1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Unit Updates September 2013 Page 2

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

September 2013

Company A, Company B, Company C

Family and Friends of Able Company,

Greetings! I hope everything is going well in Colorado Springs, especially since that seems to be the only thing most of the
Soldiers can wrap their minds around– redeployment. Able Company has been busy at work ensuring that we are prepared to protect
US interests abroad. As I am sure you all could guess, the past few months have been both exhilarating and exhausting, but nonetheless
rewarding.

Able Soldiers have been mastering their war-fighting skills since the last newsletter. Since then, Able Soldiers have conducted
Raider First Responder Training, Driver’s Training, Simulations-Based Mounted and Dismounted Maneuver Training, a simulations-based
non-combatant evacuation operation (a Scenario-Based Training Exercise in which they evacuated notional non-combatants from a hostile environment), Automatic Weapons re-Certification, and Dismounted Squad Maneuver Training. Additionally, the Company
conducted an Air Assault Raid utilizing 10 UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters during which the Company maneuvered
through Camp Buehring toward an ‘enemy safe-house’ , which housed a ‘high-value’ individual. The Soldiers performed
brilliantly and received laudatory praise from the chain of command. In September, 2nd Platoon worked alongside
Soldiers of the Expeditionary Sustainment Command during OPERATION SPARTAN MARINER II. 2nd Platoon travelled
to the Kuwaiti Naval Base and loaded 4 M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles onto an Army Landing Craft, after which
they sailed around the Arabian Gulf. The Soldiers truly enjoyed both the opportunity to work with
other units and the pleasant retreat the remote naval base afforded.

Redeployment is just around the corner, and we are committed to making our arrival as
seamless and easy as possible. The Headquarters Section is working tirelessly to ensure that each
Soldiers is well-prepared for the upcoming lifestyle adjustments. Also, the FRG is beginning to address
how best to communicate flight times and dates, so that Families and Friends can immediately
reunite with their Soldiers. We sincerely look forward to the happiness the comes with October,
and cannot wait to see all of you when we return. Until then, Able Company remains ABLE
and READY to accomplish any mission, which certainly includes coming home safely.

Sincerely,
CPT Larry Kay
Able 6

Greetings from HQ Platoon. Hopefully this newsletter finds you doing well back home. By the time this
newsletter hits publication we will have been in country for 8 months. HQ Platoon has been very busy these last months
with Range Density, Command Maintenance, LPD’s, Squad Maneuver Training, Company Air Assault,
Brigade Organizational Day and packing the connexs
or redeployment.

By Halloween weekend, most of Able Company will be back at Fort Carson with friends and family. We cannot thank everyone
enough for the continued support throughout this deployment. Please refrain from sending any more care packages
because mail has been suspended since September 15.

The next month will be filled with lots of events in preparation for redeployment. After Operations
Maintenance will be done on the equipment and Bradleys so they can be signed over to
incoming units. Additionally, HQ Platoon will complete Combatives Level 1 Training, Ranger School
Assessment, PT Test, and property layout . Left seat/Right seat rides will be conducted with the
incoming unit so they are fully capable of taking over command.

I am extremely proud of the Soldier’s effort this last month. It has always been said that the
last month is the hardest and sometimes Soldiers can get complacent. Able Company has proven this
is not the case as the Soldiers have given 100% day after day.

I hope everything is going well back in the States and everyone is looking forward to next
month when your soldiers come back home.

Sincerely,

-1LT Thomas Pierson & SSG Troy Crabb

To the Friends and Families of Able Company’s 1st
Platoon,

Since our last newsletter, 1PLT has conducted SQD Maneuver Training, a Company Air Assault,
BDE Organization Day, a range density and a variety of Leader Professional Development classes.

During the SQD Maneuver Training, squads from 1PLT were given classes to include reacting to
contact, establishing a squad ambush and crossing both a linear danger area and an open danger area.
Following the classes, each Squad Leader was issued an Operation Order from 1LT Berce and SSG
(P) Rocks. From there, the Squad Leaders conducted Troop Leading Procedures, issuing their
squads the Operation Order and preparing for the mission. During the mission, squads were assessed
on their ability to effectively react to contact, knock out a bunker, establish an Objective Rally Point and
conduct a Squad Ambush.

In the following weeks, 1PLT will begin to prepare for its redeployment back to Fort Carson.
The PLT will be busy packing containers and personal equipment.

See you soon!

Regards,
1LT Eric Berce
SSG(P) Daniel Rocks

Greetings to family and friends of 2nd Platoon, Able Company-

As we get closer to the end of the deployment and shift our focus from training to preparing for our return to
Fort Carson, 2nd Platoon can look back to the beginning of the deployment and be proud of all the things we
have accomplished throughout these last 7 months. We’ve accomplished many great things and conducted numerous
training events here in Kuwait.

Since the last newsletter, 2nd Platoon has conducted a Company Air Assault that required the help of UH-60 Blackhawks.
The Platoon, specifically the mounted crews, were an integral part of an exercise that required our Bradleys to be loaded on a boat at
the Kuwaiti Naval Base. Most recently, the Platoon went out to the ranges and conducted qualification on a variety of weapon systems.

For this newsletter, we would like to welcome a new addition to the 2nd Platoon family. Elijah Garcia was born on September
9th to SSG Garcia and his wife Christy. Additionally, we would like to recognize SSGs Olson and Stankan for being awarded the
Army Achievement Medal for their outstanding performances during a combatives tournament held at Camp Arifjan earlier this
deployment.

Sincerely,

1LT Jay Parker and SFC Christian Dumas

Greetings to the friends and family of 3rd Platoon-

We’re rolling into our last month in Kuwait and everyone is excited to get home. We’ve stayed busy
as always, training and staying prepared. Since completing EIB testing we’ve conducted
multiple training exercises. We started with another Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) Rehearsal
in which our platoon was responsible for evacuating certain personnel. We then conducted
another Air Assault mission on Camp Buehring. We’ve also been participate in many MWR events
here on Camp Buehring. Most soldiers in the platoon participated in one or more of the events on Raider
Brigade Organizational Day. Our competitors contributed to the “Regulars” securing 1st place for the
3rd year in a row. There have also been many MWR competitions at the Gym and in sports leagues.
Many of our soldiers have won these events and made our platoon proud.

We’ve had a few promotions in the past months. SPCs Bosselaar, McKean and Williams have all
earned their promotion to Corporal and are currently excelling in the Warrior Leader Course here in Kuwait.
We’ve welcomed PFC Cowen from HHC to the platoon and he now serves in Weapons Squad.

Hope all is well stateside,

1LT Jason Schmitz & SFC Adam Prince

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This will be the last newsletter you should receive until we redeploy at the end of October. We continue to find ourselves
busy mainly focusing on training and continuing to conduct operations in support of regional security.

Since the last newsletter, we learned that shortly after redeployment to Fort Carson we will transform into a Stryker Brigade
Combat Team. This means that the Brigade will turn in our tanks and Bradleys and replace them with Strykers. The exact
timeline is not known yet but we do know it will happen. For the Soldiers of Blackhawk the transformation will mean that in
addition to receiving new vehicles we will say farewell to all but a few tankers and welcome another two companies
of Infantrymen. Though a lot of details are still unknown one thing is guaranteed, the men of Blackhawk will continue to lead the
way for the rest of the Battalion.

The Non-Commissioned Officers of the Company prepared and ran a team leader course to ensure the next generation
of junior leaders have the doctrinal knowledge required to lead Soldier in combat. The course lasted five days, four days
dedicated to classroom instruction culminating with one day of practical application. The Company conducted
Urban Operations Live Fire Training the two weeks following the team leaders course. During this training the Company
honed its ability to fight in heavily populated and built up areas. After training for several days the company culminated
by clearing a small village using live ammunition to demonstrate the lethality and control of the squads.

As I write this letter the Company is busy preparing to return to Fort Carson. The
coming weeks will be filled with packing our equipment into shipping containers, customs
inspections and completing all the paperwork, in triplicate of course, needed to ensure our
Soldiers and equipment to safely return to Colorado. It is great to know we have ensured
the safety of the region and this deployment is coming to an end. With a little luck we will
all be home in time to trick or treat with our kids.

Blackhawk 6

Headquarters Platoon, Blackhawk Company, has spent the last month conducting exercises and preparing
for re-deployment. Your soldiers have been organizing and facilitating a Virtual Battle Space Non -Combatant Evacuation
Exercise, a team leader course, squad live fire, and Brigade Organizational Day. An emergency deployment readiness exercise
took place to show the incoming unit the proper procedures. An air assault was conducted utilizing an air weapons team
of Apache helicopters controlled by the Fire Support Team. Level one and level two combatives were taught by SSG
Rodriguez over the duration of 180 hours.

Pack out has begun! Soldiers have consolidated their equipment into connexes to be shipped back to Ft. Carson.
The company relocated to other living areas on Camp Buehring in order ease the transition out and to make room
for the incoming units. Soldiers are counting down the days until they return home to friends and family. Please do not send
packages from this point on as they may arrive after we have gone. Upon arrival at Ft. Carson, Soldiers will take a few
days to be involved in reintegration training to help smooth the transition from deployment life to home life.

I would like to thank the friends and families of the Soldiers for the support and encouragement
throughout the duration of the deployment to Kuwait. The backing of loved ones is essential
to the success of their Soldiers. It is a privilege to be a part of this element.

1LT Kuder
SSG (P) Rodriguez

Greetings friends and family of 1st Platoon. I’d like to take this time to welcome Staff Sergeant Beckman to the
Black Sheep family. He has filled the position of 1st Squad Leader and we look forward to working
with him in the coming months.

During the past 3 months we have had several training exercises that redirected our focus and helped
us transition away from the world of mechanized infantry, and prepared us to succeed in our new role as
dismounted infantry. Highlighted among these are an Air Assault utilizing helicopters and a team leader course.

In Operation Regular Lightning, we conducted an Air Assault mission. In which, we raided several
buildings and tested our abilities by engaging live enemy role-players with paint-marking rounds to enhance
the realism and provide instant feedback to our Soldiers. Our team work and rapid execution of this
task ensured our success, and we took away good lessons to apply to future missions.

We also conducted a Team-level Urban Ops Live Fire Exercise in which the Black Sheep demonstrated
our skills at working in 4-man teams in order to clear individual rooms as part of a larger urban clearance.
Having mastered this foundation, we have shown we are ready for Squad Urban Ops.

Along with this training we also took the time to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Raider Brigade.
Competing against our sister Battalions in a wide variety of sports and games, the Regular Battalion earned
1st place. Contributing to this victory was SPC Buck and PFC Sanders by taking 1st Place in Swimming.
Congratulations to them both for their outstanding performance.

1LT Demarkles ----------------------SFC Jones

As the deployment to Camp Buehring, Kuwait draws to a close, the Blackhawk Company, 2nd Platoon Spartans continue to work
hard and train to improve the Platoons lethality through multiple training events.

The Spartans executed a Company level, non-combatant evacuation operation(NEO) on Camp Buehring that combined the
use of technology with real-world exercises. 2nd Platoon trained as the real-world NEO while both 1st and
3rd Platoons used the Virtual Battlespace System to simulate enemy threats during the training event. 2nd
Platoon conducted an air-assault into a Company attack operation at the Urban training site on Camp
Buehring. The Spartans were instrumental to the success of this operation. Most recently, the senior Non-
Commissioned Officer’s of Blackhawk Company conducted a team leader course. Many of the 2nd Platoon
Soldiers that are or will be taking responsibility of a fire team were in attendance. Over the past week,
your Soldiers have been in the field conducting an urban terrain team live fire exercise. Each team from 2nd
Platoon moved into a shoot-house and conducted a dry, blank, and live fire exercise. This training event
was a success and further improved the tactical abilities of the Spartans.

2nd Platoon would like to congratulate all of our Soldiers on their recent promotions: SSG Farris,
SGT Conners, SPC Stevens, SPC Burnham, SPC Lanzer, and SPC Krohn.

Next week 2nd Platoon will conduct a squad live fire exercise in an urban environment. Over the
following weeks, 2nd Platoon will begin preparation for redeployment back to Fort Carson. With the anticipation
of this redeployment growing daily, the Spartans would like to thank all the families for their support. It
is this continued support over the past seven months that has kept our Soldiers motivated on a daily basis.

2LT Morgan Watkins
SFC Charles Buckner

3rd Platoon, Blackhawk Company, “The Outlaws,” eagerly await our return to friends and Family in Colorado Springs. This has
not quelled our dedication to the mission, as we continue to train for possible contingency operations. Recently your soldiers
have completed a multitude of operations. These operations included using a simulator to conduct a company attack and
Non-combatant Operation, completing a Company Air Assault into a raid, conducting a Team Leader’s Course, and culminating
with a team and squad urban live fire operation. The Outlaw Soldiers displayed their tenacity by accomplishing their mission in all operations.
During their downtime, Outlaw soldiers participated in the Raider Brigade Birthday which was a weekend long competition
between Battalions. Your soldier’s superb efforts contributed to the Regular’s Battalion winning the Commander’s Cup for the third
consecutive time.

