CHARLIE ROCK WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CHARLIE ROCK WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Charlie Battery, 1-79 Field Artillery Class 511-10, 14 Aug 2, Week 1

Dear Family Members and Friends,

This is the first of Charlie Battery’s weekly newsletters. The intent is to keep you informed as to the training that Charlie Battery has conducted, so each of you can have a better understanding of the experiences and challenges facing these Soldiers. I hope you find these newsletters helpful and informative.

Charlie Battery is at the end of its first week of training. The Soldiers have been exposed to the Army culture in many ways already. From early morning wake-ups for physical training to classes on Army Values, every day brings closer the transformation from civilian to soldier. They have learned military customs and courtesies, how to march through drill and ceremony, and how to properly wear their military uniforms. Soldiers have also begun weapons immersion training which started when they were given their rifle on their third day. The Soldiers will carry their rifles everywhere they go; they will train with it, march with it, and sleep with it. This is designed to ensure that all Soldiers are comfortable and confident handling weapons by the time they leave Basic Training.

In addition to learning the Army culture, Charlie Battery conducted training exercises designed to provide them with knowledge as well as test their physical and leadership abilities. They have completed their first full week of physical training and I am sure that some of you have already heard about sore muscles and fatigue. They completed the Team Development Course designed to build teamwork among the Soldiers. They also learned how to cross rope bridges and how to rappel down a 40 foot tower.

The Soldiers then learned how to operate their equipment in an environment under chemical, nuclear, or biological attack. They learned to operate their gas masks and don their protective suits. After learning how to use the equipment they were tested in their ability to perform Soldier tasks while wearing their protective gear. The training ended with every Soldier going through the gas chamber while wearing their equipment. While inside Soldiers had to remove their masks exposing them to CS gas, the same gas used in riot control. This forces Soldiers to confront their fears and trains them to be able to don their mask while under attack.

The Soldiers in Charlie Battery have been busy this first week and the training scheduled will continue to keep them that way. We try to make time on the weekends for them to contact you, but please understand that this is not always possible. I cannot begin to tell you how encouraging it is for Soldiers to receive letters and support from home. I encourage each one of you to write to your Soldier here. Please send letters, but do not send packages, food, magazines, or other contraband items. Letters can be sent to the following address: (Line 1) Soldiers’ Name, (Line 2) Charlie Battery, 1-79 FA, PLT #___, (Line 3) 5960 NE Rothwell St, (Line 4) Fort Sill, OK 73503 .

I will continue to keep you up to date on Charlie Battery’s training using this format. If there is anyone else you know who would like to receive these newsletters please send me their email address and I will add them to the list.

Sincerely,

Brett KetchumCPT, FACommanding

Charlie Btry, 1st BN, 79th Field Artillery Email: [email protected] Phone: 580-442-1358

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Team Development Course

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