FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Dec. 10, 2015) -- For the first time in a long time, the 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade participated in a training exercise that was focused on decisive action rather than counterinsurgency operations, which has been the emphasis for more than a decade.
The "Muleskinner" Brigade recently returned from a training exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind., a National Guard training base, that lasted from Nov. 6-23.
For the Muleskinners, the training scenario for the exercise focused on how the brigade staff would provide sustainment support for the 29th Infantry Division, while conducting combat operations.
"Working with the National Guard was an eye-opening experience," said Staff Sgt. Kristena Williams, brigade command group noncommissioned officer in charge. "The Soldiers I had the pleasure of meeting gave me a greater appreciation for our National Guardsmen."
The "Muleskinner" Brigade was the only active-duty unit in the training scenario; however, the other units contributing to the exercise proved to be a true asset to the training.
Throughout the training, the brigade staff had observer-controllers rating the efficiency of each section.
During the exercise, the brigade had to overcome simulated issues such as suicide and drug abuse within the ranks as well as indirect fire, convoy attacks, displaced personnel and more combat-related issues. Combat-related issues weren't the only training topics. The brigade staff learned how to properly brief the brigade commander as well as establish the process of transmitting information to lower echelons of the brigade.
"Training using a decision action environment as opposed to a counterinsurgency-centric one was an extremely educational experience," said Capt. Brandon Rule, brigade operations battle captain. "As a non-logistician, I learned quite a bit about theater-level sustainment operations. Also, being a part of the brigade operations section gave me a unique perspective on the 'big picture,' and I was able to see how all different types of Army units -- from the infantry to the military police -- fight in a decisive action environment and are mutually supporting one another.
"Being my first training event focused on supporting decisive action, I found it to be an invaluable experience."
At the end of the day, Soldiers, NCOs and officers of the "Muleskinner" Brigade learned something from the training. For most of the brigade staff, it was the first time they have trained in decisive action.
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