402nd FA unit prepares for first O-C/T mission

Courtesy Photo | Staff members from the 402nd Field Artillery Brigade take notes and listen to the brigade commander’s feedback during a Rehearsal of Concept Drill here recently. During the ROC drill members of the staff as well as members from the units executing an upcoming mission are questioned by the commander. The commander addresses his concerns to ensure that his intent is being met. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Parish, Mobilization Training Center Bliss Public Affairs)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

02.20.2015

Courtesy Story

First Army Division West

By Capt. John A. Brimley
Mobilization Training Center Bliss Public Affairs

FORT BLISS, Texas — Leaders from 2nd Battalion, 362nd Field Artillery Regiment, 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, conducted a Rehearsal of Concept Drill here recently, in preparation for their first training support battalion observer-coach/trainer mission.

“The ROC drill was very important,” said Capt. DeCarlos Ware, senior O-C/T, 2/362nd FA. “It allowed us as a unit and team to synchronize our efforts throughout the battle ensuring that every team player and role player understands where they need to be and when they need to be there.”

Ware was one of three O-C/T’s to brief during the ROC drill giving Col. James Gallivan, commander of 402nd FA, a frame of reference for where the battalion is headed as they prepare to execute their mission.

“I think it was valuable to allow some of the brigade staff to see what we’ve done and once again understand where they can render some assistance,” said Maj. Stefan Hutnik, executive officer of 2/362nd FA,

For the last couple of years, the battalion has served as the Plans, Exercise Movement Control battalion with the 402nd FA. However, as part of Operation Bold Shift, the unit is scheduled to transition to a training support battalion, a mission that the leadership and Soldiers in 2/362nd are looking forward to.

“As we transition to a training support battalion, it gets us into the fight as far as training and preparing units to deploy,” said Ware.

According to Hutnik, the transition is a two-phase operation. Phase I coincided with the unit being able to provide O-C/T support to the 1st Armored Division during Operation Iron Strike during December 2014, and Phase II coincides with the battalion’s upcoming O-C/T mission supporting the New Hampshire National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment.

Capt. Jonathan Farwell, senior O-C/T with 2/362nd FA, didn’t experience the PEMC mission; however, his experience during Operation Iron Strike introduced him to the O-C/T mission set.

“For me, that mission was a good mission to step in to becoming an O-C/T at the 402nd giving me guidance on how to look at things, how to conduct an AAR, and how to mentor my counterparts,” said Farwell.
Lt. Col. James Laslie, commander of 2/362nd FA, Hutnik, Farwell, and other senior O-C/T’s presented their training plans to Gallivan and the 402nd staff in ROC drill format receiving his final approval and sincere gratitude for the team’s hard work.

Hutnik said the battalion is not only excited about its new mission, but also to be artillerymen, and to train Soldiers.

“Just getting back out there working with artillerymen, putting some rounds down range, is going to make everyone pretty happy,” Hutnik said.

• Date Taken: 02.20.2015
• Date Posted: 02.20.2015 14:57
• Story ID: 155040
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US