DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable

Master Sgt. Donald Murrah put his Army training to use in June when he thwarted a bank robber from car-jacking a woman and her two-children. While on a routine errand at the Wells Fargo Bank in Fort Worth, Texas, Master Sgt. Murrah, a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Haltom High School in Haltom City, Texas, Murrah noticed suspicious behavior from a man entering and exiting the bank. When he began approaching cars at the drive-up ATM, Murrah knew it was time to step in. Despite the robber’s 32 caliber semi-automatic pistol, Murrah was able to drop him to the ground as he attempted to climb into the woman’s sports utility vehicle, and hold him until police arrived. On Feb. 18, Murrah received the Soldiers Medal at a ceremony at the high school where he works.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert D. Morschauser, Senior Trainer/Mentor, Fire Support, Joint Readiness Training Center Fort Polk, Louisiana will discuss the pre-deployment training and take your questions. The training is designed to test the units on every type of challenge they are likely to face during a deployment. On a typical training day, Soldiers deal with improvised explosive devices along a roadway; the sabotage of an electric power plant; searching a female in a culturally appropriate way; looting; demonstrations; replacing a corrupt school administration; drug smuggling, negotiating with tribal leaders; coordinating a raid on suspected insurgents with local police; preservation of historical artifacts, and protecting their base camp from a truck bomb attack.

Capt. Nicholas Holman, IV, CTF-63/Sealift Logistics Command Europe/CTF-363 Southeast Africa Task Force will be discussing Africa Partnership Station (APS), the U.S. Navy's initiative to build partnerships and help improve maritime safety and security in Africa. Originally started in 2007 in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, APS has been expanded to East Africa with Holman leading the first mission to take APS to Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya. While in the region he was on board USS Robert G. Bradley, a U.S. frigate which made APS port visits to all three countries in order to conduct various training, humanitarian assistance and other partner building activities. For this event he will give a brief overview of APS, his mission to East Africa and take questions.

Gen. Lacey will speak to The Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I’s) overall mission in helping the Government of Iraq prepare for the future with a professional, capable security force.

Capt. Couch will discuss the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq in partnership with NATO Training Mission-Iraq, United States Mission-Iraq and other organizations, assists the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense and the Counter Terrorism Bureau, generates and replenishes Iraqi Security Forces and improves the quality of the ISF and institutional performance in the process.

Mr. Tad Davis, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Environment) will discuss Army efforts in sustainability. The Army is currently focused on "Sustain the Mission - Secure the Future." Mr. Tad Davis will discuss the Army's ongoing projects and investments in sustainability. Please check out the Army's sustainability report for more information: http://www.aepi.army.mil/internet/FINALArmySustainabilityReport2007.pdf.

General Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army Vice Chief of Staff, will discuss the Army's initiatives and efforts concerning suicide prevention and provide updated statistics. Participating with him will be an Army Personnel representative and the general officer selected to head the Army's Suicide Prevention Task Force.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Perkins, director of Strategic Effects, CJ-9, Multi-National Force-Iraq will discuss MNF-I's role in the new emerging Iraq as well as President Obama's troop withdrawal plan and how it fits within the framework of the Security Agreement. He will also address the U.S.'s role in the new Iraq and how improved security has allowed the Govt of Iraq to: Establish strategic partnerships with other nations; provide a safe and secure environment; and conduct credible and legitimate elections -Strengthen its democratic institutions and bolster economic development.

U.S. Army SFC Helen Gillespie, a member of the 87th Army Reserve Band has served in the U.S. Army since 1971. The then-18 year old shop assistant enlisted in the Army as a part of the Women's Army Corps Band and has been playing the tuba for the U.S. Army ever since. "I had always dreamed of marching with the band," said Gillespie. "It was my only chance to get a proper musical education."

Col. Lukefahr will share his perspective on MNSTC-I's ongoing efforts to assist the GOI in developing, organizing, training, equipping and sustaining the intelligence organizations of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior.

Treasurer of Army Emergency Relief Col. Andrew Cohen will discuss the Army’s emergency relief program to address a recent Associated Press article.

Army Sergeant First Class Ed Malone has deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and will discuss what it’s like serving as a non-commissioned officer in today’s Army.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times senior editor Dana Canedy will discuss her new book A Journal for Jordan, which is based on a journal her finance, Army First Sergeant Charles Monroe King, wrote for their infant son while serving in Iraq. King was killed in Iraq on October 14, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated under his humvee.

Army Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, commander of the Gulf Region Corps of Engineers, and Ms. Elizabeth Burg, a project engineer in the Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region North district, will be joined by one of the five winners of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "New Faces of Engineering" competition.

Capt. Charles Michel, Chief of the Office of Maritime and International Law, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters will discuss the Coast Guard's involvement in global anti-piracy efforts. Accompanying Capt. Michel is Capt. Michael Giglio, Chief of Law Enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters.