Roving Sands: Something fishy in this Army training

For the first time in 12 years, the Army undertook the Roving Sands exercise last month as part of an effort to remain vigilant against an array of potential worldwide aerial threats. The Roving Sands exercise provides participating units a combat training center-like evaluation where they can simulate operations in a rigid environment and refine their air defense skills in preparation for real-world global response. And, while an exercise of the Army, skills and techniques are brought in from the other services.

One such instance was a 1st Lieutenant who spent two years in the Marines before switching services integrating techniques he had learned during his time as a Marine. Through the Roving Sands exercise, the 1st Lt. sought to integrate a facet of the Marines into the MO of the troops under his command. All Marines have two jobs, first they are a rifleman and then they have their specialization.

The Lt. said he wanted to impart that mentality on his soldiers. Every one of his men had to be an expert at air and missile defense, but he also wants them to be equally adept at all their most basic Soldier tasks as well. At the exercise, the air defense soldiers practice on skills they used less frequently, such as setting up a perimeter and entry access points, setting up tents and distributing meals.

The Roving Sands Exercise is just one of many the examples in which the services learn from one another and integrate successful techniques into their own practice.