MUTA 6: 4-6 November 2011

First Formation: 0800 at State College in ACUs with all required equipment to train at FTIG

Commander's Notes:
CPT Max W. Furman, Jr., max.furmanjr@us.army.mil, (570) 337-5075 (cell)

We had a very productive drill last month with a few exceptions that can be corrected through a better attention
to detail. We will build on that momentum this IDT and continue with the Battalion Commander’s philosophy
that is encompassed by “The year of the Squad”. In keeping with that mindset, what have you done to prepare
yourself and your men for this training? Last month was our first opportunity to put this into practice and a
few points of friction were identified. Have you taken steps to fix them, or are you waiting for someone else
to do this? I said it last month and it is worth repeating: Squad Leaders will be held accountable for everything
the squad does or fails to do. We finally have the time to train like we’ve always wanted, so let’s not waste it!
This will be our last tactical training until April; we must build on last month and execute a safe and productive
weekend. I look forward to seeing you all on the 4th of November.

First Sergeant’s Notes:
Vacant

Acting 1SG & Readiness Notes:
SFC Matthew Nedrow, matthew.nedrow@us.army.mil (814) 689-1691 (State College armory)
-We plan to initiate a ‘duty Platoon’ for months where we train at FTIG. We are still developing the
details, but for this month, 2nd Platoon has 10 men coming in at 0700 on Friday, 04 November to begin load
out. Ensure you perform this duty if you committed to it!
-Our Christmas party will be held in dress uniform (Class As or ASUs) at a location off-site. If you
need anything to square your uniform away, see SSG Lawson now! Please let your guests know of this date
now so they can enjoy a holiday meal with our Unit. Santa will make an appearance for the kids, but I need to
know how many children plan to attend. Please have a rough count this drill.
-Vehicle standards have been improving, but we must all pay constant attention to this area to prevent
ourselves from becoming complacent. As usual, I will inspect the following at a minimum: trash removed,
RWS and enviro covers (correctly) installed, rear ‘oversize load’ signs not pinched in ramps, log books turned in
with dispatched filled out (mileage, hours, and deficiencies), and a general readiness to deploy.
-Safety. Soldiers driving in or riding in any tactical vehicle will NEVER be without an ACH. Soldiers
on top of any tactical vehicle will NEVER be without an ACH. Soldiers on the firing line will ALWAYS
be wearing eye and ear protection. Soldiers riding exposed on a Stryker will ALWAYS wear eye protection
(goggles preferred) and during periods of limited visibility, the lenses MUST be clear.
-Did you know? You can get the most current drill dates and formation times on our automated voice
system? At any time on the menu press 9 and a recording will play. This will allow you to get up to date
information at any time.
-Did you know? The Unit’s alternate assembly area is at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall.
Should we be required to meet, but the State College facility was unable to accommodate due to natural disaster
or other reasons, we would meet at the Grange and receive orders from there.
-The 2nd Annual “Give ‘em 5” run (5 miles)/walk (5k) for veterans is being held on Sunday 6 November
at 1300. Please let me know if you are interested in participating and we will attempt to make arrangements for
you to be dismissed early on Sunday to participate in this event.
-There are two attachments to this newsletter. The first is the E4-E5 evaluation. If you rate a SPC, get a
head start on this form now; the admin NCO will give more details on this. The second enclosure is taken from
the Fall 2011 issue of the Infantry Bugler. The topic isn’t specifically ‘The Year of the Squad’, but it covers the
same area.

SSG Michael Harris, michael.b.harris@us.army.mil, (814) 689-1691 (State College armory)
• Any soldier who has orders must submit a DTS request PRIOR to the start of the orders and process their
travel voucher through DTS once the duty is complete. This includes schools, ADOS, and any additional
duty. If you don’t have an account, you must set one up immediately; see SGT Carrico for assistance.
• Please let me know of any TY12 and 13 training requests as soon as possible (WLC, BNCOC, ect.) due to
the fact I need to request the training seats for the next FY. So if you were just promoted to E5 or above you
need to see me this drill.
• See me if you’re not sure when your requested school dates were or if you were approved for training.
• Anyone that I have scheduled for schools please come see me about school seat status and a pre execution
check list.
• This IDT weekend our training focus will be on Squad Dismounted Maneuver Operation, Drivers Training,
Commo Training and Range Safety Certification.

Supply Notes:
SSG Barry Lawson, barry.lawsonjr@us.army.mil, (814) 689-1691 (State College armory)
-Once you get moved into your new locker, ENSURE YOU WRITE YOUR NAME ON YOUR LOCKER
AND I GET THE SPARE KEY.
-Windshields— We’ve had some issues with keeping windshields serviceable. These windshields need to stay
mounted on the Stryker all of Drill to reduce the chance of them being broken again. Then when we return the
vehicles to the motor pool on Sunday, they will remain in place all winter (there is a way to lock the driver’s
hatch without removing them; I will train a few soldiers on this).
-As the 1SG mentioned, the uniform for December’s IDT is Class As (or the Army Service Uniform [ASUs] if
you have them). See me for any accessories you may need to complete your dress uniform. I’m not going to be
able to order any replacements by drill, but I may have some extra uniform parts to get you at least up to Class
Bs.
-We will begin the ordering process for the ASUs this month. I will be taking sizes and submit the order right
after drill. Be sure to let me know if you were issued this uniform in Basic Training as this is only for soldiers
who were issued the green Class A uniform.
-Uniform replacement requests— There is limited amount of money for the replacement of ACUs, first come
first serve. If you need more serviceable uniforms, don’t wait until drill.
-I also have a pile of new gear to issue. If you know you have equipment coming, please call to set up a time to
draw; if at all possible I’d like to get the majority of this completed before drill.

Admin Notes:
SGT Aaron Carrico, aaron.carrico1@us.army.mil, (814) 689-1691 (State College armory)
• See me to update you information on the Alert Roster if needed. I.E. Phone number, address changes and e-
mail address changes.
• If you ETS within the next year please see me to explain all re-enlistment options. Every day you wait is
money you might be missing out on. As of right now there is only a 6 year bonus. They did away with the 3
year bonus for now.
• We will continue to send out hard copy newsletters once per quarter in addition to the monthly email copy
and the posting on the company’s website. We have also been pushing out any job announcements and
benefits to our distribution list to put that information in your hands as soon as possible. Ensure your email
addresses are up to date, and that you can get in to AKO. This is every soldier’s responsibility, so square
yourself away!
• If you have been on any orders at all and you believe you should be getting a travel voucher and/or if you
need to finish your travel voucher come see me during drill.
• E-4 to E-5 Evaluations are due with all signatures NLT COB on Decembers Drill. If any Admin data is
needed, email me what is needed and I will email it back to you. If you have a soldier that will not be
attending Decembers drill have their E4 eval completed by COB Novembers drill.

Family Readiness Group Notes:
Mrs. Amy Nedrow, ajnedrow@yahoo.com, (814) 380-8825
-We had a great turnout for the summer picnic, and I hope we have similar numbers of family members attend
the Christmas party. While the FRG isn’t very active now, we will benefit from these relationships when the
Unit is called to active duty.
-If you’re interested in becoming more involved with the FRG, or even if you just want to help out for our
Holiday party, please get in touch with me.
-I know this was announced to the soldiers in formation but it’s important enough to list here: The State Family Programs Office has a supply of children’s toys earmarked for distribution to soldier’s families who might need
a little extra help this season. If your Christmas needs a boost, please contact SFC Nedrow to get the process
started.

Get Updated

Send us your pics!