Reserve Soldiers first step of Joint Warfighting Assessment

Photo By Master Sgt. Ryan Matson | U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Austin Moe, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist from Cambridge, Minnesota, with the 457th Transportation Battalion, helps in-process some British soldiers from the 1st Armored Infantry Brigade at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 24, 2018. Moe personally took part in the in-processing of nearly every participant in the Joint Warfighting Assessment, a multi-national training event that provides the Army a venue to achieve training readiness, future force development, and interoperability in a resource constrained environment. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Ryan C. Matson)  

GRAFENWOEHR, GERMANY

04.27.2018

Story by 1st Sgt. Ryan Matson 

372nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

The JWA is a multi-national training assessment in which components of the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, Navy, and Air Force, along with members of the Canadian, French, German, Danish, Italian, Australian, New Zealand, and Spanish armed forces train together to improve readiness, future force development, and interoperability.
Before testing their battle skills at training areas in Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels, Germany, troops first meet Army Reserve Soldiers of the 687th, who in-process the incoming participants and handle their logistical needs.
“We are providing real-world life support for the units participating in the exercise,” explained Command Sgt. Major Shawn T. Berry, a senior armor crewman from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and command sergeant major of the 687th. “This includes housing, food, and logistical support such as coordinating fuel support, contractor support, and maintenance of the living and working facilities.”
The process begins with a welcome brief in which Berry personally addresses all exercise participants and instructs them on some safety and cultural considerations to observe during their time in Germany.
The in-processing team, which includes members of the U.S. Air Force, makes sure participants have the proper paperwork and clearances to do their jobs during the exercise.
Spc. Austin Moe, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist from Cambridge, Minnesota, has aided the in-processing of nearly every member of the JWA. Though the exercise officially kicked off April 16, Moe has in-processed between 3,000 to 3,500 Soldiers, civilians and contractors since March.
For Moe, the personal connections he has made with people from around the world has been the biggest bonus of being a part of the 687th team.
“I’ve got to at least have a mini-conversation with just about every person in the exercise,” Moe said. “It’s been a really great experience for me because I’ve got to work with a lot of our … allies and actually build relationships with these people. I’ve got to get to know them and learn some of the intricate workings of how their countries do things.”
He added, “It’s been a phenomenal learning experience, and one of my favorite experiences I’ve had in the Army. This is my first time out of the United States, and it’s been amazing to have contact with them.”

• Date Taken: 04.27.2018
• Date Posted: 04.27.2018 06:57
• Story ID: 274742
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, DE
• Hometown: WAUSAU, WI, US