Margo Myers was on the scene at yesterday's Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Combined Graduation Recognition Ceremony inside the Sharon McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College. She has the scoop on several of the Brandman University graduates, of which 70 received diplomas. She files the following report. ...

Among the graduates is Anthony DiMascolo, who received his bachelor's in organizational leadership. The retired U.S. Air Force E-8 needed just three years to complete his degree, excelling in his studies with a 3.9 grade point average. "Grueling," explained DiMascolo as he described his efforts to complete ahead of schedule. "But now it's wonderful. I love Brandman. It was challenging, which I like, and there was a lot of research, which I like." He graduated summa cum laude.

Read more...

Comment On This Post

The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is ready to deploy to Afghanistan.

"We are competent, committed to the mission and persons of character," said Col. Paul Mele, the brigade's commander during a deployment ceremony held this morning at Soldiers Field House.

"Why we go to Afghanistan is to support our partners who are still there on the ground," Mele continued.

"They will call for protection, supplies, to carry the wounded and to destroy those who will harm them. We are the right aviation solution for them."

The 16th CAB is scheduled for a nine-month deployment in support of the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.

The brigade's approximately 1,500 soldiers will provide reconnaissance, close combat attack, troop lift and logistical movement support to Regional Command-South. 

This is the first deployment to Afghanistan in the brigade's history. Earlier deployments include tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

>>> Spc. Patrick Kirchgessner holds the colors of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade prior to their casing for deployment to Afghanistan. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

For the past two years, the brigade has been preparing for this deployment, with training conducted at the National Training Center in California, High Altitude Mountainous Environment Training in Idaho and home station training.

The unit will be the first in the Army to deploy equipped with the upgraded AH-64E Apache "Guardian" attack helicopter.

"You are on a historic journey," Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell, commander, 7th Infantry Division, said.

"You are a brigade prepared to go to war."

>>> Lt. Col. John Davis and Command Sgt. Maj. Curtin Stapleton case the 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment's colors during the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade's Deployment Ceremony. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

Medals of Honor have been in the news lately. Twenty-four soldiers who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam will receive the Medal of Honor March 18 at the White House, correcting oversights that prevented many of them from receiving the nation's highest award for valor because of their Hispanic, Jewish and African-American backgrounds. The awarding of 24 Medals of Honor - most of them posthumously - will be the largest number to be awarded at one time since World War II.

Tomorrow, our state Senate will adopt resolutions sponsored by Sen. Steve O'Ban, R-University Place, recognizing two of the three recent Medal of Honor recipients who reside in Washington. Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter will be honored with Senate Resolution 8713 for his heroic actions in the Kamdesh district of the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan, and Sgt. Leroy Arthur Petry will receive a similar honor with Senate Resolution 8714 for his sacrifice in Afghanistan's Paktia Province.

That's awesome.

For details and background on the presentation and herorics, read a news release out of the O'Ban camp below.

Read more...

Did you attend the command sergeant major change of command ceremony at Madigan medical Center Wednesday?

Staff Sgt. Christopher Klutts with the 20th Public Affair Detachment did.

When Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew T. Brady joined the active Army as a combat medic in 1987, he had no idea he would eventually become the senior enlisted service member at a hospital responsible for delivering care to more than 120,000 people.

A change of responsibility ceremony at Soldiers Field House Feb. 27 marked the end of Brady's tour at Madigan Army Medical Center and a beginning for his replacement, Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew J. Rhoades.

"Those of us who've chosen this military lifestyle, either by duty or association, accept transition as an integral part of it. And even sometimes when we don't always like it, every couple of years, leaders are going to change," said Col. Ramona Fiorey, the Madigan commander.

Read Klutts full report here.

The Spartans of ancient Greece would be proud of the "Spartans" of the 595th Military Police Company, 508th Military Police Battalion (Internment/Resettlement) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Tuesday afternoon, the unit - under the command of Capt. Adam Fulton - received for the first time the coveted Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Barr Award for fiscal year 2013.

The award is presented to the best military police unit (company or smaller) that is attached to or supportive of the Army Corrections Command.

"Today we honor the hard work this unit has done," said the company's 1st Sgt. Kathryn Fair.

Read more...

It's 3:21 a.m. and you're awake.

You've already, unwillingly so, opened your eyes at 12:48 a.m. and 2:34 a.m. As it is, you had a hard time falling asleep because you couldn't get your mind to stop racing, moving through to-do lists things to remember for the next day. When you finally do fall asleep, it's often a fitful one, laden with frenzied dreams of drill sergeants, night sweats and, ultimately, long periods of waking up and lying in bed with nothing to do, but think ... and wait to, hopefully, fall asleep again.

Read more...

Those who keep a flow chart on their refrigerators know this year has seen many a change in the command structure at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. If you have been keeping your ceremony invitations, you could construct an exhibit that would rival any holiday card display.

Read more...

"People born specifically on the 20th of February are surmised to be polite, tactful team players who are highly receptive," reads an excerpt from gotohoroscope.com. "The ruling astrological planet for this particular day is the Moon - adding warmth and compassion to your list of attributes. If you have this birthday an adoration of beautiful things and music accompanies your easygoing friendly nature."

Read more...

UPDATE: The Washington state Senate honored U.S. Army Capt. William Swenson today.

"Captain Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry - at the risk of his life - above and beyond the call of duty. The danger Captain Swenson faced that day was not some general risk of injury...it was the immediate threat of imminent death," O'Ban said, according to a news release. "No one ordered him to repeatedly place himself at the threshold of death to save his brethren. No one would have judged him disloyal for not going in a second, third or fourth time into mortal peril."

A photo from the ceremony is posted below, as well as information on the ceremony, which we posted yesterday.

Read more...

This morning the new USO Northwest SeaTac Center received the teak decking of the WWII battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) donated by Boeing. There were more then 75 people in attendance, including TSA, Port of Seattle representatives, Boeing employees, USO volunteers and board and two crewmembers from the USS Colorado with their families.

Read more...