DESERT BULLS

NCOS out front!JULY 27, 2006

By Capt. Paul RickertTF Thunder UPAR

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CONVOY SUPPORT CEN-TER, SCANIA, Iraq - Sgt. Kyle R.Miller of Willmar, Minn., was remem-bered Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at theCSC Scania courtyard as a greatfriend and Soldier who would al-ways get the job done, no matterthe task.

Miller, a Signal Support Sys-tem Specialist for the 1st Battal-ion, 125th Field Artillery (Strike),1st Brigade Combat Team of the34th Infantry Division, died whena roadside bomb detonated near hisvehicle June 29 south of Balad,Iraq.

Capt. Richard Ruppin ofBlaine, Minn., commander of thebattalion's Headquarters Battery,said that Miller possessed greatexpertise with computers and ra-dio equipment.

"His section members con-sidered him a 'wiz' with comput-ers and automations equipment,said Ruppin. "He learned thingsabout automation that were beyond his(Military Occupational Specialty) butKyle was more then just a communi-cations specialist.

"Kyle had the abil-ity to raise the morale ofthose around him withhis sense of humor andwit," he said. "His easygoing attitude and posi-tive disposition were histools for morale."

His fellow squadmember, Staff Sgt.Jamison Burgess ofMankato, Minn. told

the more than300 Soldiers

at the me-moriam,"Whenh ewalked

into the shop his smile would brightenthe room.

"If you ever needed a laugh youjust had to ask him what he was think-ing about", he said, “and you could beassured it was something unique."

Burgess elaborated on Miller'scharacter and his effect on people.

"He hated to see others upset,"said Burgess. "If there was somethingwrong, he was right there trying tocheer you up or he'd put his hand onyour shoulder so you'd know he wasthere for you… Kyle was a great Sol-dier, a great man and an even betterfriend."

The friends he left behind paidtribute to Miller in a special ceremony.

In the center of the stage was aMemorial Boot Stand. On the left werethe American and Minnesota flags withthe unit colors in the middle and the com-pany guidons on the right. On the topstep was an M-16 rifle with a bayonetattached placed into the step barrel firstwith a Kevlar helmet sitting on top ofthe rifle's stock. Miller's dog tags hungfrom the rifle.

Desert boots with the heels to-

Miller remembered as great friend, Soldier

Sgt. Kyle Miller in training earlier this year at CampShelby, Miss.

gether at a 45 degree angle were rest-ing on a step below his rifle. An 8.5 by11inch official Army portrait of himrested on an easel next to the memo-rial stand.

Soldiers marched to the stand twoat a time, turned, facedit and saluted it. Oncethey dropped their sa-lute, they turned awayfrom the stand and leftthe stage, sometimeswiping tears from theireyes.

Several other bat-talion commanders andcommand sergeantmajors of the 1/34 BCTalso left their coins andseveral Soldiers rippedoff their unit patch ontheir left shoulder andplaced it on the stand.

Miller was bornOct. 15, 1986, in War-ren, Minn. He gradu-ated from Willmar HighSchool in 2004 with in-

tentions of attending the University ofNorth Dakota to earn a degree in elec-trical engineering.

Miller enlisted in the MinnesotaNational Guard Nov. 19, 2003, as a sig-nal support system specialist. He re-ported for Basic Training at FortBenning, Ga., on Jan. 25, 2005. Hegraduated from his Advanced Individu-alized Training at Fort Gordon, Ga.,Aug.11, 2005. Upon completion of histraining, he was attached to Headquar-ters and Headquarters Company, 682ndEngineer Battalion based in Willmar.

Miller was transferred to Head-quarters and Headquarters Battery, 1stBattalion, 125th Field Artillery based inNew Ulm on Dec. 1, 2005, to deployto Iraq in support of Operation IraqiFreedom.

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I intend to accomplish our on-going theater secu-rity mission through an aggressive regimen of rehears-als, maintenance, fleet management and best practices.This is to ensure our Soldiers are highly trained, wellrested, and remain current on operational procedures.We will maximize risk mitigation through effectivescheduling, route management, and synchronizationthrough our higher headquarters to ensure that our Sol-diers have maximum time to prepare for missions withminimal changes. Our senior leadership will focus theirefforts regarding maintenance, enhancements, synchro-nization, and training with the understanding that Sol-diers on the road are the number one priority.

Success in theater security is achieving a sustainedoperational posture that allows risk mitigation to reduceoverall risks to our Soldiers on the road, while allowingNO cancelled coverage due to maintenance, communi-cations, or Counter Remote Control Improvised Explo-sive Device Electronic Warfare. Soldiers have a pre-dictable schedule that allows time for mission accom-plishment, maintenance; both equipment and personal,a training schedule to stay current on best practices,C

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Iraq 101: Military leader credited in forming Akkadian Empire

The battlesamong the people of thisland are noted in historyand we are now in-cluded as part of thisland’s history. TheAkkadian Empire came

into existence around the year 2350B.C. by means of the military leader,Sargon. The Akkadian empire existedfor its 142 years of glory, in the samearea where we live and drive through

providing convoy support. Sargon, theEmpire's first ruler eventually con-quered lands from the Mesopotamianarea to the shores of the Mediterra-nean Sea. His military achievementswere among the earliest recorded ac-complishments of such a large degree.As a result, roads were built which ledto the spread of information. His king-dom enabled trade and a time of pros-perity for the region. Yet today, if it werenot for history, and a movie, theAkkadian is all but forgotten.Main Sup-ply Route Tampa was not built bySargon, his roads are long gone. His

By Chaplain (Maj.) Randy Wendt1/34 BCT

and a defined mission posture with solid, definable riskmitigation.

I intend to emphasize entry control point securityprocedures to ensure that only authorized traffic entersour camps and that these practices are trained, rehearsed,and discussed at all levels. By understanding and seeingthe base defense from the enemy's perspective, our lead-ers and Soldiers will be able to better plan our responses.Success here is achieved when camp and fixed site pe-rimeter security prevents all penetrations, allows onlyauthorized vehicle traffic on post, and has developed andimplemented random Anti-Terrorist Measures at theECP's as well as in the perimeter patrols.

Through all of these tasks our Soldiers must havea clear, concise understanding of what it is we wantthem to do when a situation presents itself. Leaders atall levels must continue training rehearsals and vignettes.Our Soldiers are our responsibility and we will ensurethey are fully prepared to handle anything, anytime,anywhere!

early library to catalog astrological ob-servations-- gone. Where are the claystamps of his postal system? Gone.When you visit the Ziggurat, you nolonger see his daughter, Enheduanna,the former priestess of the temple per-forming sacrifices to the moon god. Ifyou look at Genesis 10:10, where is thiskingdom today? We work to make thisland a better place, may our work bewithin God’s will and have a lasting im-pact beyond our lives here in this dustyland. "The world and its desires passaway, but the man who does the will ofGod lives forever.” I John 2:17

Soldiers on the road are our number one priorityBy Col. David J. Elicerio

A monthly barbecue to cel-ebrate Soldiers’ birthdays assigned tothe 1/34 Brigade Combat Team startsAug 25 at LSA Adder. The lastbarbecue will be February 25.

The first barbecue will honorSoldiers whose birthdays fell of fallbetween April 1 and Aug. 31. The

Monthly barbecue celebrating Soldiers’ birthdays starts Aug. 25barbecues that start at 11:30 a.m. willbe held inside the Bullpen’s non-secure area near trailers B1 and C1.

The proposed meal includeshamburgers, polish sausages, potatosalad and birthday cake.The recogni-tion of birthdays will include a readingof the names of Soldiers with birth-

days in that month. A birthday cardwill be prepared for each Soldier andsigned by the 1/34 BCT commanderand command sergeant major and bythe Soldier's battalion commanderand command sergeant major. Thecard will be presented to the Soldierat the event.

COLONELCOLONEL COLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONEL COLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONEL COLONELCOLONELCOLONELCOLONEL

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Day in Red Bull historyMonday, July 17, 1944Near Ermo, Italy

Heads upFrom the editor: A look at issues, trends and things to watch

We're in the same area. Enemyplanes were over last night droppingflares but did not strafe or drop anybombs.

There were many targets for us thismorning at all points on our sector's front.Our men are attacking and many smallgroups of the enemy are counter-attack-

ing. Before noon we had already expended786 rounds. In the afternoon we fired an-other sixteen missions, expending another432 rounds, for a total of 1218 rounds [esti-mated nine tons]. This was our heaviestday of firing for some time. The firing thisnight was mostly against identified con-centrations. Pfc. Steve P Brinza left todayto participate in the Fifth Army swimmingmeet.

Editor’s note: This diary entry is fromThe Unit Journal of Cannon Company,133rd InfantryApril 1944until May1945. For thec o m p l e t ediary, log ontowww.34infdiv.org/history/133cannon/4404.html

By Sgt. 1st Class Clinton WoodAs you may have noticed the 21st

issue of the Desert Bulls had a"facelift." There were several reasonsfor this. The main one was that theoriginal newsletter template and previ-ous newsletters was on my laptop thatcrashed after I left Camp Adder onassignment for several weeks. Coupledwith that, I turned over the newsletterand design tasks to newly promotedSpc. Brian Jesness, my print journalist.I will still be editing each newsletterthough.

So for this issue, you will see thereturn of In Our sights, my Heads upcolumn and Day in History.

Another heads up is that Head-quarters and Headquarters Companyof the 1/34 BCT will be named Pan-thers from now on.

In an upcoming issue, I intend toreserve at least one page, maybe twowith news from the other battalions. Todo this, I will scan each battalion’s

newsletters and choose the best sto-ries.

Air Force rankSpending several hours with Air

Force personnel at a Kuwait base lastmonth while escorting a Fox Sports NetNorth crew, I learned about the AirForce rank structure. This is somethingevery Camp Adder Soldier should knowtoo. That way we can show respect tothese Airmen.

So here is the Air Force's juniorenlisted rank structure (see rank chartat right): One stripe is an airman (equalto our private second class), two stripesis an airman first class (equal to ourprivate first class) and three stripes isa senior airman (equal to our special-ist),

The noncommissioned officerrank structure for both services will bein the next Desert Bulls.

The officer's rank is the same asthe Army except a major's oak leafcluster is brown instead of gold. Offic-

ers alsoare theo n l yA i r -m e nt h a tw e a rt h e i rr a n k son theirhats.

Iraqi language lesson:

Kayfu halukum is how areyou? (pronounced kye fah hahluckum)

Haar is hot (pronouncedhar)

The 1/34 Brigade Combat Team is commanded by Col. David Elicerio. Command Sgt. Major Doug Julin is the 1/34 BCT command sergeant major. The Desert Bullsstaff is Capt. Mark Lappegaard, public affairs officer; Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood, editor; Sgt. Kent Westberg, broadcast journalist and Spc. Brian Jesness, printjournalist. The Desert Bulls is an official publication of the 1/34 Brigade Combat Team. It is produced by the 1/34 BCT Public Affairs Office. This Soldier newsletteris in compliance with the provisions of AR 360-1. Any questions, comments, photos, story ideas that you would like to present should be forwarded to the 1/34

BCT Public Affairs Office. E-mail Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood at clinton.wood@us.army.mil.

DESERT BULLS Issue #22

About the cover: Sgt. Grant Johnson,Task Force Wild, is one of the NCOs inthe 1/34 BCT that leads from the front.Photo illustration by Sgt. 1st Class

Clinton Wood, 1/34 BCT PA

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Issue #22

On the cover:

Photo by Sgt. 1stClass Clinton Wood,1/34 BCT PA.

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Soldiering isn't an amateursport; it's the world's most complexand demanding profession.

Each Soldier must be tacticallyand technically proficient. Discipline,professionalism, pride,and proficiency are anoutstanding unit's quali-ties. Noncommissionedofficers are never tootimid, tired, or lazy toenforce these standards.It is every Soldier'sresponsibility to upholdthe standards but NCOsenforce these standards.NCOs' set the standardby being the solution andnot the problem.

Some of the specificareas I ask NCOs tofocus on:

Weapons- ifcontinual weaponsmaintenance isn't empha-sized and sustained ourweapons will becomedirty, rusty, and possiblyimproperly assembled. We can'tafford to lose one of our fellowSoldiers because the lack of thediscipline to enforce the standard.The NCO sets the standard inensuring that all weapons and ammu-nition are clean, serviceable, andalways properly assembled.

Uniforms- Soldiers have atendency to modify their uniform,ignoring the Army Regulation 670-1.The NCO ensures that the Soldiersare always in the correct uniform andpresent themselves professionally.The NCO must be aware of anySoldiers that are not adhering to theproper uniform posture. The NCOsets the standard by enforcing the

proper uniform standard always.

Vehicles- NCOs' must super-vise and oversee the maintenance oftheir vehicles and equipment.

Standards maintained whileriding in a vehicle include the wearingof seatbelt, helmet, Interceptor Body

Armor with throat protector and groinprotector, eye protection, hearingprotection, and gloves. The NCOensures that the Soldier understandsthis is a requirement but also that itenhances the Soldier's survival underfire. Of special note: All vehiclecommanders must ensure their doorsare combat locked prior to leaving thewire.

Team Building- I also expectthe Red Bulls to take extreme pridein their equipment, their individualperformance and in their squads andplatoons. With pride comes teamwork, with team work comes espritde corps, and with esprit de corpscomes pride.

Risk Management- Ourefforts to support the brigade objec-tives are futile if a Soldier suffers aserious injury by accident. Leadersalways identify the potential safetyrisks, develop control measures tocombat them, and prevent risk to ourSoldiers. NCOs' set the standard by

identifying any potential orknown safety issues andconcerns and making on thespot corrections.

Living the ArmyValues- NCOs lead byexample and are rolemodels for their Soldiers.

Loyalty - Bear truefaith and allegiance to theU.S. Constitution, the Army,your unit, and other Soldiers.

Duty - Fulfill yourobligations.

Respect - Treatpeople as they would betreated.

SelflessService- Put the

welfare of the Nation, theArmy, and your subordi-nates before your own.

Honor - Live up tothe Army Values.

Integrity - Do what's right,legally, and morally.

Personal Courage - Face fear,danger or adversity (physical ormoral).

Professionalism is the backboneof the NCO corps. As professionalswe will expect nothing less from ourSoldiers. We will continue to set thestandard and ensure that discipline iscontinually enforced. We will not fail.We lead from the front. We teach,mentor, and coach Soldiers at alllevels. Soldiering is the best profes-sion in the world. I am proud of allthe Soldiers within the 1/34 BCT, butI especially thank my fellow NCOsfor holding the standards. We are thefinal check.

NCOs reminded to lead from the front

Sgt. Daniel Halan, Task Force Bearcats, assumesone of his sergeant of the guard duties by briefingtower guards at LSA Anaconda during a shift change.A SOG is one of the countless responsibilities of aNCO.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood, 1/34 BCT PA

By Command Sgt. Maj.Douglas Julin1/34 BCT

Notes from the Command Judge Advocate

Paralegal Spotlight. This month’s Desert Bulls theme is “NCOs Leadfrom the front” Master Sgt. Linnea Velsvaag is the senior paralegalnoncommissioned officer in the 1/34 BCT and noncommissioned officerin charge of the Camp Adder Consolidated Legal Office (“The Alamo”).Velsvaag is originally from International Falls, Minn. She joined theArmy in 1988 and has served both on Active Duty and in the Guard inthe medical, aviation, and judge advocate general fields. Prior todeploying she was a high school guidance counselor at Johnson SeniorHigh School in St. Paul, Minn. She has 11-year old twin daughters.Velsvaag is responsible for the day-to-day administration of theConsolidated Legal Office and supervision of the enlisted paralegals inthe 1/34 BCT.

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Spotlight on Voting

One of our most important responsibilities as citizensin a democracy is to vote. General elections are less thanfour months away and primary elections have alreadybegun in several states. Registration and absentee ballotrequirements, and primary election dates, vary by state.See the federal voting assistance website atwww.fvap.org for information on your home state’srequirements.

Also, each battalion has several Voting AssistanceOfficers to help you register to vote and to vote byabsentee ballot. Those VAOs are:

TF Iron. Capt. Joel Jacobson and 2nd Lt. TonyChristoph, headquarters and headquarters company; 2nd

Lt. Kent Greiner, Company B; 1st Lt. Christopher Donlin,Weapons Company; 2nd Lt. Jared Gevock, Company C.

TF Wolverine. Capt. Andrew Peterson and 1st Lt.Paul Peterson, headquarters and headquarters company;1st Lt. Ronald Sevak, Company A; 2nd Lt. MatthewBrauer, Company B; 1st Lt. David Pergande, Company C;1st Lt. Stephen Peccorelli, Company D; Staff Sgt. DarrellVetter, Company E; 2nd Lt. Jason Bachtel, Company F.

TF Thunder. 1st Lt. John Mastbergen, headquar-ters and headquarters battery; 1st Lt. John Avila, Com-pany A; 1st Lt. David Garrett, Company B; 2nd Lt. JamesLehman, Company C; 2nd Lt. Mark Anderson and 1st Lt.James Miller, Company G.

TF Bearcats. Capt. Chip Rankin, headquarters andheadquarters company; 1st Lt. Stewart Whitson, Com-pany A; 2nd Lt. Bradley Wallace, Company B; 1st Lt.Peter Rampaart, Company C; 1st Lt. Joseph Beatty,Company D; and 1st Lt. Casey Vulcan, Company E.

TF Saber. 2nd Lt. James Bartels and 1st Lt. ShaneVarejcka, headquarters and headquarters troop; 1st Lts.Bradley Wangler, Ross Zarzecki, William Rice, andMichael Tarricone, 2nd Lt. Thomas Traylor, 1st Lts.Anthony Wertz, and Keith Davis.

TF Express. 1st Lt. Clay Whitman, headquarters

and headquarters detachment; 1st Lt. Cory Cannon, 308th

Transportation Company; 2nd Lt. Goforth, 250th Transpor-tation Company; Sgt. 1st Class David Penley, 1451st

Transportation Company.TF Wild. 2nd Lt. Dustin D. Snare, 1st Lt. Douglas

A. Borgenson, and 2nd Lt. Dwaine J. Babcock; Spc.Lawrence Gard, Company A; 2nd Lt. Stephen Babcock,Company B; 2nd Lt. Joshua Fjelstad, Company A, 2nd

Battalion, 135th Infantry.Panthers. 1st Lt. Stephen Sander

Military Justice Log

A Soldier from Task Force Saber received a Field Grade Article 15 forstriking another NCO. Sentence: Reduction from sergeant tospecialist, forfeiture of $967 for two months (suspended), ExtraDuty for 30 days.A Soldier from Task Force Saber received a Company Grade Article15 for insubordination to an NCO and threatened to kill him.Sentence: Reduction from private first class to private second class,forfeiture of $333, Extra Duty for seven days, restriction for 14Days.A Soldier from Task Force Express received a Field Grade Article 15for a Negligent Discharge. Sentence: Reduction from specialist toprivate first class (suspended), forfeiture of $200 for two months.A Soldier from Task Force Bearcats received a Field Grade Article 15failure to report. Sentence: Reduction from specialist to private firstclass, forfeiture of $845 for two months (suspended), Extra Duty for45 days(suspended).A Soldier fromTask ForceWolverinereceived a FieldGrade Article 15for being Absentwithout leave.Sentence:Reduction fromprivate secondclass to private,forfeiture of$300, restrictionto company areafor 45 days.

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Spc. Brandon Zimmerschied, TaskForce Wild, walks between a row ofnew 1151 Humvees at Camp Adder.

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IN OUR SIGHTS

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood, 1/34 BCT PA

Spc. Anthony Breaux of Task Force Saber, shouts instructionsat LSA Anaconda’s North Entry Control Point as a convoy ofHumvee gun trucks roll through.

Lt. Col Gregg Parks (left), commander of Task Force Bearcats,and his command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj TerryKoenig, read the oath of enlistment to several Bearcatsreenlisting at Al Taqqadum.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood, 1/34 BCT PA

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Dean Marquardt, TF Bearcat UPAR

Spc. Christopher Berry, TFThunder, drives a Humvee enroute to Scania earlier this month.

Photo by Sgt. Kent Westberg, 1/34 BCT PA