Fort Benning

Sixth-graders at Faith Elementary raise their hands to answer a question asked by history teacher Kathy Griffin Aug. 6 during the first day of school on Fort Benning.

Ahhhhh…. can you smell it? The scent of freshly sharpened pencils, squeaky clean hallways and bologna sandwiches everywhere — yes, the first day of school has come to Fort Benning.

Teachers have been hard at work all day, explaining the rules and procedures, trying to match faces with names and giving kids a sneak preview of what their classes will be like. Students have been working hard, too, just settling in.

Faith Middle School

Thirteen-year-old Kayleen Petrovia summed up those first-day feelings well: “a flurry of emotions.”

“The first day of school is kind of nerve-wracking because everybody is getting used to their new schedules,” said the eighth-grader, who’s done the “back-to-school” bit 10 times before. “But it’s exciting, too. You get to meet new people. You have new classes. You kind of want summer to go on, but then again you want to go back to school to see all your friends and to learn more.”

Kayleen is looking ahead to high school — which teachers have been preparing her for since about fifth grade, she said — while her fellow Warrior Bear, sixth-grader Elijah Gardner, is just starting out at Faith Middle School.

“I think it’s pretty cool, really complicated though,” said the White Elementary graduate, who isn’t used to nearly as many class changes. “When I got to Faith, I was like, ‘Wow.’”

But what makes it worth it? “I get to say I’m in middle school now,” the 11-year-old said, not without pride.

Dexter Elementary School

Of course, military children can have plenty of first days at a new school outside of the month of August. Eight-year-old Michael Williams remembers first joining the Eagles at Dexter Elementary in September as a second-grader.

That’s all history, though. Now he’s excited for the start of fourth grade.

“It’s a big day,” he said. “When I go out to summer, I’m actually ready to go back to school because I can’t wait to go to the next grade.

“School’s fun for me because I’m always learning new things and I can build on those with my own ideas.  Then I can ask someone that actually knows all this stuff … if my ideas are correct.”

And the hype isn’t just reserved for day number one. Michael thinks day two on Monday will be just as good.

“I’m looking forward to every day that we have in school,” he said.

Want to read the DDESS director’s back-to-school message, find out about extracurricular programs or other exciting news at one of the seven Fort Benning schools? Visit www.am.dodea.edu/benning.

Posted bycherylrodewig underArmy Families Dexter Elementary, Faith Middle, Fort Benning Schools | Comments (0)

Even with long lines and a time limit on the phone, the Verizon Wireless tent was hopping Saturday at the post Independence Day Celebration. The opportunity to make a free phone call to anywhere in the U.S. kept some basic training Soldiers coming back for seconds — even thirds.

I’m not sure how many Soldiers called home during the event, but here are some rough numbers: 10-minute calls, 70 seats, steady traffic from about 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. My calculator tells me that’s 2,940 phone calls. Wow.

It’s amazing to think how each one was unique, how each conversation was special to the people on both ends of the line.

When I asked trainees who they talked with and what they chatted about, the responses ranged from the everyday hi-how-are-you’s to more serious discussions. Here’s a peak at what they shared.

“I talked to my sister about coming down to my graduation. My dad, I talked about cars. My stepmom said she was eating a steak, so I said when you get here, we’ll have to go to Outback Steakhouse and get a free Bloomin’ Onion. You show them your military ID and they give you a free Bloomin’ Onion. Pretty good deal.”
— PV2 Matthew Palmer, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment

“I talked to my mom. She’s going to send me a care package with some stamps and some personal hygiene items. Then I talked to my little brother. He missed me. When he grows up, he wants to be in the Army — he’s 10 right now. It’s a real blessing to be able to talk with people you love and you haven’t seen in a long time.  It’s really uplifting.”
— PVT Timothy Darracq, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment

“This was actually the first time I was able to talk with my mother.  She usually works on Sundays when I call home.  It’s her birthday tomorrow, so I just wished her happy birthday. It meant a lot to her … choked me up a little bit. It’s just nice to be able to hear a home voice.”
— PVT Jordan Caine, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment

“I called my wife. She told me how our little girls are growing. I haven’t talked to her in seven weeks. They’re going to the park to enjoy the fireworks there — McKenzie, Tennessee. It was great. It was hard to talk I was smiling so much.”
— SPC Jacob Coleman, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment

Happy Fourth of July, Fort Benning!

Posted bycherylrodewig under192nd, 198th Infantry Brigade, Basic Training, DFMWR, Holiday, The Bayonet/FBTV Independence Day | Comments (0)

One year ago today we jumped on the social media bandwagon and launched our Fort Benning Facebook page. We weren’t sure the direction it would take or if it would be successful, but we were willing to try. Our first goal was to reach 1,000 fans so we could customize the URL. Facebook has since lowered the requirement to 25 fans, but we’re old school – we had to earn it. Customizing the URL was a big deal because in doing so, the Web address got shorter and more memorable, making it easier to recruit fans.  It took exactly two months, but on Aug. 16, 2009, we officially became www.fortbenning/fortbenningfans.

The fan base of our page is predominately composed of family members who have a Soldier in basic training and throughout the last year you would think we’ve seen it all and answered just about every question an Army Family could ask, but you’d be surprised. We still get stumped almost daily, which is why we greatly appreciate our Facebook Family veterans – those fans who no longer have a Soldier at Fort Benning, but who visit the page frequently to help others.

The top question we’re asked is “where can I find pictures of my Soldier.” But we don’t have to tell you that, you’ve probably already asked us before and gotten the standard response. In fact, we’re often asked if we count the number of times we’re asked for pictures. We don’t, but we probably should have because that number would be in the millions by now. Do the constant requests get old or frustrating, nah, it became comical long ago. Thank you by the way for the laughs, we needed them.

Keep the questions and suggestions coming, because without them we never would have thought about creating things like the frequently asked questions page or Tuesday Trivia. Your comments and suggestions were also incorporated into the redesign of the Fort Benning website. So keep asking and commenting because we’re listening.

Monday evening we reached a new goal – 25,000 fans. Of course we know most of you aren’t checking to see what’s going on at Fort Benning daily, but we’re glad you didn’t hit “unlike” the day your Soldier graduated. We’ve grown a lot in the past year and more changes are still ahead, but no matter what the future holds or wherever the Army takes you, we hope you’ll continue to be part of our Fort Benning Facebook Family.

Posted bymichelle.gordon underPublic Affairs Office, social media PAO, social media | Comments (0)

By Cheryl Rodewig

Basic trainees and cadre members of 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, celebrated the Army birthday today during a ceremony on Sand Hill.

The anniversary, which coincides with Flag Day, represents 235 years of Army history, begun in 1775 with the Continental Army, and the celebration marked the first time the battalion participated in the annual tradition, said SSG Jim Fequiere, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 47th Inf. Regt.

Like others who have come before them, the Soldiers of this battalion have answered the call to serve, Fequiere said.

“If you reflect on it, when we celebrate our Army’s birthday, we really celebrate the ideals and convictions this nation was founded upon,” he said.  “Similarly, we celebrate the call of duty that has echoed throughout our nation’s history to every American man and woman that has ever served.  From the blood-soaked battlefield of Antietam … all the way to the current OIF and OEF campaign, the U.S. Army has paid for its victory with the blood of its patriots.”

The Panther Battalion wrapped up the ceremony with the traditional cutting of the Army birthday cake.

The youngest and oldest trainees, PVT Travis Sayles and PFC Ramon Bruce respectively, both from C Company, cut the cake with the help of battalion commander LTC Wayne Brewster II.

Brewster said he plans to continue the birthday celebration tradition next year.

“At it’s heart, we are simply trying to honor those in our Army who have gone before us and sacrificed so much in defense of our Constitution, its ideals and preserving our nation and way of life,” he said.

“We are — and have been for 235 years — the recipients of such freedoms and liberties based on their brave actions and determined spirit to sacrifice everything to obtain and protect it.  These things are often easy for us to forget.  It’s important for us here at the initial entry level to be able to instill that memory and those wonderful traditions in our new Soldiers that have joined our profession of service to the nation.”

Angela Chopper, who brought her two children to the celebration, said it was “more than just free cake at 6:30 in the morning.”

“It’s good for them to hear the ceremony,” she said.  “In our last battalion, we never did anything for the Army birthday — this is cool.  I liked the tradition of the oldest and the youngest.  And the basic trainees get to experience their first Army birthday.  They’re now part of the 235-year Army tradition.”

Posted bymichelle.gordon under192nd, Basic Training, The Bayonet/FBTV 192nd, Basic Training, Bayonet | Comments (0)

When I was in high school my summers consisted of going to the pool, the beach, the mall, a friend’s house or just staying home. So I was shocked when I heard more than 300 high school students volunteered to spend the first week of their summer vacation training at Fort Benning.

That’s right, they volunteered. They weren’t getting paid. They weren’t earning extra credit. They were doing it for fun, and, as most of them told me, to challenge themselves.

The students are all in high school JROTC and this week-long training was Cadet Leadership Camp 2010, which was designed to build leadership skills and help them their conquer fears, said 1SGT Robert Cline, a JROTC instructor from Hardaway High School.

Conquer their fears indeed. The schedule included jumping from the 34’ foot airborne towers, rappelling off a 64’ foot wall and relying on water survival skills to keep from drowning – all in 90-something degree heat. Not to mention rock climbing, obstacle courses, a sports tournament, and of course starting each day bright and early with PT at 5:30 a.m.

My summer days didn’t start before 10 a.m., and even then they didn’t start with PT. It’s pretty inspiring to me that these teenagers are willing to push themselves to the limits knowing the reward for their hard work is intangible. Fort Benning Commanding General MG Michael Ferriter frequently talks about what he calls inspired leadership and these young cadets are great examples.

“I want to be in the military and I thought it would be a good experience,” said Natori Robinson, Crawford County High School sophomore.

Posted bymichelle.gordon underJROTC JROTC | Comments (0)

By John W. Peeler, The Bayonet

Rarely does a community get the opportunity to honor the men and women who have served our nation twice in one week. May 31 is Memorial Day and June 5, Vietnam veterans will finally get a long overdue welcome home.

Many celebrate Memorial Day by grilling out and getting together as a family. The smell of hamburgers and hot dogs fill the air as we all take advantage of the holiday and relax.

Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer for most. But for some of us, it means something a little different.

Forty-two years ago, an 11-year-old boy was outside after school, just like any other day, when he watched a car pull up in front of his house.

A group of men dressed in military uniforms exited the car and pointed to the neighbor’s house. Realizing it was the wrong address, they headed toward the boy’s house.

A few minutes after they went in his house, his weeping mother called the boy inside. His father had been killed in Vietnam — a country the youngster knew little about.

The boy couldn’t believe what he had been told, and didn’t shed a tear because his father had been off to war before and had always come back.

Time passed while the boy waited for the news there had been a mistake — his father was coming home.

When the Vietnam cease-fire was announced and the prisoners of war were released, he stayed in front of the television watching every former prisoner get off the plane, hoping to catch a glimpse of his father, still not realizing the finality of the news years earlier.

There was little fanfare for the returning Soldiers, other than being reunited with their families. As for the little boy — his hope of welcoming his father home ended.

From that point on, Memorial Day was no longer a time for hamburgers, hot dogs, cookouts, swimming and having fun. It was a time for him to remember his dad and the painful price paid for liberty.

Without his father’s sacrifice, and others like him, the boy would not have grown up with the freedoms people of many other countries don’t have.

Without the sacrifices of those protectors of freedom, there would be no cookouts, hamburgers and hot dogs or relaxing in the sun because a dark cloud would hang over our land of freedom.

And without the sacrifices of those patriots, I would not have the freedom to write this commentary, and you would not have the freedom to read it.

Forty-two years was a long time ago, but I still remember that car pulling up in front of my house and those uniformed men like it was yesterday.

While we celebrate Memorial Day May 31, let us not forget the sacrifices made by our veterans.

And June 5, while we still have the chance, let us go out of our way to welcome home all of our Vietnam veterans.

My father, an Infantry first sergeant, didn’t make it through his second tour in Vietnam, but his patriotic spirit still lives in every Soldier who did return.

For the families of those still missing or unaccounted for, I still hold hope for them while they wait for word of their heroes and loved ones. And, no matter how long it takes, we should not rest until every prisoner of war or the missing in action is accounted for. Our widows and orphaned children deserve no less.

While time doesn’t heal the wound of losing a loved one in war, there is no time like the present to thank the ones who returned from war.

Thank you, veterans. And, welcome home, Vietnam veterans. We have waited far too long to recognize you for what you are — heroes and patriots. Your country is forever indebted to you.

Posted bymichelle.gordon underCommunity Event, Holiday, The Bayonet/FBTV Bayonet, Holiday | Comments (0)

I saw two moving trucks on the same street earlier this week and mine arrives today. PCS season has started. For those unfamiliar with the Army lingo, PCS means permanent change of station. Of course “permanent” is a relative term, especially when you have “permanent” change every two to four years. But since moving is just part of being an Army Family, it’s time to start sorting through our stuff.

We’ve been at Fort Benning for three years now. It’s amazing how much stuff we’ve acquired in that time. That’s the one good thing about moving so frequently … you’re forced to spring clean every few years. However, with the cleaning out also comes the decision making. For instance, I’d like to keep every piece of artwork my 3-year-old makes for me, but do I really want to haul around several pounds of scribbled-on construction paper forever? Nope, I save hand and foot prints only. Do I really think I’ll want to wear those jeans again after I’ve lost weight? Of course not, what better way to celebrate losing weight than a shopping spree? These are just some of the important questions I had to answer as I sorted.

After sorting, the next step to a successful PCS is preparing. Sure the Army will provide movers to pack and ship your stuff, but preplanning can go a long way too. This isn’t my first Army move and it won’t be my last. With each one I gain more wisdom. So for all the newbies out there, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

1. Before you start packing, grab a camera and make a video walk-through of your house, documenting the condition of your stuff as well as the serial numbers of higher ticket items. Just don’t pack the camera.
2. Pick a room or storage area where you can put everything you intend to take with you, such as luggage, important documents, etc., and tell the movers nothing in that room gets packed.
3. If you can, take anything of value with you. Whether it’s sentimental or actual, if you don’t want to have it lost or broken take it, because accidents happen and Murphy’s law will be in effect.
4. Put all of your important documents in a file box and take it with you. You will need several copies of your orders, your marriage certificate, birth certificates, social security cards, and shot records for kids and pets.
5. Disassemble anything you can. Put the nuts, bolts and screws in a baggy, label it and secure it tightly to the item it goes with.
6. If you have the original boxes to the Wii, the TV, the TiVo, the DVD player, etc., use them. The Styrofoam and shipping materials that came with those items will hold it more securely.
7. Gather all of your remote controls together and put them in a large freezer bag.
8. Wash all of the dishes and clothes the night before the movers come to ensure everything gets packed.
9. Take out the trash and recycling. Yes, they will get packed and shipped if you don’t.
10. Have cold water available for your movers and buy them lunch. If you keep your movers happy it increases the chances of your stuff arriving undamaged.

I’m sure with each move my list will continue to grow, but here’s one more piece of advice … it’s just stuff. Sure three of the four screws to the antique armoire may get lost, the pendulum for the clock may get thrown away, you’ll need to buy another universal TV remote, but when all is said and done, almost everything is replaceable. Every Army Family has their own PCS war stories and sometimes, even if you take all necessary precautions, your move still won’t be perfect. Don’t worry; you’ll do it again in about two to four years.

Do you have PCS tips or tricks to add? Post them in the comments section.

Posted bymichelle.gordon underArmy Families Army Families | Comments (0)

After working for the Army for seven years, I know a thing or two about annual training requirements. The Army wants to ensure we have the tools necessary to make informed decisions about topics like alcohol abuse, ethics, anti-terrorism and classified information. Usually those tools come via PowerPoint slides. If you’ve ever worked for the Department of Defense you know what I’m talking about. Every few months you receive an e-mail instructing you to click through slides or sign-up for a briefing to watch someone else click through slides – either way, you’re supposed to absorb the information and incorporate it into your daily life.

However, the Fort Benning Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program has made these training requirements more entertaining with comedians and dramatic readings. This was the case last week when legendary University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker visited the installation.

When I heard he was coming I assumed it was just an autograph signing. Then I learned he wrote a book, so I figured it was a book promotion. Herschel Walker not only won the Heisman Trophy in 1982 when he played for the University of Georgia, but he also had a pretty substantial NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings. So he had plenty of stories for a book. However, his book isn’t about his football record. It’s about his on-going battle with dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder, and he wasn’t on post to sell it.

Walker came to Fort Benning to share his story, and with a great mix of humor and personal examples he got his point across. He told the crowd about how he grew up as an overweight kid with a speech impediment who got picked-on in school. So he started working out and training and he became the number one football recruit in the nation when he graduated.

He talked about his success on the football field – both in college and professionally – but instead of talking about it fondly, he said those were the years when he wasn’t fully in control of himself. He didn’t know it at the time, but he had voices telling him to do things that were out of character, such as playing Russian roulette or as he called it, the ultimate game. He said he wasn’t trying to commit suicide, he was so dissociated with himself, that in his mind, it wasn’t him playing. In fact, he said his wife told him he was acting strange, but it wasn’t until a good friend told him he might have dissociative identity disorder that he really took a good look at himself and finally got the help he needed.

Here’s a man who won the Heisman Trophy, had millions of dollars, had everything going for him on the outside, but on the inside he was falling apart. Walker told the crowd he’s stronger today than he’s ever been in his life, but he has to work at it. Just like that overweight kid with a speech impediment, who worked out and trained daily to become a football star, he now has to work daily at controlling himself and overcoming his challenges.

He said some people thought he was weak because he has multiple personalities. He said I’m not weak, I just needed help. People deal with issues in different ways, said Walker. If you use alcohol, it doesn’t mean they’re an alcoholic. If you use drugs, it doesn’t mean they’re a drug addict. It means there’s something deeper that you’re not dealing with and you need to be adjusted. Walker talked for nearly 40 minutes last week and the audience was captivated the whole time. We laughed, we learned and we got his message loud and clear, without PowerPoint slides.

To view all of the photos from Herschel Walker’s visit click here.

Posted bymichelle.gordon underCelebrity Visits, Museum Celebrity Visits, NIM | Comments (1)

By Cheryl Rodewig
The Bayonet

They’re called Shields of Strength, and many Soldiers carry them into battle.  But don’t start thinking about heavy armor or high-tech protective equipment.  These shields, measuring two inches by one, are most often inscribed with Bible verses.  Many have flags, personalized unit crests and prayers.  And their popularity has spread even outside of the military — reaching more than 3 million Americans since the concept was launched in 1997.

“There is one in the Oval Office, others in the pockets of congressmen and senators, and, aside from the official insignias they wear, it is the emblem most often carried by members of the military in Afghanistan and Iraq,” writes Stephen Mansfield, in his book The Faith of the American Soldier.

But these stylized tags have a special tie to Fort Benning, specifically to our Rangers.

It was April 3, 2003.  CPT Russell Rippetoe, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, was manning a security checkpoint in Iraq, when a vehicle approached the checkpoint, and a pregnant woman jumped out and started running toward the Soldiers.  After instructing his men to stay back, Rippetoe approached the woman with two other Soldiers.  When the vehicle exploded, the three Rangers were killed.

Rippetoe, who was the first Soldier from Operation Iraqi Freedom to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, is remembered every year during the Best Ranger Competition.  The bronze combat boot trophy, awarded to the team that wins the BRC road march, holds a plaque bearing Rippetoe’s name.

Informally, it’s known as the Rippetoe award, and fittingly, it’s awarded every year by his father, LTC(R) Joe Rippetoe, a former Ranger and Vietnam veteran.

But back to Shields of Strength.  The elder Rippetoe has attended the competition faithfully every year since 2004.  Officially, he awards the boot trophy, he said, but unofficially he gives away dozens — this year, hundreds — of shields identical to the one his son was wearing when he was killed.

The tags read “United States of America, One Nation Under God” on one side and have the words from Joshua 1:9 imprinted on the reverse.  They’re offered every year to BRC competitors, and Rippetoe also shares several with other Soldiers, family members and civilians.

It’s amazing how the tags have gained in popularity.  “Unreal,” Rippetoe calls it.  If you ask a Fort Benning Ranger if he’s heard of them, the answer is often a resounding yes.

If you’re interested in getting a tag for yourself, the website www.shieldsofstrength.com offers a variety.  My favorite is one that is split in half, with the words of Genesis 31:49: “May the Lord watch between you and me while we are apart.”  There’s a hole for the chain in both halves, so spouses can carry the tags near their hearts, even when separated by deployments.

To find out more about Shields of Strength, including their creator, water ski gold medalist Kenny Vaughan, read the May 14 edition of The Bayonet.

Posted bymichelle.gordon underThe Bayonet/FBTV Bayonet | Comments (1)

More than 40 teams began the 27^th annual Best Ranger Competition this morning at Fort Benning – all with one goal in mind : to finish. Sure they want to win, but most just want to cross the finish line at the end of the grueling three-day competition, especially team eight – COL Chris Argo and LTC Thomas Foster. At 42 and 49-years-old, they’re the, shall we say, most senior team this year. They said they’re out here to finish in the top tier and cross this off their “bucket list.” At three hours into the competition team eight had already finished a four-mile buddy run, swam 250 meters, ran another three miles and were about to carry a stretcher carrying 150lbs before completing an obstacle course. It was only 9 a.m. and the temperatures are supposed to reach the lower 90s before the day is through, but they were smiling.

Another team with something to smile about was team 21 – SGT Jessie Collins and SGT Michael Malchow. They not only came into the competition with experience (they competed together last year and came in third overall), they also brought along an entourage. More than 20 family members came to cheer on their Rangers. Ranging in age from 3 to 53-years-old, the Collins-Malchow families were easily spotted in their bright red t-shirts. “He said they’re doing better this year at this point than they did last year,” said Malchow’s sister Rachel, who came from San Francisco to support her brother.

As team 21 finished up the buddy run and ran through the obstacle course their families ran with them along the sideline. It took the team about three minutes to go up and over each of the buildings before they were off to maneuver through the woods – their Army families right behind them.

With seven more events still to go on day one, one team has dropped out of the competition and by the end of day three more many are expected to follow suit, because of course there can only be one, or I guess since they’re in teams, two best Rangers.

Posted bymichelle.gordon underBest Ranger Competition Best Ranger Competition | Comments (2)