Panthers welcome newest Rangers · Division performs a functions check on a MK19 grenade launcher ... weapons qualification range at Fort Bragg, N.C ... simulated hand grenades at

JANUARY 2016 EDITION

Capt. Timothy Tracy (pictured above with family), and 2nd Lt. Aaron Harkness (left) graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga., Jan. 22, 2015. Tracy , assigned to 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, and Harkness assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, are the Panther Brigade’s newest graduates. (Courtesy Photos)

Panthers welcome newest RangersPage 1 -Static Line- Page 2 -Static Line-January 2016

Panthers train to become expert infantrymen...............................................3-4

Panther Brigade hosts inagural event on Paratrooper resiliency.......................7

5-73 CAV is on target........................................................................................8

What’s Inside

Paratroopers work towards Excellence in Armor certifications.....................5-6

Parting Shots....................................................................................................9

Panthers recognized for excellence...................................................................2

Brig. Gen. Brian Winski and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Severino, the deputy commanding general and rear detachment command sergeant major of the 82nd Airborne Division, respectively, recognize Col. Curtis Buzzard and Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Gustafson, command team of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, and Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Tuttle, the 3rd BCT senior career counselor, for retention excellence during the 82nd Abn. Div. Commanding General’s Annual Retention Awards Ceremony at the Hall of Heroes on Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 26, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Panther Brigade recognized for retention excellence

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Paratroopers train to become expert infantrymEn

Last September the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division returned to Fort Bragg after a nine-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation

Inherent Resolve. The brigade concluded reintegration and block leave during the holiday season. A new year has begun and so has the collective training process for more than 800 infantry Paratroopers assigned to 3rd BCT. Launching the brigade’s fresh training cycle, Paratroopers participated in a training event from Jan. 19-29, 2016, cover-ing infantry tasks and drills in preparation to test to earn the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge. “This skill-level-one training is the building [block] for younger Soldiers and even experienced leaders; it all begins here with individual training and testing,” said Sgt. Maj. Walter Embich, operations sergeant major for 3rd BCT. At the training site, freezing daytime temperatures streamed through the massive instruction area surround-ed by sparse foliage. Paratroopers could be heard reciting individual performance steps over simulated explosions and gunfire. Paratroopers completed more than 90 hours of instruc-tion, coaching and mentorship at the site, which consisted of more than 30 individual training stations. Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Rhodes, an EIB grader assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infan-try Regiment, said the candidates were at the site each day

working hard on their performance steps for weapons, range cards and first aid. He said the candidates not only practiced the crucial steps to complete tasks, but did so within an enforced time standard as well. “They all know the [tasks] pretty well,” said Rhodes. “The added stress are the time limitations emplaced on them but, during the last two weeks, I’ve noticed a big increase in con-fidence and performance.” The EIB testing event can have an impact on more than just those that are working to become expert infantrymen. “It’s not only important to those trying to earn the EIB, but it’s also effective [for] the senior leaders and graders,” said Embich. “They are reminded and trained as well, en-forcing the standard [and] promoting leadership.” The training will culminate with an award ceremony Feb. 5, following a week of testing. The Paratroopers will execute a multitude of pass or fail and graded events evaluated through the completion of three situational training exercises. The Army physical fitness test, land navigation course, and a 12-mile forced foot march will round out the testing week. Successful Paratroopers will be awarded and receive the coveted EIB. “Regardless, this training is setting the foundation for future training into the year,” said Embich. “It will transi-tion into the team-squad events and eventually JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) in the fall.”

BY SGT. ANTHONY HEWITT3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division sharpen their skills for two weeks in preparation for testing to earn the Ex-pert Infantryman Badge at Fort Bragg, N.C. Testing begins Feb. 1. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt)

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BELOW: Staff Sgt. Everett J. Enshine, a Paratrooper assigned to Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd

Airborne Division instructs a Paratrooper on .50-caliber machine gun operation during Excellence in Armor training at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 29, 2015. Para-

troopers will begin testing Feb. 1 for an opportunity to be certified as an expert in their field. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger/Released)

Excellence in Armor

BELOW: Pfc. Eric P. Kussler, a Paratrooper assigned to Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division performs a functions check on a MK19 grenade launcher during Ex-cellence in Armor training at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 29, 2015. Paratroopers will begin testing Feb. 1 for an opportunity to be certified as an expert in their field. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger/Released)

BELOW: Pvt. Nicholas M. Pipes, a Paratrooper assigned to Alpha Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division inserts a bolt into the M240B machine gun during Excellence in Armor training at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 29, 2016. Para-troopers will begin testing Feb. 1 for an opportunity to be certified as an expert in their field. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger/Released

BELOW: Staff Sgt. David D. Huebschman, a Paratrooper assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st

Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Com-bat Team, 82nd Airborne Division assists a Paratrooper with

plotting a notional enemy position on a map during Excel-lence in Armor training at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 29, 2015. Paratroopers will begin testing Feb. 1 for an opportunity to be certified as an expert in their field. (U.S. Army photo by

Staff Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger/Released)

Pvt. Omar Pedraza, a Paratrooper assigned to Alpha Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Bri-gade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division carries a notional casualty during Excellence in Armor training at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 29, 2015. Paratroopers will begin testing Feb. 1 for an opportunity to be certified as an expert in their field. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger/Released)

Pvt. Omar Pedraza, a Paratrooper assigned to Alpha Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Bri-gade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division carries a notional casualty during Excellence in Armor training at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 29, 2015. Paratroopers will begin testing Feb. 1 for an opportunity to be certified as an expert in their field. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger/Released)

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New Year’s resolutions can vary; goals can be set, some of which are filled with optimism, a new outlook and hope for a better life. The 3rd Brigade

Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division helped set that tone for more than 80 Paratroopers by hosting a resilience event at the Pope Family Readiness Center, Jan. 8-11. The brigade’s Comprehensive Soldier Family and Fitness program managers were the first in the 82nd Abn. Div. to put together an event bringing together life-wellness edu-cators from around the installation and to provide master resilience training. “We brought in all these subject matter experts in order to enhance and highlight the many programs [Fort Bragg] has to offer,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Heyward, the master resilience trainer for 3rd BCT. The MRT and CSF2 programs shows Soldiers how to create life skills that can be used to enhance five different strength areas: physical, emotional, spiritual, social and family.

Classes provided to the Paratroopers included healthy sleep habits, nutrition, Army Community Service, safety and behavioral health. “We understand that people have different strengths and weaknesses,” says Heyward. “That’s why I’m highly confi-dent that each Paratrooper will take at least one thing away from this agenda, whether it’s for them or tools they can use as a leader.” The CSF2 has three main components that leaders can use: online self-development, training, and metrics and evaluation. “This rodeo has helped me identify—as a junior leader—the resources we can use or recommend,” said Spc. Ruis Ramirez, a Para-trooper assigned to Delta Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT. “This training is great for the younger Paratroopers, because some may be unaware of the help or tools that [are] available for them.” The program—as a whole—continues to be designed in order to build strong Soldiers and families. “We would like to expand the training and reach out to the spous-es,” says Heyward. “The training can be tailored to them and that’s where we see this program going in the future.”

BY SGT. ANTHONY HEWITT3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM PUBLIC AFFAIRS

panther brigade hosts inagural event on paratrooper resiliency

Staff Sgt. David Bazzle, a Paratrooper, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, teaches a class in resilience techniques during the inaugural “Panther Resilience Rodeo” at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 8, 2016. The event brought together life-wellness educators from around the installation to train Soldiers in physical, emotional, spiritual, social and family strength. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Paratroopers assigned to Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division qualify with .50-caliber machine guns during a troop weapons qualification range at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 13, 2016.

cav on target

photos bysgt. anthony hewitt

http://www.facebook.com/panther.brigadehttp://www.youtube.com/c/PantherBrigade

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Calendar ofEventsFEBRUARY

5PAY DAY ACTIVITIES

12-15PRESIDENT’S DAY HOLIDAY

Part

ing

Shot

s: 30

7th

BEB

hand

gre

nade

rang

e

MARCH

4PAY DAY ACTIVITIES

25-27EASTER HOLIDAY

Paratroopers assigned to Charlie Company, 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division toss simulated hand grenades at a range on Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 14. 2016. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt)

APRIL

1PAY DAY ACTIVITIES

22-24CORPS TRAINING HOLIDAY

Deputy CommanderLt. Col. J.C. White

Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Daniel Gustafson

Public Affairs OfficerCapt. John Moore

Broadcast NCOSgt. David Blocker

Public Affairs NCOSgt. Anthony Hewitt

Brigade CommanderCol. Curtis Buzzard

Public Affairs NCOICStaff Sgt. Mary Katzenberger

3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION

“H-MINUS!”