March elmorro 2012_web

March 2012

Fort Buchanan

The Sentinel of the Caribbean

A story of survival in San Juan, Page 14

El MorroVol. 47 issue 8

Wounded Warriors treated to lunch, Page 20

Community images now available on

Office Moves

MSM Page 9

News

Family receives fallen Soldier’s service award

The Security Division, Plans and Operations Di-vision and the Emergency Operations Center moved to Bldg. 390, 2nd floor, DPT-MS office area. Please con-tact the following personnel for issues pertaining to:

Security: Myriam Mo-rales, security assistant, 707-5596; German Garcia, security specialist, 707-5544; or Evelyn Rivera, se-curity manager, 707-3275. Plans and Operations Di-vision and the Emergency Operations Center: Rey-naldo T. Rodriguez, instal-lation emergency manager/plans and operations spe-cialist, 707-3413; Angel A. Vazquez, emergency man-agement specialist, 707-3287; Miguel A. Aponte, operations specialist, 707-3395; Ramon Figueroa, antiterrorism officer, 707-3393; or Roberto Lugo, an-titerrorism security special-ist, 707-3504.

Strength can be defined in many ways – through an act of bravery and valor, kind-ness and charity, or the cour-age and will to overcome ad-versity.

In a solemn ceremony held at Fort Buchanan’s Survivor Outreach Services facility on February 10, 2012, the Meri-torious Service Medal was presented to Luis Ramos, fa-ther of Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velázquez who received the

award posthumously. The medal is a military decora-tion presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the nation.

The medal was presented to his family for Sgt. Ramos Velázquez’s meritorious ser-vice as a combat medic from September 20, 2007 to Feb-ruary 21, 2011. Sgt. Ramos Velázquez’s exemplary per-formance and devotion to

duty greatly contributed to the overwhelming success of his unit’s mission. His ac-tions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect

RAHC wins award for excellence

CARE Page 6

New jobs open , Page 4

Story and photosBy Luis Delgadillo Fort Buchanan Public Affairs

From left: Eduardo Colón, deputy commander, Noelia Baez, utilization nurse, Col. Danny Jaghab, commander, Mil-dred Morales, managed care director and Eduardo Vidot, contact representative, pose for a photo with the Excalibur award Feb. 14. Jaghab received the award from Army Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho at the annual Joint Services Military Health Systems Conference Feb. 2 in Washington D.C.

By Pedro SilvaFort Buchanan Public Affairs

Photo by Luis Delgadillo

The coveted Army Surgeon General’s Excalibur Award, was awarded to the Rodriguez Army Health Clinic at the annual Joint Services Military Health Sys-tems Conference Feb. 2 in Na-tional Harbor, MD.

Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horo-ho, the Army surgeon general and Command Sergeant Maj. Donna A. Brock, the Medical Command, command sergeant major, presented the award to Col. Danny Jaghab, commander of the Rodriguez Army Health Clinic.

Just 5 of these awards are given to Army medical organi-zations annually throughout the Army Medical Department to recognize teams and organiza-tions that demonstrate innova-tive thinking and which contin-uously strive to work smarter to improve performance.

“The RAHC goal was to aug-ment the surgeon general’s cul-ture of trust ideology by creat-ing a trust program specific to the USAR (US Army Reserve) and USNG (US Army National Guard) in order to improve ac-cess to care, and continuity of care while ensuring the TRI-CARE network providers re-mained trusted stewards for MEDCOM and our commu-nity,” said Jaghab.

Jaghab said one of the mem-

bers of his staff who displayed the qualities the award recog-nizes was Mildred Morales, RAHC’s managed care director.

“It’s a great award and it’s an honor for me to be part of the staff for the US Army Health Clinic and receive the award. It represents a lot of the things the clinic has been doing for a many years for our population. It’s great customer service and quality care,” said Morales.

The managed care program

with “Personalismo” (interper-sonal relationships) created by Morales and her staff of health benefit advisors, included an in-tensive medical orientation for Soldiers and their families to the network providers called Health Information Tours.

With an emphasis on respect, honor and courtesy, “Office Calls” were also conducted to the 10 most utilized network providers. The RAHC com-mander, Morales and Noelia

Baez, the utilization review nurse visited these providers in order to improve communica-tion, show the clinic’s apprecia-tion and reiterate the importance of access to care and standards of care for military members and their families.

“I am very grateful that Col. Jaghab has taken this step of submitting for this award be-cause it’s one of the programs

The Sentinel of the CaribbeanEl Morro

Fort Buchanan

The Command Group2March 2012

Garrison CommanderCol. John D. Cushman

Deputy to the Garrison CommanderGunnar G.F. Pedersen Jr.

Deputy CommanderLt. Col. Kenneth M. Hammond

Garrison Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Derrick T. Simpson

Public Affairs OfficerGrissel Rosa

Media RelationsPedro Silva

Command InformationLuis Delgadillo

El Morro ContributorsCapt. Taylor Opel

Luis Salazar

1st Mission Support Command Public Affairs OfficerMaj. Carlos M. Cuebas

Mailing address —Public Affairs Office

Building 390 Crane Loop Ste. 311Fort Buchanan PR, 00934-4616

Story submissions —E-mail to: [email protected]

Telephone numbers —(787)707-5762/4486 Fax: (787)707-3362

1st MSC submissions —E-mail to: [email protected]

1st MSC telephone number —(787)707-4988

El Morro is an authorized publica-tion printed in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1.

Contents of El Morro are not neces-sarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Depart-ment of Defense, Department of the Army or U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Buchanan.

El Morro is published monthly by the Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Garrison. Circulation 5,000.

All editorial content of El Morro is prepared, edited, provided and ap-proved by the U.S. Army Garrison Public Affairs Office. For guidance on how to submit items for publication e-mail the garrison Public Affairs Office.

The Editor reserves right to edit all submissions and to determine the suit-ability for inclusion in El Morro.

Every effort will be made to publish submissions in a timely manner. How-ever, time, layout, style and editorial considerations, as well as determina-tions for publication, are made by the Commander or the Public Affairs Of-ficer.

El Morro

Commander’s Commentary

The Army’s Backbone Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick T. Simpson

This month marks two sig-nificant recognition months.

March is both Women’s History Month and American Red Cross month. Please be on the lookout through out the installation for the in-formation booths at the Ex-change Mall and don’t miss messages coming through the marquees operated by the Di-rectorate of Family and Mo-rale, Welfare and Recreation. In addition to important mes-sages concerning DFMWR the marquees will be display-ing Red Cross information.

On more than one occa-sion Fort Buchanan leaders have called on you, the com-munity, to participate in the highly successful American Red Cross blood donation program. In the same spirit of selflessness, I encourage

all members of the commu-nity to volunteer their time to support this amazing organi-zation.

According to the American Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org, “the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides in-ternational humanitarian aid; and supports military mem-bers and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generos-ity of the American public to perform its mission.”

This amazing group has also been an enormous sup-port system to countless ser-vice members who have de-

ployed in support of overseas contingencies operations.

In fact, according to their Web Site the organizations’s charter in 1905 officially es-tablished the emergency no-tification system troops know today. Before this, Clara Bar-ton, the founder of the Amer-ican Red Cross, was helping wounded Soldiers write let-ters to family members.

As a way of honoring Ms. Barton’s commitment I’d also like to highlight the contribu-tions of our fellow women service members who have served both in uniform and out of uniform ever since the Revolutionary War.

Throughout the month, Fort Buchanan’s Facebook page will feature news sto-ries and information regard-ing Women in the Military. I

invite you all to participate in the discussion online. To the women service members proudly serving a nation at war I would like to offer my sincere gratitude on behalf of Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick T. Simpson and the rest of the command group.

As our Army goes through change there is no doubt in my mind that the roles of women will continue to ex-pand.

The first indication of such action can clearly be seen on page four of El Morro, with the expansion of some roles for women in combat.

Just as they have through-out the history of our nation, there is no doubt in my mind that our sisters in arms will continue to distinguish them-selves in the future.

In order to call ourselves leaders we must subscribe to the idea of personal account-ability. Our actions, whether it’s respecting the tradition of saluting The Colors dur-ing retreat or picking up lit-ter we carelessly drop, shape how our subordinates view of us. When was the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and asked yourself are you being the best you can be? Are you maximize your true potential? Are you giv-ing a 100%? Are you doing what is right? Are you physi-cally and mentally fit? Are you proficient in your job? As a noncommissioned offi-cer are you counseling your Soldiers? We need to get back to the basics.

One thing we cannot lose is their respect through thoughtless actions. If we use the Army Values as a guide we will rarely falter in our endeavor to lead effectively but if we find ourselves cut-ting corners or compromis-ing ourselves because of self-ishness, then our peers and

subordinates will lose faith in our ability to lead. Worse, they may even take our mis-deeds as complicity for their own poor behavior.

This inevitably results in the devolution of an organi-zation’s culture. At a recent event, I had the good for-tune of meeting with some of the Wounded Warriors from Fort Buchanan’s Commu-nity Based Warrior Transi-tion Unit. Meeting with these Soldiers inspired me to write about personal accountability because as they navigate the healthcare system gauntlet or cut through red tape they must be accountable to them-selves in order to recuperate.

There is only so much mentoring a noncommis-sioned officer can do. It is up to that junior Soldier to take action and ensure a speedy recovery or a smooth transi-tion to civilian life.

I cannot imagine the diffi-culty CBWTU Soldiers face as they struggle with their limitations and in some cases come to terms with the idea

that their injuries mean the end of their military careers. In many of them I recognized a deep desire to continue to serve the nation but in all I see a concern for what their injuries might mean for the well-being of their families.

They are brave for con-fronting a clouded future and they deserve recognition and respect, not pity. Our community stands by these Wounded Warriors. Despite the injuries they may have suffered, now more than ever before they have the tools at their disposal, which can en-sure they succeed long after they complete their service to the nation.

By reinforcing their strengths and building up their weaknesses our Wound-ed Warriors will reach their goals in life. This is how we build resilience. It’s too easy to go down the path of self-destruction; to drink, to abuse prescription drugs, to be late for a formation, to come to work out of uniform, to over eat, and to allow our selves

to feel self-pity. I commend the majority of Soldiers who choose the hard right over the easy wrong.

Like our Wounded War-riors we must begin to focus on doing what is right legally and morally.

I’d also like to take a mo-ment and thank the volunteers who work at the Chaplain’s office and who make these events possible. Through their spirit of community and selflessness our installation will continue to thrive.

Leadership comes in many forms and one of the most important hallmarks of a good leader is to leave an organization in better shape than it was when he arrived. Not all organizations need complete overhauls but they do require regular tune-ups to keep them on track.

If you see some one do-ing the wrong thing, do your duty and correct them. If that someone is you, then take a moment and remember what it means to be a part of a team. Army Strong!

The Sentinel of the CaribbeanEl Morro Fort Buchanan

From The Top 3March 2012

Thoughts from the Chaplain’s office

Fear can be a very moti-vational factor in our lives. Scripture reminds us that fear of the Lord is the begin-ning of knowledge. Psalm 19 repeats that, “the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for-ever.” I think the best way to view this kind of fear is to have reverence for God. If you fear God you do not have to fear anything else.

To fear the Lord does not make you weak but it can actually lead to strength in your life. The prophet Josh-ua wrote, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wher-ever you go.”

Everyone has fears. One of my favorite humorous au-thors wrote this about fear, “All of us are born with this

set of instinctive fears; the fear of falling, the fear of the dark, the fear of lobsters, and the fear of falling on lobsters in the dark.”

We are all afraid of some-thing. Fear of failure, of loss, of rejection, of the future. We all have fears. God is not surprised by our fears. The words, “Fear not” is found at least 366 times throughout the Bible. God wants His people not to live in fear. It is very easy for us to read, “Fear not” but it is tough to live out. I am not under any false assumption that after hearing two words that you are going to walk away and never fear again.

I realize that for many of us our fears are a lot bigger than what I can offer you. But I can offer you God’s word. I can offer you a reminder that God is with you and wants to be with you in the midst of your fears to help you grow through your fears. Within every great fear is a great

Roman Catholic MassesSunday mornings — 11:30 a.m.

— Post ChapelConfessions: Sunday mornings

–11:00 a.m.—Post ChapelWeekdays, call 244-4981 or 707-

3904.Preparation for Confirmation,

First Communion,RCIA, etc. call 707-3904.

ProtestantCollective Protestant Service

Sunday morning — 9:00 a.m. — Post Chapel.

1st Sunday of every Month — 3 p.m. —Youth Ministry—Chapel

Annex, Bldg. 292

Counseling: Call the Chapel of-fice at 707-3904 or 238-7668.

“The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for-ever.”

-Psalm 19

opportunity for God to do something in your life and to enhance your faith.

I want to leave you with that challenge for this Lenten season. To give God your fear, let God enhance your faith.

Assistant Chaplain, Capt. Timothy Stansberry

Fort Buchanan Chapel Schedule

March: Women’sHistory Month

Across many years and cul-tures, women have fought to be empowered and treated equal to their male counterparts. Educa-tion has long been considered the great equalizer in society, giving every person -- regard-less of race, gender or creed --the knowledge and skills nec-essary to make the most of op-portunities. After the American Revolution, basic educational_ opportunities for women and men were created as a safeguard for democracy, and that com-mitment to education laid the foundation for women to make indelible contributions in every field, including security and defense. We have all benefitted tremendously from the distin-guished service and selfless sac-rifice of women at all levels of our Army and our Nation.

Throughout our Army’s 236-year history, women have served this Nation valiantly and with distinction, in times of peace and war. Our Army re-

mains immensely proud of the accomplishments and the sac-rifices of these brave women as they continue to courageously serve as Soldiers, Civilians and Family members.

History is clear: when put to the test, our Army women have displayed incredible intel-ligence, leadership, patriotism and courage. As we celebrate Women’s History month, we en-courage our entire Army Family to plan and execute commemo-rative activities that celebrate and pay tribute to the countless contributions of all women to our Nation.Signed,Raymond F. ChandlerSergeant Major of the Army

Raymond T. Odierno,General United States Army Chief of the Army

John M. McHugh,Secretary of the Army

Prior to the 1994 DoD as-signment rule, 67 percent of the positions in the Army were open to women

Today, 70 percent of the po-sitions in the Army are open to women, and women serve in 93 percent of all Army occupations (active duty and the reserve components), as of June 2009.

Women represent about 13.4 percent of the active Army, 23.7 percent of the Army Reserve and 14.0 percent of the Army National Guard as of fiscal year 2009.

An increasing proportion of senior-level active duty and DoD positions are being filled by women.

The percentage of female officers in the active Army in grades O-4 (rank of major) and above increased from 11.5 per-cent in fiscal year 1995 to 13.3 percent in fiscal year 2009.

The same is true for enlisted active-duty women in grades

Today’s Women SoldiersE-7 (rank of sergeant first class) through E-9 (rank of first ser-geant), who went from 8.3 per-cent in 1995 to approximately 10.8 percent as of fiscal year 2009.

In the grades General Sched-ule - 13 through senior execu-tive service, the percentage of female civilian Army employ-ees increased from 18.9 percent in 1995 to 30.9 percent as of fis-cal year 2009.

Information from Army.mil

Historically1983: Women account-ed for 9.8 percent of the total Army. 1993: Women account-ed for 12.5 percent of the total Army. 2009: Women account-ed for 15.5 percent of the total Army.


Fort Buchanan

News4March 2012

Army opens more jobs to womenWASHINGTON - The Army

announced its intent today to open six occupational special-ties and more than 13,000 posi-tions to women.

These six military occupa-tional specialties, or MOSs, were previously closed to women because they were nor-mally co-located with direct combat units:--13M Multiple Launch Rock-et System crew member--13P MLRS Operations/Fire Direction Specialist--13R Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator Specialist--91A M1 Abrams Tank Sys-tem Maintainer

--91M Bradley Fighting Ve-hicle System Maintainer-- 91P Artillery Mechanic

DOD officials said at a Pen-tagon press conference Thurs-

By Gary Sheftick Army News Service

day afternoon that they have notified Congress of their in-tent to open these MOSs to women, and the change will become effective after 30 days of continuous Congressional session, as required by law. This is expected to occur later in the spring, said Maj. Gen. Gary Patton, principal director for DOD Military Personnel Policy.

In addition, officials an-nounced that another 1,186 positions at battalion level would be opened to women in the Army, Marine Corps and Navy. These are in specialties already filled by women, but only at the brigade or higher level.

The 1994 DOD policy known as the Direct Ground Combat Definition and As-signment Rule had prohibited women from serving in combat units below the brigade level. But the secretary of Defense has now granted an excep-tion to policy to allow women to serve in some positions in combat units at the battalion level. The six specialties pre-viously barred to women were due to the “co-location” ele-ment of the 1994 policy. That provision has restricted women from serving in MOSs that by doctrine are located with com-bat units.

DOD intends to eliminate the “co-location” provision due to the non-linear and fluid nature of today’s battlefield where

there often is no front line, said Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy Virginia “Vee” Penrod.

“The battle space we have experienced in Afghanistan and Iraq require our forces to be distributed across the coun-try,” Penrod said. “There is no rear area that exists in this bat-tle space. Continuing to restrict positions as solely on being co-located with direct combat units has become irrelevant.”

Patton said it may take some time to recruit and train women in the six specialties where they

haven’t served before. Training them as tank mechanics, for instance, will take longer than placing them at battalion level in MOSs they already know, he said.

Women will be placed in the new positions as men are scheduled to rotate out, Patton said. A normal rotation sched-ule will be followed and men will not leave the positions ear-lier than expected, he said.

About 280,000 positions across the services remain closed to women due to the combat exclusion policy.

After six months, DOD will assess the feedback from wom-en serving in the new positions and use the information to take another look at the suitabil-ity and relevance of the direct ground combat unit assign-ment prohibition, Penrod said.

“This is the beginning of the end” of the combat exclusion policy, she added.

“We recognize the expanded role of women in the military,” Patton said. “I’ve seen women in combat perform in an ex-panded role. I’m very proud of them.”

Courtesy photo

Master Sgt. Renee Baldwin fires a .50-caliber machine gun during training last summer at Joint Multinational Train-ing Command’s Grafenwoehr range in Germany. Women will soon be allowed in six additional military occupational specialties normally located with combat units.

The battle space we have experienced in Afghani-stan and Iraq require our forces to be distributed across the country

Virginia “Vee” Penrod- Deputy Under Secretary of

Defense for Military Personnel Policy


NewsEl Morro Fort Buchanan March 2012

5

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 1, 2012 – Headquar-ters, Army Emergency Relief (AER) announced the start of the Annual AER Campaign which runs from March 1, 2012 through May 15, 2012.

The theme of this year’s Campaign is “A Strong Tradi-tion of Soldiers Helping Sol-diers.”

For the last 70 years, the campaign objectives have re-mained the same: “To create greater awareness of Army Emergency Relief programs and benefits; and to give Sol-diers the opportunity to help their fellow Soldiers.”

“The primary objective of the annual campaign is to create a greater awareness of how Army Emergency Relief helps Soldiers and their fami-lies,” said AER’s director, re-tired Army Lt. Gen. Robert Foley, “By promoting a better understanding of AER bene-fits, easy access to AER funds and the flexibility which AER officers worldwide exercise in responding to requests for

Army Emergency Relief Kicks Off 2012 Campaignfinancial assistance, Soldiers and Families can receive well deserved care and consider-ation in a time of need.”

Established in response to insuring there was an agency available that could provide prompt financial assistance for Soldiers and their Fami-lies during World War II, AER provides emergency financial assistance in the form of no-interest loans or grants.

In addition, AER provides scholarships to children and spouses of active duty and re-tired Soldiers as well as finan-cial support to widows and Wounded Warriors.

Beginning in January 2012, AER added four new catego-ries of assistance to include: family member dental care, basic furniture needs, rental vehicles and replacement ve-hicles.

These additions were made to meet the changing needs of today’s Soldiers and Families. Based upon feedback from our AER Officers worldwide, nine new categories have been

added in the last two years. In 2011 Army Emergency

Relief provided $77.5 mil-lion in assistance to more than 64,000 Soldiers and their Families. Under the stream-lined Command Referral Pro-gram, Company Command-ers and First Sergeants have the authority to approve AER loans for their Soldiers up to $1,500.

AER assistance is based upon a valid need and is flex-ible in responding to all types of financial situations. AER Officers work toward “Find-ing a way to say Yes.”

There is no limit on the amount of assistance that can be provided, and no limit on the number of times a Soldier may make requests for assis-tance.

Soldiers requiring AER as-sistance should contact their unit Chain of Command or go to their local installation AER office for information.

The AER office is located at Army Community Service Building 390, Crane Loop

St., Suite 101 Ft. Buchanan, PR. Soldiers and Families not near an Army installation can get AER assistance at an Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard base from the Air Force Aid Society, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, and Coast Guard Mutual As-sistance respectively or from the American Red Cross call center at 877.272.7337.

Additional program infor-mation is available at www.aerhq.org or in the Army Blue

Book application for smart phones. For more informa-tion contact Guy Shields at [email protected] or 703.325.1692. Follow AER on Facebook: AER HQ Face-book Page

For more information about the annual campaign or to contribute, please contact Chief Maria Rivera, Cam-paign Coordinator at (787) 707 - 5154, or by e-mail: [email protected]

FORT HOOD, Texas -- In an effort to address a down-sizing Army, Army Directive 2012-03, Army Retention Initiatives, goes into effect March 1, the same day the re-enlistment window opens for Soldiers whose service contract ends in fiscal year 2013.

The directive, released from the Secretary of the Army John McHugh on Feb. 2 places additional restric-tions for some mid-grade noncommissioned officers to re-enlist, as well as five ad-ditional events, which will be cause for a Soldier’s bar to re-enlistment.

“We will use the draw-down as an opportunity to shape our Army by ensuring that we retain only our very

best Soldiers,” the Secretary of the Army’s directive stat-ed.

“Here at Fort Hood, we echo that sentiment,” Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood command ser-geant major, said Feb. 10. “In III Corps, our Soldiers need to have an expedition-ary mindset. By that, I mean they need to be mentally and physically prepared to do our nation’s business.”

The directive requires commanders to “ensure that only the best qualified Sol-diers of those eligible are re-enlisted” and that brigade-level commanders and above “will deny re-enlistment to those Soldiers not deemed best qualified.”

“That’s a big change, in it-self,” Sgt. Maj. Robert Sluss, III Corps command career

counselor said of the new directive. “It places more emphasis for retention at the brigade level. The big-gest thing is for the author-ity to deny re-enlistment to a qualified Soldier which is shifting down to the brigade commander’s level.”

“Tough decisions are ahead,” stated a letter re-leased to commands accom-panying the newest reten-tion directive, signed by the Secretary of the Army, Army Chief of Staff Raymond Odi-erno and Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chan-dler III. “Some fully quali-fied Soldiers will be denied re-enlistment. Commanders must carefully assess their Soldiers and ensure only our best Soldiers are retained to meet the needs of our Army.”

