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

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

December 2013

BN CO, Chaplain, HHC

December 2013

Soldiers, Family, and Friends of the Regulars,

“Regulars!” I can’t express how proud I am of the organizations Leaders and Soldiers during our deployment this year;
I am truly surrounded by professionals.

As we close out redeployment with the completion of reintegration training and the return of our equipment from Kuwait,
I ask that we all look out for one another more than usual. As we all know home-coming is a very stressful time for
military families, add the holidays and the stressors are instantly doubled.

We all need to plan our winter travels with extra time allotted for safety. Take the time to enjoy the upcoming holiday period
this winter, don’t rush. Our Soldiers and Families all deserve this long awaited chance for rest and recuperation.

I need everyone fully recharged when we return as the Battalion prepares for the upcoming transformation to a Stryker organization.
Once again we will, Get after it!

In closing, “Regulars!” come dressed to impress as we all get to enjoy each others company during the Battalions ball December 5th.

“Regulars by God”

“Deeds Not Words”

CSM Timothy Edwards

Regular 7

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

It is time to say farewell to the Soldiers, families, and friends of the Regulars. I was given the opportunity to serve
in a combat arms battalion with a proud history of service to our great country, and for that I am thankful. I specifically
requested to go to a mechanized infantry, combined arms battalion, and I got my wish. It has been an honor to serve with you
and see a different part of the Army. I am glad to now have a better understanding of infantrymen, tankers, maintainers,
and the plethora of additional support personnel and combat multipliers that ensure the mission is accomplished in excellence.
I would like to thank the NCO’s of the battalion including my battle buddy SGT Josh Barney for their strong support
which made taking care of Soldiers easy. I also appreciate their assistance and guidance along the way. Also, it is very fitting
to thank our XO Major Brown, our Commander LTC Adams, and the Command Sergeant Major CSM Edwards for
all the time they spent resolving issues, taking care of Soldiers and families, and pointing me in the right direction.
Last but not least I am appreciative of the BN Staff Officers and our staff NCO’s. It was great to be part of professional
group that worked well together. You provided support countless times to ensure Soldiers were well taken care of and
received quick answers. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors as you continue to serve in the world’s greatest Army.
My parting word of the day is this: Love God, love people. Everything else will fall into place if you get this right.

Blessings,

Chappy

Regulars, by God!

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

Friends and family of Headquarters and Headquarters Company:

We made it Home! I know everyone is extremely happy to have their Soldier home finally from Kuwait. Now the real work
begins with reintegration back into the family and Fort Carson. We have a lot of work ahead of us to reintegrate, even after
we finish the mandatory training.

According to the chaplain and all of the counselors, the “Honeymoon Period” lasts about 60 days after return. That has it expiring
around Christmas for most of us. I caution everyone to take great care in their relationship and survive this trial by fire.

I constantly brief the Soldiers every week about being responsible with their money and lives. As we enter the holiday season
a lot of stressors will raise their ugly head; notably money and time. We all got used to making more money while we deployed
and starting at our EOM November, some of us noticed a reduction in our pay back to our pre-deployment levels. I know
many of us would have liked to have that little extra for the holidays. I caution everyone to be careful and responsible
in their spending habits. Sometimes hand making a gift is worth much more than anything you can buy. Wendy is making
coasters with the Hammer Company crest on them for our family. Total cost for 8 coasters: $2. But making the gift,
as opposed to buying it, shows how much you care.

Now that the winter weather is beating us senseless, I want everyone to take extra care when traveling. KRDO.com and
KKTV.com usually have up to the minute reports on delays and closings. KKTV also has road conditions for the
major routes throughout the city. Make sure you check it regularly, especially when planning trips home.

Have a safe Christmas Holiday and enjoy your leave!

CPT Anthony Thies
“Hammer 6”

Hammer Families,

First, I want to commend the Hammer Soldiers on having a great deployment to Kuwait and the Families for their patience
during the deployment. I want to personally thank the Families for the support that was giving during Operation Spartan Shield.
Without you the deployment would not have been as successful.

The Battalion will be under new leadership on 10 Dec 2013. LTC Adams will relinquish command to LTC Mineni. All families
are welcomed to the Change of Command Ceremony. With this change of new leadership will come a change in combat power.
In the near future the BN will change from a ABCT to a SBCT.

The Battalion Ball is 05 Dec 2013, ensure you are there to enjoy this occasion with friends and families. The block leave period
begins on 14 Dec 13 and ends on 07 Jan 14. Enjoy this holiday period with your loved ones you deserve it. Please be safe
over the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

1SG Edward L. Mills Jr.
Hammer 7

Scout Platoon

Friends and family of the Scout Platoon:

Over the past two months Scouts have been working hard to adjust to the many changes inherent with redeployment.
With a large focus on family and social reintegration, your Soldiers have been asked to maintain productivity on
resetting platoon and company equipment that has been re-acquired from the rear detachment. Accountability and
maintenance on equipment will continue to consume a large portion of the work day; however, physical rehabilitation
and reintegration remain the priority. The acclimation period for the higher altitudes of Colorado Springs is a difficult time
for many Soldiers. Through tough physical fitness and determination, Scouts continue to overcome the lower oxygen levels
in order to improve their overall physical fitness.

As we approach winter block leave the unit will prepare for future operations and proposed changes while receiving
the remainder of unit equipment from Kuwait. Accountability will serve as the focus for the remaining weeks of December
in order to set conditions for the upcoming unit transition in January. As the weather continues to get colder, we continue
toward the beginning of individual level training. The training focus will shift toward basic marksmanship and qualifications
on assigned weapons. Scouts will continue to work hard and train to the standard in order to maintain the proficiency levels
achieved during the deployment.

As always, thank you for your support of not only your Soldier, but the Scout Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company and the 1-22 Infantry Battalion as well. We are very grateful for your sacrifice and your continued service
to the United States Army.

CPT Brandon Landes
“Comanche 1”

SFC Michael Anderson
“Comanche 4”

Medical Platoon

Friends and family of the Medical Platoon,

It’s great to be back on Colorado soil, although the cold may slow us down a little, being home with friends and family again,
warms the souls of the platoon for sure. As we integrate together as families again, it is important for blood medics and their
families to take it slow. When families come back together, emotions run high after the long awaited return. Myself and the
PSG encourage all our medics and families to stay centered and remember the joy and peace that we will find in being together
again in the upcoming months of the holiday season.

We are coming upon the busy holiday season and there is much to do in preparation for block leave. As a platoon we have
spent the majority of the month in re-integration classes and tackling the day-to-day SRP challenges that we encounter.
We have become familiar with our vehicles again and we have finally been introduced to the new blood medics that have been
taking care of business back here at home. Myself and the PSG would like to extend a warm welcome to PFC Castillo,
PFC Baker, PFC Smith, PV2 Premo and PV2 Parker to the family. We would also like to express our thanks and gratitude
to those medics that departed Fort Carson while we were gone and wish them success: SSG Johnson, SSG Maxwell,
CPL Martindale, SGT Bills, SPC Flodin and SPC Franks…all the best!!

We would like to congratulate Lt Jerman, SFC Silvis and SGT Shackleton on competing and earning the coveted EFMB.
The platoon contributed greatly to our success and we know we will be bringing home some more badges in the spring.
As we come into the new year, the platoon faces some challenges: In January we will transfer our M113/M577 track vehicles
to Fort Hood, prepare for the transition to the new Stryker Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV), welcome a new Battalion
Command team and prepare our medics for more training. Along with change comes new responsibilities, and as always,
we look forward to whatever challenges come our way knowing that we have the most talented, well-trained medic platoon
in the U.S. Army as we have shown time and time again…we just do!!!

2LT Jay Jerman SFC Adam Silvis

Mortar Platoon

Friends and family of Thunder Platoon:

Since we last spoke I’m sure that you have been enjoying the return of your Soldier as we continue to recuperate from
our redeployment from Kuwait. It is important to remember however, that “re-integration” is a continuous process, and that
your family may still be adjusting to the changes in your everyday lives. Since redeploying two months ago, the men of
Thunder Platoon have been working effortlessly to ensure a smooth transition back into garrison life. While placing an
enormous emphasis on the reintegration of families, Thunder Soldiers are also focusing heavily on the maintenance of
property recently acquired from our rear detachment. This requires spending countless hours in the exposed, frigid air
of the battalion motor pool. Aside from the cold, many of your Soldiers may also be experiencing difficulty acclimating
to the higher altitude of Colorado Springs. This only emphasizes the need for all Soldiers to also focus on the physical
aspects of reintegration; despite the winter winds and thin atmosphere, you can rest easy knowing that each Soldier is
pushing himself each morning to improve his physical fitness.

As the holiday season quickens its approach, all Soldiers are looking forward to block leave and spending quality time
with their families. However, we must not forget that we are professional Soldiers, and must continue our efforts to
maintain our readiness. In order to prepare for the upcoming transition in January, we will focus heavily on maintenance
and accountability until block leave arrives. After block leave, Thunder training will shift from the transition to
developing/maintaining our individual Soldier skills. As always, the men of Thunder Platoon will continue training hard
and to the standard, in order to maintain our level of proficiency achieved in Kuwait.

As always, thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to your Thunder Mortarman.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!

1LT Samuel I. Flohr
“Thunder 6”
SSG Richard L. Harrington III
“Thunder 7”

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

BACK