FORT SILL, Okla. – The 75th Field Artillery Brigade held its inaugural Patching Ceremony in front of the brigade headquarters October 9, 2025, formally inducting six Soldiers into the brigade. The ceremony comes at the heels of the establishment of the Diamond Reception Platoon, a dedicated transitional unit to ensure Soldiers properly in-process to the brigade.
“Proper in-processing is critical to maintaining accountability, readiness, and Soldier welfare,” said Sgt. Maj. Arthur Guerra, the Brigade Operations Sergeant Major. “Ensuring each Soldier is accurately entered into personnel and pay systems prevents administrative and financial issues that can negatively affect morale and focus.”
The Diamond Reception Platoon is designed to streamline integration of newly arrived Soldiers to the brigade through standardized in-processing procedures, ensuring they are prepared administratively, medially, and logistically before arriving to their gaining battalions, reducing the burden on gaining battalions and allowing them to maintain operational focus.
Upon arrival to the brigade, Soldiers report to Diamond Reception to receive an initial briefing on the brigade and Fort Sill. They are then assigned to a reception Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), who will guide them through in-processing, ensuring Soldiers complete all necessary administrative tasks. These include walking Soldiers through financial in-processing, housing, medical, and equipment issue along with informational briefs on the brigade’s sexual harassment and assault prevention, safety, and equal opportunity programs.
The Patching Ceremony is the final step in the process, during which new Soldiers receive their unit patch from their sponsor. The ceremony is also a chance for brigade senior leadership to welcome the Soldiers to the brigade. Maj. William Balogh, the Brigade Operations Officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Garry Pruitt, the Brigade Command Sergeant Major, and Sgt. Maj. Arther Guerra were present to shake every new Soldier’s hand.
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