Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

I recently visited the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade and was asked several questions that I will answer now and in next week’s issue.

What educational Masters program will NCOs and warrant officers be able to sign up for to obtain a masters degree like CCC is currently doing?

Currently, there are no specifically tailored master’s degree programs for NCOs and warrant officers mirroring the ADA Captains’ Career Course program. However, NCOs can pursue master’s degree programs through eArmyU which offers Web-based courses that that can be completed anytime and anywhere. Additional program information can be obtained at your local Army Education Center or www.earmyu.com.

NCOs attending the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy are afforded the opportunity to attend college classes, primarily focused on students completing their associate and baccalaureate degrees. Resident master’s degree programs are also available through Webster University. A plan is being developed to offer degree programs in counseling management or leadership for senior NCOs and college credit for attendance at ANCOC and BNCOC.

Warrant officers can complete their degree by utilizing tuition assistance and attending resident college classes or enrolling in distance learning college courses during their off-duty time. For more information on specific schools and what master’s degree programs are offered check out GradSchools at www.gradschools.com. Warrant officers are not eligible to participate in the eArmyU program which was designed for enlisted Soldiers; however, they are eligible to obtain a baccalaureate or associate degree through the Degree Completion Program. Currently Community College grants three hours of credit for warrant officers (140E) attending the basic course.

Why are batteries rotating to Korea instead of battalions?

We are currently conducting battery rotations to Korea. Four Patriot batteries rotate to Korea every six months. The four batteries will conduct a one year rotation in Korea. The 35th ADA Bde. Headquarters, Headquarters Battery and the HHBs and Maintenance Companies from 2-1 ADA and 1-43 ADA will continue to be filled by the individual PCS replacement system. Currently, there is no plan to transition to battalion rotations but that may change in the future.

Why are all the batteries coming from one battalion?

Currently, every six months, one battalion will provide four manned, trained, and ready Patriot batteries to Korea for a one year rotation. Simultaneously, the same battalion will receive four manned, trained and ready batteries from Korea. The current four battery rotational model provides unity of command to ensure standardized predeployment training for all four batteries for each rotation. For each rotation, one brigade commander and one battalion commander are responsible for the training and certification of deploying Patriot batteries. Additionally, the four battery rotational model isolates the readiness impact to only one battalion per rotation. This enables the remaining battalions in the Patriot force to focus on other mission essential training and missions. Battalions will only provide batteries to Korea approximately once every five and a half years.
A concerned resident who lives on Reeder Road asked about having an adjacent residence checked for asbestos. There are certain policies and procedures residents are asked to follow when living in government quarters and a brochure with specific guidelines is given to new tenants. If the concerned resident would call the Directorate of Public Works at 568-2638, they would be glad to send out an inspector.

The following information offers more detailed information about what a resident should be looking for if living in older housing.

Insulation blankets (the outside covering or shell), door gaskets, duct insulation and tape at duct connections at furnaces and boilers all may contain asbestos. It was used as the best material available, during its time, as high temperature insulation. The material is white grey in color and resembles the plaster used in casts to protect broken bones.

Steam and hot water pipes were insulated with asbestos containing material, particularly at elbows, tees and valves. Its appearance is similar to that found in boilers. Pipes may also be wrapped in asbestos paper (which looks very much like corrugated cardboard). Asbestos-containing insulation has also been used on and inside round and rectangular furnace ducts. Sometimes the duct itself may be made of asbestos-containing material. Transite and asbestos containing paper have been used frequently as thermal insulation to protect the floor and walls around furnaces. Again, there is no hazard if left as is, or if it is in good condition.

Sprayed-on or trowelled-on surface material on wall and ceiling surfaces of some homes may be composed of asbestos containing materials. If the surface material is firmly attached, has a hard surface, and has no water damage, it should not be hazardous. If the surface can produce powder or dust by hand pressure, contact Family Housing. You should not try to do either repair or removal of this material yourself. There’s too much danger you will expose yourself and your family to heavy concentrations of asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is only dangerous when it is deteriorated to the point where its tiny fibers can be released into the air and inhaled. If the material is solid (in appearance and touch) and maintained in good condition, it presents no problem.

If the asbestos-containing material in your home has become deteriorated for some reason, there’s a good chance you can solve the problem without removal. Removal is generally the last resort, because it involves disturbing the material and sending more fibers into the air.

