FORT STEWART, Ga. - They invaded Fort Stewart with a dull, throbbing rumble.

The 1st and 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team welcomed a new vehicle into their ranks, Dec. 1, when they took four Nuclear, Biological, Radiological Reconnaissance Vehicles for their first test drive in Fort Stewart's expansive training area.

"This is a start, stop and steer course, which lets us train on the basic mobility functions of the vehicle," said Cpl. Derrick Wright, an NBCRV Surveyor with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion. "I think everyone is excited to be here out driving the vehicles."

Although ground guiding and steering may seem mundane to some, the training is invaluable because it creates the foundation for the entire course.

"This course lasts 52 days, it has three phases of training: basic, driving and sensor training," said Tim Hargrave, General Dynamics Land System instructor. "After we do the sensor training we'll go into the Remote Weapon System and the range."

The Soldiers of the Raider and Spartan Brigades seem more than happy to be getting a new vehicle; these NBCRVs are the first Strykers on Fort Stewart.

"It's a very good system," said Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Stone, HHC, 1HBCT Special Troops Battalion. "I'm glad it was fielded to us at Third Infantry Division. It has better sensors and equipment on it compared to our last vehicle. Every piece inside of the vehicle has a tremendous ability to identify and determine a toxic agent or chemical. The Stryker is very quiet for a diesel and rides very smooth. The RWS allows us to engage a target without putting ourselves in harm's way."

Although no one wants an NBC threat to take place, surveyors need to keep their skills sharpened because there is no telling when they will be needed next.

"People don't like to see us do our job [because it usually means something bad has happened]," said Cpl. Wright, "But hopefully we get to use [the NBCRV]. We want to show the Army that we're still needed. Surveying is a perishable skill, you have to stay on top of it and continuously train on the equipment. Just like your assigned weapon, if you don't shoot your weapon or train on it, your performance is going to suffer."

With a few more phases and training events to go, the NBC Soldiers of the Raider and Spartan Brigades have a long trail filled with obstacles to travel. But thankfully, they'll be traversing that path with a 8x8 Stryker capable of shooting remotely and sensing any threat to its passengers.