Self-help allows Army to 'do it themself'

Photo By Michael Mascari | Soldiers from the 511th Engineer Dive Detachment prepare to remove slings from a concrete pier being removed from the water. The active duty unit removed a dozen 10,000 pound pilings at the reserve center as part of a Troop Construction project, saving the Army money while performing real world training.  

MOREHEAD CITY, NC, UNITED STATES

03.08.2016

Story by Michael Mascari 

81st Readiness Division

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. - A recent partnership between the 81st Regional Support Command (RSC) and an active duty Engineer unit provided a successful launch of the Command’s new Self-Help and Troop Construction initiative at the Morehead City, North Carolina, Army Reserve Center pier.

The 511th Engineer Company from Fort Eustis, Va., removed wood and concrete pilings from the dock area, using the project to train and prepare its Soldiers for deployment and kicking the initiative into high gear.
The purpose of the initiative is to address maintenance projects at Army Reserve centers, while improving Soldier readiness and providing a cost savings to the Army.

“Troop Construction allows army engineers to train on METL [mission essential task list] tasks and to perform work outside of their normal scope that they don’t normally get the chance to work on” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Zimmerman, Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Operations warrant officer for the 81st RSC.

“During annual training most plumbers and electricians cross train completing carpentry and masonry jobs; plumbers can’t work on plumbing. The end result of the program is they become more proficient at their MOS [military occupation specialty] and provide more value to the Army.”

The program was in existence in the past, but has been revamped by the DPW staff in coordination with the other RSCs. The 81st RSC reviews and approves projects, and inspects them during the construction phase. Zimmerman works with the requesting unit to develop scope of work and reviews the plans prior to gaining DPW approval.

While the project is being worked, Zimmerman will do quality control to ensure the work is done to appropriate standards and compliance with national building codes. The RSC works with the other DPW warrant officers to align the program and jobs as best they can.

“As Army Reserve centers age beyond their intended lifespan, sustainment requirements increase. At the same time, budgets for sustainment, restoration and maintenance [SRM] are tightening, creating more requirements than resources,” said Col. Sean McDonald, 81st RSC Director of Public Works. “Self-Help and Troop Construction Projects give Soldiers the opportunity to complete low-priority projects that would otherwise wait years for funding.”

These projects are lower budget, smaller projects that generally last less than one week. The DPW is the final approving authority. Anyone can propose a project, but the RSC will determine what the appropriate capabilities of the units are and decide whether or not to approve the work. The project at the Morehead City Army Reserve Center saved the RSC $68,000.

“Self-Help saves the Army money on hiring contractors to do work Soldiers could perform,” said Zimmerman. “The engineers are there on drill weekend, getting paid. Why not have them perform their trades and improve readiness while they are there?”

• Date Taken: 03.08.2016
• Date Posted: 03.23.2016 09:13
• Story ID: 193177
• Location: MOREHEAD CITY, NC, US
• Hometown: COLUMBIA, SC, US
• Hometown: FORT JACKSON, SC, US