Photo By Pvt. Autumn Johnson | Kansas City Chiefs staff members visit the 1st Brigade Engineer Battalion motor pool...... read more read more
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FORT RILEY, Kan. – Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley welcomed representatives of the Kansas City Chiefs organization on June 1, 2023.
The visit began with members from the Kansas City Chiefs visiting 1st Inf. Div. Headquarters, where they came to understand the history at Fort Riley and build upon their ongoing relationship with The Big Red One.
The team representatives spent the day with leadership from the 1st Inf. Div., touring the installation and participating in demonstrations, such as training simulators and combatives.
“I've been in the National Guard and active-duty side for over 6 years, and it's really nice to see the kind of technology that we wish we had everywhere that is available here for the Soldiers,” said Alex Porter, a security guard at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Their first stop after visiting 1st Inf. Div. Headquarters was at the Fort Riley Combative gym, where Maj. Evan Perperis, the combatives officer in charge and engagement officer assigned to Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Divarity, 1st Inf. Div., gave them insight into soldiers' hand-to-hand combat training and techniques based on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Upon completing the overview, Perperis offered the group the opportunity to conduct combative hands-on training led by instructors and Soldiers from the 1ID Combative Team. This hands-on activity served as a team-building experience where Fort Riley Soldiers could share and showcase their lethal skills while the Kansas City Chiefs Staff got to step out of their comfort zone to experience close combat training.
The group proceeded to the 1st Brigade Engineering Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. Motorpool, where they experienced static displays, followed by lunch at the Cantigny Warrior Restaurant. At both stops, the Chiefs staff conducted an awards ceremony for the Soldiers to commemorate their hard work and dedication to their Country.
“Building bridges is what we do as engineers, but one bridge we take the most pride in building is the one we build with our community. Hosting the KC Chiefs (staff), of all people, was a tremendous honor for our Battalion, Brigade, and Division,” said 2nd. Lt Benjamin Bradford Karmis an engineer officer assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, “We are very grateful that they took the time to make that hike out here to see us and can only hope they will come back again soon.”
On the tour's last stop, the staff visited the Mission Training Complex on Custer Hill. Again, the Chiefs staff gained valuable exposure to the daily life of a combat arms soldier. They operated weapon simulators from the high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle, engaging in realistic scenarios where they utilized firearms. Additionally, they conducted room-clearing exercises.
“I think my favorite part of the visit was the training simulators that Fort Riley has here. I've never used anything like this, so it was really cool to get hands-on experience,” said Porter.
After the simulators, the group concluded the day at MTC. They had one last ceremony, where they passed out challenge coins and thanked the Big Red One Soldiers for welcoming them on base.
Leaving Fort Riley, the staff got to experience the readiness, modernization, and commitment that the Big Red One has to Northeast Kansas.
“We had a really great time. It was an honor truly for all of us to be here today sincerely. All of us have had an amazing time. This was a very great experience,” said Caitlyn Allen, the community outreach operations assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs.
This event demonstrates that Ft. Riley is more than just a place to serve but a place to thrive. The installation and surrounding communities have dozens of opportunities to offer to young service members and their families.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2023 17:34 |
| Story ID: | 446322 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Chiefs Kingdom: Kansas City Chiefs Staff visit the 1st Infantry Division, by PV2 Autumn Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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