Asheville and Greenville Recruiting Company Future Soldiers prepare for basic training

Story and photos by Cpt. Joshua Edwards
Asheville Company Commander

Future Soldiers learning drill and ceremony.

Most Future Soldiers say that one of their biggest fears about attending Army Basic Training is meeting their Drill Sergeant. They are scared of being yelled at or having a scene enacted like something similar to the one from the movie Full Metal Jacket.

Drill Sergeants first meet the Army’s newest Soldiers at the Reception Battalion at basic training. On Feb. 20, 2016, however, Future Soldiers and Drill Sergeants alike had the chance to see each other before basic training. Thirty-eight Future Soldiers from the Asheville and Greenville Recruiting Companies attended a Future Soldier Event with Drill Sergeants and Drill Sergeant Candidates from the 1st Battalion, 518th Infantry Regiment, 98th Training Division (IET).
 

Future Soldiers learn how to assemble and disassemble an M-16 weapon.

The Drill Sergeants provided hands-on training in Physical Readiness Training land navigation, drill and ceremony, and assembly and disassembly of an M-16. Most of the Future Soldiers have never held an M-16 before and thought that the experience was helpful. “I loved learning about the gun. I feel more confident around weapons now,” said Pvt. Sydney Nichols, from the Asheville Recruiting Center. Pvt. Elijah Williams, from Hickory Recruiting Center, agreed. “The weapons training made me more ready for basic (training).”

Future Soldiers learning map reading.

Another new experience was land navigation. Many Future Soldiers never used a map and protractor. They were instructed in the major and minor terrain features on a military map and taught how to find those features on the ever-present Tenino Map. While it was just a taste of what a person needs to learn about map reading, it was enough to give the Future Soldiers more confidence as they prepare for Basic Training. “I had no clue how to read a map. The knuckle thing was helpful in identifying features,” Nichols said. The Army uses the human hand to teach how to recognize the major and minor terrain features as found on a map on in real life, with the knuckles demonstrating, ridgelines, valleys and hills.

                

At the end the Future Soldiers were tired, but excited to begin their Army journey. Some found this training an incentive to better prepare for basic training.  “I found out I’m not as far along physically as I’d like,” said PVT Matthew Fuselier, from the Hickory Recruiting Center. 

For the drill sergeants it was a great chance to brush up on instruction skills before they mobilize to help train privates at basic training this summer. “For us it helps relieve the monotony of weekend Battle Assemblies,” said Staff Sgt. Angela Lee, who is an Army Reserve drill sergeant. “It keeps us engaged and forces us as drill sergeants to keep up with our skills so that we’re not teaching these kids the wrong thing. That’s a win-win for everybody.”

Shukla Defines Determination

Story and photo by Vernetta Garcia

Army Reserve Spc. Mahesh Shukla

Army Reserve Spc. Mahesh Shukla is the definition of determination; being resolute; firmness of purpose; a fixed intention. Because of his single-mindedness, he is now another step closer to his dream of serving as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army. “This is the only country in the world where you can do anything, if you’re willing to work hard and stay with it” Shukla said. The 33-year-old, husband, and father of three, recently enlisted in the Army Reserve as a 35F, military intelligence analyst.  “I was very impressed with him when we met; he was committed to accomplishing this goal,” said his Recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Mary Sastre. She is an Army Reserve Recruiter, currently working at the Army Recruiting School at Fort Knox, Ky.

Shukla started basic training Mar. 1 at Fort Sill, Okla. Next, he will then attend advanced individual training for 17 weeks at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Then he will be join his unit, 345^th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Gordon, Ga., to work and complete his packet for Officer Cadet School. Shukla speaks five languages and is currently the chief of biomedical engineering with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Columbia, S.C. “I believe I have a lot to offer and looking forward to serving,” said Shukla. “Nothing is impossible if you stay with it.”

Born in India, he left home at the age of 15 to get an education. He worked his way through school as a tutor of chemistry, physics, and math. He often told those he tutored that “one day I’ll be an American, they would just laugh, because I was so poor, but now I am here,” Shukla said.  “This is the land of opportunity, you can become anything.”

He came to the United States in 2008 and faced numerous challenges when he first tried to join the Army in 2011. First hurdle was citizenship, he became a citizen in 2012. His foreign college transcripts had to be translated and although he obtained a degree in biomedical engineering in India, he still required additional college core credits.  With support of his wife, Melissa Houghton-Shukla, he says he was able to overcome each challenge. “Without her I couldn’t accomplish anything, she is very supportive—she takes care of the home and gives me lots of space to accomplish my studies and pursue my goals,” Shukla said.  

Although he still faces challenges, being apart from his family and possible deployments, he is eager to start this next chapter of life in the Army. “I want to do something for this country that has done so much for me; I want to be a good example for my kids,” Shukla stated.

 “I believe Spc. Shukla will make an outstanding Soldier due to his perseverance and commitment to making his family proud and to give back to this country,” Sastre said. “I wish him a lifetime of success and a career that can motivate and inspire others in the future.”