Police polish proficiency

Photo By Spc. Claudia Rocha | Spc. Michael Ficorilli, an MP assigned to the 305th Military Police Company, Wheeling, W.Va., interacts with residents of Gerhardt, a simulated village part of Combat Support Training Exercise 86-15-03, at Fort McCoy, Wis., Aug. 20. The 305th Soldiers are providing security for 257th Brigade Support Battalion, Whitewater, Wis., as they supply the village with water. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Claudia Rocha, 345th Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

08.20.2015

Story by Claudia Rocha 

345th Public Affairs Detachment

FORT MCCOY, Wis. - Abruptly waking up to the sound of gunshots, avoiding improvised explosive devices on the road and reacting to an ambush at a moment’s notice are all reminders to 305th Military Police Company that this is not just a normal battle assembly.

For 20 days, Soldiers of the 305th from Wheeling, West Virginia, are able to sharpen their skills with the equipment and facilities available to them at the Combat Support Training Exercise at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, August 2015. CSTX 86-15-03 creates a simulated deployed environment in which units are able to train as they would fight.

First Lt. Sean Potts, the company commander, said that the unit has been working hard to prepare for this annual training event.

“We do training like this at our monthly battle assembly. We actually did a field training exercise a few months ago in our ‘walk’ phase of things,” said Potts. “We practiced and walked through it and now this is our ‘run’ phase.”

While the MPs are accustomed to learning about these battlefield skills, with only one weekend a month and limited accessibility to training equipment, drill can only take them so far.

“We sometimes have to use our imagination at battle assembly,” joked Spc. Michael Ficorilli. “But here, everyone has all the gear they need, which is great because they're being more effective in response time. When we first got out here, it took a while for people to fumble with the equipment, but now since we’ve been practicing so much, it doesn't take long at all to get everyone on line.”

This training is critical to the unit’s mission readiness as they are a combat military police force and have responsibilities that include patrols, reacting to enemy contact, route reconnaissance, raid operations and convoy escorts when deployed.

“Right now we’re doing a lot combat support missions,” said Potts. “Coming out here has been good for the Soldiers, because we have a better site to do it on and we have actual buildings we are allowed to go in and clear.”

Potts also attributed the training’s success to the diversity of units involved in the exercise.

“We get to work with units of all different military occupancy specialties, providing new perspectives to our training,” said Potts.

From chemical specialists to vertical engineers, CSTX provides a look into the complexity of an actual deployed environment in which Soldiers of all different jobs must work together to accomplish the mission.

Each unit in the exercise is assigned an observer coach trainer, or OC/T, who stays with the units during their missions in order to asses their strengths and weaknesses.

Sgt. 1st Class Cory Simpson, an MP from the 383rd Training Support Battalion Des Moines, Iowa, provides mentorship and shares best practices to help units develop their organizational readiness.

“The morale of these Soldiers is outstanding,” said Simpson. “They’re working very hard, and they came here knowing a lot of the fundamentals already. I’m going to help them become the best warriors they can be.”

By utilizing OC/Ts, valuable knowledge from all over the country is shared among the Army Reserve. Soldiers of the 305th said that having OC/Ts creates a conducive learning environment for both the unit’s junior enlisted and leadership members.

Pfc. Hunter Sargent agreed.

“When you're with your unit, you know what to expect and how they like to train, but that third perspective allows you to see things a different way,” he said.

Throughout their time at CSTX, the troops have received unique in-depth training and Potts said this is exactly what they need to reach their full potential.

“We’re doing everything we can to ensure these Soldiers are trained and proficient in their tasks, so when we’re called to deploy, we will be ready,” said Potts.

• Date Taken: 08.20.2015
• Date Posted: 08.20.2015 17:52
• Story ID: 173805
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US