37th IBCT, Hungarian Defence Forces conduct bilateral training during JRTC rotation
Story by Spc. Grace Jacobs, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORT POLK, La. (08/05/2021)
Soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team partnered with a contingent from the Hungarian Defence Forces during their monthlong training rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center, located on Fort Polk.
The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) offers one of the most rigorous training environments for U.S. and foreign military units. It enhances proficiency in each participant’s individual tasks and further magnifies their ability to work together as a team.
For nearly two weeks, members of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) trained alongside their counterparts from Hungary and continued the partnership that began in 1993 as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.
Cpl. Jacob East, a signal support system specialist radio operator with the 37th IBCT, conducted drills with the Hungarian soldiers during the JRTC rotation and said he was impressed with their interactions.
“The Hungarian forces are allies, and they are very supportive and helpful. They are 110%. They provided our security and they did everything they could to secure us,” East said. “They wanted to continuously pull security for me even though we were in a safe zone, and not just me but our entire team.”
As part of the bilateral exercise, a contingent of about 130 HDF members trained alongside the 37th IBCT Soldiers, along with units from several other National Guard states, to train on large-scale combat operations on the battlefield.
As part of the bilateral exercise, a contingent of about 130 HDF members trained alongside the 37th IBCT Soldiers, along with units from several other National Guard states, to train on large-scale combat operations on the battlefield.
“It is a very great exercise. We learn a lot from each other. The climate’s very different from my country so I had to adapt to this, but we are doing our best,” said Sgt. Zsolt Lazar, an instructor for the Hungarian Defence Forces, during the rotation. “I am a squad leader here of the Hungarians and my favorite part is actually when we do our job and we have to do our best and we can do our best, in every circumstance.”
Overall, everyone training at JRTC during the rotation exhibited great resilience. The challenges faced by every military service member involved created a tough and teachable working environment, making each participant stronger and more prepared.
“I know I’ve bettered myself through this, and I hope that everybody is getting at least half of what I’m getting from this training,” East said. “It’s going to be good for me to pass this on to future Soldiers, whether they be uniforms or anyone else. I think this experience is giving me enough to be able to prepare people a little bit for what’s to come.”
The 28-year partnership between Ohio and Hungary has developed lasting friendships through multiple exchanges each year at locations across Europe and North America.
