FORT SILL, Okla. (March 27, 2014) -- Second Battalion, 4th Field Artillery held its annual family day activities March 19 in which Soldiers brought their families to work to experience what goes into the battalion's mission of providing fires.
Family members saw, felt and explored the vehicles and equipment their loved ones use, ate lunch from an Army field kitchen and witnessed the live firing of a M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), the battalion's forte.
Soldiers and family members boarded a bus to a field site on which were set up static displays of small arms and crew-served weapons systems. Nearby were the numerous vehicles used by the "Deep Attack" Battalion, a Mobile Kitchen Trailer whose 92G culinary arts specialists preparing lunch and an MLRS crew getting ready for the event's finale.
"This was an opportunity for moms and dads to bring their families to work and see what they do, both to bond the unit with families and to close the gap between military and family life," said Command Sgt. Maj. Ken Snow, battalion CSM.
That bonding was readily apparent in the smiles and enthusiasm of children and spouses who ignored an often bitter wind to learn about the battalion's mission and many different vehicles and weapons systems. Kids climbed into the gun turrets of Humvees, blared the horns of trucks and donned the helmets and communications gear inside MLRS cabs as Soldiers described the functions and uses of the various systems.
Capt. James Roland, battalion chaplain, attended with his wife and three children.
"These events are great opportunities for kids to see what their parents do in the field, get a glimpse of Army life and better understand what it is our battalion does," he said.
Understanding the battalion's mission and capabilities was not lost on the kids in attendance. Running from vehicle to vehicle, weapons system to weapons system, the kids of 2-4th FA ensured that no opportunity to sit in Army vehicles or touch and hold military weapons passed them up. All the while they learned what each weapon does, how it functions and how it is safely handled.
That is until it was time for the day's grand highlight: the live fire of three MLRS rockets. Then, their attention was riveted on the launcher parked a safe distance away.
"I liked seeing the rockets fire," said a smiling 12-year-old Warren Randolph, son of Staff Sgt. David Randolph. "It was also cool seeing what my dad does at work."
This sentiment was not reserved to only the younger family members, many spouses, such as Christi Farr, wife of Spc. Steven Farr, echoed Warren's sentiments.
"This was a great new experience, it was the first time I've ever seen a rocket shoot," she exclaimed.
Family members did not have a monopoly on the fun and education however, Leandra Smith and Madonna Attocknie two of 2-4th FA's co-op partners from Fort Sill Federal Credit Union attended, too. The duo discussed their experience over Army field chow.
"It was really cool getting to operate the turret," said Attocknie, "but more importantly, before this I didn't really know what the battalion did, but seeing the field set-up and the rocket launches really helped me understand, which really strengthens our partnership."
The success and enjoyment of the family day only served to reinforce the battalion leadership's commitment to Soldiers, their families and mission readiness. Activities, such as family days, will be a continual part of unit training, guaranteeing that smiling faces and happy children will be a permanent fixture in the "Deep Attack" family album.
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