Sydney Dawson fires a simulated MK-19 40 mm grenade launcher at the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 while Olivia Doherty assists and Sgt. 1st Class Jason O’Gowen, 22nd Human Resource Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, observes during a Manitou Springs High School visit to Fort Carson May 25, 2016. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class John Cortez)
By 2nd Lt. Madison Asprey
22nd Human Resource Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
In the last five months the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, has increased its efforts in supporting the communities surrounding Fort Carson.
Because of this, 4th STB did not hesitate to help when Manitou Springs High School asked for support May 25, 2016, for its annual “M-Term” (May Term).
“At the end of the schoolyear, Manitou Springs High School allows 9th- through 11th-graders two days to sign up to go explore different things, either in the school or in the community,” said Mike Searle, English teacher. “Some teachers offer classes on video game designing or various crafts. Some kids go visit local colleges and some signed up for a field trip to Fort Carson.”
Soldiers from 22nd Human Resource Company, 4th STB, coordinated the visit that began at the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST 2000), an electronic weapons simulator. Students experienced firing an MK-19 40 mm grenade launcher, M2 .50-caliber machine guns, M4 assault rifles, M320 single breach grenade launchers and M249 squad automatic weapons.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason O’Gowen and Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Buskill went over basic rifle marksmanship with the students while stressing the importance of weapon safety.
“I enjoyed showing the different weapon systems to the kids,” Buskill said. “Seeing the enjoyment in their eyes was satisfying for me. I’m happy they’re having fun. The experience was also fun for me.”
After firing on the simulation, students experienced Army chow at the James R. Wolf Dining Facility.
“Today has been cool,” sophomore Nick Weimer said during lunch. “It’s cool to experience military training and see what Soldiers go through.”
The students then got a taste of drill and ceremony thanks to Staff Sgt. Alana Houle, 22nd HRC, who holds the distinction of being the first female drill sergeant at Fort Benning, Georgia. She taught the students how to march and conduct facing movements at the 4th STB motor pool. Students learned commands ranging from the position of attention to moving as a group in a formation.
The day concluded with a static equipment and vehicle display where the students learned about Army vehicles including an Up-Armored Humvee with a 240B 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on top.
“It’s good for the students to come out and see the Army firsthand,” Searle said as the day came to a close. “It’s great for them to get to experience a taste of Army training with the different weapons, as well as marching.”