Youth spend "A day with Strykers"

By Staff Sgt. Crista Yazzie, USARPAC Public AffairsJuly 20, 2009

Youth spend "A day with Strykers"
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Youth spend "A day with Strykers"
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Youth spend "A day with Strykers"
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii Aca,!" Most 11-year olds donAca,!a,,ct have the opportunity to jump in and out of armored vehicles, test out engagement skills trainer simulators and share stories with real Soldiers.

At the Aca,!A"Spend the day with Strykers,Aca,!A? event hosted by the 25th Infantry DivisionAca,!a,,cs 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 14th Cavalry Regiment, enabled a group of Iolani Middle School students and their parents to do just that.

The Aca,!A"StrykehorseAca,!A? Squadron, B-214, started the young troopsAca,!a,,c day with a physical fitness session followed by breakfast at the dining facility.

Aca,!A"From there they went to the engagement skills trainer, which is a simulator,Aca,!A? said Sabalboro. Aca,!A"Then after lunch, we moved over to the Stryker driving course where they got to ride along in the back of the actual Strykers, the whole time interfacing with the squadron.Aca,!A?

The Stryker Light Armored Vehicle III [LAV III] is part of a family of eight-wheeled all-wheel-drive armored combat vehicles.

Both the visitors and Soldiers said they enjoyed the day and learned from one another.

Aca,!A"My favorite part was either the Stryker ride or the simulator,Aca,!A? said 11-year old Tommy Gentry. Aca,!A"I learned a lot today, but I learned especially that it takes a lot of courage and strength to be in the military.Aca,!A?

Parents of the children seemed equally impressed with their day.

Aca,!A"I had no idea what you do all day,Aca,!A? said Mike McFarlane, one of the parents attending. Aca,!A"Doing this gives me an idea of what a day with a Soldier is like. I enjoyed hanging out with the guys.Aca,!A?

The Soldiers involved spoke in equally positive terms about the interactions of the day.

Aca,!A"They came out and had a great time and got to learn from us and it was fun to teach someone else rather than other Soldiers what we do. They had a totally different perception on the way things run and hopefully they leave with an even better one,Aca,!A? said 1st Lt. Gregory Ross, 1st Plt. Leader, B 2-14 Cavalry.

At the end of the day, Lt. Col. James Isenhower, battalion commander of the 2-14, presented the young visitors with certificates of appreciation from the unit.

Aca,!A"Today was fun, it was a good opportunity and we all loved every part of it,Aca,!A? said Sgt. Jason Cruterier, 2nd SBCT. Aca,!A"IAca,!a,,cm looking forward to doing it again on the 27th.Aca,!A?

###