warhorse pride vol 2 issue 9 20140425

Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. Vol. 2, Issue 9 April 25, 2014

Staff Sgt. Gregory Hennon, master gunner, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg.,2nd ABCT (still wearing sergeant stripes), sits in the hatch of a M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 14. Hennon is responsible for the training and certification of the Abrams tank crews inside the battalion.

Rewarded for hard workStory and Photos by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – A master gunner gets no sleep. When the tanks crew wakes – he builds. When the tank crew fires – he observes. When the tank crew rests – he

teaches. When the tank crew leaves – he resets for the next. The entire battalion waits for him – he cannot let the battalion wait. Staff Sgt. Gregory Hennon gets no sleep, and the 1st Bn., 67th

Armor Reg., 2nd ABCT, will not leave him behind.Nominated by his battalion, Hennon is one of five Soldiers in U.S.

Army Central to receive a battlefield promotion in Kuwait promoting him from sergeant to staff sergeant.

The battlefield promotion system is a program that meritoriously promotes eligible Soldiers during a deployment outside of the traditional Army promotion system.

Eight years in the army and three as a promotable sergeant, Hennon knows hardship and knows struggles starting from before he joined at the age of 27.

“I was a mason before coming in and my appendix ruptured and after three months in the hospital, I lost my job,” said Hennon.

A lieutenant colonel uncle convinced him to join the Army, and Hennon signed up as a 19K tanker.

Rising up through the ranks, he found he loved to teach, and according to Hennon, the ultimate teacher for a tank company is the master gunner.

“At the company level, it’s first training your guys how to manipulate the tank and use the fire control system,” said Hennon. “After that, it’s teaching them how to conduct fire engagements, and ultimately, it’s tracking the gunnery of the unit and finding the weak and strong

See REWARDED, Page 3

Warhorse Pride Vol. 2, Issue 9 April 25, 2014

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – “Provide me with the necessities of food and drink, Sergeant, train

me to be self sufficient so that I may lead the way and stand willing and able to protect you with my life if necessary should your life be in danger,” asked Pfc. Samantha Martinez of the Noncommissioned Officers in front of her.

Taskforce Thunder, 2nd ABCT, inducted 34 Soldiers into the noncommissioned corps during an NCO Induction Ceremony at the Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Post Chapel, April 15.

The event had guest speakers, brigade leaders and recitations from junior Soldiers asking the new NCOs to fulfill the charge of the NCO. The ceremony concluded as the inductees walked across the stage and signed their names into the ranks of the NCO.

Sgt. Stormm Slater, forward observer, HHB, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., 2nd ABCT, one of the inductees and an NCO since Oct. 1, 2013, said the experience formalized his new position as a leader.

“It was a great experience because it’s a rite of passage where I can better myself and realize that I am an NCO and not just a Soldier anymore,” said Slater “That I will have Soldiers underneath me, and that I will be looked upon by others to hold a higher standard.”

Senior leaders within the brigade gave advice to the new NCOs and shined a light on the path in front of them.

“With a ceremony like this, there were a lot of leaders giving advice,” said Slater. “I got

Story and Photos by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Inducting new NCOs

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen, senior enlisted leader, 2nd ABCT, speaks to newly inducted noncommissioned officers on what it means to hold the charge of the NCO during Taskforce Thunder, 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Division’s NCO Induction Ceremony at the Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Post Chapel, April 15. Lehtonen spoke about how as NCOs, the inductees are the standard bearers for the Army.

advice in what I can do to better myself as a leader, and how to uphold the standard. I need to show my Soldiers what the standards are and get them to uphold them, so that one day they can teach their Soldiers the same standards.”

And as senior leaders told the new inductees the demands of being an NCO, Soldiers watched their peers transform into leaders.

“When I spoke my part during the ceremony, I’m asking my NCO for his guidance and wisdom to teach and prepare me for anything I come across in the army or life,” said Martinez.

The ceremony inducted two of Martinez’s NCOs.

“I look to my NCOs, and see how they

care, their passion, their selflessness, good balance and dedication,” said Martinez. “I’m very happy and proud for them – they’re amazing Soldiers, and I know they will be great NCOs.”

And just like Slater and the 33 other NCOs who walked across the stage, Martinez hopes one day she will be the one walking on her stage and her Soldiers will be in the stands supporting her.

“Today I’m supporting my NCOs, I’m congratulating them and thanking them for their selflessness,” said Martinez. “This ceremony inspires me to one day be on that stage as I become the type of leader that people look up to and the type of leaders that makes a difference on their Soldiers.”

from REWARDED, Page 1


2-8 IN Gunnery

Soldiers assigned to 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 2nd ABCT drive their M1A1 Abrams tank through the desert during gunnery qualifications at Udairi Range Complex near Camp Buehring Kuwait, April 22.

points of the crews.”When the unit arrived to Kuwait,

Hennon was asked to be the battalion master gunner. The battalion tasked him to create gunnery tables, which are combat simulated engagements from scratch.

In other words, he was in charge of the battalion’s training and certification of M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank crews on what was a proverbial blank desert slate.

“I was the one who built all the tables we fired on. There were no targets in the ground, so we picked where they went, dug them into place and built the scenarios,” said Hennon.

Adhering to the confines of the range, he made the engagements smooth and fluid and incorporated the Army required standards for the tables.

When the range went live, he evaluated results.

When asked, when does a master gunner sleep, he responded with a shrug “Sleep?”

The results and dedication were not lost on his leadership.

“He understands what the master gunner program is about. He’s implemented all the correct standards for the companies to follow, and he’s succeeded at any kind of range or table,” said 1st Sgt. Sammie Clark, senior enlisted leader, HHC, 1st Bn., 67th Ar. Reg.

Clark continued to say that while developing the battalion’s gunnery program, Hennon did it filling a slot two ranks above him, and the battalion felt it was their duty to recognize his leadership potential.

“He was put in for a battlefield promotion because he serves in a sergeant 1st class position at the battalion level and for his potential to lead as a staff sergeant or sergeant 1st class, said Clark. “From a leadership perspective, we are making sure we promote those who are able to lead at different levels,” said Clark.

In a career field hit hard by the Army’s current draw down, Hennon’s battlefield promotion still leaves him a bit apprehension of what he thinks some may call a freebee, but he personally feels it’s needed for those who sacrifice for the mission.

“The Army doesn’t look at you (for staff sergeant), they look at a number on a piece of paper,” Hennon said. “I think it cuts a lot of guys short whenever you have guys who are working in the field on a day-to-day basis and don’t have a chance to do college or correspondence courses. This is a system that lets some people know there’s still a chance.”

His leadership agrees.“He will excel,” said Clark.

from REWARDED, Page 1

Leadership of 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 2nd ABCT, discuss tactics used during gunnery qualifications at Udairi Range Complex near Camp Buehring Kuwait, April 22.

The guidon of 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 2nd ABCT, sways in the wind during qualifications at Udairi Range Complex, Camp Buehring Kuwait, April 22.

A car roast during 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 2nd ABCT qualifications at Udairi Range Complex, Camp Buehring Kuwait, April 22.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd ABCT PAO

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd ABCT PAO

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd ABCT PAOPhoto by: Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd ABCT PAO

Sling-load training a “GO”

Two Soldier sassigned to HHC, 2nd STB sling load cargo under a UH-60 Black Hawk from the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, New York Army National Guard, during sling load training at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 19. The two units worked together to train Soldiers on sling load operations.


An UH-60 Black Hawk, 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, New York Army National Guard, carries sling loaded cargo during sling load training with Soldiers from the HHC, 2nd STB, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 19. The two units worked together to train Soldiers on sling load operations.

A Soldier assigned to HHC, 2nd STB, guides a UH-60 Black Hawk from the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, New York Army National Guard, during sling load training at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 19. The two units worked together to train Soldiers on sling load operations.

Photo by Marcus Fichtl2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.


Shots across the AO

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Armored 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 Armored Brigade Combat Team

Public 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:[email protected]

Col. Omar Jones IV......................2nd ABCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen 2nd ABCT CSMMaj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OICStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICSgt. Marcus Fichtl...............................Layout and DesignStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor

Warhorse Pride

Soldiers assigned to Troop C, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., volunteer to escort local members of the Tiger Scouts during their visit to CAS, Qatar, April 23.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III spoke to Soldiers on Camp Buehring, Kuwait about the future of the Army at the Camp Buehring Gateway, April 13.

Soldiers from the 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., conduct Joint Fires training at the Udairi Range Complex near Camp Buehring, Kuwait April 14-18.

Ch. (Maj.) Doug Ball, 2nd ABCT chaplain, gives a class on spiritual strength during the Warhorse Life Foundations Seminar at the Camp Buehring, Kuwait Chapel, April 12

Courtesy photo

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy PhotoPhoto by: Sgt. Marcus Fichtl, 2nd ABCT PAO

Courtesy photo

Photo by Marcus Fichtl2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Family Readiness Group Vol. 2, Issue 9 April 25, 2014

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Vol. 2, Issue 9 April 25, 2014

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MWR TOURS PHONE # 438-3056 I 0800-1700 HRS SAT - THURS

OASIS - MWR PALMS - UDAIRI CENTER PHONE # 438 - 3202 OPEN 24 HRS

FITNESS CENTER PHONE # 438 - 3130 OPEN 24 HRS

Karaoke Night - MWR Oasis @ 2000





Mother s Day E-cards -MWR Oasis @ 1500 Top 40 Hits Music Dance Night - MWR Oasis @ 1900

Latin Music Night - MWR Oasis @ 2030 Saturday Night Bingo - MWR Oasis @ 1900

Saturday Night Bingo - MWR Oasis @ 1900



Focus On Fitness Obstacle Run - Eisenhower near the MWR Stage @ 1700

Texas Hold em Tournament - MWR Palms @ 1900



Call Of Duty - MWR Palms @ 1900

Buehring Weekly 5K- Eisenhower near the MWR Stage @ 0500




Glow in the Dark Chipping Contest - Buehring Track @ 1900

Soca Music Night - MWR Oasis @ 1900 International Mix Music Night -

MWR Oasis @ 2030

Tour De Buehring Bike Marathon – Eisenhower near the MWR Stage @ 0600

Mother s Day Classic Game Show Deal or No Deal –MWR Oasis @ 1400

Hip Hop & R&B Music Dance Night - MWR Oasis @ 1900 Zydeco Music Night - MWR

Oasis @ 2030

The Throw Down Competition – Main Gym @ 1800

9 Ball Tournament - MWR Udairi Center @ 1900

Country Music Dance Night - MWR Oasis @ 1900 Latin/Tejano Music Night -

MWR Oasis @ 2030

Country Music Dance Night - MWR Oasis @ 1900

3on3 Soccer Tournament - Basketball Court @ 1800

3on3 Soccer Tournament - Basketball Court @ 1800

Memorial Day Observance - MWR Stage @ 1800

Memorial Day 5K – Eisenhower near the fuel point @ 1830

Dominoes Tournament - MWR Oasis @ 1900

Salsa Dance Night - MWR Oasis @ 1900

Softball League ( 03 April - 12 June ) @ Multi Purposed Field





Piñata Bashing & Fiesta- MWR Oasis @ 1000

Ping Pong Tournament - MWR Udairi Center @ 1900

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Observance ( 01 May – 31 May ) @ MWR Camp Buehring





RC Car Race – RC Race Track Near Softball Field @ 1700

Asian Pacific Heritage Month Observance – MWR Stage @ 1500

warhorse pride vol 2 issue 9 20140425

Government & Nonprofit

junior soldiers

eligible soldiers

abct pao

gregory hennon

great ncos

nd abct

martinezs ncos

new inductees