By Pfc. Blair Neelands
1st Brigade Combat Team Journalist

From, The Mountaineer

Senior noncommissioned officers of 10th Mountain Division (LI) gathered Sept. 28 in central Vermont to hike through the Long Trail System of the Mount Mansfield State Forest as part of an exercise focused on team building.

More than 60 command sergeants major and sergeants major from throughout the division – to include 1st and 2nd Brigade Combat Teams; 4th BCT from Fort Polk, La.; the Warrior Transition Unit; and 7th Sustainment Brigade based at Fort Eustis, Va. – participated in the two-day event.

Command Sgt. Maj. James W. Redmore, 10th Mountain Division command sergeant major, led the group on the demanding hike through the Appalachian Mountains.

“The purpose of this exercise was to allow us to get back to our roots as 10th Mountain Division warriors,” Redmore explained. “This allowed us the chance to re-connect with our roots and have the chance to experience this type of terrain, which our World War II brothers fought in.”

Additionally, Redmore’s goal was to bring together senior enlisted leadership from the division and allow them an opportunity to become better acquainted with their fellow mountain Soldiers.

“This gave everybody the opportunity to use the terrain of the Appalachian Trail to get to know each other a little better and experience the outdoors,” said Redmore.

The exercise began with sergeants major trudging across 18 miles of rugged trail through a portion of the Long Trail System, which runs for 272 miles and stretches the length of the Green Mountain State from Massachusetts to Canada.

While negotiating the steep, rocky and increasingly muddy mountain terrain, senior leaders compared notes about their Army experiences, mainly in an effort to divert their minds from the many miles of hiking to come. As they progressed, words of encouragement and a boost from behind helped hikers achieve the goal of reaching their destination and finishing the arduous hike.

During the second day, sergeants major were released to conduct team building within their brigades. Many opted to spend time together as comrades away from the stresses of work.

“Not only did we all spend a lot of time together on the Appalachian Trail, but we also had the ability to spend time together after the exercise and be able to get better acquainted,” Redmore said.

He added the exercise gave participants “a better understanding of what each sergeant major does and how we can support each other to help benefit the division in our war fighting efforts.”

To wrap up the event, sergeants major attended a semi-formal dinner, where they talked with peers and continued to enjoy each other’s company.

Special guest of the evening was Maj. Gen. James L. Terry, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander.
Terry addressed the room of senior noncommissioned officers and spoke about the importance of their role and work within the division.

“The strength of the 10th Mountain Division and its legacy is built upon the backs of our young Soldiers and noncommissioned officers,” Terry said. “Our foundation is disciplined Soldiers and great noncommissioned officers leading them.”