FORT HOOD, Texas- Soldiers from low density military occupational specialties are crucial to units success.
Their assistance is what often helps make, or break, the successful completion of an organization’s mission.
In the last segment, the focus was on the mechanics of the Ordnance Corps. For this installment, the spotlight is placed on those that specialize in getting the commanders, first sergeants and Soldiers the equipment they need to train, maintain and to complete their everyday duties.
In Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Signal Brigade, the supply needs are handled by two junior Soldiers, both having the unit and post be their first military experiences after Advanced Individual Training.
Cpl. Emily Hoagland, 22, entered the Army in April 2013 after receiving some advice from her brother, who had already been serving in the Army.
His sage advice helped her advance through her Initial Entry Training and AIT.
“My brother told to me to stay motivated, but to also try not to speak too much during the first few weeks,” Hoagland said. “He told me to take the opportunity to shine during physical training or warrior tasks. I know I wouldn’t have gotten my early promotion in basic without his advice.”
After finishing her schooling, she arrived at the unit in September 2013 and began getting accustomed to her duties as a supply clerk.
Having a job at this level was not something the young Soldier expected.
“It was intimidating to start working at a brigade level for my first duty station,” Hoagland said. “Thankfully, the senior (leaders) were, and are, very supportive.”
Being a 92Y, unit supply specialist, is a very demanding job, she said.
Supply specialists have the tenacious task of ordering a wide variety of supplies from printers to pens, training equipment, picking up orders from the warehouse and many other time consuming tasks.
Hoagland is assisted by her Soldier, Pvt. Adrian Fuentez, HHC, 11th Sig. Bde. He joined the Army in December 2013, and arrived at the unit in July 2014.
Fuentez, 21, not only had to adapt to his new job in the military, but also to the Army lifestyle.
“The Army lifestyle was something I really had to get used to,” he said. “Waking up early was something I especially was not used to. The biggest adjustment that I’m still working on is learning to be away from family.”
Even though Fuentez was still getting accustomed to life in the Army, he initially thought he may have made a mistake.
“At first, joining the Army was just a way for me to get out of California,” Fuentez said. “But after seeing how much people actually care and appreciate military people, I’ve learned that joining the military was a good choice for me afterall.”
As far as his duties as a supply specialist go, there are some stressful times, but Fuentez prefers to look on the bright side of things.
“The best part of my job is learning how to calculate supplies and getting to keep track of everything,” he said.
With Hoagland having just over two years of time in the military and Fuentez with just under two years, their level of performance and success have been a pleasant surprise for the leadership around them, and the future looks bright for these two young Soldiers.
“With minimal staffing, Cpl. Hoagland and Pvt. Fuentez have successfully established and maintained HHC supply,” said Sgt. Robert Moore, orderly room noncommissioned officer-in-charge, HHC, 11th Sig. Bde. “They are constantly working long hours with minimal supervision, and they have exceeded all expectations.”
Date Taken: | 08.06.2015 |
Date Posted: | 08.11.2015 10:54 |
Story ID: | 172739 |
Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
Web Views: | 61 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Supplying demands in the Signal Corps, by SFC Kelvin Ringold, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.