Beyond the Intelligence Mission: 715th Military Intelligence Battalion Soldiers Sharpen Combat Readiness at Schofield Barracks

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — Approximately 60 Soldiers assigned to the 715th Military Intelligence Battalion traded their daily intelligence responsibilities for live-fire training during a quarterly M4 carbine weapons qualification at South Range on Oct. 20, 2026, reinforcing marksmanship fundamentals, weapons proficiency, and the combat readiness required of every Soldier, regardless of military occupational specialty.

Facilitated by Alpha Company, the battalion-level training brought together Soldiers from Bravo Company, Charlie Company, and Headquarters and Operations Company to complete grouping and zeroing exercises before advancing to weapons qualification. The event emphasized the importance of maintaining individual lethality while providing opportunities for experienced range cadre to develop junior Soldiers through hands-on instruction.

Capt. Natalie Rodgers, commander of Alpha Company, 715th Military Intelligence Battalion, said the training supports the Army Warrior Tasks Soldiers are required to accomplish, including shooting, moving, communicating, and conducting Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). For intelligence professionals whose daily responsibilities often take place in office environments, she emphasized that weapons proficiency remains essential to mission readiness.

“Our unit’s overall mission is much more desk administrative and working and operating within a building facility,” Rodgers said. “So for us as Alpha Company and for myself as a company commander, weapons qualification training is of the utmost importance because it ensures not only are we putting Soldier priorities first, but we’re also maintaining a certain level of lethality.”

The range began operations at approximately 5 a.m. and was scheduled to continue until 5 p.m., providing Soldiers opportunities to qualify, receive additional instruction and refire when necessary.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael E. Serville, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the range, explained that Alpha Company coordinated multiple training areas to support the flow of personnel. Separate grouping and zeroing and qualification ranges operated simultaneously, allowing Soldiers to progress through training while cadre-maintained oversight of each location.

Serville also noted that the battalion was implementing confirmation tables at distances of 300 meters and between 100 and 200 meters for the first time during this training event.

The range incorporated both Close Combat Optics (CCO) and Rifle Combat Optics (RCO), including Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights (ACOG), giving Soldiers opportunities to train with different sighting systems. Before advancing to qualification, Soldiers first completed grouping and zeroing at a 25-meter range, using 15 rounds to establish consistent shot placement and confirm their weapon sights. Once completed, Soldiers transitioned to a 40-round qualification course, where a perfect score required successfully engaging all 40 targets.

For Spc. Ty T. Summerford, a Signals Intelligence Analyst (35N) assigned to Alpha Company, the grouping and zeroing process provided an opportunity to improve accuracy while managing the nervousness associated with live-fire training.

Summerford said the initial challenge was overcoming the anticipation of firing his first rounds. By concentrating on breathing and remaining relaxed, he was able to focus on his technique and make adjustments with assistance from range cadre.

“I think the most difficult part would just be the initial, like the first round you send off, just like the jitters and stuff like that,” Summerford said. “But just like breathing and relaxing and just getting into your own kind of helps.”

Summerford credited the guidance he received from a range cadre members who assisted him with repeated grouping exercises and sight adjustments until his shots consistently struck near the center of the target.

The experience also supported Summerford’s preparation for the battalion’s Best Squad Competition, where weapons proficiency contributes to overall performance.

“I feel extremely confident going into a qualification,” Summerford said. “I think just overall, getting more proficient with weapons is good.”

While Soldiers focused on improving their marksmanship, range leadership emphasized that maintaining a safe training environment remained the highest priority.

Staff Sgt. Lisa R. Sanchez, a member of Alpha Company serving as the qualification range safety officer coordinated cadre operations while enforcing safety procedures throughout the training.

Sanchez explained that range personnel maintained communication through radios and a shared messaging platform to coordinate activities between the qualification and grouping and zeroing ranges.

Her responsibilities included ensuring Soldiers maintained proper muzzle direction and wore required protective equipment, including eye protection, hearing protection and body armor.

Sanchez said one of the most common challenges Soldiers encounter is becoming overly focused on their performance, which can interfere with their ability to apply basic marksmanship fundamentals.

“I would say, right now, that they just get too much in their head whenever they’re out there on the range,” Sanchez said.

To address those challenges, Sanchez explained that range cadre observed firing patterns, called out targets and provided individual guidance to help Soldiers identify mistakes and improve their techniques.

Sgt. Kevin C. Ward, a Signals Intelligence Analyst (35N) serving as a range safety officer, reinforced the importance of accountability and adherence to established weapons-handling standards.

Ward explained that range safeties positioned behind firers monitored muzzle direction, ensured weapons remained on safe when required and corrected unsafe actions before they could endanger personnel.

“That’s what our job is as safeties, because we stand right behind them, and we’re the first line of defense to enforce these standards,” Ward said.

He added that maintaining a safe training environment requires every Soldier to recognize potential hazards and take responsibility for correcting unsafe behavior.

Beyond weapons safety, the range also provided Soldiers opportunities to become more familiar with their assigned equipment.

Spc. Daugherty, a Soldier assigned to the 715th Military Intelligence Battalion, described adapting to optical sights after previously becoming accustomed to iron sights. He said learning to use the optics effectively, while concentrating on breathing and sight picture, helped improve his performance during qualification.

Daugherty credited the range cadre with identifying deficiencies during grouping and zeroing and providing instruction that translated into better results during the qualification course.

“I think it gives me a little bit more trust. Trust in myself, also trust in the weapon system,” Daugherty said.

He emphasized that improving weapons proficiency requires Soldiers to remain calm, accept constructive feedback and continue concentrating on the next target rather than allowing previous mistakes to affect their performance.

“Just set a goal higher than what you got last time,” Daugherty said. “And the more you do that, the better you get, the more confidence you have.”

For Rodgers, the value of the training extended beyond individual qualification scores. She emphasized that range operations also challenged experienced cadre to develop their leadership abilities by adjusting their instruction to meet the needs of Soldiers with different experience levels.

“Some service members come out here to the range, and they are already expert marksmen, and they know how to group and zero their weapon,” Rodgers said. “However, having cadre become more hands-on and develop other junior Soldiers who are learning this skill is a huge takeaway training value that I hope that we are achieving today.”

Through quarterly weapons qualification, the 715th Military Intelligence Battalion continues to reinforce the importance of maintaining combat proficiency alongside its intelligence mission, ensuring Soldiers remain prepared to perform their responsibilities both inside and outside their specialized operational environments.

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