3- 116 CAV Fami ly Program Newsletter

In This Issue


PAGE ONE
On the Cover: Commanders Message
LTC Brian Dean, Commanding

PAGE TWO
Welcome to the Newsletter
Jessica Specht, BN FRG Leader

PAGE THREE
In The News:
A Company Change in FRG
The New Dalles Armory

PAGE FOUR
Kids Craft: Patriotic Print
Story Behind the Combat Cake

PAGE FIVE
Interview with a Soldier
CSM Ron Bloker, 3-116 CAV
Commanders Message
D
earest families, we live in exciting
and difficult times. I have been in
the National Guard for 21 years and
have seen several family programs each
with their strengths and weaknesses. I am tru-
ly excited about the future of 3-116 Caval-
ry. I have made it a priority and a focus for
Jessica to strengthen our family program as
well as our community involvement. From a Sol-
dier's perspective I need all of your help to
understand how I can help families build self reliance, resiliency,
develop positive lasting relationships and take advantage of education
benefits in our pursuit of life long learning.
I will be working your Soldiers very hard over the next 16 months. We
represent the best Armored Brigade Combat Team in the National
Guard. We are the Number One priority for National Guard and First
Army for training in the country. We have the most expensive and effective combat platforms in the
world. In August 2015 we will be simulating the liberation of a country through a series of combat and
stability engagements against a world class opposition force us-
ing twenty first century training and tracking mechanisms. This
training is the best the world has to offer and your Soldiers
will be the first National Guard Armored Brigade to complete a
National Training Center (NTC) rotation since the attack on the
Twin Towers. NTC will be the most difficult training they have ever accomplished in an austere envi-
ronment that will make Iraq feel like a Holiday Inn.

I will be working your
soldiers very hard over
the next 16 months.
Contnued on Page 3
I
t is with great pleasure that I have this
first opportunity of reaching out to each
of you through our newsletter families,
soldiers, loved ones and supporters and,
first, thanking you for everything you do. The
family is the backbone of civilization itself, and
you are the strength behind our Battalion and its
soldiers.
This newsletter has a variety of purposes. First,
the goal of the newsletter is to bring you closer
to your soldiers unit, keep you up to speed on the happenings within our local
military community (as well as future training plans) and bring you closer to
our fantastic supporters and resources. I understand from personal experience
that understanding what, exactly, your loved one is doing is key to supporting
them, and, above all, we need the
support of each and every one of
you.
In future editions, well focus
more on the training schedule and
ongoing events. Weve all started
to hear a lot about the upcoming
NTC rotation and budgetary cuts. Well bring you the best information on what
our soldiers face in the coming months and years and what, exactly, it means
for our families.
This month, as our soldiers pull out their uniforms, shake out their gear and
prepare to go to drill, remember that you are a part of their success. The Fam-
ily Program is a national priority because our leaders have recognized that
soldiers perform better when theyre happy
at home. So, remember that, while its
always hard to sacrifice them for what
would have probably been a great family
day, what you say and how you feel about
their career in the Guard will directly
impact them once they step foot into the
armory or through the gate of the Umatilla
Depot. Lets set them up for safety and
success!

- Jessica Specht, BN FRG Coordinator
Welcome to Third Tanks Newsletter!
Looking for a
resource?
Have a specific
need?

Tara Howie is here to help!

As a Family Assistance Spe-
cialist (FAS),
Tara tracks and compiles a
variety of resources to best
serve our families and sol-
diers in need.

She is located out of the On-
tario Armory. If you are in
the area, you can speak
with her in person during
normal work hours or con-
tact her via phone or email.


Phone: (541) 889-5514
extension 2084

Email:
tara.j.howie.ctr@mail.mil

Ontario Armory
Address:
1330 SW 4th Street
Ontario, Oregon
Well bring you the best infor-
mation on what our soldiers
face in the coming months, and
what it means for our
families.
Submissions Wanted!
Since the FRG is all about Families,
this Newsletter is only made possi-
ble by the soldiers, volunteers and
family members of 3-116 CAV.
To help make this publication bet-
ter, please consider submitting
your:
Photos from Drill
Ideas for Improvement and
Useful Articles
The Names of Outstanding
Community or Military Volun-
teers

Direct emails to Jessica Specht
3116CAVBNFRG@gmail.com
IN THE NEWS
Captain Jorge DeAnda took com-
mand of Alpha Company in The
Dalles during March drill. We
are pleased to announce as well
that his wife, Nancy DeAnda, has
come on board with the FRG
team as CPT DeAndas FRG lead-
er at Alpha Company. We want
all the families to know that we
are here for them to give them
support and guide them along
the way, says Nancy. We un-
derstand that sometimes hav-
ing a loved one in the NG can
be tough but that's why the FRG
is here.
Nancy DeAnda is replacing
Carol Roderick, a long-time
volunteer and local leader, who
hopes that the change will allow
her to more freely reach out to the
community and to encourage support
of the unit.
We have been with the Oregon Na-
tional Guard for around 12 years,
says Captain DeAnda, from my time
as an enlisted soldier and Nancy be-
ing my girlfriend. We both under-
stand how the military can be seen as
an organization that always takes the
soldier away from their family. Our
goal is be available and do our best
to make our unit more accessible to
the families.
Nancy and CPT DeAnda wish to ex-
tend a warm welcome to all Alpha
Company families and encourage
them to contact her at:
aco.3116.frg@gmail.com.
ALPHA COMPANYS NEW FRG LEADER
AND ITS NEW COMMANDER

Soldiers emotions will range from excitement to distress over the time and training requirements. I know
this will put additional strain on the families and I want to help so this series of challenges will make
for an easy test for the families to pass. I ask you to work with Jessica and I as we move for-
ward. Thank you for your time, your ideas and your sacrifice. Together we will show the world why Ameri-
ca is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave.

