The certification course brought all of the lieutenants assigned to the battalion together for team focused training on physical, technical and tactical tasks. Each day included a physical training event, blocks of instruction in classroom environments and hands-on training in tactical settings.
"The biggest thing for the course is to build a common knowledge base across all of the war fighting functions," said Capt. Tyler W. Adams, commander, Company B, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. "We are helping to build the next generation of leaders."
The "Silver Lion" battalion has received a number of newly assigned lieutenants within its formation, each reporting with a varied level of experience, knowledge and skills. The battalion created this certification course to build upon the common skill sets and knowledge base of its leadres in order to better prepare the battalion to train, fight and win.
With noncommissioned officers as instructors, the lieutenants were able to strengthen their relationships with their NCOs and learn from the subject matter experts on various topics. NCOs of the battalion instructed classes on a variety of topics to include radio operations, administrative tasks, warrior tasks and drills, reporting procedures, basic rifle marksmanship and assisted in leading maneuver techniques during a culminating tactical operation training event.
"That's a huge thing [NCOs as instructors], because these NCOs know they are instructing future company commanders and possible battalion commanders," explained Adams. "They are grooming our future leadership."
Day one began with a four-mile run and a Humvee push and later focused on improving on the knowledge of how to operate and maintain communications equipment. Lieutenants reviewed how to operate simple key loaders, multiband inter/intra team radios, Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below system (blue force tracker), and tactical satellites.
Following push-ups, sit-ups and water can carries, day two shifted the course's focus to being technically and tactically competent. Administrative classes in command policies, award submissions and evaluation report procedures paved the way to an afternoon of reflexive fire, squad movement techniques and combat life saver skills.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason M. Sypherd, company first sergeant, Company A, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., who instructed short range marksmanship techniques, said it was important to cover basic shooting concepts.
"We are teaching fundamentals of firing positions, magazine changes, movement and maneuver techniques and stressing the importance of speed and accuracy," Sypherd said. "By actually doing it, they will know what right looks and feels like to better help their Soldiers."
Day three physically challenged the lieutenants with tire flips, medical Skedco pulls and fireman carries while the classroom briefings informed the leaders what Army programs are available to them and their Soldiers and how to use them.
Various briefings outlined missions of the American Red Cross, Army Emergency Relief, Army Community Services, Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention, and Equal Opportunity. This portion of the course educated attendees on policies and training as well as training on legal matters and proper procedures for reporting incidents.
After the classroom, lieutenants moved to Camp Buehring's training village to execute urban operations where they moved tactically as squads and stacked up to enter and clear rooms.
"From administrative functions to tactical tasks, every lieutenant regardless of their job can get a better understanding of both tactical and technical tasks," Adams said.
A bench press competition started day four of the certification course which was followed by operations classes. From unified land operations to fundamentals of unit training management and troop leading procedures, lieutenants continued to build upon and expand their knowledge as leaders in the battalion.
Day five culminated 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment's certification course with a tactical training event.
The morning began with an expeditionary readiness exercise and followed with movement to Camp Buehring's Udairi Airfield.
"Silver Lion" Soldiers and Leaders loaded on MV-22 Ospreys operated by the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, and deployed to the training area. AH-64 Apache helicopters assigned to 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 501st Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, provided overhead security and close air support throughout the operation.
Upon arrival at the training area, the lieutenants dismounted and navigated their way across the desert performing squad movement attacks and maneuvers, reacting to enemy contact and calling for close air support. Their objective was to secure the nearby village.
The certification course challenged the lieutenants physically and mentally during the five days, but proved beneficial for everyone involved.
2nd Lt. Jonathan D. Workman, medical operations officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., said that he would highly recommend this type of training for any battalion.
"I've found this very helpful and useful in every aspect," Workman explained. "Everything covered during the course will definitely help in our future Army careers."
While better preparing officers of the battalion, this course also strengthened working relationships between officers and noncommissioned officers and assisted in creating common operational procedures.
"It's really good because as officers, they've got the plan and as noncommissioned officers, we have the execution part of that plan," Syphers said. "What we really saw during this course was that if we can come together and understand both the plan and execution, the output to our Soldiers will be greatly enhanced."
The certification course was focused on building flexible and adaptable leaders that are equipped with a shared understanding across all warfighting functions, capable of executing the basics in preparation for the next fight.
"We were focused on the basics and tailored the training specifically to those tasks we expect our junior leaders to know and execute to standard from administrative to tactical tasks," Lt. Col. Jeremy S. Wilson, commander, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., said.
"This event enabled us to evaluate the effectiveness of our leader development program, build cohesion, foster teamwork and develop a way ahead for future developmental opportunities," added Wilson. "Mission accomplished."
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