Fort Hood News Archive

Story by: Lt. Col. Jennifer Bocanegra, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office

In support of modernizing and reorganizing U.S. Army forces to support large scale combat operations and meet emerging threats, the 1st Cavalry Division was selected to conduct the Headquarters Department of the Army Reconnaissance and Security Pilot to shape how Divisions fight in 2030.

1st CAV Division leaders assessed multiple courses of action based on the availability of existing units and selected the storied 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, also known as, “GARRYOWEN” to lead the pilot program and serve as the division’s cavalry squadron or DIV CAV. Prior to modularity in the mid-2000’s the Squadron served as the DIV CAV, so this is a return to the Squadron’s traditional role within the division.

Lt. Col. Brennan Speakes, the DIV CAV Squadron Commander, assesses that “the DIVCAV formation will change doctrine for how the division fights by enabling the capability to act across all domains more rapidly than an adversary and aid in informing command decisions to shape battlefield conditions.”

“Reactivating the Division Cavalry Squadron gives the division commander a purpose-built, all-weather formation to shape the battlefield,” Speakes said. “Right now, the division has surveillance assets it can use to observe the battlefield, but these assets don’t really shape the battlefield and set conditions for successful operations the same way an Armored Cavalry Squadron can, which is the fundamental purpose for Cavalry.”

The 1-7 CAV can affect multiple domains to either stimulate the environment, or determine atmospherics regarding the threat, terrain, or civilian populace. This is due in large part to the new equipment and personnel that the Squadron is incorporating into the formation including next generation robotic combat vehicles and unmanned aerial systems.

“What we do for the division commander is to provide decision space and look to answer any questions about the battlefield before the commanding general has to commit a brigade combat team or other maneuver assets,” Speakes said. “This enables him to gain the initiative on the battlefield.”

Numerous studies and exercises have proven a unit is able to fight better if it has a reconnaissance and security element in front of it. These exercises also proved the more capable the reconnaissance and security force is, the higher likelihood of success for the main body.

Gen. Mark Milley, the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, while previously serving as Chief of Staff of the Army, cautioned in the wake of America’s large-scale ground campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan that “the level of uncertainty, the velocity of instability and potential for significant interstate conflict is higher than it is has been since the end of the Cold War.”

Given this volatility, which is intensifying in regions such as the Middle East, Europe and East Asia where air/ground cavalry teams proved their utility in past wars, divisions must prepare to fight for information as subordinate maneuver elements or as independent joint task forces. This imperative includes organizing to conduct forceful reconnaissance and security operations against a variety of near-peer, non-state and hybrid adversaries.

“Over the past 18 months, the 1st Cavalry Division continues to modernize our equipment and adapt how we fight which will enable us to respond to emerging threats as the Army’s principal tactical warfighting formation in large scale combat operations,” said Maj. Gen. John Richardson, 1st Cavalry Division commanding general. “This modernization process not only involves fielding cutting-edge equipment, but also restructuring the formation with the addition of a division cavalry squadron and armored cavalry troops at the brigade-level, which will provide additional reconnaissance and security capabilities enabling the division and brigade commanders to maintain the advantage over any potential adversary.”

Since the pilot program kicked off, GARRYOWEN Troops have been working in an initial operating capability phase where they were afforded the opportunity to test the DIV CAV capability to serve as the eyes and ears of the division commander during several command post training exercises.

A Trooper from the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division tests an unmanned aerial system during Project Convergence 2022, which ran from Sept. 29 thru Nov. 10, 2022. The 1-7 CAV was selected to serve as the Division Cavalry Squadron for the division as part of modernizing and reorganizing U.S. Army forces in support of large scale combat operations. (Photo by: Sgt. Brayton Daniel, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Last fall, the GARRY OWEN team was selected to participate in the Army Futures Command’s Project Convergence 2022, the largest experiment of its kind since the Louisiana Maneuvers of the 1940s. During the experiment ,1-7 CAV Troops fought across the central corridor at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California for 60 days while testing the latest warfighting technology including robots, radios, unmanned aerial systems, and targeting systems.

“It was a once-in-a lifetime experience and we took advantage of the repetitions to fight Blackhorse on their own terrain,” Speakes said. “It’s not surprising that we learned that the people make all the difference in how we’ll fight in the future. Our Troopers developed innovative ways to employ their assigned technology and we saw phenomenal results as we put all the pieces together.”

This summer, the 1-7 CAV will return to the National Training Center to further develop the DIV CAV Squadron concept. Throughout the pilot program, GARRYOWEN Troops and leaders have continued to provide feedback to U.S. Army Forces Command and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command to help shape future DIV CAV Squadrons across the Army.

“It’s part of 1-7 CAV’s DNA to be at the forefront of experiments,” Speakes said. “I think often of [Lt. Gen.] Hal Moore, former commander for 1-7 CAV during Vietnam, learning about helicopters and how to employ Air Mobile forces in the jungles of Vietnam. Now, we have 1-7 CAV Troopers figuring out how far out do we have our robots and what payloads do we want on them.”

As the Nation’s premier armored force, the 1st Cavalry Division has consistently adapted to the current warfighting environment. Standing up the Division Cavalry Squadron is just one of the ways the First Team is adapting to the Army’s shift in focus from brigade-centric counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations to large scale operations with divisions serving as the decisive tactical echelon of war.

FORT HOOD, Texas — Fort Hood will host an unique Operation Deploy Your Dress (ODYD) event from 10 a.m. to noon March 10 at a local boutique near the Clear Creek Commissary, here.
Thirty military brides have been selected to receive a brand-new wedding gown, along with free professional photography. Each recipient will be paired with a photographer to take photos at a later date with their spouse.
In addition, the Fort Hood Exchange Salon’s manager has agreed to provide each participant with a free hair-styling service to have done on the day of their photoshoot.
There also will be free professional makeup artists and sunless tan sessions available with a local company.
Operation Deploy Your Dress’s primary goal is to improve the quality of life of military families by offsetting the high cost of attending formal military functions, especially for junior servicemembers.
ODYD currently “deploys” dresses from thirteen brick and mortar shops at installations around the world. These shops are solely run by military spouse volunteers.
Media desiring to cover the event should call (254) 449-4023 no later than 3 p.m. March 9. A public affairs representative will meet media in the southside parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitors Welcome Center at 9 a.m. March 10.

Story by: Capt. Christopher Buys, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, Troopers convoy during a Command Post Exercise at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 25. A tactical convoy is a military operation used to securely move personnel and cargo by ground transportation. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Brayton Daniel)

DRAWSKO-POMORSKIE, Poland – The staff and enabler support battalions from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division “Black Jack” recently concluded a two-week long command post exercise on March 3, 2023. A Command Post Exercise (CPX) is a headquarters exercise involving commanders and their staffs, and communications within and between participating headquarters, in which NATO and friendly forces, as well as opposing forces are simulated.

The exercise began with the headquarters company for the brigade, led by Capt. Shaun Ferguson, conducting quartering party operations and establishing security for the future location of the tactical brigade headquarters. Once the establishment conditions were met, the real work began to allow the brigade to communicate with its subordinate units and higher headquarters.

Speaking on the purpose of the CPX, Maj. Charles “Larry” Harris stated “It [CPX] is really to ensure that we are a combat credible force as a brigade, and we have a responsibility to be able to receive communications, transmit, conduct the MDMP process, and be able to communicate across all platforms with our division. The purpose is to validate that we are a combat credible force, but also conduct interoperability with our allies and partners. Our main end goal is to ensure that we have the ability to control our forces, to understand our operational environment, and ultimately to be the combat credible force that we have been asked to be.”

During this CPX, the Black Jack exercise was visited by leaders of the Polish 16th Mechanized Division, the higher headquarters of the brigade for the upcoming exercise Combined Resolve 18. This delegation consisted of representatives of each warfighting function that were able to establish a working relationship prior to each unit reporting to Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, later this spring.

Col. C.J. Kirkpatrick, 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, commander, provides feedback on the Combined Arms Rehearsal at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, March 1. 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team conducts the Combined Arms Rehearsal with Polish forces in preparation for Combined Resolve. (U.S. Army Photos by Sgt. Brayton Daniel

Upon completing the operations order for the simulated exercise, the staff present a combined arms rehearsal (CAR) to the commander to clarify details of the operations and allows the staff to visualize and synchronize efforts between themselves and other elements. A key difference for this CAR from others is that the brigade commander, Col. C.J. Kirkpatrick, was joined by the leaders from the Polish 16th Mechanized Division. Their participation helped them understand the style of planning and wargaming the brigade conducts during the military decision-making process. Maj. Marcin Biegaj, the operations officer for 16th Mechanized Division, pointed out that they “do not normally do rehearsals with physical objects at the brigade and above levels,” and “choose instead to use computer simulations to better see themselves.”

The presence of our Polish allies greatly assisted the staff in preparing to conduct joint and multinational training and ensure the concepts and branch-specific language was universally understood. The Black Jack Brigade is now postured to better support America’s V Corps as a combat-credible force in the European theater of operations.

By Capt. Shkeila Milford-Glover

3d Cavalry Regiment Public Affairs

Mar. 6, 2023

FORT HOOD, Texas – In 1987, President Ronald Regan issued a proclamation, declaring March to Women’s History Month. Since then, women in the armed forces have continued to blaze paths both in and out of uniform representing themselves and their units at the highest levels of academia and physical fitness.

Women have served in the United States Army since 1775 and remain an invaluable and essential part of the Army today, making up 19 percent of the total Army force. One woman who continues to make strides on this path is 2nd Lieutenant Camyrn Howarth from Garnet, Pennsylvania.

Howarth currently serves as the tactical intelligence officer for 1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment. She is the only female officer on the staff and is not afraid to strive for the title of most fit as well.

Out of uniform, Howarth competes in CrossFit competitions across Texas. Prior to joining the Army, she was a collegiate basketball player prior to finding her true passion: CrossFit.

Previously assigned to lead the squadron staff through a physical fitness session, Howarth proved she can handle her weight. Sourcing equipment from her local CrossFit gym, Howarth developed a challenging fitness event for the staff-most of whom are infantry officers.

“The session was rigorous and based on individual effort, but with a team mentality,” said 1st Lieutenant Todd Cornett, assistant squadron logistics officer for 1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment.

Howarth aspires to be a good leader, and CrossFit helps develop her professionally, physically and mentally.

“She makes herself available to mentor others and is someone we can count on,” said Maj. Stuard Stegall, executive officer for 1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment. “She is an outstanding officer.”

Howarth initially found interest in CrossFit in 2020 and has since dedicated herself to the sport, with rankings to prove her passion for the physically demanding sport. In 2021, she fell just short of being eligible for the CrossFit Open quarterfinals.

Despite falling short, Howarth has not wavered and is currently in the top 8% in her region worldwide.

While preparing to compete for the CrossFit Open quarterfinals this year, Howarth is also working toward her goal of obtaining her level one certification so she can coach others.

“Being a woman in the sport has been empowering,” Howarth said. “I’d like to coach others and eventually represent the Army as a member of the U.S. Army Warrior Fitness Team.”

Our Army is stronger because of our diversity and we must ensure that every member of the force has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. When women like Howarth succeed, our Army succeeds.

To learn more about how to become an officer and be a future leader in the United States Army, visit https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers.html

U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant Camyrn Howarth participates in a foot march during her basic officer course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lieutenant Vanessa Atchley)
U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant Camyrn Howarth conducts a workout of the day at CrossFit Cataclysm in Killeen, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Leigh Photography)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Story by: Pfc. David Dumas, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas - Troopers assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division hosted Troop 1001 from The Boy Scouts of America on Fort Hood, Texas on Feb. 25.

