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Family and Friends of Long Knife,
As your Soldiers enter the eighth month of our twelve month deployment in support of Operation
New Dawn, most of you have established your daily routines and are starting to gear up and feel the
excitement of the fast approaching Welcome Home! We have seen both fun and informative activities
coming out of your Family Readiness Groups and we hope that you continue to participate in all the
Spring and Summer events they are planning as well. The Senior Spouses have been hard at work
planning the Spouses Dining In . I encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity to break
bread and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow Longknife spouses.
I want to emphasize that your Battalion Rear Detachment Commanders and First Sergeants along
with the Rear Detachment Sergeant Major and myself are always here to assist with any problems
you may be facing. There are many resources available to Army Families and we are here to assist
you in getting in touch with the right agencies. In turn, we need your help by keeping your FRGs up
to date with your contact information. This includes, address, phone and email and a temporary ad-
dress when traveling away from your home for more than one night. In the coming months we will be
putting out information on preparing for the return of the unit and we want to ensure you receive all
correspondence and in a timely manner.
The strength of our Families and the support you show for your Soldiers and each other is immeasur-
able. Thank you for all you do!!
Sincerely,
LTC Colin Wooten
Longknife Families,
Welcome to Spring in Texas! As the weather turns sunny and the days stay bright longer many of you
will start enjoying a variety of outdoor activities and traveling to visit Family and friends when school
lets out. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to be safe in all your adventures! From boat
safety to remembering your sunscreen or being sure the car is in good condition before beginning a long
drive we want to be sure all the Longknife Families are being cautious so that your fun filled weekends
contain all the rest and relaxation you deserve rather than worry.
With the deepest Respect,
SGM Ted V. Carlin
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
FROM THE SERGEANT MAJOR
Longknife Ledger M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 3
Leaving for a
weekend? Please let
your FRG or FRSA
know your contact
info!
A newsletter from the 4BCT Rear Detachment
P A G E 2
Master Resiliency Training Today’s high deployment op-tempo has created a unique set of challenges and issues
that our Soldiers and their families are faced with as they prepare for, during and upon
completion of their deployments. Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from that ad-
versity and hardship. The Comprehensive Fitness program endeavors to give those Sol-
diers and their families the tools, skills and competencies they need to deal with the
challenges in both their professional and personal lives. A resilient Soldier is a strong
soldier, a resilient family is a stronger family and a resilient Army is Army Strong. Be-
cause being Army strong is much more than being physically fit, it is also being men-
tally and emotionally strong.
Through Identifying Character Strengths, as well as resiliency competencies such as self
awareness and mental agility and Resiliency Skills such as problem solving, avoiding
thinking traps and assertive communication, which are but a few of the competencies
and skills of Resiliency, we can help to create an Army of balanced, healthy, self confi-
dent Soldiers, Family members and Army Civilians whose resilience and total fitness
enables them to excel in an era of high operational tempo and persistent conflict.
~SSG Jeffery Witcher
4BCT Master Resiliency
Trainer
Be part of the first Longknife Master Resiliency Training for Families!
Date: Monday, May 16, 2011
Time: 0930—1400
Where: 5-82FA MRT Classroom
Located on 58th Street and Old Ironsides in the 5-82FA Rear Detachment Headquarters
Purpose: To give a broad overview of this new and exciting program and provide feedback on how to enhance this
program for all families.
There are only 10 spaces available for this pilot class. Sign up today by emailing SSG Witcher at
Child care is not provided for this event.
Other classes will be announced ASAP.
Resiliency ~ Teaching you
to be the ball that bounces
back rather than the egg
that falls and cracks.
'Joining Forces' Campaign Puts Military Families Front, Center
The following is an excerpt from The Washington Post regarding a new initiative from the
Presidential Administration that plans to strengthen Military Families in education,
employment and healthcare.
By Nia-Malika Henderson and Erin Williams (Article from The Washington Post)
The Obama administration launched a national initiative Tuesday to highlight and support service members and their fami-
lies, joining with top corporations and nonprofit groups to bolster their health-care, employment and educational opportu-
nities.
The public efforts will be led by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, the vice president's wife, who will start a
tour of military bases and communities Wednesday.
In the East Room, packed with Cabinet members, congressional leaders, military brass and advocates, President Obama said,
"Americans in uniform have never served alone."
"Behind every American in uniform stands a wife, a husband; a mother, a dad; a son or daughter; a sister or brother. These
families - these remarkable families - are the force behind the force," he said. "They are the reason we have the finest
military in the world."
In January, Obama issued a presidential study directive to coordinate an administration-wide approach to helping military
families cope with the needs and strains put on veterans returning from war.
Michelle Obama and Jill Biden have spent the past year meeting with military families at the White House and in communi-
ties and hospitals across the country. They will travel to North Carolina, Colorado, Ohio and Texas to highlight grass-
roots efforts to support veterans and their families.
