FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers reacted rapidly to incoming reports and rushed between staff sections to make the division's mission run smoothly despite obstacles tossed in their way during a mission rehearsal exercise, March 20-29. Known as "Unified Endeavor 13-2," the exercise held at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters, was designed to help the division staff prepare for an upcoming deployment.

The exercise was intended to create the illusion for its participants that they are in their future area of operations, and tasked to complete the series of scenarios as they appear in as little time as possible, said Lt. Col. Jack Chaffin, deputy plans and operations officer, 4th Inf. Div.

"Just like a brigade that goes to the National Training Center (at Fort Irwin, Calif.) for their culminating event to become stamped ready for combat, a division headquarters does an MRX in preparation for its deployment," said Chaffin.

"The nature of division is such that we don't need to maneuver through the desert at the National Training Center, we need to practice staff processes and systems; how do we communicate, coordinate and receive guidance, how do we transmit that to subordinate units in orders; all the things you have to do in any given day to make things run in a division area of operation," said Chaffin. "That's kind of the overarching task and purpose behind what we're doing."

Trained and experienced leaders, made up of Soldiers and civilians from various installations and known as the white cell for the exercise, came to Fort Carson to assist the division by presenting real-world scenarios from past and current operations for the staff to work through and solve.

"We put the deploying unit through what they will encounter while deployed; everything from weather, culture interaction and enemy interaction," said Col. John Valledor, co-exercise controller for UE 13-2, Mission Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. "We only inject what coincides with the commander's training directives to ensure successful training."

Valledor said the goal was to create experiences to help deploying Soldiers develop the skills they will need to be successful. "The endgame is to prepare Soldiers to achieve the mission when they deploy and get them familiar with the duties they'll perform downrange," said Valledor. "Our measure of success comes from the commander's training objective; the commanding general is the actual trainer, we're supporters who help achieve the training objective." To make the training more realistic, teams in the white cell made trips to Afghanistan and other areas of current operations to talk to leaders downrange to find out what they need to do to give the training unit a workout, said Valledor.

In addition to the more than 20 units that made up the white cell, other teams supported the division to make the training successful.

"Throughout this entire process, you've got the observer/trainer teams who are evaluating, assessing and working with the staff sections; so they're taking notes, comparing notes, and about halfway through the exercise, we'll stop and there will be a mid-after action review," said Chaffin. "That's the first direct feedback the division commander's going to get from the observer/trainers, and more importantly, it provides the division commander an opportunity to give guidance to his staff."

Personnel known as scripters were tasked to replicate the operational environment; they wrote down notes to turn them into a script, which were then coded and turned into scenarios for each day.

"You've got the guys who actually run the simulation that provides the fake data that feels as real as it can, the guys who are assessing, evaluating and helping the unit see itself," said Chaffin. "We also have a variety of response cells, which act as virtual or mock subordinate or higher units, giving us the friendly forces feed, like what our brigades are doing or what higher is telling us to do."

To set up the MRX and to keep it operational, division and network engineers revamped the old commissary building on Fort Carson to house supporting units. They also planned and worked throughout the exercise to keep communications running and to make sure physical needs such as electricity, workspaces and heating were working.

"We ended up with a pretty large plan; generally when these exercises are done, there's a mission training complex that's already been created and established, and it's where they house the exercise control personnel, all the people outside who come here to help us run the exercise," said Capt. Matt Hicks, network engineer, 4th Inf. Div.

"Because we didn't have the complex, we had to do a lot of construction, buildup and infrastructure ourselves, which led to us installing about 70 switches, numerous routers, 13 miles of cable and at least 200 of our own computer systems. In the end, we had about 1,500 people coming and converging at both the commissary and the digital training campus."

As the MRX pressed on, time between scenarios shortened, and the intensity increased each passing day.

"One of the things that tend to happen in an MRX is that the operation tempo is much higher than your everyday experience in a deployed environment, it's very fast paced," said Chaffin. "One of our jokes is imagining the worst week in a future area of operation, and that's what we try to replicate during the MRX. We want to emphasize friction, the chaos, the difficulty, challenge and tempo, because that will make a Soldier better able to perform down the road."

Chaffin said one of the main objectives of the intense training environment is to ensure the Soldiers are fully prepared to go downrange and that they can handle whatever is thrown at them.

"The commanding general said early on that we don't want to build bad muscle memory," said Chaffin. "The best way to train the basic (Soldiering skills) is repetition, and if you can do it under a degree of stress, it's that much more effective. The real idea is to make the training harder than a deployment is ever going to be, because if we can handle this, then we know we've got the deployment locked in."

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Maj. Gen. Paul LaCamera, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, presents the Army Commendation Medal to Lt. Col. Jack Chaffin, deputy plans and operations officer, 4th Inf. Div., during an award ceremony at the division headquarters building, to recognize Soldiers for their hard work during the Mission Rehearsal Exercise, March 29, 2013

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Maj. Gen. Paul LaCamera, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, presents the Army Commendation Medal to Capt. Matt Hicks, network engineer, 4th Inf. Div., during an award ceremony at the division headquarters building, to recognize Soldiers for their hard work during the Mission Rehearsal Exercise, March 29, 2013

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers have a wide variety of benefits available to help them and their Family members at their fingertips through the My Army Benefits website.

The website was developed after the 9/11 attacks as a one-stop shop to educate Soldiers and their Families of their entitlements.

Keith Miller, chief operating officer, Armed Forces Services Corporation, said most Soldiers are unaware of the wide variety of benefits available to help them and their Family members, during a during a class on Fort Carson, March 28.

"The government did a study to find out what the Soldiers knew about their survivor benefits and found that it was absolutely necessary to educate them on what their actual benefits were because they didn't know," said Miller.

According to managers, the website covers all the entitlements for Soldiers and Families.

"There are (more than) 150 benefits that the Soldier, Family member and veterans are authorized to have from the state and federal governments and we have every single one of them," said Doug Rogers, senior consultant, Serco. "We have some that people have never even heard of, and they are (all) contained on the website."

Many of the Soldiers said they found the training to be useful.

"Going up through the ranks no one ever really tells you all of your benefits, especially when it comes to your Family," said Master Sgt. Edward Mercado, 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. "I have been in the Army for 24 years and this is the first time I have been told about all of these benefits. It has been a real eye opener."

In addition to information about benefits, the website contains many tools including retirement, disability and survivor benefit calculators.

"The retirement calculator is good to use," Mercado said. "I can look at which state I want to retire into and what benefits that I will receive."

Mercado said all Soldiers should be more aware of this information.

"Most of the time Soldiers just concentrate on mission, mission, mission," Mercado said. "Then when it comes to deployment all you worry about is just the (Servicemembers Group Life Insurance) and that it has all the right information on it. It doesn't include the specifics on how to take care of your Family … you are not there anymore and you are leaving everything to your Family to deal with."

The website is available at http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil. Families and Soldiers may call a benefits counselor at 888-721-2769. Some information on the website is available to any user; however, a portion of the website requires a Common Access Card or Army Knowledge Online login to protect personal information.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Keith Miller, chief operating officer, Armed Forces Services Corporation, lectures S1 personnel on all of the benefits that Soldiers, Family members, and survivors are authorized at McMahon Theatre, Fort Carson, March 28, 2013. The goal of the team is to travel from base to base and make people more aware that after the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon that the government decided it was necessary to educate all of its Soldiers of the benefits that they are entitled to.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III spoke to Soldiers about many of the challenges the Army currently faces during a visit to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 25.

The Army's senior enlisted leader, tasked with the training and welfare of the force, spoke about the troops' commitment and the standards they should be living.

"There are a lot of things I want to talk about, but the first thing I want to say is thank you," Chandler said. "You are out here in the desert; you are away from your Families and loved ones, I understand that is tough; but we are grateful for your service and your commitment to the nation."

Chandler encouraged Soldiers to remain resilient and ready to confront challenges facing troops in today's Army.

"You have to recognize the things that make us who we are as Soldiers and what the American people expect from us," he said. "We are held to a higher standard than most, we are the top one percent. It is not enough to be competent. We must have character and we must be committed to our nation and to this profession."

Chandler also emphasized the Army leadership's goal of eliminating suicide and sexual assault throughout the force, and the individual Soldier's role in the prevention of both.

"The standard is to eliminate sexual assault," he said. "We had fewer assaults last year than the year before, but any sexual assaults is too many. Preventing it starts with the little things. Stop letting inappropriate jokes slide in the workplace; even careless words can lead to sexual assault.

"The Warrior Ethos teaches us to never leave a fallen comrade," he continued. "Yet the suicide rate continues to climb. We are all responsible for the welfare of our brothers and sisters in arms. We must look out for each other."

Chandler also answered questions posed by Camp Buehring Soldiers about the future of the Army.

The sergeant major of the Army answered Soldier's questions directly and demonstrated the Army leadership's respect for their enlisted Soldiers' concerns, said Sgt. Harold Hoover, armor crewman, Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,

"He gave us a better perspective on what is going on throughout the Army," Hoover said. "He cleared up a lot of my Soldiers' questions right off the bat before they even asked and spent a lot of time answering others' questions as well."

Spc. William Grimaldo, fire control repairer, Company B, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., said the visit showed the importance Chandler places on enlisted Soldiers.

"He let us know that the military is doing their best to help us out, to get the things we need," Grimaldo said. "I really appreciate him taking the time to speak with us and answer our questions."

Chandler's words were intended to motivate the Soldiers of Camp Buehring to remain true to the Army Values, resilient in the face a changing Army landscape and ready for anything the future may bring.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler speaks to Soldiers at Camp Buehring during a visit to Kuwait, March 25, 2013. The Army's senior enlisted leader, tasked with the training and welfare of the force, took time to recognize outstanding Camp Buehring Soldiers and speak to troops about many of the challenges and changes the Army currently faces.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler presents a coin to Spc. Elizabeth Erickson, signal support systems specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a visit to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 25, 2013. During his visit Chandler emphasized the Army leadership's goal of eliminating suicide and sexual assault throughout the force, and the individual Soldier's role in preventing both.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler speaks to Soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a visit to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 25, 2013. During his visit Chandler emphasized the Army leadership's goal of eliminating suicide and sexual assault throughout the force and the individual Soldier's role in preventing both.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – A 79-year old weightlifter who holds multiple national and world records passed on some of his knowledge to noncommissioned officers from 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat team, 4th Infantry Division, March 22 at Garcia Physical Fitness Center.

Don Ramos was invited to teach a train-the-trainer class as part of 3rd BCTs Tactical Athlete Program, which is normally taught by the strength and conditioning coaches who work at the fitness center.

According to the USA Masters Weightlifting website, Ramos holds a total of 16 U.S. records and 15 world-records. Adding to the feat, his records are in multiple age and weight categories.

"I wanted to help the Soldiers better understand how to do what it is they are doing," Ramos said. "I think if you don't understand the biomechanics of what you are doing, you can ruin your lifting and risk injury."

After listening to Ramos discuss the fundamentals of weightlifting, the NCOs had the opportunity to practice various exercises as Ramos walked around and provided on-the-spot instruction, helping to ensure they were doing the exercises correctly.

"Now that we are getting into more technical lifts, having someone with that much experience helping us out, teaching us these technical lifts, it was priceless," said Sgt. Frankie Lo Dolce, mechanic, Company B, 64th BSB, 3rd BCT. "We are going to have that experience to teach our Soldiers the right thing to do."

The NCOs attend the training in order to assist the Soldiers in their respective units when performing the exercises that make up the TAP fitness regimen. It also helps the strength and conditioning coaches at the fitness center who sometimes have to watch more than 100 Soldiers perform the exercises.

Chase Beideck, the strength and conditioning specialist assigned to 3rd BCT, said Ramos' vast knowledge of the sport of weightlifting was beneficial to him just as much as it was to the NCOs attending the training.

"I have been lifting weights for about 14 years," said Beideck, "but it's not until you come across good coaches that you can really pick up on the subtleties of the various lifts. It's great to have someone with that kind of knowledge to come in and teach the lifts."

Fort Carson, CO – Don Ramos, right, a U.S. and world-record holder in weightlifting, teaches Sgt. Arielle Gates, water purification sergeant, Company A, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, proper form for weightlifting March 22 at Garcia Physical Fitness Center. Ramos was a guest instructor for NCOs attending a class on the basics of the Tactical Athlete Program.

Fort Carson, CO – Don Ramos, a masters weightlifting champion, talks to noncommissioned officers from 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, March 22 about the importance of proper fundamentals in weightlifting. Ramos holds a combined 31 U.S. and world records in multiple age categories and weight classes.

Fort Carson, CO – Sgt. Tonya Monroe, motor transport sergeant, and Sgt. Arielle Gates, water purification sergeant, both assigned to Company A, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, listen as Don Ramos, a 79-year old powerlifting champion, provides instruction on Monroe's technique. Ramos was invited to be the instructor for a train-the-trainer course for noncommissioned officers from 64th BSB.

Fort Carson, CO – Chase Beideck, strength and conditioning specialist, Garcia Physical Fitness Center, demonstrates proper lifting technique to noncommissioned officers from 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, March 22 as Don Ramos, weightlifting champion, talks through the form of the lift. Ramos, who is 79 years old, holds a combined 31 U.S. and world records in multiple age and weight categories.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Gunners communicating with their tank commanders, as rounds are fired downrange to engage enemy targets, happened safely from a computer simulated trainer, for Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, March 5.

Between live training sessions at PCMS, Soldiers honed their skills for future gunnery certifications by using the Advanced Gunnery Training System.

"This system is essential to Soldiers because it prepares them for live fires, said Sgt. Justin Nearing, armor crewman, Company C. "If we actually sent Soldiers down range prior to doing the training, there would probably be accidents and people could get hurt. This mitigates those safety issues and prepares them for live rounds."

The training was intended to help Soldiers hone their fire-command skills. "The most important thing Soldiers should take away from this are the basics," said 1st Lt. Haidar Osman, platoon leader, Company C. "What is the target, what is the direction, when the driver should move up and out of the defilade position; basic fundamentals like that are key to every single engagement."

Soldiers were scored on a scale from 0-1000, and could continue to repeat the training if they didn't meet the standard with a score of at least 850.

"You do things over and over and over again," said Osman. "It is going to be ingrained in you, and be second nature."

The system allows crews to work together and become reliant on each other.

"It's a real team building exercise," said Nearing. "It gets the gunners and tank commanders on the same wave length. They get to know each other without having to use a real tank, which is expensive."

The AGTS allows units to save funds that would normally be used during training.

"It is a lot cheaper to use this facility than take a tank down range and use fuel, ammo and other resources," said Nearing.

The AGTS played a role in ensuring Soldiers are ready for gunnery and future missions.

Removing the AGTS from training would leave Soldiers without a critical training resource, said Osman. Because of the training, everything they have learned will be second nature when they get to live gunnery.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Sergeant Matthew Anselmo, armor crewman, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, relays information on targets hit to Soldiers conducting training in the Advanced Gunnery Training System at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 5, 2013. Soldiers are scored on scale from 0-1000, with their standard set at 850 to receive a "GO".

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Staff Sergent Joseph Marshall, armor crewman, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, communicates with his crewmember during a training scenario using the Advanced Gunnery Training System. Soldiers are able to simulate engaging enemy forces with the trainer, without using fuel, ammo and other resources needed to take a tank to a field training environment.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Below freezing temperatures, long work hours and dedicated Soldiers defined a month-long field training exercise where 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conquered Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., Feb. 18 through March 20.

"Warhorse" Soldiers, in preparation for a rotation to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., later this summer, conducted force-on-force training that included decisive action training, counterinsurgency operations and basic skills training related to Soldier specific jobs.

"Coming out of here, the goal was to be NTC ready," said Col. Omar Jones IV, commander, 2nd BCT. "I think we are that and then some."

With the brigade preparing for any possible deployment, this was the first chance for units to test their abilities to conduct force-on-force operations and show they are battle ready.

During the operations, units maneuvered vehicles as a battalion-size force and Soldiers focused on specific job-related tasks such as long-range communications or logistical convoys to supply remote locations. In between the force-on-force training Soldiers worked on their ability to carry out counterinsurgency operations, such as searching buildings and engaging civilians in a mock city.

"By this time on our training pool, I have never seen a brigade more combat ready," said Sgt. Maj. Kevin Muhlenbeck, operations sergeant major, 2nd BCT. "I think as long as we stay grounded, do not overestimate our abilities and do not underestimate the enemy's abilities, we can go toe-to-toe with any mechanized armored force in the world."

This was their first time many Soldiers conducted decisive action training, which is used to ensure Soldiers can engage an enemy mechanized force. For others it refreshed skills they hadn't used in the current conflicts during counterinsurgency operations.

The biggest thing Soldiers took away from the training was breaking away from going out on a mission for a couple hours and returning to a Forward Operating Base, said Muhlenbeck. Coming back to Moral, Family and Recreational facilities were great and rightfully earned but are not there during this type of fight.

Though the training mainly focused on mechanized battles, the brigade incorporated tactics used in the unit's deployment to Afghanistan last year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"It's a hybrid threat," said Muhlenbeck. "We can be fighting a decisive action fight in the morning, out in the field slugging it out with another armor force, and instead of just passing villages like we use to, you actually have to go in there and clear the insurgent and criminal element out."

As Soldiers returned to Fort Carson the first thing on the schedule was recovery operations.

Cleaning out vehicles, conducting maintenance and getting all the equipment back to a high standard is important, said Muhlenbeck. Verifying all paperwork is up-to-date is next and then personal recovery comes.

Soldiers will be allotted time to recover and spend time with their Families or take a vacation.

"Everyone needs that time," said Muhlenbeck. "It's about 10 days of very good, hard-earned rest. These guys need to go home, spend time with their kids, spouses and extended family and take care of themselves."

After the rest period it is back to work in preparation for NTC and senior leadership expectations are high.

"I'm incredibly excited that we have two months to capture what we have done here," said Jones. "Get better with all our Standard Operating Procedures, get better with some retraining and take that to NTC. I'm really (excited) to see what we are going to come out with on the other side (of NTC)."

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Sgt. Kyle Iverson, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives an Army Commendation Medal from Col. Omar Jones IV, commander, 2nd BCT, during an award ceremony at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, March 15, 2013. More than 60 Soldiers received awards for their hard work and dedication during the month-long field training exercise.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, clean the track of a M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle in preparation for movement back to Fort Carson, Colo., at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site rail yard, March 14, 2013. "Death Dealer" Soldiers conducted a month-long field training exercise to hone their skills in decisive action, which is force-on-force training.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. –Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stage their vehicles in preparation for movement to Fort Carson, Colo., at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site's Marshaling area, March 19, 2013. After completing a month-long field training exercise, "Hunter" Soldiers made the four-hour drive back to Fort Carson where they reunited with their Families.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Specialist Christopher Rogers, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, uses an M9 Armored Combat Earthmover to dig a fighting position February 26, 2013 at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo. "Warhorse" Soldiers conducted decisive action training for the first time in more than two years after focusing on counterinsurgency operations during a month-long field training exercise.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – SPC Robert Theriot, tracked vehicle mechanic, left, and Sgt. Jefferson Burden, wheeled vehicle mechanic, both with Troop D, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, work to repair an engine during a month-long field training exercise at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., February 26, 2013. During the training, units learned to be self sufficient and use only internal resources to fix equipment that would otherwise be sent to another unit to be fixed.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pull security before entering building in the mock city of Ujan at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 14, 2013. Soldiers conducted a hybrid of decisive action and counterinsurgency training, combining pre and post 9/11 tactics.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to drive their M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles back to their company assembly area at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 1, 2013. "Talon" Soldiers participated in the month-long field training exercise that saw a shift from counterinsurgency operations to more traditional force-on-force training.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, move into place to conduct call-for-fire drills, using M109A6 Paladin 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers during a month-long field training exercise at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 1, 2013. "Thunder" Soldiers supported the decisive action training by providing artillery support and conducted more than 280 call-for-fire missions.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Sgt. Logan Curci, cavalry scout, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, ground guides an M1068 Standard Integrated Command Post System, at the Fort Carson rail yard, March 19, 2013. Soldiers recently returned from a month-long field training exercise at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site that focused on decisive action training.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Alcohol, if abused, can contribute to the destruction of lives, careers and relationships for men, women and Families regardless of whether they are military or civilian.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and throughout the month, the Fort Carson Army Substance Abuse Program staff will hold events to inform the community about the dangers of misusing alcohol.

"Our main goal is to raise the awareness, because a lot of negative consequences can come from the overuse and misuse of alcohol, and we don't want that to happen to anyone," said Susanne Watts, assistant prevention coordinator, ASAP. "Alcohol abuse and misuse affects a lot of people, and it can seriously affect your life if you don't use it responsibly."

As part of the campaign, ASAP has scheduled an open house April 4 at building 6236, from noon to 3 p.m., for brigade command teams to learn about the program and how they help Soldiers.

They have also invited a stand-up comedian to teach Soldiers about alcohol abuse. "We have comedian Bernie McGrenahan coming to Fort Carson's McMahon Theater on April 18," said Watts. "He does a driving under the influence safety prevention comedy skit and then he moves into a personal testimony.

"The goal of this open house and comedian is to get people to start thinking about the choices they make with alcohol; we want people to start seeing that they can have fun, but they don't have to abuse the substance," Watts added.

ASAP personnel are available throughout the year to teach prevention and education classes at units, which are tailored to a unit's needs.

"The alcohol awareness team comes down here and conducts training with our Soldiers quarterly, so they get training throughout the year," said Capt. Xavier Feldman, commander, 534th Signal Company, 43rd Special Troops Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade. "They teach the Soldiers about the dangers of abusing alcohol and how it can affect their careers and the lives of themselves and the people around them."

Feldman said he believes Alcohol Awareness Month represents control and shows that Soldiers are responsible adults. He added it also represents a month of caring, because it shows that Soldiers care enough to talk to each other about their issues.

"I believe control is a critical skill for a Soldier; drinking out of control shows lack of skills that a Soldier should have," said Feldman. "It comes back to discipline, to self-respect, to caring about yourself and those around you. It's a hard month to focus on, because week in and week out we say don't drink and drive, don't get out of control."

Feldman teaches his Soldiers about the dangers of alcohol abuse through a variety of methods.

"Sometimes we go to the Special Events Center and have Soldiers put on 'drunk' goggles to show them what it's like to drive drunk," said Feldman. "What we really try to do is bring it home by inviting some of the Alcohol Awareness people from off post to come in and share their stories about what happened to their loved ones who were affected by those who made poor choices, some of whom were Soldiers and how it has affected their lives.

"When Soldiers hear it from somebody they don't know with pictures and a story, and they feel the emotion of what their choices can do to another Family and to themselves; I think it has a greater impact than when they hear it from their leadership," Feldman added.

Feldman collects preliminary loss reports every week and reads them to the Soldiers, to help them realize that if it can happen to other Soldiers, it can happen to them.

"I don't know if that makes a difference, I don't know if I'm extraordinarily blessed, but I do feel my Soldiers have been responsible when it comes to drinking," said Feldman. "So far, for the year and a half I have been in command, not one of my signal Soldiers has had a DUI or any alcohol related incident.

"I'm not saying that we don't have alcohol problems, because I have had Soldiers who have voluntarily come to me and say that they may have an issue; so we sent them to ASAP for the help they needed," Feldman said. "They are Soldiers being responsible, going through the program. They are adult enough to say they have an issue, and then they address it."

In addition to telling his Soldiers to drink responsibly, Feldman also encourages them to seek help if they believe they have a drinking problem.

"To reduce the stigma about going to ASAP, we don't give the Soldiers a hard time about receiving help there," added Feldman. "We tell them that it's no different than going to physical therapy, because it really isn't, it's just emotional therapy. What they're doing is going through a method of getting over some form of injury."

When it comes to drinking, Feldman believes his Soldiers know to be responsible drinkers, and seek help when they feel they have a problem.

"I'm not saying don't drink, drinking is a right, just like anything else; just as long as you're of age, do it responsibly, and have someone who can look out for you," Feldman added. "In the end, being cognizant of yourself and your limits is important. Having the personal courage to ask for help and go to ASAP if you need to, or just being intelligent on how you drink, is the key to being responsible when it comes to alcohol."

In addition to the Comedy is the Cure program at McMahon Theatre and ASAP open house, ASAP Prevention Coordinators will facilitate alcohol awareness briefings throughout the campaign period; Soldiers, Family members and civilians can take alcohol self-awareness assessments at the Fort Carson Army Air Force Exchange System April 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and static displays of wrecked vehicles will be displayed outside of Gate 1 and Gate 20 throughout the Alcohol Awareness campaign.

For more information about ASAP and the services they offer, visit them at their website, or to schedule an appointment, call 719-526-2862.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – When Capt. Peter M. Matthews, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, arrived to the brigade there were six Soldiers and no system for in-processing those who were incoming.

This issue for Matthews and other incoming Soldiers prompted brigade leaders to set up a reception company in April 2012, which has now received and in-processed more than 1,100 Soldiers into the unit.

"It is not usual for a brigade to have its own reception company, but for a new unit standing up it is a necessity," said Matthews. "We identified this problem and put together a group of Soldiers into a functional reception company to produce fully in-processed Soldiers."

Most Soldiers get fully in-processed when they arrive to a post but because the CAB is standing up, more in-processing at the brigade level is needed due to lack of personnel in certain key leader roles Matthews said.

At 4th CAB's reception, some Soldiers are still dealing with personal issues such as moving, financial problems and child care. The reception staff makes sure Soldiers are accommodated and problems are resolved as much as possible before they report to their units.

The reception company Soldiers also work to maintain a functional sponsorship program to welcome incoming Soldiers and address issues about six months before they arrive.

"Sponsorship is important," said Staff Sgt. Tracie Higdon, sponsorship noncommissioned officer in charge, Reception Company, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. "We let incoming Soldiers know what to expect when they arrive, address issues before they arrive and orient them to the surrounding areas."

The reception company also gives Soldiers a job within the unit who do not currently have equipment or ability to do their military jobs.

"It's a great thing that we are being allowed to do this job," said 1st Sgt. L.T. Whittley, senior enlisted leader, Reception Company, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. "The reception company puts together Soldiers from different military occupational specialties and allows them to learn other jobs."

The 4th CAB reception company will remain active until all 2,700 Soldiers arrive, units are activated and subordinate units are capable of in-processing their own Soldiers. Whittley said he thinks the reception company will dissolve into the CAB a couple of months after all expected Soldiers have arrived.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Sgt. Alisha Kaiser, day two noncommissioned officer, Reception Company, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, goes over the day two in-processing packet with Spc. Roderick Farley, automated logistical specialist, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div., at the brigade's reception building on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb. 20, 2013.

Maj. Jason S. Davis, brigade executive officer and acting brigade commander, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, gives a briefing to new Soldiers arriving to the brigade at the CAB's reception building on Fort Carson, Colo., Jan. 8, 2013. Davis explains about the phases of the unit and answers questions from new Soldiers.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – When Capt. Paul Key, executive officer, 438th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service), 10th Combat Support Hospital, marched into the Special Events Center for the unit's redeployment ceremony March 22, he was welcomed back by a person he was not expecting.

Key's best friend Capt. Jacob Abramowitz, executive officer, 11th Artillery Defense Air Brigade, Fort Bliss, surprised Key at the ceremony.

"I totally did not expect him to be here," Key said. "I am so excited. I can't wait to catch up with my Family and friends."

The 438th Med. Det. deployed in June 2012, where they supported coalition forces health protection by providing comprehensive veterinary services, to include: food safety inspection and defense, animal health care, veterinary preventive medicine and stability operations.

Col. James R. Andrews, commander, 10th CSH, welcomed the Soldiers home and spoke of his pride in the unit.

Andrews commented on the great success the unit had while accomplishing their mission, and that even through the harsh environment there were a number of reenlistments and promotions.

The unit also supported the Afghan National Army on two fronts by training ANA medics on food sanitation and protection, as well as on rabies control and risk reduction, which included vaccinating ANA sentry dogs. The unit directly supported the Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team and Farah Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock by providing veterinary training and advanced veterinary classes.

During their deployment, 438th Med. Det. tested food from 50 dining facilities in Afghanistan using the first surveillance lab ever established in theater, which helped identify food safety issues before they affected personnel. They also conducted food inspections for more than 130 forward operating bases and combat outposts throughout Regional Command South, Southwest, and West, saving the government more than $15 million.

As the Soldiers filed into the SEC, cheering and screams of joy erupted from their Families and loved ones. Soldiers sang the Army song, before being released to reunite with their Families.

Friends and Family rushed to reunite with their Soldiers with smiles, tears and open arms once the ceremony concluded.

"I am so relieved," said Elizabeth Sager, spouse of Staff Sgt. Thomas Sager, animal care specialist, 438th Med. Det. "The hardest part of him being gone was keeping him in the forefront with the kids. Letting them know that he was thinking about them, that he missed them, that he was doing his job and what had to be done; but he still thought of them, still loved them and was missing them.

"I'm just glad they're home safe and this is over," Elizabeth Sager said. "We can get back to living our lives. I'm glad the worrying is over."

After the long wait, Families left the SEC to spend long overdue quality time together.

"I feel very relaxed now that I am home with my Family," said Sgt. Nathan Kuhnle, animal care specialist, 438th Med. Det. "I can't wait to spend as much time as I can with them."

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Friends and Family cheer as nearly 50 Soldiers return home at the Fort Carson Special Events Center during the 438th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services), 10th Combat Support Hospital, redeployment ceremony March 21, 2013. The detachment deployed to Afghanistan in June 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Sgt. Nathan Kuhnle, animal care specialist, 438th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service), 10th Combat Support Hospital, holds his son, Camden, 9 months, for the first time since Camden was 2 weeks old, at the Fort Carson Special Events Center during the 438th Med. Det. redeployment ceremony March 21, 2013. The detachment deployed to Afghanistan in June 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Bozena Weber, animal care specialist, 438th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service), 10th Combat Support Hospital, reunites with her son, Derek, and daughter, Danica, at the Fort Carson Special Events Center during the 438th Med. Det. redeployment ceremony March 21, 2013. The detachment deployed to Afghanistan in June 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Artillerymen held their annual event, the St. Barbara's Day Ball, March 7, 2013, at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Co.

The 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, held the event to pay tribute to St. Barbara, the U.S. Army Field Artillery patron saint, and to award recipients with the Order of St. Barbara and Molly Pitcher awards.

"St. Barbara's Day is the one day out the year when we can celebrate our branch," said Maj. John Eddy, executive officer, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.

St. Barbara's Day is normally celebrated Dec. 4, but the unit held the event in March due to their recent return from a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan, Eddy said.

The legend of St. Barbara can be traced back to around 300 A.D. St. Barbara, who lived in Nicomedia, Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), was kept secluded in a tower to keep her virginity by her jealous pagan father named Dioscorus.

Dioscorus designed a bathhouse for his daughter which included plans for two windows. While her father was away, St. Barbara redesigned the bathhouse to have three windows to represent the Holy Trinity, after secretly being baptized by a priest.

Enraged about his daughter's conversion to Christianity, Dioscorus denounced St. Barbara before a civil tribunal. She was then horribly tortured for a period of time, but was miraculously healed every night with her dark prison being bathed in a supernatural light. Eventually, she was sentenced to death by beheading.

Throughout all, St. Barbara held true to her faith. Dioscorus, who carried out the sentence himself, was struck and killed by lightning and his body was consumed by flame, after carrying out St. Barbara's sentence.

St. Barbara was venerated in the seventh century and was then considered to be the Patron Saint of danger from thunderstorms, fire and sudden death. She is invoked to protect against explosions due to the fact that early artillery often had a habit of exploding instead of successfully firing projectiles from cannons.

During the ball, 12 Soldiers were awarded with Honorable Order of Saint Barbara medals, which have an effigy of St. Barbara on one side and a relief of cannon on the other.

Sgt. 1st Class Dewanda Beasley, senior food service specialist noncommissioned officer, 3rd BCT, received The Honorable Order of St. Barbara medallion for her work and contributions to when she was assigned as a "Pacesetter" Soldier.

"I spent time with Company G, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., as the executive officer and senior food service noncommissioned officer," said Beasley.

Military spouses at the ball were also honored and were awarded the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher.

"Molly Pitcher" or Mary Hayes Ludwig McCauley was married to William Hays, a barber who enlisted in the Continental Army and became a gunner in the Pennsylvania Artillery. McCauley attained the title as "Molly Pitcher" at the Battle of Monmouth when she worked with her husband as a camp follower during the Revolutionary war from 1777 to 1778.

During the course of the war, an enemy artillery round narrowly missed her, while she reached for an artillery cartridge to hand to her husband. Also, McCauley would bring water for the troops and cannons when they would call out to "Molly Pitcher".

Another person to have been given the nickname "Molly Pitcher" was Margaret Corbin, who replaced her husband, John Corbin, as an artillery gunner immediately following his death at the Battle of Fort Washington, current day Manhattan Island, New York, Nov.16, 1776, during the Revolutionary War. Margaret Corbin was also seriously wounded and nearly lost her arm during the battle.

The Molly Pitcher Award is granted by the U.S. Field Artillery Association and the Air Defense Association in order to recognize wives of artillerymen who have significantly contributed to the improvement of the artillery communities.

A total of 10 wives of Soldiers in 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., received the award to include Danielle Butzin, wife of Sgt. Timothy Butzin, a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.

Danielle Butzin was awarded for her volunteer work and for being the Family Readiness Group leader for the unit her husband is assigned to.

"I was surprised to receive the award," Danielle Butzin said. "I was honored and humbled."

For some, "Molly Pitcher" is the epitome of what a military spouse is supposed to do.

"She went above and beyond," Danielle Butzin said, as she described what "Molly Pitcher" meant to her. "We are expected to stand by our husbands and support their careers. Not only did (Margaret Corbin) support her husband's career but she helped with his job when he was unable to do it.

"To be placed in the same category as her is incredible," Danielle Butzin said.

Col Timothy J. Daugherty, commander, 214th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla., was the guest speaker for the night.

"I'm so honored to be here tonight," said Daugherty. "I love being a Soldier."

One of the main points Daugherty spoke about was about serving others.

"You will never be happy in life unless you do something outside the circle of yourself and for other people," he said. "The Army allows us to do that every day. Our job is about protecting our society, our nation and the ones we love."

Daugherty also spoke about increasing the strength of Army Families and the competitive atmosphere that can occur in military Family homes.

"What builds respect with your spouse is telling her that you appreciate her," Daugherty said. "Treating your spouses with respect is what will get you to the desired end state."

The formal event concluded with informal dancing and music.

"The St. Barbara's Day Ball is in keeping with the U.S. Field Artillery history and traditions," said Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Clayton, senior enlisted leader, 3rd, Bn., 29th FA Reg. "It showed new Soldiers what artillery is all about."

The St. Barbara's Day Ball event helped to build esprit de corps and build camaraderie for the "Pacesetters" following the deployment, said Eddy.

"(The ball) helped us get back to our artillery roots," Eddy said.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Sgt. 1st Class Marco Reyes, motor sergeant, Company G, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., receives the Honorable Order of St. Barbara award from Lt. Col. Derek Knuffke, commander, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., at the unit's St. Barbara's Day Ball held at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Co., March 7, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Col. Timothy Daugherty, commander, 214th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla., received a token of appreciation for being the guest speaker at the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, St. Barbara's Day Ball held at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Co., March 7, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Col. Timothy Daugherty, commander, 214th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla., speaks at the 3rd Bn., 29th Field Artillery Regiment, St. Barbara's Day Ball held at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Co., March 7, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Lt.Col. Derek Knuffke, commander, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., bestows the Honorable Order of St. Barbara medallion upon Capt. Teresa Christie, commander, Company G, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., at the unit's St. Barbara's Day Ball held at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Co., March 7, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – A woman on a horse galloped across Founders Field dressed in a blue wool uniform reminiscent of those worn by Soldiers more than 130 years ago, during the 4th Infantry Division change of command ceremony, March 14, 2013.

Women like Sgt. Shelly Anderson, horseman, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, are celebrated in March, which is Women's History Month, as they strive to uphold traditions and honor their country with their sacrifice.

Anderson set her goal to be a part of the unique mounted team before she ever came to Fort Carson.

"I first saw the (mounted color guard) at Fort Hood, Texas, and I thought, 'Hey, that's a really neat job,'" she said. "I thought somehow, someway, I'm going to be part of the Mounted Color Guard."

The quest to reach her goal was not an easy one for Anderson.

"I PCS'ed here and the third day here I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), my disc and fractured a bone playing at PT," Anderson said. "So I'm all casted up and I go to Turkey Creek and talked to Master Sgt. (Shawn) Farnsworth, (noncommissioned officer in charge, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard,) and said, 'Hey, what can I do now to practice and what can I learn to be on this team.'"

Farnsworth said he was initially disinclined to accept Anderson for consideration for the team.

"My first instinct was 'no,'" Farnsworth said. "She didn't know anything about horses, she had the profile and she wouldn't be able to meet the obligations; so I told her, 'Sgt. Anderson, this is what you need to do. You need to recover, get your knee stronger so you can ride.'"

Anderson refused to take no for an answer and was determined to get on the team.

"I went down to the Air Force Academy, and every Saturday I would, still to this day, volunteer at the academy, and they were the ones who taught me how to ride," Anderson said. "They taught me what a saddle is, what a horse is; because, I just thought that I just sit there and look pretty. That was my conception, and I was wrong.

"I got better," Anderson added. "I'm not afraid. I will do anything you ask me to do on a horse. Throughout my surgery, I kept bugging Master Sgt. Farnsworth."

Farnsworth kept an eye on Anderson as she developed her riding skills.

"She would not stop calling me," Farnsworth said. "Every month, she would call me and let me know that she was working with the Air Force Academy. I talked to the guys up there, the wranglers at the Air Force Academy, and they were filling me in on her."

Before she even joined the team, Anderson began assisting the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard with historical documentation through her hobby of photography.

"Last Spring, we went to a mission at Fort Garland over memorial day weekend," Farnsworth said. "She wasn't on the team, but she asked if she could go on her own dime. So I was like, 'Ok, it's a free country; you can go.' She wasn't allowed to ride a horse since she wasn't on the team, but she brought her camera along and took some good pictures."

Being in the color guard is not as simple a task as one might think.

"You have to have the love of horses," Farnsworth said. "This isn't one of those jobs you just show up to collect your paycheck. On any given day a horse can get injured. You don't know if you'll have Saturday or Sunday off, or if you have to do a parade on Saturday or Sunday. If you don't love horses this isn't your job."

Anderson finally achieved her dream in July 2012 and currently works several jobs with the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard where her femininity, according to Farnsworth, is an asset the team benefits from.

"Those [female] Soldiers bring something to the team that male Soldiers can't," Farnsworth said. "Like when we went to the Denver Stock Show, they wanted to set up a display. Most men will set up a few things and be done with it. They [the females] are more resourceful. Sometimes they are more organized. They make things look nice. You could say: a woman's touch."

While females may not have traditionally been in the Cavalry, Farnsworth argues for their worth on the team. "Some historians will tell me there weren't woman in the Cavalry in the 1800s, and I'll tell them there are women in the Army today, and they're just as important as male Soldiers," Farnsworth said. "They're an inspiration when they are out there on the parade field or during a ceremony. There are females in the ranks and they see that there are women on the team, they say, 'Maybe I can do that.' It's 2013; sometimes I get more work out of women than I do men. Everybody has their niche.

"Sgt. Anderson is one of the best noncommissioned officers at the sergeant level that I've had the privilege to work with, and I'm combat arms so I haven't worked with a lot of women in the Army," Farnsworth added.

While Anderson is not the only female in the color guard, her efforts demonstrate the quality of women in today's Army.

The Fort Carson Equal Opportunity Office will be hosting a Woman's History Month celebration at the Elkhorn Lodge at 11:30 a.m., March 26.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Sgt. Shelly Anderson, horseman, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, prepares Traveler for riding at Turkey Creek Ranch, Fort Carson, Colo., March 15, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Maggie, a blue heeler, runs by Sgt. Shelly Anderson, horseman, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, while she rides Traveler at Turkey Creek Ranch, Fort Carson, Colo., March 15, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Sgt. Shelly Anderson, horseman, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, practices her riding with Traveler at Turkey Creek Ranch, Fort Carson, Colo., March 15, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Sgt. Shelly Anderson, horseman, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, comforts Traveler while riding at Turkey Creek Ranch, Fort Carson, Colo., March 15, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Sgt. Shelly Anderson, horseman, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, gives Traveler a treat at the Turkey Creek Ranch, Fort Carson, Colo., March 15, 2013. Anderson is training Traveler to be less shy with humans around his head.

Master Sgt. Shawn Farnsworth, noncommissioned officer in charge, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard and Sgt. Shelly Anderson, horseman, Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, ride across Founders Field during the 4th Infantry Division change of command ceremony March 14, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Co. – Soldiers post-deployment fitness was evaluated with the help of troops from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who participated in the Mountain Athlete Warrior Program on Fort Carson throughout February and March.

The MAW assessment uses a series of exercises and surveys to evaluate Soldiers' risk of injury and performance indicators, said William John North, the Clinical Exercise Physiologist who conducted the assessment.

North works with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine and is responsible for conducting the exercise and generating the report after the assessment has been completed for the entire brigade.

He said the foundation plans to use the results of the Fort Carson evaluation to make recommendations to improve fitness and readiness across the Army.

"This is the largest research study of its kind ever conducted anywhere," he said. According to North, sports medicine experiments of this type typically use a smaller sample population.

"The normal sample or population for a research study like that would be about 150 or 200 college-aged athletes or non-athletes," North said. "Here it's a very different situation, we are evaluating a whole brigade and actually I'm evaluating three brigades at the same time."

This is really going to help the Army keep their Soldiers safer during physical training, he said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Day, senior enlisted leader, 4th BCT, said the MAW program is beneficial to leaders as well as Soldiers.

"It's an exceptional program to empower leaders to lead their Soldiers," Day said. "It saves injuries in combat."

The assessment is comprised of 15 exercises and two surveys Soldiers conduct in a circuit, all designed to test the ability to move in certain ways and to track the differences in abilities among Soldiers.

The brigade first started the MAW program in 2010 as a way to help prevent injuries and keep their fighting force in a more capable condition. The MAW assessment is in the final stages as the Soldiers complete the post-deployment section of the program.

FORT CARSON, Co. -- Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stretch in preparation for the Mountain Athlete Warrior Program assessment, March 12, on Fort Carson. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate Soldiers in terms of their risk for injury and performance.

FORT CARSON, Co. -- Sgt. David Mitchell, a node network systems operator-maintainer, Company C, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completes the crossover hop exercise during the Mountain Athlete Warrior Program assessment on Fort Carson, March 13. The MAW assessment is in the final stages as the Soldiers complete the Post-Deployment section of the program.

FORT CARSON, Co. -- Spc. Lateasha Goldsmith, Company C, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reaches for the tape during one of the legs of the 300 Yard Shuttle Run during the Mountain Athlete Warrior Program assessment on Fort Carson, March 13. Soldiers conduct the MAW assessment to evaluate their abilities and risks for injuries.

FORT CARSON, Co. -- Spc. Kyle Stark, fire support specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reaches for the measurement bars while performing the Vertical Leap exercise during the Mountain Athlete Warrior Program assessment on Fort Carson, March 13. All Soldiers from the 4th BCT are required to attend the MAW assessment to provide an accurate report once the assessment is completed.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Sounds of laughter and Irish folk music filled the air as 368 people stepped up to the starting line outside Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center on Fort Carson, Colo., to begin the Luck of the Volunteer Fun Run/Walk, March 15.

The St. Patrick's Day themed run was sponsored by the American Red Cross and the Fort Carson Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation to recognize volunteers who assist in the community.

"March is American Red Cross month," said Amanda Rolsen, American Red Cross, Fort Carson Station. "It is a time to share a fun event as well as share our local and world-wide services with the community."

Amber Zorita, intramural sports director, DFMWR, said the event was great for recognizing volunteers and what they do for the community and provided an active and fun way to give back to them.

Competitors could choose between a three- or six-mile route for the run. Many of the participants said they were glad to help recognize the contributions volunteers make and get some exercise while doing it.

"It is a great way to stay in shape," said 1st Sgt. Jon Trawick, senior enlisted leader, 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. "I love giving back to and supporting great causes."

Trawick and his wife Elena said they chose the race to get outside and spend time together while doing something fun.

The 1st place overall male and female runners said they enjoyed doing fun runs like these.

Spc. Ramses Ramirez, infantryman, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, who won for the men's division, said it felt great to get out there and have fun.

Luz Munoz, spouse of Air Force Staff Sgt. Davis Munoz, communication specialist, who won the in the female division, said she was glad she was able to support the volunteers and happy that she won.

For future runs and events hosted by DFMWR visit their web site at: http://www.mwrfortcarson.com/index.php

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Runners begin the race during the Luck of the Volunteer, 6 and 3 mile Fun Run/Walk hosted by the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the American Red Cross, March 15, 2013 at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center. The race was held to honor all of the volunteers who help the community.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Luz Munoz, Air Force dependant, winner of the overall female three mile, begins the race during the Luck of the Volunteer, 6 and 3 mile Fun Run/Walk, hosted by the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the American Red Cross, March 15, 2013 at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center. The race was held to honor all of the volunteers who help the community.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Runners begin the race during the Luck of the Volunteer, 6 and 3 mile Fun Run/Walk, hosted by the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the American Red Cross, March 15, 2013 at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center. The race was held to honor all of the volunteers who help the community.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Walkers begin the race during the Luck of the Volunteer, 6 and 3 mile Fun Run/Walk hosted by the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the American Red Cross, March 15, 2013 at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center. The race was held to honor all of the volunteers who help the community.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Spc. Ramses Ramirez, infantryman, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, winner of the overall three mile in the male division, finishes the race during the Luck of the Volunteer, 6 and 3 mile Fun Run/Walk hosted by the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the American Red Cross, March 15, 2013 at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center. The race was held to honor all of the volunteers who help the community.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Soldiers of 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, certified their basic marksmanship skills during M4 carbine and M16 rifle qualifications at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 12-14.

The training marked the first live-fire exercise for the Packhorse Soldiers since arriving in Kuwait.

"The brigade really arrived at Camp Buehring at the perfect time of year," said1st Sgt. Sean Patterson, senior enlisted leader, Company A. "It is already getting warm, but we are training hard out here, in full gear, to get acclimated. Our hard work now will pay off this summer when it's 130 degrees."

Each morning, Packhorse Soldiers began the day by zeroing their weapons, a process to align what an individual sees through a weapon's sights to where the weapon's rounds will actually impact.

By conducting their biannual qualification soon after arriving in Kuwait, the Packhorse Soldiers will continue training with a solid baseline of skill, said Patterson.

"This is the perfect time to have their attention 24 hours a day," he said. "The equipment is right here, ammo is readily available and we are close enough to Camp Buehring that the trips are easy to organize. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to gain valuable proficiencies and experience."

After zeroing their weapons the 4th BSB Soldiers conducted basic rifle marksmanship qualification. To qualify, a firer must hit a minimum of 23 targets out of 40, at distances ranging from 50 to 300 meters.

Shooters who hit between 23 and 29 targets receive a Marksman Badge; 30-35 receive a Sharpshooter badge; and 36-40 receive an Expert Badge.

These badges are worn on Army dress uniforms to display Soldiers' accomplishments with their assigned weapon.

Many Packhorse Soldiers performed better during the qualification at Udairi than during training at Fort Carson, said Pfc. Tatiana Chandler, automated supply logistics specialist, Company A

. "Back home, we have Families to get home to or plans in the evening that can distract us from our training," Chandler said. "I miss the U.S. and my Family, but being here, I can focus on becoming a better marksman and a better Soldier, without worrying about what's coming on TV tonight."

While waiting for their turn to fire, the Soldiers conducted hands-on training with the .50 caliber M2 machine gun and M249 light machine gun.

"Our Soldiers have a great opportunity for hands-on training out here," said Sgt. Galen Peterson, transportation specialist, Company A. "We will only get better as we continue to work together and refine our skills."

Patterson said he also looks forward to seeing his Soldiers' skills improve throughout the deployment.

"This is exactly the kind of environment we need, because it gets our feet wet, and gives us a chance to follow on with more complex training," he said. "We are taking it slow; qualifying is just the beginning, the crawl phase. The next is obviously the walk phase, where we will introduce these Soldiers to new weapons, and possibly get into some more complicated marksmanship scenarios. After that comes the run phase, and that is when things will really get fun."

The battalion and the rest of the "Raider" Brigade will continue a rigorous training schedule throughout their deployment, in addition to partnering with local armed forces to foster mutual respect and stability in the region.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Joseph Burch, transportation specialist, Company A, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, zeroes his M4 Carbine at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 12, 2013. The term zero refers to the process of aligning what an individual sees through a weapon's sights to where the round will actually impact. Weapons sights must be adjusted to accommodate the weapon system's operator.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Soldiers assigned to 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, qualify with their M4 carbines at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 12, 2013. To qualify, a firer must hit a minimum of 23 targets out of 40, at distances ranging from 50 to 300 meters. Shooters who hit between 23 and 29 targets receive a Marksman Badge; 30-35 receive a Sharpshooter badge; and 36-40 receive an Expert Badge.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Jeremiah Bayliss, petroleum specialist, Company A, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, advises Spc. Jasmine Howell, automated logistical specialist, Company A, on how to adjust her sights, as she zeroes her M4 carbine at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 12, 2013. The term zero refers to the process of aligning what an individual sees through a weapon's sights to where the weapon's barrel is actually pointed. Weapons sights must be adjusted to accommodate the weapon system's operator.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Spc. Ashton White, transportation specialist, Company A, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, practices assembling and disassembling an M240B machine gun, after qualifying with his assigned weapon, at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 12, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – High overhead lighting, the smells of oil, hot metal and orange pumice hand soap; vehicles on lifts, the sounds of wrenches cranking, metal grinding and hammers banging greet patrons as they enter the Fort Carson Auto Craft center.

The Auto Craft center is a program run by the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, where Soldiers, retirees, military dependants and Department of Defense civilians can work on their vehicles for a fraction of the price compared to other auto shops.

"Our lift bays are $6 an hour, where as an hour worth of labor downtown will run you about $100," said Cliff Dorn, cashier, Auto Craft, DFMWR. "We have nothing to gain by trying to rip people off. We're here to help the troops and people who can utilize this facility."

The center is ideal for anyone who wants to work on their vehicle, from those who are inexperienced to those who are well seasoned.

"I have been working around vehicles for most of my life," said Spc. Josh Crawford, heavy equipment operator, 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion. "My stepfather was a mechanic, and I was always underneath the cars passing him the tools he needed.

"I would recommend the Auto Craft center to others, especially first timers, who do not know a whole lot about their vehicle," said Crawford.

The shop is filled with tools and knowledgeable staff to help people get their vehicle problems fixed.

"Instructors will help and advise people on something that they don't know how to do." Dorn said. "Technical guidance doesn't cost anything; the staff is here to help. We have all of the tools needed to get the job done and all you have to do is check them out."

Many of the customers who use the center's facility enjoy the environment.

"It is inside, you have vehicle lifts, you have all of the tools you need and you can do anything you need to do to your vehicle," said Spc. Nathaniel Snyder, construction equipment repairer, 497th Engineer Company, 52nd Eng. Bn.

Crawford added that having some place where he can get his hands dirty, with the tools and the staff who work there helping him and others out with what they need to get done and done the right way; there is no experience like it.

The staff at the Auto Craft center wants people to know that they are here to serve and help.

"Spouses of deployed Soldiers should come see us first for a straight answer about their vehicle problems," Dorn said. "We can help diagnose the problems with your vehicle, when we say something you can take it to the bank. Dozens and dozens of spouses of deployed Soldiers come in here with ridiculous estimates.

"We're all veterans and we have all been where they're at," Dorn said. We appreciate their service to us; we try to give back by working here and offering them services that saves them some money."

The Auto Craft center is building 2427 located off of Wetzel Avenue just before the Outdoor Recreation center. For more information on the services they offer you can visit them on the web at: http://www.mwrfortcarson.com/auto-craft.php or call: 719-526-2147

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Nathaniel Snyder, construction equipment repairer, 497th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, reinstalls a caliper after changing the brake pads and shoes on a truck at the Fort Carson Auto Craft center March 20, 2013. At the center Soldiers, retirees, dependants and Department of Defense civilians can work on their vehicles for a fraction of the price compared to other auto shops.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Josh Crawford, heavy equipment operator, 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Eng. Bn., reinstalls a rotor after changing the brake pads and shoes on his truck at the Fort Carson Auto Craft center March 20, 2013. At the center Soldiers, retirees, dependants and Department of Defense civilians can work on their vehicles for a fraction of the price compared to other auto shops.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Nathaniel Snyder, construction equipment repairer, 497th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, reinstalls a rotor and caliper after changing the brake pads and shoes on a truck at the Fort Carson Auto Craft center March 20, 2013. At the center Soldiers, retirees, dependants and Department of Defense civilians can work on their vehicles for a fraction of the price compared to other auto shops.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Nathaniel Snyder, construction equipment repairer, 497th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, changes the air conditioning belt on a truck at the Fort Carson Auto Craft center March 20, 2013. At the center Soldiers, retirees, dependants and Department of Defense civilians can work on their vehicles for a fraction of the price compared to other auto shops.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Nathaniel Snyder, construction equipment repairer, 497th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, and Spc. Josh Crawford, heavy equipment operator, 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Eng. Btn., change the air conditioning belt on Crawford's truck at the Fort Carson Auto Craft center March 20, 2013. At the center Soldiers, retirees, dependants and Department of Defense civilians can work on their vehicles for a fraction of the price compared to other auto shops.

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spc. Nathaniel Snyder, construction equipment repairer, 497th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, changes the air conditioning belt on a truck at the Fort Carson Auto Craft center March 20, 2013. At the center Soldiers, retirees, dependants and Department of Defense civilians can work on their vehicles for a fraction of the price compared to other auto shops.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Fort Carson welcomed a new commander Thursday; a 28-year combat veteran, who has served in ranger, airborne, and infantry units around the world prior to coming to the mountain post.

Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, greeted his division for the first time with a calm, relaxed demeanor, though he was prone to moments of laughter during his speech. He was upbeat about his opportunity to command in Colorado Springs.

"Everything I've seen has been absolutely magnificent," said LaCamera. "Not only the division but the local community is absolutely flawless; I look forward to getting to meet everybody."

While happy with what he has seen so far, LaCamera said he is not afraid to make changes as needed.

"I'm just going to build on what General Anderson has started," he said. "We are different people so there will be changes. I will change based on my personality and experience, and frankly, on the missions we get."

LaCamera started his military career in the United States Military Academy where he received a Bachelor of Science, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant May 1985. He has also received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. His other military schools include the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the Senior Service College Fellowship Course.

LaCamera's deployments include Panama in support of Operation Just Cause, Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy, four tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, and four tours to Afghanistan in support of Operation Anaconda and Operation Enduring Freedom.

During his time in Panama, LaCamera served as the assistant battalion supply officer, learning the ins and outs of Army logistics. In Haiti, LaCamera served as a company commander, where tactical leadership is gained.

In his first two deployments to Afghanistan and initial tour in Iraq, in the initial stages of the wars, LaCamera served as a battalion commander, and subsequently, as the regimental commander, in the 75th Airborne Regiment, where he honed his operational skills.

His next two tours to Afghanistan saw LaCamera serving as director of operations and then assistant commanding general for Special Operations Command, followed by a deployment as the deputy commanding general (operations), for the 25th Infantry Division, providing a wide spectrum of strategic experience.

La Camera's decorations include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service medal (with five Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf cluster), Combat Infantryman Badge (with Star), Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge (with Bronze Star), Pathfinder Badge, and Ranger Tab.

LaCamera is accompanied by his wife, Theresa, and four children.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Maj. Gen. Paul LaCamera, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, assumed command from Maj. Gen. Joseph Anderson, during a ceremony at Founders' Field, March 14.

Through the ceremonial passing of the division colors, LaCamera relieved Anderson, who will head to Fort Bragg, N.C., to temporarily serve as the special assistant to the commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command.

Lt. Gen. Robert Brown, commanding general, I Corps, commended Anderson for the many accomplishments during his 16 months at Fort Carson.

"The division deployed more than 10 units … amazing job preparing those units and training them to go into harm's way," Brown said. "As I look at our distinguished community leaders and the green jackets, it's just another example of all (the Anderson's) have done for our Soldiers and Families.

"The overall successes of this division are truly remarkable, and they don't happen by chance; they happen because of energetic, motivated, dedicated and inspired leaders who demand excellence in themselves and those around them," said Brown. "Joe is that type of leader, and Joe, you should be proud of everything this division has accomplished."

Anderson took command of the 4th Infantry Division on Nov. 16, 2011, and said the division is now close to his heart.

"Congrats to all of you on your main accomplishments this past year, and good luck as you continue to move forward," said Anderson. "I'd like to recognize the 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers standing on the field before you; you guys and gals look outstanding and truly represent those who have passed before you with pride and professionalism… I respect your courage and the sacrifice you display each and every day. You are my heroes."

After Anderson's final address to the Soldiers, Families, friends and special guests of 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, the Fort Carson community welcomed LaCamera with open arms.

"We want to welcome in the new commander; you go from one great command team to another great command team, and (Paul and his wife, Theresa) are great role models for the whole Army," said Brown. "Paul is an amazing leader, I've had the honor to serve with him in combat and watch him for 27 years; a proven combat leader. As the new commander of the 4th Infantry Division there's no doubt Paul will continue to usher in the next chapter in this division's rich history."

LaCamera said he was honored to be taking command of the division and hopes to continue to see great things from the unit.

"Thank you for attending today's ceremony; your presence honors both the great Soldiers and Airmen who stand before you, but also honors the Andersons' legacy, their hard work, dedication, commitment to excellence, service, and most importantly, their leadership," said LaCamera, a native of Westwood, Mass. "After dinner last night, Theresa and I realized just how big the shoes are that we had to fill.

"To Joe and Beth, thank you for the outstanding transition, transparency, example and friendship; we wish you the best as you continue your service leading America's sons and daughters," LaCamera added.

As LaCamera wrapped up his speech, he expressed his eagerness to serve with his new unit, and his appreciation for the Fort Carson community.

"To the Soldiers, airmen, civilians, Families of the Ivy Division and Mountain Post … thanks for your service, sacrifice and leadership," said LaCamera. "My Family and I are very excited to be joining your task force, and look forward to serving with you during the upcoming opportunities we will face."

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – A few weeks after arriving in Afghanistan, Soldiers of the 43rd Sustainment Brigade said farewell to their brothers in arms, the 593rd Sustainment Brigade, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, March 3, 2013.

The 593rd SB U.S. Central Command Materiel Recovery Element, appropriately nicknamed the "Trailblazers," were the first to take on the CMRE mission in Kandahar and paved the way for the Rough Riders to continue the operation.

"(We) entered into theater at less than 50 percent manning, 50 percent equipment, on short notice, with no culminating training event, no pre-deployment site survey, and no benefit of a relief in place or placed framework," said Col. Douglas McBride, Jr., commander, 593rd SB CMRE. "Nine months later we have truly blazed a trail and set the conditions for all current and future CMRE operations to follow."

Since Coalition Forces' initial offensive against the actions of the Taliban and the Al-Qaida terrorist group, a substantial amount of infrastructure and materiel has been accumulated within Afghanistan. As Coalition Forces continue their responsible drawdown, the Rough Riders will strategically and fiscally recover assets from within Afghanistan.

The transfer of authority ceremony signified the Rough Rider's taking on the lead role in the CMRE mission in Afghanistan. After a seamless transition by the Trailblazers, the Rough Riders leadership said they intend on not only accomplishing their set goals within the recovery mission but taking the mission to the next level.

"We have great leaders and we have great Soldiers who have prepared hard, are creative problem-solvers, and are ready to attack this problem," said Col. Todd Heussner, commander, 43rd SB CMRE. "We will make tremendous progress, leave this area better than we found it, and make sure that the folks who follow us will be in a great position to finish this up."

McBride said he expects to see great success with the 43rd SB CMRE taking over the mission.

"The trail has been blazed and the conditions have been set for the 43rd Sustainment Brigade to build upon the foundation and successes of the first nine months and take it to the next level of excellence," said McBride. "The Army could not have picked a better command team or unit to come in behind my Trailblazers."

The 43rd Sustainment Brigade CMRE deployed Feb. 9 to Kandahar Airfield for a nine-month rotation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Col. Todd Heussner, commander, 43rd Sustainment Brigade CMRE, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Traylor, senior enlisted leader, 43rd SB CMRE, salute our Nation's colors during the brigade's Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The TOA ceremony signified the Rough Rider's taking on the lead role in the CMRE mission in Afghanistan. After a seamless transition by the Trailblazers, the Rough Riders intend on not only accomplishing their set goals within the recovery mission but taking the mission to the next level.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Col. Todd Heussner, commander, 43rd Sustainment Brigade CMRE, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Traylor, senior enlisted leader, 43rd SB CMRE, uncase the unit colors during the brigade's transfer of authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The TOA ceremony signified the Rough Rider's taking on the lead role in the CMRE mission in Afghanistan. Since Coalition Forces' initial offensive against the actions of the Taliban, a substantial amount of infrastructure and materiel has accumulated within Afghanistan. As Coalition Forces continue its responsible drawdown in country, the Rough Riders will strategically and fiscally recover foreign assets within Afghanistan.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A combined color guard from the 43rd Sustainment Brigade CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element and 593rd Sustainment Brigade CMRE stand strong during a transfer of authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where the 43rd SB took over the recovery mission. After a seamless transition by the Trailblazers, the Rough Riders intend on taking the mission to the next level.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Capt. Daniel King, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 43rd Special Troops Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element, and 1st Sgt. Alfred Johnson, company senior enlisted leader, HHC, 43rd STB, 43rd SB CMRE, prepare to uncase the company colors during the brigade's transfer of authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The ceremony signified the Rough Rider's taking on the lead role in the CMRE mission in Afghanistan. As Coalition Forces continue their responsible drawdown in country, the Rough Riders will strategically and fiscally recover foreign assets within Afghanistan.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – More than 50 golfers from 4th Infantry Division dusted off their golf clubs and cleats and went to Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club on Fort Carson March 7 to compete in the year's debut golf tournament.

Thirteen teams, comprised of Soldiers with a variety of skill levels from avid golfers to those who have never stepped on a fairway, battled it out on the course for the opportunity to be declared champion of the first ever "Phoenix" Battalion Golf Scramble, hosted by 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.

"I haven't played golf since the sixth grade," said Pvt. Eric Bracken, intelligence analyst, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd BSTB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "It is a pretty cool event and it is really fun to be able to have a good time with high-ranking people."

Even the battalion's senior enlisted leader got in on the action.

"This is the ninth time that I have ever played golf and I had a blast," said Command Sgt. Maj. Lloyd L. Moore, 3rd BSTB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "The Soldiers had a great time too."

According to the Cheyenne Shadows website, the course is an 18-hole, championship golf course set up to mimic the experience a golfer would have at a much more expensive country club setting at a fraction of the cost.

"I really like this course," said Keith Stilwell, Professional Golf Association golf pro, Cheyenne Shadows. "It is a challenging course and there are plenty of opportunities to get yourself in trouble here. No two holes are alike."

Karen Jones, tournament director, Cheyenne Shadows, said the on-post golf club hosts approximately 80 tournaments a year.

"We welcome all units to come out and host a tournament here," Jones said. "These kinds of events are a great way to build rapport, camaraderie and teamwork within a unit."

Bracken experienced that teamwork development first–hand on the links. He said his fellow golfers were eager to pass their knowledge on to the less-experienced players.

"I am learning a lot here today," Bracken said. "Hopefully, I will get the chance to participate in another scramble and really put these new skills to the test."

Once the teams completed all 18 holes and had gathered in the clubhouse 1st Sgt. Kevin Miller, HHT, 3rd BSTB, 3rd BCT, announced the winners.

"The champions of the first, and most definitely the best ever, 3BSTB Golf Scramble are Staff Sgt. Joslep Smith, Sgt. Christopher Lyon, Spc. Brandon Relator-Kaupu and Spc Louis Werrick," Miller said.

The Soldiers on the winning team are all assigned to 3rd BSTB's Headquarters and Headquarters Company. Lyon said the tournament was a great event and helped build camaraderie amongst the Soldiers. However, he isn't ready to stop winning.

"It was fulfilling to win the scramble," Lyon said. "I have already signed up for the Commanding General's scramble and I look forward to winning that one too!"

The scramble also served as a fund raiser for the battalion's Family Readiness Group in preparation for a unit ball.

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Staff Sgt. Henry W. Marris III, Public Affairs noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hits his ball out of a sand trap March 7, 2013 while playing in the "Phoenix" Battalion Golf Scramble at Fort Carson's Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club. The scramble was the debut tournament of the year for the golf club and the first ever for the "Phoenix" battalion.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Sgt. Loarne Caudle, Logistics Sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, lines up his shot before putting his ball March 7, 2013 while playing in the "Phoenix" Battalion Golf Scramble at Fort Carson's Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club. Thirteen teams from across 4th Infantry Division participated in the golf clubs first tournament of the year.

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Spc. Richard Beccera, logistics specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, holds his stance after putting the ball March 7 while playing in the "Phoenix" Battalion Golf Scramble at Fort Carson's Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club. The tournament was the first of the year for the Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club and the first tournament ever sponsored by the "Phoenix" battalion.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Three "Raider" Brigade battalions enhanced their warrior skills during weapons systems training at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 4-7 and March 12-14.

In addition to fulfilling annual certification requirements with the M16 rifle and M4 carbine, Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., trained with M249 light machine guns, M240B machine guns, .50 caliber M2 machine guns, M320A1 grenade launchers and MK-19 40 mm grenade machine guns.

Soldiers of 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, also certified on the M4 carbine and M16 rifle in their first live-fire training since arriving in Kuwait.

"We don't have any distractions out here," said1st Lt. Eric Burse, platoon leader, Company A, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Reg. "This deployment is the perfect time for us to perfect our skills. It's tough to be away from our Families, but this is a great opportunity for all of us to focus on training and improving ourselves as individual Soldiers and as a cohesive unit."

Burse said he looks forward to conquering the challenges his platoon, and the "Raider" brigade as a whole, will face during their deployment.

"Out here all we have is each other," Burse said. "As this deployment progresses, the Soldiers in my platoon and company are going to build some very strong bonds, train very hard and become an even more efficient fighting force."

The range operations marked the first of many training rotations slated for Raiders in coming months.

"This is the perfect time to have their attention 24 hours a day," said1st Sgt. Sean Patterson, senior enlisted leader, Company A, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st ABCT. "The equipment is right here, ammo is readily available and we are close enough to Camp Buehring that the trips are easy to organize. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to gain valuable proficiencies and experience."

Sgt. Michael Erickson, cannon crewmember, Battery A, 4th Bn., 42nd FA Reg., emphasized the importance of conducting comprehensive training early in a deployment.

"These are the weapons we mount on our vehicles during combat operations," said Erickson. "We need all of our gunners, drivers and as many other Soldiers as possible, to feel comfortable with these weapons, know how to break them down and have a good feel for what they are capable of."

Even after months of training leading up to the deployment, Pfc. Matthew Coulter, infantryman, Company A, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Reg, said he learned a great deal about how to operate and maintain some of the larger caliber weapons.

"I haven't fired the MK-19 since basic training, during weapons familiarization, more than a year ago," Coulter said. "This time I got to break it down, I learned how to clean it and respond to malfunctions, and I was able to fire a lot of rounds on the range. I feel a lot more comfortable with the weapon now."

Erickson said combat readiness must be the top priority of any combat brigade, regardless of their current mission.

"We aren't deployed in a combat role right now, but we are combat-arms Soldiers," Erickson said. "Maintaining and improving our tactical and technical skills is what we do when we aren't actively involved in conflict. Here at Camp Buehring and Udairi Range, we have the time and resources to become one of the most competent units in the Army."

Raider Soldiers will continue a rigorous training schedule throughout their deployment to Kuwait, in addition to partnering with local armed forces to foster mutual respect and stability in the region.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Ryan Beckmann, infantryman, Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fires a grenade with the M320A1 grenade launcher during weapons training at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 6, 2013. Soldiers assigned to 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Reg. and 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., conducted weapons proficiency training at Udairi to reinforce their battle readiness.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Sgt. Michael Erickson, cannon crewmember, Battery A, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fires a MK-19 grenade machine gun during weapons training at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 6, 2013. "These are (one of) the weapons we mount on our vehicles during combat operations," said Erickson. "We need all of our gunners, drivers and as many other Soldiers as possible, to feel comfortable with these weapons, know how to break them down and have a good feel for what they are capable of."

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Pfc. Steven Ward, cannon crewmember, Battery A, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, zeros his M249 light machine gun during weapons training at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 6, 2013. The term zero refers to the process of aligning what an individual sees through a weapon's sights to where the round will impact. Sights must be adjusted to accommodate the weapon system's operator.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, check an M249 machine gun zero target during weapons training at Udairi Range, Kuwait, March 6, 2013. The term zero refers to the process of aligning what an individual sees through a weapon's sights to where the round will actually impact. Sights must be adjusted to accommodate the weapon system's operator.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – The Raider Brigade officially opened "Raider University" during a ceremony March 8 at the Gateway Theater on Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Senior leadership across the brigade gathered to discuss the future of the training program introduced by Col. Joel Tyler, commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

"Raider University is our term for professional development," Tyler said. "I love this Army, this nation and our profession, and when someone doesn't see the value in it I take it personally."

The program's central theme is operational adaptability, which includes the improvement of critical thinking skills, comfort with ambiguity and decentralization, willingness to accept prudent risks, making sound rapid adjustments from continuous assessments, building resilient Soldiers and cohesive teams, mastering the operational art and recognizing the human aspects of conflict and war.

"What makes us strong is the adaptability of our American Soldiers," Tyler said.

Tyler and Command Sgt. Maj. Edison Rebuck, senior enlisted leader, 1st ABCT, discussed the idea of putting together a program to professionally develop Raider Soldiers during the brigade's rotation to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., last year.

During the opening ceremony Rebuck explained how the implementation of the program would train more adaptive Soldiers of the future for the brigade and the Army.

"We have to spend as much time, sweat and ability in developing our brains as we do physically training ourselves," Rebuck said to the audience of leaders gathered at the Gateway Theater.

The lead planner for Raider University, Maj. Robert Walker, brigade fire support officer, 1st ABCT, laid out the agenda of the program to the leadership of the brigade during his presentation and emphasized the importance of thinking "outside the box."

"We really want you (Raider Brigade leaders) to get out of the mindset of typical military training, reach down into your units and access the knowledge made available by our Soldiers," Walker said.

Walker challenged Raider University attendees to tap into the resources available within their units and urged the leaders to take this adaptive mindset and utilize it to develop junior brigade Soldiers into the future leaders of the Army.

"My take away from the Raider University presentation is a command led opportunity to think about our jobs and processes in a different way...in a way to focus our efforts on taking everyday problems or historical missteps and finding pointed means for overcoming them through increased leader and Soldier dialogue on adaptability at all levels," said 2nd Lt. Blake Ritchey, platoon leader, Company C, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1ABCT.

Raider University offers Soldiers and leaders the unique opportunity to train and professionally develop themselves in a time of fiscal constraint at no cost to the Soldier through innovative means available within their units.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Col. Joel Tyler, commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, explains his vision of Raider University during the opening ceremony held at the Gateway Theater on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 8, 2013. "Raider University is our term for professional development," Tyler said. "I love this Army, this nation and our profession and when someone doesn't see the value in it I take it personally."

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Command Sgt. Maj. Edison Rebuck, senior enlisted leader, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, lays out the concept and origin of Raider University to 1st ABCT leaders gathered at the Gateway Theater, Camp Buehring, Kuwait, during the opening ceremony March 8, 2013. Rebuck and Col. Joel Tyler, commander, 1st ABCT, discussed the idea of putting together a program to professionally develop their Soldiers during the brigade's rotation to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., last year. "We have to spend as much time, sweat and ability in developing our brains as we do physically training ourselves," said Rebuck.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Maj. Robert Walker, brigade fire support officer, and lead planner for Raider University, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, explains the agenda, short and long terms goals of the program during the opening ceremony for Raider University held at the Gateway Theater on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 8, 2013. "We really want you (Raider Brigade Leaders) to get out of the mindset of typical military training, reach down into your units and access the knowledge made available by our Soldiers," Walker said.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Students in Trinidad, Colo., had an opportunity to interact with Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, when the troops visited their schools, March 4, 6 and 7.

"Warhorse" Soldiers took time away from training at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site to visit children in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, and to answer questions, read books, eat lunch and participate in recess.

"I think when we visited the children it was a very good day for them," said Sgt. Matthew Olah, radio operator maintainer, Company B, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT. "They enjoyed it immensely; they were all smiles, giggles, hugs and high-fives. It was exciting for them as it was for us."

The Soldiers all agreed that volunteering in the community was important.

"I believe Soldiers can make good role models," said Sgt. 1st Class Laura Barillas, battalion human resource specialist noncommissioned officer in charge, 2nd STB. "Some of them mentioned they wanted to actually be in the service. Maybe it kind of opens the door for some of them to join the military"

Teachers knew the Soldiers visiting meant a lot to the students.

"You guys are larger than life to them," said Cherie Holder, 1st grade teacher, Eckhart Elementary School. "This was just really great that you could come and they could see you and see you are real people."

The schools' staffs were also pleased to have the Soldiers visit.

"I think it was good for us as a faculty to just get to say thank you and we appreciate what you are doing," said Holder. Students were not the only ones to take something away from the day. "I think Soldiers just got a great joy of being able to interact and maybe give them an idea of what to do in the future," said Olah. "I have never seen so many Soldiers smiling ear-to-ear and at the end of the day; talk about how sore their cheeks were from smiling."

As Soldiers returned to the training site, they said they wished they had more time with the students.

"I wish I could have got to read to them more," said Olah. "I kind of got distracted with the questions. I hope to be able to go back down there and read to them again."

The Soldiers engaging the schools was one of many community engagements the Warhorse Brigade participated in, to include a meeting with city officials, a community day and a dinner in downtown Trinidad, during the month-long training exercise at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Lt. Col. Joseph Mouer, commander, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, sits with students as they hold up "Ivy" Division business cards at Eckhart Elementary School in Trinidad, Colo., March 7, 2013. Soldiers took time away from training to visit schools in the Trinidad area to explain why the brigade is at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site and the type of training they are conducting.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Lt. Col. Joseph Mouer, commander, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks to seniors at Trinidad High School in Trinidad, Colo., March 4, 2013. Mouer told the students of his Army experiences such as jumping out of airplanes, commanding Soldiers and visiting foreign countries.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Sgt. Matt Waymire, public affairs broadcast journalist, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, plays dodge ball with students at Eckhart Elementary School in Trinidad, Colo., March 6, 2013. Soldiers visited the school to interact with the students and took the opportunity to stress the importance of staying in shape.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Noe Guzman, a student at Eckhart Elementary School, looks through night vision goggles during a visit from Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at his school in Trinidad, Colo., March 6, 2013. Students had a chance to try on Soldiers gear and take a look inside an M1114 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Emily Trujillo, culinary specialist, prepares a key lime pie for Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during their visit to Eckhart Elementary School in Trinidad, Colo., March 6, 2013. The "Warhorse" Soldiers ate lunch with students and spoke about their jobs as well as why it's important to eat healthy.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Capt. Chris Clarke, battalion adjutant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stretches with students in Eckhart Elementary School's gym before a game of dodge ball in Trinidad, Colo., March 6, 2013. The "Warhorse" Soldiers played several games of dodge ball with the students, culminating in a game of Soldiers versus students in which the kids won.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, play on a swing set after students at the Eckhart Elementary School in Trinidad, Colo., leave recess, March 6, 2013. The "Warhorse" Soldiers played alongside the children by racing them, holding push up competitions and climbing the playgrounds.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Sgt. Matt Waymire, public affairs broadcast journalist, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, teaches students at Eckhart Elementary School about his multipurpose flashlight. Waymire taught the students the about its dual-light ability and the different ways the flashlight could be used, such as a lantern.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Community, partnership and teamwork were the themes for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, community day at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 8.

Residents from Trinidad and Las Animas County, Colo., came to PCMS to interact with Soldiers and learn about tactical equipment, weapons and their experiences in the Army.

"It's giving back to the community," said Sgt. Eric Niedzwiecki, cavalry scout, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry regiment, 2nd BCT. "It's not something they get to see every day. For some of them to be able to show up and see our equipment and what we are doing; it's important."

Residents expressed their support of the Soldiers training at PCMS.

"What you guys are doing is an extension of what this country is," said Greg Jacobson, a landowner in Las Animas County. "We are out here to support you guys and see what you are doing."

Jacobson brought his grandson, who said he liked interacting with the Soldiers at the event.

"I think it's pretty cool to see the troops, the weapons, the tanks and all the stuff they use," said Korey Monohan.

Monohan also said it was important for the community to visit the Soldiers.

"It helps the Soldiers build pride when the community comes out here," said Monohan. "They do this for our country and it's important for them to receive support."

Soldiers welcomed the visitors and said they liked interacting with them.

"I think it's really nice to think they can come out here and support us and get hands on with the weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles and the equipment," said Sgt. Kyle Iverson, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT.

As the afternoon came to an end and Soldiers went back to training and visitors left to go to their homes, the handshakes and smiles between the two sides showed a bond had been formed.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Specialist Kyle Holaday, cavalry scout, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, lists the specifics of an M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle to Greg Jacobson, a land owner in Las Animas County, during the Community Day at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 8, 2013. "Bison" Soldiers allowed members of the local community to sit inside their vehicle and try on their equipment.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Colonel Omar Jones (standing), commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provides a training overview to residents of Trinidad and Las Animas County inside the "Warhorse" Brigade tactical operations center at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 8, 2013. Jones expressed the importance of the training area and how it will lead to the brigade's success in future exercises and operations.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Sgt. Eric Niedzwiecki, and Spc. Kyle Holaday, both cavalry scouts, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, brief Reyes Gonzalez, husband of Bernadette Baca-Gonzalez, mayor of Trinidad, on the capabilities of the M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during a community day at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 8, 2013. Residents of the area interacted with Soldiers, viewed tactical vehicles and multiple weapon systems.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Mason Riddle, 8, resident of Trinidad, Colo., holds an RQ-11B Raven during a community day at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., hosted by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, March 8, 2013. Residents were able to handle weapons and asked Soldiers about their experiences using them.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Sgt. Kyle Iverson, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, shows McKenzie Riddle, 8 and Mason Riddle, 5, residents of Trinidad, an RQ-11B during a community day at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 8, 2013. Local residents were encouraged to interact with Soldiers and ask them questions about their military experiences.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Bernadette Baca-Gonzalez, mayor of Trinidad, Colo., looks through a scout sniper scope during a community day hosted by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 8, 2013. Baca-Gonzalez, along with city officials, received a briefing on the capabilities of the "Warhorse" Brigade, viewed tactical equipment and handled multiple weapons.

PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE, Colo. – Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, set up a variety of weapons for residents of Trinidad and Las Animas County, Colo., to handle and ask questions during a community day at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., March 8, 2013. Residents viewed and held weapons such as the M4 Carbine and M110 Sniper Rifle as well as the RQ-11B Raven unmanned aerial vehicle.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Homeownership is part of the American dream, which for Soldiers and veterans can be accomplished with the aid of a Veterans Affairs approved loan.

VA provides servicemembers, veterans and eligible surviving spouses a guarantee on a portion of the loan to make owning a home more accessible to troops and Families.

"As far as the process; the best situation is to get pre-qualified from a lender," said Charles Douglas, volunteer realtor, Fort Carson Housing Services Office Volunteer Realtor Program. "One of the first things is to get pre-qualified to see what you can afford."

Todd Hartshorn, loan consultant, Security Service Federal Credit Union, takes into account a potential buyer's income, debt and credit rating when seeing how much money a Family is qualified for. After receiving the pre-qualification letter a Family should decide on the must-haves for their new home.

"Shop around for a realtor," Douglas said. "You could shop around on your own, but it's best to find a realtor. Find which one fits you. Give them your criteria and start looking."

Finding the house of one's dreams is only half the battle, and like any big purchase negotiations will follow, Douglas said.

"Say you are in love with this house and this is the one you want, and you tell your representation or realtor that you want to purchase that home," Douglas said. "You sit down with the buyer. You go over the pros and cons, and talk about doing the offers. They submit the contract. The listing agent and the buying agent will talk on your behalf. If you come into an agreement, then you sign the contract. You're under contract.

"Then the buyer should have the Mortgage Company or lender to cement the contract, and you have to have earnest money," Douglas said. "Once everything is agreed upon, you go through your inspections and appraisals. When it closes at the title company and it's funded, they give you the keys."

The VA differs from conventional loans from appraisal to final costs.

"With a conventional loan you have to put a minimum of five percent down, and unless you have 20 percent down you have to get private mortgage insurance," Hartshorn said. "Private mortgage insurance isn't the same as homeowners insurance; it doesn't go towards the house at all. You're just paying the lender. With a VA loan you don't have to put any down payment, and you don't have mortgage insurance. VA also has their appraisers that check out the property."

Hartshorn offers some additional advice to potential buyers about closing costs.

"Our market at this time, the seller is paying for a lot of the closing cost," Hartshorn said. "But they have to get that in the contract. If it isn't in the contract then the buyer pays."

Fort Carson Housing Services Office located at 7301 Woodfill Road, Room 104, can be reached at (719) 526-2323.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Windsor Ridge Homes hosts an open house on their model home in their new community Lorson Ranch, Colorado Springs, Colo., March 7, 2013. Veterans Affairs employs assessors and appraisers to ensure that each home purchased by servicemembers is priced correctly.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Oscar Baca, construction worker, Ballie Stucco, applies stucco to a new home in the community of Lorson Ranch, Colorado Springs, Colo., March 7, 2013. Veterans Affairs employs assessors to ensure each home purchased by servicemembers is priced at correctly.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Construction workers work on finishing a new home in the community of Lorson Ranch, Colorado Springs, Colo., March 7, 2013. Veterans Affairs Loans employ their assessors to ensure that each home purchased by service members is priced at correct value.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Sgt. Maj. Matthew Boehme assumed responsibility of 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), from the outgoing senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, in a ceremony March 7, on Founders Field.

Woods, a 27 year enlisted Soldier in the Army, is retiring and moving with his Family back to Arkansas.

"Today we acknowledge the accomplishments and sacrifices of a professional Soldier and his Family. For the last 27 years, Mike chose a life of service over self, putting the needs of Soldiers and their Families above their own," said Col. William McDonough, commander, 71st EOD. "Woods embodies in spirit and action, in word and deed, every sentence and every word of the Noncommissioned Officer Creed.

"He is the consummate professional, always striving to improve personal and unit performance, setting and enforcing standards of conduct, putting the needs of our Soldiers and their Families before his own, and preparing Soldiers to professionally accomplish all missions," McDonough said. "We've been fortunate to serve with you, and we're a better unit because we've served with you."

McDonough offered words of encouragement to the incoming sergeant major.

"To Sgt. Maj. Matt Boehme, welcome to the team; I look forward to working with you, and I look forward to the expertise you're going to bring to the 71st EOD," said McDonough.

After the invocation from the Chaplain, Woods, McDonough and Boehme moved to the field for the traditional passing of the Noncommissioned Officer Sword.

After relinquishing responsibility to Boehme, Woods took his place at the podium, bid farewell to his Soldiers, and welcomed Boehme and his Family to the unit.

"For the past 27 years, it's been my privilege and honor to be a member of the EOD community. I've had the privilege of working with some remarkable Soldiers and leaders over the years," said Woods. "I've seen many of them grow from young privates, specialists and second lieutenants, to now being company first sergeants, master sergeants, as well as company and battalion commanders.

"Matt, I leave you with a fighting force of 'Raptors;' of steel-eyed killers ready to deal death and protect the innocent," said Woods. "You are the right man at the right time, and I wish you well. I have no doubt you will take the force to the next level, and I'm proud to call you friend."

Boehme, a native of Mullinville, Kan., began his military service with the Kansas Army National Guard in 1987, and switched to active duty in 1990. His previous assignment was in Washington, D.C., as the Headquarters, Department of the Army, adaptive counter-improvised explosive device/explosive ordnance disposal solutions sergeant major.

"I'm humbled to stand before you and assume responsibility of this great organization," said Boehme.

"I would like to commend all the Soldiers of the 71st EOD for the outstanding job they have done over the past decade, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom," said Boehme. "We will continue to uphold and enforce the high standards of the Raptors group. As the Army continues to change, we will adapt to new environments, and take on new missions. Thank you all for coming, Raptors, Army strong."

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Sherri Woods, wife of outgoing command sergeant major, Michael Woods, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), receives a bouquet of red roses during a change of responsibility ceremony at Founders Field, March 7, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, outgoing command sergeant major, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), passes the traditional Noncommissioned Officer Sword to Col. William McDonough, commander, 71st EOD, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Founders Field, March 7, 2013. "For the last 27 years, Mike chose a life of service over self, putting the needs of Soldiers and their Families above their own," said McDonough. "Woods embodies in spirit and action, in word and deed, every sentence and every word of the Noncommissioned Officer Creed. "We've been fortunate to serve with you, and we're a better unit because we've served with you."

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Sgt. Maj. Matthew Boehme, incoming command sergeant major, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), addresses Families, friends and guests of the 71st EOD, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Founders Field, March 7, 2013. "I would like to commend all the Soldiers of the 71st EOD for the outstanding job they have done over the past decade, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom," said Boehme. "We will continue to uphold and enforce the high standards of the Raptors group. As the Army continues to change, we will adapt to new environments, and take on new missions. Thank you all for coming, Raptors, Army strong."

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Col. William McDonough, commander, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), passes the traditional Noncommissioned Officer Sword to incoming command sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Matthew Boehme, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Founders Field, March 7, 2013. "For the past 27 years, it's been my privilege and honor to be a member of the EOD community. I've had the privilege of working with some remarkable Soldiers and leaders over the years," said Woods. "I've seen many of them grow from young privates, specialists and second lieutenants, to now being company first sergeants, master sergeants, as well as company and battalion commanders.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldier's spouses hurried through 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division's headquarters seeking clues and hitting roadblocks as they participated their quarterly brigade Family Readiness Group function, March 6.

During the event, styled after the television show "The Amazing Race," Spouses had to complete challenges which tested their knowledge of the various units within the brigade.

To find their next objective, racers had to place colored candy on a unit crest displayed in monochrome and decode riddles about units. In addition, they were tested on their general Army knowledge by arranging ranks from private to general in ascending order and singing the Army Song and 4th Inf. Div. March.

"We did the Amazing Race; we basically ran from station to station doing treasure hunts, reciting songs and doing the Cupid Shuffle," said Angel Brown, a spouse with 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. This was Brown's first brigade FRG function, having just arrived at Fort Carson in August.

"It was a very good experience," Brown said. "I got to learn all the different battalions within the brigade. My favorite part was the Cupid Shuffle. It's a dance we had to do. Some of the girls didn't know it, and they just got into it. This is my first team building here, and this is a completely different experience. I've been to several different team buildings before, but never this fun."

The 32 participants were divided into seven teams of either four or five picked at random to merge FRGs from different battalions and develop new relationships.

"What we did today was allow various FRGs from different battalions to co-mingle and come together, which I think, makes the team even stronger," said Stephanie Norman, family readiness support assistant, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

"Right now, a large portion of the brigade is deployed," Norman said. "It's one way for all the FRGs to connect and touch base, and offer advice and assistance to help the units get through the deployment. Really, fundamentally, it's about building stronger teams and cohesiveness among the teams."

As the spouses moved throughout the headquarters, teammates had to rely on each other's knowledge of different units within the battalion to figure out the clues and complete challenges.

"It was a great way to learn about the brigade," said Lemoni Burney, spouse and FRG leader, Company B, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "You get everyone involved and rely on people's strengths. It really was a great team building exercise.

"What I would take from this, and what I hope others would as well, is having the experience of reenergizing yourself as a team," Burney said. "I think as an FRG leader, we're always trying to get Families together, and not just have a lame old meeting with pizza. Do things that are fun and engaging; have them want to come out to a meeting."

Family Readiness Support Advisors or Family Readiness Noncommissioned Officers are located within each battalion. To find your unit's FRSA or FRNO contact your FRG leader.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Spouses with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, scurried through the brigade's headquarters building for their quarterly Family Readiness Group function themed after "The Amazing Race," March 6, 2013. The spouses were split into teams, given clues and preceded to race around the building trying to complete different challenges which tested their knowledge of their service member's unit and general military knowledge.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—From left to right, Kelly Kohunsky, spouse with 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Jennifer Broderick, spouse, headquarters, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., and Nichole Peterson, spouse, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., huddle around their first challenge pack during the brigade's Family Readiness Group function themed after "The Amazing Race," at 1st Brigade's headquarters, March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Reid Andersen, 3 months, son of Audra Andersen, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, giggles as his mother and her teammates transverse the 1st BCT headquarters building during the brigade's Family Readiness Group function themed after "The Amazing Race," March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Spc. Kasey Dell, mechanic, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, searches for a team's next challenge pack during the brigade's Family Readiness Group function themed after "The Amazing Race" at 1st Brigade's headquarters building, March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Sgt. 1st Class David Brown, Family Readiness Noncommissioned Officer, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, searches for a team's next challenge pack during the brigade's Family Readiness Group function themed after "The Amazing Race" at the 1st BCT headquarters building, March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Spouses with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, finish a challenge, which entailed fishing letters out of water and unscrambling the letters spelling "Raider Brigade" during their quarterly Family Readiness Group function themed after "The Amazing Race," March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Tracey Barber, Military Family Life Consultant, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Melissa Danford, FRG leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., fish out letters to complete a challenge during the brigade's quarterly Family Readiness Group function themed after "The Amazing Race," March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—A team of 1st Brigade Combat Team spouses sings the 4th Infantry Division March during the brigade's quarterly Family Readiness Group function, themed after "The Amazing Race," at the brigade's headquarters, March 6, 2013. Spouses had to complete various tasks which challenged their unit and Army knowledge.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Jasmine Rebuck, spouse of Command Sgt. Maj. Edison Rebuck, senior enlisted leader, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pretends being a tank to complete a challenge during the brigade's team building event, themed after "The Amazing Race," at the brigade's headquarters, March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Spouses with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, work on a challenge which required them to arrange ranks from private to general in order during the brigade's quarterly Family Readiness Group function, themed after "The Amazing Race," at the brigade's headquarters, March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo.—Teammates watch as Erin Schoenfeldt (blue), spouse, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, gets down during the Cupid Shuffle, a challenge they had to complete during brigade's teambuilding event at the headquarters building, themed after "The Amazing Race," March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Two civilian contractors saved the Army and 4th Infantry Division nearly $130,000 by rebuilding a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Transmission for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Carl Lovett and Michael Wood, both field service representatives for Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and defense contractors with BAE Systems Public Limited Company, at the Fort Carson Directorate of Logistics, did the rebuild as a cost-saving measure for Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT.

"Instead of buying a new transmission, we basically spent under $400 to fix it," said Wood.

According to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Damion Chin, battalion maintenance technician, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, the full price of a new transmission for a Bradley fighting vehicle is more than $208,000.

"Once the damaged transmission is exchanged, the price drops to around $130, 000," Chin said.

Maintenance Soldiers in the battalion said they were very grateful for the effort the contractors put in.

"Their work was awesome," said 2nd Lt. Heather Fremont, maintenance control officer, 1st Bn, 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "Their efforts helped the unit with regards to recent budget constraints."

During the repair process, Lovett and Wood also took time to train unit level maintenance Soldiers on the operation of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle transmission, said Fremont.

Unit leadership has expressed plans to send a report about the successful rebuild to the Army's Chief of Ordinance in Fort Lee, Va.

"Under these resource-constrained times, building teamwork between unit maintainers and field service representatives is a mission essential task that must command the attention of materiel managers and unit commanders alike," said Lt. Col. Anthony Rush, commander, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. "Increasing the ability of units to conduct repairs above the direct support level is imperative if armored brigade combat teams are to train with less fiscal resources and deliver a proficient maneuver capability to the Army and the Joint Force."

The repair of the Bradley fighting vehicle helped the brigade preserve funding for decisive action training, said Rush.

Col. Michael Kasales, commander, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., expressed his gratitude for the ingenuity and hard work Wood and Lovett did on the project.

"That kind of effort contributes to our effort to train and puts a good name on yourselves and your corporation," said Kasales.

Wood and Lovett both continue to work for all of 4th Inf. Div. as field service representatives for Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – The aroma of fresh pasta, meatballs and baked rolls wafted through the air as Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, entered the Mount Carmel Health, Wellness and Community Center, Trinidad, Colo., Feb. 28.

The "Warhorse" Brigade transported 50 Soldiers from Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site to Mount Carmel for an evening away from their month-long exercise and to enjoy home-cooked meal.

"We welcomed the Soldiers to come in and get a relief, a break from their usual environment out there on the prairies," said Leo Bonfadini, Wellness Program Coordinator, Mount Carmel.

Mount Carmel's idea of wellness is similar to the Army's idea of resiliency, said Bonfadini. The center helps people, and in this case, Soldiers, to strengthen their minds, bodies, and spirits.

The staff, some of whom are prior service, intended the night as a way to take care of Soldiers.

"I hope my Soldiers realize that when you leave the military, there's something you can do to continue serving and helping people," said 1st. Sgt. Tonio Childress, senior enlisted leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd BCT.

Soldiers appreciated the meal and said they knew it would have their bodies ready to go when they got back to training.

"I like the fact that it's a Family wellness center, so we know the food is healthy and they're supporting healthy Soldiers," said Pvt. Candee Wheat, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT. "It shows that Trinidad is very big on trying to support a healthy community."

To the people who work at Mount Carmel, taking care of wellness starts and ends with taking care of the nation's defenders.

"The Army here is so important for us," said Bonfadini. "This is a wonderful community that has a history of war service. To me, as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, it's like seeing Family again. I just forgot how young you all were."

2nd BCT is currently conducting an exercise at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site near Trinidad and will continue to have engagements with the community throughout their time there.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, warm up near a fire outside of the Mount Carmel Health, Wellness, and Community Center in Trinidad, Colo., Feb. 28, 2013. The 50 "Warhorse" Soldiers left their training at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site to attend a dinner hosted by the people who run Mount Carmel.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – Kim Schultz, consultant for Mount Carmel Health, Wellness and Community Center, serves dinner to Spc. Andy Carmona, fire direction specialist, Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a meal hosted by Mount Carmel Health, Wellness, and Community Center in Trinidad, Colo., Feb. 28, 2013. Mount Carmel held the dinner to improve the "Warhorse" Soldiers' resiliency during their month-long training at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.

TRINIDAD, Colo. – A Soldier shows the dinner that the Mount Carmel Health, Wellness, and Community Center staff served to members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a break in training , Feb. 28, 2013. The home-cooked meal included fresh baked pasta, salad, meatballs and rolls.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – A Soldier lifts his shirt up to put on the heart rate monitor, steps on the treadmill, puts on the VO2 Max mask and starts to walk, eventually getting to a slow run to reach 85 percent of his maximum heart rate.

Capt. Mike Meyers did this to see if he is the fittest Soldier on Fort Carson, during the Army's first VO2 Max Competition, March 4-6, at Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center.

VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during incremental exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual. The competition measures a Soldier's fitness through the use of Fitmate Pro, a machine able to measure oxygen consumption.

The post-wide competition was developed by Fort Carson's Army Wellness Center to find Fort Carson's fittest Soldier, who will then put their numbers up against other installations once they officially set up their competitions.

"The goal of this competition is to raise awareness of the services we provide, and how people can use our wellness center as a tool to increase their cardio-respiratory fitness," said Tony Heinz, director, Army Wellness Center.

The competition gave Soldiers and leaders a chance not only to compete against others, but also to gain an idea of how to improve their cardio respiratory fitness. "There are no losers in this competition. They get to compete to see who is the fittest, but they also get the information of how to train to improve their VO2," said Krys Bankard, health promotion technician, AWC.

Depending on the results that an individual receives from the VO2 testing, there are recommendations of how much cardio exercise that they should do per week, as well as what heart rate zone and the length of each session, Heinz added.

"Many professional sports teams like the Denver Nuggets use this kind of testing on their athletes to improve their fitness levels. This kind of testing is now available to Soldiers for free."

Meyers, assistant operations, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Capt. Tracy Wrinkle, officer in charge, patient administration division, 1st Detachment, 7215th Medical Support Unit, Medical Evaluation Board Remote Operation Center, were the fittest Soldiers, for the male and female categories, on Fort Carson.

"Fitness is a way of life," Wrinkle said. "The better you feel, the better quality of life you are going to have, the better you can lead your Soldiers."

Meyers said he enjoyed being able see where he stood against his fellow Soldiers.

"My favorite part of the competition was the competition itself," said Meyers.

"Knowing where I rank compared to everyone else. Never having done it before; where do I stand when the results come down?"

The winners gave some advice on physical fitness.

"The advice I would give is to know your limits," Meyers said. "Know whether those limits are mental or physical, and then learn to overcome them."

Wrinkle said fitness is an important part of life, and the VO2 Max test helps show where a person really stands in that regard.

"Fitness is a continuous thing you have to keep doing," Wrinkle said. "If you want to do it you will make it part of your lifestyle and routine."

The winners said the VO2 testing is an important tool that all Soldiers can use to help find what they can do to improve themselves.

"Even if you're not coming in for the competition, come in for the testing to see where you fall," Meyers said. "The initial test we did measured your flexibility, grip and power, everything; it is a great gauge period to see where you measure across the board."

The testing is free for all Soldiers and spouses, Retirees, and DOD civilians. For those that wish to find out more of the services that the Army Wellness Center provides, which include: health assessment review, tobacco education, physical fitness, stress management, health nutrition, and general wellness education, call: (719) 526-3887.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Lt. Col. David Hamilton, physicians assistant, Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC), runs on a treadmill while taking the VO2 Max test on the Fitmate Pro, a machine able to measure oxygen consumption, as Mallory Lewis (left), health promotion technician, and Tony Heinz, project lead, both of the Army Wellness Center, administer the test, at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center, Fort Carson, March 6, 2013.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Lt. Col. David Hamilton, physicians assistant, Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC), right, is counseled on how to improve his cardio-respiratory fitness levels after taking the VO2 Max test by Tony Heinz, project lead, Army Wellness Center, March 5, 2013 at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center. The results are used to determine a recommendation of how much cardio exercise that a person should do per week, as well as what heart rate zone a person should remain in, and the length of each session.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Spc. Alejandra Herrera, mechanic, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is fitted with a Fitmate Pro, which measures oxygen consumption, by Krys Bankard, health promotion technician, Army Wellness Center, as she prepares to take part in the VO2 Max competition March 6, 2013. The competition is to determine who is the most fit Soldier on Fort Carson, and was held at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center, March 4 to 6.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Spc. Alejandra Herrera, mechanic, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, runs on a treadmill during the VO2 Max competition, which determined who is the fittest Soldier on Fort Carson, March 6, 2013. Krys Bankard, health promotion technician, Army Wellness Center, monitors the test. The competition took place at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center, March 4 to 6.

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Spc. Alejandra Herrera, mechanic, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, runs on a treadmill during the VO2 Max competition, which determined who is the fittest Soldier on Fort Carson, March 6, 2013. Krys Bankard, health promotion technician, Army Wellness Center, monitors the test as Tony Heinz, project lead, AWC controls the speed of the treadmill. The competition was held at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center, March 4 to 6.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Soldiers of the "Raider" Brigade officially began their tour of duty at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, during a mission assumption ceremony, March 4.

During the ceremony Col. Joel Tyler, commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Edison Rebuck, the Brigade's senior enlisted leader, uncased the brigade's colors after Col. Johnnie L. Johnson Jr. commander, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and Sgt. Maj. Jose Rivera, the "Sledgehammer" Brigade's senior operations noncommissioned officers, cased their brigade colors, representing the completion of their deployment.

Major General Gary Cheek, Deputy Commanding General, Army Central Command, who presided over the ceremony, welcomed the Raiders and thanked the Sledgehammer Soldiers and leaders for their hard work during their nine-month deployment.

"I'm going to miss the "Dog Face Soldiers," but the amazing thing about the U.S. Army is that when somebody leaves, no matter how great they are, someone will come in right behind them and continue doing great things," Cheek said. "To the Raider Brigade coming from the 4th Infantry Division … it's great to have you here. I want you to know that you have my absolute trust and confidence that you will not only excel at this mission but that you will bring us to new heights."

Tyler expressed eagerness to continue 3rd ABCTs tradition of excellence in the coming months.

"This mission has been a long time coming for the Raiders and we are excited to be here," he said. "For a professional Soldier, the opportunity to practice our trade with such a diverse group partners is a once in a lifetime experience. We intend to take full of advantage of it."

Johnson thanked the "Sledgehammer" Brigade's leaders, partners and allies for enabling their success as they furthered ARCENT's objectives in the region.

"The capabilities and support of all of these well trained and focused units allowed us to aggressively pursue our campaign plan and support the broader ARCENT campaign plan," Johnson said. "We simply could not have asked for a better situation with which to conduct operations and training and develop the next generation of leaders"

Tyler closed out the ceremony by thanking Johnson and the Sledgehammer Brigade for a warm welcome to Camp Buehring and smooth transition of responsibility.

"We have learned much from the great Soldiers of the Sledgehammer Brigade," Tyler said to Johnson. "Colonel Johnson, you and your Soldiers have done a tremendous job in partnering with our great friends in the Kuwaiti Land Forces, and prepared us for the tremendous opportunities of partnership that will allow us to take this friendship to even greater levels of operating together."

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Colonel Joel Tyler, commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Edison Rebuck, the brigade's senior enlisted leader, unfurl the Raider Brigade Colors, assuming the brigade's mission at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 4, 2013. Tyler expressed eagerness to continue 3rd ABCTs tradition of excellence in the coming months. "This mission has been a long time coming for the Raiders and we are excited to be here," he said. "For a professional Soldier, the opportunity to practice our trade with such a diverse group partners is a once in a lifetime experience. We intend to take full of advantage of it."

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Major General Gary H. Cheek, deputy commanding general, Army Central Command speaks at the Mission Assumption Ceremony for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 4, 2013. The ceremony marked 3rd ABCT's departure from the region and 1st ABCTs assumption of the mission. "I'm going to miss the Dog Face Soldiers, but the amazing thing about the U.S. Army is that when somebody leaves, no matter how great they are, someone will come in right behind them and continue doing great things," Cheek said. "To the Raider Brigade coming from the 4th Infantry Division … it's great to have you here. I want you to know that you have my absolute trust and confidence that you will not only excel at this mission but that you will bring us to new heights."

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Colonel Joel Tyler, commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, thanks the leaders and Soldiers of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, for a warm welcome and smooth transition during an assumption of mission ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 4, 2013. "We have learned much from the great Soldiers of the Sledgehammer Brigade," Tyler said to Johnson. "(Colonel Johnnie L. Johnson, Jr., commander, 3rd ABCT,) you and your Soldiers have done a tremendous job in partnering with our great friends in the Kuwaiti Land Forces, and prepared us for the tremendous opportunities of partnership that will allow us to take this friendship to even greater levels of operating together."

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Major General Gary H. Cheek, deputy commanding general, Army Central Command speaks at the Mission Assumption Ceremony for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 4, 2013. The ceremony marked 3rd ABCT's departure from the region and 1st ABCTs assumption of the mission. "I'm going to miss the Dog Face Soldiers, but the amazing thing about the U.S. Army is that when somebody leaves, no matter how great they are, someone will come in right behind them and continue doing great things," Cheek said. "To the Raider Brigade coming from the 4th Infantry Division … it's great to have you here. I want you to know that you have my absolute trust and confidence that you will not only excel at this mission but that you will bring us to new heights."

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait. – Colonel Johnnie Johnson Jr., commander, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, welcomes the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and thanks the brigades partners and leaders for providing outstanding support throughout the brigade's 9-month deployment during a mission assumption ceremony, March 4, 2013. "The capabilities and support of all of these well trained and focused units allowed us to aggressively pursue our campaign plan and support the broader ARCENT campaign plan," Johnson said. "We simply could not have asked for a better situation with which to conduct operations and training and develop the next generation of leaders"