Warhorse Pride #55 (21 April 11)
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April 21, 2011 Issue 55 Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Story and photo by Maj. Kevin Toner 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO created jobs, a more skilled labor market, and connects the Afghan people to their protectors,” he said. NTM-A has established 70 training sites in 21 of Afghanistan’s provinces. e most important facet of training is leader development. “Afghans train Afghans better than we do in many ways,” said Col. Dale Buckner, Chief of Staff for the NTM-A Deputy Commander – Army. “By developing Afghan leaders and trainers we ensure the future of Afghan security forces.” One of the greatest challenges facing NTM-A is illiteracy. “With about 86 percent of Afghans illiterate, it’s challenging to train stewardship and accountability, therefore, teaching Afghans how to read is part of our programs of instruction,” Smith said. NTM-A works at the national level while brigades have the responsibility to advise and mentor their Afghan counterparts. It’s important that units at the lowest level mentor, advise and partner with their Afghan counterparts, explained Smith. “e Afghans want to serve, but they need help doing it,” Smith said. “With your Warhorse Brigade learns about ANSF Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, Assistant Commanding General, Afghan National Police Development, speaks to brigade and battalion staffs about the cur- rent state of Afghan Army and Police. partnership they will become a professional, effective, and self-sustaining force.” “e briefing validated in my mind the brigade’s approach to training and organizing for our mission in theater. I am more confident today that our training struck the right balance between counter insurgency operations and our concerted focus of advising and partnering with Afghan Security Forces,” said Maj. Matthew Kinkead, brigade operations officer. “Every week that goes by will be tougher for the insurgents; they lose every time they engage with the Afghan Army,” said Buckner. Leaders from the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan briefed the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division leadership about the current state of Afghan Army and Police development and the brigade’s role in creating an effective, self-sustaining force here April 12. NTM-A has the overall mission to develop an Afghan Army that can protect Afghanistan from external threats and a professional national police force to provide internal security. Training the army and police is an international effort. NTM-A consists of 49 countries providing resources, 33 of which also providing troops. “e U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan has allowed an Afghan surge,” said Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, Assistant Commanding General, Afghan National Police Development. “In the past year the army and police have made great improvements in recruiting, retention, specialty skills and marksmanship.” “Afghanistan businesses are now making the uniforms for its security forces. is has e military ball is just one of the many great traditions we share and celebrate with Armed Forces from around the world. Recently, the Soldiers of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team held a ball at the Crowne Plaza in Colorado Springs, Colorado. e night was filled with tradition, fellowship, and entertainment with over 340 Soldiers and Family Members joining us to dine, dance, and celebrate the long history of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion. Our Army’s current pace of deployments has made it difficult for units to continue many of our military traditions. I am thankful for the opportunity to share our traditions as I recognize that many do not understand the Army’s customs and rich heritage. Looking back at our ball, many of the Rough Riders clearly expressed pride in our unit, our Army, our nation and several communicated that they learned a lot and had a blast in the process. e comradeship in the ballroom was recognized by our guest speaker, BG Gus Perna, and it was clearly Commander’s Column Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis, Commander 204th Brigade Support Battalion noticeable as the night progressed. I encourage all Soldiers and leaders to participate in their unit’s functions and traditions whenever they can. e evening was a great break from the demanding tempo of our preparation for deployment. As we approach our upcoming deployment and our opportunity to add to the great history of the 204th and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, I must thank all those Soldiers and Family members for their dedication and steadfast support of the continued on page 2
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2nd Brigade Combat Team newsletter
Transcript of Warhorse Pride #55 (21 April 11)
April 21, 2011Issue 55Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Story and photo by Maj. Kevin Toner2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO
created jobs, a more skilled labor market, and connects the Afghan people to their protectors,” he said.
NTM-A has established 70 training sites in 21 of Afghanistan’s provinces. The most important facet of training is leader development.
“Afghans train Afghans better than we do in many ways,” said Col. Dale Buckner, Chief of Staff for the NTM-A Deputy Commander – Army. “By developing Afghan leaders and trainers we ensure the future of Afghan security forces.”
One of the greatest challenges facing NTM-A is illiteracy.
“With about 86 percent of Afghans illiterate, it’s challenging to train stewardship and accountability, therefore, teaching Afghans how to read is part of our programs of instruction,” Smith said.
NTM-A works at the national level while brigades have the responsibility to advise and mentor their Afghan counterparts.
It’s important that units at the lowest level mentor, advise and partner with their Afghan counterparts, explained Smith.
“The Afghans want to serve, but they need help doing it,” Smith said. “With your
Warhorse Brigade learns about ANSF
Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, Assistant Commanding General, Afghan National Police Development, speaks to brigade and battalion staffs about the cur-rent state of Afghan Army and Police.
partnership they will become a professional, effective, and self-sustaining force.”
“The briefing validated in my mind the brigade’s approach to training and organizing for our mission in theater. I am more confident today that our training struck the right balance between counter insurgency operations and our concerted focus of advising and partnering with Afghan Security Forces,” said Maj. Matthew Kinkead, brigade operations officer.
“Every week that goes by will be tougher for the insurgents; they lose every time they engage with the Afghan Army,” said Buckner.
Leaders from the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan briefed the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division leadership about the current state of Afghan Army and Police development and the brigade’s role in creating an effective, self-sustaining force here April 12.
NTM-A has the overall mission to develop an Afghan Army that can protect Afghanistan from external threats and a professional national police force to provide internal security.
Training the army and police is an international effort. NTM-A consists of 49 countries providing resources, 33 of which also providing troops.
“The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan has allowed an Afghan surge,” said Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, Assistant Commanding General, Afghan National Police Development. “In the past year the army and police have made great improvements in recruiting, retention, specialty skills and marksmanship.”
“Afghanistan businesses are now making the uniforms for its security forces. This has
The military ball is just one of the many great traditions we share and celebrate with Armed Forces from around the world. Recently, the Soldiers of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team held a ball at the Crowne Plaza in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The night was filled with tradition, fellowship, and entertainment with over 340 Soldiers and Family Members joining us to dine, dance, and celebrate the long history of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion.
Our Army’s current pace of deployments has made it difficult for units to continue many of our military traditions. I am thankful for the opportunity to share our traditions as I recognize that many do not understand the Army’s customs and rich heritage. Looking back at our ball, many of the Rough Riders clearly expressed pride in our unit, our Army, our nation and several communicated that they learned a lot and had a blast in the process. The comradeship in the ballroom was recognized by our guest speaker, BG Gus Perna, and it was clearly
Commander’s Column
Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis, Commander204th Brigade Support Battalion
noticeable as the night progressed. I encourage all Soldiers and leaders to participate in their unit’s functions and traditions whenever they can. The evening was a great break from the demanding tempo of our preparation for deployment. As we approach our upcoming deployment and our opportunity to add to the great history of the 204th and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, I must thank all those Soldiers and Family members for their dedication and steadfast support of the
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The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pride is an Army-funded news-letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of The Warhorse Pride arenot necessarily the views 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 Brigade Combat Team Public Af-
fairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commen-tary, 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 emailed to theeditor: [email protected]
Warhorse Pride April 21, 2011Issue 55
Col. John S. Kolasheski..................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa............2nd BCT CSMMaj. Kevin Toner...............................................2nd BCT PAOSpc. April York........................................Layout and DesignSgt. Seth Barham............................................................Editor Sgt. Ruth Pagan...............................................................Editor
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Warhorse Pride
2nd STB promotes two new captains
Capt. Bonnie Hutchinson and Capt. Heather Jantsch, from HHT, are both promoted from first lieuten-ant to captain during a promotion ceremony held at the 2nd Special Troops Battalion classroom April 8. Thier commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Stevenson, leads them in their reaffirmation of the oath of office.
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center and the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program are calling all Soldiers to put their best safety stories on camera for a chance to win the Third Annual Peer to Peer Safety Video Competition.
“The power of peer influence, especially among our Soldiers, is truly something we need to harness to help us prevent accidents and save lives throughout our Army,” said Col. Scott Thompson, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center deputy commander. “The Peer to Peer Safety Video Competition puts our Soldiers center stage so they are able to share their own messages directly with their peers, and through that sharing, possibly save a life.”
The Peer to Peer competition, which is open through June 30, encourages Soldiers to make short videos highlighting off-duty safety topics including, but not limited to, driving, motorcycles, privately owned weapons and sports activities.
Videos may be as long as 180 seconds and, when complete, should be posted to the USACR/Safety Center website for consideration.
“This competition challenges Soldiers to personalize safety messaging and pick topics that have meaning for them and their peers,” said Dr. Patricia LeDuc, USACR/Safety Center Human Factors Task Force director and Peer to Peer competition facilitator. “A good video captures your attention, evokes emotion and makes you think.”
Submitted videos will be judged on concept, message effectiveness and creativity, with the top three entrants sharing a $4,000 prize package to benefit their local BOSS programs.
LeDuc said the partnership with BOSS helps the center expand the video competition to reach all corners of the Army.
“Our partnership with BOSS is what makes the prizes possible, and because of this, we anticipate that more Soldiers are going to want to make great
videos to share with their fellow Soldiers,” she said. “More Soldiers mean more great videos that will spread important safety messages across our Army.”
Last year’s winning video team from 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) submitted a comedic video focusing on cell phone use and driving. It points out some of the trouble people can get in when they talk on a cell phone and drive.
Thompson said he knows that every Soldier has a favorite “there I was story” and is encouraging all troops to take the time to put their story on video to help spread important safety messages.
A list of rules and video submission guidelines for the Third Annual Peer to Peer Safety Video Competition is available at https://safety.army.mil/peertopeer. Entrants may submit their entries at this site and view videos submitted during the previous two competitions.
Rough Rider Battalion. Remember to take care of each other and take time to enjoy friends and families before departing. We appreciate all you do each day.Rough Riders – Making it Happen!
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