Vol. 13, No. 2, July-August 2005

Countdown to ORI -May MOBEX is complete

Celebrationof air powerAir Show and Open House displays military assets

See Page 6

This funded Air Force Reserve news-paper is an authorized publication formembers of the U.S. military services.Contents of the Beacon are not neces-sarily the official views of, or en-dorsed by, the U.S. Government, theDepartment of Defense or Depart-ment of the Air Force. Editorial con-tent is edited, prepared, and providedby the public affairs office of the 514thAir Mobility Wing, McGuire Air ForceBase, N.J. All photos are courtesy ofthe U.S. Air Force unless otherwisenoted.

The deadline for submittingBEACON articles is the firstday of the month for publi-cation in next month’s issue.Submit the article on disk inMicrosoft Word, and includeyour name and phone num-ber. Articles can also be

submitted via e-mail to:514amw.pa@mcguire.af.mil.

Call (609) 754-3487 formore information.

July-August 2005

EDITORIAL STAFF

Col. James N. StewartWing Commander

1st. Lt. Robert N. SperlingChief, Public Affairs

MSgt. Donna T. JeffriesEditor

SSgt. Monica DalbergStaff Writer

SrA Andre DandridgeStaff Writer

Photo Processing305th Communications Squadron

Visual Information Services

BEACON July-August 20052

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

BEACON

Remember, it is our flag

To think about the “Red, White and Blue”Can sometimes leave one feeling cold

To remember what it stands forIs the story seldom told

Let’s start with its original conceptionEnacted upon by Congress around eighteen hundred

With thirteen alternating red and white stripesAnd a star for each new state that was added

There have been many changes to the FlagOver the course of many years

But what appears to be more importantShould be the blood shed and the tears

The men and women who have perished throughout our livesWho have defended this symbol with honor and pride

Were more than just pioneers and common folkThey were people with simple ideals like you and I

There’s no shame in wanting peace for all mankindFor it’s the nature of who we’ve come to be

Less we forget that the truth behind the symbolWhich means so much more to the military

The RED, symbolizing, blood, pain, rage, courage and warningWHITE, symbolizing purity, hope and life

BLUE, symbolizing calm, serenity, truth, patriotism and the heavensDenoting for us a compilation of many rights

Remember, it is our Flag and respect all who serve under itIt represents the simplicity of our birth and death

How we arrived on this earth and how we leave itForever symbolizing that we did our best

By MSgt. Eugene E. Brown514th Honor Guard

Editor’s note: The following poem was written to honor the American Flag and the men and womenwho serve to protect the freedoms the flag represents. The views depicted belong soley to the author of thepoem.

BEACON July-august 2005 3

Vol. 13, No. 2, July-August 2005

CONTENTS

On the cover

Departments

Promotions 4

Local news 5

Air Force news 10

Features

AF Outstanding Airman 5

2005 Open House 6

Photo by Brian Dyjak

Decked out in red,white andblue, siblings enjoy the aerialdemonstrations during theMcGuire Air Force Base AirShow and Open House heldJune 4 and 5. See Page 6.

ON VIEW - Explosive ordnance superintendent, MSgt. Richard Jamison,shows a group of employers how the Remote Ordnance NeutralizationSystem (RONS robot) operates. RONS is one of five robots EOD uses todisarm packages and explosive devices. More than 90 employers whotook part in the 2005 Employer Appreciation Day activities held June 18,here, had a close-up view of the wing’s mission. See Page 9.

Photo by 305th Visual Information

STEPPING UP - Rachelle Jonesof the 514th Aeromedical Stag-ing Squadron receives her se-nior master sergeant stripethrough the wing promotionenhancement program. Sixty-one wing members add a stripethrough PEP and unit vacancy.See Page 4.

Photo by MSgt. Donna T. Jeffries

REJOICE - Wing ChaplainRochelle Coles ends hermessage during the first514th Praise and WorshipService held July 9 atChapel One.The 514th Air Mobility WingChaplain Services have in-creased to include a Praiseand Worship Service duringthe “A” unit assembly week-end. Service begins at 1p.m. at the McGuire MainChapel One and is open toall wing members.Those interested in singing,playing a musical instru-ment or performing a liturgi-cal dance can contact 1st Lt.Rochelle Coles at (609) 754-3261.

Page 9

BEACON July-August 20054

PROMOTIONS

Traveling to newplaces. I likeexploring amusementparks and winninglots of stuffedanimals.

I enjoy relaxing underthe sun at the beach,running outside andbarbecue get-togethers. I willcertainly miss takinglong walks outside andenjoying the summersunset.

I really enjoy playingbeach soccer in thesummer because ithelps keep me inshape and tan. I alsolike to go to parks andhave picnics with thefamily to spend timetogether.

What activities do you enjoy during the summer monthsthat you can’t do during the rest of the year?

TSgt. Henri E. Torain514th AMW

TSgt. Michael Phillips514th AMXS

A1C Nelson Villatoro514th MSS

SrA Anabell Talavera514th CS

Capt. Barry Slater514th AMDS

I like swimmingoutside. On reallyhot days to cooldown in the pool isrefreshing.

Running outside. Ican’t run outsidethroughout the yearbecause of theinclement weather inthe fall and wintermonths.

VIBES:

The following 514th Air MobilityWing members were recently promotedto the following grade:

Wing members learnleadership skills

Twenty-one wing members recentlygraduated from the Reserve Noncommis-sioned Officer Leadership DevelopmentCourse.

Graduation ceremonies were held June19 in the Silhouette Theater in Building1829. The two-week course providestraining to mid-level enlisted members bycombining college level academic manage-ment and leadership instruction with mili-tary practical, experiential and hands-onapplication. Graduates earn two hours ofcollege credit.

The following members successfullycompleted the course:SSgt. Albert Bailey, 35th APSMSgt. Saundra Barrett, 514th AMDSSSgt. Louis Black, 35th APSTSgt. Carmen Colon-Alemeny, 514th AESTSgt. Rashid Gaffaar, 514th ASTSSrA Yanira Gonzalez, 514th MSSSSgt. Edward Humphrey, 514th MXSSrA Theresa Medina, 514th OSSSSgt. Daniel Montiero, 514th MXSSSgt. Hugo Murillo, 514th ASTSSrA Zulma Novoa, 514th AMDSTSgt. Arthur Prince, 514th MXSSSgt. Kendra Ross, 514th MSSTSgt. Anthony Sena, 514th MXSSSgt. Michael Sexton, 514th ASTSTSgt. Delynette Smith, 514th ASTSTSgt. Sean Smith, 514th MXGSrA Denise Spencer, 514th OSSTSgt. Mark Spencer, 714th AMXSTSgt. Carlos Suarez, 714th AMXSTSgt. Eric Trotman, 514th OSS

AirmanAdrian J. Haynes, 514th AMDS

Airman First ClassThalha N. Choudhury, 732nd ASKevin L. Harris, 514th CSDiana Hart, 514th OSS

Senior AirmanStephen J. Avery, 714th AMXSDiana C. Beato, 714th AMXSMaximo Caba, 514th CESMichael A. Cervino, 714th AMXSMelvin J. Collier, 514th CSJamahl A. Cunningham, 714th AESLatoya Q. Gary, 514th

tLRF

Nathan A. Gerwig, 514th CSFritz M. Jasmin, 514th AESBrandon J. Jenkins, 514th ASTSJared R. Lacovara, 88th APSRonald S. Negron, 514th MXSQuentin C. Nichols, 514th ASTSMichael P. Nuskey, 514th MXSKevin M. Pluta, 88th APSTina R. Reagan, 514th CSMohamed A. Samshair, 514th CESGordon T. Stimson II, 35th APSMabeline E. Tapia, 35th APS

Staff SergeantWilton W. Benson II, 714th AMXSHector Cartagena II, 35th APSLuis O. Cruz, 514th AMDSRebecca Daugherty, 514th ASTSShirodk D. Faison, 514th CSCheryl A. Gow, 714th AMXS

Brandi L. Hines, 514th MOFDonald F. Hunt, 714th AMXSSeth W. King, 514th AMXSJames O. Mahoney, 514th CSShaheen Mozaffari, 514th CSZulma L. Novoa, 514th AMDSNicoli A. Ogilvie, 732nd ASRashad H. Pleasant, 514th LRFShanette K. Santana, 714th AESEunique C. Scales, 514th CSAnnesia T. Simmons, 514th ASTSTiesha S. Stewart, 514th AESJames C. Taylor, 514th ASTSChavone L. Tripp, 514th CS

Technical SergeantLinval O. Jones, 514th CESLaurie Kavanagh, 714th AMXSTimothy Kelly, 514th CESSpenser Stewart, 514th MXSJason S. Roats, 514th MXS

Master SergeantLouis J. Dimarco, 714th AMXSMichael Drohan, 514th MXSJohn L. Kley, 714th AESSaprina Lavoil, 514th AMDSWayne E. Paden, 514th MXSDaniel C. Pape, 714th AMXSIan M. Reittie, 714th AMXSVictor R. Zea, 514th AMDS

Senior Master SergeantRufus Butler, 714th AESPatrick J. Callahan, 732nd ASPeter Gathers, 35th APSRachelle A. Jones, 514th ASTSMichael Kent, 514th OGTracy P. Tyler, 514th ASTS

BEACON July-August 2005 5

SMSgt. Anthony Rittwager, 514thMXS Accessories Flight chief,got the news June 14 he wasnamed on of the Air Force’s 12

Outstanding Airmen for 2005.“I was returning from a meeting with

my group commander and superintendentwhen I found out I was the winner,” saidSMSgt. Rittwager. “I didn’t believe it atfirst and thought somebody might beplaying a joke on me.”

But after a phone call with the com-mander of the Air Force Reserve Com-mand, Lt. Gen. John Bradley, SMSgt.Rittwager said he was finally a believer.

“Sergeant Rittwager is the ideal ex-ample of ‘excellence in all we do,’” saidCMSgt. Donald Ivins, 514th MaintenanceSquadron superintendent. “His methodi-cal approach and attention to detail have,

over the years, made him the managerof choice for several critical taskings.”

Some things SMSgt. Rittwager hasdone to earn this recognition includecoordinating Reserve and Air ReserveTechnician support for 32 KC-10A, sixC-141B and four C-17A aircraft, andmanaging more than 100 aircraft techni-cians from three Air Force specialtycodes, according to the award package.

In addition, he spearheaded themaintenance efforts of 17 Air ReserveComponent and 45 active-duty per-sonnel in Air Mobility Command’smost challenging fuel cell systemsoperation with a 50-percent, 3-levelworkforce.

“Sergeant Rittwager is an out-standing Air Force citizen,” saidCMSgt. Ivins. “His skill at developingthe young Airmen under his charge isbeyond compare. His fact-based man-agement style is extremely efficient

and effective. Sergeant Rittwager gives 100percent to development of his subordinatesand makes every effort to ensure their suc-cess,” he added. “He’s driven to understandcompletely every task he asks of his subordi-nates. If he doesn’t, he won’t ask his subordi-nates to do it.”

SMSgt Rittwager said that as a leader hecontinually asks himself, “Am I doing theright things in the eyes of my subordinates?”

“It’s hard to mentor somebody on whatthey should be doing to be successful ifyou’re not doing it yourself,” he said.

SMSgt. Rittwager added that it’s not hisown accomplishments that make him proud toaccept this award, but rather it’s the privilegeof working with so many other people whoalso strive for success.

“The group of people at McGuire is out-standing,” SMSgt. Rittwager said. “My sub-ordinates, co-workers and supervisors arealso outstanding. Their ability to overcomediverse situations has amazed me. When Ithought I couldn’t possibly put another thingon their plate, they’d offer me a platter.”

These successes have also impacted mis-sions in other parts of the world in positiveways. SMSgt. Rittwager formulated and ex-ecuted KC-10 reconstitution plans for Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom and Tanker Task Force re-turning aircraft; multiple delayed discrepan-cies requiring 38 repair actions and 774 manhours were completed in four weeks, accord-ing to his award package. 305th MaintenanceGroup shortfalls supporting operations inSouthwest Asia, Qatar, and Moron, Spain,were also filled thanks to SMSgt. Rittwager’sefforts coordinating volunteer and mobiliza-tion deployments.

“He is not a 9 to 5 Airman,” Chief Ivins said.“He lives excellence off duty as well as on, de-veloping the future of the Air Force throughhis mentorship of the local Civil Air Patrol, andhis active involvement in Air Force recruiting.”

SMSgt. Rittwager revitalized the New Jer-sey Civil Air Patrol, his aggressive recruitingefforts increased membership from 0-70 in atwo-year period from 2002 to 2004, accordingto his award package.

“Once I got involved in community activi-ties like the Civil Air Patrol, I realized how re-warding programs like this can be,” SMSgtRittwager said.

“Molding the future leaders of tomorrow isvery satisfying. When my tenure as a seniornon-commissioned officer is over, I want tolook back and know I did what was in the bestinterest of the Air Force – that I passed alongthe leadership skills to the next generation ofAirmen that they’ll need to continue to be thebest air power in the world,” he added.

By SrA Kelly White305 AMW Public Affairs

LOCAL NEWS

Air Force selects 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Cream of crop harvested from 514th AMW

SMSgt. Anthony Rittwager was recently selected as one of 12 Air ForceOutstanding Airmen of the Year for 2005. He is the fourth wing memberto achieve this honor within the past 12 years.

Photo by Carlos Cintron

BEACON July-August 20056

FEA

Crowd floods McGuire flightline

Base officials estimate more than 240,000 peoplecame to McGuire’s Joint Open House, “Salute toWarriors” held June 4 and 5.

With the Navy’s Blue Angels performing as the fea-tured aerial demonstration team along with U.S. Army’sGolden Knights, this event was the first air show held atMcGuire since 2000.

Near record setting temperatures in the 90’s kept thelarge crowd shading their eyes as they looked above towitness the 16 flying demonstration lineup to includeMcGuire’s C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender.

Twenty-six static displays featuring resources from theAir Force, Army, Navy and Marine branches covered thelength of the flightline showcasing the military’s hardware.

Feedback from the air show Web site showed positiveresponses for the two-day event.

One person wrote: Thank you for all your hard work.The on-base shuttle service program and drivers were toprate and the air show performers and static displays werewonderful to see. Thanks for a great weekend.

Another said: Just wanted to express my appreciationfor a fantastic job of putting on the 2005 Air Show. We(family) attended the show yesterday (Sunday). The priorplanning for security, parking, and transportation could

SMSgt. Russ Jacobus makes a glass of lemonadefor a thirsty customer at the McGuire Air Force Baseair show held June 4-5. Several 514th units took ad-vantage of the opportunity to run either a conces-sion stand or momento booth.

McGuire Air Force Base hosted more than 240,000 visitors June 4 and 5. Bright skies helped draw the large crowd fomore than 47 aircraft statics, Marine, Navy, Army and Air Force recruiting stations, vendors and recreation attractioSunday, showcasing civilian and military aircraft.

The F/A-1team the Angels deplane Diaperformatures a si

By MSgt. Donna. T. Jeffries514 AMW Public Affairs

not have been better. Everyone on the McGuire team de-serves an “Atta-Boy/Girl.”

BEACON July-August 2005 7

ATURE

e during 2-day Joint Open House

RJ Dolan takes to the sky on one of several side attrac-tions available to kids and adults alike. Open House coor-dinates ensured the children had outlets to release theirenergy with a bungie jump, giant air balloon tramoplines,and rock climbing station.

or the 2005 Joint Open House. The flightline was lined withons. The air show ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and

18 Hornets assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration“Blue Angels” taxi to the runway prior to takeoff. The Blueemonstration includes aerobatic manuevers for the four-

amond Formation, simultaneously with the fast-paced, highance manuevers of its two Solo Pilots. The team also fea-ix-jet Delta formation.

Photos by 305th Visual Information

LOCAL NEWS

BEACON July-August 20058

Maintenance squadron gets new bossBy 1st Lt Robert Sperling514 AMW Public Affairs

New Jersey native, Lt. Col. Jo-seph Glebocki, recently gainedcommand of the 714th AircraftMaintenance Squadron from

Lt. Col Anthony Esposito. An Air Force Academy graduate, Lt.

Col. Glebocki joined the Air Force Reservein 1993 after separating from active dutyat McConnell Air Force Base, KS. He en-tered the 514th Air Mobility Wing as amember of the 514th Equipment Mainte-nance Squadron and for nine monthsworked for retirement points only until aposition became available for him to fill.

As a civilian he is an attorney bytrade, but is currently working as a de-fense consultant to the Missile DefenseAgency in the Pentagon. Before that hewas a Congressional Fellow to Con-gressman Henry Brown of South Caro-

lina and hadthe opportu-nity to workwith SenatorS t r o mT h u r m o n d ,also of SouthCarolina, theyear beforeT h u r m o n d ’ sdeath in 2003.

The Beaconstaff had an op-portunity to sitdown and speakwith the newcommander andhere is what hesaid:

What is thenumber one message you want yoursquadron to know about you?

I want every one to feel that they areimportant and part of our mission andpart of what we do as a squadron and awing. I hope to foster an environmentwhere everyone can contribute and feelthat they are part of the team. Whenpeople come out here on a unit trainingassembly and are involved it has a greatimpact on the morale and retention of theunit, but it also gives the member achance to learn, grow and be mentored,which are all important.

- about your leadership style?I’m typically a hands-off leader where

the situation is appropriate. I like to givepeople the tools and resources to suc-ceed. It’s important for people to suc-ceed and also fail on their own becausethat is how we grow as professionals.

- about your expectations of the squad-ron?

First and foremost, I expect them tohave a good attitude and demonstrateprofessionalism. They should have posi-tive attitudes and be role models, notonly in their job, but appearance and mili-tary bearing as well. If those basic boxesare filled it allows us to accomplish alarger mission without being boggeddown by little issues.

What would you say is your mostmemorable moment in the military?

