August 2008

www.1id.army.mil Unofficial 1st Infantry Division M

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Selfl ess Se

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Personal Cou
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

1

TEAMWORK is the foundation of the Big Red One. I shall

never fail my team, for I maintain the standard. My conduct and self-discipline sets the example for others to follow.

HONOR is what I stand for-an American Soldier on duty

for my country. My loyality is intense. I display care formy fellow Soldiers and my chain-of-command through courage,respect, integrity and compassion.I have learned to 

ENDURE, to thrive in adversity. 

The harsh reality of combat gives me the enthusiam forrealistic training. I am physically and mentally strong tomeet the demanding situations my unit encounters.We are one in the Big Red One. Our 

BROTHERHOOD

gives us strength to 

fi ght on to any objective and accomplish the

mission as our veterans have done before us. I live the legacy ofmy division.READINESS is my priority. To be ready for any mission,

anytime, anywhere. My business is 

fi rst-class training and living

high standards of care and equipment, weaponry and tacticaland technical competence.My 

ORGANIZATION is my strength. The BRO is bigger 

than any one individual. It gives me purpose, self-con

fi dence, 

competitive spirit, intestinal fortitude and the desire to 

fi ght 

with all my heart.

U.S. Army Photo

The Big Red One

O

R

K is the foundation of the Big Red One. I shall

y team for I maintain the standard My conduct and

Creed

1st Infantry Division 

Commander

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins

1st Infantry Division CSM

Command Sgt. Maj. 

James Champagne

1st Infantry Division PAO

Maj. Nathan Bond

1st Infantry Division PAO NCOIC

Master Sgt. Matt Howard

Editor

Sgt. 1st Class Pamella Voss

Assistant Editor

Laura Stroda

Staff Writer

Spc. Francisca Vega

Art Director

Floyd Hansford M/VISC

Duty First! uty First!

No Mission too Diffi cult. No Sacrifi ce too Great.

August 2008 www.1id.army.mil

The Duty First is an unoffi cial publication produced under the provisions of AR 360-1, published by Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division. Editorial views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense, the Army or the 1st Infantry Division. All photos are Army photos unless otherwise noted. Circulation is 6,000 per issue, printed monthly. Story and photos submissions are welcome and should be sent to: 

1st Infantry Division

Public Affairs Offi ce 

ATTN: Editor 

Bldg. 580

RM 135

Fort Riley, Kan. 66442. 

Telephone number 

785-239-8126 or 785-239-2402 

DSN 856-2402 or 856-3616 fax 

785-239-2592 

or visit Duty First online at 

www.1id.army.mil.

 

    

   

      
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

As we go about our daily missions in the Big Red 

One, basic principles should guide our actions. These basic principles are “common sense” concepts. But actually living the seven Army values – Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfl ess Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal 

Courage – can sometimes be easier said than done.

Loyalty. Are you truly loyal to your unit, to your 

division, to your Army and nation? It’s easy to express pride at being a member of the Fighting First or one of our many storied regiments. But what about that Soldier in your platoon who seems to always fi nd a way to get himself, and 

others, into trouble? Are you loyal to him? Are you loyal to your superiors, and those in your command, or do you contribute to the gossip at the chow hall? Loyalty means believing in and devoting yourself to your unit – and every Soldier in it.

Duty. Do you fulfi ll all of your 

obligations? Performing your duty doesn’t mean just getting the mission accomplished. Do you take shortcuts or let others do the work while you take the credit? When it’s time to get a job done, roll up your sleeves, do it right and to the best of your abilities. Oftentimes, if you don’t do something right the fi rst time, you wind up doing it 

over again anyway. Live by our motto – Duty First!

Respect. As youngsters, we all learned the golden 

rule – treat others how you want to be treated. Respect is an important concept in our ranks and is closely tied with duty. Respect isn’t just about rank, it’s about the person. If you respect someone, you trust that they are capable of fulfi lling their duty. And by fulfi lling your own 

duties, you have self-respect. It’s a two-way street.

Selfl ess Service. This is the Army value that we 

are living every day. Soldiers in today’s Army are here because they want to be. We are an Army at war and an all-volunteer force. The men and women who wear this uniform committed themselves to selfl ess service 

3

Commanding General Danger 6

Army Values, live them

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins

when they raised their right hand and swore to defend our nation.

Honor. The nation’s highest military award is the Medal 

of Honor. This award goes to Soldiers who make honor a matter of daily living, Soldiers who develop the habit of being honorable, and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, 

selfl ess service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.

Integrity. Integrity is a quality you 

develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends and, fi nally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself. Integrity is doing what is right when no one else is looking.

Personal Courage. Personal 

courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing 

moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable.

We in the Army love acronyms and if you take the fi rst 

letter of all seven Army values you get “LDRSHIP.” This wasn’t an accident. A great leader exhibits all of these qualities. A great Soldier lives by all these Army values. As you go about your daily missions, constantly gauge your actions against our Army values. Learn them and live them, along with our division motto – No Mission too Diffi cult. No Sacrifi ce too Great. 

Duty First!

We’ve all been exposed to the 

Duty, Respect, Selfl ess ServicPersonal Courage. We’ve beevalues whether on and off dutypromotion boards we are askemost to us.

I have been a Soldier for m

and I can tell you from my own pexperience living up to these vabe hard. It can be diffi cult for private fi rst class to tell his squa

that something is wrong in the u

I can tell you though, that livi

values is worthwhile. A couple oago I had the honor in attenMedal of Honor Ceremony for SMcGinnis. It was overwhelming the unselfi sh actions of this ver

yet focused individual and the he made for his fellow Soldiers

Here is a quick recap 

story. McGinnis struggled school, but made it. When hinto the Army it fi t him like especially with weapons. His of Schweinfurt, Germany depsupport of Operation Iraqi FOn Dec. 4, 2006 his platoon wcontrol operations and McGinM2 .50-caliber machine gun. fragmentation grenade and it fehatch into the vehicle.

McGinnis yelled “grenade,” 

from the hatch to safety, McGito protect his crew. McGinnis chis body, absorbing most of the four of his battle buddies from i

What I like best about McGin

real. He wasn’t a John Wayne didn’t have a degree from Harvaa Soldier plain and simple.

And when it came down to 

all the Army Values in one smcourageous act.

Comm

Division Command S

A Soldi
5 Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

Anna StaatzStaff writer

Goddard, Kan. – Jane Cannefax had a smile that 

stretched ear to ear as she took Little Joe’s lead line from 1st Sgt. Wade Greif of the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard.

“He’s beautiful,” Cannefax said as she ran her hand 

along the horse’s neck.

Greif and Ron Roller, the civilian trainer for the CGMCG, 

visited Judge Riddel’s Boys Ranch June 11 to donate the horse to the home’s saddle club.

The ranch, located in Goddard, Kan., is operated by 

the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections for male youths ages 15 to 19. The ranch’s saddle club is one of the most popular activities, said Glenda Martens, corrections coordinator. Youth who participate receive 

basic riding lessons and participate in trail rides. They also are responsible for caring for the horses. Once a year, the club has a Cowboy Campout, when they ride about 10 to 15 miles away for several days of camping.

Cannefax, an independent living trainer at the ranch, 

said the addition of Little Joe gave the ranch a total of 12 horses.

“This place has certainly been a buzz of excitement 

about him coming,” Cannefax said.

Greif said the ranch contacted the CGMCG several 

months ago to ask if there were any horses that would be possible candidates for a donation.

“Anyone who calls about that we put on the list,” Greif 

said. “We can’t make any money off of a horse, so when we can’t use them anymore, we have to either trade them 

for another horse or donate them.”

Little Joe was 10 

years old and Greif said the horse was just at the point “where he didn’t want to run anymore.”

“We weren’t able 

to use him around cannon fi re anymore, 

and he was just tired of running,” Greif said. “We can’t use him and they can. For what they need, he will be a great fi t.”

Little Joe has been 

with the CGMCG for about fi ve years, Greif said.

na Staatz

ff writer

Little Joe ittle Joe

Donated

Spc. Michelle Meadows1st SB, PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – From tho

Soldiers are able to keep in toucthrough a program called “Operat

Capt. Charles Leggett, a R

and chaplain for the 168th Brig1st Sustainment Brigade, in suDivision-Baghdad, fi rst began the 

deployment in support of Opera2004. 

“A suggestion was made to b

record letters and send them hosaid. “I had the video camera and it became my project (during then 

Some time later, numerous 

Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Leggett, a Ridown to let a Soldier know when to Leggett is the chaplain for the 168th BSustainment Brigade
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

7

ST BDE

FORT RILEY, Kan. – In combat, the seven Army 

Values can all be boiled down to one: Duty. 

That’s what one Devil Brigade non-commissioned 

offi cer with boots-on-the-ground experience truly believes, with a “get the job done, no matter what” attitude.

Sgt. Brandon Hicks, Headquarters and Headquarters 

Battery, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, who deployed with Company D, 1-5 F.A. in October 2006 as part of the Security Force mission, said encompassing the Army Values in everyday life, especially in combat, is what keeps Soldiers going during a deployment. 

Hicks, the driver of a M-1151 up-armored Humvee while 

in Iraq, helped deliver food, fuel and supplies to forward operating bases all over Iraq while providing security for Kellogg, Brown and Root, Inc., a major engineering, construction and services company. 

While on the road, Hicks and 

other members of large convoys encountered several improvised explosive devises.

It was one particular IED on June 

10, 2007, that affected Hicks enough to get him medically evacuated back to the U.S and a Purple Heart.

It was 3 a.m. on the road to 

Logistics Support Area Anaconda when the lead vehicle drove past two 155-millimeter rounds taped together, topped with a with a bottle of clear liquid. 

The second vehicle, which Hicks 

was driving, stopped no-more-than 10 meters from the IED when the Soldiers noticed it. As Hicks put the Humvee in reverse, the IED exploded and an 18-wheel recovery vehicle simultaneously rear-ended the vehicle. 

“I remember trying to get away from it and I distinctively 

remember seeing the fi reball,” said Hicks. “Then I woke up 

about a minute later in the back seat because I was thrown from the driver’s seat into the back wall of the Humvee.” 

His comrades responded fast to ensure a speedy 

recovery from the attack. 

Three weeks later he fl ew home because the effects of 

the blast grew progressively worse, he said. 

“I started to have blackouts and I couldn’t take off my 

sunglasses because any type of light was extremely sensitive to my eyes.”

Hicks said the core of every Soldier should have the 

Army Values because by working together professionally, that is the only way to survive those types of situations. 

“It’s all about duty. You don’t think, ‘what is about to 

happen?’ You think, ‘what needs to be done to get out of 

this situation as swiftly and safely as possible?’” 

He added that responding quickly, 

making sure that everyone is okay and administrating aid if need be is all a part of the job that has to be done. 

“Some say it’s personal courage, 

which in a sense they are right; but I say it’s duty,” he said. “Defi nitely the Army Values are embedded in that mind set.” 

Hicks also said that if Soldiers 

weren’t loyal to each other after the attack, they would have “hunkered down” in their Humvees, instead of getting out of the vehicle and assessing the situation. 

“You have to watch each other’s 

backs out there,” Hicks said. “There’s no way we would make it if we didn’t.” 

Integrating every Army Value into a mission helps guide 

the Soldier to execute the mission properly. 

“These are morals every Soldier should have in any 

mission,” said Hicks. “It’s our job; we have to get the job done and that’s the bottom line.” 

Spc. Dustin Roberts1st BDE, PAO remember seein

g the fi reball,” said Hicks. “Then I wok

about i t l t i th b k t b I th a minute later in the back seat because I was th

Army Values

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DUTY! First
9 Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

Sgt. Brian Tierce2nd HBCT, PAO

FORT RILEY, Kan. – The Daggers of the 2nd Heavy 

Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division recently completed their capstone training event at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Ca. 

The rotation put the Soldiers in the most realistic 

combat training environment the Army has to offer. Dagger Soldiers dealt with extreme weather, realistic scenarios and many other elements that lead to a hardearned mission completion. 

“You’ve worked your tails off and you need to be very 

proud of that,” said Col. Joseph M. Martin, commander, 2HBCT. “Hear it from me and hear it from me now, you are ready for war today.” 

As the new brigade commander having taken 

command within a month of deployment to the National Training Center, Martin noted the great team work that led to such a successful mission. 

“We’ve learned a lot here, we’ve [had] seen some 

incredible performances and I’m really, really proud of our achievements,” said Martin. 

Over the month that the brigade spent at NTC, the 

central focus was mission accomplishment. The brigade utilized its entire arsenal which includes two combined arms battalions, a cavalry squadron, the unique special troop’s battalion and their artillery and support battalions 

in a variety of ways to complete its mission. 

“I can honestly say with confi dence that we are ready to 

go into combat,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Donald L. Battle, 2HBCT Command Sgt. Maj. “We are ready to go into full spectrum operations.” 

The “Dagger” Brigade received orders to deploy to Iraq 

in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while they were training at NTC, the brigade had long been expecting the orders, but their arrival during the mission readiness exercise drove home the importance of the training. 

“You’re part of an organization that stood up from the 

ground, has prepared long and hard to serve its nation in a time of need,” said Martin. “We will make sure that you have all the equipment you need and when we leave we’ll leave confi dent and competent in the skills that we must do 

to accomplish our mission.” 

Now back at home station the brigade will work 

to ensure that the lessons learned on the simulated battlefi elds of NTC stick in their minds. Of all the Soldiers 

who participated, they can apply these lessons when the brigade arrives in Iraq later this year. 

“You are a part of a historically incredible organization 

right now, achievements beyond many people’s dreams have happened right here and in route to here, so be very proud,” said Martin.

ND HBCT

A medevac helicopter swoops in to recover simulated casualties during training at the National Training Center. The Soldiers pictured are members of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment and were participating in full spectrum operations at the National Training Center.

– The Daggers of the 2nd Heavy in a variety of ways to complete its mission.

NTC Lessons TC Lessons

Learned

1st Infa

1st InOldest in threPrimarstates: Prepar

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Re-deployed from support of Operation Iraqi FRecently completed combat and civil military oIraqi Army and Police in the Rashid District of long term peace and stability in that region.

3rd SustainProvide theater ing the Army FDeployed in sup

75th Fires Brigade, Fort SIntegrates attached ground and aorder functions as a maneuver hefull spectrum operations.Separate battalions currently depOperation Iraqi Freedom.

4th InfRIrlo

2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Fort RCompleted rotation to the National Training Center iFort Irwin, Calf., in June 2008.Scheduled to deploy in fall 2008.

t

ing the Army FDeployed in sup

75th Fires Brigade, Fort S

3rd SustainProvide theater 

ort
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

11

Maj. Chevelle Thomas3rd IBCT, PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas – A Fort Knox, Ky., community 

team talked with the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division this past Spring about what awaits them when they return from Afghanistan and make the move to the home of the Gold Vault in late 2009.

The purpose of their visit was to inform Soldiers and 

Family members of the possibilities at Fort Knox; ease the transition from Fort Hood, and provide information 

on housing, child care facilities and sports programs according to Col. Mark D. Needham, Fort Knox Garrison Commander and team leader.

To do this several community representatives also 

came: Elizabethtown’s mayor, Hardin County Schools’ superintendent, and representatives from Army Community Services, Child Care Services, Family Housing, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College 

RD IBCT

omas

BRAC

Roadshow oadshow

Col Mark D. Needham provides a presentation to the Soldiers and Family Members of 3rd BCT, 1st ID on the move to Fort Knox that will occur after the unit’s deployment to Afghanistan. The brief was on the many facilities and services offered there.

Western Kentucky University and others.

“The community is very 

supportive and they paid their own dime to come here and talk to Soldiers, welcome them and tell them what they are about, especially married Soldiers who have to make an informed decision,” Needham said. “Army leadership chose to move 3rd IBCT after the deployment because of the schools and the kids. Schools start around Aug. 4,” he said.

“The brief was very 

informative,” Spc. Garrett Williams Campbell, a military police in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion said. “They gave pretty much every piece of information that you could ask for on your Family, housing, children activities, etc.”

“I wanted to get information on 

everything to share with those members of my squad that were unable to go because they were attending Soldier Readiness Processing,” Campbell said. “My cousin was stationed there and he liked it. So it got me all excited about going there. It has a lot of activities to do there like hiking, mountain climbing and fi shing. My hobbies surround a lot of outdoor activities and this would be really fun for me.”

Fort Knox also caters to 

outdoor sportsmen who enjoy hunting and fi shing. 

“We raise our own trout. We 

throw them food and come sprinWe also have bass and catfi sh, four different weekends,” Needh

“Fort Knox has (more than) 10

and recreational areas, 3,000 building more and more dedicand senior enlisted. 3rd IBCT, 1arrive in 2009 and they will havfacilities,” Needham said.

“Our training areas are light in

said. “We do a lot of platoon on 
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

History from the Society of the 1st Infantry Division web-page

COLD WAR – When compared to its magnificent 

combat record in WWI, WWII and Vietnam, the accomplishments of the Big Red One between those conflicts may seem unimportant.They are, however, very significant and well worthy of note in any 1st Infantry Division history. During these periods, the Division mastered an array of vital non-combat missions. Its troops supported operations in pursuit of international justice and were among the first to 

confront Soviet expansionism. Preparing for war on three continents, the Division deployed units to the “front line” of a low intensity conflict known as the Cold War. All the while maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s premier military organizations. 

Following Allied victory in Europe, most Army 

units returned home or deactivated. The 1st Inf. Div., however, remained in Europe as an occupation force. To showcase its finest, the Army dispersed 1st Inf. Div. troops throughout West Germany and Austria. Division headquarters settled at Bad Tölz. Battalions of the 16th Infantry occupied Vienna, Salzburg, and Berlin. The 18th Infantry held Bremen and Frankfurt while the 26th Infantry moved into Ludwigsburg, Munich and Nuremberg. Division artillery and other support elements participated fully in the occupation. The 3rd Battalion of the 26th Infantry, “Blue Spaders,” was chosen to secure the historic Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. Press photos of that era reveal flawless formations of Big Red One troops parading in former European capitals and guarding vanquished Third Reich leaders. 

History of the Big Red One

As it had in battle, the d

conqueror/occupier role. Sthad a deteriorating effect on capabilities. By the end of 194the Big Red One’s combat epercent. So dispersed were its control by the division commIn 1947, 1st Inf. Div. began reserve and quick reaction foConstabulary operations. To reassembled at Grafenwöhr acombat training program. A consistent with the army’s ne5,000 personnel to the divisiRed One found itself with two outfits with exotic nomenclatStation Complement Unit (MAugmentation Detachment”-hNevertheless, the Division waoperations. 

By 1949, the threat of C

was undeniable. That year, Nas free nations became seWestern Europe. Communisbecame more apparent a year invaded South Korea. As the of troops, including National and Germany, the 1st Infantvanguard of democracy in Euevolved dramatically betweeExcept for Berlin, the occuGermany, with a new goverearming under NATO. A Sobut with additional regular Usituation stabilized. 
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

had been a source of contention between Soviet and Western occupying powers for years. A fullblown crisis erupted that month when Communist troops walled off their Eastern Sector to keep refugees from fleeing to freedom. Soviet Premier Khrushchev pressured the West to abandon its Berlin positions, 110 miles inside Communist territory. America responded by reinforcing its Berlin garrison with troops from West Germany. U.S. Armed Forces were alerted. Leaves were canceled and enlistments extended. Thousands of reservists were activated. At Fort Riley, 1st Infantry Division units ceased recruit training to prepare for combat. Trainees primed for transfer were retained. Recruits from Fort Ord and Fort Jackson, along with seasoned troops returning from overseas, rushed to Fort Riley to flesh out the Division. “If you’re going to be one, be a Big Red One,” became Fort Riley’s unofficial motto. Unit combat training was comprehensive and included weeks on end in the field. That autumn the division leased several hundred acres of Colorado forest for Army Training Tests. Individually, the Big Red One’s five battle groups, still armed with WWII era weapons, convoyed to the Rocky Mountains for weeks of maneuvers in sub-zero weather. 

Testing its new strength, in February and March 

1962 the division sent a brigade (made up of 1-28th Inf, 1-4th Cav, and 2-33rd Arty) to Operation Bristlecome at Fort Irwin, CA, providing “aggressor” opposition to the 32nd Infantry Division. The following spring BRO troopers received up-to-date M-14 rifles and M-60 machine guns. The division was considered ready for combat deployment and became an element of the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC). That summer two battle groups (1-13th & 1-28th) participated in Navy/Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Courses at Little Creek, Va. The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 drove the division to its highest level of alert. The 121st Signal Battalion deployed to forward 

positions in Florida, establishing communications for an assault on Cuba. The 1st Infantry Division and the world stood on the brink, and then stood down. 

While the rest of the 1st Div prepared to invade 

Cuba, its 2nd Battle Group, 12th Infantry was already on the Cold War’s front line — Berlin. Operation Long Thrust deployed combat ready battle groups from America to West Germany for training and evaluation. Units scoring superior ATTs at Wildflecken advanced through Communist East Germany to augment the Berlin Brigade. Long Thrust Operations were more than training exercises. They launched BRO troops into what has been called “flash point of the world,” directly confronting hostile forces. Soldiers serving in Berlin during the crisis were awarded U.S. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals along with WWII 

Army of Occupation Medals. After several months defending Free Berlin, 1st Inf.Div. troops withdrew to Fort Riley. Other Big Red One battle groups guarding West Berlin during that period were 1-13th, 1-28th “Black Lions” (present 

when President Kennedy delivered his memorable Cold War “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech) and 2-26th “Blue Spaders” (which had replaced 1-5th). 

Late 1963 found 1st Inf. Div. at Fort Riley 

reorganizing under ROAD (Reorganization Objective Army Divisions). ROAD Divisions activated three “flexible response” brigade headquarters. Maneuver elements were assigned to each brigade depending upon its mission. Infantry battalions with historic ties to the 1st Inf. Div. replaced battle groups. By early 1964, the Big Red One’s organic line units were the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 16th Infantry, 1st and 2nd Battalions, 18th Infantry; 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry; 1st and 2nd Battalions, 28th Infantry. These units had fought in WWI and/or WWII with the division and would do so in Vietnam. Spring 1964 found Big Red One personnel conducting counter-insurgency exercises in Fort Leonard Wood’s thick forests. Rumors of combat deployment became more persistent. Later that year troops flew to Florida for jungle warfare training. The 1st and 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry joined the division in 1965 as it deployed to Southeast Asia. 

DUTY FIRST

15 

Sgt. 1st Class Pamella Vo1st Inf. Div., PAO

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Each y

May, thoughts start focusing on This is the time when parents wchildren cross the stage to receia Soldier is deployed the studenof seeing the pride in their parenwords of encouragement, and ththe major events in a parents life

To help ease the pain of separ

Fort Riley Multimedia/Visual Info(M/VISC), a branch of the DirManagement, took the lead to so

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commander to purchase a smoutfi t it with the video teleconfeneeded to set up a mobile secure 

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Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

taught me loyalty and respect for my elders. 

“I was taught to treat others how I want to be treated 

growing up.”

Morris added he learned tenants of leadership in high 

school through athletics and employment.

While Morris does not have kids to extol virtues to, 

Wright, a father of two, said he teaches his children values similar to the Army’s through his example.

“They look at my character in reference to those 

words,” he said. “The things I do in the house, I try to make sure to teach my kids to have good character; it defi nitely helps out.”

Wright, a veteran of fi ve deployments, added the code 

which the Army trains Soldiers to live by assists in the most trying times: combat.

“It helps you have the will to stay focused on doing the 

right thing,” he said. “When you’re caught in a situation to kill or caught in a situation to use excessive force, the values help you go through the decision-making process instead of going through the emotional process.”

17

Sgt. Nathaniel Smith4th IBCT, PAO

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Since its formation, the Army 

has had morals which gave Soldiers a standard to live up to no matter the condition, whether it’s on the battlefi eld 

or in garrison, at the birth of our nation or in the modern Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The values guided Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Brigade 

Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division on their recent deployment to Iraq, whether they’re returning from one of multiple tours or they just graduated from advanced individual training.

Pfc. Rusty Morris, an intelligence analyst with the 4th 

IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., said the Army Values apply to more than just military life.

“I live by them on and off duty. They’re more than 

just Army Values; they’re life values,” Morris said. “To be a good person, you have to abide by them all times, and always strive to live by those standards that make a Soldier a Soldier.”

Master Sgt. Lee Wright, a truck master with Company 

A, 701st Main Support Battalion, 4th IBCT, said he has used the Army Values to keep him focused in hard times.

“It’s a code for when times get rough 

and you have a question about ethics or anything, you have words to live by that lead you and make sure you’re going the right direction,” the 22-year veteran said. “They give you additional strength to keep fi ghting and stay dedicated to the mission.”

Morris, who has been in the Army a 

year, said the morals the Army teaches young Soldiers starting in basic training fall in line with those he learned outside the military.

“I got values from church and my 

Family; the values I grew up on were very similar,” he said. “I learned duty from my dad who served in the military. He also 

TH IBCT

taught me loyalty and respect for my elders

l Smith

O

Kan

– Since its formation the Army

Army Values rmy Valu

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A Soldier`s Compass Soldier`

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Sgt 1st Class Pamella Vo1st Inf. Div., PAO

Army Community Covenant 

across the United States betwe2008, recognizing the strength and the support of communities

The Army Family Covenant w

Army leadership to Soldiers anthe Army Community Covenant statement of support and compost) communities, such as civeducators and state and city gov

The Greater Fort Riley Com

is scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 2

Chaplain Emil J. KapaCourtesy of the U.S. Amy and School web page

Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun beca

of the best known heroes of the War and was referred to by one as “the man whose story best suthe glory of the Chaplain Corpsstory typifi es selfl ess-service 

Corps, the Army, and the nation.

It took place in late 1950 wh

forces swept north in pursuit of North Korean forces. During thdays of November, UN and ComChinese forces came into cnear Usan, about 60 miles noPyongyang. Chaplain Kapaun, a Catholic priest, and a veteran Burma-Chinese Theater in WorII, was serving as a chaplain w8th Regiment of the 1st Cavalry D1950, Kapaun’s unit received the assault.

Cha

plain Emil J. Ka

pa

Courtesy of the U S Amy Selfl

elfl

CommuStrengt
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

19

Sgt. Jennifer Schweizer1st SB, PAO CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Originally designed during World War I to help fi ll the ranks due to immense losses, the 

battlefi eld promotion system has been tucked away for some time. 

The Department of the Army has 

reactivated this program as a oneyear pilot program to give Soldiers who show extraordinary performance while engaged in combat operations the chance to advance to the next rank without meeting the normal requirements.

This program allows one promotion 

per Soldier, up to the rank of staff sergeant, for those who excel while performing duties in a level above the rank they wear. Recently, the military personnel message system released a bulletin outlining the program; thus making this available to Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Sgts. Corey McDowell, a 

Lumberton, N.C., native, and Jeffery Johanson, a Redding, Calif., native, were the fi rst Soldiers assigned 

to the 1st Sustainment Brigade to receive their sergeant stripes under this program.

“This is an exciting day for the 

1st SB and for these outstanding 

ST SB

Col. Kevin O’Connell (left), commander of the 1st SB, places sergeant stripes on the chest of Sgt. Corey McDowell, during the 1st SB.’s very fi rst battlefi eld promotion 

ceremony. McDowell is a member of Headquarters Platoon, Signal Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st SB. “It is truly an honor to be one of the fi rst 

(Soldiers) promoted under this program,” McDowell said.

ifer Schweizer Schweizer

AO CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Originally designed during World

War I to help fi ll the ranks due to immense losses, the

battlefi eld promotion system hasbeen tucked away for some time. 

The Department of the Army has

A Step Up Step Up

photos by Sgt. Jennifer Schweizer, 1st Sus. Bde., PAO

Soldiers,” said Col. Kevin G. O’native and commander of the 1sthe fi rst (Soldiers) within the brig

honor, they were promoted on Mesomething great.”

McDowell is the non-commis

of the communication and electrepair section of Headquarters PSpecial Troops Battalion, 1st SNational Division-Baghdad. He whis fi rst sergeant to be the height 

for the company. He developed a Soldiers to be successfully remoprogram. 
21 Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

ST CAB

COB SPEICHER, IRAQ – Two UH-60 Black Hawk 

aircrews assigned to the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, received medals for heroism resulting from their actions during combat operations while fl ying 

east of Balad, Iraq on Jan. 16, 2008.

Lt. Col James H. Bradley Jr., the 3-1 Avn. Battalion 

Commander, received the Silver Star; UH-60 Aircraft 

Spc. Michael Howard1st CAB, PAO

Commander Chief Warrant Offi cer 3 Lyndle Ratliff received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Chief Warrant Offi cer 3 James Howe, Chief Warrant Offi cer 2 Joseph 

Henry, Sgt. Paul Perdock, Sgt. Fredrick Benuzzi, Spc. Kenneth Steinmetz, and Spc. Jacob Norotsky received the Air Medal with “V” Device in a ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Speicher on June 14, 2008. 

Bradley and his crews distinguished themselves while 

conducting an air assault and insertion of an Aerial Reaction Force from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). After infi ltration, 

Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling the Task Force Iron Commanding General, stands with the aircrews assigned to Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Soldiers

ward Commander Chief Warrant 

Offi cer 3 Lyndle Ratliff

received the Distin

guished Fl

yin

g

Cross, 

Chief Warrant 

Offi cer 3 James Howe, Chief Warrant Offi cer 2 Jose

ph 

Medals for e

dals for 

Heroism

ground troops became decisivebegan taking casualties from en

Bradley assessed the severity 

and realized the supporting Acould not engage with friendly close proximity to the enemy. took charge of the situation and out assault of the insurgent pBlack Hawk team to allow the rwithdraw. 

Bradley and Henry began a 

sweeping passes to identify bfriendly positions in an attempincreasingly chaotic situation, wHowe made four gun runs at range while his door gunners volume of effective machine genemy. 

Despite receiving enemy fi re 

and the rest of his aircraft, Rcontinued to engage, at one polow hover within 100 meters froallow his door gunners to kill the protect the fi xed reaction force. 

As the fi ght progressed, Bra

leapt into the close fi ght, again p

gun fi re into the enemy position. crew made three deliberately slowithering direct fi re, expending aand killing or injuring most of thambush position.

Bradley and Henry rema

besieged troops and continued aircraft, even though his door guof ammunition, in order to draw 

from the reaction force Soldiers. 

Because of their concentrat

range and continuous low, slow enemy fi re, the reaction force wwithdraw their Soldiers out of a pick-up point for extraction (casualty evacuation).

“Let me tell you, I’ve seen th

of the fi ght, and I walked the gro

and had it not been for those two would have been several moSoldiers who didn’t make it thsaid Maj. Gen. Mark P. HertlingIron Commanding General, duceremony. 

“But when you talk about the 

people we just awarded, it’s juAs I walked through that line, aeyes of each one of these Soldiehumility,” said Hertling.
23 Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

Are You Board Ready?

Review your Enlisted Records Brief or Offi ce Record Brief to make sure everything is upto-date.Get your uniform ready. Make sure it fi ts 

correctly and all patches and stripes are correct. Take the uniform to the cleaners.Make sure all awards and decorations are on your uniform correctly according to what is listed in your ERB or ORB. Only the unit awards listed can be worn. No leadership tabs, no cord or ropes except for the Schutzenschnur. The distintictive unit insignias (unit crests) MUST BE WORN.Have your command check to make sure your uniform is correct.Call or go to the Fort Riley M/VISC (Photo Lab) to make an appointment for a DA photo. 785-239-3871 or Building 222 on Custer Avenue, Main Post. Photo appointments are considered an appointed place of duty just like medical and dental. Last minute cancellations or no shows will be reported.Report for your photo about 15 minutes prior to the appointment.

NoteM/VISC is limited to the number of photos that can be taken in a day. No walk-ins or stand-bys will be accepted. Each year a large number of Soldiers wait until the last two weeks prior to their board and then want to get a photo. M/VISC recommends to make your appointment now and make sure your photo is looked at by the board. M/VISC will only take one DA Photo per person each 12 months.

DA Photos are important to each Soldier, be considerate of each other. A good leader is prepared and doesn’t wait till the last minute...

Brig. Gen. Reuben D. JoAdjutant general

As the Army’s senior serv

I strongly encourage you to vote in the 2008 general electof our democracy and one Constitutional rights. Our elimportant jobs; the good newwho is elected to do them ... if your right to vote by completApplication (FPCA Standard Fthe ballot request procedures which you vote. The FPCA Srequest, should be mailed or sas possible. You should theballot as requested. The FProgram has been working ballots to be submitted and Check with your unit voting astate requirements.

The 

You
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

Transition Teams adAfghan National ArmTransition Teams prair support, artillery, Transition Teams are Iraqi and Afghan govThe consolidation of quality training and eDedicating the 1st Inof the Division’s Brigdemonstrates full co

lit t i i d 

Transition Teams adAfghan National ArmTransition Teams prair support, artillery, Transition Teams are Iraqi and Afghan govThe consolidation of 

TT
Duty First www.1id.army.mil 

13 

Arm

Valu

LoyaltyBear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other Soldiers. DutyFulfi ll your obligations. RespectTreat people as they should be treated.Selfl ess ServicePut the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own. HonorLive up to all the Army values.IntegrityDo what’s right—legally and morally. Personal CourageFace fear, danger, or adversity both physical or moral.