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U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Future Soldiers get a briefing at Victory Tower before watching Soldiers rappel.
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Photos by
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Westfall
Story by
Leslie Ann Sully
U.S. Army
Recruiting Battalion Columbia
On April 22,
over 250 Future Soldiers and their guests from Georgia, North Carolina and
South Carolina saw first-hand what Army basic training entails at Fort Jackson,
S.C. They attended the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Columbia’s battalion wide
Future Soldier Event.
Participants
from Augusta, Columbia and Florence companies trained in the morning and those
from Asheville, Charleston and Greenville took the afternoon training slots.
The entire
formation was together in middle of day to hear Battalion Command Sgt. Maj.
Thomas McEwen’s Army Story.
McEwen
joined the Army right after high school graduation and offered to talk to
anyone personally about their fears or apprehensions. “I was a little homesick
at the start of basic since it was the first time I had ever left home,” he
said. “But the Drill Sergeants are here for you to succeed and if you stay
motivated, you will succeed.”
He also
told the group that he never intended to stay this long in the Army. “Four
years turned into 21 years and I have had the best time and some great
assignments,” McEwen said.
A highlight
of the day was eating an Army traditional field lunch which was Meals Ready to
Eat (MRE). “A large majority of our Future Soldiers said eating the MREs and
staying hydrated from the water buffalo was their top sustain,” said Capt.
Travis Newton, Charleston Company Commander.
The
training portion started at the120th Reception Battalion just like it does for all
basic trainees. They received a briefing from Drill Sergeant Head.
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| Future Soldiers watch Army Soldiers negotiate the rope cross at Victory Tower. |
Then, the
group watched other Soldiers navigate Victory Tower to include rappelling and
rope crossing. Not surprising, many expressed frustration at not being able to
negotiate Victory Tower themselves. Leadership wanted to keep everyone safe and
healthy but it was encouraging that so many wanted to complete the physically
challenging obstacles.
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U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Robert
Garbarino demonstrates how to use the EST 2000 weapon simulator to improve the
marksmanship of the Future Soldiers.
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Motivation
was high throughout the day and it was noticeable while the Future Soldiers
practiced their marksmanship using the EST 2000, an Army weapon simulator. “Many
wished they had more time to practice,” Newton said. “But it was apparent how
much they enjoyed the hands on aspect.”
