Where the Sun Don’t Shine: HQ Platoon—The Unsung Heroes of the Battle

Where the Sun Don’t Shine
HQ Platoon—The Unsung Heroes of the Battle
2BT Newsletter: Daggers Edge V1, Iss13
1st Lt. Neal Rice
May 15, 2007

Headquarters Platoon, historically loathed as a duty position, is turning the tide. Never ending inventories, detailed battle tracking, mind boggling maintenance schedules and endless days within the confines of the Battery CP - all where the sun don’t shine - is finally paying off. With the help of Alpha Battery’s best in the business headquarters team, the world is beginning to recognize the added value of the ‘silent warriors’ of the Headquarters Platoon.

Every morning, not later than 0530, Sgt. Matthew Woodburn of Owego, NY, makes the trek from his sleep tent to the confines of the Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Command Post. Sgt. Woodburn runs the daily operations within the command post. A Chemical Specialist by training, Woodburn anxiously awaits the month that chemical protective masks are included in the cyclic inventories. As he runs the show for Alpha Battery, Woodburn dreams about his planned move to Lancaster, Pa., where he will finally become a citizen of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. But for now, he has duties to tend to. With the help of his headquarters team, the Alpha Battery “Aces” are on the ball.

Soon after Woodburn’s arrival, the battery supply team punches the clock. Sgt. Michael Evans, of Concord, Calif., and Spc. Carlos Caraballo of Ponce, Puerto Rico, work tirelessly to ensure Alpha Battery has everything needed to accomplish any mission. Evans brings the cunning wisdom of a seasoned supply sergeant to the fight. There is no question, Evans’ work is essential in allowing Alpha Battery to meet any task. When he isn’t working his supply magic, Evans is thinking up new culinary creations. Schooled in hospitality management, he looks forward to enjoying his leave by preparing dinner with his wife, Nicole, a trained pastry chef.

Spc. Caraballo lets a little sun in. As the Alpha Battery Supply Specialist, he works hand in hand with Evans to track equipment, order supplies and keep the maneuver platoons well stocked with all they need to perform their tasks. More than that though, Caraballo brings a spirited and infectiously positive attitude to the team. To find the lighter side of the situation, the Aces need only call on him. On April 12, Caraballo and his wife, Ashley, welcomed the birth of their first child, Carlos Isaiah. The headquarters team and all the Aces have greatly enjoyed Caraballo’s pictures from home, showing the happy and healthy little one.

Together, the Alpha Battery Headquarters Platoon is making a tremendous impact. When the headquarters runs smoothly, the maneuver platoons can focus solely on their immediate tasks. In Alpha Battery, the headquarters is smooth and the platoons are getting the job done.