149th FW trainsCombat PilotsMuseum remembers Vietnam

TexasfloodsGuardsmen to the rescueThe Magazine of the Texas Military Forces

DTHE ISPATCHJUNE 2015

149th FW trainsCombat PilotsMuseum remembers Vietnam

TexasfloodsGuardsmen to the rescueThe Magazine of the Texas Military Forces

DTHE ISPATCHJUNE 2015

The Cover

Contents

6 149th moves classroom to Arizona desert

8 MI Company Deploys

10 Texas Flood & Response 12 Engineers ready for water rescues

14 Army Aviators prepare for floods

16 TXSG gets special visit during flood operations

18 TXARNG on standby in DFW 20 Guardsmen rescue family

24 Remembering SFC Joseph Ros

26 TXMF Museum reenacts Vietnam Battle

30 TXANG Techies

34 REAL Guidance-Transitions

A Texas National Guardsman works on a UH-60 Black Hawk in preparation for rescue efforts. (Texas National Guard photo by Air

Force Tech Sgt. Eric Wilson)

D

2 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Contents

* The Dispatch is an authorized publication for members of the Texas Military Forces and the Department of Defense. Contents of The Dispatch are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the National Guard Bureau, or the State of Texas. * The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office. * The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Texas Military Forces. * Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. * Content is edited, prepared and provided by the Texas Joint Military Forces Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 10,

2200 W. 35th Street, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 78703.*

The Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols

GovernorGov. Greg Abbott

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Travis Walters

Deputy Public Affairs Officer Maj. Joshua Amstutz

Public Affairs Staff Capt. Martha Nigrelle

1st Lt. Alicia Lacy Staff Sgt. John Gately

Laura LopezJohn Thibodeau

Michelle McBride

Managing EditorGraphic Layout and Design

Sgt. 1st Class. Malcolm M. McClendon

Contributing Writers and Photographers The Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office would like to thank all the contributing writers and photographers

who generously share their work with us. Without the hard work and dedication of Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians, we would not be able to tell YOUR Texas Military Forces story.

Troopers from 1st Squadron 124th Cavalry, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, get some well-

deserved sleep in the Blanco Volunteer Fire Department building, May 24, 2015, after conducting water rescue

missions all night long. Guardsmen from the 36th Infantry Division rescued 32 residents after flood waters devastated the small community of Blanco, Texas. (Texas

National Guard Photo by Army 1st Sgt. Ross Dobelbower)

www.txmf.us 3

Contents

Texas Military Forcesflood photo submission request

We are looking for Texas 2015 flood photos to add to our data base.You can help us by submitting* yours via the TXMF app (see next page)

or by email to: ng.tx.txarng.mbx.pao@mail.mil

*By submitting your photos you agree to grant the TXM

F a non-exclusive, world-w

ide, royalty free license to modify, publish, and reproduce your m

aterial solely for the purpose of displaying, distributing, and promoting TXM

F.

UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS

StoriesKeep up with

the latest TXMF news

PhotosView, share

and download TXMF photos

VideosView, share

and download TXMF videos

LeadershipMeet and

keep current with TXMF

leadership

TXMF.usQuick link to the official TXMF website

The DispatchQuick link to the official TXMF magazine

NotificationsReceive emergency and important communications from the TXMF

UploadWith a couple of clicks you can share your unit training/event photos with us

Scan to download

Stay up to date with what’s happening around the TXMF with stories, photos, videos and notifications. Upload feature is a handy tool to share your unit photos

with us. The new Texas Military Forces app is available* for use by all.

*Available on Android only. Apple iOS coming soon.

TXMF AppNow Available*

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEX-AS– Each year, members of the 149th Fighter Wing, headquartered here, pack up their aircraft, person-

nel and equipment on a simulated deployment to ac-complish their federal mission of training combat-ready pilots who will employ the F-16 Fighting Falcon. It is part of the wing’s training curriculum, and this year, the training was conducted at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, from April 12-23, 2015.

The mission is called Coronet Cactus, and has taken place over the past several years. Some years the unit may go to another location, but typically the training has been conducted in Arizona.

Cactus, as it’s more commonly referred to by wing mem-bers, involves different scenarios for different people. For the wing’s student pilots, assigned to the 182nd Fighter Squadron, it’s a chance to take what they’ve learned over the past several months and apply it to real-world com-bat situations. For aircraft maintainers, it involves long days of launching and recovering aircraft with live weap-

ons and munitions, compared to the practice ones back home. For the Force Support Squadron, it takes smart planning and budget preparation to feed large groups of people with hearty appetites who line up to be fed each day. But to anyone connected to the flying mission, most can agree that it’s a time to bond and simply focus on what is at hand.

“I like working in a different environment,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jason Wyatt, a mechanic supervisor with 149th Maintenance Squadron. “It’s good to get away and just focus on the mission, not all the stuff that floats around the mission.”

Another plus involves the terrain, according to Senior Master Sgt. Cody Moore, a flight line supervisor with the 149th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. It reminds him of Afghanistan – add to that the fact that students also get to drop live munitions, which he said gives the students real-world type experiences they can take with them to their operational units.

TrainingTomorrowsFighter PilotsThe 149Th FighTer Wing Takes iTs sTudenT piloTs ouT To The live Fire range

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Mindy bloeM, 149th fighter Wing public affairS

6 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Military Forces

Getting out into unfamiliar territory and into a different time zone, loading and dropping live ordnance and be-ing centralized in one location is a benefit of the Cactus operation. It acts as a simulated deployment to enhance training not only the future fighter pilots, but also their support crew. And the difference between dropping live and practice bombs does not go unnoticed among the student pilots.

“It’s a blast to be flying out there and being able to look on either side of your wing and see this live ordnance right there and then to feel it come off the jet – you can actually feel the jet get lighter,” said 1st Lt. Kyle Phillips, a student pilot with the 18nd Fighter Squadron. “It’s a lot of responsibility, but that training that we’ve been through is just invaluable.”

The Combat Air Forces (CAF) seem to always be loom-ing in the back of the minds of these pilots in training, so having the opportunity to practice with actual weapons on the D-M ranges builds confidence.

“It lets us go to those deployed locations and to be able to go in there confidently and say ‘I can do this.’” Phillips said.

First Lt. Bryan Smith, another student F-16 pilot, admits the training has been both a lot of work and a lot of fun, but that even when all is said and done, and that long-awaited graduation day takes place, the learning will have only just begun.

“I think the most humbling thing is that we’ve been training for almost nine months at this point, but the amount that we need to learn still has only increased,” Smith said. “We started with just learning how to fly the jet, then how to employ it as a weapon’s system and how many weapons you can carry … that’s the most chal-lenging part … is even once we’re done here, there’s still an almost lifelong education in front of us.”- 149th FW PAO

An F-16 jet taxis along the runway at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., April 17, 2015, during Coronet Cactus.

www.txmf.us 7

Texas Military Forces

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS – A small detachment of service members of the Texas Army

National Guard bid farewell to their families, friends and community during a mobilization ceremony Monday, April 27, 2015 at the Mcken-na Event Center near their home-town armory in New Braunfels, Texas.

The detachment of 32 military intel-ligence Soldiers from A Company, 636th Military Intelligence Battalion, 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, 36th Infantry Division, are headed to Kosovo for a nine-month de-ployment. They will be supporting NATO’s continued peacekeeping ef-forts to help and maintain a safe and secure environment for the people of Kosovo.

“Our mission in Kosovo is peace-keeping,” said Maj. Eric Hutchins, commander of the detachment. “Many have gone before us and have enabled 1.8 million Kosovans to live free from persecution and violence. I am honored to be leading these amazing men and women forward, and it is not a privilege I take lightly.”

Although the unit boasts a com-bined overseas service of more than 40 years, several of the Guardsmen will be deploying for the first time.

“I’m pretty excited because it’s my first one -- I’ve been looking forward to it,” said Spc. Terryll D. Brunson, an intelligence analyst and native of Prince George, Va. “We have been preparing and training for this mission for over a year. Once there, we’ll be analyzing political, demo-

graphical and ideological data about the climate of the region to aid in the stabilization and continued peace-keeping in the area.”

This mission is part of the United Nations-led peace support operation called Kosovo Force, an internation-al effort created on June 12, 1999, to build peace and stability in the area.

“Some people spend their entire lifetime wondering if they are making a difference in the world,” said Hutchins during his ceremonial address. “But these Soldiers won’t have to.”

More than 100 community leaders, supporters and family members gathered at the event center for the ceremony. Representatives from sev-eral large companies within the New Braunfels community, city officials to include Mayor Barron Casteel, and local veteran and military support organizations met with the Soldiers and their families to thank them and give them their warm wishes until they return home safely.

“We want to show that the post is committed to the support of our active and veteran service mem-bers,” said Daniel S. Campos, commander of the VFW Post 7110 in New Braunfels. “We want to send them letters and care packages, and want to work with the unit and the community to create symbolism, like signs and banners, to support them and their service within the post and the community until they come back safely.” - 36th ID PAO

Keeping PeaceTexas National Guardsmen Deploy to Kosovo for Peacekeeping MissionStory and photo by Spc. Christina Clardy, 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs

8 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Military Forces

Many have gone before us and have enabled 1.8 million Kosovans to live free from persecution and violence. ”

“

Soldiers from A Company, 636th Military Intelligence Battalion, 71st Battlefield

Surveillance Brigade, at their deployment ceremony April 27, 2015.

www.txmf.us 9

Texas Military Forces

TEXAS FLOODING 2015

National Guardsmen and members from Task Force 1 rescue flood victims in Denton County, May 10, 2015. (Courtesy photo by www.wfaa.com)

Texas Army National Guard soldiers mobilized on state active duty conduct search and rescue operations along the Blanco River May 25, 2015. (Texas National Guard photo by Army Capt. Patrick Gurski)

National Guardsmen and members from Task Force 1 practice water rescues in preparation for possible floods in the Houston area, May 15-18, 2015. (Courtesy Photo)

10 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Floods

Engineers from the 111th Engineer Battalion, Texas Army National Guard, along with local first responders,

rescue three people from a stalled vehicle stuck in a low water crossing, May 26, 2015. (Texas National

Guard photo by Army 1st Lt. Max Perez)

A Texas National Guardsman works on a UH-60 Black Hawk in preparation for rescue efforts. (Texas National

Guard photo by Air Force Tech Sgt. Eric Wilson)

www.txmf.us 11

Texas Floods

DENTON, TXENGINEERS PREPARED FOR RESCUES

A Texas Army National Guardsman conducts critical water rescue rehearsals with a first responder from Texas Task Force 1, while on standby to respond to flooding in the North Texas region, May 16, 2015.

12 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Floods

DENTON, TEXAS - Texas Army National Guard Soldiers on state active duty conducted critical water rescue training with first responders from Texas Task

Force 1 in response to recent floods in the North Texas region, May 16, 2015.

“We want to practice utilizing inflatable rescue boats during the day, under controlled conditions, so that our National Guard counterparts can implement the neces-sary safety measures when we are called to go out,” said Jeff Novak, Battalion Chief and Water Group Manager, Texas Task Force 1.

The training consisted of guardsmen loading Texas Task Force 1 inflatable boats onto the light medium tactical vehicles and backing the vehicles into high water to launch the boats.

“My soldiers have never backed an LMTV into flood wa-ter and I could see their confidence build as they saw the full capabilities of our equipment,” said Sgt. Matthew T. Wallace, squad leader, 236th Engineer Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, 176th Engineer Brigade.

“Having this preparation time is rare; we are running these evolutions and building a relationship with these soldiers. We’re going to respond together if we are called to move out,” said Ralph Diamond, Captain and Water Squad Leader, Texas Task Force 1. “We see how powerful working together can be and together improve the level of service to the state.”

Guardsmen took turns on the inflatable boats to simu-late rescuing a potential flood victim. In addition, the guards’ use of high profile vehicles, such as the LMTV, is a unique asset to Texas Task Force 1.

“They give us capabilities we do not have,” said Novak. “We are able to be more effective using these high profile vehicles; we can do more, and respond more quickly.”

