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    Soldiers train on the Squad Advanced Marksmanship-Trainer

    Fort Drum Soldiers training with the Army's Squad Advanced Marksmanship Trainer (SAM-T).

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Phillip Tross | Fort Drum Soldiers training with the Army's Squad Advanced Marksmanship Trainer (SAM-T).... read more read more

    FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

    03.22.2019

    Story by Capt. Matthew Pargett 

    27th Public Affairs Detachment

    Fort Drum, New York – Soldiers from 10th Mountain Division were some of the first outside of training units to test the Squad Advanced Marksmanship-Trainer system from 20 to 21 March, 2019.

    Beginning with weapons familiarization on the M4 carbine, M249 light machine gun and M9 Beretta pistol simulated weapon systems, Soldiers from the 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion commented on the differences between SAM-T and other training systems.

    “It was a lot different from what I was expecting,” said Pfc. Sean Jacobs. “I thought it was going to be an expanded EST (Engagement Skills Trainer), but it turned out to be something entirely different. This new program delves into more squad tactics and is not a static engagement.”

    While conducting squad movements, Soldiers could maneuver through physical obstacles while reacting to an on-screen virtual simulation.

    “We weren’t tethered to anything like we are at an EST, so we could move freely when doing squad-level drills with a wall-sized screen,” said Sgt. Micah Yaklich. “The weapons, and even the magazines, had the same weight and feel of our regular systems.”

    Using the system’s ability to simulate different training scenarios, such as room-clearing, the squads that participated were able to react to the on-screen avatars controlled by a system-operator nearby.

    “In a five man team, you have different scenarios and on-screen characters that interact with you, such as civilians and enemy who respond differently though the training,” said Pfc. Jacobs.

    At the end of the training, the Soldiers shared their thoughts on the SAM-T system.

    “I think everyone needs to go through it…infantrymen, truck drivers, cooks, everyone, because at the end of the day you’re a rifleman first,” said Pfc. Blake Smith.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.22.2019
    Date Posted: 03.25.2019 14:23
    Story ID: 315607
    Location: FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, US

    Web Views: 463
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN