Spc. Jennifer Fitts100th MPADCAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Muffled bangs echoed through the building while a high-pitched whine rose above Soldiers calling out for a hand here, or a bit of extra help there.Carpenters, electricians and pipe fitters from 1st Platoon, A Company, 92nd Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 36th Engineer Group, 3rd Infantry Division worked from the inside out to complete a building for the incoming 448th Civil Affairs Battalion. The building, started by Soldiers from 411th Engineer Brigade, a U.S. Army Reserve unit from New York, was originally designed to serve as a military police station. After the concrete foundation pad was poured, construction was taken over by C Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, of the Michigan Army National Guard. Soldiers from C. Co. completed the outer shell of the structure, including the outer walls, the roofing trusses and the metal roof. The MP unit never arrived in theater, so the interior of the building was never finished."Our deadline is July 15," said Staff Sgt. Angelica M. Erinna, from Brooklyn, N.Y., "And we'll make it with no problems."Erinna said meeting deadlines, and setting a high standard, is nothing new for 1st Platoon."People say "Oh, you're Alpha Company, you can do it," said Erinna, "You've done it before." With that attitude, 1st Plt. embodies the Corps of Engineers motto "Essayons", meaning "Let us try.""Everyone keeps the 1st Platoon machine going," said Platoon Leader 1st Lt. Corey L. Burns. "Our cohesion makes us one of the best platoons in the battalion."The 1st Plt. "machine" is made of up dedicated Corps of Engineers Soldiers working long days. Cross-training and civilian experience help round out the platoon's skills and capabilities.Spc. James F. Parker, a carpenter from Tahlequah, Okla., is one of the workhorses of the platoon. Parker owned a masonry company before joining the Army, and his experience contributes to the success of the mission. "This guy, he's a hard worker," Erinna said. During the recent construction of a brigade-sized South East Asia hut, Erinna credits Parker with helping complete 45 percent of the project, including framing, plywood sheeting on the exterior walls, and the metal roofing."I know how things should go, so I'm more efficient," Parker said."My family's always done it (construction) for as long as I can remember," he added, "but I always wanted to join the Army, to give it a shot."During this, his third overall deployment and his second to Iraq, Parker admits that being in the Army has had its ups and downs, but that the benefits have been good for his family.Financial benefits aren't the only reasons Soldiers from 1st Plt. enjoy their construction jobs.For Erinna, the best part of the job is teaching Soldiers. "It (this job) instills in Soldiers that they can do anything if they put their minds to it," she said, "They pick up skills that will help them.""The cross-training is the best part," said Pfc. Bryan K. Sherrad, from Cincinnati, Ohio. "Those skills will help me out in the future." Sherrad, cross trained on electrical installation during the construction of the new civil affairs building, supplementing his skills as a carpenter."My civilian experience helps teach less-experienced Soldiers," said Pfc. Anibao D. Santiago, a former journeyman carpenter from Philadelphia.A pipe-fitter on his third deployment, Sgt. Lavar L. Dorsey, from Washington D.C, helped install some of the indoor plumbing as well as cross-training on other skills such as carpentry and electrical work.Although he got to do a lot of plumbing on previous deployments, the sheer number of outdoor latrines and bathroom trailers makes installation of true indoor plumbing rare on Camp Liberty.Burns, of Lawton, Okla., gives all the credit of the platoon's mission success to his non commissioned officers and Soldiers. "It's easy (to exceed the standard) when you've got good NCOs," said Burns, "And my NCOs are experts in their crafts."Visiting Camp Liberty on June 27, Lt. Gen. Carl A. Strock, commanding general of the Corps of Engineers said that the dedication and hard work shown by the Soldiers of 1st Plt. is nothing less than what he has come to expect from the Engineer Corps."Everything I see here is typical of our regiment," Strock said. "No matter what job we have to do, even if it's not in our job description, we find a way to get it done," he said.Burns echoed Strock's praise. "With a hammer and a nail, we can build a whole new nation," he said. "Thank God for the Corps of Engineers."
| Date Taken: | 07.08.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2005 16:12 |
| Story ID: | 2335 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 9 |
This work, Engineers use teamwork, sweat to get job done, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