Guardsmen and Texas Task Force 1 first responders have been on stand by across the state, to respond to inclem-ent weather and anticipated flooding, May 10-21, 2015. They are scheduled to remain on standby through the weekend, May 22-25, to respond to anticipated storms moving through Texas. - 176th En Bde PAO

Story and photo by Capt. Maria Mengrone176th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs

www.txmf.us 13

Texas Floods

HOUSTON – Rescue crews from three organizations geared up, flew into Ellington Field in Houston and have been awaiting orders to launch over the week-

end, May 15 – 18, 2015.

Due to the recent rainstorms, Texas has been on alert for floods and has put several rescue organizations on call, to include the Texas National Guard and Texas Task Force 1, and in this location, the Louisiana National Guard for additional resources.

While most of the recent flooding and rescues took place in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, crews here are taking advantage of the down time to train with and build rela-tionships with their counterparts.

Joshua Powell, Helicopter Search and Rescue Techni-cian with Task Force 1, likes the face time this provides with long time rescue partners from the Texas National Guard, as well as, new ones from the Louisiana National Guard.

“We try to train with the Texas National Guard about once a month, and it’s nice to have that connection, espe-cially in the aircraft,” Powell said. “This weekend when we met the Louisiana guys we were a little nervous, but as soon as we did a little training here, it went really great. They showed us some of their techniques and we showed them ours.”

The Texas UH-60 Black Hawks the team flies in are scheduled to change hoist systems in the near future; a hoist system that the Louisiana aircraft already have, said Powell.

“This weekend we have not only trained on and had a

firsthand look at these new hoist systems we are getting, but doors have been opened for possible future rescue missions,” Powell said. “One day if Louisiana asks Texas to assist with a disaster, we already know their systems and their guys, so it’ll be a quicker and more effective response.”

UH-60 Black Hawk flight medic, Staff Sgt. Michael Hamilton, an experienced rescuer with the Louisiana National Guard, also believes this time meeting and training with new partners is valuable, but added that he is continually impressed by how state officials are able to come together and utilize each others’ assets in times like these.

“It’s great that governors, adjutant generals and state aviation officers are able to coordinate and call upon each other to provide available resources to assist one another,” Hamilton said. “We’re here to help Texas out this time, and in turn, one day, they will come to help us out when we’re in need.”

Luckily, this time in southeast Texas, there was no need for any of the rescuers to be called out. They will be called home to rest for a day or two, then will reset and get ready for the next round of storms reported to come later in the week.

Texas National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk pilot Maj. Edward Greber, has been on many missions like these before and stands ready with his crew.

“Wherever and whenever there is a need we will be pre-pared to provide assistance to rescue operations.” - DISPATCH

Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Malcolm McClendonTexas Military Forces Public Affairs

14 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Floods

HOUSTON, TXMULTI AGENCY TASK FORCE STANDS BY FOR FLOOD

Sgt. Michael Hamilton and Spc. Chris Sonnier, UH-60 Black Hawk flight medics, Louisiana Army

National Guard, load up an aircraft with rescue gear. The LNG was called to assist TXNG and Texas

Task Force 1 members for possible swift water rescues in the Houston area, May 15-18, 2015.

www.txmf.us 15

Texas Floods

WICHITA FALLS, TXTEXAS GOVERNOR VISITS TXSG RESPONDERS

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, shakes hands with Staff Sgt. William Willey, 39th Composite Regiment, Texas State Guard, thanking guardsmen from the regiment for their service during the flood response operations in Wichita Falls, Texas, May 25, 2015.

16 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Floods

Story and photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Janet SchmelzerTexas State Guard Public Affairs

WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS - Five soldiers from the 39th Composite Regiment, Texas State Guard, provided support to the Texas Disaster District

Coordinators, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Air National Guard during the recent flooding emergency in Wichita Falls, Texas, May 23-28, 2015.

State Guard participation in Wichita Falls helped local residents affected by flood waters remain safe and re-ceive necessary emergency assistance.

Capt. Michael Garcia, Staff Sgt. Brenda Newton, Staff Sgt. William Willey, Spc. Desmon Dunn, and Spc. Zach Williams from the 39th Composite Regiment performed numerous tasks to support disaster coordination efforts, including administrative duties, answering phones, monitoring social media and updating information on the Texas Web Emergency Operations Center.

As the emergency unfolded, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visited Wichita Falls, to thank the guardsmen, and other emergency responders and volunteers, for their service, May 25, 2015. The 39th Composite Regiment is well-equipped to provide emergency assistance. Since 2009, the regiment has worked closely with David Solis, State Coordinator Region 5, Texas Division Emergency Management, who integrated the 39th Composite Regiment into the Region 5 emergency coordination and training efforts. This enabled the regiment to increase their emergency pre-

paredness by working with other emergency response teams, even cross-training with the Texas A&M Veteri-nary Emergency team in an effort to provide increased logistic support during crisis management.

This relationship has also increased the regiment’s support to disaster situations. During the winter storm of January 2010, regiment guardsmen assisted Amarillo civil authorities and set up shelters in the Panhandle. In May 2014, guardsmen were again mobilized, to support operations during the Double Diamond wildfires in Fritch, where they assisted with WEBEOC and radio communications and helped monitor social media.

“I am proud of the performance and dedication of the men and women of the 39th “Roughnecks” and the excellent working relationship we enjoy with our TDEM partners,” said Col. Barney Welch, commander of the 39th Composite Regiment. “Through that valuable partnership, this unique concept continues to evolve as a viable mission set for the State of Texas.”

The 39th Composite Regiment was also mobilized for hurricanes Gustav, Ike and Dean, Operation Lone Star and Operation Border Star. In 2012 the regiment became the only composite regiment in the Texas State Guard, because it’s unique internal medical staff. The regiment covers a large part of West Texas and the Panhandle. It is headquartered in Midland and has subordinate units located in Midland, Lubbock, El Paso and Amarillo. - TXSG PAO

www.txmf.us 17

Texas Floods

GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS - Members of Texas Task Force 1 and the Texas Military Forces po-sitioned at the Army aviation support facility in

Grand Prairie, received a call from a local agency ear-ly-morning May 17, 2015, to rescue a couple stranded in front of their mobile home in Johnson County.

“When we arrived on scene, we were looking around the area for hazards and for any situation that could arise to ensure we could safely hoist the stranded couple up,” said Army National Guard, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Blake Arrington, pilot of the UH-60 Black Hawk heli-copter, Texas Military Forces. “The house was next to the river and the river rose due to the heavy rainfall. Their home was surrounded by water while the current kept ground rescuers away.”

The ground rescue operation failed due to the strong current pushing the boat away from the mobile home. At one point the first responders used a drone to drop a line to the couple and anchor it to their trailer. The line was used to pull a rescue raft towards the couple and extract them from the flood waters. The attempt failed. The call came in to Texas Task Force 1 and the flight was generated.

“The biggest issue we had were wires,” said Arrington. “We had to position the Black Hawk in the best possi-ble way for our swimmers and the victims. We worked

together as a team - from the crew chief, to the pilots, to the swimmers.”

The rescue team comprised of two Texas National Guard pilots, two Texas Task Force 1 swimmers and a Texas National Guard crew chief, each skillfully trained to con-duct search and rescue operations for distressed Texans.

It is the swimmers’ job to rescue the stranded from the disaster area, while the crew chief ’s job is to be the go-between for the pilots and swimmers.

“He is our main eyes between the pilots and the swim-mers. He controls the cable for the swimmers and tells the pilot where to move the Black Hawk,” said Arrington. “The swimmers are a vital part of rescuing; they interact with the victims extracting them from the dangerous situation.”

Once the couple was hoisted into the Black Hawk and secured, they were flown to safety a half mile away, into the hands of local first responders where they were examined for any possible injuries. The couple, safely evacuated from the flood waters, was able to return to their home by nightfall.

“We are just Texans helping Texas,” said Arrington. “Here to do a job.” - 136th AW PAO

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert136th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

18 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Floods

GRAND PRAIRIE, TXAVIATORS GEARED UP FOR SWIFT WATER RESCUES

A Texas Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crew, partnered with Texas Task Force 1, rescues a victim during

a training exercise. (Texas National Guard photo by Air Force 1st Lt. Alicia M. Lacy)

www.txmf.us 19

Texas Floods

GRANBURY, TXGUARDSMEN SAVE FAMILY IN STRANDED CAR

Engineers from the 111th Engineer Battalion, Texas Army National Guard, along with local first responders, rescue three people from a stalled vehicle stuck in a low water crossing, May 26, 2015. (Texas National Guard photo by Army 1st Lt. Max Perez)

20 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Floods

GRANBURY, TEXAS - A team of Texas National Guard engineers rescued three people from flooding waters, May 26, 2015 in Granbury, Texas.

Working with local and state first responders, Texas Guardsmen spent the Memorial Day weekend respond-ing to calls for help all over Texas.

“We got a call around midnight from the local sheriff’s department,” said 1st Lt. Max Perez, 236th Engineer Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, Texas Army National Guard. “They asked us to check a neighborhood near the Brazos River for flooded homes and anyone in need.”

Perez and his team of engineers split into two groups to better search the neighborhood for citizens in need.

“The soldiers responded very quickly; they only took 10 or 15 minutes to get ready to go,” said Perez. “They were pretty motivated about the mission – eager to save lives.”

With the help of a local police officer and a local fire-fighter, the engineers combed through the neighbor-hood checking on residents.

“We found a stranded car that couldn’t move,” said Pe-rez. “There was water up to the window of the car.”

The engineers immediately stopped and got out to help; each soldier securing themselves to a safety line attached to their military vehicle or another stationary object first.

“We saw a family – a woman, her daughter, about three or four, and a man, stuck in the car,” said Perez.

Staff Sgt. Thomas Kennington, 111th Forward Support Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, along with several other soldiers, pulled the little girl and her mother from the car and brought them to safety, then returned for the man. Once all three people were safe, the team pulled the vehicle to dry land, to ensure that it wouldn’t wash away, said Perez.

“This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this,” said Kennington. “When you’re in that moment with lights flashing, water rushing and soldiers around you whose safety you are concerned for – it’s an adrenaline flow.”

The engineers were grateful to have been able to help their fellow citizens in need that day.

“The little girl thanked me over and over for saving her and her Mama,” said Kennington. “That’s what this is all about.”

Perez said he was just thankful to have been asked to help and that he was proud of his soldiers.

“They showed me the reason why they put on the uni-form that night,” said Perez. “Their bravery and dedica-tion was amazing.” - DISPATCH

Story by Capt. Martha NigrelleTexas Military Forces Public Affairs

www.txmf.us 21

Texas Floods

22 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Floods

Texas Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawks on stanby for swift water rescues. (Texas National Guard photo by Air Force Tech Sgt. Eric Wilson)

www.txmf.us 23

Texas Floods

MATAGORDA, TEXAS - A Memorial Day celebration turned tragic for a Texas

Army National Guard family at Matagorda Beach, May 25, 2015. Van Vleck resident, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph T. Ros’ son was pulled un-der water by a strong current. Ros immediately went in to the water to pull his son out, and was able to get his son to safety, but was then pulled under by the same current,

losing his life.

News of his passing quickly spread and invoked a wave of grief and disbelief among guardsmen who served alongside Ros, known to most as simply “Joe,” throughout Ros’ more than 20 years of military service.

“All his former soldiers were saying ‘not sergeant Ros, it can’t be him’,” said long-time friend of Ros, Texas

Army National Guard Warrant Offi-cer Joey Rodriguez, 237th Engineer Co., 386th Engineer Battalion, 176th Engineer Brigade. “For many of us, he was more than a mentor. He was more like a brother to me. He pushed me to do better for myself - he is the main reason I became a warrant officer.”

Ros entered service on April 17, 1989 as a combat engineer and served in various engineer units across Texas. He deployed in support of Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom in late 2004 to 2005.

In his first year of service Ros met retired Sgt. Guadalupe Martinez Jr. of Brenham, Texas.

“We met in 1990 and ever since we have remained close friends,” said Martinez. “I remember sitting in the middle of Iraq and Joe asked me, ‘Why are you here in Iraq? Before I could answer, Joe said he was here because it was historical and it was something he wanted to be able to share with his children when they asked about this war.”“We shared a common goal,” said Martinez. “To serve our country.” According to many of the guards-men who served alongside him, be-ing in the National Guard, for Ros, was about service – to his country and to his fellow Texans.

The Ultimate SacrificeTexas guardsmen pay tribute to soldier killed saving drowning son

For many of us, he was more than a mentor. He was more like a brother... ”“

Story by Capt. Maria Mengrone, 176th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs

24 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Military Forces

Just days before he passed, Ros was helping the Guard coordinate the engineer response to severe flood-ing across the state.

“I had just spoken to him a few days prior because he had volunteered for state active duty to assist in the flood missions,” said Staff Sgt. Nel-son M. Zepeda, construction oper-ations sergeant, 272nd Engineer Co. “That’s just the way he was, always wanted to help people.”

His love and dedication to his country and his state was big, but his devotion to his family was even bigger.

“He loved his wife, three boys and little girl so much; nothing was going to come between his love for them,” said Zepeda. “I’m going to miss his calls and texts so much.”

Senior leaders also recognize the

lasting impact of losing an import-ant non-commissioned officer like Ros, particularly within the engi-neer community. “I count him as one of my friends; I’ve known him for 20 years. He was an outstanding individual both personally and professionally,“ said Maj. Mikel T. Sledge, battalion executive officer, 386th Engineer Bn. “It will be a substantial loss to the unit, his friends and his family.”

Leaders and peers saw him as both a friend and a good soldier.

“When I first met Joe I knew I had a high-speed soldier. I told him my expectations and showed him the rules and regulations; he took off and excelled,” said retired Sgt. 1st Class McCord, former section ser-geant to Ros. “He was a good man, a good person.”

Ros, a traditional guardsman, also worked in education. He started out as a special education teacher in the Bay City school district. After sever-al years in Bay City, he moved to the Van Vleck school district to work as a high school assistant principal and then the middle school princi-pal. Following his tenure as princi-pal, Ros continued his service to the school district, and the children in Van Vleck, as Director of Mainte-nance and Transportation.

Van Vleck ISD scheduled an early release day for faculty, staff and students so that they could have an opportunity to attend funeral services for Ros.

“I’m going to miss him greatly,” said McCord. “I’m praying for his fami-ly, he loved them dearly. Joe Ros is irreplaceable, one of a kind. He is now an angel in heaven.” - 176th En Bde PAO

Courtesy photos

www.txmf.us 25

Texas Military Forces

Reliving

Vietnam

TEMPLE, TEXAS - The Texas Military Forces Museum’s Liv-ing History Detachment de-

ployed 21 of its members to Temple to take part in the annual Central Texas Air Show, May 2-3, 2015.

Although the museum’s reenactors usually focus on the history of Texas Volunteer Regiments in the Civil War or the 36th Infantry Division in World War II, every year at the air show they turn their focus to the war in Vietnam.

For the Detachment, this was an opportunity to honor the men and women who served in Vietnam.

“We want to give ourselves and the public the chance to say thank you to all of those who answered their nation’s call and did their duty in

Southeast Asia fifty years ago,” said Jeff Hunt, director of the Texas Mili-tary Forces Museum and command-er of its living history detachment.

After setting up an authentic Viet-nam-era military encampment, the museum’s volunteers helped the thousands of people, attending the air show, better understand the ser-vice American troops had in South-east Asia during the 1960s.

Displays of weapons, equipment, period magazines, manuals, radi-os and even tape recorders are big attractions. Among the most pop-ular items on exhibit are the M60 Machine Gun and M79 Grenade Launcher.

“Veterans love to see the weaponry they carried during that war,” said Hunt. “You can see the excitement on their faces and the thrill when we let them hold one of the firearms.

Certainly, the sights, sounds and feel of these historic objects bring back a flood of memories.”Some of these memories are good and some are painful.

“It isn’t uncommon to see a vet tear up as he interacts with us,” Hunt said. “A few become so emotional they can only shake their head and smile at us before they walk away. Many more take the time to tell stories of their time ‘in country’ or combat. As historians, we love hear-ing those stories. We take what the veterans tell us and incorporate it into what we tell the general public. Those stories make us better and more accurate interpreters of this important piece of our past.”

John Eli is the resident expert on the Vietnam War for the museum’s liv-ing history detachment. He served as an infantryman in the 25th Infantry Division in 1968 – at the height of the

Members of the TXMF Museum’s Living History Detachment reenact Vietnam Battle

Story and photos by Texas Military Forces Museum Staff

26 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Military Forces

Tet Offensive. Wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart, Eli saw a lot of combat and often acted as a “tunnel rat” for his unit.

A part of the museum’s living history team for more than 5 years, Mr. Eli shared his personal history – in-cluding photos and mementos he brought home from his service – with those who stop by the mu-seum’s living history encampment. Very often he finds himself speaking to a fellow Vietnam veteran.

“You can certainly see the bond all the men who served in Vietnam have,” said Hunt. “It doesn’t matter if they weren’t in the same unit or even if they weren’t in the country at the same time, they are brothers.”

Having an authentic Vietnam veter-an in their ranks is a special thing for the museum’s volunteers.

“John is a great guy and a great historian,” said Hunt. “We are so incredibly lucky and honored to have him as part of our unit. He has taught all of us more about the war than we could learn from reading 1,000 books.”

The most popular event of the detachment’s events at the air show was the Vietnam War-era air assault reenactment.

Wearing the correct uniforms and equipment from the era and car-rying actual weapons modified to fire blanks, the volunteers boarded a Huey helicopter and flew into “battle.” The scenario is the rescue of a downed helicopter crew being pursued by a group of Viet Cong guerrillas.

With air show caliber pyrotechnics going off in the background, a Cobra gunship and an observation aircraft

zooming overhead, the reenactors raced out of the helicopter as it touched the ground. A second “lift” brought in reinforcements as the rival forces exchanged fire. At the end of the scenario a “wounded” crewman is carried on a stretcher to the Huey as it lands to conduct a medical aerial evacuation.

The action only lasted for a handful of minutes. It is all very dramatic, but the reenactors know that it is a mere shadow of the real thing.

“There are no real bullets zipping through the air, little real danger,” said Hunt. “We know that we are all coming out of the scenario in one piece and that at the end of the weekend we are going home to the comforts of our daily lives and fami-lies. That is certainly something the real combat veterans could not say or even count on.”

www.txmf.us 27

Texas Military Forces

That reality didn’t make the demon-stration any less interesting or edu-cational for the public. But reflecting on how truly dangerous what they just reenacted was in real life gives the museum’s living historians a deeper understanding and affinity for the men who did it on the actual battlegrounds fifty years ago.

“It truly dives home the risks they faced,” said Hunt. “The courage, skill and professionalism they embodied - it makes it unquestionably certain that all of the men and women who fought in that war are real heroes.”

As the nation begins its decade-long observation of the fiftieth anniver-sary of the Vietnam War, the Texas Military Forces Museum plans on doing more programs focused on that time period.

“We want to help our fellow citizens learn the true history – not the my-

thology – of the Vietnam War,” Hunt said. “We want to help the veterans reflect and perhaps heal some of their lingering, painful, memories. We want them to understand that their war was just one battle in the much bigger Cold War and that what they did helped us win that bigger war. We want to let the vet-erans of Indo China know that they are our heroes every bit as much as veterans of World War II, Korea or the War on Terror are our heroes.” - TXMF Museum

The Texas Military Forces Museum is the official museum of the Texas Army

and Air National Guard. The museum’s Living History Detachment routinely

puts on programs for visitors highlight-ing the role of The United States Armed

Forces in American history from the War of 1812 through the Vietnam War.

28 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Military Forces

We want to help our fellow citizens learn the true history – not the

mythology – of the Vietnam War.”“

Texas Military Forces

OINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – LACKLAND, TEXAS - The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to “fly, fight and win … in air, space and cyberspace.” The latter

mission-set – cyberspace – is critical and growing within the Air Force, and is drawing significant interest from those seeking to join the Texas Air National Guard.

The San Antonio-based 273rd Information Operations Squadron, a Texas ANG unit, has become an assignment of choice for many cyber operators.

Each year, cyberspace warriors are reportedly departing the active-duty Air Force in droves, often for the draw of entering a potentially lucrative, high-demand workforce pool. As a result, many are attracted to the Lone Star State, which has a thriving high-tech sector within its economy.

Last year, Texas was the fastest-growing state for tech jobs, according to Susan Adams of Forbes. “Texas added 8,100 tech jobs in the past year to employ 143,300 tech workers, nearly a 6% jump, securing the No. 1 spot,” she wrote.

While this economic reality may challenge a cyber unit’s retention efforts, some cyberspace airmen departing ac-tive duty for civilian careers have been quickly attracted to the Texas ANG in order to stay in the Air Force fold.

The demand is high for these cyber positions, and many potential recruits have to wait months and even years to get into the Air Guard squadron.

“After leaving active duty, I went to work for a large oil-and-gas equipment and technology company developing control system software for oil rigs,” said Capt. Jerry Reiner of Cedar Park, Texas, a traditional (part-time) cyber officer assigned to the squadron.

“Despite the commercial success, I missed the intangi-bles of being part of the Air Force community,” Reiner said. “Namely, the esprit de corps, the camaraderie, and, probably, most importantly, the sense of being part of something larger than yourself, and making a real differ-ence.”

The 273rd IOS has a federal cyber mission “to test and evaluate Air Force cyberspace weapon systems and develop relevant, validated tactics for cyberspace war fighters as certified operators.”

While the squadron is a subordinate unit of the 149th Fighter Wing, an F-16 training unit headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas, it is also part of the 24th Air Force Total Force Integration Strategy for Cyber Mission Forces and is associated with the 688th Cyberspace Wing, also headquartered at Lackland.

In 2010, the 273rd IOS formally became the Air National Guard’s first information operations classic associate unit, wrote then-Capt. Carrie L. Kessler, in a previous report. The designation indicates a U.S. Air Force unit retains overall responsibility for a particular weapon system, but the ANG unit has operational control of the mission and personnel.

TXANG great option for once Air Force Techies

Story by 2nd Lt. Phil Fountain149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

30 TheDISPATCH June 2015

Texas Military Forces

“We have phenomenal collaboration with the active duty,” said Maj. Kristy Leasman, who is commanding the squadron. “We are committed to work with them, (and) are functionally and culturally integrated with them.”

While there is great interest, it is not always easy for air-men to transition into or to join the 273rd IOS. Leasman said the typical wait time to join the squadron is one year – for officers, the selection and accession timeline could be another year.

Reiner’s effort to join the unit was no picnic.

“The journey from civilian to guardsman was long, stressful and very trying,” Reiner said, “but I had such a positive impression of the folks and the mission that I was determined to make the transition.”

Reiner’s persistence to get into the squadron ultimately paid off, but the wait is not uncommon for cyber opera-tors attempting the join the Texas Air National Guard.The unit is bursting at the figurative seams. With overag-es and excess positioning, the 273rd IOS is consistently at the peak of its personnel capacity.

The squadron is hovering at 113 percent of its authorized

personnel strength, said Master Sgt. Michelle T. Echa-varria, the recruiting and retention superintendent for the Texas ANG, in Austin. With new student-airmen cur-rently in the training pipeline, the squadron is expected to be around 130 percent by the end of the year.

“Nearly three years ago, the unit was at 90.4 percent,” she said. “It was initially rather difficult to bring in non-prior service members because of the security clearance delays and tech school delays. Now that the unit has established guidelines on this, we were able to bring in more members and explore the [recruiting and retention] initiatives, which allow them to go ‘plus-four’ in their manning per AFSC. This is the reason their manning looks the way it looks now.”

“The leadership at the 273rd IOS has worked very close with recruiting and retention to ensure we are able to keep the unit at the strength it needs to be to accomplish their mission,” Echavarria said.

