DESERTDESERT VOICEVOICEServing the U.S. and Coalition Forces in KuwaitMarch 1, 2006

Know when

Page 10to hold ’em

Back page DutyGraphic by Sgt. Robert Scott

Duty is the second Army Value of seven.The others are loyalty, respect, selflessservice, honor, integrity and personalcourage.

CFLCC Commanding GeneralLt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb

CFLCC CommandSergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Franklin G.Ashe

CFLCC Publ ic Affa irs Off icerCol. Barrett King

CFLCC Publ ic Affa irsOff icer , ForwardLt. Col. Debbie Haston-Hilger

Commander, 1 1th PADCapt. Chevelle Thomas

NCOIC , 1 1th PADStaff Sgt. Kerensa Hardy

Desert Vo ice Ed itorSgt. Jonathan M. Stack

Desert Vo ice AssistantEditorSpc. Robert Adams

Desert Vo ice Staff WritersSpc. Janine CooglerSpc. Debralee P. CrankshawSpc. Michael R. Noggle

1 1th PAD BroadcastersSpc. Christina BeermanPfc. Jheridiah Anderson

2 Desert Voice March 1, 2006

Volume 27, Issue 32The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for membersof the Department of Defense. Contents of the Desert Voiceare not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, theU.S. Government or Department of the Army. The editorialcontent of this publication is the responsibility of theCoalition Forces Land Component Command Public AffairsOffice. This newspaper is published by Al-Qabandi United, aprivate firm, which is not affiliated with CFLCC. All copy willbe edited. The Desert Voice is produced weekly by thePublic Affairs Office.

PPaaggee 33 Combat readiness

Page 9 Black History Month

Pages 6&7 Strawberry festival

Page 4 Here for you

Page 11 Community Events

Command Sgt. Maj. Ashe talks about theimportance of troops staying current inwarrior tasks and battle drills.

At a Black History Month observance,servicemembers and civilians look at thepast, celebrate the present and motivatefuture leaders.

A Florida National Guard unit shares ataste of the Florida Strawberry Festivalwith Camp Virginia. Strawberry shortcakeand team events filled the day with fun.

CONTENTS 32

44

6

The Kuwait Naval Base operations celldoes what it can to get redeploying unitshome as quickly as possible to their fam-ily and friends.

Upcoming events: Montgomery Gentryconcert, Texas Hold ’em tournaments,Oscars Night, Darts doubles tournament,Spades doubles tournament.

DESERTVOICE

EditorCFLCC PAO/Desert VoiceCamp ArifjanAPO AE 09306

jonathan.stack@arifjan.arcent.army.mil

Find us online at www.dvidshub.net

88

Page 5 Marines polish fighting skillsMCC-Kuwait Marines participate in aMarine Corps Martial Arts Program to stayphysically and mentally disciplined andcombat-conditioned.

On the coverSpc. Michael R. Noggle

Look of a champion. Rob Newbauerholds a pair of aces during a TexasHold ’em match.

66-77 Page 10 When enough is enough While gambling is illegal for servicemem-bers, the game has grown to newheights and has people all over theworld wanting the action.

Page 8 Self-defense classServicemembers attended a female self-defense class to learn moves to fend offattackers.

Can they fight? That’s one of the most important questions

a leader must ask himself about the membersof his unit. It doesn’t matter if that unit is aninfantry outfit at a forward operations base orif it’s stationed at Third U.S. Army headquar-ters. It has to be able to destroy the enemy onthe battlefield. Through consistent training onwarrior tasks and battle drills, troops can con-dition themselves to be more effective indi-vidually and collectively.

All Soldiers need to be qualified in what Icall the “big four.” Those are physical fitness,weapons marksmanship, first aid and battledrills. In my opinion, these four areas are theabsolute foundation of every troop in the U.S.military. These skills are the heart and soul ofbeing a warrior and a rifleman first.

In addition to those skills, Soldiers shouldmaintain proficiency in their military occupa-tional specialty. Regardless of what your jobis, you need to take every opportunity youcan to make yourself better in that area.Continuously seek improvement in your spe-cialty. Through practice, proficiency andimprovement in any skill set can be achieved.

Every time you train, think about the pos-sibility that it could be the last time you’llhave the chance to practice that skill beforeyou have to use it in combat.

Though some of us are serving in Kuwaitsupporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, we’restill in a combat zone. We have to be quali-fied on our individual readiness and unittraining prior to deploying, but these skillsare all perishable.

The training we conduct at the mobiliza-tion site, the combat readiness center or athome station needs to be reinforced as oftenas possible. This pre-deployment training isno good if you don’t stay current on it.

If your everyday mission doesn’t involvehandling your assigned weapon, you shoulddraw it and review your loading, firing andstoppage-reduction drills on a regular basis.These procedures should be practiced notonly on individual weapons but crew-servedweapons also.

Being deployed, troops live and work inan environment that has few training distrac-tions. We’re all responsible for maintainingour readiness as individuals. Make yourself abetter Soldier and warfighter and increaseyour chances of success on the battlefield.

It’s absolutely critical that you train on

other weapons to make yourself competentenough to operate them properly and clearany malfunctions that may occur. You’ve gotto have the ability to make it work in combat.If you have the chance to learn about themaintenance of the weapon, that will makeyou even better. But, at a minimum, you haveto be able to use the weapon to engage anddestroy the enemy. Let’s say you’re in a con-voy and the machine gunner gets woundedduring an attack. Someone has to be able tostep in and take over to prevent others fromgetting wounded or killed.

The next time you’re sitting in yourrespective work area, take a moment to thinkabout what you would do if your situationchanged. What if your post was attacked?What would you do if the commander inchief decided that we need to go elsewhere toconduct operations? Don’t be caught short.It’s too late when you or your buddy get hurtor killed because you didn’t know what to do.—THIRD … ALWAYS FIRST.

According to the Army chief of staff, allSoldiers should be able to perform these war-rior tasks and battle drills. Can you?39 Warrior Tasks1. Qualify with assigned weapon – train2. Correct malfunctions with assignedweapon – train3. Engage targets with M-240B machine gun– familiarize4. Engage targets with M-249 machine gun –familiarize5. Engage targets with M-2 .50 calibermachine gun – familiarize6. Engage targets with MK-19 machine gun– familiarize7. Correct malfunctions with M-2 – train8. Correct malfunctions with M-240B – train9. Correct malfunctions with M-249 – train10. Correct malfunctions with MK-19 – train11. Engage targets with weapon using night-vision sight AN/PVS-4 – train 12. Engage targets with weapon using night-vision sight AN/PAS-13 – familiarize 13. Engage targets with weapon using night-vision sight AN/TVS-5 – familiarize14. Engage targets using aiming lightAN/PEQ-2A – familiarize15. Engage targets using aiming lightAN/PAQ-4 – familiarize16. Employ mines (manned) and handgrenades – train17. Perform voice communications: situa-tion report/spot report – train18. Perform voice communications: call forfire – train19. Perform voice communications: medicalevacuation – familiarize

20. Use visual-signaling tech-niques – train21. Performmovementtechniques dur-ing an urbanoperation –train22. Engage tar-gets during anurban operation– train23. Enter abuilding duringan urban opera-tion – train24. Determine location on ground (terrainassociation, map and Global PositioningSystem) – train25. Navigate from one point to another (dis-mounted) – train26. Move over, through or around obstacles(except mine fields) — train27. Prepare a vehicle in a convoy – train28. Move under direct fire – train29. React to indirect fire (dismounted andmounted) – train30. React to direct fire (dismounted andmounted) – train31. React to unexploded ordnance hazard –train32. React to man-to-man contact (combat-ives) – train33. React to chemical or biologicalattack/hazard – train

34. Decontaminate yourself and individ-ual equipment using chemical decontaminat-ing kits – train

35. Maintain equipment – train36. Evaluate a casualty – train37. Perform first aid for open wound

(abdominal, chest and head) – train38. Perform first aid for bleeding of

extremity – train39. Select temporary fighting position –

train9 Battle Drills1. React to contact: visual, improvisedexplosive device, direct fire (includes rocketpropelled grenade) – train2. React to ambush (blocked) – train3. React to ambush (unblocked) – train4. React to indirect fire – train5. React to chemical attack – train6. Break contact – train7. Dismount a vehicle – familiarize8. Evacuate injured personnel from vehicle –familiarize9. Secure at a halt – train

3Desert Voice March 1, 2006

Command Sgt. Maj.Franklin G. Ashe

Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. AsheThird U.S. Army/ARCENT/CFLCC Command Sergeant Major

Taking opportunities to train equals combat readiness

4 Desert Voice March 1, 2006

They aren’t receiving a lot of the glory butthe Kuwait Naval Base operations cell knowshow to take care of business in the smoothestand quickest way possible.

As part of the 143rd TransportationCommand, the ones calling all the shots wantunits to do as little as possible during theirstay at KNB before redeploying.

“We’re the coordinating crew,” said Sgt.1st Class Michael Deffendall, KNB opera-tions coordinator. “We make sure everyoneinvolved comes together and makes it a suc-cessful redeployment out of theater.”

It’s not an easy task, Deffendall said. The22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit recentlycompleted its deployment to Iraq. From themoment the unit crossed the border intoKuwait, KNB operations cell kicked intogear.

“This is a by-the-book procedure,”Deffendall said. “They come over, clean offtheir tracks, get staged and load the ships.”

First, the operations cell coordinates aconvoy security team to assist the unit to theKNB staging area for washing. For morethan two weeks, they rotate through a 24-hour cycle at the wash racks, scrubbing,scraping and cleaning their equipment. WithNavy customs agents inspecting the equip-ment during the majority of the process, theunit can’t do a quick rinse on their equipmentand expect to pass inspections.

“We get a bad reputation,” said PettyOfficer 1st Class Joseph Lorenz, customsagent, referring to the inspectors. “There’s alot of struggle from arriving units to gethome and we don’t want to hold them up…If they miss some spots, then they’ll have todo it again.”

If you think a little sand doesn’t hurt any-one, Lorenz said you should think again. Ifdirt were to pile up, over time insects couldlay eggs and cause a bug problem with equip-ment.

“We have a lot of redundancy checks,” hesaid. “But it’s just to make sure everything isgood to get on that vessel.”

Among other things, Lorenz and otheragents look for weapons, ammunition andwar trophies that a troop might want to smug-gle home.

After the inspections, the unit moves thevehicles to the staging area to await loading

onto the vessels.During such times, acustoms agent must bepresent so no onetampers with the cus-toms-cleared equip-ment.

At the staging area,equipment, vehiclesand passengers board alanding craft, air cush-ion (hover ship) or alanding craft utilityship, which will deliv-er them to the USS Nassau, Austin or CarterHall.

According to Deffendall, the 22nd MEUmust load its equipment a certain way to beable to react at a moment’s notice if calledupon.

“They get them lined up and prepped as tohow they want them on the ship,” he said.“Their job is to react fast to a crisis, they loadtheir equipment where they have the capabili-ties to unload quickly … provide maximumcombat power in the least amount of time.”

Deffendall said the challenging feat of theredeployment process isn’t as much physicalwork as it is communicating with all the per-sonnel.

“We don’t do all the work,” he said. “Wemake sure everyone is on the same page andkeeps things moving forward.”

Once completed, the unit sets sail with itsequipment to its next destination.

Deffendall added, “We want them to do aslittle work as possible and get them homequickly.”

We’re here for you…

KNB Operations redeploy 22nd MEUSpc. Michael R. NoggleCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

The USS Austin waits out at sea for vehi-cles to be transported for loading.

Signed, sealed and waiting to be delivered,humvees from the 22nd MEU await to go onboard one of the vessels in the KNB ports.

Photos by Spc. Michael R. NoggleMarine Cpl. Daniel Fhilkins hoses down his tracked vehicle as the22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit prepares to redeploy from KNB.

5Desert Voice March 1, 2006

The sounds of leather padspopping, bodies thudding on theground or intense yells are just ahint of what you’ll find if youstep into any Marine CorpsMartial Arts Program trainingarea.

Movement Control Command-Kuwait, 1st MarineExpeditionary Force Marines par-ticipated in MCMAP training atCamp Arifjan Feb. 6-25.

Every Marine is modeled as arifleman and martial artist, saidMarine Cpl. Anthony X. Ponce,brown-belt instructor. The pointof MCMAP is to make sureevery Marine is physically andmentally disciplined and combatconditioned.

Marines perform MCMAPtraining four to five times aweek, usually after tough physi-cal training sessions to help sus-

tain muscle memory, Ponce said.After the brain and body areexhausted, they retain learnedfunctions better.

MCMAP also involves train-ing with weapons to build theMarine mentally, physically andcharacter-wise.

