8 April 2010

NOTE FROM YOUR BATTALION SERGEANT MAJOR

  The purpose of this newsletter is to keep the members of the 1st battalion informed of what is going on, what will be happening in the future, and information on how to make our battalion better.

2nd Brigade Change of Command 7 August 2010 at Fountain Inn Armory

  At the Palmetto Shield Exercise on 18 June, BG David Krumwiedi informed us that he will be relieved by COL James Burt as the 2nd Brigade Commander.  LTC Ernest Trammel will assume the position of Executive Officer and LTC Jarrell Alexander will assume 9th Regiment Commander.  Maj Daniel Galt will assume command of 2nd Battalion.  CSM Don Swinton will remain as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major.  More details to follow as they become available.

  Point of Distribution (POD) Missions

  At the last 2nd Brigade staff meeting, we were informed that the Brigade has a new mission which is Point of Distribution.  This will replace the Logistic Support Area (LSA) mission.  The old LSA mission was the Brigade would send a 10 man team to the warehouse in Winnsboro to unload & load trucks with disaster supplies.  The new mission will be to send personnel to designated POD locations to assist in disaster operations using the "IS 26 Points of Distribution Guide" from FEMA.  Like all of our missions, the overall mission is controlled by the Local Emergency Management Agency who will designate the location, provide the logistic equipment & supplies to distribute disaster supplies to those in need.  We can expect those with special skills such as but not limited to qualified fork lift operator, 18 wheel truck drivers with CDL-A, and those with warehouse experience will be asked to both submit their names and be available for assignment to these POD locations.  A copy of the POD will be sent to all personnel for review and study.  More to follow.

  Another Successful Summer for 1^st Battalion & 2^nd Brigade

  .    

Laurens County American Cancer Society Relay for Life from 1600 14 May to approximately 0700 15 May 2010 was another successful mission for the battalion.  The only problem encountered was the poor showing by our cook (ME) in the preparation of supper and breakfast.  However, realizing his shortfalls and in his defense did seek the counsel of an outstanding cook (Mrs. Mynatt) and did another trial run to better prepare himself for our next mission & cooking event.

The Freedom Weekend Aloft event in Simpsonville was another successful mission for 2nd Brigade.  For those of the battalion who participated in this mission our thanks for making this event another successful mission.  While the weather did not always cooperate, the brigade hung in there during these adverse conditions and made it a success.  I was there Friday about 8pm when one devil of a storm came through our area.  The winds were so intense in flipped the Police tent over and almost took down the brigades GP medium tent.  Fortunately there were about a half dozen of us in the tent and when the winds hit the tent we all scrambled to to grab a hold of the side poles and held on for dear life until the winds subsided. 

On the 18th of June, 1st Battalion and other units of the 2nd Brigade assembled at the Emerald High School to assist the Assembly Area Manager during 5 county exercise titled "Palmetto Shield".  2nd Brigade was able to muster 11 personnel to assist the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department who was in charge of the assembly area.  We assisted in parking approximately 25 military vehicles of all sizes, 12 fire department response vehicle, the COBRA team from Greenville, and numerous admin & VIP vehicles.  We also assisted with check in of vehicles & personnel plus directing emergency traffic in & out of the assembly area.  On or about 2130 hours the personnel at the assembly area were released from duty.  Another successful mission and we received thanks from all those participating in this exercise.  "Well Done" to all.

At this time, July-August-September is clear of missions other than our monthly drill on the 3rd Saturday of the month.  Our next mission is Squealing on the Square in downtown Laurens on the 2nd of October.  This is an all-day event starting at 0800 and ending approximately 1800.  Our prime mission is to support the Laurens Police Department with road barricades and area security functions.  It will also be an excellent opportunity to conduct more recruiting for our battalion.  More information will follow as we get closer to this event.   

In Closing.

  It is an honor to serve with some truly outstanding soldiers in 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, and the South Carolina State Guard (SCSG).  Soldiers who strive to be better at what we do, thrive on challenges, always endeavors to be more professional in our appearance and conduct, and whose only goal is to assist those in need during times of man-made and natural disasters.

Sincerely,

Sergeant Major Robert Mynatt

1st Battalion/2nd Highland Brigade

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