New Mexico Minuteman - Winter 2012

“That commonality and professionalism helps them be more forthcoming
with information,” added Wade.
Reports fl ow to Wade’s desk from around the country. Everything from
purse snatchings to major riots is put together in fl ash reports by regional KP
stations and submitted to Wade for dispersion to the appropriate decision
makers within the battle group.
Policing entities have submitted almost 600 reports to Wade since March,
and with that volume, another part of his job is to determine what information
is pertinent to MNBG E’s operation. EULEX submits a dozen reports daily
and accounts for a large portion of the battle group’s information regarding
Kosovo’s daily events.
MNBG E’s vast area of responsibility requires more than just two people
to sort through this data infl ux. Capt. Paul Lauritzen and Sgt. 1st Class James
Bowman augment the JLELT staff to keep the workload manageable.
“They’ve done a kick-butt job,” said Montoya. “They certainly have their
hands full,” he said, noting that both Soldiers also work as members of the
Joint Implementation Commission.
These four Soldiers effectively manage a huge repository of timely information
and ensure that the essentials are made available so that KFOR
works effectively and appropriately within the country.
“What we do here is an important and integral part of the battle group,”
Montoya said. “We’ve proved how important we are time and time again,
and I think what we do has really paid off for everyone.”
The interaction between KFOR and local law enforcement has proven
to be an essential relationship in the mission to grow Kosovo into a fully
developed, self-governing nation. Multinational elements from throughout
Kosovo supply valuable information to the battle group so that Soldiers may
continue to be a helpful and appropriate asset in Kosovo’s growth.
Strong Bonds
By Beth Oakes, New Mexico National Guard Family Support Program
Strong Bonds is a chaplain-led program designed to help
couples strengthen their relationship with effective communication
strategies, confl ict resolution and ways to fi ght fairly so
that their relationship can survive diffi cult times such as deployment,
parenting issues, fi nancial stress and even infi delity.
The program is typically set up and run entirely by chaplains,
who present the pertinent salient information. However, in New
Mexico, the Family Program offi ce does the registration, setup
and hosting of the event and also provides a military family life
consultant to be available throughout the weekend for couples
who may be dealing with stressful issues in their relationship.
The weekend takes place in a resort hotel in order to provide
a relaxed, casual and romantic atmosphere for couples to get
away from the daily grind. By attending this workshop, couples
are able to work on their relationship in a safe and emotionally
secure training environment and learn how to build and maintain
a stronger family structure.
Team BTS competes at the
Duke City Marathon
The New Mexico National Guard Co-ed National
Guard Relay Team “Beyond the Standard” participated
in the annual Duke City Marathon Oct. 23, 2011
in Albuquerque, N.M. The BTS co-ed relay team consists
of fi ve team members; Col. Dennis Gallegos,
Col. Judy Griego, Senior Master Sgt. Gerard Garcia,
2nd Lt. Laura Martinez and Col. Tim Harmeson. Each
runner ran a 4.2 mile, 4.6 mile or 6.2 mile leg for a
26.2 mile course along the Bosque trail near the Rio
Grande River and posted a time of 4:07:47.
“Our team has been running together for over
10 years in 5k or 10k runs. We normally compete
against one another but the Duke City Marathon is
unique because we run as a team,” Griego, chief of
the joint staff.
The Duke City Marathon is among one of the
Adjutant General’s Beyond Strong Campaign events.
helps couples build
stronger relationships
The program began in 1999 with four events and 90 couples
in the 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii. It has now spread throughout
the active and reserve components.
In 2010, a survey was completed in the third year of a fi veyear
longitudinal study evaluating the outcomes of the Strong
Bonds program. It was found that for those who participated in
the program, there were 50 percent fewer divorces when compared
to those who did not participate. The group who participated
also reported an increase in marital satisfaction.
In Fiscal Year 2011, commanders from the active duty, the
National Guard and the reserves have planned more than 5,000
Strong Bonds events for Soldiers, members and units geographically
dispersed from military installations.
In New Mexico, the next Strong Bonds weekend will be held
in April 2012. Call your Family Program offi ce at 1-866-464-1822
for event dates, registration information and to get more
details.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 19