Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 107 Aug. 23, 2012

Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, used the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000

at the Training Support Center Aug. 16 to increase their accuracy and reduce their unit’s overall budget for qualifying on weapons.

“Some units, when they go down range, see a ten fold increase in their Soldiers’ pro!ciency when they use the EST 2000,” said Troy Piirainen, training aids, devices, simulators and simulations instructor, TSC.

Soldiers !re simulated weapons, with recoil and sound e"ects, set up in a classroom, with props to mimic the environment of a live !re range and virtual targets projected on a screen.

#e EST 2000 o"ers training for both individual and collective marksmanship training along with shoot and don’t shoot scenarios, which are used by the Military Police.

“#e basic ri$e marksmanship and advanced ri$e marksmanship tables appear to be very realistic,” Piirainen said. “It’s actually harder to shoot on the EST, which makes it easier to shoot down range.” Piirainen is a retired Army !rst sergeant and has been working at the TSC since 2008.

Saving money is a great motivation for the simulated training, but the EST 2000 also provides additional opportunities.

Soldiers get a chance to !re all di"erent types of weapons they normally wouldn’t get to shoot on the range, Piirainen said.

Soldiers can !re weapons such as MK

19s, M2.50 Caliber Machine Guns, M136 AT4s and additional hand-held weapons.

#e EST 2000 training also reduces stress and safety hazards. With simulated rounds, the risk for injury is low.

“I think this is a more comfortable training environment to focus on the basics, and there is not so much pressure on shooting,” said Spc. Lucas Ross, infantryman, Company A, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “#e environment is a lot more controlled; there is no dust kicking up into your eyes and the weather doesn’t change on you.”

#e EST ranges are supervised by noncommissioned o%cers who attend a ‘train the trainer’ class to learn how to run the range. #e classes are held at the TSC twice a month, on the !rst and third Wednesdays of the month.

EST 2000 increases accuracy, reduces cost

Soldiers from Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., prepare to !re their simulated M4 ri"es to make sure the sights are accurate during an Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 exercise at the Training Support Center, Aug. 16. The Soldiers utilized the EST 2000, which replicates individual and crew-live-!re practice.

Specialist Lucas Ross, infantryman , Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., !res his simulated M4 ri"e Aug. 16. The Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 reduces the cost for units going to the range, because Soldiers can !re as many rounds as they need to without expending live ammunition.

Story and photos by Sgt. April York2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., PAO

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 107 Aug. 23, 2012

The  Warhorse  Pride  is  produced  in  the  interest  of  the  Soldiers  of  the  2nd  Brigade  Combat  Team,  4th  Infantry  Division.  The  Warhorse  Pide  is  an  Army-­funded  news-­letter  authorized  under  provision  of  AR  360-­1.            Contents  of  the  Warhorse  Pride  are  not  necessarily  the  view  of,  nor  endorsed  by  the  U.S.  government,  Department  of  Defense,  Department  of  the  Army  or  the  4th  Infantry  Division.  All  editorial  content  of  The  Warhorse  Pride  is  prepared,  edited,  provided  and  approved  by  the  2nd  Brigade  Combat  Team  Public  

         The  Warhorse  Pride  welcomes  articles,  commentary  and  photos  from  readers.  The  Warhorse  Pride  reserves  the  right  to  edit  submissions  selected  for  the  publication.          All  issues  of  The  Warhorse  Pride  can  be  viewed  online  from  your  home  computer  at  www.facebook.com/2bct4id          Submissions  should  be  e-­mailed  to  the  editor:ruth.a.pagan2.mil@mail.mil

Col. Omar Jones IV........................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSMSta! Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICSta! Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and DesignSgt. April York......................................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

Warhorse command team reaches out

Specialist Mark Cerny, wheeled vehicle mechanic from 2nd STB, explains his future plans after separating from the Army to Col. Omar Jones IV, right, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen, left, during a retention meeting at McMahon Theater Aug. 22.

Colonel Omar Jones IV speaks to his Soldiers about re-enlisting during a retention meeting at McMahon Theater, Aug. 22. “I want to help you make the best decision possible,” Jones said. “I like spending time with people like you.”

3-16 FARDyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635dyanne.m.beckman.civ@mail.mil

1-67 ARValerie Mansapit...........................................................526-1476valerie.j.mansapit.civ@mail.mil

204th BSBBarbara Young...............................................................526-4172barbara.a.young.civ@mail.mil

2-8 INUrsual Pittman...........................................................526-0727ursual.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil 2 STBSpc. Morgan Madrick..............................................503-2602morgan.a.madrick.mil@mail.mil

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2nd BCTValarie Adams............................................................524-4797valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil

1-10 CAVFrancy Avizu...............................................................526-1946francy.avizu.civ@mail.mil

FRSA Information

Family Readiness GroupPage 3 Issue 107 Aug. 23, 2012

Better Opportunities for Single SoldiersPage 4 Issue 107 Aug. 23, 2012