Page 8 - Ft. Huachuca Scout 7-2-15

8A The Scout
Cochise County Outlaws perform with a special guest performer
Story and photos by Natalie Lakosil
Staff Writer
The Cochise County Outlaws, 62nd Army Rock
Band, performed for advanced individual training stu-
dents in a special concert at Eifler Fitness Center on
June 27.
Joining them on stage for the band last three songs
was none other than Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley, com-
manding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Ex-
cellence and Fort Huachuca. The Outlaws are part of the
Military Intelligence Corps Band, or 62nd Army Band.
“I thought the performance went great!” said Spc.
William Wallace, MI Corps Band, lead guitar/vocals.
“We had a good turnout and it was a lot of fun. The
audience seemed to really appreciate us, and we really
appreciated them.”
His favorite part of the performance was having Ash-
ley join them on stage
“I was adequate at best, but I actually had a blast,”
Ashley said after finishing the show. “That’s the first
time I’ve actually ever played with a band like that on
stage.”
“We knew he was a guitar player, because he would
always come and talk to the guitar players at different
The Cochise County Outlaws, 62nd Army Rock Band with special
guest Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley, commanding general, U.S. Army
Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, rehearse
two weeks before they’re performance on June 27th.
From BIRTHDAY, Page 3A
ers bring to the table is always something signaleers
looks forward to.
For Col. Charles Parker, III Corps G6, a 22 year
Signal leader, this is one of the biggest advantages
for the regiment during the week.
“Signal week is an important opportunity to set
aside organizational affiliations and come together
as signalers representing a variety of functional areas
to share information and grow professionally,” said
Parker. “Our collective diversity of experiences and
technical specialties remain our greatest strength as
an Army branch.”
On the final day of the Signal week celebration,
Signal Soldiers participated in a regimental run led
by Maj. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr, commanding
general, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology
Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Stefon Watson,
command sergeant major, NETCOM.
As Soldiers ran down the streets, cadences bel-
lowed through the air as the Signal flag and individu-
al unit’s respective flags waved proudly.
“I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the regi-
mental run,” said Parker. “There is something to be
said for having strength in numbers and the oppor-
tunity to join in camaraderie with hundreds of other
Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley, commanding general, U.S. Army Intel-
ligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, performs with
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Fitness Center. Ashley played three songs with the band.
events so I think some where along the line our com-
mander got in touch with him to do a farewell and play
with the band,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Lane, MI Corps
Band, bass guitar. “We discussed tunes we could play
together and what would fit best.”
“It’s great performing with General Ashley,” he add-
ed. “Its interesting meeting general officers that are into
music and often they have a real appreciation for the
band, which we appreciate.”
Ashley, who started playing the guitar in college,
said although he has been playing for many years, it
has always just been at home with music playing in the
background. He wanted to start playing after hearing the
Beatles.
“The garrison commander talked about doing this
concert a couple months ago, and he said, ‘hey, would
you want to go out and play with the band?’ and I said
communicators was both empowering and encourag-
ing.”
Looking back on past regimental runs, these
events are something that Col. Parker looks forward
PHOTO BY KELVIN RINGOLD signaleers of all ranks have joined together in various
Command Sgt. Maj. Stefon Watson, command sergeant major,
U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, Pfc.
Pierre Mendez, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Sgt. 1st
Class Winston Delgado, 62nd ESB, Maj. Gen. John B. Mor-
rison Jr, commanding general, NETCOM, Col. James C. Parks
III, commander, 11th Signal Brigade and Command Sgt. Maj.
Maurice Rambert, command sergeant major, 11th Sig. Bde,
cut the Signal Corps birthday cake during the Signal Ball.
Signaleers from Fort Hood and other installations around the
country, celebrated the 155th Signal Regimental Corps birthday
June 22-25 here.
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015
absolutely,” Ashley said. “We had a couple of rehears-
als, and we had a good time at them.
“They are absolutely amazing! Great Soldiers and
just a great representation of the MI Corps,” Ashley said
of the band.
“I have always had [a guitar], it’s a great stress relief,”
Ashley said. “I have taken an acoustic on deployments
to Iraq and Afghanistan and after a 16- or 17-hour day,
just go in my room and play for 15 to 20 minutes.”
Spc. Sean Morris, Bravo Company, 309th MI Bn.,
said “it was wicked awesome. The best part was I loved
seeing the CG get up there and play the guitar.”
“It’s probably the coolest thing I’ve done in the Army
rock band,” Sgt. Michael Kiese, MI Corps Band, guitar,
said of performing with Ashley. “I was really surprised
how good he was. Generals have so many responsibili-
ties, and they’re always busy and the fact that he’s as
good as he is awesome.”
Pvt. Jacob Blackwell, Bravo Company, 309th MI Bn.
said, “I wasn’t originally going to come, and coming
over here I was like, ‘the CG better shred,’ and he didn’t
disappoint. But it was also when we were in the front
row and seeing guys from different units and stuff, we
were kind of just melded together and getting to dance,
it was a fantastic experience.”
Spc. John Merritt, Bravo Company, 309th MI Bn.
said he loved the concert. “I liked seeing the CG on the
guitar and loved all the covers. I’ve never had a chance
to meet him before so it was kind of cool to see him
get up there and do his thing on stage and bring us all
together, I was impressed.”
The band played songs ranging from Walkin on
Sunshine to Heartbreak by Pat Benatar. The show was
roughly an hour long, and held a mostly 1980’s rock
vibe.
“The best part is you get to do what you love to do
and still support your troops and serve your country
which is awesome,” said Sgt. Mandie Tetreault, MI
Corps Band, vocalist, who has been in the band for four
and a half years.
to and holds in high regards.
“I’m always amazed that doing something as
simple as coming together for a unit run can do so
much to restore spirit de corps in both our Army and
in our regiment,” said Parker. “Knowing that Army
formations for 155 years to accomplish our nation’s
missions is extremely inspirational for me.”
Later on that night, Signal Soldiers joined one
another to celebrate the regiment’s birthday at the
Killeen Civic Center for the Signal Ball.
Morrison was the guest speaker for the evening
and had a challenge for the signaleers in attendance.
“My charge to you tonight is in these challeng-
ing times, find that opportunity to do what the Signal
Corps has always done,” said Morrison. “Embrace
change, lead change and drive change.”
With the night and another Signal Corps birthday
coming to an end, Morrison wanted to show his ap-
preciation to all that have helped make the regiment
a success.
“Thank you so very much for all your service,”
said Morrison. “[Thank you] for what you’ve done
for our nation in the past and what you will continue
to do for our nation in the future.”