Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Katzenberger | Pfc. Christopher K. Walker, a paratrooper assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Near a stack of boxes of Meals Ready-to-Eat, rows of binoculars and a pile of oranges situated in a clearing in the woods of a Fort Bragg training area, Paratroopers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, “Geronimo,” apply hues of green, brown and black paint to their faces in preparation for a reconnaissance testing lane.
Their test: plot a notional enemy’s location on a map, move undetected through dense groves of pines to observe the enemy, draw a three-dimensional sector sketch and return to the start point in four-hour’s time to report everything they observed to their commander.
The reconnaissance lane the Paratroopers prepared for marked the third day in a scout selection process held July 28-31 for “Geronimo” Soldiers who wanted to hone old skills, learn new ones and become part of an elite group within the infantry community.
Scouts, who are infantrymen who serve in reconnaissance platoons in light infantry battalions, are called upon to conduct short-range reconnaissance for their unit. They possess skills required of all infantrymen but are hand-picked for their ability to bring more to the table.
“[Scouts have a] very much broader mission set than your typical infantry platoon,” said 1st Lt. Brendan M. Vosburgh, the scout platoon leader for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 501st PIR. “[The mission] requires Soldiers with a higher level of autonomy and the ability to learn a wider breadth of skills faster than you would expect out of most Soldiers on the line.”
Vosburgh, a native of New York City, New York, ran the scout selection process along with his platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Adam L. Utt and the sniper section leader, Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Buck.
He said when the “Geronimo” battalion transitioned from a cavalry squadron to an infantry regiment in the fall of 2013 in accordance with the Army’s force realignment plan the battalion was in need of a reconnaissance platoon comprised of snipers and scouts. With the snipers already having been chosen in April during a selection process, the current selection process was held to round out the platoon with scouts.
Paratroopers vying for scout positions had to pass a Ranger Physical Fitness Test, complete a 10-kilometer day and a 5-kilometer night land navigation lane, a four-hour reconnaissance lane, a 12-mile road march and participate in an informal board.
Thirty-nine Paratroopers began testing on July 28, with only 10 making the cut.
Spc. Shawn M. Grothe, a paratrooper from Saint Clair, Missouri, said it was an awesome feeling being selected for the team.
“I wanted to broaden my perspective of an infantry battalion rather than just working on a line unit like I have for the past three years,” Grothe said. “There were a few challenges along the way [but] when you get something that challenges you, you just suck it up and push through.”
Pfc. Christopher K. Walker, a native of Osage Beach, Missouri, also made the cut. He said he tried out to become a scout for career advancement and to challenge himself.
“Everything was pretty cut and dry—if you tried hard you had a pretty good shot,” Walker said of the competition. “A lot of guys didn’t get to make it. I’m going to keep moving forward, try hard and see what happens.”
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2014 08:00 |
| Story ID: | 138558 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Hometown: | OSAGE BEACH, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 324 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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