CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ - Whether they are under the hood of a tactical vehicle conducting preventive maintenance checks and services or shipping personnel and goods, U.S. Army motor transport operators are a critical part of any unit’s mission.
“We, PMCS, the vehicles, drive them and distribute supplies throughout the entire unit,” said Sgt. Jackloid Carino, a motor transport operator assigned to Forward Support Company G, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Currently on his second deployment to Iraq, Carino is a team leader in the distribution platoon, responsible for leading two other soldiers in his section and overseeing distribution operations for the unit.
“It’s a big responsibility to be a motor transport operator,” said Carino, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. “We do more than just drive. We assist in tracking and keeping accountability of … supplies.”
For the past four years, Carino served with the battalion’s distribution platoon, ensuring that no matter where fellow soldiers operated, they received supplies and equipment in a timely manner.
Carino recently earned recognition as “Long Knife” Transition Soldier of the Week for superior performance serving as a team leader and supporting the brigade’s ongoing mission in U.S. Division – North.
“Among all my soldiers, Carino stands out as one of my ‘go-to’ guys, and it’s great he was recognized for his hard work and dedication,” said Sgt. 1st Class Huong Brackens, the distribution platoon non-commissioned officer in charge.
In addition to his duties as a team leader for the platoon, Carino also maintains a palletized loading system for all types of distribution missions in the tactical environment.
The distribution platoon uses the loading equipment to provide rapid movement of combat-configured loads of ammunition and all classes of supply to the battalion’s troops stationed in northern Iraq.
“He knows what it takes to accomplish the mission, and he gets the job done right the first time,” said Brackens, a native of Teague, Texas. “Carino has done a lot within his [military occupational specialty] since enlisting. He’s a great addition to the unit, and I’m positive he’ll go on to do great things for the Army.”