FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – 213th Regional Support Group Soldiers improved their marksmanship skills with the Engagement Skills Trainer during Annual Training here June 10, 2017.
The EST2000 is a virtual simulator that provides Soldiers with the chance to hone their marksmanship skills in a controlled setting. The system accurately measures the Soldiers’ performance in a simulated environment while still providing realistic conditions such as recoil when the weapon is fired.
Many of the units within the 213th Regional Support Group took part in this valuable training in preparation for live-fire exercises scheduled for later in the year.
The Soldiers that participated in the simulation had familiar face manning the controls. Sgt. Joshua Watkins with the 213th Personnel Company works full time as a Department of Defense Simulations trainer.
“We have 22 different simulators here at [Fort Indiantown Gap], but the EST is our bread and butter. If units use it correctly, they can get much better results on the range and save money for the Guard,” Watkins said.
Young Soldiers with limited experience with their individual weapons receive one-on-one help with sight picture and trigger squeeze to proper breathing and how to control heart rate. All of this training builds familiarity with the weapon and confidence in the Soldier.
The EST2000 can be used for both individual and crew-served weapons. Each weapon is connected to an air compressor and provides recoil that is 80 percent of the force of the actual fired round.
Watkins explained the EST2000 has been used to train as many as 70,000 soldiers in a single year. He believes it to be a powerful training asset, but it is also is a financial benefit.
Watkins said that because the equipment uses compressed air to simulate firing, the state saves money on ammunition and Soldiers still get valuable practice on their weapons.
Watkins is familiar with working with Soldiers of all skill sets and job descriptions.
“Every Soldier, no matter what the job is, has to be able to pick up a weapon and use it well,” said Watkins.
Spc. Brittany Ballard and Spc. Gerard Ngauss, both financial management technicians with the 28th Financial Management Service Unit, said they strengthened their teamwork and built their skills with the training they received.
Ngauss, a veteran of Afghanistan, told of a time in Jalalabad’s Fob Fenty where his finance company had to respond to a possible enemy attack.
“We all ran to our weapons and had to be ready. We followed [standard operating procedures] and I had to man the M249,” Ngauss said.
Ballad added, “At the end of the day, we are all Soldiers.”
Watkins believes that the key to building skills with the weapons in the United States Army’s arsenal is training and practice.
“Experience. Getting the trigger time. Bring in any unit and give us two hours with them, we can have them shooting expert,” Watkins said.