COL Garrett, CSM Turnbull, LTC Keaveny, SGM Balmforth, Battalion Commanders, Sergeants Majors, friends, peers, and most importantly, the men of DOG: thank you for being here.
I have been dreading this day for a long time. This was not the usual company command experience and it’s hard to capture how much this company means to me. In two years, DOG Company progressed from a bunch of individuals crammed together in the basement of Bldg 602 into a combat proven, tightly knit family. Through shared hardship and self sacrifice, we became a family. It makes this day very difficult.
In the year of train up, the company deployed five times to conduct our own personally conceived, executed, and evaluated training in the great white North of Fort Greeley and FortWainwright. We learned our craft and we learned to rely on each other. Through good hard training, we were prepared for Iraq.
In the year of combat operations, DOG Company managed to hold down an area of operations that was bigger than most Battalions’s with three small platoons. In the urban areas of the Hateen Apartments, Ezkan, Iskandariyah, and Haswah we fought at least a battalion of Jaysh al Mehdi combatants. In the rural areas of Muwellah, Kilometers, Chaka III, and the Buhyrat we fought easily two companies of Sunni Insurgents. All tolled, this company killed 26 bad guys, and detained 109 more. Our contact included 110 IED strikes, 126 confirmed indirect fire attacks, and 88 direct fire engagements. Regrettably, many of the original crew does not stand with us today. Three of our finest, Doc Tinsley, Joey Strong, and Jeremiah Johnson paid with their lives. Chad Pfiefer, Olin Bingham, Matthew Lacher, and Sean Edmunds were all injured in IED strikes and do not stand amongst us. Mike Holmes was severely injured in an RPG strike, but through great dedication and self sacrifice he is here today – returned to the unit following injury – the first Soldier in the BDE to do so. His spirit embodies the men that make up this company.
In two years of command, I have a long list of people who deserved my gratitude and thanks.
First and foremost, COL Garrett thank you for giving me the opportunity to command and for believing in my company and me.
Although he isn’t here now, LTC Buckingham deserves my thanks for allowing me to train the company without distraction or limitations and giving me the opportunity to command.
LTC Keaveny, through years of shared experiences, from Afghanistan until now, I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from you. You will always have my respect and service. Thank you for being an exceptional role model.
Major TJ Atkins, MAJ Edgar, and MAJ Cunningham, thank you for always being there to square away a range plan, provide me with Field Grade wisdom, or give much needed and appreciated professional and personal advice. Your mentorship and personal examples meant a great deal to me.
Jim Estes, Ed Arntson, and Jeff Roberts: the original crew of 501ster commanders, thanks. We’ve grown up together as officers and I value our friendship immensely.
Mattie T, Mattie G, Dave Beall, and the other staff officers of 3-509, you are all exceptional officers and I’ve learned a great deal from you.
The 501stofficers and NCOs, our foster family, I am very appreciative. MAJ Butler, it’s always fun to work with you and we’ll get another opportunity before long.
Dan Mainor, my good buddy and old 501ster, thanks. You’ve always been there to go above and beyond to help out my guys and me.
My platoon leaders and Fire Support Officers, past and present: Thank you. It’s been an honor to serve with each and every one of you and I have enjoyed watching your development from cherry 2LTs to know it all captains. Doug Smith, Derek Oberg, Scott Fennell, Josh Sandler, Josh Rongitsch and Chris Kim – the original crew -and Paul Pena, JPMFA, and Bode Bodenheim – thank you all for your diligent hard work and constant motivation.
SFC King, SFC Larsen, SFC McGuire, and SFC Brown thanks for all your hard work as platoon sergeants. You are all a testament to the professionalism of the NCO Corps.
My two mostconstant battle buddies, G Money and Mr. Wilson, thanks. You provided me with an exceptional crew and one squared away truck. Thanks for always being ready to roll. My other two battle buddies, 1SG Conner and 1SG Daniels, thanks as well. Originally, 1SG Daniels and I were paired as PL and PSG way back in 2nd Platoon Apaches. He is a phenomenal NCO and I have supreme confidence in him. He will continue to maintain the standard in DOG.
To my wife, Michelle, thanks for all her support and hard work through two years of command as she diligently performed the duties of the company FRG leader. She is beautiful inside and out; and she’s put up with me and my adventures for six years.
The success of this company goes far beyond the company leadership, far beyond the platoon leadership, and straight down to the individual Soldier. I’ve said it once previously, but the men of D Company are the best collection of Soldiers I know. Thank you all for such hard work and high morale, I will never forget it. Edmundo Martinez, Cleatus, Squirrel, Roy,Kitten, Shotter, Weavs, Big J, Radio, the Rodge, Bernie, KBomb, Klark, Papa Doc, Doc Holden, Cuddles, Debo, Beast, Showtime, Larry James Barney, Muffin, Bones, Squeaky, Zottola, Bachus, Maple, Will the Wahabbi and everyone else that doesn’t have a cute nickname: THANK YOU. You’re all a bunch of characters, but you made me proud to serve with you and with you, two years went by way too fast. I’d do two more with this crew in a heartbeat.
Please extend the same courtesy and respect to my successor, CPT Slossman.