4th Infantry brigade combat team

The Warrior

IRONHORSE STRONG Mountain Warriors Build Ironhorse Strong Families pg. 4 -7

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Newsletter

1-12’s Wee EIBpg. 8 - 9Fire Under Pressurepg. 10 - 11

THE WARRIOR

Issue 7 Oct. 2013

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 20132 3

The WarriorThe Warrior

Valuing the Time

Upon return from our current rotation through NTC at Fort Irwin, we will be only four months away from heading to Afghanistan for a nine-month deployment. Those two things might be looming heavy on some of our minds.

For some, it means another birthday or anni-

versary missed in a string of many. Another year apart from the ones we love.

“Why does it always have to be my Soldier that deploys?” Some Spouses might ask.

For others, it is the chance to deploy perhaps on the last combat deployment our Army may do for a while, and that fills them with pride. Pride that they are part of a storied and highly deco-rated Brigade that has given everything for this country. Pride that when our country asks them to go, they answer the call, no questions asked.

I wonder, though, have we taken a moment to think about the time coming up between NTC and the deployment? The Bible challenges us to take every moment and make it valuable; to have an eternal perspective. In the Book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes, “Make the most of ev-ery chance you get. These are frenzied times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” (Ephesians 5:16-17, MSG)

Frenzied times indeed! Instead of fretting over the future, cherish every minute you have be-tween NTC and our deployment. When you are at work, work as if you are working for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Colossians 3:23)

When you are home, treasure the time you have with your family. Show them it is an honor to be in their presence. Love unconditionally, forgive will-ingly, and be angry sparingly.

After my last deployment, I was putting my younger two daughters to bed. After telling them a story, and praying with them, I gave them each a kiss goodnight, rejoicing at being able to tell them I would see them in the morning. As I turned out the light and got ready to leave, my daughter Hannah stopped me in the doorway.

“Daddy,” she asked, “Are you a hero?”

I turned to face her. “No, baby. I’m just a chap-lain,” I smiled in reply with tears welling up in my eyes. “But God allowed me to minister to a whole battalion of heroes.”

You all are our heroes. May the time you spend now reap a harvest of blessing when you return, and may that time always be focused on Eternity.

COMMANDER SPEAKS

Chap. (Maj.) Donald Williamson 4th IBCT, 4ID

INSIDE THIS ISSUE- Ironhorse Strong

- Wee-EIB- Fire Under Pressure

- Destroyers Test Skills

On the Cover:Spc. Frank Thibodeaux and Spc. Christopher Bourque of 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. fire 120mm mortars at training targets on Fort Carson, Sept. 10 2013.(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles 4th IBCT

Mountain Warrior Soldiers and Families,

As we move into one of the busiest times of the year for the brigade, we also find ourselves in the midst of a difficult time for our nation. I want to assure our Soldiers and Families that we as a team will do whatever we can to mitigate the impacts of the govern-ment shutdown on our formation. As of now our deployment training and rotation to the National Training Cen-ter will continue as planned. We owe it to our Soldiers and our nation to ensure that we are trained, proficient and prepared to execute all facets of our mission.

I want to thank each of you who took time out of your schedules to participate in one of our many Ironhorse Strong events over the past month. Whether it was the FRG Squared Away, Strong Bonds or the brigade organizational day, your atten-dance was greatly appreciated. Gen. Ray Odierno often says, “the strength of our nation is our Sol-diers, the strength of our Soldiers is our Familes.” There is no way we, as service members, could ever achieve the results we do without you. Dur-ing our time at NTC we will have a full complement of support staff to assist you while your Soldier is away in training.

While these events are inspir-ing, we are seeing a couple of trends that leaders must address to bring us back to standard. Tex-ting while driving, speeding and reckless driving are our major offenses. These are senseless errors in judgment and disci-pline and we must correct them. Commanders, talk to your junior leaders. Leaders, talk to our Sol-diers. Families, talk to your young drivers. If we lack the discipline

to adhere to local traffic laws then we will feel the effects both at NTC and especially downrange. The risks are too great to ignore.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago our character and our competence go hand-in-hand. Part of being 360 degree Soldiers entails that we do the right thing under all conditions. As always it is an honor to serve alongside you, thank you for your service. “Strength and Respect”!

“Led By Love of Country, Steadfast and Loyal!”

Col. Brian L Pearl, Commander, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Check Out Our New Mountain Warrior Report

CHAPLAIN SPEAKS

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 20134 5

The WarriorThe Warrior

Mountain Warrioirs Build Iron Horse Strong Families4t

h I

BC

T M

OU

NT

AIN

WA

RR

IOR

S

Story and photos by Sgt. Nelson Robles4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers and their families are attending classes and events aimed at building Iron Horse Strong bonds not only with each other, but also within their units.

SQUARED AWAY

The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s “Squared Away” program focused on deploy-ment preparation for families covering various top-ics from important paperwork and record keeping, to resources available while their Soldiers are deployed. “I got a lot of information that I needed to know as far as who to get in contact with if something does go wrong or if I need help or assistance with anything (while my Soldier is deployed),” said Daniel Merryman, a Mountain Warrior spouse. “For those who didn’t attend the training I feel they should try to in January because there is a lot of information that is useful especially for the first timers to deployment like myself who have never been through this before.” This four-session program was held over September and saw speakers from many organizations including Army Community Services, 4th IBCT’s legal team and the Battalion Family Readiness Support Assistants. “We had 95 Soldiers and family members complete the four day training program and we will be offering another Squared Away session after the holidays,” said Leah Fuller, Family Readiness Support Assistant, 4IBCT. “We loved meeting new families and sharing good food and information to help them prepare for the everyday challenges of military life.”

STRONG BONDS

The Glen Eyrie Conference Center in Colorado Springs was the setting for the recent “Strong Bonds” couple’s retreat. Focused on strengthening the communication skills of Mountain Warrior couples, this event featured classes and a team building rope course. “It’s a nice setting, it’s a nice opportunity for the couples to get away for a day, to just enjoy each other’s company and hopefully learn some tools they can use within the relationship to keep them on solid ground and help them express their love to each other,” said Captain Lamont Risner, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. Chaplain. “During this session we’ll be going over the speaker listener technique, danger signs of communication, expectations in marriage and how personality and communication plays a role in that.” Beyond the Strong Bonds retreats, there are many other resources for couple’s in 4th IBCT and help is always available. “All the battalions in the brigade have chaplains that are very effective at their jobs, that are able to be a resource for a couple to tune up and listen to each other a little better,” said Captain Jeremie Vore, 1st Battalion, 12th In-fantry Regiment, 4th IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. Chaplain. “If the level of care that is required is a little beyond that, there are a myriad of resources on post that we send people to; the Military and Family Life Consultant for the Brigade is a very good counselor and works a lot with couples and Army Community Services provides many services such as retreats and classes.”

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 20136 7

The WarriorThe Warrior 4t

h I

BC

T M

OU

NT

AIN

WA

RR

IOR

S 4th IBCT ORGANIZATION DAY

The 4th IBCT Organization Day was held outside of Brigade and Battalion Headquarters in the Wilderness Complex. This event featured food and entertainment for all Mountain Warriors and their families. “Our intent for organization day was to provide the families at the brigade level an opportunity for camara-derie, to come in and just have a great time and a great meal, enjoy a day here at the 4th Brigade headquarters with events for Soldiers, for families and for kids and that’s what we executed,” said Lt. Col. Jim Pangelinan, the events organizer. “A major part of (bringing) the event (together) was the donations that we got from some re-ally incredible and patriotic groups, small businesses in the local area and non-profit organizations.” There were sports competitions, bounce houses, a dunk tank and even a mechanical bull. A free lunch was was provided for all by the All American Beef Battalion which served over 3500 grilled steaks. The 4th Inf. Div. Rock Band entertained the masses with a three hour set. “It’s important to have these kinds of events because the Army is about Soldiers and that includes their families,” said Col. Brian Pearl, 4IBCT commander. “It’s a special day (when) we can get everybody together in one place mentally, physically, spiritually (to) come together and have a great day of bonding.”

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 20138 9

The WarriorThe Warrior 1s

t B

AT

TA

LIO

N, 1

2TH

IN

FAN

TR

Y R

egim

ent

1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment hosted it’s first unit-wide Ironhorse Strong event, Sept. 20, Fort Carson. The Red Warrior’s first “Wee-EIB” event was an opportunity for Families to see what their Soldiers do on a daily basis while kids bot to compete against other children in simulated Expert Infantry Badge chalenges. There were a variety of events ranging from ob-stical courses and medical sled pulling, to a night vision item hunt. There were also static displays where children could interact with vehicles and weapons.

Over 400 Soldiers and Family members took part in the festivities and the winners from differ-ent age groups were presented with EIB badges of their own.

Wee EIB

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 201310 11

The WarriorThe Warrior

Story and photos by Sgt. Nelson Robles4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers honed their close quar-ter marksmanship skills with elevated heart rates and their adrenaline pumping during a stress shoot range, Sept. 18, 2013. As 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Soldiers firemen-carry their battle buddy towards the close quar-ters range firing line, you realize something is different about this training exercise. The stress range is designed to not only sharpen their marksmanship skills, but also to do so under pressure. “Our intent today is to take our Soldiers’ marksmen skills from the basic rifle marksmanship to the next level, what were trying to do is introduce some of the factors that they’re going to face in a fire fight, wherever that may be,” said 1st Lt. Luke Grotelueschen, range officer in charge for 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg. “We’re introducing stress, introducing an elevated heart rate, were making them acquire and engage targets while their shaking, they’ve just been running, sprinting, carrying buddies, and evacuating casualties.” Compared to a standard range where the Soldier is stationary with sandbags firing at pop-up targets, this increase in heart rate challenges the Soldier’s ability to fire accurately and respond to direction under these conditions. “When your in combat, your not in regular kit (calmly) shooting targets, your getting shot at, your under pres-sure, your heart rate is pumping, your adrenaline is rush-ing, its a lot more hectic,” said Spc. Steven Clarke of 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg. “It’s (this range) not only fun but it’s the best training you can get stateside, I think.” With the completion of this range, the 4th IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. Mountain Warriors will continue to further develop their proficiencies both lethal and non-lethal leading into a rotation at the National Training Center in Fort Erwin, CA.

Fire Under Pressure

2nd

BA

TT

ALI

ON

, 12T

H I

NFA

NT

RY

Reg

imen

t

ABOVE - Pfc. Derek Williams, a Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regi-ment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division fireman carries his battle buddy during a stress fire range on Fort Carson, Sept. 18, 2013. Soldiers first carried the injured to cover, sprinted to the firing line and engaged targets.

TOP RIGHT - Spc. Steven Clarke, a Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division fires from the prone position during a stress fire range on Fort Carson, Sept. 18, 2013. This close quarter marksmanship range forced Soldiers to fire with elevated heart-beats and adrenaline.

BOTTOM RIGHT - Pfc. Derek Williams, a Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infan-try Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division receives firing orders from his range safety during a stress fire range on Fort Carson, Sept. 18, 2013. Ranges like these help Soldiers improve their combat readiness under stress.

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 201312 13

The WarriorThe Warrior 3R

D S

QU

AD

RO

N, 6

1ST

CA

VA

LRY

Reg

imen

t Destroyers Test Skills in Field Mortarmen with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conducted a 120mm mortar live fire range on Fort Carson, Sept. 10 2013.

This 120mm mortar system is transported on a trailer that has a built in lift system, this speeds up placement and displacement times to below 60 seconds.

This system can also be digitally aimed with co-ordinates sent from Soldiers in combat to ensure accuracy. Spotters are still used when possible to ensure rounds hit their intended targets.

BOTTOM LEFT -Pfc. Nick Murdaugh and Pfc. James Tracy of 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division fire 120mm mortars at training targets on Fort Carson, Sept. 10 2013. This mortar system can be set up in less then 60 seconds with its provided trailer lift.

TOP LEFT - Staff Sgt. Matthew Warren of 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division calls in adjustment coordinates to a mortar team on Fort Carson, Sept. 10 2013. This observation post helped ensure the rounds fired hit their intended target.

BOTTOM RIGHT - Pfc. Nick Murdaugh, an ammo bearer with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divi-sion prepares 120mm mortars for firing on Fort Carson, Sept. 10 2013. This mortar system can digitally aim with coordinates sent from Soldiers in combat to ensure accuracy.

TOP RIGHT - Pfc. Ryan Hazlett, an ammo bearer with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cav-alry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division cleans out a morat tube on Fort Carson, Sept. 10 2013. This mortar system digitally adjusts its angle of fire when provided grid coordinates.

(Story and photos by Sgt. Nelson Robles, 4th IBCT PAO)

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 201314 15

The WarriorThe Warrior

4th Infantry brigade combat team ISSUE 7 | October 11, 201316

The Warrior

FORT CARSON RESOURCES

MILITARY FAMILY LIFE CONSULTANTLonnie Nulph

BBHQ, 1st Floor, next to chaplain’s office(719) 244-5831

EOSFC Michael Deliberti

(912) 492-8237michael.a.deliberti.mil@mail.mil

SHARPSSG Dina Moreno

(210) 849-8171

RETENTIONSSG Casey Panique

(719) 503-5053

MILITARY ONE SOURCEwww.militaryonesource.com

(800) 342-9647

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHBLDG 1830 on Specker Ave.

(719) 526-7155/7661

ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICEBLDG 1526, 6303 Wetzel Ave.

community.carson.army.mil(719) 526-4590

AMERICAN RED CROSS(877) 272-7337

VICTIM ADVOCACY EMERGENCY HOTLINE(719) 243-7907

CHILD YOUTH SERVICES (719) 526-1101

MILITARY POLICE NON EMERGENCY(719) 526-6199

MILITARY POLICE(719) 526-2333

FORT CARSON WEBSITEwww.carson.army.mil

FACEBOOK4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division