Tflr newsletter 26 oct2012
- 1. LONGRIFLEs WEEKLY A publication of the 2/138th FAR Volume 1, Issue 2 October 26, 2012 Commander’s Corner Money, Money, Money, Money! As we have discussed numerous times, take full advantage of this deployment to save and lessen your personal/family debt! There are a number of programs you should be aware of that can help. Savings Deposit Program: Pays 2.5% on deposits quarterly on up to $10,000 beginning after 30 days in country and continues up to 90 days on return to the US! That could mean nearly $1000 of free money! Interest rate reduction on home loans, credit cards, car loans, home equity loans, etc. reduced to 6%! Pay them off! Soldiers from Camp Gilbert, Ethiopia distribute mosquito nets to local villages in an effort to combat malaria. Photo credit: SPC Brandon Bowron, C BTRY, 2-138th FAR Consider cutting off your cell phone service or reducing it so that they hold your number. That may cost $5-10 per month. Preventing Malaria One Net at a Time Vehicle not being driven and paid off? Take full coverage CAMP GILBERT, Ethiopia – For the past week Soldiers from insurance down to liability or storage. Task Force Longrifles have heard Ameseginalehu (thank-you) from the local villages and people as they helped Combined There are many other ways to save and provide a better financial future for you and your family. See Sgt. Buford, Joint Task Force - Horn Of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Civil Affairs our financial planner/advisor…and do it NOW to take full (CA) teams distribute nine thousand mosquito nets at key advantage of this deployment opportunity! villages around the region. The operation, called Mission Savannah, is a joint operation with CA teams from CJTF-HOA and is a key part of building CSM Thoughts relationships with the local population. Greetings from the CSM! For this week’s Camp Gilbert Officer in Charge (OIC), 2nd Lt. Sean Jones newsletter I wanted to focus on the benefits commented about the mission his Soldiers took part on. of daily Physical Training (PT). CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > > Being in top physical condition leads to higher scores on the APFT, positive NCOER bullets, and faster promotions. Promotions, Awards, and Coins Take advantage of this deployment by hitting the weights at • Pvt. Antonio R. Jackson promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012 the gym, running the trail, or doing cross-fit. I encourage you to partner up with a fellow Soldier and set short and long-term • Pvt. Corey M. Russell promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012 fitness goals. I guarantee you will make lasting friendships • Pvt. Kenney L. Turner promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012 and get into the best shape of your life if you are up to the • Staff Sgt. Nancy Saylor: Army Achievement Medal challenge. • Sgt. Alexa Becerra: Task Force Longrifles Coin Thank you for continuing to set the standard here at Camp • Pfc. Dylan Curran: Task Force Longrifles Coin Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa! Tips and Trivia • Always ensure your water is bottled when ordering outside Camp Lemonnier • The third lowest land depression in the world is Lake Assal, Djibouti
- 2. PREVENTING MALARIA CONTINUED FROM P. 2 > > > “This is the first time Kentucky Soldiers have interacted with MWR Schedule the villages in our area of operations. Its success opens a clear • 27 Oct. - Bavaria Hotel Night/pool & dinner 1800-2230 path for further aid to the Cost: E1-E6 $30, E-7 & above $35 people who call this place home.” • 28 Oct. - Moucha Island; Pool, Spa w/Lunch at the Lac Assal Restaurant within the Kempinksi hotel, Cost: E1- Jones also emphasized that E6 $57, E7 & above $66; Lake Assal 0800-1700 Free! many of the people in the • 29 Oct. - Wildlife Preservation 1600-1800 Cost: $8 region relied on Al-Shabab, a known terrorist organization, • 30 Oct. - Kokeb Ethiopian Dinner, Dance show and Cof- for supplies and support. But fee Ceremony 1830-2230 Cost: $30 that support has steadily Children greet the teams as they • 2 Nov. - French Market Shopping and Dinner at La Per- been eroding as these joint enter a local village. Photo credit: gola 1700-2130 Cost: $30 SPC Brandon Bowron, KYARNG missions continue. Spc. Brandon Bowron spoke about the mission afterwards, “to be part of this mission was a great opportunity to do Chaplain Reflections something simple that would have a long lasting impact.” “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself ” Mark The Soldiers of Camp Gilbert look forward to every interaction 12:31 with the local population. However, nobody could be happier than the Ethiopians who sleep calmly at night because of the Every major worldview recognizes what is nets that now protect them from the dreaded mosquito. commonly called the “Golden Rule,” and I am proud to report that members of TaskForce Longrifles are doing great things in their downtime. One cool statistic leaped off this week’s volunteer hours, and it is AWESOME! Task Force Longrifles has achieved a total of 138 volunteer hours in just two weeks. This is a great start and we are well on our way to reaching the “Longrifles Give a Day” goal of 4,500 total volunteer hours. Mountain view from the roads enroute to local villages and town in Ehtiopia. Photo credit: Spc. Brandon Bowron, KYARNG Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most Photo of the Month urgent question is: What are you doing for others? ”Kentucky Soldiers are answering by helping their neighbors in Djibouti. During our free time Army, Navy, and Air Force members deliver we are working in supplies to the Djiboution Handicap Awareness Association Oct 18, 2012 orphanages, teaching English, maintaining a wildlife refuge, and distributing items that have been from home. Kentucky’s sons and daughters continue to show compassion, Pfc. James Kubisch (kneeling) oversees Soldiers from the Site Security Team (SST) as they check the zero on their M4 rifles. Photo credit: Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Crabtree, KYARNG generosity, and cooperation. Together we are working to leave the world a little better than we found it. If you want to help or Soldier to Soldier have questions email the Unit Ministry Team at: Task Force Longrifles is in need of a T-shirt and coin mark.slaughter@usafricom.mil, design. If interested, submit a design to mark.east@usafricom.mil, or TFlongrifles@gmail.com NLT 02 NOV. If your design is thomas.mathews@usafricom.mil. Weekly Longrifles Volume 1, Issue 2 selected, then you will receive a coin from the CSM. Page 2 October 26, 2012