20 09your roadmap for success TODA Y’s military Extraordinary People. Extraordinary Opportunities. A r m y / / / Ma r i n e c o r p s / / / Na v y Air Force /// Coast Guard Active • Guard • Reserve your roadmap for success 4 7 8 10 12 16 Proud to Be Army Strong Profile of Staff Sgt. William Alston Inside West Point As told by Cadet Zach Coutreau Army Reserve Civil Affairs: Making a Difference One Soldier’s mission to Afghanistan Experiences of a Lifetime One National Guardsman’s tribute to his friends Making Marines, Winning Battles, Developing Quality Citizens by Sgt. Guillermo Vargas Lieutenant Junior Grade Andrew Bonderud Life on board the USS John L. Hall Navigate Your Road to Success Find out if the Military is right for you What’s Your Roadmap for Success? These websites can help you find the information you need Benefits The Military offers much more than a paycheck Striding Toward Success How a high school track star built her Navy career and beyond Air Force Elite: Taking the leap! Pararescuemen save lives Air Guard: PART -TIME BLUE, FULL-TIME YOU These well-trained units are ready for mobilization Air Force Reserve: Stationed Locall y , Serving Globall y How one Citizen Airman serves his country Selective Service What everyone should know about registering Always Ready todaysmilitary .com 19 20 22 24 26 29 30 33 34 37 Meet the Coast Guard’s first female African-American pilot From Engine Repairs to Public Affairs What it’s like to be enlisted in the Coast Guard Futures is a product of Today’s Military. To request additional copies of Futures, please visit todaysmilitary.com/futures. Futures is an authorized publication of the Department of Defense. However, contents are unofficial and not to be considered the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, including DoD. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Futures is not a Stars and Stripes editorial product and was prepared by the Stars and Stripes Business Department with content provided by DoD’s Joint Advertising, Market Research & Studies program office. All articles contained in this publication, including all military titles mentioned, follow the style guidelines set forth by the Associated Press. FASTfact The Patriot system is the air and missile defense system of the U.S. Army and for many other countries as well, including Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Netherlands and Spain. S ta f f S e r g e a n t U n i t e d S tat e s A r m y Staff Sgt. William Alston never backs down from a challenge. He credits his persistence and work ethic for having helped him advance in his Army career. “I’ve been fortunate to have done well in the Military,” says Alston. “I have advanced because I’ve applied myself. My best day in the Military was the day I was promoted to sergeant.” Five years ago, Alston left his civilian job doing sheet metal work to enlist in the Army. Today, he is a staff sergeant for the launch platoon in a Patriot missile battery. He’s responsible for 27 fellow Soldiers and millions of dollars worth of sophisticated missilelaunching equipment. The Patriot missile protects against enemy tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft by shooting them out of the sky. “Our platoon’s mission is to get six launching stations and a Guided Missile Transporter out to a specific location, get it deployed and get ready to shoot at a moment’s notice,” says Alston. “It’s my job to make sure all the training is being conducted, there’s a good working environment and that my Soldiers are happy – most of the time.” Mentorship appeals to Alston. “I’ve always liked the idea of teaching people,” he says. “To go out every day and constantly get new Soldiers in and to teach them how to do their job, that is one of the most rewarding things.” Alston has spent most of his time in the Army stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, but he has also traveled all over the world – including a year in South Korea. “Living in Korea was definitely a culture change,” says Alston. “It was a fabulous time living there and learning about a completely different culture. The only tough thing was being away from family, especially during the holidays.” However, Alston found that his fellow Soldiers made being away from home bearable. “You’re with these guys 24/7, 365 days a year during deployment,” he says. “They’re like a family. If there’s a plus side to deployment, it’s knowing that you’re not alone.” Alston and his platoon will soon leave for a yearlong deployment in Qatar near the Persian Gulf. Although his job can be difficult, Alston finds it motivating to serve a greater cause. “To walk around every day in that uniform and know that the United States has the freedoms that we have because young women and men like me serve – it’s an incredible feeling.” For more information, visit www.goarmy.com TodaysMilitary.com 05 page Inside West Point By Zach Coutreau The United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, is both an Army post and the country’s oldest military and service academy. Cadet Zach Coutreau, a junior, offers a first-hand account of what it is like to attend the prestigious institution. Going to school at West Point, I am constantly reminded of the people who came before me. Walking to class and passing the statues of American heroes such as General(s) Patton, Eisenhower and McArthur, the history and tradition of West Point is always around us. I feel proud and also humbled to follow in the footsteps of these renowned individuals. It motivates me knowing that they, too, have endured the same things I have at West Point and have gone on to lead incredibly successful lives. Once a candidate has been offered and accepts admission to West Point, Cadet Basic Training (CBT) is his or her next hurdle. CBT takes place the summer before freshman year, when new cadets learn how to perfect the simple things, like keeping a proper room and adapting to West Point and its military culture. An Average Day At West Point, an academic day begins with the first class at 7:30 a.m., and the last classes of the day conclude by 4 p.m. While some may think we spend all day studying military tactics, this is not true. An important part of the West Point academic experience – just like at any other college or university – is the selection of a major. There are 45 majors to choose from, ranging from mechanical engineering to philosophy to anti-terrorism to my chosen major, business management. Once the academic day is over, each cadet must participate in a varsity, junior varsity or intramural sport from 4 to 6 p.m. Most cadets participate in intramurals, which include football, soccer, biathlon, street hockey, wrestling and grappling. I participate in intramural orienteering and biathlon – sports that complement my love of running and keep me active and in shape while also building camaraderie with my classmates. Following sports, cadets have free time until lights-out at midnight. Branch and Post In my senior year at West Point, I will choose my branch and post. Branch is the field in the Army I will be involved with once I graduate. Choices include infantry, armor, aviation, field artillery, military intelligence, engineering, air defense artillery, adjutant general, chemical corps, finance, medical corps, military police, ordnance, quartermaster, signal corps and transportation corps. Post is where I will be stationed after I graduate. The Army has posts all over the United States and in Germany, Italy, Korea and Japan to choose from. Class rank at West Point helps to determine which branch and which post I am assigned to once I graduate. West Point, thus far, has been a unique and wonderful experience. I have already made friendships that should last a lifetime. Whether it’s completing a 12-mile march or passing math class, I need the help of my friends every step of the way. Through those struggles, bonds are formed that are shared only by cadets. For more informa tion, visit www.usma.edu West Point is not the only commissioning source for the Army. The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program produces nearly 60 percent of Army Officers currently serving in the Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. ROTC is offered at more than 1,100 traditional colleges or universities, including 11 junior and senior military colleges. It offers students the option to pursue an undergraduate degree in nearly any major while also becoming cadets who learn firsthand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups, manage an organization and conduct missions. Upon completion of the Army ROTC program and graduation from college, cadets earn the bar of a second lieutenant as a commissioned officer in the Active Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard. FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit www.goarmy.com/rotc TodaysMilitary.com 07 page Army ROTC: Another Path to Leadership Army Reserve Civil Affairs: Making a Difference “There’s this human need to make a difference in the world,” says Sgt. Jesse Reder of the Army Reserve. “I know I’ve made an impact, instead of just sitting on the sidelines.” Reder deployed to Afghanistan with the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion for a year starting in March 2006. As part of a civil affairs unit, Reder and his team acted as liaisons between local civilians and the Military. “Our goal is to help restore their government to as good as it was or better,” he says. “We want to develop their economy, and it’s important that they’re able to maintain a proper government.” Reder’s unit worked with six displaced-persons camps, helping individuals and families who had returned to re-settle in their country after being displaced initially by the Russian invasion and fleeing to Pakistan. “We built roads connecting those camps to the main city, and the city provided a bus system so people could get into Jalalabad (Afghanistan) to find work,” says Reder. “By placing roads, property values go up, death rates go down … It makes a difference in people’s lives. We did everything we could to help make those groups self-sufficient.” One of the primary tenants of the Army mission in Afghanistan is the ability to protect the civilian populace and to understand their needs. With that mission in mind, Reder made it a priority to interact with local citizens whenever possible and especially enjoyed the time he spent with children. “We went and plowed out a little soccer field on our base,” remembers Reder. "We even built soccer goals with camouflage netting. Then we invited some of the boys to play soccer.” However, Reder noticed that the girls were left out, since they weren’t allowed to play “boy” sports. “So, I bought a whole bag full of jump ropes … for the little girls,” he says. “I soon realized that I didn’t have enough, so I started a competition: Whoever could last longer than me could keep the jump rope. I even taught them Double Dutch! That was a really fun day.” Reder says nothing could describe the feeling of accomplishment he felt when he returned home. He’s looking forward to his next mission and a new opportunity to make a difference. TodaysMilitary.com For more informa tion, visit www.goarmyreserve.com 08 page FASTfact The Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative (EPI) links civilian employers with qualified Army Reserve Soldiers and affords these Soldiers access to highly sought-after civilian career opportunities in more than 200 corporations across the country. A r m y N at i o n a l G u a r d “I came from a small town with only one stop sign,” says Sgt. Nic Ashby, an Army National Guard member with the 579th Engineer Battalion in Santa Rosa, Calif. “I felt the Military was the way I could get out there and experience life.” Experience it he did. Ashby deployed to Iraq in 2004 as a demolitions expert. “I could run any weapons system that we had in our arsenal,” he says. “I was a gun truck driver, a gunner mounted and dismounted, a grenadier, a demolitions expert … worked with Special Forces, and I was even part of the security detail in the elections in Mosul.” Though Ashby is a combat engineer, he emphasizes that some of the most important things Soldiers are doing in Iraq have nothing to do with combat. “A lot of (Iraqi) kids didn’t have clothes or shoes. Soldiers started writing to companies back home and had our families and other(s) send us clothes so we could … distribute them in our free time,” he says. “Iraq was the best experience of my life,” adds Ashby. “What I miss is how much you actually accomplish in a day compared to being here in the U.S. Every minute of every day you are productive. People don’t realize how much time they lose by not living life, watching TV, etc.” However, Ashby’s deployment also proved to be among the most difficult of times when his battalion lost three Soldiers. Upon returning home, he was determined to honor his friends in a meaningful way. In his free time, Ashby is a “tuner,” an automotive enthusiast who mechanically and cosmetically alters cars. He decided to customize an Infinity 345 with images of his three fallen friends. He then took the car, known as the “The Fallen Heroes Car,” on a national tour and received acclaim on the tuner circuit and within the National Guard for the patriotism he inspired. He has since built the “Citizen Soldier Car,” which is also on tour. He is recognized by “tuner media” journalists as one of the hottest car designers in the nation and continues to build cars in support of the National Guard. Ashby feels his service in the National Guard has helped him as a framing division manager at an engineering company, where he leads 80 employees. His self-discipline, leadership, confidence and attention to detail are character traits Ashby believes help him succeed in both his military and civilian careers. When asked to sum up his experiences, Ashby says simply, “At 27, I already have three careers: my civilian career, my military career as a demolitions expert and my role as the (Army) National Guard’s official car-builder. Not a lot of people can say that.” For more informa tion, visit www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com TodaysMilitary.com 10 page B y Sg t . G u i l l e r m o Va r g a s Marine Corps Recruiting Command The Marine Corps makes Marines, wins battles and develops quality citizens; yet Marines share three hallmarks that define their fabric as a warrior-family: honor, courage and commitment. Marines are made, not born. Twelve weeks of the toughest training in the world transforms civilians into members of the United States’ most noble fighting force. A person must have the desire to become a Marine regardless of adversity, said Gunnery Sgt. Lysa Packard, a former drill instructor currently stationed in Camp Pendleton, Calif. “Being one of the few and the proud and to be a female in the Marine Corps just makes it even more of a challenge. If I was a woman in the Military, in the Marine Corps, I thought that I could accomplish anything. So I was like, ‘I might as well go for it and see what I can do,’ ” Packard said. “Anything” was a small understatement. Packard decided she wanted to make Marines – a prestigious position held by a few. “My best moment was … probably graduating my very first platoon as a drill instructor,” she said. “It’s a thankless job until you get to the end, when you see the faces of those recruits who finally become Marines and you see the faces of their parents. The expressions alone are enough for me to say, ‘This is why I do what I do.’ ” Gunnery Sgt. Jorge Castillon, a drill instructor stationed at Marine Corps Headquarters in Quantico, Va., has enjoyed every day of his Marine Corps career, he said. “It was a different experience. All the structure took a lot of adjusting to,” he added. “My biggest misconception was that everything was going to be about combat. It was more academic than I thought it would be. Every day was an accomplishment, and it built my confidence up.” Castillon’s favorite moments were when he spoke to the families of new Marines. “It definitely made me a lot more responsible. Now, everything I do, I always have the Marine Corps in the back of my mind.” “I’ve had parents come up (at Basic Training graduation) and ask me who their son is because they don’t recognize them,” Castillon said. “(It’s because) they stand a little bit taller. It’s just that the aura … (Marines) give off is different.” Castillon currently trains officer candidates and is proud he is part of putting Marine leaders into the Corps. “We’re here to train, screen and evaluate for leadership potential,” Castillon said. Marine Basic Training challenges young people both physically and mentally. “One of the reasons drill instructors scream all the time is because one of the stresses a Marine will face in combat is a lot of unnerving sounds. If we get Marines used to being able to … concentrate with controlled chaos in the background, we know we’re setting them up for success, and they’ll come back safely.” But that is only the beginning of becoming a Marine. Marines are taught in Basic Training that mission accomplishment is the most important part of becoming a Marine. Winning battles is top priority for Marines. The Marine Corps is America’s premier expeditionary force, ready to protect our nation’s interests on the battlefield and beyond. On August 2, 2007, Cpl. Moses Cardenas, 20 years old and a lance corporal at the time, was doing a zone reconnaissance mission while deployed to Anbar province, Iraq, when he found his platoon barraged by an insurgent suicide bomb, numerous rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine-gun fire. “First thing in the morning we had two vehicles come in. They were just flying through the desert. We started chasing them,” recalled Cardenas. “We pulled them over, and the driver and the passenger … went behind the tanker truck, and I’m yelling at them ‘come here, come here!’ And they’re not listening. Not even a second later three guys pop up from the top of the truck, and we started engaging in the firefight.” In the heat of the moment, Cardenas received an order. “My chief scout (Sgt. Randy Roedema) gives the command to fall back to the vehicles for cover, and as we’re bounding back, that’s when my sergeant got shot. He went down right away,” Cardenas said. TodaysMilitary.com 13 page His order was to fall back to the vehicle, but Cardenas couldn’t complete that order without his sergeant. “I got shot twice. The second bullet brought me down. I looked over and saw my sergeant, and I couldn’t keep going without him. I said, ‘Not today.’ So I run to him; my friend is providing cover for me. I pick him up; I tell him you’re going to see your daughter.” (Roedema’s wife was expecting a baby girl.) Marines are people who not only risk their lives for a comrade; they also are willing to risk their lives for the innocent and their freedom. Sgt. Ofman Gomez is a Marine aircraft firefighter who manned a 24-hour airfield in Iraq, and his mission was to prevent fires from escalating. “Once, we had a C-130 come in with a wheel fire, and we were able to respond and put out that fire with minimum damage to (the aircraft and the people in) it,” Gomez said. Putting that fire out was his job, he said. But helping the Iraqis be free was his commitment. “One of my proudest moments that stands out in Iraq is that they had voting ballots, and women were allowed to vote for the first time. We were there for that, and that was pretty great,” Gomez said. “Giving seven months, every single day giving my best, I was able to see what the war efforts are doing in Iraq, whether it was opening schools or opening up the voting process.” Marines are trained to win battles, but not even all the training in the world could teach a person to risk his or her life to save someone else. Those are the types of people that have the opportunity to call themselves Marines. For some, the Marine Corps is a lifetime commitment. “I’m getting out (of the Marine Corps), when they kick me out,” Cardenas said. Marines live the American way of life they protect. They are leaders at home and in their communities. Once a Marine always a Marine is a common saying among Marines. “The Marine Corps is not just something you join for four years,” Castillon said. “It’s a way of life, and it changes your life. You’ll always be a Marine and think like a Marine. The Marine Corps is something you become.The Corps gives you a lot of qualities that the civilian world looks for: the ability to lead, the ability to supervise and train people and get the task done. If someone is able to succeed in the Marine Corps, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t succeed in the civilian world.” Not all Marines stay in the Marine Corps for 20 years, but they will develop skills that will help them in the future. SGT. micha el wulf The Marine Corps is an organization that encourages people to continue learning. Personal achievement is highly looked upon in the Marine Corps. That is why the Marine Corps offers higher education programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Montgomery GI Bill and the Marine Corps College Fund. Staff Sgt. Michael Wulf, who is currently serving at Quantico, joined the Marine Corps because he hopes to become a law enforcement officer in the civilian world and wanted to gain military experience. “There are many education benefits you can take advantage of in the Marine Corps,” Wulf said. “I looked up the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance and managed to do distance learning and completed my graduate program. I got my master’s in criminal justice 100 percent paid for. I know that if I decide to get out of the Marine Corps, I have something to fall back on for my resume.” Marines also try to improve the community around them through volunteering. “(As a Marine) I’ve done a lot of community service events around San Diego,” said Sgt. James Weygandt. “We’ve done everything from picking up trash around the beach to planting trees and doing different landscape work at parks. You can … coach kids’ baseball teams and stuff like that – anything you can do to help out around the area.” Weygandt added, “Serving your country is one of the best things you can do. I haven’t decided whether I’m going to make a career of it or go to college and find a different career. My options are still open. So far, I’ve taken general education classes so I can begin to find my course. I’m interested in physical therapy and the medical field in general.” Navy Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz said, “Of the Marines on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Some of those Marines have passed away, yet their legacy is perpetual. It starts with ordinary citizens who challenge themselves to do extraordinary things for the good of all that we cherish and hold dear as Americans. They still come today, and they are proud to call themselves Marines. For more informa tion, visit www.marines.com FASTfact The sword carried by Marines Corps non-commissioned officers was introduced in 1859 and is the oldest weapon in continuous use in the U.S. Military arsenal. a lot of responsibilities. There’s never a moment when I can’t perform. With these moments of stress come anxiety, but at the same time I know I’m contributing to something that’s greater than me.” Today, Bonderud is the damage control assistant on the USS John L. Hall based in Mayport, Fla., on a guided missile frigate – an anti-submarine warfare combatant that has an anti-air warfare capability. Bonderud is responsible for training and directing the entire crew in controlling an emergency – like flooding or a fire – that may put the ship in hazard of sinking. In addition to his deployment in the Arabian Gulf and counter-narcotics work in the Caribbean, Bonderud has used the Spanish language skills he picked up as a student in the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel through the Mediterranean on several occasions,” says Bonderud. “While I was deployed in the Mediterranean, I’ve stopped in Spain, Malta and Crete and have experienced a few diplomatic engagements. I was my commanding u n i t e d s t a t e s n av y “ One day on the USS Gettysburg, we stopped a drug boat in the Caribbean that was carrying 10 metric tons of pure cocaine. ” Lieutenant Junior Grade Andrew Bonderud “With the Navy, it’s not just going out and fighting wars. There are other things we do for national security. That day, we prevented someone from taking a billion dollars’ worth of cocaine onto the streets of the United States,” says Lt. j.g. Andrew Bonderud. For Bonderud, the drug seizure was just another exciting day on the job. He has also deployed with the USS Gettysburg to the Arabian Sea to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to the Arabian Gulf to support Operation Enduring Freedom with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. During his Arabian Gulf deployment, Bonderud served as a surface warfare officer responsible for a department of 70 Sailors and the maintenance and deployment of all of the ship’s weapons and combat systems. “When we deployed to the Arabian Gulf, we supported ground operations in Iraq to help ensure the security of troops on the ground and maintained security in the Gulf,” says Bonderud. “It was very gratifying to help those operations in a tangible way. One thing about being a surface warfare officer in the Navy is that it comes with officer’s translator, while we paid a visit to the local senior naval officer in Spain.” When Bonderud joined the Navy, he was initially surprised to see the extent of his responsibilities as an officer. “When I was commissioned, I was entrusted with a division of 10 enlisted Sailors, including one chief petty officer with 15 years of experience. As a 22-yearold ensign, I was responsible for leading them and managing their work.” These days, he is used to being responsible for the people around him. Bonderud is not sure where the future will take him, but he feels that his Navy training has prepared him for anything. The Military offers a variety of education benefits, from technical training to full-tuition coverage for advanced degrees. “There are a lot of options for my future both in the Navy and outside. Right now all options are on the table,” Bonderud says. “Fortunately, because of my training and because of the education the Navy has provided me, I have many opportunities – whether I stay in the Navy or leave to pursue other avenues.” TodaysMilitary.com For more information, visit www.navy.com 16 page FASTfact The height and width of modern American battleships were originally determined by the need to fit beneath the Brooklyn Bridge and through the Panama Canal. NAVIGATE YOUR ROAD TO SUCCESS Think the Military is right for you? Find out with these simple steps. Take the ASVAB Test Developed by the Department of Defense, this test is usually taken by students in grades 10-12. Designed to discover skills and interests, it helps students explore careers available in both the civilian and military sector. Do Your Research Visit Service websites (on next page) to read up on general prerequisites such as health, education and citizenship, and to learn about benefits. Talk About It Discussion with family, friends, teachers and military recruiters can help you with your decision. Visit todaysmilitary.com for help initiating a thoughtful discussion about military service with your family. Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Here you’ll take a physical exam, meet with a counselor to select your job and take the oath of enlistment. Most recruits head to Basic Training shortly after MEPS. However, if you enlist through the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), you can agree to enlist at a specific time up to a year in the future. Basic Training This will mark your transition from civilian life to military life. Basic Training (also known as boot camp or recruit training) varies from 8.5 weeks to 13 weeks depending on the Service branch. You’re now ready to begin advanced training for your new job in the Military. Way to go! Navigate your way to success at todaysmilitary.com. Ace Your PFT! The Physical Fitness Test is the first step to success in Basic Training. Here are some tips on the different components of the test, all of which are timed: Timed Run This is part of every physical fitness test and varies from 1.5 miles to three miles, depending on which Service you’re joining. Most Services test push-ups. The exception is the Marine Corps, which tests pull-ups. Check Service websites to find out how many you will need to do and in what amount of time. All of the Services test sit-ups, although the amount required and time constraint vary. Practice pacing your sit-ups so you don’t burn out too early in this timed test. push-ups pull-ups sit-ups Whether it’s off to college, straight to work or something in between, the Military may be right for you. The following websites can help you find the information you need. In addition to active-duty, full-time service opportunities, these websites also provide information on opportunities to serve while enrolled in college, as well as part-time military service options such as the Guard and Reserve. Today’s Military Todaysmilitary.com’s primary mission is education. This site is intended to inform students, parents and educators as they discuss the Military as a career option. www.todaysmilitary.com/futures navy The Navy trains its personnel for hundreds of highgrowth positions in more than 60 career fields, which you can explore on these websites. It doesn’t matter if you’re collegebound, prefer to take college courses at your own pace or are still in high school – the Navy can create and customize a career path for you. Active Duty www.navy.com United States naval Academy www.usna.edu naval reserve officers’ training corps www.nrotc.navy.com navY reserve www.navyreserve.com army You can find jobs that are available to you and apply online using the Army Career Explorer. If you choose to apply online, an Army recruiter will contact you to determine if you have the necessary qualifications and will also provide guidance as you begin to navigate your military future. (These sites also provide you with a list of sample questions that you can ask your recruiter to make sure the Army is right for you.) Active Duty www.goarmy.com United States Military Academy AT West Point www.usma.edu Army Reserve Officers Training Corps www.goarmy.com/rotc National Guard www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com ARMY RESERVE www.goarmyreserve.com Chaplain www.goarmy.com/chaplain Band www.goarmy.com/band air force Start with these websites for information on Air Force careers, financial aid, scholarships and college tuition for your future. They will help you find out if you are eligible to join, provide an overview of available careers and benefits and can help answer your questions about Air Force culture, Basic Training and what you can expect when you join. Active Duty www.airforce.com United States air force Academy www.academyadmissions.com air force reserve officers’ training corps www.afrotc.com air GUARD www.GoANG.com marine corps Every Marine is a rifleman, but every Marine is also trained in a specific military occupational specialty (MOS). Marine Corps training will make you quickly adaptable to any duty assignment while your MOS will define your area of expertise. These websites will help you understand the physical and mental preparedness required to become a Marine. Active Duty www.marines.com United States naval Academy www.usna.edu marine corps Officer candidate’s guide www.marineofficer.com marine corps reserve www.marines.com INFORMATION FOR PARENTS www.parents.marines.com INFORMATION AND STORIES ABOUT MARINES www.our.marines.com air force reserve www.AFReserve.com coast guard The Coast Guard will help you choose your career path based on your aptitude, physical abilities, security clearance, motivation and determination. The Coast Guard offers all specialties to both men and women equally – including combat roles. Active Duty and coast guard reserve www.GoCoastGuard.com United States coast guard Academy www.uscga.edu Military Benefits The Military offers benefits that go way beyond a paycheck, including health care, money for education, free travel, discounts and much more. For more information, visit todaysmilitary.com or talk with a recruiter. Education The Military can pay for education during service or afterwards. Programs include the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, College Fund Programs, Loan Repayment Programs, Servicemember Opportunity Colleges and even On-the-Job Training. Health Care In the Military, there’s no need to worry about paying for health or dental care. Health care for family members is available at low or no cost. Travel With 30 days vacation per year with pay for those on active duty, the Military offers great opportunities for those who like to travel. These include Space Available travel — free flights between military bases on a space-available basis — and discounts at military vacation resorts. Financial The Military offers good pay and has programs and benefits to make it easy to save money. Programs include: • Incentive pay and bonuses for signing up and re-enlisting (for select jobs/Services) housing and food allowances, or free room and board for active duty discounts and deals throughout the private sector • Tax-free • Substantial • Special duty allowances — family separation, overseas and special duty pay savings plan investment opportunity • Thrift • Free counseling and assistance programs deals on home loans • Special • Discounted shopping at on-base grocery and department stores Intangible Rewards Above all other things, the Military offers intangible rewards like self-discipline, leadership skills, respect, honor and devotion to duty. benefits package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. The Post 9/11 GI Bill boasts the most comprehensive education The new bill goes well beyond helping to pay for tuition. Many veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, will get full tuition and fees, a new monthly housing stipend and a $1,000-a-year stipend for books and supplies. The new bill also gives Reserve and Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11 access to the same GI Bill benefits. For more information, visit: www.gibill.va.gov Striding Toward Success: Former Lieutenant Jocelyn Butcher u n i t e d s t a t e s n av y As a high school track star, Jocelyn Butcher recognized at an early age that she enjoyed being ahead of everyone else. “I always had ambitious ideas for my future,” she says. “I always wanted to do something unique and separate myself from other people.” That opportunity presented itself when the United States Naval Academy recruited her to run track. “My family didn’t have a lot of money for college, so I was already looking for scholarships,” says Butcher. “But I had never heard of the Naval Academy, so I had to do some research. My mother thought it was a great opportunity and something not everyone can do. You have to be smart and a great athlete. People go on from there and do great things, so I took a closer look.” After considering several prestigious universities, Butcher chose the Naval Academy because the opportunity to travel and the unique experience appealed to her. “The process is pretty similar to applying to any regular college,” she says. “You need to have good SAT scores, etcetera. But you also have to be nominated by a member of Congress or the vice president. Even after nomination, you still have to be accepted by the school.” Butcher entered the Naval Academy as a plebe (a member of the freshman class) in 1997 and began the four-year program with Plebe Summer, an indoctrination program designed to turn civilians into midshipmen. Midshipmen are students in training for a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps. “Getting used to the military regiment combined with school was a challenge,” says Butcher. “Going through freshman year with 21 credits of classes while also having to be up at 5:30 each morning and marching at lunchtime … It was such an accomplishment just to learn how to manage my time and energy. After that, everything else seems easy!” All Naval Academy graduates are required to serve for eight years – part of which can be served on inactive-reserve status – and for at least five of those years, they must serve on active duty in the Navy or Marine Corps. When Butcher graduated in 2001, she was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy and was selected as a surface warfare officer – her first choice. During her six-year active-duty military career, Butcher traveled with her ship to more than 14 countries and led 14 to 70 enlisted personnel, depending on her level of responsibility. TodaysMilitary.com “The Navy gives you increasing responsibility fairly quickly,” Butcher says. “You have so much training to be a leader and learn how to manage people. It’s a great experience!” Today, Butcher is on inactive-reserve status as she completes her MBA at the University of Michigan. Always one step ahead, she already has a job lined up after graduation working for a major food company doing marketing and brand management. Butcher feels more than prepared for the responsibility. “It would be difficult for my civilian peers to compete with all the managerial experience I’ve already had so early in my career.” page 24 For more informa tion, visit www.usna.edu u n i t e d s tat e s a i r f o r c e tHE Physical Ability Stamina Test PAST may sound like just another military acronym to the average person, but those four letters stand for a test that helps determine your physical aptitude and future in the Air Force pararescue program. Air Forc In the Air, On Land, Underw a ter — Pararescuemen Sa ve Lives How many people can say that they get paid to jump out of planes? Not as a bet or a dare with friends, but as their honest, everyday job? Airmen 1st Class Lucas Ferrari and Dana Wright can! Both are stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M., training to become pararescuemen. Pararescuemen are tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments and serve alongside the other Services’ Special Operations Forces, to include Army Green Berets and Navy SEALs. They may serve domestically in situations like Hurricane Katrina or the California wildfires. During times of war, they can deploy to overseas locations such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The Physical Ability Stamina Test is designed to evaluate a minimum fitness level for entry into the Air Force pararescue training pipeline and includes swimming, running and other calisthenics. However, even after passing the test, it is critical that Airmen continue to train in order to enhance their chances of overall success. For more information on specific test criteria, please visit: http://www.afsoc.af.mil/ specialtactics/pastcriteria.asp. TodaysMilitary.com page 26 FASTfact The United States Air Force became a separate branch of the Military on Sept. 18, 1947. The Air Force was previously a part of the United States Army. ! p a e l e h t g n i k a T ce Elite: Airman 1st Class Lucas Ferrari Airman 1st class dana wright Training, Educa tion and Life on Base The training pipeline to become one of the Air Force’s elite takes about 2.5 years to complete and features great adventure. Imagine swimming out in the ocean, surrounded by phytoplankton that glows every time you move! Picture flying out near the U.S. border of Tijuana, Mexico, learning to jump out of a plane in the middle of the night! When asked if he was scared to jump out of a plane for the first time, Wright says, “No. The feeling is kind of like when you drive down the highway with your window down, and you stick your arm out and feel the pressure of the air flying by. It’s cool.” Aside from the adrenaline rush, one of the major benefits of pararescue training is that pararescuemen earn 38 semester hours toward an associate degree in survival and rescue through the Community College of the Air Force. They are also eligible for other educational benefits such as full tuition assistance while on active duty or the Post 9/11 GI Bill after completing military service (see Military Benefits on page 22 for more information). A Childhood Experience and a Famil y Tradition Despite a shared love of outdoor activities and an interest in medicine, both men cite very different reasons for joining the Air Force. Wright remembers a childhood experience in which he struggled to save a drowning friend but was unsuccessful. That memory has long driven him to be better trained to serve in emergency situations and save others’ lives – to the point that he turned down college wrestling scholarships to join the Military. Ferrari comes from a family steeped in military tradition. When considering the Air Force, Ferrari spoke to his father first because he, too, had served in that branch. They agreed the Air Force offered the best opportunities to match the type of experience he was looking for. Both Airmen recommend service to those considering it but stress the importance of doing the legwork first. “Really take the time to understand the goals you want to achieve by enlisting in the Military,” recommends Wright, to which Ferrari strongly agrees. For more informa tion, visit www.airforce.com Part-time Blue, Full-Time You Trained for the Challenge Most days you’ll find Erik Reichenbach working at his full-time civilian job in the film industry handling television production equipment. But for one weekend each month, you can find him serving as an Airman at Warfield Air Guard Base in Essex, Md. “I work in the munitions flight. That involves everything from storing and handling to loading munitions for the aircraft and includes fusing the bombs, maintenance on the bombs, missiles, flares, countermeasures … things like that,” says Staff Sgt. Erik Reichenbach. “My civilian co-workers are pretty impressed that I (am) in the Military,” he says. “They were totally supportive of me when I was deployed to Iraq.” Reichenbach’s unit deployed to Iraq in September 2007 and served there for three months. He says, “It wasn’t as challenging as I built it up to be, because you quickly realize that you’ve been trained for everything you’re tasked to do.” A Full-Time Career Not every career in the Air Guard is part time. Following a decadelong career in the active-duty Air Force, Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Rogers now serves full time in the Air Guard, performing training on weekends and taking care of day-to-day management, administration and equipment maintenance that is required during the week. “The Air Guard deploys just the same as the active-duty Air Force. The training is the same. Our scheduling may be different, but (in essence) we are one and the same,” says Rogers. As a load standardization crew chief, Rogers trains every load crew to complete an exact sequence of steps as they load and pre-flight-check munitions onto military aircraft. “Everything we do is on a time stamp, because pilots have to get out,” says Rogers. “We have to train all of our crews, and we only get them for 20 days each year. So it’s important to make sure our crews are trained well … before they head back to their (full-time civilian) jobs.” The Air Guard’s federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and to provide assistance during national emergencies. When Air Guard units are not mobilized or under federal control, they provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. For more informa tion, visit www.GoANG.com TodaysMilitary.com page 29 Stationed Locally, Serving Globally The Air Force Reserve’s main mission is to provide Citizen Airmen to defend the United States and protect its interests through air and space power. One such Citizen Airman is Capt. Dennis Castro, a flight nurse for the 514th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. As a flight nurse, Castro’s skills are in especially high demand. Knowing he is needed, Castro has volunteered to deploy on more than one occasion, giving up his personal time and taking time away from his civilian career so he can help others. “In my civilian career, I’m a trauma program manager in the emergency department at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.,” says Castro. “I’ve been deployed four times throughout my military career and have returned to St. Joseph’s after each time. It does get to be a struggle to transition back and forth from my military career to my civilian career, but my civilian employers are very supportive of what I do.” Castro says his favorite thing about being in the Air Force Reserve is getting experience with the Military’s medical technology that isn’t yet available in the civilian world. He also considers it an honor to assist on a C-17 aircraft to carry the most precious cargo of all: America’s warriors. “We use a C-17 aircraft, which is primarily a cargo aircraft that we convert to a flying hospital,” says Castro. “We take care of wounded servicemembers and air-evacuate them from around the world to bring them to various medical treatment facilities either abroad or throughout the United States.” As a flight nurse, Castro is part of a highly trained aeromedical evacuation team ready to handle any type of patient concerns while aboard the aircraft, from treating a heart attack to performing in-flight surgical procedures. The medical team cares for patients on the plane just as if they are in a hospital. At the time of this interview, Castro was training for his fifth deployment to Iraq. TodaysMilitary.com “Putting on this uniform, I feel proud to be a Citizen Airman and know I am serving my country,” he says. For more informa tion, visit www.AFReserve.com 30 page FASTfact On any given day, 99 percent of the 447 aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve are mission-ready and able to deploy within 72 hours. ne should What everyo registering know about e service with selectiv Q: A: What is Selective Service? The Selective Service System is a government agency whose job is to provide untrained manpower for the Armed Forces in the event of a national emergency. Q: A: What if I don’t register? You’re breaking the law. If prosecuted, you could be sent to prison for up to five years and fined up to $250,000. In addition, if you fail to register, you can’t qualify for federal student grants or loans for college, job training benefits, and many state and federal jobs. Q: A: What is Selective Service registration? By registering, you add your name to a list of all the men in the nation, ages 18 through 25. This list would be used to identify men for possible military service in case of a national emergency. Q: Is registration hard? A: No. In fact, it’s never been easier. A young man can register with Selective Service in less than two minutes online at www.sss.gov. You can also register by going to your local post office and completing a registration form. It’s as simple as filling in your name, address, telephone number, date of birth and Social Security number. Registration forms should be available in your local recreation or social service center school’s guidance or registrar office, or you may receive a form in the mail. Simply complete the form and mail it to Selective Service. Q: A: What happens if there is a draft? There has not been a draft since 1973. If there were an emergency sufficient for Congress and the President to order another draft, Selective Service would conduct a birth date lottery to decide the order in which to call men. Those who turn 20 during that calendar year would be called first in a sequence determined by the lottery. If more men were needed, those who are 21 to 25 years old would be called first, beginning with the 21-year-olds. Q: A: When should I register? Within 30 days of your 18th birthday. If you can’t register on time because you’re hospitalized or in prison, you have 30 days in which to register after you are released. If 30 days have already passed since your 18th birthday, register immediately, either online or at your post office. Although Selective Service will accept a late registration, the longer you wait, the longer you’re breaking the law and jeopardizing your future benefits. Q: A: Who is required to register? The law says all 18-year-old men, including U.S. citizens living abroad and noncitizen immigrant males 18–25 residing in the U.S., must register. The only young men exempt from registration are noncitizen males who are in the U.S. temporarily as tourists, diplomats and their family members, foreign exchange students, incarcerated or institutionalized men, men on active duty in the Armed Forces and students at U.S. military academies. Q: How do I prove I registered? A: When registering online, you will receive your Selective Service number immediately. That number is your proof of registration. For safekeeping, jot down that number. You’ll receive a Selective Service card in the mail confirming that number. If you don’t get your card in the mail within 90 days, write to: Selective Service System Registration Information Office P.O. Box 94638 Palatine, IL 60094-4638 Q: A: Why don’t women have to register? Our nation only registers men. This has always been the case. Selective Service law as it is presently written refers specifically to “male persons” in stating who must register and who could be subject to a draft. Therefore, Selective Service procedures don’t apply to women. In order for women to be required to register with Selective Service, Congress would have to change the wording of the law. Register online: www.sss.gov or call 1-847-688-6888 TodaysMilitary.com 33 page u n i t e d s tat e s c o a s t gu a r d Lieutenant Jeanine McIntosh Menze Lieutenant Jeanine McIntosh Menze is many things: a native of Jamaica, a college graduate, a daughter, a sister and a wife. She’s someone who has camped on glaciers in Alaska in her free time and, as the first female African-American