WEST POINT, N.Y. (May 15, 2014) - Officers and noncommissioned officers of 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Can Do Battalion, from 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, trained to be observers and coaches in preparation for the Cadet Leader Development Training exercise at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
The OCs prepared for their mission to train and mentor cadets and learned the standards the cadets will be graded on throughout the summer CLDT exercise during the three-day training, from May 13-15, on West Point's Camp Buckner.
As Maj. Cory Carter, a West Point military science professor, went over the cadet standards for the summer training, 1st Lt. Colin Mahon, a New York City native, who was a West Point cadet two years ago and is now with 3-15 Inf., saw how far he had come since he graduated from the academy.
"It's a surreal experience to come back here and actually train and evaluate cadets that are where I was two years ago," said Mahon, who had been to Camp Buckner many times for training during his years at West Point. "It's different to be on this side of things."
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Navarro, the platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Company B, 3-15 Inf., also looked forward for the opportunity to train future leaders.
"It's awesome that I get a chance to impact tomorrow's officers and give them what I have learned from my years of experience," said the San Antonio native.
While at Camp Buckner, the Can Do soldiers also brushed up on their knowledge of basic battle drills and movement technique, so they could thoroughly teach cadets the correct standards and operating procedures for the tasks.
"Tactics are important, but we are mostly going to grade on their leadership and potential to be future platoon leaders," said Carter while briefing the OCs.
The opportunity for the one-on-one interaction the OCs will have with the cadets was stressed as a valuable experience, which can have a lasting impact on the Army leaders of tomorrow.
Related Links:
The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division DVIDS page.
The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart Facebook page.
The official 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Facebook page.
The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart website.
The official 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division website.
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