From 'A' to 'CD': 3-347th Training Support Battalion concludes year long mobilization

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Carkeet IV | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeremy P. Hall, commander, 3-347th Training Support Battalion, 5th Armored Brigade, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Ward, command sergeant major, 3-347th TSBN, 5th Armored BDE, switch each other's patches from First Army's "Big A" to the 85th Infantry Division's "Custer Division" during a Transfer of Authority ceremony conducted July 16, 2021, at Ft. Bliss, Texas. More than 50 Soldiers from the 3-347th TSBN mobilized to Ft. Bliss August 2020 to support 5th Armored Brigade's mobilization and demobilization missions. Together with its active duty units civilian enterprise partners, and U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from three sister battalions, the 3-347th trained, planned and coordinated pre- and post-mobilization tasks for more than 30,000 service members, government contractors and Department of Defense civilians. The 3-347th dedicated its waning weeks of its 12-month mobilization to train its replacements from the 2-345th TSBN, 177th Armored Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, 3-347th TSBN  

FT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

07.16.2021

Story by Staff Sgt. John Carkeet IV 

177th Armored Brigade

FT. BLISS, Texas - “Brigade, attention!”

Heels clicked and fabric fasteners ripped as commanders and command sergeants major from four task forces tore off the First Army patch from their sleeves and replaced it with the patch from their respective Army Reserve divisions. The action signified the conclusion of a year-long mobilization for four battalions; among them the 3-347th Training Support Battalion, more commonly known throughout Ft. Bliss as Task Force Stinger. Now showcasing the “Custer Division” patch of the 85th Infantry Division rather than First Army's “Big A” counterpart, Task Force Stinger's commander and command sergeant major stepped aside to allow the incoming leaders from the 2-345th TSBN to unfurl their colors and pick up where the 3-347th left off.

The patch exchange was one of several traditions enacted during a Transfer of Authority ceremony conducted July 16, 2021, at Soldier Hall in Ft. Bliss, Texas. After 12 months of supporting 5th Armored Brigade's mobilization and demobilization missions, more than 50 Soldiers from the 3-347th TSBN could officially step down from their positions and pass their roles and responsibilities to members of four incoming Army Reserve battalions.

U.S. Army Col. James A. Moyes, commander, 5th Armored Brigade, congratulated the outgoing task forces for managing a complex network of operations that support and synchronize mobilization training and demobilization processes for tens and thousands of service members from dozens of Army National Guard and Army Reserve units.

“This Transfer of Authority represents the continuous mission of the Dagger Brigade and highlights the strategic impacts that these Soldiers and leaders have made to our nation over the past year,” Moyes said during his address to the hundreds of Soldiers gathered in the theater. “This mission is one of the most noble and definitely most critical to our nation's ability to defend our way of our life.”

According to Moyes, the four task forces present on stage that day helped more than 30,000 Soldiers prepare to deploy to dozens of countries across the globe. From Arizona to Afghanistan, these deployed Soldiers can accomplish a variety of tasks and missions thanks to the realistic training they received from Army Reserve units serving under 5th Armored Brigade.

“As our Army undergoes the modernization of our the equipment, training and doctrine, our mission in Ft. Bliss becomes more important,” said Moyes. “Over the next two years, our nation will turn to us for the training and enabling these units as they shoulder that strategic load.”

This “strategic load” also fell on the backs of Soldiers assigned to Task Force Stinger as they facilitated travel, lodging, medical care and administrative processing for dozens of units returning to their home stations.

“A majority of [Task Force] Stinger Soldiers served on the demobilization side of 5th Armored Brigade's primary mission,” said U.S. Army Maj. Adrian D. Spears, Demobilization Officer-in-Charge, 3-347th TSBN, 5th Armored BDE. “Together with our counterparts from the 647th Regional Support Group and civilian enterprise partners, more than 27,500 Soldiers cleared all medical, legal, and financial stations before returning home and reuniting with their families.

Spears and his team worked directly with demobilizing units about four months prior to their arrival to Ft. Bliss. Through teleconferences among the units and Ft. Bliss' enterprise partners, Task Force Stinger's demobilization team could identify and resolve issues that could potentially hinder the demobilization process.

“We assigned a liaison officer to every unit,” said Spears. “These LNOs understood the specific requirements for their respective units, and they relayed those needs to the a timely manner to the most relevant parties to minimize delay and maximize cooperation.

Each LNO remained attached to the unit the moment its Soldiers disembarked from the plane. As these units acquired linen, turned in weapons, attended appointments and completed documentation, LNOs stood by to answer questions and assist individual service members.

“A positive experience in [the demobilization] process hinges on excellent customer service and communication skills,” said Spears. “I couldn't be more proud of my team for consistently demonstrating those essential qualities, especially during unpleasant situations where circumstances were beyond our control.”

To fulfill 5th Armored Brigade's myriad missions, about a third of approximately 60 Soldiers who mobilized to Ft. Bliss in August 2020 were integrated into the brigade's headquarters company or various task forces. Several Stinger Battalion Soldiers such as Maj. Shawn P. Frazin managed the constant flow of information through the brigade's Tactical Actions Center (TAC).

“The TAC functions as a central knowledge and operation center for training missions and validation events for Reserve Training Units,” said Frazin, TAC chief of operations, 5th Armored BDE. Our team of 12 Soldiers maintained 24-hour coverage while facilitating the mobilization of approximately 24,000 service members.”

The TAC also mitigated the spread of the coronavirus by synchronizing COVID-19 quarantine operations.

“In the last 11 months, our team monitored about 1,500 COVID positive cases,” said Frazin. “We helped fine tune testing and quarantine procedures to further reduce the risk of outbreaks while enhancing First Army's medical capabilities so that every Soldier under its care recover from the virus and return to duty with a clean bill of health.”

While most of Task Force Stinger worked in a demobilization capacity, a handful applied their expertise as instructors. Two Stinger Soldiers served as senior trainers for CONUS (Continental United States) Replacement Center 9, also known as Task Force Viper. The pair led a team of subject matter experts trained more than 4,500 contractors, service members and Department of Defense civilians preparing for various overseas deployments.

“Our team of CRC trainers executed 84 training events that emulate what personnel may encounter while supporting various contingency operations across the globe,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Chantall V. Macias, senior trainer, CRC 9. “We prioritized 23 mission essential tasks across 21 two-week training cycles. These tasks encompassed combat tactical care, egress rollover simulations, counter [improvised explosive device] scenarios and other techniques and tactics that could potentially save lives downrange.”

Macias and her team also supervised the health and wellness of their trainees. They conducted more than 8,000 COVID Rapids Tests and enforced mask protocols and social distancing practices.

“Even in a midst of a pandemic, we couldn't afford to cut back on this crucial, 24/7 operation,” explained Macias. “Taking all necessary precautions to prevent a COVID outbreak was paramount to the success of our mission as well as the missions of multiple theaters that depended on our ability to train incoming civilians and service members in a timely manner.”

The brigade's need to mobilize and demobilize tens of thousands of service members every year required constant repairs and renovations to its equipment and facilities. Thanks to the diverse military education and civilian experience possessed by Task Force Stinger's warrior citizens, the brigade boasted many Army Reserve Soldiers with the expertise to oversee various engineering projects.

“My team and I assisted in developing a $150 million infrastructure improvement plan to transform Ft. Bliss' training sites into a [Mobilization Force Generation Installation] center of excellence,” said U.S. Army Capt. Kristen J. Hewitt, brigade engineering officer, 3-347th TSBN, 5th Armored BDE. We also conducted maintenance on equipment crucial to the brigade's ability to feed, house, train and transport thousands of service members on a high operational tempo.”

Hewitt's team also shared their knowledge to Reserve and National Guard Soldiers who would oversee similar engineering and maintenance missions. Four Task Force Stinger Soldiers observed, coached and trained more than15 Engineer Construction Companies and Engineer Vertical Construction Companies on how to repair equipment and rebuild structures in austere environments.

“These same [observer, coach, trainers] also assisted various construction projects around McGregor Base Camp between training cycles,” added Hewitt. “Their technical knowledge and practical experience saved the brigade thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars in third party labor expenses.”

Smiles and nods of approval swept across Soldier's Hall as the 3-347th's battalion commander and command sergeant major cased their unit's colors. In one year, Task Force Stinger maximized its limited personnel who possessed limitless knowledge, training and experience to prepare their fellow service members for their journey to and from harm's way.

“You showed what professionals do,” Moyes said to the battalions formed beside him. “You took care of Soldiers.”

• Date Taken: 07.16.2021
• Date Posted: 07.28.2021 17:05
• Story ID: 401946
• Location: FT BLISS, TX, US