Here are the key points about the upcoming deployment to NTC: - 3-16 will be deploying to the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, CA in June for approximately 1 month. - The purpose is to certify firing sections and test all systems, including the Family Readiness Groups, prior to an upcoming deployment. - At NTC, Soldiers will face a 14-day field problem called "The Box" which simulates deployment conditions. - Before entering The Box, Soldiers will draw equipment from NTC and receive training on systems they will use. - After 14 days in The Box, Soldiers will return equipment and begin the process of returning to Fort Carson.

1. Hello Thunder Families!
Welcome to our first edition of the
battalion newsletter. We hope that the
“Thunder Times” serves as a useful
source of helpful information from the
command that updates Families and
Soldiers and provides contact
information for the many resources
that exist in the battalion, at Fort
Carson and across the Army to assist
families and Soldiers. CSM Perez and
I look forward to increasing our
dialogue with you as we prepare for
training at the National Training
Center (NTC) in June and potential
future deployments.
In this newsletter, you’ll find
several sections with useful FRG and
chain of command points of contact,
columns by our battery command
teams and helpful event information.
You’ll see several Soldiers highlighted
for promotion and achievement as
well as our monthly “Soldier
Spotlight” illustrating the great
things Thunder Soldiers are
doing every day. We welcome
any suggestions or feedback you
have to make the “Thunder
Times” a useful and informative
communication tool for the
greater Thunder Battalion
Family.
Again, our sincerest thanks
for the hard work, service and
commitment that Thunder Sol-
diers and Families contribute
that make our battalion great.
It’s an honor and privilege to
command this battalion.
“Rolling Thunder!”
LTC Keith Jarolimek
First of all, I would like to thank you all for everything you do for the
Thunder Battalion and our Army! We are experiencing several changes
throughout our formation. The Army recently started its Ready and
Resilient Campaign (R2C) to synchronize multiple existing Army pro-
grams. Some of the major programs being focused on by R2C are the
Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness Program, the Sexual Assault
Prevention and Response Program, the Army's suicide prevention efforts,
the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, transition programs and the
Wounded Warrior care programs. These types of programs will help take
care of Soldiers and our Families.
CSM Benito Perez JR, Thunder 7
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
APRIL 2013
Thunder TimesThunder Times
3-16TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT
Chaplain 2
Calendar 3
BOSS 4
Soldier Spotlight 5
HHB & Alpha 6
Bravo & Golf FSC 7
Family Readiness Group 8
Did you know? (NTC)
Promotions
Hail & Farewells
9
Family Day Photos 10
CFNCO & POCs 11
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1PAGE 2
“What Legacy Are You Living?”
Chaplain Jung
Who are the folks in your life that has affected you to be the person who you are
today? Everyone we know has made some impression onto our lives – for better
and for worse. Just so, we have also made our mark on others as well. Perhaps,
some do not really care what legacy they will live or how they affect others. Maybe
we would rather not think about our legacy or the story we are creating.
If you care to venture… So what legacy are you living? Wikipedia defines legacy
as “Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor from the past.” We
are all creating our own stories that are affecting our spouses, children, peers,
friends, family members, and to a larger profound sense, our society. We are both
accountable for the way we live, as well as, accountable to how we affect others.
Children are prime examples of how our legacy affects others - their emotional,
intellectual, and physical form emulates who we are, wholly.
John Donne (an English poet, satirist, lawyer and a cleric in the Church of England)
remarked, “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the conti-
nent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is of the less,
as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of a friend’s or of thine own
were. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and
therefore never send for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.”
And, because we are involved in mankind our lives are not less but indeed great for
living a worthwhile legacy.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
(Psalm 139:14)

3. THUNDER TIMES PAGE 3

4. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1PAGE 4
Battalion Boss Reps: SPC David McDuffie and SPC Stephanie VanKleeck

5. THUNDER TIMES PAGE 5
From: Rapid City, South Dakota
MOS: 13D- Automated Field Artillery Tactical Data System Specialist
Joined the Army: Sep 2007
Why he joined the Army: SSG Gates comes from a military
background and has always wanted to serve his country.
The most interesting thing he has done with 3-16 FAR:
SSG Gates deployments have been the most interesting thing
he has done with 3-16. Gates says that each deployment has
had a different mission and that has made each one interesting.
From: Quinlan, Texas
MOS: 13B- Field Artillery
Joined the Army: Jun 2012
Why he joined the Army: PFC Ybarra joined the service
because he wanted to serve his country with his friends.
The most interesting thing he has done with 3-16 FAR:
During Operation Rolling Thunder PFC Ybarra fired his
first live round. Ybarra says that this was one of the best
experiences that he has had in the Army thus far.

6. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1PAGE 6
To all the Family members of the Hard
Rock Battery,
Wishing everyone a wonderful welcome
from the Hard Rock Command Team,
Commander Captain Christopher Coats
and First Sergeant Tonio Childress! We
are enjoying working with each and
every Solider, Spouse, Father, and
Mother. The Soldiers in the Hard Rock
Battery are some of the most
hardworking and dedicated Soldiers in
our Army today. We have some great
events coming up that we hope to see
you at. On the 3rd
of May we will have a
“bring your kids to work” day, which
will start off with a Family PT, at 0700.
Then on the 20th
of May at 1200 and
1800, in the McMahon Theater, there
will be a town hall meeting with the
Thunder Battalion Command Team,
Lieutenant Colonel Keith Jarolimek
and Command Sergeant Major Benito
Perez, to discuss the upcoming
deployment, and answer any questions
that you might have. We look forward
to hearing from each and everyone of
you.
CPT Christopher Coats
1SG Tonio Childress
Center (NTC). In addition, Auto-
matic Battery continued to prepare
for the upcoming change of
command between current
Commander, CPT Michael Koller
and former battalion Fire Direction
Officer, CPT David Collins,
scheduled for the first of May.
April 24th
marks the next Family
Readiness Group event to take
place at the Thunder Alley
Bowling Center. The meeting will
serve to disseminate further
information concerning follow on
training preceding June’s
deployment to NTC. In addition
this event is an opportunity to meet
the incoming commander, CPT
Collins.
CPT Koller & 1SG Murphy
A/3-16 FAR
Upon return from the Piñon
Canyon Field Training Exercise,
Automatic Battery returned to the
training circuit with a focus on
rifle and machine gun marksman-
ship to certify and qualify Sol-
diers on weapon systems in the
Battery. At the same time, the
Battery continued preparations to
provide indirect fires in support
of 2/8 Infantry Battalion’s
Gunnery exercise. This exercise
will enable 2/8 to certify its infan-
try and armor crews; while pro-
viding Automatic Battery a final
opportunity to certify howitzer
sections before June’s deploy-
ment to the National Training

7. THUNDER TIMES PAGE 7
the Army. He will have the honor to
take the company to NTC, and then
deploy with them in them in the fall.
Until then, I will continue to prepare
them for their future missions. Until the
change of command is official, I will
also get to opportunity to do some of
my favorite things as a commander, and
that is to award, promote and reenlist
high quality Soldiers. The last few
months, we’ve had several promotions;
particularly two of them from Specialist
to Non-commissioned Officers: SGT’s
Antu and Vanbeber. More recently, we
have had a few additions to the com-
pany; in fact, in the last month we have
had six babies born and several more on
the way. The future is bright for the
company. I am privileged to have had
the opportunity to be a part of this com-
pany and to work with the outstanding
Soldiers that belong to it. I have at-
tended many changes of command over
the last 12 years, and one common
theme has emerged from the outgoing
commanders speech through all of
them, and that is command is one of the
most challenging yet rewarding experi-
ences one can have in the Army. After
To the families and friends of G
Forward Support Company, the last
several months have been an exciting
and busy time for the company. We
were able to provide seamless logistics
support to the Battalion without fail
during the last several Field Training
Exercises. Notably, during our exer-
cises in Pinion Canyon, we won an
award for the best Field Feeding Section
in the Brigade. While only the Field
Feeding Section was publicly recog-
nized, I firmly believe that it holds true
to every section in the company.
Though we have been full of activity in
the recent past, our training is not about
to lighten up. We are now getting ready
for our rotation to the National Training
Center at Fort Irwin, California where
all of our hard work and training will
pay off as we continue our practice of
timely and accurate sustainment. Addi-
tionally, Golf Company is in a period of
transition as we prepare to conduct a
change of command. Captain Carlos
Figueroa is scheduled to take command
on the 22nd
of May, and I will be hand-
ing over to him one of the most highly
trained Forward Support Company’s in
17 months in command, I can attest that
particular sentiment is very true. The
Gladiator Company has its work cut out
for them, but they will meet every chal-
lenge head on and not stop until they
succeed. I have witnessed this time and
again; nothing is impossible. Finally, to
the families of the Soldiers, we could
not do what we do without you. Your
support is priceless and the foundation
to our success. Thank you for
everything.
Gladiator 6
&
Gladiator 7
Over the last month, the Bulldogs of Bravo Battery have successfully prepared for
the upcoming exercise at the National Training Center by conducting support of the
Companies and Battalions of 2 ABCT at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Although the
weather did not always cooperate, as the Soldiers had to endure multiple blizzards,
the platoons were always in position ready to fire in support of our maneuver broth-
ers. Most importantly, no one lost any fingers or toes in the vehicle high snow drifts,
and stayed warm in their MOPP Level 4 equipment. The training truly allowed the
Battery to see itself and develop a plan to continue on the path of greatness in every
training opportunity provided. We will continue to move forward, intending to be-
come the most trained and proficient Battery that we can.
Since the return, the Battery has focused on developing additional proficiency in our
assigned individual weapons, completing a series of M4 carbine and M249/M240
machine gun ranges. Next week will conclude the ranges, and a friendly competition
will show which section has the best shooters in the Battery. Another friendly com-
petition is also brewing with the upcoming APFT, with the top scoring platoon and
section achieving bragging rights for the next 6 months. I predict a huge upset by the
headquarters section.
Finally, I would like to thank all of the Bulldog Families for the successful FRG
meeting on the 11th
of April. The Colorado weather struck once again, making it
colder and windier than expected. Becky Cyphers, Kate Lengel, and I appreciate you
all still coming out to receive valuable information about the next few months, take
the opportunity to talk with legal about Power of Attorneys, and compete in some
friendly athletic events. The basketball games may show that some of us belong in
the D League, but I still think it has to do with those double rims. Hopefully, SGT
Boler learned it is not a smart idea to drive at 1SG Harris in the lane, but some people
never learn….
We hope to see all the families again for the next FRG event on the 16th
of May.
CPT Lengel & 1SG Harris

8. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1PAGE 8
tive attitude toward themselves, the unit,
the deployment, and the Army
• Increase morale
• Foster increased levels of cohesion and
confidence for Family members and de-
ployed Soldiers
• Unite other Family programs designed to
improve the quality of life
Family Readiness
Groups Are Not:
• Part of the casualty notification
process
• A babysitting service
• A surrogate parent
• A social worker
• A taxi/bus service
• A loan agency
• A lending closet/service
• A welfare agency
• All things to all
people
What is an FRG?
The official definition of a Family Readiness
Group is, “AN ORGANIZATION OF FAM-
ILY MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS, SOL-
DIERS, AND ANYONE WHO CARES
ABOUT THE MISSION OF THE UNIT
THAT TOGETHER PROVIDE AN AVE-
NUE OF MUTUAL SUPPORT, ASSIS-
TANCE AND A NETWORK OF COMMU-
NICATION AMONG THE FAMILY MEM-
BERS, AND CHAIN OF COMMAND AND
COMMUNITY RESOURCES.”
Family Readiness Groups may be different
for every unit, depending upon the Com-
mander, the Leader, the number of Families
involved, and available resources. All FRGs
throughout the Army share the same purpose
- to empower Army Families and make them
independent rather then dependent. The role
you play in your FRG is your choice. You are
welcome to participate as much as you would
like to, or are able to. There are many pro-
jects to become involved in, each of them
important in their purpose, such as communi-
cations, newsletters, hospitality, social func-
tions, and fundraising. The more empowered
the FRGs are the more the Rear Detachment
can do to assist and support our Soldiers and
their Families.
Family Readiness Groups:
• Empower Families to become more knowl-
edgeable and self-reliant
• Promote more efficient use of community
resources
• Reduce Soldier and Family member stress
• Increase the Soldier’s ability to devote his/
her full attention to the mission
• Care for each other
• Provide a helping hand when needed
• Answer questions
• Give moral support
• Establish a sense of Family within the unit
• Access information and resources to help
you solve problems
• Provide an effective way of gaining infor-
mation and control during deployment and
other times
• Help Family members develop a more posi-

9. THUNDER TIMES PAGE 9
Hails:
MAJ Thibodeau, Stephen
2LT Dinkel, Matt
2LT Dyianni, Issac
2LT Taggart, Ted
2LT Turner, Matt
CPT Lilley, Matt
CPT Hubbs, Edward
CPT Figueroa, Carlos
SFC Jones, David
SFC White, Timothy
Farewells:
MAJ Herman, Wade
CPT Pittard, Joe
CPT Kim, Eddie
CPT Koller, Mike
CPT Jung, Benjamin
1LT Harris, Pete
MSG Haley, Maurice
3-16 will be deploying to the National Training Center (NTC) in June. Deployments to NTC are
typically a month long and are used in preparation for deployment. 3-16 will use the deployment to
certify its firing sections prior to the upcoming deployment. 2ABCT will test all of its systems during
the deployment to NTC. The Family Readiness Groups will be used and tested just as they were
during Pinion Canyon. The Battalion wants to test all systems that it has in place prior to
deployment to ensure that they working properly.
While at NTC the Soldiers will face a 14 day field problem is what is referred to as the “Box”. Prior
to deploying to the Box, Soldiers will draw equipment from NTC and be trained on systems that they
will use during the deployment to NTC. Once the Soldiers are trained they will deploy to the Box for
14 days. Upon re-deployment from the Box, Soldiers will return all equipment drawn from NTC and
begin the process to return to Fort Carson. If you would like more information on NTC please visit
Fort Irwin's website below.
http://www.irwin.army.mil/Pages/default.aspx
SGT Donald Jimenez
SGT David McShane
SGT Maxime Montjoie
SGT Jonathan Clark
SGT Matthew Clem
SGT Jason Cornatzer
SGT Justin VanBeber
SGT Melvin Willinghan
SGT Emmanuel Mercado
Congratulations to all!

10. On April 21st, approximately 140 Family
members travelled to the field to observe
artillery live fire. While they were there, they
also got to dry fire some of the
weapons systems and play around on the tanks.
Thank you to everyone that participated!

11. The Thunder times is an authorized online publication for the members of the Department of Defense.
Contents of the Thunder Times are not necessarily official views of or endorsed by, the U.S. Government,
DoD, or Department of the Army. The editorial content of this monthly publication is the responsibility of
the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment.
Staff Duty 719-524-1825 will have #'s for FRLs & RDC
Command Financial
NCO(AER Loan) 719-526-2955 If no answer, call Staff Duty
FRSA 719-526-1635 dyanne.beckman@us.army.mil
Alpha Battery
FRG Leader 316alphafrg@gmail.com
Bravo Battery
FRG Leader bbatt.316frg@gmail.com
HHB
FRG Leader hhb316far12@gmail.com
Golf FSC
FRG Leader gladiators316frg@gmail.com
Many households today maintain a credit card for emergen-
cies, this is a bad practice.
Step 1: Pay the minimum payment on your debts while you
save up $1000.00 in a savings account. This is your emer-
gency fund for issues such as when the car breaks or emer-
gency dental care.
Step 2: After saving up $1000.00 start paying off your debts
with the “Debt Snowball.” To accomplish this pay the
minimum payments on all your debt (car loans, credit cards
etc.) except the one with the lowest balance, apply the
remainder of your monthly funds to this debt. This will pay
off the debt with the lowest balance first and free up funds
from month to month. Repeat this step until you are debt free.
For financial assistance or confidential 1 on 1 budget
counseling and contact SSG Bergstreser at 526-2955 or
kyle.r.bergstreser.mil@mail.mil