Article about the DSTB

This article is about the 3rd ID Division Special Troops Battalion. The Band is one of four companies that make up the DSTB. The LTC Marcos interviewed for this piece is the Commander of the DSTB - so she would be Eric's boss's boss.

www.stewart.army.mil

3ID HQ battalion assumes responsibility of Iraq mission
- Submitted by Sgt. Johnathon Jobson, 1st Brigade Public Affairs -


COB SPIECHER, Iraq - Soldiers from the 3rd Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division received the reigns from 25th Infantry Division's DSTB Oct. 29, in a ceremony held at COB Speicher. The ceremony marked the fourth time that the DSTB, 3rd ID, took charge of troops and missions in Iraq.

With the uncasing of the battalion colors, Lt. Col. Nora Marcos, the commander of DSTB, 3rd ID, and Command Sgt. Maj. Byron Loyd, the battalion command sergeant major, officially accepted the DSTB's mission from Lt. Col. Eric Angeli and Command Sgt. Maj. Valerie Greene, DSTB, 25th ID's command team.

"Special Troops Battalion is responsible for force protection and base defense, but we also have a dining facility, quick reactionary force and the entry control point (that we are also responsible for)," said Lt. Col. Marcos. "We have the Soldiers that provide information and situational awareness to the Division Commander."

In addition to the on base responsibilities, the DSTB also has commitments off base. Relationships built with the local and provincial Iraqi leaders and citizens must also be continued, Lt. Col. Marcos iterated. "Right now they are building two schools in our area. They are hoping to finish the contract for a clinic in a community that has never had one in their existence," Lt. Col. Marcos explained. "We are working with the provincial leaders to put those plans together and execute those contracts. The partnership between this fine unit and the provincial leaders is a legacy we intend to continue."

As the Soldiers of DSTB, 3rd ID, have started their year-long deployment, their path has not been a clearly defined one.

Lieutenant Colonel Marcos however, has her own guidance for the troops. "Where do we go from here? We start the mission and we own it," Lt. Col. Marcos said. "We command and control Multi-National Division-North."

For DSTB, the mission has begun. It's now up to the DSTB Soldiers to write the next chapter in the battalion's history books. It's time for them to once again make their country proud.