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

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

December 2013

Company A, Company B, Company C

Greetings Families and Friends of Able Company,

I hope everyone has been enjoying the company of their husbands, sons, fathers, brothers and friends. I know that my wife
and children are excited to have me home. The redeployment and reintegration process has run exceptionally smoothly
and that is all thanks to the committed efforts of you, the Soldiers and families of Able Company. These past few weeks
have again reminded me what a truly amazing organization this is and will always be. You may have noticed in the last week
or so that many of the Soldiers have been working hard and staying later than normal than that of a recently redeployed Soldier.
I asked very much of the Company and they outperformed my and everyone else’s expectations and we are leading the way,
again. Do not worry, because there is light at the end of the tunnel with a well-earned Block Leave shortly arriving on
December 14th. I imagine that mostly everyone is focused on quality time with the family during the Thanksgiving and the
Holiday season. In December, the Company and Battalion will celebrate its successes at the Battalion Ball on December 5th.
I look forward to seeing everyone there, because we are going to have a fantastic time. Also, on December 10th at 1030
at Founder’s Field (across from the Division Headquarters) we bid farewell to our Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel
Adams, and welcome Lieutenant Colonel Mineni. I invite everyone to attend the ceremony to show support and appreciation,
and if you have not seen a Battalion or Brigade Change of Command before, it is worth the time. 1SG Overway
and I will remain committed to ensuring that family is first during these next few months.

Able and Ready!

Deeds, not Words.

Sincerely,

CPT Larry Kay

Able 6

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

Since our last newsletter, 1PLT has redeployed from Kuwait and taken part in a wide variety of reintegration training.
Our first week back, 1st Platoon Soldiers completed medical reintegration at SRP and financial planning and readiness classes
among numerous other reintegration classes. Over the next few weeks, our Soldiers will continue to transition to garrison life
as they prepare for Thanksgiving and Winter Block Leave with friends and family. Looking further into the future, 1PLT
will say goodbye to a number of Soldiers who will either move to other units as part of a permanent change of station
or transition out of the Army this Spring. See you soon!

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

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

Since our last newsletter, many things have happened. First and foremost, the Battalion redeployed to Fort Carson
and Soldiers reunited with their families. I hope all of you have enjoyed the time with your families after a long nine months
in Kuwait. Since we have been back, the Platoon has been conducting reintegration training as we ease back into a normal
schedule. Currently, the main focus has been servicing our vehicles in preparation to ship them to Fort Hood as we transition
into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Soldiers we would like to recognize in this newsletter are SSG Cuevas and SGT Nathan for their recent promotions.

Well, we hope all of you are enjoying spending time with one another and enjoying the must deserved time off.

Sincerely,
1LT Jay Parker
SFC Christian Dumas

Greetings to the friends and family of 3rd Platoon,

I am 2LT Walsh and will be the new PL for 3rd PLT. I commissioned December 13, 2012 as an Infantry Officer.
Since redeploying, 3rd PLT has been stateside for nearly one month. SRP and reintegration was successfully completed.
We are now heading into Thanksgiving week and then Block Leave for Christmas. I look forward to working with 3rd PLT
and would like to welcome our new soldiers to the PLT: PVT Rodriguez, PVT Pincoski, PVT West. I would also like
to extend my gratitude to 1LT Schmitz who is transitioning to our sister company (B) as their Company Executive Officer,
which from what I understand he has earned. Our company is quickly transforming from a heavy unit to a light (Stryker) unit
and we will get into the training cycle some time after we return from Block Leave. I also want to acknowledge two of our soldiers,
SGT Bosselaar and SGT Williams who were recently promoted.

Looking forward to working with the PLT,
2LT Anthony Walsh
& SFC Adam Prince

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This will be the last newsletter you will receive with me as the commander of Blackhawk Company. It has been nothing short
of an honor to serve with the men of Blackhawk and command this Company. I will take with me the lessons learned and memories
I experienced during the last two years. As I leave I know the Company will continue to succeed and excel as they always have
regardless of the Company Commander.

Since our last newsletter the Company returned from Kuwait and took a well deserved pass, which spent with our families and
friends beginning the reintegration process. After returning to work we continued the formal Army process of reintegration.
Once complete with reintegration we began preparing our Bradley Fighting Vehicles for turn-in as the first part of our
transformation into a Stryker Brigade. We have also begun getting back into a daily routine, which includes driving through
morning traffic, doing Physical Training, a myriad of daily tasks followed by a drive home through rush hour traffic.
The largest and best adjustment of course is no longer living with our coworkers.

Though we have just returned and are happy to be home the men of Blackhawk Company are excitedly looking forward
to the upcoming Christmas block leave. Most of our daily efforts are preparing us to leave for almost a month.

As I conclude this letter and command of a great Company I am beyond grateful that I had the opportunity to work with
such great Soldiers during my time in Blackhawk Company. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the families
and friends of this Company who have supported us all. Without our families and friends support there is little chance
that we would have had this level of continued success. To Blackhawk Company thank you for a great time, I will miss you.

Blackhawk 6

Headquarters Platoon

Headquarters Platoon, Blackhawk Company spent the last few weeks of the deployment conducting and facilitating
a few training exercises, accounting for property, inventorying equipment, and preparing to re-integrate to the United States.
Combatives training was taught by SSG Rodriguez to multiple Soldiers providing the opportunity to become
combatives level II qualified. A company level non-combatant evacuation operation was conducted in the virtual
battle space 2 simulator. In the NEO a platoon processed mock non-combatants as two platoons provided security
on a battlefield and the fire support team was able to practice close combat attack with helicopter pilots in the simulator.
SSG Weinberg was the Unit Movement NCOIC and ensured that all of the property that belonged to the unit was
packed correctly, loaded into shipping containers and sent to Ft. Carson.

Upon arrival to Ft. Carson the Soldiers participated in re-integration training. They cycled through the Soldier
Readiness Program for a series of check-ups, and took part in multiple briefs designed to make the transition period
a more smooth process. Most of the days where half days in order to give as a much time as possible for time to spend
with families after being away.

In the near future the 1-22 Military Ball will be held on the 5th of December. Also, block leave will give 25 days
without scheduled activity. A great time to relax and visit with family.

I would like to thank the friends and families of the Soldiers for the patience and support throughout the duration
of the deployment to Kuwait. It is a privilege to be a part of this element. Fear no man.

1LT Kuder SSG (P) Rodriguez

Friends and family of 1st Platoon, I whole-heartedly congratulate our Soldiers for a job well done these past 8 months
while deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield!

I’m happy to say that each and every Black Sheep has been successfully redeployed and is back home safe at Fort Carson.

Our final training event of the deployment was conducting a Squad-level Urban Operations Live Fire Exercise in which we
demonstrated our skills at working in squad-sized elements in order to clear individual buildings as part of a larger urban clearance.
Having mastered this foundation, we have shown we are ready to progress to Platoon Urban Operations.

With this exercise complete and our last preparations made for redeployment, 1st Platoon participated in a well deserved
award ceremony to receive our end-of-tour awards and hard-earned recognition from the Brigade Leadership.

Now that we have returned to our home station, we all look forward to block-leave so that we may spend the holidays
with loved ones and enjoy a relaxing break back at home.

I encourage each and every one of our Soldiers to take advantage of this opportunity to catch up with those we left behind.
Upon returning from leave we will find ourselves making the exciting transition to Stryker vehicles which will afford us
a new opportunity to expand our skill sets as Infantrymen.

Once again, welcome home and job well done!

1LT Demarkles
& SFC Jones

The deployment to Camp Buehring, Kuwait has come to an end and each and every one of the 2nd Platoon Spartans has
re-deployed safely back to Fort Car-son. I’d like to send out a Thank You to each of the families for your support
throughout the de-ployment.

