1038th Horizontal Construction Company Soldiers, Now Troop the Trainer

Courtesy Photo | A Ugandan sergeant prepares to turn formation over to 1st Lt. White for daily instructions.  

BALAD, IRAQ

10.10.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Spc. Nikki Nestell
1038th Horizontal Construction Company

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - In the past few weeks, the 1038th Horizontal Construction Company Soldiers have been busy training new Soldiers. Not just any Soldiers through, Ugandan soldiers.

"This is a hard, but rewarding mission," says Sgt. Michael Sherman of St. Louis, Mo.

These Ugandan soldiers are being taught everything that most of us graduated training and doctrine command knowing. Things from what "roger" means to a 9-Line medical evacuation report. Spc. Kefton Brown, of Harrisburg, Ark., said, "I know the Ugandans are going to be able to do this mission without any doubt in my mind." This is a difficult task for any Soldier. As 1st Lt. J.W. White, a platoon leader with the 1038th, and native of Maynard, Ark., explained "It requires time, effort, immense amounts of energy, and tons of patience to train these new troops."

Let's not forget the language barriers. The Ugandan soldiers are taught English in school. However, it has been quite a long time since most of them have been in a classroom. Spc John Mclawhorn, from Cabot, Ark., describes, "While they are leaning English, I'm learning Ugandan. It's very interesting to learn a new language and we have fun doing it."

"The 1038th Soldiers have had a lot on their plates lately," explains Sgt. 1st Class Jessie Parsons, a platoon sergeant form Cabot, Ark. When the Soldiers finish with the 8-10 hour day, they come back to the barracks, ground gear, and take classes on training new and foreign Soldiers (classes lasting up to 4 hours). Now, the Soldiers work a 12 hour shift, training Ugandan soldiers all day, and then reside to the barracks to talk about the progress the Ugandan soldiers have made. "The soldiers [Ugandan] have had to take on a lot and run with it. I think they are right on track," said Staff Sgt. Jamie Donaldson, a force protection guard for Castle Gate towers, hailing from Campbell, Mo.

It's a hard day at work for the 1038th HCC Soldiers, but it seems to be rewarding. Many of the 1038th HCC Soldiers have never trained others before, much less someone from a different country. None the less, morale is higher than ever and the troops are here to stick it out. The 1038th Soldiers are very motivated and dedicated to ensure that every Ugandan soldier sets the standard so that all of us can sleep safely at night.

• Date Taken: 10.10.2008
• Date Posted: 10.10.2008 05:06
• Story ID: 24780
• Location: BALAD, IQ