Gunstone Newsletter 2nd Quarter

7/30/2019 Gunstone Newsletter 2nd Quarter

1/12

GUNSTONE NEWS212th Fires BrigadeVolume 1 Issue 2 2nd QuarTeR fy 2013

212th Fires Brigade assists National Guard units

Beginning a new year, and in the

middle of snow and icy conditions, a

group of Soldiers packed up gear, loaded

up trucks and convoyed out to assist a

unit for an upcoming deployment.

Soldiers assigned to 212th Fires

Brigade, 1st Armored Division, rolled

out Jan. 4 through 8 to Doa Ana

Range, N.M., to assist in the certication

of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 121st Field

Artillery, from the Wisconsin Army

National Guard and the Indiana ArmyNational Guards Target Acquisition

Battery E, 139th Field Artillery, for their

upcoming deployment in support of

Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Guard units, with the help of

Soldiers from 1st Armys 5th Armored

Brigade, Fort Lewis 17th Fires Brigade,

(5/3 FA), and the 1st Armored Divisions

212th Fires Brigade, conducted their

culminating training exercise that

consisted of a High Mobility Artillery

Rocket Systems certication exercise

and a radar certication.

Story and photo by:

Sgt. Michael Armstrong

The exercise solidied a

partnership with our sister units thathelped contribute to the successful

certication of Bravo 1/121st FA and

Echo 139th FA, said 1st Sgt. Jose

Rodriguez, rst sergeant, Headquarters

and Headquarters Battery, 212th Fires

Bde. The re support specialist within

the brigade also had the opportunity

to work hand-in-hand with their re

counterparts, helping to rene their

skill set and assist in qualifying the

1-121 FA and 139th FA.

In order to prepare for thepossibility of deploying to Afghanistan,

Soldiers of Bravo 1-121st FA

participated in three exercises. Crews

from each HIMARS communicated

with a re direction center to re a

rocket on command, re at will and re

with the computations necessary to hit

a moving target.

Radar operators from Echo

139th FA certied on their EQ-36

Counterre Target Acquisition Radar.

The radar has a 360-degree trackingability, allowing it to acquire and

track incoming indirect re from all

directions and compute the location ofthe enemys ring location. This enables

friendly forces to accurately return

re. The radar also tracks friendly re

and gives feedback on the accuracy of

artillery strikes.

Im really pleased with our

partnership and the development

is revolutionary, said Col. David

Hamilton, commander, 212th Fires

Brigade. We have the active force

units from three installations training

the National Guard, and the experiencewe gain reinforces the fact we are One

Army.

The training was the perfect way

to evaluate the units preparedness prior

to deployment. It was a good way to

cross train Soldiers and build up their

experience and condence.

There are lessons to be learned

at all levels for all audiences involved,

added Hamilton. Give the American

Soldier a hard problem, the American

Soldier will solve that problem.


2/12

Brigade CommanderCol. David M. Hamilton

Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj.

Jesus DeGracia

Public Affairs Ofcer

Capt. Traun C. Moore

Managing EditorLt. Col. Joseph Puskas

Staff Writers/

PhotographersCapt. Traun C. Moore


Layout and Design


Gunstone

NewsCommanders Corner

Page 2 Vol. 1 Issue 2 - 2nd Qtr.

Gunstone!!! Good day to all.

Once again I say with pride that you and your Family

continue to represent our Brigade well within the division,installation and community. One of our goals as seniorleaders is to help our Soldiers and Families advance in ouprofession; its no secret we do this by training and caringWhat better satisfaction than to see one of our Soldiersachieve the rank we currently hold?

Here are some ways we continue to move forward:We had 52 Gunstone leaders graduate NCOES, 45 Warrior Leaders Course,two Advanced Leaders Course and ve Senior Leaders Course; nine of whichachieved Commandants List and one earned Honor Graduate. One GunstoneSoldier earned the prestigious Expert Field Medical Badge. In addition, we takegreat pride in rewarding those who deserve it through both promotions andawards. Second quarter, we had 13 Gunstone Soldiers promoted to leadershippositions, six to the NCO ranks, and ve NCOs selected to E7. Finally, GunstonSoldiers received recognition for their hard work and dedication; over 59 awardshanded out within the last 90 days.

Lets continue to move forward!!! I leave you with this thought, continueeducation is free. Dont allow this privilege go to waste. The only thing keepingyou from a college degree is LAZINESS.

GUNTONE 7

The past few months have been a busy one for the Brigade.Since the beginning of the year, Gunstone Soldiers have been busytraining and making our Brigade one of the best on Fort Bliss.

In January, we were able to assist members of Indiana and

Wisconsin National Guard units certify for deployment. GunstoneSoldiers were an integral part of their culminating training exercisethat consisted of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems certicationexercise and a radar certication.

30 Soldiers from the staff of the 212th Fires Brigade, 1st ArmoDivision, have been supporting Blue Flag 13-1. The exercise prepares

joint and combined air component commanders and personnel to support contingencyoperations worldwide at the home of the Air Forces 505th Combat Training Squadron atHulburt Field, Fla.

During the training, staff of the Gunstone Brigade replicated a combined land forccomponent command while the 50th CTS staff replicated a Combined Joint Task Force dura simulated war. Both units exercised the 12th Air Force Air Operations Center and the U.SSouthern Commands 1st Battleeld Coordination Detachment on how to direct an air warfrom a theater air force level, using aircraft to gain superiority and support allied ground forcthrough interdiction, close-air support, reconnaissance, airlift, and other missions.

The second quarter provided the brigade with a number of opportunities to buildupon and rene our war ghting capabilities. Future training events such as the brigadeCPX and the division led Iron Focus training will further solidify the Gunstone Brigade as aprocient fries asset, providing timely and accurate res support.

GUNSTONE 6


3/12

The Chaplains Corner

PageVol. 1 Issue 2 - 2nd Qtr.

Dear Gunstone Family,

As an Army Chaplain I conduct a lot of marriage counseling. It is one of my joys and passions tohelp couple nd hope and healing in their marriage. The greatest gift any of us can provide out children isa strong and healthy marriage.

Children learn how to manage their anger (the feeling of anger is a natural human emotion) byobserving the manner in which parents handle anger. Unhealthy displays of anger and lack of angermanagement in marriage will destroy a marriage and it wont matter how much the couple loves oneanother past a certain point.

Hence, I want to share some Anger Management Tips for Couples:

Greetings from the Gunstone Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA)! It is hard tobelieve it is already springtimethere is a lot of stuff going on within the Gunstone Brigade, anin the Fort Bliss/El Paso area. Are you in the know with all the different events?

The best way to get ALL the answers youre looking for though, is to reach out to yourFRG Leader. Dont know who your FRG Leader is? Thats what Im here for I will put you intouch with your FRG Leader so that you can be added to their rosters and receive the mostup-to-date Ofcial Command Information, plus other stuff that is going on around Fort Blissand El Paso. You will also receive invitations to attend FRG meetings, as well as potentialtraining opportunities to learn how to make the most of YOUR Army life. You can reach me [email protected] , 915-741-0626 (my ofce) or 915-487-5636 (my Blackberry).

Spring at Fort Bliss means the weather is turning warmer, and it also means that theFreedom Crossing outdoor concert series is about to kick off! The rst concert is the Let Free-dom Sing series is scheduled for 11 May and it will feature country music star Jerrod Nieman.The next concert is scheduled for June, and the act wont be released until May. Stay tuned! Agreat way to keep up with all the upcoming events is to check the MWR website: www.blissmwcom. Since the weather is turning warmer, please make sure that youre taking care of YOU.Drink plenty of water, use sunscreen and take care of your pets/children/neighbors. If this is

your rst summer in Fort Bliss, dont be afraid to ask how hot does it REALLY get here? andhow to best care for you and your family.

My dear brothers and sisters,take note of this: Everyoneshould be quick to listen, slowto speak and slow to becomeangry, because human anger

does not produce the righ-teousness that God desiresJames 1:19-20

Chaplain (MAJ) Glenn Palmer

Gunstone Shepard

803-319-5296

Did you know

*that 212th Fires Brigade has a Family Readiness Facebook page? They do: search 212 th FiresBrigade, Family Readiness Group and like the page!

*that 72ndBSB has a Facebook page as well? They do as well: search 72ndBSB Steel Dragons

Erica G. Koelder

Family Readiness Support

Assistant (FRSA)

915-741-0626

1. Be patient and long-suffering. Do not judge your spouse.

2. Use I statements when angry. Address/attack issues and not people.

3. Avoid you always statements and stick to the issue at hand.

4. Call time out if necessary and come back to the issue later at and agreed upon time.

5. View your marriage as a bank account. Accounts are fullest when deposits are made. Hurtful, demeaning, negative

comments towards and about ones spouse are withdrawals. Too many withdrawals will empty the love account and

leave the marriage empty.

6. Validate the things your spouse does well.

7. Focus on what works in your marriage. Live with what doesnt work. Focus on and build on strengths in your

marriage.

8. Learn to forgive. No one in perfect. Give up your right to be right. One when partner wins in the marriage; the

marriage loses.

9. Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to hit your spouse.

10. Get help if needed. Marriages are like car engines and need a tune-up on occasion.


4/12

Vol. 1 Issue 2 - 2nd Qtr.

OCS was more of a mentorship school where we learwhat was expected of us as ofcers.

All the cadets in my class had various experielevels in the military, Lo added. Some were prior serout of ROTC or West Point. We had active duty, Reseand National Guard cadets and we all had some sort provements to make to become good leaders.

I really feel blessed to have had good leadersmy units, both in Korea and here with the 212th, Lo shave no excuse to become anything but a good leade

From here on out, the sky is the limit on wherwant to go in my career, Lo added. Being able to goOCS and become an ofcer is a great experience andcourage anyone to apply themselves for a new challethe Army.

Lo is slated to attend the Air Defense Artillery Ofcer Leadership Course at the end of March and wready to lead from the front wherever the Army sends

Making the jump from the ranks of the enlistedto becoming an ofcer is no easy task, it is both men -tally and physically challenging. For one 212th FiresBrigade Soldier, it was it was just that and a little more.

Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Ndeyella Lo hadmany obstacles in her path to becoming an ofcer andshe was able to maneuver through each one before at-tending Ofcer Candidate School.

Born in Dakar, Senegal, a county in West Africa,

and growing up in France, Lo nally made her home inColumbus, Ohio where she graduated high school andwas accepted to Ohio State University. After graduat-ing from Ohio State, Lo moved to New York in hopes ofattending Columbia University. Instead, in August 2009,Lo chose to enlist in the Army as a supply specialistand after basic and advanced training she assigned toKorea. Early in her career Lo new she wanted to be-come an ofcer and had to meet the eligibility require-ments to do so.

I had the degree, Lo said. Becoming a U.S.citizen was the rst major obstacle. My military servicecut the minimum requirement time from ve years toone. I was able to obtain my citizenship in 2010.

During that time, Lo left Korea and was assigned toCompany A, 72nd Brigade Support Battalion, 212thFires Brigade.

It was from here that I was able to get my ap-plication started, Lo stated. I was able to get help withthe process from my senior NCOs and the ofcers inthe brigade.

With her interviews done, OCS selection boardcompleted and paperwork submitted Lo had a 6-monthwait before she knew if she was accepted.

I was nervous waiting for the results, Lo said.In the meantime, I was preparing myself mentally andphysically for OCS.

When I nally reported in November, and wentthrough the rst week, Lo stated. I realized it was notas hard a transition as going through basic training.

Page 4

Gunstone

Soldier Spotlight


5/12

Gunstone 6 guestspeaker at El Paso, FortBliss MLK CelebrationStory by:

Sgt. Candice Harrison

24th Press Camp Headquarters

Page

I have a dream, proclaims 11-year-old Kamali Turner, of El

Paso, in a voice eerily reminiscent of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

on the day the famous speech was originally articulated. That

one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of

its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are

created equal.

The entire speech was recited allowing the audience to be

transported back to 1963, at the National Mall in Washington D.C.,the same place where earlier in the day the rst African-American

president was inaugurated for his second term.

Turner, a Ross Middle School student, brought the crowd of

onlookers to their feet in a roar of applause.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Veterans

Recreation Center brought together the El Paso and Fort Bliss

communities to celebrate the life and accomplishments of King,

Jan. 21. This was the rst for this celebration with the hopes of

continuing the tradition for many years to come.

The festivities included performances by singers and dancers, a

slide show and Kings biography told from a childs point of view.

Col. David M. Hamilton, commander of 212th Fires Brigade, 1st

Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, was the guest speaker for the

evening.

[King] was a scholar, a pastor, a civil-rights leader. A father, a

husband, a man of great vision and a man of great passion, describes

Hamilton, a native of Holliston, Mass. [He] sacriced so much in

order for all of us to enjoy full rights of American citizenship.

Before King could pave the way for the civil-rights movement of

the 1960s, other important historical events were necessary.

Those committed to the struggle risked everything, but

understood what was at stake, said Hamilton. Historical events

like the civil war, Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation, the 14th

and 15th Amendments werent enough to open the door for blacks to

obtain full citizenship.

Hamilton was born in Kingston, Jamaica and his parents brought

him to America during the height of the civil-rights movement.


When I look back at the turbulent 60s, I think of a young coup

from Jamaica who saw America as a place where as citizens, their

children could gain better opportunities, work hard and become

whatever they wanted to be, recalled Hamilton. This couple

understood the challenges and the risks of that time, but chose, as

Dr. King did, to focus on their opportunities.

Twenty-ve years of military service under his belt, Hamilton is

a testament to his parents sacrices.

A plaque was presented to Hamilton with a famous quote from

King. The time is always right to do what is r ight.


6/12

Around the Brigade


Brigade Soldiers ring in the New Year by assisting

5th Armored Division certify Wisconsin and

Indiana National Guard units for their upcoming

deployment in support of Operation Enduring

Freedom. Gunstone Soldiers spent four days at

Dona Ana Range, N.M.


7/12

Page 7Vol. 1 Issue 2 - 2nd Qtr.

Col. Hamilton hands off the guidon of HHB

to CPT Romero as he assumes command

during his Change of Command Ceremony.

Col. Hamilton presents Capt. Franson a shell

casing as a traditional departing gift during

Fransons Change of Command Ceremony.

Command Sgt. Maj. DeGracia

promotes Master Sgt. Suarez

to the rank of First Sergeant.

Capt. Gonzalez takes the reigns of his

rst command, Bravo 26 FA TAB.


8/12

Around the Brigade

Vol. 1 Issue 2 - 2nd Qtr.Page 8

Soldiers from the 80th Civil Affairs Battalion

conduct a teambulding ruck-march at

Franklin Mountains State Park.

Spc. Jones briefs Gunstone Soldiers prior

to hands on traing during the brigade CLS

class.

Soldiers execute a litter carry for a simulated casualty duri

the 212th FiB CLS training.


9/12


Gunstone Winter Olympics

Gunstone Soldiers and Families took part in the festivites during the Gunstone Winter Olympics at Biggs Park. Competing in

various events ranging from Best Warriror competition, football, soccer and basketball, units throught the brigade participated to ear

bragging rights and trophies.


10/12

Families, friends and members of 212th Fires Brigade gather at the El Paso International Airport to honor

Gunstone Soldiers before they board a plane Jan. 28, 2013. The Soldiers are deploying in support of

Operation Enduring Freedom.

Gunstone Soldiers deploy in support of OEF



11/12

Page 1

Col. David Hamilton gives words of encouragement to Cpt.

Daniel Voss, commander, 734th Explosive Ordinance Disposal

Company, prior to Voss' departure from Biggs Army Aireld

Soldiers assigned to 734th Explosive Ordinance Disposal Companywalk on the tarmac prior to boarding an awaiting C-17 at Biggs

Army Aireld. The unit will conduct EOD missions during a 9-month



12/12

Gunstone soldiers

forge camaraderie

with female

mentorship programStory by:

Sgt. Janelle Dean

16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Some of the things youre going to talk about today are not

unique to female soldiers, admitted Col. David Hamilton,

commander of the 212th Fires Brigade as he addressed a

full classroom Jan. 23. Your challenge today is to get to the

unique topics that affect female soldiers. If you do that, youll

be able to address topics that will help you deal with cur rent

challenges, provide you with insights for future challenges,

and make you more t.

As Hamilton spoke, nearly 60 female soldiers, representing

various ranks, ethnicities and backgrounds of the Gunstone

brigade realized the mission of the units female mentorship

program: enhance their own readiness by exchanging valued

experience, advice and perspective on common ground.

There are lots of different support networks that you can

connect to in the Army, Hamilton added. Maybe someone

will say something you can connect to and you can talk to

that person afterwards.

Following remarks from the brigades senior-most

noncommissioned ofcer, Command Sgt. Maj. JesusDe Gracia, and face-to-face introductions from equal

opportunity advisers and sexual harassment/assault response

and prevention coordinators, the male soldiers left and the

dialogue began.

Five panel members, four representatives of the brigade and guest Lt. Col. Cynth

Blevins, support operations ofcer for the 15th Sustainment Brigade, facilitated

the open forum discussion to cover topics such as career development, relationship

challenges, pregnancy, appearance and grooming standards and issues facing femal

during deployments.

I think the most positive impact is that the younger soldiers know that someone

is listening to them and theyre not being ignored, explained panel member Sgt. 1s

Class Felisha Dodson of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 212th Fires Briga

Members of the panel and participants shared stories and experiences, both candi

and occasionally humorous, expressing things they wish they had known coming up

through the ranks as young ofcers and soldiers.

Amid the laughter and discussion, some of the junior troops present said they fou

inspiration to be tomorrows leaders.

These type of things actually motivate me to start doing different things, said S

Tayn Pedraza, an automated logistical specialist from Bravo Company, 72nd Brigad

Support Battalion. As a future (noncommissioned ofcer), Ill have more experienc

to start talking to my soldiers and make my soldiers have more condence to start

talking about whats going on.

The Gunstone brigade began the program in January of last year, and has placed

a renewed focus on encouraging mentorship trends among its

female soldiers in 2013.

Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

commanding general, has begun a directive to establish more

programs like the 212th Fires Brigades throughout Fort Bliss.

It would be my hope that it would help females build strong

bonds with each other, which is impor tant, said 1st Lt. Rachae

Rhine, executive ofcer of HHB Battery, 212th Fires Brigade. would also hope that its not taken to the point of were doing th

because were women and were special. Thats not the intent.

I think the biggest takeaway from today is that our leadersh

cares, said Staff Sgt. Shaniqua Stokley, a paralegal from HHB

212th Fires Brigade. They care about the female experience, t

care about the issues that are unique to us, they care enough to

put together a forum to show us that there are people within ou

organization we can talk to about issues we have.


Documents

Gunstone Newsletter 2nd Quarter