My Coins - Task Force Thunder

There is nothing really special about this coin. It was presented to every Soldier in F Co at the end of our tour in September, 2008. On one side, the coin bears a map of Iraq with stars denoting where Task Force Thunder had units. The coin also shows the unit patches of the various Divisions and other units who were operating in our Area of Operations (AO). Of course, "Old Glory" and the Iraqi flag are also present. The top shows a scroll with the words OIF, 07, 09, denoting the Operation and time period we were there. On the other side, the words TASK FORCE THUNDER appear at the top, while TF 51 appears at the bottom. The TF 51 specifically represents F Co because we were more than just a 525 BfSB or 519 MI BN asset. F Co was in fact an XVIII Airborne Corps asset and as such, our mission was much larger than that of the Battalion or Brigade that we were attached to. In fact, we only fell under the 525 and 519 for administrative purposes (beans, bullets, awards, promotions, and etc). While either Battalion or Brigade could dictate missions to us, our missions could come down from eschelons even higher up the chain. Thus, we were given our own separate task force designation. Also on this side of the coin is the shoulder patch of the 525 BfSB, the crest of the 519 MI BN, the 51 IN crest, and the guidons for all of the companies who fell under the 519 MI BN.

While this coin holds no particular sentimental value to me, it is still a neat little coin, at least in its design. This is probably the only coin that I have recieved in which I didn't have to do anything special to earn it or pay anything for it. There are a couple of coins coming up in future posts, which are similar in that they weren't "earned," but those coins bear sentimental significance because of the occasions on which they were presented and the people who presented them to me. But, I'll save the stories behind those coins for future posts.

Meanwhile, this post completes the stories about coins that I got during my first deployment to Iraq from June, 2007 to September, 2008.

My Coins - F/51

This particular coin is a company coin that F Co leadership ordered for the Soldiers to commemorate our tour in '07 - '08. We were in Iraq during the Surge. This coin was never given out as an award. Instead, we were allowed to purchase the coins for either $5 or $10, but I'm not sure which price. I believe we were also limited as to the number of coins each Soldier could purchase. I will always hold this coin close to my heart because it is a reminder of the men with whom I had the honor of serving. I "cut my teeth" in F Co, as it was there where I began to establish myself in the Army. F Co was my first unit of assignment and it was with F Co that I deployed for the first time. I enjoyed both success and failure in F Co. At times, I was commended for being a hard worker and knowing my job. At other times, my mouth got me into more trouble than I care to recount here. The leadership in F Co sent me to the promotion board for the first time. I was not prepared for that board appearance and I failed miserably. A few months later, I asked the First Sergeant when he would send me back. He asked me if I would pass if he sent me back. I told him that I would kick behind and take names. He then asked me when I wanted to go. I told him that I would go whenever he told me I was going. He told me to be ready for the next month's board. I was ready. I went to the board and "aced" it. In those days, promotion points were awarded for board appearances. The maximum number of points you could get was 150. I got the 150. Upon returning to my company, I saw the Commander and First Sergeant. By that point, they had heard that I had passed. I asked them if they heard how I did. They both answered in the negative. So, when I told them, both their jaws dropped. My Commander said something to the effect of "holy cow, you weren't playing around, were you!?" I replied with a "no" then looked at the First Sergeant and said "see, I told you that if you'd send me back, I'd kick tail and take names." Then I said, "actually, I was having so much fun kicking tail that I didn't even bother with taking names." That got a good chuckle.

One side of the coin features the scroll of the 51st Infantry Regiment, on one side of the scroll is the FCo--company's letter designation. The center of the scroll has the words "LONG RANGE SURVEILLANCE" which denotes the mission of the company. The other side of the scroll has "51ST" which is the Regimental designation of the unit. Above the scroll is the "RANGER" tab. Below the scroll is a yellow triangle with the tip pointing down, reminiscent of the old "RECONDO" insignia from Vietnam days. In the center of the scroll is an eyeball with a globe in the center, which indicates that the unit is capable of observing the enemy anywhere in the world. On either side of the triangle are "OIF" and "07 - 09" indicating the dates of this particular tour. At the bottom is the RANGER motto: "RANGERS LEAD THE WAY." The other side of the coin has a RANGER tab, a map of Iraq with 51 in the center, various special skills badges that include Airborne jump wings w/combat star, the Pathfinder Badge, the HALO Badge, the Scuba Badge, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. A scroll with the words "I SERVE" also appears. This scroll denotes the motto of the 51ST Infantry Regiment. Around the outside are the words "LONG RANGE SURVEILLANCE CO" and "XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS."

That first tour in Iraq was the better of the two that I've had. While I served in an E-7 position (two pay grades above my current grade of E-5) during my second tour, it was during my first tour that I really felt like I learned and grew as both a man and a Soldier. My first tour taught me that I could push myself even further and endure even more than I knew to be possible. My second tour was boring and didn't challenge me--at least not in the ways I wanted to be challenged. My first tour was filled with manning a bank of radios in the TOC and in going out on missions as the RTO for a platoon. I actually did my job and I loved it. I never made it off the FOB one single time during my second tour and I mostly messed with automations equipment. I didn't get to play with radios very much. I'm a radio guy and not an automations guy.

Anyway, I suppose I should write a series on experiences during my combat tours, but I'll save that for another time. What I do know is that the coin pictured above serves as a reminder of a lot of good times I had with some great men. So, to the men of F/51, I want you all to know that despite all the hard times and stupid things I said, it was an honor to serve with you all. I will never forget any of you and I wish all of you God-speed in all you do. And, here's one I'll bet you Elite Bastards thought you'd never see/hear me say: RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!

My Coins - LTC Joseph M. Cox

This has to be my favorite of all of my coins. This particular coin was presented to me on 07 December 2007 by LTC (now Colonel) Joseph M. Cox--the Commander of the 519 Military Intelligence Battalion. LTC Cox was the first person in the Army to ever sit me down and tell me that I should really consider going to Officer Candidate School. To this day, I have nothing but the highest respect for COL Cox. He is a good man and I could tell that he really cared about his Soldiers. I still remember the first time I ever appeared before a promotion board. I was not at all prepared for that board and it did not go well. When I walked out of the board room, LTC Cox was stepping out of his office. He asked me how it went and I just shook my head, looked down and told him that it didn't go well. He put his arm around my shoulder and told me to keep my chin up, not to worry, and that I would get it. I believed him because I knew he believed in me. Now, if my last post gave an example of what an Army leader ought NOT to be, here we have an example of what an Army leader SHOULD be. LTC Cox was the best.

The coin is shaped like a "dog tag" and on one side has the unit patch of the 525 BfSB, along with the silver oak leaf rank insignia of a Lieutenant Colonel and the three chevron/three rocker with wreath and star insignia of a Command Sergeant Major. The words "PRESENTED BY THE BN CDR/CSM" are at the top, while the words "AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE" appear at the bottom. The other side of the coin depicts the batalion crest of the 519th MI BN, along with the accronym "BfSB" which stands for Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (the 519th MI BN is a sub-unit of the 525 BfSB). The Battalion's motto, "STRENGTH THRU INTELLIGENCE" appears on the crest. The campaigns in which the Battalion has participated are listed along the top and bottom.

He gave me this particular coin because I used my own personal equipment to get some pictures onto a CD for him. He had come up to FOB Sykes to check on the company and to preside over a promotion ceremony for one of our Lieutenants. Several pictures were taken, but LTC Cox needed them put on a CD. Well, F Co was in the process of moving from FOB Sykes down to COB Speicher and all of our equipment was packed up. Not to be thwarted, I went back to my hooch and grabbed my personal lap top and CD burner. Upon discovering that I was using my own personal equipment to accomplish a mission, LTC Cox was impressed. He felt that I had gone "above and beyond the 'call of duty'." For my efforts, he presented me with the above pictured coin. Now, for my part, I just figured that I was only doing my job. I didn't realize that I had done anything special. I just knew that my Battalion Commander needed pictures put on a CD and I was going to get it done for him, if there was any possible means of getting it done. I think that LTC Cox was the first person, besides my Drill Sergeants in Basic and AIT, to recognize my potential in the Army.

COL Cox, if you ever read this post, know that this one is for you. Thank you for your leadership and inspiration.

My Coins - 1AD

Pictured above is the very first Challenge Coin that I ever recieved. I still remember the occasion quite well. It was Thanksgiving Day in 2007. I was on my first tour in Iraq and I was working my normal shift in the company Tactical Operations Center (TOC) as the Radio Telephone Operator (RTO). The Command Sergeant Major of the First Armored Division (1AD) came in to visit with us. Now, I'm not sure, but I think that 1AD was actually in charge of our area of operations, at the time.

Anyway, this schmuck comes in and starts accusing my company of being a bunch of "cowboys." Now, you must understand a thing or two here. First, my company was none other than F Company/51 Infantry Regiment--a Long Range Surveillance Company (LRSC). We were the "eyes and ears" of the 525 Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and XVIII Airborne Corps. F Co was an elite unit that was capable of getting behind enemy lines, observing the enemy, reporting the enemy's activities, and then getting out. Oh, we had some firepower in that unit and a number of our guys were pretty good shots. Most of the company was at least Airborne qualified and several were Ranger qualified. Our company's motto was "Elite Bastards." We were elite, that's for sure. Because we were a special operations type of unit, we did things a little different from the way folks in the "conventional Army" did things. I don't think this particular CSM liked the way we did things, but we got the job done and that's what counts. Now, for all the disagreements and misunderstandings I had with people in F Co, these men were my brothers and I do not take it lightly when some schmuck comes in on a holiday and starts chewing us out. It's a holiday, for Pete's sake! You come in, make a short speach, shake a few hands, and leave. Well, this guy didn't exactly do that. He came in with guns blazing.

Anyway, just before he left, he looked at me and asked, "Hey Specialist, where are you from?". I replied that I was from Knoxville, Tennessee. He then said, "Here ya go" and he tossed the above pictured coin to me. Ha! That was the first, and I believe only time, in my career that I've ever been given any type of award simply because I happened to be the lowest-ranking individual in the room. When he left, the NCOIC promptly explained to me that this guy had been unprofessional and that what he did wasn't the way a Senior Noncommissioned Officer should do things, especially on a holiday. Eh, whatever. I still got a pretty cool coin out of the deal. But still, I hope that I'll have a little more respect for people on a holiday, whenever I become a Sergeant Major.

My Coins - Intro

So, I've decided to begin a new series which will feature all of the Challenge Coins I've recieved during my time in the Army. This series will be "fast and furious," at first as I will post blogs talking about all of the coins I've recieved up to this point. As I get new coins, I will then update the series.

Pictured here is the entire collection showing both the fronts and backs of all of the coins. The series will then highlight each of the coins, telling the story of how I got each one. I'll talk about the particular occasion, to include the date (if I can remember it). I'll talk about what the coin means to me and who gave it to me.

I hope my readers (assuming I have any of those) find this series to be interesting. Perhaps this series will provide material for me to use when I finally decide to get around to writing a book about my Army career.

Here I Go Again

Well, here I am again. It is a nice, sunny afternoon in Colorado. It is also sub-freezing. The temp hasn't even hit 70, yet. But, all is well. The wife is napping in the bedroom. The dog is napping on the couch. I am able to get in some much needed writing.

So, let's get down to business. Okay, I'm going to put it to you straight. I'm getting ready to go back to the sand box. I cannot say exactly when for security reasons, but let's just say it's going to be soon. This deployment is going to be different in several ways.

First, I'm going to be a part of history. Now, I was a part of history during my last deployment, but for a different reason. My last trip to Iraq was during "the Surge." When numbers of US troops in Iraq during "the Surge" are reported, I was one of them. That, however, is about as close as my name comes to getting in the history books. This time, I'll be making history because my unit will be closing down Iraq. The US has never really "closed down" a Theater of Operations, before. Again, barring any unforseen circumstances, I should be just a number that gets counted in the statistics.

Second, I'm now a Noncomissioned Officer. Last trip, I was just a Specialist. I had no real responsibilities, except to just do my job. This time, I have soldiers under me. That's an important responsibility. While they are accountable to me, I am accountable for them. I must be vigilant and watch out for their needs and do everything I can to ensure they both come back home.

Third, I am now a husband. Before, I only needed to give my mom an occasional call. Now, it's a much different story. I have my wife to call. It will be difficult for her to endure the separation. She knows that. I've told her that it will be different for her, too. We started talking during my last deployment. Then, she was able to say that she had a friend in Iraq. Now, she has to say that her husband is in Iraq. There is a world of difference between those statements.

Whatever differences come, I plan to write about my experiences. I may not be able to put out all the details, but I will write when and what I can. I'll also try to post a picture or two. Hopefully, I'll be able to have some great adventures, but not the kind that cost me important body parts or my life.

So...here I go again... .

A Crazy Few Months... .

Well, it has been a good minute or two or more since my last post. Lots of exciting things have happened.

First, I left Ft. Bragg at the end of March. I had my orders west and I was bound to go. That was a great thing for me. By the time I left F Co and Ft. Bragg, my morale had dropped to an all-time low. In fact, my morale was so low that my work ethic had all but vanished.

En route to Ft. Carson, Colorado, I made a few pit stops. The first stop was home to Knoxville. I needed some time with the parents, nieces, cats, and other friends. It was great. My next stop was down to Chickamauga, Georgia. There, I met Regina's parents for the first time. They instantly took a liking to me. For those who don't know, at the time, Regina was my girlfriend. That evening in Georgia (03 April 2009), I proposed to Regina. I took her back to the place where I first fell in love with her. That place happened to be in Chattanooga, Tennessee. That day also happened to be her brother and sister-in-law's wedding anniversary. Miraculously, the woman said "yes." After spending the night in Georgia and enjoying a wonderful time with Regina's family, I headed back to Knoxville. The following Monday, I left, stopping off in Athens, Tennessee. There, I had breaksfast with an old friend from college. From there, I began the trek west. I stopped off in Junction City, Kansas and spent a couple of days with my cuz-in-law and my little cuzes. It was a great time, but I needed to get on out to Fort Carson.

Upon my arrival, I went to work. I had been assigned to the Division Special Troops Battalion of the famous Fourth Infantry Division. The division was in the process of moving to Carson from Ft. Hood, Texas. A couple of the division's brigades were on Carson, as well as a Forward Detachment of the DSTB and the division head quarters element. The DSTB did not have a communications chief on Carson. Once they realized that I had a communications Military Occupation Specialty, they put me in the slot. I actually began doing the job of someone who was two or three pay grades above me. My work immediately impressed the leadership.

In May, I flew to Iowa to spend a few days with Regina. She had landed herself a summer job up there. That was fun, but the four days went by way too fast. She came to Colorado to see me, the following month. I had managed to earn myself a three-day pass for a PT test. I also found a really good church to join. It is called Rustic Hills Baptist Church. The congregation immediately enveloped me and took me in as one of their own.

Over the summer, I continued my work with the DSTB. I seemed to get busier and busier. Eventually, the division got up to Carson and command was formally established on "The Mountain Post." The Division Commanding General and Division Command Sergeant Major both gave me coins in appreciation for the work I had done in establishing the DSTB's communications on Ft. Carson. I also managed to get a few soldiers and even some people above me in the Communications Section. Things were going really well.

August turned into a crazy month. Sergeant, First Class Cordero, who is my NCOIC scored a four-day pass for me to go to Iowa to move Regina from there to Colorado. While en route to Iowa, I blew out a tire on my Jeep, in Kansas. Some wonderful Christian folks stopped to help me out and gave me some snacks for the road. The flat tire only set me back about an hour and a half, thanks to those fine folks. I got to Iowa, spent a couple of days there, then loaded Regina's stuff into a moving van, put her car on a dollie on the back of the van, and proceeded to drive back to Colorado. Regina drove my Jeep back.

We got back to Colrado around 0300 on 25 August. Regina and I managed to get a few hours of sleep, then we unloaded the moving truck. After that, we took care of the paperwork part of the marriage. I then reported back to work the next day. On Friday of that week, the Battalion had its usual close of business formation. During that formation, I recieved an Army Achievement Medal for my work. Then, I got promoted. Actually, the promotion part of the ceremony happened before the award. Regina got to pin my new rank on me...well, attach it via velcro. I was promoted from Specialist to Sergeant. Of course, the custom in a promotion is that the person who pins the rank on you gets to hit you. Regina put a good punch in my chest. The entire battalion was impressed. Then, I had to "run the gauntlet." By that, many of the NCO's got their turns at punching me in the chest. It was a great day.

Regina and I managed to get a lot of the paperwork associated with getting married out of the way. She got her ID card and got enrolled in the insurance program. I also managed to get the paperwork filed for my housing and food allowances. After that, Regina headed back to Georgia to finish the plans for the wedding.

In September, I boarded a plane and flew back east. I had not been to Knoxville in over five months. It was good to be home. The wedding took place on 19 September. It went down exactly the way Regina and I wanted it to happen. Other than getting stuck in traffic for several hours in Pigeon Forge, the honeymoon was a blast, too. Granted, it was a very short honeymoon. After a couple of days in Gatlinburg, we returned to my parents' house in Knoxville to gather furniture and other items. From there, it was back to Georgia to get the wedding presents and a few more of Regina's things. On Tuesday, we left to make our way back out west. We stopped off in Junction City, Kansas. My cousin had just returned from Iraq and I wanted to spend a couple of days with him. I had not seen him in over two years.

We had a good time in Kansas, but we needed to get back to Colorado. We arrived on a Thursday afternoon. On Friday, we unloaded the truck and began to set the apartment up. Regina got a job at a scrapbooking store and began work the following Monday. I went back to work on that Wednesday. My first day back involved a PT test. I passed, but wasn't impressed with my score. Oh well. I knew my score would be down, just a little.

Yesterday, the ladies of RHBC gave Regina a post-wedding shower. We got lots more wonderful gifts. Now, we are relaxing and just trying to get our home set up.

Yep, things have been sorta crazy over the last several months. But, life is good. I wouldn't trade Regina for the world. Besides Christ, Regina is the best thing to ever happen to me.