There you have it, I would defy anyone who is unsupportive of the war based on the assumption that we are not accomplishing anything to tell the over 6,000 men and women of the 3rd BCT who served, fought bled and even died for them, to look at these numbers and tell us we accomplished nothing. We are winning, we are making the difference and even more importantly, we are not alone in our efforts. The Iraqi people are ones who are making the biggest change. We are merely giving them the benefit of our knowledge, experience and commitment to rebuilding their country. The ISF are no longer the ill-equipped, demoralized force that they were when their nation emerged from the ashes of dictatorship…they are warriors, tried, true and battle-ready. I have worked side-by-side with young, Iraqi men younger than myself. I have served alongside seasoned veterans who served under the old regime and even fought against us in Operation Desert Storm. I have seen young men and women who have lost family members to violence, who in spite of their grief, held their heads upright, squared their shoulders and continued to work towards completing the task of building the New Iraq.

I pray that they will succeed.

The cost was high enough.

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The Human Toll
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Every war has its casualties and Bayonet company was no exception. We lost three of our brothers this year to Insurgent attacks; Sergeant First Class David J. Salie, Corporal William A. Long and First Lieutenant Noah Harris, who were posthumously awarded The Bronze Star and The Purple Heart. Bayonet wounded included Specialist Driscoll, Specialist Rodgers, Sergeant Rohrbaugh, Sergeant Ski, Sergeant Taylor, Sergeant Scoutten, Sergeant Johnson, Specialist Outten, Specialist Brossom, all received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during combat operations.

Overall, the 3^rd Infantry Division lost 105 soldiers with more than double that number wounded.

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Omnia mutantur nos et mutamur in illis
(All things change, and we change with them)

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As I sit at my desk and write this final chapter in the story of Bayonet Company, I find myself looking to the future of our company, our brotherhood, our second family. In the months to come, the majority of our senior NCOs will be moving on to new assignments with the newly promoted NCOs taking their places. Some soldiers will be leaving the Army as their terms of service come to an end and even more will be moving on to new assignments. Despite the impending changes, one thing will never change and that is the unbreakable bond that we have as a unit and a brotherhood of Infantrymen.

It has been an honor writing for you this year.  Your feedback and support were invaluable.  I will continue to revise this page from time to time and I will keep you all posted on the latest Bayonet Company news…until then, be safe, fear nothing and trust in God.

SGT David C Van Engen
Bco, 2/69 Armor
3^rd Brigade, 3^rd Infantry Division

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Number of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom casualties
as confirmed by U.S. Central Command:

2,534

• Sgt Rohrbaugh suffered major wounds to his legs -requiring extensive reconstructive surgery and skin grafts- along with major injuries to his shoulder.
  
• Spc Rodgers Suffered major wounds/breaks to his legs that will take a great deal of time to heal and rehabilitate.
  
•  Pfc Outen had a large wound to his left arm/shoulder that required 29 stitches and a full antibiotic regimen due to an infection that set in after the attack. He was sent home earlier in the week for surgery.
  
  They will not be returning to duty for the duration of this deployment.
  
• Sgt Scoutten suffered minor wounds to his legs, back, and superficial damage to his face.
• Spc Johnson suffered from similar injuries but to a lesser extent.
• Pfc Casados fractured his right foot. (Unrelated incident)

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No one is more professional than I. I am a Non-Commissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a non-Commissioned Officer I realize that I am a member of a time-honored corps which is known as the "backbone of the Army." I am proud of the corps of non-Commissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the corps, the military service, and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always remain uppermost in my mind: The accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Non-Commissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership. I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties. They will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve. Seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are Non-Commissioned Officers, Leaders!

I would like to take a glimpse into the past to pay tribute to the leaders who have inspired and nurtured my development as a soldier and leader.

SSG Wright Mitchell (Master Gunner)
My first squad leader in the 1/29 Infantry Regiment. Perhaps one of the most knowledgeable NCOs that I have had the privelege of working with. He always strove for excellence and ensured that I not only learn the tasks set before me, he insisted upon the importance of understanding the basic principles behind the task. Learning how to do something without a working knowledge of what makes it work is a wasted effort. He encouraged my development as a leader and taught me the value of honor esprit de corps, personal integrity, and the principles of outstanding leadership. He was a stoic man but never hesitant to tell a joke. Affectionately (sometimes) known as "Master Splinter" for his prominent front teeth and expertise with the Bradley IFV. I still keep up with him from time to time as he moved after I did and is currently in 1/15 Infantry, one of our sister battalions in 3rd Brigade. I would follow him anywhere.

Sgt Eric Hemphill (Airborne, Air Assault)
Alpha team leader for 2nd Squad back in my old platoon in Cco, 1/29. An outdoorsman at heart and native of Texas, he was an important mentor for me as well as a confidante and friend. A well-rounded Infantryman with experience all over the world and in different types of units. Never afraid to say or do the right thing regardless of the situation. A lot of good memories from our countless MLEC gunneries and field problems. His stories were both humorous and informative. He used his experience to empower, not to lord over others soldiers like I have seen so many other people do. He taught me the value of being humble, simple, and good humored. Currently assigned to the10th Mountain Infantry Division. I have not heard from him in 2 years.

SFC Brown and SFC Barbin (Master Gunners)
My first two platoon sergeants from Cco 1/29. Both were almost identical in demeanor and appearance but completely different in leadership styles. Quiet and professional, they never allowed personal feelings to interfere or show in their lives. Men of God and family oriented. Efficient, always getting the mission done even if it involved long hours...they would keep us motivated and productive. Discipline was never an issue in the platoon with them in charge. They both awakened a desire in me to be the best at everything that I attempted...but with humility. "The next Sergeant Major of the Army" is how they referred to me...they saw something in me that a lot of leaders did and they brought out those qualities through their guidance. I will never forget the lessons that they taught me about striving for excellence.

SSG Kenny Jones (Airborne, Air Assault)
Not very many people liked this guy at all back in 1/29 but I would have followed him into battle without a moment's hesitation. Loud, -border lining obnoxious- opinionated, and hardcore, SSG Jones was one of the old guard when it came to discipline and conduct. He was hard but fair. He never showed it openly but he would -and did- do anything to take care of his soldiers. He lost most of the vision in one of his eyes during a training accident involving a 9mm paint sim round at Makenna MOUT range. Despite this setback he is still serving proudly. I still hear about him from time to time.

1Lt Mueller (Navy SEAL, Army Special Forces, Army Ranger)
I met Lt Mueller during one of my MLEC field problems back when I was still a Bradley IFV driver and instructor. A former Navy SEAL, Special Forces and Army Ranger, everyone saw him as a God. I had no idea who he was or where he had been so I treated him exactly the same way that I did all of the students who came through my vehicle; with respect, candor and absolute confidence in my capabilities. We spent the week-long field problem as a crew and we became good friends. He too saw something in me that separated me from the other soldiers in the company and he gave me the highest honor that I have ever received in my lifetime. His Navy SEAL Trident. He told me that a SEAL would rather die than give up his Trident and to receive one was almost unheard of and a reminder to always adhere to honor no matter what the cost. He told me that he saw my potential for greatness and that he would continue to keep an eye on my career as I went along. Receiving the Trident from him set the reputation that I had already established in stone and at that moment I could have done anything, gone anywhere. It was the greatest day of my career. I carry that Trident with me still.

SSG Buchanan (Bradley Section Sergeant)
A good man although I was loathe to admit it after our initial encounter. When I first met him after arriving at 2/69 he was quite possibly the most exasperating individual that I had ever had the misfortune of meeting. I mistook him for a Samoan upon our first meeting. He is an intimidating man in every respect to those who do not know him. He was my Bradley Commander (while I was still a gunner) and is mounted section leader of the platoon Bradley element. He made my life miserable for the first 8 months of working with him. Loud, brutally honest, nonchalant about the big things/ anal about the little things, unorthodox and border lining mentally unbalanced, I have never learned more than when I was working with this man. Incredibly skilled in every task, tactically minded and possessed of an uncanny ability to see reason in the face of utter obscurity/BS, he is a very able leader even though it took me a very long time to realize it. I had to earn his respect. It took a lot of hard work, moments of pure rage and more than a few frustrated tears shed on the side. Our conversations in the turret during JRTC, Gunnery and this deployment ranged from fond nostalgia to outright arguments but I have never enjoyed conversation more. His leadership, guidance and patience have served me in good stead. I would not be the soldier that I am today were it not for him forcing me to pay attention to detail, confront my weaknesses/deficiencies and overcome my self-doubt.. I owe him a great deal and I still look to him as a role model in certain areas. Even though I am no longer his gunner, some days I wish that I still was. He told me recently that were he still a private, he would follow me anywhere. I cannot think of higher praise than that. It meant the world to me.

Sgt Philip Asher (Airborne, Air Assault)
My former mounted bravo team leader. At 24 years old, he is the youngest SSG that I have met. A fast-tracker. Quick-witted, technically adept and confident, he has the "Midas touch" when it comes to being a soldier. Good-humored, professional, extremely sarcastic, energetic and slightly unbalanced, he is someone that I look to as a prime example of excellence.

SSG Markus McMaster (Army Pathfinder, Air Assault)
1st Squad Leader. Silent, professional and extremely proficient, SSG McMaster is a force to be reckoned with. A light fighter from previous experience, he nevertheless mastered every aspect of mechanized fighting in less time than it said to say "holy crap, where did this guy come from?!" which is exactly what we all said when we first met him at JRTC. Everything that he touches, he has mastered fully, living up to his namesake. Truly unique, I have never met a soldier of his caliber anywhere else in my entire career. He is possessed of a markedly reserved but amazing sense of humor. Patient and observant, he has earned the undying loyalty and respect of the entire company. A dedicated family man, lover of music and tattoo artist as a hobby. There is not a man in this Brigade who would not follow this man to the ends of the earth and beyond.

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There is one thing that I have learned over the last three years and that is that there are two kinds of leaders in the corps of NCOs: E-5s and Sergeants. Too many people have I seen who violate their sworn duty as NCOs and merely occupy a pay grade. They do not lead by example, they do not look to the welfare of their soldiers, they prostitute their integrity and they bring great discredit upon the Army. A Sergeant however is a different person entirely. They lead and they inspire the soldiers around them to be better, to work towards something greater than themselves. I have blessed throughout my career with good leadership. There have been dozens of role models that have influenced me over the years...both good and bad. Ever since I was a private I have taken note of the qualities in my leadership which work either for the good of the unit or ill. Knowing the difference is crucial to becoming a good leader. I have had some incredibly bad leadership but they only show me what not to become. The people mentioned above were the most influential...it would take pages to list all of the leaders worthy of credit both good and bad.

This upcoming year will be an interesting one as I grow into my new role as an NCO. Mistakes will be made and I must remember that as I have this annoying tendency to be pretty hard on myself. More than anything, I pray for wisdom and discernment so that I may lead effectively the men who will place their trust and lives in my leadership. A heavy burden but I'm ready.

Number of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom casualties
as confirmed by U.S. Central Command:

2,368