FORT STEWART, Ga. - Training is no stranger to the U.S. Army, nor is it to the Soldiers who make up the Third Infantry Division. Soldiers who volunteered to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and defend against all enemies both foreign and domestic train regularly to ensure they are ready to respond to any threat that comes within harm's way of the United States of America.
The 135th Quartermaster Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Inf. Div., led by Capt. Manuel Sanchez and 1st Sgt. Darrell Shealy primarily serves as a support element by providing fuel so other companies have resources necessary to complete their missions. In doing so, the 135th QM Co.'s main mission is to supply bulk fuel while training on fueling and convoy operations. Mechanics in the company maintain the fleet of vehicles while the engineers train on engineer operations and build protective barriers around fuel supply points and roads so convoys needing fuel have easier access to the fuel point. This becomes especially important in combat situations, so when the 135th had the opportunity to train with a Cavalry scout unit, they took it.
"I believe that no matter what the job title in the Army, we may have to use Cavalry Scout tactics in real scenarios to accomplish the mission at hand so it is essential every Soldier be proficient in basic Soldier skills and different fighting techniques," said Pfc. John Smith, a horizontal construction engineer in 135th QM Co. Maintenance Platoon.
Soldiers assigned to Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry "Garry Owen", 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, trained with the 135th QM, conducting reconnaissance, locating the enemy, and destroying the enemy. The training consisted of basic and more advanced Soldier skills such as reacting to Improvised Explosive Devices in a convoy, advanced weapon systems, and dismounted patrol to neutralize an enemy force.
"This type of training is every day for Scouts, no matter the training area, whether it be in the motor pool or in an outside environment," said Sgt. 1st Class Clyde Blocker, platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Trp. D, 3/7 Cavalry Scouts. "It's very important for a supply unit to train this way because it emphasizes basic Soldier skills that may need to be used in a hostile area, especially in today's rapid deployment environment, where the Infantry or Cavalry Scouts may not be immediately available to provide direct protection for convoys or supply points."
"By conducting joint training with our Allied Cavalry Scout units, we are able to enhance our Soldiers' survivability skills," added Capt. Manuel Sanchez, commander of 135th QM Co. and a former cavalry scout platoon leader. "The Scouts conduct field training and gunnery all year long, while logisticians train on storage and issue of bulk fuel using our expeditionary fuel systems. By conducting this training together, our Soldiers learn how to effectively use our weapons during combat operations. In addition, they learn how to provide security, move tactically and react to enemy contact and casualties in their operational environment. The Soldiers receiving the training as well as the Soldier instructing the training build upon each other and create a sense of unity and confidence between the combat arms and the sustainment units. This is the main reason we're the best Army in the world, because we train and work together as one."
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