Photo by Staff Sgt.  Brian Ragin

A 3rd Infantry Division Soldier climbs a rope as part of the 3rd ID Beast Mode Competition, July 30 – Aug. 1, held on Fort Stewart. The competition was hosted by 3rd ID Division Artillery to determine the fittest Soldier in the Marne Division and to foster esprit de corps. Photo by Staff Sgt.  Brian Ragin. A 3rd Infantry Division Soldier climbs a rope as part of the 3rd ID Beast Mode Competition, July 30 – Aug. 1, held on Fort Stewart. The competition was hosted by 3rd ID Division Artillery to determine the fittest Soldier in the Marne Division and to foster esprit de corps.

“This is a great way to bring everyone together and boost morale and motivate the Soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Major James M. McGuffey, the command sergeant major of DIVARTY. “It also allows the leadership across these organizations to see their Soldiers compete.”

The competition consisted of more than 10 rigorous events. On Day 1, the competitors conducted two minutes each of push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-up, as well as a 3-mile run, all in the Operation Camouflage Pattern Uniform, minus the patrol cap.

Sgt. Imanic Mccoy, administrative assistant, DIVARTY completes the three-mile run during the Beast Mode Competition, July 30, on Fort Stewart. The grueling three- day competition had more than 10 events, including the rope climb, tire flip, multiple three-mile runs, weighted-ruck march, and timed push-up and sit-up events.

“Day 1 was the most difficult because I didn’t know what to expect,” said Sgt. 1st Class Qualeem J. Green, forward observer, DIVARTY.

Soldiers complete in timed push-up and sit-up events during the 3rd ID Beast Mode Competition, July 30, on Fort Stewart.

Day 2 of the event kicked off with a 3-mile run, followed by a 2-mile, 40-pound ruck march, and concluded with an addition 1-mile run.  As sweat dripped from their faces and uniform, these Soldiers truly pushed their bodies to physical exertion.

“I went into this with the mindset that we all have different abilities and I felt that I would have been just as accomplished if I did a lot better than what I felt I would do,” said Sgt. Imanic Mccoy, administrative assistant, DIVARTY.

Staff Sgt. Michael Ryan, 25th CBRNE Company, 83rd Chemical Battalion, tightens his 40-pound ruck sack to begin the two-mile ruck march during Day 2 of the 3rd ID Beast Mode Competition July. 31, on Fort Stewart.

By Day 3, the Soldiers were truly exhausted from the two prior days of rigorous physical fitness events.

Green jokingly stated that after the run, ruck, and run on Day 2 that he didn’t have legs.

Day 3 was no easy feat. The competitors conducted two minutes of the water can carry, pull-ups, tire flip, burpees, and a rope climb.

“I looked forward to Day 3, because there are about 10 guys that are bigger than me out here,” said Green. “It is really fun to compete with bigger people. They showed up and did their best and I showed up and did my best. I came out here and gave it my all.”

Soldiers complete in a timed pull-up on Day 1 of the 3rd ID Beast Mode Competition, July 30, on Fort Stewart.

Green stated that the hardest events were on the last day due to all of the upper body obstacles.

“The rope climb was a smoker then we changed stations which added onto the fatigue,” said Green.   

These competitors from all backgrounds and units, came out to see who the fittest Soldier in the Marne Division was, as well as to challenge themselves in physical fitness.

McGuffey stated that the goal is for DIVARTY to host this competition monthly during physical fitness hours and that the competition is open to all Soldiers.

The Soldier who wins the competition will earn the title “Beast Mode”.

The Alpha company awards ceremony is a special occasion to allow the unit commander to honor recipients who have been recognized for their accomplishments while assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division MILSIM. 

The following have been promoted to

 E-3 / Private First Class

Ronin David

Nikita Lyubashenko

E-4 / Specialist

Baily Lambert

Terrence Hood

Brandon LeBlanc

E-4 Corporal / Non-Commissioned Officer

Aydin Apollo

E-6 Staff Sergeant / Non-Commissioned Officer

Jonathon Feagin

Chief Warrant Officer 3

Quincy Morton

The following have entered the Officer Candidate School

Patrick Conlisk

The following commendations have been awarded by the 3^rd Infantry Commander 

Photos by Spc. Jordyn Worshek

Soldiers assigned to the 3-15th Inf., 2ABCT, 3rd ID, march with rucks for physical training during the Team Leader Academy on Fort Stewart, July 19.

Can Do Battalion trains future leaders with team leader academy

The 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, held a team leaders academy on Fort Stewart, July 16-19.

The team leaders academy used three events to teach Soldiers key leadership aspects within the structure of a platoon and how their role affects a battalion’s mission.

Current and future 3-15 leaders attended the education center for instruction on administrative skills needed to lead Soldiers. Non-Commissioned Officers versed in administrative functions provided insight into their respective duties and tasks as leaders. Topics included a counseling overview, managing sup-plies and in-processing new Soldiers.

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Yorormad, team leader academy cadre, offered his perspective on leading junior Soldiers using a balance of intellect, strength and foresight.

“Besides infantry skills, it’s important for them to know being a leader isn’t always physical, it’s not always about being tactical. It’s about taking care of Soldiers by knowing how to take care of financial is-sues or medical issues so they know their Soldiers Family is taken care of,” said Yoromad. “The biggest thing is to make sure they know how to handle administrative things so when it comes time to deploy, they know their Soldiers are good.”

Additional direction included weapons maintenance and firing instruction. Junior leaders learned how to teach subordinates proper care and maintenance of their assigned weapons and demonstrating proper firing technique. The instruction provides young leaders the skills to assist Soldiers with questions or safety concerns.

The final portion of the academy placed leader candidates in their garrison operational environment- the field. There, cadre tested the leaders’ skills, rating them on their ability to eliminate the enemy with minimal casualties.

An important portion of field training included identifying linear danger areas and leading a squad through them.

“In an infantry squad, being a team leader means being able to lead your squad effectively and without being seen by the enemy,” said Sgt. Clement Gray, an infantry NCO assigned to 3-15 Inf. “This means you have to be able to cross all the roads, rivers and trails into enemy territory.  A good leader will know how to do that and keep the team alive while eliminating the enemy.”

Thirty-six Soldiers completed the team leader academy. For more information on the Can Do Battalion and future events, visit the 3-15 Inf. Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/315IN/.
 

SPC Jordyn Worshek

2ABCT UPAR

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Maj. Gen. Antonio Aguto, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, shares his insights on leadership and serving in the Army to West Point Cadets, July 18, during a leadership social at the Fort Stewart USO.

3rd ID supports Cadet Summer Training

Maj. Gen. Antonio Aguto, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, shares his insights on leadership and serving in the Army to West Point Cadets, July 18, during a leadership social at the Fort Stewart USO.

The cadets are participating in Cadet Summer Training during which they receive hands-on Soldiering experience and get a feel for what it is like to serve as an officer of the U.S. Army.  Dozens of cadets from U.S. Military Academy West Point, attended a leadership social July 18.

Below: In June, Mortarmen from Company A, Task Force 1st Battalion 28th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, demonstrated their profession in a combined-arms live-fire exercise at West Point, New York, June 11, as part of the annual cadet summer training.  
 

Staff Sgt. Todd Pouliot
50th PAD

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Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero

Sgt. Tevin Sumler with Battery C, 1-41 FA, 1ABCT, 3rd ID, uses hand signals to help align equipment, June 20 to recreate a photo depicting the 3rd ID patch, taken more than 100 years ago.

3rd Infantry Division Artillery Soldiers re-create history

Artillery Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division re-created a historic photo dating back to the first world war at Fort Stewart, June 20.

The original photo shows artillery Soldiers from the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, 3rd ID, standing in a formation that resembles the 3rd ID patch with all of the unit’s canons in its arsenal. The photo captured an invaluable moment on German soil more than a century, and cemented their significance in history.

The Soldiers of 1-41FA, along with their counter parts from the 3rd ID Artillery, and the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, reproduced that moment in time by generating a resembling photograph in honor of the Soldiers who served before them.

Re-creating historic photos not only keeps traditions alive and honors past Soldiers, it can also show how much progress we have made.

“Recreating this picture that was taken 100 years ago shows how far the field artillery has advanced in both weapon systems and technology,” says Staff Sgt. Juan Posadas, a gunnery sergeant with 1-41FA.

Although we can see the advancements in the equipment by comparing the old photo with the new one, Posadas believes the spirit of artillery Soldiers is still the same.

“Being an artillery Soldier takes a certain kind of person and looking at this photo, I can see that those Soldiers took pride in their craft just like we do today,” said Posadas. “I love my job wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”

Sgt. 1st Class Hector Ramos, the battalion operations sergeant of 1-41FA, believes it is very important to keep traditions alive and honor the brave Soldiers who came before them.

“100 years is a very long time, and to keep this tradition means everything as a show of respect to those artillerymen, also known as Red Legs, of the past,” says Ramos. “We need to remember those who came before us and all they did for us, this why we are the greatest Army in the world.”

Ramos believes it is important that we remember traditions like this not only to honor past Soldiers but to also learn from our history and build on our experiences.

The new photo will serve as a reminder to keep the long legacy of all artillery Soldiers alive for many years to come.

Sgt. Daniel Guerrero

PAO, 1ABCT

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Friends and Family were reunited July 1 with Soldiers from the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, following the unit’s six-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and NATO Operation Resolute Support.

3rd Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. Antonio Aguto and celebrity Chef Robert Irvine were on-hand July 1 to welcome back returning 48th IBCT Soldiers from their six-month deployment in support of NATO’s Operation Resolute Support.

Col. Steven Erickson (left), 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade commander, out-going 3rd IDSB commander, Col. Jeffrey J. Britton and 3rd ID Commander, Maj. Gen. Antonio A. Aguto, troop-the-line during the brigade’s change of command ceremony, June 27 on Fort Stewart.

Col. Steven Erickson, 3rd IDSB commander, gives a speech to his new brigade during a change of command ceremony, June 27 on Fort Stewart. Erickson’s first act in charge was to encourage everyone to do what is right.

Col. Steven Erickson, 3rd IDSB commander, receives the brigade’s colors from Maj. Gen. Antonio A. Aguto, 3rd ID commander, during a change of command ceremony, June 27 on Fort Stewart. The passing of the colors symbolizes the transfer of responsibility over a unit.

Photos by Sgt. Laurissa Hodges

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Corporal William Blackwell joined the 3rd Infantry Division on May 20th 2019 for his second tour of duty within the unit.  Having served prior and achieving the rank of Sergeant (E-5) was the reinstated as a Specialist (E-4) and assigned to Alpha Company, Third Platoon, First Squad.  Throughout his time during this tour he has shown a very strong passion for our unit, dedication, patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service Corporal William Blackwell has been aware the Soldiers Medal and selected as this Soldier of the Quarter

Interview below: 

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I am 46 years old, US Army Veteran (Paratrooper) . Have 3 kids and 4 grandkids, so at times life can get hectic. Been playing PC games for far too long, started on a TI 99/4A then next was an Apple IIe, then so many PC’s since then

What is your favorite aspect of the unit?

For me it is the camaraderie that can be found. Those who have served probably understand this better than those who haven’t. But when you have a good community to be a part of, you have fun. 

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

Favorite moment(s) are anytime we can get four or five on and hit the public servers for some less serious fun.

Any advice to give to your fellow soldiers? 

Frustration is normal, regardless of the size of the unit. Sometimes you voice that frustration and sometimes you don’t. But in the end use that frustration for some sort of positive change in yourself or in the situation.

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

There is not one Army Value that is most important to me. They are all important to me as each one holds meaning that makes an Army Soldier who they are both on and off the field of battle. But if I must pick on it would be Loyalty due to the fact the more that strengthens in your life, they others will improve and strengthen.

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

We are here to have fun, be serious when needed but not to serious that the fun is ruined for yourself and/or others.

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