Soldiers assigned to 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and 7th Infantry Division, assisted in the exercise by role playing subordinate units and serving as mentors to help enhance the training realism and readiness of the unit.
“This (Bayonet Focus 18-03) allows us an ability to see ourselves and enhances our ability to make key decisions,” said Col. Shaughnessy Hodge, the 81st SBCT commander. “Stay motivated, stay engaged and we will learn a lot from this CPX (command post exercise).”
This exercise iteration featured complex operational scenarios strengthening the organization’s ability to gain an understanding of the simulated battlefield to make critical decisions at the opportune time.
Time was spent learning how to synchronize the brigade’s efforts across all warfighting functions enabling subordinate battalion’s to conduct a river crossing and assault multiple objectives.
“As Col. Hodge said, tempo implies synchronization and that is what brigade staffs do,” said Maj. Gen. Willard Burleson III, the 7th Infantry Division commanding general, during the combined arms rehearsal. “Be ruthless in your enforcement of your common operating picture, both digital and analog because without it, and timely reporting, we can’t enable the brigade commander’s decision cycle.”
JBLM’s world class training facilities enabled the Soldiers to work as a cohesive team despite being from three separate units and it tested their knowledge, skills, and abilities to fight, via simulation with a staff that they typically don’t work with on a day-to-day basis.
“Bayonet Focus 18-03 is about everyone getting better collectively and as individuals, to include those that role-played commanders in the scenario and the observer controller/trainers,” said Col. Jay Miseli, 2/2 SBCT commander. “It was an honor to work with the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team and I know my staff’s readiness was improved at Bayonet Focus 18-03 as well.”