4ID brigade wraps up NTC training, preps for Iraq
By Staff Sgt. Brent A. Hunt
September 22, 2005
FORT IRWIN, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2005) – Scheduled to deploy later this year to Iraq for the second time, Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division are now wrapping up a 30-day exercise at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.
The exercise culminates roughly six months of “combat speed” training where brigade Soldiers have been met with every conceivable challenge from the humidity of Fort Hood, Texas, to the dry, desert sands of NTC.
“I think the training we get here is as realistic as you can get,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Wells of the 1st BCT. “They [NTC] have the resources and the training area to provide the most realistic training you can possibly get.
“We are going to take lessons learned here, update or modify the way we operate now, based on the results we’ve seen here. It’s been a pretty good exercise to see how all leaders react to stress and scenarios. Some people, who I never thought had it in them, surprised and really impressed me.”
Training began with Hood FTXs
Soldiers of the brigade started honing their skills months ago at Fort Hood when they were tested on a continuous basis through a number of field training exercises They’ve trained for the challenges of warfighting a tough and determined enemy, conducting combat operations in a urban setting, improvised explosive device training, negotiating with the local populace, dealing with an international media contingency and addressing combat injuries and losses.
“The only thing we can do is constantly talk to our junior enlisted Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Doubek, a medic from Company C (Medical), 4th Support Battalion. “Most of them are coming straight out of advanced individual training, and there is no way to mentally prepare them for Iraq. All we can do is be honest and explain to them that even though they might not like what they see, they have the skills and knowledge to save lives.”
New mission to secure constitutional govt
Although the brigade is no stranger to Iraq, the mission is a lot more complex than when the brigade deployed during OIF I. During OIF I, the brigade was focused on a regime change, leaders said. This time around, they said the brigade will have to deal with securing and stabilizing a country, which is getting ready to hold another election and draft a constitution.
“From one perspective, the private first class won’t see any real difference between the first time we deployed to Iraq and this time, because he will still be going on the same amount of patrols,” said Wells. “The leaders will see a big difference, though, because they will interact more with the Iraqi people and their officials.”
“I feel I’m adequately prepared to head to Iraq,” said Pfc. John Lee, an infantry man with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st BCT, who has never been there. “Since we are here doing our job every day, I feel I can do my job and do it well.
“I think what we are doing for the Iraqi’s is a good thing to do,” Lee said. “I’m glad we got Saddam out of power, because I believe everyone should have human rights and they deserve that.”
Soldiers focus on set of goals
After the exercise, Soldiers will concentrate on getting their equipment ready for deployment, shipping it off and spending some time with their families. Even though there will be no more training exercises for the brigade until they head to Iraq, every Soldier, including the command sergeant major, has a set of goals.
“If I had three goals I would like to see achieved during our deployment to Iraq, I would like to see every Soldier have a thorough understanding of the rules of engagement,” said Wells. “Also, every Soldier would maintain an aggressive, offensive spirit and I would like to see every Soldier be an expert on every weapon they employ.”
(Editor’s note: Staff Sgt. Brent A. Hunt serves in the public affairs section for the 1st BCT, 4th ID.)
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