Company F, Recruitment Sustainment Program Guardsmen learn Army tactics

Missouri National Guard Pvts. Timmy Collier Jr. and Bryan Watkins checks apply face paint during cover and concealment training at Company F of the Recruitment Sustainment Program's most recent drill.
(Photo by Matthew J. Wilson)

By Matthew J. Wilson
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri National Guardsmen from Company F of the Recruitment Sustainment Program worked on tactics, techniques and procedures to operate on the battlefield during their most recent drill weekend at the Blue Armory.

Through the Recruitment Sustainment Program, enlistees learn basic Army skills and values and become more familiar with their role as a Soldier in the Missouri Army National Guard until they complete their advanced individual training.

The instruction covered squad tactics, movement as a buddy team, and cover and concealment for the company's "white phase" Soldiers - those who have not completed basic training.

Sgt. 1st Class Dominic Butel, who recruits out of the Jefferson City office, worked with the Guardsmen on squad movement and tactics.

"The goal is basically to make them understand that movement as a squad is a coordinated effort," said Butel, who lives at Lake Ozark. "You can't do anything as an individual. Anything the Army teaches you incorporates using your team as an advantage."

The training level is in its most basic stages - what the Army calls the "crawl" phase.

"The next time we get together, we will start doing the 'walk' phase and then the 'run,' where we'll incorporate paint ball," Butel said. "That gives an added element to see how that would work in a more realistic environment. Next time we'll do some scenario drills, and then turn them loose. That's when it all starts coming together."

Butel said it will take lots of repetition for the inexperienced Guardsmen to see the big picture.

"I saw a lot of lost faces the other day, but it's going to click for everybody once they take it a few steps farther," he said. "Most everybody is lost or discouraged at this point. That's why we did step one and step two takes a few more times. It's practice that changes everything in the long run."

Staff Sgt. Michael Wright, a recruiter out of West Plains, helped instruct the Guardsmen on individual and team movement techniques.

"They need to learn to work as a buddy team and always realize that they don't do anything alone," said Wright, who lives in St. James. "They also have to learn how to cover each other safely with their weapon systems as they move."

Guardsmen were instructed by Wright on three key movement techniques - the low crawl, high crawl and 3-to-5 second rush.

Wright said the most important thing for each Soldier to take away from his portion of the training is the importance of developing a trust with their buddy.

"Good communication is the key to that," Wright said.

Staff Sgt. Stephen Casey, a recruiter out of Rolla who lives in Edgar Springs, taught the Guardsmen the finer points of cover and concealment. Part of that training included the proper application of face paint.

Including the use of camouflage into the training was a thrill for Pfc. Emelia Connolly, of Rolla.

"That adds another element of awesome," she said.

Connolly said this is the exact type of training she joined the Guard for.

"I think the highlight has been finally getting into squad formation and working together as a squad and as a team to accomplish missions," she said. "Completing these scenarios will come in handy later."

For Connolly, it also was exciting training.

"The thought that I'm doing something more important than just sitting at home or playing games gives me an adrenaline rush," she said.

What is most important for Connolly is that she received training that might one day save her life or the lives of those around her.

"If I encounter fire or if during a mission we take fire, now I'll know what to do," Connolly said. "I'll know how to lead my team."

This Recruitment Sustainment Program drill was the last one for a while for Pvt. Timmy Collier Jr., who lives at Fort Leonard Wood. Collier called the training valuable to receive right before he goes to Fort Sill, Okla., for basic training.

"It's been great to learn the proper techniques on what to do when you spot an enemy," he said. "We learned what precautions to take and how to go about that safely. We also learned how to have each other's backs while in combat situations."

Performing the three individual movements, Collier said the high crawl was his favorite.

"You are down low and you move at a fast pace," he said. "If something goes wrong, you can suddenly get ready for combat."

Most Guardsmen, including Collier, said the low crawl is the toughest type of movement.

"It's not so much difficult, but you have to keep your head flat to the ground - you don't want to be seen," he said. "You also have to be physically fit to execute this maneuver."

He also enjoyed the cover and concealment training.

"Camouflage is key. It is something that can be simple, but something that is very important," Collier said. "It's important to not be seen and visible to help complete a mission incognito."

It was just the third drill overall for Collier, who anticipates all the training he's received to better prepare him for basic training.

"They pretty much teach us everything before we head out to basic training, so we have that advantage," Collier said. "As far as leadership positions, and everything else, Guardsmen who go through the Recruitment Sustainment Program before going to basic training will be one step ahead of everybody else there.
"I recommend it for everybody. Not only does it help you with the Army training, but it makes you a more disciplined person and a better person in life."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.blog.moguard.com

Missouri National Guard Pfc. Emelia Connolly takes up a fighting position with an M-16 rifle during squad tactics training at Company F of the Recruitment Sustainment Program's most recent drill. (Photo by Matthew J. Wilson)