FORT BARFOOT, Va. –
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group conducted a "Plus One Day" with their loved ones July 19, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia, during the unit’s annual training.
This is the second consecutive year the 276th have hosted this event, one that has proved popular with Soldiers and their loved ones.
Lt. Col. Joseph Fleishman, the outgoing commander of the 276th, thanked the Soldiers and their guests in attendance for the event.
“Thank you to all of you for coming out here today,” Fleishman said. “You being here is the reason we get to keep doing these kinds of events, and keep bringing you all in and show you what it is your Soldiers do when they disappear for two weeks in the summer time.”
After introductory and safety briefs, the group made their first stop at the Engagement Skills Trainer. There, they received a brief on the operation of the M240B machine gun before getting a chance to fire a simulated version of the weapon.
After receiving safety gear, the group then traveled to one of Fort Barfoot’s firing ranges for a chance to actually live fire the weapon, with their Soldiers serving as assistant gunners and helping their guests in the operation of the weapon.
Those in attendance included parents, spouses and significant others, all of which were able to experience a little bit of what their Soldier goes through during drill weekends and annual training.
“I’ve really enjoyed this. It’s been great,” said David McNeill, father of Spc. Kyle McNeill, assigned to the West Point-based 237th Engineer Company. “I’m so proud of my son and everything he’s done, and it’s a great opportunity to actually come and see and get a hands on idea of all the things that he’s doing.”
His son agreed and expressed gratitude for being able to share the experience with his father.
“I’m glad he actually gets to see some of the stuff I do and experience it,” he said. “He just killed it on the range over there with that 240. I’m really glad he’s finally able to see me on a range and doing some Army stuff.”
After competing the machine gun range, the group traveled to Fort Barfoot’s demolitions range to observe the engineers conduct breaching operations with explosives. After that, Soldiers and their guests said their goodbyes, as the 276th still had another week left of annual training.
“This event, holiday meals, and family days are great opportunities for our families and friends to learn more about their Soldiers’ mission and the value of continued service in the National Guard,” said Maj. Andrew J. Czaplicki, incoming commander of the 276th. “Being away from our families for two weeks is hard. Being away from our families for two weeks at Fort Barfoot is harder. Our troops hit the ground running and usually don’t stop for two weeks. Pausing halfway to reconnect with our family and friends is another way we show that we care for and value our people.”
Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion were on hand with information about the Referral Enlistment Program for interested family members. Read more about the Referral Enlistment Program at https://ngpa.us/26606.
For more photos of the “Plus One” event, visit https://ngpa.us/30384.
Read more about the 276th at https://ngpa.us/30325.