Feb. 25, 2010Issue 1

Jeremy Stickland, facility property manager, Lt. Col. Patrick Stevenson, 2nd STB commander, and Col. John Kolasheski, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. commander, cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new motor pool for 2nd STB.

2nd STB opens motor poolThe 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd

Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 2 to open their new motor pool.

Since the battalion’s return from Iraq in August, they have been sharing a motor pool with 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. The new motor pool will improve the mission by 200 percent, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jose Yanez, battalion

maintenance technician, 2nd STB. “Our own motor pool greatly enhances

our maintenance capabilities and enhances battalion readiness,” he said.

Sharing resources was very limiting because there were only two to three bays available to get work done, said Staff Sgt. James Braden, battalion motor sergeant, 2nd STB.

From Braden’s perspective, mechanics will now be able to achieve 100 percent of their mission due to adequate supplies and space, which will allow them to compete for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence.

“It’s something they are gunning for,” he said.

According to Yanez, the new motor pool is equipped with a small engine repair shop, small electronics shop, a radio shop, and two classrooms that can be used by the entire battalion. He said the mechanics will now have the ability to service up to eight vehicles at a time.

“There are heated floors and electric oil fillers,” said Sgt. Dennis Hines Jr., senior mechanic, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd STB. “It’s great. It makes a lot of us want to stay in this battalion just because of this building.”

“The guys that are going to be working here feel really great and really proud,” Yanez said. “We finally have a home to call our own.”

Commander’s Column

Col. John Kolasheski, commander2nd BCT 4th Inf. Div.

Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Over the last two months, as this brigade has focused its efforts on reintegrating Soldiers into the community and resetting its equipment, I have seen a tremendous amount of hard work, pride and discipline among Soldiers and leaders. The brigade should be proud of its efforts, as these tasks lay the foundation for what lays ahead in the coming months.

As the brigade nears the end of its reset phase, it must

shift its focus to training and recertification for full spectrum operations in any environment. This phase will require continued focus and discipline and will challenge Soldiers and leaders alike.

During upcoming months, we will train Soldiers on individual and collective tasks, qualify all crews, teams, squads and platoons on live fire ranges, and certify staffs and leaders for collective training events.

In conducting this training, we must make opportunities to develop our young Soldiers and

leaders at the most junior levels. The success of our future missions lies largely on their skills and abilities. Ultimately, these young Warhorse Soldiers will be charged with carrying on the Army’s future missions. They deserve our utmost attention and focused, caring leadership.

And, as we roll up our sleeves and get down to the business of preparing this brigade for combat operations, we cannot lose sight of nurturing our Families. Families play

(U.S. Army Photo by Spc. April York)

Story by Spc. April York2nd BCT 4th Inf. Div. PAO

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Warhorse Pridepage 2 Feb. 25, 2010Issue 1

an essential role in preparing Soldiers for their mission both mentally and spiritually. Without their unconditional love and support, the brigade could never achieve its mission.

Families must be kept fully informed not only of what the brigade is doing, but also of all the great opportunities and resources within the community designed to provide them the support they deserve. Families are an equal part of this Warhorse team, and we must not forget just how critical they are to our mission.

The next several months will be demanding for the entire brigade; however, I am confident that if we focus on discipline, maintaining standards and teamwork, we will be able to conduct and sustain operations in any environment. The Warhorse team, driven by the Warrior Ethos and the desire to put Soldiers and Families first, will continue to lead from the front and be one of the premier brigade combat teams in the Army.

(Photo by Tim Hipps, FMWRC Public Affairs )

Lisa Pratt records a three song CD at DMI Music’s Firehouse Recording Studio in Pasadena, Calif. Feb 1. Her husband Capt. Matt Pratt, S1 (personnel officer), 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, watched the recording from outside the booth. She earned this privilege by winning Operation Rising Star 2009, the Army’s version of American Idol. Capt. Pratt said this was the their best Family experience since they said ‘I do,” and he redeployed from the Middle East. The couple also met Jay Leno and attended the taping of his show.

Dominoes Tournament at Alternate Escapes Feb. 25 - April 1

Come and dust off your skills or learn to play dominoes! Compete weekly for prizes in the tournament, Feb. 25 - April 1. The team with the highest overall score based on the scores from the best six weeks will be each awarded prizes. As a grand prize, the team that has the highest overall score of all participating gar-risons will receive an invitation to compete in the World Domino Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada in May. This is an all expense paid trip, including airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals.

For more information call 719-526-1867 or visit www.mwrfortcarson.com

Drunk driving awareness

1st. Lt. Ashley Russell, Forward Support Company, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg. , attempts to walk the line wear-ing “beer goggles” as her company commander Capt. Ryan Hill and 1st Sgt. Donald Crawford look on.

(Photo by 1st Lt. Colin O’Toole)

Story by 1st Lt. Colin O’Toole1st Bn. 67th Armor Reg.

The Directorate for Emergency Services and 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment teamed up to execute a ‘Beer Goggles’ driving day in their battalion motor pool Thursday, Feb 11. The Soldiers attended, by company, to see what it is like to drive golf carts, walk, and play catch with impaired vision, distorted balance, and diminished depth perception. The three activities were setup in a central-ized location, free of obstacles and traffic, in the motorpool and allowed Soldiers to negoti-ate cones on a driving course, walk and run on a straight line, and try to catch a bean-bag. The goggles resemble SCUBA goggles but offer different levels of impairment: low, mod-erate, high and fatal. Spc. Mance, Delta Company, 1st Bn. 67th Armor Reg., said “this event is fun and I think it’ll keep some guys from doing dumb stuff while they’re drunk. I’d like to do it again sometime.” After he completed the driving course he ro-tated through the other activities and got to see

how hard it is to walk or run along one of the concrete seams for even as little as fifteen feet. The Soldiers of 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., the Death Dealers, had a fun but educational day learning of the hazards that impaired senses bring. They got a feel for how even the simplest of tasks, like walking or catching, can be almost impossible to complete without full coherence. All this and they won’t even wake up with a hangover.

Need to get you and your car home safe? (719) 650-3450 www.noduicosprings.com

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Operation Rising Star

because he gets to train them just like he gets to train his Soldiers, and it’s made even more rewarding because he gets to train them in a sport he loves.

The 2nd STB Soldiers plan on continuing to volunteer their time to both coaching and refereeing throughout this wrestling season. The most recent tournament these Soldiers participated in was the Fountain-Fort Carson Wrestling Team tournament Feb. 20.

Pfc. Brad Bellas from Ohio. The four Soldiers began their day at 8 a.m. and refereed until 4 p.m., overseeing more than one hundred matches each.

Three of the Soldiers, Murry, Feliciano, and Bellas, also volunteer three days a week for the Fountain-Fort Carson Youth Wrestling Club, coaching the same children that participated in the tournament.

Murry said that the six hours a week he spends coaching the children are rewarding

One of the primary functions of the BN Career Counselors is retention, but many Soldiers fail to realize that we are available to provide career guidance in different ways. If you are interested in special assignments, special duty (Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, etc) or just wish to go over your career map, contact your Career Counselor. Senior Career Counselor for 2nd BCT Master Sgt. Jorge Garcia 719-503-2013

Pfc. Brad Bellas with 2nd Special Troops Battalion referees for youth wrestling at James Irwin High School Jan 30 (Photo by Capt. Keith Angstman)

2nd STB assists youth wrestlingStory By Capt. Keith Angstman2nd Special Troops Battalion

Soldiers from 2nd Special Troops Battalion volunteered their time to the Pikes Peak Wrestling League as referees during a Dan Gable Pee-Wee/Junior wrestling tournament for nearly 300 children ages 6-14 at the Colorado Springs James Irwin High School Saturday, Jan. 30.

The 2nd STB commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Stevenson, whose four children wrestle for the Fountain-Fort Carson school district, organized the Soldiers’ participation to support local wrestling. Stevenson has been active in both the school district and its wrestling program since moving to Colorado Springs in July 2009.

Four 2nd STB Soldiers, along with Stevenson, assisted the league with refereeing: Capt. Phil Hardwick from North Carolina, Sgt. Toddrick Murry, from Indiana, Spc. Charles Feliciano from Connecticut, and

1st Sqdn. 10th Cav. Reg. provides OPFOR for 1st BCT trainingStory by Sgt. Jonathan Builteman1st Squadron, 10th Calvary Regiment

The Soldiers of Alpha “Apache” Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, provided oppositional force support for 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during their platoon lanes Feb. 4-6, in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan in July.

Each platoon provided realistic scenarios for 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., platoons as they negotiated their respective lane. 1st Platoon conducted urban OPFOR operations, 2nd Platoon conducted a joint patrolling OPFOR mission, and the Headquarters/Mortars Platoon conducted an 8-10km dismounted patrolling OPFOR mission.

Apache Troopers engaged the platoons of 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. with near and far ambushes, sniper fire and indirect fire, while also conducting key leader engagements and information operations to provide the 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. platoons with operational intelligence and simulate more realistic training.

Each day the Apache Platoons conducted eight total iterations on each lane – six during the day and two each night. Each lane allowed every 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg platoon three opportunities to execute their missions during day light hours and one chance to execute under the cover of night.

Each time the Apache Troop OPFOR would vary their strategies and positioning in order

Spc. Gerime Williams, Headquarters and Head-quarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artil-lery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, places an order for a T-shirt and hat at the 3rd Bn.,16th FA Reg. Headquar-ters. The unit sponsored line of apparel and accessories, “Thunderwear”, can be purchased via order forms located at the battalion staff duty desk. Proceeds of Thunderwear go to the battery Family Readiness Groups, supporting events for Soldiers and their Families.

(Photo by 2nd Lt. Ian Faison)

2nd BCT Retention What is FRSA?The Family Readiness Support Assistant serves as a bridge between a commander and the Family Readiness Groups in that command. FRSAs provide administrative assistance, in-formation, referrals, and follow-up in support of all Family programs and activities. They also serve as a source of continuity and stability for units undergoing changes in leadership. FRSA for 2nd BCTMs. Taybar Hollingshead 719-503-2018

Warhorse Pridepage 3 Feb. 25, 2010Issue 1

‘Thunderwear’

to keep the friendly forces on guard. Spirits were high on both sides as the

training reached its end. This tasking marked the first field exercise since Apache Troop returned from its deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Aug. 09, and brought the Buffalo Soldiers of 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. one step closer to being prepared to face the demands of the battlefield in Afghanistan.

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pride is an Army-funded newsletter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of The Warhorse Pride arenot necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by the, U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The War-horse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and

approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary, and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. Submissions should be emailed to theeditor: philip.axt@us.army.mil

WarhorsePride

Warhorse Pridepage 4 Feb. 25, 2010Issue 1

204th ‘Rough Riders’ hold town hall meeting

Lt. Col. Todd Bertullis addresses Rough Rider Soldiers and Families at the 204th Brigade Support Battalion’s first Soldier and Family town hall meeting Feb. 10.

(Photo by Capt. Timothy Bushnell)

Story By Capt. Timothy Bushnell204th Brigade Support Battalion

The 204th Brigade Support Battalion conducted its first Soldier and Family town hall meeting at the McMahon Theatre Feb 10. Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis and Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Dugan spearheaded the event, which addressed not only the commander’s vision for the future of the battalion, but also for its Family Readiness Groups.

He envisions “a Rough Rider FRG that enables Families to prepare, train, and resource themselves to be ‘Family Strong’ for any future operation.”

To emphasize the efforts the battalion is making to reach out to Families, Bertulis explained the battalion’s social networking capabilities on Facebook and Twitter,

discussing how they are designed to help Families stay in contact, share photos, and create discussion forums.

The meeting concluded with a question and answer session. Families and Soldiers asked questions regarding many topics including barracks issues, stop movement, and the command team’s views on honoring Family time for Soldiers. For those who didn’t wish to ask their questions directly, the battalion Family Readiness Support Assistant, Tracey Heber, collected question cards and presented them directly to Bertulis.

Overall the event was a great forum for the command team to get to know more of the Rough Rider Families and establish more open communications amongst all members of the battalion.

Chaplain’s Corner : total well-beingWhile there are multiple dimensions of

wellness, spirituality is the one that is the most controversial and misunderstood, therefore often neglected.

The reason for this is that people often confuse spirituality with religion.

Spirituality is a broad concept and only a part of total wellness. Religion is the formal practice of one’s spirituality, usually within an organized community.

People may cultivate their spirituality in many ways, by helping others, learning, creating music or art, through meditation or prayer, ect. ; all of which leads a person to become a better human being.

Spirituality refers to a person’s value system (ethics, moral compass, and character), their search for meaning and purpose in life, spiritual and religious beliefs and experiences as well as meaningful “connectedness” with others.

Wellness involves an integration of all the dimensions of human functioning, to include

one’s spirituality, as well as their physical, social, and emotional conditioning and development.

It is a package deal. If one is out of balance, then the entire system is out of equilibrium. Where there is a lack of balance there is a lack of well-being. Where there is balance there is a sense of well-being. And where there is optimal balance there is Total Well-being or a High Level of Wellness.

I would like to invite and encourage you to take stock of your state of wellness and consider what part spirituality has to play in your present state of wellness.

Could you use some encouragement and growth in spirituality? If so, seek out some opportunity to serve others or attend a spiritual gathering or maybe even stop by Veteran’s Chapel or your unit Chaplain’s office for a visit.

BlessingsCH (MAJ) Ricky Way2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Chaplain

Safe driving tips•Don’t feel unstoppable if driving a four-

wheel drive vehicle. Often four-wheel drive owners embrace a false sense of bravado when driving in snow, and ultimately end up on the side of the road in a three-foot snowbank.

•Be aware of ice when driving over bridges, even when the approaching road is dry. Unlike roads that are insulated by the ground, bridges have no natural insulation. Consequently, ice perpetuates on overpass surfaces.

•Be extra careful during the first minutes of rain. This is when the road’s the most slippery and other drivers are still speeding.

•Be extra aware around construction zones and accident sites; all the lookie-loos are likely to get into an accident of their own.

•Don’t drive when tired, studies have found driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving while drunk.

•Use caution around cross walks. Unless you have eye contact with the pedestrian assume they are not paying attention.

Col. John Kolasheski.......................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Barteau.....2nd BCT CSM2nd Lt. Philip Axt............................................................Editor

Staff WritersSpc. Seth BarhamSpc. April York

2nd BCT Safety Officer Ed Keeser