The Outlaw Platoon is proud to announce the promotions of Sergeant Beckmann to Staff Sergeant. Due to his high reputation,
he was immediately given a squad to lead in 1st Platoon. SPC Harding and SPC Gualtieri were laterally promoted to Corporal and will
be attending the Warrior Leader’s Course. Additionally, Private First Class Armstrong was promoted to Specialist, and
Private Shawfryer was promoted to Private 2nd Class. Staff Sergeant Miles recently added a
new addition to his family. His daughter Taryn Larae Miles was born 13 September 2013.

Looking into the near future, the Platoon will be preparing redeployment. We will focus on relief in
place and transfer of authority with the incoming unit and packing gear to send back to Fort Carson. As always,
The Outlaw Platoon will continue to successfully execute all assigned missions and make their Army and Family proud.

-1LT Harris
-SFC Romero

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Greetings:

We are on the home stretch! This marks a turning point for the Soldiers and Families of Cobra Company.
Not only will this be the final newsletter for the deployment, but it will be my final newsletter as the Cobra Commander
as I prepare to hand over the guidon to CPT Jared Wayne.

The Soldiers of Cobra Company have achieved immeasurable success and accomplishments
during the last two years that there is no way I could sum it all up. I’m very proud to have
been able to lead this fine company through three gunnery densities, three Combined Arms Live Fire
Exercises, a rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, and deployment to Kuwait in support
of Operation Spartan Shield.

I want to thank every single Soldier and Family for their hard work and dedication to this
company, battalion and brigade. The overall support has made Cobra Soldiers the best trained,
most disciplined and most capable Soldiers in the Army today. As we say goodbye to 1SG Graham
and welcome 1SG Ugarte and CPT Wayne we can all be confident that the future of excellence in
this company can only continue to exceed all expectations.

It has been an honor, a privilege and an utmost pleasure leading the finest men in the United States Army,
hands down. I cannot praise enough the righteous excellence contained within this formation.

I wish you all the very best of luck in your
future endeavors. I bid you a very fond farewell.

COBRAS!

M. Zeke Foor
CPT, AR
COBRA COMMANDER

Cobra Families:

It is truly an honor to have joined the Cobra family and a privilege to work with your Soldiers.
They have done a tremendous job at home and throughout the deployment, and it shows in
all of the missions they have accomplished, some of which have been highlighted in this newsletter.
I am looking forward to continuing our history of excellence as we return home.

I would also like to thank CPT Foor for his hard work and dedication to you, our Soldiers, and this organization.
He cares deeply for this company and for the family it represents. The unit is indisputably better for having had
him as a commander, and we will continue along the path that he has taken the company over the past two years.

As we return home, there are three things I want to highlight: First, redeployment is a complicated mission with
which we ask for your patience as we get your Soldiers back to you as quickly as we can. Second, we also understand
that the reintegration process can sometimes be difficult, but we are here to help if needed. Lastly, there will still be
missions we have to accomplish before the holiday breaks, but we have made time for Soldiers to spend with their
families a priority.

One of our missions once we return home will be to transform the unit from Tanks to Strykers, and we are excited
to learn a new formation and platform. We also understand that this transition can be stressful for Soldiers,
but we will do our best to ensure they are best situated to meet their professional goals, and to keep the families informed
as we progress.

In closing, I would like to reiterate what a privilege it is to be a part of this organization, and that I am looking
forward to continuing the Cobra tradition of excellence.

COBRAS!

Jared Wayne
CPT, AR
COBRA 6

Cobra Families:

First I would like to express how much of an honor and privilege it is to be the newest
addition to the Cobra family. It has been a pleasure working alongside 1SG Graham these past
7 months here in Kuwait. He is a great leader, mentor and friend. As he passes the Cobra guidon
to me for safe keeping, my first mission is to bring our fine Soldiers and equipment back
home to Ft Carson. All of us here look forward to accomplishing that mission and I’m sure
everyone back home does as well.

