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Service members deploying to Iraq are usually familiar with the Third Army/U.S. Army Central training facilities at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
They participate in the most up-to-date training exercises available in everything from military operations in urban terrain to counter improvised explosive device training.
The trainers who teach these courses and prepare troops for operations up north are the Soldiers of First Army.
"We're here to train and we train 24 hours a day," said Capt. Robert J. Hill, officer in charge of First Army operational direct support team and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio.
First Army's motto "train like you are going to fight," summarizes their mission here.
"Everybody needs training," said Sgt. 1st Class David W. Sanchez, an instructor.
"There is no such thing as too much training."
Since its inception under the command of Gen. John H. Pershing, First Army has been all about training. In the continental United States, First Army is responsible for the training and mobilization of National Guard and Reserve forces.
First Army supplies instructors to Third Army/USARCENT to train service members in the mandatory training they need to be combat ready, Hill said.
All the trainers are handpicked by Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, commanding general of First Army, to become professionals at training troops.
The First Army instructors get hands-on training and experience in Iraq prior to instructing the courses. With the experience they gain up north the Soldiers of First Army become the professionals and subject-matter experts needed to truly prepare troops for the trials and stresses of the combat zone, Hill said.
The tactics and procedures used in combat constantly change as does the training provided at Buehring. The courses are updated weekly to keep up with the changes in tactics to counter new threats, said Sanchez.
"It's very realistic training," said Sgt. Manuel E. Vasquez, a humvee egress assistance trainer instructor. "I wish we had that training when I was in Iraq."
As well as training the service members, the Soldiers of First Army have also had a hand in the setup of some of the training areas such as the new dismounted improvised explosive device course. The course, which is set up to mimic a rural and an urban environment is the brainchild of Sanchez. Sanchez took care of most of the arrangements required to set up this new training area.
Once the instructors complete their tour and return to the United States they bring the experience they gained during deployment with them. This provides the Army National Guard and Reserve with experienced instructors to train and mobilize.
The feedback from the service members who participate in the course has been nothing but positive, Hill said.
"We get rave reviews from the Soldiers who got the training," Hill said.
First Army's training professionals have been preparing troops for combat since 2003 and will continue to do so as long as there is a need.
| Date Taken: | 12.30.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2007 06:25 |
| Story ID: | 15067 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 209 |
| Downloads: | 174 |
This work, First Army puts "Soldiers first", by SPC Christopher Grammer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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