BN Commander and Senior FRG Advisor Words

MAY 9, 2012 MONTHLY ISSUE

BLACK DRAGONS BULLETIN

BN CSM 2

Chaplain’s Corner 2

HHB Hardcore 3

ALPHA Apaches 4

BRAVO Bulldogs 5

GOLF Ghostriders 6

Current Events and News 7-13

Inside this issue:

BLACK DRAGON Family:

Well, Spring is upon us (though it is starting to feel

more like summer), and as you have noticed the training

intensity has picked up just a bit with the Battalion going

through Artillery and Artillery Support Certifications. Sol-

dier and Leaders have worked very hard over the last

several months to get their systems operational as well as

training on their systems; so they can complete the pre-

requisite tasks required prior to going to the field. The

Battalion deploys to the local training areas on 7 MAY and

will stay out until 11 May, we plan to come in for the

Mother’s Day Week-end and then head back out to the

field from 14 – 18 May to complete our Section Level Cer-

tifications. However, Artillery Certifications are not the

only thing that is going on during this time frame. The

Battalion operations center is at the Operational Test Com-

mand Site establishing and utilizing all of our automated

systems in a testing environment so we can effectively

manage the Battalion in the field. The Radar and Meteoro-

logical Sections are also conducting their certifications

along with new equipment training. Golf Company is not

only charged with maintaining the Battalion in the field,

but also keeping us on the road during our 60 KM road

march. They are conducting their own certifications. All

in all it is going to be a busy, but great couple of weeks.

There is some information that I want to share with

the families about training this summer. The Brigade has

been notified that we will deploy to the Joint Readiness

Training Center in Fort Polk, LA for the month of August.

The major issue with Fort Polk (besides being muggy that

time of year) is that they don’t have the Paladin Artillery

System down there for us to train on, so the Battalion is

going to cross train on the two towed howitzers the M777

(155mm) and the M119 (105mm). Right now, the plan is

for us to bring the weapon systems here so we can do all

of our training here at Fort Hood. This training will keep

the Battalion busy most of the summer up until we depart

in August, but the intent is to train here so when we are

not working, we get to spend time with our families. On

that note, it does not look like the battalion or the Brigade

will be able to take a block leave this summer, I know this

is frustrating to many who enjoy vacationing in the sum-

mer when kids are out of school. While we cannot commit

to a block leave period the Brigade and the Battalion will

be conducting opportunity leave, which will provide some

chance for folks to take leave when not training for our

exercise in August. The Brigade is trying to fence some-

time in the late summer or early fall to accommodate a

Block Leave period and once we have details on that we

will let everyone know.

The last thing I would like to address is the ru-

mors about the possible deployment, and what that may

mean to the Brigade and the Battalion. As of right now,

there has been no deployment order given by our

higher headquarters (Division or above), we have just

been told to train. If we are given a deployment order,

we are not sure at this time what our role/responsibility

will be in support of the possible deployment. I, and the

other leaders of the Battalion, remain committed to in-

forming Soldiers and their Families as soon as we have

directed information from our higher headquarters. We

know how important it is to keep everyone informed.

Regardless of what information is or is not provided, it is

my intent to hold a Town Hall Meeting in the month of

June to discuss possible deployment issues as well as

address other concerns that may be on your mind. Stay

connected with your Battery/Company FRG for details.

Finally, mark your calendars during the third

week of June we are planning on a family day where we

bring all the families to our field site; show you all what

we do on a daily basis in the field, and fire our howitzers

in a direct fire mode – should be quite an event. Again

thank you for what you do in supporting your Soldier,

we all realize that we could not do what we do without

your support and understanding. Stay in touch with

your FRGs, and follow us on our Social Media sites to

keep up with the latest information and opportunities.

Will and Jessy Johnson

FRG Facebook Group www.facebook.com/#!/

groups/582black.dragons/

Battalion Facebook Page www.facebook.com/#!/

pages/5th-Battalion-82nd-Field-Artillery-Regiment-

Black-Dragons/288593261191191

BLACK

DRAGONS BULLETIN

As the Battalion strengthens itself with better technology and a different command and control structure as well

as the coordination of different views, the Battalion is excelling in all areas. The Battalion has stretched themselves

thin during multiple missions without failure, to include the Radar section assisting 41st Fires Brigade in targeting. As

the Senior Enlisted Advisor in the Battalion, I am encouraging Soldiers to manage your time wisely. You should

make some time for college and if you are an Officer Graduate, school should be in your mirror.

