MAY 2015 TAMPA CHAPTER—A CHAPTER OF MOAA NATIONAL—A FIVE STAR CHAPTER 2002, 2004-2013 VOLUME 21, NUMBER 5 GENERAL JOSEPH L. VOTEL, COMMANDER, U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND General Joseph L. Votel attended the United States Military Academy and was commissioned in 1980 as an Army Infantry Officer. His initial assignments were to the 3d Infantry Division in Germany where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Battalion Adjutant and Rifle Company Commander. Following this tour, he was assigned to Headquarters, Allied Forces Southern Europe, Naples, Italy, and the NATO Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) in Sarajevo. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Light) at Fort Drum, NY, and was subsequently selected to command the 1st Ranger Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA. Following attendance at the Army War College, General Votel commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. As a general officer, General Votel served in the Pentagon as the Director of the Army and MAY SPEAKER: GEN VOTEL Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Task Force and subsequently as the Deputy Director of the Joint IED Defeat Organization established under the Deputy Secretary of Defense. He also served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 82nd Airborne Division / CJTF-82, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and was subsequently assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC. His most recent assignment was as the Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command. General Votel is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He is married to the former Michele Belair of Saint Paul, MN and they have two grown sons, Scott and Nicholas. http://geoint2013.com/system/uploads/3003/original/BIO_VOTEL_NOV_2011_V2.pdf?1380393690 IN THIS ISSUE P 2 OUR PRESIDENT P 3 LEGISLATIVE LOWDOWN OPERATION HELPING HAND SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST FLORIDA COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS CONVENTION FROM PRIVATE TO GENERAL DELAY IN OPENING DATE OF FIVE STORY VQ ON BASE P 4 BULLETIN BOARD WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD P 6-11 SERVICE NEWS “MOAA HAS EMBRACED A NEW, INSPIRING MISSION STATEMENT: ‘NEVER STOP SERVING’” Upcoming Events OUR BOARD WILL MEET AT 1000 on: · 07 MAY · 04 JUNE · 02 JULY LUNCHEON MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT 1130 AT SURF’S EDGE ON ON:: · 14 MAY (JOINT) · 11 JUNE · 09 JULY ―VADM NORB RYAN IMPORTANT DATES IN MAY 2015 01―MAY Day is the 1st day in May, celebrating Springtime and dates back to an ancient pagan holiday from the time of the Celts (perhaps the Iron Age). 05―Cinco de Mayo really celebrates the Mexican victory over the French armies in the area of Mexico called Puebla (in the southern section, just East of Mexico City) in 1862. 07―The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for our nation. 10―Mothers’ Day is set aside to honor our mothers―a friend, a teacher, a guide, a doctor, a psychologist―in short she is everything for her child and we can never return the same love. 16―Armed Forces Day is a national observance in the United States on the third Saturday of May. 22-24―FLORIDA COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS CONVENTION, St. Augustine, FL. 24―Pentecost. Many Christians in the United States observe Pentecost also known as Whitsunday. Shavuot. Jews observe the Festival of Weeks―one of three major Jewish festivals. 25―Memorial Day. The American Legion organization officially gave the patriotic observance it's official name of “Memorial Day” to honor American service people from ALL wars or conflicts. PAGE 2 MAY 2015 PRESIDENT: LTC Jim Griffin USA RET (813) 785-0552 TIGERPAW65@VERIZON.NET IMMEDIATE PAST PRES/PROGRAM CHAIRMAN & CHAIR, OPERATION HELPING HAND/MEMBER, MOAA NAT BD OF DIR: CAPT Bob Silah USN RET (813) 963-1854 BSILAH@aol.com ASSIGNMENTS 1ST VICE PRESIDENT/EVENT RESERVATIONS: MAJ SCOTTY CLELAND USAF RET (813) 988-4552 SNLTPA@MINDSPRING.COM 2ND VICE PRESIDENT/ PUBLIC RELATIONS/ EDITOR, THE RETROSPECT: CAPT Don Dvornik USN RET (727) 441-2051 DSDVORNIK2@msn.com EDITOR EMERITUS: CDR Stanley Ewanowski USN RET PhD MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN: COL William Schneider USA RET (813) 977-2572 Cell (813) 300-3202 GeoWillyl@aol.com SECRETARY/DATA BASE MGR/ PHOTOGRAPHER: CW2 Tom South USA RET (813) 975-5025 tsouth@uvresident.com TREASURER: COL Carol Zieres USA RET (727) 793-0568 CELL (727) 366-1045 CZIERES906@AOL.COM DEPUTY TREASURER: CPT Wiley Hazel USA RET (813) 979-1739 LEGAL ADVISOR: Former LT William Mitchell USN (813) 963-5098 Cell: (813) 679-1217 mitchlaw@askmitch.net CHAPLAIN/COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: CDR Richard Helveston CHC USNR RET (863) 510-5048 Cell (863) 602-3684 rhelveston@tampabay.rr.com or swabeathome@gmail.com SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRMAN: Col Milt Steadman USAF RET (813) 968-2835 LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: Col Ronald Buchert USAF RET (813) 961-4129 ID CARD/BASE ENTRY: Maj John Massey USAF RET (813) 886-1938 PERSONAL AFFAIRS: Maj Dick Tinsley USMC RET (813) 886-2169 rctinsley1@aol.com SICK CALL: CW3 Bill Farrow USA RET (813) 884-7823 SAF1929@aol.com FLAG OFFICER LIAISON: Maj Gen James Jones USAF RET FL NATIONAL GUARD LIAISON: MAJ Chris Buckley, FLNG (727) 259-4563 RESERVE LIAISON: LTC Robert Sawallesh USA RET (813) 654-3900 JR ROTC/ROTC Lt Col Ken Martin USMCR RET (813) 831-4426 SENIOR FORMER OFFICERS LIAISON/ ASSISTANT JR ROTC/ ROTC: FORMER 1LT James G. Kalemeris USAF (813) 933-5493 CELL: (814) 924-5132 MBR RECRUITMENT/FUND RAISING: All Members GOLF TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR: Robert Ahern (813) 265-1605 MOWC PRESIDENT: Bonnie Kerr (352) 593-4270 bojocare@gmail.com is published monthly by members of the Tampa Chapter of the Military Officers’ Association of America (MOAA), P.O. Box 6383, MacDill Air Force Base, FL 33608 33608--0383. Tampa Chapter MOAA, Inc. is a 501 501--C-19 tax CAPT DVORNIK EDITOR exempt veterans organization not associated with the Department of Defense. The views expressed in individually signed articles do not necessarily reflect Chapter policy. (Volume 21, Number 55— —MAY 2015) PUBLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE JUNE 2015 ISSUE IS 18 MAY OUR PRESIDENT’S WORD Our APRIL luncheon was a very special event for THE TAMPA CHAPTER for several reasons. Our guest speaker, COL ANDRE BRIERE, VICE COMMANDER, 6TH MOBILITY WING, presented a very informative update briefing on MACDILL AFB. He presented the good, the bad, and the ugly tasks that have to be accomplished on a daily basis in order to keep the base functioning in a very smooth and efficient manner. His presentation included some very significant insights that must occur to take the base to the next level of efficiency. LTC GRIFFIN If you were not there, you missed the candid answers pertaining to the BAY PALMS GOLF COURSES. Another reason that this was a very special event was that we invited the best JROTC CADETS in Hillsborough County to join us and receive their MOAA MEDAL in front of the TAMPA CHAPTER members and their families and JROTC instructors. MG FRANK MOORE, USAF(RET), presented the MOAA MEDAL to CADET SAMUEL GONZALEZ, ALONZO H.S., CADET GAVIN NICELY, MIDDLETON H.S., CADET SGT FIRST CLASS SHELLIE BRYANT,STRAWBERRY CREST H.S., CADET HAILEY MUNRO, HILLSBOROUGH H.S.,CADET ENSIGN CELVIN LOPEZ, FREEDOM H.S.,CADET CHRISTIAN WARREN, ROBINSON H.S., CADET HEYDI FUENTUS, KING H.S. THE TAMPA CHAPTER would like to thank all of the family members who were in attendance to share this very significant moment with some very special young people. The MOAA MEDAL is awarded for having demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership as a member of the JROTC at their respective schools. After hearing the individual bios of each cadet who received the award, they are indeed exceptional. There is another reason why this was a very special event for the TAMPA CHAPTER. Certain individuals in recognition of their services to the chapter can be recommended and voted on by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS to be an HONORARY MEMBER OF THE TAMPA CHAPTER. Such an action was accomplished at our APRIL BOARD MEETING. Our newest HONORARY MEMBER is MR. ROBERT AHERN for his untiring efforts in making the MOAA CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT a complete success which allowed THE TAMPA CHAPTER to present OPERATION HELPING HAND a check for $10,000. I hope that you paid your dues or otherwise you will not be getting this RETROSPECT with all of this excellent information. Remember, you are our most important recruiter and major source of new members, and as always… WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK!!! “Our commitment to Never Stop Serving is perhaps most strongly reflected in our persistent legislative efforts in Washington, D.C. In 2014, MOAA’s advocacy team worked tirelessly to keep harmful legislation from ―VADM NORB RYAN, MOAA PRESIDENT affecting military communities nation-wide” Colonel Briere, Vice Commander 6th Air Mobility Wing, brought a slide show so that we could easily follow his presentation but there was a technical problem which prevented the show from being projected onto the screen. CW2 South had the ability to think and react fast in a sudden and unexpected situation and took photos of the slides which you can view on our web at http:// moaatampa.org/ (see slides). Below is a brief summary of his presentation: MacDill has rapid global mobility due to owning 16 KC-135s; 3 C37s; 8,154 active duty personnel; 4,083 civilians, 38 mission teamCOL ANDRE J BRIERE mates, 40,000 military retirees; 19 aircraft worth $1 billion; 8 billion in capital assets, 595 facilities and 5 million square feet of land. MacDill Units include 3,120 authorized persons and 450 contractors; 1, 917 in USCENTCOM; 2070 IN USSOCOM; 777 people in the 927 Refueling Wing; 493 in SOCCENT; 225 in MARCENT; 480 in JCSE; 95 in NOAA; and 31 in NAVCENT. Additionally, MacDill has two four-star generals and over 50 general officers along with 60 nations in the coalition. World-wide support is given to every combat unit. With numerous religions, cultures and missions, it has molded one great community which offers the best in health care, elementary schools, recreation and a super family campground facility. ―Editor MAY 2015 PAGE 3 LEGISLATIVE LOWDOWN —submitted by Col. Ron Buchert, USAF, (Retired), Member, MOAA Board of Directors (2000-2006)/ Chapter, Legislative Liaison The House Armed Services Committee began considering its first draft of the FY 2016 Defense Authorization bill and proCOL BUCHERT posals for policy changes and equipment COL BUCHERT plans will start being released soon. According to Military Times major initiatives from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission's (i.e. overhaul of retirement and medical care) will not be included. The House committee has been discussing the commission's proposals but many lawmakers are still unsure how those changes will be received (by the military community) and seem content to continue debate on the ideas for now. Rep. Joe Heck, RNev., chair of the armed services' committee's personnel panel, said in a statement he is "concerned that Congress not rush that process without fully vetting both the recommendations and their second and third-order effects." (Rep. Heck is a physician and a brigadier general in the Army Reserves with three tours in Iraq). Each year, the Defense bill sets spending guidelines for thousands of critical Pentagon priorities, but also includes many, sometimes controversial, items that can't happen unless Republicans in the House and Senate reach a deal on their separate budgets. If Congress can’t pass all 12 appropriations bills before the end of September (end of FY 2015/ beginning of FY 2016) and have them signed by President Obama, lawmakers will likely have to wrap the spending bills into several packages or one major one. Possible spending cuts to the services medical budgets pose a significant threat to military medical research and could harm health services for troops, families and retirees, top Army, Navy and Air Force medical commanders told Congress. Testifying before the House Appropriations Committee's defense panel the services' surgeons general said proposed budget caps would have a "detrimental impact" on the Defense Department health system and urged lawmakers to fix the issues before the cuts go into effect. Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho said the Army Medical Command would be forced to close some inpatient and acute care surgical centers if budget caps remain in place. Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas Travis said the budget caps (sequestration) are "a threat to research dollars" that would put pressure on "restoration, modernization, sustainment of our facilities and research dollars." Forced by sequestration rules the FY 2016 budget would be cut by approximately $40 billion. Unless Congress amends the Budget Control Act. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., chairman of the defense panel, said "everyone on his committee hates sequestration and will work toward a solution." An internal survey conducted by the Republican firm "OnMessage" found that security issues ranked first on a list of top priorities for voters, ahead of economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and the economy. Twenty percent of all respondents ranked it as the top issue, compared with thirteen percent who listed economic growth as their top concern. Fourteen percent listed “fiscal responsibility” at the head of their list. The findings confirm other surveys showing national security as a leading issue in the upcoming elections. In January the Pew Research Center found that for the first time in five years an equal share of voters rated defending the U.S. against terrorism (76 percent) as important a policy priority as the economy (75 percent). SPRING AHEAD WITH OPERATION HELPING HAND ―submitted by CAPT Bob Silah USN RET, Chairman, Operation Helping Hand. It's been another busy month! Starting with the Tampa Chapter Golf Tournament in March, CAPT SILAH which was a smashing success with over 100 golfers participating. Thanks to the hard work and superb planning by our esteemed President, Jim Griffin, and our new Chapter Honorary Member, Robert Ahern, the proceeds check for $10.000 was presented to us at our April Operation Helping Hand dinner. My thanks to all who took part in the best of our 4 annual golf tournaments. Expos again took much of our time in March and April. Central Pasco Chamber Expo in March, the Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA)'s Exposition, also in March, and the "Sun N' Fun" celebration in Lakeland in April, all have been enjoyable, tiring, and very successful. Our main objective in these events is to tell all attendees about who we are and what we do. We've met a lot of people, told all about our mission, and gave away our pamphlets and many other of our handout items. Baseball season is in full swing. As I've written in previous columns, the Tampa Bay Rays have been very good to us. For the past 6 years, they have donated 4 games in the largest suite at the Tropicana Stadium to us. Each game we have 80 patients, their families and staff attending. As in all past years that the Rays have graciously given us use of the suite, they have also provided a full buffet that has been really enjoyed by all, especially our patients! Our first game of the 2015 season in on 10 May and I expect a full house that will partake. We will be there to honor and assist our wounded/injured patients and their families. Let me deviate from all going on with Operation Helping Hand. As a member of the National MOAA Board of Directors, I recently took part in our annual "Storming the Hill" effort in Washington, DC. As part of my duties, along with the 2 members of my team, we called on 10 Congressmen/women discussing 1) Sustaining Military Pay and Allowances and stopping all pay caps; 2) Rejecting the disproportionate Tricare fee hikes and Health plan changes; and 3) Eliminating the harmful effects of Sequestration. I found that all members of Congress that we called on were very receptive, cordial, and told us that they would do all possible to support what we are promoting. I'd have to say that although time in these call was exhausting, we were successful in promoting the mission of MOAA. There are still patients arriving frequently at our James A. Haley VA Hospital. Of course we will continue to do all necessary to honor, assist, and support them and all those who have been aboard for awhile.. Our mission remains and we will do all possible to accomplish. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) receives the Col. Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award from Gen. Charles T. Robertson Jr., USAF (Ret). Photo by Steve Barrett. PAGE 4 MAY 2015 TAMPA CHAPTER BULLETIN BOARD WELCOME NEW MEMBERS ROBERT AHERN (HONORARY MEMBER), 10507 Brynwood Ln, Tampa, FL 33624-5007 (813) 265-1605 MAJ JAMES CLIFFORD USA RET, 108 Bayfield Dr, Brandon, FL 33511-7957 (813) 643-1036 LTC CHRISTOPHER NICELY, 5618 Osprey Park Place, Lithia, FL 33547-3814 (813) 684-0300 Shelly LT COL JEANNE RICHARD USAF RET, 1223 Foggy Ridge Parkway, Lutz, FL 33559-6758 (813) 948-7539 —submitted by COL Bill Schneider, Membership Chairman TAPS DORA THOMAS KINGERY (AUX MBR) 100, of Tampa, died Wednesday, March 4, 2015. JACKQUELINE STREUBER (AUX MBR) 95, died on 21 March 2015. —submitted by Maj Dick Tinsley Personal Affairs Chairman REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS COL KENNETH W. DAVEY USAF RET, 4008 Mountain Springs LN Tampa, FL 33624-1824 DR STAN J EWANOWSKI (CDR USNR RET), 5010 MARATHON DR MADISON, WI 53705-4713 LTC JOSEPH GONTARSKI USA RET is hospitalized at Tampa General Hospital in Room F407. CARLA HENSEN, wife of FORMER USAF CPT ERIC HENSEN, 4425 Pine Meadow Ct., Tampa, FL 33624-5244 MAJ B R HEWITT USAF RET, 14450 Reuter Strass Cir #701, Tampa, FL 33613-3127 LT COL JOANNE VEVERKA-TAUBER USAF RET, 13714 Chestersall Dr, Tampa, FL 33624-2501 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEMBERS BORN IN MAY 01 LTC CHARLES OGLE USAR RET COL WILLIAM A SCHNEIDER USA RET CAPT ARTHUR WHITING USCG RET 02 LCDR JASON MONSOUR NOAA AD 03 FORMER ARMY MAJ CHARLES KOLKER 04 MAJ JAN B LAUX III USA RET 05 CAPT KENNETH WRIGHT USN AD 09 CAPT PAUL A MORRISON USN RET 10 LTC CHARLES HART III USA RET 11 COL (CHAPLAIN) JEFFERY GUILD USAF RET 12 LTC STEPHEN WERNER USA RET 13 CAPT MARGARET MOORE USAF RET 15 LCDR SHANNON GRANT USPHS AD 16 CW2 THOMAS SOUTH USA RET 17 LT COL JOHNNY BAKER USAF RET 18 COL WILLIAM K GEARAN USA RET 20 CAPT HARRY CUMBER USMC RET CPT ALBERT HERNANDEZ USA RET 21 CDR TIMOTHY GALLAGHER NOAA 23 CW3 BILL J FARROW USA RET 24 CAPT WILLIAM WHALEY USCG RET 28 LT DIEGO ESGUERRA USN RET LT COL RICHARD GRINNELL USAF RET CAPT STEVEN A SWIFT USNR 29 ENS DANIEL MICHLER USCG AD 29 COL ROSS VANLERBERGHE USAF RET By Ginger Heath, MOWC, Co-chair Do you have a child or grandchild who is a High School Senior and graduating this year? Make a difference in their future education―LAST CALL! The Tampa Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the Military Officers Wives Club (MOWC) are offering four individual $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors who are planning to attend a college, community college or university this fall. The applicant must have a parent or grandparent who has been a member of MOAA Tampa Chapter or MOWC since April, 2014. The complete eligibility requirements and application forms are available at http://moaatampa.org/ APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 1 MAY 2015. Awards will be made at MacDill AFB on June 14, 2015, and recipients must attend and talk about their ambitions, study emphasis, and college choice. Please call Ginger Heath with any questions at (813) 254-6869. Col. Andre Briere 6th Air Mobility Wing vice commander presents Senior master Sgt. Angela Suafoa, 6th Aerospace Medicine Squadron superintendent, with the City of Tampa 2015 Military Woman of the Year award, March 18, 2015, Tampa, Fla. Suafoa’s dedication to the men and women of the 6th Air Mobility Wing were continuously displayed as she counseled and guided Airmen and their families, all while epitomizing the Air Force’s definition of a senior noncommissioned officer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Liddon/Released) CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Since the current lodging is inadequate to support conferences/meetings at MacDill Air Force Base, construction is underway on a five-story Visiting Quarters (VQ) with 202,078 square feet of space; 2 DV Suites; 25 Business Suites and 325 Standard Guest Rooms. Also there will be meeting rooms, a coffee shop and parking for 481 vehicles. This facility will be the future site of Rickenbacker’s Café. The original opening date was planned for March 2015. However, due to multiple design and unforeseen site challenges, the new opening date is scheduled for December 2015. MAY 2015 PAGE 5 MEDALS PRESENTED AT LUNCHEON―PHOTOS BY CW2 TOM SOUTH USA RET Color Guard from Hillsboro HS: Col. Briere, Vice Com- Donald Franklin, Tyre mander, 6th Air Mobil- Love, Cyona Rahming, Christian Bolling ity Wing, speaker President Griffin welcomes our new honorary member, Robert Ahern Coalition officers (L to R) LTC Giovanni DE WILDE (Belgium), General Lissner (Denmark) and Col. Jorge Alberto Miranda (El Salvador) standing with President Griffin Medals awarded to JROTC attendees JROTC ATTENDEES PAGE 6 U.S. soldiers leap over a canal after patrolling through a field near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, March 24, 2015. The soldiers are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry. http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2015-04/hires_150324-A-SO125077c.jpg?source=GovDelivery U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chance Italiano moves the refueling boom from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft into position to refuel a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle during Exercise Forceful Tiger near Okinawa, Japan, April 1, 2015. Italiano is a boom operator assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron. http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2015-04/hires_150401-F-LH638264A.jpg?source=GovDelivery Marine Corps Cpl. Jordan Claspell meets Eliljah, his 2-month-old son, for the first time upon his return to Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4, 2015, after a seven-month deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2015-04/hires_150405-M-DN1410071.jpg?source=GovDelivery MAY 2015 ON REACHING YOUR DESTINATION SAFELY By Richard Helveston I grew up on a farm and I know how important it is to pay close attention to the stake at the end of the row in order to plow a straight one. However, I was too short to see over the horse and tried to eye the stake by leaning to one side or the other. My rows were always crooked! Those who drive and text will not reach their destination – Luke 9:62 What? You didn’t find this translation or paraphrase in your KJV, NIV, NRSV, CEB, Standard American, Amplified, or Life Application bible? Not even Eugene Peterson’s The Message has this paraphrase. However, I think the above paraphrase of Luke 9:62 “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” actually captures the immediacy of and constant attentiveness required in answering the call to follow Christ. Likewise, I know that while driving it only takes an instant of fumbling with the radio buttons, the DVD or CD player, or trying to catch the ketchup that is dripping off a cheeseburger, to veer, however slightly, off course. Even a glance in the rear-view mirror or over the shoulder must be only momentary in order to keep on course. When we have been adjusting the fade or treble too long, when we have been fiddling with hitting the SEND button on our cellphone, and have drifted a bit in our lane, we might be startled by the horn blast from the eighteen-wheeler in the lane next to us, alerting us to get back on course. Our eyes immediately jerk back to focus on what is before us; our hands grip the wheel and our full attention is back to guiding our vehicle in the right direction. But as time passes, and that eighteen-wheeler disappears over the horizon in front of us, will we, once again, find ourselves succumbing MAY 2015 PAGE 7 MESS SERGEANT MAKES MOST OF CULINARY EXPERIENCE By Army Staff Sgt. Paul Roberts, 314th Press Camp Headquarters SMARDAN TRAINING AREA, Romania―Army Sgt. Raheem Johnson isn’t your typical “mess sergeant” in Forward Support Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Grafenwoehr, Germany. Johnson, who hails from Philadelphia, had almost seven years of experience in the culinary field before joining the Army. He earned his certification in the culinary arts with the Job Corps in Philadelphia and proceeded to work for universities and local restaurants before embarking on a new career path, he said. Johnson Army Sgt. Raheem Johnson, a Philachose the military occupational specialty delphia native and food service noncommissioned officer with Forward 92G―food service specialist―one he has Support Troop, 2d Squadron, 2d been working in for eight years now. Cavalry Regiment, puts buffalo-style “Right now the path that I’m on, I’m chicken fingers into a field container used for transporting hot meals to the very happy,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t field during live-fire exercises at change anything,” he added. Smardan Training Area, Romania, Johnson said his previous culinary expeduring preparations for Operation Windspring, March 27, 2015. rience enabled him to “fast track” while in U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. advanced individual training. Instead of Paul Roberts having to go through the full nine-week course, he cut the time in half because of the level of his certification. “Actually, I’ve exceeded some of my own expectations as far as where I’m at right now,” Johnson said. Johnson said he’s decided to make the Army a career. His ultimate goal, he added, is to achieve the pinnacle enlisted rank of sergeant major of the Army before he retires. As a new leader, Johnson said he doesn’t find his challenges come in the kitchen, but in the management of soldiers. “Just as far as being a leader, a new leader, getting to know soldiers and trying to get the mission accomplished and at the same time, cater to your soldiers’ needs,” Johnson said, has been the challenge. Even though he has been invited to join culinary competition teams, Johnson said, he doesn’t enjoy competition as much as he enjoys being in the kitchen and working with his soldiers. “I just enjoy cooking,” he said with a smile. “I enjoy teaching.” Johnson said he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experiences with his soldiers and knows that if he isn’t sharing what he knows, then he isn’t the leader that they deserve and need. “You have to be very logical and have your head in the game when you’re cooking,” he explained. “Your mental stability will be tested.” Johnson said for him, the ability to share his passion, his drive and his knowledge with soldiers is the highest calling and leads to the true molding of the future in his career field. http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspxd=128500&source=GovDelivery MEMBERSHIPS ARE OPEN ―Please call Bill Schneider at (813) 977-2572 PAGE 8 APRIL 2015 US NAVY KICKS OFF NAVAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES WITH VIETNAM DRILL INSTRUCTOR, RECRUIT REUNITE DECADES LATER From Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs By Marine Corps Cpl. Travis Gershaneck, MCAS, Yuma DA NANG, Vietnam (NNS) -The U.S. Navy began the sixth annual Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with the Vietnam People's Navy April 6, as both nations celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2015. This five-day collaboration will focus on non-combatant events and skills exchanges in military CAPT Christopher England, CO of the Armedicine, search and rescue, and leigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), shakes hands with maritime security. an officer from the Vietnam People's Navy Subject-matter expert exchanges during the opening ceremony of Naval Enwill focus on maritime domain gagement Activity Vietnam. In its sixth year, awareness, shipboard damage conNEA Vietnam is designed to foster mutual understanding, build confidence in the mari- trol, submarine rescue, legal symtime domain and strengthen relationships posia, band concerts, community between the U.S. Navy, Vietnam People's service events, and team sports. A Navy and the local community. brief at-sea phase will allow ships (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick Dionne/Released) from both navies to practice the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and ship handling. These naval activities underscore the deepening and diverse relationship between the United States and Vietnam. "By bringing our navies and our people closer together each year, these activities advance our relationship in ways that benefit our nations directly, and by extension, promote a peaceful, prosperous and stable region," said Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet's Task Force 73 (CTF 73). NEA evolved from annual port visits to Da Nang by U.S. Navy ships, which began more than a decade ago. Guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) was the first U.S. Navy ship to visit Da Nang, July 28, 2004, and most recently USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), also a guidedmissile destroyer, visited last April as part of NEA 2014. Each year, NEA becomes more complex, and last year marked the first time ships from both navies conducted exchanges at sea. Today another guided-missile destroyer, USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and, for the first time, littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) are continuing this tradition during NEA 2015. The officer in charge of these ships is Capt. H.B. Le, deputy commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. A Vietnamese-American, Le commanded guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) when it visited Da Nang in November 2009. "It's great to be back in Vietnam, and we're very much looking forward to working with our Vietnamese Navy counterparts over the next five days," said Le. "There are many highlights of this week's engagement. One of the most significant activities will be the opportunity to conduct CUES exchanges underway, which will help both navies prevent miscommunication at sea and foster mutual understanding." In addition to Fitzgerald and Fort Worth, U.S. units participating in NEA Vietnam include personnel from CTF 73, DESRON 7, Undersea Rescue Activity San Diego, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, and the U.S. 7th Fleet Band "Orient Express." Occurring during the 20th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam, these activities were designed to foster mutual understanding, build confidence in the maritime domain and develop relationships between the people and navies of both nations. This is the sixth NEA Vietnam since it was established as an annual en- MCAS YUMA, AZ―Newly promoted Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Draffen stood at attention in front of the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Marine Corps Master Sgt. Thomas Draffen is promoted to master gunnery sergeant at Marine Squadron 1 building. Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ. Draffen was His uniform’s collar promoted by retired Master Gunnery Sgt. lay bare for a moment Michael Arnett, who was his drill instructor at before two pairs of boot camp. U.S. Marine Corps photo by hands deftly pinned in Cpl. Xzavior T. McNeal place the rank he has worked 20 years to achieve. Behind him, friends and peers mirrored the air traffic controller’s tall stance. To his left, his wife, who he has been with since before his enlistment in 1994, secured one side of his collar. On his right, retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael Arnett―the drill instructor responsible for making Draffen into a Marine―secured the other. After the ceremony was over and the formation dispersed, Draffen and Arnett had a chance to reminisce about their shared beginnings. “He was the shortest drill instructor, and he was very skinny,” Draffen said about Arnett, recalling the ritual first contact between drill instructor and recruit known as “Black Friday.” “Well, the only one skinnier than me was him,” Arnett interjected with a chuckle. “[Arnett] was clearly very passionate about what he was doing,” continued Draffen, a native of Northville, New York. “That’s the reason why, after 20 years, it was very easy to ask him to pin me.” “My main job was ‘knowledge hat,’” Arnett said. “My main focus was getting recruits through the academic portion of boot camp.” “And I was the ‘knowledge recruit,’” Draffen said. The knowledge recruit is picked by the platoon drill instructors and usually is one of the brighter recruits of each training cycle. “Our platoon took No. 1 for academics, and I didn’t do it by myself,” Arnett said. “Draffen was there on the back end, as a recruit, encouraging the guys to be the best.” “I remember he was just hustling,” Arnett continued. “I remember he was always trying to do his best and flying to get the job done the best he could. Obviously, that’s continued with him making master gunnery sergeant. With him now being in the top 2 percent of the Marine Corps, his hard work has benefited him well.” “I remember talking to him during boot camp and found out that he’d just gotten married and had a kid on the way,” said Arnett, a native of Panama City, FL. “I remember thinking to myself as a sergeant with two kids at the time, ‘Golly, he’s got a family, and he’s just starting out.’” “I was in boot camp to support my family,” Draffen said. “We ran into some financial problems, so there I was.” Now six months away from his 21year mark in the Marine Corps, Draffen still holds true to the lessons instilled in him by the man who taught him the fundamentals of what it means to be a Marine. “I’d say the one lesson that he really drove home, and is something we push on our kids, is to take care of your family,” Draffen said. “He reinforced that you perform to take care of your family first, and everything else comes secondary to that.” gagement in 2010. NEA Vietnam was last conducted April 7-11, 2014. http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=86422 http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx? id=128516&source=GovDelivery MAY 2015 PAGE 9 FROM PRIVATE TO GENERAL: FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD GETTING A NEW LEADER ly sunbathing on a beach for the quiet of his hotel room to crack critical thinking textbooks. He By Carol Rosenberg - crosenberg@MiamiHerald.com lugged military strategy books along on a training exercise in Kiev, the Ukraine — giving new meaning to the “distance learning” — all to earn a correspondence-course Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College in 2009 More and more leadership roles in the Guard, on a part-time basis, meant cutting his civilian professional life to part-time, too, finishing up recently as a day-rate pharmacist at the Costco in Lantana, so he could devote more time to his Army duties. Another kind of sacrifice came in September 2011 when he pinned on his first silver star as brigadier general, becoming the first black general officer in Florida Guard history. The historic ceremonies were held at an armory in West Palm Beach, where Calhoun enlisted in 1977. Son Evan had followed his dad to FAMU, and was a drummer in the band. Promotion day coincided with the televised Atlanta Classic football game, Army Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, his wife, Sophia, is congratulated on his promotion by pitting the Rattlers against Southern University. Gov. Rick Scott at the historic St. Francis Barracks on March 6, 2015. State Command Sgt. The newly minted general said he didn’t want to Maj. Robert Hosford looks on. deprive his child of the chance to be on TV with the When Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun takes command of the nearly 12,000 Marching 100. So the dad told the son to miss the troops of the Florida National Guard this weekend, he becomes Florida’s historic moment. Evan, now 22, was on hand, how22nd adjutant general and the first African American to hold the post. ever, earlier this month when Calhoun pinned on Firsts are nothing new to this 1976 Florida A&M University graduate. In his second star in St. Augustine to become a major 2011, he became the Florida Guard’s first African-American brigadier gengeneral. eral and is now the first major general. It was suggested to the general, partly in jest, that But ask the 61-year-old former Costco pharmacist — also a likely first for a service in the Army and fidelity to FAMU could National Guard general — and he attributes it to one part luck, one part drive test a man’s loyalties. Not so. “FAMU is family,” and lots of sacrifice since he began his Army career as a private in 1977. he replied. Evan was six months old when he at“You need to be lucky,” he says. “You do have to be good. And you need to tended his first FAMU game. be blessed because you affect many lives.” The Florida Guard has full-time fighter pilots, In an interview ahead of a ceremony installing him Sunday at Camp part-time infantry troops and, just like his alma Blanding, near Starke, the Florida native and father of a FAMU student spoke mater, a band — the 13th Army Band which, Calof missed funerals and family reunions, a year-long deployment and weekend houn boasted, put down their instruments and handdrills away from home along the way to becoming the state’s top commander ed out tarps and bottled water like their fellow and Gov. Rick Scott’s senior military adviser. weekend warriors after a 2005 hurricane. During a family vacation in the Virgin Islands, he recalled, he left his famiHis forces, like all guard units, have a dual function, meaning Gov. Scott can call them up to a natural disaster, something he hasn’t yet done, and President Barack Obama can divert them to Middle East duty, something that has happened in more than 100 mobilizations since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Calhoun’s turn came soon after the invasion of Iraq; he spent nearly a year in Kuwait with a combat support unit in 2004. To those who wonder why it took so long for an African American to attain the rank of general in Florida’s National Guard, yet alone command it, consider this: The storied guard, which claims its roots in a Spanish militia set up in 1565, only got its first black soldier in 1963 — postal worker and Korean War Air Force veteran James Bryant — because a fellow postal worker, a white first lieutenant in the Florida Guard, recruited Bryant to the command headquarters motor pool. (Continued on page 10) PAGE 10 MAY 2015 Fourteen years later, Calhoun had graduated from FAMU and signed up during a pause between graduating and passing the licensing exam as a pharmacist. He did basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., trained as a medic in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and had risen to the rank of sergeant when then-Gov. Bob Graham mobilized the guard to two nearly back-to-back call-ups in 1980—a year of tumult for Florida. First he went to Key West, he recalled, to provide first aid to seasick, malnourished Cubans arriving in waves in the Mariel boatlift. Soon after, he was part of a unit standing by at Hollywood baseball field in case they were needed to treat National Guardsmen called to Miami during the McDuffie race riots. Calhoun left after six years but said he missed the military. He returned in 1989 as a first lieutenant in the 131st Mobile Army Surgical Hospital because of his day duties as a pharmacist. He would switch from medical corps to the broader military occupational specialty of the quartermasters corps because a pharmacist can only go so far in the Army. In Florida he led the Special Troops Battalion of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, was commander of the 865th Quartermaster Battalion, and spent more than six years in a variety of roles with the 50th Area Support Group, nearly all part-time jobs. One exception: He wore a battle-dress uniform continuously for nearly a year in Kuwait. Now, he’ll don the uniform most days as a full-time employee of the state, earning $157,251.60. The job comes with a house, an official residence at 86 Marine St., adjacent to the St. Francis Barracks in St. Augustine, which traces its roots to a 1580s outpost for some Franciscian friars. He and his wife, Sophia, will move in in May, after the current “TAG,” as The Adjutant General is called, moves out and the state undertakes some renovations. Fellow FAMU alum, Bobby Calhoun (no relation), said his College of Pharmacy classmate’s military career really took off once he traded his pharmacy specialty for logistics. Even as he spent his years in service, said Calhoun, a pharmacist at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, they met several times a year at football games or for continuing education seminars to keep up their licenses. “Once he gets focused in a direction, he’s unturnable,” his classmate said, describing him as a “softspoken” man with the unmistakable carriage of a general—“serious, assured, open-minded, decisive.” Plus, Bobby Calhoun added, “He looks good in a uniform.” While he’s never before worked full-time with the Guard in the state, the increased tempo of his part-time duties dictated that he devote less time to work, he said. So by the time he pinned on his second star as a major general, he’d already cut back his pharmacy work to per-diem patch-and-fill jobs at Costco, something he recently gave up entirely. For his part, Gov. Scott would not say whether the idea of making history with the first African American TAG figured in his first genuine selection of a military advisor after inheriting Maj. Gen. Emmet “Buddy” Titshaw from Charlie Crist. “It’s never one factor,” the governor said by phone this month. “The most important thing is he’s a leader, he’s had five commanding roles since 2006, he’s had a lot of medals and my experience with him has always been positive.” Like Scott, who joined the Navy as an entry-level sailor, an E-1, Calhoun started in the army as a private—on the way to establishing his business career. “When you're around him you'll feel comfortable that he will lead, he will do a good job if there's a crisis,” the governor said. “He also treats others with respect — he's very respectful to people who work with him — and he started at the bottom.” General Calhoun calls his rise “humbling,” and something he never imagined as Private Calhoun. “That’s the beautiful part of it,” he said. “To have been around back then and now to walk next to a private or a sergeant today and tell them you were a private and a sergeant, too—see that light bulb go off.” Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/ article16520174.html#storylink=cpy ―submitted by Maj Chris Buckley, FL NATIONAL GUARD LIAISION MAY 2015 PAGE 11 AIR FORCE OFFICER'S HARD WORK REAPS REWARDS By Air Force Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr., 6th Air Mobility Wing MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE― The late NFL Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Leaders are made, they are not born.” That quote never rang more true than it has for Air Force 1st Lt. Kim Atkins, a sexual asAir Force 1st Lt. Kim Atkins, a sexual assault response coorsault response coordinator with the 6th Air Mobility Wing, stands in formation on MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., April 13, 2015. Atkins was dinator here. recently selected to be an instructor at Officer Training “Both my grandfaSchool. ther and dad served U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr. in the Army as infantrymen,” Atkins said. “My mother is currently a first sergeant at Dover Air Force Base, and my aunt is serving in the Army Reserve and used to be a drill sergeant. So, my work ethic was instilled into me.” Atkins, who hails from Dover, DE, said she was groomed for leadership, starting with her time serving as the flight commander in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and then as captain on her cross country and track teams in high school. She said she was also a member of the National Honor Society and worked as a guidance counselor's assistant and nurse's assistant at her school. After graduating, Atkins accepted an ROTC scholarship to the University of Delaware, where she would regularly lead the joint color guard and help train the field training preparation flights. “I loved being a part of JROTC,” Atkins said. “I had an awesome instructor who pushed me to continue it into college.” After graduating from college, Atkins left for officer training school. There, she would face various obstacles. One of the biggest, she said, was being underestimated by her peers and instructors. Consequently, she said she worked hard to become the ROTC Iron Woman for fitness excellence. “I, along with a male, was named the top in fitness out of 350,” Atkins said. “I like to prove people wrong.” After receiving her commission and completing technical school, Atkins was assigned to MacDill's 6th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight. She would later work in readiness and mortuary affairs before finding herself as the SARC. “Upon my arrival to MacDill, my goal was to be a professional first,” Atkins said. “I came here with the intent to not only improve my leadership, but also my followership and be my personal best for everyone's benefit.” Atkins was recently accepted to become an instructor at Officer Training School. She will depart MacDill and head to the course this summer, where she will be evaluated as she leads her first flight. “I'm super excited, and I hope to keep growing as a leader and a follower,” Atkins said. “I'm going to make sure to put my best foot forward and be an example because, as a friend once told me, ‘Attitude determines altitude.’” http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128578&source=GovDelivery The Navy successfully conducted take-offs and landings from the USS George H.W. Bush, with a new stealth jet drone called the X-47B THE TAMPA CHAPTER OF THE MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POST OFFICE BOX 6383 MACDILL AFB FL 33608-0383 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED TAMPA CHAPTER (www.moaatampa.org/) www.moaatampa.org/) OPERATION HELPING HAND (www.operationhelpinghandtampa.com/) www.operationhelpinghandtampa.com/) PRST STD U S POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 850 MOAA National (www.moaa.org/) FL COUNCIL (www.moaafl.org/) www.moaafl.org/) STRENGTH AT RISK Our nation’s security depends on recruiting and retaining the strongest talent. We must heed the lessons of the past and take this opportunity to get it right because we never stop serving. Recently, MOAA leaders gathered in Washington to “storm the Hill.” This year, we addressed the Pentagon’s budget submission, focusing on sustaining pay and benefits for currently serving and retired troops. Congress has signaled an appetite for change to retirement and health care systems, which are integral to the readiness of the all-volunteer force. Because of the budget environment caused by sequestration, MOAA is concerned calls for further erosion of pay and benefits will damage the morale of the force and threaten retention. We asked legislators to sustain currently serving pay and benefits, reject disproportional TRICARE fees and changes, and to eliminate harmful sequestration cuts. The administration’s FY 2016 budget doesn’t modernize or reform pay and benefits but simply erodes them. It proposes: a third year of military pay caps and an increase in out-of-pocket housing expenses; a reduction in the commissary subsidy that will lead to a 66percent loss of consumer purchasing power; and TRICARE consolidation requiring working-age retirees to pay for service in military treatment facilities, an enrollment fee, and Standard copayments and deductibles. The proposal also adds a means-tested TRI- CARE For Life enrollment fee. The nation will have to relearn the lessons of the 1990s if lawmakers undo the repairs Congress enacted from 2001-10 to close a 13-percent pay gap and reduce 18-percent out-of-pocket living expenses. Under the current proposal, mid-grade NCOs and officers and their families who have borne the brunt of persistent conflict will have less discretionary income. DoD regrettably has enabled a loss of purchasing power while masking its efforts as raises. A captain (O-3) with 10 years of service and a family of four could lose $6,421 a year, while a sergeant (E-5) could lose $5,173 a year. During the rollout of the FY 2016 defense budget, a senior defense official, at- tempting to reassure troops, said, “We are all about our people.” But, he added, “Dollars we saved in pay and compensation ... help balance out readiness and capability.” As the drawdown continues, a stronger economy offers potential recruits and high ly trained servicemembers more civilian job options. The services could suffer an exodus of troops facing tough career decisions, such as another deployment away from home. Few Americans would endure these demands for one term, let alone 20 to 30 years. A 2014 Military Times poll found declining morale in the force: “Troops report significantly lower overall job satisfaction” and “declining interest in reenlistment now compared to five years ago.” Proposals for further erosion of pay and benefits are creating a dangerous retention condition and undermining the morale of the all-volunteer force. — Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret) copied from Military Officer, April 2015 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ―HURRY―The deadline for applications: 1 May 2015. Check it out on our web at moaatampa.org —submitted by Col Steadman MOAA, MOWC JOINT LUNCHEON THURSDAY, 09 MAY 2015 at 1130 hours at the SURF’S EDGE CLUB ON MACDILL AFB PLEASE NOTE: RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED BY NOON ON FRIDAY 03 MAY MOAA RESERVATION NUMBER (813) 676-4676 MOWC RESERVATION NUMBER (813) 792-5520 REMEMBER–if you make a reservation and don’t show, you still must pay. MENU CAESAR SALAD, GARLIC STICKS CHICKEN PARMESAN W/ PENNE PASTA CHEF’S CHOICE VEGETABLE MAY 22-24 2015 REGISTER AT http://acmoaa.org/FC0C2015Convention.aspx
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