CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA - Soldiers of the 689th Engineer Company practiced mission essential military tasks while at a two-week annual training exercise at Camp Blanding, Fla. during mid-August.
The Orlando based unit trained in a variety of skillsets consisting of searching and clearing explosive devices, performing combat casualty care, weapons qualification, vehicle familiarity and convoy operations along with numerous other basic Soldiering and engineer specific tasks during their time there.
The majority of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers' duty obligations consists of training one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, creating many challenges to readiness. This is why it is important for units to take full advantage of large scale training opportunities that are available in their semi-local area and maximize the time they have for efficient and focused training during these events.
During the AT event the unit also conducted an Engineer challenge with its sister company the 388th Engineer Company based out of West Palm Beach, Fla. The challenge tested the Soldiers mental, physical, and occupational skills.
The 689th was last deployed to Afghanistan in 2011-2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where its Soldiers received 17 Purple Hearts, 7 Valor Awards, 8 Bronze Stars and 90 combat action badges while conducting demining operations and route clearance.
The Army's Reserve component is vital to fulfilling national military needs throughout its operations at home and abroad. Exercises like these are crucial because they allow the Army Reserve to ensure its citizen Soldiers stay proficient and ready to deploy by providing enhanced training opportunities, professional development, and unit cohesion.