The

iking

217th Military Police Company

SURPRISE!
Being deployed
comes with a lot of
ups and downs. Many
Soldiers struggle daily
with having to be
separated from their
families and friends.
As battle buddies we
are trained to look out
for each others wellbeing and help each
other with whatever is
needed. So when SPC
Brianna Smith 22 nd
birthday came around
nothing was different.
A couple of SPC
Smiths close friends,

SPC Murry and SPC

Alexander, got
together and planned
an entire day for her
without her knowing a
thing about it. She was
treated to breakfast that
morning followed by a
well-deserved manicure
and pedicure. By this
point SPC Smith was
very much pleased with
those simple gestures,
but she had no idea
what else was planned
in her honor. Later that
night SPC Smith was
escorted to her surprise
party with all of her

Soldier of the Month

This month we are
recognizing SPC Eric
Bagwell for his
outstanding
performance. As an
acting team SPC
Bagwell has went
above and beyond his
normal duties on many
occasions. For his
performance during
two surge missions
that included
inspecting numerous
amount of equipment
he was awarded the

Army Achievement
Medal by the Battalion
Commander. He
maintains one of the
highest physical fitness
scores and is a
motivation to his fellow
soldiers. He currently
plans on contracting
with the ROTC on his
return from deployment
in preparation to
become an Army
Officer and to continue
his college education at
the University of
Alabama

September 2 0 1 5
I ssu e 4

battle buddies in
attendance. SPC Smith
was so shocked and
elated about the
surprise. She stated
that no one has ever
thrown her a surprise
party and it was one of
the best birthdays she
has ever had. It must
be a good feeling to
know you have great
friends willing to go the
extra mile to make sure
you enjoy your birthday.

Inside this issue:

SURPRISE!

Soldier of the Month

Shadow of Expression 2
Sporting Events

Soldiers Involved

Commanding Corner 4

Shadows of Expressions
If you are a writer, a poet, or even
a singer the USOs Open Mic Night
is a place that you as a soldier
based in Kuwait can express your
artist views. Standing in front of
blinding light that cast their
shadows on the blank white wall
and tons of their fellow soldiers the
performers make jokes, sing songs
and speak truth in their own
different ways. This gives troops a
place to relax and laugh. For one
of the 217ths very own, SPC
Deneshia Adams its poetry that
she uses to share and words, they
echo her deep feelings and show
us that language can capture and
reflect very deep emotions. That
language is designed to expand
and sharpen so that we can better
express ourselves. However you
think of art or entertainment the
USOs open mic night brings a lot
of joy and some well needed away
time.

Sporting Events

Soldiers Involved

SPC Bibb and SPC Dinkins are active members of the Camp Arifjan Gospel Choir.

LTC Klauman speaking to Soldiers

in Iraq.

SPC Smith opening gifts at her

surprise party.

LTC Klauman donning SPC

Dawkins combat patch.

SPC Adams reciting her poem at

Camp Afrijans Open Mic Night

LTC Klauman donning SSG

Dasingers combat patch.

SPC Murry being promoted by

CPT Slaten.

Commanding Corner

We are in September and we are almost half way. Im very proud of each of these young men and
women here and they bring great credit to the 217 Military Police. They have grown to be very
professional at their jobs and as a person. You as the family should be very proud of your Soldier.
They have worked long hours to complete their jobs here in country. They have made mine and the
CPTs job very successful and the Battalion and Brigade talk non-stop on how well these Soldiers
work as a team. We also have had many Soldiers complete Warrior Leadership Course that will
bring them success in the future. There are so many other courses that have been completed since
we have been here. When we come home I will miss each and every one of them as they move
forward in their careers.

Sincerely,
James E. Berry
First Sergeant, US Army
Commanding