1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Updates 2009 Page 1

The democratic process is alive and well in the country of Iraq. As I am writing this newsletter this evening,
ballot boxes are being sealed and taken to main ballot centers as the future leadership of the different provinces
are determined throughout Iraq. More importantly to the Regulars, West Rashid conducted a peaceful election process.
It was amazing to be a part of this process. Your Soldiers did an incredible job of working countless hours
with their ISF units to ensure that all of the polling sites were secure. Once again the aggressiveness
of this Battalion not only ensured a safe and secure election process but continued to erode the resources,
and detain those that do not want to allow democratic governance to take over and lead this nation.
I couldn’t be more proud of the Regulars than I am right now.

As I have said before the only constant in the Army is change. And change we will. The Division is finalizing
its transition of MND-B to 1st Cavalry Division. Along with the Battalion the Division has been a part of
what I believe to be the largest transition to peace and stability since OIF started. They have helped
the senior leadership of Baghdad and the nation take charge of their own destiny and start to see the benefits
of the democratic process and just what it means to be a government elected by the people, for the people.
It will never look quite like our process but it is a democratic process all the same, and the people are beginning
to understand the power of the people and just what it means to have a government accountable to the people.
4th Infantry Division was a big part of this process and they have done a tremendous job
as they hand over Baghdad that is further along then when they received it.

Even after the elections, as always, your Regulars were out on patrol working with and pushing their Iraqi counterparts
to continue to secure West Rashid. This is probably the hardest part of what we do. It is always easy
to just go ahead and take charge and do it on our own but that will not get the U.S. out of Iraq. Frustrating at times,
challenging every day, your Soldiers continue to push them and prod them to get out and secure the area.
We have been blessed to work with some outstanding Iraqi Security Forces that learned early on that if they are
as aggressive as we are they can have success in securing their area of operations. I see it every day
in the Significant Actions throughout MND-B. Our area continues to have more detainments, more caches found,
more weapons confiscated than any other area in Baghdad. All of this success is directly attributed to your Regulars.
As we begin to prepare for our own transition I am confident that we too will hand over an area that is better
than when we received it.

By now I hope all of you have heard that unofficially we are coming back home in March.
So what does unofficially mean? It means that if the situation here turns for the worst, we could possibly
be ordered to stay and serve out, what our orders state, which is a total of 15 months. As the elections today reflect,
I don’t see that happening and I am confident and we are planning for a March redeployment.
The Rear-D and the FRG has more details for you and I ask, as always that you stay engaged with them
to answer any questions you may have. I hate to say this as I know your letters and packages mean so much
to all of us over here but I ask that all of you not send any mail to our Soldiers after 15 February.
Although your mail may eventually find your Soldier after that date, it may not be until we are back in the states.
Things here get very “fluid” as we receive the new unit and try to meet all the different suspenses that are a part
of the redeployment process. So your Soldier may not be on the same JSS or FOB as we go through this process.

Although we are beginning to see “the light at the end of the tunnel”, I promise we will not let up on the enemy.
We will not stop pushing our counterparts to get out and secure their neighborhoods. We will not stop pushing
our local leadership to listen to the people of West Rashid and to act on what the people are asking for and need.
We will continue to push the process of peace and stability throughout West Rashid until properly relieved by another unit.
We do this for two reasons: We and those before us have worked so hard and paid dearly to get to where we are today
in terms of peace and stability. We will make sure that West Rashid is a better place than when we took over
and continue the process of making West Rashid the shining example of what peace and stability can bring to an area,
and the prosperity that follows.

Thank you again for all the love and support you give to your Soldier. I truly believe
that we could not have been as successful without it. It means so much to all of us.
May God bless all of you, the Soldiers of 1-22 IN, and the United States of America.
Deed not Words!!!
Regular 6

The days are counting down and before you know it, we will be home. However, until then,
we have plenty of work that still needs our undivided attention, to include assisting the Iraqi Security Forces
in the security for their upcoming elections. In saying that, it is important for all of our Soldiers to keep their focus and head in the mission. And still, because of their commitment to succeed, we continue to have Soldiers that accomplish great feats. Here are a few examples of what the great Soldiers in this Battalion are doing everyday.

From HHC is SGT Matthew Gaines who hails from Sugar Land, TX. As a medic working in the
Battalion Aid Station, he is responsible for tracking all immunizations, maintaining a 95% updated shot record
for every single Regular. The best average in the Brigade, I might add. SGT Gaines spends numerous hours
throughout the day and night inputting this data into a medical database. In addition to this, as the primary
medical training NCO, SGT Gaines has conducted refresher training for fifteen of the Battalion’s medics.
He joined the Army to serve as medic so that he could affect his fellow Soldiers in returning safely from combat.

SPC Hartle, also a medic, is assigned to the Gators from Company A. He is being recognized
for his quick reaction as a first responder to a grenade attack on January 6th in which two fellow Gators
received shrapnel wounds. His calmness under pressure resulted in expert treatment and a quick evacuation
of the two Soldiers. Both Soldiers were returned to duty, a testament to SPC Hartle’s abilities.

As Bravo Company’s commo guru, SPC Ryan Lear has been pivotal in establishing and maintaining
Bear’s critical communications links. He did this not just once, or twice, but a total of six different times
as B Company made several moves within the Baghdad area. SPC Lear hails from Charleston, SC
and joined the Army to do something with his life. Well, I would say that he has definitely done some great things
so far and at the same time, he has brought much success to his Company’s mission by ensuring that the Bear Soldiers
are heard on the battlefield.

With a degree in culinary arts, PFC Francisco Ko, from Olympia, WA, joined the Army to repay a college loan
and to serve as, you guessed it, a cook. He joined the Battalion as it was already in theater, getting assigned
to the food service section of E/FSC and then out forward with Company C. While serving the Soldiers
of Snake Company out at the JSS, PFC Ko has done a remarkable job in displaying his ingenuity,
attention to detail and an unsinkable positive attitude. He adds to the traditional Army field menus
with his additional culinary skill by preparing and serving for 167 Soldiers and is always prepared to go the extra mile
to make each meal one of a kind.

As a forward observer assigned to Dealer Company, SPC Lagle, from Flora Illinois, joined the Army
to travel and benefit his family. Working in the Headquarters Platoon, SPC Lagle has really stepped up to the plate
by displaying true leadership qualities in his ability to perform duties in the Company’s security plan
by serving as a tower guard and Sergeant of the Guard. He has taken on an active role in maintaining guard rosters
mentoring other Soldiers in the security task. This has resulted in SPC Lagle’s recommendation
for promotion to Sergeant.

SPC Martin Ferrufino, was born in Mexico and grew up in El Paso, TX. He joined the Army right after high school
to contribute to the Global War on Terrorism, with training in Bradley Fighting Vehicle maintenance.
He has since been assigned to EFSC where he is attached to Echo Company’s Combat Recovery Team.
As a BFV mechanic, SPC Ferrufino really knows his job, but additionally, his competency is displayed in his
overall mechanical skills as he has become an expert in repairing and servicing the various other engineer vehicles
used in Killer Company’s Route Clearance mission. SPC Ferrufino’s initiative and ability to perform
precise trouble-shooting techniques has kept the engineer mission on the move.

Being assigned to Echo Forward Support Company, SPC Thomas Hamic, from Grand Prairie, TX,
knew what military life was all about when he left the Marines and joined the Army to continue supporting his country
and family. He serves in the Headquarters section as an RTO in Eliminator’s Log Fusion Cell, assisting in
the coordination and battle tracking of the Company’s numerous Combat Logistics Patrols. Additionally,
SPC Hamic works for the 1SG with the administration needs of the Battalion’s largest Company’s orderly room
by turning in awards, NCO reports and meeting other Human Resource requirements.

All of the Soldiers that I have mentioned are doing a tremendous job and because of their hard work and dedication,
they will receive a Battalion Coin from me. They, along with the rest of the Battalion, truly emphasis
the Battalion’s motto of “Deeds, not Words.”

Once again, thank you for supporting your Soldier and the Battalion during this deployment.
God bless all of our families, our Battalion, all of our fellow military service members deployed
and God bless the United States.

Hammer 6

Hammer 7

January is drawing to an end and it’s been another great month for the Hammers.
This month we finished rotating our women and men through Environmental and Morale Leave (EML)
and Freedom Rest. We also sent a few folks with the Chaplain as he conducted a retreat for the Battalion.
With that, we still have some time ahead of us and we remain vigilant and focused on the tasks ahead.
I hope January has been productive for you folks at home; it certainly has been for us.
The Hammers continue to work hard and I couldn’t be more proud of them. In addition to continuing
our ongoing efforts, this month we began to identify both unit equipment that will be going ahead of us
to Fort Carson and equipment that will be turned in for Reset (in-depth inspection and repair).

Awards this month include PVT Kellogg, one of our Fire Support Specialists, who was awarded
the Army Achievement Medal by 7-10 CAV this past week for his hard work with them.
Promotions for this month included SFC Williams of the S6 shop who officially pinned on
Sergeant First Class and PFC Grady of the S2 shop who was promoted to Specialist.

January’s reenlistments included SPC Stone of the S6 shop who reenlisted for four years to stay at FT Hood,
SPC Wilson of the fire support cell who extended his enlistment this month, and PFC Grady from the S2 shop
who was reenlisted at Camp Liberty this month by GEN Casey. As with all our Soldiers who renew their
commitment to the defense of the nation, I appreciate their decision and realize that when a Soldier reenlists,
a whole Family reenlists. I sincerely appreciate the sacrifices that everyone at home makes for our Soldiers and for our country.

February will come with all its challenges and victories. I encourage you all to use the time you have
until the unit returns constructively. I encourage you to start preparing for the changes that will come for us all
as the unit redeploys. For many of us, the changes will center on our pending move to Fort Carson,
which will include school changes for our children, job changes for some of our spouses, changes in housing,
and changes in climate to name a few. For those who are remaining at Fort Hood, there will be the change of unit
and of personnel. For those who PCS to other posts, those who retire, and those who ETS, they will have changes
all their own to face. A large determining factor towards how those changes will affect your family is preparation.

As always we miss you all and keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Until next month,
keep the Hammers in your hearts and prayers and we will keep you in ours.
Melissa and I appreciate all you do.

As we welcome in the NEW YEAR! We also look forward to the day we all can come home.
While I was on leave I was surprised by two tid bits of news from my wife (and no she is not pregnant!).
First of all, my wife was made a Squadron Commander (Battalion Commander equivalent) as a civilian.
Secondly, she won the Geico (Car Insurance) Alcohol and Drug Addiction, Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) award,
civilian category for the entire Air Force! She will be going TDY to Washington D.C. next month
to compete against the Army, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard in the same category; if she wins,
she’ll get $3,000.00 and a year of free car insurance. But I am still happy with USAA (smile).

As soon as I came back from leave, we held a Freedom Rest Spiritual Retreat (which was scheduled before I left)
located in the Green Zone, where 21 Soldiers across the Regular Battalion received much needed R&R.
We held mandatory classes in Marriage, Anger Management, Grief Recovery, and Rest /Resiliency.
Yes wives, your husband’s received 3 classes in marriage focusing on men, women and the impact
our parents have on our marital relationship. For example, men are very, very focused one task at a time creatures,
whereas women encompass everything within their environment. So while a husband and wife is watching TV together;
if all the knobs in the kitchen are gold plated except for one, it will drive her insane until all knobs match . . .
it doesn’t matter which one as long as it matches the décor of the room.

A Soldier raised the question, “How can I take a marriage class without my wife?” to which my answer was,
“The principles I’ll be teaching will enhance your marriage and then when you apply them, your wife will notice
a difference and she’ll want to attend future classes with you.” Speaking of future classes,
as of today, we have on the Battalion calendar a marriage retreat for 30 couples on the 14th and 15th of May.
That falls on a Thursday and Friday, and it is one week after we get back from block leave
and the week following is Memorial Day Weekend.

As I close, thank you so much for supporting your husbands and wives while it combat,
we could not have completed our mission with you.
I AM
REGULARS BY GOD!