Job Announcements as of Aug 26 2011

These job openings were sent to me - please review the announcements for the points of contact.  Good luck!

SOCOM Course Coordinator

DESCRIPTION Spectrum is seeking qualified, highly skilled individuals to perform as Language Course Coordinators for Special Operations Forces  personnel which may cover multiple languages. The instruction will include language courses using communicative, student-centered, and/or task-based foreign or second language teaching strategies for adults. This is a supervision and management position for multiple courses and instructors. Full time positions are available in multiple locations. Qualified candidates at large sites will report to an on-site manager and at smaller sites may report to a remote manager.  RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES •         In charge of the day-to-day management of training, supervision of classes, monitoring, and counseling/guidance of students. •         Responsible for oversight of the language and cultural training classes, including overall supervision and coordination of work. •         Responsible for frequent monitoring of classroom instruction (weekly or more often for instructors assigned) and evaluation of instructors, managing the classroom and teaching methodology.  Recommends and implements corrective action as needed. •         Responsible for researching, evaluating and ordering of new curriculum materials, supplies and equipment. •         Coordinates curriculum committees and advisory boards to relate curriculum materials to specific subject area and student needs, and to maintain continuity of instruction. •         Work with USG POCs as required insuring training agendas are achieved.  •         Serve as teacher trainers, helping teachers become experts in their subject areas and selecting what areas to concentrate on in their classes. •         Establish and maintain a working relationship with military POCs to insure future development of the program. •         Oversee personnel providing technical support for language labs and admin support for records. •         Provide counseling and guidance to students and interface with the local military POCs to resolve issues. •         Responsible for tracking class metrics and produce weekly and monthly reports for consolidation. Responsible for evaluating and tracking metrics on enrollments, attendance, student progress, scheduling, and other weekly and monthly reports, etc.  •         Assists in monitoring and implementation of a “quality assurance” program which includes periodic monitoring, assessment and corrective action.  ADDITIONAL DUTIES  •         Stays abreast of trends in curriculum development and instructional aids and methods, serving as a resource for teachers. •         Become experts on training standards set by the USG, the Defense Language Institute and the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. •         Represents the company as required on-site with appropriate government personnel. •         Qualified candidates may be required to observe and travel of off-site training. •         Assists the Site Manager to maintain accountability of all expenses, company and Government Furnished Equipment and other resources. •         Assists the Site Manager with all Task Orders, requirements determination, and invoicing procedures within the program. •         Assists the Site Manager and Instructors with development and conduct of training.   WORKING LOCATIONS  Main locations are:  Fort Bragg, NC; San Diego, CA; Norfolk, VA; Hurlbert Field, FL; Camp LeJeune, NC; and Camp Pendleton, CA.  Required QUALIFICATIONS •         Associates Degree in a Humanities discipline. •         Must be eligible to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance •         Working proficiency in a second language desired with (a language rating of Interagency Language Roundtable level 2 / 2 /2 or ACTFL Advanced-High) in speaking, reading and listening modalities. •         Must have completed formal study of the English Language with sufficient proficiency of at least level 2 as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language or a score of no less than 79 on the English Comprehension Level (ECL) test. •         At least 2 yrs recent of experience with instruction; or training management.   •         2 years of related Served as a Staff NCO or an Company Grade Officer in the US Armed Forces (with an Honorable Discharge) •         Live within 60 miles of the Military Installation •         Experience with developing, coaching, and mentoring staff  Desired QUALIFICATIONS •         Bachelor's Degree •         Current Top Secret Clearance •         Graduate of a Service School Instructor Certification Course •         Proficiency in a second language acquired in an academic environment GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS  •         Ability to show an inspirational leadership style that promotes innovation and collaboration and fosters commitment •         Possession of excellent influencing and problem-solving •         Able to work with culturally diverse and sensitive populations •         Able to deal with diverse personalities and requests on a large and fast paced environment •         Ability to perform as a results-oriented individual •         Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (intermediate to expert) – to include Outlook Please contact: Capt. (USN Ret) David Jones djones@spectrumgrp.com 703-683-4222

________________________________________

Two locations:  Damn Neck and Whidbey Island WA.  Preference to Ranger/SOF veterans, then veterans.  Contact scott_higgins1635@msn.com for information.



Position Duties:


* Perform system administration on Windows and Linux systems in a Virtual and physical environment with hands on approach supporting production resources.
* Install, maintain, and support all variants of Windows, Red Hat, Fedora, Debian, CentOS, servers and workstations and applications loaded on them.
* Specific applications and services that are supported but not limited to; Squid proxy, Apache, IIS, WSUS, Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, MYSQL, PHP, AutoFS, SSH, NFS, SAMBA, and LVM.
* Troubleshoot basic end to end networking problems involving switches, routers, workstations, servers, VLANS, and other IT devices and or services.
* Create, update and maintain documentation related to system administration processes and procedures.
* Creating and management of users and groups in a Microsoft Active Directory and Exchange 2003 environment.
* Tracking and resolving local user hardware and software issues.
* Performing regular maintenance duties such as patching, upgrades, and migrations.
* Maintaining inventory of organizational hardware and software assets.
* Working with low voltage cabling to include pulling, terminating, and testing CAT 5 cable.
* Testing and implementation of new hardware and/ or software features and services.
* Focus on IA and DIACAP requirements to maintain AO and IAO status of systems
* Knowledge of DoD 8500 Series, NIST and certification requirements required to keep systems in compliance



Position Requirements:


* Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret level Security Clearance
* Must be a United States Citizen
* Able to integrate with new technology and find better avenues to improve current IT services and or hardware.
* Must be highly motivated and possess a mid-level skill set in Windows Systems Administration
* Must possess strong troubleshooting, analytical and communication skills.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Strong attention to details
* Strong work ethic and commitment to quality
* Ability to write or work with Technical writers to create testing documents and/or procedure manuals
* Strong organizational skills, ability to self govern and multi-task
* Ability to work in a fast paced environment, multi-task and balance multiple goals and priorities.
* Ability to work with others in a highly collaborative environment
* Willingness to work overtime on an as needed basis
* Possible Travel (less than 15%)



Education and Experience:


* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field preferred
* Minimum of three years of relevant experience
* DoD 8570.1M IAT / IAM level 3 certification
* Strong computer hardware and software background
* Knowledge of Open Source IT technology alternatives a plus

____________________________________________________

Procter & Gamble's Iowa City Beauty & Grooming facility has posted a requisition on its external P&G website for a very limited number of Production Technician positions.  This posting will be used to fill immediate opportunities in November/December 2011.  If you have friends/relatives interested in P&G employment, please share the following information with them in order to apply on-line.

Production Technician - Job Number    MFG00003088

 PROCTER & GAMBLE MANUFACTURING POSITIONS AVAILABLE

P&G is seeking applicants to fill the following positions at its Iowa City facility:

Production Technician - Job Number MFG00003088
A high school diploma or GED is required. Starting wage is $16.68/hr.

Production technicians work rotating shifts. Production occurs on all 7 days of the week.  P&G offers competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package. For a more detailed job description and to apply, go to www.pg.com  Carefully read information posted on each screen as you follow the steps listed below:

1) Select "Careers" from tab at top of screen
2) Locate "Find Apply for a Job" on right side of screen
3) Click on "Enter Here"
4) Under "Find and Apply for Jobs" locate "OR Enter Job Number," enter MFG00003088, click on "Search"
5) Click on "Search for Jobs" toward bottom of screen, then "Manufacturing-Production Technician-Iowa City, IA
6) Read the Job Description. Click on "Apply Online"
7) Click on "New User"
8) Enter information, click on "Register", follow prompts

Applications are accepted via the Internet ONLY at www.pg.com Communication with applicants is via e-mail, so please use an active account.  NO phone calls please.

Women, Minorities, Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.
Procter & Gamble is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


______________________________________________________________________


Deputy Manager of Aviation Operations at Denver International Airport (DIA, Extended)


______________________________________________________________________

Ranger Tim Kennedy and H.O.O.A.H

I write this with sorrow as I hear today that a helicopter containing Special Operations Forces was shot down in Afghanistan, killing 31 Americans and 7 Afghan Commandos.  Initial reports say that the majority of the killed are Navy SEALS.  God be with them, their families and their comrades.

Ranger Up invited Ranger Mike Schlitz and I to be their guests at the Strikeforce and M-1 Global Fedor vs. Henderson match, featuring Ranger Tim Kennedy fighting Robbie Lawler.  Full set of photos here.

Ranger Tim Kennedy wins over Robbie Lawler, at the 1:40 minute mark Tim brings up Ranger SFC (ret) Mike Schlitz!

Why Tim Kennedy Won't Stop Talking About the Military, Even If You Want Him To

Deadliest Warrior:  Ranger Tim Kennedy was the Ranger featured in this episode.  Parts are corny but Tim was AWESOME!

and in a trifecta, Tim was featured on the cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine, with a nice article in the pub.  Go buy it now!

Ranger Up is an amazing veteran owned business.  Check out their website and buy something!

Karl interviews Ranger veteran Bob Sebastian, founder of H.O.O.A.H on The New American Veteran.  Bob has created Help Out Our American Heroes (H.O.O.A.H) to assemble and ship care packages to Ranger units (and others) deployed overseas. The most requested item for the care packages?  Copenhagen!  Support their effort by sending a check or mailing non-perishable items (Cope, beef jerky) to this address:

H.O.O.A.H.

13645 Northdale Blvd

Rogers, MN 55374

Missing credentials harm jobless veterans (article).  This article does a very good job of talking about the frustration with a veteran who ran the postal service in a combat zone, but isn't "qualified" to do the same thing in the U.S.

POTUS announced a new initiative aimed at helping reduce veteran unemployment, and the Dept of Labor just released new numbers:  

9.0% unemployment rate for all U.S. population

8.6%  unemployment rate of ALL veterans

7.3, 8.5, 8.2 % unemployment rate for Gulf War, WWII/Korea, Vietnam and other eras

Veterans post-Gulf War (current GWOT)

12.1% male

14.1% female

12.4% all

Note that Desert Storm and earlier report a lower than national average unemployment rate, while post Desert Storm is significantly higher (33% more if you're male, 56% more if female).

Navy veteran Matt Flavin, Director of Wounded Warrior and Veteran Policy for the White House writes in the White House blog:  Putting Our Veterans Back to Work.

Vote for GallantFew in the Pepsi Refresh Everything Competition.  We are competing for a $50k grant to help us refine our volunteer/veteran mentor database - the top 10 are eligible for the grant, we are sitting around #80.  Vote every day at this link:  www.refresheverything.com/gallantfew and also text 108109 to 73774 (standard text rates apply).

Received this from 1/75:  SGM Jack Schmidt Memorial Bench:

SGM Jack Schmidt was and is an inspiration to many Rangers – of all eras.  His  Ranger Buddies are asking you to contribute to the purchase of a Memorial Bench with bronze plaque as seen in the inserted photo.  The approximate cost of the bench is $1700.00.  Any donation will be greatly appreciated!  If you are associated with a website, please post if your site permits.

All donations can be mailed to Shelia Dudley, 520 E. Harris Street, Savannah, Georgia.  Please annotate on your check and envelope“Schmidt Memorial”.  When enough funds are collected, we will place the order and notify you of the date of installation in the 1/75 Memorial.  If you have not had the opportunity to visit the 1/75 Memorial at Hunter Army Airfield, please do – you are always welcome!

RLTW!

Shelia Dudley

Project Manager

1^st Ranger Battalion Memorial

Here's a vintage clip about the Ranger's raid on Cabanatuan.  Used to be called "rare" but now it's on youtube!  RLTW!

Homeland Security Job Opportunities:

08/02/2011
Homeland Security Today - Online
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Ports of Entry (PoE) on the Southern border that are undergoing major expansion, like the PoE at Nogales, Arizona, and are in need of new officers, will start seeing an influx of additional officers this next year as fresh hires get their assignments. These new officers are being hired as part of a major new CBP recruiting drive.

CBP is currently looking to hire at least 1,300 CBP officers to work at PoEs, a CBP spokesperson told Homeland Security Today Monday following CBP's announcement of its new hiring initiative.

In addition, 1,000 additional Border Patrol agents will be hired “to work between the ports on the southwest border,” according to a CBP spokesperson.

CBP is building two new Ports of Entry at locations where the existing PoE's receive about 100 cars on its busiest days, according to a veteran CBP officer on the Southern border.

CBP had earlier hired 250 officers and 1,000 Border Patrol agents for fiscal year 2011 pursuant to a supplemental border bill in 2010. Another 1,200 Border Patrol agents were “hired to account for attrition,” the spokesperson explained.

The veteran CBP official told Homeland Security Today that “what the Ports of Entry need are [more] K9 officers. They need to be able to run dogs on every shift. In [one] section they have five PoEs. Money and drugs are a huge problem going both in and out. Yet, in my opinion, we do not have the protection in order to deter, detect nor discover these illicit cargo shipments. The CBP needs to get more dogs at their land PoEs. There should be enough dogs to ensure that they can cover the volume of traffic 24/7.” ...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA).  All eligible U.S. Citizens and Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) applicants are encouraged to apply.   

VRA eligible applicants include the following:  Disabled veterans; veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a military operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or veterans separated from active duty within the past three years.  For more information on VRA eligibility, please visit http://www.opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp#VRA-Authority.

We are currently recruiting for the Southwestern border region (States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and southern California).  To go to the announcement click this link:  BPA 11-2 or type in the following address in your browser:  http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=101233200

GallantFew still needs your help!  We are proud to list four new Founding Donors ($1,000 or more) and our march towards our 11/11/11 goal of raising $111,111 continues.  You can make a tax deductible donation by sending a check to GallantFew, Inc, 6505 E. Central #205, Wichita KS 67206 or online at https://www.gallantfew.org/donate.html.

thanks for your support - Rangers Lead the Way!

Karl

75th Ranger Regiment Requests Assistance with Wall of Honor

‎


75th Ranger Regiment Wall of Honor needs our assistance with photos, bios, or family contact information for the following fallen Rangers. If you have any information, photos, etc., please forward directly to ranger@gallantfew.org, I will forward to the appropriate person at Regiment. The Regimental Wall of Honor has photos and bios of our fallen, both in combat and training. Please help, and please send this to your friends from the past. RLTW!

RANK NAME DATE ISSUE
PVT JOHN P YOUNG AUGUST 09 1975 NO BIO
COL JOHN T KENEALLY OCTOBER 29 1992 NO BIO & WRONG LOC
PFC WILLIAM J COBB MAY 01 1976 NO BIO
CSM HENRY A CARO NOVEMBER 06 1976 NO BIO
SPC JAMES E QUICK NOVEMBER 06 1976 NO BIO
MAJ JAMES BRYAN SEPTEMBER 06 1977 NO BIO
SP4 WILLIAM A MCTIGUE JANUARY 19 1978 NO BIO
PVT GILBERT ALANIZ JR JANUARY 25 1980 NO BIO
PVT MICHAEL J SANDERS JANUARY 25 1980 NO BIO
SFC JIMMIE D BYNUM SEPTEMBER 21 1981 NO BIO
SPC JOHN P CRITSELOUS SEPTEMBER 21 1981 NO BIO
PFC LONNIE J FURR SEPTEMBER 21 1981 NO BIO
CPT GREGORY E GARDNER SEPTEMBER 21 1981 NO BIO
PFC KEVIN E LANGLEY SEPTEMBER 21 1981 NO BIO
LTC WILLIAM E POWELL SEPTEMBER 21 1981 NO BIO
SPC VINCENT S BARCLAY FEBUARY 02 1982 NO BIO
SGT JOHNNY W DANFORD FEBUARY 02 1982 NO BIO
SP4 ROBERT A FORTUCCI APRIL 14 1982 NO BIO
SPC WILLIAM C HAYES APRIL 12 1983 NO BIO
PFC SHAWN L LAU JUNE 08 1983 NO BIO
SGT RANDY E CLINE OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
SGT PHILLIP S GRENIER OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
SGT KEVIN J LANNON OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
PFC MARLINE R MAYNARD OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
SGT MARK A RADEMACHER OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
PFC RUSSELL L ROBINSON OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
SGT STEPHEN E SLATER OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
SPC MARK O YAMANE OCTOBER 25 1983 NO BIO
CPT DREW HARRINGTON DECEMBER 16 1984 NO BIO
SP4 FRANCIS J ELDER SEPTEMBER 12 1985 NO BIO
SPC RUSSELL D HOBGOOD NOVEMBER 22 1985 NO BIO
PVT WESLEY D RUDESS JULY 30 1986 NO BIO
PVT EDGAR A PRATT JR DECEMBER 05 1986 NO BIO & LOCATION
SPC FRANK D WINTERS SEPTEMBER 25 1984 NO BIO
SGT NEIL SECOR NOVEMBER 22 1987 NO BIO & LOCATION
PFC ALLEN JOHNSON DECEMBER 29 1987 NO BIO & LOCATION
SGT DAVID W HUGHES SEPTEMBER 03 1988 NO BIO
SPC LARRY BARNARD DECEMBER 20 1989 NO BIO
SSG ROY BROWN JR DECEMBER 20 1989 NO BIO
PFC PHILLIP S LEAR DECEMBER 20 1989 NO BIO
SPC JAMES W MARKWELL DECEMBER 20 1989 NO BIO
PFC JOHN A PRICE DECEMBER 20 1989 NO BIO
PFC MICHAEL K FOLEY JANUARY 28 1991 NO BIO & LOCATION
PFC TOBY JOHN K.P. YOUNG JANUARY 28 1991 NO BIO & LOCATION
PFC JEREMY B BIRD OCTOBER 29 1992 NO BIO
SP4 BLAINE A MISHAK OCTOBER 29 1992 NO BIO
SGT HARVEY L MOORE OCTOBER 29 1992 NO BIO
1SG KENNETH W STAUSS OCTOBER 29 1992 NO BIO
LTC JEFFREY A PALMER NOVEMBER 18 1992 NO BIO
SSG ALVIS HICKS SEPTEMBER 22 1993 NO BIO
PFC JAMES M CAVACO OCTOBER 03 1993 NO BIO
CPL JAMES C JOYCE OCTOBER 03 1993 NO BIO
SGT RICHARD W KOWALEWSKI OCTOBER 03 1993 NO BIO
SGT DOMINICK M PILLA OCTOBER 03 1993 NO BIO
SGT LORENZO M RUIZ OCTOBER 03 1993 NO BIO
SGT JAMES E SMITH OCTOBER 03 1993 NO BIO
PV2 CHRISTOPHER L BROWN OCTOBER 18 1993 NO BIO
PFC DAVID W BENSON APRIL 04 1994 NO BIO & LOCATION
1SG GLENN HARRIS DECEMBER 04 1994 NO BIO
SGT ALPHONSE J HARNESS JANUARY 21 1995 NO BIO
PVT GREG M BELLETTI OCTOBER 30 1995 NO BIO
SGT JAMEY DIMASE SEPTEMBER 09 1999 NO BIO
SPC BRANDON E MILLER MAY 29 2003 NO BIO
PFC DEVIN K PEQUERO DECEMBER 16 2004 NO BIO
SPC BRIAN C HARRISON JUNE 29 2005 NO BIO
SSG CHRISTOPHER ROULUND AUGUST 15 2008 NO BIO
SSG PEDRO B LACERDA MAY 30 2010 NO BIO
SSG JEREMY A KATZENBERGER JUNE 14 2011 NO BIO - We have this on hand to add
SPC Christopher S. Wright AUG 19 2010 KIA in Konar Province, AFG


RLTW  Karl

Job Openings - 13 Series

Received this message just this morning.  I do not know personally the source, but it was referred to me through a reputable person.  Requesting your assistance in filling positions with my company on potential contracts scheduled for award in the immediate future. The following positions are open 

Mobile Training Team – Fort Sill, OK 
Project Leader 
Senior Trainer – 13A, 13Z (FA 00Z) 
Operations Analyst - LTC (Retired) , MAJ with FA experience 
MOS 13B Instructor 
MOS 13D Instructor 
MOS 13F Instructor 
MOS 13 M Instructor 
MOS 13P Instructor 
MOS 13R Instructor 

If interested, please send your resume to: www.CFDay.Net then go to HR


I do NOT have specifics on the positions - please go to the website link above for details.


RLTW Karl

TNAV: Jon Collins Band and Ranger Rendezvous 2011

This week I had the privilege of attending Ranger Rendezvous 2011 and the events surrounding the Change of Command from COL Kurilla to COL Odom.  Boone Cutler, author of Voodoo in Sadr City again guest-hosted The New American Veteran where he interviewed Jon Collins, of the Jon Collins Band.

Collins is releasing a new album, with the title track Hero.  Hero is dedicated to the US service men and women who have been injured during the last ten years.  A portion of the proceeds from this song will directly benefit organizations that work with and for wounded veterans.  Go to this website to learn more about the efforts to raise funds to produce the music video, and make a donation to help them out!  Listen to the interview here, and if you haven't listened to the Gary Sinise interview, go here for the archive.

Now to Ranger Rendezvous.

Day One featured Rangers from the Regiment parachuting onto Fryar Drop Zone and conducting a small raid demonstration and extraction by Osprey.  Later that day Plankholders (original 1/75 members) and other Rangers socialized at the Fort Benning Officer's Club and the US Army Ranger Association held a social at the Doubletree Hotel.

Day Two featured a Regimental three-mile run, the State of the Regiment Brief and selected individuals inducted as Distinguished and Honorary Members of the Regiment.  Some very interesting details from the State of the Regiment Brief:

• The Regiment has increased in size, with an authorized strength now exceeding 3,500 Rangers.
• The Regiment has 55 Military Occupational Skills (MOS)
• Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) has drastically altered attrition.  Pre-RASP, Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) screened Rangers and sent them straight to a battalion.  Approximately 70% of RIP students graduated, and the Regiment's Release for Standards (RFS) rate approached 40%.  Now RASP graduates about 39% and sends them on to battalion and the RFS rate is less than 12%.
• The Regiment has suffered 55 Killed in Action and 551 Wounded in Action.  Eight Rangers remain in long-term hospitalization.
• Thirteen service dogs have given their lives, saving Rangers in the process.
• The ideal RASP candidate GT score is 107 and the average score of Rangers in Regiment is 109.
• Regiment has a new and strong partnership with the basic training units at Benning, with Drill Instructors on the lookout for potential Rangers.  This is an opportunity for enlistees not under Ranger contract to have the opportunity to go to RASP, if they meet basic screening and eligibility requirements.
• There is a new MOS skill identifier for an NCO who is Ranger qualified (i.e. graduate of Ranger School) and has served two years in Regiment - "U"
• A Ranger Battalion is averaging 100 combat missions per deployment, and has experienced as high as 200.
• The Regiment has been in continuous combat for 3,569 days as of the Change of Command.  It is on the 15th four month combat rotation deployment.

Some of my favorite quotes from the Distinguished Members of the Regiment:

• "To be honored to serve among the Regiment is honor enough for any man"
• "There is no greater accolade than to be able to say, 'I am a Ranger'"
• "This Regiment bears the burden of our Nation's war on terror"
• "I never deserved the honor (of serving in the Regiment) but it defined me"

Finally, the RCO stated that the Regiment is the main effort in Afghanistan.

That evening the 75th Ranger Regiment Association held a packed social at the Holiday Inn.

Day Three featured Regimental sporting, combative and other events, selected Rangers (including Mike Schlitz) being inducted into the Order of Roger's Rangers at Regimental HQ, the Ranger Hall of Fame Induction, and Ranger Social hosted by the Regiment with Keni Thomas entertaining the crowd.

Day Four concluded the week's events with the Regimental Change of Command.

Here's the link to the full set of photos.

Ranger Rendezvous video playlist (youtube)

I'm sure I've left out some important details, but this gives you a highlight of the week and a sense of the pride that comes with association with this band of brothers.  There is nothing like being a Ranger among Rangers.

As always, GallantFew is dedicated to helping our Rangers achieve a smooth, peaceful transition from active duty to the civilian world.  We do so by finding Ranger veterans, now successful in their post-military careers and match them in one-on-one mentoring relationships with Rangers just now leaving active duty.  We also help Rangers who've been out for awhile and other Special Operations Forces veterans, with a special focus on the wounded.  We have a commitment written in blood to care for each other.

If you are a Ranger/SOF veteran and can be a mentor, sign up at www.gallantfew.org or email ranger@gallantfew.org for more details.

If you can donate, give a tax deductible donation.  Consider being a Founding Donor (the first 100 to give $1000 or more).  If you prefer to mail a check, send it to GallantFew, Inc. 6505 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67206.  Make a donation and I'll send you one of our caps (I only have a dozen left).  Email me so I know you saw this.

Thanks to Ranger Up for helping with our ball caps for Ranger Rendezvous, and Rangers everywhere be in Tim Kennedy's corner as he fights Robbie Lawler this Saturday night.

RLTW  Karl

DB Sweeney - Letters from Hollywood and Rick Kell - Troops First Foundation

Today's guests on GallantFew's The New American Veteran were Rick Kell, co-founder of Troops First Foundation and actor DB Sweeney, who with Cuba Gooding, Jr started the website "Letters from Hollywood".

The Troops First Foundation develops, operates and supports a synergistic group of wellness, quality of life and sports-based initiatives in support of today's military personnel.  I first met Rick Kell in the DC area where I was invited to tag along and have pizza with some wounded soldiers.  Rick takes a group of wounded from Walter Reed to dinner once a week - gets them out of the hospital environment and gives them a safe place to relax and have some comradery.  I was fortunate to also meet SFC Leroy Petry (MOH) at this one.

Troops First Foundation also has a phenomenal program called Operation Proper Exit.  The first time a wounded soldier leaves Iraq or Afghanistan they are usually carried out.  Operation Proper Exit gives that soldier the opportunity to return to the area where they were wounded, talk to the soldiers currently deployed there, and see the impact our presence (and their service) has on the locals.  Then this time they walk out of theater on their own initiative - their own way - Operation Proper Exit.  It is a tremendous healing event for each and every participant.

Troops First Foundation is a nonprofit, and they have their first major fund-raising event coming up later this year.  The call was getting scrambled as Rick closed out, as soon as he emails me the information on that event I will post it here and in the other forums.

Rick Kell and Ranger Schlitz (being goofy)

This is an organization you should support.  Visit their website and drop them a donation.

Actor DB Sweeney has been in a ton of movies and TV, additionally he does voiceover work for the Oprah Winfrey Network and many commercials.  He referred to himself on the show as a "household face but not a household name".  DB's work includes television series The Edge of Night and Spenser: For Hire,  films Gardens of Stone, Eight Men Out, The Cutting Edge, and in Lonesome Dove. 

DB Sweeney in Iraq

What really sets DB apart though is his respect for the military and our veterans and the fact that he acts accordingly.  DB helped found A proud supporter of the US military, Sweeney founded a website Letters from Hollywood to get messages of support to active duty and retired military. The site already features letters from celebrities like Tim Abell, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Cuba Gooding Jr and many others.  DB is reaching out to celebrities from entertainment, sports, politics - and has a goal of releasing a new Letter from Hollywood every Wednesday. 

He has made multiple visits to the Middle East and Europe to visit Service Men and Women. On May 4, 2008, Sweeney flew with the helicopter squadron HMM-364, "The World Famous Purple Foxes", in a CH-46E while in Iraq visiting with service members and promoting his new film, Two Tickets to Paradise.  There is a great story behind Two Tickets to Paradise, as DB wanted to take some of his films overseas to show to the troops when he visited but he ran into roadblocks with the owner/producers of those films.  So DB decided to produce his own film so he could show it to whoever/whenever he pleased - the result was Two Tickets to Paradise.  Now because he made this movie "out of the mainstream" it has not received the attention that would drive viewers - so lets help with that!  I just moved it to the top of my Netflix list.

T10RR:  The Top 10 Ranger Referral program is growing.  We are looking for more Rangers that are employed at large companies and willing to be the job opportunity/referral point of contact.  Email ranger@gallantfew.org or cderosa@gallantfew.org for more information.

The Marine Corps Times announced this week that the President of the United States will award Dakota Meyer the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan.  We stand in awe and salute Dakota Meyer - thank you for your service, you are a true hero.  Articles about Dakota here:  Politico; Adair Progress;  Austin American Statesman.  Read the Marine Corps Times article and watch the video.

Ranger Rendezvous is upon us - the 75th Ranger Regiment's Time on Target is 1620 local, Fryar Drop Zone on Monday.  If you're in the AO, look for GallantFew.

We continue to drive on towards our goal of raising $111,111 by 11/11/11 and we thank our newest Founding Donor (first 100 to give $1000) Ranger veteran and combat medic Eric Waters!  To donate visit our site or if you prefer, send a check to GallantFew, Inc, 6505 E. Central #205, Wichita KS 67206.  Any donation you make is tax deductible.

Oh, yeah - go listen to the interview here!

Listen to internet radio with GallantFew on Blog Talk Radio

See you on the DZ.

RLTW  Karl

Gary Sinise on TNAV

This week I interviewed the phenomenal Gary Sinise.  Gary played the beloved character, LT Dan in the movie Forrest Gump, for which he earned numerous awards and an Oscar nomination.  Gary is a huge supporter of our military, veterans, first responders and their families.

Ranger Mike Schlitz, Gary and Mike's niece at the Lt. Dan Band Movie release party.

Gary autographed this for Ranger veteran Ed Tinoco a few months ago.

Click the play button below to listen to the interview.  If you want to subscribe to the free iTunes GallantFew podcast, click here.

Listen to internet radio with GallantFew on Blog Talk Radio

The Gary Sinise Foundation honors our nation's defenders through programs and projects that serve our military, veterans, first responders and their families, as well as by supporting other charities such as the USO, Operation International Children and Snowball Express.  To support the foundation, visit the Lt. Dan Band Movie website and watch the pay per view video online through the end of July - only $3.99.  After that it will be available on DVD.


At the conclusion of the interview I play Gina Gonzalez' song "A Letter Home".  Go here to download a copy.


For more information on the Gary Sinise Foundation, visit the website.


The country and especially the 75th Ranger Regiment stood with pride this last week as Ranger SFC Leroy Petry was awarded the Medal of Honor.  Visit the US Army official Petry Medal of Honor Page.

KOAT TV (New Mexico) Video

Ranger Rendezvous is coming fast!  Time on Target 25 July 2011, 1620 hours eastern.  Look for the GallantFew table near the bleachers at the Drop Zone.

We continue to march towards our goal of $111,111 by 11/11/11 and are adding Founding Donors to the ranks.  The first 100 to donate $1000 or more will be forever listed as a GallantFew Founding Donor.  Don't miss out!  Make a tax deductible donation here.  If you prefer to mail a check, send it to:

GallantFew, Inc.

6505 E. Central #205

Wichita, KS 67206

To learn how you can help mentor a hero transitioning home from active duty, email ranger@gallantfew.org.

RLTW  Karl