Currently Browsing: Stories
Building warriors one task at a time
Sunday, 15 March 2009
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Team leaders from all units within the 172nd Infantry Brigade trained together here March 2-6 for the first-ever Blackhawk Warrior Leader Course.
Instituted by 172nd Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Steven W. McClaflin, the course reinforces combat theater operational understanding for junior noncommissioned officers. Civil capacity, force protection and Iraqi security professionalization were just a few of the more than 20 subjects instituted into the training.
“We are training team leaders to be subject matter experts at the squad level,” explained Sgt. Maj. Steven Spillman, course commandant and operations sergeant major for 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, from Carterville, Illinois. “This is team leader professionalization.”
“Our focus is to train the team leader that is consistently out on patrol,” added Spillman. “We want to reinforce their understanding of basic warrior tasks and skills, such as casualty evacuation procedures, lifesaving, load plans, vehicle recovery drills, asset integration and improvised explosive device tactics, techniques and procedures.”
Team leaders can take these skills back to their units and conduct training at the team level.
Students also trained on several subjects that are integral to Iraqi Security Forces. Subjects such as the Iraqi rank structure as well as military and police culture gave the Soldiers more insight into how the ISF operates.
“We wanted the students to learn more about the Iraqi way of doing things so they could better train them,” said McClaflin. “Iraqi warrants and detainee operations classes were taught as well, so that our Soldiers would be knowledgeable of the system we know work under.”
The Babil and Karbala Provincial Reconstruction Teams are very involved in the ongoing efforts in the Blackhawk area of operations. Warrior leaders received instruction on the PRT so brigade Soldiers would know how better to support them.
“I have plans to take all the things I learned back to my unit and implement them,” stated Sgt. Jeanette Hemphill, 172nd Support Battalion team leader. Hemphill, a native of Vicksburg, Miss., was the only female to complete the course. “I was setting the standard for the other females coming behind me.”
A closely-tailored physical training and nutrition plan provided situational awareness to educate Soldiers on proper dietary techniques. The 22 Soldiers attending the course faced strenuous physical training daily and received meals customized to decrease their calorie and carbohydrate intake.
Although the Blackhawk Warrior Leader Course is not an accredited official Army course, students earned 60 hours worth of promotions points. Promotion points are essential to all enlisted Soldiers below the rank of Sgt. 1st Class to allow merit recognition for excellence in areas such as self-development, schools and physical fitness.
At the graduation ceremony, NCOs from all units within the brigade welcomed the graduates into the ranks of leadership as a bonfire lit the skies above the Blackhawk Brigade. Guest speaker at the graduation, Division Command Sgt. Maj., James S. Redmore, highlighted the importance and responsibilities of team leaders and NCOs alike.
“You are measured by everything you do. You must inspire subordinates to do things they normally would not do,” emphasized Redmore. “An NCO must train to be physically and mentally tough, train to have the spirit and will to fight. You must have a drive for excellence and ambition, and instill dignity and honor in everything you do.”
Related Photographs
