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312th Regiment rides out

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ricky Hicks and Staff Sgt. Joyce Gary
  • 174th Training Brigade
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Soldiers of 3rd Training Support Battalion, 312th Regiment, 174th Infantry Brigade conducted driver's training focused on the High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee) during annual training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 25, 2013.

"I feel confident and fully qualified to drive the Humvee now after the classroom instruction," said Spc. Kiani Player, 174th Inf. Bde. "I wanted to attend to become more knowledgeable with the newer Humvees."

Prior to annual training, Player had only been to driver's training during her first enlistment in the Army Reserve more than seven years ago.

Player scored 27 out of 30 on the written exam. Her favorite part of the training was driving through the different courses.

"Some courses were more challenging than others which made me see what the Humvee is capable of," she said. Overall, Player said she had fun and a good experience with a great team.

Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Stanley, 174th Inf. Bde. trainer and mentor, was the primary instructor for training at Driver Training Area Three. Stanley has been a trainer and mentor with the 174th Inf. Bde. since 2006, specifically teaching drivers' training since November 2012.

"We conduct drivers' training to get service members accustomed to driving heavy, bulkier vehicles with a high center of gravity," said Stanley.

He explained the Humvee presented challenges to students with its many blind spots.
"Soldiers work as a team inside the vehicle to alert the driver to potential hazards. This teamwork also enhances better communication amongst the Soldiers," said Stanley who joined the Army 30 years ago, in 1983.

Soldiers learn how to shift gears to traverse different terrain In addition to learning blind spots. The students incorporate basic convoy operations, convoy briefs and also learn proper towing procedures during the two-day driver's training course.

This course also includes a night driver's training phase. The students are given a familiarization course wearing night vision goggles. The students are trained to drive in total blackout conditions. Role players are incorporated in the scenarios to add more real-world challenges. They place simulated improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance along the route to test the students' ability to look for dangers. This also allows the student additional practice reporting hazards along routes.

Stanley explained the Humvee driver's training was the first prerequisite step in a process to drive the larger variations of this vehicle.

"This is good training," explained Stanley. "I especially enjoy training other services, such as Air Force and Coast Guard, who are not traditionally trained in vehicle use.

Capt. Robert Holscher, 174th Inf. Bde., team chief, felt this was essential training and it will allow them the ability to requisition these vehicles to enhance future training missions at their home stations.