FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 27, 2017) -- "You are at the first stop for civilians who raise their right hand to join the United States Army," the first sergeant called out from the 43rd Adjutant General Battalion. "This is where you get your hair cut, shots, and meet your first inspirational leader -- your drill sergeant."
The busload of people began asking the first sergeant questions about the requirements to join the Army and what it takes to make it as a Soldier.
Their group leader was 1st Sgt. Antonio Leonvega, a course chief with the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officers Academy, and the unit was a platoon-sized element of community leaders who were on a behind-the-scenes tour of military combat training at Fort Leonard Wood April 20.
The annual tour, sponsored by the local Association of the United States Army chapter, along with support from the Committee of Fifty, Friends of the Fort, Lake Support the Fort and Phelps for the Fort, provides business professionals from across the region with an opportunity to visit the 62,000-acre post.
"Today we had a great turnout of business, community and university leaders," said Steve Ehrhardt, president of the Fort Leonard Wood -- Mid Missouri chapter of the AUSA. "About half of today's 28 participants had not been on the tour before. The testament that the other half had been on the tour before means that these tours are good and mean something."
"There is so much to see out here on Fort Leonard Wood. It's great to get out and see our installation," Ehrhardt added.
The tour included a morning briefing by the garrison command and highlights of initial military training, advanced individual training and joint services training.
Col. Tracy Lanier, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Orvis, garrison command sergeant major, participated in the events of the day.
Lanier fielded questions about the future of the force, construction, technology, creating a sustainable workforce and assisting Soldiers with their transition to civilian life following the military.
"I'm glad everyone had the opportunity to come out today," Lanier said. "We look forward to conducting engagements like this."
"We are one community and we rely on each other, so taking time out for this tour and networking is very important to us," Lanier added.
Tour attendees stopped for lunch at a dining facility and the tour concluded at the Engagement Skills Training center, giving leaders an opportunity to try their hand at simulated weapons training. According to James Nutt, EST supervisor, 121,348 people fired an estimated 9.1 million simulated rounds at the EST in fiscal year 2016, saving the government more than $18 million.
Travin Shelton, an adviser with the Small Business Development Center on the campus of Missouri S&T in Rolla, said he enjoyed the EST the most and mainly wanted to take the tour to see what Fort Leonard Wood has to offer.
"I'm from Dixon, Missouri and so I've grown up with Fort Leonard Wood being a huge part of my life," Shelton said. "Fort Leonard Wood and everything that goes along with it is highly pivotal to what we do as business leaders."
"Today's tour was very enlightening," he added.
Ehrhardt said, "This event represents a great partnership of community organizations and the AUSA local chapter that has been here for more than 60 years.
"We appreciate Fort Leonard Wood supporting us this year and putting on a great day for our community and our region," he said.
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