“We direct every com-mander at the company/bat-

tery/troop level to counsel their Soldiers prior to re-enlistment,” Coleman said. “It’s during these counseling sessions that we can look a Soldier in the eye and tell them where they are defi-cient, whether it’s physical fitness, marksmanship or a disciplinary issue. Each Sol-dier should know where they stand.”

In addition to having bri-gade commanders make re-tention determinations of their troops, several new guidelines have been imple-mented by the Secretary of the Army’s directive.

In addition to re-enlist-ment qualifications already outlined in Army Regulation 601-280, or AR 601-280, Army Retention Program, the new directive states that “Soldiers in the grade of staff sergeant and above not cur-

2013 re-enlistment window narrows for Soldiers rently serving on an indefi-nite re-enlistment contract will be considered unquali-fied for re-enlistment if their Official Military Personnel File contains one of the fol-lowing:

• Relief-for-Cause Non-commissioned Officer Eval-uation Report, or NCOER

• A “No” listed in Part IV (Army Values, attributes, skills, actions)

• A senior rater rating of 4 (fair) or 5 (poor) in Part V -- Overall Performance and Potential of an NCOER

• A Service School Aca-demic Evaluation Report in-dicating a failure in an NCO Education System course

The directive states that “requests for waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis,” submitted through

By David LarsenIII Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

WINDOW Page 8


News6March 2012

El Morro Fort Buchanan

Army Medical Command’s, Command Sgt. Maj. Donna A. Brock and Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, the Army surgeon general present Col. Danny Jaghab, commander of the Rodriguez Army Health Clinic with the Excalibur award Feb. 2. See the ad on page 19, which features RAHC tour info.

Courtesy photo

1st MSC builds strong families for ArmyFajardo, PR-Have you ever

wanted to go to a luxury re-sort, with all expenses paid? Well, the Strong Bonds pro-gram could be the answer to make this dream a reality.

Strong Bonds is a unit-based, chaplain-led program, which assists commanders in building individual resiliency

By Sgt. José F. Babilonia1st MSC Public Affairs

by strengthening the Army Family. The core mission of the program is to increase in-dividual soldier and family members’ readiness, through relationship education and skills training.

One of the great charac-teristics of the Strong Bond initiative is that it takes place in an off site retreat format, usually at well rated hotels,

where couples can experi-ence that “get away” feel-ing, in order to maximize the training effect, as well as to make it a fun environment.

The Strong Bonds program educates service members and families about the impact of relocations, deployments, and military lifestyle stress-ors, among other topics.

Strong Bonds has been part of the Army readiness effort since 1997. Since then, more than 160,000 soldiers and family members across the Army have benefited from this initiative. The program’s success has led to increased funding, expansion Army-wide, and more training op-tions. In Puerto Rico, the pro-gram has impacted thousands of military families.

For the US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico, which this year celebrates 90 years serving the nation, Strong Bonds has been a tremendous asset for the readiness of the com-mand.

or things that we do on a daily basis, the staff of the Rodriguez Army Health Clin-ic, … for the population that we serve. We are very proud of serving all of the services,” said Morales

By establishing an atmosphere of Per-sonalismo and creating planned com-munity outreach with our TRICARE network providers, relationships are so-lidified and trust is improved. As a re-sult network providers are more apt to be more customer focused.

Jaghab said that after the implemen-tation of the “Personalismo” Health In-formation Tours and “Office Calls” with network providers, a sustained improve-ment in the percentage of usage allowing the same access potential was achieved at no cost.

The 5 Excalibur criterion that were be-ing judged on all entries were: Process oriented, Multidisciplinary, Increased value for patient and customers, Im-proved quality of care, and Sustainable and system wide replication potential.

Jaghab said that at the heart of the clin-ics success lie the efforts of Col. Virginia Yates, previous RAHC commander, Dr. Janelle Torres, medical director, Family Practice, Eduardo Colon, deputy com-mander, Ruben Rivera, Chief Nurse, Mildred Morales Delgado, managed care director Eduardo Vidot, health benefits advisor, Mali Rivera, health benefits ad-visor Noelia Baez, and utilization man-agement nurse

The award was given to the clinic for the time when the problem with care was recognized in July of 2010 to the project start date in October 2010 through the evaluation date of July 2011. This time is specific to the award but program evalu-ation is ongoing.

“To me, this award symbolizes the much deserved recognition for each one of my 50 RAHC staff members from our Top leader (the surgeon general). It is her way of recognizing the great work they (clinic staff) perform each day and the great community we service at large,” said Jaghab.

Jaghab said the RAHC team is pas-

sionate about the clinic’s success and together they work tirelessly each day to make innovative improvements.

“Showing appreciation to our patients, their families and the network providers

who support them is simple to do, incurs no expenses and results in greater trust in the medical system and a more pleasant medical experience for our community,” he said.

CARE, From Page 1

Thirty five couples renewed their wedding vows at the Palomino Island, dur-ing the Strong Bonds event held at the El Conquistador Hotel & Resort in Fajardo, 27-29 Jan. The Strong Bonds program focuses on soldiers’ relation-ships, both with their partners and their families.

“The Strong Bonds pro-gram is the Army premier relationship enhancement program. It is designed to straighten the soldier’s re-lationships pre, during and post deployments,” said Lt. Col. Curtis Muldrow, Deputy Commander Chaplain for the 1st Mission Support Com-mand, the largest US Army Reserve Command in the Ca-ribbean.

“The soldiers’ relationship at home, with their families, is vital to the soldiers’ morale and readiness,” added Chap-lain Muldrow.

Specific training is offered for single soldiers, couples, families with children, and all soldiers and families facing deployment.

During the Strong Bond retreat, soldiers and families participate in small group ac-tivities that reveal common bonds and nurture friend-ships. In addition, partici-pants gain awareness of com-munity resources that can

assist with concerns about health and wellness, even cri-sis intervention.

“Most suicides attempts are directly related to the pain of a relationship breakup. The Strong Bonds initiative gives the soldiers the tools on how to straighten relationships,” added Muldrow.

The program not only fo-cuses on relationships at risk, but also reinforces the healthy ones.

“If you have a good qual-ity relationship that you like, then I can assure you that our program will teach you how to straighten it and make it even better” said Muldrow.

There are several Strong Bonds retreats scheduled in Puerto Rico in 2012. If you want to participate and per-haps achieve your dreams of staying in a high rated hotel free of charge, contact Chap-lain Lt. Col. Curtis Muldrow at 787-707-4956 or 787-707-4957, or by e-mail [email protected]


NewsEl Morro Fort Buchanan

7March 2012

WASHINGTON - The first sergeant major of the Army, William O. Wooldridge, died March 5, in El Paso, Texas, at age 89.

When Wooldridge beat out 4,700 candidates in 1966 for a new position created by the chief of staff of the Army, he had been serving for a year as 1st Infantry Division sergeant major in the Republic of Vietnam.

“SMA Wooldridge was a one-of-a-kind noncommis-sioned officer, selected to be the first sergeant major of the Army because of his initiative, intel-ligence, experience and drive to excel,” said current Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III. “His lasting impression lives on in the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, the centralized NCO promotion system, and our professional NCO Corps.”

“He was an innovator, a true inspiration to Soldiers, and the epitome of a professional war-rior. Our hearts and prayers go out to Patty and the rest of the Wooldridge family during this difficult time,” said Chandler, the 14th SMA.

Wooldridge served as ser-geant major of the Army from July 11, 1966, after leaving Vietnam and arriving at the Pentagon in his jungle fatigues, through September 1968 and is credited with improving the status of the noncommissioned Officers Corps. He did this by: • Starting the first Major Com-mand Sergeants Major Confer-ence in 1966, which resulted in a multitude of proposals to en-hance and improve the training, morale and readiness of non-commissioned officers across the Army• Recommending the Sergeants Major Academy• Recommending the command sergeant major program• Recommending the standard-ized NCO promotion process

After serving as sergeant ma-jor of the Army, Wooldridge returned to Vietnam as sergeant major of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam, becoming

the only SMA to return to field duty after serving in the top en-listed position.

Born Aug. 12, 1922, near Shawnee, Okla., Wooldridge’s family moved about five years later to his father’s home state of Texas where he later enlisted in the Army after persuading his dad to let him go.

“I had this one thing on my mind,” said Wooldridge in a Feb. 2001 interview with Sgt. Maj. Don Elder from the Center of Military History, “I wanted to wear a Soldier uniform. I want-ed to be a Soldier, and I wanted to get the hell out of Brown County, Texas.

The interview was conducted at Wooldridge’s quarters in San-ta Teresa, N.M., near El Paso.

He enlisted at Fort Worth, Texas on Nov. 11, 1940 and served until 1972, amassing a much-decorated career over three wars and 14 campaigns.

He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry at the battle for Aachen, Germany in October 1944 and also received a Pur-ple Heart for injuries. He was awarded a second Silver Star for gallantry during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, while serving as a platoon sergeant.

As sergeant major of the Army, Wooldridge traveled wherever Soldiers were sta-tioned to listen to their concerns while strengthening and pre-serving the rich history of the NCO Corps, “the backbone of the Army.”

Wooldridge died Monday night at Beaumont Army Medi-cal Center on Fort Bliss, Texas, and is survived by his wife Patty.

By Rob McIlvaine Army News Service

The Army’s first SMA passes awayDPW completes contaminant removalBy Derrick StepanofEnvironmental Restoration Manager

In this undated photo directorate of Public Works employees pull the rem-nants of an underground fuel storage tank. Fort Buchanan’s Environmental Restoration Manager, Derrick Stepanof said that work continues on three other underground storage tank sites.

Courtesy Photo

On Jan. 18, the Fort Bu-chanan community received a “No Further Action Letter” from the Puerto Rico En-vironmental Quality Board (PREQB) due to the comple-tion of the restoration effort at Site 746 where the former Army Criminal Investigation Division facility was located.

In 1997 an Underground Storage Tank (UST) that con-tained fuel for an emergency generator was removed. The tank leaked and diesel fuel impacted the surrounding soil. Several soil removal events took place until clean soil was encountered.

A total of 240 cubic yards of fuel impacted soil was re-moved from the area. Dur-ing the soil removal opera-tion, an unknown UST was discovered containing diesel fuel.

The tank and its contents were removed; then soil samples were collected to confirm clean closure con-ditions. Clean backfill was replaced.

The UST sites are regu-lated by the Puerto Rico En-vironmental Quality Board

(PREQB) under the legal driver of the Resource Con-servation Recovery Act (RCRA) - Subtitle I (Under-ground Storage Tanks).

The technical point of con-tact is Derrick Stepanof, environmental restoration manager, at telephone 787-707-3573 or e-mail: [email protected].

This initiative represents a combined effort between Fort Buchanan’s Directorate of Public Works’ Environ-mental Division, the Army Environmental Command,

and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Currently there are ten Restoration Sites that are being cleaned-up.

Since Site 746 was closed, there are only three remain-ing areas of concern that previously involved USTs, which supplied diesel fuel for emergency generators and a former service station.

The U.S. Army’s environ-mental goal is to complete all restoration response projects by 2019 and Fort Buchanan has proposed its completion by 2014.

Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret.) William O. Wooldridge

Disabled American Veterans Puerto Rico

Local Point of Contact Alexis Martinez

Tel. (787) 772-7388Tel. (787) 772-7313

Physical Address:#50 Carr. #165

Guaynabo P.R., 00968

Disabled American Veterans Annex located in the Nuevo Dia Newspaper Building


News8March 2012


Unfamiliarity with Post 9/11 GI Bill persistsThe Post 9/11 GI Bill pro-

vides financial support for education and housing to in-dividuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or af-ter September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disabil-ity. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. VA has the final determi-nation regarding eligibility.

• Application: VA Form 22-1990 on http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asP

• Benefit Estimator: http://gibill.va.gov/CH33Estimator/

Am I eligible to transfer benefits? Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, Officer or Enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:

• Has at least 6 years of ser-vice in the Armed Forces on the transfer date and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election.

• Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or selected reserve) on the date of elec-tion, is precluded by either standard policy (service or

DoD) or statute from commit-ting to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maxi-mum amount of time allowed.

• Is not flagged for adverse action.

• Soldier must process ini-tial transfer of benefits re-quest before retirement.Steps to Transfer Benefits:

• Soldier must use CAC and log into https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/

• Soldier must read and ac-knowledge all statements re-garding transfer –the transfer request is an IRREVOCA-BLE decision to move from prior MGIB benefits into the Post 9/11 MGIB.

• Click eligible Family Member (must be in DEERS)

• List number of months transferred for each Family Member (total is 36 months –can be shared among depen-dents but total cannot exceed 36 months)

• Enter start and end date for benefit (cannot be prior to 2009-08-01 –end date stops payments even if months re-main)

• Verify REVOKE is un-checked and hit Save -Repeat steps for each Family Mem-ber

• Enlisted Soldiers must no-tify their local Career Coun-selors of the transfer request!

• Officers must notify HRC / EIB ([email protected]) of the transfer request!

• No confirmation is sent –you must check the TEB site until it is updated to Ap-proved

• Once approved, the Fam-ily Member completes the VA Form 1990-E on http://va-benefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/

main.aspNotes:• Tuition paid directly to in-

stitution –not Soldier or Fam-ily Member.

• Spouse can use benefits after Soldier has 6 years of service. No monthly stipend for AD Spouses.

• Child can use benefits after Soldier has 10 years of service.

• Service obligation begins date submitted –not approval date.

• Monthly stipend not paid to AD Soldiers, for ½ time or less, or solely distance learn-ing programs.

• Soldier AND Family Member liable for overpay-ment reimbursements to VA.

Questions: Call VA @ 1-888-442-4551

http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Post-911.htm

http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Transfer.htm

command channels to the U.S. Army Human Resourc-es Command.

Commanders will also be required to initiate a bar to re-enlistment under the di-rective for the following rea-sons:

• Loss of primary military occupational specialty due to fault of the Soldier

• A Soldier denied Com-mand List Integration for promotion by the unit com-mander.

• An incident involving the use of illegal drugs or alco-hol within the current enlist-ment/re-enlistment period resulting in an officially filed letter of reprimand; a finding of guilty under Article 15,

Uniformed Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ; a civilian conviction; or conviction by court-martial

• Two or more separate proceedings under Article 15, UCMJ, resulting in a finding of guilty by a field grade commander during the Soldier’s current enlistment or period of service

• A Soldier absent without leave more than 96 hours during the current enlist-ment/re-enlistment period

Previously, Sluss said, a mandatory bar to re-enlist-ment was initiated for three things: failing two consecu-tive Army Physical Fitness Tests, or APFTs, failure to meet satisfactory progress in the Army’s Weight Con-trol Program or failure at an

NCOES course With downsizing on the

horizon, going forward, Sluss said Soldiers should look at their military careers as serving on a team at any level.

“Every year, there are new members,” he explained. “You must continue to per-form and improve to remain in the starting lineup. Oth-erwise, someone my step up and take your position. If I’m Specialist Sluss, I’m thinking that I want to make sure that I’m doing everything I can do to remain competitive. If you do that, commanders won’t have any questions about you when re-enlist-ment time rolls around.”

He said Soldiers should look to improve themselves

through their APFT scores, military and civilian educa-tion and display leadership potential.

“It’s not enough just to show up for work and do the bare minimum,” Sluss said.

“We’re looking to keep the best. Re-enlistment is a privilege, not a right,” Cole-man said. “A Soldier is fully qualified if they score a 180 on their APFT, for example, but if a Soldier is doing the minimum, they’re sitting on the fence. In the future, they might find themselves on the wrong side of the fence look-ing in.” Coleman added that it’s not just the APFT, marks-manship, military and civil-ian education, discipline or leadership potential.

“We encourage command-

ers to use the ‘whole Sol-dier concept’ when assess-ing Soldiers,” he said. “And Soldiers should be looking at the ‘roadmap’ in their chosen career field. Every branch has them, and they are avail-able to download and review. There are many career en-hancing moves a Soldier can make -- from drill sergeant school, air assault school or civilian and military educa-tion. Make no mistake about it, I sit on a lot of boards and these roadmaps tell a Soldier exactly what they need to succeed.” Provisions of the new retention directive will be incorporated into the next revision of AR 601-280 and will be rescinded upon the publication of the revised regulation.

WINDOW, From Page 6


NewsEl Morro Fort Buchanan March 2012

9

Courtesy J.R. Martinez

WASHINGTON -- By now, most of America has heard of J.R. Martinez, the veteran-turned-actor-turned-dancer who amazed “Dancing with the Stars” judges as he waltzed, jived and tangoed his way into the hearts of viewers across the country.

It wasn’t always that way. Cpl. Jose Rene Martinez of the 101st Airborne Division was once indistinguishable from the thousands of other young American Soldiers who streamed into Iraq in March 2003.

Like many of them, Mar-tinez was young -- only 19 -- naïve and inexperienced. He had enlisted for the usual reasons: to get an education; to travel; to thank the coun-try that had given his single, immigrant mother so much; and, just maybe, to “become a man.” He didn’t know how or why he had ended up in a war zone.

After less than a month in Iraq, Martinez’s life changed forever.

His Humvee had hit a land-mine and he became trapped inside the burning vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes. Con-scious the entire time and in “unspeakable pain,” Martinez thought he was going to die.

He suffered burns over 40 percent of his body. When Martinez awoke from a medi-cally induced coma in Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, a few weeks later, he was dazed, confused and still in terrible pain. Where was he? Why wouldn’t the nurses and doc-tors let him look in a mirror? “What the hell is going on?” he wondered.

He begged to see his face, explaining that there was no way he could come to terms with his injuries if he didn’t know what they were.

Nurses reluctantly brought him a mirror and when he looked at his reflection, Mar-tinez saw a stranger. His face

From combat boots to dancing shoeswas puffy and red and the skin that hadn’t melted away was badly scarred and swollen. He was even missing an ear.

“I think that was really the first time that I was able to take it in and say ‘Wow. This is really bad,’” Martinez remembered. He feared he would never have a normal life, that no woman would ever want him again. (Martinez is now expect-ing a baby with his l o n g - t i m e g i r l f r iend . ) In his dark-est moments, he wished he had been left for dead in the desert.

G r u e l i n g days, weeks and years of wound care and therapy stretched ahead (to date, he’s had 33 surgeries). Surgeons attached skin grafts and removed excessive scar tissue from Martinez’s face and hands while painful phys-ical and occupational thera-pies helped him move his arms again.

Scar tissue tends to be very thick and stiff, and it must be carefully stretched, explained Maj. David Admire, one of Martinez’s many occupation-al therapists.

“What we did initially was a lot of wound care positioning, a lot of splinting, a lot of get-ting his hands in the right po-sition, because when the scar forms, it contracts. It makes the joints super-tight. You’ve got to preserve the range of motion while it heals. So we did a lot of splinting, a lot of using his hands, getting used to using his hands again. His mouth was burned. We did a lot of splinting in the mouth to keep that mouth open because if it contracts, you can’t open your mouth. So that was a big thing too, and his eyes.”

“It wasn’t easy,” Martinez admitted. “There were a lot of

difficult days. There were a lot of difficult nights. There was a lot of anger, depression and there was a lot of questioning but I fought through it and I stayed strong and I believed and I had a smile throughout it all. I said to myself, ‘I am not going to be a victim. I am going to be a survivor.’”

Once he found a way to cope with his own in-juries, Marti-nez realized that many of the young men and women who c o n t i n u e d to arrive at BAMC each day, many with injuries worse than his, were even more

depressed than he had been. He began to visit them, laugh-ing and joking, trying to raise their spirits.

Before he knew it, Martinez was talking about resilience on “60 Minutes” and “Oprah.” Eventually he was out of the hospital and the Army. He be-came a full-time motivational speaker, then landed a role playing an injured veteran on ABC’s now-cancelled soap, “All My Children.” Then, his loyal fans began a campaign: Wouldn’t it be great if he went on “Dancing with the Stars?”

“I was always like, ‘Yeah, that would be fun,’” he said. “When news broke that ‘All My Children’ was going off the air I thought to myself, ‘What about it?’”

A friend called the “Danc-ing with the Stars” casting department and a few months later they offered Martinez a role. Remembering that just eight years before, he had nearly died, that he hadn’t known how he would go on with his life, Martinez found himself choked up. The emo-tion he felt, he explained, is hard to describe.

“Dancing with the Stars”

would also be a way for mil-lions of people to hear Mar-tinez’s story. His newfound fame would serve as a plat-form for him to advocate for thousands of other wounded Soldiers and highlight some of the wounded veterans’ charities he supports.

“Everything I get into, I think about what impact is it going to have?” said Marti-nez. “That’s the only thing I have been doing for the past 8 years trying to pass on to wounded troops the under-standing that ‘you too can.’ You can have an impact. Go out there and be a voice. Go out there and show them what it is we’re capable of doing.

“Being able to talk to the guys definitely helps me, and I don’t think they realize that,” he added later during a visit to his old unit, the 101st, at Fort Campbell, Ky. “It probably helps me more than them. My military career was cut short because of my injury

in Iraq in 2003, but I can con-tinue to serve in a different capacity and this is the way I do it, by talking to the troops, talking to their families, try-ing to encourage them, trying to inspire them, trying to light that fire under their butts and say, ‘You know what? You can still do it man, and you’re not alone. There’s a lot of us out there who feel your pain and understand what you’re going through.’ (That’s) my way of saying I’m still one of the guys and I’m taking care of my guys.”

Martinez even filled the “Dancing with the Stars” au-dience with veterans during the week of Veterans Day, and they loudly cheered him on.

Throughout his stint on the show, Martinez had to learn complicated dances like tan-gos, salsas and waltzes in five days or less, which meant six- or seven-hour rehearsals

By Elizabeth M. CollinsSoldiers Magazine

MARTINEZ Page 19

His Humvee had hit a landmine and he became trapped inside the burning vehicle for 10 to 15 min-utes. Conscious the entire time and in “unspeakable pain,” Martinez thought he was going to die.

The Sentinel of the CaribbeanMarch 201210 Meritorious Service Medalhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/fortbuchanan_elmorro/

great credit himself, his unit and the U.S. Army. He made the ultimate sacrifice on May 26, 2011 when he died of wounds suffered when insur-gents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Af-ghanistan.

The medal was presented by Col. John D. Cushman, Fort Buchanan garrison com-mander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick T. Simpson, garrison command sergeant major. Col. Cushman offered his most sincere and deepest condolences to the family and acknowledged that it was a difficult time for them. “Sgt. Ramos served with honor and distinction; we are here for you as a family,” said Cushman, emphasizing Fort Buchanan’s commitment to supporting Soldiers and their families.

In addition to Sgt. Ramos Velázquez’s father, also pres-ent were Mrs. Mirina Mar-tinez, step-mother, his sister Leza Ramos and his grandfa-ther Antonio Ramos.

According to his father, Sgt. Ramos Velázquez was cut from a Warrior’s cloth. The elder Ramos is a Vietnam Veteran who saw combat ser-vice in Vietnam from 1968 to

69. He said his son decided to join the Army in 2006 after losing his job. It was to be a new career he performed with great pride. Sgt. Ramos was equipped, experienced, com-mitted, and highly trained to excel in his Warrior profes-sion. Sgt. Ramos did what he was trained to do. At the time of his death he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Avia-tion Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Air-borne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

On the day of the attack which took his life insurgents targeted his unit and detonat-ed an improvised explosive device. The date was a tragic one for the US Army and the 4th Battalion, since enemy

action ended the life of six of its Soldiers. Sgt. Ramos Velázquez was wounded in the initial attack but refused evacuation so he could help his follow Soldiers. Accord-ing to the elder Ramos, Sgt. Ramos Velázquez’s com-mander at the time credits him with saving his life. For his actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart Medal.

When Luis Ramos Sr. was asked to define the life of his son, he was quick to answer that his son was an excellent and responsible man. “To overcome adversity and pro-vide a quality of life for his family, Louie decided to join the Army after losing his job with a local finance institution

as a result of the economic crisis hitting the island,” said his father.

Mr. Ramos added with tears in his eyes, “I am very proud of him and what he did in de-fense of democracy and free-dom.” “He died for what he believed in, with his boots on, as he wanted.”

Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Ve-lázquez was born in New York City but was raised in Camuy, Puerto Rico and entered the Army at the San Juan Entry Processing Station on Decem-ber 27, 2006. He was then sent to Fort Sill in Oklahoma to attend military basic train-ing.

Following completion of basic training, Sgt. Ramos Velázquez attended the ad-vanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he became a combat medic.

MSM, From Page 1

His first deployment was to Afghanistan in 2008 with Company F, 4th Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a Trauma Specialist and Com-bat Medic.

From Left: Leza Ramos the sister of Sgt. Louie Ramos Velázquez, Mirina Martinez, step-mother, Fort Buchanan Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordi-nator Angel Castro, Sgt. Ramos’ grandfather Antonio Ramos.

Col. John D. Cushman, commander of Fort Buchanan, presents Luis Ramos the father of Sgt. Louie Ramos Velázquez with the Meritorious Service Medal while Mirina Martinez, the elder Ramos’ wife and the step-mother of Sgt. Ramos, stands near for support.

Luis Ramos speaks about his son while his wife and the step-mother of Sgt. Louie Ramos Velázquez, Mirina Martinez stands near for support.


Fort Buchanan

Meritorious Service Medal 11http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortbuchanan_elmorro/

His first deployment was to Afghanistan in 2008 with Company F, 4th Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a Trauma Specialist and Com-bat Medic.

In February 2011 he was once again called upon to de-ploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Free-dom XI. He is survived by his wife Jesenia and three chil-dren Louie, Pedro and Sheila.

Sgt. Louie Ramos Velázquez made the ultimate sacrifice on May 26, 2011 when he died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. According to Sgt. Ramos’ father Luis Ramos, Sgt. Ramos commander at the time credits him with saving his life. For his actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart Medal.

The Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, retired Maj. Gen. Félix A. Santoni was among the distinguished guests who attended the award ceremony honoring the military service of Sgt. Louie Ramos Velázquez who was killed in action in Afghanistan May 26, 2011.From Left: Leza Ramos the sister of Sgt. Louie Ramos Velázquez, Mirina Martinez, step-mother, Fort Buchanan Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordi-

nator Angel Castro, Sgt. Ramos’ grandfather Antonio Ramos.

Col. John D. Cushman, commander of Fort Buchanan, presents Luis Ramos the father of Sgt. Louie Ramos Velázquez with the Meritorious Service Medal while Mirina Martinez, the elder Ramos’ wife and the step-mother of Sgt. Ramos, stands near for support.


Features12March 2012


The Fort Buchanan Army Earth Day Exposition 2012

The Fort Buchanan’s Earth Day activity is scheduled for Friday, 20 April 2012 at the Community Club from 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Net Zero Energy & Water for Resources Con-servation”. Nevertheless, the mention theme is not only a strategy but the Army’s vi-sion to appropriately manage our natural resources with a goal of net zero installations.

According to Fort Bu-chanan’s Environmental Management Policy Memo-randum #23, we must keep our commitment to conduct operations that are safe and environmentally acceptable, promote resource conserva-tion through waste reduction, recycling, pollution preven-tion, and energy conserva-tion.

Our Installation is also le-veraging partnerships with the private sector through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) as the pri-

Did you visit USAG Fort Buchanan today? Let us know how was your experience in our facilities? How was our service?

It is very easy to provide feedback through: hardcopy comment card, your personal computers and now through your smartphones. Yes, now you can

provide us immediate feedback, through your smartphones:

1. Go to an iphone or Android apps store2. Download any barcode scanning application3. Scan the barcode on the office poster

When filling out the ICE comment, please make sure you answer the satisfac-tion question (“Were you satisfied with your experience at this office/facility?”). The satisfaction percentage on the ICE report is based on the number of “yes”

responses to the satisfaction question. The Overall Satisfaction question is designed to rate the customer total experience and the results are used to determine the satisfaction percentage for that particular service. If the cus-

tomer does not respond to the satisfaction question, the submission will not be included in the satisfaction percentage that is rolled up in reports.

With your feedback, our services always improve. ICE makes it better!

mary tool to achieve energy, water, and fuel conservation goals.

Johnson Controls was awarded a $34 million con-tract to install wind and so-lar photovoltaic systems, light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting, energy management control systems, and other energy conservation equip-ment and processes in Puerto Rico. This contract will ben-efit Fort Buchanan and 11 Army Reserve Centers on the island, saving. This ac-tion is projected to save the Army more than $61 million over the contract life. These projects awarded through the U.S. Army Corps of En-gineers, Huntsville District, Alabama, support the Army’s goal of producing 25 percent of its utility energy require-ment from renewable energy sources by 2025.

Under an Energy Sav-ings Performance Contract, or ESPC, an energy service company provides equip-ment, capital and expertise to attain a specified level of

energy savings over an extended period of time, up to 25 years. The con-tractor recoups their invest-ment through an agreed-upon percentage of guaranteed cost savings.

The Army’s Earth Day is an awareness tool that complies with Army Regulation 200-1 and helps us reach our commu-nity and neighbors to pro-mote environmental steward-ship in partnership with other Federal, State, and local or-ganizations. Fort Buchanan invites all interested organi-zations and agencies to have booths at the site to distribute promotional and educational material as well as to present innovative ideas to the com-munity. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, the point of con-tact is Mr. Aníbal Negrón, Acting Chief Environmental

By Alicia NavedoEnvironmental Specialist Contractor

Division, at 787-707-3575, or e-mail at: [email protected].

This ESPC project will provide Fort Buchanan with the following benefits:

1. Energy-efficient LED il-lumination, installation wide, instead of conventional and fluorescent lamps.

2. Conservation of water resources and irrigation sys-tem at golf course

3. Improved system reli-ability, response time and

mission readiness4. Replace select exist-ing Heating, Ventilation,

and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment

with new equipment5. Improved oc-

cupant work envi-ronments

6. Energy/cost reduction achieve-ment in compli-ance with Energy

Independence andSecurity Act of

2007 (EISA 07)7. Photovoltaics (PV),

Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water and Wind Energy-Renewable

8. This Energy Conserva-tion Measures will reduce de-pendency on Utility company Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA).

9. Additionally, Fort Bu-chanan will have a significant impact on the environment by annually

10. Reducing pollution emissions of the following green house gases: Carbon Dioxide (CO2),Nitrogen Ox-ides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Mercury (Hg).

This years event will introduce the big changes coming to Fort Buchanan


Healthy Living 13El Morro Fort Buchanan March 2012

Breeder selection as critical as picking the right pooch

So you’ve decided what breed is right for you--congrat-ulations! But your work is not yet done. Where you go to get your dog is just as important as what kind of dog you get. The American Kennel Club pro-vides searches for two sources of purebred dogs--Breeders and Rescue Groups.Responsible Breeders

The American Kennel Club believes that breeding pro-grams should be undertaken responsibly for the purpose of preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-so-cialized puppies. Responsible breeders are expected to give careful consideration to health issues, temperament, and ge-

netic screening, as well as to the individual care and place-ment of puppies in responsible homes. AKC supports and pro-motes these and other responsi-ble breeding practices through breeders’ education programs, and commends those who of-fer similar guidance. Breeders who are only producing pup-pies for profit often cut corners to save money. This can mean that they breed dogs with unde-sirable traits or genetic defects, don’t provide the proper medi-cal care to the mother and pup-pies, and breed the females too many times risking their health. Unscrupulous breeders may also fake breeding records and give false information as to the parents breeding lines.

A good breeder should let you see the parents of your

future puppy, and give you all breed and association regis-tration papers for the parents. You can verify this informa-tion by contacting the specific breed registry. If possible, visit the breeders’ kennels, are they clean and in good repair? Do the dogs look happy, healthy and well taken care of? Be very suspicious if a breeder is not fully open about their facilities. Also, a breeder should be will-ing to tell you if the particular breed is a good match for your family. They should ask you questions about your lifestyle, other pets, young children, what type of home you live in (apartment vs. ranch), and what your primary purpose is for picking that breed of dog. A good breeder will not want to place a dog in a home where it will not be a good fit for both the people and the pet.Rescue Groups

Every AKC breed is repre-sented by one or more Res-cue Groups, formed to help purebred dogs in need of new homes. Dogs find their way into Rescue for a variety of reasons. Some may have been acciden-tally lost or abandoned. Others may have been given up due to

By Capt. Taylor Opel, DVMFort Buchanan Veterinary Treatment Facility

Building 676 Sallyport St.

Appointments available for Active Duty Military, Retirees, Dependants, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, Reserv-ists, Fort Buchanan Residents, GS Employees, Fort Buchanan Security Personnel, US Cus-

toms and FBI Personnel.

Normal Business HoursMonday to Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Surgical and Dental services available

Please call 787-707-2038 to schedule an appointment.

Fort Buchanan Veterinary Treatment

Facility

their owners’ illness, death, or other change in circumstance. All Rescue groups carefully screen the dogs in their care for health and temperament before offering them for adoption.

Rescuing a purebred dog is a wonderful option for some fam-ilies. A young purebred dog can be very expensive, and often rescue organizations will only charge a nominal fee to pay for the care of the dog. Rescue is a great source for older pure-bred dogs that are often already housebroken and know some basic obedience. You may not be able to know the history of the dog you adopt, but you will still bring home a fine compan-ion--one who is grateful to you for giving him a second chance at a home and happiness.Questions to Ask

Whether you go to a breeder or a rescue group, you should be prepared to ask lots of ques-tions about the puppy or dog you hope to acquire. Here are some questions to ask:

• How big will the dog get?• How old will he be before

he acts like an adult dog?• How protective will the dog

be?• How often will the dog

need to be groomed?• How does he get along with

other animals?• How long can he be left

alone at home?• How much exercise does

the dog need?• What are the best training

methods for this dog?• What possible health prob-

lems might this dog develop?Your contact should be will-

ing to answer all of your ques-tions fully. He or she should also ask questions about you, your lifestyle, and your family. If a contact doesn’t respond to your inquiries, or doesn’t show any interest in the life the dog will lead after it leaves his or her premises, you may want to look elsewhere. A responsible breeder or dedicated Rescue Group member is committed to making a good match be-tween prospective owners and the dogs in their care; that’s

Fort Buchanan’s organizational page is now available on Facebook

From Facebook.com Search “U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan”

then find our government organization page.

