What happens and what you should do if you become a Prisoner of War

I have never been officially declared a Prisoner of War or POW but I have been detained against my will. Being a prisoner of war must certainly be one of the most terrifying conditions a service member must face. Most POWs are mistreated and certainly (in most cases) not treated as well as POW's held by the United States. As a POW, expect to be held in conditions that are trying both mentally and physically. You may be confined and restrained to a very small area and have your movements strictly controlled. You should also understand that even as a POW, you have a Code of Conduct that must be followed.

The Code of Conduct is the legal guide for the behavior of military members who are captured by hostile forces. The code itself is broken down into six Articles that address various situations that may arise. The military Code of Conduct is as follows:

Article I
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

As a POW, you may become sad, depressed and even suffer from anxiety attacks, you must always keep your wits about you! You are confined and possibly even separated from your other prisoners, you may never know what the future holds. Always know there are people and forces out there that are trying to reach you and set you free.

If you find yourself a Prisoner of War the following are some things that have helped me through my ordeal as a detainee.

1. Start a routine or an activity to keep your mind off your current condition and circumstance.
2. Exercise. Even in a confined environment, you can do activities to stay in shape.
3. To the extent possible eat as best as you can, there are actually certain foods that have stress lower properties. According do some nutrition experts, foods that help fight anxiety are:
a. Berries, any berries
b. Guacamole
c. Mixed nuts
d. Oranges
e. Asparagus
f. Chai tea
Understand as a POW you will only be able to eat what is offered, but at least now you have and idea of some good food choices.
4. Get as much fresh air as possible. Every opportunity you have should be a chance to take in some fresh air. When I was a detainee, I suffered an anxiety attack like non other I had surfered before. What helped me was taking in as much fresh air as possible.
5. If there are other POW's at your facility it may be helpful to build relationships . The company of others is a good thing during stressful times. When I was a detainee, I along with another detainee, shared a small space his name was Anthony Wright and he was from Chicago. While we had extremely different backgrounds, we both did a lot to keep each other's spirits up. We would tell each other jokes and share the limited supplies our detainers provided us. Anthony Wright helped me survive my ordeal as a detainee and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Lastly, you should never give up hope. You should pray to whatever power gives you strength as well as spiritual renewal. The power of prayer is real and should not be taken lightly or for granted. Remember your training. Remember you are not alone. Remember they may have your body but never your mind! Remember that your family, friends and country love you and will never forget you. Keep the faith. Pray and most of all, always remember that God will be with you...always!

A Soldier's Story

I have often been asked to explain what is the most difficult part about being stationed in a combat and war zone. Is it the possibility of being killed? No. Is it the threats from enemies near and far? No. Is it the horrid drivers? No. Then it must be the numerous times I have traveled throughout the Iraq War Theater of operations? No.

The most difficult and challenging thing for me to deal with is being away from my family and in particular my children. When I was deployed in July 2006 to go to Iraq, (though I ended up in Kuwait), my son was 9 months old and my daughter was 4 years old. Upon my return home later this year, my son will be nearly 3 years old and my daughter will be 6 years old.

I missed a great deal of their early life as a result of my deployment. During the time I was deployed my son learned to walk, got his first hair cut, (though I took him to get his 1st “professional” hair cut when I returned home during one of my two R&R vacations.) My daughter lost her first tooth. However, the greatest disappointment was the fact I missed my daughter’s entire year of Kindergarten.

Kindergarten is the time in a child’s life when they learn a great deal about life. There have even been books written about the importance of Kindergarten on a person's life. One such book is entitled "All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"

Without sounding biased and proud, I have the smartest children in the world. Marissa without a doubt is a very bright little girl. I have often said she is 5 going on 26. She was reading at the age of 4. Most of all she is the epitome of a “Daddy’s Girl”. If you do not believe me, stop what you are doing, go to Webster’s Dictionary and look up the definition of “Daddy’s Girl”. There amongst the words you will see a photo of Marissa looking back at you smiling.

Recently Marissa graduated from Kindergarten. Because of my deployment, I was unable to attend. However, I learned something very profound about my daughter. During the graduation ceremony or should I say “Celebration” the children received a DVD of their experiences in kindergarten as well as a year book.

Inside of the yearbook the teacher asked each of the students a question. The teacher asked the students to finish the following sentence; If I were a snowflake I would...

Of curse all the students answered the question with all sorts of amusing responses. When I was informed how Marissa answered, it brought a tear to my eye and a tremendous sense of pride to my soul. My 5 year old daughter stated in response the following;

"If I were a Snowflake I would travel to the Army so I could be with my Dad!"

Well needless to say she will always be my little Snowflake in the desert. Even if the temperatures can and often do reach temperatures of 140 degrees or more in the summertime :o)

Thomas Mengesha live on TV 33 Detroit

CPT Tom Mengesha will appear live on WHPR TV33 in Deteoit today at 2:30pm EST. Catch him live on the net at www.tv33whpr.com. Spread the word!

Benefits for Gray Area and Recipients of Retired Pay

Today is a very important and proud day in my life. Today I retire from The United States Army Reserve after having served more then 25 years. As such, I want to share with you all some important information about retirees from the Army Reserve. The following information was taken from HRC website.

As an active RC, IRR, or Retired Reserve service member who has received a 20-year letter but has not received any retirement pay, you may be eligible to receive "gray area" benefits. The following table shows these benefits compared to the full retiree's.

Benefits

Gray Area
(Active RC, IRR, or Retired Reserve)

Retiree
(Age 60+; receiving retired pay)

ID Cards

Obtain a DD Form 2(RES RET) and DD Form 1173-1 at any Reserve Component ID card-issuing facility with a copy of your 20-year letter and transfer or separation orders.

Obtain a DD Form 2(Ret)(Blue) and DD Form 1173 (Uniformed Services identification and privilege card) for your family members at any ID card-issuing facility with a copy of your retirement orders.

Member - DD Form 2 (RES RET)

Spouse/Dependents - DD Form 1173-1

Member - DD Form 2 (RET)

Spouse/Dependents - DD Form 1173

Military Installations, Facilities and Activities

Local post policies and in-country directives govern the use of facilities.


Exchanges
Commissary
Shoppettes
Service Stations
Gasoline coupons are not available in OCONUS for retirees.
Physical Fitness Center
Lodging

Military lodging is available on a limited basis. Space A is "first come-first served" based on daily availability.
Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) lodging is available to all ID card holders. Toll-Free number: 1-800-GO-ARMY-1 or 1-800-462-7691
Guest House is normally available on a limited basis.
Other Facilities

Theater
Recreation Center
Officer/NCO/Enl Clubs
Laundry/dry cleaning
Bowling Alleys
Beverage Stores
Libraries
Four Seasons
MWR facilities
Flower Shops
Optical Shop
Beauty/barber shop
Check cashing/currency exchange


Medical Facilities

Member - No; except on ADT or AD (Eligible if returned to an active duty status)

Spouse/Dependents - No

Member - Yes

Spouse/Dependents - Yes

Champus Tricare

Member - No

Spouse/Dependents - No

Member - Yes (Until age 65)

Spouse/Dependents - Yes (until 65) . After 65, Tricare for Life is second payor to Medicare.

TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) Yes (Gray Area Retirees) Yes
Lodging /AFRC (4)

Military lodging is available on a limited basis. Space A is "first come-first served" based on daily availability.
Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) lodging is available to all ID card holders. Toll-Free number: 1-800-GO-ARMY-1 or 1-800-462-7691
Guest House is normally available on a limited basis.

Space-A Travel

Member - Yes; limited to CONUS

Spouse/Dependents - No

Member - Yes

Spouse/Dependents - Yes (OCONUS)

SATO/Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Legal Assistance

Limited (AR 27-3)

Survivor Assistance

Casualty Assistance

Family Services

VA Benefits
Yes, if Vet

Servicemens Group Life Insurance
(There are exceptions based on Reserve status. Please visit the Veterans Administration webpage for details.)

Veterans Group Life Insurance
(There are exceptions based on Reserve status. Please visit the Veterans Administration webpage for details.)

Yes, if eligible and requested

Yes if eligible

State Benefits

See your State Representative

See your State Representative

How to prepare to retire from the military

As I prepare to retire, I have started to reflect upon my over 25 years of military service. Since I will be retiring from The Army Reserve, I will be speaking on "Gray" area retirement benefits. Check back on Friday for my advice and reflection of 25 years of military service.

If you want to see some of my activities I will be involved with after leaving the service check me out at The Mengesha Firm, P.C.

Myths About Your DoD/ VA Benefits

1. After I return from OIF/OEF, I need to have my dental work (as part of my VA benefit) completed before the end of the 180 day period.
False. Fact: The 180 day period refers to enrolling in the VA and making the dental appointment within 180 days of the REFRAD date, but you are NOT required to have all of your dental work completed before 180 days!

2. If I receive disability compensation from the VA, I will be discharged from the National Guard.
False. Fact: You can be a traditional National Guard member and receive VA disability compensation. However, you cannot receive VA compensation for the same time period that you receive military pay. For typical 'traditional' Guard members, this means 63 days of military pay (48 UTAs and 15 AT). Any Active Duty Operational Support Guard program (aka ADSW), RMA, etc. counts as military pay as well. If you are AGR or mobilized, you will be receiving military pay 24/7, and must stop VA compensation immediately, or you will become indebted to the Federal Government.

3. I am receiving 40% disability compensation from the VA and have heard that I will be discharged if I am receiving more than 30%.
False. Fact: Although there is something in the enlistment contract about 30%, that does not apply to you because you are not enlisting! The percentage of disability compensation from the VA does not affect your membership in the National Guard. However, you must pass the physical examination for the NG – “fitness for duty exam or ability to perform your duty” – this is what will determine if you are retainable. And always record accurate information on the Annual Medical Certification. There is a block that asks if you are receiving disability compensation from Social Security, VA, Workers Comp, etc. These are government documents and to give an untrue answer is deemed as committing fraud and then neither DoD (Department of Defense) or VA is going to be chomping at the bit to take care of you.

4. VA does Retirement Physicals.
False. Fact: They do not. Guard members often confuse the Compensation and Pension Exam as being a retirement physical. However, if there is a VA/DoD Sharing Agreement, the VA Medical Centers may be requested by DoD medical facilities to assist with these service retirement physicals, but these instances are rare. Note: Under the Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program, DoD will accept the VA’s physical as their retirement physical. If the Service Member has already done a VA Compensation and Pension exam, they can get a copy of it and use it as their retirement physical.

5. If I am injured in a car accident, my TSGLI benefits will reduce the amount of my SGLI in the event of my death at a later time.
False. Fact: Payment of TSGLI has no impact on the amount of SGLI payable. For example, if a Service Member is insured for $400,000 of SGLI coverage and receives a TSGLI payment of $50,000 for a traumatic injury, that member is still insured for the full $400,000 of SGLI coverage, which will be paid upon the Service Member's death.

6. As a National Guard member, I heard that my SGLI coverage is only good while I'm at drill.
False. Fact: If you are a National Guard member and have been assigned to a unit in which you are scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive duty that is creditable for retirement purposes, full-time SGLI coverage is in effect 365 days of the year. You are also covered for 120 days following separation or release from duty.

7. I cannot go to the VA Hospital for a service-connected problem because I have private health insurance.
False. Fact: You may enroll with the Department of Veteran Affairs for healthcare benefits regardless of your private health insurance plan. You may, depending upon the circumstances, have to make a co-payment for treatment for non-service connected conditions. Your private insurance may be billed for non-service conditions as well.

8. If I am a Service Member returning from theater and do not have a job, I am not eligible for Unemployment Compensation.
False. Fact: Although the Unemployment Compensation benefit varies among states, you may be eligible in your state for unemployment insurance. Usually the states provide these temporary wage replacement benefits to qualified individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own. Check it out! Also check out your state benefits which may include employment benefits and job placement assistance, too.

9. I need to pay enrollment fees to take advantage of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.
False. Fact: There are no enrollment fees to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

10. If I file for my VA compensation then I have automatically enrolled in the VA Healthcare System.
False. Fact: The process to apply for VA compensation is separate from the process to enroll in the healthcare system. To enroll you must complete a 10-10EZ and submit it in person, online or via the mail to your nearest VA hospital. It must be signed before you submit it. It is also wise to have a copy of your DD214 to verify your active duty status and theater of deployment for combat vet eligibility for enhanced healthcare and other benefits.
Additionally, if you submitted your military medical records with your disability claim, it is not available to the hospital. For VA healthcare enrollment, it is also necessary to bring copies of any of your medical records so that they can be scanned into the VA’s VISTA electronic record system.

11. Service Members and their families are not eligible for Pre-activation Benefits (Early Eligibility) TRICARE.
False. Fact: Guard and family members are eligible once the SM receives mobilization alert orders, is within 90 days of deployment and all are currently enrolled in DEERs. Special note: if you think there is a possibility that you may be found not fit for duty, you should keep your civilian heath insurance until you are found fit for duty.
Remember that when you return from this deployment, you are eligible for 6 months of TRICARE TAMP for your and your family healthcare needs (enrollment is not automatic – see your Transition Assistance Advisor or TRICARE representative for details). VA healthcare covers only Veterans for 5 years from the REFRAD date.

12. I am enrolled in the TRICARE healthcare program and am automatically covered for dental care.
False. Fact: Enrollment in TRICARE does not cover your dental care. The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is offered by the Department of Defense (DoD) and you must purchase this benefit from United Concordia, which administers the program. (www.tricaredentalprogram.com)

Contact your Transition Assistance Advisor
(TAA) for more information on your benefits
and entitlements. To find the TAA in your state,
go to www.taapmo.com/TAAProgram.htm.
Your Transition Assistance Advisor is:
John D. Labash Program Manager NGB Transition Assistance Advisors Skyline Ultd Inc SDVOSB 703-373-2320 John.Labash@Skyline-Ultd.com

12 MYTHS ABOUT
YOUR DoD/VA BENEFITS
For Guard and Reserve members
(Revised 11 08 reprinted)

Military Deployment Orders

The sequence of events on September 11, 2001 changed America forever. On this day, The United States of America lost its innocence. The land of the free was no longer as free as it once was. Open and free travel no longer seemed as open and free following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Subsequently, America soon found itself at war with Iraq and Afghanistan. The number of service members needed to adequately fight this war was tremendous. The number of service members on active duty was not enough to engage in effective combat. As such, the burden to pick up the slack fell upon the Reserve and National Guard forces of our military. Not in recent memory has there been a greater number of service members deployed conus or oconus. From a military development standpoint, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan provoked the number of deployments to grow substantially. Since September 11, 2001, over 1.7 million service members have been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Operation Enduring Freedom’s military focus is on securing the nation of Afghanistan, while as its name suggest, Operation Iraqi Freedom is concerned with securing the nation of Iraq. In addition to the service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, thousands of service members were deployed to Kuwait and Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Moreover, tens of thousands service members were deployed in support of contingency operations around the world.

So what happens when you receive your "orders" to go? Generally speaking your Unit, if you are deploying as a unit, will receive unit orders informing the Command that their unit will be deploying. If on the other hand you are an individual deployer as I was, you could receive your initial order via a phone call followed by orders requesting that you report for active duty. The amount of notice given to a service member ranges anywhere from several months in advance to only several days prior to the date ordered to active duty. I received my orders only three weeks before my scheduled day to report for duty.

There have been millions of Americans deployed to war zones around the world since this great country was founded over 230 years ago, however, recently it appears that many soldiers are deploying in greater frequency then ever before. In addition, some of those deployed are on their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th deployment. In many cases, the deployment is involuntary and not knowing all of the information that will make the deployment less stressful creates a tremendous burden not only for the deploying service member but the family of that service member as well.
Deployment is much like a roller coaster ride at an amusement park. You first have the uncertainty of the entire event much like what you feel as you enter the gate to a roller coaster that you have never ridden before. You are unsure if you will make it. You may even attempt to get out of it at the very last minute. The roller coaster makes its climb and just as you begin the process of family planning and the actual deployment, you become anxious and nervous. After you’ve made it to the top of the roller coaster, you brace yourself for your quick decent, and at this point you realize there is no turning back. This is a similar feeling to what you may experience upon reaching your mobilization site but you brace yourself anyway and prepare for the many highs and lows this ride will offer.

Over the next several post, I will attempt to share some insights for service members and their families as to of what to expect during the time of deployment and the best way to minimize many difficulties sure to occur...