Volume 1, Issue 2
HHT ( Rattler), 2/3 ACR (Sabre) FRG
Rattler Reader
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Commander’s Corner
What is a CARE Team? 2 From the desk of Rattler
Spotlight On… 3 Troop Commander CPT
Jason Gallardo.
Rattler Bulletin 3
Families and Friends of
Photo Gallery 4 Rattler-
Contact Us 4 face in Wasit Province,
The month of September
will be an exciting and
busy month for Rattler
Troop as we transition
from Kuwait to Iraq and
into our mission. As of
the end of August, all of
our Troopers who will be
deploying have arrived in
Kuwait ready to train up
and better prepare for the
coming year. Our
mission in Kuwait
involves vehicle training,
counter IED training,
From Your Co-leaders
A chat with FRG leaders
Jodie Schwentner and
Lauren Rainer
Each newsletter we, as
FRG Leaders will be
writing a column. We will
try to touch on topics that
are pertinent, either
because of our training
or through our
communications with
members of our Troop
family.
Rules of Engagement
Training, and even Iraqi
cultural training which will
better prepare us for the
new environment we will
Iraq.
With regards to our
mission in Iraq, I know
that many of you have
questions and perhaps
some confusion about
what our Troop will face
in the upcoming months.
While much about the
future of Iraq is still
somewhat uncertain, we
will certainly continue to
assist with improving
stability within Iraq.
This time we would like
to talk about the topic of
deployment and how it
has now become our
reality. HHT soldiers are
now either in Iraq or
Kuwait and we at home
are faced each day with
how our lives may be
changing. Previously, we
told you that NTC was a
practice round. While that
was true in some sense
of the word, we want you
to remember that an
September 2010
Although our role in Iraq
has changed drastically
since the Regiment was
here 18 months ago, we
still play an equally vital
role in Iraq's future.
There has been a shift
with the change from
Operation Iraqi Freedom
to Operation New Dawn
from a ground combat
focus to a civilian
capacity, logistics, and
governance focus.
These support and
civilian capacity tasks are
Rattler Troop's bread and
butter, and place us in a
unique position to be able
Continued on page 4
overseas deployment
gives each of us new
challenges.
Lauren and I are both
dedicated to helping you
through this deployment
in any way we can.
Although we both have
had extensive training
and are qualified to help
lead you through this
deployment, we go into
this deployment with
different perspectives.
Continued on page 2
Page 2
From Your Co-leaders, cont’d…
From page 1
This is Lauren’s first
deployment as an Army
Wife, while I have been
through multiple
deployments as a military
“Several deployments spouse. This means that
ago, I started a support as an FRG we can identify
group for wives and with the whole spectrum
coined the term „stay- of deployment feeling. So
at-home heroes.‟ That while the perspectives
is what each of you are! may be different the
All of us who stay feelings and emotions we
feel during deployments
back keep our families
are most often the same.
running and take care
of the things back here Understand that we feel
at home so that our the same emotions that
Soldiers can stay you do as wives. Also,
mission-focused.” understand that the
emotions that you feel are
very real to all of us. That
is why we stress the
importance of Battle
Buddies. If you cannot get
a hold of your battle
buddy, know that we are
just a phone call or email
away. Lauren and I both
have access to email
almost constantly and,
though we have families
and responsibilities just
What is a CARE Team?
You may have heard talk
of a CARE Team in an
FRG meeting or around
Fort Hood. So what is it?
A CARE Team (CAsualty
REsponse Team) is a
group of trained
like you, we are dedicated
to getting back to you
ASAP.
Please update your
information with us if you
have not done so. If you
have left the area let us
know. This week, there
have been several
instances of an FRG
member’s contact
information being
incorrect. Also, know that
in the coming weeks you
should receive a call from
a POC, or key caller. This
is another person who will
be there to help you.
POCs have all had
training and know how to
deal with issues. If they
cannot, they will
immediately get a hold of
one of us.
Remember, we are
volunteers and are not in
the Army. Therefore, we
are not told the day- to-
day activities of our
Soldiers. When we do get
info we pass it on to you
immediately.
individuals to assist the
next of kin for a short time
in the event of a casualty/
critically wounded soldier.
Read the insert on the
next page of this
newsletter for specifics on
what the CARE Team
Rattler Reader
We wait for the phone
calls or IMs from our
Soldiers just like you do.
We get frustrated when
we don’t hear from our
husbands, just like you do.
What we do know is that
they have a mission and
we want them focused on
their mission so that they
can get it done safely and
come home.
Several deployments ago,
I started a support group
for wives and coined the
term “stay-at-home
heroes.” That is what each
of you are! All of us who
stay back keep our
families running and take
care of the things back
here at home so that our
Soldiers can stay mission-
focused.
Remember, whether it is
your first, second, or
seventh deployment we
are all in this together! We
can do it!
Your Co-leaders,
Jodie and Lauren
does and doesn’t do.
Contact
rattlerfrg@yahoo.com if
you’d like to get involved
as a volunteer.
What is a CARE Team?

A CARE Team (CAsualty REsponse Team) is a group of trained individuals to assist the next of kin for a short time in
the event of a casualty/ critically wounded soldier.

What is the purpose of a CARE Team?

The CARE Team can take on many roles in assisting the families based on their immediate needs. Here are a few
examples:

 Call support
 Home care assistance
 Childcare support
 Meal support
 Transportation
 Assistance to visiting family
 Other family support

What the CARE Team does not do:

 Prepare death notices for newspaper

 Arrange donations to organizations or charity in lieu of flowers if family wants to make this arrangement
 Make funeral arrangements (which includes transportation for family, childcare arrangements for children)
 Arrange emergency financial assistance or give money to family
 Brief family on benefits or entitlements
 Serve as a grief counselor or offer any type of counseling

Since a CARE Team generally consists of 2-3 people per family, not every CARE Team member will assist with each
family. Some members are passionate about helping with the children, while others are passionate about cooking
meals and providing services for the family that don’t require them to work in the home. Whatever you prefer, there is
a place for you.
We hope that we never have to use a CARE Team, but we want to be prepared in the event that the unfortunate
occurs. We are committed to assisting and taking care of the families that are in an unthinkable situation.
 Rattler Reader
Spotlight On… Julie Morrison
This feature introduces you to
a new Rattler FRG member
with each issue.
Rattler Bulletin: Upcoming Events and Notices
Join us for:
 An FRG meeting at 6
p.m. on 20 September in
the Squadron conference
room. We will have some
fun activities as well as
boxes and labels for those
who were unable to attend
September’s Sabre
Squadron potluck.
Get Involved!
The Rattler FRG
playgroup is still looking
for a new leader/contact
person. The group meets
Wednesdays at the
Bronco Youth Center. If
you’ve got a young child
who likes to play, why not
step up and lead?
Page 3
 Age: 42, but [my husband] Todd says I look 10 years younger!
 Hometown: All over South Carolina
 Alma maters: Marion High School; the College of Charleston; Colorado College;
and the University of South Carolina
 Occupation: Music teacher
 Current residence: Ft. Hood
 Children: 4-year-old Frances (a princess in hiking boots!)
 Pets: Nope, nope, I say again NOPE!
 Army wife since: 1988 (with a ten year break for Todd’s seminary and local church)
 Previous Army posts: Ft. Jackson, Ft. Benning and Ft. Carson
 Expectations for this FRG: Food… Oh wait, you mean deep expectations… Food,
and the fellowship that deepens and strengthens our bonds
 Favorite food: Anything Mexican
 Interests: Jesus, reading, playing with my daughter and husband, and creating
wacky bulletin boards (Yeah, I’m just wonky that way.)
 Favorite TV shows: “Lie to Me” and “So You Think You Can Dance” (I know I can’t
dance, so it’s fun to watch those who CAN!)
 All-time favorite movies: “Sense and Sensibility” and the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy
 Favorite pastimes: Reading, Bible study groups, and singing with Frances
A children’s Spur Ride you informed about
WE WANT TO
on 30 October; details to important Troop
MEET YOU!
come! information. Attend one of our
events or volunteer
Other Notes: Announcements: with the Rattler Troop
FRG.
 Look out for a call from Congratulations to the
a POC this month. This Felty family on their new
FRG member will be baby!
calling to check your
contact info so we can
make sure we are keeping
CALL FOR
QUESTIONS…
Rattler Troop FRG
wants to create an
advice column for
 Do you love babies? If
upcoming newsletters,
so, we need you! Be our
Baby Committee to be written by a
chairperson and connect seasoned FRG
with new mothers who member. Send your
may need Rattler FRG’s concerns to
help and support.
rattlerfrg@yahoo.com
with “Advice
Column” in the
subject line.
 Page 4 Rattler Reader

Photo Gallery
Rattler Troop FRG
Co-leaders: Enjoy these images of the 18 August Troop BBQ at BLORA! For more,
Jodie Schwentner & visit our Facebook page, Rattler Troop FRG 2/3 ACR.
Lauren Rainer

Phone
254 681 7723
E-mail
rattlerfrg@yahoo.com

I AM AN ARMY SPOUSE.
WHAT’S YOUR
SUPERPOWER?

Commander’s Corner, cont’d…

From page 1
to advise, train, and assist our Iraqi
Brothers with the improvement of the
nation. Now that the security situation has
We’re on the Web! drastically improved, these critical support
Visit our Facebook page: tasks will be vital to the continued
development of the Iraqi Security Forces
Rattler Troop FRG 2/3 ACR and the local Iraqi Government. The war in
Iraq has changed a great deal, but the
mission of our Troopers is equally, if not
more important than our past tours.
I hope that a better knowledge of the
critical mission in Iraq helps the families
understand some of the reasons for the
great sacrifices that come with this
operational deployment. I want to
personally thank each and every one of
you for your unwavering support of your
Troopers, not only for this deployment, but
throughout the train-up process. Without
your love and support, our Troopers would
not be able to perform such a vital mission
of bringing democracy to a land that has
never known such freedoms.
As a reminder, Rattler will be turning in
our wish list for Morale and Welfare Leave
Dates (R&R leave). While we cannot
guarantee exact dates due to flights and
balancing the mission in Iraq, we will do
our best to work towards getting everyone
close to the dates that they desire. Rattler
should be settled in to our FOB by the
end of September and we will try to post
some pictures of our missions and our
Troop once we arrive. Please check both
the Rattler Troop Facebook and the
Sabre Squadron Facebook for updates
and pictures as we arrive and set up in
Iraq.
Thank you again for your sacrifices and
support. Brave Rifles!
CPT Jason Gallardo