Volume 1, Issue 1 March 2013

2 FURY News
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Inside this issue:

2 Fury 6 Alpha Company Bravo Company Charlie Company Delta Company Foxtrot Company HHC FRSA / Chaplain

2nd Battalion 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Bldg B-1928 Red Devil Lane Fort Bragg, NC 28310 BN Staff Duty Phone: 910-908-0097

2Fury6LTC Andrew S. Zieseniss

EIB Edition
and have begun the process of training on a critical capability. The company recently rolled to the field as a weapons company for the first time in at least 6 years. The battalion Mortar Platoon has trained hard over the last couple of months and last week LTC Andrew S. Zieseniss they were able to fire their first mortar round in over 15 months. Finally, the Scout Platoon continues to work on rebuilding critical reconnaissance skills which started with a restructure of personnel in the platoon. The battalion also continues to focus heavily in training on our airborne capability. One of the things that makes our organization truly unique is our ability to fly anywhere in the world at anytime to conduct a forced entry airborne operation. We are working hard to continue to develop our level of proficiency in being able to accomplish this task. Over the coming months the battalion will move into a busy training period which will be highlighted by our intensive training cycle in April and May. During this period, the battalion will deploy to the field for several weeks and will focus on important collective skills and tasks. It will be an extremely challenging yet rewarding training event for every Paratrooper.
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Dear families, friends and Paratroopers of 2 Fury Since the battalion change of command over 4 months ago there have been significant changes in 2-508 PIR, as well as, many accomplishments. Most apparent has been the personnel turnover. We said goodbye to almost 200 Paratroopers and their families when they moved to new duty assignments or transitioned to civilian life after honorable service to our great nation. As weve said goodbye to many of our key Paratroopers over that last several months, weve also had the opportunity to welcome new Paratroopers into the battalion. This includes new company command teams in Alpha Company, Delta Company, HHC, and the Forward Support Company. We will definitely miss those who departed, but are excited to welcome the next generation of 2 Fury Paratroopers and their families to the battalion. Over the last several months, our main focus has been the reset of our personnel and equipment. As we transitioned from a challenging deployment, our primary focus over the holiday period was allowing our Paratroopers the time they needed to reintegrate with families, loved ones, and life at Fort Bragg. The battalion also spent countless hours resetting our equipment and integrating new equipment into the organization. The battalion marked the transition from our reset period to our training density with the Expert Infantrymans Badge training and testing in mid-February. Perhaps one of the most prestigious awards an infantryman can earn, this years EIB was a terrific event. Out of 300 Paratroopers who started testing on day one, 30 Paratroopers earned the EIB. Our battalion fire support teams also participated in an intensive training period over several weeks which concluded with a series of competition categories. Our battalion swept every single category which included best fire support team, best fire support NCO, and best fire support Officer. One of the most significant challenges weve faced over the last several months has been the reconstitution of key capabilities within the battalion. Delta Company, the Battalion Mortars, and the Battalion Scouts have all undergone significant reorganization. Im pleased to note that Delta Company has completely reorganized from a Rifle Company back to a Weapons Company structure. They literally rebuilt their vehicle fighting platforms from next to nothing

I would like to close by thanking all the friends and families of our Paratroopers. What your husbands, wives, sons, and daughters do for our nation is extraordinary. They are literally the first line of defense for our country. They are willing to go anywhere at any time to protect our way of life. They attack every mission with professional pride and determination without seeking recognition or reward. Their accomplishments on a daily basis never cease to amaze me. These men and women couldnt do it without your encouragement and support. Thank you for all you do!

Like us on Facebook 2-508 PIR 4BCT: 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Ft Bragg Info: www.bragg.army.mil Army Community Services (ACS): 910-396-8682 or 8683 Military One Source : 800-342-8847 4BCT Military Family Life Consultant (MFLC): 910-709-4093 The Watters Center (Chaplain Counseling): 910-396-6564 MWR: www.fortbraggmwr.com Military Acronym's: militaryacro-

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Alpha Company
Intensive Training Cycle

CPT Garrison and 1SG Barnes

Alpha Company Upcoming Events:

GREETINGS FROM ALPHA COMPANY!

Alpha Company started 2013 by quickly jumping back into the training cycle. Having completed rest and refit from OEF XII, the Paratroopers of Alpha Company turned to rebuilding their Infantry core competencies. In January, they executed qualification ranges for all their weapon systems, and welcomed their new commander, CPT Samuel J. Garrison. Captain Samuel Silver Fox Garrison took command of Alpha Company on January 31st from Captain Joseph Fightin Joe Forney. CPT Forney served as Alpha Companys commanding officer from January 2011 to January 2013. Over the course of two years, he rebuilt the company from the ground up following the OEF X deployment, trained and prepared the men for combat, and led them back to Afghanistan for another successful deployment into the historical heartland of the Taliban. CPT Forney took the company through deployment and back, bringing every soldier home safely. For his service to the unit and the United States Army, Captain Forney was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. The paratroopers of Alpha Company would like to wish CPT Forney and his wife Kari the best of luck as they strike out on their next endeavor! In February, Alpha Company focused on training and testing for the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB). First Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant First Class Nye, along with our other EIB qualified NCOs, set up a patrol lane for the testing, while 55 of our paratroopers attempted the grueling week-long test. The Expert Infantryman Badge test requires Infantryman to qualify expert on an M4 Carbine, complete an Army Physical Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, and a 12 mile road march, as well as complete a myriad of Infantry specific tasks tested to a rigid time standard.
March Promotions SSG Parrish SPC Fagbola SPC Brabham SPC Anderson Those who hold the EIB represent the best the Infantry has to offer, and we would like to congratulate our Paratroopers who recently earned their EIB: -Sergeant Macy -Sergeant Freeland -Sergeant Ready -Specialist Spencer -Specialist Imperial -Specialist Capen -Specialist Stockner -Specialist Yoder -Specialist Ba - Private First Class Latta

CPT Garrison passes the colors to 1SG Barnes during the A Co Change of Command Ceremony

New Troopers PV1 Solley PV2 Ratcliff PFC Parsons PFC Marcy

LTC Zieseniss awards CPT Forney the Meritorious Service Medal

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Bravo Company
Intensive Training Cycle

CPT Robinson and 1SG Goodart

Bravo Company Upcoming Events

The end of the EIB road march

Congratulations to the BRAVO COMPANY EIB Recently, Bravo Company soldiers trained and went through the AWARDEES: physical and mental testing to earn the EIB Badge. In 1944, -SGT Churchill, Phillip Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall, initiated the development of an Award to honor the U.S. Army Infantryman. The Of-SSG Fair, Nathan fice of Heraldic Activity of the Quartermaster General began -1LT Maldonado, Anthony work on designing a badge that would represent the U.S. Infantrys tough, hard-hitting role in combat, and symbolize profi-SPC Malik, Dalton ciency in the Infantry Arts. Paratroopers gained much from the -SPC Visaya, Jan Christian training and testing that was executed by the NCOs of 4BCT. -PFC Owens, Justin The following list are the B Co Soldiers that earned their badge -SPC Zettel, David after the grueling 4 days of testing. Berets off to those that tested and earned their badge! Great work, men!

EXPERT INFANTRYMANS BADGE TESTING PROVES CHALLENGING AND REWARDING FOR 2-508 PIR PARATROOPERS

A Bravo Company Paratrooper engages targets

BRAVO COMPANYS SINGER-SONGWRITER IS MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF

2Fury has a performer in our midst! SSG Nathan Fair, from 1 st Platoon Bravo Company, has been writing songs and performing live for some time now. He was discovered on Nov 30th, 2011 showcasing his talent at the Unplugged Singer/ Songwriter competition at Huske's Hardware House in Fayetteville, NC. Out of 38 artists, SSG Fair won 1st place. His song from that nights performance, Fallen Soldier, began to spread on the internet. SSG Fair was signed shortly thereafter by Rock The Boat Records. Fallen Soldier is now available for purchase on iTunes, with 100% of the profits going to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Operation Restored Warrior. He describes his genre of music as Americana, Rockabilly, Alternative, acoustic all rolled into one. His most recent performance was on February 20th, when he opened for and sang alongside the rock band Madison Rising in Charlotte, NC. The show was a great success. SSG Fair will be performing all over the East Coast. He is scheduled to open and sing another set with Madison Rising on April 23 in Fayetteville, NC, as well as the Buffalo Chip Sturgis Bike Rally on August 8th, which benefits the Navy SEAL Foundation, and the Special Operations Speaks Foundation. He also has an international performance scheduled in the Netherlands in celebration of Dutch Veterans Day.

New Troopers PFC Trujillo PV2 Thrasher PFC Peralta PV2 Medlin PFC Maglott PV2 Licourt

The buddy carry!

March Promotions SGT Florence PFC Bowles

The talented SSG Nathan Fair poses with his guitar.

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Charlie Company
Intensive Training Cycle

CPT Armenta and 1SG Clark

Charlie Company Upcoming Events

GREETING FROM CHARLIE COMPANY!

2013 has been a busy year so far for the Paratroopers of Charlie Company. They have begun training on key Infantry tasks to get themselves back to the basics. The company has conducted multiple ranges, airborne operations, and competed for the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB). The forward observers for the company also took part in the Fire Support Team (FIST) Certification. The Charlie Company FIST team spent five weeks competing in a brigade-wide certification during the months of January and February. The event included testing on call-for-fire procedures, hands-on testing of their equipment, an Army Physical Fitness Test, a written test, and culminated in a 12 mile ruck march. Charlies Team came away from the event taking first place in the brigade. They also secured a few individual awards as well. Charlies Fire Support Non-Commissioned Officer, Staff Sergeant McKoy, won best Fire Support NCO in the brigade and Second Platoons Forward Observer, Specialist Daughton, had the best time in the brigade on the 12 mile ruck march. The team secured the bragging rights for the company as well as the Best FIST streamer for the guidon and we would like to congratulate them on all of their achievements. The Infantrymen of Charlie spent the month of February training and testing for the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB). The Expert Infantryman Badge test itself consists of an M4 Carbine Expert Qualification, an Army Physical Fitness Test, a number of essential Infantry tasks, land navigation, and a 12 mile road march to cap off the event. Sergeant First Class Hayes, Sergeant First Class Devalle, and Staff Sergeant Weiers established and ran several lanes in support of the testing. Overall from the company, 69 Paratroopers went out for the badge, with six earning the prestigious award. On behalf of Charlie Company, congratulations to all of the Paratroopers that earned the badge and thank you to everyone who supported the testing. ers individual tasks and to prepare for the upcoming Intensive Training Cycle in April.
New Troopers PFC Shuler PFC Savolskis SPC Ross SPC Neiderer PV2 Monthei The FIST awardees pose for a picture with Brig. Gen. Charles Flynn, the Deputy Division Commander PFC Martines PFC Estep March Promotions SPC Goode SPC Herrera SPC Lambert SPC Yarbrough PFC Ashworth PFC Carver PFC Keeley PFC Nelson PFC Trent

The paratroopers that earned their EIB were: -First Lieutenant Lee -First Lieutenant Walmsley -Staff Sergeant Ridenour -Sergeant Ford -Sergeant Perrine -Specialist Blackman

A Charlie Company Paratrooper bounds to cover during one of his EIB testing lanes Charlie Company will continue to train over the next month to improve upon all its Paratroop-

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Delta Company
Intensive Training Cycle

CPT Abruzzese and 1SG Simon

Delta Company Upcoming Events

GREETINGS FROM DELTA COMPANY!

Delta Company has started the first quarter of 2013 on an adventure, claiming and establishing its new identity as a Heavy Weapons Company. What this means on the ground level is we have fewer troopers than other companies, more HMMVWs, and missions with a focus on using these vehicles to our advantage on the battlefield. This has been a lot of fun for us as we get to fire new and larger weapons than we are used to and drive further and faster than any other company in the battalion. In addition to transitioning, Delta has participated with the rest of 2 Fury on increasing our Airborne proficiency with men, weapons and equipment. Now we not only practice jumping from planes, but we continue to increase our responsibility on the ground following the jump with missions and rehearsals. On top of our own jumps, 2 Fury has been helping send out 2 nd Brigade for jumps as they practice for being the Global Response Force which has the mission to be prepared to jump into anywhere in the world within 18 hours of notification. Starting in March and extending into and ramping up in April, Delta Company has taken to the field to increase its combat readiness with hands-on field training.

Delta Company Paratroopers conduct training in Area J

SPC Diesburg Re-enlistment administered by CW2 Dulaney

A Delta Company Paratrooper mans the .50. Hes ready to Get After It!

Delta Company Paratroopers assist a simulated casualty

New Troopers PFC Stein SPC Birdsall PFS Bateau

March Promotions SPC Garcia

Delta Company spent time at the Heavy Drop Rig Site preparing to drop their vehicles from the sky.

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Foxtrot Company
Foxtrot Company Upcoming Events:
Intensive Training Cycle

CPT Best and 1SG Delice

GREETINGS FROM FOXTROT COMPANY!

The Maintenance Platoon has been at the forefront of the Battalions RESET process since the Afghanistan redeployment. The shop office clerks work tirelessly on their computers to track six company's weapon systems, optics, lasers, radios, and vehicles. They ensure that every piece of equipment has a service record so our Infantry brothers will always be able to train with the best equipment. Our Mechanics have put in some long, greasy hours to ensure the battalion fleet of vehicles is operational and ready at a moments notice to support our Troopers.
The passing of the guidon is a tradition rich with symbolism and the key event in any Change of Command

CPT Best and his parents immediately following the Change of Command

DFAC personnel are simply the unsung heroes of not only the battalion, but the brigade. Working on split shifts these culinary experts brought 4 BCTs DFAC back into operation in record time while seamlessly supporting all the necessary requirements associated with 2 Fury training. The Fox Company DFAC personnel were also an integral part of 2BCTs Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise, providing food for over 1,200 personnel involved in the event. The FSC DFAC section recently supported the Expert Infantry Badge testing cycle by providing hot meals and beverages to candidates and cadre throughout the course, thus ensuring those testing for the badge enjoyed 1 hot meal per day. Distribution Platoon is the sustainment Life Line of 2FURY. They do everything from ammunition management, food distribution, transporting passengers, and conducting tactical training. Just recently they were tasked to support the 82ND Airbornes core mission to alert, marshal, and deploy within 18 hours of notification to fight and win anywhere in the world. Last month they drew, issued, and accounted for more than 900 parachutes for 2 Brigade Combat Team.
New Troopers PV2 Pitkin PFC Mckoy PV2 Likely PV2 Johnson PFC Cruz-Sanchez March Promotions SGT Murrel SGT Torresramos SPC Yslas SPC Sanes SPC Burke

1SG Bootes and the Paratroopers of Foxtrot Company at the Change of Command

CPT Jacobs was all smiles at the Change of Command

Foxtrot Company was honored to have Fury 6, COL Watson, attend the Change of Command.

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Headquarters and Headquarters Company

HHC Upcoming Events:
Intensive Training Cycle

CPT Bedard and 1SG Hayes

GREETINGS FROM HHC!

The Company has been progressing extremely well since our holiday block leave, completing Expert Infantryman Badge testing and moving into our collective training in preparation for Aprils Intensive Training Cycle (ITC). We are extremely proud of the progress HHC has made, as we have lost many key members of the team to PCS or ETS moves. This month we will bid farewell to our first sergeant, 1SG Jeremiah Mason. Well be welcoming SFC Daniel Hayes in his place. In the upcoming month, we will move forward with Expert Field Medical Badge Testing, collective training for our Mortars and Scouts, and Command Post Exercises for our staff in preparation for ITC. Below are some of the accomplishments from each of the platoons. The Medical PLT is proud to highlight the many accomplishments our Medics have worked so hard to achieve. Some recent accomplishments include: SGT Stairs graduating from the Warrior Leaders Course on the Commandants List, PFC Matera for graduating from the Field Sanitation Course, and Specialists Burgos, Stolarski, Graham, and Gustafson on successfully completing the Combatives Level II Course. We would like to congratulate Sergeants Warner, Pagan, and Stairs on their promotion into the great NCO Corps. Special highlights go to SGT Warner for his incredible accomplishment in winning the Division Soldier of the Quarter Board. Also, to SSG Geller, SGT Pagan, SGT Noland, SPC Scoggins, and SPC Jones for reenlisting in order to continue their commitment to our nation. The Medics would also like to welcome our new Physicians Assistant, CPT Gomez, and Treatment NCO, SGT Ortiz, to our team.
New Troopers SPC Bodine SPC Casper SPC Sanchez SGT Doran SGT Mitchner Those who hold the EIB represent the best the Infantry has to offer, and we would like to congratulate our Paratroopers who recently earned their EIB:

-SSG Knicely -SPC Tardo -SPC Carter -SPC Stockner -SPC Wynne -SPC Myers

1LT Chang and SFC Hagan show support for their Warrior Leader Course graduates.

March Promotions SSG Huggins SGT Turner SGT Watson SPC Hawley, SPC Lewis SPC Lopez SPC Tardo,

SGT Pinkley awards SPC Myers with his Expert Infantry Badge

Training Schedule and Upcoming Important Events

Upcoming Training Events FRG Representatives Email FRSA: sally.a.bean.civ@mail.mil HHC: : HHC2.508frg@gmail.com Alpha: alphacompany2508@gmail.com Bravo: bco2508frg@gmail.com Charlie: charlie2508frg@gmail.com Delta:delta2508frg@gmail.com Foxtrot fco2508frg@gmail.com

Intensive Training Cycle Team and Squad Live Fire Exercises Platoon Live Fire Exercises Upcoming Training Holidays Easter weekend 29 MAR1 APR 12 APR DONSA Upcoming FRG Events BN Steering Committee Meeting: 7 MAY

2 FURY would like to congratulate our two latest Iron Mike recipients, Amy Holland and Kim Fitzgerald

CH (CPT) Belton briefing the group during the last retreat

Chaplains Corner The 2Fury Unit Ministry Team is Chaplain Rob Belton and SGT Ricky Nelson. Were Paratroopers who love serving God and serving our Troopers and their Families. Our primary mission is to perform or provide religious support for the entire Battalion. Our core competencies are to nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen. We offer confidential counseling, spiritual discipleship, and fun opportunities for Single and Married Troopers. We can also help you out with weddings, baptisms, and other religious rites or sacraments. If you need anything, just let us know! If we cant do it for you, well make sure we point you in the right direction. As we enter the season of Spring, the weather is warming up, and we see new signs of life all around us. May you and your loved ones know Gods peace and hope as we move through Easter and into the summer. Grace & Peace, CH (CPT) Rob Belton rob.belton@us.army.mil 910.705.5973

Charlie Company Paratroopers enjoying themselves during the Company Picnic

FRSA Corner New to the Army and/or Fort Bragg?

Check out the Army Family Team Building Program. This is a fun, educational program designed for the Army Family to enhance ones knowledge of the military and develop leadership skills. For more information, call (910) 396-AFTB (2382). Location: Soldier Support Center 3rd Fl., Wing A Sally Ann Bean 2 FURY Paratroopers enjoying the sunset after a hard day of training! FURY FROM THE SKY! 2-508 PIR Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA) 910-908-0113 sally.a.bean.civ@mail.mil