Patriot Brigade Accomplishes Another First (Story and Photos by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Akridge)

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

09.16.2016

Courtesy Story

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

In a patching ceremony held in front of Fort Polk’s headquarters building, Soldiers from the Patriot Brigade replaced their 10th Mountain patch with the 36th Infantry Division’s T-Patch.
Maj. Gen. Lester Simpson, commanding general, 36th Infantry Division, stated that although this is the Patriot Brigade’s first time wearing the 36th patch, this is not the first time the two units have worked together.
“I am excited about this next chapter in the Army’s total force policy that goes far beyond just wearing a patch,” said Simpson. “We will train together, we will fight together, and this will not be the first time. More than 70 years ago we fought Axis forces in Italy during World War II as part of 5th and 7th army operations. More than 15 years ago, we exchanged commands during Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia, and over the last 10 years we have served side by side fighting against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Col. Brian Sullivan, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, stressed to the Soldiers the positive changes this patch change brings.
“Our Patriot Soldiers will gain the experience, insight and professionalism that a National Guard unit can bring to the fight,” said Sullivan. “By giving 3rd Brigade Soldiers access to National Guard facilities, and giving the 36th Infantry Division Soldiers access to our facilities, this will be a mutually beneficial arrangement for all units involved. In an era of reduced resources we must train, deploy, and fight as one team.”
Col. Sullivan also spoke about the storied history of the 36th Infantry Division, when Staff Sgt. Homer Wise, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. After speaking about how Wise saved his fellow Soldiers lives and killed and suppressed the enemy fire, Sullivan made a connection with the troops on the field before him.
“Patriots, no matter how many divisions, brigades, or battalions the Army might have, it is a lone Staff Sergeant from Louisiana, wearing the 36th Infantry Division’s Patch, that can shake the world.”

• Date Taken: 09.16.2016
• Date Posted: 09.16.2016 22:01
• Story ID: 209886
• Location: FORT POLK, LA, US