Mile-high stand-up

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Felix Fimbres | Col. Steven J. Ford passes the 440th's Civil Affairs to its commander, Lt. Col. Damone Garner at Fort Carson, Colo., Sept. 15, 2012.  

COLORADO, UNITED STATES

09.15.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres 

U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)

FORT CARSON, Colo. — Four horses and 164 soldiers from the 440th Civil Affairs Command stood side-by-side as they unfurled the 440th's unit colors for the first time at Fort Carson, Sept. 15, 2012. The 440th held its first battle assembly in September of 2011 and has spent the past year filling its ranks with both new and veteran soldiers. This ceremony officially commissions the unit into the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).

Spc. Matthew Taylor, a former infantryman, has been with the unit since April and is excited to be a part of the unit. “Six months ago I didn’t even know civil affairs existed, but now I’m standing one up,” he said. “As the Army shifts from war fighting to helping foreign populaces and building relationships, civil affairs will be a big part of that, and I’m really proud to be a part of this.”

The 440th plans on conducting a myriad of operations throughout the Pacific Command area of responsibly and has a number of positions available for civil affairs soldiers with Mandarin and Korea language specialties. Command Sgt. Maj. Aaron Miller expects the 440th will be augmenting ongoing operations and ongoing unit responsibilities throughout the PACOM, “If you want to see PACOM, 440th is the place to be,” said Miller.

There are of course other, more pressing missions, to be tackled first, according to Miller. “We are working on building our soldiers through Noncommissioned Officer Education system,” he said “Then we will begin to build toward team, platoon and then company level training. We have a long way to go.”

Lt. Col. Damone Garner, commander of the 440th is well aware of the monumental task ahead of him, but is confident his leadership, especially his NCO Corps, is up to the task. “I’m building this battalion based off the NCO corps, they are the backbone of the Army and this battalion, they are leading the way and the only way to lead is through the NCO corps, we are very much an NCO led battalion,” said Garner.

Garner and Miller unfurled the unit colors together, signifying the commissioning of the unit and Garner's assumption of command. “Being a commander is the best job in the army, taking care of troops, ensuring they are trained and ready for war, I can’t think of a better job,” he said. But perhaps more importantly Garner said that standing up the unit was a unique opportunity to leave his footprint, by setting the standard for the future of the unit.

“Today is an historic day, to stand up a new battalion is a very audacious task, it’s challenging but very rewarding,” said Garner.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2012
• Date Posted: 09.17.2012 15:38
• Story ID: 94841
• Location: COLORADO, US