Once in the unit, members not only support local initia-tives, they may positively impact the nation’s strategic, global relationships.

As an Air Force and Air National Guard collaboration,

Courtesy photo

www.txmf.us 31

the cyberspace mission is able to blend a myriad of national objectives, from Department of Defense and Air Force missions to Department of State and Nation-al Guard Bureau efforts through the State Partnership Program.

In addition to supporting Air Force missions, 273rd IOS members have embedded into joint-service teams to discuss cyber challenges with foreign allies as a part of the SPP.

Since the early 1990s, the SPP has paired state National Guards with allied nations around the world. There are currently more than 70 countries involved in the pro-gram. Texas is paired with Czech Republic, in Eastern Europe, and Chile, in South America.

SPP is guided by the Department of State and is imple-mented by each participating state’s adjutant general through NGB. The program provides the National Guard, and the Pentagon, with the opportunity for mu-tually beneficial military-to-military exchanges.This past March, Master Sgt. Becky Lovett, a member of the 273rd IOS, participated in a cyber security exchange, in Prague, with members of the armed forces of the Czech Republic.

“I believe this mission was a success because we had an opportunity to compare common cyber practices and identify areas of concern,” Lovett said in a previous report. “The leadership of the Czech Republic CIS was very enthusiastic about us being present and our will-ingness to share ideas.”

Leasman said Lovett was hand-picked to represent the Texas ANG during the joint-service, SPP exchange, which included members of the Army National Guard from Texas and Nebraska.

In additional to bringing a senior noncommissioned of-ficer perspective, Lovett’s advanced training and skill-set brought value to the discussions, Leasman said. Lovett’s training includes: cyber security awareness, training, inspections, and education; vulnerability management, patching, and assessing tools; incident handling; bound-ary defense; as well as identification and authentication.

Supporting these unique and growing missions may be a draw to the ANG unit, and these missions are anticipat-ed to continue.

“We have been invited back, and planning has begun, for future collaboration,” Lovett said.

Courtesy photo

32 TheDISPATCH June 2015

While personnel limitations often prevent qualified air-men from transferring into the squadron, many still join the Texas ANG and serve in different capacities.

“Currently, the [273rd IOS] has reached its max capacity, so it’s been a bit tough to get members into the unit,” Echavarria said. “Those members either explore other options go to another unit in the state or get put on a qualified and waiting list so the recruiter can continue to follow up with the unit on availability of positions.”

These potentially qualified cyberspace airmen provide a cushion and a springboard for the Texas squadron to maneuver through adjustments in future missions pro-vided by the Air Force.

Additionally, if called upon, the 273rd IOS is well posi-tioned to absorb a greater role in this area.

“Texas – San Antonio in particular – is one of the largest centers of military and civilian cyber activity,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth W. Wisian, the Texas’ deputy adjutant general for air and commander of the Texas Air National Guard. “The National Guard, and the U.S. Air Force Reserve, are the best way for the country to hold on to the valuable experience and training that

our airmen get on active duty.”

In addition to the tech economy, last year, U.S. News & World Report ranked two Texas-based graduate pro-grams in computer science among the top-25 in the na-tion – the University of Texas at Austin’s program (No. 9), in the state’s capital city, and Rice University’s program (No. 20 – tied), in Houston.

“We have an incredible, civilian pool to draw from,” Wisian said, “and San Antonio is the center of gravity.” - 149th FW PAO

The National Guard, and the U.S. Air Force Reserve, are the best way for the country to hold on to the

valuable experience and training that our airmen get on active duty. ”

“

Courtesy photo

www.txmf.us 33

Texas Military Forces

REAL GuidanceCourtney J. Lynch, PhD, LCSW and Tracy K. Ward, M.Ed, LPC

Both of us experienced a transition when we left our previous jobs to work for the National Guard. We both came from highly stressed and structured client-based facilities and were looking forward to this

opportunity for change. In our prior jobs both of us saw up to 40 clients each week. After 5 years of working this type of schedule our nervous systems had become very used to high stress, high energy and a fast

pace. It was quite a transition to come into an environment that had a lot of freedom for us to develop and create our jobs. We found ourselves immersed in a new culture, new surroundings, new colleagues, new procedures and a new pace. At first there were feelings of anxiety that somehow appointments were being missed, even though we had no clients yet. There were also feelings for Tracy that she was too old to be changing jobs.

Courtney experienced feelings of doubt about making the right decision. There was sadness, guilt and a feeling of loss over leaving former clients. Emotions during a transition are normal. Expect to have them, and expect

them to fluctuate throughout the transition. In time, our nervous systems adapted, as will yours.

34 TheDISPATCH June 2015

REAL Guidance

Life is full of transitions

for everyone, but no

one transitions better

than a service member.

Some of life’s transitions

include a birth in the

family, a death in the

family, a marriage, a

divorce, a move, an

illness, a change of

jobs, a deployment, a

graduation, just to list

a few. Transitions are a

time of change and with

change comes stress.

However, change and

transition often provide us

a valuable opportunity to

learn and grow. a

Here are some reminders and strategies for navigating any transition

‘This too shall pass’:This wise saying reminds us that all transitions are tem-porary, even when particular circumstances or events feel as if they will last forever. For example, when you begin a new job, there is surely a period of time that you feel overwhelmed by all of the things you must learn and figure out. You may even feel a level of in-competency in the newness of your role. However, remember that this too is temporary. It will pass, and in time you will learn and adapt.

Set realistic expectations: Many of us tend to set expectations for ourselves that are too high. This may be particularly true for service members, who are trained to set high standards and achieve goals and missions according to prede-termined timelines. In our personal lives however, we know that things don’t always go according to plan. So, setting expectations realistically may help to reduce additional stress during a transition. Try not to have a particular time in mind by which you must adjust. Adjustment to a change or transition is individual, meaning that no two people transi-tion alike. Take, for example, a ser-vice member who returns home from a lengthy deploy-ment and expects for home life to return to ‘normal’ in 30 days or less. Having a set expectation of this type can increase the stress and frustration levels, not just for the service member but also for family members. Lowering your expectations and taking some time to observe and appreciate any new adjustments and routines will help to ease your transition and theirs. By doing this, you and your family can begin to establish a ‘new normal’.

