FORT STEWART, Ga. - It’s been a while since he’s been in a tank, since the end of his basic training. This tank has the same basic build and frame work, but the upgrades are immaculate. He knows the three-month training to bring him and his battle buddies up to speed on this new vehicle will be difficult, but he is ready and quite excited.
Fourteen M1A3 Abrams tanks were added to the Desert Rogue Battalion, July 10. Training on these vehicles began immediately for the Soldiers and will last approximately three months.
Sergeant First Class Jamie Peck, Company C, 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, said the battalion’s new additions are gladly welcomed.
“I think it’s great we got this model of the Abrams in. The machine’s lethality is one reason, of course, that we are glad to have them. Secondly, having them physically here allows us to conduct a lot of realistic training,” said Sgt. 1st Class Peck. “The Soldiers are really excited because with these vehicles being here they get to actually come to work and do the job they joined the Army to do.”
According to 2nd Lt. T.J. Hausauer, Company C, 1/64 Ar. Regt., 2HBCT, 3rd ID, the upgrades of the M1A3 from the M1A1 are outstanding and much appreciated.
“The upgrades are great; I think this new equipment is perhaps some of the best the Army has. The command control is very much improved, the sites are better, and everything is just more advanced, giving passengers in the vehicle more situational awareness. The entire inside even has all digital systems,” 2nd Lt. Hausauer said. “They just took an already really good tank and made it even better.”
Private First Class Nigel Inman, Co. C, 1/64 Ar. Regt., 2nd HBCT, 3rd ID, said the training is going well, and he and his battle buddies are finding the training to be quite an experience.
“On day one of our training, they gave us the descriptions and functions of the vehicles. On the next day, we were able to get a full day of hands-on training. That was the best,” Pfc. Inman said. “I feel way more confident already about operating the vehicle, and I am extra excited about training on the gunnery aspect of the vehicle; by that time, we’ll be operating well on these machines as a single unit.”
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