A local army reserve unit gave area residents a glimpse inside the life of a soldier on Saturday. More than a hundred troops from the 428th Engineer Company invited people to the Brokaw Reserve Center for Armed Forces Day.

"Bringing the community involved with it is a great opportunity so they can see what we can do and we can address how we can help them as well," said Chris Keuss, Commander of the 428th.

Soldiers allowed people to partake in several different training exercises that the troops do on a daily basis. Such activities included using night vision goggles and weapon simulation training. They also were able to watch as troops trained in an urban assault course how to clear a village or building.

Liz Coleman, Wausau, watched as her son, Austin Klapstein, braved new heights by rock climbing at an obstacle at the event.

“The life training experiences that these kids can see that these men and women go out and do,” said Coleman. “Just to watch the joy on their faces , to have fun with this, that’s important.”

Norbert Lumaye, Commander of the Wausau Recruiting Station, believes that the event was helps calm the public’s fears about enlisting the army.

"A lot of individuals we talk to day to day, the biggest fear they have about enlisting into the army, the army reserves, is the fear of the unknown, and this gives them the opportunity to actually talk first hand with unit soldiers and see some of the things that they do…and get that more comfortable feeling if they do enlist," said Lumaye.

The event was a partnership between the Wausau Recruiting Station and the Reserve Center.