Photo By Jovi Prevot | U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Michael Hyer, and observer-coach/trainer assigned to...... read more read more
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Chaplains and religious affairs specialists assigned to the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team gather here for unit ministry team training on March 28, 2018.
The two day training is designed to strengthen the capabilities of unit ministry teams throughout the brigade.
“The purpose of this training is to prepare chaplains and religious affairs specialists for what they are going to face during the [Command Post Exercise] and down range,” said Sgt. First Class Michael Hyer, an observer-coach/trainer assigned to Headquarters Company, 5th Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Army . “We are also helping with staff integration and being able to advise the command on all matters of religion.”
A lot of planning goes into a specific training event like this.
We spend months and months of preparation for this training, going through our own planning with 5 AR and 177 AR training brigades, planning logistics and OC/T support when they are on the ground, he said.
Traditionally the 5th AR combined arms training brigade focuses on logistics of the training; however, with this particular situation, our UMT is also acting as OC/T said Hyer.
For Guardsmen, a quick refresher course is sometimes needed,
“As a civilian, I am a federal prison chaplain and honestly the ministry isn’t much different,” said Maj. Sean McMackin, brigade chaplain for the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. “Most of the other chaplains in the brigade are not ministers for a civilian career, so it’s important to get on the same page.”
Participants have input on what areas the training should focus to make the most out of the class.
“We were able to focus our training to the shortcomings that were identified at the National Training Center,” said McMackin, “At this point in the game, I’m thankful to be able to focus our training on lessons learned, to make the most of our training here.”
The class focused on skills the unit ministry teams would need to be successful during the deployment.
“The benefit of the training is that I am able to pick the brain of someone who has done this deployed, someone who does this every day,” said Sgt. Shawn Burton, a religious affairs specialists assigned to 2nd Battalion, 198th Armored Regiment. “I am a guardsmen and this isn’t my full time job, so this training really helps bring me up to speed.”
An additional advantage of this training is soldiers will be able to lean on their peers for professional support.
“Some of us will pick up and focus on different aspects of this training because of our units or personal experiences,” said Burton. “As questions arise, we can either answer them internally within our units, within our brigade, or even reach out the trainer.”
With training events based on basic, intermediate, and advanced army skills, the National Guard mobilization process ensures readiness within our ranks, and that soldiers of all career fields are equipped with what they need to be successful on the battlefield.
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2018 16:32 |
| Story ID: | 271354 |
| Location: | CAMP MCGREGOR, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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