Monthly Archives: May 2011

Marine Wife Named Spouse of the Year

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

I am always impressed at the creativity and problem solving ability of military spouses. Of course they say that necessity is the mother of invention, so when people are put in places and positions where improv is a must, then they really learn what they are made of. This year’s winner sounds like a wonderful example of a problem solver and community changer.

She saw a need (no family connections for recruiter’s families) and she made a change — a change for the better of her family and many other families!

May 19, 2011
Knight Ridder/Tribune
EXCERPT

(Source LINK)

Bianca M. Strzalkowski of Fuquay-Varina was named 2011 Military Spouse of the Year in recognition of her work for Marine Corps families.

“Shocked, shocked, shocked,” Strzalkowski said when reached at her hotel in Washington, where the award was presented. “This is a surreal experience.”

Hundreds of wives and husbands are nominated for Spouse of the Year in a contest sponsored by Military Spouse magazine.

Winners are chosen first for each branch, and then for the military as a whole, on the basis of volunteerism, personal sacrifice, education and career pursuits, and community influence. Readers vote for their choice.

Another North Carolina military spouse also was in the running; Crystal Cavalier of Harnett County, whose husband is in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, won the title of Army Spouse of the Year.

At a luncheon for the five branch winners, Strzalkowski said she sat next to Bonnie Amos, wife of Marine Corps Commandant James Amos. Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan spoke at the event.

“Bianca and Crystal … represent the best of the best,” Hagan said. “I am amazed by the strength and selflessness of today’s finalists, and by all the military spouses across the nation.”

Strzalkowski, 31, is featured on the cover of the new edition of Military Spouse, and the magazine includes a story about her.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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Posted in Charities/Contests, Spouse and Family

Photo of the Day – Perfectly Good Airplanes

Posted on May 19, 2011 by CJ| Leave a comment

I never went Airborne, though I had many opportunities. I was actually supposed to go right after language school, but because my graduation was delayed – and due to the budget crisis of 1995 – I never made it in and never made a big deal out of it.

My first platoon sergeant was a career Airborne troop and spent most of his military life in the 82nd. He was broke! His legs were bad, he knees were shot, and he could barely walk. He was the crusty senior NCO most people think of when they of crusty NCOs. I’m sure he was the standard bearer. So, after serving under him, I decided maybe I don’t want Airborne so that I can walk when I’m older. Military chutes just fall too fast and I’m not a big fan of pain.

But, someone has to do it, as this photo by A1C George Goslin shows. To be fair, I’ve heard great things about the new MC-4 chutes. They couldn’t do much worse than the old T-10 that has been around since the 1950′s, which is what this photo is of. This chute has a drop rate of about 23 feet per second, while the MC-4 is about 16 feet per second.

I like this photo cause it almost looks like the plane is about to clip a very large paratrooper and then the one on top looks like he’s trying to land on the plane. A lot of visual distortions that just make it fun to stare at. And I’m glad they are up there and not me!

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 820th RED HORSE Squadron’s airborne flight jump from a C-17 Globemaster III during a training exercise at Alamo, Nev., May 12, 2011. The jumps were part of the 414th Combat Search and Rescue Squadron’s training and certification of 3 RED HORSE Airmen as drop zone control officers, enabling the RED HORSE Airmen to perform jump missions and operate their own drop zones.

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Posted in Life in the Military, Photo of the Day

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Photo of the Day – Silhouettes

Posted on May 18, 2011 by CJ| 1 Comment

Making Silhouette photos isn’t that hard with a camera that can handle it. I like that it can take a bright sunny day and turn it into the outline of a dark figure. I’ve taken many of them over the years, from trees to animals.

But, by far my favorite silhouettes have to be military themed. This one was sent to me, but I couldn’t confirm who took it, when and where. It’s just a cool picture. Anyone wanna take a gander at what type of rifle this Soldier or Marine is holding?

And here are a few others that were just as good. I decided one just isn’t enough for this post:


Photo by CPL Marco Mancha.


Photo by Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski.

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Posted in Life in the Military, Photo of the Day

Soldier of the Week – CPT Juan Guerrero

Posted on May 17, 2011 by CJ| Leave a comment


After competing at the inaugural Warrior Games last year, Capt. Juan Guerrero took home the gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle shooting event. This week, the Soldier will return to the competition with even higher goals – he hopes to be named the Ultimate Warrior by accruing the most points in a pentathlon-style event.

Eight months ago Guerrero’s right leg was amputated, but recently he was fitted with a prosthetic leg that allows him to walk and even run. Determined to be in prime condition for the event, Guerrero has dedicated himself to a rigorous training program over the last several months.

“Since I still have some residual pain from my amputation surgery, I think that the 100-meter run will probably be the toughest event for me,” he said. “But the Warrior Games have been a great motivator for me to keep training no matter what.”

That same sense of determination sustained Guerrero through three deployments to Iraq. During his most recent deployment, he served with the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (Airborne), and was in charge of leading a team of nearly two dozen Soldiers.

In June 2007, Guerrero was out on a mission with his team when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under their Humvee. True to his role as a leader, Guerrero thought of the safety of the other Soldiers in his vehicle, despite his own injuries.

“My main concern was for my driver and my gunner. There was a lot of smoke in the vehicle, but once I determined that they were okay, I realized that I was wounded,” he said. “My legs felt like they were on fire and once my Soldiers were able to get me out of the vehicle, I saw my right leg and realized it was bad.”

Shrapnel from the IED blast shattered the bones in Guerrero’s right tibia, and much of his right calf and left heel were damaged in the explosion. He was immediately evacuated to Baghdad, Iraq, for emergency surgery on his leg, and later moved to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., where he spent more than four months recovering and undergoing multiple skin grafts to help repair his right leg.

Yet, the pain in his leg was so persistent and severe that Guerrero made the decision to have his right leg amputated below the knee last September. As he enters a new phase in his recovery process, Guerrero is grateful to have the added goal of competing in the second annual Warrior Games – and winning the Ultimate Champion title.

“From seeing the competition that was there last year, I know it’s going to be a tough crowd, but I’m focused on my own goals,” he said. “I want to defend my shooting title, but I intend to do well in the other events, too.”

Currently, the Soldier lives with his wife and three children in the San Antonio, Texas area, and he is continuing to recover at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

To learn more about the Warrior Games, please visit http://www.usparalympics.org/pages/8330 and http://www.wtc.army.mil/about_us/warriorgames.html. Additionally, to learn more about the Warrior Transition Command and its commitment to adaptive sports, please visit http://wtc.armylive.dodlive.mil/.

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Posted in Life in the Military, soldier of the week

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New Military Pay Threat Deadline August 2

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Troy| Leave a comment

The Treasury Department now estimates the federal government will not run out of borrowing power until 2 August, but there is a continued the threat posed to military pay if Congress doesn’t raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by then. In a letter to congressional leaders, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says the current debt ceiling will be reached on about 16 May, as previously forecasted. However, he will be able to extend available cash through tapping into trust funds and suspending some government securities in order to prevent the government from defaulting on debts until August.

To read this article in full, please go to: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/05/military-debt-ceiling-government-shutdown-050311w/

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Posted in Military News

Photo of the Day – Solemn Service

Posted on May 16, 2011 by CJ| 1 Comment

The most difficult job in today’s military isn’t what the average person would think. The average person would say combat. No. Then, they’d say field training. No. Then, they’d say being separated from family for long perieds of time. No. I think the hardest, most difficult job in today’s military is being a casualty assistance officer or helping to transport and bury our fallen heroes.


Local Marines carry the remains of Lance Cpl. Joe Jackson at the Yakima Air Terminal, May 2. Jackson was killed April 24 by an improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan.

This picture by CPL Jad Sleiman stands out to me for a few reasons. The first are the Patriot Guard Riders in the background. I am so humbled at what they do day in and day in this country providing our fallen warriors with the respect they deserve. They escort the casket from the airports to the funeral homes to their final resting places. They stand as a strong, determined, and resolute wall between the honorable and dishonorable (Westboro Hackbits Turds). They do it in the rain, the sun, the snow, no matter the weather!

The other thing that stuck out at me that I’ve never noticed before is the Marines’ uniforms. I’ve never noticed the black bands around the rank before. I don’t know if I’m just losing my skills of observation or this is something new. Hopefully, a Marine out there can let us know. I actually like this small token of respect.

Police officers have done this for years for their fallen. I’d like to see the other services do something similar, especially the Army. While hardly noticeable, this display really hit home for me what was in that shiny, metal box.

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Posted in Life in the Military, Photo of the Day

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Revision Vipertail Sunglasses (A Review)

Posted on May 16, 2011 by CJ| Leave a comment

I’m not sure when it happened, but at some point along the way, the Army unofficially adopted the Revision Sawfly sunglasses as sort of an approved ballistic eye protection. They’re great and I love them. My only complaint with the Sawfly was that when wearing the patrol cap, the top of the glasses interfered with the curvature of the hat brim. But, they’re great glasses. As a matter of fact, I was issued two more pairs for this deployment. However, I probably won’t wear them.

I’ve got a new friend from Revision! A few weeks ago, I was sent a pair of Revision Vipertail sunglasses to review.

I’ve been wearing these glasses in and out of uniform and I LOVE them! Revision has quickly surpassed Oakley as my ballistic eyewear of choice. I’m sure is happy about that as well because Revision offers the same high quality of eye protection and fashion at a fraction of the cost of Oakley!

The Vipertail is an extremely comfortable wear. So much so, that you almost forget you’re wearing them. It’s not uncommon for me to walk into a building and not realize I’m wearing sunglasses until it occurs to me it’s darker than normal inside! The glasses fit wonderfully with the patrol cap and its curved brim. They offer protection that exceeds military requirements for ballistic protection, which states “the ballistic resistance of the spectacles shall be such that they will pass a Vo test using a 0.15 caliber, 5.8 grain, T37 shaped projectile at a velocity of 640 to 660 feet per second when tested as specified in 4.4.1.1 (The sample shall be hit once at normal incidence within a l-inch diameter at a point centered vertically and at a horizontal distance of 32 mm from the centerline. The sample shall be considered a failure if the aluminum foil witness sheet is punctured or if the sample is cracked.)

I’m hard on glasses. I leave them all the place (ask Emily) and sometimes don’t find them for days. They usually end up between my car seats or on the floor somewhere. And yet, they don’t a single scratch on them! The Vipertail comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth and hard case that I SHOULD be using to protect them when I’m not using them. I’m looking forward to using them when I get into theater as well.

Vipertail glasses are now available in most military clothing sales stores or anywhere tactical lenses are sold for around $89.99. You can also purchase them directly from Revision’s website. I highly recommend them for anyone that loves shooting or finds themselves in any sort of tactical or desert/dusty environment.

Disclaimer: This review is not an official endorsement in my role as a Soldier. This is a personal review based on my specific experiences with the product. This review is not endorsed or approved by the Department of Defense, the United States Army, or any branch of government or military unit. This is my personal opinion.

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Posted in Reviews

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Photo of the Day – Genial G.I.’s

Posted on May 15, 2011 by CJ| Leave a comment

Over the past nearly 17 years, it’s never ceased to amaze me what great people I have the privilege to work with. Even during combat operations, most troops are the kindest, most compassionate, and honorable people I’ve ever met. One of the things that I love about being a Soldier, especially in a combat zone, is working with kids.

Prior to heading into Iraq in 2003, I was able to fill an entire Tuffbox with candy, mostly Tootsie Rolls. Handing out that candy to the kids created a connection you have to participate in to understand. While I still maintain a great deal of anger towards the older generations that cowardly fought us from the shadows, I have nothing but love for the younger generation.

I chose this photo because I think it illustrates that. In spite of all the combat gear, the weapons, and gear our troops are still able to make a connection with these kids. That’s what I love the most about this photo from SSG Brian Ferguson. There is a smile on the Soldiers face and the child can see the friendliness in his eyes through all that gear.

Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division make their way to the Zabul Juvenile Detention Facility, Afghanistan, May 11.

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Posted in Life in the Military, Photo of the Day

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2011 Warrior Games

Posted on May 15, 2011 by LL| Leave a comment

It is that time of year and I love reminding you all that the Warrior Games start tomorrow!

You can see some great photos of the most amazing athletes ever here on the DOD website.

Some facts:

~Two-hundred and twenty wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Special Operations. (Athletes will be drawn proportionally from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Special Forces. Participants were selected by each individual branch of service)

~7 sports: Archery, cycling, basketball, shooting, swimming, track & field, sitting volleyball

~Who competes: Competition for wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women with the following physical disabilities: amputations, spinal cord injuries, post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury (this category also includes cerebral palsy and stroke) [Note: this is not limited to those wounded in combat...see this story about a cancer sufferer who was blinded and then lost his legs due to the cancer]

~This competition is held in Colorado Springs at 3 different locations. The Air Force Academy, the Olympic Training Center, and at Wasson High School. It is free and open to the public.

If you are in the area, please go out and support our men and women!

CJ, Troy, and Marcus will be working to get some of the competitors and representatives on the Youserved Podcast here after the Games, so stay tuned!

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Posted in Uncategorized

Photo of the Day – Steel Death

Posted on May 14, 2011 by CJ| Leave a comment

The JDAM! Perhaps a grunt’s best friend, but the enemy’s worst nightmare. You can feel the concussion from one of these landing miles away. In Iraq, I was lucky enough to see a JDAM seek and destroy an Iraqi element nearly a kilometer away as we were dug in near Ar Rumaythah. It’s the sweet sound of justice! Today’s photo is brought to you by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shawn J. Stewart.

Aviation Ordnanceman work together during a GBU-54 bomb assembling evolution on board aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting close-air support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

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Posted in Life in the Military, Photo of the Day