Vanguard Brigade gives future Soldiers glimpse of Army life

FORT STEWART, Ga. - A group of 25 future soldiers from a Jacksonville, Fla., recruiting station, toured key areas of Fort Stewart, Ga., Feb. 6.

Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, hosted the group composed of individuals waiting to begin combat basic training and a few who have not signed a contract with the Army yet.

"Today we brought up a group of future soldiers to try and give them a glimpse into life after basic [training]," said Sgt. 1st Class Adam Dement, a telecommunications chief assigned as a recruiter with the Jacksonville Recruiting Company. "The trip itself is something that I put together, to give them a better understanding of what it is to be a soldier," he added.

The tour covered many aspects of military life from the education center, housing and dining facility to the gym. The future soldiers were also introduced to the Engagement Skills Trainer, a basic marksman firing simulator, by soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th IBCT.

Eric Gibson, 22, from Jacksonville, Fla., said just a week ago he went to the recruiting office and was exploring his options. "I knew this is what I wanted to do, but now that I've been here and I've seen what this life is like on post, this is for me," he said.

The future soldiers toured the troop medical clinic on the Vanguard Compound, where the non-commissioned officer in charge of the North Troop Medical Clinic, Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Vaughan, said "Do it for yourself, not for anybody else," as he concluded the tour.

Vaughan's candor and passion assured Gibson the Army is where he wants to be.

"Being toured by Sgt. 1st Class Vaughan through the TMC, that was probably my favorite part of [the tour] because, that's what I'm interested in," said Gibson, who plans to become a combat medic.

Vaughan wasn't the only guide who enthusiastically showed the future soldiers a small portion of Army life. Spc. Taique Savoy, the protocol specialist for the Vanguard dining facility and a member of 4-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th IBCT, showed the future soldiers the 4th IBCT dining facility.

"I love talking to the younger soldiers that are coming in and just giving them a little bit of information before they do come in and get shocked," Savoy said. "I thought just a little bit of myself and my experience in the military would help them."

"Nobody did it for me, but I know that it's needed," Savoy added.

Gibson stated the trip was very beneficial to him.

"They covered everything today," said Gibson, a certified medical technician who works at an urgent care center and volunteers as a firefighter. "I think every question that I had has been answered,"

Gibson said he loves the opportunities the Army will give him. "I can't find another employer out there who's going to offer me the pride that I can gain from serving my country," he said.

Dement, whose recruiting station gives classes on basic military knowledge, physical fitness, diet, financial readiness and more, said he hopes this first trip for future soldiers to Fort Stewart is not the last because it helps to alleviate the fear or nervousness of not knowing what life will be like after taking the oath of enlistment.

"We talk about a lot of the programs and benefits but this puts a face to the words we tell them," Dement said. "This was a capstone event for them."

"Fort Stewart has been a real gracious host," Dement concluded. "I just look forward to continuing the relationship."

Related Links:

The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart website.

The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division DVIDS page.

The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart Facebook page.

The official 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Facebook page.

The official 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division website.