As troops from 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, learned recently during more than two weeks in the field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Yakima Training Center, good weather isn't always a blessing.

Thanks to warmer temperatures, previously frost-hardened earth softened into thick, muddy patches of terrain that covered everything. However, Lt. Col. Tim Davis, commander of 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, said a little environmental adversity only adds to the realism of the training.

"Weather, terrain, they're all part of the battlefield," Davis said. "We're getting back to basics."

During squad-level training, fundamentals are the most important thing, he said.

Davis said he was keen to get the word out that the "Buffaloes" are back training and preparing for future missions.

"Last week, we shot basically all of the weapon systems we have in the Stryker battalion - minus the mortars," Davis said. "So, now we're taking that and combining it with maneuver training at the squad level."

Situational awareness, target identification and personal safety play key roles in training at this level, he said.

In one scenario, two Strykers patrol a road and are attacked by an enemy element. Squads dismounted to identify and engage the opposition.

"It's just like football," Davis said. "Go out there and get some repetitions in practice."

Stressing the fundamentals helps build muscle memory, he said.

"What you want to do is - and this is why sports are a good analogy - you want the muscle memory so the cognitive portion of your brain isn't having to figure out 'aim,' 'point,' 'breathe,'" Davis said. "The cognitive portion of your brain is free to work through (the decision to squeeze the trigger)."

By concentrating on the location and identity of the enemy and your buddies, making right decisions becomes easier, he said. Step-by-step, the battalion works toward live-fire training with an eye on decisionmaking.

"We do a dry run and then we do a run with blanks and then they'll do a run with live bullets," Davis said. "We do the validation with blank ammo so you know everyone's got their rifle pointed in the right direction and there are no safety infractions."

The battalion progresses from the smallest elements, finally incorporating larger ones, he said.

Bravo Company Commander Capt. Nick Ziemba said he was impressed with how his company's performance had improved during their time in the field.

"It's going really well," Ziemba said. "The junior leaders who were either team leaders or members of the squad during our last deployment have grown quite a bit since then and now they are assuming the role of squad leader."

Starting with fundamentals provides a strong foundation for future training, he said.

"The building blocks that we've put together since returning are really starting to show,' Ziemba said. "These guys have impressed the chain of command with their abilities."

The fight in Afghanistan is won or lost at the squad level, he said.

"This is one of the most important things we can do - make sure our squads are rock solid from top to bottom," Ziemba said.

During an after-action review, Ziemba outlined what worked and what needed work. All of his Soldiers were encouraged to give feedback and he frequently called upon the unit's enlisted leaders for input.

Fresh from basic training, Pfc. Matthew Tufaro said he learned a lot from the veteran Soldiers serving with him.

"It's very valuable to me," Tufaro said of the training.

It is important to see what leadership does out in the field and to understand all of the positions in the squad, he said.

"We need to know that so we can jump at any time, if needed," Tufaro said. "It's important that we respond correctly to situations."

His leaders, he said, have inspired him to give 100 percent and concentrate on the basics.

"We have to focus on the fundamentals because it's important to know when to shoot and who to shoot," Tufaro said. "There's no room for mistakes,"

It was a sound attitude for a day that culminated in a live-fire patrol.

Rick Wood: rick.wood@nwguardian.com