Kansas Adjutant General Visits Fellow Kansas Guardsmen

*This is an article I wrote that got published on 28 June 11** See link:
http://www.army.mil/article/55986/

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Brig. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general of the Kansas National Guard, came to visit his Soldiers from the 778th Transportation Company on May 3, 2011. The National Guard Bureau gave Tafanelli the opportunity as part of the Joint Monthly Reserve Access for Reserve Components Program for various adjutant generals to visit troops from their state. Brig. Tafanelli chose the Soldiers in Kuwait, since they were the largest unit currently deployed with almost 300 troops. The purpose of the visit was to ensure the deployment was progressing well and each of the Kansas Soldiers knew how much the state supported them while engaged in their mission.

Tafanelli met and had lunch with 15 Kansas Guardsmen of the 778th, headquartered in Kansas City, Kan. When asked how it went, Tafanelli wished there was more time to see the Kansas Guardsmen and have one-on-one time to get to know the Soldiers individually. The 778th assured Tafanelli the company was doing well, as evidenced by their high morale.

Tafanelli was sworn-in as adjutant general on Jan. 28, 2011. He sees this progression in his career as a tremendous challenge, as well as a great honor to serve the great citizens of Kansas and America alike. Tafanelli commented on how many changes he has witnessed over his past 30 years to the Armed Forces, making the Army what it is today. However, he is aware that 50 percent of the current servicemembers in the Kansas National Guard are new to the service since the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Tafanelli went on to say that this is going to create two distinct challenges as the drawdown continues and the Army transforms into a more institutional organization. "We are going to have to teach Soldiers how to be a part of an institutional Army," said Tafanelli. Many of these post-9/11 Soldiers are not aware of how such a concept even works. The other issue he mentioned was the lack of civilian jobs for Soldiers returning with multiple deployments. "All of these Soldiers have been on a current rotation of either preparing for deployment, on deployment or resetting from deployment," commented Tafanelli. He foresees, along with the budget challenges, an increase in unemployment for returning troops. He and the Kansas National Guard are ready to do anything within their power to help.

Change was something Tafanelli mentioned extensively. He commented, "the Army is constantly changing and the basic Soldier skill-set will also have to change as we get back to an institutional Army. What skill-set does the future Soldier need in order to be an effective leader' Do they need to be multi-lingual' What kind of leader attributes do (Noncommissioned Officers) need to have'" Tafanelli posed these rhetorical questions in an effort to prepare for the future of the state of Kansas veterans.

Tafanelli was encouraged by and grateful for the opportunity to see first-hand the living and working conditions of the Kansas Soldiers, and for the opportunity to connect with the troops. Tafanelli felt he assisted the troops by "...giving (the Soldiers) an outlet ... to express concerns as well as becoming better prepared for the Kansans redeployment to the states."

Tafanelli had one final task during his visit to his fellow guardsmen. He delivered a message on behalf Kansas Governor, Sam Brownback, who he met with just before his departure to Kuwait, which said, "Make sure all Kansans know how proud I am of them."

What is the definition of Freedom?

Our good friend Webster says freedom is defined as: the quality or state of being free. But what does this even mean? As I sat in my house while my mom waited out in the car I finally realized what freedom means. Not just for me at the age of 24, but for every American citizen all over the World.

Freedom is being given the opportunity to finish school to the highest level, if you so desire. Freedom is being able to have a job, and go home to your families at the end of the day. Freedom is being able to choose the location of where you go home to; be it an apartment, house, dorm, or a room in your family's house. Within that liberty is the freedom to go to the grocery store and cook whatever you want for dinner/supper/lunch/breakfast/or just eat whenever you get hungry. Also the freedom to not have to wear shower shoes. Its the freedom to get into your car and drive wherever you want to go. Its the freedom to wear whatever you want whenever you want to, to sleep in on the weekends, and to have more than one day out of the week where you don't have to report anywhere. Its the feeling that you can soar to the summit of the mountain without knowing that hundreds of other people are going to try to hold you down...instead you have families and friends who cheer you on as you attain your goals. You are not a prisoner. You are free!

I had forgotten. I had thought that freedom was something that didn't apply to me anymore. But now, as I sit on my bunk bed at 0500 in the morning after being back at my camp for 24 hours I realize. No, I know. I am completely aware. This is not permanent. I have approximately 90 days until I leave here. But not just that. I will be leaving here to go home. To go to where I had forgotten I could go. Being at school for the past 5 years made me forget that I am not alone in the world. I have a family who loves me! And, I really just cannot wait to get back to them.