Mentoring for a More Successful Mobilization and Mission

Photo By Wayne Cook | A focused Staff Sgt. Julian Webb from Tampa, Fla., kept an unwavering watch on a group of Arab locals, played by civilian on the battlefield role players, as they approached Entry Control Point One at Army Support Activity-Dix's Contingency Operations Location, March 18. The sergeant and others from his unit, the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, Charlie Company, were engaged in a mobilization exercise geared to strengthen the security skills of the Soldiers. Charlie Company, which is headquartered in Miami, Fla., is preparing for a mission in Afghanistan and has been in training at ASA-Dix since, Feb. 24.  

FORT DIX, NJ, UNITED STATES

03.19.2010

Story by Valerie Tandoi 

USASA, Fort Dix

ARMY SUPPORT ACTIVITY-DIX , N.J. -- Thirty-two Army Reserve Soldiers stood in uniform with weapons in hand as the loud noise of explosives sounded and a crowd dressed in hijabs and thobes approached. These servicemembers are not yet in a war zone, but rather training at Army Support Activity-Dix's Contingency Operations Location for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

The 478 Civil Affairs Battalion from the Miami area, and volunteers from Oklahoma joining their mission, arrived at ASA-Dix, Feb. 24. The battalion is made up of an ample amount of Soldiers who have multiple deployments under their belts. These servicemembers work closely with first-time deployers during the training process.

"Having several Soldiers around who have deployed before gives new Soldiers the opportunity to have good leaders who have been down range and know how to do their job well and return home safely," Maj. Calvin Lovelace, battalion commander from West Palm Beach, Fla., said.

There are no better people for inexperienced Soldiers to ask questions of than the men and women who have literally walked in their shoes before. Soldiers with knowledge of serving overseas play an important role in successful mobilization. First-time deploying Soldiers are thankful for their help.

"Everything the experienced Soldiers say I am taking as gospel. I lean on them and I ask them plenty of questions about potential scenarios. I appreciate the advice from someone who has been there and done this job," 1st Lt. Brianna Bladen from Miami, a first-time deployer, said.

The veteran Soldiers in the unit are happy to help their team members. Many of them volunteered to fill the open slots on this mission. One of those volunteers was Staff Sgt. Matthew Jacobsen from Broken Arrow, Okla., who has four tours under his belt. He has previously been stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and both Central and South America.

"The main reason I came is because I am single and wanted to take a spot so someone who didn't want to go or someone who has a family at home didn't have to deploy," he said. "I also didn't want my experience to fall to the wayside. I want to help other Soldiers get good insight and do my best to make sure that everyone comes home safe."

Civil Affairs Soldiers interact with civilians in foreign countries on a daily basis. They work to rehabilitate the public works system and repair basic infrastructure. This is not an easy task and requires certain skills to be successful at the job.

"Soldiers who do this job should have good personal skills. They need to be able to mingle well with people and talk to key leaders," Lovelace said.

Reserve Soldiers are able to contribute a lot to Civil Affairs units. The civilian jobs these men and women have often teach them skills that they combine with their Army training to be more successful. Some of the civilian occupations of the Soldiers in the 478th include police officers, firemen and counselors.

"That's one of the beautiful things about being a Reservist. I use the management skills I have learned at past jobs and the safety skills I have learned from being a firefighter," Jacobsen said.

The battalion completed Army Reserve pre-mobilization training at Fort McCoy, Wis., in Jan. Since being at ASA-Dix they continue to conduct Mission Rehearsal Exercises beneficial to both experienced and new Soldiers alike.

"Since this is my first deployment, I have been feeling a little apprehensive, a little excited and a little anxious. But now that we are here training, I do feel prepared. The training has been really comprehensive," shared Bladen.

"The training here is helping us to build a foundation. I like how past deployed Soldiers are the ones teaching these classes. This is really valuable for everyone, the people here and the training have both been great," Jacobsen, part of the Oklahoma contingency augmenting the Florida Reserve Soldiers, added.

The Oklahoma Soldiers come from a battalion with a similar job and background to the Miami Soldiers, but it still takes extra effort for everyone to learn to work together effectively in a short period of time.

"There are a lot of fillers in this unit; we have known each other for two or three months now. We are continuing to work on building a strong team and a sense of family before deploying," Maj. Chris Wooten of Houston, who is on his fourth deployment, said. Previously, he served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although their time together has been brief this distinctive group has been working hard and is ready to take on all of the challenges Afghanistan may hold, Wooten said.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2010
• Date Posted: 03.22.2010 10:00
• Story ID: 47009
• Location: FORT DIX, NJ, US