Spartan Times Vol 5 - Usarak - U.S. Army

793d Military Police Battalion
Spartan Times
FALL 2011

793D MP BN “SPARTAN” Newsletter
Page 2
Fall 2011 Fall 2011
U.S. Army
Volume: VI
Inside this issue:
BN CDR 6
CSM 7
HHD, 793rd MP 8
28th MP CO 9
164th MP CO 10
472nd MP CO 11
545th MP CO 12
Special points of
interest:
Tribute to Fallen
Spartans
The Spartan Battalion
recently achieved phenomenal
success during
Warrior Leader
Course Class 11-13
hosted at JBER between
19 -- 30 September
2011. SPC Adam
Holly and SPC Michael
Fuentez each earned
top title awards during
the September WLC
Class.
During WLC Class 13-
11 SPC SPC Holly a Motor
Transport Operator
within the 793D MP BN
graduated top of his
class. He was awarded
the Distinguished Leadership
Award which is
793D MP BN Soldiers Excel at WLC
presented to the top
student in the course
who has demonstrated
an understanding and
who practices outstanding
leadership
abilities. Along with the
Distinguished Leadership
award, SPC Holly
also made the Commandants
list.
SPC Fuentez, a team
leader assigned to the
545th MP CO also received
a top tier award
during the WLC Class.
SPC Fuentez earned
the coveted Iron Warrior
Award for achieving
the highest score in all
physical events during
the course’s APFT. SPC
Fuentez arrived to the
793D MP BN in August
and initially worked as
part of the S3 Staff
prior to attending WLC.
He is currently assigned
to the 545th
Military Police Company
as the 2nd Platoon,
1st Squad Charlie
Team Leader.
MP WLC Honors
164th MP CO
Deployment
Pictures from
Afghanistan
Career
Counselor’s
Corner
Spartan Heroes
Above: SPC Fuentez conducts PMI on the M249
SAW prior to attending a live fire range.
Above: SPC Holly in his ASU prior
to a company uniform inspection.
Cover: Soldiers from the 28th MP DET
conduct room entry training in support of
the law enforcement mission at Fort Wainwright.

FALLEN HEROS
Page 3
Robert Lee Voakes Jr.
Specialist, U.S. Army
26 February 1990 — 4 June 2011
L’Anse Michigan
Christopher Roger Bell
Sergeant, U.S. Army
5 January 1990 — 4 June 2011
Golden, Mississippi
Devin Arielle Snyder
Sergeant, U.S. Army
7 August 1990 — 4 June 2011
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Joshua David Powell
Sergeant, U.S. Army
9 September 1982 — 4 June 2011
Quitman, Texas
Sadly the last few months have been wrought with grief in the Spartan Community as SGT Joshua Powell, SGT Christopher Bell,
SGT Devin Snyder and SPC Robert Voakes were all killed June 4 2011 in Afghanistan’s Laghman Province while on patrol. The
Soldiers deployed with the 164th MP CO in March of 2011 and were conducting military operations in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom when their vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device. On June 22nd the 793D MP BN held a memorial ceremony
at JBER to honor the fallen hero’s.
―I think the memorial service was really a feeling of pride, a sense of honor for our fallen comrades,‖ said LTC Stephen E.
Gabavics, commander of the 793D MP BN. ―Obviously there was a sorrow of having the loss of these heroes, but I think largely it
was a celebration of their life and what they brought to this battalion and to all the Soldiers that knew them.‖
Though our fellow Spartans are gone, they will never be forgotten, especially to the people close to them. SGT Powell, was more
than a friend and more than a fellow Soldier to those around him. To his fellow Soldiers SGT Powell will be remembered as a big
brother and a best friend, who would tell you something you needed to hear even if you didn’t want to hear it. SGT Powell, who was
fond of hunting in fishing found a true home in the Alaskan Community of JBER.
Exemplifying what it means to be an NCO, SGT Bell was a model for leadership to his fellow Soldiers as he constantly looked out
for the welfare of other Soldiers before looking out for his own. SGT Bell would go out of his way to help those who needed it,
would never hesitate to lend a hand to those in need, and always looked to help struggling Soldiers by putting complex tasks into
terms they could understand. SGT Bell was also a dedicated family man who would constantly tell others about his baby daughter
and loving wife.
A smile is what defined SGT Devin Snyder. SGT Snyder always had a positive and upbeat way at looking at life and its challenges
and that energy often picked up the morale of her fellow Soldiers. Even with her loss SGT Snyder continued to impact her entire
community as thousands of people lined the streets of her small Virginia town to pay their respects, mourn her loss and celebrate her
life.
SPC Robert Voakes felt a calling to serve his country in time of need. He aspired
to earn a degree in criminal justice and work within his tribal police department,
naturally he was drawn to the MP Corps for service. Though still new
to the military SPC Voakes was considered one of the rising stars and was developing
into the type of Soldier and leader the Army desires.
Though these Soldiers have left the ranks of the Spartans they will never be
forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of these
Soldiers.

793D MP BN Spouses Day Page 4
Reprinted with Permission
2D EN BDE MEB PAO
The sun hadn't risen yet from behind the Alaskan mountains on that crisp October morning.
Weapons were drawn and the troops assembled into a formation outside.
Sgt. David Grosshuesch of the 793rd Military Police Battalion called the group to attention, directed a "right face" then
"forward march" and the platoon sized element began a forced road march wearing full-battle rattle. This would seem like a
typical morning for a group of Soldiers, but these were Soldiers’ spouses.
The 793rd Military Police Battalion held a spouses day, dubbed the "The Spartan Spouses Challenge" Oct. 6 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The events included a road march, weapons familiarization training, vehicle roll-over drills, a simulated
range, a ride in the back of a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, or LMTV, and an obstacle course with a dozen challenges.
"The intent is to bring the spouses of our Soldiers in here, male or female, to understand what their Soldier, husband or wife
does on a daily basis,‖ LTC. Steve Gabavics, commander of the 793rd MP Battalion, said. ―To get to see some of the events
that we participate in, to learn a little about the weapons we use, to have some fun more than anything else and get to know
each other."
"One of the opportunities in having the spouses here is that I think it coalesces the unit a little bit better, because now you get to
have that entire integrity of a family beyond what you would normally have with just the Soldier being involved with battalion,"
he said.
The spouses jumped right into the action. They got to see and experience firsthand what their Soldiers do at work. Some of the
spouses found the events challenging as well.
"The most challenging thing we did today was the obstacle course," said Ruth Banks, whose husband is a captain in the 793rd
MP. ―It was really hard to get across, but a lot of Soldiers helped me out, so that was great. I think the whole day was challenging
and I learned a lot about what my husband does at work. The rollover was very interesting and very difficult to get out of."
Some spouses compared the challenge to a kind of G.I. Jane experience.
"Live the life in your husband’s shoes or boots for the day," Nicole Grosshuesch said. "The fun things we get to do is wear the
ruck, getting to do roll-over drills and the obstacle course. A lot of different things we don't get to see our husbands getting to
do."
The spouses received certificates from Lt. Col. Gabavics and Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Epps for their participation.
For more pictures and video of the event, check out the 2d Engineer Brigade Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/
pages/2d-Engineer-Brigade/235979063102397.
Above: Spartan Spouses complete a road march with full battle rattle and the Ft. Richardson obstacle course during spouses day.

Military Police Ball
Page 5
On October 7th the 793d Military Police Battalion conducted the
annual Military Police Ball to celebrate Military Police Traditions
and build camaraderie within the force. The night began with traditional
celebrations such as the annual cake cutting, and grog
toast (above), and concluded with dancing, the limbo and the
electric slide (left, and below). Battalion Soldiers and their dates
all enjoyed an evening steeped with classic military traditions and
team building celebrations.

From the BN Commander Page 6
The final quarter of the fiscal year has been an eventful time for the Spartans. While
the 164 th MP CO continues to conduct operations in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom, the 545 th and 472 nd MP Companies and the 28 th MP Detachment continue
to train and conduct law enforcement operations on JBER and Fort Wainwright.
Sadly, last quarter was met with great loss within the 164 th MP Company and
the Spartan Battalion Family when on the 4 th of June we lost four of our heroes.
While conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom,
SGT Joshua Powell, SGT Christopher Bell, SGT Devin Snyder and SPC Robert
Vokes made the ultimate sacrifice when the vehicle they were operating in was struck
by an improvised explosive device. The Battalion had the honor of hosting the families
of all four fallen heroes on the 23 rd of June at JBER. Our thoughts and prayers
are with the families and loved ones of these fallen Soldiers. The Arctic Enforcers
(known as the ―Outlaws‖ in Afghanistan) continue to focus on their mission of training the Afghan Police as
the Battalion focuses on providing care and support to the Families at home.
The Gladiators of HHD continued to provide support to the operational companies while conducting
training in preparation for next year’s deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Gladiators
completed a week long FTX training on mounted and dismounted operations, weapons training and individual
Soldiering skills. The HHD and its great Soldiers are well on their way to achieving tactical proficiency.
The 28 th Military Police Detachment, Arctic Guardians, recently completed Law and Order Certification
and continue to provide world class law enforcement support to the Fort Wainwright and Fairbanks community.
The Det’s Soldiers set the example daily of what professional Military Police bring to the community;
Assist, Protect and Defend. Additionally, the 28 th deployed SSG Hastings and his Military Working Dog in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom
This past August, the 472 nd MP CO augmented with a platoon from the 545 th MP CO, conducted training
at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Fort Polk, LA.; while the HHD and 28 th MP Det provided
17 senior NCOs and Officers to Train and Mentor the Units during their rotation. At JRTC, the two MP units
focused and trained on traditional MP functions such as Area Security, Police Development, route reconnaissance
missions, convoy security and other operations in support of the 4/25 Airborne Brigade Combat Team;
thus assisting the Brigade in its preparation for deployment to OEF.
In September, the 472 nd and 545 th MP Companies each represented the 793 d MP BN competing in the
Warfighter competition during the Military Police Regimental Week at Fort Leonard Wood. Both teams demonstrated
exceptional drive, motivation and dedication battling through 72 hours of nearly continuous physical
and mental tasks. These Soldiers’s actions and efforts honored all Spartans past and present.
Following the MP Warfighter Symposium, CSM Epps and I had the distinct honor of attending the
793d MP Battalion Association’s annual reunion in Atlanta, GA. This event connected Soldiers past and present
to include five of the original members of the Spartan Battalion who were in Camp Maxey, TX in 1942
and sailed on the Queen Elizabeth to Europe in January of 1943. It was a tremendous honor and a humbling
experience to spend time with these great Americans and Spartan heroes who spanned the past 70 years. I
highly encourage all of you to visit the association’s website at www.793rdmpassoc.com..
As always, the successful mission accomplishments of the 793 d MP BN could not be completed without
the continued support of Spartan Families. The dedication, sacrifice and support you provide to your Soldiers
continues to make the Battalion Successful. My personal thanks to all of you. SPARTANS!
Facta Cum Honore
Steve Gabavics
LTC Battalion Commander

From the BN CSM
Page 7
Let me begin by saying thank you to all of the Soldiers and Family Members
who sacrifice so much to serve the nation. As this is my final newsletter
submission as the Battalion CSM for the Spartan Battalion, I’d like to take a moment
to reflect on our time in Alaska.
The Epps family’s experience here in Alaska for the past 2 years has been
unforgettable. Trading sunny Georgia for frigid Alaska was not my idea of a
bargain. However, we can honestly say that we are grateful for the experience
and are better off for it. I still do not know who to thank for scheduling me to
attend the Cold Weather Orientation Course in January. During our brief stay
here, we had the opportunity to meet and serve with some of the best Soldiers
and families the Army has to offer. In the daily grind of providing law enforcement
support, training and doing all we do, we often get so caught up and fail to
take notice of the great people we have serving our nation and recognizing their sacrifice. So to all of the
Soldiers, Leaders, families and civilians that we have had the honor to serve, support and experience
Alaska with, thank you for making our tour in Alaska fulfilling and wonderful. You all are remarkable and
we are better for knowing you.
The Spartan Battalion has faced a number of challenges over the past year since moving from Germany.
Like its namesake, the Spartan Battalion has risen to meet each challenge and humbly continued to
serve the Soldiers and Families of USARAK. Over the past year, the Spartans have trained and deployed
the 164 th MP Company, Arctic Enforcers. We redeployed, reset the 545 th and the 472 nd MP Companies.
Both of these units quickly assumed responsibility for law enforcement in their respective communities
and have joined the 28 th MP Detachment in providing an exceptional support to USARAK. The Headquarters
Detachment has grown tremendously over the past year and is well on its way in preparing for future
combat operations. However, we all know that providing police support is only a small fraction of what
the Spartan Battalion does. The countless contributions by our Soldiers and Families to the JBER and
Fairbanks communities on and off post have had a lasting impact and are a testament to the American
spirit. None of our efforts over the past two years would have been successful without the incredible support
provided by the 3 rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, now 2 nd Engineer Brigade and the support agencies
at Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright.
As we move on, to Fort Leonard Wood, we know it will be a bittersweet departure. Every leader in
the Army wishes for the opportunity to deploy with his Soldiers and I am no exception. While we look
forward to the challenges Fort Leonard Wood will bring we also long to deploy the Spartan Battalion as a
whole. Like everything else in the Army, change is inevitable. The 793D is in good hands with the new
command team of LTC Gabavics and CSM Lynch. The Spartans will continue to do great things both in
garrison and when the unit deploys. Wanda and I wish you all well and say so long for now, because as
small as the MP Corps is; we know we will see you again.
CSM EPPS
SPARTAN 7

HHD, 793D MP BN “Gladiators”
Page 8
By SGT Benjamin White
“Gladiators”
HHD CDR: CPT Jordan
HHD 1SG: SFC Groves
This is an exciting time for HHD. As the warm summer air slowly begins to become
frigid, ushering in the inevitable winter and sub-zero temperatures here in
Alaska, we too are beginning a new time. With our upcoming deployment at the
end of next year, our focus has shifted from the recent activation of the battalion
to preparing for war. With that, training events to include weapons ranges, field
training exercises and command post exercises are on the calendar, as well as
family readiness group events meant to foster camaraderie and support amongst
our detachment families. I encourage you all to get involved if you aren’t.
There are lots of exciting things coming up. - CPT Jordan
Above: CSM Richard Epps marches
793rd Soldiers following the Army-wide
Military Police Run.
Above: SFC Wade Connett is ―detained‖ by SFC
Ronald Pierce during an Arctic Warrior Time training
event in which a squad cleared and secured the entirety of
building 793.
HAIL
SSG Dorsey - 17th CSSB
MAJ Ritterpusch - Ft. Leavenworth
CPT Particini - 2 EN BDE
SSG Walker - 6th Engineers
SSG Mccollough - 17th CSSB
WO1 Sanders - WOCS
SGT Weaver - 17th CSSB
SFC Groves - Ft. Leonardwood
MSG Meyers - Ft. Lewis
MSG Gibbs - Ft. Sam Houston
SPC Crosby - 545th MP Co
SPC Pearson - 545th MP Co
PFC Sadler -
CPT Porter - Ft. Drum
FAREWELL
2LT Montes - 545th MP Co
CPT Somoza - 164th Rear D
SPC Crenshaw - Ft. Benning
CPT McDaniel - Ft. Leonardwood
SFC Traxinger - Retired
SPC Jacome - 545th MP Co
SPC Holly - 95th Chemical
MSG Lutchka - 2 EN BDE
SFC Pierce - Ft. Leonardwood
SSG Valenzuela - Hawaii
SSG Wimbush - Kuwait
Above: WO1 Julius Mitchell (center) captures two
insurgents (SPC Adam Holly and SPC Daniel Kekipi).
Above: CPT Jacob Jordan and
SFC Ronald Pierce participating
in the 20 kilometer ruck march.

28th MP DET “Arctic Guardians”
Page 9
By 1LT Luke Plante
28th CDR: CPT Flynn
28th 1SG: SFC Rambus
Above: SGT Cross leads a team of Soldiers conducting
MEDEVAC training with Evergreen Helicopters
personnel.
Right: Soldiers from the
28th MP Detachment’s
Traffic Accident Investigation
section training
during a Law Enforcement
Exercise on Fort
Wainwright.
HAIL:
MSG Karnes—Ft. Sam Houston, TX
SFC Edgell—Recruiting @ Dallas, TX
SFC Rambus—Ft. Carson, CO
FAREWELL:
MSG Lingley—Ft. Carson, CO
SFC Jarveaux—U.S. Army Reserves
SFC Healy—Ft. Jackson, SC
SFC Kirby—Ft. Hood, TX
Below: SFC Rambus
participates in the unit
FRG’s fundraiser: ―Pie
an MP.‖
Above: SSG Dickenson plays the role of
a criminal during training and allows a
MWD to attack him.

164th MP CO “Arctic Enforcers”
- DEPLOYED -
164th CDR: CPT Gehri
164th 1SG: 1SG Black
793D MP BN
Page 10
Above: SGT Wiley and SPC Rod grilling an
evening meal for 1st Platoon.
Above: SSG Griffiths inquires about recent attacks in the area of
Above: 2nd Platoon’s 1LT Blaisdell-Black and SSG Vetterkind at
the Precinct 2 AUP Station.
Above: SPC Rhynes preparing food for the next meal.
Left: After a hard day in the gym, it is time to eat
and watch the game!

472d MP CO “Arctic Titans”
Page 11
By CPT Andrew Widmeyer
472d CDR: CPT Nelson
472d 1SG: 1SG Suis
Above: Soldiers from the 472d MP Company receive
valuable hands-on MEDEVAC training at JRTC, where
Soldiers learned from flight medics, and MEDEVAC
pilots; even being afforded the opportunity to go through
the complete MEDEVAC process.
Above: Soldiers from 2nd Platoon qualify on the MK 19
40mm Grenade launcher at the FWA Range Complex. 2nd
Platoon was able to qualify all Company MK 19 gunners
during the day’s qualification
Above: Soldiers from 1st and 3rd Platoons conduct Mine
detector training utilizing the AN/PSS-12. This training
was good familiarization for new Soldiers on equipment
currently being used in Afghanistan to combat IED’s and
HME (HomeMade Exploseive) Mines.
Above: CPL Cogan, the Company’s Commo NCO, working
diligently in the Company TOC at JRTC. His hard work kept the
TOC up and running throughout the JRTC exercise.
Above: SPC Cooper is dressed up in Moulage and acts as
a casualty so that Soldier’s can apply what they’ve learned
from both CLS training, and TCCC classes and hands on
exercises.

545th MP CO “Arctic Defenders”
Page 12
By 2LT Andrew Matwijec
545th CDR:
CPT Randolph
545th 1SG:
1SG Solomon
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Spartan Week — 3 to 7 OCT
MP Ball — 7 OCT
Above: 545th MP CO Soldiers participate in the Change of
Responsibility from 1SG Ivacic to 1SG Solomon on 17JUN11.
HAIL
MSG Howard, Walter
SFC William, Richard
SFC Landis, Brian
SSG Eggie, Shaun
Right: Soldiers from
3rd PLT,
545th MP CO
depart for JRTC
FAREWELL
MSG Ivacic, Matthew
PROMOTIONS
1LT Malinowski, Ben
NEW EDITIONS:
SGT Fulkerson, Alfred
Spouse: Amber Fulkerson
Baby: Brylee Fulkerson
DOB: May 2011
Left: Soldiers from the 545th
MP CO and HHD, 793rd MP
BN huddle during a flag football
game.
SSG Cline, Timothy
Spouse: Tracey Cline
Baby: Charity Elizabeth Cline
DOB: August 10, 2011
FRG MEETING
3rd Wednesday of the Month
FACEBOOK LINK
www.facebook.com/
pages/545th-Military-Police-
Company/151032958290740

Chaplain’s Corner
Page 13
There is a great deal of training
and preparation going on these
days. Several of the spouses from
164 MP CO just finished a Strong
Bonds retreat, where the Ice Spa
was a big hit. We can see the
―termination dust‖ on the mountains
now, telling us to prepare
our homes, vehicles, and wardrobes
for the winter ahead.
Spouses’ Day is coming up, offering
our better halves the opportunity
to walk a mile or so in the
Soldiers’ shoes. By the time this
comes out, the Thermopylae
Challenge will be complete and
our lieutenants may be licking
their wounds. And, of course,
there’s the physical training that
takes place every morning (Thank
you CSM Epps for reminding us
that it’s outside PT until –20 o ).
As an Army, we train at home
station to prepare us for combat,
where the margin for error is very
slim. Even non-military personnel
in Alaska understand this simply
by preparations needed for
winter travel… It’s pretty wellknown
that a minor accident or
vehicular breakdown in the wrong
area could prove fatal thanks to
an unforgiving environment.
Oddly enough, many of the important
things in life don’t come
with training circulars. We train
daily on some things. I had a
pretty good idea what marriage
was all about...until I got married.
I thought I had some wellgrounded
information about parenting...until
my daughter, Shana
arrived. So I find my wife and
children training me daily on
marriage and parenting.
Life is no joke! It’s real, and
everything we do has consequences...some
good, and some
quite negative. Every day is real
-life, yet every day is training for
days to come.
Training and preparation are
important events in life. If I
don’t prepare my home for
Alaska’s winter, I can expect
burst pipes. If I don’t prepare
my vehicle, I shouldn’t be surprised
when it doesn’t start. If I
don’t exercise, I should anticipate
failing the APFT.
These are all important, but
since life is real, shouldn’t we
also focus on our spiritual
training? In his first letter to
Timothy, Paul wrote,
―physical training is of some
value, but godliness (spiritual
training) has value for all
things, holding promise for
both the present life and the
life to come.‖
Life is real, and none of us
know what tomorrow holds for
us. We can prepare and train
all we like, but in the end,
whether good or bad comes
our way, it is spiritual strength
which sustains us. It is the
spiritual part of us that allows
us to enjoy our victories and
overcome our defeats. Religion
is not just something written
on our ID tags, just as Bibles
aren’t published to collect
dust on our bookshelves. Invest
in training your spirit, just
like we Soldiers must train our
bodies. It might be just what
you need to make it through
Alaska’s dark days of winter.
It might even get you through
that –20 o PT session.
Chaplain
CPT (CH) Hovan
Chaplain’s Assistant
SGT Daniels
Office Telephone:
907 - 384 - 1388
Left: Single Soldiers of the 793d and HHC 3rd MEB at the Alyeska Resort Center: CH (CPT) Hovan instructing Single Soldiers
on P.I.C.K. Right: Shana Hovan & Ms. Jillian Jackson of Jillian’s Playhouse child Care enjoying arts and crafts while providing
child care for Soldiers and Families attending training.

Family Readiness Support Assistant
Page 14
793rd MP BN FRSA: Schehera Carter, (907) 384-1318, Schehera.carter@us.army.mil
As we near the end of a great year!
Thank you to all, who had a helping hand or participated in the recent Spouses Day
Event. We encourage all military Families to continue supporting our 793rd MP BN
and attending all recent events. We especially appreciate all the continued efforts
made by our spouses and Families. If you have any suggestions for future events
please feel free to contact me.
Respectfully,
- Schehera Carter
Guess Who’s on Facebook!
Volunteer Opportunities
JBER BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Service members)
BOSS program have officially changed their name and created a
new Facebook page to reflect recent changes. Everyone is encouraged
to "like" the new page. The old BOSS page will go
away.
Lend a helping hand!
Each Company within the Battalion has open FRG Volunteer
positions. Please contact your FRG or visit the My Army One
Source website listed below. To see current volunteer
opportunities.
www.myarmyonesource.com
JBER
JBER Housing
JBER HAWC
2d Engineer Brigade
Are all now on Facebook.
Fisher House of Alaska
akfisherhouse.org
Go to, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi1ahXctfD0
to find additional information about The Fisher House
foundation and how you can help.

Reprinted with Permission
By Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson
3rd MEB PAO VIII Page Page 15 15
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON -- "Duty, Honor, Country - those three hallowed words reverently dictate what
you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.‖ Those words from an awards speech Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivered in
Are You Prepared?
Family Readiness Support Assistant
All DoD ID card holders are required to be registered in DBIDS by Jan 2012
(Active Duty/Reserve/National Guard/family members/retirees.) You can register at
Bldg 8517 People Center, Room 100 0730-1600 or at the main entrance of the Hospital. You can also register at
the Visitor Center, open 24 hours everyday. Personnel not registered by Jan will cause delays at the gate and
have to go through the Visitor Center to gain access to JBER.
Anchorage School District
http://www.asdk12..org/
School District Information
Matanuska Susitna Borough School
http://www.matsuk12.us/matsu/site/default.asp
January
2 - Winter Break (continued)
16 - Martin Luther King, Jr birthday - No school
February
15 - 16 Parent teacher Conference early release day
17 - State Release Day - No School
20 - Presidents Day - No school
March
9 - State Released grade reporting day - No school
12 - 16 Spring Break - No school
29 - State Testing day
April
3 - 5 State Assigned testing days
May
17 - Last day of school
January
2 - Winter Break (continued)
16 - Martin Luther King, Jr birthday - No school
17 - State Released grade reporting day - No school
31 - Terra Nova Testing
February
15 Terra Nova Testing
20 - Presidents Day - No school
March
9 - State Released grade reporting day
12 - 16 Spring Break - No school
19 - State release day - No school
April
3 - 5 State Assigned testing days
May
11 - State Released grade reporting day - No school
22 - Last day of school
Fairbanks North Borough School district
http://www.k12northstar.org/
January
4 - Winter Break last day
5 - State release day - No school
16 - Martin Luther King, Jr birthday - No
school
February
3 - Early dismissal
20 - 21 Parent teacher Conference early release
March
9 - Grade reporting day - Early dismissal
12 - 16 Spring Break - No school
April
3 - 6 State Assigned testing days
20 - Early dismissal
May
15 - 17 Last 3 days early dismissal
17 - Last day of school

Stay Safe This Fall
Page 16
Fall is a time of change. The air is getting colder, and there are new and exciting hazards to look forward to.
From hunting to space heaters, there are numerous ways to injury yourself lurking at every turn. Below are a
two vignettes to illustrate how easily it is to make a potentially fatal mistake, and some tips to avoid them.
There’s a cold draft circulating through your house that you
trace to the window in the living room. The heavy fabric curtains
don’t stop it, so you pull out the trusty space heater (sweaters
look stupid right?) You logically assert that placing the space
heater as close as possible to the source of the draft will maximize
it’s effectiveness. Now for some TV; but wait, the remote
batteries are dead. “The smoke detector!” you exclaim, proud of
yourself for you ingenuity. You fall asleep watching TV, and
awake in a sweat to the sound of crackling as your house goes up
in flames. Way to go genius, those ideas don’t seem so great now
do they?
Here are some tips to safely operate a space heater:
Keep away from drapes, furniture, and other combustible
material
Radiant heat can ignite nearby material without touching it.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy
Don’t leave unattended or on overnight
Only use electric heaters with thermostats or auto-shutoff
Ensure that you fill fuel burning heaters with the appropriate
fuel outdoors
Check smoke detectors monthly
Its been a great day of hunting, but suddenly you encounter an
intense itch right in that spot on your back that you can’t reach.
You look around for assistance and notice your rifle seems to
have been purposely built for this task. Hmm, you think. You
look to your buddy for confirmation and he looks back at you
with a sigh and a shake of the head. Back to the rifle. You stare
at it a bit longer and decide that maybe that is not the best idea.
Great job! You have just made a safe decision. Below are some
other tips to avoid hunting related accidents:
Dress for the worse; make sure you have warm and dry
clothes in case the weather changes
Don’t go alone, and tell others where you will be
Know the area and the specific hazards for where you are
hunting; animals, terrain, weather, etc.
Maintain muzzle awareness
Assume all firearms are loaded
Obtain positive ID of your target before shooting (remember,
there may be other people in the area)
If you don’t want to kill it, don’t point the weapon at it
Don’t climb or jump with a loaded weapon
Alcohol and drugs don’t mix with hunting and firearms
Get trained; there are numerous hunter safety course options
For more information see your unit Safety Officer or visit USARAK Safety at:
https://portal.usarpac.army.mil/usarak/staff/SafetyOffice/default.aspx

SPARTAN HONORS
Spartan Soldiers within the Community
CAREER COUNSELOR’S CORNER
The FY 11 has come to a close and the start of the new FY 12 mission
will start here real soon. The new mission will be done into
phases; Phase 1 concentrating on Soldier with FY 12 ETS (example:
a Soldier has an ETs between 20120101 through 20120930 they are
considered and FY 12). These Soldier will have until 31 January
2012 to reenlist. After that time then they will be unable to reenlist,
so come 1 February 2012 they CANNOT reenlist. For Phase 2 they
will concentrate on Soldiers with an FY 13 ETS (example: Soldier
with an ETS between 20121001 through 20130930 are considered an
FY 13). These Soldiers will be allowed to reenlist on or around 1
March 2013.
Now for reenlistment options most Soldiers want to reenlist to go
somewhere else but for our skill level1 Soldier ie SPC most of the
MOS’s in the BN are over strength at skill level 1. 31B,92Y,92A,92F
etc. The only options these Soldiers can reenlist for is to re-class into
a new MOS. The only exception are for Soldiers who are currently
deployed they can reenlist for option 1 (regular Army) and stay in
their current MOS but cannot ask for a duty assignment of choice.
These Soldiers can re-class as well if that is what they desire. Also
there are plenty of school seats out their as well.
Soldiers who are not in a over strength MOS I can get them duty assignment
of choice, all they have to do is tell me where they want to
go and I can try to get it for them, 95% of the time I can get them
their desired duty assignment of choice.
Career Counselor
SFC John Winsor
793D MP Battalion
BLDG 793 ROOM 121
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
COMM: 907-384-1143
DSN: 317-384-1143
Cell: 907-317-6273
Email: John.T.Winsor@us.army.mil

U.S. Army
793d Military Police Battalion
724 Postal Service Loop #7200
Fort Richardson, AK 99505
BN Staff Duty: 907-384–2123
Newsletter Editor:
CPT Matthew K. Porter
(907)-384-2402
SPARTAN HONORS
Spartan Soldiers within the Community
Left: - October is CFC
Month and Soldiers across
the BN are pledging donations
to various chartable
organizations.
Assist, Protect, and Defend
Left: The 793D MP BN says
goodbye to MSG Ivacic who
will PCS to Fort Sill for a
follow on assignment.
793D MP BN
Upcoming Events
04 Nov — CSM Change of Responsibility
Run
24-28 Nov - Thanksgiving 4 Day Weekend
01 Dec—JBER Christmas Concert
07 Dec—JBER & FWA Christmas Tree
Lighting Ceremony
Recommended Fall Reading:
Military : Afghanistan: A Military
History from Alexander the
Great to the Fall of the Taliban
by Stephen Tanner
Right: On 14 September,
the 793D MP BN, along
with other MP Units
around the world conducted
a simultaneous
Regimental Run to celebrate
the 70th Anniversary
of the MP Corps
Non-fiction: I Heard You Paint
Houses by Charles Brandt
Fiction: Dark Horse by J.R.
Rain
Left: On October 6th 2011 the
793D MP BN hosted the annual
pig bowl during Spartan Week.
The event, which consisted of a
cookout, games, and sporting
events builds espirit de corps
within the Battalion.