As the promotion board procedures has so often changed, college, correspondence courses, weapons qualifica-

tion and physical training is very imminent. Personnel, policies, procedures, facilities and equipment that integrate

our day-to-day planning factors into a common organizational structure designed for the sole purpose of improving

the Battalions efforts when called upon. Black Dragons you are performing at a level that is very complimenting to

the United States Army goals of excellence. Based upon the flexible responses, whether it’s a last minute funeral

detail, gate guard, accountability of equipment, weapons training and physical training organization, the Battalion

has proved with minimum guidance and management, that we as the Black Dragons can work together as we be-

come more efficient. The NCOs continues to set the pace!

This approach aims at reducing the potential for miscommunication and confusion during crisis response opera-

tions and allows the Black Dragons to become more proficient. Of course each supervisor reports ultimately to the

Commander who dictates guidance and analyzes information provided by the individual supervisors. The individ-

ual supervisors eliminate the potential for their subordinates to receive conflicting guidance. This ensures that ac-

countability is kept, and that there is no free-lancing which improves information flow and helps with the coordina-

tion of operational efforts, ultimately enhancing operational safety. The Basketball team won the Post Champion-

ships, just to emphasis the teamwork in the Battalion. SPC Taylor is the only Soldier in Division to make the culinary

arts team and won 2 Silver medals at the Department of the Army level.

All these accolades exhibit the high discipline and motivation of the Black Dragons. Congratulations to all the Sol-

diers that were promoted to their next rank during this quarter and completed any military schools. Special thanks

for the Staff Officers and NCOs who make the unit operate under such smoothness. Black Dragons, whatever you do,

make some time for your family or love ones/dependents!

Black Dragons Can and Will, BD 9

BN CSM Words

BLACK DRAGONS BULLETIN

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“Finding the Perfect Mate”

I read an article recently that a panel of women debated on who they thought was the perfect man. You’d

expect it might be a famous actor or wealthy tycoon. But the final conclusion of the panel was that the Perfect

Man was actually….MR. POTATO HEAD!

Their reasoning: He’s tan. He’s cute. He knows the importance of accessorizing. And, if he looks at another

girl, you can rearrange his face.

While it can be fun to dream and discuss “FINDING the right person,” I propose that as far as God is con-

cerned, it’s better to focus on “BEING the right person.”

An interesting passage of Scripture on this topic is found in the book of Proverbs where Solomon tells his

young son, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, even his enemies live at peace with

him” (Proverbs 16:7). One of the most shocking realities of being married is that people who have loved

each other so deeply can become so angry that they seem more like enemies than loving partners. Consider

this, if having our behavior and attitude be pleasing to God has the ability to create peace between enemies,

wouldn’t it also work for a husband and wife? Remember Paul’s instruction to the people of Ephesus, “Be

kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians

4:32).

The world teaches that the “key to a good marriage is FINDING the right person,” but God teaches, “the

key to a good marriage is BEING the right person.” The key to being the “right person” is to make sure your

behavior and attitude are “pleasing to the LORD.”

CH (CPT) Robert Patterson

5-82FA Battalion Chaplain

(254) 287-9574

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

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HHB Newsletter

During the month of April HHB Soldiers invited

our Adopt-A-School to join us for a run through

the Fort Hood Air Assault Obstacle Course.

Students from Cross Roads High School joined the

Soldiers from HHB to tackle the obstacles. The

students learned the value of team work and a few

individuals even took the chance to face and

conquer their fear of heights.

HARDCORE Battery Soldiers also focused on

their individual marksmanship. HHB ran the M4

Qualification Range this month and as a result

Soldiers are more comfortable with their weapon

systems and their optics. Soldiers engaged pop-

up targets from 50 meters out to 300 meters.

