http://marsmen.org/ Marsmen.org en-us Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:34:43 GMT 1440 CPG-Nuke Dragonfly Marsmen.org News http://backend.userland.com/rss http://marsmen.org/images/logo.gif http://marsmen.org/ http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=190 Here's the mailing address for the Squadron at Fort Stewart: (Rank) (Last name, First name, Middle initial) (___) Trp 1-124 Cav, TF Knight 845 Hase Rd., Ste 102 FT Stewart, GA 31314 Example: SGT Handsome, Joseph A A Trp 1-124 CAV, TF Knight (HHT does not need Trp after it) 845 Hase Rd., Ste 102 Ft Stewart, GA 31314 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:34:43 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=189 The Squadron just completed training at Fort Wolters (Mineral Wells), Texas. It consisted mostly of weapons ranges and the month we spent there flew by pretty quickly. We are now at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where we will complete our pre-mobilization training and processing. We arrived throughout the day last Thursday with the latest arrival being Friday morning on the red eye. I got here just before midnight and spent the first hours of my birthday on a bus from Hunter Army Airfield to Fort Stewart. The accommodations here are slightly better than Fort Wolters, where we had no functioning air conditioning in the living areas. The humidity is borderline unbearable here but the scenery isn't bad. Spanish moss drapes over the oak and pine trees and mosquitoes the size of small birds carry off the occasional soldier for some blood sucking. It apparently rained a solid two weeks before we got here so we're dealing with the effects of that. The training schedule is pretty filled up, though these first few days here have been pretty light. We've gotten our immunizations and the anthrax shot hurts more than I remembered. I've been pretty busy and taking pictures hasn't been much of a priority for me. I'll try to remember to take more as training starts to kick off. Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:58:59 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=188 At any time if the service member is in need of temporary financial assistance, he/she should contact one of the following agencies for support or call 1-800-252-8032, calls are answered 24/7 and you will receive financial assistance within 24 to 48 hours: Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation: 800-252-8032 www.txngfoundation.org (click on “Emergency Assistance” at the top) any service member is qualified regardless of whether or not they have been deployed. Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): 512-834-8535 if you have previously been deployed http://www.vfw.org/resources/pdf/unmetneedsapplication.pdf Army Emergency Relief (only if on Title 10): www.aerhq.org 866-878-6378 Can also contact Red Cross at 877-272-7337 56th IBCT: In addition, soldiers in the deploying 56th IBCT who are experiencing pay problems may contact the following: Eviction protection under SSCRA law: “A service member may seek protection from eviction under SSCRA. The rented/leased property must be occupied by the service member or his/her dependents for the purpose of housing, and the rent can not exceed $1,200. The service member or dependent who has received notice of an eviction must submit a request to the court for protection under the SSCRA. If the court finds that the service member’s military duties have materially affected his ability to pay his rent timely, the judge may order a stay, postponement, of the eviction proceeding for up to 3 months or make any other “just” order.” Contact the JAG Office for help with this at 512-782-5057 For further assistance, contact the TXMF State Family Program Office at 800-252-8032. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:29:37 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=187 I have removed the requirement for an account on the site to view pictures. Creating an account is only necessary to upload photos, send Private Messages, and post comments. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:25:04 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=186 Here are a few helpful links and downloads to get you started for the upcoming deployment. Military One Source: http://www.militaryonesource.com/skins/MOS/home.aspx Whether its help with child care, personal finances, emotional support during deployments, relocation information, or resources needed for special circumstances, Military OneSource is there for military personnel and their families... 24/7/365! Our services are available by phone, and online. When you call Military OneSource, you'll talk to a master's level consultant, trained to offer confidential support and practical solutions. Our interactive Web site includes locators for education, child care, and elder care. You can also go online to order free materials (including CDs, and booklets, and DVDs), get referrals to military and community resources, use financial calculators, participate in online Webinars, subscribe to monthly newsletters, and join our discussion boards. Additional resources include brief videos of consultants addressing common issues such as communicating as a couple, budgeting and managing anger. Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families. My Army Life Too: http://www.myarmylifetoo.com/skins/malt/home.aspx?mode=user My ArmyLifeToo.com simulates a community with a blend of civilian and military lifestyles and serves as the website of choice for Army families providing accurate and up-to-date articles and information on various topics…from Army customs, home and personal safety, managing deployment to understanding military pay. National Guard Deployment Info (excerpted from Soldier/Family Deployment Survival Handbook): http://marsmen.org/downloads/NGDeploymentInfo.pdf This excerpt includes, among other things, Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act information as well as sample letters to send to your creditors. Checklists (excerpted from Soldier/Family Deployment Survival Handbook): http://marsmen.org/downloads/Checklists.pdf This excerpt contains helpful checklists for the deploying soldier, family member and a budget worksheet. The entire Soldier/Family Deployment Survival Handbook: http://marsmen.org/downloads/survival.pdf Military Power of Attorney: http://marsmen.org/downloads/MilitaryPOA.pdf Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This is, in my unprofessional opinion, a decent General Power of Attorney and is the one I'm using. Be sure to read this thoroughly before deciding to use it. It gives your attorney-in-fact power to do just about everything in your name. If you want to be more restrictive, I would suggest a Special Power of Attorney that specifies exactly what you want your attorney-in-fact to be responsible for. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:08:44 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=185 I've been slowly but surely acquiring hard copies of various orders for medals and ribbons and posting them here. I finally got around to scanning the Texas Combat Service Ribbon orders for our OIF2 deployment. You can download them here: http://marsmen.org/downloads/TCSM_Orders.pdf Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:07:28 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=184 The Regiment has finished up training at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Three weeks of training that included convoy situational training lanes, weapons' qualification, and individual warrior task training proved to be rather tiring. We made it to Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas and were there for a few more days before moving back to Waco to release for the 4th of July. We'll be in Fort Wolters again at the end of July and will remain here until our Federal active duty orders kick in, at which point, we'll begin the official preparation for deployment to Iraq. I'll get into more of that later. Fort Wolters, located in Mineral Wells, was an old World War 2 training camp and during Vietnam, was an Army aviation training camp. The most significant part of its history, as far as I'm concerned, is that it was the drilling location for the 56th Cavalry Brigade and F Troop, and specifically, Jack Knight, the only Medal of Honor recipient in the China Burma India theater of operations in World War 2. F Troop was part of our Cavalry Regiment and Fort Wolters served as the drilling grounds for one of the last horse cavalry regiments in the US Army. Jack Knight served at the commander for F Troop and served along with his brother Curtis, who was the Troop First Sergeant. I had the pleasure of meeting his youngest brother, Bill, who happens to live in Mineola. Internet access, while present, is miserably slow through the tethering on my phone so photos will be uploaded while I'm home for the holiday. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures but promise to make up for it in August and when we get to our mobilization station. Update: I never got around to uploading the photos. I am gathering what I can and will upload them when we get back to Fort Wolters the end of July. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:54:58 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=183 From the USPS store: Introducing a quick, easy, convenient and NOW 50% larger way for you to ship Priority Mail packages to military personnel serving overseas. The Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Box features predetermined rates regardless of weight (domestically) or destination, similar to our other Flat Rate products. Some key benefits: * Only $10.95 when used to send to APO/FPO addresses; $2.00 less than our domestic pricing. * Box features the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block. * Commercial prices are available for postage paid through Click-N-Ship service at usps.com, authorized PC Postage vendors, and other authorized postage payment methods. The APO/FPO price is $10.50. * The U.S. Postal Service offers free Package Pickup from your home or office at a time and place convenient for you. To schedule Package Pickup and for other pickup options and availability, visit usps.com. These boxes can be ordered from the following link and shipped to your doorstep for free. https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10152&productId=36604&parent_category_rn= Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:45:07 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=182 I'm finally able to say there's going to be a Cav Ball. More details to follow. Where: Waco Convention Center When: 31 May 2008 Price list to follow but I do know that E6 and above will be $35 per person. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:25:19 GMT http://marsmen.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=181 Here's the AP article about the deployments for the next year. The 56th is mentioned as deploying as a security force in July 2008 and being in country by fall 2008, according to the article. 56th BCT Possibly Deploying Sun, 21 Oct 2007 03:12:39 GMT