In Pictures: 311th ESC Completes Best Warrior Competition

Photos and Cutlines by Sgt. 1st Class C. L. Beal
79th Sustainment Support Command PAO

The 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) completed their annual Best Warrior Competition last week. This command is one of three falling under the 79th Sustainment Support Command. The other ESCs -- 654th and 4th -- are also holding similar competitions for their units.

Finalists of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition are: Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, and Spc. Casey T. Quinn were the winners of the 2011 BWC for the 311th.

These photos are snapshots of events that composed the 311th ESC BWC which concluded with one non-commissioned officer and one junior enlisted soldier named as “Best Warrior.” Winners of the competition will compete in the 79th SSC Best Warrior Competition in June.

The 79th winners will go on to the US Army Reserve competition and ultimately have a chance to compete among the active component.

Scroll down to find out more about the troops featured in this slideshow.

Photo Details

Spc. Casey T. Quinn, a motor transport operator in the 257th Transportation Company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., plots grids during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Quinn said he enlisted in the Army Reserve less than three years ago and is currently 37 years old. “I often feel I’m too old for this sort of competition until I have a minute to rest and heal – then I’m right back in it,” said Quinn.

Quinn went on to finish the competition and was named the 311th’s Best Warrior – Soldier.

Army Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, a human resources sergeant in the 311th ESC, headquartered in Las Angeles, Calif., plots his points during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Cavan said he entered the Best Warrior Competition to challenge himself and the experience, “The experience I gain from this competition will help me succeed to become a better soldier and leader."

Army Pfc. Holly R. Sanders, a unit supply specialist in the 329th Quartermaster Company headquartered in Riverside, Calif., plots grids during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Sanders, who is known for her positive attitude and enthusiasm said, “I love the Army, and I love my unit. I’m learning and taking everything from this competition. I’m happy to represent women of the Army and am giving nothing less than my best.” Army Pfc. Holly R. Sanders, a unit supply specialist in the 329th Quartermaster Company headquartered in Riverside, Calif., plots grids during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, a human resources sergeant in the 376th Human Resources Company headquartered in Bell Calif., plots grids during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Medina is a veteran of two deployments including Kuwait and Iraq, was diagnosed in 2008 with Crohn’s disease. Medina said he volunteered for a third tour, but was deemed un-deployable because of his condition and is now going through a medical evaluation board. Fighting the decision, Medina said, “I am participating in this competition to show that I am fit for duty and one of the best.”

Medina went on to finish the competition and was named the 311th’s Best Warrior – NCO. 

Army Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, a human resources sergeant in the 311th ESC, headquartered in Las Angeles, Calif., surveys the terrain during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Cavan said he entered the Best Warrior Competition to challenge himself and the experience. “The experience I gain from this competition will help me succeed to become a better Soldier and leader,” said Cavan.

Army Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, a human resources sergeant in the 311th ESC, headquartered in Las Angeles, Calif., confirms his location during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Cavan said he entered the Best Warrior Competition to challenge himself and the experience. “The experience I gain from this competition will help me succeed to become a better Soldier and leader,” said Cavan. 

Army Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, a human resources sergeant in the 311th ESC, headquartered in Las Angeles, Calif., uses his compass to re-confirm his destination during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Cavan said he entered the Best Warrior Competition to challenge himself and the experience. “The experience I gain from this competition will help me succeed to become a better Soldier and leader,” said Cavan. 

Spc. William J. Brooks, an executive administrative assistant in the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. takes a moment to catch his breath during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21. 

Spc. William J. Brooks, an executive administrative assistant in the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. confirms his location during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21. 

Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, a human resources sergeant in the 376th Human Resources Company headquartered in Bell Calif., confirms his location on his map during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Medina is a veteran of two deployments including Kuwait and Iraq, was diagnosed in 2008 with Crohn’s disease. Medina said he volunteered for a third tour, but was deemed un-deployable because of his condition and is now going through a medical evaluation board. Fighting the decision, Medina said, “I am participating in this competition to show that I am fit for duty and one of the best.”

Medina went on to finish the competition and was named the 311th’s Best Warrior – NCO.

Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, a human resources sergeant in the 376th Human Resources Company headquartered in Bell Calif., reviews his map while scanning the terrain during a land navigation event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21. 

Army Pfc. Holly R. Sanders, a unit supply specialist in the 329th Quartermaster Company headquartered in Riverside, Calif., is hip-thrown to the mat by a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor during a combatives event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 22.

Sanders, who is known for her positive attitude and enthusiasm said, “I love the Army, and I love my unit. I’m learning and taking everything from this competition. I’m happy to represent women of the Army and am giving nothing less than my best.” 

Army Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, a human resources sergeant in the 311th ESC, headquartered in Las Angeles, Calif., hip-throws Spc. Casey T. Quinn during a combatives event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 22.

Spc. Casey T. Quinn, a motor transport operator in the 257th Transportation Company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., performs a hip-throw during a combatives event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Quinn said he enlisted in the Army Reserve less than three years ago and is currently 37-years-old. “I often feel I’m too old for this sort of competition until I have a minute to rest and heal – then I’m right back in it,” said Quinn.

Quinn went on to finish the competition and was named the 311th’s Best Warrior – Soldier.

Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, a human resources sergeant in the 376th Human Resources Company headquartered in Bell Calif., performs a combat-roll during a combatives event as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 22.

Medina went on to finish the competition and was named the 311th’s Best Warrior – NCO. 

Army Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, a human resources sergeant in the 311th ESC, headquartered in Las Angeles, Calif., makes his way to the half-way point of a 10 kilometer ruck-march as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 23.

Cavan said he entered the Best Warrior Competition to challenge himself and the experience. “The experience I gain from this competition will help me succeed to become a better Soldier and leader,” said Cavan. 

(left) Spc. Casey T. Quinn, a motor transport operator in the 257th Transportation Company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., and (right) Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, a human resources sergeant in the 376th Human Resources Company headquartered in Bell Calif., make their way to the finish of a 10-kilometer ruck-march as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Quinn and Medina went on to finish the competition and were named the 311th’s Best Warriors. 

Spc. Casey T. Quinn (left), a motor transport operator in the 257th Transportation Company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., and Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, a human resources sergeant in the 376th Human Resources Company headquartered in Bell Calif., make their way to the finish of a 10-kilometer ruck-march as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 21.

Quinn and Medina went on to finish the competition and were named the 311th’s Best Warriors.

Army Pfc. Holly R. Sanders, a unit supply specialist in the 329th Quartermaster Company headquartered in Riverside, Calif., walks to the finish line of a 10-kilometer ruck-march as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 23.

Sanders, who is known for her positive attitude and enthusiasm said, “I love the Army, and I love my unit. I’m learning and taking everything from this competition. I’m happy to represent women of the Army and am giving nothing less than my best.”

Army Pfc. Holly R. Sanders, a unit supply specialist in the 329th Quartermaster Company headquartered in Riverside, Calif., catches her breath after completing a 10-kilometer ruck-march as part of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 23.

Final competitors of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition (left to right) Staff Sgt. Genaro Medina, Sgt. Roi B. Cavan, Pfc. Holly R. Sanders, and Spc. Casey T. Quinn stand together at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif., prior to an awards dinner held in their honor.

Medina, Brooks and Quinn were named the 311th “Best Warriors” and will compete in the 79th Sustainment Support Command Best Warrior Competition scheduled in June. 

Update: U.S. Forces Continue to Aid Earthquake, Tsunami Victims

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2011 - American service members in Japan continue to help the Japanese people recover from the catastrophic March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

At the same time, many family members have taken advantage of the voluntary authorized departure process.

Japanese authorities say that more than 10,000 people are known dead from the twin disasters and another 17,000 are still missing. More than 250,000 are living in evacuation shelters.

The nuclear emergency at the Dai-Ichi power plant continues, and Japanese authorities today asked those living between 20 and 30 kilometers from the plant -- about 12 to 20 miles -- to move.

American service members based in Japan were among the first international personnel to provide aid.

As of March 24, U.S. service members have delivered 1,707,815 gallons of water, 172 tons of food, 10 tons of medical supplies and 34 tons of other relief supplies. DOD personnel are working with Japanese emergency responders to search for bodies, clear airports and roads and deliver humanitarian supplies.

American helicopters have hop-scotched the area delivering supplies, transporting survivors or bringing in personnel.

Sixteen U.S. ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, are deployed in support of operations. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force are involved with the relief effort. Airmen from Misawa, and Kadena air bases also are involved at many levels.

A total of 4,744 U.S. family members have returned to the United States via the voluntary authorized departure program. About 8,000 American family members are still in Japan awaiting departure.

Service members and their families have had concerns about possible contamination of food and water in Japan, and U.S. Forces Japan has enhanced the measures the command takes to ensure the safety of food and water supplies.

The food and water on U.S. military installations are safe and in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards, according to a release on the command's website.

The command will continue to test water supplies and will increase the number of tests as an added precaution, the release added.

"The safety and security of our service members and their families are our top priority," the release said. "We take extreme care to ensure our personnel are protected and will continue to monitor the situation."

Fallen Hero, Sgt. Jason M. Weaver, Welcomed Home

Story and photos by Army Sgt. 1st Class C. L. Beal 
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Service Members, Family, police, firemen, friends, and community members welcomed home Fallen Hero, Sgt. Jason M. Weaver, at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos today.

Weaver, 22, of Anaheim, California died March 3rd, 2011 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Patriot Riders of Southern Calif. precede the funeral procession of Fallen Hero, Sgt. Jason M. Weaver, at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos.

Welcome Home 326th Financial Management Center!!

Story and Photos by Sgt. 1st Class C. L. Beal

Maj. Gen. William D. Frink Jr., Commanding General of the 79^th Sustainment Support Command, speaks to Soldiers and Family members of the 326^th Financial Management Center during a Welcome Home Warrior Citizen ceremony at the General George S. Patton U.S. Army Reserve Center in Bell, Calif., March 13. 

Soldiers of the 326th Financial Management Center were honored in front of family, friends and employers during a Welcome Home Warrior Citizen ceremony at the General George S. Patton U.S. Army Reserve Center in Bell, Calif., March 13.

The Soldiers of the 326th Financial Management Center recently returned from a year-long deployment in support of Operations in Iraqi, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. During their deployment, they provided technical oversight of all theater financial management operations, established theater policies and enforced regulations and guidelines.

The Welcome Home Warrior-Citizen ceremony is a Soldier-recognition program that was established in December 2004 to thank Reserve Soldiers and their Families for their sacrifices in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program was signed into law by President George W. Bush to ensure that Reserve Soldiers receive tangible recognition for their combat and non-combat service.

“The Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Ceremony gives us an opportunity to bring all the Soldiers and Family members back together and thank them both for their service and sacrifices,” said Col. Arthur Turnier, Director of the 326th FMC during its deployment.

“It also helps soldiers know that in the Army Reserve they are part of a larger family than they might think. It lets a new soldier know that they are not just a finance specialist by themselves – they are part of a family that will take care of and appreciate them,” continued Turnier.

This recognition is invaluable said Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Capps, Command Sergeant Major of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

“The problem we face as Reserve Soldiers is that we usually don’t get recognized by the local communities when we come back from deployments. These events give our soldiers and families that recognition and show them thanks for their sacrifices,” said Capps.

Maj. Gen. William D. Frink Jr., Commanding General of the 79th Sustainment Support Command, and guest speaker of the event, said it was an honor to welcome home the Warrior Citizens and recognize them for the successful mission they carried out in answer to their nation’s call.

“The 326th truly brought the brainpower and skills needed, when our country needed it,” said Frink. “We are all honored and blessed that the men and women standing before us today volunteered to serve our nation.”

During the ceremony, Frink individually thanked and presented the Soldiers and their Families with tokens of appreciation. They include a U.S. Flag in a wooden case with their name engraved on the front, a commemorative Warrior Citizen coin, a lapel pin set for the Soldier and Family members, and a Warrior Citizen welcome home flag.

“These are good and positive things, and I think they mean a lot to the soldiers and families who receive them,” said Capps. “It’s much better than in the old days when they would just give us a pen that didn’t work.”

