2003TrainingReview

Mobilization

update

at easeat ease

Fighter Wing excels

New Joint ForceHeadquarters

2003TrainingReview

Official Magazine of the WisconsinArmy and Air National Guard

The Adjutant General: Maj. Gen. Al WilkeningDeputy Adjutant General Army: Brig. Gen. Kerry G. DensonDeputy Adjutant General Air: Brig. Gen. Fred R. SloanDirector of Public Affairs: Lt. Col. Tim Donovan

At Ease StaffPublications Editor: Kelly BradleyPhoto and Copy Editor: Larry Sommers

Contributing staff writers and photojouralists:

At Ease is an official publication authorized under the provisions of AR 360-1, andis published by the Department of Military Affairs, State of Wisconsin. It is distributedwithout charge to the members of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard.Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the WisconsinDepartment of Military Affairs or those of the Departments of the Army and AirForce. Printer — Royle Printing, Sun Prairie, WI; Method of Reproduction —Web Offset; Circulation — 17,000.

Maj. Bob GiblinCapt. Jacqueline GuthrieCadet Luella DooleySgt. 1st Class Julie FriedmanSgt. 1st Class Chris MalingerStaff Sgt. Keith FenskeStaff Sgt. Brian JopekSgt. Ronald Minnick

How to Reach UsE-mail: atease@wi.ngb.army.mil

Phone: (608) 242-3055 Fax: (608) 242-3051Address: Department of Military Affairs; Attn: Editor, At Ease

2400 Wright Street; Madison, WI 53704-2572

SubmissionsFor photo or story submissions, please call (608) 242-3055

or e-mail atease@wi.ngb.army.mil for our Style Guide.

Change of Address Current Guardmembers: At Ease gets your current mailingaddress from your unit records. No special notification isneeded. Guard retirees, civilian and institutional addressees:Change of address notification should be sent to Sarah Selahat the address below.

Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Attn: Sarah Selah2400 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704-2572

Fax: (608) 242-3168 E-mail: sarah.selah@dma.state.wi.us

Spc. Sara RoeskeSpc. Mary FlynnSpc. Gretel SharpeeMaster Sgt. Wayne RodriguezTech. Sgt. Paul GormanStaff Sgt. (ret.) Tom DohertyStaff Sgt. Thomas SobczykNorm Lenburg

at ease

January 2004

at easeat ease AnnAnn

32nd BrigadeStepping outTraveling with Red Arrow soldiers as theyresurrect the ‘straight leg’ tradition.

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Annual Training ReviewThe 32nd Brigade trains for its new lightinfantry mission.

Old TimersRed Arrow vets offer timely tips for today’stroops.

MLRSWisconsin rocketeers’ first live-fire becomes afamily affair.

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nual Training 03nual Training 03

FEATURESMobilization UpdateSome units return from active duty whileothers deploy.

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ORI115th Fighter Wing passes inspection withflying colors.

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Joint Force HeadquartersWisconsin Army and Air National Guardcombine staffs for 21st Century and beyond.

Front Cover:

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Spc. Russell Simonisheads for infantry

training duringAnnual Training2003. Photo bySgt. 1st Class

Chris Malinger.

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4 From the Top

4 Letters to the Editor

5 People in the news

30 News Briefs

DEPARTMENTS

2004 Pay ChartCheck out your pay for the year 2004.

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From the top

Maj. Gen. Al Wilkening

4 at ease

As we begin another new year, I want to briefly share withyou three experiences I had during the year just past. Theyhave to do with the finest men and women of Wisconsin —soldiers and airmen of the Wisconsin National Guard.

First, shipping out. During the past year about 1,500members of the Army and Air National Guard of Wisconsinwere ordered to active duty, mustered at their hometownarmories or air bases, made final preparations for their activeduty missions — then, in most cases, deployed to someplacefar away from their homes, families, jobs, and civilian lives.From Ashland to Beloit, from Rhinelander to Prairie du Chien— and in 17 other Wisconsin communities in between —soldiers and airmen said good-bye to their loved ones as theyanswered their nation’s call.

I watched these farewells with mixed emotions. On onehand, I regretted that families would be separated, thatholidays and birthdays and school plays would be missed, andthat many of these fine young men and women of ourWisconsin National Guard were being sent into harm’s way.But on the other hand, I was so proud of them as theyprepared to serve.

I was also proud of Wisconsin for all the support ourtroops were shown as they left their hometowns fordestinations half a world away. It wasn’t always this way.

Second, serving America. Most of Wisconsin knows onlyas much about what our troops are doing overseas as theylearn from the national news stories produced by wireservices, major newspapers or network television crews.These stories sometimes tell us good news, but they alwaysfind a way to tell us when things go wrong — and they rarelycover the Wisconsin National Guard.

In November, I had an opportunity to visit many of ourtroops in Kuwait and Iraq and see firsthand what the newsmedia have not been able to show you: that our Wisconsintroops are highly respected by their active duty superiors, thatthey are doing excellent work in a hostile environment, thatthey are serving both America and the Iraqi people withdistinction. Seeing these sons and daughters of Wisconsin inaction was the highlight of my military career.

The service of our Wisconsin troops has not come easilynor without significant sacrifice. Families are temporarilydisrupted and key employees are absent from Wisconsinbusinesses. And, most seriously of all, about two dozenWisconsin Guard soldiers have been wounded in hostileaction. Please keep these brave men and women and their

families in your thoughts andprayers until their safe return.

Finally, coming home. Of allthe experiences I’ve had during thepast year, none equals thehappiness I’ve felt seeing ourtroops step off airplanes and intothe arms of their families. Ifyou’ve ever seen a father hold hissix-month-old baby for the firsttime, you can begin to imagine howjoyous these homecomings havebeen.

I hope to see many morehomecomings in the year ahead.

During 2003, nine Wisconsin members of the U.S. armedforces lost their lives while serving their country in Iraq.

IN MEMORIAM Sgt. Kirk A. Straseskie, 23, Beaver Dam, 1st Battalion, 4th

Marine Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps.

Maj. Mathew E. Schram, 36, Brookfield, 3rd Armored CavalryRegiment, U.S. Army.

Sgt. 1st Class Dan H. Gabrielson, 39, Spooner, 652nd Engi-neer Company, U.S. Army Reserve.

Spc. Paul J. Sturino, 21, Rice Lake, 101st Airborne Division,U.S. Army.

Pfc. Rachel K. Bosveld, 19, Waupun, 527th Military PoliceCompany, V Corps, U.S. Army.

Spc. Eugene A. Uhl III, 21, Amherst, 101st Airborne Division,U.S. Army.

Sgt. Warren S. Hanson, 36, Clintonville, 101st Airborne Division,U.S. Army.

2nd Lt. Jeremy L. Wolfe, 37, Menomonee, 101st Airborne Divi-sion, U.S. Army.

Maj. Christopher J. Splinter, 43, Platteville, 1st EngineerBrigade, U.S. Army.

I join with all of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of thesebrave Americans.

Letters to the Editor... Congratulations on the new magazine-format At Ease. It’s a first-class publication, with first-class pictures and stories, a quantumleap from the old newsprint tabloid that served its time. Nothing ismore important in print journalism these days than changing withthe times. Your new colorful magazine will get more readers,more attention and more credit for the Wisconsin National Guard.Please pass on my congratulations to the entire pubic affairs staffof the Wisconsin Guard. Great job!

I received my latest issue of At Ease and was so surprised tosee that it is now in color. When I receive these, I always readthrough the entire magazine. I must commend you on thiscolor issue.

David W. Ecoff, Sr.Retired Lt. Col., Wisconsin Air National Guard

The new At Ease looks fantastic! Keep up the good work!

Tech. Sgt. Tim Hein115th Fighter Wing

Dave ZweifelEditor, The Capital Times, Madison

Retired Col., Wisconsin Army National Guard

Note: Dave Zweifel was founding editor of At Ease in 1976.

Jackan earns First Army top honors

January 2004 5

Guard soldier is USAR’s top troopStaff Sgt. Brian Jopek

It’s unusual — maybe withoutprecedent — but the United States ArmyReserve’s 2003 Soldier of the Year is anArmy National Guard member: Spc.Tracy Oswald of the 107th MaintenanceCompany, Wisconsin Army NationalGuard.

Oswald’s unit was mobilized inJanuary and assigned to Fort McCoy tooperate the Installation Materials andMaintenance Activity, performingneeded repairs on equipment going to,and returning from, Operation Iraqi

Story by Larry SommersAt Ease Staff

A Wisconsin National Guardartilleryman is the First U.S. ArmySoldier of the Year for 2003.

Spc. Daniel R. Jackan, a forwardobserver in 1st Battalion, 120th FieldArtillery, placed first among sevencommand-level and regional Soldiersof the Year from throughout First Army.The selection was made after twodays of field tests and questioning by agroup of command sergeants major, ina competition held in Atlanta, Ga., inAugust.

“Everyone will look to you,regardless of rank or position, foroutstanding performance, and it isyour duty to demonstrate superbleadership to all who see you,” saidCommand Sgt. Maj. Mitch Lewis,guest speaker at the awardsceremony, addressing all thecompetitors. “You will have a uniquepower to motivate others by your

achievements, your demeanor andvery presence.”

Jackan was named Soldier of theYear for First U.S. Army West (Illinois,Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio,Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, andMichigan) in an earlier competition atCamp Grayling, Mich. He is a full-timestudent at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying secondaryeducation.

Jackan also was runner-up for U.S.Army Forces Command Soldier of theYear, after a three-day competition atFort McPherson, Ga.

Besides the trip to Atlanta, Jackanreceived an expense-paid week inWashington, D.C., includingopportunities to meet many top soldiersand tour important military sites.

Freedom. As activated soldiers andpermanent party members on an ArmyReserve post, the Guard members basedin Sparta, Viroqua and Sussexautomatically became part of the USAR’sSoldier of the Year competition.

Oswald, Sparta, a 19-year-oldMarquette University accounting studentand a light-wheel mechanic in the 107th,was named Fort McCoy’s Soldier of theYear. She then captured USAR-widehonors after three days of competition —including a rain-drenched PT test, Common

Task Trainingexams, M-16target shooting anda very muddy land-navigation course,as well as an oralboard exam —and went on torepresent the ArmyReserve in theU.S. Army Forces

Command competition at FortMcPherson, Ga., in August.

“I’m very happy and very surprised— it was a very close and tightcompetition among all the soldierscompeting,” Oswald said after winningthe Army Reserve title. “I am veryhonored to come out on top.”

After completing all competitions,Oswald returned to Fort McCoy andcontinued her professional developmentby completing MOS school as a heavy-wheel mechanic. She also successfullycompleted airborne school, includingfive jumps from an aircraft in threeweeks of training, at Fort Benning, Ga.— an unexpected perk from the Soldier-of-the-Year competition.

“Specialist Oswald’s success hashad a positive influence on companymorale,” said Capt. Jelora Coman,commander of the 107th, “as we are allproud of her and have enjoyed cheeringher on.”

Spc. Tracy Oswald, right, and Sgt. Dawn Westrum, 1110th SignalBrigade, Fort Meade, Md., complete the “mystery task” ofrescuing a 160-pound dummy during the FORSCOM Soldier ofthe Year competition at Fort McPherson, Ga.

Gov. Jim Doyle congratulates Spc. DanielJackan, a forward observer in Det. 1 HHS,1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, whoplaced first among seven command-leveland regional Soldiers of the Year fromthroughout First Army.

Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Beatty, FORSCOM News Service

people in the news

6 at ease

Wisconsin National Guard units on active duty 724th Engineer Battalion (Iraq) 229th Engineer Company (Iraq) 32nd Military Police Company (Iraq) 1158th Transportation Company (Fort Irwin, Calif.) 832nd Medical Company (Fort Lewis, Washington) 107th Maintenance Company (Fort McCoy) 115th Fighter Wing (Truax Field) Det. 1, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Mobilizing at Fort McCoy) 264th Engineer Group (Mobilizing at Fort McCoy) Company B 118th Medical Battalion (Mobilizing at Fort Drum, N.Y.) 232nd Personnel Services Company (Mobilizing at Fort McCoy) Task Force Red Arrow (115th Fighter Wing, 128th Air Refueling

Wing, 440th Airlift Wing)

Wisconsin National Guard units returned from active duty 64th Rear Operations Center (Monroe) 1157th Transportation Company (Oshkosh) 332nd Rear Area Operations Center (Berlin) 128th Air Refueling Wing (Mitchell Field) 147th Command Aviation Battalion (Madison) 829th Engineer Detachment (Richland Center) 106th Engineer Detachment (Ashland) 128th Air Control Squadron (Volk Field)

It would be hard to imagine a busieryear for the Wisconsin National Guardthan was 2003.

More than a dozen units mobilizedand deployed to the other side of theworld, where they took part in twoseparate, large-scale operations. Otherunits, as well as individual soldiers andairmen, served here in the U.S. to defendour homeland or support militaryinstallations stretched beyond their limits.

By summer, a few units hadcompleted their missions and headed forhome. But as the year drew to a close, stillother Wisconsin Guard units were justgetting their marching orders — headingout to relieve active, Guard and reserveunits approaching a full year away fromhome.

JanuaryThe year 2003 began with 480

members of the Wisconsin Army and AirNational Guard already on active duty,many since shortly after the attacks ofSeptember 11, 2001. Now, before U.S.military action against the SaddamHussein regime in Iraq, things were againstirring here in Wisconsin: The 107th Maintenance Company

mobilized 110 members to beef upthe mobilization station maintenancecapabilities at Fort McCoy.

The Army Guard set up a task force of32nd Brigade soldiers to augmentsecurity at the Air Guard’s base atTruax Field in Madison, and at both theReserve and Guard bases atMilwaukee’s Mitchell Field. AirNational Guard and Air Force Reservesecurity forces had been on active dutyfor well over a year and were spreadtoo thin to sustain an adequate securitylevel.

The 832nd Medical Company, WestBend, sent about 45 soldiers and fourUH-1 Huey air ambulances to fill thegap left at Fort Lewis, Wash., when theinstallation’s medevac helicopters wereneeded elsewhere.

This was just the beginning.

A member of the 147th Command Aviation Battalion practices ‘duck and cover’ during asandstorm in Kuwait. Sandstorms, high temperatures — and most recently — rain, plaguedthe 147th and other Wisconsin National Guard units serving in Iraq and Kuwait.

Boots on the Boots on the

January 2004 7

Mobilizations continueStill more than a month before

hostilities would commence in Iraq, moreWisconsin Army Guard units were orderedto active duty.

In Madison, the 147th CommandAviation Battalion was mobilized Feb. 2.The Madison aviators had deployed toKuwait from July 2001 through August2002 supporting Operation Desert Spring,so they were already familiar with desertflying and even with the bases they wouldoccupy in Kuwait when they arrived onstation in March.

Soldiers of the 229th EngineerCompany, Prairie du Chien and Platteville,also knew something about the region. In1990, the unit had mobilized for OperationDesert Storm. The call came again onFeb. 4, 2003. Normally, a unit would havea little time between receiving an alertnotification and a mobilization order; thistime, the 229th had about four hours.Then, given only three days from moborder to report date, all 160 soldiersnevertheless showed up on time.

For 53 members of the Ashland-based106th Quarry Team, there were morequestions than answers — notably, whywas this unit mobilized in mid-February?The 106th has a straightforward, ifunusual, mission: making little rocks out

of big rocks with a giant 150-tons-per-hour rock-rushingmachine. Did Iraq need a lot oflittle rocks? Apparently not.After more than two monthsmarking time at Fort McCoy, the106th — minus crusher — wassent to Fort Lewis, Wash., wherethe soldiers provided neededsupport to the Army’s nationalReserve Officer Training Corpsadvance camp. So instead ofmaking gravel for the Army, the106th helped make lieutenants.

And for a dozen soldiers ofRichland Center’s 829thEngineer Detachment,mobilization orders seemed alltoo familiar. In late 2001, theunit sent 12 members toAfghanistan for six months; thistime the entire unit ofcarpenters, plumbers, masonsand electricians deployed toKuwait.

The 1,000 troop call-upOn March 1, Wisconsin

received its biggest mobilizationorder for Army Guard forces in more than41 years. Nearly 1,000 troops, membersof two company-sized units and onebattalion, were ordered to active duty

effective two weeks later. Joining othermobilized Wisconsin National Guard unitswere 160 members of the 32nd MilitaryPolice Company, Milwaukee andMadison; 300 soldiers from the 1158thTransportation Company of Tomah, Beloitand Black River Falls; and about 500soldiers from the 724th Engineer Battalionof Hayward, Superior, Chippewa Falls,Medford, Tomahawk and Rhinelander.The mid-March call was the largest single-day mobilization of Wisconsin Guardtroops since the 32nd Division’s call-upfor the 1960 Berlin Crisis.

These soldiers were just settling in atFort McCoy to complete theirmobilization processing when militaryoperations began in Iraq.

Members of the724th Engineer Bat-talion repair win-dow jambs and re-place broken glassand torn screens ata school in south-ern Iraq.

A member of the 32nd Military Police Company conferswith two Iraqi police officers in Baghdad.

Continued on page 8

groundground

8 at ease

The 32nd MPs and 724th Engineerseventually deployed to Kuwait in Mayand got into Iraq a bit later, but thetransportation soldiers would have adifferent experience. The Army’sprojected need for heavy trucks totransport tanks and fighting vehicles in

Iraq vanished in the swift progress ofcombat operations, so about half the1158th’s 300 soldiers were releasedfrom active duty in June. But theNational Training Center at Fort Irwin,Calif., and the U.S. Army’s ArmorCenter at Fort Knox, Ky., needed the

unit’s heavy hauling capabilities, and140 soldiers and their Heavy EquipmentTransporters were sent to the two activeduty installations.

Air Guard’s continued involvementWisconsin Air Guard units were

tapped within hours of 9-11. Many ofWisconsin’s airmen had alreadyaccomplished active-duty missions andreturned home as hostilities in Iraq wereabout to begin. Madison’s 115th FighterWing stayed busy with an ongoing alertmission at Truax Field — and thatmission continues to this day. The128th Air Refueling Wing alsoconducted military operations at homeand abroad since the September 2001attacks, but requirements for the 128th’sactive-duty support had begun to scaledown. Then, in early March, the unit’sair refueling services were back indemand, and another 100 airmen andseveral KC-135 tankers flew off tosupport Air Force efforts in and aroundSouthwest Asia.

The 128th Air Control Squadron,Volk Field, was also tapped again. Inthe months following 9-11 the unitoperated a mobile radar site in northernIllinois, but the squadron’s new orderssent them to Afghanistan.

Missions accomplishedThe summer months brought an end

to the missions of three deployedWisconsin Army Guard units.

The 332nd Rear Area OperationsCenter, Berlin, left Wisconsin forAfghanistan in mid-December 2002,and all 28 of the unit’s soldiers arrivedhome safely on July 11.

Two other units had been at FortBragg, N.C., for nearly a year. The 64thRear Operations Center, Monroe,arrived home on July 27, and the 1157thTransportation Company, Oshkosh, onAug. 18. Both units, while stationed atFort Bragg, had members deployedoverseas for either Operation IraqiFreedom or Operation EnduringFreedom in Afghanistan.

A student-in-arms reflects on Iraq

By Laura Naylor (32nd MP Company, Baghdad, Iraq)

I usually define myself as a college student, proudly proclaiming the

fact that I belong to the fine University of Wisconsin at Madison. As a

member of the National Guard, I have always considered myself more

of a civilian than a soldier.

Things have changed. I have changed. After spending a short five

months overseas, my life will never be the same. I now see myself as a

soldier—a proud American soldier.

Every day I drive on the dangerous streets of Baghdad, hear the

distant and not-so-distant gunfire, and see the lack of regulated laws. I

feel bad for the people who have to live like this all the time.

People may not agree with us being over here. They may think it is a

waste of time and money. I can honestly say that it was hard to leave

my family and friends, to stop school dead in its tracks, to basically

put my life on hold for the unknown.

However, I want everyone to know that I am blessed. I am experiencing

something very few Americans can even grasp. I will be able to go

home and fall in love with my whole life all over again. Every little

detail will mean the world to me. The smell of grass, the falling rain (or

snow), my own bed, a flushable toilet, picking out my own clothes and

the ability to go anywhere at anytime without fear for my life. In other

words... freedom! This is the very reason I am here, so the people of

Iraq can understand what it feels like to be free.

Every day at work I see sadness in the peoples’ eyes. I’ve seen

brothers betray brothers, people shoot at their neighbors and kids

alienated from their parents. This city is garbage-laden, with no

government to help clean it up. I see police officers too afraid to

answer calls or help their own people. It is amazing that this city can

still function. Somehow the people find enough courage to persevere

through the hard times.

January 2004 9

Moving the finish lineAll Wisconsin Army Guard units

activated in the early months of 2003 werecalled up as part of a ‘Partial Mobilization’of the Guard and reserve. Under thisprovision of federal law, members of theGuard and reserve can be called to activeduty for no more than two years. But themobilization orders our units receivedwere only 12-month orders, and they camewith an expectation that overseas servicewould be limited to about half that time —only about six months “downrange.” Thesix other months were needed for pre- andpost-mobilization processing, and toexpend any military leave earned bysoldiers during their time on active duty.

As some units were approaching theirexpected six months overseas service, thePentagon announced a new policy: Guardand reserve soldiers would be needed —“boots on the ground” — for one full yearoverseas. The finish line had just beenmoved six months.

This new policy was not good newsfor soldiers, their families or their civilianemployers. Soldiers who expected tocome home in September wouldn’t beback until March; those who thoughtthey’d be finished in November wouldhave to wait until May.

The 12-month “boots on the ground”policy would affect most Wisconsin Army

Guard soldiers deployed for OperationIraqi Freedom. Some exceptions weremade for units whose services were nolonger required.

One such exception applied to aportion of the 147th Aviation Battalion.This unit shipped out to Kuwait in Marchwith 205 members of the battalion’sHeadquarters Company, Company C andCompany D. Because another unit was setto assume the battalion’s command andadministrative functions, the 147th’sheadquarters and most of the maintenancesoldiers from Company D were no longerrequired; and so 160 members came homein mid-September. But the aviationmission didn’t go away, so 45 members ofthe unit — including all the pilots andcrew chiefs from Company C and about adozen maintenance troops from CompanyD — were kept in Kuwait until they couldbe relieved by another unit.

Two soldiers of the 229th Engineer Companyescaped their burning truck just before itbecame engulfed in flames after striking aland mine.

Maj. Gen. Al Wilkening talks with members ofthe 829th Engineer Company in Kuwait inNovember. Wilkening took the trip to visitdeployed units in Kuwait and Iraq.

Continued on page 10

10 at ease

Purple HeartsIn September the first casualty from

hostile action was reported from one ofour deployed units. A soldier from the32nd Military Police Company wasseriously injured when an improvisedexplosive device was detonated while shewas on patrol in Baghdad. This would notbe the first IED attack on the MPcompany, nor the last injury suffered bysoldiers from this unit.

By year’s end, about 20 soldiers fromthe 32nd MP Company were injured byIEDs while they patrolled the Iraqi capital.Only a few injuries were consideredserious, none were life-threatening — andmost of the injured soldiers were quicklyreturned to duty.

Two soldiers from the 229th EngineerCompany were injured when their dumptruck struck a land mine near Tikrit. Onesoldier received a serious foot injury andthe other suffered what was believed to bea temporary hearing injury. The truck wasdestroyed.

Clearly, Wisconsin’s sons anddaughters were serving in harm’s way.But it was also clear that the protectivegear worn by our soldiers works. It saveslives.

Two-way traffic and a false alarmAs 2003 was drawing to a close, the

Wisconsin Guard was tapped to provideforces for a second rotation of troops toIraq. At the same time, a few units startedcoming home.

Four Army Guard units received alertnotifications on Nov. 6, and for three ofthem a mobilization order followed withina few days. The 264th Engineer GroupHeadquarters, Chippewa Falls; CompanyB, 118th Medical Battalion, Waukesha;and the 232nd Personnel Services

Chief Warrant Officer Leif Mikkelson greets his son Eric and wife Jill at the 147th CommandAviation Battalion’s welcome home ceremony on Dec. 22 for the remaining 45 members.

A soldier from the 264th Engineer Group saysgoodbye to a family member in December. The264th as well as Company B, 118th MedicalBattalion, the 232nd Personnel Services Com-pany and 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detach-ment will be leaving soon for their overseasmissions.

Norm LenburgN

orm

Len

burg

January 2004 11

Web sites connect units with family and friends

Above: The 724th’s Camel, riding his owncamel through the deserts of Iraq. TheEngineer Battalion’s Web site iswww.armycamel.com.

The 147th’s Web site, www.badgerden.us,showcases some of their travels into Iraq.Here the ruins of Bablyon are in theforeground, with one of Saddam’s castlesin the background.

Left: A member of the 32nd Military PoliceCompany helps line up members of the IraqiPolice Force. More photos are available atwww.519mp.org.

Two of Wisconsin’s deployedunits — the 724th Engineer Battalionand the 32nd Military Police Company— and the 1-147th Command AviationBattalion who returned home inDecember, have developed Web sitesto document their experiences and tostay in touch with their families andfriends.

The 724th Engineer Battalion,deployed to southern Iraq since May,has companies based in Hayward,Superior, Spooner, Chippewa Falls,Medford, Tomahawk and Rhinelander.The unit’s unofficial Web site wasdeveloped and is maintained by Sgt.Quinn Williams. Williams bought astuffed camel while on his honeymoonin Florida, took it with him to Iraq, andhas photographed it in hundreds ofsettings — usually with one or moreunit members — for the entertainmentof site visitors. This camel theme givesthe site its name,www.armycamel.com.

The site is chock full of pictures,with over thirty photo galleries featur-ing “the Camel” and unit members.Visitors can sign the guestbook, andthere are even some short films toview. You can also order your very own“Army Camel” t-shirt.

Madison’s 147th CommandAviation Battalion, in Kuwait fromMarch through December, created theWeb site www.badgerden.us. There

are fourteen different photo galleriesdevoted to the experiences of the units’companies, plus topics like Friday NightBoxing, Predeployment, and views ofBaghdad. Two galleries are devoted tothe ruins of Babylon. There is at leastone picture of every deployed memberof the 147th, and you can buy printsfrom FotoTime through the Web site.

Milwaukee and Madison’s 32ndMilitary Police Company, who have beenin Baghdad since May, have a Web sitethrough their higher command atwww.519mp.org. On the left side of thepage under Units in the Battalion, clickon the 32nd link. Their newsletter isposted with comments from the com-mander, first sergeant, platoons andsections. Some individual soldiers’accomplishments and bravery arehighlighted in the platoon and sectionscomments. Click on Pictures on theupper left corner and view snapshots ofthe soldiers.

Company, Madison, were ordered toactive duty for up to 18 months effectiveDec. 7. (The new, 18-month activationswere standard, designed to accommodatea 12-month overseas deployment withtraining and administrative time beforeand after.)

Another unit, the Wisconsin portionof the 139th Mobile Public AffairsDetachment, had been on alert sinceValentine’s Day 2003. On Dec. 7, ourstate’s ten public affairs soldiers enteredactive duty and joined up with theirIllinois-based parent unit for mobprocessing at Fort McCoy.

While newly-mobilized units wereheading out to their mobilization stationsin one direction, two units were on areverse heading. The 829th EngineerDetachment returned from Kuwait Dec.13, and the final 45 members of the 147thAviation Battalion — the first troopsrequired to stay overseas beyond theiroriginal six-month expectation — landedat Volk Field shortly after midnight Dec.20, just in time to spend Christmas withtheir families.

The fourth Army Guard unit alertedon Nov. 6, Kenosha-based 1st Battalion,126th Field Artillery, remained on alert

for about six weeks but was released fromalert in time for the holidays.

Year-end 2003On Dec. 31, 2003, the Wisconsin

Guard had 1,540 soldiers and airmenserving on active duty. Of those, 900 weredeployed overseas with about 200 moreexpected to ship out after they completemobilization processing.

The 1,540 troops now on active dutyconstitute fewer than half of the WisconsinNational Guard members activated since thecurrent mobilization of the Guard andreserve began more than two years ago.

11

12 at ease

Annual Training 2003By Maj. Bob Giblin

At Ease Staff

“A positive attitude is 90 percent —make that 99 percent — of the game, andpositive attitudes helped make AT 2003very successful,” said Col. James Krueck,commander of the 32nd Infantry Brigade,after two weeks of Annual Training atFort McCoy. “From top to bottom, mostof my soldiers were not just positive, theywere pumped up.”

The 32nd has seen a lot of changesover the years, having been a division,then a separate mechanized infantrybrigade, then a mechanized brigaderounding out the Minnesota-based 34thInfantry Division. In March 2001, thechief of the National Guard Bureauapproved the unit’s conversion from

mechanized to a light infantry and from adivisional brigade to an enhanced separatebrigade. As light infantry, the soldierswill train to fight on foot, not fromhumvees and armored personnel carriers.As an enhanced separate brigade, the32nd exists outside of any divisionalstructure and gets its own high priority forequipment, support, and training.

This year, soldiers focused onindividual and military skillqualifications. “We trained on fewertasks,” said Krueck, “but trained them tostandard, and retrained.”

Training was helped this year by achange in the way that the WisconsinNational Guard’s traditional Governor’sDay was handled. In past years, thegovernor’s visit usually included aceremonial pass-in-review on the Fort

“From top to bottom,most of my soldiers

were not justpositive, they were

pumped up.”

Spc. Mary Flynn

A member of the 32nd Infantry Brigade focuses on a targetduring a training exercise at Annual Training in June of 2003.

January 2004 13

McCoy parade field. This year, however,Gov. Jim Doyle visited units in the fieldas they trained, which allowed the brigadeto remain focused on its training.

“Our soldiers appreciated it a lotmore, too,” said Krueck. “They likedhaving the governor see actual training,and they also appreciated the opportunityto show the governor what they reallydo.”

Over the next several years, trainingand validation will move to the squad andplatoon level, company level andbattalion level, building up to a brigadeexercise at the Joint Readiness TrainingCenter, (JRTC), Fort Polk, La., in 2008.

Between now and 2008, the brigadewill send one company from 1stBattalion, 128th Infantry, to JRTC to actas opposing forces — OPFOR, the“enemy” in JRTC battle exercises — andanother to participate as part of a“friendly” coalition force. The brigadealso will supply soldiers as observers andcontrollers at JRTC, and will participatein an upcoming Warfighter exercise atFort Leavenworth, Kan.

Then, in 2007, the brigade plans arehearsal exercise at Fort McCoy toprepare for the 2008 brigade exercise.The rehearsal will include some 3,500brigade soldiers, plus as many as 3,000additional soldiers, who will providemechanized infantry, armor, aviation andother support.

Krueck believes the brigade’stransition has given it a renewed sense ofpurpose, and that the morale boostprovided by the new mission is showingtangible results. “Actually, this hashelped recruiting and retention a lot,” heexplains. “This year, we’re up 140 instrength, and we’re exceeding ourrecruiting goals. Our attrition rate isdeclining without stop-loss. People areexcited about the new mission and wantto stay in.

“Now, we need to focus onmobilization and readiness. The 32ndneeds to be ready on a moment’s notice.Our soldiers need to understand the worldsituation, and keep up that positive, can-do attitude.”

Sgt

. 1st

Cla

ss C

hris

Mal

inge

r

A 32nd Infantry Brigade soldier takes coverbehind a tree while participating in an

exercise during Annual Training last year.

A rocket, launched by Battery A, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery,from a Multiple Launch Rocket System launch vehicle, fliesdownrange at Fort McCoy. Spc. Gretel Sharpee

Story by Spcs. Sara Roeske, Mary Flynn and Gretel SharpeeAt Ease Staff

The Wisconsin National Guard’s first live-fire training with the Army’s Multiple LaunchRocket System became a family affair at Fort McCoy June 6. Members of the 1stBattalion, 121st Field Artillery, invited family members to watch rockets go whooshingdown range.

The battalion is converting from the 155mm self-propelled howitzer to MLRS — ahighly mobile, automatic system that fires surface-to-surface rockets and missiles. (InArmy parlance, a missile has a guidance system based on inertial navigation or GlobalPositioning System data, while a rocket depends on a ballistic trajectory to hit its target.)From inside the launch vehicle’s cab, a crew of three can fire up to 12 MLRS rockets.

Battery A fired the MLRS during its two weeks’ Annual Training, from May 24 to June7. The rest of the battalion soldiers had the opportunity to fire in the following weeks.

Spc. Greg Weller, a radio operator with Battery A, was especially excited to show hisfamily what he does in the Guard. The smiles on their faces showed their pride andsupport.

“We’re pretty proud that he would want to defend his country,” said Greg’s parents,Kim and Sue Weller. Knowing that he could be called to duty at any time scares them alittle, however — especially since September 11, 2001.

This day’s event brought back memories for Frank Finch III, Milwaukee, who servedtwo tours as a machine gunner in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

“The military is a great way to establish discipline and learn a new skill. The benefitsare great as well,” Finch said.

His son, Spc. Keith Finch is a crewmember of the new MLRS. As one of the first inBattery A to learn how to operate the MLRS, he became one of the trainers for the rest ofthe unit when he returned from his Advanced Individual Training.

The battalion’s transition to MLRS began last year, and according to the battalioncommander, Lt. Col. John Schroeder, “It’s going very well. Battery A’s live-fire exerciseJune 6th was excellent.”

Rocketeers

“We’re prettyproud that hewould want to

defend hiscountry.”

Pfc. Douglas O’Keefe and his wife Kristy, Wilmot, Wis., join Kristy’s sister Briana and brother Jacob Robers, Brighton, Wis., to watch theMLRS fire. O’Keefe is a fire direction control specialist for Battery A, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery.

January 2004 15

Spc. Mary Flynn

Infantrymen from Company C, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, pour through abreach in the lines during Lanes Training at Fort McCoy, June 2003.Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Malinger

Putting theirPutting theirPutting theirPutting theirPutting their

bestbestbestbestbest f f f f feeeeeeeeeet fot fot fot fot fo

orwardorwardorwardorwardorward

Story by Spcs. Mary Flynnand Gretel Sharpee

At Ease Staff

You hear them before you see them —leaves rustling, twigs cracking, as they slowlycreep through in the woods. You know they’reover there, but you can’t even begin to seethem. Suddenly, gunshots ring out, and thewoods erupt with action. From nowhere,soldiers in heavy camouflage, carrying rifles,appear and rush toward the narrow gravelroad.

“Go! Go! Go!” They fling themselvesdown on the ground, calling out to each otheras smoke fills the air. A few are able to crossthe road and lie in the shelter of the bermlined with coils of barbed wire. One by one,soldiers fall to the ground; they’ve been hit. Alittle farther down the road, men havemanaged to cut through the enemy wire, andthey take turns low-crawling to the other sideof the barrier. “I’m out of ammo!” and“Cover me!” ring out all along the barrier.From behind trees and brush, they fire theirweapons at enemy soldiers.

Someone yells out, “ENDEX!” and theaction stops. The “dead” rise from wherethey’d fallen and join the “living” soldiers tosit beside the road and receive the after-action

review from their commanding officers.Members of 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry,listen carefully as their cadre deliverconstructive criticism.

This is an exercise, one of many thebattalion will conduct during Annual Training2003. Before AT is finished, they will practiceother battle skills, such as breaking contactand reacting to an ambush. This year’sAnnual Training is a little bit different fromthose in the past. All of the infantry battalionsin the 32nd Brigade are learning to use newequipment and practice tactical skills specificto “leg” infantry. The brigade’s transitionfrom mechanized to light infantry, now in itssecond year, means that soldiers who oncerode Humvees and Bradley fighting vehiclesto the field, now go on foot. Not only is thetraining more physically demanding, but itaffects field preparation. Soldiers have tocarry all of their gear on their backs, forcingthem to pack much lighter.

The soldiers do not seem to mind theconversion. To them, infantry is infantry;whether they march or ride does not matter.And they no longer have to worry aboutmechanical breakdowns.

“But man, I miss those vehicles though,”jokes Cpl. Ben Streeter, Madison, a member

of Company C, as he makes his way to visitthe medic after an intense training exercise.

The 32nd Brigade medics have had toadjust as well: “We have changed ourtraining scenarios to match the new types ofinjuries we are expecting,” says Spc. KurtWozniak, Marshfield, a medic with 2ndBattalion, 128th Infantry. Light infantrymenare physically active and most commonlyhave injuries to their muscles, said Wozniak,while in mechanized infantry, most injuriesresult from vehicle-related accidents.

Wisconsin’s light infantrymen includecar salesmen, deputy sheriffs, officemanagers, computer technicians, and menfrom other civilian careers. Some are full-time Guard members in the Active Guardand Reserve program. Many are, or were,students and joined the Guard for tuitionassistance.

They discovered, however, that theGuard’s impact on their lives went farbeyond college finances; the skills anddiscipline they learned through militarytraining helped tremendously with theirstudies. “It helps you to concentrate,” saidSpc. Edward Schultz, Watertown, a memberof Company A, 2nd Battalion, 128thInfantry.

18 at ease

Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry lay down a wall of fire as they react to contact during lanes training at Fort McCoy, Wis.A live-fire exercise, it tests the mettle of the soldier in a simulated combat environment.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Malinger

Student members of the 127th’sheadquarters company reconnaissance squadagree that on campus, they automaticallyfeel set apart. You have a responsibility andan identity just from a uniform. Also, drillweekends distract soldiers from thepressures of college. “It takes the edge offof school” said Spc. Kurtis Schaeuble,Menasha.

The men also agree that the infantry is alot of work.

“If we aren’t training, we’re either eating,sleeping, or cleaning weapons,” says Cpl. JonJones, Appleton, of Company B, 2ndBattalion, 127th Infantry. Foot soldiers live inthe field and do the Army’s dirty work. Theytrain in any weather, and during the busy two-week AT, there is little room for downtime.

So why would a man subject himself tobad weather, bugs, blisters, and constant hardwork?

The question surprises the men of the127th. Most of them can’t imagine doinganything else. Many say it is because of thecamaraderie.

“We’re one big, happy, aggravatedfamily,” says Staff Sgt. Steve Haugen, NewLondon.

“Yeah, misery breeds closeness,” agreesSgt. 1st Class Mike Roth, Oshkosh.

Others enjoy mastering infantrychallenges. “I like the feeling ofaccomplishment when I complete a task,” saysPfc. Dan Constantineau, Milwaukee, amember of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 128thInfantry.

Some soldiers can say it in six words: “Weget to blow stuff up.”

Following the after-action review withtheir commanding officers, the troops prepareto repeat the battle drill once more before theyeat chow. After dinner, they’ll head back tothe field to do the drills again and again, untiltheir leaders are satisfied. They are hot, dirty,tired, and haven’t showered in days; but theydrive on like true soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Paul Wagner, Elkhorn, ofCompany A, 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry,made the point during his 12-mile road march

in the testing for the Expert InfantrymanBadge. Soaked through with sweat and rain,dog-tired, and with over four miles left to goin just 50 minutes, he took a few moments toshare his view of the profession — then brokeinto a trot to catch up with his comrades,unhindered by the 40-pound rucksack strappedon his shoulders.

“Infantry is soldiering in its purest form,”he said with a smile. “It’s what being a soldieris all about.”

January 2004 19

Infantrymen from the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, get some chow in the field during AnnualTraining at Fort McCoy.

Spc. Mary Flynn

Pvt. Eric Stilp, Winchester, calls back to hiscomrades to “cover him” as he conducts a 3-5second rush during a battle drill. Spc. Mary Flynn

20 at ease

Retired Master Sgt. Jerry Carey pours potatoes inpreparation for lunch during the 32nd Red ArrowInfantry Division/Brigade Old Timer’s Club‘summer camp’ at Fort McCoy.

January 2004 21

By Sgt. 1st Class Julie FriedmanPhotos by Staff Sgt. Keith Fenske

At Ease Staff

Vets. Retirees. Old-timers.Regardless what you call them,

these guys have been around —and they have some good advicefor today’s Guard soldiers and theirfamilies.

Every year since 1947,members of the 32nd Red ArrowInfantry Division/Brigade OldTimers Club have gathered for afull week of “summer camp” duringthe 32nd Brigade’s Annual Trainingat Fort McCoy.

They enjoy visiting units of the32nd Brigade in the field and tolearn about the latest equipmentand training, but they also love toshare their memories with currentsoldiers.

“I think all young people shouldserve a year or two after high school,just for the discipline it teaches you,”said E.J. “Doc” Sartell of Janesville,who served for 14 years. “I was ayoung hotshot high school athlete,and the older guys put me in myplace. It gave me the discipline I’velived by all my life.”

Sartell, now 81, joined theNational Guard in 1938 and wasfederalized Oct. 15, 1940, with therest of the Guard. He became partof the Americal Division, that wasformed in New Caledonia andfought from Guadalcanal to theoccupation of Japan during WorldWar II. He was discharged in 1945but rejoined the Guard and wasactivated again in 1950 for theKorean conflict. He rose to therank of master sergeant beforegetting out for good in 1952,something he really doesn’t regret.

“The pay was low and there wereno benefits,” he said, “but when first Ijoined it was the Depression. A dollara drill was a lot then.”

Fortunately, pay and benefitsfor reservists got a lot better overthe next decade.

Retired Sgt. 1st Class W. FredRockwell, Eau Claire, was draftedin 1946 but released in 1947, andended up joining the Guard in 1951.He retired from the 1st Battalion,128th Infantry in 1985 with 35 yearsof service.

“It’s a good sideline job and thebenefits have really made adifference in the quality of myretirement, especially with Tricare,”he said.

Following in his footsteps arehis son, Sgt. 1st Class PeteRockwell, who works full-time forthe Guard in Madison; and hisgrandson, Spc. Dan Rockwell, asupply specialist currently deployedto Kuwait with the 32nd MilitaryPolice Company.

“My son joined for the studentloan repayment program and mygrandson joined for the collegemoney they’re offering now,” hesaid.

B. K. “Dutch” Deutscher,Mondovi, spent 34 years in theservice, retiring in 1981 ascommand sergeant major of the264th Engineer Group. He thinksevery young person should havemilitary experience, and thosemaking the military a career should“learn as much as you can, that’sthe way you get promoted.” Tosoldiers who joined for theeducational benefits, he says, “Getyour degree and get a commission.”

His advice to leaders is: “Befirm, but fair; and don’t be afraid todelegate responsibility.”

“My philosophy has alwaysbeen that a commander is only asgood as his staff,” said retired Brig.Gen. Charles Scharine, Whitewater,who started out in the Guard as aprivate in 1953. He received a directcommission in 1956 and eventuallybecame commander of the 32ndInfantry Brigade, the assignmentfrom which he retired in 1987.

Senior leaders, said Scharine,should “maintain a sincereconfidence in your junior officersand NCOs. Trust their judgment, butsupervise the results.”

Those who enjoyed long andsuccessful military careers creditedtheir wives and families. Whileencouraging military wives orhusbands to have their owninterests, they said it’s importantthat spouses trust each other andmaintain the integrity of therelationship.

“It’s a hardship on the familiesat times,” said Rockwell, “but theyneed to support the troops.”

E.J. “Doc” Sartell

Charles Scharine

Fred Rockwell

B.K. “Dutch” Deutscher

Old Timers

Master Sgt. Louis Gagliardi of the 115th Fighter Wing provides aid to a fallen com-rade following a simulated chemical attack, as part of an Operational ReadinessExercise (ORE) held at Volk Field. Tech. Sgt. Paul Gorman

ORI: FighterWing rated‘Excellent’

January 2004 23

115th Fighter Wing firefighter Senior Airman Crystal Stoneopens a water main during the June Operational ReadinessExercise at Volk Field.

Master Sgt. Donna O’Connor

Master Sgt. Donna O’Connor

Staff Sgt. Alice Sischo detains an intruder during the Operational ReadinessExercise (ORE) in April.

By Tech. Sgt. Michael P. Coller and Capt. Chris Rodel115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Yes, you’ve been doing it all along — but now, prove youcan do it.

In the seven years since the 115th Fighter Wing lastproved itself to Air Force inspectors, the Madison unit’s F-16fighters have suppressed Saddam Hussein’s air defenses,patrolled the vulnerable skies over the upper Midwest, andmet a brisk training schedule at Hardwood Range andelsewhere.

But now the Air Force said it was time to formally validatethe wing’s combat capabilities through a new OperationalReadiness Inspection.

A lot had changed since the last ORI.“Our primary weapons system, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, is

not the same as it was back in 1996,” said Master Sgt. DavidAnderson, wing historian. “Back then, the F-16 was basically aday-time general purpose aircraft. But in 2003 this aircraft iscapable of carrying precision-guided munitions aided bytargeting pods for both day- and night-time employment. Thepilot can even fly and deliver munitions at night with the aid ofnight vision goggles.”

Recent fluctuations in retirements and enlistments requiredrapid, yet thorough, training. And the training had to beaccomplished without compromising the unit’s real-worldmission of protecting the Midwestern skies.

Continued on page 24

24 at ease

Tech. Sgt. Paul Gorman

Tech. Sgt. Paul GormanLt. Col. Jonathan Graham gets a hand strapping into his F-16 from Tech. Sgt. Matt Normyle.

Firefighters Staff Sgt. Jennifer Arms, left, and Senior Airman Crystal Stone, right, prepare to assist with a drill during the OperationalReadiness Inspection (ORI) at the 115th Fighter Wing.

It all added up to a major headache for wingcommander Col. Steven Foster, who assumedcommand less than a year ago, when Brig. Gen.Fred Sloan was assigned as Wisconsin’sdeputy adjutant general for Air. To preparepersonnel for the upcoming ORI and tune upthe unit’s performance in real life, Fosterscheduled two Operational ReadinessExercises, in April and June 2003.

The payoff came August 15-25, when anAir Combat Command inspector general teamconsisting of 105 inspectors descended on TruaxField and Volk Field to rate the 115th’sperformance. The ten-day inspection wasdivided into a deployment phase at Truax andan employment phase at Volk, simulating short-notice deployment and combat operations.

The deployment phase required unitmembers to prepare and send off 10 F-16swhile processing 405 personnel and 205 tonsof cargo for deployment. Under the eyes ofthe inspectors, the wing generated 10 F-16s,and one spare, well within the timerequirement and, according to the IG’s report,“flawlessly processed all 405 personnel.” Theunit then sent 11 jets, over 800 personnel, andtheir associated equipment to Volk Field forthe employment phase.

“Employment” of a combat unit like the115th is a synonym for combat. Once

Continued on page 27

January 2004 25

Above: Senior Airman Aaron Lowe andMaster Sgt. Charles Bohmert aid aninjured victim during the April ORE.

Master Sgt. Donna O’Connor

Left: Staff Sgt. Kimberly Rodel from the115th Logistics Readiness Squadron per-forms the function of security augmenteefor the April ORE.

Tech

. Sgt

. Pau

l Gor

man

Tech. Sgt. Paul GormanStaff Sgt. Michael Murphy, right, and another member of the 115th Fighter Wing givea helping hand to an injured comrade during an ORI simulated drill.

Tech. Sgt. Paul Gorman

January 2004 27

Tech

. Sgt

. Pau

l Gor

man

Left: Sweep team members Tech. Sgts. TrentStein and Albert Kelly, 115th Fighter Wing, usea visual reference guide to identify and reportUnexploded Ordnance (UXOs) following asimulated chemical attack.

Above: Members of the 115th Fighter Wing,Wisconsin Air National Guard, await rescueafter their bus is damaged in a simulatedchemical weapons attack, part of an Opera-tional Readiness Exercise at Volk Field in June.

deployed to Volk Field, the wing launched 58combat sorties — all but one consideredeffective by the evaluators. One hundredpercent of air-to-air missile shots were judgedeffective and 93 percent of air-to-groundmunition deliveries were scored as hits.

One of the demands of an inspectionscenario is doing one’s job in a simulatedchemical warfare environment. The 115th’spersonnel, encumbered with bulky protectivesuits, earned “Outstanding” ratings in both jobperformance and Nuclear, Biological,Chemical and Conventional Warfareknowledge.

The IG team also conducted 11 separateexercises during the inspection, 7 of whichearned “Outstanding” or “Excellent” ratingsfor the wing. In one significant exercise, theTruax Fire Department took a mere 34seconds rescuing a disabled pilot from an F-16.

The inspectors scored the unit on 216separate items, each graded “Outstanding,”“Excellent,” “Satisfactory,” “Marginal,” or“Unsatisfactory.” The wing scored“Excellent” or “Outstanding” — far exceedingthe mission standards, with few, if any,deficiencies — on 63 percent of the items.Only 7 percent of the rated items were lessthan “Satisfactory.”

“To the casual observer,” said Foster, “whatwe did over the ORI may have looked easy.

“We packed up our stuff here, with ‘nearflawless personnel and cargo processing,’according to the IG. We deployed to Volk,fought the war, then packed up and camehome with all our stuff in an amazingly shorttime. It’s a testament to the professionalism ofall involved that we made the difficult lookeasy, and the near-impossible — likemaintaining our full-time Noble Eagle missionat the same time — look, well… possible.”

Earning an overall “Excellent” rating onthe ORI proved yet again that the members ofthe 115th Fighter Wing are among the best inthe force.

28 at ease

Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum announced the historic reor-ganization of the National Guard Bureau in May 2003.Wisconsin and 53 other states and territories wereordered to change their state Guard headquarters intoJoint Force Headquarters (JFHQs).

“We fight jointly, and we need totrain and operate on a daily basis in a jointenvironment so we can make thetransition (from citizen to soldier) veryquickly,” said Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum,newly appointed chief of the NationalGuard Bureau, in a Pentagon pressbriefing May 16, 2003. “After all, oursymbol is the Minuteman.”

Blum was announcing a historicreorganization of the National GuardBureau into a joint force headquarters.States’ and territories’ state Guardheadquarters were ordered to transformthemselves into JFHQs, paralleling theNGB’s move in Washington.

“We will be better understood by ouractive-duty counterparts,” Blum predicted.“We will then be seen for what we are —reliable, ready and accessible.”

It’s all part of the transformation ofthe armed forces being orchestrated bySecretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

“The wars and conflicts in this 21stcentury will not be fought by individualservices — whether Army, Navy, AirForce or Marines,” Rumsfeld told 2003’sclass of graduating midshipmen at theU.S. Naval Academy. “You will have tothink, train and exercise jointly, because…that is how the wars of your future will befought.”

The Wisconsin National Guardstood up its new joint headquarters Oct.1, formalizing what has been informalpolicy in the Badger State for decades.

“The Wisconsin National Guard haslong been a leader in jointness among the54 states and territories,” said Maj. Gen.Al Wilkening, the adjutant general. “OurArmy and Air Guard commanders andstaffs have operated in an effective,informal joint environment for manyyears.

“The newly-established Joint ForceHeadquarters Wisconsin will make analready outstanding organization evenmore effective in the future and will also

enhance our state emergencyresponse capabilities withWisconsin EmergencyManagement.”

In addition to the Army andAir National Guard, Wilkeninginvited the other reservecomponents into the state’sheadquarters to be part of a trulyjoint organization, offeringeffective planning and operationsacross the full range of capabilitiesWisconsin and America expect.Wisconsin’s JFHQ was establishedas a provisional organization, sothe state’s leaders can fine-tune itduring the year ahead.

What will this mean toWisconsin National Guardmembers?

Some staff functions havemoved from the former State AreaCommand (STARC) into the newjoint staff, and members of the Air Guard’sheadquarters have been blended into theJoint Force Headquarters. Because theArmy and Air National Guard are stillcontrolled by different sets of regulations,policies and procedures, the Joint ForceHeadquarters includes separate LandComponent and Air Component staffs.

Staff functions that can support eitheror both of the components have beenpulled together into a joint staff. Theseinclude human resources, installationmanagement (facilities), civil-militaryrelations, military support and informationmanagement. Other joint staff functions— including inspector general, judgeadvocate, surgeon, public affairs, andchaplain — continue to be attached to theadjutant general’s personal staff. Positionson the joint and personal staffs may be heldby members of either the Army or AirNational Guard. The Land Component andAir Component staffs will be headed bymembers of the Army and Air Guard,respectively.

Col. Scott Legwold, an Army Guardofficer, has been named chief of the newjoint staff. Col. James A. Krueck hassucceeded Col. Stephen Peterson as theLand Component chief of staff, and Col.Jerry Olesen is full-time chief of staff forthe Air Component.

Land Component staff positions willnow be officially designated by theArmy’s G-series (G-1 through G-4 forPersonnel, Intelligence, Operations andLogistics), and Joint Staff positions willbe designated J-1 through J-7.

Is this “just another reorganization”?Not according to Blum.

“This will require a new way ofthinking,” he says. “Most realtransformation happens right betweenyour ears. It’s not about hardware, and it’snot about information technology. It’sabout how you think. And we need tochange the way we think.”

Note: A National Guard Bureauarticle by Master Sgt. Bob Haskelcontributed to this story.

January 2004 29

Wisconsin Guard members on active dutyAs this magazine went to press in January, approxi-

mately 1,540 members of the Wisconsin National Guardwere serving on active duty — receiving active duty pay andbenefits.

Compensation for active duty service — as with Guardpay — is based on rank and time in service. The followingfigures combine basic pay, the basic allowance forsubsistance and the basic allowance for housing. Here aresome examples:

■ Army Specialist or Air Force Senior Airman(E-4) with four years of service — $35,619.

■ Army Staff Sergeant or Air Force Tech Sergeant(E-6) with 12 years — $50,866.

■ Army Master Sergeant or Air Force SeniorMaster Sergeant (E-8) with 22 years — $68,752.

■ Chief Warrant Officer 3 (W-3) with ten years —$62,721.

■ Captain (O-3) with eight years — $73,759.

Guard members on active duty are eligible to receivenon-taxable allowances for subsistence and housing. Theexamples given include the “tax advantage” from untaxedallowances.

Based on the U.S. military’s historic custom of providingroom and board (or “rations”) as part of a service member’spay, Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is meant tooffset the costs for service members’ meals. BAS is currently$175.23 a month for officers. Enlisted personnel receive$254.46 each month — or $262.50 per month if rations-in-kind are not available.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is an allowance tooffset the cost of housing when service members do notreceive government-provided housing. Individual BAH ratesdepend upon location, pay grade and whether or not aservice member has dependents.

Pay and benefit charts are available online at dod.mil/militarypay.

Years of Service< 2 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

16,81014,15311,0139,4148,3477,1876,2384,949

7,0476,2335,5635,027

4,9174,2863,8083,4403,1402,8092,506

17,16414,44511,73610,0668,9047,7577,1855,982

7,2506,4885,8265,282

5,1044,4763,9923,6273,3292,8092,506

17,26314,67611,73510,1889,0288,4577,4285,982

8,4577,4285,982

7,4496,5726,0175,447

5,3544,6594,1813,8093,3292,8092,506

17,70315,09311,78110,5949,5458,8627,5815,982

8,8627,5816,389

7,7926,8406,1815,885

5,5494,8514,4743,9723,3292,8092,506

17,44215,50712,28510,83810,1009,3067,5815,982

9,3067,8226,625

7,1317,1476,6316,149

6,4805,8835,2844,7273,9723,3292,8092,506

18,61415,98512,35211,37410,7899,5957,5815,982

9,5958,2296,866

8,4747,5516,9766,384

7,9166,7666,0715,4524,9133,9723,3292,8092,506

19,31416,46212,35211,76611,32710,0687,5815,982

10,0688,5447,103

8,8087,9517,2326,646

8,0956,9436,2585,6394,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

Commissioned Officers with more than four years as Enlisted or Warrant Officer

Enlisted Personnel

O-9O-8O-7O-6O-5O-4O-3O-2O-1

O-3EO-2EO-1E

W-5W-4W-3W-2W-1

E-9E-8E-7E-6E-5E-4E-3E-2E-1

Warrant Officers (Army National Guard)

Commissioned Officers

Annual pay rates are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

19,51516,94013,05412,27211,70010,3147,5815,982

10,4678,7797,428

9,1548,3777,4816,819

8,3217,1566,5945,8034,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

20,11818,44214,29513,04911,91410,3147,5815,982

10,6958,7797,428

9,6968,6967,6526,976

8,5887,3876,7615,8614,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

20,99119,71115,02313,41812,03910,3147,5815,982

11,0078,7797,428

10,0449,0137,7967,231

8,8557,8026,9215,9014,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

23,00421,79619,71115,75213,78312,03910,3147,5815,982

11,0078,7797,428

11,25710,3839,1508,0707,425

9,2848,0137,0185,9014,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

23,33622,33419,71116,16614,19812,03910,3147,5815,982

11,0078,7797,428

11,64310,7359,2918,3437,425

9,6488,3717,3465,9014,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

23,81422,33419,71116,58614,19812,03910,3147,5815,982

11,0078,7797,428

12,03111,0829,5978,6187,425

10,0318,5707,5585,9014,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

24,65122,33419,81017,40014,19812,03910,3147,5815,982

11,0078,7797,428

12,42011,4369,9048,6187,425

10,6159,0608,0965,9014,9723,9723,3292,8092,506

This chart shows 2004 annual basic pay received by Wisconsin National Guard members for 12 weekend drillsand 15 days annual training. It does not include allowances, special pay, or income received by Guard memberswho perform additional duty.

A YEAR IN THE GUARDA YEAR IN THE GUARD

16,27713,52510,0248,3577,2116,3405,4774,755

6,5515,9825,2624,647

4,5053,8973,5703,2722,9552,809

news briefs

30 at ease

Members of the NationalGuard and Reserve nowreceive unlimited comm-issary benefits, thanks to theNational Defense Author-ization Act for Fiscal Year2004, signed into law byPresident Bush November24. Previously, Guard andReserve members wereauthorized only 24 shoppingdays per year at the DoD-operated grocery outlets.

Tuition grant restored by legislature

“Instructions have goneout to all continental U.S.stores informing them thatreservists now haveunlimited shopping andtelling store managers howto welcome members of theNational Guard andReserve to the full use ofthe commissary benefit,”said Patrick Nixon, deputydirector of the DefenseCommissary Agency.

Unlimited commissary benefits granted to Guard and Reserve

Active-duty airmen whowere unable to take annualleave this past year be-cause they supportedcontingency operations willbe allowed to accumulatemore than the normal 60days after the fiscal yearends.

Air National Guard andAir Force Reserve memberswho performed full-timetraining or other full-timeduty for more than 29 days

are also eligible for thisspecial leave accrual.Those affected can retainup to 90 days of leave untilthe end of fiscal 2004,according to officials.

Those who meet thecriteria for having excessleave should apply forspecial leave accrualthrough their commandchannels.— From Airman magazine,Sept. 2003

Some airmen can carry over‘use or lose’ leave

Soldiers and airmenattending college on theWisconsin National GuardTuition Grant Program willcontinue to have 100percent of their tuitionpaid, according to thenewly-enacted 2003Wisconsin Act 83.

The program will payup to $2,277.00 persemester, the maximum in-state tuition charged by theUW–Madison. A lawpassed earlier in the yearlimited assistance to theaverage tuition at all UW

campuses. This would havehad the effect of paying lessthan 100 percent of tuitionfor students at UW–Madisonand UW–Milwaukee, wheretuition is higher than thestate average. Butlegislators found a way torestore the 100-percent levelof funding before the earlierlaw took effect.

In order to receive thetuition assistance, studentsmust be Guard members ingood standing and mustsubmit Department ofMilitary Affairs Form 189

within 90 days after the endof the semester for whichreimbursement is desired.Even if a member is“flagged” in the personnelsystem, he or she shouldsubmit Form 189 in order toreceive benefits if laterrestored to good standing.

Students who attendqualifying non-state schoolsare also eligible for theassistance — the lesser ofactual tuition paid or$2,277.00. Guardmembers attending out-of-state schools (other than

those covered by theMinnesota-Wisconsinreciprocity agreement orother statutorily approvedinterstate agreement) arenot covered under theprogram, except for thosewho were in the Guard andattending a qualifying out-of-state school before July25, 2003.

For further information,contact Lt. Douglas Kolb at608-242-3447 or KarenBehling, tuition grantadministrator, at 608-242-3159.

Shoppers should soon seebanners saying, “WelcomeGuard and Reserve to FullTime Savings,” on prominentdisplay.

The liberalized benefitis expected to have thegreatest impact on aminority of reservists,because commissaries arelocated on military bases,and many members do notlive near them. The

nearest commissaries forWisconsin National Guardmembers are at FortMcCoy, in west-centralWisconsin; Great LakesNaval Training Center,Great Lakes, Ill.; and theRock Island Arsenal, RockIsland, Ill.

Guard members will nolonger need to present aCommissary Privilege Cardwhen they shop.

New retiree websiteThe Retiree Activities Office (RAO) of Madison

has created a new Web site. Go to http://dma.wi.govand click on Military Retirees Activities Program.TheWeb site has links to other organizations, news andinformation.

The RAO has also created an e-mail distributionlist for all military retirees. Send your e-mail address,name, retired military grade and branch of service towidma.retiree@dma.state.wi.us or call (608) 242-3115 or toll free 1-800-335-5147 ext 3115.

The Madison office of the RAO is located at JointForce Headquarters, 2400 Wright Street, Madison,WI 53704. The office is open on Tuesdays andThursdays from 7:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m., exceptholidays.

January 2004 31

New TRICARE benefits

Air Guard TrainingA non-commissioned officer course has been devel-

oped for new or prospective supervisors. All technicalsergeants and master sergeants who are or soon will beperforming in a leadership role are invited to attend. Thecourse will be taught at Volk Field April 18-23, 2004. Anapplication form can be found on the Air Guard Intranethome page.

Hall of Honor CermonyThe 2004 Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of

Honor Induction Ceremony will take place at the StateCapitol in the Assembly Chamber on Sunday, March 7at 2:00 p.m. Hall of Honor inductees are retired Brig.Gens. Charles Scharine and Roger Greenwood, Lt. Col.John Sarko, Sgt. Maj. Jerry Rohloff, and Master Sgt.Henry Esser. Inductees are nominated based on achieve-ment, devotion to duty, and have exemplified the corevalues of military service — duty, honor, service, respect,loyalty, integrity and personal courage. The ceremony isopen to the public.

EventsAnnual Family Conference

The annual Family Program Conference will takeplace on March 26-28, 2004 at The Plaza Hotel andSuites in Wausau.The conference is open to all unit vol-unteers, commanders, first sergeants, family assistanceofficers/non-commissioned officers, and recruiting andretention personnel. Conference attendees will receiveinformation about the State Family Program, organizingunit family support structures and how to improve familyreadiness.For further information, registration packet andhotel reservations contact Master Sgt. Bruce Verdone,Assistant State Family Program Coordinator at (608) 242-3480 or e-mail bruce.verdone@wi.ngb.army.mil.

Fort McCoy Open HouseFort McCoy will host its annual Armed Forces Day Open

House, rain or shine, on Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m. Activities scheduled for the open house in-clude: Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam wardisplays; guided tours of the installation; training displays;interactive shooting van; military equipment; face painting;personalized dog tags; refreshments; and more. All activi-ties will be located at Fort McCoy’s Commemorative Area.For further information call (608) 388-2407.

You and your family mayalready be entitled to benefitsunder the new TemporaryReserve Health CareProgram, according to theDefense Department. Recentlegislation authorizedtemporary health care benefitsand TRICARE eligibility forreserve-component membersand their families.

Some benefits wereeffective Nov. 6, 2003. Otherswill be phased in after DoDdevises procedures andsystems to implement them.To summarize briefly:

— Section 701 of the newlaw authorizes medical anddental screening, atgovernment expense, formembers of the ReadyReserve as soon as they arenotified of impendingactivation. This provision willspeed up the mobilizationprocess and get troops to theiractive-duty assignmentssooner.

— Section 702 makesTRICARE coverage availableto non-mobilized reservecomponent members andtheir families if the member isnot eligible for coverage fromhis or her civilian employer, orif the member is receivingunemployment compensation.Such coverage will requirepayment of a premium at ratesyet to be determined.

— Section 703 makesg o v e r n m e n t - p r o v i d e dTRICARE coverage formobilized reservists begin onthe date they receive theiractivation orders, not on thesubsequent activation date.

— Section 704temporarily extendstransitional health carebenefits from the current 60

days or 120 days to 180 days.The extension applies to“reservists being deactivatedafter contingency call-up, otherinvoluntary separations, andseparations following retentionin support of contingencymission.”

— Section 705 requiresthe General Accounting Officeto conduct a comprehensiveassessment of the health-careneeds of reservists.

— Section 706 limits theFY 2004 outlays for Sections702, 703, and 704 to a total of$400 million.

— Section 707 requiresthe reserve components toestablish beneficiarycounseling and assistancecoordinators to support Guardand Reserve soldiers and theirfamilies.

— Section 708 makesnewly commissioned officerseligible for health care,pending orders to active duty,if the officer lacks other healthcoverage.

Reserve componentsoldiers and family membersmay be eligible forreimbursement of some healthcare costs incurred after Nov.6, 2003, but before thetemporary program isimplemented. TheDepartment of Defensetherefore encourages familieswhose sponsors are deployedin support of a contingencyoperation to save their healthcare receipts, claims, and theexplanation of benefits formsfor dates of service on or afterNovember 6, 2003.

Further information onthe program will be available,as it develops, atwww.tricare.osd.mil or atwww.defenselink.mil/ra.

Departments of the Army and Air ForceNational Guard of Wisconsin

Office of the Adjutant General2400 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704

Official BusinessPenalty for use $300

PRESORTED STANDARDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

MADISON WIPERMIT #2310

A member of the 115th Fighter Wing, Madison, stands guard during an Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE) in April 2003. The Fighter Wingexperienced an ORE and an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) last year — coming through with flying colors. See story on page 22.

Tech. Sgt. Paul Gorman