FEST-M training day helps prepare for return home

Photo By Mark Abueg | Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment learn to combat post-deployment stress from Sgt. Rebecca Hansen from the 883rd Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control). The unit recently completed annual training requirements to better prepare its return to Vicksburg, Miss.  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

02.26.2011

Story by Mark Abueg 

579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – With redeployment only a few months away, unit members gathered in a small classroom and went back to basics by relearning some of the necessary skills needed to succeed in the workplace and back home.

The 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team -Main) completed annual training requirements yesterday to better prepare its soldiers and civilians to reintegrate from Afghanistan to the United States.

“Usually military units conduct this training before or right after redeployment,” said Sgt. 1st Class Candido Aguilar, FEST-M first sergeant. “It was a good idea to have these classes taught today, so our detachment members could individually adjust mentally and be better prepared to reunite with their families.”

Among the six classes taught during the unit’s stand-down day were substance abuse awareness, operational security instruction, and resilience training.

“The importance of today’s training stems from the need to not become complacent,” Aguilar said. “There are a lot of habits that get picked up while we’re here overseas. When we go back to Mississippi, we’re not going to be used to this combat environment anymore. We want to make the smoothest transition as possible when we return home.”

Returning from another deployment will be Sam Stacy, who has over 25 years of service and has taken his fair share of all types of Army training.

“Of course we have to take our individual training,” said Stacy, the FEST-M public works engineer. “But we are a team, and I think just about every one of the classes we had built on the team concept.”

Aside from learning about the prevention of sexual harassment and the equal opportunity in the workplace, Stacy and his teammates learned how to unwind at the end of the long workday.

“I really enjoyed the relaxation exercise at the end of our training,” Stacy said. “We are under stress over here, so it was good as far as showing us how to unwind and clear our thoughts.”

But for all the pressure that goes along with deployment, it is important that each FEST-M member take in everything that was learned from the day of teaching.

“It’s great we’re able to receive this type of training every year,” Stacy said. “Having all these classes creates a good workplace and it keeps everyone professional.”

• Date Taken: 02.26.2011
• Date Posted: 02.26.2011 12:28
• Story ID: 66140
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF