3rd Infantry Division The Frontline May 13, 2010 - Fort Stewart ...

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12A The Frontline May 13, 2010 Sgt. 1st Class Curtis Halford, 3rd ID Retention Operations CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – The 3rd Infantry Division completed its fiscal year 2010 active component retention mission in less than seven months. The division is currently spread across four countries and two combat theaters. “This is a momentous achievement, accomplished by a great command and retention team, especially considering the complexity of the operating environment and the overall tempo of the division,” said Sgt. Maj. Luis Rivera, the 3rd ID command career counselor. This is the 3rd ID’s fourth deployment to Iraq since 2003, but the high operational tempo did not stop more than 3,500 Soldiers from re-enlisting. Even more troops will follow their lead as the Army nears its retention goal as well, he said. The division’s re-enlistment success comes despite changes in the Army’s program, which have resulted in a 66 percent reduction in average bonus payments, and a very challenging deployed environment where only one brigade is within the divisions’ direct operational control. The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade led the charge to mission completion this year, as they were the first to accomplish mission. “Soldiers in my unit re-enlisted because they and their Families were constantly engaged by a retention team and command, which worked diligently to meet each Soldier’s needs and desires,” said Master Sgt. Michael Giesen, the 3rd CAB senior career counselor. “The great command climate is reflected in our high stabilization rate.” The 3rd ID, which is currently the headquarters for United States Division – North, near Tikrit, arrived in theater to close out the combat mission and to facilitate the transition to advise and assist brigades in northern Iraq as responsibility for security shifts to Iraqi forces. “This deployment Soldiers have shown great perseverance as they continue to work closely with Iraqi Security Forces and tribal leaders to stabilize the economy and make life better for Iraq’s citizens,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews, TF Marne and 3rd ID command sergeant major. “One of the reasons Soldiers are able to focus on helping the people of Iraq is because of the terrific support system that they have in their Families and friends back home,” Command Sgt. Maj. Andrews said. “The continual flow of letters, e-mails, and care packages from both loved ones and strangers continues to strengthen Soldiers’ resolve and lift their morale. Each Soldier re-enlists for a different reason, but for one Eureka, Calif., native, it was about the opportunities military service provides. Sergeant Megan Nater, an intelligence analyst in the division headquarters, considered leaving active duty until assistance from the retention team enabled her to accomplish 3rd Infantry Division 46 TF Marne Soldiers choose to stay Army Sgt. Johnathon Jobson TF Marne Public Affairs CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Speicher, Iraq – Task Force Marne commander, Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, and his senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews, re-enlisted 46 Soldiers from various units within the task force during a mass re-enlistment ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. All 46 Soldiers signed their new contracts while serving in Iraq, recognizing that even though they are putting their lives on the line each day, serving in the Army is still what they want to do. Specialist April Moreland, a supply specialist for Task Force Odin (Forward), was one of the re-enlistees who participated in the ceremony. “There is more I want to do in the Army; more goals I want to reach,” Spc. Moreland said. “My [re-enlistment] window opened, and it was the perfect opportunity.” Private First Class Brandon Potts, an infantry mortarman for Company A, 5th Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, had similar reasons for reenlisting and continuing to serve his country. “I feel that I still have a lot left in my career and there is more that I want to do for the Army,” explained Pfc. Potts. “I have always wanted to be in the infantry, this was a dream that I actually got to do.” In his remarks, Maj. Gen Cucolo reminded the Soldiers that the freedoms Americans enjoy are made possible by those who wear the uniforms of the U.S. Armed Services, and the jobs they do. 3rd ID completes re-up mission in less than 7 months Ar m yOneSource.com “It's Friday back home, there will be baseball games, high school proms, people ending their workweek and looking forward to their weekend routine,” said Maj. Gen. Cucolo. “All of that can take place in a peaceful and secure setting because of us, because of you, because of American volunteers; highly trained and skilled with arms and dedicated to defending a body of ideals known as the Constitution. “So when you recite that oath today, listen to those words and recommit to those words. Take pride in who you are, American Soldiers, because what you are doing in your life matters.” Following the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Cucolo and Command Sgt. Maj. Andrews took time to speak with each Soldier individually and get a photo as they were presenting them with a certificate. Having Maj. Gen. Cucolo admin- Sgt. Johnathon Jobson Major General Tony Cucolo, TF Marne commanding general, administers the Oath of Enlistment to 46 Soldiers during a mass re-enlistment ceremony, May 7. Command Sergeant Major Jesse Andrews, the task force command sergeant major, recites the oath along with the Soldiers. Thank You! Disabled American Veterans Chapter #46 would like to thank the Hinesville and Fort Stewart communities for their support during our very successful fundraiser on May 1st. ister the Oath of Enlistment at the ceremony was an honor for the troops. “The ceremony today was awesome. I think that it is great that the CG took time out to acknowledge everybody who decided to re-enlist over here,” expressed Spc. Moreland. “Most people don't do that. Either they are too busy or they say, ‘your unit can handle that.’ He said ‘let me free up this moment and help these Soldiers out.’” a personal dream. “Re-enlisting for a duty assignment in Italy allowed me to do something I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do on my own,” said Sgt. Nater. “People don’t understand what a benefit it is to be able to live in a different country for three years and have that kind of experience without worrying about what it costs or where to live.” Editor's note: The beginning of this article ran in the May 6 edition of The Frontline. However, the entire article was not run.
Rock of the Marne May 13, 2010 The Frontline 13A COB Speicher remembers fallen law enforcement officers Sgt. Jessica Rohr, Spc. Jessica Zullig 135th MPAD, 3rd ID Public Affairs CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - The 317th Military Police Battalion held a Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil at the North Morale, Welfare and Recreation center and a 6K run and walk on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, May 10. The events were held to honor law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom within United States Division- North, from 2003 to 2010. Approximately 30 servicemembers participated in the 6K run in the early hours of May 9, and more than 200 servicemembers and civilians attended the vigil held the following night. The candlelight vigil included all military branches and civilian law enforcement officers. The stage was set with a fallen Soldier display for each branch, along with their unit’s guidons. Pictures of the fallen law enforcement officers were displayed for all to see. Carrying on the time-honored tradition of honoring fallen police officers, retired U.S. Marshal, James Roberts, spoke about the importance of military police serving in Iraq. “With our departure, we leave a Spc. Michael Adams Task Force Marne Public Affairs Office CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – One thing Soldiers don’t have a lot of during their deployment is time. But for Spc. Shanna Antoine, of Houston, she hasn’t let that stop her from pursuing an education while she is stationed on Contingency Operating Base Speicher. As a cable systems installer/maintainer in the G-6 section for 3rd Infantry Division, she is one of many who are responsible for keeping the intricate communications network for northern Iraq up and running. Specialist Antoine’s duties while deployed have not stopped her from obtaining her goal of getting a degree. “I took time to think about what I wanted to become in the future,” she said. “So I decided I wanted to become a mortician.” The COB Speicher education center helped her with the goal and she eventually majored in Mortuary Science. “I study for 30 minutes to an hour every day,” she said, explaining how she gets herself to study. “I do nation that is implementing a democratic constitution much like ours. Our presence has made a difference,” said Roberts. “The names of the 69 law enforcement officers who died for the cause of freedom will always be associated with the freeing of the oppressed people of this nation.” As per tradition for military memorial ceremonies, a final roll call was given for the fallen law enforcement officers. A representative from each branch called out the 38 Army, eight Air Force, eight Navy, five Marine, and 10 civilian names of the fallen officers. As the names were called, a distant voice from the audience echoed back, “absent,” from a starkquiet room. “It is important for them to be remembered. They served for our country, and they died protecting us. They didn’t have to do what they did, but they did,” said Spc. Kristina P. Woods, a paralegal specialist for the 317th MP Bn., 49th Military Police Brigade. At the completion of the roll call, two Soldiers from the 545th Military Police Company, stationed at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, presented a wreath in honor of the fallen. The 545th MP Co., Fort Richardson, Ala., sustained the most recent loss in the USD-N area: three military police Soldiers were killed while on a convoy to Bayji, Iraq, Sept. 8, 2009. The ceremony concluded with a candlelight vigil. As the glow of the candles lit the somber faces of servicemembers and civilians, the fallen police officers were honored with a three-round volley, followed by the playing of “Taps.” “This is a time of nation-wide remembrance of those law enforce- find the balance to make sure I get my work done and my degree.” While sometimes it is hard to find the time, she has nothing but support from those she works with. “They’ve been very supportive,” said Spc. Antoine. “My platoon sergeant and section sergeant have been very supportive. To them education is the key. They want us to become more educated as time goes by. They support me 100 percent.” Specialist Antoine has also been very happy with the support she has received from the Army. The G.I. Bills covers all of her expenses except for books. Junior Soldiers are not the only ones who are taking advantage of the educational opportunities available for Soldiers. Sergeant Major Andrew McCaughey, of Cranston, R.I., works as the food service sergeant major for Task Force Marne and is also a member of the 3rd ID, G-4 section. He is about to obtain his master’s in business administration. “I wanted to make myself more marketable outside,” he said. “It’s great. It’s all writing; there are no tests or proctored exams.” Sergeant Major McCaughey added there are a num- Sgt. Jessica Rohr Command Sergeant Major Gregory Dorsey, a trooper with the Illinois State Police and the command sergeant major of 317th Military Police, 49th Military Brigade, out of Tampa, Fla., pays his respects to fallen law enforcement officers of USD-N during a candlelight vigil in the North MWR parking lot at COB Speicher, Iraq, May 10. The vigil was held in honor of fallen military police officers. ment personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” said Roberts. “For us, it is a time for reflection and re-commitment to our military and civilian values as servicemembers and peacekeepers…. We are here to remind ourselves why we carry out our duties as guardians for the security of our citizens, our communities, and our country.” Soldiers get education while deployed For more information, visit The Frontline online at www. stewart. army.mil ber of other schools out there that cater to Soldiers’ needs as they deploy and continue to work. He added the transition is relatively seamless between his daily duties of making sure the Soldiers of TF Marne get their meals and his class work. “The primary reason I chose to get my degree here is there aren’t a lot of distracters,” he said. “I work a lot of hours, but I don’t have to cut the grass, I don’t have to maintain a house, change the oil in my car. Everything’s done in your work day. When I’m done with work, I’m able to study.” Sergeant Major McCaughey has no plans to retire any time soon, but when he does he will know how important it is to have an education. “I recommend every Soldier here visit the education center and at least see what they have to offer,” he said. They can’t take that away from you. It’s not like going to Air Assault School or Ranger School. When you get out of the Army, that isn’t going to matter to civilian employers, but that degree will matter the rest of your life.” Information on educational and testing opportunities are available at www.goarmyed.com.
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