21st Century Sustainment Training

BELL, CA, UNITED STATES

11.22.2014

Story by Spc. Matthew Dixon 

79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

BELL, Calif. - For Annual Training this year, Soldiers from the 40th Brigade Support Battalion had a reprieve from the stifling heat and blinding dust of Camp Roberts and Fort Irwin, Calif. and instead braved the bitter cold and wet snowy grounds of Camp Dodge, Iowa.

Companies Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, as well as Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) spent two weeks at the Sustainment Training Center (STC), at Camp Dodge working and learning in pharmacies, on flight lines, and in classrooms. From Nov. 8 to 21, 2014, these Soldiers had at their disposal state-of-the-art equipment and 269 of the National Guard’s most knowledgeable trainers.

“When I took command a year-and-a-half ago, I challenged this battalion to think outside the box when it came to building MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) proficiency,” said Lt. Col. Caroline Morales, 40th BSB Commander. “Giving our Soldiers access to this new technology is invaluable to reaching that goal.”

One of the most important of these new cutting-edge assets that the STC offers is the new Global Combat Support System (GCSS). GCSS-Army is a tactical unit logistics and financial system for the U.S. Army. GCSS-Army is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that tracks supplies, spare parts, and organizational equipment. This system has just received the green light to start integration in December 2012. The STC is one of the first installations to receive this new system. GCSS-Army will replace the outdated Standard Army Retail Supply System (SARSS) by the end of the 2015 calendar year.

For the 40th BSB’s Water Purification Specialists (92W), one challenge that no high-tech gadget can counter was the frigid temperatures of an early winter in Iowa. The Tactical Water Purification System (TWPS) used by these Soldiers cannot withstand being operated outside for an extended period of time due to the possibility of the pipes freezing. They were also tested on all aspects of what they were taught. Hands-on training coupled with classroom instruction informed and prepared Soldiers to adapt and overcome. Some key instruction included chemical testing, adding chemicals for purification and cold-weather operations.

“It was a great experience,” said Spc. Timothy Norris, a 92W from Alpha Co. “The training we received left me feeling very confident that we all understood the lessons and could perform the tasks we were trained for.”

For some of the Soldiers, especially ones who just recently completed Advanced Individual Training (AIT), it was more of a refresher than an introduction.

“I feel that having just graduated AIT helped me shine a little bit,” said Pfc. Robbie Ann Clough, a fueler with A-Co.

Clough said that her favorite experience was hot refueling a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, but added that the cold temperatures were especially brutal since fuelers cannot wear too much cold weather gear, an option that most Soldiers working outside in the same conditions would have, due to the dangers of static electricity around the gasoline.

For some of the section sergeants and other noncommissioned officers of the 40th BSB this was a chance to see what the junior personnel could do when faced with real world situations and obstacles. Most of what these Soldiers were trained on they were also evaluated on as well.

“This was a huge stepping stone for my Soldiers, for all of us,” said Sgt. Fernando Martinez, a track vehicle repairer (91H), from Bravo Co. “I’ve seen them make decisions, follow instruction, and use their skills to complete the mission as a team. After this training I can honestly say I am very confident in my teams ability to do their jobs.”

Seeing the job through from phase one until completion was a theme stressed to the student Soldiers. They had the opportunity to work with and get familiarized with often-overlooked resources, such as essential logistic paperwork and forklift certifications. The instructors left no stone unturned when it came to ensuring these Soldiers retained the knowledge.

“The staff at STC really knew their stuff. It was great to have the opportunity to exploit the resources we had while we were there,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Danahy, an ammunitions specialist with Bravo Co.

The Soldiers of the 40th BSB represented California proudly during their stay at Camp Dodge. Danahy impressed his instructors so much that he was offered a three-year Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) position at the STC.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2014
• Date Posted: 05.02.2015 13:17
• Story ID: 162039
• Location: BELL, CA, US