Unofficial 1st Infantry Division Magazine of Soldiers and Families | www.riley.army.mil

Top NCO visits iraq, listens to needs of brigades

partnership opens doors between ksu, the big red one
 Duty First! August 2010 

|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 set the example for others to follow.

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

for my country. My loyalty 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.

Duty First!

The Duty First is an unofficial publication pro-

duced under the provisions of AR 360-1, pub-

lished 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. Circu-

lation 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, KS 66442 

Telephone number

COM 785-239-6821 

 DSN 856-6821 

or visit Duty First online at www.riley.army.mil.

1st Infantry Division Commander

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks

1st Infantry Division CSM

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne

1st Infantry Division PAO

Lt. Col. Matt Hackathorn

Editor

Anna Newman

Staff Writers

Jordan Chapman

Stephanie Hoff

Illustrator

Justin Angeles

Duty First! file photo 

No Mission too Difficult. No Sacrifice too Great.

August 2010 | www.riley.army.mil

Cover: A Soldier from 1st Bn., 16th Inf. Regt., 

plays with students at Westwood Elementary.

C O N TE N TS

Departments

Features

Danger 6

ARFORGEN policy 

meeting demands 

Danger 7

Re-enlisting helps 

Families remain stable 

Danger Forward

Troop visits by top leaders 

net important feedback 

Schoolmates for life

Students, Soldiers tout 

Adopt-A-School program 

A communal venture

Adopt-A-Community 

program a hit for all sides Institutional partners

Big Red One, Kansas State 

partnership about respect 

A budding social network

Websites offer chance to 

keep up with news

Around the division

The Big Red One reunion 

set for Aug. 25–29

23

84

16

20
Several years ago, “Black Lion” 

commander Lt. Col. Pat Frank 

reached out to Kansas State University and asked if the school’s football 

team would be interested in a joint day 

of physical training with his Soldiers. 

No one could have known then how 

much that single action would grow. 

While Fort Riley and the Big Red One 

have always had a great relationship 

with K-State, what has developed in 

the past couple of years goes far beyond Fort Riley Day during football 

season and video shout-outs from units 

downrange to cheer on the Wildcat 

sports teams.

As Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks and I 

have worked with K-State President 

Kirk Shulz and Athletic Director John 

Currie, the partnerships that exist between the 1st Infantry Division and the 

university have multiplied. Art DeGroat 

has also played a key role as K-State’s 

liaison officer and facilitated those partnerships. Because of him, there is constant communication between the university and the 1st Infantry Division.

Now, every 1st Infantry Division 

brigade stationed at Fort Riley is partnered with at least one athletic team 

from K-State. That partnership includes 

Soldiers attending sports events in 

which those athletes compete, or the 

team visiting Fort Riley and spending a 

day with Soldiers to learn about the 

jobs they do each and every day. And 

that joint training day once requested 

by the Black Lions? It’s a more and 

more frequent occurrence. When deployed, units and teams continue to 

find ways to stay in touch and extend 

their support to one another.

Our partnership with K-State extends beyond athletics, though. The 

university has offered many services to 

our Soldiers in order to help educate 

them before deployment. Just a few 

weeks ago, Soldiers from 172 Chemical 

Company visited K-State and spent the 

day working in one of the university’s 

chemistry labs. During their day, they 

received instruction from a university 

professor on the basics of organic 

chemistry. For many of those Soldiers, 

that day was the first time they had 

been able to work with actual lab 

equipment.

The division’s Sergeant Audie Murphy Club has teamed up with K-State’s 

leadership department and added to the 

professional development of the Big 

Red One’s noncommissioned officers. 

In addition, the Commanding General’s 

Mounted Color Guard maintains close 

ties with K-State’s Equine Department 

and rodeo team. The university’s veterinary department also assists the CGMCG with care for the unit’s four-legged 

members.

Our Families are not excluded from 

these partnerships. K-State has the Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families. Students, professors and 

other institute personnel research and 

study issues surrounding the health and 

resiliency of military personnel, veterans and their Families. The institute researches the effects of trauma and deployments on military members and 

their Families and offers programs in 

those areas. It’s a great tool, both to push 

the stresses our Families face to the forefront of public knowledge and offer our 

Families resources in those areas.

The partnership we have with KState affords our Soldiers many opportunities that are irreplaceable. And in 

turn, the insight our Soldiers give 

young American students cannot be 

underestimated. Both are needed and 

we are fortunate to be located so close 

to a university that shares the same 

level of excellence to which we hold 

our Soldiers accountable. Hard work 

on both sides of this partnership has set 

a precedent for how it should be all 

across the Army. We will continue to 

work with K-State to ensure that our 

Soldiers and the university’s students 

and professors continue to gain all they 

can from each other.

Now ... go ‘Cats ... get after it!

Throughout the last eight years 

of combat, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Soldiers, 

Families, and civilians have received 

tremendous support from the Central 

Flint Hills Region. These neighbors 

have welcomed Army Families and 

have been a staunchly supportive network for many during extended deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Also, approximately 70 percent of our 

Army Families live within the local 

communities and many actively participate in the life of the community—giving back.

The return of the 1st Infantry Division in 2006 to its traditional home in 

Kansas strengthened the bonds of partnership between Fort Riley and the 

Central Flint Hills Region. The dramatic 

infrastructure transition required to accommodate a modern active duty division has provided a significant economic stimulus to the region. 

The Army Community Covenant 

Ceremony in August 2008 represented 

one of the Army’s most supported signature events; with Governor Kathleen 

Sebelius, the entire Kansas Congressional delegation, state representatives, and 

a large number of local officials participating in a ceremony with the Secretary 

of the Army and Fort Riley commanders. Based on this strong community 

support foundation, the highly successful Adopt-A-Community program was 

launched partnering brigades with Central Flint Hills Region counties and respective battalions with communities. 

Through the development of a campaign plan that moves Fort Riley forward 

in partnership with the region – Fort Riley Campaign Plan 2015, we have expanded the Adopt-A-Community program to include Saline County, now 

partnered with our Combat Aviation Brigade. This adds to other partnerships: 

the 1st CAB is also partnered with Pottawatomie County, 1st Heavy Brigade 

Combat Team with Geary County, 2nd 

Heavy Brigade Combat Team with Dickinson County, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with Clay and Riley counties, 

and 1st Sustainment Brigade with Wabaunsee County. Each unit partnership 

is unique and still in the process of growing, yet they all have in common a view 

of the importance to our units, our Families, and our neighbors of maintaining a 

close connection to one another. 

We are proud to be at home in the 

heartland of America—a place where 

community values closely align with 

the Army Values; providing one of the 

best locations available for Soldiers to 

raise a Family ... one of the many reasons why Fort Riley is the premier Division-level installation in the Army. 

Duty First!

2| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |3

Commanding General DANGER 6 Command Sergeant Major DANGER 7

Ties fortified by partnerships KSU partnerships good for all

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks Division Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne
4| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |5

Fast forward two years to August 

of 2008. The Governor of Kansas, the 

Secretary of the Army and 1st Inf. 

Div. leadership crowd around a table 

to sign the Army and Fort Riley 

Community Covenant that manifested the Adopt-A-Community program, giving brigade and battalion 

commanders the unique opportunity 

to help educate communities about 

the division and post.

Since then, each brigade on post 

has come together with their own 

adopted community and has had 

the chance to mingle with citizens 

during high school football games, 

4th of July celebrations, town festivals and rodeos while at the same 

time getting to show off their own 

pride and discipline during parades 

and with static displays of military 

vehicles and equipment.

“In this day and age, it may 

sound kind of corny to be so proud 

of the military, but I truly am,” said 

Clay Center Mayor Sharon Brown 

in a previous speech, speaking for 

her community about the relationship it shares with the 1st Squadron, 

4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry 

Brigade Combat Team. “I truly 

think those of us who aren’t in the 

military have to take care of those 

who are because that’s what our 

country’s all about. The people in 

Clay Center are proud of our heritage, we’re proud of our traditions 

and we’re proud of our military.”

(continued on page 6)

In 2006, the Central Flint Hills Region and its residents were reintroduced to the 1st Infantry Division

as it returned to its traditional home at Fort Riley. 

The result was as commonplace as any Kansan would 

expect: open arms welcoming Families, activities for 

single Soldiers and hearty hand-shakes between generals and mayors.

Story by Jordan Chapman | Duty First! Magazine

Jordan Chapman/Duty First! magazine

Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, runs behind a Clay Center Community Middle School student, encouraging him to finish strong while Pvt. Mitchell Olson, 1st Sqdn. 4th Cav. Regt., follows during the school's 5K Positive 

Addictions Run April 30.

Adopt-A-Community program 

has communities & military 

interacting on positive level 
6

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |7

(continued from page 5)

The relationship between Clay Cen-

ter and the “Raiders” has only grown 

since their paths crossed in 2008.

To show their appreciation of the 

partnership in January of 2009, the 1st 

Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. presented the city 

with the battle flag that flew over the 

unit’s headquarters for 15 months dur-

ing their deployment. It flew high over 

the town’s city hall until strong winds 

forced the city to frame it and hang it 

within the building's halls to help pre-

serve the gift. 

The partnership didn’t end there. 

The regiment’s most recent outreach in-

volved five Soldiers participating in the 

Clay Center Middle School 5K Positive 

Addictions Run on April 30.

“This is like doing your job, but not 

doing your job,” said Staff Sgt. Christo-

pher Williams, excited to help the stu-

dents to stay healthy and to help moti-

vate them the Army way. “You’re not 

always out to defend a country, you also 

have to lead by example and help raise 

the country.”

Sgt. Timon Smock, who also partici-

pated, loved being a part of the group 

selected to run and visit with the middle 

school students and teachers alike. “This 

is a great way to show surrounding com-

munities where Soldiers come from and 

what the Army has offered us as indi-

viduals, while at the same time promot-

ing the image that Soldiers are no differ-

ent than the common citizen,” he said.

Eighth graders also got to take a firsthand look during a “Day in the Life” 

field trip to Fort Riley.

Like Clay Center, Wabaunsee Coun-

ty also has durable ties to their own 

Army unit, the 1st Sustainment Bri-

gade.

Ervan Stuewe, Wabaunsee County 

District 1 commissioner, feels that the 

more educated everyone can be about 

the military, the better off everyone is, 

remembering the time when Fort Riley 

was an unknown realm, when the only 

people that traveled there were the peo-

ple the worked there. 

“We didn’t appreciate them like we 

should have,” he said. But things have 

changed since 1st Sustainment Brigade 

“adopted” the county.

“We’ve gotten to know some folks 

we didn’t know before and have learned 

more. It’s a positive situation with all of 

the communication going on,” he said, 

explaining that he and county citizens 

have had more than one chance to meet 

and talk to Soldiers.

One particular time was June of 2009, 

when the county was celebrating its 

150th anniversary.

The brigade’s Soldiers who attended 

brought equipment and static displays 

and were able to converse with thou-

sands of citizens that flocked to the court 

house square to attend the event.

“It was a great opportunity to learn 

more about what they do,” Stuewe stat-

ed, adding that Soldiers also were able 

to march in a 4-H parade in town.

“A good group of military came to 

march in the parade. The crowd stood 

up as they passed and it was really 

something. It was a really moving 

event ... they are a great bunch of 

young men and women. We are fortu-

nate to have them,” he continued, 

looking forward to July 25, when bri-

gade and city officials will re-sign their 

community covenant, rededicating 

their relationship to another year of ex-

citement at the prospect of working 

together and forever continuing the 

communication and knowledge that 

can be shared to make for a greater 

community overall.

Smock may have said it best. “We are 

right here with you,” he said, at the time 

talking about his unit supporting Clay 

Center. But the feelings are mutual and 

extend to many units and their adopted 

communities.

Jordan Chapman, Duty First! Magazine

TOP: Spc. Kingsley Emedo, 1st Squadron, 4th 

Cavalry Regiment, keeps pace with a Clay Cen-

ter Community Middle School student to help 

him finish strong during the school’s 5K Addic-

tion Run on April 30. ABOVE:Col. Donnie Walk-

er visits with staff at the Alma Creamery in 

Waubansee County. 

4IBCT

1-4 Cav—Clay Center

2-32 FA—Wakefield

2-16 IN—Riley

701 BSB—Ogden

2HBCT

5-4 Cav—Chapman

1-7 FA—Solomon

1-63 CAB—Abilene

1-18 CAB—Herington

BSTB—Enterprise

CAB

1-1 Atk Bn—Westmo-

reland

2-1 GS BN—Onaga

3-1 Aaslt Bn—Wamego

601 ASB—St. Mary’s

1stSB

BSTB—Alma

BSTB—Eskridge

BSTB—Alta Vista

541 CSSB—Paxico

541 CSSB—Maple Hill

1HBCT

1-5 FA—Milford

1-16 CAB—Grandview 

Plaza

2-34 CAB—White City

4-4 CAV—Council 

Grove

Community 

partnerships

duty first! file photo

Domestic violence can be defi ned as a 

pattern of behavior in any relationship that 

is used to gain or maintain power and 

control over an intimate partner.

Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, 

economic or psychological actions or 

threats of actions that infl uence another 

person. This includes any behaviors that 

frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, 

hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound 

someone.

Domestic violence can happen to 

anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, 

religion or gender. It can happen to couples 

who are married, living together or who 

are dating. Domestic violence affects people 

of all socioeconomic backgrounds and 

education levels.

If you feel you may be in an abusive 

relationship; please call the National 

Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-

SAFE (7233), 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) or 

your local domestic violence center to talk 

with someone about it. 

What is Domestic Violence?
8

| www.riley.army.mil

By Stephanie Hoff | Duty First! Magazine

F

inding exempla-

ry role models 

for today’s 

youth is a task 

that is generally not 

easily accomplished. 

However it is becoming 

fairly simple for staff 

members of the 17 school 

districts neighboring Fort 

Riley. Through the post’s 

Adopt-A-School pro-

gram, a Fort Riley unit is 

paired with a local 

school and the Soldiers 

serve as positive role 

models for the students 

and assist school district 

staff members. 

(continued on page 10)

Adopt-A-School program priovides 

lifelong lessons for Soldiers, students

Duty First! August 2010 | 9
recognized Friend of Education Award, 

for the unit’s successful partnership with 

the school. Hubbard and Grubbs both 

anticipate the partnership continuing 

throughout the battalion’s deployment, 

scheduled for this fall. 

 “We definitely plan on continuing 

with the program. I think that during the 

deployment, it is even more important 

that we continue this. By doing so, our 

Soldiers and the students will continue 

to build and foster the relationships that 

they developed,” Grubbs said. “Additionally, it is even more important for our 

Soldiers; in that they can take a break 

from the stress of deployment by reading 

or writing a letter to the students.” 

The groundwork has already been set 

and plans to partner additional schools 

with contributing units is currently in the 

works, noted Erin Sullivan, a school liaison officer for Fort Riley’s Child, Youth 

and School Services. Invitations have 

been sent to each school within the 17 

districts, describing the program and 

how the students can benefit from the interaction with Soldiers. 

 “Each school district will be different 

just based on their personality. There is 

no right or wrong way to conduct the 

program,” Sullivan said. “It also helps 

the teachers, counselors and principals 

understand the military. They’re seeing 

the Soldiers come in and they’re able to 

get to know them and ask them questions and they’re getting a better understanding of the military, based on the 

Soldiers’ perspective.” 

The excitement and joy the one-onone connections the program creates can 

not only be noted on the faces of the students, but in the Soldiers who participate 

as well, Walker added. 

“I really think that the program is 

very beneficial. I think one thing that 

happens that we didn’t foresee is that 

the Soldiers can sometimes get more 

out of it than the students. I think they 

really get some insights and they really 

get more involved than what we 

thought they would,” Walker said. 

“The relationships that they develop, 

they carry on for quite a while and we, 

the school, get a role model coming in, 

who is not a teacher or the principal, 

who is an outside person showing interest in the students. That’s always a 

huge benefit.” 

10| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |11

(continued from page 9)

“Generally it’s a very positive relationship, where the Soldiers actually come in 

enthusiastic and they have a lot of pride 

about themselves, they have the mannerism that we would like to see in role models,” said Ron Walker, superintendant for 

Unified School District 475. “When that 

happens, you get a very good interaction 

between Soldier and student.”

The previously diminishing program 

has recently received strong support 

from current Fort Riley and unit leaders, 

who hope to see all the schools associated 

with Fort Riley linked with a unit. The 

duties that the Soldiers complete for the 

schools can vary from assisting with 

homework assignments to providing 

lunch room support as well as hosting 

events and outings with the students. 

“The Adopt-A-School program allows Soldiers to develop a personal 

connection with the students as well as 

giving them an opportunity to share 

some of their own experiences with the 

students,” said Lt. Col. Brandon 

Grubbs, commander of 101st Forward 

Support Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade 

Combat Team, whose battalion has had 

a long-lasting partnership with Sheridan Elementary School. “The students 

get a chance to see Soldiers in an unscripted setting and develop personal 

friendships with the Soldiers.” 

The “Guardian” Soldiers, who have 

had a 10-year relationship with the 

school, currently travel to Sheridan Elementary School every Wednesday, 

where they join the students for lunch, 

recess and then class room activities. The 

Soldiers have additionally accepted invitations to join the students on special occupations such as holiday celebrations 

and planned outings. 

“It’s just been a wonderful partnership. Our kids just look forward to it. We 

have to tell the students ahead of time if 

the Soldiers will not be able to come, because the first thing they ask on Wednesday mornings is ‘When are our Soldiers 

going to be here?’” said Nancy Hubbard, 

principal for Sheridan Elementary 

School. “It’s just been a marvelous relationship. I think the Soldiers who have 

participated have gotten as much out of 

it as our students have. We’re pretty 

proud of how successful our partnership 

has been and also of the 101st for making 

it happen.” 

The students have also accepted invitations from the unit to visit the Soldiers 

on post to experience and learn about 

the Soldiers’ daily duties. Upon recommendation by the staff at Sheridan Elementary School, the entire school district 

nominated the battalion for the stateDuty First! file photos

ABOVE: Sgt. James Kinney, 1st Bn, 16th Infantry gets dog piled by students at Westwood Elementary School. PREVIOUS PAGE: Sgt. Aaron Brewer; 

1st Battalion, 16th Infantry follows a group of students from Westwood Elementary School through the parallel bars.

Courtesy photo

LEFT: Students from Riley County School District walk with Fort Riley Soldiers during the 2009 Riley County Veteran’s Day Parade in Manhattan, 

Kan. The Riley County Elementary School has had a very successful partnership program between its students and Fort Riley Soldiers, said Sandy 

Johnson, a Fort Riley school liaison officer. RIGHT: From left, Lt. Col. Brandon Grubbs, battalion commander of 101st Forward Support Battalion, 

1st HBCT, 1st Inf. Div., Nancy Hubbard, principal of Sheridan Elementary School, Command Sgt. Major Jeffrey Adams, battalion command sergeant 

major of 101st FSB and Sgt. Rickey Stone, 101st FSB’s school liaison, pose for a photo with a student during a proclamation signing ceremony. 

The battalion and Sheridan Elementary School have been partners for more than ten years. 

It’s just been a marvelous relationship. I think the Soldiers who have 

participated have gotten as much 

out of it as our students have. We’re 

pretty proud of how successful our 

partnership has been ...’’

— Nancy Hubbard 

Sheridan Elementary School principal

Staff Sgt. Robert Dedeaux, 1st HBCT Public Affairs
12| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |13

By Stephanie Hoff | Duty First! Magazine

One feline reached out to 

another ... and what developed was a long-running friendship that 

opened the door for others to follow suit. The two cats, one a 

“Black Lion” and the other a “Wildcat,” 

didn’t meet in the wild, but rather utilized the telephone to begin what is now 

viewed as a successful partnership. 

The Black Lions of 1st Battalion, 28th 

Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade 

Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and 

the Wildcats of the Kansas State University football team began a long-lasting 

partnership when Lt. Col. Pat Frank, former battalion commander, contacted the 

KSU football team to possibly schedule a 

day of training between his Soldiers and 

the Division I level athletes.

courtesy 1st infantry division post

Soldiers of the 1st Inf. Div. participate with Kansas State University’s Willie the Wildcat to complete pushups following a KSU touchdown during 

the ‘Fort Riley Day’ home football game. This year’s Fort Riley Day is scheduled for September 25 and will feature discounted military tickets as well 

as participation from various Fort Riley units and a half-time display featuring Soldiers of the “Big Red One.”

K-State, Big Red One foster mutual respect between Soldiers & student athletes

continued on page 14
14| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |15

(continued from page 13)

“The partnership between the 

Black Lions and the football team is 

the first and best and it’s really all 

due to Lt. Col. Frank, the former battalion commander. It was all his 

idea,” said Art Degroat, director of 

military affairs for KSU. “That’s the 

most mature relationship and the longest standing.” 

The partnership between the two 

organizations has since progressed 

over the years and has formed lifelong friendships between the athletes 

and Soldiers. The insignia of the Black 

Lions’ crest is now on display in the 

KSU Vanier Football complex and the 

team has established the Black Lion 

Award. The award was created within 

the battalion to recognize individuals 

who demonstrate the strong character 

values that represent Black Lion Soldiers. KSU’s Ian Campbell wore the 

Black Lion medallion on his football 

jersey for two seasons—something 

that required the organization to receive authorization from the Big 12 

Athletic Conference and the National 

Collegiate Athletic Association for 

Campbell to don the decoration. 

 “We wanted to offer a relationship, 

more than just a gesture of appreciation. We wanted to produce intimate 

partnerships where student athletes get 

to see and know Soldiers firsthand and 

what they do,” Degroat said. “It’s reenforcing the character development 

that the coaches are doing because 

they’re trying to mold student athletes 

with high character values, just like our 

senior NCOs and officers are doing 

with the Soldiers.”

The football team and Fort Riley have 

also formed a general partnership to invite the post to join them for ‘Fort Riley 

Day,’ generally scheduled during a home 

game in September. This year’s Fort Riley 

Day is scheduled for September 25 and 

will feature discounted military tickets as 

well as participation from various Fort 

Riley units and a half-time display featuring Soldiers of the “Big Red One.”

“These appreciation day events are 

great. They are designed to show appreciation and they do just that,” he 

said. “Through these partnerships and 

other things that we’re doing, we’re 

giving Soldiers and their families a 

unique opportunity that doesn’t exist 

many other places.”

Since the formation of the partnership 

between the Black Lions and the KSU 

football team, various units and KSU athletic teams have initiated relationships 

based off the original model. The second 

relationship established was formed between 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 

2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team and 

the KSU men’s basketball team. 

“Every one of the partnerships is 

unique. How they initiate their partnership and what they do as the relationship 

is formed is unique to each partnership,” 

Degroat said. “My idea of supporting this 

was that Soldiers and students need to 

meet each other and get to see how the 

other lives. It’s good for building community and an appreciation for the sacrifices 

and life style of each other.”

During the battalion’s previous deployment, a recently filmed video clip would 

play before each week’s home game. The 

film would feature a different “First Lightning” Soldier in Iraq and the Soldier would 

announce “bring on the cats” before the 

team entered the coliseum. 

“The fans would just go wild. They 

loved it,” he said. 

While 1st Bn., 7th FA Regt., prepared 

for its deployment, the team joined the 

battalion for a day of training on Fort Riley. The unit has since had Soldiers join 

the team at practices, as well as received 

complimentary tickets to come view 

their partners during home games. The 

whole team, including Head Coach 

Frank Martin, wore the insignia of the 

First Lighting battalion on their jerseys 

this past season. When the team advanced to the NCAA tournament and 

then on to the Elite Eight, people all over 

the nation began to notice and inquire 

the unit’s crest. 

“People everywhere were trying to 

figure out what that thing was on their 

jerseys and that Frank Martin was wearing. The supply sergeant from 1-7 received e-mails from people all over the 

country trying to buy their unit’s crest,” 

said Degroat. 

All relationships have been formed 

on a voluntary basis and have begun by 

the individual units contacting KSU and 

requesting the partnership, he noted. 

“There has been no eternal pressure to 

direct, manage or create these. It’s all been 

genuine outreach and mutual and I think 

the success of the partnerships is because 

they are maintained that way. It’s not an 

extra duty for the unit; it’s not an extra 

duty for the teams. It’s what they want to 

do, it’s a relationship they’ve created for 

themselves and they honor continually. 

It’s very, very genuine.”

KSU Football

KSU Men’s Basketball

KSU Women’s Basketball

KSU Women’s Volleyball

KSU Men’s Baseball

KSU Band

*KSU Track & Field

*KSU Cheer & Mascot Program

1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team

Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade

Combat Aviation Brigade

2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

1st Infantry Division Band

299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team

5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team

* Furure partnerships planned between the institutions

Big Red One & Kansas State Partnerships

Courtesy of the 1st Infantry division Post

ABOVE: Soldiers of 1st Bn., 7th Field Artillery, 2nd HBCT, cheer on the Kansas 

State University’s men’s basketball team during a home game at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan. LEFT: Band Members and color bearers of the 1st Inf. 

Div. participate in a half-time performance with members of the Kansas State University cheer squad. The university’s football team hosts an annual ‘Fort Riley 

Day,’ where Soldiers of the division and Fort Riley are recognized. 

Courtesy 1st Infantry division Post

Bill Snyder, the head coach for Kansas State University’s football team visits with Maj. Gen. Vincent 

Brooks, commander of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley 

while touring the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. The KSU football team and Soldiers of the 

1st Bn., 28th Inf., 4th IBCT were the first two organizations to form a partnership between a Fort Riley 

unit and KSU athletic team. 

Courtesy 1st Infantry division Post

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commander of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley and Command Sgt. 

Maj. Jim Champagne, 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley command sergeant major, lead the Kansas 

State University football team onto the field before the beginning of the annual ‘Fort Riley Day.’ 

The university’s football team hosts the annual event at a game each season. Soldiers of the 

division and Fort Riley are recognized and participate in pre-game and halftime events.
20

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |17 

By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine

IF YOU’RE ONLINE OFTEN, CHANCES 

ARE YOU SPEND TIME ON AT LEAST 

ONE, BUT PROBABLY THREE OR 

FOUR SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES. 

AND IF YOU PAY ATTENTION, IT’S 

HARD TO MISS THE GROWING MILI-

TARY PRESENCE ON THE WEB, AND 

UNITS IN THE BIG RED ONE ARE NO 

EXCEPTION.

Social networking is leading the way 

in the virtual world, and because leading 

is what the Big Red One does best, it’s 

only right that Fort Riley leadership and 

news agencies have their hand in every 

social networking site available.

Want to see what today’s Soldiers are 

doing? Big Red One headlines and news 

are easily accessible via Twitter and Face-

book, videos of past and present BRO Sol-

diers are all over YouTube. Images of ev-

ery major event held on post can be found 

at Flickr and any kind of information you 

want to gather is on the main page of the 

Fort Riley Web Site. Soldiers and their 

families couldn’t forget if they tried. 

The main Fort Riley Web site has ev-

erything any Soldier or spouse could 

need. Find basic information about the 

post from a phone directory, to the 

news to the current weather. Unit pages 

link to every brigade and battalion that 

make up the division, each with their 

own page with information. New arriv-

als can find out what to expect with 

their own dedicated tab, and if you’re 

coming back for another year, find out 

what new recreational activities are 

waiting for you.

Twitter and Facebook offer more inter-

active experiences.

Following the Fighting First on Twitter 

allows anyone to read the major headlines 

and announcements currently going on at 

Fort Riley. The option to check manually online is available but so is the ability to be updated via cell phone .

Imbedded within each “tweet” follow-

ers usually can find a link to an update or 

article to get a closer look on Facebook, taking you directly to the Official 1st Infantry 

Division page, where any newcomer is 

presented with a wealth of media informa-

tion. Options range from print, pictures to 

videos, along with announcements and 

shout outs from past BRO Soldiers who 

have moved forward in their careers.

Select brigades and battalions also 

have their own pages dedicated to their 

own events and announcements.

Along with millions of other videos on 

YouTube, simply typing in the 1st Inf. 

Div. will offer a number of videos ranging 

from Vietnam to Operation Iraqi Freedom 

memorial videos to our very own Soldiers 

doing what they do best, handing it to the 

enemy.

Flickr, too, must never be forgotten. 

Perfect for the searcher uninterested in 

print or videos, this site features many 

photos taken by our media specialists in 

high resolution.

Want to stay involved? Here’s your 

chance!

Where to Find Us

n www.riley.army.mil/

n twitter.com/fightingfirst

n www.facebook.com/1stInfantryDivision

n www.facebook.com/1stSustBde

n www.facebook.com/1HBCTDevilBrigade

n www.facebook.com/2hbct1id

n www.facebook.com/3rdBrigade1stInfantry

Division

nwww.facebook.com/4IBCTDragonBrigade

n www.facebook.com/DemonBrigade

n www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Sill-OK/75thFires Brigade

n www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Riley-KS/

Special-Troops-Battalion-1st-SustainmentBrigade

n www.flickr.com/photos/firstinfantrydivision

*Also find the 1st Inf. Division on youtube.com, 

trooptube.com, and ireport.cnn.com

Group Invitation

You have a ...

Social networking outlets allow Soldiers & Families to stay in the know

stephanie hoff/duty first! magazine

A Fort Riley Soldier receives an update on Fort Riley and the 1st Inf. Div. by viewing the Official facebook page of the 1st Infantry Division. Big 

Red One headlines and news are immediately and easily accessible via Twitter and Facebook.
18| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |19

By Spc. Roland Hale

CAB Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, IRAQ—MAJ. GEN. VINCENT BROOKS, COMMANDING 

GENERAL OF THE 1ST INFANTRY 

DIVISION AND U.S. DIVISIONSOUTH IN IRAQ, VISITED ONE OF 

HIS DEPLOYED BRIGADES JULY 6 

TO MEET SOME OF HIS SOLDIERS 

STATIONED AT CAMP TAJI. 

Brooks visited the Combat Aviation 

Brigade, which is responsible for providing air support to U.S. and Iraqi ground 

forces across nearly all of Iraq. The general 

met with unit commanders and received a 

summary of the brigade’s operations but 

spent most of his time with the troops.

Brooks walked through the brigade’s 

hangars and talked to Soldiers about 

everything from their Families to their 

future, always talking about the benefits of staying in the military.

“In this business, we bring out the 

best in everybody,” Brooks said. “If you 

feel like you’re making a difference—

keep doing it. You won’t find this experience anywhere else.”

Brooks ended many of his conversations with the words, “Let’s see that 

Lady Victory!” a call for his aide to hand 

him a 1st Inf. Div. coin bearing the division’s historic symbol and the words, 

“for excellence.” Coins are presented in 

the military as tokens of achievement. 

Pfc. Sean Kruchten had not met a 

two-star general before, but said despite 

the intimidation associated with the 

rank it was good to see his senior-leadership involved with the little guys.

“I’ve seen it first-hand now—I think 

the things the general is saying to us today are genuine. I really think he cares,” 

Kruchten said. 

The general’s visit also had official 

purposes. While his current command 

as head of U.S. Division-South does not 

put the CAB, 1st Inf. Div. under his jurisdiction, Brooks still met with Col. 

Frank Muth, brigade commander, to 

speak about the unit’s operations.

The brigade is scheduled to remain 

in Iraq until next spring as the Army’s 

last active-duty aviation unit to support Operation New Dawn. It is scheduled to become the only aviation brigade in Army history to be dubbed an 

enhanced combat aviation brigade and 

will be responsible for all of the country’s Army aviation support by the end 

of the summer.

Spc. Roland Hale, CAB, 1st Inf. Div. PAO

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks talks with aviation mechanics July 6 during a visit to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div. at Camp Taji.

‘Let’s see Lady Victory’ 

Maj. Gen. Brooks tells brigade 

to savor its unique experience 

By Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Smith

1st Inf. Div., Public Affairs

COB BASRA, IRAQ—THE ARMY’S TOP NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER VISITED 

SOLDIERS IN SOUTHERN 

IRAQ TO SEE HOW THEY ARE 

LIVING IN A DEPLOYED ENVIRONMENT AND TO ANSWER 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WAY 

AHEAD AS THE DRAWDOWN 

IN IRAQ APPROACHES.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth 

Preston, the Army’s senior enlisted 

member, visited Soldiers of United 

States Division-South at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Patrol Base Minden, and the Shalamcha Point of Entry along the IraqIran border.

At PB Minden, which is occupied by Soldiers from one of his 

former units, the 10th Cavalry 

Regiment, Preston had a chance to 

see fitness, recreation, dining and 

living facilities for the troopers, 

which he said play a role in the 

readiness of a unit.

“What goes on in the dining facility is a big part of the morale, 

part of the esprit de corps; it's where units 

and organizations come together,” Preston said.

Down the road from Minden, Preston 

saw border operations first hand at 

Shalamcha POE along the Iranian border, 

where Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat 

Team, 4th Infantry Division prevent smugglers from bringing contraband into Iraq. 

After Shalamcha, Preston flew to Contingency Operating Base Basra, home of 

the United States Division-South headquarters, where he held a town 

hall meeting to address issues and 

answer any questions.

Preston, a native of Mount Savage, Md., said such meetings help 

him gauge where his priorities 

should lie.

“I can tell by the questions you 

ask, what’s on your mind, things 

we need to do a better job at getting 

information out, and things we 

need to fix in the future,” he said.

Spc. Joshua Mitchell, an air traffic controller with the 1st Infantry 

Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, said as the son of 

a retired sergeant major, he has a 

unique appreciation for the sergeant 

major of the Army taking time out 

of his schedule to talk to troops.

“It allows me to remember the 

things my father did and went 

through,” said Mitchell. “That’s a 

lot of long nights and no weekends 

so the significance of the time and 

determination it takes to reach that 

rank is something I look up to.”

Preston fielded questions on a 

variety of topics, from future uniforms and uniform policies to how 

the drawdown in Iraq impacts 

dwell time.

After the question and answer 

session, Preston left the troops 

with praise for the job they are doing in Iraq.

“We’re very proud of the mission 

you’re doing over here right now. We’re 

very proud of all the things you’ve accomplished,” he said. “We want you to finish 

up your mission over here and get back to 

your families.”

Top NCO visits Iraq

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Smith, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

TOP: Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, senior enlisted member of 

the U.S. Army, talks to Soldiers of the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment at Patrol Base Minden in southern Iraq on June 25. ABOVE:

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne, left, the senior noncommissioned 

officer of United States Division-South and the 1st Infantry Division, 

talks to Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, senior enlisted member 

of the U.S. Army, at the Shalamcha Point of Entry in southern Iraq on 

June 25. Shalamcha is positioned on the Iraq-Iran border and is a critical part of smuggling interdiction in southern Iraq.

Sgt. Maj. Preston: 

Meetings help guage 

where priorities lie 
20| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! August 2010 |25

Around the DIVISION

Big Red One Reunion set 

for Aug. 25–29 in San Antonio

The annual Big Red One reunion will 

be Aug. 25 to 29 along the river walk in 

San Antonio, Texas. This annual event, 

sponsored by the Society of the 1st Infantry Division, is a special opportunity to 

meet up with old friends and connect 

with new ones, all veterans and their 

Families, who have the shared bond of 

serving their country while wearing the 

Big Red One patch on their uniform.

The event will feature several tours 

into the nearby area, including the Spanish Mission Trail, historic Fredericksburg, 

and the Brooke Army Medical Center. 

The week concludes with a banquet dinner. You must be registered in advance to 

attend and participate.

For more information or to register, 

contact the Society of the 1st Infantry Division at (888) 324-4733, or by email to Soc1ID@aol.com. 

‘Duke’ Brigade presents 

awards to FRG, FRSA leaders

FORT KNOX, Ky.—Soldiers from the 

3rd Brigade Combat Team recognized 

some of their Family readiness staff and 

volunteers on July 15. Members of the 

command staff, Families and several Family Readiness Group members were present in 3-1 IBCT’s annex to award the staff 

and volunteers.

Ally Reese, brigade family readiness 

support assistant, said that the hard work of 

the Family readiness volunteers has established strong bonds within the community. 

“Our volunteers have over 620 hours 

of service within their FRGs and communities,” Reese said.

Reese, an FRSA for more than three 

years, says the various volunteers have 

done everything from leading local Boy 

Scout troops to workshops on deployment preparedness. 

“Our FRGs are covering a wide range of 

activities and events,” Reese said. “Their 

hard work helps the morale, welfare and 

deployment preparedness of the brigade.”

The brigade gave 10 different types of 

awards to several FRG and FRSA leaders. 

Awardees were presented with coins 

from 3-1 IBCT Commander Col. Christopher Toner and Command Sergeant Major Drew Pumarejo, in addition to their 

individual awards. 

‘Dragon’ Brigade cases colors, 

ends current mission in Iraq

TIKRIT, Iraq—Inside the 4th Infantry 

Brigade Combat Team’s headquarters 

building at Contingency Operating Base 

Speicher, Col. Hank Arnold and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. McCoy, the 

commander and top noncommissioned officer of the Dragon brigade, cased their 

unit’s colors during a July 15 ceremony.

Since deploying to the Salah ad-Din 

province, last fall, the ‘Dragon’ brigade 

oversaw a successful parliamentary election in March and returned 12 of 18 military bases to the Iraqi government. The 

brigade also worked hand-in-hand with 

the U.S. State Department Provincial Reconstruction team to complete several 

projects aimed to better the economy and 

provide a better quality of life for the people of Salah ad-Din.

“We took over an operating environment that was already moving forward, 

and we continued to improve upon that 

operating environment and made it better 

than what it was,” Arnold said. “...We accomplished our mission, and we get to 

finish this mission with honor and go 

home knowing that we participated in a 

very important part in the history of Iraq 

and in the Iraqi people.”

Aviators fly joint training 

mission with Iraqi partners

BAGHDAD—U.S. Army aviators 

flew with aviators from the Iraqi Army 

July 19 for a training mission in the Baghdad area intended to strengthen relations 

between their units and train the Iraqi 

aviators on VIP transportation. 

This is one of many aviation missions 

conducted with the Iraqi Army this year 

as they take a more active role in the war’s 

aviation operations. The U.S. aviators 

were from the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 

Combat Aviation Brigade. The battalion is 

also involved in training Iraqi air traffic 

controllers, with whom they share Camp 

Taji’s air traffic control tower. 

On this mission, the U.S. aviators flew a 

UH-60L Black Hawk while the Iraqi aviators 

flew a UH-1 Huey. The Iraqi Army, which 

recently took control of their military’s rotary-wing assets from the Iraqi Air Force, uses 

the Huey primarily as a scout and reconnaissance aircraft. This mission, however, 

showed the Iraqis how to use the aircraft to 

transport VIP’s around the battlefield. 

“One thing I’ve seen change since the 

war started is the Iraqi’s participation in 

everything,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 

Christian Frobenius, one of the Black 

Hawk pilots. “They want to do this, and 

we’re here to facilitate that.”

Program Objectives:

Increase individual fi tness and overall unit readiness.

Provide services which are proactive and responsive 

to the needs of the Army ́s workforce and emphasize 

alcohol and other drug abuse deterrence, prevention, 

education, and rehabilitation.

Implement alcohol and other drug risk reduction and 

prevention strategies that respond to potential 

problems before they jeopardize readiness, 

productivity, and careers.

Restore to duty those substance-impaired Soldiers 

who have the potential for continued military Service.

Provide effective alcohol and other drug abuse 

prevention and education at all levels of command, 

and encourage commanders to provide alcohol and 

drug-free leisure activities.

Ensure all personnel assigned to ASAP staff are 

appropriately trained and experienced to accomplish 

their missions.

Achieve maximum productivity and reduce 

absenteeism and attrition among civilian corps 

members by reducing the effects of the abuse of 

alcohol and other drugs.

Improve readiness by extending services to the 

Soldiers, civilian corps members, and Family members.

Army Substance Abuse Program

The Army Substance Abuse Program’s mission is to strengthen the overall fi tness 

and effectiveness of the Army ́s work force, to conserve manpower and to 

enhance the combat readiness of Soldiers.

To fi nd out more about the Army Substance Abuse Program, visit www.riley.army.

mil/UnitPage.aspx?unit=DHR.ASAP. You also can get contact information with unit 

FRGs and FRSAs.
26| www.riley.army.mil

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION 

ABOUT THE BIG RED ONE?

www.riley.army.mil

www.facebook.com/1stInfantryDivision

twitter.com/fightingfirst

www.flickr.com/photos/firstinfantrydivision

www.facebook/FortRiley