Fort Sill Soldiers leave for holidays in mass exodus

By Ms. Marie Berberea (TRADOC)December 19, 2013

Mass exodus
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. -- Mass exodus began Dec. 18 and in a well-structured frenzy 4,000 trainees were released over two days to spend time with friends and families for the holidays.

The Soldiers are in all levels of training at the Fires Center of Excellence to include Advanced Individual Training, Basic Officer Leader Course, Captains Career Course and others with approximately 2,600 of them in 434th Field Artillery Brigade's Basic Combat Training.

Room-by-room drill sergeants and cadre accounted for them and sent them on buses bound to various airports.

"This is across the Army. It's built into their schedule so they don't lose any training time. They just have a break in the middle of their training," said Col. Mike Dvoracek, 434th FA Brigade commander.

Organizing the holiday block leave began months in advance so when December arrived the troop movement was fluid.

"We really start planning this in earnest in July. It takes that kind of detailed, coordinated planning to make sure you can get all those moving pieces together," said Dvoracek.

The Soldiers' excitement was evident, but the drill sergeants, first sergeants and commanders were eager as well.

"It's important for the Soldiers in training, but it's even more important, I think, for our cadre. They work hard throughout the year. They're the ones who really get to recharge their batteries," said Dvoracek.

The drill sergeants and cadre gave the Soldiers a safety briefing and stressed the importance of continuing their physical training during their time off. They also made sure the trainees understood when they leave post they are still representing the Army -- something a Soldier who just finished Week 4 of BCT understood.

"I've learned pretty much how to be a Soldier in all aspects. It's a 24-hour thing -- you're not just a Soldier when you're in a uniform, you're a Soldier at all times," said Pfc. George Turner.

When Dvoracek was asked if he's worried about trainees returning after the time off he said it's not an issue because they volunteered to be here in the first place.

"They're Soldiers. We've started that transformation from civilian-volunteer into Soldier. They act like Soldiers; they carry themselves like Soldiers. They get to brag about what they've been doing. They're excited about it. It motivates them to come back and do more."

That was definitely the case for Pvt. Camdon Wallace. He said instead of having a break, he'd much rather finish the rest of BCT.

"I learned military bearing in about two weeks. As soon as I got here I got right in and I liked it," said Wallace.

Turner and Wallace are returning to Week 5 of BCT just after New Year's Day. Wallace said even though he is just beginning his path in the military his New Year's resolution is to be successful at it. Turner said he just wants to be better than he was the year before.

"All my life I've always been above average when it comes to sports and academics and I figured the best way, once I became an adult, to continue to be above average would be to join the United States Army."