Ocean State Guardian - Spring 2010

Spring 2010 / Rhode Island National Guard 1

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Rhode Island National Guard

The Ocean State Guardian

Bob UlinPublisher

Justin RitterGraphic Designer

Marie LundstromEditor

Chris KersbergenDarrell GeorgeAdvertising Sales

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Spring 2010

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Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

First Line Leadership “The Way Ahead” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Commander’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Local Air Guardsmen receive national recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Two win at Best Ranger tryouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Rhode Island Guardsman becomes postmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Master Army Aviator takes final flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

R.I. Army Guard Recruiting Command receives national awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Combatives help in battle situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Combatives training gets overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE • (401) 275-4038 • [email protected]

The Governor of Rhode Island and theCaptain General of the Rhode Island National Guard

The Honorable Donald L. Carcieri

The Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island andCommanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard

Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray

Assistant Adjutant General for Army and Deputy Commanding General of the

Rhode Island National Guard

Brig. Gen. Brian W. Goodwin

Commander, Joint Force Headquarters,Rhode Island National Guard

Brig. Gen. Matthew J. Dzialo

Assistant Adjutant General for AirRhode Island National Guard

Brig. Gen. Paul L. Ayers

Managing EditorState Public Affairs Officer

Lt. Col. Bruce Fletcher

Public Affairs Specialists

Sgt. Megan BurmeisterSgt. Peter Ramaglia

Public Affairs Office401-275-4038

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. . . with valor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Rhody Run for the Troops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Rhode Island Guardsman becomes a member of the FBI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Alcohol: Solution or problem? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The Order of Saint Maurice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Hard work pays off in more ways than one! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

R.I. National Guard Soldiers support military values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Getting tax help online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Cover photo taken by Sgt. Michael Simmons 110th PAD

Cover Composed bySgt. Peter Ramaglia

Cover photo taken by

ON THE COVER

Island, DoD, the Rhode Island National Guard, or AQP Publishing, Inc. of the products or services advertised.

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Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Offi ce of Public Affairs, Joint Forces Headquarters – RING. All photographs and graphic devices are copyrighted to the Rhode Island National Guard unless otherwise indicated.

The Ocean State Guardians is published by AQP Publishing, Inc., a private fi rm in no way con-nected with the Rhode Island National Guard, under written contract with the Rhode Island National Guard. This Rhode Island National Guard maga-zine is an authorized publication for employees and military members of the Rhode Island National Guard. Contents of this publication are not neces-sarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the state of Rhode Island, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or the Rhode Island National Guard.

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2 Ocean State Guardian / Spring 2010

Maj. Gen. Robert T. BrayAdjutant General,

Commanding General Rhode Island National Guard

I consider it an honor to be a member of the Rhode Island National Guard. And as a member and a leader, I feel it is imperative that we embrace the rapid demographic changes in our state in order to accomplish our mission. Recruitment, retention and realignment, focused on diversity, make up the foundation of our immediate and long-term success. I challenge each of you to incorporate the three following principles as you fulfi ll your mission.

First, we must EMPOWER each member to utilize the diversity of who they are. When we empower those we lead, we tap into that which goes beyond the uniform. Empowered people perform at a higher level than those who are micromanaged to underachieve. Empowered Soldiers and Airmen will not hesitate to inform, enlighten and remove the barriers that have historically robbed us of our potential. When we empower our personnel, we empower those we are sworn to protect.

Our second responsibility is to be ENGAGED. When we engage those we lead, we involve them in the decision-making process. Engaging

others requires respect of the Soldier or Airman, regardless of rank. The protocol of rank should not overshadow the respect of each member of the team. The millennial generation, the new recruits of our military forces, will quickly leave any organization that does not engage them as valued mem-bers of the team. We must all, regard-less of rank or position, be intolerant of injustice. Take action wherever injustice is seen. Doing so will ensure a culture and command climate of respect where all Soldiers and Airmen are valued for who they are.

Our third step is to EVOLVE. The focus of evolution is change. That which does not evolve becomes extinct. Extinction is not an option for what we do. Extinction would allow our enemy to prevail, our mission to fail and our country to fall victim to terror-ism. Rapidly changing demographics cannot exceed our need to evolve as a fi ghting force. We must recruit, retain, and reinforce within our changing demographics to maintain the valor, character and patriotism of our past.

We are now aware of what is required in order to lay a strong foun-dation for the success of the Rhode

Island National Guard. Following these three steps will ensure a better, stron-ger and more effi cient fi ghting force for our future.

Recall your initial entry into the military: you may remember that you were an individual being trained to become a team member. As a new trainee, you were given policy, protocol and procedure that would govern your life in the armed forces. Policy and protocol will remain the foundation of our fi ghting force structure and should remain infl exible.

The evolution of our military requires us to incorporate diversity in our policies to assist us in recruiting and retention. Transformation recognizes this. Procedure, the way things are accomplished, must keep pace with cultural shifts. Yesterday’s procedure and today’s culture may be in confl ict. Diversity-focused mission objectives resolve these confl icts to maintain our strength. The differences among us are the source of our nation’s strength.

“Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day.”

God bless you, God bless Rhode Island and God bless America.

Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island

Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray, Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, announced that the 143d Airlift Wing, out of Quonset Point, deployed two C-130J aircraft Jan. 22, witha total of 10 personnel in support of the U.S. military’s Haitian relief effort, Operation Unifi ed Response.

THIS JUST IN:RI AIR GUARD HELPING OUT IN HAITI

Diversity:


By Command Sgt. Maj. John J. McDonough IV, State Command Sergeant Major, RIARNG

First Line Leadership “The Way Ahead”

I fi rmly believe that the First Line Leader has the most impact on his/her unit than any other level NCO or offi cer. Whetherr in the Rhode Island Army or Air National Guard the charge is the same: “Take care of your Soldiers and Airmen. Therefore, it is important to know my expecta-tions of our sergeants. Expectations of today’s leaders are much different from yesterday’s. Being technically and tactically profi cient is no longer enough. Today, leader responsibility is far more encompassing. Leaders need to know their Soldiers, have situational awareness of their quality of life, provide the mentorship necessary for career progression and lead by setting the example. Sound leadership is rewarding excellence and disciplining sub-standard performance. It’s doing the “hard right thing.” Being a leader is a full-time responsibility and privilege. Here are my three key priorities.

KNOW YOUR SOLDIERS -The most important of these

expectations is for a sergeant to really know his Soldiers – to have a detailed knowledge of their talents, abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Each First Line Leader must main-tain data of key information on his Soldiers. This information includes weapons qualifi cation date and score, APFT, test date and score, type of military education, both required and completed, and the date and assess-ment of the soldier’s last counseling; and if an NCO, their performance counseling and their last NCO evaluation report. Additionally, but also important, is information on the Soldier’s family situation, dependent status if any, quality of life, their employment status, the basic needs that affect their ability to soldier and continue participation in the Rhode Island National Guard. Leaders will

know the systems that support healthy membership – programs within the Family Assistance Center such as the Yellow Ribbon Program, Survivor Outreach, Youth Challenge Programs, ESGR and Military OneSource.

MENTORSHIP -Developing Soldiers is an essential

part of leadership. Junior leaders are fully responsible for identifying Soldier needs, preparing them for advance-ment, and shaping their future. This is an awesome task; the perpetuation of the NCO Corps rests upon your shoulders. You know the process. You will be training your replacement. In short, you have “been there, done that.” Take the time to demonstrate “what right looks like.” Part of mentor-ship is sponsorship. First Line Lead-ers have new Soldiers showing up in their ranks every IDT period. It is your responsibility to ensure that they are inducted into your squad/section, platoon and unit properly. Ensure that your soldiers are introduced to unit members and that administration, clothing/equipment issue is completed in a timely manner and that they are thoroughly integrated into the unit activity. The reception and welcoming of new personnel is crucial to retention of fi rst-term enlistments. Ensure that your sponsors are instructed in the proper techniques of making Soldiers feel they are wanted and needed as members of the team.

LEADERSHIP AND DISCIPLINE -Bottom line up front, “Set the

Example.” Your ability to infl uence your Soldiers depends on how you’re perceived. If your Soldiers see you as a professional, they will react to your direction. Supervise, motivate, and when required, discipline subordinates. First Line supervision is knowing where your Soldiers are at all times. Calling

them prior to drill, ensur-ing that they are prepared for upcoming training. Motivate your soldiers. Motivation is the greatest intangible during training and combat. During the past training year, I have noticed a great disparity in the results of motivated squads/teams versus non-motivated squads/teams. Hard chargers do extremely well; they tend to work less, because they get the job done right the fi rst time. Positive, motivated leadership is infectious and obtains results. Discipline your Sol-diers when necessary. You maintain discipline by conducting formal and informal NCOPD classes, inspecting personnel and unit areas, and making on-the-spot corrections. Inappropriate action left uncorrected will infl uence other unit members and challenge your authority and ability to maintain standards. Counsel Soldiers for posi-tive performance as well as negative performance. Formal and informal counseling is an Army requirement and necessary to document so your soldiers know what’s required of them. The result is the foundation of NCOER evaluations. You, the First Line Leader, are the key to maintaining esprit de corps. First Line Leadership is focusing on the areas of wear of the military uniform, military bearing, and the conduct of the enlisted members under your charge.

In future editions of the “Guardian,” I will again outline our NCO Corps “The Way Ahead.” I will be visiting your units, looking for you to discuss this article, your support of these priorities, and your role as a Noncommissioned Offi cer. HOOAH !

2010 – YEAR OF THE NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER

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Commander’s Column

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to you and your families for all that you have accomplished over the past year and especially since Sept. 11, 2001.

You have chosen to serve this great nation at a time that is unmatched in our nation’s history. You have vowed to continue to live a life of duty and honor to country, loyalty to the constitution, and to defend the American way of life.

Your dedication to a purpose above and beyond individ-ual aspirations is clear. A Soldier’s life is a tough and chal-lenging road, but there is a reason our line of profession is called service. We are at war, and it is not business as usual. You, as Soldiers in the Rhode Island National Guard, are performing historic and heroic missions every day. You have chosen, in the words of our president, to “defi ne the times, not be defi ned by them.”

Your decision to continue to serve at this very critical time demonstrates both your devotion to duty and your character as a Soldier. As you go forward in your career, it is imperative for you to build upon your training and real world combat experience to lead the way for our younger Soldiers. They look to you for guidance, for leadership and as a role model.

I ask for your help in telling others about the value of service, especially the opportunities for personal growth that come with serving the nation and state. We must ensure that we have a vibrant recruiting and retention pro-gram utilizing all the tools available to assist the recruiting force in maintaining the strength of our units. We all must

take an active role to ensure that the Rhode Island Army National Guard is at 100% assigned with the highest quality Soldiers possible.

George Washington wrote, “Every post is honorable in which [you] can serve [your] country.” This was true then and is still true over 300 years later. The liberties we enjoy are still predicated on the notion that some from each generation will step forward to do danger-ous work for a free society.

For our Army and our nation to continue to be success-ful, our young people must be willing to carry on the tradi-tion of service. We guard the nation and state. This nation deserves and expects our best.

In the words of Woodrow Wilson, “You are not here merely to make a living; you are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a fi ner spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world; you impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.”

So next time someone says to you, “Thank you for your service,” look them straight in the eye and say, “It is an honor to serve my country.”

It is certainly an honor for me to serve alongside of you. Thank you for your service and willingness to protect and defend Rhode Island and the United States of America.

Brig. Gen. Brian GoodwinAssistant Adjutant General for Army Rhode Island National Guard


Sharing holiday spirit with the community. Members of the 143rd Airlift Wing, Maintenance Group, attended a holiday luncheon held by the Freetown, Mass., Council on Aging. This is the second time the maintenance group has been invited to participate in a council event.

Air Guard in the community


Four Air National Guard members of the 281st Combat Communications Group and 282nd Combat Communica-tions Squadron in North Smithfi eld, R.I., recently received national awards rank-ing them among the best of their peers.

At the National Guard Bureau Joint Information Technology Conference Dec. 9 in Orlando, Fla., Lt. Col. Kimberly Baumann, Senior Master Sgt. George Wilkins, Master Sgt. Mayda Jorge, all of the 281st CCG, and Tech. Sgt. John Dumas of the 282nd CBCS were recog-nized by the entire Combat Communica-tions community for their 2009 Commu-nications and Information Awards.

Baumann was selected as the Field Grade Offi cer of the Year, Wilkins as the Base Systems Noncommissioned Offi cer of the Year, Jorge as the Support Noncommissioned Offi cer of the Year and Dumas as the Mission Systems Noncommissioned Offi cer of the Year. Wilkins also received a Minuteman Award from Brig. Gen.

Henry McCann on behalf of Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief, National Guard Bureau.

Col. Mark McGrath said, “The 281st CCG and 282nd CBCS are the premier units in the communications arena in the U.S. Air Force and Air

National Guard. This is just one of the many examples of the outstanding dedicated talent in the R.I. Air National Guard. We continue to excel to the next level, and we are always looking for more talented people to join us on this journey.”

Local Air Guardsmen receive national recognition

Soldiers competed Jan. 13, 2010, in the 1st Annual Army National Guard tryouts for Best Ranger Competition. The top fi ve Soldiers will continue on to represent the Army National Guard at that competition at Fort Benning, Ga., in May.

Capt. Christopher Ahlemeyer and Staff Sgt. Robert Tobin from the 1/143rd Infantry (Airborne) placed 1st and 3rd respectively in the Army National Guard tryouts. They and three others will go on to represent the entire Army National Guard at the Best Ranger Competition in May.

The Best Ranger Competition includes a fi tness test, spot jump, stress shoot, foot march and a water confi dence course. The goal of the competi-tion is to salute the overall best two-man “buddy team” within the Army Ranger organization.

Two win atBest Ranger tryouts

By Capt. Christopher Allen


Donald Deslauriers has been installed as the new postmaster of Greenville, R.I. In a ceremony con-ducted at the Deerfield Park Veterans Memorial, Deslauriers took the oath of office administered by John W. Powers, SENE district manager.

Deslauriers is also Sgt. First Class Donald Deslauriers, Food Service Operations sergeant, 1207th Forward Support Company. Deslauriers has been in the military more than 20 years, the last 12 as a member of the R.I. National Guard. Deslauriers was a long time member of the 1043rd Maintenance Company until its con-solidation with the 1207th to form the current Forward Support Company. Deslauriers deployed with Battery B, 1/103rd FA from 2004-2005 and plans a leave of absence from the U.S. Post Office for an upcoming deployment with the 1207th FSC.

By Master Sgt. James Loffler, VI Manager, RIARNG

While his daughters Katerina and Katelyn hold the Bible, Donald Deslauriers (left) takes the oath of office from John Powers, SENE district manager.

Rhode Island Guardsman becomes postmaster

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Chief Warrant Offi cer Frank A. Puleo, a full-time fl ight instructor with the Rhode Island Army National Guard, wrapped up more than 36 years of military service with his fi nal fl ight in December.

Puleo began his career as an enlisted Soldier in the active Army, serving in Vietnam as a combat medic from 1967 to 1969. After his honor-able discharge from active duty, Puleo returned to Rhode Island and began training at Sturdy Memorial Hospital as a respiratory therapist. He ultimately spent over 30 years as a respiratory therapist, specializing in the critical care of premature infants.

Puleo’s career in the Rhode Island Army National Guard began in 1980. He attended initial entry rotary wing fl ight training at Fort Rucker, Ala., and received his Army aviator wings in February 1988.

In 1997 he joined the staff as a full-time instructor pilot and instrument fl ight examiner. In 2003 he was mobilized for 18 months and deployed throughout the United States as part of Operation Noble Eagle, during which he performed numerous helicopter medevac missions in support of the Department of Defense.

Puleo is qualifi ed as an instructor pilot in the AH-1 Cobra, UH-1 Huey and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. He possesses over 4,000 hours of tactical military fl ight time, including more than 300 under night vision goggle conditions. Puleo is a dual-rated aviator possessing his single- and multi-engine airplane fl ight instructor certifi cates.

Puleo says he is amazed at how fast the time has passed over the last three-plus decades. He cites his enlisted

experience in Vietnam as a medic, becoming a warrant offi cer, and earning his Army avia-tor wings as three fond memories of his career. But Puleo, a native of Italy, acknowledges his most memorable moment as being when he pledged the oath of U.S. citizenship in March 1969, prior to leaving for service in Vietnam.

Lt. Col. Gene Lambrecht, Puleo’s battalion commander and full-time supervisor, summed up his view that “Chief Warrant Offi cer 4 Puleo is a tremendously reliable Soldier who without question is one of the most patriotic professionals I have ever had the honor of serving with.”

Chief Warrant Officer Frank A. Puleo

Chief Warrant Offi cer Frank A. Puleo, a full-time fl ight instructor with the Rhode Island Army National Guard, wrapped up more than 36 years of military service with his fi nal fl ight in December.

Puleo began his career as an enlisted Soldier in the active Army, serving in Vietnam as a combat medic from 1967 to 1969. After his honor-able discharge from active duty, Puleo returned to Rhode Island and began training at Sturdy Memorial Hospital as a respiratory therapist. He ultimately spent over 30 years as a respiratory

experience in Vietnam as a medic, becoming a warrant offi cer, and earning his Army avia-tor wings as three fond memories of his career. But Puleo, a native of Italy, acknowledges his most memorable moment as being when he pledged the oath of U.S. citizenship in March 1969, prior to leaving for service in Vietnam.

Lt. Col. Gene Lambrecht,

U.S. citizenship in March

Master Army aviator takes fi nal fl ightBy Col. Christopher Callahan


For the second consecutive year, the Recruiting and Retention Command of the Rhode Island Army National Guard was recognized by the National Guard Bureau with awards for achieve-ments in strength maintenance for fiscal year 2009.

The awards were presented during the annual Director’s Strength Main-tenance Awards Ceremony Dec. 13 in Washington, D.C. The command was recognized for excellence in achieving the established goals for accessions, enlisted strength and retention. The command also earned a separate award for having the highest “ship rate” among small states during the “summer surge” for the month of August.

Last year, the command received awards for achieving established goals for accessions, attrition man-agement and retention. That was the first time the R.I. Guard had received any strength maintenance awards, according to Sgt. Maj. Anthony Rebello, recruiting and retention operations sergeant major.

“These awards are a testament to the hard work of the recruiters as well as the support staff,” said Lt. Col. James N. Williams, recruiting force commander. “To be recognized like this for two consecutive years is extremely gratifying. But I am especially pleased that our team accomplished these achievements

despite the constrained environment imposed on Army Guard recruiting in the second half of fiscal year 09.” He was referring to what amounted to a tactical pause in recruiting.

For more than two years the National Guard enjoyed an extremely successful recruiting program nation-wide. So much so, that in the spring of 2009, the Guard found itself in the pos-sibly enviable position of being some 10,000 soldiers over strength. In order to come down to authorized levels by the end of the year, numerous restric-tions were placed that effectively limited the available pool that recruiters had to work with. In essence, recruiting standards were increased, minimum test scores raised, and bonuses and incentives reduced or eliminated.

“It definitely made our environ-ment tougher to work in, but at the same time those who were eligible for enlistment were high quality recruits,” Williams said. He also said he expects that the recruiting environment will continue to be challenging for the fore-seeable future. With retention bonuses also reduced or eliminated, the impact on re-enlistment remains to be seen.

Asked if the state’s economic condi-tion has been a factor in the com-mand’s success, Williams said that although it seems logical that people unable to find employment might seek opportunities in the military, he

finds that the reverse may be true for the R.I. Army National Guard. “The traditional National Guard member is a Citizen Soldier, so we are basically a part-time employer. A drill check for one weekend a month would not be a solution for someone needing full-time employment. In fact, we have seen a number of Citizen Soldiers leave the state for jobs elsewhere.” He said he also has seen an increase in those seeking full-time opportunities in the active duty military.

R.I. Army Guard Recruiting Command receives national awards


TAJI, 20 miles north of Baghdad – As we were conducting a cordon-off-and-search of an area, we entered a house. I was number one man in the stack, and I came in the room and shined my light. There were about 15 females sleeping on the fl oor, all ages. I heard an AK-47 lock and load off to my left in a bedroom. I told them to drop their weapon, that we were American.

A man came out of the bedroom, without his weapon. He started to panic, going into fi ght-or-fl ight mode. Because of the women on the fl oor and because he had no weapon in his hand, I couldn’t use my weapon. I handed it off because I didn’t want my weapon to get caught between him and me.

He instinctively came at me. I head-butted him with my helmet,

but he kept coming at me. I got him in a guillotine choke, just to get him to calm down. He kept fi ghting. He pushed me from the living room to the kitchen area. He was starting to get tired, but he was still fi ghting, so I cinched down tighter to try and make him pass out. It’s hard to do with all the gear on. At that point my squad leader came into the room and helped me subdue him so we could continue our operation.

If I had never taken any combatives courses, I really wouldn’t have known how to stop that situation from escalat-ing further.

It is stories like the above Taji from Staff Sgt. Jason Roberts of Alpha Company, 1/182nd IN, and others returning from theater which have brought about a change in how the Army trains for hand-to-hand combat. Soldiers coming back from theater with stories of how combatives can be improved led to the upcoming changes that will be in place by March of this year.

The combatives program overhaul is to get combatives training to every Soldier. Prior to the changes, Soldiers volunteered to receive combatives training. Now the goal is to make combatives accessible for all Sol-diers and uncomplicated for commanders to work the training into a unit’s schedule.

The courses will be adjusted so com-manders can use the lesson plans as plug and play, allowing them to pick a part of the

Combatives help in battle situations

By Sgt. Megan BurmeisterBy Sgt. Megan BurmeisterBy Sgt. Megan Burmeister

“I got him in a guillotine choke, just to get him to calm down.”

TAJI, 20 miles north of Baghdad – As we were conducting a cordon-off-and-search of an area, we entered a house. I was number one man in the stack, and I came in the room and shined my light. There were about 15 females sleeping on the fl oor, all ages. I heard an AK-47 lock and load off to my left in a bedroom. I told them to drop their weapon, that we were American.

A man came out of the bedroom, without his weapon. He started to panic, going into fi ght-or-fl ight mode. Because of the women on the fl oor and because he had no weapon in his hand, I couldn’t use my weapon. I handed it off because I didn’t want my weapon to get caught between him and me.

He instinctively came at me. I head-butted him with my helmet,

but he kept coming at me. I got him in a guillotine choke, just to but he kept coming at me. I got him in a guillotine choke, just to get him to calm down. He kept fi ghting. He pushed me from the get him to calm down. He kept fi ghting. He pushed me from the living room to the kitchen area. He was starting to get tired, but living room to the kitchen area. He was starting to get tired, but he was still fi ghting, so I cinched down tighter to try and make he was still fi ghting, so I cinched down tighter to try and make him pass out. It’s hard to do with all the gear on. At that point him pass out. It’s hard to do with all the gear on. At that point my squad leader came into the room my squad leader came into the room and helped me subdue him so we could and helped me subdue him so we could continue our operation.continue our operation.

If I had never taken any combatives courses, I really wouldn’t have known courses, I really wouldn’t have known how to stop that situation from escalat-how to stop that situation from escalat-ing further.ing further.


“I got him in a guillotine choke, just to get him to calm down.”



modular lesson plan to work on in the unit’s schedule without need-ing large blocks of time dedicated to combatives.

The program is also shifting the lesson content around. Instead of having to complete the monthlong skill level 3 and 4 training, Soldiers can learn standing hand-to-hand techniques at skill level 1 and 2. This shift allows soldiers to learn fundamentals of hand-to-hand combat without neglecting the real-ity of hand-to-hand combat in the real world.

In addition, new recruits will experience 22 hours of combat-ives training, including fi ghting with weapons with their gear on. This will combine the current curriculum of 10 hours of combatives training and 12 hours of rifl e and bayo-net training that basic trainees received before.

The lynchpin of the program is the push to develop more trainers who can take what they have learned back to their units. Soldiers who have already

completed skill levels 3 and 4 will not have to recertify. The combatives school will provide new guidance to be reviewed before instructors teach more classes.

The Rhode Island National Guard recently opened up a new indoor com-batives facility at Camp Fogarty, East Greenwich.

completed skill levels 3 and 4 will not The Rhode Island National Guard


In a military ceremony at the Middle-town Armory Dec. 6, 2009, members of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), received recognition for their actions while in Afghanistan from January - July 2009.

Among the numerous medals pre-sented were two Bronze Star Medals with Valor. The Bronze Star Medal with Valor is a prestigious award rarely given.

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to a person who distinguishes himself by heroic or meritori-ous achievement or services while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving confl ict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign

forces engaged in an armed confl ict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The “V” device is worn to denote participation in acts of heroism involving confl ict with an armed enemy.

Due to the sensi-tive nature of Com-pany A’s mission in Afghanistan, the exact details of their actions that resulted in the medals cannot be released.

“The members of Company A continue to perform their often diffi cult missions without complaint,” said Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray. “These awards reaffi rm the dedication to profes-sionalism that Company A can be counted on to exhibit at all times.”

In a military ceremony at the Middle-town Armory Dec. 6, 2009, members of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), received

forces engaged in an armed confl ict against an opposing armed force in which the

…with valor

Members of the Rhode Island National Guard par-ticipated in the 5th Annual Rhody Run for the Troops Oct. 11, 2009, in Bonnet Shores, Narragansett, R.I. The run is put together by the organiza-tion Pack It Up as a fund raiser to support their mission. The mission of Pack it Up is to make sure our troops who are serving overseas know that those of us back home are thinking of them, hoping and praying for their safe return. They send over care packages to their con-tacts in deployed locations to distribute to the troops. During each month they raise as much money as they can and then ship whatever items the troops have requested. Pack It Up was formed in 2004.

For more information visit theirwebsite at www.packitup.org.

Rhody Run for the TroopsBy Master Sgt. Janeen MillerBy Master Sgt. Janeen Miller

By Sgt. Megan Burmeister

http://www.packitup.org


Rhode Island Guardsman becomes a member of the FBIOn Jan. 8, 2010, Eric Cervone was

sworn in as a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The ceremony took place at the FBI Acad-emy in Quantico, Va. Cervone attended the academy for five months and was the leading physical fitness cadet from his class of 35.

Cervone had most recently been a member of the 169th Military Police

Company and had been deployed to Iraq from June 2007 until June 2008. Prior to that deployment, he had been deployed from January 2002 until Janu-ary 2003 at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where his unit was attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Cervone chose the FBI for his future because he feels that he will best serve his nation in law enforcement. He had been a member of the U.S. military for over six years.

Now he will carry on that legacy as a member of the FBI.

By Ret. Sgt. John Cervone

http://www.neit.edu

http://www.neit.edu


The use of alcohol or other sub-stances can often seem like a solution to a problem or a situation. Maybe a drink helps you feel a bit more relaxed, or it’s a social thing because everyone else is doing it, or maybe you need that pill because you are in pain. At what point does the solution become a problem?

It is estimated that one person with a drug or alcohol problem signifi cantly affects ten other people. In many cases, the family is the fi rst to see the problem. The family may initially make attempts to express their concern and try to get help for the substance abuser.

Eventually, the family may give up or feel the fi ght is not worth it. This leads to the development of unspoken rules such as don’t talk about problems, don’t feel, don’t talk to outsiders, and don’t rock the boat. The family may live in a state of tension that is obvious to everyone but the substance abuser.

If there are children in the family, they may begin to have problems with friends or in school. Young children may regress – for instance, they may start wetting the bed. Some children may feel they need to be perfect and hold the responsibility of keeping the family together, while another child provides comic relief. A spouse may feel the burden of the family falls solely on them, and they in turn become angry and resentful.

When the family starts to experience stress because someone is drinking or using drugs, then there IS a problem. The good news is that there is help. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can help the substance abuser. There is Al-Anon, a support group open to family and friends of a substance abuser.

In the Rhode Island National Guard, confi dential counseling services can be obtained through the RING Director of Psychological Health, Chris Newell-

Loyko. As a contractor, the DPH pro-vides confi dential services to all Guard members and their families.

Substance abuse services can also be obtained for service members through Staff Sgt. Stephanie Riotte, RING Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Outreach coordinator.

Alcohol: Solution or Problem?By Christine Newell-Loyko, LICSW

Chris Newell-Loyko, LICSW1051 North Main StreetProvidence, RI 02904Office: (401) 275-4318

BB: (401) 256-3528E-mail: [email protected]

Staff Sgt. Stephanie Riotte570 Read School House Road,

Coventry, RI 02816Work: (401) 275-1122Cell: (401) 275-3647

E-mail: [email protected]



http://umary.edu/sade


CAMP VARNUM (Narragansett), R.I. – The Order of Saint Maurice recognizes individuals who have contributed signifi cantly to the U.S. Army Infantry in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient’s

seniors, subordinates, and peers. These individuals must also demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and moral charac-ter; an outstanding degree of professional competence, and serve the U.S. Army Infantry or the infantry community with distinction.

In front of his unit, the 243rd Regiment, with family and friends present, Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Dyer was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice, in the degree of Primicerius, the highest degree of the award, by the National Infantry Association and presented to him by Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray, the Adjutant General and Lt. Col. Ellis Hopkins, 243rd Regiment Commander,

in October 2009.Dyer has been

in the military more than 23 years, serving in a variety of infantry positions, and has served overseas in Afghan-istan twice as an embedded trainer and mentor.

Story by Master Sgt. James Loffl er and photos by Sgt. 1st Class James Duncanson, 243rd Regiment, RIARNG

Command Sgt. Maj. Dyer with his son Liam, and wife Lisa.

Story by Master Sgt. James Loffl er and photos by Sgt. 1st Class James Duncanson, 243rd Regiment, RIARNG

The Order of Saint Maurice

“…, be it known that Command Sergeant Major Christopher L. Dyer was tested and found worthy of special recognition for outstanding contributions to the community of Army Infantry and is hereby inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Maurice for Signifi cant and Lasting Contributions to the Infantry.

…, Command Sergeant Major Christopher L. Dyer embodies these qualities and represents excellence in the Infantry. Therefore, the Chief of Infantry and the President of the National Infantry Association acknowledge that this patriot is due special honor and respect for now and posterity.”


The Order of Saint MauriceThe Order of Saint MauriceAlcohol: Solution or Problem?

The Order of Saint Maurice award.

The award certificate.

Following are excerpts from the award citation:


Hard work pays off in more ways than one!By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller

Each year the men and women of the Rhode Island National Guard, Soldiers and Airmen alike, are asked to “give up” one of their UTS weekends in order to assist in the tremendous effort it takes to host the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show for our community.

The RING Open House & Air Show is known around the country and within the air show community as one of the best shows out there. This distinction came because of the efforts made by you to make it the show that it is. Many of you probably cringe at the mere sight of the words “Air Show,” much as we all do when we hear the words “Chem Ex.” How-ever, if you knew how your efforts affect the people in our community who receive the money collected during this outstanding event, you might feel a little differently about the Air Show and the hard work you put into it each year.

We are proud to announce that in 2009 we have donated $100,000.00

to the Hasbro Children’s Hospital and $42,000.00 to other local chari-ties. This brings our total donations over the past 19 years to $1.3 million to the Hasbro Children’s Hospital and $300,000 to the smaller local charities.

It was my pleasure to be present for some of these check presenta-tions, and I will tell you that no amount goes unappreciated. Each organization knows that if it weren’t for the hard work you put into the show every year, they wouldn’t receive these generous donations to help fund their efforts for the community.

On behalf of all of the organiza-tions that have received donations from the RING Open House & Air Show 2009 and all of the previous years, I would like to extend a giant THANK YOU! Keep up the good work! Air Show 2010 will mark our 20th Anniversary and will be head-lined by the USAF Thunderbirds June 26-27, 2010. Let’s make it another great success!

Hasbro Children’s Hospital $100,000.00NGARI $20,000.00Special Olympics of RI $6,000.00Ronald McDonald House $5,000.00National Guard Memorial $3,000.00Quonset Air Museum $3,000.00URI Women’s Hockey $3,000.00Civil Air Patrol $2,000.00

Quonset Air Museum

Ronald McDonald House

RING Open House & Air Show 2009 Donations:

ScrapbookScrapbookScrapbookScrapbookScrapbookScrapbookScrapbook

2009 R.I. National Guard Open House & Air Show

ScrapbookScrapbookMembers of the 115th Police Co. on duty in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba


Special Olympics of RI

Hasbro Childran’e Hospital

Civil Air Patrol

http://www.trdp.org

http://www.tricaredentalprogram.com

R.I. National Guard Soldiers Support Military Values

http://www.militarybenefit.org

http://twitter.com/militarybenefit

http://facebook.com/MilitaryBenefit


Maj. Ken NilesThe essence of duty is acting in the absence of orders or direction from

others, based on an inner sense of what is morally and professionally right. Maj. Ken Niles continuously demonstrates this value through the various acts he commits, always mindful of the mission, the Soldiers entrusted to him, and lastly himself. Selfl essly volunteering to deploy to Iraq in 2005, Maj. Niles quickly embraced the position of Battle Major, ensuring that all systems were in place to manage theatre detainee operations. Upon return from Iraq in 2006, Niles was assigned to the 56th Troop Command. While there he was tasked to support Leapfest as well as several other notable high-risk training events, an assignment he performed fl awlessly, ensuring that all elements came together to provide a safe venue for all participants. Niles’ current assignment is at Providence College ROTC, where he serves as the Opera-tions and Training Offi cer responsible for teaching future offi cers.

Niles embodies what it is to be a professional soldier, from representing Rhode Island at the National Guard Marathon to tactical and technical pro-fi ciency learned from wanting to achieve the highest standard possible. He lives the Army Values and fulfi lls his obligations to accomplish the mission.

R.I. National Guard Soldiers Support Military Values

ARMY VALUE: Maj. Ken NilesMaj. Ken Niles

The essence of duty is acting in the absence of orders or direction from others, based on an inner sense of what is morally and professionally right.

Duty

Tech. Sgt. Pete Rogers

AIR VALUE:

Tech. Sgt. Pete RogersTech. Sgt. Pete Rogers Service before selfOn Dec. 8, 2009, Tech. Sgt. Pete Rogers,

a Traditional Guardsman Safety NCO of the 282nd Combat Communications Squadron, had just left his Providence apartment to get a meal at a local restaurant when over the sounds of the city, he heard a faint yell.

As he ran toward the city’s Waterplace Park and River Walk, he heard more sounds, the slapping of hands against water. Wasting no time, Rogers immediately dialed 911 on his cell phone and stuck the phone in his pocket, opening a line with the emergency dispatcher as he ran to the source of the sounds. There he saw a young man fl ailing in icy cold river water which was clearly over his head.

Rogers quickly surveyed the area, and seeing no ladders or other tools he could use to reach out to the man, he braced himself the best he could along the

dockside and reached out to grab the strug-gling man’s hand. Once he had the man’s hand, Rogers reached into his pocket, grabbed his cell phone, and told the 911 dispatcher where they were and the situation.

With the man rapidly losing his physical abilities in the water and his clothing completely saturated, Rogers yelled for help while struggling to keep the man’s head above water. A local businessman who had heard Rogers call for help came running up and grabbed the man’s other hand. Still, two were unable to pull the victim up and out of the Providence River.

Then an Eagle Scout arrived, and the three of them were able to pull the now unconscious man from the water. Rogers sent people for towels from

a local restaurant while he worked to warm the man and check his vital signs. As the man regained consciousness, the Providence Fire Department crew arrived and took over.

dockside and reached out to grab the strug-dockside and reached out to grab the strug-gling man’s hand. Once he had the man’s hand, Rogers reached into his pocket, grabbed his cell phone, and told the 911 dispatcher where they were and the situation.

in the water and his clothing completely saturated, Rogers yelled for help while struggling to keep the man’s head above water. A local businessman who had heard Rogers call for help came running up and grabbed the man’s other hand. Still, two were unable to pull the victim up and out of the Providence River.

them were able to pull the now unconscious man from the water. Rogers sent people for towels from

If you know someone who should be profi led as living the Army or Air Force Values please contact Sgt. Megan Burmeister at 401-275-4038 or [email protected]



In the words of Daniel Lawrence Whitney, aka Larry the Cable Guy, it’s time to “Git-R-Done”! Yes, it’s tax time again. But unlike the days of the M-14, fi ling your taxes has never been easier. Nowadays, there are numerous online tax preparation services that do every-thing but iron your uniform. The typical online tax program asks a series of questions, crunches the numbers based on your answers, fi lls out the federal and state tax returns, and transmits them directly to the IRS and your state’s department of revenue on your behalf. The cost is minimal and, for some, free. If you are entitled to a refund, you’ll see the cash directly deposited in your desig-nated account within a couple of weeks.

For service members and their fami-lies, Military OneSource – www.military-onesource.com – has teamed up with H&R Block to provide online tax fi ling. For taxpayers who claim the standard deduction, there is a no-cost (i.e., free!) version called H&R Block At Home Basic Online. For an additional charge, those taxpayers who need to fi le a Schedule C to deduct home mortgage interest, rental property expenses, asset depreciation, or other business expenses, can access H&R Block At Home Premium Online. Through this same partnership, service members can also use the free Military OneSource Tax Hotline at 1-800-730-3802. It’s available to all service members and their families, seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST to answer your tax questions.

To get started, register for a free Military OneSource account at www.militaryonesource.com. Once you are logged in, fi nd the link to H&R Block At Home. To get the free online service, you must access H&R Block At Home through Military OneSource. Then, using a simple interview process to quickly walk through the return pro-cess, you can complete and electroni-cally fi le your federal tax plus up to three state tax fi lings. To sign your return electronically, note that you’ll have options. You can either enter

your 2008 Adjusted Gross Income found on Form 1040, Line 37; Form 1040A, Line 2; or Form 1040EZ, Line 04; or use your 2008 Personal Identifi -cation Number (PIN) that you created if you e-fi led your 2008 return.

If you need to pay taxes, you can do so by personal check, credit card, or electronic funds withdrawal. To check on a refund, see the “Where’s My Refund?” feature on www.irs.gov. While only man-datory in a few states (Hawaii, Okla., and Ark.), you should fi le your federal and state returns together. You can do this through H&R Block At Home Online and most other online tax services.

After you fi le electronically, make sure you print a copy of your completed returns for your records. You may need them for student loan applications, mortgage applications, or other fi nancial situations. In most circumstances, the statute of limitations for auditing your federal return is three years after it is fi led, so it’s a good idea to hold on to a copy of it for at least that amount of time and probably for a few years after that before sending it through the shredder.

For further assistance, feel free to contact the Rhode Island National Guard’s legal assistance offi ce at (401) 275-4006.

Getting tax help onlineBy Capt. Michael P. Jolin, Legal Assistance Attorney

http://www.militaryonesource.com



http://www.irs.gov


http://www.hiexpress.com

http://www.expressmilford.com

http://usfamilyhealth.org

Ocean State Guardian - Spring 2010

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