The “Strike First.

”
Newsletter of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Houston
February 2011

First for Houston Battalion:

“Pinnacle” Career Center Opens

Captain David Butler, Commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Company in Tyler, Texas
wields scissors that will part the red ribbon officially opening the Tyler Career Center, home
of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Houston’s first “Pinnacle” based recruiting office.
The “Pinnacle” operation concept seeks Army enlistees by a team of recruiters which will
better support the needs of Future Soldiers and the needs of the Army to efficiently locate
and enlist quality, qualified applicants. (Photo by Bill Roach, Houston Recruiting Battalion)

On the Stinger:
Meet Station Commanders of the Month for 1st Quarter … Page 2
Soldier casts lines to aid those wounded by war … Page 4
Area pastor begins journey to become a chaplain … Page 6
Brother joins brother in choosing U.S. Army Reserve … Page 9
Army Recruiter believes in the “second chance.” Sgt. Juan Pastrana NCO of the Month
for November … Page 11
New Soldier & Family Assistance Program Manager … Page 13
Annual Training Conference photos … Page 15
 U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion
Houston
Battalion Leadership Team

Lt. Col. Michael Bottiglieri

Houston Battalion Commander

Command Sgt. Maj. John Kessler

Houston Battalion Command Sergeant Major

Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Murphy Sgt. 1st Class Rory Carothers Sgt. 1st Class Fernando Martinez

Airborne NCO helps Author Soldier Writes Taking care of Soldiers

young men and women jump Prose, Enlistment important for those going
into Army careers Contracts from civilian to Soldier

Bryan, Texas – Some paratroopers
aboard a C-130 military aircraft in
the skies over Fort Bragg may have
had second thoughts when they
saw the nametag “Murphy” on the
jumpmaster’s uniform, but their lives
couldn’t have been in steadier
hands than airborne infantryman,
now Army Recruiter, Sgt. 1st Class
Ryan Murphy.
Individuals in the Bryan, Texas
area want to talk with someone
about joining the Army who walked
the walk. That person is Sgt. 1st
Class Murphy. Murphy is a trained
infantryman whose skills enable him
to hunt enemy armor and destroy
them. Having served in leadership
roles in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo and
(Airborne Cont on Page 8)
HOUSTON – Years from now
after Sgt. 1st Class Rory
Carothers retires, you may
read poetic musings written
while he was a Soldier, but
for now his focus is leading
Soldiers, and finding qualified
Army prospects.
A family man with strong
religious leanings, Carothers
is writing a faith-based book
“to help readers keep strong
in their faith,” he said. His in-
spiration: Being a Soldier.
“In recruiting, we run into
so many people who need
help,” he observed. “When
you can’t go on, you must dig
deeper and go from within.
(Author Cont on
2 Page 10)
2
HOUSTON – As a 14-year-old
kid, Sgt. 1st Class Fernando
Martinez sold candy door-to-
door. As a military policeman
(MP), he learned and practiced
interview techniques to enforce
the law. He uses those life skills
he learned as a leader and men-
tor to work side-by-side with fel-
low Soldiers, to teach what he
learned.
Martinez, station com-
mander of the U.S. Army Willow-
brook Recruiting Station super-
vises five NCOs and a platoon
of Future Soldiers.
“As an MP you learn how to
ask fact finding questions and
open ended questions,”
Care Cont. on Page 5)
Army Values:
Loyalty
Bear true faith and allegiance to the
U.S. constitution, the Army, and other
soldiers.
Duty
Fulfill your obligations.
Accept responsibility for your own
actions and those entrusted to your
care.
Respect
Rely upon the golden rule.
How we consider others reflects upon
each of us, both personally and as a
professional organization.
Selfless Service
Put the welfare of the nation, the Army,
and your subordinates before your own.
Honor
Live up to all the Army values
Importance of Character.
Integrity
Do what is right, legally and morally.
Personal Courage
Our ability to face fear, danger, or ad-
versity, both physical and moral cour-
age.
Submission Requirements
for “Strike First.”
All submissions must be in elec-
tronic format. Documents are to
be written and submitted in a
Microsoft Word document, dou-
ble spaced. All submitted pho-
tographs must be at least 300
dpi in jpeg format Subjects in
photos are to be identified by
first name, middle initial if avail-
able, last name and proper rank
if applicable. Narration as to
what action is occurring in pho-
tographs are encourage. Name
of photographer is requested for
photo credit. Author of article
will be identified by same infor-
mation as above. Editor retains
the right to edit stories for con-
tent and to conform to Associ-
ated Press print style.
Note from the Editor:
By John L. Thompson III
For some, 'responsibility' is an ugly word. Why is that?
Each of us has the ability to choose right from wrong, so
shouldn't we TAKE RESPONSIBILITY and do the right thing?
But many of us don't; when given the chance, many of us are
not tough enough to take responsibility.
We spend 'time' with our family...or do we? How many of us go home for
some well-deserved time off, but stay glued to the TV? How much of our off time
is actually spent with family? Does watching sports count? No. And how about the
responsibility to our family to stay in shape? When was the last time you gave a
real effort for a regular work out or exercise regime?
By the way, window-shopping at the mall or operating a remote does not
count! We use every excuse under the sun like “I don't have the time” to put on
exercise clothes, to walk, run, bike, lift weights or do ANYthing that causes physi-
cal effort; or I'm tired and I'm hungry, I'll work out tomorrow.
We hit fast food joints, gobble sugary sweets by the pound, and are surprised
when our jeans do not fit, or worse, blame the dryer for shrinking our clothes.
Packrats by nature, most of our homes are a yard sale away from being fea-
tured on:”Hoarders.” Equally, the amount owed on our credit cards just goes up
along with out-of-control interest rates credit card companies charge.
The mortgage for our 'keeping up with the Jones' home we bought goes up
because the county has decided we can afford to pay more taxes. We take out
loans to pay for our loans, so it isn't a surprise that most of us can barely keep our
heads above water. Where does the buck stop; who takes responsibility?
And if we Americans can't step up and take charge, take responsibility, how
can we expect other nations to take responsibility? There are expectations; expec-
tations that we, as Americans, MUST lead the way: BE responsible.
Our first loyalty belongs to our creator, second, to our family. That is why we
serve in the military. Spend time doing what must be done, spend time with your
family. Families grow and change and if you don't take the time now, there IS no
later. A song written and sung by the late Harry Chapin, "Cats in the Cradle" is
the distant sound of our futures. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" is the mes-
sage. Don't expect your family to have anything to do with you later if you don't
have the time to spend with them now. Don't wait until, years later, you are saying:
"What if?"
Not maintaining fitness will backfire on you quickly. It takes more time to get
back into shape than to maintain good shape. That goes with weight too; it is so
much easier to add the pounds than to take them off. A healthy diet with a few
indulgences is fine as long as you match your intake with physical output.
The best way to keep from drowning in debt is to make a budget and stick to
it. Separate what you want from what you need. Save for retirement: Pay your-
self first. Put money into a retirement account as part of your budget plan. Only
spend money on necessities like utilities, mortgage and insurance and other 'have
tos.' Being financially irresponsible will cost more than you can imagine a military
career, your spouse, your family, and the ability to achieve your future dreams.
Responsibility -- it's an ugly word, for some. But by taking charge, it becomes
a shining beacon leading your family to a future of sound planning,
investment, and a secured future.
3
Soldier casts lines to aid those wounded by war
Story by John L. Thompson III

HOUSTON – As any true angler

knows, the mirror-like surface of tranquil
waters masks the secret life beneath —
schools of fish, each fish ready to fight
for its life against a savvy fisherman’s
hook and line. Not unlike the lake’s se-
rene surface, beneath Staff Sgt. Michael
Garrett’s unflappable, calm demeanor is
a fierce devotion to those have suffered
from wounds inflicted upon them during
an ongoing war on terror.
A professional Soldier first, Garrett is
a veteran of three deployments to Iraq.
To this day he remembers wounded
comrades carried off the battlefield.
To honor those Soldiers, he invests
personal time as a bass angler to earn
contributions to three charities that sup-
port the rehabilitation of wounded
warriors and their families. Garrett’s
abilities have hooked him more than a
dozen sponsors, netting him many top
finishes in tournaments.
“Our slogan is ‘Support. Defend.
Fish,’” said Garrett, who is a member of
the ArmyBassAnglers Pro Staff. “Our
first mission is to support: Support our
charities.”
Garrett said the non-profit
ArmyBassAnglers support the Warrior
and Family Support Center at Brooke
Army Medical Center in San Antonio,
Texas (www.returningheroeshome.org), Staff Sgt. Michael Garrett takes s step up on the trailer supporting
Heroes on the Water and Veterans his sleek fishing boat which enables him to slide into bodies of
water almost silently. This dedicated Soldier honors servicemen
Outdoors. wounded on the battlefield through funds he raises for three
“Our ‘Defend’ portion comes in since charities though booth setups, speaking opportunities and boat
we defend our nation, we fight for our shows. (Photo by John L. Thompson III, Houston Recruiting Bat-
country,” said Garrett, a military police- talion)
man whose been in the Army for 13
years. “The third pillar is ‘Fish.’ “We had a big long talk and he was thankful for
What [bass anglers in the program] do is fish all everything I was doing,” Garrett reflected.
over the country and raise awareness for [their Garrett said he gained a new perspective on
wounded warrior] charities.” how his contributions supported the center. The
On return from one of his deployments, Garrett funds he and other fishermen raised have helped
stopped by the Warrior and Family Support Center
to visit a Soldier he served with in Iraq. (Soldier Casts lines Cont. on Page 5)

