An Informational Battle Assembly Newsletter for the

222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment

November 2014

Battle Assembly Dates

Opening Formation

Training Highlights

14-16 Nov

Friday, Nov 14 - 0700

Saturday, Nov 15 - 0615

Sunday, Nov 16 - 0730

Friday

Repatching Ceremony

Open House

Saturday

APFT

PSA

Sunday

Suicide Prevention

Command Climate

COMMANDER’S CORNER

Soldiers of the Mighty 222,

Change is in the air for the 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment. Within the last quarter we have welcomed a new Detachment Commander (that’s me), a new Higher Headquarters (201st Press Camp Headquarters) with a new Commander (Major Heather Roelker) which is now under a new Command (63rd Regional Support Command). Plus, I’m trying out a new brand of socks. So much change in such a short timespan can be daunting and seen as an obstacle to any organization. However, the 222nd is ready to take the next year head-on starting with a productive November Battle Assembly. The 222nd will celebrate its history and its future under the 63rd RSC by conducting a re-patching ceremony. Our Technicians and Broadcasters will create video and radio pack-ages of the ceremony in order to flex our MOS-specific muscles and add the ceremony to our archives. The ceremony will feed straight into our Open House designed to allow others a look at what the 222nd is all about. November’s Battle Assembly will also be the last assembly before we execute our latest SoCal Report; a bi-annual effort to showcase the actions of our unit at an Army-wide level. I was very impressed with our report this Summer and look forward to improving on our successful model. Our focus will shift the individual Soldier by executing the Army Physical Fitness Test. The obvious importance of the test is to gauge physical performance, but passing the test is also an important milestone in order to attend schools pivotal to a successful mili-tary career. A Command Climate Survey will allow the various echelons within the unit an ability to identify strengths and weakness and improve unit cohesion. Army Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) will also serve to improve the health of the Soldier as well as our unit as a whole. The 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment is primed for an excellent year of Public Affairs operations after a fluid last quarter. Oh, and the new socks were a great choice.

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CPT Brian Andries

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Did you know? - SPC Judge

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Veteran’s Day- Did you know?

On November 11, 1918, the armistice was signed which ended World War I.

An armistice is “a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting” accord-

ing to Wikipedia. On November 11, 1919 it was known as Armistice Day by

President Wilson. He stated the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the

heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the

victory. Did you also know, the armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the

11th day of the 11th month? Amazing!!!

An act was approved on May 13, 1938 for Armistice Day to be a holiday and it

wasn’t until June 1, 1954 that it was changed to Veteran’s Day. For those that

have served and those that have paid the highest price with their lives, thank

you for my freedom and keeping the United States of America safe.

Operation Atlantic Resolve - SGT Hale

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I have to admit, being a broadcast journalist for the 222nd in the Army Reserve is a pretty cool gig. Every assignment is unique...almost every mission in a different location. And the best part of all...having the privilege of telling the story of the American Soldier and those who love and support them. I recently returned from a three month deployment to Lithuania in support of 'Operation Atlantic Resolve' where I was attached to the 173rd Air-borne Brigade. Roughly 600 Sky Soldiers from the famed brigade where conducting combined training operations with our NATO partners in the Baltic Nations and Poland. This was my first trip to Lithuania and I must admit, I was very surprised by what the country was like. I expected to find a country that looked like the typical Eastern Euro-pean, run down ex-Soviet state that we usually see in the movies. But Lithuania is an in-credible mix of modern buildings and economic development, along with a rich culture steeped in a proud tradition that dates back over a thousand years. One of the greatest parts of Lithuania's heritage is their military, and what a professional military it is! My mission was to film the combined training exercises between the U.S. Soldiers and their host nation counterparts and produce video news reports for the multiple media out-lets of the Department of Defense. The countries conducted a full spectrum of training, including airborne operations from Blackhawk Helicopters and and C-130 Hercules aircraft. Mortar and field artillery live fires, platoon and unit sized field exercises, squad reconnaissance tactics and training were just a part of the overall improvement in our nations interoperability. The importance of better communication, from the lowest ranking soldier, to the top military brass was seen on a daily basis. Our NATO allies in Lithuania showed us how dedicated they were to keeping the inde-pendence they fought for from their former Soviet occupiers and were thankful to see that our partnership with them is more than just a paper document. Overall, the experience and opportunity to go on this mission wouldn't have been possi-ble without being a part of a great public affairs unit. My military career didn't start in broadcasting, and I only recently graduated from the Defense Information School (DINFOS). But when the call went out to help fill the ranks of a twenty Soldier MPAD (mobile public affairs detachment), I quickly jumped at the opportunity to throw my name on the list of volunteers. I'm extremely grateful for the support I received from my unit, and was surprised when they even threw me a 'welcome home' party when I returned to the states. Although we play just a small part of the overall mission of the U.S. military, I'm thankful to be a part of public affairs family called the 222nd!

Soldiers from the 222nd BOD provided support during the 201st

Press Camp Headquarters change of command on September 28.

(Photos by - Sgt. 1st Class Alyn-Michael Macleod)

201st Change of Command

https://www.flickr.com/photos/222bod/sets/72157647739749379/

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201st Change of Command

https://www.flickr.com/photos/222bod/sets/72157647739749379/

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Engineering Corner - by SSG Healy

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Engineering Corner - by SSG Healy

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Engineering Corner - by SGT Nguyen

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Military Deals

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Veteran Mentoring Program

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National Epilepsy Month - by SPC Judge

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November is National Epilepsy Month, so here is some information about epi-lepsy. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, “epilepsy is a chronic disorder, the hallmark of which is recurrent unprovoked seizures. Many people with epilepsy have more than one type of seizure and many have other symptoms of neurological problems as well.”

Here are some tell tale signs if you or someone else is having a seizure: day-dreaming episodes; jerking movements of the arm, leg, or body; falling; head-aches; unexplained confusion; sleepiness, weakness; losing control of urine or stool unexpectedly.

What should you do if you notice these signs from yourself: try to keep track of occurrences, tell your doctor, go to a safe place before the rest of the sei-zure, if you can.

Now if you notice someone is having one: STAY CALM, time the seizure if you can, if it last more than three minutes call 911!! Move things out of the way so they cannot accidently injure themselves, loosen any tight clothing around their neck, put a pillow or something soft under their head, and try to turn the person onto his/her side. Also make sure their air way is clear.

Any concerns or questions you can go to the Epilepsy Foundation website.

http://www.epilepsy.com/

Recipe Nook - by SPC Judge

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PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!!!

November is also Peanut Butter Lovers Month!! So here is my recipe that I did from Judge’s kitchen a while back. My peanut butter pie!!!

Here is what y’all will need:

8 oz cream cheese – room temperature

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup powder sugar

8 oz tub of cool whip topping – thawed

1 graham cracker crust

Blend the cream cheese and peanut butter with a mixer until fully incorpo-rated.

Then mix in the powder sugar.

Once done add one-third of the cool whip topping and mix well with the mixer.

Add the last two-thirds of cool whip topping by FOLDING it into the mixture. (this will make the pie fluffy)

After that is completed, pour into your crust and put in the freezer for 30 min-utes or more to set.

When ready to serve, allow the pie to thaw for at least 15 minutes so it will be easier to cut into.

Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)

IS YOUR DEERS UP TO DATE - by SPC Judge

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-DEERS registration is required for TRICARE eligibility and enrollment

-Incorrect information in DEERS database causes prob-lems with health care and TRICARE claims

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING YOUR DEERS UP TO DATE!!

How do you update your DEERS information?

Three ways:

1-Go on-line: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect

2-By phone: 1-800-538-9552

3-In person: Go to a uniformed services ID card-issuing facility

In this era of Army transition, noncommissioned officers at U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, Ky., are on the front lines in determining the right Soldier for the right unit at the right time. With new career tools and processes on the way, Soldiers will be better prepared for what lies ahead by taking ownership of their records now, said Sgt. Maj. Jonathan A. Uribe-Huitron, chief of the Enlisted Promotions Branch at Human Resources Command. That means noncommissioned officers must take responsibility for ensuring that their records are correct and current. The Army’s promotion system is the Army’s way to shape its future leaders, Uribe-Huitron said. “By fol-lowing the leader development strategy, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command wants to guaran-tee that leaders have a certain level of knowledge, experience and training for their skill set,” he said.

However, if Soldiers are wondering what they need to do in order to improve their chances for promo-tion, Uribe-Huitron said it’s all outlined in DA Pamphlet 600-25, the NCO Professional Development Guide. “[It tells the Soldier] that they should have completed X, Y and Z in military education; in civilian education, they should be doing this; as far as key positions, they should have done that; and so on, and so on,” he said.

Soldiers in competition Because vacancies may be limited in some career management fields within the evolving Army, flexibil-ity is important for Soldiers at any level, said Sgt. Maj. Felix RamosRosario, sergeant major of the Com-mand Management Branch at HRC. In fiscal year 2015, which begins Oct. 1, the Army is due to begin an initiative in which sergeants major wishing to serve at the command sergeant major level will have one opportunity to serve at the battalion level and one opportunity to serve at the brigade level. As an exception, there are additional opportuni-ties to serve at the command sergeants major level, but only at installations where the mission is to train battalion command sergeants major and to set the conditions for units to deploy successfully. Such positions are located at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.; Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.; Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Grafenwöhr, Germany; and 1st Army-Division East and Division West. Some NCO academies also require this second-time exception.

After filling the brigade and battalion positions at the command sergeant major level, sergeants major are then eligible to compete for nominative positions, may be assigned in other broadening type as-signments or may elect to retire. In years past, command sergeants major were selected for up to a third or fourth battalion or up to a second or third brigade. “The [one battalion, one brigade] concept promotes competition,” RamosRosario said. “The limited va-cancies make it a lot harder for individuals to get an opportunity to serve at the command sergeant ma-jor level.” Though the Army is downsizing, opportunities still exist and the Army leadership strives to put the right person in the right place at the right time, said Command Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith, command ser-geant major of Human Resources Command. Competition counts, and “that’s why Soldiers always have to stay a little bit ahead of their peers,” Smith said.

By - Martha C. Koester

HRC refines Army’s leadership mold of the future

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NCOs wishing to compete at the senior-most level should know that remaining flexible regarding their career options will go a long way, officials said. “The best advice I can give is to remain flexible when competing because the No. 1 message is that serving as a command sergeant major or a sergeant major in a key billet, at any level, any location, in any unit across the Army is an extraordinary privilege and honor,” RamosRosario said. Maintaining updated records The biggest issue affecting NCO promotions that regularly challenges HRC branches such as the Enlisted Promotions Branch is that NCOs are not doing their due diligence to update their records, Uribe-Huitron said. “NCOs seemingly wait until the last minute to update their records, and there’s a specific calendar [for semi-centralized promotions to sergeant and staff sergeant] that we have to follow,” Uribe-Huitron said. “Everything has to be updated by the eighth of the month because we pull an order of merit list. … We’re not looking on the ninth, the 10th, the 11th. [We have a certain amount of time] to do the various processes so we can meet the Army requirements.” Soldiers must update their records thoroughly and not at the last minute, Enlisted Promotions Branch officials urge. Soldiers often wait until the day eligibility closes, which does not allow enough time for a thorough review, officials say. Where enlisted promotions are concerned, it’s all about ensuring data accuracy, Uribe-Huitron said. Sol-diers competing for senior NCO positions in the Army can be derailed by an out-of-date record. “A Soldier should always continue to have his or her records updated, because when you’re competing for a brigade command sergeant major position … we are looking for key indicators,” RamosRosario said. “There are Soldiers in our inventory who have failed to keep their records updated [with requisite skill identifiers], and we could not identify them to either be eligible or to compete for a brigade. “So, it never ends. It doesn’t matter how long you have been in the military − even if you are trying to transition out and complete your certificate of release or discharge, or if you need to update Exceptional Family Member Program paperwork. Updating things like that are critical so we can manage who is eli-gible for what board, where we can assign a Soldier post-board, etc.”

The right Soldier for the job

Dealing with the senior enlisted population, the Sergeants Major Branch at HRC follows a professional development road map to ensure that the right sergeant major is going to the right formation at the right time, said Sgt. Maj. Lon Culbreath, chief of the Sergeants Major Branch at HRC. In developing the fu-ture leaders of the Army, branch officials know that, though Army readiness takes priority, it doesn’t have to be at the expense of the service member and his or her family’s preferences.

“In the career branches, you have to set Soldiers up for their next promotion; you have to set them up for their next school, whether it’s going to be Drill Sergeant School or to keep them competitive in the Army,” Culbreath said. “In the sergeant major arena, you have to balance Army readiness a lot more with Soldier preference because for a lot of these Soldiers, it’s their last assign-ment.”

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Plans are in motion to downsize the Army’s active-duty force from 510,000 Soldiers to 450,000 by 2015, and positions Armywide are at a premium.

“As we complete the Army structure and we reduce our force, certain positions and certain units are go-ing away,” RamosRosario said. “So, we have reduced the number of opportunities [sergeants major can] serve at a particular level, whether it is battalion or brigade. There are opportunities to serve, but they are few and far between.”

Along with tools such as promotions and the centralized selection list process, the Qualitative Manage-ment Program, or QMP, and the Qualitative Service Program, or QSP, will help to shape the future of the force.

Soldiers must make sure their NCO Evaluation Reports have quantifiable bullet comments and substan-tive information that set him or her apart from their peers, said Sgt. Maj. Wayne A. Penn Jr., sergeant major of the Transition Branch at HRC.

“Under QSP, the Army is really looking to retain the best of the best of the best,” Penn said.

As the Army transitions to a smaller force, its focus will remain on the business of building strong lead-ers, HRC officials said. Though some senior NCOs may face involuntary separation through a number of tools, Soldiers are advised to remain competitive and flexible under the Army’s leader development strategy.

“Every decision that a Soldier makes should be a calculated one,” RamosRosario said.

“At [HRC], we have a very huge mission, and our mission is very important because we affect many Soldiers,” said Sgt. Maj. Rodney Allen, the former senior NCO of the Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate at HRC. “As the Army prepares to draw down, programs, such as CSL, QMP, QSP, are go-ing to have an impact on Soldiers. [At HRC,] we strive here to make sure that we’re making the best de-cisions, using the most extreme precision that we can to guarantee we put the right person in the right place at the right time.”

Tips from the Enlisted Promotions Branch

More than 26,000 telephone calls and 40,000 e-mails are answered each fiscal year at the Enlisted Pro-motions Branch at U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, Ky., said Sgt. Maj. Jonathan A. Uribe-Huitron, chief of the Enlisted Promotions Branch at HRC.

The branch helps contribute to Army readiness by providing the Army with a system for Soldier ad-vancement, which ensures a continuous supply of well-trained people to fill vacancies of the next higher grade. Branch personnel works to ensure the Army has a fair and equitable system that is consistently merit-based. Noncommissioned officers may reduce the likelihood of their promotions being hampered by keeping the following tips in mind.

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Junior Enlisted Promotions

▪ Boards convene as early as the 20th of the month proceeding the board month and are completed no later than the fourth day of the board month. The president of the board is a command sergeant major or sergeant major unless the membership consists of both officers and NCOs, in which case the presi-dent will be the senior member.

▪ Leaders should assist Soldiers in reviewing their promotion point worksheet, or PPW, and enlisted re-cord brief, or ERB, for accuracy. Soldiers must be integrated onto the PPW by the eighth day of the board month.

▪ It is the Soldier’s responsibility to ensure that his or her record is current, that all required updates are complete and that the information is accurate in the ERB and the PPW.

Senior Enlisted Promotions

▪ Soldiers’ eligibility for promotion consideration is based upon the parameters established by the Army G1.

▪ Promotion eligibility will be announced in a military personnel, or MILPER, message, which will also include the parameters for the board.

▪Who is eligible for promotion is determined by a query of the electronic records in the Total Army Per-sonnel Database, or TAPDB, or the Total Army Personnel Database Reserve, or TAPDBR.

▪If a Soldier’s electronic record is found to be incorrect, it will not be pulled into the eligible population. It is the Soldier’s responsibility to notify the Enlisted Promotions Branch as stated on the MILPER mes-sage.

▪ Soldiers must read the MILPER message to ensure that they meet eligibility requirements.

▪Soldiers may access their My Board File using the link cited in the respective MILPER message. If a Soldier cannot access their board file, this means that the Soldier’s records indicate that they are ineligi-ble for consideration based upon the parameters established in the MILPER message. Soldiers who meet the eligibility requirements cited in the MILPER message but who cannot access their board file should contact the Enlisted Promotions Branch.

Source: Enlisted Promotions Branch

Article from http://ncojournal.dodlive.mil/2014/09/23/hrc-refines-armys-leadership-mold-of-the-future/

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“Social networks aren’t about W

eb sites.

They’re about experiences.”

222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment Social Media Links

https://www.facebook.com/222BOD

http://www.flickr.com/photos/222bod/

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