Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Carkeet IV | During an award ceremony held July 17 in Paldiski, Estonia, Capt. Colin P. Bair,...... read more read more
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PALDISKI, Estonia – Approximately 20 paratroopers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and 40 soldiers from the Estonian Scoutspataljon (Scout Single Infantry Battalion) competed in a partner stress-shoot challenge July 16 in Paldiski, Estonia. The challenge consisted of nine events that tested the teams’ speed, strength, endurance and marksmanship.
Approximately 600 paratroopers from the brigade are in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve to demonstrate commitment to NATO obligations and sustain interoperability with allied forces.
“We included physically and mentally challenging lanes interspersed with live-fire ranges,” said 1st Lt. Kristofer W. Seibt, the event’s officer in charge and Troop B’s 2nd Platoon leader. “The teams completed a ruck march, rigging station and 350-pound litter carry before they fired their first shot.”
Consisting primarily of officers and noncommissioned officers from Troop B, the stress-shoot challenge staff collaborated with their Estonian counterparts to create 11 teams which integrated junior ranking soldiers from both armies.
“My team is awesome,” said Team No. 4’s leader, Pvt. Ean T. Gordon, while waiting to start the land navigation event. “We’re fast, and the Estonian teammates have experience using [American] weapons.”
“It’s really intense,” said Nooremseersant (Junior Sgt.) Margus Raag, one of Gordon’s Estonian teammates undergoing initial entry training in the Scouts Infantry Battalion. “There’s no time to take a break. It’s just run-and-shoot, run-and-shoot …”
According to Seibt, the stress shoot’s inherent intensity meets its primary intent.
“We usually shoot our weapons on a range, [and] that’s like operating in a vacuum,” said Seibt, the Carle Place, New York, native. “When you’re in combat firing that weapon, you’re not going to have those controls in place. More often than not, you’re physically and mentally exhausted. We’re here to replicate that mental and physical exhaustion.”
“I think this training is very good for both militaries,” said Vanemseerant (Staff Sgt.) Mark V. Tenin, an instructor in the Estonian Scouts Infantry Battalion, as he observed a team head toward the M240 machine gun range. “If these soldiers learn something like using a new weapon system or properly carrying an injured comrade to safety, they will be better on the battlefield.”
While the running, shooting and lifting chipped away at each Soldier’s stamina, teamwork, motivation and leadership pushed the teams through their preconceived limits.
“The better teams didn’t necessarily have a higher level of fitness,” said Seibt. “It was their ability to lead and motivate … I’ve seen young Soldiers step up and Estonian soldiers take over teams. I hope every Soldier competing today learns the importance of motivating leadership, especially under duress.”
“I learned that teamwork is very important,” added Raag. “It doesn’t matter if you’re American or Estonian, you can accomplish things together.”
At its surface, the stress-shoot challenge offers young Soldiers a taste of the inherent intensity of modern combat. For the Estonian and American leaders who gaze beyond the chaos of shouts and gunfire, the challenge demonstrates each country’s commitment to NATO. Soldiers from both armies are working together as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“I think we should have this type of training once per week,” said Tenin. “That way we pull the best from other armies to find the best way to accomplish our mission.”
“This event is a microcosm of what Operation Atlantic Resolve is trying to accomplish,” said Seibt. “We built teams on short notice and bridged the language barrier gap. We examined what each side brings to the table and achieved a level of interoperability where two armies can communicate effectively with each other. All of this starts at the Soldier level.”
Gordon’s reflection exemplified Seibt’s analysis.
“I hope [the Estonians] have a good first impression of the American Army,” said the native of Loves Park, Illinois, as his teammates conversed over a Meal Ready-to-Eat [MRE] dinner. “We should come away with new friendships today.”
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2014 05:28 |
| Story ID: | 136959 |
| Location: | PALDISKI, EE |
| Hometown: | CARLE PLACE, NY, US |
| Hometown: | LOVES PARK, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 1,038 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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