Photo By Sgt. Marcus Floyd | Staff Sgt. Marcus Carr Sr. and Pfc. Milton Shelton, supply clerks with Headquarters...... read more read more
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CAMP KONOTOP, Poland — Heading out at 4 a.m., Staff Sgt. Marcus Carr Sr. and his supply team put on their gear and jump in their tactical vehicle to deliver breakfast to the Soldiers in the field.
Although chow doesn't start for two more hours, Carr is adamant about getting the food to its destination on time.
“When I first came in the Army, I had a first sergeant and a commander who would ride me constantly making sure the soldiers were fed on time,” said Carr, a unit supply sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “When I was younger I didn't understand it, but as I got older I understood that if a Soldier is not fed on time, the Soldier cannot complete the mission.”
Learning from past experience, the supply team brings Carr's “mission first” mindset to their efforts in Poland during Atlantic Resolve.
Responsible for more than delivering food, the supply team duties include providing their company with everything needed to accomplish the mission such as supplies, expendable and repair materials, and building maintenance throughout their unit’s area of operation.
“If it's not on time the whole mission is delayed,” said Carr. “That's why I feel we are the backbone behind every mission.”
In this case, that mission is Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between NATO allies.
However, that mission hasn't been without its logistical challenges. Armed with a government purchase card, the team is authorized to make on the spot purchases in the local economy. Sometimes it is not so easy to find to right equipment and material.
In keeping with the goals of Atlantic Resolve to work with NATO allies, the team was able to find a solution to the problem.
“We just make it happen,” Carr said. “We have our friends, the French, Polish and Canadians, and we do whatever it takes to help them, and in return they help us.”
For the supply team, Atlantic Resolve has not only been an opportunity to work with NATO allies but has also allowed Carr's soldiers to gain invaluable experience.
“The whole time we've been out here I've done just about everything a supply guy can do,” said Pfc. Milton Shelton, a unit supply specialist. “I'm knees-deep in lateral (equipment) transfers, (financial liability investigations for property loss), everything in regards to my job.”
Shelton, fueled with excitement from his experiences at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, takes every challenge in stride.
To prepare for the mission to Poland, the supply team transferred equipment from another unit, and although the process would normally be lengthy, they managed to accomplish the goal in about a week.
“It's not challenging. You just rise to the occasion,” he said. “You don't really have time to dwell on challenges. You just have to do the job.”
Responsible for a company's worth of equipment, Shelton rose to the occasion and experienced a side of the Army supply system many junior-enlisted Soldiers rarely get to experience.
“Most soldiers don't get that kind of experience especially fresh out of AIT (Advanced Individual Training), said Carr. “So these guys will have first-hand experience with just about everything you can encounter.”
By coming to Poland for Atlantic Resolve, Carr's Soldiers learn more first-hand than they normally would back at Fort Stewart.
“It's been good, fun, long and I'm ready to go home,” said Spc. Tiereef Kales, jokingly. Kales is another supply specialist assigned to the unit. “We can learn more out here, we have more time out here.”
Kales and Shelton have explored many different aspects of the supply world, including inventories, investigations and the new Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss system.
“It makes me feel good because I know I have poured everything I was supposed to pour into that Soldier,” said Carr. “It makes me feel good also knowing that if I leave here right now, that Soldier can step in my shoes and wear them well.”
Although his chain of command shows their appreciation for his hard work, getting the chance to improve his skills is reward enough Shelton said.
“I'm glad I'm getting to learn all the stuff I'm learning,” said Shelton. “I'm glad I'm getting to do everything I'm doing because it's going to make me a better noncommissioned officer.”
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2015 08:08 |
| Story ID: | 165049 |
| Location: | CAMP KONOTOP, PL |
| Hometown: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 134 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Keeping the mission going: A supply guy's perspective, by SGT Marcus Floyd, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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