Public Health

CHIÉVRES AIR BASE, Belgium – At Chiévres Air Base, Belgium, the 424th Air Base Squadron’s primary responsibility is to secure the airfield and aircraft on the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) airfield, and many sections within that squadron make that mission happen.

The 424th ABS, which is a geographically separated unit of the 86th Airlift Wing, located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, includes 17 different sections that contribute to the mission, and a large part of securing that missionis the 424th ABS security forces section.

While they have the same standard responsibilities as a security forces squadron, such as guarding the gate and airfield security, security forces section Airmen regularly engage with other sections within the squadron.

“To be in a squadron with different [Air Force Specialty Codes] is pretty unique,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Timon Richardson, a Security Response Team Leader at the 424th ABS. “You get the chance to learn about the other jobs in the Air Force and how they help support the mission.”

Security forces Airmen often visit other shops within the squadron and see how they operate, said Richardson. “We train with the fire department, and assist vehicle maintenance and vehicle management with conducting combat offload training and tother r operations.

“ I would normally only hang around security forces people at a larger base,” said Richardson. “Here I go to different shops on slow days and learn about their mission and how they operate.”

Airmen in the 424th ABS security forces section also work alongside host nation partners, and in a joint environment with U.S. Army Military Police, said Richardson. “This allows us to function more efficiently and ensure the safety of the personnel and property we are tasked to support.”

Working so closely together is both a learning experience, and an opportunity to form relationships that would have been unlikely in other situations, said Staff Sgt. Richard Castro Camacho, 424th ABS Security Forces NCO in Charge.

“Many of our Airmen are performing duties that are normally held by a noncommissioned officer, but these guys do a great job taking on these responsibilities and ensuring we meet the highest standard possible,” said Castro Camacho.

The section, which is manned with seven personnel, regularly augments the host nation and U.S. Army security requirements to ensure the airfield can support 24/7 operations for this essential NATO mission.

“We all have the opportunity to have a closer relationship from the top to the bottom,” said Richardson. “And we grow as a team.”

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – U.S. military, state, and local leaders paid special tribute to Memorial Services Detachment members at a banquet held in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 22, 2022.

Brig. Gen. Russell Driggers, JBSA and 502d Air Base Wing commander, Robert Naething, deputy to the commanding general of U.S. Army North, and Joseph Bray, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Texas (South), among others, awarded 26 individuals with the Army’s Public Service Commendation Medal to honor their selfless service in volunteering their own time to give back to military families by assisting in funeral honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Driggers encouraged the audience to take a look back at the Declaration of Independence. Specifically asking everyone to pay attention to the portion that speaks on the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“There is no finer recognition of the unalienable rights of life than when we stand before family and friends, stand before God, and they render respects for that life served,” said Driggers. “And that is what you do every single day. You are protectors of our nation’s dignity. You are protectors of our nation’s service. And what you do provides that meaning that is so important to the families of those who have passed. And you do it voluntarily. That is amazing.”

These MSD individuals have distinguished themselves and contributed significantly.

“What you do is so important,” said Naething. “We are in full support of everything that you do. This award is the Secretary of the Army Public Service Commendation Medal. I’m not eligible for it. I can’t earn it. Brig. Gen. Driggers can’t earn it. A lot of people can’t earn it. It is a very special award given to those individuals who step up and go above and beyond with no recompense. They just do it because it’s in their heart. They just do it because it’s the right thing.”

For retired Vietnam War veteran, Staff Sgt. Art Cruz, who buried his cousin, retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jose C. Diaz, last May, the service rendered by the Memorial Service Detachment holds special meaning.

“I get goosebumps knowing there are still those that wore the uniform who still choose to serve and contribute for the good of our veteran and military community,” said Cruz. “I know Jose would have appreciated their service at his funeral.”

Since 1991, the Memorial Services Detachment has participated in over 42, 500 funeral services. Eligibility for an MSD member to receive the Army Public Service Award is five years of volunteer service as an MSD honor guard and complete two consecutive years of at least 200 volunteer hours each year by September 30th of the year he receives the award.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii–On a sunny Friday afternoon, retired Private 2nd Class Warren H. Schuster stepped foot on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and returned to 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division after more than 71 years.

“Oh, it’s emotional…” said Schuster. “It’s just nice to be back and think about all the things that happened.”

In early 1951, at the young age of 20, Schuster volunteered for service and quickly found himself on Schofield Barracks, attached to the 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, preparing to deploy to Korea in the midst of some of the heaviest fighting of the war.

By September of that year, he was part of Item (I) Company who, along with Love (L) Company, attempted to secure and hold two hills in the vicinity of Tangwon-ni, Korea, and subsequently engaged in one of the deadliest battles of the Korean War.

The two companies struggled with the brutal terrain and a malfunctioning radio that severed communication between them and their forward observers. This left Schuster and his fellow soldiers blind to what was to come, a sizable assault by elements of the Chinese Communist Force 233rd Regiment. After several days of returning fire and holding the perimeter the U.S. soldiers, now low on ammunition, decided to fight their way back to safety.

The two U.S. Army companies experienced heavy losses, 46 killed, 130 wounded and 36 missing. Schuster sustained a severe head injury from enemy artillery shrapnel. Following the battle, I and L Companies were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism.

In October of 2014, Schuster published a paper: A Soldier’s Story: My Last Battle, recounting his experience during the attack. After writing and speaking about his experience, the next step was a long-awaited tour with the support of his three daughters and their family.

“When you have someone that has gone through what he went through, it’s huge.” said LeeAnn Libby, one of Schuster’s daughters who accompanied him to Hawaii. “He’s talked about wanting to come back since I was in middle school. It’s been a part of all of us growing up and we’re so happy to have him here.”

During his visit to 2-35 on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, he was able to tour the unit’s headquarters and hall of heroes, where Schuster and his family sat and watched as the memorial video played.

“I recognized two of them.” Schuster said, to the photos of those who lost their lives in the Korean War.

Afterwards, Schuster was able to meet and talk with some of the current soldiers from the unit and learn what equipment they use today. The soldiers brought out and demonstrated multiple weapon systems and were able to discuss and compare them to what Schuster used in 1951.

“It was a huge honor to meet someone that fought in the Korean War,” said Specialist Derek Hernandez, a soldier with 2-35. “I feel like it’s not talked about a lot, and it’s a big point of pride and legacy for the Cacti Battalion.”

Through the hard memories, Schuster is still able to recall why he takes such pride in his service.

“I enjoyed the service time and comradery with the troops. That bond only exists in the military.” He said. “I’ve got your back, always. That’s what makes the difference.”

(U.S. Army story by Sgt. Rachel Christensen/28th Public Affairs Detachment)

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo (Oct. 25, 2022) – Logistical support has been key to mission success in any military operation since the dawn of warfare. Throughout the centuries, military commanders have known in order to keep moving forward and to be effective on the battlefield, their Soldiers must have the supplies they need to win the fight.

Keeping the mission moving forward for the U.S. Army in the Balkans region of Eastern Europe are the Soldiers and civilian employees of the Area Support Group – Balkans’ Supply Support Activity, located at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, who work tirelessly to ensure units have access to the supplies they need to be successful.

“Whatever supplies a unit needs, they would not have it if it wasn’t for the SSA,” said Capt. Ryan E. Smith, the officer in charge of the SSA. “The SSA really just provides sustainment support to any supporting units within the Balkans. That’s really the baseline. And it’s providing all classes of supply to those units.”

The various classes of supply provided by the SSA include food, water, office supplies, oil and lubricants, construction materials, and repair parts, to name a few. Most of these items are stored at the SSA warehouse as safety stock, so sustainers can rapidly allocate supplies to the units that need them.

Smith said stock requirements are tracked through higher-level supply management systems and use predictive analysis to forecast the future needs of organizations, a process that is reevaluated to ensure supply needs are up to date.

“Depending on how much (a unit) orders in a year, our safety stock will rise or fall depending on the (unit’s) requirements,” Smith explained. “And what happens once we go below that safety stock, (the system) automatically reorders to fill those gaps.”

At the SSA, Smith’s team primarily consists of civilian employees and contractors, many of whom have been there for years.

“That’s the way we’re set up,” Smith said. “We have contractors, we have local national hires, which are NATO employees, and we also have two green suiters (Soldiers). So, it’s a conglomerate that all work together very well.”

In addition to U.S. units stationed in the Balkans, the SSA also provides limited support to some partner nation units serving under the NATO-led Kosovo Force.

“We provide class I support, MREs and bottled water, to the Swiss and Turkish contingent, and water to other contingents,” Smith said.

“We also support non-supported units as needed. For instance, there was an exercise going on in North Macedonia and they needed a quick turnaround of eight pallets of MREs. We managed to get a 24-hour turnaround time to their location so they could feed their troops.”

Even further outside their typical area of responsibility, the SSA has also been providing sustainment to organizations as far away as Poland, supporting NATO’s commitment to Eastern Europe.

“We receive high-priority requests from other units in theater, so (anywhere) in Europe, this can happen,” Smith said. “The units in Poland submitted a high-priority request to the 21st (Theater Sustainment Command), and they came down to us to see if we could support it, and we could.”

Smith went on to explain the SSA supported the mission in Poland by sending Class IX items, i.e., repair parts and components required for maintenance support of equipment, as well as Class III, or petroleum, oil and lubricant supplies. In addition to the Class III and IX items, the SSA also sent three large maintenance shelters, generally used for helicopter maintenance.

Smith said the biggest challenge in keeping up with the considerable demand for logistical support is simply learning the complex process used in supply management, especially as new leadership rotates into the Balkans.

“Every unit that rotates in has to learn the process,” he said. “So, the first couple of months, units are learning how to use an SSA. And then, the next unit comes in and they have to relearn how to use an SSA. Not only that, but learning the turn-in process and what actually needs to be turned in and how to track that at the unit level, we have to teach that to each unit when they come in because it’s not something that is done as often in the States and as large of a scale.”

Smith, along with his noncommissioned officer in charge, Sgt. 1st Class Raddell M. Coleman, both with the Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, will soon hand over the reins of the SSA to Soldiers from the Indiana National Guard’s 76th IBCT.

“It’s a lot of work,” Smith said of his handover. “With any change of an accountable officer, you have to do a 100 percent inventory of all items on your shelves. So far, it’s gone well. We didn’t lose anything, which is good.”

Overall, Smith wants units in the Balkans to understand that communication between the SSA and the organizations they support is vital to ensuring continued and precise sustainment support at every level.

“The stock control office is really the main communication between other units and the SSA,” Smith explained. “So, if they’re waiting on a part and need a status update and they can’t look it up themselves, they call our stock control and we can give them an update right then.”

With the complex nature of supply support, Smith credits his civilian workforce for ensuring operations out of the SSA run smoothly, providing much-needed support to units throughout the Balkans and beyond.

“Having a contracted force here that’s been around for 22 years and really knows what they’re doing is pretty amazing,” he said.

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – To support the building of the Army of 2030 and sustain the fight across contested terrain and over time, the Army Materiel Command is continuing to show how its postured to support any operation worldwide.

Leaders of two of AMC’s major subordinate command’s – Army Sustainment Command and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command – spoke about their efforts on supporting the mobilization of large-scale combat operations during an Oct. 11 Warriors Corner on Supporting Force Projection from Army Installations at the 2022 AUSA Annual Meeting.

Dan Reilly, Army Sustainment Command executive director for support operations, led the discussion highlighting the symbiotic relationship between ASC and SDDC to build partner capacity.

“We are one of the pieces of the strategic mobility triad and that’s important. Between our two commands (ASC and SDDC), we execute power projection from the fort to the port, to the other port, to the foxhole and beyond.”

Another strategic enabler Reilly noted is APS – which are Army Prepositioned Stocks managed by AMC through ASC. APS are strategically placed sets of equipment in key locations around the world and organized so Soldiers can be equipped quickly for mission deployments. APS reduces the strategic lift requirements for deploying units by providing the theater-specific combat equipment required to respond rapidly, speeding Soldiers to the frontlines.

To underscore the agility of APS, Reilly used a recent example of the 1st Armored Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division’s deployment from Fort Stewart, Georgia, to Europe to assure NATO allies and partners in the region following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. The unit flew from the U.S. to Europe on short notice, then quickly drew an armored brigade combat team worth of equipment and vehicles from APS-2.

“This was the largest issuance of APS since Iraq in 2003. APS continues to prove its worth as a part of the strategic mobility triad and allows us to readily provide combat power very far forward,” he said. “APS is also a huge deterrence because we can move so fast.”

Reilly also referenced contracts on the shelf, which are pre-written contracts for utilization during mobilization. The contracts have requirements from ASC, Installation Management Command and Forces Command already built into them – speeding up the acquisition process for a mobilization by 60 days.

Maj. Gen. Gavin Lawrence, commander of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, spoke about strategic movements performed by SDDC. The organization moves combat power utilizing capabilities such as trucks, highways, ports and rails among other things.

This year SDDC performed 23 outside the continental U.S. and 85 CONUS continental port missions, according to Lawrence. SDDC serves as the Defense Department’s maritime single port manager. It is the only Army unit worldwide that manages common-user seaports and is key to moving military combat power.

Lawrence noted that SDDC exercises a strategy called port diversification, which identifies and exercises mission critical seaports for brigade-sized deployments in preparation for large-scale combat operations around the world.

“That is a deliberate effort of SDDC in coordination with Army Materiel Command and our theater combatant commands. It helps gain invaluable intelligence on the capability and capacity of our force, demonstrate presence as we compete in today’s operation environment to assure our allies and deter those that would take adverse actions against our interests; and provide options to our combat commanders to build resiliency in our systems,” Lawrence said.

During a recent exercise of capability, “we did a deliberate move utilizing a commercial port – to demonstrate our ability to move combat power using a west coast commercial port in support of Indo-Pacific Command operations,” Lawrence said. “We also did a port visit to Denmark to demonstrate our ability to deliver critical capability to the high north in support of Europe.”

SDDC sees itself as the “connective tissue” as materiel comes in, linking it from the strategic support area (installations) to the mode of transportation and to onward movement to the tactical support area, if necessary. Partnerships – joint, interservice and commercial – are key to augment SDDC in terms of strategic movements.

“We have over 300,00 trucks moving every year – we do that through building relationships with over 700 truck carriers based in the U.S. We have the capacity to support installation requirements, and to carry critical cargo and ammunition. In conjunction with the Department of Transportation, we have a voluntary intermodal service agreement that gives us access to state of art commercial to transport critical pieces of equipment via commercial liner if a military sealift vessel is not available,” Lawrence said.

To maintain a strategic advantage over adversaries, sustain the fight across contested terrain and mitigate threats, he emphasized the Army must be ready to rapidly project equipment and combat power anytime, anywhere.

“When you talk about some of the asymmetric advantages the Army has, I truly believe our ability to project critically combat capability to the point of need is one of the advantages we currently have and we need to fight to maintain and sustain as we look at Army 2030 and compete against our peer competitors,” Lawrence said.

FORT POLK, La. — Sgt. Garrett Paulson, combat medic from Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, returns to the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, Louisiana as the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year following the inaugural Best Squad Competition Sept. 29 through Oct. 7 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

According to www.army.mil/bestsquad/ the week-long competition assessed each squad on technical and tactical proficiencies, ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team, as well as their performance in a multitude of fitness, combat and weapons qualification lanes and scenarios. Afterwards the top four teams traveled to Washington D.C. to conduct board-style interviews that tested their knowledge and professionalism in front of top Army leaders.

Paulson attributes his success to his unit leadership, his Best Squad team and the opportunities afforded to him while stationed at JRTC and Fort Polk.

Paulson said there were twelve teams, consisting of five soldiers each.

He said going into the competitions at the regional and major command level he didn’t initially know this was also a Soldier and NCO of the Year event.

“During the Best Squad Competition, we were graded individually and as a team on every event,” he said. “The difference between this year’s Soldier and NCO of the Year and previous years is that they all came in by themselves. They didn’t have a team. They were graded on Soldier tasks, battle drills and individual fitness. Everything was based on what they could do by themselves. This year the squad element not only focused on what we could do as individuals but how do our teams react to that? How do you keep your teams motivated throughout the competition? It was interesting.”

Paulson said his team was always at the forefront of his mind and motivation going into the competition.

“I wanted to win at MEDCOM and move on to the Army Competition for them,” he said. “Two weeks before the competition at Fort Bragg I was digging for the internal motivation and mental intensity to compete at the Army level. I had personal motivators for the regional and MEDCOM competitions; first for my family, next for the team and a personal grudge about moving beyond my past.”

Paulson said in the beginning he had something to prove to himself. By the time he got to the Army competition he was there as part of a team, with nothing to prove. He said it was all about putting everything out there to get top four.

Sgt. Conner Crisafi, combat medic, Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado, was a member of the U.S. Army Medical Command Best Squad team with Paulson.

“Sgt. Paulson is the best teammate a Soldier could ask for, he is someone I can always count on,” he said. “If I’m having any issues at all he is there for me. When I started these competitions, I was a specialist, now I am an NCO and Sgt. Paulson is who I emulate. Sgt. Paulson is a great leader, teammate and friend.”

Crisafi said Paulson deserves to be the NCO of the Year.

“In my opinion, Sgt. Paulson is the best of the best,” he said. “He was always able to provide “hip pocket training” on the things he learned throughout his career,” he said. “He always upheld all the Army Values, and embodied leadership attributes, competencies, and the NCO Creed. During all the competitions and hard days of training he always kept our team’s morale high.”

Paulson said his team was unique because they were comprised of Soldiers from across MEDCOM.

“The majority of the teams we competed against were organic to one unit. We are in an interesting position,” he said. “It would have been extremely challenging to put together a group of five people from one military treatment facility logistically. And, the impact on patient care would have been detrimental to our mission.”

Paulson said his success is a direct reflection on his team and their ability to come together successfully.

Spc. Callen Workman, orthopedic technician, Kenner Army Health Clinic, Fort Lee, Virginia, was a member of the MEDCOM Best Squad Team and said Paulson is the best NCO he’s ever worked with.

“I can’t think of anyone else who is a better representation of what it means to be an NCO and the Army NCO of the Year,” he said. “Training and competing with him as my team leader was my favorite experience in the army so far. He’s shown us all how to communicate and execute effectively under stressful and complicated conditions.”

Workman said Paulson’s confidence never wavered.

“As a junior enlisted member of the team, he helped me learn what I could bring to the table,” he said. “He showed the utmost respect to all of us while doing it. He knows what he’s doing and far outperformed his competition.”

Paulson said he believes his team was the top team out there.

“I truly believe we were a top four team,” he said. “Our team was great and I think everyone underestimated the MEDCOM team. Barring an injury, I think we could have won it all. Even the Soldier who was injured won the junior enlisted marksmanship award for the entire competition.”

Paulson said BJACH and JRTC and Fort Polk prioritize training, readiness, and opportunities for Soldiers to excel.

“I think being stationed at the JRTC and Fort Polk gave me the platform to succeed,” he said. “BJACH and MEDCOM specifically gave me the opportunity.”

Paulson said the competition helped his team prepare for what a combat medic is required to do outside of a hospital setting.

“The scenarios we encountered required us to be technical and tactical experts,” he said. “Three of the five of us had only ever served in a hospital. The competition highlights that 68Ws (Army combat medical specialists) are much more versatile than we are often given credit for.”

Paulson said he wanted to rally his fellow Soldiers at BJACH.

“I promised everyone at BJACH that I was going to win,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was going to win, but I told them I wasn’t coming back without at least one big win, for them, the hospital and for MEDCOM.”

Paulson said he couldn’t have done it without the support of his unit.

“There were so many people involved, who supported me throughout this competition. From the commander and command sergeant major to some of our most junior Soldiers who supported me whether they realized it or not,” he said. “Others had to pick up the slack while I was off training and competing. I want them to see that Fort Polk offers the best training environment that I’ve ever seen. The number of schools and training they are willing to send you to, if you want it, is unreal. I was hoping people could see me and know they can pursue these opportunities and that our unit will support it.”

Paulson said based on talking to others throughout the competition and across the Army there is no better place than JRTC and Fort Polk for Soldiers to build their resume and enhance their careers.

Sgt. 1st Class Timothy McCoole, senior enlisted advisor to the deputy commander of nursing at Reynolds Army Health Clinic, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and member of the MEDCOM team said the best squad competition with Paulson was the highlight of his career.

“When I first met Sgt. Paulson after the regional competition, he knew deep inside that he was going to go all the way,” he said. “He would tell us he was competing to win it all. I believe that confidence helped the team realize what we were capable of and helped us win at MEDCOM and give 100% at the Department of the Army level. Besides his determination to succeed, he deserves this title, NCO of the Year, because he truly is a great NCO. He’s a very confident, competent and caring NCO that accomplishes his mission and has the welfare of his squad as a priority. He took every opportunity he could to train our squad and improve the team.”

McCoole said he learned a lot from Sgt. Paulson.

“I’ve been in the clinical setting for a few years now and my tactical skills weren’t as good as Sgt. Paulson’s,” he said. “As the squad leader, I would rely on his expertise for those situations. He taught me what determination and proper preparation can achieve and has inspired me. I hope to stay friends with Sgt. Paulson after all of this is done.”

Paulson said he is unsure exactly what his future holds as the NCO of the Year.

“I know I’m going to be a little busy,” he said. “I know there are plans being made. I don’t want to guess at what that is, but I am excited.”

Paulson said he doesn’t know what it means for his career.

“For me, personally, I’m going to look for my next mountain,” he said. “I think when you accomplish something this significant you will lose all momentum if you don’t shift quickly to something else. I am shifting quickly to the Expert Field Medical Badge, then I might slow down a little for the holidays, and hopefully by then will know what the Army has instore for me.”

Paulson said he wants to help others and he wants to share his experiences to anyone who will listen.

“With all of the engagements I’ll be doing over the next few months, on some pretty large platforms, I’m going to take the opportunity to talk about mental health stuff,” he said. “Your defining moments aren’t generally your darkest moments. They aren’t around forever, and once you work through it there is almost always something better on the other side.”

Paulson said he is at peace with his past.

He said teamwork and leadership are what the Army is all about.

“You’ve got to be able to rely on the people around you and trust that they have your best interests in mind,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of good conversations with a lot of senior members of the military since winning NCO of the Year that may have reenergized my focus. There are things I can do as an NCO that will positively affect Soldiers lives and careers that I can’t do if I follow the plan I was considering before I earned this prestigious honor.”

JOHNSTON, Iowa – Two National Guard chaplains have made history together by becoming the first women to serve as State Chaplains, both in their states and in the country. Lt. Col. Martha Kester will serve the Iowa National Guard, while Lt. Col. Heather Simon will serve the New Jersey National Guard.

Both Kester and Simon were given start dates of October 1 this year, allowing a unique opportunity for them to claim the title together. Chaplain (Col.) Laurence Bazer, Deputy Director of the National Guard Bureau Office of the Joint Chaplains, confirmed their status and commended them for their achievement.

“These two women represent the best of our Guard and you could not have picked better individuals to lead their states,” said Bazer. “They’re going to bring their wisdom and experiences to help not just their states, but our entire Army Guard chaplaincy, to greater levels.”

Early on, Kester suspected taking the position may have historical implications, but was pleasantly surprised when she realized she would share her achievement with Simon. Coincidentally, both of them began their journeys to become chaplains in 2007, with Kester earning her commission that year and Simon in 2010 after serving a decade in the medical corps.

“I’m thankful that both of us are going to be in this position because it’s hard to aspire to something you don’t see,” said Kester. “Now, the two of us did. Being in a male-dominated profession, you have to just stand up for yourself and go after your goals.”

Simon shared her enthusiasm.

“When I learned about Chaplain Kester, I was like, ‘Praise God,’” said Simon. “We have females in all roles in the Army, but somehow this has been missed, and we don’t mirror our troops. It’s an opportunity for us to bring a different flavor into the chaplaincy, a different style of leadership.”

Bazer was the first Jewish chaplain to become a state chaplain in Massachusetts and understands the gravity of being a trailblazer for others to follow. He said it would be important for Kester and Simon to be battle buddies and support each other as they navigate their new roles.

“Here at the National Guard Bureau, myself included, we are here to help them succeed,” said Bazer. “I’ve been in their shoes – to be this high-demand, low-density chaplain. It’s very important for the Guard to be able to say that our chaplaincy can look like our entire force.”

For Kester, taking the position means an unexpected return to her Iowa National Guard roots after serving as the deputy state chaplain in the Nebraska National Guard the past few years. She was a chaplain in the Iowa Guard for 13 years at various units and levels, including on a historic deployment to Afghanistan in 2010.

“I wanted to make sure I had served in every aspect of the Iowa Guard because when I first came in, my goal was to be the Iowa State Chaplain,” said Kester. “When I went to Nebraska, I thought that goal was gone. Then Iowa’s senior leaders sought me out and they’ve put this trust in me to come back.”

When she’s not providing services for Soldiers on drill weekends, Kester serves as a rector at a local Episcopal church. Military chaplains have their own faith denominations, but they’re also available to provide spiritual and emotional support to service members regardless of their background or religion.

Simon is endorsed by the Church of the Nazarene. While she doesn’t lead her own parish outside of the military, she has a strong background in therapy and years of experience supporting Soldiers in various states. Most recently, she served as a chaplain in the Arkansas National Guard and as an instructor as the Professional Education Center in the state.

For Simon, being a safe person for Soldiers to confide in is the most important part of her job. It wasn’t long after she became a chaplain in 2010 that she knew she chose the right path for herself. One drill weekend, a Soldier’s wife dropped him off at drill and was in a serious vehicle accident on her way home.

“She ended up passing, but it was holding her hand as we bid her goodbye, holding him in the intensive care unit, that I realized this is what I’m called for,” said Simon. “I’m here to pray for them, touch them, and bridge that gap between the Soldier and their unit.”

In that same year, Kester was deployed to Afghanistan. Kester described the deployment as a place where she felt a constant sense of purpose.

In combat environments, chaplains are trained to handle many hard situations. They’re available to support Soldiers as they navigate being away from home and the reality of the danger they face each day. For Kester, that meant “going outside the wire” with Soldiers and being that comforting presence.

But the death of a Soldier is something you’re never fully prepared for. With one week left of the deployment, Sgt. 1st Class Terryl Pasker was killed in action during a patrol.

“I remember coming back from the ramp ceremony to send him home and talking to my roommates, and I just broke down,” said Kester. “I’d done countless funerals before, but I knew his story. He was an amazing believer, and he chose to come on the deployment when he could have gotten out of the Guard.”

These experiences are a harsh reality for chaplains across the Army, and can build up over time. After returning from a deployment to Cuba, Simon said the hardest lesson she had to learn was how to step back and take care of herself.

“I came home exhausted and couldn’t help anyone in the state I was in,” said Simon. “I had to learn to say no and do better self care, which allows me to serve others at my best.”

As they settle into their new roles, Kester and Simon will be in a unique position to not only continue supporting Soldiers, but to mentor chaplains from the unit level all the way to the battalion level. Both chaplains are eager for the opportunity to guide and learn from their colleagues.

Simon described the concept as “shepherding” – a chance to support other chaplains through training on the most current trends, building career plans and sending them to schools to build their professional development. It’s also an opportunity to let them know they’re “appreciated and loved” when they face personal challenges.

“There’s nothing better, nothing,” said Simon. “This is a dream, the best job there is in the Army. And I want other women to know that there is a place for them here, a future for them.”

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – For a mother, leaving her daughter behind when getting deployed is heartbreaking, but leaving for deployment and seeing your daughter leave for a separate deployment is even harder. For Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Riddle deploying simultaneously with her daughter Spc. Mackenly Riddle has been an overwhelmingly humbling experience.

Shannon started her military career in 1992 when she enlisted in the Marine Corps. She was a member of the band and would perform for Marines graduating from recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. For her second four-year term in the Marine Corps, Shannon was a combat engineer. After serving eight years, she took a six-year break in service, where she found herself working in law enforcement. In 2006, she decided to continue her service and join the Virginia Army National Guard.

She has been in the Virginia National Guard for more than 16 years, and has deployed twice throughout her career, first to Iraq and currently to Kosovo.

“I joined the National Guard after I ran into a friend of mine that I served in the Marine Corps with who was still in the Marine Corps,” said Shannon. “He was in Fallujah when it fell, and he asked me where I was, and I felt really bad that I wasn’t there. So a week after, I went and talked to the Guard recruiter, and within about a year after, I became an MP and ended up in Iraq.”

During her first deployment, Mackenly was only 12 years old. Shannon recalls how hard it was to be away from her young daughter during the deployment.

“It was hard being away from home while being a single mother. Mackenly stayed with her grandparents,” said Shannon. “It was good coming home because being away from her was hard.”

As for any family with a deployed loved one, the family endures those feelings that come with a deployment, as well. Mackenly was proud of her mother and looked up to her. She grew up in a military family due to her brother and Shannon’s husband serving in the Army also.

“I’ve always looked up to my mom growing up. I remember her being deployed for the first time. My sister and I would make care packages for her that we would send over,” said Mackenly. “We made a Build-A-Bear in a military uniform that she kept with her. She ended up giving it to me to take on my first deployment, so it was like having a piece of her with me over there.”

After coming home from Iraq, Shannon became a recruiter for three years. During that time, Makenly decided she wanted to join the military. So like any mother, Shannon looked out for her daughter’s best interest and suggested she join the Army National Guard. When Mackenly decided to join, her mother was the recruiter who enlisted her in the military.

“My mom and I always bumped heads, and I remember being in her office telling her I wasn’t going to join,” said Mackenly. “It was ironic because I never saw myself being in the military, but after being at college, I felt like I had a greater purpose in life. I ended up calling her, saying I wanted to join. You can say my mom was a big part of the reason I joined.”

Mackenly initially enlisted as a motor transport operator and later changed her military occupational specialty to combat medic. Shannon serves with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Virginia Army National Guard, while Mackenly serves with 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, Virginia National Guard and was attached to the HHC, 116th IBCT for her deployment. This past year the 116th has deployed to support ongoing operations in Africa, Kosovo, and Iraq. Mackenly went to Africa as a line medic in support of Soldiers there, and Shannon deployed to Kosovo as the battle desk non-commissioned officer in charge.

They both expressed that they worry about each other and miss each other very much. Both are used to missing each other while the other is away, but in this case, they are both away from home.

“My mom has shown that she can handle her own, but that didn’t stop me from worrying about her being deployed,” said Mackenly. “She was always with me while I was overseas through the St. Michael necklace she got me for my birthday and the build-a-bear that I kept on my bed every night. “

Just as Shannon did when she was 12 years old, Mackenly had to leave behind her daughter Carson while she served her country.

“I have a little five-year-old girl back home, and it was the hardest decision to make volunteering for this deployment. She would send me drawings in every care package that I would end up hanging up in my room,” Mackenly said.

For many families having one Soldier leave on deployment is hard enough, but two Soldiers, leaving behind children is exceptionally harder and is commendable.

VICENZA, Italy – The U.S. Army Garrison Italy is hosting its annual Retiree Appreciation Day, 24 Oct. at the Golden Lion on Caserma Ederle where retirees can have a day of take advantage of many different resources.

For those making a career in the military, retirement is the end goal and not just because they won’t have to lace their boots up anymore, it’s the various benefits that make retiring attractive.

For retirees overseas, having the same access to these benefits as U.S. based retirees, to all of the different organizations, services, and benefits isn’t usually the norm. That’s where the Retiree Services Office and Retiree Center come in. They help bridge the gap and ensure retirees are taken care of, both with the annual Retiree Appreciation Day and throughout the year.

The event allows retirees the chance to have direct support with representatives from the health and dental clinics, Social Security, Medicare, voting assistance, Army Community Service and the DEERS and ID card office among others.

Andrew Strouse, the garrison retiree services officer and also an Army retiree himself, is preparing for his first Retiree Appreciation Day with the U.S. Army Garrison Italy.

“Social Security and Medicare, that’s one of the biggest for retirees because as soon as they turn 65, they have to enroll in Medicare, even with Tricare,” said Strouse.

For those who live in Italy, the U.S. Embassy in Rome is has been very responsive when it comes to requests to enroll in either Social Security or Medicare. The federal benefits field representative for the embassy, John Paonessa, who will be in attendance at the Retiree Appreciation Day, is to thank for that, said Strouse.

“As long as John is there, obtaining Social Security and Medicare in Italy will be easy,” said Strouse.

Living overseas poses challenges for retirees, but having people around who understand what being retired in a foreign country is like, can make things easier.

Over the years, retired Army Master Sgt. Bill Murphy, the Retiree Council President, who is also a retired Department of the Army civilian, has learned how to help other retirees attain their benefits through his own personal experiences, but also through helping others.

Managing around 400 retirees and more than 1600 family members, Murphy and his team of volunteer retirees have their work cut out for them.

They answer questions from those still serving to surviving family members, to help them obtain ID cards, translate for spouses who may not speak English, and they even make house calls. However, honoring their fallen comrades and ensuring their survivors are well taken care of is their most important duty.

For the people who help retirees, including the council, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other organizations, it goes deeper than simply answering a retiree’s question.

“We did our duty, we joined the military, went to war, whether it was three years or thirty, but basically we want to give back,” said Murphy. “We really feel that this community, the military, and the Unites States of America has taken care of us after we retired.”

Deciding to retire overseas can be a rewarding new beginning for some.

After retiring from the Army while assigned to SETAF in 2018, Ron Rinalli and his wife chose to stay in Vicenza to work and raise their son in Italian school, and to travel.

“Retiring overseas can be challenging, but I think the folks at the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) did a good job preparing us for that,” said Rinalli.

Rinalli, a Department of the Army civilian with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, said access to medical, dental, and having a more user-friendly Tricare online system is what means the most to him.

With decades of experience, knowledge and learning through helping others over the years, Strouse, Murphy and their teams, are working to know what’s important to every retiree, and how to help them on the upcoming Retiree Appreciation Day and for years to come.

This year, the guest speakers will be the Department of the Army G-1 Retirement Services Officer and the Director of Retired and Annuitant Pay.

The Army needs a flexible and adaptable supply chain to deliver materiel globally, and Army Materiel Command is making progress improving how it manages the supply chain.

AMC is standardizing and specializing its supply chain management and using data to drive decision-making to better adapt to supply chain disruptions and reduce vulnerabilities in support of Army readiness. Initial changes will be seen as early as January 2023.

“Today’s current global environment demands that we modernize the Army’s supply chain to be robust, responsive and resilient,” said Gen. Ed Daly, Army Materiel Command’s top leader.

AMC is implementing standardized supply chain processes, policies and governance, using best practices shared across the enterprise to increase adaptability and readiness. For example, AMC is adding vendor scorecards that will allow different commodity managers who work with the same companies to identify trends and find efficiencies.

In addition, AMC is standardizing how parts and items are managed across its life cycle management commands. For example, when Soldiers needs help from the field, supply chain managers can be more responsive.

Other efforts include reviewing position descriptions of its supply chain workforce to specialize roles, skills and training requirements to modernize how it manages the supply chain. The end state will be a workforce made up of skilled professionals who are experts in specific roles, rather than generalists.

Specializing the supply chain management workforce will not be prescriptive across the LCMCs, said Marion Whicker, AMC’s executive deputy to the commanding general. While specialization may mean realignment for some positions, LCMCs will be able to provide feedback and will have organizational flexibilities.

To aid in this specialization, supply chain management experts across the enterprise met recently to review new training materials, include desk guides. The team examined different resources, keeping in mind that everyone learns differently. As the new training resources are implemented, feedback from the field will be critical, Whicker said.

“We need to know if the training doesn’t meet the need,” Whicker said. “You must articulate what’s going on.”

Underlying the standardization and specialization is the use of data analytics. AMC is providing a data-driven capability to enhance decision making with visibility throughout the entire supply chain, while better positioning to build combat power and project it globally. The new system will allow supply chain experts to view a dashboard of current trends, where parts are needed, where there are extra parts and more.

“We are now using analytical data directly to make decisions and spend more time critically thinking,” Daly said. “It is a combination of the metrics and assessment, both art and science, that really ensures we are getting to the right effects to support the Army mission.”

With all the changes, one constant is how AMC is committed to its people. AMC will provide the supply chain workforce with the right resources to enable the important work they do and empower them to address supply chain challenges, said Whicker.

“In the end, we want to be better… we want everyone that has a stake in this process to have the opportunity to be better,” Whicker said.