Bayonet Brigade wives 'walk in husbands' boots' during Military Spouse Appreciation Day

By Capt. Soutira Graham, 120th Infantry Brigade, Division West, Public AffairsJune 11, 2013

Bayonet Brigade wives 'walk in husbands' boots' during Military Spouse Appreciation Day
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Wives of Soldiers in Division West's 120th Infantry Brigade get ready to fire their weapons in the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 virtual firing range during the brigade's Military Spouse Appreciation Day at Fort Hood, Texas, May 30. (Photo by Capt. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Bayonet Brigade wives 'walk in husbands' boots' during Military Spouse Appreciation Day
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Tim Bush, commander of Division West's 120th Infantry Brigade, presents the Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service to Christina Lengele during a volunteer awards ceremony at Fort Hood, Texas, May 30. (Photo by Capt. Soutira G... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas --Eight Army wives experienced what it was like to walk in their husbands' boots for a day during a Military Spouse Appreciation Day held here by Division West's 120th Infantry Brigade May 30.

At the Training Support Center, the women went on a tour and learned about different simulated training scenarios. In the Close Combat Tactical Trainer, the spouses served as drivers, truck commanders and gunners. Each spouse got behind the wheel and experienced the virtual training.

"It was really informative, and we learned a lot," said Sheryl Bush, who added that she wished more people were able to come and experience the training.

The group also learned to operate the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000, a virtual small arms training system. The spouses went through realistic weapons simulations that replicated the effects of crew-served, individual, tetherless, non-lethal weapons, and reinforced proper cleaning procedures.

The women agreed the training was very exciting and something they would not mind doing again. Learning about the training systems gave the women a better understanding of what their Soldiers do, and what it means when their husbands say they had a hard day at work training hundreds of Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers for deployments.

At the end of the tour, the spouses enjoyed lunch with their Soldiers at the Roosevelt Dining Facility. Following lunch, an award ceremony recognized 36 spouses for their volunteer efforts with their units and throughout their communities. Col. Tim Bush, 120th Infantry Brigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Johnson, 120th Infantry Brigade command sergeant major, presented the awards and thanked all the volunteers for what they do.

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