Fellow Psywarriors,

Time to start thinking about some key reunion issues. One of the big items we'll have to manage is elections for POVA's 2020-2022 Board.

POVA needs newer and younger leadership. We need people taking point and continuing our growth, expanding our relations with both active and Reserve units, continuing to raise funds to help our fellow soldiers and veterans in need. We need candidates for ALL POVA leadership positions. If we don't have candidates for open positions, then those positions obviously cannot be filled.

The Viet-Nam generation of Psywarriors created and has managed POVA for over 30 years. Frankly, we are slowing down and becoming less capable, and it is time for a "de-Vietnamization" process to plan and execute a future for POVA! For those who commented on this (and you are correct!), this is the time to stand behind your words!

There will be at least one expectation for any Board member beginning in 2020.....every Board member must commit to take on, and complete, at least one project during the Biennium designed to do one or more of the following:

  • continue POVA's membership growth
  • expand relations with all PSYOP units both active and reserve
  • support our PSYOP Regiment to our current and future members
  • raise funds to help support our philanthropic commitments

These things cannot be that difficult! POVA has been doing these things....and more.....for a very long time. Our very success speaks to our reputation, our brand, and the respect we receive from those with whom we interface.

Chad Spawr
President
Lest we Forget.......
 
Please remember that American men and women are deployed in many places around the world and are in constant danger. Please save a thought and prayer for our fellow deployed Psywarriors, and for all Americans deployed. They are our Brothers and Sisters!
New POVA Life Members

POVA is very pleased to welcome our new Life Member who joined with us in late November and December.

Ian Saltz
Mike Gedeon

You can view our entire Life Member roster on POVA’s website at

www.usapova.org/pova-life-members
Tracing and Connecting with Our Unit Lineage

POVA received a message from 1SG Jacob Peck, 338th PSYOP Co (Tactical), located at Ft. Jackson, SC. The unit has received information on its historic lineage, discovering that it had its earliest foundations during the period of the Viet-Nam War, and then continued on to the current time.

The unit seeks to contact any veteran of the 338th's historic lineage to further solidify its history and ties to those who served in its past. Here is 1SG Peck's message:

I am the First Sergeant for the 338th Psychological Operations Company (Tactical) in Ft. Jackson South Carolina.  

Last month, we received our Lineage and Honors from the Heraldry office and learned that we trace our history back to Vietnam and that our predecessor organizations include the 38th PSYOP Detachment and the 138th PSYOP Detachment.  

I am asking if POVA will send a members-wide email seeking former members for either of these organizations so that we can invite them to unit functions and to learn about our unit's rich history. 

The 38th Psychological Operations Detachment was activated on 05 January 1968 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Inactived 01 December 1969 in Vietnam.

It was Redesignated the 138th Psychological Operations Detachment on 16 June 1996.  

If there are any former members of either of these organizations, please have them reach out to myself or my commander at either our email addresses:

1SG Jacob Peck:   Jacob.L.Peck.mil@mail.mil
MAJ Chad Treboniak:  Chad.A.Treboniak.mil@mail.mil
Big Changes for the Special Warfare Museum

POVA has learned that Gen Francis M. Beaudette, CG/USASOC at Ft. Bragg, convened a meeting in early January to issue directions and initiate planning that may have substantial changes in store for the Special Warfare Museum at Ft. Bragg. Those of us who have visited and enjoyed the museum may well have reason for concern over the ultimate outcome facing this museum and its displays. Here are some of the points that seem to emanate from this meeting:

  1. Museum Direcctor (and POVA Life Member) Roxanne Merritt will retire after 41 years of service. Roxanne has been tireless in her direction of the Museum.
  2. The Museum store will close for 30 days to conduct a full inventory of goods and produts to determine current value, and possibly evaluate the future of the store itself.
  3. The Museum will fall under direction of the USASOC Command Historian pending further evaluation of its status and future.
  4. USASOC staff will prepare recommendations for future disposition of the Museum and its many displays. These recommendations will be submitted in early February to the CG and his staff.

It is not clear what will happen to the many exhibit items that have been donated by our many veterans and veterans' groups. POVA will report on anything further that is learned.
PSYOP Regiment T-shirts still available

POVA has created an excellent tshirt for all PSYOP Regiment members, including soldiers and veterans. They are currently available on our website for purchase.

These shirts are available in dark green and in a light grey. They are beautifully emblazoned with our PSYOP crest and the words "PSYOP REGIMENT" bannered above a below.

The price is $15 per shirt, including shipping. POVA's price covers our costs only; we don't make any money on these. Our goal is to build visible and tangible support for our Regiment, our soldiers, and our fellow veterans who have served our Regiment and our Nation so well.

POVA 2020 Biennial Reunion Planning Update

Our 18th Biennial Reunion, to be held in Fayetteville, NC, will run from 19 May through 23 May 2020. Details of specific events are still be defined, but here are some of the activities that are being planned to make this a most memorable Reunion.

As a reminder, the Reunion Banquet has been scheduled for Friday 22 May 2020, at the Iron Mike Conference Center on post at Ft. Bragg. Iron Mike is a beautiful facility which does a superb job providing excellent banquet service for groups both large and small. Menu details, specific times, etc., are still being developed. The banquet cost is included in the Reunion Registration fee of $45 per person.

The Reunion HQ and hotel will be the Bordeaux Convention Center at the Ramada Plaza-Baymont Inn and Suites, located at 1707 Owen Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. Room rates (PLUS TAXES) are as follows:

King Room: $79.00
King Suite: 109.00
2 Dbl Beds: 79.00
Complimentary breakfast included

You can call the Bordeaux to make reservations at the following phone number:
Reservation Phone Number (direct): 910-323-0111
Specify this Reservation Code POVA20

As further details develop, we'll update you by newsletter, by POVAcomm messages, and via our website at www.usapova.org.

Stay tuned!
2020 Biennial Reunion Tentative Agenda and Calendar

Progress continues in planning for our 19-23 May Biennial Reunion. Here is the VERY TENTATIVE ROUGH DRAFT of our activities' calendar for the reunion. Undoubtedly things will change as we continue planning, but this should give a good idea of how we are proceeding. As changes occur, POVA will post them in this newsletter and will also open a special page on our website.

DRAFT ONLY
2020 POVA Biennial Reunion Calendar of Events
 
Date  
19 May 2020
Tuesday  
Evening Welcome Reception , open to all Reunion participants
Approximately 1800 – ???
Cash Bar, light hors d’oeurves
 
 
20 May 2020
Wednesday  
Panel Discussion: ARSOF & USACAPOC: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. An Historical and Current Operational Briefing.  0900 – 1200 (times approximate)
Tentative Guest Speakers:
·          MG Darrell Guthrie, CG/USACAPOC
·          James Dandridge II, Former PSYOP Unit Commander, Former US DOS expert on PSYOP
·          BG-Ret. Edward Burley, Former PSYOP and USCAPOC Unit Commander
·          COL Robert A. B. Curris, Former PSYOP Unit Commander, Regimental Commandant
 Afternoon Hours: in development
 
 
21 May 2020
Thursday  
POVA Business Meeting (members only): 0900 – 1200
Tentative Meeting Agenda:
·          Election of 2020-2022 Officers and Board
·          Finance Review
·          Update on discussions with PRA, POA
·          POVA Educational Support Project
·          Potential POVA Philanthropy Plan for 2020
 Afternoon Hours: in development
  POVA Reunion BBQ/Picnic : 1800 - ??? Location TBD
 
 
22 May 2020
Friday  
Panel Discussion: Current State of the “Acronym Environment: Making Sense of PSYOP, MISO, IO, MILDEC, CYBER, etc.”  0900 – 1200 Agenda and speakers in development
 Afternoon Hours: in development
  POVA Banquet Celebration : Iron Mike Conference Center, Ft. Bragg, NC 1800 – 2200
 
 
23 May 2020
Saturday  
Possible Closing Session/Activity  
End of Reunion and Departure
  ** 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            chen77jc@gmail.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     hbpatrick43@gmail.com
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
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
COL-Ret. Larry Dietz PSYOP Blog..... www.psyopregiment.blogspot.com
Howard Patrick’s Blog..... www.howardpatrick.weebly.com/blog