VOLUME 3
THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY
ISSUE 3
Inside this issue Message from RG6/RG9
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41st Fires Brigade Change of Responsibility
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Welterweight Champion
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Philip A. Connelly Award Program
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Promotions and Re-up
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The Rail Gunner Monthly Staff Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes fires his last round during the 41st Fires BDE change of responsibility ceremony held at Cooper Field, March 27. Hughes was big on education for Soldiers and he was the first unit on Fort Hood to implement an internal program to help Soldiers to raise their GT scores.
Commander COL William E. McRae Command Sgt. Maj. CSM Antonio Dunston Rail Gunner PAO NCOIC SSG Kyle J. Richardson
41st Fires Brigade “Rail Gunners!!”
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
FORT HOOD, Texas—After 10 years with the 41st Fires Brigade, Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes passed the guidon to Command Sgt. Maj. Antonio Dunston at Cooper Field on March 27. The legendary figure said good-bye to the Rail Gunners one last time during the
change of responsibility ceremony on a bright Texas day. Hughes, a Haynesville, La. native, crossed the threshold of the 41st Fires BDE footprint in June 2003 as the Command Sgt. Maj. for the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment. He served several years as First Strike’s battalion command sergeant major before being selected as the brigade command serSee CHANGE on Page 3
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Rail Gunner 6 & 9 Send
Colonel William E. McRae 41st Fires Brigade Dear Rail Gunner Family, On behalf of Railgunner Officers, NCOs and Soldiers, I’d like to welcome CSM Antonio Dunston to the Railgunner family! As most of you know, we executed the Change of Responsibility on 27 March, and bade farewell to CSM Hughes. Thank you, CSM Hughes for your 32 years of dedicated service to our Soldiers and our Nation. We wish you all the best in the future, and hope to see you running on Battalion Avenue! The 27th was a perfect Fort Hood Day, and with the command teams from 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Corps in attendance, and the Railgunner Brigade looked proud and amazing on Cooper Field. CSM Dunston arrives from Fort Bliss, where he was the Command Sergeant Major for 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Divi-
sion. CSM Dunston brings a wealth of experience to our soldiers and we look forward to his leadership in our pursuit of excellence. In the weeks to come, our Soldiers will find themselves actively engaged in unit level training events as well as supporting garrison activities. Events like Spring Cleanup from 10-13 April, Fleet Synthetic Training – Joint from 9-19 April, and the Corps Warfighter Simulation Exercise that spans from now through mid-June will engage our leaders and Soldiers in unique and essential training opportunities. There are also Soldierfocused team based events here at Fort Hood, like the Ride to Recovery on 19 April, which will honor and support our wounded veterans, and Earth Fest, on 27 April, that will help educate Soldiers and families alike in conservation and good stewardship of our bountiful natural resources available at the Great Place. As the summer quickly approaches, it is essential to focus on safety – from travel to recreation to training – especially with the Texas heat. Soldiers and families should remain vigilant when participating in well-deserved recreation activities both on water and land. I would also like to emphasize safety as related to vehicles, whether they are motorcycles, personally owned vehicles, or boats. It is necessary to remain alert and situationally aware as we enjoy the wonderful weather. We need each and every one of our Soldiers to achieve victory! Together, we can continue to do our part in making the Great
Command Sergeant Major Antonio Dunston 41st Fires Brigade CSM Place the safest place. Again, thanks for all that you do to support our goal of making the 41st Fires Brigade the best unit it can possibly be! Remember “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast!” I expect all Railgunners to be relentless in their pursuit of excellence. Your efforts are critical, and will determine if we are to be a part of the type of elite unit that others aspire to emulate.
Rail Gunner Strong!
The “Rail Gunner Monthly” is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the “Rail Gunner Monthly” are not necessarily official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 41st Fires Brigade. All editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions contact the 41st Fires Brigade PAO office at 254-287-0739 or email kyle.richardson@conus.army.mil. Check out the unit’s Website at http://www.hood.army.mil/41stFires or on Facebook for additional information.
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CHANGE cont. from Page 1
left the brigade in a more than provement capable pair of hands. program. “There are two constants in “At this any organization; those are the day and age, colors and the Soldiers that there is no stand behind the colors,” said reason for a McRae. “Command Sgt. Maj. Soldier not to Dunston brings in a career’s have an eduworth of experience to the brication,” said gade and we will continue to Hughes. strive to exceed the standards. I “Every Sollook forward to serving with him dier is not and any new ideas he brings to going to stay this organization.” in the Army As Dunston gets settled in, Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes salutes Col. William McRae, after they reviewed the 20 or 30 troops with Command Sgt. Maj. Antonio Dunston during the Rail Gunners change of he says he is ready to except years, so he responsibility ceremony. Hughes will retire after serving 32 years in the Army. the challenge of leading the Rail or she should Gunners. geant major for the Rail Gunbe prepared for the civilian “ I was overjoyed when I ners. world. And having a strong eduwas selected as During Hughes’ tenure in the cational background is one step 41st Fires BDE he participated toward being successful outside in many operations spanning the Army.” both garrison and deployment Hughes witnessed many environments. Hughes said that changes within the Army but he doesn’t take much credit for he was able to adapt with the the success of the brigade betimes and develop into a noncause it was leaders and Solcommissioned officer rediers who successfully accomspected and admired by many. plished each mission. He feels “It was clearly an honor to that his greatest achievement be able to serve with Comwas deploying to Iraq for 15 mand Sgt. Maj. Hughes,” said months and returning with all of Col. William McRae, Cleveland his Soldiers. native, commander for the 41st “The brigade’s accomplishFires BDE “His vast experiments weren’t about me,” said ence with Soldiers and SoldierHughes. “I was there to hold the ing is something that we all leaders accountable. The leadcan learn from; I’ve learned a ers that I appointed to various great deal from him. It’s very task executed [the mission] flawencouraging to know for the lessly and above the standard. last 32 years Command Sgt. It’s been a pleasure serving Maj. Hughes has been enalongside the Soldiers and leadtrusted with the care of our ers within the 41st Fires”. Soldiers. He has done an outIn addition to exceeding the standing job throughout his Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes receives the final round from the cannon he fired from Staff Sgt. James Reddick, the salute standard, Hughes believed in career.” battery noncommissioned officer in charge, 2nd Battalion, 20th Soldiers furthering their educaAlthough Hughes is retiring Field Artillery, 41st Fires BDE, during the Rail Gunners change responsibility ceremony. Hughes was the battalion command tion. He implemented a plan to after over 32 years of service, ofsergeant major for the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery make the 41st Fires the first brihe will be missed by the Rail Regiment, 41st Fires BDE when he first arrived to the brigade. gade to have an internal GT imGunner family. Fortunately, See CHANGE on Page 4
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 CHANGE cont. from Page 3
the new command sergeant major for the 41st Fires BDE,” said Dunston, a Spring Hope, N.C. native. “Not only do I get to stay in Texas, but I get a chance to be in the 1st Cavalry Division. I also get a chance to serve with one of the most elite brigades in the Army. It’s a great feeling to be able to serve in the best of the seven fires brigades in the Army; that is an honor in itself.” Dunston said that he initially entered into the Army to serve his country. However, he eventually found a new passion
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in leading and mentoring Soldiers. “It’s necessary to be able to lead Soldiers, but I like to focus more on the total development of a Soldier,” said Dunston. “It’s a great feeling to see a young Soldier transform into a leader and take on extra responsibilities; being a part of or the reason for that transformation is what makes serving all worthwhile.” While Dunston continues to make his way around the brigade, his current plans for the Rail Gunners are simple.
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“My future plans for the 41st Fires BDE is to continue on with excellence,” said Dunston. “This brigade runs synonymous with the hallmark of excellence. I will continue those traditions as we move forward with our daily operations.” Every legacy has a start and an end. For Hughes, he closes a chapter in a legacy that he has helped to forge and preserve. Where Hughes has left off, Dunston will pick up the reins and begin the next chapter in Rail Gunner history.
