A select few Kansas National Guard Soldiers from the Recruit Sustainment Battalion were invited to visit the U.S. Army's National Training Center in the desert of California June 3

. The Soldiers invited to attend were: Spc. Hector R. Perez Cortes, Salina; Pfc. Colby Casaus, Holcomb; Pfc. Brian Coughlin, St. George; Pfc. Matthew Dickerson, Topeka; Pfc. Fernando Fernandez, Wichita; Pfc. Jaison Moravec, Wichita; Pfc. William R. Polly, Lincoln; Pvt. Benjamin Baragary, Emporia; Pvt. Magdaline McCall, Maple Hill; Pvt. 2 Dominic Caswell, Peru; Pvt. 2 Jeffrey Doshier, Andover; Pvt. 2 Jonathan Gallegos, Marquette; Pvt. 2 Ryan R. Johnston, Ellsworth; Pvt. 2 Juan Muro, Wichita; Pvt. 1 Tiffany R. Allison, Pittsburg; and Pvt. 1 Cody R. Thompson, Ottawa. The Recruit Sustainment Program is designed to teach new Army National Guard recruits basic level tasks to help them succeed at Initial Entry Training as they transition into their respective units. The National Training Center, located at Fort Irwin, California, is the Army's premier training ground. Nearly the size of Rhode Island, NTC is the only training site of its kind to support brigade combat teams training together in an austere environment. The purpose of the tour was to highlight the operational demand and training opportunities available with the Kansas National Guard. 'The Soldiers selected for this tour received a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how the National Training Center training cadre utilize controlled explosives, smoke, noise and smells to create a demanding, realistic training environment for our troops,' said Col. Roger Murdock, chief of staff, Kansas Army National Guard. 'They got to experience the sights and sounds of a simulated marketplace that you'd find in many Middle Eastern nations. 'They also got to speak with support personnel and gain an understanding of how each of their jobs are vital in supporting the war fight,' said Murdock. 'All in all, I believe it was a tremendous opportunity for these new Soldiers to gain perspective into the total Army experience.' The visit coincided with the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, and 772nd Mobility Augmentation Company participating in NTC Rotation 17-07. An NTC rotation is typically three to four weeks in duration and simulates the harsh, realistic operational environment that America's military forces may face in combat. The training is relevant and adaptable to emerging threats and technologies. The exercise presents scenarios with potential adversaries our nation could face and include guerrilla, insurgent, criminal and near-peer conventional forces. The Kansas Army National Guard units were training as a part of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard, to demonstrate the U.S. Army's Total Force policy. A brigade combat team is comprised of thousands of Soldiers and NTC is the proving ground where they spend weeks training together to strengthen partnerships and prepare to deploy. The Kansas National Guard is proud to have these soldiers join our ranks and support our mission of serving and protecting Kansans while ready to defend freedom for our Country. They are on their way to an exciting, rewarding career.