May 2012 Buffstrap by Old Guard

May 2012

VOL 2 Issue 4

May 2012

VOL 2 Issue 4

3d U.S. Infantry Regiment The Old Guard Magazine Regimental Commander: Col. David Anders Regimental Command Sgt. Maj.: Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Stitzel Public Affairs Officer: Maj. John Miller Public Affairs NCOIC: Sgt. 1st Class Adora Gonzalez Editor: Spc. Cameron Southhall Journalist: Sgt. Luisito Brooks Photographers: Sgt. Jose Torres Jr. Spc. Devin Kornaus

The Buff Strap is published by The Old Guard Public Affairs Office to provide information on the Soldiers and Families of The Old Guard. Views and opinions are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army.

Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks

Sgt. Jaymes Taylor, infantryman, says his lines during a Twilight Tattoo full dress rehearsal, Apr. 24, at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.

May 2012

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Features A Young Ranger Competes with the Best. Spc. Sheldon Benjamin, infantryman, was the youngest Soldier to compete in the 2012 David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition.

DFAC Under New Management. The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. dining facility is being operated by service members from The Old Guard.

Soldiers’ Got Talent.

Preparing for Twilight Tattoo.

Around the Regiment.

TOG Luau.

Chaplains Corner. Information from the regimental

3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Soldiers join team New Guard America to prepare for America’s Got Talent. Sgt. Jaymes Taylor, infantryman, gives insight on his preparation for the Twilight Tattoo season. A collage of photos from this month’s key events.

chaplain.

A collage of photos from the 2012 Luau.

On the cover Spc. Sheldon Benjamin, infantryman, Honor Guard Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), and Sgt. 1st Class David Garver, infantryman, Charlie Company, carry a 250 lbs simulated injured Soldier on a stretcher during the 2012 David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition, April 13-15, at Fort Benning, Ga. (Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks)

May

Contents

VOL 2 Issue 4

May 2012

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A Young

with the Best Story By Sgt. Luisito Brooks The Old Guard Public Affairs Office

Little did he know, six months after Spc. Sheldon Benjamin completed U.S. Army Ranger School, he would be the youngest to compete in the 2012 David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition, April 13-15, at Fort Benning, Ga. “I am just so proud to be here representing my unit,” said Benjamin, infantryman, Honor Guard Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). “I may be just 20 years old, but I have the will, training and the teammate to do well here.” In order to prepare himself for the grueling competition, Benjamin spent the last two months training with his teammate, Sgt. 1st Class David Garver. “We train as we fight, so our team, team 23, had to push ourselves to the level of the competition and further,” said Garver, infantryman, Charlie Company, 3d U.S. Inf. Reg. (The Old Guard). “Ben is a hard working Soldier that doesn’t know how to quit, and that is crucial for the success of any competitor here.” Team 23 was one of 50 two-man buddy-teams that participated in the 29th year of this renown contest. The Best Ranger Competition started, which started in 1982, was named after Lt. Gen. David 3

Competes

E. Grange, Jr., a previous Ranger Instructor, Ranger Department Director and Commanding General of Fort Benning, Ga. From start to finish, the competition placed extreme demands on teams’ physical, mental and technical abilities in order to recognize which is truly the best Ranger team. The 60-hour long event con-

sisted of firing weapons, marching more than 40-miles carrying 75lbs of equipment, land navigation exercises and other timed events. There wasn’t a specific event that gave Benjamin the most trouble, but an accumulation of all of the traveling. “The most challenging part of the competition was all the constant movement,” he said. “All of the foot marches and running was

Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks

Spc. Sheldon Benjamin, infantryman, Honor Guard Company, calls a simulated emergency report over the radio during the 2012 David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition, April 13-15, at Fort Benning, Ga.

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Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks

Spc. Sheldon Benjamin, infantryman, Honor Guard Company, prepares to slide down from a UH-60 Black Hawk during the 2012 David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition, April 13-15, at Fort Benning, Ga.

really starting to take its toll on my feet and my back, but I am young and my teammate would not let me stop because everything was timed.” He added that team 23’s strongest event was the night land navigation where they placed second overall. “It was very difficult running through the woods in pitch dark trying to find these point markers,” said Garver, recalling the events. “After we collect the points, we had to literally sprint the last few hundred meters in order to make good time.” By the end of day two, Benjamin noticed that the field of competitors was beginning to dwindle down from 50 to 34 teams. “Teams were dropping left and right, but I knew that we only had a

short time left before all the pressure would be over. It wasn’t easy competing against the other Rangers out there.” Ben explained. “All I thought about was how I needed to stay focused, constantly hydrate and feed my body.” The time came for the last event of the entire competition, the infamous final buddy-run. One team after another, teams crossed the finish line and raised their weapon in air to signify completion. “It was good to have the crowd cheering on our team as we crossed that finish line,” said Benjamin. “Even though we didn’t win the buddy run or the overall competition, I have memories and experiences that I will never forget.” Benjamin added that he plans on competing again sometime in the near future.

“I am thankful for a great partner that pushed me the entire way. I couldn’t give up, mainly because my teammate wouldn’t let me,” Benjamin said humorously. “I am a young guy, but I want to encourage my peers to go to Ranger School now because of how it opened doors for me to compete at this competition.” There were two teams representing The Old Guard. Team 22, Capt. Erik Edstrom and Staff Sgt. Sean McApline finished in 8th place and earned the Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe Trophy, an award presented annually to the Road March Winners at the Best Ranger Competition and Team 23, Sgt. 1st Class David Garver and Spc. Sheldon Benjamin finished in 28th place.

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DFAC Under New Management

Pfc. Brett Hyde, Tomb Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, expressed a slight shock as he was going through the line and saw Soldiers preparing and serving the meals. “I was a little surprised to see For the first time in more than 35 Soldiers making the food when I years, the Joint Base Myer-Henderwalked in,” said Brett. “I talked son Hall, Va. dining facility is bewith one of the cooks as he was ing operated by service members. making some food about being a Food service specialists from The tomb guard. Not only was the food Old Guard’s 529th Regimental good, but we may have a potential Support Company relocated tomb guard candidate in the from Fort Leslie J. McNair works.” last summer and have been Soto encourages comeager to get back to work; munication between the on 1 April, they finally got customers and his Soldiers the opportunity. and hopes it will help ease “I am just so excited to the transition from the old be working to serve each management. Most imporand every person that walks tantly, Soto hopes the expethrough that door,” said rience of eating in a DFAC Spc. Kenyuan Knox, 529th fully operated by Soldiers RSC food service specialist, will leave many with a difpointing in the direction of ferent outlook on military the DFAC’s main entrance. food services. Knox, who’s been a food “I saw some smiles out Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks Spc. Jeremy Zavala, 529th Regimental Support Company food service there because they were service specialist for four specialist, serves Pfc. Hyde Brett, Tomb Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, years, says that he most a hot breakfast to-go plate, April 1, at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. happy to see us. We want enjoys his job for what the dining facility. everyone to want to eat relationship between Solhere and be excited about diers and cooks represent. industry before I joined the Army, seeing Soldiers preparing their “We are Soldiers serving Solbut the job is more rewarding and meals,” said Soto, senior food diers, and serving them is a large honorable for me now because operations specialist “From the responsibility that I am happy almost all the folks that we cater president to a private, they will get about,” said Knox. “We wear the to are military,” said Cannor. “I the best quality food and service same uniform just like them, and have never been able to relate to a from us. I have some talented guys when they see us, they can relate to customer the way I have now.” in the back, and we are putting in us.” The experience is not only rethe work to make this place the Knox added he has experienced warding for the cooks, but is also best we can.” firsthand how important this link is rewarding for the service members for the morale of a unit. that eat there. Story By Sgt. Luisito Brooks The Old Guard Public Affairs Office

“I have seen how the meals we prepared send the morale of a platoon sky high when I was in Iraq,” said Knox. “There is something genuine when we are serving food to hungry troops that I can’t explain. It feels great.” Food service specialist Pfc. Jason Cannor, who has been in the Army for just a few months, is just as excited about the opportunity to do his job. “I liked working in the food

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Soldiers’ Got Talent Story By Sgt. Luisito Brooks The Old Guard Public Affairs Office

When he was asked to join a drill team to compete on one of America’s top talent shows, there was no question that he was ready and willing. “I was really excited about the chance to go on America’s Got Talent (AGT) this year and show what we got. I am always looking for opportunities to compete in drill because this is something I love,” said Spc. Andres Ryan, who has been drilling for the last eight years. “I have seen AGT on TV and I hope with our team, we can make it really far in the competition.” The team New Guard America is led by Constantine Wilson, the founder of the team and a professional drill instructor, and is made up of drillers who have traveled from around the country with the one goal of competing in the show. “Our team is so unique. We have everything from a high school student to Soldiers in the Army,” said Ryan, a U.S. Army Drill Team (USADT) soloist, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). “As a matter of fact, after I joined this team, I dragged one of my friends Humphrey also.” Spc. Shane Humphrey, Alpha Company, 3d U.S. Inf. Reg. (The Old Guard), who has been drilling for the last six years, is excited about going on television, but the

most challenging thing for him will be standing just a few feet from Howie, Sharon and Howard. “Howard Stern seems like he will give us the most trouble out of all of the judges,” he said. “I hope I am wrong though.” He added that they hope to do great under the pressure and represent the team, community and his unit. Ryan said how proud his family is of him for Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks not only serving in the Spc. Shane Humphrey, Alpha Company, conducts a full-dress rehearsal with other members of team New Guard America, April 28, 2012, on military, but also for pursing a passion he has Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. loved since high school. warming up for any event.” “My wife, friends and family are Many hours are spent training very proud of what we are doing,” physically, mentally and emotionhe said. “I am glad because we are ally for this competition, but for going to need all the support we Ryan, it’s never a chore. can get to make it far in this com“Drilling isn’t just something I petition,” said jokingly. like to do, but it is something that The team, along with thousands I love to do,” said Ryan, while of other acts competing to win preparing for a full dress rehearsal. AGT, will have about a minute to “I have performed at many events impress the judges, so the imporaround the world with the USADT, tance of warming up and rehearsand when you are doing something ing almost goes without saying. you love all the time, it makes life Just to get ready for a rehearsal, great.” Ryan would toss a rifle twirling He added that he wants everyone four feet above his head before to watch and support Soldiers from catching it in his outstretched hands The Old Guard compete on team repeatedly. New Guard America this season of “This is how I like to warm AGT. up sometimes,” said Ryan, while adjusting his grip on the black rifle. “Every driller has their way of 6

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Preparing for

Twilight Tattoo

attend this year. No matter how many people come to the shows, Taylor said he is confident and ready in any situation. “I just know how to act in front of large crowds,” said Taylor. “That was a big reason why I was chosen.” Soldiers that were selected for speaking roles had to rehearse with a speech coach to fine-tune their lines. “During each lesson we were critiqued on how to improve our performance and how to really connect to the audience,” he explained. “Last year I was a Vietnam era Soldier actor with no speaking roles or anything, but this year I am playing a modern Soldier. It took me a week of constant Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks Pfc. An Huynh (left), and Pfc. Christopher Welsh (right) infantrymen, Alpha Company, help each other make minor practicing with the coach adjustments to their green army fatigues, April 24, at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. to get my lines just right.” Even though there are actors like Pfc. Christo“We always practice many hours pher Welsh, who didn’t have a Story By speaking role, everyone has to wear to get things perfect. Every person Sgt. Luisito Brooks uniforms that look the part. in the show must be synced toThe Old Guard “I have spent a lot of time after gether without a hitch,” said Taylor, Public Affairs Office rehearsal getting these old army infantryman, Alpha Company, 4th uniforms ready,” said Welsh, A Co., Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regi4th Bn., 3d U.S. Inf. Reg. (The Old ment (The Old Guard). “This year I The Twilight Tattoo season is am getting ready a little differently Guard) while steaming the green underway, and that means hours fatigue top. “The only difficult part than I have in previous seasons. preparing and practicing for more This is the first year that I will have of the uniform is the time I spend than 160 Old Guard Soldiers. polishing those jungle boots, but a speaking role.” For one of those Soldiers Sgt. when I put the uniform on, I have Twilight Tattoo is an hour-long Jaymes Taylor understands the to admit that they are really compageantry that showcases the long dedication that goes into every history of the U.S. Army. The show fortable and light.” show because he has participated He added when he is in character in Twilight Tattoo for the past three is free to the public and thousands is gives him a sense of what it was of spectators that are estimated to years. 7

May 2012 like in those days. “I don’t have a speaking role, but my character’s job during the event is to walk in the back of our combat patrol and provide rear security for the team,” said Welch. “I really put myself in the mindset that I am a Soldier from this time in our history.” One part that all Soldiers must be prepared for are the questions from the many spectators after the shows. “We are hoping to see

lots of fans come and ask about our weapons and uniforms because we are trained to answer their questions,” said Taylor. “My favorite part is when we answer questions from all kids be-

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cause they are just so excited to see us.” It is no easy task to conduct a show with more than 200 years of Army history in an hour, but Taylor said that this unit does a world class job at it. “I think people should see it because it is a great learning experience not only for the children, but for the adults as well,” said Taylor. “It is nice history lesson for anyone to watch, enjoy and appreciate. It is a great family event, and the preparation that we all put in will definitely show during our performances.” The show will be held every Wednesdays on Summerall Field from April 25 to June 27 and on Whipple Field from July 11 to August 29 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Pfc. Christopher Welsh, infantryman, Alpha Company, during a Twilight Tattoo full dress rehearsal, Apr. 24, at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. (Photos by Sgt. Luisito Brooks)

Pfc. Christopher Welsh, infantryman, Alpha Company, steams out to the wrinkles on his green army fatigues in his room, April 23, on Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall, Va.

Sgt. Jaymes Taylor, infantryman, Alpha Company, practices his lines prior to the start of a Twilight Tattoo rehearsal, April, 24, at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.

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Photo by Spc. Devin Kornaus

Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks

Sgt. Cory Williams, Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), places a rose on one Capt. Erik Edstrom and Staff Sgt. Sean McAlpine earned the 2012 of the crypts at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his last walk, Apr. 27, in Arlington National Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe Trophy, an award presented annually to the Road March Winners at the Best Ranger Competition. Cemetery, Va. Williams has been a Tomb Setinel from November 2009 to April 2012.

The U.S. Army Drill Team performs during a taping of the 100th episode of Army Wives in Charleston, S.C., May 8, 2012.

Photo by Spc. Devin Kornaus

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Photo by Spc. Devin Kornaus

1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), honors Command Sgt. Maj. James Bodecker as he assumes duty as 1st Battalionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sergeant Major duing a Change of Responsibility Ceremony on Summerall Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., May 11, 2012.

Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.

Soldiers of Charlie Company, participate in a best squad competition at Fort A. P. Hill, Va., May 9, 2012.

Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Fife and Drum Corps, participates in the Oak Hill Elementary School Colonial Day event at Oak Hill Elementary School, Oak Hill, Va. May 3, 2012.

Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), honors Soldiers from across the Army in a Department of the Army Retirement Ceremony on Summerall Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., May 17, 2012.

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On May 11, 2012, The Old Guard celebrated a Hawaiian-style Luau at Conmy Hall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Activities during the evening included a hula and fire dancing demonstration, hula hoop and limbo contests, and lots of food, dancing, and socializing among family, friends, and members of the Old Guard. Additionally, thousands of dollars worth of raffle prizes were awarded throughout the event culminating with the grand prize - two tickets for a four-day cruise to the Bahamas.

Photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks

May 2012

Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.

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Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.

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Families and Soldiers, Mark your calendars to attend one of our Strong Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Retreats this summer. Every event we run will be at a fun location, paid for by the Army, and provide you with some helpful relationship tools for your kit bag. To learn how to register, contact one of the Chaplains or Assistants. All Old Guard Single Parents > Family Retreat for Single Parents 1-3 JUN (childcare provided) Location: Williamsburg, VA 1/3 IN Soldiers and Families > Marriage Retreat with childcare 24-26 AUG Tentative location: Virginia Beach > Single Soldier Retreat 7-9 SEP Tentative location: Williamsburg, VA 4/3 IN Soldiers and Families > Family Retreat 22-24 JUN Tentative Location: Hershey, PA > Single Soldier Retreat 28-30 SEP Tentative Location: W. Maryland Mountains Our Mission

> Provide comprehensive religious support to the, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment during all phases of the regimentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission to ensure the free exercise of religion. > Provide Moral leadership to the regiment to assist the regiment in developing and sustaining tactically and technically proficient soldiers and leaders. > On order, provide religious support to the regiment during contingency operations as required.

CH (MAJ) Jason Nobles Regimental Chaplain jason.k.nobles.mil@mail.mil Work: 703-696-4850 Cell (P): 912-271-6682 CH (CPT) Mark Worrell 1/3 Battalion Chaplain mark.worrell@us.army.mil Work: 703-696-8130 Cell (P): 571-271-5191 CH (CPT) Brandon Denning 4/3 Battalion Chaplain frederick.b.denning@us.army.mil Work: 703-696-3579 Cell (P): 703-969-1333 SGT Grant Dame Chaplain Assistant NCOIC grant.dame@us.army.mil Work: 703-696-3128 Cell (P): 719-659-4088 SGT Steven Drefke 1/3 Chaplain Assistant steven.drefke@us.army.mil Work: 703-696-3019 Cell (P): 706-575-1607

Illustration by Sgt. Christine Baldwin

Illustration by Spc. Klinton Smith