Category: US Army

Source: United States Army

TOWER BARRACKS, Germany – U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria and Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden celebrated their official partnership May 22, 2025, marking the beginning of an initiative that creates an innovative learning environment.

This partnership aims to support and promote the exchange between practical and theoretical learning, which is achieved by integrating OTH students and faculty into real-world projects with USAG Bavaria.

“This is a massive win-win,” said Dwayne D. Key II, deputy to the garrison commander at USAG Bavaria. “I’m most excited not just about meeting the students and seeing ourselves through their eyes. And I think this present generation of learners is so phenomenal.”

With the support of 120 professors across its four faculties and 54 degree programs, OTH Amberg-Weiden serves approximately 4,200 students and is known for its innovative, future-oriented education.

Professor Dr. med. Clemens Bulitta, president of OTH Amberg-Weiden, emphasized the importance of this new addition to the university’s partnership network.

“It’s all about networking and about bringing people together,” Bulitta said. “When you bring people together, they will exchange thoughts, create ideas, become innovative, and they will drive and strengthen partnership and push developments. And now you become part of this network and the doors are opening on both sides.”

“This partnership drives innovation,” said Lukas Miserra, management analyst for USAG Bavaria. “It strengthens USAG Bavaria by integrating academic expertise and fostering collaboration between students and professionals with the garrison, providing valuable insights and practical experience.”

Both sides expressed enthusiasm for growing the partnership and involving more regional actors in future cooperation.

“There’s so much linked here in in this region and such a longstanding tradition of exchange between the communities,” Bulitta said. “We want to get to the point where young people become part of this exchange culture. Bringing people together opens options.”

Source: United States Army

VICENZA, Italy – The military communities of U.S. Army Garrison Italy, including Vicenza and Camp Darby, are mourning the loss of Gene Willie Strahan Jr., a devoted automotive mechanic, beloved colleague and cherished friend.

Strahan knew cars—especially BMWs, his favorite. Friends described him as a gentle giant who loved car shows, fishing and spending time with his tiny dog, Thor.

A U.S. Army veteran, Strahan served in Germany in the 1980s. As a civilian, he began working in Mannheim, Germany. He later moved to Camp Darby, where he worked as a contractor and later at the post exchange. Many remember him from his time at Camp Darby’s Auto Skills Center. Following downsizing there, Strahan relocated to Vicenza, where he worked at the Auto Skills Center, part of the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Strahan’s love of cars translated to a sincere dedication to community members who sought his help. He offered mechanical expertise to soldiers and civilians at Caserma Ederle with humility and genuine warmth. A few minutes in the shop with Strahan often felt more like catching up with an old friend than speaking with a mechanic.

Over the years, Strahan earned several awards for his work. But his joy came from engaging with the community and making connections that lasted.

News of his June 10 passing sparked an outpouring of online condolences from Americans and Italians in Vicenza and Camp Darby, as well as friends around the world who remembered his kindness during their time in Italy.

Jimmy Roddy, DFMWR’s Business Recreation Division chief, first met Strahan 24 years ago at Camp Darby. There, Strahan helped organize the summer car show and became known for offering help to anyone with automotive issues.

“A big guy, big smile with a bigger heart—always helpful,” Roddy said. “He was very low-key, for as big as he was. He was a gentle giant.”

Nicknamed “The Frenchman” by fishing buddies, Strahan was born on Dec. 7, 1963 in France into a military family. He grew up around Army bases, to include time in Germany.

Timothy Gordon, a friend from the Camp Darby days, recalled spending long hours fishing Italian rivers with him—a tradition that continued after both relocated to Vicenza. Another shared passion was cars.

“If you asked him about a BMW, he could tell you about it from top to bottom,” Gordon said.

In Vicenza, Strahan was often seen with Thor, a canine companion that went with him nearly everywhere.

“The smallest dog you could imagine with the biggest man you could ever imagine,” Gordon said. “People would just watch them walk down the road. He just loved small dogs.”

Strahan also befriended Soldiers, including Spc. Haron Palomo, a volunteer at the Auto Skills Center. Over the past two years, they joked, shared stories and discussed car repairs while Palomo restored a 1993 Honda Civic. As he did with other customers, Strahan offered tips on finding affordable parts.

“Sadly, he didn’t get to see it finished,” Palomo said.

Strahan is survived by his mother, daughter, sister and brothers, including Michael Strahan, a television host and former professional football player.

A memorial service will be held at noon on June 25 at Caserma Ederle’s Chapel. A second service is scheduled for noon on June 26 at Camp Darby’s chapel.

Source: United States Army

TORUŃ, Poland — Soldiers with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard, recently spent two weeks in Torún, Poland, training alongside members of the Polish Territorial Defence Force.

Since 1993, the Illinois National Guard and Poland have been partners in the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program — an initiative that pairs Guard elements with partner nations worldwide for joint military training and subject matter expert exchanges.

The recent two-week training focused on sniper operations, combat medical care, the Javelin anti-tank weapon system and remote observer techniques.

For the sniper teams, the goal was to strengthen leadership skills in employing and overseeing sniper sections as well as developing advanced sniper expertise.

“Our goal as a training team is to ensure we are equipping the Polish snipers with the tools to employ themselves against drones and thermal environments,” said Sgt. 1st Class Hussein Mashal, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard. “By merging our techniques with theirs and the lessons learned from the Ukrainian war, we hope to strengthen their sniper employment capabilities and survivability.”

In the medical realm, Soldiers with the Illinois Army Guard’s C Company, 634th Brigade Support Battalion, shared casualty care treatment procedures — from the point of injury to the final point of care.

This iteration included complex training scenarios that allowed participants to triage and evaluate casualties in a realistic, stressful simulated combat environment.

“It’s always worth it working with the National Guard,” said Polish TDF 2nd Lt. Jakub Piotrowski, a medical team member and instructor. “We do the same things in different ways so it’s worthwhile to see how a different army is doing the same thing and then be able to cooperate with it.”

Javelin instructors echoed that sentiment.

“The Polish soldiers were extremely motivated and eager to learn,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas Broden, a training noncommissioned officer with C Company, 1st Bn., 178th Inf. Regt. “They were always asking questions and were very hands on with the equipment.”

Previous training exchanges meant many of the Polish soldiers already had foundational knowledge of the Javelin systems. That allowed the training to advance quickly to more strategic and tactical discussions, said Broden.

For the forward observer teams — or remote observers — the focus was on establishing the fundamental skills for indirect fire coordination, a capability the TDF is actively strengthening as they expand artillery capabilities.

“We started off pretty basic with basic call for fire and then basic joint fires observer skills,” said U.S. Army Master Sgt. William Aitken, an operations NCO with the 33rd IBCT. “It’s kind of an abbreviated forward observer program for the TDF.”

The training also included high tech capabilities — such as employing small drones – combined with improvised concealment techniques to help Polish soldiers observe from a distance while staying hidden. The team practiced setting up hasty observation posts, coordinating drone feeds with command elements, and minimizing visual and electronic signatures — skills directly influenced by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.

Overall, the training helped strengthen and continue the 30-plus year partnership.

“Our partnership with Poland, which began in 1993 and included 19 years of co-deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, is the gold standard of deployments,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, the Illinois National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Army. “We learn, we teach and we develop new tactics and techniques together with each critical knowledge exchange event. Our capabilities have improved, we’ve expanded our capacity and our partnership has grown even stronger the past two weeks.”

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil

Source: United States Army

FORT POLK, La. – More than 4,000 Soldiers from the Iowa Army National Guard trained throughout June at Fort Polk, undergoing one of the Army’s most demanding combat training events in preparation for an upcoming overseas deployment.

Known since the Vietnam War era as “Tigerland,” Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center have become synonymous with forging combat-ready Soldiers through intense, realistic training. For Iowa’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, this rotation marks a pivotal moment: their first full brigade deployment since 2010.

