Unofficial 1st Infantry Division Magazine for Soldiers and Families February 2009

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

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

never fail my team, for I maintain the standard. My conduct 

and self-discipline set 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 for

my 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 enthusiasm for

realistic training. I am physically and mentally strong to

meet the demanding situations my unit encounters..

We are one in the Big Red One. Our BROTHERHOOD

gives us strength to fight on to any objective and accomplish 

the mission as our veterans have done before us. I live the 

legacy of my division.

READINESS is my priority. To be ready for any mission,

anytime, anywhere. My business is first-class training and 

living high standards of care and equipment, weaponry and 

tactical and technical competence.

My ORGANIZATION is my strength. The BRO is bigger

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

competitive spirit, intestinal fortitude and the desire to fight 

with all my heart.

1

No Mission too Difficult. No Sacrifice too Great.

February 2009 www.1id.army.mil

Duty First!

The Duty First is an unofficial 

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 Office 

ATTN: Editor 

Bldg. 580

RM 317

Fort Riley, Kan. 66442. 

Telephone number

COM 239-8857 

 DSN 856-2257 

or visit Duty First online at 

www.1id.army.mil.

Cover Photo: 2nd HBCT/Tierce

1st Infantry Division 

Commander

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins

1st Infantry Division CSM

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim 

Champagne

1st Infantry Division PAO 

Lt. Col. Matt Hackathorn

 Editor

Gary Skidmore

Illustrator / Assistant Editor

Tammy Dinger

Staff Writers

Ty Abney

Anna Staatz

 F

 Brigades

 1st BDE....5

 1st CAB.....6

 2nd HBCT....7

 3rd IBCT ...... 9

 4th IBCT .... 10

 1ID at War .... 21

 

 Command

 Danger 6 ..... 3 

 Danger 7 ...... 4

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert 

Tompkins (left), senior enlisted 

leader of the 5th Squadron, 

4th Cavalry Regt., 2nd Heavy 

Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. 

Div., Multi-National DivisionBaghdad, returns from a 

mission in the Ghazaliyah 

district of northwest Baghdad 

Nov. 26.

contents

2

 Features

 Units Honored ...12

 BRO History .... 13

 Iron Patriots .... 15

 Horse Therapy........16

 CGMCG In Parade....17 

 Soldiers Life Insurance...19

 Modular Design ... 22

 Brigade Command.....23 

 BOSS......25

 Lessons Learned.....26
Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil

Commanding General Danger 6

 Fort Riley Expansion...

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins

3

It’s no secret that the 1st Infantry Division is growing and as a 

result, Fort Riley is expanding too. We have lots of moving pieces 

and parts in this division – but there’s one common goal. Soldier 

and Family well-being are top priorities at Fort Riley and we are 

investing millions to make this the duty 

station of choice. 

Over the past year, we had plenty 

of buildings going up, dirt moving and 

hammers driving nails. But we also 

made a lot of administrative progress on 

construction projects for the next couple 

years. Here’s a quick rundown:

Health care: $404 million 

hospital opening in fiscal year 2013; 

groundbreaking last month for a $50 

million Warrior in Transition complex for 

more than 300 Soldiers that will become 

the Army standard; groundbreaking in 

October 2008 for a $26.3 million Soldier 

and Family Care Clinic on Custer Hill; 

and a $1.2 million renovation project for 

a traumatic brain injury clinic

Child care: Two new child 

development centers that opened last month at Camps Forsyth and 

Whitside, with two more CDCs slated for completion by this fall; 

free child care for Families of deployed Soldiers (value of $1,800 

per child/per year)

Housing: 250 new quarters built in 2008; 100 more 

planned for this year; barracks construction on Custer 

Hill and Camp Whitside; barracks renovations to the 1+1 

Army standard

Recreation: Fort Riley Marina 

phase one complete, phase two to be 

completed this year; new skeet and trap 

range planned; Moon Lake expansion 

project for camping and recreation 

vehicles; McCormick Park renovation; 

Warrior Zone on Custer Hill; Sportsman’s 

complex; and a USO center slated to 

open this fall in the old Arts and Crafts 

building by the Post Exchange.

As you can see, this is just a short 

list of the more than $1 billion in 

construction going on at Fort Riley as a 

result of the Big Red One coming home 

to Kansas. We’ve got even more projects 

in the works and as I said before, we 

have one goal in mind with every brick 

laid and shovel of dirt turned: Soldier 

and Family well-being are top priorities 

at Fort Riley and we are investing millions to make this 

the duty station of choice.

Duty First!

Command Sergeant Major

Division Command Sgt. Maj. James Champagne

 If You Drink...

4

If you drink...don’t drive! How hard is that to understand? 

Drunk driving is no accident—nor is it a victimless crime. 

Every year, the 1st Infantry Division continues to see far too 

many Soldiers suffer debilitating injuries 

or the loss of life and property as a result 

of impaired driving. This is unacceptable! 

What will it take for Soldiers to understand 

the dangers of driving while impaired? 

When is enough, enough? If you drink...

Don’t drive ... Period!

There are too many unit and installation 

programs that are available to prevent a 

Soldier from making a bad decision. There 

are funds available for Soldiers to take a 

taxi back to their barracks. Soldiers who 

have had too much to drink can call their 

NCO support channel for that ride back to 

their barracks.

During 2006 alone, more than 13,000 

people were killed in highway crashes 

involving a driver or motorcycle rider with 

an illegal blood alcohol content of .08 or 

higher. The picture for motorcycle riders is 

particularly bleak. Forty-one percent of the 

2,007 motorcycle riders who died in singlevehicle crashes in 2006 had BAC levels of .08 or higher.

The human toll is only half the picture. Crashes cost the 

nation billions of dollars each year. Drunk driving is not only 

dangerous, but also a serious, costly crime. Driving impaired is

just not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or 

someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or 

an arrest for impaired driving can be significant. Violators will 

be punished with the loss of their driver’s 

license, higher insurance rates, attorney 

fees, time away from work and dozens of 

other expenses. 

In FY 2008, there were 280 DUIs 

involving Fort Riley Soldiers, Family 

members and civilians. As of Jan. 26, this 

fiscal year, there have been 76 DUIs, far too 

many, and the number keeps climbing.

I warn you, after every DUI, the NCO 

support channel of the Soldier involved 

comes to my office for an AAR on how they 

failed to influence their Soldier to make the 

right decision. On every occasion, once the 

onion was peeled back, the NCO had missed 

something.

It’s not enough to just go through the 

motions of a safety brief. Leaders must go 

beyond that and be involved in the Soldiers’ 

decision-making process. The Soldier must 

have the confidence in their leader to call 

them.

One DUI is one too many. Think before you drink. And I 

know you’ve heard this a million times before, if you drink, 

don’t drive. Have a designated driver, call for a ride home. Take 

a taxi home. Do whatever it takes to be safe, because if you get 

caught, you will pay the price.

Now ... get after it!
5 Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil

By Lyndsey Born

The Fort Riley Post Newspaper

A routine post-deployment physical may have saved Capt. 

Michael Barnett’s life. He is a 1st Battalion, 34th Armor 

Regiment, 1st Brigade, Soldier who found out he had cancer 

after a lump was found in his neck during his post-deployment 

physical. After CAT scans and a fine 

needle aspiration, Barnett learned he 

had papillary thyroid cancer. 

“So within a couple of weeks 

of redeploying, I was at a hospital 

getting my thyroid removed, and a 

month later I went for chemotherapy, 

which for thyroid cancer you take 

radioactive iodine pills and they 

isolate you in a room so that you 

aren’t radioactive to anyone else,” 

Barnett said. “So that was surgery 

in June, radioactive iodine in July 

and in September, I was at the career 

course at Fort Knox.”

With thyroid cancer, there can 

be symptoms such as weight gain or depression, but Barnett 

said he never had any signs to warn him that he might have 

cancer.

“I had no idea during my whole entire deployment that 

this cancer was growing in my neck, and by the time they had 

removed it my entire right side of my thyroid was fully cancer. 

The isthmus, which connects the two sides was cancer, plus a 

large portion of my left side (thyroid) was cancer, plus two or 

three of my lymph nodes were completely cancer.”

A large scar down the side of his neck is the souvenir 

Barnett received from an eight-hour surgery in September 

2008, which was the second operation he had to remove the 

cancer from his thyroid and lymph nodes. 

“They called it a radical dissection. That’s where you can see 

the scar, which goes from the base of my right ear to a little past 

the mid-line in my neck,” Barnett said. “There are five zones 

in the neck, and they cut into all five of those and took a lymph 

node from every section. Plus there were two more spots on the 

thyroid bed that had grown back and that was all cancerous.”

Barnett said his Family was surprised to learn he had 

cancer, but very supportive. His mother-in-law was a thyroid 

cancer survivor, so he had an idea of what he would go through. 

His children, the youngest of whom was 3 at the time, didn’t 

completely understand what cancer was, Barnett said, but they 

did know it was harmful. 

“They know that cancer is a bad thing, and it hurts people. 

It’s not something they can visualize; like if you see something 

on TV, a person with a gun, they know 

that is going to hurt somebody,” 

Barnett said. “They see me go to 

work every day, running, working 

out, playing with them on the floor 

at the house, so they don’t see me 

being sick. They just know that I 

have a new scar.”

Barnett’s scar can be seen just 

above his T-shirt collar. He doesn’t 

try to hide it, he said, because it 

shows whoever sees it he is still 

alive. 

“I boast about it sometimes,” he 

said. “It helps start conversation ... 

‘Hey you can have a big scar on your 

neck; you can have cancer and continue to live your life.”

Barnett said every Soldier should take a few extra minutes 

during their physicals to be tested because when he found out 

he had cancer there weren’t any symptoms to warn him.

“When we come back we should be real honest on where we 

were and what we did, what kind of environment we were in. 

It takes time to get checked out, it could be 10 minutes now or 

eight hours on a table, for the second time.”

After finding out about his cancer, Barnett said he didn’t 

change much about how he lives his life. To him that would 

have meant that cancer was taking over his life. 

“I don’t know if I upset people by expressing so much candor 

about it because I figure people can laugh, they can cry, they 

can run or hide. But I choose to laugh at it and know that there 

is always a way I can get better through attitude, through the 

wonders of medicine like surgery, medication and what not,” 

Barnett said. “My faith has gotten me this far, and it’s keeping 

me going everyday after this. So I don’t allow the cancer, I 

guess, to get in my way.”

Soldier 

Conquers Cancer 

6

By Anna Staatz

Duty First! Magazine

Signifying the formal return of the 1st Combat Aviation 

Brigade, the unit hosted an uncasing ceremony Dec. 11 at King 

Field House.

About 2,400 Soldiers in the “Demon” Brigade deployed 

from Fort Riley in September 2007 and returned to the post 

during November and early December 2008, following a 

15-month deployment to Iraq.

During the Dec. 11 ceremony, the brigade’s 

colors were uncased, and the unit was 

honored by division leadership for its 

accomplishments in Iraq.

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins, commanding 

general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, 

stressed that the brigade did not suffer 

any combat-related deaths during its 

deployment. Wiggins also reminded those 

attending the ceremony that they would 

soon hear the sounds of helicopters flying 

overhead again.

“Just remember that it is the sound of 

freedom,” Wiggins said.

The CAB was the largest aviation unit 

in the Army during its deployment, with an 

average of two additional battalions attached 

to it while in Iraq. Its units operated from 

six separate forward operating bases in 

northern Iraq. 

Soldiers supported ground troops and 

operations; guarded convoys, performed 

medical evacuations and conducted 

reconnaissance operations, all part of a 

larger effort to assist the Iraqi government 

in improving internal security, fostering 

economic growth and improving 

infrastructure development. During its 

deployment, the brigade oversaw the 

operation and maintenance of 200 manned 

and unmanned aircraft. 

The brigade’s Soldiers conducted nearly 18,000 missions, 

identifying and engaging enemy targets 300 times. CAB 

Soldiers were also responsible for the discovery or defeat of 56 

improvised explosive devices and the destruction of more than 

125 insurgent vehicles and structures. In addition, the brigade 

was responsible for transporting more than 91,000 personnel 

and about 4,000 tons of cargo around Multi-National Division 

North.

In a Dec. 22 interview, Col. Jessie Farrington, brigade 

commander, said he was just starting to realize the magnitude 

of what his Soldiers accomplished during the brigade’s 

deployment.

“We had some very, very courageous 

acts during this tour that were absolutely 

impressive,” Farrington said. “The dayto-day work ethic and mission focus was 

beyond impressive, and I don’t know 

how to describe it.”

Farrington oversaw the operations 

of not only the brigade’s helicopters, 

but also unmanned aerial systems 

and fixed wing aircraft attached to the 

brigade after it arrived in Iraq. Overall, 

Farrington said, those combined aircraft 

logged a total of 240,000 flight hours. 

The brigade’s helicopters clocked more 

than 170,000 hours in flight time during 

the 15-month deployment.

“We had 34 aircraft that were battle 

damaged during our tour. Most of those 

aircraft were turned around and fixed 

within 24 to 48 hours, some after being 

hit six, seven, eight times,” Farrington 

said.

Aircraft assigned to the CAB 

began arriving at Fort Riley in January, 

beginning the brigade’s reset and training 

process.

Spc. Cody Harding contributed to 

this story.

Col. Jessie Farrington addresses the 

Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division 

Combat Aviation Brigade during the 

uncasing ceremony at King Field 

House here Dec. 11. 

1st Inf. Div. PAO/Harding

Uncasing Of 
7 Duty First Duty First www.1id.army.mil www.1id.army.mil Duty First Duty First www.1id.army.mil www.1id.army.mil

By Sgt. Brian Tierce

2nd HBCT PAO

BAGHDAD – The citizens of Baghdad are on a new mission 

these days. Instead of worrying about the violence that once 

plagued their city, they’re focused on making their hometown a 

cleaner place to live. 

In Baghdad, the citizens most responsible for the cleanup process 

are the workers of the district of Belladiyah. Focusing on water, 

sewage and trash removal, they are hard at work cleaning streets 

and the water supply. The 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team is 

assisting by teaching workers what it will take to sustain their city 

and making sure they have what they need to complete the job. 

“We try to make sure all the essential services: sewer, water, 

electricity and academics, are being watched after and taken care of 

by the city of Baghdad,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Beckert, deputy 

commanding officer, 2nd HBCT. “These things are all essential for 

the people who live in the area.”

Beckert said he knows that putting in the hard work at the 

beginning of the Dagger Brigade’s tour will amount to a long term 

success for the citizens of the Mansour, Kadhamiyah and Karkh 

districts of northwest Baghdad.

“While we are securing the population, it is important that we 

tend to the needs of the population,” explained Beckert. “By being 

responsible partners with the city of Baghdad, we can create a 

better relationship.”

This improved relationship with the citizens of Baghdad 

has not only led to safer streets, but it also paves the way for a 

much-improved infrastructure and improved living conditions, he 

added.

“The easiest way for the population to see that the government is 

doing its job is to have their basic needs taken care of,” said 1st Lt. 

Conor Browne, civil military affairs officer, 2nd HBCT. “If they 

see their government is taking care of them, they will buy into the 

government.”

This is just another example of coalition forces not just being 

ready for the lethal fight,” said Beckert. “They are oriented in the 

non-lethal fight as well.”

Brig. Gen. Robin Swan (2nd from left), deputy 

commanding general (support), 4th Inf. Div., 

Multi-National Division-Baghdad, looks through a 

sewage well at pump station 7.

Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, deputy commanding 

general (support), 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National 

Division-Baghdad, speaks with Col. Joseph M. 

Martin, commander, 2nd HBCT (Dagger), 1st Inf. 

Div., MND-B, about essential services at sewage 

pump station 7 in Ghazaliyah Dec. 10.

2nd HBCT PAO/Roberts

2nd HBCT PAO/Roberts

8

Operation 

Aims To Improve 

Ghazaliyah

By Spc. Dustin Roberts

2nd HBCT PAO

BAGHDAD – As the security in Iraq improves, Soldiers 

from the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, now focus 

on an operation that will make long-term neighborhood 

improvements.

In the areas of Ghazaliyah and Shulla, 2HBCT Soldiers 

are working in concert with Iraqi security forces to improve 

essential services as part of Operation Dagger. 

“The purpose of this operation is to execute a focused nonlethal effort with integrated programs to improve security, 

disrupt the enemy in the area and fill the gap between the 

population and the Iraqi government,” said Col. Joseph Martin, 

commander, 2nd HBCT.

“Most people know there is a problem with electricity in 

Iraq,” said Maj. Todd Auld, Dagger Brigade civil affairs officer. 

“What we’re going to do in Ghazaliyah, Shulla and throughout 

Baghdad is what we have started in Ameriyah; putting up 

solar-powered street lights and increasing the quality of life.”

Auld said solar lights are advantageous because where there 

are lights, businesses can stay open later, which improves the 

economy.

Troopers from the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 

2nd HBCT, are patrolling the streets of Ghazaliyah daily with 

Iraqi security forces. 

“Soldiers have been engaging the local leaders in meetings 

to get a feeling of what Ghazaliyah needs,” said Lt. Col. John 

Richardson IV, commander, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. “We 

have been working hard to make sure we know what the people 

need.” 

Richardson said the ISF have led the patrols to locate and 

neutralize the enemy and are ready to take the lead for security 

actions.

With basic essential services such as street lights, street 

cleanup and sewer work, ISF and coalition forces work together 

every day to make progress in Baghdad neighborhoods in the 

areas the Dagger Brigade operates. 

“We’re not just going in and fixing broken infrastructure, 

but we are implementing real sustainable improvements,” Auld 

said. “It’s really a win all around for all of us.” 

2nd HBCT/Tierce

Soldiers from the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry 

Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, MultiNational Division – Baghdad, return from a patrol 

in the Ghazaliyah district of northwest Baghdad. 

US Air Force photo

Iraqi Army Sgt. Hidar helps an Iraqi child down 

the street to her home in Ghazaliyah Dec.1.
9 Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil

By Sgt. Charles Brice

3rd IBCT PAO

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Times can be 

difficult in a war torn country like Afghanistan, especially 

when lines of communication are broken or non-existent.

The 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is working with 

Afghan locals to install an international ring of communications 

that will span across Afghanistan and connect to its neighboring 

countries.

“The fiber ring will completely overhaul the current 

communication system by allowing the new system to flow 

very fast and efficiently,” said Maj. Patrick Dillinger, 3rd IBCT 

y y g y

very fast and efficiently,” said Maj. Patrick Dillinger, 3rd IBCT 

communications officer.

Under the new system, a more efficient and faster way of 

communicating between allied forces and local residents will 

exist. 

“The fiber ring extends outward from Bagram Airfield 

[Afghanistan] coming across all the major areas of operations 

and back to BAF,” Dillinger said. “Then the fiber ring will 

extend its arms outward to neighboring countries to expand the 

reach of communication.

“Fiber optics communication is one of the most reliable 

networks to depend on while fighting the war in Iraq and 

Afghanistan. This is ground breaking work for a historical 

change in this country.” 

After a long day of work on a fiber optic connection point, Afghan locals rest near a Russian fighter jet from 

a previous war. The locals are taking an interest in the project because it will benefit them in the long run. 

3rd IBCT/Dillinger

By Sgt. Charles Brice

3rd IBCT PAO

JALALABAD AIR FIELD Af h i Ti b

communications officer.

Under the new system, a more efficient and faster way of

communicating between allied forces and local residents will

i

communications 

system connects 

afghanistan 

10

By Anna Staatz

Duty First! Magazine

Tried and true. By the time medics in the 4th Infantry 

Brigade Combat Team deploy from Fort Riley, they will have 

been tested not only in their medical knowledge, but also in 

their ability to stomach trauma scenarios.

Since October, 4th IBCT medics have rotated through 

weekend shifts in the emergency room of Truman Medical 

Center in Kansas City, Mo. They can’t treat patients or 

administer care, but pacing beside the hospital’s doctors and 

nurses, they get a front row seat on how to handle a wide range 

of medical emergencies, from mundane to critical.

Col. Henry Arnold III, brigade commander, implemented 

a similar program as a battalion commander in the 101st 

Airborne Division. Then, Arnold sent his new, untested medics 

to shadow the emergency room staff at a county hospital in 

Nashville, Tenn., where they were often exposed to gunshot 

and stabbing wounds. When he became a brigade commander, 

he continued to place a high priority on medical training for 

his Soldiers.

“Medical capability has to go beyond just the medics,” Arnold 

said. “My medics have to be psychologically inoculated from 

trauma. In my experience, half of all medics do instinctively 

what they were trained to do when they’re presented with 

a horribly wounded Soldier. The other half freeze up and 

some leader who is not a medic has to stop the bleeding or 

whatever.”

The medics who go to Truman Medical Center pull 

12-hours shifts, during which they learn about the hospital’s 

nursing system, the equipment used and observe how to 

care for the different medical situations.

“It’s a good learning experience,” said Pvt. Mark 

Stevens, healthcare specialist, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry 

Regiment. “It was exciting to watch them and see how they 

handled a trauma situation.”

In addition to training every member of the brigade as a 

combat lifesaver, Arnold has taken Soldiers in non-medic 

MOSs – infantry and artillery Soldiers – and given them 

additional medical training. 

“We are sending them to school here locally to be 

paramedics,” he said. “It’s about a six-week school. It’s a 

tough exam, and not all of them pass, but at least they’ve 

had the training. And so now you have not only that Armytrained medic, but also someone in that organization that 

has trained to that same level.”

Spc. Shantelle Campbell, 4 IBCT Public Affairs Office, 

contributed to this article.

Dylan Hoffman, a registered nurse at the Truman 

Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo., explains 

different equipment to Pvt. Mark Stevens, health 

care specialist of 2nd Bn., 16th Inf. Regt., Dec. 5.

4th IBCT PAO/Campbell

Pvt. Mark Stevens listens to Suellen Shea, a clinical 

educator at Truman Medical Center, as she explains 

the use and operation of the different equipment 

used in the operating rooms of TMC, Dec. 5.
11 Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil

Operation Security (OPSEC)

Don’t let your e-mails or blogs make someone a target

12

By Spc. Cody Harding

1st Inf. Div. PAO

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Two 1st Infantry Division units 

have been awarded the Army Forces Command Award for 

Maintenance Excellence. They now go on to compete at the 

Department of the Army level. 

