Puerto Rico Army National Guard merges seamlessy with the Tiger Brigade

Photo By Staff Sgt. Gregory Stevens | Soldiers with the 1/296, Puerto Rico Army National Guard pose with their 256th IBCT counterparts at mortar range 33 during Annual Training June 6, 2015. (Louisiana Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Greg Stevens)  

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

06.08.2015

Courtesy Story

256th Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana Army National Guard

By Sgt. Greg Stevens
256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Representative

FORT POLK, La. – 140 Citizen-Soldiers from First Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment, Puerto Rico Army National Guard are in the midst of an 11 day period of Annual Training that has them working in unison with Louisiana Soldiers of the 256th IBCT.

Although training at Fort Polk concludes later this week, the lessons learned, camaraderie, and practical field applications all served as reminders that despite great distances we are all brothers and sisters together in Army National Guard service.

The 296th flight into and back from Louisiana is approximately six hours in length, but despite the daunting logistical concerns it has been a very productive training period for everyone involved.

“It worked out great. The resources here, the logistics are very helpful. Everything we need is being supported by the different battalions of the Louisiana National Guard. It’s really a privilege to be here and able to make that bond a little stronger between the Puerto Rican National Guard and the Louisiana National Guard,” said First Sgt. Victor Mendez, Company D, First Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment out of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Col. Keith Waddell, Brigade Commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Lafayette, La. strongly concurred, “It strengthens our combat power. The joint effort is mutually beneficial. A prime example is they have two school trained snipers, and we don’t have any, so they have actually led a lot of the sniper training that we’ve done throughout Annual Training.”

The 296th provided a wealth of primary and supportive resources to the Annual Training period. Gunnery training for their D Company, scouts, snipers, mortars, medics and cooks were all brought here to assist in training and support to the brigade.

“The Louisiana Soldiers have been receptive. They have been very competitive. I feel like the Louisiana National Guard has made us apart of their team, as do my Soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Hector Santiago, Commander of 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment.

The union of these Soldiers and the many similarities that they share as United States National Guardsmen was apparent to anyone observing their training. Nevertheless, being approximately 1,876 miles away from each other can bring a minor cultural difference or two to the table.

“It’s pretty warm here, just like the island. It’s humid, just like the island, but the food is spicy. Some of the Soldiers, they’re watching the food. I have to taste it first,” added Mendez with a hearty laugh. “We see deer here; we don’t have deer back home. They hunt turkey here; we don’t do that back home. There are a lot of creeks here too, unlike the island.”

Watching the units side by side, it’s nearly impossible to notice any discernable differences. The 296th leadership group has done a tremendous job preparing the Soldiers for training.

“The brigade has been outstanding in providing support. Col. Waddell is an officer with a lot of commitment to the brigade and to the Louisiana National Guard. We are very satisfied with the training, support, and opportunity provided for us to conduct training with the 256,” said Santiago.

Both commanders seem to have their eyes firmly affixed toward a mutually successful future relationship for all involved.

“Our team is starting to blend prior to the official alignment of the 296th and the 256th Infantry Brigade. Lt. Col. Santiago is on par with the other commanders that we have in the 256. He’s a solid grade leader. In terms of him coming in, it was seamless. He fell in, did his work and came prepared,” said Waddell.

Although the end of this training period is in sight, the lessons, field experience, and bonds of friendship that only Soldiers could possibly know the depths of will continue to strengthen as their seamless transition together becomes reality.

• Date Taken: 06.08.2015
• Date Posted: 06.08.2015 18:01
• Story ID: 165902
• Location: FORT POLK, LA, US