NCO's are the backbone of the unit and the Army. The Warrior Leadership Course is a two day event that helps prepare soldiers to take up the role of NCO, giving them the tools needed to be effective leaders. Candidates are those Specialists and Corporals who have shown the potential and drive to be solid leaders of Fireteams as well as opening the opportunity for advance to Sergeant and beyond.

Graduates:

 Warrant Officer Candidate Danny Elio 
 Warrant Officer Candidate Anthony Mays 
Specialist Chris Winters 
Specialist Roman Ivanov 
Specialist Scott Kidon 

Instructors:

Second Lieutenant Jannes Drake
Sergeant First Class Christoph Brock

Two hundred forty-six years ago, on October 13th, 1775, the Continental Navy was founded during the American Revolutionary War. Although the current service of the US Navy started on March 27th, 1794, after the US spent ten years without a naval force, the date used to celebrate US Navy's birthday is the same one from the founding of the Continental Navy as authorized by Chief of Naval Operations Elmo Zumwalt in 1972.

During the revolutionary war, the main objective of the Navy was to interdict British merchant ships and capture supplies transported by them. After the US achieved independence, Congress slowly dismantled its naval force, and by 1785 the Continental Navy was disbanded. However, motivated by the frequent loss of American merchant ships to pirates, Congress reformed the US Navy.

Still, in the 19th Century, the US Navy took part in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War, mostly blockading ports and controlling river systems navigation. Moving to the 20th Century, the US Navy provided crucial defense for the ships transporting American Expeditionary Forces troops to Europe across the North Atlantic.

World War II was the peak of action of the US Navy, with most of its memorable battles occurring in this period. Once more, the Navy was vital in securing the movement of troops and supplies across the Atlantic against the ever-present threat of the U-Boats, but also was the central pillar which the US Military stood at the Pacific Theater of War. After being struck heavily at the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the US Navy recovered, fighting and winning several notable sea battles such as the Battle of Midway, Coral Sea, Guadalcanal Campaign, Battle of the Philipines Sea, Battle of the Leyte Gulf, and many others.

Currently, the US Navy counts over 346,000 personnel, and its Chief of Naval Operations is Admiral Michel M. Gilday.

Image credit: U.S. Army

Today the United States celebrates Columbus Day, marking the anniversary of Europeans’ arrival in the Americas in 1492.

Leading the expedition, Genovese explorer Christopher Columbus sought to locate a seaborne route to the Far East, bypassing the long land journey then needed to reach China and other Asian trading nations. With financial and material support from the Crown of Castile, he sailed from Spain in three ships, Santa María, Niña, and La Pinta.

The fleet sailed for three months across the Atlantic Ocean, landing on the island of Hispaniola (present day Dominican Republic) on October 12, 1492.

At first, Columbus and his men assumed they had reached Asia, not realizing they had in fact discovered a new continent. Because of this, the Caribbean islands discovered were named the West Indies, and their residents called Indians.

These discoveries opened the Age of Exploration, and in the years to follow, countless other explorers and nations rushed west to unlock the secrets and wealth of North and South America.

Expeditions in the century to come would fully open the Western Hemisphere to the rest of the world.

However, with the arrival of Europeans came smallpox and other diseases that Native Americans had never encountered. As a result, epidemics ravaged local populations throughout the New World, killing many thousands in a matter of several years.

Subsequent explorers and colonial governors also put great strain on native populations, taking slaves, abusing workers, and ruling harshly against their subjects.

In the centuries that followed, Americans of many backgrounds have recognized the importance of Columbus’ discovery in light of our nation’s founding and its history.

The first Columbus Day commemoration took place in New York City on October 12, 1792, then 300 years after the navigator’s arrival in the Americas. Since then the holiday has been set on the second Monday in October.

Corporal Vinny Garcia joined the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit on October 17th, 2020 where he was first assigned as a Fireteam Member in First Squad, First Platoon, Alpha Company. By mid April 2021 he was selected as Squad Medic in Fourth Squad, First Platoon, Alpha Company where he has been leading from the front ever since as a combat medic. 

Throughout his time here he has shown a very strong passion for our unit, dedication, patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. He shows these while excelling in the role of squad combat medic and showing excellence in DMOS such as a Senior Roster Maintenance Specialist within Base Maintenance Operations. This Soldier has also earned himself Army Achievement Medals with Valor, graduated Air Assault School, Airborne School and Ranger School, he has also earned the covenant French Fourragere Cord. In view of these qualities, his demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service, Corporal Vinny Garcia has been awarded the Soldiers Medal and selected as this Soldier of the Quarter.

Soldier's Medal

Tell us a little about yourself.  My name is Vinícius, but people call me Vini/Vinny, I was born and live in Brazil. Also, I've served in the Brazilian Army for one year in 2017 and went to the reserves as a Corporal with an honor of merit certification for good behavior. I'm currently a student trying to pass a college entrance exam to do Law. One of my hobbies is travelling and knowing different places, but the pandemic showed up to stop me from doing that. So I had to adapt, and what I like doing when I'm home? Gaming, my other hobby. I play games of different genres, from MMORPGs to simulation. Currently, I'm playing a lot of Final Fantasy XIV, Flight Simulator and of course, ARMA III.

Why did you join 3rdID and what keeps you here? I have always participated in Brazilian milsim communities, more specifically for about 7 years. Due to several factors my English skills have been growing in recent years and I have always wanted to participate in an international unit and meet new people in the process. I started searching and found 3rdID. What keeps me here is the same thing that got me in: the structure, the professionalism and the time that this unit has been active in the community. These qualities showed me that there was no better place for me to start my journey in international units. And so far this journey has proven to be successful.

Any favorite/funny/memorable moment throughout your whole time in the unit? I have a few, like the creation of fourth squad in which I am still part of today and all the incredible people I've met there. But the most memorable moment was participating in Ranger School, which was one of the most challenging courses I took in ARMA III, lasting approximately 13.5 hours of continuous training. 

Any advice to give to your fellow soldiers? Be accountable and follow the rules of the unit. If you like what you see, help out in any way you can, either by participating in missions and helping with the numbers, or working in any DMOS, whatever you decide, the goal is to leave the unit better than when you arrived. And also, but not least, have fun!

What army value is the most important to you and why? Integrity. Without it, you fail in everything else. To have integrity is to do the right thing, to be respectful and honest with everyone around you. If you have integrity, you are more likely to succeed in all the other army values.

What motivates you?  The unit structure, the people in it and everything that is done here gives us a meaning to do what we have to do.

Any valuable lessons you have learned while being in the unit? Respect for other people's efforts. A unit of this size is not made by the actions of one person, but of dozens. Also, patience and resilience to get things done.

Congratulations to the soldiers of OSUT class 21-36 (ARMA3) 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 3rdID, we look forward to your continued success! Hooah

Graduates:

Private Second Class Tyler Simmons 
Private Second Class Victor Tang 
Private Second Class Connor Haney