Guard lends expertise to BSA Jamboree

Photo By Sgt. Zoe Morris | Members of the West Virginia National Guard, Boy Scouts of America, Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command and other agencies involved in the National Jamboree 2017 attend a Rehearsal of Concept drill in February. The Jamboree brings more then 40,000 people to the small West Virginian town, making it the third largest city in the state for one week in July.  

GLEN JEAN, WV, UNITED STATES

03.08.2017

Story by Sgt. Zoe Morris 

153rd Public Affairs Detachment

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. - Amid snow and freezing temperatures, members of the Joint Task Force - National Jamboree 2017 gathered at Glen Jean National Guard Armory Feb. 9th for a tabletop exercise and rehearsal of concept drill for the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree to be held at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in July.
In describing this summer’s Jamboree, “What we do is bring together 40,000 people … and we create a city in the matter of a week,” said Director of the Summit Bechtel Reserve Dan McCarthy. “It’s important for you to understand, we have all the challenges of a city of that magnitude. We’ll be the third largest city in the state, behind Charleston and Huntington. And it’s mostly populated by teenagers.”
The event’s success requires dedicated teamwork and planning, according to McCarthy. This is the second National Jamboree to be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, and the 2013 Jamboree was a success because of the hard work and cooperation of the Joint Interagency Task Force, WVNG and BSA.
A large part of the JTF-NSJ is the West Virginia National Guard. More than 1,400 military members from as many as eight states will be participating under the command of JTF- NSJ Commander Brig. Gen. Russell Crane. The task force supports the BSA in areas including medical, aviation, logistics, public affairs, security, ceremonies and exhibits and is comprised of National Guard, Reserve and active duty troops from all branches of service.
“The National Jamboree gives units with specialized skill sets the opportunity to practice their trade craft,” said Crane.
“We’re maximizing training dollars and experience by allowing Guard members to work in real situations,” he said. “Units are using annual training periods to work on real missions - what better way for our troops to train then to have a real-world project of this magnitude.”
Supporting the Jamboree fulfills the Joint Base West Virginia missions of leveraging West Virginia capability and ingenuity through a network of government and civilian assets as well as creating opportunities for men and women to live and raise their families while supporting a national function, said Crane.
In the Support Our Scouts Act of 2005, Congress mandated the Department of Defense support of the National Jamboree because, “Support for youth organization events simulates the preparation, logistics, and leadership required for defending our national security and preparing for combat.”
“The National Jamboree is a unique training event for the Armed Forces, as it requires the construction, maintenance and disassembly of a ‘tent city’ capable of supporting tens of thousands of people for a week or longer,” said Lt. Col. Melissa Shade, the WVNG state public affairs officer. “We are pleased to have the Summit Bechtel Reserve in our state, giving us the opportunity to be part of creating the BSA experience for tens of thousands of youth and adults.”
The Summit Bechtel Reserve will also host the 2019 World Jamboree, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This is the first time a WSJ will be held in North America since 1983, and the first time in the United States since 1967.
The West Virginia National Guard will once again have a key role, this time on the international level, according to Shade.
“This summer’s National Jamboree is an excellent springboard to propel us into 2019’s World Jamboree,” she said. “West Virginia has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome a generation of youth from around the world into our home.”
“I am proud to say that West Virginia stands ready, once again, to show the world our Soldiers and Airmen are capable of serving at an extraordinary level,” said Crane.

• Date Taken: 03.08.2017
• Date Posted: 03.08.2017 09:55
• Story ID: 226132
• Location: GLEN JEAN, WV, US