Military Officer - October 2006 - (Page 21) rapidfire NEWS YOU CAN USE Target Retirement Funds A growing trend in the mutual fund industry is a target retirement fund — a single fund with a full asset allocation mix of large stocks, small/ mid-cap stocks, international stocks, and bonds that is targeted toward a retirement date that you choose. As that target date nears, the fund manager automatically reallocates the fund to become less aggressive by moving it away from riskier stocks toward bonds and other fixedincome investments. Choose a fund that is consistent with your risk tolerance and time frame. Look for fees that are less than 1 percent annually. Due to relatively high turnover, target retirement funds are best held in tax-deferred accounts. Be aware that many other asset target funds don’t invest in nonstandard asset classes (such as real estate or commodities). MILITARY OFFICER Soldiers Team Up for IR 06 S oldiers from the 1st Armored Division, the Air Force Europe’s 492nd Fighter Squadron, U.S. European Command, and the Bulgarian and Romanian militaries joined forces for Immediate Response 06 (IR 06) — a training exercise dedicated to the support of the U.S. Army Europe’s Theater Engagement Program to increase NATO interoperability — at the Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, in July. “Bulgaria and Romania are war-proven allies of the United States,” says Gen. David McKiernan, U.S. Army Europe commanding general. “They are valued partners in the global war on terrorism.” IR 06 military forces were divided into three platoons, each with one squad from each country and a leader of a different force. Although they were from separate nations, the combined forces grew stronger as IR 06’s goal to strengthen relationships was achieved. “Over time we began to understand one another,” says Staff Sgt. Richard Elliot, a team leader with 1-94 FA. “Soldiers have a common language. Our tactics are slightly different. Our uniforms are slightly different. Our weapons are slightly different, but this exercise has given us the opportunity to share in those very differences.” IMAGES: ABOVE, SPC. TANYA C. POLK, USA; RIGHT, ROSE RICHEY OCTOBER 2006 21
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