“Anything can be a weaponwhen you’re in close combat,”Ponce said. “A rock, brick, kevlarhelmet – anything that you canget your hands on can be aweapon of opportunity.”

MCMAP training provides thesynergy to make the Marine com-plete, said Marine Staff Sgt.Terrance Watts, black-beltinstructor. It keeps Marines effi-cient in the arts.

Marine Corps instructions,military occupational speciality,rifle training and the history ofMCMAP are used in MCMAP tohelp make the Marine complete,Watts said. It gives the Marine oftoday a goal to work toward.

He has accomplished severalgoals himself, and is currentlyworking on a few more.

Watts has an extensive back-ground in martial arts. He hasseveral black belts, includingbelts in Okinawan Issinhryu, TaeKwon Do and Jujitsu. He alsohas a brown belt in Judo. Watts iscurrently studying a form ofBrazilian Jujitsu.

Belt certification testing is anaccomplishment for Marines, hesaid. Given the opportunity, mostMarines who set the goal ofobtaining a black belt will get it.

Ponce said Marines set goalsfor pursuing higher belt levels forpersonal gratification.

After entry-level training,where Marines receive a tan belt,the testing helps Marinesprogress from a tan belt to gray,green, brown, and black belts.

“If you don’t set goals, youwon’t achieve,” Watts said.

“To help Marines achieve

these goals MCMAP works like abig sponge,” Watts said. “TheMarine Corps is constantly build-ing the program.”

MCC-Kuwait Marines polish fighting skillsStaff Sgt. Rodney JacksonCFLCC PAO

Photos by Staff Sgt. Rodney JacksonMarine Cpl. Anthony X. Ponce, brown-belt instructor, grapples with Marine Pfc. Ryan S. Manuel during MCMAP training at Arifjan.

Ponce takes down Marine LanceCpl. Adam J. Cunningham dur-ing the training.

6 Desert Voice March 1, 2006

Strawberry fields Florida unit brings hometown festival to Kuwait

The Florida Strawberry Festival gained asecond home at Camp Virginia Feb. 18 when

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 116th FieldArtillery Regiment shared a version of theircity’s famed festival with fellow troops andCoalition Forces.

The National Guard unit from Plant City,Fla., the home to the “World’s WinterStrawberry Capital,” brought hometown tra-dition to Kuwait since the troops aredeployed during this year’s two-week festivi-ties.

“Of course you miss home but by bringingthe festival here, it adds a little home flavor,”said 1st lt. Olan Stephens, 3/116th FACoalition Forces and force protection officerin charge.

The mayor of Plant City issued a procla-mation recognizing the unit and authorizingthe event as an official Florida StrawberryFestival.

The festival was kicked off by aPresident’s Day 5-k run, followed by a fullday of team events, food and disc jockeymusic by artists who will perform at theFlorida festival March 2-12.

Plant City provided T-shirts and trophiesto award Soldiers in the day’s team events:the egg toss, egg run, three-legged race, bal-loon toss, volleyball, horseshoes and a free-throw contest.

Yoke and water were flying as eggs andwater balloons broke on participants.

“It was a blast,” said Sgt. Victor Vigna,3/116th FA, whose three-legged race teamtook a spill in the event. “The competitionbuilt good camaraderie among the partici-pants.”

The excitement grew when Lt. Col.Matthew Hearon, Camp Virginia and 3/116thFA commander, got in the dunk tank seat andstarted taunting the crowd.

A few throws, like the fastball thrown byStaff Sgt. Willie Gilliam, 343rd MedicalCompany medic, dropped Hearon into thecool water.

“With no repercussions, it was fun,”Gilliam said. “He was a good sport.”

As is a tradition at the Florida StrawberryFestival, Virginia also held a competition to

crown a festival king and queen.Teams of randomly picked males and

females competed in events together and theteam with the most points was crownedVirginia’s king and queen.

“There can only be one king, so why notme?” said an excited Spc. Brian Benko,3/116th FA, after being crowned king of thefestival.

“I enjoyed it because it was a chance tomeet new people,” said Capt. Christal Laws,

54th Signal Battalion adjutant, who wascrowned queen.

Attendees also got the opportunity to eattheir share of burgers, hot dogs and, ofcourse, strawberries at the event. The camphad 90 flats of strawberries and set up abuild-your-own-strawberry-shortcake booth.

The festival has a long history that startedback in 1930 which brought the local farmerstogether to introduce and sell their productsand learn new things about the industry.

Spc. Robert AdamsAssistant Editor

Photos by Spc. Robert Adams(Left to right) El Salvadorian soldiers Jorge Rosales Mesia and Rolanda Diaz top off theirstrawberry shortcakes with whipped cream at the Camp Virginia Strawberry Festival Feb.18.

7Desert Voice March 1, 2006

s forever

(Top) Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Watson,Virginia and 3/116th FA command sergeantmajor, throws the first ball at the dunk tankwhere Lt. Col. Matthew Hearon, Virginia and3/116th FA commander is seated.(Bottom) Hearon takes a splash in the dunktank after an accurate throw connected withthe target to dunk him.

“It has a lot to do with the agriculturalcommunity… They show steer, swine and, ofcourse, they’ve got strawberry shortcake,”said Sgt. 1st Class William Riley, 3/116th FAdetachment first sergeant. “The city is theonly place in the world where strawberrieswill grow in the wintertime because of theheat we have in Florida.”

Some Soldiers, like Stephens, grew up onfarms and have always gone to the festivals.The only strawberry festivals he missed inthe past 36 years were due to military obliga-tions.

“When I was active duty nobody couldrelate to missing the festival,” Stephens said.“In a Guard unit from Plant City, everyoneappreciates what it does for the community.”

Hearon said he will present Plant Citywith a flag that was flown over Virginia,Camp Bucca, and Abu Ghraib prison, where3/116th FA Soldiers are located.

“I think it boosts morale, not only for us,but for the transient Soldiers and CoalitionForces… just to be able to come out andhave a good time with a little Plant City twistto it,” Stephens said.

Spc. Kendra Still, 478th Personnel SupportBattalion human resource specialist,laughs after a water balloon bursts all overher during the balloon toss.

Bottles of strawberry syrup from a PlantCity farm were used in the making of thestrawberry shortcake mixture.

(Middle) Spc. Brian Benko, 3/116th FA, and Capt. Christal Laws, 54th Signal Battalion adju-tant, are first to the halfway point of the three-legged race. Benko and Laws won the event,had the most points overall and were crowned king and queen.

8 Desert Voice March 1, 2006

“I declare to you that woman must notdepend upon the protection of man but mustbe taught to protect herself and there I takemy stand.”

Susan B. Anthony

She’s pinned. Her attacker holds her armsdown with ease. He’s twice her size but shedoes a few basic movements and escapeswithout harm.

This is the goal of a self-defense classgiven to some servicemembers at CampBuehring Feb. 8.

“If you wanted to narrow what the class isto a few words, it would be ‘evade andescape,’” said Petty Officer 1st Class GregoryBrown, Law and Order Detachment patrol-man and class instructor.

“We’re not teaching them to go toe-to-toewith an attacker, but to be loud, scream anddraw attention to themselves so they canescape,” he said.

The class is taught in three blocks ofinstruction.

The first is avoid, which teaches women toavoid putting themselves in situations thatmake them easy targets.

To be a hardtarget, a womanshould travel witha friend or lovedone, even if itmeans waiting,park under lightsand near the door and be aware of their sur-roundings.

“The biggest part of the class isn’t physi-cal – it’s being aware,” Brown said.

The second principle is blocking theattack. This is basically stopping the activityof the perpetrator whether their attack is witha grab, tackle or a bear hug.

“These women need to use their strengthsand exploit their attacker’s weaknesses.”

Brown said he teaches how to manipulatethe hand and arm to use the weakest part ofthe body to the woman’s advantage.

He said he also shows the class how to use45 degree angles of the body, which is aweak angle for the attacker.

The last section of the class is counters.Counters include head-butting, eye-gougingand any other means the woman can use toescape.

Brown emphasized that these counters

aren’t to be used to beat up the attacker but toallow the woman time to get away. Brownfirst gave the class at Camp Victory when thesexual assault task force team said it wasinterested in having someone teach women’sself-defense.

Brown volunteered because he has sixyears experienceteaching self-defense in theUnited States.

After findingout about theclass, Maj. Tyra

Sellers, Base Support Battalion – North logis-tics officer, coordinated to have one atBuehring.

“I think it’s important for females here toknow some techniques,” she said. “We get afalse sense of security because we’re on amilitary installation… We may not be as safeas we think we are.”

Sellers participated in the class and saidshe thought it was informative and helpful toher and the other attendees.

“It’s about empowerment,” she said.“Women don’t always know how strong theyare.”

She said she was so impressed by the classthat she intends to coordinate more classes tobe held monthly or quarterly.

“I’m hoping the women who took theclass will tell one more female,” Sellers said.“You never know when you might help thatone female.”

Self defense class creates hard targets

Photos by Spc. Debralee P. CrankshawSpc. Amber Heatherly, Third Corps Support Command automated logistics specialist,uses a self-defense move to fend off her “attacker.”

Spc. Debralee P. CrankshawCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

“I think it’s important for females to know sometechniques. We get a false sense of securitybecause we’re on a military installation... Wemay not be as safe as we think we are.”

Maj. Tyra Sellers

Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Brown, Lawand Order Det. patrolman and class instruc-tor, punches his “attacker’s” hands whiledemonstating a self-defense technique.

9Desert Voice March 1, 2006

Estonian Vice Admiral Tarmo Kouts, thecommander of Estonia’s defense forces, trav-eled to Iraq Feb. 8-15 to show support for histroops.

During his visit, Kouts was able to inspectthe Estonian platoon, officers and learn situa-tions of the contingent’s operations and mis-sions, said Estonian Capt. Peeter Tali, PublicAffairs Office chief.

The trip allowed Kouts to step into thecrowd and see how the soldiers were doing,Tali said.

The Estonian infantry platoon is embeddedwith Coalition and U.S. military forces.

They help conduct patrol missions and

serve as quick-reaction forces in their area ofresponsibility, Tali said.

To gauge the morale of the troops, Koutsspoke with soldiers about their accomplish-ments, accommodations and families.

To meet the main objective of checking onhis troops, Kouts had to observe the AOR,equipment and safety, conduct meetings withcommanding officers and speak with soldiers,Tali said.

The Estonian troops and officers are doingwell, completing assigned missions and main-taining safety, Kouts said.

“I saw my boys in action and they are use-ful in the missions they are doing,” he boast-ed.

The U.S. military commanders overseeingthe Estonian contingent continue to appreci-

ate the support from Estonia’s soldiers, Talisaid.

“They trust in our soldiers to perform theirduties and do a good job,” he said.

Throughout his trip, Kouts gathered infor-mation about the conditions of the Estoniancontingent.

“The people of Estonia want to knowabout the soldiers,” Kouts said.

“Although we’re a small unit … the popu-lation supports the soldiers and are concernedabout them,” he said.

The contingent is filled with professional,dedicated and tough soldiers ready to supportand sustain missions in Iraq, Kouts said.

“I’ve come to show them their countrysupports them and to make sure they aredoing well,” he said.

Estonia’s commander of defense visits troopsSpc. Janine CooglerCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

Black history observance...

Whether it’s rememberingthose who struggled throughslavery or who lived in a segre-gated society, black history con-tinues to educate, inform andmotivate people with its storiesof the trials blacks overcame forfreedom and equality.

Through song, sacred danceand poetry, servicemembers andcivilians looked at the past, cele-brated the present and motivatedfuture leaders during a BlackHistory Month observanceThursday at the Camp ArifjanZone 1 Chapel.

The program was one of sev-eral Black History Month obser-vances on Arifjan.

“Tonight we will scratch thesurface of African-American his-tory,” said Sgt. 1st Class WilliamMartin, master of ceremony.

From Harriet Tubman,Fredrick Douglass and MartinLuther King Jr. to Jesse Owensand Wilt Chamberlain, black his-tory is filled with stories of thosewho fought for justice, equality,peace and freedom, saidCommand Sgt. Maj. KevinStuart, 1st Medical Brigade ser-

geant major.Through his poetry, Stuart

expressed his thoughts on the tri-als, struggles and accomplish-ments of African-Americans. “Itis their legacy but our destiny tofollow.”

His poem was in line with theprogram’s theme: reaching out toyouth.

“We need to mentor ouryouth,” said guest speaker Lt.Col. Audrey Lee, 266th FinanceCommand strategic planner.Blacks have a great legacy andhistory, but who will be the nextgreat doctors, lawyers and teach-ers?

Lee challenged the audienceto make a commitment to getinvolved by using their experi-ences to mentor the youth. “Weneed to get them to think abouttheir future and where they wantto go in life.”

To help express the theme, theArifjan drama ministry per-formed a skit to show the pres-sures youth face. “The dramati-zation showed that we have totalk to our youth,” Lee said.

The issue of educating, moti-vating and mentoring the youthin today’s society is not a racialone, Lee said. It is everybody’s

issue.“It’s all about diversity and

coming together,” Lee said.“Don’t let this be the only obser-vance you come to. These areabout education.”

She added, “In everything wedo, we are role models andsomeone is watching… Whetherthey are young Soldiers, orteenagers, let’s lead our youth inthe right direction.”

Remembers past, celebrates future, motivates youthSpc. Janine CooglerCFLCC PAO/11th PAO

Spc. Janine CooglerStaff Sgt. Chakeyma Allen speaks to the audience through a sacreddance to Enlarge My Territory during a Black History Month obser-vance at Camp Arifjan’s Zone 1 Chapel Thursday.

10 Desert Voice March 1, 2006

Celebrities are doing it, thetelevision networks arebroadcasting it and people

from all over the world cometogether to play in the annualworld series.

The game is Texas Hold ’em. What is the addiction that

draws audiences? “Texas Hold ’em is one of

those games that involve somany different talents and skills,”said Heath Papkov, CoalitionForces Land CommandComponent C-7 engineers. “It isan adrenaline rush to try and stayin a game when you know youhave nothing. The games reallytest your ability to stay calmwhen everything inside youwants to let go.”

While gambling is illegal forservicemembers on duty ordeployed throughout all branchesof the military, the game is gain-ing interest as troops are offered

a non-profitable tournament bycamps’ Morale, Welfare andRecreation programs.

“It gives the Soldiers some-thing to do,” said JenniferVillarreal, MWR need recreation-al specialist. “We’re not playingfor money; it’s just a game toteach everyone the basics.”

Twice a month, those sta-tioned at Camp Arifjan are ableto participate in the friendly butcompetitive tournament. Morethan a hundred participants startthe evening. For some it is alearning experience, but for oth-ers it’s a chance to compete.

Many of the servicemembersare curious to see what all thehype is about. Others, such asEric Griffith, CFLCC C-2 plans,have been playing for some time.

“I’ve been playing for a cou-ple of years, mostly withfriends,” he said. “Here I playusually four to five times amonth because it’s fun and a timekiller.”

Papkov said he believes the

television networks have hypedthe game in the last few years,around the time he started play-ing.

“Television has taken TexasHold ’em to whole new levels,”he said. “It has taken a gamethat has been played for yearsand shown that average peoplecan win. There is nothing specialabout the people we view win-ning on TV during the champi-onships.”

“Most of them have onlyplayed for a few years but havetaken the time to brush up ontheir talents,” she said.

Some, like Villarreal, enjoywatching the tournaments andhosting them for the troops.

“I like to see people win andthe atmosphere that surrounds thegame,” she said.

“I watched it on ESPN andthe people get intense - it’s fun towatch,” she said.

Papkov, like Griffith andVillareal, said the game is moreluck than skill. The more some-

one plays, the better his under-standing of the game and theplayers.

“There are so many ways towin in Texas Hold ’em and themore experience one has, themore chance he has at succeed-ing,” Papkov explained. “TexasHold ’em seems to take as muchluck as skill, but the more skillyou have it tends to keep yourluck up.”

So when is the game morethan a game?

Griffith said that Texas Hold’em mixed with money can bedisastrous.

“It’s become a vise,” Griffithsaid. “Just like prostitution,drinking and drugs, it’s notgood.”

“If one is to gamble, it shouldonly be done with self controland reason,” Papkov said.“People sometimes fail to realizethat they need to step back froma game when it no longer is agame played for fun andbecomes an addiction.”

Just a game… Or is it?

Spc. Michael R. NoggleCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

Why poker has evolved into more than a game

Spc. Michael R. NoggleA game of skill, luck and talent, troops have not only learned how to play Texas Hold ’em but different aspects of the game as well.Shuffling and dealing the cards to the competition is part of the action that occurs during a game of poker.

11Desert Voice March 1, 2006

WednesdayMarch Madness basketball tournament sign-up, through March 19, Zone 1 and 6 FitnessCentersWomen’s basketball tournament sign-up,through March 13, Zone 1 and 6 FitnessCentersCountry Night, 7 p.m., stageCardio kickboxing, 5 a.m., Zone 6 FitnessCenterThursdayTexas Hold ’em tournament, 7 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterCountry Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterHip-Hop Night, 7 p.m., stageBallroom dance class, 8 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterExtreme kickboxing, 6 p.m., Zone 6 FitnessCenterFridayFoosball tournament, 7 p.m., Zone 6Community CenterSalsa Night, 7 p.m., stageSaturdayHip-Hop Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterSalsa Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 food courtCardio kickboxing, 5 a.m., Zone 6 FitnessCenterAbs, 8 a.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterHip-Hop Step, 1 p.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterSundayOld School/Reggae/Carribean Night, 7 p.m.,Zone 1 Community CenterSalsa Night, 7 p.m., stageStep and Abs, 5 a.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterAbs, 8 a.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterStep and Abs, 1 p.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterMondayStep and Abs, 5 a.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterAbs, 8 a.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterCardio kickboxing, 1 p.m., Zone 6 FitnessCenterTuesdayBallroom dance class, 8 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterCardio kickboxing, 5 a.m., Zone 1 FitnessCenterStep and Abs, 8 a.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterAbs, 1 p.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterExtreme kickboxing, 6 p.m., Zone 6 FitnessCenter

WednesdayCountry Night, 7 p.m., stageStep and Abs, 8 a.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterCardio kickboxing, 1 p.m., Zone 6 FitnessCenterOlympic boxing class, 8 p.m., Zone 6 FitnessCenterFor more information call 430-1205/1302

WednesdayTexas Hold ’em tournament, 7 p.m., OasisWeekly fun run, 5k, 5:30 p.m., Green BeansBasketball championships, through March 13SundayDarts tournament, 3 p.m., Recreation CenterMondayOscars Night, 4 a.m., theaterTuesdayChess tournament, 7 p.m., OasisCheckers tournament, 8 p.m., OasisWednesdayWeekly fun run, 7.5k, 5:30 p.m., Green BeansMontgomery Gentry concert, 6 p.m., stageHalo tournament, 7 p.m., PalmsFor more information call828-1340

WednesdayStep Class, 6 p.m., Aerobics RoomChess tournament, 7 p.m., Recreation CenterHip-Hop Night, 9 p.m., Aerobics RoomThursdayLatin Dance Night, 7 p.m., Aerobics RoomHip-Hop Night, 9 p.m., Aerobics RoomFridaySpin Class, 6 p.m., Aerobics RoomBingo Night, 7 p.m., MWR stageHip-Hop Night, 9 p.m., Aerobics RoomSaturdayDarts doubles tournament, 2 p.m., RecreationCenterTae Kwon Do, 6 p.m., Aerobics RoomSundayHip-Hop Night, 9 p.m., Aerobics RoomMondaySpin Class, 6 p.m., Aerobics RoomHip-Hop Night, 9 p.m., Aerobics RoomTuesdayLatin Dance Night, 7 p.m., Aerobics RoomWednesdayStep Class, 6 p.m., Aerobics Room

Spades doubles tournament, 7 p.m.,Recreation CenterHip-Hop Dance Night, 9 p.m., AerobicsRoomFor more information call839-1063

MondayLife, 8 a.m., MWR tentSoftball tournament, 8 a.m., softball fieldTiger Woods PGA tour 2006TuesdayLife, 8 a.m., MWR tentSoftball tournament, 8 a.m., softball fieldTiger Woods PGA tour 2006WednesdayLife, 8 a.m., through March 10, MWR tentSoftball tournament, 8 a.m., through March10, softball fieldTiger Woods PGA tour 2006For more information call844-1137

For information call 825-1302

ThursdayClassic Rock and Country Night, 7 p.m.,MFTFridayFlashback Fridays Dance, 8:30 p.m., MFTSaturdayKuwait City Tour, 8 a.m., Scientific Centerand Kuwait TowersHip-Hop and R&B Night, 8:30 p.m., MFTFor more information call823-1033

WednesdayCountry Night, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomThursdayKaraoke Night, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomFridaySalsa Night, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomSaturdayR&B and Hip-Hop Night, 8 p.m., DustyRoomSundayOld School Jams Night, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomFor more information call832-1045

Virginia

Arifjan

Buehring

Navistar

Victory

Spearhead/SPOD

Kuwait Naval Base

Community happenings for March 1 through March 8