Weekly Newsletter #2

1. LONGRIFLEs WEEKLY
A publication of the 2/138th FAR Volume 1, Issue 2
October 26, 2012
Commander’s Corner
Money, Money, Money, Money! As we
have discussed numerous times, take full
advantage of this deployment to save and
lessen your personal/family debt! There are
a number of programs you should be aware of that can help.
Savings Deposit Program: Pays 2.5% on deposits quarterly
on up to $10,000 beginning after 30 days in country and
continues up to 90 days on return to the US! That could
mean nearly $1000 of free money!
Interest rate reduction on home loans, credit cards, car loans,
home equity loans, etc. reduced to 6%! Pay them off! Soldiers from Camp Gilbert, Ethiopia distribute mosquito nets to local villages in an effort to
combat malaria. Photo credit: SPC Brandon Bowron, C BTRY, 2-138th FAR
Consider cutting off your cell phone service or reducing it so
that they hold your number. That may cost $5-10 per month. Preventing Malaria One Net at a Time
Vehicle not being driven and paid off? Take full coverage CAMP GILBERT, Ethiopia – For the past week Soldiers from
insurance down to liability or storage. Task Force Longrifles have heard Ameseginalehu (thank-you)
from the local villages and people as they helped Combined
There are many other ways to save and provide a better
financial future for you and your family. See Sgt. Buford, Joint Task Force - Horn Of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Civil Affairs
our financial planner/advisor…and do it NOW to take full (CA) teams distribute nine thousand mosquito nets at key
advantage of this deployment opportunity! villages around the region.
The operation, called Mission Savannah, is a joint operation
with CA teams from CJTF-HOA and is a key part of building
CSM Thoughts relationships with the local population.
Greetings from the CSM! For this week’s Camp Gilbert Officer in Charge (OIC), 2nd Lt. Sean Jones
newsletter I wanted to focus on the benefits commented about the mission his Soldiers took part on.
of daily Physical Training (PT). CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >
Being in top physical condition leads to higher scores on the
APFT, positive NCOER bullets, and faster promotions. Promotions, Awards, and Coins
Take advantage of this deployment by hitting the weights at
• Pvt. Antonio R. Jackson promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012
the gym, running the trail, or doing cross-fit. I encourage you
to partner up with a fellow Soldier and set short and long-term • Pvt. Corey M. Russell promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012
fitness goals. I guarantee you will make lasting friendships • Pvt. Kenney L. Turner promoted to Pfc., effective 27 Sept. 2012
and get into the best shape of your life if you are up to the
• Staff Sgt. Nancy Saylor: Army Achievement Medal
challenge.
• Sgt. Alexa Becerra: Task Force Longrifles Coin
Thank you for continuing to set the standard here at Camp
• Pfc. Dylan Curran: Task Force Longrifles Coin
Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa!
Tips and Trivia
• Always ensure your water is bottled when ordering outside Camp Lemonnier
• The third lowest land depression in the world is Lake Assal, Djibouti

2. PREVENTING MALARIA CONTINUED FROM P. 2 > > >
“This is the first time Kentucky Soldiers have interacted with MWR Schedule
the villages in our area of operations. Its success opens a clear • 27 Oct. - Bavaria Hotel Night/pool & dinner 1800-2230
path for further aid to the Cost: E1-E6 $30, E-7 & above $35
people who call this place
home.” • 28 Oct. - Moucha Island; Pool, Spa w/Lunch at the Lac
Assal Restaurant within the Kempinksi hotel, Cost: E1-
Jones also emphasized that E6 $57, E7 & above $66; Lake Assal 0800-1700 Free!
many of the people in the • 29 Oct. - Wildlife Preservation 1600-1800 Cost: $8
region relied on Al-Shabab, a
known terrorist organization, • 30 Oct. - Kokeb Ethiopian Dinner, Dance show and Cof-
for supplies and support. But fee Ceremony 1830-2230 Cost: $30
that support has steadily Children greet the teams as they • 2 Nov. - French Market Shopping and Dinner at La Per-
been eroding as these joint enter a local village. Photo credit: gola 1700-2130 Cost: $30
SPC Brandon Bowron, KYARNG
missions continue.
Spc. Brandon Bowron spoke about the mission afterwards,
“to be part of this mission was a great opportunity to do Chaplain Reflections
something simple that would have a long lasting impact.”
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself ” Mark
The Soldiers of Camp Gilbert look forward to every interaction
12:31
with the local population. However, nobody could be happier
than the Ethiopians who sleep calmly at night because of the Every major worldview recognizes what is
nets that now protect them from the dreaded mosquito. commonly called the “Golden Rule,” and I am proud to report
that members of TaskForce Longrifles are doing great things
in their downtime. One cool statistic leaped off this week’s
volunteer hours, and it is AWESOME! Task Force Longrifles
has achieved a total of 138 volunteer hours in just two weeks.
This is a great start and we are well on our way to reaching the
“Longrifles Give a Day” goal of 4,500 total volunteer hours.
Mountain view from the roads enroute to local villages and town in Ehtiopia.
Photo credit: Spc. Brandon Bowron, KYARNG Martin Luther King Jr.
once said, “Life’s most
Photo of the Month urgent question is:
What are you doing for
others? ”Kentucky
Soldiers are answering
by helping their
neighbors in Djibouti.
During our free time Army, Navy, and Air Force members deliver
we are working in supplies to the Djiboution Handicap Awareness
Association Oct 18, 2012
orphanages, teaching
English, maintaining a wildlife refuge, and distributing items
that have been from home.
Kentucky’s sons and daughters continue to show compassion,
Pfc. James Kubisch (kneeling) oversees Soldiers from the Site Security Team (SST) as they
check the zero on their M4 rifles. Photo credit: Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Crabtree, KYARNG
generosity, and cooperation. Together we are working to leave
the world a little better than we found it. If you want to help or
Soldier to Soldier have questions email the Unit Ministry Team at:
Task Force Longrifles is in need of a T-shirt and coin mark.slaughter@usafricom.mil,
design. If interested, submit a design to mark.east@usafricom.mil, or
TFlongrifles@gmail.com NLT 02 NOV. If your design is thomas.mathews@usafricom.mil. Weekly
Longrifles Volume 1, Issue 2
selected, then you will receive a coin from the CSM. Page 2 October 26, 2012