By Capt. Michael Reinersman, 138th Field Artillery Public Affairs
Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin King, left, Command Sgt. Maj. of the U.S. Army Field Artillery Branch and Artillery School at Fort Sill, Okla., presents the 2018 Alexander Hamilton award to Capt. Andrew Goldey, Alpha Battery commander and 1st Sgt. Jeven Keding, during the battalion’s joint family day shoot, Aug.10, 2019 at Fort Knox, Ky,. The Hamilton award recognizes the most outstanding U.S. Army National Guard field artillery battery of the year for superb mission accomplishments and overall unit excellence. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Michael Reinersman)
FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Kentucky Army National Guard’s Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery was awarded the 2018 Field Artillery Alexander Hamilton Award during the battalion’s joint family day, Aug. 10, at Fort Knox.
The Hamilton award recognizes the most outstanding U.S. Army National Guard Field Artillery Battery of the Year for superb mission accomplishment and overall unit excellence.
“The quality of the submissions for the award and the work Guard units are doing is phenomenal to see,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin King, Command Sgt. Maj. of the U.S. Army Field Artillery Branch and Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, during the presentation of the award. “It’s special to present this award to the unit and their families, because it’s the Soldier who writes the check but it’s the families that pays the bill.”
To be considered for the award, National Guard artillery units are reviewed on physical readiness, command inspections, safety, Soldier care, weapons qualification and unit strength as well as other items.
“Receiving the award on behalf of Alpha Battery is a testament to the culture and many years of hard work by the Soldiers leading up to 2018,” said Capt. Andrew Goldey, commander of Alpha Battery. “To have my kids and the Soldiers’ families here and for them to see what we do in the field and then recognized with this award is very special for us.”
During Training Year 2018, Alpha Battery executed a Commander’s Maintenance Evaluation Team (COMET) with a 97% overall compliance rating. Additionally, the unit executed a Command Supply Discipline Program inspection with a 98% overall rating. Alpha Battery was the first unit to complete Field Artillery Table VI qualification.
Alpha Battery’s 2018 training included successfully conducted a tactical movement over 500 miles to Camp Grayling, Michigan where they expertly fielded the Precision Guided Kit (PGK), becoming one of the first National Guard Field Artillery units to do so. This was done in addition to completing Field Artillery Table XII during the battalion live fire exercise. The Battery flawlessly executed all training to standard in an unfamiliar environment, exceeding all expectations according to 138th brigade leadership.
During 2018, Alpha Battery also led the battalion by winning the Top Gun Award for the 3rd consecutive year, conducting direct fire missions for the first time since 2005.
Along with these accomplishments, Alpha Battery conducted several State Active Duty missions that either augmented the local law enforcement or assisted the local community during events, providing various static displays for recruiting and retention purposes.
Kentucky’s Redlegs have had a lot of success in the last several years. Bravo Battery, 2/138th earned the Hamilton award in 2008. Alpha and Bravo Batteries of the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery achieved the Hamilton award consecutively in 2010 and 2011.
The Hamilton award is named after the first Secretary of the Treasury and former artilleryman during the Revolutionary War.