From 12-14 April, 2019, Fighting Saints Battalion conducted their Spring Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Saint John’s University. The 3-day FTX was comprised of a variety of training events, including Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), a Call for Fire simulation (CFF), Land Navigation, and platoon-sized Situational Training Exercises (STX) in the woods. These events all aid in cadets’ preparation for Cadet Summer Training (CST) over the summer months at Fort Knox Kentucky.
The EST is an electronic range simulator that prepares cadets to group, zero, and qualify on a 300-meter pop-up range with an M4/M16 rifle. This is a graded event at Advanced Camp. All cadets must must shoot at least 23 out of 40 on Alt-C and the 300-meter pop-up range. By practicing on the EST simulators cadets will be better prepared to shoot and qualify on their weapon system at CST.
CFF simulation trains cadets to call indirect fire on enemy targets. MSIII cadets first received a class on how to properly request a fire mission via radio, how to adjust their fires, and successfully bracket to destroy the enemy with indirect fire. After the class all cadets went through a practical exercise, calling for fire on a terrain model with a simulated enemy target. MSIII cadets are tested on CFF at CST. CFF training ensures they will be successful during the graded practical exercise.
Land Navigation training enhances the confidence of cadets to get from one point to another in the woods using only a compass, map, protractor, and their pace count. During the Spring FTX, cadets conducted Land Navigation training in the St. John’s arboretum, searching for small 1’ by 1’ points in the woods. Cadets’ mastery of Land Navigation is essential for both their success in STX and for their success at CST. Each MSIII must pass a Land Navigation practical and written test to graduate CST.
Situational training exercises (STX) test cadets’ on the Army’s leadership attributes and competencies through the employment of basic infantry tactics. During STX, MSIII cadets lead their peers in platoon leader, platoon sergeant and squad leader positions. These MSIII cadets lead the platoon through simulated ambush, recon, raid, attack, and defense missions. MSIII cadets will be graded on these same positions and missions at CST over the summer. Practicing STX and performing in leadership positions gives FSB MSIII cadets a leg up over their peers at CST.
Over the 3-day Spring FTX, Cadets had many opportunities to work together, problem solve, and develop as leaders in preparation for Cadet Summer Training and as future officers in the United States Army.