JTF Troopers Poised for Success

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger | A Joint Task Force Guantanamo trooper studies his wrist-top compass in Camp America, July 30, 2008. The TOQ board tests nominated Troopers' knowledge of land navigation and many other military-related topics. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. The JTF conducts interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence in support of the Global War on Terror and supports law enforcement and war crimes investigations. JTF Guantanamo is committed to the safety and security of American service members and civilians working inside its detention facilities.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

08.01.2008

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Commitment. Selfless service. Excellence. Respect.

These are all values shared across all five branches of military service. These values guide and shape the daily lives of all Joint Task Force Guantanamo Troopers. They inform the actions of the proud men and women who participate in the safe and humane, legal and transparent detention of enemy combatants.

However, some troopers feel the need, nay, calling to go above and beyond personifying these values and strive to become the JTF Senior and Junior Troopers of the Quarter.

For those who have gone through their company, battalion and unit Trooper boards, JTF Command Master Chief Brad LeVault, chairman of the Trooper of the Quarter board, has one more value to keep in mind: poise.

"You have to show poise if you're going to step in front of this board," said LeVault. "If nothing else, showing poise displays confidence, maturity and at the very least, the propensity to be a leader, if not a natural ability to lead."

"Often times it's not whether or not you can answer a question correctly," continued LeVault. "It's how you answer the question."

The board consists of six E-9s, usually from across all branches of service, although the Marines are not currently represented. Eight Troopers, nominated from within their units, compete for both the Junior and Senior positions. Troopers prepare a resume and then are asked questions by the board.

"It's a very simple format," said LeVault "Troopers prepare a bullet form resume."

A trooper with a weaker resume than others rarely surpasses his peers due to performance at the board alone.

"People have a strong record for a reason – they want to succeed," said LeVault. "Everyone standing out there comes in here prepared and poised because they want to stand out."

This means answering questions from a uniform study guide on a number of topics, ranging from land navigation to military customs and courtesies, the Geneva Convention to current events.

"We truly live and work in a global environment," said 525th Military Police Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Fowler, board member. "Here in Guantanamo, outside influences affect how our Soldiers and Sailors go about their duties everyday. Being aware of what is happening in the world will help our Troopers understand their mission better."

While the topics tend to be broad, senior leaders still feel that understanding large concepts can help put a Trooper's contributions in context.

"Why is it important to know about the Constitution and civics?" asked Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Craig McVeay. "Each of us has sworn to defend the Constitution. Doesn't it make sense to know what we've sworn to defend? Learning and knowing the basics of our government and history is critical for those who are citizens of our nation."

The same set of questions is posed to each junior trooper candidate and a different set for each senior trooper. They all come from a standardized study guide.

"Troopers selected to compete for the honor of being chosen as Trooper of the Quarter are given a study guide to help them prepare," said Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Scott Huff, from Port Security Unit 307. "The board members are directed to restrict their questions to only material covered in the guide, thereby ensuring fairness for all candidates."

With a level playing field, common sense would dictate that each branch of service would bring home their fair share of winners, however, in LeVault's two years as JTF CMC, he has witnessed an interesting phenomenon.

"I don't know what it is," said LeVault. "The Coast Guard has simply dominated during my time down here. I can only think of three times the Coast Guard hasn't taken Senior Trooper and they usually take the Junior Trooper about half of the time. Maybe it's because they're a reserve unit and they can draw from their civilian experience. Truthfully, I don't know."

So, to all the other branches of service, the gauntlet has been thrown...

www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

• Date Taken: 08.01.2008
• Date Posted: 08.04.2008 15:42
• Story ID: 22116
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU