The Alpha Company awards ceremony is a special occasion once a month to allow the unit commander to honor recipients who have been recognized for their accomplishments while assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Gaming Unit.

Soldiers, multiple DMOS are currently hiring!  CHECK HERE for the available DMOS. A DMOS is required to achieve the rank of (E-4B) SPC. If you are interested contact your first line leaders!

Ceremony notes:
Combat Lifesaver Course - 08JAN

Land Navigation Course - 14JAN

Expert Infantryman Badge - 16JAN

This month, Major John LaFlash held a ceremony to recognize...

The Following Soldiers were promoted to:

0-2 First Lieutenant

1.LT Bailey Lambert

E-8 Master Sergeant

Master Sergeant Jannes Drake

E-6 Staff Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Kalin Grigorov

E-5 Sergeant

Sergeant Anthony Sam

E-4A Corporal

Corporal Johnny Ayers

Corporal Arthur Pendergast

Corporal Emil Poltorak

E-4B Specialist

Specialist David Marsh

Specialist Nathan Cooper

Specialist Glancarlo Orsini

Specialist James Stapp

E-3 Private First Class

Private First Class Samten Dorjee

Private First Class AJ Evans

Private First Class Kevin King

Private First Class Joseph Nuccio

The Following Soldiers were Awarded:

Soldiers Medal

CPL K.Skitz

Bronze Star 

Purple Heart

Meritorious Service Medal

The Good Conduct Medal

1LT B.Lambert

SSG C.Brock

SSG K.Grigorov

SGT D.Sklenar

SGT E.Abel

SGT G.Tucci

SGT A.Sam

CPL J.Ayers

CPL A.Pendergast

SPC S.Klein

SPC R.Leng

SPC R.Flannigan

SPC P.Liwa

SPC G.Orsini

SPC D.Marsh

WO1 G.Beaudion

Armed Forces Service Medal

SSG C.Brock

CPL.Skitz

CPL J.Kiheri

SPC Y.Nissan

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

SSG C.Brock

SGT D.Shade

Army Achievement Medal

MSG J.Drake

SSG C.Brock

SSG K.Grigorov

SGT D.Shade

CPL A.Pendergast

CPL E.Poltorak

SPC Y.Nissan

SPC J.Nichols

SPC T.Unger

PFC S.Dorjee

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

PFC J.Nuccio

WOC R.Paxton

Army Commedation Medal

SSG K.Grigorov

SGT A.Sam

CPL J.Ayers

CPL J.Kiheri

SPC S.Klein

SPC R.Leng

SPC N.Agricola

PFC C.Moalli

Joint Service Achievement Medal

SGT M.Gregoire

SPC T.Unger

SPC Y.Nissan

WOC M.Luckie

Joint Service Commendation Medal

SGT A.Sam

Humanitarian Service medal

SSG C.Brock

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

Overseas Service Ribbon

1LT B.Ahles

WO1 G.Beaudoin

Combat Infantry Badge Stage 3

PFC J.Nuccio

Combat Infantry Badge Stage 2

SPC Y.Nissan

Combat Infantry Badge Stage 1

PFC C.Moalli

PFC A.Evans

PFC J.Wilcox

PFC K.King

PFC S.Smith

PFC J.Perry

PV2 E.Stevens

Air Assault Wings

WOC R.Paxton

CPL A.Pendergast

SPC V.Garcia

SPC J.Stapp

PFC J.Perry

PFC D.Attack

PFC C.Moalli

PFC B.Perez

PFC S.Dorjee

Combat Medical Badge

SPC N.Agricola

3rdID Combat Patch

PFC J.Nuccio

WOC R.Paxton

Thin Ice Campaign Ribbon

MAJ J.LaFlash

RET CPT Q.Simmons

RET 1SG P.Conlisk

RET CW4 Q.Morton

1LT B.Ahles

1LT B.Lambert

MSG J.Drake

SSG C.Brock

SSG K.Grigorov

SGT M.Gregoire

SGT D.Shade

SGT D.Sklenar

SGT E.Abel

SGT G.Tucci

SGT A.Sam

CPL K.Skitz

CPL J.Kiheri

CPL B.Moose

CPL T.Worrall

CPL A.Pendergast

SPC N.Agricola

SPC S.Klein

SPC T.Unger

SPC J.Escubilla

SPC P.Liwa

SPC V.Garcia

SPC Y.Nissan

SPC E.Poltorak

SPC J.Nichols

SPC K.Ohnira

SPC R.Mullins

SPC J.Ayers

SPC R.Leng

SPC R.Flannigan

PFC D.Attack

PFC J.Stapp

PFC N.Lee

PFC K.Holmes

SPC G.Orsini

PFC C.Moalli

PFC D.Marsh

PFC B.Perez

PFC A.Reed

PFC J.Perry

PFC J.Wilcox

PFC R.Lefaivre

SPC N.Cooper

PFC A.Evans

PV2 G.Parker

PFC J.Nuccio

PV2 E.Stevens

PFC S.Dorjee

PFC K.King

PV2 R.Thomas

PVT S.Smith

RCT J.Culvey

CW2 C.Brennan

WO1 G.Beaudoin

WOC R.Paxton

WOC C.Simpkins

WOC M.Luckie

Presidential Unit Citation

MAJ J.LaFlash

2LT B.Lambert

SFC J.Drake

SSG C.Brock

SGT D.Sklenar

SGT M.Gregoire

SGT D.Shade

SGT K.Grigorov

WO1 G.Beaudoin

Valorous Unit Award

CW2 C.Brennan

SGT E.Abel

SGT G.Tucci

CPL A.Sam

CPL B.Moose

CPL K.Skitz

SPC J.Escubill

SPC Y.Nissan

Army Superior Unit Award

RET CPT Q.Simmons

1LT B.Ahles

RET 1SG P.Conlisk

RET CW4 Q.Morton

CPL T.Worrall

CPL J.Kiheri

SPC T.Unger

SPC P.Liwa

SPC V.Garcia

CPL A.Pendergast

SPC E.Poltorak

SPC J.Nichols

SPC K.Ohnira

SPC R.Mullins

SPC N.Agricola

CPL J.Ayers

SPC R.Leng

SPC S.Klein

SPC R.Flannigan

PFC D.Attack

PFC J.Stapp

PFC K.Holmes

PFC C.Moalli

SPC G.Orsini

SPC N.Cooper

PFC N.Lee

PFC R.Lefaivre

PFC J.Wilcox

PFC B.Perez

PFC D.Marsh

PFC A.Reed

PFC J.Perry

PFC R.Thomas

PV2 E.Stevens

PV2 S.Dorjee

PV2 A.Evans

PV2 G.Parker

PFC J.Nuccio

PFC K.King

PVT S.Smith

RCT J.Culvey

WOC C.Simpkins

WOC M.Luckie

WOC R.Paxton

Congratulations to the soldiers of Land Navigation Course class 21-01 (ARMA3) for successful completion of Land Navigation training! The Land Navigation course is designed teach the fundamentals of basic land navigating skills. This course assists Soldiers in Infantry and non-Infantry fitted rolls to understand the techniques required to land navigate. Students learn navigating from one point on the ground to another point individually. 

Graduates:

 Warrant Officer Candidate Rob Paxton
Corporal Emil Poltorak
Specialist Yarden Nissan
Specialist James Stapp
Private First Class Brandon Perez
Private First Class Caue Moalli
Private First Class Kyle Holmes
Private First Class Samten Dorjee
Private First Class Dak Attack

173rd Airborne Graduates:

First Lieutenant Jay Gardner
Specialist Duncan Hillyer

Instructors:

First Lieutenant Bailey Lambert
Staff Sergeant Christoph Brock
Corporal Arthur Pendergast
Specialist Paul Liwa
Specialist Giancarlo Orsini

Congratulations to the soldiers of OSUT class 21-02 (ARMA3) for successful completion of training! These soldiers have been awarded the Army Service Ribbon and have earned the right to be fully active members of their squad and the unit! This is merely the first step in your career here at 3rdID, we look forward to your continued success! Hooah

Graduates:

Private Second Class Jonathan Lopez 
Private Second Class Ashton Withee 
Private Second Class Will Paul 

Congratulations to the soldiers of Combat Lifesaver Course class 20-01 (ARMA3) for successful completion of Combat Lifesaver training! The Combat Lifesaver Course is the official medical training course conducted by the US Army, intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid-style basic life support taught to every soldier. The combat lifesaver is primarily responsible for providing emergency medical treatment at point of wounding on the battlefield, limited primary care, and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury or illness.

Graduates:

Major John LaFlash
Master Sergeant Jannes Drake
Staff Sergeant Christoph Brock
Corporal Kyle Skitz
Specialist Yarden Nissan
Private First Class Caue Moalli
Private Second Class Hazel McMahon
Private Second Class Gufran Parker

Aviation:

Warrant Officer 1 Garry Beaudoin
 Warrant Officer Candidate Rob Paxton

Corporal Arthur Pendergast
Specialist James Stapp
Specialist Giancarlo Orsini
Specialist Paul Liwa
Private First Class Kyle Holmes

Congratulations to the soldiers of OSUT class 21-01 (ARMA3) for successful completion of training! These soldiers have been awarded the Army Service Ribbon and have earned the right to be fully active members of their squad and the unit! This is merely the first step in your career here at 3rdID, we look forward to your continued success! Hooah

Graduates:

Private First Class Shaun Smith 
Private Second Class Kailob Kimball 
Private Second Class Joe Harris 
Private Second Class Hazel McMahon 
Private Second Class David Meadows 

Medal of Honor

On behalf of a grateful nation and a grateful gaming community, one year ago today we learnt of the passing of our very own Richard C. Anderson. Sergeant R.Anderson joined our gaming community September 30th, 2019. Assigned to Alpha Company, First Platoon, First Squad as a Combat Life Saver, Anderson earned the role of Squad Combat Medic and served in First and Second Squads of First Platoon till the time of his passing.

On Sunday, March 8th 2020, Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Gaming Unit attended a memorial service for Specialist Richard Anderson on Cottrell Field. 

Richard Carl Anderson was born in Quanah, Texas on June 29, 1956 and passed away in his home Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at the age of 63 . From birth Richard was in a hurry to “grow up” and he was walking by 12 months. He was curious and a challenge to keep up with. At age three, he slept with a baseball and glove . He played hind catcher at age four with the neighborhood boys. Baseball was his passion throughout school, and by Junior High he was into motor bikes, bronc and bull riding, and hunting. He joined the U. S. Marines the day after he graduated high school and he was so very proud to be a Marine. After serving his time in the Marines; Richard, an avid fan of Louis L’Amour westerns, explored and lived in the mountains panning for gold, fur trapping, hunting, camping and fishing his secret spots. In his later years, he settled in Indian Harbor, Granbury, Texas to be near his family.

Sunday, March 8th 2020, Ceremony service Richard Anderson was posthumously promoted to (E-5) Sergeant and he received the units first Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is only to be awarded in the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit to honor an overwhelming personal sacrifice of a Soldier in a real life situation (Death). Sergeant R.Anderson's awards within the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit consisted of Army Service Ribbon with honors (OSUT Honor graduate), National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Air Assault Badge, Marksmanship Badge (Sharpshooter) and completion of Combat Life Savers (CLS) Course and was a Range Safety Officer within Force Improvement Group.

Semper fidelis Richard C. Anderson

Photo credit: U.S. Army

During Ceremony this past Sunday, Major John LaFlash announced several new leadership assignments in Alpha Company.

The following Soldiers have been promoted to:

First Lieutenant Bailey Lambert - Platoon Leader:

Despite the great difference in timezone compared to most of our Soldiers, Lieutenant Lambert dedicates himself to maintaining and improving the 3rd Infantry Division both on and off the field. After a year and a half of time in service with the 3ID, Lieutenant Lambert went from buck Private to Officer and he will tell you himself that it was no easy task. It is because of his vast dedication to the Unit, both on and off the field, that he was recently promoted to O-2 1LT. He holds a total of five DMOS’s, three of which he is the Officer In Charge. As you may imagine this takes a great deal of time and dedication and others and myself have recognized his devotion to the Unit. We thank him for his service to the 3ID and his recent promotion solidifies that gratitude.

Master Sergeant Jannes Drake - Company First Sergeant:

Master Sergeant J.Drake has shown that above all else he is a dependable leader and motivator. He frequently tends to Drills on Saturday to supervise and give constructive criticism to enhance Soldier proficiency. He has spoken to myself and others several times regarding things that can be improved upon and he does so in a motivational way. This no doubt has not gone unnoticed by Command Staff as he now holds the rank from Sergeant First Class to Master Sergeant. Hooah, MSG! We couldn’t grow without your leadership.

Staff Sergeant Christoph Brock - Platoon Sergeant:

If you have been in the Unit over two weeks I’m sure you have met SSG C.Brock either in training or on deployment. Over the past several months SSG C.Brock has done an outstanding job training, leading and maintaining Soldiers under him both within First Squad: Scorpions and his DMOS members. It is because of his sustained professional attitude towards himself and his peers that SSG C.Brock be promoted to Platoon Sergeant. Myself and others have no doubt that he will fill this roll honorably and efficiently in the weeks to come.

Staff Sergeant Kalin Grigorov - Second Squad, Squad Leader:

Staff Sergeant K.Grigorov has been assigned as Squad Leader of Second Squad: Ghosts for as far back as most of us here can remember. He has led his Squad from the front; kicking in doors and taking prisoners for lets just say, extra-curricular activities. He has a personal attachment to his 40mm underslung grenade launcher and has taught those following him to depend on it as well. When the battlefield gets rough, Widowmakers depend on Ghosts to secure the area and assist Scorpions in breaching, clearing and securing objectives. Grigorov has just received promotion to Staff Sergeant this month and it was well earned as he has and will continue to lead Ghosts in the field. 

Sergeant Anthony Sam - First Squad, Squad Leader:

Sergeant A.Sam is an up-and-coming leader in the Third Infantry Division. He got his start in First Squad: Scorpions before being transferred to Third Squad: Spartans. He was not in Spartans long before returning to the front of the platoon once again in Scorpions. His time in Scorpions has forged him into a leader. He has taken his experience in front of the platoon and transferred his knowledge as a Drill Instructor and Cadre to several training programs. Sam has also applied himself in three DMOS’s and has frequently donated to the 3ID. The Unit would not be as rock solid as it is today without his contributions, both on the field and off. Thank you SGT A.Sam for not only your real life service to your country but to the Third Infantry Division Realism Unit. Hooah!

Corporal Kyle Skitz joined the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit on May 31st, 2020 where he was first assigned as a Fireteam rifleman in Second Squad, First Platoon, Alpha Company quickly upon graduation of OSUT. By the end of August 2020 he was selected to move onto Third Squad as it reactivated and then on November 18th, 2020 he was selected as Fireteam Leader within Third Squad, First Platoon, Alpha Company.  Prior to serving as new Fireteam Leader, he dedicated alot of time and effort within our Public Affairs Office and was selected as the NCOIC to lead the office on September 13th, 2020. 

Throughout his time here he has shown a very strong passion for our unit, dedication, patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. He shows these while leading a combat team to leading and setting the example in his DMOS. Having earned himself multiple Army Achievement Medals, an Army Commendation Medal with Valor in combat, having graduated skilled schools in Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault, he earned the covenant French Fourragere Cord. In view of these qualities, his demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service, Corporal Kyle Skitz has been award the Soldiers Medal and selected as this Soldier of the Quarter. 

Soldier's Medal

Why did you join 3rdID? 

I was on Steam Arma 3 forums browsing different units when the then SSG B.Lambert (Currently First Lieutenant and Platoon Leader) was kind enough to inform me about the 3rd. I took a look at the 3rd's website and was impressed with what I saw. I wanted to be a part of something that had character and after browsing the website and finding all the rich history of the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit I sent in my application. 

Any favorite/funny/memorable moment throughout your whole time in the unit? 

I would have to say the most memorable moment would be when a former member of Spartans shot down a friendly Apache helicopter with a Javelin. Needless to say we let him know what he did. It became a meme pretty quickly from then on out.

Any advice to give to your fellow soldiers? 

Be honest and put in at least 75% effort for the Unit. It doesn't take much to help out the Unit as there is so many avenues to help the Unit grow. I for one started out as Public Affairs Journalist and did News feeds before being promoted to NCOIC of Public Affairs. If I didn't put in at least 75% of myself within the Unit I'm pretty sure I would not have gotten to receive the honor of such title. It doesn't take much. You just need to care.

What army value is the most important to you and why? 

Integrity. If you don't have a moral compass and principles, simply put, you are not a man/woman.

What motivates you?  

When I first started out here in the 3rd what motivated me was growing my Digital Character on Perscom with badges and medals. After a few months that passed and I grew attached to those I serve with here in the 3rd. Its a brotherhood. It may not be the real Army but it feels good nonetheless.

Any valuable lessons you have learned while being in the unit? 

Patience. It might not seem like it at the moment. Maybe you are frustrated. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed. Maybe its just not your day. But having patience and expecting a good end result always brings me back every weekend to the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit and I believe it is that that earned me the award of Soldier of the Quarter.