After several years of not having an opportunity to visit Fort Hood, primarily due to COVID-19, Troop 1001 was invited to come on base and learn about a day in the life of Troopers serving with the First Team.

Members of Troop 1001 from the Boy Scouts of America hang out with 1st Cavalry Troopers, Feb. 26. During the visit, scouts had an opportunity to learn about some of the military equipment, eat in a chow hall and interact with Troopers currently assigned to 1CD. Allowing the Boy Scouts to come to Fort Hood, Texas and experience a day with active-duty service members helped to strengthen relationships with the local community while allowing scouts and parents to learn more about what the U.S. Army has to offer. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. David Dumas)

The Boy Scouts started their day with meeting several tankers who allowed the visitors to a look inside of a M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, they also received an opportunity to observe a live fire exercise conducted by 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and the chance to actually climb inside an Abrams tank to learn more about how it operates.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the Troopers to showcase their skills and show off the equipment,” said Lt. Col. Damasio Davila, commander of 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “It’s great for the boy scouts to interact with Troopers since we do have Troopers in our formations who were Boy Scouts at one point, and it gives them a positive example to grow into.”

After getting a close-up look at the Abrams tank, the Boy Scouts said they were very excited to be hanging out with 1st Cavalry Troopers.

“I’ve never seen a tank. Being close up and looking at it, along with the firing range, made me love it,” said Triton Rodriguez, a Boy Scout from Troop 1001. “It’s making me want to be in the Army even more.”

The Boy Scouts were welcomed into the lives of 1st Cavalry Troopers as they told their stories and even competed in different physical training competitions.

Following their visit with tankers, Boy Scouts continued their day by learning about a Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter with Troopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

“I just think this is a good experience,” Nick Fooshee, Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 1001 said. “It’s fun to get out here and look around and learn more about what our military does.”

Ending the visit, 1st Cavalry Division Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Joe Marshall, talked to the Boy Scouts about his time growing up as a scout and answered some of their questions.

“I wanted to show them the similarities in being a Boy Scout and being a Soldier from my perspective, such as both are a service of giving back,” Marshall said. “Allowing everyone to hear what it’s like being in the military, especially for those who’ve never been exposed to it, might help them make a good choice for their future.”

Members of Troop 1001 from the Boy Scouts of America hang out with 1st Cavalry Troopers, Feb. 26. During the visit, scouts had an opportunity to learn about some of the military equipment, eat in a chow hall and interact with Troopers currently assigned to 1CD. Allowing the Boy Scouts to come to Fort Hood, Texas and experience a day with active-duty service members helped to strengthen relationships with the local community while allowing scouts and parents to learn more about what the U.S. Army has to offer. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. David Dumas)

Allowing the Boy Scouts to come to Fort Hood and experience a day with Troopers helped to strengthen relationships with the local community while allowing visitors to learn more about what the U.S. Army has to offer.

“This is a great event,” Marshall said. “I hope in the future we have more opportunities to do this with multiple different troops, even of other organizations. It’s very beneficial to interact with people and tell our story, share experiences, and learn from each other.”

James Rodriguez, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, and Sergeant Major of the Army Senior Fellow Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Fassler, Department of Labor, engage with military spouses during a roundtable session March 1 at Fort Hood. (U.S. Army photo by Samantha Harms, Fort Hood Public Affairs)

James Rodriguez, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, visited Fort Hood. This visit focused on spending time with Fort Hood spouses and the Fort Hood Career Skills Programs operated through Fort Hood’s Transition Assistance Program, along with Central Texas Workforce Solutions Feb. 28 and March 1.

“I was impressed with the scale of Fort Hood, but also the scale of the ‘wrap-around’ services that exist,” Rodriguez said, “with respect to the service members’ ability to find resources that can help them be successful while they’re on active duty, but also the connection to the community. One of the things I really found impressive was the whole community approach to this.”

Fort Hood is one of several military installations that Rodriguez and the DOL’s VETS personnel are visiting to learn about the unique requirements of transitioning service members and their spouses when it comes to getting employment.

“We know this is one of the largest installations in the military, where there’s a large amount, on average, of 17,000 service members transitioning out a year,” Rodriguez expressed. “And so, we know that there are unique requirements when we have that many service members transitioning out; not to mention, those unique requirements also carry over to the spouses need in their transition. So, we wanted to come here and speak about the resources that we have at the Department of Labor writ large.”

Feb. 28 was spent with community partners, such as Central Texas College and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas. WFSCT offers workforce solutions to job seekers and employers, which includes job search assistance, career counseling, recruitment and more.

In addition, both days included an opportunity to learn about the TAP CSPs that Fort Hood offers.

These CSPs are opportunities provided to transitioning Soldiers to prepare them for civilian employment through first class apprenticeships, employment skills training and on the job training with industries. Fort Hood offers 18 CSPs at the moment that focus on a wide variety of industries, including the General Motors Army Career Skills program and the Ford Technicians for Tomorrow program.

“Biggest thing it’s life changing,” said Mark Phillips, division chief of Fort Hood’s TAP. “You took care of your country for years, now it’s our opportunity to take care of you. Because we can say what we want to do, but we cannot do these programs without partnership and investment from the civilian sector.”

The General Motors Army Career Skills program is now in its 50th cohort and was one of the very first CSPs on Fort Hood.

The visit by Rodriguez also included a roundtable session with military spouses currently stationed at the Great Place.

“Speaking with the spouses at the roundtable was phenomenal,” expressed Rodriguez. “One of the things I always try to do is listen to the people who are impacted the most by programs or lack thereof. I’ve had roundtables at other military installations, but this is by far the largest one.”

“The roundtable was very impactful because I had gone through a lot of these experiences before I moved to Texas and I was able to get into Triple Impact when I did,” said Shay Thompson, an employee with Triple Impact and a military spouse. “It was actually the first and only job interview I went to upon moving here to Texas. When I live in Georgia, I spent over two years going from job to job, trying to get hired. That’s why I’m very happy to be here.”

Spouses had the opportunity to speak candidly with Rodriguez, DOL personnel, Fort Hood Army Community Services, WFSCT and other partner organizations. Many mentioned their frustrations over having to quit a job every time they had to move and their fears that new employers won’t understand their at-home life. Others too also celebrated their successes and shared ideas for Rodriguez to take back to Washington, D.C., and Capitol Hill. The roundtable event also allowed for Fort Hood personnel and partner organizations to share about resources available to them, like displacement funds and access to childcare funding.

“One thing we know right now is that every industry needs people,” Rodriguez said. “The resources that you have here, just within the Fort Hood area, are phenomenal. But we have to make sure everybody understands that those resources exist.”

James Rodriguez, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, speaks with Steve Bailey, Engagement Specialist for General Motors Training Center at Fort Hood, on Fort Hood’s Career Skills Programs March 1, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Samantha Harms, Fort Hood Public Affairs)
James Rodriguez, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, and Sergeant Major of the Army Senior Fellow Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Fassler, Department of Labor, engage with military spouses during a roundtable session March 1 at Fort Hood. (U.S. Army photo by Samantha Harms, Fort Hood Public Affairs)
Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division, Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, receives the division colors from outgoing Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Cavalry Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony, Feb. 28 at Fort Hood, Texas. The passing of the colors symbolizes the relinquishment of responsibility from the outgoing division senior enlisted advisor. (Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. David Dumas)

Story by U.S. Army Pfc. David Dumas

Fort Hood, Texas – The 1st Cavalry Division bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, as he relinquished responsibility during a ceremony Feb. 28, on Cooper Field, Fort Hood, Texas.

As he reflected on his time at Fort Hood, Munday talked about those who motivated him and the many he had the privilege of meeting and working with.

“These are just a few of our amazing people who inspired me on a daily basis,” said Munday as he addressed the audience. “But to be honest, there are thousands of more amongst us in the Division and I want to say thank you and best wishes to everyone.”

Munday served honorably as the senior enlisted advisor for the First Team for over a year, after previously serving as the command sergeant major for the 3d Cavalry Regiment.

Munday began his career in May 1995 when he enlisted into the U.S. Army. Since then, he has served in many different units and positions all around the world. For exceptional service throughout his military career, Munday has received many awards and medals.

“My biggest fear as a leader is being just a picture on the wall,” Munday said. “I made an effort every day to be present and engaged knowing I might only meet every Trooper once during my time as Pegasus 9.”

Munday continued to thank those that have supported him as a leader while wishing the best to the First Team. Among the people he thanked were his wife, Heather and children, who have been patient and understanding throughout his service.

1st Cavalry Division band participates in a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony as the division bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, Feb. 28 at Fort Hood, Texas. Ceremonies such as these embody the esprit de corps and pageantry that the 1st Cavalry Division strives to maintain. (Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. David Dumas)“As leaders, we earn trust by taking action to enforce standards,” said Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division, Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV as he thanked Munday for his service to the First Team. “That’s how we build trust, which is the foundation of a cohesive team. For the last two years, this division has had the right senior non-commissioned officer to make that vision come to fruition.”

The 1st Cavalry Division bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, as he relinquished responsibility at a ceremony Feb. 28, on Cooper Field, Fort Hood, Texas. Ceremonies such as these embody the esprit de corps and pageantry that the 1st Cavalry Division strives to maintain. (Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. David Dumas)

Richardson continued by highlighting Munday as the perfect fit to serve as the division command sergeant major.

Munday and his family will report to his next assignment as the Command Sergeant Major for the United States Army Recruiting Command located on Fort Knox, Kentucky this summer.

Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division, Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV and outgoing Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Cavalry Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, participate in a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony, Feb. 28. Munday served honorably as the senior enlisted advisor for the First Team for over a year. Ceremonies such as these embody the esprit de corps and pageantry that the 1st Cavalry Division strives to maintain. (Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. David Dumas)

“We know positions are temporary. Ranks and titles are limited. But the way you treat people will always be remembered,” concluded Munday. “I woke up every morning wanting to serve and make the Division and installation better.”

The relinquishment ceremony concluded with the singing of “The Spirit of the CAV” and a traditional Cavalry Charge led by 1st Air Cavalry Brigade’s helicopters and the Horse Cavalry Detachment.

Story by U.S. Army Sgt. Darrell Stembridge

Women play a vital role in today’s Army and there is about 3,000 women assigned to the First Team. They are the Soldiers on the front-line; they are leaders, officers and noncommissioned officers standing with our troops; as well as employers, spouses, mothers and sisters who offer critical support to our Troopers. To celebrate this month, the 1st Cavalry Division highlights the women tankers of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team.

Fort Hood, TX- From the Revolutionary War to current operations around the globe, women have played an unprecedented role in the defense of our nation. During the month of March, we celebrate the many contributions; as well as the courage and sacrifice of women who served across the U.S. Army as leaders on the battlefield and at home station.

The First Team is committed to fostering an inclusive climate, which includes ensuring female Troopers receive equal opportunities to serve in all military occupational specialties and hold positions at all levels of leadership.

Within the 1st Cavalry Division today, women make up over 15 percent of the formation and support the mission by serving in a range of roles including logisticians, mechanics, military intelligence analysts, fire support specialists, aviators and tankers.

Earlier this year, Sgt. Cinthia Ramirez, a female tanker assigned to Avenger Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, made history for being the first female active-duty Soldier to graduate from the U.S. Army Master Gunner Course for the M1A2 Abrams tank.

“I didn’t pass the first time and I got down on myself,” Ramirez said. “I didn’t want to go back. Thankfully, I had some amazing people on my side that believed in me and reminded me of my potential. Mistakes shouldn’t stop you from wanting to be a better person. So, just because we as females might fail the first time we try, it doesn’t mean we stop. We have to keep going and pushing.”

Last spring, women serving with the First Team also broke down barriers when 1st Lt. Janel Tracy, tank commander, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat led an M1A2 Abrams tank crew during the Sullivan Cup 2022 competition. Tracy’s crew spent around a month preparing for the competition understanding the challenges they would face while competing against other top-tier armor vehicle crews.

“It was a challenging experience, but we worked as a team and that’s when we did our best,” Tracy said following the event. “We had fun and the competition made us a closer crew.”

Sgt. Cinthia Ramirez,1st Battalion 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, became the first female to graduate the M1A2 Abrams Master Gunner course. “Getting into Master Gunner school was so hard, but that just made me even more determined to get in. Everyone kept telling me how hard it was, and I wanted to see for myself just how hard it was - and they were not wrong. I just want people to realize that just because you were never the best soldier, or you’ve been in trouble - you can change and turn things around. The mistakes I made as a private will not define who I am as an NCO and a leader.” Ramirez said.

Female leaders across the division have also stepped up to create the “Sisters in Arms” a mentorship program designed to support women in the Army with mentorship, career progression, camaraderie, and the development of support networks.

“I chose tanking because I have always been fascinated with the idea of tanks and the entire infrastructure of them,” Pvt. Anastasia C. Narine, Tanker, Alpha Co., 3rd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division said. “I figured why not serve my country by doing something I find interest in? I want to help and fight for the men and women who cannot fend for themselves. I hope to inspire other aspiring Americans that have dreams to join the United States Army.” The 1st Cavalry Division’s celebration of Women’s History Month is about knowing its Troopers, understanding the value each Trooper brings and optimizing what they offer in order to continue building lethal and cohesive teams.

“We are trying to help empower the female population to help them speak out, so they don’t feel like they are in the shadow of males, so that they know we are equal,” 1st Sgt. Wendy Talton, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division said.

Women have served on the “frontlines” with the 1st Cavalry Division for decades and will continue to play a vital role in worldwide missions contributing to the strength and capability of the First Team.

Sgt. Kayci Landes, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, made history in 2016 when she was the first female Soldier to officially become a 19D, Cavalry Scout in the U.S. Army. The 1st Cavalry Division’s celebration of Women’s History Month stands as a reminder of the strength the Army has and will gain through having a high-quality and diverse all-volunteer force.

Media Advisory: 1st Cavalry Division to hold relinquishment of responsibility ceremony

 

FORT HOOD, Texas – The 1st Cavalry Division will conduct a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at Cooper Field on Feb 28 at 9 a.m.

Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday will relinquish responsibility after serving as command sergeant major of the 1st Cavalry Division since Aug. 2021.

Maj. Gen. John B, Richardson IV, 1st Cavalry Division commanding general, will preside over the ceremony.

Munday will assume responsibility of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.

Media representatives interested in covering the event should contact the 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs at (714) 742-5868, or email [email protected] and [email protected] by 5 p.m. Feb. 27.

Media who RSVP should arrive at the Marvin Leath Visitors Center Feb. 28 at 7:50 a.m. to be escorted to the event.

Lt. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, hosted a media roundtable in the III Corps headquarters Feb. 23, 2023. The media roundtable was an opportunity for senior military leaders to discuss topics of interest in an open forum with the media and to build rapport by establishing a channel of open and transparent communication. (U.S. Army photo by Eric Franklin, Fort Hood Public Affairs)

By Blair Dupre, Fort Hood Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas — Lt. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, and other Fort Hood leaders spoke to multiple media outlets in a media roundtable Feb. 23 at III Armored Corps and Fort Hood headquarters.

Bernabe began by explaining “The Phantom Six” which are six principles he issued on Oct. 4, 2022, with his commander’s intent. They state the importance of caring for Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and their families; developing leaders who are proficient, engaged and empathetic; building teams that are cohesive, inclusive and disciplined; mastering the fundamentals; training crews, staffs and units to be proficient and lethal; and being ready.

“Those six things I think are critical to achieving (our) purpose,” he said. “I think it provides a useful framework to define what we do everyday and I think it’s a good touchstone that we use every single day.”

These principles were evident when he addressed the importance of Fort Hood and III Armored Corps units training alongside NATO allies.

“The reality is we’re not going to do an operation overseas somewhere without allies and partners,” Bernabe said. “Given that fact, we ought to train together. Every time we train we learn more about each other. We think we speak the same language … but they also have a little bit different way of doing military business than we do.”

He further explained that challenges can occur, especially with understanding and sharing information.

“There are some technical challenges (that may occur),” Bernabe said. “(We need to) make sure their computer systems can talk to ours so we can share information.”

He further explained there can be procedural challenges as well.

“If we do an operation as complex as a river crossing, hopefully their basic understanding of how to do it is the same as ours. And then there’s the human; do we know each other well enough that we can operate in a human organization together? We work all three of those dimensions.”

“There’s no doubt if we have to deploy somewhere to fight we’re going to have allies and partners with us,” he continued. “We want them with us. That is one of our advantages over any adversary in the world. There is no other nation in the world that has such a strong network of allies and partners.”

Col. Anthony Barbina, 36th Engineer Brigade commander, spoke on his personal experience in interacting with NATO allies during Defender Europe last year.

“On the 13th of May we executed a river crossing that was 185 meters full enclosure,” he explained. “It was Polish. It was Swedes. It was all about NATO. A few days later I was standing there as we did another river crossing in front of the president of Poland. He was so proud of his troops and everybody’s coming together. I had so many Soldiers that reenlisted from that multiple bridging company because they got to train with all these other nations. That’s why people join the military - is to see the world and do lots of interesting things. Multinational partnership and training are important to be ready to go do operations anywhere around the world, but it’s important for our Soldiers.”

Lt. Col. Erin Braswell, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade battalion commander, said while she was stationed in Romanian there were no U.S. forces near them, so they looked to NATO allies to train with on a day-to-day basis.

“Without them we weren’t really getting the juice for the squeeze,” she said. “Come down to my formation and you would hear great stories every day about how we trained with the Dutch, how we trained with the Romanians, how we trained with the Polish, the Latvians. Those relationships built will have lasting impacts. It truly has been life changing … for a lot of our Soldiers. It’s what keeps them around and makes them feel like a bigger part of the team.”

Col. Chad R. Foster, U.S. Army Garrison - Fort Hood commander, added that collaboration with NATO allies also happens right here at Great Place.

“Fires are not unusual and especially if the Air Cavalry Brigade is far from home and somewhere else, which happened last year, it’s not unusual to have Dutch aviators dropping water on fires here on Fort Hood,” he said.

During the rest of the media roundtable, Bernabe and the other Fort Hood commanders addressed Army recruitment efforts and Soldiers’ wellbeing.

Then, Bernabe wrapped up the event.

“I’ll just go back to our purpose,” Bernabe stated. “We are here to provide our nation an armored corps prepared to fight, sustain and win in multidomain operations anywhere in the world. So, we want to ensure we’re prepared for anything that comes our way.”

Sydney Dishon, a reporter with KCEN, an NBC news affiliate, and Fort Hood Sentinel writer Blair Dupre speak with Lt. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, commanding general of the III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, before the media roundtable Feb. 23, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Eric Franklin, Fort Hood Public Affairs)
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, utilize an M1A2 Abrams tank to fire on simulated targets during a live fire exercise at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Feb. 16, 2023. The 4th Infantry Division and their supporting units are proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. John Schoebel)
U.S. Army Staff Sgts. Ross Wilcoxson, left, and Marcus Kearse, right, both M1 armor crewmen assigned to Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, load ammunition onto a M1A2 Abrams tank during a live-fire exercise at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Feb. 16, 2023. The 4th Infantry Division and their supporting units are proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. John Schoebel)
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, maneuver a M1A2 Abrams tank during a live fire exercise in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Feb. 16, 2023. The 4th Infantry Division and their supporting units are proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. John Schoebel)