Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Robert Durbin Acting Division Command Sergeant Maj.: Command Sgt. Maj.

James Savitski Garrison Commander: Col. Richard Piscal Garrison Command Sergeant Major: Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Mathews

PAO CONTACTS PAO: Lt. Col. Chris Kubik, 239-2253 Community Relations: April Blackmon, 239-2022 Media Relations: Deb Skidmore, 239-3410 Newspaper/TV Show: Brian Naranjo, 239-2824
On the Web: www.riley.army.mil Click on Keeping Communities Informed

IN THIS ISSUE Deployed / Deploying 2 Units Training Highlights 3

Community Relations 4 News / Upcoming Events Fort Riley News / Jobs & Contracting
Volume 2, Issue 1

January 2008

Big Red One & Fort Riley Community Update

NOTES FROM LT. COL. CHRISTIAN KUBIK, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION AND FORT RILEY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
In the interest of ensuring that we get the word out on an important event, I am going to repeat and expand upon last months topic. On Feb. 11, Maj. Gen. Durbin will play host to the first of regularly scheduled Community Partnership conferences for our elected Representatives, Mayors, City Planners and other civic leaders in the region. The purpose of these conferences will be to: Provide regular and recurring information to local and regional community leaders for sound civic, government and business decisions Receive regular and recurring information from local and regional community leaders on their major issues and concerns

Establish an effective, constant conduit for information flow between community and Fort Riley

Many of you were at one of the recent Junction City Military Affairs Council breakfasts at which Maj. Gen. Durbin promised to hold back no information to provide all the numbers we have on population figures, deployments and any other information that community leaders can use to make sound business and civic decisions. This is the first conference of many, but I think we will make clear progress in strengthening our relationship through effective communications. Duty First!

Lt. Col. Christian Kubik

NOTES FROM APRIL BLACKMON, COMMUNITY RELATIONS CHIEF
As we well know, population numbers are an important part of our communications with you. And we know with all the deployments, redeployments, moves and growth, sometimes those numbers can be confusing. Many of you saw in our status report and population numbers, (adding up our Active Duty and TT numbers) Fort Rileys overall population jumped to 19,260 in December and is back down to 16,020. As we have mentioned, this fluctuation is due to the transition team mission. These are the servicemembers who are here only for 60 days, but because they are assigned to Fort Riley, we count them. However, since they are only here for a short time, we will make sure to separate them from our population figures so you can better understand our growth. The status report on the right helps better clarify our numbers.

January Fort Riley Status Report

Nov. 07 (as of 26 Nov.) Military assigned to Fort Riley (not including TT servicemembers) TT servicemembers assigned Reserve component Soldiers on duty at Fort Riley Total civilian employees Deployed Soldiers (OCONUS) Deployed TT servicemembers 14,880 1,780 170 5,805 7,500 3,205 Dec. 07 (as of 21 Dec.) 14,470 4,490 40 5,805 7,180 4,500 Jan. 08 (as of 21 Jan) 15,620 1,230 540 5,805 7,160 4,400