4
 ( Soldier casts lines Cont. from page 4) Garrett has fished all over the world.
“Iraq was the wildest place I fished because the
complete three different projects at the center, in- first time was during OIF-1 (initial Iraq operation/
cluding an outdoor garden area. Heroes on the invasion),” Garrett explained. On the other end of
Water provides kayak trips for wounded veterans. the scale was Korea, where he was not allowed to
The organization also provides a platform to en- have car. “I rode eight to 10 miles on my bike just
hance the fitness and upper body strength of veter- to go fishing. It was interesting catching three
ans. In addition to the fitness portion, getting away pound bass that had been introduced to the
from doctors and hospitals is as therapeutic, ac- country less than 10 years ago.”
cording to Garrett. Garrett, assigned to Pearland Recruiting Station
Veterans Outdoors takes wounded warriors in the Houston South Company, said he intends to
hunting in Texas and New treat his fellow Soldiers to some serious time on
Mexico. Thanks to his the water and show them the joys of catching fish
service in the Army, in the local ponds and lakes. But, only being on the
“recruiting trail” for a month, he admitted it will
take him a while to establish himself in the battal-
ion before he can take time for that pleasure.
As a Soldier and recruiter, Garrett has just the
right bait when it comes to advising young men
and women on career opportunities with benefits.
As a mentor of junior enlisted Soldiers, he
hopes to continue as a positive influence with
young Future Soldiers and prospects interested in
an Army career.

(Care Cont. from page 2)

for his real world experience and military educa-
Martinez explained. “There are certain ques- tion his 99 semester credits his is a year away
tions you can ask a person without you saying from earning a bachelor’s degree in Technical
much and just by listening to them you learn a Management and Criminal Justice. For Future
lot. My Soldiers are smart. They pick up on Soldiers, especially high school seniors he en-
what I am doing and do it themselves.” courages them to stay vigilant on their studies.
He says when you ask certain questions you Without that high school diploma, there is no
learn if the person’ values, goals and personality chance of an Army career.
make them candidates for Army service. Martinez talked about one particular Future
For the Soldiers and Future Soldiers Martinez Soldier, which all the recruiting station’s Soldiers
passes along a lesson it took him 12 years after helped him with his studies. Through coordina-
high school to learn – continue your education. tion with the high school’s councilors, securing
“Civilian education,” Martinez said, “is impor- afterschool tutoring the high school senior
tant and when I was coming up no one stressed passed required state standardized tests and left
it to me. Ironically, one of the reasons why I for military training on time. Martinez gets letters
joined the Army was to get away from school to from the Soldier who is very happy Soldier. An
do something different and then go back to opportunity not possible without assistance from
school.” six Soldiers and a concerned high school faculty.
When Martinez became a station com- Martinez said the best part about being a Sol-
mander, he realized he needed to hit the books dier is being able to help someone. When he
to stay relevant as a recruiter, as a Soldier and was a MP in Kosovo he came to the aid of a
as a father of three children. woman who was being fired at by a sniper and
Martinez just completed his first year of col- escorted her to safety. As a Soldier on recruiting
lege and influenced his staff to enroll in at least duty, he continues to help change lives through
one college course each semester. With credits them securing new careers.
5
 Heeding the call, an area pastor begins journey
to become a chaplain
Story by John L. Thompson III

Army Chaplain Candidate

David Sisco takes a moment
for reflection in the sanctuary
of the South Drive Baptist
Church, Channelview, Texas
where this associate pastor
shares his passion for God and
scripture. Sisco is slated to
complete all his military train-
ing and civilian educa-
tion requirements over the next
three years to become an Army
Chaplain. (Photo by John L.
Thompson III, Houston Recruit-
ing Battalion)

