People Rule
Private Morgan Downs arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord this past Tuesday afternoon fresh from attending advanced individual training, or AIT. "I haven't been in the Army very long," said the young soldier moments after arriving at Pacific Lutheran University Wednesday night for a Thanksgiving dinner. "It's really nice what is being
News Front
There was no apology. "Did you have the clear intention to threaten her?" queried Army Judge Col. Andrew Glass of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Barbera during his special court-martial last Thursday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "Yes sir," Barbera answered. A nondescript room with only a clock on the wall behind the judge, the
News Front
Smart people do smart things. That sentiment was the take-away from Joint Base Lewis-McChord's first Ebola Town Hall meeting at the Evergreen Theater. Three more are planned. "There are plenty of smart people here to answer your questions," said Col. Tony Davit, JBLM's deputy commander. The reason for the town halls stems from
News Front
Intelligence drives combat operations and their outcomes. Gathering and then understanding knowledge about the enemy - his capabilities and limitations - plays a major role in determining the outcome of an operation. "Intelligence drives our requirements, how we execute a mission that provides intelligence to higher command," commented Capt. Jason Harrington in
Veterans Day
Honor is both a noun and a verb that has the same meaning - to show great respect. It's also a word that veterans understand implicitly. "Veterans Day is about honoring those who have served," commented Army veteran Hector Rolon-Hernandez as we sat at a small table just inside the front door
News Front
Fifty years is a long time to wait to hear two words: Welcome home. "Those two words mean a lot," Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commander, I Corps, said. "They are not said enough." On a foggy afternoon that turned sunny, more than 2,500 Vietnam Era veterans - marines, airmen, soldiers, Coast Guardsmen, sailors
News Front
In a simple and straightforward ceremony on Saturday afternoon at McChord Field in Hangar 9, Col. Scott McLaughlin assumed command of the 446th Military Air Wing. Hundreds of Air Force members and civilian leaders - along with a significant numbers of friends and family - gathered to witness the ceremony. "I promise
Military Resources
Doubling down on a house is a good thing. Since 1992, the Fisher House has been a haven of comfort for family members to come and be near to loved ones receiving care at Madigan Army Medical Army Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "The Fisher House is our commitment to our warfighters
People Rule
A former Navy SEAL stood thigh deep in the dark waters of Lake Washington. He was displeased. "We'll do this until you all get it right - we've got all night," he said in a measured, uncompromising tone. In front of Cadre Geoff stood and shivered 30 individuals engaged in a GORUCK ABSOC,
News Front
Capt. Thomas Liu stood out. A Marine usually does. Spc. Kyle Clark, Staff Sgt. Ono Akira, Maj. Jun Nakamura and Spc. Joshua Williams listened as Liu ran through a checklist before a live-fire exercise. Behind us in the distance, two Washington Army National Guard Chinooks landed; approximately 120 soldiers assigned to the 12th
News Front
Thursday I found myself knee high in wild grass and scotch broom on the far eastern edge of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. About 160 soldiers assigned to the 47th Combat Support Hospital were participating in Operation Rammasan Relief, an 11-day field training exercise designed to test the unit's ability to deploy -
News Front
Capt. Mark Smith remembers where he was and what he was doing on 9/11. "I was a pastor in a church, and I was working in my office," he said. "My wife called and told me what was happening. I went home and sat down and watched the news unfold." The attack
News Front
On Sept. 4, 1984, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) was reactivated on Watkins Field at then Fort Lewis. During that ceremony the Group's colors were presented to the unit's commander, Col. David Baratto. During his remarks, Baratto read from a letter written by a predecessor, Col. Charles Simpson. "It would give me the
Benefits & Deals
Lakewood nonprofit Rally Point 6 is about transition and community. A rally point is a location on a mission route where soldiers can link up to during the completion of a mission. The phrase "I've got your 6," means that your comrades have your back protected. Taken together, the name conveys that a
News
American Legion Post 204 "Service Girls" is clearly not your father's American Legion. Chartered in 1946, the post has been welcoming female veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces. Although the American Legion has accepted women since its inception in 1919, some women veterans sought to form their own posts due
News Front
I Corps continues to lead the way in the Pacific area of operations. "We're moving ahead," said Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commander, I Corps, said in a telephone interview from South Korea earlier this morning. "We have gone beyond rebalancing in the Pacific; we are building on the work done in the
News Front
The 4th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment held an Inactivation and Casing of the Colors Ceremony this morning on Watkins Field. "It's a big day," said Col. (P) Paul Bontrager, deputy commanding general, 7th Infantry Division, to the almost 400 soldiers standing in front of him. "But it's not necessarily the
Jobs & Education
The tugboat Henry Foss turned a barge in a seemingly effortless motion on Tacoma's Commencement Bay. The maneuver was practiced, clear in intent and the product of professionalism - kind of like ballet on the water. As the tug pushed the barge to its mooring on the Thea Foss Waterway, I was
News Front
Earlier this week, the Veterans Health Administration released the complete results of an internal system-wide audit of its 731 facilities. Closer to home, the reported showed that the Veterans Affairs Hospital at American Lake was flagged for further review. The Office of the Inspector General conducted the audit. The OIG's report found an
Military Resources
Earthquakes are Mother Nature's way of tapping us on the shoulder to let us know she is still in charge. They are simple events, and earthquakes occur when two layers, or plates, of the Earth shift and run into each other. This action results in seismic waves and the shaking of
