OTC’s Command Sgt. Maj. Ken Graham arranged for the small arms and crew-served weapons training as part of the command’s professional development program for its civilian employees.

“Events like this build camaraderie and esprit de corps among our workforce, as well as provide professional growth from a hands-on approach,” Graham said.

Sheila Miller, personnel specialist, said the event was not just a fun break from the office.

“It was quite different from firing a .32-caliber pistol as a young girl at target practice with my dad,” she said. “That was some heavy machinery.

“I gained quality information about the weapons our soldiers use in training and combat,” Miller said. “You definitely can’t be a weakling in body, character or mind, firing the caliber of weapons our warfighters fire.”

Human Resource Specialist Mike Ensor, who is an OTC military retiree, said, “It re-energized my lifelong kindred spirit to serve our great soldiers while familiarizing myself with weapons that have been deployed since my retirement.”

For Elizabeth Fudge, a computer scientist in OTC’s Methodology and Analysis Directorate, the trip was her first time to a simulation center.

“I’ve never fired weapons before, and especially not a machine gun,” she said. “The experience was a lot of fun and made me more interested in learning about the different types of small arms weapons the Army uses.”

Graham said everyone did exceptionally well with the M-2 (.50-caliber) and M-240B machine guns and the AT-4 anti-tank weapon.

“Considering they only received a 45-minute block of instruction, their ability to work as a team and effectively engage and destroy multiple simulated targets was impressive,” he said.

“The learning experience was a blast,” Hoskins said. “Elizabeth (Fudge) and I hit the most targets and were given commander’s coins as the top guns.

“I have a newly profound appreciation of what our soldiers can do in battle and the skills they learn throughout their training,” Hoskins said. “I can’t wait until the next outing.”

That will be Jan. 15, said Master Sgt. Patrick Burke, OTC operations noncommissioned officer in charge.

“It will be a trip to the Close Combat Tactical Trainer for a demonstration of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and M-1 Abrams tank simulators,” he said.

Other future events will include leadership reactionary course, obstacle course, rappelling and tactical training with field artillery, aviation, engineers and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear provided by Fort Hood units, Graham said.

“We clearly have a tough group,” he said. “I have to be creative and at the same time keep it fun.”