Late yesterday, I got this e-mail from Fort Benning:
Parents, grandparents as well as spouses should be conected with their Family Readiness Group (FRG). FRG’s are just one way to stay in touch and receive support, there is also the vFRG website, that posts Soldiers comments and at times pictures. To connect to the right FRG, family members can contact me.
Evelyn Livermore
Family Readiness Support Assistant
3rd BDE 3 ID
Fort Benning
706-544-2074
I have a grandson who is now somewhere in Iraq with the 3id, 1-15inf, baker co. and I to appreciate this site. He is also out of Fort Benning. Since we have no contact with him right now I live on this site trying to find out what is going on. Is there anyway parents and grandparents can communicate with each other? That would also be a help.
Thank you for the work you are doing.
Joanne
I have gotten a lot of e-mails like this from a lot of you folks out there who read the HammerSlogger on a regular basis.
First of all, rest assured, I keep this site as updated as possible. Whenever I get new information from my contacts in the field, I bring that information to you folks here.
In her comment, Joanne asked about ways parents and grandparents can communicate with each other.
Well, I’d like to invite all of you to be “contributors” to HammerSlogger. Whenever you hear from your soldier, have an experience you think other families would be interested in hearing about, or have thoughts you’d like to share, take a few moment to type them out, and e-mail them to me. There’s a link to my e-mail address on the right. Make sure to tell me that it would be alright for me to share your thoughts, and I’ll post them here for all to read.
In the meantime, I’m working on ways to better facilitate communication between those of you who read this blog.
Thanks for stopping by!
UPDATE…
Another commenter referred me to a website where folks can interact with each other. Here’s the address: http://support3rdid.com/
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 04/09 at 03:32 PM
The Hammer Times
Every few weeks the Public Affairs Office of the Sledgehammer Brigade distributes their latest news. They call it Hammer Times.
New Program Connects Iraq-Deployed Troops to U.S. Public
This is a pretty interesting media release I came across today…
New Program Connects Iraq-Deployed Troops to U.S. Public
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2007 – American military members serving in Iraq have an additional opportunity to share their experiences with the U.S. public, thanks to a new public outreach initiative, a senior U.S. military officer said today in Baghdad.
“The ‘Share the Story’ initiative is a new program that’s designed to connect U.S. military personnel with organizations and groups like yours,” Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told stateside-based representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Reserve Officers’ Association and others during a telephone conference call.
Military members of all ranks and service branches serving in Iraq who are slated to return stateside for leave or duty rotation “will have an excellent opportunity to share their story with the folks who want to hear it,” Fox said.
The Multinational Force Iraq Web site, http://www.mnf-iraq.com, provides a “Share the Story” link where interested Iraq-deployed servicemembers register to participate in the program, Fox said. Servicemembers can choose to discuss their Iraq experiences with interested groups while on leave in their hometowns, he said, or with organizations situated near upcoming stateside assignments.
“Share the Story” is managed by Multinational Force Iraq, Fox said, noting the new initiative supplements the Defense Department’s “Why We Serve” public outreach program that was introduced last fall.
Fox likened the “Share the Story” Web link to “a virtual tool” that connects veterans groups and other interested organizations to servicemembers who can provide their unique, individual perspectives on military service in Iraq.
The admiral said he’s excited about the new program’s potential to tell interested groups about servicemembers’ experiences in Iraq, Fox said.
“We understand the nature of the (public) curiosity and desire to know about what we’re about and our mission,” the admiral said.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 04/04 at 11:52 AM
Monday, April 02, 2007
3rd Infantry Division holds uncasing ceremony
by Task Force Marne PAO
BAGHDAD – Soldiers of Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division uncased their division colors during a ceremony today at Camp Victory, Iraq.
The division colors were cased March 8, as it prepared for its third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Marne Division – Center will command U.S. Forces in and around Baghdad as part of a “surge” strategy to serve that city.
The Fort Stewart, Ga., based Soldiers led the charge to Baghdad during the 2003 invasion and brought security and stability to the greater Baghdad area in 2005.
“Today as we uncase the colors, we begin the next chapter in the history of this magnificent division, a history that spans nine decades,” said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, 3rd Inf. Div. commander. “It’s significant in our history and the history of the free world – Task Force Marne has arrived.”
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 04/02 at 12:04 PM
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Commanding Generals Visit Kalsu
Col. Michael Garrett, commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, commanding general of Multi-National Division – Baghdad and 1st Cavalry Division, and Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, discuss security topics at Forward Operating Base Kalsu March 29. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Eric Verzola, 4th BCT (A), 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs)
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 03/31 at 11:02 AM
Friday, March 30, 2007
3rd ID Soldiers begin tour with 10th Mountain Division
Staff Sgt. Chad Inman (left), a native of Prattville, Ala.,and Sgt. Shawn Harris, a native of St. Charles, Ill., both tank commanders with “Team Bayonet” of the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, fold a flag after taking a photo inside the 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) tactical operation center on Camp Striker, Iraq March 29. Team Bayonet recently arrived to Camp Striker in order to support the 2nd BCT. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs)
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 03/30 at 07:17 AM
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Sledgehammer Brigade in Kuwait
Here’s an update:
I got the following pictures and media release this morning.
Click the picture for a slide show.
Media Release
HQ-MND Baghdad
Camp Liberty
Baghdad, Iraq
APO AE 09344
Commercial: (914) 822-81734
IRAQNA 001-964-790-192-4675
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070328-01 March 28, 2007
Sledgehammer Brigade Arrives in Kuwait 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division’s long anticipated deployment to Iraq is in its initial stage as Soldiers have moved to Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
More than Over 3,000 Soldiers from the “Sledgehammer” Brigade are in their first leg of the deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5.3. Flights to move troops out of the U.S. began as early as Feb. 28 and continued until the final flight on March 15 from Lawson Airfield on Fort Benning, Ga.
During their initial period at Camp Buehring, Sledgehammer Soldiers participated in several training events in preparation for the movement north to Iraq. All training events were designed to cover every aspect of what the Soldiers might encounter during their time in Iraq.
After almost 24 hours of travel, Soldiers arrived at the camp for a series of classes including an orientation to the camp and administrative aspects of the deployment, which covered topics like soldier pay issues and leave. A class on the current improvised explosive device threat was also conducted.
In the days to follow, Soldiers of the 3rd HBCT attended classes and training on counter insurgency operations, medical aid, military operations in urban terrain, and close quarters combat.
Classes on vehicle rollover drills were also conducted. After being given instruction on what to do if a rollover were to occur, Soldiers literally found themselves upside down in the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, a simulated vehicle rollover device.
“The training was productive,” said Chief Warrant Officer Joaquin Serrano, Headquarters Company, 203rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd HBCT. “This is the first time some of these Soldiers have been out here so it’s something new, something they want to get involved with so they can get a taste of what it’s really like.”
During the MOUT training, Soldiers maneuvered into a mock house and encountered targets operated by a control station for the element of surprise. According to Darrel J. (DJ) Robinson, a functions analyst for the mobile training site, every action the Soldiers made was recorded to allow for a more accurate after action review. This way, the Soldiers can see what mistakes were made. Robinson said this has a larger impact on training rather than just hearing their mistakes from an observer.
The medical training, instructed by retired US service members, incorporated dummies known as “SIM men” to simulate real life injuries. The dummies breathed, bled and reacted to the treatment given to them by the soldiers. The class taught lifesaving procedures such as preventing shock, stopping bleeding and inserting a tube in the throat of a casualty where mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is not an option.
“This is my 3rd tour and I’ve seen a lot of injuries like the ones in that class,” said Staff Sgt. Jerry Stewart, the operations sergeant for the 3rd HBCT’s Aviation cell.
Also, it was mandatory that every Soldier in the 3rd HBCT go to the firing range specific to the weapon they are assigned, after arriving in Kuwait but before moving into Iraq. Soldiers were required to ensure their personal weapons were zeroed to their individual firing style. Some of the ranges conducted included various machine guns, rifles and pistols.
“I had a great time at the ranges I went to,” said Pvt. Jeoffrey Glenn, Company E, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd HBCT. “They made it fun. I’m a (machine) gunner so they gave me 200 rounds and told me to start hitting targets. It was great.”
“The training was very beneficial to the Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Lockett, Troop A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Calvary Regiment, 3rd HBCT. “A lot of these Soldiers have never been out here before so they need all the training they can get.”
In addition to the training in Kuwait, time is given to Soldiers to acclimatize to the dry, hot weather associated with the Middle East, where the Sledgehammer Brigade will be spending their next year.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 03/28 at 08:35 AM
Monday, March 26, 2007
Great Strides
In December of 2005 Captain Furat, an Iraqi Army soldier, was shot twelve times in Iraq. Since then, he’s been recovering and going through treatment at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center.
by Craig Beatty
WSPA-TV/Media General News Service
A Fort Benning soldier has died in Kuwait, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The U.S. Department of Defense says 22-year-old PFC Joey Sams II of Spartanburg died Wednesday.
The Department of Defense did not release many details on how Private Sams died. They say he was pinned between two vehicles at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. An investigation into Sams’ death is underway.
Sams’ father, Joey Sams, says his son had only been overseas for around three weeks. Sams says his son joined the military, hoping it would lead to a career in government, possibly the FBI. Sams says he worried at first when his son was deployed, but says his service has made him proud, “He was never in trouble, never in trouble with the law or at school. People loved him. People respected him. He’s my hero. He’s my hero.”
Sams is a graduate of Spartanburg High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
The Sledgehammer Brigade’s Public Affairs Office has released the following statement:
Date: March 22, 2007
RELEASE # 070322_01
Non-Battle Death in 3rd HBCT
Kuwait – A 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division soldier died at Expeditionary Medical Facility—Kuwait at Camp Arifjan Wednesday due to injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident earlier in the day at Camp Buehring.
Private First Class Joey T. Sams II, 22, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunner in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, is from Spartanburg, SC and is survived by his father, Joey, mother, Anne, and sister, Jennifer. All of Sams’ surviving relatives are from Spartanburg.
At approximately 1:15 p.m. (Kuwait time) Wednesday, Sams was injured while working in the unit motor pool. Medical personnel from the 3rd Brigade and Camp Buehring performed advanced life saving measures at Camp Buehring. Task Force Aviation – Kuwait evacuated the injured soldier by military helicopter to EMF where doctors pronounced him deceased.
The incident is currently under investigation.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 03/23 at 06:59 AM
Monday, March 19, 2007
How Much Do You Know About the Military?
Think you know the military? Try this test of your MQ—Military Quotient.
Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines throughout the ages have created their own language of slang and acronyms to refer to everything from complex military maneuvers to everyday objects. This month we test your knowledge of military jargon.
Maybe you soldiered through Europe during World War II, waded through rice paddies in Vietnam or drove roads paved with IEDs in Iraq—but does that make you an expert?
We offer the chance to make your rank or earn a promotion with your knowledge of military trivia. Every question is multiple choice. Each correct answer earns you a higher rank. Answer every question correctly and you get a star—a general’s star.
I got 8 out of 9 correct. See how you stack up. Comment with your score!
Answers are at the bottom. No peeking!
1. FUBAR—Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition—is the genteel version of a fake acronym created by troops during which war?
A. World War I
B. World War II
C. Vietnam
D. Iraq
2. Contractors have an unprecedented role in supporting U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. What’s the term for contractor employees who are neither Americans nor local residents?
A. JAW—Just Another Worker
B. CPE—Contractor Provided Employee
C. TWA—Third World Assistant
D. TCN—Third Country National
3. Troops who never or rarely leave the confines of support bases in a war zone are called?
A. Fobbits
B. Hobbits
C. Troglodytes
D. Trolls
4. What is “battle rattle?”
A. Anything that makes noise
B. The gear soldiers wear into combat
C. A croup-like cough suffered by many soldiers in Afghanistan
D. The sound of gunfire
5. Recently, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would not answer a reporter’s question because it “was outside my lane.” What did he mean?
A. The matter was top secret
B. He didn’t know the answer
C. The matter was outside his responsibility
D. He didn’t want to answer the question.
6. “Klick” is military slang for kilometer, a metric measure of distance used by the military. In which war did it come into common usage by soldiers?
A. World War I
B. World War II
C. Vietnam
D. Iraq
7. For many years, Pentagon officials cringed when “snowflakes” fell. Why?
A. Washington is ill-prepared for snow
B. Then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wanted an answer to a question
C. Parts of the ceiling was crumbling onto their desks
D. “Snowflakes” are newspaper stories critical of the military
8. The military has its own legal system based on the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The code’s Article 32 has been in the news lately. What does Article 32 refer to?
A. A hearing similar to a grand jury proceeding
B. Murder
C. Court-martial procedure
D. Fraternization
9. ABC newsman Bob Woodruff was seriously injured in January 2006 while on patrol with troops from which country.
A. United States
B. Britain
C. Afghanistan
D. Iraq
ANSWERS:
1. B. The term is still used on and off the battlefield.
2. D. TCNs often are employed as cooks, truck drivers, janitors and in other menial positions. Local hires are known as “LNs”—local nationals.
3. A. A combination of “forward operating base,” the military term for bases in Iraq, and hobbits, the literary creatures of “The Lord of the Ring” trilogy.
4. B. Full “battle rattle” includes flak vest, helmet, backpack, first-aid kit, weapons and ammunition. Total weight: 50-plus pounds.
5. C. Top officials don’t “speak out of school” very often and keep their jobs.
6. C. A soldier might say, “The enemy is 5 klicks away,” meaning the bad guys are 5 kilometers or about 3 miles away.
7. B. The terse memos on white paper often asked for the prompt answer to a difficult question or expressed Rumsfeld’s dissatisfaction.
8. A. An investigating officer conducts an Article 32 hearing and recommends whether a service member should be tried in a court-martial.
9. D. Despite near-fatal head injuries, Woodruff has recuperated and returned to reporting duties in February.
Advance one grade in rank for every correct answer. Here is how you rank:
1—Private. Go back to boot camp.
2—Corporal. Study harder and you may be promoted.
3—Sergeant. Hope you are better on the rifle range.
4—Master Sergeant. Climbing through the ranks.
5—Lieutenant. Half way to the top.
6—Captain. Over the hump.
7—Major. No longer a minor military buff.
8—Colonel. Put an eagle on your lapel to show your smarts.
9—General. Lead the troops ... in a trivia contest!
Compiled by James W. Crawley, national correspondent of Media General News Service. Email him at .
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 03/19 at 11:05 AM
President’s Remarks
President Bush made some remarks this morning about the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq.
Here’s one more link to a site where you can find links to a whole lot of blogs: Milblogging
I should have an update later today from the Sledgehammer Brigade in Kuwait… so check back later today.
***UPDATE***
I was scheduled to talk with soldiers from the 3rd Brigade in Kuwait. But, they never called me. Unfortunately, the only way I am able to contact them is via e-mail, and communications can be really sketchy in Kuwait. I’ll update you when I hear from them.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 03/19 at 07:59 AM
Friday, March 16, 2007
Getting the Soldiers’ Perspective
It really amazes me what you can find on the Internet these days. I have a number of sites I try to check every day. It’s part of my job to keep up with all the latest news and information.
One of the sites I check every day is called The Sand Box (link). The site hosts a collection of blog entries and links from soldiers who are, or have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost all of the entries are extremely compelling.
Here’s the beginning of one I came across today:
“The following is a very short work of fiction. I wrote it through the eyes of a local Iraqi man, who is a figment of my imagination. Much of the information and actual events I am privy to here in Iraq are classified, but in this fashion I can share some of the realities about the Iraqi people that many Americans may not think much about or realize. Of course, it is not intended to represent a whole society or culture, but I know for a fact there are men like Abu, and I thought you might like to hear his “voice”. Like all fiction, Abu’s words and experiences are based, to some degree, in reality.
My name is Abu Hassin. I am sitting right now outside of my small home on a chicken farm east of Ramadi, only miles from the fishing village where I grew up. I am smoking a cigarette and drinking my evening tea while I write these lines in a notebook.”
How many of you keep your own blogs? Send me your links! It would be great to feature some of your writings here on the HammerSlogger.
Sledgehammer Update:
Most if not all of the Sledgehammer Brigade should be in Kuwait right now. Soon, they’ll be moving into Iraq. I have been in touch with the brigade’s Public Affairs Office. We should have some updated information on the Sledgehammer Soldiers by early next week.
Posted by Chris Sweigart on 03/16 at 10:43 AM
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
E-mailers Offer Support
I have received a lot of e-mails from soldiers’ families and friends lately. Many of them have offered their help to any military families out there in need, for any reason.
Here is an excerpt one e-mail I recently received from a woman named Kristen:
“If you hear about any ways that I might help the families with moms and dads and sons and daughters fighting this battle, PLEASE email me. Also, here’s a stupid question, but oh well, how far is Kuwait from Baghdad?”
I’ll keep Kristen’s e-mail address on file for any of you who may want or need it. Just drop me a line.
As for Kristen’s question…
When I was embedded with the Sledgehammer Brigade in 2005 the flight from Kuwait to Baghdad what about an hour and a half. I have no idea how long it takes to drive that distance, or how many miles it may be.
On another note, I was a bit surprised that none of you reacted to my previous post. Yesterday, I came across an article from Salon.com about 3rd ID soldiers being sent to Iraq, even though they claim they have a medical profile that makes them unfit to fight.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“As the military scrambles to pour more soldiers into Iraq, a unit of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga., is deploying troops with serious injuries and other medical problems, including GIs who doctors have said are medically unfit for battle. Some are too injured to wear their body armor, according to medical records.”
HammerSlogger is an online account of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division’s training and deployment to Iraq. At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 the Sledgehammer Brigade helped lead U.S. forces into Baghdad. The soldiers of the 3rd Brigade deployed to Iraq again in 2005. Now, the unit is in its third deployment to Iraq.
The articles and pictures published here are written and produced by the soldier-writers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
