FORT HOOD, Texas — Seventeen soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Brigade just completed a 90-day tasking to help issue decals, Phantom Express passes, temporary passes and to process weapons registration at the Marvin Leath Visitors Center.
Johnnie Williams, Marvin Leath Visitor Center lead clerk, said new soldiers are tasked and trained every 90 days because the center is downsizing its civilian staff.
“The soldiers had to have a valid security clearance and no law infraction that would keep from accessing the database,” 2nd Lt. Amanda Morstad, a platoon leader assigned to the 502nd HRC, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sust. Bde., said. They also had to pass a one-day security and privacy class with a 70 percent or above.
The soldiers were assigned to three different shifts. The leaders covered the first shift from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and part of the second shift from 3-5 p.m., Morstad said.
After a few days on the job, the soldiers got a feel for how the days were going to go.
“First shift was the rush, second shift was the back end of the rush and third shift, that’s when everything slowed down,” Staff Sgt. Thomas Brewster, a platoon sergeant, assigned to 502nd HRC, 4th STB, 4th Sust. Bde., said.
On an average day, the soldiers serviced 65 to 70 customers a day.
“The lines made it where people were a little tense at times, but the great thing about the leadership and the platoon was that they stepped in and took care of the customers,” Morstad said. “That was well received by the customers.”
Sgt. Janine Crenshaw, a retention non-commissioned officer, assigned to the 502nd HRC, 4th STB, 4th Sust. Bde., was assigned to the night shift, which began at 11 p.m. and ended at 7 a.m.
“During my shift, I would issue temporary passes and decals,” Crenshaw said.
The customers who had suspended licenses, were barred from post, had warrants for their arrest or expired insurance were directed to the military police who would handle the situation from there, Crenshaw added.
Morstad was impressed that although the soldiers missed some four-day weekends during the tasking, they didn’t complain.
“The soldiers and leadership sucked it up in a very professional way and drove on,” she said.
Brewster was also impressed with the soldiers and how they adapted to certain situations. He said some soldiers really stepped up their game.
“It surprised me and made me feel good as a leader,” he said.
Although 502nd has completed their 90-day rotation, the tasking remains with the 4th Sust. Bde., and another subordinate unit, the 180th Transportation Battalion will now provide personnel to augment the visitors center.