International Brigades

Regiment. Assuming of course they knew Colonel Magnus and his hoard was heading their way. They were being led by Major General Walter Boney, he was a combat veteran of Iraq, leading the Division while in Ramadi. He had also commanded various Brigades and other units all over Europe finally landing the job with the Pennsylvania Nation Guard. He was tough minded, but fair, he was decisive and believed in the Constitution and the country. He knew it wasn’t perfect and he knew the event would…

date with all of the processes and he stays on top of everything. Major Stanford feels responsible for the deaths of the Brigade Commander, CSM, and the Battalion Commander while in Afghanistan. LTC Tagoli says he needs to get over it. It is clear that Major Stanford needs help, and he may not be getting it. Major Stanford’s issues can be a detriment to himself and the Brigade. Thirdly, there is a lack of resilience amongst family members and Soldiers, it must be addressed. Keeping a healthy…

Three brigades near Pigeon Hill, Little Kennesaw and Big Kennesaw was the main assault force of the Army of Tennessee. On the right was Lightburn’s Brigade on his left, attacking the northern side of Burnt Hickory Road against the slopes of Pigeon Hill was Smith’s brigade. On Smith’s Left was Walcutt’s brigade that was aiming for the ground between Pigeon Hill and Little Kennesaw. These three brigades consisted of a total of 5500 men. The Day before the battle Smith’s division had camped…

Brigade Commander’s Way Ahead Command is a challenging time is an officer’s career, be it on your timeline with months to prepare. However, taking command with little preparation is an immediate disadvantage, so you must establish your vision quickly. Before taking command I need to address the leadership issues of the past brigade commander. Next, I will explain my command vision and how I will measure the effect in achieving my vision. Finally, I will describe my process to address the…

Three decay ago, John E Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"; one way to avail your country is to serve in the country’s army. Around the world, there are two types of regular armies, the first is the all-volunteer army, and the other is the compulsory army. All-volunteer army or in other word all-volunteer force (AVF) is army standing on the volunteer vigor, the manpower all volunteer to serve in the army; one of the first countries make…

the 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). After my initial assessment of the unit, I have a good feel for the brigade’s primary issues and look forward to the challenges ahead. I have divided the problems identified into four primary lines of effort: Build the Team, Training, Leadership Development, and Fortify the Team. These lines of effort comprise the essential tasks in meeting my vision for the brigade. My vision is: 4th ABCT is a disciplined, agile, and fit Armored Brigade Combat…

The 3d Marine Division was in the process of shifting north from Quang Nam and Thua Thien Provinces to Quang Tri Province. At the same time, the 1st Marine Division was redistributing its forces in the corridor between Phu Bai and Da Nang. This overall redeployment of the Marine forces was about three-quarters completed when the North Vietnamese offensive began. Task Force X-Ray, under the command of Brigadier General Foster “Frosty” C. LaHue did not assume responsibility for the Phu Bai area…

If only I hadn’t had that accident I would not be where I am today. Every day I am thankful and grateful for the accident that I was involved in while in Iraq. I always said while joking but serious at the same time, that God if I was not in the military I will give myself to you completely in ministry. A few months while deployed to Iraq my vehicle was hit with an I.E.D. and the armor truck rolled down a hill on top of me and shattered my right knee and many other injuries. I believe God…

The last Quadrennial Defense Review shifted the basis of the defense planning from "threat-based" to “capabilities-based". The Force Development process relies on that base and consists of five phases; Develop Capabilities, Design Organization, Develop Organization, Determine Organizational Models, Determine Organizational Authorizations and Document Organizational Authorizations, to have structured and resourced force. The main consists of this process and it is obvious in the Winter Symposium…

Spending a year in Bagdad Iraq is the only part of my military career I did no enjoy. Extreme heat, long work days, and being away from my family and friends made it a horrible experience. As the sun would come up each day the temperature was already in the high 90s. As the day progressed it reach as high as 134 degrees. When I thin back about the heat; the day I cooked an egg on the sidewalk always comes to mind. Along with the heat work conditions were less than amazing. My uniform of the day…