FORT HOOD, TX — After five weeks of training, the 1st Cavalry Division on Fort Hood finally got the chance to fire their new paladins.
“Today is the conclusion of our five week new equipment training, so we are going to fire 100 rounds of indirect and 30 rounds of direct fire,” explained Captain Jonathan Harper.
“It’s been pretty rigorous training. A lot of early mornings and late night, especially once we came out here to the field,” said First Lieutenant Robert Fenton.
“It’s getting soldiers comfortable on a new platform, giving them all the time they have, all the time we can do out here to maneuver and shoot,” said Cpt. Harper
“We have make sure that we are executing safely, appropriately and being proficient down range,” explained Staff Sergeant Pedro Torres. “It’s very exciting. The elevation of excitement goes up everyday just waiting for this day right here because like I said, we trained tremendously around the clock."
“So it’s nice for use to get back to where our bread and butter is and get out here and shoot some rounds down range,” said First Lieutenant Fenton
“Our job is to make sure that we inflict pain and fear into the enemy from a safe distance. All I got to say, and I got to keep it real real, they call us the king of battle for a reason, 13 Bravos,” said Staff Sergeant Torres
The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team is the first team at Fort Hood receive and be trained on the new paladins.
