Hot Topics

The traffic flow around Faith Middle School will change Tuesday to provide safer movement of children. Ingersoll Street in front of Faith Middle School will be blocked as well as the traffic loop in front of the school. The parking lot that runs parallel to Ingersoll will be limited to one entrance/exit to prevent people from driving through the parking lot in an effort to avoid the Ingersoll detour.

Starting Tuesday, student drop off and pick up will occur on the south side of the building. The south parking lot has been transformed into a one way drop off/pick up loop. Students who are dropped off in the morning will then go into the cafeteria - the door nearest the cafeteria will be open to them. There are no changes for bus riders.   

The U.S. Controlled Substance was updated today to include Synthetic Cannabinoids

commonly known as "Spice". Fort Benning Garrison has a CG Policy prohibiting the use of Spice which previously made it a policy violation for Soldiers to posses or use it. This change effectively makes it illegal for Soldiers and civilians. For more visit:

From the Top

Last week I attended the Association of the United States Army Winter Symposium that brought together Army and industry leaders.  

The symposium highlighted efforts that have been made toward transforming the Army while supporting our Soldiers in current operations.  

This forum provided an opportunity to share some of the excellent efforts here at Fort Benning to support a transforming Army. Our Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate is playing a key role in this transformation - identifying and refining the requirements for the individual Soldier and maneuver force.   

I believe, the Tactical Small Unit will continue to be a decisive factor in the complex environments the Army face's today and in the future. A major emphasis at the MCoE is to sync our mounted and dismounted with situational awareness, a common operating picture and linked network capability.  

That is just one of the many reasons it makes perfect sense for Infantry and Armor to be together at Fort Benning. Together we will work toward identifying what our Soldiers need to achieve mission success today and for future generations. 

One Force, One Fight!

Robert B. Brown

Major General, U.S. Army

Commanding General

"Ask A Ranger" featured conversation reaches more than 300,000 post views

Last week Fort Benning hosted the first in a series of featured conversation, "Ask a Ranger" where our Fort Benning Facebook fan's had the opportunity to get information straight from the source--U.S. Army Ranger School Instructors. The event brought in almost 500 new fans.  

As a result, we'll bring you more of a good thing, by hosting more featured conversations from the organizations that provide the BEST training the Army has to offer, right here at the Maneuver Center of Excellence.  

Interested in learning more about our we train the Nation's finest?  Stay posted as we host the next featured conversation, "Ask a Black Hat", where we will host a forum with an Airborne Instructor from the U.S. Army Airborne School, get ready to go AIRBORNE!  

In addition, based on incredible results we will host another "Ask a Ranger" conversation in the upcoming weeks. Visit our Facebook fan page for details:  www.facebook.com/fortbenningfans    

Join in the conversation!

Watch the latest edition of the award-winning  

The Benning Report     

926th Redeployment, CG first 100 day, Expert Infantryman Badge at Kelley Hill, Prescribed Burns Army Emergency Relief Kick-off,� Making of a Soldier: Day one, Reception, Faces of BRAC: Bradley,� Developing Your Child, Auto Skills Center, Rugby players from Fort Benning play in tournament

Click on the image to check out the video! 

Watch other MCoE and Fort Benning Videos at our Vimeo page!  www.vimeo.com/fortbenningtv

News 

Prescribed burns under way on Post

The Environmental Management Division's Land Management Branch is fighting fire with fire - literally.

The Directorate of Public Works agency has ignited its annual round of prescribed burns in post training areas.  

They're needed to maintain longleaf pine forests, control vegetation in the understory and reduce fuel sources for potentially catastrophic wildfires, said Land Management Branch chief James Parker.  

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Veteran overcame obstacles throughout career

 

 

Vickie Dikes climbed the ranks to command sergeant major during her 28-year Soldier career. Outside the Army, she's still knocking down obstacles.  

 

Last summer, Dikes became just the second female commander of Samuel G. Cooke American Legion Post 267 in Columbus, the largest in Georgia with 2,327 members, including 120 who are Paid Up For Life. She supervises the post's officers, carries out programs and manages the organization's funds.

 

The Thomaston, Ga., native joined the post in 1995 and occupied various leadership positions along the way. She was elected to a one-year term in July but is eligible to run three more times.

