Last Update
January 19, 2012

Engagement University critical to deployment train-up
By Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod
1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO

Photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod/1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO Lt. Col. David S. Pierce, a battalion commander with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, meets with Afghan cultural advisors roleplaying as government, tribal and military elders during a simulated key-leader engagement at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La. Pierce commands 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment.

FORT POLK, LA. — Haji Bashid has seen it time and again, but, he said, he still gets the satisfaction of knowing he is contributing toward the peace and to bringing American Soldiers home alive.

As a cultural advisor and linguist at Engagement University, the Joint Readiness Training Center’s school to teach commanders how to perfect their skills at meeting with key government, tribal and military leaders in Afghanistan, Rashid said he is very pleased with his work.

“Day by day, they get better, gaining knowledge of the culture and the people,” he said.

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AFRC holds largest Yellow Ribbon event in Orlando, Fla.
By Staff Sgt. Anna-Marie Wyant
920th Rescue Wing

Photos by Staff Sgt. Anna-Marie Wyant/920th Rescue Wing Air Force Reserve-dependent children showcase a banner and their arts and crafts during a mini parade Dec. 18, 2011 at Air Force Reserve Command’s Yellow Ribbon event in Orlando, Fla. Yellow Ribbon is specifically tailored for Reservists and their Families to learn about pre- and post-deployment benefits, network with other Reserve Families from across the nation and get the support they need through all phases of deployment.

ORLANDO, Fla. — More than 800 Reservists and their Families gathered in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 16 through 18, to participate in Air Force Reserve Command Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Yellow Ribbon Program was initiated by the Secretary of Defense and mandated by Congress in 2008 to provide information, services, referrals and proactive outreach programs to reservists and guardsmen and their dependents through all phases of deployment cycles. The program’s goals are to prepare servicemembers and their Families for mobilization, sustain Families during mobilization, and reintegrate servicemembers with their Families and communities upon return from deployment.

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Exercise brings civil affairs troops back to groove
USASOC PAO

	Photo by Leslie Ozawa/95th CA Bde PAO Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Marquis coaches 95th Civil Affairs Brigade Soldiers on weapons-firing positions used when clearing buildings in hostile environments.

FORT POLK, La. — Fort Bragg Before Fort Bragg transitioned to holiday season mode in mid-December, about three dozen Soldiers from 95th Civil Affairs Brigade shut down their computers for the brigade’s first field training exercise, Dec. 5 to 7, at training site Forward Operating Base Patriot.

“All of our non-civil affairs Soldiers in this unit are very, very good at their MOS (military occupational specialty) jobs,” said Capt. Ryan Schloesser, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 95th CA Brigade. “Our illustrators are very good illustrators, our resource management Soldiers are very good on DTS (Defense Travel System) and budget. But since we conduct operations 24-7 at the brigade HHC, they don’t have time to go out in the field environment and be reminded why they came into the military — to be a Soldier.”

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Family members appears on American Idol
By Tina Ray
Paraglide

	Contributed photo

When David Leathers Sr. found out his son and namesake, David “DJ” Leathers Jr. could sing, he helped DJ pursue his dream of becoming a professional singer by booking him for competitions as well as church and social functions.

The pursuit of that dream landed DJ, 17, a senior at 71st High School, behind the mic of Fox’s “American Idol” tryouts in Savannah, Ga. When the show aired Wednesday, DJ was the first contestant.

The Family has ties to Fort Bragg as Leathers Sr. is a civilian employee on post.

DJ, who told the judges that he was from Fayetteville, N.C., and that his nickname was “Mr. Steal your Girl”, went on to wow them with a rendition of “Remember the Rain” by 21st Century.

“He looks like he’s 12,” said “American Idol” judge, Jennifer Lopez.

“Like a young Michael” (Jackson), said fellow judge, Randy Jackson.

Lopez asked DJ if he knew any young Michael, and he proceeded to sing the Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye.”

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Lady Dragons heat up basketball competition
By Kevin Goode
Paraglide

	Photo by Kevin Goode/Paraglide Octavia Blackwell, Headquarters and Headquarters Co, 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, spots up for an 18-foot jumper from the wing Thursday during Fort Bragg’s Lady Dragons practice at Hoskins Physical Fitness Center.

Fort Bragg’s Lady Dragons bring more than competitive excellence to the court, they give each other a sense of Family and support.

“As coach, I wanted to ensure that we had a close-knit team of ladies who had a passion for playing basketball,” said Charlie Davis, the team’s coach “This team is a place where players who have had a desire to play above the company level can get the opportunity. I have had several player who went through our program go on to play college basketball, semi-pro and even the All-Army Team.”

Davis has been in charge of Fort Bragg’s woman’s team for 10 years, winning an impressive, long list of tournament and championships.

“We bring it all on the court,” said Davis. “Teams know when they are on the court with Fort Bragg. They know that they really have to step up if they want to compete with us.”

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