Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Mattison | U.S. Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment, 86th...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) recently returned from annual training at Fort Drum in New York. Approximately 2,000 members of the Vermont National Guard spent eight days participating in a multi-echelon integrated brigade training, or MIBT, incorporating more than 4,500 active and reserve-component Soldiers.
“The purpose of all this training, is to maintain proficiency at a high level throughout our available year as part of the ARFORGEN readiness model,” said Col. Andrew Harris, commander of the 86th IBCT. “The exercise incorporated a division headquarters, another brigade, active-duty forces, and a challenging combination of tactical events and live-fire events. It was a 'proof of concept' event, meaning ours was the first organization in the Army to participate and test the viability and usefulness of this type of training.”
According to Harris, the Soldiers were required to perform a variety of collective tasks in a realistic tactical environment. Platoons and companies maneuvered against an opposing force, which was comprised of active duty Soldiers. They also performed assembly area activities, troop leading procedures, convoy operations, resupply operations, tactical planning, and a variety of offensive tasks such as movement to contact, assaulting an objective, land navigation, support by fire and reconnaissance. In addition, situational exercise lanes (STX Lanes) and live-fire ranges were conducted to further hone their skills.
“Our Soldiers excelled at planning and executing field operations,” said Harris. This exercise involved no barracks or cantonment phase. We moved directly from home station into the field and it was all done with adherence to tactical standards.”
“As an infantry brigade, challenging weather is to be expected, and Fort Drum provided ample heat, rain, and dense foliage to test our mettle,” said Harris. “We were very lucky to have an actual OPFOR to work as a free-thinking adversary as we conducted our various missions. This component cannot be overstated as it forces leaders and Soldiers to be adaptive and flexible when conditions change because of what the enemy chooses to do.”
“They've got to know that they can live through the suck,” said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Dayton, platoon sergeant, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain). “It’s been rugged. But these guys ... we didn't have a single guy that fell out on his own and we shouldn't.”
Dayton also mentioned that, even though it was tough, everyone pushed forward and continued on.
“It was awesome,” Dayton said. “I’m proud of them, I'm proud to be a part of this platoon, part of this company. To watch these guys go through what they went through in the last 30 hours and then come and do a live-fire and execute it well, it’s awesome. You can’t really ask for much more.”
“This type of multi-echelon, integrated training is the most effective way to teach Soldiers how their individual effort impacts the entire organization and why their specific duties and role matter in the larger scheme of things,” Harris said.
Harris also went on to say that the training helped to emphasize various aspects of operating in a field environment, highlighting the importance of tactical planning and communications.
“It also was a great test of personal will and stamina, and, especially for Soldiers that are new to the military, provided an opportunity to be challenged, to rise to that challenge, and to succeed at something difficult,” said Harris. “Everyone benefits from completing a difficult thing, and gaining the pride that comes from being there and saying to oneself, 'I did that, I accomplished something important.’”
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2015 20:10 |
| Story ID: | 172985 |
| Location: | FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Vermont National Guard MiBT wrap up, by SMSgt Sarah Mattison, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
