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riday, March 20, 2009


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Swe'el'Ireedow

GTIVI 0 cyclists ride fof fun




Patrol linig' Aar W-6ters'*"

Nightpzitrvl with the. Coast Guard











Lead by example



Air Force Senior Master Sgt. .
Rebecca Tilton A
JTF Guantanamo Law Office Superirten.lent dL


What comes to mindwhenyou hear dic \\oid
"mentor"? According to Dictionan coin
a mentor is a wise and trusted counsceloi
or teacher; an influential senior sponsor o0
supporter.
When I think of a mentor, I think of so neonc
whom I want to model myself aftc I ialo
consider a mentor as someone I can _*o o10 oi
guidance dealing with on-the-job rluLiionsliip
dynamics and for pointers on how to lundlie i\ el'
situations, when everything I've tried L- up to ltdi
point hasn't yielded the desired results
Contrary to the dictionary definition \oou don i
need to be an officer or a senior enlisted nienbcil to
be a mentor. Mentoring can, and does hal.ppen at
the lowest levels. Take the young Aiin.,n \\ ho
has been in the service for just a couple of
years and has been assigned as a habeas ecscot
within the camps for the last few months She i
can be a mentor to the new Trooper who i ul ."
arrived. She knows the standing opellilut! .:.
procedures by heart and can perform hlie
duties flawlessly. The new Trooper sccs
this individual's job performance and
wants to be just as good. So, the nei
Trooper starts asking questions and
begins to emulate the Airman. By this
Airman setting such a great example
for the new Trooper, she has become i
mentor without even realizing it.
In my 22 years in the U.S. Air Force
I've had a few occasions when I was in
need of a mentor. The most notable time
was when I was the superintendent of I: j
large office and I was having difficult .
working with my supervisor. I was used i -
to leading my enlisted and managing, -
the various programs I was responsible
for and I performed these duties
exceptionally well. When my supervisor
joined the office, the dynamics of
the office changed. This supervisor
was a micromanager; to the point I
wasn't allowed to do my job. I tried
everything I could think of to work
harmoniously with this supervisor, yet
nothing seemed to work. Things were
so bad, I was considering retirement.
This is when I discovered my mentor.
He gave me many ideas for handling
the situation at work. He also made
me see that, even if I couldn't change
my supervisor, I could change our
interactions. After discovering my
mentor, I was less stressed at work and
no longer thinking about retirement. To
this day I still talk with my mentor, eve n
though we are several bases and man \
miles apart. Q
PAGE 2 THE IRE


JTF GUANTANAMO
Commander:
Ia Rear .an. Da .3 r,, Tn.:.mas Jr
Joinl Task Force Command Masler
Chief:
mir F.:.rce Cni he P..las-er SqI Brian T
Sc .he na r
Office of Public Affairs:
Director:
Ila..y LI Cmn3r r Bro.:..: D vvall i .:.
Deputy Direclor:
rm,. rFla, Diana Ha,nie '99_7
Supervisor:
"rm,. 1-' Sgl Shelih, Le-, i. 3.6-19

The Wire
Executive Edilor:
arm,I, 1-' LI Chris Cudne, 3.$9.
Command Inlormalion NCOIC:
Arnev Sgl 1 'Class Mic-hael G:rh.:si.:.ll .51
Editor:
Armni Siii S:l Emily J Pusseii 359"
Assistant Editor:
"rm, Sl3ii SI3 Blair He-Lise3 n :3 9-
Slaff Wrilers:
-rm, Sql Mcnael Baliz ?3'.9
rrmn, SQ. Enil, ',reene 3:..:.'
arm, Sr.": "-prl o3irmas 2l71
Armn, Sp. Da i3 M:Lean 3.?.04


Contact us

Edilor's Desk: 3651 o:r 3?.9
From ine c:,:nlnenlal Unile,- States
Commercial: ii -53-.9- .6.5. 1
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Email: lin-e, ire 'll.:lm. S,:uithcomn', mil


COVER:
Ensign lan Underwood drives by
one of the base's wind turbines
during the Northeast Gate
Motorcycle Ride in support of the
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
1TF GuSanLtnam,:' i:h1t:( L', -im,
.Si:: Ca ..'i i.: [,,1Clean


I- T. z I IT .' i I-

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Iiil ilili 111 ~ ~1 1 .1111111 ll 1- llz iI iIII
I Ci ii : ~i~ i :I l I~ . .........ii ill II


TROOPER-TO-TROOPER I FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009




































Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class David
Webster performs preventive maintanence
checks on his Transportable Port Security
Boat prior to departing for a night patrol. -
JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Sgt. Michael
Ba Itz


Coasties on patrol


Army Sgt.
Michael Baltz
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

It is late on a Friday night when members of the Coast Guard
Port Security Unit 305 arrive at the Maritime Security Detachment
boathouse to conduct night patrols for Naval Station Guantanamo
Bay.
"We patrol the south half of GTMO to the three-nautical-mile
mark," Coast Guard Petty Officer 1t Class Heath Jones said. "The
Navy patrols the northern half."
Jones is a coxswain in support of the Coast Guard's mission of
anti-terrorism force protection. A coxswain is the person in charge
of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The crew of a
Transportable Port Security Boat consists of three or four members.
It is the coxswain's job to train the other members as crewman.
"I am able to help teach the guys that aren't coxswains yet,"
said Jones.
The active-duty unit from Fort Eustis, Va., is staffed mostly by
reserve members.
"As a reservist, it's one weekend a month, two weeks a year,"
Jones said. "Here, we are deployable within 96 hours and are self-
sufficient for up to 30 days."
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 I MISSION


Two teams rotate between duties while on shift. One team
patrols the waterways, while the other team cleans weapons and
performs other critical tasks.
"The patrolling crew is looking for unusual activity," said Coast
Guard Lt. Cmdr. Geoffrey Deas, operations officer for PSU 305.
"People that are in restricted areas, people taking photos in the
port, and people too close to Navy or Coast Guard vessels [are
what we look for]."
The Coast Guard is here to enforce the exclusion area around
the naval station according to Deas. It is the Coast Guard's duty to
uphold this federal law.
While patrolling, Deas explained, the teams are also looking for
anyone that enters, or is on course to enter, Guantanamo Bay.
"We will intercept, investigate and escort them out of there,"
Deas said.
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class David Webster said vessels
entering the zone are rare.
"For the most part, it is usually a sailboat or someone not
familiar with the area," Webster said.
PSU 305 is here in support of more than just maritime security.
They also support shoreside security operations and other areas of
operation. Members of PSU 305 also provide security for the military
commissions process in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
THE WIRE I PAGE 3









Green thumbs-r

U Troopers' enhancements
make living quarters feel
more like home.

Army Spc.
April D. de Armas
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs


Deployments are a way of life for most
Troopers in any branch of military service.
They are never easy and they take the
Trooper away from home and out of his
or her comfort zone. It can be lonely to
be placed in unfamiliar territory.
Many deployed Troopers try to find
ways of bringing touches of home with
them. Some do this by hanging family
pictures on their barracks walls, buying
comfortable bedding, or adding throw
rugs to the floors for color and comfort in
unfamiliar surroundings.
Troopers at Naval Station Guantanamo
Bay are no exception. However, there
are some who have decided to take
their homey additions outside of their
temporary surroundings.
At the Bay Hill community, located on
the hill behind the Navy Exchange, Sgt.
1st Class Matilde Figueroa, with Joint
Task Force J-3, is one of many adding
personal touches to the yard outside her
barracks.
Figueroa said she got the idea from a
neighbor who lived on her block when
she first got to Guantanamo Bay three
months ago.
"It makes me feel good to plant and I
feel like I'm at home," she said.
Figueroa said she is trying to encourage
everyone on her block to do some
improvements to their space. She said it
represents people coming together with
teamwork and shows they are family.
"It brightens my day when I come
home from a hard day's work to see the
plants and flowers; it's not so dull," said
Figueroa.
Not only is she working on her own
area, but she also has been adding her
own touch to others around her.
Sgt. 1t Class Luis Perez, Joint Task I
Force J-4 warehouse non-commissioned
officer-in-charge, is a neighbor of .
Figueroa. He said he likes that it makes
him feel more like he is at home and thinks
it is important to find a way to stay active.
"It's a good way to relax your mind from
a stressful day at work," he said.
Perez said he has plans tojoin Figueroa's
efforts by working on his own yard.
Sgt. 1t Class Tomas Carreras, Joint
Task Force property book NCOIC, another
neighbor of Figueroa, shares the same
sentiments as Perez. He says he likes the


ill-bloom-


;gt. Is Class Matilde Figueroa with the Puerto Rico National Guard, waters flowers
and plants outside her Bay Hill barracks. Figueroa spends time in her garden as a
vay to relax. JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Spc. Arpil D. de Armas


decorations and plants and likes the home-
like feeling it brings to the area.
Figueroa has plans to add a small spice
garden to her already bountiful flower
garden. She would also like to add a few
vegetable plants, like tomatoes.
The beautification efforts made by
Figueroa, her peers, and those before her
seem to have an effect on all who get to
enjoy the view. She is taking initiative and


PAGE 4 I THE WIRE


going above and beyond the call of duty to
not only provide a more comfortable place
for herself during her deployment, but to
share the beauty with others around her.
Thanks to many of the residents at the
Bay Hill community, Guantanamo Bay
now has one more place of interest for those
who like to sightsee and enjoy garden-like
qualities one might see at home. O

MISSION I FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009










Camp Ame


* Air National Guard


facility upgrades

Army Staff Sgt.
Emily J. Russell
.ITF Gu3311antanam:' PuLL'-- -ffari

KCc)piII'-' ihl mlioliai h i'hi JIIIOn0
Tasl, Foicc TioopciI i, aiin iiin
llllnssilOll l[ li_ a l\\li\ Oil Ili lllli ds
claJid luhip I n foi 10 k.pto I,(..li)
foicc coimloiulblc llicc Anl Foicc NatFoi
GiLilid cil\l i ''riii. '-'_ Sqtiidlo s will
conduct ilicln I o-'\lcck inu lil lining
IK'cI o Ic' ilali/('c ( anip ll cliTca faciliics
anlid ulppoi conisi.ticii in IoICtll p around
llK I \ a, l siUlloll
I contiilctd Ilic Naiioinl Guad Bureau
JIKI ii.Lqic ti..Id i, I\ icaulln ol \' ic iii'nlleels."
sjid ITF Coniniand N IJi stci ( hlil .An Force
Sliicl MNli S'-i BiIani T SIch\na\idre
Tli\ sid t lic\ could stuppoi min rcIquest
aIK ii \ a ct ic Illcc l ICai nit 10 S lNill ,iiti[ 1 iould
\%o lk oi Ln llez ll illll IllOlC l
lipoin Iakiini, l- o i Ja TF coninlaiid
nimkaci c hiiil Sc li\iial\iic Ideiillficdi
\jlanouli ai'l ofl C nip Anticiica lial could
bLn lc lnt io c itIlh/,ltion \ illthoutl \\ t l m
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didnii \\oi k p|iopill\ II \\ja iKcessayiv .o
miiiliatl tIl chll llC- _
T iiicc ipisc niutl\ cs fioni C alifoiia.
TcinniK..cc aid Nlnliland \initcd heice
Icccinth to cooidilcii clloI. aniid begin
pLIiiiiniL' 0foi iipcoiiniii' i u .iiiii c ti tol nl. si
\\%. II aicltno\ji[c ,oic of the lainnes,
,it (Ji p Aniciici JIId nipiclientit shov.cer
lJllllt upl Jd_-',l ill \ i ti n lol\cr hi.leads,"


Stlcl S
fioi
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lunlis and asked if \e weree
ll eirs said \\e lhid slonic indiN
\\,nlItd to \l);rielnce t ilis kind
A\ ihlIou-~gll %c 'd sit ) uip to lile
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iiinnual I nIinU.II \\ljas schi' dulcd ti
in. A i/ona foi tli e second % c.ir ii
\\i dind'l nud '-llinil p
tali niiissioii to comie and i
JTF." An Foicc Scii o Nl,isti
Gicnnon said "This kind of pio
us to ulili/c \eVlC skill s el
civil cngiiiecnng and ihat's e\l
during oiurtwo-\eek traniiing T
onl! get to uiilize two out of thf
shops during annual Ilining.,
ically good project to make sure
niaintaining their skills."
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Iniq. '-


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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 I MISSION


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THE WIRE I PAGE 5


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PAGE 6 ] THE WIRE


Army Staff Sgt.
Blair Heusdens
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

temperatures on the island heat up, many sporting
and leagues are gearing up at Naval Station
namo Bay in the upcoming weeks. Though
action on the track at Cooper Field has put some
ies on hold, there are many athletic opportunities
ailable to Troopers who wish to have fun and stay

coming events include:
n's March Madness 5-on-5 Basketball
ament March 27-29, 7:00 p.m. at Denich Gym
ich Volleyball Tournament March 28-29, 9:00
Windmill Beach
ible-Elimination Tennis Tournament (Men's
Vomen's Division) March 30-April 13, 6 p.m. at
'oint Courts
ring Indoor Coed Volleyball League March 30,
m. at Denich Gym
gues for men's softball, women's soccer and
soccer are set to begin in early April, as soon as
oper Field track is complete.
sical activity not only keeps your body healthy,
o helps to keep you mentally fit. Regular exercise
to reduce stress and improve confidence. The
al Institute of Health reported health benefits from
minutes of exercise each day.
[exercise] is a good way to channel emotional
and a healthy way to get out aggression," said
idr. Christopher Blair, the officer-in-charge of the
tress Mitigation and Restoration Team.
;ording to Blair, exercise makes you feel good
*e physiologically, it releases endorphins and affects
emical balance in your brain. Exercise also serves
straction from the stresses of life and work. Team
help to build unit cohesion and create bonds.
ety is always a concern when participating in
ous activities. As temperatures rise, staying
hydrated becomes even more important.
Troopers should make sure to bring
wateror sports drinks whenparticipating
in sporting activities.
Proper stretching is also key to
preventing injuries while playing
sports.
"Troopers playing sports should
conduct basic stretches before, during
and after the game to prevent injuries,"
said st Lt. Roberto Flores Martinez,
the Joint Task Force safety officer-in-
charge.
There are other opportunities on
GTMO for fun and fitness. Fitness
classes are offered regularly at Marine
Hill gym. Troopers can also enjoy
swimming, golfing, hiking, kayaking
and biking on base. Equipment is
available through the Morale, Welfare
and Recreation facilities and liberty
trips are frequently scheduled for these
activities.
Dates for sporting events are subject
S to change. Contact the base sports office
at ext. 2113 for more information. 0
LOCAL SPORTS I FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009











Watch


Army Sgt.
Derrol Fulghum
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

If your idea of a good movie is one
with little back story, intricate characters
that are never fully explained and a plot
that loses itself halfway through the
movie only to reappear in the last 20
minutes, then "Watchmen" is for you.
After hearing all the hype about
Zach Snyder's adaptation of the beloved
graphic novel, I knew I shouldn't
have been as excited as I was, but I
still expected something completely
different from what I saw. I was thinking
something along the lines of "The
Fantastic Four" (only better), or maybe a
"Justice League" type flick, but all of my
expectations were in vain.
Tales of illustrious superheroes from
the 1940s and 1950s are portrayed on the
opening credits. Their rise to fame, and
consequently, near complete extinction,
sets the tone for this jumpy bit of
historically mocked-up graphic fiction.
Whether by murder, suicide or developed
insanity, all met their demise in a most
disturbing way.
The movie then picks up with the
death of The Comedian, one of the
original Watchmen.
When Rorshack, a man with an ink
blot mask that continually fluctuates
to emulate facial expressions, starts
investigating the murder, the flashbacks
occur. The Comedian did anything
but warrant side-splitting laughter.
Throughout his violent life, he murdered
women and children in Vietnam
(including the pregnant woman carrying
his child), attempted to rape one of the
other Watchmen, murdered protesting
civilians, killed JFK, and generally
portrayed the all-around irreparably evil
villain laying siege to the good people of
the world at the time.
Throughout all this, we find out
that Richard Nixon was elected to a third
term and, in 1985 America was very close
to nuclear war with the U.S.S.R. The one
person everyone is counting on to save
the world is a bright blue, glowing man
called Dr. Manhattan. His girlfriend is the
daughter of one of the original Watchmen,
the Silk Spectre. Keep in mind, the Silk
Spectre is the one The Comedian tried to
rape. With the couple's arrival, several
hours of betrayal, sexual encounters, and
tangled love affairs ensue, only slightly
littered with chunks of vital information.
In short, any true revelations are a long
time coming, if they ever fully arrive at
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 I MOVIE RECON


