Observer-Coach-Trainers Help Reserve Soldiers Achieve “Flawless” Execution

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

05.04.2017

Story by Sgt. Elizabeth Raney 

343rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Graham, a combat engineer assigned to the Active Component/Reserve Component of the 181st Multi-Function Training Brigade at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, served as an OC/T for the 401st Multi-Role Bridge Company during their WAREX rotation.
“Here in AC/RC [Active Component/ Reserve Component] we coach, mentor, and train Reserve and National Guard units," Graham explained. "We assist them from day one and take them through the entire exercise. That way we can have a lasting relationship with them and build that rapport with them so they trust us and are more apt to be open to our suggestions."
Graham said they train the Soldiers on "the basic Army battle drills: how to operate in a [tactical assembly area], and how to operate in an austere environment, but at the same time, how to do their specific job."
U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Joseph Andrejcik, an OC/T assigned to the 1st Battalion, 329th Infantry Regiment, 86th Training Division out of Indianapolis, Indiana, said the role of an OC/T is to get the Soldiers prepared for the next level of training and ultimately be mission capable and ready for deployment when called upon.
"We have to be the subject matter experts for every unit that we OC for and try to give them the right guidance and information that can help them succeed in getting better at their jobs, at troop leading procedures, and general soldiering," he said.
These SMES employ a straightforward, graduated approach to instilling the required skills to accomplish the mission. Leading the troops to success is deliberate.
“It’s important to guide them," U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jarvis Randall, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with the 310th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 181st Multi-Functional Training Brigade at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. "We can get them to the walk and run phases through the crawl phase. We’ll hold their hands, metaphorically speaking, through the process of developing the picture they need in order to accomplish their mission.
"Each day, we increase the intensity so they get to exercise that knowledge. By the time we’re done with this exercise, they should be able to do it in their sleep, like a reflex," Randall said.
U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Sam Scarborough, a Gardendale, Ala., resident and CBRN specialist with the 318th Chemical Company out of Birmingham, Ala., said he has benefited from having the OC/Ts on site during his previous annual training events.
“It’s very helpful feedback," he said. "When we’re out there in the heat of some kind of training environment, sometimes you forget things. The OC/Ts are there as a helpful eye. They watch everything, and afterwards they’re able to give live feedback on what you did right, what you did wrong, and how you get better."
“It makes us better, especially going through these two weeks," Scarborough said. "With the help of the OC/Ts, by the end of the two weeks, it’s a flawless procedure."

• Date Taken: 05.04.2017
• Date Posted: 05.08.2017 09:43
• Story ID: 232994
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US