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    Learning from the Electrical Expert

    Learning from the Electrical Expert

    Photo By Sgt. Brian Johnson | Soldiers from the Chillicothe based 1194th Engineer Company work to install a building...... read more read more

    CHILLICOTHE, OH, UNITED STATES

    07.11.2012

    Story by Spc. Brian Johnson 

    216th Engineer Battalion

    CAMP RAVENNA JOINT MILITARY TRAINING CENTER–In the military, soldier training opportunities are a regular occurrence. Training opportunities for Engineer soldiers to practice their skills can be more infrequent.

    During their 2012 Annual Training, soldiers from the Chillicothe based 1194th Engineer Company are taking advantage of a need and turning it into a training opportunity.

    The soldiers are working to install electrical fixtures in five buildings at the Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center in northeast Ohio. When the mission is complete, these buildings will have a variety of uses to include classrooms and offices at the training site.

    Because the younger soldiers don’t always get to keep current with their electrical skills, Staff Sgt. Martin Helms was asked to give refresher training to the other electricians in the unit.

    Helms, from Doylestown, is a civilian journeyman electrician with over ten years of experience. He is also a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 306 in Akron.

    “This training is good because I am able to use one of the buildings to show the soldiers how to complete their work,” said Helms. “They can, in turn, go to an identical building and be able to put into practice what they just learned.”

    Helms explained that as the soldiers are working to install the electrical wiring and fixtures, they have immediate resources available. They can go look at what Helms had just installed, or they can rely on Helms himself for any questions.

    Pfc. Eric DeRemer from Urbana likes having Helms as a resource.
    “Sgt. Helms is full of knowledge,” said DeRemer. “He knows more than many electricians that I know. If we have any questions, he is right there to help us.”

    DeRemer also likes being able to tap into Helms’ knowledge the National Guard to learn a skilled trade, go home and eventually help with the family business.

    Pfc. Sarah Pastorius from Newark also likes how the training is being conducted.

    “In years past, we have been tasked to wire at a very quick pace because of the scope of the projects,” said Pastorius. “The training environment here lets us do everything at a slower pace. This helps us to ensure knowledge retention.”

    The soldiers of the 1194th will be working at Camp Ravenna through the month of July, returning to Chillicothe later in the month.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.11.2012
    Date Posted: 07.12.2012 22:08
    Story ID: 91457
    Location: CHILLICOTHE, OH, US
    Hometown: BARBERTON, OH, US
    Hometown: NEWARK, OH, US
    Hometown: URBANA, OH, US

    Web Views: 92
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN