Issue 111 Sept. 20, 2012
Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
‘Warhorse’ Soldiers volunteer to help prevent DUIs Story by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd BCT, PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
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runk driving is taking a hit at Fort Carson and surrounding areas thanks to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Soldiers volunteering for a Colorado Springs designated drivers program. The four-year old program allows Soldiers to go out, have a good time and not worry about getting themselves or their vehicles home safely, after a night of drinking. “It’s great for Soldiers and it’s a great experience helping people out,” said Spc. Miguel Vasquez, volunteer driver and track vehicle repairer, Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. “You feel good helping people out and people show a lot of gratitude.” Operating on Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., the program sends two volunteer drivers to a sponsored location to pick up an intoxicated individual’s vehicle and any passengers who came with him or her and bring them to their final destination. “It’s Soldiers helping Soldiers,” said Spc. David Sharp, two-year volunteer driver and motor transport operator, Company A, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT. “Eighty to 90 percent of the volunteers are Soldiers.” “I love to help Soldiers and I have seen what a DUI can do to a Soldier and his Family,” said Sharp. “I try to do my part to prevent (DUIs) from happening.” Additionally, volunteering for the program allows Soldiers to work towards their Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
“The time spent volunteering goes toward your volunteer ribbon and promotion points.” said Vasquez. The program is open to all residents of the of the Front Range community and has provided more than 13,000 safe rides. Since the program’s inception, more than 700 designated drivers have been military personnel. “It’s a great resource for Soldiers,” said 1st Lt. Brian Garcia, who has called the hotline for the ride and is the assistant fire support officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion. “It helps prevent DUIs and keeps Soldiers safe, able to deploy and accomplish the mission.”
‘Lonestars’ become CLS qualified Spc. Nicholas Staccone, multichannel systems operator with Co. B, 2nd STB, carries a “wounded” Soldier during the practical scenario to certify as a combat life savers Sept. 6. Staccone is performing the fireman carry just one of the proper types of carring procedures.
Story and photo by 1st Lt. Calvin Johnson
common combat related injuries and how to treat those welve Soldiers with injuries,” said Spc. Vaughan, a Company B, 2nd Special student in the course. Troops Battalion, 2nd The scenario had the Brigade Combat Team, 4th students start out on a foot Infantry Division, conducted patrol, in a modified wedge combat lifesaver certification formation, students were training Sept. 4-6. then attacked and instructors The first two days consisted of designated certain Soldiers to classroom training while the third have combat related injuries. day allowed students to use their Students then had to work classroom training in a realistic together to properly treat combat scenario. During the the casualty, call a nine line scenario, Soldiers had to react to MEDEVAC and then move contact, assess casualties, perform the casualty using one of the buddy carries and perform a nine methods learned in class. line medical evacuation. All 12 Soldiers were “The CLS training helped evaluated and received their us better understand the most CLS certification.
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2nd STB, 4th Inf. Div.
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Warhorse Pride
Soldiers from Co. C, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Reg., put on their M40 Pro. Masks as fast as they can while an alarm sounds during warrior skills training Sept. 18. The Soldiers have nine seconds to put on their masks and avoid any possible chemical contamination that might be in the air.
Issue 111 Sept. 20, 2012
‘Bison’ volunteers
‘Death Dealers’ train on warrior tasks, drills Story and photo by Sgt. April York 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
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oldiers from 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted skill level 1 warrior tasks training at Training Area Bravo, Sept. 11-19. The training is set up in six different lanes covering over 40 different tasks, said Sgt. 1st Class Travis Palin, noncommissioned officer in charge of the training, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg. The training covered tasks such as first aid, react to contact, react under indirect fire, hand and arm signals, weapons assembly for M4 and M9, land navigation, improvised explosive device detection, how to search suspects, media training and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection. Palin said each squad would take about an hour to an hour and a half to get through each lane. On days when it was raining, the training would take longer because Soldiers had to walk through the mud to get from station to station and at some of the stations they had to low-crawl through the mud. “Overall the training is going real well,” Palin said. “We had some rough patches when we first started out, but that is to be expected. “Everybody has to know their skill level 1
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
tasks and it’s important to get the kinks out so Soldiers who can’t remember from basic training get a refresher.” The training was set up for all Soldiers from private to staff sergeant to move through the lanes. “It was a good refresher,” said Spc. Travis Connelly, armor crewman, Company C, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg. “There was a lot of things the new guys didn’t know on the medical lanes and they need to know those life saving techniques so it helped out a lot.” “This training is useful and you never know when you are going to have to use it,” said Connelly. “Some things you never think will happen actually do happen, and you need the knowledge to overcome that situation.” A noncommissioned officer, who is proficient in that particular skill set, oversees each task. “The Soldiers are learning and they are absorbing a lot of information all at once and they are doing a good job,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Pine, noncommissioned officer in charge of the react to contact lane, infantryman, Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg. “Everything we are training on out here is used during deployment so I hope the joes (Soldiers) take away as much of the knowledge as they can.” 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 newsletter 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
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagan
Zander Santin, a fourth grader at Aragon Elementary School reads a book to 1st Lt. Karl Jahrsdoerfer, chemical officer, HHT, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., during the accelerated reading program held at the school Sept. 18. Soldiers volunteered at the quartly event to help students sign in, monitor testing and read with students. The event is held after school hours and allows students to receive awards for reading books.
Change of responsibility Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn Alvarado, outgoing senior enlisted leader, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., hands a saber to Lt. Col. Desmond Baily during a change of responsibility on Founders Field Sept. 18. The incoming Command Sgt. Maj. is Isaac Ragusa III.
Affairs Office. 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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School House Rock Live Jr. Freedom Performing Arts Center 7:00 pm
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Family Readiness Group
Led Zepplin: A Rock Syphoney at the Pikes Peak Center 8:00 p.m.
Art Walk in Manitou Springs 12:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
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Bone Appetit Gala & Dessert Auction at the Craftwood Inn 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. $95 per person
Garden of the Gods PowWow at Rock Ledge Ranch 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. $8 for adults $4 for kids
Rocky Mounatin Haunt Fest Palmer Park Ave 7:00 p.m.
Picnic in the park with KCME at Acacia Park 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Bilingual story time 4:00 pm Sand Creek Library Branch, Colorado Springs, CO
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Issue 111 Sept. 20, 2012
Free Children’s Activities at Karibu African Inports 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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FRSA Information
3-16 FAR Dyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635 dyanne.m.beckman.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
1-10 CAV Francy Avizu...............................................................526-1946 francy.avizu.civ@mail.mil
204th BSB Barbara Young...............................................................526-4172 barbara.a.young.civ@mail.mil
Farmer’s Market at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Colorado Springs City Tour at the Mining Exchange Hotel 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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2-8 IN Ursual Pittman...........................................................526-0727 ursual.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil 2 STB Spc. Morgan Madrick..............................................503-2602 morgan.a.madrick.mil@mail.mil Find us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/2bct4id
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Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers
Issue 111 Sept. 20, 2012
BOSS UPCOMING EVENTS
~22 SEPTEMBER -There will be a BOSS volunteer opportunity for an Autism Speaks Walk. Volunteers will need to meet at the HUB at 0645-1300 and will be assisting in handing ou water and snacks. ~27 SEPTEMBER - Thunder Alley Bowling Center will be hosting the monthly BOSS bowling night. Bowling will start at 1800 and go to 2100. The first 20 Soldiers will get to bowl for free. $5 will cover 3 games of bowling, shoe rental, food and drink. 2BCT will be starting a competition between companies and will reward the highest bowling score with a bowling trophy, which will be defended monthly. So bring your “A� game ~28 SEPTEMEBER - BOSS will be providing transportion to Denver for Oktoberfest. You do not need to be 21 to attend. Transportation will be leaving the HUB at 1700 and will be returning at 0200.