Focus
There are two circles of events which characterize Command Sergeant Major Brian Rikstad's service in the Washington Army National Guard as he nears the end of a 39-year career in uniform. The arc of his service began in the wake of the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980. He watched on
Focus
In his line of service, Maj. Sameer Puri knows a lot about cybersecurity. He is a Title 32 Active Guard and Reserve member of the Washington Army National Guard. In this role not only does Puri serve as the Director of Information, he is also the team chief for the Defensive
Veterans
Mark Herr said that concentrated effort is an excellent way to achieve one's business goals. "It takes hard work," the Army veteran began. "In war zones and in recruiting, I learned that I had to go out and get what I wanted, even if there were several other people who wanted
Focus
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Scott Pierson understands the power of music. "We have the great privilege of interacting with the citizens of Washington as citizen soldiers because we all live and work in Washington," Pierson, commander of the 133rd Army Band, Washington Army National Guard (WAARNG), wrote in an email. "In some
Focus
USO Northwest recently welcomed David Dutcher as the new manager of its Camp Lewis Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). "Due to the pandemic, the center has been closed for a little over a year," said the native of Mississippi, "and I would say that my two biggest challenges are bringing
Family
The Fourth of July holiday is a time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. For service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, it provides a number of opportunities for fun and fireworks. The recent easing of restrictions due to COVID-19 did not allow event organizers enough time to
News Front
Trident University International may be theplace to attend online classes for those seekingto gain the education to advance their careers. A private online for-profit university locatedin Cypress, California, it offers associate,bachelor's, master's and doctoral degreeprograms, as well as certificates in business,health sciences, education and informationsystems. In order to help prospective students find
Military Life
On June 17, 2021 the Pentagon released guidelines on how service members can sue the Department of Defense for medical malpractice. For decades this has not been allowed. According to information published in the Federal Register, the Pentagon will begin next month to pay service members or their estates for substantiated
Health
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a noninvasive method of brain stimulation therapy that uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells. Primarily used to treat depression, TMS has helped individuals who do not respond to antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. In 2008 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TMS for this
Military Life
TSgt Chankrisna Chim personifies the four- letter word care. "I have had subordinates in the past come to me regarding their personal struggles" the Non-commissioned Officer-in-Charge of the 62nd Airlift Wing's McChord Clinic, began his email. As the clinic's NCOIC, he oversees daily operations related to deployment medicine and occupational health care. "I
Focus
The Enhanced Night Vision Google-Binocular, or ENVG-B, provides soldiers with unmatched clarity, depth perception and peripheral vision. The ENVG-B is part of the Army's Force Modernization Program that provides soldiers with better situational awareness of the battlefield. Its white phosphorus capabilities are a significant upgrade which allow for increased visibility in near
News Front
As the partially disassembled C-130E Hercules was towed slowly down a row of parked C-17s, Ernest White watched with a look of pride. "This is just wonderful to watch because it only happens every once and a while," said the public relations representative for the McChord Air Museum Foundation. Sunday, June 13
Focus
A licensed clinical social worker and substance abuse disorder professional, Gilberto Maldonado's life is one of gratitude. "When I look back on my life, I realize that things could have turned out much different," he wrote in an email. "My mistakes turned out to be lessons and not sentences." He is the
News Front
Sexual abuse and assault impact millions of Americans across the country each year. These acts of blatant disregard for others inflict physical trauma and emotional distress. A civil sexual assault lawsuit can help survivors recover damages for the harm inflicted. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAIN), survivors usually
Focus
Connie Byzinker's career with the Washington Army National Guard as an assistant inspector general started when she first learned to play the oboe in the fourth grade. "I continued through high school," she began, "and before graduation in 1967, my mother found an Army recruiting ad for female musicians. I answered
News Front
From the time he was about six years old growing up in Boise, Idaho, John Allen Hemphill knew that he wanted to serve in the military. In high school he was an all-state center on the football team. A Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet in both high school and for a
Military Life
The RMG Real Estate Network works to make the mission of moving to Alaska a less daunting challenge. "It's no small feat," wrote Jake Nelson, a buyer's specialist, in an email. "Leave room for adjustment. Whether you plan on flying, driving or taking a ferry, it is a long trip. We
News Front
At this moment, sexual assault is the most prevalent crime in the United States. "But the thing is," wrote Jenifer Kuadli in an article entitled "32 Shocking Sexual Assault Statistics for 2021", "sexual assault statistics reflect that many crimes are still not fully addressed or understood." Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III
Health
The majority of previous studies on the connection between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) have focused on male populations. PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event; IHD is a term given to heart problems caused by
Focus
After an unfortunate turn of events, a respected Washington National Guard soldier had been jailed. While the soldier awaited his court appearance, the state's Adjutant General took the time to visit and talk to him. He told the soldier that he was accountable for his actions, but more importantly he
