Warhorse Pride #108

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Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Issue 108 Aug. 30, 2012

A challenge of a lifetime Story and photos by Sgt. April York

D

2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., PAO

arkness glazed over the eyes of Spc. Justin Rios, a healthcare specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, as his body was drenched in sweat from head to toe, while he gave it his all to cross the finish line of the 4th Inf. Div. Expert Medical Field Badge, 12 mile road march at Fort Carson’s Founders Field, Aug. 24. “When I finally saw the big MWR balloon, I booked it and I ran as much as I could and then I blacked out about 400 feet away and I just kept running,” Rios said. “I didn’t even know if I made it.” Out of the 224 medical personnel to go through the testing, Rios was one of 14 who completed all the tests and earned the EFMB. The pass rate in 2011 for the EFMB was 17%, which makes the badge one of the most Spc. Justin Rios, healthcare specialist, HHC, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., marches his way toward the finish line during the final test for the 4th Inf. Div. Expert Medical Field Badge, Aug. 24. Out of 224 medical personnel, Rios was one of 14 participants to earn the badge.

Spc. Justin Rios, healthcare specialist, HHC, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., heads toward the finish line for the 12-mile foot march with three minutes and 37 seconds to spare at Fort Carson’s Founders Field Aug. 24. The foot march is the final evaluation for the 4th Inf. Div. Expert Medical Field Badge testing.

difficult and prestigious Army skill badges to earn. The EFMB is a special skill badge awarded for exceptional competence and outstanding performance by medical personnel. Rios, a native of San Diego, Calif., has been a medic for 2nd BCT for two years, and he was the only Soldier in 2nd BCT to make it through this year’s testing. “This is my first unit, and I’m glad I could do something this extreme for them,” he said. When Rios joined the Army, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. “My father told me to pick something I could come out of the Army with, so I figured medic would be a good choice.” said Rios. “My mother was always into medicine, and when I got into it I realized that helping people was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the one that people would depended on out on the battlefield.” Rios was able to make this happen when he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11-12. “I got to treat a lot of local nationals and use my skills as well as treat my fellow Soldiers,” he said. When we were out on mission and they were either injured or sick; it felt good to help them.”

Soon after Rios redeployed, he found out he was going to test for the EFMB. He was given about three weeks to prepare for the challenge. Rios said he had a lot of help from medics: Sgt. Melancthon Spencer, Sgt. Ryan Fifer and Sgt. James Fisher, all member of his platoon. Rios went on to say that they helped him from start to finish, and he couldn’t have made it without their support. “I honestly think I have the best platoon ever; nobody had the backing that I did,” he said. When the participants arrived to the testing site, they were split up into four platoons. Rios was a member of 3rd Platoon, and five of the 14 Soldiers that made it through the testing were from his platoon. Motivation was a big concern during the train-up and testing. “I woke up every morning and put on face paint. ‘Let’s show them that we are motivated; let’s show them our warface’, I’d tell my guys.” He said. The participants were tested on tactical combat casualty care, medical and casualty evacuation, communications, warrior skills, Continued on page 2


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Warhorse Pride

Issue 108 Aug. 30, 2012

‘Bison’ change of responsibility Challenge Continued from page 1

Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., PAO

Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Veneklasen, senior enlisted advisor, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., receives the colors from Master Sgt. Luis Sulit, commander of troops, during a change of responsibility ceremony Aug. 28. Veneklasen relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Vogl.

Troops with 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., render honors to the Nation at Founders Field during a change of responsibility ceremony Aug. 28. Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Veneklasen relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Vogl. Veneklasen is set to retire after more than 22 years of military service.

Warhorse Pride Col. Omar Jones IV........................2nd BCT Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSM Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOIC Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and Design Sgt. April York......................................Layout and Design

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

day and night land navigation, written test and a 12-mile foot march. Rios said the most challenging part of all the tests was the Combat Task Lane 1. “As a medic, CTL1 is how you do your job; it’s patient treatment,” said Rios. I was taught in a completely different way how to go about patient treatment.” He went on to explain that, “in order to pass you had to do it their way. ‘Pay attention to detail’ the graders would tell us.” Rios was confident in his skills and almost always volunteered to go first when he was out on the lanes. “I tried to remain focused as much as possible and not worry about how difficult some of the tasks were.” said Rios. After passing all the skills testing, the only thing left was the foot march. “I thought it was going to be easy,” Rios said. Fisher and Fifer went with him from start to finish. “When we got to mile 11, my guys were telling me I was a minute behind and they were telling me I have to run. I kept feeling like I was going to pass out, and we were running from light post to light post with a little bit of walking in-between. “My platoon had my back the whole way, and I could not let them down; I have never pushed my body that far,” Rios said. After he passed the finish line, members of his platoon helped him take off all his gear where he was afforded a well earned break. Rios was a “first time go”, which means he made it through all the skills training on his first attempt and that doesn’t happen often. “It was all worth it,” he said. “One of the biggest things for me was seeing my first sergeant and he said, ‘Way to represent the company.’ – I felt really happy. I felt like I had not only done something to make myself proud but to make my company proud as well.” $IIDLUV 2I¿FH 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: ruth.a.pagan2.mil@mail.mil


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FREE FINANCE APP FOR FAMILIES The McGraw-Hill Companies and Better Business Bureau launched a free mobile app designed to help America’s military families make better personal decisions to ensure their financial independence. The Military & Money App is the first financial educational app that provides service members and their spouses easyto-use and practical money management tips, including tools to reduce debt and maximize savings. The survey found “as many as one in three enlisted personnel reported using at least one method of non-bank borrowing [such as a predatory loan] in the past five years, compared with 24 percent of civilians.” Our Association has been actively raising this issue, making sure families are included in the solution. Key features of the app include training videos on budgeting and managing debt, calculators to track cash flow and build savings and debt reduction plans and a prompt that sends monthly savings reminders. The Military & Money App is available free on iTunes. Please check their website.

Family Readiness Group

Issue 108 Aug. 30, 2012

POST SHUTTLE MAP The circulating service picks up passengers within 15 minutes at any stop. Please note: there is no “schedule”. The Green Route operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week including holidays and training holidays. The Blue Route operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. work weekdays excluding holidays and training holidays. To view or print the latest shuttle map, visit http://carsportal.carson. army.mil/GAR/pao/web/Lists/Fort%20 Carson%20Communit SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK, LIVE! JR. (VARIOUS DATES) Fort Carson Community Theater presents School House Rock Live! Jr. at the Freedom Performing Arts Center! September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime is at 7 p.m. Tickets can be bought at Fort Carson Information Tickets and Registration office. Pre-sale ticket prices are $5 for those with valid identification (must be issued by Department of Defense), $7 general public without ID. Door price is $8 for those with valid identification (must be issued by Department of Defense), $10 general public without ID. Call 719-492-8949 or 719-355-9009

FRSA Information

3-16 FAR Dyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635 dyanne.m.beckman.civ@mail.mil

2-8 IN Ursual Pittman...........................................................526-0727 ursual.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil

2nd BCT Valarie Adams............................................................524-4797 valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil

1-67 AR Valerie Mansapit...........................................................524-1476 valerie.j.mansapit.civ@mail.mil

2 STB Spc. Morgan Madrick..............................................503-2602 morgan.a.madrick.mil@mail.mil

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

204th BSB Barbara Young...............................................................526-4172 barbara.a.young.civ@mail.mil

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Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers

Issue 107 Aug. 23, 2012


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