Training, Training, Training

Training, Training, Training is life on the FOB... This week's training focused on Tactical Convoy Operations and Driver Training..... This weeks training varied from Drivers Training on the Up-armored HUMMV to Combat Life Training. The training here is as realistic as they can get it. Combat Lifesaver Training is more than how to administer medical support to save lives, but they actually have event driven actions that happen to require numerous actions, one of which is the administration of proper medical attention….i.e. an IED goes off near your patrol, the blast injures several soldiers, what actions are required…. Needless to say there are numerous, yet simultaneous actions that are required to deal with the situation…However, I want to also highlight some of the great soldiers serving with me on this mission.... SGM Charles Jackson on the 50 cal... (Ma Duece!!)

One such individual is SGM Charles Jackson. SGM Charles Jackson, who retired 30Sep 2004 from the full-time force with over 29 years of active duty. Charlie voluntarily returned under a retiree-recall to support this mobilization. This is his first combat tour of duty. SGM Jackson pictured below left the surreal day to day activities as the Training Site Manage of Clarks Hill Training Site located in Plum Branch, SC to join the RCAG. SGM Jackson is one of many patriotic soldiers that are on this team. He is truly admired by this team and a credit to the citizens and soldiers we have in South Carolina.

As mentioned earlier much of our training this week was on tactical convoy operations.... This was outstanding training, they, (Fort Riley) spared nothing to ensure we received excellent training.. What i liked most was the Simulator Training in the Battle Simulations Building. This was behind a computer, but it was so real. It virtually put you into the vehicle and had simulated attacks, to include IEDs. We found out very quick that you need to rehearse, rehearse and rehearse your Battle Drills, so that it become second nature how you would react....

I was able to acquire some more pictures of our range operations.... As you can see it was very taxing on us.... Enjoy...

Range operations was very exciting. We all realized that this is for real, and being able to shoot accurately may save your life.... so we became intimate with our weapons... None of us dreaded this, even knowing that we would be worn out by the end of the evening....

When you are tired, you take advantage of every opportunity to get some relief/rest.....

Here are some clips from our night range ops...