war of 1812 ww i mexican-ameri- ww ii can … · volume xxv no. 2 the cottonbaler spring 2014 the...

THE 7th INfANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION

Volume xxV No. 2 The Cottonbaler Spring 2014

THE COTTONBALER

WAR Of 1812

MExICAN-AMERI-

CAN WAR

CIVIL WAR

INDIAN WARS

SPANISH-

AMERICAN WAR

PHILIPPINE IN-

SURRECTION

WW I

WW II

KOREA

VIETNAM

COLD WAR

SOUTHWEST ASIA

IRAQ

3-7 IN Change of Command Ceremony

7th Infantry Regiment Association


ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

••••••••••

Honorary Colonel of the Regiment:

LTG John M. LeMoyne, USA Ret.

Honorary Sgt Major of the Regiment:

CSM Curley Faulk, USA Ret.

[email protected]

President:

David Jensen

212 Hartwood Drive

Gadsen, AL 35901

[email protected]

Immediate Past President:

David Spanburg

2783 Grovemore Lane

Vienna, VA 22180

703-283-6843

[email protected]

1st Vice President:

Joe Washart

504 Brooke Avenue

Magnolia, NJ 60106

856-783-4291

2nd Vice President and Chaplain:

Father Philip G. Salois, M.S.

16 Sharon Parkway

North Smithfield, RI 02896

401-769-3040

617-930-5208 (cell)

[email protected]

Secretary:

Roland B. Merson

60 Tipper Drive

Dryfork, WV 26263

304-866-4288

[email protected]

Treasurer:

Ronald L. Bertha

7610 Springfield Hills Drive

Springfield, VA 22153-3127

703-455-5240

[email protected]

Editor:

David Spanburg

2783 Grovemore Lane

Vienna, VA 22180

703-283-6843

[email protected]

Board of Directors:

Stephen C. Borkowski *129 Granville ArchSmithfield, VA [email protected]

Robert Burns

150 Cypress Club Drive

Apt 502

954-943-2485

Pompano Beach, FL 33060-4739

[email protected]

Kent Cowel

148 Welch Avenue

Berthoud, CO 80513-1309

303-431-6671

[email protected]

Greg Cullison *2838 Stone Mill PlBeavercreek, OH [email protected]

Albert J. Watson

15017 SE Stevenson Drive

Vancouver, WA 98683-8336

360-892-7431

[email protected]

Historian:

Dr. John C. McManus

2560 Hidden Meadow Lane

St. Louis, MO 63021-7824

314-965-8321

[email protected]

Historian Emeritus:

Sherm Pratt (in memoriam)

Belgian Liaison Officer:

Bob Boucart

BLVD Anspach 17-B36

1000 Brussels, Belgium

Phone: 011-32222177296

[email protected]

2d Battalion, 7th Infantry

LTC Chad Chalfont, USA, CDR*

CSM Anthony Walker, USA, CSM*

3d Battalion, 7th Infantry

LTC Scott Shaw, USA, CDR*

CSM Todd Galindo*

_______

* Denotes active duty

OBJECTIVES

of the

7TH INFANTRY REGIMENT

ASSOCIATION

••••••••••1. To create and perpetuate a viable

and cohesive national organization for

the purpose of enjoying the camaraderie

and unique membership, and in unison,

voice concern for the protection of our

cherished American ideals and our indi-

vidual way of life.

2. To support the military policy that

maintains reasonable but strong nuclear

and conventional, combat-ready regular

and reserve component forces, able to

provide adequate national security for

our nation and its people.

3. To foster the development of good

citizenship, patriotism, and leadership

in our American youth, the future of our

nation.

4. To insure that posterity is constantly

reminded of those instances of service,

sacrifice, and dedication to the preser-

vation of our nation’s liberty and free-

dom by celebrating those dates that

recall the sacrifices made by the Armed

Forces of the United States, and espe-

cially the 7th Infantry Regiment and its

component units.

5. To encourage and achieve the mu-

tual benefit and support resulting from

a close and cooperative alliance between

the Association and the active units of

the 7th Infantry Regiment in the United

States Army.

The Cottonbaler is an official,

quarterly publication of the

7th Infantry Regiment

Association

PLEASE SEND ANY

ADDRESS CHANGES

OR CORRECTIONS TO

Roland B. Merson

60 Tipper Drive

Dryfork, WV [email protected]

Check out our website: www.cottonbalers.com



President’s Page: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4by Dave Jensen

Editor’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5by David Spanburg

2nd BN Commander’s Comments: . . . . . . . 6by LTC Chad Chalfont

3rd BN Commander’s Comments. . . . . . . . . 7by LTC Scott Shaw

New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Membership Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

List of Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Taps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2014 Ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Quartermaster Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chaplain’s Corner

by Father Phil Salois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Budget Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Membership/Donation Form. . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Campaign Participation Credit . . . . . . . . . 16

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITOR: DAVID SPANBURG

Page layout for this newsletter by:

Elizabeth H. Cottrell

RiverwoodWriter, LLC, Maurertown, VA 22644

540-436-3969 • www.RiverwoodWriter.com

Printed by:

Narrow Passage Press (The Print Shop), Woodstock, VA 22664

540-459-4000 • www.ournewspaper.net/

DISCLAIMER

•••••

While material received for publication is screened for relevance,

good taste and general content, the Editor is not responsible for its tech-

nical accuracy. If readers wish to challenge the accuracy of an article

published in The Cottonbaler, whether contributed by an Association

member or reprinted from an outside source, they are welcome to do

so by writing to the Editor and explaining the basis for the challenge.

Such letters will also be published, if appropriate.

Receive Your CottonbalerNewsletter

Electronically via Email

To help save printing and mailing costs,members may now receive their CottonbalerNewsletter via email. Email versions will ar-rive about 2 weeks before members receiveit in the mail.

If you are interested in this option, pleaseemail our Secretary, Roland Merson, [email protected]. You can change yourmind any time and go back to receiving yournewsletter by regular mail.

Members, particularly Life Members who nolonger have to pay the annual membershipfee, are encouraged to donate toward theoperating expenses of the Association eachyear. Send your contribution directly to ourtreasurer, Ron Bertha, 7610 Springfield HillsDrive, Springfield, VA 22153.

Cottonbalers on Facebook:www.facebook.com/groups/28462933742/

Fox Company conduct hand grenade qualification alongwith a grenade assault course.



Greetings to all the members of the 7th In-

fantry Regiment Association (Cottonbalers)

and my sincere best wishes that you and

your families are all doing well.

At this writing, there are 31 days of winter left in

2014, one of the most severe winters we have had as

a country in some time. I pray all Cottonbalers

across the country have been able to negotiate the

winter storms safely, with health and happiness.

I am pleased to report, that we have kicked off our

efforts in support of the 7th Infantry Regiment As-

sociation (Cottonbalers) Vision 2020, our plan to

perpetuate a viable and cohesive organization for

the purpose of enjoying the camaraderie for having

served in the Premier Regiment of the United

States Army, and to maintain the traditions of the

Regiment in the years to come.

Father Phil Salois, our 2nd Vice President and

Chaplain, is chairing our Membership Committee.

The focus of the Membership Committee is to get

our Association’s name into every form of media we

can, using the upcoming Regimental Bicentennial

Reunion in New Orleans as the catalyst. The goal is

to improve our reunion attendance and at the same

time recruit potential new members. The Regiment

and the Association need your help with this mis-

sion essential task. If you are interested in working

to maintain the traditions of the Regiment and the

viability of the 7th Infantry Regiment Association

(Cottonbalers) please contact Father Phil or me.

We want to thank General John LeMoyne, our Hon-

orary Colonel of the Regiment, and Gene Owen for

being the Associations Liaison Officers with the Ac-

tive Duty Battalions. General Lemoyne and Gene

attended the Redeployment of the 3rd Battalion in

November and the 3rd Battalion’s Banquet in Jan-

uary. The 3rd Battalion changed command 30 Jan-

uary, 2014. We salute the outgoing 3rd Battalion

Commander, LTC Greg Bell, and CSM Jeff Dilling-

ham for their outstanding service to the Regiment

and the Association. We wish them both Godspeed

in their future assignments and look forward to

their continued association with the Cottonbalers.

We welcome LTC Scott Shaw, the new 3rd Battal-

ion Commander, and the new 3rd Battalion Com-

mand Sergeant Major, CSM Todd Galindo to the

Regiment and the Association.

As you can see by our Treasurer Ron Bertha’s Fi-

nancial Report the Boswell Scholarship Fund bal-

ance is now over $110,000.00. What a great

accolade for the Regiment, our membership and the

Scholarship Fund! Please help promote the use of

the Scholarship Fund. Look to the newsletter and

the web page for details on how association mem-

bers and their families can plug into this tremen-

dous resource. The Associations Board of Directors

has convened a team to look into the future of the

Boswell Scholarship Fund and make recommenda-

tions concerning expansion of eligibility, times a

person can apply for an award and other actions to

make the Scholarship Fund work for our member-

ship and their families. If you have questions or

ideas to share concerning the scholarship fund, con-

tact the Fund Administrator Ernie Jackson, our

Treasurer Ron Bertha or our 1st Vice President Joe

Washart. Don’t forget to give to the Boswell Schol-

arship Fund.

The Board of Directors approved the dates of the

2015 Regimental Bicentennial Reunion being 28-31

May 2015 in New Orleans . Mark your calendars

now! Find an old or young Damn Fine Soldier that

you served with and get them to come with you!

We are making plans to make this an event worthy

of the Premier Regiment in the United States Army

Celebrating its 200th Anniversary. You don’t want

Association President Dave Jensen

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

continued next page



Greeting Cotton-

balers! I hope that

you are able to

enjoy the spring weather

that should be arriving the

same time this Newsletter

arrives. I know that I’m

certainly looking forward to

that day. It’s a sunny 60

degree day here in the DC

area, but they are calling

for more snow in the next

week!

With our next reunion

scheduled for the end of

May 2015, in New Orleans,

it is doubly important that you

return the Absentee Ballots that are in this issue.

The Board and Officers have set the dates of the

Reunion to be 28-31 May 2015. We are going to

New Orleans! It is only fitting that the Associa-

tion goes back to New Orleans during the Bicen-

tennial year of the Battle of New Orleans where

we got our nickname, the Cottonbalers. The Hotel

and activities haven’t been decided yet, but we are

already starting to plan the reunion. If you have

any suggestions on what activities you would like

to see at the Reunion, please

contact either myself or

Dave Jensen.

I want to welcome LTC Scott

Shaw to the Regiment and the

Association. LTC Shaw is the

new Commander of 3-7 INF.

In addition, please welcome

his Command Sergeant

Major, CSM Todd Galindo.

I would also like to send my

sincerest condolences to Jim

Beckworth for the loss of his

wife, Erna Beckworth. I met

her at several reunion and

she was a true lady. I’m sure

that I speak for all Cottonbalers when I say that

her loss saddens us all. ♦

EDITOR’S NOTES....by David Spanburg

to miss this! If you are interested in working with

the planning group for the reunion contact me, or

any member of the Board of Directors.

Finally, I want to express the gratitude and con-

gratulations of the entire membership of the 7th In-

fantry Regiment Association (Cottonbalers) to one

of our own, Isadore L. Valenti who on 27 January

2014 celebrated his 100th birthday. Well done Cot-

tonbaler!

Thanks for all you do!

Cottonbalers by God!

VOLENS ET POTENS!

Dave ♦A well-camouflaged D/3-7 IN soldier lies in wait on the

ambush line

The Cottonbaler Editor David Spanburg

President’s Comments continued from pg. 4



Greetings to the Soldiers, Fami-

lies, and friends of the Cotton-

balers! These past three

months have been extremely busy for

the battalion. We have made the tran-

sition from the reset tasks associated

with redeployment and we have now

begun our collective training efforts in

earnest. We have spent a good

amount of time out in the field train-

ing marksmanship and critical indi-

vidual/collective tasks. These efforts

culminated in Fire Team and Squad

Live Fire Training Exercises for our

Infantry Companies in January.

Across the board, Soldiers are happy to get back to

the field and do what they joined the Army to do –

train to be ready for the next fight.

As we look ahead to the next few months, the bat-

talion will be focused on executing crew gunnery.

Every crew in the battalion will have the opportu-

nity to train and qualify on our mounted platforms:

our Bradleys, tanks, and other selected tracked and

wheeled vehicles. After gunnery, we will transition

to maneuver training. We execute our Company &

Battalion Field Train Exercise in May. We’ll then

move on to execute a training rotation out at the

National Training Center (NTC) in August. We are

fortunate to have the resources and opportunity to

train – your Cottonbalers are focused and will be

trained and ready for the next fight!

We are seeing a transition in company leadership

over these first few months of 2014. I want to thank

three of our company commanders who are moving

on: CPT MacHarrie (HHC/2-7IN), CPT Charlie

Brown (C/2-7IN), and CPT Charlie Cornaire (F/2-

7IN). I thank them for their service to this battalion

and for all they have done to take care of our Sol-

diers and Families. We welcome aboard three new

company commanders: CPT Mark May (HHC/2-

7IN), CPT Walt Biner (C/2-7IN), and CPT Adrian

Spears (F/2-7IN). I also want to wel-

come LTC Scott Shaw to the Regiment

– I have no doubt that he’ll provide

outstanding leadership to the Cotton-

balers of 3-7 Infantry.

Finally, I never pass up an opportunity

to publicly thank our Families, FRG

leaders, and the 7th Infantry Regi-

ment Association for all that they do to

keep our battalion strong. COTTON-

BALERS BY GOD!

Headhunters Company(CPT MacHarrie)

Greetings Cottonbalers, Family and friends! Head-

hunters Company continues to train and prepare

for its upcoming Gunnery in mid-March of 2014.

The Soldiers continue to work hard every day in

order to complete the battalion’s reset requirements

before next year. Over the past few months the Sol-

diers have spent countless hours conducting main-

tenance on vehicles in preparation for future

training missions. In December, the company con-

ducted Basic Rifle Marksmanship in order to de-

velop, train, and maintain the basic fundamentals

which make us professional and proficient War-

riors.

As we get closer and closer to our NTC rotation,

quality time with family still remains a very im-

portant topic within our team. We will continue to

balance the quality time our Soldiers have with

their Families, while ensuring that the company is

prepared for any and all future missions. Specific

guidance has been given to all levels of leadership

within the Headhunters Company to ensure that

Soldier’s time is not wasted away from home. In ad-

dition, I would like to take this time to welcome

CPT Mark May. CPT May will be taking command

of HHC in March 2014; we welcome him and his

“Cottonbaler” 2nd BattalionCOMMANDER’S COMMENTS...

LTC Chad Chalfont USA, CDR

continued page 11



Greetings fellow

Cottonbalers

and friends of

the battalion. Allow

me to introduce myself.

I’m Lieutenant Colonel

Scott Shaw, and since

January 30th, the new

commander of the 3rd

Battalion, 7th Infantry

Regiment. Greg Bell

gave up the colors on

the 30th of January on

a cold Fort Stewart day

to CSM Ryan Dillingham who then passed the

NCO Sword to the battalion’s new Command

Sergeant Major, CSM Todd Galindo. It was a

ceremony rooted in tradition and history.

Thanks to both Greg Bell and CSM Ryan

Dillingham for their warm welcome.

Both CSM Galindo and I are new to the Regi-

ment but come from the same roots having both

served in the 10th Mountain Division during

the war. We are both honored to serve in this

great regiment alongside you and our out-

standing Soldiers. We are proud of the heritage

and lineage of this great regiment. As we re-

turn to our roots as a Light Infantry Battalion

in the wake of these last 12 years of motorized

combat, the battalion will prepare for combat

in ways that many of you remember. We will

do team, squad, and platoon live fires focused

on defeating a near-peer enemy. We will focus

on field craft, marksmanship, physical train-

ing, and foot marching like many of you did and

many of our predecessors did. In short, we will

prepare to be a unit prepared for worldwide de-

ployment ready to answer Nation’s call.

This summer, the bat-

talion will serve as the

opposing force for our

Army’s certification of

the 53rd Infantry

Brigade Combat Team

from the Florida Na-

tional Guard. We will

spend about a month

at Camp Blanding,

Florida training the

Soldiers and Leaders of

the 53rd Brigade and simultaneously conduct-

ing our own training. The battalion will return

to Fort Stewart and go immediately back into

training for our culminating training event, a

rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center

at Fort Polk. It’s a fast paced calendar for the

next calendar year, but one that our Soldiers

are excited about.

Volens et Potens

LTC Scott Shaw

“Cottonbaler” 3rd BattalionCOMMANDER’S COMMENTS...

LTC Scott Shaw USA, CDR

LTC Scott Shaw (left) and CSM Todd Galindo

3-7 IN Passing in REview during the Battalion Change of Command Ceremony.



Boswell

Scholarship Fund

Robert Boucart

Bronze Star Donor

CSM (R) Curley L. Faulk

Silver Star Donor

Les B. Johnson

Silver Star Donor

Thomas R. Maines

Color Guard Donor

Operating

Expenses

CSM (R) Curley L. Faulk

Wilber R. Hutson

Les B. Johnson

William M. Rosensteel

THANK YOU!to the following

association members for

donations this quarter:

NEW MEMBERS

FAULKNER, Richard A.

SGT, Hvy Tk Co, Korea

2954 Mott Avenue

Waterford, MI 48328

248-231-8730

[email protected]

SHAW, Scott A.

LTC, CO, 3-7 IN, P/T

PO Box 3651

Fort Stewart, GA 31315

512-619-2063

[email protected]

SOISET, Roger H.

1LT, B/3-7 IN, Vietnam

1672 Bent River Drive SW

Lilburn, GA 30047

770-985-9085

[email protected]

7th Inf Reg Association

Membership Profile

As of 21 February 2014

DUES STATUS:

None due (LM, HON, CG, PM) 316

Annual renewals for 2013-2014 17

Total Members 483

CATEGORY SUMMARY:

Served with the 7th Infantry,

Or attached or supporting units 445

Associate Members 19

Supporting Members 17

Honorary Members 2

PERIOD OF SERVICE SUMMARY:

World War II 50

Korea 169

Vietnam 51

Peace Time/Cold War 72

Gulf War/Iraq 103

TAPS“BE THOU AT PEACE”

~ Departed Members ~

ROTTENBERG, Marvin

LTC, 1st BG, P/T

Died 14 July 2013



Seventh Infantry Regiment AssociationOfficial 2014 Absentee Ballot

For Secretary: (Vote for one)

Roland B. Merson [ ]

________________ [ ]

For Treasurer: (Vote for one)

Ronald L. Bertha [ ]

________________ [ ]

For At Large Board Member: (Vote for three)

Stephen C. Borkowski [ ]

Shawn Huebner [ ]

Gregory S. Cullison [ ]

________________ [ ]

______________________________ _____________________________(Printed Name) (Signature)

Instructions: Please execute this ballot by 31 May 2014, and submit to the address below.

Any write-in vote should have the concurrence of the person nominated.

Roland B. Merson

Secretary

60 Tipper Drive

Dryfork, WV 26263

Quartermaster’s Corner

Our Association Quartermaster is Leonard W. Collins. The entire selection of Cottonbaler items can now

be seen on his website where he is set up to accept MasterCard or Visa.

Website: www.military-honors.com

E-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Phone: 803-300-2554 or Toll free: 1-866-946-6677



Chaplain’s CornerFather Philip G. Salois, M.S.

7th Infantry Regiment Association Chaplain

Dear Fellow Cottonbalers: No matter

where you live in this vast nation

of ours, no one has been exempt

from Mother Nature. But cheer up by the

time you receive this edition the Cottonbaler

magazine we will be enjoying the new life that

Spring brings us every year. And it will be

most welcome.

In the last article I wrote, I mentioned that I

was named the 2014 Veteran-of-the-Year for

the City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. On 22

March the United Veterans Council put on a

banquet in my honor which I was so very

happy about. There were many local digni-

taries present to include Mayor Lisa Baldelli-

Hunt, of Woonsocket and National President

of Vietnam Veterans of America, John Rowan

and his wife, Mariann from New York City at-

tended and spoke during the program. There

were about 200 people in attendance and sev-

eral of my family members attended. The

banquet occurred on the first

anniversary of the loss of my

beloved Mother and so that

made it even more special for

me as I feel strongly that she

was there in a spiritual way.

In the name of the 7th Infantry

Regiment Association, I would

like to offer deepest and sin-

cere condolences to Colonel

James Beckworth on the loss of

his beloved wife, Erna who

passed away in February. I

had met her on several occa-

sions. She was a grand lady.

Please also continue to pray for

Curley’s wife, Carol Ann who

has struggled hard with very serious

health issues. We wish her well in her re-

covery.

Recently Association members Gene Owens

and our President Dave Jensen were present

for the unveiling of the new inscriptions on

our Cottonbaler Monument in Fort Stewart

along with CSM Burns and LTC Kelly of 2-7

as you can see in the photo below.

As you receive this letter you are preparing

for the religious feasts of Passover and Easter

depending on which faith tradition you ad-

here to. I pray these great holidays will be

faith-filled and joyful as you reflect deeply on

the meaning of each of these great holy sea-

sons. Passover celebrates the freedom of the

people of Israel from the bondage of the Egyp-

tians and into the Promised Land. We need to

remember the people of Israel who struggle to

live in peace in the midst of neighboring na-

tions intent on destroying

them. The joy of Easter is when

Christians all over the world

celebrate the Risen Christ who

came to save us all from our

sins and opened the gates of

heaven to all believers. So re-

joice during these holy feasts.

May God richly bless you all es-

pecially in good health.

Cottonbalers, by God! Damn

Fine Soldiers!

Volens et Potens,

Father Phil Salois, M.S.

Association Chaplain ♦



Family to the Headhunters team!

It has been a true honor to be the Commander of

this amazing company, and a privilege to serve each

Soldier and their Family! Willing and Able! HEAD-

HUNTERS!

Alpha Company (CPT Hutchison)

Greetings Cottonbalers, Family, and friends! On be-

half of the Assassin Company, I would like to thank

you for your dedication and support throughout the

intense training cycle we have recently conducted.

Over the past few months, the Assassin Company

has been focused on developing teams and squads

to implement Combined Arms Tactics through Fire

Team and Squad Live Fire Exercises. With live fire

certifications complete, we have accomplished one

of the many milestones laid before us on the path to

certification for our upcoming rotation at the Na-

tional Training Center. The Assassins now set their

sights on the next objective beginning with Bradley

Gunnery Skills Testing and culminating with the

completion of Bradley Gunnery Tables in March

and April.

Bradley Gunnery, and all of the skills-testing it en-

compasses, assesses the ability of Assassin Soldiers

to implement all of the Mechanized Infantry skills

required to win the Combined Arms fight. Our Sol-

diers will spend an extensive amount of time in the

field, training as either a Bradley crew or dis-

mounted squad member. The ability of the Assassin

Company to integrate these two distinct skill sets

is what allows us to be constantly prepared to an-

swer the Nation’s call and protect our interests at

home and abroad. I am deeply honored to serve

with and lead these great men. Willing and Able!

Assassins Lead the Way!

Bushmaster Company (CPT Gerhart)

Greetings fellow Cottonbalers, Family, and friends!

With Gunnery just around the corner Bushmasters

are anxious to get back into the field and begin

some excellent training. Whether maneuvering,

driving, functioning as a gunner, or just coming

along for the ride, our Soldiers are excited to train

on the system that truly makes us Mechanized In-

fantrymen – that is, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

We are of course excited for what’s to come, but it’s

about this time each quarter that we like to take a

look back and reflect on our soldier’s recent accom-

plishments.

Personnel changes over the last few months created

normal and expected challenges as leadership

worked to create the next generation of Bushmaster

teams, squads, and platoons. While we were sad to

see many experienced Soldiers move on, we are also

excited to welcome our new teammates. Moreover,

with reset nearly in the rearview mirror, leadership

is excited to report increased unit cohesion as indi-

vidual Soldiers settle into their roles within the

Bravo Company, 2-7 IN, Soldier bounding through smokeduring live-fire exercises.

2BN Commander’s Comments continued from pg. 6

CPT Biner, Incoming Commander, C/2-7 IN, rendering hisnew 1SG, 1SG Troy Murray, a salute during his Change of

Command Ceremony. continued next page



company. It is this teamwork and camaraderie that

is going to ensure our unit’s success on the road to

NTC in August, as well as any follow-on mission

our country may call upon us for.

In January, our battle focus was largely on certify-

ing our dismounted troops on what they do best:

battle drills – though this could not have been ac-

complished without the combined efforts of their

mounted brethren. This began with a Squad Train-

ing Exercise (STX) in which Soldiers trained on in-

dividual and collective tasks while operating in a

field environment. Second Lieutenant Ryan Gwinn

reflected the general Bushmaster sentiment when

stating “It’s great to be in the field with the guys re-

ally getting back to the basic meat and potatoes of

infantry tactics.” STX formed a great foundation for

Bushmaster Soldiers, but the real excitement oc-

curred as Bravo Company began putting live

rounds downrange during both the Team and

Squad Leader certifications. Captain Gerhart was

happy to report a 100% certification of personnel

during these consecutive events.

It’s great to take a minute to reflect on the good

work being done here at Bravo Company, but Bush-

masters are also always looking forward. We may

be heading back into garrison for February, but our

work this upcoming month is crucial to our success

during two of our next milestone events: Gunnery

and NTC. This month’s preparation will include a

transition back to a focus on our mounted opera-

tions. Our Bradley crews will test their knowledge

and abilities with Gunnery Skills Training (GST)

during which they will conduct basic tasks such as

disassembling and reassembling their weapons sys-

tems. Following this, platoon leaders will brief an

operations order outlining a mission to be con-

ducted within realistic Bradley Fighting Vehicle

simulators. February training will culminate with

Miles Gunnery, a preparation for Live Fire Gun-

nery, in which Soldiers train within their actual ve-

hicles and weapons systems, using laser sensors to

simulate live engagements.

We’re excited for the upcoming events, and we of

course hope you are as well. Without the continued

love and support from our Families and Friends few

of our goals could have been reached. We are re-

minded each and every day of the sacrifices our

Families and Friends make so that we may do our

jobs – for this, we thank you.

Cold Steel Company (CPT Biner)

“Willing and Able!” These three words epitomize

the emotions I felt when Able 6 handed me the

Charlie Company Guidon on February 5th. As the

newest member of the Cottonbaler team, I could not

be more fortunate to take Command than at a time

like this.

Cold Steel has a lot to look forward to in the 3rd

Quarter. In April, we will be shooting Gunnery, a

first for many of our young Soldiers. In May, we ea-

gerly anticipate Raider Focus, our last major train-

ing event before NTC, which will consist of

Brigade-level operations here at Fort Stewart.

Come June, we will reward our Soldier’s hard work

with opportunities to take some well deserved

leave.

The atmosphere amongst the Soldiers of Cold Steel

is one that can be best described as electric. Finally,

after months of reset from the most recent deploy-

ment to Afghanistan, followed by detailed services

CPT Biner receiving the guidon from LTC Chalfont during the C/27 IN Change of Command Ceremony.


continued page 13



to get our tanks back into fighting condition, we are

positioned to begin the training that builds unit co-

hesion and lethality.

Again, I look forward to the upcoming quarter and

leading Cold Steel in some of the best training that

Fort Stewart has to offer. It is truly an honor to

work with these “Damn Fine Soldiers!”

Cold Steel Soldiers continue to lead the way in all

operations and proudly represent the Cottonbaler

family and the 3rd Infantry Division. Willing and

Able!

Delta Company (CPT Bunch)

Greetings Cottonbalers, Family, and friends! Over

the past months, the company was able to hone

their basic level Soldier skills by shooting M9 and

M4 qualifications, with a familiarization night fire

using night optics. We also had the opportunity to

maneuver out in the field as platoons with

HMMWVs during our Wheeled Maneuver Training

in the month of January. It gave the opportunity for

the platoons to get out in a vehicle and rehearse

battle drills in vehicles, even though they were not

tanks. The Death Riders are emerged in preparing

for Gunnery for April of this year. On a daily basis,

individual crews are conducting maintenance on

their tracks, boresighting their main guns, and

working with the AGTS system to prepare them for

a successful Gun-

nery. Soldiers of the

company under-

stand that Gunnery

is just a stepping

stone for whatever

fight comes in the fu-

ture and they con-

tinue to train that

way. Platoon leaders

are currently being

certified by Able 6 to

ensure that they are

ready to lead the

Soldiers of Delta

Company. Through

troop leading proce-

dures, rehearsals,

and the operation or-

ders process these leaders are showing that they

are ready to lead their men in the fight. Death Rid-

ers will be ready to answer the call in the near fu-

ture with the hard work and effort they have put

into their jobs. Willing and Able! DEATHRIDERS!

Foxtrot Company (CPT Cornaire)

Fighter Family and friends- It has been an out-

standing quarter for Fighter Company and I want

to thank all of you for your continued support. The

company has fo-

cused on reengaging

basic Soldier skills of

marksmanship and

land navigation in

conjunction with our

daily functions as lo-

gisticians providing

maintenance, distri-

bution and food serv-

ice support. We

conducted our first

overnight field train-

ing since returning

from deployment

and our team honed

valuable skills to in-


1SG Murray and Charlie Company, 2-7 IN, standing steadywhen it started raining during the Change of Command

Ceremony.

CPT Biner, C/2-7 IN, delivering his speech during his Change of Command Ceremony. continued next page



clude all terrain and night driver’s training, devel-

oping fighting positions, and validating platoon bat-

tle drills.

By the time of this publication, Fighter Company

will have undergone some changes with Captain

Spears now in command. Officers come and go, but

the Soldiers and senior non-commissioned officers

truly keep the company functioning on a day to day

basis. I wish Captain Spears the best of luck and

know he will lead the company with distinction and

bring it to greater levels. It was an honor to serve as

Fighter Company Commander and this organiza-

tion will always hold a special place in my heart.

COTTONBALERS BY GOD!

LTC Chad Chalfont ♦




_____________ Combined Membership Application and Donation Form _____________

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________

Street Address: ______________________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ______________

Telephone: _______________________ E-Mail: ___________________________________________

Period of Service and Unit with 7th Infantry: _____________________________________________

Highest Grade achieved in military service: ________________________________________________

Membership Category: Regular q Life: q

Dues (See Rates in Box at Right): $_______________________

Donation to Boswell Scholarship Fund: $_______________________

Contribution to Operating Expenses: $_______________________

Total Enclosed: $_______________________

Make check payable to: “7th Infantry Regiment Association”

Mail to: Roland Merson, Secretary, 60 Tipper Drive, Dryfork, WV 26263

Dues Rates:Regular: $20/YearLife Memberships:Over Age 70: $100Age 60-70: $175Up to Age 60: $250Active Duty E8-O3: $200Active Duty E7 and Below: $150

7TH Infantry Regiment Association Approved Budget for 2013 andActual Income/Expenses to Date as of 2/22/14

INCOME

Category Budget for 2014 Actual for 2014Reunion Income 0.00 0.00Membership Dues 3,500.00 60.00Donations for Operating Expenses 2,000.00 100.00Donations for Scholarship Fund 2,500.00 150.00Google Advertising Income 100.00 0.00TOTAL INCOME 8,100.00 310.00

EXPENSES

Category Budget for 2014 Actual for 20142013 Reunion Expenses 0.00 0.00Next Reunion Expenses 0.00 0.00Operating Supplies & Services 75.00 0.00Miscellaneous Postage 300.00 0.00Transfer to Scholarship Fund 2,500.00 150.00Support of Active Duty Bns 0.00 0.00Cottonbaler Newsletter (Production and Postage) 4,950.00 820.97Publication of Membership Roster 0.00 0.00Web Site 263.40 21.95Recognition 0.00 0.00Other (Miscellaneous) Expenses 11.60 0.00TOTAL EXPENSES 8,100.00 992.92

Balance in Checking Account (as of 22 Feb 14) = $8,328.31


CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDITWar of 1812

Canada

New Orleans

Florida 1814

Louisiana 1815

Mexican War

Monterey

Vera Cruz

Cerro Gordo

Contreras

Churubusco

Molino del Rey

Chapultepec

Texas 1846

Civil War

Fredericksburg

Murfreesborough

Chancellorsville

Gettysburg

Chickamauga

Chattanooga

Atlanta

New Mexico 1861

New Mexico 1862

Kentucky 1862

Mississippi 1862

Tennessee 1862

Tennessee 1863

Georgia 1864

Indian Wars

Creeks

Seminoles

Little Big Horn

Nez Perces

Utes

Pine Ridge

New Mexico 1860

Wyoming 1866

Montana 1872

War with Spain

Santiago

Philippine Insurrection

Samar 1901

Samar 1902

World War I

Aisne

Champagne-Marne

Aisne-Marne

St. Mihiel

Meuse-Argonne

Champagne 1918

Ile de France 1918

World War II

Algeria-French Morocco

(with arrowhead)

Tunisia

Sicily (with arrowhead)

Naples-Foggia

Anzio (with arrowhead)

Rome-Arno

Southern France

(with arrowhead)

Rhineland

Ardennes-Alsace

Central Europe

Korean War

CCF Intervention

First UN Counteroffensive

CCF Spring Offensive

UN Summer-Fall Offensive

Second Korean Winter

Korea, Summer-Fall 1952

Third Korean Winter

Korea, Summer 1953

Vietnam

Counteroffensive, Phase II

Counteroffensive, Phase III

Tet Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase IV

Counteroffensive, Phase V

Counteroffensive, Phase VI

Tet 69/Counteroffensive

Summer-Fall 1969

Winter-Spring 1970

Sanctuary Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase VII

Southwest Asia

Defense of Saudi Arabia

Liberation and Defense of

Kuwait

Cease-Fire

War on Terrorism

Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn

Operation Enduring Freedom

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

WOODSTOCK, VA

PERMIT #8

The 7Th InfanTry regImenT aSSocIaTIonroland B. merson, Secretary

60 Tipper Drive

Dryfork, WV 26263

Change Service Requested

Spring 2014

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