1. LONGRIFLEs WEEKLY
A publication of the 2/138th FAR January 11, 2013
Volume 1, Issue 13
CPT’s Corner Deployment to Africa
Everyone has a general understanding
of earning and spending money, but not is a family affair
everyone understands how you position Story and photos by 1st Lt. Mike Lowry (Contributers: Sgt. Alexa Becerra and Staff Sgt.
Steve Tressler)
yourself for retirement. You need to plan for
the future and save your money so you don’t
have to keep working until the day you die.
One of the means available to you right now is the Savings
Deposit Plan. You can earn 10% tax-free for up to $10,000.
You can put money into it each pay period if you don’t have
a lump sum. Roth Accounts are also a great way to save. The
Roth will allow you to draw tax free earnings when you retire.
You can also use the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to reach your
retirement goals. TSP is available through “My Pay” and gives
you the option to invest pretax dollars from your military
pay. Investing with pre-tax dollars allows you to maximize
the benefits of compounding interest. DJIBOUTI - Staff Sgt. Adam R. Zuniga and son Spc. Adam C. Zuniga are both currently
The camp Chapel is offering Dave Ramsey’s “Financial deployed with Kentucky National Guard’s Task Force Longrifles to Djibouti, Africa. (Photo
by 1st Lt. Mike Lowry, 2-138th UPAHR)
Peace University” every Wednesday at noon. It’s a series that
shows you how to eliminate your debt and position yourself CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - For most fathers and sons,
for retirement a whole lot sooner than you think. I’ve gone a simple day out on the lawn tossing a baseball or spending
through the course and I highly recommend it. time on the lake fishing is a fantastic bonding experience,
but for Staff Sgt. Adam R. Zuniga and his son Spc. Adam
I hope you take time to look at your finances and eliminate
C. Zuniga their idea of a great bonding experience is
your debt while you have a steady income during this
deploying to a foreign land in service to their country.
deployment. If you’re already debt-free, congratulations! I
hope you help inspire others to join you. Both are currently serving in the 2-138th Field
~Capt. R.J. Hill Artillery Regiment of the Kentucky Army National
Guard, which is currently deployed to the Horn of
1SG Thoughts Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ladies and gentlemen of Task Force
Longrifles, I would like to take this time to Staff Sgt. Zuniga, a prior service Air Force Staff Sgt.,
express how important it is to make safety left the Air Force in order to spend more time with
a number one priority on your list. Always his son. In doing so, they were able to enjoy a lot of
make decisions with the safety of those activities together, including working out and camping.
you work for or lead in mind. Make sure Staff Sgt. Zuniga recalls a time when he and his son went
to follow the plans and decisions made by an NCO and work
camping and played ‘Army’ by painting their faces and doing
as a team to accomplish missions. NCOs should always be
reconnaissance missions in the woods of Kentucky. Little did
aware of all situations around them and be aggressive with
the decisions they have made. they know that these ‘recon’ missions would spark a desire
in them both to become forward observers in the US Army.
Let’s not forget all the hard work we have put forward to make
this mission successful. Continue to train, be trained, and During his senior year of high school, Spc. Zuniga joined
maintain good rapport with everyone, especially with those the Kentucky National Guard as a forward observer.
in your chain of command. Although many of the tasks here Inspired by his son and to keep their bond strong, Staff Sgt.
may be repetitive, remember that they have been assigned Zuniga re-enlisted into the armed forces shortly thereafter.
for a reason. Never become complacent and always remain
vigilent in your duties. Continue to study and read over your When both father and son received the news of
vision cards to remind you why we are here. Always stay the upcoming deployment, both were excited by
positive.
~1SG Rodney Mitchell CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >

2. DEPLOYMENT TO AF- CONTINUED FROM P. 1 > > >
Soldier to Soldier
the thought of serving their country together. • Any Soldier interested in participating in a shout-
“As a parent I don’t have to worry as much about my son, out should stop by the Public Affairs office located
knowing that we are in the same area,” Staff Sgt. Zuniga said. in building 150, Monday through Friday from 1300-
1600. POC is Capt. Van Horn, ext. 4807.
“At first I didn’t think they were going to
let us deploy together,” Spc. Zuniga said. • Any Soldier interested in volunteering for Troops
and Teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, contact
The two have been able to experience another rare opportunity 1st Lt. Weiler in building 150 or ext. 5031.
for Soldiers while on this deployment. “We are going to be
together on Christmas, which means a lot, and I wish everyone • The Chaplain’s Office will be collecting donations
could have the same experience,” said Staff Sgt. Zuniga. of 550 Cord from now until further notice. Any
Soldiers interested in making donations can stop by
The Zunigas are excited to continue their
story both as Soldiers and as a family. building 150 between 0900-1600.
• 5 on 5 basketball league sign ups began 8 Jan at the
“He always has my back, and I’ve got his,” Spc.
Zuniga said in regards to their continuing journey. gym, the games start on 4 Feb.
“I am proud I get to see my son mature and develop,
especially in the military.” Staff Sgt. Zuniga said. Chaplain Reflections
If you’re considering making some New
Year’s resolutions this year, consider this:
Quotations to Live By... like other exercises of raw willpower,
most New Year’s resolutions fail
-“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
miserably.
- “It doesn’t matter who’s right, it only matters what’s right.”
So making a resolution and summoning
- “A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms up all your willpower does little good if,
when his hands are empty.” ultimately, your heart isn’t in it. Does this mean you should
- “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, abandon any hope of change? Not at all. If you’re going to
do more and become more, you are a leader.” make a New Year’s resolution, here are a few things to keep
- “Stay off the grass.” in mind.
~Every SGM that ever spoke. 1. Is It A Good Resolution?
Try to determine if the resolution is actually good. Are
Photo of the Week you planning on working out more? If so, is it because you
want to be a good steward of the body God gave you or is
it vanity? In reality, it is probably some of both. But what is
the driving desire? Is it a good one?
2. Just Do It
If your resolution is actually a good one, just do it. Go
ahead and work out more, smoke or drink less, read
your Bible more, pay down your debt and save more for
retirement, focus on your marriage, spend more time with
your children. Every once in a while, people start a New
Year’s resolution and it sticks.
3. Grace Actually Works
The reality is that your resolution is likely needed because
KENTUCKY - Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini you are not loving God with your entire being and not
joined University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Coach John Calipari loving your neighbor as yourself. These two failures lead to
in Lexington, Ky., for a Skype call with Task Force Longrifles Soldiers pain and failed relationships.
currently deployed to Djibouti, Africa, on Jan. 8, 2013. (Kentucky National
Guard photo by Sgt. Scott Raymond) ~Chaplain Mark Slaughter
Longrifles Weekly
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