Combining Training, Increasing Muscle Memory

Combining Training, Increasing Muscle Memory: "FORT HOOD, Texas - Deploying Colorado Guardsmen continued building upon their foundation of Close Quarter Combat training at Fort Hood, Texas, May 21, 2009.

The Soldiers, who are assigned to 1st Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, Colorado Army National Guard, 115th Fires Brigade, incorporated their medic platoon in the training to help simulate how to treat a casualty while also trying to clear a room or a house.

Using a basic floor plan outlined on the ground, known as a "glass house," the Soldiers, in small teams, practiced clearing rooms and hallways. At the discretion of the 1st platoon sergeant and the medic platoon sergeant, they would call out to the team a scenario such as, "Third man was hit. Lower leg injury."With that, the Soldiers determined a security plan and performed buddy aid."

Artillery, 115th Fires Brigade moves quickly into the "glass house" to
clear a room during Close Quarter Combat training May 21 at Fort Hood, Texas.
The "glass house" is a floor plan outlined on the ground where Soldiers practice
clearing rooms and hallways. The training provided here by the 120th Infantry
Brigade ensures the115th Fires Brigade redeploys safely after their year-long
deployment to Iraq and Kuwait. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Liesl Marelli)
(Released)

Soldiers leave Iraqi cities for sweltering tents

"CAMP CARVER, Iraq (AP) — The U.S. military is expanding some rural bases and building others to house thousands of troops displaced by a June deadline to withdraw from Iraq's major cities.
With continual power outages pushing temperatures well above 100 degrees, that can't come soon enough for some soldiers living in sweltering tents at Camp Carver in the small town of Madain, about 15 miles southeast of the capital.
'Can't wait,' said Spc. Oscar Garza, 20, of Port Lavaca, Texas, as he carted his bed frame to newly constructed plywood houses with air conditioners elsewhere on the U.S. base.

Kyser said his unit has moved several times, including most recently from
Baghdad to Madain, since the soldiers deployed with the 82nd Airborne from Fort
Bragg, N.C."

The Associated Press: Soldiers leave Iraqi cities for sweltering tents:

Military Appreciation Day, Coca Cola 600 NASCAR Race

"1,500 U.S. Soldiers, Airmen and National Guard troops stand in formation lining the track of the the Lowes Motor Speedway as they are honored for their service to the nation during the Coca Cola 600 NASCAR pre-race military appreciation show in Concord, N.C. on May 24, 2009. (U.S. Army photo by Trish Harris, USASOC News Service)"
090524-01 Army Special Operations Soldiers participate in Military Appreciation Day, CocaCola 600 NASCAR Race:

Pink Boxers

Army Specialist Zachary Boyd - Yahoo! News Photos: "Soldiers from the U.S. Army First Battalion, 26th Infantry take defensive positions at firebase Restrepo after receiving fire from Taliban positions in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province on Monday May 11, 2009. Spc. Zachery Boyd of Fort Worth, TX, far left was wearing 'I love NY' boxer shorts after rushing from his sleeping quarters to join his fellow platoon members. From far right is Spc. Cecil Montgomery of Many, LA and Jordan Custer of Spokan, WA, center.(AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday praised an Army soldier in eastern Afghanistan who drew media attention this month after rushing to defend his post from attack while wearing pink boxer shorts and flip-flops.In fact, Gates said he wants to meet the soldier and shake his hand the next time he visits Afghanistan ."Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage," Gates said in remarks prepared for a speech in New York ."I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that: a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his cross-hairs. What an incredible innovation in psychological warfare," he said.Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas , rushed from his sleeping quarters on May 11 to join fellow platoon members at a base in Afghanistan 's Kunar Province after the unit came under fire from Taliban positions.A news photographer was on hand to record the image of Boyd standing at a makeshift rampart in helmet, body armor, red T-shirt and boxers emblazoned with the message: "I love NY."When the image wound up on the front page of the New York Times, Boyd told his parents he might lose his job if President Barack Obama saw him out of uniform."I can assure you that Specialist Boyd's job is very safe indeed," Gates said in the speech.The U.S. defense chief was scheduled to deliver the speech at New York 's annual Salute to Freedom dinner in Manhattan .

Lakota proves worth as airborne platform

"A Fort Polk Soldier jumps from a Lakota LUH 72A helicopter during high altitude, low open airborne operations April 8 while another Soldier prepares to jump. The event marked the first time a Lakota was used in airborne operations on Fort Polk and just the third time Army wide"

Story...Lakota proves worth as airborne platform - Fort Polk, LA - Fort Polk Guardian:

Paratroopers reenlist under famed Baghdad landmark

"Eighty-two Paratroopers assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division -Baghdad recite the oath of reenlistment April 23 during a ceremony at the Cross Sabers in Baghdad. The ceremony marked the squadron's accomplishment of meeting its retention goals for the year. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. James Selesnick, 982nd Combat Camera Co. (Airborne), attached to the 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B)"
Story...Paratroopers reenlist under famed Baghdad landmark:

Fort Bragg soldier killed in Iraq

"The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Brad A. Davis, 21, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, died April 22 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

For more information related to this release, the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661."

DefenseLink News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualty:

Soldiers Call for Army to Drop Berets

"SEOUL — They’re hot, sweaty and do nothing to keep the sun out of your eyes during a long formation.
Those are just a few of the reasons the Army should stop making soldiers wear wool berets outdoors, a group of delegates said Friday at the 8th Army’s annual Army Family Action Plan conference.
'Everyone is affected by the beret,' said Sgt. Brad Stuckey, spokesman for a group that studied family-support issues. 'This is an issue that your average soldier feels very strongly about.'"
Soldiers Call for Army to Drop Berets:

Billings soldier returns home

"A Billings solider says Iraqis are becoming more independent and he senses they will soon be able to maintain peace without U.S. troops.
Private First Class Chas Hagan returned to Billings Wednesday night after having been in Baghdad since December, where he serves as a paratrooper and truck driver with the 82nd Airborne."

Montana's News Station - Fair. Accurate. To the Point. -Billings soldier returns home:

Brigade of 82nd Airborne Division get Afghan order

"A brigade of the North Carolina-based 82nd Airborne Division that had been ordered to Iraq instead will be sent to Afghanistan as part of a mission to train that country's forces, the military said Friday.
The Department of Defense said 3,300 paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bragg will deploy in the spring and through the summer. The announcement said 700 other members of the military also will be deployed.
The troops will be assigned 'to the ongoing training and mentoring mission in Afghanistan,' the Pentagon statement said.
The 82nd brigade had been scheduled to deploy to Iraq this summer and currently is at the military's Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., preparing for deployment."

Brigade of 82nd Airborne Division get Afghan order Associated Press Times Leader: