DoDLive | Tag Archive | U.S. Army National Guard

Veterans’ Reflections: Joining Up to Do His Part

Filed under DoD News by Ian Graham on November 29, 2010 at 10:00 am {no comments}

Then-Spc. Ryan Berkshire on guard duty in Iraq, 2003. Photo courtesy of Ryan Berkshire.

By Ian Graham

Veterans’ Reflections is a collection of stories of men and women who served their country in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm and present-day conflicts. They will be posted throughout November in honor of Veteran’s Day.

The military can be a lot of things to people looking to enlist. It can be a demonstration of patriotism, a college payment plan, or just a way to get out of town and start adulthood. For Ryan Berkshire, it was all three of those.

In January 2003, one semester before graduating from high school and two months prior to the start of the war in Iraq, Berkshire signed up with the Montana Army National Guard. The Guard gave him the long-term opportunity to pay for college, where he could study music, and the short-term opportunity to leave his hometown, Billings, Mont., for a while.

“The entire time you’re in high school in Billings, you talk about getting out,” he said. The National Guard and the Montgomery G.I. Bill were the best option he had to do so.

“It was really more my need for money for college, and I kind of felt like I needed to earn my right to live in this country. There are so many people that say they’re going to do big things, and I just wanted to be one who could say it and back it up,” he said.

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Video: Lasik for Soldiers

Filed under Pentagon Channel by Ian Graham on February 24, 2010 at 4:36 pm {no comments}

Eye surgeons around Iowa are offering the state’s National Guard soldiers discounted Lasik eye surgery so they’re better prepared for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

Watch other videos coming out of the Department of Defense on DoDvClips.

Engineer Platoon Provides Route Security

Filed under Guard on the Ground by Ian Graham on February 23, 2010 at 8:10 pm {no comments}

By Sgt. Jon E. Dougherty
Public Affairs NCO
203^rd Engineer Battalion

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – When your primary mission as an engineer platoon is clearing routes of improvised explosive devices – the number one threat to U.S. and NATO forces here – you might not think most other missions are as challenging or rewarding.

But for Second Platoon, 211^th Engineer Company (sappers), South Dakota Army National Guard, providing route security comes in more than one form. On a recent cold, windy February day, Second Platoon – known as “The Punishers” to their enemies – took on a different kind of route clearance mission.

While always on the hunt for IEDs, Second Platoon’s focal mission this time was to establish a TCP – traffic control point – along a well-traveled route, with the goal of interdicting insurgents and others who may be transporting explosives, weapons caches or anything aimed at conducting militant operations against the legitimate Afghan government.

The objective, according to Sergeant First Class Jon Albers of Madison, S.D., the Punishers’ platoon sergeant, would be to enhance security along the route, making passage safer for local Afghans. Crews would do so by conducting searches of passing vehicles and tactical questioning of their occupants.

And while that may sound mundane or even routine to some, there is nothing routine about such operations in a war zone.

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For WWE, ‘It’s Our Duty to Give Back to Troops’

Filed under DoD News by glenn.selby on November 24, 2009 at 12:25 pm {no comments}

Rey Mysterio Jr. poses for a photo with family members of U.S. Army National Guardsmen and servicemembers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, at the Verizon Center before WWE Survivor Series Nov. 22. DoD Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer William Selby.

Rey Mysterio Jr. poses for photo's with family members of U.S. Army National Guardsmen and servicemembers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, at the Verizon Center before WWE Survivor Series Nov. 22. DoD Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer William Selby.

By U.S. Navy Petty Officer William Selby

Recently, I found that the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) provides free tickets to all shows except WrestleMania to members of the military and their families. It’s one of many ways the WWE show their gratitude and appreciation for the men and women in the military.

“All you have to do is show up the day of the event with your military ID in hand and we’ll give you tickets,” said Adam Hopkins, a public affairs representative for the WWE.

For members of the U.S. military, when we are asked to go overseas and fight our country’s war or asked to serve overseas away from our families, it’s our duty and responsibility to do so. It’s what we signed up for. As I found out at a pro wrestling event last night at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., employees of the WWE feel it is their duty to provide entertainment for servicemembers.

Before the event began, the WWE hosted 50 Army National Guardsmen, 30 wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and their families to a special meet and greet with several WWE wrestlers including “The Big Show,” “Kelly Kelly,” “Rey Mysterio,” and Ted DiBiase Jr.

“I’m excited,” said U.S. Army National Guardsman Sgt. Derrick Burton. “I’m appreciative that they give back in so many ways, it’s always good to give back to the troops.”

It wasn’t just the soldiers and airmen that were excited, as I found out from DiBiase Jr.

“These people put their lives on the line for us every day and sacrifice their way of living so that we can live our lives,” DiBiase said. “To be able to give back to them in such a small way, but something that’s big to a lot of them is just a joy to do.”

All of the wrestlers were more than accommodating to the fans, signing autographs, and taking pictures with them up until minutes before the show.

After the meet and greet, I headed to my seat, only four rows back from the floor and right in the center of the arena (think four rows back on the 50 yard line). I noticed several servicemembers passing me by and heading down to the floor seats right behind the announcers table.

I asked one of the soldiers where they were going to which he replied, “they moved us up front.”

So let me get this right, I thought, not only did the WWE give you passes, a meet and greet with the superstars, and free food and drinks while in the Dewars Club, but they also upgraded you to the best seats in the house at no charge?

I won’t begin to try and figure out how much those seats normally cost, or how many seats are given to servicemembers throughout the year, because it doesn’t matter. They are really giving back and are dedicated to supporting the troops.

In fact, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the WWE and 16 of their stars will begin touring bases and performing live shows for the troops in Afghanistan.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” said the “Big Show”. “It’s always a good time to be able to see the men and women of the Armed Forces up close and provide some excitement for them while they’re fighting for us over there.”

Disaster Relief Continues in the Pacific for U.S.

Filed under DoD News by glenn.selby on October 6, 2009 at 1:11 pm {no comments}

While U.S. agencies are continuing to support the government of America Samoa, they have also moved on to help Indonesia and the Philippines in response to the recent natural disasters in the Pacific.

“In addition to our efforts in support of the Governor of America Samoa, we recognize the significant impact of current disasters in other pacific regions, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan,” said FEMA administrator Craig Fugate. “These events remind us how important preparedness and teamwork are to saving lives and ultimately rebuilding communities.”

More than 300 responders from several government agencies are currently on the ground in America Samoa. The personnel comprises Incident Management Teams, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, and Public Health Assistance Teams.

The U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard, and Navy are also helping with the effort and have provided critical supplies to the survivors including more than 26,000 meals, 14,000 liters of water, 1,800 blankets, 800 tents, and 800 cots. Several generators have been deployed with more on the way.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is also providing assistance to the Philippines and Indonesia, said Bryan Whitman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.

Nearly 450 Marines and sailors were sent to Manila to bring supplies, clear roads, and provide basic medical care to those that need assistance, Whitman added. The USS Harpers Ferry and USS Tortuga also are in the Philippines to provide assistance.

To help Indonesia, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Denver is on location to provide helicopter airlift transport, communications and medical support as well as a 70-member U.S. Air Force humanitarian assistance and rapid-response team, which is expected to arrive today, Whitman said.