Aug/Sept 2010 Newsletter

13
AUG/SEP BUSHMASTER COMPANY

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Bushmaster Newsletter

Transcript of Aug/Sept 2010 Newsletter

Page 1: Aug/Sept 2010 Newsletter

AUG/SEP

BUSH

MAS

TER

COM

PANY

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CONTENTS

FEATURE................................................................................................................................1-2

MEET THE PLT SGT’S............................................................................................................3-4

COMMAND SPONSORSHIP......................................................................................................5

JULY IN PICTURES..................................................................................................................6-7

FAMILY READINESS GROUP.....................................................................................................8

MEET THE 1SG...........................................................................................................................9

COMMANDER’S CORNER........................................................................................................10

BULLETIN BOARD.....................................................................................................................11

FORTITUDINE VINCIMUS

PLATOON STX

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Help us keep our Soldiers motivated by contributing letters from the home-front or by contributing articles for this short newsletter. You can also volunteer with our Lady Bushmasters for activities and events which support our heroes!

Contact us at:[email protected]

Page 3: Aug/Sept 2010 Newsletter

CO.BUSHMASTEREST. 2009

JULY/AUG 2010NEWSLETTER

Bushmaster Company is more than just an Infantry Rifle Company - it is a

TEAM and a brotherhood.

Welcome to the Family!

     

PLATOON STX

BY LT. PAUL ANDERSON

From 8 July 2010 to 21 July 2010, Bravo Company conducted Platoon Situational Training Exercise (STX) in Baumholder Training Area. During platoon STX each platoon had to execute four lanes; Hasty Attack (developed by Alpha Company Commander CPT Maddox), Cordon and Search (developed by Bravo Company Commander CPT Mercado), Hasty Defense (developed by Charlie Company Commander CPT Strand), and IED Lane (developed by Headquarters Company Commander CPT Bonnema). Each lane brought a different level of stress and training value to our platoon level leaders and their Soldiers, preparing them for the fight to come in Afghanistan. Leaders use these training exercises to train, evaluate, and practice performance oriented tasks.

The cordon and search lane took place on the Conquerorʼs Park MOUT Site, USAG Baumholder. Cordon and search is a technique used by military and police forces in both urban and rural environments. It is frequently used to isolate small urban areas and conduct a thorough search of target areas, to include subsurface areas. Additionally, it is used when conducting a key leader engagement (KLE), area security assessment, high human traffic events, or conducting a raid. This is a complex operation and it must be rehearsed thoroughly, whenever possible because there are many combat multipliers and moving pieces involved during the execution. During platoon STX the Bushmaster Company was tested with many different scenarios, from the media on the battlefield to a full on attack by enemy forces. Overall, the cordon and search lane tested each Soldier within the platoon on their physical fitness, mental readiness and attention to detail.

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After spending three days on the cordon and search lane the Bushmaster company moved to the hasty defense lane located in Area Whiskey. A hasty defense is a quick and unplanned defensive operation. The task and purpose of a hasty defense is to defeat the enemyʼs attack and gain the initiative for offensive operations. There are many reasons why a platoon would need to set in a hasty defense; to gain time, conduct resupply, retain key terrain and facilitate other operations within the combat area. The hasty defense lane was filled with many lessons and the lane was prepared to teach us. A lesson I learned personally was tactical patience. We were conducting a security assessment of a local Afghanistan National Police (ANP) checkpoint along a high speed avenue of approach to our Forward Operation Base (FOB) Vanguard. Before arriving to the checkpoint it was hit by indirect fire from the south and there were two wounded ANP guards. We continued moving to establish security and assess the casualties on the checkpoint. After evacuating the ANP casualties, I developed a plan to move from defensive to offensive operations on the village to the south. But my squad leaders SSG Dvorak and SGT (p) Haines suggested that we should let them come to us since we were set in a good defensive position. I took it into consideration and it was the most logical and best tactical decision. It just so happened the enemy established positions on top of the hill to the south and in the wood line to the west. As a leader I learned that you have to remember your primary mission when making a decision to change the mission and always look to your non-commission officers (NCO) to provide you with the checks and balances you need when making a decision. Everybody tends to get tunnel vision once in a while.

The battlefield is changing continuously and Soldiers have to adapt to overcome the changes. At the current moment improvised explosive devices (IED) are responsible for approximately forty percent of U.S. Coalition forces casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. An IED is made up of three components. First would be the actual explosive such as; Composition C (C4), Composition B (TNT), or Urea Nitrate. Second, explosives need both pressure and heat in order to detonate and the blasting cap is used to deliver these effects. And finally are the fragments the little pieces of metal, nails, rocks, marbles, or etc in a small container. Headquartersʼ company designed a vigorous and timely IED training exercise. They incorporated both victim activated and command detonated IED within the lane. Soldiers had to analyze the area in front, left and right of them in order to make sure there were no IED threats with in the area. This lane gave all the new Soldiers a small taste of what route clearance mission dismounted and mount would look like in Iraq or Afghanistan.

As we come to the end of platoon STX the Bushmaster company had one obstacle to tackle and one last operation order (OPORD) to brief. The Hasty Attack was the most dreaded and unpleasant lane. The estimated length of the entire lane was about three hundred meters with a straight uphill terrain. Throughout the other companies the terrain claimed a lot of Soldiers to dehydration and other heat related injuries, but the Bushmaster company remained strong and vigilant through the last three days. Even though the terrain was unforgivable, hasty attack is a key offensive operation which all Soldiers need to know how to execute. A hasty attack is used to exploit a tactical opportunity, maintain the momentum, regain the initiative, prevent the enemy from regaining organization or balance, or gaining a favorable position that may be lost with time.

As we close out platoon STX and begin recovery operations, I would like to say as a platoon leader I am proud and honored to serve with the members of my platoon (3rd Platoon Misfits) as well as the Bushmaster Company “Silent Death”.

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Meet the Platoon SGT’s...Responsible for everything a Platoon does or fails to do, these are the men who will be leading

America’s elite Bushmaster Infantrymen into battle!

SSG Dowd

SSG Dowd was born in Dearborn, Michigan but grew up in the upper Thumb Region of the state. He decided to join the Army in September 2002 and attended Infantry entry training in January 2003. Upon completion, he reported to Ft. Drum, NY in June 2003. During his four and one half years with the 10th Mountain Division, SSG Dowd deployed to Afghanistan twice, totaling twenty six months. Upon returning from his second tour in Afghanistan, Dowd came down on orders to go to Drill Sergeant School. After graduating, he reported to Ft. Benning, GA where he served as an Infantry OSUT (One-Station Unit Training) Drill Sergeant from January 2008 to June 2010. SSG Dowd is currently assigned to B Co. 2-18 IN, where he is currently a Platoon Sergeant for 1st Platoon.SSG Dowd is a graduate of Infantry OSUT, Warrior Leader Course, Air Assault School, Airborne School, Total Army Instructor Training, Drill Sergeant School, Combatives Level One, Combatives Level Two, Advanced Leader Course, and Combat Life Savers Course. He plans to attend Ranger

School immediately after returning from his next deployment. In his free time, Dowd enjoys traveling, running, fishing, and spending time with his wife Sarah and their two children, son Ayden (6) and daughter Makayla (2).

SSG Brian HuntSSG(P) Brian A. Hunt entered the Army on June 25, 2002, at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of One Station Unit Training SSG(P) Hunt was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty of 11B, Infantrymen. SSG(P) Hunt then attended Airborne school at Fort Benning, GA. After successfully completing Airborne training SSG(P) Hunt was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. On August 2, 2003 SSG(P) Hunt was reassigned to the Infantry Scout platoon, 1/505 PIR. SSG(P) Hunt deployed to Fallujah, Iraq on August 23, 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG(P) Hunt returned from Iraq on April 1, 2004. On September 18, 2004, SSG(P) Hunt was rapidly deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. SSG(P) Hunt returned from Operation Enduring Freedom on October 1, 2004. In August of 2005, SSG(P) Hunt was reassigned to Delta Company 1/505 PIR. SSG(P) Hunt deployed to Bayji, Iraq on August 6, 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG(P) Hunt returned from Iraq on November 17, 2007. In January 2008, SSG(P) Hunt was reassigned back to the Scout Platoon 1/505 PIR. SSG(P) Hunt successfully completed Jumpmaster school in February 2008. In May 2008, SSG(P) completed the US Army Pathfinder Course. On December 3, 2008 SSG(P) Hunt deployed to Baghdad, Iraq once again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG(P) Hunt returned from Iraq on November 29, 2009. In February 2010 SSG(P) Hunt permanently changed stations to Baumholder, Germany and was assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment.

SSG(P) Huntʼs assignments include; Riflemen, Grenadier, Squad Automatic Riflemen, Machine Gunner, Radio Telephone Operator, Senior Scout Observer, Sniper Spotter, Team Leader, Section Leader, Squad Leader, and Platoon Sergeant with 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C. from March 2003 until January 2010. SSG(P) Hunt is currently serving as the Platoon Sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, Baumholder, Germany.

SSG(P) Hunt is a graduate of the Armyʼs Warrior Leaders Course and the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course. Additional schools and courses include; Airborne, Jumpmaster, Pathfinder, Combat Life Saver, and Emergency Medical Technician

SSG(P) Hunt is married to the former Helen Kissell, of Ft. Wayne, IN

SFC Harold Wiley SFC Harold Wiley was born in Colon, Panama the year prior to the bicentennial and grew up in Miami, Florida. He originally joined the military in 1996 attending basic training in Ft. Benning, Ga. Upon completion of basic training I was assigned to D company 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment at Ft. Stewart, Ga. He spent the first three years of his military career there doing various jobs as a M60 Machine gunner, Automatic rifleman, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver, and Team Leader. After three years of service, he decided to transfer to the Illinois National Guard as part of B Company 1/178 Infantry based out of Waukegan, IL. In April of 2000, his unit was activated to deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Spring. After Operation Desert Spring he decided to rejoin the active duty.

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Since returning to active duty SFC Wiley has served as part of Alpha Company 2-6 IN, Baumholder, Germany, Charlie Company 2-87 IN, Ft. Drum, NY, Charlie Company and HHC 1-6 IN, Baumholder, Germany, and now currently assigned to Bravo Company. Since the war on terror began, heʼs deployed three times completing a 15 month tour in Iraq during OIF I, a 16 month tour in Afghanistan during OEF VII, and a 14 month tour in Iraq in support of OIF 07-09.

His military schools include the Primary Leadership and Development Course, the Basic Non commissioned Officers Course, the Maneuver Senior Leaders Course, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Crew Evaluator Course, the Instructor Operators Course, Small Arms Master Marksman, Mountain Leader Advanced Rifle Marksmanship Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Combat Life Saver, and Spartan First Responder.

Military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Expert Infantrymanʼs Badge, the Combat Infantrymanʼs Badge, and various other awards and badges.

SSG Trevor Ladd

SSG Trevor R. Ladd was born in Highland, Michigan, on 22 May 1976. After finishing high school in 1995, he enrolled into an Internship program through General Motors Corporation in conjunction with Central Michigan University, where he remained for almost 2 years prior to enlisting in the Army.

SSG Ladd enlisted in the Army as an 88M, Motor Transport Operator on 16 October 1996. He attended Basic Training and Advance Individual Training (AIT) in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, completing both programs January 1997. His first duty station was Ft. Benning, Georgia with the 63rd Engineers working as an 88M. After the first year, he reclassified to 62E, Heavy Equipment Operator, remaining with the 63rd. From November 1998 - February 1999, he was deployed to Nicaragua for Operation Fuerte Apoyo/Joint Task Force Build Hope, a humanitarian relief and disaster mission to help with the damages of Hurricane Mitch. Once redeployed to Ft. Benning, he attended Georgia Military College, taking History classes and choosing a degree path in International Security. He was honorably discharged from Active Duty in August 2000. SSG Ladd then joined the 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Army National Guard in Charleston, South Carolina. He reclassified as 11M, Mechanized Infantryman, which activated in support of Operation Noble Eagle from October 2001 - October 2002. His unit then deployed to Somalia to guard ammunitions depots

from 2002 - 2003, before being transferred to South Kabul, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit was redeployed to South Carolina in June 2003. He then relocated to Michigan, transferring to the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Army National Guard in Saginaw, Michigan. The unit deployed from October 2003 - August 2004 to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Sinai, Egypt. After redeploying from Egypt, SSG Ladd was honorably discharged from his military service in the Army National Guard, as he completed his 8 year commitment in August 2004. As a civilian, he worked as a Reserve Police Officer with the Detroit City Police Department and as a truck driver with Advance Concrete Company.

