Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31, 2014

Firing from the hip“Assassins” display their anti-tank capabilitiesPhotos by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

A Bradley Fighting Vehicle from Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., fires a tube launched optically wired missile during a live fire at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 22.

A Soldier from Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., carries a pair of empty tube launched optically wired missile tubes during a live fire at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 22.

A Soldier from Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., fires an M136 AT4-Anti Tank Weapon during a live fire at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 22.

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Pfc. Sean Stroop, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd STB, prepares to throw his grappling hook during engineer qualification tables at Udairi Range Complex, near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 14.

Engineers Grapple For Best SquadStory and photo by Sgt. Matt Waymire2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Combat engineers from Company C, 2nd STB, competed in a 24-hour squad level engineer qualification tables contest at Udairi Range

Complex, near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 14.The event started with a timed twelve-mile road march followed by

five training lanes that included route reconnaissance, clear and mark an obstacle, establish an eleven-row wire obstacle, build a triple-strand wire obstacle and finished with a demolitions testing lane.

The unit’s command wanted to test all the squads in the company to see which one had the best teamwork and leadership abilities.

“Everyone’s getting training value, but the squad leaders are the ones being evaluated,” said1st Lt. Timothy Dwyer, executive officer, Company C, 2nd STB.

Squads tactically navigated to each point while reacting to enemy contact, and provided first aid and conducted medical evacuation procedures when necessary.

“It’s the extenuating circumstances that they’re mostly being evaluated on,” said Dwyer. “It’s being under stress, having to react to contact, and then carry out the mission all in a three hour timeframe,

and then move to the next lane that’s really the challenge.” The engineers went out to the lanes already knowing how

to complete them; determining how to accomplish them together would determine victory.

“This will help us learn about teamwork because in order to complete these tasks, we had to finish as a team,” said Pfc. Cortez Jackson, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd STB. “You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Once you get him through, then it brings up the morale and gets everybody through.”

Some of the rigors of the training included a lack of sleep, traveling long distances in full battle uniform, and operating with constant harassment from simulated enemies.

The winning team was the 2nd squad of the 4th platoon. They received a ceremonial plaque for the squad as a whole that

will pass down to the next winning squad, but all the individual squad members received Army Achievement Medals for their contributions.

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‘Cherokee’ gets new commander

Photos by Sgt. Jarrad Spinner2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

CAMP BEUHRING, Kuwait – “No one is more professional than I, I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers,” 19 noncommissioned officers from the 204th BSB, proclaimed

during the 204th BSB’s NCO Induction Ceremony at Camp Buehring’s theater, Jan. 23.

Presided by Command Sgt. Maj, Robert Lehtonen, senior enlisted leader 2nd ABCT, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Burney, senior enlisted leader, 204th BSB, the ceremony signified the transition from follower to leader.

“The journey from a junior enlisted Soldier to a junior NCO is complex,” said Lehtonen. “You must transition from one who was cared for, to one who cares for others, and from one who was taught, to the one who teaches, prepares and supervises the task. You will do the job you are trained to do, which is to lead Soldiers.”

The 19 NCOs walked under an arch with the light shown on them as their sergeant declared to the theater who they are and why they deserved to join the NCO Corps.

Sgt. Tristan Meredith, information technology specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th BSB, the most junior of the NCOs being inducted, lead his fellow inductees during their transition.

With just under a month with stripes on his chest, Meredith was undaunted.

“We’re all NCOs regardless of how long we’ve had our ranks pinned on,” said Meredith. “You have to have perspective, you have to realize you are in charge of people, you have to work as a team. What you and those you lead do reflects upon you as a leader.”

Of the seven Army values, respect drove Meredith to become an NCO.

“Respect goes a long way, if it’s not given, if it’s not there, its going be hard to work together,” said Meredith. “When I was in Korea, I had a first sergeant who respected us, she still laid down the law when she had to, but how she treated us, why I wanted to strive for bigger things in the Army.”

Lehtonen ended his speech by having the newly inducted NCOs take out a notepad and a pen, one that they’ll never put back into their pockets.

“You have just begun a test, this test will never end, you will always be somebody’s sergeant even after you hang up the boots for good.

204th BSB inducts new Noncommissioned OfficersStory and photo by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Newly inducted Noncommissioned officers, 204th BSB, swear into the NCO Corps during the 204th BSB’s NCO Induction Ceremony at the post theater, Jan. 23.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Female soldiers from the 2nd ABCT, conducted the inaugural meeting for the Sisters-in-Arms program at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 21.

The event allowed female Soldiers from across the brigade to interact and get to know a little about each other, while promoting development and mentorship.

“The intent was a meet and greet to familiarize the ladies with the program,” said Maj. Tara Smith, Brigade Logistics Support Team Chief, 407th Army Field Support Brigade and event planner. “The next events will be more in-depth and topic based.”

The first Sister-in-Arms meeting in Brigade history started with an explanation of how the program will work followed by each Soldier introducing herself and what her job is.

Spc. Abbie Hunt, multichannel transmission system operator, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th BSB, took advantage of the informal setting of the group.

“I like how we introduced ourselves; we got to found out who’s been in for 17 years, like sergeant Martin, that’s someone I can look up to, she seems really successful,” said Hunt.

Hunt also valued the incredible knowledge of her fellow female Soldiers.

“I think it will help because it has all ranks and grades of females in the brigade so you can get mentorship from prior enlisted, non commissioned officers, who have been in army for a long time,” said Hunt. “They’ve seen a lot, they know what were going to go through and they can also tell their stories and teach us how they progressed.”

The sister in arms program will continue throughout 2nd ABCT,

deployment as the brigade helps female soldiers share insights, build relationships, create career success, and maintain positive moral.

“It seems like a very good program to go in the Brigade, something positive and productive. It’s going to provide structure to a lot of people,” said Hunt.

The program will have a meeting every month that will be geared towards building confident, resilient female soldiers performing at their best as individuals and members of their units.

Warhorse Sisters in Arms Kicks OffStory and photo by Sgt. Jarrad Spinner2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Female soldiers from the 2nd ABCT, attend the inaugural Sisters-in-arms meeting at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 21. Sixty-seven female soldiers attended the event.

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1st Lt. Megan Juliana(left), 1st Lt. Christel Carmody, 2nd Lt. Rebecca Fry, attendees of the inaugural 2nd ABCT Sisters-in-Arms meeting flash big smiles during the event on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 21.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation,” said

Martin Luther King Jr., African-American Civil Rights leader, at the beginning of his “I Have a Dream” speech that was shown in its entirety to a packed crowd in the MWR theater at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 20.

The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division hosted the MLK Jr. Observance which included a moment of silence, three guest speakers, and the full viewing of King’s speech.

Spc. Melvin Dockett, power-generation equipment repairer, Company A, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, thought that watching the whole speech gave the audience something to strive for.

“A lot of people haven’t actually seen it in its entirety,” said Dockett. “To see so many people of all different races get together like that, especially during that time period, it gives me hope for today.”

Dockett, one of three guest speakers, gave his views on the impact of King’s speech to the world, the Army, and themselves.

Other participants thought the event taught valuable lessons of tolerance and acceptance within the military ranks.

“The military’s just a big melting pot, we have all races,”

said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Ilerne, event coordinator and battalion equal opportunity representative, 2nd STB. “If anyone might feel a certain way, they can learn that they should just embrace their brothers and sisters in arms.”

The “Warhorse” Brigade showed its embracement of King’s message by allowing all units on Camp Buehring to attend its ceremony.

“It was really nice to see that we had such a big impact on the camp,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Fry, assistant event coordinator, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd STB. “If we did something like this on just a small camp, the sky’s the limit once we get back to the big division on Fort Carson.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a way to turn King’s life and teachings into action to help solve social problems. The service may help with tangible or spiritual needs.

It’s an American federal holiday that occurs on the third Monday of every January.

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Day on, not day off for MLK observenceStory and photo by Sgt. Matt Waymire2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Ilerne, left, 2nd STB equal opportunity advisor, leads a round of applause during the 2nd ABCT’s observance of the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 20. The “Warhorse” brigade invited all units to attend its celebration of King’s birthday and to watch his “I Have a Dream” speech in its entirety.

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2-8 Bradley Night Gunnery

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded news-letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team

Public Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook.com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:andrew.a.porch.mil@mail.mil

Col. Omar Jones IV......................2nd ABCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen 2nd ABCT CSMMaj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OICStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICSgt. Marcus Fichtl...............................Layout and DesignStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor

Warhorse Pride

Photos by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Crew members inside a Bradley Fighting Vehicle from Company A, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., fires its 25mm cannon during a night fire at Udairi range complex, Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 26.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Crew members inside a Bradley Fighting Vehicle from Company A, 2nd Bn., 8th Reg. fires its 7.62mm coaxial machine gun during a night fire at Udairi range complex, Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 26.

Crews light up the night with beams of fire

Staff Sgt. Eric Armes, master gunner, HHC, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. surveys the gunnery range during Company A’s night fire at Udairi range complex, Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 26.

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Better Opportunities for Single SoldiersPage 8 Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31 , 2014