CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. – The Wisconsin Army Nationwide Guard’s 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) headquarters performed a patching ceremony to formally induct volunteers from outdoors of the 157th into the brigade for his or her upcoming mobilization. The headquarters firm will mobilize this fall in help of Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa to boost partnership and stability within the area.
On the left sleeve of each Soldier, there resides a patch to point the army unit to which they belong. Every unit’s patch is exclusive and has symbolic that means related to the unit it represents.
The Army has a long-standing custom of formally recognizing new members of a corporation by means of a patch ceremony. The ceremony welcomes Troopers who’ve not too long ago transferred to the unit into the group and represents the combination of latest Troopers into the unit. Throughout the ceremony, management explains the symbolism behind the unit’s insignia with a purpose to instill an understanding of its heritage after which replaces the Troopers’ earlier unit’s insignia with the brand new patch.
First Sgt. Ann Felhofer, the primary sergeant of the headquarters firm, was charged with explaining the that means behind the insignia of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, referred to as the “Iron Brigade.”
“The yellow and scarlet colours symbolize area artillery,” Felhofer mentioned. “The arrowhead and gunsight symbolize the unit’s fundamental mission. The blue waves signify the numerous waterways of the state of Wisconsin, which Native People known as ‘Gathering of the Waters.’ And eventually, the arrow represents the brigade’s lengthy affiliation with the thirty second Infantry Division.”
Col. Eric Leckel, the brigade commander of the 157th, addressed the deploying unit upon completion of the ceremony.
“Once we arrive to the Horn of Africa, we’ll conduct missions that may deliver optimistic change to Africa, and thereby impact change in the remainder of the world,” Leckel mentioned. “I’m standing within the midst of historical past makers, a workforce of world changers, every one among us.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Duane Weyer, the brigade’s senior enlisted advisor, spoke on the Army’s “That is My Squad” initiative.
“Envision a triangle, within the center stands the Soldier,” Weyer mentioned. “The three factors of the triangle signify the Soldier’s management, battle buddies, and their households and employers. These individuals who type our help system create a ‘Golden Triangle’ round every of us. This workforce will present us with the help we require within the occasions forward.”
Sgt. Christina Miller, formally a member of the thirty second Infantry Brigade Fight Group, was requested about how she felt becoming a member of the coveted “Iron Brigade.”
“Becoming a member of this workforce for our upcoming deployment will probably be an thrilling journey,” mentioned Miller. “It’s an incredible alternative to fulfill and work alongside Troopers from different models of the Wisconsin Nationwide Guard.”
The Wisconsin Nationwide Guard will launch particulars of the sendoff ceremony for the 157th Brigade headquarters’ mobilization at a later date.
