TRAVEL USA
Amanda Grinavich | 12/07/2009

Today, it is an oasis where daily worries drift away with the sea breeze. This was not always so for Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina. Its waterways were once the setting for Civil War action, and in World War II, the town went dark to help protect allied ships. But the blockade-runners are long gone, and sailboats and windsurfers have taken their place.

TRAVEL USA
| 02/19/2010

From its fresh water lakes, creeks and rivers to its forested interior, Clay County has maintained much of its natural beauty over the past one 150 years, offering a relaxing alternative for both residents and travelers wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Chaplains Corner...
Chaplain (Col.) R. J. Gore Jr. | 02/19/2010

Let’s face it. We all look at the outward appearance. I think very few would want to argue the case that Britney Spears or Paris Hilton have made it to the top based on talent alone. We live in a culture that values certain physical characteristics and rewards those who are blessed with them, either through good fortune in the genetic lottery or through the skill of the plastic surgeon.

TRAVEL USA
| 02/19/2010

Harlingen’s “Dutch Name, Texan Heart” is open to receive you at its Valley International Airport, hotels, and restaurants. Harlingen, TX has unique attractions with an American downtown full of antiques and boutiques, outdoor nature trail-where parrots and sub-tropical birds rule, and heroes are made and celebrated at the Iwo Jima Memorial and Marine Military Academy. Your senses will come alive as you taste Mexican bakeries, enjoy our famous free Blues on the Hill concerts, feel our pleasant sub-tropical breeze and see our Texas Highways featured Mural Trail.

HOMESCHOOLING OPTIONS
Ronald E. Johnson, C.Ph.D. | 02/19/2010

Lt. Colonel Bushue (SAC) taught me a valuable life lesson: identify what you want to do, assess options, make a plan, outline your steps to get there, obtain needed resources, and focus on daily priorities that lead to goal achievement.  That is the strategy for most successful military operations.  An effective home school program follows a similar prescription. Without a clearly defined home school plan, life can quickly “turn south,” especially with teenagers.

From the desk of the Chief Executive Officer...
Command Chief Warrant Officer Shirley B. Moser | 02/19/2010

It is with great excitement that I begin my new position as Command Chief Warrant Officer of the 108th Training Command.  The journey has been very challenging but very rewarding.  I envisioned this moment many times and wondered what it would feel like to be in CW5 Gary Williams’ shoes.  I read his column and appreciated the excellent job he did in mentoring Soldiers and taking care of their needs during his tenure as Command Chief.  I know this will be the best time in my entire career as a Soldier and Warrant Officer.  There are many things I hope to accomplish as I grasp the enormous job before me.  I want to touch base with all the Warrant Officers within the 108th Training Command and let them know who I am and what I stand for as I accomplish this mission.  I want to know their problems and improve communication.   

Griffon
Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante | 12/07/2009

Nov 13, 2009

FORT HOOD, Texas -- In the aftermath of the Nov. 5 shootings, Soldiers, family members and civilians are looking for answers, but they’re also looking for help.

Following any loss, individuals and communities go through a grieving process which can be complicated, unpredictable and long-term. Fort Hood has set up a Grieving Center at the Spiritual Fitness Center within the Resiliency Campus on 33rd Sreet, and it’s staffed 24 hours a day with chaplains and Military Family Life counselors to help anyone in need, no matter what the time.

In Briefs…
C. Todd Lopez | 12/07/2009

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 13, 2009) — Servicemembers who participated in the first state-side training program for joint counter-IED teams have just arrived in Afghanistan for a year-long assignment.

The Tidal Sun pilot program trained servicemembers to work as part of counter-IED teams to gather information and evidence from improvised explosive device event sites -- locations where IEDs have exploded or were discovered -- and then send that information to higher headquarters for further analysis.

| 12/07/2009

”If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” — Colin Powell

This describes the energy, passion and effort of the 108th Training Command IET as it continues to march forward with process improvements resulting in performance excellence!

The Griffon
Victoria L. White | 02/19/2010

Three drill sergeants from the 108th Training Command (IET) made up half of the winning team in the Reserve Mixed division at the annual Army Ten-Miler race in Washington, D.C. in October. 

Up to 30,000 runners from all military branches and civilians compete each year in this prestigious event that begins and ends at the Pentagon, passing by the Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and other D.C. landmarks. Sgt. 1st Class James Davis, Staff Sgt. Wendy King and Staff Sgt. Arthur Odgers, all currently mobilized at Fort Hunter-Liggett, Calif., joined more than 21,000 entrants this year to compete in various categories to win the coveted first-place title.  Qualifications were held at Fort Hunter-Liggett to select the top six finishers for the “Howling Coyotes” team to represent the training base in the Army Ten-Miler. 

Odgers finished the ten-mile race in 1:13:48; King finished at 1:16:21 and Davis finished 1:17:23 respectively. “We also beat the mens’ division Reserve team,” Davis said.  “The closest team to us was 20 minutes behind us.”

This is the first time all three have competed in an Army marathon competition, though Davis and King regularly compete in nonmilitary races. A veteran runner, Davis began running competitively at 18 years-old and has won numerous trophies. “You can apply the discipline for running to going into battle,” he said, “so I try to compete at least once a month.”