Georgia guardsman [Vol. 2, Issue 12 (Dec. 2010)]

December 2010
Youth ChalleNGe Academy
over 200 cadets graduate, get second chance
78th Homeland Response Force
new leadership, new mission
New Guard facilities
for Cumming, Hinesville, Marietta and Ft. Benning

3

6

9

65 13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1 | The Georgia Guardsman

Commander-in-Chief: Gov. Sonny Perdue
Adjutant General of Georgia: Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt
6WDWH3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFHU Maj. John H. Alderman IV
Managing Editor: Mr. Seth G. Stuck
Layout & Design: Sgt. Gary Hone
Media Relations: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kenneth R. Baldowski
Operations NCO: Master Sgt. John Kinnaman
Contributing Ga. DoD Organizations: 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, Army National Guard Unit Public Affairs Representatives, Air National Guard Wing Public Affairs Representatives, Georgia State Defense Force Public Affairs.
Editorial Inquiry and Submissions: Seth.G.Stuck@us.army.mil or (678) 569-3663
The Georgia Guardsman is published monthly under the provisions of AR 360-81 and AF 6-1 by the Georgia 'HSDUWPHQW RI 'HIHQVH 3XEOLF $IIDLUV 2IFH 7KH YLHZV and opinions expressed in the Georgia Guardsman are not necessarily those of the Departments of the Army and Air )RUFH RU WKH $GMXWDQW *HQHUDO RI *HRUJLD 7KH *HRUJLD Guardsman is distributed free-of-charge to members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, State Defense )RUFHDQGRWKHULQWHUHVWHGSHUVRQVXSRQUHTXHVW
Up-to-the-minute Ga. DoD news and information can be found at www.gadod.net.

www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaGuard feeds.FeedBurner.com/GeorgiaGuard www.Flickr.com/GaNatlGuard www.Twitter.com/GeorgiaGuard www.YouTube.com/GeorgiaNationalGuard
December 2010 | 2

ADT SECURITY UNDERGOES
STRESS FIRE TRAINING
6WRU\DQGSKRWRVE\6JWVW&ODVV5R\+HQU\ 124th Mobile Pupblic Affairs Detachment Georgia Army National Guard

FORT GORDON, Augusta, Ga., Nov. 20, 2010 Georgia Army Guard Spc. Christopher R. Ellis of Winder stood, bent over, hands on his knees, sweaty and exhausted. Setting KLV 0 ULH GRZQ DJDLQVW WKH EOHDFKHUV LQWKHEULHQJDUHDKHFRPPHQWHGRQWKH VWUHVVUHWUDLQLQJKHKDGMXVWFRPSOHWHG
"Now that," Ellis exclaimed as he stopped to catch his breath in front of the range bleachers, "really tests your ability to concentrate and stay calm. I can imagine what it's going to be like once we get to premobilization training, and that's probably going to be even more stressful."
He and the Security Force Platoon of *HRUJLDV UVW $JULFXOWXUDO 'HYHORSPHQW Team have been working toward this moment for three days. On day four, the training culminates when the more than 25 members of "SECFOR" will put what they have learned to the test.
"If the senior sergeants make the tasks even harder tomorrow," said a worn out but grinning Sgt. Nate Smith of Dunwoody, ZKRDOVRZDVSDUWRIWKLVUVWJURXSLWV going to be just that much better."
When ADT 1's "AG" specialists hit the ground in Southeastern Afghanistan next year, they will help Afghan farmers and their communities improve their lives with modern agricultural practices aimed at optimizing use of water, soil, crops and livestock. It is SECFOR's job to protect the AG specialists from a Taliban insurgency that is determined to keep them from succeeding in that mission, says Staff Sgt. Matthew Rice, the security platoon's trainer and its dismount supervisor.
"It'll be our people who'll leave their gun trucks and patrol the area, keeping a wary eye out for the bad guys," said Rice. "What

the ADT does in Afghanistan is important to the U.S. and NATO effort to help move that country out of the 19th Century and into the 21st. So, it's our job to make sure no one interferes with that."
Should insurgents start trouble, SECFOR will cover the ADT as it moves out of the danger zone, Rice says. That is ZK\ WKH SODWRRQ LV GRLQJ VWUHVV UH QRZ instead of waiting until they arrive at the Pre Mobilization Training and Assessment Evaluation at the Guard Garrison Training Center in Hinesville.
6WUHVV UH KDV EHHQ D SDUW RI WUDLQLQJ for deploying units for the past couple of years, Rice says. Soldiers are pushed hard to test their ability to deal with the chaos RIDUHJKW7KH\PRYHWKURXJKDVHULHV of exercise routines, and then literally drag a fellow Soldier's body to and from a predetermined checkpoint. Then there is more exercise, followed by an all out run WRWKHULQJOLQHZKHUHWKHLUZHDSRQVDQG ammo are waiting.
All the while, someone is in their face or standing behind them yelling and screaming to try to get the trainees' focus off the end task of getting on line, getting on target and then hitting that target.
2QFHWKH\SLFNXSDQGORDGWKHLUULH they walk toward their target and continue WR UH DQG UHORDG ZLWK VRPHRQH VWLOO yelling in their ear as they go," Rice said.

"It's all about focus and not letting the chaos take over."
Rotating through these exercises repeatedly, the platoon seeks to build muscle memory, so that handling and ignoring stress becomes second nature, ZKHQRUDQGLIWKHURXQGVVWDUW\LQJ Rice adds.
Like all the training the ADT has completed, says 2nd Lt. William Westrip IV, SECFOR's commander and a native of Athens, the goal is to sustain individual skills. "But it is also about building FRQGHQFHLQWKHSHUVRQRQ\RXUOHIWDQG on your right," he said.
"For 15 months, we'll be working and living together, depending on each other for council, camaraderie and the will to come out the winner in close combat," Westrip said. "It's important that each of us knows that the man standing next to him can be counted on to do his part."
While some among the security force and the ADT have deployed before many to Iraq or Afghanistan just as many have not, Westrip, explains. "Some know each

3 | The Georgia Guardsman

RWKHUEXWWKLVLVWKHUVWWLPHPDQ\RIWKHP have been together," he said.
,PRQHRIWKRVHUVWWLPHUVVDLG6SF John Austin Willis of Watkinsville. He will work as an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) gunner on one of SECFOR's gun trucks. "We've all done quite well at working together, and I think we will continue to do so in country which means that the mission to help the Afghans make a better life for themselves will prevail."
Specialist Christopher Ellis hits the ground in the "front leaning rest position," while Staff Sgt. Matthew Rice reminds him that he needs to try harder if he's going to make it as part of the ADT Security Force Platoon.
December 2010 | 4

48 MILES, 48 HOURS: SOLDIERS MAKE DIFFICULT TREK TO HONOR THEIR OWN

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"This is my second time participating in the march, and this

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time was very emotional. I cried two times on the last leg coming

Georgia Army National Guard

into the park," Hannes said. "It was quite a journey."

Although the primary purpose of the event was to honor the

nation's veterans, the march also represented other principles

GEORGIA NATIONAL CEMETERY, Canton, Ga., Nov. 14, 2010 More which embody the spirit of the Warrior Ethos, such as: I will never

than 100 Warriors of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, accept defeat; I will never quit; and I will never leave a fallen

led by 1st Sgt. Sean Hannes, loaded up their backs with a 35-lb. comrade.

UXFNVDFNDQGDQ06HPL$XWRPDWLF5LHWKHQHPEDUNHGRQD "This march takes a lot of personal courage," says Spc. David

48-mile journey from the hills of Canton, Ga., in Cherokee County Privett of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment.

to Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.

"You have to have some intestinal fortitude to do this type of

They embarked on the march to pay homage to veterans past event."

and present, as well as their fallen comrades.

"Watching everyone gear up this morning was a very proud

"I'm walking for Justin," proudly proclaimed Sgt. Joe Johnson, moment for me," said Spc. Danielle McCreight, a volunteer medic

a resident of Lyerly, Ga., and a mortar man with the 108th Calvary. from Charlie Company, 148th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB).

Justin, Sgt. Johnson's son, was killed in action while serving in "I volunteered for this march because I get a chance to be

Iraq in 2004.

surrounded by my fellow Soldiers. I love being around these guys

For some, it was their second time participating in the long, EHFDXVHWKH\DUHIDPLO\DQGWKLVPLVVLRQLVGHQLWHO\ZRUWKLW

hard trek. In 2008, the march was led by the Brigade's former McCreight said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hurndon. This year, the march was The march was put together by Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph

led by Hannes of Hinesville, Ga., who has been with the 48th Recker and it gained support from organizations such as the

IBCT since 2000 and has deployed with the unit both in support Family Readiness Group of the 148th BSB, the American Legion,

of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. and the First Baptist Church of Canton.

