FALL 2019 WWW.INFANTRYASSN.COM CONTENTSNATIONAL INFANTRY ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Chairman/CEO ★ ★ LTG (Ret) Thomas F. Metz ARTICLES Immediate Past Chairman MG (Ret) William B. Steele Rangers Lead the Way Secretary/Treasurer 7 LTC (Ret) Mac Plummer Directors COL (Ret) Daniel Barnett COL (Ret) Johnny W. Brooks ‘The Boys of Pointe du Hoc’ 14 LTC (Ret) Michael Browder CSM (Ret) William M. Grant Mr. Jim Irvin CSM (Ret) Michael A. Kelso 2019 Doughboy Awards CSM (Ret) Steven W. McClaflin 16 COL (Ret) Ralph Puckett COL (Ret) L.C. Rush COL (Ret) William Simril Mr. Paul Voorhees CSM (Ret) Matthew C. Walker CSM (Ret) Richard W. Weik CSM (Ret) Willie Wells ★ DEPARTMENTS ★ Legal Advisor COL (Ret) Bob Poydasheff Ex-Officio Messages from the Chairman, President 4 MG Gary M. Brito BG David M. Hodne and Chief of Infantry CSM Robert Fortenberry CSM Martin S. Celestine NIA STAFF President/COO America’s Newest MOH Recipient 18 COL (Ret) Robert E. Choppa [email protected] President Emeritus COL (Ret) Richard Nurnberg Break Out the Champagne...We’re 19 Director of Operations Stephanie Haveron Celebrating a Milestone [email protected] Editor Jill Tigner [email protected] 20 News and Awards Awards Manager Karen Wallace [email protected] Non-Discrimination Statement ON THE COVER: A RANGER STUDENT COMPLETES THE LOG WALK, COMMANDO CRAWL AND Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for MONKEY CRAWL, TOUCHING THE RANGER TAB AND DOING A PULL-UP BEFORE HE IS ORDERED TO purchase, use, or patronage, without regard to the race, creed, color, sex, DROP 30 FEET INTO VICTORY POND. Photo courtesy of the Ranger Regiment Public Affairs age, or national origin of the purchaser, user or patron. Copyright Notice: All materials submitted to the Infantry Bugler become the property of the Infantry Bugler. The author/photographer assigns all rights, including subsidiary rights, for the material. 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For advertising information, contact Sarah Weikert by email at [email protected] or by phone at (678) 232-5253. ★ MESSAGES ★ From the Chairman From the President “You can’t see an Infantry squad—it is Congratulations to the National an idea that only exists when jointly held by its Infantry Museum Foundation which members,” wrote COL William Depuy in 1958 celebrated the museum’s 10th while working in the Office of the Chief of Anniversary. Special thanks and Staff, Army. congratulations to all of the great GEN Depuy would become the first U.S. retired leaders that made it possible Army Training and Doctrine Command MG Jerry White, LTG Carmen Cavezza, (TRADOC) Commander and very possibly has LTG Tom Metz, COL Greg Camp, Mr. had more impact on today’s Army than Ben Williams, and COL Dick Nurnberg. LTG (Ret) Thomas F. Metz anyone. His legacy lives in all the training and COL (Ret) Robert E. Choppa We have magnificent and education models currently espoused at the Combat Training Centers and within the remarkable women who make the NIA a success. Please extend of the institutions of TRADOC. What GEN Depuy was telling is that a squad has to be of special thanks to Stephanie Haveron, Karen Wallace and Jill Tigner. one mind and one mindset. That mindset usually ends up being that of the leader, Without them, we would not succeed. the one who sets the pace and the standards—the leader who has the most We want everyone to know that Victoria McDermott, president of difficult job in the Army. Phantom Products, has provided magnificent support to the NIA. The tough job of being an Infantry squad leader (SL) is hard for all the right Since 2004, they have supported the NIA and are our official SPONSOR. reasons. First and foremost, the squad is the first organization to make contact with Thank you, Phantom, for all you have done for the NIA. the enemy on any mission. The squad leader is the first to make decisions. The We have a Partnership with the Association of the United States squad leader is the representative of the commander at all times and places. Army (AUSA). We formed this partnership in 2018 and it allows the The problem is that the squad leader is also the least experienced, least NIA to give each new member an annual membership to AUSA. We trained, least educated, least knowledgeable in the ways of the military and has the also get preferential booth locations and support at AUSA Conferences. least amount of trained, educated and experienced subordinate leaders to assist in We are also partners with the National Infantry Museum and together the conduct of the fight. His squad members are less experienced, less trained, less we have started a new program called Friends of the Museum. When educated in the military and probably less mature. you sign up with the NIM you will now also receive a free one-year Working through the team leaders the SL must train, educate and plan for membership to the NIA. the other eight members of his squad to be able to successfully carry the fight to We are thankful for all our members. We have 6,405 lifetime the enemy. We should all ask ourselves if NCOES prepares them well enough in members, 3,200 annual members and 51 Corporate Members. Please the little time they serve before they find themselves in a SL’s position? What help us recruit more! We want to thank all of our Members for their else can we do? phenomenal support of the NIA. Everyone from Secretary of the Army, Army Chief of Staff to battalion level Please make note of these upcoming events. On 6 and 7 September, leadership, before making a decision that will impact the squad, might consider the NIM will host the Gold Star Families Dinner and the Global War on asking themselves: “Will this decision make the squad leader’s job easier or will it Terrorism Rededication. impact him in a manner that will complicate it?” Everything everyone in leadership The U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence hosts the Maneuver does should make an effort at improving the plight of the squad leader, be attentive Conference, 9-13 September. During the conference, the U.S. Army at making his job less challenging, and assist him in his efforts to train his Soldiers Infantry hosts the Doughboy Award Dinner, held in the National Infantry to close with and destroy our enemies. Museum. The Doughboy Award is given in three categories, officer, non- GEN Depuy summed up the role of the squad leader quite well: “Few squad commissioned officer and civilian. This year, the Chief of Infantry has leaders are doctors of philosophy—some are more articulate than others, but selected GEN (Ret) Stanley McChrystal as the officer and CSM (Ret) prudence suggests that we simplify their tasks as much as possible and this is Michael Hall as the NCO recipient. There is no civilian award this year. The where the battle drill and the team system relieve the squad leader of at least Doughboy Dinner would not be a success without the magnificent half of his requirement for battlefield explanation. Those who claim that this support of our generous Doughboy Dinner Donors. Bell, BAE, deprives him of his prerogatives underestimate the size of the problem which Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrup Grumman, Boeing, First remains to confront him. To decide, under fire, where the enemy is—how to Command, Chattahoochee Valley AUSA, SAIC, GDIT, Synovus, approach him—how to use the terrain—how to control his teams—inspire his L3 Technologies, Federal Business Council and hopefully others. men—and how to keep the squad’s mental picture alive, is challenge enough for On Veterans Day, all of the 69 Doughboy Award recipients will be any man.” honored with the Doughboy Pavers unveiled along the Path of Honor Therein lies the job of the U.S. Army Infantry squad leader—the hardest, leading to Patriots Park and Sacrifice Field. toughest, most demanding job in the Army. They deserve everyone’s assistance! I hope you can join us for these important events.