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July 2021
July 2021
Community News

Garrison Quarterly Housing Town Hall WACH CSM earns doctorate, encourages furthering education

Kim Hackbarth Army is…. you have to have that battle rhythm visit education centers.
reviews inspection results, updates Weed Army Community Hospital Public A airs of doing things because if you don’t keep up “A lot of people don’t
with that battle rhythm, then things fall by the know how to begin, and I
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — When Command
Sgt. Maj. Dedraf Blash, Weed Army Community wayside.” would say the first step is
Once she completed her master’s degree, coming to us because we’re
Hospital’s senior enlisted advisor, joined the
By Janell J. Lewis Ford a captain—some of the closest friends Blash decided to continue on to a doctorate de nitely the experts and we
you’ll ever have in your military career, Army in 2000, she had some college courses degree. want to make sure that the
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs under her belt but no degree.
you build right here.” “I was already in the battle rhythm of go- Soldier understands what
FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Fort Irwin’s June quarterly Housing Town e Villages Housing and the mili- However, with hard work, dedication, and ing to school and at the time my children were they need to know and how
Hall focused on the results from the recent Army Inspector General tary Army Housing O ce wanted to encouragement from family, friends, and lead- grown and it was just me, so I was like why stop they can go about finding
Housing inspection and introduced newcomers to new amenities make sure all residents were aware of the ers over the years, she earned her doctorate in now?” she said. the school that ts their goals
coming to the installation. Housing hotline, 760-380-7777, and strategic leadership May 14. Blash admitted there were times she wanted and their needs,” Rodriguez
e objective of the inspection was to assess the status of the they reviewed the Tenant Bill of Rights, Her accomplishment didn’t hit her until to quit. said. “We are here to be that
2019 Inspector General recommendations to Housing, as well as the which are on the main NTC website she was walking across the stadium at her com- “ ere were lots of times that I would pick neutral party and help them
implementation of corrective action plans. at home.army.mil/irwin, as well as the mencement ceremony and saw her family and up the phone and call my closest friends and say understand that process be-
One part of the report asked residents if they felt safety was a Tenant Responsibilities. friends in the stands, she said. ‘What am I doing? I just want to quit,’” she said. cause we know it can be very
priority and the results were: Housing also reviewed new guidance “It’s overwhelming because for my family, we “Of course, they would motivate me and remind intimidating.”
• A majority (10 of 16, 63%) of the residents sensed stated that called the Tenant Dispute Resolution: have somebody with a doctorate degree,” Blash me, ‘You’re doing this for you.’” Some of the resources at
safety is not a priority with the RCI partner housing o ce; 5 residents • A formal and informal dispute said. “[ ey can say] ‘she made it, she’s not her Another motivation for Blash were her the Fort Irwin Education
stated that they did not know. resolution process will be executed and circumstances.’” grandchildren, who would show her their report Center include education
• A majority (9 of 16, 56%) of the residents sensed stated the RCI is forthcoming no later than 30 June 21 After giving birth at a young age to her cards in exchange for her showing her grades counselors, a transition edu-
partners are responsive in solving their housing issues. • Procedures on how to submit an in- daughter, Blash later joined the Army at 28 too, she said. cation counselor, the Basic
• Some (7 of 16, 44%) of the residents felt that the RCI partner formal and formal dispute will be posted years old. “Hopefully it teaches them you’re never too Skills Education Program
was unresponsive—common reasons were that the technicians did on the NTC Homepage, Army Housing Blash restarted her education journey three old to accomplish any dream that you have and (BSEP), College-Level Ex-
not communicate when they were coming, enter homes without O ce link. Or you can contact the Army years after joining the Army not only because of just keep pushing,” she said. “Even if it’s one class amination Program testing,
given permission to enter, or rarely show up at the scheduled time Housing O ce at 760-380-3577/3576. guidance from her leaders, but because of advice at a time, even if it takes you 20 years to get there, and more.
window; work orders were left unresolved or were closed without Housing Updates from family. just keep moving forward.” Fort Irwin also has a Des-
tenants knowledge. • Adrena Sheriff, the Villages Com- “My mother and my grandmother have Blash said she speci cally chose to pursue a ert University Memorandum
• Few (4 of 16, 25%) residents knew the difference between the munity Director said that since Jan. 1, always taught me that education is something degree in strategic leadership to tie into her role that Soldiers can get ap-
Army Housing O ce (AHO) and the RCI Partner housing o ce. they’ve completed: that no one can ever take away from you,” Blash in the Army. proved by their command
12 residents stated they did not know. • 155 new HVAC installs said. “Take advantage of that.” “It actually teaches you about people and and allows them to get o
• A majority (3 of 4, 75%) of the residents felt safety is a priority • 1,428 A/C filter replacements Blash said she took many breaks in her educa- how to deal with people and di erent types of work early two days a week dentials in that repository are eligible to receive
with the AHO. Residents stated that when AHO got involved, their • 690 HVAC Preventive Mainte- tion journey through the years, but continued to leadership styles,” she said. “It teaches you about to attend classes. that type of funding,” she said.
issues were quickly resolved. nance Services take college courses when she could. policies and regulations and the way people work “We have received a lot of support from Soldiers can also combine tuition assistance
Brig. Gen. Curtis Taylor, NTC’s Commanding General, discussed • 369 fence repairs and/or replace- Photo Credit: Abe Dawoud She continued her classes while encouraging and the culture of people … what better envi- the [Fort Irwin and National Training Center] with any costs accrued with credentials as long
a hot topic on post—Basic Housing Allowance rates. He said he is an ments Brig. Gen. Curtis Taylor, NTC’s Commanding General, along with former Garrison her daughter to attend college. ronment than this healthcare facility to do so?” leadership with regard to education,” Rodri- as the combined cost doesn’t surpass the $4,000
advocate for properly computing BAH rates and getting the proper • 13,979 total work orders Commander, Col. Jeanette Martin, provided a vision and updates to residents during “I wanted her to go to college, so trying to Blash also praised Army education programs guez said.
resources for Soldiers. • Construction of the Super Play- the Housing Town Hall. The Villages says the Super Playground is scheduled to be motivate her to go to college I said ‘if you go including tuition assistance. Rodriguez said it’s important for Soldiers per scal year, Rodriguez added.
“Tuition Assistance covers speci cally tuition,
For those headed to Fort Irwin or who recently arrived, Taylor ground is scheduled to be complete by complete this summer. to college, then I’ll go to college too’”, Blash “I didn’t take out any student loans, it was all to understand they have $4,000 per scal year
had good news. August or September in Mojave Village • The Silver Valley Unified School District has a new website explained. tuition assistance and my Army Post 9/11 GI Bill available to them to use for tuition costs or other but for credentialing, if there are study materials
“What has been great about this installation for the 40 years that it’s Housing Notes at svusd12.net and many can register their student for school now. Blash earned her associate degree in 2013 and that paid for [the degrees] and I can still go to costs if they are getting a credential. that you have to purchase as part of your training,
been around, is that it has one purpose— a very serious purpose— to • The Villages reminds residents that trash pickup will begin at • First day of school for SVUSD is Aug. 5 her bachelor’s and master’s while attending the school again, which I am going to do because I’m “Now the Army has put out the Credential- you can utilize it if you have the funding available
prepare our nation for war and it’s one family,” he said. “You have an 6a.m. during the summer months, due to the trash trucks overheating • First day of school for Colin Powell State Preschool is Aug. 4 U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in 2018, a lifelong learner,” Blash said. “For me, my mom ing Assistance program, so if a degree is just to purchase that,” she said.
opportunity to build social connections here better than any other from high temperatures. • AAFES, the MWR and other facilities are urgently hiring at where she and her classmates would encourage said be a jack of all trades, never stop learning.” too overwhelming right now, there is funding Many Soldiers who didn’t want to pursue
place in the Army. Life is hard here at Fort Irwin, but you can build • As of June 17, appointments are no longer required at the Villages USAjobs.gov and applymyexchange.com each other, she said. Since active duty Soldiers can only use tu- that is available to help pay for credentials just college before they joined the military may not
bonds of friendship that will be with you for the rest of your military community pool and they’re opening at full capacity of about 300. All informational slides can be found on the NTC website, https:// “We would motivate each other, so when we ition assistance up to a master’s degree, in order so you can get the ball rolling and build that realize how ready they are to start taking civilian
career and I can say that personally serving here as both a teenager and Other updates: home.army.mil/irwin/ , under the “Town Hall Slides” tab. nished our bachelor’s degree, we were like ok, to pursue her doctorate, Blash began using her con dence,” she said. education classes, Rodriguez said.
let’s sign up for our master’s degree,” she said. Post 9/11 GI Bill. Some credentials Rodriguez said she has seen “Now with a lot of the things that they take
From COVID, Page 1 Blash and her classmates would attend the Blash recommended Soldiers take advantage become more popular include CompTIA Net- on and the resilience that they build as a Soldier,
“We have done that because the numbers supported us do- vaccine from Fort Irwin facilities. Sergeants Major Academy during the day, then of installation education centers, which helped work+, CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA A+. taking on a class here or there builds that con-
dence, and they nd that they are a di erent
ing that,” Taylor said. “We’ve seen a signi cant decrease in the ere are several opportunities. Everyone is encouraged to tackle their civilian college courses at night, her navigate through her degree programs and Soldiers can use the Army Credentialing Op-
prevalence of COVID here in the community, to the point that make an appointment online at weed-irwin.tricare.mil. which became a battle rhythm, or schedule, for the transition from tuition assistance to her Post portunities On-Line (COOL) website to look person, and they can de nitely achieve more than
we’re very encouraged.” Other changes in the latest Yellow Has include: her, she said. 9/11 GI Bill. up their military occupational specialty and see what they think they can,” she said.
For more information, contact the Fort Irwin
Taylor also spoke on the coronavirus variant, saying it • All gyms are open at full capacity for all authorized users, “Time management was the key to everything Jacqueline Rodriguez, an education services what credentials align.
spreads quickly. including contractor employees. Masks are required at these and getting that battle rhythm,” she said. “ at’s specialist with the Fort Irwin Education Center, “ e Army COOL website has over 5,000 Education Center at 760-380-4218 or visit
“We also recognize that the Delta variant is a very serious facilities for all unvaccinated personnel. something that I learned along the way in the said Soldiers with any education questions should certi cates and credentials and any of those cre- Building 1020 3rd Street.
threat,” he said. “So I encourage strongly anyone over the age of • Oasis Pool is open at full-capacity From AER, Page 1
12 to get vaccinated. Our wonderful Weed Army Community • The Child Development Center (CDC) will continue to
Hospital has been o ering vaccine clinics throughout the weeks everyone and getting things done,” said James. “ e goal is not “Although the active solicitation has come to an end any relicensing and many more.
and will continue to do that at the Mary Walker Clinic and also expand capacity as conditions allow. Masks are required at all always how much money we raised, the goal is 100% contact one can donate year round via the AER website at armyemer- ere are numerous ways eligible Soldiers and retirees can
at the Fort Irwin PX.” times at the CDC and School-Age Center (SAC). with the Soldiers, and that was accomplished. We want our gencyrelief.org/donate,” said Mary Duncan, Fort Irwin’s Army get in contact with AER. Soldiers can go through their chain
e COVID vaccine is available to all TriCare bene ciaries • Youth sports and activities are authorized and highly Soldiers to know that AER should be their rst choice if they Community Service Specialist. “ ose interested in donating of command which is authorized to approve immediate funds
age 12 and up. All Fort Irwin Soldiers and residents are encour- encouraged. have nancial need.” can also donate via the Exchange at checkout.” up to $2,000. Soldiers and retirees can visit their AER O cer
aged to receive the vaccine, but the decision is entirely voluntary. • All limits on the number of authorized personnel at indoor Addressing those in attendance, Col. Jeanette Martin said “I e Army Emergency Relief program provides assistance which is located in Building 109 on Fort Irwin. Finally, Soldiers
On June 22, WACH also announced that Department of and outdoor events imposed in response to COVID-19 are want to thank each of you for all that you have done, to bring such as providing emergency travel, mortgage, rent assistance, and retirees can call the American Red Cross which is authorized
Defense contractors are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 lifted, CG approval is no longer required. this across the line. Job well done to each of you.” funeral expenses, PCS travel, emergency home repair, spouse to provide nancial assistance on behalf of AER.

For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin