121st Warriors prepare for Afghanistan in realistic setting

First Lt. Andre Bridges, (foreground) 2/121 Signal Officer listens to a question during a course on constructing a long wire, or patrol antenna, from plastic spoons, 5-50 cord and cat 5 wire. It was part of the battalion's pre-deployment training weekend. Sgt. D'mitri Rybakov, (background), a company C squad leader and senior at Georgia State, inspects the lieutenant's handy work. (photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO)

By Spc. Tracy Smith
48th IBCT PAO

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The well-aligned row of tents encased by concrete barriers, bunkers and guard towers and, oh yes, the telling aroma of port-a-lets baking in the bruising sun brought back memories. Sergeant Ron Williams gave a smile, peppered with bewilderment, as he took it all in after arriving at his battalion’s temporary home.

“It looks a lot like Iraq,” Williams, a chef with Fort Benning’s Martin Army Hospital said. He brings those special skills to his job as a Company F, 148th Brigade Support Battalion food service noncommissioned officer. He's presently attached to 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry regiment. “The difference is this mission is only for 72 hours instead of a year.”

Welcome to the Home of the Infantry’s immersion living environment, Forward Operating Base Voyager.

Williams was non-plus but his attitude remained positive about the time he would spend at Ft. Benning as the battalion continued its drive towards pre-certification prior to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Afghanistan mission. During his tour of combat in Iraq he was assigned as a team member at Lutifiyah, one of the provinces South of Baghdad that comprised what was known as the "Triangle-of-Death." He and a small cadre of chefs prepared meals for the Iraqi Army military training team in a small "outhouse" kitchen amidst the sounds of mortar fire and mounds of moon dust-like sand.

Lots of sand. Williams wants to share his experiences, the good and the not-so-good, with his ‘new guys’ as he calls them.

“My goal is to keep my new Soldiers engaged and get them acclimated to what it’s like in a combat environment,” Williams continued. “Just because you’re slinging a pot doesn’t mean you won’t have to pick up your rifle.”

His attitude is mirrored by his fellow veterans, most notably the battalion’s new commander, Major Kenny Payne. Payne accepted command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Mark London at the start of the intense three-day training schedule, and his plan is simple; build on the successes of his predecessor.

“A great deal has changed in how we conduct business as we gear up for the brigade’s new mission,” Payne explained. “The transformation has brought us back to basics as Soldiers. This training, and the environment, means we don’t have to give lip service to the risk assessment because we are meeting and exceeding the standards AND we have brought it home to Benning. That’s important. Everything you need to be successful is here, and our guys are just bringing the initiative and the motivation.”

The training schedule was filled with the expected – rifle range and weapons familiarization, land navigation, drivers training and other basic Soldier tasks. It is the unexpected that got their attention most.

A pre-ranger obstacle course gave the Soldiers a confidence boost and team building momentum, running ammo drills through red clay mud gullies and, with a nod to the fictitious MacGyver, there was a moment to indulge in creative communication courtesy of a dare.

First Lt. Andre’ Bridges is the communications officer for the battalion and a carpenter by trade who admits to being very creative. With strategically placed plastic spoons, CAT-5 wire, 5-50 cord and bits of wood he constructed a makeshift patrol antenna, or long wire, that could be used in place of the issued field radio antenna if the situation presented itself.

“Often the sixes (an endearing reference for a communications officer) get teased a little because we are looked at as the technical gurus,” Bridges admitted. “When our new commander asked me if I knew what a patrol antenna was and if I would give an impromptu class, well, I thought it would be more an opportunity to challenge the Soldiers than a challenge to me. After all, when commo is all setup my job is supervising maintenance, and when I get the chance, improve on it.”

That attitude to enhance on lessons learned, coupled with training designed to exceed the standards ranked high with the non-commissioned officers and team leaders.

Specialist Terry Stokes knew this was a starting point to get acquainted with their new charges and relate their challenges during combat. He was a Bradley driver during his tour with company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment.

“I was hit (a euphemism for encountering an IED –improvised explosive device- or VB – vehicle borne -IED), four times,” Stokes, now a team leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry recalled of his year at Camp Liberty, Iraq. “By explaining what I experienced, I feel like I’m doing my job in training them for the fight. If you’re not well trained and ready to do the job, you’re a non-functioning team member. What I learn from my experience, good or bad, will help them stay safe.”

Soldiers, like Stokes, will make the training experience substantial, Payne stated. He puts a solid level of confidence in what the Warriors are capable of as he noted, key leaders can be out of the way but it is the NCO Corps that makes it happen.

“Leaders come and go but the NCOs make the morale and drive home the discipline for these Soldiers to be effective on the battlefield," said Payne. "We don’t assume things in our line of work. These men have what it takes to get the job done, and as their new commander they have charged me with ensuring they have the tools to do the job and I’m going to live up to their expectations.”

Stokes knows the weight of responsibility as a team leader and future NCO. With the transition from mechanized to light infantry, he had no problem preparing these Soldiers for their new roles as basic infantrymen. Working with his guys he followed the mandate to ‘not let up’ and had his new Soldiers “plum wore out” by the end of the day.

As for his four previous "hits" he also made a promise to his Team he knew he could keep

“It will be very different in Afghanistan,” Stokes said with a sly smile. “No Bradley!”