CA battalion cases colors as deployment preparations begin

Story by Staff Sgt. David House, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – Within 14 months of activating on Fort Hood, approximately 200 81st Civil Affairs Battalion Soldiers will be leaving on a nine month deployment to Afghanistan in the coming month following a deployment ceremony held at the Division West parade field Nov. 30.

“This is a daunting mission, which you are trained and ready to achieve,” said Lt. Col. Joshua J. Potter, 81st Civil Affairs Battalion commander. “We understand that our small teams will be employed in units and scattered across the theater of operations, which demands our teams to be independent, but not autonomous, in their approach to solving the challenges ahead.”

Part of that approach includes interacting with Afghan civilians and leaders to help develop stability at the local level.

"We're going to be offering some of the short-term stability level projects for the people of Afghanistan, while it's the Afghan government's responsibility for the long-term redevelopment to rebuild their infrastructure," Potter said.

The progress that they achieve while deployed is just one of the many steps that will be taken to ensure the buildup of the Afghan government in preparation of the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

 “I feel very strongly in our mission to Afghanistan and that civil affairs has a very important role over there,” said Capt. Tammy Sloulin, CA team leader.  “We are going out to help the Afghans connect with their government. This is how we will be able to make a difference.”

Once in country, the battalion will spread its reach over 27 camps supporting 5 Regional Commands in order to conduct civil affairs operations and provide civil-military expertise to the International Security Assistance Force as they transition security over to the Afghan National Security Forces and governance and development operations to Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan partners.

The Color Guard stands ready during a deployment ceremony for 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade.  81st Civil Affairs Battalion colors were cased during a deployment ceremony November 30 held at Division West parade field.  Some 200 CA Soldiers are expected to deploy in the coming month in order to conduct civil affairs operations and provide civil-military expertise to the International Security Assistance Force. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs)

Lt. Col. Joshua J. Potter (left) and Command Sgt. Major Ronald T. Barker, command team of the 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, begin to case the battalion colors during a deployment ceremony held at the Division West parade field, Fort Hood, Texas Nov. 30, 2012. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David House, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs)

81^st Civil Affairs Battalion colors were cased during a deployment ceremony November 30 held at Division West parade field.  Some 200 CA Soldiers are expected to deploy in the coming month in order to conduct civil affairs operations and provide civil-military expertise to the International Security Assistance Force. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs)

Lt. Col. Joshua J. Potter, commander, 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald T. Barker, right, case the battalion colors during a deployment ceremony here Nov. 30. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. David House, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs)