Guns Attack Team,
February’s newsletter is full of outstanding events and achievements
throughout our Battalion. January flew by as we trained hard and prepared Soldiers
and equipment for bilateral partnership missions in the United Arab Emirates. CSM
Hurst, CW4 Cosyns and I look forward to deploying Task Force Desert Talon (AH-
64Ds and UH-60s) to UAE for the partnered missions and overwater gunnery. We
will share our UAE experiences in the next newsletter. Needless to say, a lot of time
and effort has gone into preparing for the mission. Following UAE, we will send
several Soldiers and helicopters to Saudi Arabia as part of Operations Iron Hawk III.
Our pilots, crew chiefs and Soldiers are GUNS ATTACK ambassadors representing
the Army and the United States throughout the region. Our Soldiers carry the right
attitude and experience to execute this responsibility. Our Soldiers are disciplined
and dedicated to making every mission successful—I expect nothing less through our
re-deployment in April.
Continued on page 2
Gun 6 Notes
LTC Hank Perry
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2
FEB 2014
4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
The Guns Attack Newsletter
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Bounty Hunters 5
Panthers 6
Diamondbacks 7
Snake Eyes 8
Unforgiven 9-10
Equalizers 11
Rear Detachment 12
SHARP 13
Chaplains Corner 14-16
Retention Corner 17
FRG Corner 18-19
Birthdays 20
Commander of 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion,
LTC Hank Perry
GUNS Poster 21
GUN Store 22
Calendar 23
We are at the point in our nine month deployment that we begin to plan our re-deployment to Fort Hood
and our reintegration with loved ones. CSM Hurst and I will lay out the entire process in the next two
successive newsletters as well as pass information through Rear-Detachment and the Company Family
Readiness Groups (FRGs). Keep in mind that we will not post specific dates and times on Social Media, but will
rely on phone calls and direct communication between FRG members.
As the commander, I make a point to be a “broken record” on several key leadership areas and
messages. From the beginning of our deployment I challenged Soldiers and Family members alike to remain
vigilant on four areas of concern--: Mental Toughness, Spiritual Fitness, Physical Fitness, and
Communication with Family. How are you doing? Please take a few minutes to evaluate how much or how
little you are focusing on these areas. Make communication and fitness (spiritual, physical, and mental) part of
your day—every day.
Our Battalion Rear-Detachment OIC and NCOIC (CW2 Hughes and SFC Velazquez) are doing a great
job working closely with our FRG volunteers and coordinating with COL Mendenhall and CSM Amagliani at
Fort Hood. We wish Bravo Company and 3-227th AHB a safe and successful mission at NTC in February.
For the remaining months of our deployment, I encourage everyone to STAY FOCUSSED, STAY
ENGAGED, and FINISH STRONG!
Enjoy this month’s edition of the Guns Attack Newsletter! The companies are doing a great job sharing
information about our Soldiers and showcasing their efforts while deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom-
Kuwait.
Thanks to our Families for all they do in support of our Army, their Soldier, and this Battalion!
As always, it is an honor to serve as your commander. Take an active role in making the Army and this
unit better every day!
GUNS ATTACK!
LTC Hank Perry
Gun 6 Notes
LTC Hank Perry
P AGE 2 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
GUNS!!
Another month has quickly gone by and the Guns Team has spent the month bringing in the New Year
preparing for our bilateral partnership mission, Desert Talon II in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Soldiers from
the GSAB, 42nd CAB and Guns Attack have been busy coordinating, loading containers, prepping ground
support equipment, vehicles and aircraft to be transported for our upcoming training exercise. Every Soldier in
the Task Force will be ambassadors…from our FARP Soldiers to our Aviators—all should be proud to represent
the partnership between the United States and UAE.
Congratulation to the following Soldiers and NCOs on their promotion effective 1 February: SFC Parsons,
SFC Moore, SSG Marks, SSG Lankford, SGT Reed and SGT Fowler, great job and well deserved.
Continue to stay mentally and physically tough, CW2 Hughes and SFC Velazquez are both doing an
outstanding job in the rear; don’t hesitate to call either of them, if you need anything.
“GUNS ATTACK!”
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
Command Sergeant Major of 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion,
CSM Zach Hurst
Gun 9 Notes
CSM Zach Hurst
2014 has gotten off to a good start for the GUNS Team. We are rapidly approaching February marking
the beginning of Desert Talon II; a Field Training Exercise hosted in the United Arab Emirates, between
elements of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade and the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command in order to strengthen
the US and UAE partnership. Each and every one of us should be proud to represent our nation, our ARMY and
our unit. Whether or not we realize it, we are all ambassadors. Seek out and share the knowledge that has been
learned over the years with our Emirati counterparts. Fuelers to fuelers, maintainers to maintainers, aviators to
aviators…every Soldier within the Task Force has an important part in this exercise. The end state is to walk
away a better unit, having made new friends and strengthened the partnership between us by having learned how
to work and fly side by side. There will be hurtles along the way, but all will be efficiently and safely solved in
order to accomplish the mission. Not an easy feat, but we will succeed!
Congratulations to SFC Nelson from C Co for being selected to attend Warrant Officer Candidate
School and continuing on to become an aviator. A new world has just opened up for you and you will do great!
CW3 Pfeifer, also from C Co, is our latest addition to the Senior Warrant Officer community. Another round of
applause for your promotion to CW3. You have done great things for the unit and I have no doubt you will
continue to excel and challenge yourself to bigger tasks and will succeed.
“GUNS ATTACK!”
Gun 10 Notes
CW4 Sebastien Cosyns
P AGE 4 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
Battalion Senior Warrant Officer of 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance
Battalion, CW4 Sebastien Cosyns
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2
HHC Bounty Hunters
Bounty Hunters Family,
Another month has passed with the Bounty Hunters continuing to train and execute missions here in the
Middle East. January has gone by quickly, with the Soldiers preparing for a major training exercise and
continuing training in Kuwait. We have been quite busy supporting the GUNS ATTACK Battalion as well as
working with our new higher headquarters, the 42nd Combat Aviation
Brigade.
As you can tell from the photos, the Bounty Hunters were able
to celebrate New Years Eve by visiting the range and shooting our
primary weapons. The weather was excellent, and all personnel who
attended the range managed to successfully complete their required
tasks before our mandated cutoff time. After completing the range,
personnel turned in weapons and enjoyed their day off.
Since the
beginning of the year,
the Bounty Hunters
Soldiers have been working towards setting conditions to send the
Battalion forward to participate in an exercise with our Middle
Eastern partners. This has included conducting Joint Air Attack
Teaming with the Air Force, conducting our Final Planning
Conference with our partners, and of course packing containers so
that we have everything we need while on this operation. Our
aviators have also been out flying over the Arabian Gulf becoming
more proficient with their overwater attack capabilities and
integrating unmanned aerial surveillance systems into our fighting
capabilities. We also had some of our replacements from 3-159th come out to conduct overwater flights in
preparation for their arrival. This month, we had the privilege to promote
our legal clerk, SPC Wilkins, to Sergeant, which was well deserved.
We continue to count the days until our arrival back to Fort Hood.
We are finalizing our FRG Contact rosters to ensure we have the correct
contacts in order to inform you of our arrival, so remind your Soldier of
any changes in emails or phone numbers. Thank you for your support,
and I will talk to you again next month.
“BOUNTY HUNTERS!”
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
Commander: CPT David Lorange
First Sergeant: 1SG Bryan Oser
P AGE 6 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
A CO Panthers
Commander: CPT Andrew Schwilk
First Sergeant: 1SG Kenneth Witmer
Family and Friends of the Panthers,
The pace has resumed and the excitement of what the year will
bring has been on everyone’s lips: bilateral partnership missions in the
United Arab Emirates, followed by Saudi Arabia, transfer of authority to
our replacing unit, redeployment and reuniting with Families; and that is
just the first half of the year.
During the excitement I’d like
to take the opportunity to express the
importance of the upcoming partnership
mission in UAE. The pilots and crew
chiefs who are participating will be
ambassadors of the unit, the Army and
most importantly for the United States. I know the manner, words and actions
of this Company will reflect the greatest traditions of American culture and
strengthen the strategic alliance with partnered forces. The stakes are high, but
I am confident in our team to meet the challenge.
Aside from preparation for bilateral partnership, there has been
outstanding work this month maintaining our fleet, and executing the joint air
attack mission. Alpha Company had an outstanding 88% operational
readiness rate over the last period while conducting the dust landings and
overwater flight. We also participated this month in another Joint Air Attack
Team (JAAT) with Kuwait Air Force F-18s, Air Force MQ-1 Predators and
JTACs, US Army Field Artillery, and USMC F-18s. A JAAT like this might
have been the training highlight of the year at Fort Hood. The company has
built the proficiency to accomplish the extraordinary as though it were
routine.
I would like to take this opportunity and congratulate SPC Jarred and
his wife on the birth of their first child, William Douglas Jarred, II born on
the 19th of January. SPC Jarred celebrated by going to the vehicle rollover
trainer and getting turned upside down a few times. Congratulations again!
Another congratulations is in order
for SGT Kim. He was promoted on 01 JAN 14.
1SG Witmer and I are extremely proud of the way Alpha
Company has persecuted its mission, and the outstanding support of
the friends and Family of these great Soldiers.
-CPT Andrew Schwilk
“PANTHER 06”
“PANTHERS!”
SGT Kim being promoted to Sergeant.
Congrats.
Panthers flying into the FARP.
1LT Baker reenlists SPC Perez on the flight line at
Camp Buehring.
CW2 Belle conducts a post flight
after completing his flight.
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
B Co Diamondbacks Commander: CPT Travis Clonch
First Sergeant: 1SG Bobby Lucas
Diamondbacks Families and Friends,
All of us would like to thank our brothers and sisters in arms over in Kuwait for their continued hard
work in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Kuwait, especially having to spend time away from their
Families over the Holidays.
We kicked off 2014 by promoting SSG (P) Haines to SFC
Haines. His hard work and dedication as a Diamondbacks Platoon
Sergeant was recognized as his wife Dana pinned him at the
promotion ceremony.
With 2014 kicking off, Diamondbacks started to charge
ahead in preparation for the National Training Center (NTC)
exercise in February. Our primary focus was on aircraft
maintenance and progressions for company and staff aviators in the
Brigade. On top of the
numerous pilots’ briefs in
preparation for NTC,
Diamondback aviators had
week long training on the MUM-T system by the company that
designed it. It was a good refresher for some and a first time
experience for many new aviators on the capabilities of the MUM-T
system and the vital role it may play in the battlefield in support of
both air and ground forces.
Diamondback aviators continued to hone their skills in
deliberate operations by conducting a screening mission in the
AVCATT simulator. Our AWTs learned to conduct area
reconnaissance and engaged enemy armored vehicles in the area of
operations. We also provided support for the Sabre Squadron, 3rd
Cavalry Regiment. We were able to utilize the MUM-T system and
integrate with UAS and ground artillery to search and destroy enemy
armored targets.
Lastly, we continued our support in the community
by sending our Soldiers to the annual blood drive at
Trimmier Elementary School. Our Soldiers helped the set-
up and the teardown of the event while manning the blood
drive stations for the registration process. PFC Portillo
suited up as the blood drive mascot to provide
entertainment for the Families who showed up to support
the blood drive.
“DIAMONDBACKS!”
f
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
Snake Eyes Family and Friends,
After enjoying some downtime during the holiday season, Charlie
Company is back at full speed conducting training and partnership missions.
This month we executed a week-long gunnery in which crews were able to
perform dust landings and joint air attack team exercises with Air Force and
artillery units. We have also continued to conduct our overwater missions
with the Navy and hope to be able to get more crews deck landing qualified
next month. Charlie Company has also been doing integrated training with
the Air Force assets here on Ali Al Salem every week and we have
established great working relationships between our services.
Throughout the
month we have been meeting with
our Kuwaiti partners to strengthen
our relationships and plan for future
training missions. The Kuwaitis
invited us to their coalition BBQ
where several Snake Eyes Soldiers
got to participate in everything from
camel rides to hawk demonstrations.
CPT Rogers even took part in a
traditional Kuwaiti dinner, where he
tried some lamb brain.
With over half of the deployment down and less than three months left,
Charlie Company is continuing to push forward to finish the deployment strong. All
the Snake Eyes Soldiers are looking forward to seeing their Family and friends again in
just a few months.
“SNAKE EYES!”
C CO Snake Eyes
Commander: CPT Kyle Rogers
First Sergeant: 1SG Joseph Mungin
P AGE 8
Snake Eyes crews conduct gunnery during the Joint Air
Attack Team Exercise.
A special congratulations to SGT Cochran, SFC Nelson and CW3 Pfeifer who were all promoted on the 1st of January!
SGT Cochran poses for a
new Facebook profile
picture with a Kuwaiti
falcon.
CPT Rogers braces himself for a mouth
full of delicious lamb brains.
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
D Co Unforgiven
Unforgiven Family and Friends,
The holidays now seem like a distant memory. Time sure is flying by with the company being
extremely busy with preparations to support Operation Desert Talon II with our partners in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE). Myself and 1SG Corr will be leading a contingent of 26 D Co Soldiers on the mission. The
rest of the formation will remain at Camp Buehring under the command of 1LT Payne. Communications on the
exercise should not be an issue. All the stops along the way have internet access, but please be prepared if we
are unable to call home. Y our loves ones will be well taken care of. The living conditions, food and gym are all
above standard and will serve as a nice change of pace for the Soldiers attending. We also just completed our
second field training exercise this month. The Unforgiven Team was tasked with establishing a tactical
command post, night vision goggles drivers training, a Jump FARP and weapons qualifications on 4 different
weapons systems. Every platoon and section participated in the event and our NCOs and Soldiers performed
with distinction. Our training plan for this deployment is winding
down. This last field exercise was our last major company event on the
calendar. We will soon shift towards preparation for redeployment
and reintegration. Music to all our ears!
Last newsletter I brought up one of LTC
Perry’s “big 4” items for the deployment;
nurturing of the family. This month and for the
next two months I will focus on the rest. As we
plan for reintegration with all of you, it is
important for us to ensure our physical fitness has increased since our departure from Fort Hood. Simply put,
most of us will be planning on taking block leave where physical fitness may or may not be of huge concern to
some. We will ensure that our fitness is at its peak when we depart here so that we are able to endure a block
leave period with little to no exercise. 100% of the company will take a record APFT beginning 1 APR. This
PT test will cover us until October 14, leaving plenty of time to endure the block leave period and to recover. I
challenged the company to a goal of an average of 260 points. I know our Soldiers will do their absolute best to
attain that goal.
Commander: CPT Greg Sterley
First Sergeant: 1SG Joseph Corr
Unforgiven Soldiers setup their tent during our Field Training Exercise
12-15 JAN 2014.
Continued on page 10
The Unforgiven Team conducting ranges for the
M9, M4, M249 and M2.
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION P AGE 10
D Co Unforgiven
Our FRG is all recovered from the much needed holiday break. We are now planning for a Family day
at Boulders in Harker Heights. Look for that event sometime in March. We are also beginning to plan for a
homecoming party. Ideas are needed and the Battalion is leaning towards a social event at hanger. Our
company mascot, SGT Barry, will be sending out his sixth letter to the Unforgiven children at the end of the
month. He has been hard at work with the Headquarters Platoon. Please inquire with my wife & FRG Leader,
Jessica, or your key caller to have your child added to SGT Barry’s mailing list if they are not on there.
Thank you all for your sacrifice and unwavering patience. Three more newsletters to go and we will once again
be reunited.
Sincerely,
CPT Greg Sterley
Unforgiven 06
Jump FARP Operations.
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
E CO Equalizers
Commander: CPT Omar Villafane
First Sergeant: 1SG Jose Ventura
Equalizers Families and Friends,
Greetings again from your E Co Equalizers! This
month the Soldiers of Echo FSC have been busy preparing
for our BN partnership exercise in UAE while also keeping
with the FSC Commanders’ “Train Hard and Be Tactical”
philosophy. Your Soldiers took another trip to the range this
month for our M249 SAW, and M320 ranges. This month
was also big for “Partnership” as the FSC supported JAAT
operations as well as convoy support for a C Co/ Kuwaiti
escort training exercise. Our Maintainers and DISTRO Sol-
diers have been hard at work preparing equipment to move
to port for our BN exercise. Our Soldiers played a big part in
the equipment staging and movement to the port ensuring that
the BN is ready to train. The Equalizer Basketball team has taken its talents to the big leagues participating in the
Post B-Ball tournament. Our E Co “HOOD STARS” are crashing the bracket with a 5-1 record winning their last
two games 63-11 and 48-12. Our guys are poised to
make a serious run at the post title.
Congratulations to SGT McNeil (PLL Sec-
tion SGT) , SGT Young (Fuel section Team Leader),
SGT Roth (MAINT Team Chief) , and SPC Gabriel
(PLL clerk) for gaining their promotable status at this
months’ promotion board. We are extremely proud
of these Soldiers and can’t wait to tell you about their
promotion ceremonies. Speaking of Ceremonies,
PFC Palmer and Nguyen were both promoted to the
Rank of Specialist, and SPC Bryant and PFC Maria
both Reenlisted choosing to continue serving this
great nation.
Our FRG continues to run forward
with its events, “Battalion Walk to and From
Kuwait,” which encourages all spouses to log
all miles walked, ran, and/or biked over the
entire deployment time frame. The event pro-
motes health and fitness but focuses primarily
on morale support to all deployed service
members in the unit. The participants have
logged over 1650 miles towards our overall
goal of 7600 miles, which is the distance be-
tween Fort Hood and Kuwait. Again, I’d like
to thank all of the Spouses, family members,
and Equalizers supporters who are participating in this event and I welcome everyone else to join in on the fun.
Without you all we couldn’t do what we do. If interested in participating please contact our FRG leader Mrs.
Mandi Pfeil at [email protected] or myself at [email protected].
“EQUALIZERS!”
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION P AGE 12
Rear Detachment
Commander: CW2 Michael Hughes
First Sergeant: SFC Luis Velazquez
Guns Team,
We are now in the new year and with it brings the
anticipation of redeployment as the unit continues operations
while shifting focus towards planning for the return. The Rear
Detachment and the FRSA have begun our preparations to ensure
it will be a smooth transition back to garrison.
The month of January has brought the Rear Detachment
a new addition to the team. Kaylen Aaliyah Nealy was born on 6
Jan 2014 at 1251 to PFC Ferica Nealy. She weighed in at 7lbs
11oz. and was 20.6 inches. PFC Nealy holds a crucial position
for the detachment as the S1 Clerk.
Additionally, on 16 January, 4-227th ARB and Trimmier
Elementary hosted the 3rd Annual Blood Drive in Killeen. The
Rear Detachment and Bravo Company teamed up once again to
support this life giving event.
To help bring in the New Year, 1 ACB hosted a New Years
Reception on 25 January to meet command teams and their
spouses. This was a great opportunity for the 1 ACB leadership to
foster teamwork within the brigade. It also allowed spouses to
connect and meet with the brigade leadership.
I believe this will be a great
year, especially with the return of
our team on the horizon. On behalf
of the Rear Detachment, I would
like to wish everyone a successful
and safe 2014.
“GUNS!”
4-227th ARB Command Team Spouses.
4-227th ARB Rear Detachment and Bravo Company
Command Teams.
PFC Nealy with her baby girl
Kaylen Aaliyah born on 6 Jan
2014.
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2
Guns Attack Family,
Starting in March there will be a pilot course for a Sharp Schoolhouse. The class will include the
current 80 hour Sharp certification course, instructions to develop leadership, negotiation, presentation and
communication skills. There will also be instructions from US Army Criminal Investigation Command, Office
of the Judge Advocate General, and Office of the Surgeon General. Having the opportunity to attend this class
will provide comprehensive tools for Sharp professionals to use in the performance of their critical duties. The
class is an 8 week course that will be available to full- time Sharps and SARCs.
Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention
BN SHARP: SFC LaCresha Riddle
BN SHARP ALT: VACANT
TITLE RANK FIRST LAST LOCATION EMAIL
4-227
BN SHARP PRI SFC LaCresha Riddle Camp Buehring [email protected]
BN SHARP ALT
HHC SHARP PRI SSG Yavel Pereiradiez Camp Buehring [email protected]
HHC SHARP ALT 1LT Jeremy Adams Camp Buehring [email protected]
A Co SHARP PRI 1LT Ward Baker Camp Buehring [email protected]
A Co SHARP ALT
B Co SHARP PRI CW2 James Alteffer Fort Hood [email protected]
B Co SHARP ALT SSG Joseph Smith Fort Hood [email protected]
C Co SHARP PRI CW2 Gregory Kilpatrick Ali Al Salem [email protected]
C Co SHARP ALT SSG Derek Nelson Ali Al Salem [email protected]
D Co SHARP PRI
D Co SHARP ALT
E Co SHARP PRI SSG Eric Moore Camp Buehring [email protected]
E Co SHARP ALT
Spiritual Mindfulness of Loneliness, Relationship, and Love
True love does not worry about the distance between,
for the heart and soul travels through one’s words.
~Anonymous
Dear Friends,
Happy Valentine’s Day! February is typically known as the month of love and relationships, so I thought
I would dedicate this article to the concept of “true love.” Deployment can cause a person to feel isolated;
partners in relationship can grow distant from each other, conflict and dissatisfaction occurs because both sides
no longer feel the loving security and closeness of the other. Skype and other means of face-to-face
communication become two-dimensional and artificial, which sometimes bring more aggravation and conflict
instead of intimate closeness and security between two lovers.
Deployment can challenge even the most stable of relationships! We can prepare for
deployment, but enduring the deployment inevitably puts stress on all relationships. That is to say, nobody is
impervious to the negative feelings of isolation and loneliness that is unique to the deployment experience. That
is why I stress in my counseling with married Soldiers to be gentle with their spouse back home. In turn, I invite
spouses to do the same with their Soldiers. Our needs for feeling love and intimacy is not so much about what
the other can do for us, but what we can do for the other. Indeed, marriage is at its core a mutual selfless giving
of one to the other. Each person seeks to meet the needs of the other in a sensuous dance of giving and receiving
love. There is a wholeness that is formed in a relationship of selflessness because each gives to the other love,
intimate security, and trust. This can only occur when each person values not only the other, but also one’s
self—genuine love of the other can only occur if one already has the self-esteem and love for one’s self, and this
comes from within. Selfless love of the other is not a dependency but a gift. Meaning, one does not depend on
the other for one’s self-worth and value; rather, it is one’s inner self-worth and value that gifts love to the other
selflessly and lavishly.
I found the article below by Ben Neal posted on Facebook. I resonated with his direct approach and
realism about the spirituality of relationships and “true love.” Neal’s message, I believe, indirectly speaks to the
unique feelings and experiences Soldiers and spouses go through relationally during a deployment. I invite you
to read the article, and hope that it helps your love grow stronger as we move closer to coming home.
Peace,
CH Caruso
Chaplains Corner Chaplain: CPT Robert Caruso
Chaplains Assistant: PVT Dezmon Worth
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION P AGE 14
P AGE 16 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2
The Truth About “True Love.”
By Ben Neal Do you believe in love?
I’m talking about that deep down, life changing, earth shaking, always-and-forever kind of love—the stuff of
poetry and legend.
Many people are skeptical, and for good reason. Today’s culture isn’t very fertile ground for romance. With
social media, text messaging and online dating, we’ve revolutionized communication but we’ve lost the art of
relationship. There are very few success stories. (Sometimes it seems like there are very few people having real,
face-to-face conversations anymore!)
But I believe. Scratch that. I know.
True love is real—deep, unconditional, lasting love. The reason it is so rare is because it is so misunderstood.
Most people’s idea of “true love” looks something like this: Mr. or Mrs. Right is waiting out there somewhere,
“the One” they are destined to be with. And that special someone is looking for them too, and it’s only a matter
of time before they meet each other—and of course, they’ll both live happily ever after.
Hogwash!
Happily ever after doesn’t exist. And God didn’t hand pick one special person just for you. In fact, the whole
idea of finding fulfillment in someone else is an illusion.
The truth is, love can only be found within.
Most people who are looking for love “out there” are actually just running away from loneliness. They
constantly settle for less than what they want, and less than what they deserve, because their greatest fear is to be
alone, grow old alone and die alone.
The fear of loneliness prevents us from experiencing real intimacy. True love lies beyond that fear. We have to
face what Louis C.K. call the “forever empty,” the unquenchable sadness deep within us; the ever present
knowledge of our own mortality, that in the end we all face death all alone.
