Air Guard NCO Graduates From Army Course

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leisa Grant 
National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 12, 2011 - Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Chris Roper is the first Air National Guard member to graduate from the in-residence Sergeants Major Course at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, congratulates Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Chris Roper, security forces manager with the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon National Guard, for graduating from the Sergeants Major Course at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas, June 18, 2011. Roper is the first Air National Guard member to graduate from the 10-month course in residence. Courtesy photo

Roper, security forces manager with the Oregon National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing, graduated June 18, one of 327 graduates.
Roper said he now has a better understanding of how senior military leaders make weighty decisions.
"Now I see the 'bigger picture' at the operational and strategic level," he said.
The bigger picture changed after the 9/11 attacks against the United States.
"Since 9/11, the necessity for the National Guard to operate in a joint environment with active duty forces has never been more important," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau.
"The more opportunities we have to train and learn together," Jelinksi-Hall said, "the more efficient and effective we will be at home and abroad in accomplishing the mission."
The Air National Guard's leadership encourages senior enlisted leaders to attend joint professional military education courses like the Army's Sergeants Major Course. The course educates Army master sergeants and sergeants major, as well as senior enlisted members of other services and components, in full-spectrum operational and strategic operations to prepare them to be successful leaders in any environment, according to the course's mission statement.
Roper's class was the first go through an extended 10-month curriculum. The course had been nine months long since 1995.
"The Sergeants Major Course underwent a major transformation last year, with a tougher curriculum heavy on critical thinking and problem-solving, intense college-level reading and challenging writing assignments," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. David L. Yates, director of the Sergeants Major Course.
Roper said the Sergeants Major Course was the first professional military education course he has attended as a resident.
"My biggest mistake was not attending other academies in-residence," Roper said.
While other Air Guard members have completed the Sergeants Major Course as nonresidents, some senior enlisted leaders believe there are benefits to attending in-residence.
"In-residence attendance is an important element in the development of our future leaders," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling, command chief of the 142nd Fighter Wing. "Although I recognize our unique citizen-airman culture does not allow everyone to participate, we must make every attempt to ensure we give our airmen a chance to attend at least one resident course in their career."
While Roper had the support of his wing, the process also involved the very top enlisted leaders of both the Air Force and the Air National Guard. His selection began with a nomination by Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Muncy, the Air National Guard's command chief.
Muncy said Roper was selected out of six other Air Force members, both active duty and Guard. The process for selections begins in the office of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, who believes the Sergeants Major Course benefits all airmen, regardless of their component.
"We are a nation at war," Roy said. "Our success depends on the Total Force engagement. Any education that enables our airmen -- be they active duty, Guard or Reserve -- to better perform their mission is an example of a joint service solution. Simply put, the better educated and trained we are, the better we perform. It makes sense to develop all of our airmen to the best of their abilities."
Muncy agreed.
"It's huge for force development for the Air Force and for us -- and that 'us' isn't just the Air National Guard," he said. "It's the big 'U.S.' -- the one on our uniforms that stands for the United States."
Roper said his experience at the Sergeants Major Course brought this to light.
"No matter what branch of the service," Roper said, "it's no longer [just] your branch you should be concerned with."
Understanding the Army's culture and soldier development process better prepares senior enlisted airmen for future joint operations, Roy said.
"Attending the Sergeants Major Academy provides our senior NCOs with critical operational and strategic perspectives in terms of the profession of arms," he said.
However, learning goes both ways.
"It also presents an opportunity for the active component to better understand the National Guard, and vice versa," Jelinski-Hall said.
Roper's attendance at the Army Sergeants Major Academy as an Air National Guard representative was an opportunity for him to work alongside coalition forces and to highlight the missions and ideals of the Air National Guard, said Air Force Col. Michael Stencel, commander of the 142nd Fighter Wing.
"As an Air National Guard ambassador, Senior Master Sergeant Roper returned home with a wealth of knowledge that he will be able to share with the entire Oregon National Guard," Stencel said. "In a time of tight budgets and shrinking forces, it seems that now, more than ever, these cross-cultural experiences will pay huge dividends well into the future."

Expert Witnesses Receive Death Threats after Guatemala Massacre Trial, Says Amnesty International 

Washington, D.C.: –Four staff members of a forensic anthropology team in Guatemala have received death threats after testifying at a recent high-profile trial over a 1982 army massacre that left 250 villagers dead. 
Freddy Peccerelli, the founder of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, received a hand-written death threat in Guatemala City on August 8. The note also mentioned his colleagues José Samuel Suasnavar, Leonel Estuardo Paiz and Omar Bertoni, all of whom gave testimony at the trial. 

