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Warrior Leader Course tests leadership under fire

NCO Academy looks to develop leaders through sweat and grit

Using smoke as a cover, two soldiers move a wounded soldier to a casualty collection point during a Warrior Leadership Course training scenario. Photo by J.M. Simpson

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The Army faces a fast paced operations tempo that demands the best of its leaders.

Developing the best among noncommissioned officers, or NCOs, begins with attending and completing the Warrior Leader Course, or WLC. The 15-day course hones leadership, training and war fighting skills. The training during WLC promotes leading from the front by stressing that soldiers lead by example. Those who choose leadership training are making it clear they wish to take on more responsibility and advance in rank.

"The Army needs total leaders," said Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Swihart, a senior small group leader assigned to the United States Army NCO Academy at Fort Lewis. "The WLC begins the process of preparing the next group of leaders."

At the end of the course is the culminating event, a situational training exercise.

"It's the final test; it puts the knowledge these soldiers have learned during the past two weeks (to test)," continued Swihart.

For 17 soldiers at Command Outpost Mustang, a recent training exercise proved to be a challenge.

"They're tired, and they are stressed," pointed out Staff Sgt. Anthony Bunnell, an academy instructor. "This is where we see the leadership skills emerge."

Engaged in a clear and search mission, the soldiers moved cautiously down a muddy and winding road.

Their eyes constantly scanned the side of the road for improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, and other soldiers posing as insurgents.

"Maintain your spacing," said Spc. Matthew Garner, a reservist with the 349th Chemical Company, as another soldier came up behind him. "I like the training; it has been good for me as a young soldier."

Several hundred meters farther, Garner and his comrades found a small Conex trailer.

Inside were RPGs, AK-47s and an envelope containing false identification papers, money and a three-page letter written in Arabic.

"Now we'll see if they've been paying attention to their training," Staff Sgt. Carlos Torres said quietly. "What they don't know is that the trailer is booby trapped, and most groups see the weapons and intel and forget to look for a trip wire."

A very thin wire stretched across the opening to the trailer.  If tripped, a simulated bomb would explode, and the training scenario would take on a different perspective. But Spc. Christopher Piwinski, 641st Aviation Company, spotted the wire, cleared the area and called in an engineer detachment to disarm the trap. The rest of the group took up defensive positions.  Moments later, a group of insurgents attacked. As Garner and Piwinski took and returned simulated fire, communications between the soldiers began to break down.

"You're down; you're wounded," yelled Torres to three soldiers. "You've got to get the wounded to a CCP (casualty collection point)."

While the remaining force continued to return fire, others struggled to carry the wounded back for aid. Within moments, the soldiers regrouped, provided care for the wounded and called for a medical evacuation.

"They reacted well," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Hardy, one of the attackers.  "They've done a good job."

Both Torres and Bunnell were also pleased.

"This is the place for these soldiers to learn.  Better here than when they deploy," said Torres.

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