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The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning Command Sergeant Major CSM Earl Rice was selected to be the command sergeant major of the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, N.C., Wednesday.
"I'm extremely honored to be chosen for such a prestigious position," Rice said. The 18th Airborne Corps' mission is to be a strategic crisis response force, manned and trained to deploy rapidly by air, sea and land anywhere in the world, prepared to fight upon arrival and win. He will serve as LTG Frank Helmick's senior enlisted advisor, replacing CSM Joseph R. Allen, who has been stationed at Fort Bragg since 2005.
Rice came to Fort Benning in May from Vicenza, Italy, where he served as the Southern European Task Force command sergeant major.
MG Michael Ferriter, Fort Benning's commanding general, said Rice's personal energy and leadership style is inspiring.
"He built a team of teams here during a very critical time of transition," Ferriter said. "He's steady on, always focused on the Soldier and the mission of training great Soldiers. He's made a positive impact on the Army from his service here and I know he'll take that same dedication to Fort Bragg."
Rice, who was the NCO of the Year in 1991 for the 82nd Airborne Division and 18th Airborne Corps and a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, said he's always tried to be a Soldier's Soldier and will continue "to give it my best every day to keep Soldiers motivated." | |
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BRAC By The Numbers
 Today's number is six million.
That's the number of square footage that will be added to Fort Benning's 20 million square feet of "powered" facilities when BRAC construction is complete on the Maneuver Center.
That number does not include structures and facilities, such as covered bays or parking lots, which are not designed for electricity or occupancy. And it does not include renovation projects, like the one currently underway on Building 4, except when additional square footage is being added.
It does include Base Realignment and Closure projects on all four of the installation's cantonment areas - Main Post, Sand Hill, Kelley Hill and Harmony Church, where the Armor School will be located.
Though the Armor School move from Fort Knox to Fort Benning will be completed by Sept. 15, 2011, construction will continue for another five years. |
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 Post conservation officials began digging up hundreds of relict trillium roots along Fort Benning's northern edge Tuesday in preparation for a huge transfer of the rare plant to safer ground. The preservation move is necessary to allow for construction of a bridge over Randall Creek, which will provide access to new training ranges that support the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Base Realignment and Closure initiatives, said Mark Thornton, endangered species biologist for the Conservation Branch of Fort Benning's Environmental Management Division. The relocation is expected to take about a week and will involve about 1,300 adult plants.
* Click on headline for more *
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 Critically-acclaimed R&B artist Leigh Jones and award-winning hip hop group Animate Objects will headline a free concert from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 13 at Wetherby Field. The tour is part of the I. A.M. STRONG tour presented by the Army G-1, Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention program. I. A.M. STRONG is the Army's campaign to combat sexual assaults by engaging all Soldiers in preventing sexual assaults before they occur. Comedians Jesse Campbell and Drew Thomas will also lend their talents on stage.
* Click on headline for more *
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The eyes in the sky - Sledgehammer News
 Being a Soldier in the United States Army is more than a full-time job. And no one understands that more than the unmanned aerial vehicle cell at Forward Operating Base Kalsu.
The Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division's UAV cell monitor the 3rd HBCT's area of operation from above 24 hours a day.
"We are always on the lookout for the bad guys," said Staff Sgt. Ray Lemlin, a platoon sergeant in "A" Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion. "The goal is always to spot them before they can hurt us."
Since their arrival to FOB Kalsu, Lemlin's section has been vigilant in making sure that all of their aircrafts are ready to go, said Lemlin. A UAV that can't fly doesn't do anyone any good.
* Click on headline for more *
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Army to Increase Fiscal 2010 Base Operating Support by $500 Million
Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. announced today that the Army is taking steps to increase funding by $500 million for Base Operating Support in fiscal 2010.
"We will continue to look for efficiencies and best practices, but the bottom line is we will not shortchange our Soldiers and their Families," said McHugh.
The Army's Installation Management Command will continue to work closely with each installation to ensure its essential base operating support needs are met. Additionally, the Army will conduct a comprehensive mid-year review of all installation BOS accounts to ensure installations can meet Army priorities.
"The secretary and I remain committed to ensuring our soldiers and families get the support they need and we will continue to provide the resources to do that," Casey reiterated.
* Click on headline for more *
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 To help enhance its computer-based games for training efforts, the U.S. Army will bring together about 150 of its best Virtual Battlespace 2, or VBS2, players and developers from around the country from Feb. 23-25. TRADOC's National Simulation Center and the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) will host the VBS2 Government Users' Conference at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event allows VBS2 users and developers to share best practices with the rest of the community, attend tutorials on VBS2 and two other game-based training tools (Bilateral Negotiation and Tactical Language), and communicate with other members of the gaming community of practice. * Click on headline for more *
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From 'cotton fields' to economic success, hear the story of black heritage Thursday
 Celebrate Black History Month with the Fort Benning Equal Opportunity Office Thursday at the Benning Conference Center. The luncheon will include a poetry recitation, a musical selection by the Kendrick High School choir and a step show. COL(R) Myles Caggins Jr., assistant superintendent for business affairs for the Muscogee County School District, will speak on the event's theme: The History of Black Economic Empowerment. There will be displays around the room, recognizing successful African-Americans and their achievements, said SFC Kwana Anthony, the Maneuver Center of Excellence equal opportunity adviser coordinating the event.
* Click on headline for more *
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 Soldiers and families of the Warrior Transition Battalion gathered Saturday at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center for a visit from Braves prospect Freddie Freeman, bench coach Chino Cadahia, mascot Homer the Brave and two Braves cheerleaders.
The visit, organized by Operation Homefront, was the first stop of the Braves Country Caravan. Various members of the team will be on the road until Feb. 13, stopping in Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Tennessee to meet, greet and sign autographs for their fans.
"I watch baseball religiously," said SSG Nick Philoctete of B Company, WTB. "It's my favorite sport. I can't wait to meet them."
SFC Robert Nerkowski, A Co., WTB, was decked out in a Braves jersey and ready to meet the Braves.
* Click on headline for more *
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'Way of the future': Benning integrates new resource tracking program
 Planning and training just got a little bit easier on Fort Benning.
Details of thousands of training activities and the components that go into those missions can now be accessed through BASE4D, a centralized tracking system.
COL Terry Sellers, operations officer for the Maneuver Center of Excellence, said the new system will yield positive benefits for scheduling and resource management as the Armor School is integrated with the Infantry School.
"We knew there would be a lot of competition for resources," said Sellers. He said scheduling will be more effective and more efficient.
In the past, planning was limited by the uncertainty of resources, like ranges or weapons.
Now, BASE4D allows training to be scheduled first and the resources to automatically follow. As a result, overscheduling and overspending are avoided. * Click on headline for more *
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 Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, honored their predecessors Friday during a wreath-laying ceremony at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
The Soldiers, joined by veterans and 15th Infantry Regiment Association members, made the drive from Fort Benning to the park, located approximately 10 miles south of Chattanooga, Tenn., to commemorate the regiment\'s history.
Standing on the same battlefield where thousands of Union and Confederate troops died during the Civil War, the battalion's rear detachment learned the history of the 15th and retraced the footsteps of a battle considered by historians to be the most significant Union defeat in the western theater during the war.
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Did you know that you can find information about the many units, directorates and activities here on Fort Benning by visiting www.army.mil/benning?
The web sites are categorized by Maneuver Center, Infantry School, Armor School, Tenant Units, Garrison Command or CRC (Conus Replacement Center)
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Quilt remembers Fallen heroes
by Borden Black
"Without a witness, they will disappear." That is the message of an artistic tribute on display in the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center lobby from February 8th through 20th.
The 5 ½ -foot by 15-foot mixed-media, art quilt honors the men and women who have died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Photographs of a representative group of 82 fallen soldiers are featured with a description of each hero's personality, dreams, plans, interests, and hopes. There are 50 images, one from each state, in the center of the quilt with 32 around the border.
"The Lost Heroes Art Quilt" was created by artist Julie Feingold as a non-political work designed to ensure fallen heroes will not be forgotten. "Take just one name with you and remember it, so that our heroes will not be forgotten. The actions of a single person can make a powerful difference," she has said. The fabric tribute took two years to craft with the assistance of Gold Star Mothers and family members of the.
National Infantry Museum Events Director Vickie Benton says the museum was contacted by organizers and is flattered to host the display. "It all ties in with honoring soldiers," she notes. "It continues to show our love and support of soldiers."
You can view the quilt at the museum Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
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Doughboy Award Nominations
Fellow Infantrymen,
The Office of the Chief of Infantry is seeking nominations for the 2010 Doughboy Award.
The Doughboy Award is presented annually to recognize an individual for outstanding contributions to the United States Army Infantry.
The award is presented on behalf of all Infantrymen past and present. The award is a chrome replica of a helmet worn by American Expeditionary Soldiers during World War I (WWI) and the early days of World War II.
The term "Doughboy" originated in Texas where soldiers trained along the Rio Grande in preparation for WWI. The Soldiers became covered in the dusty, white adobe soil and were called "adobes" by mounted troops. Over time this term transitioned to become doughboys. The Doughboy award is the highest honor the Chief of Infantry can bestow on any Infantryman.
*The 2010 Awards will be presented during the Warfighting Conference in September 2010.*
The nominees are broken down into two groups and there will be one recipient from each.
The groups are:
a. Officers and Notable Friends: Selected solely for their contributions to the Infantry and will represent a diverse population of retired or former Officers, Government Leaders and Public Supporters. This group of nominees will consist of 10 Officers, 2 Politicians, and 2 Entertainers.
b. Noncommissioned Officers: Selected solely for their contributions to the Infantry and will represent a diverse population of retired or former enlisted Soldiers. These individuals are selected for their contributions to the Infantry before and after active duty service.
Nomination criteria:
a. Soldiers are not eligible while serving on Active duty.
b. Nominees must be living. (The Doughboy is not awarded posthumously).
c. Self-nominations are not accepted.
d. Uniformed Service in the Infantry is not a requirement for nomination.
e. Previous Award recipients are not eligible.
Anyone wishing to nominate someone should forward a one page biography for the individual accompanied by a short write up identifying the contributions to the Infantry. Nominations need to be received by 24 February, 2010. Please forward to benn.ocoi.ocoiweb@conus.army.mil.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to use the above link to contact the Office of the Chief of Infantry with any requests for assistance or to provide feedback on all Infantry related issues.
The selected recipients will receive the Doughboy Award during the Infantry Warfighting Conference which will be held here in Columbus, Georgia the week of 13-17 September, 2010. I hope you can make plans to attend.
POC for this action is Mr Michael J. Ramirez at (706) 545-5143, DSN 835-5143, or at the emails referenced above.
LTC Flip Wilson
Director, Office of the Chief of Infantry
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 You can watch Fort Benning Television at Fort Benning on Windjammer cable channel 4. The Benning Report can be also be seen on Columbus Consolidated Government Access Television (CCG-TV) channels at 6:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Charter - Channel 3
Knology - Channel 17 MediaCom - Channel 21. In Alabama watch the Benning Report on Troy University Television, Thursday & Friday evenings. To contact Fort Benning TV, email us at BENN.PAO@us.army.mil |
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DFMWR Events
 Keep your golf game sharp through the winter months with a Fort Benning Golf Course 'stimulus deal.' Every Mon. through Thurs. golfers can play 18 holes for $20 with a cart or $12 for 9 holes with a cart. All green fees are half price on Fri. for active duty Soldiers. For more details or to reserve a tee time call 706-687-1940.
February lunchtime quarter Bingo is going every Monday through Friday at the Pins & Daubers starting at noon. The $5 buy-in fee includes a hamburger or cheeseburger combo meal from the Mall Bowling Center. The highest cash-out customer will receive 3 February Bingo packets. Pins & Daubers is located between the Commissary Mall and the Mall Bowling Center on Marne Rd. For more information call 706-544-1964.
It's Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 7 at the Benning Brew Pub. There's no cover charge to watch the big game on the hi-def TV's. The doors open at 5 p.m. Come early to get a seat. For more information call 706-687-1233.
All Fort Benning teens are encouraged to attend the Teen Town Hall meeting on Feb. 11 at Youth Services, Bldg. 1056 at 5:30 p.m. This is your chance for your voice to be heard about the issues and programs that concern you! For more information call 706-545-3070.
Critically acclaimed R&B artist Leigh Jones and award-winning hip hop group Animate Objects perform a free concert on Feb. 13 at Wetherby Field. This I. A.M. Strong Tour is open to everyone in the tri-city community. Brought to you by the US Army, there is no ID check to attend this concert. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6. For detailed driving directions to Wetherby Field click on the maps link at www.benningmwr.com.
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a special gourmet brunch at the Benning Conference Center on Feb. 14. The cost is $14.95 per person. Children 6 to 12 are half price and children 5 and under eat for free. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and reservations are requested. For more information call 706-682-0640.
Join the free paintball battle action in the Woodlands off Dixie Rd. on Feb. 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. Paintball equipment and supplies are available at Outdoor Recreation. For more information call 706-545-9636.
Tryouts for the Fort Benning youth baseball teams will be held Feb. 16 to 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sports Complex. All CYSS members 8 to 14 years old are welcome to try out. For more information call 706-545-1853.
It's free admission on Feb. 20 to watch the UFC 110 match on the Benning Brew Pub's large screen TV's. While there, try one of the Pub's special micro brews. The doors open at 5 p.m. and stay open late. For more information call 706-687-1233.
Try your skill at the Domino Tournament at the Benning Brew Pub every starting Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. Weekly prizes will be awarded with a chance for one lucky team to win a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the 2010 World Domino Tournament. There's no cover charge or entry fee to play. For more information call 706-545-1233.
Follow the lives of several Vietnam-era female veterans who served in different capacities in the free play, 'Piece of My Heart,' by the Columbus State theater department on Feb. 19 at the Kelley Hill Rec Center. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and is recommended for mature audiences only. Free childcare is available for spouses of deployed Soldiers. Pick up tickets at the Kelley Hill Rec Center, Omega Travel office or FMWR Hqtrs. For more information call 706-544-1411.
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers holds the monthly BOSS installation meeting on Feb. 24 at the Kelley Hill Recreation Center, Building 9079, at 2 p.m. All BOSS MSC representatives are required to attend or send an alternate to the event. Fort Benning strongly supports BOSS and allows all Soldiers who volunteer for BOSS activities, the time to participate in these events. BOSS events are open to all interested people, military or civilian. For more information about BOSS call 706-544-1411.
The next CG Golf Scramble is Feb. 25 at the Fort Benning Golf Course, with a shotgun start at noon. The cost is $30 if paid by the day before the event or $35 the day of the event, and includes cart, green fees, two mulligans, food and prizes. Stop by the Fort Benning Golf Course to register or call 706-687-1940 for more information.
It's Latino Night at the Benning Brew Pub on Feb. 27. It's free admission to dance the night away. Never a cover charge! Doors open at 5 p.m. and stay open late. Come early for a seat. For more information call 706-687-1233.
Learn the fine art of Geocaching on Feb. 27 at Uchee Creek. This free event is open to the public and features caches hidden throughout the Uchee Creek Campground and Marina. Register online at www.benningmwr.com or call 706-545-7978 for more information.
Sayers Memorial Library is holding a Dr. Seuss birthday party on March 2 at 11 a.m. There will be stories, games and birthday cake. Then come back at 6 p.m. for an Easter egg hunt and don't forget to bring a basket. Both events are free. For more information call 706-545-4911.
The Kelley Hill Rec Center is holding a Scrapbooking and Card Making Class on March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn how to make beautiful handcrafted cards for just $10. Childcare is available for a minimal fee. Register at Kelley Hill Rec Center by Feb. 26 or call 706-544-3079 for more information.
The Uchee Creek Archery Club is holding a Pro/Am archery shoot March 5 through 7 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Uchee Creek Activity Center. Interested archery competitors can register at asaarchery.com. The event is open to the public and there is no cover charge to observe the competition. For more information call 706-681-6995.
Teens are invited to "Hoop it Up" in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament every other Friday night starting March 5 at the Smith Fitness Center. The fun is free and runs from 8 to 11 p.m. For more information call 706-545-1853.
Commander's Cup Unit Level Soccer leagues are forming soon. Coaches must bring their Alpha roster or AAA-162 to the first meeting on March 9 at the Smith Fitness Center at 1 p.m. For more information call 706-527-2393.
Join BOSS for a day trip to the Wild Animal Safari at Pine Mountain, Ga. on March 19. The $15 fee covers roundtrip transportation, admission into the park, lunch, animal food and transportation through the park. Registration must be made no later than March 5 at the Kelley Hill Rec Center or through BOSS representatives. For more information call 706-544-1411.
Registration is going on now for the Women's Conference on March 10 at the Benning Conference Center. The $20 fee includes breakfast, workshops, lunch and a goody bag. Marla Cilley, the 'Fly Lady,' is the guest speaker. Register online at www.benningmwr.com or pick up a registration form at the Java Café, Smith Fitness Center, all post child care centers, the PX or the CB&T office on post. For more information visit www.benningmwr.com and follow the Women's Conference link.
It may be winter but it's time to start training now for the annual Reverse Sprint Triathlon on June 5. This race consists of a 5K run, 20K bike ride and a 550M swim and is open to individuals, teams and Families. For more information call 706-545-4388.
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Thank you for taking the time to look through the Fort Benning E-Newsletter. We will continue to tell our Soldiers' great stories through this and other mediums. The Benning E-Newsletter will be sent out every Monday. Please support us by forwarding this email to a friend via the "forward email" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Fort Benning Public Affairs Office | |
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