The Challenge to the Backpackers at AUSA October – 2011

Take the letters of the alphabet and find and report!  Our Backpackers spent 3 days on the floor of AUSA, Washington Convention Center searching!  What follows are the results.

Photos from AUSA – 2011 are found on our flickr website!

A – AUSA

AUSA, or the Association of the United States Army, is the group that is the voice of the soldier. Every year, AUSA convenes an annual meeting and exposition, which attracts thousands of soldiers and individuals involved in the defense industry for several days of informative meetings, demonstrations, and showcases. As Rick Kiernan, former U.S. Army Public Affairs Officer, told Backpack Journalists before the event, AUSA is an experience that would be informational and inspirational. As we look back in review, it is certain to say that was true.

Report by Pedro Rampolla, Photo by Belle Bryant

B – Bulletproof

Five brave but scared men sit in a military hummer as it drives through the streets of IraqShots ring out from a high window and strike the driver’s window. The driver is unharmed and the soldiers return to safety, all because Jenoptik created a bulletproof glass and transparent armor to allow these brave men and women to keep their lives.

Report and Photo by Kat Boynton

C – Classified

At the AUSA conference there is cutting edge and copyrighted military technology, ranging from radars to jeeps to munitions. There are some that we can’t show you because if we did, we’d have to kill you…and that’s just not our style.

 D – Disaster

When hurricane Irene hit the east coast disaster relief teams were coming from all over the country. Assisting in those relief efforts all the way from San Antonio, TX was US Army North, a military team that has been in action since 2006.

Report by Emarah Cousar, Photo by Brittany Taylor

E – European Commander

Growing up in a small town in Missouri, LTG Mark Hertling had never been across the border of this own state before joining the military. “It proves the Army has a sense of humor to put a guy like me in command,” Hertling says. He has now been to 47 countries and lives in Heidelberg, Germany as the Commanding General for the U.S. Europe troops.

Report by Kat Boynton, Photo by Alexus Packwood

F – Fierce

For most people, stepping into the octagon is scary. Pro MMA fighter and guardsman Tim Kennedy says, “Fighting isn’t scary for me, especially when you’ve been shot at before.”  He then goes onto explain how MMA is a safe sport. “In one fight, a boxer gets hit in the head about 2,000 times, but in my whole fighting career I’ve been hit in the head about 25 times.”

Report by Angel Montoya, Photo by Quincy Winder

 G – Guitar Frenzy

As exhibitors and attendees enter the conference, the first thing that catches their eyes is the lovely ring of guitars hanging overhead as they come down the escalator. The art is called “Five Easy Pieces” (2003) by Donald Lipski. It doesn’t seem easy to suspend all those guitars in the air.

Report and Photo by Lily Bryant

H – Headache

A headache is a small price to pay after being shot in the head. Paul Garcia of Armor Source explained the evolution of the ballistic helmet. These helmets protect against not only gunshots, but also blunt force trauma. With the pads and suspension system inside soldiers get more protection and comfort than the old steel pot helmets of the past.  A retired Coast Guard veteran, Paul Garcia, was in the military for 20 years and has seen the improvements made to military ballistic helmets. “The danger in advancement is that the enemy of good is better.”

Report by Kat Boynton, Zia Johnson, Belle Bryant, and Brianna Tucker, Photo by Brianna Tucker

I –iRobot

If you dropped 15 feet, I doubt you could recover before you hit the ground. This feature of the iRobot is important for investigating potential IEDs on the rugged battlefield. iRobot was founded in 1990 and has grown since its first robot Packbot. The average cost of all of their bots is around $100,000. This company has 2 new robots coming out next year. These bots are the 500 lb Warrior and the extremely light-weighted 1st Look (shown in the picture). The 1st Look will be mostly used for recon missions instead of bomb disposal. With 4 cameras this bot can locate anything in any direction.

Report and Photo by Belle & Lily Bryant

J – Journalist

Surrounded by teenager’s eyes, Charles Hoskinson of Politico thought he was going into a normal interview with LTG Mark Hertling, but little did he know that the tables would turn, and he would be interviewed by the Backpack Journalists. A surprising aspect of Hoskinson’s interview style is that he does not rely on audio recording devices; instead he is able to write down full quotes without using short hand. It’s safe to say that Charles Hoskinson can write at the speed of sound.

Report by Kat Boynton and Zia Johnson, Photo by Alexus Packwood

K – Klinger

It’s the unfortunate truth that children must deal with the loss of a loved one in battle. Parents are faced with the task of explaining loss in a way that children both understand and grow from. Klinger is the story of honor and hope about a small mare that grew up to be a caisson horse for Arlington National Cemetery. Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (T.A.P.S.) published this picture book to help children cope with the loss of a fallen solider.

Report by Zia Johnson,  Photo by Brianna Tucker

L – Leaves

Hawaii seems like a world away to many Americans. This state is isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. US Army Pacific brings the Hawaiian culture to the main land at the AUSA Conference 2011.  Dancing with a leaf skirt to Hawaiian music, this hula dancer performed for over fifty people.

Report and Photo by Kat Boynton

M – Medal of Honor

A river has never meant so much to a person as it has RET. SFC. Sammy L. Davis. He earned the Medal of Honor by helping three fellow soldiers. He made two trips across the Mekong River in Vietnam. The first trip he brought back one soldier who was shot in the head. Then on the other trip he swam two other soldiers across the river. Today a river has a different significance for Mr. Davis. “I like fishing with my grandkids, they will call me and say that they want to take me fishing.”

Report by David Spires, Photo by Lily Bryant

N – 9/11 Survivor

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Curt Nutbrown of the United States Army survived the September 11 attack on the Pentagon. LTC Nutbrown was attending a meeting in a Pentagon conference room that was fifty feet from the impact of the plane crash. Nutbrown now suffers from balance problems, sleep deprivation, loss of hearing in his right ear, and partial loss of his right eyesight. The most remarkable part of his story is that LTC Curt Nutbrown does not let this stop him. “You just have to forget about that and move on,” Nutbrown said. And he did. Nutbrown started his own program called the Hero Support Brigade, a non-profit organization that helps wounded veterans get back to work.

Report and Photo by Alexus Packwood

 O – Old

Which came first, the Nation or the militia? The National Guard is older than our country. It is the oldest division of the US Military. Over 375 years ago, minutemen volunteered their service to fight for our freedom. Today, our National Guard citizen soldiers continue to serve their country both domestically and abroad.

Report by Zia Johnson, Photo by Alexus Packwood

P – People

People make up the US Army.  At AUSA, the Warrior Booth has multiple displays that shared information about the people who are the U.S. Army.  With technology today, we are able to see in real time all the tweets and information being pushed out about AUSA. They even show us the backend for the www.army.mil website.  There is also this neat new training display using virtual reality and avatars.  Needless to say, this gave us more insight into how we can share the Army Story.  Behind the Warrior Booth was the OCPA team, and we thank them for spending time with our team of youth.

Report by Pedro Rampolla, Photo by Linda Dennis 

Q – Questions

Better than any history test you’ve ever taken, the US Army European booth has interactive trivia games. A group of Backpack Journalists challenged LTG Mark Hertling and his superior knowledge of Europe. Unfortunately for them, he answered the questions with ease while the backpackers asked him questions of their own.  If it weren’t for the time constraint, he would have gotten a perfect score.

Report by Kat Boynton and Zia Johnson, Photo By Derek Gower

R – Radar

How can a hawk see with no eyes? The SR Hawk (V)2 ground surveillance radar has the range and accuracy needed to detect both people and vehicles in the distance. Borders are vast expanses with vulnerable spots that need protection from the enemy. The SR Hawk is utilized in the battlefield and in border protection and can withstand all-weather conditions. Where ever the enemy goes the SR Hawk (V)2 ground surveillance can be used to track them down.

Report and Photo by Zia Johnson

S – Swag

Someone once said nothing in life is free, but they probably haven’t been to the AUSA conference! One exhibiter said, “It’s like Halloween Trick-or-Treating,” as she told Backpack Journalists to take as much candy as they want. In less than 10 minutes on the exhibition floor, our reporters were able to gather 83 pieces of swag!

Report by Brianna Tucker, Photo by Angel Montoya

T – Thirsty

Muddy Waters can save your life, and I’m not talking about the blues singer. With the Camelbak All Clear water bottle a soldier dying of thirst can drink pure water anywhere. In less than 60 seconds 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and protozoa are eliminated, allowing you to drink water without the nasty side effect of dying.

Report By Zia Johnson and Kat Boynton, Photo by Zia Johnson 

U – Underwear

A safe undercarriage means a happy soldier. The Armor Works brand of briefs is designed to keep soldiers happy, even if their “goods” are threatened by burns, abrasions, and fragments from ballistic impact.

Report and Photo by Brianna Tucker

V – V.I.P.

A specific model of the Jeep car company designed to transport high-ranking officials in the military. The Jeep is equipped with the highest standards of luxury and well as tactical defense. V.I.P.s of the military get not only comfort, but also protection.

Report and Photo by Kat Boynton

W – Winning

Got the need for speed? You can rev it up on these virtual motorcycles in The National Guard booth, but only if you visit four of their six informational booths.  Each station allows you to interactively learn about the many services the National Guard provides for our country. If you cross the finish line before your partner, you win a prize.

Report by Alexus Packwood, Photo by Belle Bryant

 X – X-treme Sports

Courtney Zablocki always tries, no matter the outcome. A two time Olympian, she placed 13h in Salt Lake and 4th in Turin.  Her Turin time was the fastest Luge time in the US.  One of her favorite quotes is “The only people who never fail are the people who never try.”

Report by Lily Bryant, Photo by Belle Bryant

Y – Yell

Feeling embarrassed and lost as he tried to parent his two year old by yelling at him outside the Waffle House, Hal Runkel, wants to teach parents that screaming is not parenting. “Screaming at your screaming two-year-old makes you a two year old. You have to stay calm to rationally express yourself to your children.”

Report and Photo by Kat Boynton

Z – Zuni Rocket

As a parent points you on the right path, so does a laser that guides the Zuni. This 5 inch Rocket was not as accurate when first developed in the 1960’s, but because of extended hours of experimentation this missile is finally showing positive results of precision.

Report by Belle Bryant, Photo by Kat Boynton