1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Unit Updates June 2013 Page 1

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

June 2013

BN CO, Chaplain, HHC

REGULAR 6 SENDS:

Soldiers, Family, and Friends of the Regulars,

As I sit to write this latest dispatch at 1400 hours, the heat outside blisters to a whopping 111 degrees
Fahrenheit – at least it’s a dry heat, right. Unfortunately we’re still on the rise as we haven’t
quite yet reached the ‘hot months’. Despite the lovely weather, the Soldiers of the 1st Battalion,
22nd Infantry Regiment continue to set the standard.

This month we had the amazing opportunity to conduct a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise with
our Kuwaiti Partners here at the Udairi Range Complex. With American Tanks, Bradley Fighting
Vehicles, Artillery, Apaches, and a Predator overhead, we were able to integrate a pair of Kuwaiti
Apaches, a company of M1A2 Tanks, a company of BMP-3s, and a battery of Artillery. This exercise
was the biggest live fire exercise conducted in Kuwait in recent history and was the culmination of
a month of combined planning and preparation. The Battalion Staff really came together to make
this happen and I couldn’t be more proud of them.

I’m also very proud to announce that our very own SGT Michael Rodriguez (E/FSC) and Specialist
Cale Buck were named the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team NCO and Soldier of the Year.
Bringing great credit upon themselves and the unit, they also went forward to compete in the
Army Central Command (ARCENT) NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition at Camp Buehring
where they were both named ARCENT Runner Up.

The unit continues to set the standard in all that we do. Please take a moment to LIKE us on
Facebook. We have tons of pictures to show off your Soldiers and their many accomplishments.
(Keyword Search: Regulars by God)

I want to personally thank all of the Soldiers of the battalion and their Families for their continued
selfless service and the many sacrifices they make during these extended deployments. You
make a difference! Thanks for all that you do!

Regulars, by God! Deeds, Not Words!

LTC Steven J. Adams

REGULAR 7 SENDS:

Soldiers, Family, and Friends of the Regulars,

“GET AFTER IT!’ The month of May has been an outstanding month in which the Regulars during
numerous training events did just that. Our team has continued to conduct partnership exchanges
with our Kuwaiti Brigade counterparts. These exchanges culminated with a Combined Arms Live
fire Exercise, consisting of over 300 Kuwaiti and American Soldiers training side by side. This exercise
greatly increased our capabilities as a partnered Army. The Regulars continue to set the
standard and complete every task at hand. We are all very proud of their accomplishments and so
should you.

Additionally the Warrior Leader Course started this month on the camp. Our Junior Noncommissioned
Officers are educated on the art of applying regulations and enforcing standards as leaders.
The Battalion had 12 Regulars’ graduate the Warrior Leader course, with SGT Martell Bruce,
SGT Benjamin Romiti, and SGT Lay-Elquin Ferguson all making the Commandant’s List, which is
limited to the top 20% of the class. I want to personally congratulate all of these exceptional
Noncommissioned Officers for completing their first NCOES course.

Further leading the way for the Regular Battalion, SGT Michael Rodriguez and SPC Cale Buck
won the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team NCO and Soldier of the Year competition. These two
Regulars continued to move forward and compete in the Army Central Command (ARCENT)
NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition; both finishing runner-up in a very close race. Continuing
to uphold the Regular Battalion standards these two Soldiers are proven to be some of the
finest in the Army.

Lastly, I want to say it is a great honor to be the Command Sergeant Major of such an outstanding
group of Soldiers, NCO’s and Officers. I want to thank all the family members and
friends for their continued unconditional support; the strength of our Soldiers is their Families.
We are better Soldiers and Leaders because of you. The following months will be no different,
we will continue to “GET AFTER IT!”

“Regulars by God”

“Deeds Not Words”

CSM Timothy Edwards
Regular 7

**********************

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

The Regulars are pressing forward as always accomplishing the mission with excellence here in Kuwait. I sincerely hope that all mothers
in the Regular family were remembered, and appreciated this past Mother’s Day. We truly appreciate you continuing to make
things happen on the home front. Soldiers consider having their children and homes well cared for while deployed, an “essential
task.” Mission mindedness is easier with the strong support of spouses and great mothers back in the United States.

This past Mother’s Day I thought about the birth of Moses as recorded in Exodus 2. We observe numerous
women exhibiting godly characteristics in this chapter. Moses was born in Egypt to an Israelite family
during a time that Pharaoh had ordered male babies to be killed. Midwifes knew this was wrong and
feared God instead of doing evil. His mother, Jochebed, was able to conceal his birth for a short time but
eventually placed him in a basket on the river, by faith. She did this in order to preserve his life.

Pharaoh’s daughter, the princess, finds the child and has compassion on him as he cries. Now, Moses
older sister has quietly and discreetly watched the whole ordeal unfold and then joins in during the commotion
of finding the child. She is ordered to find a wet nurse for baby Moses and naturally chooses
their biological mother to take care of him until he reached an appropriate older age before he goes back
to the princess as her child.

I observe three honorable characteristics in these ladies as recorded in the Bible. The midwives honored
God and refused to do wickedness to the babies. Moses’ biological mother was a woman of faith truly
wanting the best for her child even if it created heartache for herself. Finally, the princess exhibited
compassion and gentleness. I encourage you to be mindful of these three great traits, as you continue to
make us proud as mothers!

Regulars, by God!

Deeds, not words!

Chaplain Jerry Wagner “Chappy”

**********************

From Commander’s Desk

Hammer Company Soldiers, friends, and family,

Hammer Company saw many changes in the month of April. We said
farewell to three remarkable leaders, 1SG Joseph Rothgeb, CPT John Gonzales,
and CPT Fox Herron. 1SG Rothgeb was the standard bearer for everything we did
as a company during his time as Hammer 7. He served our company for 14
months, providing expert guidance and mentorship to our Platoon Leaders and
Non Commissioned Officers. CPT Gonzales was tireless in his role as the company
executive officer. CPT Gonzales ensured every Hammer Soldier had every
thing necessary to complete their training and missions. The HHC Scouts are
widely considered one of the best recon platoons in the Brigade due to the leadership
of CPT Fox Herron.

We welcome 1SG Edward Mills, CPT Anthony Chung, our new XO, and
LT Brandon Landes, our new Scout platoon leader. It’s a true testament to the
quality of leadership in our Battalion and Brigade to be able to fill these positions
with NCOs and Officers of their caliber. Each one has immediately made their
presence felt with positive contributions to keep Hammer Company moving in
the right direction.

Our Medical Platoon has worked non-stop the entire month. They have
established a Forward Aid Station and are providing excellent care to the companies
conducting Battalion Gunnery and Platoon Live Fire Exercises. They continue
to provide support to the Brigade combined aid station and conduct daily sick call
for the Battalion. During our first two months in Kuwait, the Medics have earned
the reputation of being the hardest working platoon in the company.

In April the Mortars conducted their semi annual MORTEP training exercise
and did an outstanding job as usual. They are preparing to provide fire support
for the Platoon Live Fire lanes, a three week event beginning on 11 May.

The Scouts finished Bradley gunnery with all crews receiving distinguished
scores and immediately transitioned to team and section live fire lanes
and their SCOUTEX maneuver exercise. They continue to improve their skills as
the eyes and ears of the Battalion.

Thanks again to all our friends and family at home. Keep up with the
Hammers on the “Regulars by God” Facebook page and don’t forget to congratulate
1SG Rothgeb, CPT Gonzales , and CPT Herron on a job well done. We wish
them all good luck as they move on in their Army careers. A true leader’s absence
is felt more than their presence. We will miss them all.

Respectfully,

CPT Terry Jones
HAMMER 6

Medic Platoon, HHC

Friends and family of the Medical Platoon,

As the 1-22 IN BN continues to maintain a high training environment, the Blood Medics have been asked to step up
and continue to provide medical support for field operations in the desert terrain of Kuwait. The Medical Platoon
continues to be recognized for the standard of care it can provide even in the harshest of desert climates, to include
massive sand storms and even thunderstorms. The medics were able to establish their Forward Aid Station (FAS) and
have continued to provide medical support for 35 consecutive days so far, with a mission to continue to support
field operations until mid June. Medics have taken advantage of opportunities to reorganize the supply trays and
medical drawers to provide the most efficient treatment in the event of an emergency. In addition to medical support
for the mission, the medics have also conducted valuable medical training. The BN Physician’s Assistant (PA), Surgeon,
and NCOs have led training for the junior Medics; this included notional casualty flow rehearsals, casualty
transport via litter carries and patient loading onto the primary MEDEVAC vehicle.

Outside of training and medical support, your Soldiers have participated in many bonding events, to include the celebration
of numerous birthdays, one of them being the hard charging PSG. The medics regularly partake in competitive
basketball and volleyball games against one another, all in good fun of course.

We have an intense month ahead of us; you should be proud of what your Blood Medics are able to endure and
the excellence they continue to strive for!

Until next month,

2LT Jay Jerman
“Blood 6”

SFC Adam Silvis
“Blood 7”

BN S2

Friends and Families of S2,

We would like to take the time to recognize a few outstanding achievements within the S2 section. Firstly, congratulations
to Specialist now Sergeant Erb who is attending the Warrior Leaders Course (WLC). Secondly congratulations to Private
First Class Baxley now Specialist Baxley.

Recently, your loved ones have participated as the opposing force for the Battalion Scouts. The S2 Soldiers did such an
outstanding job that they were personally asked to support the Scouts the next time because they provided them with very
tough and realistic training.

Coming up in the near future we will be participating in several training exercises in where we will conduct operations
along side of our Kuwaiti partners. We look forward to the challenge and experience of this partnered training.

We would like to thank you for your continued love and support, we could not do what we do without you.

Respectfully,
CPT Luis Mendoza
“Regular 2”

Scout Platoon, HHC

Friends and family of the Scout Platoon,

As the weather in Colorado continues to include snow and random cold wind, the weather in Kuwait grows hotter by the day.
Over the past month your Scouts have completed multiple training events including Un-stabilized Gunnery, Bradley Fighting Vehicle
Gunnery, Team Live Fire Exercises, Section Live Fire Exercises and Platoon Situational Tactical Exercises with the heat climbing up to
113 degrees. Throughout this time frame they have qualified on all weapons systems from the M4 Rifle to the 25mm M242 Bradley
main gun. The Scouts had 1 of 5 HMMWV Crews and 3 of 3 Bradley Crews earn a distinguished qualification during gunnery operations.
Our Bradley crews earned a platoon average score of 957 out of a possible 1000 points and gained the title of Top Bradley
Platoon during BFV Gunnery. We have watched individuals become part of a team, teams increase their proficiency for their
sections, and sections work together as a platoon. Your Soldiers have dedicated a large portion of their time to training development
and have continued to impress the chain of command at each event.

Although a lot of our efforts have been focused toward sustaining the level of proficiency your Soldiers attained through
NTC, we continue to develop ways to increase resiliency throughout the platoon. Many Soldiers throughout our formation have
capitalized on the opportunity to see more of the country and its culture through MWR trips to malls, museums, restaurants and
even fishing trips. These events have allowed Soldiers to further understand the inner-workings of Kuwait while getting a taste of
home at some of the newer malls which have restaurants including Texas Roadhouse and Starbucks.

Over the past month, a number of your Soldiers have been promoted and we would like to recognize them at this time.
SGT Ramirez, SGT Forster and SGT Gravatt were promoted to the rank of Sergeant while PFC Miller was promoted to the rank of
Private First Class. Their hard work and dedication has been instrumental in the platoon’s success and continues to set the example
for others to follow. As always, we thank the families of the Scouts. Your continued care and support allow the Soldiers to remain focused
on safety, professional development and mission accomplishment.

Until next month,

1LT Brandon Landes
“Comanche 1”

SFC Michael Anderson
“Comanche 4”

Mortar Platoon

Friends and family of Thunder Platoon,

Despite harsh sandstorms and increasing temperatures, your Soldiers have worked tirelessly this past
month to maintain the fight. For the past month, the Thunder Platoon has conducted several training exercises
with the intent to not only improve the platoon’s indirectfire proficiency, but to also further develop ourselves as
professional Soldiers. By far, our most important exercise was the semi-annual Mortar Training Evaluation Program
(MORTEP), which tested the abilities of the platoon to receive indirect fire missions, process firing data, and execute
fire missions within a prescribed amount of time. Thunder Platoon was also hand-selected by the Regulars Battalion
to conduct partnership exchange with Kuwaiti Soldiers from the 35th and 15th Mechanized Brigades. The event
lasted three days, and included classroom instruction and practical application of Traffic Control Points. Your Soldiers
handled themselves with absolute professionalism, impressing not only their chain of command, but the Kuwaiti
chain of command as well.

Although our main focus has been primarily structured around maintaining professional skills, we have not forgotten
that resiliency is extremely important to the welfare of the platoon. Many Soldiers have taken the advantage to
experience Kuwait and its culture through MWR trips to museums, mosques, malls, restaurants and even golfing
trips. These opportunities have offered your Soldiers the experience to witness another culture firsthand, and to
appreciate what’s waiting for them back home.

As we look to the future, we are sad to report that we will be losing four of our finest Soldiers who have fulfilled their
call to duty, and will be returning honorably to civilian life. Although they will be greatly missed, we have absolutely
zero doubt in the ability of the Thunder Men to continue pushing forward. Each day I find myself astounded by the
courage, resiliency, and abilities of these young men to accomplish any task thrust before them. As always, we
would like to thank all of you for your continued love and support of your Thunder Mortarman! You are the force
behind the fight!

Until next month,

1LT Samuel Flohr
“Thunder 6”

SSG Richard Harrington
“Thunder 7”

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