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Utah State Area Command (STARC)

The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Utah State Area Command (HHD, UT-STARC) plays a vital role in the overall readiness of the Utah Army National Guard. This element is organized to meet the administrative needs of the individual members of UT-STARC. The role of each directorate under UT-STARC is discussed individually later in this report. As the directorates provide for the readiness of the units of the Utah Guard, so the HHD, UT-STARC provides for the readiness of the directorates and their personnel.

As the administrative arm of the UT-STARC, members of the HHD, UT-STARC provide a wide variety of support functions. All soldier needs, such as Common Task Testing and the administration of the Army Physical Fitness Testing and training program, are met by HHD, UT-STARC. The unit also administers weapons training and qualification, monitors and provides for all military education requirements, implements rank advancements and ensures that appropriate awards and citations are given. In addition to these functions, an outstanding family support activity is organized in the unit. Many worthwhile activities have taken place involving unit members, their families, school officials and other prominent community and political leaders.

Detachment 5, Utah State Area Command (Medical Detachment) is a detachment of Headquarters, Utah State Area Command. It plays a vital role in the overall readiness of the Utah Army National Guard. Our mission is to provide support for Title X United States Code medical readiness requirements for the Utah Army National Guard and perform other tasks as assigned. Det 5,(Med Det) of the Utah STARC provides medical and dental support services to units of the Utah Army National Guard. These services include, but are not limited to, physical examinations, panographic x-rays, immunizations, cardiovascular screen, DNA specimen collection, HIV screening, annual medical and dental screening, and site support services. During FY 99, Det 5 conducted 797 physicals in addition to 1800+ medical and dental screenings and immunizations. In February of 1999, Det 5 opened an immunization clinic for UTARNG soldiers which operates one Wednesday per month in addition to normal duties. The clinic facilitates timely medical preparation for deployments and completion of physical exams. To date the clinic has served 246 soldiers.

The 23rd Army Band, "The Governor's Own," continued a very busy performance, community service and training schedule during FY-99 with dozens of concerts, school music clinics and military support missions. Early in October, the band played for the opening of the International Chiefs of Police convention held in the Grand Ballroom of the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City. The next big event was the annual VeteransÕ Day Concert at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus. Once again there were thousands who attended to hear a patriotic concert with the band and the nearly one thousand voice choir of the Granite School District.

In December, the band was in St. George to plan for the annual Rotary Bowl Concert. A capacity audience filled Cox Auditorium for this concert, which is a very important event for this Southern Utah community. The concert was followed by a street parade the next morning and involves the entire local community, including high school bands and children of all ages.

Throughout 1999, the band was involved in high school and junior high music clinics in many locations throughout the state. These clinics include individual and small group instrumental instruction by band members as well as combined band rehearsals and concerts. They provide a great opportunity to introduce students to the military and the possibilities that are available to them as members of the Utah National Guard. This year the band provided clinics with evening concerts at Bountiful, Bingham, Granite, and Jordan High Schools. The band also conducted music clinics for Utah County high school students and performed a concert at Meadow Elementary in Lehi. The bandÕs jazz ensemble also joined with the jazz band at South Hills Middle School in Riverton for rehearsals and a performance.

The 23rd Army Band is always honored to play the season opening outdoor concert at Brigham Young Park in downtown Salt Lake, and this year was another great one. The weather was warm and the large crowd was very receptive. The community gathers, as if by magic, until all the chairs are filled and many people are sitting on the grass.

On the Fourth of July weekend, the band played to large crowds in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. These crowds are always ready for fireworks, and they love to hear it in the music the band plays, from patriotic concert pieces, selections from musicals, to ÒStars and Stripes Forever.Ó The audience always leaves cheering for more.

In addition to all of the above, the band performed several street parades this year to include Taylorsville, Spanish Fork and on the parade field at Camp Williams for the annual GovernorÕs Day military review and family day. The band also supports local military installations, and this year played for the change of command at Deseret Chemical Depot. The bandÕs jazz ensemble not only played for the annual Military Ball at the State Capital this year, but also played for the high school student body leaders attending the Utah Freedom Academy at Camp Williams.

While the band members are heavily involved in rehearsals and preparations for all of the activities listed above, each member must also pass the annual physical fitness test, study CTT common soldier skills, and participate in the annual weapons qualification and maintenance program of the Utah Army National Guard.