KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Command Sgt. Maj. Anton Hillig, senior enlisted leader for 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Train, Advise and Assist Command-South, talks to Soldiers with Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd IBCT, during an awards ceremony May 14, 2018, on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Sgt. James T. McCann, an infantryman assigned to 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, May 14, 2018, by his company commander during an awards ceremony on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
By Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — On the second day of the platoon’s rotation, Soldiers with 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were called into action after an indirect fire attack near the base.
As the quick reaction force, they responded to an attack and immediately went to the point of origin along with an explosive ordnance team.
At the time, the Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd IBCT, didn’t know the call would earn them the right to pin on the coveted Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) May 14, 2018.
“My guys were familiar with the route we were on,” said 2nd Lt. Blake C. Bill, platoon leader, 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “Then all of a sudden an (improvised explosive device) initiated on the second truck in the convoy.”
The roadside bomb was intended for the lead truck of the convoy, he said.
“The Soldiers in the truck that got hit were immediately evacuated and our medic began to do his tests and check for injuries,” said Bill. “Luckily there were no significant casualties and (an explosive ordnance disposal team) was with us so they were able to react fast. My guys spent the rest of the night recovering the vehicle and finding and clearing alternate routes.”
Bill attributes the success of the incident to predeployment training and his Soldiers’ commitment to expertise in their field.
Sgt. James T. McCann was the truck commander for the lead convoy vehicle on the day of the attack.
“From the moment we left the base, I was watching the sides of the road for wires or any people around the area and had my gunner scanning everything,” said McCann, an infantryman with 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “It was easy for me to react to the attack. The training prior to the deployment helped me be calm and know what needed to be done at that moment.”
Now, more than a month later, the Soldiers involved have the privilege of wearing the CIB.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of Soldiers to be with me that day,” said Bill “The way they reacted at the moment was truly at an expert level.”
As an NCO, McCann said he is proud of how his Soldiers reacted down to the lowest level.
“It means the world to me to have been able to earn this badge along with my Soldiers and to have had no casualties that day,” said McCann. “To me, earning this badge tells me my Soldiers are proficient in their profession and that they are exactly what this Army needs them to be.”
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A Soldier with 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives the Combat Infantryman Badge, May 14, 2018, during an awards ceremony on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The Soldiers of 3rd Platoon earned their CIB when an improvised explosive device struck a vehicle in their convoy as they were responding to an indirect fire attack March 28, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
The senior leaders of the brigade also noticed the professionalism the Soldiers displayed on the day of the incident.
“We trained for over one year, we are resourced and equipped to be experts and ready for moments just like this, I would expect nothing less from an Ivy Division Soldier,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Anton Hillig, senior enlisted leader for 2nd IBCT. “I am proud of the discipline, lethality and understanding our Soldiers and leaders exhibit each and every day, it is the essence for what our combat awards represent.”
Although the incident did not cause casualties, Hillig hopes this will send a message to the Soldiers in the battalion and throughout Kandahar about staying alert.
“Our Soldiers continuously place themselves in harm’s way to accomplish the mission we have been asked to do in support of Resolute Support-Afghanistan,” said Hillig. “It doesn’t matter if we are conducting partnered patrols to secure the ground defense area or advising our Afghan Army partners, they recognize, appreciate and prepare for the risks and our leaders recognize the responsibility and accountability we shoulder in fighting complacency. Awarding combat badges reminds us of all the seriousness of the profession we have chosen to serve.”
According to both Bill and McCann, to deter complacency it is important for all Soldiers, regardless of rank or time in service, to know their role in the platoon.
“You need to hone and understand your craft,” said Bill. “Everyone has an important piece in the puzzle, from the rifleman, grenadier, (squad automatic weapon) gunner and (truck commander), and if one person doesn’t click, bad things can happen.”
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Anton Hillig, senior enlisted leader for 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Train, Advise and Assist Command-South, talks to the Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2IBCT, May 14, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)