Issue 53
Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Story and photo by 2nd Lt. Burton Sly 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conducted dismounted live fire training at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site March 28 to April 1. The purpose of the training event was to move beyond mere weapons qualification by challenging Soldiers’ shooting skills under harsh combat conditions. ”Although being proficient in the doctrinal qualifications for each weapon system is important, Beast Company Soldiers know that we must push our limits even further,” said Capt. Scott Krasko, company commander. Combat qualification lanes were set up to test the Soldiers’ ability to shoot and move while under the stresses found on the battle field. Each soldier executed Close Quarters Marksmanship techniques with both their M-4 rifle and M-9 pistol during the day and under limited visibility conditions. The Beast Company Combat Qualification tested Soldiers’ stamina and shooting skills by climbing over a 5 foot wall in full kit, pulling
Staff Sgt. Jason Crosby, 1st Platoon, weapons squad leader, Company B, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 2nd BCT, throws a grenade during live fire training at the Pinon Canyon Maneurver Site March 30.
a 250 lbs. stretcher, performing 100 meters of three to five second rushes, 35 pound sandbag carries, and various sprints. In between these grueling movements, Soldiers engaged targets from multiple distances and firing positions to include kneeling behind a wall and firing through a window. Beast Soldiers experienced the effects that fatigue and adrenaline can have on one’s ability to shoot. “Concentrating on the natural pauses of my breathing and keeping a good posture from position to position proved most difficult,” stated Sgt. Nickolas Kazarian, an
Commander’s Column
Col. John S. Kolasheski, Commander 2nd Brigade Combat Team
The Chain of Command is always concerned about the well-being of our Soldiers and Families. I want to share with you a story about the consequences of irresponsible drinking and driving. On February 13, 2010 two Warhorse Soldiers were killed in a drunk-driving accident in which the driver was a third Warhorse Soldier, driving drunk. In the very early morning hours, the three were driving on Highway 115 and struck a civilian vehicle. In the accident a civilian was injured, two Soldiers were
April 7, 2011
infantry team leader. Staff Sgt. William Feldhahn, an infantry squad leader, was most proficient, averaging a hit every 10.5 seconds with the M-4 rifle and taking the top score in the company. M-240B machine gun teams trained on the Machine Gun Combat Qualification lane. The teams maneuvered from obstacle to obstacle engaging targets, performing individual movement techniques, and demonstrating essential combat tasks such as barrel changes. “The biggest take away I received was the realization of the difference between firing with calm, controlled breathing and engaging the enemy after rigorous activity,” said Pvt. Matthew Arens, a machine gunner. The machine gun team of Spc. John Pfeffer and Pfc. Patrick Knecht earned the top score because of their marksmanship and ability to quickly change barrels and reload. “Every Soldier in the company walked away with more trigger time than most have seen in their military careers,” said Krasko. “The confidence instilled from the training and their performance is something that will be carried over to the fight in Afghanistan.”
killed, and the drunk driver was injured. The driver was ultimately convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The conviction and sentencing serves as a teaching moment for all of us. The decision to drink and drive has vast and sometimes deadly consequences. Strong, disciplined Soldiers don’t put the lives of others and themselves needlessly at risk. The decision to drink and drive also has consequences beyond the individual. The community suffers, the unit suffers and Families suffer. We lost three Soldiers and disrupted the life of
a community neighbor. This could have been avoided had Soldiers took better care of each other. We owe it to the community, our units, and each other to help Soldiers make wise decisions. Last weekend was our latest “School of the Soldier,” a correctional training opportunity to teach all Soldiers of all ranks about how the decision to drink and drive has consequences far beyond their own lives. In a blink, four lives and families were turned upsidedown. Help each other make smart decisions and live by our Army Values.
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Warhorse Pride
Issue 53 April 7, 2011
I received my Rapid Fielding Initiative equipment last week and I’m excited. The gear we all will receive will make us more effective in Afghanistan. Among many other things, we will receive Multi-Cam uniforms, a plate carrier of some variant, combat hiking boots, cold weather uniforms, eye protection, gloves and a rucksack. I’m especially excited about the Multi-Cam patterned gear. The seven color pattern is designed to blend with common environmental colors and disguise the shape of the wearer. Field testing proved the pattern extremely effective in Afghanistan. I’ve seen two Soldiers standing side-byside with one wearing ACUs and the other in Multi-Cam. The Soldier in Multi-Cam was far better camouflaged.
Soldiers will receive different equipment based on Military Occupational Speacialty and mission necessity. We wanted to ensure all Soldiers have the right equipment for the right job. In addition to the items received at RFI, the brigade is purchasing ISAF patches, 4ID patches, and helmet bands for every Soldier. The bulk of the brigade will start receiving their equipment in mid-April. The MultiCam uniforms are not authorized for wear at Fort Carson; the uniform is only authorized while deployed. However, Soldiers ARE authorized to wear the new boots so they are broken-in before we deploy. Stay in touch with your chain of command and take care of each other. We need every member of the team trained and ready to deploy.
coloring station for kids to do arts and crafts. It was nice being able to attend with our whole Story and photo by Sgt. Ruth Pagan Family, and the kids were entertained, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO said Shannel Gitchel, a Warhorse The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry spouse. Having my husband here, goDivision held a deployment fair in the Special ing through the stations with us, was Events Center to support deploying Warhorse Sol- a big help because he could point out diers and their Families on April 2, 4 and 5. what he thought would be most useful “Deployment fairs are a great opportunity for to me while he is gone. Soldiers and family members to learn about all of “This lets my wife see where she the resources available on Fort Carson. This is a can get help if she needs it. We are a chance for them to get that beneficial information,” pretty tight-knit Family so the deploysaid Kate Mcneely, the Immigration Coordinator ment is going to be a big adjustment, for Army Community Services, Fort Carson. but this definitely helped,” said Pfc. The deployment fair allows Soldiers and their Brent Gitchel, a medic with Troop B, Families to walk around at their leisure and ask 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. questions in a one-on-one setting instead of a I don’t think you can ever be combriefing in an auditorium where someone might pletely emotionally prepared for a deployment, but not want to stand up in front of everyone and ask I am better organized as to where I can go to for questions, said Cpt. Kyle Hoisington, commander assistance if I need it, said Shannel Gitchel. of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, “A lot of the conversations we’ve had here over 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. the past three days have been an introduction for The deployment fair was geared toward Families us at ACS to let the Soldiers and Families know with a kid friendly atmosphere. There was a jump that we are sort of a one-stop-shop. If they have castle, cotton candy and popcorn machines and a no one to call or don’t know who to call when
something happens, they can call us and we can either help them or get them pointed in the right direction,” Mcneely said. Among many others present from Fort Carson and Colorado Springs were Army Community Services, the Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club, Colorado Springs Police and Fire Departments, Colorado Springs Utilities, Department of Motor Vehicles, The Home Front Cares, and TRICARE. “This is an event where no one is trying to sell anything but instead just pass on useful information,” said Deanne Funkhouser, a USAA Military Affairs Representative. “This is my husband’s third deployment and I actually learned a lot,” said Melissa Carter, a Warhorse spouse. Sgt. Chris Carter, a mechanic for 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. said, “this deployment fair put my mind at ease knowing that my wife is better prepared for the deployment.”
Message from Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa 2nd Brigade Combat Team
Deployment Fair
Warhorse Pride Col. John S. Kolasheski..................2nd BCT Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa............2nd BCT CSM Maj. Kevin Toner...............................................2nd BCT PAO Spc. April York........................................Layout and Design Sgt. Seth Barham............................................................Editor Sgt. Ruth Pagan...............................................................Editor
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the fairs Office. Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commenDivision. The Warhorse Pride is an Army-funded news- tary, and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the Contents of The Warhorse Pride are publication. not necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by the, U.S. All issues of the Warhorse Pride can be viewed government, Department of Defense, Department of the online from your home computer at www.facebook. Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content com/2bct4id of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and Submissions should be emailed to the approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Afeditor: seth.barham1@conus.army.mil