Staff Sgt. Roberto Cuellar, a financial management analyst in the 326th FMC, said he wished they would have had these kinds of events the first time he deployed.

“I think they are a big help in making Soldiers feel appreciated for what they have done,” said Cuellar. “The Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Events really do make a difference.”

ADPAAS For all affected Soldiers/Commands

There are now ADPAAS events called JAPAN EARTHQUAKE 2011 and HAWAII TSUNAMI 2011. Units will be required to use ADPAAS to account for personnel within the affected areas.

We recommend Army commands advise all assigned personnel to update/validate their contact and Family information, so as to ensure a more accurate baseline in identifying affected personnel & their Family members.

The assessment module has been activated to record needs of affected personnel. We recommend those affected to fill out a needs assessment survey in ADPAAS. This survey will be used by Army Reserve Family Program case managers to track and assist Army personnel and their family members who are affected by recent events.

Note: We expect to create more events as each affected area related to the Earthquake in Japan is identified. When this occurs in the absence of official guidance, units should initiate Disaster accountability and assessment via ADPAAS.

• If you receive any calls please assist callers by accounting for them under the "JAPAN EARTHQUAKE 2011” & “HAWAII TSUNAMI 2011” events in ADPAAS.
• If any personnel require evacuation assistance, inform them to contact their unit Commander and fill out a needs assessment survey in ADPAAS.
• Personnel who need assistance should complete a needs assessment survey in ADPAAS and contact the Army Reserve 24-hour Call Center at 866-345-8248. The call center can also assist personnel with individual accountability.
• As a reminder to ensure we are consistent in properly accounting for our personnel, here is the standard we should be using for our current accounting statuses:
• CURRENT LOCATION - Individual is currently in place (Hawaii, Japan)
• DISPLACED LOCATION – Individual evacuated their home location en-route to their safe haven location
• OTHER - As appropriate, especially those no longer assigned in Hawaii & Japan

Affected Personnel who need assistance should complete a needs assessment survey in ADPAAS and contact the Army Reserve 24-hour Call Center at 1-866-345-8248. The call center can also assist personnel with individual accountability.

Crisis in Japan: Tsunami Update from 79SSC Command

By Capt. Kalen Arreola
79SSC PAO

As you may have already discovered, a large earthquake hit off Japan's coast during the early hours of the morning, killing hundreds living there. News reports have said this is the largest earthquake in Japan's recorded history. 

The Army Reserve is doing its part to ensure its service members are safe and accounted for during this tragic event.

Maj. Gen. William D. Frink, Jr., commander of the 79th Sustainment Support Command, has asked that we use all means necessary to communicate updates to our troops and Families as they are received -- to include all social media platforms.

"There is no report of loss of life for our Soldiers or Families at this time," said Frink, in an email message sent this morning around 9 a.m. PDT. "We are implementing three ongoing lines of effort: assessing the impact and accounting for our Soldiers and Family Members; taking the necessary precaution of monitoring possible tsunami impact as it approaches the West Coast; and preparing to support recovery efforts and alert units as needed."

Frink said communication with Family members in the Pacific region has proven to be a challenge. Text messages are getting through, but phone lines have been busy. Families and troops are encouraged to communicate with the command through any means available, including Facebook, Twitter and this blog post.

"We understand this is a challenging time for our troops and their Families, but we will continue to be proactive in our communications efforts as information comes available to us," said Frink. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Japan and all those affected by this disaster."

For Soldiers needing assistance immediately, the Army Reserve's Fort Family program has sent this message:

As severe weather approaches Hawaii and California the Fort Family Outreach and Support Center is standing by to assist Reservists and their Families. Please know that the Fort Family Outreach and Support Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you when you need us, no matter what the situation. Please take a moment to write down our contact information so that you will have it when needed. Please contact the Fort Family Outreach and Support Center at 1(866) 345-8248 or by email at help@fortfamily.org.

For 79SSC-related news and information or to send messages to the command, visit: www.twitter.com/79ssc and www.facebook.com/79ssc.

Media requesting interviews, contact Capt. Kalen Arreola at kalen.arreola@us.army.mil or 858-525-2498.