NEC ASPERA TERRENT

BY COURAGE AND ARMS

June - September 2013 WWW.25IDL.ARMY.MIL/BRONCOS/3_25.HTML 3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

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THE 3BCT’S OFFICAL NEWSLETTER

July - September 2013 VOL. 1 NO. 6

WWW.25IDL.ARMY.MIL/BRONCOS/3_25.HTML

Brigade CommanderCol. Brian S. Eifler

Brigade Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Clark

Public Affairs OfficerCapt. Evan SchritchfieldEditor-in-Chief and PhotojournalistSgt. Brian C. Erickson

BRONCO BRIGADE NEWS

Unit Public Affairs Representatives

2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment SGT AXE

2nd Battalion 35th Infantry Regiment SGT FRIEBURG AND SPC FREEMAN

3rd Squadron 4th Calvary Regiment LT NASH AND SPC REED

3rd Battalion 7th Field Artillery RegimentSSG HARVEY, SPC WRANCHER AND SPC ERSKINE

3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion PFC MOSELER

325th Brigade Support Battalion LT HYERS AND SSG GARCIA

PhotojournalistLt. Zack KohlBroadcast JournalistSgt. Vanessa Atchley

The Bronco Bulletin is published quarterly by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Af-fairs Office. All photos not credited are official 3BCT photos.

Please send photos you’d like to be fea-tured in this publication to:broncobrigade3@gmail.com

More than 2,200 U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, stand to form the units emblem, during Week of the Bronco celebration honoring the 50 years of history at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, July 3, 2013. The Week of the Bronco is a three-day sports event between battalions of the unit, emphasizing camaraderie and esprit de corps, shared with family and friends of the Bronco Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson)

On the Front: 1st Lt. Bryan Thompson, B. Troop, 3rd Sqdn, 4th Cav. Regt., carries a weapons mount at the weapons station of a Spur Ride on East Range, Sept. 5.

Bronco Highlight: Soldiers cap off “Week of the Bronco” with crest formation

1:Straight from the horSe’S mouth: Words by Col. Brian S. Eifler

2: oPeration mongoday: Leaders get put to the test physically and mentally

3: week of the bronco: 3rd BCT takes time for friendly competition

4: “Lucky 7”: 3-7 FA restores a model 1905 3-inch field gun

5: wiSh come true: 3-7 FA team with Make-a-Wish foundation

6: exPert infantry badge: More than 192 Soldiers earn the EIB

7: SPur ride: 3-4 Cavalry Soldier earn their spurs

8: ‘no fear’ war: Wolfhounds coduct training to prepare for future

9: breaSt cancer awareneSS: Army continues the fight against Breast Cancer

10: SPouSe SPur ride: Spouses get taste of Cavalry tradition

11: Vacation bibLe SchooL Bronco chaplain host VBS at HMR

12: retention Retention NCOIC says a few words

13: chaPLain’S corner Words from the Bronco chaplain

14: frSa newSLetter Upcoming events for family readiness

Table of Contents

STRAIGHTFROM

THEHORSE’SMOUTH

Greetings Bronco Ohana!

We have certainly achieved many great accom-plishments over the last quarter yet only a fraction are highlighted in this edition of the Bronco Bul-letin.

Use our Bronco Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/325idBroncos to stay in touch with the latest!

I am very proud of what we have accomplished along with all of our volunteer support that we couldn’t do without. Despite changing schedules, government shut-down, and budget constraints, we will continue the mission to provide a light-fighting Contingency Response Force (CRF) capability in the Pacific Theater.

The BCT will no longer be headed to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in February and because of this, I have directed the removal of some training from the training schedule in Oc-tober and November so we can focus on the CRF mission. This will also allow us to slow down the pace of training that has been high due to prepara-tions for JRTC.

I sincerely appreciate your resilience through the challenging schedule over the last year with de-ployment changes, block leave changes, and calen-dar changes that were out of our control. Again, I could not be more proud of how you all have handled it and persevered.

As we start a new chapter, we also must say fare-well to CSM Clark and his Family as he was se-lected to be the Division CSM for the 4th Infantry Division that is currently deployed to Afghanistan. We will miss his leadership and I will surely miss him as my “right arm”. He will no doubt be a blessing to the 4th ID.

Despite our loss, we gain an exceptional CSM to replace him. CSM Timothy Johnson arrives from Fort Benning, GA this month and will replace CSM Clark during a ceremony at 1000 on 29 OCT at F Quad. Please join us as we say farewell to CSM Clark and welcome CSM Johnson.

Again, I am proud of what you have accomplished and endured in this ever-changing environment. I want to thank our Soldiers, Families, and Volun-teers for all you do everyday in making this Bri-gade Combat Team better.

Words from Col. Brian S. Eifler

“NONE BETTER”

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, “Broncos,” 25th Infantry Division, con-ducted Operation Mangoday on various training areas throughout Hawaii, Aug. 6-8.

Operation Mangoday is a leader assessment and a leader development exercise intended to assess cap-tains and put them under duress and deprivation under a physically and mentally challenging environ-ment, while working with their peers to see how they handle training, said Col. Brian S. Eifler, commander of 3rd BCT, 25th ID.

Capt. Henry S. Zhang, Bravo Troop commander; 3rd Battalion, 4th Cavalry Regiment; 3rd BCT, explained how the training was tough but very realistic.

“We went into the event not knowing what’s going to come next, so there was no way to prepare. The un-known distance road march was the most difficult part for me because the terrain was tough, and there was pretty much one way to go and that’s up,” Zhang said.

Zhang added that the operation presented an even tougher challenge: to be in charge of your peers.

“Being in charge of your peers is one of the hardest things you can do in the Army, and that presented a different perspective for all of us,” Zhang said.

Other officers waiting to assume command, like Capt. Brian M. Grace, Headquarters and Headquarters Com-

pany, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, said the training brought him back to the lowest level of soldiering.

“It makes you remember just how hard it is for them to stay detailed, even with they’re tired and even when they need things for themselves,” Grace said. “It gives you an idea once you become a commander of what their jobs they have and how hard it will be for them to do those jobs.”

Grace said the duty position of the platoon sergeant was the hardest job he had because “they have to be on top of everything.” He said he found a new respect for the Noncommissioned Officer Corps.

The burden of lack of sleep added a whole new element to the game, and Grace said, “Everyone can live off of one MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) a day, but two days without sleep … it starts to make easy decisions a lot harder.”

Eifler said, “They learn about themselves and become better when they’re being pushed a little further to see how they can improve and how good they are when they’re assessed, giving them an incredibly difficult task that even a seasoned unit would have trouble with.”

“There’s always room for improvement,” added Eifler, who plans to do this same kind of exercise again for the new officers that come to the Bronco Brigade.

Operation Mangoday puts leaders to the test

Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, “Broncos”, 25th Infantry Division, conduct Operation Mangoday on various training areas throughout Hawaii, Aug. 6-8. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Cashmere Jefferson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team)

The week kicked off with a brigade run that included family members of proud Bronco Soldiers.

“It was good for the families to get out and run with their dads,” said Kalya Dawson, 13, daughter of Staff Sgt. Nolan Dawson, HHC, 3rd BCT.

Volleyball, softball, football, cross-fit, combatives, a golf tournament, tug-o-war, a 4-mile relay and a spe-cial chariot race were among the events.

“A little bit of competition in the organization just makes us better,” said 1st Sgt. Chad Pinkston, HHC, 3rd BCT.

The Bronco Brigade has a lot to be proud of.

“It is a brigade that has been in the fight for a long time. It rarely puts its rucksack down,” said Pinkston. “In my opinion, it is one of the busiest BCTs in the Army.”

That kind of pride was evident during the Week of the Bronco.

“We have been at the front of pretty much every fight … and to be associated with that is such an honor,” said Rizley.

1st Lt. Zachary Kohl3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers from 3rd Bri-gade Combat Team, “Broncos,” 25th Infantry Division, celebrated the “Week of the Bronco,” July 1-3, with a series of morale-building events.

Fifty years ago, in the summer of 1963, the Bronco Brigade was born to help defend America from the communist threat in Vietnam.

Since then, it has been one of America’s premier light infantry forces in the Pacific theater.

The Week of the Bronco featured heavy emphasis on competitive sports. Some of Hawaii’s most famous bat-talions, with strength forged in war, sparred in friendly competition.

“Our job as Soldiers is to be in top physical condi-tion, and this is not only a chance to come out and test ourselves, but it also builds that sense of brotherhood and camaraderie that is important in a fighting unit,” said 1st Lt. Steve Rizley, Headquarters and Headquar-ters Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Inf. Regiment, “The Wolfhounds.”

Col. Brian Eifler (front, second from left), commander, 3rd BCT, 25th ID, along with his family and staff, lead the Bronco Brigade during a family fun run to begin the brigade’s “Week of the Bronco,” Monday. (Photo by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division)

Week of the Bronco

Photos and story bySgt. Brian C. Erickson3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

After months of restoration, “Lucky 7,” a Model 1905 3-inch field gun, was unveiled at Quad C, here, July 3.

“This is fantastic, for it espouses our unit history, our lineage and basically our core roots when we were activated in 1917,” said Lt. Col. George Hammar, commander, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. “This weapon has been with the unit since it was activated.”

The restoration project to this point all started in the regiment’s motor pool in January, explained 1st Lt. Tyler Weaver, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3-7th FA.

“I remember feeling like I was ready to pass out,” said Weaver. “Our commander brought us to the motor pool to show us this field gun.”

However, this time was not the first occa-sion the lieutenant had seen the gun. In fact, at one point in the past, he was actu-ally searching for a way to turn it in.

“I worked in the S-4 (property manage-ment office) shop for a while, and our previous executive officer wanted us to turn this gun, to get it completely off the books,” said Weaver.

Turning in a weapon of this caliber turned

A restored Model 1905 3-inch field gun, known as ‘Lucky 7,’on display during 3rd BCT, 25th ID’s Week of the Bronco closing ceremony in Quad C, July 3. Lucky 7 will be dedicated in an upcoming ceremony and placed in the 3-7th FA headquarters

Model 1905 restored, still serving 3-7 FA

out to be a harder task than what was originally thought, according to Weaver. Before he could find a way to get rid of the gun, the command changed, and the new commander had a whole different idea of what to do with the rusted-out piece of field artillery.

“Our new commander came in, who loves history, and basically said restore it,” said Weaver.

“When I took command, I tasked the lieutenants to restore the field gun,” said Hammar.

Now with a new task to accomplish, Weaver recruited 2nd lieutenants Joshua Checki, Sam Lloyd and Jose Campos, all as-signed to 3-7th FA.

“Commander wanted it done, so I said alright, might as well start work-ing on it,” said Weaver.

Once he got started working on the proj-ect, it took on a life of its own, according to the gentlemen working on it.

With more than 200 hours of restoration work completed, the Model 1905 Field Gun is almost ready to be placed in it rest-ing spot.

“We still have a little tweaking to do to it, a couple more parts to restore,” said Ham-mar. “Once finished, it will be put

on display in Quad E under the battalion headquarters in the arch.”

The field gun will be dedicated during a small ceremony on the 3-7th FA Regimen-tal Day, July 16.

Afterwards, Lucky 7 will be used for parades, changes of command ceremonies and other formal events.

“This has been a great experience, another opportunity to learn new things,” said Weaver.

1st Lt. Tyler Weaver, 2nd Lt. Joshua Checki, Sam Lloyd and Jose Compoa, line up the wooden spokes during the restoration process..

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, joined forces with Make-a-Wish® Hawaii, Monday, to bring Ryan Stein-bach’s dream of experiencing the armed forces a reality.The Jeffersonville, Ind., native, always wanted to be a part of the military in memory of his great grandfather.“I want to be able to pay tribute to those who serve,” said Stein-bach. “My great grandfather … was actually killed at Pearl Harbor. He served on the USS Arizona.”

The prognosisSteinbach said he knew he was going to visit Schofield Barracks, but not what he was about to experience.“I thought I would only be having breakfast with you guys and hang out for a little bit,” said Steinbach.What he got was a full day of activities, some of them very few people have ever had the opportunity to experience.Lt. Col. George Hammar, battalion commander, introduced Stein-bach and his family at the morning formation.“It’s an honor to have you with us today,” said Hammar.Hammar continued by saying that what Steinbach has been through in his life truly represents what it takes to be a “Never Broken” family.At the age of 8, Steinbach was diagnosed with multiple dystrophy in his legs and feet. He had to have major surgery on both feet.After several months of physical therapy following surgeries, doc-tors told him he would never be the same again and would always have to wear full leg braces.When he was 9, Steinbach was diagnosed with renal failure, which caused him to spend weeks in the hospital receiving treatment. When he was 11, he had

to be placed on hemodialysis because of a major staph infection. By 14, he would need a kidney transplant.

The wishAfter formation, Steinbach and his family went to the dining facil-ity to experience an Army breakfast.“I was expecting it to taste like slosh, but the food was actually pretty good,” said Steinbach.With a full stomach, the family continued to visit Area X to get a closeup look at Soldiers conducting warrior training tasks.

That afternoon Steinbach, along with his younger brothers, got the opportunity to operate the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle simulator and the Engaged Skills Trainer, firing simulated weapons as if the three boys were in a giant video game.“Shooting the guns was really cool; they were so realistic,” said Steinbach. “The rocket launcher was the best.”As the day drew to an end, battalion Soldiers set up a towed how-itzer in front of the battalion headquarters to let Steinbach fire a blank round to sound retreat.To finish the day, 3-7th FA Regt. command presented Steinbach with a commemorative 105 mm casing and a certificate of ap-preciation, along with a shirt from each battery commander, in honor of his visit with the unit.

3-7 FA helps make teen’s wish come Story and photo by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson, 3rd BCT Public Affairs Public Affairs Office

Ryan Steinbach and his family pose for a photo with 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, during a visit, here, July 15. The visit to Hawaii was part of Ryan’s wish, through Make-A-Wish Hawaii, to experience what it is like to be in the Armed Forces.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — More than 700 Soldiers set out to earn the infantry’s Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) during a weeklong testing event hosted by 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Broncos,” July 29-Aug. 2.

Of that 700, 192 warriors satisfactorily completed tasks covering a wide range of infantry skills to be awarded the EIB in a ceremony on the Broncos’ historic Quad F.

Of those 192, 10 earned the coveted “true blue” designation, meaning they passed every test with zero deficiencies.

The go rate was higher than expected, noted Sgt. 1st Class Charles Lusk, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, and senior enlisted leader at the traffic control point. Lusk earned his badge in 2003, and he emphasized the importance of the EIB and how it will set these Soldiers apart from the rest in their career field.

“Having the EIB will completely set them up for success, giving them the con-fidence to do any other task that they have, because they know that they are the subject matter experts for all skill level 1 tasks,” Lusk said. “They know they have everything they need to lead other Soldiers, and it lets their subordinates know who does not have (an EIB).”

Lusk also said the EIB lets leaders know things are being done to the correct stan-dard.

Pvt. Joseph Henry, Co. C, 2-27th Inf., said the testing was tough, but having the EIB motivates those who earn it, allowing them to push themselves and live to a higher standard.

“The infantry is the backbone of the military, and it means everything to me,” said Henry. “It’s what makes a man … the difference between a man and an infantry-man.”

Of the 63,000 infantrymen in the Army, only 10 percent hold EIBs, marking the significance of such an elite award.

“During this competition, 25 percent of these infantrymen have earned their EIB,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Tuck, 2-27th Inf. “We are above Army average.

1st Lt. Kolby Kendrick, Co. D, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Regt., applies a pressure bandage to a simulated casualty as he attempts to earn the Expert Infantryman Badge, July 30. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divi-sion Public Affairs)

192 Soldiers earn the

Expert Infantry Badge

A Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Com-bat Team, 25th Inf. Division, lifts a simu-lated casualty as he attempts to earn the Expert Infan-tryman Badge, here, July 31. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — The Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition within the Army, and Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divi-sion, looked for initiation, Sept. 4-5.

Cavalry troops are inducted into the Order of the Spur after success-fully completing a “spur ride.” The spur ride began when the candi-dates were split into six teams to go

through the training ahead of them.“This is really good training for these Soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James Westover, squadron senior enlisted leader.

Once they were split into the teams, each Soldier had to complete a written cavalry test, and then each group executed their movement to Area X-ray, where they were tasked with establishing and marking a pick-up zone to be airlifted to East Range.

Upon arriving, each team received a grid coordinate for an obstacle course. As soon as the obstacle course was finished, the group started the rest of the tactical lanes, which the Soldiers traveled to on foot.

“The hardest part for me was the all the walking, but I wanted to see it through to the end,” said Sgt. Timo-thy Kolletzki, assigned to Head-quarters and Headquarters Troop.

Teams had to complete recon and observation, vehicle recovery, trauma lane, river crossing and weapons familiarization lanes.

“The area reconnaissance was prob-ably the most physical demanding of the lanes, due to the wide range of tasks that needed to be complet-ed,” said 1st Lt. Bryan Thompson, Troop B.

After each team finished all the lanes at East Range, it began the foot-march back to battalion headquarters. When teams arrived at their battalion headquarters, Soldiers received a quick rest before facing the final task: the spur board.

Each group was asked a series of questions before the commander gave the final seal of approval, stating each Soldier had earned his spurs.

“Earning the spurs is something to take a lot of pride in, something to be proud of,” said Thompson.

3-4 Cav. Soldiers join “Order of the Spur”

Sgt. Timothy Kolletzki, HHT, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., receives his spurs while in the front leaning rest posi-tion at Quad F, Sept. 5.

Story and photos by: Sgt. Brian C. Erickson3rd Brigade Combat Team

Spc. Brian Monk, HHT, 3 - 4 Cav. Regt., 3rd BCT, 25th ID, assembles a M240B Machine Gun during a unit spur ride Sept. 4th at East Range, Hawaii

Soldiers from Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Regt., begin a patrol to search for opposing forces. The opposition was free to use its own tactics, making the training more challenging.

KAHUKU TRAINING AREA — Soldiers from 2nd Bat-talion, 27th Infantry Regiment, conducted company level training operations during their “No Fear War” at Kahuku Military Training Area, Aug. 25-28.

The training scenarios were designed to refresh basics like creating fighting positions, sending out small patrols and conducting search and attack operations.

“This training is meant be a gut check for these command-ers and their Soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Tuck, senior enlisted leader, 2-27th Inf. Regt.

The journey began for each company when the unit was airlifted into KTA during the dark of night. Once on the ground, Soldiers began a foot movement across the rigid terrain to a designated location.

“The goal for these guys is to have their area of operation set up before the sun comes up,” said Tuck. “In the old days, this type of movement was known as the movement to light.”

As soon as the Soldiers were set up, commanders sent out patrols to find a known enemy in the area that was attacking their supply sources.

“The training is what we call ‘free play’ method. Each com-mander is given a mission, and it is up to them how they complete their tasks,” said Capt. Zack Long, tactical opera-

tions center (TOC) battle captain, 2-27th Inf. Regt.

Each company had roughly 72 hours to find and destroy the enemy. In order to accomplish that, it used its choice of multiple enablers. Companies could request Explosive Ordnance Disposal in the event they found an improvised explosive device, or IED, during the scenario. Units could call in helicopters to fly overhead and relay back enemy positions. They also had to coordinate with their TOCs to schedule tactical resupply missions to make ensure the Sol-diers had enough water and ammunition in order to keep up the fight.

The opposing forces also acted on their own accord. Unlike most training where leaders know when attacks will hap-pen, no one knew exactly when they’d face enemy engage-ments.

After the missions were complete and all enemy targets eliminated, company commanders got the call to move their Soldiers to the extraction point and return home.

According to Tuck, the training is just a precursor to what the Soldiers will face when they travel to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), next year.

“This training will give each company a good look at what they need to fix before they head off to JRTC next year,” said Tuck.

2-27 IN take on NO FEAR war at KTAStory and photo by: Sgt. Brian C. Erickson

Story by: Spc. Natalie Moseler,3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii--- October marks the month filled with pink ribbons, pink shirts and plenty of pink campaigns to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Army uses this time to spread the word on preventive measures in order to lower the risk and to teach Sol-diers more effective ways of early detection.

Currently, based off a 2009 study done by the U.S Military Cancer Institution, female Soldiers are 20 to 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed than the general population. This is due to the number of Soldiers being screened regularly in comparison to the general public. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed skin cancer in women alone and the second most leading cause of cancer deaths. This is why cancer awareness has become an issue in the military community.

Here, at the Schofield Barracks Women’s Health department, they offer a range of screenings and tests for Sol-diers and their families. Throughout the Troops Medic Clinic, brochures and pamphlets are distributed to Sol-diers to raise awareness and to show Soldiers the benefits in detecting the cancer in its early stages.

Early detection of breast cancer is important to the Army. It can provide more early treatment for service mem-bers, and for most, there is a 98 percent probability that they will survive for five or more years.

The United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command have had continuous efforts in funding more than $2.6 billion for the Breast Cancer Research Program each fiscal year.

In 1992, the Army created its own breast cancer research program. This program runs a campaign to increase awareness of policy makers to increase funding for more research. The Army now has the mammography equip-ment needed for early detection, and have brought forward new diagnostics, therapeutic drugs, and mammogra-phy registries for surveillance.

October has become the official breast cancer awareness month, but it is also a month to celebrate all of the women and men who have survived. Due to early detection and years of promoting breast cancer awareness, thousands of men and women have beaten this cancer and our living healthy lives today.

“I have seen so many women survive breast cancer from being trained early on that detecting early is key. I think it’s great that the Army is promoting yearly screenings for men and women. It is so important!” said Pfc. Kerian-na Kammer, Intelligence Analyst, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. 25th Infantry Division.

Army Continues fight against Breast Cancer

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Follow-ing the time-honored cavalry tradi-tion of earning one’s spurs, spouses of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regi-ment “Raiders,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, participated in a spur ride hosted by the unit, Sept. 12.

To begin the event, the spouses were divided into individual troop teams and transported to the first event, the obstacle course. Stetson-clad troopers from Blackfoot Troop, who led them through the physically challenging tasks, met the spouses at the course.

Spouses then had to complete chal-lenges wearing a helmet, fighting load carrier, gloves and eye protection.

“We hoped the obstacle course would give them a real taste of the physical rigors of training as a cavalryman,” said Lt. Col. David Zinn, commander, 3-4th Cav.

Next, the spouses were taken to the “shoot house,” where they received a class on weapon handling and room clearing. Then, in teams of four, they cleared enemy targets from three rooms with M4 assault rifles loaded with blank rounds. As the spouses maneuvered through the shoot house, their Soldiers observed and motivated them from the catwalk above.

“It felt good to experience what my husband had to do in Iraq,” said Erica Smith, wife of Capt. Quinton Smith, commander, Troop D. “I know it wasn’t exactly the same thing, but it felt good to try and understand what goes through a Soldier’s mind when clearing a room.”

The final event of the day was the live-fire range. For some, it was the first time firing live rounds. Firing from the prone supported position, the spouses fired 40 rounds at tar-

gets. They then moved over to the M240B machinegun, where they fired a 40-round belt of 7.62mm blank rounds.

Apache Troop also provided two humvees with Long Range Advanced Scout and Improved Target Acqui-sition systems mounted on top, to demonstrate some of the capabilities of Cavalry Scouts.

To conclude the spur ride, the spouses were presented awards, such as Top Gun and Top Gun Team, for the best shooters at the live-fire range. The best room-clearing team received the SWAT award. The best team to per-form the obstacle course received the Military Movement Expert award.

“This was a fantastic event for the spouses to learn how to challenge themselves physically,” said Zinn.

3-4 Cav. spouses saddle up to earn their spursStory by: 1st Lt. Timothy Karefa-Johnson

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Spouses of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divi-sion, prepare to clear a room in a shoot house during a Spouses Spur Ride, here, Sept. 12. (Photo by 1st. Lt. Timothy Karefa-Johnson, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Representative)

HELEMANO MILITARY RESERVATION — The Helemano Military Reservation chapel hosted its first Vacation Bible School (VBS), here, July 21-25.

“The goal of VBS is to instruct kids on God’s love for them,” said Capt. Matt McCraney, battalion chaplain, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav-alry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Comabt Team, 25th Infantry Division.

“This also gives us the chance to create more awareness in the community of the presence of HMR chapel,” McCraney added.

The theme for the class was “Kingdom Rock,” so everything was designed as if it were from the medieval times.

VBS welcomed kids from the age of 4 through the sixth grade. Those who attended got to enjoy crafts, games and lessons about the Bible.

“Catching the kids early allows us to give them the best chance at a good start in life,” said Maj. Robert Crow-ley, senior chaplain, HMR chapel. “This is the way we can get our message to the kids.”

The class started its life back in January when Crowley went to the garrison chaplain with the idea of hosting a school at the HMR chapel.

“The garrison chaplain basically said ‘let’s do it’ when I brought up the whole idea,” said Crowley.

Going into the class, the ministry team set a goal to have 50 kids attend; by the third night, the class had surpassed that goal, according to the chaplain.

“The turnout for the event was greater than we had ex-pected,” said McCraney. “We ended up feeding close to 100 people, volunteers included, for dinner each night.”

More than 20 volunteers helped make the entire event possible, including the chaplain’s wife, who helped with cooking for the youth.

“I want to thank every one of the volunteers who helped make this happen,” said Crowley.

In the eyes of the chaplains, this week of class was a success, and it gave them a chance to bring the small HMR community together.

“There is a great need for community and connection in HMR, as it is a small post away from the rest of the force,” said McCraney. “VBS gave us a chance to show God’s love in a practical way to the families of HMR while inviting them to become active in the chapel community.”

Story by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Maj. Robert Crowley, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Chaplain, (center) and the Vacation Bible School volunteers line up for a photo during HMR chapel’s first-ever VBS.

3rd BDE Chaplains host first VBS at HMR

STAY ARMY

Brigade has a new retention NCOICSgt. 1st Class Willie B. Cannon Jr.Email: willie.b.cannon.mil@mail.mil

For the latest information regarding policy updates and career progression please contact your unit’s retention NCOs.

A few words from the brigade retention NCOIC

The 3BCT Retention Team along with the Company Commanders and First Sergeants reenlisted over 100 Soldiers during the last quarter of the Fiscal Year which is generally the hardest quarter to reenlist Soldiers. I would like to recognize each Career Counselor and full time Retention NCO for their hard work and determina-tion.

SFC Connie Harris, 2-27th INF BN Career Counselor

SFC Axer Marinocriad, 2-35th INF BN Career Counselor

SSG Walton, Wallata, 325 BSB Career Counselor

SSG Wolf, Christopher 3-4 CAV Career Counselor

SGT Valadez, Jaryd 3-4 CAV Retention NCO

SGT Watson, Sara 3-7 FA Career Counselor

SSG Coats, Shykera 3 BSTB Retention NCO

The new Fiscal Year will be filled with new challenges and requirements to include a minimum and maximum on the number of Soldiers that will be allowed to reenlist. The FY15 Reenlistment Window is for those Soliders in the rank of SPC and above with an ETS date of 1 Jan 2014 through 30 Sep 2015. Ensure you see your Battal-ion Career Counselor for all the updates and procedure changes

Bronco Chaplain Corner

Bronco Family,

If you know of anyone who is struggling with thoughts or actions that could potentially lead to suicide be a friend who acts and gets them to help. A Chaplain or Chaplain Assistant, Doctor, behavioral health worker or even the chain of command can assist you. I offer you my thoughts on suicide and choosing life.

I really do not know, but I have often contemplated whether or not people who have taken the suicide path think about what occurs after their journey upon this earth ends? If they could see the people that have to live afterwards and the effects that they cause, I am not sure if they would make the same decision. Suicide post-intervention would erase the choice of those who choose suicide. If those souls would hear and experience the pain firsthand they would find inner re-serves of hope to continue.

The anger of those with loss offers a sense of control. This sense of control is short lived and leads to a rationality which begins to ask more questions. Questioning seeks to make sense of the situation within the present. The present for the sake of closure begs the question of “Why?” I truly feel as though if those that concentrate on death would ask the question why, they would see the necessity of life. The “Why” questions do not get fully answered, instead they can only re-ceive a mere partial explanation since they who caused the loss are not here to provide answers.

After dealing with family, friends, loved ones and Soldiers and their Families who have been close to death or who have experienced the hollowness of loss, I choose life. Sure there will be dark, difficult and demanding times or seasons of life’s journey. There is evil in the world which we live in that tries to steal, kill and destroy the richness of what life has to offer. Every time I walk the hard roads the cloud cover subsides and the sun shines again. The clear day does not occur on my own inner timetable; however the incredible thing about life is that it is ever chang-ing. I find that my faith offers a sense of peace that calms those stormy times.

John 8:12 says: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” There is no false pretense in God’s word that our faith will isolate any of us from dark days, but there is the promise that if we walk with Jesus in faith we will have light to illuminate our path.

CH (MAJ) Robert Crowley Brigade Chaplain cell# 770-510-9299 SSG Toya Alexander-Cruz Brigade Chaplain Assistant Office # 808-655-8441

Family Readiness

Bronco Families Are the Best! “None Better”

Upcoming Events

OCTOBER 24 Oct—Federal Resume Writing Workshop

25 Oct—A BTRY, 3-7 FA Fall Festival E Quad 26 Oct—B BTRY, 3-7 FA Pumpkin Carving Windward Mall 0900-1700

30 Oct—B BTRY, 3-7 FA Trunk or Treat E Quad 1730 30 Oct—BSB Haunted House BN 1st and 2nd Floor 1800-2000

30 Oct—BSB Monster Mash Party BN 3rd Classroom 1800-1930

NOVEMBER 2 Nov—ACS Family Sports Day

8 Nov—Training Holiday 11 Nov—Federal Holiday

22 Nov—ACS Education/College Symposium 28 Nov—Thanksgiving meal

C Quad DFAC1130-1430 CMD teams serving:

HHC 3 BCT/BSTB - 1130-1200 325 BSB - 1200-1230 2-27 IN. - 1230-1300 2-35 IN. - 1300-1330 3-7 FA. - 1330-1400 3-4 Cav. - 1400-1430

DECEMBER

21 Dec—3Jan—1/2 Day Schedule 25-26 Dec—Christmas Holiday

31 Dec—Training Holiday