1. SPARTAN
15 March 2012
NEWS
Greetings to all the Spartan families from Forward Operating
Baby Corner:
Base Lagman, Afghanistan.
Congratulations to
Since the Spartans last newsletter, Missions have continued SSG Tyler Essic and his
with some difficulty. Besides working long hours on long wife Ashleigh who
routes, the snow continued to make a serious challenge for welcomed a new
us. However, over the past few weeks, Zabul Province addition to the
Afghanistan has warmed up with temperatures as high as 45 Spartan Family. Camryn Jaide Essic was born on March 7,
degrees and as low as 30 degrees. 2012 at a perfect 7 lbs 8 oz. Welcome Camryn to the
Spartan Family!!!
Commanders Corner:
Top of the morning to you Spartan Families; I'd like to wish
you all a grand old St. Patty's Day!!
It seems as though we've climbed out of the frozen desert
weather (hopefully). The sun has been out, the equipment is
not frozen solid and the troops are smiling. I've never
considered 40 degrees warm, but it sure beats single digits.
Your soldiers have endured frigid conditions and never
wavered on their duties and responsibilities; truly
remarkable.
This month, I'd like to take a minute to discuss our
partnerships with others. Our Soldiers have done an
incredible job training active duty Engineers, who will also
conduct route clearance missions. It's astonishing that in just Birthday Dates:
90 days on the job we're considered the subject matter
experts. This is because we've dedicated the last six months
to knowing everything we can about this role. Another major
Dustin Ray-4, Jonathan Padgett-6, David Wilkes-8, Daniel
part of our job here is to train the Afghanistan National Army
(ANA)Engineers. These soldiers have classes on literacy and Beekman-11, Broderick Moore-15, Sean Brafford-18,
Afghan cultural awareness as well as daily training from our Charles Prieto-19, Christopher Taylor-19, Rickey Stokes-
Spartans. The language barriers make it more challenging, 20, BJ Raines-26, Donald Edge-30. Happy Birthday to all
however SSG Hayes, SGT Padgett and SGT Plitt spend every these Spartans!!! HOOAH!
day working with all aspects of the development and the
mentoring of the ANA soldiers. All our patrols have partnered
with the Afghan soldiers, but this takes it to a completely
new level. It's an experience of a lifetime for both the
Spartans and the Afghans. I cannot say enough about the
effort these NCOs are providing as we leave a lasting impact
on the ANA's abilities to fight the Taliban.
Spartan 6

2. SPARTAN
15 March 2012
NEWS Long’s primary job is fixing the Route Clearance vehicles
that go out everyday and he is really good at it!
Outside of the Guard, PV1 Long loves spending time with
his family. His wife Alana, and his kids, Ryder and Isaac and
Soldiers of the Month: huge supporters of his. Long has one true enjoyment in life
outside of his family, and that’s driving. Long resides in
Pontiac Michigan and drives, once a month to drill, in North
Carolina. This is some true dedication on his behalf.
This is Long’s first deployment and he is doing a superb job.
PV1 Long has met and exceeded the standards of the 883rd
Sappers and is worthy of possessing the title of Spartan!
SGT Stobbe and SPC Beekman from 4th Platoon 883rd
RCC competed in the Battalion NCO/ Soldier of the
Month Board. These Spartans competed against other
NCO’s and junior enlisted throughout the Battalion.
These Spartans set the standard for all others to follow
by winning the whole thing!!!
SPARTANS of the Month:
SPC James Ray has also been selected to be a Spartan of the
Month. Ray graduated from Marlboro County High School
in 2008. He then enlisted in the NC Army National Guard.
He attended Basic Training and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood
Missouri in October of 2008 as a Combat Engineer. Ray is
assigned to 1st Platoon 883rd RCC. Within his Platoon, his
primary job is driving a 916 truck, his secondary as a
GyroCam Operator. Ray has became a Subject Matter
Expert in his field helping his Platoon be successful.
Outside of the Guard, SPC Ray enjoys fishing, listening to all
PV1 Jonathan Long is selected as one of our Spartans of sorts of music and traveling. Ray’s favorite times are
the Month. PV1 Long is a skilled wrench turner. He relaxing and “chilling” with his family.
graduated from West Highland Christian Academy in
2002. After high school, he realized he wanted to serve This is SPC Ray’s first deployment and is a dedicated
and he enlisted in the National Guard. Long attended warrior.
Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY in 2009 and then onto
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD for 91B school. He is SPC Ray has met and exceeded the standards of the 883rd
assigned to HQ Maintenance Section 883rd RCC. Sappers and is worthy of possessing the title of Spartan!

3. SPARTAN
NEWS
15 March 2012
Taking the Oath:
During the month of February, CPT McVeigh
read the Re-enlistment Oath to several
Spartan Warrior’s. SGT Jerry Cuadra Lopez
SPC Mark Bergstresser, and SPC Joesph
Girmann have served their time and did not
hesitate to re-enlist and serve more. This
is a decision of some true Hero’s.
Congratulations to them for their
commitment to the country, the United
States Army, and the 883rd Spartans.

4. SPARTAN
NEWS
15 March 2012
Your Spartans at a Glance
Ugh…he’s
heavy!!!
2nd Platoon conducting some mounted rehearsals during a
Refit day.
Spartan’s conducting a dismount operation. Look at
that view!!!
3rd Platoon’s very own Platoon Sergeant, SSG Cross, taking
1st Platoon setting up their HIIDES check point, and a well earned break after a long patrol.
SPC Honeycutt pulling security for it.

5. SPARTAN
NEWS
15 March 2012
Your Spartans at a Glance
No, no, no.
Lefty Loosy
righty tighty!
1st Platoon’s Maintenance Team recovering the Romanians
from a rollover…again.
SSG Padgett training the ANA on proper ways to
conduct vehicle PMCS at FOB Apache.
4th Platoon cheesing after conducting some HIIDES. The maintenance boys… taking a break from turning those
wrenches!!!

6. SPARTAN
NEWS
15 March 2012

7. SPARTAN
KIDS
15 February 2012
Which way do I go to
get me pot o’ gold?
SPARTANS
GOLD
SOLVE ME

8. SPARTAN
KIDS
15 February 2012
COLOR ME

9. SPARTAN
NEWS
15 March 2012
883rd Company FRG Leader:
Commander:
Lanora Essic (Mama Essic)
CPT James E. McVeigh
Jim.e.mcveigh@us.army.mil lynoraessic@gmail.com
883rd Company 1SG: Red Cross:
1SG Jason A. Zike www.redcross.org
Jason.zike@us.army.mil
Rear Detachment NCOIC:
Military Onesource:
SGT Jana Soule
www.militaryonesource.mil
j.soule@us.army.mil