WTB Changes Leadership Story and Photo by James H
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Vol. 66, No. 23 Published in the interest of Division West (First Army) and Fort Carson community. June 6, 2008 Visit the Fort Carson Web site at www.carson.army.mil. Word of the month: Selfless Service WTB changes leadership Story and photo by James H. Egbert Mountaineer staff With Cheyenne Mountain looming in the background, flag swaying in the light breeze as clouds passed by mostly sunny skies, Manhart Field might have made a great spot for a morning picnic. Instead, the Warrior Transition Battalion held a change of command and a change of responsibility with all of the tradition the Army could muster on Tuesday. Instead of shouted commands, a bugler sounded the traditional commands. Command Sgt. Maj. Bernard J. Richardson passed his responsibilities of to Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Bunch as Lt. Col. Gaylene K. Weber relinquished command to Lt. Col. Andrew Grantham. The ceremony marked the first time a senior commander has relinquished command at the same time the responsibilities of command sergeant major were passed at the WTB. Weber has been commander of the WTB since the battalion stood up in June 2007. In just 363 days, the battalion has grown from just a couple hundred Soldiers and staff to more than 700 Soldiers complemented by hundreds more in medical staff. The WTB is carrying on the mission of helping Soldiers assigned to the battalion to heal from wounds seen and unseen then to transition to continued Army service or civilian life. The guest speaker for the change of commend ceremony was Col. Kelly A. Wolgast, commander, Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson. “Last June, we at the Medical Activity Command were not too sure how this mission would progress. Today, with the exceptional support of the staff at Evans, the Fort Carson garrison and support elements, we have created a strong unit with a compassionate environment in which our warriors in transition can complete their mission of healing. We have assisted hundreds of Soldiers in their successful transition process and will continue to do so in the future,” said Wolgast. Wolgast praised the efforts of both Weber and Richardson in building a successful command and leading from the front. Quoting Florence Nightingale, Wolgast said, “Let us be anxious to do well, not for selfish praise but to honor and advance the cause, the work we have taken up. Let us value our training not as it makes us cleverer or superior to others, but inasmuch as it enables us to be more useful and helpful to our fellow creatures, the sick, those who most want our help.” With the passing of the battalion’s colors from the outgoing command sergeant major to the outgoing commander, then to the incoming commander and finally the incoming command sergeant major, the torch is passed and command integrity is maintained. Weber praised her command team and the Soldiers of the WTB for the strides they had made in standing up the battalion and thanked all who supported her during her command. Grantham spoke to the WTB and his new command staff, thanking them for their hard work and encouraged them by Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Bernard J. Richardson passes the battalion colors to symbolize the telling them that the standards they already set merely needed to change of responsibility to outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Gaylene K. Weber, before she in turn be maintained. passes the colors to Col. Kelly Wolgast and on to the incoming command team. II Military Feature Happenings NN SS II DD EE Page 7 Pages 22-23 Page 33 2 MOUNTAINEER — June 6, 2008 Opinion/Editorial MOUNTAINEER Selfless Service Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham Garrison Commander: Soldiers live by core values Col. Eugene B. Smith Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: by Sgt. 1st Class Jose A. Colon-Rivera So the question is, why would a normal human Dee McNutt being choose to go into the U.S. military or in any of the Chief, Print and Web Communications: Equal Opportunity Advisor Douglas M. Rule first-responder professions? It defies logic, seems like Editor: Julie M. Lucas “Because it is the right thing to do.” My father said today’s generation puts their needs in front of anybody Staff Writer: James H. Egbert those words to me many years ago and they seem to else’s and yet, today, hundreds of people volunteer to defend Thea Skinner contrast with today’s favorite saying, “What’s in it for me?” our nation, even when it is not the popular thing to do. Sgt. Courtney E. Marulli Why does the firefighter run into the building engulfed Our nation is guided by the simple principle defined Spc. Daniel Donegan Happenings: Nel Lampe by flames? Why does the police officer protect those by my father’s words: “Because it is the right thing to do.” Sports Writer: Walt Johnson who cannot protect themselves? Why does the future That is the basis of one of the most important values Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall Soldier, Airman, Marine or Sailor go to the recruiting taught to our Soldiers: selfless service. There is no other station, raise his or her right hand and swear to defend the explanation. When it seems that egoism and self-interest are Constitution of the United States? at the heart of society, we can always point at our military This commercial enterprise newspaper is All of those professions are dangerous and many men and women, our police officers, firefighters or so an authorized publication for members of the people would rather work on a job that will help them pay many others who made a career out of serving their Department of Defense. Contents of the Mountaineer are not necessarily the official view the bills and not endanger their lives. There is nothing communities and our Nation. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the wrong with that. It takes a special kind of person to be Selfless service, an Army value, and a way of life; Department of the Army. Printed circulation is willing to sacrifice his life so others might live. it also defines our nation’s character. 12,000 copies. The editorial content of the Mountaineer is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: (719) 526-4144. The e-mail address is [email protected]. The Mountaineer is posted on the Internet at http://public.carson.Army.mil/ PPOOSSTT TTAALLKK sites/PAO/mountaineer/archives/forms. The Mountaineer is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in What does selfless service no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. The appearance of advertising in this mean to you? publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or Colorado Springs “To me the Soldiers, Sailors, “My definition of selfless Military Newspaper Group, of the products or Airmen and Marines service is giving 100 percent services advertised. The printer reserves the demonstrate selfless service of yourself to serve others right to reject advertisements. Everything advertised in this publication just by volunteering to join before yourself. If I were asked shall be made available for purchase, use or and go off to fight the Global to serve on the front line patronage without regard to race, color, War on Terrorism. To show on the Global War on Terrorism, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation dedication and to give up your I would gladly accept and or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, freedom for others, there's go without thinking of my user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this no better way to demonstrate own needs.” equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print selfless service.” advertising from that source until the violation Petty Officer 2nd Class is corrected. For display advertising call Sgt. 1st Class yeoman, Larry S. Moore (719) 634-5905. Navy Operational Support All correspondence or queries regarding Kwain Stovall advertising and subscriptions should be 1st Space Battalion Center, Fort Carson directed to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone “Every Soldier gives up the sense of self (719) 634-5905. first by leaving his home and Family The Mountaineer’s editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public to serve and fight for the freedom and Affairs Office, building 1550, room 2180, lives of others. That is the best example Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone of selfless service I have seen in the (719) 526-4144. Releases from outside sources are so Global War on Terrorism.” indicated. The deadline for submissions to the Mountaineer is close of business the week Pvt. 2nd Class Daniel A Corredor before the next issue is published. The Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit Company B, 10th Combat submissions for newspaper style, clarity and Support Hospital typographical errors. Policies and statements reflected in the news and editorial columns represent views of the individual writers and under no circum- stances are to be considered those of the Department of the Army. Reproduction of editorial material is authorized. Please credit accordingly. “The basic building block of “I define selfless service in my selfless service is the job by keeping conscious of commitment of each team daily sacrifices by the Soldiers Classified advertising 329-5236 member to go a little further serving in Iraq and by putting or a little longer or look a little their needs before my own.