Courtesy Photo | Students in the 89B Ammunition Supply Course, taught by the 13th Battalion, 100th...... read more read more
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Twenty Soldiers became new “89-Bravos” after completing training in the 89B10 Ammunition Supply Course (ASC) with the 13th Battalion, 100th (13th, 100th) Regiment at Fort McCoy in January and February.
The four-week course provided training for Soldiers who are reclassifying to the 89B military occupational specialty (MOS) — a specialty that’s in high demand throughout the Army. By Army definition, ammunition supply specialists are “Soldiers responsible for the management of ordnance to include ammunition and explosives.”
Soldiers who are 89B-qualified are tasked with receiving, storing, and issuing conventional ammunition, guided missiles, large rockets, explosives, and other ammunition and explosive-related items. During the two phases of the course, the students learn all of the entry-level basics about the course, said course manager Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Dobitz.
Phase one focuses on basic work, such as ammunition and equipment familiarization, paperwork procedures, and demolitions training, Dobitz said. Phase two includes more hands-on training, such as equipment operation and use of the Palletized Load System. Upon successful completion of both phases of the course, students are awarded the 89B MOS.
Other critical skills gained by students include learning how to identify, package, store, and ship all types of ammunition. The students also become familiarized with various types of equipment that's typically associated with the 89B field, such as extreme terrain, 10,000-pound capable forklifts as well as military trucks capable of hauling ammunition.
“Some of the best parts of this course is the hands-on training,” said Staff Sgt. John Abelon with the 163rd Ordnance Company at Tustin, Calif. “And through this course, I am better able to know how to reference a field manual, technical manual, and Army forms, which I can show future (ammunition supply Soldiers) before they go to school (for training).”
Student Staff Sgt. Dominique Womack-Detrick with the 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion said the training helped her hone her attention to detail and sharpen skills in many areas.
“This course helped by develop my skills as an NCO (noncommissioned officer),” Womack-Detrick said. “Also, when my unit goes to the range, I have that better understanding of how the ammunition operations work.”
For Spc. Mark Pulver with the 592nd Ordnance Company in Billings, Mont., being a student gave him an entire new appreciation for how Soldiers receive their ammunition.
“Having served and deployed as an infantryman with practical experience using the ammunition covered during the course, this training has given me a greater understanding … of where ammo, pyrotechnics, grenades, missiles, and rockets start the journey to being issued and used by the Soldier in the field,” Pulver said.
ASC instructor Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy VanStreain said it’s a privilege to share his experience with the students.
“I like being able to pass down my knowledge and experience as an ammunition specialist to Soldiers interested in this field,” VanStreain said. “I’ve had great instructors in the past, and I would like to be able to make a positive impact with these students’ careers just as my past instructors have made a positive impact on my career.”
This class of students is one of many for fiscal year 2018 by the 13th, 100th. The unit also teaches the 89B Senior Leader Course, Advanced Leadership Course, and courses for the 89A ammunition stock control and accounting specialist MOS. Teaching all of these courses is an expansion of training from two years ago.
“This training expansion is a big deal for us and for Fort McCoy,” Dobitz said. “This expansion is an effort that started about five years ago and was approved in the past two years by the Army. Now, every Soldier in the Army who is reclassifying into the 89B MOS trains here at Fort McCoy. All new Soldiers will continue to complete the 89B advanced individual training at Fort Lee (Va.).”
The 13th, 100th is an ordnance battalion that provides training and training support to Soldiers in the ordnance maintenance MOS series. The unit, aligned under the 3rd Brigade, 94th Division of the 80th Training Command, has been at Fort McCoy since about 1995.
Fort McCoy has supported America’s armed forces since 1909. The installation’s motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.” The post’s varied terrain, state-of-the-art ranges, new as well as renovated facilities, and extensive support infrastructure combine to provide military personnel with an environment in which to develop and sustain the skills necessary for mission success.
Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”
| Date Taken: | 02.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.14.2018 11:12 |
| Story ID: | 266000 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 365 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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