FORT HUNTER LIGGETT - After completing annual training at Fort Dix, N.J., approximately 250 soldiers of the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) arrived at Regional Training Center West at Fort Hunter Liggett in sunny California, April 10, for a 19-day training rotation.
During RTC West, the soldiers of the 316th ESC participated in several different training events including weapons ranges, combatives, improvised explosive device detection and more.
These training events enforce soldier tasks that help build unit cohesion and instill a sense of camaraderie between the soldiers that is necessary for a safe and successful deployment.
Army Combatives started the RTC West tour for the soldiers of the 316th ESC with a physically exerting and informative block of instruction. Capt. William Brine, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pa. and member of the 316th ESC said, “I liked the combatives training, it was a smoker, kind of a wake up call saying, 'hey, here we are.'” This was very up-to-date and relevant training that was enjoyed by many of the soldiers, said Brine.
“I saw a lot of smiles on peoples faces and at the same time you could tell that they were pushed,” he added.
With weapons training being a priority for the 316th ESC while at RTC-West, soldiers of all ranks spent several days getting instruction and hands on training with multiple weapon systems followed by qualification ranges during the day and night. Learning to properly and safely use multiple weapons systems is important for all soldiers. This knowledge will help them when something unexpected happens on a weapons range or in combat.
Sgt. James A. Chavis, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pa. and member of the 316th ESC G-1 section (personnel), enjoyed the rifle and crew served weapons training the most. Chavis said, “I haven’t gotten to many opportunities to jump on the .50-Cal so it was a great experience.” When asked about the importance of weapons training Chavis said, “You may think that all of it won’t apply but it’s better to be prepared than not.”
Following the weapons training, the soldiers of the 316th ESC trained on reflexive firing, urban operations and vehicle operation. The soldiers started at a crawl phase by learning on “glass houses” which are outlines of rooms and buildings marked on the ground so that others can observe and offer input on the methods being used. Moving on to the walk phase the soldiers practiced urban operations in a mock village and in the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000. Brine said, “It brought you through very realistic and fun scenarios. Soldiers were very motivated to go in there, very motivated to get it done and execute.”
The final training exercise took the soldiers of the 316th ESC to the run phase of training and combined nearly all of the training events they had participated in during the previous 17 days. The soldiers were split into teams and went through several different scenarios ranging from searching a building for a high value target to clearing a route through a village for improvised explosive devices. Brine said, “The structure of everything leading up to the culminating event we did was pretty spot-on. They allow you to learn all of the different pieces and parts then put you it all together here and I think that it went pretty well.”
Following this tour at RTC West the soldiers of 316th ESC will move on to Fort Hood, Texas, for two months to conduct their final pre-mobilization training and requirements before finally proceeding to Kuwait for their deployment.