Image credit: U.S. Army

Today our nation celebrates Independence Day, marking 244 years of sovereignty and freedom.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, freeing the 13 Colonies from British rule and uniting them into a nation.

With the establishment of the United States of America, the Continental Army and state militia were reorganized as the United States Army. Those first American Soldiers provided the strength needed to guarantee our independence in the face of repeated British attempts to deny it.

Remembering those early lessons, the Army has stood ready to preserve and defend our country and its freedoms ever since.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Customs and traditions abound in our annual celebration of independence. What began over two centuries ago as a day of patriotic songs and 13-gun salutes has become synonymous with parades, picnics, barbecues, ball games, concerts and fireworks.

In spite of the global Covid-19 pandemic, Fort Stewart’s annual Marne Independence Day event will continue with social distancing precautions. Soldiers and authorized DOD ID holders will enjoy an evening of entertainment by the 3ID Rock Band on Donovan Field, followed by a fireworks show.

To learn more about the Declaration of Independence, visit the National Archives site: The Declaration of Independence: A History

Third Infantry Division - Rock of the Marne

Soldiers, another Unit Anniversary has approached us and the 3rd Infantry Division stands strong on seventeen years of service. Although our focus from one game to another has shifted, the 3rd has kept to its roots and upheld the time honored values of a US Army realism unit. Currently the 3rd is focused almost entirely on Armed Assault III. We have seen many enter our ranks but only a select few have stayed the course and it is these select few that have made the 3rd Infantry Division what it is today.

A step into The 3rd Infantry Division Realism Gaming Unit’s History.

Alpha Company "War Eagles" was co-founded on July 4th, 2003, by Lieutenant Colonel D.Toby and Major J.Mathews. The 3rdID realism unit was based around the games "America's Army" and "Day of Defeat." Over the years, leadership has changed as well as the games played "America's Army Proving Grounds", "Arma3", and “Insurgency”. Today our game presence is found in "Arma3" under the leadership of Major John LaFlash. 

In April 2004 Lieutenant Colonel D.Toby retired from the 3rd Infantry Division Realism unit to continue his schooling to become a policeman. Major J.Mathews and his XO Captain Michael White continued to grow the 3rd Infantry Division. In May 2006, The current CO of the company, John LaFlash, began his career. Fresh out of the US Army, John LaFlash was quickly commissioned to Second Lieutenant after completing Officer Candidate School and led First Platoon “Widowmakers." In March 2008, John LaFlash was promoted to Captain, and subsequently given command of Alpha Company. Captain White officially took the role of HHC Commander. In fall 2008, The 3rd Infantry Division expanded its gaming support with America's Army 3 and Battlefield 2. Captain White retires. 

In March 2011, The 3rd Infantry Division expanded from company size up to battalion size. Alpha and Bravo Company were commissioned and led by Captain Jarrit Drinkman and First Lieutenant Barrow Fleetwood respectively. In September 2011, Lieutenant Colonel John LaFlash down-sized the 3rd Infantry Division back to a company size with two platoons due to lack of activity and support for Battlefield 2. February 2012, The 3rd Infantry Division ramped up with Armed Assault 2: Operation Arrowhead. With the decline on America's Army 3 over the past years, Captain LaFlash shut down the 9 year game of America's Army to focus on Armed Assault.

In August 2013, Command Staff launched the 3rd Infantry Division into the new model of America's Army, America's Army: Proving Grounds! In May 2015, Alpha Company opens two new platoons in Armed Assault 3 and America's Army! In November 2015, Bravo Company reinstated under the leadership of 1LT Arthur Cantu in support of America's Army: Proving Grounds! In January 2017, Bravo Company opened a new platoon in support of Insurgency!

In December 2019, Major John LaFlash commands a downsizing of the unit to one Company to support Arma 3. As of today, Major John LaFlash continues his command of Alpha Company as Company Commander, Alpha Company “War Eagles” in support of Arma3.

Currently, our recruiters are doing an outstanding job on bringing in new individuals. Not only that but Soldiers’ monetary donations have been beyond expectations which helps with server, website and other expenses immensely. While some units take pleasure in overwhelming numbers, the 3rd takes pride in its platoon and air attachment of Soldiers that have stood the test of time and made this unit what it is today. That is not to say the 3rd is shying away from numbers but our esprit de corps is what makes the 3rd, the 3rd.

Speaking of our esprit de corps, many of our Soldiers have just recently attended and completed Ranger School which was hosted by our sister company, the 173rd Airborne. It was a great event and an even better turnout, especially by our own Soldiers. Our Soldiers are looking forward to future deployments and specialized training schools such as Airborne School and Air Assault.

The 3rd Infantry Division is looking forward to another fantastic year. We have gained and retained some very special individuals that dedicate more than enough time and energy into the unit which makes the 3rd unique from other realism units. It is these individuals that inspire leadership and responsibility to our new personnel that will better the unit in the months to come. Here’s to another great year for the 3rd Infantry Division! 

Hooah 3ID!

Image credit: Military Health System

This Saturday, June 27, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs mark National PTSD Awareness Day.

In the United States, more than 8 million veterans and civilians suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or over 6% of the population. While each has a history of trauma, every individual’s story is unique. Combat, terrorism, violent crime, abuse, natural disasters, car accidents, and other life-threatening experiences have all contributed to the increase of PTSD in recent years.

Research by the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder shows that homeless combat veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq are more likely to suffer from PTSD than Soldiers of previous conflicts.

Trauma-related stress affects relationships and jobs, with loved ones and coworkers often feeling unable to help. Problems associated with PTSD can also affect the will to live. The specter of suicide haunts a significant number of veterans today.

Identifying Symptoms and Warning Signs

Symptoms may start months or even years after the traumatic event, and they sometimes come and go over time.

People with PTSD typically develop the following symptoms:

— Painful memories, or reliving the trauma (flashbacks)

— Edginess, hypervigilance, and/or insomnia

— Avoidance of triggers, including activities or situations that used to be enjoyable

— Increase in sadness, depression, and/or negative thinking

You Can Do Something About it

There is real hope. With awareness on the rise, help is more available than ever before. Care is crucial after identifying PTSD. Patients who receive treatment report a higher quality of life than those who avoid care. Seeking social support from family, friends, and others also benefits many patients.

Veterans are encouraged to contact the VA for help with PTSD: http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp

Active duty/retired personnel with PTSD should schedule an appointment with a primary care manager or mental health provider: https://tricare.mil/mtf/

Civilians who are experiencing PTSD should speak with their doctor for a referral to a specialist. You can search for local providers here: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

***

In 2010, the US Senate officially designated June 27 National PTSD Awareness Day. Then, in 2014, the Senate declared June PTSD Awareness Month.

To learn more, visit the National Center for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

Photo credit: 3ID

Join in on our 12 hrs of pub-a-thon fun from Saturday July 4th starting at 1300EST thru 0100EST.  This is a 12 hrs Gaming event (Join anytime) - The event will be held in our Vanilla Public Server on Arma and our TeamSpeak.

Soldiers (Current/Former) and Civilians are encouraged to join us in public play on our 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit Servers during the times listed above to celebrate our units 17th Year Anniversary and join in on camaraderie with the gaming community. We will have members on throughout the night and into the morning! We are inviting everyone to this event, come meet new people get to know our members and other members of the community and just have a good time!  

During this time all Soldiers are encouraged to recruit public players into our Teamspeak and possibly into our unit.

Make sure you click “Going” to our Calendar event: https://3rdinf.us/calendar/event/7-pub-a-thon-unit-celebration-anniversary/

 Join our teamspeak; teamspeak.3rdinf.us
Server IP: 104.153.105.118:2302  

Photo credit: U.S. Army

Ranger School teaches members leadership skills in a 12-hour high intensity course. The first phase of the Ranger School was an introduction and explanation of the mission along with a quick training on the procedures and tactics that were expected and utilized to complete the objectives. Once the training phase was over, the mission started with setting up the camp one hour after midnight and guarding the camp/going on patrols during the 9 hours night. The course ended with 2 hours of intensive combat shortly paused for briefings between missions.

The following Soldiers have successfully completed Ranger School with 173rd Airborne Class 20-01:
 

Graduates:

 Officer Candidate Bailey Lambert 

Warrant Officer Candidate Garry Beaudoin 

Sergeant David Sklenar 
Sergeant Christoph Brock 

Specialist Yarden Nissan 
Specialist Eric Abel 

Private First Class Brendan Moose 
 Private First Class Michael Luckie 

Private Second Class John Purdy 
Private Second Class Alyen Mouring 
Private Second Class Anthony Tyree 
Private Second Class Kyle Skitz 
Private Second Class James Kiheri 

Instructors:

173rd Cadre Instructors

Corporal Maarten Gregoire 
 

This past weekend, 14 Soldiers from 3rdID attended the 173rd’s Ranger School as Cadre or Students. Not for the faint of heart, the course consisted of over 13 hours of grueling work, pushing the limits of each man predent. It was a severe test of leadership, initiative, and comradery.
 
Graduates will be awarded the coveted Ranger Tab, marking their excellence as Soldiers. They join an elite brotherhood within the milsim community.

Ranger School Graduate SPC E.Abel said, “It was a good course to attend. If you want a taste of being in a leadership role, this is 100% a way to get experience and also see how other people do it. It was an eye opening experience on how the chain of communication works and how essential communication is.”
 
The 3rdID thanked the 173rd for inviting us back to another outstanding course. We look forward to working together with our brothers in arms in the future.
 

Authors:
OCS B.Lambert
SGT C.Brock