48th Volunteers Patching Ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Jordan Trent | 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team "Volunteers" receive their combat patch while during Operation Resolute Support in Laghman Province, Afghanistan Feb. 4, 2019.  

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

02.04.2019

Story by Sgt. Jordan Trent 

48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Georgia Army National Guardsmen from the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team received their “combat patch” in a ceremony in Laghman Province, Afghanistan Feb. 4, 2019. The 48th IBCT “Volunteers” are deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and NATO Operation Resolute Support. It’s the fourth time since the beginning of the war on terror, and the 48th Brigade has answered the call to deploy in combat overseas

“To me, the ceremony is symbolic of the creation of a new generation of experienced leaders within the 48th and ultimately the Georgia Army National Guard,’ said Col. Matthew Smith, commander of the 48th IBCT.

Capt. Raymond Dillard, commander of Headquarters Company, 48th IBCT, and 1st Sgt. Charles Lancaster awarded the soldiers their patches and gave encouraging words as they're written into the long history of the brigade.

When asked what this deployment meant to him, Lancaster said it means he once again has the opportunity to serve in the ranks of the 48th IBCT as it continues its legacy in combat.

“This is my third combat deployment with the brigade and this time I had the honor to deploy as the HHC 1st Sgt.,” said Lancaster. “It is a very challenging role, but a role I did not hesitate to accept. On a daily basis, I work with some of the very best officers, NCOs, and soldiers the Army has to offer, and I couldn’t be more proud to serve alongside all of them.”

The patching ceremony is a chance for us to recognize our Soldiers for their wartime service. It enhances the pride and loyalty our Soldiers have towards our organization, said Lancaster.

“For me, it means a rite of passage,” said Sgt. Ryan Hern, an infantryman with the 48th and veteran of multiple overseas deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. “It means you get to take a step up on the ladder of knowledge and leadership through experience. The patch is a lot of things to a lot of different people; esprit de corps, comradery, validation, hardship. Combat patches are like the deployment itself. It is what you make it.”

The 48th IBCT deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Associated Unit Pilot Program in partnership with the Fort Stewart, Ga., based 3rd Infantry Division.

“For us as Soldiers who depart, our lives are filled with new experiences, environments and typically plenty of missions to keep us busy until just before we fall asleep,” said Smith. “Hopefully everyone thought of those at home as they received their combat patch since that patch also represents the sacrifice of all those that are behind each of us Soldiers. We fight for each other, but the reason we are here is for all of those at home.”

• Date Taken: 02.04.2019
• Date Posted: 02.05.2019 12:45
• Story ID: 309525
• Location: LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: ATLANTA, GA, US
• Hometown: MACON, GA, US
• Hometown: MARIETTA, GA, US