November 7 and 8th over 160 ROTC Cadets from the University of Virginia were given instruction and support from Drill Sergeants from the 2nd Battalion, 317th Regiment, 2nd Brigade during a Field Training Exercise.
This exercise, or FTX for short, allows first and second year students to get hands-on training and familiarization with tactics and weapons that they will use as future officers. Third and fourth year cadets provided most of the instruction to get them accustomed to being leaders and instructors.
This exercise, or FTX for short, allows first and second year students to get hands-on training and familiarization with tactics and weapons that they will use as future officers. Third and fourth year cadets provided most of the instruction to get them accustomed to being leaders and instructors. Drill Sergeants Fairman, Niemiec, Peterson, and Ringstaff provided expertise and instruction while making sure that information given by the third and fourth year Cadets was accurate and that training was conducted in a safe and proper manner.
The underclass Cadets were divided into several groups and rotated through different stations that covered requesting MEDEVACs, use of squad weapons, and battle drills. After eight hours of instruction, the Drill Sergeants from the 2-317th REGT facilitated a final assessment through a competition and obstacle course.
The next day, Cadets conducted Basic Rifle Marksmanship tests to assess their proficiency with the M16/M4 platforms. Drill Sergeants helped several Cadets successfully qualify during their assessment and acted as range control during the FTX.