Thunder Times A Bi-Monthly Chronicle of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Volume 1
THIS ISSUE From the Top Current News
Pg. 1
Pg. 1
Frontline Frames
Pg. 2
Play It Safe
Pg. 2
Chappy’s Chat
Pg. 3
Bright Star 18
Pg. 3
Meet Your Team
Pg. 4
Mail Call
Pg. 4
155th ABCT FAMILY READINESS 24 HOUR HOTLINE 601-313-0155
Issue 14 September 1, 2018
FROM THE TOP “Recently, Secretary of Defense James Mattis sent a message to the force entitled “Discipline and Lethality.” This message came across my desk as I was reflecting on Lt. Col. Carlin Williams the many Soldiers Commander, 2-137 IN throughout the formation who put this uniform on full time about six months ago. Up to that point, despite our rigorous schedule in the Brigade over the years, we spent more time outside the uniform than in. This goes for our loved ones back home as well. They are now full time Army spouses, Army parents, and Army kids. Everyone should be proud of the transition and the challenges we’ve all overcome in the process. There was a paragraph from the message that really struck a chord with me. I think it speaks to what Soldiers should expect from their Leaders and what Leaders must do at all levels.
“Enforcing standards is a critical component of making our force more lethal. Our leaders must uphold proven standards. They should know the difference between a mistake and a lack of discipline. If a subordinate makes a mistake, leaders should learn to coach them better. But we must not tolerate or ignore lapses in discipline, for our enemies will benefit if we do not correct and appropriately punish substandard conduct. Time, inconvenience, or administrative burdens are no excuse for allowing substandard conduct to persist.” As we move forward in the months to come, we should follow his guidance as leaders that enforce the standard. As Soldiers, we should demand that our leaders maintain discipline as we maintain discipline ourselves. We must accept mistakes, learn and grow from them, and move on better for them. As I tell my Battalion, we are family and family is not perfect. We fail, grow, and succeed together as a Family.” Volunteer 6
CURRENT NEWS
Troopers from 1st Squadron, 98th Cavalry Regiment participate in day one of a Cavalry Spur Ride here at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Williams)
1
FRONTLINE FRAMES
Sgt. Mathew Ross checks credentials at an entry control point at Camp Patriot, Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Jovi Prevot)
Sgt. Donald Montgomery conducts squad situational training exercise rehearsals at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Sgt. Brittany Johnson)
S A F E T Y
Soldiers conduct night fire exercises to meet the Army’s intent of being “ready to fight tonight.” (Photo by 1st Lt. Manny Soriano)
Soldiers with 1-155 IN conduct mortar live fire training near Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Jovi Prevot)
What is complacency? •
COMPLACENCY OCCURS WHEN YOU’VE BEEN DOING SOMETHING ONE WAY FOR SO LONG WITHOUT INCIDENT THAT YOU ASSUME THERE CAN NEVER BE AN INCIDENT.
•
A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY DOES NOT GO WELL IN ANY INDUSTRY, BUT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN THE MILITARY WHERE THINGS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING.
•
THE ONLY FIX IS CONSTANT VIGILANCE. NOTHING BEATS COMPLACENCY LIKE REGULAR REMINDERS. MORNING MEETINGS ARE EFFECTIVE IN THIS WAY; THEY ALLOW YOU TO BRING SAFETY AWARENESS TO THE FOREFRONT OF EVERYBODY’S MINDS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING EACH AND EVERY DAY.
2
CHAPPY’S CHAT Soldiers are very familiar with shooting on a rifle range. Targets at varying distances pop up and, when hit, fall down. Closer targets are more easily hit, while distant targets require more concentration and precise aiming in order to get accurate hits. 1st Lt. Scott Edwards This disciplined shooting Chaplain, 2-114 FA improves lethality on the battlefield. As you march through the battlefield of life, you will encounter targets popping up that are choices you must make, many of which have moral implications. Just like your goal on the rifle range is to score as many hits as possible, your score on the range of life will often be determined by how you made choices that were consistent with your core values. Some targets you encounter are “close” to you and easy to hit. When faced with choices to lie, cheat, or steal, do you instead act with integrity, truthfulness,
and honor? Do you show up to work in the right time, place, and uniform? Even though these targets are close, you can still miss them if you are not careful! Other targets are “distant” and require more concentration in order to make a good shot. Are you a good leader? Are you faithful with your money, time, and relationships? Do you always keep your promises? It is very easy to miss distant targets because they require more determination, but success in life means that you need to wholeheartedly focus and hit these important targets. None of us are perfect, and we all miss targets in life sometimes. Spiritually, Jesus tells us “if you want to be perfect…come, follow me” (Matt. 19:21). I pray that you will allow God to lead you through life and to help you hit the close and distant targets! Steel Rain! Ch. Edwards
Bright Star 18 Story by Spc. Jovi Prevot The 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team is loading their vehicles on a cargo ship, but they are not going home, they are preparing for Bright Star 2018. Bright Star 2018 (BS18) is a multilateral U.S. Central Command training exercise, held with the Arab Republic of Egypt in Egypt. One facet of the exercise’s planning, transportation to and from the exercise, is an abundant task. “The time frame dictates how much planning we go through,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan B. Brittingham a mobility officer assigned to the 840th Transportation Battalion, 595th Transportation Brigade. “We usually like to plan 45-60 days out from the actual movement date,” he said. The lengthiness of planning helps the mission go smoother. “[We plan like this so] when we are going back and forth with the customer on what [the] cargo is and where it is going, we can clear out any mistakes or errors that could hinder the transportation process”, said Brittingham. With a large scale event like BS18, planning needs evolve as the event approaches “You’ve got to know what you need to do for the unit to be able to operate and to accomplish the mission on the exercise,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Lee D. Stringer, a transportation management coordinator assigned to Headquarters Company, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. “Something like that will continue to change all the way until time to get on the vessel,” he said.
All the planning for Bright Star 18 not only provides a smooth transition, it also has other benefits. “An exercise like this helps you use your skill sets across the brigade, it also helps us get ready and stay ready for an actual real world deployment,” said Stringer. “Any time you use your equipment, you use your people, you use difference systems, [you] always keep your readiness available.” The 155th didn’t load the barge alone, it also took the help of a reserve unit out of Maryland, the 1398th Transportation Battalion. “We are loading for Bright Star,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark J. Langley, a cargo specialist assigned to 1398th Transportation Battalion, 595th Transportation Brigade. “Right now we are using contractors to load for us, we are supervising their operations, ensuring they latch it down properly, they’re handling the vehicles properly, they have no accidents or any issues” With Bright Star 2018 on the horizon, Active, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers have been working together to ensure a smooth road to Egypt.
3
MEET YOUR TEAM I serve as the OIC of the S4 section or the logistics planning section for the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. Our team works with the brigade’s operational planners to build logistics estimates and plans that provide for the basic needs of Soldiers in the 155th. While Soldiers basic needs are important they are secondary to plans that allow the 155th to increase its operational ability by providing operational reach. Maj. Brad Hollingsworth Operational reach is the maximum time S-4, 155th ABCT and distance a unit can gain before reaching the culmination point or point where the unit cannot continue to advance. To do this we try to find creative ways to conserve vital resources so they are available when needed. The previous year provided an excellent opportunity to fine tune these skills. The S4 section and the support team of the 155th accomplished some amazing results during this time. We moved the 155th and several other support units to Fort Bliss and then on to their next destination. The brigade’s equipment arrived on ten trains that were offloaded in record time by mem-
Check us out online!
@155ABCT
bers of the entire brigade formation. We moved cargo overseas using two ships and 12 aircraft. All of this transportation did not happen without a tremendous effort by the 155th transportation section and the property book team. The S4 shop is made up of 16 professional Soldiers that care about their job and work hard to ensure success. We look forward to planning the return movements in a few short months. This is my third deployment with the 155th Brigade. When I heard the 155th was slated to deploy, I made sure my name was on the list. I was working a very laid back position in another unit but thinking everyday about the 155th. The 155th is not your average unit and can’t function with average Soldiers. The 155th requires the best Soldiers available. The mission of an armored brigade requires Soldiers who are willing to place service before self and go the extra mile for their fellow Soldier, their unit, and their country. It is these Soldiers that make the 155th one of the top performers in the Army and make my job easy and my work pleasurable.
Maj. Hollingsworth
Check out our Homepage
Parting Shot
Soldiers with 2-114 FA prepare for night operations. (Photo by Spc. William Polly)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OUR APP! APP STORE & GOOGLE PLAY PUBLISHED BY THE 155TH ABCT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE PAO - 1st Lt. Terry Hill II PAO NCOIC - Staff Sgt. Michael Williams PA SPECIALIST - Sgt. Brittany Johnson PA SPECIALIST - SPC. Jovi Prevot
4