By 2nd Lt. Crystal TorreMichel
4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Col. Curtis Taylor, commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks with Soldiers and their Families at the 4th Brigade Support Battalion town hall meeting to discuss the brigade’s training obligations Jan. 11, 2017, at Provider Chapel. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Crystal TorreMichel)
More than 300 Soldiers and Family members with the 4th Brigade Support Battalion filled Provider Chapel Jan. 11, 2017, to discuss upcoming training obligations and address family concerns.
“Our mission is to train, to be lethal and to be prepared to fight,” said Col. Curtis Taylor, commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “If war comes, this brigade will go first … the nation has asked us to be prepared to fight.”
Preparing for a busy year that includes a deployment to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, Lt. Col. Eric McCoy, commander, 4th BSB, 1st SBCT, hosted the town hall meeting.
“The meeting gives my Family information on what’s going on and definitely gives them a better understanding of what we’re doing,” said Staff Sgt. Alvin Jones, water treatment specialist, Company A, 4th BSB.
The event also helped Family members new to the Army get familiar with the battalion, said Family member Jennifer Torres.
“As a spouse of a Soldier, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed,” she said. “It’s our first duty station, our first military experience. This is a nice way to get information for the new year.”
Lt. Col. Eric McCoy, commander, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discusses the battalion’s upcoming training obligations to his Soldiers and their Families during a town hall meeting Jan. 11, 2017, at Provider Chapel. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Crystal TorreMichel)
The youngest Family members were recognized by the battalion command team with certificates of achievement for their academic accomplishments of obtaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average.
“I felt honored,” said fourth-grader Eliana Torres.
Following the awards ceremony, Family readiness group leader Sara Chung collected contact information to ensure that Families have a way to stay connected to their service members when they are away from home.
“I took the time to update everyone’s information, which is very important,” said Chung.
As the gathering came to a close, the floor was opened to questions. The command team discussed safety issues, leadership development opportunities and mission priorities.
Spc. Samantha Jones expressed her gratitude for the abundance of information given during the town hall.
“It was generous of the battalion commander and the sergeant major to present an open forum for both the Soldiers and their Families to address concerns and ask questions,” said the computer detection/systems repairer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th BSB.
Soldiers and Families with the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attend a town hall meeting at the Provider Chapel Jan. 11, 2017, to discuss the battalion’s upcoming training obligations. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Crystal TorreMichel)
Children receive certificates of achievements for earning a 3.0 or higher grade point average during a 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, town hall meeting Jan. 11, 2017, at the Provider Chapel. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Crystal TorreMichel)