Subscribe
All service members were assessed on their physical and mental abilities through a series of events. They were tested on their overall infantry knowledge, knot tying, hide-site construction, and land navigation. Additionally, they conducted a modified Ranger physical fitness test consisting of a 3-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, sled pull, a 10-mile road march, and a rough terrain team-building march – both while carrying 40- to 50-pound rucksacks. After the exercises, platoon leadership interviewed each participant to better understand why they want to join the Scout Platoon.
“The purpose of this demonstration is to bring skill sets from other states and what they have to offer into our battalion,” said 1st Lt. Aaron Thomas who, along with Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Terry, started the annual event as a recruitment effort for the Scout Platoon in the 1-143rd IN (A) REG.
The events are designed to push participants to work together and test their endurance.
“We are looking at their team abilities when they are put in events, as well as their peer evaluations at the end of this demonstration,” Thomas said.
Potential recruits are embedded with current Scouts, who are tested as well to ensure they still meet the standards for a place in the Scout Platoon. Thomas said that Scout sections are known to be the heavy hitters of an infantry battalion, which puts the pressure on the platoon leadership to find the best, both technically and tactically.
Terry said integrating current Scouts with the candidates bolsters the validity of the tryouts, it adds to the platoon and ensures that current members maintain relevant skill levels.
Staff Sgt. Arthur Hobbs, Scout team leader for HHC 1-143rd IN (A) REG, has been with the unit since November 2023. This was his second time participating in the demonstration. He said what he enjoyed most about being an infantryman is the comradery.
“Over time you get to know more about the soldiers you work with,” Hobbs said. “It’s really about being a family.”
Hobbs said a lot of people have heard about the 143rd IN (A) REG lineage and want to be a part of it. Tryouts draw Soldiers from out of state who are willing to leave often similar jobs at home and move to Texas because of the opportunities it provides them.
“This is an opportunity for me to develop a new skill set,” said Sgt. Walker McCumber, assistant team leader for HHC 143rd IN (A) REG) and first-year participant who has been with the group for less than a year.
McCumber started his military career as an infantryman on active duty. After leaving active duty he moved home to Texas where he found the 143rd IN (A) REG). His aspirations of staying airborne played a part in his decision to join the Texas Army National Guard, and now he hopes to expand his career to include earning a place in the Scouts.
A female soldier representing 29th Infantry Division, Virigina National Guard, was one of the Soldiers who traveled from out of state for the event. Though her current military occupational specialty (MOS) is not infantry, she said this is her opportunity to switch her MOS and achieve a career goal.
She said her favorite part of the weekend was meeting new people and working as a team. Even though the tests were physically challenging, she enjoyed having to problem-solve and communicate with others to accomplish a common goal. She prepared herself for the physical aspect by increasing her already rigorous work out regimen of running and weight-lighting to ensure her body would be able to withstand the intense physical course of events.
She said that overall, the weekend underscored the idea of perseverance. Her advice for those who want to accept the challenge is to understand that if it’s in your heart to do it, then do it - and prepare accordingly. Thomas agreed.
“There’s good talent everywhere in all kinds of units, and sometimes they don’t know the opportunities that are out there,” he said. “For those who are interested, reach out, train on your own, be diligent and have the self-discipline to educate yourself on what it takes to be a scout.”
Those who qualified to be part of the Scout Platoon will later have the opportunity to apply to other schools, including sniper, airborne, air assault, jumpmaster, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course, and ranger.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2024 16:37 |
| Story ID: | 477390 |
| Location: | MINERAL WELLS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, HHC, 143rd IN (A) REG Scout Platoon annual tryouts, by CPT Leyda Kanzler, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