The effort, called Joining Forces, also includes assistance from Wal-Mart, Sears and Siemens to help service members find
jobs. On the education front, private companies such as Boeing, Exxon Mobil and Discovery Communications will support math
and reading initiatives for military children. And several nonprofit health organizations, such as the American Heart
Association and the YMCA, will focus on helping military families lead healthier lives.
Retired Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, ousted last year as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan after being quoted making
disparaging remarks about senior administration officials in a Rolling Stone article, will lead a three-member advisory
board that will work with the corporations and foundations.
"This is a challenge to every segment of American society to take action and make a real commitment to supporting our
military families," the first lady said.
Michelle Obama came to the issue of military families while she was campaigning for her husband and meeting with small
groups of women across the country. She said she has received letters from military spouses urging her to help make sure
that Americans don't forget them. She said the campaign is about renewing the bonds between those who serve and sacrifice,
and those who benefit.
Jill Biden, a Blue Star mom, talked about the pride and concern she had as her stepson Beau deployed for a one-year stint
in Iraq - and the prayer she would say in her classroom, when her thoughts went to her stepson and others in harm's way.
"Each American has the ability to make a difference in the lives of military families," Biden said. "Every one of us can
commit to one small act of kindness."
The president said that whenever he visits with service members, they tell him to make sure to take care of their families
back home, which he called not only a moral obligation but also a matter of national security.
In May, Obama signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, which would give cash assistance, counseling
and additional help to people caring for wounded service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. But the administra-
tion missed the Jan. 31 deadline for implementing that program.
"We are supportive of any initiative that will strengthen military families, but we are still concerned that the benefits
aren't in the hands of some of the families that are making sacrifices every day," said Steve Nardizzi, the executive
director of the Wounded Warrior Project, an advocacy group for injured service members. "We think there is a role for all
Americans being there, but that support should be in supplement to the support that the government should provide."
West Wing aides said the initial timeline for the program was aggressive and didn't take into account bureaucratic com-
plexities. Full implementation of the benefits should happen by early summer, they said.
"This is about all of us Americans joining forces," the first lady said. "Every single American can do something."
P A G E 4
Spouses Dining In
CPT Gilbert
(2-12CAV Rear D CDR)
LTC Wooten, Brigade Rear D CDR
SGT McQueen (S1 shop)
CPT Israel (5-82FA Rear D CDR)
Our Rear Detachment Commanders and some Cadre members offered their faces up for some
pie smashing on Friday, April 1st to help raise funds for the Longknife Spouses Dining In. “We
know the families sacrifice a lot while their Soldiers are deployed, so if there is something we
can do to help promote an event for them I am all for it,” said SGT McQueen a recipient of 5
pies to the face. The event raised $265 dollars for the Dining In and gave the Soldiers an enter-
taining end to their work week.
Longknife Throws are still for Sale!!
R&R Workshops for Families
P A G E 5 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 3
Anxiety over your Soldier’s pending R&R? Worried about communication issues? Concerned about reactions of your children
and how they will deal with being separated again at the end of R&R?
Your Soldier has been gone for over 7 months and although R&R, is not the final reunion, there are similar reintegration ques-
tions and concerns that families deal with during those 15 days. The 4th Brigade Military and Family Life Consultant, Bob Ro-
ton will be hosting an EML workshop each week for interested families. This is an open group discussion where you can ask
questions and get advice on how to prepare for a successful, enjoyable visit with your Soldier!
Order your 4th Advise and Assist Brigade Operation New Dawn Throw!
Throws are $40 each
Once they arrive, throws will be picked up at the Brigade Headquarters. Throws can be shipped for an additional $10.
Next order will be placed May 31, 2011
For an order form, email:
Throws are 48” x 68” made of 100% Cotton jacquard woven blanket
For those that ordered a throw already, the order was placed March 11th and is expected to arrive around April 25th. If
you are picking up your throws, you will receive an email letting you know when you can come to the Brigade Head-
quarters to pick them up. If you paid for shipping, you will receive an email confirming that your throws have been
shipped.
R&R Workshops
Tuesdays
April 12, 19 and 26
Time: 1000—1200
Bldg 12020 , Suite 500
Fort Hood Resiliency Campus
Located on 31st Street and Battalion Avenue
Questions? Call Bob Roton at 254-317-3514
Child care available for those registered in CYSS
P A G E 6
FA
MIL
Y R
EA
DIN
ESS
L O N G K N I F E L E D G E R
DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME
03 MAY Town Hall Meeting 1CD SFRC 6pm
12 MAY FRG Steering Cmte Mtg SQ HQ 11:30am
DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME
16 APR FSC Fundraiser—Donation Yard Sale
21 APR FRG Steering Cmt Meeting BN HQ 5pm
27 APR FSC FRG Meeting Oveta Culp 6pm
01 MAY A Co Car Wash Clear Creek PX 10am
06 MAY A Co FRG Meeting Wazoos
1-9CAV Headhunters
2-7CAV Garry Owen
2-12CAV Thunderhorse
DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME
05 MAY BN Town hall Meeting Oveta Culp 1000
5-82FA Black Dragons
DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME
19 APR Taco Tuesdays Rosa’s Café 6pm
27 APR BN Fundraiser Pizza Hut 6pm
28 APR FRG Steering Cmte Mtg w/VTC BCR 10:30am
03 MAY Women’s Fellowship Meeting Oveta Culp 10am
10 MAY BN Town Hall Meeting Oveta Culp 6pm
DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME
18 APR C CO FRG Meeting 1CDSFRC 6pm
22 APR FRG Steering CMte Meeting BCR 10am
23 APR FRG Easter Egg Hunt 1CD Museum 10am
BSTB Spartans
27BSB Roughriders
DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME
03 MAY BN FRG Meetings Oveta Culp 6pm
19 MAY FRG Steering Cmte Meeting BN Conf Rm 11:30am
P A G E 7 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 3
Spotlight on Family Readiness Groups
We all want information, especially when it concerns our Soldiers, the deployment, resources for our Family and obtain-
ing answers to our questions. Information flow is the mission of our Family Readiness Groups. The Commanders of
each Company, Troop, Battery and Battalion remain in contact with their FRG Leaders to pass on information to the
Families and also to find out what common concerns the Families have or what challenges they are facing so that the
right help can be provided. While this information flow is important at all times, it becomes critical to most Families as
the deployment draws to a close and information about returning flights, block leave and welcome home parties start
circulating. The FRG can only reach as many people as it has contact information for: this is where you can help!! Have
you filled out a Family data sheet? Basic information such as your phone number and email address is all that is needed
to get connected! Do you have neighbors or friends in the unit? Invite them to attend a meeting or ask if they have
turned their contact information in.
The Family Readiness Groups also host many fun events. There were many parties held around the holidays. Bring unit
Families together during special dates is another example of the support the FRG provides. This month we have several
Battalions hosting Easter Egg Hunts for the children! Don’t miss out on these activities.
Are you interested in becoming more involved in your FRG? There are so many positions within the FRG: Leader, Sec-
retary, Treasurer, Fundraising chair, newsletter editor, key caller and more! Talk to your Rear Detachment Commander
about what positions you are interested in.
Join us on Facebook! Event announcements,
pictures and more!!
Search the page names listed below to follow your unit today!
4th Brigade Page: Long Knife BDE 1CD
1-9CAV: 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment
2-7CAV: 2-7 Cavalry (Garry Owen)
2-12CAV: Thunder Horse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment
5-82FA: 5-82 FA Battalion FRG
27BSB: 27th Brigade Support Battalion
BSTB: 4th BSTB 1st Cav Division
The Rear Detachment is always here to answer your questions and help you with any situations that arise. If
you have questions about community resources, please contact your FRG Leader...not sure who that is?
Contact your FRSA for information.
Brigade Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 285-5090
Position Name Office Cell Email
CDR LTC Colin Wooten 553-2859 449-3126 [email protected]
CSM CSM Ted Carlin 553-2860 415-5817 [email protected]
FRSA Dominique Buehler 287-6969 289-0690 [email protected]
1-9CAV Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 287-8235
CDR CPT Jonathan Wade 287-8295 366-7137 [email protected]
1SG SFC Cory Smith 553-4054 432-9245 [email protected]
FRSA Afton Keller 287-8175 289-0216 [email protected]
2-7CAV Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 553-1796
CDR CPT Christopher Gilbert 553-2879 449-3143 [email protected]
1SG 1SG John Urrutia 287-4893 630-7910 [email protected]
FRSA Kenya Emanuel 553-2880 289-2939 [email protected]
2-12CAV Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 287-2326
CDR CPT John Albert 287-6854 368-5282 [email protected]
1SG SFC Alister Bilyou 287-6218 [email protected]
FRSA Angela Brailler 289-0643 [email protected]
5-82FA Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 288-5306
CDR CPT Aaron Israel 287-6230 368-0603 [email protected]
1SG SFC Richard Butler 287-6218 [email protected]
FRSA Sheryl Banner 287-9574 289-2816 [email protected]
27BSB Rear Detachment Staff Duty: 287-8235
CDR CPT Twygena Cotton 287-8381 449-3188 [email protected]
1SG SFC Tracey Baker 287-0076 449-0992 [email protected]
FRSA Althea Cash 288-4707 289-2996 [email protected]
Staff Duty: 287-9653 BSTB Rear Detachment
CDR CPT Danielle Bell 287-6753 449-3140 [email protected]
1SG SFC Levi Green 287-1047 432-9372 [email protected]
FRSA Consuello Geston 288-5717 289-0368 [email protected]
If you cannot reach your BN FRSA due to vacation or illness, please contact the BDE FRSA
