By Capt. Ken Koehler
421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional) Public Affairs
BAUMHOLDER, Germany - The 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional) welcomed Lt. Fabrice Guy, a French Army cadet from Saint-Cyr Combined Arms School in Guer, France, Jan. 12. He arrived in Germany on Monday morning by train and was greeted by his sponsor, 2nd Lt. Alexis Velez, platoon leader for the 557th Medical Company (Area Support). After his arrival, Guy sat down with Velez for lunch at the German Kantina on Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern and was later welcomed by Maj. Gen. John R. O'Connor.
On the second day, Guy was welcomed and introduced to the 421st Battalion commander, Lt. Col Roy Vernon, and the 421st Battalion command sergeant major, Cmd. Sgt. Maj. William Majors.
Guy expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be sponsored by the battalion saying, "Thank you for welcoming me so warmly to your battalion so that I can have the view of working as a platoon leader in a U.S. medical unit. I feel this sponsorship will be a good union for our two countries."
Later that afternoon, Guy geared up to participate in a weapons qualification range where he fired the M-16A2 rifle. He qualified as a marksman on his first attempt.
Later in the week, Guy participated in company physical training, completing a 4.5-mile run with the company executive officer, 1st Lt. Michael Pikul, followed by an intense round of circuit training that consisted of burpees, push-ups and pull-ups.
Guy attended the company training meeting where he was able to see how leadership prepares the unit training calendar 90 days out. One of the main focuses during Guy's language utilization and orientation tour is to provide insight and education on how a U.S. Army medical unit prepares for deployments, field exercises and other missions.
The rest of the week consisted of meet and greets with several staff sections within the battalion and becoming familiarized with the daily operations of a U.S. Army Soldier. The daily interactions Guy has had with the Soldiers of the 421st MMB has already begun to enhance his English communication, which is one of the battalion's goals.
"I am enjoying getting to know the Soldiers in the unit and hoping in the next weeks, to acquire some skills specific and necessary to lead as platoon leader," said Guy.
For the next 25 days, Guy will be shadowing Velez in her daily duties as a medical platoon leader in order to gain a better understanding of the working relationship between noncommissioned and commissioned officers with a focus on the role of a platoon sergeant and platoon leader.
Related Links:
21st Theater Sustainment Command
Saint-Cyr Combined Arms School
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