Photo By Sgt. Maj. Andrew Porch | Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat...... read more read more
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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – In the past 10-plus years since the U.S. has been at war, soldiers were required to adapt from conventional warfare to combating counter insurgency.
As the war in Afghanistan draws down, the Army is going back to training on their armored equipment, but the leadership of the “Demon Dog” Company is ensuring their soldiers are able to perform critical skills in both competencies.
Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, trained on close quarter battle techniques at Udairi Range Complex near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 13.
The training allowed soldiers to practice clearing rooms and perfecting dismounted movements while working in squad-sized elements.
“The basic reason why you have to know both sides is you have to be ready and prepared to deploy anywhere in the world at anytime,” said Sgt. John Johnson, armor crewman, Company D. “You never know what type of environment you are going to be in.”
The soldiers used simulation rounds to increase the authenticity of the training.
“Sim rounds definitely increase the realism of the training,” said 1st Lt. Daniel Nicolosi, platoon leader, Company D. “The more friction points we can identify and the more (standard operating procedures) we can develop the better trained we will be.”
For most of the junior enlisted soldiers, this is the first time they have conducted the training, and the soldiers are bonding.
“We usually fight with our cannon,” said Pfc. Richard Dean, armor crewman, Company D. “Being dismounted, we are fighting with M4s. You have to be a cohesive unit to work together; that is the only way you will survive.”
Instructors knew the soldiers receiving the training paid attention and could apply it later on.
“They are soaking it us like a sponge,” said Johnson. “I think they received great value from the training.”
And what did Johnson think the soldiers liked the most?
“It was very life-like, said Johnson, a native of Houston. “It gave the guys the experience of getting shot and feeling the adrenaline rush. It was very valuable to have the sim rounds.”
Leadership knew having fun was important, but also that soldiers needed to be prepared for battle.
“The goal of all our training is that we conduct it as real as possible, so if they get into a situation, they will know what to do based off of muscle memory,” said Nicolosi.
The training is in preparation for a security-cooperation exercise that will see “Death Dealer” soldiers partner with soldiers of the Royal Saudi Arabian Army later this month.
| Date Taken: | 03.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2014 09:17 |
| Story ID: | 122150 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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