LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

Last we spoke I mentioned getting your financial house in order. Hopefully you’re saving money, paying off debt, or making smart and informed purchases. The Financial Peace University class the Base Chapel offered had a lot of good and sound

advice. I recommend using that course if you need motivation and insight on how to become debt-free. Fleet & Family Support has a new Personal Financial Manager, Martina Simpson. They are offering some really good workshops in the next few days, February 26th – March 1st 1500-1630 at the Oasis. They will cover credit and debt management, investing and retirement, car buying, and home buying. If you could use some help getting your finances squared away you should take advantage of some these workshops. If you find yourself struggling with how to deal with finances, let someone in your chain of command or a close friend know so they can help you help yourself.A Soldier’s finance issue is easy enough to fix, but we need to let them know where to get help. As leaders we need to make sure we listen to our Soldiers and point them in the right direction. Problems back home can seem insurmountable and adversely affect performance in our daily duties. With half this deployment behind us, we need to ensure we keep our eyes and ears open and stay the course. Make sure you watch out for your fellow Soldiers and keep them motivated and safe. ~Capt. R.J. Hill

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Soldiers from Task Force Longrifles will tell you that the 2013 edition of the Longrifle Raid was anything but easy. The Longrifle Raid began two years ago when the previous Battalion Command Sgt. Major, Thomas Chumley designed an event that would test a Soldiers physical endurance, military skill, and artillery knowledge. Soldiers who successfully completed each event would earn the right to wear the coveted Red Cord on their dress uniform.This year’s Raid started with twenty-seven Soldiers from across the battalion. The first event of the day was a standard Army Physical Fitness Test at 0500 in the morning. However, each Soldier had to score a minimum of 70 points in all three categories. This means that just passing the APFT was not enough. The APFT consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2-mile run. After successfully completing the APFT, Soldiers were able to get breakfast and change into a clean uniform before an inspection, followed by a drill and ceremonies competition lead by 1st Sgt. Robert Burns from Headquarters Battery, 2-138th.“Drill and ceremonies is one of the skills that a Soldier should never lose. It’s a snapshot of their attention to detail,” said Burns after the last squad finished the event. “Having Soldiers from different units compete as one team also helps build camaraderie and teamwork which will be important for the rest of the Raid,” added Burns.

CPT’s Corner

The Djiboutian summer is getting closer every day, so we need to continue hydrating and acclimating ourselves. The weather has been pleasant so far, so we have a gradual change ahead of us, yet injuries and illness have been a big factor in the

past months. We need to stay aware of our surroundings and be as safe as possible in the months to come. Hydration, well balanced meals, and as much sleep as possible are contributing factors to the beginning of a productive and successful day. When vigilance and situational awareness become second nature, safety of you and others will become second nature. What happens at the beginning of your day will make the mood for the rest of the day. So maybe start it out with a run, some pushups and sit-ups, or a great functional fitness workout. Prepare yourself for greatness every minute of every day. It is expected of us as professionals in the United Stated Armed Forces. ~1st Sgt. Rodney Mitchell

1SG Thoughts

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Earning the right to wear the Red Cord

Story and photos by Capt. Daniel Van Horn, 2-138th PAO

February 22, 2013Volume 1, Issue 18

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - 1st Sgt. Robert Burns, a Radcliff, Ky. native, gives the command of open ranls prior to an inspection during the Longrifle Raid on Feb. 15, 2013. Look for the names of the Soldiers that earned the Red Cord in next month’s coverage of the official award ceremony.

Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

Chaplain ReflectionsWhile in Ethiopia visiting solders we where given an opportunity to go on a memorable journey. That afternoon we found ourselves in a dusty riverbed surrounded by steep mountains and instructed to follow our native guide up the ridgeline. As we climbed with a group

of troops we discuss a few good theological ideas and life lessons until we reached our destination. After a very difficult climb we found the cave that served as a home for thousands of years. The beauty of this cave was, not only did it provide protection from the elements it also provided safety from enemies. It is possible that this early occupant upon entering the valley had an almost unlimited choice of where he would reside, but he chose this cave, and when he did he made it his own. The point of the climb was not to see a cave it was to see ancient cave paintings, and it is hard to imagine the artist would expect this work to outlast him by generations; but it did.This is a good lesson of all of us to remember. Our actions have a lasting impact. The decisions we make including our friendships and marriages are passed on like an inheritance shaping those that follow us. Be wise and think about the life long impact of what at the time can appear to be short-term decision. ~Chaplain Mark East

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Soldier to Soldier • Any Soldier interested in participating in a shout-

out should stop by the Public Affairs office located in building 150, Monday through Friday from 1300-1600. POC is Capt. Van Horn, ext. 4807.

• Any Soldier interested in volunteering for Troops and Teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, contact 1st Lt. Weiler in building 150 or ext. 5031.

• The Chaplain’s Office will be collecting donations of 550 Cord from now until further notice. Any Soldiers interested in making donations can stop by building 150 between 0900-1600.

• April 1st is the deadline for Soldiers planning on using their State Tuition Assistance for the fall term. To submit application, go to https://ky.ngb.army.mil/tuitionstudent/frmLogin.aspx

The next event was the obstacle course, which gave each Soldier another opportunity to get dirty and sweaty. The course was physically demanding. The Soldiers had to complete fifteen push-ups, flip a 180-pound tire five times, high-crawl, low-crawl, carry two 30-pound ammunition cans for twenty yards, then raise one 30-pound ammunition can over their heads 15 times, and finally sprint 100 yards with both cans to the finish line.As the morning wore on, it continued getting hotter making the events that much more difficult. Soldiers began preparing for their next event, a 9-mile road march with 35 pounds of weight in the backpack. This event proved to be the most challenging of the day with several Soldiers dropping out due to the heat(those Soldiers were provided with medical attention and no injuries were sustained). The route wound its way along the perimeter of the camp with Soldiers having to make three laps in less than 2.5 hours to qualify for the next event.“Because of the heat, distance, and weight we had to carry, the road march was by far the hardest part of the Raid,” said 2nd Lt. Denis Babiyev, executive officer from Bravo Battery, 2-138th.With the physically demanding part of the raid complete, the events moved to military skill and artillery knowledge. This would include loading and filling a radio, call for fire, 9-line MEDEVAC, un-exploded ordnance report, and react to enemy contact.Spc. Tyler Douglas, a Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist with Charlie Battery, 2-138th, said completing the raid this year in Africa was a big goal. “I figured this deployment would be the best time to prepare for the Raid. In the future, not many Soldiers will be able to say they earned it while deployed to Africa, so it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Douglas.The final event consisted of Non-Commissioned Officer board with the battalion Command Sgt. Major and battery 1st Sgts asking one to two questions about unit history, military customs and courtesies, artillery facts, and warrior ethos. The day was challenging, hot, and long, but by the end of it, 21 Soldiers had earned the distinct privilege of calling themselves ‘Longrifle Raiders’ with a braided Red Cord adorning their shoulders.