Photo By Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Melony Chavez, evaluator, Hand Grenade Assault Course (HGAC),...... read more read more
FORT KNOX, Ky. – The hand grenade is a hand-held, hand-armed, and hand-thrown weapon. There are six types of grenades and the U.S. Army uses each grenade with its different capability to provide Soldiers a variety of options to successfully complete the mission.
The Hand Grenade Assault Course (HGAC) committee, assigned to Task Force Wolf is comprised of Reserve Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 399th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division (Leader Training), coach and evaluate cadets attending Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., in proper hand grenade skills. The HGAC teaches cadets to employ a grenade using proper hand grenade preparation, correct form in different body positions, individual movement techniques and various engagement usage skills.
“The cadets learn four basic engagement techniques for assaulting with hand grenades: knock out a bunker technique, prone to kneeling technique — used when there is very little ground cover, kneeling technique — used when there is medium height ground cover, and a standing engagement technique,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brian Bacon, instructor noncommissioned officer in charge, HGAC committee, Task Force Wolf.
The hands-on experience the course provides the cadets is beneficial to their tactical proficiency at the skills.
“This training is very important, this gives the cadets the experience on what they should expect in a combat situation,” said Sgt. 1st Class Frank Beman, evaluator, HGAC committee, Task Force Wolf.
The cadre teaches the techniques at the five stations and then assesses the cadets’ skills on the assault course, which incorporates all the skills.
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“My role as cadre and training the cadets is extremely important. We have to ensure they learn all the techniques and skills correctly and proficiently,” said Sgt. 1st Class Harry Bowles, evaluator, HGAC committee, Task Force Wolf.
A fellow cadre member echoed the sentiments.
“I love this being a part of this training. I love the motivation and more importantly I love being able to mentor the cadets,” said Beman.
The 104th Training Division tasks its subordinate units with operating the various training lanes during CST. The unit trains throughout the year in order to be prepared to facilitate this training every summer said Bowles.
“This is our second year running this lane. The cadre did very well, they always come up on the strong end,” Bacon said.
The cadre in the committee has a unique mission — to train, positively influence and mentor the future leaders of the Army. These Soldiers are tasked each year with instructor roles and it’s important for them to be proficient in their responsibility.
“We are training the cadets, but as instructors we are getting trained too. I saw for a couple of the younger instructors, the lights come on,” Bacon said. “They’re job for the Army is to be an instructor and this is an ideal chance for them to train that and hone their craft. I saw a lot of the younger instructors to seize that opportunity and they are all the better for it.”
The appreciation for the opportunity to mentor and hone their craft of instructing was obvious throughout the committee.
“I’m very much involved in shaping the future leaders of the Army, and it’s very important to me that I’m able to pass on the training and skills to these cadets,” said Bowles. “This is the best part of being a Soldier and NCO — training and teaching.”
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2014 15:32 |
| Story ID: | 138139 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 464 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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