Cole earns welterweight champion Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
FORT HOOD, Texas—The fighter stands—waiting for his cue; his heart beats with anticipation. Fog from smoke machines bellow across the platform. Multi-color lights flicker on and off. The cheers that resonate throughout Abrams Gyms increase with force as Spc. Richard Cole’s song, “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor, begins to play announcing his entrance. At this moment, Cole pushes any doubt or fear out of his mind as he makes his way to the cage. The air horn goes off commencing the start of the Welterweight Championship bout at the 2012 Fort Hood Combatives Tournament, Feb. 16. Cole, assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade squares off with 1st Lt. Michael Williams, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Divi-
sion. With an explosive energy, Cole jumps at the opportunity for the first strike. Williams steadies himself and remains focused. The two welterweights trade blows and transition between techniques before Cole rocks Williams and gains the advantage with an uppercut. After several minutes into the first round, Cole rains down a flurry of punches on Williams, knocking him out, and earning the title of Welterweight Champion. While the 41st Fires BDE supporters stood to cheer Cole on, many were not surprised by his victory. “Cole is a southpaw and a standup fighter,” said 1st Sgt. Edgar
Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell Jr., commanding general of Fort Hood and III Corps, shakes the hand of Spc. Richard Cole, while Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., the command sergeant major for Fort Hood and III Corps, wraps the Welterweight Championship belt around Cole’s waist during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament.
See COLE on Page 5
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Fuentes, first sergeant for the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires BDE and head coach for the Rail Gunner Combatives team. “I knew if he could keep the match on his feet against a wrestler, he would do well. He landed some nice clean punches and took the guy down.” As the new Welterweight Champion, Cole’s first act was to walk over to Williams, help him up, and then give him a hug. “Most people forget that we’re Soldiers first in these tournaments,” said Cole. “I’m usually cool, calm and collected when I enter the ring, I’m never mad and I’m not really trying to take my opponent’s head off. Plus my opponents are not my enemies. We’re not fighting in the UFC [Ultimate Fighting Champion-
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ship], we do not get paid to do this. Yes, there’s some entertainment and show involved but overall, we’re like students in a class. Combatives is about more than just tournaments. It’s a tool, it’s almost a necessity. We’re here to learn what to do and what not to do in close-quarters combat. Cole’s skills continue to increase since his introduction to combatives training two years Spc. Richard Cole slaps his opponent during the Fort Hood Combatives ago. Tournament. For winning the Welterweight Championship, Cole will compete “Cole is a great in the All-Army Combatives Tournament with the III Corps and Fort Hood guy,” said Sgt. Brad Combatives Team in June. Cannon, senior combatives have done it alone. He exinstructor for the Fort pressed extreme gratitude for Hood Combatives his peers and coaching staff. Training Facility and “I trained long and hard with chief of referees for my teammates and the guys the tournament. running the Fort Hood CombatWhen Cole first came ives Facility,” said Cole. “You to us, he was a very can’t train with just anybody. I unorthodox fighter. also train on what I’m going to He fought like he use. I don’t train a 1,000 techwatched one too niques one time, I train one many Kung Fu movtechnique a 1,000 times before I ies. He was easy to move on to the next move.” work with, which After securing the Weltermade it that much weight Championship, Cole will easier to teach him now train with the III Corps and the fundamentals. Fort Hood Combatives Team in Cole has grown trepreparation for the All-Army mendously since he’s Combatives Tournament in been working with June. us.” Cole said that he was grateful for his Spc. Richard Cole punches 1st Lt. Michael Williams in the ribs during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. win but he could not
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Field tested, Rail Gunner approved Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
competition that provides recognition, promotes proFORT HOOD, Texas—After fessionalism, and many long hours and several excellence throughdays of showerless nights in the out the Army food field, the Soldiers from the 589th service corps The Brigade Support Battalion began program is sepafeeling the effects of the onrated into field and going tactical operations. garrison categories. The Iron Caisson Soldiers This year, four brireceived a small reprieve from gades will compete their 24-hour operations as food in the field category service specialist set-up a mowith hopes of reprebile kitchen trailer and prepared senting Fort Hood to serve hot meals to 125 Solat the FORSCOM diers. level evaluations. A combined team of 10 food “Today III Corps service specialist from various is evaluating us for units throughout the 41st Fires the Philip A. ConBrigade prepared breakfast and nelly Award to see if lunch for the Iron Caisson Solwe have what it Pfc. Felix Escarraman, Bronx native, a food service specialist, 67th Forward diers in the field during a Corpstakes to advance to Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 41st Fires Brigade, mixes up a batch of Rail Dawg punch during the Philip A. Connelly Awards level evaluation of the Philip A. the FORSCOM Program Corps-level evaluation, March 28. The Rail Gunners’ food service team will compete against three other brigades on Fort Hood for the Corps-level Connelly Awards Program, level to represent evaluations. March 28. the 41st Fires BDE The Philip A. Connelly and Fort Hood,” said Sgt. 1st N.J., native, a senior food serAwards Program is an annual Class Angelo Stewart, Newark, vice operations sergeant, 575th Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires BDE “Even though we’re here for a competition, it’s good to be able to provide the Soldiers with a hot meal so they don’t have to eat MREs all day.” The Rail Gunner food service team is comprised of Soldiers with various skill-levels. Stewart said that he wanted Soldiers on the team that loved what they did on a regular basis but also wanted to train and learn. “Our team is an all volunteer Soldiers with the 589th Brigade Support Battalion walk through the Rail Gunner mobile kitchen trailer to team,” said Stewart. “We chose receive a hot breakfast during the Philip A. Connelly Award Program evaluation. The Iron Caisson Soldiers Soldiers who wanted to particiwould also receive a hot lunch later on in the day. See AWARD on Page 7
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 AWARD cont. from Page 6
pate and help bring a little recognition to the food service members throughout the brigade. It makes me feel good to see the Soldiers excited and motivated to participate in the Philip A. Connelly competition.” One of the unique factors to the competition is that menu does not affect the outcome of the competition. “The meal doesn’t have any effect on the outcome of the score,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Hicks, Chicago native, a food advisor for III Corps. “The teams can choose any meal in accordance with the Army menus. The meal itself isn’t a deciding factor, it’s more about how well the team executes during the competition.” During the competition, Hicks will watch the food service personnel execute in their field functions accordance to regulations. Hicks said, he’s not there to make on the spot corrections and that a unit’s determination will help them pull ahead of the other teams competing. “This is a friendly competition at the end of the day, but what makes units stand out is that hunger factor,” said Hicks. “It’s really about who wants it the most; what team is the hungriest.” That hunger factor that Hicks talked about is found on both sides of the competition and it is sometimes used to help motivate food service Soldiers to help their fellow Soldiers. “I’m proud to serve Soldiers because food is fuel for them in the field,” said Staff Sgt. Michelle Sippy, Detroit native, food
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service support supervisor, 67th Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires BDE “Even though the food service specialty is often overlooked, I don’t ask for any thanks in what I do.” Although the results of the first evaluations will be announced at the end of the month, Soldiers are confident in their ability to provide forward food service. It’s about more than an award for Staff Sergeant Sippy: “I get a sense of gratitude when a tired Soldier comes through my line and smiles when he receives a hot meal.”
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Spc. Jorge Muñoz, a food service specialist, 67th Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, prepares some hash browns during the Philip A. Connelly Awards Program Corps-level evaluation, March 28. The Rail Gunners’ food service team was comprised of 10 volunteer Soldiers from units throughout the 41st Fires BDE
Soldiers with the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, line up at the Rail Dawg Field Café during the Philip A. Connelly Awards Program Corps-level evaluation, March 28. The Rail Gunners’ food service team served 125 Soldiers in the field.
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First Sergeant leads his team to victory Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
FORT HOOD, Texas—Once a dream and now a reality, 1st Sgt. Edgar Fuentes stands in the center ring with his team, arms raised, holding an object that signifies hard work and dedication—he holds up a trophy as the team circles around him, celebrating in the 41st Fires Brigade first place finish at the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament, Feb. 16. Fuentes, first sergeant for the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires BDE, has been with the Rail Gunners for seven years. He has been a significant factor in developing the brigade’s com-
1st Sgt. Edgar Fuentes, instructs Pfc. Gregory Langarcia during his championship bout for the Bantamweight Division. Fuentes initiated the combatives program throughout the 41st Fires Brigade.
1st Sgt. Edgar Fuentes, stand-up coach for the 41st Fires Brigade Combatives Team, 41st Fires BDE, gives 1st Lt. Daniel Sloan some final words of advice before entering his match for third and fourth places in the Welterweight Division. The 41st Fires BDE Combatives team took second place in last year’s tournament and first place this year.
batives program. Fuentes has worked hard to help develop many Soldiers and officers into well trained fighters. Last year the Rail Gunners’ combatives team had an overall second place finish in the tournament. Fuentes was grateful for the help he had to make sure the combatives program was a success. “Since 2005, my dream was to take first place in the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament,” said Fuentes. “I’m blessed because of the commanders and sergeant majors [that] gave me the support that I needed to get the program started and to continue running it.” Many fighters from last year’s team returned to fight on the team and to help with some of the less experienced recruits.
“It was good having the experience on the team this year,” said Fuentes. “The more experienced fighters were able to help show the newer fighters what to expect.” The team put in countless hours training with coaches in a multitude of styles and techniques to help give the fighters an advantage over some of the other contenders. Fuentes, who is an avid boxer, coached the team on their stand-up techniques. He made sure his team was well rounded and that his fighters knew what it took to make it through three-physical rounds of combatives. “The 41st Fires Brigade Combatives Team is comprised of a lot of Soldiers with heart because it takes heart and courage to do what they did,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes, command sergeant See FUENTES on Page 7
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1st Sgt. Edgar Fuentes, stand-up coach for the 41st Fires Brigade Combatives Team, 41st Fires BDE, stands instructs 1st Lt. Daniel Sloan during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. Sloan took fourth-place in the Welterweight Division.
Sgt. Edgar Fuentes, stand-up coach for the 41st Fires Brigade Combatives Team, 41st Fires brigade, he always 1st BDE, stands in the center of the ring surrounded by the 41st Fires BDE Combatives team, up the first place trophy during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. The 41st Fires made time for the holding BDE entered the tournament with seven finalist. combatives team. He instilled discipline, strong ing sessions were over. 1st Sgt. will, and that desire to be great helped to develop us over time; in the fighters that physically and mentally. To me, fought under him. 1st Sgt. went that extra mile. Not “We trained day only did he help to develop our in and day out, skills, he helped us come up from early in the with our own game plans.” morning to late at Winning the Fort Hood Comnight,” said Pfc. batives Tournament is almost Andrew Csog, with like a fairy tale ending for HHB, 41st Fires Fuentes. He leaves behind a BDE “Sometimes strong and competitive, and winwe continued to ning force as he departs the train after our train41st Fires BDE in July for the Sergeants Major Academy at The 41st Fires Brigade Combatives Team gather around for a pep talk before the Fort Bliss, Texas.
major for the 41st Fires BDE “This wasn’t an overnight victory.” As Fuentes rotated through several positions throughout the
finals in the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. The Rail Gunners’ team took first place with a total score of 485 points.
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Deep Strike Soldiers celebrate reading Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
FORT HOOD, Texas—One student, then another, waves their flags as they eagerly await a Soldier to read to them. “Read, read, read!”, the children plead, and show the storybook page to their attending Soldier. As the creativeness of Dr. Seuss travels across Central Texas and throughout the nation, the Soldiers and Leaders with the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 41st Fires Brigade departed the gates of the Great Place known as Fort Hood, crossed through
Capt. Peter Crosthwaite, Marysville, Ohio native, commander for Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, reads to a classroom during the National Education Association’s, Read Across America Day in honor of the late Dr. Seuss, held at Meadows Elementary School on Fort Hood, Texas,
Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade reads to some of the students attending the Meadows Elementary School during the National Education Association’s, Read Across America Day in honor of the late Dr. Seuss, March 2. The children were able to pick Soldiers to sit with and have the Soldiers read to them or read to the Soldiers.
Whoville, took a quick break in Theedville, and eventually resurfaced in the classrooms of the Meadows Elementary School to participate in the National Education Association’s program, Read Across America Day. Soldiers helped spread the importance of reading to the students, March, 2nd, 2012. The Read Across America Day program falls on the birthday of the children’s author, Dr. Seuss, because of his literary contributions to young readers. The program has been running since March 1998. The Dr. Seuss books inspired the children and faculty members to dress up as Seuss-like characters and decorate the school’s halls with
Seussville themes. Approximately 30 Deep Strike Soldiers jumped into Dr. Seuss filled worlds and read some of their favorite stories to the children. “I read the Fox in Socks and the Lorax,” said Capt. Peter Crosthwaite, Marysville, Ohio native, commander of Battery C, 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires BDE “I enjoyed reading to the children at Meadows Elementary School. Fox in Socks used to be my favorite Dr. Seuss story when I was a kid. I forgot how much of a tongue twister it was though.” Through the twist and turns of the some of the fun-to-read words in the Dr. Seuss books flowed through the Soldiers to get the children hooked. During the event, the teachers and staff made sure to focus on the importance of reading, but they also remembered that the day See READING on Page 11
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Col. William McRae, Cleveland native, commander of the 41st Fires Brigade samples a plate of green eggs and ham during the National Education Association’s, Read Across America Day in honor of the late Dr. Seuss, held at Meadows Elementary School on Fort Hood, Texas, March 2. Although McRae preferred not to eat his green eggs and ham with a fox or out of a box, he did try some and enjoyed the Seuss delicacy.
