The Rail Gunner Monthy June 2011 Newsletter

Inside this

issue 41st Fires Brigade

Culinary Arts Team

3

2-20th FA earns AAME 4

Camp Life 5

Soldier Olympics 6

West Point Bound 7

Promotions 11

The Rail Gunner

Monthly Staff

Commander

COL John C. Thomson, III

Command Sgt. Maj.

CSM Kelvin A. Hughes

Rail Gunner PAO

NCOIC

SSG Kyle J. Richardson

Rail Gunner Journalists

SPC Dalinda Hanna

41st Fires Brigade

“Rail Gunners!!”

FORT HOOD, Texas—Aprons were on and the whisks went whirling as food service specialists raced against the clock to prepare five star meals for first class judges and a crowd full of hungry leadership. The 41st Fires Brigade, 1st Medi-cal Brigade, 49th Movement Control

Battalion, and 180th Transportation Battalion participated in the 13th Sustainment Brigade’s first culinary arts competition, April 29. The competition took place out-side of the Fort Hood’s Culinary Arts Center off of Old Ironsides Avenue. The four participating teams were challenged with preparing a rib-eye main course consisting of potatoes, salad, and a pear dessert. Each

Story and photos by

Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

VOLUME 2 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY ISSUE 9

Photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson, 41st Fires Brigade PAO

See CULINARY on Page 3

Sgt. 1st Class (retired) Brad Turner, New Orleans native, the personality for “The Grill Sergeant,” prepares one of his favorites

dishes, shrimp and grits for the audience during the 13th Sustainment Brigade’s first culinary arts competition at the Fort

Hood Culinary Arts Center, April 29. Turner was one of the judges during the competition.

Rail Gunner 6 & 9 Send such unnecessary behavior. One inci-

dent of Sexual Assault or Domestic

Abuse is one too many, and it tears at

the very fiber of who we are and what

we stand for. All of us working to-

gether – ensuring trust, discipline, and

fitness in the Rail Gunner Family – is

essential to maintaining a safe and

healthy environment. Thank you for

your engaged leadership and emphasis

in this regard.

Our 221 troopers at West

Point, New York are doing a fabulous

job training our Nation’s future leaders

and we are certainly proud of them.

Despite tough field conditions and de-

manding weather conditions, we con-

tinue to receive glowing reports about

our Soldiers’ professionalism, motiva-

tion, and competence as they train and

support the cadets. We expect to have

everyone back home by August 13th.

For the rest of the Brigade, we will con-

duct company and platoon level field

training here at Fort Hood throughout

the summer, as well as continue instal-

lation support missions such as operat-

ing the West Fort Hood Pool and secu-

rity of Hood Army Airfield. Regardless

of the mission, our Rail Gunner troop-

ers are known for always accomplish-

ing it on time and to a high standard.

Thank you for all you do, giving 100%

each and every day!

Important dates in June in-

clude the 1st Cavalry Division Reunion

June 8 to 12; the III Corps Training

Holiday on June 17th; Father’s Day on

June 19th; and a Strong Bonds Mar-

riage Seminar in San Antonio June 24

to 26 (contact your unit Chaplain for

details). Additionally, the monthly 1st

Cavalry Division Volunteer Recogni-

tion Ceremony is on June 14th at 10:00

am at the Phantom Warrior Club

where we will recognize Mrs. Tiffany

Colonel

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY JUNE 2011

John C. Thomson, III

41st Fires Brigade

Command Sergeant Major

Dear Rail Gunner Family:

As we enter June, congratula-

tions are in order for hundreds of Rail

Gunner children on successfully com-

pleting the 2010-2011 academic year.

Whether it is finishing kindergarten

or graduating from high school, we

are extremely proud of their signifi-

cant achievements. The summer is a

well deserved break, but it is not too

early to start thinking about the 2011-

2012 school year. In this regard, the

place of duty on the morning of Au-

gust 22, the first day of school, for all

Rail Gunner Soldiers with children is

to take them to school, the bus stop, or

do whatever else to make this impor-

tant day a great day for our kids. If

your child happens to attend a school

that starts on another day, then this

policy applies to that day instead.

Just to be clear, this means reporting

late to work and missing PT.

We recently participated in

post-wide Sexual Assault and Domes-

tic Violence stand down, and ask all of

you for your continued support to stop

The “Rail Gunner Monthly” is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the “Rail

Gunner Monthly” are not necessarily official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Department of De-

fense, Department of the Army or the 41st Fires Brigade. All editorial content of this publication is prepared, ed-

ited, provided and approved by the 41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office. If you have any questions, comments,

concerns or suggestions contact the 41st Fires Brigade PAO office at 254-287-0739 or email

[email protected]. Check out the unit’s Website at http://www.hood.army.mil/41stFires or on Face-

book for additional information.

Kelvin Hughes

41st Fires Brigade CSM

Draves of 1-21 FA, Mrs. Ashley Vales

of 2-20 FA, and Mrs. Kathryn Abbott

of 589th BSB. Congratulations are

also in order for several Rail Gunner

Volunteers that were recognized by

the III Corps Commanding General

and CSM at the Fort Hood Volunteer

of the Year Ceremony on May 24: Mrs.

Ruth Wheeler of 1-21 FA as Volunteer

of Merit, Ms. Stinson Burton of 2-20

FA as Youth Volunteer of the Year,

Mrs. Samantha Swigart of 1-21 FA as

Multiagency Volunteer of the Year,

and CPT Peter Hwang of HHB/41FiB

as Soldier Volunteer of the Year. In

closing, our Army’s 236th birthday is

on June 14th and we thank you for

your outstanding service and dedica-

tion to our Nation. Please put safety

first in all you do this summer,

whether you are staying close to home

or traveling – we deeply value and

need each and every Rail Gunner.

You make us Rail Gunner Strong!

those of us who have been working in a regular dining facil-ity for a while, we had to dust off our creativity and dig into our reserved spices. All three judges said that the competition was a difficult com-petition to judge because all of the teams brought something unique to the table. Special guest judge, Sgt. 1st Class (retired) Brad Turner, a Turner, New Orleans native, and more prominently known as “The Grill Sergeant,” said that all the Sol-diers inspired him during the event. “This is exactly what moti-vated me as a young Soldier,” said Tuner. “I enjoy seeing new talent, they help you stay on your toes. Events like this one will help hone your craft.” The competition was close and each team brought out one tantalizing dish after another, but the 180th Trans. Bat. took first place during the competition.

CULINARY cont. from Page 1

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 3

team took the basic dish ideas and spiced them up with unique flavors for the judges to critique and the attendees to enjoy. The culinary arts competition initially was a way to help spread professional growth in the culinary profession as well as to scout out new talent for the III Corps and Fort Hood team; however, some Soldiers made the competition more personal. “Working with the 41st Fires Bde. culinary arts team has defi-nitely opened my eyes to a new world of cooking,” said Pfc.

Mariaya Santiago, New Haven, Conn., food service specialist with the 575th Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Bde. “This competition is more than about individual skills, it’s about being passionate about a craft and taking care of your fellow Soldiers at the same time. Plus, where else can you use a chainsaw in the kitchen.” The culinary arts competition was open to all food service Sol-diers on Fort Hood. The majority of Soldiers in the competition were first year Army Soldiers with no culinary arts experience. The Rail Gunners’ team took second place with a smothered rib-eye entrée and whipped top-ping pear dessert. “We started preparing just a little later than everyone, but we didn’t let that slow us down,” said Chief Warrant Officer Paula Daniels, Washington D.C. na-tive, brigade food service tech for the 41st Fires Bde. “The first week of training was geared to-ward developing the team and establishing a plan.” During the competition, each team had to create a static dis-play that included a cake, ice carving, a sculpted centerpiece, and a show platter. The teams were judged on craftsmanship,

artistic creativity, size, and the degree of difficulty. The 41st Fires Bde. decided to go with an ocean theme for its static display. “You have to bring more than a cookbook to these competitions,” said Staff Sgt. Samuel Fleming Jr., 41st Fires Bde. culinary arts team supervisor, 575th FSC. “Every meal should be pre-pared from the heart. For

Pfc. Mariaya Santiago prepared the octopus petit fours, small

cakes for the Rail Gunners static display table during the 13th

Sustainment Brigade’s first culinary arts competition. The

static display tables were judged on craftsmanship, artistic

creativity, size, and the degree of difficulty.

Staff Sgt. Samuels Fleming Jrgrills the rib-eye for the

main entrée during the culinary arts competition.

Fleming has been in the Army food service for 13 years.

Pfc. Mariaya Santiago carved a dolphin out of ice

for the Rail Gunners’ static display table. The

dolphin ice statue was Santiago’s first ice sculpture

and first time using a chainsaw.


Deep Strike maintenance excellence award

FORT HOOD, Texas— Twenty-eight Soldiers from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, were awarded Army Achieve-ment Medals or Certificates of Achievement by Brig. Gen. James M. Richardson, deputy commanding general (support) for the 1st Cavalry Division, for their part in winning the Chief of Staff Army Award for Mainte-nance Excellence during a cere-mony held at the Deep Strike motor pool, May 2. The prestigious award was earned after competing against other United States Army Forces Command and Department of Defense units. Deep Strike won with the highest overall score in a multitude of maintenance cate-gories. “It all started with battalion

level internal inspections; and after brigade level staff assisted visits, we were nominated to partici-pate in the AMEE,” said Capt. Anthony Allen, com-mander of Btry. B, 2nd Bat., 20th FA Regt. “The Command Maintenance Evaluation and Training team came down and did random inspections for three months and helped us write a 20-page narra-tive to submit to FOR-SCOM. FORSCOM chose three units to evaluate and the combination of the nar-rative and physical evalua-tion determined the win-ner. We did extremely well in the SAMS-1E box evaluation which is the computer system that manages maintenance services and the mechanic tool trailer evaluation.” The Soldiers accom-

plished what many units dream to achieve and plan to compete next year and win. Staff Sgt. Scott Coggins, a native of Miami, and a motor sergeant for Btry. B, 2nd Bat., 20th FA Regt., said that he is proud to have been recognized and they will keep improving and compete next year. “This is an everyday job be-cause we always strive to be the best, said Coggins. “We will keep going and hopefully win next year too.” Four Deep Strike Soldiers traveled to Richmond, Va., and were presented the Department of the Army AAME.

Story and photos by

Spc. Dalinda Hanna


Pvt. Timothy Havenhill does maintenance on a M1068A3 Standard Integrated Command Post System

Carrier at the 2nd Bat., 20th FA Regt. motor pool. Twenty-eight Deep Strike Soldiers were honored for

their work in winning the Chief of Staff Army Award for Maintenance Excellence . Four Soldiers traveled

to Richmond, Va., to be presented with the Department of the Army AAME.

Capt. Anthony Allen, the commander for Battery B, 2nd

Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, was

awarded an Army Achievement Medal for his efforts in winning

the Chief of Staff Army Award for Maintenance Excellence.

Twenty-eight Deep Strike Soldiers were awarded Army

Achievement Medals or Certificates of Appreciation for their

hard work during the maintenance inspections.


FORT HOOD, Texas— Eight Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires Brigade, spent their Sat-urday assisting and entertain-ing children at Camp Life, May 7. Camp Life is a non-profit or-ganization that provides recrea-tional activities and counseling to children of deceased U.S. Soldiers who died in Iraq or Af-ghanistan. Camp Life partnered with 41st Fires Bde. and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors to make the week-end an enjoyable event for the families. “Camp Life occurs every six months and brings families to-gether to provide mentorship and a fun time for the children,”

said James Elzie, a support co-ordinator for Survivor Outreach Services. “We have activities like a dunking booth, boxing cage, cyber spin, and mothers will have a spa day inside.” The camp welcomed chil-dren of various ages and gave them the opportunity to play and make friends with other military affiliated children around the area. “I am having a good time,” said Zariah Coffie, 6, who came to the camp with her two younger sisters. “My favorite part is the jumpy house.” The Hard Rock Soldiers vol-unteered their time, because they wanted to show their sup-port to the program and the families. “Our brigade commander emphasizes on community out-reach in the area, so we were

able to assist when contacted by Camp Life,” said 2nd Lt. Shannon Killian, the execu-tive officer for HHB, 41st Fires Bde. “I enjoyed myself a lot, and it was surreal to see photos of Soldiers recently killed overseas and hear their children speak so inno-cently about what happened to their parents.” Camp Life also provides the op-portunity for chil-dren to share ex-

periences and inspire one an-other, said Killian. Spc. Steven Medina, a fire direction specialist for HHB, 41st Fires Bde., volunteered his time to help out the children and show his respect to the families. “I wanted to support a great program and see the children smile,” said Medina. “It is im-portant to me to show my ap-preciation to them and their family members who have served.” The day was filled with fun and relaxation for both the chil-dren and parents. The Hard Rock Soldiers were able to as-sist in giving the families a memorable weekend.

Hard Rock assists TAPS with Camp Life Story and photos by

Spc. Dalinda Hanna


Jacob Pope, 6, enjoys a snow cone during the Tragedy

Assistance Program for Survivors sponsored Camp Life

event. Camp Life is a nonprofit organization that provides

counseling and activities for children of deceased Soldiers.

Pfc. Gaige Caward falls into the water after Jacob Pope, 6, throws a ball that

hits the button on the dunk tank during the Camp Life event. Camp Life offers a

day of fun for families of deceased Soldiers who were deployed overseas.


FORT HOOD, Texas—Some of the most competitive Fort Hood Soldiers volunteered for one of toughest obstacle course many may come face to face with at House Creek Assault Course on Fort Hood, Texas. More than 60 Soldiers charged the high wall during the second annual III Corps Soldier Olympic Course hosted by 69th Air Missile Defense Brigade, April 28. Soldiers throughout the installation competed in 20 different obstacles designed to challenge them physically and mentally. The obstacle course also emulates possi-ble battlefield scenarios. “The Soldier Olympic ob-stacles were chosen mainly using the warrior tasks and battle drills,” said 1st Lt. Charles Standfill, Morris-town, Tenn. native, competition officer in charge, 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regi-ment, 69th Air Missile Defense Bde. “Some of the obstacles were modeled from the Army Physical Readiness Training manual. The course was de-signed to be continuous and strenuous. Some of the obsta-cles were designed to make the Soldiers think quickly, like the 9-line MEDVAC Request. During this year’s Soldier Olympics, the course went from team driven to individual. Also the course was shortened and more obstacles were added along the way. One of the new

obstacles was the combatives portion where Soldiers had to gain the advantage. “The objective here is for the Soldiers to use combatives techniques to gain the domi-nate position and throw effec-

tive strikes,” said Spc. Brandon Farmer, Washington D.C. na-tive, course combatant, Head-quarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. “After the Soldiers come off the rope bridge, they have to rumble with us. They’re already tired by the time they make it to us and they have to find that extra motivation to get us to the ground to gain the dominating position.” After the Soldiers maneu-vered across a stream using a rope bridge and fought their way to a safe clearing, the par-ticipants had to don their pro-tective masks for the last nine events.

“By the time most of the Soldiers got to my grenade pit, they looked beat,” said Staff Sgt. Nathan Price, Lexington, Neb., sentinel radar operator, 1st Bat., 44th ADA Regt. “I know how they feel though be-

cause I competed last year. This course takes everything you have to complete it. However, when you cross that finish line, there’s al-most no greater joy.” Before the Soldiers could get to the finish line, they had to crawl through a tun-nel full of CS gas, save a downed pilot, and call in a nine-line medical evacuation report. “That last half mile of ob-stacles were the worst,” said 1st Lt. Steven Garcia, San Antonio native, executive officer, 324th Network Sup-port Company, 41st Fires Brigade. “You want to stop and take in a breath, but

there’s no air to breathe be-cause you’re surrounded by CS gas. You just have to keep moving forward. By the time I got to the end, I didn’t have the energy to stand.” The Soldiers gave it their all and overcame every obstacle that stood in between their way and the finish line. For most of them, they were glad they had a chance to participate in the challenge. “The course was one of those things that you hated do-ing while you’re participating. However, when you finish you looked back and realize how much fun you had,” said Gar-cia.

1st Lt. Steven Garcia prepares to throw a grenade into the grenade pit dur-

ing the second annual III Corps Soldier Olympics. During the grenade toss,

Soldiers had to successfully throw a grenade into the pit within two at-

No obstacle too tough to beat Story and photos by



N.Y., on a prestigious mission to train, observe, and provide

feedback for cadets who potentially may become future Army leaders. Teary-eyed family members departed Howze Theater as the Rail Gunners received details about the rest of the night and what to ex-pect for the next three months. “We’re supporting the United States Military Academy cadet summer training program,” said Maj. James Barrows, Ath-ens, Ga. native, battalion executive officer, 2nd bat-talion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Bde. “Our Soldiers will be the observer-controllers as the cadets conduct their own training through vari-


Story and photos by



FORT HOOD, Texas—As Fort Hood encountered strong winds, heavy rains, sporadic power-outages and hail, Soldiers with the 41st Fires Brigade made their way through the elements to muster for their upcoming and unique mission lasting from May 15 through Aug. 15. Even as the intensity of the storm picked up and caused a few road closures, the Soldiers continued to drop off their bags and filed into Howze Theater, May 11. More than 220 Soldiers from the 41st Fires Bde. are on tem-porary duty to the United States Military Academy, West Point,

Rail Gunners: West Point bound

ous situation based and tactical training lanes.” The cadets’ summer program is broken down into two phases: cadet leadership development training and field training. The leadership portion of the sum-mer training will last three weeks and the field training will carry the cadets through the remain-der of the summer. The 41st Fires Bde. will pro-vide helpful tips and feedback for the cadets during the pro-gram while the seniors and jun-iors train the freshmen. Throughout the summer pro-gram, the cadets will run through numerous lanes like basic pa-trolling, land navigation, and re-acting to enemy contact. The Rail Gunner Soldiers will break down into squad-sized elements and walk each training lane to oversee training, and stand in when necessary. “Our Soldiers have a great

See WEST POINT on Page 8

Sgt. Myron Wade, fire control elements noncommissioned officer grabs his gear as the 41st Fires Brigade

prepares to depart Howze Theater. More than 220 Rail Gunners will assist the cadets during their summer

training program by observing them on their training lanes.

Soldiers load their bags onto the truck as they prepare to leave

Howze Theater. More than 220 Rail Gunner Soldiers will work

with cadets in West Point for the next three months.


opportunity to leave a last-ing impression on the ca-dets,” said Capt. Peter Crosthwaite, Marysville, Ohio native, commander for Battery C, 2nd Bat., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Bde. “The one-on-one ex-periences we get with the cadets really set this mis-sion apart from other mis-sions. Each training mis-sion will help the cadets gain a better understanding and allow them to make valuable assessments on potential Soldiers they could lead in the future.” Barrows stated that while in school, the cadets do not have the opportunity to interact with too many

noncommissioned officers. The 41st Fires Bde. NCOs will be among some of the first enlisted to help develop the cadets and pre-pare them for future assignments. “Having the chance to come to U.S. Military Academy is a prestig-ious opportunity for the battalion and brigade,” said 1st Sgt. Anthony Iglehart, Waco, Texas native, first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Bat., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Bde. “What we do here over the next few months will help develop mili-tary leaders and ultimately help shape the careers of future Sol-diers.” In honor of the 41st Fires Bde. mission at the U.S. Military Acad-emy, spouses and family members have teamed up with the Family Readiness Group leaders and ad-visors throughout the brigade to conduct a walk that will total the distance to West Point and back to Fort Hood, 3,490 miles.

Staff Sgt. Latrece Scarver writes a letter to her loved ones before departing Howze Theater. The Rail Gunners will operate as

observer-controller elements providing feedback and helpful tips to the cadets.

WEST POINT cont. from Page 7

Rachel Dean, Family Readiness Support Advisor for

2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires

Brigade, distributes homemade goodies at Howze

Theater to the Soldiers waiting to depart for their

mission. The homemade sweets were donated by the

units’ family readiness groups.

Soldiers bags lined the outside of Howze TheateR during

the rain storm as the Rail Gunner Soldiers prepared to

move to the buses as they depart for West Point to work

with cadets at the U.S. Military academy for their summer

program.

Want more news and information, become a Facebook fan

of the 41st Fires BDE

VOLUME 2 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY ISSUE 9

1-21st FA 2-20th FA HHB, 41st Fires 589th BSB

Spc. Justin Oldham Spc. Jonathan Marr Spc. Justin Neal Spc. Robert Wheeler

Spc. Devon Ulibarri SSG. Tony Jones Spc. Davon Collins Cpl. Luz Person

Sgt Randy Watson SSG. Shru Nena Spc. Diane Gottlieb Sgt. Raul Lopez

SSG. Robert Clark SSG. Shacava Cavalier Sgt. Todd McMahan SSG. Roberto Perez– Palomares

A-26 TAB

Sgt. Matthew Butler

To PV2

Michael Selman

Eric Varela

Curtis Colemire

Lisa McDonald

Shane Starr

Andrew Murray

To PFC

Robert Barnette

Cherish Troung

Lindon Todas

Terrance Jeterperry

Gradyevens Rhodes

Muriel Delcastillo

Antonio Rodriguez

Kim Daniel

Taylor Paryga

Jonathan Tribble

Nolan Leenders

To SPC

Ethan Hendrick

Kyle Stadtmueller

Joshua Dunne

Micheal Escoto

Robert Bennett

Wesley Wylie

James Crooks

Shawn Clark

Allen Shelton

Adrian Perez

Christine Womack

Stephanie Daddario-Munnigh

To SSG

Alexander Avila

Joshua Ashburn

Curtis Bailey

Jefferson Cookman

Nicholas Weisenberger

Kent Bumpass

To SGT

Colton StJohn

Adam McGee

Joel Carter

Rodricuz Aubrey

Michael Conley

Richard Lee

Simon Pequeno

The Rail Gunner Monthy June 2011 Newsletter

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