Congratulations to the soldiers of OSUT class 20-29 (ARMA) 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 the 3rd Infantry Division, we look forward to your continued success! Please join me in welcoming and congratulating our new members. Hooah! 

Graduates:

Private First Class Andrew Turner
Private Second Class Johnny Ayers  

The Purple Heart medal is the oldest medal ever to be bestowed on military personnel. While it wasn’t always called the Purple Heart, it has been awarded to over 1.8 million service members since its induction in 1782. On August 7th every year Purple Heart Day is recognized to honor those who have been awarded the medal for being injured or killed in combat operations.

A brief history of the Purple Heart is as follows:

1780 - The Fidelity Medallion was created by the Continental Congress. So far as the known surviving records show, this honor badge was granted to only three men, all of them noncommissioned officers: Sergeant Daniel Bissell of the 2d Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line; Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line, and Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2d Continental Dragoons, which was also a Connecticut Regiment.

1782 - The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by General George Washington by order from his headquarters at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782. Which consisted of purple cloth in the shape of a heart and was awarded to those who displayed unusual gallantry in combat.

The writings of General Washington quoted in part: "The General ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military Merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward". 

1932 -  By Order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart was revived on the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth, and ultimately revived from it’s forgotten past and formed into the Purple Heart by order of General Douglas MacArthur, out of respect to his memory and military achievements, by War Department General Orders No. 3, dated 22 February 1932. On May 28, 137 WWI veterans were awarded the Purple Heart.

1942 - By Executive Order 9277, dated 3 December 1942 President Roosevelt authorizes the Purple Heart to be awarded to all branches of the United States Military.

2015 - The Department of Defense extends eligibility of the Purple Heart to those who are wounded or killed by domestic terrorist activities but only military personnel are to be awarded the decoration.

There are many more points of interest in the history of the Purple Heart but those are the most interesting. Criteria For Receiving A Purple Heart

The Purple Heart has a long list of criteria for eligibility-too long to list here. Above are only some of the most interesting points. Further reading on Purple Heart history here: https://www.thepurpleheart.com/history/

This past Sunday at Ceremony, Major John LaFlash announced the reopening of Third Squad “Spartans”.

The history of Third Squad goes back to June, 2013, when it opened in support of 3ID’s Arma 2 operations. Its first Squad Leader was Sergeant Brad Ahles, who is currently our unit’s Executive Officer. A number of other former Spartans Squad Leaders also rose through the ranks, including Sergeant Day, Staff Sergeant Theriault, Staff Sergeant Giancarlo Tucci (now returning as Fireteam Leader), and Staff Sergeant Kalin Grigorov.

Today, the following Soldiers have assumed leadership of the newly reopened squad:

Corporal Eric Abel - Squad Leader

Specialist Abel has been promoted to Corporal. He now takes charge of Third Squad “Spartans” as Squad Leader.

Enlisting earlier this year, he has steadily risen through the ranks, serving as a Fireteam Leader in Second Squad prior to his current assignment. An experienced veteran of Operation Thin Ice, Corporal Abel has earned a number of awards and qualifications, such as the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Basic Parachute Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge, and others.

Asked about his history with the unit, Corporal Abel said, “My experience in the 3ID has been an amazing one! This has been my first and only milsim unit.”

Speaking of the challenges of reopening Third Squad, he stated, “Although I have some experience leading my previous fireteam and a little less leading a squad, I think my biggest priority will be making sure everyone is combat ready and that all of their unit info is up to date as soon as possible.”

Corporal Abel closed with this: “I'm looking forward to being able to lay down some heavy cover fire and blowing up some big vehicles with our heavy weapons. I want Spartans to be a force to be reckoned with when we're called up for battle.”

Specialist Luke VanDenburgh - Squad Medic

Private First Class VanDenburgh has been promoted to Specialist. He assumes the position of Spartans Squad Medic.

A recent 3ID enlistee, he served as a Fireteam Member in Second Squad. A veteran of Operation Thin Ice, Specialist VanDenburgh has earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Badge.

When asked about his future in Spartans, Specialist VanDenburgh said, “I am ready and willing to take on the challenge of being squad medic for Spartans. [I am] looking forward to getting us a dedicated Weapons Squad, and possibly getting to fire some cool new weapons (i.e. Javelin).

But as Squad Medic, he tempers his enthusiasm with caution. He closed, “I think our biggest priority will be instructing weapons safety, which I have already brought up with our Squad Leader. That Javelin has a huge backblast range and radius, and it can be really dangerous to both us and the enemy when in our hands.”

Corporal Giancarlo Tucci - Alpha Fireteam Leader

Now into his first re-enlistment, Corporal Tucci joins Third Squad as Alpha Fireteam Leader.

Starting in 2015 as a Fireteam Member in Third Squad, Corporal Tucci rose through the ranks to take over as Squad Leader. He is a battle-hardened veteran of Operations Swarmer II, Bronze Fire, Red Leopard, Bright Star, and Thin Ice. He has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 3rd Infantry Division Unit Patch, Combat Infantry Badge (Stage 3), Basic Parachute Badge (with 2 Combat Jump Devices), Air Assault Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Badge.

Speaking of his time in 3ID, he related, “My experience with the unit was always great. I'm really excited to be a part of the reopening of Spartans as it was once my baby. Now I get to help Corporal Abel start Spartans back from the ground up. There's going to be a few challenges, I think the main one is figuring out how we want the Squad to function. It's starting back up and now we have to decide what to do.”

Specialist Brendan Moose - Bravo Fireteam Leader

Private First Class Moose has been promoted to Specialist. He now serves as Spartans Bravo Fireteam Leader.

Beginning his enlistment in the midst of Operation Thin Ice, he has significant combat experience. Before bringing his fireteam to Third Squad, he was an accomplished Fireteam Leader in Scorpions. His awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Badge.

Discussing the future of Third Squad, Specialist Moose said, “I’m excited to work with Corporal Abel and Corporal Tucci. I think Abel is going to be a super-effective leader. My fireteam works well together. We just need to train on the Javelin so we can get up to speed.”

In closing, Major LaFlash stated, "We have an extremely solid leadership team from the top. I feel Spartans is going to get off to a good start."

The 3rd Infantry Division MILSIM Unit extends to you our personal thanks and sincere appreciation of your contribution of honorable service to our unit. You have made a lasting impact on the unit’s history and thanks to your devotion to duty and a spirit of sacrifice in keeping with the proud traditions of military service.

 Your commitment and dedication have been an inspiration for those who will follow in your footsteps, and for all those who join us in saluting you for a job extremely “well done.”

 Our best wishes to you for happiness and success in the future.

From the Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division MILSIM

Celebrating Chief Warrant Officer 4 Quincy Morton’s Retirement, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Quincy Morton retires as Aviation Commander for 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade "Falcons". 

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Quincy Morton joined the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit on October 6th 2018. Throughout his enlistment, he has shown a great commitment and strong motivation for the 3rd Infantry Division. 

During his time with the unit, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Quincy Morton has served as an experienced pilot of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. November 4th 2018 he joined the Aviation Brigade as an Aviator Trainee before receiving a promotion to Warrant Officer 1 and Army Aviator on January 8th 2019. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Quincy Morton also held the positions of Executive Officer from May 5th 2019 and Aviation Commander from August 4th 2019.  Deployed in Operation Thin Ice, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Quincy Morton holds a number of qualifications and awards, including the National Defence Service Medal for real life Military Service, U.S Army Aviator Wings, Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge, Basic Parachute Badge, Air Medal, Combat Action Badge, and many other decorations.

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 reactivation of 3rd Squad "Spartans" and the Anniversary of Sergeant David Sklenar

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:
Warrior Leader Course 29th and 30th August 
Promotion Boards 9th August 1300 EST

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

The following soldiers were promoted to:

E-3 Private First Class

Private Second Class Quincy Freeman promoted to Private First Class
Private Second Class Clifford Simpkins promoted to Private First Class
Private Second Class Gufran Parker promoted to Private First Class
Private Second Class Grant Woods promoted to Private First Class
Private Second Class Juan Escubilla promoted to Private First Class

E-4B Specialist

Private First Class Anthony Sam promoted to Specialist
Private First Class James Kiheri promoted to Specialist
Private First Class Kyle Skitz promoted to Specialist
Private First Class Joshua Sanders promoted to Specialist
Private First Class Luke VanDenburgh promoted to Specialist
Private First Class Brendan Moose promoted to Specialist
Private First Class Kit Ohnira promoted to Specialist
Private First Class Michael Luckie promoted to Specialist

E-4A Corporal

Specialist Dominik Toplak promoted to Corporal
Specialist Eric Abel promoted to Corporal

E-6 Staff Sergeant

Sergeant Jannes Drake promoted to Staff Sergeant

W-1 Warrant Officer 1

Warrant Officer Candidate Ryan Stricklin promoted to Warrant Officer 1

W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2

Warrant Officer 1 Curtis Brennan promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2

O-1 Second Lieutenant

Officer Candidate Bailey Lambert promoted to Second Lieutenant

The following soldiers were awarded:

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Sergeant Christoph Brock

Armed Forces Service Medal

Sergeant David Sklenar

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Curtis Brennan
Sergeant David Sklenar

National Defense Service Medal

Private First Class Israel Abraham
Private First Class Alex Cruze
Private Trainee Johnny Ayers

Good Conduct Medal

Warrant Officer 1 Ryan Stricklin
Specialist Brendan Moose
Specialist Michael Luckie

Army Achievement Medal

Sergeant Christoph Brock

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Sergeant David Sklenar
Sergeant Christoph Brock
Corporal Eric Abel
Corporal Dominik Toplak
Specialist Yarden Nissan
Specialist John Purdy
Specialist Kyle Skitz
 

Army Commendation Medal

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Curtis Brennan
Private First Class Lucas Fields

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Sergeant Christoph Brock

U.S. Army Aviator Wings

Warrant Officer 1 Ryan Stricklin
Warrant Officer Candidate Jacob Frost
Warrant Officer Candidate Garry Beaudoin

