LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

With the holidays behind us, we can now concentrate again on the tasks at hand. But also look to redeployment and finishing goals. Promotion boards will be coming up and last chances to become eligible will soon be gone. If you haven’t gained the PT score

you want, time is expiring. Also, with limited time, service members need to remember to volunteer and spend their time off wisely. SFC Spurlock, SGT Bryant and SPC Durham spent the last several Wednesdays building a shower for the Wound Clinic. Projects help the time pass and help us stay focused on the positive. Several Soldiers have participated in the Biera Refuge project accumulating 30 volunteer hours per event, which is also a great way to work toward the volunteer service award. The next few weeks might be the last of the Djiboutian winter. Keep each other in check by ensuring that your battle buddies prepare themselves for the changes. Water consumption should be brought to everyone’s attention and promoted. Eight to ten bottles a day is normal and in the summer months twelve to fifteen will be more like it. ~Capt. William Riley

DJIBOUTI - One would think that getting punched, kicked, flipped, and then tossed around in the air wouldn’t be an ideal way to spend an afternoon trying to get to know someone. However, that seemed to be the case when Soldiers from Task Force Longrifles participated in martial-arts training with the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) at Camp Nagasino, here in Djibouti.

After arriving at the JSDF compound the Soldiers were instructed to remove their boots and socks before entering the gym. To their surprise, the JSDF lined either side of the gym entrance cheering and clapping for the US Soldiers like football players entering the stadium for the championship game.

“The respect they showed us when we arrived felt great. It made each one of us feel important to them,” said Spc. Matthew Franklin, a Lawrenceburg, Ky. native, serving here with Task Force Longrifles.

The Task Force Longrifles Soldiers then formed into three squads and listened to a translator explain the martial arts forms they were about to train on; Judo, Ju-Kendo, and Nihon-Kenpou.

Judo consists of grappling, throwing, and leveraging your opponent to the ground where you can force him to submit using minimum physical effort.

CPT’s Corner

Soldiers of Task Force Longrifles, the Longrifle Raid event is just around the corner. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the raid, it was established by the Battalion Command in FY 2010, with the first event being held in May of 2011. The

main objectives in establishing the event were two-fold, to promote esprit-de-corps within the Battalion and to also afford the opportunity for Soldiers to earn their Red Artillery Shoulder Cord. The intent of the Longrifle Raid is to test each participant’s knowledge in several different areas, including artillery history, tactical proficiency, physical endurance and teamwork. Soldiers that complete the event will be rewarded with the coveted red artillery cord. Soldiers who wish to take on the challenge must contact your 1SG. This year’s event will be held on 15 February. To our family and friends back home, we are quickly approaching the mid-tour mark in our deployment. We can’t thank you enough for your hard work and the support you guys give us each and every day. We couldn’t do what we do here without you! ~1SG Marty Cottrell

1SG Thoughts

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Kentucky Soldiers Get a Kick Out of Their Japanese

Counterparts, Literally!Story by Capt. Daniel Van Horn, 2-138th PAO

January 25, 2013Volume 1, Issue 15

DJIBOUTI - Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guards’ Task Force Longrifles and Japanese Soldiers take a moment to take a group picture after martial arts training. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Toru Takenaka)

Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

Jukendo is offensive and defensive sparring techniques using a replica wooden rifle.

Nihon-Kenpou is the martial art form of striking and blocking techniques using hands and feet.

The US Soldiers listened intently, but nothing explained it better than when JSDF Soldiers demonstrated each form at slow and normal speeds.

“You could tell each movement was from muscle memory through

years of training and practice,” said Sgt. Justin Riggs,

a Soldier with Task Force Longrifles from Lexington, Kentucky.

After the demonstrations each squad was partnered with a JSDF group to train on a martial-arts form. The Kentucky Soldiers practiced each technique slowly with the Japanese soldiers advising them on how to improve their technique and form.

“Having the JSDF there to mentor us was crucial to understanding and performing each movement safely and correctly,” said 1SG Rodney Mitchell, a Carlisle, Ky. native. “At first it was challenging to get each movement perfect but after practice it became muscle memory. It was a great experience working with, and being mentored by, our Japanese counterparts.”

Many laughs were shared. Regardless of the language barrier new friendships were formed, Facebook names exchanged, and hundreds of pictures were taken.

The event stands as another testament to the pride and goodwill commonly found with Kentucky National Guard Soldiers serving here in Djibouti.

Chaplain ReflectionsStraight out of the comics from World War II, Willie and Joe were reminiscing in the lobby of the old-soldier’s home about how much things had changed since they had come home from that war. Willie: “It ain’t just all those new gadgets, or the huge government debt. Folks today are

shallow; they got no depth and no hope.”Joe: “Naw, Americans are resilient. We grew up in the roaring 20s and lost everything in the great depression and still had purpose and hope. What’s wrong today?”Willie: “My grandson says he loses more army buddies to suicide each year than to battle!”Joe: “No Way!”Willie: “Fraid so. The whole generation’s focused on things and still ain’t satisfied. Many got no purpose, no goal in life. They say they’re spiritual but don’t want no religion. When somethin’ goes wrong, they got nothin’ to fall back on. Just like a century ago when that First World War wiped out the fairy-tale world of kings and queens and princesses and nobility, seems the hope-filled world you and I knew has come to an end…”Joe: “So that’s what the Mayans were talking about as the ‘end of the world’?”Willie: “Could be…”Let’s prove Willie and Joe’s fears wrong. Everyone has a purpose in life—something to live for more than just the next thrill or experience or newest gadget. Find it. Live it.Blessings! ~Chaplain (BG) Patrick Dolan---------------------------------------------------------------------BG (CH) Patrick Dolan is the Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains at the National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C. We want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to both encourage and bless us during your stay here.

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Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/TaskForceLongrifles

Soldier to Soldier • Any Soldier interested in participating in a shout-

out should stop by the Public Affairs office located in building 150, Monday through Friday from 1300-1600. POC is Capt. Van Horn, ext. 4807.

• Any Soldier interested in volunteering for Troops and Teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, contact 1st Lt. Weiler in building 150 or ext. 5031.

• The Chaplain’s Office will be collecting donations of 550 Cord from now until further notice. Any Soldiers interested in making donations can stop by building 150 between 0900-1600.

• 5 on 5 basketball league sign ups began 8 Jan at the gym, the games start on 4 Feb.

DJIBOUTI - Task Force Longrifles Soldiers receive a warm welcome from their Japanese counterparts as they enter the gym for martial arts training. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Toru Takenaka)

DJIBOUTI - Japanese soldiers demonstrate Nihon-Kenpou in front of Soldiers from Task Force Longrifles. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taru Takenaku)