Pastoral duties for two religious services transitioned to three pastors during ceremonies at the main post chapel here, March 22 and 29. A Changing of the Stole ceremony March 22 was presided over by National Training Center and Fort Irwin Chaplain (Col.) Terry McBride. McBride oversaw Chaplain (Capt.) Wayne VandeKrol relinquish Multi-Cultural Gospel pastoral duties…

Military and civilian medical personnel gathered for a celebration of the 114th year of the Army Nurse Corps at Weed Army Community Hospital here, Feb. 2. Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and leadership with United States Army Medical Department Activity commemorated the anniversary, which has a theme this year of “The Army Nursing Team:…

World-renown motivational speaker Helice “Sparky” Bridges worked with 400 Fort Irwin Middle School fifth through eighth graders and their teachers for three mornings, Feb. 18-20, to help them learn how to end bullying and prevent suicide. At school assemblies during the three days, Sparky helped the students learn how to appreciate, respect and love themselves…

The National Training Center and Fort Irwin conducted a quarterly military and civilian awards ceremony, Jan 12. The event awarded Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians for various achievements. The non-commissioned officer of the year, for fiscal year 2014, received an Army Commendation Medal. Four Soldiers and NCOs received Army Achievement Medals for winning…

A well-known Department of the Army civilian here, and friend of many, spoke at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration, Jan. 7. John Winkfield, director of the National Training Center Equal Employment Opportunity office, shared a personal story of transformation he attributed to several factors, including seeing Dr. King speak in the 1960’s. At…

Local military kids enjoyed a trip to Inscription Canyon with the EDGE! program while touring the high desert in the Desert Discovery Tour Polaris RZR off-road vehicles, Jan. 10. “On the trip, the kiddos got a photo opportunity at the Pizka Indian petroglyphs, a local Native American historical site, and visited an old Pony Express…