By Sgt. Russell Toof | 99th Regional Support Command | July 19, 2017

July 18, 2017 -- JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Army Reserve leaders, Soldiers and civilians gathered July 18 at the Army Reserve Mobilization Museum here to celebrate the centennial of the inception of Camp Dix.

ByStaff Sgt.Shawn Morris| 99th Regional Support Command | July 10, 2017

July 8, 2017 -- JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Two-dozen U.S. Army Reserve ambassadors attended the 2017 Army Reserve Ambassador Seminar July 6-9 at the Maj. John P. Pryor Army Reserve Center here.

By Sgt. Russell Toof | 99th Regional Support Command | July 06, 2017

July 6, 2017 -- JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Forty U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers sit in the Iron Mike Conference Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, exhausted from the events of the previous week. It was a week filled with competing in a variety of challenges including firing weapons, land navigation, the Army Physical Fitness Test and various mystery events all while battling high humidity and temperatures in the 80s and 90s.

Moton has always had a desire to learn, as evidenced by the doctorate he earned in 2016, and the Army has been there to assist him throughout his quest for knowledge.

Story by SSG Shawn Morris on 09/26/2018

Nearly six years later, the newly designated 99th Readiness Division prepared to respond once again to a major storm hitting the eastern seaboard as Hurricane Florence made its relentless push westward across the Atlantic Ocean.

Story by SSG Shawn Morris on 08/07/2018

The program is designed to help Soldiers who are not meeting the Army height and weight program and physical fitness standards, while also enhancing Army Reserve readiness and retention.

Story by Catherine Carroll on 07/25/2018

The MR2, a revamped approach to the Command Readiness Reviews of past years, was designed as an opportunity for staff collaboration on advancement and improvement and it measures multiple aspects of readiness including training, personnel strength, logistics and medical readiness.

Story by SGT Dennis Glass on 07/11/2018

First, a loud explosion was heard. This didn't seem troubling since he was teaching at a clinic in close proximity to a training site. But moments later someone rushed in with horrifying news; a gas tank had exploded, and there were casualties!
The FEDPOL students met victims of the explosion in the walk-in area of the clinic and put their first-aid skills to use. The students quickly applied tourniquets and evaluated the explosion victims for more injuries. One of the victims arrived at the clinic with partial amputations to both legs. With absolute professionalism, the students were able to stop the bleeding, stabilize with intravenous fluids, and arrange for the transfer of the casualties to the 47th Combat Support Hospital at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center for further care.
The triage and transportation of the injured personnel was coordinated by the Italian Carabinieri, another Coalition partner that has an integral role in training the FEDPOL. The Carabinieri's control over the chaotic situation allowed the CLS students effectively preform their skills.
Medical training that Coalition forces provide to their Iraqi partners saves lives, and it is on track to save more!
Nusbaum, a combat medic assigned to Task Force Medical 47, was able to witness his students use the six months of medical training they received to save lives in the very facility the training was given.
"It was one of the fastest response times I've seen for transferring a patient. Their knowledge of the skills, and their application of those skills in a timely matter, absolutely contributed to getting them to the CSH that quick," said Nusbaum. "Twelve months ago, if that patient had come into this clinic I doubt they would have made it out alive.""
TF MED 47 operates under Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, the Global Coalition of nations and partner organizations that advise and assist partner forces in both Iraq and Syria.
The Iraqi FEDPOL began their medical training after members of TF MED 47 were invited to observe and grade a basic combat lifesaver skills demonstration. However, TF MED members felt that it was inappropriate to grade the students without witnessing the training that the students had received. Subsequently, TF MED 47 was invited to assist with the FEDPOL medical training.
"The theater mission from our understanding was to help create a local national force that was self-sustaining and self-sufficient," said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Kelley, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Emergency Medical Treatment Team at the 47th CSH. Kelley said the question asked by the chain of command was; "If this is supposed to be self-sustaining, why are we just teaching CLS? Why don't we teach a CLS instructor course so that the local Federal Police can now teach themselves?"
Col. Robert Howe, commander of Task Force Medical BDSC, approved training for intermediate and advanced medical courses, which would qualify the Iraqi policemen to instructors. Kelley, along with key members of TF MED 47, were instrumental in developing Programs of Instruction which provided a detailed description of the course and phase content, duration of instruction, and resources used to conduct the class. So far 11 members of the Iraqi FEDPOL have completed the advanced course and are now qualified to teach the basic CLS course and see patients in their own clinic.
"I have Iraqi Federal police instructors training CLS for the Iraqis, saving lives for the Iraqis! That's self-sustaining! That's why we are here," said Kelley.
"We can teach anybody, but having somebody take that instruction and apply it, and then to share that knowledge with their counterparts; what that does is keep us from having to come back and do this again, and again and again."
Coalition CLS training of Partner Forces does not stop with TF MED 47 and FEDPOL. 1LT Daniel Gebhardt, a Physician Assistant at Union III Role 2 in Baghdad, shared that 12 members of the Iraqi Army living at Union III were trained in Basic Combat Life Saving. The FEDPOL response proves that this training is indeed life-saving. Offering this training at Union III serves as an example of the emphasis the Coalition places on continuing its proven success working together with Partner Forces.

Story by SPC John Irish on 05/20/2018

It was a stifling muggy day in Upper St. Clair during the town's annual community day event. The men of Knap's Independent Battery "E," a Civil War reenactment group from southwestern Pennsylvania, toiled in their wool attire, preparing their gun and camp for a shooting demonstration. Their presence worked to reel the attention in of the onlookers at the event for the Fulton Log House nearby, a historical site that teaches the history of the area.
Taking in the day, James Sims, a native of Greensburg, Pa., sat with his gaze resting on the field nearby. Cracking a roasted peanut, he recalled when he first became involved in reenacting 29 years ago. It was when he was stationed at Fort AP Hill, Va. Sims always had an interest in history that coupled with his background in the U.S. Army as an artillery crewmen, which set him down the road to Knap's Battery.
"I knew I wanted to do an artillery impression, so I found a local Pittsburgh reenacting group that had Pittsburgh lineage and history," said Sims.
Sims is an unofficial operations point in Knap's Battery. He said he likes to organize the events more than the artillery itself. However, he likes the history the most. As for the events, the larger ones are easier to recall. Artillery will always be set up on a hill top and it provides a vantage point that lets us take in how big the events really are.
"It's impressive, they're all volunteer," said Sims. "Nobody is out here getting paid."
Another reenactor in Knap's Battery is Mike Woodburn, from Pittsburgh, who is also a history buff and found himself looking for more ways to explore history one day. Woodburn was a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh when he discovered the Battery in 2002.
"I was bored in the student union one day, Googling reenacting groups in Pittsburgh and found Knap's Battery," said Woodburn. "A couple months later I was abducted and indoctrinated."
With a chuckle, Woodburn recalled the day when he first met the men of the Battery. It was at the Crowne Plaza shopping center in Washington, Pa. He said it was a welcoming environment, everyone was eager to introduce themselves and show him around the equipment. Not too long after, in May of 2002, Woodburn was at his first event with Knap's Battery.
"They immediately put me right on the gun crew," He said. "It was pretty intense."
He had never heard a Civil War cannon fire before. He remembers feeling the concussion of the blast in his chest and was in love ever since. Woodburn said it's important going out and educating the public and participating in the reenactments and firing demonstrations. They do their best to make sure they honor the sacrifices the men and women who served in the Civil War made.
"If you really do this for the right reason and you're truly a history buff like most of us are," said Woodburn. "I think you really appreciate coming out and talking with the public and educating the public."
Knap's Battery's former captain used to say the group couldn't replicate what the people who died in the Civil War did. They could only honor what they did.
"I think it's important for us to come out here and make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten," said Woodburn.

Story by PV1 Hunter Eastman on 04/20/2018

DEVENS RESERVE FORCES TRAINING AREA, Mass. -- Before sunrise, competitors in the Major Command-level Best Warrior Competition (MCBWC) started their day with a 12-mile ruck march around the South Post of Devens Reserve Forces Training Area in Massachusetts, April 19, 2018.
Despite the heavy rain and cold conditions which developed near the end of the event when most competitors had already logged over ten of the twelve miles, Pvt. Adam Nelson, a combat engineer from the 372nd Engineer Battalion, 416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC), said, "you just have to put that ruck on, start stepping and take it one mile at a time."
This task pushed the competitor's limits and proved their ability to endure in stressful environments and epitomizing the Soldiers Creed calling for physically and mentally tough Soldiers that can rise above any hardship.
"It's extremely exciting to see them plan, strategize, team up and really dig down deep to overcome every challenge," said Maj. Gen. A. C. Roper, Commanding General of the 76th Operational Response Command, the command responsible for organizing the competition.
After the march, Soldiers traveled to Minuteman National Historic Park (MNHP) in Concord, Massachusetts where they watched a reenactment, in honor of the Soldiers who fought and gave their lives in the American Revolution - the original Citizen-Soldiers.
The visit happened 243 years, to the day, of the Battle of Lexington and Concord fought on these very grounds on April 19, 1775 and memorialized in Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Concord Hymn" as 'The shot heard round the world.'
"We're here memorializing patriots of the war," said Sean Conley, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and a direct descendent of Paul Revere also attending the event. "We'll never forget the history of our country."
This was a motivating event that helped Soldiers understand the history and camaraderie of America's early Army, motivating them to continue pursuit of their goals as Soldiers, and model themselves after America's valiant patriots of the Revolutionary War.
Watching a reenactment of the Shot Heard Around the World was an honor for Nelson that hit home for him due to the emotional meaning of the events that sparked the revolution in America.
The visit to MNHP brought everything the Soldiers have been working towards at the competition full circle and into perspective. Understanding what the Army stands for and what it has accomplished with the help of patriots that fought for our country during the Revolutionary War is an experience that will last a lifetime.
"Today serves as a bridge, that connects our past when our Army fired the Shot Heard Around the World to our present-day reality, where we now have the best Army the world has ever known," said Roper, reflecting on the powerful reenactment Soldiers participating in the MCBWC were able to witness as a conclusion to the competition.
After the trip to MNHP, for the final scored event, the competitors where then required to compose and essay with the newly rekindled inspiration of being a Citizen-Soldier.
At the end of the day, competing Soldiers and their sponsors, sergeants major, cadre and other members of the MCBWC gathered for the award ceremonies to name the best warrior in each command.
Specialist John Mundey, from the 463rd Engineer Battalion, 412th TEC, won best warrior, as a junior enlisted Soldier, for his command. Mundey also earned the highest score out of all the junior-enlisted Soldiers as well as the highest score of all the competitors here, proving he has the Soldier and leadership skills, and military knowledge to earn the title best warrior.
"I'm glad that I was able to pull it all together because I trained really hard for this," said Mundey. "Overcoming any adversity builds character and resilience, I hope I can take this back to those in my unit and share what I've learned here."
Sergeant Christian Cieslak, 382nd Engineer Company, 412th TEC was awarded best warrior, noncommissioned officer (NCO), for his command, as well as the highest score of all NCOs in the competition.
Sergeant Aaron Chavers, from the 198th Army Band, 99th Readiness Division, earned his second, consecutive major command-level win, this time as an NCO. Chavers previously won best warrior as a junior enlisted Soldier last year.
"Winning best warrior will help build my leadership skills as an NCO," said Chavers. Chavers also credits his sponsor, Staff Sgt. Joshua Meyer, who competed for the NCO title last year, for helping him maintain his motivation and persevere through the challenges that the competition garnered.
Specialist William Laws, of the 318th Chemical Company, 76th Operational Response Command was awarded best warrior, for his command, as a junior enlisted Soldier.
Sergeant Thomas Crump, attached to the 327th Chemical Company, was also best warrior winner for the 76th Operational Response Command, as an NCO.
Sergeant Justin Richardson, of the 365th Chemical Company, 416th TEC, took home the title of best warrior, for his command, as an NCO. The winner of the junior enlisted best warrior, the 416th TEC was Spc. Benjamin Retz.
"This was a great competition that tested every part of being a Soldier," said Spc. Bradley Brown, attached to the 382nd Engineer Company, 412th TEC.
The MCBWC brought Soldiers together to learn, grow and realize their potential as Soldiers in the U.S Army. The conclusion of the competition will benefit each of the competitors, so they can go back to their units and share all that they've gained throughout the four-day event.

By Sgt. Russell Toof | 99th Regional Support Command | June 26, 2017

July 23, 2017 -- JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Army chaplain (Maj.) Timothy Elliott might not be where he is today without the support of his family.