Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Hohman | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Danny Fulmer, kneeling, gives instructions to Soldiers firing an...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASH. – Soldiers from the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment held an M-240B Machine Gun range Feb. 27 to maintain weapon proficiency and build a more cohesive team as new soldiers join their formation.
The Blackhawks returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. in January after completing a nine-month deployment to southern Afghanistan with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
“(The soldiers) are getting training on their new weapon system and preparing themselves to be apart of the team as the unit goes through the cycles of personnel change out,” 1st Lt. Charles Rugg, who serves as a platoon leader with 2nd Platoon, A Troop, 8-1 Cavalry. “Getting out in the range gets them back in kit and used to being around the weapons systems and things we did everyday for nine-months.”
Leaders with the Blackhawks use training like this to keep soldiers proficient and ready.
“The training keeps the guys fresh and keeps them in a tactical mindset,” said Rugg. “The earlier we start our training the better we can set our soldiers up for success.”
Training plays an important part in ensuring the cavalrymen are prepared for any mission.
“If you don’t train, you lose your ability to use it,” said Spc. Chad Hampton, who serves as a cavalry scout with 3rd Platoon, B Troop, 8-1 Cavalry. “It only takes a little bit of time to lose what you have learned, so keeping everything fresh makes you keep what you have learned.”
Upon their return, the soldiers with 8-1 Cavalry were joined with their partners who supported them in the rear. This training helped to build that camaraderie between the old and new soldiers.
“The training definitely helped me familiarize with the weapon, and when the new guys come I can teach them how to preform a functions check and shoot the weapon,” said Hampton.
This training gave noncommissioned officers, who are responsible for training, an opportunity to get out to teach, coach and mentor soldiers.
“The training was great,” said Rugg. “Everybody qualified, and a lot of that has to do with the instructions given by the NCOs and the leaders out there as well.”
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2013 16:44 |
| Story ID: | 102788 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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