Monthly Archives: September 2010

Pentagon Announces Second Warrior Games

Posted on September 21, 2010 by | 3 Comments

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announces the second annual Warrior Games to be held in Colorado Springs, Colo., in May 2011. Mullen addressed the media at the Pentagon on Sept. 20, 2010. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)

The Pentagon announced yesterday that the second annual Warrior Games are scheduled to be held May 16 through May 21, 2011, at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Again hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the games will include shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.

“When the focus is on ability rather than disability, we see that physical fitness and sports can have a healing affect on the mind, body and soul,” Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said Monday at the Pentagon.  You can read Adm. Mullen full statement on the games at DoD Live.

From a pool of more than 9,000 active-duty soldiers recovering in Warrior Transition Units, the Army will choose 100 competitors to represent it in the games. The Marine Corps will send 50 competitors and the Air Force will send 25. The Coast Guard and Navy will combine to send 25 rounding out the 200-competitor roster.

Click through to read the full American Forces Press Service story. And read about last year’s games from On Patrol Magazine and the On the Frontlines blog.

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Posted in Support, US

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USO Baghdad Supports the Sisterhood Against Sexual Assault

Posted on September 21, 2010 by | 1 Comment

USO Baghdad Duty Manager Robin Symes (l) hands out USO Care Packages and Girl Scout cookies to smiling Troops. Enjoy a Trefoil for us!

Operation USO Care Package is one of our most popular programs here at the USO.  In the past few months we’ve created exclusive care packages for female Troops, and introduced a new program of care packages just for families.  For those of us who pack these goodies into the bags and boxes, it’s great to know that what we’re sending off is received and greatly appreciated on the other end. (Not that there was any doubt!)

We were thrilled to receive word this weekend that the Female Care Packages, in particular, are being utilized as part of a larger program of support in Baghdad.  Here’s a great note from our center there…

Care packages designed just for female Troops were packed last November on Capital Hill and are still making their way overseas!

USO Baghdad Duty Managers Megan Lynch and Robin Symes took Operation Cookie Drop and the USO’s Operation Care Package to Camp Victory’s Hope Chapel to support the Sisterhood Against Sexual Assault. SASA is a unique program to combat Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the military. It is focused on Senior Female Leadership providing mentorship to our future generations of military female leaders.

During monthly meetings, women and men come together to share experiences and build the skills necessary to combat alarming statistics of harassment and assault during deployment. This month, CSM Williams spoke to the group addressing the theme “Your Best You.”  Afterward, everyone had a chance to mingle and walk away with a USO care package!

A standard USO Care Package contains items like pre-paid international phone cards, toiletries, periodicals, and a deck of cards, among other oft-requested items.

For more information on the Sisterhood Against Sexual Assault please visit their Facebook page.

A $25 donation sponsors one USO care package and allows you to include a personal message of support and appreciation.  Click here to request a care package for a member of our troops.

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Posted in Programs, Southwest Asia, Support

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Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay: A Message from the President

Posted on September 20, 2010 by | Leave a comment

U.S. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston talks to U.S. Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, at Joint Security Station Loyalty, eastern Baghdad, Iraq, March 22, 2009. Preston discussed issues of interest to the enlisted Soldier, such as changes to the Army noncommissioned officer education system, Army force structure, and the Army's stop-loss policy. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. James Selesnick/Released)

As you know, we’re currently running a multi-part series on Retroactive Stop Loss Pay, with an introductory essay and valuable insights from the Army and Air Force so far.  We’d like to thank the Department of Defense for their cooperation in bringing this essential information to our audience.

President Obama recently released the video below to emphasize the importance of the October 21 deadline.  That’s almost exactly one month away.  Military members whose service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to a retroactive payment of $500 for each month of extension.

As Admiral Mike Mullen explains in an open letter on the site, “The application process is simple and straightforward. No strings attached. But once the deadline passes, we cannot by law extend it. So jump online and check it out at: www.defense.gov/stoploss.  It’s your money.”

Stay tuned for more from the other branches of the military, and help get the word out to anyone you know who might be eligible.

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Meet Team USO’s Scott Ransom

Posted on September 20, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Born into a US Navy family, Scott Ransom served in both the US Coast Guard 1978-1988 and US Army National Guard 1988-2003. He finished the Ironman Wisconsin in 10 hours and 39 minutes. (Photo courtesy of Ransom family)

You just won your age group at Ironman Wisconsin…describe what that feels like. I actually got to learn about it “gradually.”  When I first crossed the finish line and met up with my family, the official results had me in 2nd place in my Age Group.  I was still pretty happy with that and thought it would likely get me to Kona.  Later that evening one of the results websites was showing me in 1st place. I went to bed not knowing.  Next morning it was official…there had been a mixup and yes, I was 1st.  But it’s obviously quite satisfying.  Still, I know very well that anyone who finishes that race worked incredibly hard and deserves enormous credit.  Probably the best part of the day was going back to the race course and watching and cheering the other finishers.  They are so happy, and the crowd so enthusiastic.  It really makes you appreciate the human spirit.

This qualifies you for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii correct? Will you be making the trip next month? I’m going to Kona, but not until 2011.  Oct 8th 2011.  Ironman Wisconsin is the first race that qualifies for Kona the following year.  It would be too much to go race an ironman again in less than a month.  Two weeks before Wisconsin, there was Ironman Canada and Ironman Louisville.  Those folks qualify for the 2010 Kona…about 6 weeks after.  I can’t even imagine going again that soon.

How did you get started competing in triathlons? I was a swimmer as a kid.  As a young adult, I started running…did a few marathons.  That’s really tough on the legs.  So I later switched to triathlons to “spread the pain around better.”

Why did you choose to raise money for the USO and support our troops? Respect for the troops!  I was in the Army National Guard, though I retired without ever being sent anywhere.  But I know Guardsmen that were activated and deployed.  I can only imagine the danger, isolation, inconvenience, and homesickness they have.  I believe the USO is a great service to them in giving them a piece of home and making sure they know their service is appreciated.

What advice would you give people who want to do something to support the troops? Do something!  Supporting the USO is a great way.  Also, help out the family of a deployed servicemember.  Asking “if there’s anything I can do…” is not enough.  Stop by with a meal.  Tell them you are going to cut their grass on Saturday.  Tell them you’ll watch the kids some evening.  You get the idea.

What’s next for Scott Ransom… more triathlons…another challenge? After some down time, I’ll start training again for Kona.  I’ll stick with triathlons for a while.

Ransom is a 2010 Ironman Wisconsin Age Group Winner and has qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI, in 2011.  Join TeamUSO on Facebook for the latest info and updates!

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Retroactive Stop Loss Pay: The Air Force Perspective

Posted on September 19, 2010 by | 2 Comments

By Major Eries Gibson, Chief, Air Force Separations and Retirements Branch

Calling all eligible Air Force members, former Air Force members and surviving family members of former Air Force members, we have an incredible opportunity for you to receive $500 for every month you were stop lossed… but the offer is only good until 21 October 2010!

This is not a scam.  This is not a joke. There is no service commitment or recall requirement associated with the money.  The pay is for service already rendered. The only issue is, I need you to apply!  If you think you may be eligible, I need you to come forward and apply for your payout today!

The payout is $500 a month for each month, or portion of the month, you were retained on active duty as a result of service-directed stop loss. The average payout is $3,500. … I repeat, $3,500!

Where does the money come from?  The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act appropriated $534.4M for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay for eligible active, Guard, reserve, retired and former service members.   If you were retained on active duty in the Air Force as a result of the service implementing stop loss during Operation Enduring Freedom between 2 October 2001 and 1 August 2002 or Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom between 2 May 2003 and 23 Jun 2003, you need to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay.

With less than 45 days left to submit claims under this program, I encourage you to apply now if you believe you may be eligible.  If you believe someone you know may be eligible, please “Tell A Friend” and encourage them to apply.  It costs nothing to apply and the process is quick.  While my office oversees the policy for all current and former Airmen, the program is open to all services…I repeat, open to Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines.  The eligibility timeframe for all services is 11 Sep 01 to 30 Sep 09.

Please visit the DoD website today and apply before the program ends on 21 Oct 10: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0710_stoploss/.

The monthly payout is $500, the average payout is $3,500, and the cost to apply is $0!  Don’t wait, apply today!

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Posted in Support, Troops

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USO Opens New Center in Kandahar Afghanistan

Posted on September 18, 2010 by | 6 Comments

USO SWA Regional VP Gary Bibeau, USO Board of Governors Chairman Ed Reilly, Col. Chris Gentry, BG Reynold Hoover, and USO Kandahar Center Director Larry Cooke show their excitement after cutting the ribbon during the Opening of USO Kandahar. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

We’re so proud to announce the opening of our eleventh center in Southwest Asia: USO Kandahar!  This 8,200 square-foot facility is expected to serve more than 35,000 troops each year on Kandahar Airfield, including those traveling to and from forward operating bases in the region.  USO Kandahar is located in the Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration (RSOI) compound and is open 20 hours a day.

Commander 643rd Regional Support Group, Colonel Chris R. Gentry had this to say about the opening: “The USO’s presence on KAF is a much-anticipated event. They bring a little piece of home to everyone they touch. We are very grateful for their support of all our service members and look forward to a long and successful collaboration together.”

USO Kandahar Duty Manager, Duane DeVorak shoots a video about our United Through Reading program as Duty Manager Erin Mintmier explains the program to a soldier. (USO Photo by Joan Gardiner)

Twenty computer stations, eleven Sony PlayStation™ 3 video gaming systems, 52-inch televisions, books and a music room will entertain troops during their free time. The center also offers 18 telephones for troops to call home at no expense on the USO’s private telephone network.  Troops will also be able to participate in one of the most popular programs – United Through Reading’s Military Program – which will be available in three recording rooms.  All programs and services offered at USO Kandahar are free to troops.

“It is a real honor to be a part of the team to bring the first full-service USO in Afghanistan to Kandahar,” said Larry Cooke, director, USO Kandahar.  “This has been a true partnership with the US Garrison Support Group and many other units on KAF. My deep appreciation goes out to each one of them. I know this center will play a key role in the lives of our service men and women serving in this region.”

For individuals and corporations looking for more information or to make a donation, contact Larry Cooke at (202) 747-2792 or via email.  And be sure to visit USO Kandahar’s Facebook page for many more photos of grand opening festivities and the new center in action!

USO Kandahar Duty Manager, Kevin Wells trains new volunteers during the Grand Opening of USO Kandahar, September 17, 2010. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

These Airmen are among the first to try out the free Segovia phones during the Grand Opening of USO Kandahar September 17, 2010. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

These three soldiers are the first to enjoy the Jam Session Music room at USO Kandahar during the Grand Opening September 17, 2010. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)

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Posted in Centers, Southwest Asia

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