More than 86 enlisted Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, participated in a team leader's course, April 12-18.
Command Sgt. Maj. James Wadsworth, Wolfhounds senior enlisted leader, and Sgt. Maj. Michael Tucker, battalion operations, developed the five-day course with the intent to provide any individual in a team leader position the knowledge and skills required to successfully accomplish their duties and responsibilities in a garrison and tactical environment.
At the beginning of each day, Sgt. 1st Class Franchesco Damiani, 1st Platoon sergeant, Borzoi Company, taught physical readiness training (PRT) to all the team leaders.
Damiani explained that most Soldiers and NCOs are familiar with preparatory and recovery drills of PRT, but most do not have a thorough working knowledge of other exercises and training that PRT prescribes. Therefore, team leaders received instruction on a variety of different exercises.
Following PRT, classroom instruction started off with administrative responsibilities of a team leader, to include military customs and courtesies, the wear and appearance of the Army uniform, counseling, post policies, NCO evaluation reviews, awards, and handling financial and legal matters.
Senior NCOs from the battalion with expertise on each subject served as instructors. They provided information by regulation, as well as by their experience and first-hand knowledge of different administrative duties.
"The course is a great refresher. A lot of the material covered is always implied that a team leader knows," said Sgt. Jarrett Edgeman, intelligence analyst and Warrior Leaders Course graduate. "However, a lot of questions were asked, and I feel more confident now in my team leader abilities."
Later in the week, team leaders moved on to tactical knowledge. These courses covered written orders, troop leading procedures, conducting pre-combat checks and inspections, and movement techniques. The course culminated in a practical exercise at Watts Field where the Soldiers rehearsed battle drills.
Team leaders were also certified as range safety officers, and they were required to achieve a 70 percent or above on the final exam to receive certification as a Wolfhound Team Leader.
"Overall, team leaders in the battalion with greater technical and tactical knowledge will be able to provide better leadership for their Soldiers, and create a more cohesive unit of the Wolfhounds," said Sgt. 1st Class Travis McBride, operations leader and instructor for movement techniques and battle drills course instructor.
As the battalion shifts focus to more garrison operations, the administrative skills taught in the Wolfhound Team Leader Course are a necessary refresher, and the tactical skills are a necessary perpetuation of infantry training.
The Wolfhounds look forward to continually strengthening their teams.
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