CSTX moves Soldiers out of FOBs and back to basic Soldier skills
A Talon, operated by Sgt. Michael Case from the 349th Civil Engineer Squadron, searches for explosive devices, after a simulated explosively formed projectile hit their convoy during a joint operation at Combat Support Training Exercise 86-17-02 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, from August 5 – 25, 2017. Thousands of Army Reserve Soldiers joined service members from different service branches to train in a large-scale exercise focused on multi-echelon and multi-functional, realistic, tactical training to challenge and improve the proficiency of leader and collective tasks. One of the key focuses of the CSTX was to return to, and understand basic Soldier skills. The exercise moved Soldiers away from the sustainment lifestyle in forward operating bases, and Soldiers worked and lived in a more austere environment. Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Copeland, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Reserve explained that moving Soldiers out of FOBs will develop them to become more mobile and agile and that it is necessary for survivability. (U.S. Army photo by Anthony L. Taylor)