3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Inactivation Ceremony Program

3^^ Squadron,
17**^ Cavalry Regiment
Inactivation
Ceremony
Sequence of Events ?
S K
W^l
Command Group
And Staff
f2i£jt
LTC Geoffrey Whittenberg
Introduction
Invocation
CSM Antoine Williams
CW4 Jim Carrico
Staff
XO/S3: MAJ Joshua Teitge
Adjutant's Call
Si: CPT James Watson Sz: iLT Zachary Moss
Presentation of the Colors
S4: iLT Steve Lemler S6: iLT Jason Klein
National Anthem
Squadron History
Casing of the Colors
Reviewing Ojficer Remarks
Squadron Commander Remarks
The Dog Face Soldier Song
The Army Song
Headauarters and Headquarters Troop
CPT Michael Nguyen
iSG John Langley
Alpha Troop
CPT Timothy Hybart
SFC Noah Wellman
Bravo Troop
CPT John Mayer
SFC Billy Hardwick
Charlie Troop
CW2 Andy Wilson
SFC Luis Malave
Delta Troop
CPT Caleb Holt
iSG Jose Lopezolivera
Echo Troop
CPT Lesley Peters
SFC Lachom Madison
LTC Geoffrey Whittenberg
CSM Antoine Williams
Outgoing
Outgoing
Commander 3-17 CAV
L T C Geoffrey A. Whittenberg graduated from Oklahoma State University's ROTC
program in 1997 as a Distinguished Militaiy Graduate, with a degree in Agricultural
Sciences and Natural Resources (Forcsti-y), and received his commission as an Aviation
Officer. He attended the Aviation Officer Basic Course and graduated flight school in
1998 as an OH-58DratedAviator
His first assignment affer flight school was in the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment,
10th Mountain Division, Fort Dium, NY, where he sewed as a Platoon Lxader,
deploying to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Forge and subsequently as the
Battalion Assistant S-3. Following the Aviation Advanced Course, L T C Whittenberg
served in the 3rd Squadron, 7th United States Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infaiitiy Division
(Mechanized), Fort Stewart, GA, where he sei-ved as the Squadron S1, deploying to
Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom,
and took coinmand of E Troop, 3-7th Cavalry at Baghdad International Aiiport,
subsequently redeploying the troop to Fort Stewart, GA. Upon completion ol'command,
L T C Whittenberg sei-ved in the Directorate of Training and Doctrine at the United States
Amiy Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, A L as a doctrine dcvcloper/wriler
followed by command at HHC, 1 st Battalion, 13lh Aviation Regiment. Following
command, L T C Whittenberg attended the Univereity of Oklahoma for Advanced Civil
Schooling earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration followed by
Intemiediate Level Education (ILE) at the Command and General Staff College, Fort
Leavenworth, KS.
Upon graduation from ILE, LTC Whittenberg returned to the 3rd Infantry Division
where he served as the Executive Officer for 3rd Squadron, 17th United States Cavaliy
Regiment, Hunter Anny Airfield (HAAF), GA and deployed to Jalalabad, AfghanistSrTwhere he assumed duties as the Squadron Operations Officer (S3). Following
redeployment to HAAF, he assumed duties as the Brigade Executive Olllcer, 3rd
Combat Aviation Brigade. L T C Whittenberg was then assigned to Human Resources
Command as the Aviation Branch, LTC Assignment's Officer, Fort Knox, K Y . L T C
Whittenberg has served as the Commander, of 3''' Squadron, 17"' Cavahy Regiment
since October 2013.
L T C Whittenberg is a graduate of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, Aviation
Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the Coinmand and General StalTCourse.
CSM 3-17 CAV
L T C Whittenberg is married to the fonner Laurie Ready of St. Lx)uis, MO, and they
have two children; Mason (11) and Anna (6).
fef/
Command Sergeant Major Antoine D. Williams is a native of Columbia, South
Carolina. He entered the Army on 11 June 1991 and attended Basic Combat Training at
Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Advanced Individual training at Fort Rucker, Alabama for
MOS 15Q Air Traffic Control Specialist.
Command Sergeant Major Williams' assignment histoiy includes: C Company 3-58th
Avn Regt Wiesbaden, Gemiany, HHC United States Anny Garrison, Fort Bragg, North
Carolina, D Company 58th Avn Regt, Camp Coiner, Korea, B Company 1-11th Avn
Regt and HHD 1-1 Ith Avn Regt, Fort Rucker, Alabama, Platoon Sergeant/First
Sergeant, D Company I-58th Avn Regt redesignated as F Company 2-3 Avn Regt,
Hunter Anny Airfield, Georgia, First Sergeant, B Company l - l l t h Avn Regt, Brigade
Operations Sergeant Major, HHC 1 st Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, Alabama, and
Battalion Operations NCOIC, Task Force ODIN-A, Fort Hood, Texas. First Sergeant, B
Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Avn Regt, and Command Sergeant Major, 1-145th Avn
Regt, 1 st Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, Alabama. He has been deployed in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Command Sergeant Major Williams holds a Bachelors of Professional Studies in
Business and Management from Excelsior College, and is a graduate of the Warrior
Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Couree, Senior Leaders Couree, First Sergeants
Course, United States Anny Sergeants Major Course, United States Anny Safety
Course, Power Generation Course, Unit Prevention leadere Course, Anny Basic
Instructor Course, Equal Opportunity Representative Course, CSM Development
Course, BN Pre-Command Coui-se, Senior Enlisted Joint PME Course, Master
Resilience Training Course, and he has earned the Battle StalT Course Additional Skill
Identifier.
His military awards are commensurate with his time in service. He has earned the
Driver's badge, and Master Aircrew Member Badge. Command Sergeant Major
Williams is a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. He is a recipient
of the Honorable Order of St. Michael (Bronze award).
Command Sergeant Major Williams is mairied to the fonner Tomika N. Davis of
Kinston, North Carolina, and together they have three daughters, two sons, and one
Grandson; Amari, Marina, Keshera, Dcnian, Antoine Jr., and Aiden.
His awards are commensurate with his time in service. He has earned the Combat
Action Badge, Senior Aviator Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
^glj
Unit History
¥
The 17th Cavalry Regiment was constituted on 1 July 1916 at Fort Bliss,
Texas. The Regiment remained in the United States during World War 1 and
was inactivated in 1921. The Regiment was reactivated and designated as the
7th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) and participated in the
breakout from Nonnandy in 1944. After World War II, the Squadron was
designated as the 17th Annored Cavalry Group and inactivated in 1959.
Unit History
Campaign Credit Participation
World War II
Northern France
Rhincland
Ardennes-Alsace
Central Europe
The 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry was activated on 15 February 1963, as part of
the I Ith Air Assault Division (Test), taking part in the Army's validation of air
assault and air mobility tactics and operations. The Squadron deployed to
Vietnam in 1967, and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Group. The Squadron
was cited for action during the initial stages of the Tet Offensive in 1968, and
again in 1970, for its perfonnance during the invasion of Cambodia. In April
1972, the Squadron redeployed to the United States and was inactivated on 19
June 1973, at Fort Lewis, Washington.
The Squadron was reactivated on 2 June 1988, as the Cavalry Squadron of the
10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Griffis AFB. Following a move to
Fort Drum's Wheeler-Sack Anny Airfield, the Squadron deployed to Florida as
part of the relief efforts following Hunncane Andrew in 1992. A few months
later, the Squadron deployed to Eastern Africa as part of Operation "Restore
Hope", conducting reconnaissance and security operations to assist in restoring
order to famine stricken Somalia. The Squadron also supported Operation
"Uphold Democracy" in Haiti.
^
The 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom, first with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry
Division, and second with 3rd Infantry Division as part of the presidential
surge. On 22 October 2008, the Squadron was assigned to 3rd Combat
Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and moved to Hunter Army Airfield,
Georgia. Since then, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry has deployed twice in support
of Operation Enduring Freedom. The first deployment was to Regional
Command East from October 2009 to November of 2010. The second
deployment was to Regional Command South from December of 2012 to
August of 2013. The unit lias continuously provided unwavering support to the
ground force commander.
Vietnam
'
'
Defense
Counteroffensive
Countcroffensive, Phase II
Counteroffensive, Phase III
Tet Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase IV
Counteroffensive, Phase V
Counteroffensive, Phase V I
Tet 69/Counteroffensive
Summer-Fall 1969
Winter-Spring 1970;
Sanctuary Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase V I l
Consolidation I
Consolidation II
Ceasc-Fire
ODeration Iraq Freedom
OIF III
OIF V
Operation Enduring Freedom
OEFX
OEFXIII
Cavalry
Traditions
"In the 19"' Century, no branch of military service proved more appealing to
recruits, or more inspiring to public imagination, than did the Cavalry.
Soldiers on horseback seemed bigger than life and bom for the charge. Foamflecked mounts, thundering hoofs, flashing sabers, the bugle's stirring blastthis was the ethos of the Cavalryman, and was an arena for his deeds of glory.
This image of the horse Soldier had its birth in ancient times, its confirmation
in medieval chivalry, and an infusion of glory in the wars of Napoleon I .
Americans who flocked to the colors in 1861, regular West Pointer and
Volunteer Militiamen alike, were familiar from youth with the exploits of
Napoleonic Cavaliers...a certain non-regulation elegance of unifonn was
deemed a fitting accompaniment to the Cavalryman's implicit dash and
swagger."
The Stetson:
The most distinctive unifonn item worn by Air Cavalrymen in Vietnam was
the Cav hat. This tradition is believed to have been originated in early 1964 by
LTC John B. Stockton, Commander of 3/17 Cavalry, at Fort Benning, Georgia.
The hat was adopted in an effort to increase esprit de corps in the new Air
Cavalry Squadron and was meant to emulate the look of the 1876 pattern
campaign hat worn by Cavalry Troopers long ago. Once units deployed to
Vietnam, the custom slowly spread to other Air Cavalry units and, by the
cessation of hostilities, virtually all Air Cav (and some ground Cav) units had
adopted the Cav hat.
The Spurs:
The Cavalry has been an elite group of fighters since the ancient beginnings
of organized combat. From Genghis Khan to Polish Winged Hussars to the
present day U.S. Cavalry Troopers, Cavalrymen continue to distinguish
themselves with their technically advanced mounts. What was once
accomplished with sabers and bows on horseback is now accomplished using
helicopters and Hellfire missiles.
Once assigned to a Cavalry unit, Troopers had to undergo rigorous training
and professional development before being considered for the awarding of
spurs; earning spurs was not optional. When worn the spurs indicate that the
Trooper has demonstrated Cavalry and leadership skills greater than those
expected of the common Soldier. Although no longer a necessity, spurs
remain part of the Cavalry tradition. In order to earn one's spurs, a Trooper is
typically asked to complete a series of grueling tasks, both physically and
mentally demanding, to prove his/her worthiness.
P'ARMMiflRJ
Fiddler's Green
Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
^
Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddler's Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No Trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
W i t h friends at Fiddler's Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen.
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp.
Just empty your canteen.
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddler's Green.
The Dog Face Soldier
I Wouldn't Give A Bean
To Be A Fancy Pants Marine
I'd Rather Be A
Dog Face Soldier Like I A m
I Wouldn't Trade My Old-O D's
For All The Navy's Dungarees
For I'm The Walking Pride
Of Uncle Sam
On Army Posters That I Read
It Says "Be All That You Can"
So They're Tearing Me Down
To Build Me Over Again
I'm Just A Dog Face Soldier
W i t h A Rifle On My Shoulder
And I Eat Raw Meat
For Breakfast E'V'RY Day
So Feed Me Ammunition
Keep Me In The Third Division
Your Dog Face Soldier's A-Okay
The Army Song
March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free.
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to
victory. We're the Army and proud of our name!
We're the Army and proudly proclaim:
First to fight for the right.
And to build the Nation's might.
And the Army goes rolling along.
Proud of all we have done.
Fighting till the battle's won.
And the Army goes rolling along.
Then it's h i ! hi! hey!
The Army's on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong;
For where'er we go,
You will always know
That the Army goes rolling along.