The 2010 Superbowl Champions New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders with Capt. Thomas A. Mengesha

Who-dat wit those New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders.... Capt Thomas A. Mengesha, that's who!!

Congratulations to the 2010 Superbowl Champions New Orleans Saints Football team!

Outward Bound Wilderness Excursions for OEF/OIF Veterans

After spending time in a combat and war zone you will certainly need some time to relax and unwind. One program designed to do just that is the Outward Bound Wilderness Excursions for OEF/OIF Veterans. Outward Bound is an international non-profit outdoor education program which is offering fully funded outdoor adventure excursions to all OEF/OIF veterans. It doesn't matter what your current military status is (active, inactive, discharged, retired) - you're eligible to attend as long as you deployed in support of OEF/OIF combat operations while in the military.

These five-day excursions offer adventure activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, canyoneering, canoeing, sailing and dog sledding in beautiful wilderness areas in Maine, Texas, Colorado, California, Florida and Minnesota.

All expedition costs for lodging, equipment, food, and instruction are completely funded by a milt-million dollar Sierra Club grant, including the participants' round-trip transportation between home and the wilderness site.

That is right, these excursions are offered at no cost to the participant! In my book I talk about other great programs that are offered free to veterans.

For more information pertaining to the Outward Bound OEF/OIF War Veterans Expeditions check out their website at www.outwardboundwilderness.org/veterans/html

Interview with Thomas Mengesha, Capt. USAR-Retired

CPT Thomas A. Mengesha with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Admiral Mike Mullen)

Interview with CPT Thomas Mengesha USAR Retired and author of The Service Member's Guide to Deployment; what every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed.

Why did you chose to write a book giving advice to service members who are deployed?

Actually my book is not only for deployed or deploying service members, it is also for family and friends of service members who want to better understand what happens and what to expect when their service member is deployed. However, to answer your question directly, I saw a need and decided to fill that need.
How has your experiences both in the military and civilian life made you knowledgeable on the topic of military deployments?

I have served in the United States Army for over 23 years both as an enlisted soldier and officer. I have deployed several times to the countries of Panama, Korea and most recently to the Iraq war theater of operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I have spent two years (from 2006 thru 2008) in a combat zone. Moreover, I served in various positions to include but not limited to Deputy Chief Theater for Rest and Recuperation, C1 Battle Captain and as Adjutant for Base Support Battalion-North. I have also received numerous wartime service medal awards. Not only am I a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan, I also served as an Adjunct college Professor at The University of Maryland University College in Kuwait where I taught Business Law and Business Ethics. Additionally, I was an instructor with Central Texas College in Kuwait where I taught Criminal Justice and Criminal Law classes. I enjoy imparting knowledge unto others.
So why write this book?

When I was deployed in July of 2006, I had many questions on what to expect and how my family would be protected and assisted during my deployment. While the military has programs to help, there was a great deal of information that was not shared. Additionally, the information that was out there, was not easy to find. I wanted to write a book that gave the deploying service member, their family and friends information so they would be better prepared to "survive" the deployment experience. I also wanted to make it easier for them to find that information. Sort of like a "one-stop-shop" book on military deployment advice.
Are their programs offered to deployed service members that are not offered to other service members or the general public?

Yes! You would be surprised at the number of government and private programs in place that will either reimburse the service member for certain out of pocket expenses for child care or even pay the total cost for their children to attend summer camps. There are even programs in place that will send a returning service member on a week long, all expense paid trip to a camping, rock climbing, and/or boating expedition. When I say all expense paid, I mean all expense paid! (airfare to and from their home, food, and lodging) Even I as the Adjutant was unaware of some of these programs.
What is the biggest advice you would like to give a service member that is about to be deployed?

PREPARE!, PREPARE!, PREPARE! There is a saying that goes something like; "People who fail to plan, plan to fail!" That is very true in military life and certainly with deployments. As with most things in life preparation is the key to success. It was my hope when writing my book that if I could ease the stress on a deploying service member and their family, then the writing of my book would not have been in vain.
Any final thoughts?

Yes... As long as you remember your training, stay focused on the mission at hand you will be just fine. You are about to embark on an adventure that few Americans will ever experience. (less then 1%) Be safe, enjoy the ride and may God Bless You!

Help and donate money to the victims of Haiti

I was heartbroken to learn of the events in recent days in Haiti. So much so that not only have I donated what I could to help but am asking other to do the same. If you would like to make a $5.00 donation to help the folks in Haiti, text "Yele" to 501501 from your cell phone in the United States or visit www.yele.org.

May God bless the people of Haiti!

CPT Tom "The Adjutant" Mengesha

Now that you have returned from your combat deployment, what should you expect?

It has been said that it can take anywhere between 6 and 18 months to fully recover back to "normalcy" after a combat deployment. I can tell you that the relationships you maintained and possibly improved upon will shorten that time. For many the first emotion felt after coming home from a combat deployment may be surprising to some. Things to look for upon a service member's return from a combat deployment and how to react are as follows.

1. The returning Service Member may have moments of isolation.
2. They may also have high emotions.
3. You as the family member should listen but do not react to the service member's possible expressions of anger.
4. However, you should never accept emotional or physical abuse.

It has been said that war is hell! However with proper planning you as well as your family and other relationships will survive. It is very important to take your time and expect a readjustment period. You have been gone away from home for a very long time. This absence is only compounded if you have small children. When I left home my son was 9 months old and upon my return he was nearly 3 years old. I saw a tremendous growth. There was an adjustment that we both made. Even though you may not notice, you as well as your loved ones have changed in many ways. Take it slow and seek help if needed from your local family support center or religious/spiritual advisor. Do not let your marriage become a casualty of war.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all deployed service members around the world!

God Bless,

CPT Tom "The Adjutant" Mengesha

The Stress of War

Whether you wear a medal on your chest or just courage in your heart, the effects of war are real. Service members should never be ashamed to seek mental health counseling. There is no shame in recognizing that you are having problems dealing with the effects of your combat deployment. In fact, it is honorable and shows a great deal of courage for you to seek out and get the treatment you need, deserve and have earned to succeed. In the past seeking mental health counselling may have affected your ability to obtain or keep a security clearance or even certain jobs in the military. Recently there have been changes on security clearance application procedures. You are now allowed to check the "no" block when asked if you have any mental health issues as long as you are seeking and undergoing treatment with a mental health provider.

As l look back over the two years I spent deployed to the Iraq war theater of operations, I am amazed at the many experiences I have had. I have held positions that helped service members return home for much needed Rest and Recuperation (R&R) as the Deputy Chief of USARCENT's R&R Program. The R&R program, with nearly a billion dollar per year budget, did just that. I also on a more relevant note to this book held the position of S1/Adjutant. However for me by the end of my deployment I learned that the truly most important thing in life was the connection you have with family and friends. Family is and will always be the most important thing in my life. Remember when you serve, your entire family serves with you. When you are under stress so is your family. It took a combat deployment for some to realize this fact.

If you are suffer from stress associated to your deployment contact your base mental health provider or the Veterans Administration. They are well equipped to assist you as you navigate on your road to recovery and mental health bliss.