Speed and Power Soldiers go through Estonian basic training

Photo By Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts | Cpl. Michael Tucker, right, and Spc. Treviontea Johnson, left, both infantrymen with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, volunteered to be the first U.S. Soldiers to participate in the Estonian Basic Training Course at Tapa Training Area, Estonia from July 5 to September 9.  

TAPA, ESTONIA

07.22.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

(TAPA TRAINING AREA, Estonia) – Two Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment became the first U.S. Soldiers to go through the Estonian Basic Training Course at Tapa Training Area, Estonia July 5-September 9.

Cpl. Michael Tucker and Spc. Treviontea Johnson, both infantrymen with Company A, 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., volunteered for the nine-week course.

“This is a once in a lifetime experience and builds better relationships between us and our NATO allies," said Tucker, a native of Stafford, Virginia. “I have trained on weapons that I was unfamiliar with, learned a different language and can understand how a different military operates.”

Soldiers from 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt. are currently in Estonia as a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.

Capt. Solomon Metcalf, the commander for Co. A, 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., said the idea of his Soldiers participating in the Estonian basic course started when they got to Estonia in late June.

“When we first arrived [to Estonia], a lot of our training coordination was focused around the Estonian basic course from beginning to end,” said Metcalf. “As we began the training management process, it became more and more obvious that this is an opportunity that we need to take advantage of.”

The two Soldiers moved into living quarters with the Estonian conscripts to help immerse them into their training and familiarize themselves with their surroundings.

Throughout the course, most mornings start at 6 a.m. for personal hygiene and 30 minutes of morning workouts to get the blood flowing. By 8:30 a.m. the conscripts practice marching for two hours with the remainder of the day training to prepare the conscripts to become professional Soldiers, to include rifle tactics, hand-to-hand combat, woodland warfare, and how to assemble and disassemble a Galil rifle.

Estonian Staff Sgt. Asko Mets, a platoon sergeant for the Estonian Basic Course, said having the U.S. Soldiers is an added benefit for the conscripts.

“The Soldiers can give insight on how they do things, and we learn from them,” said Mets. “They are definitely a great boost to the conscripts because they can share some of their experiences from the two or maybe three years of service they have.”

Johnson, a native of Los Angeles, said there are many similarities between the Estonian and U.S. Army, but the biggest difference was in their drill and ceremony and how their Soldiers march.

“In the U.S. Army we march with our fingers tucked inside our hand, while moving our arms back and forth and taking a 30 interval step,” said Johnson. “Here in the Estonian basic course, we are taught to march with our hands open, fingers and thumbs joined, while swinging our arms from side-to-side.”

Despite the differences, Johnson said training alongside the Estonians in their basic course has been a great experience.

“I volunteered because it was something different and I wanted to experience participating in their basic course,” said Johnson. “I have made some great friendships by talking to the conscripts in my platoon and getting to know them.”

• Date Taken: 07.22.2016
• Date Posted: 08.02.2016 10:42
• Story ID: 205795
• Location: TAPA, EE