The Griffon
Command Chief Warrant Officer Shirley Moser | 06/07/2010

A beautiful fresh Spring season is upon us! The sun actually peaked through the clouds.  How marvelous it seems after the cold, bleak winter we all endured.  It is with this beautiful season that I feel invigorated to face the very important issues before us.  During this past quarter, fifty four 920A Property Accounting Technician Positions were added to the TDA. There are fifty three 420A Human Resource Technician Positions to be added to the TDA during fall 2010.  What does this mean?  Well, there are several things that should happen in order to fill these positions.             

| 02/19/2010

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 25, 2010) — With about $400 billion a year in federal funds at stake, the 2010 Census may prove especially important for the thousands of Army Families who have relocated since 2000 as a result of Base Realignment and Closure, said a 2010 Census media specialist.

The larger the concentration of families in and around the installations that have experienced growth, the larger the support system has to be to accommodate them, said Robert Crockett, also a retired Army sergeant first class.

In addition to being a “snapshot of America,” the Census is a device by which federal funds are returned to the states and congressional seats are distributed to accommodate state’s changing needs, he said.

Military Families living in areas that have experienced significant growth may see the direct and indirect benefits of their participation in the Census through, for example, larger schools, hospitals, roads, housing for elderly, and job training. States that have grown in population since 2000 could also gain congressional seats after the 2010 Census, said Crockett.

TRAVEL USA
| 02/19/2010

Universal Orlando Resort, together with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, has revealed the details about the incredible scope of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This highly anticipated land will open in spring 2010.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters — and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films — The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience complete with multiple attractions, shops and a signature eating establishment. This completely immersive environment will transcend generations and bring the wonder and magic of the Harry Potter books and films to life. 

From the Command Sergeant Major
Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Payne | 06/07/2010

I first met then Lt. Col. James Mallory almost 15 years ago as part of 1st Team, the senior leadership team for 1st Brigade, 108th Division Training.  I was a 1st Sgt. and acting Command Sgt. Maj. in the 2nd Battalion, 485th Regiment in Asheboro, N.C. and he commanded the 1st Battalion, 518th Regiment in Asheville, N.C.

I then served under him briefly when I was assigned as the Command Sgt. Maj. of the 3rd Battalion, 318th Regiment in Hickory, N.C. while he was the Commander of the 1st Brigade, 108th Division.

In 1999, I became the Commandant of the 108th Division Drill Sergeant School (DSS). Shortly after becoming the Commandant I was proud to be presiding over my first graduation class. From a class start of twenty eight candidates we had eight, “The Great Eight” I called them, to graduate. To graduate from DSS at that time it typically took over a year to complete the course. And we were graduating two classes a year. During the length of a course a number of issues could come in a Soldier’s life that would cause them to drop from the course.

The Griffon
Col. Paul Wegman | 06/07/2010

Soldiers of the 98th Training Division (IET) returned to school from March 8th through 14th at Iroquois University.  Their campus was the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, Ga. and their professors were Soldiers and civilians from the 98th Training Division and Army Reserve Command Headquarters.

“We had Soldiers and civilians attending from across the eastern portion of the country.  We needed a high quality low cost site to conduct our training.  The USARC headquarters is right down the road from the hotel, so the combination of factors was perfect for our needs,” said Sgt. Maj. Rick Wark, 98th Training Division, G3.

This year’s curriculum consisted of classes on the new Unit Status Reporting (USR) system, Individual Training and Readiness System (ITRS), and the Duty Appointed Retention NCO (DARN) program.  The classes were offered in response to comments noted during the division command inspection program.

The USR class was well received by the student body.  “We should do this a lot more often, this was very informative,” said Master Sgt. Jodi Johnson, 2nd Brigade Operations non-commissioned officer in charge. Mr. Clement Knight, unit administrator, 1/417 of 3rd Brigade added, “This was extremely helpful to a new employee like me.  Overall it was a great experience.”  This is the third year the 98th Division has offered classes through Iroquois University. 

TRAVEL USA
| 02/19/2010

Outdoor events and activities blossom each spring in Front Royal, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.   Just a short, scenic drive from our Nation’s Capital will bring you back to a place where you can relax and connect with family and friends and watch nature return to life.

TRAVEL USA
| 02/19/2010

Carefully nestled between the soft golden sands of the Atlantic Ocean and the winding rivers that precede it, lies beautiful North Myrtle Beach, SC. Discover the vacation spot where pure bliss and total relaxation are interchangeable with days filled with adventure and the idea on no commitments. It’s time to discover for yourself why our area is known as one of America’s top family travel destinations.

Over the years, North Myrtle Beach has welcomed thousands of our service men and women for some much needed R and R with family and friends. The area offers an array of affordable accommodations and a host of year-round local events and attractions to please every member of the family.

The Griffon
95th Training Division (IET) Public Affairs Staff | 02/19/2010

The Battle

 Sixty years ago in the picturesque rolling hills of northern France, snow blanketed the countryside as November invited a bitterly cold winter. The residents of Lorraine were continuing to live in fear and duress under the rule of Nazi Germany as they had for the previous four years. The German soldiers were dug deeply into their defensive positions, confident in their ability to repel the American liberating forces.

Meanwhile, U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers of the 95th Infantry Division were mobilized and busy rehearsing battle plans to free the French from their captors. They conducted exercises specifically intended to prepare them for the fight of their lives.

In early August 1944, 95th Division Soldiers set sail from the shores of the United States, arriving in the United Kingdom in just over a week. This marked the first time 95th Soldiers would fight a war on foreign soil. For weeks they gathered equipment and made their way east to the Lorraine region. Their focus: break through the fortified walls of the French city of Metz which had been constructed and reinforced by generations of German soldiers.

Commentary
Spc. Christina Dion | 12/07/2009

One of the worst states of mind we can find ourselves in is one caused by stress. We may be worried or concerned about a situation in our life or in the lives of our loved ones. For many of us, this is a daily reality as we fret about the economy, our children and their choices, too much work with a paycheck that buys less and less, or whether or not the Panthers will make it to the playoffs. Alright, that last one is a stretch (at least for most of us).

The Griffon
Gary Sheftick | 02/19/2010

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 22, 2010) — Across the Army, Soldiers and families are donating funds to the Haiti relief effort by passing the collection basket during chapel services.