their own, they felt honored to celebrate with the school. “It’s a privilege to come out and read to possibly some of our future leaders,” said Col. William McRae, commander of the 41st Fires BDE “I believe that our children need to see us read, so they will build their own desire to read, and then they can grow up open and willing to learn.” McRae read several books throughout the day, but he said his favorite story was “One
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Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” “It’s a very special feeling when you’re in that chair reading to the students,” said McRae. “When you’re up there reading, for a brief moment everyone can see you for who you are; a person, a citizen within a community, and it feels like we’re all part of one big family.” Although Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday is once a year, the Deep Strike Soldiers pledged to continue to volunteer at Meadows Elementary School whenever school is in session: “With a fox or packed away in a box, up TJ Mills Blvd. and down a few blocks.”
was a birthday celebration. “This day [Read Across America Day] was set aside for reading and celebrating a great author’s birthday,” said Sibyl Sheppard, a kindergarten teacher at Meadows Elementary School. “I’m happy that a lot of our volunteers came over to celebrate with us and to help get the children excited about reading. It’s very important for the children to know that you can learn through reading.” Even though a lot of the Soldiers who volunteered did not have any children of Cpl. Joshua Stang reads a Dr. Seuss book to a first-grade class at Meadow Elementary School for Read Across America Day.
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Rail Gunners win first place in tournament Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
FORT HOOD, Texas—The officials lowered the house lights and members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club presented the colors to kick off the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament, Feb. 16. More than 350 contestants entered into the tournament with high expectations of coming out as victors in one of the various weight divisions and one unit claiming the overall number spot in the tournament. For some, the dreams of winning will be postponed until the next tournament. But for the fighters of the 41st Fires Brigade, many dreams came true in the ring that night. The Rail Gunners initially entered the tournament with 24 fighters. Seven fighters prevailed and advanced to the final
Spc. Jimmy Chavez unloads a flurry of punches on his opponent during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. Chavez took second place in last years tournament and third place this year.
round. After countless hours of training, aches, bruises, blood, and sweat, the 41st Fires BDE secured the first place victory in the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament.
Spc. Richard Cole raises his hand after defeating 1st Lt. Michael for the Welterweight Division champion during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. Cole knocked Williams out in the first round to claim the title.
“We put in a lot of hard work and it paid off today,” said Pfc. Gregory Langracia Company A, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires BDE “I’m grateful for having this opportunity and be a part of a great team. We couldn’t have done this alone, our victory was completely a team effort. Plus we had some amazing coaches.” Langracia was the Flyweight champion during the tournament. The Rail Gunners Combatives team had a simple strategy: master the basic techniques and let their opponents defeat themselves. “Eighty percent of the competitors operate using basic skills,” said 1st Sgt. Edgar Fuentes, the stand-up coach for the 41st Fires Combatives team. “Once we took out that first 80 percent, we could conSee CHAMPS on Page 13
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up with the number one position up to this point is a great success story for this brigade.” Individual winners for the 41st Fires Bde include: three fourth-place finishes: Flyweight Division-Pfc. Jorge Horta; Lightweight DivisionPfc. Micha Barro; Welterweight Division-1st Lt. Daniel Sloan—two third-place finishes: Cruiserweight Division -Spc. Jimmy Chavez and Bantamweight Division-Sgt. Simon Pequeno—two firstplace finishes: Bantamweight Champion-Pfc. Gregory Langarica and Welterweight Champion-Spc. Richard 1st Sgt. Edgar Fuentes, stand-up coach for the 41st Fires Brigade Combatives Team, 41st Fires BDE, stands in the center of the ring with Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes, Col. William McRae, commander for the 41st Fires BDE, and the rest of the combatives team, holding Cole. up the first place trophy during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. The 41st Fires BDE team won the tournament with 485 points. The Rail Gunners wowed the crowd with finesse and techcentrate on the other 20 percent knew they could possibly face nique and at the end of the that operate at higher levels in broken limbs, bruises, scrapes night, the team held up a trophy the finals. We went out there and scratches. To be able to in the center of the ring signifyand stayed calm and relied on have the heart and the courage ing their first place finish. our training. After that, everyto train up to this point and end thing fell into place.” While the Rail Gunner fighters enter the finals down in points, the team transitioned between arm bars, collar chokes, and good old-fashion flurries of punches. The Rail Gunners team created a lead and finished the tournament off with 485 points. “The 41st Fires BDE Combatives Team is comprised of a lot of Soldiers with heart because it takes heart and courage to do what they did,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes, command sergeant major for the 41st Fires BDE “They have been training for this for a period of time knowing what they were going to face. These Soldiers
Pfc. Gregory Langarcia, mounts his opponent during the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament, and begins to unload punches on her. Langarcia defeated his opponent in the second round to become the Bantamweight Champion.
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THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY
SPC Higginbotham, Michael SPC Tatum, Rickey Allen Jr SPC Hooten, Curtis Wade SPC Moore, Bryant Deyong SPC Mcdaniel, Allan Leroy III SPC Fritz, Steven Lynn SPC Pieper, Corey Kendall SPC Detwiler, Andrew Lee SPC Gomesrodriguez, Melissa SPC Belizaire, Marc Charles SPC Martin, Matthew Brian SPC Ramos, Joseph Michael SPC Castillo, Adrian SPC Martini, Amanda Joy SPC Newcomb, Ryan Anthony SPC Wylie, Wesley Warren SPC Duval, Eric Paul SPC Spear, Jamanda Raqueal SPC Jones, James Ethan
SPC Rocha, Erika Elisa SPC Springer, Raymond SPC Webster, Jason Ranalda SPC Irizarrylopez, Edniel SPC Little, Freddie Lee Jr SPC Fultzmeyer, Angel Kay SGT Schlereth, James Joseph SGT Jeffries, Timothy Curtis SGT Lewis, Kyle Van SGT Navatorres, Jesus SGT Lara, William Kenneth SGT Ard, Thomas Joe SGT Putnam, Morgan Samuel SGT Tyree, Octavius Nmn SGT Lister, Kevin Latray SGT Davies, Edward III SGT Hill, Anthony Leon SGT Vasquez, Mario SGT Williams, Zahra
To SPC SPC Alexius, Ren SPC Casillas, Alejandra SPC Chavez, Moises SPC Garcia, Alexis SPC Gastelum, Rudy SPC Gordon, Zachary SPC Groves, Adrian SPC Gruber, Dane SPC Horta, Jorge SPC Jewell, Arthur SPC Kompass, David SPC Matthews, Dennis SPC Orr, Aaron SPC Pendleton, Dalton SPC RamosRojas, Guillermo SPC Rodriguez, Antonio SPC Sullivan, John
SGT Mccarthy, Samantha Jo SGT Watts, Richard Oliver SGT Matthews, Kimberly SGT Cardon, Raymond Chris SGT Moliga, Laufau Jr SGT Wilson, Antwan Joseph SSG Edwards, Dewayne SSG Fournier, Timothy SSG Hunter, Noel Marie SSG Lozanoospina, Ernest SSG Ferrer, Ernesto L SSG Moore, Jerry Glen SFC Massey, Rhett Daniel SFC Hunter, John Bryan SFC Embrey, James Alan
SPC Tomlinson, Matthew SPC Valentine, Anthony SPC Vaughan, Russell SPC Wallace, John
ISSUE 3
APRIL: 1-21 Mrs. Maria Hodge 2-20 Mrs. Madonna Ramirez Volunteers for April will be recognized at the Phantom Warrior Center May 8th at 1000 .
To SSG SSG Briseno, Jesse To SFC
To SGT SFC Solis, Carlos SGT Lamyuen, Fonotaga SGT Smith, Michael SGT Struble, Drick
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