Photo By Staff Sgt. Tina Villalobos | Spc. Aisha McCray guides Spc. Charles Cousin during container loading operations at...... read more read more
MILITARY OCEAN TERMINAL CONCORD, Calif. - Soldiers of the 441st Transportation Company (Seaport Operations) of New Orleans, Louisiana, provided logistical support and transportation services to more than 750 Army Reserve Soldiers involved in the Army Reserve "Big Logistics-Over-The-Shore, West" exercise on Military Ocean Terminal Concord, California, July 25-Aug. 7.
The 441st Transportation Company is one of only five units of its kind in the United States.
“What makes this such a remarkable unit is that we basically transfer any type of material, whether that be munitions, supplies, or just central equipment, from the Navy over to land-based units,” said 2nd Lt. Xavier Galvez, 441st operations officer.
Army training pays dividends for citizen Soldiers in the civilian world as well.
“In my civilian job, I use cranes and bulldozers and that type of equipment all the time,” said Spc. Aisha McCray. “I learned all of these skills from the Army, and that gave me the qualifications needed to get a civilian job. It just so happened that what I learned in the Army tied into the job that came available. I have been doing my civilian job for about three and a half years, and have been a member of this unit for four years.”
According to the Military-to-Civilian Occupation translator section on the U.S. Department of Labor's Career OneStop web site, McCray is not alone in being able to use her Army training to qualify for civilian work. The website equates military occupational specialties into civilian job fields. Although the website is geared toward transitioning service members, Army Reservists can use the site to their advantage by learning how their military occupational specialty relates to civilian employment opportunities.
McCray expressed appreciation for her unit, “I love my unit. Our work ethic is good, especially once we get in that groove and re-familiarize ourselves with the equipment. Everything else falls into place and we are like a well-oiled machine. Our leadership is strong, and everybody plays their part. That’s really what counts.”
Staff Sgt. Barrett Breaux, noncommissioned officer in charge of crane operations, expressed faith in the abilities of his troops and doted on their resilience.
“We have done this type of operation many times before. We work with equipment coming by sea, by land — regardless of how it comes; we can get the job done,” said Breaux. “One thing that I love about my Soldiers is that they’re flexible. Nobody complains. We find ways to motivate one another. We are a good team.”
Spc. Charles Cousin, 441st crane operator, agreed, “I love this unit, it is kind of like a family — whenever there’s a problem, you can talk to somebody, and they’ll help you get it taken care of.
“What we are doing is a main element of the Big Logistics Over the Sea – West exercise, because we’re actually the unit moving the cargo,” he added. “We are probably one of the best units to get things done for you. To explain what we’re doing, imagine you find the biggest ship possible and see all of the containers on them — we then unload them and put them on the ground.”
Confidence, camaraderie and teamwork are strong elements among the Soldiers of the 441st Transportation Company.
“We are the wheels; we make everything keep moving for the Big Logistics over the Sea – West, operation,” said Galvez. “I can’t stress enough that the best part of this unit is its enlisted Soldiers. They’re essentially living up to their reputation as the backbone of the Army.”
| Date Taken: | 08.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2015 23:55 |
| Story ID: | 171901 |
| Location: | MILITARY OCEAN TERMINAL CONCORD, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 292 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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