the official magazine of the military …docs.epageview.com/allen-wayne/always-engaged... · the...

IN THIS ISSUE:

Volume 7 – Number 1

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE READINESS COMMAND

ALWAYS ENGAGED

Best Warrior Competition

• MIRC 2025 • Bold Knight • The MIRC's new connectivity

www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngaged



Follow the MIRC at www.facebook.com/USARMIRC for the latest updates and stories.

The Army Reserve Intelligence mission is growing and so is the MIRC. We need to add 1,500 highly qualified, highly motivated, and highly disciplined Reserve Soldiers nationwide. If you are coming off active duty, in a dead-end MOS, or are just joining the Army Reserves contact your local recruiter or follow the links below for more information.

Master Sgt. Arthur Starks,

MIRC Command Career Counselor

[email protected]

703-806-5203

Retention SharePoint site

https://xtranet/sites/mirc/staff/ret/Pages/

default.aspx

Find a career counselor

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/region_

contact.html

Unit Locator

http://www.usar.army.mil/ourstory/Pages/

UnitLocator.aspx

Army Reserve Career Division

http://www.usar.army.mil/ourstory/

commands/StayArmyReserve/Pages/

Overview.aspx

Career Management Office

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/cmo/

cmo.html

ARCD Officer/Warrant Accessions

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/

accessions.html

http://www.facebook.com/USARMIRC


mailto:arthur.w.starks.mil%40mail.mil%20?subject=

https://xtranet/sites/mirc/staff/ret/Pages/default.aspx

https://xtranet/sites/mirc/staff/ret/Pages/default.aspx

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/region_contact.html

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/region_contact.html

http://www.usar.army.mil/ourstory/Pages/UnitLocator.aspx

http://www.usar.army.mil/ourstory/Pages/UnitLocator.aspx

http://www.usar.army.mil/ourstory/commands/StayArmyReserve/Pages/Overview.aspx



http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/cmo/ cmo.html

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/cmo/ cmo.html

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/accessions.html

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/accessions.html


ALWAYS ENGAGEDTHE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE READINESS COMMAND

Contents

ON THE COVER — The MIRC Best Warriors pose with Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Breck at the beginning of an eight mile road march. Back row, from left to right: Sgt. Jedidiah Hewson, Staff Sgt. Frank Kirmse, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Breck, Sgt. David McDuffey, Spc. Saad Khokhar. Front row, from left to right: Spc. Joshua Brannon, Spc. Eamonn O’Shea, Spc. Joshua Fritter, Sgt. Brandon Wakeley. Photo by Spc. Erika Montano.

FROM THE COMMANDING GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

FROM THE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

MIRC 2025: THE FUTURE OF ARMY RESERVE INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

MAINTAINING SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE DOMINANCE . . . . . . . . . 6

THE MIRC LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

752ND MI BATTALION ACTIVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

THE BEST WARRIOR COMPETITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

SOLDIERS EARN THE SCHÜTZENSCHNUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

BOLD KNIGHT 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

CELEBRATING SUCCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

THE 2014 MIRC COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR FORUM . . . . . . 20

SOLDIER SPOTLIGHT: SPECIALIST MICHAEL AHUMADA . . . . . . 22

THE MIRC EXPANDS CONNECTIVITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

FORMER PRESIDENT RE-ENLISTS MIRC SOLDIER . . . . . . . . . . . 25

SUBMISSIONS — Always Engaged invites articles, story ideas, photographs and other material of interest to members of the MIRC family. Manuscripts and other correspondence for the editor should be addressed to MIRC, Attn: Public Affairs, 8831 John J. Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, telephone 703-806-6126. All email submissions should go to [email protected].

SUBSCRIPTIONS — Always Engaged is a primarily digital magazine with a limited print distribution of 400. Always Engaged is an authorized Department of the Army publication, published throughout the year by the MIRC Public Affairs Office. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of the Army or the Chief, Army Reserve, nor should they be construed as official policy or directive in nature. Local reproduction of all material is approved, except for copyrighted articles or photos.

Design, Layout, and Printing — Allen Wayne, LTD., www.allenwayne.com

MIRC COMMAND TEAM

Brig. Gen. Gabriel TroianoCommanding General

Col. Stephen E. ZarboDeputy Commanding Officer

Mr. Michael StocksCommand Executive Officer

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Frank M. PattonCommand Chief Warrant

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert B. BreckCommand Sergeant Major

MIRC MAGAZINE STAFF

Editor in Chief:Maj. Gregg A. MoorePublic Affairs Officer


www.facebook.com/USARMIRC

Always Engaged • 1Vol. 7, NO. 1 www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngaged


http://www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngaged



mailto:[email protected]

http://www.allenwayne.com

FROM THE COMMANDING GENERAL

Vol. 7, NO. 12 • Always Engaged

It seems like yesterday I wrote to you about my first six months in command

of the MIRC and the challenges that are in front of us as we grow in size and

capability. As I fast approach the completion of a full year in command, I

can report that my impression of the MIRC as an organization with the finest

Soldiers, Civilians, and Families has been more than solidified. I have personally

witnessed the hard work and dedication of the true professionals residing across

our formations. Despite dwindling resources and increased demands for our

services, MIRC Soldiers, Civilians and Family members have given it their all, and

continue to exemplify the Warrior Ethos and the Army Values, particularly that of

selfless service. I am confident, as the Army evolves over the next few years, the

MIRC will be considered as the model organization within the Army Reserve.

In the winter edition of the MIRC Magazine, I commented that the MIRC will

be going under a transformation over the next few years to be better positioned

to provide relevant intelligence support to the war-fighter. That transformation

has begun in earnest and continues to drive our efforts as a command for the

foreseeable future. In April, we activated the 752nd MI BN (CI) in support of the

902nd MI Group. We also stood up the first AFRICOM ARE and are fully engaged

in the preparations to stand up the 505th MI BDE in support of ARNORTH in

the fall. We are actively pursuing various re-stationing actions to provide our

Soldiers with the capability to provide reach-back intelligence support to our

partners in the Combat Support Agencies, ASCCs and COCOMs during IDT

weekends and during their Annual Training. Additionally,

the MIRC is continuing to look into the future in preparation

for the activation of two Expeditionary MI Brigades and

the conversion of our Battlefield Surveillance Battalions to

Expeditionary MI Battalions.

Amidst all of these actions, we are beginning to see the

results of our Collective Training strategy. The investment

in WAREXs, CSTXs and Live Environment Training (LET)

opportunities across our formations, has yielded an increase

in MI capability across the force. Leaders have embraced the

slogan “invest in one/train ten,” and have empowered their

Soldiers and Civilians so that each and every one of them

can make an impact within our organization. We will continue

to build upon this strategy in the future so that if and when

the MIRC is called to provide a capability, we will be ready.

At this point, I would like to express a very sincere and

special thank you to CSM Robert Breck, his wife Michelle,

and the entire Breck family. CSM Breck will be leaving

the MIRC in July 2014 to assume his new position as the

Command Sergeant Majorof the 807th Medical Command.

CSM Breck has been a guiding force for the MIRC over the

last three years, and has made the MIRC a centerpiece in

his life. His leadership, mentorship, and friendship have

been precious to me and to everyone in this command.

CSM Breck’s dedication to Soldiers, Civilians and Families is

unquestionable and unwavering. He and his family will always

be a part of the MIRC family and on behalf of the command I

want to wish all of them the best for the future.

I wish I could say that things will slow down in the future

but I cannot. We operate in a very fluid environment which

requires us to be flexible and forward leaning in all we

do. I am confident that all the Soldiers and Civilians in our

command, with the tremendous support from our Families,

will continue to meet the challenges facing us and succeed

at the highest level. I am extremely proud and humbled to

have the opportunity to lead such phenomenal people and

an incredible organization. Let’s take care of one another

and always remember serving our country is the greatest

privilege we can have bestowed upon us.

Always Engaged!

Brig. Gen. Gabriel Troiano,

Commanding General

www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngaged Always Engaged • 3Vol. 7, NO. 1

FROM THE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

Soldiers, NCOs, Officers, and Civilians and Family members of the Military Intelligence Readiness Command, this will be my last official message in the MIRC Magazine as the MIRC Command Sergeant Major. For the last three years, I have had the pleasure of serving with the best Soldiers in Army Reserves' best command. I know there are many of you I was not able to visit, but you were always on my mind.

Over the past three years I have been able to participate in many of your activities such as weapons qualification, PT tests, Best Warrior Competitions at the brigades, deployments, and redeployments. During these events you made me feel very welcomed and, on some occasions, you have pushed me to the limits of physical exhaustion and challenged my shooting abilities. Those events will forever be some of the most memorable moments of my life. I cannot thank all of you enough for those memories of just wanting me to come back every year and try to be the top shooter during your weapons qualification. I have to say, I was glad to get schooled this year and to see the excitement of those individuals that put their weapons skills to the test and out-shot me by a long shot.

I also had the privilege of visiting with most of you prior to your deployments and I have waited at the airport for your return. All of you served with honor and accomplished the mission you were asked to do. I wish to acknowledge all those individuals that helped to support

those deployments and helping in every way to deploy and redeploy our Soldiers.

As a Command we have accomplished a great deal over the last three years; the MIRC has deployed over 600 Soldiers, 3 battalions, and a great number of teams and individuals in support of combat operations worldwide. I have seen you prepare for your duties during your training from home station to your mob stations. I have seen this command come together and support each other for the freedoms we enjoy. I have seen units put together from across the MIRC and come together as a united team to support each other through some rough times and get through it side by side. I am sorry that I was never able to visit you in theater, but you were always in my thoughts and prayers.

I enjoyed visiting with and meeting your families at the Yellow Ribbon events, calling them during the holidays while you were gone. I saw the pride that your family and friends have for your service in their support for you.

As the MIRC progresses in the future to a larger organization, with more capability, you must understand that you all have been part of the success of this command. No matter what the MOS you hold or in what position you are

within the MIRC Command, you are all professionals in the eyes of all others. Keep up the great work and never settle for anything less than perfection.

As I look back at all I have learned and gained from these last three years, it is hard to put into words the gratitude that I have for all of you. You have given me a new level of trust and respect that I will long remember.

I want to thank all the Soldiers, NCOs, Officers and Civilians and your families for all the hard work and dedication you have given to, not only this command, but to our Nation and for providing security and a way of life to all of our citizens. I am forever grateful for the support and trust you gave my family and me over the last three years!

I also wish to thank my family for supporting me over the last 13 years of my military service. I could not have done anything without the support of my wonderful wife and family.

God Bless you and keep you safe.

Always Engaged!

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert B. Breck, Command Sergeant Major




The mission

statement of the

Military Intelligence

Readiness Command can

be summed up in two words:

Intelligence Operations.

This mission is the driving force behind

the MIRC 2025 vision to provide intelligence

support to meet theater requirements by producing

relevant and trained Army Reserve MI formations

and soldiers to Combatant Commands. The intent

of MIRC 2025 is to align MIRC formations, through

Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF) and Theater

Story by Capt. Glenn Draughon

Engagement, to best

accomplish this mission.

Key to the success of MIRC

2025 is the growth and accurate

stationing of MIRC units. The Army Reserve

is currently resourced and funded for 205,000

troops, but only 196,000 positions are filled. This

shortage, combined with existing and future fiscal

constraints, means the Reserves will likely lose even

more authorized positions for soldiers. Additionally,

the Active Component is suffering a significant

reduction of troops with the Army as a whole shrinking

from 45 Brigade Combat Teams to 33. The active

forces will also conduct fewer Military Intelligence

missions; however, many of the mission requirements

will remain. Therefore, as the rest of the Army is

shrinking, Army Reserve Military Intelligence will

be asked to expand to fill the gap. The continued

requirement for Military Intelligence capabilities and

the drawdown of the Active Component force are the

primary reasons why the MIRC will grow from nearly

6,000 authorized positions to approximately 7,500.

MIRC 2

025:

The Future of Arm

y Reserve Intellig

ence Operatio

ns

MIRC Force Structure(Current)

XXX

CORPS

XXX

ASCC

EUCOM NORTHCOMAFRICOMCENTCOM SOUTHCOMUSF-K

II

345II

323II

301II

368II

377

National /Strategic

CI /HUMINT

XXXX

CCMD

II

373II

321II

378II

325

752II

AROAIII

66

X

500

X

501

X

470

X

513

X

PACOM

314II

338II

SIGINT/CYBER

NSAGA

I TECHINT

203II

EUCOMJAC ARE

IIIAFRICOMJIOC ARE

IIICENTCOM

JIC ARE

IIIPACOM

JIOC ARE

III

OPERATING FORCE ROTATIONAL (ARFORGEN) / NG BfSB ALIGNED

NSATX

I

NSAHI

I

ATCAEI

2100NGIC

III2200NGIC

III2300NGIC

III2500NGIC

III3100

DIA

III3200

DIA

III3300

DIA

IIIARCTU

STATE

ACFP

NISGIII

TSCIII

648III

TITLE 10

CURRENT ARMY RESERVE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE FORCE STRUCTURE

= US Army Reserve unit (MIRC)

= Active Component unit

= Joint unit (multi-service)

ACFP= ARMY CONTINGENCY FORCE PACKAGE

Legend

Current Army Reserve Military Intelligence Force Structure

Always Engaged • 5www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngagedVol. 7, NO. 1

This growth in troops and mission requirements will

fuel force structure changes as the MIRC expands. We

are conducting more stationing actions during the next

year than ever in the MIRC’s history. To be successful

in our stationing we will align production units with

Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities

to maximize battle assembly and Annual Training

utilization. The Theater Support Battalions can

expect to keep similar mission sets and continue to

support Theater Intelligence Brigades. However, the

task organizations for their Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie

Companies will change. The Battlefield Surveillance

Brigades (BfSB) MI Battalions will undergo significant

changes as alignment with Active and National Guard

BfSB do not coincide with future mission sets. This

is primarily due to the difficulty in coordinating multi

component mission command and sustainment as well

as accounting for Title 10 vs. Title 32 authorities.

Alignments with the BfSBs will end with the

creation of Expeditionary – Military Intelligence

Brigades or E-MIBs. The MIRC will gain two E-MIBs

and potentially station them at Joint Base Lewis-

McChord, Washington, and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-

Lakehurst, New Jersey. The E-MIBs will not go into

effect until FY16, however, the 208th Regional Support

Group will inactivate at the end of FY15. This creates

a significant gap in mission command of the 208th

RSG and its subordinate units which will temporarily

migrate to the MIRC’s Training Support Command.

The exception is the 378th MI Battalion, which will

move to the 648th Regional Support Group until the

activation of the E-MIBs in FY16. The MIRC will also

activate the 505th Theater Intelligence Brigade (TIB)

in San Antonio, Texas. This will be a multi-component

headquarters with two subordinate BNs in direct

support to U.S. Army North (ARNORTH) in September

2015. The National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC)

Military Intelligence Groups (MIG) will remain in their

current structure and the Strategic Intelligence Groups

(SIG) will support Combatant Commands through the

new regional centers just created by the Defense

Intelligence Agency. The Department of the Army

also recently mandated creation of Army Contingency

Force Package (ACFP) units within the Army Reserve.

The 373rd Military Intelligence Battalion, with the

378th MI Battalion in support, is tasked as the first

MIRC ACFP unit given notice to conduct full spectrum

intelligence operations during a global contingency.

The MIRC is growing and, as such, there will be

more career opportunities for Army Reserve Military

Intelligence Soldiers than ever. MIRC 2025 will place

the MIRC in a position to answer current and future

intelligence requirements.

For more information, contact the MIRC 2025 Force

Management team at usarmy.usarc.mirc.list.hq-

[email protected]. ◆

MIRC Force Structure(Future)

XXX

CORPS

XXX

ASCC

EUCOM NORTHCOMAFRICOMCENTCOM SOUTHCOMUSF-K

II

345II

337II

323II

301II

368II

377

505

X

National /Strategic

CI / HUMINT

XXXX

CCMD

II

373

X

319II

321II

378

X

3XXII

325

3XXINTG

IIAROAHUMINT

III

207

X

66

X

500

X

501

X

470

X

513

X

PACOM

II

383

314INTG

II372INTG

II338INTG

IISIGINT / CYBER

4100ARISCOE

III7XXNSA

IITECHINT

203II

2100NGIC

III2200NGIC

III2300NGIC

III2500NGIC

III3100

DIA

III3200

DIA

III3300

DIA

IIIARCTU

STATE

EUCOMJAC ARE

IIIAFRICOMJIOC ARE

IIICENTCOM

JIC ARE

IIIPACOM

JIOC ARE

III

3XXII

752CI

II

OPERATING FORCE ROTATIONAL (ARFORGEN) / CORPS ALIGNED

= USAR = AC = JOINT

NISGIII

TSCIII

648III

TITLE 10

FUTURE ARMY RESERVE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE FORCE STRUCTUREFuture Army Reserve Military Intelligence Force Structure

= US Army Reserve unit (MIRC)

= Active Component unit

= Joint unit (multi-service)

ACFP= ARMY CONTINGENCY FORCE PACKAGE

Legend


[email protected]

[email protected]

The Prophet is a system of sensors linked to a central

hub. At this central station, signals intelligence soldiers can

analyze and provide real-time actionable intelligence, situational

understanding, and force protection. The 373rd Military

Intelligence Battalion in Tumwater, Washington, is the only Army

Reserve unit with one of these systems consisting of two sensor

HMMW-Vs and a control center HMMW-V.

Spc. Nathaniel Rogers, an MI Systems Maintainer and

Integrator (MOS: 35T), is an expert at keeping the Prophet

in the fight. He deployed to Iraq with the 373rd in 2011 to

Maintaining Signals

Story and photos by Maj. Gregg Moore

Intelligence Dominance


Spc. Nathaniel Rogers explains trouble shooting the Prophet system to a group of Signals Intelligence soldiers.


maintain the system, and stayed to the end to help

the U.S. Army return the equipment for Operation

New Dawn as coalition forces left Iraq. Following

his deployment, he took a job as a civilian contractor

in Afghanistan, continuing to maintain the Prophet

System for 18 months.

Rogers said the Advanced Individual Training (AIT)

for the 35T Systems Maintainer and Integrator starts

with basic electronics theory fundamentals such as how

AC and DC function. The students slowly work their

way towards more and more complicated electronics.

They eventually learn to build their own radios to

demonstrate a core understanding of electronics.

“The idea is to teach us the trouble shooting

techniques, so it doesn’t matter what system it is, we

can figure it out,” said Rogers. He explained that the

three primary areas the training covers are networking,

electronics, and Satellite Communication systems.

Rogers said, “Getting to work on the equipment is fun

for me.”

Rogers said he “felt more free to focus on the

equipment” as a civilian contractor and that he liked

that military leaders listened to his recommendations

more than when he was in uniform. On the other

hand, “it was freeing as a soldier” because contractors

can only work on the equipment they are contracted

for. If something needs repaired that is not in the

contract, the contractor risks getting fired because it

takes work away from a different contractor. Soldiers

are able to work on any equipment.

There are many versions of the Prophet. Some

differences are in mounting for different vehicles and

some have different hardware. Rogers said that when

he arrived in Iraq, he was given a system the previous

users were not able to repair, “for me, that was a really

awesome challenge.” ◆

Soldiers from the 373rd Military Intelligence Battalion set up the Prophet’s central control and communication system. Once assembled, this dish provides a link for analysts to send near-real-time intelligence to their higher headquarters a few miles away or around the globe.


Military Intelligence Readiness Command language

qualified soldiers can improve their language skills

and cultural understanding through the Language

Immersion Program.

“These immersions are amazing for personal

growth and language development; especially for

non-heritage speakers like me.”

To participate in the program, soldiers must

score a 2/2 or better with a valid Defense Language

Proficiency Test within two years prior to the

event. Although, soldiers are not required to be in

a language-designated duty position, those who

are will have priority. Ranks are limited to Captains,

Lieutenants, Warrant Officers, and Sgt. 1st Class and

below.

“This has helped me in different ways and

continued to help me in my MOS. I went up from 2

on my listening to a 2+ on my DLPT.”

The intent is to put soldiers into situations in which

they will only speak the target language. During the

immersion, soldiers receive approximately 30 hours of

Language Immersion Program

The MIRC


classroom instruction and one-on-one tutoring each

week. They will also participate in cultural training

and excursions. Another important part of the cultural

training is living in the homes of host families, when

available. Host families will only speak in the native

language with the soldier and typically provide two

meals a day.

“I learned Spanish in the Dominican Republic.

I went to school in Spanish until I was 12. I have

been in the military for three years. This immersion

improved my language skills especially when it

comes to grammar and reading comprehension.

Although I am a native Spanish speaker, I know

that my weak points are writing and reading.

This immersion has helped me strengthen these

weaknesses.”

In addition to the classes, tutoring, and host

families, participants go on cultural excursions.

“I believe each excursion was a meaningful

experience. To take advantage of the time outside

the classroom, students should be required to

interact with locals. I think it’s a prime opportunity

to travel within the country and to analyze the

different words and accents that exist.”

Language immersion opportunities change annually

depending on availability and budget constraints. Some

of the locations for 2014 include Puerto Rico, Taiwan,

France, Morocco, Portugal, Latvia, and South Korea.

“The highlight of the entire immersion program

was my instructor for the group class, Teresa.

When I learned that she was only 23 years old,

I thought that she was rather too young to be

an effective instructor—but I was proven wrong

almost immediately. After the first day of class,

I quickly realized that she was an incredibly

talented teacher who was knowledgeable, witty,

funny, fair, and caring. She ensured that everyone,

regardless of their level of Spanish, was engaged

in discussions, not letting the class be dominated

by those who were more proficient in Spanish.”

Ask your chain of command to contact the MIRC

Language Program staff if you are interested in

applying for a language immersion opportunity now! ◆



The 902nd Military Intelligence Group and

the Military Intelligence Readiness Command

activated a new battalion during a ceremony at

the Fort George G. Meade Museum, Maryland,

on April 18, 2014.

The 752nd MI Battalion, an Army Reserve

unit with detachments in Georgia, Texas and

California, will provide counterintelligence

support to the 902nd MI Group's

counterterrorist and counterespionage

investigations and operations.

“Our principal mission is to provide

that specific support with qualified

counterintelligence teams and agents,” said

Lt. Col. Anthony M. Callandrillo, commander,

752nd MI Battalion.

On order, the 902nd MI Group’s newest

battalion will mobilize and deploy in support

of contingency counterintelligence and force

protection requirements.

“We’re going to recruit from all over,” said

Callandrillo. “If I’ve got a Soldier in Colorado

who has a unique skill set, we’re going to have

the flexibility to place him where he best fits

in. After looking at his skill set and the mission

requirements, it might be determined he’s best

suited to supporting a field office in San Antonio

or he might end up coming to Fort Meade.

“It is interesting with the reserves, because

you want to match a unique skill set with

the mission, and that’s not always

going to be geographically based,”

Callandrillo added.

According to Callandrillo, the

battalion will also pay special attention

to more than just a Soldier’s military

occupational specialty.

“One of the more exciting aspects

of this will be not simply the military

qualifications the members of the

752nd MI Battalion will have, but what

qualifications they have as a whole,”

he said. “Where people work and

what they do in their day jobs will play

a part in this as well – not just what

they do when they’re in uniform.”

While the 752nd MI Battalion is

brand new, the unit couldn’t arrive

at a better time, according to Col.

Yvette C. Hopkins, commander,

902nd MI Group.

"The timing of this activation

is impeccable," Hopkins said. "As

the Army draws down, there will

be inherent risks associated with

our foreign adversaries and insider

threats. The counterintelligence

discipline is the pivotal discipline

which mitigates that risk to the Army." ◆

752nd MI Battalion activation

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Robinson, commander of the troops during the ceremony, unfurls the 752nd Military Intelligence Battalion's guidon during an activation and assumption of command ceremony at Fort George G. Meade, Md., April 18. Col. Yvette C. Hopkins, commander, 902nd MI Group, presided over the ceremony, with Lt. Col. Anthony Callandrillo becoming its first commander. (Photo by Brian Murphy)


752nd MI Battalion activation By Brian Murphy, 902nd MI Group

Col. Yvette C. Hopkins, the commander of the 902nd MI Group, passes the new Battalion colors to Lt. Col. Callandrillo. In this traditional ceremony, he assumes command of the 752nd. (Photo by Maj. Gregg Moore).



On May 5, 2014, the Military Intelligence Readiness

Command held its annual Best Warrior Competition at

Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. This four day event consisted

of challenging physical and mental tests to determine

who the Command would name as the MIRC 2014

Soldier and NCO of the year and then go to compete

at the U.S. Army Reserve Command level. Competitors

went through a selection process at their brigades

and battalions before coming to the MIRC level contest.

But what is a Best Warrior? Each competitor answered

this question in their own perspective. However, their

description of this elite title was altogether the same.

“The Best Warrior Competition means that you’re a

well-rounded Soldier, a well-rounded Non-Commissioned

Officer, a true leader of every aspect; physically fit

and mentally sharp …” said Staff Sgt. Frank Kirmse, Human

Intelligence Collector from the USAR Support Group.

They studied hard, worked on their physical conditioning and

made personal sacrifices to compete at this level. Thanks to family,

leadership, and unit support, these soldiers were as ready and eager

as ever to take on the demands.

“I’ve been working hard, maintaining my warrior tasks and battle

drills, and making sure I don’t lose those abilities,” said Spc. Joshua

Fritter, from the MIRC Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

“I just have a fire within me … I want to compete and do my

best no matter what, and try to come out on top,” said Spc.

Joshua Brannon, Intelligence Analyst from Det. 8 EUCOM.

This year, the challenging events included the Army

Physical Fitness Test, a written essay, day and night land

navigation, rifle marksmanship, an eight-mile road march

carrying a 35 pound rucksack, first aid and medical

evacuation procedures, reassemble

parts from multiple weapons into

the correct and functioning

configurations, an obstacle

course, and answering

questions from a board of

Command Sgt.’s Major.

Like all Best Warrior

competitions, there can

only be two that standout

from the rest: one enlisted/

Vol. 7, NO. 1

The 2014 MIRC Best Warrior Competition

12 • Always Engaged

junior soldier (Private through Specialist) and one

Non-Commissioned Officer (Sergeant through Sgt.

1st Class). Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Breck waited

until the award ceremony at the end of the week

to announce the winners. Up until that point, the

competitors were not told how they scored or ranked

between each other.

“You learned a lot about yourselves … I’m

impressed with every single one of you and the hard

work you put forward …” said Breck. “It was very

close between one, two and even three if we did a

third place winner.”

A loud round of applause and a flash of camera

lights went off for Spc. Saad Khokhar, from the

368th MI Bn., and Sgt. Jedidiah Hewson, a platoon

sergeant from the 301st MI Bn. As they stood up to be

recognized as this year’s Best Warrior and Best NCO,

Command Sgt. Maj. Breck awarded both competitors

a bronze eagle statue and shared a few words with

the advancing soldiers.

“You’ve got some competition ahead of you at the

[U.S. Army Reserve Command] level. It’s not going

to be easy, but it’s going to be a lot of fun, and I look

forward to watching both of you excel at that best

warrior competition. No matter what, you don’t give

up, you don’t quit, you just keep driving on just like

you did here. Hooah?”

“HOOAH!” both Khokhar and Hewson

responded proudly.

With the USARC Best Warrior Competition coming

up in June at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New

Jersey, both Soldiers will be preparing vigorously.

This means more studying, continuous physical

training and brushing up on board appearance;

however, both Khokhar and Hewson expressed that

with this MIRC level experience, they will continue to

grow and reach new limits.

“It’s competitive, it helps push you forward …

And overall it was a good experience, and I want to

continue doing it,” said Khokhar.

“It makes me realize what I’m capable of.

What I’m good at, what I need to work on … and

the biggest thing I realized is that I need to take

everything up to a whole new level for the USARC

[competition],” said Hewson.

Congratulations to the MIRC Best Warriors! ◆


MIRC Best Warrior Competition Story and photos by Spc. Erika Montano, 323rd MI Bn.


The 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion broke away

from their normal Battle Assembly for weapons training

at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Fifteen German soldiers from

the German Armed Forces Command in Washington,

DC joined the MI unit to cross-train with American and

German weapons. 323rd MI Battalion soldiers took

this opportunity to earn the German Armed Forces

Proficiency Badge, also known as the Schützenschnur.

“The German Armed Forces Command, USA and

Canada, is the top [German] headquarters in the United

States,” described Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Kleinhenz,

the German unit’s Command Sergeant Major. He went

on to explain, “This unit is in charge of any German troop,

whether Army, Navy, or Air Force that touches American

soil. They provide resources and administratively manage

all German troops in America and Canada.”

The American weapons included the MK19

automatic grenade launcher, the M9 pistol, the

M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and the M16 rifle.

The Germans brought the P8 9mm Pistol, the MG3

Machine Gun, and the G36 Assault Rifle.

Soldiers must display excellent marksmanship

skills to earn this coveted German badge. The

Schützenschnur has three qualification levels:


Story and photos by Maj. Gregg Moore

SchützenschnurSoldiers Earn the

for Weapons Proficiency

A Noncommissioned Officer from the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion trains a German soldier to operate the Mk 19 Grenade Launcher.


bronze, silver, and gold. Soldiers earn the award by

successfully hitting targets with the rifle, pistol, and/

or the machinegun. The award grade, or class, is

determined by the soldier’s lowest score.

To qualify at the bronze level, soldiers fire the

pistol and the rifle. The machinegun is not required

to earn this award. Fifteen 323rd soldiers earned the

Schützenschnur in Bronze.

To earn the next higher award class, soldiers must

qualify at the silver level with the machinegun and

either a pistol or rifle. Six 323rd soldiers earned the

Schützenschnur in Silver.

Nine 323rd soldiers earned the highest award,

the Schützenschnur in Gold is earned when a soldier

scores a gold with the machinegun and either a pistol

or rifle.

Kleinhenz said, “We’re not just here to support

German units. A big part of our job is to promote the

German military culture. And through the Proficiency

Badge, the Schützenschnur, we are doing that.” He

continued, “It’s a good chance to bring soldiers together

and to train together. And what better way can we do

it than to be on a training field? To sweat together, to

shoot together, to do soldiering together.” ◆

Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Kleinhenz, German Armed Forces Command, USA and Canada, discusses the operation and safety features of the German P8 9mm pistol.

A German Noncommissioned Officer marks the target for a 323rd Military Intelligence soldier. The scoring is based upon which ring is hit. The smaller, center rings are for the gold level qualification, the next ring for the silver, and the outer ring for the bronze.



Most Army Reserve units only work with the Active

Component during deployments and at the occasional

training center rotation. But the Military Intelligence

Readiness Command and the U.S. Army Intelligence

and Security Command (INSCOM) have broken that

mold to increase efficiency and flexibility. A leader

in that effort is the Army Reserve’s 345th Military

Intelligence Battalion. The 345th works hand-in-hand

with the Active Component’s 513th Military Intelligence

Brigade at Fort Gordon, Georgia. This ongoing

affiliation includes support from the 513th during Battle

Assemblies, Annual Training, schools, mobilizations

within the Continental United States, and more.

The 513th Military Intelligence Brigade’s annual

exercise, named “Bold Knight,” includes soldiers

from all their active duty battalions as well as from

the 345th. Col. Steven Breton, commander of the

513th, directed full integration of the 345th supporting

the 513th during Bold Knight. The exercise involved

troops located in Texas, Georgia, and overseas. The

513th made the 2014 exercise more challenging than

in previous years.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Gress, a Senior Intelligence

Analyst from the 345th noted, “Last year the products

were broad and basic. This year we’re more up to

speed on current events and techniques.”

Bravo Company, 345th MI Battalion, and the active

component Alpha Company, 202nd MI Battalion,

worked together at Camp Bullis, Texas. Capt. Angela

Brown, the Bravo Company Commander said this was

the first time an exercise of this type and breadth had

been conducted at the Theater Intelligence Brigade

level. While training at the INSCOM Interrogation

and Detention Training Facility (IDTF), soldiers from

both companies developed and honed their skills in

Military Source Operations (MSO) meeting mechanics,

screening operations, debriefs, and interrogations.

“Operation Bold Knight’s success was a direct

result of support from numerous agencies throughout

the Intelligence Community who provided instructor

support, role players, observer-controllers, and

mentors which created an almost one-on-one learning

ratio,” said Brown.

The 345th MI Battalion’s relationship is ongoing,

and involves much more than the annual exercise.

“We don’t mind coming in on the weekend if it helps

the Reserve Soldiers do their jobs,” said Warrant

Officer Brian McKinney, an Active Component Signals

Story by Maj. Gregg Moore

Bold Knig

ht

2014


Intelligence Technician. When asked about skill levels

between the fulltime and part-time soldiers, McKinney

said, “I can’t tell the difference between [Active

Component] and [Reserve Component] soldiers. My

experience has been individually based.”

Parts of the exercise included Reserve soldiers

training active component soldiers. The 513th

leadership recognizes that many soldiers from the

345th have significant deployment experience and

valuable skills from their civilian careers.

Additionally, there are many Reserve soldiers filling

fulltime Intelligence mission requirements with the

513th. “We are sitting side-by-side with [the Active

Component] and working the same targets,” said Staff

Sergeant Jay Clemons, an Army Reserve Geospacial

Intelligence Noncommissioned Officer with the 345th.

“The 345th integration [with the 513th] helps build a

common operating picture,” said Chief Warrant Officer

Luny Delva. Delva is a Reserve Component soldier

working daily with the 513th Brigade on fulltime orders.

Proudly stating, “The 345th is an analytic multiplier.” ◆

Soldiers of the 345th Military Intelligence Battalion conduct human intelligence collection training during the 513th MI Brigade's "Bold Knight" exercise in March, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Shantece Wade, 513th MI Brigade Public Affairs Officer)

The 513th Military Intelligence Brigade uses a mock village with active role-players as part of the human intelligence collection training in their "Bold Knight" exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Shantece Wade, 513th MI Brigade Public Affairs Officer)


CelebratingSuccessDET 3, CENTCOM Joint Intelligence Center J2

In April, the Army Reserve Soldiers of Detachment

3, Central Command Joint Intelligence Center J2

(CENTCOM JIC J2), Military Intelligence Readiness

Command, set aside their research and writing to

host a dining out. This event would be bigger and

better than the unit celebrations of the prior two years,

because DET 3’s brigade headquarters sponsored

the event in conjunction with its yearly training brief.

The guest list expanded to include key leaders from

the brigade and each of the unit’s ten detachments.

This was in addition to a long list of VIPs. Warm spring

weather greeted participants when they arrived at

the Naval Anti-Submarine Warfare Base, San Diego,

California where DET 3 is stationed.

In addition to the dining out, DET 3 Soldiers

planned and conducted a promotion, a change-of-

command, a retirement, a reenlistment, an M9 pistol

qualification, and an Army Physical Fitness Test.

“The events were a fantastic success! It was a

team effort,” said Maj. Mike Martin, the detachment’s

executive officer who coordinated the events. “DET

3 started planning months in advance. 1st Lt Blake

Cheary, who served as ‘Mr. Vice’ for the dining out,

did an exceptional job. He made the event a night to

remember.”

Dining-OutTuxedos, evening gowns, and dress uniforms

converged at the ballroom as the sun started to set

over the Pacific on Saturday April 5th. Colonel Joseph

Dziezynski, Commander of the CENTCOM JIC J2,

opened the dining-out. The traditional toasts were

followed by a three course meal. The honored guest,

Brig. Gen. Gabriel Troiano, addressed the mess after

dinner. Following his speech, Brig. Gen. Troiano was

surprised to receive a cake covered with candles in

celebration of his 50th birthday.

Next, Col. David Lent, Deputy Commander of the

CENTCOM JIC J2, was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Col. Dziezynski also presented Col. Lent a shadow

box on behalf of the unit. Col. Lent retired from the

Army Reserves after serving 30 years in the military.

He established today’s fully integrated, joint reserve

intelligence support to CENTCOM based on a network of

CENTCOM Intelligence Support Centers (CISCs) staffed

with reserve service members (including over 300 Army

Reserve Soldiers) working at ten locations across the

continental United States. Two former commanders of

the CENTCOM JIC J2 (previously called the CENTCOM

United States Army Reserve Element J2/JT) were present

to honor him: Brig. Gen. Christie Nixon, the Deputy

Commander of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security

Command, and retired Col. Alison Ryscavage.

Finally, Spc. Raymond Jack, from DET 5,

Jacksonville, Florida reenlisted. He joined DET 5 after

accomplishing his Intelligence Analyst training at

Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in 2010. Currently, Spc. Jack

is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in English at the

University of North Florida where he is completing his

senior year. He is also employed by the University. In

December 2014, Spc. Jack will enter law school.

Story and photos by Lt. Col. Jeffrey W. Forest, Command Mission Manager, CENTCOM JIC J2


Colonel Joseph Dziezynski, Commander of the Central Command United States Joint Intelligence Center J2 (CENTCOM JIC J2), reenlists Specialist Raymond Jack, from Detachment 5, Jacksonville, Florida, during the Dining Out on 5 April 2014 in San Diego, California.

Promotion and Change of Command

Prior to the Yearly Training Brief and dining-out,

Col. Dziezynski promoted Ken Carlson to colonel then

transferred command of DET 3 from Lt. Col. Marquez,

the acting commander, to Col. Carlson.

“My number one goal is to continue what Lt. Col.

Marquez had accomplished to make DET 3 into a

family – a place where people want to come to work –

and a fully operational CENTCOM Intelligence Support

Center,” Col. Carlson said.

Col. Carlson emphasized the importance of

teamwork with the local Navy Reserve intelligence unit,

“We have to be joint … joint schedules, joint teams,

joint production. In July, our Navy counterpart, and I

will present our joint plans for the CISC at the annual

Regional Director of Intelligence meeting in Tampa.”

Col. Carlson continued, “The goal of each of our

strategic reserve centers is to prepare and provide

trained and ready intelligence professionals to

augment active duty forces when needed. There is

no better way for soldiers to train than to work on real

intelligence products. We provide continuous and

surge support to the warfighter. In some cases, like

the Economic Working Group, we have resources and

expertise the active force doesn’t have. On this team,

reservists with civilian jobs in finance and business

apply their civilian expertise to understanding key

economic factors affecting the countries where

CENTCOM forces operate.”

“With the active duty draw-down, the importance

of the reserve force has increased because it is an

efficient, inexpensive resource. More talent will be

available to reserve units as active duty personnel

leave service,” Col. Carlson said. He explained that

DET 3 offers significant opportunities to experienced

intelligence professionals leaving active duty who are

interested in maintaining their proficiency in perishable

intelligence skills as they begin their civilian careers.

“I’m looking for Sergeants and Captains or above with

tactical experience. Not just in Military Intelligence

units but in tactical units. Mature people with life

experience who are self-motivated, successful in their

civilian careers, 100% ready for deployment, and want

to continue to serve.”

“We have four missions right now: economic, Iran,

and Afghanistan analysis which are here in San Diego;

and a counterintelligence mission which is located in

Phoenix. We are also standing up a CYBER mission in

San Diego in partnership with the local Navy Reserve

intelligence unit. This is an important opportunity for

skilled individuals who are interested in getting in on

the ground floor of this initiative,” Col. Carlson said.

After assignment to DET 3, Soldiers are expected

to develop their expertise for one of the missions.

This expertise may be focused on a regional issue

or on an individual country. The CENTCOM area

of responsibility includes a diverse set of cultures

and conflicts spanning 20 countries from Egypt

to Afghanistan and Yemen to Iran. Army Reserve

Element intelligence production team leaders

have established close working relationships with

CENTCOM intelligence directorate branch chiefs. They

collaborate throughout the intelligence production

cycle to focus production on important topics, ensure

product quality, and meet deadlines.

Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa,

Florida, the CENTCOM JIC J2 is composed of ten

detachments which are located across the United

States. CENTCOM JIC J2 intelligence missions range

from all-source intelligence and geospatial analysis to

counterintelligence and human intelligence. Soldiers

support several CENTCOM Joint Intelligence Center

Central (JICCENT) branches including the regional

branch which is focused on strategic issues that affect

more than one country (Weapons of Mass Destruction,

Energy, CYBER, Human Environment, Economic) and

a number of branches focused on individual countries

or groups of countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central

Asian States, Iran, Iraq, Arabian Peninsula, Egypt,

Levant). CENTCOM JIC J2 Geospatial Intelligence

(GEOINT) Soldiers support JICCENT targeting

branches. CENTCOM JIC J2 Counterintelligence/

Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) Soldiers support

CENTCOM X Division branches. ◆


Colonel Joseph Dziezynski, Central Command United States Joint Intelligence Center J2 Commander, addresses the Soldiers and guests of Detachment 3, Central Command United States Joint Intelligence Center J2 (DET 3, CENTCOM JIC J2) at the detachment change-of-command ceremony in April 2014. The unit is stationed at the Naval Anti-Submarine Warfare Base, Point Loma, San Diego, California.



For the first time in MIRC history all of the Command

Sergeants Major and Sergeants Major were able to

gather for a Senior NCO Forum in Atlanta, Georgia.

During this forum, special guests included the Army

G2 Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. David Redmon, the U.S.

Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM)

Command Sgt. Maj.; CSM Panapa Willis, CSM Jeffrey

Fairley of United States Army Intelligence Center

of Excellence (USAICoE), Fort Huachuca; Sgt. Maj.

Saunders (National Guard Bureau G2 SGM); and our own

Col. Steve Zarbo, MIRC Deputy Commanding Officer.

This three-day event allowed us to hear from the

top three Intelligence Community Noncommissioned

Officers. We learned about the future of Military

Intelligence, also known as Intel 2020, from Sgt. Maj.

Redmon and Command Sgt. Maj. Willis through our

relationship with the INSCOM Family. Command

Sgt. Maj. Fairley discussed the way ahead for the

intelligence professionals and training our soldiers

for success. Col. Zarbo gave us an overview and way

ahead for the MIRC and the incredible growth we will

experience over the next five years.

THE 2014 MIRC COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR FORUM

Chaplain (Maj.) Kenneth Koon shared his personal story about suicide.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Fairley discusses changes in the Army Intelligence Corps.

Sgt. Maj. David Redmon briefs Intell 2020.

CSMs came together from across the MIRC.

Vol. 7, NO. 1 Always Engaged • 21www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngaged

By Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Breck

THE 2014 MIRC COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR FORUM

The MIRC staff sections from the headquarters

provided detailed administrative briefings.

This helped clarify and give a much better

understanding of the many processes in place.

We also discussed ideas for improving these

processes and the communication from top to

bottom and across the MIRC. Mrs. Stacey Sangster,

Recovery Care Coordinator, gave a great briefing

on the health of our soldiers and the importance of

making sure that as leaders we make sure that ALL

the paper work for Line of Duties(LODs) are done

properly so the Soldiers can be taken care of in a

timely manner.

The exchange of conversation among the

Sergeants Major and the speakers was invaluable and

worth the time. As the Senior Non-Commissioned

Officers, Senior Leaders and Senior Enlisted Advisors

to our Commanders, this was a golden opportunity

to learn from each other and join together for the

betterment of the all our Soldiers. ◆

Mrs. Stacey Sangster discusses the administrative side of Soldier healthcare.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Fairley speaking with MIRC battalion CSMs.

Maj. Heidi Skelton-Riley, MIRC Deputy G1, goes over promotion packets.

(Left) Sgt. Maj. Albert Ponton, 2200 MIG and (right) Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Robinson networking at the forum.



Soldier Spotlight

Twice the citizen reacts to fire

On May 25th, 2009, at approximately 2000

hours, insurgent rockets exploded near the

Joint-Base Balad temporary housing tents in

Iraq. Army Reserve Geospatial Imagery Analyst,

Spc. Michael Ahumada and others from the 301st

Military Intelligence Battalion, were resting in those

tents along with many other soldiers and airmen.

Ahumada immediately donned his body armor and

other protective equipment.

As a nurse in his civilian profession and knowing

the area was densely populated with transitioning

soldiers, he went outside to check for casualties. A

wounded soldier was screaming in agony near the

point of impact about 45 meters from his tent. Still not

knowing whether the attack was over, Ahumada ran to

the hurt soldier.

The soldier was lying on the ground, bleeding

severely from a nickel-size wound on his back.

Ahumada applied pressure to try to stop the bleeding

and began to treat the casualty for shock. Taking

charge of the situation, he instructed others to

help loosen the wounded soldier’s clothing and

apply pressure to the injury. Ahumada instructed a

bystander to find help as he checked the soldier for

other injuries.

Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene

after a few intense minutes. Ahumada explained the

situation and helped roll the bleeding soldier onto a

C-spine board. After ensuring the casualty was alert, he

assessed it safe to transport the wounded soldier before

loading him into the ambulance. Ahumada stayed in the

ambulance as they headed for the hospital.

While updating the doctor at the hospital via the

ambulance patch-phone, Ahumada saw the patient’s

ribs collapse to look like a “birdcage” on the right side.

The wounded soldier stopped speaking. Listening

with a stethoscope, Ahumada said he did not hear any

air exchange on the right side. The lungs had been

pierced and were collapsing.

The penetration allowed air pressure to build

up outside the soldier's lungs inside his chest. To

prevent total lung collapse, Ahumada alerted the

medics and grabbed the ambulance’s pneumothorax

kit. Ahumada punctured the third intercostals space

(between the ribs) of the right side of the chest to

release the air pressure building outside the lungs. He

felt the lungs inflate and the patient was immediately

able to speak and breathe. The kit was designed for

just this circumstance, and with the pressure relieved,

Ahumada sealed the puncture.

He said, “I’m not a hero, I was just there at the

right place.”

But twenty-five coalition soldiers died in that same

month in 2009. Thanks to Spc. Ahumada’s action, that

number was one less than it could have been.

Ahumada was born and raised in Coolidge,

Arizona. He joined the Army immediately after high

Story by Maj. Gregg Moore

Specialist

Michael Ahumada

This bench was 2-meters from the 107mm Improvised Rocket Assisted Mortar round impact. The soft sand and small rocks in the area probably minimized the blast radius. (Photo courtesy of Spc. Michael Ahumada)

Vol. 7, NO. 1 Always Engaged • 23www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngaged

school as an infantryman and spent

four years at Fort Drum, New York with

the 10th Mountain Division. In 1999, he

left active duty and joined the Arizona

National Guard and used the GI Bill to

become a nurse. In 2005, Ahumada was

working the night shift in the emergency

room when a member of the 301st MI

Battalion brought in his daughter. While

Ahumada sutured the minor wound, the

soldier spoke to him about joining the

Military Intelligence corps. Ahumada

transitioned to the 301st and trained to

become a Geospatial Imagery Analyst.

Ahumada deployed to Joint-

Base Balad, Iraq with the 301st MI

Battalion in the summer of 2008. He

remembers that throughout his yearlong

deployment, there were typically two or

three mortar attacks per week, but most

were distant from living areas and rarely

affected anyone.

The wounded soldier was air

evacuated out of Iraq by the next

morning when Ahumada went back to

visit him at the hospital. The 301st MI

Battalion was at the end of their tour and

left a week after the incident. ◆

Ahumada's Persistent Chain of Command

Lt. Col. Alex Blandeburgo, the 301st MI Analysis and Control

Element Chief at that time, originally submitted Spc. Michael

Ahumada’s actions for a Bronze Star Medal the day following the

incident. However, by that fall, he discovered the award packet

was lost in theater during the unit transitions. The award was

resubmitted in early 2010 by the commander of Alpha Company,

301st MI Battalion, Maj. Michelle Kuck, through the Active

Component wartime chain of command, but was not approved

by the end of 2010. Blandeburgo and Kuck resubmitted the

award through the MIRC Chain of Command in November 2010,

which eventually made its way to the Army Reserve Command,

but was then rejected because it was not signed by the original

wartime chain of command. Blandeburgo retired and Kuck

continued the process. She finally tracked down the wartime

leadership by the summer of 2013 and obtained the signatures

by autumn. Unfortunately, the packet was sent to the Human

Resources Command (HRC) Awards Branch with an incorrect form

and missing an endorsement. The packet was reassembled with

the correct form, correct signatures, an Arizona Congressional

Representative’s endorsement, and send back to HRC. The HRC

Awards Board convened in December 2013 and approved the

award. By this time, Ahumada had left the service.

Michael Ahumada receives the Bronze Star Medal from Lt. Col. (Retired) Alex Blandeburgo. Ahumada’s wife and daughter joined him for the ceremony with the University of Arizona’s Army ROTC Awards Ceremony in Tucson, Az. on April 9th, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Gregg Moore, MIRC PAO)

Spec. Michael Ahumada supported Unmanned Aerial Vehicle missions as part of Task Force 239 while in Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Spc. Michael Ahumada)


The Military Intelligence Readiness Command has

been on a four year effort to improve the connectivity

and is carving out space for Army Reserve Intelligence

Operations at Army Reserve Intelligence Support

Centers (ARISC). In 2009, The MIRC identified that

the current communications architecture at the

ARISCs where not sufficient to support the ever

changing role of the Army Intelligence Soldier.

While this began with the requirement to connect

the Distributed Common Ground System, Army

(DCGS-A), we quickly identified the need for other

systems to be connected and operate in an Army only

environment. While the ARISCs have been some of

the best Intelligence Training and Operations Centers

in the Intelligence Community, they were using

communication systems provided by the Defense

Intelligence Agency, that are not compatible with

Army Tactical Communications Equipment.

Over the last four years, the MIRC has added

Intelligence Readiness and Operation Capability (IROC)

rooms at five of the nine ARISC sites and have plans

to continue this at the remaining four sites by the end

of fiscal year 2016. The IROC rooms have the ability

to support intelligence operations and reach-back with

real-time results. The rooms have been designed in a

modular fashion in order to support multiple networks

and can swap from a U.S. only network to coalition

networks with minimal reconfiguration. Each room has

its own Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications

Systems (JWICS), Video Teleconference Suite (VTC),

and multi screen wall scaler to project multiple images

at once. The rooms also have SIPRNET and NSANET

workstation as part of the standard package. Voice-

Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) phones are on all

networks with the capability to support full-motion

video conferencing. We have been able to achieve

this through agreements with and support of the Army

G2, the Intelligence and Security Command, DIA,

the National Security Agency, and active component

Theater Intelligence Brigades. However, the primary

enabler has been the installation of Trojan Data

Networks at our five sites. This capability has enabled

the streamlined connection of DCGS-A on both JWICS

and SIPRNET. We are now looking to begin the first

Process, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) proof

of concept at the Southeastern ARISC, Fort Gillem,

Georgia. This effort will encompass the full capability

of the IROC room at the SE-ARISC with additional

enablers brought to the room to ensure seamless

operations between active component forces and

Army Reserve soldiers. This will test the MIRC’s ability

to conduct real time reach-back in support of deployed

forces. This proof of concept test will run into the next

fiscal year and should provide a foundation for soldiers

assigned to the Expeditionary Military Intelligence

Battalions (E-MIB) are connected, relevant, and

engaged with real world missions.

The MIRC has spent millions of dollars to ensure

that our soldiers have some of the best connectivity,

equipment, and facilities in the Army. If you have

not been to an ARISC lately, you should take the

time to see how they can support the Army Reserve

Intelligence Soldier. ◆

The MIRC Expands ConnectivityBy Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steven Downs

24 • Always Engaged Vol. 7, NO. 1

Always Engaged • 25Vol. 7, NO. 1 www.usar.army.mil/AlwaysEngaged

In a compelling example of “you never know unless

you ask”, a MIRC Army Reserve soldier received a

special honor for himself and his family when former

President George H.W. Bush presided over his re-

enlistment ceremony and signed his new contract.

The 39-year-old Master Sgt. Branden Young is a

husband, having married after his second deployment

to Iraq. Young and his wife, Amanda, live in Virginia,

where he works as a civilian contractor for the

government and attends his required reserve military

training assemblies. He is a member of the 2300th

Military intelligence Group in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Normally, Noncommissioned Officers re-enlistments

– even those of a senior grade – do not call for the

involvement of former presidents. But Young says his

wife’s background inspired the effort to petition for

Bush’s participation.

“She completed her master’s degree at the Bush

School of Government and Public Service,” Young

said. “So when we were talking about how to make

the re-enlistment a meaningful occasion, Bush’s name

came up.”

The Youngs decided it couldn’t hurt to ask.

Amanda contacted her graduate alma mater, which

in turn referred the couple to Bush’s post-presidential

staff in Houston, where the former president and first

lady settled after leaving the White House.

To their pleasant surprise, the eventual reply was a

positive one: Bush would host Young and family for a

re-enlistment ceremony at the post-presidential office

just west of downtown Houston.

Young and a number of family members and

friends made travel arrangements to Houston at their

own expense for the meeting. They were joined by

members of Young’s Army Reserve chain, including

Brig. Gen. Gabriel Troiano.

Bush not only signed the re-enlistment contract

as promised, but also made time for photos and

conversation with the Young family and the military

representatives.

“I have a lot of respect for President Bush,” Young

said. “He has done so much for the country before,

during and after his time in office. His compassion and

service are remarkable.”

“Continuing in the Reserves was going to be a

commitment for my wife as well. We talked about

whether my staying in the Army was something we

wanted to keep in our lives,” Young said. “But she

loves the military and public service, so she was

completely on board.”

After the swearing of the oath and the signing

of the re-enlistment document, Bush looked first at

Young, and then at the gathering of family members

and friends. Nodding in the direction of Young, the

former president expressed his take on the moment

simply and directly, “I’m proud of him.” ◆

Former president re-enlists MIRC Soldier

Story and photo by Maj. Adam Collett, 75th Training Command


NEXT ISSUE: CAPTURED MATERIEL EXPLOITATION CENTER TRAINING, UNIT MINISTRY TEAM HUDDLE, INTERROGATION TRAINING.

ALWAYS ENGAGEDTHE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE READINESS COMMAND

First Sergeant Wayne Baker passes the Noncommissioned Officers Saber to Command Sergeant Major Robert Breck at the MIRC CSM Change of Responsibility Ceremony. For more photos go to www.facebook.com/USARMIRC. (Photo by Spc. Erika Montano).






the official magazine of the military …docs.epageview.com/allen-wayne/always-engaged... · the...

Documents