Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
25, 2010
Jeremy Stickland, facility property manager, Lt. Col. Patrick Stevenson, 2nd STB commander, and Col. John
Kolasheski, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. commander, cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new motor pool for 2nd STB.
2nd STB opens motor pool
Story by Spc. April York
2nd BCT 4th Inf. Div. PAO
The 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd with 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, BCT, 4th Inf. Div. The new motor pool will
conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 2 to improve the mission by 200 percent, said
open their new motor pool.
Commander’s Column
Col. John Kolasheski, commander
2nd BCT 4th Inf. Div.
(U.S. Army Photo by Spc. April York)
Since the battalion’s return from Iraq in
August, they have been sharing a motor pool
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jose Yanez, battalion
shift its focus to training and
recertification for full spectrum
operations in any environment.
Over the last two months,
This phase will require continued
as this brigade has focused its
focus and discipline and will
efforts on reintegrating Soldiers
challenge Soldiers and leaders
into the community and resetting
alike.
its equipment, I have seen a
During upcoming months, we
tremendous amount of hard
will train Soldiers on individual
work, pride and discipline among
and collective tasks, qualify all
Soldiers and leaders. The brigade
crews, teams, squads and platoons
should be proud of its efforts, as
on live fire ranges, and certify
these tasks lay the foundation for
staffs and leaders for collective
what lays ahead in the coming
training events.
months.
In conducting this training,
As the brigade nears the
we must make opportunities to
end of its reset phase, it must
develop our young Soldiers and
Issue 1 Feb.
maintenance technician, 2nd STB.
“Our own motor pool greatly enhances
our maintenance capabilities and enhances
battalion readiness,” he said.
Sharing resources was very limiting because
there were only two to three bays available to
get work done, said Staff Sgt. James Braden,
battalion motor sergeant, 2nd STB.
From Braden’s perspective, mechanics will
now be able to achieve 100 percent of their
mission due to adequate supplies and space,
which will allow them to compete for the
Army Award for Maintenance Excellence.
“It’s something they are gunning for,” he
said.
According to Yanez, the new motor pool
is equipped with a small engine repair shop,
small electronics shop, a radio shop, and two
classrooms that can be used by the entire
battalion. He said the mechanics will now
have the ability to service up to eight vehicles
at a time.
“There are heated floors and electric oil
fillers,” said Sgt. Dennis Hines Jr., senior
mechanic, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 2nd STB. “It’s great. It makes a lot
of us want to stay in this battalion just because
of this building.”
“The guys that are going to be working
here feel really great and really proud,” Yanez
said. “We finally have a home to call our
own.”
leaders at the most junior
levels. The success of our future
missions lies largely on their
skills and abilities. Ultimately,
these young Warhorse Soldiers
will be charged with carrying
on the Army’s future missions.
They deserve our utmost
attention and focused, caring
leadership.
And, as we roll up our sleeves
and get down to the business
of preparing this brigade
for combat operations, we
cannot lose sight of nurturing
our Families. Families play
continued on page 2
page 2
Operation Rising Star
Lisa Pratt records a three song CD at DMI Music’s Firehouse Recording Studio in Pasadena, Calif. Feb 1.
Her husband Capt. Matt Pratt, S1 (personnel officer), 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, watched the recording from outside the booth. She earned this
privilege by winning Operation Rising Star 2009, the Army’s version of American Idol. Capt. Pratt said
this was the their best Family experience since they said ‘I do,” and he redeployed from the Middle East.
The couple also met Jay Leno and attended the taping of his show.
Drunk driving
awareness
Story by 1st Lt. Colin O’Toole
1st Bn. 67th Armor Reg.
The Directorate for Emergency Services and
1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment teamed up
to execute a ‘Beer Goggles’ driving day in their
battalion motor pool Thursday, Feb 11.
The Soldiers attended, by company, to see
what it is like to drive golf carts, walk, and play
catch with impaired vision, distorted balance,
and diminished depth perception.
The three activities were setup in a central-
ized location, free of obstacles and traffic, in
the motorpool and allowed Soldiers to negoti-
ate cones on a driving course, walk and run on
a straight line, and try to catch a bean-bag.
The goggles resemble SCUBA goggles but
offer different levels of impairment: low, mod-
erate, high and fatal.
Spc. Mance, Delta Company, 1st Bn. 67th
Armor Reg., said “this event is fun and I think
it’ll keep some guys from doing dumb stuff
while they’re drunk. I’d like to do it again
sometime.”
After he completed the driving course he ro-
tated through the other activities and got to see
Warhorse Pride
(Photo by Tim Hipps, FMWRC Public Affairs )
(Photo by 1st Lt. Colin O’Toole)
1st. Lt. Ashley Russell, Forward Support Company, 1st
Bn., 67th Armor Reg. , attempts to walk the line wear-
ing “beer goggles” as her company commander Capt.
Ryan Hill and 1st Sgt. Donald Crawford look on.
how hard it is to walk or run along one of the
concrete seams for even as little as fifteen feet.
The Soldiers of 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg.,
the Death Dealers, had a fun but educational
day learning of the hazards that impaired
senses bring. They got a feel for how even the
simplest of tasks, like walking or catching, can
be almost impossible to complete without full
coherence. For more information call 719-526-1867 or
All this and they won’t even wake up with a visit www.mwrfortcarson.com
hangover.
Need to get you and your car home safe?
(719) 650-3450
www.noduicosprings.com
Issue 1 Feb. 25, 2010
continued from page 1
an essential role in preparing Soldiers
for their mission both mentally and
spiritually. Without their unconditional
love and support, the brigade could never
achieve its mission.
Families must be kept fully informed
not only of what the brigade is doing,
but also of all the great opportunities
and resources within the community
designed to provide them the support
they deserve. Families are an equal part
of this Warhorse team, and we must not
forget just how critical they are to our
mission.
The next several months will be
demanding for the entire brigade;
however, I am confident that if we focus
on discipline, maintaining standards and
teamwork, we will be able to conduct and
sustain operations in any environment.
The Warhorse team, driven by the
Warrior Ethos and the desire to put
Soldiers and Families first, will continue
to lead from the front and be one of the
premier brigade combat teams in the
Army.
Dominoes Tournament at Alternate Escapes
Feb. 25 - April 1
Come and dust off your skills or learn to
play dominoes! Compete weekly for prizes in
the tournament, Feb. 25 - April 1. The team
with the highest overall score based on the
scores from the best six weeks will be each
awarded prizes.
As a grand prize, the team that has the
highest overall score of all participating gar-
risons will receive an invitation to compete in
the World Domino Tournament in Las Vegas,
Nevada in May. This is an all expense paid trip,
including airfare, hotel, ground transportation,
and meals.
page 3
2nd STB assists
youth wrestling
Story By Capt. Keith Angstman
2nd Special Troops Battalion
Soldiers from 2nd Special Troops Battalion
volunteered their time to the Pikes Peak
Wrestling League as referees during a Dan
Gable Pee-Wee/Junior wrestling tournament
for nearly 300 children ages 6-14 at the
Colorado Springs James Irwin High School
Saturday, Jan. 30.
The 2nd STB commander, Lt. Col. Patrick
Stevenson, whose four children wrestle for
the Fountain-Fort Carson school district,
organized the Soldiers’ participation to
support local wrestling. Stevenson has been
active in both the school district and its
wrestling program since moving to Colorado
Springs in July 2009.
Four 2nd STB Soldiers, along with
Stevenson, assisted the league with refereeing:
Capt. Phil Hardwick from North Carolina,
Sgt. Toddrick Murry, from Indiana, Spc.
Charles Feliciano from Connecticut, and
1st Sqdn. 10th Cav. Reg. provides OPFOR for 1st BCT training
Story by Sgt. Jonathan Builteman
1st Squadron, 10th Calvary Regiment
The Soldiers of Alpha “Apache” Troop, 1st
Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, provided
oppositional force support for 7th Squadron,
10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division during their
platoon lanes Feb. 4-6, in preparation for
their deployment to Afghanistan in July.
Each platoon provided realistic scenarios
for 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., platoons as they
negotiated their respective lane. 1st Platoon
conducted urban OPFOR operations, 2nd
Platoon conducted a joint patrolling OPFOR
mission, and the Headquarters/Mortars
Platoon conducted an 8-10km dismounted
patrolling OPFOR mission.
2nd BCT Retention
One of the primary functions of the BN Career
Counselors is retention, but many Soldiers
fail to realize that we are available to provide
career guidance in different ways. If you are
interested in special assignments, special duty
(Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, etc) or just wish to
go over your career map, contact your Career
Counselor. units undergoing changes in leadership.
Senior Career Counselor for 2nd BCT FRSA for 2nd BCT
Master Sgt. Jorge Garcia 719-503-2013 Ms. Taybar Hollingshead
Warhorse Pride
Pfc. Brad Bellas with 2nd Special Troops Battalion referees for youth wrestling at James Irwin High School Jan 30
Pfc. Brad Bellas from Ohio. The four Soldiers
began their day at 8 a.m. and refereed until
4 p.m., overseeing more than one hundred
matches each.
Three of the Soldiers, Murry, Feliciano, and
Bellas, also volunteer three days a week for the
Fountain-Fort Carson Youth Wrestling Club,
coaching the same children that participated
in the tournament.
Murry said that the six hours a week he
spends coaching the children are rewarding
Apache Troopers engaged the platoons of
7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. with near and far
ambushes, sniper fire and indirect fire, while
also conducting key leader engagements
and information operations to provide the
7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. platoons with
operational intelligence and simulate more
realistic training.
Each day the Apache Platoons conducted
eight total iterations on each lane – six during
the day and two each night. Each lane allowed
every 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg platoon three
opportunities to execute their missions during
day light hours and one chance to execute
under the cover of night.
Each time the Apache Troop OPFOR would
vary their strategies and positioning in order
What is FRSA?
The Family Readiness Support Assistant serves
as a bridge between a commander and the
Family Readiness Groups in that command.
FRSAs provide administrative assistance, in-
formation, referrals, and follow-up in support
of all Family programs and activities. They also
serve as a source of continuity and stability for
719-503-2018
Issue 1 Feb. 25, 2010
(Photo by Capt. Keith Angstman)
because he gets to train them just like he gets
to train his Soldiers, and it’s made even more
rewarding because he gets to train them in a
sport he loves.
The 2nd STB Soldiers plan on continuing
to volunteer their time to both coaching and
refereeing throughout this wrestling season.
The most recent tournament these Soldiers
participated in was the Fountain-Fort Carson
Wrestling Team tournament Feb. 20.
to keep the friendly forces on guard.
Spirits were high on both sides as the
training reached its end. This tasking marked
the first field exercise since Apache Troop
returned from its deployment in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom in Aug. 09, and
brought the Buffalo Soldiers of 7th Sqdn., 10th
Cav. Reg. one step closer to being prepared
to face the demands of the battlefield in
Afghanistan.
‘Thunderwear’
(Photo by 2nd Lt. Ian Faison)
Spc. Gerime Williams, Headquarters and Head-
quarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artil-
lery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, places an order for a T-shirt
and hat at the 3rd Bn.,16th FA Reg. Headquar-
ters. The unit sponsored line of apparel and
accessories, “Thunderwear”, can be purchased
via order forms located at the battalion staff
duty desk. Proceeds of Thunderwear go to the
battery Family Readiness Groups, supporting
events for Soldiers and their Families.
page 4 Warhorse Pride Issue 1 Feb. 25, 2010

204th ‘Rough Riders’ hold town hall meeting

Story By Capt. Timothy Bushnell discussing how they are designed to help
204th Brigade Support Battalion Families stay in contact, share photos, and
The 204th Brigade Support Battalion create discussion forums.
conducted its first Soldier and Family town The meeting concluded with a question and
hall meeting at the McMahon Theatre Feb answer session. Families and Soldiers asked
10. Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis and Command questions regarding many topics including
Sgt. Maj. Scott Dugan spearheaded the event, barracks issues, stop movement, and the
which addressed not only the commander’s command team’s views on honoring Family
vision for the future of the battalion, but also time for Soldiers. For those who didn’t wish
for its Family Readiness Groups. to ask their questions directly, the battalion
He envisions “a Rough Rider FRG that Family Readiness Support Assistant, Tracey
enables Families to prepare, train, and Heber, collected question cards and presented
resource themselves to be ‘Family Strong’ for them directly to Bertulis.
any future operation.” Overall the event was a great forum for
To emphasize the efforts the battalion is the command team to get to know more of
(Photo by Capt. Timothy Bushnell)
making to reach out to Families, Bertulis the Rough Rider Families and establish more
Lt. Col. Todd Bertullis addresses Rough Rider Soldiers
and Families at the 204th Brigade Support Battalion’s explained the battalion’s social networking open communications amongst all members
first Soldier and Family town hall meeting Feb. 10. capabilities on Facebook and Twitter, of the battalion.

Chaplain’s Corner : total well-being Safe driving tips

While there are multiple dimensions of one’s spirituality, as well as their physical, •Don’t feel unstoppable if driving a four-
wellness, spirituality is the one that is the most social, and emotional conditioning and wheel drive vehicle. Often four-wheel drive
controversial and misunderstood, therefore development. owners embrace a false sense of bravado when
often neglected. It is a package deal. If one is out of balance, driving in snow, and ultimately end up on the
The reason for this is that people often then the entire system is out of equilibrium. side of the road in a three-foot snowbank.
confuse spirituality with religion. Where there is a lack of balance there is a lack •Be aware of ice when driving over bridges,
Spirituality is a broad concept and only a of well-being. Where there is balance there even when the approaching road is dry. Unlike
part of total wellness. Religion is the formal is a sense of well-being. And where there is roads that are insulated by the ground, bridges
practice of one’s spirituality, usually within an optimal balance there is Total Well-being or a have no natural insulation. Consequently, ice
organized community. High Level of Wellness. perpetuates on overpass surfaces.
People may cultivate their spirituality I would like to invite and encourage you •Be extra careful during the first minutes of
in many ways, by helping others, learning, to take stock of your state of wellness and rain. This is when the road’s the most slippery
creating music or art, through meditation consider what part spirituality has to play in and other drivers are still speeding.
or prayer, ect. ; all of which leads a person to your present state of wellness. •Be extra aware around construction zones
become a better human being. Could you use some encouragement and accident sites; all the lookie-loos are likely
Spirituality refers to a person’s value system and growth in spirituality? If so, seek out to get into an accident of their own.
(ethics, moral compass, and character), their some opportunity to serve others or attend •Don’t drive when tired, studies have
search for meaning and purpose in life, a spiritual gathering or maybe even stop by found driving while tired is just as dangerous
spiritual and religious beliefs and experiences Veteran’s Chapel or your unit Chaplain’s office as driving while drunk.
as well as meaningful “connectedness” with for a visit. •Use caution around cross walks. Unless
others. Blessings you have eye contact with the pedestrian
Wellness involves an integration of all the CH (MAJ) Ricky Way assume they are not paying attention.
dimensions of human functioning, to include 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Chaplain 2nd BCT Safety Officer Ed Keeser

Warhorse
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team
interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Public Affairs Office.
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles,
Pride Warhorse Pride is an Army-funded newsletter commentary, and photos from readers. The
authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit
Col. John Kolasheski.......................2nd BCT Commander Contents of The Warhorse Pride are submissions selected for the publication.
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Barteau.....2nd BCT CSM not necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by Submissions should be emailed to the
2nd Lt. Philip Axt............................................................Editor the, U.S. government, Department of Defense, editor: philip.axt@us.army.mil
Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry
Staff Writers
Spc. Seth Barham Division. All editorial content of The War-
Spc. April York horse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and