CSM Ronnie "Coldblud" Bussey Lifetime Achievement Medal

The Command Sergeant Major Ronnie "Coldblud" Bussey Lifetime Achievement Medal is one of the two highest decorations awarded to 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment members for significant real life contributions to the Regiment. The medal was commissioned in 2012 after the passing of its namesake, CSM Ronnie Bussey.

Introduction

The award was created in honor of CSM Coldblud and his extensive work creating the administrative structures of the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.

History of the Awards Namesake

Command Sergeant Major Ronnie Bussey enlisted in the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment in June of 2010. Upon completion of Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), he was assigned to Alpha Company 2-7 CAV and assigned the Military Specialty (MOS) 11B Infantryman. Within four months, he was assigned as a Section Leader within his company. His experience and leadership ability was immediately recognized. He was promoted from Specialist directly to Sergeant Major in December 2010, to fill the urgently needed position of 2nd Battalion Sergeant Major. After advocating for the soldiers of 2nd Battalion, SGM Coldblud was promoted to Command Sergeant Major and assigned the Regimental Command Sergeant Major. In this capacity CSM Coldblud would act as the senior NCO adviser to the commander and also develop the processes of modern administration. As the CSM, CSM Coldblud was tasked with managing the S1 Branch as the S1 CSM and advising the S1 and commander on all matters of administration.

Real Life Service

Ronnie Bussey, often called Coldblud or Cold owing to his in-game name, enlisted in the United States Navy as a Seabee, also known as the naval construction force. It was in this capacity he deployed twice in Viet Nam. After completion of his active duty contact with the US Navy, he transferred to the US Army National Guard in 1971. Originally transferring as a 19K Armor Crewman, he commissioned and eventually was promoted to Captain. Ronnie Bussey held a wide range of tactical and staff duties including Company Commander, Battalion Reconnaissance Officer, Personnel Officer (S1), Intelligence Officer (S2), and Logistics Officer (S4).

Passing

Tragically, CSM Coldblud passed away September 26th, 2012. He was 66 years old.

CSM Coldblud Letter to the Regiment

In September 2012, CSM Coldblud was in poor health and in hospital. Before he passed away, he wrote a letter to the General John Chance and all members of the regiment:

I have written this, deleted and rewritten several times over the months this has come down. It hasn't been easy to write and not easy for you to read. My last rambling. The measure of a man is how he lived his life and how he is remembered. The memories of his measure grows by who and how he touched them. I spent my short time in the 7th with tremendous enjoyment and reward knowing many troopers and trying to lend my help as can. Some of the most enjoyment I have had in many a year. The Brotherhood here is all inspiring and uplifting. This outfit is led by many a fine and generous person in time spent and looking out for the fellow trooper. This tradition didn't start with me, I have just tried to follow the footsteps of the ones that pioneered the leadership of this great unit. Never feel alone here, there are many that care for you and will step up to stand with you, whatever the case may be. You can be trained for any billet or assignement in the Cav but the compassion to take care of your subordinates is directly attributed to your upbringing. Both together will carry you through the Cav and into life. Use it, live it and pass it down. I can't express any more than that each of you mean all the world to me, even though I have not met most of you except thru TS. But each of you, I hold very close. Be assured my last days on this earthly plane has been a great experience. I have many friends here and you each know who I mean. I won't embarrass anyone by naming them but they know. I've had a great life. There is nothing I wanted to do that I haven't done. Nothing that I've set my mind, that I didn't achieve. Some with impossible odds but stuck with it and overcome. This is something I can't overcome or get past by willpower. I have no regrets and look forward to meeting our maker. Don't feel sorry for my passing, don't mourn but rejoice. My duty here is done and gone to recon for those coming behind me. Of those that don't have your life in order-get it done. But if you're in order, I'll be standing at the gate with a salute and hand outstreached to help you get acclimated. Until we meet again, keep the faith, do your duty to the 7th and family and keep your eyes on the Cross. My Honor is to have served the United States, the 7th Cavalry and each trooper here. My Love and Respect to the Leadership here and the troopers. God Bless Us All! !!SALUTE!! CSM. Ron Cold "They that love beyond the world, cannot be separated. Death cannot kill what never dies. Nor can Spirits ever be divided that love and live in the same Divine Principle; the Root and Record of their Friendship. Death is but crossing the world, as Friends to the seas; they live in one another still." Author: William Penn "Fruits of Solitude" 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton Duty is the MOST SUBLIME WORD IN OUR LANGUAGE. DO YOUR DUTY IN ALL THINGS. YOU CANNOT DO MORE. YOU SHOULD NEVER WISH TO DO LESS.” -GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE

CSM Ronnie "Coldblud" Bussey Lifetime Achievement Medal

Soon after CSM Coldblud's passing, the Regimental Headquarters created an award to honor his service and achievements in the Regiment. CSM Coldblud was an expert and one of the original founders of the modern S1 Branch. However, the award is not reserved specifically for excellence in administration. Rather, the award is bestowed upon members who have made long term positive impacts of any kind on the regiment. Although there are no specific defined criteria for eligibility, some categories include: lengthy honorable service, leadership, and contribution towards major regimental projects or achievements.

Frequency of Awarding

Since the establishment of the award, the honor is awarded once per year.

Eligibility

The CSM Coldblud award is only for Non-Commissioned Officers, of any grade.

Decision for the Award

There are no specific criteria for who is eligible for the award. Yearly, a board of all regimental staff, with representations from the Battalion and Department staff decide and vote on who will receive the award.

Physical Award Characteristics

Example of the CSM Coldblud Medal Presentation

The CSM Coldblud award consists of a ribbon, yellow in colour with three black stripes. One thick stripe is centered on the ribbon, with the remaining two stripes distributed one on either side, half the width of the center stripe. The award also consists of a medal, featuring the CSM himself, a quote from his letter, and the crossed sabres of the cavalry branch. When presented to a member, the award consists of the medal, and two supporting documents. The first is the presentation of the award to the member, signed by the Regimental Commanding Officer. The second is the narrative or summary of the narrative supporting the award of the medal. As of 2019, the award now is presented in a virtual folder with both documents presented in one image. The awarding of this honor also is supported by a post on the forums from the regimental headquarters with the full narrative and announcing that a member has been selected for the award.

History of Recipients

Below is a chronological list of all recipients for the CSM Coldblud award, beginning with the most recent.

Staff Sergeant Dammond Richards - August 22, 2020

Staff Sergeant Richards enlisted in the 7th Cavalry Regiment in February, 2011. He has served in both 11 (Infantry) and 19 (Armor) MOS. SSG Richards has worked at all levels up to Sub-Unit command, and a wide range of staff positions. In recognition of his long service and contribution to several 7th Cavalry projects, he was awarded the medal in 2020.

Narrative

The Regimental Commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment takes the pleasure in presenting the Ronnie "Coldblud" Bussey Command Sergeant-Major Coldblud Lifetime Achievement Medal to Staff Sergeant Dammond Richards for his loyalty, dedication, exceptional meritorious and distinguished service, and above all a commitment to the ideals of which Command Sergeant-Major Cold stood for, since 22 February 2011. Since enlisting in the 7th Cavalry Regiment, Staff Sergeant Dammond Richards has been an example to his peers, and working tirelessly and selflessly for the betterment of the Regiment. Starting as a trooper in First Battalion, Bravo Company, he worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant First Class as the Platoon Sergeant of First Platoon, Bravo Company. Further in his Career, he would become the overall Company Commander to Bravo Company and achieved the rank of Major, later served as a Battalion Aide to First Battalion, and then transitioned into departments for primary billeting as a Non-Commissioned Officer. Through self-study he increased his operational knowledge of the 19 Kilo Military Occupation Specialty and became an Instructor to the School of Armor and Lead of the School of Infantry to teach others, dedicating his time to the needs of his students along with furthering the Ranger Program as Ranger Lead in the S3 Arma 3 Ranger School. While he continued to teach over numerous years, he has worked his way up to became the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Arma 3 The Cavalry School Lead, and First Battalion Training Lead for S7. In this capacity he led his staff members and department into a new era of training. The advances brought forward through his teachings allowed not only a more immersive experience for the Regiment, but forwarded the progression of Regimental wide Combined Arms and Vehicular Training. As a Recruit Training Command Drill Instructor he insured that new troopers received the training necessary to become successful in the Regiment and served with distinction to become a Senior Drill Instructor. As a member of the S5 Advertising and Media, he promoted the Regiment in a positive way to the rest of the tactical realism community eventually becoming the S5 Staff Lead teaching others what he learned. As a member of the Wiki Administration Group, he served with distinction earning the Legion of Merit for his service in creating the Regimental Historical Memory Project striven for maintaining the heritage of the 7th Calvary Regiment on the Wiki and achieved the billet of Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for his exceptional efforts in the department. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Dammond Richards reflect great credit upon himself, his staff, and the 7th Cavalry Regiment as a whole. GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AT 7TH CAVALRY HEADQUARTERS ON THIS THE 22ND DAY OF AUGUST 2020

Sergeant Kyle McGehee - September 16, 2018

Sergeant Kyle McGehee enlisted in the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment in 2017 as a 12B Combat Engineer. Immediately, his conduct and professionalism was recognized and he was quickly promoted to Sergeant. Tragically, he passed away on 12 June 2018.

The Regimental Commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment takes the pleasure in presenting the Command Sergeant Major Cold Lifetime Achievement Medal to Sergeant Kyle McGehee for his loyalty, dedication, exceptional meritorious and distinguished service, and above all a commitment to the ideals of which Command Sergeant-Major Cold stood for, since 3 May 2017. Since enlisting in the 7th Cavalry Regiment Sergeant McGehee has been an example to his peers, working tirelessly and selflessly for the betterment of the Regiment. Starting as a trooper in Charlie Company, Sergeant McGehee through self-study increased his operational knowledge of the 11C MOS and became a Senior Instructor of the School of Infantry to teach others, dedicating his time to the needs of his students. As he continued to teach, he became the lead for S3 mod testing and public staff, as well as being promoted to NCOIC of S3. In this capacity he led his staff members and departments into a new era of training. The advances brought forward through his teachings allowed not only a more immersive experience for the Regiment, but created a new support asset, the 12Bs known as Apollo. Sergeant McGhee wrote the SOPs and doctrines which allowed for higher fluidity in operations, as well as taking the strain off of the mission controllers that before had to dedicate focus to keeping friendly assets moving. His achievements, dedication to bring progress and enjoyment to all members of the Regiment, allowed for the improvements of the scenarios that benefited members and non-members alike in both operations and MCCs. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Kyle McGehee reflect great credit upon himself, his staff, his company, and the 7th Cavalry Regiment as a whole. GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AT 7TH CAVALRY HEADQUARTERS ON THIS THE 16TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2018

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Tully - September 24, 2017

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Tully enlisted in the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment in 2012 as a 11B Infantryman. His experience and leadership was immediately noticed, and Ben Tully completed several elite schools including Ranger, Sniper, and Freefall Parachutist. He was assigned as the 1-7 CAV Battalion Sergeant Major in 2016. In 2018, he was promoted to Major and assigned as the Battalion Commander for 1-7 CAV. At the time of the award, he was the 1-7 CAV Battalion Sergeant Major. He had extensive experience with the S3 Operations Branch, including creating many of the policies and procedures used to this day.

The Regimental Commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment takes the pleasure in presenting the Command Sergeant Major Cold Lifetime Achievement Medal to Sergeant Major Ben Tully The Regimental Commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment takes the pleasure in presenting the Command Sergeant Major Cold Lifetime Achievement Medal to Sergeant Major Ben Tully for his loyalty, dedication, exceptional meritorious and distinguished service, and above all a commitment to the ideals for which Command Sergeant Major Cold stood for since 17 July 2012. Since enlisting in the 7th Cavalry Regiment Sergeant Major Tully has been an example for all others, tirelessly and selflessly serving the Regiment in several capacities. Starting out as a Section Leader, he has worked his way up to the rank of Battalion Sergeant Major. His sterling service as in NCO in 1st Battalion is an example for all others to follow. The SGM is synonymous with S3 and has been and integral part of that department since 23 February 2013, his contributions have lead to the betterment of the Regiment and more immersive experience for members and non-members alike. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Major Ben Tully reflect great credit upon himself and the 7th Cavalry Regiment. GIVEN BY MY HAND THIS 24th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2017