Fort Buchanan now has an official page on Facebook. Find photos, video and important news and event information

from us here by logging on and clicking “like” on our page. This month look for the snake rescue photo album, which

documented the recovery and release of an endangered Puerto Rican Boa.

the kind of person you want on your side as you make the jour-ney into dog ownership.Start Your Search

Every breed recognized by the American Kennel Club has a National or Parent Club that was formed for that breed. The parent club is responsible for the preservation, protection and welfare of that particular breed. The AKC believes that the Par-ent Clubs are the best contacts for anyone looking for informa-tion on a particular breed or pur-chasing a puppy of that breed. They can direct you to breeders of the individual breed in your state or region. They also have an abundance of excellent in-formation and important facts that all owners of that breed should be aware of. Use the Breeder Referral search to find the Parent Club contact for the breed you’re interested in. Par-ent Clubs and local breed clubs also sponsor Rescue Groups for purebred dogs in need of new homes. Use the Rescue Group search to explore this option.

It might take some extra work, but in the end you will be happy you did your research, and happy that you supported responsible dog breeding. (This article was adapted from the American Kennel Club website www.akc.org)

Important Rabies Vaccination Information!

If your pet was vaccinated for rabies at the Fort Bu-chanan Veterinary Treatment Facility between Janu-ary 1st 2012 and February 13th 2012, your rabies tag

is now available. The VTF has mailed tags to most clients; however some addresses were not up-to-date. If you have not received your tag, please call the clinic

at 787-707-2038.


Features14March 2012


Luis Salazar on safety: A story of survival in San JuanBy Luis SalazarSafety Office Contractor

In an effort to improve the reg-istration process for all Soldiers, the new Web site through the Army IMCOM Registration Sys-tem will make registration for all courses easier to accomplish.

Registration is now required for all driving courses as well as for Motorcycle Safety Founda-tion courses.

The new address is https://apps.imcom.army.mil/AIRS

This site will provide on-line registration and management of traffic safety training courses for the Army Traffic Safety Training Program. You can view course calendars to see what courses are being offered at garrisons in your local area. It will also aid

you in successfully registering for courses electronically using a web based browser or smart phone. To view available cours-es, log on to the link above and select a region and then a garri-son from the drop down menu. From there just choose the date of the course and register.

Army Traffic Safety Training Program gets a new Web site

https://apps.imcom.army.mil/AIRS

As a military motorcycle safety RiderCoach I hear many stories that our nations’ finest share as they fulfill their personal quest to be the consum-mate rider. At times you hear of how Soldiers achieve feats like strenuous back road country rides with jumps and river crossings or one might hear on how a group of Soldiers rode around the whole island in just one day. These are truly remarkable moments that are not easily forgotten and are indelibly etched in the adventurer’s soul.

Other moments are not so note-worthy yet are just as important. Sometimes Sol-diers speak out and say that they do not care for training or do not use correct per-sonal protective equipment. Some of these brave men and women in spite of how they feel towards motorcycle safe-ty training have gone ahead and taken the bold step to complete one of our programs of instruction. We have welcomed them at our BRC’s and I would venture a heartfelt hunch that as each Soldier visualized what their training afforded them, all finished with a new outlook not only for road safety but also ready to renew the personal commitment to take better care of themselves while riding their bikes. Simply put, the Army hit the nail on the head when it mandated motorcycle safety train-

ing and the use of personal protective equipment for all Soldiers who ride a motorcycle occasionally or on a con-tinual basis.

Just last week I received the follow-ing e-mail from the senior motorcycle rider at Coast Guard Base San Juan. MK2 Collin Eckert is really the heart and soul behind a great riders group called the Coast Guard Riders Puerto Rico.

The CGR are a recognized mentor-ship group of riders open to all mili-tary service members notwithstanding their branch of service. The CGR’s main goal is to provide safe and fun

rides to military (active and re-tired) personnel as well as be-come involved in benevolent com-munity causes in Puerto Rico by working with dif-ferent community groups such as the Shriners.

As a senior mo-torcycle rider for the CGR MK2 Eckert is an ex-

ample of a responsible rider. He has taken all of the required trainings and conducts himself safely by making good decisions that minimize risk as he takes to the roads of Puerto Rico. He is road savvy and not only meets military requirements when regarding personal protective equipment but ex-ceeds recommended list as a personal choice. Last week the following e-mail was received from him:

“I recently was involved in a head on collision with a car on my 2009 Ka-

wasaki C14. I’m ok, thank you for all your concerns and offers! I just wanted to share why I walked away with not a scratch. I know sometimes it seems that the requirements for riding within the military can be restrictive, however if I were riding last Thursday with ONLY what the military requires I think the outcome would have been a lot differ-ent. You may not have been receiving this e-mail. That right there should be enough for you all to remember, spend the money on quality gear and wear it! MY gear saved me! Of course the lady said she didn’t see me even with my bright neon orange reflective vest and my high beams on........

Colin Eckert”Needless to say that I called MK2

Eckert to see just what had happened and how this story unfolded into a nightmare. I asked for his permission to share with the “El Morro” readers his harrowing account of street sur-vival and he graciously authorized to publish this story as he knows that it would have a positive impact notwith-standing the personal price he paid that fateful day. He did not even hesitate and said “if my story can help another brother or sister motorcyclist under-stand the importance of being protect-ed than by all means write about it.”

He went on to relate that on that eventful day he was riding through Rio Piedras while on the way to visit his wife’s parents’ home. Travelling at a safe speed in the late afternoon it seemed like a normal day of congested traffic in the metropolitan San Juan area. With all safety precautions in place all of the sudden he noticed a se-dan changing over from the opposing lane and invading his right of way. The proximity and speed of this oncoming

sedan was so that evasion techniques could not be put to work so the only decision at hand was where the impact was going to take place.

Aiming for the best impact MK2 Eckert decided to put the bike in be-tween the two headlights. As the im-pact occurred he was hurled off his motorcycle landed on the hood of the vehicle and continued to break his fall with the windshield. After impacting the windshield with his body and as the car came to a dead stop MK2 Eck-ert fell from the hood of the vehicle to the street below. Once on the asphalt he related how he went from head to toe checking all body functions like moving toes, feet and hands to see if he was OK. He felt a sharp pain in the knee from the impact and would later on find out that his Kevlar reinforced pants helped to save that knee from permanent damage. His head was OK mostly because he had a fastened full faced helmet on. His back, arms and chest were protected by the reinforced riding ballistic jacket. So when the am-bulance came they were able to take a very live rider to the hospital with only minor injuries. The motorcycle did not fare as well. It was a total loss and a tangled mess of steel and rubber as the insurance adjustor informed Colin a few days after the mishap.

Can we learn from this experience? Sure we can. First no one is immune to the effects from hazards that you cannot control. Alertness and expect-ing the unexpected will always help us to be better prepared to make hard, sometimes life saving decisions as in MK2 Eckert’s case. On motorcycles we always feel the great spirit of wind

CRASH Page 18

If my story can help another brother or sister motorcyclist un-derstand the importance of being protected than by all means write about it.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Colin Eckert- U.S. Coast Guard

15

By Maj. Carlos M. Cuebas1st Mission Support Command Public Affairs Officer

FORT DIX, N.J. - Under weather conditions that in-cluded temperatures around the 30° F, soldiers assigned to the 246th Quartermas-ter (QM) Company contin-ued their post-mobilization training, while receiving blocks of instruction about the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, tactical movements and vehicle recovery, 8-9 Feb. “The soldiers’ morale is great. Regardless of the stress or how tired they might be, our troops always perform at a 100 percent,” said Maj. Federico Martinez, com-mander of the 246th QM Co., based in Aguadilla, PR.

The mobilization of the 246th QM is being conducted in accordance with the Armed Forces plan to deploy forces, also called the Armed Forces Generation (ARFORGEN).

The ARFORGEN is a dy-namic, agile and interactive system that adapts to provide operational capabilities re-gardless of force structure, force levels, operational tem-

Progressive readiness in action: 1st MSC in the lead

Soldiers from the 246th Quartermaster (QM) Company conduct Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle training at Fort Dix, N.J., Feb. 8. The 246th QM Co’s mobilization is the most recent example of the operational nature of the US Army Reserve forces in Puerto Rico.

po or type of mission.The process also provides

time for units to recover from deployment, to train for the next deployment and to have a predictable schedule of de-ployment for families and employers.

According to the published Army Posture Statement “The overarching purpose of ARFORGEN is to pro-vide combatant commanders (CCDR) and civil authori-ties with a steady supply of trained and ready units that are task organized in modular expeditionary force packages and tailored to joint mission requirements.”

This systematic way of preparing unit capabilities to deploy has three force pools; Reset, Train/Ready and Available, through which troops engage in individual and collective training.

“I like the training, I find it very motivational. I feel we are being trained very well,” said Spc. Omayra Soto-Tor-res, who has been assigned to the 246th QM for a year.

“This is a very useful block of instruction because it pro-vides us the baseline knowl-

edge that will help us per-form more effectively, once we arrive to the battlefield,” said Spec. Daniel Mercado, an Isabela, PR native who performs as Mortuary Affairs Specialist in the 246th QM Co.

“This is my third mobiliza-tion. If I compare the type of

training that we are receiv-ing now, with the training I received in previous mobi-lizations, I have to say that now we are receiving a better training, more detailed and to the point,” said Spec. Wil-liam E. Velez-Hernández.

The 246th QM, which mis-sion is to provide logistic support in the preparation and transportation of fallen soldiers in combat, is the first

US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico’s unit to be mobilized in 2012, when the Army Re-serve forces in the island cel-ebrate their 90 year anniver-sary.

“We continue giving the maximum effort for Puerto Rico and the Nation. God willing, we will complete our mission and return safe and sound to our homes,” said Velez-Hernandez.

Soldiers assigned to the 246th Quartermaster (QM) Company conduct unmounted tactical combat patrol movements during their post-mobilization training at Fort Dix, N.J. Feb. 9. The 246th QM Co. is the first US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico’s unit to be mobilized in 2012, when the Army Reserve forces in the island celebrate their 90 year anniversary.

16Senior Hispanic general visits ROTC cadetsBy Maj. Carlos M. Cuebas1st Mission Support Command Public Affairs Officer

RIO PIEDRAS, P.R. - Dozens of US Army Reserve Officer Training Corps’ (ROTC) cadets assigned to the Rio Piedras Taino Warriors Battalion, received the distinguished visit of Lt. Gen. Rhett A. Hernández, commander of US Army Cyber Command, 22 Feb.

During his visit, the students briefed the General about the Battalion’s mis-sion and history and about the quality of training received in their ROTC pro-gram, which was established in 1919, being one of the oldest officer produc-ing programs in the nation. Once the students’ presentation ended, Hernan-dez addressed the cadets and provided them with his professional advice on how to be successful in their military careers, despite any difficulties.

“You must continue seizing the tre-mendous opportunities that the Army provides. Always work hard and never underestimate your potential,” said Hernández.

As part of his exchange with the stu-dents, Hernandez, who is the senior Hispanic General in the US Army, re-flected on his humble beginnings.

