Happy Monday to our extended Dragoon family—we hope everyone had a great weekend. Here at Fort Leonard Wood we are pressing forward at full speed accomplishing our mission of transforming citizen volunteers into United States Army Soldiers. Last week we welcomed 165 Bulldogs into the Profession of Arms and we are getting ready to graduate them this upcoming Thursday and send them on to bigger and better things. And now for the update: Alpha Company (Week 2): Alpha Rock marched out to the “Ypres” training site where they learned about surviving in environments affected by Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear contaminants. They were instruction on how to wear protective gear and how to don the M-50 series protective mask. In the morning they ran the paces through an obstacle course with their masks and then after lunch they went into the “gas chamber” and gained confidence in their protective equipment. Bravo Company (Graduation Week): Command Sergeant Major Cunningham and I spent the afternoon with the Bulldogs during their formal inspections. They were all in their dress uniforms with all of their gear laid out on their bunks while we came through and gave a critical eye to everything. They are looking good and I know you will all be very impressed with them when you see them on graduation day walking across the stage at Baker Theater. Charlie Company (Week 4): The Comanches went to the Engagement Skills Trainer—an indoor simulator—and began Rifle Marksmanship Period 2, where they learned the fundamentals of working on a live fire range. This marks the beginning of a long period of instruction where each of them will learn to be proficient with the M-4 carbine. Echo Company (Week 9): The Eagles headed out to the field today and began FTX III, the four-day field training exercise which is the culminating training event testing all of the knowledge taught to each of them over the course of Basic Training. They will live out in the woods for the rest of the week engaged in war games, working on individual skills and working as members of a squad. It is typically one of the more exciting events of Basic Combat Training. Foxtrot Company (Week 3): The Warriors went out on the Physical Endurance Course and then learned how to operate military radios. In the afternoon the company went to the travel office and began getting their plane and bus tickets for the upcoming Holiday Block Leave. Most of them had the opportunity to make their travel arrangements today. It’s going to be another exciting week with a graduation scheduled on Thursday. We’re all looking forward to seeing the Bulldog friends and family as they begin to arrive later this week. They will all undoubtedly have a terrific time on Family Day. We just hope that everyone has a safe trip. Everyone have a wonderful evening. Lieutenant Colonel Gries Dragoon 6
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:08:06 +0000