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 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

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)

administrated the test for the group, and kept things running smoothly during the warm up, reading the Army standards and performance of the test. Top score at the event was a 343 on the extended scale.

After the PT test, the Soldiers were instructed by their drill sergeants on Drill and Ceremony and were given a written test on Army basic knowledge. The rest of the evening was handled by the MTARNG staff. The trainees got back to the barracks and into bed around 2200.

Soldiers were given a rude awakening, Basic Training Style, at 0500 on Saturday morning. Barracks maintenance, personal hygiene and get out the door and into formation were their first priorities. Formations marched to the dining hall for some hot chow in preparation for a long day. While the recruits were waiting in line, drill sergeants fired off questions about rank structure, general orders and military customs and courtesies. Wrong answers earned the Soldier a trip to the end of the line.

Once chow finished, the day’s training began. Some drill sergeants stayed organic to the platoons, and others went out to instruct on MOUT, M-16 assembly/disassembly and EST 2000, map reading, CLS and individual and squad movement techniques. Some Soldiers had never been exposed to military life before, and had to be taught even the most basic facets of the features of a map. Others, who had already spent time training with their detachment, were able to step right on to the lane and start entering and clearing rooms. Each Soldier was timed or graded on each event, and the detachment with the best average time or score won a streamer for the event.

Platoons rotated through the five training lanes throughout the day. The Soldiers marched from lane to lane with their drill sergeants, who were keeping formations together and singing cadence. A number of the troops appreciated this basic aspect of discipline. Private Church noticed immediately, saying, “We’re going to have to march in formation and sing cadence in basic training, we might as well get used to it now.”

The day’s training ended at the obstacle course. Soldiers split off by detachment and went through each obstacle. The Soldiers cheered on their sisters and brothers in arms as they negotiated physical challenges and heights. Drill Sergeants got them into chow and back to their barracks for the end of their training day and “Hats off” time. This is time taken by the drill sergeants where the recruits got a chance to ask questions about Basic Combat Training and life in the Army.

Sunday morning began much like Saturday, at 0500 with drill sergeants in the barracks. The troops were moved out to chow once their bays were cleaned to standard. After chow, the MTARNG held an awards ceremony for the troops, and awarded the streamers from the previous day’s events. This event was attended by the MTARNG Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Matthew Quinn. The MTARNG presented B Company with a statue and plaque as a token of their appreciation.

Major Brian Schmaus, the commander of the Recruit Training Company, thanked B Company profusely, saying, “This is the most accurate snap shot of basic training they could get in a Battle Assembly weekend. It couldn’t be done without the help of the Drill Sergeant Company.” With the conclusion of this year’s event, it marks over 1200 MTARNG Soldiers who have had the opportunity to train at the Devil’s Brigade Warrior Challenge.

The 7th Annual Devil’s Brigade Warrior Challenge kicked off in Fort Harrison, Montana, on 17 April 2015. The event started out just like arrival at Basic Combat Training. Recruits got off the bus to shouting from the 95th Training Division (IET) Drill Sergeants, then quickly shuffled into formation and through a shake down. Photo by Capt. Matthew Widdekind, 95th Training Division (IET)

Once chow finished, the day’s training began. Some 95th Training Division (IET) Drill Sergeants stayed organic to the platoons, and others went out to instruct on MOUT, M-16 assembly/disassembly and EST 2000, map reading, CLS and individual and squad movement techniques. Photo by Capt. Matthew Widdekind, 95th Training Division (IET)