B DETACHMENT

106TH FMCO

FRG NEWSLETTER

This newsletter is for official use only.

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Detachment Sergeant SFC Derrick Byrd

Detachment Commander CPT Andrew Graziano

“LET’S EAT!”

BULLDOGS

In This Issue: German Proficiency Badge Schuetzenschnur Range IR 12 Croatia Italy SDP Bulldog’s Speak Sergeant’ Time Training Awards/Recognitions Bulldogs Birthday Ihrer Willkommen/Auf Wiedersehen

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SUNDAY JUNE 9, 2012 The CYSS Blue Jays made history. After months of long drilling practices and glorifying plight the Blue Jays proudly brought home the 2nd place trophy. Well done Blue Jays . The Bulldogs are very proud of your achievement.

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The Bulldogs represented 106th FMCo in Croatia during the IR12 and

also traveled to Italy for a Pre-deployment Preparation Brief (PDP)

deployment for 172nd BCT.

Pictures from left to right.

SFC Drakakis, the Disbursing Agent, funding the cashier .

SPC Humphreys disburses cash to a Soldier.

SPC Humphreys disburses cash to a Soldier outdoors in Tent City.

SPC Humphreys with a Slovenian Female infantry Officer

Pictures from left to right

CPL Braimah D. explains

the use of the Store Value

Card (SVC) or Eagle

Cash Cash card during

the PDP in Vicenza, Italy.

SPC Braimah Q. briefs

the 173rd BCT on the

importance of the SVC

during their upcoming

deployment.

June 2012 PAGE 2

IR 12 CROATIA & SDP ITALY

B DET ACHMENT 106TH FMCO FRG NEWSLETTER

The FMST from B/106th FMCO was deployed to Croatia in support of IR12 on the 16th of May 2012. The team consisted of SFC Drakakis (Disbursing Agent/NCOIC), SGT Sorensen (Certifier) and SPC Humphreys (Cashier). The primary task of the team was to perform Pay Agent and Cashier operations. On arrival at Zagreb, Croatia, the FMST was met by SFC Call, the paying agent who provided transportation to our area of operation called the Slunj,. The Pay Agent was funded the US equivalent of over $15,000 in their local foreign currency, called Kuna, and was cleared of all funds on the 10th of June 2012 with no loss of funds. The FMCO performed Cashier operations from the 23rd of May to the 10th of June 2012. The Cashier operations consisted of check cashing and casual pay with a maximum allowed limit of $200 worth of kuna per customer. The cashier performed 274 transactions and disbursed a sum total of over $5000. The whole exercise was a success and the team will be re-deploying on the 15th of June 2012. –SPC Humphreys

The Bulldogs teamed up with Alpha Detachment 106th FMCo. To help out our sister detachment ,Charlie rear detachment stationed in Vicenza, Italy, with a Pre Deployment Preparation (PDP) for the 173rd BCT. The mission of the detachments were to look over each Soldier’s pay account and identify any issues they may not be able to tend to while deployed, and most importantly to issue the Store Value Card (SVC) also know as the Eagle Cash Card. SGT Lamboy, CPL Braimah, SPC Antar, SPC Braimah, and SPC Kengne all played a major role in the mission. The implementation of the Eagle Cash Card has been an ongoing process. The Eagle Cash SVC is a proven program in place over ten years with over two-billion dollars in transactions processed. The program provides deployed personnel with around- the-clock , no-fee access to personal funds. The mission proved to be an overall success with both detachments issuing out more than 1300 cash cards over 8 days. The mission allowed for Alpha Detachment, of Grafenwohr, Germany, Bravo Detachment of Ansbach, Germany, and Charlie Detachment of Vicenza, Italy to interact with each other on a level they would not do on a day to day basis. –CPL Braimah

I was given the opportunity to help coach for the Minor League in Ansbach with SSG Uken, SPC Michalowicz, PFC Park, and PFC Rosales. I used to be around kids that always played baseball but I still didn’t have that much experience playing the sport. The Marlins were a set of very talented and motivated players who were always happy and never showed a sign of quitting when they couldn’t get something right during practice.

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THE BULLDOGS SPEAK…

B DET ACHMENT 106TH FMCO FRG NEWSLETTER

End of a Season in Baseball By PFC Sal Griffith

In my spare time, I stopped by SSG Fonseca’s practices to just see how everything was going with his team. His team consists of much older kids than the team that I helped coach so that requires actual knowledge of the sport. I could instantly tell that SSG Fonseca is experienced by just looking at one practice for a couple of minutes. He put together a very talented team that practiced almost every weekday. They traveled to different posts to play games against other teams from different garrisons. The last set of games was in Grafenwohr, where the three teams all had a 2-1 record in the tournament. They placed second in the championships in Vilseck.

They really loved to bat. Everyone was always asking the coaches if they could bat next. They also loved to run. I have never seen kids who love to run around so much. Whenever we had games, the players took it very seriously and they performed very well for kids their age. I saw them do some things on the field that I usually see bigger kids or even grown people do. I am very proud of the Marlins and their accomplishments and wish to see many of the players go on to higher levels in baseball.

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Sergeant’s Time Training The Bulldogs have been busy with technical and tactical training. Immediately following training with the German military, we went to Franken Kaserne for a detachment FTX. Wednesday evening was spent on technical training. SGT Hagins gave a class on Overseas Housing Allowance and CPL Braimah taught us about Deployment Entitlements.

Thursday was spent on the 9mm range. But this was no ordinary range. We conducted a stress shoot to reinforce the concept of being able to shoot under any circumstance. There was also friendly competition between the firers. Three different rewards were offered for the most points accumulated. SPC Riboul came in first and received a four-day pass; SPC Michalowicz earned a three-day pass for second place; and PFC Rapizza earned half a day off for third place. SGT Garcia was recognized with a 9mm Stress Shoot Certificate of Appreciation.

A future training exercise we all were looking forward to is CBRN. With the help of SPC Wright from HHD, we tested our pro-masks to ensure that they are working properly. The future 1SG of 106th FMCO, MSG Fowler, joined us. We had the opportunity to get to know him and ask questions. We look forward to seeing him at future training events. By SPC Latoya Johnson

Pictures from left to right shows

SPC Wright conducting a

CBRN class with the Bulldogs.

The German Military proficiency test was a challenge like none other. It took two full days to complete, but it each day was more than worth the experience. It was an honor to work with the Bundeswehr (German Army), and competing against my peers on those very eventful days. The very first day we were greeted by gate guards rendering salutes as we entered their Military installation, seeing that we were honorary guests. After we got settled, we headed to their range site. There was a PMI given to familiarize personnel with their weapons, which consisted of a G36x assault rifle and pistol very similar to our M16A2/M9s. Compared to our M16A2, the HK G36x is lighter and has less kick back. It also features a dual scope function; one scope has red dot and the other an optical magnification. After the PMI, we proceeded to the firing lanes where pop up targets awaited us. There were four different qualification positions, which included prone and unsupported. Day number two started off with a German breakfast, then a short drive to the swimming pool. At the pool we were then given the standards (for each age) to complete the swimming event. We had to swim 200 meters, which was a total of four laps. The event appeared to be easy, but quickly proved to be very challenging. The next event consisted of three smaller events, and a 1.8 mile run. By this point we were all very exhausted, yet there was still one more event to complete. The last event was probably the hardest of them all. We had to complete a 12k ruck march in less than two hours. In the end, we all were received something from this experience. It was a great honor to be able to socialize and interact with the German military. We all received an award, whether it was in the schutzenschnur or a proficiency badge. In total we had five proficiency badges, and thirteen schutzenschnur awardees. By PFC Miguel Whyte.

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GERMAN PROFICIENCY & SCHUETZENSCHNUR BADGE

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GERMAN PROFICIENCY BADGE In the United States military, the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency is one of the few approved foreign awards for wear on the uniform and. It is widely sought after and difficult to achieve. The badge itself is awarded in gold, silver and bronze, and the level of award received depends on performance in the road march and shooting portions of the exercise. Other events Soldiers must compete in include: a 100-meter sprint, 3,000-meter run, long jump, 200-meter swim, and shot put throw. The Bulldog’s challenged themselves by competing in each event so they could obtain this coveted award.

Proficiency badge awardees: CPT Graziano, PFC Griffith, SPC Michalowicz, SSG Fonseca, and PFC Rapizza.

GERMAN SCHUETZENSCHNUR B DET ACHMENT 106TH FMCO FRG NEWSLETTER June 2012 PAGE 7

The Bravo Bulldogs joined German Soldiers this month to improve weapons skills and to become among the few to earn the prestigious German Marksmanship Award, or Schuetzenschnur. Gold:SPC Riboul, SPC Antar, PFC Griffith, PFC Tir, PFC Whyte, Silver: SSG Fonseca, SPC Braimah, SPC Harris, SPC Johnson , SPC Michalowicz , SPC Nikitin, SPC Shaw

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Questions and comments regarding the newsletter and/or the FRG can be directed to Emily Graziano: Email: BulldogFRGAnsbach@googlemail.com

Cell: 0151-400-24022

SGT Esdras Garcia 1LT Jonathan Chismar

Awards and Recognitions !

B DET ACHMENT 106TH FMSU FRG NEWSLETTER

Bulldog Birthdays Army Birthday – 14 June CPL Braimah D.– 27 June

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.' By Abraham Lincoln

Auf Wiedersehen

Ihrer Willkommen 2LT Adam Newberry

You're leaving soon. Continuing with your journey, to reach your goals in life. You may be reluctant to go, but always remember that those you love, will always be there by your side. By Adaeze Duru