Spc.  Tracy J. Smith
48th IBCT PAO

HOHENFELS, Germany (Joint Multinational Readiness Center) – The name Hohenfels literally means ‘high rock’ or ‘high cliff’ and has played host to American and NATO combat infantry units preparing for deployment in support of the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.

For two weeks the JMRC’s (Joint Multinational Readiness Center) unfamiliar terrain served as the platform for 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers.

In the midst of ‘The Box,’ (the immersion training area for deploying troops), 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment Soldiers literally took on the role of Iraqi Army trainees to assist their British Army and Air Force partners in familiarizing themselves for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.

“We have been there,” Staff Sergeant Timothy E. Burd, a 2nd platoon squad leader with company A, 1/121 said as he assisted a British Army team commander, Corporal Lloyd Stow, C Coy, 2nd Royal Anglican Regiment, familiarize with the AK47 rifle.  Burd served as an Iraqi Army training instructor during the Volunteer Brigade’s OIF 3.5 deployment.  Under Burd’s tutelage Stow looked pleased as he got a feel for the ‘action’ on the weapon.

“Our goal is to be helpful to them,” Burd continued, closely observing Stow’s breakdown and reassembling process. “It gives them a chance to learn from our experience.”

The two week training mission is integral to the success of GWOT’s multinational camaraderie platform as well. 

Training at Hohenfels’ Joint Multinational Readiness Center, JMRC, allows the partnering nations the chance to learn and live together.  It also makes them privy to a realistic environment that will, ideally, give them insight to each service entities battle rhythm, or manner by which they work in concert coordinating and executing battlefield mission objectives. 

Sessions in Counter-Insurgency (COIN) Operations, Major Combat Operations (MCO) and Security Operations easily set the tone for full spectrum combat operations.  The experience reaches beyond the tactical reiterations and encourages the Soldiers to harness and maintain a ‘Train to Win’ mentality.

“This is invaluable!” said Command Sergeant Major John D. Gipe, 8^th CSM of the Army National Guard.  During his visit to JMRC, Gipe was non-stop as he engaged senior staff non-commissioned officer leadership in candid conversations and visited Soldiers in ‘The Box.’ Gipe was very encouraged by their comments and his personal observations of their motivation.

“They are enthusiastic because (the Soldier) realizes there are many facets to being a Guard Soldier.  Everything we do (in support of GWOT) is joint; multi-service and multinational.  We must have a good base of understanding with our coalition partners,” Gipe punctuated.  “Here we have an outstanding facility and tremendous opportunity for our (Guardsmen) to fine-tune what we train for.  The high elevation, MOUT (urban warfare) facilities, IED/VBIED sites give us a wealth of realistic training and serves as a great retention tool.”

By design, the setting also fosters an adaptive training methodology.  An idea, according to the British Ministry of Defense’s first Regimental Sergeant Major of Infantry (RSM) Harry French, that is a balance for what he calls ‘training for the race.”

French shared his thoughts on the significance of building individual confidence and allowing the Soldier, British or American, autonomy when it counts in a previous interview. 

“They have a more adaptive concept of training for THE War, whether it is in Iraq or Afghanistan,” French said.  His familiarity with the 48th IBCT and their combat maneuvers dates back to 2005.  As the RSM for the Kings Own Border Regiment, he and his Soldiers arrived in An Nasiriyah, Iraq at the same time as the 48th Soldiers.  In 2007 he visited a training company from 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment training with the 4 Yorks British Territorial Army in Okehampton training camp, Devon, England. 

“Of greater significance is the ability to do training that allows the individual (combat) flexibility in making snap decisions during those crucial moments giving the Soldier the edge.”

That edge is what Private Samuel Moffitt, a C Coy, 2nd Royal Anglican rifleman from North Hampshire has set his sights on.  He has two six-month tours under his belt, Northern Ireland and Iraq.  He admits the training scenario will be a different experience.

“In our job we are used to searching and detaining so this will be a matter of transferring what we know to new recruits.  This experience, role playing with your forces, gives us a chance to overcome language differences and take advantage of what you know from your experiences in mentoring and training the Iraqis.”

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