FORT STEWART, Georgia- Soldiers from various units, including units from the 3rd Infantry Division, learned the duties and responsibilities of an antiterrorism officer during a recent Antiterrorism Level II Mobile Training Team course Feb. 24-28 at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
The goal of the training was to train and certify commissioned officers and noncommissioned officers as antiterrorism officers, so they can teach Antiterrorism Level I, increase security and readiness, and assist their commander with other antiterrorism responsibilities at their respective units.
"Antiterrorism officers are tools for their commander to keep Soldiers safe," said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Adams, a Soldier attending the class from 3rd Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment at Camp Blanding, Florida. "Every unit needs an antiterrorism officer, regardless of their military occupational specialty."
Staff Sgt. Bradley Opsal, an instructor assigned to the force protection training division, said his unit certifies Soldiers at Fort Stewart twice a year, but they teach the course at installations worldwide.
During the course, Soldiers learn the various responsibilities of an antiterrorism officer, such as: risk management, managing resources, reviewing projects, physical security, and conducting vulnerability assessments.
"Vulnerability assessment is one of the most important things they learn, because they must understand their unit's vulnerability and how to fix their vulnerabilities," said Opsal.
The class consisted of classroom instruction and practical exercises.
During a practical exercise, Soldiers used what they learned in the classroom to identify the vulnerabilities of buildings and decided on how the security of each building can be improved.
"The class is very good and informative," said Staff Sgt. Michael Lewars, a Soldier from 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia. "I learned how to see everything wrong with a building, and now I can go back and teach classes at my unit."
-30-
Social Sharing