Fort Hood News Archive

FORT HOOD, Texas — The 1st Cavalry Division will host a promotion ceremony for Col. Steven P. Carpenter to brigadier general on June 30 at 2 p.m. at the National Mounted Warrior Museum on Fort Hood, Texas.

Former III Corps commander, Gen. Paul E. Funk II, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command commanding general, will promote Carpenter during the ceremony.

Carpenter is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and received his commission as a field artillery officer upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 1996.

Upon graduation from the Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, OK, his career began in the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX where he served as a Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Leader, Strike-Recon Platoon Leader and Battalion Assistant S3. After the Captain’s Career Course, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division Artillery at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He served as the 25th Infantry Division Artillery plans officer, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Fire Support Officer and Commander of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment. During this time in command, he deployed with 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 01-02.

 

Following graduation from the Canadian Joint Command and Staff Program in Toronto, Canada, Colonel Carpenter deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-08 as a Military in Transition Team Chief with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Upon redeployment, he was assigned to the 41st Fires Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX where he served as the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery S3, Brigade S3, Brigade Executive Officer and Brigade Deputy Commanding Officer.

Carpenter commanded the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Sill, OK from June 2012 to April 2014. Following battalion command, Carpenter was selected to serve as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Army (CSA) where he was responsible for the Army’s General Officer Education Program, Senior Leader Forums and Four-Star General Officer Conferences.

From June 2017 to July 2019, Carpenter commanded the 75th Field Artillery Brigade, III Corps which was the home of over 50% of the active component’s rocket and missile firepower.  While in command, the 75th Field Artillery Brigade deployed to the Middle East and Central Asia in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel and Spartan Shield and supported the Korea rotational battalion mission.

Following brigade command, Carpenter returned to the Pentagon where he served on The Joint Staff in the J35 as the EUCOM and NATO Division Chief from July 2019 to February 2020 and then as the Asst. Deputy Director for Regional Operations (ADDRO) until June 2021.

Carpenter will continue to lead within the division as the Deputy Commanding General of Maneuver. Overseeing the lethality of the division with aspects of training, deployment readiness exercises, the division’s Tactical Command Post, studies, doctrine and many essential duties for the First Team.

Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in American Legal Studies from the U.S. Military Academy, a Master of Science degree in International Relations from Saint Mary’s University, a Master of Science degree in Defense Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.

Married for 21years, Carpenter and his wife, Kaitlin, are the proud parents of five children: Ella (17), Kairys (14), Landry (11), Kyla (11) and Vincent (7).

Media desiring to cover this event must RSVP to LTC Jennifer Bocanegra at [email protected] or SSG Ashley Dotson at [email protected] no later than 3 p.m. on Jun. 29.

A public affairs representative will meet the media at the south parking lot of Marvin Leath Visitors Center located on T. J. Mills Blvd. at 1 p.m. for an escort to the event.

 

 

 

WEST FORT HOOD, Texas — The unit responsible for testing new and modernized Army equipment will welcome a new commander during a change of command ceremony 9 a.m. Thursday.

Incoming Commander Col. George C. Hackler arrives to the U.S. Army Operational Test Command as its 31st commander after serving as division chief of the U.S. Army Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate at the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, where he was responsible for integration and analysis of the Army’s five-year fiscal plan, specializing in applying limited resources to strategic guidance and direction.

Brig. Gen. David W. Gardner, OTC’s commander since July 30, 2020, is heading off to command the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, Louisiana.

The ceremony will be hosted by Maj. Gen. James J. Gallivan, commander of U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), OTC’s higher headquarters at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

News media wanting to cover the event should contact the OTC Public Affairs Office, at (254) 449-3686, or email: [email protected], no later than 2 p.m. Wednesday.

A public affairs escort will meet the media at the West Fort Hood Clarke Road gate (south side) at 8:15 a.m., June 30.

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About the U.S. Army Operational Test Command:

As the Army’s only independent operational tester, OTC enlists the “Total Army” (Active, National Guard, and Reserve) when testing Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. OTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer - the American Soldier.

FORT HOOD, Texas — The 1st Cavalry Division will host a change of command ceremony in conjunction with a casing ceremony for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team “GREYWOLF” signifying the brigade’s change of leadership and deployment to Europe Jun. 30 at 8:30 a.m. on Cooper Field at Fort Hood, Texas.

Col. Justin Y. Reese will relinquish command to Col. John Gilliam after commanding the brigade for two years. Gilliam is coming to the 1st Cavalry Division from the Brookings Institution where he served as an Army Senior Fellow.

The casing of the colors is an Army tradition that symbolizes the movement from home station to deploy or relocate to a new theater of operations.

On May 13, the Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of the brigade to U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command area of operations to assure NATO allies, deter Russian aggression and to be prepared to support a range of other requirements in the region.  GREYWOLF will replace 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Grafenwöhr, Germany.

Reese’s follow up assignment will be Germany where he will serve as the Commander of Operations Group at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center.

Media desiring to cover this event must RSVP to LTC Jennifer Bocanegra at [email protected] or SSG Ashley Dotson at [email protected] no later than 3 p.m. on Jun. 29.

A public affairs representative will meet the media at the south parking lot of Marvin Leath Visitors Center located on T. J. Mills Blvd. at 8:00 a.m. for an escort to the event.

Story by Staff Sgt. Ashley Dotson, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – This morning, the 1st Cavalry Division hosted a special ceremony on Cooper Field to transfer the Medal of Honor award presented to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Trooper, Cpl. Tibor Rubin for his selfless and valorous actions during the Korean War from 1950-1953.

“This division earned its distinguished reputation as the world’s premier armored force because of legends like Cpl. Tibor Rubin who demonstrated courage and selflessness on the battlefield and while in captivity,” said Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, 1st Cavalry Division commanding general, who presided over the ceremony. “We are grateful for his service and sacrifice and will continue to honor him along with hundreds of other 1st Cavalry Division heroes who made this division what it is today-America’s First Team.”

Several members of Cpl. Rubin’s family, including his daughter, Rosalyn (Rosie) Rubin, nephew, Robert Huntley, and niece, Deborah Kessler, traveled to Fort Hood to donate the Medal of Honor originally presented to Rubin by President George W. Bush during a White House ceremony on Sept. 25, 2005 at the U.S. Army Center for Military History to be displayed in the 1st Cavalry Division headquarters.

“Thank you to the Rubin family, Robert, Rosalyn and Deborah,” Richardson said. “Although it has been 72 years since Tibor demonstrated such courageous actions, his legacy lives on with us. We will continue to honor him and use his story to inspire our troopers with his sacrifice and dedication to duty.”

The medal will become part of the First Team’s newly renovated Heritage Hall located inside the division headquarters, which will also include a variety of displays to honor the division’s rich history and increase awareness and appreciation among newer members of the First Team for the division’s heroes.

“When Rosie asked me about transferring his Medal of Honor to the 1st Cavalry Division I could not think of a better home for his medal to be enshrined,” began Huntley. “He would be so proud that it is in a place where past, present and future Soldiers can come view his story and medal and hopefully inspire those Soldiers who may be called upon to go above and beyond the call of duty.”

Huntley, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, shared how his uncle ‘Teddy’ inspired him to follow in his footsteps and join the Army even though he had endured many challenges and struggles as a prisoner of war for two and a half years in horrific conditions.

“What I realized after some time in the service is that he embodied all of the great virtues that so many of our service members had throughout our entire history,” Huntley continued. “Personal courage, a great sense of loyalty and duty to his fellow service members, and a great sense of honor to America.”

During their visit, Rubin’s family members were invited to a tour of “CAV country” including the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, the 3-8 CAV footprint and one of Fort Hood’s newest structures, the National Mounted Warrior Museum, which will hold some of the 1st Cavalry Division Museum displays that is now closed.

“It is really hard for me to speak about my dad,” said Rosie Rubin with a tearful smile as she motioned to the medal in the display case. “I know my dad would be so happy to know that it is here at Fort Hood. He loved the veterans, he loved you and he always taught us to never give up. Thank you for this honor today.”

According to his biography, Rubin was born to Jewish parents in Hungary in 1929. During World War II, he was captured by Nazis and sent to the Mauthausen concentration camp for men in Austria.

“Uncle Ted’s life journey is fascinating,” started Kessler. “His choice to join the Army came from his liberation from a Nazi concentration camp, when American Troops rolled in and saved his life. At that moment he made a pledge if he ever made it to the U.S., he would join this military-the Army. And true to his word he did.”

Following his liberation by U.S. Army Soldiers, he immigrated to the United States and enlisted in the Army. In 1950, he was deployed to Korea to fight on the front lines with the 3-8 CAV.

Huntley highlighted Rubin’s decision to to remain with his comrades as a prisoner of war instead of being sent to his home country of Hungary.

“He chose to stand behind the country that liberated him and his family,” said Huntley. “The country he whole heartedly believed offered him the freedom and the opportunity he would find nowhere else.”

“Corporal Rubin represents the best of the 8th Cav and First Team Troopers. We are so grateful that his family donated his MoH to be on display here at Fort Hood for all Troopers to see. We honor him in our HQs, with our conference room being named after him. His story is on our walls and is briefed to all new WARHORSE Troopers during newcomer briefings and unit Spur Rides,”  said Lt. Col. Sean M. Castilla, 3-8 CAV commander.  “His story is an example of what is so great about America. An immigrant; liberated from a concentration camp in WWII by the American Army; comes to America and joins the Army out of gratitude.”

Fifty years after returning from the Korean War, Rubin was recognized by receiving the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the period from July 23, 1950 to April 20, 1953.

Huntley shared that although time passed before Rubin received this honor, he was very proud.

“Cpl. Rubin overcame so much adversity and his devotion to duty and love for our great nation are among the reasons we are so proud that he is part of the 8th Cavalry’s lineage. He will forever be a part of WARHORSE,” Castilla also said.

The 1st Cavalry Division proudly recognizes 43 Medal of Honor Recipients who served among the division’s ranks from its inception through the Global War on Terrorism along Legend’s Way with Medal of Honor placards, Cpl. Rubin’s placard is located near the Howze Theater.

Rosie Rubin said she would love to come back when Heritage Hall is complete and see the new Troopers learning about the First Team’s story and her father’s piece of the legacy.

 

 

For more: https://www.army.mil/article/257858

 

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood’s Freedom Fest is set from 4 to 10 p.m. June 24 at Hood Stadium located behind the Clear Creek Post Exchange here.

Activities are free and open to the public. They include children’s inflatables, beverage sales, food trucks plus a Zoo Imagination station.   Cassadee Pope will start the evening off with X Ambassadors headlining the event.

The 30-minute fireworks show is expected to begin at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks are paid by profits from the Fort Hood recycling program.

Freedom Fest is a free event and open to the public. Members of the general public in privately owned vehicles must obtain a pass from the Marvin Leath Visitor’s Welcome Center. Drivers and passengers 18 and older must have a valid photo ID.

On-post shuttles will be running approximately every 15 minutes from 4 to 11 p.m. All individuals utilizing the bus service under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For a list of shuttle stops, visit Fort Hood’s Family and MWR Web site at https://hood.armymwr.com/calendar/event/freedom-fest/5597274/69292.

“We are holding our Freedom Fest earlier this year because over 75 percent of our Military Families live in the cities, towns, and villages that surround Fort Hood,” said Col. Chad R. Foster, commander, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Hood. “This year, we want our soldiers to enjoy the community celebrations being held with their families. Also, when we conduct our Freedom Fest, nearly 500 individuals from across Fort Hood work in various capacities to make the event happen. This means that while others are celebrating the Independence Day holiday, they would be working. Having Freedom Fest on Jun 24th supports these goals.”

Media who wish to cover the event should call (254) 449-5298 no later than 3 p.m. June 23. On June 24, media will meet a public affairs representative in the south-side parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitor’s Center at 4 p.m. for an escort to the location.

 

FORT HOOD, Texas — “Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued a Drought Disaster Declaration for all of Bell County on June 22. The declaration bans the sale or use of fireworks for Bell County unless a permit is obtained, which is mostly
limited to public events. Although Fort Hood is a federal entity and not within the jurisdiction of the judge’s order, the intent of the declaration is for all to use extreme caution if hosting a fireworks event which Fort Hood will do.

“Fort Hood’s Directorate of Emergency Services is taking definitive steps to ensure that the fireworks display at our Freedom Fest held June 24 is a safe event for the community to enjoy. Due to the dry conditions, the DES is working with our local community fire departments to have preventative fire coverage during the display.

“The Killeen and Copperas Cove Fire Departments will provide fire crew coverage along I-14/HWY 190. The Fort Hood DES Fire Department will have additional fire crews stationed in and around the fireworks display area before and during the event. Additionally, the Fireworks display launch area will be watered down as an added safety measure prior to the event.

“Prior to conducting the fireworks show at the Freedom Fest, Fort Hood officials will consider all contributing factors including outside temperatures, wind direction and humidity levels to determine it is safe to proceed.”

— Tom Rheinlander, Director, Public Affairs, US Army Garrison-Fort Hood

UPDATE: On-post shuttles will be running approximately every 15 minutes from 4 to 11 p.m.

 

Fort Hood hosts annual Freedom Fest celebration

FORT HOOD, Texas – Fort Hood’s Freedom Fest is set from 4 to 10:30 p.m. June 24 at Hood Stadium located behind the Clear Creek Post Exchange here.

Activities include children’s inflatables, beverage sales, food trucks plus a Zoo Imagination station.   Cassadee Pope will start the evening off with X Ambassadors headlining the event.

The 30-minute fireworks show is expected to begin at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks are paid by profits from the Fort Hood recycling program.

Freedom Fest is a free event and open to the public. Members of the general public in privately owned vehicles must obtain a pass from the Marvin Leath Visitor’s Welcome Center. Drivers and passengers 18 and older must have a valid photo ID.

On-post shuttles will be running approximately every 15 minutes from 4 to 11 p.m. All individuals utilizing the bus service under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For a list of shuttle stops, visit Fort Hood’s Family and MWR Web site at https://hood.armymwr.com/calendar/event/freedom-fest/5597274/69292.

Media who wish to cover the event should call (254) 449-5298 no later than 3 p.m. June 23. On June 24, media will meet a public affairs representative in the south-side parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitor’s Center at 4 p.m. for an escort to the location.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Fort Hood’s Freedom Fest is set from 4 to 10:30 p.m. June 24 at Hood Stadium located behind the Clear Creek Post Exchange here.

Activities include children’s inflatables, beverage sales, food trucks plus a Zoo Imagination station.   Cassadee Pope will start the evening off with X Ambassadors headlining the event.

The 30-minute fireworks show is expected to begin at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks are paid by profits from the Fort Hood recycling program.

Freedom Fest is a free event and open to the public. Members of the general public in privately owned vehicles must obtain a pass from the Marvin Leath Visitor’s Welcome Center. Drivers and passengers 18 and older must have a valid photo ID.

On-post shuttles will be running approximately every 15 minutes from 3 to 11 p.m. All individuals utilizing the bus service under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For a list of shuttle stops, visit Fort Hood’s Family and MWR Web site at https://hood.armymwr.com/calendar/event/freedom-fest/5597274/69292.

Media who wish to cover the event should call (254) 449-5298 no later than 3 p.m. June 23. On June 24, media will meet a public affairs representative in the south-side parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitor’s Center at 4 p.m. for an escort to the location.

FORT HOOD, Texas — The Fort Hood Fire Department continues to work toward containing the Wildland Management Area fire which is currently estimated at 250 acres and is now 90 percent contained.

Firefighters also engaged an 80-acre second fire in the vicinity of Clabber Creek Multi-Use Range and that fire is also now 90 percent contained.

In addition to these two fires, the fire department responded to a third fire near Blackwell Mountain on the Fort Hood firing ranges. That wildfire is estimated at approximately 60 acres and is now 60 percent contained.

Firefighters will continue to utilize aerial suppression from CH-47 and UH-60 helicopters to drop water on hot spots and dozers for ground attack operations as needed.

Mutual aid from area communities and the Texas A&M Forest Service were not requested during the current operational period. Texas A&M Forest Service personnel remain on standby if needed.

More information will be released on www.FortHoodPressCenter.com as it becomes available.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center administrative offices and clinics will modify hours Friday June 17-21 in observance of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Federal Holiday.

Outpatient clinics including Community-Based Medical Homes will be open for scheduled appointments Friday, June 17. Beneficiaries are encouraged to keep their scheduled appointments.

The hospital remains open every day for emergency services, inpatient care, and labor and delivery services.

Monroe and Bennett Health clinics will be closed Friday, June 17. Active Duty Service members enrolled to either of those clinics should seek care at Thomas Moore Health clinic.  All other clinics and services will be open.

Pharmacies

Friday, June 17
Bennett and Monroe pharmacies will be closed.
All other pharmacies normal operating hours.

Saturday, June 18
Clear Creek PX Pharmacy
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All other pharmacies closed.

All CRDAMC clinics and pharmacies will resume normal operations on Tuesday, June 21.

TRICARE Prime enrollees with urgent, emergent care needs or COVID-19 symptoms should seek assistant at the CRDAMC Emergency Department.

The Nurse Advice Line is available 24/7 by calling (800) TRICARE or 1- 800- 874-2273, Option 1. Individuals living in the Fort Hood area entitled to military healthcare may talk to registered nurses about urgent health issues, guidance on non-emergency situations, and information about self-care for injuries or illnesses.

Beneficiaries can make or cancel appointments through the Patient Portal at patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil  or by calling Patient Appointment Service at 254-288-8888. You can make and cancel appointments through the Patient Portal as well as request, pharmacy refills, and access health information like laboratory results, radiology results, and immunization records.