GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – The Joint Multinational Training Command gives reserve component soldiers the opportunity to train on their military occupation specialties as part of the overseas deployment training program.
Spc. Arbor L. LaClave, with the 322nd Medical Company Michigan Army Reserve Unit in South Field, Michigan, benefits from this ODT program during his Annual Training as a radiology technician here. LaClave is working with an active duty soldier, in the radiology wing of the Grafenwoehr Health Clinic, taking X-rays for soldiers and their families. He performed up to 20 X-rays a day in just the first week of being here, and assisted with pre-deployment physicals for over 100 soldiers.
Through the JMTC’s ODT program, with help from the reserve liaison, Master Sgt. Sean A. Baker, the ODT operations sergeant for JMTC, LaClave is able to utilize his skills and learn more while adapting to a new culture.
“Master Sgt. Baker welcomed us with open arms, gave us a tour and everything we needed to know while staying here at Grafenwoehr,” says LaClave.
Baker’s mission is to coordinate the integration of reserve component units into the active duty component for deployment readiness.
“It is like a mini-deployment for the reserve soldiers,” Baker adds.
The JMTC regularly brings reserve components units to the organization to fill active duty spots. Baker specifically coordinates for military police, public affairs, legal and medical units.
“Being able to come to Germany and see the culture is a very cool thing for those units. And then to work with their counterparts in an overseas environment is a very cool thing too.” says Baker.
"The reserve components are very surprised to learn that, as soon as they get here ,they are assimilated into the unit just like they are any other [active duty] soldier, as one of those soldiers conducting missions.”
The units typically come here in two week rotations and the JMTC coordinates approximately 52 rotations a year. When reserve component soldiers embed with active duty soldiers, they adapt and apply the readiness skills they will need downrange.
“It’s awesome for me to be able to have a hand in running these two operations together and coming out with something totally better then what we started with,” says Baker.
As a unit administrator, LaClave personally encouraged his comrades to come here.
“It is a really good training experience and they need it,” says LaClave.
The success of this program is found in the direct training the soldier receives. Already, LaClave is able to achieve the goals that the JMTC mission sets in place for reserve soldiers half way into his AT, helping to prepare him for future missions.
“Before last week I hadn’t taken an X-ray in a year and a half. I really got my hands working again with X-rays and it’s a really good experience without a doubt.”
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2011 09:20 |
| Story ID: | 74999 |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, DE |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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