Second Lt. Xavier Martinez prepares a Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System to transmit a medical evacuation request during the 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery's "Mission Ready Challenge" training event Oct. 30, 2013, at Fort Sill. Mart...

FORT SILL, Okla. (Nov. 7, 2013) -- Twenty-three officers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, made history as they participated in the battalion's inaugural mission ready challenge Oct. 30, at Fort Sill.

The Soldiers were split into five- and six-member teams and were tested on their ability to work as a team while under duress.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Van Cleave, 2-18th FA commander, said the purpose of the training was to further develop the officers within the "Mission Ready" battalion while challenging them to overcome mental and physical stressors. This included a 12-mile ruck march, a general military and unit history board, and an eight-point land navigation course at Training Area 59.

Four of the land navigation points featured Army Warrior Task proficiency stations, such as a call for fire station; a preventative maintenance checks and services station; an establish communications operations station; and a combined unexploded ordinance and nine line medical evacuation station.

Through the training officers brushed up on basic Soldier skills that are vital to the entire unit being mission ready.

"I haven't really dealt with call for fire often," said 2nd Lt. Nicole Hines, personnel officer-in-charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2-18th FA.

Hines, a Harpers Ferry, W.V.-native, said requesting a call for fire mission is not something she is normally tasked to do. She said she believes the training helped prepare her in case she was on a mission and no field artillery officer or observer was available to initiate a call for fire report.

The challenges also allowed the officers to see different ways to perform various basic Soldier and military occupational specific task.

"To learn from everyone and get a different perspective on things is kind of cool," said Hines. "I've only gone over call for fire a couple times. To see how that process works and the lingo that FA uses was different for me."

The battalion's most junior ranking commissioned officer said participating in the team building event further enhanced her confidence in knowing that when she faces issues, she can get reliable help from her fellow Soldiers.

After demonstrating their ability to perform basic Soldier tasks and a 12-mile ruck march, the officers met at the Armed Forces Reserve Center here. There, they participated in a board, which tested their knowledge of subjects regarding field artillery, logistics and the unit's history.

"All of the great units know their history," said Van Cleave. "Units like the 101st, the 82nd and 1st ID, we always remember our past and never forget about it because of those who came before us -- we always want to remember those guys."