The 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit Command Team wishes all Dogface soldiers a Happy Thanksgiving. After all we have weathered this year, take the time to enjoy the holiday. Please be safe, responsible and remember the success of this unit is due to your dedication and unwavering efforts.

Happy Thanksgiving and Rock of the Marne!

-War Eagle 6

The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Silver Wings" is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members awarded to U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy.

Congratulations to the class of 20-04 (ARMA) for completing Airborne School. Soldiers who have completed the school for the first time shall be awarded their Basic Parachutist Badge. Great job to everyone who attended. Hooah!

Graduates:

Corporal Anthony Sam
Specialist Arthur Pendergast
Specialist Juan Escubilla
Specialist Jeremy Nichols 
Private First Class Brandon Perez 
Private First Class Paul Liwa 
Private First Class Jason Samuels 
Private First Class Vinny Garcia 
Private Second Class Giancarlo Orsini 

Instructors:

Second Lieutenant Bailey Lambert
Staff Sergeant Christoph Brock
Warrant Officer Rob Paxton 

Congratulations to the soldiers of Land Navigation Course class 20-06 (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:

Specialist Kyle Skitz
Specialist Tom Worrall
Private First Class Brandon Perez
Private First Class Ryan Leng
Private Second Class Andrew Reed

Instructors:

Staff Sergeant Christoph Brock
Private First Class Paul Liwa

Photo credit: Sergeant First Class Justin Naylor, 3rd Infantry Division

Today the 3rd Infantry Division celebrates its 103rd birthday.

In an early ceremony yesterday, 3ID Commander Major General Antonio Aguto and Command Sergeant Major Quentin Fenderson cut a birthday cake with a saber during a field training exercise at Fort Stewart.

The 3rd has a storied history, filled with distinguished service and honor. Soldiers of the Division have earned a combined 56 Medals of Honor, the most of any division in the US Army.

Perhaps most famous of its Medal of Honor recipients is Major Audie Murphy, the “Most Decorated Soldier of World War II”. After serving with 3ID, he went from Soldier to actor, portraying his exploits in the classic film, To Hell And Back.

Formed November 21, 1917 at Camp Greene, North Carolina, the Division deployed to Europe less than a year later. There the unit distinguished itself in combat against the Imperial German army during the First World War.

Participating in the Aisne-Marne Offensive in July 1918, 3ID held positions on the Marne River, northeast of Paris. Defending their sector during the Second Battle of the Marne, and as other allied units retreated, the Dogface Soldiers of the 3rd held fast and halted the German advance. It was here that Major General Joseph Dickman, Commanding Officer of the Division, made his battle cry: “Nous Resterons La!" (We Shall Remain Here!)

This victory marked a turning point in the war; from then on, the Germans were on a steady retreat eastward. For its dogged fighting and refusal to fall back, the 3rd Infantry Division received the nickname, “The Rock of the Marne”. German forces referred to the 3rd as the “Blue and White Devils”.

From this legendary beginning, 3ID continued serving with excellence in the Second World War. It was the only US Army Division that fought on all fronts of the European Theater of Operations.

Landing with Lieutenant General Patton’s forces in the amphibious invasion of North Africa in 1942, the Marne Division fought its way through Morocco. 3ID would later land in Sicily and afterward at Salerno on the Italian mainland. They fought ferociously at Anzio, successfully pushing out from the beachhead and onward towards Rome.

The 3rd Infantry Division soon landed in the allied invasion of Southern France, fighting its way through Vichy territory to the Rhine River. It continued its advance, fighting in the Colmar Pocket, and crossing into Germany near Zweibrücken. From there it captured Nuremberg street by street, and then pushed into Augsburg before reaching Austria in the days before the German surrender.

The Rock of the Marne found itself fighting in the Korean War, again serving with marked distinction. Throughout the Cold War, 3ID maintained its presence in West Germany, checking Eastern Bloc military power at a strategic location on the continent.

During the Gulf War, the Division fought against Iraqi forces at the Battle of Medina Ridge, destroying and capturing numerous enemy personnel and other assets. It ended the 1990s serving in Bosnia during Operation Joint Endeavor.

As part of the Global War on Terror, the 3rd Infantry Division spearheaded the Coalition invasion of Iraq in 2003, roaring its way to Baghdad and capturing the city’s international airport. It also served in the Thunder Run into Baghdad.

After redeployment home, the Rock of the Marne was the first division to serve two, and later also three, deployments to Iraq. Fighting doggedly onward, elements of the Division deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, starting with 3CAB.

Today 3ID continues preparing for the conflicts of the future. Training at home and abroad with NATO and other security partners, the Dogface Soldiers of the Marne Division stand ready to face the changing threats of the future.

With the 3rd ID’s recent growth of new Soldiers in our ranks, Major John LaFlash has ordered the reactivation of 4th Squad Phoenix. Phoenix carries with it experienced leadership and some new up and coming leaders in the platoon. I recently interviewed the leadership of 4th Squad Phoenix and here is what they had to say…

Sergeant Giancarlo Tucci, Squad Leader:

Question - What are your thoughts about Phoenix as a whole and how will you overcome the challenges ahead?

“I think Phoenix is going to be a great addition to the platoon but it doesn't come without a challenge for me. Even though I have been a squad leader in the past, almost all of my time with the unit has been spent inside a weapons squad rather than a rifle squad. There's going to be things that I'll have to do differently from now on and I'm excited for the change of scenery!”

Specialist Arthur Pendergast, Squad Medic:

Question - I understand you were in Spartans with SGT G.Tucci before being reassigned. How do you feel working with SGT Tucci in a newly formed squad?

“Yes, SGT G.Tucci was my Fireteam leader in Spartans, and I can say that he is a very good leader, you can tell that he's used to do it and got the experience. I think Tucci will make an excellent work of bringing all the reassigned and new soldiers, and hopefully create a proper fourth squad Esprit de corps, like the other squad already have. Surely he will have a lot of work in the next few weeks, but I'll try my best to help him, because he sure is a valuable asset to the unit, and to the fourth squad. In short, I am really eager to work with SGT G. Tucci in making Phoenix squad a proficient combat unit.”

Specialist Emil Poltorak, Alpha Team Leader:

Question - How do you feel being tasked with Fireteam Leader being somewhat new to the 3rd ID?

“It's a very unique experience, if not a little bit scary as now I have soldiers who look up to me to lead them, but I had very good guidance from SGT K.Grigorov and SPC T.Worrall during my time as FTL in Ghost Squad which taught me a lot in terms of leading a fireteam and I plan to keep improving my leadership skills.”

Private First Class Brandon Perez, Bravo Team Leader:

Question - I see you were in the 3rd ID previously before returning and being tasked with Fireteam Leader. Do you feel you're up to the challenge of being a Fireteam Leader being so soon to renter the 3rd ID?

“Being so quickly promoted to a Fireteam Leader surprised me as well, but I was recommended the position by my Squad Leader at the time, as he saw in me something he appreciated. As you mentioned, I do have previous experience in the 3rd ID and the highest rank I had received was CPL, so I do have prior experience leading fireteams. Right now I have had no complaints from anyone, so as long as I am more useful in my current capacity than I would be in another position, I will take on the challenge. I am both proud and humbled to be the only PFC in Widowmakers that currently leads a fireteam.”

NCO's are the backbone of the unit and the Army. The Advanced Leader Course provides NCOs with tools necessary to fill higher leadership roles. Subjects covered include Battlemind, Army Leadership, Conducting an AAR, Effective Communication, Ethics and Leadership, Mentoring, Advanced Analysis of Army Values, Lineage and Honors, Warrior Pride, as well as covering advanced tactics, drill and ceremony, and formations. 

These soldiers have taken steps towards becoming those leaders whom can be trusted, emulated, and valued as integral parts of the leadership team and of the NCO Corps.  Congratulations to the soldiers of Advanced Leaders Course class 20-01

Graduates:

Second Lieutenant Bailey Lambert 
Sergeant First Class Jannes Drake 
Staff Sergeant Christoph Brock 
Sergeant Kalin Grigorov 

Instructors:

Major John LaFlash

Congratulations to the soldiers of OSUT class 20-44 (ARMA3) for successful completion of training! These soldiers have been awarded the Army Service Ribbon and have earned the right to be full 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 Gabriel Foti
Private Second Class Kyle Holmes 
Private Second Class Jeanno Calvo 
Recruit James Culvey 

The Alpha Company Award Ceremony is a special occasion occurring monthly to recognize the achievements of 3rd Infantry Division Realism Gaming Unit Soldiers.

This past Sunday, November 8, Major John LaFlash presided over the November Ceremony at FOB Ironhorse.

Ceremony Notes

Company Command and Force Improvement Group are holding the following training courses this month:

Airborne School, 21st November at 1730Hrs EST
Advanced Leaders Course, 18th November at 1530Hrs EST
Land Navigation Course, 19th November at 2000Hrs EST
Warrior Leaders Course, 25th and 26th November at 1200Hrs EST

This month, Major LaFlash recognized…

The following Soldiers were promoted to:

E-3 Private First Class

Private First Class Jason Samuels
Private First Class Logan Ven
Private First Class Nicholas Lee
Private First Class Vinny Garcia
Private First Class Paul Liwa

E-4B Specialist

Specialist Arthur Pendergast
Specialist Roger Mullins
Specialist Tomas Unger
Specialist Steve Klein
Specialist Emil Poltorak
Specialist Johnny Ayers
Specialist Juan Escubilla
Specialist Jeremy Nichols
Specialist Nico Agricola

E-4A Corporal

Corporal Anthony Sam
Corporal Luke VanDenburgh

E-7 Sergeant First Class

Sergeant First Class Jannes Drake

The following Soldiers were awarded:

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, MOVSM

Humanitarian Service Medal, HSM

Private First Class Rupert Flannigan

Armed Forces Service Medal, AFSM

Staff Sergeant Christoph Brock
Sergeant Eric Abel

National Defense Service Medal, NDSM

Private First Class Jason Samuels
Private First Class Vinny Garcia
Private Second Class David Marsh
Private Trainee Joshua Johnson

Good Conduct Medal, GCM

Specialist Nico Agricola
Specialist Alex Cruze

Army Achievement Medal, AAM

Sergeant Giancarlo Tucci
Corporal Brendan Moose
Specialist Johnny Ayers
Specialist Kyle Skitz
Specialist Emil Poltorak

Army Commendation Medal, ACM

Private First Class Brandon Perez

Joint Service Achievement Medal, JSAM

Warrant Officer Candidate Clifford Simpkins
Corporal Anthony Sam
Specialist Tom Worrall

Joint Service Commendation Medal, JSCM

Specialist Alex Cruze

Purple Heart, PH

Meritorious Service Medal, MSM

Combat Infantryman Badge, CIB (Stage 1)

Specialist Arthur Pendergast
Private First Class Jason Samuels
Private First Class Vinny Garcia
Private First Class Paul Liwa
Private First CLass Nicholas Lee
Private Second Class David Marsh
Private Second Class Gabriel Plunkett
Private Trainee Class Justin Miner

Combat Action Badge, CAB (Stage 1)

Sergeant David Sklenar

Combat Medic Badge, CMB (Stage 1)

SPC Steve Klein

Combat Medic Badge, CMB (Stage 2)

Sergeant Maarten Gregoire

Air Assault Badge

Sergeant Eric Abel
Sergeant Giancarlo Tucci

French Fourragere

Sergeant Eric Abel
Specialist Tom Worrall

In closing, Major LaFlash said, “As we talked about earlier, we are in the apex of our Operation after 9-10 months’ worth of it. It’s starting to wind down...we’re getting toward that end. So expect a lot of good things, and a lot of hard things. Be prepared!”