The Worth-it Dozen: U.S. Soldiers Hail 12-Exercise Learning Curve

Units from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division (ID) have valued the nine months they've spent in northeast Europe this year honing their skills alongside NATO allies and partner nations.

During that time its soldiers participated in no fewer than 12 separate exercises, including Griffin Shock, Defender Europe 24, Austere Challenge 24, and four combat training center rotations, as per a recent U.S. Army press release.

“We conducted rigorous training in realistic training environments with our NATO allies and partners to ensure that we're all ready and lethal,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher R. Norrie, 3rd ID commanding general. “By building that strength and team cohesion with our allies and partners, we improved our own war-fighting mastery.”

Throughout their time in Europe and over the last several years, the 3rd ID has focused on making quick necessary changes, Norrie said.

“We’re observing the world, and then we’re transforming in contact,” he said. “In just a few short years, we have command posts that move in minutes; we’re routinely issuing short mission style orders; and then we’re innovating in the realm of [unmanned aircraft systems], counter-UAS, and electromagnetics to make us more lethal and more survivable on the battlefield.”

Logistics and especially sustainment has been a key area of focus during deployments, with soldiers conducting convoy training to test driver endurance in different environments. The 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade has supported nine brigades across 12 countries, delivering nearly 4 million gallons of fuel.

And while supporting Security Assistance Group – Ukraine, soldiers watched and learned from the combat operations of the Ukrainian forces. They then took those lessons back to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, recreating real-life combat situations using drones and electromagnetic decoys and fake command posts

“Our goal is to ensure that no soldier or crew or unit goes untrained into combat,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Reffeor, 3rd Infantry Division command sergeant major.

The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team will be using what they've learned at the training center when they deploy to Europe early next year.

• You can read further details on the U.S. Army website