Over the last few weeks 2nd Platoon has prepared for the redeployment back to Fort Carson. Soldiers spent the time remaining
at Camp Buehring packing up connexes with the Company and Platoon’s equipment and conducting the end of tour award ceremony.
In addition to packing, the leadership of the Platoon worked with the unit’s leadership that was replacing Blackhawk Company.
During this time, the Spartan’s laid out theater provided equipment with the incoming unit and signed the equipment over to them,
taught the unit our standard operating procedures, went over our lessons learned on the deployment, and gave a tour
of the facilities used on Camp Buehring.

Since redeploying back to Fort Carson, the Spartans have enjoyed some much deserved time off to spent with their families.
When the Soldiers have come into work, they have been going through the Fort Carson reintegration process. During this time
the Soldiers have worked through Reverse-SRP(Soldier Readiness Packet) and classes that deal with the adjustment
and changes from coming back to Fort Carson.

Over the next few weeks, the Spartan platoon will conduct three separate change of command ceremonies.
One at the Company level, Battalion level, and Brigade level. The time in between each ceremony will be spent
preparing the unit for the much anticipated block leave. Once again I’d like to say Thank You to the families
and I hope everyone is enjoying the time spent with their Soldiers.

2LT Morgan Watkins
& SFC Charles Buckner

3rd Platoon, Blackhawk Company, “The Outlaws,” are proud to have accomplished their mission during a successful
deployment to Kuwait. The Outlaw soldiers’ executed a tough and demanding mission set that tested their flexibility
and resiliency on all levels. Your soldiers completed all tasks and missions to a standard that truly set them apart from others
and lived up the high standards of The Outlaws. Now that the platoon is back at Fort Carson the pace has slowed significantly
as we complete reintegration training and transition to a garrison training lifestyle. We are proud to be back at Fort Carson
with family and friends. Please take this opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones.

The Outlaw Platoon is proud to announce the promotions of CPL Harding to Sergeant. He is a fully capable leader
who stood out among his peers due to his dedication and competence. SGT Harding and CPL Gualtieri successfully
completed the Warrior Leader Course before returning from Kuwait. SGT Harding’s efforts during the course paid off
as he graduated on The Commandants List. This list is reserved for the top ten percent of graduating students.
These young leaders have proven themselves capable of taking on more difficult tasks and responsibilities in the future.

Looking into the near future, the Platoon is preparing for a Company, Battalion, and Brigade Change of Command,
a Battalion Post Deployment Ball, and Block Leave. The Outlaws will focus on maintaining their high standards
during this transition period. We look forward to seeing many of you at the events leading up to block leave. 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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Cobra Families:

It’s great to be home!

I hope everyone has enjoyed having their Soldier back from Kuwait, and have been able to take advantage of the
long weekends and shorter work days. The Cobras worked extremely hard throughout the deployment,
and have tackled the challenges of reintegration with the same drive and discipline.

In the coming weeks, we will lay the ground work for our transformation from an Armor Company to a Stryker Infantry
Company. This transition will involve some significant personnel and equipment changes, and we are in the process of
turning wrenches on our tanks in preparation for their transfer. We are also working hard to ensure this transition goes
as smoothly as possible, and to best position every Cobra to pursue their career goals.

The winter holidays are also fast approaching! While this time of year is a great opportunity to gather with family
and friends, it can also be hectic and stressful, especially for our recently-returned Cobras. As in any family, I ask
that we look out for and take care of each other. The Sergeants and Officers of Cobra Company will be available
throughout the Thanksgiving and winter block leave period to help in any way we can. Please do not hesitate
to contact us if we can be of assistance.

The new year is looking to be an exciting and busy one! Please enjoy the winter break and holidays with family and friends,
be safe, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in the new year!

COBRAS!

Jared Wayne
CPT, AR
COBRA 6

Cobra Families:

From our last newsletter our Soldiers have accomplished so much in a short period of time. Just before we left Kuwait
the junior leaders and Soldiers of Cobra company participated in the first ever “Cobralympics”. This competition
developed by LT Garcia pushed the participants in numerous physically demanding events, from tire flips to relay races.
The winners were then presented AAFES gift cards from the Commander during our going home barbeque for their
outstanding performance. The winning didn’t stop there: our 3rd platoon, lead by SFC Williams competed
in CSM Edwards’ drill and ceremony competition and finished first in the Battalion! I can say proudly that we all
left Kuwait with our heads held high.

Now, as we complete redeployment and reintegration training, we must ensure we account for all of our equipment
returning from theater, and prepare ourselves for the well-deserved Holiday block leave break. This started as
we all returned home to our loved ones and resumed our normal routines here at Fort Carson. We have all enjoyed
short work days and time home with family. As we start back to our early morning commutes and physical readiness
training, the next mission is to check all of our equipment and prepare our vehicles for our upcoming transition to a
Stryker company. We will start having longer work days in preparation for both leave and our transformation.

As we all know, homecoming can be a very stressful time for us all. It is also the holiday season, which can double
stress levels, and so I ask that we look out for one another through the coming months. As the First Sergeant,
it is my responsibility that both our Soldiers and Families are taken care of. My door is always open and my phone
is always on for anyone in need, and I will be in the local area during leave to help those who need it. In closing,
pat your Soldier on the back for a job well done and please be patient with them during the next few stressful weeks.
I look forward to seeing all of you at our battalion ball December 5th.

COBRAS!

John S. Ugarte
1SG, USA
COBRA 7

Friends and Family of Headquarters Platoon, Cobra Company!

I simply cannot contain the joy and exuberant feelings I have in explaining how amazing it feels to be back home.
I know that each and every one of the Soldiers in our team feels exactly the same way. We have successfully
completed our mission in Kuwait and safely returned home to our friends and family.

Although, our mission in Kuwait is complete, we now have a new mission in the time ahead. We are to transition
from an Armored Brigade Combat Team to a new Stryker Brigade Combat Team. This means that all of our Soldiers
will have to perform plenty of maintenance until we turn in these vehicles for the new ones to come in. Additionally,
Soldiers will have to begin training in order to learn the new systems and vehicles that we are scheduled to receive.

With the holidays quickly approaching Soldiers are making their presence felt by contributing in the community.
The activities that our Soldiers have been a part of include: community clean-up around Fort Carson, making donations
to the Marian House Charity, participating in Toys for Tots and Operation Santa. Our Soldiers continue to serve their country
and give back to bring smiles to plenty of other faces throughout the holiday season.

I would like to wish all the family and friends of Cobra Company and the Regular Battalion a safe and joyous holiday season.
Enjoy your block leave, enjoy your friends and family, and most of all enjoy being back home you have all earned it.
Come back ready and re-juvenated to turn in and receive vehicles upon your return and to prepare for the next
mission at hand. Stay safe Cobras!!!!

Happy Holidays,

Reynaldo Valldejuli
1LT, FA
HQ PL / FSO

Friends and Family of First Platoon, Cobra Company!

The entire platoon has arrived home to Colorado, as I am sure all of you are very well aware! We have all been
enjoying time off and short work days since our arrival back to Fort Carson. I hope that all of you have had a
great time reuniting with your Soldiers and adjusting to the change. Now that the reintegration process is drawing
to a close, we will be picking the tempo up a bit again. Early next year our brigade will transition from an Armored
Brigade Combat Team to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team. This means that, sadly, we will have to turn in our tanks
in order to draw Strykers, an eight-wheeled combat vehicle. First platoon has already begun to work on our tanks
because they require a significant amount of maintenance before they will be ready to be turned in.

Maintenance work is not the only thing on tap for the next couple of months, however. The 1-22 IN Battalion Ball
is on the 5th of December. This should be a fun event, I look forward to seeing many of you there. Also in early
December (the date is not set in stone yet), our company will be taking a day off in order to take a paintball or a
ski and snowboard trip to one of Colorado’s beautiful mountains. Our most highly anticipated event, Christmas Leave,
will begin in mid-December and run through the first week of January. I hope that everyone enjoys this well-deserved
break and takes the opportunity to travel, go home, spend the holidays with family, or simply enjoy the Colorado Springs area.

I would like to thank all of you for the support that you provide for us and for your Soldier, it truly makes a difference.
Have a great holiday season and take advantage of the time off with friends and family.

Sincerely,

Jake Howell
1LT, AR
RED 1

Friends and Family of Second Platoon, Cobra Company!

I am extremely happy to tell you that all of us have made it home successfully and safely. Even though some of us
got back a little bit earlier than others I think I speak for all of us that we are extremely grateful to be back on American soil
again after having so much sand under our feet for nine months.

Now that we are all back we begin a new mission. That mission is the transition of the Battalion from a Heavy Combined
Arms Battalion to a Stryker Battalion. One of the first company and platoon missions is to begin a heavy maintenance
cycle on our tanks. We need to get them back to into tip top shape so we can load them onto trains and send them down
to Fort Hood, Texas. Once this is done we will begin the transition to the Stryker Platform which is an eight wheeled
armored personnel carrier. Even though we are sad about the turn in of our beloved tanks, Strykers’ are a brand new
vehicle for the Army and we are extremely excited to be receiving some brand new vehicles.

There are some closer targets than the transition to Strykers and maintenance of the tanks. The first one is the four day
weekend for Thanksgiving. I hope you all enjoy a well deserved weekend and some turkey! The second is the Battalion Ball
which is on 5 December, which I am excited to see you all there. Next is a Charlie Company Recreation day that will hopefully
include a paintball trip and a separate Ski/Snowboard trip. Finally, the much anticipated Winter Leave which starts
14 December and runs until 7 January. I know everyone will enjoy those 25 days off!

To the families and friends of Second Platoon and Cobra Company I want to say thank you for your tremendous support
through the end of the deployment, redeployment and our transition into the winter season. I want to wish you and
your families a happy and safe thanksgiving and can not wait to see you all at the Battalion Ball.

Sincerely,
Matt Marasco
1LT, AR
WHITE 1

Friends and Family of Third Platoon, Cobra Company!

Everyone from the platoon has finally made it back home, and the last flight from the battalion has also landed.
SPC Vlasic , SPC Dutchie, and myself were the last to leave the sands of Kuwait from the platoon. Thanks to the rest
of the platoon ahead of us, we were able to land and roll right into reintegration without any trouble. As we all know,
we are enjoying our time with our family, friends, and the fresh cool Colorado air. We enjoyed are well earned three day
and four day passes, half days, and easy work load. We finished up reintegration and are now ready to get back to work
and training for the many changes and tasks needing to be accomplished.

Coming soon in the next month, the battalion will transition from an Armored Brigade Combat Team to a Stryker
Brigade Combat Team. As a result, the platoon will be focused on preparing to send our tanks on trains to another unit.
We begin with an elaborate and detailed maintenance plan in preparation for transport in the next few months.
The platoon will also be training for mounting a new platform, the Stryker. The battalion will be rolling up its colors
as well as preparing for a unit change and new Soldiers. We have many planned events in the near future. On November 22,
the leadership is hailing the new leadership joining the unit and we are saying farewell the leaders moving on to their
future endeavors. On December 5, we have the Battalion ball. Soldiers are preparing their Army Service Uniform
with new awards and decorations.

I know all of you are ecstatic to have your Soldiers home, and we are more than ecstatic to be home with you all.
In the next few weeks, the platoon will have a platoon party and spend some good time with the Coyote family together.
We are all ready to return to our beloved Ft. Carson life-style and begin the new Stryker experience.
As always we are hungry for new rewarding experiences.

Sincerely,

Richard Garcia
1LT, AR
BLUE 1

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