Private 1st Class Brian Butt, Infantryman, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment helps Amy Rister, chief of staff for Representative Tony Dale, don the Improved Outer Tactical Vest prior to entering the simulated enemy-help house during the Texas Legisl...

Members of the Texas Legislative Day tour participate in a simulated convoy in the Warrior Skills Trainer 2, Feb. 1 at Fort Hood. The simulator is a way for Soldiers to train on convoy operations before deployment to combat zones. Spc. Bradley Wancou...

Sgt. 1st Class Eddie Lardell, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment explains the operational capabilities of some of the vehicles housed at Fort Hood during the Texas Legislative Day tour, Feb. 1 at Fort Hood. Ther...

III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Mark Milley hosted Texas Legislative Day Friday.

Legislative Day was a daylong event that gave influential members of the community a chance to tour Fort Hood training facilities and interact with Soldiers of the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment.

Daniel Corbin, the mayor of Killeen, explained how the tour allowed for a first-hand look into the lives of Fort Hood Soldiers.

"We've been watching how Soldiers train using simulators," Corbin said.

The training facilities included the Electronic Skills Trainer, an

individual weapon simulator, and the Close Combat Tactical Trainer, a convoy operations simulator.

"It gives us a realistic point of view on what being on Fort Hood is all about and what the Soldiers here do," Corbin said.

Corbin explained why taking a look at the life of Fort Hood Soldiers is so important.

"Coming out here and seeing it first hand gives me a better appreciation and understanding about what their day is like," Corbin said. "You can describe this place, but unless you see the 7.2 miles of Motorpool Road you can't really understand its enormity."

Other members of the tour weighed in on the importance of the Texas Legislative Day event, including Blake Rogers, Legislative Assistant to Representative Paul Workman, Western Travis County State Representative.

"It's important for us to come out and maintain a close relationship with the military, so we can better understand the sacrifices and struggles of military life," Rogers said.

Rogers and other members of the tour had the opportunity to participate in some of the training simulators.

"I just finished clearing a simulated house occupied by enemy combatants," Rogers said. "It was a really eye-opening experience and really shows what it's like to be a Soldier."

In addition to getting a glimpse into the world of a Soldier, the members of the tour enjoyed their visit to the great place.

"This is a blast, I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to come out here and be so involved in what you guys are doing," Rogers said.