If you have cracked floor tiles, missing floor files or pipe insulation that appears to be crumbling or flaking off you should contact the Directorate of Environment. DOE will pull inspection records for the house, check the date of construction and if needed schedule a field inspection. For information call 568-0931.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 5 , 2005

	Troop Talk I recently visited the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade and was asked several questions that I will answer now and in next week’s issue. What educational Masters program will NCOs and warrant officers be able to sign up for to obtain a masters degree like CCC is currently doing? Currently, there are no specifically tailored master’s degree programs for NCOs and warrant officers mirroring the ADA Captains’ Career Course program. However, NCOs can pursue master’s degree programs through eArmyU which offers Web-based courses that that can be completed anytime and anywhere. Additional program information can be obtained at your local Army Education Center or www.earmyu.com. NCOs attending the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy are afforded the opportunity to attend college classes, primarily focused on students completing their associate and baccalaureate degrees. Resident master’s degree programs are also available through Webster University. A plan is being developed to offer degree programs in counseling management or leadership for senior NCOs and college credit for attendance at ANCOC and BNCOC. Warrant officers can complete their degree by utilizing tuition assistance and attending resident college classes or enrolling in distance learning college courses during their off-duty time. For more information on specific schools and what master’s degree programs are offered check out GradSchools at www.gradschools.com. Warrant officers are not eligible to participate in the eArmyU program which was designed for enlisted Soldiers; however, they are eligible to obtain a baccalaureate or associate degree through the Degree Completion Program. Currently Community College grants three hours of credit for warrant officers (140E) attending the basic course. Why are batteries rotating to Korea instead of battalions? We are currently conducting battery rotations to Korea. Four Patriot batteries rotate to Korea every six months. The four batteries will conduct a one year rotation in Korea. The 35th ADA Bde. Headquarters, Headquarters Battery and the HHBs and Maintenance Companies from 2-1 ADA and 1-43 ADA will continue to be filled by the individual PCS replacement system. Currently, there is no plan to transition to battalion rotations but that may change in the future. Why are all the batteries coming from one battalion? Currently, every six months, one battalion will provide four manned, trained, and ready Patriot batteries to Korea for a one year rotation. Simultaneously, the same battalion will receive four manned, trained and ready batteries from Korea. The current four battery rotational model provides unity of command to ensure standardized predeployment training for all four batteries for each rotation. For each rotation, one brigade commander and one battalion commander are responsible for the training and certification of deploying Patriot batteries. Additionally, the four battery rotational model isolates the readiness impact to only one battalion per rotation. This enables the remaining battalions in the Patriot force to focus on other mission essential training and missions. Battalions will only provide batteries to Korea approximately once every five and a half years. A concerned resident who lives on Reeder Road asked about having an adjacent residence checked for asbestos. There are certain policies and procedures residents are asked to follow when living in government quarters and a brochure with specific guidelines is given to new tenants. If the concerned resident would call the Directorate of Public Works at 568-2638, they would be glad to send out an inspector. The following information offers more detailed information about what a resident should be looking for if living in older housing. Insulation blankets (the outside covering or shell), door gaskets, duct insulation and tape at duct connections at furnaces and boilers all may contain asbestos. It was used as the best material available, during its time, as high temperature insulation. The material is white grey in color and resembles the plaster used in casts to protect broken bones. Steam and hot water pipes were insulated with asbestos containing material, particularly at elbows, tees and valves. Its appearance is similar to that found in boilers. Pipes may also be wrapped in asbestos paper (which looks very much like corrugated cardboard). Asbestos-containing insulation has also been used on and inside round and rectangular furnace ducts. Sometimes the duct itself may be made of asbestos-containing material. Transite and asbestos containing paper have been used frequently as thermal insulation to protect the floor and walls around furnaces. Again, there is no hazard if left as is, or if it is in good condition. Sprayed-on or trowelled-on surface material on wall and ceiling surfaces of some homes may be composed of asbestos containing materials. If the surface material is firmly attached, has a hard surface, and has no water damage, it should not be hazardous. If the surface can produce powder or dust by hand pressure, contact Family Housing. You should not try to do either repair or removal of this material yourself. There’s too much danger you will expose yourself and your family to heavy concentrations of asbestos fibers. Asbestos is only dangerous when it is deteriorated to the point where its tiny fibers can be released into the air and inhaled. If the material is solid (in appearance and touch) and maintained in good condition, it presents no problem. If the asbestos-containing material in your home has become deteriorated for some reason, there’s a good chance you can solve the problem without removal. Removal is generally the last resort, because it involves disturbing the material and sending more fibers into the air. If you have cracked floor tiles, missing floor files or pipe insulation that appears to be crumbling or flaking off you should contact the Directorate of Environment. DOE will pull inspection records for the house, check the date of construction and if needed schedule a field inspection. For information call 568-0931. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General