5 | The Georgia Guardsman

GUARD AVIATION

"It is because of these experiences and the seasoned professionals standing before you in the 171st's ranks, that I have no doubt the unit will once again serve our nation with excellence," said Britt.

UNITS DEPLOY FOR The 185th has deployed numerous times in support of Operation Noble Eagle, Kosovo Force 8, and as part of Task Force Eagle. The

NEW DAWN IN IRAQ

185th was also called to duty in support of security operations for the inauguration of President Barrack Obama in 2009. Additionally, since the unit's inception, it has provided support to elements of the

6WRU\DQGSKRWRE\6SF-R\HOOH7RUQV 3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH Georgia Department of Defense

48th Brigade Combat Team at Fort Benning, Ga. Distinguished guests to include Mayor Chip Thompson of
Winder, Ga., Commission Chairman Daniel Yearwood Jr., and others met with Soldiers to provide words of encouragement and

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Dec. 1, 2010 Fellow 6ROGLHUVIDPLO\IULHQGVDQGRIFLDOJXHVWVJDWKHUHGWRELGIDUHZHOO to a couple of Georgia Army National Guard aviation units that will be joining the California National Guard's 40th Combat Aviation Brigade for operations in Iraq.
Members of the Georgia Army National Guard's 1-185th Aviation Regiment, Company C, Air Assault unit will be teaming up with Soldiers of the 1-171st General Support Aviation Battalion to provide command, control and communication enhancement, as well as movement of cargo and troops. They will also provide Aero-Medical evacuation coverage to their assigned battle space as U.S. forces in Iraq are transitioning from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn.
The 171st will deploy more than 250 Soldiers along with eight UH-60 Blackhawks to Fort Hood, Texas, where they will perform pre-mobilization training before heading to Iraq. The 185th will GHSOR\PRUHWKDQ6ROGLHUVZLWKYH8+%ODFNKDZNVWR)RUW Hood, where they too will train before deploying to Iraq.
"We are quite proud of both aviation units

gratitude. 6WDWH $YLDWLRQ 2IFHU &RO %UHQW %UDFHZHOO DVVXUHG WKH
attendees that, "While we are deploying more than 13 air assets, we still have the necessary assets available to react to natural disasters."
For many of the Soldiers, this yearlong deployment will be their second or third deployment.
Sergeant Bill Price of Woodstock, Ga., is on his third deployment in support of the war on terror. His wife, Sandi Price, says that though she will miss him, she now has a better support system the third time around.
"I am extremely proud of the uniform he wears and the job he performs for the National Guard," she said.
Each Soldier has some part of their normal lives they will miss, EXWIRU3YW7UHQWRQ0FOHRGGHSOR\LQJZLOOEHSDUWLFXODUO\GLIFXOW because he has a four-month-old son at home.
"While I will miss Terrence and am sad I will be missing the milestones with him, I am ready to answer the call. This is what I am trained for. This is why I took that oath of enlistment," said Mcleod.

and I am sure they will perform admirably

and with distinction," said Maj. Gen. Terry

Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant General.

The 171st has represented the command,

state and nation in several operational

deployments to include the Dominican

Republic in support of Operation New

Horizon, Kuwait in support of the Global

War on Terror, the Gulf Coast after Hurricane

Katrina in support of one of the costliest

disasters in American history, and throughout

the state of Georgia in support of natural

disasters.

In her remarks, Maj. Gen. Maria L. Britt,

Sgt. Peter Hellewell, of Covington, Ga., sits with his

Georgia Army Guard Commander, noted

seven-month-old son, Hunter, in a Blackhawk helicopter

the previous accomplishments, deployments

after the farewell ceremony in Winder Ga. Before

and experience of the 171st in defending the

deploying, Sgt. Hellewell worked full-time with the

nation's freedom in support of the Global War

National Guard as a crew chief with the 1-185th.

on Terror in 2003 and 2005.

December 2010 | 6

GUARD ENGINEERS ON THEIR WAY TO AFGHANISTAN

6WRU\DQGSKRWRE\6JWVW&ODVV5R\+HQU\ 3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH Georgia Department of Defense

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga. Dec. 8, 2010 The

National Guard Armory in Augusta has seen more than its share

of Georgia Army Guard units saying their goodbyes, loading their

bags aboard waiting buses, and heading off to assist with some

state or national emergency, or to war. This time, more than 150

members of Augusta's 877th Engineer Company are heading out

the door and toward the dangerous terrain of Afghanistan.

Led by Capt. Rick Morris, and 1st Sgt. Jeff Logan, the engineers

boarded buses Monday, Dec. 6 and left for Fort McCoy, Wis.

There, they will undergo specialized training before moving on a

month later for a yearlong deployment to help Afghanistan win its

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"The unit's primary mission includes `area clearance' around "And by the way," he added, "they have held the record as the

Bagram Air Field, the construction of new forward operating best `S and E' elements in the country for those three years."

bases, new checkpoints and road repairs," said Maj. Gen. Maria L. Augusta mayor-pro tem, Alvin Mason, says that, as a retired

Britt, Georgia Army Guard commander.

$UP\ UVW VHUJHDQW KH KDV VWRRG LQ WKH WKV ERRWV DQG

/LNHWKHLUFRPPDQGHUDQGWKHLUUVWVHUJHDQWQHDUO\SHUFHQW experienced the feelings of a Soldier being deployed, and the

of these Soldiers have deployed before and are combat veterans. emotions of loved ones being left behind.

Whether they've gone before or not, though, they all exemplify the 0DVRQSUHVHQWHG0RUULVZLWKDQ$XJXVWDFLW\DJWR\RYHUKLV

XQLWVPRWWR)LWWRJKWVKHDGGHG

KHDGTXDUWHUVDQGVDLG:HZDQWWRVHHWKDWDJDQGWKRVHRI\RX

As the 877th begins its wartime assignment, it leaves behind leaving for war back here, safe and sound, 12 months from now.

its homeland mission as the search and extraction element of On behalf of the Augusta city government, we applaud you and

Kennesaw's Joint Task Force (JTF) 781. That now falls to Douglas' \RXUIDPLOLHVIRU\RXUVDFULFH<RXKDYHDIULHQGLQXVNQRZ\RX

WK(QJLQHHU&RPSDQ\WKHRWKHUHQJLQHHURXWWEHORQJLQJWR are not ever alone."

Columbus' 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and the JTF's Morris says it has taken a year of planning, preparation and hard

parent headquarters. The Douglas engineers recently validated training to get to this day. "It is an honor," he added, "to lead a

their ability to handle the 877th's old job during training at Camp great group of Soldiers and American patriots who are simply the

Blanding, Fla.

best at what they do."

The JTF commander, Lt. Col. Jeff Carlyle, says he is quite proud Morris looked out across the formation of Soldiers and the

of the 877th.

families and friends who had gathered to see them off. Recalling

"They are leaving at more than 100 percent strength. They left the last words of Todd Beamer, one of the passengers who died

the Guard Garrison Training Center with 99 percent of their people when United Flight 93 crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, before it could

trained up, when the average number for a unit going through pre- be used as weapon of terror, he said, "Let's Roll."

PRELOL]DWLRQLVLQWKHPLGWKSHUFHQWLOH(YHU\RQHTXDOLHGRQ "As we leave to join the 1249th Engineer Battalion and complete

the various weapons systems the unit employs, and some among RXUQDOWUDLQLQJSKDVHZHWKDQNWKHRUJDQL]DWLRQVRXUVHQLRU

WKHXQLWHYHQGRXEOHTXDOLHGKHVDLG

leaders and our fellow Soldiers and Airmen who continue to

"The 877th is an outstanding unit, and it is the Soldiers, NCOs support us," he said. "This is a sad day, but it is also a great day.

DQGRIFHUVZKRPDNHLWWKDW&DUO\OHVDLG7KH\DUHJRLQJWR We are ready to accomplish the mission, and to make our families,

be missed by JTF 781, and I know they'll do as well with their our state and our nation proud."

wartime mission as they have for the past three years as our search

and extraction team."

7 | The Georgia Guardsman

ARMY ENGINEER RELISHES OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE AFGHAN CHILDREN

6WRU\DQGSKRWRVE\6JWVW&ODVV5R\+HQU\ 3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH Georgia Department of Defense

CLAY NAITONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Dec. 9, 2010 When

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community near Savannah, walked into a Georgia Army Guard

UHFUXLWLQJRIFHYH\HDUVDJRWKHUHFUXLWHUSRLQWHGO\DVNHGKHU

"How do you feel about playing in the dirt?"

"That's because I have a Bachelors degree in agriculture

education from the University of Georgia, and I teach AG science

WRVL[WKVHYHQWKDQGHLJKWKJUDGHUVDW6RXWK(IQJKDP0LGGOH

School in Guyton," Benson said. "I told the recruiter, `I do it every

day with my students. It's who I am.' So he signed me up as a 21 Tango Technical Engineer."
Having this military occupational skill (MOS) landed her in Augusta's 877th Engineer Company. Her job, at the time, was to execute land surveys, make maps and prepare detailed plans and drawings for construction projects. Benson could also, as a 21T,

Sergeant Carmen Benson conducts a horticulture lesson with her sixth grade agri-science students in the 6RXWK (IQJKDP 0LGGOH 6FKRRO JUHHQKRXVH 3KRWR FRQWULEXWHGE\6RXWK(IQJKDP0LGGOH6FKRROVL[WK JUDGHU1LFKRODU+REEV

supervise or participate in construction site development, to include

technical investigation, surveying, drafting, and development of likely at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. However, that will not happen,

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VKHVD\VXQWLOVKHUHWXUQVIURPKHUUVWGHSOR\PHQW

Additionally, a 21T can provide surveys and maps used to locate Although the 877th is her parent unit, and it recently deployed for

military targets and plot troop movements.

a year of construction work at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan,

$QRWKHUWKLQJP\026GRHVLVDVVLVWLQHOGDQGODERUDWRU\ Benson is not going with her fellow engineers. She is going to

tests on construction materials," Benson explained. "Those Afghanistan, she said, as a soil specialist with the Georgia Guard's

construction surveys my job skill does come before and during Agricultural Development Team One.

construction so equipment operators and others can do their jobs. Made up of Soldiers with agriculture and combat arms

We also compile technical information for future use."

backgrounds from across the state, ADT 1 which falls under

The other thing she liked about being with the 877th was the $XJXVWDVVW5HJLRQDO6XSSRUW*URXSLVWKHUVWRIWKUHHVXFK

work it did as the search and extraction element of Kennesaw's teams that will help Afghan farmers and farming communities

Joint Task Force 781. She and her fellow Soldiers, she said, go into build better lives through basic, more modern agricultural

a disaster scene, searching the rubble and dilapidated structures practices.

for victims.

"Anything related to soil, soil conservation, or anything of that

"I felt my skills as a technical engineer would certainly come in sort, the team will bring to me," Benson said. "But I believe the

handy for pulling people out and getting them to safety," Benson leadership is also going to rely on my agricultural education and

said. "But with the restructuring of the unit not long ago, I found experience for teaching the Afghan children basic AG principles

myself looking at acquiring another MOS."

in irrigation and horticulture, for example."

Knowing that she wants to stay an engineer, she decided on the She says she is excited about everything she will be doing as a

job skill 21 Echo, heavy equipment operator.

6ROGLHUEXWLVHVSHFLDOO\WKULOOHGDERXWQDOO\SXWWLQJKHUSDVVLRQ

"I like having control of something as big a bulldozer, for for agriculture and her civilian education to work for the military.

example," Benson said. "And I'm still playing in dirt, just doing it "I love what I do, especially what I do with my students here at

with a bigger shovel."

home," Benson said with a smile. "Helping the Afghans, children

While she has put in a lot of time doing on-the-job training in and adults alike, become better farmers, better stewards of their

her new MOS, she still has to attend advanced individual training land, is without a doubt absolutely perfect for me."

December 2010 | 8

Community brings holiday cheer to
families of deployed Guardsmen

6WRU\DQGSKRWRVE\0DVWHU6JW-RKQ.LQQDPDQ 3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH Georgia Department of Defense

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Dec. 12, 2010 This

is the season to give, and that is exactly what the city of LaGrange

did for more than 160 children of deployed Georgia Army

Guardsman today. LaGrange home of the 1177th Transportation

Company, which recently left home to support of the Global War

on Terror took a simple request from the unit's rear detachment

commander, 2nd Lt. Paula Paul, and turned it into a large-scale,

community-involved, Christmas dinner for the unit's families.

"It is the right thing to do," said Steve Alford, of the local raised more than $2,400 in member donations for the food.

American Red Cross Disaster Administration Team.

Richard Attaway, who commands VFW Post 4629 said the total

7KLV>GHSOR\PHQW@LVYHU\GLIFXOWIRUWKHNLGVHVSHFLDOO\VLQFH cost for food came to an estimated $1,800.

it happened during the holiday season," Alford said. "In the mind "We plan to use the left over money to help the 1177th FRG with

RIDYH\HDUROGFKLOGZKRZLOOQRWKDYHKLVPRPRUGDGKHUHIRU other family activities, like an Easter egg hunt and picnic next

Christmas, it's going to be a very sad time."

year," Attaway said. "We also plan on throwing one humdinger of

With that in mind, Alford went to work making phone calls and a homecoming party when the Soldiers return."

meeting with local organizations in town.

LaGrange mayor Jeff Lukken, who helped with the Christmas

"Besides the Red Cross, we had the VFW, the American Legion, party, said it was nearly impossible for him to describe the

LaGrange Alliance of Churches, and Milliken Textile Company VDFULFHVWKHIDPLOLHVPDNHLQVXSSRUWLQJWKHLUSDUWLFXODU6ROGLHU

working on this event," Alford said.

and the Guard.

John West, Adjutant of American Legion Post 75, says that, "The real heroes are the spouses and the children," Lukken said.

once he heard about the request for help with the Family Readiness "They make the commitment to support their spouse and their

Group (FRG) Christmas dinner, he "rallied the troops and got Soldier's commitment to protecting us and the country."

things moving."

Milliken wrapped its corporate hands around the event by

"This is an opportunity for the community and local veteran's going to its employees and asking hem to adopt one child, and

organizations to prove to this unit and its families that we care then buy two gifts for that respective youngster. Marcie McCarley,

about them," West said.

the company's human resource manager, said the outpouring of

More than 200 family members gathered for the festivities charity from the employees was inspiring.

by squeezing tightly into the LaGrange armory to celebrate the "We had several folks adopt more than one child," she said.

holiday and share a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

"We are a very community-based company. So, when I found out

"It makes me feel so good to see the community stand behind that 167 children in and around our community were going to be

our Soldiers like this," said Rebekah Marshall, the mother of without their mom or dad this Christmas because of their parents'

Sgt. LaTorria Gibson from Cedartown. "I have been to every military service and defending our freedom, it just touched my

Christmas function since my daughter joined the Guard six years heart so profoundly."

ago, and this is by far the best I have ever experienced."

McCarley says employees also assumed the responsibility of

,QDGGLWLRQWRWKHXVXDOWXUNH\FUDQEHUU\VDXFHDQGVWXIQJWKH decorating the armory and wrapping the gifts.

children received a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause. The "I had so many people volunteer to help out I actually had to

Clauses took the time to hand each child a Christmas gift, and start telling people we had enough," said McCarley.

offered plenty of smiles.

West says Post 75 is already coordinating with Troup County

"I got an iPod," said seven-year-old JaMyah Gibson, Sgt. schools to have classes adopt Soldiers from the unit and send them

Gibson's daughter. "I love being here at the armory because it's care packages and letters.

where my mommy works!"

"This unit is going to know how much the LaGrange community

7KHQDQFHVDQGJLIWVIRUWKLVHYHQWZHUHSURYLGHGE\WKHORFDO VXSSRUWVWKHPDQGWKHVDFULFHVWKH\DQGWKHLUIDPLOLHVDUHPDNLQJ

community, West said. The veteran's organizations, for example, to keep us safe and living in a free society," said West.

9 | The Georgia Guardsman

ULMER RETIRES AFTER 36 YEARS OF NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE

6WRU\E\/W&RO5HW .HQ%DOGRZVNL 3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH Georgia Deartment of Defense
CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Nov. 30, 2010 Colonel Owen Ulmer, former Director of Youth Programs, retired in September capping a 36-year career with the Georgia National Guard. At a farewell luncheon given in his honor by the Adjutant General, Ulmer noted that his career in the Guard had offered him the chance to work in many different places and provided him many wonderful opportunities. Ulmer, who began his military career in 1974 as a staff sergeant in the Georgia Air National Guard, later earned his commission as a captain and took command of the Brunswick-based 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, a position that he held

for four years. After numerous additional assignments at State Headquarters, Ulmer retired from the Air Guard at the rank of Colonel.
Early in his career, Ulmer worked for the University of Georgia, QDOO\ UHWLULQJ LQ DV LWV RSHUDWLRQV GLUHFWRU IRU WKH 8*$ aquarium in Brunswick. He later became an instructor with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick.
Major Gen. William T. Bland, Georgia's former adjutant general, encouraged Ulmer to come to Atlanta to begin his fulltime career with the Georgia National Guard. For three years he commanded the Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. He was later appointed as Director of Joint Operations, one of four senior directorships in the Georgia Department of Defense.
Appointed Director of Youth Programs in 2007, Ulmer had responsibility over the operations of the two Youth Challenge campuses and the two STARBASE programs at Dobbins and Warner Robins.
Ulmer is a graduate of the University of Georgia and received his Masters Degree from Georgia Southern University. He holds the prestigious Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and the Southwest Asia medal among many others. He retires with his wife, Jackie, to their farm in North Georgia.

