ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. Aca,!" More than 35 Army Reserve Soldiers were evaluated during a two-day Situational Training Exercise on Rock Island Arsenal Nov. 1 and 2.
Soldiers from the U.S. Army Sustainment CommandAca,!a,,cs Multi-Functional Support Command were challenged in the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully accomplish their wartime mission.
This will be the first deployment for some of the MFSC Soldiers. 2nd Lt. Rachel Ryba, a special education teacher from Wisconsin, is appreciative of the opportunity to train more before deploying.
Aca,!A"Five, six, years ago, you didnAca,!a,,ct have all these obstacle courses and Warrior Tasks that you could do before you mobilized and actually went overseas,Aca,!A? said Ryba. Aca,!A"So to have this training, and have a little bit of knowledge prior to going over, helps you when you get there to conduct your mission. It really gets you ready.Aca,!A?
The Situational Training Exercise lane was built over a 45-day period by Soldiers of ASC, specifically for the MFSC reservists deploying within the month to support ASC missions in Southwest Asia. According to ASC Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen D. Blake, the site will stand ready for all Soldiers.
Aca,!A"I will run this lane each and every time I have a group of Soldiers that I need to send over there,Aca,!A? said Blake. Aca,!A"Just so I know that Soldier got what he or she deserved, or their family deserved, before it was time for them to deploy.Aca,!A?
The 12 exercises on the course are designed to test Soldiers on combat skills such as reactions to enemy contact, weapons system familiarization, hand-to-hand combat, individual movement techniques, and first aid. The lane was designed and laid out to challenge the stamina of the Soldiers and subject them to stresses common to combat.
Aca,!A"Can they throw a grenade' Can they identify an IED (Improvised Explosive
Device)',Aca,!A? asked Blake. Aca,!A"If they get attacked at the gate, will they shoot' Do they know when to shoot and when not to shoot' All of those skills are the only way you can train that Soldier.Aca,!A?
Blake said the ASC enlisted Soldiers were instrumental in the construction of the lane.
Aca,!A"They have been out here every day building log walls, putting up concertina wire and getting signs made,Aca,!A? he said.
The Soldiers built the lane, quite literally, from the ground up. Making the lanes a possible permanent fixture on the island meant the command had to ensure it can co-exist with the surrounding environment. Safety was paramount in the construction.
Aca,!A"We have children in the community to think about too, and we have environmental concerns to think about as well,Aca,!A? said Blake. Aca,!A"Everything on that lane is friendly to this post."
Signs surround the perimeter of the lane warning hikers and island residents of its presence.
Blake feels the training area should become a permanent fixture on the island, even though soon after this training session has ended, non-permanent pieces like the concertina wire and some of the log walls, will be dismantled and stored.
Aca,!A"There is no reason why this canAca,!a,,ct co-exist with Rock Island and the Garrison as an active duty installation and support Soldiers going to the fight,Aca,!A? Blake said.
For queries, contact the Army Sustainment Command Public Affairs Office at rock-amsas-pa@conus.army.mil or by phone at 309-782-5421.
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