3 -116 CAV Family Program Newsletter

In This Issue

PAGE ONE On the Cover: Commanders Message

LTC Brian Dean, Commanding

PAGE TWO

Welcome to the Newsletter

Jessica Specht, BN FRG Leader

PAGE THREE

In The News:

A Company Change in FRG

The New Dalles Armory

PAGE FOUR

Kids Craft: Patriotic Print

Story Behind the Combat Cake

PAGE FIVE

Interview with a Soldier

CSM Ron Bloker, 3-116 CAV

Commanders Message

D earest families, we live in exciting

and difficult times. I have been in

the National Guard for 21 years and

have seen several family programs each

with their strengths and weaknesses. I am tru-

ly excited about the future of 3-116 Caval-

ry. I have made it a priority and a focus for

Jessica to strengthen our family program as

well as our community involvement. From a Sol-

dier's perspective I need all of your help to

understand how I can help families build self reliance, resiliency,

develop positive lasting relationships and take advantage of education

benefits in our pursuit of life long learning.

I will be working your Soldiers very hard over the next 16 months. We

represent the best Armored Brigade Combat Team in the National

Guard. We are the Number One priority for National Guard and First

Army for training in the country. We have the most expensive and effective combat platforms in the

world. In August 2015 we will be simulating the liberation of a country through a series of combat and

stability engagements against a world class opposition force us-

ing twenty first century training and tracking mechanisms. This

training is the best the world has to offer and your Soldiers

will be the first National Guard Armored Brigade to complete a

National Training Center (NTC) rotation since the attack on the

Twin Towers. NTC will be the most difficult training they have ever accomplished in an austere envi-

ronment that will make Iraq feel like a Holiday Inn.

I will be working your

soldiers very hard over

the next 16 months.

Continued on Page 3

I t is with great pleasure that I have this

first opportunity of reaching out to each

of you through our newsletter families,

soldiers, loved ones and supporters and,

first, thanking you for everything you do. The

family is the backbone of civilization itself, and

you are the strength behind our Battalion and its

soldiers.

This newsletter has a variety of purposes. First,

the goal of the newsletter is to bring you closer

to your soldiers unit, keep you up to speed on the happenings within our local

military community (as well as future training plans) and bring you closer to

our fantastic supporters and resources. I understand from personal experience

that understanding what, exactly, your loved one is doing is key to supporting

them, and, above all, we need the

support of each and every one of

you.

In future editions, well focus

more on the training schedule and

ongoing events. Weve all started

to hear a lot about the upcoming

NTC rotation and budgetary cuts. Well bring you the best information on what

our soldiers face in the coming months and years and what, exactly, it means

for our families.

This month, as our soldiers pull out their uniforms, shake out their gear and

prepare to go to drill, remember that you are a part of their success. The Fam-

ily Program is a national priority because our leaders have recognized that

soldiers perform better when theyre happy

at home. So, remember that, while its

always hard to sacrifice them for what

would have probably been a great family

day, what you say and how you feel about

their career in the Guard will directly

impact them once they step foot into the

armory or through the gate of the Umatilla

Depot. Lets set them up for safety and

success!

- Jessica Specht, BN FRG Coordinator

Welcome to Third Tanks Newsletter! Looking for a

resource?

Have a specific

need?

Tara Howie is here to help!

As a Family Assistance Spe-

cialist (FAS),

Tara tracks and compiles a

variety of resources to best

serve our families and sol-

diers in need.

She is located out of the On-

tario Armory. If you are in

the area, you can speak

with her in person during

normal work hours or con-

tact her via phone or email.

Phone: (541) 889-5514

extension 2084

Email:

tara.j.howie.ctr@mail.mil

Ontario Armory

Address:

1330 SW 4th Street

Ontario, Oregon

Well bring you the best infor-

mation on what our soldiers

face in the coming months, and

what it means for our

families.

Submissions Wanted!

Since the FRG is all about Families,

this Newsletter is only made possi-

ble by the soldiers, volunteers and

family members of 3-116 CAV.

To help make this publication bet-

ter, please consider submitting

your:

Photos from Drill

Ideas for Improvement and Useful Articles

The Names of Outstanding Community or Military Volun-

teers

Direct emails to Jessica Specht

3116CAVBNFRG@gmail.com

IN THE NEWS

Captain Jorge DeAnda took com-

mand of Alpha Company in The

Dalles during March drill. We

are pleased to announce as well

that his wife, Nancy DeAnda, has

come on board with the FRG

team as CPT DeAndas FRG lead-

er at Alpha Company. We want

all the families to know that we

are here for them to give them

support and guide them along

the way, says Nancy. We un-

derstand that sometimes hav-

ing a loved one in the NG can

be tough but that's why the FRG

is here.

Nancy DeAnda is replacing

Carol Roderick, a long-time

volunteer and local leader, who

hopes that the change will allow

her to more freely reach out to the

community and to encourage support

of the unit.

We have been with the Oregon Na-

tional Guard for around 12 years,

says Captain DeAnda, from my time

as an enlisted soldier and Nancy be-

ing my girlfriend. We both under-

stand how the military can be seen as

an organization that always takes the

soldier away from their family. Our

goal is be available and do our best

to make our unit more accessible to

the families.

Nancy and CPT DeAnda wish to ex-

tend a warm welcome to all Alpha

Company families and encourage

them to contact her at:

aco.3116.frg@gmail.com.

ALPHA COMPANYS NEW FRG LEADER

AND ITS NEW COMMANDER

Soldiers emotions will range from excitement to distress over the time and training requirements. I know

this will put additional strain on the families and I want to help so this series of challenges will make

for an easy test for the families to pass. I ask you to work with Jessica and I as we move for-

ward. Thank you for your time, your ideas and your sacrifice. Together we will show the world why Ameri-

ca is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave.

- LTC Brian Dean, Commanding

Commanders Messagecontinued from page 1

GRAND OPENING OF FORT DALLES READINESS CENTER

The New Alpha Company Armory

17 APRThe beautiful new armory on

Scenic Drive has officially opened for use

following ceremonies which were attend-

ed by the TAG, Major General Hokanson,

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as

well as LTC Dean and other representa-

tives from our battalion and community.

On the Cover: CPT DeAnda speaks to the

armorys first formation on 11 April, days

before its grand opening. Right, two-story

windows look out over the beautiful Co-

lumbia River Gorge.

Items Needed:

1 sheet white paper (or color of your choice)

Red, white and blue acrylic non-toxic paint

1 small-diameter paintbrush

Ball-point pen

Cleanup supplies and frame, if desired.

Step One: Create the red and

white stripes by painting the fin-

gers and thumb. Make sure to

thoroughly coat each color so

they dont dry too quickly.

Step Two: Paint the palm blue.

Step Three: Press the childs hand flat to the paper, slightly roll-ing each finger and gently pressing the palm.

Step Four: Paint in the star over the blue palm.

Step Five: Repeat with additional coats of paint as desired. Let

dry, then note your childs name and the year and display to your liking!

Did you see this cake at Umatilla? Nancy DeAnda created it herself for Alpha Company to celebrate the units April birthdays!

Kids Craft

PATRIOTIC PRINT

INTERVIEW WITH A SOLDIER

CSM Ron Bloker

When did you join the Army?

1992, as 11C, then went to 11B.

Why did you join?

I always wanted to be a soldier;

but also partly for school money.

I came into the Army in the GOLD

program, but then I saw the light.

It was a way to pay for college,

and I walked out with almost no

bills. Were still paying for my

wifes education.

What challenges has your family

life faced during your career?

Time away from family

deployment and Ive always partic-

ipated in other events and

[military] schools. The other big-

gest draw is planning. Everything

has to be scheduled around the

military.

What is your wifes favorite part

of being an Army Wife?

Having a weekend off. She does en-

joy that.

How does your military career en-

hance your civilian career?

It helps me to organize and prior-

itize events and trainings. But

the civilian side enhances the

military, too. Im a teacher, and I

teach and mentor my students just

like I do my soldiers. Its kind of

a handshake.

What military benefits do you find

the most useful?

Tricare is as solid an insurance

as Ive had, and the life insurance

is a huge perk - I dont have to

worry about my wife. And, down the

road, this is another retirement.

And, ultimately, the pay and bene-

fits are a lifestyle changer, if

only $200-$300 a month.

Favorite weapon of all-time?

I tell ya, were fortunate in this

battalion. I cant name just one.

My favorites are the 120mm mortar,

the Bradley (it has a wicked cycle

rate) and the M1 Abrams smooth,

destructive and accurate.

What has changed the most since

you enlisted?

The amount of time committed to

the Guard. There are much more ad-

ministrative and training regula-

tions. Its no longer one weekend

for drill and two weeks a year for

AT. And, Ive lost a lot of hair.

Favorite position held?

Platoon Sergeant. Ive loved em

all, but, as a Platoon Sergeant,

you work with soldiers nearly eve-

ry day. Youve got to suffer with

them.

What is your Key to Success?

Really taking care of my own ca-

reer. I sought opportunities to

advance, as well as education. I

took a lot of stuff home and prac-

ticed, lots of manuals, outside of

drill, or the laptop a lot of

which you cant do anymore. I did

everything I could do to be the

best.

From the CSM

I understand the toll that

having a family member gone

has all the time. I cant ex-

press my gratefulness for the

families and wives. We can

never say thank you enough.

In each edition, CSM Bloker will be

writing in with his thoughts and

guidance. Watch for his message!

As the Battalions Command Sergeant Major (CSM), Ron Bloker is the

highest-ranking Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in 3-116 CAV. He over-

sees all personnel and assists the Battalion Commander as his right-hand

and most seasoned warrior. Please enjoy this opportunity to become more

acquainted with one of the Oregon Guards finest soldiers!

Learning the Terms

11C-Officially, an indirect fire infantryman-an infantryman

who trains specifically on mor-

tars, a type of medium-range

indirect fire weapon that lobs

small bombs (similar to artil-

lery).

11B-An infantryman; a soldier

who fights on foot. It is also the

oldest of military jobs.

GOLD Program-An education-

al program where a soldier can

gain a commission as an officer.

Tricare-The Armys sponsored insurance plan. Check it out!

120mm Mortar-The main

weapon of mortarmen.

Bradley-A tracked, armored

personnel carrier with a 25mm

main gun.

M1 Abrams-The primary battle

tank with 120 mm main gun.

Platoon Sergeant (PSG)-A sen-

ior enlisted leadership position

at the platoon level. Advises the

platoon leader on soldier wel-

fare, logistics, casualty care

and administration.

If you have questions about the

words underlined on the left,

check out the list of terms below!