DISCLAIMER: THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS BOTH OFFICIAL & UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE PURELY THE VIEWS OF THE WRITERS AND DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINION OF 1-36 INFANTRY BATTALION, 1/1 AD NOR OF THE U.S. ARMY. THE INCLUSION OF SOME UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER HAS

NOT INCREASED THE COSTS TO THE GOVERNMENT, IN ACCORDANCED WITH DoD 4525 , 8-M, OFFICIAL MAIL MGT MANUAL.

CSM Message

See Page 2.

See What’s Happening with your company. Starting Page 3.

Spartan Olympics See Page 6

Upcoming Events See Page 8

mid-October, platoons from every company

participated with Special Forces units on host

nation forces training. Over the next 40 days,

infantrymen from this battalion will undergo

rigorous training to strive and earn the coveted

Expert Infantryman’s Badge (EIB). Following

that event, our unit will maximize leave for the

winter holidays.

I am proud to command the finest Soldiers of

the Ready First Combat Team. Again, thank

you for your support, and I look forward to

meeting you at our next function for our fami-

lies.

“DEEDS NOT WORDS”

LTC Kevin D. Admiral

Spartan 6

Spartan Olympics. Companies field teams

in a variety of athletic events. Select Soldiers

from each company participate in the Ulti-

mate Spartan, a series of grueling and de-

manding physical events. I would like to

extend a special note of thanks to Judy and

Mike Wendt of LaserTech and Tommy

Horn of the Dick Poe Team for providing

the food and beverages to support Spartan

Olympics held on 29 September 2011.

Over the past three months, this unit has

conducted a variety of training events. Dur-

ing mid-September, the battalion conducted

Team Leader Academy. Select Soldiers who

have risen through the ranks (from Special-

ist promotable, Corporal, to Sergeant) to

lead other Soldiers were selected for special-

ized leader training. Companies have been

conducting intense physical training and

tough field training, from individual to team

movements, all of which culminates into live

fire exercises for teams and squads. During

Commander’s Corner

31 October 2011

Greetings and welcome to the first edi-

tion of the Spartan Scroll. Most impor-

tantly, I want to say ―Thank You‖ - thank

you to all the spouses and family members

for supporting your loved one and our Sol-

diers. Through your shared strength and

dedication for what we stand, our Soldiers

have accomplished a tremendous number of

tasks and missions that continue to uphold

the honor and reputation of the Spartan

Battalion as one of the best units on Fort

Bliss.

The Spartan Scroll is our unit’s official

newsletter that is published once every quar-

ter, or three months. It will provide you with

information on what’s happening and connect

family members of the Spartan Battalion.

Once every quarter, the battalion con-

ducts its organization day, better known as

Ministry Team can assist your family in any way.

Caring for you,

CH (1LT) Joshua Andrew

Spartan Shepherd

There is an ancient legend that tells of an encounter between a warrior and a beggar. The story recounts that the mili-tary leader was hardened by battle and not know for showing sympa-thy. When the naked beggar ap-proached the warrior to beg for assistance, the veteran drew his sword. Those looking on expected the Soldier to kill the beggar. Instead, he took his sword and cut his cloak in half—giving one half to the man in need. After this event, the cloak symbolized the need for Soldiers to maintain their compassionate humanity in the face of war’s harsh demands. In future battles, people were appointed to be the ―keeper of the cloak.‖ This person would serve as a visual reminder to preserve the warrior’s soul. In Latin, the word for cloak is capella, from which we derive the word Chaplain—a mod-ern keeper of the cloak..

As the new Spartan Chaplain, I serve as a member of the Unit Ministry Team to pro-vide care for the Soldier’s soul and those of our Families. Together, the Chaplain Assistant and I work to ensure Soldiers and Families maintain their resiliency during the storms of life. It is an honor to be a part of 1-36th Infantry Battal-ion. We look forward to providing the opportunities and reminders to never lose sight of that which makes people truly strong.

During this next quar-ter, the Unit Ministry Team will provide opportunities for families to grow through retreats, counsel-ing, and events designed to keep the cloak always in view. I want to encourage Soldiers and Families to work with PV2 Minchey and me as you have needs arise. We are here to nurture the living, care

for the wounded, and honor the dead. Through each of these, our purpose is to remind people not to lose their faith in the fight.

The Soldier in the leg-end was Martin of Tours. His encounter with the beggar re-minded him to take better care of his soul. He would later come to understand one of the tenants of his faith, which asked, ―What profits a person to gain the whole world, but forfeit his soul?‖ He dedicated the rest of his life to the pursuit of true strength and spiri-tual resiliency.

I look forward to serv-ing as the Chaplain in this battal-ion and hope to keep the cloak for all to see. Please feel free to con-tact me at any time if the Unit

1-36 Infantry Battalion

Chaplain

(915) 202-5281

I am proud to be your Com-

mand Sergeant Major. Our Sol-

diers will have the best leadership

and training to ensure that all

members of the Spartan Battalion

accomplish the mission and come

home to their loved ones.

As we end this calendar year,

our training continues to chal-

lenge and better our Soldiers. In

November, I will host the battal-

ion’s NCO induction ceremony.

A time-honored tradition rich in

history and heritage, the Spartan

NCO Induction Ceremony em-

phasizes the invaluable services of

the Noncommissioned Officer as

the infallible backbone of the

Army. During that same week, we

will host the next Spartan Olym-

pics at Biggs Park on 23 Novem-

ber, 2011. I encourage all family

members to support their Soldiers

in this family friendly events.

Shortly after the Thanksgiving

holidays, our battalion NCO lead-

ership will be committed to train-

ing and evaluating our young

Soldiers to earn the prestigious

Expert Infantryman’s Badge (EIB).

The final event is 12-mile foot

march on 16 December, 2011

which will start Biggs Park that

must be completed in three hours

or less. Families are encouraged

to support their Soldier. Follow-

ing EIB, Soldiers will have the

opportunity to rest and relax dur-

ing our block leave for the winter

holidays, 17 Dec 2011 — 2 Jan

2012. Again, thank you for your

dedication and support.

CSM Corbett Whitmore

Spartan 7

Awesome Company has been hard at work the last few months getting Soldiers trained to execute their mission. We have had an influx of new Soldiers during this time, and we have trained tirelessly to get them ready for the rigors of combat.

We have focused much of our upcoming training on prepar-ing for the Expert Infantryman’s Badge testing that will be con-ducted in December. This testing is important not only for every Infantryman, but for every Soldier in the company, as it gives the Soldier the confidence that comes with mastering many of the indi-vidual tasks that he will face on the modern battlefield.

Forty three Soldiers recently had the opportunity to be trained

by Special Forces Soldiers from Fort Bragg. They learned tech-niques for urban combat, convoy operations, and employing vari-ous weapon systems. The Soldiers that participated earned the op-portunity during a previous Awe-some Company range in which their squads competed in a race.

We are planning a Company Cocktail Hour at the Centennial Club on November 10th to let everyone get together, share some food and drinks, and relax with friends and family. We are still building our FRG team and wel-come any new spouses that are interested in volunteering for positions such as Key Caller.

CPT Dustin Stewart

Awesome 6

SGT Davis (1st PLT) wins first place

in a day-long feat of strength compe-

tition at the Spartan Olympics—

September 2011

Awesome Company has been increasing

its marksmanship proficiency during

several multi-day rifle ranges recently.

Families, friends and members

of Havoc Company, it’s a blessing

now to finally share with you the

stories of our great Soldiers, great

training, and most of all the great

families here at Ft Bliss and in 1-

36 Infantry. This fall has been an

amazing opportunity for the Sol-

diers of Havoc to showcase not

only their military and their ath-

letic talents. Coming in close

behind Chosen Company, Havoc

took second place overall in the

First Annual inaugural Spartan

Olympics this September! With-

out a doubt, the most impressive

display of physical exertion came

from Team One during the tug-of-

war when they absolutely domi-

nated every team. With a com-

bined weight of over 2000lbs,

there was no way Team One could

be stopped! Great job guys! Spe-

cial recognition goes out to SPC

Brandon Prescott from the Recon

Platoon who took second in the

Ultimate Spartan Competition.

The Ultimate Spartan consisted of

executing the Air Assault Obstacle

Course on Main Post, followed by

a footmarch with 45lbs rucksack

to Biggs Park, and culminating in

an additional obstacle course at

the park. SPC Prescott received an

Army Achievement Medal and

three day pass for his impressive

display of physical and mental

drive. SPC Prescott is in training

for the next Ultimate Spartan

coming up this November and has

no doubt that he will take first.

The Mortar Platoon continues to

put to work early morning and

late nights in to their New Equip-

ment Training for their Mortar

Carrier Vehicles. Being first in the

Battalion to receive the Mortar

Carrier Variance Stryker, the Mor-

tars are looking forward to taking

their new vehicles out to the range

next month and putting steel on

target! We’ll make sure to get

pictures to share with every one!

The Recon Platoon spent mid

October-training with an ODA

team from 3rd Special Forces

Group mastering task from em-

ploying their 9mm pistols to dem-olitions and towards to room clearing. The Soldiers loved every minute of it and can’t wait to build their own ranges to conduct their own ranges to build upon their experiences. 1SG and I look forward to meeting more families as the year goes on and as always, please check out the Company Facebook page—just search ―HHC 1-36‖ and you’ll find more great info on the Company and upcom-ing events in the Ft Bliss and El Paso area. Take care!

CPT Mike Herbek

Havoc 6

Team One just before taking 1st during the tug-of-war!

This month Battle

Company conducted a number

of training events that will pre-

pare us for both the Expert In-

fantryman Badge testing and

Squad and Platoon Live Fire

Exercises in the next few

months.

Our soldiers have pro-

gressed from learning about

their Stryker vehicles, and quali-

fying on their weapon systems,

through Land Navigation (day

and night) and Infantry skills

training, to firing the first ever

120mm Stryker MGS gunnery

on Ft Bliss and conducting

Team Live Fire Exercises and

specialized training with the

Special Forces up at Dona Ana.

On top of all this we have pro-

moted SGT Guillen to SSG,

SPC Richardson to SGT, SPC

Williams to SGT and CPL Syl-

vanus to SGT. SGT (P) Gum,

SGT (P) Pichardo and SGT

Enriquez all completed Ad-

The last few months have

been an exciting time for Cho-

sen Company. We continue to

welcome new Soldiers to our

family and have received the

bulk of new equipment that we

require to progress future train-

ing. From August to September,

Chosen Company completed its

Stryker Infantry Carrier Variant

(ICV) New Equipment Training

(NET), which trained our Sol-

diers on proper operation of the

vehicle and its weapon systems

which is essential to maneuver-

ing our Soldiers on the battle-

field.

More recently, Chosen

Company was victorious in the

first ever Spartan Olympics, an

organizational day for the bat-

talion where companies com-

peted against each other in

sporting and strength events.

SGT David Traynor (3rd

PLT) competed in the Ultimate

Spartan, a grueling individual

event that included an obstacle

course, a road march, and a

series of strength events. SGT

Traynor finished in a high

third place out of 10 competi-

tors and earned Chosen Com-

pany the much needed points

for the overall team standings.

Chosen company has been

ands will continue to train is fire

teams, squads, and platoons

over the next few months that

will prepare our Soldiers for

operations specific to a deploy-

ment to Afghanistan. The train-

ing will include squad, platoon,

and company situational train-

ing exercises (STX), team live

fire exercises (LFX), and other

weapons ranges to improve our

unit’s readiness. This will in

clude some long weeks in the

field, but will ensure the future

safety and proficiency of Chosen

Company in combat.

Thank you for your contin-

ued support of your Soldier and

Company. The command team

deeply appreciates your sacrifices

as we train for our upcoming

deployment to Afghanistan.

It is a true honor to be able

to lead your Soldier and train

them for combat.

Chosen First

Chosen to Fight

Chosen Above the Rest!

CPT Matt VanPutte

Chosen 6

vanced Leaders Course (ALC).

This November we will promote

PV1 Cozzolino to PV2, PV2s

Garrard, Parker, Gatrell, and

Sun to PFC, and PFCs Stout

and Tsogbe to SPC.

As we look forward to future training, we can expect long hours and hard work, but the payoff will be great. As the Battalion newest Company Commander I have enjoyed the several opportunities to meet our fine family members.

Whether it was at our Battle Organizational Day, the Spartan Olympics or our FRG Meeting at the 82nd Airborne Association, I want to first thank you for your

support and second remind you all how happy my wife Andrea and two sons Matthew and Nathan are to be a part of this family.

CPT Travis Stellfox

Battle 6

FRG MEETINGS

HHC– 08 Nov 2011

A Co– 10 Nov 2011

B Co– 15 Nov 2011

C Co– 17 Nov 2011

29th ENG– 21 Nov 2011

It has been a great month in

the 29th Engineer Company as we

have fully integrated into the Spar-

tan Battalion. We are proud to

welcome two of our platoon ser-

geants back from Ranger School

and the Senior Leader’s Course

SLC-congratulations to SSG (P)

Hampe and SFC Evans. We wel-

come 2LT Lain into our family

and farewell our XO, 1LT Lilly,

and operations sergeant, SFC

Jenschke, who depart after 3 years

of service to our Soldiers. Good

luck and God Speed!

1st Platoon spent a week train-

ing with a Special Forces (SF)

Group in the Dona Ana area a

couple weeks ago. Their execution

was beneficial to the SF personnel

who were conducting mock train-

up of local national armed forces.

1st Platoon will soon leave for

Fort Leonard Wood to conduct

Route Clearance and Route Re-

connaissance Course at the

Counter Explosive Hazards Cen-

ter to prepare the company for

deployment operations. The 2nd

and 3rd PLTs will enter Stryker

OPNET, and 4th PLT will to

continue and enhance dig opera-

tions.

All around great efforts by

Soldiers and Families in the com-

pany. We continue to achieve

impressive results everyday!

CPT Michael Kiesser

Once upon a time, Soldiers

used to joke that ―if the Army had

wanted you to have a wife, they would’ve

issued you one!‖ There was also an un-

spoken belief that Army wives would

learn what they needed to learn, when

they needed to learn it. We’re much

smarter now. We’re more politically

correct (let’s face it: while they may be

in the minority, we have a lot of Army

husbands out there too). We now call

ourselves Army Spouses. We’ve discov-

ered that learning from experience can

be positive, but we’ve also learned that if

we don’t pass on our experience, we’re

not helping our community. And that’s

what our military and military families

are all about: helping our communities,

and helping ourselves.

Army Family Team Building is

one of the ways in which we can help

ourselves AND our communities. It is

not a new idea or concept. It's the for-

mal recognition and naming of some-

thing that the Army and Army families

have been doing for over 200 years -

sustaining and nurturing the force and

serving the Nation. AFTB is a serious

business. It's about READINESS: Mis-

sion Readiness AND Family Readiness.

If the Family isn’t ready, the Soldier isn’t

ready! AFTB helps families to adapt to

Army life, accept challenges, deal with

change, and develop life skills. AFTB is

about RESILIENCE: personal and pro-

fessional. The ability to grow and thrive

in the face of challenges is vital in our

military lifestyle. AFTB helps you to not

just cope with, but enjoy this lifestyle.

AFTB teaches in three dis-

tinct levels. Level 1 is all about the

basics. What can we expect from the

military? What does it expect of us?

What tools do we need to succeed as a

military spouse? What resources exist

to help make our lives more positive,

whether spouse or Soldier? Level 2 is

about personal growth and develop-

ment. What do we do well? What can

we improve? How will this make a

difference in our personal relation-

ships? Level 3 focuses more on leader-

ship and professional growth. Regard-

less of whether we take an official lead-

ership position, most of us will ulti-

mately find ourselves reaching out and

mentoring others. Understanding

their level of confidence and experi-

ence will make it easier to give them

what they need to succeed.

AFTB is a completely free

educational program. It is open to all

Soldiers and military Family members.

Dating? Engaged? Bring your signifi-

cant other to AFTB and give them the

chance to learn more about your mili-

tary lifestyle! AFTB classes are avail-

able to anyone with access to the in-

stallation. We teach classes during the

day, at night, and even on Saturdays!

We provide childcare vouchers for

CYSS-registered children for all day-

time classes. Schedules and on-line

registration may be found at

blissmwr.com/aftb. Any questions

may be directed to the AFTB staff by

email through the website, or by tele-

phone at 569-5500.

