NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. – More than 50 Future Soldiers from across Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion took part in a large-scale training event featuring hands-on instruction in drill and ceremony, land navigation, Physical Readiness Training (PRT), weapons simulation and Combat Lifesaver (CLS) skills.
Drawing Future Soldiers from Lehigh Valley, Carlisle, and Harrisburg companies, the event offered an early look at what it means to “Be All You Can Be.”
Throughout the day, participants rotated through each training lane under the guidance of drill sergeants and leaders.
Drill Sgt. John Rollison led the drill and ceremony lane, guiding participants through facing movements, marching, alignment and responding to commands.
Staff Sgt. Brett Keyes guided participants through hands-on medical training using the MARCH protocol: massive hemorrhage, airway, respiration, circulation and hypothermia. Keyes, a nationally registered emergency medical technician and basic lifesaver course instructor, led them through applying tourniquets, wound packing, pressure dressings and transporting an injured person on a stretcher as a team.
The land navigation lane, led by Staff Sgts. Devin Henry and Jonathan Ricketts introduced participants to the basics of navigating with a map and compass. They learned how to measure pace count, identify major terrain features and understand key map markings before putting those skills to use in a practical exercise.
In the weapons simulation lane, participants were taught the four fundamentals of marksmanship: steady position, sight picture, breathing control and trigger squeeze. The training also covered safe weapons handling, engaging stationary targets at simulated distances and performing immediate action drills.
The PRT lane put participants through Army exercises designed to reinforce proper form, correct technique and the discipline expected during physical training.
For lunch, Future Soldiers were issued Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs). Lt. Col. Don Sheppard, commander of Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion, attended the event and held a question-and-answer session with Future Soldiers. Company commanders, first sergeants and other leaders also remained engaged throughout the day, speaking with participants about service and their goals.
Sgt. 1st Class Dionte Nathaniel, who assisted in the drill and ceremony lane, said the event was intended to build confidence and prepare Future Soldiers for the standards they will face in training. “My hope is that they left more confident, more prepared and knowing that we’re invested in their success every step of the way.”
Cpt. Luke Smith, company commander of Lehigh Valley Company, said the event gave participants an early sense of belonging within the Army team.
“Bringing companies together strengthens the battalion as a whole,” Smith said. “It allows leaders and Future Soldiers from different areas to connect, share best practices, and build relationships. It also creates a larger training environment that better replicates the teamwork and scale they will experience once they enter the Army.
“I hope they walked away understanding that they are already part of the Army team. The standards, discipline, and teamwork they experienced here are just the beginning of their journey. If they continue to show the same effort and determination they displayed at this event, they will be successful in training and beyond.”
The event showed Future Soldiers that joining the Army means becoming part of a team built on collaboration, leadership and shared purpose.