323rd MI Battalion, OIF 1 Reunion Page

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323rd MI Battalion, OIF 1 Reunion Page The 323rd MI Battalion received activation orders Jan. 16, 2003. Members were initially sent to Fort Dix, N.J., and then to Kuwait and Iraq during OIF 1.

in January 2003, the 323 Military Intelligence Battalion was mobilized through Fort Dix, NJ and in late March 2003 deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. LTC Timothy Dunn was in command, supported by XO MAJ Michael Colarusso (until June), and CSM Diane May. Company commanders were: CPT Tonia Shaw (HHC), CPT Timothy Girard (Alpha), CPT Olen Culbertson (Bravo), and CPT John Cunliffe (Charlie). The ground war was about ten days old upon our arrival in Kuwait. On our first day in theater, Alpha Company was immediately separated out and transferred to Doha, Kuwait (eventually redeployed in September 2003). The rest of the 323 MI BN was bussed to Camp Udairi (later renamed Camp Buehring). Over the next few days over a dozen specialized interrogators/translators were moved forward into Iraq. Within several weeks the BN created a joint team of Bravo and Charlie company Soldiers for a special mission tasked to deal with Iranian Mujahedin e-Khalq at Camp Ashraf. By July, other than HHC maintaining an RSOI mission at Doha, the rest of 323 had advanced into Iraq: the majority working with Iraq Survey Group on Camp Slayer, five HUMINT teams dispersed in five locations in central/eastern Iraq (Al K*t, Karbala, Al Hilla, etc), and a HQ compound on west side of Baghdad International Airport. Originally falling under 513 MI BDE's COL Jones, our mission later was under command of 205 MI BDE's COL Pappas. A small number of Soldiers had been on continuous orders prior to the deployment, and after considerable effort redeployed in mid-tour after two full years on orders. The 323 MI BN (minus the squad that remained behind to finalize all details) redeployed to Ft. Dix at end of March 2004. The unit earned a "Meritorious Unit Commendation" medal for its service.

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2026/02/26/va-to-formally-rescind-controversial-disability-ratings-rule/?utm_sour...
03/04/2026

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2026/02/26/va-to-formally-rescind-controversial-disability-ratings-rule/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=army-dnr&fbclid=IwY2xjawQVT_hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeHba8yoNWSPzRTiGdLdqQd9xDAhDp4WoSfbwrQ7AC_JC_pOXxSEWmeaWtrQg_aem_e8tRMzPmJ_SLLhUun2hvbw

A policy requiring VA medical examiners to include effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be formally rescinded on Feb. 27.

03/04/2026

Others may not have had the exact experience, the exact same wounds, but are here to walk with you... we, the living, have a mission to complete and can heal together.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/809893784695482

03/04/2026

Congratulations to all the Soldiers who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics!
Special shout-out to the 2026 Winter Olympics Bobsled Team USA and their coach, Lt. Col. Garrett Hines.

Hines served as the start coach for Team USA's four-man and two-man teams, helping them compete in Milan this year.

A three-time Olympian, Team USA bobsled coach, and Environmental Science Officer (72D), Hines guided the next generation of Soldier-athletes toward the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.

A Soldier in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, Hines earned a silver medal in the four-man bobsled at the 2002 Winter Olympics before transitioning to coaching.

Growing up, Hines excelled in track and field. He placed second in his Memphis regional meet, qualifying for the Tennessee State Track and Field Championships in the 200 meters. He did not discover bobsled until age 23, but quickly developed a passion for the sport. Recruited by noted driver Bruce Rosselli in 1992, he went on to earn multiple medals, including an Olympic silver medal.

With a family military legacy dating back to the Civil War and both World Wars, Hines saw U.S. Army service as a natural path. Through the World Class Athlete Program, he continues to serve the nation as a Soldier, Olympian, and coach.




USA Bobsled/Skeleton
Army Family and MWR Programs
U.S. Army

4 Chaplains...
02/02/2026

4 Chaplains...

It’s Feb. 3, 1943, 80 years ago. Midway through World War II. The torpedo strikes. The troop transport Dorchester goes black. Confusion reigns. But four chap...

12/27/2025
SSG Brandon Pepper (OIF 1)Staff Sergeant Brandon R. Pepper, a native of York, Pennsylvania, was killed in action on July...
11/14/2025

SSG Brandon Pepper (OIF 1)

Staff Sergeant Brandon R. Pepper, a native of York, Pennsylvania, was killed in action on July 21, 2012, after sustaining wounds from enemy small arms fire during combat operations in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was 31 years old.

Pepper began his military career in January 2000, enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves as an Intelligence Analyst. After completing his initial training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, he was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland, and deployed in March 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2008, he transitioned to Active Duty, completed Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry squad leader.

In October 2009, he completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, and in 2011, graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course. He was then assigned to Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant (18E). This was his second deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.

Staff Sergeant Brandon Robert Pepper is remembered as a dedicated Green Beret, committed leader, and selfless warrior. He is survived by his spouse, three brothers, and parents. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

11/12/2025

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2118 Annapolis Road
Fort George G Meade, MD
20755

Telephone

+13018336545

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