Annual Field Training Exercise Conducted by 1-354th

By Lt. Col. Phillip Taylor

Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment

CAMP GRUBER, Okla. — The 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment, 95th Training Division (IET), held a Field Training Exercise from April 9 to April 12, 2015 at Camp Gruber, a National Guard installation in Northeast Oklahoma near Braggs, Oklahoma.

The battalion had 87 of its 116 assigned Soldiers participate in the FTX. Soldiers from A Company in New Century, Kansas, B Company in Barling, Arkansas, C Company in Springfield, Missouri, D Company, E Company and the Headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma took part. This was the only time this training year that the battalion will train together in one location.

The battalion was able to accomplish a myriad of tasks including an APFT, mandatory briefings, marksmanship training using the EST 2000, a company change of command, urinalysis testing, annual weapons qualification (with rifle and pistol) and a junior promotion board.

“This was a great Army weekend,” said the Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Marcus Sams. “These are the times I am going to miss when I retire in December,” he went on to say. “We got way more done in these four days than we would have doing two MUTA 4’s a month apart.”

This FTX was a critical piece in order for the battalion to conduct its assigned Echo Mission at Fort Sill in June. Cadre not only demonstrated their Soldier skill proficiency, but they had the opportunity to plan, resource and execute training events similar to what they will do on the trail.

Lt. Col. Phillip Taylor passes the A Co Guidon to Capt. Colby Watchinski, while 1st. Sgt. Russell Reese and Capt. William Lapp look on during a 95th Training Division (IET) Battalion Change of Command Ceremony on April 10, 2015. Photo by 1st Sgt. Jeff Bolin, 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment, 95th Training Division (IET)

Cpl. Brian Clapper, B Co, knocks out some sit-ups while his feet are held by Staff Sgt. Luis Sanchez, D Co, and the repetitions are counted by Staff Sgt. Jason Krizov, E Co, all in the 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment, 95th Training Division (IET), during the Army Physical Fitness Test conducted by the battalion on the morning of April 10, 2015. Photo by 1st Sgt. Jeff Bolin, 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment, 95th Training Division (IET)