We try to make it as realistic as we can and then make it as challenging at the same time.

Through repetition, we're getting the soldiers used to what they do in the event of various forms of contact, whether it's an IED (improvised explosive device) or someone shooting at them, and then how they react to that.

As we gain new Soldiers, what these experienced veterans are doing is teaching them how to react under various conditions they encounter.

New missions, new personnel and new equipment are hard to come by in this time of dwindling resources. This is a real feather in the cap for the Arizona Air National Guard.

They had to be people of similar size. We had 15 different guys try them two days at a time. At the end of the trial, 14 swore it was the best thing in the world. The 15th guy was neither here nor there. It's unusual to have 15 guys agree.

You deal with it a person at a time, you listen to what they have to say, offer support where you can, and work with them to find a solution. But in this case, there's no happy solution.