the vidette

CAMP SHELBY, MS -- The casing of the colors is an Army tradition that symbolizes the movement of a Unit to a new theater of operation. At a ceremony at Camp Shelby, MS. the tradition and legacy of the 623d FA was carried out, once again, as the Battalion prepares to move to Jordan. Once the Battalion officially replaces the Unit, (known as the transfer of authority-TOA) that is there now, the Colors will be uncovered to represent their area of operation.

On a sloping grassy area in Camp Shelby MS, the nearly 200

deploying members of the 623d FA gathered in a battalion formation, with the 623d Regimental Colors leading the front of the formation. The Battalion Commander, LTC Timothy Fanter, and the Battalion Command Sergeant Major, SGM Robert Neathery, took to the front of the formation and began the official ceremony. As the Colors began to become encased, each Battery that was represented followed suit simultaneously.

TTHHEE VVIIDDEETTTTEE

1st

Bn 623d Field artillery (HIMARS)

Individual Highlights:

Cover Story 1

Commander 2

Sergeant Major 2

Law & Order 3

Rear Support Team 3

MWR 3

Chaplain’s Corner 4

Top Secret 4

First Aid Station 5

Motor Pool 5

Genius Bar 5

Cover Story Cont. 6

FA by Trade 7

FB Smart Card 8

FB Smart Card 9

Photos 10

15 FEB 2013

Vol. 1 Issue 2

623d FA Performs the Casing of the Colors Ceremony

Camp Shelby MS. Members of 1-623d take a moment and bow their heads as CH (CPT) Steenburg

says a prayer to bless the Battalion on the mission that they are about to embark upon.

Photos

Layout/Design/Photographer

LT Gordon Deming

Writer/Photographer SGT Bryan Ploughe

Editor in Chief MAJ John Holmes

Photo by SGT Bryan Ploughe

Continued on Page 6

SGT Bryan Ploughe

COMMANDER’S WORDS LTC Timothy Fanter

“A good leader is one who

can tell another how to

reach his or her potential;

a great leader is one who

can help another discover

this potential for him or

herself.”

- Bo Bennett

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR SGM Robert Neathery

Greetings to our Soldiers, families, friends, and supporters of Morgan’s Men. We have safely arrived at the Joint Training Center in Jordan over the course of the last few weeks. Our staff leadership team quickly became immersed in the planning and preparation for the training Batteries heading out to relieve our Tennessee teammates and work with our Jordanian military partners. The transition in Jordan is going smooth and our support cell is fully engaged on procuring life support needs and other supplies needed for our mission. The official Transfer of Authority between Morgan’s Men and Valor will be conducted on 20 February 2013 and will be highlighted in the next issue of the Vidette.

Our Soldiers are performing great. Our trainers are already in the driver’s seat with our Tennessee counterparts performing an advising role if needed. We have had great weather in Jordan and the Soldiers and Leaders are focused on taking care of one another. The Battery and Battalion leadership even attended the Kentucky National Guard Association Conference held in Louisville, although we were 6,400 miles away on the other end of a video teleconference screen.

I will close with a few words on operational security. As we transition to the lead here in Jordan, policy letters are being established for our Battalion. With the majority of our Soldiers communicating with loved ones via social media, operational security is first and foremost a priority of mine and the Leadership. Posts on social media sites can unintentional publish classified information leading to attacks on our unit, on the individual who posted it, the individual’s family, or make a negative reflection of Morgan’s Men. Everyone has responsibility to protect themselves online. Soldiers and their families should take steps that ensure operational security and safeguard personally identifiable information at home and work. The use of internet-based capabilities to communicate with loved ones deployed is welcomed, but consideration for their safe use is crucial.

Well we have finally made it to our destination and now the mission truly begins. The entire battalion has worked hard just to get here to the start point and I am confident that we are more than up to the task ahead.

The Soldiers of 1-623 FA have exceeded all the standards in the training leading into this mission and I expect the same now that we are on the job here in Jordan. This is my third deployment with this battalion and I could not imagine deploying with anyone else.

LAW & ORDER Last issue I discussed being under jurisdiction of local national law. In Jordan we are subject to local laws even as U.S. citizens. If you break Jordanian law, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not.

Like America the Jordanian Constitution allows for freedom of speech, except for two major limits. Insulting the King, the Royal Family, or any member of government may lead to detainment or imprisonment. Never bring up the King in public or on base in front of Jordanians Our phrases, terms, and mannerisms

MWR SFC Will Sewell

Anybody that wants to organize an activity or event, such as basketball, horseshoe, pool tournaments, is encouraged to do so by submitting your ideas and resources required to the S1 shop. (LT Engle or SFC Sewell)

Petra found in Wadi, Musa, Jordan

The Transportation & Support Team (TST) consists of 15 Soldiers and has been diligently working to learn the critical tasks needed to support 1-623d Forward element. We take are mission seriously in acquiring, processing, and planning and tracking flights delivering base life support and replenishment supplies needed for the battalion’s training mission. Supply classes which include food items, construction material, and repair parts. Also included are US mail and recreational items such as gym equipment. Once the supplies are requested and secured, the materials are packaged and the cargo is placed on aircraft pallets. The cargo is then moved, by the team, to a staging area to await movement. We also schedule, track, and monitor personnel. We might be physically separated from the rest of the team, but we are always here and doing our part to ensure the success of “Morgan’s Men.”

Transportation & Sustainment Team

mannerisms are different and easily misunderstood by locals. Any comment about the King can land you in jail. Another limit is any act that may appear to be an attempt to convert a Muslim to another form of religion is illegal and will result in arrest and imprisonment. If a local asks about your religion try to move to another topic. Be friendly and agreeable. Do not explain why your faith is what it is or why you’re different, even if they do. Simply do not bring religion up at all to Jordanians.

CPT Nicholas Carter

SFC Donald Jones

The first MWR Trip is fast approaching. We will be visiting Petra. If interested, see your 1SG for full details.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER CH (CPT) W. Ryan Steenburg Making the Days Count

While visiting us in Mississippi, COL Wertzler pointed out that the hardest part of this deployment is behind us. He said that we are no longer counting up to the separation; we are now counting down to the reunion. And he is absolutely right. Every day that passes is a day closer to home. There is nothing wrong with counting the days, but better yet, how can we make the days count? We all yearn to be reunited with our families—but what will we do in the meantime? How will we spend this time of separation?

The writer to the Hebrews writes, “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1). If anything, we are all at the beginning of a race. For the Soldiers, the training has been completed and we are finally in full operational mode. For the families at home, the bus has departed and our Skype accounts are hopping. The purpose of this temporary separation is to successfully perform our duties as Soldiers and complete our mission. It is only natural to look forward to the time when we get to return home—just as a runner would look forward to the finish line.

I remember when I was in basic training I kept a tally of how many days I had left until graduation. Every evening during our Drill Sergeant time I would take out my little notebook and mark off another day. I kept my sights set on the end. I did a very thorough job of counting my days—and that was before I was married, with five children. As much as the final return date is still unknown, we can be tempted to count our days. Some of us count the days until we see our family again. Some of us count the days until we can sleep in our own bed again. Some of us are counting the days until the next paycheck. But how, might I ask, are you making the days count?

What are you doing to impact the people who surround you on a daily basis? What are you doing for yourself? Some of the Soldiers have said they desire to read more. Others have set their sights on more exercise or less weight (whichever way you want to cut it). For the families at home, is there a hobby you always wanted to pick up? In lieu of the time you would spend with your Soldier, is there someone in your community who would be blessed with a visit from you? Can you honor your Soldier by sharing stories about his or her duty and loyalty with the people you meet and already know? The ways in which we all can make these days count is endless. The question is, mission aside, what do you want to accomplish during the next nine months that you can “write home about?” I encourage the Soldiers to tell a bunkmate or buddy about what it is you want to accomplish. I encourage the families to share with a loved one or neighbor how you plan to spend the next nine months. Whether it is to read a book or write a book, I pray you will be successful in making the days count. And, before you know it, the days will be over and we will be reunited with each other.

Hello from the S2 section. Our main focus is to provide safe, accurate and fast information that is taking place in and around Jordan for the Commander's decision making process. Our goal is to ensure the safety of the 1-623rd (HIMARS) Soldiers as well as the safe return of each Solider back to their respective families. Our journey began with some scenario training at Camp Shelby, MS to the real life challenges that were ahead of us in Jordan.

Once we arrived in Jordan, we have been actively working to seek all the real world activities that are rapidly taking place around our location. We are striving to maintain and surpass the game plan the unit from TN has set out for us. The section is quickly finding the gaps needed to excel the unit toward a rich and successful mission. The Jordanian soldiers that we work with seem to be every welcoming and humble to have us here to support their national defense and training. Our section will devote all our resources in maintaining a safe, secure, and an alert posture to the surrounding nations.

Always remain vigilant and keep in mind the information that is put on social networks. We as an organization and a family need to always remember Operational Security.

S2

SGT Jeremy Jordan

“Combat medics never

stand taller than when

they kneel to treat the

wounded saving lives in

the midst of utter chaos.”

-Unknown

FIRST AID STATION

MOTOR POOL

S6

The Medical section have been seeing people walking into chow hall without washing their hands. There is a reason for the hand washing stations in front of chow hall. We have been seeing more nausea and vomiting and diarrhea during sick call and at TMC. It is going to be very important for everyone wash their hands to prevent spreading of germs.

CPT “Doc” Hayden

So You Know the LO

During your daily PMCS checks, if you find you are low on a component’s fluid level, (i.e.; transmission, engine, etc) remember to consult the -10 operator manual under Lubrication Instruction. In that section you will find the Lube Order (LO). The LO will tell you the component, what type of Fluid/Lubricant that it requires to operate, the capacities of the components, and the guidance for the environmental temperature in which you will be operating. If your vehicle does not have a -10, with a copy of the LO, please notify Maintenance and ask them to help you acquire a copy for your specific model vehicle.

SSG Robert Long

The Signal Section has finished transitioning with our counterparts. The network is up and running, providing NIPR and SIPR access to our Battalion. There is plenty of work to come as we continue to improve networking and standing up further services and servers.

Congratulations to Gary Emmitt on his promotion to SSG. SSG Emmitt is currently serving as the Battalion's S6 NCOIC supporting T&ST operations.

1LT Matthew Speer

Also the "Jordan Crud," as I am lovingly calling it, is going around so good hygiene and hand washing is very important to keep everyone healthy and able to complete mission.

After all Colors had been cased, LTC Timothy Fanter and SGM Robert Neathery spoke a little about the history of the and their expectations of the Soldiers. In closing the Battalion Chaplain, (Captain) Wesley Steenburg, hit upon perseverance of a snail. With continued effort and determination well make it to the end, and the closed with a prayer to bless the Unit as they began their journey. After the ceremony, SGM Robert Neathery stated, “To the best of our recent memory, this is only the third time that the battalion Colors have gone forward to fly on foreign soil. They include Korean War, Desert Storm and now with Operation Enduring Freedom.

Some of these Soldiers don’t realize it now, but they are making an impact of this Battalions history because of this fact.” To carry the Battalion Colors to foreign soil is a history making event. Although the Firing Battery guidons have gone forward in support many other times, for example in 2005 when they deployed, this is only the third time for the battalion Colors to leave the Unites States.

Camp Shelby MS.SGM Neathery and LTC Fanter solemnly case the 623d Regimental Colors in preparation for deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Camp Shelby MS SGM Neathery proudly stretches out the 623d Regimental colors prior to the “Casing of the Colors” ceremony.

Casing of the Colors (Continued)



Camp Shelby MS SPC Pence stands proudly prior to the casing of the Colors ceremony at Camp Shelby, MS.


Jordan- The 623d Field Artillery has once again displayed their resiliency, through accepting and exercising a mission that is far out of their areas of expertise as instructed by the United States Army. The Army has a program upon entry that every Soldier attends that establishes some basic Soldiering skills, that is called Basic Training. Most of these Soldiers find themselves referring back to their initial training as well as put into place the “tricks of the trade” that have been proven successful through their years of experience.

One of the first tasks for the members of the 623d, is to take some of the Jordanian Soldiers to the rifle and pistol qualification range. “These Jordanian Soldiers seem to be eager to learn and considering we went straight out to the range to qualify and didn’t have any basic rifle marksmanship training time with them, they are performing remarkably well.” stated SPC David Burnett . Training another nation’s military can have its challenges. There are such things to consider as differences in equipment, terrain, leadership styles and one that the Soldiers of the 623d are having some assistance with, through linguists, is a language barrier. “We have been able to work through our language differences and the Jordanian Soldiers have been incredibly receptive to our teachings of methods and techniques, when these steps are applied, they have proven successful for them. I feel very confident that they will achieve success in whatever mission they are assigned.” said 1LT J. Garvey. In the United States military, we start all Soldiers from the same point and train them together. That way we are assured that everybody has the same ground work established.4 With instructing the Jordanian Military, they are coming from all back grounds and experiences and that is part of the challenge for the members of the 623d, as well.

Field Artillery by Trade, Infantry by Need

Soldiers from the 623d prepare a rifle qualification range for the Jordanian military to utilize and implement their weapons training.

The Jordanian Soldiers take up a "good prone supported position" and "scan their lanes" at the rifle qualification range.

Jordanian Soldiers eagerly await their scores, whether they’re a go or no go, as the members of the 623d score their sheets.




SGT Bryan Ploughe

Photo by LT Gordon Deming

Photo by LT Gordon Deming



Photo by CPT John Allen

Photo by CPT John Allen

SSG England and a linguist present a safety brief to Jordanian Soldiers prior to occupying the rifle qualification range.

Soldiers from the 623d gather around a "sand table" discussing route recon while at Camp Shelby, MS.

LT Garvey assists a Jordanian Soldier with safety procedures while at the pistol qualification range. First responder training is not as easy as these Soldiers make it appear, while training at Camp Shelby, MS.

1-623d Soldiers stand in formation as Brandon Carlson is promoted to Major.

MAJ Brandon Carlson stands in front of LTC Timothy Fanter and SGM Robert Neathery during his promotion ceremony.

SPC Pence eagerly awaits for Soldiers to return their qualification sheets, while at the rifle qualification range. Camaraderie is a key to performing as a team and surviving a deployment. The Soldiers of the 623d know the importance of this.

the vidette

Documents

battalion formation

battalion commander

battalion leadership

colors ceremony camp

d regimental colors

camp shelby ms

sgt bryan ploughe page

official ceremony