By 1st Lt. Brian Podnar
39th Movement Control Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st TSC
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the 16th Sustainment Brigade’s, 39th Transportation Battalion hosted a three-day Movement Control Team (MCT) Academy for 22 Soldiers in late April at multiple locations in the Kaiserslautern area to refine their movement control and transportation skills.
The 16th SB commander, Col. Scott Murray, has been focusing on what he describes as “operationalizing” the unit. “It means getting us back to our tactical roots, getting us back focused on our doctrinal sustainment missions,” said Murray.
The MCT Academy initiative truly is the transportation battalion’s effort towards the “operationalizing” concept.
The training and mentorship from the MCT Academy develops Soldiers into the next generation of transporters. Upon completion, Soldiers will be fully capable to deploy in support of training exercises and international operations under U.S. Army Europe and U.S. European Command.
Training consisted of a one-day classroom session, and two days of hands-on practical exercises at the Deployment Processing Center, or DPC on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.
Throughout the three days, Soldiers learned policy and procedures for Cargo Movement Operations System, customs clearance procedures, DPC capabilities, air operations, and convoy and rail operations.
On the second day, Soldiers drew from convoy and rail load operations training to prepare, stage, load and offload a convoy for movement, vehicle loading, bracing for rail transportation , aerial transportation pallet building, and load balancing for air load operations.
“The Railhead training was absolutely invaluable. Learning how to efficiently, effectively, and most importantly, safely load and tie down equipment to railcars was a learning event that all transporters should have the privilege to attend”, said 624th Movement Control Team Soldier, Sgt. Kenneth Taylor, a native of Parsons, W. Va. “The tasks that were taught during the MCT academy are imperative for mentoring and developing new and junior Soldiers and an awesome refresher for some of the more experienced Soldiers.”
The 39th Transportation Battalion has scheduled the next MCT Academy in late July.