As they watch their recruiters carry out a small array of weapons, a hush falls amongst the group of prospective Soldiers. They are all recruits from the San Marcos area.
On Feb. 10, 2018, the 363rd Quartermaster Battalion hosted the Mega Future Soldier Training Event at the San Marcos United States Armed Forces Reserve Center. U.S. Army Capt. Ty Reid, company commander of the San Marcos Recruiting Company, said the event was a unique opportunity for area recruits to get a glimpse into Army life.
“We’ve got between 30 and 35 future Soldiers coming out today, and six of them are bringing friends,” Reid said. “We do these events biannually to keep our recruits involved. We want to keep them all motivated and engaged. They won’t ship off until the summer, so this is one of the ways we touch base and make sure they’re doing well.”
The group, made primarily of high school seniors, made their way through a variety of introductory events. U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Sonianica Price of the San Marcos Recruiting Company outlined the day’s events.
“They’re learning drill and ceremony as well as basic functions of the weapons,” Price said. “The key focus of this event is to help get them familiar with some basic soldiering skills before they go to their Basic Combat Training.”
It took over a month to plan the event. According to Price, the event was supported by recruiters from local area recruiting stations.
“We have NCOs [non-commissioned officers] from the Austin South station, the Bastrop station, the San Marcos station and the New Braunfels station,” Price said. “It makes the recruits a little more comfortable to be here in a learning environment with a trusted NCO that they’ve been working with for a while.”
One of those recruiters, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Barnett, New Braunfels Recruiting Station Commander, was excited to introduce the prospective Soldiers to the basics of weapons safety.
“We have a lot of fun things planned today,” Barnett said. “Luckily this unit let us use the EST [Electronic Shooting Training] to try and get them familiarized with safe, simulated weapons training. A lot of these recruits have never touched a weapon before so I think this is a great introduction for them in a relaxed environment.”
Recruits like Ariel Dybowski, a senior at Canyon Lake High School, left the experience with a new level of confidence she will take with her as she prepares for Basic Combat Training.
“I just completed the EST and I shot eight out of ten targets,” Dybowski said. “This was my first time touching any type of weapon. Even though it was a simulation range, it makes me feel a little more prepared for the real thing.”
As the recruits made their way through the various stations, they began to talk more amongst themselves, ask questions and explore their new friendships.
“More than anything, we want for these future Soldiers to mingle with each other and get a real sense of teamwork,” Barnett said. “They’re getting excited about our equipment, sharing their stories and what they’re doing in the Army.”
The 363rd Quartermaster Battalion is part of the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). The 4th ESC is made up of Soldiers, civilians, and their families in units headquartered throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Their units are trained, ready and equipped to provide military and logistical support in any corner of the globe.