Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 124 May 2, 2013

Staff Sgt. Geoffery Gates and Spc. Phuong Diep were chosen as the best

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, has, after participating in the 2nd ABCT Noncommissioned Officer/Soldier of the Year “Best Warrior” Competition, April 22-25. Soldiers competed in a number of events, including: the Army Physical Fitness Test, an oral board, a written test, a combatives tournament, an urban and field environment land navigation course, a six-mile ruck march, an M4 Carbine qualification, first-aid, reacting to direct and indirect fire and

reacting to a chemical attack. “It’s important that once they get up to division, they have a good understanding of what the tasks will be,” said Sgt. 1st Class Spencer Polwort, brigade fire support NCO, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd ABCT. “It allows them to practice their skills before they get up to a higher level of competition.” The Soldiers knew it would take a lot of dedication to win. “There was a lot of studying involved, and I feel pretty honored to represent the brigade,” said Diep, automated logistical specialist, Company A, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd ABCT. “I have to thank my

‘Warhorse’ identifies top NCO, Soldier

platoon sergeant for trusting me and recommending me for the board. It feels good to win.” Diep is already preparing for the division level competition, but he knows winning will help him in the long run. “I felt like I could take a step forward and be distinguished from all of my peers,” said Diep. “Winning this should make a difference. I’m thinking it will be an important step in moving

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Spc. Phuong Diep, automated logistical specialist, Co. A, 204th BSB, plots his assigned points on a map during land navigation course April 25. Soldiers participating each had four points assigned to them, with two hours to find them all and return to the start point.

Pfc. Alexander Ybarra (right), cannon crewmember, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., applies first-aid to a simulated casualty during the warrior task combat testing lane. Soldiers evaluated casualties and received grades on their ability to properly provide first-aid.

Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Gates, field artillery automated tactical data system specialist, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., navigates a barbed wire obstacle during the 2nd ABCT Noncommissioned Officer/Soldier of the Year “Best Warrior” Competition April 24. Soldiers from throughout the Brigade competed to move on to compete in the Post competition in May.

forward to becoming an NCO.” For others, the competition was a way to show their pride and worth to the brigade. “I have been in the brigade for a little over five years,” said Gates, a field artillery automated tactical data system specialist. “I deployed twice, so I’m proud that I was able to compete and win NCO of year for the brigade.” The events tested Soldiers both physically and mentally. The essay on the importance of keeping standards in the Army made people think, said Gates. As for the ruck, it was pretty heavy. It really pushed them more than they had ever been during a unit organized ruck march. The challenge doesn’t stop here for Deip and Gates, as they prepare for the division level competition in May. The Soldiers’ place of duty until the competition is at the Brigade Headquarters, where they will receive guidance and mentorship daily from all the battalion command sergeants major in the brigade.

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 124 May 2, 2013

There was a warmth in the crisp air as the sun rose adding to the feeling of excitement and

adventure as the Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and their Families gathered for physical training at Red Rock Canyon, April 25.

“This is a Family oriented PT session where Soldiers and Family members are allowed to get together to build cohesion in an informal setting outside the Army environment,” said Capt. John Rigsbee, commander of HHT. “The first sergeant and I wanted to get the families together to show them this is the kind of things your Soldier goes through every morning, but in a more fun environment.”

The PT session consisted of a short safety brief given by 1st Sgt. Michael Oliver, senior enlisted advisor of HHT, then a 4-mile walk or jog depending the Soldier and Family members’ ability.

“My daughter felt really good about herself, being able to jog with Soldiers,” said Sgt. Tonietta Morris, training room noncommissioned officer, HHT. “PT

shouldn’t just be limited to Soldiers and this is a way to get the Family involved and I think that is great.”

All members of the “family” were invited to participate from children to pets, but only the human members could voice how much they enjoyed the PT session.

“I like being able to spend time with my mom,” said William Paulk, 11 years old, son of Sgt. 1st Class Stani Paulk, information operations noncommissioned officer with

Red Rock Canyon, a great place to start a ‘Warhorse’ day

HHT. “It was exciting going on the trail and through the rocks.”

The setting of Red Rock Canyon bolstered the camaraderie felt between the Soldiers and Family members.

“Being able to meet everyone’s Family brings the troop closer together as a family,” Morris said. “And this is a cool place to come see and do PT as a unit.”

The troop has plans to do PT sessions like this monthly.

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagán2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Sgt. 1st Class Stani Paulk, information operations noncommissioned officer of HHT, 2nd STB, and her son, William, 11 years old, walk a trail in the Red Rock Canyon, April 25, 2013. The troop held a Family physical training day in the canyon in order to strengthen the bonds of the overall team. Soldiers were encouraged to bring their Family members to participate in walking or jogging the 4-mile trail through the canyon.

The Spartan Military Sprint, a four-mile run consisting of obstacles such as object carries, spear

throwing and barbed wire crawl, is coming to Fort Carson May 4 and 5, and Soldiers of “Warhorse” Brigade are teaming up to take on the experiment.

Up to 10 Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, decided to register to participate in the race and are training to make sure they are up to the task.

“I have been waiting for a race to come around to Colorado Springs, Colo., for some time,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Giordano, intelligence analyst, HHT. “I did it in Arizona before I came to Fort Carson and I thought it was a good team building exercise for the section.

