April 1, 2010Issue 6

A Fort Carson Police Officer checks the vital signs of a victim of a mock crash March 18. The mock crash showed Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, the consequences of drinking and driving.

Mock crashsaves lives

Commander’s Column

Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis, commander204th Brigade Support Battalion

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

Bravo Company hones its capabilities daily with maintenance control systems that ensure all jobs are managed and closed out quickly. Our commodity shops, unscheduled maintenance and service sections are operating to standard and stand ready to take on whatever comes their way.

Charlie Company is the premier medical company in the Army. Setting the example for all medical units during reset, Charlie executed a 100% reset of their medical equipment sets and received recognition from the Army’s medical command for a

Story and photo by Spc. April YorkPAO, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, gathered on the lawn to witness a mock car verses motorcycle collision at the corner of Mister Street and Wetzel Avenue on March 18.

Soldiers hear about it and read about it in the newspaper, but this demonstration is meant to show firsthand what the rest of the story looks like, said Lt. Col. Simmering, commander of 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

The event was made possible through the coordination of 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., Colorado Springs Police Department, Fort Carson Police Department, Fort Carson Fire Department, Memorial Hospital, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Designated Drivers of Colorado Springs.

When Soldiers arrived at the event, the collision had already occurred. Beer cans littered the street and the Soldiers involved in

the crash were covered in fake blood. There were two Soldiers inside the car.

The driver was conscious and the passenger was deceased. There were two Soldiers on the motorcycle. Neither of them were wearing helmets or their proper protective equipment,

Greetings from the 204th Brigade Support Battalion. On behalf of Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Dugan and the rest of

(Photo by Spc April York )

which are required at all times on and off the installation. The driver was laid out on the street, her life expired, and the passenger was up against the car.

A mock 911 call was played over the sound

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the Rough Rider family, I want to thank the entire Warhorse Brigade for its support, teamwork and friendship.

As we move past reset and look towards gunnery and our collective training plans, rest assured that the Rough Rider team stands ready to provide world-class, offensive sustainment support to the Warhorse team. I can say that with confidence after watching each of our companies re-establish garrison systems, develop leaders and execute realistic training over the past 100-plus days.

The battalion staff and Headquarters and Headquarters

Company have worked hard to establish the battalion Tactical Operations Center. Using leader development sessions, fielding teams and mobile training teams, the battalion executive officer and support operations officer have led the way to ensure the 204th BSB will be able to communicate with our Warhorse teammates and effectively command and control sustainment operations.

Alpha Company continues to train for its transportation responsibilities with driver’s training, fuel handler’s training and aerial resupply planning. In addition, Alpha Company continues to operate a world-class warehouse, ensuring timely resupply to all supported units.

Warhorse Pridepage 2 April 1, 2010Issue 6

(Photo by Spc. April York )The Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divi-sion conducted a demo range to complete their weapons qualification March 17. The Soldiers reviewed the appropriate methods for disarming and arming mines, discussed and practiced proper handling techniques of C-4 explosive, and conducted set up and detonation of claymore mines. Completing qualification allows engineers to rely on thier own skills during route clearance instead of having to fall back on Eplosive Ordinance Disposal, said Maj. Emory, Company C commander.

In recognition of the great volunteers here on Fort Carson, Army Community Services will be hosting a volunteer barbecue on April 20 from 11 am-1:30 pm at the ACS/Fort Car-son Commissary picnic area. Come out and have a good time!

1-67 Mock crash

Engineers qualify on demo range superbly executed operation. Recently, the medics completed their Table 12 certifications. Now fully equipped with ambulances and medical equipment sets, Charlie Company remains focused on providing the best medical support to the Warhorse team.

Each forward support company has taken advantage of the reset period to conduct individual training, receive critical pieces of support equipment, and to establish garrison systems such that they are poised to provide stellar support as we enter the collective training phase. The forward support companies are at the tip of the sustainment spear and we work closely with their command teams to ensure that they have all that they need in the areas of personnel, equipment and training.

I am proud of the work that our “Little Groups of Rough Riders” do each day. As a brigade support battalion, we look forward to enabling this great brigade combat team to achieve all its goals. We are 204th – an elite, learning, family-supported, steadfast and loyal organization that stands ready to make it happen!

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A Fort Carson Police Officer conducts sobriety tests on the driver involved in a mock crash to show the consequences of drinking and driving March 18. Soldiers watched as first responders and other emergency personnel responded as if the accident was real.

(Photo by Spc. April York )

system while Soldiers watched the Fort Carson police and fire departments respond to the crash, as if it were real.

“It is a very traumatic experience. There is rarely a dry eye,” said Lt. Thomas Prayne, traffic investigator supervisor for the Fort Carson Police Department. This training is conducted to stress to the troops the loss of life, he said.

Saving the life of even one person is very important to Staff Sgt. Jennifer Person, lead investigator on Fort Carson police traffic investigation section, who is a victim herself of a drunk driver.

“Just having one person stop and say ‘I’m not going to do this tonight. I’m going to call someone.’ That to me is everything,” Person said.

During the investigation of this accident police determined that the driver of the car had been under the influence of alcohol and failed to stop at a stop sign.

“We are only as good as the sum of our individual choices,” Simmering said. This one Soldier’s bad decision ultimately changed the course of his life and the lives of others, he said.

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FRG Barbecue

“I talk to the Soldiers of 1-67 on many occasions. We are part of a team, and this team needs you to be there when the call finally comes to serve,” Simmering said.

Warhorse Pridepage 3 April 1, 2010Issue 6

(Photo by 2nd Lt. Jay Griffith )

Capt. Adam Clements, Lt. Col. David Hardy, and Capt. Thomas Peabody stand during the invocation given by Chaplain Capt. Kevin Peek at the change of command ceremony for Company D, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. Peaboyd is taking over commnand and Clements is moving on. Peabody served with 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Mosul, Iraq from November 2006 to December 2007. After completing the Captains Career Course in December 2009 he was stationed at Fort Carson.

Soldiers from Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment work on a columnmeter, preparing for their field operations in April. While in the field, Bravo Battery will train on accurate and timely first round fire for effects, as well as work with 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment to sharpen their skills in both receiving calls for fire and delivering fires. Bravo Battery will be firing artillery rounds for the first time since returning from Iraq last summer.

(Photo by 2nd Lt. Eric Balish )

During the end of March, four Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, participated in Level 2 Post Combatives: SPC Kelly Killingsworth (above), SPC Charlie Feliciano (above), SPC Kyle Davis and PFC Patrick Savage. The course taught by Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Miller. These Stalkers represented Company A exceptionally well, and will soon be able to instruct the rest of the company in all the techniques needed for Level 1 Combatives certification.

(Photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Gairnese )

The 204th Brigade Support Battalion has taken a special interest in the Adopt-A-School program sponsored by Fort Carson. Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis was fortunate enough to have an incredibly close relationship with his partnered school as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas- a relationship that he would like to establish with the Fountain Middle School here in Fountain. This sentiment is reciprocated by Fountain Middle School’s principal, Jan Keiley.

The two leaders have met twice in the last couple of weeks to get to know one another. The first meeting was at the Fountain Middle School where counselor Katie Bittler gave Bertulis a VIP tour of the facilities.

Looking at the gymnasium, Bertulis remarked “I can see my battalion in formation here with families and the school in attendance conducting our color casing and deployment ceremony.”

He met with Principal Keiley in her office and the two discussed their vision of working together. They both want to see Soldiers involved in the school in after hour activities, as well helping out in the classrooms. Bertulis also wants to involve the school in ceremonies, family readiness events and organizational days.

On March 17, Principal Keiley and some of her

204th BSB Adopt-a-school programStory By Capt. Timothy Bushnell204th Brigade Support Battalion

2nd STB combatives

2-8 change of command 3-16 preps for the field

staff came to Fort Carson to attend the change of command ceremony for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th. Afterward, Bertulis escorted them around the 204th command area and introduced them to the members of his staff. His vision is to treat the school staff as an extension of the battalion, much the same as Family Readiness Group leaders. This program is undertaken with the hope of increasing the feeling of camaraderie between the staff of Fountain Middle School and the 204th Battalion.

On March 18, a group of logistics officers from 204th Brigade Support Battalion, traveled to the Target Regional Distribution Center in Pueblo for an off-site officer professional development (OPD) event. The purpose of the trip was for the 25 officers from the 204th BSB to learn about the logistical systems utilized by their civilian counterparts. In a brief four-hour period, the officers from the 204th BSB were able to learn about both the best logistics practices and best leadership techniques of their civilian counterparts.

Jake Fox, one of the Distribtution Center’s Team Leaders, provided the opening brief to the officers from the 204th BSB upon their arrival at the facility. He gave a 30-minute presentation on Target’s “command structure,” showing how it mirrored the military hierarchy in many ways. He explained that the facility’s General Manger was equivalent to a Battalion Commander and that each of the Team Leaders performed duties similar to Company Commanders. Team leaders are responsible for being technically and tactically competent in their assigned areas, for knowing and counseling their subordinates, and for

monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of their teams.

The Team Leaders also talked a great deal about building culture within their teams in which team members seek to work effectively and efficiently, look for ways to help the team accomplish its objectives, and make safety consciousness an integral part of every operation. Their description of this concept was very similar to the culture that the 204th BSB has been working to create. The 204th BSB refers to this culture as “Little Groups of Rough Riders” or LGORRs. LGORR culture involves junior leaders and Soldiers who understand

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. All issues of the Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook.com/2bct4id Submissions should be emailed to theeditor: c.mcmillan2@us.army.mil

WarhorsePride

Warhorse Pridepage 4 April 1, 2010Issue 6

204th heads to Target for professional developmentStory By Capt. Pamela Sprouse204th Brigade Support Battalion

Chaplain’s Corner: sacrifice for othersThis past week a day of tremendous

importance quietly passed us by. March 25 is a significant day in the calendar year for Christians: it is the day of the Annunciation--when Gabriel asked Mary to become the Mother of God and bring Jesus physically into the world. Though few pregnancies go exactly 9 months, March 25 is 9 months before December 25--the day we celebrate the birth of Christ!

The fact that this day is not long before Holy Week reminds us that Jesus took a body in order to become a sacrificial offering to God the Father on our behalf. (1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 40:6-

8) He is the only person in the course of history who was born to die--this was his purpose, start to finish. For the Christian, following in His footsteps, this is now our purpose as well! (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Luke 9:23)

Therefore do not cling to the things of this world but be ready to lay them down and sacrifice them in loving service of one another in order to experience the true joy of the Resurrection!

Chaplain Kevin Peek2-8 IN Chaplain

Col. John Kolasheski.......................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Barteau.....2nd BCT CSMLt. Col. Richard Stebbins................................2nd BCT PAO 2nd Lt. Christopher McMillan....................................Editor

Staff WritersSgt. Seth Barham and Spc. April York

the broader mission and are both willing and able to operate independently to accomplish that mission. It also refers to small groups of Soldiers who look out for one another and police their own ranks for safety violations. The officers from the 204th BSB were able to take away some key ideas from the Target Team Leaders about how they could further the development of LGORR culture within their formations.

204th logistic officers stand in front of Target Regional Distrubution Center in Pueblo, Colo. for an officer pro-fessional development event March 18.

(Photo by 1st Lt. Elizabeth Sebero )