H-2 Happy Deuce Old Grad Newsletter Volume 2, Issue One September 2011 Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome back to the new year of the Happy Deuce Newsletter. The goal of this publication is to keep you informed of events and changes in H2 and give you general information about the Corps. I would like to add interesting stories and pictures from past years of the company and to include special events in your current life in order to facilitate the connection between Old Grads and current Cadets. So if you have anything you would like to contribute please feel free to contact me at bethany.houdeshell@usma.edu. Class Events 2012: Ring Weekend Starting off Firstie Year the Class of 2012 received their rings and enjoyed a great class weekend with friends and family. -Happy as Hell Photo of H2 Cadets Courtesy CDT Bunker 13, Co. H2 Photo of H2 Cadets Courtesy CDT Bunker 13, Co. H2 2013: Affirmation Shortly after returning to West Point for the academic year, the Class of 2013 had their Affirmation Ceremony. 2015: March Back and A-Day The Fourth Class was welcomed into H2 following March Back and at the end of the week 2015 was able to celebrate being accepted into the Corps of Cadets on A-Day. Photo Courtesy Ms. Keri Austin
Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 2 Commander Blake Boyd AY2012-1 Command Team CDT Boyd grew up on a large family farm in Pinehurst, NC as the middle child. He has two brothers and two sisters and considers himself to be a family man. During his time at West Point he was on the Cross Country and Track Team for three years as well as a year at USMAPS. CDT Boyd hopes to branch Light Cavalry and be stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC. He loves the summers and enjoys spending time on the beach. He also loves animals and dogs are his favorite. Executive Officer Tyler Skomp CDT Skomp was born and raised in the deserts of Phoenix, AZ. He is the middle child, with an older sister and a younger brother. While at West Point, CDT Skomp participated in the Parliamentary Debate Team and focused his efforts on class work revolving around his major, Civil Engineering. Tyler is planning to branch Engineers and hopes to be stationed at Ft. Carson, CO. First Sergeant Chris DiBiase CDT DiBiase is from Sanibel, FL so he grew up around the ocean. He is the oldest in a close knit family of six. At West Point he is a Dive Instructor on the SCUBA Team. He enjoys most water activities but most of all diving. CDT DiBiase earned his bubble when he graduated the Combat Divers Qualification Course over the past summer. He hopes to branch Infantry and post to either Fort Campbell or Fort Bragg.
Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 3 TAC Officer Captain Zachary Reed TAC Team CPT Reed is from Sandwich, MA and is a graduate of Norwich University where he commissioned as a Field Artillery officer. He has also completed two graduate programs, one at Norwich University and the other at Columbia University. CPT Reed has spent most of his career in Hawaii with both light and Stryker units. He has two deployments to Iraq, once as a platoon leader and the other as a Battery Commander. CPT Reed and his wife, Rebecca, have a two year old son named Alden. Whenever possible, CPT Reed tries to involve his family in the cadet activities and functions. Sergeant First Class Sean T. McCracken enlisted in the United States Army in 1999 and completed one station unit training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a 19D Cavalry Scout. Sergeant First Class McCracken has served over 12 years in various assignments throughout the United States and overseas, to include 1 st Battalion, 9 th Cavalry, Fort Hood, TX; 1 st Battalion 37 th Armor Regiment, Friedberg, Germany; 1 st Squadron, 75 th Cavalry, Fort Campbell, KY; 3d Battalion 81 st Armor Training Battalion, FT Knox, KY; 5 th Squadron 73 rd Cavalry, Ft. Bragg, NC; and is currently assigned to the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. He has held leadership positions as a Team Leader, Squad Leader, Scout Section Leader, and Platoon Sergeant in both garrison and in combat. Sergeant First Class McCracken is currently serving as a Tactical Non-Commissioned Officer for 2 nd Regiment and Hotel Company, 2 nd Regiment, United States Military Academy. TAC NCO Sergeant First Class Sean McCracken His Military Education includes Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Pathfinder Course, Jumpmaster Course, Javelin Gunners Course, Armors Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Basic Instructor Course, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, and Distinguished Honor Graduate Maneuver Senior Leaders Course. Sergeant First Class McCracken s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with V Device, The Bronze Star Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), the Army Good Conduct Award (4 th Award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (4 CS), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and was awarded the Order of Saint George Bronze Medallion.
Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 4 The Spirit Staff and the Activities Staff have gotten H2 off to a great start to the year. So far, we ve had three company BBQs, one Tuesday night dinner, one upperclass wine tasting, and produced one spirit poster for the home Army Football game. H2 Spirit and Activities CDT CPL Agha 14 (Qatar) prepares the music for the first company BBQ during the first week of classes. Upperclass Wine Tasting at Cullum Hall Right: H2 showing spirit at the SDSU game and won Most Spirited in the Battalion! Below: BBQ before Army faced SDSU. Photo Courtesy CDT Boggs 13, Co. H2 BEAT THE AZTECS! H2 Plebes work hard to create the week s Spirit Poster
Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 5 H2 company intramural teams are hard at work preparing for the competition first semester. The Coaches have put time in practice with both physically preparing to compete and spending time working plays on the Company Athletics chalkboards. The sports for this fall season remain the same as last year s fall season with companies competing in football, wrestling, basketball, soccer, handball, and Ultimate Frisbee. With the activation of the I Companies to the Corps, H2 now competes in 3 rd Battalion which will add new competition for all our teams. 2010 IM Football Team COACH CDT Griggs 12 CDT Collins 12 CDT Dellinger 12 CDT Cranston 12 CDT Ketter 13 CDT Miller 13 SPORT Football Wrestling Basketball Soccer Handball Ultimate Frisbee The Historian s Corner Bethany Houdeshell is the newsletter officer this semester. Please feel free to contact me at bethany.houdeshell@usma.edu with questions, comments, or suggestions. H2 Class of 1962
Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 6 ALUMNI BBQ! WHO: H2 Grads and Families along with current H2 Cadets WHEN: 01OCT following the 1 st /2 nd Regiment Review before the Tulane Game (approx. 1000) WHERE: Pershing Sally Port H2 showing off their impressive spirit as we cheered the Army Team onto Victory against Northwestern! Photo Courtesy CDT Boyd 12, Co. H2