Making a Tanker

We followed seven recruits as they traveled the path from civilian to Soldier.
This is Pvt. Karl Gamble’s story.

Gamble and other trainees pay close attention to instructions from drill sergeants on the first official day of one station unit training (OSUT). Soldiers in some military occupational specialties, or MOSs, move to a new unit for advanced individual training after basic training. But in OSUT, trainees remain with same unit for basic and advanced individual training.

Gamble loads a magazine before attempting to "zero" the M4 carbine rifle using the backup iron sights. During Week 2, the trainees begin to fire rifles with live ammunition. Up to this point, weapons training has focused on breathing and trigger squeezing through digital simulation classes. The standard is to zero an M4 with the backup iron sight. Zeroing a firearm is adjusting the sights so the bullet hits where aimed.

"I'm learning new things every day. It gets harder as we are given more responsibilities, but talking with my family has kept me positive and motivated. I still feel like I made the right decision."

Gamble spends some of his personal time to reading a letter from family. For 30 minutes daily trainees get "personal time" in which they can do what they choose. Generally the trainees spend the time washing clothes, writing or reading letters or cleaning weapons.

Reading this letter really makes me miss home and miss my family. But, at the same time it makes me want to stay here and finish what I started.

The trainees of Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, 81^st Armor Regiment, negotiate the Confidence Tower on Harmony Church during training Week 6 of one station unit training. Repelling the tower obstacle correctly is a graduation requirement for trainees.

Gamble, left, and other trainees in his squad react to contact during assault course training.

The trainees of Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, 81^st Armor Regiment, execute the night infiltration at Young Range on Fort Benning, Georgia. Trainees low crawl under barbed wire while explosives and live rounds fly overhead. This exercise introduces Soldiers to the sights and sound of the battlefield during limited visibility.

Gamble negotiates the rope crawl on the conditioning course. This obstacle course strengthens trainees' cardio and helps with maintaining fitness and endurance.

Gamble and other trainees of Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, 81^st Armor Regiment, are instructed on general maintenance and the components of the U.S. Army’s M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. Trainees spend several days learning the ins and outs of the vehicle that they will crew.

The trainees of Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, 81^st Armor Regiment, drive M1 Abrams tanks around the Ground Mobility Division's course at Sandy Hook Range. The M1 has a maximum speed of 42 mph and a range of 256 miles.

Gamble and the trainees of Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, 81^st Armor Regiment, fire the main gun on the U. S. Army's M1 Abrams main battle tank. The M1 Abrams uses a 120 mm smoothbore gun that fires a variety of rounds capable of destroying enemy armor from great distances.

After a 12-mile ruck march, the trainees of Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, 81^st Armor Regiment, receive their U.S. Army Armor insignia, at a transition ceremony on Harmony Church. The insignia features an M26 Pershing tank with its gun slightly raised, superimposed on two crossed cavalry sabers in scabbards.

After 20 weeks of one station unit training, Pvt. Karl Gamble, along with the men and women of Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, 81^st Armor Regiment, graduate. They are now officially 19 kilos or U.S. Army Tankers. They will join armored divisions around the world.

"From 30th AG to graduation, I feel like I came from a teenager to a Soldier."