Iron Advisor Volume I Issue VI

8/8/2019 Iron Advisor Volume I Issue VI

1/15

challenged competitors from across

USD-S, including 3rd Armored Cavalry

Regiment, physically and mentally

with events ranging from combatives, a

physical tness test, Soldier tasks, and a

military board, where each Soldier had

to answer a series of questions posed by

senior NCOs.

The competition, which is held every

three months within USD-S, gives high-

speed Soldiers and NCOs the opportunity

to compete at a division level and

demonstrate their overall training, skills

and knowledge.Prior to the event, Soldiers were

deliberately uninformed of the specic

events. They only knew that they would

face a marksmanship range, a military

board and some form of physical tness

Iron Soldiers prevail in USD-S Victory Stakes

Eight Soldiers from United States

Division South competed in the

Iron Victory Stakes Competition

at Camp Adder for the USD-South

Noncommissioned Ofcer and Soldier of

the Quarter Dec. 15.

In the end, two Soldiers from 3rd

Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry

Division won the competition: Staff Sgt.

Charles Smith, an infantryman from 1st

Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, andnative of San Antonio, Texas; and Spc.

Cesar Patterson, a canon crew member

from Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field

Artillery Regiment, from Fort Myers, Fla.

Hosted by the 3rd AAB, the competition

by Spc. Chastity Boykin3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

challenge, said 1st Sgt. Shawn Carnes,

noncommissioned ofcer in charge of the

competition. The participants could do

very little to prepare other than being a

well-rounded Soldier.

See COMPETITION Page 3

Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Johnson

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general, USD-S; Staff Sgt. Charles Smith, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg.; Spc. Cesar Patterson, Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th

FA Reg.; and Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne, USD-S, after the award presentation for competition for NCO and Soldier of the Quarter.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Johnso

Spc. David Johnson, a bradley mechanic from

1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., pulls

a truck during in the physical tness portion of the

Iron Victory Stakes Competition.

Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

InsIdeThIs

Issue

soldIers

sTay

Iron sTrong

sgT. audIe

Murphy

InducTIon

rouTe

clearance

goes hIgh-Tech

page 3 page 6 page 7


2/15

To the Soldiers, Families and

friends of the Iron Brigade,

December 31, 2010Volume I, Issue VI

Page 2

Greetings again from Southern Iraq,

and Happy New Year! As we move into

2011, I would like to wish all the Soldiers,

friends, and family of the Iron Brigade the

very best.

The year is not the only thing changing

for the Iron Brigade, as the past weeks

have been a time of transition in other

ways as well. Recently, our higher

headquarters, U.S. Division-South,

changed from the First Infantry Division

to the 36th Infantry Division. We would

like to bid farewell to the old team, thank

them for their superb effort and leadership

over the last ten months, and wish them

well as they reunite with their familiesand friends back at Fort Riley, Kan.

We are truly blessed that at the same

time we get to say welcome to a superb

group of professionals from the state of

Texas. The 36th Division has a proud

and distinguished history, and in the short

time since their arrival, they have already

shown that they are an exceptional unit.

We look forward to their leadership and

working together with them in the last

months of our deployment.

The last month saw a few key milestones

for the brigade, including sending 70

Soldiers home as part of our reset team,

and holiday visits from the 4th Infantry

Division Command Team, Maj. Gen.

Perkins and Command Sgt. Maj. Daley.

The 4th Inf. Div. recently took over the

mission in U.S. Division-North, and its

good to see our Fort Carson brothers andsisters on the job and having success.

We will redeploy more Soldiers in

January and February, paving the way for

the main body to come home in March.

Col. James E. RaineyCommander

3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

While we look forward to our reunion, it

is important to still focus on the mission

at hand, as the enemy looks for any

sign of distraction to attack. Iraq is still

dangerous, but with the great leadership

of our young non-commissioned ofcerswe expect the same great results weve

had throughout the last year.

As always, thank you for supporting

your Soldier and our country. Iron Strong!

www.facebook.com.com\3bct4id

Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson is currently on R&R leave. His comments

will return to this space next month. Instead, you see the Finish Iron

Strong logo. For Soldiers in theater, youve likely seen it posted aroundyour work and living areas. For families, this may be your rst time.

Finish Iron Strong is a mindset. Great teams win in the fourth quarter,

and weve now entered the fourth quarter of our deployment.

Finish Iron Strong means we nish the ght and focus on our mission

until the last Soldier is home safe. It means we watch out for each

other and keep each other safe, both in Iraq and upon our return to Fort

Carson.

Finish Iron Strong means we transition our mission to the follow-on

unit professionally. We leave everything better than we got it, and we

pass on our lessons learned to our counterparts. We take pride in our

accomplishments, but we are not arrogant.

While not losing focus on our current mission, Finish Iron Strong

means that we set conditions for redeployment the same way we set

conditions for every mission: we have trained and prepared leaders and

smart and disciplined Soldiers. We make a planned, smooth transition,

and we take care of each other while deployed and at our home station.

The 3rd Brigade Command Team


3/15


Left: Spc. Cesar Patterson from Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., performs squats as he lifts 135-pound barbell. Center: An aerial view of the Iron Death

Star maze, designed after the 3rd Brigades crest. Soldiers and NCOs tested their strength with a different physical challenge in each point of the star

Right: Staff Sgt. Charles Smith from 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., ips a tire as one of the events within the Death Star maze.


Continued from Page 1

I prepared by going to the gym twice

a day and had a lot of support from my

platoon, said Patterson.

Since the participants never had the

event itinerary, every new event was a

surprise, adding to the mental aspect of

the competition.Not knowing what the events are has

denitely kept me guessing on whats

next, what the standards are, and what the

events are. It is mentally challenging and

mentally draining, said Smith.

Starting the day off at 4:30 a.m., Soldiers

began with combatives, continuing with a

game of Are you smarter than a Joe?

Each competitor was represented by their

rst-line supervisor, who answered one

question based on ve categories. Each

correct answer gained points for the

respective Soldier.

We switched it up a bit from previous

competitions to make it a little more

difcult and more challenging, said

Carnes, referring to having the sponsors

actually compete in one of the tasks. Itssomething different from the rest of the

competitions.

After testing their accuracy on the

weapons range and sweating through

a 10 km road march, Soldiers faced

an alternative physical tness test,

maneuvering through the Iron Death

Star maze, designed after the brigade

crest. Soldiers and NCOs tested their

strength and stamina with a different

physical challenge in each point of the

star.

Its been rough, and my competitors

have been pretty good athletes, said

Smith. I am proud to bring this back to

my platoon, to the brigade.

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding

general, and Command Sgt. Maj. JimChampagne, senior noncommissioned

ofcer, United States Division-South

presented Smith and Patterson wit

the Army Commendation Medal at a

ceremony after the competition.

All eight Soldiers recieved a four-day

pass to Qatar for their effort in making it

to the division level competition.

Competition: Iron Soldiers prepared to tackle any challenge

Photo by Maj. Alan S. Brown

The 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th

Infantry Division recently exceeded its

annual reenlistment goal 61 days into thenew scal year.

Every scal year, the Iron Brigade is

given a reenlistment goal, as determined

by the Department of the Army. The

goal for the brigade was to reenlist 427

Soldiers before the end of the scal year

2011. The 3rd AAB far exceeded that

goal by reenlisting 470 Soldiers by Dec.

1.

Not only is this accomplishment a rst

within the Iron Brigade, but it is a new

record for the entire 4th Inf. Div. The 3rd

AAB was the rst brigade to close out

its reenlistment year, not just for United

States Division-South, but for all the

brigades in Iraq.

The brigade has the hard work of the

Iron Brigade retention team and the

battalion command teams to thank for

the accomplishment. You cant achievethis type of accomplishment without

having command involvement, said Sgt.

1st Class Gregory Zielsdorf, of Conroe,

Texas, brigade senior career counselor,

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop,

3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd AAB.

I rmly believe that each commander,

each rst sergeant, and each platoon

leader is actively engaging their Soldiers

and saying, Hey, we want you to stay on

the team.

Along with the brigades overall

reenlistment goal, some battalions within

the brigade have achieved similar success.

Iron Brigade reaches reenlistment goal in record timeby Spc. Khori Johnson

3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Photo by Spc. Khori Johnson

Spc. Joshua Morris, network systems operator

Company B, 3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

recites the enlistment oath during his reenlistmen

ceremony on the top of the Ziggurat of Ur neaCamp Adder.


Page 3

See REENLISTMENT Page 6


4/15


Page 4

assessment and a recommendation by

Asti, the squadrons Security Transition

Team presented a training plan, which

encompassed the entire operation. They

agreed upon the plan, and within 72 hours

the execution of the project was underway.On Nov. 23, the team implemented

the nal phase and the communication

network was up and running.

The network weve just established has

the [same] physical and logical topology

as those used by major corporations

worldwide, said Asti.

Topology can be considered the virtual

shape or structure of a network. Logical

topology refers to how the data is actually

transferred, whereas physical topology

refers to actual location, devices, and

equipment such as cables and wires.

A valuable aspect of the physical

Cav establishes computer LAN at Iraqi Training Center

With the help of Soldiers of 4th Sqdn.,

10th Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.,

communications section, Shaiba TrainingCenter in the Basra Province received a

major upgrade: a local area network.

The network construction, led by

1st. Lt. Aric Asti, a signal ofcer from

Milwaukee, Wis., provided a unique

opportunity to use the installation as

a training event to teach the centers

technical staff how to maintain and add to

the LAN in the future.

A local area network is a computer

network that connects computers and

devices in a limited geographical area

such as a home, school, computer lab,or ofce building. The training center

currently maintains 25 computers, and

now those computers can communicate

and transfer data at rapid rates, increasing

staff efciency and creating a more

productive teaching environment.

With the high volume of Iraqi security

force training conducted on a daily basis,

the center is not the average training

facility. Some recent courses held at

the center include photography, media

interviewing and story writing. The

center also conducted a 45-day basic

medical training course where the Iraqi

Army taught students from the 4th

Department of Border Enforcement and

certied them as medics.

Although U.S. forces help facilitate

training courses, Iraqis routinely conduct

training for other Iraqis.

This training provided a local area

network that will allow the electronic

transfer of class material between class

leadership, said Asti.

During a meeting with Staff Brig.Gen. Talal on Oct. 29, after a physical

by Sgt. David Dasilma4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div

Photo by 2nd Lt. Andrew Maye

Spc. Daniel Harvey, an information technology specialist from New Orleans, La., 4th Sqdn., 10th

Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., explains his network connection plan to Shaiba Training Centetechnicians during the centers reconstruction.

topology is that the materials were locally

procured, and a positive feature of the

logical topology is that the network was

created in a manner that allows for future

upgrade.

The STC technicians were taught bydemonstration, hands-on practice, and

actual implementation, said Asti. We

even showed them how uidity and

dynamic critical thinking while erecting a

network can bypass most challenges. The

current network is scalable and the Iraqi

technicians are trained, which means they

can continue to improve and expand it

long after we leave.

Asti is planning a follow-up visit to

the center to gain feedback from the Iraqi

technicians and address any concerns

they may have regarding their ability to

maintain the network without assistance.


5/15


Page 5

said Capt. Nicole Mounts, of Midlothian,

Texas, commander, Company B.

The VSAT is portable, easy to set-up,

and provides sound communications.Having trained Soldiers to operate it is

proving to be more essential because the

VSAT can be easily transported to remote

locations where most communication

devices fail.

The VSAT class at Baghdad Signal

University taught me how to set up,

operate, and troubleshoot the terminal.

I am very grateful that I was able to

attend the class to help make me a better

Soldier, said Stacey.

Fangmeier was chosen because he often

works outside his military occupationskill and is often the go-to Soldier for

challenging tasks.

Baghdad Signal University was a great

opportunity for hands on training for the

VSAT. It provided adequate operator-

level knowledge to be able to successfully

deploy and troubleshoot the terminal,

said Fangmeier.

See EDUCATION Page 7

Signal Soldiers continue education

7000 miles from home

Two Soldiers from Company B, 3rdSpecial Troops Battalion, 3rd Advise and

Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division,

graduated from a week-long class on how

to operate a piece of communications

equipment known as the Very Small

Aperture Terminal.

The VSAT is widely used in both Iraq

and Afghanistan at the battalion level and

below to provide communications for

units in remote locations where traditional

communications systems are less reliable

or unavailable.

Spc. Cyle Fangmeier, of Aurora, Colo.,and Pfc. Kenny Stacey, of Jacksonville,

N.C., both signal specialists, attended the

VSAT class at Baghdad Signal University.

This type of training ensures our

Signal Soldiers remain current with

advances in technology, advances them

with their military careers, and gives them

tools to use once they leave the military,

by 2nd Lt. Jason Floyd3rd Special Troops Bn., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Laritza Gardiner

Spc. Cyle Fangmeier, of Aurora, Colo., and Pfc. Class Kenny Stacey, of Jacksonville, N.C., both signal

specialists, Company B, 3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Display their certicates of completion after

graduating from Baghdad Signal University upon their return to COB Adder. The Signal University is

hosted by U.S. Forces-Iraq to enhance communication capabilities.


6/15


Page 6


Reenlistment goals are broken down

into a series of categories, such as

initial reenlistees and career reenlistees.

The 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery

Regiment, the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor

Regiment, and the 4th Squadron, 10th

Cavalry Regiment have all reached theirgoals in every category, with the rest of

the battalions close behind. However in

the aggregate, the brigade has reached or

surpassed every category.

The brigade retention team must always

consider the short and long-term goals of

each Soldier. The teams recent success is

proof that they stand rm in doing what is

best for the Soldier, the brigade, and the

Army, said Zielsdorf.

Many Soldiers have come closer to

achieving their own goals by reenlisting.

For example, Spc. Joshua Morris,

network systems operator, Company B,

3rd STB, reenlisted for the option to go

to college for his business administration

degree. Reenlisting Soldiers are afforded

the opportunity to take a semester ofcollege upon redeployment.

I just wanted to set myself up for life

after the military, he said.

A large number of Soldiers reenlisted

for their choice of another duty station.

Theres nothing wrong with moving,

said Zielsdorf. Ive moved six times

in my 15-year career. A lot of Soldiers

joined the Army to see the world.

Reenlistment: Soldiers decide to stay Iron Strong

Photo by 1st Sgt. Craig Collins

Staff Sgt. Charles Paris, cannon crew member,

from Englewood, Colo., Staff Sgt. Jonathan

Medina, mechanic, from Pueblo, Colo., and

Pfc. Mark Kaleel, cannon crew member, from

Jacksonville, Fla., all with Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th

FA Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., take the oath of

enlistment during a ceremony at Camp Adder.

3rd Special Troops Battalion.

-- Sgt. Bart A. Gammon, of Bonne

Terre, Mo., Company A, 64th Brigade

Support Battalion.

Sgt. Donald Mertz, from Mount

Clemons, Mich., Company C, 1stBattalion., 8th Infantry Regiment,

attached to 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., joined

NCOs join ranks with WWII hero, icon Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy is arguably one of the

United States most well-known war

heroes, and his name is synonymouswith bravery, gallantry in battle and

overcoming seemingly insurmountable

odds.

To be compared with Murphy and

measured by the very standards of

leadership and professionalism that he

embodied is an honor many members of

the Army aspire to, but few achieve.

Four noncommissioned ofcers

within 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade,

4th Infantry Division, received the

Sergeant Audie Murphy Award and were

subsequently inducted into the 3rd AABs

Sergeant Audie Murphy Club at Camp

Adder recently.

Three NCOs received the honor at a

ceremony Dec. 20 at Memorial Hall on

Camp Adder:

-- Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Bryant,

Company A, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor

Regiment, attached to 3rd Battalion, 29th

Field Artillery Regiment, hailing from

Shreveport, La.

-- Staff Sgt. Gary W. Hedrick, of

Warsaw, Ky., assigned to Battery B,3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg. and attached to

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop,

by Maj. Alan S. Brown3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Photo by Spc. Chastity Boykin

Staff Sgt. Christopher Bryant attached to 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., a native of Shreveport, La., Staff

Sgt. Gary Hedrick, Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., a native of Warsaw, Ky., and Sgt. Bart Gammonfrom Company A, 64th BSB, a native of Moniteau, Mo., stand at attention after being presented the

Sergeant Audie Murphy Award.

the ranks during a separate ceremony

Dec. 17 due to his early redeployment to

support the homecoming of the rest of his

battalion.

The four NCOs will take their place

next to 14 others who have been inductedduring the current deployment.

See INDUCTION Page 10


7/15


Page 7

When using the T-Hawk, the platoon

is able to see a greater distance in any

direction than before. This is a tremendous

capability in the marshlands of Basra

Province.

During the rainy months of winter, many

areas will become impassable to militaryvehicles. The T-Hawks ability to y in

nearly any weather will help ensure these

areas remain free from insurgent activity.

Route clearance gets high-altitude high-tech

Thanks to improving technology, the

Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company E, 1st

Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rdAdvise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry

Division, have made improvements in

route clearance in Basra.

The Soldiers in 1st Platoon are taking

advantage of relatively new technology,

such as the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk

unmanned aerial vehicle.

The T-Hawk has the ability to launch

remotely from the back of a truck, with

Soldiers only having to dismount from

their vehicle for a few minutes. The

T-Hawk gives the platoon the ability to

observe surrounding areas and parallel

routes, and provides a birds-eye-view of

the convoy while its on the move.

The T-Hawk is very easy to y and

is extremely stable in the air, said Spc.

Nicholas Boxley, combat engineer and

T-Hawk pilot from Norfolk, Va.

Unlike some other models of UAVs, the

T-Hawk can take off and land vertically,

which makes it useful in areas with

obstructions like buildings or mountains

where other UAVs cannot operate. The

ability to land vertically also allows theoperators to land the T-Hawk within

15 feet of their location, limiting their

exposure while on patrol.

by 2nd Lt. Matthew Fumagalli1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

Photo courtesy of 2nd Lt. Matthew Fumagalli

Sgt. Brian Curd, of Woodstock, Ill., and Spc. Nicholas Boxley, of Norfolk, Va., both combat engineers

Company E, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., prepare the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk

unmanned aerial vehicle. Although the T-Hawk requires a great deal of maintenance, the capabilities

it provides are well worth the time spent.

Although the T-Hawk is relatively new,

the engineers of Company E have learned

how to put it to good use during their

patrols. The T-Hawk allows them to sit

far enough away that they can observe the

area without being seen.

The buzzing in the sky also serves asa reminder that Company E is always

watching.


The Signal University also teaches

communications security, basic

networking, and advanced networking.

These classes are intended to improve the

Signal Soldiers understanding of Signal

theory and enhance the units ability to

communicate on the battleeld.

This is a very unique and benecial

opportunity, and I am very fortunate

to be able to send Company B Soldiers

to this advanced training while we are

deployed, said Mounts.

Education: Signal

skills training helps

Soldiers


8/15


Page 8

Maj. John Lim

Brigade Chaplain3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

New Years:

Reections

Can you believe the New Year is already

upon us? Soon, we will be heading back

home when we have the change of

mission order to redeploy to FCCO.

We all look forward to that time and

being reunited with our loved ones back

home. Weve spent our Thanksgiving and

Christmas with our fellow Soldiers and

civilians who work and eat alongside us.

Weve truly grown as a team over the past

several months.

Our lives are intricately woven together

as we share our laughter of joy and tears

of heartache at times. Indeed, being part

of the Army family is a privilege and

special blessing that only those who have

been deployed together can experience.

As much as we would like to be with

our families, there is no ner group of

people could spend our time with, away

from our loved ones, than the patriots

wearing the uniforms for the call of the

nation.

As the New Year dawns upon us, we

want to reect on the year gone by andanticipate how the year 2011 will unfold

before us. What is past is now behind us

and we want to start the New Year with a

renewed sense of determination that wewant to make the most of the time allotted

to us. Life is too short not to live happily.

As we continue to focus on the mission

at hand and stay vigilant for the safety of

our brave Soldiers, we also need to prepare

slowly for the upcoming redeployment.

We want to remind ourselves to be

resilient throughout our remaining days

here and transition to reunion. Maintain

exible posture to lifes constant changes.

Nothing ever stays static.

There will be new challenges and new

opportunities. As long as we remain

resilient, well do ne this coming New

Year.

Happy New Year!


9/15


Page 9

64th BSB Soldiers give Iraqi army the power to succeed

Soldiers assigned to 64th Brigade

Support Battalion, 3rd Advise and Assist

Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, alongwith the Logistics Training and Advisory

Team, have trained the 10th and 14th

Iraqi Transportation and Field Factory

Brigades since their arrival in March.

According to Lt. Col. Geoff DeTingo,

commander, 64th BSB, the battalion

has completed more than 50 missions

alongside the transportation and eld

factory brigades.

Honestly its not about how many

missions we have completed with the

IA, its about the quality of the things

we have done in conjunction with them,

said DeTingo. The LTAT is made up of

volunteers who truly wanted to do this

and help. So its not really about how

much we do but the partnership between

the Soldiers of 64th and the Iraqi army.

The LTAT, which has 15 full-

time personnel, trains the Iraqi army

by Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Photo courtesy of 64th BSB

Spc. Skipp Robertson, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., a wheeled vehicle mechanic, Company B, 64th BSB

conducts Humvee maintenance training with an Iraqi mechanic from the 14th Iraqi Transportation and

Field Factory Brigade.See CONFERENCE Page 10

The 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th

Infantry Division, hosted a Society Against

Sexual Assault conference at Camp

Adder Dec. 2 titled Prevention before

Reaction, aimed at servicemembers and

civilians.

The Sexual Assault Prevention

and Response Program reinforces a

commitment to eliminate incidents of

sexual assault through a comprehensive

policy that focuses on awareness and

prevention, training and education,

victim advocacy, response, reporting, and

accountability.

The program uses education to build

self condence among Soldiers and helpsto develop life skills and camaraderie

to create positive changes in attitudes

and behavior in order to prevent sexual

harassment and sexual assault.

All it takes is one voice, one Soldier

to stand up to their buddies to stop an

event. The rst step is eliminating

sexual harassment. Stop the cat calls

and mentality by some that females [and

males] are objects, said Maj. Rebekah

Lust, the brigade deployed sexual assault

response coordinator.

The program is also heavily dependenton the support of senior leadership

and supervisors to create a climate that

minimizes sexual assault incidents, which

impact Soldiers, civilians, and family

members. If an incident should occur,

the program aims to ensure that victims

and subjects are treated fairly, without

predjudice.

Society Against Sexual Assault looks at prevention

by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin

Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Jordan, sexual assault advisor United States Division-South and Capt. Naomi

Flowers, clinical social worker, mental health services, practice a self defense technique, taught at theSociety Against Sexual Assault conference at Camp Adder.

See SASA Page 10


10/15


Conference: Finding solutions


Page 10

SASA: PreventionContinued from Page 9

Everyone deserves dignity and respectand everything in our Army values is

surrounded by dignity and respect,

said Lt. Col. Renee McDonald, brigade

executive ofcer, 224th Sustainment

Brigade. The ideal work place is a room

full of professional Soldiers with everyone

treated with dignity and respect.

McDonalds experience in the Army

has shown her that awareness of ones

surroundings and appropriate measures

can prevent a possible negative situation

from occurring.

According to speakers at the

conference, the personal and destructive

effects of sexual assault crimes affect

not only the victims but those all around

them, causing a ripple effect all the way

through their family and community.

According to Lust, it comes down

to being active when a situation arises.

Helping someone walk away from a

dangerous situation, like a sexual assault,

can change the trend.


When you talk about the name

Audie Murphy, you think about bravery,

initiative, training and discipline. What

I saw here today represents all of those,

said Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L.Coleman Jr., senior enlisted advisor to

the Deputy Commanding General

Operations, United States Forces-Iraq,

who travelled to southern Iraq from

Baghdad to take part in the ceremony and

speak to the new inductees.

The rigorous selection process includes

a nomination by a senior NCO, a thorough

review of the candidates performance

and achievements, and two successive

military selection boards. Those still

standing are among the top 2 percent of

the active duty NCO corps.

For the four new inductees, the

ceremony is the culminating event in a

long, challenging process that, for some,

begins shortly after joining the Army.

Hedrick, who has aspired to become

part of the Audie Murphy Club for years,

has always been impressed with Murphys

actions both on and off the battleeld. He

said that he has been particularly inspired

by Murphys emphasis on education,

an area he pays close attention to when

counseling his Soldiers.

For Hedrick, such a deep respect for

the World War II Medal of Honor winner

only makes induction into the club thatmuch sweeter.

My knees were shaking. It was truly

one of the best days of my life to learn

that I was accepted, he said.

The inductees agreed that the

preparation was tough and involved

stacks of additional reading, one-on-one

counseling with mentors, and of course

living the values exemplied by Murphy

himself.

Bryant advised other NCOs to take

the induction process and preparation

seriously. This is the hardest board Ive

ever been to in my military career, he

said, advising prospective award winners

to know your Soldiers, know your

equipment and lead from the front.

Smiling, Gammon admitted that he

was humbled to be compared to Audie

Murphy and offered one small bit of

advice: Let your actions speak louder

than your words.

Induction: Representing the spirit of Audie Murphy

Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin

Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman, senio

enlisted advisor to the deputy commanding

general for operations, United States Forces

Iraq, presents Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Bryant

attached to 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., and a native of

Shreveport, La., with the Sergeant Audie Murphy

Award.

on logistics in order to improve its

capabilities and effectiveness.

The support battalion, in conjunction

with the LTAT, continues to train the

Iraqis on everything from combat life

saving skills to maintenance for military

vehicles.

Although under the great supervision

of professional leaders, the Iraqi army

still has room for improvement, said

De Tingo. The IA brigades still have

problems with faulty equipment being

shipped out to different Iraqi army basesand need more qualied mechanics to

work on the growing number of vehicles,

he said.

In order to help the Iraqi army improve

in these areas, 64th BSB held a conference

for the three divisions in southern Iraq.

The conference at Camp Adder allowed

Brig. Gen. Salah, a senior logistics

ofcer in the Iraqi Ministry of Defense,

to listen to each division and facilitated

a productive, two-way dialogue aimed atnding solutions.

Identifying their issues to the Ministry

of Defense is the rst step in improving

to a point where the Iraqis can sustain

themselves without U.S. assistance.

When we rst started working

alongside the Iraqi army, there was not

a very viable logistics unit. I believe we

helped them establish what they have

now, said De Tingo. The conference had

three division logistics units come into

one room and discuss their suggestions

and requests, where they had the mosthonest dialogue Ive ever seen[among

Iraqi leaders].

At the end of the conference, many of

the Iraqi ofcers walked away smiling,

optimistic about the way forward.

Every problem that has stopped us

from being able to work or be effective,

was presented and brought to Brig. Gen.

Salahs attention, said Brig. Gen. Ali,

chief assistant for the 8th IA Division.


11/15


Page 11

While being an Iron Strong kid is

really just a metaphor for the tremendous

talent that children of the Iron Brigade

possess, Heather Dalbec interprets the

term much more literally when referring to

her daughter.

Seven-year-old Bonnie is catching

the attention of her gymnastics coaches,

having only been enrolled in classes

for several months. According to her

mother, Bonnies coaches have been veryimpressed with her potential and believe

she has a bright future in competitive

gymnastics.

She can do all kinds of tricks that I do

not even know the names of after just a

few short months of class, said Dalbec.

Bonnie, whose father is Sgt. Benjamin

Dalbec, Headquarters and Headquarters

Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry

Regiment, seems to have unique talents for

climbing, tumbling and acrobatics.

I rst really noticed her special abilities

at only the age of three when the girl beganwalking up doors with hands and feet to

reach the ceiling, said Dalbec.

At the park she would cross the monkey

bars and do pull ups practically nonstop,

rather than follow around the other kids,

she said.

As Bonnie grew older, her mother says

she began ipping around the bars like a

gymnast. In the hallway at home, Bonnie

would walk up one wall with her feet

and the other with her hands, suspending

herself in the air.

Bonnie has no shortage of strength for a

seven-year-old, as she can climb repeatedly

up the rope at Iron Horse Park on Fort

Carson. Dalbec says, rather humbly, thather daughter will beat her in a race to the

top and then want to do it all over again.

Aside from making Dalbec a proud

gymnastics mom, she said that her

daughters talent has come as a blessing

in another way. As a result of being born

prematurely, Bonnie has faced many face.

challenges that most kids dont have to.Dalbec said that Bonnies physical strength

has led to a new-found self condence and

inner strength.

With her new inner strength she is

ghting it. Her fears are being lifted, she

said.

by Maj. Alan S. Brown3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Young climber becomes Iron-tastic gymnast

Photo courtesy of Heather Dalbec

Bonnie Dalbec suspends herself in the hallway

of her home by using her hands and feet to climb

the walls on either side. Her mother, Heather

Dalbec, says she has been climbing like thissince the age of three.

Photo courtesy of Heather Dalbec

Bonnie Dalbec performs a handstand during

her gymnastics class. Bonnie is the younges

student in her advanced gymnastic courses and

her coaches all say she has great potential tha

can take her very far.

We would like to recognizeand feature extraordinarychildren throughout the IronBrigade. If you have or

know of a child who has recently accomplished something

extraordinary or set themselves apart from the rest, wed liketo hear about it. If youd like to highlight an Iron Strong kid,please submit a digital photo along with a 3-4 paragraph write upthat describes why he or she deserves to be featured. Selectedsubmissions may be published in upcoming issues of the IronAdvisor. Please send submissions and photo attachments to:

[email protected].

Iron Kids


12/15


Page 12

Although the skill set of most

Pacesetters deals with dropping artillery

shells on their enemies on the battleeld,

lately the 3rd Battalion, 29th Artillery

Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade,

4th Infantry Division has become knownfor dropping opponents in the ring.

Spc. Casey Steffani, of Nampa, Ind.,

Spc. Jonathan McMullen, of Longview,

Texas, and Pfc. Zachariah Scott of Des

Moines, Iowa, had their hands raised

in victory at Camp Adders most recent

Fight Night Nov. 29.

After Steffanis rst match on the

Fourth of July, Scott showed an interest

at trying his skills in the ring and began

training with Steffani and McMullen.

Steffani was eager to don his MMA

gloves once again after his last victory,while McMullen was ready for his debut

match after being unable to compete

during the last contest.

Since the Pacesetters have frequent

missions, the team had to train whenever

they could. They identied their strengths

and weaknesses early on and helped each

other to become more effective ghters.

Stefanni and Scott have a wrestling

background, while McMullen has more

Pacesetters prevail at Camp Adder Fight Night

by Spc. Khori D. Johnson3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Photo by Spc. Khori D. Johnson

Spc. Johnathan McMullen, of Longview, Texas, 3rd Bn. 29th FA Reg., performs a guillotine choke on his opponent during his match at the Fight Night even

at Memorial Hall on Camp Adder.

Photo by Spc. Khori D. Johnson

Pfc. Zachariah Scott of Des Moines, Iowa, 3rd Bn. 29th FA Reg., locks in a rear-naked choke on his

opponent as the referee stops the ght during his match at the Fight Night event at Memorial Hall.

experience in boxing.

Scott and I helped McMullen with his

ground game, and he helped us with our

stand-up, said Steffani.

When the moment of truth arrived,

each ghter clinched victory due to the

assistance they gave each other while

training.

I had to thank Steffani for helping mewith my take-downs, said McMullen.

Thats what helped me get my opponent

down on the ground, leading to my win.

The trio of Pacesetters also attributes

its victories to the drive and will they

instilled in each other.

We all helped each other out, and we

pushed each other, said Steffani, who

received his second Fight Night victory

with a knockout. No one was going

to get disowned if they lost, but we all

agreed to leave everything on the mat.

Although this group of Pacesetters

experienced some close calls and hard

punches throughout the night, Scotts

favorite moment did not come in the formof a punch or a kick, but when he sat

down to dinner with the other victorious

Pacesetters after the event.

The ghts were cool and everything,

but nothings better than grabbing some

pizza with two of your closest buddies,

he said.


13/15


Page 13

Photo courtesy of Kristin Thornton

Photo courtesy of Rachel NewbauerPhoto courtesy of Elicia Sayco

Photo courtesy of Pfc. David Hull


14/15


Page 14

Photo courtesy of Kasey Trodahl

Photo courtesy of 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg.

Photo courtesy of Casey Blah

Photo courtesy of Lorna Lannom

Photo courtesy of Maj. Joseph Bethel


15/15

Col. James E. RaineyCommander

Command Sgt. Maj. Miles S. WilsonCommand Sergeant Major

Maj. Alan S. BrownPublic Affairs Ofcer

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel G. JohnsonPublic Affairs Noncommissioned Ofcer

Staff WritersStaff Sgt. Christopher Jelle

Spc. Chastity R. BoykinSpc. Khori D. JohnsonPvt. DeAngelo M. Wells

The Iron Advisor is produced in the interestof the Soldiers of the 3rd Advise and Assist

Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. The Iron Advisor

is an Army-funded newsletter authorized under

provision of AR 360-1.

Contents of the Iron Advisor are not

necessarily the views 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 Iron Advisor

is prepared, edited, provided and approved by

Public Affairs Ofce the 3rd AAB Public Affairs Office.The Iron Advisor welcomes articles,

commentary, and photos from readers. The Iron

Advisor reserves the right to edit submissions

selected for the publication.

All issues of the Iron Advisor can be viewed

online from your home computer at:

www.facebook.com/3bct4id

Submissions should be emailed to

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel G. Johnson at:

[email protected]


Page 15

said Pfc. Marc-Anthony Gita, of Reno,

Nev., a tanker with Company D, 1st Bn.,

8th Inf. Reg.

Troops construct PT feld, motivate other Soldiers

Soldiers in 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry

Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist

Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, recently

constructed a tness eld at Camp Garry

Owen to provide a better variety of

physical training options for Soldiers at

the Base.

The Soldiers constructed the EagleFitness Field, including pull up bars, a

quarter-mile track, a climbing rope and

other exercise stations on the site of the

former helicopter landing zone.

Throughout the day, many Soldiers

and service members run on the track,

do squats at one of the circuit stations, or

play football in the athletic eld inside the

track.

Its nice to have a track to use instead

of just running around the [small] camp,

by Pvt. DeAngelo Wells3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Photo by Pvt. DeAngelo Wells

A Soldier assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd

AAB, 4th Inf. Div., ips a military vehicle tire down

a trail on the Eagle Fitness Field at Camp Garry

Owen Dec. 11. The space offers an athletic eld,

a track, and an area for Soldiers to do push-ups

and sit-ups.

While the gym at Garry Owen is

still being used for weight training and

cycling, the new eld allows Soldiers to

create more diverse workouts.

Its nice to see other Soldiers and

non-commissioned ofcers out here

having fun. There is something here for

everyone, said Sgt. Jesus Carmona,

of Hale Center, Texas, an infantryman

assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg.

Although the eld will help keepSoldiers t, it also allows them to

build camaraderie through friend

competitions.

According to Gita, the Fighting Eagles

have started a football league in order to

build camaraderie and stay competitive.

I think its a good thing to keep

Soldiers t and it plays a big role with the

Soldiers here in keeping their morale up,

he said.

within the memorial, under the banner

which reads, In Memory of Our Fallen

Heroes. The memorial hangs in the

brigade headquarters main conference

room as a symbolic reminder and tribute

to those lost during this deployment.

Col. James E. Rainey, brigade

commander, encouraged the Iron Brigade

Soldiers to continue on with their duties in

an effort to win the war, thereby honoring

their two teammates and all the others

who made the ultimate sacrice in Iraq.

We honor our dead and their families,

said Rainey, dening one important aspect

of what it means to be Iron Strong. And

that is what this is all about today-two

great teammates being honored.

Memorial honors fallen Iron Brigade Soldiers

Before the deployment to Iraq, there

was hope to bring every Soldier home

from the Iron Brigade. Sadly two

Soldiers will not be returning to their

families this spring as the brigade returns

home to Fort Carson, Colorado.

The 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade,

4th Infantry Division, held a dedication

ceremony Dec. 8 to honor the two

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry

Regiment, who lost their lives in Iraq.

Those honored were Pfc. Charlie C.

Antonio and Spc. Dylon T. Reid.

Photos of the two fallen Soldiers hang

by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Photo by Spc. Chastity Boykin

A plaque honoring Pfc. Charlie C. Antonio

and Spc. Dylon T. Reid hangs as symbolic

reminder and tribute to their service. A dedication

ceremony was held Dec. 8 for the two Soldiers

who lost their lives in Iraq.
http://www.facebook.com/3bct4idmailto:nathaniel.g.johnson1%403bct4id.army.mil?subject=Iron%20Advisor%20Submissionsmailto:nathaniel.g.johnson1%403bct4id.army.mil?subject=Iron%20Advisor%20Submissionshttp://www.facebook.com/3bct4id

Documents

Iron Advisor Volume I Issue VI