FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 6, 2013) -- To meet the physical and mental needs of each Soldier, 194th Armored Brigade Commander Col. Scott King said the development of professional, human and Family structure is essential.
The brigade's mission is transforming recruits into disciplined, fit, and competent scouts, tankers, and mechanics through Infantry one station unit training and combines basic combat with advanced individual training in one location at Fort Benning, he said.
"(We're) a very unique brigade in the TRADOC right now in that we have two battalions of basic combat training and two battalions of one station unit training, plus we have uniqueness of the Bradley and tank mechanics," King said. "Instead of taking tanks to mechanics, we bring the mechanics to the tanks and train them here. We also have the 30th Reception Battalion here."
King said the incorporation of Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness into OSUT enhances the physical and mental capabilities of Soldiers. Components of CSF2 include performing and excelling in physical activities that require aerobic fitness, endurance, strength, healthy body composition and flexibility derived through exercise, nutrition and training.
"I think we're treating them as athletes," he said. "We realize the physical performance and the weight they are carrying. We realize we need warrior athletic trainers every morning, and the rooms are filled with people getting treatment and what this had done has reduced about half of the time they have been out of training."
King said he is pleased with the integration of women Soldiers into the Bradley tank mechanic military specialty occupations and the future integration of women drill sergeants into the brigade by January. He said the brigade focuses on keeping the Family unit strong by posting photos of training on social media for relatives and building a support system for spouses.
"Even the Soldiers in training have Families, and we have to embrace them," King said.
"We've really tried to embrace Families and we have a spouse panel for basic combat training…to help them understand what Army Community Service is about and living on or off post. We're trying to make sure Soldiers who are married move with their Families when they complete advanced individual training or one station unit training and go to their next duty station."
Additionally, King said the brigade allows cadre to engage in the professional development of new Soldiers through mentorship and a "pass it forward" mentality.
"We're a small Family, we get the top 10 to 15 percent to be our drill sergeants and they are bringing in the new people to join the professional arms," he said. "It's alright to make a mistake because that's how you learn, but we follow up with mentoring and counseling because we want them fully developed in our units with us. It's not just about their performance here, it's also about their performance when they go out to their next unit."
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