4A the Cannoneer, December 5, 2013
Run From Page 1A to do every year. Just being able to run for Stephen’s memory is wonderful, and I just think it’s great to see so many others who wanted to run for the fallen despite below freezing temperatures,”she said. The run started off with a bang as the cannon fired with the help of Gold Star family member Amanda Alexander pulling the lanyard, with more than 900 runners rushing through the start line. “I think it went wonderfully, and I loved the family walk this year. I also very much enjoyed Colonel Preston’s opening remarks,” said Alexander. “They were very poignant and touching. Overall, I really enjoyed the event, and I truly appreciate the brigade supporting and participating in such an important event that is so dear to my family,”she said. At Camp Redleg, UAE, the “Steel Warriors”kicked off their shadow run a few days later. The battalion decided to hold its own run as a show of support to fallen Soldiers and
Photo by Spc. Troy Powders
Photo by Spc. Joe Dees
Runners brave the bitter cold at the start of the 214th Fires Brigade’s 2013 Fallen Soldier Memorial 5k Run. More than 900 participants turned out to honor fallen heroes Nov. 27. their families. There were more than 200 from the“Steel Warriors” and their coalition partners. This is the first time that the Fallen Soldier Run was conducted internationally. “This run is important to me because the cause that it supports. It is a great way to promote awareness, and it shows our Soldiers and coalition partners one of the many ways we
honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.They are truly not forgotten,”said 1st Lt. Christopher Robbins, one of the runners in UAE. To respect the host nation guidelines on activities during the day, the battalion conducted the run on the Saturday following the run at Fort Sill. For those in UAE it was a
good way to exercise and work off some of the calories they had consumed celebrating Thanksgiving two days before. Outside the gate, two rocket launcher displays were set up on each side of the starting line. A big tent with a sound system was set up for runners to enjoy before the race and to pump themselves up for the competition,
Spc. Aspen Danson, 1st Lt. Caroline Bell and Spc. Andrea Burton finish the Fallen Soldier Memorial shadow run that 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery held in United Arab Emirates Nov. 30. The “Steel Warriors” and coalition partners ran the race to remember service members killed in combat and to raise money for charities that benefit Gold Star family members. very similar to the Fort Sill set up that also had displays of their weapons systems. One of the best parts about the shadow run was the atmosphere of not only U.S. service members, but also coalition partners who came out to support their comrades, with an Australian chaplain providing the opening prayer.
“It was great getting to see our coalition partners to come out for this event and was a really good opportunity to bond with them and share some of our unit traditions with them,” said 1st Lt. Caroline Bell. For many runners,the memorial run held a very personal meaning as there was a line on the race bib to write someone’s name in following the text “Running in memory of ... .” “It’s good to honor our fallen brothers in arms, especially Lieutenant Tobias Alexander and Captain Jesse Ozbat,” said Sgt. Matthew Whigham, 1-14th FA. Ozbat and Alexander were two Soldiers who were killed May 20, 2011, in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, during a 214th FiB deployment. Alexander’s spouse, Amanda, is still active within the brigade and is the leader of a program that helps families during times of grief. The fastest men and women in each of four age categories were recognized and awarded prizes donated from sponsors. Race photos can be found on the 214th FiB Facebook page at facebook. com/214thFiB.
“They bring you back to the roots of the Army. What you’re supposed to be as far as a Soldier. Even if you’re in the top 10 percent there’s always room for improvement,”said Kolbinski.”
Trail
Shape don’t snap
From Page 1A
Different backgrounds The new drill sergeants are like a microcosm of the Soldiers they are training. Each of their duties drastically transformed from being the Fires Center of Excellence command sergeant major’s aide in Kolbinski’s case, to a Sexual Harrassment/Assault Response and Prevention representative for Jackson to an infantryman for Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Bryan Dospapas. “It’s what creates the Soldier. If you have all the same people making the same Soldier you get that same product over and over. You want to have a diverse Army so you want to have a diverse set of leadership,”said Kolbinski.
Training Training to become a drill sergeant takes place at Fort Jackson, S.C.They go through a two-month course and then an orientation process here where they are certified to train on courses like Treadwell Tower. “They teach you the rules and regulations of what you can and can’t do; how to teach in a better way and how to teach civilians how to be a Soldier,”said Dospapas.
The drill sergeants disspelled myths that part of their coursework involved how to yell at Soldiers. On the contrary, they were given examples of different teaching styles and they said they will use trial and error to fine tune them with the trainees. “It’s an urgency thing. To help them move with a purpose. It’s not like drill sergeants just jump out of the bushes and start screaming.These are young people who are coming into the Army, and they’re not used to people screaming at them so their response to learning is probably not going to be the same. There are other cultures and other backgrounds that are coming in, so it’s almost like a culture shock and they don’t learn as well,”said Jackson. “I think there has been a change, but I don’t think it’s just necessarily as a drill sergeant, I think it’s as the Army as a Drill Sergeant (Sgt.) Christian Jackson, E Battery, 1st whole. We’re learning how to reach people, how to actually Battalion, 40th Field Artillery helps Basic Combat Training create and mentor, construct a Soldier from a civilian. And, Soldiers learn how to properly clean their weapons Nov. 22. it’s not necessarily that you have to snap them in half and they all agreed it’s not their hats that truly symbolize what it rebuild them. You can take the mold that you’re given and means to be a drill sergeant. kind of reshape them ‘til you get them there,”said Kolbinski. “To a drill sergeant it’s more how you influence younger Long hours Soldiers because you’re the first impression on them when The drill sergeants knew of the time and dedication that they come in the Army. So to me what you do now will build comes along with their new jobs on the Basic Combat the habits they will stick with when they move out,” said Training side of post, and they said that is not an issue. Dospapas. “That’s not a hidden secret. Everyone’s like there’s long “I can’t wait to see that end product because when I got days being a drill sergeant.You’re a Soldier 24/7. That’s your here they had a battery full of Soldiers, and I know on Day 1 job and there’s a rewarding part about it,”said Kolbinski. “I love going to the ranges with them because the motivation that wasn’t a battery full of Soldiers. I know on Day 1 that was seems to be higher when we’re gone in the field,”said Jackson. a bunch of civilians, who really wanted to join the Army and serve their country. When I got here they were already transSoldiers formed. I think that’s probably the most rewarding part of Drill sergeants stand out because of their iconic hats, but being a drill sergeant, so I can’t wait,”said Kolbinski.
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