Spc. Roberto Aguirre, 534th Signal Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, checks on communications equipment during 4th STB’s field training exercise April 27, 2016, to May 6, 2016. (Courtesy photo)
By 2nd Lt. Stephanie Pavelko
22nd Human Resource Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
Soldiers from the 4th Special Troops Battalion recently returned from a challenging 10-day field training exercise April 27, 2016, to May 6, 2016.
Lt. Col. Chesley D. Thigpen, commander, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, said the exercise marked a return to self-sustainment and a step away from current day, forward operations base tactics.
“The intent was to get back to the basics,” Thigpen said. “Our goal was to work on the units’ basic field craft and focus on defending an assigned location, to include setting up, maintaining, and securing a perimeter.”
The exercise included myriad missions from security checkpoints and stand-to operations, to sustainment activities.
Some of the Soldiers also participated in numerous weapon system ranges to include the M-9 pistol, M4 carbine rifle, M249 squad automatic weapon, M240 and M2 .50 caliber machine guns, M320 grenade launcher, and the M67 fragmentation hand grenade. The Soldiers were able to practice and qualify on the various weapon systems, an experience not always available to units within the brigade.
Among the Soldiers who took advantage of the weapons training was Pfc. Oscar Rueff, 4th STB Headquarters and Headquarters Command maintenance section, who attended every range offered. Rueff said it was a welcome change of pace.
“I had a blast,” said Rueff, “It’s an opportunity to get out of the day-to-day routine and really bond with my section. We were able to get out on the ranges and cheer each other on, and it’s really been a great time.”
Sgt. 1st Class Brian Joseph, 4th STB motor pool and maintenance NCO in charge, explained that the battalion had made great strides since his arrival.
“When I first arrived to the unit we could not have completed this exercise,” said Joseph, who has been with the unit for 1.5 years. “We have grown from a strictly garrison-focused mission to a unit capable of operating in an open environment, and be self-sustaining without hardened buildings or external support. I’m extremely proud of my
Soldiers. The adversity they overcame and the unit cohesion achieved during this exercise is extremely valuable to our organization.”
As the exercise came to a close Thigpen reflected on the lessons his unit had learned over the course of the field problem. He acknowledged an increase in field craft and technical skills but noted that he was most impressed by the amount of teamwork shown.
“I believe the greatest take-away from the exercise is teamwork. It’s understanding that everyone within the unit has a part to play,” Thigpen said. “Not one company against another. It’s about working as a collective team to accomplish the mission.”