During this last month of April, the Target

Acquisition Platoon conducted numerous training

events to include rehearsals for Section

Certification and Individual training tasks. Both the

Q36 and Q37 Radar sections supported 41st Fires,

1-21 MLRS in their certification and qualification of

their Launchers on 18 April in OP Grove. During

this time, the SURVEY/MET Section has supported

every firing platoon in the Battalion in setting up

survey control points and providing guidance to

their Battery Commander.

The Radar Platoon also continues to rigorously

tests the equipment on a daily basis ensuring it

remains fully mission capable.

Written By: CPT Hastings Volume 4

FRG Newsletter for HHB, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery

Soldiers from HHB and students from Cross Roads High

School encourage each other at the Fort Hood Air Assault

Obstacle Course

SFC Huff giving a Range Safety Brief before taking

the Soldiers to their firing points.

SSG Hawkins, SPC Clawson and

SSG Armstrong conducting

Radar Operations from the Q-37.

SGT Ramos emplacing the

Q-36.

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MONTHLY ISSUE BLACK DRAGONS BULLETIN

Apache Newsletter

Since returning from the Easter Weekend,

Apache Battery has spent endless hours

conducting training in preparation for May’s

Gunnery.

The month kicked off with each Apache Soldier

completing the Artillery Skills Proficiency Test

(ASPT). The ASPT evaluates each13B and 13D

competency on basic individual tasks that they

must be able to execute prior to conducting a live

fire exercise.

With the completion of ASPT, the next task for

Apache Battery was the Gunner’s Test. The

Gunner’s Test is a timed test that evaluates each

gunners ability to fire the howitzer. It is mainly for

gunner’s and section chiefs but open to anyone

that would like to test their skills. Apache Battery

dominated the Gunner’s Test with each Soldier

passing and 11 Soldiers scoring “expert”;

earning them the coveted Expert Gunner’s

Badge.

Apache Battery leadership proved their

proficiency by completing the Leader’s Hands on

test. The Leader’s Hands on test evaluates

leaders on more advanced tasks that revolve

around the laying of the howitzer.

Throughout the busy month, Apache Battery still

managed to send Soldiers to M4, M249, M240,

and M2A1 ranges. They also were giant

contributors to III Corps and Fort Hood’s Spring

Clean Up.

GREAT JOB APACHES!!

Upcoming Events

-Table V (May 7-May 11)

-Table VI -XII(May 14-May 18)

-FRG Meeting (May 22)

-FRG Run (May 30)

Written By: CPT Martin Piecuch Volume 4

FRG Newsletter for Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery

Welcome to the Newest Apache Soldiers!SGT Stover coming from Fort Campbell.

SPC Pavlicek and his wife Olga coming from Fort Polk.

SPC Graham coming from Germany.

PFC Sheeley coming from Fort Sill.

PV2 Gearhart and his wife April coming from Fort Sill.

PVT Pristschet coming from Fort Sill.

Apache Battery conducted field training in TA34 and TA48 in

preparation for May’s Gunnery.

All the hard training paid off as each Apache Soldier passed

their Artillery Skills Proficiency Test!

Apache Battery spent endless hours in the motor pool

conducting digital sustainment training.

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BLACK DRAGONS BULLETIN BLACK DRAGONS BULLETIN

Bulldog Newsletter

Hello Bulldog Families!!!! The month of

April saw the Bulldog Battery

aggressively training toward Field

Artillery live fire qualification!!! Not to

mention, the tough physical training,

outstanding schools, promotions, and

awards accomplished by the Bulldog

Battery. The month started with Bulldog

Soldiers getting back to Convoy

operations as they simulated live

missions in Afghanistan using the

Warrior Skills Simulator, where Soldiers

were able to go on patrol using a live

computer simulated Afghanistan

environment.

During the second week of April, Bulldog

Soldiers conducted the Artillery Skills

proficiency test completing all basic FA

tasks to standard. Junior leaders of the

Battery conducted gunner’s testing on

tasks that are essential to the safe

operations of the Field Artillery. Finally,

senior leaders of the Battery conducted

Leader’s Hands-On testing to set the

stage for live fire cannon operations in

the month of May.

May started off with Bulldog Soldiers

moving the field to get back on the guns

to start training crew drills and

occupations. This training increased the

overall teamwork in the Battery as NCOs

and Soldiers learned their specific

Artillery jobs. After each iteration, leaders

drove after action reviews to increase

performance and maximize training. The

Bulldogs did an outstanding job before

moving out to the Battalion Field Problem

in the second week of May.

In addition to the outstanding Artillery

Training, 2 new Bulldogs were inducted

as newly promoted NCOs as part of the

Battalion NCO induction ceremony.

Training will become more challenging

and rewarding during May as the Paladins

conduct live fire operations for the first

time since Iraq. Thanks to all the hard

work displayed daily by the Bulldogs and

endless support given by the families!!!!

Written By: CPT Chad Fitzgerald Volume 4

SGT Troy Taylor accepts his certificate

as part of the BN NCO induction

ceremony

PVT David Campos

PVT Angel Peralta

SGT Troy Taylor

SGT Robert Stone

Welcome to the Newest Bulldog Soldiers!

Congratulations to the Newest Bulldog NCOs!

BULLDOGS Soldiers drag a HUMVEE

as part of Bulldog Stakes PT on 30 MAR

UPCOMING EVENTS

7-11 MAY- BATTALION GUNNERY (FIELD)

14-18 MAY- BATTALION GUNNERY (FIELD)

25-28 MAY- MEMORIAL DAY FOUR DAY WEEKEND

1 JUNE-1st CAV TRAINING HOLIDAY

19-20 JUNE: PALADIN DIRECT FIRE RANGE &

FAMILY DAY

1LT Lopez and 2nd PLT conducts an AAR

after a training iteration.

Congratulations to the Newest Bulldog Baby!

Jaden Benjamin Bass was born at 1246 to parents

SGT Benjamin Bass and wife Krista on April 9, 2012

(pictures to follow!!!!)

1LT Ball re-enlists SGT Vongbouenmy in

front of the Battery HQ.

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BLACK DRAGONS BULLETIN BLACK DRAGONS BULLETIN

GOLF FSC, 5-82 FA

GHOSTRIDER’S NEWSLETTER

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7 MAY 9, 2012

Ghostrider 6 Ghostrider 9

Ghostrider Family - I

hope everyone has a

Happy Mother’s Day! The

Ghostrider family day

picnic on 19APR12, at

Stillhouse Hollow Lake

was an awesome event!

We had great food, fun,

games and music for eve-

ryone to enjoy. As we

prepare for BD Gunnery,

07-11MAY12 and 14-

18MAY12, I would like to

sincerely thank everyone

for allowing Halana and I

to be a part of this great

organization for the past

two years. It has been a

humbling privilege. I

wish everyone well and

will rest easy knowing a

great officer, CPT

Juan Martinez will con-

tinue to make the unit

better each day. Many

thanks for your total sup-

port!!!

Greetings all – Another

busy month for the Ghos-

trider Soldiers, but we

made things happen and

did it with ease! This past

month, I would like to rec-

ognize SPC Taylor, Sharee

for placing third in the

Army Culinary Arts com-

petition and being se-

lected to serve as the III

Corp Commanding Gen-

eral’s personnel chef. We

also had eight Soldiers to

get inducted into the pres-

tigious Corp of NCO’s,

along with three of those

Soldiers getting promoted

to the rank of sergeant.

Along with the CDR, I will

also be moving to BSTB to

serve as a 1SG. Many

Thanks!!!

PROMOTIONS GRADUATES

Congratulations to SGT

Clark, SGT Robertson on

their promotion on

01MAY12!

BABY BIRTH’S

Congrats to SPC Speed

and his fiancé’ Lisa on the

birth of their son Sebastian

on 11APR12 at 8lbs, 5oz!

Congratulations to the fol-

lowing soldiers for gradu-

ating from WLC: SPC Ma-

gana, SPC Prien and SGT

Harris!

Special points of interest:

Ghostrider 6’s Corner

Ghostrider 9’s Corner

Promotions

School Graduates

Baby Birth’s

Photos of Ghostrider’s Company

BBQ and during 5-82 FA NCO

5TH BATTALION, 82ND FIELD ARTILLERY NINDUCTEES: NEWLY PROMOTED NCO’S: CPL

BURRELL, SGT CLARK AND SGT ROBERSTON—WELL DONE!

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BLACKDRAGONS BULLETIN

Red Cross Youth Program

Ages 14 and Up

APPLICATION DEADLINE

May 11, 2012

All Youth are required to attend a

Red Cross New

Volunteer Orientation

The dates are as follows: Wednesday April 25 5:30-8:30pm

Thursday April 26 5:30-8:30pm

Wednesday May 2 5:30-8:30pm

Tuesday May 8 5:30-8:30pm

Saturday May 12 9:00-12:00pm

Thursday May 17 5:30-8:30pm

Saturday May 19 9:00-12:00pm

To obtain an application please email For-

tHood@RedCross.org

Or call 254-287-0400

Membership is free to all active duty military!

To find a Boys and Girls Club near you and to register for the Boys and Girls Club

of Central Texas visit:

http://www.bgctx.org

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BLACKDRAGONS BULLETIN

2

Family Update May 2012

Copperas Cove Boys and Girls Club Summer

Schedule

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BLACKDRAGONS BULLETIN

May 11- Texas Hold „em Poker Tournament

st place prize - $175, 2nd placeprize - $75, 3rd place prize - $50

ved basis) and spectators are welcome!

th Street at Tank Destroyer Boulevard, near the east gate.

(Bldg. 194, 37th Street, inside of the Phantom Warrior Center)

-532-5073.

May 13 - Mother‟s Day Brunch

– Adults

– Children 5-12

– Children 4 & under

, red skinned mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, vegetable medley, Virginia baked ham , top round beef, assorted salads, desserts, mimosas and more!

-532-5329 or 254-532-5073.

th Street at Tank Destroyer Blvd, near the East Gate.

May 18- 20 - Camp C.O.P.E.

ked to make every day.

-appropriate therapeutic interventions in small groups of their peers, who have had similar experiences.

ope better emotionally.

increased healthy relationships with others.

Fort Hood Family and MWR

Events Calendar

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BLACKDRAGONS BULLETIN

12 May: Book Signing with the romance author Robyn Carr at the Clear Creek PX from 1100-1300. She will be autographing copies of her latest books, “Sunrise Point” about a Marine re-

turning home to the Virgin River.; “Redwood Bend” about a widow dealing with the death of her Green Beret husband in Afghanistan; and “Hidden Summit” #3 on the New York Times

best selling list. These are the three latest titles in her Virgin River trilogy.

12 May: Direct from Puerto Rico, V&G Production brings you swing band KARIS, promoting their new production “The New Generation, The Power of Swing”, autograph signing and

photo opportunity will be at the Clear Creek PX from 1400-1600.

14 May: Midnight Launch at the Clear Creek Game Stop. Be the first to purchase Diablo lll.

Prelaunch is 2300-2400. Actual launch is 0001 until approximately 0100 on 15 May.

17 May: Book Signing with Marcus Luttrell at the Clear Creek PX from 1600-1800. Navy SEAL

Marcus Luttrell, author of the #1 bestseller “Lone Survivor”, tells his own extraordinary war

stories-and those of others who have chosen to serve.

In October 2006, after miraculously returning from his star-crossed mission in Afghanistan,

Marcus Luttrell went back to war. In six months of high-intensity urban fighting in the most dangerous city in the world, Ramadi, Iraq, he was part of one of the greatest victories in the

history of the SEAL teams.

19 May: Patriot Pet – Just say TREAT! – Photo Contest. In store pet contest will be held judg-ing the pet photo submissions on the basis of creativity, uniqueness, quality, and effective-ness in conveying the loyalty and companionship of pets belonging to military members. The

Grand Prize winner will receive a $250 Exchange gift card.

19 May: “Blood of Heroes” Book Signing with author James Donovan at the Clear Creek PX from 1100-1300. This is the story of the 13 day struggle for the Alamo and the sacrifice that

forged a nation.

31 May: Book Signing with author Lisa Harris signing the latest installment of her “Finding My

Way” series at the Clear Creek PX 1100-1300.

31 May – 2 June: Jazz guitarist Jeffery Smith will be performing and selling his CD’s at the

Clear Creek PX 1100-1400 and 1600-1900.

Upcoming Events for the Exchange

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