Photo By Staff Sgt. Fatima Konteh | U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, 349th Combat Support Hospital, Alpha Company, Bell,...... read more read more
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif., June 17, 2016 – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 349th Combat Support Hospital (CSH), Alpha Company, Bell, California, have spent months preparing the unit at all levels for annual training and take their mission of supporting Soldiers seriously as part of Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 91-16-02, Fort Hunter Liggett, California.
As the largest U.S. Army Reserve training exercise, CSTX 91-16-02 provides Soldiers with unique opportunities to sharpen their technical and tactical skills in combat-like conditions. The 349th CSH is comprised of three companies: Headquarters and Headquarters Co. (HHC), Alpha Co. and Bravo Co. Most of the personnel on the ground come from Alpha Co., while Bravo Co. has the most equipment, and they provide support. The Soldiers from Alpha Co. are responsible for seamlessly coordinating equipment, food and lodging for units in their area of operations.
“So far it has been interesting to be here as a lower enlisted Soldier because I'm the only logistic representative for my company,” said Spc. Francisco Sibrian, acting noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC), originally from Los Angeles. “I've received great support from the other sections.”
Sibrian is an experienced Soldier, having deployed to Iraq and shortly after to Joint Task Force Guantanamo in Cuba.
“I am motivated by the CSH staff and their willingness to pass down knowledge to their subordinates,” said Sibrian. “At all levels, it is always a learning opportunity.”
Sibrian's role as the acting NCOIC is key to consolidating information and reporting personnel statistics to the higher command. That doesn't mean he won't roll up his sleeves to do hands-on work though, especially at the start of CSTX 91-16-02 when the unit spent the first two days setting up tents that serve as the CSH.
“From day one, everyone is a worker, regardless of whether you're a full-bird colonel or the most junior enlisted Soldier. We're all a team,” Sibrian said. “That has always been our stance as a CSH. We support each other.”
His team is made up of nutrition care specialists and medical and logistical personnel. The culinary team begins preparing breakfast meals at 3 a.m. and works until 10 p.m. most nights.
“The culinary Soldiers have been outstanding with the food,” said Sibrain. “I've been doing this for quite some time, and every day I look forward to what I'm going to eat next. They've been doing a great job.”
A typical day for Sibrian as the acting NCOIC begins at 6 a.m., making sure his section is fed and individual tasks are assigned. At 8 a.m. he reports to the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and constantly communicates with his section throughout the day to keep everyone up to date on the missions. Noon to 2 p.m. is designated as a mandatory break period so the Soldiers can eat and recharge. After the break, he finalizes any additional tasks the team may have and logs the missions that have been completed. The day always concludes with Sibrian meeting with his team and conducting an after action review.
This is Sibrian's first time participating in a CSTX with a CSH, and he says this is a great way for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers to work as a team with other units and to practice their techniques and processes in an environment that is as close to real-world combat as possible.
“My leadership has given me great support, and I look forward to continually building on our relationship – not only as a unit, but as a collective fighting force in the Army Reserve,” said Sibrian.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2016 14:40 |
| Story ID: | 202131 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 448 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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