“We never really knew where my school lunch money would come from the next day,” added Hernandez, while sharing some of his childhood person-

al experiences. Hernandez also highlighted the im-

portance of increasing the number of Hispanics in the military service. Ac-cording to the US census, currently about 16 percent of the United States population is Hispanic. However, it is estimated that in the military that per-centage only reaches 11 percent.

“We need to work harder closing the diversity gap, especially with re-spect to Hispanics. It is going to take decades worth of work. But we really can’t afford to take a day off. We must encourage all our Hispanic soldiers to take advantage of the opportunities available. We also need to encourage others to become part of the military,” asserted Hernandez.

Even though Hernández was visiting the island on leave status, he immedi-ately accepted the opportunity to visit and share some time with the Army’s future leaders.

“I feel great. I did not want to miss the chance because there is nothing as uplifting,” said Hernandez, when re-flecting about his exchange with the Puerto Rican cadets.

“The cadets look young, exited and you can see in their faces that they have a positive attitude,” added Hernandez.

Lt. Col. retired Ray Colón, the Rio Piedras US Army ROTC Operations Officer, stated that the visit had a great

impact in the students.“Lt. Gen. Hernandez’ visit really en-

couraged our cadets. It boosted their confidence in their abilities to achieve their goals,” said Colón.

According to Colón, the Army ROTC in Puerto Rico is the largest Hispanic-officer producing program in the Nation.

The commander of Cyber Command also expressed his admiration for the Puerto Rican soldiers.

“My most significant experience

with soldiers from Puerto Rico was when I was the commander of the Hu-man Resources Command. We had a unit that every day brought duffle bags of soldier’s equipment. Every time I went to visit them, it was the most uplifting professional personal expe-rience that I had,” added Hernandez , while referring to the soldiers from the Mortuary Affairs elements of the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, who per-formed duty under Hernandez’ com-mand.

Lt. Gen. Rhett A. Hernández, senior Hispanic General in the US Army, answers questions from one of the cadets, during his visit to the Rio Piedras Reserve Officer Training Corps program, 22 Feb.

American Legion, Reserve working together for troops

As part of the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico’s effort to build effective partnerships with members of the community, the 1st Mission Support Command (1st MSC) received the visit from Fang A. Wong, National Commander of the American Legion, at the command headquarters, 31 Jan.

According to the organization’s website, the American Legion is the nation’s largest veteran’s service or-ganization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship programs in the community, advocating patrio-tism and honor, promoting strong na-tional security, and continued devo-tion to fellow service members and veterans.

During the encounter, Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández, commander of

the 1st MSC, briefed the Legionnaires about the mission and capabilities of the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, the largest federal military command in the island and the Caribbean.

“We appreciate your visit today and we want to thank you very much for what you do for our Nation, the veter-ans and the soldiers,” said Fernández during his opening remarks.

The American Legion delegation expressed their satisfaction with the presentation received, especially af-ter learning about command’s Com-munity Outreach Program, and how it helps the local communities

“After seeing your command pre-sentation, I see that your community activities are pretty much parallel with what the American Legion is trying to do, so I can definitively see that there is a great opportunity for collaboration with the Reserve here

in Puerto Rico. We certainly are look-ing forward to work together,” said Wong.

During his visit, Mr. Wong was ac-companied by local members of the American Legion, to include the or-ganization’s Puerto Rico Department Commander, Idelfonso Colón, Jr. who expressed his desire to help the local troops.

“We help out when troops are de-ployed. We have a temporary finan-cial assistance program and many other family programs to help our soldiers and their families. This is more important now than ever, be-cause most of the reservists already have been activated,” said Colón.

Thousands of veterans are mem-bers of the American Legion, Puerto Rico Department, within seventy posts across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

“It is important to say that you do not have to be a member of the Amer-ican Legion to be able to receive our services. Still, we want to establish a bond with the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico and the soldiers, so we can better serve you. We are here to help,” said Colón.

During the visit, the American Le-gion Puerto Rico Department com-mander also expressed his intent of increasing the American Legion’s presence in the 1st MSC’s command, as a way to make their services more accessible to the troops and their families.

“This is your home. Together we can work to achieve better and great-er things for our soldiers and their families,” ended Fernández, while expressing his appreciation for the American Legion’s visit and avail-ability to help the troops.

By Maj. Carlos M. Cuebas1st Mission Support Command Public Affairs Officer

This section is dedicated to highlight a service member from our command, in recognition to his/her hard work and dedication to the mission. Units are en-couraged to submit names every month by the 20th of the month.

1st MSC Excellence Spotlight:

17

March 2012 1st MSC Spotlight: Master Sgt. Mirna Rivera-Cruz.

Time in service: 29 years in the US Army Reserve

Unit: Headquarters & Headquar-ters Company (HHC), 1st Mission Support Command, Fort Buchan-an, PR

Home of Record: Rio Grande, P.R.

Career Status: Master Sgt. Rivera-Cruz currently performs as the Command’s Assistant Inspec-tor General. She participated in Dessert Storm/Dessert Shield 1990-1991, and in Operation Iraqi Freedom twice, in 2004-2005 and 2007-2008. Recently, Rivera Cruz received the Joint Women¹s Leadership Award during the Joint Women¹s Leadership Symposium, 5-6 March 2012.

Future plans: Master Sgt. Rivera-Cruz plans to successfully com-plete her three year tour as Com-mand Assistant Inspector General and compete for promotion to the rank of Sergeant Major.

Quote: ““I enjoy being a sol-dier and the discipline of the US Army””

1st MSC Excellence Spotlight: This section is dedicated to high-light a service member from the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, in recognition to his/her hard work and dedication to the mission. Units are encouraged to submit names every month by the 20th of the month.

By Capt. Héctor L. Prieto215th MP DETUnit Public Affairs Representative

215th MP Detachment’s Road to War Afghanistan - The journey of the

troops mobilizing from Puerto Rico to Afghanistan in support of the War against Terrorism is usually an inter-esting one, filled with a lot of train-ing, hard work, adventure and pride. The 215th Military Police Law and Order Detachment (MP DET), one of the three Military Police units in the US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico, is one of the most recent units mobi-lized to Southwest Asia.

As the 215th MP DET troops pro-gressed through the Armed Forces Generation (ARFORGEN) model, the Army’s core process for generat-ing a supply of forces, they packed their bags and gear and headed to the Regional Training Center (RTC) in Fort McCoy, WI, continuing with their preparation for deployment.

Once at the RTC, the soldiers re-ceived new uniforms and additional equipment. Also while at RTC, the soldiers welcomed new members to the unit. Capt. Francisco Vargas joined the ranks as the new com-mander, and the outgoing command-er, Capt. Hector Prieto, moved up to the Operations Officer position, in or-der to complete the unit’s roster. Ad-ditionally, the 215th welcomed Sgts. John Daniels, Jose Ubiles, Jorge Fernández, Jonathan Agosto, and Specs. Joselin Diaz-Abreu, and Ervin García-Guzman as their newest unit members.

At RTC, the service members trained long hours with their assigned weapons and conducted several dif-ferent types of firing exercises. Dur-ing this process, the members of the unit became master of many types of firearms and fired several thousand rounds.

An average day at RTC began very early in the morning. After personal hygiene, first formation and break-fast, the troops usually boarded a bus and went off to train until dark. The long days and the non-stop pace were not enough to dwindle the level of motivation exhibited by the troops.

Nowhere was this level of motiva-tion and desire, to complete the mis-sion with success, more evident, than on the last two days of training and evaluations. During these two last days, the soldiers were tested in their

collective skills, while conducting mounted patrols, performing lifesav-ing measures, negotiating with for-eign nationals and conducting base defense exercises. The instructors and evaluators had positive feedback for the soldiers and were impressed by the cohesiveness exhibited by the Boricua teams.

RTC marked the most recent col-lective evaluation setting for the unit, before moving up in their road to war. It was a key event for the out-going and incoming commanders, which allowed them to identify the strengths and weaknesses, balance and fine tune the unit, until their ar-rival to Mobilization Station at Fort Bliss later in December 2011.

Once at the Mobilization Station, the level of motivation and cohesive-ness of the unit was something that every instructor talked about.

In the end, when it came time to validate the training, the unit passed all evaluation criteria with flying colors and was able to deploy to Af-ghanistan.

“Not losing one single Soldier due to medical reasons is quite an accom-plishment and very seldom seen,” said Col. Eric Judkins, commander of the Fort Bliss Mobilization and Deployment Brigade, while address-ing the 215th MP DET leaders during their out brief.

Next stop…Afghanistan. This sto-ry will continue…

Spc. Ray Henriquez provides security while other members of his team assess casualties and con-duct first aid, during a simulated attack in 2011, at the Regional Training Center, Fort McCoy, Wis.

A Regional Training Center instruc-tor evaluates the lifesaving steps conducted by Spc. Francisco Díaz on a simulated casualty, during the final collective evaluation of the 215th MP Det. in 2011, at Fort McCoy, Wis.


Around The Post18 El Morro Fort BuchananMarch 2012

Classifieds

3 bed, 3 bath, 2 terr, sunken liv-ing rm. New kitchen, pooland much more. For info call Erica: 214-244-7476.

HomesRetired Marine moving to Puerto Rico. I would like to rent, sublet or share an apart-ment or house if it is furnished that would be great, close to Fort Buchanan.

I am planning to make a full move to PR and would like to spend 30 days there to look around and get a feel for the place. stable income, good credit, Retire Military.

If anyone has anything please contact Don Earl at 209 275-2382 or e-mail me at: [email protected]

Rental Needed ASAPAdvertise with us for free. If you are a current, or retired, service member or disabled veteran who wishes to adver-tise your home, car or the an-nouncement of a yard sale feel free to contact Luis Delgadillo, the editor of El Morro.

Yard sale

Advertise with us for free. If you are a current, or retired, service member or disabled veteran who wishes to adver-tise your home, car or the an-nouncement of a yard sale feel free to contact Luis Delgadillo, the editor of El Morro.

Yard sale

Propiedad sin dueda consta de 317 mts y medio. Urbanizacion Extension Caguax, calle Tu Rey, V-8, calle sin salida. Tiene 3 cuartos, 1 baño marque fine para tres carros. Excelente condiciones, Studio y baño con entrada independiente puede ser rentado. (787)258-2255

HomesPlease call Maxima Colón if you are interested in any of the following items for sale: One Jazzy Pride electric scooter for the handicapped ($600). One loading ramp for the chair ($100). One heavy duty extra large capacity clothes dryer - 220 volt (Roper) ($125). One exercise bike - Gym Master ($60.00).

Miscellaneous

Advertise with us for free. If you are a current, or retired, service member or disabled veteran who wishes to adver-tise your home, car or the an-nouncement of a yard sale feel free to contact Luis Delgadillo, the editor of El Morro.

Yard sale

To advertise call 787-707-5762Fort Buchanan popular phone numbers

in your face freedom yet we should always have clear in our minds that we are more vulnerable than anyone will ever be in a four wheeled ve-hicle. Though motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as cars the reality of the phrase “I did not see him” seems to be included in just about every accident report I read involving motorcycles. I use to think this was just an excuse to cover up incompe-tence but have come to under-stand that it is a true reality.

We can also deduct from this incident as well as others that Puerto Rico is a harsh and cruel environment for motor-cyclists. The pace of traffic, the congested streets and the happy go lucky attitude that some drivers adopt harbor the attitude that they can drive as they please without conse-quences. The results from this are seen in people getting hurt daily. The inability for law enforcement to be present at every incident and step in to correct abhorrent behavior be-

hind the wheel only validates the abnormality of the situa-tion and the costs in human life keep rising. The call for change is imminent; we are all one community on the road.

