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    Soldiers take their first step

    Soldiers take the first step

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk | A Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st...... read more read more

    GRAFENWOEHR, GERMANY

    10.06.2014

    Story by Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk 

    7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - In preparation for training with NATO member countries, Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division went to the range Oct. 4 to refresh their skills with the M320 Grenade Launcher during their two-month stay in Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany.

    The Soldiers are here to participate in the multinational exercise, Combined Resolve III. Fewer than 24 hours after arriving, the Soldiers were on their feet and training.

    “Having Soldiers get some trigger time on their weapon systems is most important to proficiency,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Daileg, a Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. “This training prepares us for the great experience of working with and mentoring foreign militaries.”

    Once on the range, Soldiers attempted to shoot a 40mm grenade at targets ranging from 50 to more than 200 meters away and a bright orange puff of chalk indicated where the practice round impacted.

    This training event is only the first step for Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. Soon they will move to larger more complex training events.

    “I am interested in seeing how we compare to other militaries,” said Pfc. Devon Earle, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. He said seeing how our methods of doing things compares to other militaries will help us improve our combat capabilities.

    As part of Combined Resolve III, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment will train along side their NATO allies, countries such as Denmark, Moldova and Romania.

    Training will consist of ground movements between infantry, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks. For many Soldiers this was the first time they have visited a foreign country.

    “I joined the Army to experience the world,” said Pvt. Romo Miguel, a 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment infantryman. “I never expected to be in Germany so fast after joining.”

    Leaving family and country behind, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment Soldiers will train with, mentor and learn from their NATO partners.

    “I look forward to having my Soldiers and I learn from foreign forces and sharing our cultures,” said 1st Lt. Fritz Dufresne, a. platoon leader with 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. “There may be some hiccups at first but we will learn to work as a team.”

    Training missions like Combined Resolve III are excellent opportunities to show our nation's commitment and reassurance to our allies and partner nations. These exercises allow the NATO alliance to maintain the lessons learned over the past 12 years of war and to further develop technical and tactical interoperability among U.S., NATO and partner-nations.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.06.2014
    Date Posted: 10.07.2014 04:46
    Story ID: 144449
    Location: GRAFENWOEHR, DE

    Web Views: 102
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN