416th encom associationencomassociation.info/newsletter_articles/2015 fall/416th... · 2015. 10....

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416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION

“past and present serving together for the future”

Volume 15, Number 2 — Fall, 2015

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE . . . REETINGS FELLOW ASSOCIATION MEMBERS. It’s been a busy year so far with your board active in

several endeavors. Much of our efforts were directed towards the completion and the unveiling of the Wall of

Honor at the Parkhurst USAR Center.

After over two years of planning, fund raising and pouring over details, the

Memorial was dedicated in May. In a very moving and solemn ceremony,

we were able to honor and pay tribute to our ENCOM soldiers who paid

the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Much thanks goes to the ENCOM Association and the TEC committees who

worked tirelessly to ensure that the memory of these fine soldiers is memorial-

ized for many years to come. If you haven’t been to the Parkhurst Center lately,

it will be well worth your time to visit the memorial in the main lobby of the

center.

Coming up, please mark your calendars for the Association’s Annual Fall Meet-

ing and dinner on November 7th

at the Argonne National Laboratory.

This year we will celebrate the 25th

anniversary of Operation Desert Shield and the subsequent Operation Desert Storm. When (then), Colonel Robert Flowers,

Commander of the 20th

Engineer Brigade deployed to theater, he immediately recognized the need for an Engineer Command to command and control engi-

neer operations at the theater level; hence the deployment of the 416th

Engineer

Command.

COL(R) JOHN A.P. GESSNER

PRESIDENT, 416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION

Many of you past and present members of the 416th

participated in the operation and this year’s event is one you will not

want to miss. Several of our veterans will be sharing their experiences as well as a time for you to share your memories.

Please do you part to get the message out as this promises to be a memorable event.

As this will be our bi-annual meeting, we will be installing our new Association Board. Larry Slavicek will pick up the

reins as the new Association President along with both new and veteran board members.

It has been my pleasure to serve these past two years as your Association President and I want to sincerely thank the

board for their support, their many hours and their dedication to further the goals of the organization and make this a first

class group to belong to.

Finally, I’d like to encourage you to renew your bi-annual membership or even apply for a life membership. In this way,

you can follow the Association and TEC’s activities, get involved and continue to network with your fellow soldiers and

families. In this, we can continue to serve and support those that have gone before us, served with us, and go after us.

Essayons,

COL(R) JOHN A.P. GESSNER

PRESIDENT, 416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION

416TH ENCOM ASSN., FALL, 2015 1

416th ENCOM ASSOCIATION

39th Chief of Staff of the Army From: Cheek, Gary H LTG USARMY HQDA DAS (US) Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2015 3:44 PM Subject: 39TH Chief of Staff of the Army Initial Message to the Army (UNCLASSIFIED)

Below and attached is the Initial message from the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army.

Initial Message to the Army

We have the most skilled, ethical, and combat hardened Army in our Nation's history. No

matter where we are around the world, America's Soldiers are displaying courage,

commitment and character. We are demonstrating unparalleled competence and agility.

And no matter the challenge, no matter how complex the environment,

or how dangerous the situation, our Soldiers fight and win.

I am honored to lead this remarkable team.

I have three priorities: #1. Readiness: (Current Fight) Our fundamental task is like no other - it is to win in the unforgiving crucible of ground combat. We must ensure the Army remains ready as the world's premier combat force. Readiness for ground combat is - and will remain - the U.S. Army's #1 priority. We will always be ready to fight today, and we will always prepare to fight tomorrow. Our most valued assets, indeed, the Nation's most valued assets, are our Soldiers and our solemn commitment must always be to never send them into harm's way untrained, poorly led, undermanned, or with less than the best equipment we can provide. Readiness is #1, and there is no other #1.

#2. Future Army: (Future Fight) We will do what it takes to build an agile, adaptive Army of the future. We need to listen and learn - first from the Army itself, from other services, from our inter- agency partners, but also from the private sector, and even from our critics. Developing a lethal, professional and technically competent force requires an openness to new ideas and new ways of doing things in an increasingly complex world. We will change and adapt.

#3. Take Care of the Troops: (Always) Every day we must keep foremost in our minds our Soldiers, Civilians, and their Families. Our collective strength depends on our people - their mental and physical resilience is at our core. We must always treat each other with respect and lead with integrity. Our Soldiers are the crown jewels of the Nation; we must love them, protect them, and always keep faith with them.

I am honored and proud to serve with you. Thank you for your service and commitment to a cause larger than yourselves.

MARK A. MILLEY

General, United States Army

39th Chief of Staff of the Army

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED



Command Sergeant Major Antonio S. Jones

The 12th Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Editor’s Note: “Where are they now?” Many of you served with and will recognize the photo and bio of CSM Antiono Jones as former SFC Jones who served with the 416 th ENCOM Forward Cell, Ku- wait 2002 and 2003. His bio follows:

Command Sergeant Major Antonio S. Jones is a native of Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic

Institute and State University (Va Tech) in 1987 with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree and from George

Washington University in 2000 with a Master’s Certificate in Project

Management.

Command Sergeant Major Jones enlisted in the Army on 3 March 1989.

He attended Basic Training and Advance Individual Training at Fort

Leonard Wood, Missouri. He graduated as a Construction Surveyor

(82B). His NCOES schools include Primary Leadership Development

Course (PLDC), Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (BNCOC),

Advanced Noncommissioned Officers' Course (ANCOC), United States

Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) and Battle Staff. He is also

a graduate of numerous military courses, such as Brigade and Battalion

Pre-Command Course, First Sergeant’s Course, Airborne School, NBC

School, Combat Life Savers Course, C7-Instrument Repair, Retention

School, Equal Opportunity Leader Course and Global Position System

(GPS) and Prime Power 101.

Command Sergeant Major Jones’ assignments include Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 30th Engi-

neer Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Engineer Battalion

(Combat) (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Signal Com-

mand, Mannheim, Germany; Joint Chief of Staff-Pentagon, Washington D.C; 88 Regional Support Command,

Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Bravo Company 249th Engineer Battalion Prime Power, Fort Bragg, North Carolina;

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 30th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Headquar-

ters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3ID, Fort Benning, Georgia and 2nd

Engineer Brigade, JBER Alaska.. His deployments include: Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm –

Southwest Asia, Operations Uphold Democracy – Haiti, OIF and OEF.

Command Sergeant Major Jones’ was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his ANCOC and BNCOC classes

and Commandant’s Award winner of his BNCOC Class. Command Sergeant Major Jones’ graduated on the

Dean’s List from the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Navy Sergeant Major Academy). Command Sergeant

Major Jones is a member of the Sergeant Morales Club.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Ser-

vice Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army

Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint

Staff Badge, Silver deFleury, and Driver’s Badge.


16 416TH ENCOM ASSN., APRIL, 2014 3


416th ENCOM ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER MEETING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015

****PLEASE RSVP no later than October 30, 2015****

ARGONNE GUEST HOUSE — 9700 South Cass Ave., Bldg. #460

Argonne, Illinois 60439; phone # 630-739-6000

$45 per person/guest (checks should be payable to Lawrence J. Czepiel)

Mail checks to: Lawrence J. Czepiel, 7501 S. Lemont Rd. #252, Woodridge, Il 60517

(phone contact at 630-910-6442)

Speaker: TBD

Cocktails : 6:00 p.m. — Dinner: 7:30 p.m.

MENU:

Caesar Salad or Field Greens with choice of dressing

Slow Roaster Prime Rib with natural Au Jus

Braised Chicken in White Wine, Fennel and Tomatoes

Roaster Red Potatoes Grilled

Fresh Seasonal Vegetables

Assortment of Fresh Fruit

Assorted Cheesecakes and Pies

Freshly Baked Bread Freshly Brewed Regular/Decaffeinated Coffee, Herbal Premium Selection of

Teas, Ice Tea, or assorted Soft Drinks

***PLEASE advise if special diet required***

NAME:

GUEST:

Phone Number:

Email: PLEASE provide names of all guests as a name listing must be provided to the Argonne Facility. If you or

they are not on the list, you may be unable to gain access for the dinner.

SEE YOU AT THE DINNER!


T


416th ENCOM Association Donates

to “Boots and Brushes of San Antonio”

he Board approved a $200 donation to “Boots

and Brushes of San Antonio”, a decorative paint-

ing chapter of The Society of Decorative Painters

(S.D.P.). “Boots and Brushes” and its sister chapter

“Alamo Decorative Artists” paint an average of 150 box-

es each year which they use to assemble gift items for

wounded warriors at the Center for the Intrepid at Fort

Sam Houston.

They have filled the boxes with gift cards, phone call-

ing cards, discount coupons from local merchants and a

variety of items from local businesses such as USAA and

Marriott Corp. They also included purchased health and

beauty items, snacks and books.

The boxes are distributed at the Thanksgiving meal at

The Warrior and Family Support Center at Ft Sam Hou-

ston. Monetary donations left over are then presented to

the Intrepid Director to be distributed as gift cards as

needed for individual wounded warriors.

The chapters have contributed an average of $2,500

annually towards these cards in addition to the box and

gift items purchased. This year’s total budget is $5,000.

Boots and Brushes and Alamo Decorative Artists each

meet once a month for business and paint projects.

Affiliated with the international association S.D.P., they have supported this Wounded Warrior Project for

over a decade as their service project. S.D.P. membership is open to and includes artists of all levels, medi-

ums and genre.



RECENT TEC ACTIVITY

Watch the full video story on #S apperStakes2015and see the heart, passion and endurance it took to put this competition together and compete in it. #A rmyReserve#C ombatEngineer#N ationalGuard

1) The 322 EN DET (FEST-A) conducted a site recon

for Bashur AB, Iraq (1-5 Sep 15) to determine current

conditions and airfield repairs/expansion requirements

as well as develop plans and Independent Government

Cost Estimate (IGCE), aka USAID Budget, for a 600-

man base camp.

2) 416 TEC representatives (G35, G9, 372nd EN

BDE) are working with the Canadian Army and Air

Force at Wainwright AB and Goose Bay respectively

for Northern Frontier 16. IPC and Project evaluations

for both sites tentatively scheduled for 21-28 Sep 15.

3) 2nd Annual Sapper Stakes Competition was con-

ducted at Fort Chaffee, AR (29 Aug 15 – 2 Sep 15).

This is a combined TEC and Army National Guard

event with 20 Sapper teams participating in the event.

The top three Sapper teams were recognized and re-

warded.

Sapper Stakes 2015

The 489 EN BN (Fort Smith, AR) was the lead battal-

ion, supported by the 420 EN BDE and the 416 TEC.

Sapper Stakes is a three-day competition challenging

combat engineers through various physical and men-

tally challenging events focusing on mobility, counter-

mobility and survivability. Last year, the inaugural

event was exclusively an Army Reserve competition.

This year, National Guard Soldiers were invited to

Combat engineers from the Army Reserve and Army National Guard competed recently to become the best Sapper Team. Held at Fort Chaffee Arkansas, this three day event tested both the physical and mental limits of these Soldiers....

participate. Four states accepted the offer: Missouri,

North Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The first place team was the 402nd Engineer Compa-

ny (Sapper), 389 EN BN, 416 TEC, located in Des

Moines, IA. The team members were Staff Sgt. Nick

Kloberdanz, Sgt. Cutler Holland, Spc. Tyler Chatter-

ton, Spc. Luke Dawson, Spc. Timothy E. Draper and

Spc. Jordan Millard.

The second place team was the 309th Engineer Com-

pany (Mobility Augmentation), 367 EN BN, 416 TEC,

located in Brainerd, MN. The team members were

Staff Sgt. Michael T. Koering, Spc. Jonathan DuBois,

Spc. Trevore D. Klein, Spc. Randy O. Lene, Spc. Jef-

frey R. O'Connell, Spc. Johnathan D. O'Connell and

Spc. Todd R. Brandell was an alternate.

The third place team was the 680th Engineer Compa-

ny (Mobility Augmentation), 479 EN BN, 412 TEC

U.S., located in Webster, NY. The team members

were Staff Sgt. Kevin A. Guy, Sgt. Michael D. Barber,

Sgt. Michael J. DiPaola, Spc. Joshua R. Miller, Spc.

Daniel R. Trembath, and Spc. Elliott W. Vitelli. The

alternates were Spc. Joseph M. Lynch and Pvt. Bran-

don Wilson.

Visit the 416th Theater Engineer Command Facebook

page for more detailed information and photos of the

2015 Sapper Stakes.

Article contributed by: COL(R) LARRY SLAVICEK


https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sapperstakes2015?source=feed_text&story_id=1055639617787264

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/armyreserve?source=feed_text&story_id=1055639617787264

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/armyreserve?source=feed_text&story_id=1055639617787264

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nationalguard?source=feed_text&story_id=1055639617787264


What the TEC? Redesigning Theater

Engineer Commands in the Army Reserve May 26, 2015

By Sgt. 1st Class Michel A Sauret (416th TEC)

Maj. Gen. Lewis Irwin, the incoming commanding general of the 416th Theater Engineer Command, speaks to an audience of Soldiers, family, friends and distinguished guests during his assumption of command ceremony at the Parkhurst U.S. Army Reserve . . . DARIEN, Ill. -- The Army Reserve has the only two Theater Engineer Commands (TECs) across the entire Department of

Defense, and they're currently undergoing a major change. When

Army engineers talk about transformation, it's not a mere game

of musical chairs. This change will greatly enhance their head-

quarters to deploy and perform their wartime functions.

Their ability to shape and control the engineering battlefield will depend on how well they can execute this concept. But in order

to understand what this redesign means, it's important to first

understand who these TECs are and what they already provide

the Army.

WHAT THE HECK IS A TEC? The two Theater Engineer Commands are the 416th TEC, head-

quartered in Darien, Illinois, and the 412th TEC, in Vicksburg,

Mississippi. Each TEC is commanded by a major general, with

two deputy-commanding generals and a staff of roughly 300 per-

sonnel, which includes officers, noncommissioned officers and

Army civilians.

The 416th TEC commands units in 27 different continental states

west of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. The 412th TEC com-

mands engineer and other units in the remaining states. The

TECs have distinct responsibilities during their peacetime and

wartime missions.

PEACETIME MISSION During their peacetime missions, also known as Phase Zero, the

TECs are responsible for training more than 300 units from six

brigades, including 20,000 Army Reserve engineers and 6,000

other Soldiers from various job specialties. Their training and

projects span across the U.S. both on military installations and on

public lands at the request of civil authorities. They also travel

the globe to perform peacetime missions in other nations.

"Our subordinate elements are (available) to be assigned any-

where in the world where they are needed," said Maj. Gen. Lewis

Irwin, commanding general of the 416th TEC. This means multi-

national training events and the construction of schools, medical

centers, public buildings, roadways, bridges and more. Army

Reserve engineers have performed peacetime projects in El Sal-

vador, Dominican Republic, Panama, Canada, Korea and other

countries.

Sometimes, both TECs collaborate on the same projects, sending

units to work together either at the same time or on a rotational

basis. "We cross utilize Soldiers from each other ... to accom-

plish these missions within our own areas of responsibility," said

Maj. Gen. Tracy Thompson, commanding general of the 412th

TEC.

These missions serve two purposes. They train units and Soldiers

while supporting communities at home and abroad. Yet, the

TECs engineering impact reaches beyond these scopes.

WARTIME MISSION

During wartime, the TEC serves as the master engineering plan-

ner to a combatant commander. They report to either a three-star

or four-star general at the Corps or Army levels, respectively.

They are the military equivalent to a general engineering contrac-

tor, but with a huge area of responsibility.

A deployed TEC can function either as a Joint Engineer Opera-

tions Command or embed into a staff already in place. According

to Army engineer doctrine, the TEC is the only organization de-

signed for operational command of engineer capabilities at

"echelons above corps." That means they provide the "big pic-

ture" engineering plans and vision for their assigned theater sup-

porting the combatant commander.

A "theater" is a term used for both combat and noncombat envi-

ronments, spanning across multiple countries. The Department of

Defense has divided the world into six major theaters. Each TEC

has a primary responsibility to support three of those.

Once deployed, a TEC executes command authority over engi-

neer brigades and their engineering missions in an assigned thea-

ter. Other command organizations have the ability to command

engineer units, but the TEC is the only organization specifically

designed for this function. They are the experts in this field. They

also have authority to control engineers units from the Navy,

Marines and Air Force in a joint forces environment depending

on mission, assets and commander's intent. (Continued next page)


http://www.army.mil/search/articles/index.php?search=Sgt.%2B1st%2BClass%2BMichel%2BA%2BSauret%2B(416th%2BTEC)

16 416TH ENCOM ASSN., APRIL, 2014 3


(Continued from Previous Page)

"Per joint doctrine, the TEC is the only organization or command that

is designated to command and control of other services' engineers,"

said Maj. Justin Kilpatrick, future plans officer for the 416th TEC. In

order to perform the total spectrum of their mission, the TEC must

focus on three major engineering functions at the headquarters level.

THE TEC'S CORE FUNCTIONS

The TEC's three main areas of expertise are: Assured mobility, gen-

eral engineering and geospatial engineering. Assured mobility -- The

TECs direct the construction and combat engineer missions at the

strategic level. Military forces cannot accomplish any mission with-

out the freedom of movement and maneuver across a battle space.

Engineers make this movement possible by building airports, sea-

ports, roads, rails, pipelines and bridges. Combat engineers can also

enable mobility and counter mobility by clearing mines, blowing

obstacles out of the way, or impeding enemy movement.

"We'll actually help define where (forward operating bases) go,

where the roads go, where the bridging needs to be. We develop

the theater so that combatant commander can move through the

battle space to accomplish their goals, objectives and the vision of

the mission; we are the master planners for that commander in his

or her battle space," said Col. Scott Shrader, 416th TEC director

of Army Reserve Engineer - Integration.

General engineering -- This includes everything engineers envi-

sion, design, prepare and build. From a strategic standpoint, the

TECs are responsible for all infrastructure plans within a theater,

from the sea ports to the front lines of combat. "When we see

things, we see them at the 25,000-foot level. We see an open field

and then develop it, essentially," said Lt. Col. Scott Nos, the dep-

uty mobilization officer for the 416th TEC.

The idea of "front lines" in modern conflicts has changed drastically

from the traditional methods of war that existed even decades ago.

This increases the complexity of a TEC's mission in theater.

"Today's combat environments are very asymmetrical. There are no

front lines or rear area. Our Soldiers, all of them are all in the fight,

from the designers to the combat engineers," said Shrader.

This pushes the TECs to become involved in a conflict from the

earliest stages of a conflict (known as Phase One, when infra-

structure is first built), and their mission can last all the way to the

end (known as Phase Five, when land is transitioned back to the

nation's authorities).

Geospatial engineering -- Engineers must serve as "experts of

terrain." This means they accumulate and combine data on the

operational environment in a digital form. It's not just a matter of

recreating a map of the land. Geospatial engineering creates a

digital package of information from multiple sources that com-

manders use to strategize engineer-centric missions.

Both of the TECs' commanding generals agree that Army Reserve

engineer Soldiers are prepared to meet these demands, despite the

intensive knowledge and technical requirements.

"As far as honing their professional skills, they're doing that Mon-

day through Friday every week, and that is a great value added,"

said Thompson.

Both TECs have had officers and leaders with multiple engineer

degrees who have done this type of work throughout their civilian

and professional careers. One colonel in particular owns his own

engineering advisor firm. One brigadier general is a professor of

civil and environmental engineering at Vanderbilt University. A

former TEC commanding general is a chief of technical services

at the Buffalo District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This

list could go on.

THE DESIGN UNDERWAY In order to fulfill these functions, the TECs plan on adding two spe-

cialized staff elements: the General Engineer Operations Cells

(GENOC) and the Geospatial Planning Cell. Other staff sections will

be reorganized as a result. The intent of this transition is to achieve a

"net zero" change. This means perform more of their required spe-

cialties without adding a single Soldier to their staff structure.

"We all must be good stewards of our nation's resources, and the

TEC redesign effort is all about fulfilling the Army and Joint Force

requirements with the right capabilities, while ensuring we don't

waste any increasingly scarce resources," said Irwin. The GENOC

would form a section of 34 Soldiers supervised by a colonel. It pro-

vides a robust, deployable "plug and play" technical engineer capabil-

ity to each TEC. The geospatial cell consists of seven Soldiers, added

to the G2 Intelligence section within each TEC.

“With the redesigned TEC, we will be better organized to bring

engineering expertise to the fight in the fastest possible time

frame," said Col. Loren Zweig, one of the main 416th TEC offic-

ers involved in the redesign process. Until now, each TEC has

had two Deployable Command Posts (DCPs), totaling of 120 Sol-

diers. These positions will be transformed into a single DCP,

staffed by roughly 50 Soldiers per TEC.

The DCP can deploy by itself or deploy with the whole deploya-

ble headquarters, known as the TEC Main, depending on the

scope of the mission. However, it's important to remember that if

a TEC were to deploy, its peacetime responsibilities would still

continue. "The TEC Main in whole could deploy (but) there is a

separate structure assigned to the TEC known as the Mission Sup-

port Element (MSE). It would be commanded by a one-star gen-

eral, and would assume command and control of the TECs' subor-

dinate units in the U.S.," said Shrader.

The TEC's MSE would conduct business as usual: Training units

and coordinating peacetime construction missions around the

world. That's why, right now, the 416th TEC is planning a multi-

phase staff exercise (STAFFEX), spread across 3 years. The

STAFFEX will exercise the TEC's ability to fulfill two major,

separate missions at once: Peacetime and wartime. Each TEC

element will implement its standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The first phase of STAFFEX will begin this June, with two more

iterations the following years.

"We have to be able to mobilize and deploy as soon as the need

for our unique capabilities arises," said Irwin. "We may mobilize

and deploy as an entire TEC, as a Deployable Command Post, as

separate staff sub-elements, such as the General Engineering Op-

erations Center, or as individual staff augmentees. So it's critical

that we prepare for all of these potential, expeditionary roles."

Regardless of whether the world needs engineers during times of

peace or conflict, the 412th and 416th TECs are prepared to meet

those strategic needs and place the right engineers in the right

place, no matter how far that place might be from home.


16


SAVE THE DATE !! NOVEMBER 7, 2015 ANNUAL 416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION DINNER

& 25TH ANNIVERSARY DESERT SHIELD DESERT STORM

Those of you who have previously attended can attest to the good time and com- radery of past dinners the ENCOM ASSOCIATION has had. Those of you who have yet to attend, remember to SAVE THE DATE! Sign up, be counted, and have a grand time and grand dinner treat with old and new friends. It is also cause to celebrate and reminisce what happened 25 years ago during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Do you remember what you were doing?? Dining will be at the Argonne Guest House located at 9700 South Cass Ave., Argonne, Illinois – convenient to any and all forms of trans- portation with great local venues of shopping and entertainment in the surrounding area for the day or just our evening dinner. See you at the Dinner!

416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION BOARD (Officers, Past President and Directors)

OFFICERS President ............................................................... COL(R) JOHN GESSNER

President (Elect) ..................................................... COL(R) LARRY SLAVICEK

Vice President (Membership) ................................... LTC(R) THOMAS RYTERSKE

Vice President (Pgms & Activity) ............................. . LTC(R) LAWRENCE CZEPIEL

Secretary ............................................................... BG(R) JACK KOTTER

Treasurer ............................................................... COL(R) JOHN ERICKSON

Past President ........................................................ COL(R) DeWAYNE NELSON

DIRECTORS At-Large (Senior )...........................................................................MG(R) ROBERT HEINE

( Senior) ..........................................................................COL(R) WILLIAM HAWES

(Publicity & Publications) ........................................ CSM(R) WILLIAM LAKE

(Eastern Chapter) ................................................... COL(R) FRAN STROUSE

(Awards & Nominations)............................... ........... COL(R) JAMES MARTIN

(Constitution & By-Laws) ......................................... SGM(R) DAN LOPOTOWSKI

TBD

TBD

Website: http://en comasso cia tion.info/board.a sp

per by-laws 2013: 7 Officers — 1 Past President — 8 Director positions


Volume 15—Number 2—Fall, 2015

416th Engineer Command

10S100 South Frontage Road Darien, IL 60561-1780

Leon Ardelean…………Publisher

[email protected]

www.encomassociation.info

416th ENCOM Association Treasurer's Report Submitted by COL (R) John Erickson

Activities: January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015

Opening Balance: January 1, 2015 .............. $ 11,670.77

Expenses:

Warrior Awards (2 @ $200 each) .............. $ 400.00

Public Service Award .................................. $ 119.85

Memorial Fund Expenses ........................... $ 4,112.74

Boots and Brushes Donation ...................... $ 200.00

Fisher House Donation $ 292.10

Total Expenses: .......................................... $ 5,124.69

Income/Deposits:

Membership ................................................ $ 106.80

Newsletter Advertisement .......................... $ 150.00

Boots and Brushes Donation ....................... $ 100.00

Memorial Fund Donations .......................... $ 940.95

Total Income/Deposits: $ 1,297.75

===========

Closing Balance August 31, 2015: ............. $ 7,843.83


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mailto:[email protected]

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16


Army Reserve engineer commands honor fallen

Soldiers with memorial wall May 3, 2015

By Staff Sgt. Carrie Castillo

DARIEN, IL — An Army Reserve engineer command head-

quartered in Darien, Illinois, hosted a ceremony in honor of Soldiers who lost their lives in the last two decades of war-fighting operations during a memorial wall unveiling ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Parkhurst U.S. Army Reserve Center, Darien, Illinois, May 2. "We wanted to make the memorial unique, and in most cases what you see is colored pictures blazoned on the plaques," said Col. (retired) John Gessner, 416th Engineer Command Association Presi- dent, who provides support for the ceremony. "You will see pictures from basic training all the way to guys decked out in combat gear in theater, some with a big smile on their face. From this day forward, every- one that walks through this front door here, that is the first thing they are going to see." In all, 46 plaques are now on dis- play at the 416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC) headquarters building, each depicting a Soldier who served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Saudi Arabia -Iraq-Kuwait: 1990-91), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq 2002-2012) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan: 2001 to present). "This type of memorial isn't just another memorial or ceremony," said Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Stanek, 416th TEC command sergeant major. "We have four Soldiers here with the 416th that person- ally knew some of these Soldiers, as well as the family members that were here. It's extremely important that we have the remembrance of the Soldiers." Of the Soldiers honored, four are from Desert Shield/Desert Storm; 12 from Operation Enduring Freedom and 30 from Operation Iraqi Freedom. "The birth of this memorial wall occurred sometime after January 2013," said Stanek. "It was when then commanding general Maj. Gen. David Conboy, 416th TEC in his travels across the United States, saw numerous units displays dedicated to their Fallen He- roes." All of the Soldiers honored here served under either the 416th or 412th TEC, which is a similar organization headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Together, the two TECs are responsible for the training and deploy- ing of 26,000 Army Reserve Soldiers, most of which are Army engineers experienced in horizontal and vertical construction, geospatial operations and combat engineering, to include route clearance operations. This ceremony is a combined effort between the two theater engineer commands and the Engineer Command Association, which was founded to promote, foster and improve the well-being of Army Re- serve Soldiers in the engineer community and support social and patriotic events such as this.

Some family members of the honored Soldiers were in attendance from several different states, as well as representatives from the Engi- neer Command Association, U.S. Army Reserve Command leaders

and ambassadors, as well as Brig. Gen. Alicia Tate-Nadeau of the Illinois National Guard, who spoke during the event on behalf of the state of Illinois. During Tate-Nadeau's remarks, some had to stifle their sobs and wipe away the hurt that welled in their eyes. She spoke of the similar- ities that all of the people in the room shared: sacrifice. "There are three parts I would like to talk to you about while I am here for this memorial," said Tate-Nadeau. "One is honor, two is remembrance and three is about hope. First we are here to honor our Soldiers, and to honor your loved ones for their sacrifice that they have made, but it wasn't just them that have sacrificed you have sacrificed too. Also, for remembrance to remember our loved ones be-

cause they were wonderful people and we know that in each of your hearts you carried them close to you. The last thing I would like to say about today is about hope, if it was- n't for the men and women and the families that sit here today that have gave their ultimate sacrifice our nation would not be free." During and after the ceremony, family members had the opportunity to share stories and memories of their loved ones. "We didn't realize how much of an impact the Army had on him until after he was gone, and we started going through

his things and found a DVD from his public speaking class after he came back from his deployment," said John Gornewicz, of Buffalo, New York and father of the fallen Sgt. Brett E. Gornewicz. "He spoke about his time in the Reserve, and how much it meant to him, we hold that close to our hearts that he loved what he did, and he loved his fellow service men and women."

For the Gold Star Families, speaking about their Soldiers allows their emotions and pride to keep their memories with them. But along with that pride, pain still resides underneath it all. "This is like a long story that doesn't have an end. It will be 10 years next month that he will be gone," said Midge Beachem, of Pitts- burgh, and mother of the fallen Spc. Robert "Bob" E. Hall. "The community outreach and support groups have helped greatly, the dedication of people and their families is amazing." This memorial took place one day and one hundred and fifty years after the first unofficial memorial ceremony was held in Charleston, South Carolina. Leaders who spoke reminded their audience that that the same message of honor rings through today. "It serves us as a constant reminder of all who have passed," said Maj. Gen. Tracy A. Thompson, 412th TEC commanding general. "Freedom is not free, it comes at a cost, and one of those costs wears boots, dog tags and a patch over their hearts that says U.S. Army."

Note: Pictorial views on page 11. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret)

ESSAYONS


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Army Reserve Engineer Commands Honor

Fallen Soldiers With Memorial Wall Pictorial Views (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret)

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Stanek, command sergeant major of the 416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC) gives his remarks during a Fallen Heroes Memorial Wall ceremony in Darien, Ill., May 2.

Brig. Gen. Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Illinois

National Guard, gives her remarks.

Col. (Ret.) John Gessner, (right), president of the Engineer Command Association, gives his remarks at the 416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC) headquarters.

Maj. Gen. Lewis Irwin, commanding general of the 416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC), pays respect to the Fallen Heroes Memorial Wall during a ceremony hosted at their headquarters in Darien, Ill., May 2, to honor 46 Army Reserve Soldiers who belonged to either the 416th or 412th TEC and lost their lives while serving overseas. The ceremony was a combined effort of the two TECs and the Engineer Command Association, which funded the costs associated with the ceremony and helped organize the event. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret)


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416 ENCOM ASSOCIATION

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION October 2015 – September 2017

I hereby apply for membership in the 416 ENCOM Association

Two Year Membership ($10.00)

Lifetime Membership ($100.00 one time fee)

Associate Membership ($5.00)

Signature Date

Payment can be made by check or PayPal on the website www.encomassociation.info

NOTE: When doing PayPal, you will need to fill out the online member change form at:

http://www.encomassociation.info/members_files/CurrentMemberChange.html

Please make checks payable to 416 ENCOM Association and mail to:

Thomas P. Ryterske

5N135 Hanson Road

Lily Lake, IL 60175-8102

Current Member Change / Update Records Request

Name: Last First M. _Spouse

Location: Address _State Zip E-mail

Contact Info: Home Phone Work Cell

Army Info: Rank Last Unit Served Retirement Date_ (If not retired please state active ).

Remarks:

Membership:

Please visit the 416th ENCOM Association Website: http://www.encomassociation.info/

Thomas P. Ryterske

Vice President Membership 5N135 Hanson Road

Lily Lake, IL 60175-8102

All Information provided to the 416 ENCOM Association is for Association use only and will be handled confidentially.

LTC(R) THOMAS RYTERSKE



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SAVE THE DATE

416TH ENCOM Association Northeast Reunion Friday & Saturday, June 10-11, 2016

The 416th ENCOM Association is planning a full day of activities for our 2016

Northeast reunion on Friday and Saturday, June 10-11, 2016 at Ft. Belvoir / Quantico, VA

Planned Weekend Activities:

Friday Evening 7:00 PM Reception & Cash Bar (Bar / Lounge, 7:30 PM Evening Parade @ Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets, S.E., Washington DC

Saturday Morning Option: Ft. Belvoir Golf Outing-Scramble 7:30 AM Ft. Belvoir Golf Course

Option: MountVernon:Gen.Washington’sHome& Museum

9:00 AM Mount Vernon Tour.

Lunch: On your own. (Mt. Vernon Inn Restaurant

or Food Court)

Saturday Afternoon

Option: National Museum of the Marine Corps

2:00 PM National Museum of the Marine Corps

Saturday Evening Option: Ft. Belvoir Officers Club overlooking the Potomac River. 6:00 PM Reception and Dinner

Speaker: Maj. Gen. Bob Carlson Suzi Patterson

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Fran Strouse , 190 Westview Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Rick Dean

Email: [email protected]

Steve Hatch Email: Steve <[email protected]>

Phone: 717-689-3590 (Home) Cell: 717-808-4824

Doug Patterson

[email protected]

Email: [email protected]






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Evening Parade Supplemental Information

An 85-minute performance of music and precision marching, the Evening Parade features “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. The Evening Parade is held Fri- day evenings from 7 May through 27 August 2010. The ceremony starts with an 8:45 p.m. concert by “The President’s Own.”

Seating for the Evening Parade requires a reservation. Guests with reservations are admitted beginning at 7 p.m. and should arrive no later than 8 p.m. Reservations may be made in writing, facsimile, or, for groups of six or less, online at www.mbw.usmc.mil. Mail reservation requests should be addressed to: Protocol Officer, Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets, S.E.,Washington, D.C. 0390-5000

They should be mailed at least 30 days prior to a desired parade date. Requests via facsimile should be faxed to the Protocol Officer at (202) 433-4076. The request should include the name of the party (either group or individual), the number of guests in the party, a complete return address, and a point of contact with a telephone number.

Ft. Belvoir Golf Courses

Fort Belvoir Golf Club Military facility is managed by Family and Morale, Welfare and Recrea- tion Command. It contains 35 tees driving range and 36 regulation holes. The 18-hole "Gunston" course at the Fort Belvoir Golf Club facility features 6,908 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 73.0 and it has a slope rating of 132. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, ASGCA, the Gunston golf course opened in 1950. The 18-hole "Woodlawn" course at the Fort Belvoir Golf Club facility features 6,832 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 73.4 and it has a slope rating of 127. Designed by Thomas E. Clark, ASGCA, the Woodlawn golf course opened in 1995.

Mount Vernon

Oneofthenation’smostbelovedhistoricsites,MountVernonoffersaglimpseinto18th- century plantation life through beautiful gardens and grounds, intriguing museum exhibits, and immersiveprogramshonoringGeorgeWashington’slifeandlegacy. Ford Orientation Center Start your visit at the Ford Orientation Center, where you can watch the 30 minute action-adventuremovie,“We

FighttoBeFree.”(Visittime:45Minutes) The Mansion After the death of his older half-brother, Lawrence, in 1752, George Washington took up residence at the house

that his father, Augustine Washington, had built in 1735. Over the next five decades, Washington expanded the house to create an impressive 21-room mansion with vibrant wall colors, intricate architectural details, and elegant furnishings. The interiors have been meticulously restored to


http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/

http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.aspx?course=1132556



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Mansion Outbuildings InWashington'stime,manyoftheMansion’sessentialoperations—such as laundry, spin- ning, and meat curing—were performed in outbuildings located near the Mansion. Explore more than a dozen of these small structures, including a working blacksmith shop with daily demonstrations. (Visit time: 30 minutes.)

Gardens and Grounds George Washington's design for his estate included four separate gardens covering more than six acres. The gardens served many purposes, from testing new varie- ties of plants to producing vegetables and fruit to provid- ing floral displays. In addition to visiting the gardens, explore the wooded landscape on the quarter-mile-long forest trail. (Visit time: 30 minutes (gardens)

National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC)

The President of the United States dedicated the National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) on 10 November 2006. Located in Quantico, VA and with an average annual visitor attendance of more than 500,000 during each of its first three years, the NMMC is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Virginia. Its exhibitions recreate environments and immerse visitors into Marine Corps action. The National Museum is being constructed in phases, the first of which includes approximately 120,000 square feet. It opened with permanent galleries dedicated to“MakingMarines,”WorldWarII,theKoreanWar,andtheVietnamWar.In

2010, three additional galleries will open to tell the story of the Marine Corps from 1775 through World War I. In immersive exhibits, visitors take their places alongside Marines in battle. Aircraft, tanks, and other vehicles are prominently displayed, and period uniforms, weapons, medals, flags, and other artifacts help visitors trace the history of the Corps. Future phases will add a giant-screen theater, classrooms, an art gallery, visible storage, and more exhibition space to the flagship building. A chapel that overlooks the Museum and Semper Fidelis Memorial Park opened in October 2009

Fort Belvoir Officers Club Built in 1935 on a majestic cliff over the Potomac River, the Officers' Club represents a proud military heritage at Fort Belvoir. De-

signed in the first true American architectural style, the Georgian Colonial Revival Style, the Officers' Club elegantly showcases brick facades, strict symmetry, and pedimented central pavilions. As a popular wedding venue, the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club is nestled in a quiet neighborhood and picturesque park-like setting.

Over the past 80 years, the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club has been visited by many Presidents, Cabinet Officers, Senators, Congressmen, and Foreign Diplomats. Consider joining the ranks of this proud tradition.


16 416TH ENCOM ASSN., FALL, 2015 13


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MODULAR BRIDGE CREATION

U.S. Army Spc. Christonio Hatten, a bridge crewmember with the 502nd Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), from Fort Knox,

Ky., prepares to hook a sling to attach a boat bay to a Chinook during a sling load training operation with Army Reserve Sold iers at

Fort Chaffee, Ark., July 31. Soldiers from various Army Reserve and active duty units trained together at River Assault, a br idging

training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements to create a modular bridge on the water across the Arka nsas

River at Fort Chaffee, Ark. The entire training exercise lasted from July 28 to Aug. 4, 2015, involving one brigade headquart ers, two

battalions and 17 other units, to include bridging, sapper, mobility, construction and aviation companies. (U.S. Army photo b y Mas-

ter Sgt. Michel Sauret)

RIVER

ASSAULT

ON

THE

ARKANSAS

RIVER


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16 416TH ENCOM ASSN., FALL, 2015 13


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The combined 412th-416th TEC

BWC competition completed

last April at Fort McCoy, WI.

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 412th and 416th Theater Engineer Com- mands, ascend a hill during the four-mile ruck march April 28 at Fort McCoy, WI, while competing to be named the Best Warrior in the 2015 Combined TEC Best Warrior Competition. The 412th and 416th TECs will advance one noncommissioned officer and one junior enlisted Warrior each to the U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Debralee Best)

The 416th TEC Best Warrior Winners were as follows:

NCO - SSG Jacob Simmons from 317th EN CO (Kankakee, IL),

863rd EN BN, 372nd EN BDE

Enlisted - SPC Ian Hagen from 372nd EN CO (Pewaukee, WI),

397th EN BN, 372nd EN BDE It was a very spirited competition with impressive performances by numerous NCOs and Soldiers during the

event. There were nine members competing in the two categories from the 416th (Brigade and DRU Level

Primary and Alternative NCOs and Enlisted were allowed to compete). The 412th TEC had 26 participants in

the two categories (each of their 15 battalions were allowed to send an NCO and Enlisted Soldier to the event).

U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Jacob Simmons, a Danville, Ill., native, rep- resenting the 416th Theater Engineer Command, with the 317th Engineer Company, Kankakee, Ill., is congratulated by Command Sgt. Major Rob- ert Stanek, after besting other candidates to be the command’s Noncom-

missioned Best Warrior during the 412th and 416th 2015 Combined TECs’ Best Warrior Competition April 25 to 29 at Fort McCoy, Wis. (U.S.

Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darrin McDufford)

U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Ian Hagen, a Greendale, Wis., native, represent- ing the 416th Theater Engineer Command, with the 372nd Engineer Com- pany, Waukesha, Wis., is congratulated by Command Sgt. Major Robert Stanek, after besting other candidates to be the command’s Noncommis-

sioned Best Warrior during the 412th and 416th 2015 Combined TECs’

Best Warrior Competition April 25 to 29 at Fort McCoy, Wis. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darrin McDufford)



Volume 15— Number 2 — Fall, 2015

416th Engineer Command

10S100 South Frontage Road Darien, IL 60561-1780

Leon Ardelean……………Publisher

[email protected]

www.encomassociation.info




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