883rd route clearance company zabul province afghanistan
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SPARTAN NEWS
15 March 2012
Greetings to all the Spartan families from Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan.
Since the Spartans last newsletter, Missions have continued with some difficulty. Besides working long hours on long routes, the snow continued to make a serious challenge for us. However, over the past few weeks, Zabul Province Afghanistan has warmed up with temperatures as high as 45 degrees and as low as 30 degrees.
Commanders Corner:
Top of the morning to you Spartan Families; I'd like to wish you all a grand old St. Patty's Day!!
It seems as though we've climbed out of the frozen desert weather (hopefully). The sun has been out, the equipment is not frozen solid and the troops are smiling. I've never considered 40 degrees warm, but it sure beats single digits. Your soldiers have endured frigid conditions and never wavered on their duties and responsibilities; truly remarkable. This month, I'd like to take a minute to discuss our partnerships with others. Our Soldiers have done an incredible job training active duty Engineers, who will also conduct route clearance missions. It's astonishing that in just 90 days on the job we're considered the subject matter experts. This is because we've dedicated the last six months to knowing everything we can about this role. Another major part of our job here is to train the Afghanistan National Army (ANA)Engineers. These soldiers have classes on literacy and Afghan cultural awareness as well as daily training from our Spartans. The language barriers make it more challenging, however SSG Hayes, SGT Padgett and SGT Plitt spend every day working with all aspects of the development and the mentoring of the ANA soldiers. All our patrols have partnered with the Afghan soldiers, but this takes it to a completely new level. It's an experience of a lifetime for both the Spartans and the Afghans. I cannot say enough about the effort these NCOs are providing as we leave a lasting impact on the ANA's abilities to fight the Taliban. Spartan 6
Baby Corner:
Congratulations to SSG Tyler Essic and his wife Ashleigh who welcomed a new addition to the Spartan Family. Camryn Jaide Essic was born on March 7, 2012 at a perfect 7 lbs 8 oz. Welcome Camryn to the Spartan Family!!!
Birthday Dates:
Dustin Ray-4, Jonathan Padgett-6, David Wilkes-8, Daniel Beekman-11, Broderick Moore-15, Sean Brafford-18, Charles Prieto-19, Christopher Taylor-19, Rickey Stokes-20, BJ Raines-26, Donald Edge-30. Happy Birthday to all these Spartans!!! HOOAH!
SPARTAN NEWS
15 March 2012 Soldiers of the Month: SGT Stobbe and SPC Beekman from 4th Platoon 883rd RCC competed in the Battalion NCO/ Soldier of the Month Board. These Spartans competed against other NCO’s and junior enlisted throughout the Battalion. These Spartans set the standard for all others to follow by winning the whole thing!!!
SPARTANS of the Month:
PV1 Jonathan Long is selected as one of our Spartans of the Month. PV1 Long is a skilled wrench turner. He graduated from West Highland Christian Academy in 2002. After high school, he realized he wanted to serve and he enlisted in the National Guard. Long attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY in 2009 and then onto Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD for 91B school. He is assigned to HQ Maintenance Section 883rd RCC.
Long’s primary job is fixing the Route Clearance vehicles that go out everyday and he is really good at it!
Outside of the Guard, PV1 Long loves spending time with his family. His wife Alana, and his kids, Ryder and Isaac and huge supporters of his. Long has one true enjoyment in life outside of his family, and that’s driving. Long resides in Pontiac Michigan and drives, once a month to drill, in North Carolina. This is some true dedication on his behalf.
This is Long’s first deployment and he is doing a superb job.
PV1 Long has met and exceeded the standards of the 883rd Sappers and is worthy of possessing the title of Spartan! SPC James Ray has also been selected to be a Spartan of the Month. Ray graduated from Marlboro County High School in 2008. He then enlisted in the NC Army National Guard. He attended Basic Training and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri in October of 2008 as a Combat Engineer. Ray is assigned to 1st Platoon 883rd RCC. Within his Platoon, his primary job is driving a 916 truck, his secondary as a GyroCam Operator. Ray has became a Subject Matter Expert in his field helping his Platoon be successful.
Outside of the Guard, SPC Ray enjoys fishing, listening to all sorts of music and traveling. Ray’s favorite times are relaxing and “chilling” with his family.
This is SPC Ray’s first deployment and is a dedicated warrior.
SPC Ray has met and exceeded the standards of the 883rd Sappers and is worthy of possessing the title of Spartan!
SPARTAN NEWS
15 March 2012
Taking the Oath: During the month of February, CPT McVeigh read the Re-enlistment Oath to several Spartan Warrior’s. SGT Jerry Cuadra Lopez SPC Mark Bergstresser, and SPC Joesph Girmann have served their time and did not hesitate to re-enlist and serve more. This is a decision of some true Hero’s. Congratulations to them for their commitment to the country, the United States Army, and the 883rd Spartans.
SPARTAN NEWS
15 March 2012 Your Spartans at a Glance Spartan’s conducting a dismount operation. Look at that view!!! 1st Platoon setting up their HIIDES check point, and SPC Honeycutt pulling security for it.
2nd Platoon conducting some mounted rehearsals during a Refit day. 3rd Platoon’s very own Platoon Sergeant, SSG Cross, taking a well earned break after a long patrol.
Ugh…he’s heavy!!!
SPARTAN NEWS
15 March 2012 Your Spartans at a Glance SSG Padgett training the ANA on proper ways to conduct vehicle PMCS at FOB Apache. 4th Platoon cheesing after conducting some HIIDES.
1st Platoon’s Maintenance Team recovering the Romanians from a rollover…again. The maintenance boys… taking a break from turning those wrenches!!!
No, no, no. Lefty Loosy righty tighty!
SPARTAN NEWS
15 March 2012
SPARTAN KIDS
15 February 2012
SOLVE ME
SPARTANS GOLD
Which way do I go to get me pot o’ gold?
SPARTAN KIDS
15 February 2012
COLOR ME
SPARTAN NEWS
15 March 2012
883rd Company Commander: CPT James E. McVeigh [email protected]
883rd Company 1SG:
1SG Jason A. Zike [email protected]
Rear Detachment NCOIC: SGT Jana Soule [email protected]
FRG Leader: Lanora Essic (Mama Essic) [email protected] Red Cross: www.redcross.org Military Onesource: www.militaryonesource.mil