Photo By 1st Lt. David Woychek | A U.S. Soldier switches out the magazine of his rifle during the stress fire event of...... read more read more
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CAMP SHERMAN, Ohio - Cohesive key leader teams are essential to unit success, but often difficult and time intensive to build. Operation Leprechaun focused on strengthening leadership teams for units of the 983rd Engineering Battalion, four of which have been sourced for deployment in the next two years, by pairing officer and non-commissioned officer leaders and having them work together during combat training simulations.
Taking place at Camp Sherman, Ohio, March 16, 2013, Operation Leprechaun focused on building teamwork, basic soldier skills, and preparing unit leaders for upcoming deployments. The event consisted of a physical fitness test, stress fire, IED training lane, land navigation, and a ruck march. The teams included leaders at all levels, but focused on the leadership teams of young officers, some who have only just returned from their basic officer leadership course.
“The key concept behind [Operation Leprechaun] is to build that team between the platoon leader and platoon sergeant, between the company commander and the first sergeant,” said Capt. Jeremy Tallent, engineer plans officer for the 983rd Engineer Battalion and Operation Leprechaun officer in charge. “That’s where I believe that the platoon and the company lives and dies, with the relationship between those two. So if we build that team to be strong then they’re going to have better guidance for their soldiers down the road. Also, if the leaders take this back to their unit and prepare their soldiers the same way that we’re preparing them then they’ll be even better prepared for the mobilization site and combat,”
The days’ events helped reinforce basic soldier skills and required the participants to be familiar with their skill level one tasks, especially land navigation and marksmanship.
“We prepared by reading over the operations order and frago, and going through the soldier’s manual level one and then two, three and four,” said 1st Lt. Brandon Sherry, HHC 983rd Engineer Battalion.
Excellent physical condition was also a necessary to complete these events successfully.
“[We] ensured that we’re eating healthy, eating the right foods. Getting out there for physical fitness is a key factor, actually, to be successful here in this event,” said Sherry’s partner, Staff Sgt. Brian Beal, human resources NCO for the 983rd Engineer battalion.
The stress fire was one of the highlights of the whole exercise because it is an event that is not often done in the Army reserve. This event tests a soldier’s ability to engage an enemy while on the move. The participant starts the event with a 200-foot sprint and fifteen jumping jacks. Then, with an elevated heart rate, engages targets of three different colors while walking toward the target. The soldier also has to change the magazine of the M4 rifle and switch from M4 to M9 pistol in the middle of the exercise.
“The stress shoot is there to further identify or further replicate the type of situations they’re going to have in combat. We raise their heartbeat using side straddle hops and sprint drills and also they have to learn to identify multiple targets while on the move and shooting. They have to change weapons and change magazines,” said Tallent.
Overall, Operation Leprechaun brought together a series of events that helped unit leaders improve their preparedness, basic soldiering skills and the cohesion within the leadership team.
“I’m very impressed,” said Brig, Gen. Robert Carlson, commanding general, 372nd Engineer Brigade. “This is a good opportunity to get folks back to doing some basic soldiering skills. And so far it’s been a tremendous success.”
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2013 12:11 |
| Story ID: | 103726 |
| Location: | CHILICOTHE, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 236 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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