April M. Blackmon

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TRANSITION TEAM TRAINING

Warrior Transition Bn. Soldier Family Assistance Center now open

It is a one-stop shop for Soldiers and Families who are a part of the Warrior Transition Battalion. The Soldier Family Assistance Center opened Jan. 2 and offers 11 services. Lisa Mathews, director of the SFAC, said the goal was to provide the best possible environment for Soldiers to heal and transition either back into an Army unit or into the civilian world. The mission of the cadre is such that at the squad level, they serve as life coaches to ensure the Soldiers get all the therapy and medical treatment that they need, Mathews said. Secondly they set the stage and provide an optimal environment for that healing. Thats where the SFAC steps in. We work to identify and meet any need the Soldier has that might deter them from their mission, which is to heal. So its kind of a holistic approach to wellness it includes many aspects and includes the Family members in the healing process. The current SFAC, located in Building 673A near the hospital, is just the beginning. A $54 million complex that will house the WTB and a larger SFAC is planned. Ground will be broken on the complex later this year. Mathews said the large command push and the money to support the mission that came with the plans were part of the reason she took the directors position. The more I learned about it, the more I realized the Army means business, she said. This is a tremendously exciting time for Family life services in the military. Ive never seen anything go so fast and have so much command support and national support. supervision support, Families and non-medical attendants at low or no cost, along with other benefits such as free enrollment to educational or sports classes. - Financial Counselor Provides assistance on consumer affairs, budgeting and financial management. This includes debt liquidation services, direct contact with creditors towards reduction of debt, and assistance resolving complex client problems and financial crisis. - Education Guidance Counselor Provides education counseling services, including scheduling needed testing, coordinating financial aid and Montgomery GI bill benefits, and ensuring other needs to reach academic goals are met. - Human Resources Provides help with duty station, promotion and awards records and assists with family needs regarding DEERS or identification cards. - Information Referral and Follow-up conducts intake of Soldier and Family into WTB, provides orientation, coordinates lodging for Families and visitors, and coordinates transportation and respite care services. - Outreach Program Identifies community support resources, coordinates activities, recruits donations and trains volunteers. - Social Services Conducts crisis intervention, substance abuse prevention education and intervention, and the stress management program. - Department of Veterans Affairs A VA liaison assists with benefits enrollment and addresses issues in receiving future VA care. - Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) A liaison for this Some services currently offered at the Fort Riley SFAC are: program is available at the SFAC. The program offers many services - Army Career and Alumni Program This program provides for severely wounded Soldiers and their Family, both during their services for Soldiers and spouses if a Soldier should leave the Army. time in the military and beyond. - Child and Youth Services Offers child care services and youth - Defense Finance and Accounting System assistance.

DEPLOYED/DEPLOYING/REDEPLOYING UNITS While there are more than 16,000 Soldiers and TT servicemembers assigned to Fort Riley, several thousand servicemembers are currently deployed. We ask that you keep these Soldiers and their Families back home in your thoughts. If you can, please come to our deployment and redeployment (welcome back) ceremonies they always are open to the public. Information on upcoming ceremonies, as well as any time changes to those ceremonies, is available on the Fort Riley Web site www.riley.army.mil. Click on Ceremonies in the top left corner for the most upto-date information. Currently deployed about 7,160 Soldiers and 4,400 TT servicemembers, as of Jan. 21: Individual elements, 10th Air Support Operations Squadron We remember

4th Inf. Brigade Combat Team 977th Military Police Company 70th Engineer Battalion (Afghanistan) 97th Military Police Battalion working dog teams 266th Movement Control Team 24th Transportation Company 2-2 Heavy Equipment Transportation Detachment 116th Military Police Company Detachment F, 15th Finance Battalion 1st Sustainment Brigade 1st Combat Aviation Brigade Transition Team servicemembers

Fort Riley mourned the loss of two servicemembers this past month.

As of Jan 18, 140 Fort Riley Soldiers, TT servicemembers and Reserve component Soldiers who mobilized through Fort Riley have been killed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

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DIVISION COMPOSITION
1st Infantry Division Headquarters is scheduled to begin modularizing in Fiscal Year 08. The Headquarters staff moved into its new building in November. 1st Brigade, 1st Inf. Div. still has the lead for the transition team training mission. Approximately 825 Soldiers serve as cadre for this mission. Upon completion of the TT mission, the brigade will modularize and grow. 2nd Brigade, 1st Inf. Div. still based out of Schweinfurt, Germany, has returned to Germany from its tour to Iraq. To learn more about this brigade, visit http://www.2bct.1id.army.mil/. 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. is at Fort Hood, Texas. Currently, no deployment orders have been received, but the brigade is scheduled to enter the available deployment pool Spring 2008. 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (DEPLOYED) is nearing a year into its deployment. Recently, the vehicle recovery team of the 610th Brigade Support Bn. trained Dec. 27 at Forward Operating Base Falcon for Baghdads upcoming rainy season. The event consisted of pulling an M88, a heavy equipment transport recovery vehicle, stuck in mud past its tracks to stable ground where the 70-ton vehicle was again fully operable. But the task had to be accomplished safely as well as effectively. The brigade is currently slated to return April 2008. 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (DEPLOYED) 601st ASB Guardian support crews (as seen in the photo on the right) work around the clock ensuring four types of aircraft frames are mission capable. The brigade has been in Iraq for approximately four months. 1st Sustainment Brigade (DEPLOYED) The brigade supports units in central Iraq with food, water, ice, fuel, ammunition, medical supplies, repair parts, maintenance, transportation, convoy security and force protection. The brigade has been in Iraq since late August/early September. MEDDAC The 1st Inf. Div. Warrior Transition Battalion began with 37 Soldiers and now currently has more than 200 assigned. An activation ceremony is slated for 10 a.m., Jan. 23 at King Field House. 75th Fires Brigade is located at Fort Sill, Okla. 1st Infantry Div. has training oversight of this brigade. A deployment ceremony is currently scheduled for the middle of February.
Col. Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th IBCT, gives two thumbs up to the plans of Brig. Gen. Baha, commander of 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Div., and retired Brig. Gen. Karim, commander of the West Rashid Iraqi Security Volunteers, while on a battlefield circulation in southern Baghdad. The three were in the Risalah neighborhood of the Rashid District to declare a street safe in the formerly turbulent region.

3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Div. has approximately 3,400 Soldiers assigned at Fort Riley. The brigade also maintains command and control for the 70th Eng. Bn., which has been in Afghanistan for approximately 11 months now. Recently, 28 Soldiers completed a four-month Arabic language and cultural awareness course. The course took Soldiers away from their normal daily operations in order to immerse them in the Iraqi language and culture and prepare them for deployment. The brigade has various training exercises scheduled for February/March. Currently, no deployment orders have been received, but the brigade is scheduled to enter the available deployment pool Spring 2008.

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command is located at Fort Knox, Ky. The 1st Infantry Division has training oversight of this command. The unit is scheduled to deploy in 2008.

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS NEWS

Communities can request event support

Band, CGs Mounted Color Guard, Speakers and more available
Fort Riley has shared a common ground with its surrounding communities for nearly 150 years. Fort Riley, its Soldiers, the historic Commanding Generals Mounted Color Guard and famous 1st Infantry Division Band actively participate in off-post celebrations, parades and exhibits. Speakers are available to talk about various topics related to Fort Riley and the Division. Fort Riley welcomes you to enjoy our rich heritage depicted at the various historic sites such as the U.S. Cavalry Museum, 1st Infantry Division Museum, cavalry stables, post cemetery, First Territorial Capitol of Kansas and the Custer House. If you are interested in requesting community support or touring Fort Riley, visit www.riley.army.mil and click on Community Relations to learn more about available support and to locate the proper request forms. Requests must be sent in at least 60 days prior to the event date. If you have any questions about Fort Riley support, contact the Community Relations Office at (785) 239-3358 or e-mail april.blackmon@conus.army.mil

CEREMONIES & EVENTS You are invited to attend the following ceremonies and events on Fort Riley. For more information, call the Community Relations Office at (785) 239-2022. Jan. 29 7 p.m. Quarterly Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, Rileys Conference Center Jan. 30; Feb. 27 10 a.m., Monthly Retirement Ceremony, Long Gym Feb. 7 1:30 p.m., KState/Fort Riley Cooperative Extensive Service Memorandum of Agreement signing, Rileys Conference Center Feb. 7 3 p.m., 1st Eng. Bn. Award Ceremony, location TBD Feb. 13 11:45 a.m.,

Fort Rileys U.S. Cavalry Museum boasts new exhibit

Whether you often stop by the U.S. Cavalry Museum or have never visited, there is a new reason to stop at one of Fort Rileys most historical spots. Located in Building 205 on Main Post, the U.S. Cavalry Museum recently added a new exhibit to its collection. The exhibit, located in the museums second floor uniform gallery, interprets uniforms worn by the Army from the American Revolution through the Korean War, said William McKale, museum director. What this exhibit shows is how the cavalry and the Army, in the 19th century and mid-20th century, changed uniform styles, McKale said. We also go into how uniforms have been depicted in illustrations, such as lithographs and artwork by 19th and 20th century artists. In addition, as sort of a spinoff, we have military miniatures, which were popular going back to the 18th century. Theyre collectibles today, but are another example of how artists have interpreted uniforms worn by the military. Another spinoff from the exhibit came when Another recent addition at the U.S. Cavalry Museum is an exhibit that shows Fort Riley at various building phases of its history. Museum hours The U.S. Cavalry Museum, Building 205, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The 1st Infantry Division Museum, Building 207, is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to both museums is free.

New Years baby

Jagger Brown, Irwin Army Community Hospitals first baby of 2008, brought in the new year at 1:46 a.m. Jan 1 three weeks prior to his scheduled delivery date. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. Jagger was the fourth child born to Sgt. Shad and Jennifer Brown. Shad is assigned to HHC, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Regt. Jaggers older siblings are Jakson, 6, Jaelyn, 8, and Jordan, 10. In the photo (left): Dr. (Maj.) Mark Ochoa, Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Sgt. Shad Brown; Sgt. Lewis Evans, NCOIC, Women's Health Center; Maj. Amber Pocrnich, Head Nurse, Women's Health Center; Ginny Lee, midwife; Jackson, Jennifer, Jager, Jordan and Jaelyn Brown.

African American/ Black History Month Observance, Rileys Conference Center Feb. 14 2 p.m., 287th MP Co. Activation Ceremony, King Field House Feb. 20 11:15 a.m., National Prayer Luncheon, Rileys Conference Center

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FORT RILEY NEWS

Garrison Commander outlines post growth at MRC breakfast A priority shift at the command level of the Army has placed caring for Soldiers and Families at the top of the list, and that amounts in part to providing additional recreational opportunities at Fort Riley, said Col. Richard Piscal, garrison commander, during a Manhattan Military Relations breakfast Jan. 9. Piscal said Maj. Gen. Robert Durbin, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, has aligned priorities at Fort Riley with those of the Army, which are to care, lead, train and maintain. For those of us who have been in the Army for a fair amount of time, the third area, training used to be first, followed very closely by maintain, Piscal said. Then lead, then caring. But the Army has done a shift in priorities at the highest level as far as taking care of Families and their Soldiers. Piscal emphasized that Families have a choice in whether or not to accompany their Soldier to Fort Riley, something command staff at the post has repeated often to local communities. When a Soldier is deploying multiple times, now for 15 months, Piscal said the decision became even more important for Families and is usually based on the quality of housing, health care, schools and child care in the area. Piscal outlined construction projects in the works or planned for Fort Riley, including an addition to the Commissary, a new Post Exchange, several child development centers and the Warrior Transition Battalion complex. Piscal noted that the only recreational project planned at Fort Riley is an addition to Long Fitness Center and said the project just wasnt enough. Other recreational projects leaders at Fort Riley would like to see come to pass include a Soldier entertainment center, Milford Lake recreational area, renovations to Custer Hill Golf Course and the clubhouse, and multi-purpose fields and athletic areas. In addition, Piscal said he wanted to capitalize on nearby Milford Lake by adding a marina and outdoor recreation center for Soldiers and Families at the lake. In the long term, Piscal said he wanted to work towards an Army resort at the lake. The emphasis is trying to get more activities and programs. Troops deserve that, Piscal said. When they come back from 15 months of combat, they need to have some recreational type stuff where they can go and relieve some stress and pressure before they have to start training up again.

FOR MORE NEWS & INFORMATION

LOG ON TO WWW.RILEY.ARMY.MIL AND CLICK ON KEEPING COMMUNITIES INFORMED

Post newspaper available online at www.riley.army.mil

TRAINING ITEMS OF INTEREST 3 HBCT will be conducting mortar & artillery training Feb. 18-29. Hear about whats going on
We know our training can have an effect on you. We will try to keep informed on upcoming training exercises you could see or hear. To receive e-mail updates, send your e-mail to april.blackmon@us.army.mil and reference training advisories in the subject line. Or, check our Web site, www.riley.army.mil and click on Training Advisories.

Available online at www.1id.army.mil

EMPLOYMENT/CONTRACTING
Federal job information at Fort Riley is available on the Internet. For information about the variety of opportunities, visit the employment Web site at http://www.riley.army.mil/Services/ Fort/EmploymentOpp.asp There are two primary Federal employment Programs: Appropriated Fund (APF or Civil Service) and NonAppropriated Fund (NAF). APF and NAF Vacancies are listed at the Army Civilian Personnel Online at www.cpol.army.mil. Or call the local Civilian Personnel Office at (785) 239-6004 for more information. The Directorate of Contracting provides a list of active contracts, as well as Fort Riley area construction business opportunities and information on submitting bids. For more information, visit http://www.riley.army.mil/Services/Fort/ Contracting.asp AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) employment opportunities are available. Visit http://odin.aafes.com/employment/ default.asp for more information. Stay InTouch with Fort Riley. E-mails about upcoming job opportunities are available by visiting http://www.riley.army.mil/ view/article.asp?id=013-2005-02-08-47167-2 and joining the InTouch list.