The threat came after a judge in Guatemala City sentenced four former soldiers from an elite army unit to 6,060 years in prison on August 2 for their role in a 1982 massacre in Dos Erres village in Guatemala’s northern Petén region. 

“It is unacceptable for expert witnesses to be intimidated like this, and Guatemalan authorities must order an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into these threats and bring those responsible to justice,” said Sebastian Elgueta, Amnesty International’s Central America researcher. 

“Guatemalans have waited nearly three decades for justice in the case of the Dos Erres massacre and hundreds of other grave human rights violations, and the failure to stop such death threats would cast a pall over the judicial process.” 

The soldiers sentenced in the recent trial were part of an elite “kaibil” unit that entered Dos Erres on December 5, 1982, where they tortured and killed some 250 men, women and children over the course of three days before razing the village. Many of the women and girls were raped, and numerous villagers, including children, were thrown into the village well. 

Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor’s office had called on the forensic experts to testify at the trial based on their work to exhume and analyze the victims of the massacre. 

Pecerelli told Amnesty International that he received a hand-written note in red ink that said, “Sons of a bitch. You will pay us slowly, for each of the 6050 years that our people are going to suffer because of you, now we won’t simply watch you we will leave you battered like the rest.” 

The note went on to say that, “when you least expect it you will die. Revolutionaries your DNA will be of no use. Your families will pay, you will follow suit.” 

“Guatemala has an appalling track record of impunity, and allowing these latest threats to go unpunished will simply entrench that further,” said Elgueta. “The authorities should consult with staff members of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation to ensure that full and appropriate protection is provided for them and their families, and must ensure that expert witnesses are not put at risk in future.” 

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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Breast Milk – The Elixir of life

Ludhiana, 11^th August, 2011:  Breast feeding week has recently been celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.  The Department of Pediatrics Christian Medical College & Hospital too organized various talks, keeping in mind the theme for this year which was ‘Talk to me….’  Dr Inderpreet Sohi, Professor of Pediatrics and Secretary National Neonatology Forum, Punjab conducted an interactive session on breast feeding for the staff nurses.  She emphasized the advantages of breast milk which is specifically meant for the optimum growth and development of the human infant. Babies who are exclusively breast fed have been found to have higher IQ and are better in intellectual activities later in life.  Breast milk is also protective against major illnesses like sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in the newborn period 

and diarrhea, respiratory infections and ear infections later on.  It is also protective against allergic disorders like asthma, eczema and cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes and even cancer in later life. It is recommended that an infant be exclusively breast fed upto 6 months of age after which appropriate complementary feeds need to be started to maintain optimum growth.

 Dr Shaveta  Kundra , Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics delivered a talk on breast feeding to student nurses.  She emphasized the advantages of breast feeding to the mother and the factors which help in enhancing the milk flow in mothers.  A relaxed and happy state of mind of the mother, along with sight and sound of the baby enhance milk flow.  Mothers are also advised to take a balanced nutritious diet and plenty of fluids while breast feeding.  Young mothers also need to be taught the proper technique of breast feeding so that they avoid the problems like sore or cracked nipples and breast engorgement and can continue to breast feed their babies effectively. 

 Keeping in mind the theme for this year’s breast feeding week a session on breast feeding was also taken By Dr Noorul Ain, Resident Department of Pediatrics, for the expectant mothers attending the antenatal OPD. They were taught the technique of proper breast feeding and also how to tackle any problems that may arise and were motivated to exclusively breast feed their babies till 6 months of age.

Controversies of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ludhiana, 7^th August, 2011: The department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, conducted  CME on “Controversies of Obstetrics and Gynecology” on the Seventh of August in the Guy Constable Auditorium. This Quarterly meet of Northern Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India was held under the able guidance of Prof and Head, Dr Kumkum Avasthi with constant encouragement and support by Director of the institute Dr Abraham G Thomas. The conference was duly accredited 4 CME hours by Punjab Medical Council.

A wide array of debatable issues in obstetrics and gynaecology were discussed and was attended by nearly 200 local practitioners as well as medical fraternity from nearby medical colleges.The gathering was addressed by chief guest Dr Abraham G Thomas who welcomed the delegates congratulated the dept for organizing the conference. Dr Lakhbir Dhaliwal, President of NOGSI complimented CMC for organizing the quarterly meet and emphasized upon role of FOGSI in women’s health. The occasion was also graced by Dr G.S.Grewal, member of Punjab Medical Council  

The conference covered debatable issues in obstetrics ranging from changing trends in breech and instrumental delivery to recurrent pregnancy loss and IUGR management .Burning issues in Gynecology providing insight to infertility, HPV vaccination and misuse of emergency contraception were also covered. Eminent speakers from all over North India deliberated on the same.

