Good afternoon families and friends of class 201-14! Your Soldiers did some fantastic training and are one step closer to transitioning into American Soldiers. The beginning of the week, your Soldiers partook in the gas chamber training and became familiar with gas masks and its equipment. As you can expect, they were highly motivated for the event, even after exiting the chamber, although some might not look it. Do not worry families; all joking aside, Echo Battery successfully completed that event with no issues or injuries. Continuing in the week your Soldiers were instructed on first aid procedures. These classes identified not only techniques that are used on the modern battlefield to aid injuries but also skills that can be used in everyday life. First aid training included applying tourniquets, splints, procedures to treat for shock, and many more combat live saving skills. These skills were put to the test when squads were forced to work together and apply first aid in combat scenarios. Different activities were also required of them to complete, such as working as a team to transport an injured Soldier over obstacles, buddy carrying, improvised liter carry, and applying first aid in teams. This training is designed to focus on the realities of combat, that when a teammate is injured, Soldiers must identify the problem, utilize their first aid skills, and work as a team. The week continued with land navigation classes. A skill that is as valuable to a Soldier as their own weapon, land navigation teaches the basics of terrain association, map reading, and compass execution. Our cadre are determined to teach our newest Soldiers that technology is a luxury and can fail in the worst time possible. Land navigation allows Soldiers to practice basic plotting to find a location and trust in their equipment to complete the mission. Finally, the Gladiators occupied the Confidence Course and built their skills as individual Soldiers, as well as a group. This course offers Soldiers the chance to build their endurance as they climb ropes, navigate obstacles, climb rope bridges, and crawl through and under an assortment of objects and boundaries. The training day is ended with a competition from which each platoon offers up 2 male Soldiers and 2 female Soldiers to race against the clock to complete the course. You should have heard your Soldiers cheer; I believe all of Ft. Sill heard their roar! I am sure by now letters are starting to be received at home. Continue to support your Soldiers. The weeks will continue with the intensity and valuable training that are needed to develop their skills and confidence for a future in the Army. One more week down families, seven to go! CPT Jacob Myers E Battery 1-31 FA
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:36:53 +0000