Centurions work on career progression

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, study for the Functional Academic Skills Training Class, Feb. 6. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Krystal Curl)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

02.06.2012

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – During a soldier’s career, there are many opportunities for different assignments, but sometimes it takes a little more testing to get them there.

In order to assist soldiers in achieving these options, the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division made the Functional Academic Skills Training Class available.

The purpose of the FAST Class is to raise soldiers’ general technical scores. If successful, they are provided options for career advancement.

While the Ironhorse Brigade was deployed to Contingency Operating Station Kalsu, Iraq, the Army began tightening re-enlistment or assignment options. With these changes in mind, 1st Sgt. Carlos Lopez of C Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, suggested that the battalion establish a FAST Class.

“We need to keep good quality soldiers in the military” said Lopez.
With the help of multiple non-commissioned officers in the battalion – to include Command Sgt. Maj. Bruce Machado, 1st Sgt. Lopez, Staff Sgt. Monika Castillo and Sgt. Baltazar Lopez – the program was established. The non-commissioned officers employed all of their resources to put together a classroom with computers, materials, teachers and a course outline.

The Centurions have held three cycles of the FAST Class over the past seven months with 41 total students.

Previous participants now hold a GT score of over 100, and some improved their scores by as much as 26 points.

“The FAST class is a great opportunity for Soldiers who want to improve,” said Tucson, Ariz. native, Spc. Ella Puente, a food service specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the Centurion Battalion. “I’m grateful that Command. Sgt. Maj. Machado gave a lot of soldiers the opportunity to bump up their GT score.”

The program is always finding new ways to improve the quality of education soldiers are receiving, whether it is through After Action Reviews or comments from leaders who come to oversee the course.

“Once an improvement is identified, I implement it right away,” said Weslaco, Texas native, Lopez, a chemical sergeant assigned to Company C.

The soldiers participating in the FAST class are focused on the opportunity to progress and the doors that will be opened to them, like Military Operation Specialty Reclassifications and Commissioning Programs.

“With [the FAST Class] we can continue our service to our nation and secure our obligations as soldiers,” said Brooklyn, N.Y. native, Pfc. Kareem Harrison, a combat engineer assigned to Company C, of the Centurion Battalion.

• Date Taken: 02.06.2012
• Date Posted: 02.11.2012 07:57
• Story ID: 83726
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW