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    Soldiers improve mission readiness

    Soldiers improve mission readiness

    Photo By Spc. Claudia Rocha | Pfc. Anthony Jefferson, an interior electrician assigned to the 461st Engineer...... read more read more

    FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

    08.20.2015

    Story by Claudia Rocha 

    345th Public Affairs Detachment

    FORT MCCOY, Wis. - “Clear!” shouted Spc. Bobbie Ann Mitchell, as she kicked in a door. A stack of Soldiers followed her, swarming the room, looking for potential threats as they secured the building.

    Mitchell is not with Special Forces or even assigned to a combat-related unit. Instead, she is bridge crew member assigned to the 461st Engineer Company.

    Approximately 70 Reserve Soldiers assigned to three engineering companies from three different states conducted their 14-day annual training as part of the Combat Support Training Exercise 86-15-03
    at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 15. CSTX is designed to immerse units into a tactical environment that replicates what they would experience on a real-world mission.

    Throughout the entirety of their training, Soldiers of the 486th from Southfield, Michigan, the 485th from Rockford, Illinois, and companies from the 461st in Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota, participated in urban defense operations, such as Operation Gerhardt Village which pushed them both physically and mentally.

    “This type of training is great for the Soldiers because we don’t get the chance to do this year-round,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Jackson, a platoon sergeant for the 461st. “It gets everyone working together, improving teamwork within the unit.”

    During the scenario Operation Gerhardt Village, the Soldiers’ mission was to occupy an urban area, maintain its security and defend it from enemy attacks. As all participating companies are part of engineering units, these tasks challenged the Soldier’s knowledge of basic battlefield skills.

    “This isn't typical. At our last annual training, we were building a concrete slab with hard hats on, working with tools,” said Spc. Spencer Marek, a carpentry and masonry specialist assigned to the 461st. “This gives us a chance to see what [a deployed environment] is like.”

    Marek said that the change of pace for these units has allowed Soldiers to develop more than just tactical skills.

    “I’ve witnessed growth, especially in our noncommissioned officers and squad leaders, [I’ve seen] that they can lead and move troops around when need be,” added Marek.

    Units are assigned an observer coach trainer, an OC/T, who stays with the units during their missions in order to assess their strengths and weaknesses.

    As the OC/T assigned to the 461st, Sgt. 1st Class Gorge Rosal, an infantryman with 181st Infantry (Training) Brigade, 1st Battalion, 310th Regiment, here, provides mentorship and shares best practices to help the units develop their organizational readiness.

    “These units don't get too much time doing these types of missions. Their main focus is usually construction,” said Rosal. “In a deployed environment, it is important to know warrior tasks and drills, regardless of the Soldier’s military occupational specialty. That’s why we have training like this.”

    Usually, the units’ monthly battle assembly includes training related to engineering skill development, making this urban defense training a unique experience to the Soldiers.

    “Today, I’ve been clearing buildings, making sure they’re secure, and ensuring we have total protection of the area,” said Spc. Clark Alexander, an interior electrician assigned to the 486th. “I haven't done any in-depth training with things like this, so I think it’s really useful.”

    Other Soldiers of the engineering companies agreed that they appreciate the opportunity to train in different capacities.

    “It’s tough, but that means if we’re put in tough situations when we’re deployed, we will be ready,” said Alexander.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.20.2015
    Date Posted: 08.20.2015 16:49
    Story ID: 173781
    Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US

    Web Views: 151
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN