Chambersburg, PA -- U.S. Army reservists from the 826th Ordnance Company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, recently spent two weeks at Letterkenny Munitions Center (LEMC) to conduct training.
In June, approximately 30 reservists worked alongside their LEMC civilian counterparts to gain knowledge and hands-on experience associated with their Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). Additionally, two more rotations from the 826th Ordnance Company will cycle through training at LEMC through August bringing the training total to nearly 90 reservists.
"Our 89B's (Ammunition Specialists) rarely get an opportunity to handle or work with live ammunition due to the security limitations in peacetime. Coming to LEMC has provided our Soldiers with valuable hands-on training, side by the side the civilian workforce. They were even able to accommodate and provide training for our low density MOS's, such as 91B (wheeled vehicle mechanic) and 91J (quarter master and chemical equipment repairer), which is something we are rarely able to do," said SFC Bridgette Stine. "This mission has been indispensable to our overall training plan."
Lt. Lawrence Danhoff agrees.
"LEMC is a great opportunity for our Soldiers to be able to learn their MOS and to have hands-on training for their jobs. Working here has given us an opportunity to work on tasks that we wouldn't see anywhere else. The teams fully incorporated the Soldiers in their everyday tasks to help complete the overall mission," said Danhoff.
Reservists spend their two weeks of training rotating through seven different operations including shipping and receiving, blocking and bracing, inspection, missile and demilitarization operations. They were not only able to sharpen their knowledge and skills through this training, but to also work directly with LEMC as a team in support of U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command.
"This has been a great opportunity for the 826th, LEMC and the Army." said Lt. Col. Trenton J. Conner, commander of Letterkenny Munitions Center. "In discussions with the Soldiers, they were all excited about the opportunity they had to work hands-on with ammunition operations. Many have not had that opportunity in the past. This enhances not only their ability to do their MOS functions, but also provided additional labor to LEMC. Definitely a win-win situation. We look forward to hosting the other two platoons from the 826th in July and August."
LEMC has developed relationships and frequently partners with U.S. Army Reservists and National Guard Units to offer training opportunities to Soldiers. The training and experience, which would otherwise be inaccessible to the unit, is invaluable to the Soldiers.
"This partnership is essential to ensuring our Soldiers are adequately trained and ready to answer the call," said Stine.
LEMC is located on Letterkenny Army Depot and is a government owned, government operated installation. As the Army's East Coast Power Projection Platform for munitions, LEMC conducts regional and global distribution of munitions, provides missile maintenance, and conducts demilitarization of munitions for Joint Forces and international partner nations.
| Date Taken: |
07.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: |
11.17.2016 10:19 |
| Story ID: |
214892 |
| Location: |
CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: |
64 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Letterkenny Munitions Center Helps Reservists Sharpen Skillsets, by Natasia Kenosky, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
