Photo By Staff Sgt. Aidana Baez | Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Battalion, participated in base...... read more read more
STARKE, Fla. – Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment prepare for their upcoming mobilization by conducting three weeks of premobilization training at Camp Blanding, Fla.
Once the unit receives their official mobilization order, they will continue to Fort Bliss, Texas, to conduct post mobilization training.
“We’ve been conducting premobilization training that’s primarily focused on the individual Soldier fundamental skills,” said Lt. Col. Jerry B. Glass, commander, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment. “So, as we move to post mobilization, that allows us to go to the collective skills of both platoon and company, which will be the final piece that we need.”
“The individual and leader training conducted here at Camp Blanding provides the fundamental skills that enable platoon and company level collective training at Fort. Bliss, Tx.,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Leon C. Dunning, command sergeant major, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment.
After the post mobilization training at Fort Bliss, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, which is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is scheduled to deploy to the Horn of Africa.
“The battalion is going to be conducting a very unique mission,” said Dunning. “Comprised of security forces training partnerships with other African Nation’s militaries and East African Response Force.”
“We are part of a greater operation in the Horn of Africa to promote stability,” said Glass. “CTJF, which is Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, conducts operations in the Combined Joint Operations Area to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests.”
Their premobilization training is being facilitated by their sister battalion, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Miami, Fla.
“First Battalion is here helping us, and it allows us to focus on training,” said Glass. “Since 1st Battalion is going to be replacing us overseas, now 1st Battalion is getting a chance to a look at the training plan we set up and will be able to tweak their training plan.”
By participating in premobilization training, the “Seminole” Battalion’s leadership can prepare its Soldiers for a variety of situations they may encounter during their deployment to the Horn of Africa.
“They are ready to perform the mission now,” said Glass. “We just need to continue to knock some rust off some of the skills we have.”
Preparing for a mobilization is a stressful time, but tough realistic training builds unit cohesion and increases morale.
“I will tell you right now morale is extremely high,” said Dunning. “The Soldiers and the leaders in the unit relish the opportunity to deploy and conduct this mission.”
“We are just getting close to deployment everybody is a little bit excited,” said Glass. “It is really allowing us to come together as a team.”
Soldiers from across the state have volunteered for the deployment, so the time spent on Camp Blanding is more than just training Soldiers, it is about creating a team.
“We are going to have the time to form together as a team through this training and Fort Bliss,” said Glass. “This isn’t the first time we’ve been a blended battalion.”
Recently, the Army has embarked on the Soldier 2020 initiative. It is focused on filling units with the best qualified Soldiers including units with specialties that were once closed to female service members.
“When we deployed in 2010, we gender integrated with females,” said Glass. “We trained up just as similar to what we are doing now; we didn’t have any issues then and we don’t expect to have any issues now.”
In 2010, 2nd Battalion, 1-124th Infantry Regiment along with the rest of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
“We are going to treat Soldiers like Soldiers and we ask Soldiers to act like Soldiers,” said Glass. “And when everybody is doing that then I think it is going to build the team more no matter who came from where, what background they are.”
“Everyone will be a Seminole,” said Dunning.
Making everyone a Seminole extends past the ranks in a formation. Building cohesion and a support group amongst the families back home is also a priority.
“We first incorporate families by our monthly newsletters,” said Glass. “Those newsletters just don’t have when to show up to drill and what to bring, they also have other resources about Tricare Reserve Select and they have information about get-togethers with the Family Readiness Group.”
Along with utilizing Family Readiness Groups, Yellow Ribbon events connect Soldiers and their Families with one another and provide resources before, during and after deployments.
“In July, we will be conducting our Yellow Ribbon event and that is a very important event,” said Glass. “It gives the Families a chance to meet because, being a National Guard unit, our families don’t always get a chance to interact; this is a chance for spouses and family to meet and become a support network for each other.”
Second Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment’s mobilization will last approximately one year; they will be stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. The 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment is scheduled to replace 2nd Battalion upon their redeployment back stateside.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2015 07:56 |
| Story ID: | 168575 |
| Location: | STARKE, FL, US |
| Hometown: | ORLANDO, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 1,279 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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