This last Monday and Tuesday, my platoon went out for some training in the field; it was just a two day “capstone” for Fire Support. We spent the first day, Monday, doing light FSO operations. Basically it is dismounted operations where we did everything on foot. The idea is to duplicate the kind of operations that an FSO would be doing while with a light infantry unit such as the 82nd Airborne or the 10th Mountain as examples. I learned a lot on Monday about how to keep the whole concept of the battlefield in perspective vs. just the squad or platoon’s small mission like we did in STX or Patrolling for ROTC. Battlefield and situational awareness is essential in this job.
Tuesday was spent on Mech lanes. We had three HMMWVs, a Knight, BFIST and Stryker. A Knight is a HMMWV that is jam packed with all kinds of “gee-wiz” gear. It is used as by a COLT (Combat Observation and Lasing Team) when they are called upon by a commander. The BFIST is a Bradley that has been converted for Fire Support needs, adding specifically radios and lasers. The Stryker is basically the same as its counterparts in Stryker Brigades, but they too have more radios. An FSO’s most effective weapon on the battlefield is his radio. These vehicles allow FSOs to be as mobile and effective as their supported unit.
I had the opportunity to be an RTO in both the Stryker and the BFIST. It was a good experience considering that I am going MECH.
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