Event Description: Combatives & Pugils
Trainees learn the basic fundamentals of the Modern Army Calmative’s Program. MACP is a combination of several schools of martial arts and focuses on practical grappling and wrestling techniques. It can be used to save your life in close combat situations.
Experience:
SPC Swanson: MACP training was a completely new experience for me. I’ve never been in a fight or hit someone before. The first time we did grappling my partner and I couldn’t stop giggling- we felt a little silly. But then my Drill Sergeant, a female, got out on the floor and had a male Drill Sergeant in a choke hold. The Drill Sergeants are certified through multiple levels of combatives and willing to break every move down step by step for us. One day a week for two weeks we trained through the basics and then were paired off for three minute matches. Since you can’t pick and choose who you fight in combat, we weren’t allowed to pick our partners and some females had to fight males- and they won! I won my match by being in the dominant position at the end of time. It was challenging for the match to not be scripted move by move, but that’s also what made it fun!
Take Away:
§ It’s okay to be hit, it really doesn’t hurt that bad.
§ Don’t try to rush into “combat speed.” Go through the fundamentals slow as safety is the number one priority here. It’s not worth it to be the trainee who is restarted or chaptered out because of injuries sustained because another trainee was trying to be high speed and cool.
Event Description: Field Training Exercise
A one night Field Training Exercise builds upon the beginning of tactical training while also testing the mental fortitude of trainees under stressful conditions. Soldiers rotate through stations to learn room clearing, MOUNT, small team ambush reaction, and how to set up military check points. Trainee leadership also comes into play as you and your peers rotate through as squad and team leaders.
Experience:
SPC Swanson: FTX’s have made me reconsider possible future branch choices because I have enjoyed this training so much. I used to joke that I joined the Army to crawl in the dirt and blow things up, and recently it wasn’t a joke anymore. The Drill Sergeant’s are incredibly knowledgeable and were willing to show us different techniques for each drill. They also ran through different hypothetical scenarios with us, like near versus far distance ambushes and proper entry for rooms of different shapes. All of the exercises came together in one course, the Urban Assault Course, which has been my favorite event so far. During the FTX, I was not put into a leadership position and I was fine with that; my battle buddies need to learn to think and act like Non-Commissioned Officers. However, when we went to the UAC, they placed me as squad leader because I was confident in my ability to think tactically and lead. I was nervous and it did show, but what I lacked was the confidence that only comes with experience.
SPC Reyes- Lane: The FTX was a pivotal point in training. This overnight FTX really brings together all of the individual training. This training is important as you really begin to learn how things are completed operationally and the speed at which they need to be completed. Personally, I was excited to learn the ins and outs of this training. Particularly the training related to Close Quarters Combat. This training really brought home the feeling of the Army for me. In part of choosing to go to the Army, I looked forward to the hands on experience. During this training I had recently been put into a position of leadership and this training helped me to understand the importance of having competent leadership. When those in charge fail to lead or do not know how to lead (as one of my team leaders consistently made the same mistake) mistakes are made or individuals determine their own objective, which would be extremely dangerous in a combat situation. If you are in a leadership role take charge and lead. Personally, I have found that if you are a female it is important to be confident in your abilities because if not some males will take any hesitation as a leadership deficiency.
Take Away:
§ You will probably mess up. Make mistakes, but make them only once.
§ You don’t always have to be the leader. It’s also important to learn how to follow.
§ Run through tactic diagrams on the ground during down time. It allows you to continue training, and you might be able to see something new.
§ Learn how to operate on little sleep and rest. Everybody will be tired and irritable, but know that people are looking at your behavior. Try to help your team come together.
Event Description: Event Trail/Night Infiltration Course
The Event Trail and Night Infiltration Course is a combination of a mini obstacle course and high crawl. The series of obstacles are completed at night. The event trail included events such as, crawling under concertina wire, wall clearing, and movement through tunnels. Once the event trail is completed soldiers then complete the “Big Crawl” aka the Night Infiltration Course. Soldiers must high crawl, low crawl, or modify crawl one hundred yards through a sand pit while live rounds are shot above. This event trains Soldiers to be “disciplined, physically and mentally tough.”
Experience:
SPC Reyes-Lane: I did not know really what to expect for this training. What I found was that this was one more fun event so far in basic training. The training was also realistic because at this moment in the dark while live tracer rounds were shot above, I started to realize what war might look like at night. At the same time I understood what previous deployed soldiers meant by “light show.” Although I did not personally find this training challenging, I do believe that it is necessary to help other soldiers overcome their fear of facing bullets head first. There are many soldiers who cried in the trench while waiting to enter the pit. Being a good leader also means knowing how to empathize and motivate other Soldiers to accomplish the mission. PERSONAL COURAGE!
Take Away:
§ Have FUN and enjoy this event!
§ Don’t cry. Or let the Drill Sergeant’s see you crying.
§ Never let fear stand in the way of completing the objective.
Event Description: Urban Assault Course
Soldiers in squad formation encounter different objectives and learn to apply the tactical operation knowledge that they have been taught. Soldiers are tasked with Movement Over Urban Terrain (MOUT), aka room clearing, casualty evacuation, and ambush response. This event starts to give “the big picture” to training that previously seemed isolated in nature, by culminating it together.
Experience:
SPC Reyes-Lane: This event so far was my favorite (Swanson’s also). My squad completed this event at nearly combat speed. In addition my drill sergeant chose to complete the course with us acting as our squad leader. This made a significant difference in the way that the course was completed. I found that I really enjoyed the thrill of entering an unknown building, clearing it, and moving out to the next objective. My biggest take away from this event was the significance of knowledgeable leadership, communication and importance of the team coming together.
Take Away:
§ Good leaders are good communicators. Your fellow trainees may be the squad leader in this exercise, if you’re not the leader then follow.
§ Until the tactics are muscle memory, remember that slow is smooth, and smooth is better. Don’t try to rush into running the exercises combat speed.
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