BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — Due to a change in battlefield conditions, Soldiers with 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, at Forward Operating Base Airborne have been training for more than six weeks to refine their infantry skills.
Sgt. 1st Class David Morin, platoon sergeant for 4th Battalion, said he has seen a decrease in artillery missions since his last tour in Afghanistan. This decreased need for artillery fire frees up Soldiers to perform a wider variety of tasks.
The 25th is taking an infantry skills refresher course. That 'refresher' consists of combat rehearsal exercises that include cordon-and-search, improvised explosive device response, perimeter security operations and how to interact with local nationals.
"This training gives the Soldiers a wider variety of skills," said Morin. "Yesterday we were running maneuver drills and today we're performing fire missions."
Pfc. Jonathan Riley, 4th Battalion, said the opportunity to cross-train has been a rewarding experience.
"It's good because we need to know how to provide back-up to our comrades outside the wire," said Riley. "For me it's also exciting because infantry was my first choice when I joined the Army. So now I get to do both!"