Family and Friends of Long Knife,

We have entered the third month of the Brigade’s deployment in support of

Operation New Dawn. Your Soldiers have settled into their new bases throughout Northern Iraq.

As you may have noted, the 4th Brigade Combat Team has undergone a name change and is now

called the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade. This name change is another sign of the progress our

Troops have made and continue to make in Iraq. Their current mission is focused on training and

providing support to the Iraq Security Forces. We are proud to have our Soldiers serving in this

new capacity as they write the next chapter in the Brigade’s history.

A top priority of this Rear Detachment team is taking care of the families. Your Family Readiness

Groups are a wonderful resource for obtaining information about events and news across Fort

Hood and from within the Brigade. If you haven’t received information from your FRG yet, I en-

courage you to contact your Rear Detachment and provide them with your contact information.

The Brigade also utilizes a Facebook page (Long Knife BDE 1CD) where information is posted

about events here at Fort Hood as well as updates and photos of our Soldiers in Iraq. Last month

the Brigade hosted a Spouse Spur Ride which gave families the opportunity to engage in several

events designed to give them familiarity with some basic Soldier skills. To ensure you are aware

of great events like these, we need your help keeping our family contact information up to date.

Pass the word to all your friends to get plugged in to all that Long Knife has going on.

In this month’s Long Knife Ledger, the focus is on children. There are a multitude of resources

designed by the Army and the Fort Hood Installation to better the lives of Army children and their

parents. Our hope is that one or more of these services can assist your family as we continue

through this deployment.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Holiday Season!

LTC Colin Wooten

Family, friends and Soldiers of the Longknife Brigade I would like to congratulate and thank you

for the success of the Brigade over the first three months of deployment. The first steps in any ma-

jor task are the toughest and you have taken these steps with exceptional courage and competence.

From the time our Soldiers boarded the buses in September until now the families have demon-

strated great resolve in their ability to manage the household and family. The Longknife Rear

Detachment Team and the Country owe you a debt of gratitude for your hard work and sacrifice.

As we move forward please know that the Rear Detachment Cadre see you and your family as our

primary objective and are constantly looking for ways to serve you better.

With the deepest Respect,

SGM Ted V. Carlin

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

FROM THE SERGEANT MAJOR

Longknife ledger D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

Leaving for a

weekend or the

Holidays? Please

let your FRG or

FRSA know your

contact info!

This publication is a product of the Long Knife Rear Detachment

P A G E 2

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER “Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings!” Many of people are familiar with the account of Christ’s birth. “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 What is not apparent is that the simple greeting generated mixed feelings in the recipients. The shepherds possibly experienced a little bewilderment, the father and mother (Joseph and Mary) possibly joy in spite of giving birth in a barn. Far away three magi informed King Herod, who was filled with fear. During this holiday - it may be difficult for us to receive news intended to generate feelings of closeness, joy or celebration. As difficult as it is, consider something. Greeting each other is a common event for the most part. We often greet each other with regu-lar expressions: “Hi, Hello, Hey, - possibly “Good Day, Old Chap”, if you are from England (smile). Less formal expressions are “What’s up?” “How is it going?” “Holla (Mix of Slang)” However, it may be a little difficult to greet others when a family member is missing from our presence. We tend to dwell on what is absent as opposed to revisiting pleasant memories of previous holidays. Holiday greetings are often spoken with good intentions to strangers, family, or friends, in na-tions around the world, during the months of December and January. During this season, typically a greeting consists of the word "Happy" followed by the holiday, such as "Happy Eid", "Happy Ha-nukkah", or "Happy New Year". Some greetings are more prevalent than others, depending on the cultural and religious status of any given area. The speaker intends the greetings to extend a meas-ure of mutual acknowledgement and comfort, in spite of the surrounding circumstances. Some time ago, I recalled reading a story called “A Christmas Truce.” A young man recounted what seemed like a potentially dreary Christmas day. Christmas Day, 1914: My dear sister Janet, It is 2:00 in the morning and most of our men are asleep in their dugouts—yet I could not sleep myself before writing to you of the wonderful events of Christmas Eve. In truth, what happened seems almost like a fairy tale, and if I hadn’t been through it myself, I would scarce believe it. Just imagine: While you and the family sang carols before the fire there in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France! Although it may be difficult to celebrate in the absence of our Family members, we none the less can still celebrate on the same day. As such, I would like to encourage each of us to continue our celebration in a different way. Let us use the holidays as an opportunity to grow and acknowl-edge how much we value and love each other. The sense of absence is an indication of the fond-ness, the closeness or intimacy in your relationship as well as the hope for our future reunion with our Soldiers and Family members. Take this time to develop some creativity. If the person was here what would I say to them. Take some time to write it down, record it via a camcorder or digital media. Find a way to have others gather around a webcam and greet each other prior to opening presents or moving into the New Year. The remembrance and re-enactment of past celebration continues to embrace our feelings and signifies the presence of today’s hope in our future. St Paul wrote, “Let us hold fast the confes-sion of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 Try to remember, HOPE is nothing more than rock-solid assurance that what God has said is true and will come to pass. Hope is not dependent on circumstances. Seeing is not believing. Hoping is believing! Hope is the confidence that wells up as a result of our beliefs in something bigger than ourselves. There's a fine line between the two, and the transition is almost imperceptible. Continue to walk confidently in your relationship with each other. Continue to support each other with words of encouragement and tokens of love.

~Chaplain Oliver Washington

L O N G K N I F E L E D G E R

There is one important step you must take in order to use these benefits—enroll your children in CYSS.! Here’s

how~

1. Gather your documentation, you will need

A. Military/DoD Civilian Identification Card

B. AKO email address for Active Duty Member

C. Child’s Social Security Number

D. Shot Records

E. Copy of your latest LES

F. Health Assessment or Well Baby Check

G. 3 Local Emergency contacts (names and phone numbers)

All forms can be downloaded at: http://www.hoodmwr.com/cys_registration.htm

2. Call 254-287-8029 to make an appointment to see an enrollment counselor. Walk-ins are also welcome:

Monday—Thursday: 7:30am—3:00pm

Friday: 7:30am—12:00pm

CYSS Enrollment office is located in room 140 in the Rivers Building (Bldg 121) on 761st Tank Battalion .

Currently pregnant? Will you be in need of full or part time daycare once your child is born? Space fills up

quickly. You can submit your name to the waitlist by downloading the form from the website above.

ARMY FAMILY COVENANT ENTITLEMENTS

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

The Army Family Covenant is the Army’s promise to support Soldiers and their families and to resource programs to provide

them a quality of life commensurate with their service. Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS) stays true to this promise by

providing the following:

DEPLOYED:

FREE child care during Mandatory Deployment Meetings

FREE child care during FRG meetings, not to exceed 2 hours per meeting (only 1 meeting per month)

16 FREE child care hours per month, per child (begins 30 days before deployment and ends 90 days after return)

$2.00 hourly care rate beyond the free child care hours

20% rate reduction in fees for Full/Part Day Care (begins 30 days before deployment and ends 90 days after return)

Up to $300 in SKIES* Classes per child during deployment

Up to $100 in Team or Individual Sports per child during deployment

REAR DETACHMENT or Warrior Transition Unit CADRE

FREE child care during Mandatory Deployment Meetings

FREE child care during FRG Meetings, not to exceed 2 hours per meeting (only 1 meeting per month)

5 FREE child care hours per month per child (while Solider is assigned to Rear Detachment Cadre)

$2.00 hourly care rate beyond free child care hours

Up to $150 in SKIES* classes per child (while Soldier is assigned to Rear Detachment Cadre)

Up to $50 in Team or Individual Sports per child (while Soldier is assigned to Rear Detachment Cadre)

Other benefits are available for Temporary Change of Station, Unaccompanied Permanent Change of Station or TDY;

Wounded Warriors/Warriors in Transition and Survivors of Fallen Warriors.

*SKIES stands for: Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration & Skills.

P A G E 4

Military Child Education Coalition “Communities In Schools (CIS) is a local, private, non-profit organization dedicated to

impacting the lives of children in a positive way, helping them achieve the success they

often find unattainable. As the only non-profit permanently housed on school campuses,

the professional staff of CIS are caring adults who make problems manageable and solu-

tions possible.”

For more information on this organization, visit: www.militarychild.org

~Backpack Buddies~ CIS Identifies students most in need and distributes food to them

and their families using donated backpacks and cash contributions.

73% of CIS students are economically disadvantaged and eligible for free/reduced lunch

55% of CIS children of Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are eligible for free/reduced lunch

Participating Schools in our Area:

Killeen ISD: Harker Heights HS; Killeen HS; Shoemaker HS; Ellison HS; Haynes School

High; Pathways Learning Center; Audie Murphy MS; Manor MS; Live Oak Ridge MS;

Nolan MS; Rancier MS; Smith MS; Clarke El; East Ward El; Clear Creek El; Duncan El;

Hay Branch El; Iduma El; Montague El; Reeces Creek El

Copperas Cove ISD: Copperas Cove HS; Crossroads HS; Copperas Cove Jr High; S C

Lee Jr High; Clements/Parsons El; Fairview/Jewell El; Hettie Halstead El; Mae Stevens El;

Martin Walker El; Williams/Ledger El

Temple ISD: Temple HS; Bonham MS; Lamar MS; Travis MS; H.P. Garcia El; Meridith-

Dunbar El; Wheatley Alternative Education Center

Belton ISD: Belton HS; Belton MS; Lake Belton MS; Henry T Waskow HS; Miller Heights

El; Soutwest El; Tyler El

L O N G K N I F E L E D G E R

TELL ME A STORY

Brought to you by: The Military Child Education Coalition

The ―Tell Me a Story‖ Program can come to your Family Readiness Group Meetings!

They bring a book , such as ―While you are away‖ or ―The Three Questions‖ and do a read-

ing. A copy of the book is pro-

vided to each family. After the

reading, small groups are held

to discuss the children’s un-

derstanding and feelings about

the reading. The children will

then do a craft, typically some-

thing that can be sent to your

deployed Soldier.

Did we mention this is a FREE

service? Interested groups

should have their FRG Leader

contact your Battalion FRSA

to coordinate this event.

Parent Education

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

Many have heard of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) here at Fort Hood, but most only associate them with being the re-

porting facility for domestic and child abuse. The FAP is so much more! They offer several classes on parenting and family

issues as well! Here are just a few of the classes they offer:

Parent Education:

1. Raising Adults—designed for parents to develop their parenting skills and develop techniques to responsibility, self-

discipline, and self-reliance in their children. More information call: 287-3583.

2. New parent support program—for those with children age 3 years and younger, provides in-home visitation, therapeutic

support, information/referral, and resource assistance to Army families. Parent training, new parent support group and ex-

plore, learning and play (interactive playgroups) are offered. More information call: 287-2286.

3. Common Sense Parenting—for those with children ages 4 to 12, weekly parenting education program and support group,

designed to introduce parenting styles, identify/address military parenting issues, challenges and stressors, that impact rela-

tionships and more! More information call: 618-7443.

4. Active Parenting/Teen Challenge—for those with teens age 13-19, a six-hour parent-teen session conducted quarterly, par-

ents gain knowledge, skills and insight to guide teens through the adolescent years. Teens will become aware of informa-

tion, resources and skills to assist in effectively managing the challenges of adolescence. More info call: 287-6505.

Safety Education:

1. Expect Respect (Dating Violence Prevention)—dating rights/responsibilities, communicating assertively, jealousy, dating

pressures, building healthy relationships, abuse and respect. More information call: 618-7586

2. Save –a-tot/Boost-a-youth Program—child car seat safety, seats installed and safety checks administered. Last Friday of

each month at Sprocket Auto Craft Center, must have appointment: 287-2092.

3. Child Safety—internet safety, personal awareness, identification kits, environmental safety, peer and adult support/

influence, high risk behaviors, communication skills, danger signs, and exploitation. More information call: 287-3583.

Fort Hood has so many opportunities to increase your knowledge, improve your skills and meet others who are in the same stage

of life as you. Check out these classes offered every week from Army Community Service:

Mondays Tuesdays Infant Message Class 553-2158 to register Super Fun Tuesdays 287-2286

9:30am—10:30am OR Comanche Youth Center

6:00pm—7:00pm

Lunch and Latch (Breastfeeding Support Group) Wednesdays

11:30am—1:00pm 287-2286 to register Explore, Learn and Play (playgroup) 287-2286

Spiritual Fitness Center 9:30am—11:00am

Bronco Youth Center

More Classes!!

P A G E 6

SPOUSE SPUR RIDE

Spouse Spur Ride

November 18, 2010

DON’T MISS THE FUN!BE SURE YOUR FRG HAS YOUR CONTACT INFO !!

Long Knife Families! P A G E 7

P A G E 8

FA

MIL

Y R

EA

DIN

ESS

The Casey Memorial Library has an amazing Children’s Library and a fully stocked

craft room that are available for FRG meetings! Have your FRSA coordinate a date and

time for your next meeting! Here are some important dates for the month of December:

Fridays (December 3, 10 and 17) - Story Time in Annex Room 156 starting at 10:00am

December 15—Christmas Paper Art in the Children’s Room at 6:00pm

The Library will be closed December 24, 25, and 31.

L O N G K N I F E L E D G E R

Casey Memorial Library

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME

DEC 10 Holiday Party Meadows Elementary

JAN 13 Steering Committee Meetings BN Conference Room 11:30am

JAN 24 HHT FRG Meeting Resiliency Campus 6:00pm

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME

DEC 11 FRG Christmas Potluck 1CD SFRC 2:00pm

DEC 13 A Co FRG Meeting & Potluck 1CD SFRC 5:30pm

JAN 10 A Co FRG Meeting & Potluck Oveta Culp 5:30pm

1-9CAV Headhunters

2-7CAV Garry Owen

2-12CAV Thunderhorse

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME

JAN 5 A Co FRG Meeting Oveta Culp 6:00pm

JAN 6 BN Town Hall 1CD SFRC 10:00am

JAN 18 BN Family Dinner Denny’s 5:00pm

5-82FA Black Dragons

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME

DEC 14 BN Christmas Dinner DAV HH 6:00pm

JAN 11 BN FRG Meeting Oveta Culp 6:00pm

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME

JAN 14 Health & Nutrition Readiness TBD 6:00pm

BSTB Spartans

P A G E 9 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

RUMOR CONTROL

Here are this month’s rumor control questions:

Q: Will the unit come home early or will they be extended?

A: Neither. The 4th Brigade is on a 12-month deployment with no changes to extend or shorten this tour. While some Soldiers may

return in August as part of the ADVON team, the majority of the Brigade will return in the September/October timeframe.

Q: I am a spouse that will be giving birth during the deployment, does the unit set-up webcam services for my Soldier to view the

birth? How is the best way to send a message regarding the birth?

A: No, the unit does not sent up webcam services for births. You should contact the hospital at which you will be delivering and

find out if they offer/allow webcam services during delivery. Then make arrangements with your Soldier regarding his computer

access. As far as sending messages regarding the birth, the best way is via the Red Cross. Please note the Red Cross does not send

labor messages unless a high risk situation arises. They will send a message after the birth of a child with all pertinent information

included.

Have a question for the Long Knife Brigade? Email us at: LKTownhallq@yahoo.com

Spotlight on Family Issues

~Dependent ID Cards~

If my military dependent ID card expires while my Soldier is deployed, how do I renew it?

You will need to have your Soldier send you a Special Power of Attorney that specifically states you have the power to make

changes in the DEERS System. Legal is available in Iraq to assist your Soldier with this. Once you have obtained the POA form

your Solider, you need to go to the ID card office in the Copeland Center . Please note you will need to have this same information

in order to enter new babies and other children into the system.

~Finances~

Deployment benefits, budgets, Christmas shopping….our finances are starting to get confusing, how can I get everything in order?

We have a Command Financial Specialist (CFS) in each Battalion. The CFS can help you develop a budget, understand your Sol-

dier’s Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and provide referrals for other financial services. See CFS contact information below.

UNIT CFS Point of Contact Email Phone

1-9CAV SSG Daniel Seemann Daniel.seemann@us.army.mil 254-449-2583

2-7CAV SFC Scott Carroll Scott.m.carroll@us.army.mil 254-287-5048

2-12CAV SFC Terry Marshall Terry.marshall@us.army.mil 254-287-2326

5-82FA SSG Dana McCown Dana.mccown@us.army.mil 254-287-9602

27BSB SSG Jill Davis Jill.a.davis@us.army.mil 254-768-8818

BSTB SSG Terry McDonald Mac.mcdonald@us.army.mil 254-287-9660

Please note: during the Holiday Leave period 12/20/2010—01/03/2011 the CFS for the entire Brigade is SFC Scott

Carroll from 2-7CAV. He can assist any family within 4th Brigade during this time.

Join us on Facebook! Event announcements, pictures and more!!

Search the page names listed below to follow your unit today!

4th Brigade Page: Long Knife BDE 1CD

1-9CAV: 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment

2-7CAV: 2-7 Cavalry (Garry Owen)

2-12CAV: Thunder Horse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment

5-82FA: 5-82 FA Battalion FRG

27BSB: 27th Brigade Support Battalion

BSTB: 4th BSTB 1st Cav Division

The Rear Detachment is always here to answer your questions and help you with any situations that arise. If

you have questions about community resources, please contact your FRG Leader...not sure who that is?

Contact your FRSA for information.

Brigade Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 285-5090

Position Name Office Cell Email

CDR LTC Colin Wooten 553-2859 449-3126 Colin.wooten@conus.army.mil

CSM CSM Ted Carlin 553-2860 415-5817 Ted.carlin@conus.army.mil

FRSA Dominique Buehler 287-6969 289-0690 Dominique.buehler@conus.army.mil

1-9CAV Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 287-8235

CDR CPT Jonathan Wade 287-8295 366-7137 Jonathan.wade1@us.army.mil

1SG SFC Cory Smith 553-4054 432-9245 Cory.smith@us.army.mil

FRSA Afton Keller 287-8175 289-0216 Afton.keller@conus.army.mil

2-7CAV Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 553-1796

CDR CPT Christopher Gilbert 553-2879 449-3143 Christopher.gilbert9@us.army.mil

1SG 1SG John Urrutia 287-4893 630-7910 John.urrutia@us.army.mil

FRSA Kenya Emanuel 553-2880 289-2939 Kenya.emanuel@conus.army.mil

2-12CAV Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 287-2326

CDR CPT John Albert 287-6854 368-5282 John.lee.albert@us.army.mil

1SG SFC Alister Bilyou 287-6218 Alister.bilyou@us.army.mil

FRSA Angela Brailler 289-0643 Angela.shoemaker@conus.army.mil

5-82FA Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 288-5306

CDR CPT Aaron Israel 287-6230 368-0603 Aaron.israel@us.army.mil

1SG SFC Richard Butler 287-6218 Richard.butler@us.army.mil

FRSA Sheryl Banner 287-9574 289-2816 Sheryl.g.banner@conus.army.mil

27BSB Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 287-8235

CDR CPT Twygena Cotton 287-8381 449-3188 Gena.cotton@conus.army.mil

1SG SFC Tracey Baker 287-0076 449-0992 Tracey.baker@us.army.mil

FRSA Althea Cash 288-4707 289-2996 B.althea.cash@conus.army.mil

Staff Duty: 287-9653 BSTB Rear Detachment

CDR CPT Danielle Bell 287-6753 449-3140 Danielle.n.bell@conus.army.mil

1SG SFC Levi Green 287-1047 432-9372 Levi.green@conus.army.mil

FRSA Consuello Geston 288-5717 289-0368 Consuello.geston@conus.army.mil

If you cannot reach your BN FRSA due to vacation or illness, please contact the BDE FRSA