Page 10 REVEILLE (CS) February 4, 2010 February 4, 2010 REVEILLE (CS) Page 3 Command Sergeant Major’s Corner....

he Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has hit the ground running here at Camp Roane Soldiers have been Shelby, and they are accomplishing their mobilization training tasks with great enthusiasm and attention to friends since they were six Tdetail. Strong bonds The Tennessee National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment has completed their training, and is getting ready to deploy to Iraq, where they will put their mobilization training to By STAFF SGT. THOMAS GREENE age of six. They grew up 15 miles apart in the test and help the people of Iraq. 278TH ACR Public Affairs different communities of Eastern I’d like to take this opportunity to Tennessee, both near the Cumberland commend Command Sgt. Maj. Ken It is common for young Soldiers to devel- Plateau, geographically the dividing line of Wagner of the 256th and Command op strong friendships with someone in their eastern and middle Tennessee. Sgt. Maj. Dan Jennings of the 278th unit, usually of the same rank with whom Davis hails from Oliver Springs, a sleepy for their outstanding leadership and they have shared all the good and bad the former coal mining town located at the foot CONFEDERATE RAILROAD... Members of the country music group Confederate Railroad visit Soldiers from I Troop, 278th of the Cumberland Mountains. Barber was professionalism, as well as all the Armored Cavalry Regiment Jan. 14. The band was traveling to Dothan, Ala., for a show and stopped to see the regiment. Soldier’s life has to offer. They become NCO’s and section leaders who make “battle buddies” and will generally main- raised in a place called Mossy Grove, a the difference during mobilization tain that special bond for life. rural community located on a foothill of the training. This is a story about two young Soldiers mountain. Mossy Grove is perhaps best I hope everyone enjoyed the con- Country music artists pay visit to 278th who had that special bond long before they known for being on the receiving end of a joined military service. seasonally freakish F-3 tornado that cert at the PX parking lot Jan. 28, and Their first album, entitled chance we get to do something to say By SGT. DAVID LANDRUM Spc. Matthew R. Barber and Spc. Aaron destroyed much of the community in I’d like to say thank you to all the “Confederate Railroad,” produced ‘thank you,’ we jump all over it.” CSJFTC Public Affairs Zebulon Davis are members of the November, 2002. artists, performers and support per- Cmd. Sgt. Maj. such hits as “She Took It Like a The group met with the Soldiers Keith Waters Regimental Headquarters Troop of the The roots of the friendship run 15 years sonnel who worked together to make Man,” “Queen of Memphis,” and and got to witness some training Soldiers from the 278th Armored 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, deep. Davis’ father, Dr. Scott Davis, had a the event a success. “Trashy Women.” “Queen of firsthand. The band members were Cavalry Regiment received a gift Tennessee Army National Guard. family medical practice in Spring City The farewell ceremony for the 278th ACR is scheduled for Memphis” and “Jesus and Mama” passengers in humvees that partici- Jan.14 as the country music group Both of the young men serve in the regi- when they first met as children. Feb. 5, and I urge everyone to attend this event if your mission reached the top of the country music pated in a live fire exercise. Secrest Confederate Railroad paid the unit a ments Combat Observation Lazing Team, “My family was on one of our Family allows. charts and their signature song, said the training experience was That being said, I’d like to remind everyone to keep safety in visit. The 278th ACR is currently COLT, a team of light infantry Soldiers who road trips when my sister became ill while “Trashy Women,” led to a Grammy “more than words could say.” Spc. Matthew Barber and Spc. Aaron Davis conducting training in preparation recon forward of the front lines and with traveling through Spring City,” said Davis. the forefront of your minds before, during and after the event. nomination for the group. “The training was awesome,” he for their year-long tour overseas. special equipment capable of guiding smart “My father found this doctor’s office there We expect approximately 6,000 Family members and friends The band was traveling to Dothan, said. “Anyone in a band can come “I think it is awesome,” said Spc. munitions onto targets they observe. and afterwards, while settling up on the bill, who had joined the National Guard and it the two were temporarily split up. to be here for the event, and this will mean a corresponding Ala., for a show and stopped along and play but to experience a live fire Kevin Holstine, I Troop, 278th Their former platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st our fathers began discussing their interest in sounded like a place to get camaraderie and Barber entered basic training six months increase in vehicle traffic to the tune of more than 2,500 cars, the way to visit with their fellow exercise up close and personal is Armored Cavalry Regiment. “That Class Richard Spencer, describes COLT Civil War history and they became friends.” the excitement I was looking for,” said later and after graduating from advanced trucks and SUVs mixed with pedestrians all around the parade Tennesseans. Their visit marked the priceless.” they would take the time out of their teams as infantrymen with “more expensive The friendship that began that day soon Davis. He added that he thought it was a individual training was assigned to the same field area. third time Confederate Railroad has Sgt. James Pearce, I Troop, 278th busy schedules to come and see us, it toys.” spread to their sons as Dr. Davis moved his happy medium because he wouldn’t have to section as Davis. Watch your speed in and around these areas, look out for been to CSJFTC. The first time was Armored Cavalry Regiment, said the has raised the morale of the To the casual eye the two young men practice to Oliver Springs. “Our Families leave his family and friends. Davis said that Barber being assigned to pedestrians as you drive through the area in case anyone walks in 2004 and then the group per- visit was a huge morale boost to the Soldiers.” might be twins. Both stand six foot three. started visiting each other on a regular basis When his friend Barber found out, he too his section was the best thing that’s hap- out from between parked vehicles. formed an acoustic concert for Soldiers, especially the younger Confederate Railroad first made Davis is muscular with red hair and a ruddy because we lived only 20 minutes apart,” sought a recruiter. Only his main motivation pened in his short career. “Barber being Camp Shelby NCOs, section leaders and personnel: As troops here in 2005. Wayne Secrest, ones. waves in country music in the early complexion. Barber has a fair complexion, said Barber. for joining was different. “I joined to cover assigned to my section gave me a battle always, thank you for your outstanding professionalism and bassist for the group, said trips like “It meant a lot to me,” he said. 1990s. Once a backup band for leg- is thin and has the frame you would expect These best friends spent a lot of time my best friend’s back,” said Barber. buddy for drills, annual training and now dedication to our mobilization mission. this are really special for the mem- “You’ve got musicians – they’re endary performers such as David to fill out as he grows into his mid-20s. At together as kids. Barber said, “Once we got “My father brought me up with high deployment.” Keep up the great work as we continue to gear up for the bers of the band. wealthy, they’re famous and they Allen Coe and Johnny Paycheck, the 21, Barber is older by four months. The our drivers license and cars we were always ideals and a loyalty to my nation. I got tired Both Soldiers stated they would be disap- tasks ahead. “It’s a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling,” took time out to support us. They are band received its big break when it strong likeness comes from their similar hanging out. We worked at some of the of seeing young men my age just wasting pointed were they to be separated and HOOAH! Secrest said. “We love doing it. Any all-Americans in my book.” signed on with Atlantic Records. quiet manner and that you always see them same jobs over the years.” their time and doing drugs. I knew there would do what they could to change that if together. Of the pair, Davis joined the National were fathers serving in Iraq and I thought it ever happened. Barber says the two of them have a lot in Guard first because he was seeking a chal- by my joining and going over there that Neither Soldier has decided on the mili- sharing their own personal stories By STAFF SGT. THOMAS GREENE common. “We were both home schooled lenge and a chance to do something worth- maybe one of them might get to come home tary as a career but both say they would like with our team,” said Ridley. 278th ACR Public Affairs and have similar hobbies such as four while. He said he also needed help financ- to his family,” said Barber. to serve in Military Intelligence. Ridley said he was impressed by wheeling and hunting. As children we were ing his education. The two were all set to attend Basic Barber is married to the former Emily the instructors here. “The tech- Specialist Lucas Ridley of mostly into outdoor stuff.” “I had thought of joining the U.S. Army Combat Training together when Barber Hanners of Oak Ridge, Tenn.. Davis is sin- niques and methods they teach are Knoxville, Tenn., joined the The two have been best friends since the for a couple of years and ran into a friend blew out his anterior cruciate ligament and gle and the oldest of 10 children. Tennessee Army National Guard a good way of doing things but not three years ago because he wanted necessarily the only way and they to serve his country. discipline I saw in his life just artillery fire missions.) say that,” he said. He had just turned 26 at the time piqued my interest. His name was Currently, Ridley is going “They’re just super about that and had already established the First Sergeant Minor and he was through mobilization training at and seem personally concerned traditional norm. with the old 190th Engineer Camp Shelby Joint Forces with my group and the success of He had worked at the same Company of the 278th Armored Training Center. our mission,” said Ridley. company for eight years and was Cavalry Regiment located in His current assignment is as a Ridley is employed by Exedy progressing nicely. He owned his Jefferson City, Tenn.” member of a personal security America Corporation in Knox- home, was married and was rais- Ridley said he joined and was detail which travels with and pro- ville. He is a tool making appren- 278th Cavalry ing two children. trained as a combat engineer and vides close up security for key tice. Exedy manufactures various Sgt. Michael Williams/CSJFTC PA “I just felt the need to serve,” specialized in demolitions. leaders in his unit. This will be his automotive products. He has Soldiers of the 278th Army Cavalry said Ridley. “Ever since I was a Later he transferred to the 278th first deployment. worked there for more than 10 Regiment (ACR), a Tennessee kid I had been fascinated with the Regimental Higher Headquarters “The training here at CSJFTC is years. Army National Guard unit, practice military. I grew up next door to a Troop and after training at Fort challenging but not over done. The He is married to the former using the “low and high ready” posi- Sill, Okla., he became a part of instructors are very top notch and Candice Frazier of Knoxville and tions with their individual weapons retired First Sergeant of our local during weapons handling drills at National Guard unit. He had been that unit’s COLT Team. (COLT professional. Each of them has their children are daughters, CSJFTC. The unit is currently train- a Drill Sergeant at one time and teams scout forward of the main had our mission overseas and Logan, age 10, Calista, 8 and a 22- ing here for their second deploy- his stories about the Army and the units and identify targets for they’re great at training us and month-old son, Caydin. Specialist Lucas Ridley ment to Iraq.