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Unit prepares for missions in Africa
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Soldiers from 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, review plans during a command post exercise at the Mission Training Complex on Fort Stewart on Wednesday. - photo by Photo by Sgt. Joshua Laidacker

Brigade and battalion staffs of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted a command post exercise, or CPX, at the Mission Training Complex on Fort Stewart last week.

The purpose of the CPX is to prepare for regional accord-series exercises, annual joint peacekeeping training exercises in support of U.S. Army Africa, or USARAF, that bring together U.S. Army personnel, United Nations partner militaries and counterparts in Africa.

“It’s unique in that this is the first time that this has been done,” said Maj. Joshua Teitge, brigade aviation officer and officer in charge of 2nd IBCT’s regionally aligned forces, or RAF. “It’s a mini exercise teaching the brigade academics and teaching how to train and mentor partner nations.”

Staff members from the brigade and its subordinate battalions attended the training, which was developed by the brigade. Regional accord planners, civil-affairs soldiers, and members of USARAF were also present to mentor and participate in the exercise.

“It’s all the subject-matter experts for this, in one location, to build relationships and pass on knowledge,” said Teitge.

Capt. Scott Saunders, who performs scenario development and management for USARAF, said several aspects of what 2nd IBCT, or Spartan Brigade, did in this exercise will become a template for other regionally aligned brigades.

“They’re leaning forward, trying to improve the foxhole for the next brigade,” Saunders said. “I really think it was unique and of great training value.”

Teitge said that past RAF took a couple of days to “get into the groove” of the accords and that this training was designed to significantly reduce the adjustment time. One hurdle that needed to be overcome is that Army soldiers are accustomed to digital equipment to assist in many planning tasks.

“We’ve stripped all the personnel of those digital systems that they’re so used to and familiar with and have regressed them back to the analog systems, which is what they’ll use there,” Teitge said.

Teitge added that the planning process of the U.N. is different from the military decision-making process used by the Army. He also said this was crucial to the mission for the staffs to adapt as military partners would already be familiar with the U.N. process.

Saunders and Teitge both expressed happiness about what the training accomplished.

“We’re doing the right training with the right people early enough out that they can focus their professional development,” Saunders said.

“It’s bringing together diverse groups of people and getting them all on the same sheet of music,” Teitge said. “It’s a very unique situation that soldiers are learning from, and that makes them more diverse.”

Spartan Brigade is active in its role as the regionally aligned force for USARAF and is preparing to extend the brigade’s support of partner nations further in the coming months.

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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