ATTENTION  ALL CADETS! I say again, ATTENTION ALL CADETS!

The following guidelines must be followed when submitting an announcement to the Poop Deck:

1. Make sure your title/headline has all the important information: It is all that will show on the Bugle Notes Home Page.
2. The Poop Deck is for Announcements only. Stories and thought pieces are for Blog Posts. Some examples:
   1. West Point Cadet wins NYC Marathon
   2. West Pointer 1st to walk on Mars
   3. Class of ‘69 reunion party to be held on steps of Washington Hall. Dress as for Toga.
3. Poop Deck submissions will be moderated by Bugle Notes staff for relevancy (not censoring!) This will keep the objective in focus.
4. Categorize your Poop Deck  submission accordingly. If you don’t find a suitable category, we’ll take care of that.
5. The Poop Deck is NOT for : shout outs, “Hey, check out this link”, references to a Bugle Notes blog post (we have a section for that), opinion (section for that too)
6. We plan on linking announcements to Groups for topical relevancy

Brigade….RISE!

General Roscoe Robinson. Jr. West Point  Class of 1951 is the subject of a new book titled “The Quiet One’ by Dr. Leon L. Haley

Students of American history are familiar with great military leaders whose heroic deeds during the military conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries have become a part of our historical legacy. Much has been written about them as highly visible symbols of courage and leadership. Yet others, equally deserving remain unknown and have not received the same visibility in terms of public recognition. General Roscoe Robinson, Jr. is someone not widely known about, that should be.

From the Foreword:

“General Roscoe Robinson, Jr. was the right man to be the first African American to wear the four stars of an Army general officer. This view is shared by his USMA classmates. They have made a Herculean effort to convince the US Postal Service to create a stamp so honoring that accomplishment, led by the likes of General Jack Vessey, former Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff and Robinson’s last uniformed boss, as well as General Jack Merritt, Robinson’s replacement in NATO, who lauds with high praise the final posting of Roscoe and Millie Robinson.

THE QUIET ONE is a story that every young American would enjoy and from which learn about the life of a true patriot.”

~ J. W. Becton Jr. Lieutenant General, US Army, (Retired)

“SUVs SUCK in Combat: Chaos & Valor–The Rebuilding of Iraq during a Raging Insurgency”

by Kerry Kachejian ‘82 is now available

http://fortis-publishing.com/index.php/books/18

Untold (until now) stories of the Early Days of the Iraqi Reconstruction.

How a severely understaffed unit, lacking proper vehicles, security forces and adequate communications gear, undertook the single largest US reconstruction project ever—rebuilding Iraq during a raging insurgency. The unit faced great adversity and constant danger and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its incredible efforts.

This book is the first to tell the story about the Gulf Region Division (GRD) and its critical mission to rebuild Iraq during the early days of the Iraqi insurgency. The race to rebuild Iraq was a team effort involving multiple government agencies, ministries and contractors.  Described as the “Super Bowl of Reconstruction”—it was the largest and most complex project ever undertaken by our nation.  GRD’s mission was to stand up a new Division and simultaneously rebuild critical sectors of the Iraqi infrastructure. Hastily created, GRD went to war with only the equipment it could immediately acquire.

This book tells the story of the author’s experience during a time of turmoil in Iraq, generating immense political impact back home.  Based on the events he experienced, filtered through his own background and perspective; it brings clarity and humanity to an historic and political situation that has been misrepresented and misunderstood by many. It provides an understanding of the complexity and danger of Iraqi reconstruction operations and underscores the great personal sacrifices made by many of our soldiers and civilians.

I am pleased to announce the return of the Wounded Warrior Project to Whitefish, Montana for 2010.  Once again we’ll be entertaining some special guests February 3^rd through 8^th at Whitefish Mountain Resort.  Last year’s event was a wonderful success and we are looking forward to making this year’s event even better.   

Six severely injured servicemen and women (and their families) will be coming to Whitefish as guests of the community to learn to ski with the adapted instructors at the resort.  I’ve organized this event with a small group of Whitefish residents and businesses as well as the Wounded Warrior Project which provides opportunities for veterans who have recently been released from the hospital to participate in adapted recreational activities as part of their transition from military to civilian life. 

At your convenience please have a look at this short video to get a glimpse of last year’s event: 

http://skiwhitefish.com/wwp09.php 

These brave men and women of our armed forces have given up so much in service to their country.   Please join me and show your gratitude for their sacrifice, and help them recover from their wounds in any small way. 

Your generous, tax deductible donation to the Wounded Warrior Project would help us defray some of the cost of this special event.  Please follow this link for instructions on how to make a donation: 

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/content/view/1040/1/

 I know these are tough economic times but imagine the challenges of making a career change without sight or missing one or more limbs.  That’s just one of the many challenges that our guest will face. 

Please help me spread the word.  This event would not be possible without the help of several grads.  Last year we had an ‘02 grad participate.

 Thank you for your generosity. 

 Steve Shea ‘87

26.2 in 4:52 in full battle rattle. Raises $4k for American Veterans with Brain Injuries (www.AVBI.org) and sets Guinness Record. Awesome!

West Point Grad Grab Guinness record, join EOD

What we sometimes take for granted as graduates is a very fragile and special gift. William McGurn provides a thoughtful perspective on the acceptance of his nephew to West Point in this Wall Street Journal piece.

“A Salute to West Point: The school tries to build a military led by officers of character.”

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Army midfielder Liz Betterbed added her second All-America honor in 2009 to her growing list of accolades as a First Team selection to the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award All-America Team announced Friday evening at the NCAA Women’s College Cup in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M defender Emily Peterson, who overcame a serious physical disability to lead her team to the 2009 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship round of 16, was selected as the Lowe’s Senior Class Award winner.

A recent Rhodes Scholarship winner, Betterbed was a Top 10 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award finalist who won the fan voting and was among five scholar-athletes chosen for first team honors. She is the first Army women’s soccer player and the second female athlete to receive this honor, joining Lindsey Gerheim who was named to the All-America squad as a first team selection in the inaugural Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for softball in 2007.

Betterbed joined Peterson on the first team along with the University of Portland’s Kelsey Davis, Blakely Mattern of the University of South Carolina and Stanford University’s Kelley O’Hara.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women’s coaches, national soccer media and fans, is awarded annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAAR Division I women’s soccer. The announcement and trophy presentation were made by Lowe’s, an Betterbed Named A Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award First Team All-America official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, during the 2009 Women’s College CupTM in College Station, Texas.

Courtesy: Army Athletic Communications
Release: 12/06/2009

Dear Steptoe Group Supporters,

 The Steptoe Group, LLC is please to announce that the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) has selected the firm as the Sustaining Member of the Month (Jan 2010). There are over 550 Sustaining Member companies. AUSA only bestows this honor on twelve companies in a given year.  You may view the AUSA feature at the link below or via the attachment.

 http://www.ausa.org/membership/sustaining/members/Pages/TheSteptoeGroup,LLC.aspx

 Thank you for your continued support and prayers,

 Ronald J. Steptoe, CMR
Steptoe Group, LLC
President
443-324-1030
ron@thesteptoegroup.com
www.thesteptoegroup.com

The Class of 87 is proud to announce the appointment of COL Bernie Banks to the role of Professor, USMA.  Copied here is the official announcement from the Dept Chair.  It speaks highly of the honors that Bernie has accumulated in 22+ years of military service…well done
Bernie and good luck finishing up your PhD and donning the PUSMA title!

OFFICIAL NOTICE published by COL Thomas A Kolditz, PhD:  The Superintendent has accepted the recommendation of the Academic Board that Colonel Bernard Banks be nominated as Professor, US Military Academy and Deputy Head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. Colonel Banks, a 1987 graduate of the Academy and former Sprint Football player, currently serves as the director of the Leadership major in the Leadership and Management Studies Program. Colonel Banks holds five master’s degrees, including a Master’s in Public Administration from the JFK School at Harvard, a Master’s of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, and a Master’s of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He is currently completing requirements for the PhD in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. He is a winner of three graduate fellowships, including the prestigious Alumni Public Service Fellowship at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He earned the Master Teacher Certificate from West Point’s Center for Teaching Excellence in 2004.

In addition to his academic achievements, COL Banks has distinguished himself as a remarkable Soldier and leader. He is a recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award as a company grade leader, and was selected below the zone for promotion to Major. A veteran of Desert Storm, Banks commanded an Apache attack helicopter squadron earning the 2005 Aviation Unit of the Year in the Republic of Korea. He was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Ranger course, Distinguished Honor Graduate in flight school, Honor Graduate of his Officer Advanced Course as well as graduating with honors from five other joint or Army schools. COL Banks has been assigned in the Pentagon, Office of the Chief of Staff, Army, and as a White House Social Aide under President Bill Clinton.

Congratulations to Bernie, Candice, Jemi, Aliyah, Hayes, Brooke, Jordon and the entire Banks family on this opportunity to serve cadets, the Academy, and the Army.

Jake Rademacher, Director of Brothers at War wanted me to share his gratitude to our West Point Community during the theartical run of Brothers at War.   He said, “It was great to have West Pointers and their family come up and express their appreciation for the film.” Jake also asked I share the news of the DVD release of the movie.

“Thank you for going the extra mile and becoming a friend of Brothers at War. With another surge of troops into Afghanistan, American military families are being called upon to step up to the plate once again. We need your support to help spread the word about Brothers at War.  It is vital that the story of our military families; their service, sacrifices, and achievements be broadcast across the world.

In making this film, I was able to cross the chasm between my brothers and myself, and my family reunited.  Seeing the reuniting impact that Brothers at War has had on other families facing the crucible of war has been amazing and deeply gratifying.

As a thank you to our supporters, we are offering a 20% discount on DVDs pre-ordered before Midnight on Christmas.  If you purchase multiple DVDs, so that you can give them to family members, friends, or that associate who needs a better understanding that you think the film can help provide, we will provide free shipping.  On top of the over $100,000 Brothers at War has helped raise for veteran causes, we will also donate a portion of the profits to organizations that support service members, veterans, and their families.  Ordering the DVD directly from our website is the best way to show support for the team that brought you Brothers at War. Just put in the key code: Friends1 at checkout and you will receive this discount.  Brothers at War will ship in early January.  Please feel free to use and personalize the card at shop.brothersatwarmovie.com if you wish to make this a Christmas gift for a loved one.

Email info@BrothersAtWarMovie.com if you would like to make a large bulk purchase to give to employees in your company, military families in your community, or to ship overseas to our deployed service members.

I deeply appreciate your support, your validation and your willingness to help us spread the word.  It has been the greatest honor to put a frame around the reality of our service members on the edge of the battlefield and the families who support them at home. God Bless you all.  Thank you for your vital support.”

Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan – the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, and the strategy that my Administration will pursue to bring this war to a successful conclusion. It is an honor for me to do so here – at West Point – where so many men and women have prepared to stand up for our security, and to represent what is finest about our country.
To address these issues, it is important to recall why America and our allies were compelled to fight a war in Afghanistan in the first place. We did not ask for this fight. On September 11, 2001, nineteen men hijacked four airplanes and used them to murder nearly 3,000 people. They struck at our military and economic nerve centers. They took the lives of innocent men, women, and children without regard to their faith or race or station. Were it not for the heroic actions of the passengers on board one of those flights, they could have also struck at one of the great symbols of our democracy in Washington, and killed many more. Read the rest of this entry »