Photo By 1st Lt. Vanessa Atchley | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – More than 120 Soldiers, including Soldiers from the...... read more read more
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By Chief Warrant Officer 3 Glenn Butler,
Targeting Officer, 25th Infantry Division
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII – Twice a year, artillery Soldiers in the 25th Infantry Division compete in a challenging competition and certification to ensure fire support teams are prepared for contingencies around the Pacific Theater.
More than 120 Soldiers, including Soldiers from the 1-151st Infantry Regiment, 76th Brigade Combat Team, Indiana National Guard, competed in the most recent 25th Infantry Division “Best FiST,” from Jan. 5-11 in the East Range Training Area at Schofield Barracks.
“The training is tough, realistic, and important,” said Capt. Zachary White, 25th Inf. Div. Assistant Fire Support Officer. “All the fire supporters, once they get done with the long test days, it is something that they can be proud of. It paints a picture for the commanders and senior NCOs on the quality of the Soldiers they have in their formations and what they need to continue training up on for the next mission.”
The Best Fire Support Team competition and certification included a fire support equipment layout, a 12-mile ruck march, a land navigation competition, a written test on the tactical employment of fire support assets, and teams were rated on observation post occupation and calling for fire with VBS3 simulation equipment.
The 23 teams, averaging five Soldiers, including a fire support officer, a fire support NCO and a forward observer, prepared for months for the competition, vying for the coveted title “Best FiST.”
The 12-mile ruck march was the start to a five-day FiST certification. Sgt. Matthew Dicristo, Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div., earned the fastest time for the ruck march, with a 2:09.13.
In addition to the competition, the opportunity to integrate with 1-151 Inf. Reg., was an invaluable output of the certification. The Indiana National Guard regiment is partnered with 2nd BCT, 25th Inf. Div., as part of the Army Associated Units Program. The program pairs a National Guard or Reserve unit with an Active-duty counterpart for organization, training, and deployments.
The certification also includes a battalion-level fire support rehearsal. The fire support officers and their teams briefed commanders from the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment; the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment; and 25th Inf. Div. Artillery, on the detailed integration of the fire support plans they composed in support of a maneuver element. Junior leaders got direct feedback from senior Artillerymen in the 25th Inf. Div. on their respective plans and their ability to provide shared understanding across a staff.
After a grueling week of competition, Maj. Gen. Ronald P. Clark, commanding general, 25th Inf. Div., recognized the top-performing Soldiers. Spc. Johnathan White, Battery C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, earned the individual title “Best FiST Soldier,” and Sgt. Charles Laabs, Battery C, 1-27 Inf. Reg., earned the title of “Best FiST Leader.”
“I was lucky enough to be assigned to a great team with knowledgeable leaders that prepped me for the event,” said White.
Soldiers from Battery C. “Charlie Rock,” 2nd Battalion, 35th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, earned the overall “Best FiST.” The team included: Pvt. Reed Kennedy, Sgt. Matthew Dicristo, Sgt. Joshua Holliman, Staff Sgt. Brett Lavigne, and 1st Lt. Derek Swanson.
“We expect excellence in all we do, be it calling for fire or rucking up East Range, and we train accordingly,” said Swanson. “I think our key to success during FiST certification was establishing a clear sense of Charlie Rock identity early on, so whether it be a new private with two months in the Army or a Staff Sergeant with eight years’ experience, buying in is easy. It is great seeing that training pay off in an event such as the 25th Infantry Division Artillery certification.”
| Date Taken: | 01.11.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.18.2018 15:49 |
| Story ID: | 262462 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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