Soldiers give everything they have

By Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew PorchDecember 11, 2013

Form.
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait " Staff Sgt. Kevin Seidl, right, and Staff Sgt. Mario Van Haastret, left, both battalion master fitness trainers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Explain.
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait " Sgt. 1st Class Deanne Mcbath, brigade master resiliency trainer, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, explains a lesson plan of Master Resil... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rower.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait " Sgt. 1st Class George Soloman, cannon crewmember, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct the rower exercise during physical readiness training o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Teach.
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait " Sgt. 1st. Class Michael Prieditis, brigade information operations noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (Dec. 11, 2013) -- A true leader never stops learning and ensuring he is up-to-date on the latest regulations and training.

For senior leaders of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, the opportunity is right in front of them and they are taking full advantage during the "Warhorse Academy", at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Dec. 1-10.

The nine-day course, aimed at increasing a senior leader's knowledge in subjects such as physical readiness training and combatives allows participants an opportunity to take a break from their daily work schedules and focus on growing as a leader.

"With a better understanding of the subjects that were taught to our senior leaders at the Warhorse Academy, it will directly benefit our junior leaders and Soldiers throughout the brigade's formations," said 1st. Lt. John Jeffries, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT.

The leaders also learned about Army programs both new and old.

"What I took away from the course was a better understanding of the material that we as leaders need to bring back to our formations and teach our junior leaders and Soldiers," said Jeffries.

"Having a better understanding on the important subjects that we were taught such as suicide prevention, sexual harassment, Army values and ethics, equal opportunity, master resiliency training and combatives will provide me with the tools necessary to assure that our junior leaders and Soldiers are being effectively trained in each subject."

As for the leadership who assembled the course, a good amount of work was put into the planning stages for the academy.

"Warhorse Academy was conceived at the National Training Center," said 1st Lt. Jacob Fellows, brigade provost marshal, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd ABCT. "There have been several collective working groups to ensure that everything was up to standard."

The desired result of the training is to better the unit and set leaders up for future success.

"We want to provide the leaders within the brigade the tools to effectively meet the challenges of deployment while preparing us for future opportunities in the Army," said Fellows.

The brigade plans to host the academy each month for the remainder of the deployment.