1. LONGRIFLEs WEEKLY
A publication of the 2/138th FAR March 1, 2013
Volume 1, Issue 19
CPT’s Corner For this Soldier, Obstacles
We are now more than halfway through our
deployment. You all have done a great job
Are no Obstacle at all
Story by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, 2-138th PAO
and I’m proud of every one of you, we have
represented our state well. In addition to CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - On the patio of a dining
seeing our mission through until we reach facility at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, sits a very pretty
the finish line, we must look past that line 5-foot-1-inch, Puerto Rican woman. She sits with her back
at what our individual futures hold for us upon our return. straight, legs crossed and hands folded over her lap. Her
Many of you plan on attending college. Remember, the uniform is spotless and she’s very articulate, although you
deadline for applying for fall tuition assistance is 1 April. The can still hear a hint of a Philadelphia accent every now and
National Guard will pay for college, so I can’t stress enough then.
that you take advantage of this benefit if it’s something you are
interested in. It gives you a leg-up in today’s very competitive Sgt. Michelle Menlendenz-Buford, a native of Philadelphia,
job market. is now a Soldier in the Kentucky National Guard who holds
a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and an MBA
Some of you will be job hunting when we get home. Now is the
in Human Resources. She is currently deployed to the Horn
time to research jobs, update your resume, and begin applying.
of Africa with the 2-138th Field Artillery Regiment’s, Task
We have all done unique work on this deployment, and you
can convey this to potential employers. See your leadership Force Longrifles. She’s also the mother of two girls, Santana,
if you would like assistance in reviewing your resume. Most a 15-year-old high school junior and Raven, a 21-year-
resumes these days appear on the internet, along with many old college student who’s also a Soldier, only in the Army
others. It’s imperative that yours is put together correctly and Reserve.
stands out so that you obtain an interview. Although she is an E-5 Sgt. here, in her civilian job back
Thanks again for all of your hard work! home as an Information Assurance Specialist for the Defense
~Capt. Aaron Vansickle Casualty Information Processing System (which supports
all military branches except the Coast Guard) at Human
Resources Command in Ft. Knox, Ky., she would outrank
1SG Thoughts most of the officers here in Africa.
EPS is here among us and can be confusing “I joined the active duty component of the Army in 1987
at times. However, you as the Soldier have to get out of Philadelphia,” said Menlendenz. “My first duty
more influence on your career than you station was at Ft. Bliss with the 5/7th Air Defense Artillery
might think. The rater, Commander, or Battalion.”
First Sergeant does not have the overall say
on if you fail or succeed. It is up to you if Even though she was in an artillery battalion, Menlendenz
you fail or succeed. served as a Production Load List Clerk. She had to work in a
We have been here too long for you not to have a passing APFT, support role since women at that time weren’t allowed to hold
and to have enrolled in some sort of education, whether it is combat arms positions. This is similar to her current role
secondary education or Army e-learning courses. All units with the 2-138th, since she is working as an Administration
have range days to hone those marksmanship skills and to Non-Commissioned Officer.
better your qualification scores.
“When I was with the 5/7th my unit deployed for Desert
To the NCOs who think that this has no bearing on the new Storm” said Menlendenz, “and the battalion commander
rating scheme, all of the above will factor in the boards, flat out told us he was not sending females to war; he wasn’t
NCOERs, and so on. The point is that it’s completely upon sending wives and mothers to war.”
you to get promoted. If you have already squandered the
opportunity for this list, now is the time to prepare for She would love to be able to say she served during Desert
next year. The ball is in your court, take advantage of the Storm. However, that is a privilege that only her male
environment you are in now to capitalize on your future. counterparts at the time have, she says with a saddened
And stay hydrated. expression. She says she is happy that times have changed
~1st Sgt. Sean Russell
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >

2. EARNING THE RIGHT CONTINUED FROM P. 1 > > >
Soldier to Soldier
in the military and that she is able to serve overseas with her • Any Soldier interested in participating in a shout-
current unit.
out should stop by the Public Affairs office located
“I guess I’ve always had an affinity for male dominated in building 150, Monday through Friday from 1300-
positions,” said Menlendenz with a chuckle. “I left the Army 1600. POC is Capt. Van Horn, ext. 4807.
in 94’ because of the downsizing and joined the Pennsylvania
State Police. I was one of only 43 female officers out of a total • Any Soldier interested in volunteering for Troops
of 4,000.” She also added proudly “I was also the first Puerto and Teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, contact
Rican female state police officer in Pennsylvania.” 1st Lt. Weiler in building 150 or ext. 5031.
Menlendenz overcame many challenges as a female state • April 1st is the deadline for Soldiers planning on
police officer in the late 90s, just as she did in the Army using their State Tuition Assistance for the fall term.
before that, and overcoming those challenges are what have To submit application, go to https://ky.ngb.army.mil/
shaped her into the strong, successful woman she is today. tuitionstudent/frmLogin.aspx
Her ambition to succeed in everything she does has brought
her a long way, and she is not stopping anytime soon. Chaplain Reflections
Every close relationship can go through
“I plan to get promoted to E-6, then submit my warrant periods of strife. Strife is bitter conflict
officer packet and retire out of the military as an officer,” said
leaving a bad taste behind. Strife is
Menlendenz. “Oh, and on the civilian side, I plan to retire as
a GS-15.” dangerous to both perceived and real
emotional and physical security. Left
Judging by the challenges she’s already overcome, there’s no unchecked strife leads to mistrust and can
doubt that she’ll succeed. cause long term damage. Here are some
warning signs to help protect your vital relationships from
Photo of the Week the dangers of strife.
1. Escalation: Responding back and forth negatively
with increasing anger or intensity.
2. Invalidation: Putting down the thoughts, opinions,
or the character of the other. This can be done in subtle
non verbal ways or through name calling.
3. Negative Interpretations: We fill in unknown
information by believing the worst and hearing things
more negatively than they are. “Why is she late calling
me?” A negative interpretation would say, “She is doing
this on purpose to upset me.” A more positive way is to say,
“Something must have come up that she did not expect.”
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - 1st Sgt. Robert Burns, from Task Force Longrifles, sings
4. Withdrawal: Unwillingness to “feel” or engage
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the Black History Month celebration which took place on in important discussions or cutting off communicating
Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti on Feb. 22, 2013. (Photo by Staff Sgt, Steve Tressler, 2-138th PAO)
without warning.
Quotations to live by... If you notice any of these warning signs in your important
life relationships, then you might want to reach out for help.
• “The past is a ghost, the future is a dream. All we The Kentucky Service Center (800-372-7601) can connect
ever have is now.” -Bill Cosby you to important resources. Also, the Ky Chaplain Strong
• “God gives nothing to those who keep their arms Bonds program can assist you. Contact SGT Shane Boyd
crossed.” -African Proverb (502-607-1563 or shane.d.boyd.mil@mail.mil ) at the State
Chaplain’s office for more information. The next retreat for
• “Success is to be measured not so much by the Families after our deployment is 23-25 August, Scottsville-
position that one has reached in life as by the Center for Courageous Kids and for Married Couples is
obstacles which he has overcome while trying to 6-8 September, Gatlinburg, Tn.
succeed.” -Booker T. Washington ~Chaplain Mark East
Longrifles Weekly
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