VOLUME 3
THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
Inside this issue Message from RG6/RG9
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B/2-20TH wins AAME
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Resiliency training for Rail Gunner Soldiers
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Soldiers reach new heights with fitness
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Promotions and Re-up
ISSUE 2
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The Rail Gunner Monthly Staff
Commander COL William E. McRae Command Sgt. Maj. CSM Kelvin A. Hughes Rail Gunner PAO NCOIC SSG Kyle J. Richardson
41st Fires Brigade “Rail Gunners!!”
FORT HOOD, Texas— Soldiers within Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade made a prediction last year and it came true. Not only did the Black Knight Soldiers accomplish what many Soldiers only dream about, but they did it twice. Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt. was announced as the small unit category winner for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence Pfc. John Horton, track mechanic, checks over maintenance conducted throughout Forces Comon an M-270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 20th mand. The Black Knight FA Regt. won the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence throughout Soldiers beat-out 26 other Forces Command for the small units’ category. units in the small unit category to achieve the prestigious tantly than that, it’s good to know that award for a second consecutive we’re doing the right thing. This award year. not only shows that we have a solid The AAME provides incentive maintenance program, but it also gives and recognition for units running overdue recognition the Soldier’s for outstanding maintenance protheir hard work.” grams throughout the Army. Besides the almost endless packet of “It feels good to win the various maintenance records and reports award again,” said 1st Lt. Cody that the unit had to put together for subKness, executive officer for Btry. mission, the unit was also inspected on B, 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires their vehicles, maintenance reports, Bde. “It’s good to get recognized for NBC equipment, arms rooms, and some doing a good thing, but more imporlogistics. See AAME on Page 3
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Rail Gunner 6 & 9 Send
Colonel William E. McRae 41st Fires Brigade Dear Rail Gunner Family, CSM Hughes and I would like to thank our Soldiers and Families for aspiring to exceed the standard in everything we do! It is our distinct pleasure to continue to serve and support the best Soldiers in the Army! February was a great month for the 41st Fires Brigade. From February 13th-16th, an elite team of Rail Gunners participated in the Fort Hood Combatives Tournament. We enjoyed several significant wins: first place finishes from SPC Cole and PFC Langarica; third place finishes from SPC Chavez and SGT Pequeno; and three fourth place finishes - PFC Horta, PFC Barro, and 1LT Sloan. Their success contributed to the 41st Fires Brigade being crowned Fort Hood’s installation champions, as the Rail Gunners devas-
tated the competition by 38 points! Congratulations to our competitors, and thanks to all of the Soldiers and Family members who came out to support our team! The Brigade also executed a Certification Exercise in which our Soldiers confirmed their readiness to take on any assigned mission. In the weeks and months to come, our Soldiers will execute additional field problems. These training exercises will focus on individual and collective tasks designed to maintain proficiency and prepare for large scale operations. Our Soldiers, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, continue to an outstanding job. Whether training Afghan Soldiers or executing secure moves in support of ISAF leaders, these Soldiers are planning and executing all missions in a way that makes us all proud. They’re more than half way through the deployment, and remain in our thoughts and prayers. We all look forward to welcoming them back to Fort Hood! The summer will be here soon, which means it’s a great time to get out, hit the road, and have fun – especially over Spring Break (1117 March). Each and every one of us has a part in ensuring that our fellow Rail Gunners adhere to safety standards! Part of our safety focus must be on encouraging and coaching our Motorcycle Riders as they grow in their proficiency. This will be supported by a Brigade Motorcycle Mentorship Ride (20 March) in which our senior mentors will help develop our younger riders. Together we can ensure that
Command Sergeant Major Kelvin Hughes 41st Fires Brigade CSM every Rail Gunner stays safe. Finally, it is with great sadness, but incredible appreciation and respect, that we prepare to bid farewell to CSM Hughes, as he changes responsibility on 27 March. Please join the BDE in thanking him for over 32 years of service to the Army during the ceremony on Cooper Field. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors! Again, thanks for all that you do in making the 41st Fires Brigade the best unit it can be!
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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AAME cont. from Page 1
“When competing for the AAME, you have to be thorough with your records,” said 1st Lt. Leo Butler, the maintenance officer for Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Bde. “It’s all about honest and accurate reporting. Inspection teams will go out and check all of our equipment and balance that with the corresponding maintenance records to see if everything is matching and up to date. The inspecting teams want to see if our maintenance program is being conducted according to standards.” III Corps sent inspection preparation teams to the unit through the month of January, and official inspections took place in February. The Soldiers and leadership were happy to have won the award
along with the recognition but most of them are celebrating more for having a successful maintenance program. “We’re going to continue to work hard and uphold the standards,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Coggins, motor sergeant for the combat repair team with Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Bde. “Leaders have to continue to uphold the standards so Soldiers know what the standards are. If the Soldiers see their leaders working hard and setting the right example then they will continue to work hard. As leaders, we can’t just sit around Pfc. James Jacob, a track mechanic with the combat repair team, finishes and point his maintenance on an M-270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. After the fingers. We maintenance, the drivers and mechanics will take the MLRS on a road have to be test. out there showing them what to though we’ve achieved the stando and how it needs to dard, we have to continue working get done.” hard to maintain it,” said Coggins. The Black Knights “We’re going to move forward with have proved themthe same systems in place. Howselves at the FORever, our next milestone is the SCOM level and they Phoenix award where we will comare not planning on pete against all branches of service. taking a break. We’ve never made it that high but “It took a lot of this is a new year for great things to work to get where we happen.” are now, but even Sgt. Renardo Prevo, a track mechanic noncommissioned officer with the combat repair team, pulls out a set of cables while performing maintenance on an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. After the next level of AAME awards, the unit may be able to compete for the Phoenix award.
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Rail Gunners; Strong and resilient Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
FORT HOOD, Texas—Soldier deployments are steadily decreasing, which is good in the opinion of some Soldiers, spouses, and family members. However, the decline in the domestic violent rates throughout the Army is slow in comparison. To combat domestic violence or any other critical incident, the Department of the Army instituted the Master Resiliency Training program in 2009. MRT is designed to help Soldiers deal with the rigors of everyday stress, focus less on the negative, become more resilient, and refocus catastrophic thoughts. This program is also structured to encourage spouses and family members to participate. Since September 2010, the MRT training has been an annual require-
Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, work on an exercise during a master resiliency training class. During the exercise, the Soldiers wrote down three positive words to help them to focus on positive thinking.
ment. Leaders in the 41st Fires Brigade aggressively approached the training and continue to make progress in minimizing the critical in-
cidents on Fort Hood. Rail Gunner Soldiers are provided the chance to attend an MRT class several times a quarter. Nearly thirty Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Bde. participated in the most recent training session. “The Master Resiliency Training program is designed to provide Soldiers with the tools that they can use prior to situations happening,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Cook, Newark, N.J. native, the brigade Master Resiliency Trainer, of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires Bde. “Resiliency training teaches Soldiers how to keep everything in perspective and how to bounce back. But probably one of the best qualities of the course is that it teaches SolPfc. Natalia Clark, an automated logistics specialist, reads a section in the master resiliency training manual during an diers how to look inward. The MRT class. MRT is an annual requirement and was instituted in 2009. See RESILIENT on Page 5
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“What we learn in class is not just for work,” said Cook. “MRT will not solely diminish domestic violence, but if everyone involved in those situations would practice what they learn on a regular basis, then it could possibly help reduce the numbers. One of the skills in this training that the Soldiers learn is effective communication.” There are no tests or grading during the training, but most Soldiers leave the class with some learning points. “This class has helped me a lot,” said Pfc. Natalia Clark, an automated logistics specialist for the 575th ForSoldiers with the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, listen intently and answers questions during ward Support Company, 1st a master resiliency training class held at the Soldiers Development Center at Fort Hood. Rail Gunner Soldiers receive a chance to attend MRT classes every quarter. Bn., 21st FA Regt. “The most important aspect of this program helps to teach Soldiers evaluate their current situations and class that I’ve learned is to listen how to modify their own behaviors learn to “put things into perspecand go into all situations with a to get a better outcome to any situative.” positive attitude. tion.” Soldiers learning to modify some of their own behaviors could possibly help curtail some of the domestic violence issues that occur. Domestic violence isn’t always physical, sometimes it’s verbal. “There are numerous cases that occur on Fort Hood,” said Ken Dickerson, Corinth, Ky. native, occupational health and safety specialist for the 41st Fires Bde. “MRT is an excellent program that can help young and senior Soldiers. When you are young you don't always have the skills sets to deal with issues the right way.” During the course of the MRT Sgt. 1st Class James Cook, brigade master resiliency training instructor, instructs nearly 30 Soldiers on how to “chase the good stuff” during an MRT training session. “Chasing the good stuff” allows Soldiers to focus on the positive rather training, the Soldiers learn to than the negative.
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Spiritual fitness takes Soldiers to new heights Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO
HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas— Several First Strike Soldiers along with the help of their battalion chaplain and his assistant, made small work of some oversized boulders while showing the true strength of their combined spiritual fitness. Forty Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade took on the challenges at Boulders Sport Climbing Center located in Harker Heights on Jan. 11. Spiritual fitness is a display of individual characteristics needed in stressful times on the battlefield or during the rigors of day-to-day life. Spiritual fitness is also one of the five dimensions of
Pfc. Michael Selman, a fire direction specialist, climbs a rock wall. Selman was able to scale the wall and ring the bell at the top.
Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade participated in group teambuilding activities at Boulders Sports Climbing Center. One of the stations was the ball in the bucket were Soldiers had to throw the ball in the air and catch it without the ball touching the ropes or the floor.
the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program which was launched Army-wide in 2009. Because spiritual fitness is a continuous aspect of a Soldier’s life, individuals should continue to train and develop this characteristic. “We put on spiritual fitness training events to build morale in Soldiers, increase teamwork, and improve the comprehensive soldier,” said Capt. David Ravenscraft, Cincinnati native, battalion chaplain for the 1st Bn., 21st FA Regt. “It’s important to develop Soldiers in all areas, but spiritual fitness can keep them moving when times get tough. During the training, Ravenscraft quoted Napoleon Bonaparte—‘The strongest weapon a Soldier has is his spirit.’
“If a Soldier’s spirit is broken, he will not be able to complete his mission,” said Ravenscraft. “When a Soldier’s spirit is strong, he can reach new heights.” During the training event, some Soldiers conquered fears and reached new heights while climbing the various rock walls. “This is my first time climbing and I think it’s a great idea that my unit is willing to do something like this,” said Spc. Alvin Greenwood, Beech Island, S.C. native, petroleum specialist for 575th Forward Support Company, 1st Bn., 21st FA Regt. While the training event helped Soldiers expand upon their spiritual fitness, it also served another purpose. “We have Soldiers from all the batteries in the battalion,” said Spc. Gabriel Figueroa, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico native, a chaplain’s See SPIRIT on Page 7
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Spc. Chris Welter, a medical specialist tests out the Dino Jump wall. The Soldiers worked with professional rock climbers throughout the day.
assistant for the 1st Bn., 21st FA Regt. “Normally, these Soldiers wouldn’t get the chance to work with one another unless we’re in the field or deployed. So this training provides an opportunity for all the Soldiers to get together. It’s important for Soldiers throughout our battalion to know one another and work with each other. The Bible says ‘two ropes together are stronger than just one.’ If all the Soldiers in the battalion were pieces of rope, constant training makes us stronger, especially in a demanding deployed environment.” Although the Soldiers attended a spiritual fitness training event, Ravenscraft said that the Soldiers do not have to be religious to attend the event. Soldiers worked on multiple
Pfc. Donald Chellette, a multiple launch rocket systems crewmember climbs through a
climbing drills, rock wall. More than 40 Soldiers were able to take part in the training event held at Boulders. team building exercises, and toward the end of the day they were able to conduct free climbing and rappelling. “This training is about more than a Soldier’s religious background,” said Ravenscraft. “We’re here to develop not only individuals, but the team.”
Pfc. Sean LoSavio, a multiple launch rocket systems crewmember rappels down a wall. The spiritual fitness training event was the first time some of the Soldiers had a chance to work with one another.
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VOLUME 3
THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY
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February:
SPC Cook, Aubrey SPC Delcastillo, Muriel SPC GonzalezMercado, Joel SPC Mathis, Kevin SPC Smith, Michael SPC Stock, Mathew SGT Artis, Devellis SGT Hammers, Jeremy SGT Pirez, Jean Paul SGT Prevo, Renardo SGT Randall, Robert SSG Bumpass, Kent
Karen Hunt Alejandra Casillas Eliana Taborda Veronica Kopakowski March: PFC Karen Rivera SPC Michael Zhangzhu PC Amanda Hill Volunteers for February and March will be recognized at the Phantom Warrior Center April 10th at 1000 .
TO PV2 PV2 Bursik, Amber PV2 Johnson, Jimmy PV2 Reynolds, Matthew PV2 Veugeler, Zachary TO PFC PFC Alexander, Douglas PFC Bagwell, William PFC Greene, Nathan PFC Jenkins, Jeremy PFC Johnsonhoffman, Patrick PFC Linares, Elsa PFC McLean, Tayrs PFC Mumma, Collin PFC Pappas, Kyle PFC Rodriguez, Fred PFC Rundquist, Robert PFC Smith, Donnamarie
PFC Valdez, Bianna PFC Varela, Eric PFC Westerfield, Joshua TO SPC SPC Atkinson, James SPC Burris, Matthew SPC Chung, Dustin SPC Clark, Justin SPC Cox, Timothy SPC Entrikin, Joseph SPC Davis, Zachary SPC Dewald, Patrick SPC Dion, Kyle SPC Domenech, Brendan SPC Drumm, Jacob SPC Faris, Paul SPC Flaherty, Ryan SPC Florez, Patrick SPC Grippin, Travis
SPC Hampton, Dewayne SPC Henry, Jabrosky SPC Keller, Justin SPC Lorenzen, Edmund SPC Lovett, Mary SPC Matthews, Joshua SPC Minteer, John SPC Ralston, Jared SPC Smith, Sean SPC Tatum, John SPC Thomas, Allen SPC Zanger, Samuel TO SGT SGT Person, Luz SGT Coss, Robert TO SFC SFC Rhodes, Calnessa
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