38th engineer Companys Quarterly Newsletter

Spring 2012 Volume 1, Issue 1

Letters from the Breach

Inside this issue:
1st Platoon Note 2nd Platoon Note 3rd Platoon Note MSP Note FRG Note Pictures MWR Events 2 3 3 4 5 6-9 10-11

Company Commanders note CPT Jefferson Mason (Sapper 6)

Welcome to the first edition of the 38th Engineer Company Newsletter, Letters from the Breach! The realization of a Company Newsletter has been one of my personal goals since the advanced course, so I am very excited about the opportunity to communicate directly with the Soldiers, families, and friends of the 38th Engineer Company. I can scarcely believe its only been three months since my change of command ceremony; the operational tempo is incredible, and that is precisely why we have introduced Letters from the Breach. Our Company newsletter is intended to allow for a continuous flow of information, updates, and varied opportunities for families and friends to become directly involved in the overall success of our Company. As the Company Commander, I have been presented with an unprecedented opportunity to individually and collectively develop the Soldiers of the 38th as we continue to move in a direction of unparalleled excellence. It is my intent, with the help of my subordinate leadership, to develop the 38th Engineer Company into a well-organized, professional organization that is uniquely dedicated to becoming the premier combat multiplier within the Brigade. We have come so far since change of command, so I will just highlight some of our accomplishments. During the most recent Yakima rotation, for first time since the 2009 redeployment/ reset, we trained, employed, and demonstrated our Rapid Emplaced Bridge System, which was covered by the Public Affairs Office and published via its own hyperlink, which can be seen on the Company facebook page. We established a standard operating procedure for Squad-level breaching in support of each of the maneuver companies across all of the Battalion maneuver formations. We have instituted a command supply discipline program, and have ordered over $150,000 worth of equipment for utilization by the Company. Not to mention, our Family Readiness Group has laid a foundation that is setting the standard across the Brigade. It has now trained and appointed FRG volunteers serving across all Platoons, and I am confident that it will provide an unmatched level of professionalism, dedicated, and assistance to all of the recognized family members of the 38th Company. Thank you for your time, and I sincerely hope you enjoy our Company Newsletter; I look forward to hearing your comments and reading your posts. Sappers through the Breach!

Upcoming Events
15 MAR, 1730:
Hail and Farewell (Select Personnel)

20 MAR, 1800:
FRG Meeting in new building

First sergeants note 1SG Sidney Roberts (Sapper 7)

Did you know...? 38th Engineer Company (Sappers) is in 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment (Tomahawks), which is in 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (Raiders), 2nd Infantry Division (Indianhead).
38 EN CO, 2-23 IN BN, 4/2 SBCT Greetings Sapper Soldiers and Families!! I want to let you know that I couldnt have asked for a better group of Soldiers, NCOs, Officers, and Family Members of whom to be in charge. The Soldiers of 38th Engineer Company have really been focused on individual and collective training, and it was demonstrated during the last Yakima Training Center rotation. Your hard work and dedication to the mission has not gone unnoticed, and I want to say thank you. Also, I want to say thank you to the FRG for the gifts the Soldiers received out in the field. This was a big motivation enhancer as the Soldiers had to deal with the training and the unpredictable weather. As I go around to all the Battalions in the Brigade, Im constantly reminded how well the Sappers set the standard during multiple iterations of live fire exercises. You truly are leading the way. As we prepare for Warrior Task Training and a National Training Center rotation, I want you to carry the same mission focus mindset and keep that focus for everything you do. In closing, I highly encourage all Soldiers to continue to improve their knowledge by

enrolling in developmental courses (Structured Self-Development) or college courses. Continue the great work. Through the Breach!

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Letters from the Breach

First platoon, hellhounds
2LT Travis Sorensen (Sapper 1-6), SSG (Sapper 1-7)
Since SFC Burton is PCSing soon, I (2LT Sorensen) sat down with him to ask about his experience with the 38th Engineer Company. SFC Burton is visibly agitated, almost pained. He shakes his head and smiles that courteous I hate this, but Ill have a good attitude because I have to smile. This is hard its hard for me to be talkin about myself. Youll have to ask me some questions. When did you arrive to 38th EN? I arrived here 10 June 2005 as an E5 promotable. My first job was as a team leader in 2nd Platoon, 3 rd Squad. Then you became a Squad Leader in 2nd Platoon as well? Roger. Then a Platoon Sergeant in 1st Platoon. What deployments did you experience with the 38th Engineers? I went twice with Operation Iraqi Freedom. First in 2007 and then in 2010. The first was during the surge. It was probably the toughest of all (my deployment) fights. This last deployment was interesting. Interesting? Why would you describe it as interesting? It just seemed so clich. I helped on the initial push into Iraq and then havin the opportunity to lead the Brigade back in 2010. It was a defining moment. I was proud of my guys; they did a good job. Obviously you know Iraq. I probably know Iraq better than I know my own hometown. Any specific experiences that you would say your leadership really stood out? Any times you feel that defined you as a leader? You know- theres been times, but its hard to say. Its such a team sport. Its too difficult for me to just say I because I didnt do any of this by myself. You could take me out the equation and the mission is still gonna happen. I consider myself an assistant and a help rather than the guy that makes the decision. But from talking with yourself and with those around you, you thrive in the fight. Its your element. I guess you could say that. I guess its been ingrained in me over the years. I been in almost 15 years, so I guess its ingrained in me. I will say my pride is taking a group of men, forming them into a cohesive team and watching them grow within that. Thats my pinnacle moment. Thats what I love to do. You mention the collective mentorship. Tell me about the individual mentorship. Its hard to pinpoint what I do because theres such a variety of things I do to lead. Its basically coming to know that Soldier, where he comes from, what he responds to and adapting leadership based on that. Knowing where hes trying to go and helping to facilitate that. Definitely it requires you to go kinetic at times and other times be more passive (soft knock approach). Its all situationally based. Knowing that you cant put all your eggs in one basket. You have to have a wide variety of tools. Tell me about trying to balance your personal life with your professional life. Definitely that is 100% my wife. She is my number one fan and supporter. Shes the one that keeps me balanced. I try to apologize to her because this job takes up a lot of my time we got a six month old girl and shes trying to balance a lot of stuff on her own. Its a salute to her actually. The balance

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comes from her end. She knows that I love what I do here and supports me in it. I told her Im giving Uncle Sam 20 years and she gets me forever. Aside from the input youve already given, what advice would you give someone who wants to become a leader in the Army (38th Engineers)? Id say flexibility is key. Sometimes you need a field dressing, sometimes a tourniquet. Were in a high-demand role. Under-strength at times, but flexibility and attitude will be your success. Walk around with your chest out and your chin up because as a leader youre constantly watched. Your Soldiers watch everything about you. Its not sayin youre not human and cant have a bad day, but definitely keep a good attitude and be flexible and confident. Ive been a loyal member of this Company for a long time, and Ive seen a lot of changes, but thats what the Army is. Change. Its changin right now as we speak. Anything else you want to add? Gotta say Ive become a better person, a better Soldier bein a member of 38th Engineers. I will miss everyone from this Company both past and present. It got bumpy at times, but we were able to pull through it. Thats it. SFC Burtons demeanor is changed. His guard is down. His eyes softened, almost sad, fiercely proudas if he were sending a son off to college and this is the moment right before the sideways hug and firm handshake. But this time when the Lincoln pulls out of the driveway it is we at 38th Engineers who watch it leave and wave our goodbyes. Ahead of SFC Burton are warmer weather and a new challenge. Behind him is a grateful and improved Company due to his leadership.

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Letters from the Breach

second platoon, outlaws

Volume 1, Issue 1

1LT Andrew Mellon (Sapper 2-6), SSG John Yost (Sapper 2-7)
Since the beginning of the New Year, the Outlaws of 2nd Platoon have been quite busy preparing, executing, and recovering from YTC. In January, we supported 1-38 Infantry Battalion and 2-1 Cavalry with their preparations and planning for YTC by executing the Virtual Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise and teaching them the ins and outs of breaching. Following field preparations, inspections, and pack-out, we made our cold journey to Yakima through the rain, sleet, and snow. In our third Yakima rotation we proved once again that 2nd Platoon is the unit of choice for Sapper operations. Some major highlights from YTC were Stryker Gunnery and the BDE Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX). During Gunnery, our squads outperformed the rest of the company and 1-38 IN BN. All four of our Strykers qualified, and two successfully engaged 100% of their targets, which no other squad did in the whole BN. During the CALFEX each squad completed live breaches of a mine-wire obstacle while mortars and infantry fired overhead. Their precision and timing during the breach exemplified our greatness to the BDE Commander and allowed freedom of maneuver for the assaulting infantry. Also while at Yakima, we executed a force on force mission with 1-38 IN BN where we seized a foothold for the Brigade, executed the Brigade Quick Reaction Force mission, conducted close quarters marksmanship and demolitions ranges, trained on and executed the first breach with the Lane Marking system, executed a gap crossing with the MSP, and much more. While our time in the field was long and cold, we executed great training, stayed highly motivated, and showed the rest of the Brigade that the Outlaws can take on any mission and execute with greatness. Transitioning out of Yakima, we began recovery; yet, we stayed very busy. While we completed recovery, we moved to a new barracks and moved motorpools. We also executed a Ruck, Drag, Shoot competition where our Squads were given a mission, and 90-minutes later had to ruck to a M4 range, drag a SKEDCO, and, while still stressed, execute a barrier shoot. Our 2nd squad and 1st squad took first and 2nd respectively out of the whole company. We then ran a Qualification range for the whole BN. With the start of this newsletter, we are going to highlight an outstanding Outlaw with each issue. PFC Wongkee Fine is this issues selection. Despite coming off of surgery, PFC Fine displayed exceptional motivation during all tasks, including the most physically strenuous, without a single complaint. He performed exceptionally. PFC Fine also excelled as the grapple man for 2nd Squad and as one of the top M249 SAW gunners in the company.

Third platoon, war pigs

2LT Brian Moscicki (Sapper 3-6), SFC Brandon Babyak (Sapper 3-7)
Greetings to 3Rd PLT family and friends from the Platoon Leadership, 2LT Moscicki, the Platoon Leader and SFC Babyak, the Platoon SGT. Since we have taken Command at the beginning of the year, its been our pleasure to command your sons or friends. With only two and half months down for the year, we have already completed a 30day tour to the Yakima Training Center and have completed three ranges including a zeroing range, a stress shoot, and a M4 qualification. In the last two weeks we have been back from Yakima, we have recovered ourselves and equipment, moved all of our vehicles and attachments from the old motor pool to the new one, and moved into our new offices and barracks in Building 3278. Our Platoon continues to succeed and improve. It has been quit a ride so far, but we have a lot more training on our calendars, including the Warrior Task Testing at the end of the month, which will be a validation of our training. It is my goal to keep our soldiers and their families informed. Our Family Readiness Group (FRG) is getting under way, and is a good source for information. The FRG Point of Contact (POC) for 3RD PLT is SSG Staceys wife, Tera. We are developing our FRG as we speak, so the flow of information will get better over time. It was a pleasure to inform you on what your soldiers have accomplished in such a short time, and I see good training for our Platoon in the future.

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Letters from the Breach

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Mobility support platoon, mobility mafia

1LT Philip Cotter (Sapper 4-6), SFC Eric Winn (Sapper 4-7)
Hello friends, family, Bridgers and Heavy Equipment Operators, both past and present! The Mobility Support Platoon (MSP) has much to report! The Winter of 2011-2012 has been extremely busy and very productive in spite of the typically tropical Pacific Northwest weather. Between the Company Change of Command, getting our Rapidly Emplaced Bridge Systems (REBS) back from refit, and sending all Bridgers to a 2-week class, we barely found time to squeeze in a 30-day trip to the Yakima Training Center (YTC). Your support and your Soldiers flexibility and professionalism ensured that all missions were accomplished above the standard and prepared us for success. As part of a Company Change of Command, the unit has to lay out all of its assigned property in order for it to be inventoried. This is one way the Army ensures that equipment does not get lost or misplaced. MSPwith our 6 HMEE backhoes, 6 DEUCE bulldozers, 4 REBS bridges, 4 CBT bridge transporters and 2 HMMWVshas nearly as much property as the rest of the Company combined and with much less manpower; however, our Soldiers rose to the occasion, flawlessly organizing equipment and paperwork, proving our ability to maintain accountability of all assigned vehicles, sets, kits, and outfits. While the Change of Command Inventory was happening, all of MSPs 12C, or Chucks, attended a 13-day class about operating the Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System. This training, instructed by Government civilians who live, eat, and breathe the REBS on a daily basis, was very technically challenging and required our Chucks to study hard and execute well. All of them passed the testing at the end of the course, greatly increasing our ability to provide mobility support to the entire Brigade. During Operation Raider Focus at YTC, we were able to demonstrate our increased proficiency by emplacing and retrieving the REBS for the Brigade Commander and Deputy Commander. MSP, with the help of 1st and 2nd Platoons, planned and executed a tactical scenario including machine gun and artillery simulators that required the REBS for success. SGT Canales and SPC Rolon effortlessly exceeded the standard, tactically bridging a 30-foot anti-tank ditch (emplaced by our very own Heavy Equipment Operators at night while conducting 24-hour operations) in less than 12 minutes. This speed, without sacrificing safety or standards, is a mission-critical part of what we do. By the end of Raider Focus, all 12Cs, to include the most junior Bridge Crew members, PFC Chandler and PV2 Eanes, were able to launch the REBS in under 12 minutes. We were even recognized in an on-line article for excellence in all Bridging tasks. The Chucks were not the only MSP Soldiers performing tasks that turned heads at Raider Focus. MSPs Heavy Equipment Operators got an unprecedented amount of operator training: daily trips to the Engineer Dig Site, filling in fighting positions from the BDE Defensive TEWT, digging gray-water pits and backblading damaged terrain in the Training Areas. Digging gray-water pits, while not the most glamorous of jobs, enabled the Brigades Field Feeding Teams to prepare hot chow for all Soldiers in the Brigade. Without them, Soldiers would have been eating MREs for 30 days (not fun). After a month of Stryker traffic, much of the terrain at YTC was scarred with ruts from tires. Backblading these ruts into a smooth surface allowed the Brigade to clear out of YTC with minimal environmental damage. This work received recognition from the YTC Garrison Commander, LTC Daniels. On a slightly more somber note, an essential member of the MSP team, SFC Williams will be PCSing to Hawaii in the very near future. He will be missed and remembered especially for his leadership during the 2009-2010 deployment to Iraq. Our new Platoon Sergeant, SFC Winn, has come on board and will undoubtedly fill those shoes quickly and without issue. Back from YTC, MSP has refocused and is ready to train again. We have already planned and run a Ruck, Drag, and Shoot Squad-level range in which our Squads took 3rd and 4th out of 10 Squads. Next on the horizon is Warrior Task Training, a possible helicopter sling-load operation with the REBS, and preparation for NTC. Needless to say, the next few months will be just as exciting as the last. Thanks for your continued support!

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Letters from the Breach

Family readiness group
FRG Leader: Mrs. Jessica Mason (Household 6)

Volume 1, Issue 1

Greetings, I have so much information to share with you and your families! I would first like to thank Tera Stacey and Krystal Tirey for sticking with us through the Change of Command. I would also like to extend my gratitude and a big thank you to Elisha McCann, Leslie Sorenson, and Jessica Moscicki for coming on board and agreeing to give their time to the families of the 38 th. Many of you may or may not know that the FRG is driven by volunteers for the purpose of creating a network of resources and support for families. As the FRG Leader, my first priority for our FRG is to make sure relevant information is reaching all of our families. We are doing this through our Company facebook page, e-mail distribution via our current roster, and now through our company newsletter. If we are not contacting you and you would like to hear from us, please email me at 38th.engineer.company@gmail.com so we can add you to our roster. Also, be sure to join us for our next FRG meeting on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m. in building 3278 (the new Company Bldg.). I am excited to get our FRG off the ground and running. We have a lot of new faces and ideas and would love for everyone to be a part of it. Each Platoon has one Point of Contact (POC); feel free to get in touch with them via the e-mail address listed on the back page of the newsletter. We will be holding our first fundraiser on April 9th during the Land Navigation portion of the Battalion EIB/WTT testing. We will have a food booth for 2 hours and need help manning the booth. If you are interested in getting involved get in touch with your POC. On a final note, I would like to tell you about one more project we are working on. We have some very talented volunteers who are able to turn your old ACUs into fashionable bags that we can sell to raise funds for our FRG. In addition, we plan on turning some of them into gifts for families of the 38th who are expecting a new addition. Everyone who donates ACUs will receive a dozen homemade cookies! Please drop off your ACUs at the 1st PL/PSGs office, and be sure to fill out the information sheet so we can get the cookies to you. As always, feel free to contact me with any ideas, concerns, or suggestions for improving our FRG. I am looking forward to seeing you all on the 20th. Thank you for your support!

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Letters from the Breach

Yakima training center (YTC) January and February 2012

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Letters from the Breach

Yakima training center (YTC) January and February 2012

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Soldiers from the Mobility Support Platoon position the Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System for a gap-crossing operation Feb. 14 at the Engineer Dig Site at the Yakima Training Center.

SGT Canales and SPC Rolon from the Mobility Support Platoon fold up the stands stabilizing the chassis of an M1977 Common Bridge Transporter after launching the Rapidly Emplaced Bridge.

Soldiers from the 1st and 2nd Platoons prepare to assault an objective after driving through a safe corridor designated by a Lane Marking System and crossing a Rapidly Emplaced Bridge over an anti-tank ditch.

Soldiers from the Mobility Support Platoon lower the extended bridge of the Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System across an anti-tank ditch to allow SGT Winns Stryker to make the crossing.

Engineer Squad Vehicles (ESVs) of the 38th Engineer Company cross an anti-tank ditch on a Rapidly Emplaced Bridge Feb. 14 at the Engineer Dig Site.

Photos and captions courtesy of SPC Reese Von Rogartsz. Read/see more at http:// www.dvidshub.net/ news/84058/stryker-engineerslive-longest-12-minutes#.T1A-

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Letters from the Breach

Select promotions and awards 05 march 2012

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Letters from the Breach

Ruck, drag, and shoot 06 march 2012

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Letters from the Breach

Morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) Upcoming events

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Down and Dirty Mud Run Saturday, June 30, Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 4, Starting at 9 a.m.

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Letters from the Breach

Morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) Upcoming events (Continued)

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38th Engineer Company

I have reviewed and approved the 38th Engineer Spring Newsletter for distribu-

Building 3278 2nd Division Drive JBLM, WA 98433 Phone: 253-966-5403 E-mail: 38th.engineer.company@gmail.com
through

tion. The Point of Contact for this publication is CDR, CPT Jefferson D. Mason at office (253) 966-5406 and e-mail address: jefferson.mason@us.army.mil .

the BreaCh!

Sapper Circular

38th Engineer Company: https://www.facebook.com/pages/38th-EngineerCompany/104302482944644

Newsletter corrections, suggestions, and requests are encouraged and appreciated, and may be sent to 1LT Jon McCann at jonathan.mccann@mail.us.army.mil .

Frg contacts
Battalion Family readiness support assistant (FRSA) Mrs. Maria Aponte (Outgoing) 253-477-5552 maria.a.aponte@us.army.mil 2/23 IN BN HQ

FRG Leader and HQ POC

Mrs. Jessica Mason 719-510-6500 38th.engineer.company@gmail.com

Treasurer: Jessica Moscicki

1st Platoon
Point of Contact
Mrs. Leslie Sorensen
38thengineers.1plt.poc@gmail.com

2nd Platoon
Point of Contact
Mrs. Krystal Tirey (Outgoing)
38thengineers.2plt.poc@gmail.com

3rd Platoon
Point of Contact:
Mrs. Tera Stacey
38thengineers.3plt.poc@gmail.com

MSP Platoon
Point of Contact
Mrs. Elisha McCann
38thengineers.msp.poc@gmail.com