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THE VIDETTE
1st Bn 623d Field artillery (HIMARS)

15 FEB 2013
Vol. 1 Issue 2

Individual Highlights:
623d FA Performs the Casing of the Colors Ceremony
Cover Story 1
Commander 2
Sergeant Major 2
Law & Order 3
Rear Support Team 3
MWR 3
Chaplain’s Corner 4
Top Secret 4
First Aid Station 5
Motor Pool 5
Genius Bar 5
Cover Story Cont. 6
Photo by SGT Bryan Ploughe
FA by Trade 7
Camp Shelby MS. Members of 1-623d take a moment and bow their heads as CH (CPT) Steenburg
FB Smart Card 8 says a prayer to bless the Battalion on the mission that they are about to embark upon.
FB Smart Card 9 SGT Bryan Ploughe
Photos 10 CAMP SHELBY, MS -- The casing of deploying members of the 623d FA
the colors is an Army tradition that gathered in a battalion formation,
symbolizes the movement of a Unit to with the 623d Regimental Colors
a new theater of operation. At a leading the front of the formation.
ceremony at Camp Shelby, MS. the The Battalion Commander, LTC
Photos
Layout/Design/Photographer tradition and legacy of the 623d FA Timothy Fanter, and the Battalion
LT Gordon Deming was carried out, once again, as the Command Sergeant Major, SGM
Battalion prepares to move to Jordan. Robert Neathery, took to the front of
 Once the Battalion officially replaces the formation and began the official
Writer/Photographer the Unit, (known as the transfer of ceremony. As the Colors began to
SGT Bryan Ploughe authority-TOA) that is there now, the become encased, each Battery that
Colors will be uncovered to represent was represented followed suit
their area of operation. simultaneously.
Editor in Chief
MAJ John Holmes On a sloping grassy area in
Continued on Page 6
Camp Shelby MS, the nearly 200

COMMANDER’S WORDS
LTC Timothy Fanter

Greetings to our Soldiers, families, friends, and supporters of Morgan’s
Men. We have safely arrived at the Joint Training Center in Jordan over the
course of the last few weeks. Our staff leadership team quickly became immersed
in the planning and preparation for the training Batteries heading out to relieve
our Tennessee teammates and work with our Jordanian military partners. The
transition in Jordan is going smooth and our support cell is fully engaged on
procuring life support needs and other supplies needed for our mission. The
official Transfer of Authority between Morgan’s Men and Valor will be conducted
on 20 February 2013 and will be highlighted in the next issue of the Vidette. “A good leader is one who
can tell another how to
Our Soldiers are performing great. Our trainers are already in the driver’s reach his or her potential;
seat with our Tennessee counterparts performing an advising role if needed. We a great leader is one who
have had great weather in Jordan and the Soldiers and Leaders are focused on can help another discover
taking care of one another. The Battery and Battalion leadership even attended this potential for him or
the Kentucky National Guard Association Conference held in Louisville, although herself.”
we were 6,400 miles away on the other end of a video teleconference screen. - Bo Bennett

I will close with a few words on operational security. As we transition to the lead here in Jordan,
policy letters are being established for our Battalion. With the majority of our Soldiers communicating
with loved ones via social media, operational security is first and foremost a priority of mine and the
Leadership. Posts on social media sites can unintentional publish classified information leading to attacks
on our unit, on the individual who posted it, the individual’s family, or make a negative reflection of
Morgan’s Men. Everyone has responsibility to protect themselves online. Soldiers and their families
should take steps that ensure operational security and safeguard personally identifiable information at
home and work. The use of internet-based capabilities to communicate with loved ones deployed is
welcomed, but consideration for their safe use is crucial.

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR
SGM Robert Neathery

Well we have finally made it to our destination and now the
mission truly begins. The entire battalion has worked hard just to get
here to the start point and I am confident that we are more than up to
the task ahead.

The Soldiers of 1-623 FA have exceeded all the standards in the
training leading into this mission and I expect the same now that we are
on the job here in Jordan. This is my third deployment with this
battalion and I could not imagine deploying with anyone else.

LAW & ORDER
CPT Nicholas Carter

Last issue I discussed being under jurisdiction of local national law. In
Jordan we are subject to local laws even as U.S. citizens. If you break Jordanian
law, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very
important to know what’s legal and what’s not.

Like America the Jordanian Constitution allows for freedom of speech,
except for two major limits. Insulting the King, the Royal Family, or any
member of government may lead to detainment or imprisonment. Never bring
up the King in public or on base in front of Jordanians Our phrases, terms, and
mannerisms
mannerisms are different and easily misunderstood by locals. Any comment about the King can land you in
jail. Another limit is any act that may appear to be an attempt to convert a Muslim to another form of religion
is illegal and will result in arrest and imprisonment. If a local asks about your religion try to move to another
topic. Be friendly and agreeable. Do not explain why your faith is what it is or why you’re different, even if
they do. Simply do not bring religion up at all to Jordanians.

Transportation & Sustainment Team
SFC Donald Jones

The Transportation & Support Team (TST) consists of 15 Soldiers and has been diligently working to
learn the critical tasks needed to support 1-623d Forward element. We take are mission seriously in acquiring,
processing, and planning and tracking flights delivering base life support and replenishment supplies needed
for the battalion’s training mission. Supply classes which include food items, construction material, and repair
parts. Also included are US mail and recreational items such as gym equipment. Once the supplies are
requested and secured, the materials are packaged and the cargo is placed on aircraft pallets. The cargo is then
moved, by the team, to a staging area to await movement. We also schedule, track, and monitor personnel. We
might be physically separated from the rest of the team, but we are always here and doing our part to ensure
the success of “Morgan’s Men.”

MWR The first MWR
SFC Will Sewell Trip is fast
approaching. We
Anybody that wants to will be visiting
organize an activity or Petra. If
event, such as interested, see
basketball, horseshoe, your 1SG for full
pool tournaments, is details.
encouraged to do so
by submitting your
ideas and resources
required to the S1
shop. (LT Engle or
SFC Sewell) Petra found in Wadi, Musa, Jordan

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
CH (CPT) W. Ryan Steenburg
S2
Making the Days Count
While visiting us in Mississippi, COL Wertzler pointed out
that the hardest part of this deployment is behind us. He said that we
are no longer counting up to the separation; we are now counting
down to the reunion. And he is absolutely right. Every day that SGT Jeremy Jordan
passes is a day closer to home. There is nothing wrong with counting Hello from the S2 section.
the days, but better yet, how can we make the days count? We all Our main focus is to provide safe,
yearn to be reunited with our families—but what will we do in the accurate and fast information that is
meantime? How will we spend this time of separation? taking place in and around Jordan for
The writer to the Hebrews writes, “…let us run with the Commander's decision making
endurance the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1). If process. Our goal is to ensure the
anything, we are all at the beginning of a race. For the Soldiers, the safety of the 1-623rd (HIMARS)
training has been completed and we are finally in full operational Soldiers as well as the safe return of
mode. For the families at home, the bus has departed and our Skype each Solider back to their respective
accounts are hopping. The purpose of this temporary separation is to families. Our journey began with
successfully perform our duties as Soldiers and complete our mission. some scenario training at Camp
It is only natural to look forward to the time when we get to return Shelby, MS to the real life challenges
home—just as a runner would look forward to the finish line. that were ahead of us in Jordan.
I remember when I was in basic training I kept a tally of how
many days I had left until graduation. Every evening during our Drill Once we arrived in Jordan, we
Sergeant time I would take out my little notebook and mark off have been actively working to seek all
another day. I kept my sights set on the end. I did a very thorough the real world activities that are
job of counting my days—and that was before I was married, with rapidly taking place around our
five children. As much as the final return date is still unknown, we location. We are striving to maintain
can be tempted to count our days. Some of us count the days until and surpass the game plan the unit
we see our family again. Some of us count the days until we can sleep from TN has set out for us. The
in our own bed again. Some of us are counting the days until the next section is quickly finding the gaps
paycheck. But how, might I ask, are you making the days count? needed to excel the unit toward a rich
What are you doing to impact the people who surround you and successful mission. The Jordanian
on a daily basis? What are you doing for yourself? Some of the soldiers that we work with seem to be
Soldiers have said they desire to read more. Others have set their every welcoming and humble to have
sights on more exercise or less weight (whichever way you want to us here to support their national
cut it). For the families at home, is there a hobby you always wanted defense and training. Our section will
to pick up? In lieu of the time you would spend with your Soldier, is devote all our resources in
there someone in your community who would be blessed with a visit maintaining a safe, secure, and an alert
from you? Can you honor your Soldier by sharing stories about his or posture to the surrounding nations.
her duty and loyalty with the people you meet and already know? The
ways in which we all can make these days count is endless. The Always remain vigilant and
question is, mission aside, what do you want to accomplish during keep in mind the information that is
the next nine months that you can “write home about?” I encourage put on social networks. We as an
the Soldiers to tell a bunkmate or buddy about what it is you want to organization and a family need to
accomplish. I encourage the families to share with a loved one or always remember Operational
neighbor how you plan to spend the next nine months. Whether it is Security.
to read a book or write a book, I pray you will be successful in
making the days count. And, before you know it, the days will be
over and we will be reunited with each other.

FIRST AID STATION
CPT “Doc” Hayden

The Medical section have been seeing
people walking into chow hall without washing
their hands. There is a reason for the hand
washing stations in front of chow hall. We
have been seeing more nausea and vomiting
and diarrhea during sick call and at TMC. It is
going to be very important for everyone wash
“Combat medics never their hands
stand taller than when to prevent spreading of germs.
they kneel to treat the Also the "Jordan Crud," as I am lovingly calling it, is going around so good
wounded saving lives in
hygiene and hand washing is very important to keep everyone healthy
the midst of utter chaos.”
and able to complete mission.
-Unknown

MOTOR POOL
SSG Robert Long
So You Know the LO
During your daily PMCS checks, if you find you are low on a
component’s fluid level, (i.e.; transmission, engine, etc) remember to
consult the -10 operator manual under Lubrication Instruction. In that
section you will find the Lube Order (LO). The LO will tell you the
component, what type of Fluid/Lubricant that it requires to operate, the
capacities of the components, and the guidance for the environmental
temperature in which you will be operating. If your vehicle does not have
a -10, with a copy of the LO, please notify Maintenance and ask them to
help you acquire a copy for your specific model vehicle.

1LT Matthew Speer

The Signal Section has finished transitioning with our
counterparts. The network is up and running, providing NIPR and SIPR
access to our Battalion. There is plenty of work to come as we continue
to improve networking and standing up further services and servers.
Congratulations to Gary Emmitt on his promotion to SSG. SSG
Emmitt is currently serving as the Battalion's S6 NCOIC supporting
S6
T&ST operations.

Casing of the Colors (Continued)
After all Colors had been cased,
LTC Timothy Fanter and SGM Robert
Neathery spoke a little about the history
of the and their expectations of the
Soldiers. In closing the Battalion
Chaplain, (Captain) Wesley Steenburg, hit
upon perseverance of a snail. With
continued effort and determination well
make it to the end, and the closed with a
prayer to bless the Unit as they began
their journey. After the ceremony, SGM
Robert Neathery stated, “To the best of
our recent memory, this is only the third
time that the battalion Colors have gone
forward to fly on foreign soil. They
include Korean War, Desert Storm and
now with Operation Enduring Freedom.
Camp Shelby MS SGM Neathery proudly stretches out the 623d Regimental
Some of these Soldiers don’t colors prior to the “Casing of the Colors” ceremony.
realize it now, but they are making an
impact of this Battalions history because
of this fact.” To carry the Battalion
Colors to foreign soil is a history making
event. Although the Firing Battery
guidons have gone forward in support
many other times, for example in 2005
when they deployed, this is only the third
time for the battalion Colors to leave the
Unites States.

Camp Shelby MS.SGM Neathery and LTC Fanter
solemnly case the 623d Regimental Colors in
preparation for deployment in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom.
Camp Shelby MS SPC Pence stands proudly prior to the casing of the
Colors ceremony at Camp Shelby, MS.

Field Artillery by Trade, Infantry by Need
SGT Bryan Ploughe
Jordan- The 623d Field Artillery has once
again displayed their resiliency, through
accepting and exercising a mission that is far
out of their areas of expertise as instructed
by the United States Army. The Army has a
program upon entry that every Soldier
attends that establishes some basic
Soldiering skills, that is called Basic
Training. Most of these Soldiers find
themselves referring back to their initial
training as well as put into place the “tricks
of the trade” that have been proven
Photo by SGT Bryan Ploughe successful through their years of experience.
Soldiers from the 623d prepare a rifle qualification range for the
Jordanian military to utilize and implement their weapons training. One of the first tasks for the
members of the 623d, is to take some of the
Jordanian Soldiers to the rifle and pistol
qualification range. “These Jordanian
Soldiers seem to be eager to learn and
considering we went straight out to the
range to qualify and didn’t have any basic
rifle marksmanship training time with them,
they are performing remarkably well.” stated
SPC David Burnett . Training another
nation’s military can have its challenges.
There are such things to consider as
differences in equipment, terrain, leadership
styles and one that the Soldiers of the 623d
are having some assistance with, through
linguists, is a language barrier. “We have
The Jordanian Soldiers take up a "good prone supported position"
and "scan their lanes" at the rifle qualification range. been able to work through our language
differences and the Jordanian Soldiers have
been incredibly receptive to our teachings of
methods and techniques, when these steps
are applied, they have proven successful
for them. I feel very confident that they will
achieve success in whatever mission they are
assigned.” said 1LT J. Garvey.

In the United States military, we
start all Soldiers from the same point and
train them together. That way we are
assured that everybody has the same ground
work established.4 With instructing the
Jordanian Military, they are coming from all
back grounds and experiences and that is
Jordanian Soldiers eagerly await their scores, whether they’re a go
or no go, as the members of the 623d score their sheets.
part of the challenge for the members of the
623d, as well.

MAJ Brandon Carlson stands in front of LTC
Timothy Fanter and SGM Robert Neathery
during his promotion ceremony.

Photo by LT Gordon Deming

1-623d Soldiers stand in formation as Brandon
Carlson is promoted to Major.

Photo by LT Gordon Deming


SSG England and a linguist present a safety brief to
Jordanian Soldiers prior to occupying the rifle
qualification range.
Soldiers from the 623d gather around a "sand table"
discussing route recon while at Camp Shelby, MS.

SPC Pence eagerly awaits for Soldiers to return their
qualification sheets, while at the rifle qualification
range. Camaraderie is a key to performing as a team
and surviving a deployment. The Soldiers of the 623d
know the importance of this.

Photo by CPT John Allen

LT Garvey assists a Jordanian Soldier with safety
procedures while at the pistol qualification range.
First responder training is not as easy as these
Soldiers make it appear, while training at Camp
Shelby, MS.
Photo by CPT John Allen

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