Channelview, Texas – As a teen, David Sisco wanted to be a Soldier. After the Army told the
then high school student no, he answered the call from God and entered the ministry. Years later
a door opened for this pastor to become a Soldier – an Army chaplain.
Sisco’s desires to serve in the Army comes from a love of the outdoors, deep felt patriotism and
a desire to follow family members into military service. His maternal grandfather served as a
Marine in the Pacific Theatre during WW II. His paternal grandfather served in Korea during the
Korean War. Both his father and his brother spent time in the Navy. In high school, Sisco joined
the Army JROTC program.
“Once I got into high school there was an Army ROTC unit and that is when I really fell in love
with the Army,” Sisco admitted. “It was that exposure that caught my eye. I went to enlist when I
was 17. They have what they called at the time the delayed entry program where you enter sum-
mer before your senior year, go to “boot camp,” come back, finish your senior year and then go in.
When I went in to take my physical exam, an Air Force doctor discovered I had scoliosis severe
enough that in five minutes my dreams of a military career was gone.”
In high school, Sisco was a varsity cross-country runner. He rappelled off 200-foot cliffs and
taught others to rappel. He was a member of the Ranger Team in his JROTC. Despite his strenu-
ous activities, his appeal was denied.
Sisco accepted disqualification with disappointment. He says he was so wrapped up in what he
wanted, he discounted what he felt God planned for him. He entered the seminary and put to rest
his thoughts of military service.
“That whole senior year I spent my time, you could say, “soul searching,” and praying and half-
way through my senior year I knew that God had orchestrated the chain of events,” Sisco ob-
served. “What some people thought was a bad thing; I know that God meant it for good reasons.
If nothing else it got my attention.” (The Call cont. on page 7)
6
 After nine years in the ministry, Sisco felt joy
ministering to the needs of his church. He found
the path which could benefit his God, fellow man
and raise a family. His disappointment with
being disqualified for Army service faded.
However, 18 months ago, a Facebook con-
versation with a former high school classmate
brought up Army service. That friend suggested
he could enlist, not as an infantryman, but as a
chaplain.
A few days after the conversation, Sisco
logged onto Facebook and a popup ad startled
him. It asked him if he wanted to become an
Army chaplain. He thought how very odd just
days after he spoke with someone about being a
chaplain the ad appeared. Five days later, a
friend contacted him to tell him about how he be-
came a chaplain in the Air Force. That prompted
Sisco to call a recruiter. With the help of that re-
cruiter, he filled out paperwork. He headed in to
take an physical examination, which he failed.
But that was not the end.
After doctors consultations, it was ruled
Sisco’s medical issues would not interfere with
him being a chaplain. Now, 13 years later, he
wants to be a Soldier again but now his motiva-
tion is different.
“I can now do both,” Sisco stated. “I can
serve him (God) in full-time ministry but also fulfill
what is a lifelong dream of mine to be in the mili-
tary.
“My philosophy is to serve those that serve,”
Sisco declared. “I look at the Army now as a
great mission. All the stresses Soldiers go
through, and the difficulties and the separations.
What an awesome opportunity to help those that
not only protect our country but they keep my
family safe.”
Before Sisco can become a chaplain, he must
complete his master’s degree work. Sisco is in
his third semester in a curriculum heavy on coun-
seling techniques. He understands military
members and their families need someone with
counseling skills to address issues such as Captain Christina Valentine, personnel
separation, anxiety and marital relationships. officer in the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion
“It is neat the Army Chaplain Corps’ motto is in Houston issues the oath of enlistment,
“For God and Country,” Sisco commented. “I get making David Sisco a second lieutenant and
to continue to serve my God and serve my coun- starting him on his path to becoming an
try, which I have always longed to do and to do it Army Chaplain. (Photo by John L.
in a very personal way.” Thompson III, Houston Recruiting Battalion)