SSG Ladd reenlisted in the Army for Active Duty service in November 2005 and was assigned overseas to Germany in January 2006. Upon arrival he was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (B/1-6 IN, 2BCT) located in Baumholder, Germany. He deployed in March 2006 to Camp Buehring, Kuwait for the Theatre Reserve Quick Reaction Force. 1-6 IN, 2BCT was then deployed to Ramadi, Iraq on 22 May 2006, where the remaining months were spent in the Warrior Stronghold located outside Ramadi. The unit was redeployed back to Germany in November 2006. SSG Ladd remained with B/1-6 IN, 2BCT as a Squad Leader and deployed with Operation Iraq Freedom 08-09 to Baghdad, Iraq from November 2007 - April 2009.

He is currently serving in B/1-6 IN, 2BCT which was recently reflagged as the B Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Division, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (B/2-18 IN, 170 IBCT). Since his return he has been assigned duties as the Acting Company 1st Sergeant, Acting Platoon Sergeant, Unit Prevention Leader (UPL), Company Master of Fitness, Company Reenlistment NCO. His current position is the Headquarters Platoon Sergeant and the C.O.I.S.T. NCOIC, where he will have a platoon of 20 Soldiers and run headquarters operations and intel.

Awards include: Army Achievement (2), National Defense Service Medal (2), Army Service Medal, Armed Force Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device (2), Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2), Multinational Forces And Observers Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Navy Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (3), Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Humanitarian Service Medal, Over Sea Ribbon (3), Combat Infantry Badge. Schools include: 88M (Motor Transport Operator), 62E (Heavy Equipment Operator), 11B (Infantryman), Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), Sling Load Inspector, Unit Prevention Leader (UPL), Bradley Crew Evaluator, Observer Controller - Trainer, COFT Instructor Operator Course, Advance Leader Common Core (ALCC) - Phase 1 & 2; Currently Enrolled In: COIST, CPOF/Battle Staff

SSG Ladd is married to Amanda Besachuk Ladd, formerly of Highland, Michigan and has a son, Cody, who currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina.

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By PFC Larry Allison

" Well I know for me, and most likely you, family is very important and I want them to be near to me and likewise in reverse. Sometimes being in the Army these decisions are not up to us. That doesnʼt mean that they canʼt be with us it, means we need to do a little foot work. When serving a tour overseas, you need to have permission to be able to come live with your significant other. The formal term is called Command Sponsorship." When a Soldier receives assignment orders to move overseas, he or she will receive orders which are either Accompanied (with dependents) or Unaccompanied (without dependents). Family members must be Command Sponsored to be eligible for a fully funded move overseas. The Soldierʼs new command must approve their Command Sponsorship." Now this process that might seem time consuming, but it is well worth the effort. If you or your spouse have just arrived in country, or as a Soldier you are thinking of getting married there are a few things that you need to make sure you check off your list of things to do.

" When a Soldier arrives to the company for the first time, we start the in-processing phase. Now for the ones that are married that do not have orders for their dependents they start down the path of Command sponsorship. Before a Unit can do anything the Soldier needs to provide us a packet of information. " One of the most important things for Command Sponsorship is the Elusive DA5888 EFMP Screening Form. This form is absolutely needed before a packet can even be submitted. The 5888 is a form to tell us if any of your dependents that are coming to live with the Soldier overseas if they warrant Special Medical or educational needs or not. " Your Soldier needs to talk to our EFMP department on this side so that you can get the process started on your side. All that is really required is a Physical that can be taken at your doctorʼs office and they fill out some information for the EFMP process. They a military hospital does the 5888. If you do have some special needs they will then do a 2792 (about 9 pages long) this is more of a Medical history." Everything else in the Command Sponsorship Process is the normal stuff like Birth Certificates,

Marriage Licenses (Certified), and other military and legal documents. " At the point a packet is completed it goes up the Chain of command for approval. Once the packet has been approved orders then can be added for your family members. The Soldier then can go secure housing, and arrange for travel for his dependents to reunite everybody. There are resources available to you and your Soldier to possibly help ease this transition. Be sure to get involved in the process. Stay in touch with the local wives here in Germany. Talk to the Local Army post ACS department for questions about Command Sponsorship. Build a plan of things to do when you get here after all it is Europe. Help us be proactive in brining your family together." Family is one of the most important things to us and I can assure you that this is a company priority. Any questions feel free to let the FRL, Chain of Command know about them. You donʼt have to wonder about something, we can get you the answers.

COMMAND SPONSORSHIP

FOR MORE INFO SEE THESE SITES:

COMMAND SPONSORSHIPhttp://www.imcom-europe.army.mil/sfac/admin/commandsponsor.htm

http://www.imcom-europe.army.mil/sfac/admin/COMMAND%20SPONSORSHIP%20CHECKLIST.pdf

EFMP

http://www.imcom-europe.army.mil/sites/news/toolbox_EFMP.asp

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PLATOON STX

JULY 2010

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Being Apart...! Separations are a way of life in the Army. It doesnʼt matter what your your husbandʼs rank is; we all go through it. With the upcoming training to Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels and deployment right around the corner, we, as families, have to face the added responsibilities and stresses that come along with having our soldier gone for an extended period of time.

  It is so important to keep busy - it keeps you from being bored and it makes the time go by a bit faster. Donʼt just sit around the house! There are plenty of things to do right here in Baumholder. The fitness center offers a wide variety of classes - I recommend the Cardio Dance class with Tiffany, (on Wednesday nights from 5-6) you get a great workout! The Arts and Crafts Center has a variety of classes to take as well! Check out the September ACS calendar for classes and trips too. The German language class has been very helpful to me - plus - ITʼS FREE! MWR offers trips from Baumholder to Paris and Neuschwanstein Castle and for other options, pick up a copy of the Kabel at the CMR for USO trips out of Kaiserslaturn.

  Get out and enjoy all Germany has to offer! Take a flight on Ryan Air to the surrounding countries for super cheap. You have to have a tourist passport to fly, but for tickets as low as 10 Euro per person, per way, you canʼt beat it!

  For those of you with kids, try and stay on the same schedule, just to keep some stability in their lives- because deployments and separations affect them too! Get out and get involved in their activities.

  Your friends here may become like family. They will be the ones you spend birthdays, holidays, and important events with. Some of my closest friends are those who I went through deployments with. They are the ones who understand the things you are going through and how you may be feeling. I hope that the Bushmaster FRG can be a great support to all of you.

! ! ! Betsey Mercado

Congrats to SGT Keeton and Genina Tucker on the birth of their baby girl! Lilly Ann was born July 15,

2010 and was 7 lbs, 0.6 oz and 19.5 inches long. WELCOME LILLY!

FRG Notes

Thanks to Melody Allison, Sandy Doughman, Jen St. Jean, Savannah Allison, Isabelle Mercado, and SSG Mullen for

helping to make pancakes after the Company Run on August 6! We had a great turnout!

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DIAMOND TRUMPSWords of Wisdom from the Company’s Top NCO

See us on the WEB:As the unit continues to grow and develop,

we will expand this newsletter and post

photographs of our training and upcoming

deployment on the world wide web.

Please look for us at:

www.APACHECO1501.com

Where does your $3.00 Donation Go?

• $2.00 from every sale of this monthly publication goes to the Family Readiness Group to build care packages for the troops and to offset the cost of shipping and Handling.

• $1.00 from every donation enters the Company Treasury to offset the cost of Unit Functions - BBQ’s, Picnics and Social Gatherings.

• Our Soldiers and Spouses need your support! Contribute to the Fight!!!

POINTS OF CONTACTCPT Christopher L. Mercado

Commander, A Co., XX Bn, XX BDE

1234 5th Street

Ft. Richardson, AK 99505

DSN:

F i r s t S e r g e a n t ’ s B i o :

First Sergeant SonSo, of Herenthere, Ak, enlisted in the US Army in 1972. A graduate of these schools, 1SG SonSo etc. Among his awards and decorations, 1SG SonSo has received the Silver Star, 5 bronze stars, and the Purple Heart. 1SG is married, with two children, Tia aged 5 and Maria aged 7.

SFC Kris Pate was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. Prior to joining the Army, he attended Louisiana State University to study biological science and limnology. He decided to join the Army in 1998 and has since been stationed in Korea, Ft. Lewis, Sinai, St. Louis, and Germany. While assigned to the St. Louis recruiting company, SFC Pate met his beautiful wife Angela and his wonderful stepdaughter Sydney. Kris and Angela were married on March 17, 2006. Together they have traveled across Europe visiting popular destinations while seeking the adventures of white water rafting, paragliding, and competing in marathons. SFC Pate competed in his second Ironman triathlon in Regensburg this year and did the Bushmaster family proud.

SFC Pate is a graduate of the Bradley Master Gunner course, Master Breacher course, Air Assault School, the Maneuver – Senior Leaders Course and has earned both the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He is currently enrolled at Pierce College to complete an environmental science degree. His wife Angela recently became certified as a personal trainer and is completing her master’s degree. Laissez le bons temps roulette

SFC Kris Pate

Don’t for!t to join "r Facebook Gr"p pa!! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131005943577104&ref=ts

DIAMOND TRUMPS

Page 12: Aug/Sept 2010 Newsletter

The things we carry...

A Kevlar helmet weighs 3.06 pounds.

Our Interceptor Body Armor weighs in at

33.11 pounds. The M4 Carbine Rifle tips

the scales at 5.9 pounds. Add to that our

ammunition, fragmentary grenades, knee

pads, water, GPS, ballistic glasses, gloves,

Camelbak, canteen, compass, map,

notebook, pens, and a rucksack full of

supplies and the weight quickly adds up.

These are just a few of the things an

Infantryman carries - and that is just a

“rifleman” and doesn’t account for the

things a machine gunner would carry!

Still, there’s a whole host of things an

Infantryman carries that most folks never

see.

The burden on America’s young

Soldiers is greater now than it ever has

been; he is expected to move further,

faster and fight harder than ever before. He

is expected to know when to shoot, when

to move and when to extend a helping

hand. He is expected to be able to identify

friend from foe and how to protect himself

and his team from IEDs. He is expected to

learn a foreign language, gather

intelligence, and rebuild shattered nations.

He carries the pain of friends and

comrades lost; he carries the stress of long

deployments away from home. He carries

the hope of all Americans and the security

of America’s future generations. He carries

pride in a mission accomplished and he

carries the physical and mental scars that

come with accomplishing that mission.

After three months in Command of

Bushmaster Company, 2nd Bn, 18th

Infantry I find myself constantly awed by

the fortitude and inner strength of these

young men. When all hope seems lost

and the mission seems doomed to

failure, it is their strength of will and

strength of heart which carries the day. I

couldn’t be more proud of these young

heroes.

In scorching temperatures, I have seen

these men race up mountains with

machine guns, storm through buildings,

and build impenetrable defensive

perimeters. I have seen them walk 18 miles

in three hours carrying all their gear and

everything else.

I have seen them carry on in even the

most adverse conditions imaginable. When

things were at their worst, they carried

each other.

All this, and they still carry a smile.

~ CPT MERCADO

CORNERCOMMANDERS

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COMPANY EVENTS:

Fri, Aug 20:!!!!!!!COMPANY BBQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!4 PM at Soldier Field (next to the Rheinlander)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*Please bring side dish or dessert

Fri, Sept 3:!!!!!!!!!!Tea Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!10:30 AM at Java Cafe

Wed, Sep 15:!!!!!!FRG Meeting

UNIT EVENTS:

Mon, Aug 30:!!!!Spouseʼs Welcome Program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!8:30 AM at Yellow Ribbon Room

Sat, Sept 11:!!!!!C.A.R.E. FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!10 AM at the Hall of Champions

THE BULLETIN BOARD