The document is the October/November 2009 issue of the newsletter for the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion. It contains summaries of recent and upcoming events for the battalion, including leadership messages, recruiting initiatives and partnerships, and stories highlighting individual recruiters and future soldiers. The issue also provides information for military spouses on the MyCAA program which provides financial assistance for education and training.

1. The Official Publication of Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion
OCT/NOV 2009 Vol 1, Issue 2
STAND PROUD. STAND UNITED. STAND ARMY STRONG

2. CONTENTS OCT/NOV 2009 Vol 1, Issue 2
Departments
3 LEADERSHIP CORNER
4 BATTALION NEWS
6 COLD STEEL FAMILY 6 7
Commander
Lt. Col. Stephen B. Lockridge
Command Sgt. Major 7 EDUCATION
Command Sgt. Maj. (MyCAA)
Reginald K. Washington
8 COMPANY CORNER
8
Chief of Advertising &
Public Affairs
Staci Cretu
10 ARMY NEWS
Public Affairs Specialists,
Associate Editors
Sonya Sanocki
Bill Irwin
On the Cover
Administrative Assistant, Celebrating Special Moments
Photo by Staci Cretu
Layout Design
Angela D. Walter Lt. Col. Lockridge celebrated his 41st birthday on Sept.
27th with the battalion and the Advisory Board.
The Battalion Newsletter is authorized by
AR360-1 for members of the U.S. Army.
Contents of this publication are not neces-
sarily the official views, or endorsement by Harrisburg Battalion Vision
the U.S. Government, Department of De- Harrisburg Battalion is committed to deliver excellence from
fense, Department of the Army, or the U.S. recruiting with integrity and providing quality service members as the strength of our all-
Army Recruiting Command. volunteer Army. We strive to consistently achieve mission and inspire Americans to proudly
serve within the profession of arms in support of their Nation.
The Newsletter is published bi-monthly by
the Advertising and Public Affairs (A&PA)
Office, U.S. Recruiting Battalion - Harrisburg. Harrisburg Battalion Mission
With integrity and selfless service, the Harrisburg Recruiting
Please mail or e-mai submissions and
letters to:
Battalion provides strength to the Army, cares for the Soldiers, civilians, and families and
A&PA U.S. Army Recruiting develops community support for the
Battalion - Harrisburg, military.
54 M Ave., Suite 11
New Cumberland, PA 17070
COMM: (717) 770-6721
FAX: (717) 770-2707
E-mail: 1ebn-apa@usarec.army.mil
The Newsletter is currently distributed elec- 1st Brigade Mission
tronically and will be sent to everyone on Victory Brigade prospects, processes, and sustains future soldiers to achieve its FY10 preci-
the battalion distribution list and to those sion mission requirements within the DA quality marks and resources allocated while simul-
who request a copy. taneously expanding both its market and number of partners; executes specified training
and Command initiatives though discipline and adhering to standards in accordance with
Deadline submissions for Dec/Jan. Army Values and Ethos all the while ensuring the quality of life of its Soldiers, Civilians, and
edition is Jan. 15. Family members.
2•

3. LEADERSHIP CORNER
GreetinGS
Steel Battalion
“If you surrender completely to the officer of my grade and experience would have
moments as they pass, you live more that figured it out. However, like many of you,
I struggle with the challenges of “balancing”
richly those moments. “ service to the nation and service to family.
As we tackle a new mission and move into
~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh the holiday season, please take the time to
thank our true battle buddies such as parents,
I would like to dedicate my comments for spouses, children, siblings, influencers, and
this edition reflecting on the importance of mentors. Without their assistance, we would
celebrating special moments throughout be combat ineffective in doing our nation’s
our career. Maintaining balance is one of the bidding at home or abroad. Most importantly,
most important critical leader tasks that we don’t put forth a half effort when participating in Lt. Col. Stephen B. Lockridge
perform. Often times without knowing it, we Battalion Commander
these moments. Completely surrender your time
place mission accomplishment and taking and attention, and show the same enthusiasm
care of Soldiers/families ahead of our “first for a family member’s birthday party, graduation
team”. ceremony, or wedding anniversary as you would for all you do. I look forward to continued suc-
After recently completing my 41st birthday, when accomplishing daily tasks at the workplace. cess in fiscal year 10. We are a great team, and
it became very clear that I should have done a In the end, establishing and maintaining proper I am proud to serve with you!
better job in celebrating special moments with balance between work and family is critical to
not only myself but with those family members complete well being, emotional fitness, as well Cold Steel!!!
who depend upon me. After 19 plus years of as quality of life for our team.
military service, one would think that an To the entire Steel Battalion team, thanks Steel 6
Leading by exampLe
Command Sgt. Maj. Reginald K. Washington
Battalion Command Sgt. Major
OCT/NOV 2009 • 3

4. BATTALION NEWS
Pittsburgh Advisory Board
SaluteS
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
December
1 All American Bowl Tour Stop– Penn Hills
High School – 5G
F S uture oldiers
4 All American Bowl Tour Stop – Canon Mcmil
lian High School – 5W
4 New Recruiter Board
7-11 ICI - Jim Thorpe Company
7-10 Brigade Commander visit to Pittsburgh
11 Harrisburg Company Pinnacle IOC
12 Hershey BEARS Exhibit Space - 1E3
TEAMWORK is key to continued success.
12 Future Soldier Event - 2V
12-19 Hanukkah Photos and Story by Staci Cretu
Chief, A&PA
17-20 ATC
18
25
CTC PaYS Ceremony
Christmas N ot only did the U.S. Army Pittsburgh Advisory Board celebrate Lt.
Col. Lockridge’s birthday, Pirates style, the board members and
Battalion staff were reunited on 28 September 2009. During the board
January meeting the members were presented with one of many Army Strong
1 New Year’s initiatives recognizing our Future Soldiers. The program presented
modeled a successful pilot event held in Camden County, NJ,
8 Newcomers’s Orientation hosted by “Our Community Salutes”, a non-profit, community-based
9 All American Bowl - San Antonio, Texas organization. This new organization was formed by Dr. Ken Hartman,
Army Veteran, school board member, and academic administrator
13 New Recruiter Board
at Drexel University, who realized nothing was being done to honor
17 Hershey Bears Promotional Night - 1E3 these brave individuals, unlike that being done at pre-graduation
18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events and ceremonies for other students who would be going off to
college or pursuing other non-military postsecondary endeavors.
18-22 ICI - Greensburg Company
The U.S. Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion along with the
27–2 Feb MEV Event at Punxsutawaney - 1E1 Pittsburgh Advisory Board agreed to carry on this great program. “Our
Community Salutes” of Pittsburgh will publicly recognize graduating
February
high school seniors who have “answered the call” in the surrounding
6-14 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show - 1E3 counties of Pittsburgh, PA. The annual ceremony will recognize those
11 New Recruiter Board Future Soldiers for their voluntary commitment to enlist in the United
States Military (all services/components) upon graduation from high
14 Valentine’s Day
school. The first annual ceremony is tentatively scheduled for May
15 President’s Day 2010 in Pittsburgh, PA.
17-19 MEV – CONAP event at Greensburg Penn
State Campus - 1E1 the army strong
18-20
22-224
SCAAR
ICI - Carlisle Company
Student AmbASSAdor ProgrAm
By Staci Cretu Partnering with LocaL coLLeges
24-26 ICI - State College Company Chief, A&PA
T he U.S. Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion is in the process of
coordinating a partnership between UD on Campus Marketing and
select Universities/Colleges in the Battalion footprint. UD on Campus
(UDOC) operates under their parent company, University Directories
a publisher of campus directories and day planners for colleges and
universities across the nation. UDOC works with local business to
provide college students with the opportunity to work in the field of
marketing and promotions on campuses across the Country, fulfilling
their requirement for a college credit internship program.
The Army Strong Student Ambassador program was developed as
a grassroots initiative to provide each company with an opportunity
to further engage students, parents, family, faculty and staff of select
Universities and Colleges in our MK/MW zip codes. UDOC handles all
hiring, extensive training and motivation of the student ambassadors.
(Continued on pg. 11)
4•

5. BATTALION NEWS
Pinnacle Brings Teamwork to
Harrisburg Recruiting Efforts SPOTLIGHT
Capt. Jason S. Meisel
Irwin, A&PA
Battalion Operations Officer
By Staci Cretu
Photo by Bill
Chief, A&PA Q: Where did you grow up?
A ccording to Webster,
“teamwork is a joint
action by two or more
I have had the pleasure of growing
up in many places, since my mother
decided to continue her education as
people, in which each a school teacher. Places, I like to call spent the last 4 1/2 years at Fort Hood.
home are West Virginia, North Carolina Love Texas and the units at Fort Hood,
person contributes with
and Ohio. and feel privileged to have served with
different skills and expresses
them on two deployments to Iraq.
his or her individual interests
Q: What’s your background? How
and opinions to the unity did you end up getting into Army Q: What has been your most
and efficiency of the group advertising and public affairs? memorable moment working with
in order to achieve common goals. This does not mean that the the U.S. Army?
individual is no longer important; however, it does mean that effective I never gave much thought to joining
and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments.” the Army until I took a college course I believe the most memorable moment
USAREC continues to transform to better accomplish its core at Ohio State (OSU). During the class, for me, while being in the U.S. Army
mission of“providing the strength of the Army.” Pinnacle will modernize the professor began a rant on how we was my last deployment. During that
did not understand or have any civic deployment to Iraq, I had the privilege
a recruiting force still operating under the ’70s All-Volunteer Force
virtue. If we had any civic virtue, we of being a company commander of a
model by adopting proven industry practices—particularly division of Military Intelligence Company. There is
would serve our country and not ask
labor and specialization of skills—to improve the recruiting process. for something in return, but just the nothing quite as fulfilling as resetting,
The Pinnacle concept is currently being implemented in the Battalion honor of serving. training and deploying a company of
with Harrisburg Company as the pilot. Pinnacle will allow Harrisburg As a result, I enlisted in the reserves Soldiers from the moment they arrive
Company to develop specialized recruiting teams. Those specialized as medic the next week. I found that to their first duty station to their first
teams consist of a range of internal administration and logistics to external I enjoyed the Army and continued deployment. Being the last person to
community outreach teams. The team my development by joining OSU’s set foot on the plane to Iraq and seeing
concept allows for those excelling in ROTC program, where I received my all their faces, while understanding
certain aspects of recruiting to achieve
TOP commission in 2000 as a Military all the work that was involved with it
Intelligence officer. My first assignment provided me with a true sense of what
the mission as a whole rather than the
was with the 101st Airborne Division, this profession is all about.
responsibility of all recruiting efforts which was a wonderful experience.
falling on an individual. Before coming to the Battalion, I
An additional benefit is significantly
improved quality of life for the recruiting
force resulting from a reduction in work
hours and increased job satisfaction.
Harrisburg Marathon
“You are all animals! Well done!” - Command Sgt. Maj. Moore
When Command Sgt. Maj. Moore called the U.S. Army runners animals we could
VETERAN’S DAY NOVEMBER 11 have thought he was saying we are as quick as cats and as strong as an ox. Not even
those animals are as strong or fast as the US Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion
runners during the Harrisburg Marathon on 8 November 2009. We had two runners
to complete the marathon, Lt. Col. Lockridge and Maj. Deuel.
Photo by Bill Irwin, A&PA
Photo by Staci Cretu, A&PA
Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Donahay, left, recruiter at Lock Haven
Recruiting Station, presents a veteran’s pin to members of
Lock Haven’s American Legion Post 131. Donahay and Capt.
Paul Dangelantonio, Station College Recruiting Company
commander, participated in Lock Haven’s Veteran’s Day parade
and the veteran’s tribute that took place at the reviewing stand
following the parade on Nov. 7. Runners: Lt. Col. Lockridge Maj. Deuel and relay teams from Jim Thorpe Company,
Carlisle Company and Harrisburg Company along with Future Soldiers.
OCT/NOV 2009 • 5

6. THE “COLD STEEL” FAMILY
M ilitary S pouse C areer
OUALITY OF LIFE. Families are as important as the annual recruiting mission.
A dvancement A ccounts (MyCAA)
By Randy Readshaw
Soldier & Family Assistance Program Manager
T he Department of Defense Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program provides up to $6,000 of financial assistance
for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career
fields.
Who Is Eligible
Spouses of DoD active duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve components are eligible. The
period of eligibility for spouses of Guard and Reserve members is from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or
Mobilization, through activation and deployment until 180 days following de-mobilization.
Military spouses who are legally separated by state law or court order are ineligible. Spouses who are active duty or activated
Guard or Reserve members themselves are ineligible because they have their own education benefit programs. Unfortunately,
Public Law 110-417 Sec 582 does not allow MyCAA to provide education benefits to Coast Guard spouses.
What does MyCAA Pay For
MyCAA Financial Assistance pays for education and training programs, tuition, and licensing/credentialing fees. This includes
degree programs, such as associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral, continuing education classes (including
those offered through professional associations), Bar, CPA and other similar exams, and state certifications for teachers, medical
professionals and other licensed occupations. If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or equipment necessary for the
performance of the spouse’s chosen occupation, i.e., cosmetology or masonry tools, electrician operations manual, MyCAA will
pay these costs if not billed separately. MyCAA also pays for High School Completion courses, GED tests and English As A Second
Language classes.
How to Get Started
Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA account by visiting the MyCAA website ~ https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. Once
spouse profile information is provided, MyCAA will verify spouse DEERS eligibility. Eligible spouses will be allowed to create their
career and training plan and request financial assistance when they are within 90 days of course start dates. Additionally, spouses
are responsible for applying to their selected school or program and enrolling in each course included in their approved MyCAA
Career and Training Plan.
“
Army Strong Families Make Strong Army recruiters!
America’s Army is the strength of
the nation and America’s Families
are the backbones and source of a
A 24/7 Resource for
Soldier’s strength. Military Members,
Spouses & Families
- Mrs. Sheila Casey
Call and Talk Anytime
6•

7. EDUCATION is key
Battalion Leads the Way
• Initial window opens – Future Soldier places initials in block
By Mark Mazarella • Submit - by clicking submit, the application is sent to the
Education Services Specialist selected school
O n Sept. 21, after nearly 20 years of use, the familiar multi-copy yel-
low ConAP “Intent to Enroll” form has gone electronic, eliminat-
ing the need to mail the form from recruiting station to colleges, back
Once the Future Soldier submits the ConAP form an electronic
copy is automatically sent to the ConAP college point of contact.
The college POC then clicks on a link in the email and checks a box
to battalion and then finally to ConAP headquarters in Washington, acknowledging receipt of the ConAP form. This triggers an email
DC. back to the Future Soldier with the form initialed by the College POC.
During October, in its first month of use, the Harrisburg A second email is sent to their recruiter. The recruiter must forward
Recruiting Battalion submitted 184 ConAP electronic enrollment this email, adding the Future Soldier’s name and social security num-
forms—exceeding the number of enrollments in FY09 altogether, ber, to the Battalion ESS and ESS assistant, who will ensure the initi-
and three times that of the next leading battalion in USAREC! For ating recruiter receives credit for the enrollment. The ESS assistant
those recruiters who are promoting this program, well done! Because generates a ConAP enrollment certificate and forwards to the station
of your efforts more Future Soldiers will be enrolling in college and for presentation to the Future Soldier.
taking advantage of tuition assistance and the GI Bill. Statistics also Recruiters should be discussing the ConAP program with high
show that Future Soldiers who are enrolled in ConAP are less likely to schools, highlighting the postsecondary educational opportuni-
become losses prior to shipping and Army Reserve Soldiers attending ties available to their students and reinforcing the importance the
college are more likely to re-enlist. Army places on education. Recruiters should also bring a copy of the
Recruiters are required to brief each Future Soldier on ConAP and completed Intent to Enroll form to the student’s guidance counselor
then assist them with enrollment during the orientation. To enroll in and explain that the school is now able to count the Future Soldier
ConAP using the new electronic form, follow these simple steps: as college-bound in the statistics they provide to the district and the
state.
• Future Soldier logs on to Future Soldier Website Advantages for colleges and universities include an additional
(www.futuresoldiers.com) applicant pool consisting of both Soldiers and veterans who have
• Select “Orientation” tab
money for college, as well as the maturity, motivation, and discipline
• Select ConAP – I am a Future Soldier
• Log in with AKO user name and password to succeed. Colleges can also offer distance education courses to
• Select ConAP Form Soldiers, making it possible for active duty Soldiers to take courses
• Select the state of college desired to attend even while deployed overseas.
• School dropdown window opens - select desired school Since 1989, ConAP has connected over 200,000 FSs with colleges
• College major dropdown window opens - select major and universities, contributing to an increase in GI Bill usage among
(or enter undecided) veterans from under 20% in the 1980’s to nearly 70% today. For ad-
• Enrollment date dropdown window opens - select probable ditional information or questions about the ConAP program, contact
enrollment date the Battalion ESS or refer to USAREC Message 09-172.
Building Relationships with uniontown educatoRs
Photo and Story by Bill Irwin
Public Affairs Specialist
S ometimes creating strong relationships with educators and school officials can
be difficult, especially when those officials really do not understand the Army.
On the evening of November 13, Uniontown Recruiting Station endeavoed to build
relationships with local schools by hosting an educator dinner.
More than 20 educators and counselors from the Uniontown area attended this
first gathering offered by the station where they were presented with information
on several Army programs that will enhance their students’ educational experience:
March-2-Success, the ASVAB, West Point, ROTC , Boost Up and CONAP.
Lt. Col. Stephen Lockridge, Battalion Commander and Greensburg Company
Commander Capt. Terry Redd told their Army stories, and the theme that carried
throughout the evening was opportunity. The opportunities that the Army offers
Mark Mazarella, Eduaction Specialist, speaks to educa-
Soldiers for training and education and the opportunities available when a Soldier
tors in the Greensburg area.
decides to return to civilian life will remain with them and help them achieve their
goals.
OCT/NOV 2009 • 7

8. COMPANY CORNER
This Just In...
all-american bowl set for
January 9
By Sonya Sanocki
Public Affairs Specialist
Social Networking brings new
life to Recruiting
T he 2010 U.S. Army
All-American
Bowl (AAB) is set for
Jan. 9. The game will
Photo by Bill Irwin, A&PA
By Staci Cretu be broadcast live
Chief, A&PA
on NBC, beginning
Photo by Staci Cretu, A&PA
at 1 p.m., and will
R ecruiting involves the ability to communicate with peers,
prospects and COI’s. The Army recognizes that social media is
evolving the way we communicate with the recruiting audiences.
be played at the
Alamodome in San
It creates the opportunity to strengthen relationships, encourage Antonio, Texas.
participation and foster a dialogue through shared experiences 2010 marks the
ARMY VALUES
about recruiting, military service and Army life. The Army believes 10th anniversary of Benjamin Guise, marching band musician,
there is no better voice to explain the path to military service than the Army sponsored Central Dauphin High School accepting his
our nation’s Soldiers. game. For 10 years, All-American Bowl jacket.
Today, four out of five U.S. adults now socialize online creating,
the All-American Bowl
reading or participating in social content at least monthly. In
addition, 97 percent of 18-24 year olds and 90 percent of 25-34
has been the premier high school football game in the nation,
years old are active in social media. As the majority of the Army’s with a legacy including NFL and college stars, such as Adrian
recruiting audience turns to the Internet first to network and Peterson, Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Tim Tebow and Terrelle Pryor.
build relationships, recruiters can harness the power of social The game features the nation’s top senior high school football
media to share accurate perceptions regarding military service. players in an East versus West showdown.
As a recruiter you can use social media to bring about a dialogue According to Col. David Lee, director of Marketing, U.S.
on Army life in a highly engaging, interactive and authentic way Army Accessions Command, the Army is proud to celebrate
between real Soldiers and potential recruits, their influencers and the 10th anniversary of the All-American Bowl and to continue
their communities.
to showcase the talents and strengths of the athletic, musical
Using social media gives the Army new ways to share true life
as a Solider with people even before they speak with a recruiter.
and Soldier Elite participants.
Social media helps extend the Army story beyond the gates of “For 10 years, the All-American Bowl has provided the
Goarmy.com to our Prospects daily lives. When Prospects are national platform for young adults to reflect the strength of
ready to speak with a recruiter, they are more educated about the Army Strong Soldiers,” he said.
benefits of Army life and can ask better question. The AAB is one of the nation’s top premiere high school
Visit the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion fan page for the latest athletic events, drawing a crowd of more than 32,000 to the
updates and photos: Alamodome. The Bowl is the highest-rated sports event of the
Discipline with
weekend other than the NFL playoff games.
The Selection Tour for the AAB and marching band kicked
off Sept. 29 and recognizes 187 high school marching bands
and football players from across the United States.
Marching musicians are scheduled to perform in the All-
American Bowl half-time show. The marching band recognizes
the top 97 high school senior marching musicians from across
the country and showcases their talents during the largest
celebration of high school football in America.
Musicians and players from the Harrisburg Battalion
selected to play in the AAB include: Kate Anderson, marching
band musician, Hughesville High School; Benjamin Guise,
marching band musician, Central Dauphin High School; Emily
Grau, marching band musician, New Oxford High School;
Jennifer Dunlap, marching band musician, Cedar Cliff High
School; Cullen Christian, football, Penn Hills High School;
Daniel Cohen, marching band musician, Mount Lebanon High
School; Mike Hull, football, Canon-Mcmillan High School; and
Paul Jones, football, Sto Rox High School.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/
New-Cumberland-PA/US-Army-Recruiting-Battalion-
Harrisburg/158916607701?ref=nf
8•

9. COMPANY CORNER
NOTES:
The Pittsburgh Company would
like to Welcome:
• Staff Sgt. Anthony Shaffer
Photo and Story by Bill Irwin North Hills RS
Public Affairs Specialist
• Sgt. Bryce Mouchet
S inceHarrisburgBattalion’sfirstCommunity Century III RS
Covenant signing at Kutztown University
in October several more have been signed • Staff Sgt. Daniel Martinez
and are in the works. Oakland RS
The covenant signings are designed
to create and sustain ongoing community • Sgt. Daniel Weitz
support and community partnerships Whelling RS
with the Army and in some cases the
armed forces to improve the quality Farewell and Godspeed:
of life for service members and their
families, and affords organizations and • Sgt. Justin Nearing
Carlsle Company’s Community Covenant signing. Washington RS
communities with the ability to officially Pictured from left to right: Steve Leonard, Cal Williams,
affirm their support. Blaine Havice, Barry Foltz, Tom Kane, Bill Irwin, Dan
Signings at each location have been Lyons, Maj. Bill Hammac and 2nd Lt. Brendan Kane Congratulations to the following
varied and tailored to accommodate each personnel for recent Promotions:
community. Recent covenant signings included a signing with the local state
include Williamsport which covers all of representative, and occurred during a county • Staff Sgt. Lemont North
Lycomin g County, Lock Haven covering all of wide military benefits fair. Lock Haven’s Washington RS
Clinton County and Carlisle emcompassing occurred after the cities Veterans
all of Cumberland County. Williamsport’s (Contincued on pg. 11)
FUTURE SOLDIER TRAINING: others do.”
Jones reviewed each phase of training with the
THE DRILL SERGEANT EXPERIENCE audience. He also explained what a typical day for
Photo and Story by Bill Irwin him was like; starting at 3:00 A.M. and sometimes
Public Affairs Specialist going 16 hours to make sure the new Soldiers come
together as a team. “There are two types of Soldiers
W hen Staff Sgt. Donte Jones speaks
Soldiers tend to listen. It could be
the authority in his voice, the volume
that grab my attention, the problem child and the standout.
If you listen to your recruiter I will quickly know your name
as a go to Soldier, trust me you don’t want to be the problem
and projection, or his commanding child.”
presence as a Drill Sergeant that grabs Questions from Future Soldiers and their families ran the
their attention. Whatever it is he uses to gambit from “can I have a cell phone, will I be able to wear
grab their attention, he uses it tell his jewelry and am I allowed an Ipod.” The answers of course are
Army story and the story of what new no to the phone and Ipod, you may have one religious chain
enlistees can expect at basic training. and two rings as jewelry.
Jones toured the battalion area After all questions were answered, Future Soldiers were
during the week of November 9. After placed in formation where Jones gave basic instructions
visiting several schools he finished the on drill. This was the first time the Soldiers heard Jones use
tour at Pittsburgh Company’s Future his Drill Sergeant voice, a marked difference from the quiet
Soldier event at the 911th Air Force demeanor he showed in class. “Attention! “ Jones barked,
Reserve base. and instantly more than 55 Future Soldiers snapped to. “Let’s
The briefing room quickly filled with take a training posture, first three rows take a knee, this is not
more than 80 people that included an option, eyes front, look at me, I’m going to turn my back
Future Soldiers and their families. Right Drill Sgt. Donte Jones gives commands to and show you the proper position for parade rest. Trust me,
off the bat Jones let the group know a group of Future Soldiers at Piitsburgh I’ll know if you are paying attention, I was issued eyes in the
Company’s Mega Future Soldier Event
how lucky they were to have a Drill back of my head when I was given this hat.”
Sergeant touring their local area to Lunch followed drill instructions at the installation
answer questions in such a relaxed atmosphere, “Most new Soldiers Community Club. Acting as squad leaders recruiters started the
never get to interact with a Drill Sergeant’s outside of basic training. Soldiers on a march to the club, with Jones calling cadence, “let’s
Many do not know what to expect, now is your chance to ask any give these Airmen a treat and shout out this cadence. Let them
question you want, and either I or one of your recruiters can impart know what it’s like to be a Soldier.”
you with our experience so you won’t make mistakes like so many
OCT/NOV 2009 • 9

10. ARMY NEWS
soldiers to get retroactive
medic hopes her stress story can pay for stop loss
help others By Joshua Wick
U.S. Army Public Affairs
Army News Service
By Jim Garamone WASHINGTON -- An estimated 120,000
American Forces Press Service
Soldiers and veterans are now eligible for ret-
NORFOLK, Va. (Nov. 4, 2009) --
roactive Stop-Loss Special Pay.