7
(Airborne Cont. from Page 2) sonal life. Still active in sports, he plays flag football,
Albania, one role he relished was being the one per- bowls in a league, coaches his son’s soccer team and
son deciding when and where Soldiers would plunge works with his daughter’s color guard.
via parachute to earth. An important part of his life, Murphy loves spend-
“You are in charge of all those personnel, the ing time with his kids. With a daughter, 16, and son,
equipment, the bird (plane) and you are in charge of 7, having time for the two is a challenge. With new
the safety of it all,” Murphy grinned. “That can be a recruiting hour standards, he is consistently home for
scary and daunting task. It is thrilling as well.” dinner and during evenings and weekends. Unless he
Murphy said that despite his ability to jump out of is taking someone for testing or escorting a prospect
an aircraft hundreds of feet above the ground he is to an event, he is at home for dinner every night. Be-
afraid of heights. He would rather make a tactical ing together builds cohesion in his family. Murphy
parachute jump with all his equipment than hang said during the 1950s, families knew every night what
Christmas lights on his garage roof. time they were having dinner. Eating and being to-
During Murphy’s 10 years in recruiting, he earned gether made stronger families then and with the new
the respect of fellow recruiters, awards for finding and recruiting schedule, Murphy works with his wife and
enlisting men and women into the Army, and was children to make the “family unit” a strong unit for life.
named Station Commander of the Month in the U.S. And jumping out of an airplane is not a require-
Army Recruiting Battalion in Houston for October ment.
2010. Murphy is a member of the Sergeant Audie
Murphy Club. Only a tiny fraction of NCOs compete
and are accepted into the club. Those who succeed
are the most knowledgeable and proficient members
of the NCO Corps. Audie Murphy entered WW II rose
through the enlisted ranks, earning the Congressional
Medal of Honor. Later in the war, he was awarded a
battlefield commission. He was the most highly deco-
rated Soldier who served in WW II.
Ryan Murphy’s professionalism is one facet he
finds attracts prospects to want to become Soldiers.
“I talk with the applicants and the prospects,” Mur-
phy indicated, “Anyone I meet on the street and I have
a genuine enthusiasm for what I do in the Army. I
don’t really consider myself a “recruiter.” I consider
myself a Soldier and convey that when I talk to people
I meet out on the street and they respect that.
“It helps me gain a rapport with people. They can
see I have a genuine interest in what I do. That gets
them interested in what I do. So, by telling them some
of the stories and things I have done in the Army,
some of the things my friends have done in the Army
it helps me convey what the Army is all about. It can
help put them in that picture of how they can do the
same thing.”
Murphy said he helps candidates explore the var-
ied jobs the Army has available.
In the office, Murphy said he leads the Soldiers in
his station “from the front.” It means he sets a posi- Sergeant 1st Class Ryan Murphy, station commander
tive, professional example, works side-by-side with of the U.S. Army Recruiting Station, Bryan, Texas
talks with a Future Soldier to ensure that Soldier is
the Soldiers and is not “afraid to get his hands dirty.” prepared to travel to initial training soon. (Photo by
Murphy’s sense of teamwork extends into his per- John L. Thompson III, Houston Recruiting Battalion)

8
March is Women’s History Month

Brother joins brother in choosing U.S. Army Reserve

Story and Photo by John L. Thompson III Both, however, plan to use their enlistment educational
Houston – Often a younger brother or sister follows the benefits to pay for college. Joshua plans to attend the down-
lead of an older sibling, one 21-year-old young man followed town campus of University of Houston, while Darius has set
his younger brother’s example by joining him as a member of his sights on Baylor University.
the U.S. Army Reserve. Curlin said the brothers’ aunt, who is stationed at Fort
Younger brother Pvt. 1st Class Joshua Crawford gradu- Bragg, N.C. – Spec. Christopher Gibbs – supported and en-
ated from North Shore High School in Houston. During his couraged their enlistments. Curlin says Gibb’s hopes the pair
weekend battle assemblies in the U.S. Army Reserve, he will attend college while serving their country.
serves as a Human Resource Specialist for an engineer unit
in Northwest Houston. Older brother Darius Crawford is a
Booker T. Washington High School graduate, who enlisted
for a Combat Engineer job. Once he completes Army train-
ing, he will serve in an aviation unit in Conroe. Sgt. 1st Class Lisa Curlin of
Sgt. 1st Class Lisa Curlin, Army recruiter for the North the North Shore Recruiting
Shore Recruiting Station, says the bond between the two sib- Station stands between
lings led to the older brother’s enlistment. Joshua and Darius Craw-
ford, brothers who entered
“It was soon after his brother returned from Army training the U.S. Army Reserve and
that he (Darius) came in,” Curlin said. “Darius had to find out will serve near home and
what Joshua went through and then it was no problem for him take advantage of educa-
to come in (and enlist.)” tion benefits at area col-
Both the brothers were eligible for enlistment bonuses. leges. (Photo by John L.
Thompson III, U.S. Army
Joshua used his bonus money to buy a car to commute to Recruiting Battalion, Hous-
school. Darius hasn’t decided what to do with his bonus ton)
money yet.

9
 (Author Cont. from Page 10) better.
He daily sees the desire to excel in young
For me it is God. For others they may have men and women’s hearts, but like him in his
some thing different …but in the end, it’s a youth, they have no formalized plan. Caroth-
matter of faith.” ers says he works with them to include how
Self-motivated, Carothers hopes to con- to deal with issues like finances and educa-
tinue to build on his successes and seek tion.
higher levels of achievement. He says his When can we expect to read Sgt. 1st
leadership style is to lead while working Class Rory Carothers’ book? Not anytime
alongside his Soldiers; to pass along the soon. With the rigors of recruiting duty, op-
knowledge he gleaned from years of experi- portunities to indulge in family life with his
ence to aid in their respective success. wife and five children and working on a mar-
For 14 years, Carothers served as a re- keting degree, his book has been shelved.
cruiter and, later, as station commander. But with Rory Carothers, it’s a sure bet he
During first five years of his active Army ser- will have that book ready before he takes his
vice, he trained as a Nuclear Biological final bow as a Soldier.
Chemical Specialist, but was selected to run
his unit’s retention program; this well may
have been the catalyst guiding him toward
recruiting. During those14 years of recruiting
duty, he estimates he helped 600 people
enlist.
Carothers claims past recruiters who
helped him join the Army more than 20 years
ago were just doing a job. But with him, he
says, it’s more personal.
“I try to instill in my recruiters that we are
dealing with lives,” he explains. “This ap-
proach has helps me. Overall, I think it helps
when you treat applicants like people.”
Carothers says he keeps an open mind
and an open heart when working with pros-
pects. He says the Army may be the experi-
ence that may change a person’s life for the

The “Strike First” is an authorized publication for members of the

U.S. Army produced quarterly by the Houston Recruiting Battalion
personnel under AR 360-1. Contents of the “First Strike” are not
necessarily official views of or endorsed by, the U.S. Government,
Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the Houston
Recruiting Battalion. Circulation: 1000. The “First Strike” wel-
comes editorial submissions but reserves the right to edit submitted
material to ensure it complies with Army policy and Associated
Press journalistic standards. All submitted copy should be typed
and submitted prior to the 1st day of each calendar quarter unless
otherwise arranged with the editor. Mailing address:
Advertising and Public Affairs Office; U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Commander....
Lt. Col. Michael A. Bottiglieri
Houston, 1919 Smith Street, Suite 1529, Houston, TX 77002-1529, Chief A & PA … William C. Grimes
Telephone: 713-209-3222 Fax: 713-209-3176. Electronic mail sub- Editor………....John L. Thompson III
missions are encouraged: JOHN.THOMPSON@usarec.army.mil

10
Army Recruiter believes
in the “second chance”
Story and Photo by John L. Thompson III
————————————————————

College Station, Texas – When Sgt. Juan

Pastrana was young, he made mistakes that
would have torpedoed most people’s future but
a wakeup call “behind bars” turned him toward
Army service.
Now he talks to troubled youth about how life
doesn’t end after making bad decisions as a
teen.
Like many of his peers, Sgt. Pastrana was a
high-spirited teen in his high school in Orlando,
Fla. What he did got him kicked out of high
school and put in a school in juvenile detention.
It was in that environment that made him deter-
mined to turn his life around.
Tougher than he looks, Sgt. Juan Pastrana is
“I graduated high school when I was 20,” trained to train others in hand-to-hand combat
Pastrana explained. “It shows I refused to quit and is training for brown belt in jujitsu and during
until I turned my life around 180 degrees. his 15 months in Iraq he placed well in two Army
Pastrana remembers the teens he went to tournaments. (Photo by John L. Thompson III,
school with and understands there are bright Houston Recruiting Battalion)
prospects who, like he, fell into bad company or
were not able to make in a traditional high follows,” Pastrana says. “You need integrity in
school setting. your daily job.”
“I work closely with Caldwell M.E.D. (Making For youth with a checkered past, being able
Education Diverse) program, which deals with to be trusted and to trust others is an important
students who had dropped out, had a problem part for being able to be part of a team. And
with authority or has had a child or other situa- Pastrana says the Army is all about teamwork.
tion. I relate my story to them, which goes along Pastrana often works with Texas high school
well with them. I did go on the wrong path and students in Somerville, Caldwell and Anderson.
so have they. They went on the wrong path and He said the Army provides an alternative oppor-
now they are trying to correct their way, just like tunity to those who after graduation have little
I did.” choice but to gravitate back to the farm or oil
Caldwell M.E.D. includes non-traditional stu- fields. But someone like Sgt. Juan Pastrana is
dents who work to support a household. always willing to provide a sympathetic ear to
Pastrana has prospects make two mental those young men and women whose potential
checklists. One is the present situation with a was blunted by poor choices or circumstances
possible area future. The other is the choice of to help them achieve a better life, perhaps start-
an Army career with all the education and bene- ing with an Army career.
fits that are available.
Pastrana, like his fellow recruiters are re-
sponsible for preparing Future Soldiers for their
transition from civilian to Soldier. Integrity is one
of the Seven Army Values all Future Soldiers
learn and all Soldiers apply.
“If you don’t have integrity, nothing else
11
Black History Month Remembered

Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th

Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on
September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The nickname was given to the “Negro Cavalry” by the Na-
tive American tribes they fought; the term eventually became
synonymous with all of the African-American regiments
formed in 1866:
9th Cavalry Regiment
10th Cavalry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Regiment
Although several African-American regiments were raised
during the Civil War to fight alongside the Union Army
(including the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the
many United States Colored Troops Regiments), the “Buffalo
Soldiers” were established by Congress as the first peacetime
all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army.
On September 6, 2005, Mark Matthews, who was the oldest
living Buffalo Soldier, died at the age of 111. He was buried at
Arlington National Cemetery.

The Buffalo Soldier statue "Answering the Call" was dedicated Sept. 21, in downtown Lawton, Okla., on
the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Plaza at 2nd Street and Gore Boulevard. The 9-foot, 800-pound bronze
piece was created by Lawton sculptor Dr. Gary Gardner. (Photo Jeff Crawley (Fort Sill)
12
 “Army Strong through Strong Families”
Soldier and Family Assistance Program Manager Update
By Mrs. Michelle Borjas, Soldier and Family Assistance Program Manager

For 15 years, first as a Soldier
and then as a spouse of a Sol-
dier, Michelle Borjas gained
knowledge and experience
and worked to help Soldiers
effectively take care of their families. Less than a
month ago she landed here as the new Soldier and
Family Assistance Program Manager.
From 1996 to 2005, Borjas did her best to develop
programs to help Soldiers and their families through
research and trial-and-error, mainly because many
Army posts did not have formalized programs in
place.
Borjas served as Family Support Group Leader and
then Family Readiness Leader spending a number of
years at the Warrior Transition Center at Fort Bragg,
N.C. Borjas worked through a non-profit agency near
Fort Campbell, Ky., that coordinated family support
programs in two states. That agency is Operation
Homefront, which provides emergency financial and
other assistance to the families of service members
and wounded warriors.
Borjas said she is working through the same issues
Soldiers and their families encounter when moving to
an area where there is no military post and it gives her
insight as where her future areas of focus need to be
to best help the troops.
“The number one issue I have seen so far is TRI-
CARE,” Borjas explained. “Soldiers and families do
not understand how the process works. Not under-
standing there are steps Soldiers and families must
take in order to stay current in the health system.
Many families are not current in our region. So that
means they are getting enormous medical bills.”
Borjas said because the proper procedures were not
followed to register that slows down the process for
reimbursement. Claims must be resubmitted, which
creates a wave of financial issues for the Soldier. Un-
resolved financial issues can negatively affect a Sol-
diers security clearance.
Borjas said by going to the Humana Military Web
site (http://www.humana-military.com/) Soldiers and
families can follow easy to follow instructions to insure
problems do not occur.
“The site has step-by-step instructions as to how
to change your region,” Borjas explained. “And how
to locate a doctor in your area and to make sure the
doctor takes the TRICARE you are on. Next, make
sure you get a referral for all further medical needs.
Many of the doctors located (Strong Families Cont. Page 14)

Thoughts to recruit by … from Clint Eastwood

I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to
rain, it will.

I've never met a genius. A genius to me is someone who does well at something he hates. Anybody can do well at
something he loves - it's just a question of finding the subject.

Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your
belt, that's real power.

Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better, you have to take things into your own hands.

There's a lot of great movies that have won the Academy Award, and a lot of great movies that haven't. You just
do the best you can.

We are like boxers, one never knows how much longer one has.
13
(Strong Families Cont. from Page 13)
off post do not understand the TRICARE system. But
TRICARE is different and you have to have referrals.”
Borjas looks forward to work with the battalion’s
companies. She encourages companies hold quar-
terly meetings at the company level. This will allow her
to work with the Soldiers and their families to keep pro-
grams such as TRICARE current. Quarterly meetings
can be enhanced by bringing speakers to address
common issues such as finances, marriage and stress.
It helps families get to know each other and find ways
to support each other. Activities such as family team
building exercises are on the horizon.
Borjas also plans to use assets from area commu-
nities and national companies.
“This job will never get done if I don’t think outside
the box,” Borjas said.
Borjas said in order for the battalion to be success-
ful, involvement from leaders at battalion, company
March is Women’s History Month
14
and station level is imperative. She maintains her
having direct communication with families provides cur-
rent information and resources available enables fami-
lies to sustain themselves miles away from instillation
support.
A final piece Borjas would like to work is to inproc-
ess families like the battalion inprocesses Soldiers, but
on a company level each quarter.
Michelle Borjas continues her mission of caring for
Soldiers and their families. For Houston Battalion Sol-
diers and their families, it is an opportunity to enhance
their lives with the help of an experienced and compas-
sionate hand at the wheel.
Michelle K. Borjas, MSM
Soldier & Family Assistance Program Manager
Houston Recruiting Battalion Houston, TX 77001
Phone: 713-588-4034
Email: michelle.borjas@us.army.mil
michelle.borjas@usarec.army.mil
Annual Training Conference 2011

(Right) Staff Sergeant

Camila Fontes receives
one of the final Glen E.
Morrell for recruiting ex-
cellence. The award is
no longer to be awarded
as recruiting proce-
dures now focus on
Soldiers working as a
team, rather than count-
ing on individual efforts.

(Left) Staff Sgt. Nirettzy

Schmidt-Velez, Sgt. Audie
Murphy Club member and
Staff Sgt. Paul Everhart, bat-
talion NCO of the Year for
FY 10 pay homage to those
servicemembers who remain missing in action.
15
 (Top left) Chaplain Major Joseph
Riley addresses the spiritual needs
of spouses attending the battalion
annual training conference. Riley
addressed issues including family
stress and marriage .
Major General Donald Campbell,
USAREC Commander and Colonel Christo-
pher Himsl acknowledge the sacrifices and
extra effort of spouses involved in family
support. (Above right) Mrs. Amy Gordon,
wife of Staff Sgt. Jason Gordon has her ef-
forts applauded and (middle left) Mrs. Kim
Silvrants, wife of Sgt. Jared Silvrants and
Mrs. Rochelle Schiffman, wife of Maj. Jairo
Schiffman receive a salute from the battalion
for their efforts encouraging family support
activities. (Bottom left) Ms. Kathy Mackie,
Employment Specialist operating under
Goodwill Industries of Houston discusses
ways for spouses to gain employment in the
communities they are located. (Photos by
John L. Thompson III, Houston Battalion)
16
Mr. Shelby Norris (top) as Master of
Ceremonies during the Annual Train-
ing Conference Banquet pauses for ef-
fect during the program. (Above right)
Operations NCOIC Master Sgt. Juan
Dozier stresses a point while talking
about operations procedures. (Above
left) Mr. Calvin Westray and Ms.
Theresa Henderson review personnel
forms to confirm changes to Soldiers
records. (Right) Mr. Bill Roach and Ms. Rebecca Smith review clothing and vehicle
maintenance records to ensure everything is “dress right dress.”

17
 Overcoming the loss
through death of quarter-
back Reggie Garrett Jr.,
the West Orange-Stark
Mustangs kept spirits
alive and succeeded in
having a successful sea-
son. The West Orange
High School team was
named “Army Strong
Texas 3A Team of the
Year.” (Right to left)
Taking the floor are foot-
ball players Darius Robin-
son and Mark Roberts,
Football Coach Dan
Hooks, Captain Charles
Carroll and Sgt. 1st Class
Kelly Heathman during
Orange Texas 3A football team deemed the presentation of the
award. (Photos by John
“Army Strong Texas Team of the Year” L. Thompson III, Houston
Recruiting Battalion)
Orange, Texas – In Texas, football is “king”
and each year for the last four years, the U.S.
Army linked up with a Texas football magazine to
choose high school football teams in different
classes as “Team of the Year” because of what
makes that team rise above the others.
The West Orange-Stark Mustangs advanced
to the second round of the Class-3A state football
playoffs after going undefeated in Dist. 21-3A
despite losing senior quarterback Reggie Garrett
Jr., who died of natural causes early in the sea-
son. According to Brad Hilliard, Operations and
Events Manager for Dave Campbell’s Texas
Football magazine, team of the year honors are
awarded for more than a winning record.
“This is for a team in the eyes of our staff and
the eyes of the U.S. Army where the team has a season
where they rose above expectations; they achieved greatness “This is truly a great honor for West Orange-Stark, the
whether that meant finishing as a state champion or not. We community, the faculty and the staff,” Hooks said, “but mostly
are familiar with not only what you football team, but what for this group of football players. We truly appreciate this.”
your community went through in the past couple of months.” “Yes, they did overcome adversity,” Hooks said, “a trau-
Hilliard went on to say as someone who suffered a trau- matic event but they rose above it and played well and went
matic loss as a teenager his heart went out to the football into the playoffs. I’m proud of them.”
team, the coach, the staff and the community. The award came at an auspicious occasion helping the
Representing the Army were Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Heath- school make the transition complete from football to basket-
man from the Orange Recruiting Station and Beaumont Com- ball season with the introduction of this year’s boys and girls
pany Commander Captain Charles Carroll, who presented basketball teams.
this trophy for “Army Strong Texas Team of the Year” to Head
Football Coach Dan Hooks.
18