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FORT BLISS, Texas — Soldiers across Fort Bliss completed the Advanced Manufacturing for Defense Readiness Certificate Program, a six‑week additive manufacturing and defense readiness course that teaches advanced 3D printing and engineering skills to support future Army maintenance and production. The AMDR course is taught by the University of Texas at El Paso’s advanced manufacturing faculty and technical staff, giving Soldiers the opportunity to learn in a university setting while working with advanced equipment and engineering instructors. The course was developed through the Mission Installation Contracting Command – Fort Bliss after UTEP won a competitive initiative to support Army modernization.
U.S. Army Col. Delarius Tarlton, former commander of the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, said the course equips Soldiers with technical knowledge and problem‑solving skills that strengthen readiness and innovation across the force. AMDR was created to enhance Fort Bliss and 1AD’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, providing Soldiers with the knowledge needed to improve division maintenance and equipment readiness through their work at Iron Foundry. Iron Foundry is the premier advanced manufacturing facility on Fort Bliss, saving the division more than $1 million in maintenance costs since January 2026.
“Iron Foundry has been fundamental to the development of our maintenance program, saving more than 12,800 days of non‑mission capable time, fabricating over 64 different platforms and manufacturing more than 1,000 parts,” Tarlton said. Iron Foundry is staffed by allied trades technicians from brigades across 1AD and offers engineering and parts design, 3D printing capabilities and fabrication services. The division continues to invest in curated training programs that expand Soldiers’ knowledge of maintenance technology and techniques as part of a broader innovation initiative aligned with the Army’s new structure, ARSTRUC.
Pfc. Raven Douds, assigned to Company B, 142nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, Division Sustainment Brigade, said the course gave her a new perspective on manufacturing. “It started out kind of like an engineering class,” Douds said. “We’ve learned about material qualifications and how to verify that the material is good before we use it to make parts. It’s helped me a lot, and I feel like it’s going to make me better at my job.”
The course provides in‑depth instruction on additive manufacturing, computer‑aided design modeling, material analysis and industrial‑level printing systems used for both plastic and metal fabrication. For many Soldiers, the course shifts from traditional hands‑on maintenance to a more technical, engineering‑based approach. Students quickly begin using advanced design and 3D printing software to develop, analyze and refine parts before production. These skills give Soldiers a better understanding of the entire manufacturing process, allowing them to identify and solve problems before a part is printed. As they return to their units, they bring back the knowledge to produce more precise parts, improve maintenance capabilities and keep equipment mission ready.
Beyond design software, Soldiers learn the full additive manufacturing workflow, from initial concept to final production. This includes scanning, modeling, printing and post‑production analysis using microscopes and material characterization tools. The course also emphasizes material verification processes, ensuring Soldiers understand how to confirm the reliability of printed parts for Army operations, including hardness testing and structural analysis.
Maria Estrada, an AMDR instructor, said the intent is not to replace traditional maintenance methods but to expand the Army’s capabilities. “Our main goal is to show the capabilities of 3D printing, seeing how it could be a solution for many things,” Estrada said. “At the same time, it’s not a solution for all — it’s just a tool in the toolbox.”
The six‑week course begins with foundational topics before Soldiers apply their skills to capstone projects. Some students excel in design, while others find material analysis or machine operation more intuitive. This dynamic creates a balanced learning environment where Soldiers teach and learn from one another.
For senior enlisted Soldiers, the course highlights differences in experience and perspective. Staff Sgt. Sean Lichtenhahn, assigned to Company B, 142nd DSSB, said the course allows Soldiers of all backgrounds to learn from each other. “I get new AIT Soldiers and I’m teaching them how I do it, but I’m also getting taught how they do it,” Lichtenhahn said. Across the ranks, Soldiers consistently point to a greater understanding of design software as one of the most valuable takeaways. Many say they leave with stronger technical confidence. “I’m able to draw up a part in half the time I used to be able to,” Douds said. “They taught me a more in‑depth way of using the technology.”
At the conclusion of the course, Soldiers leave with a deeper understanding of how advanced manufacturing directly supports mission readiness and reduces delays, potentially saving the Army significant time and costs in part production. The course reflects the Army’s continued efforts to modernize by giving Soldiers tools once reserved for specialized industries and integrating them into operational environments.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2026 18:57 |
| Story ID: | 572009 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fort Bliss, UTEP redefine Army advanced manufacturing, by SPC Garret Kimmel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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