Company B, 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry 

Brigade Combat Team, won the award for best small-sized 

support unit, and the 101st Forward Support Battalion, 1st 

Brigade took the award for the best medium-sized support 

unit.

 The 701st BSB returned in April from a deployment to 

Iraq. Their nomination packet included notable points, such as 

a Soldier who taught himself how to weld in a week to help 

complete their mission. 

The 101st FSB won the award for the best medium-sized 

support unit in Forces Command.

One notable achievement of the battalion was the creation 

of a brass deflector for battery boxes in the M1151 up-armored 

Humvee, which prevented batteries from shorting out when a 

weapon was fired. 

The award has been presented for 25 years by the National 

Defense Industrial Organization. It goes to the best units that 

maintain high standards of maintenance, are innovative in their 

use of programs and equipment and provide excellent qualityof-life programs for their Soldiers.

The award came as no surprise to Maj. Daniel Powers, the 

support operations officer for the 101st FSB.

“If you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, competing 

for the award is easy,” said Powers.

The award is the first in a series given for excellence. If the 

units win the DA award, they will compete for Department of 

Sgt. Michael Reynolds, a light-wheel mechanic Defense honors.

from Company B, 610th Bde. Support Bn., 4th 

Inf. Bde. Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., assesses 

the link-up on an M88 recovery vehicle.

Holding the Army FORSCOM award is Warrant 0fficer 1 

Eric Dietrich and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Richard Myers.

1st Inf. Div. PAO/Smith

1st Inf. Div. PAO/Smith
13 Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil 14

By Anna Staatz

Duty First! Magazine

The Big Red One has often led the way in the Army’s 

greatest wartime campaigns. It was no different 18 years ago, 

when Operation Desert Storm began. 

Former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait after 

the country and several other nearby Arab countries refused 

to endorse his plan to cut oil production and raise its price. 

Hussein spent weeks amassing troops and weapons at the 

Kuwait-Iraq border, before invading on Aug. 2, 1990. After 

a week, he declared the country Iraq’s 19th province, and 

began to send his troops to the Saudi Arabian border. The U.S. 

responded by sending aircraft and troops to Saudi Arabia, part 

of what was initially called Desert Shield. In January 1991, 

when Hussein still had not withdrawn his military, Desert 

Shield became Desert Storm.

Retired Lt. Gen. Thomas Rhame, commander of the 1st Inf. 

Div. in 1990, was at Fort Hood, Texas, for meetings in early 

November when he was notified the division would deploy to 

the Middle East with VII Corps.

“It was different then than it is today,” Rhame said. “We 

deployed all together – the entire division, instead of just 

brigades, like you see now.”

Most of the division was stationed at Fort Riley, where 

retired Master Sgt. Tim Donahue first heard the Big Red One 

was headed to the Middle East. Donahue joined the Army in 

three fronts, with the 1st 

Inf. Div. spearheading 

the center ground 

assault. Division units 

engaged Iraq’s 26th 

Infantry Division, 

broke through enemy 

lines and took more 

than 2,500 prisoners 

that first day. 

“We had trained 

hard for that day, the 

day we attacked into 

Iraq,” Rhame said. 

“When it was all over, 

we had penetrated farther 

than anyone else on the 

south side.

Continuing the inward 

assault, along with other 

units attached to VII Corps, 

division units collided with 

the Tawalakana Division 

Republican Guard and 

elements of the 12th Iraqi Tank Division. Big 

Red One Soldiers fought with enemy forces from 

both these units late Feb. 26, destroying both. 

Enemy losses in the battle included 

more than 40 tanks and 40 infantry 

fighting vehicles. Following the Battle of 

Norfolk, the 1st Inf. Div. moved ahead 

and cut off Iraqi lines retreating from 

Kuwait City. By late Feb. 27, Soldiers in 

1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment had 

seized the main highway leading north 

out of Kuwait. By the next morning, 

other division elements had taken up 

positions along the highway and fully 

secured the highway.

On March 3, 1991, division Soldiers 

secured Safwan Airfield for cease-fire 

negotiations between coalition forces 

and Iraqi leaders.

Rhame said what stuck with him 

most was the confidence and attitude of 

the Soldiers in the division.

“The outstanding thing I remember most was the confidence 

and attitude of the division,” Rhame said. “The young guys, 

they had confidence in their leaders, and their leaders had 

confidence in them.”

During the four-day offensive, the division pushed through 

260 kilometers of enemy territory, destroyed 550 enemy tanks 

and 480 enemy armored personnel carriers and captured more 

than 11,000 prisoners. Eighteen Big Red One Soldiers died in 

the war. The Big Red One earned three campaign streamers: 

Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 

and Cease Fire.

The division uncased its colors at Fort Riley on May 10, 

1991, signifying its redeployment.

the 1980s after “running 

out of money for college.” 

He served his first four 

years in the Army as 

an infantryman before 

reclassifying as a public 

affairs noncommissioned 

officer.

“We were all in a 

conference room at the 

old library and we got a 

phone call from Senator 

[Robert] Dole’s office that 

the announcement was 

coming,” Donahue said.

Rhame went to 

Saudi Arabia on a brief 

reconnaissance trip, and 

then readied the division 

for deployment. All 

the division’s elements 

began deploying around 

Thanksgiving, Rhame said. 

He and Donahue both left 

for the Middle East on Dec. 

26. The division was headquartered out 

of a Saudi Arabia installation south of the 

Iraq-Saudi border, Rhame said, 

where the blueprint for the assault 

inward was planned.

Donahue ended up in a 

warehouse with about 2,500 other 

Soldiers, all waiting to hear the 

next step. He stayed busy as well, 

recording the stories of Big Red 

One Soldiers preparing for war.

“One of the stories I did that 

I remember most was on the 

preparation,” Donahue said. “The 

armor and infantry units were 

going through some very heavy 

battle drills.”

The U.S. ground assault into 

Kuwait began Feb. 24, after the 

Iraqi military forces ignited 700 oil 

wells in Kuwait. 

The U.S. ground offensive had All photos provided by the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley regimental museum
Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil 16

Name, age, hometown;

Sgt. Benjamin Williams, I am 26, and I’m from Durham, N.H.

Why did you join the Army;

Initially, it was for the G.I. Bill, and I figured it would be a good 

four years of doing something constructive while I think about what 

I want to do with myself. 

What responsibilities come with being a Cavalry Scout;

A 19 Delta is a jack-of-all-trades. You know all the small arms 

weapons systems, from the M9 pistol to the TOW missile system, 

as well as working with forward observers. I feel that we’re very 

similar to infantry except that we’re mounted. We can do pretty 

much anything.

What do you like the best about your job;

I like shooting weapons and I like going on the ranges. I love the 

room clearing training, the stuff that’s more combat oriented. 

What kind of training or classes does the Army offer so that 

somebody with this MOS can become better at what they do;

It offers a lot. At the Recon Scout Leadership course at Fort 

Benning, Ga., which I went to, you learn so much about vehicle 

identification, urban reconnaissance, use of camouflage, how to 

move in the woods and set up an observation post. You also have 

the more general classes like Combat Life Saver so you’re better at 

first aid. 

How will the skills you’ve gained in the Army help you once you 

return to civilian life;

To be honest, I think a lot of the skills come from after my 

deployment. In the civilian sector there’s not a stressful thing I 

don’t think I couldn’t handle. You learn a lot of patience, especially 

on our previous deployment, working with the Iraqi people. I’m 

looking forward to the civilian lifestyle again because I know I’m 

not going to take anything for granted. Being in the military is 

something I would never take back. The experiences I’ve had, the 

training I’ve had and the hardships I’ve had, definitely broaden your 

horizons on what you should be thankful for.

Members of the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 

4th IBCT, scan the area as they make their way 

through a training exercise.

By Lisa M. Medrano

IACH PAO

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Warrior Transition Soldier, Spc. 

Kevin Snow and his 8-year old daughter, Jasmin, look forward 

to horsing around together every Wednesday. That’s when they 

participate in equine therapy at the Hope Ranch Therapeutic 

Riding Center in Manhattan, Kan. 

The program offers therapeutic horsemanship and learning 

which promotes emotional healing, building confidence, 

improving social skills and helps clients heal in a positive, selfpaced manner.

“I feel calmer after spending time with the horses, and 

Jasmin and I are both in good moods when we leave the Hope 

Ranch,” Snow said. 

Having almost no experience with horses, Snow works 

under supervision. He’s coached in catching, grooming and 

tacking up his horse, “Red.” 

“When I come to Hope, I control a thousand-pound horse,” 

Snow said. “That gives me a strong dose of self confidence in 

keeping control of my daily tasks.” 

“Since he’s started, I have watched his confidence and 

communication skills improve,” said Cassey Dougherty, Hope 

Ranch trainer. 

Horsemanship requires a lot of hand and eye coordination 

and helps improve short term memory, Dougherty added. 

Jazmin also benefits from interacting with the farm kittens, 

dogs, miniature donkeys and horses. She rides with a trainer 

leading her horse, and performs simple exercises such as some 

grooming and a lot of touching and talking to the animals. 

Ken Scroggs, Hope Ranch founder and director, told of a 

child with multiple sclerosis with little lower body control. The 

child developed trunk control from riding and now is able to 

grip the saddle with her legs. He also told of an expressionless, 

autistic child who began to smile and tried to speak after 

participating in equine therapy. 

“When I researched equine therapy,” said Scroggs, “I read 

of extraordinary accomplishments of handicapped people and 

was just elated when I began to see it happening here. 

15

By Spc. Shantelle J. Campbell

4IBCT PAO

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Richter 

and 1st Lt. Jamie Sanjuan, Headquarters and Headquarters 

Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment tested 

their basic Soldiering skills against eight other two-man teams 

and won the battalion’s first Iron Patriot competition.

The two-day competition challenged each Soldier in a call 

for fire exercise, weapons familiarization, land navigation, an 

8-mile road march and a physical fitness test.

“The purpose of the Iron Patriot is to prepare Soldiers 

mentally and physically for stressful environments that may 

occur in combat situations while deployed,” said Capt. Joe 

Breedlove, competition coordinator. 

 Each team worked together to complete a fire for effect 

mission, engaging a designated target within 45 seconds of 

identifying the target. 

They were then called upon to assemble and disassemble 

several different weapons systems including the MK-19 

40-millemeter grenade machine gun, .50-caliber machine gun, 

M-4 carbine assault rifle, M249 automatic machine gun and 

M240 B machine gun.

Each team had to complete a day and night land navigation 

course followed by an 8.7- mile road march with 65 to 70 pound 

rucksacks. 

The teams were also evaluated on their ability to evaluate 

a casualty, prepare a radio for operations and then call out a 

medical evacuation report within five minutes. 

“The teamwork aspect was proven today,” said Richter. 

“How well you work together is how well you perform. It was 

a great experience, and I believe that we all serve as role models 

for Soldiers throughout the battalion.” 

 Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Richter, a target acquisitions platoon sergeant for Headquarters and 

Headquarters Battery, 2nd Bn., 32nd Field Artillery Regt., and 1st Lt. Jamie Sanjuan, executive officer 

of HHB, 2nd Bn., 32nd Field Artillery Regt., took top honors in the Iron Patriot Competition on Jan. 14 

at Fort Riley. 

4IBCT/Campbell
Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil 18

and saddled horses before loading them up to await a police 

escort into the capital city. 

Once in the city, the unit weaved through a maze of security, 

spectators and chaos to line up for the parade route. 

“I never thought ever, that I’d get to come to an inauguration 

and be a part of it,” said Sgt. James Reimers.

The parade had more than 70 elements and lasted more 

than two and a half hours. After a late start, it concluded well 

after 7 p.m. The CGMCG was the only mounted Army unit 

to participate in the inaugural parade. However, three of the 

horses – Trooper, Cyclone and Chicote – had marched the 

route in previous inaugural parades.

When the Day Was Over

It was cold and windy in Washington, D.C., on inauguration 

day. It was also a very long day out in the elements for the 

horses and Soldiers. After getting up at 3 a.m., the group didn’t 

get back to the stables until about 8 p.m., and still had to feed 

and water the horses before calling it a night.

“The Soldiers and the horses did an outstanding job,” 

Stockert said. “Our veterinarian made the comment that our

horses were some of the few horses that did not have to be 

tranquilized because of the commotion and the long wait. I 

attribute that to the training of our horses and the temperament

of the horses that we own and then also the conditioning of our 

Soldiers. They just toughed it out.”

Stockert said he was particularly mindful of the lack of 

violence that accompanied the events surrounding a new 

president taking office, noting that in other countries, that 

wasn’t the case.

“It crossed my mind [in the parade], what a great country 

we live in — America, where we do regime change in this 

fashion,” Stockert said. “Where the Soldiers and other parts 

of the government fall right in line and it turns into a peaceful 

celebration instead of what happens in a lot of countries.”

Stockert said to him, riding in the parade was also a chance 

to honor the sacrifices of Soldiers who were deployed.

“That’s what gives us the most pride is that we can do this 

and represent those who are deployed around the world and 

honor the service and sacrifices they are making right now on 

our behalf,” he said.

The chance to be a part of something so much bigger than 

what most Soldiers get to participate in was exciting for Hubbard.

“I was really excited about an opportunity to go there and be 

a part of something that’s bigger than the Army,” Hubbard said. 

“It was a great honor to be able to go up there, especially with 

it being such a historical event.”

The CGMCG has also participated in inaugural parades in 

2001 and 2005 for former President George W. Bush.

The Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard, 1st Inf. Div., passes the reviewing stand Jan. 20 during the 

presidential inaugural parade.

Duty First!/Staatz

17

Duty First!/Staatz Duty First!/Staatz

By Anna Staatz

Duty First! Magazine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the old tradition of mounted 

cavalry, 14 troopers of the Commanding General’s Mounted 

Color Guard paid their respects to the new commander in chief 

by riding in the inaugural parade on Jan. 20. 

The parade tops the list of “big” events the Commanding 

General’s Mounted Color Guard has participated in, and was 

the culminating moment of weeks of preparation.

Getting Ready

The CGMCG spent weeks getting ready for the parade, 

preparing its horses and Soldiers by practicing in city 

environments, with rehearsals in Junction City, Topeka and 

Wichita. The unit’s Civil War era uniforms were prepared, 

saddles and sabers polished. 

“No stone was left unturned,” said Staff Sgt. Randy 

Hubbard, CGMCG platoon sergeant, of the preparations.

A company that specialized in transporting horses across 

long distances was used to move the horses from Fort Riley to 

Washington, D.C. 

“Our trailers just aren’t designed to carry horses that far,” 

said 1st Sgt. Dean Stockert. “I didn’t want to get there and have 

one of the horses turn up lame or something from the trip.”

A contingent of Soldiers from the unit traveled with the 

horses. A small group flew to the nation’s Capitol and a third 

group traveled in vans. The list of supplies was long: 300 

pounds of grain, one ton of hay, 17 saddles, 18 uniforms, 16 

horse blankets, 27 extra horse shoes, 20 feed buckets, 250 

gallons of water, two water tanks, ferrier supplies, a leather 

repair kit and manure carts and forks.

Most of the Soldiers and horses departed Fort Riley on Jan. 16.

Washington, D.C.

Jan. 19, the unit rode in a rehearsal with a mounted Border

Patrol unit before polishing saddles, tack and equipment in 

preparation for the big day. The Soldiers then headed back to 

Fort Belvoir, Va., for a few hours of shut-eye.

Inauguration day began early for the Soldiers and horses. 

Most of the 1st Inf. Div.’s troopers were up close to 3 a.m. After 

making the trek from Fort Belvoir, Va., to the equestrian center 

in Maryland where the horses were stabled, the CGMCG fed

Spc. Darrell Dressler tacks up his horse, Rifle, Jan. 20 in 

preparation for the inaugural parade.

1st Sgt. Dean Stockert is interviewed by several members 

of the media during a parade practice on Jan. 12.
19 Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil

By C. Todd Lopez

Veterans Administration 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More Soldiers who have been 

traumatically injured in combat, or even in a car accident 

stateside, may now be eligible for up to $100,000 to help adjust 

to life following their injury.

The Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance is a 

supplemental insurance program included in a Soldier’s SGLI 

that provides a tax-free payment to Soldiers in the event they 

suffer traumatic injuries, such as severe burns or loss-of-limb. suffer traumatic injuries, such as severe burns or loss of limb.

The types of injuries that qualify for TSGLI were recently 

expanded, resulting in more Soldiers being able to benefit 

under the program.

“The expansion came about as a result of a review 

conducted by the Veterans Administration of the TSGLI 

program,” said Capt. Nathan Black, officer in charge of 

TSGLI. “They spoke with each branch of service, medical 

professionals, those awarded and denied TSGLI, and others 

in the wounded warrior lifecycle. From this process, they 

were able to determine expanded loss definitions and 

Photos provided by the 1st Inf. Div. Library and archives

20

By Sgt. Charles Brice

3rd IBCT PAO

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – International 

Security Assistance Force Soldiers in Afghanistan are working 

to win the hearts and minds of locals by showing them there 

are bigger and better opportunities available to them. ISAF 

Soldiers recently gave one Afghan teen the gift of mobility. 

The Afghan National Army, Able Main 5-3 Embedded 

Training Team and Company A, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry 

Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team wanted to help a 

local teenager who couldn’t walk, hindering him from going to 

school like other kids in his village.

“The young man wanted to get a higher education, but due 

to a birth defect that hindered him from walking, he couldn’t 

attend school,” Capt. James M. Marino, 3rd Marine Division, 

Able Main 5-3 ETT said. Marino added the teen started his 

first day of school fully stocked with donated school supplies.

“We looked into the situation and contacted some people in 

Kuwait and they sent us a few wheelchairs to put together.” 

“We helped one teenager and because of it, we’ve made 

inroads into winning the hearts and minds of the residents of 

Konar Province,” he said.

Soldiers Help 

Iraqi Teenager

additional losses that would allow for more Soldiers to benefit 

from TSGLI.”

For example, under the new guidelines, a Soldier may 

receive $50,000 for paralysis of one limb; previous rules 

required paralysis of two or more limbs. Additionally, the new 

rules state a Soldier who sustains second-degree burns over 

20 percent or more of his body or face is entitled to $100,000. 

Under the former requirements, Soldiers must have sustained 

third-degree burns over 30 percent of their body or face. 

The new guidelines also include limb salvage, and allow 

Soldiers $50,000 for loss of sight that has lasted 120 days for 

each eye rather 

than total and 

p e r m a n e n t 

loss in both. 

The complete 

schedule of 

losses under 

TSGLI can be 

found at www.

tsgli.army.mil.

P a y m e n t s 

under TSGLI 

are per event, 

and Soldiers 

who have 

m u l t i p l e 

injuries may 

receive more 

than one payment, but no more than the maximum $100,000 

per event. 

Additionally, Black said the changes to TSGLI are 

retroactive. The TSGLI office is conducting a re-look initiative 

for any Soldier who was previously denied or received less 

than the maximum payment amount of $100,000.

There is no need for a Soldier to resubmit a claim unless 

there is new additional supporting documentation to support 

the case, Black said. The TSGLI office will contact those who 

are approved under the new guidelines.

“The TSGLI expansion,” said Black, “is another example 

of how we continue to enhance our program to better meet the 

needs of our Soldiers and their families.”
Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil 22

New HQ Battalion 

 First To Use 

 Modular Design

Col. Mark Childs uncases the Division 

Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion colors 

during the activation ceremony Dec. 12. Childs 

is the new battalion commander of DHHB.

By Spc. Cody Harding

1st Inf. Div PAO

The first division headquarters organized using the Army’s new modular warfare model was activated at the 1st Infantry Division 

Headquarters.

The 1st Inf. Div. Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion unit colors were uncased by Lt. Col. Mark Childs, commander of the 

“Defender Battalion,” and Command Sgt. Major John Jones, the senior noncommissioned officer of the DHHB.

1st Inf. Div. Chief of Staff Col. Ricky Gibbs spoke about the history of the division and the significance of the event. He pointed out 

that this was the first headquarters battalion structured under the Army’s new modular design.

“It is a huge change, not just in this battalion, but in the way we do business in the Army,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs praised Childs and Jones for their excellent work in the military, and welcomed them into their 

new roles as the leaders of the 1st Inf. Div headquarters.

“We have a great team of leadership here today standing up this battalion,” Gibbs said.

Childs followed by stating that the activation of the battalion meant more than a change in how the 

division looks on paper.

“A unit is much more than its organizational structure,” said Childs. 

“It consists of Soldiers and Families. It lives and breathes, and it has a 

history and a legacy.”

Command Sgt. Major John Jones speaks with a Soldier during the Division 

Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion activation ceremony, Dec. 12. 

The DHHB is the first activated under the military’s new modular design.

1st Inf. Div. PAO/Harding 1st Inf. Div. PAO/Harding

Note: CSM Jones is now the Command Sergeant Major for 1st 

Brigade.

21

1st Infantry Division at War

1st Infantry Division

Oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army. Over 7,000 Soldiers 

from two brigades are deployed.

Primarily located in Fort Riley, Kan.; training responsibility extends to three other 

states: Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas.

The Division modularized in fall 2008.

1st Brigade, Fort Riley

Trains transition teams. So far more than 11,000 servicemembers have trained and 

deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and more than 1,800 have redeployed.

Transition Teams live and work with Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Afghan National 

Army (ANA).

Scheduled to modularize FY09.

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Fort Riley

Currently resetting at Fort Riley, Kan., the brigade is training for a second 

deployment to Iraq. The Department of Defense recently issued deployment 

orders for 2009.

1st Sustainment Brigade, Iraq

Recently provided logistic, human resource and financial management for 80,000 Soldiers 

and 20,000 civilians and contractors throughout Multi-National Division-Baghdad and 

area support for Multi-National Division-Central.

The brigade re-deployed to Fort Riley, Kan., in December 2008.

1st Combat Aviation Brigade Combat Team, Iraq

75th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill Finished a 15 month deployment to Iraq.

Integrates attached ground and air maneuver forces and on 

order functions as a maneuver headquarters in support of 

full spectrum operations. Separate battalions currently 

deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 

Afghanistan

 Deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in June 2008. The deployment is 

scheduled to last 12 months, during which 

Soldiers will conduct counterinsurgency and stability operations.

4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood

The MEB is a new concept in area operations and stability operations. The 4th MEB unique 

staff is composd of engineer, military police, and chemical cells and organically has a brigade 

support battalion and a signal company.

The brigade was activated at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in October 2008.

3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Iraq

Provide theater logistics command and control for the theater commander 

supporting the Army Forces (ARFOR) and Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) 

mission. Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom May 2008.

e Combat Team, Fort Riley

Kan., the brigade is training for a second 

ment of Defense recently issued deployment

ers for 2009.

1st Sustainment Brigade, Iraq

Recently provided logistic, human resource and financial management for 80,000 Soldiers

and 20,000 civilians and contractors throughout Multi-National Division-Baghdad and 

area support for Multi-National Division-Central.

The brigade re-deployed to Fort Riley, Kan., in December 2008.

ombat Aviation Brigade Combat Team, Iraq

Finished a 15 month deployment to Iraq. ires Brigade, Fort Sill

ground and air maneuver forces and on 

 maneuver headquarters in support of 

ations. Separate battalions currently

pport of Operation Iraqi Freedom. s

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,

Afghanistan

 Deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in June 2008. The deployment is

scheduled to last 12 months, during which 

Soldiers will conduct counterinsurgency and stability operations.

1st C

4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood

The MEB is a new concept in area operations and stability operations. The 4th MEB unique 

staff is composd of engineer, military police, and chemical cells and organically has a brigade

support battalion and a signal company

3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Iraq Provide theater logistics command and control for the theater commander 

pporting the Army Forces (ARFOR) and Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF)

mission. Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom May 2008.

2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Iraq

The brigade departed Fort Riley, Kan,. in October 2008 on a 

scheduled 12- month deployment in support of Operation 

Iraqi Freedom.
Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil

Brigade Com

23

By Anna Staatz

Duty First! Magazine

Ten years ago, combat experience wasn’t necessarily a 

requirement to receive a brigade command assignment. After 

Sept. 11, 2001, that all changed. Now, with wars in Iraq and 

Afghanistan, the road to brigade command lies in the proven 

ability to lead Soldiers in a combat environment.

All of the 1st Infantry Division’s brigade leaders have spent 

combat time as battalion commanders, and those experiences 

shaped how they operated during a brigade deployment or how 

they are building their brigade now.

A Brigade Building

Col. Henry Arnold III, commander, 4th Infantry Brigade 

Combat Team, is in the train-up phase with his brigade, already 

slated for deployment later this year. 

Arnold commanded 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 

101st Airborne Division, during a deployment to Iraq from 

2003 to 2004. Looking back on his time as a battalion 

commander, he noted first that understanding the combat 

environment topped the priority list in deployment 

preparations.

“It’s a much more complex environment than traditional 

warfare, and it creates a much more psychological and 

emotional and mental terrain on the force than traditional 

warfare does,” Arnold said. “Understanding that 

environment became critical for me and making sure my 

leaders understood that as well.” 

In resetting 4th IBCT for deployment, Arnold has pushed 

counterinsurgency education for his officers, making 

books and discussion part of his Officer Professional 

Development every month.

“I’ve assigned those foundational books that form 

the basis for our COIN manual, instead of just reading 

the manual,” Arnold said. “They read them, and we 

sit down and talk about the key parts of the books, and 

I spread that into other examples of working in that 

environment. We have a lot of experienced people – 

Capt. Peter Di Giorgio, (center) Troop A, 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, shakes the hand of Col. Jessie 

O. Farrington, commander, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, after receiving the Distinguished 

Flying Cross at Forward Operating Base Diamondback, in Mosul, Iraq, on March 2, for his actions on Dec. 30, 

2007, while flying in support of Task Force Iron. 

Photo by Sgt. Patrick Lair

24

Aviation Brigade, just two and a half months before the unit 

deployed to Iraq for 15 months. The fast turnaround was 

something he’d also experienced as a battalion commander. 

While commanding 1st Bn., 229th Aviation Regt., he’d 

had a little more than two months to take the unit from the 

National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., to combat 

in Afghanistan, soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

As a battalion commander, when Farrington arrived in 

Afghanistan, he was commanding a battalion of 24 AH-64 

Apaches. Because of the task force setup in Afghanistan, he 

quickly ended up overseeing the operations of 10 Chinooks, 10 

Black Hawks and three medical evacuation units.

“When we got to Afghanistan, things changed a bit. As an 

attack helicopter battalion commander, I had to learn pretty 

quick what all of the other functions did – the assault helicopter, 

the lift helicopter,” Farrington said. “That right there was one 

of the things that helped me a lot as I came into the brigade, 

because in the brigade you have five different battalions.”

“When I came into brigade command two and a half months 

before deployment, I can tell you there were a lot of people who 

were concerned,” Farrington said. “I had to make very quick 

assessments of what we had and what training we’d done, and I 

understood everyone’s concern.”

Farrington said that one of the most important things during 

deployment, especially for an aviation unit, is maintenance.

“Before we left, we had a plan to do maintenance,” he said. 

“In Iraq, we had about 160 contractors to help us out with 

the maintenance; however I did not allow my Soldiers not 

to do scheduled maintenance. During this tour, because the 

maintenance was so good, the limiting factor for us wasn’t 

aircraft ready to launch, it was crews available.”

He compared that to the situation early on in Afghanistan, 

where support systems for maintenance and needed parts were 

much more limited. As a result, the brigade operated rotary wing 

(helicopters), unmanned aerial systems and fixed wing aircraft 

for more than 240,000 hours of flight time. The helicopters 

alone spent more than 170,000 hours on flight missions during 

the 15 months the brigade was deployed.

“That says a lot about the Soldiers that we have and the 

commitment they have to the mission,” Farrington said.

He also compared the area of northern Iraq the brigade 

operated out of to Afghanistan, noting the long distances that 

his crews often had to fly to reach the mission area.

“It was a huge area, and it sometimes took us 45 minutes to 

get where we needed to go,” Farrington said. “The enemy also 

showed themselves more in Iraq as compared to Afghanistan, 

where the enemy was more elusive and less overt.”

Currently, the 1st Infantry Division has two brigades 

deployed – 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, in Iraq, and 

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, in Afghanistan. Both 4th 

IBCT and CAB redeployed to Fort Riley in 2008, following 

15-month deployments to Iraq. Fourth IBCT has already 

received deployment orders for late summer. 1st Brigade, 1st 

Inf. Div., is preparing to stand up later this year as a heavy 

brigade combat team under the Army’s latest modular structure. 

1st Sustainment Brigade also redeployed in December 2008 to 

Fort Riley following a 15-month deployment to Iraq.

most of these captains have experience as lieutenants in that 

environment, so they’re able to connect the dots in what we’re 

talking about.”

At the Soldier level, Arnold said he has emphasized to 

his noncommissioned officers the importance of realistic 

training that mimics as closely as possible the real combat 

environment.

As a battalion commander, Arnold also saw the importance 

of physical fitness, something that he has also placed high 

priority on as a brigade commander.

“I’ve always believed it, but it [deployment as a battalion 

commander] validated it for me, how critically important 

physical fitness is,” Arnold said. “In that environment, when 

you’re wearing all that body armor, and you’ve got all that 

equipment on you, with all the things you have to do in 120, 

130 degree heat – you have to be in absolute phenomenal 

physical condition to be able to continue to function and be 

able to survive wounds.”

In 4th IBCT, the importance of physical fitness takes on 

a “lead by example” philosophy, with Arnold and Command 

Sgt. Maj. Michael McCoy leading the monthly Iron Dragon 

physical fitness challenge. Arnold also does “Cold Steel PT” 

weekly with a different company, so he can gauge the physical 

fitness abilities of his Soldiers. By April, he wants every 

company to average an Army Physical Fitness Test score of 

at least 270.

Arnold also pointed to discipline and maintenance as 

things he placed importance on as a battalion commander that 

continue to be his priority as a brigade commander.

“Everyone knows discipline is essential to any military 

organization,” Arnold said. “But in that environment, you have 

a lot of units who are out there alone – squads and platoons out 

there operating on a patrol or something. It’s very important 

for junior leaders to have all the technical and tactical tools 

they need and understand how to employ them at their level; 

but they also must know what right is and what it is not from a 

tactical and moral standpoint.”

Maintenance is also important, he said, to not only keep up 

on administrative items such as promotions and awards, but 

also for troop morale.

“Too many people think that once you’re deployed, 

administrative things – maintenance, training, all the things 

you do in garrison stop – because of their deployment,” Arnold 

said. “It’s important to do routine things routinely. ... And it’s 

good for the mindset of everyone there. There’s certain comfort 

in having a mundane meeting on awards or maintenance while 

you’re there.”

A Brigade After Deployment

Col. Jessie Farrington took command of 1st Combat 
25 Duty First www.1id.army.mil Duty First www.1id.army.mil

of money BOSS raises. Each year BOSS puts on a haunted 

house, talent shows, car washes and holds the Rusty Club golf 

tournament on post as ways of making money to offset trip 

costs. 

According to Young, most events are scheduled through the 

Information Ticket Registration Office and have a sign-up list, 

which is put out approximately two weeks prior to the event 

taking place.

As the name states, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, 

has to limit its participation to single Soldiers, geographical 

bachelors and single parents. 

With 7,000 to 9,000 single Soldiers on Fort Riley at any given 

time, BOSS tries to provide activities everyone can enjoy. 

Young said each unit has a BOSS representative and alternate 

in charge of informing Soldiers of BOSS happenings each 

month, and each month the BOSS representatives get together 

to discuss upcoming happenings and activities available to 

Soldiers.

Participating in BOSS events not only gives single Soldiers 

something to do in their free time, but also sets a standard for 

them.

“BOSS Soldiers are Soldiers we want to keep in the Army 

because Army-wide, BOSS has only had two Soldiers fail a 

urinalysis,” Young said. “No DUIs, no court marshals. I don’t 

know if it gives them some kind of moral guidance, but at least 

they have a goal to be a BOSS representative and watch out for 

other Soldiers.”

“When I first came in the Army, I thought BOSS wasn’t cool. 

It took a few years of being in the Army to realize everything 

it does for Soldiers and all the opportunities it brings,” said 

Young.

By Ty Abney

Duty First! Magazine

For single Soldiers living in the Fort Riley area, it may not 

seem like there’s much to do on weekends and evenings. While 

the flat plains and small towns of Kansas don’t exactly provide 

the luxury of a beach or the excitement of a big city, there is a 

program which keeps single Soldiers in mind when it comes to 

finding things to do.

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers is an Army 

program, that began in 1989 after the U.S. Army Community 

and Family Support Center was asked to look into a way to 

meet the recreation and leisure needs of single Soldiers. Focus 

groups consisting of single Soldiers were set up, and by 1991 

BOSS expanded into not only a recreation provider, but a 

source for improving single Soldier quality of life. 

Another major component of BOSS is volunteering at local 

community service events. Fort Riley chapter BOSS president 

Cpl. Winter Young said in the past, BOSS has taken trips to 

Veterans’ Hospitals to eat lunch with patients, played BINGO, 

built floats for parades and even collected and wrapped presents 

during Operation Santa Claus. 

One area of interest for many Soldiers participating in the 

BOSS program is the trips the program offers. Young said 

BOSS plans approximately 25 trips a year to get Soldiers out 

of uniform and into a relaxing setting where fun is the name 

of the game.

BOSS schedules everything from three-on-three basketball 

tournaments to Kansas City Royals games to extended trips to 

places like Tampa, Fla., and Chicago.

Young said a four-day trip to Chicago in March is in the 

works. 

“We’ll be there around St. Patrick’s Day when they dye the 

river green,” Young said.

While the smaller events generally draw a smaller crowd, 

Young said the number of people allowed to go on the bigger 

trips depends on available transportation and the amount

For more information about the BOSS program contact 

Spc. Winter Young at (785) 239-8147.

26

By Dena O’Dell

The 1st Infantry Division Post 

In March 2006, Gen. David Petraeus, the former 

commanding general of the Center for Army Lessons Learned 

at Fort Leavenworth, initiated Lessons Learned Integration, a 

network for sharing Army lessons learned. The purpose of the 

initiative was to speed the spread of lessons learned in theater 

by sharing best practices, relevant observations, insights, 

tactics, techniques and procedures. 

Under Lessons Learned Integration, CALL dispersed 

liaison officers to implement the program in four phases, 

beginning with Army schools and agencies and ending with 

joint and combined settings. 

Two CALL liaison officers are available at Fort Riley – Chris 

Cooke, 1st Infantry Division liaison officer, and Bill Spiegel, 

1st Brigade liaison officer supporting transition teams, located 

in Building 1861A, Camp Funston. 

The purpose of CALL is to assist Soldiers with any 

information they need about the respective country where 

they are deploying. At Building 1861A on Camp Funston, 

Spiegel offers pamphlets, magazines, DVDs, CDs and books 

on subject matters ranging from war fighting to understanding 

the Iraqi or Afghan culture and language. The materials are 

free to any Soldier who wants them. Additionally, a Soldier 

can contact CALL for any information needed or questions 

regarding their deployment – from what the terrain is like 

in Afghanistan to how to speak the language, Spiegel said. 

From the first point of contact, CALL has 24 hours 

to respond to a Soldier’s inquiry. If the request for 

information comes via e-mail from a deployed Soldier, the 

request must be processed within a 72-hour period. If Spiegel 

cannot locate the information, he contacts CALL at Fort 

Leavenworth, which has archived information regarding 

combat operations dating back to 1991.

In addition to providing information to Soldiers, the 

CALL at Camp Funston collects and analyzes feedback 

from the Soldiers on lessons learned while in country. 

Information sharing begins the moment transition team 

members arrive for training at Fort Riley, with Spiegel 

briefing each new class of Soldiers on all of CALL’s 

capabilities. 

In addition to providing information to Soldiers, CALL 

also collects information from the Soldiers by conducting 

interviews with select members of transition teams midtour and upon their redeployment to Fort Riley. 

Once the data from the Soldiers is collected, it is 

analyzed and then sent to Fort Leavenworth, where 

the information is reviewed and integrated into tactics, 

techniques and procedures and published into the Army’s 

doctrine. 

“It is one big revolving wheel. We collect the 

information, we analyze it and disseminate it for review, 

and then it goes into TTPs. From seven to 100 days, it gets 

researched and then put into practice. From there, if it’s 

good, it goes into doctrine at 180 days – something that 

would normally take eight to 10 years,” Spiegel said. 

For more information about resources available at the 

CALL at Camp Funston, contact Spiegel at 785-240-1340 

or by e-mail at william.spiegel@us.army.mil. For more 

information about resources available at the Division 

level, contact Chris Cooke at 785-239-3990 or by e-mail 

at christopher.cooke@us.army.mil. To check out the CALL 

website, go to http://call.army.mil.
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