AFTB 17th

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

December 17, 2011

Spartan

Bible Study

Friday, 18 nov 2011 @ 1200

HHC Conference Room

(Bring a lunch if you would like)

POC: CH Andrew 915.202.5281

2011 SCHEDULE

People Encouraging People

3-Day Newcomer’s Orientation Tue, Nov 1, 2011 ACS Bldg 2494

FRG Leader Training

Tue, Nov 1, 2011

0900-2:30 P.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

Ace Your Next Job Interview

Thu, Nov 3, 2011

0900-1200 P.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

AFTB Level III

Sat, Nov 5, 2011

0900-3:30 P.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

Employment

Orientation

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 ACS Bldg 2494

Basic Ten Steps to a

Federal Job Tue, Nov 1, 2011

0900-2:30 P.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

Investing for Life Success

Wed, Nov 9, 2011

0900-11:30 A.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

Networking for Job Search

Thur, Nov 10

0900-12:00 P.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

FRG Key Caller Training

Tue, Nov 15, 2011 5:30– 7:30 P.M. ACS Bldg 2494

ID Theft Protection

Tue, Nov 16, 2011

0900-10:30 AM.

ACS Bldg 2494

Dinner on A Dime

Thu, Nov 17, 2011

1000-1200 P.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

AFTB Level I

Sat, Dec 3, 2011

0900-5:30 P.M.

ACS Bldg 2494

ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICES UPCOMING CLASSES

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL CLASSES. Free childcare available if child registered with Main Registration. Please call at least two

weeks in advance at (915) 568-1132

FRG Points of Contact

HHC– Jennifer Herbek (915) 207-0258 hhc.136in@gmail.com

A Co– Christina Davis (612) 251-0765 awesomefrg@gmail.com

B Co—Andrea Stellfox (508) 982-9056 drearose@yahoo.com

C Co– Alyssa Gardner (612) 720-8275 gardner.alyssa@gmail.com

29th ENG– Abby Kieser (573) 512-1225 Ak29thengineerco@yahoo.com

Date Description

24 Oct– 10 Nov 2011 Platoon Training Exercise

31 Oct 2011 Early Release @ 1530

11-14 Nov 2011 4 Day Weekend– Veteran’s Day

23 Nov 2011 Spartan Olympics

24– 27 Nov, 2011 Thanksgiving Holiday

28 Nov—16 Dec 2011 EIB Training

17 Dec 2011 – 02 Jan 2012 Block Leave

23– 26 Dec 2011 Holiday

30 Dec 2011– 02 Jan 2012 4 Day Weekend– Holiday

13– 16 Jan 2012 4 Day Weekend– MLK

23 Jan—10 Feb 2012 Squad Live Exercise

06 Feb– 02 Mar 2012 Platoon Live Exercise

17 –20 Feb 2012 3-Day Weekend

QUICK TELEPHONE REFERENCE LIST

Army Community Service…………….(915) 568-1132 Balfour Beatty……………………………..(915) 564-0795 Chaplain…………………………….……...(915) 744-3377 Child Crisis Center ……………..……..(915) 562-7955 CYSS Central Registration…………..(915) 568-4374 Exceptional Family Member Program….(915) 568-4878 DEERS……………………………………….(800) 538-9552 Family Advocacy Program………...…...(915)568-4878 ID Cards Office…………..………………(915) 568-6210 JAG/Legal…….……………….……………(915) 568-6040 Junior Enlisted Center…………..……..(915) 568-7291 Lone Star (Food Stamps)….…………...(915)759-7667 Military Family Life Consultant …...(915) 261-9576 Military One Source……………...…….(800) 342-9647 MP Desk………………………………...…(915) 568-2115 Post Information Line…………..……..(915) 568-2121 Red Cross (emergency)…………………(877) 272-7337 Red Cross (non-emergency)……..……(915) 568-4898 School Liaison Office..…….…………..(915) 569-5064 Tel-A-Nurse (TAN)……………………….(915) 569-4444 Transportation……..……………………..(915) 568-3188 Tricare (TriWest)…………………..…….(888) 874-9378 United Concordia (Tricare dental program)…(800) 866-8499 WBAMC- Appointment Line ……………...…......(915) 742-2273 Information Line…………………….…..(915) 742-2121 Patient Assistant Coordinator……....(915) 742-2692 Surgery……………………………………….(915) 742-2245 Women Infant and Children (WIC)(915) 771-5870 24 hour Hotlines Domestic Violence...…….………………(915) 588-5870 Sexual Assault……………………………..(915) 490-3896

1-36 Infantry Battalion, 1/1 AD

20100 Eagle Way

El Paso, TX 79916

Battalion upcoming training/events