FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, came together as a unit to tackle the Fort Stewart Confidence Obstacle Course, June 5.
The course challenges troops to navigate through 17 physically-demanding obstacles, including a rope climb, barbed wire low-crawl lane, and a log jump - all while being timed.
Battery A Soldiers teamed up in groups of three and put their strength to the test after receiving a safety brief and course overview. For one artilleryman, the course helped him see just how far he could push himself.
"It takes a lot of endurance to make it through an obstacle course," said Spc. Dustin McBroom, Battery A. "I think once you find your limits at a place like this, it pushes you to strive harder or press your limits and just try to be a better Soldier."
The Satellite Beach, Fla., native said the Confidence Obstacle Course was another way for his battery to bond.
"When you don't feel like you can make it through an obstacle and you have your battle buddy beside you, pulling you through, it makes you feel more confident," he said.
The course helped reassure him that he could rely on his fellow comrades in a combat environment.
"If (your battle buddy) is with you on something like this (obstacle course), then he's definitely going to be there during an important time frame," Spc. McBroom said.
First Lieutenant Joshua Fink, Battery A fire direction officer, said the training also helped 1/76 FA Soldiers with the 4th IBCT's current transformation from a heavy armored unit to light infantry.
"As a light infantry unit, you're not in your vehicles as often; you're actually out in the terrain, and especially overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan where you're clearing houses and going into buildings," 1st Lt. Fink said. "(Courses) like this really teach you how to overcome those (combat) obstacles and how to really have the confidence in yourself to be able to make it through. This is the kind of training where Soldiers really figure out how much heart they have and really test their endurance. This is the training that makes a Soldier a Soldier."
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