MEMORiAl DAy 2012 - USAWOA Portal
MEMORiAl DAy 2012 - USAWOA Portal
MEMORiAl DAy 2012 - USAWOA Portal
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Volume 41, Number 5<br />
May <strong>2012</strong><br />
Serving WArrAnT OFFiCerS & THeir FAMiLieS FOr 40 YeArS<br />
Memorial Day <strong>2012</strong><br />
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,<br />
love leaves a memory no one can steal<br />
~ From a headstone in Ireland.
Cover Story<br />
Memorial Day History<br />
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day,<br />
is a day of remembrance for those who have died in<br />
our nation’s service. There are many stories as to its<br />
actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and<br />
towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial<br />
Day. There is also evidence that organized women’s<br />
groups in the South were decorating graves<br />
before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published<br />
in 1867, “Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping” by<br />
Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication “To The Ladies<br />
of the South who are Decorating the Graves of<br />
the Confederate Dead” (Source: Duke University’s<br />
Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While<br />
Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace<br />
of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in<br />
May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the<br />
origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many<br />
separate beginnings; each of those towns and every<br />
planned or spontaneous gathering of people to<br />
honor the war dead in the 1860’s tapped into the<br />
general human need to honor our dead, each contributed<br />
honorably to the growing movement that<br />
culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation<br />
in 1868. It is not important who was the<br />
very first, what is important is that Memorial Day<br />
was established. Memorial Day is not about division.<br />
It is about reconciliation; it is about coming<br />
together to honor those who gave their all. A<br />
Ode to the M1 Garand<br />
The M1 Garand<br />
Do you wonder why that rifle<br />
Is hanging in my den?<br />
You know I rarely take it down<br />
But I touch it now and then.<br />
It’s rather slow and heavy<br />
By standards of today<br />
But not too many years ago<br />
It swept the rest away.<br />
It’s held its own in battles<br />
Through snow, or rain, or sun<br />
And I had one just like it,<br />
This treasured old M-1.<br />
It went ashore at Bougainville<br />
In Nineteen Forty-Three.<br />
It stormed the beach at Tarawa<br />
Through a bullet-riddled sea.<br />
Saipan knew its strident bark,<br />
Kwajalein, its sting.<br />
The rocky caves of Peleliu<br />
Resounded with its ring.<br />
It climbed the hill on Iwo<br />
With men who wouldn’t stop<br />
And left our nation’s banner<br />
Flying on the top.<br />
It poked its nose in Pusan,<br />
Screamed an angry roar<br />
And took the First Division<br />
From Chosin Reservoir.<br />
Well, time moves on<br />
And things improve<br />
With rifles and with men,<br />
And that is why the two of us<br />
Are sitting in my den.<br />
But sometimes on a winter night,<br />
While thinking of my Corps,<br />
I know that if the bugle blew<br />
We’d be a team once more.<br />
~ Author Unknown A
Association History - Part 2<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> and its Accomplishments - 1970’s<br />
Editor’s note: This is Part two of a four part series describing<br />
the 40 years of the United States Army Warrant<br />
Officers Association (<strong>USAWOA</strong>). This second article focuses<br />
on the accomplishments during the 1970s era.<br />
Last month I described why the Association was<br />
formed and how it initially operated. This article will address<br />
the <strong>USAWOA</strong> involvement in the formation of the<br />
Warrant Officer Division (WOD) and other early 1970s<br />
issues.<br />
An initial hurdle to an improved Warrant Officer<br />
Corps was the fragmented warrant officer management<br />
at Department of the Army (DA) level. A Warrant Officer<br />
Aviation Branch was formed in 1965 to manage all aviation<br />
warrant officers because of the increased aviation requirements<br />
during the Vietnam conflict. All other Warrant Officers<br />
continued to be managed by their respective career<br />
branches.<br />
The <strong>USAWOA</strong> learned of an ongoing 1972 study pertaining<br />
to the reorganization of the Officer Personnel Office<br />
(OPO), the forerunner of The Military Personnel Center<br />
(MILPERCEN). This study focused on reorganizing the<br />
management of commissioned officer personnel management<br />
by Branch, e.g. Infantry, Engineer, Ordnance, etc., to<br />
that of management by grade, e.g. colonel, field grade and<br />
company grade officers.<br />
Recognizing that a window of opportunity was open<br />
for a consolidation of Warrant Officers under one umbrella<br />
rather than consolidating with company grade officers, the<br />
early Association national officers geared their efforts to<br />
identifying and meeting with Army leaders who could influence<br />
the decision to establish a separate Warrant Officer<br />
Division. Our guest speaker at the first Annual Meeting<br />
of the Members (AMM) in 1973 was MG Sidney Berry,<br />
Commander, Military Personnel Center (MILPERCEN). MG<br />
Berry spent three hours at the <strong>USAWOA</strong> business meeting<br />
prior to being our guest speaker. He stated that he learned<br />
more about Warrant Officers in his three hour visit at the<br />
AMM than at his time as Commander, MILPERCEN.<br />
Other key members contacted in support of the WOD<br />
were the ODCSPER commissioned officers responsible for<br />
the Warrant Officer program at the Army level. No Warrant<br />
Officers were assigned to the Army staff at the Deputy<br />
Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER) level. COL Ted Crozier,<br />
Chief, Aviation Warrant Officer Branch was also our guest<br />
speaker in 1973. Our guest speaker for the 1974 Annual<br />
Meeting was Secretary of the Army (SA) Howard “Bo”<br />
Galloway, who became a strong warrant officer advocate<br />
because of his first time exposure at our AMM.<br />
We were also fortunate in that the Chief of the AG<br />
Branch, COL Robert Joyce, was a strong supporter of<br />
consolidated warrant officer management. He provided<br />
valuable support and guidance to the <strong>USAWOA</strong> in identifying<br />
professional benefits to the Army and the Corps in a<br />
centralized warrant officer management. One of the major<br />
benefits of a consolidated warrant officer management<br />
was the opportunity to establish a Professional Development<br />
program for all Warrant Officers which would be<br />
consistent among the various specialties. Because of the<br />
efforts of <strong>USAWOA</strong> and many other supporters of consolidated<br />
Warrant Officer management, the WOD was approved<br />
and organized in May 1975 as part of the overall<br />
Office of Personnel Operations (OPO) reorganization of<br />
management philosophy as mentioned above.<br />
The <strong>USAWOA</strong>’s role in the establishment of the WOD<br />
was recognized by the Army leadership. COL Robert Joyce,<br />
the first WOD Chief, immediately began a series of monthly<br />
articles in the NEWSLINER and succeeding Division Chiefs<br />
continued that practice. OPO and MILPERCEN commanders<br />
also provided articles for the NEWSLINER. LTG Harold<br />
Moore was the DCSPER during our inception. He was the<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> AMM speaker twice and a strong Warrant Officer<br />
Continued on page 14.<br />
By CW4 (Ret) Don Hess<br />
President Emeritus<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 3
<strong>USAWOA</strong><br />
BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />
President<br />
CW4 (Ret) Kenneth “Pete” Hill<br />
(O) (410) 278-9309<br />
Kenneth.b.hill10.civ@mail.mil<br />
vice President<br />
CW5 (Ret) Jim White<br />
(C) (585) 216-7237<br />
jwhite2239@gmail.com.<br />
Treasurer<br />
CW3 Vickie Elias<br />
(O) (703) 607-7509<br />
vickieelias@yahoo.com<br />
Secretary<br />
CW2 (Ret) Gerry Wentworth<br />
(H) (703) 327-3438<br />
dachief@verizon.net<br />
european region Director<br />
CW5 James Rathburn<br />
(DSN) (314) 370-8598<br />
james.rathburn@us.army.mil<br />
Southeastern region Director<br />
CW5 Ida Tyree Hyche<br />
(C) 205-601-8645<br />
ida.tyreehyche@us.army.mil<br />
Mid-Southern region Director<br />
CW4 James E. Davis<br />
(O) (254) 553-2774<br />
jedavis42@gmail.com<br />
northeastern region Director<br />
CW4 (Ret) Greg Gouty<br />
(O) (410) 278-0391<br />
gregory.gouty@us.army.mil<br />
Mid-northern region Director<br />
CW5 Robert Lamphear<br />
(O) (573) 563-4088<br />
robert.lamphear@us.army.mil<br />
Western region Director<br />
CW5 (Ret) Russell G. Brewer<br />
(O) (916) 854-3607<br />
russ20805@comcast.net<br />
4 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
Contents<br />
FeAtured:<br />
3 <strong>USAWOA</strong> and its Accomplishments - 1970’s<br />
6 President’s Report<br />
7 Veteran Affairs<br />
8 Executive Director’s Report<br />
9-11 Chapter News<br />
12 National Guard Report<br />
13 Letter To The Editor<br />
17 Continuous Service<br />
19 WOCC Honor & Distinguished Grads<br />
The NEWSLINER is published by the U.S. Army Warrant<br />
Officers Association, a not-for-profit service related association<br />
incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The NEWSLINER is<br />
devoted to the professional interests of Warrant Officers of the U.S.<br />
Army. Articles appearing in the NEWSLINER do not necessarily<br />
represent the opinions of the <strong>USAWOA</strong> Board of Directors or the<br />
editor, nor are they to be interpreted as official policy of the U.S.<br />
Army or the Department of Defense. Paid advertising appears in<br />
the NEWSLINER. With the exception of the membership benefits<br />
specified, <strong>USAWOA</strong> does not endorse any specific product or<br />
supplier of services. The editor reserves the right to decline or<br />
discontinue any advertisement without prior notice.<br />
The <strong>USAWOA</strong> NEWSLINER subscription is a membership benefit<br />
and is not separately available. Association membership is open<br />
to individuals who now hold or have ever held a Warrant issued<br />
by the Secretary of the Army. Annual membership fee is $45.00<br />
($30.00 for eligible retirees). Major NEWSLINER distribution is<br />
electronic and printed copies may be subject to additional mailing<br />
costs.<br />
Multiple-Year and Life memberships are available. For<br />
international mailing of the NEWSLINER (other than APO/FPO) add<br />
$24.00 to the membership fee. Credit will be given (when known)<br />
for all articles and photos used. Original NEWSLINER articles may<br />
be reproduced providing credit is given to <strong>USAWOA</strong>. The single<br />
copy price of the NEWSLINER is $3.50.
From the editor’s desk<br />
On the Cover<br />
Memorial Day, 28 May <strong>2012</strong>. Our May cover is in remembrance of those<br />
who gave their lives so that we may continue to live in freedom.<br />
Annual Meeting of the Members<br />
In the last issue we covered many details on the upcoming AMM. If you<br />
haven’t made a decision to attend this special 40th Anniversary meeting<br />
please consider joining with many of our fellow Warrant Officers. Information<br />
has been provided early this year because it will be an election year where we<br />
turn over the reins to new leadership. Information has been published with<br />
the agenda, and other information to assist you in your decision to apply for<br />
national office, attend our AMM or to rededicate yourself to staying current in<br />
the changing environment in today’s Warrant Officer Corps.<br />
Professionalism<br />
In this issue we are stressing professionalism of the Warrant Officer Corps<br />
beginning with Part two of a four part historical article on the issues affecting<br />
the <strong>USAWOA</strong> in the 1970s and how this history can help you in your career decisions,<br />
or inform you of the Association’s efforts to move the Warrant Officer<br />
Corps forward.<br />
President CW4 (Ret) Pete Hill describes the structure of the Executive<br />
Committee and Board of Directors, and how we do business today adjusting to<br />
the changing role of the Warrant Officer while still maintaining a professional<br />
approach to keep up with the increased demands on the Association as the<br />
Corps undergoes a cultural transition.<br />
CW4 (Ret) Jack DuTeil, Executive Director, describes his participation in a<br />
Warrant Officer Professional Development (WOPD) seminar and the necessity<br />
of maintaining and sharing our technical expertise.<br />
CW5 Gene Touchstone, Assistant VP for ARNG Affairs urges Warrant Officers<br />
to change our Legacy Mindset from just technical experts to much more;<br />
including looking at the bigger picture beyond our specialties and setting the<br />
example as mentors and models for today’s technical and tactical Warrant Officers.<br />
CW4 (Ret) Percy Butler reports on the Army’s interim employment efforts<br />
to help Soldiers connect with private industry employment opportunities.<br />
This valuable information should be shared with Soldiers of all components,<br />
veterans and family members who are facing most-military service.<br />
CW4 (Ret) Dale Bienusa, Show Me Chapter, Ft. Leonard Wood MO shares<br />
his personal approach in a sample retention letter to members reminding<br />
them of their expiration date. Other chapters continue to report awards, professional<br />
development and community activities bringing credit to individuals<br />
and chapters within their local communities.<br />
Until next month… A<br />
By CW4 (Ret) Don Hess<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong><br />
462 Herndon Parkway #207<br />
Herndon, vA 20107<br />
1-800-5-<strong>USAWOA</strong> (587-2962)<br />
Website: www.usawoa.org<br />
executive Director<br />
CW4 Jack DuTeil<br />
(O) 800-5-<strong>USAWOA</strong><br />
usawoaed@verizon.net<br />
Office Manager<br />
Herb Rundgren CPO- USN (Ret)<br />
(O) 1-800-587-2962<br />
usawoamdb@verizon.net<br />
Bookkeeper<br />
Theresa Casteel<br />
(O) (703) 742-7727<br />
usawoafinance@verizon.net<br />
editor<br />
CW4 (Ret) Don Hess<br />
(H) (540) 289-5557<br />
usawoaeditor@verizon.net<br />
Asst vP- Army guard Affairs<br />
CW5 Gene Touchstone<br />
(DSN) 293-6185<br />
(O) (601) 313-6185<br />
gene.touchstone@us.army.mil<br />
Asst vP - Army reserve Affairs<br />
CW2 Virginia Oscovitch<br />
(O) (850) 912-2910<br />
Virginia.oscovitch@us.army.mil<br />
Asst vP - veterans Affairs<br />
CW4 (Ret) Percy D. Butler<br />
(O) (404) 767-0066<br />
pdbutler2@msn.com<br />
Past Presidents Council Chairman<br />
CW5 (Ret) Frank Meeks<br />
(H) (252) 946-3142<br />
franklin.d.meeks@us.army.mil<br />
Scholarship Foundation President<br />
CW4 (Ret) Robert D. Scott<br />
(H) (571) 918-0129<br />
robertscott10@comcast.net<br />
WO Heritage Foundation President<br />
CW5 (Ret) David P. Welsh<br />
(C) (757) 999-2022<br />
wo-heritage@verizon.net<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 5
President’s report<br />
By CW4 (Ret) Pete Hill<br />
National President<br />
Have you ever wondered what goes on during the<br />
monthly Executive Committee (EXCOM) or the Board<br />
of Directors (BOD) meetings? This month I will address<br />
these two meetings, plus how a location is selected for<br />
the Annual Meeting of the Members (AMM).<br />
Each meeting is governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.<br />
These Parliamentary procedures must be followed for a<br />
timely, professional meeting. Any member in good standing<br />
may attend the meetings and may address the EXCOM<br />
or the BOD.<br />
You may or may not notice that at the conclusion of<br />
every AMM a motion is made to move “All open action<br />
items to the BOD”. Once this motion is adopted, the BOD<br />
convenes with the purpose of addressing all open business<br />
issues that were raised during the meeting. These<br />
issues include but are not limited to; Focus Group recommendations,<br />
research into various issues brought to the<br />
floor by the membership and any correspondence that<br />
must be addressed to various members of the Army leadership,<br />
The Military Coalition (TMC) or Legislators.<br />
For preplanning purposes, approximately 45 days<br />
prior to the BOD, each board member is provided with an<br />
agenda covering all topics to be discussed. Each board<br />
member is allotted time to update the fellow directors<br />
and members on current issues within their regions,<br />
such as special events, community activities, fund raising<br />
activities and any other events they may want to share.<br />
The purpose of this knowledge sharing is to allow each<br />
director to discuss what works and what does not work<br />
when it comes to interacting with the members.<br />
It is an interesting fact that the BOD meeting never<br />
adjourns, it is always in session throughout the year by<br />
means of email or telephonically.<br />
During the year the Association’s business is administered<br />
by the EXCOM. This committee consists of the<br />
National President, National Vice-President, National<br />
CW3 Vickie Elias is installed as National Treasurer by<br />
President CW4 (Ret) Pete Hill.<br />
6 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
Administration Internal Affairs<br />
Secretary, Treasurer and the Executive Director who is<br />
a nonvoting exofficio member of the EXCOM and the<br />
BOD. In addition to that, the National President can appoint<br />
one other member in good standing to be a voting<br />
member of the EXCOM. For the past four years, the<br />
Northeastern Regional Director has been a member of<br />
this committee. Even though the subjects may change on<br />
a regular basis, the one topic that is always discussed is<br />
current membership statistics. This topic, which is always<br />
briefed by the Vice-President includes regular renewals,<br />
life membership, voting members by region, and<br />
the status of the free one year program. In addition to<br />
the standard members, each standing committee (Aviation<br />
and Marketing), and our independent foundations,<br />
(Scholarship and Heritage) are allotted time along with<br />
the Newsliner editor to provide updates in their perspective<br />
areas. The current foundations, Scholarship and<br />
Heritage, are both separate from the Association, but<br />
under the same umbrella.<br />
Those Chapters wishing to host the annual meeting<br />
will prepare and provide a presentation to the assembled<br />
members on why they would want to host an annual<br />
meeting. The Annual Meeting of the Members shall be<br />
held at a date and place selected by the members attending<br />
a duly convened Annual Meeting of the Members, or<br />
if no offers to host is made at that meeting, at the next<br />
BOD meeting a location will be selected but hosted by the<br />
National Office. The purpose of the Annual Meeting of<br />
the Members is to transact such business as shall come<br />
before the meeting.<br />
As a member, I hope this gives you a little insight as<br />
to what goes on during the course of the year when you<br />
don’t always hear or read about your leadership’s actions.<br />
For The Corps! A
Professional Development<br />
On Saturday, 14 April <strong>2012</strong> I was privileged to address a<br />
Warrant Officer Professional Development (WOPD) seminar<br />
at Ft. Belvoir for the Warrant Officers of the District of Columbia<br />
Army National Guard. The event was hosted by CW5<br />
Ron Wormsley, Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of<br />
the District of Columbia. Other guest speakers included: MG<br />
General Errol R. Schwartz, Commanding General, Joint Force<br />
Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG); BG<br />
Arthur W. Hinaman, the DCNG Land Component Commander;<br />
and CW5 Gary Nisker, CCWO, Army National Guard (ARNG).<br />
Detailed Briefings were presented on a wide variety of important<br />
topics, including: recruiting and retention, Officer Records<br />
Briefs, Warrant Officer education requirements and opportunities,<br />
and a host of other important WOPD topics.<br />
During his remarks, BG Hinaman – formerly a Warrant Officer<br />
himself – spoke of his admiration for the steady growth in<br />
professionalism he has witnessed in the Warrant Officer Corps<br />
over a period of thirty or more years. He praised the body for<br />
their evolution into a professional cadre of commissioned officers,<br />
without losing focus on the technical career-field expertise<br />
– the traditional hallmark of our corps. I had just read an<br />
advance copy of this month’s article by CW5 Gene Touchstone,<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> Vice President for Army National Guard Affairs, and<br />
immediately thought of this as BG Hinaman lauded his Warrant<br />
Officers for their execution of their dual responsibilities as<br />
technical experts and commissioned leaders of Soldiers.<br />
I hope all members will read CW5 Touchstone’s article<br />
(all you need to do is turn the pages after you finish reading<br />
mine…). In it he comments on another fine article by CW5<br />
James Rathburn, in our February NEWSLINER, which stressed<br />
the importance of Warrant Officers focusing on core competencies<br />
and correctly tying this directly to our relevance in<br />
what promises to be a shrinking total force, moving forward.<br />
CW5 Touchstone agreed with CW5 Rathburn, but passionately<br />
opined that we must also break from our “legacy mind set”<br />
that we are “just technical experts.”<br />
So, as I listened to BG Hinaman speak, I reflected on two<br />
facts that are crystal clear to me: first, how difficult it is for<br />
today’s Warrant Officer to truly fulfill this dual role; but secondly,<br />
just how potentially indispensible that Warrant Officer<br />
becomes, when successful. Simply stated, being a successful<br />
Warrant Officer is perhaps (and necessarily) much harder work<br />
than being either a successful NCO or Officer – and this is a<br />
good thing. As Warrant Officers continue to grow into progressively<br />
more influential roles at the highest levels of command,<br />
they have the unique opportunity to further bridge the<br />
gap between professionals at the technical levels; and those<br />
who they count on to provide them with the tools they require<br />
at the policy-shaping and procurement level. The degree to<br />
which we are successful in polishing our collective skills as<br />
both technical experts and professional staff officers is directly<br />
proportionate to the successes we will achieve, not only as<br />
relevant members of future force structure, but also as crucial<br />
executive director’s report<br />
By CW4 Jack DuTeil<br />
elements of its success.<br />
After BG Hinaman concluded his remarks, CW5 Wormsley<br />
addressed the assembly and perhaps unwittingly shaped in<br />
my mind the real challenge for today’s Warrant Officers. He<br />
thanked everyone for attending, and pointed out how difficult<br />
it was for Warrant Officers to tear themselves away from their<br />
unit responsibilities to make time for professional development.<br />
Indeed, for National Guardsmen and Reservists, doing<br />
so during business hours generally means expending one<br />
of the only two days they have in a given month devoted to<br />
their primary missions at the unit level. But having personally<br />
served more than 20 of my 27 years on active duty, I know<br />
it is often just as hard for active duty folks to devote time to<br />
professional development. And this is where our Association<br />
can help (and really always has)…..<br />
Our Association provides a perfect vehicle for dissemination<br />
of professional development at our chapter meetings. I<br />
have been a member of the Arlington Hall Minuteman Chapter<br />
ever since I pinned as a WO1 in 1997. In our Chapter, we have<br />
a long tradition of devoting the last 15 to 30 minutes of each<br />
monthly meeting to this. Over the years we have invited folks<br />
to come in to brief us on topics ranging from Warrant Officer<br />
Promotions to Effective Military Writing and Staffing. Rather<br />
than trying to cram as much as possible into a single day, we<br />
always did this a little at a time on an ongoing basis. We do<br />
so much of it that we often need to get creative in coming up<br />
with new topics (when I was a Chapter President I even invited<br />
a financial advisor in, to brief us on retirement investment<br />
strategies).<br />
When it was my turn to speak to the assembly, I started<br />
off my briefing by thanking them for inviting me and congratulating<br />
them on conducting a successful WOPD. Before launching<br />
into a description of our history, legislative achievements<br />
and current issues, I told them they were doing exactly what<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> Chapters across the country have done for years. I<br />
explained to them that “professionalism” was one of the three<br />
words in our seal that define our mission.<br />
So this month, I challenge all Chapter Presidents to ensure<br />
they incorporate informative, innovative professional development<br />
into each and every Chapter Meeting. I also challenge<br />
our leaders in organizations such as the SWOAC, WOSAC and<br />
the Warrant Officer Career College to provide our National HQ<br />
with the latest briefings and information that we can get out<br />
to our Chapters, to make this professional development as current<br />
and informative as possible.<br />
As an organization representing experts in so many<br />
areas of expertise, it would be impossible for us to fine tune<br />
the technical expertise of our members. But if we all work<br />
together as an Association, we can most assuredly help each<br />
other share valuable information designed to improve us all in<br />
our equally important role as commissioned officers and leaders<br />
in an evolving force. A<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 7
Vet Affairs report<br />
By CW4 (Ret) Percy Butler<br />
What is it?<br />
The Army will utilize the Hero 2 Hired (H2H) as its interim<br />
employment application/tool to provide one primary location<br />
where Soldiers of all components, veterans, and family members<br />
can connect with private industry employment opportunities.<br />
This application is web-based and able to translate military<br />
occupational skills (MOS), provide career path exploration, upload<br />
resumes, allow customized job searches, enable employers<br />
to also search for veterans, and provide performance metrics.<br />
H2H will eventually be included on eBenefits, the single portal<br />
for transition benefits.<br />
What is the Army doing?<br />
The Army has conducted multiple transition studies and determined<br />
there was a need to better prepare our Soldiers for<br />
post-military service, as well as to enhance opportunities to connect<br />
Soldiers with private industry. The H2H employment application<br />
tool is just one product of this ongoing effort. In addition,<br />
the Army continues to support the White House Employment<br />
Initiative and the Department of Defense- Department of Veterans<br />
Affairs (DOD-VA) Veterans Employment Initiative Task Force<br />
(TF) in the development of a new transition training and services<br />
delivery model to maximize the career readiness of all Service<br />
members. The TF Implementation Plan will follow in the next<br />
couple of months with detailed recommendations.<br />
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the<br />
future?<br />
The Army will also continue to engage community, non-<br />
Ft. Belvoir, VA<br />
8 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
Army Transition - Hero 2 Hired<br />
Ft. Belvoir, VA<br />
Speakers at the WOPD seminar for the Warrant Officers of the DC Army<br />
National Guard. (L to R) MG Errol R. Schwartz Commanding General<br />
DCNG, Jack DuTeil, <strong>USAWOA</strong>, CW5 Gary Nisker National Guard Bureau<br />
CCWO, BG Arthur Hinaman Land Component Commander, and CW5<br />
Ronald E. Wormsley Sr. DCARNG CCWO. (See article on page 7).<br />
profit and private industry partners as part of a comprehensive<br />
communications campaign to ensure employers recognize the<br />
value in hiring Veterans. First and foremost, Soldiers bring the<br />
Army ethos to the civilian sector unparalleled commitment to<br />
their mission, determination for success, and loyalty to their organization.<br />
In addition, the diverse skill sets of the thousands of<br />
Soldiers scheduled to transition over the next few years are a<br />
uniquely rich resource for U.S. employers to tap into.<br />
Why is it important to the Army?<br />
Our Soldiers, veterans, and families face a number of challenges<br />
transitioning from military to civilian life. Among these<br />
is finding a productive post-military career more than 130,000<br />
Soldiers separated from the Army last year, and many are still<br />
unemployed. The Army has a responsibility to ensure transitioning<br />
personnel have the support they need and deserve prior to<br />
separating, and are career ready to enter the civilian workforce.<br />
The H2H Employment Application Tool is just one component<br />
of the Armys enduring commitment and efforts to ensure our<br />
transitioning members receive that support.<br />
Resources:<br />
Hero 2 Hired (H2H)<br />
STAND-TO! Army Transition Policy Initiative<br />
eBenefits<br />
My Army Benefits<br />
Army Career & Alumni Program<br />
Related article: Hero 2 Hired website aims to transform heroes<br />
to hired civilians. A<br />
CW4 (Ret) Jack DuTeil, <strong>USAWOA</strong> Executive Director, addresses the WO<br />
Professional Development Seminar for the Warrant Officers of the District<br />
of Columbia Army National Guard. (See article on page 7.)
NORCAL CHAPTER<br />
CW4R MANUEL V SIAMS JR NEW PRESIDENT<br />
CW5 ARTAVIA M EDWARDS PAST PRESIDENT<br />
LORD FAIRFAX SILVER CHAPTER<br />
CW5 PHYLLIS J WILSON NEW PRESIDENT<br />
CW2 MEISHA ATKINSON PAST PRESIDENT<br />
SOONER PLAINS CHAPTER<br />
CW3 RICHARD E NAJERA NEW PRESIDENT<br />
CW3 WILLIAM R WILDER, JR PAST PRESIDENT<br />
Whtefish, MT<br />
New Chapter Presidents<br />
Fort Rucker, AL<br />
Chapter News<br />
MID AMERICA CHAPTER<br />
CW2 DAVID J HEMINGWAY II NEW PRESIDENT<br />
CW4 LEE R MORRIS PAST PRESIDENT<br />
FORT BRAGG SILVER CHAPTER<br />
CW5 DANIEL J WILKE NEW PRESIDENT<br />
CW5R ROSCOE D LEGGS JR PAST PRESIDENT<br />
ARLINGTON HALL MINUTE MAN CHAPTER<br />
CW5 JOY Y TEAGLE NEW PRESIDENT<br />
CW2 GEORGE D BLALACK PAST PRESIDENT<br />
Administrative Woman of the Year AWARD<br />
Eighteen Warrant Officers of the <strong>USAWOA</strong> Big Sky<br />
Chapter attended the Montana National Guard<br />
Association’s 55th Annual Conference at Grouse<br />
Mountain Lodge. The fifteen pictured are: [back row]<br />
CW4 (Ret) John Nugent, CW2 Jim Dauenhauer, CW2<br />
(Ret) Liz Cook, CW3 Pam Frost, WO1 Anita Verbanac,<br />
WO1 Mike Brown, CW3 Teresa Purpuro, CW3 Nick<br />
Conway, CW4 Craig Stewart, CW3 Rich Heitstuman;<br />
[front row] CW3 John Joyce, CW4 Steve Snyder, CW5<br />
John Purpuro, WO1 Terry Odegard. Not pictured:<br />
CW4 Mike Hossfeld, CW4 Randy Ross, CW3 Scott<br />
Stewart.<br />
CW3 (Ret) Vanessa Mahone, Treasurer for the Above the Best (ATB)<br />
Chapter of the US Army Warrant Officers Association, was selected<br />
as the Administrative Woman of the Year from among several, highly<br />
qualified competitors. Vanessa works as the curriculum manager for<br />
the Warrant Officer Candidate School at the Warrant Officer Career<br />
College. She also manages the memorabilia, funds, and accounts of<br />
the Chapter while supporting its community service projects. Vanessa<br />
often serves in several pivotal roles simultaneously. The Fort Rucker<br />
Equal Employment Opportunity Office solicits nominations from all the<br />
organizations on post and uses military and civilian judges to determine<br />
the awardees. Mrs. Mahone’s award was presented by the Deputy<br />
Commander, Colonel Jessie Farrington, and Aviation Branch Command<br />
Sergeant Major James H. Thomson at a post-wide ceremony for the<br />
winners in all categories. (L to R) CW3 (Ret) Mahone and Colonel Jessie<br />
Farrington.<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 9
Chapter News<br />
Arlington, VA<br />
Newly elected leadership team for the Arlington Hall<br />
Minuteman Chapter are sworn in by ARNG CCWO<br />
CW5 Gary Nisker. (L to R) CW3 Judy Wolf, Secretary;<br />
CW4 Jill Graham, Treasurer; CW4 Debbie Sharpe, Vice<br />
President; CW5 Joy Teagle, President and CW5 Nisker.<br />
Photo credit: CW4 Tony Middleton<br />
Fort Rucker, AL<br />
10 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
Fairfax, VA<br />
Newly elected officers for the Lord Fairfax Silver<br />
Chapter were installed at the monthly chapter<br />
meeting. (L to R) CW5 Phyllis Wilson, Vice President<br />
CW5 (Ret) Eddie Mallard, and CW5 (Ret) Richard<br />
Markle, Treasurer.<br />
CW4 Deborah Barthell, Secretary, Above the Best (ATB) Chapter, presented $400 worth of Wal-Mart gift cards to the<br />
House of Ruth, on behalf of Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course class (WOSSC) (12-03), as their community service<br />
project at the WOCC. Ms. Melissa Vair , House of Ruth, accepted the cards, stating that the cards would be used<br />
to provide women in emergency situations with a resource for obtaining basic necessities for themselves and their<br />
children. The House of Ruth is a community effort that depends on donations to serve the victims of domestic violence<br />
and sexual assault in eight Alabama counties. (L to R) CW4 Barthell, Ms. Vair and CW4 Tim McCarter, ATB President.
Chapter News<br />
Tucson, AZ<br />
CW2 (Ret) Lance Dickinson, President, Ft. Lowell-Apache Chapter, is shown with the Chapter’s Annual Scholarship<br />
recipients who will be attending college and enrolling in ROTC. This year’s recipients are: Cadet Colonel Houston Clark<br />
and Cadet Lt/Col Alexandrea Provine who will be attending West Point in the Fall. The scholarships were presented at the<br />
battalion’s Annual Award’s Ceremony.<br />
The chapter also recognized a JROTC cadet at each grade level with the presentation of the <strong>USAWOA</strong> Distinguished<br />
Service Medal and Ribbon for distinguished service during the academic year. A<br />
Tucson, AZ<br />
(L to R) CW2 Dickinson with <strong>USAWOA</strong><br />
Distinguished Service Medal and Ribbon<br />
recipients: Cadet John Howe; Cadet Cody<br />
Mangels: Cadet Paul Hurd, and Cadet Tyler Rico.<br />
Tucson, AZ<br />
(L to R) CW2 (Ret) Dickinson with Scholarship<br />
recipients: Cadet Colonel Houston Clark and<br />
Cadet LTC Alexandrea Provine.<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 11
National Guard report<br />
12 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
By CW5 Gene Touchstone<br />
Assistant VP for Army National Guard Affairs<br />
For more than a century, the pinnacle of golf has<br />
been to score 59, a score that had been recorded only<br />
three times in Professional Golf Association (PGA)<br />
Tour history before 2010. Then, in 2010, Paul Goydos<br />
scored a 59 only to be equaled a month later by<br />
Stuart Appleby’s 59. Consequently, some sportswriters<br />
speculated that the most coveted achievement in golf<br />
was now becoming commonplace!<br />
Ordinary? Hardly, just ask any golfer, professional<br />
or amateur. It’s amazing to see two 59s in the same<br />
season, but it would be a mistake to begin to view this<br />
as ordinary. To score a 59 is an unbelievable extraordinary<br />
accomplishment. For us amateurs, that is definitely<br />
an extraordinary event. Even for the professionals<br />
on the PGA tour, under the pressure they are under to<br />
perform, it is an extraordinary accomplishment. Just<br />
think of how many rounds of golf have been played<br />
over the centuries, and only have 5 rounds below 60.<br />
That would be 6 rounds if you count Kim Jong-Il, the<br />
former Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of<br />
North Korea, who picked up a golf club for the very<br />
first time, and, as witnessed by 17 security guards<br />
and reported by the state news agency, shot a smooth<br />
38-under-par round of 34, including 11 holes-in-one.<br />
I recently read with much interest “Is The Army<br />
Warrant Officer Corps Relevant To Future Force Structure?”<br />
by CW5 James R. Rathburn in the February <strong>2012</strong><br />
edition of the Newsliner. I believe that CW5 Rathburn<br />
has scored a 59 (or 34) with his comments. I agree<br />
fully with his comments about ensuring we know our<br />
core competencies, staying abreast of modernization<br />
and changes that influence our crafts, and keeping<br />
current with events affecting our branches and maximizing<br />
communications among our peers. We must be<br />
mentors to our subordinates, peers and superiors.<br />
I would like to take this to another level by saying<br />
we MUST change our Legacy Mind set. We are no<br />
longer just Technical Experts. We have become much,<br />
much more.<br />
Over the years, many actions have changed the<br />
Warrant Officer (WO) authority and responsibilities.<br />
When I was appointed a WO1, it was by an appointment<br />
from the Secretary of the Army. I was only<br />
considered a technical expert. I was expected to know<br />
personnel and administrative doctrine and procedures<br />
and how they applied to the organization. Over the<br />
years since my appointment, the WO has become the<br />
adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer and<br />
advisor. Unfortunately, some of our senior officers and<br />
WOs still do not accept this change. In order for us to<br />
become a relevant part of the force, we must change<br />
that mindset, and yes it begins from within.<br />
National Guard Warrant Officer Update<br />
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)<br />
2011 changed the appointment authority to the<br />
President of the United States. As I addressed the<br />
Unites States Army Warrant Officer Association’s Annual<br />
Meeting of the Members in Fayetteville, NC last<br />
October, NDAA 11 has also affected the “business<br />
as normal” for the National Guard Warrant Officer.<br />
Promotion procedures have changed, which resulted<br />
in long time frame for promotion orders. That process<br />
has been established and is under continuing review<br />
for promptness.<br />
We have recently met with Congressional staffers<br />
in an attempt to speed up promotion for Warrant<br />
Officer One (WO1) to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)<br />
promotions. Wording to a proposed amendment to<br />
the Unites States Code (USC) Title 10 for NDAA 12 has<br />
been reviewed and hopefully in the approval process.<br />
The Annual Meeting of the Warrant Officer Senior<br />
Advisory Council (WOSAC) will be held in St. Louis,<br />
MO the second week of May. All the Command Chief<br />
Warrant Officers (CCWO) from the 54 states, territories<br />
and Districts of Columbia will be present as will the<br />
CCWO from the National Guard Bureau. Also invited<br />
are representatives of the proponents.<br />
Our WO COHORT is faced with increasingly more<br />
and more changes. We must face these issues and<br />
look for better ways to do business. We must look at<br />
the BIGGER picture. We can no longer go to our offices,<br />
shops, supply rooms, etc, close the door and be<br />
oblivious to our outside surroundings. We must get<br />
involved.<br />
One of the greatest speeches of all times was<br />
General Douglas MacArthur’s “Duty, Honor, Country”<br />
speech to the Corps of Cadets at West Point on May<br />
12, 1962. We must, as Gen. MacArthur said in his<br />
speech, understand that the American man at arms is<br />
“one of the world’s noblest figures.” We must treat<br />
them that way, as they are leaders of tomorrow. It is<br />
inherent upon us to train them so that they are prepared<br />
to take our places. I am impressed with the<br />
today’s younger Soldiers. They are knowledgeable,<br />
technically and tactically proficient in warrior tasks and<br />
skills. We owe it to them to leave it better than we<br />
found it.<br />
As of 2 April <strong>2012</strong>, the Army National Guard<br />
(ARNG) WO assigned strength is 8232. That is 1898<br />
short of authorized strength of 10130. Although the<br />
ARNG has over 358,000 Soldiers, each states has a limited<br />
numbers. The 358,000 is divided into 54 states,<br />
territories and districts. With Texas at 19,220 on the<br />
high end and the Virgin Islands at 774 on the low, the<br />
average is approximately 6630 per each. When the<br />
CCWO of a state sends a pre-determination packet
forward for review, rest assured it has gone through a<br />
thorough process within the state. When the Brigade,<br />
Battalion, and Company Commanders have recommended<br />
a potential Soldier to be a WO, I know that<br />
they want them in that position. Unlike Active Duty,<br />
when we (ARNG) select (recommend) a Soldier to<br />
become a WO, those Commanders have in most cases<br />
served in combat with them. They have seen them<br />
perform under pressure. They know that the potential<br />
candidate has accomplished the mission under duress.<br />
The ARNG selects individuals to come back to fill a vacancy<br />
in that unit. This is totally different than Active<br />
Duty.<br />
NCOERs are used by the proponents to evaluate<br />
the qualifications of potential WO Candidates. We in<br />
the ARNG, for the most part, are not good at writing<br />
NCOERs. Due to training/time restraints, we tend to<br />
look at anything other than training as a hindrance<br />
to the mission. Therefore, we take the easy way out<br />
by giving the quality Rated NCO a middle of the road<br />
NCOER. This unfairly reflects back on the potential<br />
WO. Yes, it is an injustice to our Soldiers, but quite<br />
simply the way it is.<br />
How we review and evaluate potential WOs needs<br />
Editor’s note: Chapter President CW4 (Ret) Dale<br />
Bienusa. SHOW ME Chapter, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO<br />
shares his retention letter with other officers.<br />
Fellow Chapter officers,<br />
I’m not sure what other Chapters are doing for<br />
recruitment/retention, but I generally send out Personalized<br />
“Friendly Reminders” that Memberships are<br />
expiring/expired. While we don’t always get a positive<br />
response, most of the time we get a “Hey, thanks for<br />
reminding me I totally forgot about it” response. I<br />
thought I would share it with other chapters for possible<br />
adoption to fit their circumstances.<br />
Dear _______<br />
Hope this email finds you doing well. Just wanted<br />
to drop you a friendly reminder that according to USA-<br />
WOA Records - your US Army Warrant Officer Association<br />
Membership recently expired. If this is in error, I<br />
apologize.<br />
If it is accurate, I encourage you to renew your<br />
membership. We need your support for our Association<br />
to Lobby in Congress on issues that are in OUR<br />
best interest.<br />
As it applies to the membership, I personally<br />
battled the following during my Army Career.....trying<br />
to remember when my membership expired, got busy<br />
and it expired on me.....PCS’ed and tried to find a local<br />
Chapter to join, got busy and it expired on me.....<br />
deployed and then tried to get back into the swing of<br />
things and renew my membership and it expired on<br />
me.<br />
National Guard report<br />
to be reviewed. The process of accession should be<br />
reconsidered from outside the normal “box.” Many of<br />
the ARNG potential WOs have civilian skills that make<br />
them uniquely qualified. The formal MOS qualification<br />
is in many cases supplemented by civilian skills which<br />
must be a part of the process.<br />
Just as a few golfers have reached the pinnacle of<br />
the scorecard with their 59s, we too, may reach the<br />
extraordinary by reviewing our processes and procedures.<br />
Let us dedicate ourselves to improving things<br />
for those to come. Let us leave the WO COHORT a better<br />
place for those that will take our places.<br />
The National Guard remains a ready, reliable, relevant<br />
and indispensable force. Our Warrant Officers<br />
remain the leaders, advisors, mentors, and educators<br />
for the force as well as being the technical experts we<br />
have always been.<br />
It is my honor to serve the warrant officers of the<br />
Army National Guard.<br />
Professionals join Professional Organizations. Be active<br />
in your associations. Your voice means much. A<br />
Letter to the editor<br />
All of these hardships provoked me to get a Lifetime<br />
Membership. I would highly encourage the<br />
Lifetime Membership. A lot of folks think...well I only<br />
have X years of active duty remaining. As a retired<br />
CW4, I can tell you that this membership applies to Active<br />
Duty, ARNG, USAR and RET Folks. Lifetime Memberships<br />
vary in price based on age, and may seem<br />
expensive, but trust me they are cheaper in the long<br />
run. Payment for these memberships are optional<br />
with lump sum or 10 equal payments on a credit card<br />
of your choice......which by today’s gas prices would<br />
equate to about a tank of gas worth of money per<br />
month. More information can be obtained by going<br />
to the Website: http://www.usawoa.org/ and http://<br />
www.usawoa.org/LM_Facts.htm or calling them at<br />
1-800-587-2962.<br />
Your choice, but please consider renewing your<br />
membership either way.......... 1 Year, 3 Year, 5 Year or<br />
Lifetime.<br />
BLUF: There is strength in numbers and we need<br />
YOU in OUR numbers!!!<br />
As a reminder we do have an active Chapter here<br />
at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.<br />
Our <strong>USAWOA</strong> Chapter meets the second Thursday<br />
of every month at the Pershing Community Club on<br />
Fort Leonard Wood. The times of these meetings are<br />
1130-1300.<br />
Hope to see you there! A<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 13
Association History - Part 2<br />
Continued from page 3.<br />
supporter. Army DCSPERs during our history have<br />
supported the <strong>USAWOA</strong> by addressing our Annual<br />
Meetings. Other speakers through the 1970s included<br />
succeeding DCSPERs and other key Army leaders addressed<br />
our Association.<br />
In addition, the WOD Chief and career management<br />
officers provided career guidance at AMMs and<br />
at European Region conventions and professional<br />
development officers attended chapter meetings<br />
throughout the country and in Europe and Korea in<br />
support of the <strong>USAWOA</strong>. The relationship with WOD,<br />
ODCSPER and the Army leadership was critical in establishing<br />
and maintaining <strong>USAWOA</strong> as a professional<br />
Association.<br />
The recognition of the <strong>USAWOA</strong> was not limited to<br />
involvement with the WOD but the visibility opened<br />
up other areas of concern for better representation<br />
of Warrant Officers as an integral part of the officer<br />
corps. The following issues are just a few of the recommendations<br />
provided by our members, chapters,<br />
and regions. These recommendations were voted on<br />
by the membership at the AMMs or approved by the<br />
Board of Directors (BOD) for submission to the appropriate<br />
authorities and implemented by the Department<br />
of the Army during the 1970s.<br />
14 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
• The disparity in aviation flight pay was narrowed<br />
and then equalized.<br />
• Concurrent travel for CW4s and promotable CW3s<br />
was authorized.<br />
• Appropriate field grade quarters for CW4s and<br />
promotable CW3s was authorized.<br />
• Warrant Officer career management programs<br />
were implemented for all Warrant officer career<br />
fields.<br />
• The Warrant Officer Senior Course was<br />
established and <strong>USAWOA</strong> was invited to address<br />
the first class.<br />
• Warrant officers were appointed to serve on<br />
Warrant Officer promotion boards.<br />
• Civilian education opportunities were expanded<br />
for Warrant Officers in all specialties.<br />
• A Warrant Officer position was established in the<br />
Officer Chief for Army Reserve for Warrant<br />
Officer policy issues.<br />
• Warrant officers were included in DA teams<br />
visiting installations in CONUS and overseas.<br />
• Additional duties performed by Warrant Officers<br />
were clarified.<br />
These advances, on a piecemeal basis, were the<br />
forerunners of major advances in the Warrant Officer<br />
program. The <strong>USAWOA</strong>’s role in the above actions<br />
and many more, was to identify those issues which<br />
would improve the Corps, provide the rationale for<br />
the recommended changes, forward the recommendations<br />
to the Army leadership for decisions and then<br />
use every available means to keep those issues on the<br />
front burner with all those who were involved in the<br />
decision making process.<br />
As we gained the respect of the Army leadership<br />
in those early years, the Association turned its attention<br />
to internal matters. To ensure we maintained a<br />
professional image for our membership and to establish<br />
standards of excellence within our Association,<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> implemented several actions beginning in<br />
the early 1970s:<br />
• Instituted a merger with the European Warrant<br />
Officers Association in 1973 to ensure Warrant<br />
Officer representation with one voice.
• Incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in<br />
1974.<br />
• Accepted as a full member of the Council of<br />
Military Organizations (COMO) in 1976. COMO<br />
was the forerunner of The Military Coalition<br />
(TMC) and <strong>USAWOA</strong> became one of the 16<br />
charter members of TMC and provided <strong>USAWOA</strong><br />
with the expertise of stronger associations not<br />
only in legislative, but in administrative matters<br />
as well.<br />
• Institutionalized bylaws and administrative<br />
manuals to standardize chapter, region and<br />
national policies within the Association.<br />
• Initiated a program to recognize the distinguished<br />
and honor graduates at Warrant Officer courses.<br />
• Initiated a Warrant Officer and Spouse of the Year<br />
and other recognition programs.<br />
• Initiated a program with the American Council of<br />
Association History - Part 2<br />
Education (ACE) to award civilian education credit<br />
for Warrant Officer service.<br />
• Initiated action with the editor of the “Officers<br />
Guide” to include Warrant Officer related information<br />
in their publication which previously excluded warrant<br />
officers.<br />
Next month’s article, Part three, will cover the<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> in the 1980s. A major overhaul of the Warrant<br />
Officer program would begin a new era which<br />
would lead to redefining the role of the Warrant<br />
Officer, beginning with the definition, recruiting,<br />
promotion, utilization, military and civilian education,<br />
commissioning and much more. The role of<br />
the <strong>USAWOA</strong> in the transition of the Warrant Officer<br />
Corps in the 1980s was instrumental in identifying<br />
and addressing professional concerns to bring the<br />
Warrant Officer Corps into the mainstream of the officer<br />
corps. A<br />
Ordnance Regimental Chief Warrant Officer Selected<br />
CW5 Terry Hetrick has been selected as the eighth Ordnance<br />
Regimental Warrant officer. He enlisted delayed entry<br />
in 1983 and served in various enlisted mechanical maintenance<br />
positions supporting an array of Army units including tours in<br />
Germany, Honduras, South West Asia, Hawaii and posts across<br />
the United States.<br />
In 1994, CW5 Hetrick was appointed to the US Army Warrant<br />
Officer Corps 915A. He was assigned<br />
with the 2/2 (Assault) Aviation Battalion,<br />
2D Infantry Division at Camp Stanley,<br />
Korea, where he served as Battalion<br />
Maintenance Officer. In 1995 he was assigned<br />
to the 32nd Transportation Company<br />
(Palletized Load System), 43rd Area<br />
Support Group as the Unit Maintenance<br />
Technician at Fort Carson, Colorado.<br />
From 1996 to2001, he served at Fort<br />
Carson, Colorado with the 3rd Armored<br />
Cavalry Regiment as the Squadron Maintenance<br />
Officer including deployment to<br />
Camp Comanche, Bosnia in support of<br />
Stabilization Force Seven. From 2001 to<br />
2004, CW5 Hetrick served as the General<br />
Support Maintenance Advisor, Active<br />
Component/Reserve Component, at the<br />
National Maintenance Training Center,<br />
Camp Dodge, Iowa.<br />
CW5 Hetrick deployed in 2004 to<br />
the Combat Equipment Battalion, Camp<br />
Arifjan Kuwait, as the Army Materiel Command Quality Assurance<br />
Maintenance Chief (FWD) supporting Theater Sustainment<br />
to Iraq Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II, Afghanistan OPERATION<br />
ENDURING FREEDOM, and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of<br />
Africa. From 2005 to 2006, he served as the Senior Logistics<br />
Advisor, Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Testability Engineers,<br />
Future Combat Systems, and Fort Knox, Kentucky. CW5<br />
Hetrick served from 2006 to 2009 as the Army Force Generation<br />
Logistics Officer, Distribution Management Center, Army Sus-<br />
tainment Command, Rock Island, Illinois. From 2009 to 2011,<br />
Chief Hetrick served as the Chief of Maintenance, G4 Senior<br />
Logistics Officer, Headquarters US Army Pacific Command, and<br />
Fort Shafter, Hawaii.<br />
CW5 Hetrick deployed 2011 in support of OPERATION EN-<br />
DURING FREEDOM as the NATO Training Mission/Combined<br />
Security Transition Command- Afghanistan, CJ4 Senior Maintenance<br />
Advisor to the Afghanistan National<br />
Security Forces, Kabul, Afghanistan<br />
prior to being selected as the Eighth<br />
Ordnance Regimental Warrant Officer.<br />
CW5 Hetrick’s military education<br />
includes the Warrant Officer Senior<br />
Staff Course Contracting Officer’s Representative<br />
Course, and the Air Assault<br />
Course. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in<br />
Management from Grand View University,<br />
Iowa.<br />
Military awards and decorations include<br />
the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious<br />
Service Medal, Meritorious Service<br />
Medal, Joint Service Commendation<br />
Medal, Army Commendation Medal,<br />
Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct<br />
Medal, National Defense Service<br />
Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary<br />
Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal,<br />
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary<br />
Medal , Global War on Terrorism Service<br />
Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Korea Defense Service<br />
Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service<br />
Medal, Non-Commission Officer (NCO) Development Ribbon,<br />
Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal, Kuwait<br />
(KU) Liberation Medal Saudi Arabia (SA), Medal (KU), and the Air<br />
Assault Badge. He is a recipient of the Ordnance Order of Samuel<br />
Sharp and an active member of the US Army Ordnance Corps<br />
Association, and the US Army Warrant Officer Association. A<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 15
In Memoriam<br />
CW2 (Ret) Boyd W “Woody Wooten<br />
Gahanna, OH<br />
CWO (Ret) Ruben C Young Jr<br />
Dutton, AL<br />
CW4 (Ret) Dave K Norris<br />
Spanaway, WA<br />
CW5 (Ret) Don Cotton<br />
Bradenton, FL<br />
Members of the <strong>USAWOA</strong> and their families are eligible to join PenFed.<br />
A PenFed Car Loan. Right for you.<br />
16 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
New Life Members<br />
01372L CW4R DIANE P STOKER<br />
01373L CW5 HERMAN O BURTON, JR<br />
01374L CW5 CRAIG T KRENZ<br />
01375L WO1 DARREN E SCHROEDER<br />
01377L CW4R ROGER B WYNN<br />
01378L CW3 DANIEL R VERSLUES<br />
01379L CW5R ROBERT L FORSS<br />
01380L CW4 ALICE D AHLFIELD<br />
01381L WO1 TIMOTHY J ROGERS<br />
01382L CW2 ROBERT DAvID MCMATH<br />
01383L CW4 ROBERT P WILLS<br />
01384L WO1 HEATHER E ALDRIDGE<br />
01385L CW4R CHARLES E ROGERS<br />
01386L CW5R WILLIAM C MULLINS<br />
01387L CW4R BUDDY L LIGGENSTOFFER<br />
01388L CW4R ALAN L DOROTHY<br />
01389L CW4R DANNY G BARLOW<br />
01390L CW5R TONY S MCALISTER<br />
01391L CW2 CLARISSE S BERNIER<br />
1 .99<br />
ONLINE ONLY!<br />
%APR *<br />
Purchase or Refinance for ALL MODEL YEARS<br />
60-month financing for up to $70,000<br />
Payment example: $20,000 loan at 1.99%<br />
APR, 60 monthly payments of approximately<br />
$350.47 each<br />
AppLY tODAY.<br />
penFed.org/CarLoan<strong>USAWOA</strong><br />
866.406.5090<br />
Federally insured by NCUA. Rate and offers current as of April 1, <strong>2012</strong> and are subject to change. *Rate depends<br />
on amount borrowed and term. Other restrictions may apply. Promotional rate is not available to refinance existing<br />
PenFed car loans. Rate applies to online applications only. Higher rate will be assessed if you do not apply online.<br />
<strong>2012</strong>.05 <strong>USAWOA</strong> - PenFed Car.indd 1 4/16/12 12:23:48 PM
nK LAST nAMe FirST nAMe Br TM<br />
35 YeArS<br />
CW4R KOCH GORDON AG<br />
CW3R WILSON JAMES QM *<br />
30 YeArS<br />
CW3R CLARK EARL MS *<br />
25 YeArS<br />
CW4R EASTMAN MICHAEL AV #<br />
CW3R MAZZACONE DAVID QM *<br />
CW5R PALMER DUANE OD *<br />
CW3R SHIPP RICHARD AG<br />
CW3R SMITH JAMES OD *<br />
CW3R TUCKER EDRYCE QM<br />
CW5 WELLS MARY OD<br />
20 YeArS<br />
CW4R COYLE JOHN MS #<br />
CW4R EMIG ERNEST QM #<br />
CW3R GONZALES RICHARD MI *<br />
CW4R HAMILTON JAMES AG *<br />
CW3R HICKS RAYMOND OD *<br />
CW3R KELLY RUTH AG *<br />
CW4R MCCURDY HARRY OD<br />
CW3R MYRAND DAVID OD *<br />
CW4R SMITH RICKIE MS<br />
CW4R TIRK GUY MI<br />
CW5R WIGGLESWORTH CHARLES AG *<br />
15 YeArS<br />
CW4R BIERLY DWAYNE SF<br />
CW4 GIUSTO JOSEPH OD *<br />
CW5R GOWIN ROBERT QM #<br />
CW4R JONES ANTHONY QM<br />
CW4R KESTER NORMAN XX *<br />
CW4R MONROE CECIL QM<br />
CW4 PITTS JASON QM *<br />
CW3R SNOVER JEFFREY QM *<br />
CW3R WALKER JOHN QM #<br />
CW3R WEBBER NEWTON QM #<br />
Continuous Membership April <strong>2012</strong><br />
Your continuous dedication and financial support of<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> over the years has been a driving<br />
force in the success of our Association.<br />
rnK LAST nAMe FirST nAMe Br TM<br />
10 YeArS<br />
CW3 ARMBRUSTER VINCENT OD<br />
CW5 BOWERS GERALDINE AV *<br />
CW4 CONRAD STEVEN AG *<br />
CW3 DAVID WILLIS QM<br />
CW4R DONOHUE DANIEL OD<br />
CW4R FELICIANO ANIBAL OD<br />
CW5R HEITHCOCK MURRY XX<br />
CW2R HOWARD LISA MI *<br />
CW5 IKEDA STEPHEN QM *<br />
CW5R LOCKLAR LARRY OD #<br />
CW4R McDANIEL JOSEPH MI #<br />
CW3R RICH WAYNE SC<br />
CW3 SPIHER JAMES OD #<br />
CW5 SWINGLER WALTER QM *<br />
CW4R VANGILDER WADE QM #<br />
CW2 WALLINGFORD JOHN EN *<br />
CW3R WOODMANSEE LARRY SC #<br />
5 YeArS<br />
CW2 BOGGESS JOE OD<br />
CW4 CAMPBELL RUSSELL QM<br />
CW2R CHO STEVE AG *<br />
CW5 CULLUM GEORGE AG #<br />
CW2 DUCKETT THOMAS OD<br />
CW5 FRAKA LEANN AV<br />
CW2 GIBBS MICHAEL OD<br />
CW3 PERDUE CHRISTOPHER OD #<br />
CW4 PHELPS REX SC #<br />
CW5 PLANTE RICHARD QM #<br />
CW5R READY JANICE AG<br />
CW3R WALSH LAWRENCE QM *<br />
CW3 WINGO ANDREA AG<br />
CW2R WOLFE PHILIP OD #<br />
CW5 WYBORNEY DOUGLAS AV<br />
* indicates Life Member<br />
# indicates Multi Year Member<br />
## Associate Member<br />
May <strong>2012</strong> 17
Bits & Pieces<br />
Army to complete Enterprise-Email<br />
move by March 2013<br />
The Army resumed migrations to DOD Enterprise<br />
Email on March 18, <strong>2012</strong>. We encourage all<br />
members to update their membership record when<br />
their email migrates from AKO to “mail.mil” DOD<br />
Enterprise Email. You can post the new email address<br />
by going to https://usawoa.net and logging in to the<br />
<strong>USAWOA</strong> <strong>Portal</strong>. Next scroll down to and click on “My<br />
Information,” then on “Edit Information.” Change the<br />
email address and any other information that needs<br />
change or updating. Lastly scroll to the bottom of the<br />
page and click on “Save.” A<br />
18 May <strong>2012</strong><br />
AKO Introduces New Site Versions<br />
AKO is dividing into two different versions: one for<br />
FOUO content and another for non-FOUO content. As<br />
a result, all AKO content designated by users as FOUO<br />
will only be available to those who log in with a CAC/<br />
PIN. Users who log in with a username/password can<br />
only access non-FOUO content. This change is being<br />
made to comply with DOD and Army Cyber Command<br />
directives, and was effective 28 March <strong>2012</strong>. Retirees,<br />
family members, and individuals without a CAC/<br />
PIN and using User ID & Password should use and<br />
bookmark the new Non-FOUO site at https://ako.<br />
us.army.mil. A<br />
Don’t Wait For Social Security Check In The Mail<br />
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER<br />
Associated Press<br />
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Starting next year, the check will no longer be in the mail for millions of people who receive Social<br />
Security and other government benefits.<br />
The federal government, which issues 73 million payments a month, is phasing out paper checks for all benefit programs,<br />
requiring people to get payments electronically, either through direct deposit or a debit card for those without a bank<br />
account.<br />
The changes will affect people who get Social Security, veterans’ benefits, railroad pensions and federal disability<br />
payments. Tax refunds are exempt, but the Internal Revenue Service encourages taxpayers to get refunds electronically by<br />
processing those refunds faster than paper checks.<br />
About 90 percent of people who receive federal benefits already get their payments electronically, the Treasury<br />
Department says. New beneficiaries were required to get payments electronically starting last year, and with a few exceptions,<br />
the rest will have to make the switch by March 2013.<br />
Read the complete article at http://ap.stripes.com/dynamic/stories/U/US_NO_MORE_CHECKS?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=<br />
HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=<strong>2012</strong>-04-15-08-51-11. A<br />
SOURCE: Stars and Stripes at http://www.stripes.com/<br />
Aviation Membership Committee<br />
CW5 (Ret) Gale “Butch” Zirpolo has been appointed as the National Aviation Membership Committee CW5 Zirpolo retired in<br />
July 2003 after 26 years of active duty. He has been assigned at every level of command, from platoon to Aviation Brigade including<br />
assignments as an attack pilot , test pilot, aviation maintenance officer and senior instructor at the WO Career College (WOCC)<br />
instructing in a wide range of military subjects in Leadership and Logistics. CW5 (Ret) Zirpolo is a welcome addition to the National<br />
Executive Committee bringing a long history of aviation experience and advice to the Association leadership. A<br />
Savings Bond Update<br />
Dear Members:<br />
If you all are like me, you probably have childhood memories of spending a rainy afternoon with family and friends playing the timehonored,<br />
singularly American game of Monopoly. One of my favorite things about this was landing on “Community Chest,” especially if I<br />
drew the card that announced: “BANK ERROR IN YOUR FAVOR – COLLECT $200 DOLLARS.” I am sending you this message to announce<br />
that there has been an “ASSOCIATION ERROR IN YOUR FAVOR.” This year, the Federal Government changed the Savings Bond program –<br />
no longer are bonds purchased at a discount of their face value, maturing over a period of years. Rather, these bonds are now PRICED at<br />
face value, and accrue interest from there. Your Association was not aware of this when we developed and published this year’s Annual<br />
Fundraiser, so this year’s winners of the various raffles have the opportunity to win twice the money they have in previous years (by<br />
winning bonds immediately redeemable at face-value)!<br />
I hope this will encourage all members to sell or buy twice as many tickets this year, thereby increasing odds of winning twice as much<br />
money (and, of course, helping your Association defray the additional cost of this fundraising event…:_). I thank each and every one of<br />
you for participating in our fundraiser over the years. This event has been crucial in our ability to avoid raising member dues for almost ten<br />
years. I firmly believe we have the most dedicated, loyal members of any Military Association in this country! If you want more books of<br />
raffle tickets, please do not hesitate to contact the National Headquarters – we will get them right out to you. Thanks again for taking the<br />
time to read this, and for your continued support of your Association! A
Fort rucker, AL<br />
WO1 Christopher Brooks is<br />
presented the <strong>USAWOA</strong> Leadership<br />
award for WOCS Class 12-09<br />
by CW4 Danny Taylor.<br />
Your Custom Order Class IX<br />
MRO Specialists<br />
Fully Intergrated Into The<br />
SARSS System<br />
Winzer Corporation<br />
Cage Code: 01FM8<br />
Duns #: 08-904-0331<br />
1-800-527-4126<br />
www.winzer.com<br />
Proud Corporate<br />
Member of<br />
Photos Courtesy of U.S. Army<br />
Congratulations<br />
WOCS Class 12-09<br />
Fort rucker, AL<br />
WO1 Gary Magallanes is<br />
presented the <strong>USAWOA</strong> Distinguished Honor<br />
Graduate award for WOCS Class 12-09<br />
by CW4 McCarter.
<strong>USAWOA</strong> HEADqUARTERS<br />
462 HERNDON PkWy, #207<br />
HERNDON, VA 20170-5235<br />
uSAWOA Supports the defenders Lodge<br />
The palo alto veterans administration<br />
defenders lodge<br />
By supporting The Defenders Lodge, we can help veterans in our backyard.<br />
Support The Defenders Lodge—we can help veterans in our own backyard.<br />
Once completed, The Defenders Lodge will be a free,<br />
short-term hotel facility that will support the thousands<br />
of veterans who travel from all over the West Coast and<br />
Pacific Rim to the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital.<br />
Join us in our committment to help our nation’s<br />
defenders by ensuring they do not suffer preventable<br />
hardships after serving our country. Your donation will<br />
make The Defenders Lodge closer to reality.<br />
we need your help to ensure defenders lodge becomes a reality<br />
PentagonFoundation.org or DefendersLodge.org (703) 838-1094<br />
2011.03 USAOWA - Defenders Lodge v2.indd 1 2/17/12 4:52:53 PM