Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 126 May 31, 2013

‘Warhorse’ NCOs receive mentorship, guidenceStory and photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

A ground-shaking HOOAH echoed throughout the hills of Fort Carson as more than 1,000 “Warhorse” noncommissioned officers sounded off to the question;

“Warhorse, where you at?”Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen, senior enlisted leader,

2nd ABCT held noncommissioned officer professional development training on Fort Carson, Colo., May 20.

“It’s a great day to be a Warhorse NCO”, said Lehtonen. “Matter of fact, it’s a great day everyday to be a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army. It’s not a right; it is a privilege to lead our Soldiers.”

The NCOPD, an event focused on building esprit de corps and

raising NCOs’ knowledgebase, started with a four-mile run, and later, classes that ranged from standards for the wear of multiple uniforms, to methods to help track a Soldier’s career.

“I know everyone here, including myself, takes our jobs extremely serious,” said Lehtonen. “It is a very, very important job; probably the most important job that you can have in the Army, if not the world; leading and taking care of our Soldiers.”

NCOs appreciated the time set aside for the training.“It’s a great pleasure, especially with the high caliber of NCOs that

we have in this brigade,” said Staff Sgt. Casey McEuin, infantryman, HHT, 2nd STB. “From the command sergeants major all the way down; very high class and very professional individuals.”

During the event, Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Gates, field artillery

See GUIDENCE, Page 3

Capt. Adam Sperry, commander, Company A, 2nd STB, 2nd ABCT dives to make a catch during the “Warhorse” Challenge II at Memorial Park, Colorado Springs, Colo., May, 22. Approximately 450 senior leaders from across the brigade participated in the double-elimination tournament that was geared towards increasing the working and personal relationships between Soldiers of different battalions.

Making the catch

Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 126 May 31, 2013

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

Spouses earn silver spurs

Kelsey Papez, wife of Spc. Mark Papez, cavalry scout, Troop A, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav Reg., 2nd ABCT, performs push- ups during the squadron’s Spouse Spur Ride at Fort Carson’s Iron Horse Park. Papez joined more than 60 “Bison” spouses in conducting a modified Army Physical Fitness Test, which included a one-mile run and one minute each for push-ups and sit-ups.

Earning the silver spurs of a cavalry scout has been a long-standing tradition since troopers rode horse-back into war.

The tradition continued, but this time for 60 spouses, as the 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 2nd ABCT, hosted its Spouse Spur Ride at Fort Carson’s Iron Horse Park, May 18.

“Earning your spurs has been a tradition since the cavalry has been on horses,” said Lt. Col. David Guthrie, commander, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “A trooper would earn their spurs when they showed that they had the skills after arriving to their unit.”

Six teams, consisting of eight to 10 spouses each, worked through multiple events, that included a modified Army Physical Fitness Test, a simulated hand grenade course using water balloons, reporting a situational report on enemy activity, and evaluating a medical casualty.

“It’s nice to get to meet other spouses and know we are all in this together,” said Megan Wadsworth, wife of Capt. Brendan Wadsworth, commander, Troop A, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “Sometimes you feel isolated as a spouse. We are all out here working hard, getting tired, getting sweaty and getting dirty together.”

“Bison” leadership’s intent for the day was to reinforce the bonds between spouses before the upcoming month-long training event at Fort Irwin, Calif., and any future deployments.

“We wanted to build the team that is going to take care of us when we deploy,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Vogl, senior enlisted leader, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “Get them together and

get some camaraderie built so they know each other. It really helps build that team that will be back here.”

The spouses know it is important to support their husbands and see what they go through.

“It’s really good for their morale,” said Wadsworth. “If you don’t have a really good, strong home base, you suffer at work. Seeing their spouses out here working hard, basically in their honor, makes them feel good.”

Leadership had a message for the spouse who earned their silver spurs before their Soldiers.

“As a cavalry spouse, if you earn you silver spurs, those are the ultimate bragging right,” said Guthrie. “If your trooper does not have their silver and you earn yours today, there is only one silver spur holder with bragging rights.”

When it was all said and done and the dust cleared, the spouses had a new respect for their husbands and what they do.

“I think the cavalry has great tradition for the Soldiers,” said Wadsworth. “It is nice (the squadron) brought the spouses into it. We don’t do what Soldiers do, but we support them just as

much and work just as hard, so it’s nice that we get to be a part of those traditions.”

After the spouses completed all the events, the squadron put on a Barbecue for the Soldiers and Family members and encouraged more camaraderie.

“It helps the Soldiers,” said Vogl. “It gives them the ability to deploy knowing that there is a spouse network back in the rear that can help them out.”

Bison leadership plans to host another Spouse Spur Ride later this year, as well as a Spur Ride for the Soldiers sometime in September.

Warhorse PridePage 3 Issue 126 May 31, 2013

Raven operators prepare for NTC

automated tactical data system specialist, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., led the brigade corps of NCOs in reciting the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer.

“If the hair didn’t stand up on the back of your neck during the creed, when Staff

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen, senior enlisted leader, 2nd ABCT, cheers on Soldiers of 2nd STB at the end of a four-mile run on Magrath Ave. on Fort Carson, Colo., May 20. After the run, more than 450 “Warhorse” NCOs participated in a NCOPD, focused on raising the knowledge of the brigades NCOs.

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd 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 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 BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSMMaj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OICStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICStaff Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and DesignStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor

Warhorse Pride

Sergeant Gates was up here, you have got to check your pulse,” said Col. Omar Jones IV, commander, 2nd ABCT. “I will tell you what, just to listen to this entire corps of NCO throughout this brigade combat team say the creed together, to understand and know that, represents what makes being in the Army great.”

The NCOs of 2nd ABCT, know it’s important to teach, but also to listen to their Soldiers.

NCOs must know they can learn from their Soldiers, said McEuin. There are things that Soldiers have done that their leaders haven’t, so they like to learn from their Soldiers’ experiences, as well as the experiences of higher-ranking leaders.

Leadership made sure the Soldiers know they are appreciated, and how the progress made during recent training events by the brigade couldn’t have been done without the NCOs.

“I want to tell you how very, very proud I am of the brigade,” said Jones. “By any measure, what we are doing right now and what we have done the past year is truly unique, and it is truly blazing the trail for where the Army is going to go over the next ten years.”

As the Brigade prepares for a month-long rotation to the National Training Center next month, the NCOs will be relied upon to train, mentor and guide Soldiers to accomplish all missions.

“We are the best NCO corps in the world, the best Army in the world, and by far the best brigade in the world, and it’s all because of everyone standing in this formation today,” said Lehtonen.

Soldiers from 2nd ABCT participate in Raven certifications on Fort Carson, May 8. More than 30 operators completed the course and are now certified to fly the unmanned arieal vehicle during training at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.

From GUIDENCE, Page 3

Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch

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 ABCTValarie Adams............................................................524-4797valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil

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

FRSA Information

Family Readiness GroupPage 5 Issue 126 May 31, 2013

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07 08 09 10 11 12 13

01 02 03 04 05 06Kids Speed and Agility Camp@ Ed’s Gym9:00 a.m.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus@ World Area7:00 p.m.(repeats 6 times)

Cheese Making - Mozzarella @ Colorado Springs Senior Center2:00 p.m.

Cruzin ro Calvary Car Show@ Rocky Mountain CalvaryChurch8:00 a.m.

Doogie Dash 5K Run@5400 Nevada Ave.9:00 a.m.

Dinosaurs!@Cheyenne Moutain Library11:30 a.m.

Ghost Dance, Soofy and the Walrus (Live Music)@ Zodiac Venue and Bar8:00 p.m.

Monday Morning Movie@ Cheyenne Mountain Library10:30 a.m.

Hip-Hop for Kids with Neil McIntyre@Ruth Holley Library Branch10:30 a.m.

Delicious Downtown FoodTour@ Downtown Colorado Springs10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.register at www.coloradospringsfood-tour.com

Par-Tee with World Golf@Wold Golf & Sand Creek G.C.5:00 p.m.

Community Violin Master Class@ Colorado College,Packard Hall1:30 p.m.

Summer Music FestivaArtist Contest@ Colorado College,Packard Hall7:30 p.m.

World Enviromental DayCelebration@ Colorado College, Worner Campus Center5:30 p.m.

Visit www.coloradosprings.com for more info

Better Opportunities for Single SoldiersPage 5 Issue 126 May 30, 2013