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The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

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This is the December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly. Inside the latest edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly Soldiers with A/2-20th FA participates in the Blue Max Challenge, the Brigade raises money for the St. Barb's Ball, and 41 motorcycle riders represent the Brigade in Phantom Thunder V.
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Inside this issue Message from RG6/RG9 2 Rail Gunners recycle 3 Golf Tournament 4 Phantom Thunder V 8 Promotions and Re-up 12 The Rail Gunner Monthly Staff Commander COL William E. McRae Command Sgt. Maj. CSM Kelvin A. Hughes Rail Gunner PAO NCOIC SSG Kyle Richardson 41st Fires Brigade “Rail Gunners!!” FORT HOOD, Texas—From illumi- nating the sky with fireworks, riding mechanical bulls, providing re- sources for festivals, and BOSS trips, the Fort Hood Recycling Cen- ter has an important role to play when it comes to the installation pro- grams. Since the early 80s, the recycling center has been there for the instal- lation. Now the recycling center needs everyone on Fort Hood to do their part when it comes to recycling waste. Fort Hood has been selected to participate in the Army’s 2020 zero- percent waste pilot program. The official launch of the program is scheduled for Dec. 8, but the recy- Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson 41st Fires Brigade, PAO VOLUME 2 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY ISSUE 13 Photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson , 41st Fires Brigade PAO The senior leaders with the 41st Fires Brigade stand on the large mass quantity scale at the Fort Hood Recycling Center during the unit’s walk-through. See RECYCLE on Page 3
Transcript
Page 1: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

Inside this

issue

Message from

RG6/RG9

2

Rail Gunners recycle 3

Golf Tournament 4

Phantom Thunder V 8

Promotions and Re-up 12

The Rail Gunner

Monthly Staff

Commander

COL William E. McRae

Command Sgt. Maj.

CSM Kelvin A. Hughes

Rail Gunner PAO

NCOIC

SSG Kyle Richardson

41st Fires Brigade

“Rail Gunners!!”

FORT HOOD, Texas—From illumi-nating the sky with fireworks, riding mechanical bulls, providing re-sources for festivals, and BOSS trips, the Fort Hood Recycling Cen-ter has an important role to play when it comes to the installation pro-grams.

Since the early 80s, the recycling center has been there for the instal-lation. Now the recycling center needs everyone on Fort Hood to do their part when it comes to recycling waste. Fort Hood has been selected to participate in the Army’s 2020 zero-percent waste pilot program. The official launch of the program is scheduled for Dec. 8, but the recy-

Story and photos by

Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

VOLUME 2 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY ISSUE 13

Photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson , 41st Fires Brigade PAO

The senior leaders with the 41st Fires Brigade stand on the large mass quantity scale at the Fort Hood Recycling Center during

the unit’s walk-through.

See RECYCLE on Page 3

Page 2: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

Rail Gunner 6 & 9 Send Command Post Exercise. This training helps us remain an agile and adaptive team, highly skilled at integrating accurate, timely, and decisive fires into full spec-trum operations. Never forget that we must always be ready to accept any mission and remain combat ready.

We would also like to take some time out to congratulate our Officers and Soldiers that competed in the Rail Gunner Ar-my Physical Fitness Test Chal-lenge earlier this month; every-one gave 110% out there. It’s good to know that all the units within the brigade established strong PT programs.

Towards the end of the month, all field grade Officers and Senior NCOs met at the Fort Hood Recycling Center. Fort Hood is revamping its recy-cling program by attempting to make Fort Hood a 0% waste in-stallation. It will take some work and a lot of attention to detail, however, we in the 41st Fires Brigade will do everything we can to lead the way.

Also, we participated in Fort Hood’s Safety Stand-down Day. Safety is a vital role in this or-ganization and the Army as a whole. We need to have eyes on the Soldiers within our ranks as well as our loved ones. The safety and well-being of our Sol-

Colonel

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2011

William E. McRae

41st Fires Brigade

Command Sergeant Major

Dear Rail Gunner Family:

Happy holidays! As the year comes to a close, we remain pleased with the exceptional performance of our Rail Gunner Soldiers and Leaders. We ex-tend our thanks to all Family members for their continued support as we prepare for up-coming missions, training exer-cises, and events. Thank you all for your selfless service as we maintain our relentless pur-suit of excellence.

This November, the brigade conducted a brigade-wide

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, Depart-

ment 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 [email protected]. Check out the unit’s Website at http://www.hood.army.mil/41stFires

or on Facebook for additional information.

Kelvin Hughes

41st Fires Brigade CSM

diers and Families continues to be our highest priority. We must embrace our battle buddies and work together to ensure of our Rail Gunner Family is safe. We ask you to take care of each other at all times, especially over long holiday weekends. Remember, never quit on each other. Through our collective efforts, we will remain an elite unit other units strive to emu-late.

Rail Gunner Strong!

Page 3: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

educate our Soldiers and Fami-lies on the importance of recy-cling. The more they know, the more they will feel like a part of the success as we meet the ze-ro-percent goal.” During the tour of the facility, Rufus Walker, assistant busi-ness manager for the Fort Hood Recycling Center, said “80% of the materials we throw away are recyclable.” “One of the benefits about the recycling center that many units may not know is that we offers units, Soldiers, family members, or civilians a chance to make money by recycling alu-minum cans,” said Walker. “The center offers $.50 per pound, year-round expect on Nov. 15 and April 22 when we offer $1.00 a pound.” The Fort Hood Recycling Center will continue to provide for the programs on the installa-tion, but the more recycling eve-rybody does the more funds the center can recycle back into the

RECYCLE cont. from Page 1

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 3

cling center and other units on post are already preparing to do their part to decrease the recy-clable waste. The senior leadership in the 41st Fires Brigade has an-swered the Fort Hood Recycling Center’s call to do their part in helping to make Fort Hood a greener installation. More than 80 leaders from the Rail Gun-ners took the morning to con-duct a complete walk-through of the Fort Hood Recycling Center, Nov. 22. The leaders also received an overview of the facility’s func-tions and benefits. The Fort Hood Recycling center has gone from taking big steps to major leaps at helping Fort Hood become a greener installation. “We recently placed approxi-mately 650 recycling containers in the barracks’ areas around Fort Hood,” said Jaycee Turnquist, operations manager for the Fort Hood Recycling Center. “Every year our program gets a little bigger. Last year we sold nearly 10,000 tons of waste. This year we’re expecting to get more than 12,000 tons of recyclable waste. But ultimately our goal is to be able to recycle 18,000 tons. Turnquist said he is a strong advocate of the Fort Hood Recy-cling program because the mon-ey generated through recycling, funds a good portion of the pro-grams on post. He also said it’s going to take 100% effort from everybody on Fort Hood to reach the center’s goal. “We’re going to need more units like the 41st Fires Bde. to step-up,” said Turnquist. “A lot of

Soldiers have the initiative to do the right things but ulti-mately every-thing comes from the lead-ers. The 41st Fires Bde. was the first unit to come through [the Fort Hood Recycling Cen-ter] with their entire senior leadership.” The walk-through helped the Rail Gun-ner senior leadership to see what re-sources the recycling center had available and how the center could help units on post. “We have to start focusing on how we’re going to get our Sol-diers to recycle,” said Col. Wil-liam McRae, commander for the 41st Fires Bde. “We have to streamline this process. Our Sol-diers won’t go to the recycling center every time they use a can. We have to work out the intermediate steps in getting them to recycle. Recycling is al-so about changing a culture; most of us grew up during a time where we just threw stuff away.” With help from the recycling center, the Rail Gunners re-ceived 33 recycling containers spanning across the brigade’s footprint. “Recycling saves the environ-ment, lives, and the health of everyone involved,” said Capt. Jeremia Harvey, the brigade supply officer in charge, 41st Fires Bde. “We will continue to

Senior leaders with the 41st Fires Bde. walk with Rufus Walker, the assistant business

manager with the Fort Hood Recycling Center, during the Rail Gunners’ visit of the

center. Units, Soldiers, family members, or civilians can sell their aluminum can to the

recycling center for $.50 per pound.

Page 4: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2011

Rail Gunners tee-off for St. Barb’s

See GOLF on Page 5

The 41st Fires Brigade hosted the second annual United States Field Artil-lery Association golf scramble tournament at the Clear Creek Golf Course located on Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 9. The proceeds collect-ed during the tournament will offset the cost for the junior enlisted Soldiers and pay admission for the spouses of the deployed Soldiers from the 1st Bat-talion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment who plan to at-tend the annual Saint Bar-bara Day Ball on Dec. 9.

The 28 four-man teams mounted their golf carts and hit the greens for 18 holes of golf despite the tough winds. The purpose was to have fun, raise money, but also to see what team was the best. “The weather called for 64 degrees with nine mile winds, but we ended up in the 50s with more like 20 mile an hour winds,” said Capt. Oggy Nash, Hilton Head Island, S.C. native, a fires control officer for Head-quarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires Bde. “But we’re going to play through the weather anyway. The golf scramble is for a good cause. We’re going to raise money for a great group of Soldiers and the spouses who are putting in a little overtime at home.”

More than 100 Rail Gunners and USFAA members played on the Deer Run and Panther Claw courses. The competition was a good mix of skilled golfers and newcomers. The teams played through the weather challenges as well as the course challeng-es. “The weather is unpredicta-ble, like this game,” said Col. William McRae, a Cleveland na-tive, commander for the 41st Fires Bde. “However, that will not stop us from doing some-thing good for the Soldiers and families. We’re going to get out here, be safe, and have a good time.”

FORT HOOD, Texas—Although the rain stopped a few days ear-lier allowing the golfers to play on dry ground, the winds were relentless, but teeing-off was no problem. Then golfers were in-troduced to the second hole, a dogleg left with a par five over Clear Creek. For some of the less experienced players this hole was an almost impossible task. Fortunately great minds came up with a plan. Teams were able to pay a combined total of $10 to move 150 meters forward past the obstacle.

Story and photos by

Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

Capt. Oggy Nash, a fires control officer for the 41st Fires Bde.,

attempts to putt during the golf tournament. The golf

tournament raised approximately $1,200 for the St. Barbra’s

Day Ball scheduled for Dec 9.

Spc. Joon Lee, an intelligence analysis specialist for the 41st Fires

Brigade, sets himself up for a putt. The proceeds collected will go to

help offset the cost for the junior enlisted and allow spouses of

deployed Soldier to attend the Saint Barbra’s Day Ball.

Page 5: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

ing in about 12 years,” said Robbie Bennett, fire direction control specialist for HHB, 41st Fires Bde. “It’s good that the unit allows for these events to occur. I’m able to hang out with people I may not usually hang out with but also, I’m able to get some tips from some of the seasoned play-ers.” As the twilight hour crept up on the golfers, the scram-ble came to an end. The top six teams were recognized with prizes and the top team of Nash, Maj. Ronald Colombo, automations officers for the 41st Fires Bde., Capt. Eric Robertson, commander for the 324th Network Support Com-pany, and 1st Lt. Emily Vetter, assistant intelligence officer, HHB, 41st Fires Bde. Each player re-ceived a $25 dollar gift cards for their winnings.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 5 GOLF cont. from Page 4

Even though the main goal of the USFAA golf scramble was to raise money for the St. Bar-bara’s Day Ball, the tournament also allowed the Soldiers, offic-ers, family members, and friends of the brigade to get to know each other, work on team build-ing skills, and esprit de corps. “I’m glad we were able to put this event on,” said Nash. “This will be an enduring event for the Rail Gunners. The tournament is a good idea because we’re out here with the Soldiers. We’re able to continue to mentor them in other aspects of their lives and have some fun while doing it in a relaxed environment.” While enjoying the day, some Soldiers had the opportunity to brush up on some long forgotten skills. “This was my first time golf-

Col. William McRae,

Cleveland native,

commander for the 41st

Fires Brigade, prepares for

a drive with a practice

swing. Twenty-eight teams

totaling more than 100

people participated in the

annual golf scramble.

Pfc. Anthony Wodenca, Niagra Wis. native,

intelligence analysis specialist for the Headquarters

and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires Brigade, lines

up for a putt. The Rail Gunners raised close to $1,200

for the fund raiser.

Maj. Ronald Colombo, automations officers for the 41st Fires

Brigade, focuses on a driving the ball down the fairway.

Colombo was part of the winning team that received a $25

gift certificate.

Page 6: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

Rail Gunners fight for fitness Story and photos by

Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas—Physical training is part of the daily rou-tine for most Fort Hood Sol-diers. However, the Rail Gun-ners have taken the average Army physical fitness test, turned up the degree of compe-tition, threw in some extra moti-vation, added some morale boosters, and came out with a challenge that would recognize the most physically fit unit and Soldier within the brigade. More than 120 of the tough-est Soldiers and officers within

Col. William McRae, brigade commander for the 41st Fires

Brigade knocks out pushups during the Rail Gunner’s

Army physical fitness test challenge on Fort Hood, Texas,

Nov. 2. More than 120 Soldiers and officers participated in

the challenge.

the 41st Fires Brigade par-ticipated in the Rail Gun-ners APFT Challenge on Fort Hood, Nov. 2. The challenge consists of the standard APFT for-mat, although the increased level of competition encour-ages the participants to per-form more repetitions to fur-ther their teams’ chances of winning the overall chal-lenge. “The core function be-hind the APFT challenge is of course, a competition, but more importantly, it’s a team building exercise,” said Col. William McRae, Cleveland native, brigade commander for the 41st

Fires Bde. Every Soldier had a different reason for participating in the challenge, but everyone gave

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2011

max effort to help advance their teams’ score. “The APFT challenge not only measures a degree of a person physical ability, it also tests certain limits of a Soldier’s character,” said Capt. Fermin Hernandez, New York City na-tive, commander for the Head-quarters and Headquarters Company, 589th Brigade Sup-port Battalion, 41st Fires Bde. “Those Soldiers willing to ex-ceed the standards on the PT test are more than likely to have the motivation to exceed the standards in any task given to them.” One Soldier saw the chal-lenge as an opportunity to push himself to higher physical limits. “This was a good morning to have a PT test, the weather was perfect. My morale was high, I just had to push myself

See APFT on Page 7

Col. William McRae, brigade commander for the 41st Fires Brigade, awards Lt. Col. Steven Carpenter,

deputy commanding officer for the 41st Fires Bde. an Army Commendation Medal for achieving the overall

highest score during the Rail Gunner APFT Challenge.

Page 7: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

the 41st Fires Bde. earned the highest individual score and a combined team of the Head-quarters and Headquarters Bat-tery of the 41st Fires Bde, the 324th Network Support Compa-ny, and Battery A, 26th Field Ar-tillery Regiment (Target Acquisi-tion Battery), proved to be the most physically fit unit.

asm and the motivation that the Rail Gunner family brings to any and every occasion.” Lt. Col. Steven Carpenter, deputy commanding officer for

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 7

and I got it done,” said CW2 Elton Williams, Panama City, Panama native, maintenance technician, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Bde. “It’s been a little more than a year since I’ve taken a PT test. I’ve been re-covering from a knee injury. I was just happy to see that I could max my pushups, sit-ups, and still do a decent job on the run.” The group of Rail Gunner Soldiers and officers took ad-vantage of the good weather and gave the competition their all. “It makes me proud to be as-sociated with these great offic-ers and Soldiers who gave more than a 100%,” said McRae. “I’m always amazed by the enthusi-

The awardees pose for a picture during the Rail Gunner Army Physical Fitness Challenge. 120 Officers and Soldiers

participated in the challenge. Lt. Col. Steven Carpenter, deputy commanding officer for the 41st Fires Bde. earned the

highest individual score and a combined team of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 41st Fires Bde, the

324th Network Support Company, and Battery A, 26th Field Artillery Regiment (Target Acquisition Battery), proved to

be the most physically fit unit.

The commanders from the combined team of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 41st Fires

Bde, the 324th Network Support Company, and Battery A, 26th Field Artillery Regiment (Target Acquisition

Battery) along with Lt. Col. Steven Carpenter, the deputy commanding officer for the 41st Fires Bde, holds up

the trophy winning trophy for being the most physically fit unit.

APFT cont. from Page 6

Maj. Ronald Colombo races toward the finish

line during the Rail Gunners Army Physical

Fitness Test Challenge.

Page 8: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2011

Story and photos by

Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas—Forty-one riders—some new but most experienced, gathered at the Palmer Theatre and received a safety briefing in support of the Phantom Thunder Run V, Nov. 9. The Rail Gunners started the day by riding across Fort Hood together in a unique brother-hood. The Phantom Thunder Rides are designed to pair new-er riders with more experienced riders. The Rail Gunners took their time to ensure that their new riders were comfortable with maneuvering their bikes. “The Fort Hood motorcycle mentorship rides and the Phan-tom Thunder Runs are good programs,” said Staff Sgt. J.R. Gorecki, the noncommissioned officer in charge for Phantom Thunder V and the senior motor-cycle mentor for the 41st Fires Brigade. “These programs get

all the riders on Fort Hood to-gether year after year to help reinforce safety and stand-ards.” Gorecki, a 26-year motor-cycle veteran, believes that Soldiers and civilians can ride safely around Fort Hood. “The Army’s motorcycle

safety courses are the beginning tools for riding success around here,” said Gorecki. “Once we all adhere to the stand-ards we can minimize ac-cidents and injury.” The Rail Gunner rid-ers rode to III Corps to link up with the other mo-torcycle riders on Fort Hood. 41st Fires Brigade was honored with coordi-nating the Phantom Thunder Ride for the se-cond consecutive year. Nearly 700 motorcy-

cles riders revved their bikes up as they rallied at Sadowski field; marking the start of the ride. The pipes on the back of the bikes thundered and the riders were off. The ride may have been a way for riders to practice safe riding procedures, but the ride meant something different for everyone. The riders set off across cen-tral Texas on a 62-mile trip. Dur-ing the run, the motorcyclists passed through the Central Tex-as State Veterans Cemetery to pay tribute. “It’s good to show respect to those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood command sergeant major. “Adding the cemetery to the route is a good way to re-member why we do what we do and why we should never forget.

41 riders represent 41st Fires Bde.

See PHANTOM on Page 9

Forty-one of the 41st Fires Brigade motorcyclist line up at the Palmer Theatre to prepare to depart for

Sadowski Field at III Corps. The riders will link up with almost 700 other riders for a 62-mile motorcycle

ride across central Texas.

Riders participating in Phantom Thunder V, ride through the

Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery to pay respect to the

Soldiers that are laid to rest.

Page 9: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 9

the ride and the mentors got a chance to practice their inher-ent responsibilities while on the roads. With the success of Phantom Thunder V, most of the riders are anticipating the next ride, Phantom Thunder VI.

PHANTOM cont. from Page 8

“Riding gives me a sense of being relaxed and getting rid of the stress in the world,” said Sgt. 1st Class Earnest Jackson, Mo-bile, Ala. native, a brigade senior motorcycle mentor for the 41st Fires Brigade. “You get the chance to experience travel in different ways, ways you could never experience in a car.” Throughout the entire ride, safety remained the number one concern. “It’s good to get out here and work with all the other mentors on post and trade tips and sto-ries,” said CW2 Robert Patrick, Independence, La. officer in charge of the Phantom Thunder Ride V and the movement of-ficer for the 41st Fires Brigade. “Events like this help foster good riding techniques, but you can’t get too caught up in the ride. You should never become com-placent because that’s when ac-cidents occur.” At the end of the day, the ride was successful. The new riders gained practical lessons during

Pfc. Shannon Carvalho pulls on her gloves as well as the

rest of her required protective riding gear. During the

Phantom Thunder mentorship ride, the Soldiers and

Civilians practice safe riding techniques .

Sgt. Christopher Sides with the 67th Forward Support Company rides with his riding buddy, Porkchop, through the

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Nearly 700 riders rode 62 miles across central Texas.

Motorcycles lined Sadowski Field at III Corp during the Phantom Thunder Run V. The

41st Fires Brigade hosted the motorcycle mentorship ride for the second consecutive

year.

Page 10: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2011

Story and photos by

Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas—A long forgotten part in history has made its way back to Fort Hood by way of the Soldiers from Bat-tery A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade. Thirty-eight Soldiers dug deep within themselves to honor their predecessors as the Rene-gade Soldiers completed a 25-mile ruck march coined the Blue Max Challenge, Nov. 7. The Blue Max originates from the informal name from an award given for valor, Pour le Merite, during World War I. “We named the challenge ‘Blue Max’ because we wanted something that would emulate the bravery of those who have come and gone before us,” said Capt. Christopher Burton, com-mander for Battery A, 2nd Bn.,

20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Bde. “I wanted to do something challenging, something that would push our Soldiers but not break our Soldiers. The Blue Max was perfect because it’s a name that is synonymous

with personal courage. Unfortu-nately, it [Blue Max] faded away after Vietnam.” Burton said that he wanted to revive the name and give his Soldiers a sense of pride in the unit. At the 20-mile marker, the Soldiers stopped to commemo-rate the event and donned the newly earned Blue Max tabs. After the Soldiers received their tabs, they took a few minutes to rest their feet, then the Rene-gade Soldiers walked the last five miles. At the end of the 25-mile challenge, the unit conduct-ed a three-day field exercise. Although the participating Soldiers were honored to earn their Blue Max tabs, the actual tab is not authorized for wear on the Army Combat Uniform. “No, the Soldiers are not al-lowed to wear the tabs on the outside of their ACUs, but that just goes to show the character,

2-20th FA gives maximum effort

See BLUE on Page 11

Soldiers with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade crosses the brigade to

the first check point during the unit’s 25-mile ruck march known as the Blue Max Challenge. After the area

was secured, the Soldiers had the chance to change out there boots and socks.

Soldiers with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade rucked through the rain

during a 25-mile ruck march known as the Blue Max Challenge. Thirty-eight of the Renegade Soldiers completed

the challenge.

Page 11: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

personal courage, and motiva-tion of our Soldiers,” said 1st Sgt. Antwone Reese, First Ser-geant for Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Bde. “Our Soldiers jumped at the oppor-tunity to do this. Our Soldiers learn about the Blue Max and Pour le Merite when studying our unit history for our promotion boards, but now, they get a chance to be a part of the unit’s history.” As the Soldiers put one foot in front of the other, walking across North Fort Hood, they fought hard to block out the physical pains of the trip. Even though the group motivated each other, some needed extra motivation.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 11

“I’m honored to have carried the extra weight of the guidon,” said Spc. Troy Knight, a fire di-rection specialist for the Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Bde. “Carrying the guidon was worth the burden. Some of the Soldiers needed to see the guidon up front to finish. I’m proud to say that I started in the front, I finished in the front, and I held the guidon up high for all to see.” While the Renegade Soldiers take some necessary time to re-cover from the blisters, knee and back pain, they may get a chance to repeat the challenge. Blue Max Challenge II is slated for the second week of Jan. 2012.

Pvt. Patrick Hoffman, a multiple launch rocket system’s specialist,

Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires

Brigade, changes out his socks during a 25-mile ruck march known

as the Blue Max Challenge. The 38 Soldiers who completed the

challenge received their tabs at the 20th mile, then preceded with

the last five miles.

BLUE cont. from Page 10

Soldiers with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade train

on proper searching procedures during a three-day field exercise held after the unit’s 25-mile

ruck march.

Soldiers with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field

Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade wear their Blue

Max tab with pride after completing a 25-mile ruck march.

Since the Blue Max tabs are not authorized for wear in the

Army Combat Uniform, the Soldiers had to remove their

tabs.

Page 12: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2011

Page 13: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 13

Page 14: The December edition of the Rail Gunner Monthly

VOLUME 2 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY ISSUE 13

SPC Corey Cox

SPC Xavier Ferrell

SPC Roy Girrard

SPC Courtney Jones

SPC Anthony Monroigdiaz

SPC Hansen Monte

SPC Matthew Sukley

SGT Jonathan Utley

Want more news and information?

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PV2 Mills, Jason

PV2 Westerfield, Joshua

PFC Bagwell, William

PFC Barnette, Stephanie

PFC Howard, Amanda

PFC Lopez, David

SPC Barut Edward

SPC Bowman, Adrienne L.

SPC Brizuela, Jiahui

SPC Burce, Mary J.

SPC Burnett, Taleahrenee

SPC Campbell, Diantae

SPC Castillo, Adrian

SPC Cornejo, Bryan

SPC Daily, Spencer

SPC Daley, Delaina R.

SPC Delcastillo, Muriel

SPC Duran, Andrew

SPC Frenette, Sam

SPC Gabriel, Marlon

SPC GomesRodriguez, Melissa

SPC James, Jacob

SPC Johnson, Terrica

SPC Joseph, Fallon

SPC Kelley, Brandy

SPC NakamotoSilva, Jamie

SPC Nixon, Alex

SPC Priddle, Kyle

SPC Rueckert, Eric

SPC Strauch, Anthony

SPC Toth, Phillip

SPC Valdespino, Heriberto J.

SPC Vasquez, Randy D.

SPC Welter, Christopher

SGT Edelen, Barrie

SGT Ellis, Amos

SGT Gore, Trenton

SGT Higginbotham, Lee

SGT Mendoza, Julio

SGT Norman, Justin

SGT Sill, Brandon


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