The value of vehicle maintenance

Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Spc. Jason Arnold, a native of Lebanon, Ohio, now a mechanic with the logistical training and advisory team from 702nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, explains how to identify tire tread wearing to an Iraqi Army Soldier as part of a preventative maintenance checks and services class at Forward Operating Base Constitution, here, Oct. 21.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.21.2009

Story by Sgt. Kimberly Hackbarth 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Logistical training and advisory team Soldiers from 702nd Brigade Support Battalion taught a preventative maintenance checks and services class to Iraqi Army soldiers at Forward Operating Base Constitution, here, Oct. 21.

The hour long class provided guidance on topics such as maintenance of the engine compartment, vehicle interior and exterior, batteries and electrical pieces, and tires of an M1151 humvee.

Sgt. 1st Class James Denison, had his own reasons why knowing how to repair and keep a vehicle in good condition is important.

"When you go out, it's good to know that your vehicle works well. That way you know you're coming back safely," said Denison, a native of Martin, S.D.

Denison gladly volunteered to continually help teach the PMCS class to the IA and was excited about the new challenge.

He and his Soldiers would have to get past an additional aspect of teaching that most people don't deal with.

"It's challenging getting through the language barrier, but with the translators, that made it a lot easier," said Denison.

The trainer to student ratio was well balanced to provide quality hands-on training for the IA Soldiers.

"Having a small class was ideal because you can give more attention to each individual [IA] Soldier," said Denison. "We only had 2-3 Soldiers per trainer so they could ask questions and not be pushed on the backburner. They'd all have the same knowledge."

Spc. Jason Arnold, a native of Lebanon, Ohio, used his Army training as a mechanic to teach the IA Soldiers.

"They didn't know exactly what everything was and they were taught different ways, so I just taught them the way that I was trained," said Arnold. "They're pretty happy with what I taught them."

Most of the IA Soldiers had some sort of mechanical training when they joined the Iraqi Army, but they all agreed that they appreciated the training nonetheless and enjoyed working with their American counterparts.

The Americans look forward to follow up training, which will include train-the-trainer, so these IA Soldiers can educate ones who didn't attend the training.

Even if it was PMCS training that brought these two groups together, it was partnership that helped them bond and be able to work together successfully

• Date Taken: 10.21.2009
• Date Posted: 10.24.2009 03:52
• Story ID: 40607
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