The most was my change of com-mand. It was the first time that I was ableto show my military life to my family. Itwas great to have my wife Lori, my twochildren and my parents there to be a part

Local man makes good

Lt. Col. Joseph Glebocki recently be-came commander of the 714th Air-craft Maintenance Squadron May 1.

Photo by 1st. Lt. Robert Sperling

of the event. For my parents, who emi-grated from Poland, it was the first timethey were able to really see what the mili-tary and my job here are all about. It was avery special moment for them to be therefor me.

Where do you see the 714th AMXS inthe future?

I would like to see us strengthen ourrelationships with the operations commu-nity and our active duty counterparts.We currently work well together, but wecan do much more to make it a seamlessrelationship. We must try to strengthenour relationship with both parties becauseour mission will continue with the globalwar on terror and the Reserves will betasked more and more. Also, other thanthe taxpayers, those two groups are ourmost important customers.

What lessons have you learnedthroughout your military career?

I would say to listen to people. I’venoticed at meetings that people arepresent, but are not listening. Each per-son, when they speak, has value they canprovide and it’s real important to listen towhat they have to say.

Lastly, what is an interesting factabout you that people may not know?

I like to do comedy. Laughter is impor-tant. I have done some stand-up comedyand I often use it in meetings and at mycommander’s calls. I use it to break the icein a number of situations. I was voted asthe class clown by my high school classand it has grown from there. Anytime youcan inject humor it livens the environment.

I’ve noticed at meetings thatpeople are present, but arenot listening. Each person,when they speak, has valuethey can provide and it’s realimportant to listen to what

they have to say.

Lt. Col. Joseph Glebocki—Commander, 714 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

BEACON July-August 2005 9

DIRECT CONTACT - SSgt. MiriamCarpio-Hospedales of the 514thSecurity Force Squadron ex-plains a weapon to a few of the93 employers who visitedMcGuire, June 18, for the 514thAir Mobility Wing’s Annual Em-ployer Appreciation Day. Theguests met with wing officials,experienced a mock mobility lineand deployment briefings andwere given an air refueling orien-tation flight. The visitors alsoviewed displays from severalunits to include: security forces,aeromedical evacuation, explo-sive ordnance, maintenance,aerial port and recruiting. Thisevent gives the wing an opportu-nity to showcase its mission to avital support group.

LOCAL NEWS

Photo by 1st. Lt. Robert Sperling

The United States throughout history has been recognizedas a melting pot of people from around the globe lookingfor freedom and opportunities. This ideology holds true

today and that ideal was realized by one of the 514th Air Mobil-ity Wing’s citizen Airmen July 8 as he took his oath of citizen-ship.

SrA Marcus Calliste, an air transportation specialist with the35th Aerial Port Squadron, along with 282 new citizens gatheredat the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, N.Y. to swear their alle-giance to the United States in front of Judge Cheryl Pollack.

Now 28 years old, SrA Calliste was 10 in 1987 when he, hismother and brother left the Caribbean Island of Trinidad and ar-rived at their new home, New York.

“I still have family back in Trinidad,” said SrA Calliste. “But,this country is all that know. I went back two years ago with mywife and son and was a visitor in my home country.”

“Going back was a humbling experience,” said SrA Calliste. “Itwas humbling for a combination of reasons. I truly believe I’mblessed for all the things in my life. During my visit I was reflect-ing on what my life would have been had I grown up there. I thinkI felt more gratitude toward my mother for making the sacrificeand leaving everything in an effort to make a better life for mybrother and me.”

SrA Calliste became a resident of the United States in 2000,the same year he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, while workingas a commuter train conductor with the Metro North Railroad. InOctober of 2002 he began the extensive process to gain his U.S.citizenship. “It’s exciting to look back on the entire processknowing all the hard work and effort that got me to this point,”said SrA Calliste after taking his oath of citizenship.

Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to enlist in the Air Force reservefor one 4-year enlistment. In order to continue with the reservethe member must receive citizenship within that time as stated inthe Air Force Reserve Command Instruction 36-2001. The 514thAMW only has one position that non-citizens can enlist intowithout prior commander approval and that is as an air transpor-tation specialist, according to SMSgt Jerome Richardson, seniorrecruiter for the 514th AMW.

Citizen Airman pledges allegiance to U.S.By 1st Lt Robert Sperling514 AMW Public Affairs

Although he wasn’t a citizen of the United States, SrA Callistehas been deployed and mobilized to support the global war onterror. His deployments have included time at aerial port facilitiesat Dover Air Force Base, Del., Norfolk Naval Air Station, Va., andRamstein AFB, Germany. While mobilized he was a volunteer atthe Air Mobility Warfare Center’s Eagle Flag training sessionsand even role played as a media representative training units todeploy with embedded media prior to the start of Operation IraqiFreedom. Non-U.S. citizens are normally not authorized to bedeployed because of a lack of security clearance, but the gain-ing commander may approve the member into the specific area ofoperations, according to the wing plans office.

“Now that I am a citizen, I plan on pursuing my dream of be-coming an Air Force officer,” said SrA Calliste. “I plan on explor-ing areas that I enjoy, such as flying, security and public affairs.When I attended August Martin High School, N.Y., I majored inaviation but could never follow-up after graduation because ofcitizenship regulations.”

SrA Calliste recently returned to his civilian job from a mobili-zation and looks forward to some of his new unalienable rights,such a voting.

SrA Marcus Calliste, air transportation specialist withthe 35th Aerial Port Squadron takes his oath of citizen-ship along with 282 other new citizens July 8 at the U.S.District Courthouse in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Photos by Brian Dyjak

NEWS

BEACON July-August 200510

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. - Time is running out for about15,000 Air Force reservists in the Selected Reserve to comply witha Department of Defense directive.

Oct. 31 is the deadline for reservists who are paid for training toregister information about their civilian place of employment. Some60,000 of these Airmen, roughly 80 percent of the force, providedthat information as of May.

The Civilian Employment Information Program is the first man-datory disclosure by members of the Selected Reserve and Indi-vidual Ready Reserve of their civilian employers into a common da-tabase. The CEI program began in March 2004.

“This past year we’ve made significant progress in employment-related data collection,” wrote Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of AirForce Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, in aMay 9 memorandum about the program.

“Senior-leader support, commander involvement and the per-sonnel community’s effective program management have resultedin a continual and steady increase in the Air Force Reserve’s com-pliance numbers,” he said. “However, despite our collective efforts,we fell short of the established Department of Defense goal of 75percent for the Selected Reserve by December 2004.”

The Air Force Reserve fell short primarily because of systemproblems during the program startup, which caused inaccuratedata files and an ineffective management tool for commanders.

The general and his personnel staff believe these problems nolonger exist and urge reservists to register online as soon as possibleby going to http://www.afrc.af.mil/reserveInfo.htm and clicking on Ci-vilian Employment Info Program. An air reserve component Websiteis in development to streamline this process even more.

After clicking on the Web site, reservists enter their employmentstatus, employer’s name, mailing address, civilian job title and totalnumber of years in their current civilian occupation.

Unlike previous military service efforts to voluntarily gather em-ployer data, the CEI program is mandatory. Reservists who know-ingly fail or refuse to provide their employment-related information,or provide false information, may be subject to administrative ac-tion. If on duty, they could face punishment for dereliction of dutyunder Article 92 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.

DoD started the CEI program to obey three federal laws:Title 10, United States Code, section 12302 considers civilian

health, safety and interest before calling up reservists.Title 10, USC, 10149 ensures call-ups do not affect too many re-

servists with critical civilian skills.Title 38, USC, 4333 tells reservists’ employers about their rights

and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment andReemployment Rights Act.

About 76,100 reservists in the Air Force’s Selected Reserve trainon full and part-time duty - ready for immediate tasking from higherheadquarters. Since Sept. 11, 2001, about one in three of them hasbeen called up at some point. About 2,700 Air Force reservists arecurrently mobilized - on full-time, active-duty status by order of thepresident. Many other reservists volunteer to deploy worldwide forthree months or longer missions.

DoD requires reservists to update or revalidate their CEI infor-mation annually.

AFRC News Service

WASHINGTON – Air Force Reserve Command seniorleaders want reservists to know about the importance ofServicemembers’ Group Life Insurance.

A recent tragedy involving a reservist who declinedSGLI coverage prompted a call for this benefit to receivemore emphasis. In addition to requiring reservists to re-port to their military personnel flight to decline coveragein person, command officials are looking at adding squad-ron-level counseling by the first sergeant or commander.

This increased concern comes on the heels of legisla-tion to increase the maximum coverage, to ensure benefi-ciaries know when an individual turns down the maximumand to help service members who sustain traumatic warinjuries.

The $82 billion supplemental legislation signed intolaw by President Bush May 11 raises maximum SGLI cov-erage from $250,000 to $400,000 and provides payouts ofup to $100,000 for people with traumatic injuries.

In a new twist introduced through the legislation,troops with dependents must get their spouse’s approvalto purchase less than the full amount of SGLI coverage.In the case of people who are not married, the designatedbeneficiary will receive notice when the person pur-chases less than the maximum coverage.

Defense and Veteran Affairs officials are working onthe details of the expanded benefits.

The increased SGLI coverage will start Sept. 1, and theso-called “traumatic SGLI” benefit will begin Dec. 1. Thelegislation directs that both benefits will be retroactive toOct. 7, 2001, said Stephen Wurtz, the VA’s deputy assis-tant director for insurance.

Traumatic SGLI benefits will be retroactive for troopswho have lost limbs, eyesight or speech or received othertraumatic injuries as a direct results of injuries receivedduring Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation EnduringFreedom. The benefit does not apply to people sufferingfrom disease.

The retroactive coverage increase is payable as a re-sult of deaths in either operation, or under other condi-tions prescribed by the secretary of defense, Mr. Wurtzsaid.

People enrolled in the SGLI program will notice an in-crease in their premiums when the increases take effect.The traumatic SGLI benefit will be rolled into the basicSGLI program and will likely cost about $1 a month, Mr.Wurtz said.

Troops opting for maximum SGLI coverage – $400,000vs. the current $250,000 – will see their monthly premiumsincrease from $16.25 to $26, Mr. Wurtz said. This is basedon the rate of 6.5 cents per $1,000 of insurance coverage.

SGLI coverage is currently available in $10,000 incre-ments, but as of Sept. 1, the increments will increase to$50,000.

Because the rates have not changed, people who re-tain $250,000 or less coverage will see no increase in theirpremiums, Mr. Wurtz said, except for the $1 “traumaticSGLI” premium.

While these expanded benefits will be provided retro-actively, affected people won’t be charged retroactivepayments, he said. DoD will absorb that cost.

Life insurance benefitsgain increased emphasis

American Forces Press Service

Civilian employmentregistration deadlineapproaches soon

NEWS

BEACON July-August 2005 11

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -A former wing vice commander is the firstAfrican-American woman in the Air ForceReserve Command and the Air Force tocommand a flying wing.

Col. Stayce Harris accepted commandof the 459th Air Refueling Wing in a cer-emony here May 15.

Before replacing Brig. Gen. RichardSeverson as commander of the 1,300-mem-ber wing, she was vice commander of the507th ARW at Tinker AFB, Okla.

“I believe the Air Force and the militaryas a whole provides opportunities for all,”said Col. Harris after the ceremony. “I amjust an example of what we can do in themilitary.”

Col. Harris was born in Los Angeles, thedaughter of a career enlisted man. She gainedan appreciation for travel and the military asthe family moved from place to place.

In 1977, she graduated from 71st HighSchool in Fayetteville, N.C. She was thenaccepted into the University of SouthernCalifornia on an engineering ROTC schol-arship. Col. Harris spent her first year and ahalf in the Air Force as chief of industrialengineering and then as the squadron sec-tion commander of civil engineering at HillAFB, Utah. She then attended pilot trainingat Williams AFB, Ariz., and became quali-fied in the C-141B Starlifter aircraft.

In August 1990, Col. Harris separatedfrom active duty and became an airline pi-

Col. Stayce D. Harris, former 507thAir Refueling Wing vice commanderat Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., nowpilots the 459th ARW and its KC-135RStratotankers at Andrews AFB, Md.Col. Harris became the first African-American woman in the Air Force tocommand a flying wing May 15.

Photo by Maj. Rich Curry

African-American woman first to command flying winglot for United Airlines. She flies a Boeing747-400 aircraft from the West Coast toTokyo and Sydney, Australia.

For the last 14 years, she has balancedher Air Force career with her civilian airlinecareer.

From April 1991 to February 1995, shewas an air operations officer and C-141 pi-lot in the 445th Airlift Wing at March AirReserve Base, Calif. She was a mobilityforce planner for the Air Force deputychief of staff for plans and operations inthe Pentagon from February 1995 to Janu-ary 1997. For the next three years, sheserved as an individual mobilizationaugmentee to the deputy assistant secre-tary of the Air Force at the Pentagon.

In February 2000, Col. Harris returnedto March ARB first as deputy commanderof the 452nd Operations Group and thenas commander of the 729th Airlift Squad-ron. From May 2002 to May 2005, she wasvice commander of the 507th ARW atTinker AFB.

“The Air Force has always been mypassion,” she said, “so this is the job I re-ally enjoy keeping because of the people.This is where my heart is.”

With more than 2,500 hours flying mili-tary aircraft and 8,000 hours flying forUnited Airlines, she will fly an abbreviatedschedule with United Airlines out of LosAngeles while living in the national capi-tal region.

BRIEFS

Personnel record changesThe following changes pertaining to

Reserve members personnel recordsare effective immediately:

Emergency Data Cards or DD Form93s are no longer maintained in person-nel records; however, a hard copy ofthe form must be given to the unit de-ployment monitor to store in the mobil-ity folder. Additionally the Air ForceForm 526 or Point Summary form isno longer maintained in personnelrecords. Wing members are still respon-sible to review their point informationannually to ensure the appropriate timeis accounted for. For more informationvisit the military personnel flight in Bldg.2217.

SFS extends decal issue305th Security Force Squadron’s

Pass and ID section will issue decals toreservists from 8 a.m. through noon onSaturdays of each unit training assem-bly weekend in Building 1911.

AAFES removes productsThe Army and Air Force Exchange Ser-

vice will remove products containing thesolid form of pseudoephedrine from allstore shelves effective July 31. These itemsinclude Advil Flu & Sinus, Aleve Cold & Si-nus, Claritin D and Tylenol Allergy Sinus.

The affected items will be replaced withproducts containing phenylephrine, anacceptable substitute for pseudoephe-drine, as a relief for sinus congestion.

Tim Calkins, AAFES buyer for cold andcough products, explained that AAFEShas already identified the replacementproducts, and will start shipping them toAAFES stores in July before the start ofthe cold and cough season.

The decals will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservists mustbe in uniform and bring the following:military identification, driver’s license, ve-hicle registration, and proof of vehicle in-surance, present decal number if gettinga renewal and motorcycle safety card.

For more information call (609) 754-2200.

The Air Force Reserve is looking for

officers and enlisted people to fill full-timeActive Guard and Reserve positions.

Reservists in the AGR program serveunder the authority of Title 10 of theU.S. Code and receive most of thebenefits afforded to the active force.They qualify for an active-duty retire-ment, provided they attain career statusand can serve 20 years active federalmilitary service.

The program offers tours of duty onthe Air Staff; at Headquarters Air ForceReserve Command, Robins Air ForceBase, Ga.; at Headquarters Air ReservePersonnel Center in Denver; in AFRCunits; and with other major commands.

Information about vacancies and ap-plication procedures, as well as moredetails on the program is available onthe AGR Management Office’s re-stricted Web site at www.re.hq.af.mil/agr/agrhome2.html.

Full-time AGR positions open

*Pay dates are subject to change. For in-formation, contact your unit pay monitor.

Pay days

*Aug. 19

*Sept. 2

DrillDates

UTA

Aug. 6-7

Aug. 20-21

MONEY

514th Air Mobility WingAir Force Reserve CommandMcGuire AFB, N.J. 08641-5218

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage Paid

Permit # 04517Philadelphia, PA

FINAL ARRIVAL - The last of 13 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to bebased here gets marshaled in by Crew Chief MSgt. Corey Shagg,of the 514th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, as it taxies to a stopnear 3-Bay Hanger on the McGuire Flightline July 6. The first C-17 arrived here in September 2004. McGuire has undergone morethan $85 million in military construction projects in preparationfor the arrival of the C-17. Construction is slated to be completein May 2006.

Photo by Denise Gould

The lessons learned after a recent safetyincident can help others who encounter simi-lar situations.

A group of Airmen were taking refuge fromthe sweltering sun under the wing of a KC-10that was undergoing maintenance. A smallamount of SKYDROL fluid, a jet engine lubri-cant, leaked and blew into the eyes of acouple of the people under the aircraft.

Now, if you have never had SKYDROL inyour eyes, then you are very fortunate. Itburns. It burns bad. The natural reaction is toflush out the affected area with water. How-ever, when you ask a well seasoned mainte-nance individual what to do, they will say:“GOT MILK?”

Yes, it’s true. Milk does a body good, atneutralizing SKYDROL and stopping or atleast greatly reducing the burning sensation.If milk is not readily available, flush the eyesout with water at an eye wash station. Thenget the patient to the appropriate medical fa-cility for further evaluation.

Wing members should follow the stepsbelow in the case of work-related incidents.

Safety Tip ActionsWhat action should you take in the event

of a mishap? The initial reaction should beno different than if you were at home and theinjured party is a member of your family.

By Maj. Mark Ustaszewski514 AMW Safety Officer

Wing safety openseyes; learn fromother’s experience

� If serious, call 911. If calling from a cellphone, tell the dispatcher you are onMcGuire Air Force Base so that the call isrouted properly.

� If not life threatening you may trans-port the individual to the clinic. They will notbe able to treat the person, but can arrangefor transport to a local hospital.

� Call the clinic for advice on treatmentand closest applicable facility.