Educators from central and southwest Wisconsin are given a briefing by Fort McCoy, Wisconsin staff prior to engaging in a simulated patrol.
Fort
McCoy Company Trains Educators
Story and photos by Pat Adelmann, USAREC, Milwaukee Battalion
Dec. 5, 2014
A group of 12 educators from central and southwest Wisconsin came together at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin in November for a dose of Army training. The educators were guests of the Fort McCoy Recruiting Company and trained on simulators ranging from medical to tactical.
"I felt it was time I learn more about the military for myself," said Ann Felker, student services department chair and school counselor at Wisconsin Rapids High School. "Given the opportunity to partake in a day like this was the perfect fit."
The educators received a welcome from Capt. Jeffrey Hays, commander of the Fort McCoy Recruiting Company, before moving throughout the post to receive training similar to that which reserve units get during drills.
"The tour enabled us to highlight Army careers and jobs that are not combat but support related that are indicative of 80% of the Army," said Hays. "The advantage in leveraging this is that, there is true professionalism and expertise in Army careers in these educators eyes not just the stereotypical combat role."
The tour was designed to be very hands on and interactive for the educators. They were able to try on equipment at the CIF, test their skills engaging the enemy with the engagement skills trainer and reconfigurable vehicle tactical trainer. They were also able to see how medical personnel are trained at the regional medical training site and how units work in cohesion at the combined arms collective training facility.
"I loved the hands on part of the tour," said Angie Sylla, counseling secretary at River Falls High School. "It was very interesting and helped me have a greater appreciation for the Soldiers."
Fort McCoy recruiters were part of the groups as they went through the tour. It allowed the recruiters to interact with the educators while answering questions as they came up. Educators had lunch at the dining facility and interacted with Soldiers from the post.
The day culminated with the educators being awarded certificates of appreciation for their participation. Each of the educators walked away with a better appreciation of the careers in the Army and what the Army has to offer. The tour had an immediate impact on the educator's perception of the Army.
"Our student services secretary's son will be graduating with his Master's in Physical Therapy soon and I recommended he look into the Army for multiple reasons," said Felker. "I think this would be a very beneficial tour for the rest of our student services staff including our secretary and teachers as well."
Story and photos by Pat Adelmann, USAREC, Milwaukee Battalion
Dec. 5, 2014
A group of 12 educators from central and southwest Wisconsin came together at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin in November for a dose of Army training. The educators were guests of the Fort McCoy Recruiting Company and trained on simulators ranging from medical to tactical.
"I felt it was time I learn more about the military for myself," said Ann Felker, student services department chair and school counselor at Wisconsin Rapids High School. "Given the opportunity to partake in a day like this was the perfect fit."
The educators received a welcome from Capt. Jeffrey Hays, commander of the Fort McCoy Recruiting Company, before moving throughout the post to receive training similar to that which reserve units get during drills.
"The tour enabled us to highlight Army careers and jobs that are not combat but support related that are indicative of 80% of the Army," said Hays. "The advantage in leveraging this is that, there is true professionalism and expertise in Army careers in these educators eyes not just the stereotypical combat role."
The tour was designed to be very hands on and interactive for the educators. They were able to try on equipment at the CIF, test their skills engaging the enemy with the engagement skills trainer and reconfigurable vehicle tactical trainer. They were also able to see how medical personnel are trained at the regional medical training site and how units work in cohesion at the combined arms collective training facility.
"I loved the hands on part of the tour," said Angie Sylla, counseling secretary at River Falls High School. "It was very interesting and helped me have a greater appreciation for the Soldiers."
Fort McCoy recruiters were part of the groups as they went through the tour. It allowed the recruiters to interact with the educators while answering questions as they came up. Educators had lunch at the dining facility and interacted with Soldiers from the post.
The day culminated with the educators being awarded certificates of appreciation for their participation. Each of the educators walked away with a better appreciation of the careers in the Army and what the Army has to offer. The tour had an immediate impact on the educator's perception of the Army.
"Our student services secretary's son will be graduating with his Master's in Physical Therapy soon and I recommended he look into the Army for multiple reasons," said Felker. "I think this would be a very beneficial tour for the rest of our student services staff including our secretary and teachers as well."