THE 19TH BRIGADE BIDS FAREWELL AND HOOAH TO RETIRING COMMANDER
19TH BRIGADE COMMANDER ADOPTS THE FALLEN PATRIOT'S FUND
BY SSG William Howard S5
The Texas State Guard is, as we all know, made up of individuals that serve their state and country with pride and great sacrifice. No greater sacrifice can any man make than when he lays down his life for a friend, his nation or his family. Many of us serve along with our National Guard counterparts so that we can leave a legacy that our children can be proud of. No matter if you are a Doctor, Lawyer, or Engineer, or even a blue collar worker, we often ask, "what will I leave when I die?" or, "what difference have I made while living on this planet of ours?"
The other day when returning from drill I had to stop into a local Wal-Mart to drop off the check -book to my wife. As I was standing and looking for my family I felt a tug at my BDU's and looked down at a little girl that couldn't have been more than 5. When I looked down at her she opened her arms wide for a hug. As I looked around I saw her mother walking up with tears in her eyes saying, "It's ok honey, you can give the soldier a hug." Kneeling down to hug the little girl her mother explained that she hasn't seen her father in over a year since he was shipped out to Iraq and she thinks that by hugging me she felt in some small way she was hugging her father. That made my eyes get a bit moist.
This is what the Fallen Patriot's Fund is all about. It's for the families of many boys and girls whose mother or father won't be coming home. It also gives us a chance to make a difference in the lives of families that are now struggling with the loss of a loved one who has given the ultimate sacrifice. It is now time for the 19th Brigade to forge its own legacy and support the FPF so that much needed help and support can be given to those families that are sacrificing every day and will continue to sacrifice for the rest of their lives. It's our turn to say we care and are grateful for the sacrifice they made. Soldiers and their families don't get compensated for terrorist attacks like the victims of 9-11. Their families barely receive enough to bury their loved one. This is totally unacceptable!
In the weeks and months ahead you will hear more from our Brigade Commander about our efforts to support Mark Cubin and his FPF program. I challenge each and every member of the 19th Brigade to join with us as we support the FPF.
CSM'S BRIEFING
The article that you are about to read should make us all realize how critically important it is for our soldiers to be trained to be the best MP's that the Texas State Guard has to offer. With the shortage that is mentioned, it is only a matter of time that should the state need MP's, we would be the ones to receive the call. Most of the National Guard and Reserve MP's will probably already be on active Federal service and we would have to step in and take up the slack. Take this article to heart and train as though your life depends on it because it probably will.
-CSM Luis T. Adrian 19th MP BDE
Newhouse.com, May 12, 2003
Shortage Of MPs Complicates Iraq Occupation
By David Wood, Newhouse News Service
WASHINGTON -- Ugly scenes of looting. Generalized lawlessness. U.S. troops shooting Iraqi civilian demonstrators. The headlines from postwar Iraq dramatize a key lesson emerging from the occupation: Even the best combat troops are ill-suited for the tricky, demanding and critical work once called "peacekeeping" and now termed "stability operations." The United States does have troops trained and equipped precisely for the job: military police. But "MPs are in short supply," Army Lt. Gen. John M. LeMoyne, the Army's personnel chief, told a congressional committee in March. That shortage may become more pronounced and painful as the military is called upon to underwrite security and stability in a growing list of countries, from the Balkans to Afghanistan and wherever else the war on terrorism demands. The stakes are high in Iraq. Critics say the failure to quickly establish law and order -- and especially to deal effectively with protesters - is damaging to America's global image. And military officers say the continuing crime and political violence can, in the long run, erode the stature of American forces and increase risks to those stationed there.
Here's what makes MPs ideally suited to the mission: When confronted by violence -- say, an angry mob -- MPs immediately start thinking, "Calm down." And they know a lot of tricks to make that happen -- using some psychological jujitsu, some common sense, and sometimes such non-lethal weapons as rubber-pellet mines, sponge-tipped grenades and flash-bang explosives. Combat troops have none of that training, and when faced with a threatening crowd, they can only shoot, back down or wait it out. That was the case when a rock-throwing mob blocked a U.S. Marine convoy on a bridge at al-Kut a few weeks ago. Unwilling to open fire, the Marines held on for four hours until the crowds, chanting anti-American slogans, dispersed for prayers.
More shocking was the violence in the central Iraq town of Fallujah, where at least 17 civilians were shot in late April during clashes between demonstrators and combat soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
"Combat troops are trained to take out the threat with lethal combat power -- and thank God for that," said Lt. Col. Gretchen Cadwallader, a career MP who works in the Pentagon. "My reaction as an MP is, how do I de-escalate this situation," she said. "How do I use verbal persuasion, or non-lethal force, before I start having to resort to measured lethal force?" Think of MPs as cops on the beat -- which is exactly what they are most of the time. On military bases from Alaska to Afghanistan, they direct traffic, hand out drunken driving citations, investigate burglaries and settle husband-wife confrontations.
"Our MP soldiers are out there with loaded guns even in peacetime, and yet they understand when confronted with any situation, the acceptable use of force is always the minimum use of force," said Col. Timothy Lamb, assistant commandant of the U.S. Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Those skills were in such demand that the MP corps was stretched thin on routine domestic duty and new anti-terrorism missions even before their presence was required in Iraq. The Army has about 37,500 military police, of which some 22,000 are in reserve or National Guard units. The Pentagon just approved a modest increase, and will add about 3,600 new MPs over the next five years.
According to the U.S. Central Command, during the past few weeks about 8,000 MPs were squeezed out of duty elsewhere and rushed into Kuwait and Iraq, a country about the size of California. By contrast, California has about 7,000 state highway patrol officers on duty, and tens of thousands of other police.
Over the past decade, mob violence has been studied intensively by U.S. Army analysts in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo, yielding a wealth of new lessons that have been incorporated into MP training for postwar missions like Iraq. One is that crowds of demonstrators are often not spontaneous but carefully orchestrated by a few key leaders. Sometimes they can be coaxed out for a tension-reducing palaver. If not, MPs can simply remove the leaders and watch the entire violent potential of the crowd simply deflate. This can be done with a "snatch" operation, in which a diamond-shaped formation of unarmed soldiers bursts into the crowd and engulfs the identified leader. He is taken down quickly, out of sight, and his hands are cuffed. The formation backs out fast, with the leader, before the crowd can react. Or, a leader can be disabled with a 40 mm sponge-point grenade, which an Army report describes as "delivering a strong blow to the body without penetrating the body." It can knock down a person at 30 yards. Other non-lethal weapons routinely carried by MPs and deployed to Iraq include face and body shields, nightsticks and pepper spray. Creativity and common sense count, too. In Somalia, Marines used low-hovering helicopters to disperse crowds -- until the crowds learned to stand their ground. In Bosnia, troops backed a tank up toward a crowd, using its hot exhaust to move people back, according to a report by the U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. But one simple tactic that seems to work well is patience. "Experience shows that crowds will wear themselves out and individual members of any crowd will begin to tire and elect to go home," the Army Center report said. "Patience on the part of any law enforcement agency will pay off in the long run."
TXSG 19TH BDE BASIC EQUIPMENT STANDARD
Inspection Layout Illustration
| Equipment Layout for Inspection | Other Helpful Equipment: |
| 1. Poncho.
2. Duffel Bag. 3. Butt Pack and LBE. 4. Extra Boots. 5. Angle Head Flashlight with Colored Lenses. 6. Orange Traffic Vest. 7. Canteen with Cup. 8. Pistol Belt. 9. First Aid Kit. 10. Canteen Cover. 11. Notepad and Pen, Black Ink. 12. MP Brassard. 13. ALICE Compass Case. 14. Military Lensatic Compass. 15. Kevlar Helmet. 16. MP Whistle. 17. Mess Kit. 18. Knife, Fork, and Spoon. |
1 OD Green 9mm Pistol Holster
1 Black Military Riot (Night Stick) & Holder 1 M-16 Pouch 1 9mm Magazine Pouch 1 Hand Cuffs and holder 1 Sleeping Bag Personal Medications Dog Tags with silencers Short Wave Radio Extra Batteries Flack vest 3 days MRE's Water purification tabs 2 Luma Sticks Mirror ID card holder |
download this chart as a microsoft word document (86KB).
19TH BRIGADE CHANGE OF COMMAND
Last June the 19th Brigade bid farewell to its long time Commander Col. Robert Manning. Col. Manning was bid a fond farewell by his troops as he brought his 18 year career in the TXSG to an end. Col. Manning served in the NY National Guard and the US Army, and later for 15 years in the Drug Enforcement Administration in NY City. One of his most famous cases was one that millions of Americans have come to know by the movie "The French Connection". With a transfer to Dallas with the DEA in 1974, Col. Manning retired as Deputy Director of the Southwest Region. His career started with the Texas State Guard in 1985 and now turns a new direction as he has now accepted a position with an office in Homeland Defense. The 19th Military Police Brigade will now be led by the capable leadership of Lt. Col. Kenneth M. Scarborough, the current executive officer who also has former US Army and US Intelligence Service background. Both officers have served their Country and State with distinction.
Air Wing Assists 19th BDE In Longview
By SSG Howard S5, Picture by CVC Jim Houston
Security Patrols were a key element in the deterrence efforts at the Longview Balloon Race. The 4th Air Wing extended its support with providing several of their security forces personnel to assist the 19th BDE. SSG Sharp, a former member of the 19th , assisted in bringing collaboration to fruition. Every soldier made a difference at the event and a big Hoo Ahh goes to Airman Jessica Lair for her vigilance which prevented a break-in of a POV and with quick response notified SSG Sharp who was able to contact Net Central to dispatch Sheriffs Deputies. With the response of Air Wing to the situation the crime was not only detected, and efforts to apprehend and identify the suspect was successful which resulted in the protection of property and proving the value of having TXSG troops on the ground to maintain order and safety in such a large event. The 19th was extremely proud of their Air Wing brothers and sisters and are eager to serve with the Air Wing in events and deployments in the future. Again, many thanks and a job well done!
'Bring Them On' Bush Says as Iraqi Attackers Prolong War
by Michael Howard in Falluja and Julian Borger in Washington
President Bush yesterday taunted the Iraqi groups waging a guerrilla war against US and British troops, saying "bring them on" and vowing that the coalition would not be forced into an early departure.
The gesture of presidential bravado came amid declining public enthusiasm for military involvement in Iraq as American casualties continue to mount long after Mr Bush declared the war over.
The US has lost 196 soldiers in combat or accidents since going to war, a third of them since the president's victory speech on board the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier on May 1. The troops have recently come under near daily attack from groups loyal to Saddam or simply opposed to the occupation. The tension rose yesterday in Falluja, west of Baghdad, where residents accused US forces of bombing a mosque and vowed revenge, despite American denials and claims that the mosque was a bomb-making factory.
"There are some who feel that if they attack us we may decide to leave prematurely. They don't understand what they're talking about, if that's the case," Mr Bush told journalists at the White House.
"My answer is bring them on. We got the force necessary to deal with the security situation."
CSM PUSHES COMPLIANCE OF AR 70-1
STATE GUARD ADOPTS HAIR STANDARD FROM AR 70-1 FOR ALL TROOPS
(c) Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Mustaches are permitted; if worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth (see figure 1-1 ). Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized. If appropriate medical authority prescribes beard growth, the length required for medical treatment must be specified. For example, "The length of the beard will not exceed ¼ inch" (see TB MED 287). Soldiers will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by appropriate medical authority, but they are not authorized to shape the growth into goatees, or "Fu Manchu" or handlebar mustaches. Please see that all appearance standards are met. CSM will inspect all troops.
US ARMY INTERNET CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
In an ongoing effort to improve and diversify training, the BDE S-3 section has investigated the U.S. Army Distance Learning Program and compiled the following instructions for enrolling in their various courses.
The U.S. Army Distance Learning Program offers hundreds of correspondence and online courses, and all of these courses are available to TXSG personnel. These courses include specialized MP training, and all courses are the same official courses as those taken by U.S. Army Active and Reserve components.
All course materials are provided by the U.S. Army Distance Learning Program at no cost. The basic requirements for enrolling in the online courses are access to a personal computer with an Internet connection. Correspondence (paper) courses require access to a U.S.P.S. mailing address.
I am currently enrolled in the MP Officer Advanced Course, and I have found the course challenging, interesting, and very educational. This course consists of online and correspondence courses, and all of the exams are online. In addition to the U.S. Army MP School, other schools offering courses and complete programs include the U.S. Army Armor, Engineer, Infantry, Quartermaster, Signal, and Chaplain Schools. There are numerous other schools, and specialized programs such as OAC, BNCOC and Warrant Officer Refresher courses, Civil Disturbance, Leadership, and NBC operations.
Some of the courses may satisfy requirements for TXSG Basic Training, BNCOC, ANCOC, OAC, and promotion requirements. The BDE S-3 section will release which courses apply to the Basic Training Program at the first drill for each Basic Training class. The TMA and TXSG HQ are ultimately responsible for BNCOC, ANCOC, OBC, OAC, and other courses that relate to promotion requirements. The list of approved courses, if any, will be distributed by them at the appropriate time. Under no circumstances should 19th BDE personnel directly contact TXSG HQ regarding the U.S. Army Distance Learning Program courses that may apply to their promotion. Such requests should be made through that unit's chain of command.
The U.S. Army Distance Learning Program is operated by the U.S. Army, not the TXSG, TMA, or BDE S-3 section. All questions regarding course materials, exams, deadlines, computer problems, and all other questions should be directed to the U.S. Army points of contact listed on the web site and in the U.S. Army Distance Learning Program email communications.
Website Directions: To utilize the courses offered by the U.S. Army Distance Learning Program, go to the following online website:
http://www.aimsrdl.atsc.army.mil
If you do not have a USER-ID and PASSWORD, click the REGISTER button on the home page.
Follow the directions for registration, and select FOREIGN MILITARY OFFICER or FOREIGN MILITARY ENLISTED for the Student Category.
After your registration is complete, you can search for courses and sub courses of interest, and enroll in them. When you complete the course, you will receive an instant notification via the website and you will also receive an email notification. Save these electronic communications, and print several hardcopies for your personal records, enlistment/promotion packets, and 201 files. Some courses will mail completion certificates.
-ROBERT K. BREVELLE
1LT, 19th BDE MP, TXSG
S-3
CAMP SWIFT AT 2003 HIGHLIGHTS
AT 3003 CHANGE OF COMMAND HIGHLIGHTS
BRIGADE EVENT
The Great Balloon Race has been a long time tradition for the City of Longview, Texas. Thousands of visitors come to see the sights and enjoy the races and the sounds and flavors this town has to offer. The event was attended by over 25,000 visitors and crowd control along with traffic control was a real challenge. According to Lt Brevelle, this was one of our largest details since the Jefferson Mardis Gras. This event was a Full Brigade event with all three Battalions working side by side, as well as being assisted by the 4th Air Wing, which proved to be a most valuable asset in the security efforts.
The 19th provided valuable assistance in moving the massive crowds in and out of the race area with no injuries or altercations. Not only were the event personnel glad to see us, but so were the crowds.
Each night we met with new challenges. The heat was a real test of each Soldier's mettle. The dust and sand was thick and the heat index was well over 100 degrees. SSG Morgan, medical NCO from 2nd Battalion made sure all troops stayed hydrated.
Several teams performed security sweeps across the Fair Grounds and among the parking areas to keep a watchful eye on all the traffic. This also included Sgt Jenkins from Brigade HQ being stationed on top of a 40 foot scissor lift each day until dark with infrequent relief.
Brigade COMO was maintained by Sgt Jankowiak, who not only monitored troop traffic but law enforcement as well as S5's radio net.
The Event Planners made sure we all had plenty of water, ice, food, and most of all their sincere thanks for making things move smoother than ever before. The Sheriffs Office was most complimentary of our skills and assistance to them during the event and stated that our skills in handling traffic, large crowds and security were extremely professional and helpful. To all that made this possible we say, " Hoo Ahh!".
The 1st BATTALION at the LONGVIEW BALLOON RACE
The First Battalion sent a contingent of fourteen to the Longview balloon festival lead by NCOIC Staff Sergeant John Brandon. Estimates from organizers put attendance at over 25,000 visitors. This worked out to about five pounds of dust eaten per Guardsman! The Gregg County Sheriff's Department and event staff were extremely generous with their praise (and pizza) and were quick to point out that parking and crowd control for the event were the smoothest they had ever been. The visitors also seemed to really appreciate everyone's efforts despite not always getting to park where they wanted. It was a great opportunity to see the separate battalions working together with brigade staff and should really help unit cohesion and confidence in the future. Additionally, while it was good fun in spite of the heat, it was also great training for handling crowds of people and vehicles that might be invaluable if we are ever faced with an evacuation scenario.
On the Promotion Front: This summer brought Dallas W. Mouser his well deserved Captain's bars. Captain Mouser has been in the Texas State Guard for just over 10 years, all of it with the First, starting out as a private and earning a commission after a year in OCS. Captain Mouser currently serves as Battalion S1 and is a fine example for Jason W. Thorp and Clayton R. Kelly who each made the leap from Private to Private First Class this month. PFC Thorp is entering his junior year at North Mesquite High School where he is active in the JROTC program. His plans are to become an Army Medic after college, hopefully with the Special Forces. He's off to a good start. PFC Kelly will be a senior at the North Mesquite this year and plans on becoming a police officer after attending Sam Houston State. The First is proud of both of them.
In other news, PFC Landon Studer returned to the fold after seven weeks of Marine Corps OCS this summer. PFC Studer is in the Corps at Texas A&M and has been promised a slot in flight school upon graduation. Prior to entering TAMU he served as a Cavalry Scout in the US Army and is a great addition to the unit.
Always First Always Ready
Article by: Cpl. Barry Hobbs 1st BAT PANCO
2ND BATTALION AT GINGERBREAD TRAILS
Texas State Guard Completes Training Sponsored by Upshur County Sheriff
'DON'T MOVE,' says a Texas State Guard military policeman during a training exercise held last Saturday at Sand Hill. Instructor Jim Liberacki has been training the Guard personnel on behalf of the Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton at his JBarL Ranch for the last four months. Belo Sheriff Betterton congratulates one of the Military Policemen and hands him a certificate of training. At left is Instructor Liberacki. Between them is Lt. Robert Brevelle, Unit Commander of the Third Battalion, TXSG.
A group of 14 military policemen with the Texas State Guard (TXSG) said to consist mostly of Dallas-area volunteers has been training at the JBarL Ranch of Jim Liberacki at Sand Hill one weekend out of each month for the last four months.
Saturday afternoon, May 3, they graduated from the course taught by Instructor Liberacki of the Upshur County Sheriff's Office. One hand to give them certificates was Sheriff Anthony Betterton. Upshur County SO sponsored the training.
The guardsmen from the 19th Military Police Brigade (aka Parson's Brigade) have reported to the Upshur County Sheriff's Office one Saturday a Month since February for training in basic Police skills.
Training consisted of Land navigation, radio communications, and firearms, handcuffing techniques, evidence collection and crime scene preservation.
The Texas State Guard is an all volunteer force subject to call up by the governor in the event of an emergency or public need requiring training personnel to augment local authorities within the state of Texas. Guardsmen also participate in civic activities such as parades patriotic ceremonies, security and crowd control.
Liberacki said, "This is more than a classroom exercise because we need the outside. All day long we've been out in the field doing exercises." As he said this, he was critiquing his MP trainees as they conducted an apprehension/handcuffing exercise in a nearby field.
The 14 volunteers split up into three teams and rotated out with two teams apprehending the designated "bad guys" of the third team.
You can never expect it to work according to some preconceived scenario," the instructor cautioned the sweat- drenched trainees as they returned to a metal building on the ranch to discuss the exercise.
Also on hand Saturday was Lt Robert Brevelle, the 26-year-old Unit Commander of the State Guard's Third Battalion. Texas State Guard participates in homeland security and supports the mission of the National Guard and U.S. Army," said Lt. Brevelle, himself a U.S. Army veteran who now works in the field of electronic systems for defense contractor Raytheon in Dallas and is earning a Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Texas State Guard soldiers are volunteers between the ages of 17 and 60, and train a minimum of one weekend Each month. All serve without pay except if called upon for State Active Duty by the Governor. TXSG soldiers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, many with prior military service. He said TXSG has received more emphasis since "9-11," the shorthand term commonly used to designate the events of Sept. 11, 2001, involving the attacks on the World Trade Center's Twin Towers and the Pentagon by hijacked airliners.
"Since '9-11' we've been right back on the hot plate," he said. The State Guard was involved in the retrieval of debris caused by the breakup on Feb. 1 of the space shuttle Columbia over East Texas, he said. Lt. Brevelle said another recent duty of the TXSG was providing security at the Governor's Inaugural Parade through downtown Austin in January. He noted that TXSG now numbers about 3,000 military policemen with another 3,000 to 4,000 medical personnel volunteering their time under the jurisdiction of the University of Texas Health System, including doctors, nurses, and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) specialists.
TXSG is the third branch of the Military forces of the State of Texas operating alongside the Texas National Guard , which is comprised of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. The TXSG supports the mission and goals of the Texas National Guard, in addition to numerous roles in community support and civil assistance.
Composed of a headquarters group, support detachments, and air support wing and six military police brigades, the size and structure of the TXSG is determined and directed by the Governor of the State of Texas through the Adjutant General. TXSG companies and detachments are located with Army National Guard and Air National Guard units throughout the State.
"We're all just weekend warriors," said Louisiana native Brevelle, as he inspected members of the brigade sweltering in the warm and humid piney woods of Upshur County.
He noted that the Sand Hill trainees included a copier company manager, pediatrician, air conditioning specialist and chaplain.
On behalf of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, he also thanked Sheriff Betterton for sponsoring the training.
"Your guys looked good out there," Lt. Brevelle told the graduates as the sheriff stepped forward to hand out certificates.
"It was a lot of fun." He told them to "distribute this knowledge out to the troops." The trainees let out a loud "Whoop" before receiving the order to "Fall out." Lt. Brevelle said the State Guard begun during World War II because of manpower shortages on the home front, raised 10,000 volunteers within six months of its inception. The concept is not unique to Texas, he said, as at least 38 other states also have state guards. Here is a more detailed history of the 19th Military Police Brigade courtesy of the State Guard's Web site: http://www.afd.state.tsx.us/stateguard
"On 10 FEB 1941, the Defense Act (H.B. No. 45) authorized volunteer militia. Volunteers from the North East Texas area were constituted as the 19th, 29th, 35th, and 51st Battalions of the Texas Defense Guard. These units remained active throughout World War II and in 1943 the 48th Legislature changed the name of the defense Guard to Texas State Guard. After the Texas State Guard was inactivated on 28 AUG 1947 (AGTX-GO 21), the 50th Legislature re-authorized the Texas State Guard Reserve Corps on 26 JAN 1948 (AGTX-GO 4) and the unit reformed and designated the 6th Regiment including an ROTC section. In 1958 the unit was re-designated the 1st Military Defense Group and in 1965 renamed the 102nd Military Police Battalion. In 1984 the unit was designated the 8th Military Police Group. When the Texas State Guard recognized on 1 JUL 1993 elements of the 7th and 9th Brigade and the name Parson's Brigade reclaimed for the unit.
The original Parson's Brigade was formed in the spring of 1862 by COL Nathaniel M. Burford of Dallas, Texas as the 19th Texas Cavalry. The 19th was successively attached to Hawes; Cater's, Flourney's Steel's and Parson's Brigade of the Tran Mississippi Department. The Brigade was disbanded in Marshall, Texas in May 1865."
To find out more about the Texas State Guard and the Benefits it offers contact SSGT Glen Parsons at 903-797-2162.
Reproduced by permission of Sarah Greene of The Gilmer Mirror
This newsletter is a publication of the 19th MP Brigade, Texas State Guard. Please submit all pictures articles and information to SSG William D. Howard, Public Affairs NCO via S519BDE@ SWBELL.NET