 

"I realized that as commander I could fix some things that I didn't like and I could make a difference," she said. 

 

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First female combatives instructor hits Benning

Remember what your mother taught you about hitting girls? Combatives instructor Spc. Teddra Rodriguez wants you to try, but you better be prepared to defend yourself.  

Rodriguez is the first female instructor at Fort Benning's Army Combatives School. At 5-foot-7 and 135 pounds, Rodriguez is used to being underestimated on the mats. Though shorter and lighter than most of her male students, Rodriguez said the differences are more of an advantage than disadvantage.

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The Army is running pilot programs now to see how smartphone technology can be used in the force to enhance both training and operational needs.

TRADOC revises Army Physical Fitness Test

FORT MONROE, Va., Feb. 28, 2011 - Soldiers will be better prepared if they train how they would fight. This innovative physical readiness training philosophy, implemented by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, has driven the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School to revise not only how the Army conducts physical training, but also how it will evaluate a Soldier's physical capability.

WHY CHANGE?

Since 1980, the U.S. Army has assessed physical aptitude through the Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT. Commonly known as the "PT Test," Soldiers are required to complete three events: two-minutes of push-ups, two-minutes of sit-ups, and a two-mile run.

"Today's PT test does not adequately measure components of strength, endurance, or mobility. The events have a low correlation to the performance of warrior tasks and battle drills and are not strong predictors of successful physical performance on the battlefield or in full spectrum operations," said Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, TRADOC's deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training, who holds a master's degree in exercise physiology.

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Buckles, last World War I veteran dies at 110

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 28, 2011) - America's last known World War I veteran, Cpl. Frank Buckles, died Sunday at the age of 110. 

Buckles died of natural causes at his home in Charles Town, W.Va., according to a family spokesman who added funeral arrangements would be announced later this week. Buckles enlisted at the age of 16 by reportedly convincing an Army captain that he was older. 

He was the last living American doughboy to have served in France during World War I and the last of 4.7 million U.S. troops who signed up to fight the Kaiser 94 years ago. 

Buckles later spent three years as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II after being captured in the Pacific while serving as a U.S. contractor. 

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The Army is running pilot programs now to see how smartphone technology can be used in the force to enhance both training and operational needs.

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Forces detain militants, find weapons caches 

Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, rush to the door of a high-value target's residence outside Parwai, Afghanistan, during the early morning hours Feb. 19, as part of Operation Brass Monkey. Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Matson, Task Force Red Bulls Public Affairs Office.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 - Afghan and coalition troops detained three insurgents, including a Taliban weapons trafficker, yesterday in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

Security forces detained two militants in Paktiya province's Zurmat district after they were found with five anti-personnel mines, six hand grenades and automatic machine gun ammunition.

In Kandahar province's Kandahar district, troops captured the Taliban leader, who is responsible for coordinating attacks on security forces and facilitating suicide bombers with explosive devices.

Forces also found several weapons stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations resulted in seizure of 14 rocket-propelled grenades, eight homemade explosive devices, five hand grenades and more. 

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Capt. Garrett Gingrich (2nd from left), the commander of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, and a member of the Afghan National Security Forces, speak with Mehirulla Muslim (2nd from right), the Nurgaram district sub-governor, at the Nangaresh girls' school in the Nurgaram district of Nuristan, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2011. Gingrich represented Forward Operating Base Kalagush during a grand opening ceremony for a completed solar panel project. Photo credit Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard Simonsen.

Afghan forces expand, increase capabilities

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U.S. Army 1st Lt. Troy Peterson, right, assists his radio operator, Pfc. Justin Cobbs, across a ravine during a dismounted patrol near Combat Outpost Mizan in Mizan district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2010. Peterson and Cobbs are assigned to Company F, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. The soldiers spoke with residents to assess their needs and survey the security of the area. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon

The 2011 Best Ranger Competition is coming soon!  April 15-18

The three-day competition will challenge the two-man Ranger teams in events that will test their physical conditioning, Ranger skills and team strategies. The events are purposely scheduled back-to-back and around the clock from the start of the competition to the finish line.

Click on the image to check out the video! 

Watch other MCoE and Fort Benning Videos at our Vimeo page!  www.vimeo.com/fortbenningtv

Faces of BRAC

People behind-the-scenes shaping the MCoE

Sgt. 1^st Class Brian Hahner and Sgt. 1^st Class Robert Putzer worked together to set up the new Bradley Vehicle Maintenance Instruction Facility at Harmony Church for the Armor Branch Bradley Training Division. While Hahner remained stationed at Fort Knox prepping more than $200 Million worth of equipment for shipping to Fort Benning, Putzer received the loads as they arrived. After downloading and inventorying each load, Putzer put everything from books to vehicles where it was supposed to go. 

"We set the whole building up from top to bottom, left to right," Putzer said. "We had an idea of where everything should go, and once we got everything in here, we had to move it around a couple of times, but it's all good."

Putzer said it took about 60 to 70 days to prepare the facility for its first class held this past January.  The chief instructor was stationed at Fort Knox for six months prior to relocating to the Armor School under the Maneuver Center of Excellence.  An 18-year Army veteran, Putzer credits six deployments in the past 12 years in preparing him for his latest role.  

"In today's Army, it definitely helps a huge amount being able to ship and receive equipment repeatedly and knowing what needs to happen," Putzer said.  "For example, you have to drain some of the fuel from vehicles before you can ship them and you learn how to properly pack a box and label it so everybody knows what's inside of it."

As part of receiving the facility, Putzer conducted thorough inspections including an all day walk through to check the walls, ceilings, as well as every electrical outlet.  Putzer said the comprehensive inspections will continue every three months to ensure what he describes as an elegant facility stays in a high state of readiness.  "I love waking up and coming to work now," Putzer said. "It's a great experience to come into a new building with new equipment, training new soldiers. It's what every NCO wants to do."

Hahner is the head non-commissioned officer in charge of the Bradley Training Division, which includes the 91M Initial Entry Training and Advanced Leadership Course.  The 18-year Army veteran who had been deployed to Iraq and Bosnia serves as a senior instructor providing guidance to the other instructors who work for the division.  He also plays a double role as platoon sergeant for all the NCOs assigned as instructors. 

Hahner said in addition to his prior leadership roles overseas, he feels fortunate to have had the experienced civilian and contract personnel at Fort Knox available to help him through the moving process of his recent project.

"As far as the equipment, we were the tip of the spear coming down here for units especially for the 194th Armor Brigade," Hahner said. "The move was more like a regular family PCS move than it was a deployment type move just in the way that the contractor handled all the equipment and everything."

Hahner said about 45 military and civilian personnel relocated from the Fort Knox Bradley Training Division to Fort Benning and the division gained another ten people once here. Hahner said when he arrived at the instructional facility in January, everything was set up and ready to go.

"Sergeant Putzer was my forward guy and it was great having him down on this side," Hahner said.  "We stayed in constant communication using the cell phone, and we did not hesitate to call if one of us had a question, or didn't understand something or just wanted to check on something."  

Receiving more than $200 million worth of equipment across nearly 500 miles was a worthy accomplishment, Putzer said."You get a strong sense of camaraderie in the team work," Putzer said.  "It's like you're a part of history right here."

Both instructors agree, however, that the reward is in the teaching."To go home at the end of the day and watch these privates learn what you learned 18 years ago and being able to pass that on, it's like what every teacher has when they have a student not understanding something and by the end of the day you can watch them and you actually physically see the learning taking place within that individual," Hahner said.  "That's what our instructors experience in this building."

Monuments added to NIM's Walk of Honor  

Monuments to the Soldiers who served with the 80^th Infantry Division and the 29^th Infantry Division in World War II, initially constructed on Sacrifice Field near the old Infantry Museum, were moved to the National Infantry Museum's Walk of Honor during February.   

The memorials were commissioned by those units' associations and gifted to the Army.

The 29th Infantry Division (Blue and Gray), a formation of the Army National Guard was formed in 1917 and was deployed during World War I, World War II, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. The 80^th Infantry Division (Blue Ridge) was a formed in 1917 and fought during World War I, World War II, Desert Storm and Desert Shield.  

The Americal Division will hold a groundbreaking at their site on March 22.

The Walk of Honor is designed to provide a place for memorials to honor individual units and associations and provide a place to come and pay respects to those who have fallen. There are six horseshoe shaped walkways that branch off the main serpentine path. Along the way there are places for sixty monuments. About half of the planned spaces have been taken or reserved.

The new monuments join three others already in place along the walk.  The memorial to the 173D Airborne Brigade, which was dedicated last year, was the first to be built on the walk. It pays tribute to the 1,700 members of the brigade killed in combat in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. The 32nd Infantry Regiment Vietnam era Non Commissioned Officers Course and the 96th Infantry Division were also installed last year.   

The next to move or construct a monument are the 31st Infantry Division (Polar Bears) and the 199th Light Infantry Brigade (Redcatchers).

A new, 30-car parking lot has been constructed just south of the parade field, with access from Benning Boulevard. The lot offers parking for disabled people attending events at the stadium, and provides easy access to the Walk of Honor.

Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

Upcoming DFMWR events:

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Match your stamina, endurance with adventure 

Get your team together and get moving now! Teams of two and three will take to the trail at 9a.m. March 12 at Kings Pond for five hours of biking, rowing and running. This event if the first of the 2011 Fort Benning Outdoor Fitness Series, which includes the annual Mountain Bike Race and the Oktoberfest Cross Country 10K. Make this the year you conquer the Outdoor Fitness Series challenge! Visit http://www.benningmwr.com/documents/race.pdf for more information.

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More events:

Uchee Creek Fishing Tournaments

Uchee Creek hosts monthly fishing tournaments, open to the public, with cash prizes and boat rental discounts for active-duty Soldiers. The next tournament is March 19. For more info, go to benningmwr.com or call 706-685-3060 ext 200, 201 or 202.

Archery shoots

Uchee Creek will host competitive archery shoots, starting at 9am, the second Saturday of each month - March 12, April 9, May 14 and June 11. This event is open to the public. For more info, call 706-685-3060.

Starry Nights

MWR's Outdoor Recreation will host Starry Nights, an astronomical adventure, from 8-9:30 p.m. March 10 on the field at the intersection of Ingersoll and Brockman streets on Main Post. This is a free event and open to all ages. Telescopes will be provided by the Coca

Cola Space and Science Center. Astronomers will answer questions and assist with telescopes. For more info, call 706-545-9636.

Track and Field

Register your child, between 8 and 18 years old, for Track and Field by March 31 at CYSS Parent Central, Building 104 on Marchant Avenue. The cost is $25. For more info, call 706-545-2079.

Mardi Gras 

Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Benning Brew Pub. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 26. Includes an "in the spirit" costume contest, the crowning of a king and queen, limbo, free spicy jambalaya and drink specials. The Benning Brew Pub is located in Building 2784, Sightseeing Road, next to El Zapatas.

CG Golf Scramble 

Putt up or shut up! Test your game against the commanding general in the CG's Golf Scramble February 24 at the Fort Benning Golf Course. $30 in advance, $35 on game day. Call 706-687-1940.

King Pond Treasure Hunt 

Take the family on a treasure hunt! ODR will host geocaching at Kings Pond Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. We will provide the treasure and the GPS. This event is free.

Preschool Story Hour 

Sayers Library will host a Mardi Gras celebration during Preschool Story hour at 11a.m. March 8 and 9.  This event will include singing, dancing, beads and Mardi Gras masks! For more info, call 706-545-4911.

Developmental Baseball

Register your child for Developmental Baseball by March 11 at CYSS Parent Central, Building 104 on Marchant Avenue. The cost is $20. For more info, call 706-545-2079.

Kings Pond Campout

Mark your calendars with the spring Kings Pond campout schedule. Call 706-545-7978 to reserve your spot for the March 19, April 16 or May 21 campout, which will include boating, games, fireside stories and s'mores. This event is free and designed for all ages. Pets are welcome.

Movies Under the Stars

Warmer weather means Movies Under the Stars! Join us at 8:30 p.m. every Friday in April at Wetherby Field for a free family-friendly movie. Coolers and pets are welcome, but we'll supply the free popcorn.

Hit the trail!

The Fort Benning Mountain Bike Race will start at 9 a.m. April 9 at the Fitness Trail on Main Post. This is a rugged course, 6 to 10 miles long. Registration begins March 21 at Smith Fitness Center. The top three male and female finishers will receive awards. For more info, e-mail [email protected]

• You'll find the most up-to-the-minute information on our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/BenningFMWRfans.