The race, scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. on both days, is broken down into five groups: elite, confirmed, morning, afternoon and late afternoon. It will test the Soldier’s full array of athletic ability and the HHT team palns to be up to the challenge.

“A lot of the obstacles are about using your strength, but also using you body as a whole unit to move over and around different obstacles,” said Sgt. Joseph Baffaro, intelligence analyst, HHT.

Leaders from the brigade intelligence shop wanted a way to increase teamwork, but also let the Soldiers know it isn’t always about the Army.

“It’s really concentrates on building a team,” said Giordano. “Soldiers tend to just see you in the work environment and to do something outside of the Army and do something as a group makes them see who you are as a person instead of just a disciplinary figure.”

The training will not only help the Soldiers prepare for the race, but will

‘Warhorse’ trains upfor Spartan Race

increase their overall knowledge on physical training.

“I hope they get an idea of different things they can do for physical training on their own,” said Baffaro. “Keeping in mind physical strength training and endurance is a constant thing for both your personal development and keeping your state of physical fitness high in the military.”

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Warhorse PridePage 3 Issue 124 May 2, 2013

Sgt. Thomas Plummer, intelligence analyst, HHT, 2nd STB, uses battle ropes to improve his upper body muscular endurance at Iron Horse Fitness Center, April 18. The Spartan Race is comprised of multiple obstacles, and tests participant’s mental and physical ability.

Sgt. Melissa Schimmel, intelligence analyst, HHT, 2nd STB, performs squats using a Smith Machine at Iron Horse Fitness Center, April 18. Schimmel is part of a team comprised of Soldiers from the intelligence operations section, HHT, who are planning to complete in the upcoming Spartan Race on Fort Carson, May 4 and 5.

Warhorse PridePage 4 Issue 124 May 2, 2013

Changes of Command across ‘Warhorse’

Capt. David Pierce, outgoing commander, HHC, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., relinquished command to Capt.John Lorme, incoming commander May 2.

Capt. Leigh Kennedy, outgoing commander, Co. A, 2nd STB, relinquished command to Capt.Adam Sperry, incoming commander May 1.

Capt. John Rigsbee, outgoing commander, HHT, 2nd STB, relinquished command to Capt. Maria Rinaldi, incoming commander April 29.

Capt. Eric Kottke, outgoing commander, HHC, 2nd STB, relinquished command to Capt. Zackary Disbrow, incoming commander April 30.

Capt. Tyler Johnson, outgoing commander, Co. B, 2nd STB, relinquished command to Capt.Jacob Shaha, incoming commander April 23.

Capt. Jessica Maxim, outgoing commander, Co. C., 204th BSB, relinquished command to Capt.Kent Diaz, incoming commander April 24.

Warhorse PridePage 5 Issue 124 May 2, 2013

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 or www.slideshare.net/warhorsepao Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:ruth.a.pagan2.mil@mail.mil

Col. Omar Jones IV........................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSMMaj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OICStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICStaff Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

1-67 Armor Reg. gets distinguished visitor

‘Bravo’, 2-8 Inf. Reg., goes to the range

Photos by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagán2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Maj. Gen. Theoppong Tippayachan, commanding general, 2nd Infantry Division, Royal Thai Army, visited 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg.’s motor pool, April 20. The “Death Dealers” set up static displays consisting of an M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, an M106 120mm self-propelled Mortar Track and an M1A2 Abrams Tank. Theoppong was able to ask questions about the vehicles and tour them. The general visited 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. to learn more about how the U.S. Army intergrates infantry and mechanized armor forces during planning operations.

3-16 FARDyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635dyanne.m.beckman.civ@mail.mil

1-67 ARValerie Mansapit...........................................................524-1476valerie.j.mansapit.civ@mail.mil

204th BSBBarbara Young...............................................................526-4172barbara.a.young.civ@mail.mil

2-8 INUrsula Pittman...........................................................526-0727ursula.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil 2 STBSpc. Morgan Madrick..............................................503-2602morgan.a.madrick.mil@mail.mil

Find us on Facebook at:http://www.facebook.com/2bct4id

2nd BCTValarie Adams............................................................524-4797valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil

1-10 CAVFrancy Avizu...............................................................526-1946francy.avizu.civ@mail.mil

FRSA Information

Family Readiness GroupPage 6 Issue 124 May 2, 2013

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04 05 06 07 08 09Whiskey Fingers @ Stargaz-ers Theatre and Event Center8:00 p.m.

Mother Daughter Tea @ Colorado Springs Senior Center1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Japanese Children’s Day Fes-tival @ Colorado College10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

20th Annual Hummingbird Festival @ Starsmore Dis-covery Center10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta & Car Show @ Freedom Financial Services Expo Center9:30 a.m.

Celebrate Mother’s Day @ Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

World Organ Day Cel-ebration Concert @ Shove Memorial Chapel, Colorado College7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Free College Planning Workshop @ Rockrimmon Library Branch7:00 p.m.

Lunch & A Look at the Gar-den @ Garden of the Gods11:30 a.m.

Al Kaly Shrine Circus 2013 @ Norris-Penrose Events Center9:00 p.m.

Curious Palate Tasting Class- Gin @ Soiree5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Ride of Silence @ Woodland Park6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Cool Crafts @ Fountain Library Branch3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For more information go to www.coloradosprings.com

Better Opportunities for Single SoldiersPage 7 Issue 124 May 2z, 2013