The Centaur Roll Call From the desk of Centaur 6 As some of you know Pam and I recently bought a house and have been in the process of moving, painting, renovating and the one thousand other things that go along with this type of adventure. Along with the move and pur-chase came a huge amount of paperwork, legal and otherwise, that both my wife and I needed to be up to date on and aware of what each other was doing. It also reminded me of how personally unprepared I was prior to starting this fairly significant task. As most of you know we have a robust timeline coming up; block leave, Mountain Peak, NTC, Christmas leave and deployment. In be-tween the few free moments that do exist during the work week your Soldier will be training on something. I would ask that you as a family take a look at how prepared you are in your per-sonal life with your finances, paperwork, schools for your children, wills, powers of attorney, and medical paperwork, to name just a few. In many Army house-holds the wife typically will handle most of these issues which is fine but for married Soldiers who do this you need to ensure your wife/husband knows how to access records and has the ability to take care of the family business. Single Soldiers are not immune and need to ensure they go through the same process and cover their bases as well. I absolutely cannot stress the importance of keeping this aspect of your life in order because when the need arises you do not want to be trying to figure things out as problems present themselves. Please enjoy this upcoming leave and as our great Battalion travels to the cor-ners of the globe, please take care of yourselves and come back safely. I'm in-credibly proud of our families and our Soldiers you are amazing people, thanks for all that you continue to do. LTC O

1 July 2012

Headquarters & Headquarters Battery Even with the mild winter we had this year, I still get taken by sur-prise when the spring and summer months arrive here at Ft. Drum. The North Country definitely puts its best foot forward this time of year and I hope everyone in the Gladiator Family is taking advantage of what the re-gion has to offer. We are fortunate enough to find ourselves just a short drive away from some of the premier vacation spots in the Northeast, in-cluding the 1000 Islands Region and the Adirondack Mountains. This time of year also gives us numerous “Fests”, from Riverfest in Alexandria Bay to Mountainfest here on post. If you and your family are staying in the area for

Block Leave, there will be no shortage of activities for you and I encourage everyone to get out and see what’s out there.

May and June have not just been “Fests” and fishing for HHB however, we have continued to operate at a high tempo to ensure that the Centaur Battalion and the Warrior Brigade receive the support they need from us. T hose Gladiators selected for SFAATs (Security Forces Advise and As-sist Team) have been focused primarily on predeployment training, including small arms and crew-served weapons ranges, a Counterinsurgency Seminar, and a 10-day exercise at Ft. Polk, LA where we learned how to build rapport with and advise our Afghan counterparts so they will be ready to assume security for their country.

Other elements of HHB have kept up with our core artillery mission, with our Meteorologi-cal and Survey teams providing support to Bravo Battery at the US Military Academy at West Point, where 10th Mountain Soldiers are training the future leaders of the Army. As always our Medical Platoon has stayed busy, providing support to our Infantry brethren in 1BCT during their Expert In-fantryman Badge training and evaluation. Several of our medics tackled the formidable challenge that is Expert Field Medic Badge testing, and while none were successful this time around the train-ing and experience they picked up will be invaluable.

One of the most exciting events held this spring was the Battalion Mungadai and Redleg Day. For two days teams made up of 3-6 FA Soldiers from different Batteries competed against one another in a series of challenging and fun events. HHB ran the off-post portion of the Mungadai at Payne Lake State Park, where teams were put through a course that included rappelling and Zodiac boats. That these events were executed smoothly and safely is a testament to the skill and dedica-tion of many Gladiator Soldiers, whose efforts made the Mungadai and event to remember. Equally memorable were the Redleg Day events held following Mungadai, putting Centaur families in their Soldier’s boots for a day. Participants had a chance to try the vehicle rollover trainer, the weapons simulator, and an obstacle course. The final event had family members fall in on a M119A1 Howitzer, where Soldiers from Alpha Battery coached them through crew drills and dry fire missions. Followed up by a BBQ and awards ceremony, Redleg Day was indeed the perfect way to close out a phenomenal week for the Gladiator team.

I wish you all a safe and fun block leave, thank you for the support you all give to Gladiator Battery!

V/R

CPT Charles E. Thompson

Gladiator 6

Mungadai 2012

First I would like to say how proud I am of your Sol-diers. They not only work day in day out handling op-erations that keep this Battalion running. They often times have to do so with limited manning. We have many leaders that are attending training for the SFAAT (Security Force Afghanistan adviser Teams) mission and many other Soldiers have been required to step up to the plate and take on additional duties.

In the next few weeks we will be going on block leave and many Soldiers will be heading home for two weeks. I wish all of you safe travels and hope you maxi-mize the time you are taking to catch up with family and relax. For those staying in the area, I encourage you to get out and see the many things there are to do

in Northern New York. That may be taking a boat tour in Alexandria Bay or a trip to Lake Placid in the Adiron-dacks. There are many things to see here in the North Country and I encourage any of you who are interested to swing by the MWR building on Iraqi Freedom Drive to see what opportunities are available.

In closing, I just want to thank you for the support that you provide for your Soldiers, and stress how proud I am of this Battery.

GLADIATOR 7

HHB 1SG Corner

The past couple months have continued to be a busy and productive time for the Sons of Alpha. In May, the battery participated in the Battalion Mungadai, which was a three-day physically challenging event designed to strengthen bonds between

Soldiers and Families in the Battalion. The first two days, Soldiers exclusively competed in a panoply of austere events to include 15 miles of road marching, a geo race, rappelling, and a zodiac boat race. The win-ning team, which predominately consisted of Alpha Battery Soldiers, was recognized for its physical and mental toughness, and each member was awarded the Army Achievement Medal. On the final day, family members were put through the gauntlet of the Red Leg Challenge, where family members negotiated sev-eral exciting and strenuous Army training events, branding themselves genuine “Red Legs” upon com-pletion. The entire event culminated with a Battalion BBQ at Remington Pond, where fellowship and embel-lished stories were shared over a plate of good ole fashioned American cuisine.

Even though we have not been to the field since April, Alpha Battery has remained engaged, pro-viding crucial external support to several momentous training events. Alpha has provided support to the Brigade for Soldiers earning the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) and the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB). We are also supporting a training opportunity for Ca-dets at West Point where they get to experience what a Field Artillery Platoon and Fire Direction Center does. In addition, we provided the guns and manpower to salute our Nation at Mountain Fest and to remember fallen Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division at the Mountain Remembrance Ceremony. With most of its senior leadership being tasked out for SFAAT training, the Battery and its junior leaders have stepped up and answered the call of responsibility for training and pre-paring the Battery to maintain a continual state of readiness.

As we head into summer, a well deserved break comes. Block Leave is from 29 June through 15 July for the majority of the Battery, and 28 July

through 12 August for those on the West Point training mission. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the con-tribution to freedom you and your Soldier’s provide. Relax and rejuvenate during this break because when we get back we will be hitting the ground running. Our next field exercise, Mountain Peak, is from 23 July through 1 August.

Congratulations to Jill Burke for taking on both the FRG Co Leader and Treasurer positions. Also, we have a new addition to the Sons of Alpha. Con-gratulations to the Peacocks on their birth of their first child, Everett, born 25 May. Families and the FRG are the cornerstone upon which Alpha Battery is built and your steadfast support is crucial to our success.

Welcome to the Rock: PVT Pinott PFC Holcombe PVT Strickland PVT Mabine PFC Hibbard Farewells from the Rock: SFC Dougherty (PCS – Fort Dix) SGT Ross (PCS – Fort Campbell) SGT Lambert (PCS – Fort Stewart) SPC Duffy (PCS – Schofield Barracks) SPC Pointer (PCS – Fort Lewis) SPC Minchew (PCS – Fort Lewis) SPC Caulfield (PCS – Fort Riley) SPC Duignan (ETS)

Congratulations to the following NCOs and Soldiers on

their recent promotions:

SGT Codiroli SPC Mahler PFC Scott Congratulations to the following Soldiers on their awards: SFC Dougherty – MSM SGT Ross – AAM SGT Lambert – AAM SPC Duffy – AAM SPC Pointer – AAM SPC Minchew – AAM SPC Caulfield – AAM

“Rock Solid!”

-ROCK 6

Rock Solid!!!!

Editors Correction to last May’s Newsletter

It was SPC McKay that won the Soldier of the Quarter in April.

SPC McKay won the Brigade Soldier of the Quarter Board in April. He decimated the completion with second place being a “distant second.” Congratulations! You represent the Rock Battery in good stead.

Time and time again, the Sons of Alpha have proved, without a doubt, they are some of the best, most well trained, hard-

est working Soldiers in this Bat-talion. In May, the Battalion broke up all the Soldiers into squads and took part in a number of grueling events while partici-pating in the 3/6 Battalion Mun-gadai. After all was said and done, the winning team which was comprised mostly of Alpha Battery Soldiers, were awarded the Army Achievement Medals. Alpha Battery members included PFC Hughes, SPC Thompson, and Specialist, now Sergeant, Codi-roli. After all the accolades our Sons of Alpha received, we ended this time honored tradition with our first ever Red Leg day. This day presented the family mem-bers of 3/6 with the ability to view firsthand what their precious Sol-diers go through on a daily basis. With an outstanding display of strength and fortitude the fami-lies plowed through every obsta-cle ending at Remington Pond for an outstanding barbecue with the whole Battalion.

Besides things like the Mungadai, Alpha Battery has been supporting a plethora of other details throughout the Divi-

sion. We have had Soldiers grad-ing the Expert Field Medical Badge lanes as well as Expert Infantry Badge lanes. We have our second Platoon Fire Direction Center currently attached to Bravo Battery on temporary duty to West Point for a training mis-sion with Cadets in order to show them how a firing Battery truly operates. Starting the week of the 25th of June, Alpha Battery becomes the Salute Battery to remember our fallen Soldiers at the Mountain Remembrance Ceremony and the Mountain Fest Salute to our Nation.

At the end of that week, Alpha Battery will finally reach that point we have been looking forward to. Block leave, taking a well earned break to spend time with our loved ones. This is great time for our Soldiers to recharge their Batteries and relax with their families. Keep in mind, that while block leave is always a great time for all of us, when we come back, we will charge into battle harder than before.

- Rock 7

1SG Corner

Bravo Battery The Soldiers of Bravo Battery continue to set the standard as they continue to train and prepare for a busy summer. The unit’s training over the past month has focused on Section level certification and qualification of howitzer and fire direction sections in order to facilitate the sum-mer training that will be conducted at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Our sec-tions performed flawlessly as they conducted the dry and live fire training which resulted in all sec-tions certifying. The Soldiers are currently packing personnel and section equipment as we prepare to depart for West Point on 20 June. The summer training program will be a great opportunity for our Soldiers to train future leaders in the Army as well as taking advantage of our closer proximity to New York City. I look forward to a great summer at West Point and I am confident that our Bat-tery will represent the Battalion and this Brigade with distinction.

Our Battery also participated in the Battalion Mungadi from 22-23 May. Our teams com-peted in a two phase competition that consisted of on post activities to include howitzer occupa-tion, treatment and evacuation of casualties, marksmanship and clearing a building as well as off post activities which included rappelling, rafting and a road march. All of our Soldiers performed outstanding throughout the event with SGT Robinson being a part of the winning team. The event culminated with the Red Leg Family Day and a barbeque. Thank you to all of the families who par-ticipated in this event.

Our Security Force Assistance Teams (SFAT) have been busy over the past month as well as they continue to conduct training in preparation for their upcoming deployment. Our SFAT members participated in driver’s training, crew served weapons ranges and an advisor academy at Fort Polk, LA. The SFATs continue to build cohesion and develop their teams with every training event and will be more than prepared to execute their mission down range. The SFATs are currently completing a Counter Insurgency seminar as well as counter improvised explosive device (IED) training which will only add to their readiness.

Finally, the Battery held an organizational day on 07 June at Remington Pond. The event was a big success and we were able to raise some money for future events (at the expense of Bat-tery leadership taking a plunge in the dunk tank). Again, I want to thank all of the family members for taking part in this event. It was a much needed opportunity for us to get together before our month at West Point.

I am continually impressed with the professionalism and hard work that your Soldiers put forth every day. This Battery continues to succeed due to their efforts and your support. I look for-ward to our next submission to the Battalion newsletter to highlight the great work your Soldiers did while at West Point. I wish you all a safe and happy summer season and we will see you all upon our return.

Ryan W. Graf CDR, B/3-6 FA

Bulls Deep!

Farewells

Even as the Battery continues to move forward, I would like to take the time to thank and say farewell to a few Soldiers that contributed greatly to the suc-cesses that Bravo Battery has achieved. Without their hard work and dedication to duty and loyalty to the Battery, the Battalion and the 1BCT, none of this would be possible.

SFC Hendri- PCSing to Camp Shelby

SGT Mason-ETS-moved back to Florida

SGT Turmel-PCS to Fort Campbell

SGT Caranay-PCS to Fort Campbell

SPC Baxter-ETS back to IOW

Hails

And as we say farewell to these outstanding Soldiers, I

would like to welcome the newly assigned members of our team : PVT Baker, PVT Garcia, PVT Galbraith, PVT Hillshiem, PVT Housewright, PVT McQueen and PVT Whitaker. These new Soldiers recently graduated their Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and are excited to be here and eager to learn.

Promotion

1 June 2012 we had the honor and privilege to promote SPC Griswold to the rank of Sergeant. Getting pro-moted is a great accomplishment especially to the Ranks of an NCO. It not only distinguished the individ-ual from their peers, but it comes with the responsibili-ties to teach, coach and mentor our nation’s greatest resource; An American Soldier. With these newly given responsibilities, I have no doubt that SGT Griswold will accomplishment them all and even exceed expecta-tions. Congratulation.

1st Sergeant Corner

2LT Dingbaum and PFC DeForest high crawling during the Mungdai

SPC Gendron teaching PVT Ricker about the sight on the M119A2

July Birthdays!!!

Headquarters

PFC Coit

SFC Heriger

PFC Julien

PFC Reed

WO1Reed

SPC Sariano

PFC Thomas

SPC Valencia

Leigha Anderson

Brandi Crutcher

Amie Duclos

Jennifer McSurdy

Stacie Shelton

Megan Spence

Alpha Battery

SSG Brinker

SSG Davis

Genesee Brinker

Dawn Davis

Jamie Fechette

Katelyn Harrian

Bravo Battery

PV2 Baker

SGT Cole

2LT Dingbaum

1LT Mandel

SGT Mason

SPC Wishork

Shannon Fridline

Megan Miles

Golf

SPC Bohner

SPC Bolt

PFC Garibay

SPC Hernandez

PFC Lemus

Sarah Southern

August Birthdays!!!

Headquarters

WO1 Billman

MAJ Brodany

SSG Ellis

PFC Elwood

PFC Haughton

SGT Johnson

PV2 Owens

PFC Risley

SFC Roop

SPC Rivera

SPC Roasado

SPC Spearman

SPC Tesar

PFC Vrobel

Kelly Hecker

Kristeena Whitney

Lin Zhang

Alpha Battery

SPC Donnelly

Stephanie Hol-combe

Bravo Battery

SPC Alvarez

SPC Alvarez

PFC Cash

SSG Delozier

SPC Kircher

SPC Lazorishak

SGT Lester

SPC McCusker

PFC Waters

Irasema Alvarez

Toni Guyor

Brittany Czaplicki

Golf

SFC Baker

1LT Carpenter

SSG Ellison

SPC Gilmore

SGT Howard

SPC Klotz

SPC Moore

SPC Ochoa

July Anniversaries

Headquarters

CPL & Katy Milligan

1LT & Erica Rinaldi

PFC & Maritza Spears

CPT & Mindy Thompson

SPC & Cora Valencia

Alpha Battery

SSG & Genesee Brinker

Bravo Battery

SPC & Irasema Alvarez

SGT & Maelyn Hernandez

SPC & Kateland Wertenber-ger

SGT & Brittney York

Golf

SFC & Ychiver Gibson

SPC & Michelle Mahaffey

SSG & Heather Merrill

PFC & Jessica Straight

August Anniversaries

Headquarters

SGT Zhou & Lin Zhang

Bravo Battery

SGT & Lovely Caranay

2LT & Chelsey Graveline

SPC Lazorishak & Brittney Czaplicki

Golf

SPC & Mareimy Marquez

Photos from Redleg Day 2012