Dozens of 15th Signal Brigade Soldiers participated in Field Training Exercise (FTX) Mercury Strike at Willard Training Area on Fort Gordon as part of a culminating event to complete their Advanced Individual Training July 25-27.
A total of 89 Soldiers from military occupation specialties 25U (signal support systems specialist), 25B (information technology specialist), and 25S (satellite communication systems operator-maintainer) completed the three-day FTX, which is a requirement for Soldiers prior to moving on to their first duty station. Soldiers bearing the 25H (network communication systems specialist) MOS will be integrated into the FTX once its proof of concept is complete on Oct. 1.
Hosted by the U.S. Army Signal School, FTX Mercury Strike was built “from the ground up” and will continue to grow as a major training event for Soldiers in the 25 Career Management Field. This event is meant to expose Soldiers to roles they could play in large scale combat operations. It also allows for the professional experience of drills sergeants and instructors to shape the abilities of the Soldiers when it comes to performing MOS-specific tasks while under stress. The first iteration took place in August 2021, at which time only 25U Soldiers participated.
“With the transition that is occurring between the 25H (that’s engulfing the 25L, 25Q and 25N) – once their proof of concept is complete as of 1 October, they will then be integrated into the exercise as well, and then from there we will actually become the only 25 series that gets trained and gets through their Advanced Individual Training here at Fort Gordon,” explained Master Sgt. Clay Hines, U.S. Army Signal School field training exercise NCOIC.
“It culminates all of their training throughout AIT combining all four AIT MOSes into one large field training exercise throughout their tenure in the schoolhouse,” added 1st Sgt. Justin Applebaum, B Company, 369th Signal Battalion.
In addition to completing a six-mile ruck, Soldiers must work together as a team to accomplish MOS-specific tasks in a field environment.
“When it comes to warrior tests and battle drills, we get the Soldiers out of the mindset that they are an individual MOS,” Hines said. “If a unit needs you to be able to fill its priority because you’re in the wheel house … then that’s what you’re expected to be able to have the aptitude to do in order to fulfill the requirement.”
The Cyber Center of Excellence Public Affairs Office contributed to this article.
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