NOWA DEBA, Poland (July 23, 2014) -- Many different teams go down the range and fire at targets when units are completing gunnery training. However, in the end, only one crew can be the best.
One Stryker crew amongst P Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment "Palehorse" thinks they know the secret to becoming "top gun."
Made up of three components, a Stryker team consists of a vehicle commander, a gunner and a driver.
While each member of the team has their responsibilities, it takes all three working together to get the job done.
"My responsibility ultimately is the cohesion of the crew," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Morris, a vehicle commander with P Troop. "Just kind of overwatch because ultimately my driver is the primary one who does all the maintenance. He knows everything that's wrong with the truck. My gunner knows everything wrong with the .50. It's my job to bring it all together and ensure we're all properly trained to do what we do."
While training in Poland during Atlantic Resolve, Morris and his Soldiers have set themselves apart from other Stryker crews within Palehorse.
Having previously completed gunnery training with one of his soldiers, Spc. Luis Guiral, a gunner with P Troop, Morris credits part of their success to familiarity.
"We've shot gunnery previously together, so we know how each other operates," said Morris. "I have a system, he has a system and our systems work together. If individuals don't work well together, the team doesn't work, and that's one thing we have an advantage on."
However, it takes more than familiarity for a Stryker crew to come out on top.
New to the team, Pfc. Austin Grieve, a driver with P Troop, said communication is key for a team to be successful.
"We know what we're doing," Grieve said. "We talk a lot more within our crew and let each other know what's going on and push through."
In addition to familiarity and good communication, the team suggests one other tool for success-practice.
"It's all a learning experience," said Guiral. "The more you shoot, the more you learn."
Although the crew has many more challenges to meet before gunnery training is completed, Morris not only plans to be the best crew, but help his Soldiers explore other areas of being cavalry scouts as well.
"For gunnery, our goal is to be the best crew, and I know we can do it," said Morris. "I want them to get cross-trained more for dismounted operations. We have the opportunity being here to do it, because we've been a vehicle crew from the beginning, so I want to learn how to be a scout on the ground as well and not just in a vehicle."
The Soldiers are participating in Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between NATO allies. Led by the mission command element of the 4th Infantry Division and in conjunction with European partner nations, Atlantic Resolve is intended to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions and ensure the continued peace and stability of Europe.
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