Key training develops current, future 'Broncos'

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Soldiers throughout the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, "Broncos," 25th Infantry Division, conducted Consolidated Skills (CONSKILLS) training throughout Oahu, March 13-24.

Bronco Soldiers trained on various courses, such as Advanced Physical Fitness, Dismounted Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RC-IED) lanes, Defense Operations, Machine Gun University (MGU), and Close Quarters Marksmanship (CQM).

"The purpose of the Bronco Consolidated Skills training is to provide the knowledge required in administration, training, marksmanship, physical fitness and sustainment to be effective leaders in the Bronco Brigade," said Command Sgt. Maj. Alan E. Michaud, senior enlisted adviser, 3rd BCT.

The training focused on the fundamentals that produce professional Soldiers familiar with the unique training and leadership demands, and provide a clear understanding of the operational environment to effectively support their commander's mission and training objectives, Michaud added.

The Soldiers were given the challenge of the two weeklong training, compressed from a quarter of the year, to sharpen their skills.

Squad and platoon level leaders spent three days at East Range on planning considerations and execution for Defense Operations, which culminated with a Situational Training Exercise (STX).

"Some of the key blocks of instruction covered were Engagement Area Development, preparation of range cards and sector sketches, and construction of hasty and deliberate fighting positions," said Capt. Jeffery Hubler, commander, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Inf. Regiment, 3rd BCT.

"The training audience had the opportunity to plan and develop a small defensive position (in accordance with) the classes they just received during a 20-hour execution window," Hubler said.

"The STX portion highlighted both the physical demands and time investment that accompanies defensive operations."

Bronco Soldiers, who use their Counter Radio Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems, were introduced to the THOR III system, a man-portable, counter RC-IED jammer, during Dismount Counter RC-IED drills at the Installation Training Center on Schofield Barracks.

"In Electronic Warfare, not everybody knows a lot about EW and their systems," said Sgt. 1st Class Steven Kuchta, brigade electronic warfare NCOIC for 3rd BCT. "The course is to get the CREW specialists learning the systems, being able to use all the systems, and their training, so that they can be confident in the systems that they use."

Two of the courses, the MGU and CQM, were held at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay's Range Training Facility in the Ulupa'u Crater, for the second week of CONSKILLS.

Spc. Anthony Rodriguez, in Infantry assigned to 2-35th Inf. Regt., was one of the Bronco Soldiers who participated in MGU as an M240 machine gunner. He said he wanted to become more proficient with his weapon.

"The training was very important," Rodriguez said. "For some of us who have been in for a little bit, this is more of a refresher and (to) learn some new tips and tricks with their weapons. It'll help us show new Soldiers what we've learned and show them the right way."

Directly across from MGU, Bronco Soldiers learned fast-paced shooting skills with CQM.

"The purpose of that is to train marksmanship instructors for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team," said 1st Sgt. David White, senior enlisted adviser, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Regt., 3rd BCT. "I think the lessons taught are extremely important, and where we start is training our instructors to proficiency."

The Soldiers learned techniques to properly engage targets standing at different intervals while being timed for part of the training.

"At the end of the day, we're trying to train marksmanship instructors in order to propagate marksmanship instructors in 3rd BCT to elevate our marksmanship level as a whole throughout the unit," White said.