FORT CARSON, Colo. – The Colorado-based, 440th Civil Affairs battalion was the newest unit to join the proud lineage of US Army Civil Affairs, as they conducted their fifth monthly drill in January since its creation in September of last year.
There were many new faces as the unit continues to recruit soldiers to reach full strength. Everyone was in high spirits with the opportunity to become a part of the most recent history of Army Civil Affairs. With various backgrounds in the military and civilian sector, every soldier brings a unique skill set to the table.
This includes a substantial amount of experience in Civil Affairs, with many soldiers transferring from other CA units. There are also those with previous experience in infantry, communications, logistics, military information, intelligence, administration, military police, artillery, and medical branches of the Army.
Soldiers also bring a wealth of civilian experience that includes professions in education, finance, political science, information technology, telecommunication, law enforcement, business and Healthcare.
“It’s exciting! There’s so many various backgrounds coming into this Civil Affairs unit, going forward it’s just going to continue to enhance,” said Staff Sgt. Jill Johnson.
A support team from headquarters was there to assist soldiers in scheduling for school and “squaring away” other requirements for today’s soldier.
Master Sgt. Rose Kirk said, “as a senior non-commissioned officer, it’s very refreshing to see these soldiers and junior non-commissioned officers so positive, selfless, and motivated to want to help their unit by getting MOS [military occupation specialty] and NCOES [non-commissioned officer Education System] qualified.”
During training, soldiers learned about CA, as well as completing several administrative and annual online training responsibilities. There were also informative non-commissioned officer -led Pacific Command briefs presented on the countries of Bhutan and Myanmar.
Training concluded each day with soldiers performing unit physical training, or PT, by implementing a trainer led CrossFit program at the Fort Carson gym. The PT was as interesting as it was challenging, and the soldiers were highly motivated and positive through the entire session.
"Fort Carson's CrossFit trainers and fitness facilities are invaluable assets for us to leverage in the USAR. The ultimate goal is premier soldier fitness in support Army Reserve missions" says Maj. George Meyer, the battalion’s full time officer-in-charge.
The circuit was roughly 30 minutes and broke down into seven exercise stations. There were 14 total exercises used, with a new set introduced after a full unit revolution through the first seven. There were a couple small breaks in between revolutions, with the philosophy of CrossFit being to complete as many reps of an exercise in one to two minutes, then immediately switching stations to the next exercise in order to train muscular endurance of the entire body.
Several pieces of non-traditional exercise equipment were integrated into the exercises. This included kettle bells, medicine balls, and adjustable pull up bar straps. The exercise movements done with this equipment included squats, inverted rows, push-ups, and overhead presses. Even when the workout was completed, all the soldiers were in very high spirits, and had effectively grown closer as a team.
The unit’s chaplain, Capt. William Ferris said, “The ability we have to utilize Fort Carson, its facilities and its trainers is phenomenal. Cross-fit training this past weekend not only gave our Soldiers valuable fitness ideas, but it also helps build morale amongst a brand new unit as we train together, sweat together and feel pain together."