Photo By John Crosby | Sgt. Roman Aquino, with the California National Guard's 49th Adjutant General,...... read more read more
By Spc. John Crosby
Camp Atterbury Public Affairs
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – At Camp Atterbury, Soldiers of the Small Arms Readiness Group, or SARG, are responsible for preparing deploying Soldiers for what they may face when overseas. The SARG Soldiers train others on weapons handling and fundamentals, rifle marksmanship and the mechanics needed to successfully react and engage targets. When Soldiers graduate from basic training, they have acquired basic rifle skills. Refreshing and maintaining these skills are what the SARG is designed for.
The SARG belongs to the Installation Support Unit and is comprised of Soldiers returning from deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism, many of which are infantryman.
Last week the SARG trained several mobilizing Soldiers here at the live fire ranges and conducted several exercises including reflexive fire and buddy team live fire.
"This is some of the best training you will receive here in Camp Atterbury," said Sgt. 1st Class Trent Henry of SARG, and officer in charge of the day's range exercises. "It will give you the confidence to shoot your weapons effectively around your buddies."
"We get the kinks and the fear out," said Sgt. Frank Wierzbicki, an infantryman in the SARG. "Flagging, masking, accidental discharges... We get the Soldiers more comfortable with their weapons, more reliable."
Last week's exercises began on the reflexive fire course for deploying Soldiers. After receiving their safety briefings from the SARG, the California National Guard's 49th Adjutant General, Personnel Support Battalion, and the Army Reserve's 538th Transportation Company, mobilizing for Iraq, moved onto the firing line.
The Soldiers moved into position before they fired at one of several targets designated by verbal commands taken from the control tower. This exercise gets every Soldier on the line moving as one unit, makes them aware of their weapon orientation and helps them grow comfortable with the idea of having to fire their weapon accurately in close proximity to their battle buddy.
"This gets us out of our daily elements and gives us a brief idea of what we will be experiencing minus the fear and adrenaline," said Sgt. Juan Becerra, a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the 49th AG. "It helps prepare you for what's to come."
Henry said this range is different from a traditional range.
"Reflexive fire instills the mindset to react in a situation like patrolling through the streets," Henry said. "If the enemy popped up in a window, it gives them the instinct to react quickly."
The units then moved out to the buddy team live fire range. Here they learned to provide covering fire while advancing to an enemy position. Soldiers actually shoot past their buddies on this lane, leaving very little room for error as the SARG trainers throw smoke grenades to make the obstacle course that much more chaotic.
"The ISU's job is to provide mass confusion and chaos on the battlefield," Henry said. "It's the [the Soldiers'] job to keep moving, assault the enemy and safely kill their targets."
The Soldiers passed their training safely and effectively.
Sgt. Roman Aquino, an administrative specialist in the 49thAG, said the training was great.
"What's good about this training is that you're not remaining stagnant," Aquino said. "You're constantly moving around and firing at multiple targets. It simulates well for urban combat where you need to move and react to threats quickly."
Aquino appreciated the instructors as well.
"They were firm in making sure you're doing the right thing, but still created a good learning environment," he said. "They got right down with us and ran with us all the way."
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2008 11:20 |
| Story ID: | 24330 |
| Location: | CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 288 |
| Downloads: | 210 |
This work, Seasoned Soldiers pass on their experience, by John Crosby, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
