Sgt. Daniel Guerrero
1ABCT Public Affairs

Soldiers from across the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, take the oath of enlistment during a mass reenlistment ceremony Feb 23 at Fort Irwin, Calif.   The ceremony took place at the infamous Painted Rocks a couple of days after the Raider Brigade’s training rotation at the National Training Center. (Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero)

103 Raider Soldiers raise their right hand at ‘Painted Rocks’

One hundred and three Soldiers from across the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, took the oath of enlistment to continue their military service at the Nation Training Center Feb. 23 at Fort Irwin, California.

The ceremony took place at the infamous “Painted Rocks” a couple of days after the Raider Brigade’s training rotation at NTC. “Painted Rocks” is located just outside the main entrance of NTC and is a cluster of boulders with the crests of units painted on them. This stands as a symbol that these units have completed training rotations through one of the toughest combat training centers in the U.S.

Col. Tent Upton, commander, 1ABCT, 3rd ID, presided over the ceremony as the reenlisting officer.

“The three things I love most about my job is promoting, awarding, and reenlisting Soldiers,”Upton said. “I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to reenlist these 103 Soldiers. And, without a doubt, the Raider Brigade has some of the finest Soldiers in our Army. I am proud to see them volunteer to continue their service in our organization and the U.S. Army.”

It goes without saying, watching 103 Soldiers raise their right hand and choose to serve their nation for another term is nothing short of amazing, said Master Sgt. Augusto Bernard, senior career counselor for 1ABCT. Making such an important decision is no easy task.

“I am extremely proud and humbled to have the chance to be a part of this incredible event,” Bernard said. “It has been an absolutely amazing experience assisting these warriors and witnessing them reaffirm their commitment to this great nation, while currently serving in this incredible organization.”

These 103 Soldiers will continue their serve to our Nation and continue to support contingency operations and missions around the world.

https://home.army.mil/stewart/index.php/about/news/103-raider-soldiers-raise-their-right-hand-painted-rocks

Spc. Savannah Roy
3CAB Public Affairs

Helicopters from 2-3 General Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, fly towards the landing zone during Hawk Strike in Hungary on March 5. Hawk Strike allows units to conduct movements in a realistic, high-intensity environment to ensure readiness and the ability to fully integrate with any NATO partner and ally, such as the Hungarian Forces. (Photo by Spc. Savannah Roy)

Hawk Strike: 3CAB integrates with Hungarian forces

Marne Air Soldiers from 2-3 General Support Aviation Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted an Air Assault demonstration called Hawk Strike on March 5 alongside Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Hungarian 2nd Special Operations Forces, near Újdörōgd Base, Hungary.

Hawk Strike is a realistic training exercise that demonstrates the ability to work alongside our Hungarian allies in a complex training environment, said Lt. Col. Kenneth Ferguson, Battalion Commander, 2-3 GSAB, 3rd CAB, 3rd ID.

“When we work together we aren’t necessarily trying to teach each other, but we always learn from each other,” Ferguson said. “By understanding how the Hungarian Defense Force tactically maneuvers, we can integrate, fight and operate together seamlessly.”

The open communication and willingness to learn from each other allowed each unit to conduct movements in a realistic, high-intensity environment to ensure readiness and the ability to fully integrate with any NATO partner and ally.

“The most significant tactic we’ve learned from the Hungarian Defense Force is the importance of signals and different ways to communicate,” said Capt. Daniel Bader, Charlie Company Commander, 1-8 Cav., 2ABCT, 1CD. “We used a lot of visual signals, such as smoke grenades and flares, to allow us to clearly communicate what we were doing so that we could fight together, despite the language barrier.”

Training with allies allows U.S. Army units to build interoperability with their European counterparts across the continent. The Army’s presence in Europe offers reassurance to its allies that it remains committed to NATO and the European defense.

“The disciplined professionals of the Hungarian Defense Force gave us the chance to build multinational relationships and showcase our proficiency during Hawk Strike,” Ferguson said. “We’ve formed a strong partnership and an understanding for how they employ their combat power.”

By conducting Hawk Strike, Marne Air Soldiers are able to maintain readiness and proficiency, along with preparing for the upcoming exercise, Defender-Europe 20. Defender 20 is slated to be the largest deployment of Soldiers for a European exercise in twenty-five years, adding up to nearly 20,000 U.S. Soldiers.

https://home.army.mil/stewart/index.php/about/news/hawk-strike-3cab-integrates-hungarian-forces

Sgt. Reva Catholic
50th PAD

Photo by Sgt. Reva Catholic; Sgt. 1st Class Rashawn Brown, a telecommunications operations chief assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, prepares to engage his target in the standing supported position as part of the Army’s new M16 and M4 carbine marksmanship qualification March 11 on Fort Stewart.

Soldiers take aim at new marksman qualification course 

Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted the Army’s new marksmanship qualification during their scheduled M-4 range week March 9-12 at Fort Stewart.

HHBN’s Soldiers are part of the beginning phasing in stages of the new qualifications range, according to 1st Lt. Shawn Sims, a signal officer assigned to Signal Intelligence Sustainment Company, HHBN, 3rd ID.
The new marksmanship qualification course has been designed to replace the Cold War-era marksmanship qualification course, requiring Soldiers to engage targets faster in a variety of firing positions that they may be required to take during an enemy engagement.

“This new test is an actual measurement of Soldiers’ marksmanship skills and how they would apply it to the real world,” said Sgt. David Fernandez, a nodal network systems operator assigned to SIS Co., HHBN, 3rd ID.

The new required firing positions include prone unsupported, prone supported, kneeling supported and standing supported.
Staff Sgt. Aaron Terry, a multichannel transmission systems operator assigned to SIS Co., HHBN, 3rd ID, said Soldiers are now given instructions prior to engaging the targets, and then they must change magazines and positions on their own during a prescribed amount of time.
 

“We had to ensure preliminary marksmanship instruction within the sections was completed, so that everybody was familiar with the new qualification standard,” Sims said. “We had to work with range control to get the new targets and make sure the barriers for the standing portion were taken care of.”
Terry said his job as noncommissioned officer in charge of the range encompassed coordinating and executing the range with 16 qualification lanes and three zeroing lanes.

 “It is a little more involving and keeps you on your toes,” said Sgt. 1st Class Rashawn Brown, a telecommunications operations chief assigned to 3rd ID. “It’s going to take time for Soldiers to get used to it.”
Sims said the Army won't officially move to the new standard until this fall and the old standard can still be administered until that time.

“It’s easy if you apply your shot process, which falls back on applying what you learned during engagement skills trainer and primary marksmanship instruction,” Fernandez said. “The hardest thing is transitioning between the positions and reloading.”
The PMI portion, and EST training will be significant when preparing to qualify for the new standard, Terry said.
“Go into qualifying with an open mind and take PMI seriously, especially before going to the range,” said Terry. “Although it is a requirement, have fun with it and you’ll be successful.”
 
 
Photo by Sgt. Reva Catholic

https://home.army.mil/stewart/index.php/about/news/soldiers-take-aim-new-marksman-qualification-course

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.

During Sundays 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.

We ask if you have a memory or remember an interaction with R.Anderson that you post a reply and please share it.  

Semper fidelis Richard C. Anderson

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.  

This ceremony marked the Celebration of Life for SGT Richard Anderson

Recruiting and Retention is looking for dedicated Recruiters!
Public Affairs is also looking for personnel from video editors, video recorders, streamers, journalists, and leadership.

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

The promotions and awards are  as follows;

Private Second Class Andrew Dunn promoted to Private First Class.

Private First Class Christoph Brock promoted to Specialist.
Private First Class Ryan Stricklin promoted to Specialist.
Private First Class Robert Yankura promoted to Specialist.
Private First Class Ryan LeFavire promoted to Specialist.

Specialist Jonathan Pacheco promoted to Corporal.
Specialist David Sklenar promoted to Corporal.
Specialist Ryan Devlin promoted to Corporal.

Corporal Daniel Shade promoted to Sergeant.
Specialist Richard Anderson promoted to Sergeant.

Second Lieutenant Patrick Conlisk promoted to Master Sergeant.

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, MOVSM

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Quincy Morton

Humanitarian Service Medal, HSM

Staff Sergeant Bailey Lambert
Corporal Adam Smith

Armed Forces Service Medal, AFSM

Master Sergeant Patrick Conlisk

National Defense Service Medal, NDSM

Private Trainee Cole Miller
Private Trainee Ishmael Pendleton

Good Conduct Medal, GCM

Major John LaFlash
First Lieutenant Brad Ahles
Corporal Kenney Maxfield
Corporal David Sklenar
Corporal Adam Smith
Corporal Jonathan Pacheco
Corporal Ryan Devlin

Army Achievement Medal, AAM

Corporal Adam Smith

Joint Service Achievement Medal, JSAM

Corporal Kenney Maxfield
Corporal Adam Smith
Specialist Kevin Stubbs

Army Commendation Medal, ACM

Master Sergeant Patrick Conlisk

Air Medal

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Quincy Morton

Purple Heart, PH

First Lieutenant Brad Ahles
Staff Sergeant Bailey Lambert
Sergeant Daniel Shade

Medal of Honor, MOH

Sergeant Richard Anderson

Combat Medical Badge

Corporal Kenney Maxfield
Corporal Kalin Grigorov

Combat Action Badge

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Quincy Morton
Warrant Officer Candidate Garry Beaudoin

Combat Infantryman Badge, CIB 1

Master Sergeant Patrick Conlisk
Staff Sergeant Bailey Lambert
Corporal Adam Smith
Corporal Jonathan Pacheco
Corporal David Sklenar
Corporal Ryan Devlin
Specialist Robert Yankura
Specialist Ryan Stricklin
Specialist Christoph Brock
Specialist Ryan LeFavire
Private First Class Shaun Adams
Private First Class Andrew Dunn
Private First Class McLain Kirkley

Combat Infantryman Badge, CIB 2

Corporal Jack Ryan
Specialist Kevin Stubbs

Combat Infantryman Badge, CIB 4

Sergeant Daniel Shade
Specialist Maarten Gregoire

On behalf of a grateful nation and a grateful gaming community, today we learnt of the passing of our very own Richard C. Anderson. Specialist 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.

Specialist R.Anderson having served in the Marine Corp in his early years of life, quickly gained the respect of his fellow soldiers and fit in very well in our community as he showed great passion and dedication within our unit. Specialist R.Anderson's awards consisted of Army Service Ribbon with honors, 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.

Our Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 8th @ 1300 EST (Our Teamspeak and Servers) Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard's family and close friends during this difficult time.

Semper fidelis Richard C. Anderson

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.  

This ceremony marked the beginning of deployment status for Operation Thin Ice. 

Recruiting and Retention is looking for dedicated Recruiters!
Base Maintenance Operations needs help! If you are dedicated and have attention to detail, please sign up today!
Public Affairs is also looking for personnel from video editors, video recorders, streamers, journalists, and leadership.

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

The promotions and awards are  as follows;

Recruit Sean Blake promoted to Private Second Class.

Private Second Class Robert Yankura promoted to Private First Class.
Private Second Class Christoph Brock promoted to Private First Class.

Specialist Kenney Maxfield promoted to Corporal

Sergeant Bailey Lambert promoted to Staff Sergeant

NCO Professional Development Ribbon, NCODEV

Staff Sergeant Bailey Lambert
Sergeant Kevin Stubbs
Corporal Kenney Maxfield
Specialist Adam Smith
Specialist Johnathan Pacheco
Specialist Ryan Devlin

Army Service Ribbon, ASR

Private First Class Bryson Nethaniel
Private First Class Shaun Adams
Private First Class Ryan Stricklin
Private First Class Robert Yankura
Private First Class Christoph Brock
Private Second Class Andrew Dunn
Private Second Class Sean Blake

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, MOVSM

Specialist Adam Smith

Armed Forces Service Medal, AFSM

Staff Sergeant Bailey Lambert

National Defense Service Medal, NDSM

Private First Class Shaun Adams

Army Achievement Medal, AAM

First Lieutenant Brad Ahles

Joint Service Achievement Medal, JSAM

Sergeant First Class Garry Beaudoin
 

Marksmanship Badge (Sharpshooter)

Private First Class Christoph Brock
Private First Class Robert Yankura 
Private Second Class Sean Blake
Private Second Class Andrew Dunn
 

Marksmanship Badge (Expert)

Private First Class Bryson Nethaniel
Private First Class Shaun Adams
Private First Class Ryan Stricklin

Basic Parachute Badge

Sergeant First Class Garry Beaudoin
Corporal Kenney Maxfield
Specialist Ryan Devlin
Private First Class Christoph Brock

3rd Infantry Division Realism Gaming Unit set to deploy

On 06JAN2020 roughly 4,000 troops of the 1st brigade combat team of the 82nd Airborne Division based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., have deployed to parts of Kuwait and Iraq. They were part of the division’s global response force, kept on standby for particular emergencies. A senior United States military officer said the deployment of the 82nd Airborne paratroopers and other ground forces was defensive, meant to position more troops in the Middle East who could be quickly deployed to defend or reinforce American embassies, consulates and military bases. The deployment comes in the wake of five U.S. airstrikes on Sunday Dec 29th, 2019, that targeted an Iran-backed militia known as Kata’ib Hizbollah — a group U.S. officials have blamed for a recent spate of rocket attacks against Iraqi bases housing coalition troops.  12JAN2020, The First Battalion 30th Infantry Reg, 3rd Infantry Division received orders to start remobilization training with intent to deploy to support the 82nd Airborne Division in the event of Iran’s continued attacks of US personnel in Iraq.   

On 02FEB2020,  Alpha Company, First Battalion 30th Infantry Reg, 3rd Infantry Division and supporting 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division  will hold a color casing ceremony, 1300EST in conjunction with their monthly promotion and award ceremony at Marne Garden as the Spartan brigade prepares to depart to Iraq in support of Operation Thin Ice. "This exercise is a great opportunity to highlight the 3rd Infantry Division's readiness and ability to deploy forces in supports of our Nation's operations,” said Maj. Gen. Tony Aguto, commander, 3rd Infantry Division.  “Our Dogface Soldiers are trained, ready and extremely excited to be a part of this historic exercise."