FORT DIX, N.J. - More than 120 soldiers of the 678th Human Resource Company completed 17 days of annual training here at Fort Dix, N.J., this week. The 17-day operation was comprised of convoys and logistical maneuvers that challenged the highly motivated postal and human resource unit.
The 678th HRC navigated more than five convoy exercises in conjunction with numerous remote Area Post Office simulations under stressful conditions. While the unit has a main focuses on receiving and delivering, it also practices reception, replacement and redeployment operations as core functions. The mass field training exercise proved to be challenging and added enormous training value.
“It’s important to train like we fight to win," said Capt. Iveans Jean, the company commander of the 678th HRC. "Postal operations in Afghanistan and other places of operation help to increase soldier morale, It puts a smile on the soldiers' faces and more fight in their hearts to receive care packages and mail. We take pride in what we do” said Jean.
Regardless of grueling weather conditions on Fort Dix, soldiers remained extremely motivated and vigilant during training. During the training exercise weather got as low as seven degrees. Tasks were conducted on mock Forward Observation Bases Sustainer, Dauntlest, Brendelae Lake, and Combat Observation Location Victory here on Fort Dix.
“Training went smoothly due to the fact that that we have experienced soldiers," said 2nd Lt. Abby McNeil with the 678th HRC. "We used a train the trainer method, the register mailing process, redirecting mail and APO training was both challenging and fun," said McNeil.
Soldiers practiced on these remote locations using only generators to power essential services to add a realistic ambiance to the exercise. The tough convoy obstacles and stressful training proved to add value for both new and experienced soldiers. The AT exercise proved to be a “cross training” experience for the unit. Experienced combat veterans taught and validated younger soldiers in simulating Area Postal Office (APO) tasks.
“The challenging training that we conduct helps us to prepare soldiers fight complacency even when exhausted," said Spc. Jessica Stewart with the 678th HRC. "Mail and care packages are like a little piece of home for soldiers," she said.
Many of the tasks trained on included document registration, mail processing, and redirecting, as well as package security. In combat postal runs can occur nearly three times a week. Postal missions are conducted in conjunction with other units to include combat air support to ensure mission completion and safety. Soldiers of the 678th HRC banded together to train one another to an exceptional standard.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2014 22:49 |
| Story ID: | 121458 |
| Location: | FORT DIX, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Signed, sealed, delivered victory - Army Postal Training Operation, by CPT Royce Braxton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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