Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Miguel Solano from Belton, Texas, and Pfc. Jesse Woods from Wasilla, Alaska,...... read more read more
By Sgt. Ange Desinor
13th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers and families with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment attended a unit pre-deployment fair here, Sept. 4, to receive information and gain resources necessary for a successful nine-month rotational deployment.
“The purpose of the fair is to prepare for our deployment to the Korean Peninsula in support of 2nd Infantry Division,” said Lt. Col. Elliott Rogers, the commander of 3-8 CAV and a Raleigh, N.C., native. “Right now the Soldiers are trained and ready. This is to ensure that their families are ready also.”
The 3-8 CAV will replace 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, which is currently deployed to Korea. The rotational tour of duty will help Soldiers and units maintain their readiness, and maintain a broader, expeditionary mindset so that they will be better prepared for future operational requirements.
Rogers said a variety of agencies from across the Fort Hood installation supported the event to prepare the families to be resilient throughout the Soldiers’ deployment.
“We always talk about the strength of the Soldiers being their families,” said Rogers. “If the Soldiers can focus on the mission and have a good feeling that his family is being cared for, that makes him a better Soldier. The Soldier will be more focused and resilient.”
Long ago events such as pre-deployment fairs weren’t available to Soldiers and their families.
“The pre-deployment fair is needed before you deploy because back in my day, we didn't do it,” said Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-8 CAV 1st Sgt., Jeffery McCummings, a Bronx, N.Y., native. “I've been in the Army for about 18 years and this is definitely a plus, especially for the younger Soldiers and their spouses that are new to the Army. This gives them an opportunity to see the different agencies and see what is offered to them.”
McCummings also said that if a situation were to happen while they are down range, the families would know which agencies to utilize for support.
He said that a lot of his Soldiers didn't understand or know the valuable information that the agencies offer to them and their families until he sat down and explained it to them.
Many of the spouses said that they are grateful to have Army support programs to help while their Soldiers are away.
“I feel that this is beneficial for us,” said Tarshea McCummings, the co-leader of the Family Readiness Group and a native of Southern Pines, N.C. “It helps us out while we are here trying to do this by ourselves.”
Feeling secure that their families will have support while their gone, many Soldiers are excited about the upcoming deployment.
“It's really great to come out here with my wife because I'm deploying to South Korea for the first time,” said Pfc. Jaron Devon Jones, a Baltimore, Md., native.
Jones also said that when he deploys soon, he will have a peace of mind.
“I'm glad that my wife will have all the resources available to her,” said Jones. “I'm also excited about the new setting, new environment and a new mission.”
Upon completion of the Transfer of Authority, 3-8 CAV will return to 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Hood, Texas. The 3-8 CAV deployment is part of U.S. enduring rebalancing efforts within the Asia-Pacific region, and allows for greater responsiveness to better meet theater operational requirements.
| Date Taken: | 09.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2014 13:37 |
| Story ID: | 141416 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | BALTIMORE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | BRONX, NY, US |
| Hometown: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Hometown: | SOUTHERN PINES, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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