11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
Please Help Tsunami Victims
To contact us Click HERE
I don't expect many people to be reading this page, considering the previously announced hiatus until the new year, but if you are...
Here's a list of aid funds for tsunami victims (including Doctors Without Borders), here are a few more, and here's Amazon's one-click donation form for the Red Cross emergency appeal.
This is a time for Americans to prove their generosity when other countries are in need, when over 100,000 people have been suddenly killed, and many more are in danger from a lack of food or sanitation. This is a time to say thank you for the outpouring of kindness and sympathy extended to us after 9/11.
Please donate today, please help.
Here's a list of aid funds for tsunami victims (including Doctors Without Borders), here are a few more, and here's Amazon's one-click donation form for the Red Cross emergency appeal.
This is a time for Americans to prove their generosity when other countries are in need, when over 100,000 people have been suddenly killed, and many more are in danger from a lack of food or sanitation. This is a time to say thank you for the outpouring of kindness and sympathy extended to us after 9/11.
Please donate today, please help.
News for the New Year
To contact us Click HERE
Hi there! Hope your holidays were all festive and that you got to enjoy the clear weather we've had for most of the last couple weeks. But getting back to our regular routine, here are some top stories from the Seattle Times & PI.
Four plans have been proposed for the voter approved shrinkage of the King County Council. There's still time to attend one of the two remaining redistricting meetings.
Rossi's team gets fresh hope over what they claim are glaring inconsistencies, though county level election workers disagree.
'Temporary' King County taxes designed to pay for upgrading Seattle's sporting facilities could be made permanent if the professional sport franchises get their way.
Controversy is rising over the Alberto Gonzalez torture memo, wherein the current nominee for US Attorney General attempted to legally justify torture. The memo is part of the chain of evidence linking the abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay directly back to the White House.
The founder of VoteHere, an election auditing company, writes an editorial on vote security.
IAEA finds evidence of a nuclear research program in Egypt.
Walmart's unhealthy relationship with its workers and community.
The year ahead for Microsoft.
Four plans have been proposed for the voter approved shrinkage of the King County Council. There's still time to attend one of the two remaining redistricting meetings.
Rossi's team gets fresh hope over what they claim are glaring inconsistencies, though county level election workers disagree.
'Temporary' King County taxes designed to pay for upgrading Seattle's sporting facilities could be made permanent if the professional sport franchises get their way.
Controversy is rising over the Alberto Gonzalez torture memo, wherein the current nominee for US Attorney General attempted to legally justify torture. The memo is part of the chain of evidence linking the abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay directly back to the White House.
The founder of VoteHere, an election auditing company, writes an editorial on vote security.
IAEA finds evidence of a nuclear research program in Egypt.
Walmart's unhealthy relationship with its workers and community.
The year ahead for Microsoft.
Recount Review
To contact us Click HERE
David Neiwert of Orcinus is back from holiday break with a detailed review of the governor's race. Partial excerpt:
The post continues on to explain the so-called 'phantom votes' which the Republicans haven't even looked for in counties that favored Rossi.
...Let's be clear: At every step of the process, the Democrats followed the letter of Washington law. The state's election statutes are very clear that there are three potential counts of the vote: If, after the general-election tally, a race remains within 1 percent of the total vote, a machine recount occurs automatically. If, after that count, one of the candidates requests it, a manual recount of all ballots occurs. The candidate, however, has to put up a deposit for the costs of the recount, which is reimbursed if the challenge is successful.
Those are the rules. And the most important one is this: Whoever comes out ahead in the final, manual tally is the winner. Period.
And, indeed, Gregoire promised to accept the outcome of the manual recount, even if Rossi won by only a single vote. Rossi, however, refused to match her pledge. That, of course, was the giveaway to what followed.
...Washington Republicans pretty early on resurrected the phony memes of the Florida debacle, particularly those that favored maintaining the original vote outcome giving Rossi the slender victory. This included the outrageous claim that machine recounts are "more accurate" than hand recounts, which turns all established precedents regarding vote counts on its head.
The anti-democratic nature of the party, though, really came to the surface when election officials in King County -- home to more than a third of the state's entire votes -- announced the discovery of several hundred ballots that had been improperly disallowed in the first count.
Now, this is the kind of clear mistake that manual recounts are intended to correct, and ordinarily it would be considered uncontroversial for them to be included in the recounts. Indeed, similar mistakes were uncovered in other counties and the votes, logically, counted.
But King County was one of the few places where the votes trended Gregoire's way, so Republicans -- playing the same kind of cherry-picking tactics they had earlier accused Democrats of using -- decided to contest the counting of those ballots in that county only, by filing a suit to prevent it. So much for having faith in the voters, not lawyers.
What was especially noteworthy was that all of the discoveries of mistakes in King County were mistakes that heavily favored Rossi. That is, what they actually signalled was the possibility that Republican operatives within the elections office had made "mistakes" that gave Rossi an illegitimate win and let him claim an initial victory. But using the reverse offense tactics that became famous in Florida, Republicans took to the airwaves charging that the discovery of these mistakes could only be explained by fraud or incompetence on the part of Democrats. ...
The post continues on to explain the so-called 'phantom votes' which the Republicans haven't even looked for in counties that favored Rossi.
Army Reserve
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The story sort of speaks for itself:
Go read the whole thing, it's disturbing.
The head of the Army Reserve has sent a sharply worded memo to other military leaders expressing "deepening concern" about the continued readiness of his troops, who have been used heavily in Iraq and Afghanistan, and warning that his branch of 200,000 soldiers "is rapidly degenerating into a 'broken' force."
...His pointed remarks represent the latest in a chorus of warnings from military officers and civilian defense specialists that the strains of overseas missions are badly fraying the U.S. Army. The distress has appeared most evident in reservist ranks. Both the Army Reserve and the National Guard last month disclosed significant recruiting slumps.
...Designed to fill key support roles during wartime, the Army Reserve has been heavily taxed by the demands of Iraq and Afghanistan. About 50,000 Reserve members are now on active duty, the majority of them in the United States freeing up other forces for overseas assignments. But many Reserve troops are abroad -- 17,000 total in Iraq and Kuwait, 2,000 in Afghanistan -- serving as military police, truck drivers, engineers, medics and civil affairs specialists.
...Highlighting the dwindling number of Reserve troops available for future deployments, Helmly included computations showing that only 37,515 remain out of 200,366 soldiers in the Army Reserve.
Go read the whole thing, it's disturbing.
Social Security
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Digby explains the motive for the Republican plan to kill Social Security:
That's the why, and the post talks about the recently leaked Republican memo that outlines their plan to axe our social safety net. Write your representatives in the House and Senate and ask them to fight this.
...Their motive for destroying social security is that it puts the lie to their contention that government can't be trusted to do any positive social good. They are wrong and social security proves it. That's why they must create the lie that it won't work even while it's clearly working. As the quotes above prove, they've been crying wolf for decades and yet the program continues to provide millions of old and disabled people a bare minimum of income when they are past their working years and it will continue to be funded, fairly painlessly, for at least another forty years. It's very existence is a slap in the face to the Republican philosophy. That's why they must destroy it. ...
That's the why, and the post talks about the recently leaked Republican memo that outlines their plan to axe our social safety net. Write your representatives in the House and Senate and ask them to fight this.
5 Temmuz 2012 Perşembe
Interview With A Hunger Games Peacekeeper
To contact us Click HERE
*UPDATE* Do you have any questions that we didn't cover during the interview? Now is your chance to ask them! Post a comment to the story below by April 20, and Sgt. Campbell will tell you whatever you want to know about working on the set of the Hunger Games. You can finally know if Jennifer Lawrence is as pretty in real life as she is in pictures, or what kind of weapons they used for filming the movie.
Hunger Games mania has struck, and I’ve been swept away in the excitement along with everyone else who helped make it the number one movie in America. So far, the movie has earned $251 million, putting it in the same category as movie series like Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter.
That’s partly why I was thrilled to get to interview an actor from the movie, Staff Sgt. Timothy Campbell, who also happens to be an Army recruiter Monroe Recruiting Station. He played a Peacekeeper in the movie that was filmed in the mountains of North Carolina, and yes, you may have seen him on posters for the movie, but no, he isn’t actually quite as intimidating in real life.
Here’s what he had to say about being on camera, meeting the actors and similarities between the fictional Peacekeeper force and the U.S. Army:
Have you had any other experience with acting or film before The Hunger Games?
What made you want to get involved with the movie? Had you read the books or known anything about the story before you got involved?
What effect did the filming of The Hunger Games have on the towns in North Carolina where it was shot?
What was it like being on set?
What was it like being on camera?
What did you think of your character of a Peacekeeper? Any similarities at all between the Peacekeeping force and the Army, as far as structure, discipline, etc?
How did you prepare for your role?
What was it like to see yourself in theaters?
Do you plan on doing this again?I definitely intend to do this again as well as other TV shows and movies. I really have my eye on Iron Man III.
What do most people ask when you tell them you acted in The Hunger Games?
Hunger Games mania has struck, and I’ve been swept away in the excitement along with everyone else who helped make it the number one movie in America. So far, the movie has earned $251 million, putting it in the same category as movie series like Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter.
That’s partly why I was thrilled to get to interview an actor from the movie, Staff Sgt. Timothy Campbell, who also happens to be an Army recruiter Monroe Recruiting Station. He played a Peacekeeper in the movie that was filmed in the mountains of North Carolina, and yes, you may have seen him on posters for the movie, but no, he isn’t actually quite as intimidating in real life.
Here’s what he had to say about being on camera, meeting the actors and similarities between the fictional Peacekeeper force and the U.S. Army:
Have you had any other experience with acting or film before The Hunger Games?
What made you want to get involved with the movie? Had you read the books or known anything about the story before you got involved?
What effect did the filming of The Hunger Games have on the towns in North Carolina where it was shot?
What was it like being on set?
What was it like being on camera?
What did you think of your character of a Peacekeeper? Any similarities at all between the Peacekeeping force and the Army, as far as structure, discipline, etc?
How did you prepare for your role?
What was it like to see yourself in theaters?
Do you plan on doing this again?I definitely intend to do this again as well as other TV shows and movies. I really have my eye on Iron Man III.
What do most people ask when you tell them you acted in The Hunger Games?
Vietnam Vet still on Active Duty Recruiting
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U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Joe Rappise has served over 26 years in the military, beginning with a tour in Vietnam in 1969. He is the only active Army recruiter who is a Vietnam veteran, so his retirement later this year will mark the end of an era, of the old-school Army. Called “Viejo” by his recruiters (a Spanish term of endearment meaning “old man”), Rappise has witnessed many changes during his long time with the Army. Some he approves of, like the more merit-based system of promotion that has replaced the old, much more political system. Other changes he is less fond of, feeling that the Army has grown softer over the years. He recalls the grueling Basic Training he went through in 1969, comparing his in-your-face, screaming drill sergeants to those in the film “Full Metal Jacket.” It is this element of toughness he misses, saying “We’re the Army. We’re not nice people, but we’re good people.” However, some of the Army’s regulations for the treatment of soldiers he does endorse, particularly the rule that forbids drill sergeants from hitting their soldiers. “Never hit [your soldiers],” said Rappise. “If you have to hit them, then either you can’t teach them or they can’t learn.” Though he claims not to possess any great social skills, saying “I don’t play well with others; if somebody’s stupid, I’m going to tell them,” Rappise seems to have a depth of insight concerning ways to reach people. This is evidenced by his accomplishments, which include two titles of brigade recruiter of the quarter, a selection by the New York City Recruiting Battalion to interview with the 1st Brigade recruiting team, and an Order of the Saber Award. In his 10 years with the New York City Battalion, he was continuously one of the top three recruiters, and, as of January, has won 478 enlistments in his 19 year career as a recruiter. His tactic is not to try to sell anyone on the Army, but to just be honest and tell potential recruits what he knows about the Army. He builds relationships in his community, and shares stories of his own experiences with the Army, even with people he just meets on the street. He is always on the lookout for opportunities for recruitment, even in his own leisure time. Once on a bass fishing trip in New Jersey, he struck up a conversation with a man fishing near him. While they were waiting patiently for tugs on their fishing lines, the fisherman and Rappise swapped stories about various fishing spots they had visited. Rappise thrilled the man as he began to recount fishing in the Owyhee River, a tributary of the Snake River in northern Nevada known for rainbow trout and yellow perch. The Owyhee cuts through the Humboldt National Forest and the Wild Horse Reservoir, named for the wild horses that can still be seen roaming the Owyhee Desert. Then Rappise shared how he tested his angling skills in California’s largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, legendary among fisherman for its abundant varieties of bass and trout. Shasta Lake rests at the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley, surrounded by the Cascade Mountains, whose snow caps glitter even in summer. Surf fishing in Guam was Rappise’s most exotic fishing adventure, in water that was so clear you could see the sand 30 feet deep. He described how the waves break far off of the shore line, so a person can walk all the way out to a coral reef that encircles the island. After learning that Rappise was able to travel to these places through the Army, his companion asked how he could get started with a career there. With a smile, Rappise replied that he had already gotten started, from the time they first began talking. Rappise’s ability to determine what is important to people and explain to them how the Army can relate to their values contributed to his success in recruiting the fisherman, as it has with all those he enlisted. This talent of his once even enabled him to enlist an entire family. Rappise first began recruiting the youngest son, explaining all the exciting opportunities available in the army to the 17-year-old. The boy soon made the decision to join the Army, but because of his age, needed his parent’s permission. He returned home from his meeting with Rappise, and tirelessly began selling his family on the Army, dogging them with lists of benefits and proclaiming the ways it would turn him into a better man. He was such an enthusiastic advocate that he not only convinced his family that the Army was right for him, he also persuaded his older brother to join as well. The next day they went back to the recruiting station for the older brother to enlist and for the mother to discuss the younger boy’s future with Rappise. Rappise so impressed her with the education and career possibilities that she jokingly asked if she could join too. Learning that she was under the age limit made the mother consider enlisting more seriously, and a few days later she decided to sign up with her sons.Considering the level of success he has achieved, one might assume that Rappise is the picture-perfect model of a recruiter, the kind of decorated military man who is venerated by his superiors for his obedience and self-restraint. Though he is certainly respected by his colleagues, it is certainly not for his careful adherence to the rules. Rappise recalls with a laugh the practical jokes he has pulled, a common one being prank phone calls to other recruiting stations. He and his conspirators would act the parts of potential enlistees to test how long they could string along the recruiter, asking bogus questions about life in the Army. Rappise’s defense for these jokes is just that a person has got to have fun with life, an attitude he has maintained ever since his beginning with the military as a Marine in 1969.Back then Rappise was only 18-years-old, and found himself face-to-face with a judge in a courtroom as a result of some of his troublemaking. The judge gave Rappise his choice of two men in uniform: one, a bailiff; the other, a Marine Corps recruiter. He chose the latter, and embarked upon his two-year tour with the Marines in Vietnam as a radio operator with the 7th Engineer Battalion. His first day in Vietnam after flying in to Da Nang, Rappise was told to report to the communication center at 4 a.m. He was asked if he had his weapon, then told to follow a group that was sweeping for land mines. For nearly 12 hours every day, the small group of men slogged down road after road, scouring the ground with metal detectors, and hoping their meager security would not be ambushed. It was on one of these mine-seeking excursions that Rappise fell victim to a booby trap, detonating a hidden mine that exploded his legs. He was immediately evacuated to the USS Repose, a Haven class Navy Hospital Ship that floated off the coast of Vietnam. After a month on the Repose, Rappise continued his recovery in Guam for two months, in a hospital comprised of drab olive tents, nearly identical to the set of M*A*S*H*. After a final four months of treatment in St. Albans Naval Hospital in New York, Rappise returned to Vietnam to wrap up his tour. He finished in 1971, and left the Marines with a Purple Heart (which he jokingly refers to as the “I can’t run fast enough award”) and a Marine Corps tattoo on his arm (which made for interesting conversations in the Army showers later on).Rappise then took a nearly 20-year sabbatical from military life, during which time he hitchhiked and travelled everywhere from Alaska to Arizona. His experiences during this time ranged from the incredibly exciting, like working as a cowboy to drive cattle 1.5 million acres across northern Nevada, to the less exciting, like stocking shelves in a convenience store. He ended up in New Jersey, working as a waiter and bartender for a catering house. Often times after working a big event or banquet, Rappise and the other workers would all go out together; this was how he first began to woo Jacqueline, the manager of the catering company and Rappise’s boss. The two were often thrown together by the other younger employees, and eventually, “because of my (Rappise’s) good luck and her bad luck,” they were married. By this time, an Army recruiter had tracked down Rappise and was working to convince him to rejoin the military. Jacqueline had been an Army brat herself, so with her support Rappise signed with the New Jersey National Guard. He worked in a support battalion for a couple of years, then became a drill sergeant for the Army Reserve. He thrived in this position, using his natural abilities of intimidation to keep his soldiers in check. Rappise later requested a position as an Army recruiter, a duty he will have served for 20 years by this July. He says he was attracted to the challenge of the job, and like the idea of constantly meeting new people and doing something different every day. When he first began recruiting in Paterson, N.J., he worked in a community heavily populated by immigrants; he said that in order to eat in his neighborhood, he had to learn to speak Spanish. This ended up working to his advantage, as Rappise was able to speak with potential Hispanic recruits in their native language. One of the most interesting Hispanic men he recruited had immigrated Venezuela. Under the country’s communist government, parents sought to show their patriotism and curry favors from their leaders by naming their children for notable characters in history. Thus, this particular man bore the heavy name “Socrates Stalin Rodriguez.” While in Paterson, Rappise was also able to work with Polish, Slavic and Arabic communities to recruit translators. One of these recruits was an Arabic woman who had to keep her recruitment a secret from her Islamic family throughout the entire process. She had always adhered closely to Sharia law in deference to her father, but wanted the independence that she had witnessed in other women since moving to the United States. Her visit to Rappise’s recruiting office was an extreme act of rebellion against her father, and marked the first time she ever removed her Burka in public. This woman successfully hid the fact that she was enlisting with the U.S. Army from her family until the day Rappise and another recruiter came to her house to take her to Basic Training. Upon learning who the recruiters were and exactly what his daughter had done, the girl’s father rallied his sons and neighbors to try to chase the recruiters away. After failing to drive them off, he offered Rappise $5000 in cash to leave his daughter home. Refusing the bribe, Rappise and his fellow recruiter were able to safely take the girl from her family and bring her to Basic Training.Nearly four years ago in June 2008, Rappise’s ability to adapt to different cultures was tested perhaps more than it had ever been thus far in his life: he moved to the South. From Paterson, N.J., he and his wife migrated to North Carolina, to a city whose entire population numbers fewer than the population of their street in New Jersey. On one of their first errands to a shop in their new hometown, a clerk asked the Rappises where they were from. When she learned they were from New Jersey, she exclaimed “Oh, y’all are the Yankees that moved to Ivy Lane!” The lack of anonymity (and perhaps privacy) in his new mountain town may have baffled Rappise at first, but the sense of community it fosters has allowed Rappise to be very successful at the Asheville Recruiting Station. He originally had some trouble with basic communication, as he is a self-described fast and in-your-face talker, but has learned to understand the English dialect particular to the Appalachia region. The Rappises have so embraced their community that they have opened a shop in the Morganton flea market, where they can be found working amongst all the mountain people on the weekends. Called the “Cranky Yankee Shop,” they sell the brand of electronic cigarettes that Rappise used to quit smoking almost a year ago. In honor of their daughter who is a workout instructor in New York, they also sell premium Zumba wear.Working in western North Carolina provides constant reminders for Rappise about what it is he truly loves about his job, and why he says he would do it all over again. Many of the kids he has recruited in Appalachia were living in single-wide trailers with three generations of family, their situation offering little opportunity for improvement. Now, these same kids are educated, disciplined and have bright career prospects. He often gets calls from these former recruits, some even 15 years after he brought them into the Army, to thank him for helping them direct their life through the military. “At the end of the day,” says Rappise, “take all the crap away, you’re changing lives.”
June 5-7, 2012 Military Career Pathways 101
To contact us Click HERE
Military Career Pathways (MCP) 101 course is in its third year. June 5-7, 2012, over 80 Career Specialists, Guidance Counselors, and Career and Technology teachers from around South Carolina and observers from around the nation learned how Army/military careers fit into the national education 16 career clusters. The goal is to provide educators with a firsthand understanding of military resources, career pathways and benefits.
The unique course offers certification credits to participants. To receive Continuing Education Units, South Carolina Department of Education Credits, or Global Career Development Facilitator Credits, the MCP 101 participants were required to participate in all activities during the three day course and design a military related project they could implement in their communities during the school year.
This year's agenda:
June 5th
Overview of MCP 101 Requirement
"Eligibility Requirements for Enlisting in U.S. Army
Panel Discussion: "Future Career Needs"
South Carolina Recruitment Recommendations
"Educators and Military Recruiters: How Collaboration Works"
Educator/U.S. Army Recruiter Networking Exchange
"Military's Role in Workforce Development in S.C."
June 6th
Tour of Ft. Jackson: Leadership/Skills Building, Health Sciences Cluster, Transportation and Logistics
STEM Demonstration/Ft. Jackson Museum
Army Education Resources Demonstration
"Careers in the Military" Soldiers Panel
"Life After Military Service"
June 7th
"JROTC/ROTC Educational Funding Opportunities"
2011 Project Presentations and Best Practices
"MCP 101 Project Development and Follow up"
Find out more at :
http://ed.sc.gov/agency/programs-services/143/
The unique course offers certification credits to participants. To receive Continuing Education Units, South Carolina Department of Education Credits, or Global Career Development Facilitator Credits, the MCP 101 participants were required to participate in all activities during the three day course and design a military related project they could implement in their communities during the school year.
This year's agenda:
June 5th
Overview of MCP 101 Requirement
"Eligibility Requirements for Enlisting in U.S. Army
Panel Discussion: "Future Career Needs"
South Carolina Recruitment Recommendations
"Educators and Military Recruiters: How Collaboration Works"
Educator/U.S. Army Recruiter Networking Exchange
"Military's Role in Workforce Development in S.C."
June 6th
Tour of Ft. Jackson: Leadership/Skills Building, Health Sciences Cluster, Transportation and Logistics
STEM Demonstration/Ft. Jackson Museum
Army Education Resources Demonstration
"Careers in the Military" Soldiers Panel
"Life After Military Service"
June 7th
"JROTC/ROTC Educational Funding Opportunities"
2011 Project Presentations and Best Practices
"MCP 101 Project Development and Follow up"
Find out more at :
http://ed.sc.gov/agency/programs-services/143/
Going From Recruiting to the White House
To contact us Click HERE
By Vernetta Garcia, Columbia Recruiting Battalion
He’s accomplished far more than he ever imagined eight years ago when he was working at Dairy Queen and a home reconstruction business in his hometown of Clinton, IL. A small inspired act will soon take him to the White House and lead him on a journey of a lifetime. An Army medic, Staff Sgt. Kyle Busby, wanted a change after his three years of Recruiting duty at the Dentsville Recruiting Station in Columbia, SC and he set the wheels in motion that led him down the path he was meant to take. In August 2012 Busby will join the White House Medical Unit (WHMU). The WHMU provides comprehensive medical care to the President, the Vice President, and their immediate families. The unit is part of the White House Military Office and is also responsible for any emergency care for over 1 million tourists, guests, and international dignitaries who visit the White House annually.
The medical office of the White House doctor is a "mini urgent-care center" containing a physician's office, private examination rooms, basic medications and medical supplies, and a crash cart for emergency resuscitation. Air Force One is equipped with emergency medical equipment, an operating table, and operating room lights installed at the center of the presidential plane for emergency use by the White House doctor.
The unit consist of the White House Physician, who is often selected personally by the President; five active-duty military physicians, nurses, and physician assistants; three medics; administrators and one Information Technology Manager. The medical unit protects the chief executive by guarding his day-to-day health or even performing emergency surgery.
“This will be an outstanding opportunity, serving back in the medical field, working with the most prestigious doctors in the country,” said Busby. “I have a passion to help people and there is no better field for me than the medical profession.” Although his inspirations initially lead him to pursue the Criminal Investigation Command (CID), he said God was in charge and had other plans. Through the CID application process he had to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance. His Top Secret Security Clearance was granted and he waited not so patiently for a CID school date. One afternoon, Busby received a call from Human Resources Command and asked if he was interested in White House duty. The criteria -- be an E-5 promotable, sergeant (medical) with a Top Secret security clearance. Without the clearance he could not have even been considered for the position. After an enthusiastic discussion with his wife, Busby decided to pursue this intriguing opportunity. There were 250 other sergeants whose records were reviewed but only 7 were selected to be interviewed. In February, he was invited to Washington DC for an interview. “Two days and seven interviews later, I was called an hour after my last interview stating that I was selected,” explained Busby. Soon after returning from D.C. he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.“My family is very proud of me and extremely excited about the new career and lifestyle we will start in D.C.,” said Busby. “My oldest daughter (Briana) thought it was the coolest thing when I got a letter from the White House stating that I was selected for the position.” She took it to school to show her friends. He has two other children, Gracelynn 4 years old and son Kaleb Busby 2 years old. He says his wife; Alicia is the backbone of my family. “She stands behind me in everything that I do and always motivates, encourages, and inspires me,” said Busby.He was inspired by his father who served in the Army as a military policeman, and had a passion to follow in his footsteps. “I wanted to make something of myself,” said Busby. “I have always had a calling to do something more and have taken that throughout my entire career.” In 2004 he left Clinton, IL for Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. After Advanced Individual Training he was assigned to Fort Stewart, GA, and three months later he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, for a 12 month deployment with tankers. “I drove tanks, commanded tanks, gunned tanks, and served as the combat medic for my 15 fellow tanking brothers.” He deployed again to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2007 for a 15 month deployment, where he served as a squad leader and was responsible for all medical supply ordering, maintaining, inspecting and distributing for his entire battalion. “I always set goals for myself at whatever I do,” stated Busby. On his last deployment he and his Section Sergeant made a goal for Busby to be inducted into the prestigious Audie Murphy Club. He was inducted in 2008 as a Sergeant. While on his last deployment in Baghdad, Iraq he volunteered for Recruiting. “I needed to share my Army story with others to inspire them,” said Busby. “I felt as though I have served as a medic and done my job well and plus. . . I saw my daughter, Grace, when she was 3 weeks old while I was home on R & R leave; the next time I saw her she was 9 months old.” He wanted to ensure he came home every night and had the ability to tuck his children into bed. He has been a Recruiter for over three years. “I feel that I have served my purpose on recruiting duty -- to inspire many Future Soldiers,” Busby remarked. He led as his Recruiting Station’s Future Soldier Manager and has received numerous notes of appreciation from Soldiers who have shipped to BCT about how his training program has helped them tremendously. “He is excellent at constructing action plans that replicate the rigors of BCT in order to provide realistic training,” said Cpt. Karen Roxberry, commander of the Columbia Recruiting Company. “I adapted our company Future Soldier program from his plan.”
“For the past two years, I have observed Busby do some amazing things. If you ever have the opportunity to observe him while he is training our Future Soldiers or delivering presentations at our schools, you will be captivated,” said Roxberry. “His training style demonstrates the passion that he has for the Army and his extensive knowledge as a Combat Medic. As he competed for selection to the White House Medical Staff, I was not surprised that he came back selected. I am thankful to him and his family for their 100 percent dedication to our recruiting mission and the Army and I am confident that he will excel in all his future assignments. I am honored and proud that he was assigned to Columbia Recruiting Company.”He is very proud of the impact he’s had on young Soldiers. “The ability to take a young kid that has no parental guidance or role models out of a lifestyle that they believe is ‘normal’ and introducing them to the Army lifestyle where they can really appreciate how the Army takes care of its own,” explained Busby. “I have had numerous individuals in which no running water in their apartments or stuck in a cock roach infested house surrounded by drugs, and the child has a good head and knows that this lifestyle is not going to set them up for success. After going through the Army process they can look back and learn from that and strive to always help society and not bring society down.”
He not only affected Future Soldiers, but also hundreds of educators. He was instrumental in the success of the 2011 Military Career Pathways MCP 101. He was one of the primary presenters at Moncrief Hospital during a tour of Fort Jackson. The purpose of the tour was to highlight military careers. Since health sciences are among the most popular careers, he was able to showcase the many health related careers the military offers. “He was clearly a subject matter expert, his presentation was impressive and was the most popular session of the day,” said Martha Daniels, Columbia Battalion Education Specialist.
He says he’s very excited about this next chapter -- three years of duty at the White House, he will continue to set goals. He is 32 credits from finishing his Bachelors of Arts degree in Health Sciences. His long term goal is to get accepted into Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and become a specialized doctor.
“I give thanks to God for everything,” Busby said. “My mother and father, Harold and Judy Busby set the foundation for my principles and values that mimic that of the United States Army’s core values. They have been hard working parents their entire lives, and strive for the best at everything they do. They are my truest idols.” He will continue to make them and his entire family proud. He also has been inspired by his first platoon sergeant, now 1st Sgt. Martyn Pauwels. “He taught me the fundamentals of Army leadership and to never accept anything less than perfect,” stressed Busby. Along with Pauwels, one of his best friends, Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Motley deserves credit as well. “Motley and I grew up in the Army together and no matter where our assignments take us, we continue to share stories and help motivate one another.” Busby is a humble person and takes on every challenge with open arms. He is excited about this opportunity and will take the experiences of Recruiting duty with him on all of his future assignments. “I never stop trying to learn more and achieve more,” said Busby.
He’s accomplished far more than he ever imagined eight years ago when he was working at Dairy Queen and a home reconstruction business in his hometown of Clinton, IL. A small inspired act will soon take him to the White House and lead him on a journey of a lifetime. An Army medic, Staff Sgt. Kyle Busby, wanted a change after his three years of Recruiting duty at the Dentsville Recruiting Station in Columbia, SC and he set the wheels in motion that led him down the path he was meant to take. In August 2012 Busby will join the White House Medical Unit (WHMU). The WHMU provides comprehensive medical care to the President, the Vice President, and their immediate families. The unit is part of the White House Military Office and is also responsible for any emergency care for over 1 million tourists, guests, and international dignitaries who visit the White House annually.
The medical office of the White House doctor is a "mini urgent-care center" containing a physician's office, private examination rooms, basic medications and medical supplies, and a crash cart for emergency resuscitation. Air Force One is equipped with emergency medical equipment, an operating table, and operating room lights installed at the center of the presidential plane for emergency use by the White House doctor.
The unit consist of the White House Physician, who is often selected personally by the President; five active-duty military physicians, nurses, and physician assistants; three medics; administrators and one Information Technology Manager. The medical unit protects the chief executive by guarding his day-to-day health or even performing emergency surgery.
“This will be an outstanding opportunity, serving back in the medical field, working with the most prestigious doctors in the country,” said Busby. “I have a passion to help people and there is no better field for me than the medical profession.” Although his inspirations initially lead him to pursue the Criminal Investigation Command (CID), he said God was in charge and had other plans. Through the CID application process he had to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance. His Top Secret Security Clearance was granted and he waited not so patiently for a CID school date. One afternoon, Busby received a call from Human Resources Command and asked if he was interested in White House duty. The criteria -- be an E-5 promotable, sergeant (medical) with a Top Secret security clearance. Without the clearance he could not have even been considered for the position. After an enthusiastic discussion with his wife, Busby decided to pursue this intriguing opportunity. There were 250 other sergeants whose records were reviewed but only 7 were selected to be interviewed. In February, he was invited to Washington DC for an interview. “Two days and seven interviews later, I was called an hour after my last interview stating that I was selected,” explained Busby. Soon after returning from D.C. he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.“My family is very proud of me and extremely excited about the new career and lifestyle we will start in D.C.,” said Busby. “My oldest daughter (Briana) thought it was the coolest thing when I got a letter from the White House stating that I was selected for the position.” She took it to school to show her friends. He has two other children, Gracelynn 4 years old and son Kaleb Busby 2 years old. He says his wife; Alicia is the backbone of my family. “She stands behind me in everything that I do and always motivates, encourages, and inspires me,” said Busby.He was inspired by his father who served in the Army as a military policeman, and had a passion to follow in his footsteps. “I wanted to make something of myself,” said Busby. “I have always had a calling to do something more and have taken that throughout my entire career.” In 2004 he left Clinton, IL for Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. After Advanced Individual Training he was assigned to Fort Stewart, GA, and three months later he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, for a 12 month deployment with tankers. “I drove tanks, commanded tanks, gunned tanks, and served as the combat medic for my 15 fellow tanking brothers.” He deployed again to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2007 for a 15 month deployment, where he served as a squad leader and was responsible for all medical supply ordering, maintaining, inspecting and distributing for his entire battalion. “I always set goals for myself at whatever I do,” stated Busby. On his last deployment he and his Section Sergeant made a goal for Busby to be inducted into the prestigious Audie Murphy Club. He was inducted in 2008 as a Sergeant. While on his last deployment in Baghdad, Iraq he volunteered for Recruiting. “I needed to share my Army story with others to inspire them,” said Busby. “I felt as though I have served as a medic and done my job well and plus. . . I saw my daughter, Grace, when she was 3 weeks old while I was home on R & R leave; the next time I saw her she was 9 months old.” He wanted to ensure he came home every night and had the ability to tuck his children into bed. He has been a Recruiter for over three years. “I feel that I have served my purpose on recruiting duty -- to inspire many Future Soldiers,” Busby remarked. He led as his Recruiting Station’s Future Soldier Manager and has received numerous notes of appreciation from Soldiers who have shipped to BCT about how his training program has helped them tremendously. “He is excellent at constructing action plans that replicate the rigors of BCT in order to provide realistic training,” said Cpt. Karen Roxberry, commander of the Columbia Recruiting Company. “I adapted our company Future Soldier program from his plan.”
“For the past two years, I have observed Busby do some amazing things. If you ever have the opportunity to observe him while he is training our Future Soldiers or delivering presentations at our schools, you will be captivated,” said Roxberry. “His training style demonstrates the passion that he has for the Army and his extensive knowledge as a Combat Medic. As he competed for selection to the White House Medical Staff, I was not surprised that he came back selected. I am thankful to him and his family for their 100 percent dedication to our recruiting mission and the Army and I am confident that he will excel in all his future assignments. I am honored and proud that he was assigned to Columbia Recruiting Company.”He is very proud of the impact he’s had on young Soldiers. “The ability to take a young kid that has no parental guidance or role models out of a lifestyle that they believe is ‘normal’ and introducing them to the Army lifestyle where they can really appreciate how the Army takes care of its own,” explained Busby. “I have had numerous individuals in which no running water in their apartments or stuck in a cock roach infested house surrounded by drugs, and the child has a good head and knows that this lifestyle is not going to set them up for success. After going through the Army process they can look back and learn from that and strive to always help society and not bring society down.”
He not only affected Future Soldiers, but also hundreds of educators. He was instrumental in the success of the 2011 Military Career Pathways MCP 101. He was one of the primary presenters at Moncrief Hospital during a tour of Fort Jackson. The purpose of the tour was to highlight military careers. Since health sciences are among the most popular careers, he was able to showcase the many health related careers the military offers. “He was clearly a subject matter expert, his presentation was impressive and was the most popular session of the day,” said Martha Daniels, Columbia Battalion Education Specialist.
He says he’s very excited about this next chapter -- three years of duty at the White House, he will continue to set goals. He is 32 credits from finishing his Bachelors of Arts degree in Health Sciences. His long term goal is to get accepted into Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and become a specialized doctor.
“I give thanks to God for everything,” Busby said. “My mother and father, Harold and Judy Busby set the foundation for my principles and values that mimic that of the United States Army’s core values. They have been hard working parents their entire lives, and strive for the best at everything they do. They are my truest idols.” He will continue to make them and his entire family proud. He also has been inspired by his first platoon sergeant, now 1st Sgt. Martyn Pauwels. “He taught me the fundamentals of Army leadership and to never accept anything less than perfect,” stressed Busby. Along with Pauwels, one of his best friends, Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Motley deserves credit as well. “Motley and I grew up in the Army together and no matter where our assignments take us, we continue to share stories and help motivate one another.” Busby is a humble person and takes on every challenge with open arms. He is excited about this opportunity and will take the experiences of Recruiting duty with him on all of his future assignments. “I never stop trying to learn more and achieve more,” said Busby.
Sergeant Gives all to Teammates, Future Soldiers, Army
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“Sergeant Morales began his day by coming from his home to the barracks as his squad was awakening. They participated together in PT and work details as well as unit training. Sergeant Morales pitched right in with the disliked drudgery-type details. He led by example, particularly when it meant getting his hands dirty.[1] He frequently held meetings with his squad, keeping members informed of what was going on. They discussed training, problems, and areas in which the squad performed well, and sought recommendations for improvement. The soldiers in Sergeant Morales’ squad knew exactly where they stood. The squad was united, including family members and friends, through social gatherings in the unit and community. He took pride that no squad member had ever been absent without leave. This was attributed to his personal concern for every member of his squad. The care Sergeant Morales showed for his soldiers resulted in the squad’s achievements during annual general inspections, Army Training and Evaluation Team evaluations, and maintenance evaluation team findings.”[2]
As a member of the Sergeant Morales Club that honors those non-commissioned officers serving in Europe who display the highest ideals of integrity, professionalism and leadership, it is little surprise that Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Henderson’s leadership style is strikingly similar to the soldier for whom the club is named. Henderson, Sandhill Recruiting Station Commander, is one of the few soldiers who have earned memberships in both the Sergeant Morales Club and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
Induction into these clubs require a nomination by a superior with a minimum rank of 1st Sergeant, and appearances before two or three boards for the nominee demonstrate his or her leadership skills and embodiment of the Army values. The Soldier must also pass tests of weapon expertise, drill and ceremony and physical fitness, in addition to the mental and character testing carried out by the boards.
After dealing with those boards, says Henderson, he can deal with anything.
Fortunately, Henderson was confident in his recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Myron Adams’ ability to run the station while he was away, so that he didn’t have to worry about his station during the competition. All the recruiters of Sandhill RS have upheld standards to earn the distinction of a Station of Excellence, due to the training they received from Henderson.
“He uses training as the cornerstone of recruiting,” said Capt. Karen Roxberry, commander of the Columbia Recruiting Company whom Henderson serves as 1st Field Sergeant. “He understands the art and science of recruiting, and can teach his recruiters the ‘why’ behind what they do.”
This goes beyond instructing recruiters to go to a high school event and sending them out the door. Henderson explains why they’re visiting that particular school and the general type of people who live in those zip codes. The recruiters learn the general income, education level, background and hobbies for certain areas, so they can establish common ground with the people they’re trying to reach. “The more you understand a person, the easier it will be to communicate with them,” says Henderson.
His knack for understanding people comes from his work as a Chaplain’s Assistant, his original job in the Army when he started back in 1993. Working in this area helped him develop his empathy and compassion, as well as active listening skills. These worked to his benefit when he began working as a recruiter in Mechanicsburg, Penn. It is only by actively listening to a person that a recruiter can figure out the right message for that person. Henderson says that’s the whole strategy of recruiting- figuring out what people want to do, then showing them how the Army can help them do that. Once he knows where a potential recruit wants to be in five years, then he can help them figure out a path to get there.
After recruits decide what they want to do in the Army and officially enlist, they begin Henderson’s Future Soldier program, which Roxberry says is one of the most innovative that she has seen. Henderson mirrors the structure of a regular Army unit in his Future Soldiers squads. “You fight like you train,” says Henderson, “So I try to put them in the same environment as they’ll be in during Basic Training.” This includes physical training three mornings per week, and a training session once a week for the Future Soldiers to learn the material they will be tested on during Basic Training and to practice the skills they will need to master. Henderson also chooses squad leaders from his Future Soldiers, who help run the program and actually help ease the workload of the recruiters by keeping track of events in their communities. Henderson selects the squad leaders based on the leadership potential he sees in them. However, he says “Sometimes I’ll put someone who’s meek in charge, to see how they’ll respond to the opportunity.”
As another way of aiding the Future Soldiers’ as well as his recruiters’ development, Henderson initiates friendly competition. For tasks like physical training or even signing contracts, competition gives a boost of extra motivation, but also helps establish camaraderie among the troops and pride in the squad. He capitalizes on this by pushing his recruiters and Future Soldiers to volunteer and participate in community outreach. This has the added benefit of establishing positive connections between Sandhills Recruiting Station and local businesses, as well as familiarizing the recruiters with the community.
The level of community involvement Sandhill Rrecruiting Station cultivates makes them stand out as an example of what a recruiting station should be. Henderson credits all this to his recruiters, saying that he is supported by a great team. While true, it is also true that he provides great support to his team that enables their success. The position of recruiter is a difficult job, one that most only hold for two or three years before being transferred to a different area. The demands of dealing with so many people and their schedules often require recruiters’ working from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., which can quickly cause them to burn out. Henderson cites that as the biggest pitfall of the job, because it means so much time away from family. This is why he works to build his recruiters into a team, so they have a second family when they miss out on time with their real one. He also teaches his recruiters to balance their time, and monitors them to make sure they do, saying “Family always comes before the mission.”
Henderson says it is his own family’s support that has allowed him to work in recruiting for over 10 years; his wife Ayanna has never once complained about the hours he has dedicated to his job, and has always been his primary source of encouragement. Also contributing to his success are Henderson’s three sons: Elijah, Malik and Isaiah.Editor's Note: Sgt. 1st Class Henderson now works at the Ft. Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
[1] USAREUR Sergeant Morales Club AE Reg 600-2[2] Davis Jr., Command Sgt. Maj. Archie L. "The ‘Sergeant Morales’ Story: Epitomizing NCO Leadership." Fort Hood Sentinel (2010).
“Sergeant Morales began his day by coming from his home to the barracks as his squad was awakening. They participated together in PT and work details as well as unit training. Sergeant Morales pitched right in with the disliked drudgery-type details. He led by example, particularly when it meant getting his hands dirty.[1] He frequently held meetings with his squad, keeping members informed of what was going on. They discussed training, problems, and areas in which the squad performed well, and sought recommendations for improvement. The soldiers in Sergeant Morales’ squad knew exactly where they stood. The squad was united, including family members and friends, through social gatherings in the unit and community. He took pride that no squad member had ever been absent without leave. This was attributed to his personal concern for every member of his squad. The care Sergeant Morales showed for his soldiers resulted in the squad’s achievements during annual general inspections, Army Training and Evaluation Team evaluations, and maintenance evaluation team findings.”[2]As a member of the Sergeant Morales Club that honors those non-commissioned officers serving in Europe who display the highest ideals of integrity, professionalism and leadership, it is little surprise that Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Henderson’s leadership style is strikingly similar to the soldier for whom the club is named. Henderson, Sandhill Recruiting Station Commander, is one of the few soldiers who have earned memberships in both the Sergeant Morales Club and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
Induction into these clubs require a nomination by a superior with a minimum rank of 1st Sergeant, and appearances before two or three boards for the nominee demonstrate his or her leadership skills and embodiment of the Army values. The Soldier must also pass tests of weapon expertise, drill and ceremony and physical fitness, in addition to the mental and character testing carried out by the boards.
After dealing with those boards, says Henderson, he can deal with anything.
Fortunately, Henderson was confident in his recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Myron Adams’ ability to run the station while he was away, so that he didn’t have to worry about his station during the competition. All the recruiters of Sandhill RS have upheld standards to earn the distinction of a Station of Excellence, due to the training they received from Henderson.
“He uses training as the cornerstone of recruiting,” said Capt. Karen Roxberry, commander of the Columbia Recruiting Company whom Henderson serves as 1st Field Sergeant. “He understands the art and science of recruiting, and can teach his recruiters the ‘why’ behind what they do.”
This goes beyond instructing recruiters to go to a high school event and sending them out the door. Henderson explains why they’re visiting that particular school and the general type of people who live in those zip codes. The recruiters learn the general income, education level, background and hobbies for certain areas, so they can establish common ground with the people they’re trying to reach. “The more you understand a person, the easier it will be to communicate with them,” says Henderson.
His knack for understanding people comes from his work as a Chaplain’s Assistant, his original job in the Army when he started back in 1993. Working in this area helped him develop his empathy and compassion, as well as active listening skills. These worked to his benefit when he began working as a recruiter in Mechanicsburg, Penn. It is only by actively listening to a person that a recruiter can figure out the right message for that person. Henderson says that’s the whole strategy of recruiting- figuring out what people want to do, then showing them how the Army can help them do that. Once he knows where a potential recruit wants to be in five years, then he can help them figure out a path to get there.
After recruits decide what they want to do in the Army and officially enlist, they begin Henderson’s Future Soldier program, which Roxberry says is one of the most innovative that she has seen. Henderson mirrors the structure of a regular Army unit in his Future Soldiers squads. “You fight like you train,” says Henderson, “So I try to put them in the same environment as they’ll be in during Basic Training.” This includes physical training three mornings per week, and a training session once a week for the Future Soldiers to learn the material they will be tested on during Basic Training and to practice the skills they will need to master. Henderson also chooses squad leaders from his Future Soldiers, who help run the program and actually help ease the workload of the recruiters by keeping track of events in their communities. Henderson selects the squad leaders based on the leadership potential he sees in them. However, he says “Sometimes I’ll put someone who’s meek in charge, to see how they’ll respond to the opportunity.”
As another way of aiding the Future Soldiers’ as well as his recruiters’ development, Henderson initiates friendly competition. For tasks like physical training or even signing contracts, competition gives a boost of extra motivation, but also helps establish camaraderie among the troops and pride in the squad. He capitalizes on this by pushing his recruiters and Future Soldiers to volunteer and participate in community outreach. This has the added benefit of establishing positive connections between Sandhills Recruiting Station and local businesses, as well as familiarizing the recruiters with the community.
The level of community involvement Sandhill Rrecruiting Station cultivates makes them stand out as an example of what a recruiting station should be. Henderson credits all this to his recruiters, saying that he is supported by a great team. While true, it is also true that he provides great support to his team that enables their success. The position of recruiter is a difficult job, one that most only hold for two or three years before being transferred to a different area. The demands of dealing with so many people and their schedules often require recruiters’ working from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., which can quickly cause them to burn out. Henderson cites that as the biggest pitfall of the job, because it means so much time away from family. This is why he works to build his recruiters into a team, so they have a second family when they miss out on time with their real one. He also teaches his recruiters to balance their time, and monitors them to make sure they do, saying “Family always comes before the mission.”
Henderson says it is his own family’s support that has allowed him to work in recruiting for over 10 years; his wife Ayanna has never once complained about the hours he has dedicated to his job, and has always been his primary source of encouragement. Also contributing to his success are Henderson’s three sons: Elijah, Malik and Isaiah.Editor's Note: Sgt. 1st Class Henderson now works at the Ft. Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
[1] USAREUR Sergeant Morales Club AE Reg 600-2[2] Davis Jr., Command Sgt. Maj. Archie L. "The ‘Sergeant Morales’ Story: Epitomizing NCO Leadership." Fort Hood Sentinel (2010).
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