Photo By Master Sgt. Gary Witte | U.S. Army Spc. Gary L. Crowe of Greer, S.C., a fueler with the 228th Transportation...... read more read more
DECATUR, Ga. - The smoke has dissipated and the convoys are gone, but the impact of the two-state Regional Readiness Training Exercise is expected to last.
More than 500 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from across the Southeast participated in the exercise held at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Fort Stewart, Ga., during August.
Training included live-fire marksmanship, virtual combat training, military driving contests, radio classes, stress classes, physical training tests, hands-on vehicle maintenance sessions, full-scale convoy lanes and more.
Col. Tucker Wilson of Alexander City, Alabama, the commander who oversaw the exercise, said it was a success in all areas. He contrasted it with the common method of placing units into a rotation of outside-run training scenarios.
“I think we proved the Soldiers can get back into the habit of training themselves,” he said. “We don’t have to go back to a conveyor belt.”
The exercise, aimed at units which did not have their own annual training planned, provided those participating with the chance to work on their basic Soldier skills and have the occasional new experience.
Staff Sgt. Horace Bullock Jr. of Atlanta, a platoon sergeant with the 461st Human Resources Company, said R2TE helped cohesion between the unit’s NCOs and allowed them to share their expertise.
“This is the best training I’ve seen the 461st conduct,” he said. “All the training sessions … have been excellent.”
Along with handling personnel inprocessing as part of the exercise, the unit’s Soldiers also went to the firing range, took part in driver safety classes to get their military driver’s licenses, held its own convoys and did physical training whenever possible.
On Aug. 9, unit members took turns riding in the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer at Fort Stewart, which provides Soldiers with the experience of a vehicle accident using a mock Humvee suspended on a machine that turns it upside down. Then they have figure out how to exit safely.
Bullock said some of his troops were concerned, having never ridden in the HEAT before.
“I just coach them,” he said. “Let them know it’s like a roller coaster and to listen to their instructors.”
Sgt. 1st Class Edward A. Pesquera of Riverview, Florida, NCOIC for the headquarters detachment of the 332nd Transportation Battalion, used the exercise as a way to provide his lower enlisted Soldiers leadership experience. He rotated them into a position of authority, such as squad leader or first sergeant, and expected them to take charge while there.
“I’m really going back to the way I was taught when I was lower enlisted,” Pesquera said. “It motivates the Soldiers to be on their A game. It gives them the opportunity to pay attention.”
Each Soldier held their position for a day, then chose which of their peers were next, he said.
Pfc. Matthew E. Wilson of Elmhurst, Illinois, a chemical specialist with the unit, served as first sergeant the day his fellow Soldiers took a class on radio procedures at Fort Jackson. He found the job a demanding one, but felt he was handling it OK.
Wilson said he isn't a good public speaker and the position has forced him out of his shell. He received support from the NCOs in his unit and spent the night before practicing a briefing he had to give.
“It’s a lot more challenging than I thought,” he said. “Being a leader is changing my perspective on a lot of things.”
At Fort Stewart on Aug. 10, the 812th Transportation Battalion and the 991st Transportation Company held a “truck rodeo.” The event involved a written test, a maintenance test and a timed driving course. Drivers negotiated specific challenges with different military vehicles and were penalized if they hit the obstacles.
Spc. Ashley L. McCartney of Lexington, North Carolina, a supply specialist with the 991st Transportation Company, said participating in the rodeo was “nerve-wracking, but fun.” At one point, she had to parallel park a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle using only her rear view mirrors.
“I parallel parked better than I thought I could park,” she said.
In fact, she had never worked as a military driver until joining the unit in December.
“The people who are training me are very thorough,” McCartney said. “I’m learning a lot.”
R2TE had opportunities for every specialty. Mechanics with several units were able to spend days at the Georgia Army National Guard Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site on Fort Stewart working on both their equipment and active duty vehicles.
“I don’t get to do this at drill,” U.S. Army Spc. Jekia L. Summerour of Atlanta, a mechanic for the 461st Human Resources Company, said. She added the exercise allowed the unit to bring their own vehicles. “They don’t get driven at home. Not much.”
Similarly, Staff Sgt. Carroll R. Jones of St. Stephen, South Carolina, the NCOIC for the 590th Transportation Detachment, said his troops appreciated having access to the full range of shop technology available at the MATES facility.
“At home, we don’t get to take the engines out,” Jones said. “They’re very excited to be here. … They’re getting their hands on new equipment and they’re working on stuff that is a higher level of maintenance.”
The exercise culminated with a two-day event at both bases consisting of convoy lanes and simulated enemy attacks.
Pvt. Tia S. Baker of Gainesville, Georgia, a driver for the 228th Transportation Company, has only been with her unit a few months and has never been deployed. She said having to react to improvised explosive devices and having to pull security for her convoy was a really good experience.
“Even though it wasn’t real, I took it seriously,” Baker said. “It was eye-opening.”
The 143rd Support Command (Expeditionary), which assigned the 642nd Regional Support Group to run the exercise, was apparently pleased with the results. Wilson said the plan is for R2TE to continue year to year.
He pointed out that while the 642nd Regional Support Group set up and arranged the exercise, most of the day-to-day training was conducted by the units taking part. For instance, each unit ran their own firing ranges and conducted their own classes.
“All feedback from all quarters was positive,” Wilson said. “I think it proved the point that the Army Reserves can go back to training their own Soldiers.”
| Date Taken: | 08.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2014 20:25 |
| Story ID: | 140591 |
| Location: | DECATUR, GA, US |
| Hometown: | ALEXANDER CITY, AL, US |
| Hometown: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Hometown: | ELMHURST, IL, US |
| Hometown: | GAINESVILLE, GA, US |
| Hometown: | LEXINGTON, NC, US |
| Hometown: | RIVERVIEW, FL, US |
| Hometown: | ST. STEPHEN, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 214 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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