FORT BENNING, Columbus, Ga., Sept. 28 – The motto of the U. S. Army’s Infantry is “Follow Me!”  Two distinct words that when coupled with images of ‘Iron Mike’ majestically standing as sentry at the entrance of the Fort Benning U. S. Army Infantry School makes any ‘ground pounder’s’ heart race. 

Brigade and battalion command leaders from Georgia’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (L), rallied at Fort Benning, Ga.to challenge themselves at the Leaders Certification Program at the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center.

48th IBCT (L), Deputy Commander, Colonel John King said his motto for the weekend should be more like… “Ouch!”  His response was part reverence to the dedication his Soldiers have in putting their all into readiness training and a tongue-in-cheek overview of the brigade’s boot camp.

“It hurts now where as I don’t remember this much pain in the past,” King said with a grimaced laugh.  “We’ve all gotten a bit older but I was able to get back to my inner-Soldier self.”

Aging aside, those years equate to experience and that is what it takes to ensure leaders are capable and prepared for the unit’s 2009 Afghanistan mission.

“We have a responsibility to make sure ALL Soldiers are ready,” Robert Callahan, ‘Charlie’ company, 1st Bn., 121st Infantry Regiment 1st Sergeant and full-time brigade master gunner said. “I was challenged to give leadership a fun, team building scenario, as well as reacquaint everyone with the basics of Soldiering. Finally to certify them as Southwest Asia trainers.”

His idea of fun raised a few eyebrows as the participants were restricted in movement and what they were allowed to eat.  MREs were the feature of the field menu and, to make it more interesting -- Mother Nature lent her talents to kick up the challenge meter. 

 “The first day on the Fam Fire Range it started raining,” Callahan said suppressing a chuckle.  “It would not stop!  Hard rain and lightning; everyone was soaked.  They were pulling out their (mobile devices) and in some cases these guys lost comms.  Don’t think they were too broke up about that though.”

Basic Warrior Tasks Training was a focus and included recently added subcategories such as tactical combat casualty care and entry control point procedures. 

What brought the pain, or the ‘Ouch’ factor was the HOOAH!-stuff; repelling, day/night land navigation, obstacle courses, rope drills and combatives.  Callahan said it is tough training but nothing they, nor their Soldiers, have not experienced before

“They were all pretty tired and sore from the obstacle and land nav course and got good taste of what their own soldiers will be going through, which is what the intent was.”

“This is the reason I joined 25 years ago!” King stated.  An OIF veteran, he led 48th Soldiers as a battalion commander in the area known as the ‘Triangle of Death’ in Iraq.  He and his Soldiers successfully merged civilian and military experience allowing the Volunteer Citizen-Soldiers to build relationships and garner confidence in areas renown for tribal in-fighting.  The Doraville Police Chief knows this is a different kind of fight that will place the junior non-commissioned officer in a more non-traditional leadership role..

 “Before we can teach and mentor our Soldiers we have to be able to do (experience it for) ourselves,” King summarized.  “The bruises last a little bit longer, but the education and what you can share with your Soldiers will last a career!”

| News Home | GaDOD Home |