Website helps Army Guard members maintain dental readiness

By Shannon Carabajal
Army Medicine

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- A new comprehensive website has been developed to help Soldiers maintain their dental readiness, Army officials said here, Wednesday.

The information site, the Dental Readiness Information Center, or DRIC, contains up-to-date information on dental readiness requirements, available resources for examinations and treatment, and procedures to update a Soldier or unit's dental readiness status.

Soldiers can access the website from anywhere via smart phone or by any other internet connection device.

According to Army Col. Mark Bodenheim, a consultant with the U.S. Army Dental Command, known as DENCOM, the website is a great way for Soldiers to stay up to date on dental readiness requirements.

"Various dental readiness entitlements and programs have been initiated during the last ten years. These programs can be confusing to the individual Soldier and their command,” he said. “The DRIC organizes the various programs into a logical sequence dependent upon the Soldier's active duty status and Army component.

"The DRIC also tells Soldiers the current deployment dental readiness requirements; what program they are eligible to access; and upon accessing the program, how their dental readiness status will be updated in the Medical Protection System database,” Bodenheim said.

Created by the DENCOM, the website is available to any Soldier -- active, Reserve, or National Guard -- and supports the U.S. Army Medical Command's Soldier Medical Readiness Campaign Plan.

"With today's high tech Army, each Soldier is critical to mission success. Dental studies indicate that a Soldier who is not dental ready prior to deployment has a greater than 75 percent chance of a dental emergency within the next 12 months. A Soldier with a dental emergency can be a loss to their unit for days," Bodenheim said.

Additionally, deployed Soldiers with oral disease often require medical evacuation for treatment, endangering themselves and others.

Bodenheim said dental readiness is especially important for Army Reserve components (Army Reserve and Army National Guard), because Reserve components Soldiers - as an operational force for the Army - must be able to deploy just as quickly as their active component counterparts.

The Department of Defense goal is to have active and RC Soldiers maintain a 95 percent dental readiness status at all times. Currently, the Army's active component maintains a 92 percent readiness dental readiness status while the RC dental readiness has improved to 80 percent, a dramatic improvement from just five years ago.

"During the first Gulf War, between 35 and 45 percent of RC Soldiers mobilized needed some type of dental work before they could deploy,” he said. “This trend continued during the initial mobilization of RC Soldiers for the Global War on Terrorism.

“The increased use of RC Soldiers for operational requirements necessitated a different approach to the issue. By late 2008, DENCOM, in conjunction with multiple stakeholders, led the development of a funded, year round, RC dental readiness program-the Army Selected Reserve Dental Readiness System," he said.

Bodenheim added that the DRIC is a great way for commanders in all components to enhance Soldier readiness and combat effectiveness.

"Officers within Army commands change constantly. The DRIC permits a new commander, as well as present commanders, to instantly access the most current information on dental readiness. Dental readiness is a commander's and individual Soldier's responsibility. The DRIC is another tool in the commander's tool box to assist in the decision making process of commanders," he said.

The DRIC is located at https://www.dencom.army.mil/dric/index.html or in Army Knowledge Online under the "Dental Readiness" drop down box found in the “My Medical Readiness Status” section under the Soldier's “My Professional Data” subject line.

Making Domain Names Safe and Reliable

Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC)

As we discussed throughout National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Internet safety is a shared responsibility and each of us has a role to play. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is doing its part to make websites more secure and reliable by enhancing the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates website names like science.com into a network address like 1.2.3.4. Recognizing the Department's role in this effort, the S&T Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) project received the National Cybersecurity Innovation Award at the Sans Institute's Second Annual National Cybersecurity Innovation Conference for its innovation in promoting research that "pays off" by focusing on work that can result in real products and real risk reduction.

At the advent of the Internet thirty years ago, the brand new DNS was trusted by everyone. Today, hackers take advantage of our long-standing trust in DNS and work to trick the system by stealing information and redirect-ing our data hundreds, if not thousands, of times every day. S&T and its partners are working to restore trust in the system through the creation and implementation of DNSSEC.

Most websites are not self-contained, but are rather a patchwork of information drawn from scores of sources.  DNSSEC authenticates the existence, ownership, and integrity of data while systematically validating sources including hundreds of servers, or nodes. "The value of DNSSEC reaches far beyond preventing hackers from obtaining login information," said Edward Rhyne, DNSSEC program manager in S&T's Cyber Security Division. "DNSSEC is the foundation for a new trust model for all communications on the Internet, essentially protecting our critical infrastructure."

As governments, banks, Internet service providers, businesses, and other stakeholders increase their awareness of DNS-related threats, DNSSEC adoption is gaining momentum. "Users are starting to understand," said Rhyne. "A hacker may insert a malicious server between a user and their bank, enabling collection of login credentials and account information— essentially allowing the hacker to steal an identity and transfer money as the authorized user."

Since 2004, S&T and its partners, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the DNS-SEC Deployment Initiative, have worked to build support for DNSSEC, which has resulted in registrars from all over the world. More than 20 country codes, including .us and .uk, are involved in this effort. In addition, DNSSEC was deployed in the .edu, .gov,.org, .net, and .com zones while top-level domains of the U.S. military's .mil are slated to be DNSSEC-signed in December 2011. Adoption by these most commonly utilized domains paves the way for others, and will ultimately create a complete end-to-end chain. By authenticating and protecting data, DHS is continuously working to build a safer, more secure, and more resilient cyberspace.

Web Site Helps Troops Vote

There’s a website out there that helps troops and their family members exercise their right to vote.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website provides online wizards for the federal postcard application and the federal write-in absentee ballots, and provides voters direct access to their states’ voting systems, said Mr. Bob Carey, FVAP director, during a recent DODLive Bloggers’ Roundtable interview. The site also includes links relevant to the user’s local elections.

“So if the state has an online voter registration system for military and overseas voters, [voters] can go [to the site] thru FVAP,” he said. “They don’t even have to use our form. If the state has an online ballot delivery system, [the site] will send them directly there. And hopefully it will be seamless, intuitive, quick.”

This website is especially important, since the FVAP 2010 post-election report showed that  29% of the military never received their ballots, and 44% of local election officials sent out ballots after the 45-day deadline.  On the plus side, there was a 21% increase in military voting, a 27% increase in military voters receiving ballots, and a 24% increase in military voters casting ballots.  It also showed broad increases in voter awareness of available voting assistance resources. This is good news, especially considering that the program hopes to roll out some type of eVoting site in the future.

“The Department of Defense has a mandate to do an Internet voting demonstration project for military voting — for military voters. And we are working towards figuring out how to be able to do that,” said Mr. Carey. He said the program must consider a few issues, though, while developing such a site.

“There are inherent security risks with that,” he said. “But there are also inherent security risks with the current system, such as 112,000 people who think they’re going to get a ballot, don’t get it. That’s a risk. There’s not going to be any electronic voting system that’s ever going to be 100 percent secure, but also the current paper-based system is not 100 percent reliable, either. So we’ve got to accept that.”

Some states will very likely run Internet voting systems for military and overseas voters in the 2012 election, he said.  The FVAP site will make sure the voters are aware of them.

He said the ultimate goal is for fvap.gov to be the one-stop shop for military voters.

VA Paralympic Program Officials Launch Website for Disabled Veterans

By Carla Voorhees

Department of Veterans Affairs officials have launched a Paralympic Program website as part of the VA’s ongoing commitment to support the rehabilitation and recovery of disabled veterans through participation in adaptive sports.

“Adaptive sports participation among disabled veterans has many proven benefits such as increased independence, reduced dependency on pain and depression medication and stress reduction,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Providing resources for disabled veterans to participate or compete in adaptive sports supports the holistic wellness of veterans, which is a key component of VA’s veteran-centric care.”

One of the highlights of the new website is the “Success Stories” page, which features disabled veterans and their stories of how participating in adaptive sports has positively impacted their lives. Veterans who participate in adaptive sports at any level, as well as Paralympic competitors, are encouraged to submit their stories and share their challenges and triumphs with the entire veteran community.

The site also provides users with a comprehensive overview of the benefits of disabled veterans participating in adaptive sports, sports by disability, training allowances, the VA Paralympic Grant Program, and resources for caregivers and VA clinical personnel.

Another resource is the “Sports Club Finder” feature, a searchable database developed by U.S. Paralympics specialists that connects disabled veterans with local sports programs throughout the country.

“We are excited about the launch of this new website and all that it offers to the disabled veteran community,” said Christopher J. Nowak, the national director of the VA Paralympic Program. “It is full of information disabled veterans, their caregivers, VA clinical personnel and veterans service organizations will find useful. It also highlights our partnership with U.S. Paralympics and contains information on our mission to sustain participation in adaptive sports among disabled veterans in local community-based sports programs.”

For more information, visit the website www.va.gov/adaptivesports or send an email to vacoadaptiveSP@va.gov.

This article first appeared on http://www.af.mil.

eMarine Website Connects Marines and Families

By Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Manning, Marine Corps Bases Japan

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan  — III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan are among the first to launch unit pages on eMarine, a subscription-based website to provide Marines, family members and commands a safer way to share information as of Sept. 1, 2011.

In the past few years, social media has become an ever-growing form of communication between service members and families. The recently launched eMarine website, part of the commandant of the Marine Corps-driven initiative to improve organizational communication, is the Corps’ safer, more secure, single point for dissemination of information.

“eMarine originated as a Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) organizational communications tool for the unit personal family readiness program,” said Denise Loftesnes, the family readiness officer (FRO) for III Marine Expeditionary Force. “Organizational communication is vital in this program to make sure the family readiness officers are getting all of the information they need to their Marines, sailors and family members.”

The website, located at www.emarine.org, is a superb tool family members can use to keep in touch with what is going on with their military family members, whether they are deployed or not, according to Lisa Gleason, the information-technology specialist for MARFORPAC.

“Social media sites are a great way for Marines and family members to communicate,” said Gleason. “Sites like Facebook should not have family-readiness information. Instead, eMarine will have it because it is a more secure site.”

In addition to family-readiness information specific to individual units, the website provides links to the latest news affecting families and tools to help Marines. Unit FROs can upload calendars displaying events tailored to one’s preference, maps of the area and information about how to get involved in the community. It also includes links to other websites such as Military OneSource, Military Homefront, Marine Corps Family Team Building, Marine Corps Community Service’s Single Marine Program and other websites designed to serve Marines and family members.

The site includes information about commissaries, job hunting, base information, chaplains and other information for those transitioning to new duty stations. The site’s unit pages, restricted to unit members, will include additional information about the unit.

The ability to share information more securely among units, Marines and family members is a key reason this site will be effective for the Marine Corps, according to Gleason.

“I really like how access to the site is controlled,” said Maj. Koichi Takagi, the executive officer for Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF. “The fact that the Marine Corps decides who can and cannot view information regarding units will make this a very useful tool in sharing information that will help in both unit and family readiness.”

Though certain portions of the website are restricted to those who have membership, the home page and links are available for public use. Membership log-in identification is only needed when viewing information specific to a unit.

“Access to a unit’s information will be limited to those associated with the unit,” said Gleason. “Service members in the unit and their family members will be able to sign up to see the unit’s information.”

The eMarine site offers a more consolidated way of sharing information than using e-mail or unsecure social media websites, she said.

“eMarine is going to fill in the gap regarding communicating with family back in the United States,” said Cpl. Bradley Schwartz, administrative clerk for III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. “I was surprised at how quick and easy it was to register and invite my family members.”

Once families start using this site to stay in touch, it will make the family readiness officer’s job easier, said Frank W. Fay, the family readiness officer for 1st MAW.

“This site is going to streamline communications from units to its affiliates,” said Fay. “It will reduce the administrative burden the FROs face. The challenge with the site will be getting people to move from checking their e-mail to checking the site.” According to Gleason, some of eMarine’s features are similar to popular social-media websites.

Individuals with basic computer skills will find the site easy to use, according to Gleason.

“The site will have a chat feature on it, and you can access the site using mobile devices. Also, the site will not require a common access card for log-in,” she said.

“We hope to have all MARFORPAC family readiness officers trained by the end of September,” said Gleason. “The commandant wants the site to be completely operational for all units with funded family readiness officers by February 2012.”

“As soon as the site is built by the FRO, the commander can begin to invite Marines and their family members to subscribe,” she added.

“Please contact your FRO today to find out more about eMarine,” said Loftesnes.

Individuals can sign up by visiting emarine.org.

New Website Looks at the FBI Since 9/11

In response to public and media interest in how the Bureau has changed since 9/11, and as we approach the 10-year mark of the attacks, the FBI has created a new website—Ten Years After: The FBI Since 9/11—that we are unveiling today.

The site contains fact sheets, timelines, stories, reference materials, and case highlights that help illustrate the FBI’s evolution into a more threat-based, intelligence-driven organization.

The site also contains an overview of the Bureau’s role in the large-scale, multi-agency 9/11 investigation. For example, one section features video accounts of more than 20 agents talking about their work in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. in the moments, days, and weeks following the terror attacks.

In the days ahead, we will be adding more materials to the site.

Navy-wide Training Management System Moves to New Web Address

By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- A new home page Web address (URL) for the Navy's training management system was implemented Aug. 6 as part of network policy and standardization initiatives.

The Navy's Corporate enterprise Training Activity Resource System (CeTARS) is the authoritative student training management system for Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPTE) and serves as the data source for all formal Navy training statistical information and aspects of student management.

"CeTARS users should manually change their bookmarks to reflect the new URL," said Peg David, CeTARS technical program manager for the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC).

To reach the new Navy training home page, users should delete the old CeTARS URL, https://cetarsweb.cnet.navy.mil/, from their favorites list or desktop icon. Use the new CeTARS URL and add it to the favorites list. To navigate to the CeTARS Main Menu, go to https://main.prod.cetars.training.navy.mil.

For many users, CeTARS serves as the gateway to 21 subsystems or modules, all of which are accessed via CeTARS' homepage. A few of the programs accessed through CeTARS include Catalog of Navy Courses; Enterprise Navy Training Reservation System ; Navy Training Quota Management System; Class Event and Resource Scheduler; and Recruit Training Management.

Users may experience a slight delay when accessing the new URL for the first time. The delay should be less than 3 minutes in most cases. However, when accessing the CeTARS Discoverer tool, the delay may take 3-5 minutes, during which time a white screen will be displayed. After that, login should be normal.

If a user experiences a problem accessing the new CeTARS URL on a Navy-Marine Corps Internet (NMCI) computer, they should clear their computer's Java cache and remove the CeTARSII security certificate before accessing the new URL. Anyone continuing to experience problems, or needing assistance clearing the cache should contact the NETPDTC helpdesk by dialing commercial (850) 452-1001 or DSN 922-1001, then selecting option 1.

"CeTARS standardizes reporting at all activities that train Navy students," added David. "It allows training managers and upper echelons to support Navy training by maintaining accurate student, instructor, and course data, all of which helps Navy leaders make informed decisions with the most current and accurate data available. With this new upgrade, we're operating in an even more standardized environment."

CeTARS supports more than 4,000 users, primarily training administrators and managers, located at more than 300 locations worldwide. It also provides management and tracking of more than 1,000 courses, with an average daily attendance of more than 50,000 students. CeTARS interfaces with 39 other applications and systems in the Department of Defense to share student data and order writing capabilities in support of MPTE enterprise efforts.

For more information about the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/netc/Commands/NETPDTC.aspx.

Additional information on the Naval Education and Training Command can be found on the NETC website at https://www.netc.navy.mil/.

New Online Vision 20/20 Fire Prevention Advocacy Toolkit Helps Fire Service Demonstrate the Value of Fire Prevention

Alexandria, VA – June 14, 2011   The Institution of Fire Engineers USA Branch (IFE-USA) is launching a new web-based Vision 20/20 Fire Prevention Advocacy Toolkit that gives local fire departments the tools  they need to prove the value of fire prevention in saving lives and reducing the impact of fire on a community and its economy.  Available at www.strategicfire.org, this program was funded by a DHS Fire Prevention and Safety Grant to IFE-USA to demonstrate the value of investing in fire prevention in these difficult economic times.

The Vision 20/20 Fire Prevention Advocacy Toolkit was developed under one of the five Vision 20/20 strategies, Strategy 1 Fire Prevention Advocacy.  This strategy is led by Alan Perdue, Emergency Services Director Guildford County (NC), a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a member of the Vision 20/20 Steering Committee, and supported by Peg Carson of Carson Associates, Inc.

“In this economy, community officials and fire chiefs are confronted with tough decisions when it comes to what services to save and what services to cut,” said Perdue.  “We all know that fire prevention saves lives and money, but it’s been somewhat difficult to justify these programs economically.  Every day, a fire department responds to a fire every 23 seconds, someone is injured every 31 minutes, and every three hours someone dies.  Annually, across the nation, fires cause $15.5 billion in property damage and these new tools can demonstrate the terrible impact that a fire can have at a local level on people, a community and its economy.  A catastrophic fire can not only cause injuries and deaths, but it may also mean that businesses close their doors, resulting in losing both jobs and tax revenue.  It’s really quite simple - prevention pays.”

Included in this toolkit, among others, are resources such as…

•         Fire prevention advocacy strategies

•         Community investment in fire prevention

•         Implementing an advocacy program

•         Working with the local media

•         Evaluating your program’s impact

•         Reaching audiences

“There has never been something like this that local fire chiefs can use to prove the value of fire prevention programs,” said Vision 20/20 Project Manager Jim Crawford.  “The Vision 20/20 Fire Prevention Advocacy Toolkit gives them the information that they can use in reaching out to community leaders, city officials and other decision makers to prove the impact that fire prevention programs have in not only saving lives but making communities economically sound and viable.”

The Vision 20/20 Fire Prevention Advocacy Toolkit can be found at www.StrategicFire.org.  You can also learn more by following us on Twitter @strategicfire and Facebook at Facebook.com/strategicfire.

CBP Tests Automated Commercial Environment E-Manifest: Rail and Sea

Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that user testing for the Automated Commercial Environment e-Manifest: Rail and Sea began earlier this month. CBP is conducting the testing with members of the trade community and plans to begin the pilot later this year.

"We are pleased to announce that testing is proceeding successfully on the ACE e-Manifest: Rail and Sea system,” said CBP Assistant Commissioner for International Trade Allen Gina. "CBP is making substantive progress in modernizing the essential business processes to facilitate trade and security."

e-Manifest: Rail and Sea will replace the same capability available currently in the Automated Commercial System with additional benefits for users. Holds on shipments will be container specific and carriers will be informed which PGA has held any particular shipment. New reports will be also be available for carriers, brokers, and importers.

The Automated Commercial Environment is a multi-year project to modernize the business processes essential to securing U.S. borders, speeding the flow of legitimate shipments, and targeting illicit goods. ACE is a key part of CBP’s layered defense to facilitate trade and border security.

For more information on ACE, visit the CBP website.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Two NASA Sites Win Webby Awards

Brian Dunbar

Headquarters, Washington

WASHINGTON -- Two NASA websites have been recognized in the 15th Annual Webby Awards -- the leading international honor for the world's best Internet sites.

NASA's main website, www.NASA.gov, received its third consecutive People's Voice Award for best government site. NASA's Global Climate Change site, which won last year's People's Voice Award for science, won the 2011 judges' award for best science site.

"NASA is committed to sharing its compelling story with people everywhere and with every communication tool," said David Weaver, NASA's associate administrator for communications. "We are very grateful to the online community for its continued support of what we are doing, and are excited about our future."

NASA recently posted new interactive pieces on the 30th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Program and the 50th anniversary of the first U.S. spaceflight. And in the last year, the agency has streamlined its online video presentation into a single player and deployed a version of the site optimized for mobile devices.

"NASA has a very broad-based web team that can take content, literally the best raw material in the universe, and create compelling imagery, video and multimedia pieces to tell the agency's story," said Internet Services Manager Brian Dunbar in the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., manages the climate site for the agency's Science Mission Directorate.

"NASA satellites take key measurements of our climate, and the Global Climate Change site gives the public access to that data as a visual, immersive experience," said Randal Jackson, JPL's Internet communications manager. "We're grateful for the high degree of interest the public has shown in Earth's vital signs."

NASA has had a web presence almost since HTML was invented in the early 1990's, but the site's popularity skyrocketed after a 2003 redesign and relaunch focused on making it more usable and understandable for the general public. Since then, there have been more than 1.5 billion visits to the site, and its customer-satisfaction ratings are among the highest in government and comparable to popular commercial sites.

Reaching beyond the web, NASA's online communications include a Facebook page with more than 368,000 "likes"; a Twitter feed with more than a million followers; and more than 160 accounts across a variety of social media platforms. Last fall, NASA placed first by a wide margin in the L2 Digital IQ Index for the Public Sector study that ranks 100 public sector organizations in the effectiveness of their websites, digital outreach, social media use and mobile sites.

The Office of Communications and the Office of the Chief Information Officer, both at NASA Headquarters, manage the agency's website.

Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Webby Award recognizes excellence in technology and creativity. The academy created the awards in 1996 to help drive the creative, technical, and professional progress of the Internet and evolving forms of interactive media. While members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences select the Webby award winners, the online community determines the winners of the People's Voice Awards.

To find all the ways you can connect and collaborate with NASA, visit http://www.nasa.gov/connect.

- end -

Boy Scouts, Deployed NSW Sailors Connect through Internet Technology

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Members of Boy Scout Troop 806 completed their final task for a merit badge March 7, by webcam-enabled chatting with SEALs and Sailors currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.

Capt. Duncan Smith, Lt. Jared Ogden and Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW) Rob Forrester worked with Scouts of Troop 806, facilitating their quest for the "Citizenship in the World" merit badge. The Sailors taught the Scouts about the culture, customs and challenges of the nations in the Middle East, through a number of web conference sessions during a five month period.

Smith and Forrester, who have sons in the troop, suggested using the technology as a teaching tool for the Scouts.

"Capt. Smith suggested the idea of using Skype as a means to continue 'face-to-face' Citizenship in the World merit badge counseling with troop 806 Scouts," said Matt Pittner, Troop 806 scoutmaster. "We attempt to keep our deployed parents informed and involved with the troop as much as possible, so the idea seemed to be a perfect way to keep the parents engaged while offering the Scouts firsthand experience with international cultures and affairs for their Citizenship in the World merit badge work."

Some Scouts thought that using Internet technology to talk to Smith and other mentors more than 8,000 miles away, was helpful and fun.

"It's really cool because he's on the other side of the world, and we are talking to him on the computer," said Sam Hopson, a 2nd Class Scout in the troop. "It's pretty cool because it's almost instant when talking to him."

The education and experience the Sailor-mentors was beneficial to the Scouts working toward earning the badge.

"I think it definitely enhances the whole experience of learning about the world, because we are learning about it from a Navy SEAL somewhere in a country that has opposite rights, rules and laws," said Evan Arnold, a 1st Class Scout in the troop. "I think it really helps give the Scouts a different picture of what citizenship of the world is really like."

The merit badge is one of the requirements to advance to Eagle Scout, the pinnacle rank of Scouting, which is achieved by only 4 percent of all members. Scouts must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, including the Citizenship in the World qualification and complete a service project.

Once these requirements are completed, the Scout must complete an Eagle Board of Review with adult leaders from the Scout's area council who endorses the nomination to the National Council. The National Council is the final authority to confer the rank of Eagle Scout.

Face of Defense: Airman Uses Internet to Save Friend

By Air Force Capt. Erick Saks

455th Air Expeditionary Wing

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2010 – Police officials are crediting the quick actions of a security forces airman here with saving the life of a former co-worker living halfway around the world.

Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Gunterman, a 379th Air Expeditionary Wing fly-away security team leader, led authorities to a former airman's Florida home after he discovered his friend had overdosed on pills in a suicide attempt.

Gunterman was working on homework and communicating with his mother through Facebook when he received a cryptic instant message from a former co-worker who recently had been discharged from the Air Force.

"I want you to know that you are, inside and out, the most honest guy I have met," Gunterman's friend wrote.

The airmen had become friends several months earlier at Kadena Air Base, Japan, where they were assigned to the same unit. Gunterman said his friend had difficulties after returning from an especially challenging deployment.

Since coming home from Afghanistan, his friend had begun to drink heavily, became violent at times, and eventually was discharged due to disciplinary issues. Gunterman was puzzled by his friend's uncharacteristic declaration, and he tried to determine the reason for the unusual behavior.

When his friend confessed that he had ingested a bottle of pills and had only about an hour left to live, Gunterman sprang into action.

"I told him that I loved him like a brother, and so do a bunch of other people," Gunterman said. "I asked him why he would want to hurt us."

After his friend failed to respond, Gunterman asked his friend for his phone number. His friend sent the number and asked that he call quickly. Gunterman could not reach his friend, though, so he reached out to a mutual friend, Air Force Senior Airman Phillip Sneed, who was online in Japan.

"I told him everything, gave him the number, and he said he would call until [the friend] picked up," Gunterman said. "Now that I had some backup, I went to my chaplain and asked for her help."

Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Kristina Coppinger from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing worked to help Gunterman in his quest to save his friend.

"Senior Airman Gunterman and I had spoken in the past, so he felt comfortable coming to me when he hit a roadblock in his own efforts to help his friend," the chaplain said. "I tried to reach his first sergeant at Kadena to see if he had a home address, and then, we tried to reach a government relay station near West Palm Beach [in Florida] so that we might call the local police department. We also tried to find his friend's stateside address via the Internet."

Realizing his friend was running out of time, Gunterman checked in with Sneed over the Internet. Sneed finally had been able to reach their friend over the phone, but said the friend had since passed out and he could hear him sleeping.

"I knew he didn't have much time, so I got back on the Internet and searched for anything I could find on my friend," Gunterman said. "I found his hometown news release for graduating basic training, and it gave his parents’ names."

Using search engines, Gunterman found an address for them. He called the local police, told them the story and gave them the address. The police dispatched a patrol car to the house, and Gunterman followed up with Sneed.

"I told him that help was coming and to keep listening," Gunterman said. "About 10 minutes later, Airman Sneed said he could hear knocking at the door. I told him to scream as loud as he could because he might be on speaker phone. Then, he heard the door get knocked down and heard people asking, 'What pills did you take?'"

Gunterman called the police department again and was told that his friend was going to be all right.

"The biggest relief came upon me," he said. "The controller working the desk told me our friend would have not lived much longer if it wasn't for us."

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Craig Adams, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, said the airmen's actions epitomize the idea of what it means to be a modern day wingman.

"This is what being an outstanding wingman is all about," Adams said. "The tenacious, resilient and resourceful effort by Airmen Gunterman and Sneed saved this young man. Their actions show how the younger generation of airmen can use new technology to achieve the time-honored wingman concept."

Coppinger echoed the chief's sentiments.

"I believe Senior Airman Gunterman's efforts emphasize the wingman concept, because many others would have given up after hitting multiple roadblocks," the chaplain said. "Many would not have even put forth the effort to begin with. But he chose to get involved and would not give up until he exhausted every possibility. We could all use a friend like him."

Since the incident, Gunterman's friend has received professional assistance. He has stopped drinking, and the airman said his friend is doing much better.

Social Media and Law Enforcement

On February 18, 2010, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Lauri Stevens on Social Media and Law Enforcement.

Program Date: February 18, 2010
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Social Media and Law Enforcement
Listen Live: http://www.americanheroesradio.com/social_media_law_enforcement.html
About the Guest
Lauri Stevens “is an interactive media professional with over 25 years of media experience. She is the Department Chair of Web Design & Interactive Media at The New England Institute of Art (NEiA) in Boston, a position she's held for over ten years. During her tenure at NEiA she has written several bachelors’ programs, served on NEASC accreditation review committees and visiting teams, and chaired several groups to further the college's mission.

Lauri is passionate about the Internet, the web, social media and helping law enforcement leverage these tools to help them do their jobs, connect with their communities, and promote their departments. Having used the net since the mid-80s, before the web existed, makes her one of the first fraction of a 1% of people in the world on the net.

She holds an MBA in eBusiness from Bentley University, an MS in Mass Communication/Communication Technology from Boston University, and a BA in Political Science from Clemson University.”

About LAwS Communications
LAwS Communications has been providing web design and interactive media advice to law enforcement since 2005. They “offer media expertise at all levels, traditional and interactive. LAwS Communications specialize in offering consultative services in the world of web 2.0 (and beyond) to law enforcement agencies. Web 2.0 and Open Source communication technologies available today allow organizations to efficiently gather and distribute information like never before. Many law enforcement agencies are catching on to and using the new social media technologies. LAwS Communications can help make sense of the tools available, help your agency craft a plan and social media policy as well as provide the training needed to get your organization running. LAwS Communications can help law enforcement organizations not only understand why your organization should take advantage of Web 2.0 technologies, but also how to leverage these vast resources.

The agencies that are effectively using these tools are shrinking their communities, improving communication with citizens and enhancing their reputations through the transparency provided. Other agencies are developing sophisticated methods for investigation, crime solving and prevention. Police departments, in particular, have an opportunity to better educate their communities about who they are and what they do and to therefore increase and improve communication with the public they serve.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.americanheroesradio.com/social_media_law_enforcement.html
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530