The conference ended on a successful note managing to clear a lot of misconceptions on the controversial issues on the subject. 

A decisive battle against corruption has begun

 Anna Hazares message to the Nation for 15th and 16th August

My Dear Fellow Indians,
A decisive battle against corruption has begun. We are not against any political party. We want systemic reforms. We want a corruption-free India. After all, what are the people asking for – a strong anti-corruption law which provides for honest and time-bound investigations and trials that result in jail for the guilty, confiscation of embezzled money and their dismissal from service? Are we asking too much? For two months, we were talking to the government. Government seems unwilling to take even small steps against corruption. Government appears insincere. We have met all prominent political leaders. We have tried everything. What do we do now? When I announced my indefinite fast from 16th August, the government threatened that they would crush us the way they crushed Baba Ramdev's peaceful agitation. Friends, this is a historic opportunity. We can't afford to lose it. We are determined to fight to the end. If they arrest us, we will peacefully offer ourselves. If they use batons and bullets, we will happily lay down our lives but will not leave the place. We will not retaliate. It will be a completely non-violent movement. “If you fast on 16th August, you will be crushed” – this is what they are saying. “We will impose section 144 on Jantar Mantar” – this is what they are thinking. But I say that if every citizen in this country takes off from his work from 16th August, comes on the streets in front of his house, at the crossing, with a tricolor in his hands shouting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and raising slogans against corruption, they will fall short of batons and bullets. The government may arrest one Anna Hazare but how will they arrest 120 crore Anna Hazares? They may impose section 144 at one Jantar Mantar but will they impose section 144 on the whole country? And let me tell you – the police and army is with us. At traffic signals, policemen stop us, express their support and wish us well; at Raj Ghat, the policemen donated generously for the movement! So, will you take off from your work from 16 August? Will you descend on the streets with me? This year, the country will wait for 16th rather than 15th August. In solidarity,
thanks
Anna Hazare 
(Please make copies of this pamphlet and distribute it in large nos.)
“WHY GOVERNMENT'S LOKPAL IS DANGEROUS???” Government's Lokpal is targeted against those who raise their voice against corruption rather than to punish the corrupt!
The government's Lokpal bill covers only about 0.5% of public servants, yet it brings under its ambit virtually every citizen's group and organization, registered or unregistered, meant to serve the social sector. This raises a pertinent question -- whom is the Lokpal really targeted at? There are more than 1.25 crore central and state government employees. Out of this merely 65,000 Group A Central Government employees would be covered in the government bill leaving out all the lower officers and staff. This effectively means that there is no remedy against corruption that a common person faces daily in police, roads, industry, licensing, transport, roadways, municipality, rations, health services, education, pension, provident funds, Panchayat, forest department, irrigation department, etc. On the other hand, Lokpal would have jurisdiction over ALL NGOs, trusts, societies like Resident Welfare Associations(RWAs), big or small, whether registered or unregistered, whether they receive government funding or not, up to the village level! For instance, consider a group of citizens that unearths corruption of the Sarpanch and Block Development officer (BDO) in a village. The government's Lokpal can't take any action against the Sarpanch or BDO but it CAN lock up the group of HONEST active CITIZENS. Each and every association, like Resident Welfare Associations, Market Associations, even your neighborhood committees that organize festivals like Durga Puja, Ramlila, etc. would be under the purview of Lokpal. While there is no disagreement that the rot of corruption is also afflicting many societies, associations and NGOs, there already exists a plethora of laws like the Trust Act, Societies Act, FCRA, etc. to monitor them. Lokpal was originally intended for checking corruption in public servants. Regardless, if it is being extended to all associations of civil society, then why shouldn't it also cover all companies, businesses, political parties, and media houses?

Government's Lokpal Provides Greater Protection to Corrupt! 
Provisions in the government's Lokpal Bill heavily favour corrupt public servants. Under this bill, a public servant accused of corruption is allowed to turn around and file a lawsuit against the complainant accusing him of filing a frivolous complaint. The government will provide a free advocate to the accused to help prove the citizen was wrong, while the citizen has to fend for himself. If the complaint proves to be frivolous, the minimum sentence FOR THE CITIZEN is TWO YEARS. But if the corruption charges are proved, the minimum sentence for the public servant is just SIX MONTHS!

Will then any citizen dare raise a voice against corruption?