Change of Command Speech

27 APR 07 (1430 Local, Camp Liberty Iraq)

Recognize those in attendance:

We are here, doing this because I am going home. Not by choice Not by lack in my abilities. I am leaving because my wife (MICHELLE) was recently diagnosed with follicle lymphoma (stage 2), a form of cancer. It is aggressive right now.

My place is with her, and with my three children to provide them the support to overcome this.

I am torn. I want to go home just as much as all of you.

I also feel like I am abandoning you. We are family. Yes a family!.

You have allowed me to be apart of this family and I tThank You .

That’s what makes leaving hard. You have been my family even before we left Fort Hood. The last six months we have just been forced to be a family 24 – 7.’ a hard thing to do! But I love you all!!

Truth be told, I love my wife more than all of you put together (as you should your spouses and family), and that is the reason I must go. While I have the feeling like I am leaving something undone by leaving you, I have a deeper commitment that I have honored faithfully for almost 13 years. I will answer it as I swore I would do on 27 August 1994 in Waco, Texas when I replied “in sickness, and in health. …

I have only one thing for you to take with you as I leave. Four words. They are directed at the leaders, future leaders, and just those who need purpose for their life.: They summarize what my last fourteen months of what my time command represents…

“Its not about me”

These are the words that have guided me as a platoon leader, company XO, and EOBC Small Group Instructor, and as your commander. The are the root of my command philosophy, which has been my covenant with you on how I would lead. The first line of that philosophy states that “No one is royalty here. Everyone plays an import part from the Company Commander to the newest Soldiers”. I hope you experienced my sincerity these last 14 months.

I ask that you give CPT Wayment the same support you have given me. Its not about her, its not about you. But it is about helping each other. That’s our part in this plan. Life is not about you…

I want to close by thanking some people. This may take a few minutes. But these people deserve one last bit of recognition.

First LTC Raymer

Sir, Thank You for letting me assume this role this long.

I am truly am in awe of you as an officer. You are the most intelligent officer I have EVER met! . Thank You Sir for being an officer truly worthy of emulation. Not an easy thing to do since the only traits we share are out age, and love of history. I won’t forget you sir.

CSM Murphy: Although I didn’t do it often enough, I really put a premium on your input. In my recent past, I avoided battalion command sergeant majors like the plague. Maybe it is the level that I have been at and the dynamics that come with being a company commander now. …But I think it has more to do with you as a person. I wish I had more time to listen to your sagely advice. This aint smoke up you know where. Thanx CSM; you did reach one of us!

First Sergeant Lingenfelter. I predict you will make E-8 this year! And someday, You are going to be the kind of Sergeant Major our regiment must have in the future. Your “old school” and cutting edge all in one person. I admire you because know “Its not about you” I have had a lot of first sergeants over the last twenty years too. The majority of them were the top notch NCOs But you, like myself, have never forgotten what it is like be a PFC. You carry that with you and it is a part of you, something that that all to many leaders seem to forget. It does matter, because these Soldier’s of today need someone who can identify with them, or else they will vote with their feet. Every Solider is important, and you have a gift to reach them.

1LT McCormick my XO: You are an efficient, dedicated officer how has been a better XO than I ever was. You are a better officer than you know. You are ready to command now. You are now an official graduate from my school of Keep It Simple Stupid (Magnu Cum Lad)e. . I hope to work with you again!

SFC Guillencepeda: Company Ops Sergeant. You are the glue that keeps it all together. I wouldn’t take all of your counterparts in trade for you. You take pride in your job, and growing your Soldiers. You have made many sacrifices in time and patience that only a few of us know about. I know very well that you are the best operations sergeant in the battalion. It hasn’t been all about you, and I’m grateful to have seen what others don’t

I am going to mention two closest confidants/ friends, because being a company commander can be lonely even if you are surrouned by great people you you.

Chief McGee: I have enjoyed hanging out with you, and the conversations we have had (albeit 6 and 7 times on the wear of the uniforms in the D-FAC had taken it toll..). Seriously, If you ever need anything, count on me! I owe you for helping me keep my perspective on what its like to be a Soldier.

CPT Wright: First I want to dispel any rumors that “Erik” and I might be gay because we hardly seen separately,. (No, I’m not into blondes!) Erik an I have a history. We both hail from Terre Haute, Indiana; both went to the same high school; both swam on the same high school swim team.. I have known Erik since we were cadets in ROTC back home. Like back then, I was the “cadet” company commander, I not sure what Erik was doing…Seriously, You are the truest friend I have. You have become a brother to me, and sometimes I am disturbed by the thought that we might actually be related….I am even more disturbed about leaving because I will not be able to watch your back. I will promise you this: Melissa, Alex, and Meredith will be watched out for while you are still here. Having a friend like you has been my strength here. I’ll have the Shiner bachs waiting brother!

Finally, thank you to all the officers Soldiers, officers, and (especially NCO) for making this the easiest command a captain could ever have. I cannot take credit for all that you have made happen in standing us up and getting us here. It was almost a miracle what we have pulled off what we have. It wasn’t about me, or anything I did; you made it happen.

Diablo Soldiers: Your professionalism, and sophistication have set you apart. You are the company that others want to be in. Not because we are fobbits, but because we are family. Our efforts to be a family have made us the company with the fewest UCMJ actions in the battalion not because what I have done, but because you watched out for each other. Family! The best part of this job is the liberty I have being one of you with fearing that discipline would go to hell. You proved you can handle it. I realized when I became an officer that my time with Soldiers would become more and more limited as I progressed. This may have been my last time to be so close to so “Real” Soldiers. That is the part that I hate giving up! My fellow captains and LTs, take heed, your time is coming, and then it will be over too. Enjoy it along the way. Its easy to be a hard ass leader, anyone can do that. Don’t alienate your self from the people you are here for. “Its not about you!”

Finally, CPT Wayment your HHC Commander Jessica: You have a couple of hectic months ahead of you, but you will land on your feet. Enjoy the honor that I have enjoyed the last 14 months. These are not your Soldiers, they are your family now. Treat your family right, and they will never fail you.

God has brought you to this moment for a reason. He knows your ready. You bring skills and vigor with you. My request of you is you bring all of these Soldiers emplace in you charge back with you. I will be there waiting and praying for you all. Thank You keeping My family yours…I will see you all again in the real world.

Diablo Six Out!

Top 10 Reasons Why Being Extended Would be a Good Thing

One of Kenny Rockwell's soldiers put this together….

Here are the Top 10 reasons why…. Being extended is a good thing.

Number 10: More time in God's country.
Number 9: Three more months of someone doing your laundry for you … and folding it!
Number 8: Gives your liver and kidneys more time to replenish themselves … allowing you to get drunk easier when you return.
Number 7: Single income families can begin a lifelong career of tax evasion.
Number 6: After 12 months in theater you are a born again virgin … after 15 you are immune to STDs.
Number 5: The chances of a FOBBIT getting a CAB are better.
Number 4: General Order #1 only last for the first 12 months.
Number 3: The longer we are here, the greater the odds a McDonalds will open.
Number 2: You only need one more anthrax shot to be completely immune.
And the number 1 reason being extended is a good thing…..
Your body is no longer dependant on alcohol, but rather is dependant on RIP ITs.

Side Show Bob and Crusty...You be the judge of who is who...

1SG Lingenfelter and me...if you walk into our offices, this is exactly what you will see most times!

The Main Effort (part IV) The "Power Broker"

CW2 McGee: Electrical Guru and Army fashion model...Along w/Erik, Chief is a part of my " inner circle".
'Did you check to see if the generator was on when the lights didn't work?'

The Main Effort (part III) Charles in Charge

SSG Charles: He's not really reading. What you see is an
experiment in levitating those cookies to his mouth; a trick he
has done thousands of times.

The Main Effort (part II) Our Horizonal and Vertical Construction "Experts"

(Top) SFC Arredondo: "Look, I can count all six fingers on this hand!"
(Bottom) SFC Wilson: "Look, I can count the number of CPT's taking my picture..." (SFC Wilson and I served together in Alpha 5th during OIF I)

The "Geek Machine"

This is my new bike. (No, I don't need to buy
bell; already came with one!) It does look like it is a couple of degrees shy of being Pee-Wee Herman's, but it is actually a kickin' All-Terrain Bike (ATB).
I will need to get a supply of US style inner tubes, as it has some special French "Presta" valves that are a pain to air up. Think I already have my first bad tube.
Anyway, this is not a "Story of a Man, and His
Bike". (I know you are, but what am I...)

The Main Effort...

(Left) This is Erik, my brother "Hautean" and best friend. (Note the Rose-Hulman aura about him..) The picture is not out of focus, Erik is.

Erik is in charge of our battalion's construction planning; thus our "Main Effort". Without him and the others guys in his shop...well I guess the Iraqis and U.S. Soldiers would have to build stuff for themselves... Hmmm...

DAYS THAT TEST OUR METTLE

I am writing this on 12 April, even though the posting date will be later. Today was a rough day for the battalion. One of this our sister companies we picked up here in theatre, lost a Soldier in a non-combat related accident. This will shake the battalion for the next several days. When things like this happen, we conduct a communications black out with state-side so casualty notification can do their job without rumors and unnecessary pain being caused to the family be erroneous information. That is why this was posted a day after the fact.

We also received a an urgent call for Soldiers to aid in a search mission and rescue type mission to find personnel who were in a building that collapsed during a mortar attack. (I don’t post operational details, so don’t ask!)

On top of that, the Department of the Army announced a policy that could extend many units up to 3 additional months on top of our present 12. As of now, our unit is NOT affected by this change!

My Soldier who I gave the Article 15, is now appealing to the Battalion Commander, and PFC Cooper’s re-enlistment was put on hold by everything else. My friend the Chaplain, was going on leave today, but had to shift his calendar to the right as he has to conduct grief counseling, and help prepare a memorial service.
There was something positive that came out of the events of today. Everyone broke out of “Fraternity boy” and “Queen for a Year” mode and acted for the common good. Would be nice if it becomes enduring behavior! That is something that the people who hate us will never comprehend about us Americans. You mess with us, and you do what we are unable to do on our own; come together as a team.

This was one of those days where I, as a Christian, saw the mark of the Lord where others did not. In tragedy, our spiritual patience and endurance put in the fire. What comes out is stronger. There is potential for spiritual growth when we least expect it. God never promised a rose garden to anyone; seems like he actually took a garden away from some folks not to far south of here. Anyway, I am proud of how everyone has handled today.

"In the Early Morning Rain"

This morning we had thunder and lightning, torrential rain, and pea size hail. Didn't take pictures, darn it. The hail is something I have never seen in the desert. Was interesting, but not enough to keep me from going back to sleep for a couple of extra hours! Slept through it even though I have a corrugated aluminum roof.
Started taking some more pictures today of the folks I hang with. I am sure some of thier family wouldn't mind seeing some of them.
Gave out the Article 15, I mentioned yesterday. Reduced rank and gave Soldier 14 days extra duty. Not to giddy about it, but did what had to be done. Hopefully this will be the last incident for which I will be forced to impose UCMJ (the Uniform Code of Military Justice).
Almost done with season one of "Lost". Everyone keeps telling me season two is better; can't wait. Watching it now has I type this.
Not much else. Another "Ground Hog" day except for the storm.

The King Family (July 2006)

My family posing by the creek bed near our neighbor hood. Taken by our neighbor across the street.

Fire For Effect (FFE)

Wish had I started this earlier in the deployment. Won't try to play catch-up, but will keep this up to date. Might actually make Michelle and Mom happy and post some pictures while I am at it!
So what did I do lately? Other than edit more awards that I will present at the end of tour, I pretty much did nothing today, (which I am still very good at)! I went back to my trailer and slept from 11:30 to 16:30, and I'm feeling no guilt! It's good to be King, but even better to be the commander.
Next couple of days will be some "red letter dates" in my time as HHC commander. Will probably take rank from a Soldier for the first time in my year as a commander. I am normally "CPT Candy", but this one little punk mouthed off to one of my female NCO's, and told her he didn't have to listen to her "cause I'm a grown man". Not good for his case! Oh well, on the brighter side, I will also do my first Oath of Enlistment ceremony as a commissioned officer of nearly seven years. (Talk about your hot and cold!) This one is for PFC Cooper, one of my good Soldiers. She really had to work for this, and I am proud of her. Hope we can finally promote her to Specialist.
My commo sergeant hooked me up with the DVDs for "Lost" season one. Never saw it before, but I am now officially a fan. Almost as enthralling as Battlestar Galactica. I am curious as to who stole what from who with some many similarities in their production values. (The media critic I never became...)
Enjoying my new bike. Seemed kinda silly to pay $149.00 for a bicycle in Baghdad, but so far it has been worth it. I discovered I don't have the stamina that sixteen year old version of me had. Sure feels better than pounding the pavement, to stay in shape. Going to try to bring the bike home. It is a German bike made by Fischer. I think it will be pretty unique even around an army community where some many people have already been stationed in "Deustchland".
My little trailer is getting crowed. Glad I am the commander, or else I wouldn't have enough room, with a roommate. Already starting to figure out what goes home, and what gets sold to the unit we RIP (Relieve In Place) with. That dude is going to have the "hook-up" if he has the money.
Still war-gamming my next assignment. Want to do a second command at Fort Hood. I need to get on SIPR and work a dope deal with Matt Broderick to get his company when we get home. Always wanted to command a Cav Troop. If I can't get a second command, Michelle and I have been discussing moving back to Fort Leonard Wood. Really miss our house out the back gate. That was better than our first house in Terre Haute. May try and see if ACRC is doable in Indy again. Would love to set up house in Greenwood or Franklin like we almost did.

O.K. I think this is a pretty auspicious start. Feed back please.