Photo By 1st Lt. Sean Carstensen | Spc. Benjamin Shafer, a grenadier/automatic rifleman with 2-135 Infantry out of...... read more read more
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CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait - Bravo Battery (B Battery), 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division began forming its platoons in preparation for deployment over a year before mobilization in May 2011. When it became clear that the current mission in Kuwait required more soldiers than the battery had in its ranks, the decision was made to add troops from within the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.
In late July, 2011, during premobilization training at Fort McCoy, Wis., 25 soldiers from Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, based in Rochester, Minn., joined B Battery. These infantrymen created a fourth platoon led by 2nd Lt. Christopher Belland and Sgt. 1st Class Teeshan Harrington.
Throughout the mobilization process, 4th Platoon trained as members of B Battery in preparation for the current deployment. The infantrymen were successfully integrated into the unit, and arrived in Kuwait in late July 2011, ready to execute their mission.
From the outset, the 4th platoon soldiers knew that their assignment to the unit was temporary and that they would be returning to their home unit at some point during the deployment.
The mission in Kuwait required that 4th Platoon be split into three squads with each joining one of the three other Bravo Battery platoons. Their leadership, 2nd Lt. Belland and Sgt. 1st Class Harrington, served as rotating platoon leadership, filling in for the other platoons on a rotating basis. Despite this unusual arrangement, the soldiers of 4th Platoon distinguished themselves as professional soldiers who brought valuable knowledge, skills, and an outstanding work ethic to Bravo Battery.
On October 25, 2011, 4th Platoon departed Camp Patriot to return to their home unit, currently based at Camp Buehring, in northern Kuwait. This movement means that they will have to train for an entirely new mission, serving as a theater reaction force to aid in the drawdown of security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan in the Central Command area of responsibility.
Departing 4th Platoon soldier, Spc. Benjamin Schafer, shared his perspective on the move during an interview conducted prior to departure to Camp Buehring. Spc. Schafer is assigned as a grenadier/ automatic rifleman, and has nearly completed his initial 6 year service commitment. Unsure about his future military plans, he has not yet decided if he will reenlist.
Serving as a member of the security forces on the Seaport of Debarkation/Embarkation, Spc. Schafer’s role was to ensure that perimeter security was maintained and that the access to the installation was strictly controlled.
“My duties consisted of a variety of tasks, such as vehicle and personnel searches, serving as a gate or tower guard, or conducting mounted patrols with the quick reaction force,” said Spc. Schafer.
The SPOD/E is a major U.S. Military logistics operations center, receiving massive amounts of equipment that is currently being withdrawn from Iraq. As the primary military seaport in Kuwait, equipment arrives daily in preparation for shipment back to the United States.
Schafer’s favorite memory of his time with B Battery was the training that was conducted during premobilization training.
“We received the opportunity to help run our own ranges, such as weapons qualification and Military Operations in Urban Terrain [MOUT]. We had completed most of our mandatory training prior to arriving at For0t McCoy. We conducted a good share of our own training, and we liked that each platoon was able to run their own training, and that was fun,” said Spc. Schafer.
Spc. Schafer found himself at home in B Battery.
He commented, “When our platoon transferred to B Battery from B Company I was really surprised that B Battery welcomed us the way they did. You never know what to expect when you go to another unit. It could have been like we were the new kids in school, but they really made us feel welcome so that helped with the transition. I expected to see more of a rivalry between Infantry and Artillery units, more of a friendly rivalry, but there really weren’t any big surprises.”
As he leaves for Camp Buehring, Spc. Schafer will not only miss the soldiers of B Battery, but also the advantages of Camp Patriot.
“I think what I will miss most is the amenities, like the swimming pool. The small amount of soldiers on this post keeps the lines in the chow hall short. I have heard that the lines at Camp Buehring are a lot longer due to amount of troops there.”
When asked of Schafer’s future plans after deployment he stated, “Getting back to my hobbies of hunting, baseball, softball and coaching football, and my job. I would hope that someday I could take over the family business.” Schafer worked as a vehicle towing and recovery technician, based out of Rochester, Minn., prior to the deployment.
The soldiers of 4th Platoon became members of the B Battery family and will be greatly missed as they return to their home unit. Although the unit says goodbye to its fellow Minnesota National Guardsmen, it welcomes soldiers to the unit from the 268th Military Police Company, Tennessee National Guard.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2011 00:47 |
| Story ID: | 81263 |
| Location: | CAMP PATRIOT, KW |
| Web Views: | 496 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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