The Jungleer Blog

March Newsletter

2010-03-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

February Newsletter

2010-02-03T03:18:00.000-08:00

January Newsletter

2010-01-05T02:27:00.000-08:00

Latest Newsletter

2009-12-01T04:06:00.000-08:00

New Issue
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 8)

Past Issues
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 7)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 6)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 5)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 4)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 3)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 2)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 1)

* If your having trouble viewing our newsletters, you may need to download Adobe Reader in order to view the .pdf files that we use to distribute electronically.

Thank you your comments on improving our Blog.
- The Junleer Crew

Thanksgiving at the Chow Hall

2009-11-30T03:54:00.000-08:00

Celebrations are a reason to decorate. At most DFACs (chow halls), the staff goes all out to create an impressive spread for the soldiers. This extends from the food to the decorations. New physical pieces are added each year while the fresh cakes and fruit carvings always impress. Here's a big Thank You to all who make the holidays a little more festive.

Two New American Citizens

2009-11-17T03:06:00.000-08:00

On Veteran's Day, 2009, two soldiers from the 41st IBCT became American citizens. The ceremony was held in the Al-Faw palace on Camp Victory, Iraq. Beneath an immense flag, the new citizens (157 total) were celebrated for their contribution to the United States as Soldiers.

As part of the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. gave each participant a coin and Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Frank A. Grippe presented each with a flag to both honor the new citizens and to signify the event. The Soldiers were sworn in by the Field Office Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services from Rome.

The 2009 naturalization ceremony is the 15th such event to be held in Iraq. All total, over 1,300 Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors have become American Citizens while on deployment to Iraq.

Specialist Dieter (Philippines) and Specialist Meza (Guatemala) are the newest Americans citizens from the 41st IBCT.

Scramble in the Sand was a huge success

2009-11-17T02:09:00.000-08:00

Camp Victory, Iraq was the setting for the first Scramble in the Sand, an alternative racing event to the standard shadow runs held in Iraq. The race was organized by First Sergeant Gavin McIlvenna of the 41st IBCT and sponsored by X-Dog Events (www.xdogevents.com) out of Oregon. The runners where encouraged to embrace the superhero theme set for the inaugural Scramble.

Complete with hills, bridges, water cans and a mud pit, the course was mild for some and a smoker for others, but everyone got muddy and smiles where everywhere, at least at the finish line.

Latest Newsletter

2009-11-09T03:26:00.000-08:00

New Issue
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 7)

Past Issues
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 6)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 5)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 4)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 3)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 2)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 1)

* If your having trouble viewing our newsletters, you may need to download Adobe Reader in order to view the .pdf files that we use to distribute electronically.

Thank you your comments on improving our Blog.
- The Junleer Crew

13.1 miles....No Biggie

2009-10-07T05:27:00.000-07:00

Soldiers of the 41st IBCT ran alongside Soldiers, Airmen and women, and Sailors during the 1st Portland 1/2 marathon. The run was held half-way around the world at four Iraq locations throughout the week prior to the premier event in Portland.

The event on Camp Adder/Tallil Air Force base registered a large group of all skill levels, but everyone seemed to enjoy the challenge.

2009-10-02T02:14:00.000-07:00

New Issue
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 6)

Past Issues
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 5)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 4)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 3)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 2)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 1)

* If your having trouble viewing our newsletters, you may need to download Adobe Reader in order to view the .pdf files that we use to distribute electronically.

Thank you your comments on improving our Blog.
- The Junleer Crew

Video Coverage

2009-09-29T02:44:00.000-07:00

Check out Col. Hokanson's latest town hall meeting "The Rides" in our video coverage section on the top right portion of our blog.

Look for new releases and check out the rest of our videos.

One Team, One Fight
-- The Jungleer Crew

Newsletter - 09.07.09

2009-09-29T00:47:00.000-07:00

New Issue
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 5)

Past Issues
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 4)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 3)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 2)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 1)

* If your having trouble viewing our newsletters, you may need to download Adobe Reader in order to view the .pdf files that we use to distribute electronically.

Thank you your comments on improving our Blog.
- The Junleer Crew

Are you ready for some football!

2009-08-24T03:16:00.000-07:00

College rivalries evoke competition and emotion. Oregon State and U of O is the 7th oldest rivalry and no doubt one of the most intense. Naturally fans have strong opinions and deep commitment to their teams. Here's your chance to send a message that may just end up on the jumbotron during the game.

The Public Affairs cell will be traveling across the country to record fans devotion to their team in addition to providing an opportunity to send holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc.) greetings out to family back home.

Jerseys, helmets, big foam fingers, etc.......GET IT OVER HERE.

The MRAP is MAD MAX meets D.O.D in the fight against IEDs

2009-08-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, the term IED (Improvised Explosive Devise) has become a common acronym to most people who follow the news. As the primary weapon used against US and coalition troops in Iraq, an IED’s effectiveness is a result of using leftover, readily available ammunition or homemade explosives coupled with cheap, household electronics such as cooking timers and cell phones.

Thankfully, the destruction and casualty statistics recorded in years past has lessened. While still a real threat, measures have been taken to reduce damage to equipment and injury to Soldiers.

Most notable in the fight against the IED has been the introduction of the MRAP or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. Credited with saving Soldiers lives, the MRAP is now the primary vehicle used to move soldiers in and around the Iraqi theater of operation.

With the huge success of the vehicles came a huge demand to equip units and their Soldiers with the lifesaving troop carriers. That demand resulted in multiple contracts being given by the Department of Defense, which in turn, resulted in multiple versions of the MRAP. While all are effective, the lack of a single standard has created small challenges for shipping configurations. The large challenges have been dealing with the incredible weight that comes with a steel plated vehicle designed to take direct explosions and deflect them with a V-shaped hull. Weight also creates tactical challenges since many bridges will not support the MRAP.

All disadvantages mean nothing to the Soldier who walks away from an IED attack on his convoy because he was protected by an MRAP. While not a guarantee, we must credit the Department of Defense and their latest effort to keep our Soldiers safe as we draw down our numbers in Iraq.

Newsletter 08.17.09

2009-08-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

New Issue
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 4)

Past Issues
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 3)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 2)
The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 1)

* If your having trouble viewing our newsletters, you may need to download Adobe Reader in order to view the .pdf files that we use to distribute electronically.

Thank you your comments on improving our Blog.
- The Junleer Crew

Now on Twitter!

2009-08-14T00:51:00.000-07:00

Ft.Stewart to Iraq

2009-08-12T04:25:00.000-07:00

Click pic below to play

produced by MSG Hovie

Commander's Town Hall - 07.31.09

2009-07-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

Click pic below to play

Ft. Stewart Recap -- Casing Ceremony

2009-07-11T21:38:00.000-07:00

41st IBCT Brigade Commander, Colonel Dan Hokanson is joined by Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and Oregon's Major General Raymond F. Rees during a pass and review of the troops.

Ft. Stewart Recap -- Brigade Run

2009-07-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Approximately 3,000 soldier participate in a morning run to demonstrate the size of the Brigade's combined Task Forces.

Money for College --- $4,500 in Tuition Assistance

2009-07-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

For all Soldiers deploying to Iraq, you are now on full-time Active duty orders. This qualifies you for $4,500 in tuition assistance.

Stop by your Educational Center for more information.

Greetings From Kuwait

2009-07-08T01:10:00.000-07:00

As the 41st IBCT transitions from Fort Stewart, Georgia to Iraq our journey takes us through Kuwait. With more training planned, Soldiers will have the opportunity to acclimate to the dessert heat, wind and dust.

This will also be a time of reduced media coverage due to the constraints encountered as we work and operate from temporary living quarters. We will ramp up the coverage and continue to share the adventure very soon.

Stay tuned..........

Ft. Stewart's Independence Day Weekend Celebration

2009-06-30T12:07:00.001-07:00

For more info click below

Info about Ft. Stewart's 4th of July Celebration

July 2nd-
Golf Tourney
Carnival
50-gun salute to the nation

July 3rd-
Picnic in the Park (reserve a spot at 767-9336)
Corkan Family fun
Carnival
Concert (Trace Adkins and Ashanti)
Fireworks

July 4th-
Carnival

July 5th-
Carnival

2009-06-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 3)

2009-06-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 2)

2009-06-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Average summer temperature on Fort Stewart, Georgia

Average summer temperature in Baghdad, Iraq

118

Oregon Senators On Site

2009-06-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley flew down to see the trooop at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Colonel Daniel Hokanson, Commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, briefed the senators about the training being conducted in preparation for the deployment. The senators also conducted a town hall meeting with soldiers to get their feedback about training.

"Almost like being home"

2009-06-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Soldiers tracked down a grill, charcoal, and some burgers for a backdoor barbecue during a break in training at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Official newsletter available. Look for current releases.

2009-06-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

The 41st IBCT has published the first of many newsletters chronicling the deployment of the brigade during this historic time. Follow us on the Jungleer Blog to stay up to date about our soldiers as they carry out their mission, share their adventures in country, and create the story of the 41st IBCT.

The Jungleer (Vol 1, Issue 1)

We will be publishing the newsletter here as well as on our Family Readiness Group site. Check both for pictures and important information relating to the deployment.

Our newsletter, The Jungleer, is in the form of a downloadable PDF. Free readers are available online for those that don't currently have Adobe Reader.

We are honored to be sharing the experience with you and thank you for all your support. Enjoy the news.