DIY support projects & stuff

[Greyfox]

Peter,

         I think it Big Red One, or "BRO" counters to go along with the Big Red One Campaign Study.   I served one tour in Iraq with 2-16 Infantry "Rangers."  I was the Battalion XO (call Sign Ranger 6).  The 16th Regiment is the only unit in the Army, outside of the Ranger Regiment, that uses the call sign Ranger for each of its Battalions (1st - Iron Rangers, 2nd - Rangers, etc.).  It stems from when the 16th Infantry was reorganized in Germany in 1948, the regiment needed to come up with a name for its various sports teams. Its soldiers chose the name “Rangers” due to the fact that the Germans had mistakenly reported the regiment as Rangers on D-day. The regiment has maintained that tradition to this this day, with modifications to the basic moniker by the various battalions over the years.

         Though my favorite assignment was with 3-502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Infantry Division Air Assault (AASLT).  In WWII, they were an Airborne Unit, and the Regiment was called the "Widowmakers."  Like all Regiments they had their own symbol - The Widowmaker attached below.  I was with them for the Invasion of Iraq in 2003, as the Assistant Operations Officer (callsign Widowmaker 3A), later I was the Logistics officer (Widowmaker 4), and then Commander of C Co. (Hardcore 6).  I was with them when they transitioned to a Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquistion  Squadron(3-502nd RSTA) and transitioned my Rifle Company into a a Mounted Reconnaissance Troop, where I choose my call sign (Apache 6) for the newly constituted A Troop.



      I really think the BRO division counters would be ideal.  I just liked sharing the story of some of the units I was involved with.

Mike