- LTC Brian Dean, Commanding
Commanders Messagecontinued from page 1
GRAND OPENING OF FORT DALLES
READINESS CENTER
The New Alpha Company Armory
17 APRThe beautiful new armory on
Scenic Drive has officially opened for use
following ceremonies which were attend-
ed by the TAG, Major General Hokanson,
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as
well as LTC Dean and other representa-
tives from our battalion and community.
On the Cover: CPT DeAnda speaks to the
armorys first formation on 11 April, days
before its grand opening. Right, two-story
windows look out over the beautiful Co-
lumbia River Gorge.
Items Needed:
1 sheet white paper (or color of your choice)
Red, white and blue acrylic non-toxic paint
1 small-diameter paintbrush
Ball-point pen
Cleanup supplies and frame, if desired.




Step One: Create the red and
white stripes by painting the fin-
gers and thumb. Make sure to
thoroughly coat each color so
they dont dry too quickly.
Step Two: Paint the palm blue.
Step Three: Press the childs hand flat to the paper, slightly roll-
ing each finger and gently pressing the palm.
Step Four: Paint in the star over the blue palm.
Step Five: Repeat with additional coats of paint as desired. Let
dry, then note your childs name and the year and display to your
liking!
Did you see this cake at Umatilla?
Nancy DeAnda created it herself for Alpha Company to celebrate the units April birthdays!
Kids Craft
PATRIOTIC PRINT

INTERVIEW WITH A SOLDIER
CSM Ron Bloker
When did you join the Army?
1992, as 11C, then went to 11B.
Why did you join?
I always wanted to be a soldier;
but also partly for school money.
I came into the Army in the GOLD
program, but then I saw the light.
It was a way to pay for college,
and I walked out with almost no
bills. Were still paying for my
wifes education.
What challenges has your family
life faced during your career?
Time away from family
deployment and Ive always partic-
ipated in other events and
[military] schools. The other big-
gest draw is planning. Everything
has to be scheduled around the
military.
What is your wifes favorite part
of being an Army Wife?
Having a weekend off. She does en-
joy that.
How does your military career en-
hance your civilian career?
It helps me to organize and prior-
itize events and trainings. But
the civilian side enhances the
military, too. Im a teacher, and I
teach and mentor my students just
like I do my soldiers. Its kind of
a handshake.
What military benefits do you find
the most useful?
Tricare is as solid an insurance
as Ive had, and the life insurance
is a huge perk - I dont have to
worry about my wife. And, down the
road, this is another retirement.
And, ultimately, the pay and bene-
fits are a lifestyle changer, if
only $200-$300 a month.
Favorite weapon of all-time?
I tell ya, were fortunate in this
battalion. I cant name just one.
My favorites are the 120mm mortar,
the Bradley (it has a wicked cycle
rate) and the M1 Abrams smooth,
destructive and accurate.
What has changed the most since
you enlisted?
The amount of time committed to
the Guard. There are much more ad-
ministrative and training regula-
tions. Its no longer one weekend
for drill and two weeks a year for
AT. And, Ive lost a lot of hair.
Favorite position held?
Platoon Sergeant. Ive loved em
all, but, as a Platoon Sergeant,
you work with soldiers nearly eve-
ry day. Youve got to suffer with
them.
What is your Key to Success?
Really taking care of my own ca-
reer. I sought opportunities to
advance, as well as education. I
took a lot of stuff home and prac-
ticed, lots of manuals, outside of
drill, or the laptop a lot of
which you cant do anymore. I did
everything I could do to be the
best.
From the CSM
I understand the toll that
having a family member gone
has all the time. I cant ex-
press my gratefulness for the
families and wives. We can
never say thank you enough.

In each edition, CSM Bloker will be
writing in with his thoughts and
guidance. Watch for his message!
As the Battalions Command Sergeant Major (CSM), Ron Bloker is the
highest-ranking Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in 3-116 CAV. He over-
sees all personnel and assists the Battalion Commander as his right-hand
and most seasoned warrior. Please enjoy this opportunity to become more
acquainted with one of the Oregon Guards finest soldiers!
Learning the Terms
11C-Officially, an indirect fire
infantryman-an infantryman
who trains specifically on mor-
tars, a type of medium-range
indirect fire weapon that lobs
small bombs (similar to artil-
lery).
11B-An infantryman; a soldier
who fights on foot. It is also the
oldest of military jobs.
GOLD Program-An education-
al program where a soldier can
gain a commission as an officer.
Tricare-The Armys sponsored
insurance plan. Check it out!
120mm Mortar-The main
weapon of mortarmen.
Bradley-A tracked, armored
personnel carrier with a 25mm
main gun.
M1 Abrams-The primary battle
tank with 120 mm main gun.
Platoon Sergeant (PSG)-A sen-
ior enlisted leadership position
at the platoon level. Advises the
platoon leader on soldier wel-
fare, logistics, casualty care
and administration.
If you have questions about the
words underlined on the left,
check out the list of terms below!