse. His greatest asset is his mental toughness something you can't teach. He also brings a lighter side to training with his jokes, great attitude and demeanore workout regimen for the team is rigid. A typical day at camp starts off at 4:45 a.m. with a run. The run varies daily from distance to intervals and sprints. After the run the fighters will have plyometric training or strength and conditioning workout.

Following that is usually skills and drills where the fighters practice different techniques and do bag work. The last workout of the day is usually sparring or more bag drills. The fighters normally work out four times a day, six and sometimes seven days a week. "(Training) is pretty taxing on your mind and body," Jacobs said. "You put yourself through hell and misery hoping it will pay off when you're face-to-face with a guy that wants to take your head off. The guy with the most heart is going to win. You can teach someone how to punch and move and slip punches, but you can't teach someone how to have heart. Either you have it or you don't."

Another difficulty is on a social level; boxers at camp develop friendships with each other only to have to face-off in the ring. "You train and make friends with the people who stick it out," Jacobs said. "After two weeks you are going to be fighting them. It's all business when you step in the ring though."

For the spectator sitting in the stands, boxing may seem like a sport anyone could participate in, but Jacobs begs to differ. "Everyone wants to be a fighter, but not everyone wants to train." Jacobs said. "People change their mind real quick once they start eating a five-piece punch combination with a side of barbecue sauce for dinner. A lot of blood and sweat goes into boxing as it does in other fighting styles. An old man once told me, `the more you sweat the less you'll bleed.'"

The 28-year old fighter has been fortunate to never have been knocked-out but says he has been "rocked" before. "Getting rocked is basically the step before getting knocked out," Jacobs said. "It's almost as if your brain just shook inside your head. I got rocked today as a matter of fact; the team went to a local gym to fight their boxers and the guy I fought threw punches like he had bricks in his gloves. I have a black eye as a going away present from him."

Not only has boxing for the Air Force team allowed Jacobs the ability to earn a paycheck while competing in a sport he loves, but it's also given him tools to be just as successful in his military career.

"Boxing has helped me in my Air Force career mostly by giving me a way to release and get rid of the daily stresses of work," Jacobs said. "It helps me come in with a clean mind everyday and lets me focus on my tasks for the day. Not to mention on the PT tests. I'm trying to use my focus and determination I've learned from boxing and apply it to my goals that I want to achieve in the Air Force."

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G.S.D.F. commissions its first Jewish chaplain
March 2nd, Rabbi Zalman Lipskier, Director of Chabad at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, was formally commissioned as the first Jewish Chaplain in Georgia's military history to serve in the Georgia State Defense Force or its companion Georgia Army and Air National Guard forces. This is the second appointment of a Chassidic Rabbi to one of the country's 25 volunteer State Defense Forces.

"I've wanted Jewish representation in the Georgia State Defense Force and National Guard for a long time," said Commanding General Michael McGuinn, "and I was absolutely thrilled when a friend of mine told me that a Chassidic Rabbi had joined the Maryland State Defense Force. He put me in touch with The Aleph Institute who is appointed by the U.S. Department of Defense as an Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agency and serves the Jewish military population worldwide. They sent out a request and Rabbi Lipskier answered the call."

"For us to be able to work with The

Aleph Institute in commissioning a

Rabbi of this caliber is a real asset

for us," said Chaplain (Col) John

Owings, The Joint Forces Chaplain

for Georgia, over the Army and Air

National Guard and State Defense

Force. "I have a high degree of trust

in the ability of Chabad Rabbis to

provide pastoral care to the Jewish

community and people of all faiths.

Rabbi Lipskier is already working

with the student body at Emory and

doing excellent work. We will do

everything we can to support him

and ensure that he is on equal

footing with all religious

Briadier Gen. Micheal McGuinn, Commander, Georgia State Defense denominations."

Force, welcomes Capt. Zalman Lipskier as the new GSDF Jewish

chaplain. (Photo by Pfc. Leonard Goodleman)

With no Jewish chaplains to serve

the 13,500 troops in Georgia's National Guard, Rabbi Lipskier, in the spirit of all military Chaplains, will

provide critical chaplaincy services for soldiers and their families, as needed, regardless of religious

denomination across the entire spectrum of Army and Air National Guard, as well as the Georgia State

Defense Force. He will assist soldiers deploying to and returning from combat zones. "I'll be there for them,"

he said, "for them and their families when they go out and when they return safely, God willing."

The appointment of an orthodox Rabbi to military Chaplaincy comes with an untraditional waiver to allow facial hair. "It's a matter of having authentic Jewish representation in the Defense Force, or not," said Commanding General Michael McGuinn about Rabbi Lipskier's beard. "Rabbi Lipskier is a fine, fine man, and he will perform a tremendous service for the troops. We're thrilled to have him join us."

Rabbi Lipskier was formally commissioned on March 2 into Chaplaincy service at a graduation ceremony at The State Department Defense Complex in Atlanta. Lipskier says that he is grateful for the accommodations that the Defense Force made for him to attend training on Sunday instead of Saturday in order to honor the holy Sabbath.

"I very much appreciate the support and consideration of the Defense Force to help me better serve the State Defense Force and National Guard volunteers, and for making the best interests of the soldiers a top priority," he concluded.

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Georgia Guardsman meets Petraeus
Georgia Army Guard Sgt. Richard Holdridge (right), poses for a photo with Maj. Gen. David Petraeus, commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Petraeus was making a 10 minute visit to the embassy on command business, Holdridge said in a recent e-mail. "I didn't have a chance to strike up a conversation with the general, but it's a great honor to have met him and to have shaken his hand," he added. Holdridge, a member of the Atlanta-based 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, is an individual augmentee with the Massachusettes Army Guard's 65th Public Affairs Operations Center. The 65th, commanded by Maj. Brad Leighton, operates the Coalition Press Information Center inside Baghdad's Green Zone. Holdrige, who lives in Kennesaw, joined the unit at Fort Dix, N.J., in June 2007 for mobilization training. He and the 65th PAOC expect to return stateside sometime in June. (Contributed photo)
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