Deputy CG Says Goodbye to First Team by Sgt
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www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ “Telling the First Team’s Story” Friday, July 7, 2006 (Photo by Pfc. Jeffery Ledesma, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) Heave-Ho! Soldiers from Company B, right, pull with all their might during a game of tug-o-war with their fellow 1st Cavalry Division’s 15th Brigade Special Troops Battalion buddies from Company A at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area during their brigade's organizational day July 5. Company A walked away with the win. The brigade, which received deployment orders in November, cased its colors on Cooper’s Field today in preper- ation for departure to Iraq later this year. Deputy CG Says Goodbye to First Team By Sgt. Nicole Kojetin the deputy division commander for sup- 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs port, he's been instrumental in preparing this organization for what lies before us - a Soldiers from every unit within the 1st return to Iraq in the fight for freedom," Fil Cavalry Division stood tall on the divi- said. "He has been a valuable member of sion's parade field on Fort Hood to bid this division's command team for more farewell to their deputy division command- than a year, and invaluable to me since I've er for support in a ceremony June 28. assumed command of this division just After slightly more than a year of serv- seven short months ago." ing the First Team, Brig. Gen William Troy Troy said that he enjoyed his time is moving to Fort Lewis, Wash., to serve as (Photo by Sgt. Nicole Kojetin, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) serving the division. the I Corps deputy commanding general. Brig. Gen. William Troy, the former "The 1st Cavalry Division has such a Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr., the com- 1st Cavalry Division's deputy com- distinguished heritage, such a tremendous manding general of the division, said that mander for support, during his record of service to our country," Troy Troy was a great help to the division in the farewell ceremony on Cooper Field said. "To be any part of it, from a private last year. outside the June 28. mier war-fighters, and in his capacity as "Bill Troy is one of the Army's pre- See Troy Page 3 Page 2 Commentary July 7, 2006 Man on the Street Soldier, Family Readiness What were your first thoughts when you found Key to Deployment Success out about your official By Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Johndrow Soldiers are prepared and cleared for deployment orders? 1st Cav. Div. Command Sergeant Major deployment medically, dentally and have their personal effects in order - like wills Photos by Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma ate last month, two more 1st and power of attorney. As leaders, we'll 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs Cavalry Division brigades and the ensure that our Soldiers are ready. And as "My initial thought Ldivision headquarters element leaders, we also need to ensure that our was 'Again?' This received their official deployment orders Soldiers' families are ready as well. is my third deploy- to Iraq. For most of us, this came as no First and foremost, take a look at ment.... Preparing surprise. We've known for quite some your own Family Readiness Group. Are for this one is easi- time that our time would come to rejoin the people and the processes in place to er because I know the fight for freedom in Iraq. And we've take of our families in the event of an what to pack, but been leaning forward in the foxhole in emergency? Do you know the family it's still as hard to preparation for that day. members of the Soldiers who work for Warrant Officer leave your family you and do they know how to reach out to Curtis Johnson the third time as it Knowing something will happen the rear detachment leadership? Headquarters was the first." eventually and actually doing it are two Company, 15th different things, though. Deployments I believe that every unit within the Sustainment Brigade are difficult. They are difficult for the First Team has taken the necessary steps troops in the field and they are difficult to make sure that our families will be "We kind of for the families left behind. No one is cared for while we are away, but now is already knew we the time to check and re-check our peo- were going for a immune to the stresses that come with a ple, programs and be proactive in our long time, and long separation and the time spent in FRGs. finally it's cer- harm's way. tain that we're The demands of a deployment can Finally, I'd like to remind all of you going, it's a tax even the best of us. Preparing for to spend quality time with your families relief. Now deployment goes far beyond conducting as each day brings you closer to your departure date. we're just wait- Pfc. Robert Ledford training exercises in the field. It should ing on the 3rd Bn., 8th Cavalry also include preparing your family for the We've conducted the lane training, 'when.'" Regiment, 2nd day when you will say good-bye. the field training, the mission rehearsal Brigade Combat Team For Soldiers, there are obvious things exercises and the live-fires. We're trained to work on, individually and collectively, and ready for the task at hand. With that "I expected (the as we ramp up to leave. Weapons profi- in mind, find time for your loved ones. In deployment ciency ranks high on that list, as does the days ahead, we'll ask that you put orders). I joined heightening your physical fitness level. your First Team family ahead of all else. during a time of All of our troops should be on the top of In the meantime, don't short-change your war, and they were their game and in the best condition of own. no surprise to me. their lives as they roll out to meet the ene- This division has a long, illustrious I'm actually volun- mies of freedom. I urge leaders at all lev- legacy and a rich tradition of superior teering to take part els to challenge their troops to reach new service to our Army and our nation. I am Pvt. Anthony Yates in a Quick heights in physical fitness, which will proud to be your command sergeant 1st Bn., 12th Cavalry Reaction Force and major, and we should all be proud to bear Regiment, 3rd go over earlier." serve them well under the harsh condi- Brigade Combat Team tions we'll encounter. the standards of this great division. It's time, too, to ensure that our Live the legend! First Team! Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr. Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl Contact Crossed Sabers at 287-6162, 287-9400 or e-mail Command Information Officer: Master Sgt. Dave Larsen [email protected]. Editor: Sgt. Nicole Kojetin Contributing Writers: Staff Sgt. Kap Kim, Sgt. Colby Crossed Sabers is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Hauser, Sgt. Robert Strain, Sgt. Paula Taylor, By Spc. Alexis Harrison Spc. Joshua Crossed Sabers are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, McPhie, Spc. Nathan Hoskins, Spc. Sheena Reyes, Spc. Beatrice Freeman- Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the First Cavalry Division. All editorial Florescu, Spc. Robert Yde, Spc. L.B. Edgar, Spc. Nathan Hoskins, Pfc. Ben Fox, content of Crossed Sabers is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 1st Cavalry Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma, Pfc. Ryan Stroud, Pfc. William Hatton, Pvt. Tiffany Mercer Division Public Affairs Office. Page 3 News July 7, 2006 America’s First Team Set to Deploy By Sgt. Colby Hauser Micheal Townsend, a human 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs intelligence specialist with Headquarters Company, Like wildfire, the news Division Special Troops that the Department of Defense Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. had announced the deployment "I joined during a time of war of the 1st Cavalry Division and I understood that. I came in Headquarters element, the 2nd to do something not many Brigade Combat Team, and the Americans get a chance to do. 3rd Brigade Combat Team to "My family members have Iraq spread throughout the divi- served and told their stories and sion's War Fighter site. I feel like it's my turn," he said. Since their return from a The 1st Brigade Combat year long deployment in March Team, located at Fort Hood, of last year, the First Team Texas, and 4th Brigade Combat went through many changes Team, from Fort Bliss, Texas, and faced its share of chal- was not included in the lenges. Humanitarian missions (Photo by Sgt. Colby Hauser, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) announcement. from the hurricane ravaged Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr., commanding general of the 1st "The 1st and 4th Brigades New Orleans, to earthquake Cavalry Division, addresses his Troops during a cere- will continue to train and pre- relief efforts in Pakistan, kept mony on the First Team's Cooper Field. pare themselves to deploy the division busy. While facing good people of Central Texas." stressful." should they be ordered to do these challenges, the division For many troops, this is "This is going to be my so," Fil said. The 1st Air has transformed to the Army's their second deployment to second time in Iraq and the one Cavalry Brigade and the 15th new modularity concept where Iraq, and what concerns or wor- thing I look forward to is see- Support Brigade received individual headquarters and ries they had the first time are ing the progress that has been orders to deploy last November combat brigades can receive replaced by experience.