Staff Sgt. Megan Krause’s words The Department of Defense
come out in a rush, as if she wants announced on Oct. 21 that with the recent
Courtesy Photo
everyone to hear and learn from congressional authorization, Soldiers who
her story. were individually stop-lossed and on active
Krause, an Army reservist with duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30,
the 365th Engineer Battalion in 2008, now can claim a retroactive special pay
Staff Sgt. Megan Krause, an Army Reserve medic who
Pennsylvania, does want people of $500 for each month they served past their
has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, hopes to help
Communicate and Enforce Standards
to hear her story, and she wants other servicemembers by telling her story of seeking
end-of-service date. This includes Reserve
to connect with servicemembers help when post-traumatic stress had her spiraling out
so they don’t go through what
and National Guard Soldiers on active duty
of control.
she did. during this period.
The 27-year-old staff sergeant is a part of the “Real Warrior” campaign, which aims at Soldiers can apply for the pay through an
getting the word out to servicemembers about post-traumatic stress disorder and other online application process at
psychological trauma. The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil.
Traumatic Brain Injury sponsors the program. Krause spoke about her experiences during The Retroactive Stop-Loss Special Pay
the Warrior Resilience Conference here. is new, said Maj. Roy Whitley, program
On active duty, Krause served as a medic in Afghanistan and Iraq with the 101st manager, Army Retroactive Stop-Loss Special
Airborne Division. It’s part of her “can-do” persona that she felt she had it wired - she knew
Pay. He explained that Soldiers stop-lossed
how her life was going to go.
“I was going to go off active duty, get a degree at Penn State and then get a job in
since Sept. 30, 2008, have already been
Washington,” the Illinois native said during an interview. “When I got home, I never thought compensated.
I had any psychological issues. Not me. That was for other people. I had goals.” The Army is gradually suspending the use
What she also had were flashbacks and nightmares. Still, she said, “I really felt fine. I of Stop Loss. The Army Reserve started phas-
knew what triggers to avoid, and I was coping quite well.” ing out stop-lossed Soldier in August 2009,
And she was drinking. “But I attributed that to just being a college kid,” she said. Once the Army National Guard followed shortly
in college, she enlisted in the Army Reserve and took pride in serving and taking care of after beginning in September 2009 and the
her troops. active Army will begin in January 2010.
Krause was on her way to reaching her goals when post-traumatic stress disorder
“The interim goal is to reduce by half the
crashed down on her last year.
She was going through a rough patch - her father had lost his job, her brother and
number of Soldiers affected by Stop Loss,”
sister-in-law had deployed, and she had no job to go to after college. And her unit had said Lt. Col. Ann Finley, chief, Distribution and
been put on stand-by for hurricane relief. Readiness Branch, Army G-1 (Personnel Direc-
“What I did not realize was that increases in symptoms were causing increases in bad torate), she added that, “we expect to achieve
choices, which were causing increases in problems,” she said. “But I was so busy worrying this sometime in 2010; the long-term goal,
about other things and drinking my life away. It all piles on itself, and there was no good when operationally feasible, is to suspend
way to start to fix it.” the use of Stop-Loss altogether.”
Krause was blowing off classes and papers. She skipped Reserve duty. One of her Sol- To qualify for Retroactive Stop-Loss
diers sat her down and told her that people were worried about her and that she should
Special Pay, a Soldier must have served under
get help. Her company first sergeant reached out and tried to get her to seek help.
“Everybody around me noticed there was a problem, but I didn’t,” she said. “My first
Stop Loss for at least one day of each month
sergeant said, ‘Let’s fight this together.’ But I still didn’t get help.” they are applying for, and those periods must
Her epiphany came after a night of drinking. She was talking with friends after the be in accordance with All Army Activities
bars closed when a truck backfired. She took off running across campus and got to her Message (ALARACT 277/2009).
apartment.
“There was a light on, and I didn’t remember leaving a light on,” she said. “I called the
State College police and told them that someone needed to come check my apartment,
because I think the terrorists are waiting for me.”
A police car and an ambulance arrived. Krause said she didn’t want to go to the local hospital, but to the Veterans Affairs hospital in Altoona,
Pa., about 45 minutes away. Her roommate drove her there.
“I spent three days in detox, talked to psychiatrists and psychologists and care coordinators, and they helped me,” she said.
Krause worked with the Penn State veterans outreach office and her professors to get back on track for school, and graduated in December.
She also received a job offer from a public relations firm in Washington.
“It’s really amazing how as soon as you make the choice to get help and address the issue, that things start falling into place,” she said.
Krause credits her friends, Soldiers, military leaders and the medical system for the help.
She volunteered to be part of the Real Warrior campaign in March. “What I hope to do is take what was a really horrible experience and turn
it into a positive experience for other veterans and servicemembers who may be struggling and don’t necessarily see the light at the end of the
tunnel,” she said.
“If one other Soldier out there sees my profile and can relate enough to say, ‘I can do that. I can get help,’ that’s what I hope to accomplish with
this program,” she said.
10 •

11. BATTALION NEWS
RemembeRing a SelfleSS HeRo
Student AmbASSAdor ProgrAm
– SpecialiSt RoSS a. McGinniS (Continued from pg. 4)
This campaign will take place during the
By Staci Cretu 2010 spring and fall semesters at select
Chief, A&PA Universities and Colleges. The Ambassadors,
with the aid of UDOC and Battalion staff, will
N ovember 9, 2009 marked the unveiling of an offical
Medal of Honor Memorial for Specialist Ross. A
McGinnis. McGinnis was recognized by The House of
plan, organize and execute five to ten events
per campus per semester with the goal of
lead generation. Events will vary per campus,
Representatives for his courage and selfless sacrifice at and could include hosting/sponsoring
Soldier’ s Grove on the grounds of the State Capitol. intramural sports teams, pre-existing campus
When Ross A. McGinnis, a Clarion County recruit, event, and student organization meetings.
joined the Army on his 17th birthday he swore to uphold The ambassador will coordinate speaking
a higher standard through living the Army Values. Not engagements for our NCO’s centered on
many individuals know what those words truly mean but the Army’s Seven Core Values. These events
Specialist McGinnis embraced these Seven Army Values through his selfless act on December will last two-four hours per campus with a
4, 2006 by recognizing that there was an immediate need for him, one person, to protect his Harrisburg Battalion Recruiter or ROTC in
fellow Soldiers. Ross was mortally wounded while he pinned a live grenade between his body attendance.
and the vehicle that him and four others were in. Ross absorbed most of the explosion while What does this mean for our recruiters?
saving the lives of at least four other Soldiers. This program will allow for increased P1
“Ross did not become our hero by dying to save his fellow Soldiers from a grenade. He prospecting by the recruiters in select areas.
was a hero to us long before he died, because The student ambassadors along with UDOC
he was willing to risk his life to protect the ideals and Battalion staff will facilitate, manage,
of freedom and justice that America represents. coordinate and execute all events on select
The lives of four men who were his Army campuses. The students are there to generate
brothers outweighed the value of his one life” a the leads. The effectiveness will be measured
statement issued by his parents shortly after his by the quantity of leads the students get and
death on December 4, 2006. the relationship that is built between the
While Specialist McGinnis ultimately lost his
schools and the Army.
own life to save his comrades his extraordinary
heroism has awarded him with a Medal of Honor,
the Armed Forces highest award for valor.
COMPANY CORNER CONTINUED...
Community Covenant
(continued from pg. 9)
Day parade and Carlisle’s tagged onto Veteran’s day at the local mall. MEV in Bethlehem
Signatures on the documents also vary and are always community
leaders. Lock Haven and Williamsport’s covenants were spearheaded
by the District Commander of the American Legion an sported all the
local post commanders as well as Veteran’s Affairs representatives,
local and state politicians, members of our battalion, and local
Reserve and Guard units. Carlisle’s covenant has leaders from a
county heritage based fraternal organization, the majority of them
Photo by Sonya Sanocki, A&PA
Veterans or members of the Reserve or Guard.
Maj. Bill Hammac, Carlisle Company Commander placed a
challenge to those present “I am honored to sign this covenant with
you and I ask that in your outreach to the military that you consider
hosting or adopting one of the Future Soldiers from Carlisle Company.
These young men and women can learn from your experience; your
support will go a long way in letting them know that they have made
the correct choice and their community cares.”
Capt. Paul Dangelantonio, State College Company Commander
Students at Bethlehem Vocational-Technical School
expressed hope that the covenant signing, “in a very patriotic area participate in activities during the recent MEV visit.
will create strong ties between the community and the Army. Today’s
Soldiers are true heroes, they are your family, friends and neighbors.
Keeping them Army Strong keeps the community strong.”
On- going talks with communities currently include Berks County,
OCT/NOV 2009 • 11