Arnold Kloepper

his is a great job. The 173d, and service in general, is challenging; 100% true. Five days ago we were doing company live fires in Germany, today is a Bn jump in Italy. Not easy. Which is why it’s so totally special to reenlist and promote our Troopers and leaders. It’s about believing in and finding purpose in the long game; in the long game America needs a great Army. Congratulations to CPT Connor Houston and CPT Beth Glover - ya’ll make my week! Thank you for your service and dedication to our Troopers and Nation.

Building Leaders. An amazing - and personally powerful moment - to watch Battle Company promote SGT Classon, SGT Johnson, and SGT Pancicco after smashing the Brigade’s final night company live fire. And - on St Michael’s Day. Michael is the Patron Saint of the Airborne - the Arch Angel who leads the war of good against evil…. a bad ass Patron Saint….fitting for Paratroopers. This day - with my first company (Battle Hard!) - on this range (19 years after LFX validation for OEF VI) - was amazingly fitting end to a great, and miserably tough, and memory making 3 weeks.

he Rifle Squad, All American Pipe Hitters!
So, we talk a lot about “cohesion and trust” - but you can’t just talk about it. Cohesion is earned. These guys just spent 3 weeks in a pretty hellacious training rotation - and today they absolutely crushed company live fires. Our squads and sections and teams are the most important parts of the Brigade, period; and the warrior spirit is alive and well in Attack Company!! Great work you hooligans. Safe travels home and be safe this weekend.

Sometimes “People First” means world class medical training. About a year ago we started to really focus on medical proficiency - and it’s starting to pay off. There are hard earned lessons, especially in combat medical care, that must take us into the future. It must be this way - our Troopers are a National treasure and should be cared for as such. We love our medics.

“Sir, my job today is to kill a tank.” 1/1 Legion Company. Absolutely perfect. Round two of Company Live Fires under way. Off to a great start.

Chosen Mortars - Coordinated Illumination - absolutely awesome; total technical expertise. Great work Chosen Company - you guys crushed it last night; and for this moment in time - you are among the most well trained companies in the Army. Period. Expectations are high. Be safe over the next few days of redeployment. Chosen Few!

MOD Company’s LFX MVP - The Gustav Gunner. Direct hits - day and night - on all targets. We’ve been working on tank killing marksmanship - it shows. Really exceptional work, thanks for bringing you “A Game” MOD Company! Crushed it. Like, couldn’t be prouder.

Hell yeah! Spending a little time with Chaos Battery today; I had no idea how much I loved cannons or crews until I got some; total blind spot for an Infantryman. These guys rock, getting ready for EX Foch in France in early October. You guys are going to be great, proud of you. Have fun and be good this weekend.

It's what you do when no one is watching. 7:50 0n a dreary and rainy morning ; 3 days after the 40 miler, and these Scouts are putting in the work. I mean - crushing. that's character - 100%. when i finally caught up.... its a staff Sergeant. Yap - no surprise - this small team out doing exactly the right thing - they're being led by an NCO - and that's bad ass. This what right looks like - and we couldn't be prouder.