The 3^rd 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 3^rd Infantry Division MILSIM

The 3^rd 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 3^rd Infantry Division MILSIM

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

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC)

Richard Andrews

Jeanno Calvo

SPECIALIST (SPC)

Sean Alter

Brennan Burke

Seth Coker

Ronin David

Tristan Hayes

Nikita Lyubashenko

CORPORAL (CPL)

Bailey Lambert

E-8 MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)

Mathew Carter

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

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army announced today that the National Museum of the United States Army will open to the public on June 4, 2020.

The National Museum of the United States Army will be the first and only museum to tell the 244-year history of the U.S. Army in its entirety. Now under construction on a publicly accessible area of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, admission to the museum will be open to the public with free admission.

The museum will tell the Army's story through Soldier stories. The narrative begins with the earliest militias and continues to present day. 

"The Army has served American citizens for 244 years, protecting the freedoms that are precious to all of us. Millions of people have served in the Army, and this museum gives us the chance to tell their stories to the public, and show how they have served our nation and our people," said acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy.

In addition to the historic galleries, the museum's Army and Society Gallery will include stories of Army innovations and the symbiotic relationship between the Army, its civilian government and the people. The Experiential Learning Center will provide a unique and interactive learning space for visitors of all ages to participate in hands-on geography, science, technology, engineering and math (G-STEM) learning and team-building activities.

"This state-of-the art museum will engage visitors in the Army's story -- highlighting how the Army was at the birth of our nation over 240 years ago, and how it continues to influence our everyday lives," said Ms. Tammy E. Call, the museum's director. "The National Museum of the United States Army will be stunning, and we can't wait to welcome visitors from around the world to see it."

The museum is a joint effort between the U.S. Army and the Army Historical Foundation, a non-profit organization. The Army Historical Foundation is constructing the building through private funds. The U.S. Army is providing the infrastructure, roads, utilities and exhibit work that transform the building into a museum. 

The Army will own and operate the museum 364 days a year (closed December 25). Museum officials expect 750,000 visitors in the first year of operation. A timed-entry ticket will be required. Free timed-entry tickets will assist in managing anticipated crowds and will provide the optimum visitor experience. More information on ticketing will be available in early 2020.

For more information, visit the museum's website at http://www.theNMUSA.org.

Source

Alpha Company Commander, Major John LaFlash  has activated First Platoon's Second Squad.

Second Squad Callsign: Ghosts

Frequency: 120.0-122.0

Ghosts Squad Leader is Specialist Bailey Lambert, a 2nd month Soldier who has quickly risen through the ranks as a Fireteam Leader in 1st Squad under Corporal Apollo.

Alpha Team Leader is PFC Lyubashenko, another 2nd month Soldier, service as a Rifleman in 1st Squad prior. PFC Lyubashenko is Airborne qualified w/ no operations on file.

Bravo Team Leader is PV2 Andrews. An Airborne Qualified Private with IRL military background from the US Military. He also has no operations Deployment on current file.

Ghosts Squad Medic is SPC McKenzie, a Re-enlisted Soldier from 2014, 2 campaign medals, a National Defense Medal, NCODEV award, 2 unit citations, and Airborne wings.

Fireteam members include SPC Hood, PFC Ford, PV2 Dorion, PV2 Chan, PV2 Coker, and PV2 Tyssen. Squad Drills will be held the same day and time as 1st Squad.

Photos by Spc. Noelle Wiehe
Staff Sgt. Davion Taylor (right), HHC, 2-3 Avn, 3rd CAB, 3rd ID, stands with Master Sgt. Bret Anderson (left), president of the Marne chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club on Fort Stewart, July 31, following a two-day seris of evaluative events towards earning the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award.

HAAF NCO earns Sergeant Audie Murphy Award

A Marne Soldier earned the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award July 31, on Fort Stewart, following a two-day series of evaluative events to compete for the distinction.

Staff Sgt. Davion Taylor, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, was among six noncommissioned officers of the 3rd Infantry Division to compete for the award and induction into the Marne Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Association.  

“I’ve always wanted to go out for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award,” Taylor said. “It is a really big accomplishment for me.”

Taylor said one of his peers at his previous unit in Fort Drum, New York, sparked his interest in seeking the award.

Master Sgt. Bret Anderson, president of the Marne Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, said award recipients are considered to be among the top 10-percent of the NCO Corps in the Army and held to such standard for as long as they continue to hold the award.

Taylor said now it is his responsibility to keep the award through upholding the values and leadership a recipient is expected to exemplify as an inductee of the SAMA.

Awardees are required to achieve expert in marksmanship; score a 270 or above on the Army Physical Fitness Test, hold excellent NCO Evaluation Reports throughout their career and have outstanding experience in relation to their peers. They are awarded following a four-level determination consisting of nomination, performance testing, an initial brigade-level selection board and a division-level selection board.

“You can’t get the award over a single event, you have to get it over a career of being a good NCO,” Anderson said. “Everyone tends to look at the Sergeant Audie Murphy society as those you can go to for the hard answers.”

The SAMA was named after the most decorated World War II combat Soldier, Medal of Honor recipient Audie L. Murphy. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was established in 1986 at Fort Hood, Texas, and became Army wide in 1994.

“We might never have a Soldier that highly decorated again,” Anderson said. “In his memory, we are trying to find the NCOs out there who truly are among the best.”

According to Anderson, “the best,” is defined in each rank and each career field.

“Every NCO has a character and a personality they can put forth to help improve their units,” Anderson said.

According to Anderson, the association is a private organization comprised of NCOs who have established themselves as the most competent, skilled and knowledgeable leaders the Army has to offer. Members must exemplify empathy and genuine concern for the Soldiers and Family Members within their ranks. 

Additionally, the club is comprised of awardees and non-awardees looking to better themselves, help their communities and learn more about Sergeant Audie Murphy.

Anderson said Murphy’s namesake is especially noteworthy considering he began his Army career in none other than the 3rd ID. 

“If you’re going to induct into the prestigious club, it might as well be in 3rd ID where Sgt. Audie Murphy was assigned,” Anderson said.

Taylor is the first recipient of the award under the 3rd ID Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Coffey’s command at Fort Stewart.

Coffey explained to Taylor that competing for the award showed true character.

“Your very presence here speaks volumes to you as a person, to you as an NCO and to your unit,” Coffey said. “Regardless of the results, it speaks volumes about your willingness to be here and the preparation that goes into coming here.” 

Find out more about the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award and the Marne chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Association and Sergeant Audie Murphy club by visiting the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FSGAHAAFSAMC.

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”.