Spartans train to operate in stressful environments

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Brendan McDonald, infantryman from Franklin, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, and U.S. Army Spc. Nicholas Kole, infantryman from North Dighton, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, rolls a tire during the combat stress firing course July 13, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the members the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Michael Desantis, infantryman from Maiden, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, pulls himself up for a pull-up while wearing full body armor during the combat stress firing course July 13, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the member the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Michael Desantis, infantryman from Maiden, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, and U.S. Army Spc. John O’Donovan, infantryman from Taunton, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, races to the finish while another team races to the firing range during the combat stress firing course July 13, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the member the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Sgt. George Malouf, infantry squad leader from Hingham, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Kinslow, communications specialist from Columbia, S.C., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, carry 50 cal ammunition boxes during the combat stress firing course July 13, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the members the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Lynn Chaplin, corpsman  from Rosenhayn, N.J., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, fires rounds from his M-9 pistol as U.S. Army 1^st Lt. Robert Mulhern, infantry platoon leader from Boston, Mass., assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, watches during the combat stress firing course July 13, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. This course consists of six mission oriented events that gives the member the feel of operating under stress. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class David Swearingen, communications specialist from Orange, Texas, assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni, Task Force White Eagle, fires from the kneeling position during the combat stress firing course July 13, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. The members were required to accurately shoot targets from various positions after completing physically demanding tasks. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs)