704th Brigade Support Battalion Monthly Reader |
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Blacksmith
Soldiers of the Week
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SPC Tiara Taylor - A Co - BN WINNER! |
SPC Jeremy Taylor - B Co - BN WINNER! |
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Date: 11 SEP 20
HHC - No submission
A Co - SPC Tiara Taylor (BN WINNER!)
B Co - SPC Ulysses Roman
C Co - PFC Logan Fontenot
Date: 25 SEP 20
HHC - SPC Taray Brown
A Co - SPC Kyle Breckenridge
B Co - SPC Jeremy Taylor (BN WINNER!)
C Co - SPC Joshua Dukic
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Expert Field Medical Badge Competition |
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C Co, 704th BSB, 2SBCT, 4ID -
14 candidates competed to earn the coveted Expert Field Medical Badge. Congratulations to the 3 candidates for achieving the highest level of field medical proficiency!
Let's start training now for the next EFMB!
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Congrats to SPC August Boldt; 2LT Nizar Daoud; 1LT Claire Schmelzenbach (Charlie Company)
1LT Schmelzenbach earned an additional award from the General for having the most "GOs" during testing. 2LT Daoud also earned an additional award for having the fastest 12-mile Ruck, coming in at 2:11:46.
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October is about PEOPLE FIRST!
Our next Foundational Readiness Day (FRD) will occur on Friday, 23 OCT.
Topics for October FRD -
Counseling: Personal Growth
Mandatory Training: SHARP & EO classes
LPD: Leveraging Character Strengths Assessment
Sensing Session: Platoon Level
In addition to our FRD, we are going to conduct another Division wide Safety Stand-Down from 6-8 OCT. There are still too many lives being lost across the Army due to suicides (by personally owned weapons) and motorcycle deaths. This will be another opportunity for us to verify and continue our in-depth counseling for every member of the formation and to ensure everyone understands their chain of command.
SAFETY STAND-DOWN (6-8 OCT):
- Leaders will take ACTION: Build Trust, Know our Soldiers on a personal level and Build Teams
- Set and Enforce Standards and Discipline
- Address Suicides, Motorcycle accidents, and fire arm incidents
- Every Soldier is part of this (need a plan for anyone on leave)
- Golden Triangle complete
With this brand new change to our calendar, we will remain flexible and adjust our training and activities as such. Over these 3-days, ESB train-up will pause, the SSA will be closed, FLMNET will pause, no maintenance of equipment will occur, only maintenance of ourselves! The Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) train-up will go from 28 SEP-5 OCT, pause for People First Training, then continue 9-14 OCT (with a possible day off on Sunday, 11 OCT). Testing will be from 15-19 OCT (12-mile ruck & Graduation on 19 OCT). Good luck to all our competitors!
This past week alone, the BSB has had a part in the movement of 901 Soldiers (EMFB, CPX III) and the distribution of 1,160 gallons of fuel, 10,400 gallons of water, 12,395 pieces/rounds of total munitions and served 1,950 hot meals in the field and issued 1,125 MREs. The Maintenance Team closed out 11 past due services and 115 current month services. We have 63 more equipment services to close out; 40 of which are already past due. Spouses - if your maintainer or equipment owner is working late or over the weekends, it is because we are extremely behind and are trying to catch up after so many months of not conducting this type of required work. We need your support in understanding that this is about the safety standards of our equipment that we have to drive or ride in. Soldiers, I expect that you understand this and can communicate the bigger picture and the WHY behind our readiness and mission.
Upcoming Key events:
BN’s Maintenance Terrain Walk w/PLT Leadership: 28 SEP
BSB LT LPD Mondays at 1500
ESB Training begins: 28 SEP
Clean Sweep: Ongoing
DIV’s Maintenance Terrain Walk: 30 SEP
Aerial Delivery LPD ICW 3-61 CAV: 30 SEP
Pike’s Peak TEWT: 01 OCT
Safety Stand Down: 6-8 OCT
Columbus Day 4-Day for non ESB: 9-12 OCT
ESB Testing begins:15 OCT
Virtual Staff Ride: 15 OCT
FRD: 23 OCT
ESB make-up 4-Day: 24-27 OCT
Blacksmith Challenge: 30 OCT
October & earlier Services due: 30 OCT
BN Halloween Event: 31 OCT
Priorities:
Fleet Readiness & Maintenance Services
TF CSTC
Finalize SSA Stryker Conversion
ESB/EIB Competing & Support
OPNET/FLMNET
BSB CPX Recovery
DIV CPX III/WFX
Planning efforts:
BEB ROM 9 and 20 NOV at Pinyon Canyon
WFX
Thanksgiving Meal
Winter Holiday Meal
CDP (December)
BN Ball
March Gunnery
April Gunnery
Iron Strike (O/C SPT)
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!
