The Fort Hood Sentinel (Temple, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 7, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 16, 1983 Page: 1 of 36
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VOL. 42 NO. 7
Fire ants
AER ASSISTING TO PREVENT
PREVATION OF FAMILY. That is
how 98 percent of Army Emergency
Reliefs aid is classified.
Imagine yourself in this circumst-
ance: You’re in Korea far from your
Texas home. You get a phone call
from the Red Cross. Your kid sister is
dead. She died in a car accident in
Little Rock Ark. Your buddies loan
you a little here and there so you’ve
got enough money to go home. Once
you get home you find out that your
parents don’t have the money to ship
your sister’s body home much less
pay for a funeral. What do you do?
This is a real case AER helped this
soldier.
How about this case? A soldier got
himself a court martial forfeited pay
and benefits for two years and earned
a visit to the U.S. Disciplinary Bar-
racks. His wife and four children
were left here in Killeen without a
means of support. She wanted to re-
turn to New York where her family
lives and where she could support
herself. After paying the bills there
wasn’t enough money to pay for the
travel. In near destitution she turned
to AER. They were able to help the
family reach home they even paid
for the taxi ride to her parents’ house.
AER’s files are full of cases like
these people who are in need and
don’t have anyone to turn to.
Capt. Gary. Stemple chief of the
Fort Hood AER points out “Our
offide helped 1651 individuals last
year not including cases referred to
other agencies and assistance to re
Armored Express......... .........D1 Off Duty.............. ................... C6
Cav Country................ Cl Signal Report__ ................... A7
Community Calendar.. .......A10 Sports................. ................... B1
Glad You A sked .......... .........A5 SUPCOM .......... ................... A6
Home ro t................. .........A4 Trading Post....... ................... C9
Job Announcements... A2 World N ew s....... ................... A8
AER aids needy
in time of despair
tired soldiers. Almost all our cases
involve the family: food housing
funerals. The single soldiers are also
helped but they usually don’t need as
much aid as a soldier with a family to
support. The key word in under-
standing AER is emergency. We try
to help everyone with an immediate
need.”
“It’s true that we have to weed-out
those that aren’t sincere” says Flo-
sier Moore at AER “but when we
help people it is usually the cases
that are near destitution. Sure a lot of
problems could be preventedbut the
fact is there are people in need. And if
the Army community doesn’t take
care of its own who will?”
“On the brighter side” Stemple
adds “AER also provides yearly
scholarships to eligible children of
soldiers. More people should take
advantage of it. Of course it’s too late
this year but graduating seniors next
year should look into the scholarship
program this fall.”
AER is a private non-profit organi-
zation which collects and holds
funds to relieve service members (in-
cluding retirees) and their families
when they encounter financial diffi-
culties due to reasons beyond their
control. As the name states AER is
there for Army Emergency Relief.
The AER Campaign Fund Drive is
going on right now and contribu-
tions are welcome year round. Why
don’t you lend a helping hand? You
may be the one in an emergency
some day. For information see your
unit AER key person.
By MARTY SERVAIS
After many people traveled west
fleeing from the Oklahoma dust
bowls during the depression there
was another westward trek. In 1940
the fire ant erupted in Mobile Ala.
and traveled westward laying claim
to southw western and ulf Coast
states from the Carolinas into Texas.
Nesting in open exposed fields
their mounds often a foot-and-a-half
high and as hard as concrete became
inconveniences in many lawns and
playgrounds and economical set-
backs to farmers with mounds in
their fields.
Fire ants known for their painful
bites and stings and for their damage
to plants and young livestock are not
a major problem in epidemic propor-
tions at Fort Hood according to Capt.
Peter Egan MEDDAC entomologist.
But they do exist on Fort Hood and
are encountered by soldiers in the
field and in the housing areas.
“Fire ants aren’t a big problem here
and their sting is milder than a bee
sting for most people” Egan said.
“However individuals extremely
sensitive to the venom in the fire
ant’s bite may not have a normal reac-
tion. Normally only a small welt or
blister accompanied by a burning
sensation occurs.
Fire ants bite to grab hold and then
swing their tail end down on the vic-
tim’s skin for the sting. Stings can be
avoided by brushing the ant off im-
mediately. Individuals extremely
sensitive to the bite who suspect a
systemic or allergic reaction should
call a doctor or a hospital immediate-
ly for anti-serums and desensitiza-
tions treatment.
Darnall Army Community Hospit-
al’s allergy clinic runs several tests on
different insect stings* including the
fire ants. Anyone who is referred by a
TMC to the Allergy Clinic for a parti-
cular sting will be tested for all.
“These tests usually run every two
By PATRICK SWAN
Cynics may contend the only place
one can find people with any dedica-
tion of purpose is in an extended line
outside a movie house showcasing a
popular feature.
Apparently those cynics haven’t vi-
sited the Fort Hood Noncommis-
sioned Officer Academy where sol-
diers interested in the progression of
their military careers have been de-
scribed as “busting down the doors”
to gain admission to the largest
academy of its kind in the Continen-
tal United States.
“Soldiers coming to the Academy
want to be more professional lead-
ers” SFC Milford Massey assistant
operations sergeant said. “They will
be more technically and tactically
proficient NCOs after they have com-
pleted one of the three courses
offered here.”
Massey was referring to the Prim-
ary N co issio ed O fficer
Course (PNCOC) for soldiers in com-
bat related MOS’s. Primary Leader-
ship Course (PLC) for soldiers in
combat support MOS’s and Basic
Noncommissioned Officer Course
(BNCOC) for training in specific
combat MOS’s. In order to attend the
soldier must meet the prerequisites
in AR 351-1 and FH Reg 351-1 be
nominated by his or her chain of
com and and possess potential
leadership qualities.'
A fourth course Senior Leadership
Course is still relatively new and dif-
fers in focus from the other three
Massey said. “It’s a refrehser course
for E6’s (who have attended a PLC or
PNCOC) and E7’s who have never
had the formalized training or are un-
aware of the latest changes in milit-
ary leadership skills. This course
lasts only one week as compared to
the four weeks the other three entail.
It gives the advantage back to the
senior NCO” he said.
The three four-week courses have
shown an impressive record. PNCOC
and PLC have an average completion
rate of 92 percent for this fiscal year
so far. BNCOC a more specialized
and intense course has graduated an
average of 73.8 percent so far.
Fort Hood First in Army Combat Power
FT. HOOD TEXAS THURSDAY JUNE 16 1983
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Pf the Department of the Army. The appearance of advertisements and advertising inserts does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised.
Hood Sentinel
bite
months” SSgt. Gary Bird NCOIC of
the Allergy Clinic said. “If the reac-
tion to the sting or bite is positive a
prescription is sent to Walter Reed
Hospital in Washington D.C. to be
filled. This usually takes three to four
weeks.”
Then desensitization shots are
given. Some patients are prescribed
an A N A -K it se
epinephrine antihistamines tourni-
quet and instructions.
“The patients will be instructed on
how to administer the injection in
case of emergency” Bird said.
“If a small child or animal sits on a
mound it can be a serious incident”
Egan said. “Fire ants are most dan-
gerous when there are large numbers
as they can bite repeatedly.”
Occupants of on-post housing can
call 634-PEST and have the fire ants
controlled by a pest control contrac-
tor. If the occupant wishes to do it
him self both the Four Seasons
Store bldg. 135 and Self Help bldg.
4201 offer fire ant insecticides.
“It may take 10 days to two weeks
to exterminate the fire ants” Egan
said. “However the secret is persist-
ence. One spraying will not control
the ants forever. Mounds must be tre-
mated frequently and a watch must be
kept for new colonies of fire ants
moving in.”
Insecticides are applied in several
ways. Bait and granule insecticides
are applied around the base of the
mound. If the insecticide must be
mixed with water it can usually be
applied with a sprinkling can or a
sprayer. Other insecticides can be ap-
plied with spreaders.
“An important thing is to read the
label on the insecticide” Egan said.
“By following the instructions ap-
plying the insecticide two or three
times and watching for new colonies
afire ant problem can be controlled.
“The mound should not be tam-
pered with for a day or two after treat-
ing to allow the insecticide to work.’
Massey said this success rate is be-
cause soldiers attending are highly
motivated and want to learn. “Our
unofficial motto is ‘well trained and
thoroughly disciplined’. When sol-
diers graduate we want them to
know they have been through an
NCO Academy. Through attention to
detail and adherence to this motto
they will know it.
“An NCO is more effective as a
leader after he has completed one of
the three courses because he is able
to put into daily practice the skills he
has learned and mastered at the
academy” Massey said.
The courses develop combat and
combat support personnel in leader-
ship and managerial skills and tech-
niques so they can more effectively
carry out their missions.
PLC 1st Sgt. James Booker said
soldiers learn skills in clusters of in-
struction. In PLC for instance the
skills are broken up into portions
over the twenty days of the course
those skills include communications
skills to create a more smooth run-
ning work place leadership skills to
train the soldier in decision making
counselling motivation of subordin-
ates correcting personnel out of uni-
form and making recommendation
for disciplinary actions.
Other skills taught in PLC include
management classes in workload
distribution improved work proce-
dures making duty rosters conduct-
ing meetings and integrating person-
nel into the work group.
Common soldiers skills are in-
forced through drill and ceremonies
practice physical training map read-
ing and land navigation. Training in a
tactical field environment in rear
area defense procedures provides
basic skills concepts and knowledge
of the duties required in a combat
environment. Wearing of the uniform
and role and responsibilities of an
NCO are also mandatory taught sub-
jects at the academy.
Although the instruction soldiers
receive is vital for the execution of
their mission as NCO’s the course
itself is not easy.
According to one student Sp4
Angelica Lomas on TDY for the
Soldiers are hungry for knowledge
Fort Hood will bring Independ-
ence Day American Heritage Day
and the AUSA picnic celebrations
into one consolidated event on the
Fourth of July at Prichard Stadium.
Beginning early on the Fourth will
be a Fun Run. Later in the morning
there will be 2nd Armored Division
displays demonstrations and rides
for the public including a static dis-
play of 2nd Armored Division and III
Corps vehicles and aircraft.
From late morning until the even-
ing a static display of American
Heritage and culture will be open for
public viewing on the stadium
grounds.
The 2nd Annual AUSA picnic will
begin at 11 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.
Secretary of the Central Texas/Fort
Hood Chapter of AUSASteve Hanik
said“the picnic is an all you can eat
course from Fort Sam Houston “You
really have to be psyched up to
attend a leadership course.
“Even though you need to be pre-
pared mentally and physically in
order to deal with the intense disci-
pline the course requires it’s well
worth the time spent.”
Massey cbncurred with Lomas.
“You must have no other commit-
ments when entering these courses.
Soldiers live in the barracks for their
time here. They get up early and
attend the course throughout the
day. Afterward there is study hall and
the learning center to supplement
the (POI) program of instruction. The
course is like basic training because
you belong to the academy until you
graduate or are dropped.
“We em phasize discipline and
attention to detail here. Every soldier
should have his hair within regula-
tion and uniforms should be properly
worn according to regulations. Any
MPs find housing keys
Some of the master keys to Fort Hood family quarters that were
allegedly stolen earlier this week were recovered Wednesday afternoon.
Post officials were notified Sunday evening that a number of master
keys to the family quarters were “unaccounted for” and must be pre-
sumed to be in the hands of unauthorized persons.
Military Police and CID investigators immediately began a compre-
hensive investigation to locate the missing keys. Their efforts were
rewarded when MP/CID authorities with the help of civilian law en-
forcement authorities got a substantial lead in locating the keys.
One suspect has been apprehended and some of the master keys
found. Authorities have a strong lead on remaining keys. There is sub-
stantial evidence to indicate keys have not been compromised.
Acting Fort Hood Commander Maj. Gen. Dale A. Vesser signed a
letter addressed to all housing occupants on Monday explaining the
missing key situation and stressed that an investigation was underway.
He also informed residents that Military Police patrols would be in-
creased in all housing areas. Residents were further reminded to report
suspicious activities or persons to the Military Police.
We will update the community when more information become^
available.
Collective events
celebrate Fourth
MAPPING OUT A STRATEGY—Three students of the Prim-
ary Leadership Course at the NCO Academy practice the
skills they’ve learned to plot a coordinate on a map.
(Photo by Patrick Swan)
THIRTY-SIX PAGES
and drink affair.”
Tickets are available for the picnic
through all units at a cost of $3 for
adults in advance and $4 at the gate
and $1 in advance for children 7-12
and $1.50 at the gate.
Around noon there will b£ a Salute
to the Union ceremony. In the early
afternoon a “battle of the bands”
contest is scheduled followed by a
rappelling demonstration Civil War
battle re-enactment and skydiving
demonstration.
Dinner will be served with a com-
bination of ethnic foods coinciding
with the American Heritage Day fes-
tivities. Cultural dances and music
along with a band concert are set for
the late afternoon.
In the early evening the Fourth of
July fireworks display sponsored by
DPCA III Corps will be held.
time a soldier deviates from the
accepted standards he receives de-
merits. With the accumulation of 70
demerits the soldier can be dropped
from the course.”
“Initially all soldiers acquire a
good number of demerits in the first
week. Just as reliably however they
reduce their demerit intake as the
weeks progress.”
“Today’s Army is more competi-
tive than in previous years because
more NCOs are re-enlisting or ex-
tending. If a soldier wants to advance
his career in the military he is going
to need an advantage over his peers.
By attending one of these courses he
can gain that advantage” Massey
said.
Perhaps this is the reason soldiers
are “busting down the doors” of the
NCO Academy. If doors have to be
busted down why not for a cause like
being abetter soldier and leader than
for any other peacetime reason?
PY-
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The Fort Hood Sentinel (Temple, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 7, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 16, 1983, newspaper, June 16, 1983; Temple, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth309608/m1/1/: accessed May 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Casey Memorial Library.