The soldiers of A Company 2/198th Armor have continued to increase their combat readiness by completing a majority of the training requirements here at Camp Shelby.  The local National Guard Unit has excelled in numerous tactical training exercises such as:  Platoon MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain), Tactical Maneuver, Conduct Platoon Attack, Conduct Link-up Operations, Knock out a Bunker, Break Contact, and Breach of an Obstacle.  The soldiers and senior NCOs of the unit have done a magnificent job of coordinating the logistical support of the lanes and conducting the necessary planning to ensure the unit was successful in every aspect of the training.  The Company received an AAR (After Action Review) after each training event which identified the unit's strengths and weaknesses and then received an overall rating from the lane evaluators.  The Company consistently exceeded the active duty standard for each of the lanes and has maintained 100% unit strength throughout the process. While 1SG Ronald Wilburn ensured that the Company completed all of its training requirements, the commander spent most of the month traveling and attending different Leadership Courses.  Although some of the training was very difficult both physically and mentally, the men of Alpha Company 2/198th Armor Combat Team met each challenge with a determination to be the best that the State of Mississippi has to offer. 
     Each month the officers and senior NCO leadership of the company select a Soldier of the Month and an NCO of the Month based on the individual's technical and tactical knowledge and their contributions to the Team.  This month's Soldier of the Month is SPC James Caufield from 2nd Platoon.  SPC Caufield is from Water Valley, MS and has distinguished himself as one of the Company's Singar Radio experts.  The Company's NCO of the Month is SGT Danny Chambers, a Vehicle Commander from 3rd Platoon.  SGT Chambers was selected because of his leadership and hard work throughout the PLT Lanes Training, MOUT, and his supervisory skills while in Garrison.  Also pictured with SGT Chambers are his Platoon Leader, LT Edwards, and his Platoon Sergeant, SFC Jerry Clark.  The pictures shown here were taken by the Company's designated Combat Photographer, SPC Jeffrey Watkins. 
      While the soldiers have been busy training at Camp Shelby, the families have been equally busy at home where they continue to support their loved ones by sending care packages and letters from home.  The Family Support Group has also been able to arrange for a Unit Web page.  Anyone wishing to access the Web site can find it at: www.oxfordmsarng.org  The web page has several links to other military sites which family members can use as well as a message board where soldiers and their families or members of the local community can post messages.
     The soldiers of Alpha Company 2/198th Armor are nearing the completion of their training at Camp Shelby and will soon be moving to the next phase of their preparation by attending a three week long Field Training Exercise at the National Training Center.  During the three week Field Training Exercise, the unit will take part in several missions to evaluate their level of expertise and ability to react to different combat scenarios.  The men of Viper Company are prepared for the challenge and are ready to test their ability to plan and execute different battle drills in a stressful environment.  The members of the unit ask for your continued support and prayers for both the soldiers who are serving and their families left back at home. 

Until our next battle update, 
God Bless.  -  CPT Scott Caldwell.