For the past 31 days, eight Army Reserve Soldiers in the 314th have used all that pent-up testosterone to sprout mustaches.  For some it was a welcome improvement to their looks, while others provided us some comic relief, and some we were not sure what to say.  That is why we are leaving it up to you — our faithful blog readers–to decide which mustaches receive which of our three awards:

Category1:  Best-looking mustache

Catergory2:  Funniest-looking mustache

Category3:  Please shave that thing off!

We can’t tell you the name, rank or serial number of any of the contestants…yet.  You only have those 14 square inches of face to use in your judging.  You can vote once in each of the three categories.   Vote by submitting them as a comment to this blog entry – just tell us the letter of which contestant gets your vote in category in 1, 2 and 3.  Voting ends on June 15 at midnight, Birmingham, AL time.

Contestant A

Contestant B

Contestant C

Contestant D

Contestant E

Contestant F

Mustache G

Contestant H

Tell all your friends to visit this site and vote.  The final votes will be revealed June 16 (just in case you don’t want to read all the comments and do the math yourself).  A profile of each of the winners will also be posted shortly thereafter — so you can see the rest of the winners’ faces and a little bit about them.

Oh, in case you wanted to know, a couple of the contestants are now sans mustache,  Now that it is 120+ degrees in Baghdad, they said they didn’t want a sweaty upper lip).  Perhaps they will change their mind this fall when it dips back below freezing.

The Army Reserve Soldiers of the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center and the 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment and their U.S. contracted translators took time from their busy schedules today to honor the memory of those who gave their lives serving our country. 

For some of the Soldiers, it was a very personal occasion.  They knew friends, neighbors and family members who had made that ultimate sacrifice. 

For instance, SFC Adam Daley knew of a young man from his hometown of Rome, GA, who was killed in Iraq.  Despite the grief of the loss (or perhaps because of it), the Soldier’s mother led an effort to make vehicles safer for servicemembers.

One of our translators, Mr. Ali Kahbi, felt the loss as well.  In one of his previous assignments here in Iraq before the arrival of the 314th PAOC, he was assigned to a unit that lost both a sergeant and a captain.  “It was very tragic and painful for the unit,” he said, becoming somber as he remembered their faces and names.

I am not sure if my military career is the same as others, but I have had the privilege to play a part in honoring five fallen heroes over the past decade.

The first was in June 2000 when the Department of Defense reviewed the records of World War II veterans, and 22 of them had their military awards upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor.  One of the Soldiers honored was Pvt. Joe Hayashi, a former member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.  I felt honored to be selected to assist the family of Pvt. Hayashi for a couple reasons.  The first is that I had studied Japanese in college, so I felt a certain kinship to his family from Pasadena, CA, and the second is that I served for four years in the 100th Battalion/442nd Infantry, the successor of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s military lineage. 

I threw myself into this mission and made sure that Pvt. Hayashi’s family knew that the U.S. government was proud of his military service, and honored the ultimate sacrifice he made in April 1945 in Italy.  This was communicated directly by President Bill Clinton at a White House ceremony and Secretary of Defense William Cohen at the Pentagon.

The next time I was involved in honoring a fallen hero was also in Washington, DC, when a fellow Army Reserve Soldier was killed on the Pentagon attack on September 11, 2001.  I was asked to take part in the funeral ceremony at Arlington National Cemetary. 

LTC David Scales left behind a wife and two children.  They were present that day in late 2001 when we assembled.  I remember vividly now that his wife had brought a card for her late husband.  She said she had written a note to him in the card….and she wanted me to tie the card to the helium-filled balloons she also carried.   I tied the balloons to the card and watched as she released it at the end of the funeral ceremony.  It floated up into the blue sky over the Pentagon toward the east.  After a few minutes it disappeared into the clouds.

Gravesite of SPC Michael G. Karr, Jr., and four other Soldiers who died with him.

Two years later I was asked to take Casualty Assistance Office training at Fort Myer.   Casualty Assistance Officers provide a variety of roles, including being the initial notifier of a death to the next of kin.  Within a couple months of the training, I got a call to report to Fort Myer for my first assignment.  Five Soldiers had been killed on March 31, 2004, in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when a an improvised explosive device hit their armored personnel carrier.  Because of the circumstances, the remains of all five Soldiers were buried together, but each family received the support of a Casualty Assistance Officer in DC.  One of the Soldiers killed that day was SPC Michael G. Karr, Jr., and I was chosen to support his family when they arrived from Texas for the burial at Arlington National Cemetery. 

I worked directly with the primary Casualty Assistance Officer in Texas who had notified SPC Karr’s family .  I was there in DC to support them and their guests throughout the period from their arrival to the burial of their son, brother and friend. 

My cousin Derek T. Stenroos.

A year and a half ago, I received a call from one of my favorite cousins, Kenita Stenroos, who lives in North Pole, Alaska.  I could tell something was wrong when she started talking….and it didn’t take to find out what it was.  Her son, Derek, had been killed in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations.   He was only 24 years old and assigned to the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, NY.  Three other Soldiers were killed in the attack.

I don’t remember exactly what I said to Kenita at that moment she told me.  I was sitting at my desk at work, and she asked me to get as much information as I could.  I do remember that I wanted to be as supportive as possible.  I remember telling her that I would do anything I could to help her through this.  I did ask for the name of the Casualty Assistance Officer.

Within a couple days I called the Department of Defense’s mortuary at Dover Air Force Base to help expedite Derek’s remains back to his mother.  I also called the Casualty Assistance Officer on several occasions to make sure he realized the importance of his assignment — and that I was available to assist him — and that I was keeping in touch with my cousin to make sure she received the support that she needed and deserved.

Although I was not able to fly to Fairbanks to be with my cousin at the funeral, thankfully my mother was able to go.  I hope that my assistance did something to ease her pain and let her know that Derek’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

About two months ago, I had my most recent opportunity to honor another fallen hero.  The military post office at Forward Operating Base Prosperity was preparing to open, and the headquarters wanted to spotlight the work of postal workers in Iraq.  1SG Dave Moore and I proposed a memorialization to name the post office for a fallen hero.  After some research, we found that there was an Army Reserve Soldier killed in Baghdad in April 2004 who worked for the U.S. Postal Service in his civilian career — SGT Lawrence Roukey. 

With the assistance and approval of the Human Resources Command in Alexandria, VA, we were able to contact SGT Roukey’s widow, Ryann, and his former co-workers at the Portland, ME, postal facility.  With their support, we were able to spotlight the efforts of all military postal workers and the sacrifices that Soldiers and their families make.

So, in keeping with the traditions of honoring those gave their lives serving their nation, we assembled early today in the back courtyard of the CPIC.   The following pictures capture our short ceremony.

The Soldiers of the 314th PAOC and 222nd BOD were called to attention by 1SG Jeremiah Glassford.

SGT Bryan Tull (front) and SFC Adam Daley prepare for the order to advance and raise the U.S. flag.

LTC Ignacio Perez addresses the assembled Soldiers about the sacrifices all military members make...and what that means here in Iraq on this Memorial Day.

The flag detail advances to the flag pole.

The flag details attaches the flag.

The flags begins it travels up the pole while Soldiers salute.

SFC Daley pulls and the flag raises.

In keeping with Memorial Day flag etiquette, the flag is first raised to the top of the pole.

After the flag is raised to the top of the pole, it is lowered to half staff until noon. After that it is raised to full staff for the remainder of the day until it is retired.

With the flag at half staff, LTC Perez calls the Soldiers to order arms.

The Soldiers Creed is recited by all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOLDIERS CREED: I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and I live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.

A fitting tribute to all fallen heroes.

All photos by SGT Ferdinand Thomas, 222nd BOD.

Where do I go from here?

Imagine my surprise when I come off of leave and I’m told I will no longer doing the job that I’ve been doing for the past five months. Several emotions came flooding through…anger, resentment, and fear.

I’ve never realized how much I dislike change until recently. I know there’s always going to be change in life but the uncertainty of it is what I have learned that really causes people including myself to fear change.

I have always thought of myself as a positive person but as more time passes during this deployment I realize that may not be necessarily true. Maybe I’ve always considered myself a positive person because I’ve always been in situations that I’ve controlled. The Army is definitely not a situation that I can control.

Questioning my idea of being a positive person also makes me question if I’m a good person and if I’m really a spiritual person. These three things have always been something I’ve considered myself to be…positive, good, and spiritual. Since I’ve started questioning one, I’ve started to question them all.

I know being deployed will cause you to really look at yourself. Well, it has for me. I’ve never really had to do something that was out of my comfort zone before.

Since being deployed I’ve had to really evaluate what I want to do once I finish my deployment. I have so many possibilities but I’m afraid of choosing the safest one. Why? It’ll be easier. Meaning not stepping out of the box is what everyone wants including me.

Maybe I should find something so outrageous and take it. I really look up to the individuals who does just because. I’ve never been that type of person. I’ve always felt that I have to weigh all the options and make a reasonable decision. I think that’s why I’ve played it safe.

Perhaps, the better decision is not the most reasonable. I’ve learned this recently when I decided to go skydiving. I had several people telling me not to do it, that it’s a silly idea, and that I would be wasting money. I’m not sure why I decided to go ahead with this decision. Yes, I do. It’s what I wanted to do. That’s why I did it. I decided that this is what I wanted to do and I did it. Skydiving was one of the most liberating experiences that I ever experienced. Falling out of the sky really gives you an outlook on life. Not to mention, it was the most beautiful thing that I ever saw. The funny thing is…I have no regrets about it (I probably would have if something went wrong). I definitely have to start using this philosophy when making other decisions in life.

Here is the front entrance of the CPIC, with bushes and trees surrounding us.

And here is SPC Brittany Gardner exiting the building. You can probably barely see the sign on the door behind here "Please Close the Door Behind You." With temperatures at 112 degrees, I am sure you can understand why.

Here's the back patio to the building. It's shady with trees and benches...but still 112 degrees. We plan to put a small garden here. There are already some flowers, although they are wilted a bit with the heat.

Near our building is a covered parking area....but most vehicles sit out in the sun. Can you "mobile sauna"?

Nearby the CPIC we also have CHUs available for media on their way to embedded opportunities around Iraq. There are pretty basic, but at least they have air conditioning.

Here's the entrance to one of the CHUs. The media who visit will get cots and a night stand -- about the same as the soldiers of the 314th PAOC -- although they have a nicer front porch than I do.

This is the meeting area outside our press conference room. Leather sofas, Persian rug and beautiful tile floor.

Here are SGT Tull and CPT Thames in the central reception area.

Off the central reception area are a several work areas. One of them is a hexagonally shaped room -- nicknamed the "rock-tagon". Here is the IMET work area (can you see SFC Poulten at his desk?).

SGT Lee and SFC Daley are in the Embed Section of the Rock-tagon.

Another door leading off the central reception area leads to the office where I work. The first person you see when you open the door is MAJ Lincoln, the XO for the 314th.

Here's my desk..and my filing cabinet.

Inside the office where I work is a door that leads to LTC Perez's office. If you look closely at his floor, you will notice this used to be a bathroom. Oh well, it's quiet...and the fish he keeps in his office like it.

The final door off the central badging area houses the ABC section (Administration, Badging and Credentialing). Soheir works with Arabic-language media.

Just down the hallway from Soheir are two meeting rooms for the media where they can get a snack or work on a computer while they wait for press conferences.

Also located in the CPIC building is AFN Radio -- with soldiers from the 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment from California.

There you have it….that is the CPIC….the building where the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center will be working for the next six months.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all those care packages I get from friends and strangers.   It’s like Christmas each time I get one — not knowing exactly what is inside.  No matter is inside, Soldiers appreciate the thought….and the packages almost always include things the Soldiers have been wanting — or pass on to a buddy in need. 

If you want to send a package, feel free to let me know and I can connect you with a unit here in Iraq that would appreciate your support and concern (leave me a comment and I will respond).  I have plenty of SGM colleagues who have Soldiers that have not received a box in a while.

As for me, a few weeks ago — somewhere around Easter — I got a package from a friend in California with a carrot-shaped package of orangle-flavored jelly beans and a jar full of bite-sized chocolate mints with a crunchy coating.   Thanks Elizabeth!

And before that, I got a package from a volunteer group with an assortment of toiletries and some books.  I’ve already read one of the books (and the new tube of toothpaste was perfectly timed).

Just today, one of those special $11 U.S. Postal Service boxes arrived.  When I saw the name of the sender, I knew what it was, and a big smile spread across my face.  It took me about 10 seconds to grab the scissors from my desk drawer and cut open the top.  There inside were the 3M wall hangers that I asked for….and two huge Gladware containers filled with my mom’s incredibly delicious fudge!

My doctor tells me I should cut back on my sweets and fats, but just the thought of eating that fudge throws all his advice out the window.  I know she probably puts a ton of sugar and butter into the mixing bowl with each batch she makes.  I can’t help myself — it just tastes decadent — with that chocolate and those walnuts chunks swirling and melting in your mouth. 

And it smells great, too.  I gave a piece of it to my boss LTC Perez.  He put it up to his nose and sniffed it long enough to get a chocolate “contact high”.  A minute later he was eating it, and asking me to send a big ”thank you” to my mom in Minnesota.  When I got back to my desk, I realized that the carboard box it came in was permeated with the same smell. 

And, it the taste and smell were not enough, I also get a visual treat.  Each piece of the fudge has been loving wrapped in a piece of waxed paxed that has been folded like one of those Christmas presents we all try to create with the corners perfectly shaped.  Then the pieces are stacked carefully to ensure that the maximum calorie-load can fit into each container. 

I walked around the CPIC after I had eaten a couple pieces and offered some to the staff.  Those who had eaten some the last time it arrived a couple months ago ran up, asking if they couple have two this time.  How could I say “no”?   Within 15 minutes, one of the two containers was gone.

The other one is stored safely in the mini-refrigerator here in the office.  Luckily there is a cypher-lock on the door.  Maybe this time, the fudge will last more than a day!

ADDED BONUS FOR READING THIS BLOG ENTRY!

AND, for my nephew Bazil — hope you had a good time at your 8th grade dance.  At the bottom of the box of fudge my mom sent me was a picture of you and your date for the evening Nicole.  I thought I would share it with the world.

On the way to the dance...

This is it -- CHU 52C in B Pod. I do have cement barriers to keep me safe. They are supposed to keep out incoming rounds, but I am more concerned about being right at the corner of an intersection with military and civilian vehicles driving by at high speed all day and night.

Here is my "bedroom" with a blue blanket I bought at the local PX. They gave me all white stuff -- which got dirty during every dust storm. Underneath the bed are my duffel bags, shoes, shower slippers (who wants toe fungus), and hiking boots (can't wear them here, so I will probably send them home). Like my carpet remnant I bought at the PX? Cost me $4.99. And what about the wall paneling? It's paper-thin and filled with holes from the nails that previous occupants left for me.

Next to my bedroom is my combination "kitchen-laundry". I have a table, mini-refrigerator, mop and broom. Inside the fridge is water, diet soda, cereal and dried cuttlefish. Sounds like a bachelor, huh? My laundry is on the floor and the camelback in hanging on the wall (the only nail I left).

In the middle of my CHU are two wall lockers which separate my bedroom from the "spare bedroom", which doubles as a storage area. As I mentioned I don't have a CHU-mate, so I use the other bed as a closet by standing it up and hang clothes and drying towels on it. That leaves room for the spare bed/sofa/storage area -- a cot that I found.

Here is the busy street that is only 10 feet from my bed. Sure, it's noisy and dangerous, but at least I have a pallet of fresh wanter right outside my door (if I get run over, at least the blood will be washed off me).

Here is my "bathroom" -- a combination of a shower trailer here, and a latrine trailer next door. I'll take you in the shower trailer...you don't really need to see the toilets. Nice thing is that there KBR trailers have been inspected and repaired -- no more electrocutions!

Before my shower, I go to this end of the trailer to the sinks to shave and brush my teeth. They tell us not to use the water for brushing our teeth, but I do (I just swish and spit). So far, I have not gotten any weird diseases.

Inside the shower trailer at this end are 12 stalls. Empty now, but it is pretty crowded during rush hour.

There you have it — not as nice as what we have back home, but probably a lot better than most of the people in Iraq.  What else could a Soldier ask for?

-

Next week I will give you unclassified tour of our new CPIC location (including people in the pictures).

OK.  I bet you are wondering what this blog entry is about.  A 50/50 luau?  What is that?  And in Iraq?  Before you think I really have lost it, let me explain.

When people ask me where I am from, I usually say I was born in Minnesota (Duluth, to be exact), but I always add that I spent most of my life in Hawaii (some of the best years of my life). 

I left for Hawaii when I was 18.  As long as I can remember I have always been fascinated and captivated by islands.  My favorite book as a kid was “Swiss Family Robinson”, and in 9th grade I event sent a letter to Pitcairn Island asking if I could move there after high school.  I got an answer back saying “yes” (it took a year to get back to me, but I was thrilled).   To satisfy that wanderlust, I applied to the University of Hawaii back in 1980, and unbelievably they accepted me. 

Thanks to hard work in high school, I got a scholarship to attend, so I packed my bags and headed out.  The Army Reserve was nice enough to place me in a unit in Honolulu, so I even had a part-time job waiting for me.

For almost 16 years I studied, worked and lived in Hawaii — from 1981-1997.  The people, the land, and the whole atmosphere of aloha filled me.   Along the way I visited almost every island, and fell in love with the land and the people.  I also graduated with a BA in Journalism (thanks to Professor Bev Keever, who passed away last year) and a MA in Public Administration.  Unlike some people, I never got “rock fever” while I was there.  Each day was amazing.

While I was there I think all my relatives got to experience Hawaii, too.  I have wonderful memories of my grandparents spending a second honeymoon on the North Shore of Oahu at the Turtle Bay Hilton and taking a helicopter ride in Waialeale Crater on Kauai, my aunt and I attending concerts at Blaisdell Arena and nearly getting blown away as the wind swept up the Pali Cliffs, my cousins spending high school spring breaks at Bellows Air Force Station, and my stepdad dressing up like a crazy extra from Gilligan’s Island and dancing hula with the beautiful ladies at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  And, that’s just a few of the memories.

If you ever get a chance to go there, do it (and stay, like me)!   And definitely get out of Honolulu and see the rest of the state.  Waikiki is only one part of Hawaii, but there is SOOO much more.  Meet the people, read about their history, and get to know how they live their lives — the state is filled with such diversity that you will be amazed.  From the descendants of missionaries to the descendants of migrant pineapple workers, a veritable rainbow of people now live there….making it the only state in the Union where no one is in the majority.  And the land is just as varied — from hot summer days on the beaches to the snows on the tops of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.    If you have time hike the Na Pali coast on Kauai, swim the green sand beach on the Big Island, surf the Banzai Pipeline, and get to know some of the reasons why the aina is so revered.

One of the more entertaining things to do in Hawaii is a luau — a gathering with a feast, music and dancing.   I’ve been to a few — the food is ono (delicious), the music is relaxing, and the hula dancing really does tell the story of the people.

The stories go back hundreds of years, but many involve the past 50 years — when the Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959 (hence, a 50/50 luau).   I am hoping to invite as many Hawaii residents to a party here at the CPIC on that anniversary date (August 21, 2009, is a Friday — the best day of the week for a part in Iraq). 

I’ve already got the ball rolling by ordering some cool decorations, some hula skirts, a vareity of leis and some surprises.  I also brought my entire collection of Hawaiian music back with me from R&R leave.  If all goes as planned, this is going to be THE place to be on that day.  It will be a chance for me to give Hawaiians a chance to feel like they are back home for a day….and a chance for everyone else to get a sense of what life is like in paradise.

I need to do some research in the next few weeks to get ready for this big party.  I need to find out if there is a pig anywhere in Iraq…and if there is, how can I get all the supplies necessary to bury it in the imu to cook until it melts in your mouth.  I found one site that gives me some ideas,  but where am I am going to find banana leaves, Hawaiian salt and lava rocks in the International Zone?  And don’t even get me started on the lomilomi salmon, fresh ahi and poi.  As they say in Hawaii, “broke da’ mouth”.  Oh well, I will adapt and overcome (unless the Governor of Hawaii Linda Lingle wants to fly over here a couple day before the luau…and can you bring the Brothers Cazimero with you?). 

So, if you are reading this blog entry and wanted to get involved, please feel free to join in.  I am looking for good ideas and support from all over — especially Hawaii.  Also, if you know a Soldier from Hawaii who is in Iraq, let them know about the 50/50 luau.  Maybe they can find their way to the International Zone on August 21.

Keep a watch for more news and updates on the 50/50 luau here in Iraq.

For those of you who have been following my entries on this blog site (yes, all 8 of you), you will be happy to see that I have returned from whirlwind R&R leave in the United States, and have been “reassimilated into the collective.”

The first week back was very difficult.   I couldn’t sleep at regular times, my dietary habits was all mixed up, and worst of all, I had been away during the 3 weeks of CPIC movement, so I felt out of the loop (I had been severed from the collective — I know just how Seven of Nine felt during that first episode).

It took some time, but I have begun to get back into the groove.  I found the best way was just to “thrust myself into the vortex”, or in other words, I forced myself to insert myself into conversations and work teams to let all know that I was back and ready to go. 

One thing that helped me through the rough spot was the delivery of several “care packages” from family and friends back in the United States.  I am not sure if this will help others who are returning, but if you have a loved one here, I would surprise them by sending a care package while they are still back in the United States on R&R leave with you….so they will arrive back (tired and bit disoriented) and see that everything is still right with the world. 

Luckily, when I left the weather was still cool, and I returned to the last gasps of spring.  However, today is probably the first of 120 days or more than will be at least 95 degrees or warmer (with many above 110…and some above 120).  I feel a little sorry for the 314th soldiers who are returning back to family in New England this summer.   The transition back from those cool days on the ocean will probably add an extra challenge that I luckily did not have to face.

I hope that all you blog visitors will resume your periodic stops by this site….and know that your comments are much appreciated (except for those spammers who keep trying to post ads for fake Rolex — or as they spell it “Rollex.”)

COMING UP IN A FUTURE BLOG — the 50/50 luau!

The Army’s Equal Opportunity Policy states that the US Army will provide equal opportunity and fair treatment for military personnel, family members, and DA civilians without regard to race, color, religion, gender, or National origin, and provide an environment free from sexual harassment. (Armystudyguide.com)

I believe in this policy whole heartedly. I’ve been faced with racism my whole life because of the type of family I grew up in. Racism is defined as a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others. (dictionary.reference.com)

My mother, father, and biological siblings are all Caucasian, as am I. When I was only three years old my parents adopted a biracial, African American and Caucasian, baby girl. From that moment on my parents continued adopting and foster parenting children of all races, colors, religions, genders, National origins, disabilities, and backgrounds. I now have 15 siblings, most of which are biracial or African American.  This has taught me to be what I call “color blind”.

I grew up learning about things many people don’t learn about until much later in life. When I was young, I knew what it meant to accept people rather than judge them. My family accepted foster children who were blind, deaf, mentally retarded, terminally ill, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, African American, and biracial. A lot of them eventually became a permanent part of my family. I love them no differently than my biological siblings.

In my opinion, racism comes from people’s ignorance of another race’s culture or beliefs. Ignorance is defined as the condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed. (dictionary.reference.com) Or, maybe someone who is racist had some sort of bad experience with someone of a difference race, which caused them to form a stereotype of that race.

A stereotype is defined as a generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group. (dictionary.reference.com)

Whatever the reason behind a person’s racist beliefs, the US Army’s EO Policy states that it will not tolerate discrimination toward any race. Not only does the EO Policy state that all Soldiers deserve fair treatment, but the Soldier’s and Noncommissioned Officer’s Creed does as well.

 The Army’s Noncommissioned Officers Creed says…”All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

 The United States Army promises to be fair and impartial, which makes me proud to say I am a Soldier. I believe that what my family has taught me about acceptance will bring success to my Army career. I am an American Soldier and I am a warrior and a member of a team…a team made up of different races, genders, and religions.