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News and Important Announcements
April 12, 2006
Effective immediately:
- E-mails from G Co. leadership will be available in the members-only
section of the forum at www.137thinfantry.org/forum/, under the
heading of "Official Announcements."
This is a measure taken
to:
- Protect any private information in the e-mails
- Provide a means for G Co. leadership to directly upload the
information in the event of myself (the webmaster) being unable to do
so in a timely manner.
- The website update log can also be found in the forum, and is
visible to the public at large. Membership is not required to view the
log.
- Public news and announcements (for non-members) will continue to be
posted in this page as needed.
February 23, 2006
- From an e-mail from TSgt. Hruska:
Soldiers of the 137th Infantry,
Well, after three tries
and three different vendors, I finally found someone who can make a
reasonable facsimile of the 35th Infantry Division shoulder patch. I
have purchased 200 reproduction patches and will have them available for
sale at the basic training weekend. They are the right size and color to
match the originals, only they look a little brighter because they are
new. A few trips through the woods and they should be perfect. The best
part is the cost - only $1.50 each! So, if you need 35th Infantry
Division patches and can't find any more originals, bring a few extra
dollars and buy a few of these.
I have also secured a small quantity of the 137th Infantry Regimental
crests. Unfortunately, I had to buy them from Vanguard (the company that
makes them for the Army), and they were pricey at $5 each. I have about
15 available - first come, first served.
When you check in at the training vent, I will go over your
participation log and update your awards, decorations and promotions so
that you will be straight for the in-ranks inspection on Sunday morning.
Looking forward to seeing you all next Friday.
Valor for Service,
Dave Hruska
Platoon Sergeant
February 22, 2006
- From an e-mail from TSgt. Hruska:
Soldiers of the 137th Infantry,
Things are really
looking up for our unit basic training weekend 3-5 March at Camp Clark,
MO. The unit leaders have completed the final planning and I will now
share the details with you. I am very excited about this event as I feel
it will be one of the best events we have ever had. I am also pleased to
see that we have 31 people signed up for the weekend, making this the
largest turn-out in the history of the unit.
Here is a list of the details in no particular order:
- Appearance. Before you show up at Camp Clark - GET A
HAIRCUT! A good, 1940's military haircut will have a tapered neck,
hair well off the collar, and no hair touching the ears. If you have a
beard, shave it off. If you have a mustache, trim it so it does not
extend past the corners of the mouth. Sideburns should extend no
further than 1/3 of the way down your ear. There will be active duty
soldiers present at the base the same time we are there, so let's make
a good impression.
- Check-In. The registration station will be set up inside
the entrance to the barracks from 1600-1900 hours. When you first
arrive, see me or one of the NCO's at the table so we can collect your
event fee of $20, give you a quick briefing, and assign you to a room.
If you cannot arrive during this time, let me know when you will be
arriving so we can make arrangements to take care of you when you do
get in.
- Uniform and Equipment. If you have everything on the unit's
mandatory equipment list (Chapter 4 of your unit handbook), you will
have everything you need for the weekend. In addition, bring your pack
carrier (diaper) and shelter half with pins, poles, and rope. If you
are missing something, let me know about it NOW so we can get you
whatever it is you need from someone who has an extra. In addition to
your wools and field gear, you will need your Class A (dress) uniform.
If you don't have one, we will try and get you a jacket and/or tie to
complete your uniform. I would ask all of the older members to
bring any extra gear and uniform items that you have, especially field
jackets, overcoats, and gloves. We have several new guys and will
need at least four complete sets of web gear. We will also be
critically short on weapons. If you have access to an M1 rifle,
carbine, or pistol - please bring it. Again, if you need something for
your uniform or equipment, ask early and often.
- Barracks. We will be staying in a set of barracks on Friday
and Saturday night. We will assign rooms based on squad affiliation
(see the manning roster attached). The rooms generally have four bunk
beds, a couple of shelves, and a few bars for hanging clothes (no
footlockers or wall lockers). The beds have a mattress, mattress pad,
and a pillow. You will need to bring a set of sheets (preferably plain
white, twin-size flat sheets), a pillow case and a blanket. Your squad
leader will be more than happy to show you how to make up a military
bunk with hospital corners using your two flat sheets and OD blanket.
If you don't have these, you can bring a sleeping bag. You will also
need to bring your toilet articles (soap, towel, razor, toothbrush,
shower shoes, etc.). We have two latrines (those are the bathrooms for
you new guys!) and a shower room available in the barracks. There will
be a female room (with separate female latrine) and an officer's room
at the far end of the barracks, just like the real Army!
- Ammunition and Ordnance. You will need to bring some blank
rounds for the training exercises. I would recommend a minimum of 50
rounds. If you need to buy some, they will be available at check-in
for $20 per 100 rounds. We will also conduct a hand grenade assault
course, but I will provide the grenades and re-loads, so you do not
need to bring your own unless you want to use them to practice. If you
have a disposable lighter or a Zippo lighter, please bring it for the
grenade course.
- Meals. We will have a unit mess for the weekend. Your
registration fee will cover not only the use of the barracks for two
nights, but also four meals: breakfast, dinner, and supper on Saturday
and breakfast on Sunday. Each squad will take turns providing 3-4 KP's
for meal prep and cleanup. On Sunday, after we clear the area, we will
have lunch at the Nevada Pizza Hut just down the road from Camp Clark.
This will be an additional cost of $8-9 (a few more dollars if you get
a beer, Jeff!), so bring that if you want to go to lunch with the unit
Sunday afternoon.
- Manning Roster. The current manning roster for the weekend
training is attached to this email. We have formed three squads of
eight men each for most of the training, along with a weapons section
and headquarters section. We have also promoted Joe Taylor to acting
squad leader, SSgt., and John Orrick to acting assistant squad leader,
Sgt., for the weekend. They will have all of the privileges and
responsibilities of the rank they are holding and will be accorded the
respect that goes with that rank. VERY IMPORTANT -
if you change your mind and cannot make it, or decide to
come and your name is not on the list, please let me know ASAP so I
can make sure we have enough food and beds for everyone.
- Training Schedule. The training schedule for the weekend
can be accessed by clicking here. It will
be briefed in detail by the Platoon Leader on Friday night and then
refreshed throughout the weekend.
- Directions to Camp Clark. Take 71 Highway to Nevada, MO.
Camp Clark is on the south side of town. Take the Camp Clark exit off
of 71 Hwy and go east on MO Hwy K. Hwy K curves around to the south
and runs parallel with 71 Hwy. It is approximately 1.5 miles from the
71 Hwy exit to the front gate of Camp Clark. Turn left (east) into the
main gate and check in with the security guard. You will need a photo
ID to get in. After you leave the guard shack, go to the first
intersection, about 0.1 miles, which is McCory Ave. Turn left (north)
onto McCory and go about 0.1 miles to Johnson Rd. Turn right (east)
onto Johnson Rd and go about 0.5 miles to the end of the buildings. We
will be in building number 424, the last building on the left. Look
for the unit sign in front. I will also try and have small white signs
that say "137th Inf" with arrows to guide you once you get on the
post. If you get lost, you can call my cell phone number:
913-238-4202, and we will try and get you found.
- Transportation. Everyone is encouraged to buddy up to share
the driving expenses. If you need a ride to the event, contact your
squad leader and he will try and match you up with someone from your
general area that has room. I will be in the advance party, leaving
from Leavenworth around 0630, arriving at Camp Clark around 0900,
along with a few other advance party volunteers. We will have
everything open, set up and running by the time you get there between
1600 and 1900 hours.
I know this is a long message, but I believe it is necessary to
cover all of the information you need to make this an enjoyable and
productive weekend. If anyone has any questions or needs more
information, please let me know and I will get you some answers.
Again, I am really looking forward to this as I think it will be a
great event. See you at Camp Clark!
Valor for Service,
Dave Hruska
Platoon Sergeant
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