Q and A with Regional Command - East Leadership
Maj. Travis Myers, Chief of Staff, Task Force Alpine
1. Why did you join the Army?
I joined the army shortly after 9/11. However, the inspiration to join the army was only partially due to national patriotism. The main reasons I joined the Army was to be a part of a team and experience the world. I think that the Army is a unique career that no matter what job you have, you are part of a close knit team. The Army has also provided me the opportunity to see the world and meet some amazing people (having been to Germany, Philippines, Iraq, Kuwait, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Hawaii, Ft. Knox and the majority of CONUS posts just to name a few). The Army has provided many experiences and opportunities most of my friends back home will never get to do.
2. What is the most challenging part of this deployment for you?
Being away from my wife Casey and three amazing kids (Reid, Riley and RJ). Technology is amazing. I am able to FaceTime with them pretty much every day. I got to watch Reid’s Baseball team win the VT Babe Ruth State Championship, Riley play soccer and RJ play Steeler football all on Facebook live. But being away from them for this long is the hardest thing by far.
3. You have a completely free day in the summer or winter - what are you doing?
Deployment provides a lot of perspective on what a perfect day actually entails. I look forward to slowing things down and appreciating each and every day when we get home. Most of next summer’s free days will be spent at our deer camp in Belvidere with my family, my dogs and doing a lot of hiking, fishing, swimming, and competitive games of HORSE.
We want to ask YOUR questions - if you have a question you'd like to ask RC-E leadership please send them to KFOR29.PAD@gmail.com.
Canine Tactical Combat Care Medical Symposium
Soldiers with KFOR held a “Ruck with the Pack” on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, December 4, 2021. The march was the culminating event of a 3 day Canine-Tactical Combat Casualty Care symposium for Task Force Med Combat Medics, Military Dog Handlers, and allied forces. The ruck march was open to all Soldiers so they could meet the K-9’s and their handlers and gain a better understanding of the canine mission in a deployed environment.
OPERATION REHEARSAL EXERCISE
Kinetic Tactical Reserve Battalion and members of the Maneuver Battalion, Kosovo Force, participates in an Operational Rehearsal Demonstration, OPREH, at Camp Novo Selo, Dec. 1, 2021. The training features crowd and riot control and freedom of movement activities, as well as security operations.
OPREH Level I is a yearly exercise in support to our KFOR mission. This years drill included troops from Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine and the United States.
Monthly prayer luncheon at cbs
Abbot Ilarion, Archimandrite of the Draganac Monastery, speaks to Soldiers from across Regional Command - East during the montly prayer luncheon held on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, December 7, 2021.
Chaplain (Maj.) Eric Stuepfert, Regional Command - East, welcomed Abbot Ilarion, Archimandrite of the Draganac Monastery, to speak during a monthly luncheon held on Camp Bondsteel. These luncheons continue to bring more people each month. Be on the look-out for flyers around post and check with leadership and the task order for details on future luncheons.
MANEUVER Battalion Weapons Training
Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, Maneuver Battalion, host weapons training for U.S. Army counterparts at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, Dec. 4, 2021. Instruction features the Polish KBS Beryl, a modular firearm system. The training allowed Polish soldiers to share expertise and promote relations with soldiers of partnered nations.
FLAG FEATURE - ITALy
Whose flag is this, you ask? You're looking at the flag of Italy!
The tricolor flag as we know it today around the world was officially adopted in the late 19th century and inspired by the tricolored flag of France. When it comes to the symbolism of the three colors there are two different interpretations. The first being that green symbolizes hope, white represents faith, and red signifies charity. The second view is that green is the symbol of the Italian landscape, the color white represents the snow-capped Alps and red the blood shed for the independence of Italy.
What's interesting is the variations that the flag has been through over the last several centuries since the late 1700's. The flag of Italy with green, white and red of originally adopted by several Italian regions during the era of Napoleon Bonaparte who's army occupied a the majority of Italy.
When the Italian Republic was born in 1802, the flag changed to red with a white rhombus in the center and a green square in the middle of the white. Three years later the Italian Republic became the Kingdom of Italy as Napoleon became Emperor. The flag changed yet again to its current rectangular shape with Napoleon's eagle depicted in the center.
In 1848 another change to the flag was made adding the coat of arms for the Savoia family to the flag as a symbol of unification of the Venetian and Roman regions. By 1872 the King of Italy added a crown to the flag, still keeping the coat of arms. This remained the case until around 1946 when Italy was no longer a monarchy and the flag became what we see today. Every country has a colorful history and Italy is no different! Join us again next month where we'll recognize and explain the history of the flag of Poland!
Soldier and nco of the month - DECEMBER
Congratulations to Soldier of the Month SPC Fletcher and NCO of the Month SGT Lewia!
SOLDIer Spotlight
Here's PFC Alexus Leyno! Our Soldier Spotlight for December! PFC Leyno is from Yuba City, California, and is assigned to 64th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services, 421st Battalion, 30th Medical Brigade. In Kosovo, she is a member of Task Medical, Regional Command - East.
Have a happy holiday from everyone here in KFOR Regional Command - East