5035th reactivates only
47 days after release
from duty

Capt. Deanna Bague
5035th GSU PAO

Military police from the 5035th MP Detachment were reactivated Monday, only 47 days after being released from active duty.

The 5035th MPs were deactivated Nov. 26, 2002, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Staff Sgt. Raul Perez, 5035th MP, is one of about 60 MPs who have been re-mobilized. "I think everyone pretty much expected to be called back at some point in time," he said.

In the civilian sector, Perez is a police officer with the El Paso Police Department. "The city has had experience with mobilized employees; it happened during Desert Storm. My employer is very supportive," he said.

According to Perez, having the support of an employer is important because it is one less thing the soldier has to worry about when mobilized. "It makes the transition easier," he said.

Another reactivated reservist, Sgt. Sandra Novak, 5035th MP Detachment supply sergeant, said that she wasn't surprised when she received her mobilization orders. "It didn't really phase me, since I had just come off active dut

Novak's 12-year-old son was excited to hear that his mom was called back to active duty. He said that he had grown accustomed to the Army's concept of family and had adjusted well to the quality time he would spend with his mother.

Unlike Perez's employer, Novak, who as a civilian works as a supply technician at Equipment Concentration Site 87, McGregor Range Base Camp, said that her employer was surprised when she advised him that she had been recalled to active duty. She said that most of the people she works for are retired military and therefore understand the situation.

"They were supportive, but at the same time they were stunned cause I had barely returned to work and all of a sudden I'm gone again," Novak said.

Novak said that she had enjoyed her previous active-duty tour and was looking forward to her second activation. "I'm doing what I raised my hand to do. I joined to protect my country and uphold the freedom that my family and others enjoy," she said.

While the MP detachment is being activated a second time, more than a hundred reservists from the 5035th are being mobilized. These 100- plus soldiers comprise other sections such as finance, administration, Staff Judge Advocate, public affairs, Inspector General and Unit Movement Branch.

Pfc. Eric Estrada, a 1999 graduate of Jefferson High School in El Paso, has trained with UMB for three years. Estrada said that as a reservist he has participated in numerous exercises in which he loaded and unloaded equipment, cargo and soldiers onto airplanes and railcars.

"You weigh soldiers with their gear to make sure they meet the plane's weight standards. The weight of the equipment has to be equally distributed on the airplane. I feel pretty well-trained coming on active duty because of all the training I've had," Estrada said.

Estrada, who is a third year college student majoring in criminal justice said that being mobilized is giving him a break from school. Though he is confident, he feels that his wife and parents are somewhat nervous about his mobilization.

"I explained to them what I do and how well trained we are. I told them to be confident in what I do as a soldier," Estrada said.

According to Estrada, the unit family readiness group has been helpful to family members. He said the FRG started having meetings more frequently after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "Their number one priority is to inform family members of what's going on and what's likely to happen," he said.

Sgt. Karla Sanchez, administration specialist with the 5035th GSU, agreed that keeping family members informed is essential in maintaining confidence and tranquility among soldiers' families. She said that her husband panicked when he first found out that she was being mobilized. According to Sanchez, her husband relaxed after she provided him with more information about her status.

Whether mobilized for the first time or a second time, soldiers from the 5035th GSU are ready to support the mission they've been called up to fulfill. "We are going to do the best the job we possibly can," said Perez.

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Gate reopens Sunday
Work continues Monday on the canopy for the Cassidy Road gate entrance. The canopy will provide cover for the vehicle inspection and ID check areas. The gate entrance is scheduled to reopen Sunday at 5 a.m. Pershing Gate will revert to operating from 5 a.m. to
7 p.m. seven days a week and will be open for all exit traffic and for buses entering and leaving. Jeb
Stuart North will close and the pass office will
open at Cassidy Gate.

Vaccinations begin
Early-response providers first to receive smallpox shots

Capt. Steven Battle, MD
Preventive Medicine, WBAMC

Last week William Beaumont Army Medical Center began vaccinating against smallpox.

Early response providers and some senior members of the hospital command received vaccinations. It is expected the vaccination program will soon be expanded to include other Army personnel, particularly those deploying to Southwest Asia.

Before receiving the vaccinations, the recipients viewed a short video to educate them about smallpox and the vaccination. Beginning this month, soldiers in the medical field will have access to online training or briefings. Individuals are encouraged to review military and civilian smallpox policy and medical guidance online at www.vaccines. army.mil and www.cdc.gov.

The practice of smallpox vaccinations was universal for civilian and military populations throughout most of the 20th century until the 1970s. In 1980, the World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated. Since there is no naturally occurring smallpox, implementation of the smallpox vaccination program is in response to the threat of biological warfare. If used as a weapon, military units could be among the first exposed. Thus, vaccinating our soldiers is the most effective method of protecting against this possible threat.

Under direction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Defense Department and the U.S. Army Medical Command, Beaumont developed a plan to respond to a smallpox attack. Providing smallpox vaccinations to prioritized personnel is an important first step to increase the Fort Bliss and Beaumont readiness posture. Beaumont is preparing to implement the Defense Department immunization plan for active-duty soldiers and to medically support the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities in the event of a smallpox emergency.

Before receiving the smallpox vaccination, the patient will be screened via a standardized questionnaire. The medical staff will then review this survey and interview him or her regarding any condition that may preclude an individual from taking the vaccination. These conditions may include eczema, pregnancy, HIV, current cancer patients and those who are in prolonged close contact with people with these conditions.

The vaccination is usually administered with a bifurcated needle with a fork-like tip. The tip has a tiny reservoir that retains a measured dose of the vaccine after being dipped into a vial. A series of small jabs at the site are made to deliver the vaccine. Patients receiving the vaccination for the first time will receive three sticks while those who were vaccinated previously will receive 15 sticks.

Patients should be aware that mild reaction at the site is expected and indicative of a protective reaction. The vaccination site should become tender, red and itchy. Afterwards, a blister may form at the site and then fill with pus. It is important that the patient effectively maintains this site. The vaccination site should not be touched. If contact does occur, washing hands with soap and water is recommended. Patients should educate cohabitants and advise them not to touch the vaccination site. The patient should handle his or her own laundry/towels and place these directly into hot, soapy water.

When the scab dries and falls off on its own, after about two or three weeks, a light scar - which is further evidence of protection - remains. According to the current CDC and DoD policy, smallpox vaccinations are currently available only to specifically recommended military personnel such as response teams, first responders and identified medical personnel. The general public will likely not have routine access until 2004. Smallpox vaccinations are currently offered to prioritize personnel in the Beaumont Allergy and Immunology Clinic on the third floor of the Bradley Building.