pilot in the United States Coast Guard, she is also always ready to embark on lifesaving rescue missions at a moment’s notice. Born in Jamaica, Menze’s house sat under the final approach path for Kingston International Airport. She can remember feeling a sense of fascination as she watched the aircraft slowly descend toward their destination — a fascination that remained with her through her family’s immigration first to Canada, and later to Miami, Fla. However, it was not until she enrolled at Florida International University to study for an international business degree that Menze decided to pursue her dream of flying. She learned to pilot commercial aircraft and also became a flight instructor, all while earning her bachelor’s degree and joining her family in earning their United States citizenship. On Sept. 11, 2001, Menze was sitting in a college classroom when she heard the news of the terrorist attacks. It was at that moment she decided to change the course of her career. “That day moved the whole country and really made me stop and think about how I wanted to carry out my life. I knew then that I really wanted it to be through some type of service to the country. So I signed up for the Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School (OCS).” X Sink or Swim Menze’s desire to give back to her adopted country did not come without its own unique set of challenges. Many of the Coast Guard’s missions are executed on the water, and yet Menze joined without knowing how to swim! “I had a fear of the water that I had been nursing since I was a little girl. There was this incident where I had been sitting on the shoulders of a cousin and fell off into some deep water, and that is probably where it began,” explains Menze. “When I signed up for the Coast Guard, I knew I would finally have to overcome my childhood fears and learn how to swim. I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a book about how to swim and brought it to the pool. I also tried enrolling in a class at the local YMCA and, while that helped me a lot in conquering my fear, where I really learned to swim was actually in a program offered through OCS.” XX On Being the First When asked how she feels about serving as the first female African-American pilot in the Coast Guard, Menze says, “It is something that I feel very excited about. I am definitely motivated and honored to hold that title. I say motivated because I hope, in the future, other people will look at me and realize we can continue to evolve the face of all Military Services with diversity.” Perhaps just as amazing is the fact that Menze has accomplished all of this, and she is only 28! Search and Rescue Today, Menze is a C-130 Hercules aircraft commander stationed in Florida. She is in charge of signing out the aircraft and is responsible for the safety of her crew, which usually includes seven other members of the Coast Guard. Working as a team, the crew is responsible for executing missions that fall into any one of three different categories: search and rescue, law enforcement and humanitarian cargo transportation. They have saved the lives of those lost out at sea, enforced fishery laws and transported endangered seals to safer waters. “When I was in OCS, it was one big leadership test. It is a tough job to be in charge,” says Menze. “When you are in the 11th hour of a search-and-rescue mission, you really want to find the missing person. Your heart and endurance are on the line to find someone’s family member, and it is hard not to feel attached. But as the person in charge, I need to make the judgment call about staying out there on the scene longer, and whether or not I can run the risk of fatiguing the crew or pushing the limits of the aircraft.” For more information, visit www.GoCoastGuard.com FASTfact The U.S. Coast Guard seizes one drug smuggling vessel every five days. TodaysMilitary.com 35 page From Engine repairs to public affairs— Coast Guard Fireman Whitney Bell attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s School of Business for three years before realizing she was looking for something more in her life. She had grown bored with classrooms full of books and wanted a thrill. So she spoke with her sister, who is in the Air Force, and a brother in the Marine Corps, before finally deciding the Coast Guard was right for her. “After seeing my sister and brother sign up for the Military, I had a really high expectation of what serving would be like,” explains Bell. “I always looked up to both of them as such strong people and never thought that I could follow in their paths. But as my life moved along, the Military seemed more and more like the best fit for me. After enlisting, I discovered that there was never anything I couldn’t handle. The Coast Guard is great about always giving you all of the tools you need to succeed.” Today, Bell is stationed in Florida and loves her job. “Every day, I can look out the window at work and see the ocean and the swaying palm trees. Some people dream of a warm getaway to a place like this, but this is where I actually get to live and work. It is pretty amazing!” career options Bell explains there are a variety of roles Coast Guardsmen can fill when they first enlist, especially if they don’t know exactly what they want to do when they leave for boot camp. “The Coast Guard will let you go into the field to check out what everyone else does and then decide,” Bell says. “That’s what I did and how I figured out that I want to become a public affairs specialist.” “Right now, I work on boats,” she explains. “As a fireman, that means I work below deck with the engines and am responsible for the integrity of the systems. Seamen work above deck. And now that I’ve decided I’d like to pursue public affairs, I’m in the middle of the interview process for that job.” Public Affairs Specialist Bell explains she felt the public affairs role would be a perfect fit for her because, in her three years of college, English was always her favorite subject, and she loves to write. Photography also happens to be a personal hobby of hers, and in combining the two, Bell thinks she will be well-prepared to help tell the Coast Guard story. “Overall, the Coast Guard was definitely the right choice for me. Knowing that I can do the same job the guys do – and sometimes even better – that makes me walk around with my head held high!” FASTfact Prior to schooling or on-the-job training for a particular rating, Coast Guard and Navy enlisted members in the engineering and hull community are called firemen. Afterward, they become petty officers. TodaysMilitary.com 37 page YO U CA N R U N . BU T T HAT ’ S A BO U T I T. To say we have the highest applied technology on the planet is perhaps an understatement of gargantuan proportions. More accurately, we have the highest applied technology on earth, in the air and throughout the solar system. Our manned and unmanned aircraft, spacecraft and satellites work 24/7, gathering '#.&&#+..#+(,&7?H<EH9;$9EC%>;7BJ>97H; and sending information in real-time situations. That’s why there’s no place to hide when you’re being tracked by the United States Air Force. '#.&&#*()#KI7<7?H<EH9;$9EC