U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class, Christopher Dayton, platoon sergeant, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, participates in an after action review with Soldiers after squad attack training with paint...
A U.S. Army Soldier with the Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, pulls security during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 2016. The Alpha Company, 3rd B...
A U.S. Army Soldier with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, pulls security during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 201...
A U.S. Army Soldier with the Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, pulls security during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 2016. The Alpha Company, 3rd B...
A U.S. Army Soldier with the Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, takes cover during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 2016. The Alpha Company, 3rd Batt...
A U.S. Army Soldier with the Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, takes cover during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 2016. The Alpha Company, 3rd Batt...
A U.S. Army Soldier with the Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, moves forward during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 2016. The Alpha Company, 3rd Ba...
A U.S. Army Soldier with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, bounds over an obstacle during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. Ma...
A U.S. Army Soldier with the Recruit Sustainment Company, Vermont Army National Guard, takes cover during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 2016. The Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion,...
U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) and Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, engage Soldiers acting as the opposing force during squad attack training with paintball equi...
A U.S. Army Soldier with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, engages Soldiers acting as the opposing force during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training S...
A U.S. Army Soldier with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) and Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, pulls security during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Tra...
A U.S. Army Soldier with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) and Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, pulls security during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Tra...
A U.S. Army Soldier with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, checks his ammo for a situation report during squad attack training with paintball equipment at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in ...
A U.S. Army Soldier, team leader, with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, checks on the equipment and welfare of a Soldier in his squad from the Recruit Sustainment Company for a situation r...
U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) and Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC), Vermont Army National Guard, sweep the area after subduing Soldiers acting as the opposing force during squad attack train...
U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) and Recruit Sustainment Company, Vermont Army National Guard, launch an attack versus Soldiers acting as the opposing force during squad attack training with pai...
U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) and Recruit Sustainment Company, Vermont Army National Guard, acting as the opposing force, set-up in defensive positions during squad attack training with paint...
U.S. Army Spc. Gillian McCreedy, public affairs specialist, 172nd Public Affairs Detachment, Vermont Army National Guard, records video of a HH-60M Black Hawk Helicopter with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance), ta...
A U.S. Army Soldier with the mortar squad, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, trains Recruit Sustainment Company (RSC) Soldiers on mortar operations at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jeri...
A U.S. Army HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance), Vermont Army National Guard, takes-off from a parade field at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. May 14, 2016. Soldiers...
Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt. -- The Recruit Sustainment Program is the first step into military life for most National Guard members. The program is designed to teach Soldiers basic level tasks to make them successful in Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. To further that effort, the cadre and commanders of the Recruit Sustainment Company attempt to involve other units in their training.
Soldiers with RSC, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance), and Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, trained together May 14, 2016 at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt.
The integration of forces started with training from C/3-126th AVN (AA) for the RSC and A/3-172nd INF (MTN) Soldiers and continued onto instruction from the infantry on moving and working together as a unit. Throughout the process the RSC Soldiers are mentored and introduced to different roles and duties. Training together promotes cohesion between the units and gives the Soldiers the experience and confidence they need to unify as one force in the field.
"Anytime we can integrate the units around Vermont with the RSP it really brings that connection, from the unit level down to the newest Soldier levels," said Sgt. 1st Class Jared Doohen, Recruit Sustainment Company cadre.
The Soldiers with C/3-126th AVN (AA) trained the RSC and A/3-172nd INF (MTN) on medevac procedures involving an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.
"We were able to get Soldiers actual time applying what they learned and loading Soldiers and injured Soldiers onto the aircraft," said Doohen.
The training teaches the Soldiers how to evacuate casualties to the Black Hawk in emergency situations. They practiced transmitting a 9-line medevac request and approaching a Black Hawk with its rotors running.
"This prepares them so they're not going to freeze when something like this happens," said Pfc. Tyler Law, infantryman, Alpha Company, 3rd battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain).
After completing the training, the Soldiers from the RSC and A/3-172nd INF (MTN) marched to another location to go over squad attack and movements.
"We've got the RSP Soldiers out here with us today so they can get an idea of what an infantry unit does in a combat scenario," said Law.
The Soldiers were able to practice skills in real time using paintball guns.
"We're taking them through squad level tactics, and the paintball has an element of realism," said Doohen. "Paintball gives them something to think about and it makes it more enjoyable. They're actually having to understand muzzle awareness, how to clear a weapon, when to shoot, when not to shoot, rules of engagement. It integrates that full Soldier skills and warrior tasks into their training."
As part of the integration, the infantry Soldiers mentored the RSC Soldiers throughout the event, teaching them basic Soldier skills.
"It's a good feeling being able to be a mentor for these new recruits," said Law. "I want to send down the best information I can, so that when these guys go through basic or when they get to their units, they're not going to be thrown off and surprised."
In brief, the training with the different units is an introduction to unit specialties and inner workings.
"It brings that whole picture together for the Soldier," said Doohen. "It gives recruits from different MOS's (Military Occupational Specialties) a chance to taste what its like to be in the infantry, aviation, or whatever units we have integrated that month."
Moreover, the hands-on experience presents the Soldiers with skills they can apply later in their career.
"The more we can teach them and set them up for success, the better the Soldier is going to accomplish the mission and represent Vermont well," said Doohen. "The RSP is setting them up for success for Basic Combat Training and AIT. The state does a great job helping us and supporting us and we'd like to continue the effort, especially with the units around the state."
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