Yoga, Curry Make for Good Army Training

There's been a joint US-India military exercise going on recently, but the press briefs from last week didn't catch my eye as much as this one today did. It's always nice when spirituality and cultural awareness are part of the takeways from training. MP+

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

CAMP BUNDELA, India, Oct. 30, 2009 - It's 6 a.m. and as the sun rises, U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Vacchelli sits on a mat in the grass, cross-legged, eyes closed and index and thumb fingers pressed together with his palms facing up.

Hummmm. Hummmm, he murmurs.

Off and on for the past two weeks, Vacchelli and others in the 2nd Squadron, 14th Calvary Regiment, took off their running shoes and traded their standard Army physical training for a little inner peace.



Army Pfc. Pherelle Fowler, with 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, stretches during yoga class at Camp Bundela, India, Oct. 24, 2009. During the two-week exercise, U.S. soldiers participated in Indian sports, ate Indian food and participated in other cultural events. DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III


Sports included hitting, or trying to hit, a white ball with a polo mallet through a goal, while riding a bicycle.

And hamburgers and fries were swapped with mutton curry and naan.

The soldiers deployed here to train with the Indian army's 7th Mechanized Infantry Battalion. Dubbed "Yudh Abhyas," loosely translated as war preparation, it is the largest military exercise to date with the Indians. The two armies soldiered side by side, firing weapons and trading equipment. But perhaps the most valuable lessons learned were not those on the battlefield.

Read the whole article here.