1st Lt. Keegan George, a Soldier with the 177th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, listens to a lecture during the Gunner Entry Program at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Dec. 7, 2023. The Gunner Entry Program familiarizes Soldiers with the multiple military intelligence systems the Army uses. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Luciano Alcala)
FORT STEWART Ga.- Soldiers at Fort Stewart, Georgia, participated in the Gunner Entry Program (GEP) to learn about the multiple intelligence systems used in the Army, Dec. 4-8, 2023.
The course, which is available to all Soldiers regardless of Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), bridges the gap between the Digital Intelligence Systems Foundations Course (DISFC) and the Digital Intelligence Systems Master Gunner Course (DISMGC). The 40-hour course familiarizes Soldiers with the various intelligence systems used by the Army and teaches Soldiers how to utilize those systems within their own field.
Sgt. Daniel Khalilov, a human intelligence team leader with Delta Company, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, studies his notes during the Gunner Entry Program course at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Dec. 7, 2023. The Gunner Entry Program is a prerequisite course for the Digital Intelligence Systems Master Gunner Course and focuses on the fundamentals of military intelligence. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Luciano Alcala)
“Students are interested in the Gunner Entry Program because it provides them a high level of training in understanding multiple intelligence disciplines and how information gathered from each is turned into actual intelligence and shared at the tactical and eventually the strategic level as well as enabling decision makers, like unit commanders, to make decisions on the battlefield,” said Warrant Officer Donald Blanchard, the instructor of the Gunner Entry Program.
Blanchard encourages Soldiers to take the Gunner Entry Program because the skills and experience gathered helps Soldiers stand out amongst their peers. The Gunner Entry Program teaches Soldiers skills beyond the given material making them crucial assets in their unit.
Staff Sgt. Ross Helmuth with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, focuses during the Gunner Entry Program course at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Dec. 7, 2023. The Gunner Entry Program is a 40-hour course that teaches Soldiers how to use multiple military intelligence systems and apply them towards mission accomplishment. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Luciano Alcala)
“A graduate of the Gunner Entry Program is going to be a well versed intel professional or understand how to integrate with intelligence systems,” added Blanchard.
Most of the Soldiers taking the course have a background or an MOS relating to military intelligence and although it’s helpful to have a baseline understanding, these skills are not required for the course.
“They’ve done a really good job of enabling soldiers to learn this program no matter what rank or what experience level you are,” said 1st Lt. Sean Murphy, a student at the GEP course assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, a student at the GEP course.
2nd Lt. Kathryn Porter, an unmanned aircraft systems platoon leader, with Delta Company, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, takes part in the Gunner Entry Program at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Dec. 7, 2023. The Gunner Entry Program offers a unique experience to learn about the Army’s intelligence systems. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Luciano Alcala)
The GEP also affords students the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of peers. Throughout the course Soldiers participate in group discussions and have the chance to share and teach others about their own experiences.
“Working with all these different people you meet a lot of people that have different backgrounds from you and they have a lot more experiences that you just haven’t gotten the chance to experience yet. I like to take that information and I make notes of it and I like to learn a lot from what these people have to offer to me,” said Spc. Gabriel Bouchard, a student at the GEP assigned to 1st ABCT, 3rd ID.
Soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Division attending the Gunner Entry Program gather at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Dec. 7, 2023. The Gunner Entry Program is designed to teach Soldiers on the multiple military intelligence systems that are used by the Army. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Luciano Alcala)
Graduates of the course are awarded a certificate of completion that can be attached to their Soldier Record Brief. Besides the certificate, the course offers the best avenue for Soldiers striving to excel in the military intelligence field.
“Since being a drill sergeant, I’ve been out of the discipline for quite a long time, this is the best attempt at remaining relevant while still on the trail of becoming more diverse in my military intelligence field,” said Sgt. 1st Class Mason Baker, a signals intelligence analyst and drill sergeant instructor at the Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Columbia, South Carolina.
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