FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Infantrymen assigned to C Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment "Polar Bears," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, conducted shoot house training Thursday on Fort Drum.
A shoot house is a live-ammunition, small-arms shooting range used to train military personnel for close-contact engagements in urban combat environments.
These houses are designed to mimic residential, commercial and industrial spaces, and they are used to acquaint personnel in infiltrating (gaining access) to structures and the methods used to overwhelm targets in the quickest and most efficient manner.
Shoot houses are also designed to let trainers watch teams conduct their operations by observing safely from a platform above the training rooms.
"This training is very important, because it teaches the fundamentals of entering a room," said Staff Sgt. Bryan Reilly, platoon sergeant. "Our Soldiers are able to go through each room and see exactly where their rounds are going by using paintball rounds."
"I feel it is extremely important for our Soldiers to get range time, especially shoot houses," Reilly said. "Soldiers are gaining confidence in their weapon system, and (they are gaining) trust in their teammates."
One infantryman felt this training was designed to mimic what Soldiers might encounter on a deployment.
"When clearing rooms in Afghanistan, you don't know what to expect," said Sgt. Eric Agostino. "With multiple rooms and corridors, you have to train your team to expect the unexpected.
"The shoot houses on Fort Drum give our Soldiers a chance to expect what they might encounter on a deployment."
Another Soldier explained how the training built his confidence and eased the uncertainty that surrounded future deployments.
Pfc. Skye Duncan, infantryman, said this training helped him feel more confident in deploying, because his leaders take the time to break down squad tactics step by step so that every team member knows how to react to each situation.
Social Sharing