The truth is that real love requires real inner work that most people just aren’t interested in. It requires that we
first be happy in our solitude; that we come to know ourselves, accept ourselves and love ourselves. We have to
find our peace of mind, find our purpose, our passion, our joie de vivre.
It requires that we lay down the ego’s defenses and be naked and vulnerable; that we give up our planning and
fantasizing about the future and live in the Now. Only then are we really ready to love. When you fully grasp
that tomorrow is not guaranteed—that this moment is truly all that we have—there is nothing to do but give
everything you’ve got, expecting nothing in return.
In fact, you know in advance that your heart will be broken. You will be lied to, you will be taken for granted;
you will be hurt and disappointed. Sooner or later, between here and your deathbed, you will have to say
goodbye. You know it, you accept it, and you love anyway.
Continued on page 16
Real love is divine. It comes from a relationship with God, a dance with emptiness which takes us beyond the
human self, beyond the ego’s petty games to know a timeless love; to taste the fullness of joy.
WHAT WE CALL “TRUE L OVE” IS THAT RARE AND SACRED UNION THAT
HAPPENS WHEN TWO PEOPLE JOIN IN THIS DANCE TOGETHER.
It is a friendship, a love affair and an act of worship. Passion, lust, affection, caring, trust, respect and devotion
all become part of an exquisite surrender. Lovers merge with each other and with the vast, wild universe.
Neither knows for sure if it will last a weekend or a lifetime. It doesn’t matter.
All that matters is this moment of oneness—holy and beautiful.
It contains eternity.
4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION P AGE 16
Chaplains Corner
Retention Corner
GUNS,
As battalion operations continue Soldiers are still taking advantage of the wide range of reenlistment
opportunities as they become available. We broke in 2014 by reenlisting four Soldiers for a variety of
reenlistment options. No matter the reenlistment incentives they all decided to remain with the Army and
continue their great service to the nation. Starting 1 February 2014 the deployment bonus in Kuwait will be
reduced and the Army will begin making changes to current retention policies. No matter the changes the
command always wants to thank the Families for supporting your Soldier and being part of the team. Please
visit our Facebook page to view more reenlistment pictures.
-SSG LeFaire
“STAY GUNS”
4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2
P AGE 18
FRG Corner
4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
Very soon, Guns Attack will be
returning from deployment, mission
accomplished! The Soldiers will have
received several briefings in theater in
preparation for their return to Family
and friends. The Rear Detachment will
conduct briefings for Family members
at Fort Hood, to ease the re-union
process. These briefing will take place
in late March. There will be several
dates/times to choose from, allowing
participants to attend a session suitable
to their schedule. Child care will be
available to those children enrolled in
CYSS. If you are not enrolled, now is
the perfect time to do so. Registration
can be accomplished at Parent Central
Services at Bldg 121, 761st Tank
Battalion Avenue. The phone number is
254-287-8029. Operating hours are
Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri 7:30 am – 4:40
pm and Wed, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm.
Briefing dates, times, and locations will
be announced at a later date.
Coming Home
All stateside Tricare Service Centers will close on 1
April. All Tricare enrollments and information will be
done on the web. Enroll at www.tricare.mil/callus.
For Tricare Prime, use www.tricare.mil/enrollment
ACS Calendar of Events
http://hoodmwr.com/acs/iro_calendar.html
FRG Corner
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
FAMILY READINESS SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Charles Lyons (4-227 ARB)
Office: 254-553-7486
Cell: 254-290-0730
Bldg 87016 Rose Bud
MILITARY FAMILY LIFE CONSULTANT
Eddie Rayford
Cell:254-317-3517
Bldg 87016 Rose Bud
FAMILY READINESS GROUP CONTACTS
As always, continue to stay engaged with your company FRG Leaders on upcoming events and useful
resources with the Battalion and local area. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, do not hesitate
to contact your company FRG Leader or our Battalion Senior Advisor, Mrs. Julia Perry at
TITLE FIRST LAST SPOUSE CELL EMAIL
4-227th ARB
BN SENIOR ADVISOR Julia Perry LTC Perry 254-319-2448 [email protected]
HHC Amber Goodwin 1LT Goodwin 864-328-6345 [email protected]
A COMPANY Ashton West SPC Benjamin 817-791-0872 [email protected]
B COMPANY Kim Clonch CPT Clonch 615-481-4689 [email protected]
C COMPANY Barbara Wade CW2 Wade 706-593-7862 [email protected]
D COMPANY Jessica Sterley CPT Sterley 716-830-1070 [email protected]
E COMPANY Amanda Pfeil SPC Pfeil 901-277-1608 [email protected]
FORT HOOD MWR TIME
Would you like Fort Hood Family and MWR information, news, events, facilities, maps, publications,
programs, services, social media and more, designed for access on your mobile device? Well, we have a free
app for that! Search "Fort Hood MWR Time" in Apple’s App Store or iTunes to download this great resource
right to your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. iTunes.com/Apps/FortHoodMWRTIME
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
RANK LAST NAME FIRST NAME BIRTHDAY
SFC HINES JOHNATHON 2 FEB
SPC OATIS NEHEMIAH 2 FEB
SPC OUK DARA 2 FEB
CW4 LEIPOLD MICHAEL 4 FEB
SGT NOYOLA DAVID 5 FEB
PFC VOELCKER JASON 7 FEB
CPT JAZMIN CESAR 8 FEB
SGT STADELMAIER RYAN 8 FEB
1LT KIM TYLER 9 FEB
SPC MITCHELL JEFFREY 12 FEB
PFC ODEL JORDAN 12 FEB
SPC WILLIS JAMES 13 FEB
SGT DANIELS DUSTIN 14 FEB
MAJ MILLER MARY 15 FEB
SPC BRYANT WILLIE 16 FEB
PFC AGLA KOSSI 16 FEB
PFC COGDELL JONATHAN 16 FEB
SPC HENDRICKSON LANDEROS 17 FEB
CW2 CHESWORTH JEFFREY 18 FEB
CW2 GROVENSTEIN WHITNEY 19 FEB
SGT OGDEN CASEY 19 FEB
CW2 STUEBBE ANDREW 20 FEB
SPC RODRIGUEZMARTINEZ MANUEL 20 FEB
SPC ABIRASNIETTELOUIS CARLOS 22 FEB
CPT STERLEY GREGORY 25 FEB
SGT YOUNG SNEZHANA 25 FEB
SGT WILSON KEVIN 26 FEB
CPT VILLAFANE OMAR 28 FEB
PV2 CRESPO EMMALY 28 FEB
4-227th ARB February Birthdays
P AGE 20
GUNS Poster
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
“Operation Enduring Freedom-Kuwait 13-14”
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2
The Gun Store is still accepting orders! Stickers, Velcro
patches, youth sizes, and supersizes are also available. Guns
Attack!!!
4-227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION P AGE 22
V OLUME 3 , ISSUE 2 4 -227TH ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
Au
gu
st 2
6
Mo
nd
ay
Tu
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We
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Th
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Su
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27
28
29
30
31
Se
pte
mb
er
1
23
45
67
8
91
01
11
21
31
41
5
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Se
pte
mb
er
13
Co
mm
un
ity
Se
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es
– B
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FR
G In
form
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Arm
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ed
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Ora
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Ho
w B
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Ma
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, T
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n M
ark
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e
(Au
sti
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Da
lla
s H
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e a
nd
Ga
rde
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TX
)
Re
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on
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Art
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TX
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TX
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Inte
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Ge
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Da
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TX
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TX
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tle
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, T
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Se
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s
(Se
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)
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ll F
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(Au
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Blu
e M
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xp
o P
sy
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Ge
m a
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er
28
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Tu
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ay
We
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Th
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Sa
turd
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Su
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ay
29
30
31
No
vem
be
r 1
23
45
67
89
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
De
cem
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No
ve
mb
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13
Co
mm
un
ity
Ev
en
ts –
Blu
e
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G In
form
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on
– Y
ello
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Ho
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ay
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ing
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Mo
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Th
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Su
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28
29
30
31
Fe
bru
ary
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34
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78
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Ma
rch
12
Fe
bru
ary
14
Co
mm
un
ity
Ev
en
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Ho
me
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as
)
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C 1
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Fig
ht
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ht
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rty
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LV
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h
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Ho
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As
ian
Fe
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Sa
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Sh
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Co
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ty H
om
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Ga
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ile
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ton
, T
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DF
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po
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lla
s, T
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Ca
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s
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