The Army has over 100 military occupational specialties; more than a dozen are in communications and not one of them is the same. No matter what their specialty or unique training, the mission of the signal corps is to build teams with various capabilities to ensure commanders can communicate with subordinate units and exchange information on the battlefield or in training. One of these training events bringing Soldiers with different MOS together as a team is Combined Operation Very Small Aperture Terminal Network-Korea training.
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Assault), 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers conducted COVN-K, training to enhance teamwork and cross train in the various military occupational specialties involved at Camp Humphreys, May 29 to 31.
"The goal of COVN-K training is to help our leaders, such as company commanders and first sergeants, communicate well and help them connect to the Republic of Korea Army," said Pvt. Myrha R. Miranda from El Paso, Texas, a signal support systems specialist assigned to 2nd Bn., 2nd Avn. Regt. "By doing this kind of training we learn how to be effective in the actual battlefield."
Soldiers who participated in COVN-K training enhanced solidarity, fellowship and grew closer as a team. They had to handle equipment together and draw on each person's specialties to complete the training, the importance of teamwork was tremendous.
"Teamwork is very important in this training," said Spc. Colin J. Oakley from Las Vegas, an information technology specialist assigned to 2nd Bn., 2nd Avn. Regt. "All the missions we have to complete start with teamwork and end with teamwork. As COVN-K training pulls us together, we get to know each other better. Also working as a team enables us to enjoy our work and have fun."
Not only did COVN-K training provide Soldiers a chance to work together as a team, it was also a great opportunity for Soldiers to develop individually. The training provided a chance for Soldiers involved to apply this training to their overall job skills.
"We don't work on satellites that much, but the training helped me learn about other parts of signal in the signal world." said Oakley. "I also had a great time looking over other similar [Military Occupational Specialties] because we did the training together. This will be a great asset for me in the future." Soldiers participating for the first time gained insight. The training allowed them to understand a larger view of their daily tasks and how they contribute to the overall mission.
"At first I wondered why we had to this, but I later found out that it leads to everything we do in our shop," said Miranda. "I also had a great time learning about overall radio systems and learned how to connect my radio to the satellite."
The intent of the annual training is for Soldiers to continue to grow as a team and to provide the best possible communication system in battlefield. Most importantly, the training is designed to teach Soldiers that in order to be ready to fight they need to be ready to communicate.
Social Sharing