About 40 noncommissioned officers and officers from 2nd Battalion, 315th Brigade Engineer Battalion “Shogun” from Fort Dix, N.J., toured the U.S. Military Academy March 30 as part of a unique professional development staff ride opportunity and to build an esprit de corps among the unit members.
The guided tour was led by Maj. Josh Wolf, a USMA 2008 graduate and recent member of the Commandant’s staff at USMA and the former deputy commander at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. Others leading the group were 2-315th commander, Lt. Col. Jason Allen, and command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Gutzler.
The U.S. Army Soldiers came to West Point to learn USMA’s organizational heritage, view historic buildings and statues, and understand how West Point educates, trains and inspires cadets toward becoming professional officers and the full spectrum of education learned at the academy.
“(The staff ride) was to help the unit’s NCOs and officers learn about West Point and USMA’s role in shaping a portion of the Army’s future officer corps,” Allen said.
Part of the tour included Wolf promoting West Point to the Fort Dix unit NCOs, some also part of the 174th Infantry Brigade, as an opportunity to become USCC tactical noncommissioned officers and the ability to get a psychology degree to broaden their education and career path.
Wolf took the unit on a tour of many sites to include the Kimsey Center Sports Hall of Fame, The Plain, Trophy Point, Battle Monument and various statues in Central Area, Cadet Chapel, Jefferson Hall, the Honor Plaza, the Cadet Mess Hall, Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, Visitors Center and the West Point Museum.