Come up to me on Monday, 28 SEP, and tell me what the "BLACKSMITHS" acronym stands for and I will tell your 1SG you just earned a day off.
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We will host a BN Golf Scramble on Monday, 9 November (you read that right - on a work day!), so start sharpening your skills for a day of fun competition at Fort Carson's Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course. We will have prizes and be selling Mulligans (cash or Venmo to BN rep) to help raise money for the Battalion Ball. Cost to enter the scramble is $30 (cash or card paid to the Golf Course). Ask your leadership how to sign up. |
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Has anyone won $50 lately?
See your Company Rep for more info:
HHC - SPC Edwards or 1SG Wood
A Co - 2LT Smith 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.
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Congrats to B CO for winning September's Blacksmith Challenge which involved a series of events pushing each company to strive for the infamous Trophy!
Congrats to A CO for winning August's ACFT Blacksmith Challenge! Can anyone lift more than 440 pounds or run 2-miles in 9:58?! CRAZY!
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Check out the new Soldier and Family Readiness area in the COF! |
A huge thank you to 2LT Megan Miller for creating a perfect place for us to find out what's happening next. Check out the flyers to see the next MWR event, BN event and/or company hosted fundraising event.
Upcoming Fund Raising events - families welcome:
08 SEP - Walking taco & frito pie (B Co) - $150 raised!
17 SEP - Pulled pork sandwiches (A Co) - $241 raised!
02 OCT - Filipino cuisine (C Co)
05 OCT - Breakfast burritos (A Co)
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Blacksmith Baby Announcements |
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We are happy to announce our newest additions to the Blacksmith family:
SGT Walter & wife Nicole - A Co
Baby girl Sophie Alexa
17 SEP 20
SGT Dunakin & wife Katrina - C Co
Baby girl Summer Raine
25 SEP 20
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Fort Carson Halloween Decorations Contest!
To enter is simple!
• Take a photo or a video of your festive decorations and send it to halloween@carsonmwr.com with the email subject “Fort Carson 2020 Halloween Decorations Contest”.
• Photos/Videos must be submitted between October 1–23.
• Voting will be based on liking or loving the Facebook video post. 1 point for like and 2 points for love.
• Voting will be conducted October 23–29.
• Those with the most points, win!
• Winners will be announced on October 30 at 2 p.m.
Prizes
1st: $250 e-gift card
2nd: $100 e-gift card
3rd: $50 e-gift card
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Stack plates and lift weights!
Fourth Annual Strong Solider Competition
Five Tests of Strength
• Atlas Stone
• Carry Medley
• Axle bar deadlift (77/35 lb bar)
• Tire flip
• Log press
Competitors will be divided into gender/weight classes.
• Male: Light, Middle, Light Heavy, Heavy, Super Heavy
• Female: Light, Middle, Heavy
18+, DoD ID card holders only.
All events/information are subject to change.
Cost
$15/person
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BN Halloween Event - Saturday, Oct 31st |
HHC - Trunk or Treat plan, pizza & sodas
A Co - Games & Photo Booth
B Co - Haunted Walk
C Co - TBD
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Need help during the holidays? Apply for |
Want to Help at the Santa's Workshop? |
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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!!) |
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Not a Facebook user, but have Instagram? You can also view the Fort Carson Town Hall meetings there as well. Take a LOOK!
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Unfortunately, we had another Soldier in our ranks make a really bad decision to drink and drive. Fortunately, no one was harmed by this terrible choice.
Every day, almost 300,000 people drive drunk, yet only 4,000 are caught by police. An average drunk driver has driven 80 times before their first arrest. Some estimates put this number as high as 300.
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 13 days DUI free.
**Companies receive a DONSA (Companies choose their day off) for every 100 days DUI free.**
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The only time to be a quitter! |
Effective Aug. 1, the Department of Defense will no longer sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21, including service members. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense published policy making it unlawful for any retail outlet on DOD installations and facilities within the U.S. and its territories and possessions to sell tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems, to any person younger than 21 years of age.
Evans Army Community Hospital offers a variety of ways during the pandemic to assist with plans to quit smoking. Ivy Clinic hosts virtual tobacco cessation classes on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Participants meet with a clinical pharmacist afterward to discuss medication-assisted therapies, if desired. Behavioral Health Clinics can provide one-on-one, virtual visits with patients to customize their tobacco cessation plans. Self-referral is also available by calling the appointment line at 526-2273 or by connecting with your primary care team through secure messaging.
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INSTALLATION ACCESS IS EASY! |
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.
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Store Hours:
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The commissary will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday.
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Store Hours:
Mon-Sun 0900-1800 Daily
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The on-post DMV is open by appointment only. |
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Fitness center updates -
Several changes take effect Monday, Sept. 28, at the on-post fitness centers.
--Ivy Fitness Center will be open from 5 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, replacing Waller as the "24-hour fitness center".
--Ivy, Garcia and McKibben fitness centers will make cardio equipment available. The equipment will be spaced 12 feet apart and set so patrons do not face each other. Face coverings are required at all times except while using the cardio equipment. Limited pieces of equipment are available at each facility to ensure proper distancing. Patrons are expected to wipe down equipment after use with provided supplies.
--In addition, post fitness centers will eliminate hourly accessibility restrictions and implement continuous patron access. Priority access will be given to active-duty military from opening until 9 a.m. and then first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders from 9:15 a.m. until closing. Weekends will be first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders. Continuous access applies until facility capacity number is met, then access will be granted on a one-in, one-out concept.
Fitness center hours beginning Monday, Sept. 28:
--Garcia: Monday-Friday, 6-9 a.m. active duty priority; 9:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders (closed 9-9:15 a.m. and 2-2:15 p.m. for cleaning). Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders (closed 9-9:15 a.m. for cleaning). Sunday, closed.
--Ivy: Ivy Fitness Center will be open first-come, first-served from 5 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Saturday (closed 2-2:15 and 9-9:15 a.m. and 2-2:15, 6-6:15 p.m. Monday-Friday for cleaning), and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday (closed 9-9:15 a.m. and 2-2:15 p.m. Saturday-Sunday)
--McKibben: Monday-Friday 6-9 a.m. active duty priority; 9:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders (closed 9-9:15 a.m. and 2-2:15 p.m. for cleaning). Saturday-Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders (closed 9-9:15 a.m. for cleaning)
--Waller: Monday-Friday 4-9 a.m. active duty priority; 9:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders (closed 9-9:15 a.m. and 2-2:15 p.m. for cleaning). Saturday-Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. first-come, first-serve for all DOD ID card holders (closed 4-4:15 p.m. for cleaning)
--Additionally, indoor group fitness classes will start at Ivy Fitness Center Oct. 19. Classes will be instructor led and conducted on the east basketball court. Maximum participants is 12; must maintain 12 feet distance from other participants and not face each other. Face coverings are required at all times except while participating in the class. Exercise equipment will be provided by the facility and will be cleaned/disinfected after each class. Participants may not bring their own equipment and must use a credit card to pay class fee.
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Gosh - when is this Ball going to happen?!
After the New Year to ensure we can invite everyone. How about a Valentine's Themed Ball?
All hotels/functions are limiting the number of personnel they can host due to cases in the surrounding areas. However, this means we have more time to raise funds, ultimately decreasing ball ticket prices. We also look forward to winning $8,000 when we win 1st place in the Facility Management contest ending on Oct 30th so only a couple more weeks to get our recycling and energy efficient efforts kicked into high gear!
Ticket prices will be determined based off fund raising activities.
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.
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Beginning Sept. 7, Child and Youth Services (CYS) will be operating with reduced capacity in regards to hourly care spaces. This reduction is as a result of the need for additional full-day care spaces within the community. All hourly care will be offered at the Ivy CDC, building 1840, and will be reserved for medical appointments only. Proof of medical appointment will be required at the time of drop off for care. Reservations can be made by calling the Hourly Care Reservation line at 719-526-6610 or 719-526-2463.
Subsequently, the Department of Defense has announced that it has an additional way for military parents to find child care solutions for hourly care. Military OneSource will expand its offering through a national online service that will enable Families to find, hire and pay for care. For more information regarding this services, visit the link below or call 800-342-9647 to speak with a consultant who can assist in locating hourly care.
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Ballot voting drop box opens at the SRP building starting on October 9th. Day of Election voting is on November 3rd. |
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Click the logo to be directed to the Carson MWR homepage. Add your email to the MWR mailing list and stay updated with what's happening on the installation for you, your families and your Soldiers! |
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Soldier Family Readiness Group |
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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? |
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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. |
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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.
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Thanks for reading and being a part of our Blacksmith Family.
~Lieutenant Colonel Sullivan and Command Sergeant Major Wyatt
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704th Brigade Support Battalion |
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