As a Soldier and leader for over 30 years I am constantly asked about the benefits of serving this nation. Many of these questions come from young adults deciding on their future or from Soldiers considering their options when re-enlisting or deciding to leave the Service. There are a number of reasons and benefits for serving to include protecting your country’s liberty and freedom, improving yourself and learning new skills, and giving back to a country that has given us so much.

ARMU | Sept. 19, 2019

Fort Knox, Ky. — Soldiers of the 2-397th (104th Training Division) conducted a Leader Training event called Sharpened Steel at Fort Knox to hone skills necessary to Soldiers and leaders. The Hatchet Battalion successfully completed two Excellence In Competition events with several Soldiers earning permanent awards for their superior performance.

Holding both pistol and rifle versions of Service Conditions (Combat) Excellence In Competition events at Fort Knox, the pistol event resulted in one Soldier being awarded the EIC Bronze Pistol badge and the rifle event had two Soldiers achieving the distinction. This was the first time the Hatchet Battalion held either event and their command reports a heightened Soldier interest growing as a result.