Challenges? No Problem

Photo By Maj. Gretel Weiskopf | Staff Sgt. Tammy Tillman, a Trooper with the 525th Military Police Battalion working in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, observes the training being conducted for safety here, June 10, 2008, during a military police training exercise. Tillman works in the operations and training section for the 525th. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. The JTF conducts interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence in support of the Global War on Terror and supports law enforcement and war crimes investigations. JTF Guantanamo is committed to the safety and security of American service members and civilians working inside its detention facilities.  

07.11.2008

Story by Sgt. Gretel Weiskopf 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

By Gretel Sharpee
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Everything the Army does involves training - from individual skill training specific to a job to Army wide required training such as weapons qualification or an equal opportunity briefing. It's is all training Soldiers must complete on a regular basis to ensure mission readiness. But like anything in the Army, training has to be completed to standard and documented to standard otherwise it might be like it didn't happen at all. For one Non-Commissioned officer in Joint Task Force Guantanamo's 525th Military Police Battalion operations center, it is her job to make sure that training happens, and that it happens right.

"My mission is to support the line units," said Staff Sgt. Tammy Tillman, operations NCO, 525th. "[We] ensure training is being done. We're the operational portion of the battalion."

Tillman took on the position of operations NCO when arriving here after being desk sergeant at Ft. Knox, Ky.

"When I first got here I thought I would a guard," Tillman said. "Then I found I would be in the [operations] office and I was a little disappointed, but you have to try everything once to further your career on."

Tillman and the Soldiers in her office first identify training that needs to be completed and set out to contact the units to schedule the training. Once the training event has been scheduled, they also ensure the proper training tools are provided; such as power point presentations or range safeties when it is weapons qualification time.

"Our job is mostly a behind-the-scenes thing. We go out there when the training is going on to make sure they have the task conditions and standards and then come back to enter [the information] in," said Tillman.

Even though operations might be a behind-the-scenes job to Tillman, without it individual units would have to track their individual Soldiers' training on their own – taking away time that could have been spent completing their mission. In that respect Tillman and her office are not behind the scenes at all, but rather a major player in the battalion's overall effectiveness.

"Tillman is a self-starter who seeks out challenges and opportunities," said Sgt. Maj. Donald W. Troxler, Jr., 525th training and operations sergeant major. "She is a shining example of the warrior ethos, 'I will never quit and never accept defeat.' She accepted this mission a pay-grade above hers with enthusiasm, determination and a clear focus that we are all grateful to be a part of ... I expect only great things for her future."

• Date Taken: 07.11.2008
• Date Posted: 07.15.2008 14:21
• Story ID: 21513