Bronco Sustainers Look Back on a Successful Gunnery

Photo By 1st Lt. Jordan Balzano | A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 325 Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division conducts a functions check of his M2 machine gun during JPMRC 24-01 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Nov. 9, 2023. This training exercise put to test the skills and knowledge sustainers developed during their gunnery earlier this year. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Jordan Balzano, 3rd brigade HHC)  

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

12.07.2023

Courtesy Story

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

The Mustangs deal with the lifeblood of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, sourcing, transporting, and protecting supplies that shape the operational tempo of their unit.

While the Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) is home to many military occupational specialties (MOS), the constant for every Soldier is their warfighting ability. At the start of 2023, the Mustangs completed a two-week Sustainment Unit Gunnery Training to certify 26-gun crews on Convoy Protection Platforms to increase lethality and warfighting skills, regardless of their typical 9-to-5.

During the training, Staff Sgt. Rashad Lawson, a 325th BSB radar repairman was the vehicle commander of his vehicle gun crew. With his team, consisting of himself, a gunner and a driver, he achieved a score of 976 points out of 1000.

“It was refreshing having Soldiers out away from daily MOS tasks, doing Soldier tasks and executing new training that majority of them have never done or seen,” said Lawson. “It allows us as Non-Commissioned Officers to see our weak points during training. Then once the junior enlisted sees the changes taking effect the second time around, it builds trust and confidence in themselves.”

The crews, consisting of Soldiers from multiple unique backgrounds including radio technicians, mechanics, fuelers, ammo specialists, and culinary specialists were ready to take on the enemy, protect the supply line, and uphold the mission.

“It’s about empowering our Soldiers,” Lt. Col. Brandon Grooms, the 325 BSB Commander, said, "Giving our Soldiers dedicated training time to work on Soldiering skills outside of their usual job enables them to conduct operations in every environment and, when necessary, close with and destroy the enemy."

At the end of training, the Soldiers were confident and proficient in their warfighting readiness, ready to resource the fight with both bullets and combat power.

• Date Taken: 12.07.2023
• Date Posted: 12.12.2023 14:36
• Story ID: 459323
• Location: SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US