big sky guardian spring 2010 edition

invadeFort HarrisonFort Harrisoninvadeinvade

Combat Medics

Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bell

CHECK OUT THE NEW MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD FACEBOOK PAGE

From front line to home life

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All subject to prior sale. Vehicle Identification numbers posted in dealership and are available upon request. Not responsible for typographical errors. Prices are plus tax, license & $50.00 Dealer Documentation. California residents $45 only. No sales to dealers, brokers or anyone who buys for the sole purpose of resale or export sales. File photos, not actual photos. Rebates may vary according to the area you live in, please consult one of our sales consultants. Availability and rebates as of 04-12-10 call dealer for current rebates. Ad expires 05-31-10 *Must be a Farm Bureau member 45 days prior to purchase. **Military Rebate, must show proof of active or active reserve status and finance thru Chrysler Financial. ♠ Must Finance through GMAC on approved credit. Call dealer for details. ▲ Must live in West Region only. Call dealer for details.

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Spring 2010 / BIG SKY GUARDIAN / 1

Governor Brian Schweitzer

The Adjutant GeneralBrigadier General

John Walsh

Governor

Brian Schweitzer

The Adjutant General

Brigadier General John Walsh

Executive Editor/State Public Affairs Officer

Major Tim Crowe

Managing Editor

Sergeant Stacey Scotson

State Public Affairs StaffMajor Lori Hampa-Chamberlin

2nd Lieutenant Dan Bushnell

CW2 Mathew Rowley

Sergeant First Class Tom Steber

Intern - Kevin Moran

State Public Affairs OfficePublic Affairs Office

P.O. Box 4789Fort Harrison, MT

59636-4789

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C O N T E N T S

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Published by AQP Publishing, Inc., a private fi rm in no way connected with the Montana Department of Mili-tary & Veterans Affairs, or the Montana National Guard, under written contract with the Montana Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. This Montana Department of Military & Veterans Affairs magazine is an authorized publication for employees, families and military mem-bers of the Montana Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. Contents of this publication are not necessarily the offi cial view of, or endorsed by, the state of Montana, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense or the Montana National Guard.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute

endorsement by the state of Montana, DoD, the Montana National Guard or AQP Publishing, Inc. of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

All content is either edited, prepared or provided by the Offi ce of Public Affairs, Joint Force Headquarters – Montana and/or the Montana Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. All photographs and graphic devices are owned and copyrighted by the Montana Department of Military & Veterans Affairs unless otherwise indicated.

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Governor’s Message for the Big Sky Guardian

The Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard

MTANG honed war fighting skills at Combat Archer

The Air Force Combat Action Medal awarded to three MTANG Airmen

Computer Network Defense Team supports cyber exercise

The Backbone

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▼From the front line to home life 6

▼20Combat Medics invade Fort Harrison

▼MTANG chiefs induction 9

▼Sgt. 1st Class Adam BellA Soldier’s Life14 ▼

Cross-Leveling

17 ▼ MTNG Joint Family Support and Assistance Program - JFSAP

19

▼23Feel Good Story

▼Social media important for military 24 ▼26Living with deployments

▼27Tricare Reserve Select

* Look for The 186th Aero Squadron in World War 1 Series to continue in the next issue.

ON THE COVER:Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bell

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2 / BIG SKY GUARDIAN / Spring 2010

9–10 JUNE - Constant Vigilance table top exercise9–14 JUNE - Regional NCO/SOY Competition Alaska11–13 JUNE - June Marriage Enrichment12 JUNE - Governors Cup19 JUNE - Montana Youth Challenge Graduation Class 53

Constant Vigilance table top exercise

UPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTS 20 JUNE - Father’s Day

28 JUNE–2 JULY - Camp Rotary Purple Camp13-16 JULY - Day Camp Fort Harrison16–18 JULY - July Marriage Enrichment1–5 AUG - National Youth Symposium (high school) (New Orleans)13–15 AUG - August Marriage Enrichment

Are you ready? Whether it is planning fi re escape routes at home or creating an emergency kit, preparing saves lives. As you take on the vital training and prepa-ration so necessary for your mission, and the exercises that test your level of pre-paredness, don’t forget about safety and preparedness at home.

You and your family should have plans for the following:

Communications Plan Your family may not all be together

when a disaster strikes, so planning how

to contact one another is important. Depending on the incident, phone systems may make it diffi cult to place a local call, so appoint an out-of-state contact that everyone can call or e-mail.

Evacuation PlanPlan ahead and know where your

family will go in the event of an evacuation. Choose several different locations in different directions so you have options in the event of a disaster. Listen to offi cial information from local authorities when decid-ing to stay or evacuate. Will you or someone you know need extra help in an emergency? Local offi cials on scene may not be able to immedi-ately assist you. Create a personal support network of people who will

be able to assist you in a disaster. If you have to evacuate, take your emergency kit with you. Take your pets with you also. Remember, only service animals are permitted at most shelters. Prepare a plan and kit for your pets now. Research to fi nd area hotels, kennels and veterinar-ians that will allow pets in an emergency.

Getting InvolvedDid you know that there are volun-

teers who work to keep your community safe? They are members of your local Cit-izen Corps. As FEMA’s grassroots strategy, Citizen Corps engages us to play a role in

keeping our hometowns safe and secure. Visit the Governor’s Offi ce of Commu-nity Service at http://www.mt.gov/mcsn to fi nd out how to become involved with your local Citizen Corps. You will also learn how to participate in Map Your Neighborhood and Community Emer-gency Response Team training. These trainings will empower you to build and strengthen disaster readiness within your neighborhood and community

Remember, planning takes practice. Test your plan before you need it. The Governor’s Offi ce of Community Ser-vice has created tools to assist you and your loved ones to be ready and help your neighbors, especially those with special needs like the elderly, should an emergency situation arise. To fi nd more information on ways to prepare your family and your neighbors visit www.ready.mt.gov.

Build an emergency kit that includes at least a three-day supply of the follow-ing: water, food, battery-powered radio, fi rst aid kit, fl ashlight and extra batteries, wrench or pliers, and important docu-ments. Don’t forget to consider special needs and items for your pet.

I thank each and every one of you for your service to our state and nation. Please don’t forget about safety and pre-paredness at home.

Sincerely, BRIAN SCHWEITZER

Governor’s Message

http://www.mt.gov/mcsn

http://www.ready.mt.gov

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The Adjutant GeneralMONTANA NATIONAL GUARDWarriors, The National Guard of today is dramatically different from the one I joined over three decades ago. More specifically, over the last eight years I have watched the National Guard transform from a strategic reserve to an operational force. Historically, the National Guard was viewed as a force of last resort, one that would be mobilized only if the nation entered a major war and found that its active military needed substantial reinforcement. Since the mid-1990s, the Department of Defense (DoD) has increasingly relied on the National Guard for a variety of missions at home and abroad. The attacks on September 11, 2001, set in motion the increased use and heavier reliance on the National Guard, with over 3,100 Montana National Guardsmen mobilized to date, one third activated two times or more. Since September 11, 2001, the National Guard has been in the process of transformation from a strategic reserve to an operational force. Today, Americans know that their National Guard is not just waiting in the wings in case the country goes to war, but is already an integral part of the military’s operational force deployed around the world. Since September 11, 2001, the National Guard has played a vital role in allowing the United States military to meet the requirements that have been placed on our Active Component military. Over the past several years, I have attended numerous conferences where the senior leadership of our military has stated that “ our Active Components could not have accomplished what they have accomplished over the past eight years if it were not for the National Guard and Reserve forces.” As we prepare for the future, one most difficult issues facing National Guard leadership is how should the National Guard be organized, trained, and equipped to carry out the roles and missions of the future? What does it mean to serve as a citizen-soldier, and does the social compact between the (DoD), National Guard members, their families, and their employers reflect these realities? The future of the National Guard is an issue of strategic national importance. In today’s resource-constrained environment, our active military cannot do all it is asked to do without relying heavily on the National Guard. In the future, if the National Guard is not resourced to support the significant role it is being asked to play as part of the operational force, it will begin to falter. Combat effectiveness will begin to erode, recruiting and retention will suffer and, over time, any portion of the load the National Guard can no longer carry will fall on the shoulders of the active force. Building and sustaining a healthy National Guard will require far more resources than DoD currently plans to spend on the National Guard, but these resources must be found if the United States intends to maintain the military it needs to prevail in the years ahead. Over the next decade, I anticipate the demand for our military forces is likely to remain high, and because the active military is not likely to expand dramatically for a range of demographic and budgetary reasons, DoD will have to continue using the Reserve Component as part of the operational force to get the job done. This is particularly true for the Army and Air Force. While this paradigm shift away from a purely strategic reserve model is an imperative, it is by no means a risk-free endeavor – and if the shift is not made successfully, the strength of the military as a whole will suffer. I strongly believe that the National Guard is at a crossroads. It is not clear that the National Guard that saw the nation through

the Cold War, ready to mobilize to fight the Soviet Union on the plains of Europe, is equally well-suited to see the country through the next 10 to 20 years. A new vision for the National Guard is needed – one that encompasses different roles and missions, different ways of organizing, equipping and training the RC, and different ways to honor the social compact among DoD, RC members, their families, and their employers. Recognizing that our Reserve Component is made of seven very different organizations, this new vision cannot be “one size fits all,” but needs to be sufficiently flexible to enable each organization to tailor the core elements of the vision to reflect its unique culture and capabilities. In response to the continued reliance on the National Guard, Congress took some key steps to address the concerns that emerged. First, it established the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves to provide a comprehensive, independent assessment of the Guard and Reserves, and its potential future roles. Second, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, Congress elevated the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the grade of four star general. Third, they made the National Guard Bureau a joint organization. And fourth, Congress required specific actions with regard to equipping the Guard and Reserves. Congress also issued a mandate to establish the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program to assist Guard and Reserve members and their family’s transition back to their communities after deployment. Once the demand for high numbers of forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan come down, we must continue to find ways to utilize our reserve components on a rotational basis. The nation has made a significant effort and a significant investment in the readiness and capability of this force. So it makes good sense, from an economic stand point, to continue to get return on that investment. Even more importantly, the men and women of our reserve component continue to tell us that this is how they want to be used. They do not want to go back to the old one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer schedule. The bottom line is that as a nation, maintaining and employing the National Guard as an operational force is mandatory, not a choice! I am immensely proud of each and every one of you for your service and sacrifice, and I thank you for your commitment and service to the great state of Montana and the United States of America. I am extremely honored to serve as the 24th Adjutant General for the Montana National Guard, the Soldiers and Airmen currently serving, as well as those that have served over the years, truly are the best that Montana has to offer. The Montana National Guard stands more ready, reliable, essential and accessible today than at any time in our existence, due to your commitments. I can’t thank you and your family enough for your service to our state and nation, and I wish you the best.

God Bless!

JOHN E. WALSHBG (MT) Montana National Guard

The Adjutant General


training to deploy, training Canadi-ans to deploy, preparing to fi ght fi res, fl oods and a number of other natural disasters. There have been promotion boards, Qualitative Retention Boards and Leadership Boards. We are cer-tainly a busy organization. Knowing that our OPTEMPO is high, leads me to the gist of this edition’s article….NCOERs (Non-Commissioned Offi cer Evaluation Report). I would focus on EPRs (enlisted promotion report) in the Montana Air National Guard as well, but I can fi nd no problems with the system. The vast majority of the time, EPRs within our Air Guard are accurate and on time. It is as it should be, and I want to congratulate my Air Guard brothers and sisters on a job well done. Unfortunately, I do not feel the Army Guard is as successful I am writing this article on 5 April 2010. At this time, all NCOERs should have been completed and loaded in IPERMs for 36 days already. Unfortunately, many are still not completed. This is a crime and a shame. We, as NCOs, are responsible for two things….accom-plishing the mission and taking care of our Soldiers. When we miss NCOER deadlines, we do neither. For the few units in the Army National Guard who do get it done on time, thank you. For the rest of the units, rest assured a solu-tion is in the works. Your senior NCO leadership has been briefed, and in order to not publicly air our dirty laun-dry, I will leave it up to them to pass the word up and down the chain.

On to more pleasant business. Every-thing is not doom and gloom within

the Montana National Guard. When we reorganized, a few short years ago, into the Army National Guard force structure that we are today, our MOS (military occupational skill) qualifi ca-tion percentage was dead last in the nation. That’s right; 54th place out of 54 states and territories. Although not entirely the fault of leadership or Soldiers, due to the changing of num-bers and types of units, 54 of 54 was an embarrassing hole we had to dig out of. With the focus put in the right place and resources provided by the J3 team, we started a climb out of the basement. We set the goal at 95% MOS qualifi -cation. As I write this today, we sit at 94.97% duty MOS qualifi cation and are 4th out of 54 states and territories.

The Montana Air National Guard stood up the 219th Red Horse Squad-ron a few years back. Percentage of fi ll and AFSC qualifi cation were more than dismal. Strength stood in the 60th per-centile for a long time, with no quick fi x in sight. Thanks to the hard work of unit members and their leaders, a plan was proposed to take care of the issue internally. The unit was going to fi ll themselves. Once again, focus and resources were put in the correct place, and they went to work solv-ing the problem. This week, the unit stands at 110% strength, and there are zero vacancies on their unit manning document. Every single slot within the 219th Red Horse is full. An amazing transformation by anyone’s standard. The AFSC qualifi cation percentage for the entire Montana Air National Guard stands at 95%.

Success stories like these abound throughout the Montana National Guard. From the F-16 to F-15 conversion in the 120th that is ahead of schedule to the safe and successful deployment and redeployment of units like the 143rd MP Detachment, 639th QM Company and Task Force Raven, the Montana National Guard continues to impress. This is all due to the forward thinking and can do attitude of Montana’s Soldiers and Airmen. We are blessed with men and women who are a cut above and are willing to sacrifi ce time and effort for the good of the organization.

That is why I know that we will tackle the NCOER fi ght and win it. This time next year, I fully expect we will be writing about the success story that is the NCOER program in the Montana Guard. It will not be easy, but the hard right rarely is. I expect the NCO Corps to take the lead in this. NCOERs are an NCO program. Senior NCOs need to get with their commander’s and ensure the resource of time is given to the successful and timely completion of NCOERs and NCOER counseling within their commands. Senior NCOs must mentor junior offi cers and com-manders in the proper completion of NCOERs. I know we will put the focus toward achieving our goal of zero delinquent NCOERs in 2010.

Thanks for giving me the time to expand on about what I feel is impor-tant. I am proud to serve with each and every one of you and I look forward to talking to you as I make my rounds across the state. Until next time, be safe and train hard.

Command Sgt. Maj. William Cooper

Greetings to all of the men and women who make up the Montana National Guard. I hope you wintered well. Many events have taken place since I last wrote in this space. Units have deployed and units have redeployed. Units are

training to deploy, training Canadi-ans to deploy, preparing to fi ght fi res, fl oods and a number of other natural disasters. There have been promotion boards, Qualitative Retention Boards and Leadership Boards. We are cer-tainly a busy organization. Knowing that our OPTEMPO is high, leads me to the gist of this edition’s article….NCOERs (Non-Commissioned Offi cer Evaluation Report). I would focus on EPRs (enlisted promotion report) in the Montana Air National Guard as well, but I can fi nd no problems with

the Montana National Guard. When we reorganized, a few short years ago, into the Army National Guard force structure that we are today, our MOS (military occupational skill) qualifi ca-tion percentage was dead last in the nation. That’s right; 54th place out of 54 states and territories. Although not entirely the fault of leadership or Soldiers, due to the changing of num-bers and types of units, 54 of 54 was an embarrassing hole we had to dig out of. With the focus put in the right place and resources provided by the J3 team,

Success stories like these abound throughout the Montana National Guard. From the F-16 to F-15 conversion in the 120th that is ahead of schedule to the safe and successful deployment and redeployment of units like the 143rd MP Detachment, 639th QM Company and Task Force Raven, the Montana National Guard continues to impress. This is all due to the forward thinking and can do attitude of Montana’s Soldiers and Airmen. We are blessed with men and women who are a cut above and are willing to sacrifi ce time and effort for the



Command Sgt. Maj. William Cooper

The Backbone


More than 100 maintainers and support per-sonnel and more than 20 pilots from the Mon-tana Air National Guard conducted operations from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., to participate in Combat Archer for the last three weeks in April.

The MTANG’s F-15s engaged in dissimilar air combat training with F-16s from other fi ghter wings and also had an opportunity to fi re a live missile during the weapons system evaluation program.

“The objectives of this deployment were three-fold,” said project offi cer Capt. Carol Kohtz. “To conduct the wing’s fi rst F-15 deployment, complete a weapons system evaluation live missile shoot, and to participate in dissimilar air combat training against F-16s from other units.”

From the planning process to tactics, the mis-sion at Tyndall primarily focused on air-to-air capabilities to hone war fi ghting skills for fi ghter pilots. For the pilot, they learn to exploit dissimi-lar aircraft weaknesses by learning the adversary’s tactics and way of thinking.

While home in Montana, the MTANG’s F-15s usually fl y against each other simulating the adversary. While at Tyndall, the adversary was truly dissimilar.

The MTANG was, for the most part, self-suffi cient, ensuring that all equipment and main-tainers were on hand for any problems a jet may encounter.

Ultimately, the three-week deployment furthers the 120th Fighter Wing’s goal of combat readiness.

Dissimilar air combat training was introduced as a formal part of U.S. air combat training after disappointing aerial combat exchange rates in the Vietnam War. Air-to-air combat is an extremely complex and dynamic undertaking. The combi-nation of speed and the ability to maneuver in three dimensions creates an environment that is constantly changing and rarely allows any of the participants to see and understand the entire pic-ture at once. Pilots from the MTANG are highly skilled Airmen who fi ght in these types of sce-narios regularly.

The MTANG DACT deployment ended May 1.

By Maj. Rick AndersonChief of Public Affairs,Montana Air National Guard

By Maj. Rick AndersonChief of Public Affairs,Montana Air National Guard

Montana Air National Guardhoned war fi ghting skills at Combat Archer

http://tricaredentalprogram.com


Light refl ects off the stainless steel hydraulic lines as the beam of the headlamp fl ickers on top of the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter. Just outside the fl icker of the dim shadows, there’s a stirring. A desert fox shuffl es around looking for a handout. Beads of sweat roll down and soak into the neckband of a cotton t-shirt. It’s in the mid nine-ties, the sun hasn’t even cracked the horizon. Crew chiefs shuttle gators between the hangar and aircraft, making sure everything is ready for the day’s fl ight. The M240 machine guns are attached to the airframe and ammo boxes fully loaded. The rest of the required gear is stowed; the sun cracks the skyline and rays begin to pierce through the dust and haze. It’s 4:30 a.m.; time to head into the air conditioning for the mission brief outlining the day ahead.

It’s been nearly four months since Alpha Company 1/189th General Support Aviation Battalion returned home to Montana and completed their mission in Iraq. The road to the home front has been diffi cult and time consuming. Instead of performing military operations in the Middle East, it’s time to begin preparation for their continuing role as a state and federal asset for homeland defense.

As most know, the Montana National Guard not only deploys during times of war, but also offers assistance here at home during times of need. The three natural disasters Montanans typically face are fl ooding, earthquakes, and wildfi res.

The eight aircraft deployed with Task Force Raven were put to the test under extreme conditions in the desert. Task Force Raven conducted nearly 200 missions, logging thousands of fl ight hours; forcing their aircraft to perform in some of the most hostile condi-tions on Earth. “All the aircraft are in need of many repairs that are typical to those returning from overseas deployment,” said CW2 Kasey Kuntz, a maintenance test pilot at the Montana Aviation Sup-port Facility. Kuntz, who also deployed with Task Force Raven adds “All the aircraft will require a thorough corrosion control inspec-tion and engine washes by maintenance personnel.”

These are the fi rst required steps for the returning aircraft to become airworthy again. Between now and the end of December all the Task

Light refl ects off the stainless steel hydraulic lines as the beam of

From front line to home life

By CW2 Mathew Rowley

Task Force Raven 1-189th GSAB conducts a combat mission in Southern Iraq September 9, 2009.

Spring 2010 / BIG SKY GUARDIAN / 7Spring 2010 / BIG SKY GUARDIAN / 7

A Montana UH-60 douses a fi re near Upper Holter Lake Montana August 2007.

Force Raven helicopters will go through a process of complete inspec-tion and rebuild, also known as a “phase.” The aircraft will go into their phase two aircraft at a time. This insures that the remaining helicopters are available for the needs of the state or nation. That need, in the coming months, will most likely be fi re suppression.

The helicopters of the Montana National Guard have histori-cally assisted state agencies during bad fi re seasons. “The differ-ence between a normal fi re season and a bad fi re season, is that during a bad fi re season, resources begin to get stretched thin,” says John Grassy, public information offi cer for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. DNRC’s main approach to wildfi re fi ghting is initial attack suppression with a near 97% suc-cess rate. Historically, Montana Army National Guard Black Hawk

helicopters have been assigned to the DNRC. The Guard helicop-ters are then paired up with DNRC aircraft to increase the delivery of thousands of gallons of water to wildfi res around the state.

In addition to aircraft maintenance, aviators need training to perform their roles as emergency responder. CW4 Tal Williams states, “Instructor pilots do the refresher training and qualifi ca-tion for bucket work and mountain fl ying. Instructor pilots are also key in training the crew chiefs that are essential to fl ying wild fi re missions.” Williams plays a unique dual role as the 189th Bat-talion Standardization Pilot and the DNRC Standardization and Safety pilot.

“The partnership between the Montana Army National Guard and the Montana DNRC during active fi re seasons is invaluable. One


very effective way in which we work together is to co-locate a Black Hawk with one of the DNRC UH-1H helicopters so the two can work in tandem. That cooperation expands our available air resources,” says Montana state forester Bob Harrington, chief of DNRC’s Forestry Division. “Air support is absolutely critical, especially for fi res that are remote and might take crews several hours to reach. We’ve had great success utilizing aircraft for initial attack. Additional support from the Montana Army National Guard, especially during escalating fi re activity, is a great benefi t to the DNRC and to Montana taxpayers.”

There is no way to predict the climate, but reports indicate that we may need to brace ourselves for a very active fi re season. An El Nino climate event, which peaked this winter, has affected the 2010 snow pack levels. “El Nino events commonly generate shortfalls of 20 to 40 percent or more in Montana’s mountain snow pack and water content,” said Jesse Aber, a staff member of the Governor’s Drought Advisory Commit-tee. “With nearly 80 percent of our state’s surface water originating as snow pack, we’re anticipating stream fl ow defi cits this year.” That combined with fuel generated by trees killed by the pine bark beetle over the last few years, could set the stage for larger fi res under certain circumstances. Inciden-tally, this summer also marks the 100-year anniversary of the 1910 fi re season. The Big Blowup, known collectively as the 1910 fi re, consumed an estimated three million acres of timber over Washington, Idaho, and Montana generating up to 92 casualties.

“We can be short on snow pack yet get timely moisture in May and June which could save the dry timber,” says Grassy. “Late September [last year] was when we had any signifi cant activity at the end of the year.”

Time will dictate the outcome of this year’s fi re season. The Soldiers of the 189th have returned from combat. They’ve brought home their equipment and positive “Can Do” attitude. You may rest assured that Task Force Raven and the rest of the Montana National Guard stands ready and trained to defend foreign and domestic enemies. Even if the threat posed is a natu-ral threat.

The exposed hydraulic deck of an A Co. Black Hawk awaits a thorough cleaning and inspection after returning home from Iraq March 2010.

http://www.trdp.org


Attaining the rank of chief master sergeant is a major accom-plishment in any enlisted member’s career. Air Force wide, only one percent of all enlisted members at any given time will attain the rank of E-9.

The Montana Air National Guard has been recognizing this rare individual achievement by conducting an induction ceremony for the newest chiefs. Three recently promoted chief master sergeants were honored at the Chief Induction Ceremony at the Great Falls Interna-tional Airport prior to the March unit training assembly.

Chief Master Sgts. Dwayne Carroll, Laurie Fox and Robert Reiman took center stage in a room full of family, friends and coworkers gath-ered to honor the three new chiefs.

The 120th Command Chief Master Sgt. Jayne Hewett was master of ceremonies and noted how Montana pulls out all the stops to honor its newest inductees. “I think every Air National Guard unit or wing celebrates a chief recognition ceremony. In this wing, however, we do a major ceremony to recognize our chiefs. We honor them by inviting the adjutant general, the assistant adjutant general, and our commanders and their family and friends,” she said.

The inductees were presented with gifts which included an offi cial chief’s coin, a certifi cate of induction and a chief bust.

“When people reach the rank of chief, it’s usually after a career of working real hard, and to be honored in this way is just like the icing on the cake. It was over the top, it was an honor, and not a surprise, coming from such a fi rst-class organiza-tion,” said newly promoted Chief Master Sgt. Dwayne Carroll.

Guest speaker during the event was the command chief master sergeant assigned to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Chief Master Sgt. Cari Kent.

Chief Carroll offered advice to those younger members whose goals may include some day achieving the rank of chief. “Stay focused on your

goals and make sure that you work hard to attain them. But along the way, never sacrifi ce others’ needs for your goals. Work as a team, work with others and you’ll make it; you’ll get there,” he said.

Induction ceremonies have been conducted for Montana Air National Guard chiefs since 2001 and are scheduled as needed for new inductees each year.

Senior Master Sgt. Eric J. Peterson, 120th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Montana Air National Guard chiefs induction


systems as part of an integrated network defense-in-depth capability as well as the skill and capability of the team members.

“This was the first time the National Guard was invited to this multi-agency exercise, including such participants as FBI, CIA, NSA, DoD, etc.,” Rose explained. As a senior information systems analyst and operator during the exercise, he was responsible for the manage-ment of the exercise network’s e-mail system, Microsoft Exchange, as well as the network’s firewalls.

Benjamin, the Montana CND team software analysis NCO, pro-vided network management of the Blue Coat software. On the first day of the exercise, the National Guard team chose a team chief, Maj. Chesmore from the Iowa ARNG CND, divvied up their team responsibilities, and reported to STRATCOM that they were up and operational.

Rose explained how the first few days of the operation ran. “One of the first exercises was to aid in mapping the network, and the known attack was a port scan from outside the network. After sev-eral scenarios had been run, it was determined that Staff Sgt. Benja-min would handle routers and switches, creating a layered defense in depth while not spreading any one person too thin. With Rose on the firewall, and Benjamin on the routers and switches, any outside

Not since 2005 and their deployment to the South-west Asia Regional Computer Emergency Response team for Operation Iraqi Freedom, has the Montana Computer Network Defense team employed its troops in such a large scale way.

Two soldiers from Montana’s own CND team recently supported a major exercise as part of the National Exer-cise Program under the auspices of the United States Strategic Command. Army Staff Sgts. Carroll Benjamin and Dan Rose provided expert information technology and information assurance manpower to the exercise team at the National Guard Professional Education Center in Little Rock, Ark., in late October 2009.

The joint service exercise for Information Assurance and Computer Network Defense involved two weeks of robust activities to train and evaluate Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and multi-agency network defense forces on the latest network threats and security tactics including: cyberspace, space, and strategic deterrence.

The NG-PEC team demonstrated the ability of the services and their respective network operations and security centers to jointly protect and defend Depart-ment of Defense networks and decisively respond to potential attacks. The exercise control center orches-trated a series of intense threat scenarios, confirming the effectiveness of collaboration for command and control, common awareness of threat activities, and responsive defenses. The scenar-ios also validated the success of intrusion detection and prevention

By Lt. Col. Patrick Nugent, with contributions from Staff Sgt. Dan Rose and Staff Sgt. Carroll Benjamin

Prior to the NG-PEC exercise, the CND team participated in Montana’s own Vigilant Guard 2009 in September 2009. Photos: Staff Sgt. Dan Rose

Staff Sgts. Dan Rose and Carroll Benjamin and their team man workstations in NG-PEC’s new ARGENTS lab.


supportscyberexercise

Staff Sgt. Benjamin works through another of the exercise scenarios.

www.delval.edu www.uiu.edu

threat coming in was detected….we were the first line of defense to stop that threat.”

There were approximately 10-15 exercise scenarios run through the week, with eight of them major operations lasting two hours or longer. Many times, after the team eradicated the current issue, another incident would play through, forcing the team to react even as they were finishing the first incident. Other attacks upon the team’s network included spam attacks, account lockouts, denial

of service, data ex-filtration, and DNS poisoning. “The team present was able to stop every attack,” said Benjamin.

After a specific exercise scenario had ended, the team and the trainers/observer controllers would huddle for a quick after-action review. “All of our AARs had excellent results. It was noted that with our team, 90 percent of the time we had identified the issue within 20 minutes and eradicated within 40 minutes, depending on whether we had an answer from higher HQ,” noted Rose. The instruc-tors noted and forwarded information to the NGB G6 that the consolidated team responded to inci-dents better than expected.

The National Guard team utilized NG-PEC’s new Army Guard Enhanced Network Training and Sim-ulations to participate in the exercise. “ARGENTS is the name of the system that plays through the attacks. ARGENTS is run by instructors who also play local network engineers. This aids the team in case they might not understand how to handle a specific issue. They assist but do not hand out any answers, making the team members think on their own,” Rose said.

“I would just like to throw in my two cents and say what a great training tool the ARGENTS system is for the Guard,” said Benjamin. “Not only can this system be used in conjunction with the outside entities but it can also be used standalone. It teaches the ability to identify, assess, and eradicate threats to our networks. Learn-ing what attacks are out there and what they do also provides us with insights on how to better protect ourselves from these attacks.”

With their new experience and training, the MTNG CND antici-pates providing more personnel to next year’s exercise.

www.coolguygear.com619 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena

http://www.coolguygear.com

http://www.delval.edu

http://www.uiu.edu


Three Members of the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana Air National Guard received the Air Force Combat Action Medal. They were recognized for their 2004 tours in Iraq. The March ceremony honored Master Sgt. Richard Zitzka, Tech. Sgt. Clinton Perry and Tech. Sgt. Ryan Whithorn.

The Air Force Combat Action Medal was authorized March 15, 2007. Airmen are eligible for the AFCAM if they have directly par-ticipated in active combat either in the air or on the ground as part of their offi cial duty. Since the Air Force started manning convoy opera-tions in support of the war on terror, more Airmen have had to put that rifl e training to use in support of war on terror.

Today, explosive ordnance disposal and security forces Airmen, along with those performing in-lieu-of taskings, have joined battlefi eld

Air Force Combat Action Medal awarded to three MTANG Airmen

Airmen working “outside the wire” in Iraq and Afghanistan, and are regularly involved in combat situations as part of their duty.

Master Sgt. Zitzka was recognized for being involved in three sepa-rate convoy attacks. In June 2004, his convoy came under attack from small arms fi re. In July, at Babquba, Iraq, his convoy encountered an improvised explosive device and small arms fi re. Again Zitzka returned fi re. In August, Zitzka was manning the MK-19 on his gun truck when the convoy was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades. He also assisted in establishing a safe landing zone for a medical heli-copter to land and its crew to tend to an injured military member.

Sgt. Clinton Perry was recognized for several actions. He also came under fi re on three different occasions. In April 2004 near Camp Ana-conda, his convoy was hit with small arms and mortar rounds. The

By Master Sgt. Charlie Heit, 120th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Brigadier General John Walsh presents three Airmen with the Air Force Combat Action Medal for their tours in Iraq.


firefight lasted some 50 minutes. “It is what we train for in the Guard,” said Perry. “I’m proud to have served, but I was just doing my job, like we all were.” Perry also was part of the convoys Zitzka was on in July and August.

Sgt. Ryan Whithorn also came under attack on three occa-sions. He was a part of the 50-minute firefight near Camp Anaconda in April 2004 as the primary gunner on the M-2.50 machine gun. In May 2004, Whithorn was on a convoy near Taji, Iraq. The convoy came under small-arms fire, while he again was the primary gunner and was able to return fire. During an attack on a convoy south of Baghdad in August 2004, Whithorn again engaged the enemy and helped establish a safe landing zone for the medical helicopter.

The citation for the three Airmen reads as follows: “For active participation in combat, having been under direct and hostile fire or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire, in connection with military operations on 16 Feb., 2004 to 6 Sept., 2004 while serving with Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

The AFCAM is designed to evoke Air Force heritage, scarlet with diagonal yellow stripes – adapted from the art insignia on the aircraft of Gen. Billy Mitchell, who coordinated the first air-to-ground offensive in history. Further, the medal features an eagle grasping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, the arrows reflecting preparedness for war while the olive branch represents a goal of peace.

Award eligibility is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, through a date to be determined. Personnel no longer on active duty can submit packages to the Board for Correction of Military Records. Photos: Staff Sgt. John Turner

http://www.grantreeinn.com


Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bell

A person’s character can be measured by their resolve. The unique experiences, trials, tribulations and successes are the building blocks of what a man or woman is made of. In this issue of the Big Sky Guard-ian, we highlight a bright, unique individual, one whose magnetism is apparent in every aspect of his life.

Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bell is a man consumed by passion for life. From numerous outdoor activities to his unique zeal and desire to be a force multiplier, he’s shown his ability to bounce back from adversity.

BELL’S REMARKABLE TIMELINE A consummate athlete, Adam has had the com-

petitive drive since he was young. His fi rst break came when he was in high school. After playing baseball all his life, as a teenager he had the ambition to go pro. He worked hard and was noticed.

“I was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1995. I wanted to go chase my dream and headed out to Oregon to play baseball,” says Bell. “I went to play for Treasure Valley Community College in the fall of 1995. Unfortunately, I had an issue with the coach.” Due to his age at the time, lack of discipline and the personal-ity confl ict with the coach, he turned his back on base-ball. “I wish I would have had the military background before playing baseball.”

From 1995 to 2000 he worked a lot of odd jobs. His primary employment was construction around Montana, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming “I was a typical 20- some-thing-year-old searching for direction and purpose.”

He knew many people in the Guard. “Sgt. 1st Class Corey Hill encouraged me to join the Montana Army National Guard for about two years.” Hill thought the Guard would provide the challenge and team struc-ture that Bell was lacking. Finally in 2000, Bell enlisted in Troop E, 163rd Cavalry. He spent nearly two years enlisted as a 19D cavalry scout with E Troop.

At the end of 2001, Bell learned of an opportunity at the Regional Training Institute on Fort Harrison and changed his Military Occupational Specialty to an 11M, Bradley gunner. From 2001 to 2004 he functioned as the assistant training noncommissioned offi cer for the RTI. Then in March 2004, he transferred from the RTI to B Company, 1/163rd Infantry Battalion, volunteering to participate in their upcoming deployment to Iraq. In July of that year, he shipped out to Fort Bliss, Texas, for fi ve months of mobilization training. In November 2004 he was boots-on-the-ground in Kuwait, awaiting his turn to cross the berm into Iraq.

In December 2004 Bell found himself in Samara, Iraq, with part of B Company assisting the 1/261st Infantry Division with security for the upcoming elec-tions in Iraq. In February 2005, the company met up with the rest of the 163rd Infantry Battalion on Forward Operating Base McHenry just outside Al Haweja, Iraq.

Sgt. 1stSgt. 1stSgt. 1 Class Adam Bellst Class Adam Bellst

By CW2 Mathew Rowley

Photo: CW2 Mathew Rowley


Al Haweja is approximately 150 miles north of Bagdad and within the infamous Sunni Triangle.

The fi rst portion of his deployment was as routine as a combat tour can be. That is, until that summer. Aug. 19, 2005, was a day that changed Bell’s life forever. Until that fateful day, he’d sustained near misses during his tour. That day was the exception.

Bell recalls, “I was the vehicle commander of a HMMWV. We were providing security for a medical assistant visit. A MAV mission is where we provide doctors, medics and nurses to women and children in the local villages. We’d gone on fi ve MAV missions, and were hit with improvised explosive devices on all of them.

“We were hit with three IEDs that day. That morning at 8:30 a.m., an IED hit between the fi rst and second vehicle. That caused no damage. We did a security halt. Unable to fi nd the trigger man, we continued the mission. The MAV mission continued until 1:45 p.m.. That afternoon we were returning to base. I was the eighth vehicle on the patrol. At 2:15 p.m. my vehicle was hit with a surface-laid IED. It was a 130 mm

artillery shell wrapped up in the trash alongside the road. That one was lucky enough to leave me with a souvenir, so to speak. The IED exploded about a meter from the right front tire. We took shrapnel through the door and fl oorboards, and I was hit in my right foot and left leg.”

His driver managed to limp the nearly destroyed HMMWV up to a traffi c circle approximately 500 meters away, out of the kill box. The doctors and medics that were part of the convoy immediately removed Bell from the damaged HMMWV, plugging two IVs into him. They bandaged him up within 15 minutes and put him into an operational HMMWV. As they began to drive toward the FOB, within 50 meters of the traffi c circle, the vehicle he was in was struck with yet another IED. This time the HMMWV sustained only minor damage and con-tinued the mission. Through quick thinking, experience and training, his fellow Soldiers were able get him safely to FOB McHenry.

This was the beginning of a diffi cult road for Bell. “I had 10 surgeries over the course of six months after the incident. Then I spent the next 18 months after that recovering. Had a bone graft and a joint fusion to

Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bell hits a jump during a snowmo-bile trip with other Guardsmen at Taylors Fork in Big Sky. Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Matt Kemp


periodically go to receive checkups. The tough part about it is there is no quick fi x.” Bell says that part of the solution is a long-term com-mitment to make yourself better. That’s the starting point; from there it gets better.

Bell is improving on a daily basis. Through his adversity, his mental and physical wounds, and with help, he has managed to pull him-self out of a downward spiral. His focus has been restored, and his vision is fi rmly set on the horizon. Bell’s current endeavor is to assist in creating a state combatives program through the RTI.

In January 2007 he had an opportunity to attend a level one combatives course provided by the Montana Guard. The Montana National Guard started to see a need to have instruc-tors qualifi ed and certifi ed in combatives to teach other soldiers. The RTI started bringing in instructors to teach components of com-batives to platoons and squads. That is where Bell heard his calling. In June 2007 local units needed instructors to teach combatives.

In early 2008 Bell attended a level two combatives course, which allowed him to teach combatives at the company level. In June 2009 Bell became the general studies branch chief at the RTI. “As the branch chief, I teach the Army basic instructor course, small group instructor course, and I’m now able to certify Soldiers in level one and level two combatives.” His next step is to continue to build and refi ne the legacy that was left by past commanders and instructors. He hopes to continue to provide a fully mission-ready

fi x my right foot, and they took shrapnel out of my left calf, and left hamstring. My right toe and right foot were pretty messed up. I’ve still got the scars, but I’ve healed up pretty well.”

The wounds have healed but what remains is under the skin. For the fi rst six months things seemed to move along without an issue. Then the problems began. He had diffi -culty sleeping, was emotionally up and down. There were really good days and really bad days. He and his wife tried to ride the emo-tional rollercoaster for about two months. Then it got to be too much. They decided to contact the VA hospital on Fort Harrison.

Doctors at the VA hospital performed an evaluation and discovered the symptoms were caused by post traumatic stress disorder and mild traumatic brain injury. They were proactive. Through the hospital and a local Helena counselor, Bell began treatment in 2006. He began drug therapy to help stabi-lize the extreme mood swings he was going through. The counselor worked with him to talk through the emotions associated with the memories. “I’ve had nightmares, fl ashbacks, you name it. That’s where a person really starts to deteriorate, when they start losing sleep. That seeps over into your daytime life. A lot of people think they are dealing with the memories. It’s not true. They deal with the emotions tied to the memory.” In 2007 and 2008 things started to normalize and have continued to improve since.

Now after about four years, he has regular checkups every three to four months. “I still

What is your motivation? My family is always motivating me, as well as my faith. When I keep them close, good things seem to happen. I’ve been given the chance to make a difference with

the Combatives Program in Montana. The end result will be a reflection of me, good or bad and this is without a doubt a very motivating factor to do the right things.

Who is your role model?My father is one of many role models. He leads by example everyday whether he knows it or not, and he’s always trying to do the right thing. I would love

to have his patients. He watches, learns and researches before making important decisions. He’s humble and shows appreciation easily. He’s also the reason I have way to many hobbies. He enjoys life and all the things it has to offer from riding Harley’s and boating to relaxing by the fire with family and the labs. He grew up rafting down the Middle Fork and the Bear Trap and then took me down those same waters. Playing in his and my uncle Wally’s hanger around there Cessna airplane, snowmobiles and rafting gear dreaming about the next adventure, I’d hear him say to me, that “we pay to live in Montana, so enjoy it, live it and take care of it”………. These are words that will be carried down to my 2 sons and 2 daughters.

Is there a person in the military you look up to? Do you have a mentor?

Every once in a while we’re lucky enough to meet someone to help us along and show us what right looks like, to mentor and guide us. He treated me like an NCO even when I wasn’t; because I was treated at the level of which I was expected to perform. One of these people was 1SG Bob Fouty (retired). There’s not enough time or room to write all the great things I’ve witnessed him accomplish. He is the definition of “selfless service”. He wanted nothing more than to mentor and make those around him better. The younger the soldier, the more important it was to spend time with them to help develop and mentor them. I was fortunate enough to be one of those soldiers. Whether as a 1SG for the 1063 EN Co. or as a Combat Arms Chief for the 208th Regiment MT RTI; 1SG Fouty gave to many though his awesome ability to teach and lead. He had a profound effect on all those around him and I will always be thankful for being shown what a NCO looks like and acts like.

What are rules you live by? • Listen to my wife. It makes life so much easier. • Refer back to rule number 1.

schoolhouse, a facility that delivers excellent, fi rst-rate instruction to students and Soldiers from around the country.

When asked how much longer Bell will be in the Guard, he said, “I don’t see myself going anywhere anytime soon... I’ll be here at least for the full 20 years. I would like to put more time than that. My plan is to put 25-30 years into the Guard. I’ve learned a lot and gone to a lot of schools. Now my job is to take what I’ve learned and refl ect it back out to the Soldiers.” Bell’s philoso-phy is that knowledge is not something that you hold onto. It’s something that you’ve been entrusted with. It needs to be shared and given back to make Soldiers better. “If I can’t do that anymore; if I’m no longer a force multiplier, it’s time for me to go and do something else. It’s time for me to step aside and let someone else take my place.”

Bell has taken his individual experiences and turned them around to help and to teach others. His faith and family have helped to pull him out of a dark place. With the help of professionals he has been able to combat the emotions of PTSD and MTBI. He has taken to heart the Army Values and lives by them day to day. Circumstances that would have pushed many into distructive behav-ior have been turned around to be positive life lessons. We are all strong Soldiers, but sometimes we need to turn to others for help. The Montana National Guard is proud to have soldiers like Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bell serving in its ranks.

• Call Dad. • Do what you say you’re going to do.

• Engage the brain before the mouth.(Working on this one)


Military OneSource (MOS): (406) 781-4986Military OneSource is an on-line resource with consultants available to help with a

wide range of topics. Literally, what MOS offers is too numerous to fully list here, but its primary resources include the following: counseling, tax consultations, spouse career counseling, family recreation & MWR information, fi nancial counseling, educational resources, and health coaching. There is even a link to the national suicide prevention lifeline. Masters Level consultants can be contacted anytime; 24-hours a day. Face-to-face counseling sessions, up to 12 per person / per issue, are also available to Service Members and their families. All services are available free of charge. MOS also has a consultant in each state for a personal touch. These professionals provide education and outreach to create awareness as to what Military OneSource has to offer. Montana’s Outreach Consultant can be reached at the number provided above.

Initiated in 2002 for the active duty Marine Corps and their families, each branch of service quickly saw the need for such a program and developed branch specifi c programs. In 2006 The DOD combined all the programs into one Joint entity which can be reached at www.militaryonesource.com or at 1-800-342-9647.

Military & Family Life Consultants (MFLC): (406) 696-5202Military & Family Life Consultants provide behavioral health training throughout the

deployment cycle, for service members and their families. From pre-deployment through the 90-day post deployment period and beyond, MFLCs can assist with short-term, non-medical, solution-focused, counseling. Recognizing military service members hesitation to seek counseling , DOD designated that MFLC services are NEVER logged in (with the exception of imminent risk situations) and thus do not show up on medical or professional records of any kind. All consultations are confi dential and 12 sessions per issue are provided.

Three tiered, the MFLC program provides the following: a) Direct Services which are face-to-face consultations; b) Indirect Services which include group briefi ngs during the unit’s deployment cycle; and c) Community Capacity Building, which is outreach to develop a community’s ability to help veterans, actively serving members and family members by coaching agencies and groups who specifi cally deal with military personnel. For example, Montana MFLCs work with the Red Cross’s Psychological 1st Aide for Military Families program called Coping With Deployment, they are providing with military youth programs such as Operation Military Kids (OMK) programs, and they are working with Veteran Advisory Groups, which are comprised of veteran specifi c oriented professionals.

Psychological Health Program: (406) 422-6131Psychological health professionals were employed early on during the War on Terror-

ism when troops went overseas. Recognizing that troops continued to have issues after they returned home, health professionals were later employed in each state to work with soldiers and families in need. Last year, the Montana National Guard appointed a Director of Psychological Health, who can offer confi dential assistance with a variety of issues.

These include readjustment to civilian life, behavioral health training, mental health assess-ments, commander consultations/leadership training, crisis management, and referrals to professionals across the state. Service members and their families can work with the Director for up to 3-6 visits. Traveling statewide, the Director works with networks of treat-ment providers, so if further assistance is needed, she can connect clients with appropriate professionals in their community for further care. One of the Director’s most important roles is Crisis Management and she is the ‘point’ person for the Crisis Response Team, pulling together those who need to be involved to provide the service member with resources to help them through a crisis. Email: [email protected]

Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA): (406) 324-3257Transition Assistance Advisors are professional trained to assist with the transition back

into ‘life’ during post deployment. They can provide guidance about staying in the military or help when troops decide to leave service. Specifi cally they assist service members access VA benefi ts and healthcare services, by providing military personnel and their families access to enrollment in the VA healthcare, entitlements and benefi ts, to include assisting with the VA application process. They also provide assistance in a variety of other areas, such as Social Security issues, TriCare benefi ts, SGLI / TSGLI / FSGLI insurance, disability and rehabilitative management, locating military records, and with military programs such as Family Programs and the ESGR. When needed, Transition Assistance Advisors help personnel get in-contact with appropriate professionals, by providing referrals for other community services.

Survivor Outreach Services (SOS): (406) 324-3243Until recently when military families laid a loved military service member to rest, they

were left to struggle researching the benefi ts they were entitled to on their own, through an 1800 number, that provided a complicated process. Today, the DOD employs Survivor Outreach Services advisors to assist family through the initial processes during and following their loss. Understanding that questions and unresolved issues can linger for months or years, SOS advisors never ‘close a case’ and are available to assist after the Casualty Assistance Offi cer has fi nished his/her duty. For as long as takes and whenever needed, the SOS is a holistic, multi-agency approach to delivering services to Survivors.

SOS advisors serve as an advocate for Survivors by providing: State and Federal benefi ts assistance (DIC, SS, DG, SBP, SGLI, FSGLI), obtaining reports, military legal assistance, Tricare, educational benefi ts for dependents, bereavement counseling, emergency fi nancial services, peer support through networks and support groups, and referral services. The goal is to keep families connected to the military for as long as they need or want to be.

Today, Montana’s JFSAP is managed through the Montana National Guard’s Personnel Directorate. Closely tied with the MT NG’s Yellow Ribbon and Family programs, the JFSAP program is fully operational and is free of charge for all service members of all branches of service and their family members.

Here’s what Montana JFSAP program offers:

Last year, in 2009, the Montana National Guard, at the direction of Department of Defense (DOD), took action to provide full support to its military personnel and their families by standing up its Joint Family Support Assistance Program, otherwise known as JFSAP.

The JFSAP makes available to military families a bevy of specialists who provide very specifi c resources. Through the JFSAP military personnel and their families can receive assistance with mental health issues, counseling, survivor support, and post-deployment transitions, all at no cost to them. It is a one-stop shop that can provide assistance for a variety of needs.

Now a standard program within the military nationwide, JFSAP programs includes Survivor

By Maj. Lori Hampa Chamberlin, Community Relations Offi cer

“You served your country; now let us serve you.” Call any of the phone numbers provided for further information or referral.

Last year, in 2009, the Montana National Guard,

By Maj. Lori Hampa Chamberlin, Community Relations Offi cer

JOINT FAMILY SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

By Maj. Lori Hampa Chamberlin, Community Relations Offi cerBy Maj. Lori Hampa Chamberlin, Community Relations Offi cer

JOINT FAMILY SUPPORT & JOINT FAMILY SUPPORT & JOINT FAMILY SUPPORT & JOINT FAMILY SUPPORT & JOINT FAMILY SUPPORT & JOINT FAMILY SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE PROGRAMASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Outreach Services (SOS), Military OneSource (MOS), Military and Family Life Consultants (MFLC), a Psychological Health Program, and a Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA). Each of these specialists works with both the military service member and their family members.

While the JFSAP is managed by the National Guard, it is important to note that this is a joint program, serving military members of all branches of service. Its specialists work with Guard, Reserve, active duty service members of all branches of service, retirees, veterans, and military families. JFSAP specialists also work with communities, providing assistance to Veteran Service Providers

working in both government and civilian sectors, as well as partner with community organizations such as the Red Cross and Operation Military Kids (OMK).

The history of the JFSAP program is recent. In 2004 the Department of Defense recognized the need for mental health specialists for US military troops. They fi rst embedded mental health professionals with troops overseas. They recognized that family members also needed assistance in a variety of ways, so in 2007 they established MFLCs in 13 states, in a pilot program. This was so successful that DOD directed all 50 states implement the JFSAP program model and in 2008 Montana received federal authorization and funding for the program.

http://www.militaryonesource.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.militarybenefit.org

http://facebook.com/MilitaryBenefit

http://twitter.com/militarybenefit

Spring 2010 / BIG SKY GUARDIAN / 19Spring 2010 / BIG SKY GUARDIAN / 19

A s the Montana Army National Guard rapidly approaches a mobilization cycle that includes units such as the 163rd CAB, E/145th FSC, 67th NSC, 1941st CCT, and Det 2 B Co

640th Avn, 67th Signal Company, for a combined strength of 800 Soldiers; questions often arise about cross-leveling into units sched-uled for deployment. In this article we will attempt to clarify why we cross-level and try to clear up any misunderstandings about it.

One of the goals of the Montana Army National Guard is to ensure that when units are mobilized, we provide enough Soldiers to the commander to allow them to mobilize with 100% of their authorized strength. This is to provide the commander with an opportunity to complete their mission in a safe, effective, and effi cient manner. To accomplish this, the Department of the Army Personnel Policy Guid-ance for Overseas Contingency Operations authorizes the Adjutant General to voluntarily and involuntarily cross-level Soldiers into deploying units to achieve their authorized strength.

The fi rst step in cross-leveling is to identify the unit shortages by grade and MOS; then to request forces through channels to the Joint Forces Headquarters. The Army Personnel Offi ce (G1) then works in conjunction with the 95th Troop Command to solicit volunteers among all Soldiers who meet the requirements of the shortages.

Once the volunteers are identifi ed and placed into position, the

next step is to identify Soldiers to fi ll the remaining shortages through involuntary cross-leveling. The JFHQ G1 and 95th TC will work together to identify potential candidates for cross-leveling. Several factors may come into play: rank, MOS, ETS date, gender (if vacancy is gender specifi c), previous deployments. After screening all avail-able personnel, a recommendation is made to the Adjutant General of which Soldiers should be cross-leveled. The Adjutant General then makes the fi nal decision. If selected, a Soldier will receive a memo from the Adjutant General directing his/her cross-leveling.

It is important that the cross-leveling occur as soon as shortages are identifi ed. This is to allow the cross-leveled Soldiers to do pre-mo-bilization training with their new unit and to better prepare for mobi-lization by attending and having their families attend pre-deployment academies. A Soldier will remain with their new unit throughout the deployment and through the reintegration process following deploy-ment. Soldiers who are voluntarily/involuntarily cross-leveled to units outside commuting distance are reimbursed for mileage costs while attending training with their newly assigned unit..

While cross-leveling has been thought of as something that Sol-diers are either not satisfi ed with or don’t understand, what previous mobilizations have shown is that cross-leveled Soldiers often found it rewarding and have asked to be permanently assigned to their new unit even upon completion of the mobilization.

By Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Morgan, Joint Force Headquarters J-3next step is to identify Soldiers to fi ll the remaining shortages through

By Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Morgan, Joint Force Headquarters J-3

Cross-leveling


The 208th Montana Regional Training Institute at Fort Har-rison saw an expansion in its mission this spring. Starting in late February, the RTI added the 68W MOS Combat Medic training program to its course offerings. The new program represents an important and exciting addition to the scope of the 208th’s training responsibilities; Fort Harrison now joins larger installations like Ft. Sam Houston in Texas and Camp Shelby in Mississippi as a destination for medics-in-training. With the increased operational tempo of U.S. forces at home and overseas, 68W’s are an in-demand MOS, and the Montana RTI stands to make an important contribution to the Army’s force readiness and operational capabilities.

The 68W (more commonly known simply as medic) is an integral and indispensable part of the Army’s medical system. They form the backbone of battlefi eld care, addressing a diverse array of health challenges, ranging from emergency treatment of battle trauma to health support and maintenance at large Army medi-cal facilities. Given the wide scope of their responsibilities, the 68W must be fl exible and adaptable, knowledgeable in areas ranging from emergency life support and battlefi eld evacuation, to suicide preven-tion and administrative support tasks.

The 208th Montana Regional Training Institute at Fort Har-rison saw an expansion in its mission this spring. Starting in

Combat Medics invade Fort Harrison

This wide range of duties is refl ected in the rigorous and broad based training regimen undertaken by both students and instructors. RTI instructors underwent extensive training both in and out-of-state in medical subject matter and training theory prior to the beginning of the course.

The result is a group of instructors with an impressively broad knowledge base. “All of us multitask and there are no real specialists,”

By Kevin Moran, Montana National Guard Public Affairs Offi ce Intern


Combat Medics invade Fort Harrisonsaid SSG Ken Quinley, one of the senior instructors; “we study everything from cold injuries to suicide prevention.”

Quinley, with 15 years of experience in military medicine, said the preparation at Fort Harrison was similar to what he has seen before. Thousands of dollars in equipment and numerous site inspections and evaluations were necessary in order to secure the new program. After all the preparation and classroom study, Quinley said he’s looking forward to outdoor fi eld exercises; “we get to play with all the toys, see them [students] under stress conditions and carry the classroom knowledge over to the battlefi eld.”

Guest instructor SSG Derek Lute of Great Falls highlighted the small class size of about 20 students as an advantage unique to the Fort Harrison program. A veteran of multiple deployments to Iraq, Lute said the course has brought together a diverse group of students coming from as close as Colorado and as far away as Guam.

For SGT Jessie Glosser, the smaller class size was a marked con-trast to her training experience at Fort Sam Houston, where she was part of a 200-person training cadre. Glosser said instructing the class has also been complementary to her own career goals, having recently enrolled in nursing school, although she said she hopes to end up with a career in forensic science.

The students themselves alternate between intensive classroom instruction and practical, hands-on exercises. Their training is also augmented by observation of real-world medical treatment, includ-ing shadowing nurses, doctors and EMT’s in the ER at Saint Peter’s Hospital in Helena.

During their rounds in the ER students witnessed a variety of health problems, ranging from minor abdominal pain to serious head trauma

resulting from a bull-riding accident. Students rode along on ambulance runs. SGT Glosser, who supervised the stu-dents during rounds at the ER, was impressed by the effort

made by the hospital staff to include the students in patient care. “The EMTs were really helpful and knowledgeable,” said Glosser,

“The RNs and Doctors really wanted them to be involved.” The success of this kind of interactive, hands-on training is evident

not only in the students’ positive attitude towards the course, but also in their newfound desire to pursue a lifelong career in medicine. Stu-dents like SGT Theodore Herrera of Nashville, Georgia said after his experience in the class so far, he would like to pursue an EMT career in civilian life. He also said the class has also helped him adapt to working with a diverse group of fellow students. “It’s about bonding with new people,” said Herrera, “[Working with] different folks from different backgrounds.”

Herrera’s classmate SGT Alves shared a similar interest in pursu-ing a medical career in the future, saying he would like to eventually become a Paramedic. From River Bank, California, Alves said the course was well balanced between classroom theory and practical exercises.

And it’s this balanced curriculum, along with the aforementioned small class sizes and personalized instruction, that gives the Montana RTI program a unique advantage compared to larger programs. As the students begin training for the advanced portions of the course, including extracting casualties from vehicles and medical evacuation under fi re, it seems Montana is well on its way to becoming an impor-tant part of the Army’s medical training system.

http://umary.edu/sade


http://www.phantomlights.com

We recently received the e-mail below from the General Offi cer Management Offi ce. It involves the family of Sgt.

Jeremiah Wittman of Billings. Sgt. Wittman was killed in Afghanistan Feb. 13, 2010. Sgt. 1st Class David Eckroth was

assigned as the casualty notifi cation offi cer and casualty assistance offi cer for the family in Montana. He is part of the

190th CSSB and our honor guard area coordinator for southeast Montana. I have received letters from the family thank-

ing me for sending Dave Eckroth to them. They said they would’ve never gotten through it without him and that we sent

them an angel. Eckroth certainly went above and beyond to provide arrangements and care for this family. This is a very

touching story and I would like to have it published in the next edition of Big Sky Guardian.

– Brig. Gen. John E. Walsh, Montana National Guard,The Adjutant General

I’d like to share a good news Army story with you. It is a bit lengthy, but I believe it is a worthwhile read. While fl ying

on United Airlines recently, I overheard a telephone conversation from a gentleman seated directly behind me. His words

went something like this, “Although today was an extremely sad day for me, it was absolutely the happiest day of my life,

and I am proud to be an American.”

This gentleman went on to talk about a funeral he attended in South Carolina and specifi cally gave great kudos to

the U.S. Army for the professionalism displayed at this service. He went into great detail about the funeral service itself

and how it was conducted. He went on to say that Jeremiah really enjoyed serving in the Army and now he (man on the

phone) clearly understood why.

My ears immediately perked up when I overhead him talk about the Army in such a positive way. He boasted about

the general who presented the fl ags to him and his family, the sharp looking Soldiers of the salute battery, the sounds of

taps, how the Soldiers stood at attention for such a long period of time, how the military paid for his family to fl y to South

Carolina, the number of letters and calls he received from Jeremiah’s command, how the Red Cross assisted, and so on.

He could not say enough great things about our Army.

I quickly pulled a two-star card from my briefcase and wrote him a thank you note for his kind words about our Army.

He had no clue I was in the Army since I was in civilian clothes. Within seconds he tapped me on the shoulder, and with

tears in his eyes proceeded to tell me the rest of the story.

The gentleman’s name is Robert Wittman. He was fl ying with his entire family, wife, son, daughter, mom, dad, grandpar-

ents and friends. They were carrying home the cremated remains of his son, Sgt. Jeremiah T. Wittman of the 4th Infantry

Division who was killed in Afghanistan Feb. 13. Jeremiah’s dad told me that Jeremiah already had had two tours in Iraq

and ultimately gave his life in Afghanistan.

While in Iraq the fi rst time, Jeremiah’s vehicle was hit by an IED, and several of his buddies were severely injured. He

went onto say that his son truly loved the Army and did what he did from the heart. His dad was a proud man. He did say

that he often wondered why his son stayed in the Army after his initial attack in Iraq.

Now that he had seen the U.S. Army in action at the funeral, he understands why. Dad proudly held up the urn and

boasted about how beautiful it was and continued to brag about the Army for all to hear. The folks around him listened with

big ears and inspiration. I must admit, although it was really a beautiful urn and a wonderful Army story, it brought a slight

tear to my eye as I too have a son (captain in the 82nd Airborne) serving in Afghanistan, and this moment hit home.

Bottom line – although the family was saddened by the loss of their son, they were all proud to be associated with the

U.S. Army. I could see it in their eyes and hear it in their voice. Why? Simply because of the way they were treated by our

Army family at the funeral. The 4th ID leadership and others involved did it up right and made a positive lifetime lasting

impact with this family. Great job!

To top off a memorable fl ight, when the aircraft came to a halt, the pilot announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I

have your attention, please. Among us today is a great American Soldier named Sgt. Jermiah Wittman, killed in action

Feb. 13. Our deepest sympathy, respect and sorrow go out to the Wittman family. We ask that you honor Sgt. Wittman,

our fallen hero, the entire Wittman family and our Armed Forces by remaining s eated and allowing the family to depart

the aircraft fi rst.”At that moment you could have heard a pin drop in the aircraft, but within seconds, everyone on the aircraft was clapping

as the family left the aircraft. The family departed feeling special and honored. I sat there proud to be an American Soldier.

Maj. Gen. Kurt SteinCommander, US Army TACOM

Life Cycle Management Command

Subject:From:Date:

To:

Maj. Gen. Kurt J. Stein, Commander, US Army TACOM

12 April, 2010Brig. Gen. John E. Walsh



Massive organizations like the Department of Defense aren’t often paired with terms like “tech agile,” or “early adopter.” Consequently, the speed and effectiveness with which the DoD has embraced the modern social media concept hints at the immense potential it and other organizations within the U.S. govern-ment see in this new communications model. The last few years have seen the military ser-vices under the DoD (with the exception of the Marine Corps) transition from a near total ban on sites like Facebook and Twitter, to a strategy that makes these and other social media sites an integral part of the way in which the mili-tary communicates with service members, the general public and traditional media outlets.

Currently, virtually every major com-mand, installation and leadership fi gure within the military services has some degree

of social media presence on the Internet. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen regularly updates the public on his itinerary via Twitter. EUROCOM main-tains an extensive media archive of service member activities and achievements on the video hosting site YouTube. Most recently, the North Dakota National Guard placed fi rst in a nationwide DoD contest for best social media efforts. The purpose for this sudden and enthusiastic migration lies in a series of concrete and robust advantages to the way social media sites allow the military services to craft and disseminate information for a variety of audiences.

Web EvolutionMany of these new communications

models have been facilitated by a host of nuts-and-bolts improvements in the way information is created, trans-mitted and stored on the Inter-net. New transmission and com-munication technologies have resulted in massive increases in bandwidth capabilities, coincid-ing with drastic drops in cost. Much of the social media model’s most robust elements – sharing high quality video and graphics – would not have been possible

without the proliferation of consumer broad-band and a concurrent increase in the capacity of commercial internet providers. Simultane-ously, the cost of data storage has plummeted in recent years, allowing sites like YouTube and Flickr to host petabytes of data at no charge to the average user.

Ten years ago, this phenomenon of increas-ing capacity coupled with falling prices would have been a boon, but only to users with expe-rience in programming and web design. In the past, creating and distributing multimedia content on the Web was a complex and time-consuming process. Standardization and ease of use have allowed the average user to har-ness the potential of web 2.0. Posting videos to YouTube or photos to Facebook is a simple, point-and-click affair, taking only minutes to master. The current social media model has grown out of this phenomenon of increasing speed and decreasing complexity.

Reaping the Benefi tsIf the factors facilitating the rise of

social media seem arcane and complex, the benefi ts they afford are decidedly concrete and straightforward. Broadly speaking, they can be grouped into two categories: effi ciency of operations and effectiveness of communication.

Effi ciencyEffi ciency refers to a host of cost- and time-

saving benefi ts afforded by sites like Facebook and YouTube. In the past, public affairs depart-ments or leadership personnel who wanted to get information and content onto the Web were forced to navigate through a host of civilian IT contractors, as well as in-house J6 personnel, all in order to access highly limited storage and transmission resources. Under the new model, storage and expansion costs fall on the Web site providers. And thanks to the technical and ease-of-use advantages afforded by the social media model, individual depart-ments, commanders and units can quickly and easily disseminate everything from news releases to video briefi ngs.

What’s more, social media sites like Face-book benefi t from a standardized look and

and-bolts improvements in the way information is created, trans-mitted and stored on the Inter-net. New transmission and com-munication technologies have resulted in massive increases in bandwidth capabilities, coincid-ing with drastic drops in cost. Much of the social media model’s most robust elements – sharing high quality video and graphics – would not have been possible

By Kevin Moran, Montana National Guard Public Affairs Offi ce Intern

CHECK OUT THE NEW MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD FACEBOOK PAGE


format. No more relying on proprietary and incompatible media standards, or trying to navigate through unfamiliar Web sites. An added benefi t of common layouts and stan-dards is the ability of end-users to post con-tent with a clean, professional appearance without relying on scarce IT and Web design personnel and resources.

EffectivenessThe individual Soldier is our most effective

communicator. And it’s social media – sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Flickr – that allow them to get the Guard’s message out quickly and easily. The kind of person-to-person communication facilitated by these sites has a credibility and authenticity that a faceless organization simply can’t achieve.

Additionally, the social media architecture allows organizations like the Guard to bypass the myriad media gatekeepers that stand between its message and the end audience. Organizations can now reach a massive audi-ence with robust content, doing it on their own terms, in their own voice.

ChallengesThis isn’t to say that social media is the

penultimate solution to our organizational communication needs. Social media does not replace the traditional media in its entirety, nor does it come without certain risks. Part of using a collaborative communi-cations model means relinquishing a certain amount of control to the end user. Individu-als are free to post their opinions on social networking sites, and it’s unrealistic to think that all the views expressed will be positive ones. Furthermore, heavy-handed attempts to censor or suppress diverse views within these sites can rapidly erode an organiza-tion’s credibility within the realm of social media. One of the core elements of the social media concept is authenticity.

Furthermore, when we say anyone can post comments to these sites, this includes service personnel and their families. Which brings us to the topic of Operations Secu-rity. With the unprecedented speed with which information travels in the social media model comes the risk for the wide-spread dissemination of sensitive or damag-ing information.

This was an issue of acute concern for DoD leadership in the early days of social media use. It is important, however, to realize that although the technology and the com-munications model are new, the risks aren’t.

The same common sense OPSEC training and precautions which have been applied to older methods of communication have so far proven more than adequate to prevent the widespread release of sensitive information. In fact, a DoD audit found that traditional web resources had far more OPSEC viola-tions than did the military’s various Facebook and Twitter sites.

ConclusionsGiven the enormous benefi ts of utilizing

resources like Facebook and YouTube as part

of an integrated communications strategy, the DoD and its constituent organizations have moved swiftly but responsibly to adopt and utilize the social media model. Given this example, smaller organizations like the Mon-tana Guard have an excellent opportunity to increase both the credibility of their message and the size of their media footprint. In the coming months, the Guard will be looking at how to move forward in harnessing the power of social media in the service of the great state of Montana.

http://www.amuonline.com


When Kevin and I got married, it was my fi rst time being truly “part of the military.” Before Kevin deployed to Iraq in January 2009, my experiences with the Montana Army National Guard were limited to my volunteer/board positions with Montana Sup-porting Soldiers, and I had little to no expe-rience with deployments, the Yellow Ribbon program or Family Readiness Groups. I had met a few of the other wives and girlfriends on brief occasions, but when Task Force Raven deployed, we all found ourselves thrown together in our own unique situation. Many of us were introduced the day of their depar-ture. Since then, these women have become some of my closest friends and confi dantes. With many of us being alone in town, and no family in the area, we have become close friends and “sisters.”

The FRG has been great for putting names with faces. Quite often my husband would tell me a story about a group of the guys, and it’s nice to know the names and faces of the family members back here who are sup-porting them. I would’ve liked to have seen our FRG come together in a less formal set-ting, meeting up for dinners, afternoons out, etc. I showed up pretty consistently for our meetings, because I found it a good way to keep up to date and in touch with others; unfortunately this group didn’t play much of a role in developing the friendships I’ve made in the last year. At these meetings, I did enjoy getting to hear the stories and sugges-tions given by the second timers. Very help-ful! And I have to say, what a great group of strong women – wives, grandmothers, moth-ers, friends – you name it!

My Family Assistance Center special-ist, Julia, has been great! A few months ago I found myself interested in continuing my education. Julia responded immediately to my e-mails, helping me search for scholar-ships and other education programs. I’ve consistently received monthly calls, with her checking in to make sure I’m holding up. It’s a great feeling to know you have that person, and their resources, available.

I understand the standards and require-ments for handling deaths and dispersing information to families and the press. My mind goes back to July 2009 when tragi-cally, several Minnesota Guardsmen were killed in Basrah, Iraq, where Task Force Raven was primarily based. When the news of their deaths got out, I was, with many other families and spouses, horrifi ed, scared out of my mind and sad. With this over-whelming news, I would, at some point, have appreciated a check-in call from the FAC. As I said, I know there are steps and procedures for dispersing information… I wasn’t looking for information, but was in need of a “check-in.” Throughout this deployment, I have found myself feeling very alienated in everyday normal situa-tions – work, friends, etc. It’s very hard to fi nd people that are sympathetic and under-standing to the situation of what some of us call being “the left behinds.” I know I wasn’t the only one that struggled to handle (alone) the news of the deaths in Basrah. I think even my husband had a hard time understanding the emotions I felt when I heard of these unfortunate deaths.

I mentioned my early lack of knowledge on all things deployment. I had no familiarity with TRICARE, Military OneSource, etc. While we all griped and groaned about attending a daylong pre-deployment session held by the Yellow Ribbon program, this information was invaluable for me. Not only did I enjoy getting to see the faces of all those Soldiers who would spend the next year with my husband, I got to connect with their family members. The informa-tion I received on this day proved to be very helpful throughout the next year. Over the next VERY long year of waiting for my Soldier to come home, I saw very consistent efforts on the part of the Yellow Ribbon program, trying to relay information to families, and the local communi-ties, as well as trying to provide us

By Carrie Ritter Gilman, Military SpouseTask Force Raven, 1/189th

with resources. At times, I think a few of us felt like “guinea pigs” with the program, but I look forward to watching it grow and help meet the needs of Soldiers and families.

I think the greatest benefi t I’ve received from the various military programs and resources has been the way they have increased my knowledge and appreciation toward what my husband and every other Soldier gets up to do every day. While I’m not a Soldier or member of the Guard, I feel a part of it because of having been through this deployment and participating in the FRG, Family Programs, and Yellow Ribbon program. In our participa-tion, we show our strong commitment, appre-ciation and love for our Soldiers, their dedica-tion and their sacrifi ces.

This article is sponsored by the Montana Family Programs Advisory Council to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of programs and services available to support Montana Military families. If you have a sug-gestion for a future article, please call Karen Putnam at (406) 449-3476, e-mail [email protected] or contact any council member.

When Kevin and I got married, it was my

Living with DeploymentBy Carrie Ritter Gilman, Military SpouseTask Force Raven, 1/189th

Living with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with DeploymentLiving with Deployment


TRICARE RESERVE SELECT

TriCare Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based, worldwide health plan that qualifying National Guard members may purchase. If you qualify, you may purchase TRS coverage to begin in any month of the year. The benefi ts of purchasing TRS include:

- Comprehensive health coverage similar to TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra.- Availability of two types of coverage: TRS member-only and TRS member-and-family- Freedom to access covered services from any TRICARE authorized provider or hospital- Access to care at a military treatment facility (MTF) on a space available basis

Qualifying for TRICARE Reserve SelectNational Guard Members may qualify to purchase TRS coverage if they are:

- Active members of the National Guard- Not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefi ts (FEHB) program

To qualify for TRS: Log on to the Guard-Reserve TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Program Web site at:www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs/index.jsp.

- Select “Purchase Coverage” and confi rm that you are not eligible for the FEHB program- If your FEHB status qualifi es you for TRS, you will be guided through the process of selecting a TRS start date and

electing which family members you wish to enroll- Print and sign the completed TRS Request form (DD Form 2896-1)

Purchasing TRICARE Reserve Select To purchase TRS, mail the form with the fi rst month’s premium payment to your regional contractor by the application deadline. Coverage begins on the fi rst day of the fi rst or second month (whichever you select) if the application is received or postmarked by the last day of the previous month.

Covered Services TRS coverage is similar to TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra. Covered services include but are not limited to:

- Annual eye exams- Behavioral health care- Emergency and urgent care- Immunizations and health screenings- Maternity care- Prescription drug coverage

Costs and FeesYour monthly premium rate is determined by the type of coverage you purchase: TRS member-only or TRS member-and-family. TRS premiums are adjusted annually, effective January 1.

After you purchase TRS, you will receive a TRICARE Reserve Select Handbook, which includes details about covered service, how to get care, and who to contact when you need assistance. For additional information, visit www.tricare.mil/trs.

Type of coverageTRS Member-only

TRS Member-and-Family

2010 Monthly Premium$49.62$197.65

Annual Outpatient DeductibleYou must meet the deductible each federal fi scal year (FY) (October 1-September 30) before TRICARE cost-sharing begins.

TRS MemberPay Grade

E-4 and below

E-5 and above

Member-onlyCoverage

$50

$150

Member & FamilyCovrage

$100

$300

Living with DeploymentTRICARE RESERVE SELECT

http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs/index.jsp

http://www.tricare.mil/trs


Type of providerTRICARE Network

TRICARE-Authorized,Non-Network

Outpatient Cost-Share15% of the negotiated rate

20% of the TRICARE-allowable charge, plus fees up to 15% above the TRICARE-allowable charge

Outpatient CostsThis table list the amounts you will pay for outpatient services after your annual deductible is met.

Catastrophic CapThe catastrophic cap is the maximum amount you will pay for health care each federal FY. The cap applies to all TRICARE covered services – annual deductibles, outpatient and inpatient cost-shares, and pharmacy copayments based on TRICARE-allowable charges. Monthly premiums and payments for non-covered services are not credited toward the TRS catastrophic cap.The TRS catastrophic cap is $1000.

TRS Survivor CoverageIf a National Guard member is covered by TRS on the day of his or her death, eligible survining family member may purchase or continue TRS coverage for an additional six months from the date of the member’s death. If TRS member-and-family coverage is in effect at the time of death, DEERS will automatically convert your TRS member-and-family coverage to TRS survivor coverage. If TRS member-only coverage is in effect at the time of death, the coverage will terminate and survivors may purchase TRS survivor coverage within 60 days. Survivors are responsible for paying appropriate monthly premiums.

TRICARE West RegionTriWest Healthcare Alliance CorpPO Box 42048Phoenix, AZ 85080-20481-888-TriWest (1-888-874-9378)www.triwest.com

Montana Army National Guard POCSgt. Jered [email protected]

Montana Air National Guard POCTech. Sgt. William [email protected]

Guard-Reserve TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Program:https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs

Reserve Affairs Web Sitewww.defenselink.mil/ra

https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs


http://www.triwest.com


http://www.defenselink.mil/ra

http://www.uiu.edu/ng

http://www.uiu.edu/ng

http://usaa.com/car

http://www.guardrecruitingassistant.com

big sky guardian spring 2010 edition

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