15th Special Troops Battalion lawyer leads from the front

CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq - Soldiers of 15th Sustainment Brigade out of Ft. Hood, Texas, fired their M-4 and M-16 rifles during a monthly qualification at Sykes Range here Feb. 26 to zero and qualify their weapons.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company has been conducting weapons qualification ranges on a monthly basis ever since the unit arrived on Q-West, but this range was unique, as 15th Special Troop Battalion's JAG officer, Capt. Carrie Ward, took the reins as the range officer in charge.

"Because the HHC consists primarily of battalion and brigade staff sections, we do frequent ranges with smaller numbers, so the sustainment mission is not impacted while readiness is maintained," said Lt. Col. Paula Lodi, a Franklin, Mass., native.

"The smaller scale ranges also provide a great opportunity for leader development. Captain Ward volunteered to run the range, demonstrating the initiative of someone really looking to use the deployment to grow. I was proud of her," Lodi said.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Cox, a platoon sergeant with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, was the range noncommissioned officer in charge for the day and said the range personnel knew what had to happen and didn't wait to be told.

"Working with captain Ward throughout the day and having it be her first time conducting this type of training was great and I was impressed! She was motivated the whole time!" said Cox, a Houston, Texas, native.

Soldiers firing on the range said they were pleased with the way the range progressed throughout the day and its efficiency with getting firers on and off the range. The range resulted in a 98 percent qualification rate, the best of five ranges executed during the deployment.

"I had a great time at the range today. It allowed me to maintain my proficiency with my weapon and have a higher chance of raising my score for promotion points," said Sgt. Railin Isaacs, HHC, 15th STB orderly room clerk and New York native.

One aspect the range personnel reiterated throughout the day was safety.

"If it is one thing we are sure to have our eyes on, it would be safety and the well being of the soldiers firing on the range," said Staff Sgt. Mzee McIntyre, range safety officer for the training.

"We're out here to give the soldiers the best opportunity to fire their weapons, at the same time, provide a safe training environment" said McIntyre, an Evergreen, Ala., native.