46 • THE GRIFFON • Summer 2015
Devil’s Brigade By Capt. Matthew Widdekind 95th Training Division (IET)
FORT HARRISON, Mont. — The 7th Annual Devil’s Brigade Warrior Challenge kicked off in Fort Harrison, Montana, on 17 April 2015.This three day event brought together over 170 delayed entry program Soldiers of the Montana Army National Guard from detachments all over the state. Logistics were handled by the MTARNG Recruit Training Battalion, but the training was provided by Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 415th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 95th Training Division (IET).Ten Drill Sergeants from B Co were on ground and augmented by drills from sister companies in Spokane and Yakima,Washington. The event started out just like arrival at Basic Combat Training. Recruits got off the bus to shouting drill sergeants, were quickly shuffled into formation and then went through a shake down. Any contraband was secured by their MTARNG Cadre and they quickly packed their belongings and took them into the barracks. For some recruits, this was their first drill with the MTARNG; one had enlisted at MEPS the night
This year was a slight deviation from the schedule, because the troops were marched up to the drop zone for a flight on either a Chinook or Blackhawk helicopter as a “Welcome to the National Guard”. Once complete, it was back to business as the 95th Training Division (IET) Drill Sergeants marched them back down to the barracks, got them changed out and over to the parade field for a mass PT test. Photo by Capt. Matthew Widdekind, 95th Training Division (IET)
prior.These newest recruits were given a red patch, and their own platoon to train with for the event. This year was a slight deviation from the schedule, because the
troops were marched up to the drop zone for a flight on either a Chinook or Blackhawk helicopter as a “Welcome to the National Guard”. Once complete, it was back
to business as the drills marched them back down to the barracks, got them changed out and over to the parade field for a mass PT test. Staff Sgt. Madison Lanaghan