Air Assault Badge

Sergeant Christoph Brock
Corporal Dominik Toplak
Specialist Jackson Hendrix
Specialist Luke VanDenBurgh
Specialist Brendan Moose
Specialist Joshua Sanders
Specialist Anthony Sam
Specialist James Kiheri
Specialist John Purdy
Specialist Kyle Skitz
Private First Class Alyen Mouring

Combat Action Badge

Warrant Officer Candidate Jacob Frost

Combat Infantryman Badge (Stage 1)

Specialist Luke VanDenburgh
Private First Class Lucas Fields
Private First Class Nick Romanov
Private First Class Quincy Freeman
Private First Class Gufran Parker
Private First Class Grant Woods

French Fourragere

Sergeant Christoph Brock

Photo Credit: U.S Coast Guard 

On August 4th, 1790 President George Washington approved the creation of ten Cutters to prevent international smuggling in American waters and thus the United States Coast Guard was born. This action was lobbied by the Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamiliton to fund the vessels needed to protect America’s coasts. While the title of US Coast Guard wasn’t officially established until 1915, the US Coast Guard is one of the oldest branches of the United States Military, aging past that of the US Navy.

In the early years of the Coast Guard vessels were used to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent pirates from operating in American waters. Fast-forward to 1915 two separate organizations, the Revenue Cutter Service and the US Life-Saving Service merged and the title of United States Coast Guard was officially given to the service. The USCG would migrate from the Department of Transportation in 1967 to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 and that is officially where we are today.

While the Coast Guard has undergone changes in the past, it has always held the same primary focus; to protect the United States of America from smuggling, to serve those in maritime need and to protect the marine environment either from foreign or domestic abuse. On an average day the Coast Guard performs 45 search and rescue missions, seizes over 1,000 pounds of illicit drugs, screens over 300 merchant vessels for security reasons and performs over 100 marine inspections a day just to name a few.

The United States Coast Guard is often overlooked over that of the four primary military branches but the USCG is a vital part of American security and well-being. Without the Coast Guard there would be an abundance of distress and criminal activity going unchecked on America’s shores and open seas and on August 4, 2020 the United States as well as the 3rd Infantry Division acknowledges the Birthday of the Coast Guard on 230 years of service.

Image credit: SGT C.Brock

On July 29, the US Army Chaplain Corps marks 245 years of military service.

Formed in 1775 by an Act of the Continental Congress, the Chaplain Corps has faithfully served Soldiers in every US military conflict since the Revolutionary War. Its motto is, Pro Deo et Patria, that is, “For God and Country”.

Located at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the US Army Chaplain Center and School trains and organizes Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants to work for the moral and spiritual well-being of our fighting men and women of all faiths.

Throughout its long history, the Army Chaplain Corps has held within its small ranks a number of great Soldiers. These include Medal of Honor winners MAJ Charles J. Watters, CPT Milton L. Haney (“The Fighting Chaplain”), and CPT Emil Kapaun. In addition to these exemplary men, there are countless more who humbly gave what time, talent, and tenderness they could to others in need, often as hell broke loose around them.

Perhaps best known are the “Four Chaplains”–LT George L. Fox, Methodist; LT Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; LT John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and LT Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed–who, after their troop transport ship Dorchester was torpedoed February 2, 1943, ministered to fellow victims and gave up their life jackets so that others might live.

Looking ahead, the US Army Chaplain Corps is preparing to serve future Soldiers throughout a full spectrum of conflict. Working across religious and denominational lines, the Army’s Chaplains will remain important contributors to our nation’s military readiness.

The 3rd Infantry Division MILSIM Unit extends to you our personal thanks and sincere appreciation of your contribution of honorable service to our unit. You have made a lasting impact on the unit’s history and thanks to your devotion to duty and a spirit of sacrifice in keeping with the proud traditions of military service.

 Your commitment and dedication have been an inspiration for those who will follow in your footsteps, and for all those who join us in saluting you for a job extremely “well done.”

 Our best wishes to you for happiness and success in the future.

From the Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division MILSIM

Celebrating First Sergeant Patrick Conlisk's Retirement, First Sergeant Patrick Conlisk retires as Company First Sergeant for Alpha Company "War Eagles". 

First Sergeant Patrick Conlisk joined the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit on June 30th 2019 for his second tour of duty within the unit.  Having served prior and achieving the position as a pilot in the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, First Sergeant Patrick Conlisk was reinstated as a Private First Class (E-3) and assigned to Alpha Company, First Platoon, First Squad, 1/1/A-CO, 1-2IN. 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, his demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service.

During his time with the unit, First Sergeant Patrick Conlisk has served as an Warrant Officer 1 during his first tour, upon completion of his second tour he quickly rose through the ranks, taking on duties of Platoon Leader and Operations Officer before stepping into his last assignment Company First Sergeant. Deployed in Operation Thin Ice, First Sergeant Patrick Conlisk holds a number of qualifications and awards, including the National Defence Service Medal for real life Military Service, U.S Army Aviator Wings, Soldier's Medal for Third Quarter of 2019, Air Assault Badge, Basic Parachute Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, completing First Sergeant School and many other decorations.

First Sergeant Patrick Conlisk had the following quote for his Soldiers: “Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All You Do”.