FORT CARSON, Colo.— An atypical day at the range as 11 sergeants of Company B, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, rapidly engaged close-quarter targets shoulder to shoulder with four 10th Group Special Forces (Airborne) Soldiers, April 23, 2014.
It’s a rare opportunity for the leaders of Company B, 299th BEB, to conduct small unit training with 10th SFG(A) because of their busy schedule.
Second Lt. Ryan Hall, platoon leader, Company B, 299th BEB, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., said he coordinated the combined training with the 10th SFG(A) to help his company establish a foundation.
“We really want to be good at the fundamentals and then build from there,” said Hall. “This is adding to the tactical and technical proficiencies of our Soldiers and giving them a greater familiarity with their weapon.”
The Special Forces Soldiers reinforced rifle marksmanship proficiency with substantial instruction on reflexive fire, during which troops learned to fire two or more controlled shots at a close target from the standing position and eventually at a slow walk.
Each of the four Special Forces Soldiers doubled as a lane safety and evaluated the shooters as they engaged a paper target with 15 plate-sized black circles at five, 10, and 25 meters.
“Our main goal today is to do some cooperative basic marksmanship training to help us build our relations with fellow Soldiers at Fort Carson and enhance our training abilities,” said Staff Sgt. Devon, Special Forces sergeant, 10th SFG(A). “This gives them the opportunity to go back to their unit and bring something of value.”
Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Bower, platoon sergeant, Company B, 299th BEB, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div, said there was excitement for the training in the weeks leading up to the event.
“I’m really impressed by the instructors we have out here,” said Bower. “The Soldiers absolutely love it, they’ve learned a lot and the feedback has been great.”