Alpha Company 2-317th Battalion, VMI/VT FTX Support Mission

By Capt. Kyle Smith, A Co. Commander, and 1st Sgt. Jordan Thompson, A Co. First Sergeant

In May, both Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Tech conducted their bi-annual field training exercise with support from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 317th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 104thTraining Division.

For the past year, Alpha Company leadership and VMI Cadet Command have been developing their relationship and establishing ways that drill sergeants from the 2-317th can assist in the execution of their field training exercise.

This May’s field training exercise was the third time Alpha Company assisted the cadet training program, and it has been a huge success for both the development of the cadets and drill sergeants.

Drill sergeants and drill sergeant candidates from Alpha Company assist in many roles of the field training exercise, including leading the simulated training exercise lanes, land navigation and weapons familiarization.

The most recent spring VMI field training exercise had 648 cadets in attendance.

During the fall exercise, VMI takes the time in the field to develop the candidates into their new roles. Drill sergeants and drill sergeant candidates use their knowledge and experience to mentor cadets on multiple situational training lanes with rotating groups of 20-30 cadets.

Drill sergeants and candidates assist seniors soon to commission on running lanes. These lanes include react to contact, unit recon, grenade/claymore operation, and assault on an objective. The cadre from the 104th Training Division lead situational training exercise lanes throughout the weekend, advising MS3s on how to follow their troop leading procedures, unit movement, actions on the objective and after action reviews. Both take the time to work with all levels of the program, acting as mentors to the cadets by advising them on ways to become a better Soldier and leader.

By the spring, those same cadets are expected to be proficient in their tasks. One of the benefits drill sergeants have in assisting both field exercises is being able to observe the development of the cadets over such a short period of time.

Situational training exercise ;anes are also a great way for the drill sergeants and candidates to prepare for the Cadet Summer Training. While there, drill sergeants adopt a different role than they are used to. They are asked to become more of a mentor than an enforcer at Cadet Summer Training, and the field training exercise gives those who are new to the program an opportunity to see how they fit into their new roles. The face time between drill sergeants and cadets also gives the drill sergeants a better understanding as to the type of training they will be expected to do after graduation from Cadet Summer Training, better enhancing their mentorship skills.

Previous field training exercise support has been such an outstanding success that this past spring, Virginia Tech asked 2-317th for assistance running their M4 zero and qualification ranges. Soldiers from the 2-317th, led by Alpha Company, assisted both VT and Radford cadets as lane safeties and experienced shooters. Alpha Company’s relationship with VT is still in development, but it will continue to grow as VT plans to utilize the skilled drill sergeants and drill sergeant candidates of 2-317th for future field exercises.

Not only do cadets and drill sergeants benefit from the training, the drill sergeants also greatly enjoy the positive impact they have on shaping future leaders. Participation in the field training exercise is such a positive experience that nearly 80 percent of Alpha Company volunteered for the mission when given the option. Alpha Company also extended the opportunity to support other companies within the 2-317th with strong participation. Drill sergeants from all companies and school cadres that participate in the combined training always express the desire to continue to build the working relationship in future joint training exercises.