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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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SD employers gain appreciation, understanding at visit to Division West
By Capt. Marvin J. Baker, 120th Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division West Public Affairs and Staff Sgt. Theanne Tangen, South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs
May 30, 2010 - 9:31:44 AM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Capt. Scott Mosely (center), a trainer with the 120th Infantry Brigade gives weapons training to a group of employers from South Dakota on an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift to Fort Hood, Texas 19-20 May. (Photo by Capt. Marvin Baker, 120th Infantry Brigade, Division West Public Affairs) |
FORT HOOD, TEXAS - Some learn by watching but others learn by doing, and that's how employers on a boss lift learned as they interacted with Soldiers of the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Dakota Army National Guard May 19-20.
The 24 employers started their day by boarding a KC-135 Stratotanker military aircraft on their way from Sioux Falls, S.D., to Fort Hood, Texas.
"The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift transports employers from their workplace to their military training sites where they observe the type and quality of training their employees receive," said Capt. Lona Christensen, ESGR executive director.
On the first day of their visit, the employers watched the personal security detachment conduct urban operations training under the watchful eyes of Soldiers from the 120th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division West.
The 120th Infantry Brigade is a training support unit that conducts post-mobilization training for Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers before they deploy overseas.
The training regimen includes exercises in weapons qualifications, improvised explosive device awareness, and force protection. The training support unit uses realistic scenarios and role players to create a realistic and tough training environment.
The employers got a first-hand look at the realism of the training when many of them volunteered to stand in as Afghan citizens complete with traditional dress and head coverings.
"I have just been in awe. I can't believe civilians get to do this. It's just been amazing," said Connie Tveidt, of the South Dakota Governor's Office.
Tveidt said she couldn't wait to get home to spread the word about her trip.
"Everyone will be so envious, especially my husband," said Tveidt.
Many of the employers said getting to see and participate in the training is better than hearing about it.
"This is an opportunity for them to do something they have never done before in their whole life," said Dennis Flanery, ESGR committee volunteer.
The group also had the opportunity to participate in a marksmanship competition using the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000. The EST 2000 is a computer-simulated weapons qualification system used to prepare Soldiers before they go to the weapons' range.
On the second day, the group saw some of the safety training and equipment the Army uses to protect their Soldiers including the HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer and a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle.
The employers weren't the only ones who learned about the experiences of the National Guard Soldiers training on North Fort Hood. The Gatesville, Texas, Chamber of Commerce also learned something about the ESGR program.
"It's a great program to let the employers actually see what the Soldiers are doing. We want to let them know that even though they're miles from home, there's a community close by that supports them," said Carla Manning, the military affairs representative of the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce.
Manning and nine other members from the Gatesville community met with the group of employers when they organized a social on the evening of the first day of training.
Susie Gunnels, executive director of the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce, said, "I would like to have a day where people in the community have the opportunity to go on base and see some of the training, dine in the facilities, and listen to what the Soldiers have to say. I don't think that people in the community realize what's there and what the Army does to support the deploying Soldiers."
The 196th MEB will leave North Fort Hood headed to Afghanistan after it completes its training in early June. Members of the Chamber of Commerce and the employers said they now have a better understanding of the sacrifices of the Soldiers and are more committed to supporting them on the home front.
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