FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Food service subject matter experts with the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) trained Airborne National Guard Soldiers on field feeding operations for their annual training June 3 to 10 here.
The 1st TSC augmented 3rd Special Forces Group with food service personnel to facilitate the training for the 197th Special Troops Company out of Utah, and the 195th Forward Support Company out of Nebraska.
The exercise was conducted as a two-phase operation. The first phase consisted of on-site support for a Water Purification team located at Motte Lake. The second phase included providing breakfast and dinner Unitized Group Ration meals for two units out of a Mobile Kitchen Trailer, said Chief Warrant Officer 4 William A. Duff, 1st TSC Senior Command Food Service Technician.
During the exercise Soldiers were able to gain hands on training with the field equipment provided by 3rd SFG. Training included cooking out of a Mobile Kitchen Trailer, field sanitation, and general maintenance of equipment.
Sgt. Rachel Thomas described the training as being more enjoyable because it was hands on. Soldiers are able to retain the knowledge a lot better because they are working with the equipment instead of sitting through a presentation, she said.
The 1st TSC was able to train a total of ten Soldiers from both National Guard units, and fed approximately 143 personnel during the exercise.
During the initial planning phase the 1st TSC became involved due to the shortage of personnel with the 3rd SFG. The food service team accepted the opportunity to help train and provide assistance through collaborative efforts, said CW4 Duff.
Training and development of other organizations are one of the strategic priorities for the 1st TSC.
“This training gave the National Guard units insight to what we as Active Duty Soldiers do in the field” said Sgt. Rachel Thomas, a culinary non-commissioned officer with the 1st TSC. “This training was also great practice for me when it came to mentoring and giving classes to Soldiers.”
Soldiers also learned the importance of working together as a team to accomplish the mission. With the unfamiliarity of some of the equipment and the strenuous conditions, team work was vital for success.
“During the exercise when things became frantic, we all came together and it was no longer about unit, rank, or component,” said Thomas. “We all became one team and made it happen.”
(The 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) provides command and control of Army deployment and sustainment operations conducted in support of joint and multinational operations across the range of military operations. With its headquarters at Fort Bragg, the 1st TSC provides and manages sustainment operations at bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt and Afghanistan. For more information go to: http://www.bragg.army.mil/1stTSC/Pages/default.aspx, or visit us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/1stTheaterSustainmentCommand )