704th Brigade Support Battalion Monthly Reader
Blacksmith
Soldiers of the Week
CPL Gary Reed - C Co - BN WINNER!
SGT Johnathan Pace - C Co - BN WINNER!
Date: 30 JUN
HHC - 1LT Ashley Wright
A Co - SPC Robert Lozano
B Co - SPC Nelson Quinones
C Co - CPL Gary Reed (BN WINNER)

Date: 15 JUL
HHC - PFC Stephen Lopez
A Co - SSG Jacob Robinson
B Co - PFC Justin Mobley
C Co - SGT Johnathan Pace (BN WINNER)
Mission Update
Over the last few weeks, in addition to the continued hard work of our formations and staff, we spent dedicated and much needed time counseling, training, and focusing on our personal well-being. This was to ensure we are READY mentally and emotionally for any fight thrown at us. We are not going to stop getting the help any of us need whether that is financial support, marriage counseling, suicidal thoughts, whatever it is, the Army and our leaders have a solution - you just need to tell someone - anyone.

Let's live and train by the Golden Triangle of care around our Soldiers - a buddy, a leader, and their Family.

In simple terms, if we sexually assault or harass one another, if we ignore the signs of suicide, if we don't include our teammates, and show bias towards one another, we BREAK TRUST and HARM ONE ANOTHER.

From our Commanding General and DIV CSM: "While we have continuous requirements and missions, we cannot forget that without our people, we cannot accomplish anything. NOTHING is more important than every single Soldier and Family member on the Mountain Post. Often our Army is moving so fast, we lose sight of that. People are #1 in our Army, we must ensure we really know our Soldiers and Families. To do that, we must prioritize and protect time to ensure our actions match our words."

Even during this time, you all continued to row hard and operate the BDE's SSA, support the BDE and other BN's with transportation assets, provide fuel support to Stryker training, turn in ammunition, conduct maintenance operations focusing on our key Pacing items (FLAs, wreckers and Forklifts), PMCS and conduct services, prep for EFMB, conduct Medical Maintenance services for the BDE, and also help two old and two new commander's continue to conduct their Change of Command inventories. And always, so much more!

CSM and I thank each and every one of you for your continued hard work, dedication to duty and commitment to our unit - and to the families that support!
Thursday 27 Aug at 6pm MST

Click the button to join the Brigade's Welcome Group for next month's Welcome Brief.
Want an easy chance at $50?

See your Company Rep for more info:

HHC - SPC Edwards or 1SG Wood
A Co - 2LT Keegan or 1SG Perez
B Co - 1LT McGraw or 1SG Cuevez
C Co - SGT Holt or 1SG Woo

Keep in mind that the more you compete each week, your Company gains points towards an overall win at the end of the year.
Compete in one of three different mileage categories to earn gear showing off your accomplishments! Can you collect all three?
• Blue Spruce Challenge: 50 miles
• Columbine Challenge: 100 miles
• Aspen Challenge: 150 miles
• Participants have one month to run/walk their chosen distance
• Points also go towards CDR's Cup!
Blacksmith Baby Announcements
We are happy to announce our newest additions to the Blacksmith family.

SSG White and wife Brittany - A Co
Baby boy Emmett Briar
July 09, 2020

SPC Cunningham and husband Shawn - A Co 
Baby boy Reign Sorrel
July 25, 2020
As of 20 JUL 20 - 

Fort Carson Order for use of face masks:

• Mask Wearing Requirement. All Service Members with duty at Fort Carson are ordered to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while entering or moving within any indoor space; performing any official duty in an indoor space in a group of three (3) or more individuals; and during travel with others not of the same home. An indoor space on Fort Carson includes, but is not limited to, any building, facility, company operations facility, hanger, or common room in a barracks.

• Service Members. All Service Members must comply with this order. Service Members must also comply with any public health orders and guidelines issued by federal, state, local, and municipal authorities when off of Fort Carson. Commanders at all levels may enforce this order by administrative, non-judicial, and/or judicial action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

• Family Members and Civilians. All Family Members and Civilians are encouraged to comply with this order. Any Family Member or Civilian not wearing a mask covering their nose and mouth may be denied entry to any indoor space located on Fort Carson.

• Exceptions. This order is not applicable to children under the age of two (2) years old, or individuals who cannot medically wear a mask.

Drive-in Movie Theatre Showing 
Movie: The Outpost
Location: Elkhorn Catering & Conference Center
Parking Spots Available: 132

Movie Start Times:
  • Friday Evening Showing: August 7 at 6:00pm
  • Saturday Matinee Showing: August 8 at 2:00pm
  • Saturday Evening Showing: August 8 at 6:00pm
  • Sunday Matinee Showing: August 9 at 2:00pm
-This event is only available for DOD ID card holders. This event is not open to the public.

All information is subject to change.
Fort Carson and Corona Virus News
Please visit the Fort Carson Homepage to get the most up to date information on our issues with COVID-19.
Ensure you visit this page regularly to get the most accurate info (when visiting, refresh your browser!!)
Not a Facebook user, but have Instagram? You can also view the Fort Carson Town Hall meetings there as well. Take a LOOK!
Unfortunately, we had a Soldier in our ranks make a really bad decision to drink and drive, even worse, during our Safety Stand Down week. Fortunately, no one was harmed by this terrible choice.

There is no reason to drink and drive - NONE! Remember to always have a plan A and a plan B if you are are over 21 and decide to drink.

We are currently at 3 days DUI free.

**Companies receive a DONSA (Companies choose their day off) for every 100 days DUI free.**
BASE ACCESS INFO
Non-DoD ID Card Holders may visit Soldiers, on or off post. If Soldiers live on post, an installation access memo can be submitted through your company CDR and signed by me, your BN CDR.

Visitors will be screened before being permitted onto the installation. Visitors who do not meet screening criteria (travel from a high risk area, recent contact with COVID-positive personnel, etc.) will not be allowed entry.
High Risk Personnel: Monday thru Friday 09:00-10:00; Saturday and Sunday from 08:00-10:00.

All other eligible guests: Monday thru Saturday 10:00-20:00; Sundays 10:00-18:00.

Store Hours:
Mon-Sun 0900-1800
Seniors 65+ 0800-0900 Wed Only
Phone:

Need to register your vehicle? Click HERE to make an appointment at your local DMV. The on base DMV is scheduled to reopen on 1 Sep.
DMV
704th Battalion Ball is back on!

Thursday, October 29, 2020 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

ATTN Soldiers! If you attend the ball, you get Friday OFF!

Ticket prices will be determined based off fund raising activities and finalized in Sep/Oct.

Due to COVID-19 restraints, child care will not be available at the event and children will not be allowed at the Ball.

For our guests, get prepared by considering a great organization like Operation Deploy Your Dress. Click the link to see what they offer for both male and female attire.
Want a Free Backpack filled with School Supplies?
Backpacks for children grades 1st Grade - 12th Grade. Click below to register; you can only show up during your appointment time. NO EXCEPTIONS. No Backpacks will be held for anyone. For more information about this event, please email prussmanchapel@gmail.com
New Home School Financial Assistance?
On May 27th, Army Emergency Relief announced a new financial assistance program to provide support for costs associated with schools transitioning to remote learning.
Effective immediately, eligible Soldiers with dependent children in kindergarten through twelfth grade may receive up to $500 per family for supplies to support homeschooling. The eligibility period for this special category of assistance is retroactive to March 1, 2020, and will continue until rescinded by AER headquarters.
Assistance may be provided as a zero-interest loan or grant to cover costs for traditional educational materials such as pens, paper, and books as well as educational technology including computers, tablets, and software.
Eligibility is extended to active duty, retired, and medically retired Soldiers, survivors, U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), and Army National Guard (ARNG) Soldiers activated on Title 10 orders for 31 or more days. USAR and ARNG Soldiers activated on Title 10 or Title 32 orders in support of COVID-19 are also eligible, regardless of the length of activation.
704th Chaplain G's Workshop
COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESOURCES
For official Fort Carson updates (closures, special shopping hours, town halls, Child Development Centers, etc.) Click HERE
Soldier Family Readiness Group
Do you know who to contact if you need SFRG assistance or information?
We also started a committee known as "Blacksmith Forge". It's a group consisting of Soldiers, NCOs, and Officers from each Company who are single, married and/or with or without children. They come together to discuss ways to integrate and make a tight knit Blacksmith Family.
Are you interested in forging a better Blacksmith Family?
DO YOU VOLUNTEER?
Let me know HERE what and where you are volunteering.
Need to learn how to log your Volunteer hours? Here are a few tools to use the VMIS at the Armyonesource website.
BATTALION SPIRIT GEAR
Did you know Battalion Spirit Gear is authorized for PT wear for Soldiers, spouses and friends? It also makes you look super cool at Battalion events! Get your gear now from our trusted Etsy shop. Search Etsy.com for SharpentheSteel704 or click HERE for direct access. There you can order 704th BSB t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs and more.
Thanks for reading and being a part of our Blacksmith Family.
~Lieutenant Colonel Sullivan and Command Sergeant Major Wyatt