December 2010 | 10

78TH HRF GETS NEW LEADERSHIP,
NEW MISSION

6WRU\DQGSKRWRE\6JWVW&ODVV5R\+HQU\

the response force for FEMA Region IV, and one of just 10 new HRFs

3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH

in the nation, he also relayed his thoughts about Blackstock and Scholes.

Georgia Department of Defense

"They join a long line of commanders who have left their own

distinctive mark on the 78th and the Georgia Guard," said Nesbitt.

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Dec. 4, 2010 As the "Colonel Blackstock has provided invaluable leadership over these past

Decatur-based 78th Troop Command, one of the Georgia Army two years of high operations tempo, and Col. Scholes brings with him a

*XDUGVYHPDMRUFRPPDQGVEHJLQVLWVWUDQVIRUPDWLRQLQWRWKHWK wealth of knowledge and expertise from his former position. Both have

Homeland Response Force (HRF), its unit commander has handed VHUYHGWKH*XDUGWKHLUVWDWHDQGWKHQDWLRQVHOHVVO\KHHPSKDVL]HG

over the reigns of responsibility to a new leader.

"I know they will continue to be unwavering in that service."

As part of the day's ceremony, here in Hangar No. 1, Col. Thomas H. Blackstock said he may have been in command, but it was the hard

%ODFNVWRFNQRZWKH$UP\*XDUGVRSHUDWLRQVRIFHUUHOLQTXLVKHG work of his staff, his unit commanders and their Soldiers that made

command to Col. Michael Scholes, Sr., who has been serving as the things happen over the past two years.

Georgia Guard's joint director of military support.

$V *HRUJLD SLFNV XS WKH JDXQWOHW DQG IXOOOV LWV PLVVLRQ DV WKH

Major Gen. Maria L. Britt, Georgia Army Guard commander, said region's 911 force," Blackstock said, "it goes forward knowing that

Blackstock led the 78th in a "visionary manner" during his two-year it is the people of the 78th Troop Command who will comprise the

tenure. He and his staff were "instrumental in the preparation and 78th HRF, the best homeland response force in the country. And Col.

mobilization of the 110th Corps Support Battalion, two chaplain Scholes' extensive experience in support to civil authority is the right

detachments, the 277th Ordnance Company, and the 1148th and WDWWKHULJKWWLPHIRUPDNLQJWKDWKDSSHQ%ODFNVWRFNVDLG

1177th Transportation companies. By no means is such a feat every Scholes returned the compliment, saying that he has no doubt that

easy," Britt said. "The planning, training and equipping that goes the Soldiers, and Airmen of the new 78th will set the example for their

into the movement of units to the theater of operations calls for sound comrades in the other HRFs around the nation, and no doubt that they

judgment, commonsense leadership and the talents of people who will be ready for, and pass, the external evaluation 11 months from

know what they are doing.

now.

"His efforts, along with Col. Bill Williams' guidance, also built the "This unit, through its success, will develop a `Center of Excellence'

VW$JULFXOWXUH'HYHORSPHQW7HDPDQRWKHUUVWIRUWKH*HRUJLD for CBRNE training, exercising and readiness here at Clay and

National Guard, which is set to deploy to Afghanistan next April," she DFURVVWKHLJKWUDPSRQ'REELQV$LU5HVHUYH%DVHIRURWKHUVWDWHV

noted.

to emulate," Scholes said. "I know we are all committed to meeting

"Tom's leadership and vision complimented the efforts of our the challenges ahead and making the 78th HRF a recognized leader

training site commanders, Col. David Lee at Hinesville's Guard among the homeland response force community in the days to come."

Garrison Training Center and Col. Bruce Chick and Col. Scott Carter Britt said she sees Scholes transforming the 78th into a state-of-the-art

previously at the Georgia Guard Regional Training Institute here on homeland response force. His tour as the joint director of military support,

&OD\%ULWWVDLG7KLVV\QHUJ\UHVXOWHGLQUVWFODVVFXVWRPHUVHUYLFH where he developed contingency plans and managed complex operations

and incredible training opportunities that continue to create readiness, in response to a number of disasters and special events, uniquely qualifies

not only for the Georgia National Guard, but for our nation's military, him to be the first commander of the Army Guard's newest brigade.

across the board."

"Mike, congratulations on being selected for this awesome

While Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant General, responsibility," Britt said. "I look forward to working with you as we

IRFXVHGPRVWRIKLVUHPDUNVRQWKHWKOOLQJDFUXFLDOJDSLQWKH build this distinctive and relevant unit into an instrument that will

nation's ability to responsd to a weapons of mass destruction event" as greatly enhance our homeland defense capabilities."

11 | The Georgia Guardsman

GEORGIA PROVIDES SOUTHEAST WITH HOMELAND RESPONSE FORCE

%\0DM*HQ:LOOLDP71HVELWW Adjutant General of Georgia
Troop Command's reputation is one
of excellence, and it is known across the state and the nation. Since Sept. 11, 2001, every unit assigned to the 78th has mobilized and deployed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and various military bases across the United States. This is a battle-tested, and experienced force and to command it takes no less than the best leadership the Guard has to offer.
Colonel Scholes has replaced Col. Blackstock as the commander of what is to become Georgia's new Homeland Response Force. Both of these men follow a long line of distinguished 78th commanders, each making his own mark on the Troop Command and the Georgia National Guard at large.
Colonel Blackstock has provided invaluable leadership over the past two years of high operational tempo, and Col. Scholes is certain to bring in a wealth of applicable knowledge and expertise from his former position as J3 that will be crucial in guiding the 78th through its transition into a Homeland Response Force.
And he faces no easy task. The goal of being fully mission capable by next November is an ambitious and aggressive goal indeed.

Georgia's unique capacity to execute H[HUFLVHDQGWUDLQPRUHHIFLHQWO\DQGIHHO

such a transition in the time allotted was no more comfortable with capabilities and

doubt one of the deciding factors which led assets in the event of an emergency which

to our state being selected as one of just 10 helps overall preparedness immensely.

nationwide to have a Homeland Response The HRFs are designed to foster a

Force.

GLDORJXHEHWZHHQUHJLRQDOUVWUHVSRQGHUV

The Georgia National Guard continues to and other agencies. Ideally, the 78th HRF

lead the way on the national stage, on this will play a very important role at the

initiative and many others.

regional level in terms of helping develop

These Homeland Response Forces are and build regional plans and working with

critical to the emerging homeland defense southeastern emergency managers to really

missions and roles the National Guard looks build a functioning and cohesive connective

WROOJRLQJIRUZDUGDQGRQHIRUZKLFKZH tissue at the regional level.

are particularly well suited to execute.

One of the important concerns the

The 78th Homeland Response Forces HRF construction seeks to alleviate is the

will provide Georgia and FEMA Region need to respond to multiple, simultaneous

IV with a unique capability to augment disasters. Through these HRFs, DoD will

UVWUHVSRQGHUVDQGLQFLGHQWFRPPDQGHUV have the federal capacity to command

Region IV includes Georgia, Alabama, and control response to multiple disasters

Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, or emergencies throughout the nation,

Tennessee and Kentucky.

simultaneously.

The unit's focus will be on chemical, That being said, a given HRF will see

biological, nuclear detection and most of its activity in direct response to a

decontamination - and its robust command UHTXHVWIURPDJRYHUQRURIDQDILFWHGVWDWH

and control headquarters will be capable of should an incident occur. It is important to

commanding multiple CERFPs and CSTs, recognize the logistical reality that, a vast

depending on the mission requirement.

majority of the time, an emergency or

The 78th HRF will be a critical disaster is going to be controlled at the local

component in the overall ability of the level by state government. The Department

Georgia Department of Defense to of Defense wanted to rebalance our forces to

perform homeland defense missions UHHFWWKDWUHDOLW\DQGSURYLGHWKHRSWLPXP

and defense support to civil authorities capacity for homeland support.

by responding regionally to domestic Therefore, it is without hesitation that I

chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear note Georgia's selection as the home of our

and high yield explosive attacks, bringing region's homeland response as yet another

life-saving medical, search and extraction, testament to the skill, preparedness and

decontamination, security, and command outstanding performance demonstrated by

and control capabilities.

our Guardsmen and, in particular, the 78th

Essentially, we've taken the CERFP Troop Command.

mission, added in force protection, and In a sense, what we are seeing here is

command and control capability to make the creation of a new breed of responders

sure everyone's missions are integrated. able and ready to serve their nation

This new construct will allow us to save in an emergency. This authorization

lives and mitigate human suffering as GHPRQVWUDWHV WKH FRQGHQFH RXU QDWLRQDO

quickly as possible, helping to diminish any leadership has in our capability to respond

redundancy or confusion during an actual when the need arises.

response.

It is a great honor to be chosen for

The joint focus of the HRF mission allows this important mission, but also a great

different regional services and agencies responsibility and we will be ready to meet

to learn from one another, work together, that challenge.

December 2010 | 12

YCA CADETS EXEMPLIFY GREAT VALUE
OF PROGRAM TO STATE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES

6WRU\DQGSKRWRVE\6JWVW&ODVV5R\+HQU\

Army Guard Col. Frank Williams, who oversees the Hinesville

3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH

campus and the one at Fort Gordon in Augusta.

Georgia Department of Defense

4XLWH LPSUHVVLYH JXUHV ZKHQ RQH VWRSV WR WKLQN DERXW LW

Williams says.

MACON CITY AUDITORIUM, Macon, Ga., Dec. 18, 2010 Addressing "With the continued support of our legislators, we will endeavor to

the 211 graduates of National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy provide Georgia's at-risk youth the opportunity to better themselves,

Class 35, as well as their families and friends, State Rep. Ben WRDFKLHYHWKHVHOIFRQGHQFHDQGVHOIUHVSHFWQHFHVVDU\WRPDNH

Harbin (Dist. 118) said it is easy for those dealing with the state's them better citizens and better human beings," said Williams. "Our

budget to simply "look at the numbers and talk about money when commitment to these youth is to never give up on them; they are

it comes to YCA," but there is so much more at stake than dollars our future."

and cents might indicate.

One of the things Harbin said greatly impressed him about YCA,

"It takes about $14,000 per student to support the program," and especially about this graduating class, is the amount of public

Harbin told the audience, "but when you attend something like service the cadets performed as part of their 22 weeks on campus.

this [graduation], and you see

the faces beneath those caps

State Rep. Ben Harbin addresses the 211 graduating YCA cadets of Class 35 and the hundreds of families and friends who came to watch the proceedings.

and gowns, it's worth every

YCA program statistics show that, nationally, communities surrounding ChalleNGe facilities

penny."

UHFHLYH WKH EHQHW RI

The National Guard Youth

hours of volunteer service. Those

Challenge Program's mission

hours are valued at more than

is to intervene in and reclaim

$3,000,000, based on the present

the lives of at-risk youth, and

federal minimum wage.

to produce graduates with the

Through the community

values, skills, education, self-

projects in which the cadets of

FRQGHQFH DQG VHOIGLVFLSOLQH

Class 35 have participated, they

necessary for them to succeed

have given more than 14,775

as adults. Monies for YCA

hours of service back to the

here in Georgia come in the

state, says Bob Hughes, program

form of 75 percent federal, 25

director at the GGTC campus.

percent state-matching funds.

"Meaning Class 35, by itself, has given back $299,195.75

Harbin is serving his second term in the Georgia House worth of service to the community," said Hughes. "For this class,

of Representatives and his second term as Chairman of the that's nearly one-third of a million dollars. This is just one example

Appropriations Committee.

in addition to the 211 cadets graduating today as to why this

"OUR COMMITMENT TO THESE YOUTH IS TO NEVER GIVE UP ON THEM."

program is so important to Georgia, to its youth, and to its families." ,QKLVQDOUHPDUNVWRWKHFDGHWVVHDWHGEHIRUHKLP+DUELQVDLG
they should be proud knowing that, from the day they stepped

off the bus at the Hinesville campus, they committed themselves

Class 35, from the campus at Hinesville's Guard Garrison to "improving their lives, overcoming the obstacles of non-

Training Center (GGTC), is the last YCA class to graduate for 2010. achievement and achieving great things." Going forward, he said,

A new class takes its place not long after the new year begins.

WKH\VKRXOGZDONVSHDNDQGDFWZLWKFRQGHQFHDQGOHWRWKHUVVHH

More than 9,000 youth have graduated from the 22-week the successes they have become."

program since it began here in 1993, according to YCA statistics. "YCA did a lot for me," said Cadet Sgt. Ethan Turner, Class 35's

The program will boast 10,000 graduates by next year.

distinguished graduate. "I was going nowhere, and would've ended

Most cadets receive their GED, with at least 53 percent joining up on the wrong end of everything had Youth ChalleNGe not been

Georgia's work force, 23 percent going on to college or vocational there for me. I, for one, sure hope it sticks around for those kids

school and 20 percent entering military service, according to retired behind me looking for answers."

13 | The Georgia Guardsman

JACK HILL PRESENTED WITH NGAUS CHARLES DICK MEDAL OF MERIT

several Guard efforts over the years, most notably the renovation

of Guard armories across the state, and he was instrumental in the

establishment of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program

here in Georgia.

"It isn't just me who is deserving of this award," Hill said. "When

you see the success the Army and Air Guard have had in this state

over the years, it didn't just happen by accident. It happens every

day because of the hard work of the men and women military

and civilian who make up the Georgia Department of Defense."

Nesbitt said Hill is indicative of the kind of leadership locally

and nationally that, over the years, continues to recognize the

importance of the National Guard's role in homeland operations

DQG LQ FDUU\LQJ RXW WKH ZDUJKW DORQJVLGH LWV DFWLYH GXW\

counterparts.

"Many like Senator Hill have been or are Citizen-Soldiers,

DQGNQRZUVWKDQGWKHJUHDWZRUNWKH*XDUGGRHVDQGFRQWLQXHV

6WRU\DQGSKRWRE\6JWVW&ODVV5R\+HQU\

to do," Nesbitt said. "It's because of his exceptional support and his

3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH

forward-thinking that we gratefully bestow on him this prestigious

Georgia Department of Defense

award."

Established in 1988, the Charles Dick Medal of Merit recognizes

GARDEN CITY, Ga., Dec. 17, 2010 State Sen. Jack Hill (Dist. 4), FRQWULEXWLRQVWRWKH1DWLRQDO*XDUGE\HOHFWHGRIFLDOVDWWKHVWDWH

was presented the National Guard Association of the United States and national level.

(NGAUS) Charles Dick Medal of Merit by Maj. Gen. William The Medal of Merit is named for Maj. Gen. Charles Dick,

T. Nesbitt, Georgia's Adjutant General, during a ceremony at NGAUS president from 1902 to 1909. Dick also commanded the

the Georgia Air Guard's Savannah Combat Readiness Training Ohio National Guard while also serving as a U.S. senator. He is

Center.

responsible for passage of the Dick acts of 1903 (which replaced

Hill, who is Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the old Militia Act of 1792) and 1908. The 1903 and 1908 acts

VSHQW \HDUV DV DQ RIFHU DQG XQLW FRPPDQGHU ZLWK WKH $LU established the foundation of the modern National Guard.

Guard. According to the citation, he spearheaded the funding for

December 2010 | 14

165TH AIRLIFT WING TRAINS COMBAT SKILLS

Command Sgt. Major Joseph Recker (center) receives the NCO sword from Command Sgt. Major Michael Hurndon during the Change of Responsibility ceremony conducted on November 13, 2010 in Macon, Ga.

48TH INFANTRY BRIGADE COLORS PASSED TO NEW SENIOR NCO

6WRU\DQGSKRWRE\6WDII6JW'DYLG6%LOO WK,QIDQWU\%ULJDGH&RPEDW7HDP Georgia Army National Guard
MACON, Ga., Nov. 13, 2010 -- The mantle of responsibility for the 4,000 Soldiers of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team passed to Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Recker during a ceremony held today at the Brigade Headquarters.
Recker received the traditional NCO sword from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hurndon, the outgoing 48th Brigade Command Sgt. Maj., as a symbol of the responsibility that goes with the highest enlisted position within the Brigade.
Command Sgt. Maj. James Nelson, the Georgia Guard State Command Sgt. Maj., told those in attendance of the critical role in leadership within the unit that Recker now holds as the senior advisor to the commander on all Soldier issues, and of the responsibility for the health and welfare of the Brigade.

Nelson recognized Command Sgt. Maj. Hurndon's leadership during the brigade's recent deployment to Afghanistan by quoting comments made by Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall, Senior NCO for the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) Headquarters in Afghanistan, about the brigade, "The 48th %ULJDGH LV WDFWLFDOO\ SURFLHQW ZHOO WUDLQHG GLVFLSOLQHG DQG WKH best at Counter Insurgency in the Afghanistan theater."
Colonel John King, the 48th IBCT commander, thanked Hurden for his dedicated service to the Brigade.
"You set the standard for how a commander and command sergeant major should work together," King said.
Tradition requires that the unit colors be passed from the outgoing to the incoming. Command Sgt. Maj. King passed the brigade colors to Recker, signifying that, as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major, he has become the "custodian of the colors".
Recker, a longtime resident of Plains, Ga., told the Soldiers, family and friends in attendance "this job does not require a lot of words, but it does require a lot of action."

15 | The Georgia Guardsman

Lt. Col. David Simons passes a training grenade to a fellow Airman during Combat Skills Training at Fort Dix, N.J.
%\/W&RO'DYLG6LPRQV WK$LUOLIW:LQJ Georgia Air National Guard
For many in the Army, whether Active
Duty, Reserves or National Guard, Combat Skills Training (CST) would be another redux of basic training, without the persistent drill instructors and their constant "encouragement." But for many in the Air Force, once again whether Active Duty, Reserves or National Guard, it is akin to doing Army basic training without the luxury of nice barracks or quality meals. Whereas most Soldiers deploy as part of a unit and train together in preparation for FRPEDW ]RQH VHUYLFH PDQ\ $LUPHQ OO slots in their necessary career specialties as needed and travel as individuals.
Over the past several years, the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard have been sending Airmen, Sailors or Coasties whose upcoming assignments are to work with the Army or at Forward Operating Bases RXWVLGHWKHFRQQHVRIDQHVWDEOLVKHGUHDG highly protected) air base, to attend CST or Army training-lite. Course work includes the Combat Lifesavers Course (a 40-hour block of instruction), land navigation, radio

WUDLQLQJ VXUYLYDO WDFWLFV DQG ULH DQG pistol training on various ranges, as well as numerous other courses. The sole purpose is to help the non-Army understand the Army and their tactics. While the training is designed to be informative on the workings of the Army, more importantly, it also puts the attendee in the mindset of entering a combat zone.
Many of Georgia's Citizen-Airmen have gone through CST in preparation
Lt. Col. David Simons inspects a training grenade perfore passing it on to a fellow Airman during Combat Skills Training at Fort Dix, N.J.

Students in the Combat Airman Skills Training Course 10-1A practice dismounted patrolling tactics during course training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol.)
for deployment, to include members of the 165th Security Forces Squadron who have been going through a CST train-up for their upcoming service in Afghanistan. Other Citizen-Airmen of the Georgia Air Guard's 165th Airlift Wing who have gone through this training include Col. Todd Freesemann, commander of the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center. He was the former commander of the 165th Civil Engineering Squadron when he attended in 2005, prior to his service in Iraq. Senior Master Sgt. Dee Phillips attended in 2010, prior to assignment as a military contracting specialist in Afghanistan. And I was one of the latest attendees, as the WK$LUOLIW:LQJ3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFHU having just returned from a four-week CST course at Fort Dix, N.J. prior to assignment in Afghanistan.
The CST training for the Air Force brought many specialties together, including pilots, navigators, intelligence specialists, cooks, and public affairs personnel. My 82-person class was one of four classes from the Air Force attending, with one of those classes graduating each ZHHN 7KH &67 WUDLQLQJ FHUWLFDWH LV good for up to six months and training must be repeated if, or when, the trainee is reassigned to return to the combat zone. In addition to the Army training, each trainee was issued new army equipment and uniforms for work in theater.

December 2010 | 16

GUARDSMAN, DAUGHTERS COMPETE IN PROFESSIONAL ARMED FORCES
RODEO ASSOCIATION WORLD FINALS
*HRUJLD $UP\ *XDUG &KLHI :DUUDQW 2IFHU Gary A. Arnold gives it his all to pull down a calf during this year's Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association World Finals. 17 | The Georgia Guardsman

6WRU\E\6JWVW&ODVV5R\+HQU\

"It takes more than just getting on a horse and believing you can do

3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH

it even though that's part of it. Like being a Soldier, it takes physical

Georgia Department of Defense

conditioning, coordination and teamwork to be successful," Arnold

explained. "That, along with the challenge of lasting through three

SOMERVELL COUNTY EXPO CENTER, Glen Rose, Texas, Nov. 20, 2010 A Liberty County Soldier and his daughters were among the more than 40 military, retired military and civilians to compete Nov. 20 and 21 in the annual Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association (PAFRA) World Finals at Somervell County Expo Center in Glen Rose, Texas. "It's also where many of the top civilian rodeo stars come to compete on their way to Las Vegas and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) National Finals," said Chief Warrant 2IFHUDQGDOODURXQGKRUVHPDQ*DU\$$UQROG,WVSUDFWLFH for them, and a great privilege for us to watch and learn from them." For Arnold and his two daughters, 17-year-old Ashley and 15-yearold Courtney, who live in Gum Branch near Hinesville, Ga., this is WKHVHFRQGWLPHWKH\KDYHFRPSHWHG7KHUVWZDVLQDWWKH QDOVLQ)RUW:RUWK "The girls and I have been active in rodeo since 2004," said Arnold, a full-time supervisor with Combined Support Maintenance ShopSouth at the Guard Garrison Training Center on Fort Stewart. "Friends got us interested about eight years ago, and we've been doing it as a family and loving every hardworking moment of it ever since." As a traditional Citizen-Soldier, the 30-year veteran is also the senior automotive technician for Hinesville's Company B, 348th Brigade Support Battalion. Gary and Ashley compete in calf roping, also known as "heeling and heading," where one rider ropes a calf's legs and the other its head. They do "chute dogging" (where one tries to put down a calf without the aid of a horse and rope), and they do breakaway roping (a variation of calf roping where a calf is roped, but not thrown or tied). Ashley and Courtney also compete in barrel racing.

separate 2-hour rodeos in one weekend, can really test your resolve." "Add to that the fact that you're competing against cowboys who do
this all the time at work and at play," said Ashley, "and you're in for one heck of a ride. We do this on weekends and in our free time; for them, it's second nature."
This year, with the competition as stiff as ever, Arnold and the girls pushed themselves and their horses to do even better. PAFRA VWDWVVKRZWKDW&KLHI:DUUDQW2IFHU$UQROGSODFHGVHFRQGLQWKH PHQVDOODURXQGFRPSHWLWLRQDQGLQFDOIURSLQJWLHGIRUUVWLQFKXWH dogging, and took rookie of the year in heeling. Ashley was second LQ EUHDNDZD\ IRXUWK RYHUDOO LQ KHDGLQJ IWK RYHUDOO LQ KHHOLQJ QLVKLQJDVWKHUXQQHUXSURRNLHRIWKH\HDUEHKLQGKHUGDGVL[WK RYHUDOOLQFDOIURSLQJVHYHQWKLQEDUUHOUDFLQJDQGQLVKHGVHFRQGLQ the women's all around competition. Courtney placed second overall in barrel racing.
"Placing second, and knowing that I made my dad and sister proud of me, is reward enough... anyway, there's always next year," said the youngest Arnold daughter.
From here, Gary and his daughters will go against local cowboys in WKH)HEUXDU\6RXWKHDVWHUQ&RZER\$VVRFLDWLRQ\HDUHQGQDOV at Ludowici near Hinesville, Ga. They will also be starting the new PAFRA season, improving their roping, riding and timing as they get UHDG\IRUQH[W\HDUVQDOV
"I'm really proud of who we are and what we do as a Guard family," Ashley said. "Dad works hard to balance his time with us, his work as a Soldier, and his commitment to our community. Stepping into his stirrups is as big a job as they come, but I don't know anyone I'd rather follow."
"Same goes for me," Courtney said. "Dad pushes himself to give his very best, and he pushes us. Whether it's getting up on a horse or putting on a uniform, it takes a strong, dedicated person to do what he has done for us, in rodeo, with the Georgia Guard, and for folks he doesn't even know. I wouldn't trade the person that he is for anything in this world."

Last year, Ashley was rookie header of the year and took second in breakaway. Arnold placed second overall in calf roping. Courtney GLGZHOOLQEDUUHOUDFLQJWKRXJKKHUQDOSODFHPHQWGLGQRWUHHFW her effort.

3KRWRVIRUWKLVVWRU\ZHUHFRQWULEXWHGE\WKH35&$WKH'HIHQVH 0HGLD $FWLYLW\ DQG WKH *HRUJLD *XDUGV &RPELQHG 6XSSRUW 0DLQWHQDQFH6KRS6RXWK

December 2010 | 18

*HRUJLD $UP\ *XDUG 2IFHU &DQGLGDWH Kisha Ford and her classmates practice setting security during a simulated patrol.

FORMER WNBA PLAYER JOINS GEORGIA GUARD,
LOOKS TO BECOME OFFICER

6WRU\DQGSKRWRE\6JW5LFKDUG+ROGULGJH 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Georgia Army National Guard
FORT BENNING, Columbus, Ga., Nov. 29, 2010 Former WNBA basketball player and Georgia Tech Hall of Famer Kisha Ford enjoyed the spotlight for several years as one of the Lady Yellow Jackets' top players. Now, this Stone Mountain resident is taking her skills as a leader on the court and applying them in her quest to EHFRPHD*HRUJLD$UP\*XDUGRIFHU
After staking her claim in Georgia Tech history as the university's all-time leading scorer in women's basketball, Ford went on to compete with the United States Women's Basketball team as a member of the 1995 Jones Cup Team that won the Bronze Medal in Taipei. She was later selected in the fourth round of the 1997 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty, where she gained playoff H[SHULHQFHLQWKH:1%$QDOVDJDLQVWWKH+RXVWRQ&RPHWV
The 5'10" guard's career was impressive, having played in the WNBA from 1997 to 2001, averaging 3.6 points a game in that time period. WNBA statistics show that, over the course of her WNBA career, Ford scored 442 points, grabbed 218 rebounds, had 90 assists and 111 steals.
When she graduates OCS, Ford will exchange her basketball jersey for ACUs and the gold bar of a Georgia Army Guard second lieutenant.
Born in Baltimore, Md., Ford played high school basketball and was highly recruited for her ball-handling skills. Georgia Tech sought her out after graduation and she accepted. She says she was intrigued about attending school there because of the academics and the playing time she would receive as a freshman.
Ford, who has not played basketball professionally for a couple of years now, left the Miami Sol and spent three years as an Atlanta

SROLFHRIFHU6KHLVQRZZRUNLQJIRU'HNDOE&RXQW\3ROLFHDQG has been there for three years.
Ford joined the Guard earlier this year and by June was attending Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. As a leader on the hardwood, the transition to becoming a leader of Soldiers was something that came naturally to her, and something she has always wanted to do, she says.
"I've always had the desire to enlist," said Ford. "At this point in my life, I believe I would be of better service to the military leading Soldiers, than returning to the court."
Once she receives her commission, Ford said she plans to make the Georgia Guard her new career. She expects that to happen Jan. 20 next year. Her plan, she says, is to become a military LQWHOOLJHQFH RIFHU 6KH FUHGLWV KHU WLPH RQ WKH FRXUW DQG JRLQJ through the Police Academy with helping her get through Basic Training and now OCS.
"The discipline I learned as young player and then as a rookie SROLFHRIFHUWDXJKWPHKRZWROLVWHQWDNHRUGHUVDQGFDUU\RXW whatever task was given me to the best of my abilities," she said. "It also taught me to push myself, to go beyond what I believed myself capable of to achieve success."
Looking back on her basketball days, Ford took a moment to talk about one of the greatest moments in her life: the day she went SUR,WOLNHEHFRPLQJDQ$UP\*XDUGRIFHUZDVDGUHDPFRPH true, she says.
"The day I got the phone call from the coach, and was told I'd been drafted, was a fun and exciting time," Ford recalled. "It PHDQW,GKDYHWRQGP\QLFKHRQWKHWHDPWRJHWSOD\LQJWLPHVR my goal was to play the best defense I could."
Now, she says, her focus is still on defense but the defense of a state and nation.

19 | The Georgia Guardsman

THE NCO NOTEPAD
%\&RPPDQG6JW0DM-DPHV1HOVRQ-U 6WDWH&RPPDQG6HUJHDQW0DMRU Georgia Department of Defense
Today, tens of thousands of Army National
Guard Soldiers are serving in harm's way in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries around the globe.
As the ARNG continues its historic dual mission providing units trained and equipped to protect life and property in the homeland, while providing units trained, equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests worldwide deployments FDQ UHVXOW LQ SK\VLFDO HPRWLRQDO DQG QDQFLDO strains for Soldiers and their Families.
Even those Soldiers who have not deployed face the strain of possible deployments and the challenges of everyday life.
Some of the most challenging issues Soldiers face include: strained relationships due to separation from loved ones over long periods of time, dangerous assignments, the residual effects RIFRPEDWH[SRVXUHVXQHPSOR\PHQWDQGQDQFLDO strain. These issues can negatively impact their emotional well-being. Delays in addressing these issues often lead to absenteeism in the work place, sleep disorders, anxiety attacks, divorce, substance abuse, or even suicide.
We know that many Soldiers are apprehensive in seeking help due to the perceived stigma associated with obtaining such services, to the point where they forego treatment. Many Soldiers are unaware of the signs and symptoms of stress-related disorders and as a result we miss the opportunity to provide the resources available to aid in the recovery process.
As part of the Georgia Army National Guard team, it is our collective psychological hardiness coupled with our ability to bounce back from DGYHUVLW\ WKDW DOORZV XV WR JKW RXU ZDUV DQG keep our homefront safe. So, as leaders, we must implement engaged leadership practices that promote resilience and encourage our Soldiers and families to seek assistance when needed.
Remember, Soldiers need not suffer in silence.
December 2010 | 20

NEW GUARD FACILITIES COME TO GEORGIA
HUNTER READINESS TRAINING CENTER HINESVILLE, GA.
ARMED FORCES RESERVE CENTER FT. BENNING, GA.
GEORGIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY CUMMING, GA.
21 | The Georgia Guardsman

%\0U6HWK*6WXFN

positive impact on the State's economy. Because most

3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH

of the organization's funds come from federal sources,

Georgia Department of Defense

Georgia actually sees more tax revenue from the income of

its Citizen-Soldiers than it spends on the Georgia Guard as

G a whole. That is to say nothing of the profoundly positive eorgia continues to support the growth of its National and direct economic impact the Guard's armories, bases

Guard, as evidenced by the new $26-million Cumming and other facilities have on their surrounding communities

regional armory and the $17-million Lorenzo-Benn and businesses.

IDFLOLW\7KH&XPPLQJDUPRU\LVWKHUVWQHZDUPRU\LQ As an illustration, the Guard rceives $10 million in

Georgia in many years.

Georgia state funding annually. This money pulls down

The National Guard has grown in Georgia in other ways another $30 million in federal matching funds into the

as well, with the recent acquisition of Naval Air Station Georgia Guard's state account. The Georgia National

Atlanta and that base's transition into the Clay National Guard's federal budget is about $500 million. So, Georgia's

Guard Center, where the Georgia Department of Defense's $10 million investment annually generates $500 million

new $30-million JFHQ building is under construction and for the state's economy.

a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony on base marked the Additionally, Georgia's Guardsmen and Airmen pay

opening of a new language lab. Other Guard expansions about $25 million in state income tax. One could look at

in the state include the Fort Benning joint use armory, the the original $10 million funded by the state as aloan that

new Hunter Readiness Training Center at Ft. Stewart and the Guard uses each year to generate a half-billion dollars

AASF 2 being renovated to house our parachute rigger in revenue, then pays the loan back with 250% interest.

company.

In addition to providing Georgia with a very robust

The State's investments in its National Guard have capability to respond to contingencies, the Guard is clearly

PRUH WKDQ SDLG RII DV WKH *XDUG KDV KDG D VLJQLFDQW DVLJQLFDQWHFRQRPLFHQJLQHIRUWKHVWDWHDVZHOO

LUCIUS D. CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS MARIETTA, GA.

December 2010 | 22

WARRANT OFFICERS :
LEADERS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

6WRU\E\3IF$VKOH\)RQWHQRW

the Army Physical Fitness Test, and have a high school or GED

3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH

GLSORPD0DQ\HOGVDOVRUHTXLUHDQLQGLYLGXDOWRKDYHDOUHDG\

Georgia Department of Defense

performed a job in a "feeder MOS" as an enlisted Soldier within

DUHOHYDQWHOG

Those requirements might get you in the door, but Soldiers still

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Dec. 13, 2010 When most people in the National Guard hear the words "chief" or ZDUUDQWRIFHUWKHLUWKRXJKWV turn to aviation and pilots. There are, however, dozens of other jobs in the Georgia National Guard that are in need of technically trained warrant RIFHUV %H\RQG DYLDWLRQ ZDUUDQW RIFHU VSHFLDOWLHV range from quartermaster, to transportation, to signal, to Special Forces, and much more in between.
:KDW VHWV D ZDUUDQW RIFHU apart from a commissioned RIFHU RU DQ 1&2 LV VLPSO\ years of experience," said &KLHI :DUUDQW 2IFHU Owen McDaniel, the property accounting technician for the 78th Homeland Defense Force (HRF). "Our warrants usually stay in the same shop and specialty their whole careers, and they're expected to be subject matter experts."
As the Georgia National *XDUG ORRNV WR OO LWV UDQNV ZLWK ZDUUDQW RIFHUV OHDGHUV are looking to their most highly dedicated and professional NCOs, says McDaniel.
"Not everyone has what it takes to make the transition to warrant RIFHU 7KH VWDQGDUGV DUH ULJRURXV DQG QRW HDV\ WR DFKLHYH EXW those who do prove that they have what it takes to become leaders and expert instructors of the National Guard," said McDaniel.
According to the National Guard website, the requirements for ZDUUDQW RIFHU FDQGLGDWH VFKRRO UHTXLUH 1&2 FDQGLGDWHV WR EH

have to endure four to six weeks of a very challenging warrant RIFHU FDQGLGDWH VFKRRO ZKHUH WKH\ PXVW SURYH WKHPVHOYHV worthy of the position, says McDaniel. Once graduated, the
ZDUUDQW RIFHU EHFRPHV the technical advisor for the entire command.
"Most importantly, we need someone who is self-motivated, thinks outside the box, and is not one-dimensional," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Dumas, a technical maintenance advisor for the 78th HRF.
"In today's Army, things change so fast, regulations can't keep up with the basics, and we need someone who can think on their feet and then communicate to anyone at all levels, up and down their chain of command."
Twenty years ago, Chief :DUUDQW 2IFHU 'DYLG Dumas was a 1st Sgt. He explained what motivated him go warrant, and why it was the best decision of his career.
"A lot of older Soldiers who've made rank on the enlisted side don't feel like they want to start all over at the bottom," Dumas explained. "But making this transition put me in a whole new way of life. Nobody tries to tell me what my job is, they expect me to know what I'm doing and how I'm going to accomplish it when I walk in the door," he added. "It's up to me to know what's supposed to done. That's WKHNLQGRIUHVSHFWWKDWDZDUUDQWRIFHUQDWXUDOO\FRPPDQGV

between the ages of 18-46, have a passing score on all events of

23 | The Georgia Guardsman

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOKSHELF:
REVIEWS OF BOOKS
THAT TEACH US ABOUT OUR

%\0DM-RKQ+$OGHUPDQ,9 3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH Georgia Department of Defense

Colonel Dandridge Malone's masterpiece, Small Unit

Leadership: A Commonsense Approach, should be on your

bookshelf, highlighted, tabbed out, and with notes written in the

margins. It covers the essential things sergeants, lieutenants and

captains need to know and do to lead units successfully.

It's not like these folks Soldiers or Airmen are the only

leaders in the world, or even in the armed forces. But it is at the

small unit level that orders get translated into actions; and this

book will help you understand how to make that happen.

Key to Malone's approach is understanding that leadership

GRHVQW VWDUW DW WKH SRLQW RI FRQWDFW ZKHWKHU EDWWOHHOG FXELFOH

or board room). If we expect subordinates to perform well under

VWUHVVZHPXVWUVWIRFXVWKHLUHIIRUWVGHYHORSWKHPDVLQGLYLGXDOV

DQGSUHSDUHWKHPWRRSHUDWHDVDWHDP7KH\PXVWKDYHFRQGHQFH

LQWKHLUDELOLWLHVFRQGHQFHLQWKRVHDURXQGWKHPFRQGHQFHLQ

WKHLUHTXLSPHQWDQGFRQGHQFHLQWKHLUOHDGHUV And that takes a ton of work. Malone has an underlying focus on competence,
communication, organization, bearing, and integrity. This shows in his commonsense notes on leadership traits, including some practical ways to demonstrate those traits to the subordinates leaders depend upon.

especially when one realizes that some tasks are more attractive than others.
Perhaps the most important aspect of leadership for the longterm success of an organization is developing subordinates. Representing both our immediate and our distant futures, subordinates' actions in the absence of direct supervision are

"THERE MUST BE LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS. LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS DO DIFFERENT THINGS. LEADERS ANALYZE, ORGANIZE, DEPUTIZE, AND SUPERVISE. FOLLOWERS EXECUTE."

For example, how can a leader demonstrate integrity except in telling the truth? Answer: by always using power to work toward mission accomplishment, or for subordinates never for personal gain. Maybe that seems obvious, but the book also highlights not just the need to do this, but how to carefully demonstrate integrity in the most productive ways.
Organizing effort and allocating resources are two key tasks of any leader. Malone's approach to the division of labor includes a discussion of who should do things, based on traditional roles and responsibilities. His discussion is based on his Army experience, but understanding the division of labor is harder than it seems,

critical to success. And how can we trust they will do the right things if we don't take the time to develop them beforehand?
In a closing chapter, Malone provides invaluable outlines for common leadership challenges. How to reward, how to inspect, how to counsel, how to handle "sharpshooters," how to set standards...each is basically turned into a commonsense battle drill of what to do, when to do it, and how to measure success.
An interesting effect of the book is to actually motivate the leader, or would-be leader, into reading it to remind us of our place in the organization. to charge us with the drive to meet our UHVSRQVLELOLWLHVDVOHDGHUVWRGHQHXVLQDZD\

December 2010 | 24

AROUND THE GEORGIA GUARD
Georgia Department of Defense celebrates National Guard's 374th birthday DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Marietta, Ga., Dec. 14, 2010 General James Oglethorpe (left), the founder of Savannah played by Staff Sgt. Gerard Brown (kneeling center), readiness and training NCO for the Georgia Army Guard's 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment poses with (from the left: Robert Banks, Chipa Wolfe, Patrick, Stephen McKinney, Eric Tedder and Phil Jones) re-enactors from the Historical Society of Georgia. The group helped members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, WKHDLUEDVHDVZHOODVORFDOVWDWHDQGIHGHUDOJRYHUQPHQWRIFLDOVFHOHEUDWHWKH1DWLRQDO Guard's 374th birthday here at Air Guard Headquarters.
Representative John Yates poses with YCA grads MACON, Ga., Dec. 18, 2010 State Rep. John Yates (center) poses with Henry and Spaulding County youth who are among the 211 cadets of Class 35 to graduate the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy program.
Georgia Air National Guard unveils restored F-86 CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Nov. 6, 2010 The 165th Airlift :LQJXQYHLOVWKHUHVWRUHG).RUHDQ:DUHUDJKWHUMHWRZQGXULQJWKHVE\
the 158th Air Squadron of the Georgia Air National Guard. One of the veteran FRPEDWSLORWVRIWKLVDLUFUDIW%ULJ*HQ %LOO)RRWV7D\ORU5HW VSRNHGXULQJ WKH SUHVHQWDWLRQ 7KH UHVWRUHG DLUFUDIW QRZVLWVLQWKHQHZ$LU3DUNDYLVLRQ RI &RO -LP *UDQG\ FRPPDQGHU RI WKH WK$LUOLIW:LQJ0DLQWHQDQFH*URXS 7KH $LU 3DUN LQFOXGHV D UHVWRUHG ) JKWHU WKDW DOVR EHORQJHG WR WKH WK $LU6TXDGURQDQGDQHZUXQQLQJWUDFN ,WLVVLWXDWHGQHDUWKH&RPEDW5HDGLQHVV 7UDLQLQJ &HQWHUV QHZ GRUPLWRU\ DQG WKH FRPELQHG KHDGTXDUWHUV EXLOGLQJ RI the 165th Airlift Wing and the CRTC.
25 | The Georgia Guardsman

*HRUJLD*XDUGRIFLDOO\XQYHLOV/DNRWD CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Dec., 2010 Georgia's Adjutant General, Maj. Lucas Rice and Sgt. Matt Parker take a moment to pose for a photo with the log book for the new aircraft. The passing of the log book and keys is a IRUPDOL]HGSUDFWLFHZKLFKVLJQLHVWKHEHJLQQLQJRI the Lakota's service in the Georgia Army National Guard. The unveiling ceremony represented the RIFLDO DFTXLVLWLRQ RI WKUHH 8+/DNRWD KHOLFRSWHUV by the Georgia Guard. "Not only are these Lakota helicopters extremely capable, but they are also very affordable, which makes them a great value for the American taxpayer. 7KH/DNRWDKHOLFRSWHUZDVFLWHGE\8QGHU6HFUHWDU\RI'HIHQVHIRU$FTXLVLWLRQDVRQH RIWKHWRSYHPRGHODFTXLVLWLRQSURJUDPVZLWKLQWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVHVDLG Col. (Ret.) Jim King, a retired Georgia Guardsman who spoke on behalf of the Lakota manufacturer. Col. Bracewell, 78th Aviation commander, noted that the new Lakota helicopters will provide increased capabilities for homeland security and homeland defense missions.
Birdies for the Brave CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Nov., 2010 Members of the 165th Airlift Wing help out the PGA of America and the TPC Sawgrass in their annual "Birdies for the Brave" golf tournament fundraiser for military charities. The last couple of years, the event has invited the unit to provide an Honor Guard detail, vocalist and chaplain to help celebrate the event. The November 2010 tournament included the unit taking second place. In addition, PGA golfer and winner of the 2009 British Open, Stewart Cink, provided a golf lesson to the tournament participants. WK$LUOLIW:LQJ3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFHU/W Col. David Simons presented Mr. Cink with a Wing coin. Captain Brannon Bowman, the 165th's Chaplain, also provided the invocation for the event.
December 2010 | 26

3XEOLF$IIDLUV2IFH Georgia Department of Defense 1000 Halsey Ave. Bldg. 2 Marietta, Ga. 30060

Army tech Engineer
to educate Afghan children, farmers