all. Still, the Watchmen rambles on like a
long-winded politician giving out nothing
but empty sentiments. In the same sense,
I'm left feeling lost, confused and bored.
The best thing about the movie is that
it was based on Alan Moore and Dave
Gibbons' graphic novel, not a comic book,
so it was, in retrospect, spectacularly
violent and curse-filled.
Even fans of the Watchmen were
confused by this one. I never read ,1 ,
but understood the movie perfectly.
Everyone knows how Peter Parker became
Spiderman and why he can do what he does.
They should have made the "Spiderman"


movies without all that extra fluff, and just
gone straight to the good stuff.
In an effort to understand my own
unexpected distaste forthe film, I researched
some reactions from more widely known
film critics and movie buffs. Apparently,
the majority of them are split on the issue,
with only a sentimental few clinging on to
the majesty of the universally acclaimed
novel and therefore shrugging off any
discrepancies that made their way to the
big screen.
But like all the others who are looking at
the true value of the film itself, I conclude
it's just better to avoid "Watchmen". 0
THE WIRE I PAGE 7






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Missing
or
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The MWR Community Library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
on Sunday. A drop box is available for afterhours drop-off and selections can be renewed by phone by calling ext. 4700. JTF
Guantanamo photo by Army Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens


Army Staff Sgt.
Blair Heusdens
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs


Maybe you've spent a lot of money recently buying books,
buying movies or paying for Internet access. Or maybe the smell
ofbooks brings back memories
of childhood visits to the local
library. Whetherforpractical or
nostalgic reasons, the Morale,
Welfare and Recreation
(MWR) Community Library
at Naval Station Guantanamo
Bay is the place to visit for
intellectual stimulation,
cultural enlightenment or just
a place to relax.
The library not only offers
books for check-out, but also
audiobooks, movies and free
Internet services.
"We have over 20,000 -
books and we are always
increasing our selection of
movies," said Lenore Garder,
the base librarian.
With the swipe of a library
card, Troopers can check out Rudolph Currie from the base fii
up to three movies at a time on one of the MWR computers a
for three days from a selection JTF Guantanamo photo by Army S
of hundreds of movies. Book
selection checkouts are unlimited and can be taken for up to 30
days. The selection is regularly updated with new books and
newly released movies and television series.
"We are part of the McNaughton leasing plan which allows us
PAGE 101 THE WIRE


re
ti
it


to receive new items each month," Garder said.
Some of the more popular genres of books with the Troopers
on the island are the Twilight series and cookbooks. Troopers can
request certain books, authors and topics and the staff will do their
best to bring them in.
"We're always looking for suggestions," said Garder.
The library also has a vast
selection of Cuban relations
and Cuban history books. The
books are a popular feature for
Troopers stationed here, as well
as visitors to the island.
Other things happen with the
library in addition to reading.
An adult book club meets at
the Windjammer each month
Sto discuss books they've read.
Each month the group chooses
, a topic and reads books related
to the topic. A stitch n' chat
group also meets at the library
on Wednesday mornings to
knit, crochet and do needlework
together.
In honor of National Poetry
Month and National Library
Week, there will be a Poetry
department checks his e-mail Night April 16 at the Caribbean
the MWR Community Library. Coffee and Cream patio area at
aff Sgt. Blair Heusdens 7:00 p.m. The suggested theme
for the night is the Guantanamo
Experience. Interested Troopers can sign up at the library.
For more information on library services or special groups,
contact Lenore Garder at ext. 4700 or e-mail Lenore.garder@
usnbgtmo.navy.mil. O
NEWS & INFORMATION I FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009








Dive shop k



morale aflo;


Army Staff Sgt.
Emily J. Russell
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs


Scuba diving and snorkeling in the
waters of Guantanamo Bay is a popular
pastime for many Troopers and residents.
Ocean Enterprises, Guantanamo Bay's
only dive shop, keeps Trooper morale
afloat by providing scuba diving recreation
opportunities, training and equipment for
all residents of the base.
Ocean Enterprises opened Aug. 1996.
Jessie Keenan has managed the shop since
April, 1997.
"The number of customers and the
love of the sport has changed over the
years," Jessie said. "There are more people
interested in the sport and recreational
diving has become a larger sport. It's
worldwide now. It wasn't when I started
diving 13 years ago."
The dive shop provides scuba diving
instruction for new divers and advanced
divers including specialized qualifications
like rescue and master diver.
"We offer full certification, and can
train individuals to become dive masters,
and instructors," said Chris Brownell, an
employee of the dive shop.
If Troopers just need gear, they can rent
it as well.
"We outfit divers with their proper gear
and ensure it fits them," Brownell added.
Army Spc. Tim Dawson received his
scuba certification through the dive shop,
and is now an avid diver.
"I'd rather own my own equipment so
I can use it when I return home," Dawson
said. "I've purchased everything through
the shop, and the staff has been really
helpful."
According to Jessie, the dive shop
supports Trooper morale and helps keep
them out of trouble.
"Diving gives Troopers something to do
and helps keep them out of the bar," she said.
"I love being that support and giving Troopers
an opportunity to do something else.
"When you're underwater you can do
so much," Jessie continued. "You're away
from cell phones, pagers and you don't have
to worry about work, or people bugging
you. It's such an amazing release."
Bill Keenan, the lead scuba instructor
for the base, has been involved with the
dive shop since Jessie began managing it.
"I've been here 16 years, but I wasn't
actively involved until she took over the
dive shop," Bill said.
In addition to teaching scuba classes Bill
is also certified to maintain dive equipment
and the air compressors at the dive shop


and around the base.
"I'm one of two
certified technicians
for the air
compressors on the
base. Rudy (Rudolph)
and I both maintain
the compressors
including those at
the fire department
and at the Navy
dive locker," Bill
said. "Most of the
compressors require
someone certified
to work on them,
so, Rudy and I both
went to the school to
get certified and keep
everybody safe."
Jessie, Bill
and the team of
employees and dive
instructors who
work with them,
play an important
role in many events
at Guantanamo Bay
like scuba Olympics,
beach clean-ups,
and most notably,
supporting Wounded
Warriors.
"I knew John Thompson, the president
of Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba,"
Jessie said. "He asked me about getting
involved and coming down to Cuba. We
finally worked it out with the Joint TaskForce
and got the OK. I became a cheerleader and
semi-coordinator with the program.
"We support these guys because diving
gives them an opportunity to learn to live
again," Jessie continued. "It's great to see
them accomplish these goals, and it gives


FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 I NEWS & INFORMATION


them a much-needed break."
Ocean Enterprises sponsored and
supported the event and Jessie helped to
raise additional money.
"I love being able to serve the military
by taking care of you guys," Jessie said.
"I can't serve my country the way you do.
You give me an opportunity to serve you."
Ocean Enterprises is open Monday -
Friday, 12 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. 6
p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. 5 p.m. For more
information, call ext. 75336. O

Dive shop
employee
Chris Brownell
helps Army
Spc. Tim
Dawson find
a buoyancy
control
device and
explains the
importance of
properly fitted
gear. JTF
Guantanamo
photo by Army
Staff Sgt. Emily
J. Russell
THE WIRE I PAGE 11







(From left) Navy Petty
Officer 3rd Class Katrina
Mitchell, Petty Officer 2nd
Class Nacole Williams,
Petty Officer 3'd Class
Sara Kelly-Alston, Lt.
Tawanda Moore and Petty
Officer 2nd Class Kimberly
Williams make up the
Naval Station Guantanamo
Bay Women's History
Month Committee. The
committee works to
acknowledge women in
the GTMO community.
March is Women's
History Month and the
committee is sponsoring
Sthe "Phenomenal Woman"
awards which will be
announced during a
celebration March 25th at
the Bay Hill Patio. JTF
Guantanamo photo by Army
Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens




Policy on the use of indecent and offensive language



o i service members and civilians in JTF-GTMO is not only
ll J --I \in bad taste, but also disrespectful to all members of
the community and its visitors.

I!/ While private conversations remain the personal
AAKT N -, business of those involved, conduct in public places
has a direct impact on the quality of life, good order
and discipline in the community.

O These standards apply to all service members and
civilians in JTF-GTMO. Everyone should assist in policing
the use of indecent language on the base.

O Service members and civilians in JTF-GTMO shall report
instances of harassing language through their chain of
command. Commanders or supervisors will address
the use of appropriate language as a part of their unit
training.

SI. Please refer to Command Policy No. 39 Policy on the use of
-- indecent and offensive language for more information.


NEWS & INFORMATION I FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009


PAGE 12 1 THE WI\IRE








































Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion promotes Trooper
Richard A. Ryan, with the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion, is promoted to lieutenant March 17. The NEGB provides
guard forces for the detainee camps in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Spc.
Tiffany Addair


Boots on the Ground
What do you think is the most exciting activity on this island?


by Army Spc. April D. de Armas


Navy Lieutenant
Rick Baker


Army Spc.
Luis Luna


Navy Petty Officer 1I'
Class Dominic Scavo


Army Pfc.
Robert Sherry


Ii


"1 like the diving."


"1 like playing sports like
basketball. tennis and
golf."


"I like to snorkel."


"I like going
beach with my
and playing
volleyball."


FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 I VOICE OF THE FORCE


to the
friends
beach


THE WIRE I PAGE 13







Army Capt.
SScott C. Brill
JTF Deputy Command Chaplain

a0 0 Think for a moment of a time in life when things did
not turn out the way you might have hoped for, only to
........... ...... ..be glad later down the road. Who has not experienced
firsthand the reality of this popular saying, "When one
door closes, another opens." I love the song by Carrie
Underwood, "Jesus, Take the Wheel." The words
remind me to "Let go and let God." Like the Israelites
of old, when Moses raised the brass serpent, we need
to, "Look to God and live."
Sometimes, it is my fear, pride, or lack of faith
that causes me to tightly grip the things I think I
need the most, unaware that God has better plans and
blessings that are beyond my sight. In his famous
poem "Invictus," William Ernest Henley wrote about
man's great strength in the face of adversity. With
head "bloody, but unbowed," man, he wrote, is the
master of his fate. The last verse of his poem reads:
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.
There is a beautiful stained glass picture in the
NAVSTA chapel that reminds me that I am not the
master of my fate or the captain of my soul. It is
my experience and personal testimony that men and
women have unquestionable powers and can and
should bring to pass great things by tireless efforts
and indomitable will. But, after all we can do, it is
the Lord who carries us by grace. Whenever I start
to feel as though I control my own destiny, and am
responsible for the success in my life, I am reminded
of these words penned by Orson F. Whitney in rebuttal
to "Invictus":
Art thou in truth? Then what of him Who bought
thee with his blood? Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Of what avail thy vaunted ,t, ,,, i. Apart from his
vast i ,.-h, Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave, As leaves upon
the tree. Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth! Who gave
that place to thee?
Bend to the dust that head "unbowed, Small part
ofLife ~ great whole! And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul.
Without God at the helm, there would be no
victory over the great monster of the deep, spiritual
and physical death. With his stripes, the passage toll
is paid. He knows the chartered course that guides the
sail of our souls safely through the tides of temptation
and far from the treacherous shores and storms of sin.
He is our all. He is the Captain of our soul and master
of our fate.
For all of us who face disappointment, I hope this
message helps. The best is yet to come. Proverbs
3:5-6. O



Catholic Mass Protestant Worship Bible Study
Sunday: 7 a.m. Confession Sunday: 9 a.m. Sunday: 6 p.m.
7:30 a.m. Mass Spanish Protestant Wednesday: 7 p.m.

Wednesday: 11 a.m. Worship
Spanish Mass Sunday: 11 a.m.


LIFE & SPIRIT I FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009


PAGE 14











p525th sets the standard



* MP Battalion Troopers receive NCO of the Quarter and
runner-up Soldier of the Year for U.S. Army South


Army Sgt.
Michael Baltz
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

Sgt. Jonathan Vasquez won the Soldier
of the Quarter award for United States
Army South by competing in a non-
commissioned officer board at Fort Sam
Houston, Texas.
The board, which ran Feb. 13-17, gave
Vasquez an opportunity to go stateside to
compete against his peers.
"It is everything a Soldier lives for,"
Vasquez, a Trooper from the 525th Military
Police Battalion, said. "When you get the
opportunity to represent the entire battalion,
it is pretty honorable."
Vasquez, a wheeled vehicle mechanic
stationed at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo,


Army Sgt. Jonathan Vasquez and Army Spc. Juan Jackson pose in a photo
while attending boards at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Vasquez won NCO of
the Quarter, and Jackson was runner-up for Soldier of the Year for U.S. Army
South. Photo courtesy of Army Spc. Juan Jackson


Army Sgt. Jonathan Vasquez, the
NCO of the Quarter for U.S. Army
South, gives a briefing to soldiers
participating in drivers' training. -
JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Sgt.
Michael Baltz
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 15 MINUTES OF


says he lives by the Army values day-to-
day, and that is what helped him with this
accomplishment.
"The Army values are all found in the
NCO creed," said Vasquez, who is from
the Dominican Republic. "As an NCO, the
creed is something I live by."
His most enjoyable moment of the board
was when he got to sound off with the NCO
creed.
Vasquez said having seven sergeants
major in front of you can be rather
intimidating, but he was confident.
"The attitude you have to have is to
win," Vasquez said. "Every question they
ask is situational."
The 28-year-old was groomed for this
board when he won NCO of the Quarter in
January for his battalion. It was a learning
experience, explained Vasquez.
"He is a very dedicated individual," 1't
Sgt. Rodney Sanchez said. "He takes time
to make sure he is a well-prepared NCO.
For someone to win that board, it takes a
lot of dedication and discipline. I am very
proud of him."


Vasquez not only had the support of
his command, but also from his fellow
Troopers.
"He motivated me when I got here,"
Spc. Charles Daniel said. "I now max my
physical fitness test at 300, before I got
here that wasn't happening. He continues
to challenge me."
Daniel says that Vasquez always stays
positive regardless of the situation and that
he always has a smile.
"He is a very social person," Daniel said.
Vasquez, who has been in the Army for
more than three years, served in Iraq in
2008.
Vasquez wasn't the only Trooper who
traveled to Texas. Spc. Juan Jackson, also
with the 525th, placed as runner-up for
Soldier of the Year for USARSO.
"It feels good," Jackson said. "I am
glad I can be an example for my fellow
soldiers."
This was the third board Jackson has
participated in. When he becomes an
NCO he plans to continue to participate in
boards. Q
THE WIRE I PAGE 15

















































Army Capt.
Christopher Hodl,
of the 525th Military
Police Battalion,
administers the
oath of reenlistment
to Army Staff Sgt.
Maryellen Rovillos.
This is the 525th's
first underwater
reenlistment. JTF
Guantanamo photo
by 2nd Lt. Kevin
Fitzsimmons


AROUND THE JTF I FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009


"o"ng