Stress shoot stresses combat readiness

By Spc. Loren CookApril 2, 2013

Stress shoot stresses combat readiness
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Stress shoot stresses combat readiness
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Stress shoot stresses combat readiness
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - A pair of weary, armor-clad soldiers laid face down on the cold, wet ground. Small droplets of hot sweat rolled down their faces, producing small clouds of steam as they met the cold air. These soldiers were tired, and it showed. Nevertheless, the two got to their feet and dashed forward for three to five seconds before getting down on the ground once more.

Finally, the two soldiers reached the firing line and dropped to a kneeling position. One of the soldiers slid a magazine into his M4 carbine, pulled the rifle's bolt to the rear and released it, loading a 5.56 millimeter round into the chamber. With a flick of his thumb, he switched the weapon's selector from "safe" to "semi," and with his index finger, he squeezed the trigger, sending a copper-jacketed lead bullet downrange.

The soldier rapidly fired four times more before putting his weapon on "safe" and ejecting his now-empty magazine. He and his buddy then began high-crawling through the grass and mud to the next station.

These soldiers were just two of many participants in the 555th Engineer Brigade,14th Engineer Battalion's stress shoot, an exercise intended to get soldiers used to firing while tired and stressed.

"I think this training translates best to the ability of being able to shoot under fire and after moving," said Sgt. Jeffrey Hauk, maintenance shop foreman with the 22nd Engineer Clearance Company. "Your heart rate's up, your adrenaline's going and you'll still be able to communicate and shoot consistently downrange to assist your buddies."

Prior to starting the range, buddy teams completed shuttle sprints and air squats while in full gear: Improved Outer Tactical Vest, groin protector, small arms protective inserts, knee pads, Advanced Combat Helmet, and either an M4 carbine or M16 rifle.

When the soldier's heart rate was up and they were tired, the training began. The buddy team first had to move to the first firing position in 3-5 second rushes: short, explosive sprints interspersed with falling to the prone position.

Once at the first station, one of the soldiers fired five rounds from the kneeling position. Both soldiers then had to high-crawl to the next station, where one soldier would again fire five rounds, this time from the prone unsupported position.

"I thought the hardest part of the training was the high-crawl to the second station," Hauk said. "The majority of my workout was prior to that, so I was tired."

The non-firing soldier then became a simulated casualty and needed to be carried or dragged to the next station.

At the third station, soldiers began providing tactical field care for their wounded buddy under the cover provided by a Humvee before again coming under enemy fire and firing five more shots.

"I thought the battle buddy carries were the hardest part of the training," said Pfc. Alan Dominguez, a combat engineer with the 22nd ECC. "Just picking someone up when they're in full kit is already hard, and I was exhausted at that point."

Finally, the firing soldier had to carry or drag his wounded comrade to the simulated helicopter landing zone. Once there, he had to secure the landing zone with a final five rounds fired downrange.

"I'm really tired right now," Dominguez said, breathing heavily as his heart rate lowered to a normal rate. "It was a smoker. It doesn't look like it when you're watching, but once you're doing it in full kit, you realize it's not easy."

"I'm very tired," Hauk agreed. "It truly is an outstanding and intense workout."