US Army certifies rifle squads during live-fire training in Poland

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland - U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment conducted squad tactical exercises and live-fire training from Aug. 4-13, 2026 at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, testing their ability to maneuver, communicate and engage targets in day and night conditions.

The training progressed from team live-fire exercises to squad-level tactical movements, allowing Soldiers to build proficiency at the smallest level before operating as a larger formation.

"You just have to make sure the lowest element is trained," said Sgt. 1st Class Geordie Blower, platoon sergeant with Charlie Company, 2-37 AR. "You need to make sure both the teams are qualified to maneuver before you can maneuver in a squad element."

During the live-fire event, shots echoed across the training area from early morning into the afternoon. After sunset, the first squad lined up to conduct its mission during nighttime operations.

Soldiers donned night vision goggles and maneuvered through wooded terrain toward an objective marked by targets. From the top of a hill, another soldier monitored and maintained target accuracy through a computer system.

The exercises were designed to certify rifle squads and give soldiers an opportunity to practice battle drills using live ammunition. Capt. Jonathan Downs, commander of Charlie Company, 2-37 AR said the training also tested squad leaders' ability to make decisions and control their formations under demanding conditions.

"I was really happy to see the squad leaders take initiative and be willing to not just stick to an exact range, but actually command and control their squads in a meaningful way," Downs said.

Downs also praised Soldiers for their willingness to work through difficult conditions.

"It's always good to see guys willing to get in the dirt and suffer a little to help their squads succeed," Downs said.

The Bemowo Piskie Training Area presented challenges that differed from the unit's home station at Fort Bliss, Texas. Soldiers maneuvered through woods and high grass, negotiating branches, uneven ground and limited visibility during nighttime operations.

Pfc. Rowdy Adams, an infantryman with Charlie Company, 2-37 AR, who normally serves as a radio transmission operator, participated as a rifleman during the squad live-fire exercise. He said the training allowed him to evaluate how well his team worked together.

"It's been great," Adams said. "I really enjoy being able to actually test our skills as a squad and a team, to see how well we can work together and accomplish our goal and our mission."

Adams said the squad live-fire exercise felt more realistic than the earlier team-level training because Soldiers had to move through wooded terrain and coordinate supporting fires while advancing toward the objective.

"There were a lot more moving pieces, which is how it actually would be," he said.

Daytime and nighttime operations required soldiers to adjust their movement and awareness. Adams said night vision goggles reduced his field of view and depth perception, making obstacles more difficult to identify.

"Night's definitely a lot more difficult," Adams said. "It's harder to see the targets, but I personally enjoyed the night more."

Downs said the unit must be prepared to operate in any environment and under changing conditions.

"Day or night, we have to be able to do the job," Downs said. "Any weather condition - you're not always going to have the weather conditions you want, and you have to be able to do it anywhere, anytime."

Downs described his company as the battalion's mechanized infantry force, saying that dismounted Soldiers are responsible for clearing terrain that can restrict armored vehicles.

"Thick terrain, like these woods behind us, or urban terrain - stuff like that - the tanks can't clear," Downs said. "Our job is to clear out those areas, to keep the tanks safe, and then to seize and hold terrain that they can't."

Throughout the training, leaders observed each iteration and provided feedback to help squads improve their decision-making, movement, and supporting-fire techniques.

Downs said the training improved on the unit's previous squad live-fire exercise and expressed confidence in the soldiers' performance.

"My NCOs did a terrific job out here," Downs said. "The teams and squads both performed not just at standard, but above standard. I'm fully confident in their abilities and I'm happy with their work out here."