The document summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the 536th Kekoa Pono unit in Bagram, Afghanistan for the month of December. It recognizes several soldiers' birthdays and promotions in December. It also highlights soldiers who received awards for their service. The document shares photos from a poker tournament, the unit's Christmas tree decorated with care packages, and reenlistment ceremonies. It concludes with recognizing the Maintainer of the Quarter and soldiers who received awards for excellence in December.

1. th
536 Kekoa
Special Points of Interest:
Birthdays:
SGT Roney – 5 DEC
SPC Edel – 8 DEC
SPC Toomey – 10 DEC
SGT Woten – 13 DEC
SPC Smith – 23 DEC
SPC Neal – 25 DEC
CW3 Legg – 27 DEC
SGT Livingston – 28 DEC
SGT Phillips – 30 DEC
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
December marks another successful month here in Bagram,
Afghanistan for the 536th we can all cross off of our calendars;
and only means we’re that much closer to our Soldiers coming
home. The accolades steadily continued to pour in this month for
the Soldiers, as a result of all their hard work!
Promotions:
SFC Strayhorn
SGT Valdez
SGT Phillips
SPC Matthews
SPC Deleon
Awards:
SPC Gutierrez (COA)
SGT Landon (AAM)
SPC Brockman (AAM)
SPC Barrera (AAM)
SPC Torres (AAM)
SGT Valdez (AAM)
SGT Davis, T (MOVSM)
SGT Donaldson (MOVSM)
SGT Lebron (MOVSM)
SPC Cruz (MOVSM)
SGT Phillips (MOVSM)
SPC Gordon (MOVSM)
SPC Dyson (MOVSM)
SGT Savage (MOVSM)
SGT Amadeo (above) shows off his
‘winnings’ from a friendly poker
tournament during the unit’s second
organizational day.
The unit’s Christmas tree was completely
surrounded by packages of holiday treats
from generous organizations back home. The
boxes kept coming all throughout the month
of December.
SGT Douglas (right) is shown above following his reenlistment ceremony. SGT Douglas raised his righthand, and committed himself to completing a 20-year
military career. SGT Douglas has already dedicated
16.5 years of his life to military service.
SGT Savage (shown above right) took advantage of
a rare opportunity during her re-enlistment
ceremony. CW2 Thomas (left), a former 92Y (Unit
Supply Sergeant) herself; read SGT Savage her oath
of re-enlistment. Several of SGT Savage’s 92Y
peers came out in support of her big day.

2. Message from the Commander
Happy Holidays from Bagram
Airfield! December was another
outstanding month for the Kekoa
Pono team as well as a time in which
we were able to take a knee and
celebrate the holidays together.
Throughout the month, we received hundreds of care packages from
our friends, families, and unit sponsors. These small tokens were distributed
to every Soldier in stockings and truly lifted everyone’s spirits. I would like
to personally thank Ms. Ruth Kohler, mother of SPC Jolivette, and Mr. Kevin
Kovack, father of SPC Kovack, whose thoughtful packages enabled every
Soldier to receive gift this year.
With the passing of the New Year, we reflected on the difficult training
and deployment preparation we faced during 2013. I am proud of how our
Soldiers and our Family members conducted themselves during the past
year and everyone working together as a team truly led to our success. As
we welcomed 2014, we passed our 90 days left mark and are excited to
reintegrate with our Families and the Hawaii community soon.
In the upcoming months, our team will be busy with redeployment
training, equipment preparation, and Family readiness activities. I
encourage each Family member to reach out to the FRG and attend the
Family reintegration training prepared for this month. Continue to utilize
our Rear Detachment and FRG as we prepare for another difficult but happy
transition during redeployment. I thank everyone who continues to support
the 536th SMC team.
“KEKOA PONO!”

3. Maintainer of the Quarter
CONGRATULATIONS SPC JR GUTIERREZ!
November’s Maintainer of the Month, SPC JR Gutierrez (shown center)
of the armament section was crowned Maintainer of the second
Quarter, during another very close competition between three
hardworking Sodiers representing the allied trades, automotive and
armament setions. And a job very well done to SPC Allen and PFC
Allgood for putting forth a solid effort as well. SPC Gutierrez will go on
to compete for Maintainer of the deployment honors in March.
AWARDING EXCELLENCE IN DECEMBER
LTC Agosto (pictured left below), came down to the formation to reward some of
our outstanding Soldiers with much their much deserved accolades. In total six
Soldiers were awarded the Military outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
(MOVSM), three received the Army Achievement Medal (AAM), and three the
Certificate of Achievement (COA).
Maintainer of the Month Bio
PFC Allgood (left) took home
Maintainer of the Month honors for
the month of December.
Congratulations to
PFC Jamil Allgood,
December’s Maintainer
of the Month! PFC
Allgood, enlisted in the
Army in September of
2012. He attended
basic training, and at
Ft. Jackson, SC.
Representing the
Automotive platoon,
his primary MOS is
91B, or a wheeledvehicle mechanic.
When asked what he
learned from
participating in
M.O.T.M competition;
he enjoyed learning
how to flare and solder
from the GSE and
allied trades sections.
PFC Allgood added
that he most enjoyed
learning how to weld,
and that the
competition taught him
to appreciate the
patience and technique
required in welding.
In his spare time, PFC
Allgood enjoys playing
video games and
making modifications
to his vehicle. When
asked his goals in the
Army, PFC Allgood
says he would like to
make his E-5 before the
end of his initial
commitment; and from
there assess his future.
PFC Allgood has also
been married almost
two years to his wife
Tatiana.

4. The Show and Prove
Bench Press Competition!
This month, 536th SMC hosted an
internal bench-press competition.
Several brave competitors came out
to support the contest to battle their
peers for bragging rights for the rest
of the deployment. While many
impressive lifts were made, SGT
Travis Broussard (pictured left)
walked away the undisputed
champion having put up a whopping
385lb lift!
Editor’s Notes
1LT Clarissa White
Please do let me know if there is anything you would like to see featured in a future edition of our
publication. Feel free to send me an email: clarissa.k.white@us.army.mil.