FORT HOOD, Texas – Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Corps conducted a deployment exercise from April 23 - May 4 at Fort Hood.
The exercise was implemented so members of the battalion could go through all the steps of the deployment process. This let the battalion get their systems in place in case they were called to deploy on short notice.
“The reason why we're doing this is to determine our readiness for deployment if we all of a sudden had to deploy,” said 1st Lt. Jasmine Schultz, the executive officer for Signal Intelligence Sustainment Company, HHBN, III Corps. “It's also giving us a chance to evaluate where we stand, to reestablish standard operating procedures, and get some training accomplished as well.”
The preparation to conduct the exercise was just as important as the execution. In preparing for the exercise, deficiencies were found and fixed while the battalion gained the contacts needed to deploy. The leaders in the organization also gained the opportunity to conduct inspections and see their Soldiers in action.
“We've been doing this for two weeks, and the first week has been preparation,” said Schultz. “It's was making load plans, packing vehicles, and staging vehicles. The second week is inspections, inspecting load plans, inspecting licenses, and dispatches.”
The exercise was a first for many of the Soldiers involved. As such, the Soldiers learned the processes and requirements of deploying procedures. The leaders also had to determine exactly how and what equipment they would bring.
“We've had to evaluate what we'd need per section,” said Schultz. “Then it's been moving vehicles to determine what vehicles are functioning and building those vehicles into a convoy plan, putting them into chalks.”
After staging the vehicles, the equipment was then loaded.
“We had individual sections with their trucks, packing them and making sure the load plans were correct. It also involved making sure licenses matched up and dispatches were good as well as just testing equipment. And simultaneously, we've been able to set up a headquarter command post. A lot of the soldiers had never done that before, and as well as even using some of our signal assets,” said Schultz.
For newer Soldiers, it also let them know how his or her team operates. It also allowed them to understand what the deployment process entails.
“I've only been in the unit three months,” said Pfc. Joshua Smith, a signal support systems specialist assigned to SISCO. “So I have never experienced the field or any deployments. Now, if I ever get the chance to go to the field or on a deployment, I know what to expect. I know it takes a team and not just myself. Everyone is important on a mission.”
With the exercise complete, the battalion intends to incorporate the lessons learned into their plans moving forward. For the Soldiers, it was a time of learning that will allow them to be better prepared for their future exercises or potential deployments.
“We've managed to tackle a lot of things at one time,” said Schultz. “So this has really been a great, great exercise. The Soldiers and I have learned a lot since we've been out here.”