Battalions transfer authority

By Vince Little, The BayonetMarch 5, 2010

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Reserve battalions used to conduct one station unit training for the 198th Infantry Brigade swapped leadership roles during a relief-in-place transition of authority ceremony Friday at Sand Hill's Kannell Field.

Third Battalion of the 330th Infantry Regiment succeeds 1st Battalion, which a year ago became the first unit employed in the brigade's task force concept - the same model used for downrange deployments. Leaders said the two battalions spent about four weeks together in a "left-seat, right-seat" mode to ensure a seamless exchange in the Reserve-component mission.

"That allows us to understand everything they have going on with the companies and Soldiers they have in cycle training, and we just pick up that mission," said LTC Mark Price, commander of 3rd Battalion, which comes in from Michigan. "We're already fully engaged with training Soldiers here at Fort Benning."

COL Daniel Kessler, the 198th Infantry Brigade commander, praised the "outstanding results" put together by 1st Battalion in the past year. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based unit completed 15 OSUT cycles and graduated more than 2,100 Infantry Soldiers.

"Their efforts ensured these Soldiers were prepared to deploy and fight in support of the war on terror," he said. "Their dedication to excellence and attention to detail in training Infantrymen will have a lasting impact on our Army for years to come."

Price said he's grateful for the groundwork laid in preparation for his battalion's arrival. At the time of the ceremony, three companies were in cycle and two more were expected in the first two weeks after assuming authority.

Price said the task force concept is the right approach to training Infantry Soldiers at Sand Hill.

"It allows Reserve battalions on Fort Benning to be ready to take over a battalion or unit and conduct training right off the bat," he said. "We've been working with the 198th team for a year now getting ready to mobilize and come down here to do our mission."

The Reserve battalions put in charge "work long and tirelessly to conduct effective outcomes-based training" in the development of Infantrymen, Kessler said, adding that 3rd Battalion will successfully carry on its predecessor's work.

"We are excited to have you and your battalion join our team," he said. "You will find the task before you challenging at times yet extremely rewarding ... I am confident that you and your team will meet these challenges with great boldness and enthusiasm."

LTC David Tate, commander of 1st Battalion, called Task Force 330 a "living, breathing unit" and said the formula would continue improving in the months ahead.

With 600 Soldiers currently in cycle at Leonard Barracks, Tate said the training business for the brigade and battalion has been booming this year.

"None of the cycles are perfect. Each and every one of them has their challenges," he said. "But our drill sergeants ... worked together, formed the team of teams, and met each challenge and completed each cycle, from field day to graduation parade."

Leading and training Soldiers "provides us as leaders with meaning to our lives," Tate said. "I wholeheartedly support the task force concept and outcomes-based training."