Volume 15, No. 1, Summer 2011 Jacksonville, Florida

The JRB NewsServing the Soldiers, Families and Civilians of the Jacksonville Army Recruiting Battalion

Savannah Army Recruiting Station and D1 Athletic Training Facility, Savannah, took their partnership to a new level when D1 trainers developed a fun, yet physically competitive training event for 68 of Savannah’s Future Soldiers on August 13. D1 Trainers Sara Henderson and Robert Creel prepared and remodeled a high intensity one hour boot camp for the Future Soldiers that consisted of sledge pulling, tire flipping, weight lifting, medicine ball throwing, sprints and a hard-core abdominal workout. For lunch, the Future Soldiers received instructions on how to prepare and eat MREs. See more photos by clicking here.

photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Shelly

by Staff Sgt. Alexander Avila

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Future Soldiers get fit at D1 Savannah

2 The JRB News Summer 2011

Hammer of the South Happenings See more photos by clicking the headline

GRAB members tour Jacksonville Battalion HQPhoto by Cynthia Womack, Public Affairs Specialist

Following the official visit in April of USAREC’s new commanding general, MG David Mann, members of the Jacksonville Battalion Grass Roots Advisory Board had its quarterly meeting in May which incorporated a tour of Jacksonville Battalion Heqadquarters. During the tour GRAB members met department staff and were briefed about each section’s role in the accessions process.

Albany Future Soldiers meet DI eye-to-eye before BCT photo by Nathan Hicks, Public Affairs Specialist MCLB Albany, GA

Ninety-seven Future Soldiers (FS) of the of the Albany RS and 55 of their guests got an up-close and personal experience with a Drill Instructor (DI) when DS (Sgt) Mark De La Cruz visited the FS in July. DS De La Cruz, was one of two Drill Instructors from the Accessions Support Brigade Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Program. The event was coordinated by Staff Sgt. Marcus Bloxton and the Public Affiars Office of the Marine Corp Logistic Base in Albany, GA. The DI’s visit helped to acquaint the FS with expectations of a new Soldier before they go to Basic Combat Training. During the training at MCLB Albany the FS refined their Drill and Cer-emony, parade rest and squad formation. As Sgt De La Cruz inspected the ranks he gave the FS pointers on how to improve basic skills to help them succeed as leaders once they reach BCT.

Battalion COIs capture Army Experience at Fort Benningphoto by Kim Hanson, Chief, A&PA, 2d Recruiting Brigade

Grassroots Board Members, Army Advocates and Educators from across USAREC met at Fort Benning in March to experience Soldier training “first hand” and discuss ways to bring the Army experience back to their communities. The ultimate goal of the meeting, whichincluded sessions with LTG Freakley, commander, United States Army Accessions Command, was to encourgae more support for Army enlistment, education and career development. The experience included weapons examination and mock firing with the Army Marksmanship Unit, rapelling and support from JROTC cadets from over 10 area high schools.

Lt. Gov. Carroll signs Madison, FL Community Covenant photo by April Johnson, Chief, A&PA, Jacksonville

As Florida’s state representative Lieutenant Governor Carroll was the keynote speaker and initial signer of the Madison’s Community Covenant in February. Lt. Gov. Carroll, a retired USN lieu-tenant commander, is a great advocate for the military and commended the city in taking on the role of taking care of Soldiers, as well as members of the other armed forces. Rae Pike, a commu-nity advocate for Madison, was the driving force behind the sigining ceremony. Ms. Pike worked diligently for months prior to the event gaining support from mayor Judy Townsend and other civic leaders. Her efforts also resulted in later meeting between Lt. Gov. Carroll and LTC O’Grady about the March 2 Success program.

Wounded Warrior Project Grand Opening photo by April Johnson, Chief, A&PA, Jacksonville

The Wounded Warrior Project began in 2003 and moved its headquarters to Jacksonville in 2006. On August 23, the WWP celebrated a move into its new building in the Southpoint area of Jack-sonville. The local WWP serves wounded servicemembers from across the country and is a close partner and Army Advocate for Jacksonville Battalion. During the ceremony, LTC O’Grady met actor Tony Sirico, a strong supporter of veteran affairs and WWP activities.

Summer 2011 3 The JRB News

LTC Daniel E. O’Grady

CSM Gary R. Stiteler, Jr.

From the Battalion Commander

The Hammer of the South continues to lead the way in USAREC and CSM Stiteler and I couldn’t be more proud of the outstanding Soldiers, Civilians, and Families that make up this

great unit. We have had a great run during FY 11 and I know we will continue that momentum into FY 12. Our #1 priority remains the same...taking care of our Soldiers, Civilians, and their Families. Doing that requires positive leadership at all levels and it starts with embracing and living the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

Discipline is the key to success in any successful organization and NCOs and Officers are charged with maintaining good order and discipline and enforcing standards. For many of us, we are the face of the Army in our areas of operation and our actions determine the public’s perception. It is incumbent upon us to always remember that we live in a “fish bowl” and that others are watching.

I hope everyone had a fun summer and you were able to enjoy some well-deserved time off with family and friends. Schools through-out the Hammer of the South AO are back in session and operations will be very busy over the next few months so pace yourselves and don’t forget to balance your titles. My titles include husband, father, battalion commander, son, and sibling. I will make every effort to balance them and I expect each of you to do the same.

CSM Stiteler and I will be getting back out on the road to visit companies and stations and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting the new members of the team.

Thanks again for everything you do.LTC O’Grady

From the Command Sergeant Major

The summer months have come and gone and the Hammer of the South has said goodbye to some great Officers and NCO’s and welcomed their replacements. The effectiveness of our transitions

will be the key to the battalion maintaining the momentum we have established. With new Soldiers comes new ideas and new energy; we as a team welcome this.

The sign of a great organization is one that continues to grow and prosper during the absence or transition of leaders. The Battalion Commander and I want to welcome all the new members and their Families to the team. We look forward to meeting everyone at the Annual Training Conference in December.

I ask each of you to establish some goals as we embark on FY12. I am asking each member of the team to establish three goals to accomplish during FY 12. These goals should be based on personal and professional growths (i.e. earn a college degree, enroll in college, spend more time with my family, and increase my APFT by 20 points). Whatever you decide for your goals should be nested in making you a better Soldier and/or a better person. I always tell my sons that if we go through life withoutgoals we merely exist.

Don’t just exist; strive for excellence in your personal and professional life.

Gary R. Stiteler Jr Command Sergeant Major

Meet Sgt. First Class John Adams, commander, Jacksonville West recruiting station and a Real Hero of America’s ArmyDuring his tour in Iraq, then Staff Sgt. Adams interdicted three Anti-Iraqi Forces, which resulted in the confiscation of numer-ous small arms and explosive ordinance...resulting in saving lives. For his heroic actions he received the Bronze Star with “V” device for Valor. Read more about Sgt. First Class Adams by clicking his photo.

The Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion (JRB) News is an authorized publication under AR 360-81, published quarterly for members of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Jacksonville, Florida. Contents of The JRB News are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by the United States government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion. The editor can be contacted at U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, JRB News, Advertising and Public Affairs, 1851 Executive Center Drive, Suite 130, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Telephone (904) 396-2673, Fax (904) 396-4029, email: 3ebn-apa@usarec.army.mil. Visit the JRB website at http://www.usarec.army.mil/2ndbde/3ebn/ Follow on Twitter at @USArmyJaxHammer and become a Facebook Fan at http://www.facebook.com/ArmyRecruitingBnJacksonville.

Commander - LTC Daniel E. O’Grady Command Sergeant Major - CSM Gary R. Stiteler, Jr. Chief, Advertising and Public Affairs - April Johnson Editor - Cynthia Rivers-Womack

4 The JRB News Summer 2011

Top Company and Top Senior Producing Company..........CharlestonTop Future Soldier Leadership Company..........Warner RobinsTop Small Station..........MandarinTop Large Station..........SavannahTop Senior Station..........OcalaFuture Soldier Leadership Large..........Warner Robins stationFuture Soldier Leadership Small..........DublinStation Commander of the MonthApril and May - Sgt. First Class N. Rodriguez, 3E4KJune - Sgt. First Class J. Strand, 3E3F

Mandarin - Staff Sgt. R. GotshallJacksonville West - Sgt. First Class J. Adams

Palatka - Staff Sgt. A. LaureanoOcala - Sgt. First Class J. GilfillianBrunswick - Staff Sgt. J. Cabrera

Savannah - Sgt. First Class N. RodriguezAlbany - Sgt. First Class J. Crutchfield

Thomasville - Staff Sgt. B. Balthrop

Tallahassee South - Sgt. First Class E. CruzValdosta - Sgt. First Class E. CloustonTifton - Sgt. First Class E. Crutchfield

Columbus East - Sgt. First Class S. WilsonDublin - Staff Sgt. J. Herndon

Warner Robins - Sgt. First Class C. SwantekNorth Charleston - Sgt. First Class F. Hodges

Summerville - Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Simmons

Jacksonville Battalion Stations of Excellence - 3d Quarter FY11

Army Recruiter of the Quarter..........Staff Sgt. N. Walters, 3E5TNCO of the Quarter..........Staff Sgt. H. Hinchen, 3E6FCSM Hammer Award..........Staff Sgt. K. Miller, 3E1GTop Senior Producer..........Sgt. First Class T. Preston, 3E7AStation Commander of the Quarter..........Sgt. First Class N. Rodriguez, 3E4KBattalion Commander Leadership Award..........CPT Tasha Dyer, Jacksonville CompanyCivilian Staff Award..........Derrick Burnsed, IM OfficeMilitary Staff Member..........Sgt. First Class D. Garvey

Third Quarter Awards