At the Joint Readiness Training Center, or JRTC, Soldiers are evaluated under pressure. Their minds are stressed, their physical limits are tested and their endurance is pushed to the edge. From junior enlisted Soldiers to senior Iowa Army National Guard leaders, all participants endure mental, physical and emotional exhaustion.

The JRTC is one of four Army combat training centers. The others are the Joint Multinational Readiness Cente in Hohenfels, Germany; the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

The JRTC, however, is known for being the most grueling. The simulated combat environment, complete with force-on-force scenarios and constant stressors, provides Soldiers with some of the most realistic training they will encounter in their careers.

“There are a lot of methods that we use to test Soldiers while they’re in the training area. One is simply the stress and pressure of combat,” said Brig. Gen. Derek Adams, the senior trainer for rotation 25-08. “We try to simulate that as best we can.”

As the senior trainer, Adams works closely with observer-coach/trainers and the JRTC leadership to design, execute and evaluate the training rotation. He coordinates with the operations group, which oversees the exercise, monitors unit performance across all warfighting functions and delivers objective feedback through after-action reviews to improve readiness at every level.

“JRTC emphasizes DOD’s priorities of lethality, warfighting and readiness by training the entire brigade combat team, from the individual Soldiers to the brigade combat team level,” Adams said. “It’s a large, complex organization, and this training reflects that.”

This type of training marks a broader shift in Army doctrine.

The Army is transitioning from the counterinsurgency operations of the past two decades to large-scale combat operations, or LSCO. Large-scale combat operations prepare Soldiers for potential conflicts with near-peer adversaries by emphasizing large-scale maneuvers, complex logistics and sustained combat power.

“LSCO changes sustainment operations sheerly in the magnitude of what occurs,” said Col. Tony Smithhart, commander of the 734th Regional Support Group. “You’re talking about large numbers of Soldiers, large numbers of equipment.”

The Regional Support Group is structured to provide logistical support to up to 20,000 Soldiers in a deployed environment. As the Regional Support Command for the JRTC, the RSG was tasked with coordinating all sustainment efforts. This included feeding more than 5,800 Soldiers, managing medical treatment and staging and preparing more than 2,500 pieces of equipment for operation.

Planning for the JRTC began more than a year before the first boots hit the ground.

“I made my first trip to Fort Polk about 18 months ago to determine the actual area we’d operate in,” Smithhart said. “Since then, my team at the 734th Regional Support Group has returned about six times to coordinate with Fort Polk staff, validate our node concepts and rehearse operations to support reception, staging, onward integration and base camp management.”

The JRTC has earned its reputation. The environment is humid and rainy, the terrain is unforgiving and the scenarios evolve constantly.

All of these factors come together to form a stressful and taxing exercise, but one that will toughen Soldiers. Despite numerous aspects working against them, the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, proved they not only have the grit to complete their upcoming deployment successfully but also to complete any mission that is asked of them.

“The scale of this operation is critical to the development of our Soldiers,” Smithhart said. “It’s been called a generational training opportunity, and I believe that’s accurate.”

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

Source: United States Army

USAG BAVARIA – HOHENFELS, Germany – The U.S. Army Lodging Operation of the Year Award recognizes outstanding performance and dedication in Army lodging operations, and U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria’s Army Lodging in Hohenfels recently received the award in the small category (1-60 rooms).

The Hohenfels lodging facilities were established 1951 and have since been integral to supporting training activities and operations.

“We are getting recognized for something that the team here has put a lot of hard work into over the last year, and I’m just really proud of what they’ve done,” said hotel manager Clifford Martin. “We focused a lot on customer service over the last couple of years, and I think we’ve been able to provide that to the guests, the Soldiers and our scores and our staff and everything reflects that at this point.”

Winning organizations exhibit outstanding leadership by prioritizing customer service, fostering strong employee relations, ensuring effective financial management, and optimizing back-of-house systems critical to maintaining seamless operations.

“Winning this award brings a lot of pride to me,” Martin said. “I’ve had the opportunity to really work with a great team. And in doing so, we’ve been able to offer a great facility to the guests for PCS and TDY into the Hohenfels area. So I am just really grateful and honored to have the team that we have here to be able to provide this service to the Soldiers.”

The Army lodging team in Hohenfels consists of 18 staff members, and together they take care of 40 guest rooms spread across six buildings.

“With everybody who is coming here, we are the first people that they come see, and we provide them with a place to stay and get them acclimatized to the area,” said assistant manager Marshall Smith. “And then we also support everybody going into the training area as they come and stay with us. So they have a place to come back to every night.”

Army lodging guests range from Department of Defense travelers on official business, military members and their Families traveling on permanent change of station orders, retirees and military Families

“This is a testament; it’s impressive to win this,” said USAG Bavaria commander Col. Stephen C. Flanagan, when he took part in the award presentation. “There are so many Army lodges all around the world, and you are one of the best. And it’s really important right now to take care of our warfighters and everyone that supports them coming through.”

The Hohenfels Army Lodging is dedicated to provide quality lodging and hospitality services to their patrons to support the garrison’s mission and the community.

“And I know you’re also working with older facilities, and we are working on that,” Flanagan said. ”What shines through is the customer service and the teamwork and that leaves everyone with a better experience. And you clearly go above and beyond to earn this award.”

Some of the buildings are from 1949; A new Army Lodging facility is planned for 2028. The new six-floor facility will offer 82 apartments.

Flanagan also presented the garrison coin to the lodging staff as part of the presentation.

Source: United States Army

FORT HOOD, Texas — Military marriages endure many stresses due to military life, such as family separation, financial situations, spouse career exploration, frequent relocations or occupational demands. Maintaining and growing a military marriage takes patience, an incredible amount of understanding and lots of work.

“It takes a lot to do the work of a Soldier and to do the work of an Army spouse,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Dan Moen, Fort Hood family life chaplain and counselor, Religious Support Office, III Armored Corps. “So, there’s outside factors. If you have kids, the kids change … They have other needs. You might have financial factors, that cause stress.

“Then (you) have some inside factors between the couple,” he continued. “Maybe the couple has some difficulties communicating and expressing their feelings. That is usually one of the most challenging parts when dealing with couples is learning how to communicate … and couples often times miss the mark on connecting emotionally.”

A couple should do relationship maintenance as much as possible. Maintenance helps to grow the marriage and reduce the negative effects the military life may have on it. One way to conduct maintenance is for the couple to continue to go on dates with each other. Moen gave tips on how to have a successful date night.

Setting expectations

Couples can have different needs for a date night. Each date night comes with its own set of hopes. Moen says it is all about setting those expectations.

“A couple should try to figure out why they want to go on a date and what they want to do,” he said.

Additionally, this is not a task that a spouse should do by themselves.

“The couple needs to work on (expectations) together,” he said. “Otherwise, it may seem like one partner has more of a power trip than the other, or more authority figure, but it should be a conversation that (says), ‘Hey, this is what we want to do tonight, this is how we want to do it, and this is why we want to do it.’”

Moen also suggests couples set their expectations before the date which can help reduce frustration in the middle of it.

“… Let’s say these two scenarios: you and your husband go to Olive Garden for dinner. Before you go, you’re a little concerned about telling him, ‘Hey, I’m wondering when we eat, can we both put our phones away because I want to know that you’re hearing me?’ Someone might feel a little awkward saying that beforehand,” Moen said. “But that awkwardness is smaller compared to scenario number two, where the phone is on the table, the notifications are going on. He’s texting or doing whatever, and you’re trying to have a conversation. And you’re just getting angry. And then you have to tell them why you’re angry because he didn’t meet an expectation in your mind … So, what’s really harder?”

Moen recommends when a spouse brings up their expectations, they initiate their spouse’s input in what they would like to receive from the interaction.

Quality conversation

Moen notices many couples have a hard time figuring out what to talk about with each other.

“There’s a couple of great resources to help couples deepen their understanding of each other, getting to know each other,” he said, such as apps, online quizzes or question card games.

Moen goes further mentioning using open-ended questions, such as, “Who in your life is most stressful for you?” and, “What do you need right now in a friend?”

When asked what a couple should be learning on a date, Moen said they should become students of their spouse.

“Be curious about their spouse’s hopes and dreams. Be curious about their spouse’s emotions. Be curious about maybe some of their expectations,” he said. “Conversations about what they want out of the relationship, and just kind of a check in to see like ‘Hey, are we still good?’”

Also, make sure to decide what needs to be and does not need to be talked about during the date to either minimize friction or to make sure difficult matters are handled appropriately, he explained.

Moen said there is research he has read which shows that 69% of a couple’s conflict is non-resolvable.

“That tells you though that there are things that even though you won’t be able to resolve (it) that you can work with that,” he said. “It gives you an opportunity to actually figure out how to handle that.”

Moen continued that even with a difference of opinion, couples can learn that it doesn’t have to be a fight.

Date night ideas

There are many ways to have date nights that promote a positive experience for both partners. Working on an activity together, such as cooking or building, can promote healthy communication and learning how to work together. Those around the Fort Hood Garrison Public Affairs Office shared their favorite date nights that bring them closer to their spouse.

“A quiet night with a fine meal, usually Dungeness crab, and a musical concert from a well-known artist, like Garth Brooks, George Straight, or an orchestra, such as the Boston Pops,” said Chris Haug, director of the garrison PAO.

Erick Rodriguez, community relations specialist for the garrison PAO, and his wife loves dates that put them on an adventure.

“Generally, my wife and I get the most out of time together when we do interactive things as teammates,” he said. “We are big fans of escape rooms or those home detective mystery game boxes. We generally cap off those nights with a good meal and some quiet time just talking and enjoying a kid-free evening.”

Brandy Gill, chief of plans and operations of the garrison PAO, and her husband can make a date out of anything.

“With five kids, any time we get alone time is a date,” she expressed. “We make the most out of every dinner out, trip to the grocery store or walk through the local nursery. It might not sound like much to most people, but when my husband turns on the charm, opening the car door and holding my hand, it’s enough for me.”

Whatever date night idea comes to mind, it must work for both spouses. Moen said sometimes, couples come to a place where their conversations aren’t going well. This could lead to unproductive dates.

“You’re having continual fights, conflict that just never gets resolved, a misunderstanding and miscommunication going on, feeling unappreciated, feeling not heard, then that might be an indication that you need to call one of the resources here. They can call and talk to me. I do marriage counseling all the time,” he said. “They can call the Chaplain Family Life Training Center (254-288-1913). They can go over to the Shoemaker Center and talk to one of the MFLCs (military and family life counselor), or one of their chaplains in their unit, to kind of get a brush up on, you know, better communicating as a couple.”

Source: United States Army

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — The U.S. Army’s 3d Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) held a change of command ceremony June 18, 2025, on historic Palm Circle, as Brig. Gen. Michael D. Rose relinquished command to Col. Wade A. Germann. The ceremony marked the conclusion of a transformative and impactful command under Brig. Gen. Rose and the start of a new chapter for the Army’s cutting-edge multi-domain force operating in the Indo-Pacific.

Brig. Gen. Rose, who assumed command of 3MDTF in June 2023, played a crucial role in enhancing the Task Force’s readiness and integration with Joint and regional partners and allies across all domains. Under his leadership, 3MDTF participated in key exercises across the theater as part of OPERATIONS PATHWAYS, demonstrating the synchronization of long-range precision fires, cyber, space, and information operations to project combat power across the Indo-Pacific Theater.

Presiding over the ceremony, Gen. Ronald P. Clark, Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific, commended Brig. Gen. Mike Rose for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the 3d MDTF.

“I’m exceptionally grateful for the tremendous efforts of our outgoing commander, Brigadier General Mike Rose,” said Clark. “You have generated lethality through tough and realistic training and applied exquisite effects with land forces who can fight on and from the land in combined, joint, and multi-domain environments.”

Clark highlighted several Army firsts executed by 3d MDTF, including the first employment of the Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) and first Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) live fire west of the international dateline.

During his tenure, Brig. Gen. Rose emphasized experimentation, interoperability, and speed, driving the 3MDTF to implement concepts crucial for deterrence and joint campaigning. His time in command accelerated the integration of Australian and United Kingdom personnel, transforming 3MDTF into a combined headquarters to become an embodiment of AUKUS Pillar 2 agreements. Furthermore, the unit’s participation in major exercises, such as Talisman Sabre, Yama Sakura, and Valiant Shield, highlights its expanding operational reach and its ability to coordinate effects in real-time across the Indo-Pacific.

During his speech at the ceremony, Rose said, “We’ve gone from a concept to a campaign-ready force in record time. We’ve planned, rehearsed, and executed operations to span thousands of miles. We’ve operated across every domain — land, sea, air, space, and cyber — and we’ve integrated with every service in the Joint Force.”

Emphasizing the importance of 3MDTF’s integration with the Joint Force, partners, and allies, he continued, “We’ve trained and deployed with our allies and partners across the region — from Japan to the Philippines to Thailand, Korea, Singapore, India, and more. And most importantly, we’ve done our part to contribute to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, creating new dilemmas — dilemmas for our adversaries — deterring aggression, and assuring allies and partners that the Army stands ready.”

Col. Germann assumes command with more than two decades of operational and strategic experience. His prior assignments include roles in joint and combined environments, and his leadership will continue to advance 3MDTF’s mission in support of integrated deterrence and dynamic campaigning.

After taking the podium, Col. Germann expressed his gratitude.

“I’m humbled to lead and work with the incredible men and women of the 3d Multi-Domain Task Force who stand before us today on this field and represent not just those here, but many others who are not here because they’re currently out on mission across the Indo-Pacific.”

Established in 2022, 3MDTF is the Army’s newest Multi-Domain Task Force and the second assigned to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Area of Operation. Headquartered at Fort Shafter, 3MDTF increases lethality of the Joint Force through the layering of kinetic and non-kinetic effects across multiple domains, enhancing deterrence and strengthening regional security.

The 3MDTF’s unique structure and capabilities reflect the Army’s modernization priorities and commitment to campaigning in competition, crisis, and conflict, and assuring partners and Allies throughout the Indo-Pacific.

“The change of command ceremony is a defining moment in the life of any organization, and the 3d MDTF is no different. But as leadership changes, our mission remains the same. We will continue to present complex dilemmas to our adversary across multiple domains to prevent war,” said Gen. Clark.

3MDTF remains ready to fight and win across all domains — anytime, anywhere.

HUNT FORWARD!

Source: United States Army

CAMP CHAMBERLAIN, Maine – Engineers with the Maine Army National Guard are hard at work this spring, conducting critical training to keep their skills sharp and simultaneously providing a valuable and direct service to their communities.

Through the Guard’s Innovative Readiness Training program, Soldiers in the 133rd Engineer Battalion performed a variety of community development projects in locations across Maine.

The Guard specifically selects projects to maximize training value for the Soldiers performing the work and for the economic and social impact on the community where the projects are taking place.

“Engineers, as part of their mission essential task list, have to conduct construction training, both vertical and horizontal, to stay ready,” said Maj. Adam Davis, executive officer for the 120th Regional Support Group who oversees many of the state’s engineer units and is a member of the panel that reviews projects for consideration. “Training typically involves collective projects that can include both those horizontal and vertical units, and the best way we found in the state of Maine to identify these opportunities is to partner with communities that have identified the need for this kind of support.”

The collaboration that has developed between the Guard and the communities that request engineering support is of significant economic benefit, not just for the services that can be born out of these newly rehabilitated grounds but also because of the savings seen in construction costs.

A lack of funding availability for these projects is a prerequisite for most applications, Guard leadership said.

“We find construction projects that otherwise would not be able to be done usually based on funding constraints,” Davis said. “The community provides the building plans, permits and such, and we provide the manpower, expertise and equipment to make these projects happen. It’s a win-win, to say the least.”

Heather Kerner, a resident of Canaan, Maine, and former president of the Lake George Regional Park, offered testimony about the recreational value engineers from the Maine National Guard are providing to her community through one of these projects.

“The facility these guys are working on sits on a 320-acre parcel that only became available to the town in 1992,” Kerner said. “Since then, this building has not been widely used. With these improvements, we will look to use this facility for a variety of recreation opportunities all year long.”

Those opportunities include things like a summer camp for kids, as well as winter sports such as skijouring, ice kayaking and kite skiing, whose participants will have access to the newly renovated facility to use as a warming hut.

There are other benefits that communities reap when redevelopment projects, such as the Lake George hut, come to fruition through these collaborations.

In East Millinocket, a vast property that has been unused since 2014 is being redeveloped through a partnership between the Guard’s IRT program and the town, which took ownership of the property in recent years. The area was once home to a thriving paper mill that employed hundreds of residents. Since the mill closed, the site had primarily gone unused and was in disrepair.

Steps are underway to make the location functional and desirable to new businesses. The Maine National Guard is using heavy construction equipment on the property to move hundreds of tons of dirt and debris to make way for potential new construction.

“It will have a huge economic impact,” said former U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud.

Michaud worked at the mill for more than 30 years, is a lifelong resident of the area and has been an active proponent of economic reform in the town since the mill closed.

“The value of another business setting up here is several million dollars into the local tax base and does not even count the jobs from the business itself, the restaurants and all the other businesses that support people in the community,” Michaud added.

A key element of the program is its emphasis on collaboration between the Maine National Guard and local, state and non-profit organizations. Coordination ensures that IRT missions are logistically feasible, legally compliant and tailored to community needs. Additionally, the program helps to foster stronger relationships between the military and the public, improving trust and building relationships with residents who witness the projects as they unfold.

Ultimately, the program enables Soldiers to apply their skills in real-world environments during peacetime, providing mutual benefit for the military and the local communities. This dual-purpose approach strengthens unit cohesion and improves readiness for deployments while also supporting community redevelopment in Maine.

Innovative Readiness Training- https://irt.defense.gov/

http://www.nationalguard.mil

https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

https://x.com/USNationalGuard

Source: United States Army

FORT HOOD, Texas — The smack of boxing gloves, the tap of feet and quick breaths break the silence in an open room June 11 at Warrior Way Fitness Center as several Soldiers trained for Fight Night.

Fight Night is being held 6 p.m. June 27 at Abrams Physical Fitness Center. With 14 fighters and 7 bouts with two-minute rounds, there will be plenty to see for those who wish to attend. It serves as an opportunity for service members to pursue something greater than themselves, said Command Sgt. Maj. Loyd Rhoades, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Hood command sergeant major.

“These events are more than just competitions; they embody the spirit of resilience, camaraderie and dedication that define military life at Fort Hood, affectionately known as ‘The Great Place,’” he said. “By engaging in these bouts, participants not only hone their physical skills but also strengthen the bonds that unite them in service to our nation.

“With each punch and cheer, we honor the tradition of excellence that has been built over generations,” Rhoades added.

Soldiers participating have been practicing three times a week at Warrior Way. For some, they are refining skills. For others, they are learning a new sport entirely.

“I learned a lot since I’ve been doing it — started like a month ago,” said Spc. Darius Miller, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, who is a first-time boxer. “I feel like I got way better conditioning actually, learning technique (and) knowing exactly what to do. I still got a lot to go, but I’m getting better, so it’s not too bad.”

Boxing is harder than it looks, Miller said.

“I don’t want to say I thought it was easy, but it’s way harder than it looks,” he expressed. “Like, cornered in the ring, even if it’s for one minute, it’s way harder than what it seems like.”

Spc. Javier Cordova, 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, has boxed previously, but said this would be his first time competing.

“Since the Army’s running it, and since I’m more confident in how I’ve been training, I just feel like I’m ready to compete, especially for the Army, which is even better,” he said.

“(I have been) learning more defense, been learning more head movements,” Cordova added. “I’ve been going the extra mile, especially not even at practice after practice, running two miles or so, actually still weightlifting after practice. So, I’m here at Warrior Way three times a day.”

Sgt. 1st Class Roman Davis, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 1st Cav. Div., has been mentoring and helping the competing Soldiers and said they have shown much progress.

“Some of these guys didn’t know much about (boxing), but once they started training here, they’re really developing and getting much, much, much better,” he said.

“Their technique has improved overall,” Davis said. “Some of them, when they first got here, just (threw) punches, but now they’re getting more technical about it, understanding the fundamentals of boxing and also their defense is getting much better as well.”

Boxing has several benefits, he noted.

“It’s great for your mental health,” he said. “It’s great for your physical health. Keeps you in shape, keeps your mind right and I encourage it.”

Those considering boxing should try, Cordova said.

“Noone knows if they’re a good boxer until they come out and practice, and don’t judge it by the first day of practice because you’re going to be a beginner at most,” he said. “You probably won’t know how to do … the footwork, how to throw an actual punch or how to defend yourself, but the coaches here will actually teach you and actually work and build your way up. So I say, do it; don’t get cold feet. Don’t let the first practice leave a mark on you because everyone’s first days aren’t the best, but at least showing up matters.”

Leading into Fight Night, Cordova hopes for a win.

“I want to stay humble,” he expressed. “I don’t expect to win, I don’t expect to lose, I just expect to be my best.”

Miller expects nothing less than victory.

“I expect for myself to perform and win,” he said. “Nothing against my opponent — the best to him — but I want to win. I want to compete.”

Rhoades expressed he is excited to see the camaraderie around Fight Night.

“I’m thrilled to witness the unwavering support of our Soldiers’ units as they rally behind their teammates during this event,” he said. “It’s inspiring to see such dedication and camaraderie in action.

Looking ahead, this event is poised to grow beyond the garrison’s scope,” he continued. “By this time next year, we anticipate the competition expanding to the III Armored Corps level, with boxers from all divisions converging at Fort Hood to vie for the prestigious Phantom Fight Night Trophy. This evolution underscores the event’s significance and the collective spirit of excellence within our ranks.”

Fight Night is free and open to anyone. Those without access to the installation but wish to attend must obtain a visitor’s pass.

Source: United States Army

FORT HOOD, Texas — The Marvin Leath Visitors Welcome Center, located just outside the main gate off T.J. Mills Boulevard here, is undergoing major renovations aimed at improving safety, efficiency and the overall visitor experience. Construction began June 2 and is projected to continue through Dec. 1.

Despite the construction, the center remains open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Visitors may experience longer wait times and limited indoor space during the renovation. Officials ask for patience as staff continue to assist the community throughout the project.

“The renovation doesn’t stop operations,” said Ratoya C. James, installation access control security administrator, Directorate of Emergency Services. “We’re still open and here to assist. This work is being done to better serve our service members, their families and the friends who come to visit. Our team is here to help make every visit to the installation smoother and more secure.”

The Marvin Leath Visitors Welcome Center is the primary access point for non-Department of Defense ID cardholders. It provides visitor passes, Automated Installation Entry registration and firearms registration for Fort Hood. Visitors can also apply online for a pass at pass.aie.army.mil to reduce wait times.

As of May 7, the REAL ID Act is in full effect. All visitors ages 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant license or an approved alternative, such as a U.S. passport or military ID, to gain unescorted access to the installation. For more information on REAL ID, visit texas.gov/driver-services/texas-real-id.

The center is located in Bldg. 69012 and can be reached at 254-287-9909. Visitors will undergo a background check and, if approved, may proceed to a gate or kiosk for pass issuance. A sponsor is not required for online applications, but visitors must have a valid reason for entry.