Vol. 77, No. 28 July 19, 2019 Bustin’ moves The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard presents the colors July 10 at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at the Norris- Penrose Event Center. The mounted color guard, 4th Inf. Div. Band and Fort Carson leadership participated in the reception and parade to kickoff the rodeo. The week- long event began with a parade in downtown Colorado Springs. See story on pages 16-17. Photo by Amber Martin Esper in confirmation hearings By David Vergun to the full Senate for its vote on whether to confirm option, because war with the United States will force Defense.gov Esper for the job. them to bear enormous costs,’’ he said. In his opening statement, Esper noted the growing Besides warfighting priorities, Esper said he would WASHINGTON — Army Secretary Dr. Mark T. threats posed by great power competitors such as China place particular focus on the well-being of the men and Esper told senators that he would continue to prioritize and Russia and told the panel that these threats warrant women of the armed forces, along with their Families. He training, modernization, building alliances and partner- a refocus to training, research and development, and mentioned housing, child care and spousal employment ships and reforming the Pentagon if he’s confirmed to equipping for high-intensity conflict, particularly in as important to the force’s readiness. serve as secretary of defense. the space and cyber domains. ‘‘Our military Families are willing to make great Esper, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to At the same time, he said, the military must be sacrifices for their country, and in return, I am com- assume the Pentagon’s top post, testified at his Senate prepared to respond to regional threats posed by Iran, mitted to ensuring they are cared for properly,’’ he said. Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing North Korea and terrorist groups around the world. today. The committee will make a recommendation “Our adversaries must see diplomacy as their best See Esper on Page 4 Message board Inside Annual School Physical Event is July 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Iron Horse Family Medicine Clinic at Evans Army Community Hospital. Call the Care Line at 526-2273 for an appointment. Page 25 Page 7 Page 15 2 MOUNTAINEER — July 19, 2019 Commentary MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Watch where you’re going Maj. Gen. Randy A. George Commentary by Norman Shifflett Garrison Public Affairs Office Garrison Commander: Col. Brian K. Wortinger We have all seen the funny videos of people Garrison Public Affairs Officer: Dee McNutt on their smartphones texting as they fall into a fountain or walk into a parked car. Chief, Print and Web Communications: It’s not as funny when a distracted pedestrian Rick Emert walks out in front of your car, however. It’s also Editor: Aleah M. Castrejon risky and can end up in a tragedy if it is you who walks out in front of someone else’s car. You Staff writer: Scott Prater cannot assume that the driver sees you because they can be distracted, too. When people are out Sports writer: Walt Johnson walking it is easy to become distracted by talking with one another about weekend plans, trying to Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall stay on a skateboard or looking at the latest Facebook post on your phone. This commercial enterprise newspaper is It can be just as dangerous to be a distracted an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the pedestrian as it is to be a distracted driver. Mountaineer are not necessarily the official When we are distracted, we are no longer view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government aware of what is going on around us, and that’s or the Department of the Army. Printed circulation when accident risk increases. is 8,000 copies. According to the National Highway Traffic The editorial content of the Mountaineer is the respon sibility of the Public Affairs Office, Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,977 Fort Carson, Colo., Tel.: 526-4144. The e-mail pedestrians died in traffic crashes in 2017. The address is [email protected]. NHTSA also reported that 78 percent of these The Mountaineer is posted online at deaths occurred in urban areas. http://www.fortcarsonmountaineer.com. So how can we avoid distracted walking? The Mountaineer is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The First, start by putting the smartphone away. It may Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs help keep you in touch on social media, but it Stock image Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in doesn’t keep you in touch with your surroundings. no way connected with the Department of the Next use crosswalks instead of the middle of the street. unmarked crosswalks can be confusing for the pedestrian Army, under exclusive written contract with Even when using a cross walk, look both ways to ensure the and the driver. The most important takeaway is to simply Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. The appearance of advertising in this drivers are actually going to stop. pay attention to your surroundings. If you can see it, you publication, including inserts or supplements, Other causes of pedestrian accidents happen when can avoid it. Uneven sidewalks, curbs, holes and distracted does not constitute endorsement by the people ignore traffic signals at intersections, run in front drivers can lead to injury or even death. Department of the Army or Colorado Springs of traffic and disregard crosswalks. Even with crosswalks, Remember everyone’s safety should be top priority. Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services advertised. The publisher reserves the right to reject advertisements. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, Doing something fun on post? physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity Submit a photo for the Featured Photo on http://www.fortcarsonmountaineer.com. policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. For display Send your submissions to [email protected] advertising call 634-5905. All correspondence or queries regarding and include a caption describing the photo and who took the picture. advertising and subscriptions should be directed to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, 235 S. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. The Mountaineer’s editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office, building 1218, room 320, Fort At a glance Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. Releases from outside sources are so indicated. The deadline for submissions to the Military The Journey (Chapel series) Mountaineer is close of business Friday the week Troops gather for ceremony Best fort ever — Page 19 before the next issue is published. The Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit submissions for Sustainment brigade welcomes leadership — Page 5 Chapel Briefs and schedule newspaper style, clarity and typographical errors. 4th SFAB gearing up with high tech Religious information pertaining to Fort Carson — Page 19 Policies and statements reflected in the news and editorial columns represent views Soldiers begin training for advise-and-assist mission — of the individual writers and under no Page 6 At Ease circumstances are to be considered those of Retired general mentors Carson troops Attraction the Department of the Army. Reproduction of editorial material is First female ARNG aviator visits 4CAB — Page 7 Antique hand-carved carousels in Colorado — Page 21 authorized. Please credit accordingly. Military Briefs Beyond the gate Services available on Fort Carson — Page 10 Activities available outside Fort Carson — Page 22 Soldier of the Week Within the gate Capt. Elliott Strube — Page 12 Activities available on Fort Carson — Page 24 Community Sports Annual Sun Dance at Turkey Creek Competitors take on Spartan Race Display / Classified advertising Native American encampment offers prayer, renewal — Community participates in summer event — Page 25 634-5905 Page 15 Briefs Mountaineer editor Thousands attend annual event Sports events in and around Fort Carson — Page 28 526-4144 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo honors service members — Page 16 Classified Post information Community Briefs Featuring small business directory and a welcome 526-5811 Announcements pertaining to Fort Carson — Page 18 home real estate section — Page 29 Post weather hotline 526-0096 July 19, 2019 — MOUNTAINEER 3 News Best Warrior Competition SMDC compete for top honors By Carrie David Campbell U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Regional winners descended on Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson to compete in a variety of Soldier skills to determine who was the best during the Best Warrior Competition, July 8-12. Eight of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command’s (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) top warriors faced off this week to determine who would be the command’s 2019 best warriors. “These Soldiers are the future. They really gave their all,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Finis A. Dodson, senior enlisted leader, USASMDC/ARSTRAT. “I’m proud of each and every one of them. And on behalf of SMDC, you should be proud of them. Because these are our Soldiers. They represent us. These are your Soldiers.” The competition consisted of numerous physically and mentally demanding tasks, including the Army Physical Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, Army warrior tasks and battle drills, a 12-mile ruck march, combatives, obstacle course, weapons Photo by Dottie White qualification, written common Soldier knowledge The Soldiers came from around the globe to Sgt.