May 18, 2013
November 10, 2005
The war of terrorism requires a different strategy than the U.S. has used in past wars. Soldiers at Fort Gordon are training to beat an enemy that is constantly changing. News 12 spent the night at Fort Gordon going through part of that training, learning to beat an enemy that is hard to find.
Insurgent forces could be anywhere. A big killer of U.S. forces is hidden explosive that hit military convoys. Private First Class Hinddo Entin knows this simulation is similar to what he will experience when he gets deployed to Iraq.
“Any training I can get keeps me alive on the battlefield,” PFC Entin said.
The soldiers must also be prepared to figure out which civilians are peaceful, and which ones are dangerous. First Lieutenant Kevin Rearden says this is hard to teach.
“It’s a judgment call on how you are gonna react. And your reaction could cost a life,” 1st Lt. Rearden said.
One of the largest issues facing them is the changing face of war. Many of the battles are fought in the villages where the enemy is hard to see, and could be around any corner. The soldiers go through drills and learn how to take control of the building.
“The war on terrorism is our mission, and we will win,” said 1st Sgt. Donald Monk.
1st Sgt. Monk will continue working with the soldiers so they can beat the enemy.
Their training is a week long out in the woods. They set up camp as if they were actually at war. Most of the men and women going through the terrorist training will be deployed in the next several months.
