‘Devil’ Brigade tests mental, physical toughness

Photo By Bernhard Lashleyleidner | Soldiers carry a litter with six 40 pounds ammo cans, 600 meter, to complete station Two, of Operation Krypteia, Sept. 28 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The event honors the heroic actions of Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Matthew Leonard’s valiant advance on the enemy at Soui Da, South Vietnam. Leonard was a member of Co. B, 1st Bn., 16th Inf. Regt., during the Vietnam War Feb. 28, 1967.  

KUWAIT

10.21.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait –Forty-five ‘Devil’ brigade Soldiers earned their planks during Operation Krypteia III, a team-building endurance exercise, Sept. 28 at Camp Buehring.

The event was centered on teamwork, adaptability, morale and physical resiliency.

First Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Soldiers who completed Operation Krypteia III were awarded the planks, pieces of wood with the brigade’s insignia, that symbolizes their investment and commitment to the brigade and to the 1st Infantry Division.

First Lt. Kyle Visconti, adjutant, 1st ABCT, a Mesa, Arizona, native, said the exercise was designed to challenge field-grade officers, company commanders and first sergeants, but this was the first time battalion commanders were allowed to nominate two Soldiers from their formations to take part in it.

“I recommended Cpl. Facundo-Moya, who was the lowest-ranking Soldier to participate in the event because she embodied all the attributes that Col. John Reynolds III, (commander, 1st ABCT), said a plank holder must possess,” said 1st Sgt. Robert Penn Jr., senior noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment.

Penn, a native of Woodbridge, Virginia, said she is good at physical fitness, a true leader, always ready to learn and is worthy of being a plank holder.

“I felt honored when the first sergeant told me that I was one of the Soldiers chosen to represent the squadron during Operation Krypteia,” said Cpl. Marci Facunda-Moya, signal support systems specialist, HHT, 4th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.

The event began with participants being alerted at 3 a.m. on the Camp Buehring loudspeaker with: “Attention Camp Buehring: Exercise, exercise, exercise …” The Soldiers had 45
minutes to rally for the official start of the event.

Staff Sgt. Logan Johnson, personal security detail platoon sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT, and a native of Harrisburg, Oregon, informed the participants there were six stations around them, and they needed to move tactically to the first location, which corresponded with their team number.

The teams were given supplies for the day: a wooden box, Skedco litter carry, pair of binoculars, tow strap, compass, protractor and a 1/25,000 map.

During the course of five hours, teams walked and ran more than eight miles around Camp Buehring and tackled leadership challenges that were physically and mentally demanding.

At each station, Soldiers learned about a Medal of Honor recipient from the brigade, their accomplishments and how they overcame adversity in battle.

Facunda-Moya, a native of Houston, said the event really pushed her, and it was awesome to compete with and against senior leaders. “I was really tired, but I refused to quit because I didn’t want to let the squadron down,” Facunda-Moya said.

At the conclusion of the day, teams gathered at the Al Jahara Copthorn Hotel and Resort for a formal dinner and plank holder induction ceremony.

The dinner began with a motivational speech by Reynolds, who discussed the origins of the plank holders tradition, what new inductees accomplished by completing Operation Krypteia III and the responsibility they have going forward as plank holders and leaders in the brigade.

Additionally, Reynolds said they are now part of the foundation of the brigade.

“I will hold you accountable for your actions in helping this organization win,” he said. “There is only one end state, and that is to win.”

Soldiers were called forward, table by table, to receive a numbered coin with the brigade’s crest and a plank with the Devil brigade insignia burned into the wood.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2014
• Date Posted: 10.21.2014 13:26
• Story ID: 145644
• Location: KW