The most poignant lesson from this scenario can best be concluded by MK2 Eckert himself. I’ll quote his message once more.

“I know sometimes it seems that the requirements for rid-ing within the military can be restrictive, however if I were riding last Thursday with ONLY what the military requires I think the outcome would have been a lot differ-ent. You may not have been receiving this e-mail.” Your personal protective equipment is the only thing between you and the road. Though it will not protect against all hazards it will always afford you a bet-ter chance than wearing no PPE at all. Like a good friend says when talking about his leather jacket. It’s better the cow’s skin to be left on the road than mine. PPE Saves lives!

CRASH, From Page 14

A few weeks ago a Soldier was killed by a negligent dis-charge after returning to his mother’s home from target practice. The incident oc-curred when he was demon-strating a .45 Model 1911 handgun in front of three oth-ers. The firearm discharged and the round struck him in the head.

The service member was unable to be revived and was pronounced deceased. This unfortunate event did not hap-pen here at Fort Buchanan or for that matter in Puerto Rico, but it is a troublesome acci-dent that has the similarities of the majority of the fatali-ties involving the improper handling of firearms.

As we all know, privately owned weapon (POW) ac-cidents don’t happen in a vacuum. They commonly oc-cur in social settings where

alcohol and distractions are prevalent. Common sense is often cited as a way to think about weapon safety but that “common sense seems to go out the window when alcohol is involved. Other common factors such as forgetting or ignoring safety precautions and complacency can also be attributed to losses of life through negligent discharges. Another area to keep in mind is that not all weapons oper-ate the same way. Proficiency with a military weapon does not make us experts on all weapon types.

The stats tell the story. Last fiscal year, five Soldiers died as a consequence of negli-gent discharges. Of these, two were related to Soldiers han-dling their POWs in the pres-ence of their buddies. Thus far in fiscal year 2012, the Army has experienced three losses, two of which involved the handling of personal handguns. So how can we

prevent injury or the loss of life when handling privately owned weapons? In addition to never mixing alcohol and weapons, the best approach is to THINK weapons safety. THINK stands for:Treat every weapon as if it is loaded.Handle every weapon with care.Identify the target before you fire.Never point the muzzle at anything you don’t intend to shoot.Keep the weapon on safe and your finger off the trigger un-til you intend to fire.

Finally, store firearms in a secure area away from un-authorized persons and clean them every time you use them. Should you have any questions about weapons safety contact us at the In-stallation Safety Office 707-3853/2418/3860, or by e-mail to [email protected].

Weapons safety ... think about itBy Alfredo NoguerasInstallation Safety Officer

Fort Buchanan Operator ...................(787) 707-3403

Library ................................................(787) 707-3208

Exchange ...........................................(787) 792-8989

ID Card Facility ..................................(787) 707-3938

Commissary .......................................(787) 707-2078

Tricare Service Center ......................(787) 707-2665

Religious Support Office ..................(787) 707-3904

Fitness Center ...................................(787) 707-3767

Army Community Services ..............(787) 707-3804

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Around The Post 19El Morro Fort Buchanan March 2012

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Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, gets a dancing lesson from Army Iraq War veteran and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Jose Rene “J.R.” Martinez at the Pentagon, Dec. 1, 2011. Panetta invited Martinez to the Pentagon to congratulate him on his win.

a day, every day. And while he twisted his ankle during one particularly ambitious routine, Martinez said he was fortunate that most of his war injuries didn’t affect his danc-ing. He can’t bend his right arm all the way, however, so staying in frame and laying the arm flat against his part-ner’s back was a challenge.

In fact, his inju-ries almost lost him his hands, ac-cording to Admire, who thinks the scars them-selves were probably un-comfortable -- at the very least. “Just to be able to stand under the lights you’ve got to understand that with burned flesh, scars don’t sweat,” he said. “When he’s moving un-der those hot lights that he’s got to be (under) on TV, and all that moving around, that’s a challenge. Lifting his dance partner up, all of those things were amazing. I’m an able-bodied guy and I’m thinking that lifting that female up and

throwing her around on the dance floor, that’s got to be tough.”

That didn’t stop Marti-nez and his partner, Karina Smirnoff, from racking up perfect and near-perfect scores week after week, nor did it stop the pair from taking home the coveted mirror-ball trophy.

Winning was “an amazing feeling,” Martinez said in a

recent in-terview. He credited the Army with much of his success.

“Knowing that I was go-ing to have to dance in front of millions of people was difficult, but as Soldiers, (you are trained) to just drive on

and to get through it and adapt and overcome,” he explained. “So when times were get-ting tough, I would just think about what I had already been through and how I was able to overcome that and persevere. (I would) just think about the days in Iraq, when it had been a long day and the mis-sion was tough, but you still

pushed through and you still had to get through a couple more hours.”

His success is also a testa-ment to the care he received back at BAMC, Martinez add-ed, praising the doctors, nurs-es and therapists who took such good care of him.

“The way medicine and the care of our troops has im-proved, not just in the eight years that I’ve been home, but over decades, is amaz-ing,” he said. “There’s plenty of injuries out there, troops who probably wouldn’t ever

Photo by Glenn Fawcett

MARTINEZ, From Page 9

Knowing that I was going to have to dance in front of millions of people was dif-ficult, but as Soldiers, (you are trained) to just drive on and to get through it and adapt and overcome

J.R. Martinez.- Veteran, DWTS Champion

have had an opportunity to make it in the past, but be-cause of the hard work of a lot of people, (they have) more of an option. It’s given them options to come home, and to continue to have a produc-tive life. To everyone that’s in that field, thank you very much for all your hard work, for your sweat and your tears. Sometimes it gets frustrating. Sometimes you don’t see the payoff right away, but just know that there’s a lot of peo-ple out there, troops like me, who have gone on to succeed and greatly appreciate all the hard work that they put into giving us that chance at life.”

After his “Dancing with the Stars” win, Martinez met with Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta (and taught Pa-netta a few dance steps), vis-ited wounded warriors at Fort Campbell and served as grand marshal of the Rose Bowl’s Tournament of Roses parade, a huge thrill since former presidents have marshaled

the parade, and Martinez once dreamed of playing college football. He’s working on a memoir about his experiences and wants to continue acting, motivational speaking and, most importantly, advocating for wounded veterans.

“You look at me and you obviously know that I’ve been through something,” he said. “But don’t think that just be-cause a young man or a young woman looks perfectly fine that they don’t have things that they’re dealing with. There’s a lot of scars that are beneath with PTSD and TBI (traumatic brain injury). It’s something that our troops are facing on a day-to-day basis.

“And what I say to (every-one who) faces those things, who has those symptoms and is fighting and trying to sur-vive every single day, is to continue to fight, continue to stay strong, continue to be positive, continue to just be-lieve in yourself. Life is beau-tiful. Life is worth living.”

Around The Post20 El Morro Fort BuchananMarch 2012 The Sentinel of the Caribbean

Garrison, RSO host Wounded Warriors for lunch

Rosa Hollingsworth, a Religious Support Office volunteer and Gar-rison Chaplain, Lt. Col. Dickie Al-exander add the finishing touches to the lunch time meal preparation Feb. 16. Alexander also plays an impor-tant role in giving CBWTU Soldiers classes on financial management.

Installation Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick T. Simpson welcomes Community Based Warrior Transition Unit Soldiers to the luncheon held at the Chapel Annex Feb. 16.

Religious Support Office volunteer, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Ismael Maldo-nado watches garrison operations noncommissioned officer, Master Sgt. José Berberena prepare a hamburger and hotdog lunch for Wounded Warriors Feb. 16 at the Chapel Annex.

In order to display resil-iency, first your mind, body and spirit must be tested. The Soldiers of the Community Based Warrior Transition Unit here at Fort Buchanan know these tests all too well but with garrison support and the assistance from cadre these Wounded Warriors are finding the strength to face a cloudy future.

The Chaplain’s office and members of the garrison command group were on hand to host a luncheon with Soldiers of the CBWTU dur-ing their monthly town-hall-style gathering Feb. 16 at the Chaplain’s Annex.

The CBWTU periodically hosts meetings with Soldiers of the unit to conduct manda-tory briefings and reconnect with Soldiers to see if their needs and those of their fam-ilies are being met.

On hand were volunteers from the Chaplain’s office, Col. John D. Cushman, the garrison commander, Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Derrick T. Simpson, the installation command sergeant major, and the deputy garrison com-mander, Lt. Col. Kenneth Hammond.

Among some of the key members of the CBWTU cadre is Staff Sgt. Luis Soto,

training and operations non-commissioned officer for the CBWTU.

“I’m in charge of all the training that gets done to the cadre and to the Wounded Warriors participating in the program,” said Soto “Some (of the training classes) are military mandated, others are to help them with their reha-bilitation to reintegrate them back into society,” he said.

When it comes to the frame of mind that the Sol-diers in the unit share, Soto said that many are looking for a way to reach the next phase of their lives whatever it might be.

“They are looking for help, reintegration. A lot of them have been deployed overseas two or three times, they have medical conditions ... a lot of them are going through a lot of stress but morale-wise, keeping the team together in the unit that is why we do these types of activities.”

Aside from maintaining a close relationship with the garrison and the religious support office, Soto said one of the unit’s biggest support-ers has been the municipality of San Juan.

“In the states there are a lot more agencies that are help-ing out the Wounded War-riors and here (Puerto Rico) it’s kind of difficult to identi-fy them but little by little we

have been identifying them and bringing them on board with our program,”said Soto.

Despite the growing sup-port locally, Lopez said some of the challenges that remain include, ”reintegration back with the family, coping with their conditions, knowing what their (medical) condi-tions are, looking for all of the services that can help them and there is a dire need out their for the community to learn what a Wounded Warrior is, what they are going through, what TBI (traumatic brain injury) is and (the challenge involves) basically pushing out the in-formation so everyone here understands what a Wounded Warrior is,” he said.

The Chaplain’s Office, led by Lt. Col. Dickie Alexander, hosts these events quarterly for the Wounded Warriors so the Soldiers are reminded of the services available to them and according to Osiris Soto, administrative assistant for the Religious Support Of-fice, they can also pick up other life lessons, like smart money management.

“We just take care of them, we instruct them spiritually and we also help, anyway we can,” said Osiris Soto.

When it trying to help newly arrived Soldiers to the CBWTU Soto said she knows that the transition can be challenging.

“It’s hard because you have empathy for the Soldiers. You understand that they want to be active. They want to be out there. They want to be in theater and they have to take care of themselves and they have to come here … so what we try (to do) is always provide them the resources, available training (and we let them know) they can always come for counseling,” said Osiris Soto

The event not only allows Soldiers to get reacquainted with each other but it also re-minds them that there is the strength of an entire commu-nity behind them.

“They say my injury will improve a lot and I hope to return to my unit once again and continue working,” said Elvis Ortíz, a Wounded War-rior attending the event.

Ortíz was injured during mobilization training at Fort Benning, Ga. where he was scheduled to deploy to Af-ghanistan. He was originally attached to another unit from his home unit in Vega Baja.

“The system is really good

Story and photos by Luis DelgadilloFort Buchanan Public Affairs

and you get a lot of help,” said Ortíz who now spends his time focusing on healing and taking pharmacology courses in college.

As Ortíz prepares to re-turn to his unit many other Soldiers of the CBWTU also prepare for the next phase of their lives as well.

With the help of the Re-ligious Support Office and its volunteers Fort Buchanan stands strong as a source of community resiliency.

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