Thunder Times A Bi-Monthly Chronicle of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Volume 1 Issue 17 October 15, 2018
THIS ISSUE From the Top Current News
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Frontline Frames
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Play It Safe
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Chappy’s Chat
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From the Front
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Meet Your Team
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Parting Shot
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155th ABCT FAMILY READINESS 24 HOUR HOTLINE 601-313-0155
FROM THE TOP We have now completed our first 90 days in theater and we are beginning steady state operations. It is at this point during the roLt. Col. Jason Nelson tation when Deputy Commander, complacency 155th ABCT sets in, leading to an increase in accidents. It is the duty of every leader to ensure we are staying vigilant to safety and avoid the complacency pitfall. The brigade is planning a mission change for battalions over the next 60 days in an effort to offer Soldiers some diversity and opportunities that they may not have otherwise had. This
effort is tied to keeping things fresh for Soldiers to assist them in staying vigilant and combating complacency. These changes can be welcome, and in some cases exciting, however, they also offer opportunities for accidents. Everyone needs to be fully engaged during these transitions in order to gain the greatest understanding of the mission and not let anything fall through the cracks. Soon we will begin our redeployment planning and begin our preparations for our return home. Do not forget the reason we are here and the focus required to make sure that everyone comes home safely. Stay vigilant, stay safe. Dixie Thunder! Lt. Col. Nelson
CURRENT NEWS “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”
~ Theodore Roosevelt
U.S. Marines and Soldiers stand in formation during an opening ceremony of the new Joint Training Center in Jordan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Williams)
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FRONTLINE FRAMES
Vehicles from 2-137 IN conduct tactical movements during Iron Union 8 near Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Stephan Morgan)
A Soldier assigned to HB/2-114 FA, conductsd network service validation on a TSC-185 Satellite Transportable Terminal at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Jovi Prevot)
Cpl. Sean Montanio assigned to HC/1-18 CAV, conducts Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services on vehicles in the motorpool. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Williams)
A Soldier with A/1-18th CAV qualifies on the M320 grenade launcher; engaging targets in day, night, and CBRN conditions (Photo by 2nd Lt. John X. Scippa)
S A F E T Y
TACTICAL SAFETY • ALWAYS USE A HANDLE WHEN STEPPING OFF A VEHICLE. • ALWAYS KEEP THREE POINTS OF CONTACT WHEN ON A VEHICLE. • YOUR EQUIPMENT CAN THROW OFF YOUR BALANCE WHEN EXITING. • ALWAYS CHECK FOR UNEVEN GROUND SURFACES BEFORE DISMOUNTING.
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CHAPPY’S CHAT Some of the more meaningful things that I appreciate about serving in the Army are the time-honored traditions we still maintain to this day. One such tradition for the Cavalry is the Spur Ride, where Soldiers take on an intense three-day challenge to earn the silver spurs. Sol1st Lt. Frank Porter diers push the limits of their Chaplain, 1-98 CAV technical and tactical expertise during long days and harsh training conditions. Recently our Squadron held a Spur Ride and I was able to observe some of our Soldiers as they started the first challenge event, the obstacle course. One by one each soldier began to knock out the different stages of the course, and then I got to witness a remarkable thing. As each soldier completed the course, they went back to others still on the course and began to give words of encouragement. It was memorable and moving to see Soldiers take care of each other and fortify their resolve to see this all the way to com-
pletion. As Soldiers we need each other, not just to excel but to thrive. This is also true of our families and loved ones back home. You need each other to help not just endure or survive this deployment, but to excel and thrive. The writer of Hebrews provides some great guidance for us, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV). Hebrews’ author might have had some Cavalry blood in him since he tells us to “spur one another on”. May Almighty God continue His hand of favor upon all of our 155 ABCT Soldiers, families, and loved ones. Blessings and peace. Southern Steel! CH (1LT) Frank Porter
Rock The Vote Story by Spc. Jovi M. Prevot
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann traveled with Maj. Gen. Jansen Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi, to visit Mississippi troops, October 7-11, 2018. In addition to checking on their wellbeing, Hosemann focused on ensuring Soldiers were informed on the proSecretary of State cess to vote while deployed. Hosemann addresses “Historically, for some troops at Camp Patriot reason, Soldiers have not voted and we want them to vote,” said Secretary Hosemann. “Just because you are out of the country doesn’t mean you are out of our state.” A Soldier’s right to vote was important enough for to the Secretary to travel 7000 miles. “I talked to [Maj.] Gen. Boyles and I said, ‘I want to go over there, we want to outline how easy it is to do’,” he said. The right to vote is an important right for Americans“There really is hardly anyone who deserves to vote more than the 3,000 Mississippians that are here defending our country,” said Secretary Hosemann.
“So, we want to bring the vote to them.” Some Soldiers echoed his passion for voting. “Voting is considered a privilege because it’s the first step in making a change in government,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Tyler Hutcheson, a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer assigned to Company C, 150th Engineer Battalion, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard. “When we vote, our voices are heard. We vote the candidate whom best fits our opinion and someone that we think will improve and represent our state and country well,” he said. In Mississippi, it’s never been easier to have your voice heard.
Hosemann speaking to troops at Camp Buehring
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Meet Your Team Hello! I am Maj. Susan Horvath, your Brigade Surgeon/ Medical Officer. I have had the pleasure of serving in this my entire career with stints in the 106 SPT and 1-98 CAV. My job here would be impossible without my amazing team of providers and medics. At the brigade level, I have the pleasure of working with Sgt. 1st Class KaMaj. Susan Horvath sey Herndon and Capt. Justin 155 ABCT Surgeon/MEDO Sykes. Together, we make up your brigade surgron team. The role of our team is multi-faceted. We work with personnel throughout the brigade to ensure you have the medical resources and care you need to be successful. This can includes developing policies, procedures, and protocols for medical and dental treatment, ensuring proper inventory and ordering of supplies, developing and delivering training to keep Soldiers knowledgeable on the most up to date tactics, techniques, procedures, and best
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PARTING SHOT
practices. Much of this training can be used at the individual Soldier level so it is imperative that we make the most of our training schedule and time that we have now to make sure Soldiers are ready to implement potentially life-saving care for their battle buddy, or themselves, should the situation call for it. I know at times the medical training can seem monotonous or boring. But there is a reason we put a heavy emphasis on Soldier proficiency with medical tasks. Everything we learn here can be taken home and applied in a civilian setting. That tourniquet fulfills the same purpose for a gun shot wound as it would for a car wreck. After nearly two decades in the military and medical profession, I can tell that these skills transcend combat and even the military. The next time you may have to use them could be a co-worker or a loved one back home. It is an honor and privilege to serve alongside you “that others may live.� Thank you. Maj. Horvath
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PUBLISHED BY THE 155TH ABCT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE PAO - 1st Lt. Terry Hill II PAO NCOIC - Staff Sgt. Michael Williams 155 ABCT Command Sgt. Maj. John Beasley presents a Brigade challenge coin to a Royal Saudi Land Forces Soldier at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Jovi Prevot)
PA SPECIALIST - Spc. Jovi Prevot
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