1 June 2019
The Leaflet Drop
The Newsletter of the PSYOP Veterans Association
(POVA)
Founded 1988
President's Letter

What is a "Regiment?"

In the traditional sense, Regiments have served to organize military resources and soldiers to continually train and prepare to perform assigned duties in the maximally efficient method possible to achieve objectives. This includes continually recruiting, training, developing, upgrading, equipping, and meeting deployment requirements for that Regiment.

Above and beyond the "proponency" and training operations, Regiments also serve as sources and "home bases" for Regimental beliefs, values, and traditions. They are those "identity" organizations that soldiers belong to and associate with because they serve and share together the beliefs, culture, values, and traditions of those specialized soldiers who serve. Regiments are both military and psychological identity centers that coalesce the values and beliefs of the soldiers who are their members.

Our PSYOP Regiment has a strong "proponency" function and our Regiment does this well. The larger PSYOP community, however, is not as focused, and the concept of Regiment from a value and tradition perspective is much less-well developed. To gain a perspective, simply look at Regimental associations such as Special Forces, Rangers, 82d Airborne, 173d Airborne, and other military Regiments with strong membership and affinity-producing values and traditions lasting decades.

POVA believes the time is right to focus the attention of all Psywarriors......active, Reserve, veteran, Gold Star, and friends......on a strong sense of "Regiment" inclusive of all who perform, or have performed, this critical work. We have many barriers, however, which will require work to overcome.......the "active-reserve" split in our PSYOP forces being a major barrier. To this day, there are PSYOP soldiers and veterans who disparage each other for their active or Reserve service, or disdain for those serving today vs. those who served before. We cannot be cohesive, effective, or a truly professional organization when we disdain or disrespect those in our profession who are "different" from each other. We have to improvise, adapt, and overcome the artificial constraints that prevent our identification as a "true" Regiment in the traditional sense.

Truth of the matter is that, until we see each other as Brothers and Sisters, until we accept the concept of "Regiment" as something bigger than the technical work being done at Ft. Bragg (which, by the way, is truly outstanding), then we will not have the true traditions, comaraderie, the esprit d'corps, or the sense of "belonging" that is so essential to the whole concept of "Regiment." Until we look, feel, behave, and act as if each of us is a fellow Psywarrior worthy of respect, then we will just be a collection of very specialized soldiers and veterans doing "our jobs."

It is time.......POVA is launching an initiative to create a broader conception of the Regimental tradition in PSYOP. What can you do to help promote our own concept of "The Regiment?"

Chad Spawr
President
New POVA Life Members
POVA welcomes new Life Member Benjamin Biver, who upgraded his One-Year POVA membership to a Life Membership; and Paul J. Hettich. You can view our entire Life Member roster on POVA’s website at

Check Your Knowledge of our PSYOP Experience

From time to time, POVA will pose a question for our readers to challenge our knowledge of our PSYOP profession and its history. Any Psywarrior can submit a question (include the answer, also, right?) and we'll publish it here.

First quiz question: What were the Armed Propaganda Teams, and when were they used?

Answer will be published in the 1 July issue of the newsletter.
POVA's 2020 Reunion

POVA's planning for the 2020 Reunion in Fayetteville is progressing. The plan is for the Reunion to be held around the Memorial Day weekend (roughly 21 - 25 May) 2020.

Setting the calendar will help our planning progress, and you'll be able to follow our progress via our website and the newsletter. We anticipate a variety of excellent activities at Ft. Bragg and in Fayetteville for this Holiday, and will work to involve POVA wherever possible.

REMEMBER......the dates are not finalized as we are working with Ft. Bragg and other organizations to learn of special celebrations and other activities in which our Reunion could participate.
A Reminiscence: A Broadcast from the Past

POVA VP Rich Hosier wrote a piece about making a connection in 2013 with COL Bruce Leahy, who later became Commanding Officer of the 4rth PSYOP Group at Ft. Bragg. It is an excellent reminiscence of a meeting between two men who are now both POVA Life Members. Here is Rich's recollection:

Recently on a lay-over in Charlotte while traveling from Tampa to Wilmington, I had the pleasure of meeting Lt. Col. Bruce Leahy, USASOC assigned to Ft. Bragg. 
 
During our brief conversation while rushing to make our connecting flight, we quickly realized we had something other than the Army in common; PSYOP.  Colonel Leahy invited me to visit the PSYOP Battalions at Ft. Bragg. I was honored, and looking forward to a day I knew would be full of emotions. As an aside the Army has renamed the PSYOP Operations Military Information Support Battalions, or MISB, and has joined the Special Forces & Civil Affairs units at Ft. Bragg. In addition, the 4 th is now an airborne unit. At the present time, Col. Leahy is scheduled to assume command of the 4 th Psychological Operations Group on 11 July.
This was especially thrilling for me, as I was a HB Broadcast Team Leader in Viet Nam; 1967-1969, first with the 6 th PSYOP Battalion out of Saigon, and then later as a member of the 7 th PSYOP Battalion located in Da Nang. We supported the 196 th Lt. Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division in Southern I Corps. Prior to going to Viet Nam, I was assigned to Ft. Bragg with the 6 th SF, and attended Airborne School at Ft. Benning. I worked in the 6 th Group’s Headquarters office located on Smoke Bomb Hill which is where all the Special Operations groups including MISB are currently located. I eagerly awaited the day to return to Fort Bragg.
 
Driving to Fayetteville, proudly wearing my POVA member’s shirt, I thought not only of my days at Bragg, but of the brothers I served with in Viet Nam, and the hero’s who didn’t return. The thought of meeting the new faces of PSYOP and sharing ‘our’ experiences with them, was exhilarating.
 
Colonel Leahy and I met at a coffee shop, and after our hellos, we got in his truck and headed over to Bragg. I must tell you, as soon as we entered the front gate, I was lost…nothing looked the same! First stop: Smoke Bomb Hill. Col. Leahy filled me in on the many changes from ‘back in the day’, and I was in awe. Col. Leahy then introduced me to Majors Bryant, Gardner, Denoms and SGM Hall. This trip down ‘Memory Lane’ was getting better by the minute! It was time to hit the Mess Hall!
 
The conversation over lunch was fascinating- fellow PSYOP soldiers from two very different eras. I quickly found out how massive the changes to PSYOP had been, given the advances in technology and the absolute outstanding people in the organization. No more strapping loudspeakers to a Huey and flying at 1500 feet broadcasting!! I suspect none of these solders even remembered such a technique. (To say I felt my age is an understatement!) We asked each other many different questions concerning our experiences with various strategies & tactics, and I was captivated with their various missions worldwide.  
 
After lunch Colonel Leahy and I visited each of the Battalion Headquarters. I was able to meet some of the soldiers, as well as learn about their particular AO’s and missions. One huge change from my days in PSYOP was the fact these Battalions support Embassies around the world. All of the soldiers I met were intelligent, gracious, and extremely competent. They were a very impressive group.
 
There are some very interesting facts about the PSYOP/MISB in today’s Army. To be a part of the organization one must have been in the service a minimum of five years. Each candidate must then go through a vetting process conducted by current members of MISB, be airborne qualified, and finally attend a 42 week school that includes language training. These soldiers are smart, well trained and dedicated. I was proud to be among them.
 
After checking out the Battalions and spending some time chatting with SGM Hall, Colonel Leahy gave me a tour of the base. We went over to Pope Field, looked at the new barracks (quite impressive), and over to the Special Operations area. It was surreal seeing the changes that have occurred over the past 35 years. We have come a long way!!!
 
I have been invited to return to speak with the NCO’s about the differences between military and civilian organizations. I am humbled by the invitation, and look forward to this opportunity. Colonel Leahy has also graciously invited me to attend his Change of Command, scheduled for 11 July, and I have accepted.
 
I cannot speak highly enough of Colonel Leahy and his soldiers. They showed me great respect and were very courteous. At the end of the day I told Col. Leahy; he made one old PSYOP soldier… very happy.
 
Post Script : Since writing the above I have attended Col. Leahy’s change of command on July 11 th and was overwhelmed emotionally during the ceremony. Colonel Leahy was kind enough to acknowledge my attendance during his remarks which gave me a great deal of pride. It was very kind and thoughtful of him to do so and I am very appreciative of his friendship. As I sat there looking out over the parade field and watching the 6 th & 7 th Battalion flags wave in the wind I could not help but reach back to a different time for me. Yes, I did have a lump in my throat remembering those who did not come back with me, but also I felt fortunate to have served with such professionals under trying circumstances. I look forward to participating in PSYOP activities in the future and especially in continuing my friend ship with Colonel Leahy and all the men and women of the MISB Battalions.

I am still a bit taken aback about the fact after all these years I am back with these men and women in uniform. It really doesn’t get any better than this!!!
USAJFKSWCS Magazine Focuses on PSYOP

The latest issue of SWCS quarterly magazine "Special Warfare" focuses on the long and successful of US military PSYOP as a key element deployed in America's conflicts since WWI.

It is an awesome article and quotes career military and political leaders who have publicly recognized PSYOP for the tremendous influence and power it brings to the entire focus of engagement. Strongly recommended. Here is a link to this issue:

7th PSYOP Battalion Alumni Reunion

POVA has learned from former SGT Rpbert Heltemes of the 7th PSYOP Battalion that a group of 7th Bn veterans are planning a reunion to held over the Labor Day weekend (in Aug-Sep) of this year. Information, including contact information, is included below.

Significantly, LTC Jacobsen, who commanded the 7th Bn for a period in Viet-Nam, and is now 91 years old, has promised that he will be in attendance. LTC Jacobsen was very highly regarded by the Psywarriors in his command.

(Note: the lineage of the Viet-Nam era 7th PSYOP Battalion lives on today in the 11th PSYOP Battalion, hence the use of the crest at right.)
Memorial Day 2019 Tribute at Ft. Bragg

This is a powerful illustration of the price our American military has paid in 7.500 lost soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen since 9/11. It is a powerful tribute to the commitment of America's young warriors to protect and serve our Nation.

RIP Heroes!
  
** POVA CONTACT INFORMATION **
 
PRESIDENT & NEWSLETTER EDITOR 
 CHAD SPAWR              chad.spawr@usapova.com  

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
 LARRY DIETZ             lawrenceddietz@gmail.com  
 
VICE PRESIDENT/CHAPLAIN
 JOHN CHENEY              hqcmdt@hotmail.com  
 
VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE
 RICH HOSIER                rich.hosier@usapova.com  
 
VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP
 MATT ROBBINS          matt.robbins@usapova.com  
 
VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE
 HOWARD PATRICK     on temporary leave of absence
CURT BOYD                   MISO.PSYOPER@GMAIL.COM  
 
VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING
ILYA NEMTSOV ILYA.NEMTSOV@GMAIL.COM

GATEWAY CHAPTER PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT EMERITUS & BOARD MEMBER
 MIKE STOECKERT         hookeye1@yahoo.com  
 
POVA HISTORIAN
  HERB FRIEDMAN        sgmbert@hotmail.com  
 
POVA ARCHIVIST
 EDWARD ROUSE        psywarrior@pipeline.com  
 
POVA TRUSTEES
MANUEL SALAZAR        many.s.salazar@gmail.com
MIGUEL HOBBS             miguel.hobbs.mbh@gmail.com
TIM RUIZ                         timothy.e.ruiz@gmail.com
DESMOND GUDETS      desmond.j.gudets.mil@mail.mil
TIM WALLACE                dirtdart357@yahoo.com
HAMMOND SALLEY      hsalley@sbcglobal.net
ROD FRITZ                       rodfritz@rcn.com
 
POVA’s Website..... www.usapova.org
Ed Rouse’s Psywarrior Website..... www.psywarrior.com
PSYOP Regimental Association Website.....www.psyopra.com
COL-Ret. Larry Dietz PSYOP Blog..... www.psyopregiment.blogspot.com
Howard Patrick’s Blog..... www.howardpatrick.weebly.com/blog