Coming out of the closet

Relax, I’m not queer.

When I started this blog I decided to keep a little anonymity because from time to time I rant about things that are not necessarily in my lane or could be construed as insubordinate; and I didn’t want it to come back and bite me in the ass. But I now think that it only reduces my credibility to hide behind a mask, and anyone that knows me would recognize the pictures anyway. I’ll not post the names of my soldiers, or ever discuss events that are covered under OPSEC (I wouldn’t do that posting anonymously or otherwise, but I just wanted to clear that up.) That means I will not discuss current or future operations, dates, or anything that the enemy can use against us. So here goes.

I am Charles Ziegenfuss, a Captain (CPT) in the United States Army, currently assigned as the Commander, C Co (Fighting Aces), 2^ND Battalion, 34^TH Armor (Dreadnaughts). My battalion is normally part of the First Brigade, First Infantry Division, (The Big Red One) but we are attached over here to the Third Brigade, Third Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne).

I started out as a Private in the Army way back in 1990, as a cavalry scout in the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. I was assigned to K troop, 3^RD Squadron, 3^RD Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Bliss, Texas. Later, I was re-assigned to 3^RD Squadron, 17^TH Cavalry (Air Mobile) at Fort Drum, New York (Part of the 10^TH Mountain Division (Light Infantry).

After my first tour in the Army, I got out and went to college, And returned to the Army in 1997 after graduating with a degree in history. ROTC paid the bills, and I made the grades. I was commissioned in 1997 as an Armor Officer (an M1A1 Tanker).

My first duty assignment was to Fort Stewart, GA, as a Tank platoon leader in B co, 3^RD Battalion, 69^TH Armor. I deployed to Kuwait for Operation Desert Thunder in 1998. Later, I would be the Scout Platoon Leader for the same battalion, and then the S3 plans (Operations Officer) for that battalion in Kosovo.

I was the Battalion Maintenance Officer and The Adjutant (S1) in this Battalion prior to assuming command last June.

I am proud of my unit, my country and our mission. And I will not hide.

--Chuck