Staff Sgt. Chad Lawrence, financial management technician, Detachment A, 230th Financial Management Support Unit, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, greets his wife and daughter, Dec. 9, 2016, at the Army Reserve Center upon his return from a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan. Detachment A, 230th FMSU, provided financial management support to more than 20,000 U.S. military service members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors. (Photo by Sgt. David Freydin)
Soldiers from Detachment A, 230th Financial Management Support Unit, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, stand in front of Family, friends and loved ones at the Army Reserve Center, Dec. 9, 2016, upon their return from a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan. The FMSU operated at several forward operating bases and conducted nearly 100 Financial Management Support Team missions. (Photo by Sgt. David Freydin)
By Sgt. David Freydin
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Brightly-colored signs and anxious foot-tapping filled the Army Reserve Center on Fort Carson with an anticipation one could expect at a welcome home ceremony.
Families and friends welcomed home 18 Soldiers from Detachment A, 230th Financial Management Support Unit, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Dec. 9, 2016.
The Soldiers returned from a nine-month deployment in support of military operations in Afghanistan.
“I am deeply honored to stand here before you,” said Maj. Ricardo Ortiz, commander, 230th FMSU, during the welcome home ceremony. “Most of you are young Soldiers on your first unit assignment and have just finished completing your first combat tour. Fifteen years ago, when this war started, most of you were young children growing up in this privileged nation. You had no obligation to serve, and yet you still had the courage to sacrifice any comfort you might have had to join the one percent of Americans who serve and defend this nation. I am proud of you, and I am honored to serve alongside you.”
During their time in Afghanistan, the detachment provided financial management support to more than 20,000 U.S. military service members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors. The FMSU operated at several forward operating bases, conducting financial management support team missions.
Maj. Ricardo Ortiz, commander, 230th Financial Management Support Unit, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, welcomes home Soldiers from Detachment A, 230th FMSU, during a Dec. 9, 2016, at the Army Reserve Center. (Photo by Sgt. David Freydin)
Staff Sgt. Chad Lawrence, financial management technician, 230th FMSU, said it was great to be back home with his wife and daughter in time for the holidays.
“It was a long nine months, but I am happy to be back in time for Christmas,” said Lawrence. “I plan on spending as much time with Family as possible.”
Lawrence’s wife shared the sentiment.
“I’m just happy that he’s back for the holidays and our daughter’s birthday,” she said. “Her birthday party is tomorrow, so he made it just in time. … it’s the best gift that she could receive.”
Ortiz highlighted some of the detachment Soldiers’ accomplishments during the deployment that included promoting five Soldiers to the rank of sergeant, re-enlisting one Soldier and awarding two Soldiers the German Armed Forces Badge.
Soldiers from Detachment A, 230th FMSU were also awarded an Army Commendation Medal, 24 Army Achievement Medals, two Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals and 12 certificates of achievement during the deployment.
Ortiz noted that the most important feat was that each member of Detachment A came home safe and sound.
Spc. Julius Bor, center,financial management technician, Detachment A, 230th Financial Management Support Detachment, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, reunites with Family and friends at the Army Reserve Center Dec. 9, 2016, after a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan. (Photo by Sgt. David Freydin)