Now I know it is always a stressful event for Soldiers and families when new leaders
come to the formation. Most wonder how it will affect our Soldier at work and what time will
they be home every night. As I said during my Change of Responsibility, we will together fulfill
our obligations to each other, our unit, and our families. To accomplish this, our goal is to ensure
Soldiers have a set training schedule. This will allow our families the ability to plan our
treasured free time and gives us the ability to provide excellent training to our Soldiers when
we are away from home.

What changes will the new team make? The biggest change will come in the form of how our Unit will be structured
as we transition from Tanks to Strykers. We will keep you and our Soldiers informed of all the updates and future timelines
as we receive them.

Will the unit get better or worse? The Unit will absolutely get better, not because of the new Commander or I but
because of the hard work and dedication of our Soldiers, Leaders and Families.

I will close out my first newsletter by introducing my family, my beautiful wife Shauna and our three children, John
14, Caroline 8 and our 1 year old daughter Sophia. We also have our family dog a bull terrier named Stryker. My wife and I
are both from New York and we enjoy our new home here at Fort Carson.

COBRAS!
1SG John S. Ugarte
COBRA 7

Cobra Family,

I don’t even know where to begin when telling the impact 1SG Graham has had on this company. He’s been here
for almost everything. I think I can safely say that he and I have done it all. From month one, we knocked out transitioning
from Afghanistan and trying to figure out what to do with 2,072,000 pounds of hardcore tanks. We learned a lot together
over those first few months, and I can honestly say we re-built this company from the ground up. Driver’s training, platoon
and company maneuvers, BN EXEVALs, Three Gunneries, NTC, Raider Strike… hell… Raider Everything!

In the two years we’ve been together we’ve worked with every battalion in this brigade in some way, shape or
form. From attaching to 1-66 on the digital battlefield, to 7-10 CAV at NTC, the STB for static displays and hero shoots,
to the BSB for Raider Hope. And I won’t even mention the fun we had with 4- 42’s fireworks displays.

You just don’t get much more diverse than that, and 1SG Graham has proven time and time again that he has the ability to
adapt to any mission and see that mission through to completion.

1SG Graham, you are my battle buddy and my friend. We’ve been through so much together, I don’t know how we have
made it this far. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have forged a company capable of achieving success at anything.
Your mentorship and team building will continue in the legacy of this company for years to come, evident in the Soldiers and NCOs
standing in front of you.

First to Fight, Deeds Not Words, Cobras!

Sincerely,
CPT Foor & Cobra Company

Friends and Family of Headquarters Platoon, Cobra Company!

Reflecting on the final months of Cobra Company’s deployment to Kuwait, soldiers have
been involved in many training exercises encompassing all the skills they have used throughout
their missions in support of Operation Spartan Shield and revisiting the basics on which we built a
strong foundation. The platoon has embarked on Raider First Responder training (RFR), Virtual Battlefield
Simulation training (VBS2), Vehicle Recognition classes, call for fire classes, and other MOS
specific training to develop our soldiers even further as they transition to a new chapter in their military careers.

The medics have provided our platoon with hands on first responder training as well as mission
related exercises that enabled the soldiers to test their skill and knowledge. The battalion also
initiated a virtual training exercise to train and develop our leaders even further while completing a
mission and minimizing the environmental and physical stress to our soldiers in the Kuwaiti heat.

The platoon has engaged all of their training adherently and it has shown throughout their
performance. We have had numerous promotions to (CPL) Corporal and (SGT) Sergeant in the past
couple of months and with the dedication to training and the preparedness of our NCOs, the junior
enlisted have matured greatly throughout this deployment. This is a direct reflection of the NCO’s
leadership and dedication to duty, whilst also reflecting the development of our soldier’s.

I would like to take a moment to let the family and friends of Cobra Company and the
Regular Battalion know that it has been an honor and privilege to work and deploy alongside your
Soldiers. They have dedicated their lives to protect our nation and our freedom and it is time for them
to come home and enjoy their families. WE ARE COMING HOME!!!

Sincerely,

1LT Reynaldo Valldejuli
HQ’s PL / FSO

Greetings Friends and Family of First Platoon, Cobra Company!

First Platoon has been busy preparing for redeployment back to Fort Carson now that we are on the home stretch.

Since the last newsletter, we have been hard at work turning over the Camp Buehring quick reaction
force mission, preparing our HMMWVs for turnover, packing all of our shipping containers, and conducting
missions on the virtual-battlespace simulation. Many of these are thankless tasks that require a lot of time
spent in the motor pool, but we are happy to do them because they mean that we will be on our way back
soon. We have continued to train despite the range being closed in order to allow the Kuwaitis to look for
natural gas. Instead of going into the field, we have completed missions on the VBS2 system which has
enabled further training will minimal use of outside resources. Using this system, we are able to maintain
some of our skills despite the fact that we cannot maneuver in tanks due to the range restraint.

The Soldiers of First Platoon are excited to return home to Fort Carson to see all of our family and
friends. We have had a lot of opportunities here in Kuwait and have accomplished every task thrown our
way. However, I think that I am speaking for everybody when I say that we are all ready to leave Camp
Buehring for Colorado.

On behalf of all of First Platoon, I would like to thank all of our friends, family, and the Charlie Company
FRG for all of the support that we have received throughout the course of this deployment. Your kindness
and generosity in sending packages, letters, and staying in touch has made this time away from home
much better for everyone.

Sincerely,

1LT Jake Howell
Red 1

Hello again family and friends of White (2nd) Platoon!

I am writing to you as Cobra Company has about a month left in its deployment to Kuwait.
Since the last time I wrote you all, we have been working hard at our main mission which was the
Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for Camp Buehring. We have additionally done some extracurricular
training to keep our skills sharp as tankers. We were able to perform a Battalion level attack on
the Virtual Battle Space Version 2 (VBS2) system; which is a highly advanced simulation system allowing
the whole Cobra Company to maneuver and fight at the same time all on computers.

Midway through September we were taken off of QRF and were given a new task, which is to
act as the reserve readiness company for Camp Buehring. This has allowed the NCOs within the
platoon time to focus on individual training tasks, teaching and mentoring the junior enlisted soldiers
on some new and old tasks. Throughout this, we have been steadily packing up our equipment,
slowly turning in our HMMWVs and consolidating all of our bags, readying ourselves to pack the
containers for our return trip to Fort Carson.

I want to say a very deep and heartfelt thank you from all of the men of White Platoon for
all of the support you all have shown us throughout this deployment. From gunnery, to Platoon live
fire, APS5 contingency draw, Raider Hope, QRF and now redeployment. You have been with us
every single step of the way and have never tired.

This last few weeks, we will continue to pack and consolidate our equipment. Also, we will
complete our turn in of our beloved Air Conditioned HMMWVs. After all of this is done, our next
objective is to pack the containers and prep for our flights home. On behalf of all of Second Platoon,
I would like to say thank you again to all of our friends, family, and the Charlie Company FRG
for all of your continued support during the deployment.

Sincerely,
1LT Matt Marasco
Cobra White 1

Hello family and friends of 3rd platoon "Coyotes",

The Platoon is on the down slope of the deployment, however we have still maintained the high
tempo of training. After Operation Raider Hope, the platoon conducted a few weeks of Quick Reaction
Force (QRF) duty shifts. However, the platoon tested its ability to adapt to a new mission and handed over
the QRF mission to a sister unit. As we rejoin the 1- 22IN family again, we began the Change of Command
inventories. Within a few weeks, CPT Foor and 1SG Graham have completed their time as Commander
and First Sergeant. The Cobra family has welcomed CPT Wayne and First Sergeant Ugarte as the new command
team. As a result, the platoon has spent the last few weeks preparing equipment and shortage annexes
for the new Commander to take responsibility.

By the time we return to Fort Carson, the platoon will have collectively completed over 1,000 volunteer
service hours at the USO. Despite our continuous mission change, the platoon has been able to take
some time off and commit personal time giving back to their fellow Soldiers. Many Soldiers have taken the
time to set personal fitness goals, educational goals, and personal goals throughout the deployment. SGT
Norris has completed the Warrior Leader Course. Almost all Soldiers in the platoon have increased their
personal fitness. PFC Molina has completed a college course. SPC(P) Palmore has completed multiple boards
and now is promotable to his next rank, Sergeant. All soldiers have completed Structure Self Development
courses in order to prepare for the next rank. In addition to the assigned mission in Kuwait, the platoon has
utilized all their time to develop themselves as much as possible with the free time they have.

Coming up, the platoon is preparing for redeployment. Packing lists, inventory, and equipment accountability
are our focus. As we get ready to return to Fort Carson, we will transfer our Theater Property
Equipment (TPE) to our replacement units.

Sincerely,
1LT Richard Garcia
3rd Platoon Leader, Cobra Blue 1
"STAY HUNGRY"

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