Scouts conduct field training, exercise reconnaissance skills

Photo By Sgt. Brian Smith-Dutton | Soldiers assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), use a compass to identify their location during a scout team training exercise at Fort Campbell, Ky., Sept. 5, 2013. The exercise was part of “Beast” Troops three-day field rotation which was held to train scout teams with their reconnaissance abilities. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton, 3/101 Public Affairs)  

FORT CAMPBELL, KY, UNITED STATES

09.05.2013

Story by Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Soldiers assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct a three-day Field Training Exercise to enhance their soldiers scout abilities at Fort Campbell, Ky., Sept. 5, 2013.

“The objective of this exercise was to validate our scout team’s ability to conduct reconnaissance and perform their individual tasks,” said Capt. Andrew Jenkins, Commander of Troop B. “This is our first time in the field since our redeployment.”

While in the field, “Beast” Troop tested their soldiers on weapons recognition, land navigation, team leader training and reconnaissance during their FTX.

Several of the new soldiers agree that the training they are receiving directly reflects their military occupational specialty.

Pfc. Nicholas Conzachi, a cavalry scout assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), said that the training was outstanding and that it really challenged the skills of a cavalry scout.

Since redeploying Beast Troop evenly dispersed their Non commissioned officers, experienced soldiers and new soldiers throughout the troop, creating new platoons which must now train together to prepare for future missions.

“What we want is to train our scout teams first because that is the base level of our troop,” said Jenkins. “When we have a good foundation, then we can move on to section levels.”

Jenkins plans to continue to afford his troops the opportunity to train more so they may be an impeccable force next time they are called upon.

“We have an outstanding group of team leaders,” said Jenkins. “The troop performed incredibly well, which is what I expect from cavalry scouts.”

• Date Taken: 09.05.2013
• Date Posted: 09.20.2013 17:39
• Story ID: 114028
• Location: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US