Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Carlos J. Garcia | U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Tiesha L. Houke, a horizontal construction engineer...... read more read more
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BLACKFEET BROWNING, Mont. – Working six to seven days a week and between 10 to 12 hours a day. On top of this, add the responsibilities of being in a leadership position, and balancing a civilian and military career. This is the life of the 317th Engineer Construction Company (ECC) Soldiers while on annual training (AT).
Most Soldiers in the 317th ECC did not experience such a daily demand, and some of the other Soldiers in the unit never experience it or care to understand it. But, for the small percentage of the U.S. population serving in the military who do experience this life and have to manage it, the juggling of schedules become a way of life.
Such is the case for U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Tiesha L. Houke, a horizontal construction supervisor, assigned to the 317th ECC, who participated in an exercise in support of the Blackfeet Innovative Readiness Training program while in AT at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation near Browning, Mont., July 30, 2017.
Houke also works for the Transportation Security Administration as a transportation security officer out of the Midway International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, in her civilian capacity.
As part of Houke’s way of life in the Army Reserve, last year she decided it was time for a change and went from being in the Active Guard Reserve program to the Army Reserve. After serving 10 years as an aviation operations specialist AGR Soldier. Houke decided to make the switch to a horizontal construction supervisor in the Army Reserve.
“Transitioning to a horizontal construction supervisor position is something different, something I have never done before,” said Houke. “I want to be more versatile once that 20-year-retirement comes up.”
As part of Houke’s transition to her new job skill, she had the opportunity during AT to practice and develop the skill along with many other 317th ECC Soldiers.
“Not only has this AT increased our knowledge, made us more comfortable with the equipment and machinery; it has also increased our combat readiness as horizontal construction specialists in the Army Reserve,” said Houke.
Also sharing this experience of this AT being her first in the engineer field was Spc. Rachel N. Thorson, a horizontal construction specialist, assigned to the 317th ECC.
Thorson said constructing a road on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation will pave the way for a new housing development. It also provides real-world training and experience for the U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers on this mission.
“Being able to see a finished product like this road is awesome,” said Houke. “We were able to build something that will help a community grow.”
“This mission will contribute to saving thousands of dollars that the local community needs to help the housing market crisis develop for the future generations to come,” said Houke. “Plus I love operating heavy equipment.”
Little opportunities like this are what a small percentage of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers get to experience in life.
Although Houke has only worked for TSA for a year the experience and skills, she learned in the Army Reserve both as an aviation operation specialist and a horizontal construction supervisor play a significant role in having a successful future.
“If I wanted I could be in the construction business on the civilian side,” said Houke. “But, I also like the federal aspect of working for the TSA; and they support my Army Reserve career.”
Serving in the Army Reserve and being a civil servant creates a balance in Houke’s life. Few people in this country have taken on the responsibility and have the privilege of serving the people of the United States and defending the American way of life like Houke has as a citizen, civil servant, and most importantly a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier.
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2017 20:49 |
| Story ID: | 243812 |
| Location: | BROWNING, MONTANA, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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