Build a support system: Everyone needs support and guidance in their lives. This is especially true during times of transition or change. No one is an island and take care to avoid thinking that you must do everything alone. Surround yourself

by people who will give you good advice, who will tell you truth, who will be there when things are tough and who will sincerely care. Good support teams may include family members, battle buddies, friends (not mischievous ones), clergy, coun-selors or anyone who you deeply trust. There will be times when you call on your team for their support and there will be times that you are called upon to be a support for oth-ers. This is what gives us strength.

Be patient and take care of yourself: Patience is a skill that you gain through practice, over and over. Unfortunately, you learn patience when you are facing tough tran-sitions, obstacles and challenging people and situations (not when you are lying on a beautiful beach). Fortunately, patience can grow and strengthen like a muscle. The more you practice patience, the more

patient you become.

And last but not least... Relax, life is a transition. Learn from them, grow from them and if possible, ENJOY them. - REAL Guidance

*(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transition)

www.txmf.us 35

REAL Guidance

10 TIPS FOR COMPANY COMMANDERS & FIRST SERGEANTS

UNIT RETENTION PROGRAM1. MONTHLY EXTENSIONCEREMONIES: Recognize and honor re-enlisting Soldiers at least once every month as a scheduled event during drill weekend.

2. UNIT RETENTION NCOs. Formallyappoint a member of your unit as the URNCO to facilitate your unit retention program IAW NGR 601-1. Send to the 2 day URNCO course at Camp Mabry, REC RET CMD HQs.

3. RETENTION MANAGEMENTSYSTEM: Your URNCO, Readiness NCO and Recruiter must use RMS to identify eligible Soldiers, track retention and responsibilities.

4. UTILIZATION OF DA Form 4836:Provides obligation requirements; and must be processed through RMS to ensure the extension is correctly documented.

5. RETENTION INTERVIEWS: UtilizeURNCOs, Recruiters and Brigade Strength Managers as Retention subject-matter experts to assist unit leadership in interviews.

6. EXTENSION INCENTIVES. Promoteand encourage 2 and 6 year extension incentives (bonuses) as well as recognition items such as Extend to Defend kits.

7. CLIMATE SURVEYS: Use initially andannually to determine the needs of Soldiers, leadership perceptions, training and other concerns. Address retention issues.

8. RETENTION IS 1SG & CDRBUSINESS: 1SGs and CDRs are the driving force behind a successful unit retention program, it is a required CDR’s program.

9: SPONSORSHIP: Promote a smooth transition into the unit and make the Soldier’s first impression a positive one.

10: ALTERNATIVES TO SEPARATION: Work to retain Soldier through other means such as MOS re-class, geographic reassignment, schools, change of duties.

BRIGADE NAME PHONE/E-MAILBSM SGM SGM Ricardo De Souza (512) 914-4889 • ricardo.r.desouza.mil@mail.mil72nd IBCT (936) 208-3438 • jimmy.r.smith.mil@mail.mil56th IBCT 36th CAB 71st BFSB 176th EN DOMOPS (JTF-71/136 MEB) 36th SUS TRP CMD/JFHQ/R&R/36 ID

SSG Jimmy Smith SFC Francisco Torres SFC John Castilleja SSG Bryan Calhoun SFC Robin Rivera SFC James Banks SFC Chaz PattersonSFC Carl Moore

(512) 538-4841 • francisco.torres.mil@mail.mil (512) 923-6220 • john.h.castilleja.mil@mail.mil (210) 787-9127 • bryan.l.calhoun.mil@mail.mil (512) 565-8849 • robin.h.rivera.mil@mail.mil (512) 925-9109 • james.e.banks26.mil@mail.mil (254) 424-1039 • chaz.r.patterson.mil@mail.mil (512) 964-1361 • carl.moore22.mil@mail.mil

R&R CMD LEADERSHIP NAME PHONE/E-MAILCommander Executive Officer Command Sergeant Major

MAJ August T. Murray (512) 782-1383 • august.t.murray.mil@mail.mil MAJ Jim Carney (512) 782-5404 • james.p.carney.mil@mail.mil CSM Kristopher Dyer (512) 782-5163 • kristopher.l.dyer.mil@mail.mil

RECRUITING & RETENTION / BRIGADE STRENGTH MANAGEMENT POCs:

RETENTION INCENTIVESEligible Soldiers who extend their service with the Texas Army Na-tional Guard will receive outstanding retention incentives:

• $4,000 FOR TWO-YEAR EXTENSION• $12,000 FOR SIX-YEAR EXTENSIONMust re-enlist/extend for 2 or 6 years. Must be E-7 or below on contract start date not to exceed 13 years time in service at current ETS date.

Soldiers who meet the following criteria will receive EXTEND 2 DEFEND items:

• CurrentAPFTandPHA• Extendwithin365-1day

of ETS• E-7orbelowwithlessthan13 years in service• Mustbeprimaryslot

holder

RETENTION RECOGNITION KITSFirst500TXARNGSoldierswhoextendtheirenlistment will receive: • COYOTEBROWNOPERATOR’SBACKPACK• BLACKMULTI-COMPARTMENTGYMBAG• CAC-CARDREADER• BLACKFLEECESLEEPERSET• E2DSWEATSHIRTANDHAT

*Whilesupplieslast.UnitsmustrequestbackpacksthroughtheirBrigadeStrengthManager.

EXTEND 2 DEFEND

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM• Upto$50,000• Mustre-enlistfor6years• Re-enlistmentapplicantsmusthavelessthan 13 years time in service• Re-enlist/extendmustbewithin365-1days of current ETS date

• MustbeDMOSqualified• Loansmustbedisbursedpriortore-enlist/extension date• AlleligibleloansmustbeverifiedonNSLDSprintout

As of 27 MAY 2015. Check with your Unit Retention NCO or BSM for latest incentives.

A Texas National Guardsman ties down a UH-60 Black Hawk after hours of operation helping rescue efforts

during the Texas flooding in May, 2015 . (Texas National Guard photo by Air Force Tech Sgt. Eric Wilson)